Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
El Niño and the Southern Oscillation: El Niño/Southern Oscillation and the Seasonal Predictability of Tropical Cyclones

Abstract Perhaps the most dramatic effect that El Nino has upon the climate system is in changing tropical cyclone characteristics around the world. This chapter reviews how tropical cyclone frequency, intensity, and areas of occurrence are altered in all of the cyclone basins by the phases of El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In addition to ENSO, other global factors (such as the stratospheric Quasi-Biennial Oscillation) and local factors (such as sea surface temperature, monsoon intensity and rainfall, sea level pressures, and tropospheric vertical shear) can also help modulate tropical cyclone variability. Understanding how these various factors relate to tropical cyclone activity can be challenging owing to the fairly short record (on the scale of only tens of years) of reliable data. Despite this limitation, many of the variables that have been linked to tropical cyclones can be utilized to provide seasonal forecasts of tropical cyclones. Details of prediction methodologies that have been developed for the North Atlantic, Northwest Pacific, South Pacific, and Australian basin tropical cyclones are presented as well as the realtime forecasting performance for Atlantic hurricanes as issued by Prof. William Gray. Introduction Tropical cyclones are the costliest and deadliest natural disasters around the world, as the approximate 300,000 death toll in the infamous Bangladesh Cyclone of 1970 and the $26.5 billion (U.S.) in damages due to Hurricane Andrew in the southeast United States can attest (Holland 1993; Hebert et al. 1996).
Factors affecting mortality in patients with burns

Objective: The increase in life quality and expectancy causes an increase in the elderly population. Improvements in burn treatment resulted in decreased mortality in children and young adults but in elderly patients burns are still an important trauma that should be handed differently than other age groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors effecting mortality in patients with burns over 45 years old. Methods: Fifty-eight patients over 45 years of age, who were treated in our burns unit in the last 3 years were included in our study. Their age, burn percentage and depth, coexisting diseases and mortality rates were examined retrospectively. Results: The average age of surviving patients was 57.4 years while it was 70 years for nonsurviving patients (p=0.002). The width of burn area was 21.1 % in surviving and 50 % in nonsurviving patients (p<0.01). The effect of additional coexistent diseases on mortality was significant (p=0.001). The most common reasons of mortality were sepsis and congestive heart failure. Conclusion: We found out that the age, percentage of burns and coexistent diseases had a negative effect on success of treatment and mortality. Mortality rates will decrease in these cases with careful follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach. J Clin Exp Invest 2015; 6 (3): 240-243 Key words: burns, coexisting, mortality, elderly patient
Structural setting of the Leg 156 area, northern Barbados Ridge acretionary prism

The structural framework of the Leg 156 area is provided by a regional two-dimensional seismic reflection line, multibeam bathymetry, and a three-dimensional seismic data set that images the structure beneath a 125-km area of the lower slope of the Barbados accretionary prism. The prism is formed of oceanic plate sediments that are off scraped at the toe of the slope and accreted to the overriding plate. The prism thickens from about 200 m at the thrust front to at least 4.5 km at a distance 75 km landward of the thrust front. A regional décollement separates the accretionary prism from underthrust sediments carried on the subducting oceanic crust. The oceanic crust is cut by normal faults with offsets as great as 250-300 m. The resulting horst and graben topography has a wavelength of 1-3 km and trends east-northeast. Strata seaward of the thrust front are folded and cut by numerous normal faults. The upper 200 m of oceanic plate sediment is accreted at the thrust front, and the remaining sedimentary section is underthrust beneath the prism. The thickness of underthrust sediment is usually about 500 m, but can be as little as 200 m depending on the underlying basement topography. The accretionary prism is cut by numerous thrusts and back thrusts. Thrusts near the toe of the prism trend north-northwest with spacing of 100 to 750 m. The orientation of the thrusts does not correlate with either the convergence direction (~east-west) or the trend of underlying basement topography. Out-of-sequence thrusts trend east-northeast and dominate the surface structure of a 5-km-wide zone approximately 5-8 km landward of the thrust front. Individual thrusts can be traced laterally in horizontal slices through the three dimensional data volume. Lateral ramps are easily recognized in cross lines. All thrusts sole out on the décollement. The décollement is typically located near a common stratigraphic horizon, but locally cuts upor downsection where the stratigraphy is folded or faulted. The décollement generally is imaged as a simple reversed-phase reflection that has been modeled as a low-velocity, high-porosity zone about 10-14 m thick. We infer that this thin, high-porosity zone is an undercompacted, high-fluid-pressure section, and that mapped variations in décollement amplitude and polarity reflect décollement fluid content and fluid migration paths.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea: a review of current epidemiology and available vaccines

