Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Cancer Beliefs and Sociodemographic Factors on Colorectal Cancer Screening Behaviours in Newfoundland and Labrador

Objectives: This study investigated the beliefs about cancer treatment, outcomes, and screening among adults aged 50–74 in Newfoundland and Labrador and whether these beliefs or sociodemographic factors were associated with differences in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening behaviours. Methods: This analysis uses data collected from an online survey of adults on cancer awareness and prevention in NL. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in distributions of beliefs based on CRC screening behaviour. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic factors independently associated with CRC screening behaviour. Results: A total of 724 participants were included in the analysis, 57.4% of which had ever had CRC screening. Most held positive beliefs about cancer outcomes and treatment. Only beliefs about screening affected CRC screening behaviour. People who never had CRC screening were more likely to believe their worries about what might be found would prevent them from screening (χ2 = 9.380, p = 0.009); screening is only necessary if they have symptoms (χ2 = 15.680, p < 0.001); and screening has a high risk of leading to unnecessary surgery (χ2 = 6.824, p = 0.032). Regression identified that men had higher likelihood of having had CRC screening than women in our study (OR = 1.689, 95%CI = 1.135–2.515), as did all age groups compared to ages 50–54. No associations were found with the other sociodemographic factors studied. Conclusion: Beliefs about cancer screening appear to play some role in CRC screening behaviour, but the absolute effect was small. The relatively few sociodemographic associations with screening behaviour suggest that NL’s CRC screening program is equitably reaching people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
VALIDATION OF MIPAS ON ENVISAT BY IN SITU INSTRUMENTS ON THE M55-GEOPHYSICA

RESUME First results of trace gas mixing ratios in the stratosphere derived from limb scans of the MIPAS instrument on the ENVISAT satellite (MIPAS-E) have been compared with coincident measurements made with in situ instruments on the high-altitude aircraft M55-Geophysica between 12 and 20 km altitude during two dedicated campaigns in July and October 2002. Although the number of available limb measurements from MIPAS-E for the comparisons was rather small these comparisons allow a first quantitative statement about the MIPAS-E data quality with the early version of the data processor. At this stage, the ozone data from three limb scans in the stratosphere from 22 July 2002 over Italy (tropopause height: θ = 310 K) agree within (8±8) % with the in situ measurements, which is well within the combined error margins (in situ + MIPAS-E). On the same day the agreement between the HNO3 data with a mean deviation of (20±6) %, and the H2O data with (15±12) % is also within the combined errors. However, the MIPAS-E CH4 data from 22 July 2002 deviate by (17±11) %, and the N2O data by (22±17) %, both out of the combined errors of about 15 and 10 %, respectively. Although these first numbers look promising, more extensive comparisons are needed for a sound assessment of the MIPAS-E data quality.
Artificial Intelligence and Anorectal Manometry: Automatic Detection and Differentiation of Anorectal Motility Patterns—A Proof-of-Concept Study

INTRODUCTION: Anorectal manometry (ARM) is the gold standard for the evaluation of anorectal functional disorders, prevalent in the population. Nevertheless, the accessibility to this examination is limited, and the complexity of data analysis and report is a significant drawback. This pilot study aimed to develop and validate an artificial intelligence model to automatically differentiate motility patterns of fecal incontinence (FI) from obstructed defecation (OD) using ARM data. METHODS: We developed and tested multiple machine learning algorithms for the automatic interpretation of ARM data. Four models were tested: k-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, random forests, and gradient boosting (xGB). These models were trained using a stratified 5-fold strategy. Their performance was assessed after fine-tuning of each model's hyperparameters, using 90% of data for training and 10% of data for testing. RESULTS: A total of 827 ARM examinations were used in this study. After fine-tuning, the xGB model presented an overall accuracy (84.6% ± 2.9%), similar to that of random forests (82.7% ± 4.8%) and support vector machines (81.0% ± 8.0%) and higher that of k-nearest neighbors (74.4% ± 3.8%). The xGB models showed the highest discriminating performance between OD and FI, with an area under the curve of 0.939. DISCUSSION: The tested machine learning algorithms, particularly the xGB model, accurately differentiated between FI and OD manometric patterns. Subsequent development of these tools may optimize the access to ARM studies, which may have a significant impact on the management of patients with anorectal functional diseases.
Intense nitrogen cycling in permeable intertidal sediment revealed by a nitrous oxide hot spot

