Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coyotes, Red Foxes, and the Prevalence of Lyme Disease

Abstract Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in north temperate areas worldwide, with the majority of cases reported in the northeastern United States. The transmission cycle involves ticks, deer, small mammalian hosts such as mice, and numerous other species. Levi et al. (2012) suggested that Canis latrans (Coyote) abundance and Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) scarcity are strong predictors of Lyme disease cases in eastern North America, with Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) abundance being less important. This suggestion was based on correlations of disease dynamics with human harvests of canids, as it has been suggested that Red Foxes occur at a lower abundance because of Coyote predation. Because Red Foxes are more effective predators of small mammals, the authors of that work contend that the lower Red Fox abundance results in an increase in the incidence of Lyme disease. This paper re-examines the evidence used by Levi at al. (2012) to reach their conclusions. We address the following points: 1) Levi et al. did not provide data on rodent populations or Lyme disease incidence; 2) Coyotes eat rodents, so a Coyoteinduced reduction of Red Fox populations might not result in increased rodent populations; 3) Coyote harvests are poor indicators of Coyote abundance; 4) both Red Fox numbers and rodent numbers fluctuate dramatically due to factors such as disease and weather; 5) some of the data used by Levi et al. (2012) were from regions with western Coyotes, while other data were from areas with hybrid eastern Coyotes, thus confounding the situation; and 6) Levi et al. did not consider important alternative hypotheses, such as habitat fragmentation and climate change. Additionally, the historical dynamics of the Lyme disease system are unknown given that Canis lupus lycaon (= Canis lycaon) (Eastern Wolf) and Urocyon cinereoargenteus (Gray Foxes) originally lived m most of the northeast, while Red Foxes and Coyotes were historically absent from most of the area. We suggest proceeding with caution before concluding that the presence of Coyotes (or the reduction of Red Foxes) is the primary cause of increased incidence of Lyme disease cases m the eastern United States.
Does the Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale identify non-urgent patients who can be triaged away from the emergency department?

INTRODUCTION Non-urgent visits comprise a significant proportion of visits to most emergency departments (EDs). Given the severe overcrowding issues faced by many EDs, the use of the Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to identify patients who could be managed elsewhere seems to be an obvious way to reduce the pressure on the ED and "solve" the overcrowding problem. OBJECTIVE To quantify the resource implications, in terms of stretcher use and waiting times, related to non-urgent patient visits and to estimate the potential impact on ED flow of redirecting these patients to alternate primary care settings. METHODS Retrospective database audit in an urban referral hospital ED. For this study, patients triaged as either CTAS Levels IV or V were considered "non-urgent. " RESULTS Non-urgent patients comprised 30% of ED visits, but less than 5% of all those needing stretchers, along with their associated nursing resources. The longer waits consisted almost entirely of waits for available stretchers and would therefore have remained essentially unaffected. In spite of being labelled "non-urgent" by CTAS criteria, 7.3% of all patients requiring admission came from this group. CONCLUSIONS Non-urgent patients consume a small fraction of the ED stretchers and acute-care resources; therefore, strategies aimed at diverting non-urgent patients are unlikely to improve access for more urgent patients. Using the CTAS to identify patients for diversion away from the ED is measurably unsafe and will lead to inappropriate refusal of care for many patients requiring hospital treatment.
Ecological Species, Multispecies, and Oaks

Summary Oaks exemplify problems with the reproductive species concept which motivate a reconsideration of the use and nature of species. Ecology is important in the reconsideration. The species level is usually overemphasized in evolutionary thought; selection acts on phenotypes and any mutualistic units. Standard definitions tend to inhibit free conceptual progress. Multispecies, sets of broadly sympatric species that exchange genes, may occur among animals as well as plants and may conceivably bridge kingdoms. This phenomenon can be adaptively important. There may be taxa without species. The degree of modality of adaptive zones can be investigated empirically.
Termination-reinitiation occurs in the translation of mammalian cell mRNAs

