Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Legionella spp. in Hotel Water-Supply Systems in Latvia

Legionella is one of the most important waterborne pathogens that can lead to both outbreaks and sporadic cases. The majority of travel-associated Legionnaires’ disease (TALD) cases are contracted during hotel stays. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Legionella spp. in hotel water supply systems in Latvia. In total, 834 hot water samples were collected from the water systems of 80 hotels in Latvia. At least one Legionella spp. positive sample was detected in 47 out of 80 hotels (58.8%). Overall, 235 out of 834 samples (28.2%) were Legionella spp. positive. The average hot water temperature in Latvian hotels was 49.8 °C. The most predominant L. pneumophila serogroup (SG) was SG3 which was found in 113 (49.8%) positive samples from 27 hotels. For 79 sequenced L. pneumophila isolates, 21 different sequence types (ST) were obtained, including 3 new types—ST2582, ST2579, and ST2580. High Legionella contamination and high genetic diversity were found in the hotel water supply systems in Latvia, which, together with the insufficient hot water temperature, may indicate that the lack of regulation and control measures may promote the proliferation of Legionella.
Equidistribution of parabolic fixed points in the limit set of Kleinian groups

We show that the Patterson–Sullivan measure on the limit set of a geometrically finite Kleinian group with cusps can be recovered as a weak limit of sums of Dirac masses placed on an appropriate orbit of each parabolic fixed point. A corollary is a sharp asymptotic estimate for a natural counting function associated to a cuspidal subgroup. We also discuss the connection between the above counting and the Riemann hypothesis in some examples of arithmetical lattices.
Causality of the Satisfaction–Performance Relationship: A Task Experiment

Despite the common belief among practitioners that a happy worker is a productive worker, researchers have been struggling to understand the causality between satisfaction and performance for decades. This study attempts to bring clarity to current understanding through an experiment with repeated measures of satisfaction and performance. A total of 143 participants repeatedly performed a task based on the Stroop test, with their objective performance and task satisfaction measured each time. Two different types of feedback (high/low performance) were randomly assigned to participants in order to manipulate perceived performance. The data were analyzed using a path analysis. The results support the hypothesized influence of task satisfaction on task performance and of perceived task performance on task satisfaction.
Dispersive properties of stratified elastic and liquid media; a ray theory

The interference principle of wave guide propagation is applied to the derivation of the period equations for a number of problems involving both elastic and liquid strata. In the case of undamped steady state propagation in a solid or liquid stratum two arbitrarily chosen points at the same depth must be indistinguishable on an amplitude basis. This well known principle combined with the knowledge of the reflection coefficients enables us to derive in a few simple steps the period equations for a number of multilayer cases which heretofore had been avoided on account of algebraic difficulties. The period equations obtained by this method exhibit a singular simplicity and unity of form. As a consequence of this one may distinguish formally the M1 and M2 waves discovered by Sezawa and understand their physical significance.
On Grunbaum and Retrocausation in Classical Electrodynamics

A detailed analysis is made of Grunbaum's claim that the Abraham-Lorentz (AL) and Dirac-Lorentz (DL) equations have no bearing on causality. It is pointed out that (a) both equations are derived from F = ma, and thus should obey the same causality conditions as Newton's law, (b) independently of what boundary conditions are imposed, non-causal behavior is always along the same straight line as the force, (c) the distinction in status between laws and boundary conditions which Grunbaum imposes is one which is not always useful, especially since what is a law in one formulation of the theory can become a boundary condition in another, and thus it is argued that a complete theory must be such that laws and boundary conditions form a coherent whole, (d) the asymptotic boundary conditions that are applied are in agreement with experiment, (e) the AL equation is such that if the "effect," the acceleration as function of time, is known, then the "cause," the force, can be determined. In addition, it is noted that in the DL equation the acceleration at times later than t influences the acceleration at t. Finally, it is pointed out that electrodynamics is indeed a causal field theory, and that retrocausality is due to the transition from a field description to a particle description.
Evaluation of Liver Elasticity Using pSWE and 2D-SWE Techniques in Healthy Children