Approximately 40% of the total global rate of nitrogen fixation is the result of human activities, and most of this anthropogenic nitrogen is used to fertilize agricultural fields. Approximately 23% of the applied agricultural nitrogen is delivered to the coastal zone, often reducing water quality and driving eutrophication. Nitrogen cycling in coastal sediments can mitigate eutrophication by removing bioavailable nitrogen. However, some of these processes generate nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, as a by‐product. Here we report the discovery of a nitrous oxide production hot spot in shallow barrier island sands. Nitrous oxide concentrations, production and consumption rates, vertical diffusion fluxes, and flux to the atmosphere were measured across triplicate depth profiles. Using a mass balance approach, rates of net nitrous oxide production were estimated to be 40 µmol m−2 d−1. This production was driven by a hot spot of nitrate consumption that removed bioavailable nitrogen from the coastal environment at a rate of 10 mmol m−2 d−1, a rate that is comparable with the highest rates of denitrification reported for coastal sediments.
Boundary layer dynamics during the Ocean‐Atmosphere‐Sea‐Ice‐Snow (OASIS) 2009 experiment at Barrow, AK

Three‐dimensional atmospheric turbulence measurements were conducted from seven sonic anemometers on two different towers in Barrow, AK, during the spring of 2009 as part of the Ocean‐Atmosphere‐Sea‐Ice‐Snow (OASIS) campaign. This was the largest number of side‐by‐side atmospheric turbulence measurements in the Arctic at one time. These analyses allowed for (1) a comparison of the instrumental measurement approaches and (2) a comparison of the variability of the lower atmospheric surface layer at these measurement heights and tower sites. Friction velocity estimates were affected for a sonic anemometer that was operated on the tower in the near vicinity of a building module. Boundary layer height (BLH) was estimated from sonic anemometer measurements based both on a turbulence variable estimator and a temperature gradient method. Results from both methods were compared to radiosonde‐estimated BLH and generally underestimated the BLH for shallower depths. Conditions with low BLH (< 100 m) often lasted for several days. The seven ozone depletion events (ODE) that were observed during the OASIS campaign had a tendency of coinciding with BLH of less than 50 m and stable atmospheric conditions; however, there was not a clear relationship between the occurrence of ODE and wind speed or wind direction as ODE occurred under a wide range of conditions of BLH, wind speed, local wind direction, and atmospheric stability. Comparisons of these surface layer dynamics to sites in Antarctica and Greenland reveal that boundary layer dynamics are not the primary driving force that fosters the unique ozone chemistry at this coastal Arctic site.
Journal Pre-proof acid diethylamide-assisted therapy in patients with with and without a life-threatening illness A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study

Background: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-assisted therapy in patients who suffered from anxiety with or without association to a life threatening illness. Methods : The study is an investigator-initiated two-center trial that used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period, random-order, crossover design with two sessions with either oral LSD (200 µg) or placebo per period. The primary endpoint was anxiety symptoms 16 weeks after the last treatment session, assessed by Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory–Global (STAI-G) score in 42 patients. Further outcome measures included ratings for depression symptoms (BDI [Beck Depression Inventory] and HAM-D-21 [Hamilton Depression Rating Scale]) and ratings for acute subjective drug effects. The outcomes for the first period, (between-subjects analysis) are primarily shown due to carry-over effects. Results : LSD treatment resulted in significant reductions of STAI-G scores up to 16 weeks after treatment (least square mean (± SE) change from baseline difference = -16.2 (5.8), 95% CI=-27.8 to -4.5, d =-1.18, p =0.007). Similar effects were observed for ratings of comorbid depression on the HAM-D-21 (-7.0 (1.9), 95% CI=-10.8 to -3.2, d =-1.1, p =0.0004) and the BDI (-6.1 (2.6), 95% CI=-11.4 to -0.9, d =-0.72, p =0.02). Positive acute subjective drug effects and mystical-type experiences correlated with the long-term reductions in anxiety symptoms. Transient, mild, acute untoward effects of LSD treatment were reported by eight patients (19%). One treatment-related serious adverse event ( acute transient anxiety) occurred (2%). Conclusion: LSD produced long-lasting and notable reductions of anxiety and comorbid depression symptoms up to 16 weeks. Trial
An acoustic and electroglottographic study of White Hmong phonation Background: Hmong

