Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Central obesity is associated with reduced peripheral wave reflection in Indigenous Australians irrespective of diabetes status

Objective To determine the influence of central obesity and type 2 diabetes on peripheral wave reflection in Indigenous Australians. Design and methods A cross-sectional study of remote Indigenous Australians with (n = 43) and without (n = 54) type 2 diabetes of similar age (47 years) and sex; using anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measures of obesity and applanation tonometry to determine the aortic augmentation index (AI) as an index of peripheral wave relfection. Results Indices of obesity were significantly higher in the diabetic than non-diabetic participants [body mass index (BMI): 27.3 versus 24.6 kg/m2, P = 0.018; waist circumference: women 101 versus 94 cm, P = 0.008, men 102 versus 91 cm, P = 0.039]. AI was negatively related to obesity: BMI (r = −0.35, P = 0.0003), weight (r = −0.44, P < 0.0005), waist circumference (r = −0.34, P = 0.0003) and fat mass (r = −0.35, P < 0.0005). There was no significant difference in AI between the groups with and without diabetes. On multiple regression analysis, 66% of the variance in AI was explained with the following significant predictors: age, heart rate, male gender, fat mass and mean arterial pressure. Similar results were obtained when weight, waist circumference or BMI were substituted for fat mass. Conclusion When compared with Indigenous Australians without diabetes, those with type 2 diabetes do not have greater aortic pressure augmentation from peripheral wave reflection. However, obesity, irrespective of the index used, was related to lower peripheral wave reflection in both those with and without type 2 diabetes.
CTH11-5: New Lower Bounds for Noncoherent Channel Estimation and ML Performance

We consider the optimal performance of noncoherent channel estimation, that is, where the codebook is known to the receiver but the actual transmitted data is not. It is well known that when training data is known to the receiver, the minimum variance of the channel estimation error for unbiased channel estimation is bounded by the Cramer-Rao lower bound. However, in the noncoherent case, where joint estimation of both a continuous channel and discrete data is required, the Cramer- Rao bound is not applicable. We derive a new bound for this mixed multiple parameter estimation problem for flat fading channels, based on the Hammersley-Chapman-Robbins bound for restricted parameters. We show that the new noncoherent bound asymptotically approaches the Cramer-Rao bound with increasing SNR and sequence length. As an example we consider channel estimation for BPSK over a positive real-valued channel. We show that the noncoherent ML detector is asymptotically unbiased and achieves the lower bound with increasing SNR. We also observe that for moderate SNR the noncoherent ML estimator can actually outperform the optimal coherent ML estimator.
Suitability of V1 Energy Models for Object Classification

Simulations of cortical computation have often focused on networks built from simplified neuron models similar to rate models hypothesized for V1 simple cells. However, physiological research has revealed that even V1 simple cells have surprising complexity. Our computational simulations explore the effect of this complexity on the visual system's ability to solve simple tasks, such as the categorization of shapes and digits, after learning from a limited number of examples. We use recently proposed high-throughput methodology to explore what axes of modeling complexity are useful in these categorization tasks. We find that complex cell rate models learn to categorize objects better than simple cell models, and without incurring extra computational expense. We find that the squaring of linear filter responses leads to better performance. We find that several other components of physiologically derived models do not yield better performance.
Double‐check probing of DNA bending and unwinding by XPA–RPA: an architectural function in DNA repair

The multiprotein factor composed of XPA and replication protein A (RPA) is an essential subunit of the mammalian nucleotide excision repair system. Although XPA–RPA has been implicated in damage recognition, its activity in the DNA repair pathway remains controversial. By replacing DNA adducts with mispaired bases or non‐hybridizing analogues, we found that the weak preference of XPA and RPA for damaged substrates is entirely mediated by indirect readout of DNA helix conformations. Further screening with artificially distorted substrates revealed that XPA binds most efficiently to rigidly bent duplexes but not to single‐stranded DNA. Conversely, RPA recognizes single‐stranded sites but not backbone bending. Thus, the association of XPA with RPA generates a double‐check sensor that detects, simultaneously, backbone and base pair distortion of DNA. The affinity of XPA for sharply bent duplexes, characteristic of architectural proteins, is not compatible with a direct function during recognition of nucleotide lesions. Instead, XPA in conjunction with RPA may constitute a regulatory factor that monitors DNA bending and unwinding to verify the damage‐specific localization of repair complexes or control their correct three‐dimensional assembly.
Propofol Alone Versus Propofol in Combination With Meperidine for Sedation During Colonoscopy

