Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surveillance of bacterial load and multi-drug resistant bacteria on bedsheets in a primary health care unit

ABSTRACT A patient is in close proximity to different types of textiles in hospital environment, which contribute to the transfer of drug-resistant bacteria in healthcare settings. This study was undertaken to estimate the temporal variations in bacterial load on bedsheets in a primary healthcare unit in Delhi. Data were collected for a period of 7 months. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolates was performed. The mean count of Acinetobacter spp. was highest (2.10 × 102 CFU/cm2), and Klebsiella spp. showed the least mean count (7.5 × 101 CFU/cm2). The mean bacterial count over the period showed maximum bacterial load for most microbial groups in June, and minimum in November. Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus spp. were highly resistant to different antibiotics, while Acinetobacter spp. and Group A Streptococcus showed the least resistance toward the antibiotics tested. Bacterial counts on bedsheets were found to vary with the time of the year, indicating that environmental factors affect bacterial load.
Obesity and low levels of physical activity impact on cardiopulmonary fitness in older men after treatment for prostate cancer.

The purpose of this study was to compare fitness parameters and cardiovascular disease risk of older and younger men with prostate cancer (PCa) and explore how men's fitness scores compared to normative age values. 83 men were recruited post-treatment and undertook a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), sit-to-stand, step-and-grip strength tests and provided blood samples for serum lipids and HbA1c. We calculated waist-to-hip ratio, cardiovascular risk (QRISK2), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and Godin leisure-time exercise questionnaire [GLTEQ]. Age-group comparisons were made using normative data. Men > 75 years, had lower cardiopulmonary fitness, as measured by VO2 Peak (ml/kg/min) 15.8 + 3.8 p < 0.001, and lower grip strength(28.6+5.2 kg p < 0.001) than younger men. BMI ≥30kg/m2 and higher blood pressure all contributed to a QRisk2 score indicative of 20% chance of cardiovascular risk within 10 years (mean: 36.9-6.1) p < 0.001. Age, BMI and perceived physical activity were significantly associated with lower cardiopulmonary fitness. Men with PCa > 75 years had more cardiovascular risk factors compared to normative standards for men of their age. Although ADT was more frequent in older men, this was not found to be associated with cardiopulmonary fitness, but obesity and low levels of physical activity were. Secondary prevention should be addressed in men with PCa to improve men's overall health.
Do psychosocial factors mediate the appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms? Evidence of an empirical study about the role of mental workload in computer workers

The emergence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) in computer workers is a relevant occupational health problem. This study tests a multilevel model of analysis of risk factors in the appearance of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in computer workers that integrates indicators from different areas: temporal usage patterns, ergonomic factors, psychosocial factors, and individual variables, specifically testing the possible mediating role of the mental workload. A cross-sectional study was performed through online registration with a non-probabilistic sample of 1198 workers from Spanish organizations. The results show that mental workload has a higher association than the rest of the factors with the onset of pain and discomfort in various body areas: neck in men, neck, shoulders and upper back in women. They also support the mediation role of mental workload in the relationship between usage patterns and the appearance of musculoskeletal symptoms. The use of multilevel theoretical models that adequately consider the complexity of the relationships between the different risk factors is necessary for a better understanding and intervention on MSSs in computer workers.
Factors influencing the iodine status of children aged 12 to 59 months from Jaffna District, Sri Lanka in the post-iodization era; a descriptive, cross-sectional study

Background Iodine status, including Iodine Deficiency (ID) of the children aged 12–59 months of Jaffna District, Sri Lanka, have never been studied. This study thus aimed to assess ID among children aged 12–59 months by monitoring the Urinary Iodine Concentrations (UIC), the prevalence of goitre, and the factors causing ID. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among 846 children aged 12–59 months in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. Sociodemographic characteristics and other factors were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Dietary pattern of children was obtained using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We performed urinary iodine estimation and physical examinations to detect the goitre, according to the World Health Organization criteria. A multivariate logistic linear regression model was used to identify the factors that causing ID. Result The median UIC was 146.4 μg/L (interquartile range = 112.6–185.3 μg/L). Based on the UIC (<100 μg/L), 17.8% had ID, of which 15.7% and 2.1% had mild and moderate ID. The mean consumption of iodine from food was 128.7 (±20.2) μg/day. Gender variation had no influence on ID (p>0.05). Median UIC was significantly associated with living area, wealth status, type of drinking water, and method of iodized salt usage. A higher percentage of ID was significantly associated with younger age [AOR 2.32 (95% CI: 1.31–4.10)], urban area [AOR 1.94 (95% CI 1.27–2.96)], inland regions [AOR 3.20 (95% CI 1.85–5.55)], improper method of iodized salt usage [AOR 3.63 (95% CI: 1.38–9.56)], and low consumption of iodine-containing foods. The neck palpation revealed that only three children had goitre (0.4%). Conclusion This study revealed that high ID among the children in Jaffna children was due to improper usage of iodized salt, even though the iodized salt is freely available in the region, living area, and age, while the prevalence of goitre was not significantly identified as a public health problem.
Compressed vessels bias red blood cell partitioning at bifurcations in a hematocrit-dependent manner: Implications in tumor blood flow

