Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter pylori Prevalence by Urea Breath Test in a Southwestern Nigerian Population

Background: There is no ambiguity about the fact that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is strongly associated with several upper gastrointestinal conditions including gastric cancer which manifest clinically as dyspepsia. Nigeria is believed to have one of highest prevalence of H. pylori globally but the prevalence obtained from different Nigerian studies varies widely (35.7% to 94.5%) depending on the diagnostic method utilized. We observed that few studies have utilized the urea breath test, considered to be the gold standard noninvasive test, to determine the prevalence rate of the infection among Nigerians. Considering the role H. pylori infection plays in the etiopathogenesis of dyspepsia and the reliability of the urea breath test, it is desirable that more prevalence studies are conducted with the test in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at the Gastroenterology Unit of Babcock University Teaching Hospital, (BUTH), Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria. The study population consisted of male and female dyspeptic aged 18 and above referred to the unit for urea breath test from February 2015 to December 2018. Patients’ demographic information and H. pylori status were extracted from the test logbook and analyzed with IBM-SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Results: A total of 203 patients who had pre-eradication test within the period considered were included. The mean age was 44.6 (±16.4) while the age range was 18- 83 years. Eighty-two (40.4%) were males while 121 (59.6%) were females. A total of 106 (52.2%) tested positive for H. pylori among all the subjects. There was no significant age-related difference in the prevalence (P= 0.333). The female gender was observed to have a higher prevalence (56.2%) than the male gender (46.3%) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.198). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in Nigeria is high but the prevalence rate varies widely from one study to another depending on the diagnostic method used. A nationwide population-based study utilizing a user-friendly and reliable diagnostic method like the urea breath test is highly desirable.
Epiphyte assemblages respond to host life-form independently of variation in microclimate in lower montane cloud forest in Panama

Abstract: We investigated the effects of host tree on epiphyte diversity, controlling for microclimate. We measured the light profiles of the lower trunks of 20 individuals, each from three host groups (tree ferns, dicots, palms) occupying the understorey in a tropical montane forest in Panama. The per cent cover and species richness of vascular and non-vascular epiphytes were surveyed on the lower trunks of each understorey host. Light varied considerably between trees (5–21% total transmitted light) but mean light level did not vary between types of host. Light was not significant as a covariate with host in any model. Tree ferns had higher covers than dicots and palms of filmy ferns (15%, 0.02% and 0.2%), other ferns (7%, 0% and 0.5%) and other vascular epiphytes (16%, 3% and 3.4%), and greater species richness of vascular epiphytes (filmy ferns: 3, 0.4 and 0.5; other ferns: 2, 0.2 and 0; other vascular: 7, 2 and 2). Dicots had a higher cover of liverworts (53%) than palms (18%) and tree ferns (27%). Palms and tree ferns were the compositional extremes. We conclude that the differences in species composition and cover between the three host groups relate better to physical differences between hosts than differences in light climate.
Functional characteristic analysis of three odorant-binding proteins from the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius) in the perception of sex pheromones and host plant volatiles.

BACKGROUND The sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius, is the most serious pest of sweet potato worldwide. The molecular mechanism of sex pheromone recognition in C. formicarius has not been reported. Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) play a critical role in selectively binding and transporting pheromones or other odors to the surface of olfactory receptor neurons through the aqueous sensillar lymph. Therefore, the function of sweet potato OBPs is worth studying. RESULTS Herein, the CforOBP1-3 genes encoding three classical OBPs were cloned in C. formicarius by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Phylogenetic analysis showed that CforOBP1-3 were homologous genes, but the relationship between CforOBP2 and CforOBP3 was closest among the three genes. In addition, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays demonstrated that the expression of CforOBP1 was higher in the antennae and legs of female and male insects, while CforOBP2 and CforOBP3 were mainly expressed in the antennae of male insects. The fluorescent competitive binding assay results indicated that CforOBP1-3 had strong binding affinities to sex pheromones and other tested ligands. Finally, the mRNA expression of CforOBP1-3 was successfully inhibited by RNA interference (RNAi), and in vivo behavioral experiments showed that CforOBP1-3-deficient C. formicarius was partly anosmic and lost some of its ability to locate sex pheromones and host plant volatiles. CONCLUSION These results suggested that CforOBP1 was shown to be involved in the process of weevils feeding and finding sweet potato, and CforOBP2-3 were mainly involved in the mating behavior of adult male weevils. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Intermittent Rivers: A Challenge for Freshwater Ecology