Background Despite the increasing popularity of propofol for sedation in colonoscopy, the optimal regimen is still controversial. Both propofol alone and propofol in combination with meperidine are frequently used during colonoscopy, but the impact of adding meperidine has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate if adding meperidine to propofol offers any advantage in terms of patient tolerance, recovery time, and postcolonoscopy discomforts. Method Consecutive patients admitted to the physical checkup department of our hospital were randomized to receive either meperidine plus propofol (combination group, n=100) or propofol alone (propofol group, n=100) for sedated colonoscopy. The patients' tolerance and postcolonoscopy discomforts (pain, bloating, dizziness, and nausea/vomiting) were assessed with a 0-10 visual analog scale. The recovery times were assessed with 5-minute and 10-minute Aldrete scores. Results The dose of propofol was less in the combination group than the propofol group (129.80±37.93 mg vs. 147.90±47.85, mean±SD, P=0.003). The endoscopists, anesthetists, and nurses all rated patients' tolerance in favor of the combination group than the propofol group (mean±SD, endoscopists, 9.17±1.23 vs. 8.49±1.60, P=0.001; anesthetists, 9.21±1.08 vs. 8.63±1.37, P=0.001; nurses, 9.18±1.34 vs. 8.71±1.47, P=0.019, respectively). Patients in the combination group recovered earlier than the placebo group (5-min Aldrete scores: 9.48±1.09 vs. 9.05±1.32, mean±SD, P=0.013; short intervals to speak: 4.29±4.05 min vs. 6.30±5.22 min, P=0.003; and departure: 18.62±5.28 min vs. 20.28±5.68 min, P=0.034). There was also less abdominal bloating in the combination group after colonoscopy (1.23±1.79 vs. 2.19±2.12, mean±SD, P=0.004). Incidences of hypoxemia, hypotension, and overall satisfaction scores were comparable between the 2 groups. Conclusions For sedated colonoscopy, propofol in combination with meperidine is better than propofol alone in improving patients' tolerance and recovery.
Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of ortho-carborane: structural insights and interaction with Cu overlayers

X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS) are used to investigate the chemical and electronic structure of boron carbide films deposited from ortho-carborane precursors using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and the reactivity of PECVD films toward sputter-deposited Cu overlayers. The XPS data provide clear evidence of enhanced ortho-carborane reactivity with the substrate, and of extra-icosahedral boron and carbon species; these results differ from results for films formed by condensation and electron beam induced cross-linking of ortho-carborane (EBIC films). The UPS data show that the valence band maximum for PECVD films is ∼1.5 eV closer to the Fermi level than for EBIC films. The XPS data also indicate that PECVD films are resistant to thermally-stimulated diffusion of Cu at temperatures up to 1000 K in UHV, in direct contrast to recently reported results, but important for applications in neutron detection and in microelectronics.
A Study of Cognitive Effort of Decision Makers with Different NC under Framing

