Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterial “Virulence” Traits and Host Demographics Predict Escherichia coli Colonization Behaviors Within Households

Abstract Background Although intestinal colonization precedes most extraintestinal Escherichia coli infections, colonization-promoting factors are incompletely understood. We compared within-household E. coli colonization patterns with host and bacterial traits. Methods Twenty-two veterans with a clinical E. coli isolate and their 46 human and animal household members underwent longitudinal fecal sampling. Distinct E. coli strains were characterized for phylogenetic background, virulence genes, antibiotic resistance, and colonization behaviors. Host and bacterial traits were assessed statistically as predictors of colonization behaviors. Results Among the 139 unique-by-household fecal E. coli strains, univariable predictors of colonization behavior included (i) host demographics, (ii) matching the index clinical isolate, and (iii) bacterial characteristics (2 phylogroups, 5 clonal lineages, 18 virulence genes, and molecular extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli status). Multivariable predictors of colonization behavior included veteran host, spouse host, matching the index clinical isolate, phylogroup F, ST73, hlyD (alpha hemolysin), hlyF (variant hemolysin), H7 fliC (flagellar variant), vat (vacuolating toxin), and iha (adhesin-siderophore). Conclusions Host demographics, multiple bacterial “virulence” traits, and matching the index clinical isolate predicted E. coli fecal colonization behaviors. Thus, certain bacterial characteristics may promote both colonization and pathogenicity. Future interventions directed toward such traits might prevent E. coli infections both directly and by disrupting antecedent colonization.
Observed Comfort in Sexual Communication between Mothers and Adolescents

Abstract Research on parent-adolescent sexual communication has often used self-report measures despite discrepancies among family members. The current study was designed to use a multi-method approach to better understand mother-adolescent sexual communication. This study examined maternal and adolescent self-reports on sexual communication and observed ratings of mothers’ and adolescents’ comfort during an interaction task. Participants were recruited from a mid-sized Canadian city and included 68 dyads of mothers and adolescents who were between 12 and 17 years old. Based on an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), results indicated that mothers’ observed comfort was positively associated with adolescent girls’ but not boys’ reports of sexual communication. Findings suggest the importance of using a multi-method approach to studying parent-adolescent sexual communication and the role of gender in parent-adolescent sexual communication.
Genetic structure of introduced American mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia: colonisation insights and implications for control and management strategies

Abstract Context. Biological invasions have caused dramatic changes in native biodiversity and ecosystem function. Studies of genetic variation and evolutionary changes are useful for understanding population dynamics during biological invasions, and shed light on management, prevention and restoration strategies. Aims. This study aimed to investigate the structure and genetic variability of American mink (Neovison vison), an invasive species in southern South America, introduced for fur farming in the 1930s. Methods. Samples from 153 mink were obtained from 12 locations in southern Chile to sequence the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and to genotype 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Key results. The highest mtDNA diversity was detected in Puerto Cisnes, suggesting multiple introductions and/or the most probable area where mink was first introduced. The latter is also supported by microsatellite data, because a high percentage of individuals from different locations were assigned to this location. All other locations showed low or no mtDNA diversity, possibly due to founder effect. The results also indicate marked population structure, with three genetic clusters coincident with the main historical introduction points, with low dispersal among them. Conclusions. The results suggest that control strategies for American mink in southern Chile should be concentrated on these three genetically differentiated management units, and particularly on source populations and locations with low effective population size and restricted connectivity. Implications. Genetic approaches have been used for the management of numerous alien species worldwide. Recommendations delivered here for American mink control could also be implemented in other regions and for other invasive species with similar genetic diversity distribution and connectivity.
COVID-19: Reflecting on the role of the WHO in knowledge exchange between the Global North and South

The world learnt of cases of an unknown pneumonia in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in the last week of December 2019. On the 30th of January, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) (World Health Organization (WHO), 2020d). This prompt response by the WHO stands in contrast with the responses the organization exhibited in other recent outbreaks, particularly of Ebola in West Africa (Wenham, 2017). COVID-19 as a truly global pandemic presents a unique opportunity to reflect – through an ‘anti-colonial’ lens – on the role that WHO plays in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) versus highincome countries (HICs). This divide, also referred to as the global south and the global north, coincides in many ways with the separation between former colonies and colonial powers. This commentary will use COVID-19 as a case study to argue that the WHO can contribute to the redistribution of power from the global north to south through the horizontal exchange of knowledge and the incorporation of best practice examples from the global south. Understanding the response of the WHO and the way it manages its relationship with its member states during the pandemic provides an opportunity to further advance the anti-colonial discourse. So far, the organization has demonstrated a leadership role in research and knowledge management for effective pandemic response. For instance, the WHO is leading the Solidarity Trial for treatments and vaccines, a multi-country initiative that aims to make available effective prevention and treatment options for COVID-19 (WHO, 2020c). Even in such cases, however, it is essential to question the foundations upon which knowledge is generated. Historically, knowledge has been presented in the form of technical assistance being offered to ‘developing countries’ by experts from HICs with minimal involvement of local experts from the global south (Fee
Latent Segmentation of Stock Trading Strategies Using Multi-Modal Imitation Learning