Significance In tumors, tissue oxygen heterogeneity leading to the appearance of hypoxic regions is linked to poor prognosis and reduces the efficiency of therapeutic treatment. Following previous reports that vessel compression, caused by the tumor, leads to tumor tissue oxygen heterogeneity, we formulate a computational model to investigate the mechanism whereby vessel compression affects tissue oxygenation. Our results show that compressed vessels lead to an abnormal partitioning of red blood cells at vascular bifurcations and therefore heterogeneity in oxygen transport to tissue. This work uncovers a biomechanical causal link between vessel compression and tumor tissue oxygen heterogeneity, furthering our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and contributing to an emergent theory of biotransport in tumors that can underpin future therapeutic approaches. The tumor microenvironment is abnormal and associated with tumor tissue hypoxia, immunosuppression, and poor response to treatment. One important abnormality present in tumors is vessel compression. Vessel decompression has been shown to increase survival rates in animal models via enhanced and more homogeneous oxygenation. However, our knowledge of the biophysical mechanisms linking tumor decompression to improved tumor oxygenation is limited. In this study, we propose a computational model to investigate the impact of vessel compression on red blood cell (RBC) dynamics in tumor vascular networks. Our results demonstrate that vessel compression can alter RBC partitioning at bifurcations in a hematocrit-dependent and flow rate–independent manner. We identify RBC focusing due to cross-streamline migration as the mechanism responsible and characterize the spatiotemporal recovery dynamics controlling downstream partitioning. Based on this knowledge, we formulate a reduced-order model that will help future research to elucidate how these effects propagate at a whole vascular network level. These findings contribute to the mechanistic understanding of hemodilution in tumor vascular networks and oxygen homogenization following pharmacological solid tumor decompression.
Soil microbial communities in the face of changing farming practices: A case study in an agricultural landscape in France

According to biogeography studies, the abundance and richness of soil microorganisms vary across multiple spatial scales according to soil properties and farming practices. However, soil microorganisms also exhibit poorly understood temporal variations. This study aimed at better understanding how soil microbial communities respond to changes in farming practices at a landscape scale over time. A regular grid of 269 sites was set up across a 1,200 ha farming landscape, and soil samples were characterized for their molecular microbial biomass and bacterial richness at two dates (2011 and 2016). A mapping approach highlighted that spatial microbial patterns were stable over time, while abundance and richness levels were modified. The drivers of these changes were investigated though a PLS-PM (partial least square path-modeling) approach. Soil properties were stable over time, but farming practices changed. Molecular microbial biomass was mainly driven by soil resources, whereas bacterial richness depended on both farming practices and ecological parameters. Previous-crop and management effects and a temporal dependence of the microbial community on the historical farming management were also highlighted.
A homological approach to a mathematical definition of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema on computed tomography.

Three-dimensional imaging is essential to evaluate local abnormalities and understand structure-function relationships in an organ. However, quantifiable and interpretable methods to localize abnormalities remain unestablished. Visual assessments are prone to bias, machine learning methods depend on training images, and the underlying decision principle is usually difficult to interpret. Here, we developed a homological approach to mathematically define emphysema and fibrosis in the lungs on computed tomography (CT). Using persistent homology, the density of homological features, including connected components, tunnels, and voids, was extracted from the volumetric CT scans of lung diseases. A pair of CT values at which each homological feature appeared (birth) and disappeared (death) was computed by sweeping the threshold levels from higher to lower CT values. Consequently, fibrosis and emphysema were defined as voxels with dense voids having a longer lifetime (birth-death difference) and voxels with dense connected components having a lower birth, respectively. In an independent dataset including subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), the proposed definition enabled accurate segmentation with comparable quality to deep learning in terms of Dice coefficients. Persistent homology-defined fibrosis was closely associated with physiological abnormalities such as impaired diffusion capacity and long-term mortality in subjects with IPF and CPFE, and persistent homology-defined emphysema was associated with impaired diffusion capacity in subjects with COPD. The present persistent homology-based evaluation of structural abnormalities could help explore the clinical and physiological impacts of structural changes and morphological mechanisms of disease progression.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly? A Triarchic Perspective on Psychopathy at Work

