Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of the CCR5Δ32 Mutation with Clinical Response and >5-year Survival following Initiation of First Triple Antiretroviral Regimen

Objective The CCR5Δ32 mutation is associated with slower HIV disease progression in untreated infection. However, it remains controversial as to whether CCR5Δ32 is a relevant prognostic marker in the context of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Here we investigate associations between CCR5Δ32 and HAART outcomes in a large, population-based cohort of >1000 antiretroviral-naive individuals initiating triple therapy over a median >5 year follow-up. Methods CCR5Δ32 genotypes were determined using PCR and DNA sequencing in a cohort of 1188 antiretroviral-naive individuals initiating triple therapy in British Columbia. Associations between CCR5Δ32 and baseline (pre-therapy) sociodemographic and clinical parameters were investigated in a cross-sectional analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the effect of CCR5Δ32 on clinical outcomes following therapy initiation. The endpoints that were evaluated included time to plasma viral load (pVL) suppression <400 copies HIV RNA/ml, subsequent time to pVL rebound ≥400 copies/ml, time to CD4+ cell decline below baseline, and time to non-accidental death over a median >5 year follow-up. Results CCR5Δ32 genotypes were available for 1174 of 1188 individuals (98.8%): 171 (14.6%) CCR5wt/Δ32 and 1003 (85.4%) CCR5wt/wt. At baseline, CCR5wt/Δ32 individuals had higher CD4+ cell counts (P=0.04), lower plasma viral loads (P=0.06) and were slightly older than CCR5wt/wt individuals (P=0.04). In multivariate analyses controlling for baseline parameters and adherence estimates, we observed a significant association between CCR5wt/Δ32 and a shorter time to initial pVL suppression <400 copies/ml (multivariate hazard ratio [HR]: 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.44). No associations were observed between CCR5Δ32 and other clinical outcomes including subsequent time to pVL rebound or time to CD4+ cell decline below baseline. In univariate analyses, we observed a significant association between CCR5wt/Δ32 genotype and improved survival over the median >5 year period following initiation of HAART (P=0.03). However, this association did not remain significant in multivariate analyses after adjusting for baseline factors including adherence (multivariate HR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.38-1.07; P=0.09) Conclusion Results indicate that, after controlling for adherence, the CCR5Δ32 mutation is likely not a clinically significant predictor of longer-term clinical responses or survival in the context of HAART.
Substitutions Due to Antiretroviral Toxicity or Contraindication in the First 3 years of Antiretroviral Therapy in a Large South African Cohort

Introduction The patterns and reasons for antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug substitutions are poorly described in resource-limited settings. Methods Time to and reason for drug substitution were recorded in treatment-naive adults receiving ART in two primary care treatment programmes in Cape Town. The cumulative proportion of patients having therapy changed because of toxicity was described for each drug, and associations with these changes were explored in multivariate models. Results Analysis included 2,679 individuals followed for a median of 11 months. Median CD4+ T-cell count at baseline was 85 cells/μl. Mean weight was 59 kg, mean age was 32 years and 71% were women. All started non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based ART (60% on efavrienz) and 75% started on stavudine (d4T). After 3 years, 75% remained in care on-site, of whom 72% remained on their initial regimen. Substitutions due to toxicity of nevirapine (8% by 3 years), efavirenz (2%) and zidovudine (8%) occurred early. Substitutions on d4T occurred in 21% of patients by 3 years, due to symptomatic hyper-lactataemia (5%), lipodystrophy (9%) or peripheral neuropathy (6%), and continued to accumulate over time. Those at greatest risk of hyperlactataemia or lipodystrophy were women on ART ≥6 months, weighing ≥75 kg at baseline. Discussion A high proportion of adult patients are able to tolerate their initial ART regimen for up to 3 years. In most instances treatment-limiting toxicities occur early, but continue to accumulate over time in patients on d4T. Whilst awaiting other treatment options, the risks of known toxicities could be minimized through early identification of patients at the highest risk.
Two-Year College Students Report Multiple Benefits From Participation in an Integrated Geoscience Research, Coursework, and Outreach Internship Program