While exchanges and regulators are able to observe and analyze the individual behavior of financial market participants through access to labeled data, this information is not accessible by other market participants nor by the general public. A key question, then, is whether it is possible to model individual market participants’ behaviors through observation of publicly available unlabeled market data alone. Several methods have been suggested in the literature using classification methods based on summary trading statistics, as well as using inverse reinforcement learning methods to infer the reward function underlying trader behavior. Our primary contribution is to propose an alternative neural network based multi-modal imitation learning model which performs latent segmentation of stock trading strategies. As a result that the segmentation in the latent space is optimized according to individual reward functions underlying the order submission behaviors across each segment, our results provide interpretable classifications and accurate predictions that outperform other methods in major classification indicators as verified on historical orderbook data from January 2018 to August 2019 obtained from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. By further analyzing the behavior of various trader segments, we confirmed that our proposed segments behaves in line with real-market investor sentiments.
Dual-Income Couples’ Gender Role Attitudes, Paid Leave Use, and Second-Birth Intentions

This study examined whether dual-income couples’ gender role attitudes are associated with their paid leave use and second-birth intentions. Forty employed wives who returned to the workplace after childbirth and their employed husbands were recruited from the Central New York area. Actor–partner interdependence model path analysis was used to test the above associations at the dyadic level. This study found two indirect effects: Paid leave use mediated not only the relationship between husbands’ egalitarian gender role attitudes and their own second-birth intentions, but also the relationship between husbands’ egalitarian gender role attitudes and their wives’ second-birth intentions as well. This study suggests that enhancing husbands’ egalitarian gender role attitudes can be a possible solution for increasing their paid leave use and couples’ subsequent fertility intentions. This study provides insight regarding benefits of paid leave for researchers and policymakers.
HSE Risk Assessment of Major Sewage Transport Tunnel Projects at the Construction Stage Based on the StructuralEntropy Weight Method and the Cloud Model

The health, safety, and environment (HSE) risk assessment of major sewage transport tunnel projects (MSTTPs) is of great significance to guarantee sewage treatment, ecological environment protection, and sustainable development. To accurately evaluate the HSE risk of MSTTPs at the construction stage and effectively deal with their randomness and ambiguity, a risk assessment model based on the structural entropy weight method (SEWM) and the cloud model is put forward in this paper. First, an index system for MSTTPs was constructed via a literature review and expert interviews, and the rough sets method was used to filter the indicators. Then, weights were calculated by the SEWM, which is able to consider both subjective and objective factors of the weight calculation. Finally, to clarify the randomness and ambiguity in the evaluation, the HSE risk level was determined by the cloud similarity. The model was applied to the Donghu Deep Tunnel Project in Wuhan, China, and the results demonstrated that its HSE risk level was medium, which was acceptable. The index related to construction safety had the largest weight. A humid environment, improper power utilization, and sludge and mud pollution were found to be the most influential risk indicators. The risk level could be intuitively and qualitatively judged by the figure evaluation cloud, providing a vivid and rapid evaluation tool for the emergency decision-making of project managers, and the risk level could be quantitatively judged by the calculation of cloud similarity. Moreover, through the comparison with gray correlation degree, set pair analysis, and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method evaluation results, we prove the scientificity and effectiveness of the proposed model. The research results provide a valuable reference for the project management of MSTTPs at the construction stage.
Utilizing Child-centered Approach in Occupational Therapy: Are Occupational Therapists Ready for It?

ABSTRACT There is limited information on the use of non-directive, child-initiated and child-directed play in occupational therapy. Play as an occupation characterized by internal control, intrinsic motivation, suspension from reality, and engaged in with focus on the process rather than the product necessitates child-centeredness with initiation and direction led by the child. This research aims to determine whether Filipino occupational therapists’ (OTs) attitudes, knowledge, and behavior are consistent with the principles of child-centered practice. A secondary analysis of a previous online survey was conducted. Purposive sampling and snow-balling techniques were used to select and recruit participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A total of 91 OTs participated in the study. Results of the study indicate OTs generally are child-centered in their attitude & behavior. However, responses to certain items under attitude (children need to be given correct answers to questions and children tend to make right decisions) and behavior (abilities to facilitate decision making and responsibility in children and to facilitate spontaneity and creativity during play) indicate some reservations with the approach. The current attitude, knowledge and behavior of Filipino occupational therapists indicate alignment with child-centered principles but with reservations. This may affect how play is utilized in practice.
Induction of Polyploidy in C35 Citrange through in Vitro Colchicine Treatments of Seed-Derived Explants