The purpose of this study is to examine cognitive effort of decision makers with different need for cognition (NC) while making decision under framing. Hundreds of empirical studies have demonstrated the framing effect moderating by NC in various contexts. However, these studies often treated cognition as a black box and focused on the outcomes rather than on the process by which decisions with different NC are made. In order to explore cognitive process of decision makers with different NC under framed problems, our research observes the cognitive effort of decision makers with different NC (High vs. Low NC) under different framing (Positive vs. Negative framing) from the perspective of their information process. A laboratory experiment of 65 subjects was conducted. Eye-tracking was applied to evaluate decision makers’ cognitive effort. The results indicate that all subjects are susceptible to framing effect, and NC doesn’t moderate framing effect. Decision makers with high NC will spend more cognitive effort to framed problems. In addition, decision makers with high NC, compared with those with low NC, will pay more cognitive effort in negative frame, but not for positive framing. Finally, there is no significant relationship between cognitive effort and framing effect. The results could compensate the shortage of past studies related to framing effect and NC, which only focused on final choices. In addition, by using eye tracking, we also unveil the track of information process before framing effect generated, which could benefit the richness of research on framing effect and NC.
Vaccine assembly from surface proteins of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infection. Because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains, these infections represent a serious public health threat. To develop a broadly protective vaccine, we tested cell wall-anchored surface proteins of S. aureus as antigens in a murine model of abscess formation. Immunization with four antigens (IsdA, IsdB, SdrD, and SdrE) generated significant protective immunity that correlated with the induction of opsonophagocytic antibodies. When assembled into a combined vaccine, the four surface proteins afforded high levels of protection against invasive disease or lethal challenge with human clinical S. aureus isolates.
Blue-Light-Regulated Expression of Genes for Two Early Steps of Chlorophyll Biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

In light:dark-synchronized cultures of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the genes encoding the enzymes for two early steps of chlorophyll biosynthesis, glutamate-1-semialdehyde aminotransferase (gsa) and [delta]-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (alad), are expressed at high levels early in the light phase, just prior to a rapid burst of chlorophyll synthesis. Induction of gsa mRNA in synchronized cells is totally dependent on light, whereas induction of alad mRNA occurs to approximately one-half the light-induced level even in cells kept in the dark during the light phase and appears to be dependent on the cell cycle or a circadian rhythm. gsa mRNA and alad mRNA accumulation is induced by light that was passed through blue (400–480 nm) or green (490–590 nm) filters but not by light that was passed through orange (>560 nm) or red (>610 nm) filters, indicating the participation of a blue-light photoreceptor system rather than a protochlorophyllide- or rhodopsin-based photoreceptor. Light induction of gsa mRNA accumulation is absent in a carotenoid-deficient mutant, which suggests that a carotenoid-containing blue-light photoreceptor is involved. In contrast, pretreatment of wild-type cells with either of two flavin antagonists, phenylacetic acid and KI, does not prevent the light induction. In the later part of the light phase, the gsa mRNA level decreases more rapidly than that of alad mRNA. Turnover studies indicate that the half-life of alad mRNA is twice that of gsa mRNA. This difference in mRNA stability partially accounts for the more rapid decline in gsa mRNA levels after the peak of light induction is reached. Thus, differential blue-light induction and stability of mRNAs regulates the expression of these two chlorophyll biosynthetic genes.
Risk factors for hospital-acquired infections in teaching hospitals of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia: A matched-case control study

