Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social and Economic factors affecting Ethnic Fertility differentials in Malawi

This paper examines the ethnic differentials in fertility in Malawi using data from the 2000 Malawi Demographic and Health survey. Fertility was estimated for each ethnic group using various procedures and multiple regressions were employed in order to understand factors responsible for ethnic differentials in fertility in the country. Although all ethnic groups in Malawi exhibit high fertility (TFR in excess of 5) the existing differentials are such that the Chewa and Sena (TFR in excess of 7) could be said to exhibit high fertility whereas the Nkonde, Tumbuka, Tonga and Lomwe could be categorized as having low fertility and the rest of the ethnic groups in Malawi could be categorized as moderate. The results of regression analyses are consistent with cultural hypothesis since significant fertility differentials remain even after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables. Policy implications and recommendations for future directions in fertility research and family planning programme in Malawi are discussed.
Feline diarrhoea associated with Tritrichomonas cf. foetus and Giardia co-infection in an Australian cattery.

A 10-week-old female Ocicat was presented at a primary care feline veterinary practice for failure to thrive and diarrhoea. Numerous trophozoites, atypical for Giardia sp. , were detected on a direct faecal examination, in addition to Giardia cysts. Although the failure to thrive and diarrhoea resolved following treatment for giardiasis, further diagnostic tests performed on faecal specimens from the kitten and 15 other Ocicats from the same cattery, including culture of trophozoites in In Pouch medium, PCR testing and molecular sequencing of PCR amplicons, confirmed infection with Tritrichomonas cf. foetus. This is the first report in Australia of feline trichomoniasis, which appears to be an emerging infectious disease of cats. Pertinent information regarding the clinical features, diagnosis, therapy, and potential source of feline trichomoniasis within Australia are discussed.
A comparison of uplink scheduling in OFDMA and SCFDMA

Uplink scheduling is compared between OFDMA and SCFDMA systems. Two low complexity scheduling algorithms are presented. Both algorithms perform utility maximization scheduling, with the second having the property of ensuring that all subcarriers allocated to a single user are consecutive. Furthermore, the case of independent fading over the subcarriers of a single resource block is compared to the case of identical fading corresponding to full correlation between the subcarriers of a resource block. Simulation results related to these different cases are presented and analyzed.
Major gene effect on body mass index: the role of energy intake and energy expenditure.

The evidence for a major gene for body mass index (BMI) was investigated using complex segregation analysis (POINTER) in 1691 individuals belonging to 432 nuclear families residing in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Since the BMI is significantly correlated with energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure of activity (EEA), the effects of each were removed from the BMI using regression analysis, and the segregation analysis was repeated on the energy-adjusted BMI. For BMI, a putative major locus could not be ruled out, and the effect (q = 0.25, accounting for 37% of the phenotypic variance) was remarkably similar to that reported in Western populations. After adjusting the BMI for EI and EEA, however, no evidence in support of a major gene could be observed, suggesting either that EI and EEA mediate the expression of the major gene effect on BMI, or that the same major gene may influence both traits. The pleiotropy hypothesis was further explored using a simple bivariate familial correlation model, in which the significance of familial cross-trait correlations (e.g., BMI in parents with BMI as predicted from the energy variables in the offspring) was examined. The cross-trait resemblance between the two measures was significant for all biological relatives, verifying the presence of shared heritable determinants (i.e., the same gene[s] and/or familial environments) accounting for 58% of the covariation. The significant cross-trait spouse correlations further suggested that at least part of the cross-trait resemblance may be due to shared environmental factors. Therefore, we conclude that there is strong evidence for shared genetic effects between BMI and the energy variables.
A prospective study of magnetic resonance imaging in lymphoma staging