Objective: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a new ultrasonography technique that can non-invasively evaluate liver stiffness. The efficacy of SWE in adults has been demonstrated by numerous studies, but there are few SWE studies of pediatric groups. Since the liver stiffness values (LSV) vary according to the device and the SWE method used, standard reference values have not been established as yet. The aim of this study was to establish the reference values of normal liver stiffness in healthy children according to the two SWE methods. Materials and Methods: Liver stiffness values were measured using the two different SWE methods of point SWE (pSWE) and 2-dimensional SWE (2D-SWE) in 107 healthy children aged 8-18 years with no liver disease. The pSWE (EPQ) and 2D-SWE (EQI) measurements were taken in one session on the same device (Philips Epiq Elite) and after at least 4 hours of fasting. The effects on liver elasticity values were investigated of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), some biochemical markers (such as fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, platelet, INR) and liver size. Results: The mean LSV was 4.04±0.84kPa ((95% confidence interval (CI):3.67-4.42)) on pSWE and 4.41±0.71kPa (95% CI:4.09-4.72) on 2D-SWE. The upper limit LSVs were found to be 4.42kPa and 4.72kPa, respectively. The LSVs measured on 2D-SWE were found to be higher than on pSWE ((median; min-max, 4.34kPa; 2.82-6 and 3.86kPa; 2.55–5.78, respectively, (r=0.59, p
FMRI study of implicit emotional face processing in patients with MDD with melancholic subtype

Introduction The accurate perception of facial expressions plays a vital role in daily life, allowing us to select appropriate responses in social situations. Understanding the neuronal basis of altered emotional face processing in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) may lead to the appropriate choice of individual interventions to help patients maintain social functioning during depressive episodes. Inconsistencies in neuroimaging studies of emotional face processing are caused by heterogeneity in neurovegetative symptoms of depressive subtypes. The aim of this study was to investigate brain activation differences during implicit perception of faces with negative and positive emotions between healthy participants and patients with melancholic subtype of MDD. The neurobiological correlates of sex differences of MDD patients were also examined. Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with MDD and 21 healthy volunteers were studied using fMRI while performing an emotional face perception task. Results Comparing general face activation irrespective of emotional content, the intensity of BOLD signal was significantly decreased in the left thalamus, right supramarginal gyrus, right and left superior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and left fusiform gyrus in patients with melancholic depression compared to healthy participants. We observed only limited mood-congruence in response to faces of differing emotional valence. Brain activation in the middle temporal gyrus was significantly increased in response to fearful faces in comparison to happy faces in MDD patients. Elevated activation was observed in the right cingulate for happy and fearful faces, in precuneus for happy faces, and left posterior cingulate cortex for all faces in depressed women compared to men. The Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) score was inversely correlated with activation in the left subgenual gyrus/left rectal gyrus for sad, neutral, and fearful faces in women in the MDD group. Patients with melancholic features performed similarly to controls during implicit emotional processing but showed reduced activation. Discussion and conclusion This finding suggests that melancholic patients compensate for reduced brain activation when interpreting emotional content in order to perform similarly to controls. Overall, frontal hypoactivation in response to implicit emotional stimuli appeared to be the most robust feature of melancholic depression.
Effects of Dementia on Outcomes after Cervical Spine Injuries in Elderly Patients: Evaluation of 1512 Cases in a Nationwide Multicenter Study in Japan