ABSTRACT Polyploidy can be observed in citrus species which often enables better adaptation to environmental stresses. In this context, this paper aimed to develop stable tetraploid C35 citrange by in vitro colchicine treatments. Seed-derived explants were obtained by a germination experiment using several concentrations of GA3. Culturing seeds of C35 without seed coat on MT basal medium with the addition of 4 mg l−1 GA3 resulted in the highest germination rate (84%). Various colchicine concentrations and exposure time were tested to induce polyploidization. Seed-derived explants of C35 citrange treated with 0.1% colchicine for 48 h demonstrated high rates of mutation for polyploidization and the highest tetraploid induction percentage (15%) was determined in this treatment. Higher colchicine concentrations and exposure time decreased the survival rates of the seedlings. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the nuclear genome size of tetraploids (1.598 pg/2 C) was significantly (P < .01) higher than diploid (0.794 pg/2 C) C35 seedlings. Recovered seedlings were identified with morphological and cytological variables, such as leaf area and stomata size. Generally, leaf area and stomata size significantly increased with the increasing ploidy level. The method used in this present study was relevant and an effective way to induce polyploidy in C35 citrange.
Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (cid:1) During Heart Failure Is Protective Integrative Physiology

—Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3, a negative regulator of cardiac hypertrophy, is inactivated in failing hearts. To examine the histopathological and functional consequence of the persistent inhibition of GSK-3 (cid:1) in the heart in vivo, we generated transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of dominant negative GSK-3 (cid:1) (Tg-GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN) and tetracycline-regulatable wild-type GSK-3 (cid:1) . GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN significantly reduced the kinase activity of endogenous GSK-3 (cid:1) , inhibited phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (cid:2) , and induced accumulation of (cid:1) -catenin and myeloid cell leukemia-1, confirming that GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN acts as a dominant negative in vivo. Tg-GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN exhibited concentric hypertrophy at baseline, accompanied by upregulation of the (cid:3) -myosin heavy chain gene and increases in cardiac function, as evidenced by a significantly greater E max after dobutamine infusion and percentage of contraction in isolated cardiac myocytes, indicating that inhibition of GSK-3 (cid:1) induces well-compensated hypertrophy. Although transverse aortic constriction induced a similar increase in hypertrophy in both Tg-GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN and nontransgenic mice, Tg-GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN exhibited better left ventricular function and less fibrosis and apoptosis than nontransgenic mice. Induction of the GSK-3 (cid:1) transgene in tetracycline-regulatable wild-type GSK-3 (cid:1) mice induced left ventricular dysfunction and premature death, accompanied by increases in apoptosis and fibrosis. Overexpression of GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN in cardiac myocytes inhibited tumor necrosis factor- (cid:3) –induced apoptosis, and the antiapoptotic effect of GSK-3 (cid:1) -DN was abrogated in the absence of myeloid cell leukemia-1. These results suggest that persistent inhibition of GSK-3 (cid:1) induces compensatory hypertrophy, inhibits apoptosis and fibrosis, and increases cardiac contractility and that the antiapoptotic effect of GSK-3 (cid:1) inhibition is mediated by myeloid cell leukemia-1. Thus, downregulation of GSK-3 (cid:1) during heart failure could be compensatory. ( Circ Res . 2007;101:1164-1174.)
The impact of knowledge management practice on the hospital performance in Abu Dhabi

Abstract This study proposes a conceptual model that simultaneously involves five factors of Knowledge Management (KM) and six factors of Hospital Performance (HP), in their respective constructs. The significance of this model is that it has logically linked the constructs of both KM and HP. Exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis procedure, and construct validity procedures have been used to verify and validate the underlying dimensions of KM and HP. The relationship has been analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling approaches, in the last stage of the data analysis, the results found that only three variables of KM construct have a significant directional impact on the only three variables of HP construct effects. Further, the in-depth data analysis has revealed that the three variables of KM construct have a statistically significant influence on the three variables of HP construct. The statistically rigorous and strong results obtained in this study suggest that this conceptual model can be used as a management tool to assess performance. The significant impact of KM on HP has been argued to be positive. The value of the paper is that it clarifies the influence of KM on HP in Abu-Dhabi hospitals which can be used to improve hospital performance and efficiency.
Comicbook characters’ facial features and actions and movements as two sources of humour: the case of Fullmetal Alchemist