In this prospective study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was compared with computed tomography (CT) in patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHDL), and with CT and laparotomy in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD). Among 31 patients with NHDL, there was agreement between MRI and CT findings in 21 patients; MRI findings were positive and CT findings were negative in 8 patients; and MRI findings were negative and CT findings were positive in 2 patients. The false‐negative findings of MRI included a laparotomy‐proven mesenteric mass and a 6.6‐cm lesion in the spleen, both shown by CT. In 13 evaluable patients with HD, there was agreement between MRI and laparotomy findings in 8 patients; MRI findings were positive and laparotomy findings were negative in 4 patients; and MRI findings were negative and laparotomy findings were positive in 1 patient. CT findings agreed with laparotomy findings in nine patients; CT findings were positive and laparotomy findings were negative in one patient; and CT findings were negative and laparotomy findings were positive in three patients. This suggested that MRI, although more sensitive than CT, was less specific with more falsepositive findings. The spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1) for the spleen was generally higher in patients with HD who had pathologically confirmed splenic involvement, and tended to increase with increasing spleen weight. This study was performed on a prototype 0.15 Tesla (Technicare Inc., Solon, OH) resistive unit at a time when methods and reporting for MRI were still being developed. Although MRI appears to have fewer false‐negative findings than CT in evaluating the abdomen of lymphoma patients, the lack of a gastrointestinal contrast agent and specificity of T1 elevations in the spleen would not suggest that MRI could replace CT or laparotomy as a staging technique.
Relationship between maternal blood ceruloplasmin level, catalase and myeloperoxidase activity and neural tube defects.

OBJECTIVES The exact pathogenesis of neural tube defects (NTDs) is poorly understood. We aimed at evaluating maternal anti-oxidant capacity (ceruloplasmin level, myeloperoxidase and catalase activity) in pregnancies complicated by NTDs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-four mothers with NTD-affected pregnancies and 61 healthy mothers, matched for gestational age, were recruited. Maternal venous blood samples were obtained after detailed fetal ultrasound examination to measure myeloperoxidase, catalase activity and ceruloplasmin levels. The clinical characteristics of all participants were collected. RESULTS Maternal blood catalase activity was significantly lower in the study group (117.1 ± 64.8 kU/L) as compared to controls (152.2 ± 110.6 kU/L) (p = 0.044). Maternal blood ceruloplasmin levels were also significantly lower in the study group (180.5 ± 37.7 U/L) as compared to controls (197.9 ± 35.9 U/L) (p = 0.012). Myeloperoxidase activity was similar in both groups (112.6 ± 22.2 U/L vs. 113.6 ± 38.1 U/L) (p = 0.869). CONCLUSIONS In the present study, maternal blood ceruloplasmin level and catalase activity were found to be lower in NTD-affected pregnancies as compared to healthy controls. Thus, it seems safe to conclude that impaired antioxidant capacity may play a role in the development of NTDs during pregnancy, in addition to the genetic, environmental and metabolic factors.
Transport properties for liquid silicon-oxygen-iron mixtures at Earth's core conditions

We report on the thermal and electrical conductivities of two liquid silicon-oxygen-iron mixtures (Fe0.82Si0.10O0.08 and Fe0.79Si0.08O0.13), representative of the composition of the Earth’s outer core at the relevant pressure-temperature conditions, obtained from density functional theory calculations with the Kubo-Greenwood formulation. We find thermal conductivities k = 100(160) W m −1 K −1 , and electrical conductivities σ = 1.1(1.3) × 10 6 � −1 m −1 at the top (bottom) of the outer core. These values are between two and three times higher than previous estimates, and have important implications for our understanding of the Earth’s thermal history and the functioning of the Earth’s magnetic field, including rapid cooling rate for the whole core or high level of radiogenic elements in the core. We also show results for a number of structural and dynamic properties of the mixtures, including the partial radial distribution functions, mean square displacements, viscosities, and speeds of sound.
Composition and characterization of humic substances extracted from effluent-based pressmud composts