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), an Alphacoronavirus in the family Coronaviridae, causes acute diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and high mortality rates in neonatal piglets. PEDV can also cause diarrhea, agalactia, and abnormal reproductive cycles in pregnant sows. Although PEDV was first identified in Europe, it has resulted in significant economic losses in many Asian swine-raising countries, including Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. However, from April 2013 to the present, major outbreaks of PEDV have been reported in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Moreover, intercontinental transmission of PEDV has increased mortality rates in seronegative neonatal piglets, resulting in 10% loss of the US pig population. The emergence and re-emergence of PEDV indicates that the virus is able to evade current vaccine strategies. Continuous emergence of multiple mutant strains from several regions has aggravated porcine epidemic diarrhea endemic conditions and highlighted the need for new vaccines based on the current circulating PEDV. Epidemic PEDV strains tend to be more pathogenic and cause increased death in pigs, thereby causing substantial financial losses for swine producers. In this review, we described the epidemiology of PEDV in several countries and present molecular characterization of current strains. We also discuss PEDV vaccines and related issues.
Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of ImpulsePal: Smartphone App–Based Weight Management Intervention to Reduce Impulsive Eating in Overweight Adults

Background ImpulsePal is a theory-driven (dual-process), evidence-informed, and person-centered smartphone app intervention designed to help people manage impulsive processes that prompt unhealthy eating to facilitate dietary change and weight loss. Objective The aims of this study were to (1) assess the feasibility of trial procedures for evaluation of the ImpulsePal intervention, (2) estimate standard deviations of outcomes, and (3) assess usability of, and satisfaction with, ImpulsePal. Methods We conducted an individually randomized parallel two-arm nonblinded feasibility trial. The eligibility criteria included being aged ≥16 years, having a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2, and having access to an Android-based device. Weight was measured (as the proposed primary outcome for a full-scale trial) at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months of follow-up. Participants were randomized in a 2:1 allocation ratio to the ImpulsePal intervention or a waiting list control group. A nested action-research study allowed for data-driven refinement of the intervention across 2 cycles of feedback. Results We screened 179 participants for eligibility, and 58 were randomized to the intervention group and 30 to the control group. Data were available for 74 (84%, 74/88) participants at 1 month and 67 (76%, 67/88) participants at 3 months. The intervention group (n=43) lost 1.03 kg (95% CI 0.33 to 1.74) more than controls (n=26) at 1 month and 1.01 kg (95% CI −0.45 to 2.47) more than controls (n=43 and n=24, respectively) at 3 months. Feedback suggested changes to intervention design were required to (1) improve receipt and understanding of instructions and (2) facilitate further engagement with the app and its strategies. Conclusions The evaluation methods and delivery of the ImpulsePal app intervention are feasible, and the trial procedures, measures, and intervention are acceptable and satisfactory to the participants. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 14886370; http://www.isrctn. com/ISRCTN14886370 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/76WcEpZ51)
Old Dogs and New Tricks: Determinants of the Adoption of Productivity-Enhancing Work Practices

A LARGE BODY of theoretical research in economics models firms' choices of employment practices. For example, a number of studies model the choice of compensation practices, such as profit sharing, efficiency wages, piece rates, team rewards, or other pay-for-productivity plans. Other work focuses not on compensation practices but on other work practices, such as the use of work teams, screening of workers, and sharing of financial information with workers. ' Finally, other studies model the adoption of clusters of practices rather than individual practices.2 These models typically explain the observed variation in firms' work practices by pointing to differences in factors, such as the cost of observing employee effort, the separability of employee effort, the separability of employee tasks on the job, or the relative value of quality versus quantity in the profit function of each firm. In this paper we conduct an empirical investigation of the adoption of new work practices in a unique data set. The data set contains
Molecular characterization of bacterial populations of different soils

Until recently, few studies were carried out in Brazil about diversity of bacterial soil communities. Aiming to characterize the bacterial population in the soil through 16S rRNA analysis, two types of soil have been analyzed: one of them characterized by intensive use where tomato, beans and corn were cultivated (CS); the other analyzed soil was under forest (FS), unchanged by man; both located in Guaira, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Using specific primers, 16S rRNA genes from metagenomic DNA in both soils were amplified by PCR, amplicons were cloned and 139 clones from two libraries were partially sequenced. The use of 16S rRNA analysis allowed identification of several bacterial populations in the soil belonging to the following phyla: Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria Verrucomicrobia in addition to the others that were not classified, beyond Archaea domain. Differences between FS and CS libraries were observed in size phyla. A larger number of phyla and, consequently, a greater bacterial diversity were found in the under-forest soil. These data were confirmed by the analyses of genetic diversity that have been carried out. The characterization of bacterial communities of soil has made its contribution by providing facts for further studies on the dynamics of bacterial populations in different soil conditions in Brazil.
OPERATION EVEREST II: Effects of a Simulated Ascent to 29,000 Feet on Nutrition and Body Composition