Background Hospital-acquired infection affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It is a major global issue for patient safety. Understanding the potential risk factors is important to appreciate the local context. A matched case control study design, which is the first of its kind in the study region, was undertaken to identify risk factors in teaching hospitals of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. Method A matched case control study design matched with age and hospital type was used. The study was conducted in University of Gondar and Felege-Hiwot medical teaching hospital. Cases were patients who fulfilled the criteria based on CDC definition of hospital-acquired infection and controls were patients admitted to the hospital that stayed for more than 48 hours in the ward in the study period, but who did not develop infection. For one case, four controls were selected. Of 545 patients, 109 were cases and 436 were controls. Conditional logistic regression using STATA 13 was used for data analysis. Result The median length of stay for cases and controls was 7 and 8 days, respectively. Patients admitted in wards with the presence of medical waste container in the room had 82% less chance of developing hospital-acquired infection (AOR 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03–0.98). The odds of developing hospital-acquired infection among immune deficient patients were 2.34 times higher than their counterparts (95% CI; 1.17–4.69). Patients received antimicrobials, central vascular catheter and surgery since admission had 8.63, 6.91 and 2.35 higher odds of developing hospital-acquired infection, respectively. Conclusion Health providers and mangers should consider the provision and availability of healthcare materials and facilities in all of the ward rooms, follow appropriate safe medical procedures for use of external devices on patients, and give attention to the immunocompromised patients for the prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections.
Behavioral surveillance survey regarding human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among high school and junior college students.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS It is necessary to know the baseline knowledge, attitude, and practices about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among young people and the changes in these with intervention to guide prevention efforts. METHODS A cross-sectional pre- and post-survey with health education as a method of intervention was carried out in four different randomly selected schools and junior colleges among the Class IX-XII students of both sex. Instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHO)/UNAIDS in their best practice recommendations was used for data collection. RESULTS Knowledge about all correct methods was present in 61.23% of the respondents. Knowledge of at least two methods of prevention was present in 70.31% of the respondents. Misconceptions about prevention were that good diet (33.42%), avoiding mosquito bite (49.71%) and avoiding public toilets (65.14%) could help in the prevention. With intervention, there was an improvement in the knowledge. However, the proportion of students with misconceptions did not come down. Correct knowledge about two methods of prevention also did not reach the WHO recommendation of 90%. CONCLUSION It is very difficult to change the attitude and practices by a single health educational intervention and an ongoing behavior change communication is recommended.
Arabidopsis Glutaredoxin S17 and Its Partner, the Nuclear Factor Y Subunit C11/Negative Cofactor 2α, Contribute to Maintenance of the Shoot Apical Meristem under Long-Day Photoperiod1

An unusual multidomain glutaredoxin and its protein partner affect plant development and flowering time in relation to photoperiod in Arabidopsis. Glutaredoxins (GRXs) catalyze the reduction of protein disulfide bonds using glutathione as a reductant. Certain GRXs are able to transfer iron-sulfur clusters to other proteins. To investigate the function of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) GRXS17, we applied a strategy combining biochemical, genetic, and physiological approaches. GRXS17 was localized in the nucleus and cytosol, and its expression was elevated in the shoot meristems and reproductive tissues. Recombinant GRXS17 bound Fe2S2 clusters, a property likely contributing to its ability to complement the defects of a Baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strain lacking the mitochondrial GRX5. However, a grxs17 knockout Arabidopsis mutant exhibited only a minor decrease in the activities of iron-sulfur enzymes, suggesting that its primary function is as a disulfide oxidoreductase. The grxS17 plants were sensitive to high temperatures and long-day photoperiods, resulting in elongated leaves, compromised shoot apical meristem, and delayed bolting. Both environmental conditions applied simultaneously led to a growth arrest. Using affinity chromatography and split-Yellow Fluorescent Protein methods, a nuclear transcriptional regulator, the Nuclear Factor Y Subunit C11/Negative Cofactor 2α (NF-YC11/NC2α), was identified as a GRXS17 interacting partner. A mutant deficient in NF-YC11/NC2α exhibited similar phenotypes to grxs17 in response to photoperiod. Therefore, we propose that GRXS17 interacts with NF-YC11/NC2α to relay a redox signal generated by the photoperiod to maintain meristem function.
4. Sınıf Fen ve Teknoloji Ders Kitabının Okunabilirlik Formülleriyle Değerlendirilmesi: Canlılar Dünyasını Gezelim, Tanıyalım Ünite Örneği