Introduction Abstract: Humus production is the end result of composting and the value of compost can be based upon its humus value. The objectives of this study were to measure and quantify the humic substances (HS) produced during the composting of pressmud with other biodegradables and to characterize the HS extracted from matured composts for their elemental composition, functional groups and total acidity. The composts, which received inorganic additives, enhanced the formation of both HA (Humic Acid) and FA (Fulvic acid) compared with compost without additives. The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents in HA were higher than in FA whereas oxygen (0) and hydrogen (H) contents were higher in FA than HA samples. The HS extracted from enriched composts were higher in oxygen and low in carbon content which suggests more labile nature of these fractions. The N/C and OIC ratios were considerably high in both HA and FA extracted from enriched composts than that from un-enriched composts. The content of carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups, and total acidity were larger in HA's than in those from FA's. The E4/E6 ratios of FA's were higher than HA's and enriched composts exhibit considerably higher ratios compared to unenriched composts indicating more of aliphatic nature of the fractions.
Coalitions of relatives and reproductive skew in cooperatively breeding white-winged choughs

We used DNA fingerprinting to examine reproductive skew in cooperatively breeding white-winged choughs, Corcorax melanorhamphos, which live in groups of up to 20 individuals. Before a severe drought, groups that had been stable for multiple years were characterized by long-term monogamy involving a single breeding pair (high skew). After the drought, new groups formed from the amalgamation of multiple individuals and coalitions of relatives. At most one member of each faction succeeded in breeding, such that skew was dependent on the number of unrelated factions, and not group size. In the new groups, dominant males and females with supporting relatives were always successful. Whereas most females without support also gained breeding positions, many males without family support failed to breed. Thus subordinates gain indirect fitness by first helping related males to secure a breeding position, and then helping to raise their young. Our study demonstrates the advantage of operating in coalitions, and suggests that the acquisition of future allies may be a major benefit of helping behaviour in this species.
Intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease in four working dogs

Abstract CASE HISTORY: Four working dogs were presented to veterinary clinics in New Zealand for weight loss or swelling of the thoracic wall. All dogs were large-breed males between the ages of 4 and 7 years, and actively involved in farm work. The two dogs with swelling of the thoracic wall had recent histories of work-related trauma. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: All four dogs were diagnosed with intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease via diagnostic imaging and surgical exploration. Two dogs had confirmed infection with Actinomyces viscosus, while a third had suspected Actinomyces or Nocardia spp. infection. The fourth dog had a streptococcal infection, and a grass-seed foreign body was removed at surgery. Two dogs successfully returned to work, however euthanasia was requested by the owners of the other two, either during surgery, due to intra-thoracic haemorrhage, or shortly after, with post-operative meningitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Due to the high value of working dogs in New Zealand, and the higher-than-average risk profile for intra-thoracic pyogranulomatous disease, veterinarians should be aware of this syndrome, and should seek to appropriately diagnose and aggressively treat it surgically.
Unified contact force control approach for cable-driven parallel robots using an impedance/admittance control strategy

In this paper a unified contact force control approach for cable-driven parallel robots (CDPR) is proposed. The contact force controller is governed by two control loops: 1) An inner impedance control loop enforcing a dynamical relationship between the internal forces and the end-effector velocities to maintain a desired tension level in the cable system. 2) An outer admittance control loop considering the contact wrench by altering the desired end-effector trajectory. For the parametrization of the admittance controller the desired stiffness of the virtual manipulator system is defined by the mechanical stiffness of the end-effector. Further, the influences of changing the stiffness of the virtual system are discussed. To reconstruct the contact wrench a disturbance observer based on the generalized momentum approach is incorporated into both control loops. Experiments with a 6-DOF CDPR with industrial electric synchronous machines are presented validating the proposed contact force control approach.
Cellular architecture and topographic organization of the inferior colliculus of the squirrel monkey

The inferior colliculus of the squirrel monkey is made up of a large central nucleus, bordered by the smaller external and pericentral nuclei. The majority of cells in the central nucleus exhibit a pronounced laminar arrangement due to the orientation of their dendrites. In medial sections of the nucleus these laminae lie in a dorsorostral to ventrocaudal direction. More laterally the layers assume a horizontal orientation and at the far lateral edge of the central nucleus come to lie in a ventrorostral to dorsocaudal orientation.
Age of Onset of Cannabis Use is Associated with Age of Onset of High-Risk Symptoms for Psychosis