1 Christina M. Esposito Macalester College An acoustic and electroglottographic study of White Hmong phonation Background: Hmong Hmong-Mien language family Spoken in and around northern Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos Large population of speakers in Minnesota and California Several dialects (White Hmong, Green Mong, Blue Mong, etc.) with various levels of mutual intelligibility Total number of speakers worldwide = 4 million
Differences in magnetic storm and quiet ionospheric deterministic chaotic behavior: GPS total electron content analyses

[1] In the present study we have investigated whether deterministic chaotic behavior is exhibited by the GPS total electron content (TEC) fluctuations at midlatitude ionosphere, under various geophysical conditions, using nonlinear aspects. Local slopes of the logarithms of correlation sum for the time series of TEC representing the winter storm and quiet periods exhibit a clear plateau, indicating a fractal dimension of the attractor of the system (5.86 ± 0.09 for quiet time and 4.15 ± 0.03 for storm time, at 35°N). The observed positive values of the Lyapunov exponent (for quiet and storm times at 35.1°N, the values are 0.1695 × 10−2 s−1 and 0.1167 × 10−2 s−1, respectively) are another important criterion for chaoticity of the system during the above periods. To further confirm this, we have employed the surrogate data test. On the basis of the significance of difference of the original data and surrogates for various aspects, the surrogate data test rejects the null hypothesis that the time series of TEC during storm and quiet times represent a linear stochastic process. Also, we compared the chaotic behavior of TEC during disturbed and quiet periods, under different seasons and latitudes. For all seasons, the values of the Lyapunov exponent during quiet times are greater than those during storm periods for the latitude sector, 35°–41°N. The nonlinear aspects presented here imply that geomagnetic disturbances influence the stability/instability conditions of ionosphere due to the superposition of various active degrees of freedom generated by an external stochastic driver (solar wind), and could alter the inherent dynamics of the system, if the coupling is powerful.
Endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase, angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphisms and endothelial functions in healthy individuals.

INTRODUCTION Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as an early and initiating event in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Gene polymorphisms of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) have been found to be associated with atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of ecNOS, ACE and AT1R gene polymorphisms on endothelial functions in healthy population. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 255 healthy subjects (male/female: 119/136 mean age 35.1±2.3 years) ecNOS, ACE and AT1R gene polymorphisms were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Endothelium dependent (EDD, flow-mediated) and endothelium independent vasodilation (EID) were measured by high resolution brachial artery ultrasound and 0.5 mg sublingual nitroglycerine respectively. RESULTS ecNOS and ACE genes had no significant effect on EDD and EID. However, subjects with AT1RAC+CC genotypes had lower EDD compared to subjects with AT1RAA genotype in females (19.4 ± 6.6% vs 21.5 ± 7.8%, p = 0.041). EDD and EID were significantly negatively associated with age, body mass index, serum creatinine, glucose, uric acid and hemoglobin levels. When the data on age, uric acid, BMI, glucose, creatinine, and hemoglobin were split into 3 as low-1/3, mid-1/3 and high 1/3, there was significant graded decrease in EDD and EID with these parameters. In multiple regression analysis, age and presence of AT1RAC+CC genotype retained as significant independent factors predicting endothelial functions. CONCLUSIONS Gene polymorphisms of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase and angiotensin converting enzyme had no effect on endothelial functions. However, the presence of angiotensin II type 1 receptor polymorhism (AT1RAC+CC genotype) seemed to adversely affect the endothelial functions as reflected by impaired endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatation in healthy individuals.
The influence of onset of disease on exit from paid employment among workers in The Netherlands: A longitudinal register-based study with 9 years follow-up

