Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Culture of Condoms: Culturally Grounded Variables and Their Association With Attitudes to Condoms

Objective: To examine attitudes toward condoms and their association with culturally grounded beliefs among young South African adults. Methods: A questionnaire survey undertaken in three different locations (urban, rural, and mixed), including 1100 participants, and implementing both a cross-validational and a bootstrap multivariate design. Outcome measures were intention to use a condom at next sex and condom salience (i.e., confidence in the protective value of condoms). Culturally grounded predictors included traditional beliefs about illness, beliefs in ancestral protection, endorsement of AIDS myths, and mortality salience (CONTACT). Results: Participants exhibited strong endorsement of indigenous beliefs about illness and ancestral protection, and moderate endorsement of AIDS myths. Participants who viewed condoms as important for HIV prevention were more likely to show strong endorsement of both beliefs in ancestral protection and traditional beliefs about illness. Participants who strongly endorsed AIDS myths viewed condoms as less important and also had lower intention to use scores. Finally, participants who knew HIV positive people, and/or people who had died of HIV-related illnesses, had higher condom salience and higher intention to use scores. Conclusions: Results challenge the assumption that culturally grounded variables are inherently adversarial in their relationship to biomedical models of HIV prevention, and offer insights into how traditional beliefs and cultural constructions of HIV/AIDS might be used more effectively in HIV education programs. TBAI = traditional beliefs about illness; AP = belief in ancestral protection from adversity; CS = condom salience; IUCNS = intention to use a condom at next sex; CONTACT = knowing people who have died of HIV/AIDS or who are HIV-positive.
VLSI decoder architecture for embedded zerotree wavelet algorithm

In this paper, we present a hardware architecture to implement the decoder for the embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) algorithm. The decoder architecture complements an encoder architecture for the EZW algorithm which has been reported recently. Similar to the reported encoder architecture, the proposed decoder architecture is regular and modular and is suitable for VLSI implementation. The input into the decoder architecture is the output data stream from the encoder architecture containing the significance map symbols and the successive-approximation quantization symbols of the EZW algorithm. The decoding for the EZW algorithm is formulated in view of the output data stream from the encoder and the corresponding VLSI architecture to implement the formulated requirements is presented. The proposed EZW decoder architecture together with the encoder architecture forms a basis for a scalable image or video coding system which is suitable for ASIC VLSI implementation.
Do Phenotypic Characteristics, Parental Psychopathology, Family Functioning, and Environmental Stressors Have a Role in the Response to Methylphenidate in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?: A Naturalistic Study From a Developing Country

Little is known about the effect of clinical characteristics, parental psychopathology, family functioning, and environmental stressors in the response to methylphenidate in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) followed up in a naturalistic setting. Data from cultures outside the United States are extremely scarce. This is a longitudinal study using a nonrandom assignment, quasi-experimental design. One hundred twenty-five children with ADHD were treated with methylphenidate according to standard clinical procedures, and followed up for 6 months. The severity of ADHD symptoms was assessed by the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham rating scale. In the final multivariate model, ADHD combined subtype (P < 0.001) and comorbidity with oppositional defiant disorder (P = 0.03) were both predictors of a worse clinical response. In addition, the levels of maternal ADHD symptoms were also associated with worse prognosis (P < 0.001). In the context of several adverse psychosocial factors assessed, only undesired pregnancy was associated with poorer response to methylphenidate in the final comprehensive model (P = 0.02). Our study provides evidence for the involvement of clinical characteristics, maternal psychopathology, and environmental stressors in the response to methylphenidate. Clinicians may consider adjuvant strategies when negative predictors are present to increase the chances of success with methylphenidate treatment.
Malaria Control and Infant Mortality in Africa