Objective: Increasing interest in the prodromal stage of schizophrenia over the past decade led us to perform our study to monitor people at high risk for developing a psychosis. We hypothesized that cannabis use or a cannabis use disorder at a younger age relates to high-risk symptoms at a younger age. Method: People referred to the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with an ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis were interviewed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview to assess their cannabis consumption. The Interview for the Retrospective Assessment of the Onset of Schizophrenia was used to collect data about age of onset of high-risk or prodromal symptoms. Nine high-risk symptoms were selected and clustered because of their known relation with cannabis use. Results: Among the 68 included participants, 35 had used cannabis (51.5%), of whom 15 had used recently. Twenty-two participants had been cannabis abusers or cannabis-dependent (32.4%) in the past. Younger age at onset of cannabis use was related to younger age of onset of the cluster of symptoms (rho = 0.48, P = 0.003) and also to 6 symptoms individually (rho = 0.47 to 0.90, P < 0.001 to 0.04). Younger age at onset of a cannabis use disorder was related to younger age of onset of the cluster of symptoms (rho = 0.67, P = 0.001) and also to 6 symptoms individually (rho = 0.50 to 0.93, P = 0.007 to 0.03). Conclusion: Cannabis use or a cannabis use disorder at a younger age in a group with an UHR for transition to psychosis is related to onset of high-risk symptoms for psychosis at a younger age.
Suicide among East Asians in North America: A scoping review

Background Suicide is among the leading causes of death in North America for various age groups. Given the far-reaching impacts of suicide on families and societies, there is growing research on this phenomenon; yet, most focus primarily on mainstream populations (i.e. Caucasian, native-born Americans or Canadians) and/or aggregated population data. As a result cultural considerations within multi-cultural milieus and increasing globalization can be overlooked. Aims This scoping review reports findings drawn from 11 studies examining suicide among East Asian (EA) population in North America. Method A web-based literature search was performed to identify original research articles published from January 2002 to December 2011, addressing suicide among EAs living in North America, specifically in the USA and Canada. Results Four prominent thematic findings were identified in the literature related to: (1) rates of suicidal ideation and behavior among EAs in North America; (2) acculturation; (3) family support and conflict; and (4) other cultural and ethnic considerations. Conclusions Further research, particularly qualitative and/or mixed methods, is needed to provide a more complete understanding of suicide among this under-studied population. This article concludes with a list of recommendations for future research based on the review.
Function after Motor Vehicle Accidents: A Prospective Study of Mild Head Injury and Posttraumatic Stress

Relationships among mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), posttraumatic stress (PTS), and function were examined in 99 motor vehicle accident (MVA) admissions: 64 in an MTBI group and 35 in a no-MTBI comparison group. Assessments occurred within the first month and at 6 to 9 months. At follow-up, the sample was moderately disabled on the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), 71% satisfied on the Reintegration of Normal Living Index (RNL), and 42% had returned to work. Only the SIP Psychosocial score was significantly different for MTBI groups; 24% of the sample showed definite symptoms of PTS. This group was significantly more disabled on the SIP, less satisfied on the RNL, and less likely to return to work. The proportion of variance in outcome explained in each model ranged from 32% (Physical SIP) to 44% (RNL). Results suggest the need for clinicians to be more aware of the strong influence of PTS on functional outcomes.
Increased Transplanted Organs from the Use of a Standardized Donor Management Protocol