ABSTRACT This paper analyses images and texts from Fullmetal Alchemist, a 27-volume Japanese comicbook series, and aims to illustrate and discuss how comicbook characters’ facial features and active movements are used to visualise humour. As the ways that readers perceive humour while reading comics are influenced by many factors, both graphic and textual components are examined. The results show that various drawing skills and strategies are used to construct characters’ facial features and movements as two sources of humour. Our qualitative analysis further shows that halftone effects, suppletion, and micropanels can all be used to construct characters’ facial features in a funny manner. Furthermore, reduplication, macropanels, neo-amorphic panels, and mimetic words are used to humorously present characters’ actions and movements. This paper suggests that as comicbook humour is multimodally constructed, its perception requires a reader to parse both graphic and textual components.
Methanol Production from Pyrolysis Oil Gasification—Model Development and Impacts of Operating Conditions

A novel process model simulating methanol production through pyrolysis oil gasification was developed, validated, then used to predict the effect of operating conditions on methanol production yield. The model comprised gasification, syngas post-treatment, and methanol synthesis units. The model was validated using experimental data from the literature, and the results obtained by the model were consistent with reference data. The simulation results revealed that gasification temperature has a significant impact on syngas composition. Indeed, rising temperature from 400 °C to 600 °C leads to higher syngas stoichiometric number (SN) value. Conversely, SN value decreases when the gasifier temperature is above 1000 °C. Moisture content in pyrolysis oil also affects both syngas composition and SN value; an increase in the first (from 10 to 30%) leads to an increase in SN value. The Rectisol unit deeply influences the syngas SN value and methanol yield, the best results being obtained with operating conditions of −20 °C and 40 bar. Increasing the operating temperature of the methanol synthesis unit from 150 °C to 250 °C leads to an increase in the yield of methanol production; the yield decreases beyond 250 °C. Although high pressures favor the methanol production yield, the operating pressure in the synthesis unit is limited at 50 bar for practical considerations (e.g., equipment price, equipment requirements, or operational risks).
A Deep-Learning Model for Automated Detection of Intense Midlatitude Convection Using Geostationary Satellite Images

Intense thunderstorms threaten life and property, impact aviation, and are a challenging forecast problem, particularly without precipitation-sensing radar data. Trained forecasters often look for features in geostationary satellite images such as rapid cloud growth, strong and persistent overshooting tops, U- or V-shaped patterns in storm-top temperature (and associated above-anvil cirrus plumes), thermal couplets, intricate texturing in cloud albedo (e.g., “bubbling” cloud tops), cloud-top divergence, spatial and temporal trends in lightning, and other nuances to identify intense thunderstorms. In this paper, a machine-learning algorithm was employed to automatically learn and extract salient features and patterns in geostationary satellite data for the prediction of intense convection. Namely, a convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained on 0.64-μm reflectance and 10.35-μm brightness temperature from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and flash-extent density (FED) from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on board GOES-16. Using a training dataset consisting of over 220 000 human-labeled satellite images, the CNN learned pertinent features that are known to be associated with intense convection and skillfully discriminated between intense and ordinary convection. The CNN also learned a more nuanced feature associated with intense convection—strong infrared brightness temperature gradients near cloud edges in the vicinity of the main updraft. A successive-permutation test ranked the most important predictors as follows: 1) ABI 10.35-μm brightness temperature, 2) ABI GLM flash-extent density, and 3) ABI 0.64-μm reflectance. The CNN model can provide forecasters with quantitative information that often foreshadows the occurrence of severe weather, day or night, over the full range of instrument-scan modes.
Mechanisms of Grazing Management in Heterogeneous Swards

We explored the effects of heterogeneity of sward height on the functioning of grazing systems through a spatially implicit mechanistic model of grazing and sward growth. The model uses a population dynamic approach where a sward is spatially structured by height, which changes as a function of defoliation, trampling, and growth. The grazing component incorporates mechanisms of bite formation, intake, and digestion rates, but excludes sward quality effects. Sward height selection is determined by maximization of the instantaneous intake rate of forage dry mass. For any given average sward height, intake rate increased with increasing spatial heterogeneity. Spatio-temporal distribution of animal density over paddocks did not markedly affect animal performance but it modified the balance of vegetation heterogeneity within and between paddocks. Herbage allowance was a weak predictor of animal performance because the same value can result from multiples combinations of herbage mass per unit area, number of animals, animal liveweight, and paddock area, which are the proximate determinants of intake rate. Our results differ from models that assume homogeneity and provide strong evidence of how heterogeneity influences the dynamic of grazing systems. Thus, we argue that grazing management and research need to incorporate the concept of heterogeneity into the design of future grazing systems.