Has massive distribution of insecticide-treated-nets contributed to the reduction in in- fant mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 15 years? Using large household surveys collected in 16 countries and exploiting the spatial correlation in distribution campaigns, we estimate the relationship between the diffusion of bednets and the progress in child sur- vival. We find no evidence of a causal link in cities, and no impact either in rural areas with low malaria prevalence. By contrast, in highly malarious rural areas where bednet coverage reached high levels, above 75% of households, infant mortality has been reduced by at least 3 percentage points, which amounts to 25% of the initial mortality. The identified impact is even higher for the children of mothers with no education. It lies at the upper bound found with RCTs, most likely because those were implemented in contexts with lower mortality and/or malaria prevalence
Relative orientation of orbits in triple stars

Statistical analysis of the relative alignment of inner and outer orbits in triple systems resulting from a dynamical decay of small-N clusters (N 10) is presented and compared to the statistics of real multiple stars. The distribution of the relative angle between the angular momentum vectors of inner and outer orbits in triple stars formed by decay is shown to depend on the initial cluster conditions like geometry, mass function, rotational and thermal energy. For a realistic set of initial conditions, a modest alignment of orbital momentum vectors is found, in good agreement with the latest observational data on visual multiple stars exhibiting an averagehi between 67 and 79. The relation between eccentricities of outer orbits and period ratios for both simulated and real triples is consistent with a slightly adjusted formulation of the stability criterium by Mardling & Aarseth (2001). Dynamical decay can therefore explain the weak correlation of orbital orientations observed in multiple stars. Using modern high-resolution techniques, the observed statistics of should be extended as it will allow one to sensitively constrain properties of initial clusters.
Histochemical localization of zinc in the retina cells of gilthead sea bream (sparus aurata) fed different presentations of zinc

To describe the distribution of zinc in the retina of a representative marine fish species and to determine whether the intracellular deposition amount correlates with the presentation of the zinc included in the practical diets (organic, inorganic, encapsulated, fish meal, and Control diet), we examined the precise localization of endogenous zinc in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) retina by autometallography. As observed by light microscopy, reaction products were widely distributed throughout the retina, including the outer segments of photoreceptors, except in the nuclear layers. Differing from other species previously studied, zinc depositions were not different between the outer and inner retina, and the retinal ganglion cell layer showed reaction products with a characteristic disposition surrounding the neuronal soma. An additional finding in this species was the rich disposition around photoreceptors, so abundant that it outlines the shape of the rods and cones. With regards to the diet, the zinc organic formulation was able to produce a higher amount of precipitates, followed by fish meal and encapsulated zinc diets. The inorganic and the Control diet produced a basal zinc deposition in the same layers above mentioned although less evident and similar to that determined in other species fed with non‐supplemented diets.
Dual role of B7 costimulation in obesity‐related nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and metabolic dysregulation

The low‐grade inflammatory state present in obesity contributes to obesity‐related metabolic dysregulation, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and insulin resistance. Intercellular interactions between immune cells or between immune cells and hepatic parenchymal cells contribute to the exacerbation of liver inflammation and steatosis in obesity. The costimulatory molecules, B7.1 and B7.2, are important regulators of cell‐cell interactions in several immune processes; however, the role of B7 costimulation in obesity‐related liver inflammation is unknown. Here, diet‐induced obesity (DIO) studies in mice with genetic inactivation of both B7.1 and B7.2 (double knockout; DKO) revealed aggravated obesity‐related metabolic dysregulation, reduced insulin signalling in the liver and adipose tissue (AT), glucose intolerance, and enhanced progression to steatohepatitis resulting from B7.1/B7.2 double deficiency. The metabolic phenotype of B7.1/B7.2 double deficiency upon DIO was accompanied by increased hepatic and AT inflammation, associated with largely reduced numbers of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in these organs. In order to assess the role of B7 costimulation in DIO in a non‐Treg‐lacking environment, we performed antibody (Ab)‐mediated inhibition of B7 molecules in wild‐type mice in DIO. Antibody‐blockade of both B7.1 and B7.2 improved the metabolic phenotype of DIO mice, which was linked to amelioration of hepatic steatosis and reduced inflammation in liver and AT. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a dual role of B7 costimulation in the course of obesity‐related sequelae, particularly NASH. The genetic inactivation of B7.1/B7.2 deteriorates obesity‐related liver steatosis and metabolic dysregulation, likely a result of the intrinsic absence of Tregs in these mice, rendering DKO mice a novel murine model of NASH. In contrast, inhibition of B7 costimulation under conditions where Tregs are present may provide a novel therapeutic approach for obesity‐related metabolic dysregulation and, especially, NASH. (Hepatology 2014;60:1196–1210)
An Iron-Activated Citrate Transporter, MtMATE67, Is Required for Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation1[OPEN]