Objectives This study investigates the influence of onset of disease on exit from paid employment and whether this differs across diseases and sociodemographic groups. Methods Register data from Statistics Netherlands on medication prescription was linked to information on employment status and demographics. Persons who were employed in 2009 and 2010 and who did not use medication for the selected disease in 2009 (N=5 889 036) were followed-up over nine years. Six diseases were identified based on medication prescription in 2010 and 2011: cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases, common mental disorders, and psychotic disorders. Four pathways out of paid employment were defined: disability benefits, unemployment, no income, and early retirement. Early exit from paid employment was defined as exiting paid employment before retirement age. Cause-specific Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed, with interaction terms for age, sex, and migration background. Results Onset of disease increased the likelihood of exit from paid employment, with the strongest associations for psychotic disorders [hazard ratio (HR) 2.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.78–2.98] and common mental disorders (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.97–2.03). Onset of disease was most strongly associated with disability benefits, followed by unemployment. The influence of common mental and psychotic disorders on disability increased until around middle-age, after which it decreased. The influence of mental health problems on exit from paid employment was stronger for persons with a non-native Dutch background and males. Conclusion Onset of diseases, especially mental health disorders, is a risk for exiting paid employment before the retirement age. Effective interventions are needed to enhance an inclusive workforce and prevent involuntary loss of paid employment.
Limits on earthquake nucleation and other pre‐seismic phenomena from continuous strain in the near field of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake

Two laser strainmeters that operate at 1400‐m depth, about 20 km NE of the epicenter of the 2009/04/06 magnitude‐6.3 L'Aquila, Italy, earthquake, have produced records of strain since 1995. During the two years before the event, no anomalous signal larger than a few tens of nanostrains is visible, limiting the volume of the possible earthquake preparation zone to less than 100 km3; moreover, earth tidal response is stable within 0.5% in amplitude and 0.5° in phase. Thus, reality of large‐scale precursory phenomena seems unlikely. During the last few days, there is some evidence of dilatancy of satured rock over the earthquake causative fault, maybe related to the foreshocks. Seconds before the event, strain is stable at the 10−12 level and prerupture nucleation slip in the hypocentral region is constrained to have a moment less than 2 × 1012 Nm, i. e. 0.00005% of the main shock seismic moment.
Impact of Achieved Blood Pressures on Mortality Risk and End-Stage Renal Disease Among a Large, Diverse Hypertension Population

BACKGROUND Medical data or clinical guidelines have not adequately addressed the ideal blood pressure (BP) treatment targets for survival and renal outcome. OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate ranges of treated BP in a large hypertension population and compare risk of mortality and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS A retrospective cohort study within the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health system was performed from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2010. Treated hypertensive subjects $ 18 years of age were studied. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the risks (hazard ratios) for mortality and/or ESRD among different BP categories with and without strati ﬁ cation for diabetes mellitus and older age. RESULTS Among 398,419 treated hypertensive subjects (30% with diabetes mellitus), mortality occurred in 25,182 (6.3%) and ESRD in 4,957 (1.2%). Adjusted hazard ratios (95% con ﬁ dence intervals [CI]) for composite mortality/ESRD in systolic BP < 110, 110 to 119, 120 to 129, 140 to 149, 150 to 159, 160 to 169, and $ 170 compared with 130 to 139 mm Hg were 4.1 (95% CI: 3.8 to 1.3), 1.8 (95% CI: 1.7 to 1.9), 1.1 (95% CI: 1.1 to 1.1), 1.4 (95% CI: 1.4 to 1.5), 2.3 (95% CI: 2.2 to 2.5), 3.3 (95% CI: 3.0 to 3.6), and 4.9 (95% CI: 4.4 to 5.5) respectively. Diastolic BP 60 to 79 mm Hg were associated with the lowest risk. The nadir systolic and diastolic BP for the lowest risk was 137 and 71 mm Hg, respectively. Strati ﬁ ed analyses revealed that the diabetes mellitus population had a similar hazard ratio curve but a lower nadir at 131 and 69 mm Hg but age $ 70 had a higher nadir (140 and 70 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS Both higher and lower treated BP compared with 130 to 139 mm Hg systolic and 60 to 79 mm Hg diastolic ranges had worsened outcomes. Our study adds to the growing uncertainty about BP treatment targets.
Continental crust under compression: A seismic refraction study of South Island Geophysical Transect I, South Island, New Zealand