The organ shortage has resulted in increasing recipient waiting lists and waiting‐list deaths. The increased use of expanded donors has been associated with increased discarding of procured organs because of poor organ function. A structured donor management algorithm or critical pathway was tested to determine its effect on the donor management and procurement process. A pilot study examined donors from 88 critical care units in 10 organ procurement organizations managed under the critical pathway and compared them to retrospective data collected at those same pilot sites. The total number of organs both procured and transplanted per 100 donors was significantly greater (p < 0.01) in the critical pathway group when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in 1‐year graft survival for any of the organs recovered, and no significant difference in the rate of delayed graft function in the kidneys transplanted. Use of a structured donor management algorithm results in significant increases in organs procured and organs transplanted without any reduction in the quality of the organs being transplanted.
TLR5-Deficient Mice Lack Basal Inflammatory and Metabolic Defects but Exhibit Impaired CD4 T Cell Responses to a Flagellated Pathogen

TLR5-deficient mice have been reported to develop spontaneous intestinal inflammation and metabolic abnormalities. However, we report that TLR5-deficient mice from two different animal colonies display no evidence of basal inflammatory disease, metabolic abnormalities, or enhanced resistance to Salmonella infection. In contrast, the absence of TLR5 hindered the initial activation and clonal expansion of intestinal flagellin-specific CD4 T cells following oral Salmonella infection. Together, these data demonstrate that a basal inflammatory phenotype is not a consistent feature of TLR5-deficient mice and document a novel role for TLR5 in the rapid targeting of flagellin by intestinal pathogen-specific CD4 T cells.
Reply to comment by Yanni Gunnell and Marc Calvet on “Origin of the highly elevated Pyrenean peneplain”

Gunnell and Calvet [2006] (hereinafter referred to as GC) challenge the recent model that we proposed for the origin of the highly elevated Pyrenean peneplain by contest- ing our morphometric analysis of this chain and the relation we made between the morphological evolution and the piedmont sedimentation. Their reasoning is as follows: (1) According to Calvet [1996] (on which their comment is largely based) the high-elevation, low-relief surfaces in the Eastern Pyrenees are remnants of a peneplain that devel- oped before the Pliocene from applanation near to sea level, and which was later uplifted by 2000 m during the Plio- Quaternary (in other words, GC belong to the ‘‘applanation’’ school, whereas we woul d belong to the ‘‘altiplanation’’ school); (2) high-elevation, low-relief surfaces do not exist in the Central Pyrenees; (3) therefore the relationships we made between the morphology of the Central Pyrenees and the pattern of the detrital sedimentation in the adjacent Ebro foreland basin is meaningless; (4) contrary to the initial interpretation of Calvet [1996], GC recognize that crustal thickening did not develop since the Pliocene in the Eastern Pyrenees, so they appeal to another geodynamical process such as extension or lithosphere delamination to explain the supposed uplift.
Identification of surface‐exposed components of MOMP of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar F

The identification of surface‐exposed components of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia is critical for modeling its three‐dimensional structure, as well as for understanding the role of MOMP in the pathogenesis of Chlamydia‐related diseases. MOMP contains four variable domains (VDs). In this study, VDII and VDIV of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar F were proven to be surface‐located by immuno‐dot blot assay using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Two proteases, trypsin and endoproteinase Glu‐C, were applied to digest the intact elementary body of serovar F under native conditions to reveal the surface‐located amino acids. The resulting peptides were separated by SDS‐PAGE and probed with MAbs against these VDs. N‐terminal amino acid sequencing revealed: (1) The Glu‐C cleavage sites were located within VDI (at Glu61) and VDIII (at Glu225); (2) the trypsin cleavage sites were found at Lys79 in VDI and at Lys224 in VDIII. The tryptic peptides were then isolated by HPLC and analyzed with a matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer and a quadrupole‐orthogonal‐TOF mass spectrometer coupled with a capillary liquid chromatograph. Masses and fragmentation patterns that correlated to the peptides cleaved from VDI and VDIII regions, and C‐terminal peptides Ser333–Arg358 and Ser333–Lys350 were observed. This result demonstrated that these regions are surface‐exposed. Data derived from comparison of nonreduced outer membrane complex proteolytic fragments with their reduced fractions revealed that Cys26, 29, 33, 116, 208, and 337 were involved in disulfide bonds, and Cys26 and 337, and 116 and 208 were paired. Based on these data, a new two‐dimensional model is proposed.