We aimed to retrospectively investigate the demographic characteristics and short-term outcomes of traumatic cervical spine injuries in patients with dementia. We enrolled 1512 patients aged ≥ 65 years with traumatic cervical injuries registered in a multicenter study database. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of dementia, and 95 patients (6.3%) had dementia. Univariate analysis revealed that the dementia group comprised patients who were older and predominantly female and had lower body mass index, higher modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5), lower pre-injury activities of daily living (ADLs), and a larger number of comorbidities than patients without dementia. Furthermore, 61 patient pairs were selected through propensity score matching with adjustments for age, sex, pre-injury ADLs, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale score at the time of injury, and the administration of surgical treatment. In the univariate analysis of the matched groups, patients with dementia had significantly lower ADLs at 6 months and a higher incidence of dysphagia up to 6 months than patients without dementia. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with dementia had a higher mortality than those without dementia until the last follow-up. Dementia was associated with poor ADLs and higher mortality rates after traumatic cervical spine injuries in elderly patients.
Cropland: Surplus or Deficit? From the Perspective of Meeting People’s Grain Requirement

The quantity and quality of cropland plays an important role in ensuring food security. In order to explore spatiotemporal patterns of the extent to which cropland satisfies people’s grain need, we integrate multi-source heterogeneous data to investigate in which era, and in which region, the cultivated land can meet people’s food demands. It turns out that in the past 30 years, with the exception of the late 1980s, the amount of cropland could satisfy people’s grain needs at the nation scale. However, more than 10 provinces (municipality/autonomous region), mainly located in western China and southeast coastal areas, have been unable to meet the grain needs of local people. We projected the guarantee rate to the late 2020s. Our study concludes that the guarantee rate of cropland is estimated to be higher than 150% in China. Compared to 2019, except Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, Jilin, Ningxia, as well as Heilongjiang in the Sustainability scenario, and Shanghai in the Sustainability and the Equality scenarios, the guarantee rate of cultivated land will increase in every province (municipality/autonomous region) in 2030. This study has reference value for the study of China’s cultivated land protection system, as well as important significance for China’s sustainable development.
Optimization of multiple tuned mass dampers for vibration control of system under external excitation

Using a numerical searching technique the optimum parameters of multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) for suppressing the dynamic response of a damped main system subjected to external excitation are investigated. The criteria selected for the optimality is the minimization of the steady-state displacement of the main system under external harmonic excitation. The parameters of the MTMD that are optimized include: the damping ratio, the tuning frequency ratio and the frequency band-width. The optimum parameters of the MTMD system and corresponding steady-state displacement are obtained for different damping ratios of the main system and the mass ratios of the MTMD system. The explicit formulae for the optimum parameters of MTMD (i.e. damping ratio, band-width and tuning frequency) are then derived using a curve-fitting scheme that can readily be used for engineering applications. The error in the proposed explicit expressions is investigated and found to be quite negligible. The effectiveness of optimally designed MTMD system is also compared with that of the optimum single tuned mass damper and it is observed that the optimally designed MTMD system is found to be more effective for vibration control than the single tuned mass damper. Further, the damping in the main system significantly influences the optimum parameters and the effectiveness of the MTMD system. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of optimally designed MTMD system to study its performance under uncertainty in the parameter is also carried out.
Application of the describing function technique in a single-loop feedback system with two nonlinearities