Okunabilirlik, metinlerin okuyucu tarafindan kolay ya da zor anlasilma seviyesidir. Okunabilirligin hesap edilmesi amaciyla okunabilirlik formulleri olarak adlandirilan ve metinlerin okuma seviyesini tahmin etmeye yarayan formuller kullanilir. Bu formuller ile metinlerin okuyucu duzeyine uygunlugu tespit edilmeye calisilir. Bu calismanin amaci 4. Sinif Fen ve Teknoloji ders kitabi uzerine okunabilirlik formullerinin uygulanabilirligini ve ders kitabinin okunabilirligini arastirmaktir. Bu amacla okunabilirlik formullerinden FOG, Flesch-Kincaid, Flesch Okuma Kolayligi, Powers-Sumner-Kearl, Coleman-Liau, ARI, Linsear Write, Atesman ve Sonmez formulleri kullanilmistir. 4. Sinifta okutulan Fen ve Teknoloji ders kitabindaki ‘Canlilar Dunyasini Gezelim, Taniyalim’ unitesinden rastgele secilen metinlere bu okunabilirlik formulleri uygulanmistir. Bu formullerden sadece Atesman ve Sonmez okunabilirlik formullerinin Fen ve Teknoloji ders kitabi icin uygun oldugu ve ders kitabinda bulunan ‘Canlilar Dunyasini Gezelim, Taniyalim’ unitesinin okunabilirlik duzeyinin orta guclukte ve anlasilir seviyede oldugu gorulmustur. Diger okunabilirlik formullerinin Turkce ve Ingilizce arasindaki cumle ve hece yapisindaki farkliliklardan dolayi ders kitaplarini degerlendirmede gecerli olmadiklari gozlenmistir. Calismada 30 ogrenciden olusan bir orneklem grubu uzerine Gestalt’in yakinlik ilkesine dayanan Cloze testi uygulanmistir. Yapilan uygulama sonucunda 4. Sinif Fen ve Teknoloji ders kitabinda bulunan ‘Canlilar Dunyasini Gezelim, Taniyalim’ unitesinin okunabilir oldugu; bununla birlikte ogrencilerin metni okurken karsilasabilecekleri problemler olabilecegi ve bu problemleri cozmek icin de bir okuma rehberine ya da profesyonel bir yardima ihtiyaclari oldugu ortaya cikmistir.
Neuropsychological tools to predict conversion from amnestic mild cognitive impairment to dementia. The TREDEM Registry

ABSTRACT Most of the studies about conversion from Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia have focused on amnestic MCI (aMCI) which is considered a preclinical phase of Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of the present study was to identify neuropsychological tools that would best predict conversion from aMCI to dementia. Fifty-five aMCI subjects on the Treviso Dementia Registry were investigated. They underwent a neuropsychological evaluation during their first assessment and again at follow-up. Cox proportional-hazard regression models were created to measure the association between the dependent variable (dementia diagnosis or MCI status maintenance) and the neuropsychological test scores at baseline. The sample (28 women and 27 men; mean age 76.82 ± 5.88 years; education 7.62 ± 3.99 years) was observed for an average time of 2.17 ± 1.25 years. A Cox backward stepwise regression showed that the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Delayed Recall (p = .041) and Semantic Verbal Fluency tests (p = .031) appear to be useful in predicting conversion to dementia.
Diet and Gut Morphology of Male Mallards During Winter in North Dakota

Abstract. A free-ranging Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) population was investigated during winter (December–January 1996–1999) below the Garrison Dam, North Dakota, USA, to relate diet to gut morphology variation in males. Four explanatory variables (fish consumption, male age, winter, and body size) were evaluated as to whether they influenced five response variables associated with gut characteristics of Mallards. Response variables were lower gastro-intestinal tract mass (LGIT), dry liver mass, dry gizzard mass, small intestine length, and ceca length. Diets of Mallards were comprised primarily of Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) and concomitantly variation in gizzard mass was small. LGIT mass of juveniles was larger than that of adults, greater for those that consumed fish, and greater during the coldest and snowiest winter. Liver mass and small intestine length of Mallards that consumed fish were greater than those that did not. Mallards may maintain lengthy intestines to increase digestive efficiency. Gut size variation was not entirely attributable to dietary composition but also influenced by body size and environmental conditions such that over-winter survival is maximized.
Revisiting the Itoh-Tsujii Inversion Algorithm for FPGA Platforms

The Itoh-Tsujii multiplicative inverse algorithm (ITA) forms an integral component of several cryptographic implementations such as elliptic curve cryptography. For binary fields generated by irreducible trinomials, this paper proposes a modified ITA algorithm for efficient implementations on field-programmable gate-array (FPGA) platforms. Efficiency is obtained by the fact that the adapted ITA algorithm uses FPGA resources better and requires shorter addition chains. Evidence is furnished and supported with experimental results to show that the proposed architecture outperforms reported results. The proposed method is also shown to be scalable with respect to field sizes.