[1] The 1996 South Island Geophysical Transect (SIGHT) active source seismic survey was designed to show the style of lithospheric thickening due to late Cenozoic oblique convergence across the Australian-Pacific plate boundary in New Zealand. As part of this study, two seismic refraction lines were shot across central South Island and offshore extensions of the continental crust in the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. We present the data and a 603 km long seismic velocity profile of the crust and uppermost mantle along one of these seismic transects. A tomographic inversion of 62,563 travel times from crustal and upper mantle refractions and wide-angle reflections resulted in a model with a two-layer crust. Upper crustal velocities were between 5.9 and 6.3 km/s, and lower crustal velocities were between 6.5 and 7.0 km/s. Continental compression has locally reduced the seismic velocities in the Pacific plate crust by 0.2–0.3 km/s, a possible effect of high strain and fluids in the crust. The thickening of the crust from 28 km at the east coast of South Island to 37 km beneath the Southern Alps can account for about 25% of the 80–110 km shortening of Pacific plate crust, while the rest must be accounted for by rapid erosion of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks on the west side of the orogen. In our model the lower crust forms a continuous 2–6 km thick layer beneath central South Island. The asymmetric topography of the Southern Alps is reflected in the crustal root which has a steeper flank at the west coast. This observation is consistent with westward underthrusting of Pacific lower lithosphere beneath South Island that has been suggested in earlier studies.
A Defense of AK Growth Models

AK growth models predict that permanent changes in government policies affecting investment rates should lead to permanent changes in a country’s GDP growth. Charles Jones (1995) sees no evidence for this prediction in data for 15 OECD countries after World War II: rates of investment, especially for equipment, have risen while GDP growth rates have not. This article provides evidence supporting the AK models’ prediction. Data back to the 19th century show a strong positive relationship between investment rates and growth rates and short-lived deviations from trends. A strong positive relationship also exists between average rates of investment and growth in postwar data for a large cross-section of countries. To account for the short-run deviations in rates that Jones highlights, the model he used is extended to allow policies to affect not only investment/output ratios but also capital/output ratios and labor/leisure decisions.
Observed trends in the Great Plains low‐level jet and associated precipitation changes in relation to recent droughts

Recent drought over the Great Plains has had significant impacts on agriculture and the economy, highlighting the need for better understanding of any ongoing changes in the regional hydroclimate. Trends in the Great Plains low‐level jet (GPLLJ) during the months April–June and associated precipitation are analyzed using the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) for the period 1979–2012. Linear trends computed for meridional winds and precipitation intensity, frequency, and total across the Great Plains show that (1) the GPLLJ has strengthened and expanded northward and (2) precipitation has decreased substantially in the Southern Plains while increasing in the Northern Plains. Particularly in May, the rainy season in the Oklahoma‐Texas region, precipitation has migrated northward in correspondence to the shifted northern edge of the GPLLJ, leading to near 50% declines in precipitation since 1979. These observed changes are discussed in the context of recent droughts and projected climate for the region.