Does psychopathy have an upside in vocational contexts? Applying the triarchic model of psychopathy, we propose that the dimensions of boldness, disinhibition, and meanness have different relations to workplace outcomes. Focusing on boldness and in line with socioanalytic personality theory, we propose that political skill moderates the relation between boldness and job performance. Using a sample of 477 target-coworker pairings, we found interaction effects of boldness and political skill on contextual and task performance, and the buffering of counterproductive work behavior. Furthermore, political skill moderated the relation between boldness and adaptive performance. Disinhibition and meanness were positively correlated with counterproductive work behaviors, thereby reflecting the dark core of psychopathy. In sum, boldness is a trait linked to career success in the absence of the other traits that make up psychopathy as a whole. Furthermore, we encourage the use of the triarchic model as an overarching framework in vocational contexts.
Education increases decision-rule use: An investigation of education and incentives to improve decision making.

Robust scientific evidence shows that human performance predictions are more valid when information is combined mechanically (with a decision rule) rather than holistically (in the decision-maker's mind). Yet, information is often combined holistically in practice. One reason is that decision makers lack the knowledge of evidence-based decision making. In a performance prediction task, we tested whether watching an educational video on evidence-based decision making increased decision-makers' use of a decision rule and their prediction accuracy immediately after the manipulation and a month later. Furthermore, we manipulated whether participants earned incentives for accurate predictions. Existing research showed that incentives decrease decision-rule use and prediction accuracy. We hypothesized that this is the case for decision makers who did not receive educational information about evidence-based decision making, but that incentives increase decision-rule use and prediction accuracy for participants who received educational information. Our results showed that educational information increased decision-rule use. This resulted in increased prediction accuracy, but only immediately after receiving the educational information. In contrast to the existing literature, incentives slightly increased decision-rule use. We did not find evidence that this effect was larger for educated participants. Providing decision makers with educational information may be effective to increase decision-rule use in practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
The Importance of Education for Middle- and Old-Age Mortality in Chile: Estimates From Panel Data Linked to Death Records

Objectives To examine the association between education and mortality by age and gender in Chile. Methods We drew data from 10,147 adults aged 40 years and over from the Chilean Social Protection Survey linked to the national death records. We specify five Cox regression models to estimate the main and interaction effects for education levels, age, sex, and mortality. Results The hazard ratios reduce with increasing education. Secondary and tertiary education levels are associated, respectively, with 34% and 41% lower hazard rates than 0–4 years of schooling. Also, the educational gradient in mortality is significantly weaker at older ages, and it does not differ by gender. Discussion Our findings endorse the negative association of formal education with adult mortality, uncovering Chile’s structural problems despite the economic improvements underway. It also corroborates the importance of novel longitudinal data for mortality analyses in Latin America.
Experiences of Dutch maternity care professionals during the first wave of COVID-19 in a community based maternity care system

Background and objective During the COVID-19 pandemic the organization of maternity care changed drastically; this study into the experiences of maternity care professionals with these changes provides suggestions for the organization of care during and after pandemics. Design An online survey among Dutch midwives, obstetricians and obstetric residents. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associations between the respondents’ characteristics and answers. Results Reported advantages of the changes were fewer prenatal and postpartum consultations (50.1%). The necessity and safety of medical interventions and ultrasounds were considered more critically (75.9%); 14.8% of community midwives stated they referred fewer women to the hospital for decreased fetal movements, whereas 64.2% of the respondents working in hospital-based care experienced fewer consultations for this indication. Respondents felt that women had more confidence in giving birth at home (57.5%). Homebirths seemed to have increased according to 38.5% of the community midwives and 65.3% of the respondents working in hospital-based care. Respondents appreciated the shift to more digital consultations rather than face-to-face consultations. Mentioned disadvantages were that women had appointments alone, (71.1%) and that the community midwife was not allowed to join a woman to obstetric-led care during labour and subsequently stay with her (56.8%). Fewer postpartum visits by family and friends led to more tranquility (59.8%). Overall, however, 48.0% of the respondents felt that the safety of maternity care was compromised due to policy changes. Conclusions Maternity care professionals were positive about the decrease in routine care and the increased confidence of women in home birth, but also felt that safety in maternity care was sometimes compromised. According to the respondents in a future crisis situation it should be possible for community midwives to continue to deliver a personal handover after the referral of women to the hospital, and to stay with them.
The Contribution of Peer Values to Children’s Values and Behavior

Personal values have a key role in determining people’s perceptions, judgments, and behaviors. Only a handful of studies examined determinants of children’s values outside the family. We used longitudinal data on children’s values from 15,008 children in Grades 3 to 9, and homeroom teachers’ reports about the behaviors of 3,476 of these children. As predicted, peers’ values were positively correlated with the strengthening of children’s corresponding values. Moreover, with the exception of self-transcendence values, peer values had an indirect effect on corresponding child behavior, through children’s self-endorsed values. Girl peers had stronger effects on both girls’ and boys’ values. In addition, we found some evidence for stronger relationships between peer and children’s values among the older children, in particular among boys. These latter effects were even more prominent in an extended sample that included data from first and second graders. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
Current practices of Western Australian general dentists regarding management of patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy.