The nodule-specific transporter MtMATE67 is activated by iron and is required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Medicago truncatula Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legume nodules, where it is required for the activity of bacterial nitrogenase, plant leghemoglobin, respiratory oxidases, and other Fe proteins in both organisms. Fe solubility and transport within and between plant tissues is facilitated by organic chelators, such as nicotianamine and citrate. We have characterized a nodule-specific citrate transporter of the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion family, MtMATE67 of Medicago truncatula. The MtMATE67 gene was induced early during nodule development and expressed primarily in the invasion zone of mature nodules. The MtMATE67 protein was localized to the plasma membrane of nodule cells and also the symbiosome membrane surrounding bacteroids in infected cells. In oocytes, MtMATE67 transported citrate out of cells in an Fe-activated manner. Loss of MtMATE67 gene function resulted in accumulation of Fe in the apoplasm of nodule cells and a substantial decrease in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and plant growth. Taken together, the results point to a primary role of MtMATE67 in citrate efflux from nodule cells in response to an Fe signal. This efflux is necessary to ensure Fe(III) solubility and mobility in the apoplasm and uptake into nodule cells. Likewise, MtMATE67-mediated citrate transport into the symbiosome space would increase the solubility and availability of Fe(III) for rhizobial bacteroids.
A Chip Off the Old Block: Parents’ Subtle Ethnic Prejudice Predicts Children’s Implicit Prejudice

The increasing flow of immigrants in many European countries and the growing presence of children from immigrant families in schools makes it relevant to study the development of prejudice in children. Parents play an important role in shaping children’s values and their attitudes toward members of other ethnic groups; an intergenerational transmission of prejudice has been found in a number of studies targeting adolescents. The present study aims to investigate the intergenerational transmission of ethnic prejudice in 3- to 9- year-old children and its relations to parenting styles. Parents’ blatant and subtle ethnic prejudice and parenting style are measured together with children’s explicit and implicit ethnic prejudice in pupils and parents of preschool and primary schools in the region of Rome, Italy (N = 318). Results show that parents’ subtle prejudice predicts children’s implicit prejudice regardless of the parenting style. Findings indicate that children might acquire prejudice by means of the parents’ implicit cognition and automatic behavior and educational actions. Implications for future studies and insights for possible applied interventions are discussed.
THE PECULIAR DEBRIS DISK OF HD 111520 AS RESOLVED BY THE GEMINI PLANET IMAGER

Using the Gemini Planet Imager, we have resolved the circumstellar debris disk around HD 111520 at a projected range of ∼30–100 AU in both total and polarized H-band intensity. The disk is seen edge-on at a position angle of 165° along the spine of emission. A slight inclination and asymmetric warp are covariant and alter the interpretation of the observed disk emission. We employ three point-spread function subtraction methods to reduce the stellar glare and instrumental artifacts to confirm that there is a roughly 2:1 brightness asymmetry between the NW and SE extension. This specific feature makes HD 111520 the most extreme example of asymmetric debris disks observed in scattered light among similar highly inclined systems, such as HD 15115 and HD 106906. We further identify a tentative localized brightness enhancement and scale height enhancement associated with the disk at ∼40 AU away from the star on the SE extension. We also find that the fractional polarization rises from 10% to 40% from 0. ″5 to 0. ″8 from the star. The combination of large brightness asymmetry and symmetric polarization fraction leads us to believe that an azimuthal dust density variation is causing the observed asymmetry.
The Effect of Carbohydrates and Bacteriocins on the Growth Kinetics and Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes

The aim of this study was to determine if different carbohydrates influence the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of carnocyclin A or leucocin A. Carnobacterium maltaromaticum ATCC PTA-5313 and Leuconostoc gelidum UAL187 were used to produce carnocyclin A and leucocin A, respectively. Growth curves were modeled for five strains of L. monocytogenes grown in basal medium supplemented with glucose, sucrose, fructose, mannose, or cellobiose, in the presence of carnocyclin A or leucocin A. The growth of L. monocytogenes to leucocin A or carnocyclin A was influenced by carbohydrate and/or strain. Carnocyclin A inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes more than leucocin A. Growth in media containing glucose, mannose, and fructose increased the sensitivity of some strains of L. monocytogenes to bacteriocins, while growth in cellobiose and sucrose increased the resistance of L. monocytogenes to bacteriocins, as evidenced by a shorter lag phase. Strains of L. monocytogenes developed resistance to both leucocin A and carnocyclin A, but the time to develop resistance was longer when strains are treated with carnocyclin A. Carbohydrate influences the development of resistance of L. monocytogenes to the bacteriocins, but the ability of strains to develop resistance to leucocin A or carnocyclin A differs. Results of this study indicate that carbohydrates influence the ability of L. monocytogenes to grow in the presence of bacteriocins.
Analysis on the effect of discharge energy on machining characteristics of wire electrical discharge turning process

Energy conservation is one of the most important aspects of electrical discharge machining process in which the material removal is by means of spark erosion. Metal removal in wire electrical discharge turning is a complex erosion mechanism which involves melting, vaporization and rapid cooling of molten material. In this work, the significance of discharge energy on the performance of wire electrical discharge turning process, namely, material removal rate, surface finish, thickness of recast layer and surface crack, is analyzed. New model to estimate material removal rate and surface finish in wire electrical discharge turning process have been proposed. Erosion energy and kinetic energy imparted by electrons and average physio-thermal properties of work material are utilized for the modeling. Proposed models are validated by conducting experiments on AISI 4340 steel material. The results obtained from the model are well in agreement with the experimental values. The influence of discharge energy on surface crack and recast layer thickness is analyzed using scanning electron microscope micrographs and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis. Surface crack is observed at higher discharge energy. The thickness of recast layer increases with the increase in discharge energy. Three-dimensional surface topography reveals the turbulent nature of machining process resulted from transient erosion phenomena of wire electrical discharge turning process. Higher material removal rates of the order of about 0.06 g/min with consistent average roughness in the range of 4.5–5.5 µm at the expense of 1.6–2.6 J of discharge energy are achieved in this work. The proposed models can be utilized for machining of difficult to machine material by effective utilization of energy that leads to energy conservation in wire electrical discharge turning process.
Characterization of the drilling alumina ceramic using Nd : YAG pulsed laser

Laser micromachining can replace mechanical removal methods in many industrial applications, particularly in the processing of difficult-to-machine materials such as hardened metals, ceramics, and composites. It is being applied across many industries like semiconductor, electronics, medical, automotive, aerospace, instrumentation and communications. Laser machining is a thermal process. The effectiveness of this process depends on thermal and optical properties of the material. Therefore, laser machining is suitable for materials that exhibit a high degree of brittleness, or hardness, and have favourable thermal properties, such as low thermal diffusivity and conductivity. Ceramics which have the mentioned properties are used extensively in the microelectronics industry for scribing and hole drilling. Rapid improvement of laser technology in recent years gave us facility to control laser parameters such as wavelength, pulse duration, energy and frequency of laser. In this study, Nd:YAG pulsed laser (with minimum pulse duration of 0.5 ms) is used in order to determine the effects of the peak power and the pulse duration on the holes of the alumina ceramic plates. The thicknesses of the alumina ceramic plates drilled by laser are 10 mm. Average hole diameters are measured between 500 m and 1000 m at different drilling parameters. The morphologies of the drilled materials are analyzed using optical microscope. Effects of the laser pulse duration and the peak power on the average taper angles of the holes are
The effects of antisense to G on opioid agonist potency and Gi a 2 i a 2 protein and mRNA abundance in the mouse