Objective: Despite the availability of high-paying, high-demand careers, few women and students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities enter undergraduate programs understanding what the geosciences are and associated available career opportunities. This problem is compounded for students from backgrounds underrepresented in the United States. High-impact practices, such as mentoring, internships, undergraduate research experiences, and cohort-building, increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and math at 4-year institutions. What is not yet clear is the impact these interventions have on underrepresented students at two-year colleges, where the STEM pathway has become a main postsecondary school entry point for these students due to the affordability, flexibility, and academic support provided. Therefore, we designed, implemented, and researched a year-long program providing underrepresented students at a two-year college exposure to several of these experiences. Methods: We interviewed program participants about their perceptions and experiences in the program. Analysis proceeded using constant comparison. Results: Participants reported benefits from networking opportunities, gains in confidence, and gains in job skills, while some reported challenges for participation such as communication and time expectation conflicts; participants also struggled to balance the program with employment needs on top of school requirements. Different aspects of the program benefited different students, suggesting that all of these experiences could support recruitment and foster interest in geoscience for underrepresented students at two-year colleges. Conclusion: We conclude with implications for future research, program enhancements, and time constraint and mentoring needs related to characteristics of two-year college students.
Three-Dimensional Kinematic Motion of the Craniocervical Junction of Chihuahuas and Labrador Retrievers

All vertebrate species have a distinct morphology and movement pattern, which reflect the adaption of the animal to its habitat. Yet, our knowledge of motion patterns of the craniocervical junction of dogs is very limited. The aim of this prospective study is to perform a detailed analysis and description of three-dimensional craniocervical motion during locomotion in clinically sound Chihuahuas and Labrador retrievers. This study presents the first in vivo recorded motions of the craniocervical junction of clinically sound Chihuahuas (n = 8) and clinically sound Labrador retrievers (n = 3) using biplanar fluoroscopy. Scientific rotoscoping was used to reconstruct three-dimensional kinematics during locomotion. The same basic motion patterns were found in Chihuahuas and Labrador retrievers during walking. Sagittal, lateral, and axial rotation could be observed in both the atlantoaxial and the atlantooccipital joints during head motion and locomotion. Lateral and axial rotation occurred as a coupled motion pattern. The amplitudes of axial and lateral rotation of the total upper cervical motion and the atlantoaxial joint were higher in Labrador retrievers than in Chihuahuas. The range of motion (ROM) maxima were 20°, 26°, and 24° in the sagittal, lateral, and axial planes, respectively, of the atlantoaxial joint. ROM maxima of 30°, 16°, and 18° in the sagittal, lateral, and axial planes, respectively, were found at the atlantooccipital joint. The average absolute sagittal rotation of the atlas was slightly higher in Chihuahuas (between 9.1 ± 6.8° and 18.7 ± 9.9°) as compared with that of Labrador retrievers (between 5.7 ± 4.6° and 14.5 ± 2.6°), which corresponds to the more acute angle of the atlas in Chihuahuas. Individual differences for example, varying in amplitude or time of occurrence are reported.
Real-World Hearing Aid Usage Patterns and Smartphone Connectivity

Data for monitoring individual hearing aid usage has historically been limited to retrospective questionnaires or data logged intrinsically in the hearing aid cumulatively over time (e. g., days or more). This limits the investigation of longitudinal interactions between hearing aid use and environmental or behavioral factors. Recently it has become possible to analyze remotely logged hearing aid data from in-market and smartphone compatible hearing aids. This can provide access to novel insights about individual hearing aid usage patterns and their association to environmental factors. Here, we use remotely logged longitudinal data from 64 hearing aid users to establish basic norms regarding smartphone connectivity (i.e., comparing remotely logged data with cumulative true hearing aid on-time) and to assess whether such data can provide representative information about ecological usage patterns. The remotely logged data consists of minute-by-minute timestamped logs of cumulative hearing aid on-time and characteristics of the momentary acoustic environment. Using K-means clustering, we demonstrate that hourly hearing aid usage patterns (i.e., usage as minutes/hour) across participants are separated by four clusters that account for almost 50% of the day-to-day variation. The clusters indicate that hearing aids are worn either sparsely throughout the day; early morning to afternoon; from noon to late evening; or across the day from morning to late evening. Using linear mixed-effects regression modeling, we document significant associations between daily signal-to-noise, sound intensity, and sound diversity with hearing aid usage. Participants encounter louder, noisier, and more diverse sound environments the longer the hearing aids are worn. Finally, we find that remote logging via smartphones underestimates the daily hearing aid usage with a pooled median of 1.25 h, suggesting an overall connectivity of 85%. The 1.25 h difference is constant across days varying in total hearing aid on-time, and across participants varying in average daily hearing aid-on-time, and it does not depend on the identified patterns of daily hearing aid usage. In sum, remote data logging with hearing aids has high representativeness and face-validity, and can offer ecologically true information about individual usage patterns and the interaction between usage and everyday contexts.
Prediction of Ovarian Follicular Dominance by MRI Phenotyping of Hormonally Induced Vascular Remodeling