PURPOSE Currently, there are little to no published studies outlining general dentist's knowledge in the management of patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapies in Australia. The aim of this study was to investigate the current practices of Western Australian (WA) general dentists with regards to dental management of patients taking anticoagulants/antiplatelets. MATERIALS AND METHODS WA dentists were invited to undertake a survey to investigate their knowledge on the management of patients taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet. The questionnaire provided to WA general dentists consisted of pre-extraction advice on patients [direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), antiplatelets, warfarin, dual antiplatelets, and antiplatelet/anticoagulant]. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics as well as Chi-square tests. RESULTS Of the 89 participants, 40.5% had <5 years of general dental experience. Most WA general dentists (64-71%) responded with 'No change' when performing extractions on patients on DOACs, antiplatelet therapy, warfarin, dual antiplatelets, and antiplatelets/anticoagulants (P=0.00). Furthermore, dentists with 6-10 years of experience were more likely to cease antiplatelet for 24 hours before extractions (P<0.05). Dentists who extracted 10-30 teeth per month were likely to stop antiplatelets and DOACs for more than 48 hours compared to other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Most WA dentists would not cease anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy when undergoing dental extractions.
Early and High SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies Are Associated with Severity in COVID-19 Patients from India

ABSTRACT. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection have a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, from asymptomatic infection, to mild illness, to severe disease with recovery or fatal outcome. Immune correlates of protection are not yet clear. To understand the association between presence and titers of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) with recovery, we screened 82 COVID-19 patients classified in mild (n = 56) and severe (n = 26) disease groups on different days post onset of disease and 27 viral RNA–positive asymptomatic contacts examined within 1 week of the identification of index cases. Of 26 patients with severe disease, six died and 20 recovered. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 NAb levels in plasma and serum were measured using a plaque reduction neutralization test with live virus. The proportion of asymptomatic and symptomatic infections was 1:7.8 in males and 1:1 in females, with males predominating the severe disease group (21/26, 80.7%). At the time of presentation, NAb positivity and titers were comparable among groups with asymptomatic and mild infections. Notably, patients with severe disease exhibited higher NAb seropositivity and titers (25 of 26, 96.2%; 866 ± 188) than those in the mild category (39 of 56, 69.6%; 199 ± 50, P < 0.0001) and asymptomatic individuals (21 of 27, 77.8%; 124 ± 28, P = 0.0002). Within first 2 weeks of onset, NAb titers were significantly higher among patients with severe disease than those with mild presentation. Our data suggest that irrespective of fatal outcome, progression to disease severity was associated with induction of early and high levels of NAb. In our patient series, clinical disease, severity and fatality were predominantly seen in males. The role of NAbs in immunopathogenesis or protection needs to be defined.
Exploring the temporal associations between avoidance behavior and cognitions during the course of cognitive behavioral therapy for clients with symptoms of social anxiety disorder

Abstract Objectives In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD), avoidance behavior (AB) and cognitions (COG) are two important targets of intervention, but so far no studies have directly examined their relative importance. By means of cross-lagged panel models (CLPM), we examined their temporal associations and impacts on outcome in clients with symptoms of SAD while addressing typical methodological challenges. Method We used data from the first six therapy sessions in a sample of 428 primary care clients (mean [SD] age = 34.6 [12.2], 34.3% men), participating in the Prompt Mental Health Care trial. Session-by-session data was collected on AB, COG, depression and general anxiety. Competing multiple indicator CLPMs were tested. Results The Random Intercept-CLPM provided best fit, and indicated that AB predicted COG at subsequent time points (.39 ≤ β ≤ .42 for T2–T5, p < .05), but not vice versa. In addition, AB, but not COG, predicted clients’ general anxiety score at subsequent time points. Results were both robust to the inclusion of depressive symptoms as a within-level covariate, and sensitivity tests for stationarity and missing data assumptions. Conclusion Targeting avoidance behavior for primary care clients with symptoms of SAD may be more vital for the optimal effect of CBT than targeting cognitions. Methodological considerations and limitations of the study are discussed. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03238872.