For many decades, river research has been focused on perennial rivers. Intermittent river research has a shorter history, and recent studies suggest that alternating dry and wet conditions alter virtually all biotic communities and biogeochemical processes in these rivers. Intermittent rivers constitute more than half of the length of the global river network and are increasing in number and length in response to climate change, landuse alteration, and water abstraction. Our views of the roles that rivers play in maintaining biodiversity and controlling material fluxes will change substantially when intermittent rivers are fully integrated into regional and global analyses. Concepts, questions, and methodologies from lotic, lentic, and terrestrial ecology need to be integrated and applied to intermittent rivers to increase our knowledge and effective management of these rivers.
A New Cryptic Species of Diatraea (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Crambinae) Feeding on Eastern Gama Grass and a Novel Host Association with a Braconid (Hymenoptera) in the United States

ABSTRACT A new species, Diatraea mitteri Solis, that had been residing cryptically as Diatraea crambidoides (Grote), feeding on eastern gama grass (Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L. , is described. D. crambidoides occurs in the southern United States and Mexico and is an economic pest of corn (Zea mays L.). It has been reported to also feed on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Persoon), and sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.). We confirm that D. crambidoides also feeds on eastern gama grass. Morphological and molecular characters support the status of D. mitteri as a new species. Parsimony analysis resulted in two clades corresponding to D. crambidoides and D. mitteri. We confirm the distribution of D. mitteri from Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, but its distribution could be as broad as the remaining range of eastern gama grass in the eastern United States. All the life stages are described and illustrated. A novel host association, Alabagrus imitatus Cresson (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), as a parasitoid of D. mitteri is reported.
Branched Chain Fatty Acids In The Neonatal Gut, And Estimated Prevalence In The American Food Supply

Vernix suspended in amniotic fluid is normally swallowed by the late term fetus. We hypothesized that branched chain fatty acids (BCFA), long known to be major vernix components, would be found in meconium and that the profiles would differ systematically. The objective of the study was to investigate the presence of BCFA in meconium and to characterize their relative profiles in both vernix and meconium. Vernix and meconium were collected from term newborns and analyzed. BCFAcontaining lipids constituted about 12% of vernix dry weight, and were predominantly saturated, and had 11 to 26 carbons per BCFA. In contrast, meconium BCFA had 16 to 26 carbons, and were about 1% of dry weight. Meconium BCFA were mostly in the isoconfiguration, whereas vernix BCFA contained dimethyl and middle chain branching, and five anteiso -BCFA. The mass of BCFA entering the fetal gut as swallowed vernix particles is estimated to be 180 mg in the last month of gestation while the total mass of BCFA found in meconium is estimated to be 16 mg, thus most BCFA disappear from the fetal gut. The BCFA profiles of vernix and meconium show that BCFA are major components of normal healthy term newborn gastrointestinal tract. BCFA are candidates for agents that play a role in gut colonization and should be considered a nutritional component for the fetus/newborn. * Ran-Ressler RR, Devapatla S, Lawrence P, Brenna JT 2008 Branched chain fatty are constituents of the normal healthy newborn gastrointestinal tract. Pediatr Res 64:605-609.
An OpenFOAM-based electro-hydrodynamic model

In this work we present an OpenFOAM-based electro-hydrodynamics model. We have incorporated Gauss’s Law and a free charge transport equation in an existing Volume-Of-Fluid model delivered with OpenFOAM. With the model it is possible to simulate the interaction of a fluid-fluid interface with an electric field, using perfect dielectric liquids as well as conductive liquids. Our implementation is validated using two approaches; first off, we simulate two vertically stacked liquids subjected to an electric field. The potential distribution is compared to the analytical result and a good comparison is found, using either a combination of two perfect dielectric liquids and a dielectric and a conductive liquid. For the latter case, we also find a good agreement with the theoretical relation for the surface charges. Secondly, we have simulated an artificial charge bump in a conductive liquid, and verify the charge transport equation by comparing the decay of the charge over time. Again, a good agreement with theory is found. Finally, we present a test case where we break up a droplet in an electric field. With that, we have shown to have a reliable EHD implementation in the OpenFOAM framework. For our future goal to simulate electrowetting phenomena, we require the electric field distribution in a coupled solid phase as well; we will use the current EHD model and extend it to a multi-region solver to include those effects.
REPRESENTATION OF SYNTHETIC SHADOWS ON 3D DIGITAL MODELS FOR THE VOLUMETRIC INTERPRETATION ON CONCAVE-CONVEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS

Abstract. The representation of archaeological artefacts aims for the graphic description of relevant information from the object, to allow for the proper interpretation of evidences from the past. Concavities and convexities are elements often difficult to represent through classical (analogical) representation techniques, especially when these geometrical characteristics are neither continue nor parameterizable. Digital techniques have advanced on the accurate reconstruction of 3D shapes, while attaching real colour to the geometry. However, the perception of concave/convex shapes from photorealistic true-orthoimages continues to be limited, especially when rich and homogeneous textures camouflage slight slope changes or volumetric deformations. In this paper we first critically review the current practice on the representation of solid-of-revolution artefacts with concave-convex predominance, and alternative photorealistic representations aiming at a better understanding of volume and colour. Given the limitation targeted, we then propose a workflow for the creation of true-orthometric maps enhanced by customized shadows. The work-flow integrates considerations on: (i) The orientation of archaeological artefact; (ii) the creation of accurate orthometric images based on Digital photogrammetry techniques; and (iii) the application of synthetic attached and cast shadows according the shape (information) to be represented. The workflow is demonstrated with a sample of plates retrieved from the Rua-das-Madres archaeological site, in Portugal.
Quality of life of older adults admitted to a Medical Clinic Unit of a Public Hospital in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of life of older adults admitted to the Medical Clinic Unit of a public hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to correlate the quality of life with the functionality proposed by the Katz index, and to characterize the clinical and epidemiological profile of the studied population. METHOD This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Data collection was performed through applying the Nottingham Health Profile instrument and the Katz Index instrument. RESULTS 116 older adults participated. The quality of life found in the study was considered good. It correlated with the Katz index (the more dependent, the worse the quality of life), the number of comorbidities (the higher the number of comorbidities, the worse the quality of life) and the family structure who lived with the older adults (there was worse quality of life for older adults who lived with their children). CONCLUSION In this study it was found that the quality of life in the evaluated sample was good and that it is related to functionality, the number of comorbidities and with whom the older adult lives. Thus, poor quality of life cannot be associated with hospitalization in this sample.
2012-2013 Annual Report

Talking Points: HHS programs highly ranked A number of programs in the School of HHS are highly ranked, including:  MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders  Ph.D. in Kinesiology  MS in Gerontology In addition, the doctoral program in Human Development and Family Studies and MS in Genetic Counseling are the only such programs in North Carolina. The MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders graduates the largest number of speech language pathology clinicians who remain in NC to serve its workforce needs.
Visual exploration of omnidirectional panoramic scenes

How do we explore the visual environment around us, and how are head and eye movements coordinated during our exploration? To investigate this question, we had observers look at omnidirectional panoramic scenes, composed of both landscape and fractal images, using a virtual reality viewer while their eye and head movements were tracked. We analyzed the spatial distribution of eye fixations and the distribution of saccade directions and the spatial distribution of head positions and the distribution of head shifts, as well as the relation between eye and head movements. The results show that, for landscape scenes, eye and head behavior best fit the allocentric frame defined by the scene horizon, especially when head tilt (i.e., head rotation around the view axis) is considered. For fractal scenes, which have an isotropic texture, eye and head movements were executed primarily along the cardinal directions in world coordinates. The results also show that eye and head movements are closely linked in space and time in a complementary way, with stimulus-driven eye movements predominantly leading the head movements. Our study is the first to systematically examine eye and head movements in a panoramic virtual reality environment, and the results demonstrate that a virtual reality environment constitutes a powerful and informative research alternative to traditional methods for investigating looking behavior.
Targeted DNA oxidation by LSD1–SMAD2/3 primes TGF-β1/ EMT genes for activation or repression

Abstract The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex transcriptional program induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has been recognized as a key mediator of EMT in cancer cells, but the precise mechanism that underlies the activation and repression of EMT genes still remains elusive. Here, we characterized the early events induced by TGF-β1 during EMT initiation and establishment. TGF-β1 triggered, 30–90 min post-treatment, a nuclear oxidative wave throughout the genome, documented by confocal microscopy and mass spectrometry, mediated by LSD1. LSD1 was recruited with phosphorylated SMAD2/3 to the promoters of prototypic genes activated and repressed by TGF-β1. After 90 min, phospho-SMAD2/3 downregulation reduced the complex and LSD1 was then recruited with the newly synthesized SNAI1 and repressors, NCoR1 and HDAC3, to the promoters of TGF-β1-repressed genes such as the Wnt soluble inhibitor factor 1 gene (WIF1), a change that induced a late oxidative burst. However, TGF-β1 early (90 min) repression of transcription also required synchronous signaling by reactive oxygen species and the stress-activated kinase c-Jun N-terminal kinase. These data elucidate the early events elicited by TGF-β1 and the priming role of DNA oxidation that marks TGF-β1-induced and -repressed genes involved in the EMT.
Acquiring cybercrime evidence on mobile global positioning system (GPS): review