Many examples of internal translation initiation in eucaryotes have accumulated in recent years. In many cases terminators of upstream reading frames precede the internal initiation site, suggesting that translational reinitiation may be a mechanism for initiation at internal AUGs. To test this idea, a series of recombinants was constructed in the mammalian expression vector pSV2. Each contained a dicistronic transcription unit comprising the coding sequence for mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) followed by the gene for xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (XGPRT) from Escherichia coli. Various versions of this pSV2dhfr-gpt recombinant plasmid altered the location at which the DHFR reading frame was terminated relative to the XGPRT initiation codon and demonstrated that this is a critical factor for the expression of XGPRT activity in transfected Cos-1 cells. Thus, when the DHFR frame terminated upstream or a very short distance downstream of the XGPRT initiator AUG, substantial levels of XGPRT activity were observed. When the DHFR frame terminated 50 nucleotides beyond the XGPRT initiator, activity was reduced about twofold. However, when the DHFR and XGPRT sequences were fused in-frame so that ribosomes which initiated at the DHFR AUG did not terminate until they encountered the XGPRT terminator, production of XGPRT activity was abolished. This dependence of internal translation initiation on the position of terminators of the upstream reading frame is consistent with the hypothesis that mammalian ribosomes are capable of translational reinitiation.
Secular trends in body weight in older men born between 1877 and 1941: the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in all age groups, including older adults. However, it is not known whether higher body weight is maintained in the very old and in the years prior to death. The present study examines whether there are secular trends in body weight in old age among three birth cohorts. METHODS The study population includes 1,364 Caucasian men born between 1877 and 1941 from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging who were followed until death. Four hundred and seventy-seven men had body weight measured during the last 5 years prior to death. Body weight was measured biannually with the last visit occurring between 1959 and 2008. Differences in body weight at the last visit and body weight trajectories across birth cohorts were examined with linear regression and linear mixed-effect regression models. RESULTS Men born between 1920 and 1941 had significantly higher body weight over the entire follow-up time compared with men born between 1900 and 1919 (p < .001) and 1877 and 1899 (p = .001), and the difference was also significant between the two earlier birth cohorts (p < .001). A significant increasing trend in body weight across birth cohorts was also observed in the few years prior to death. CONCLUSIONS In generally healthy men, there is a significant secular increase in body weight over the adult life span and in the few years prior to death. This study confirms that the obesity epidemic also extends into late life in the current elderly population.
A fast algorithm to simulate First Hitting Times of general curve by a One Dimensional Brownian Motion

Classical mathematical models of individual neurons are deterministic and multi-dimensional: for instance, the famous model introduced by Hodgkin-Huxley [1] evolves in R4 . However, it is nowadays admitted by most of the modelers that internal and external noises are one of the main ingredient to accurately describe the emission of spikes by neurons. Keeping in mind that models of individual neurons has to be connected and to interact in a complexe network, various simplified models has been considered. Indeed, it is necessary to consider a model of single neuron simple enough to be in position to simulate numerically the behavior of a network of connected neurons in interaction. The Integrate and Fire models are one of these simplified models. They are mainly used to only describe the spikes trains, which correspond to the sequence of first hitting times of a fixed deterministic threshold by a di↵usion process, given as the solution of a Stochastic Di↵erential Equation (SDE). In this presentation, we make explicite a very efcient algorithm to simulate the law of such sequence of spiking times. These times are equal to first exit times of a domain D = {(t, x) 2 R+ ⇥ R, x  '(t)} by a standard one dimensional Brownian motion. The main idea consists in splitting dynamically the domain and to simulate sequentially the first exit times and positions of the Brownian motion from a simpler domain. More precisely, in the simple case where the function ' is non-decreasing, we define the sequence of stopping times
Free sterol metabolism and low density lipoprotein receptor expression as differentiation markers of cultured human keratinocytes

In contrast to most tissues, epidermis and its derivatives appear to lack low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors and exhibit sterologenesis rates unaffected by circulating lipoprotein (LP) cholesterol content. Since LDL receptors have been demonstrated in both cultured squamous cell carcinoma cells and human foreskin keratinocytes, when maintained in low‐calcium media, LDL receptor expression may be related to keratinocyte differentiation. We compared receptor binding and internalization of LDL‐gold in normal keratinocytes at different stages of growth at physiological calcium concentrations (early, 3–5 days; preconfluent, 6–10 days; postconfluent, 12–17 days), and correlated receptor expression with sterologenesis in LP‐replete vs.‐depleted media. Whereas in early cultures about 60% of sterologenesis was LP dependent, this fraction declined in preconfluent and confluent cultures despite continued culture growth and little decline in total sterologenesis. Accordingly, LDL receptors were most evident in early cultures, declining in preconfluent cultures in parallel with the decrease in LP‐dependent sterol synthesis. In contrast, sterologenesis in human foreskin fibroblasts was profoundly influenced by exogenous LP at all stages of confluence; total and LP‐dependent sterologenesis declined in parallel with growth cessation. These studies represent the first demonstration that normal keratinocytes express functional LDL receptors at physiologic calcium concentrations. Moreover, they demonstrate that LDL receptor expression in keratinocytes, in contrast to fibroblasts, can only in part be attributed to growth requirements. Instead, loss of LDL receptor expression serves as a distinctive marker of keratinocyte differentiation and may reflect the specific functional requirements of the epidermis in vivo.
ANN-based flux observer for the sensor-less control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor

The paper reports a neural network based flux observer for the sensor-less control of a three phase interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM). The estimation of rotor position and speed at low speed range was achieved by extensive training of the ANN which is robust to variations in flux linkages. The ANN was trained extensively to overcome position- and speed-estimation errors at low speed due to the nonlinear behaviour of space vector PWM based voltage source inverter. The dynamic model of IPMSM was used. Temperature based variations in parameters have been accommodated in modeling of the machine and design of the observer. The proposed flux observer gives satisfactory performance in both the constant-torque and constant-power regions. The simulation and implementation results are shown which illustrate the effectiveness of the ANN based flux observer.
THE UTILIZATION OF GLUTAMINE BY THE RETINA: AN AUTORADIOGRAPHIC AND METABOLIC STUDY

The cells able to accumulate exogenously applied [3H]glutamine in rat, cat, frog, pigeon and guinea pig retinas have been located by autoradiography, and the fate of the labelled glutamine, as regards its incorporation into aspartic, glutamic and γ‐amino‐butyric acids, followed for 60min. The results support the notion of glutamine as a precursor of transmitter amino acids in some neurones. In particular, it would appear to be a source of a relatively stable pool of GABA which may be located, with species variation, in amacrine or ganglion cells. In the pigeon retina a glutamate pool incorporates and retains a major percentage of the label, and perikarya in the middle of the inner nuclear layer of the tissue are predominantly labelled.
Adjudicating the GM Food Wars: Science, Risk, and Democracy in World Trade Law.

III. SOCIAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE: LESSONS ON SCIENTIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT IN THE GMO CONTEXT 93 A. Risk Assessment Is Contingent on Values and Policy Judgments 94 B. Risk Assessment Depends on Political, Social, and Regulatory Contexts 96 C. Public Participation Helps Generate Reliable Risk Assessment 99 1. Public Contributions to GMO Risk Assessment in Europe 100 2. Lack of Public Participation in U.S. GMO Risk Assessment 102 D. Risk Situations Lie on a Certainty-Consensus Continuum 104
Plant Growth Stimulation and Root Colonization Potential of In Vivo versus In Vitro Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inocula

Inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, with growing use in horticulture, is produced mainly in two technically different cultivation systems: in vivo culture in symbiosis with living host plants or in vitro culture in which the fungus life cycle develops in association with transformed roots. To evaluate the effectiveness and the infectivity of a defined isolate obtained by both production methods, a replicated comparative evaluation experiment was designed using different propagules of Rhizophagus irregu- laris produced in vivo on leek plants or in vitro in monoxenic culture on transformed carrot roots. The size of the spores obtained under both cultivation methods was first assessed and bulk inoculum, spores, sievings, and mycorrhizal root fragments were used to inoculate leek plantlets. Spores produced in vitro were significantly smaller than those produced in vivo. Although all mycorrhizal propagules used as a source of inoculum were able to colonize plants, in all cases, leek plants inoculated with propagules obtained in vivo achieved significantly higher mycorrhizal colonization rates than plants inoculated with in vitro inocula. Inoculation with in vivo bulk inoculum and in vivo mycorrhizal root fragments were the only treatments increasing plant growth. These results indicate that the production system of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi itself can have implications in the stimulation of plant growth and in experimental results.
A Cytokine-Based Neuroimmunologic Mechanism of Cancer-Related Symptoms

While many of the multiple symptoms that cancer patients have are due to the disease, it is increasingly recognized that pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction and affective symptoms are treatment related, and may lead to treatment delays or premature treatment termination. This symptom burden, a subjective counterpart of tumor burden, causes significant distress. Progress in understanding the mechanisms that underlie these symptoms may lead to new therapies for symptom control. Recently, some of these symptoms have been related to the actions of certain cytokines that produce a constellation of symptoms and behavioral signs when given exogenously to both humans and animals. The cytokine-induced sickness behavior that occurs in animals after the administration of infectious or inflammatory agents or certain proinflammatory cytokines has much in common with the symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Accordingly, we propose that cancer-related symptom clusters share common cytokine-based neuroimmunologic mechanisms. In this review, we provide evidence from clinical and animal studies that correlate the altered cytokine profile with cancer-related symptoms. We also propose that the expression of coexisting symptoms is linked to the deregulated activity of nuclear factor-kappa B, the transcription factor responsible for the production of cytokines and mediators of the inflammatory responses due to cancer and/or cancer treatment. These concepts open exciting new avenues for translational research in the pathophysiology and treatment of cancer-related symptoms.
Silent brain infarcts in high blood pressure patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: unmasking silent atrial fibrillation