A graphic procedure is presented which allows the describing function technique to be extended to a single-loop feedback system with two nonlinearities. The graphic technique is very simple and immediately allows qualitative answers, or quantitative answers subject to the usual errors and restrictions of the describing function technique, to be obtained regarding the presence of limit cycles, regions of stability, instability, etc. The method essentially is as follows. A plot of G_{1}(j\omega) G_{2}(j_\omega) in Fig. 1 vs. ω is made, and the point of intersection of G_{1}(j\omega) G_{2}(j\omega) with the negative real axis is noted, for example, at G_{1}(j\omega^{\ast}) G_{2}(j\omega^{\ast}) =-1/\Gamma, \Gamma > 0 . By plotting |G_{d_{1}}(A1)| vs. A 1 in the second quadrant, and |G_{d_{2}}(A_{2})| vs. A 2 in the fourth quadrant, it is possible to plot a curve (relating |G_{d_{1}}| vs. |G_{d_{1}}|) in the first quadrant. If this curve intersects |G_{d_{1}}| |G_{d_{2}}| = \Gamma , a limit cycle exists in the system. If no intersection takes place, then no limit cycle exists in the system.
Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in bioprosthetic valves: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Direct oral anticoagulants are efficient alternatives to vitamin K antagonists. There is little evidence regarding their use in patients who underwent bioprosthetic valve replacement whether surgically or through a transcatheter approach and have another indication of anticoagulation. Trials have compared different members of the DOACs family to VKAs and showed that they were at least non-inferior to VKAs with regard to safety and efficacy. However, this is still controversial. Our meta-analysis aims at providing a clearer view of their future use in this subgroup of patients. Methods PubMed and Cochrane were searched for randomised clinical trials and observational studies. Bleeding, stroke, and all-cause mortality were the outcomes of interest. Results Ten papers with a total of 4,088 patients were included. Our meta-analysis revealed no significant differences between the incidence of bleeding between DOACs and warfarin (16% vs. 17%, OR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.56–1.57], p = 0.81, I2 = 81%). No statistical difference was found in stroke between both groups (2.5% vs. 3.3%, OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.41–1.38], p = 0.36, I2 = 35%). All-cause mortality was not statistically significant between both groups (9.2% vs. 13.7%, OR = 0.85, 95% CI [0.68–1.07], p = 0.16, I2 = 56%). Interestingly, subgroup analysis of randomised controlled trials and prospective studies favoured DOACs with lower risks of both bleeding and stroke. Conclusion Direct oral anticoagulants appear to be at least as safe and effective as VKAs in patients with bioprosthetic valves and another indication of anticoagulation. There could be potential benefit from the use of DOACs; however, further evidence is required. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42021222146, identifier CRD42021222146.
Feigning Adult ADHD on a Comprehensive Neuropsychological Test Battery: An Analogue Study

The evaluation of performance validity is an essential part of any neuropsychological evaluation. Validity indicators embedded in routine neuropsychological tests offer a time-efficient option for sampling performance validity throughout the assessment while reducing vulnerability to coaching. By administering a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery to 57 adults with ADHD, 60 neurotypical controls, and 151 instructed simulators, we examined each test’s utility in detecting noncredible performance. Cut-off scores were derived for all available outcome variables. Although all ensured at least 90% specificity in the ADHD Group, sensitivity differed significantly between tests, ranging from 0% to 64.9%. Tests of selective attention, vigilance, and inhibition were most useful in detecting the instructed simulation of adult ADHD, whereas figural fluency and task switching lacked sensitivity. Five or more test variables demonstrating results in the second to fourth percentile were rare among cases of genuine adult ADHD but identified approximately 58% of instructed simulators.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide and Related Metabolites in the Serum and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the Chinese Population: A Case-Control Study

Background Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors have an association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the evidence is unclear. The current study examined the association of serial measures of serum TMAO and related metabolite concentrations with the risk of T2DM. Methods Our study was designed as a community case-control study with 300 participants (150 T2DM and 150 non-T2DM). We examined the association of serum concentrations of TMAO and its related metabolites [trimethylamine, choline, betaine, and L-carnitine] using UPLC-MS/MS. The association between these metabolites and the risk of T2DM was analyzed using a restricted cubic spline and binary logistic regression. Results A higher serum choline concentration was significantly associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Serum choline > 22.62 μmol/L was independently associated with an increased risk of T2DM, and the odds ratio was 3.615 [95% CI: (1.453,8.993), P = 0.006]. Similarly, serum betaine and L-carnitine concentrations had a markedly decreased risk of T2DM even after adjusting for the traditional risk factors for T2DM and betaine (0.978 [95% CI:0.964–0.992], P = 0.002) and L-carnitine (0.949 [95% CI: 0.9222–0.978], P = 0.001), respectively. Conclusion Choline, betaine, and L-carnitine are associated with the risk of T2DM and may be appropriate risk markers to protect high-risk individuals from T2DM.
Lack of STAT1 co-operative DNA binding protects against adverse cardiac remodelling in acute myocardial infarction