In the mammalian female, only a small subset of ovarian follicles, known as the dominant follicles (DFs), are selected for ovulation in each reproductive cycle, while the majority of the follicles and their resident oocytes are destined for elimination. This study aimed at characterizing early changes in blood vessel properties upon the establishment of dominance in the mouse ovary and application of this vascular phenotype for prediction of the follicles destined to ovulate. Sexually immature mice, hormonally treated for induction of ovulation, were imaged at three different stages by dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI: prior to hormonal administration, at the time of DF selection, and upon formation of the corpus luteum (CL). Macromolecular biotin-bovine serum albumin conjugated with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (b-BSA-GdDTPA) was intravenously injected, and the dynamics of its extravasation from permeable vessels as well as its accumulation in the antral cavity of the ovarian follicles was followed by consecutive T1-weighted MRI. Permeability surface area product (permeability) and fractional blood volume (blood volume) were calculated from b-BSA-GdDTPA accumulation. We found that the neo-vasculature during the time of DF selection was characterized by low blood volume and low permeability values as compared to unstimulated animals. Interestingly, while the vasculature of the CL showed higher blood volume compared to the DF, it exhibited a similar permeability. Taking advantage of immobilized ovarian imaging, we combined DCE-MRI and intravital light microscopy, to reveal the vascular properties of follicles destined for dominance from the non-ovulating subordinate follicles (SFs). Immediately after their selection, permeability of the vasculature of DF was attenuated compared to SF while the blood volume remained similar. Furthermore, DFs were characterized by delayed contrast enhancement in the avascular follicular antrum, reflecting interstitial convection, whereas SFs were not. In this study, we showed that although DF selection is accompanied by blood vessel growth, the new vasculature remained relatively impermeable compared to the vasculature in control animal and compared to SF. Additionally, DFs show late signal enhancement in their antrum. These two properties may aid in clinical prediction of follicular dominance at an early stage of development and help in their diagnosis for possible treatment of infertility.
Tackling Control of a Cosmopolitan Phytopathogen: Sclerotinia

Phytopathogenic members of the Sclerotinia genus cause widespread disease across a broad range of economically important crops. In particular, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is considered one of the most destructive and cosmopolitan of plant pathogens. Here, were review the epidemiology of the pathogen, its economic impact on agricultural production, and measures employed toward control of disease. We review the broad approaches required to tackle Sclerotinia diseases and include cultural practices, crop genetic resistance, chemical fungicides, and biological controls. We highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each approach along with recent advances within these controls and future strategies.
Enhancing Performance of SSVEP-Based Visual Acuity via Spatial Filtering

The purpose of this study was to enhance the performance of steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based visual acuity assessment with spatial filtering methods. Using the vertical sinusoidal gratings at six spatial frequency steps as the visual stimuli for 11 subjects, SSVEPs were recorded from six occipital electrodes (O1, Oz, O2, PO3, POz, and PO4). Ten commonly used training-free spatial filtering methods, i.e., native combination (single-electrode), bipolar combination, Laplacian combination, average combination, common average reference (CAR), minimum energy combination (MEC), maximum contrast combination (MCC), canonical correlation analysis (CCA), multivariate synchronization index (MSI), and partial least squares (PLS), were compared for multielectrode signals combination in SSVEP visual acuity assessment by statistical analyses, e.g., Bland–Altman analysis and repeated-measures ANOVA. The SSVEP signal characteristics corresponding to each spatial filtering method were compared, determining the chosen spatial filtering methods of CCA and MSI with a higher performance than the native combination for further signal processing. After the visual acuity threshold estimation criterion, the agreement between the subjective Freiburg Visual Acuity and Contrast Test (FrACT) and SSVEP visual acuity for the native combination (0.253 logMAR), CCA (0.202 logMAR), and MSI (0.208 logMAR) was all good, and the difference between FrACT and SSVEP visual acuity was also all acceptable for the native combination (−0.095 logMAR), CCA (0.039 logMAR), and MSI (−0.080 logMAR), where CCA-based SSVEP visual acuity had the best performance and the native combination had the worst. The study proved that the performance of SSVEP-based visual acuity can be enhanced by spatial filtering methods of CCA and MSI and also recommended CCA as the spatial filtering method for multielectrode signals combination in SSVEP visual acuity assessment.
Validity and Reliability of the Urdu Version of the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder

Introduction: Although the translation and the validation of the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD) are performed in various languages and samples, no study has established the validity and reliability of the Urdu version of MSI-BPD in individuals with cardiac problems. Materials and Methods: The Urdu version of the MSI-BPD was prepared through the standard back-translation method. The translation and adaption were completed in four steps: forward translation, adaption and translation, back translation and committee approach, and cross-language validation. The sample, selected through the purposive sampling method, comprised of 150 adults with cardiac problems (men = 75 and women = 75), with an age range of 23–78 years (M = 55, SD = 10.6). The Cronbach alpha reliability and factorial validity of the MSI-BPD were assessed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Pearson correlation analyses. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability (at 2 weeks' interval) were used to evaluate the reliability. Statistical analyses were performed, using SPSS (version 22) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) software. Results: Preliminary analysis revealed that the overall instrument had good internal consistency (Urdu MSI-BPD α = 0.79; English MSI-BPD α = 0.77) as well as test–retest correlation coefficients for 15 days (r = 0.94). Conclusions: Findings suggested that the MSI-BPD, with important limitations, can be used as an effective preliminary screening tool to measure BPD in Urdu-speaking adults with cardiac problems. Further validations should be conducted to make the translated version of the MSI-BPD an appropriate tool to screen BPD in hospitals and mental health care settings.
Paternalistic Leadership, Polychronicity, and Life Satisfaction of Nurses: The Role of Work-Family Conflict and Family-Work Conflict in Public Sector Hospitals

Based on the leadership literature, this study investigates how paternalistic leadership (PL) and polychronicity (PC) affect the life satisfaction (LS) of nurses, specifically in public hospitals. Moreover, the mediating role of work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) is also assessed the relationships among PL, PC, and LS. The cross-sectional study design is used in this study due to its cost benefits and the convenience of data collection at a single point in time. A survey questionnaire is used to collect data from 226 nurses, and the Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique is used to investigate the proposed model. The findings of this study confirmed that PL and PC have a positive relationship with LS. Furthermore, WFC partially mediated the relationships among PL, PC, and LS. In addition, FWC partially mediated the relationship between PL and LS; the role of FWC in mediating the relationship between PC and LS has been found to be insignificant. Employees with high PC and those whose supervisors show PL behavior become more satisfied with their lives and have relatively low WFC and FWC. In addition, the theoretical and practical implications have also been discussed.
A Multichannel Deep Neural Network for Retina Vessel Segmentation via a Fusion Mechanism

Changes in fundus blood vessels reflect the occurrence of eye diseases, and from this, we can explore other physical diseases that cause fundus lesions, such as diabetes and hypertension complication. However, the existing computational methods lack high efficiency and precision segmentation for the vascular ends and thin retina vessels. It is important to construct a reliable and quantitative automatic diagnostic method for improving the diagnosis efficiency. In this study, we propose a multichannel deep neural network for retina vessel segmentation. First, we apply U-net on original and thin (or thick) vessels for multi-objective optimization for purposively training thick and thin vessels. Then, we design a specific fusion mechanism for combining three kinds of prediction probability maps into a final binary segmentation map. Experiments show that our method can effectively improve the segmentation performances of thin blood vessels and vascular ends. It outperforms many current excellent vessel segmentation methods on three public datasets. In particular, it is pretty impressive that we achieve the best F1-score of 0.8247 on the DRIVE dataset and 0.8239 on the STARE dataset. The findings of this study have the potential for the application in an automated retinal image analysis, and it may provide a new, general, and high-performance computing framework for image segmentation.
Perceptions of the IQOS Heated Tobacco Product on Twitter in the United States

After the approval of the sales of IQOS in the United States market, discussions about IQOS have become active on social media. Twitter is a popular social media platform to understand public opinions toward IQOS. This study aims to explore public perceptions toward IQOS on Twitter in the United States. IQOS-related tweets from the United States between November 19, 2019, and August 24, 2020, were collected using a Twitter streaming application programming interface (API). Sentiment analysis was performed to determine whether the public perceptions toward IQOS were positive, neutral, or negative. In addition, topics discussed in these tweets were manually coded. From November 2019 to August 2020, the number of tweets discussing IQOS was relatively constant except for a peak starting from July 7, 2020, which lasted for 4 days. Among IQOS tweets with positive sentiments, the most popular topic is “IQOS is safer than cigarettes,” followed by “IQOS helps quit smoking. ” Among tweets with negative sentiments, the most popular topic is “illegal marketing/selling to youth,” followed by “health risks/fire hazards. ” “FDA approval/regulation” is the most popular topic for tweets with neutral sentiments. After the announcement of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforcement policy on unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products on January 2, 2020, the proportion of tweets with positive attitudes toward IQOS significantly increased, while the proportion of negative tweets significantly decreased. Our study showed that the public perception of IQOS in the United States became more positive after the FDA enforcement policy on flavored e-cigarettes. While many Twitter users thought IQOS is safer than cigarettes and helps quit smoking, some Twitter users complained about the illegal marketing and health risks of IQOS. These findings provide useful information on future tobacco regulations.