Ž . Ž . In this study, mice received a single intracerebroventricular i.c. v. injection of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide ODN directed towards the mRNA of G . Controls received a saline or a nonsense ODN injection. The subsequent effects on protein levels and mRNA ia 2 Žw 2 5x . of G were determined in mouse striatum, as well as, the effect on opioid D-Ala , D-Leu -enkephalin; DADLE inhibition of cyclic ia 2 Ž . Ž . AMP cAMP formation in striatum and morphine analgesic potency. At 48 h after treatment, maximal inhibition E of cAMP max formation was significantly reduced for the antisense group compared to controls. Antisense ODN treatment only changed the E and max did not significantly alter the IC s of the dose–effect curves for inhibition of cAMP formation. Antisense ODN, but not nonsense ODN, 50 significantly reduced morphine’s analgesic potency by )2-fold, 48 h following treatment. Using a quantitative immunoblotting procedure, antisense treatment was shown to decrease striatal G protein 48 h after antisense injection, while there were no changes in ia 2 protein levels at 2, 12 and 24 h. In contrast, no changes in G mRNA in mouse striatum were noted at any time after antisense ia 2 treatment. Taken together, these data suggest that G mediates opioid-induced analgesia and opioid inhibition of cAMP production in ia 2 the mouse. These data also suggest that antisense reduces target protein by a mechanism independent of changes in mRNA abundance. q 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Visual disturbances as a presenting feature of pseudohypoparathyroidism

Introduction: Visual disturbance as a presenting feature of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is uncommon. Although papilledema is commonly reported with hypoparathyroidism primary or secondary, but not reported commonly with PHP. Description of the Case: A 10-year-old male child presented to our outpatient service with the complaints of blurring of vision, diplopia, and associated headache. There was no history of seizure episode. Patient had rounded face with a short, stocky built. Shortening of the fourth metacarpal and fifth metatarsal was present. Pitted nails and bilateral cataract. Patient also had clinical signs and biochemical parameters of hypocalcemia, along with normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Consistent with pseudohypopathyroidism. Conclusion: In cases of chronic papilledema, the assessment of the calcium serum level is a safe and simple method to exclude hypoparathyroidism or PHP.
The Concept of Biosimilars: From Characterization to Evolution-A Narrative Review.

Biologic agents are currently the fastest emerging segment of drug expenditure. Unlike chemically synthesized small-molecule drugs, biologics are more complex, medicinal products produced by a living organism. They have become part of the standard of care in the treatment of a large variety of diseases, such as growth disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, hemophilia, and rare genetic conditions, to name a few. Biosimilars, which are copies of biologics that are highly similar, were introduced in the market with an aim to offer efficacy that is not clinically different from the originator or reference product, at lower prices. We aim to clarify the concept of biosimilar, from definitions, history, market entry, challenges faced, and future evolution. For that purpose, we performed a literature search on the sites of the medicines regulatory agencies and PubMed from 1990 to 2014 with the keywords "biosimilars," "market," and "regulatory. " In 2006, the first biosimilar, somatropin [rDNA origin], was marketed and led the way for biosimilar drug manufacturing. As a result, manufacturers have entered a diversified competition, facing challenges in manufacturing these complex agents, such as immunogenicity and efficiency. Biosimilars are set to evolve differently in various markets, namely the U.S., Japan, the European Union, and the "pharmerging" economies. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE This article highlights the importance of biosimilars, as a cost-cutting strategy, in the delivery of state-of-the-art health care in developing countries, at a fraction of what a reference biological agent would cost.