Background: Hypertensive patients present a higher risk for developing atrial fibrillation and its complications. Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have shown reliable atrial fibrillation detection as atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs). The presence of AHRE more than 5 min has been related to increased risk of stroke, but a high proportion of ischemic brain lesions (IBLs) could be subclinical and thromboembolic risk underestimated. Methods: We included hypertensive patients with CIED and we analyzed the incidence of AHRE and the presence of IBL on computed tomography (CT) scan. Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients (57% men) aged 77 ± 8 years were evaluated during a mean follow-up of 15 ± 9 months. AHREs were documented in 46 patients (37%). Cranial CT scan showed silent IBL in 34 patients (27%). Univariate analysis showed that age, CHADS2 and CHADS2VA2Sc scores, history of prior stroke/ transient ischemic attack and the presence of AHRE were significantly related to higher risk for IBL on CT scan (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of AHRE more than 5 min [odds ratio 3.05 (1.19–7.81; P < 0.05)] was an independent predictor of IBL. Conclusion: Silent atrial fibrillation detected by CIED as AHRE is really prevalent in hypertensive patients. AHREs were independently associated with a higher incidence of silent IBL on CT scan.
Management of Sepsis: The Surviving Sepsis Guidelines for Early Therapy

Hospital Physician June 2007 21 Sepsis is a common condition that is associated with poor patient outcomes and high financial costs. An estimated 750,000 cases of sepsis occur each year. Because sepsis is more common in elderly patients, its incidence is expected to rise as the US population ages.1 Despite recent advances in management and therapy, the mortality rate from severe sepsis remains high at approximately 28%. 1 The average treatment cost per case of sepsis is approximately $22,000, and the cost of treatment increases significantly with the number of dysfunctional organs.1 Given the substantial clinical burden of sepsis, physicians should be knowledgeable about evidence-based interventions for acute management of septic patients. Sepsis can be viewed as a heterogeneous syndrome with widely differing pathophysiologic mechanisms and outcomes.2 The pathogenesis of severe sepsis and septic shock is remarkably complex.3 The syndrome starts with an inciting event, usually microorganism proliferation at a nidus of infection, that leads to a complex inflammatory reaction and the release of a large number of host-derived immune mediators (eg, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-α). These mediators in turn have a profound physiologic effect on the vasculature and organ systems. Septic shock can produce cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, hematologic, metabolic, hepatic, and neurologic dysfunction. Death generally results from progressive hypotension or the failure of at least 1 organ system.4 For nearly a century, sepsis had been defined as the systemic response to an infection.5 In a 1992 consensus conference, the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine first delineated criteria for defining disease states in the sepsis continuum and introduced the term systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which does not require the presence of infection (Table 1). 6 The 2001 International Sepsis Definition Conference attempted to improve on the specificity of these definitions by elaborating common clinical and laboratory manifestations of the disorder (Table 2). 7 One of the goals of creating these definitions was to help physicians recognize patients at risk for severe sepsis and intiate therapy promptly. In order to reflect the many prognostic factors in sepsis and provide a hypothesis-generating model for future research, the PIRO (Predisposing factors, nature of Insult, intensity of Response, number of Organ dysfunction) grading system was also proposed.7 Another step in the evolution of sepsis management occurred in 2004 when the guidelines from the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) were published.8 C l i n i c a l R e v i e w A r t i c l e
Comparisons of element yield rate prediction using feed-forward neural networks and support vector machine

For the complexity of ladle furnace refining production process, it's impossible to establish accurate mathematical prediction model for element yield rate that is an important parameter in the process of alloy adding. Model selection is the key factor of better element yield rate prediction. In this paper, feed-forward neural networks (FNN) and support vector machine (SVM) are chosen as candidate modeling methods. We introduce that, under certain condition, FNN and SVM can be transformed into each other. Then an analysis of the essential difference between two algorithms is carried out. The element yield rate prediction models were set up using different FNN and ε-SVR. The comparison results show that modeling by ε-SVR can meet the production requirements and has better prediction accuracy than by FNN.
Rank‐Based Robust Tests for Quantitative‐Trait Genetic Association Studies

Standard linear regression is commonly used for genetic association studies of quantitative traits. This approach may not be appropriate if the trait, on its original or transformed scales, does not follow a normal distribution. A rank‐based nonparametric approach that does not rely on any distributional assumptions can be an attractive alternative. Although several nonparametric tests exist in the literature, their performance in the genetic association setting is not well studied. We evaluate various nonparametric tests for the analysis of quantitative traits and propose a new class of nonparametric tests that have robust performance for traits with various distributions and under different genetic models. We demonstrate the advantage of our proposed methods through simulation study and real data applications.