The use of Global Positioning System (GPS) as a device for finding directions is increasing from time to time. Within this growth, developers have taken a new inventiveness to apply this GPS system in a new environment. This new environment is called Internet of Thing (IoT) environment. This environment involves the device that connect to the internet such as smartphones and tablets. With this successful application, the mobile GPS has opened up a new space for forensic experts to get useful evidence in criminal cases. The connection between smartphone and GPS has raised the demand to examine the stored content of the devices. The stored content might include certain information such as home location, entered address or location, journey starts, ends and last GPS, call records and SMS. This critical data can be used in whole range of crime cases especially triage cases, for example, kidnapping cases, hit and run cases and many others.
Life Course Changes in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated With Preterm Delivery: The 30‐Year CARDIA Study

Background Women who deliver preterm infants (<37 weeks) have excess cardiovascular risk; however, it is unclear whether the unfavorable changes in the cardiometabolic profile associated with preterm delivery initiate before, during, or after childbearing. Methods and Results We identified 1306 women (51% Black) with births between baseline (1985–1986) and year 30 in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study. We compared life course changes in blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, and lipids in women with preterm deliveries (n=318) with those with all term deliveries (n=988), using piecewise linear mixed‐effects models. Specifically, we evaluated group differences in rates of change before and after the childbearing period and change in level across the childbearing period. After adjusting for the covariates, women with preterm deliveries had a higher change in diastolic blood pressure across the childbearing period than those with all term deliveries (1.59 versus −0.73 mm Hg, P<0.01); the rates of change did not differ by group, both prechildbearing and postchildbearing. Women with preterm deliveries had a larger body mass index increase across the childbearing period (1.66 versus 1.22 kg/m2, P=0.03) compared with those with all term deliveries, followed by a steeper increase after the childbearing period (0.22 versus 0.17 kg/m2 per year, P=0.02). Conclusions Preterm delivery was associated with unfavorable patterns of change in diastolic blood pressure and adiposity that originate during the childbearing years and persist or exacerbate later in life. These adverse changes may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk among women with preterm delivery.
Recovery Plan for the Endangered Taxonomy Profession

The worldwide decline in taxonomists has a broad impact on biology and society. Learning from general historical patterns of science and understanding social changes caused by growing economies, we propose changes in priorities for training taxonomists to reverse these losses. Academically trained professionals, parataxonomists (local assistants trained by professional biologists), youths educated with an emphasis on natural history, and self-supported expert amateurs are the major sources of taxonomists. Recruiting effort from each category is best determined by public attitudes toward education, as well as the availability of discretionary funds and leisure time. Instead of concentrating on descriptions of species and narrow studies of morphology and DNA, the duties of the few professional taxonomists of the future also will be to use cyberspace and a wide range of skills to recruit, train, and provide direction for expert amateurs, young students, parataxonomists, the general public, and governments.
Corporate Board Characteristics and the Informativeness of Accounting Earnings: Evidence from Tunisia

In this paper, we examine the relationship between the board characteristics and the informativeness of accounting earnings for a sample of Tunisian firms. Using panel data methodology, we provide evidence that board composition affects the information content of accounting incomes in Tunisian context. Particularly, board independence and identity of directors enhance the earnings quality. However, the non duality CEO/chairman is negatively related to the informativeness of accounting incomes. Our findings confirm that the board of directors is an appropriate governance mechanism in monitoring managers and improving corporate transparency in Tunisian firms.
Body Composition Changes after One Year in Professional Male Ice Hockey Players

Abstract Body composition measurements remain one of the best objective ways to analyze tissue distribution in athletes. The purpose of this study was to establish an average body composition profile for professional male ice hockey players, assess the yearly fluctuations of body composition after a single season, and assess body composition changes among different positions. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 36 professional male ice hockey players. Descriptive statistics were used to determine average values. A paired samples t-test was applied to determine differences over a one-year period. A one-way analysis of variance was used to determine differences between positions, at both time points. Alpha levels were set a priori at p<0.05. Significant increases were observed in percent body fat across time points for all positions (p=0.019). There were significant differences in percent body fat between positions played (p=0.012) after one year. We demonstrated that there was low variability among the different positions in professional male ice hockey players. Additionally, we observed how a single year minimally influences changes in body composition. More research is required to evaluate body composition in male ice hockey players.