In this study, we addressed the functional significance of co-operative DNA binding of the cytokine-driven transcription factor STAT1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 1) in an experimental murine model of acute myocardial infarction (MI). STAT1 knock-in mice expressing a phenylalanine-to-alanine substitution at position 77 in the STAT1 amino-terminal domain were examined for the early clinical effects produced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), an established model for MI. The F77A mutation has been previously reported to disrupt amino-terminal interactions between adjacent STAT1 dimers resulting in impaired tetramerization and defective co-operative binding on DNA, while leaving other protein functions unaffected. Our results demonstrate that a loss of STAT1 tetramer stabilization improves survival of adult male mice and ameliorates left ventricular dysfunction in female mice, as determined echocardiographically by an increased ejection fraction and a reduced left intra-ventricular diameter. We found that the ratio of STAT3 to STAT1 protein level was higher in the infarcted tissue in knock-in mice as compared to wild-type (WT) mice, which was accompanied by an enhanced infiltration of immune cells in the infarcted area, as determined by histology. Additionally, RNA sequencing of the infarcted tissue 24 h after LAD ligation revealed an upregulation of inflammatory genes in the knock-in mice, as compared to their WT littermates. Concomitantly, genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation and other metabolic pathways showed a significantly more pronounced downregulation in the infarcted tissue from STAT1F77A/F77A mice than in WT animals. Based on these results, we propose that dysfunctional STAT1 signalling owing to a lack of oligomerisation results in a compensatory increase in STAT3 expression and promotes early infiltration of immune cells in the infarcted area, which has beneficial effects on left ventricular remodelling in early MI following LAD ligation.
Comparison of Digital Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Canine Spontaneous Degenerative Stifle Joint Osteoarthritis

Simple Summary Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in aging dogs and mostly affects the synovial joint. Non-invasive imaging modalities, such as digital radiography (DR) and computed tomography (CT), are often used to diagnose and evaluate the severity of OA. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred diagnostic method for the assessment of OA, is considered the gold standard in humans, and has been applied in several canine experimental studies. However, the value of MRI in diagnosing spontaneous canine OA and the comparison of different imaging modalities have seldom been addressed. This study compared multiple noninvasive imaging modalities in canine spontaneous stifle OA cases. The results showed that MRI provides the most comprehensive and superior lesion detection sensitivity for ligament, meniscus, cartilage, and synovial effusions. DR provides adequate bony structure information, while CT provides the most delicate images of bony structure lesions. These imaging findings may provide further understanding of the disease and help clinicians draft a more precise treatment plan. Abstract Canine stifle joint osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by damage and degeneration of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone, bony hypertrophy at the margins, and synovial joint membrane changes. Non-invasive imaging modalities, such as digital radiography (DR), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be used to describe these changes. However, the value of MRI in diagnosing spontaneous canine OA and the comparison of different imaging modalities have seldom been addressed. This study compared multiple noninvasive imaging modalities in canine spontaneous stifle OA cases. Four client-owned dogs with five spontaneously affected OA stifle joints were recruited and underwent DR, CT, and MRI. Information on osteophytes/enthesophytes, ligament/tendon lesions, synovial effusion and membrane thickening, subchondral bone lesions, and meniscal and cartilage lesions were scored and compared. The results showed that MRI provides the most comprehensive and superior lesion detection sensitivity for ligament, meniscus, cartilage, and synovial effusions. DR provides adequate bony structure information, while CT provides the most delicate images of bony structure lesions. These imaging findings may provide further understanding of the disease and help clinicians draft a more precise treatment plan.