Abstract : Progressive body weight loss occurs during high mountain expeditions, but whether it is due to hypoxia, inadequate diet, malabsorption, or to the multiple stresses of the harsh environment is unknown. To determine whether hypoxia alone causes such body weight loss, six men were studied during progressive decompression to 240 torr for 40 days in a hypobaric chamber where hypoxia was the major variable. The subjects were provided a platable ad libitum diet that was modified for individual preferences. Complete food consumption data were available for only 38 of the 40 days. Mean caloric intake for 38 days at altitude was 2639 + or - 848 kcal/day (Mean + or - SD). Caloric intake decreased 42.3% from 3136 kcal during the first 7 days of exposure to altitude to 1789 kcal during the last 3 days at 282-240 Torr. During the same time periods the carbohydrate (CHO) intake decreased from 62.1% to 53.2% (p < 0.001). All subjects lost body weight with a mean loss of 7.44 + or - 2.24 kg (8.90% of the initial body weight). Loss of body weight was greater than could be accounted for by comparing calculated energy expenditures to actual caloric intake. Keywords: Body composition, Percent body fat, Hydrostatic weighting, Acclimatization, High altitude, Nutrition, Food intake, Weight loss.
TGF-β1 gene transfer to the mouse colon leads to intestinal fibrosis

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by transmural inflammation. In CD, the recurrent inflammatory injury and tissue repair that occurs in the intestine can progress uncontrollably, leading to the proliferation of mesenchymal cells as well as fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition. These processes thicken the bowel wall, reducing flexibility, and often culminate in obstructive strictures. Because no effective measures are currently available to specifically treat or prevent intestinal stricturing, we sought to gain a better understanding of its pathogenesis by developing a mouse model of intestinal fibrosis. Because transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 can mediate both fibrosis and mesenchymal cell proliferation; we studied the effects of delivering adenoviral vectors encoding spontaneously active TGF-beta1 into the colons of mice. We first demonstrated that enema delivery of marker adenoviral vectors led to the transfection of the colonic epithelium and transient transgene expression. Histologically, control vectors caused an acute inflammatory response, involving the recruitment of neutrophils and mononuclear cells into the colonic lamina propria; however, infection caused little if any fibrosis. In contrast, the TGF-beta1 vector caused a more severe and prolonged inflammatory response as well as localized collagen deposition, leading to severe and progressive fibrosis. This was accompanied by the emergence of cells with a myofibroblast phenotype. Ultimately the fibrosis resulted in many of the TGF-beta1-transfected mice developing profound colonic obstruction. Through adenoviral gene transfer technology, we describe a novel mouse model of colitis and implicate TGF-beta1 in the pathogenesis of obstructive intestinal fibrosis.
Determination of Some Virulence Factors in Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Meat and Milk Products

The aim of this work is to characterize Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolated from meat and milk products in Ankara, Turkey. A total of 40 S. aureus, 55 E. faecalis and 30 E. faecium isolates were isolated from raw calf meat (minced), chicken drumsticks, raw milk, ice cream and white cheese samples. A high proportion of S. aureus isolates had slime formation (80%), biofilm formation (70%), deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity (53%), hemolytic activity (40%), protease production (80%) and lipase production (45%). The frequency of positive slime formation, DNase activity, hemolysis and protease production for E. faecalis isolates was 36, 5, 7 and 16%, and for E. faecium isolates was 50, 10, 13 and 6%. Neither biofilm formation nor lipase production was detected in Enterococcus isolates. It was found that S. aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin (77%), ampicillin (67%), erythromycin (30%), tetracycline (25%), chloramphenicol (20%) and gentamicin (17%), but they were sensitive to vancomycin and teicoplanin. All Enterococcus spp. isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, tetracycline and vancomycin, but they were resistant to erythromycin (47%), gentamicin (14%) and penicillin (4%). Practical Applications A number of factors contribute to the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci, including slime, biofilm, deoxyribonuclease, hemolysin, protease and lipase production. Our results suggest that the determination of these traits in food isolates of S. aureus and enterococci could be valuable tests for the meat and dairy industry. Antimicrobial resistance is an important public health concern worldwide. Thus, antibiotic resistance can also be used as adjunct test in the food industry. In the absence of control measures, virulent and antibiotic-resistant organisms might be transmitted to humans by the consumption of meat, milk and their product.
In vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity of the volatile oil of Cyperus articulatus (Cyperaceae)

ABSTRACT Malaria is a disease of global tropical distribution, being endemic in more than 90 countries and responsible for about 212 million cases worldwide in 2016. To date, the strategies used to eradicate this disease have been ineffective, without specific preventive measures such as vaccines. Currently, the existing therapeutic arsenal is limited and has become ineffective against the expansion of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium, demonstrating the need for studies that would allow the development of new compounds against this disease. In this context, we studied the volatile oil obtained from rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus (VOCA), a plant species commonly found in the Amazon region and popularly used as a therapeutic alternative for the treatment of malaria, in order to confirm its potential as an antimalarial agent by in vitro and in vivo assays. We cultured Plasmodium falciparum W2 (chloroquine-resistant) and 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) strains in erythrocytes and exposed them to VOCA at different concentrations in 96-well microplates. In vivo antimalarial activity was tested in BALB/c mice inoculated with approximately 106 erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium berghei. VOCA showed a high antimalarial potential against the two P. falciparum strains, with IC50 = 1.21 μg mL-1 for W2 and 2.30 μg mL-1 for 3D7. VOCA also significantly reduced the parasitemia and anemia induced by P. berghei in mice. Our results confirmed the antimalarial potential of the volatile oil of Cyperus articulatus.
Therapeutic Potential of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Murine Model of Hepatic Schistosomiasis

Background and Aim: The pathogenesis of schistosomiasis is mainly due to the host’s immune response against Schistosoma eggs trapped in tissues causing a granulomatous reaction. Recently, stem cell therapy has drawn much attention due to their potential for self-renewal and differentiation. The present study was designed to investigate the regenerative and antifibrotic potential of Human Umbilical Cord Blood derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (HUCB-MSCs) in hepatic granuloma due to schistosomiasis mansoni in the experimental murine model. Material and Methods: Swiss Albino mice (n=70) were divided into 3 groups; Group A: 30 mice infected with S. mansoni cercariae and subjected to intrahepatic injection of HUCB-MSCs by a single dose of 1 million HUCB-MSCs at 12 weeks post infection (wpi), G (A1): 10 mice sacrificed at 16 (wpi), G (A2):10 mice sacrificed at 18 (wpi), G (A3): 10 mice sacrificed at 20 (wpi). Group B: 30 mice infected with S. mansoni cercariae (positive control), G (B1):10 mice sacrificed at 16 (wpi), G (B2):10 mice sacrificed at 18 (wpi), G (B3):10 mice sacrificed at 20 (wpi). Group C: 10 uninfected mice (negative control). Results: Treatment with HUCB-MSCs, showed an improvement in the histopathological picture of the liver with diminution in the size of granulomas and the overall fibrotic content. Hyperplasic changes in intrahepatic biliary radicals obviously decreased in test groups. Conclusion: The human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs are promising and effective therapy for the treatment of diseased or damaged liver tissues.
Dispersal of Homo sapiens around the Indian Ocean rim : a geometric morphometric study of craniofacial diversity

This thesis explores craniofacial diversity found in Homo sapiens around the Indian Ocean rim. Three dimensional landmark data, taken directly from the craniofacial skeleton, are examined in relation to the hypothesised southern dispersal route taken by Homo sapiens out of Africa during the Late Pleistocene. The thesis explores whether traces of this dispersal event are evident in the craniofacial morphology of modern human populations. It also explores further causes of morphological diversity between the populations. The first part of the thesis examines the patterns of craniofacial diversity found in samples from around the Indian Ocean rim. Biological and geographical distances are correlated and the results show that geography plays an important role in determining observed patterns of diversity. Distance from Africa is found to be statistically significant, suggesting that traces of the original Late Pleistocene dispersal remain today. Having determined geography as important in creating craniofacial diversity, the thesis additionally explores other potential causes of morphological variation. The results find that environmental conditions, including temperature and rainfall, are correlated with craniofacial shape. One finding of this initial section of the study is that there is considerable regional clustering of morphology in the samples from around the Indian Ocean rim. The second part of the thesis therefore examines dispersals within the identified regional clusters, including South and Southeast Asia, Melanesia and Australia. Craniofacial morphology is discussed in relation to proposed models of origin and evolution within these regions. Additionally, craniofacial variation within Polynesia is explored to provide a comparison of how diversity can develop over a relatively short period of time. The thesis concludes with a discussion of how craniofacial diversity is the result of a combination of multiple small founder effects and adaptation to local environmental conditions.