Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV/AIDS Patients in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Background. The effectiveness of ART interventions is only realized in maximal levels of adherence. A near perfect adherence level of >95% is required for the effective suppression of HIV/AIDS virus. The main objective of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors that facilitate adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients. Methods. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2013 at the Upper West Regional Hospital, Wa. A total of 201 confirmed HIV 1 seropositive subjects (mean age 36.6 ± 9.9 years) receiving antiretroviral therapy were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 5. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant for all statistical analyses. Results. Overall lifetime adherence was found to be 62.2% while medication adherence in the last six months, last three months, last month, and last week were 73.6%, 87.1%, 91.0%, and 86.0%, respectively. The study revealed a positive association between adherence to ART and immunological success, with nonadherence increasing the risk (OR (95% CI): 9.2 (3.2–26.9)) of immunological failure. Univariate logistic regression analysis of the data showed that other ailments and side effects of drug were negatively associated with adherence to ART whereas self-perceived wellness, family support, and regular followup were positively associated with adherence to ART. Conclusion. Regular attendance at followup and family support are vital factors for 100% lifetime medication adherence. Effective counseling sessions on adherence for patients on antiretroviral therapy are paramount for the realization of the purpose of antiretroviral therapy programmes in Ghana.
Evaluation of Computer Games Developed by Primary School Children to Gauge Understanding of Programming Concepts

Under the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scotland, newer approaches such as games-based learning and games-based construction are being adopted to motivate and engage students. Construction of computer games is seen by some to be a highly motivational and practical approach at engaging children at Primary Education (PE) level in computer programming concepts. Games-based learning (GBL) and games-based construction both suffer from a dearth of empirical evidence supporting their validity as teaching and learning approaches. To address this issue, this paper will present the findings of observational research at PE level using Scratch as a tool to develop computer games using rudimentary programming concepts. A list of criteria will be compiled for reviewing the implementation of each participant to gauge the level of programming proficiency demonstrated. The study will review 29 games from Primary 4 to Primary 7 level and will present the overall results and results for each individual year. This study will contribute to the empirical evidence in games-based construction by providing the results of observational research across different levels of PE and will provide pedagogical guidelines for assessing programming ability using a games-based construction approach.
Prediction of Meaning of Bisyllabic Chinese Words Using Back Propagation Neural Network

A three layer back propagation neural net is set up to determine the dependence between the semantic class of a bisyllabic Chinese word and its two characters. Simulations were performed using a three–layer back–propagation neural net (BPNN) with various combinations of inputs. The inputs are (1) semantic classes of the characters, (2) Entropy of the characters and (3) semantic strengths [1] of the characters. Our results show that we can obtain the bias of meaning class of a bisyllabic word with an accuracy of 81% by inputting the semantic classes and strengths of the characters. The BPNN can also be trained to predict the meaning of a word to a high precision of 83%. With the results obtained from this system, more research on the formation of word and meaning can be performed.
Action exemplar based real-time action detection

We propose a real-time action detection system based on a novel action representation and an effective learning method with a small training set. We represent actions with a new feature that measures the “global” distance from a set of action exemplars, where action exemplars are constructed from a vocabulary that encodes “local” instantaneous body motions. A cascade of linear SVM is used to learn target actions, where at each layer a selective set of exemplars is chosen and variations between locally similar actions are trained in a coarse to fine manner. The method is further extended to incrementally learn a new action with a single example. The method is implemented as a real-time system that can detect actions at frame rate. The performance is extensively validated by evaluating on public and in-house action datasets.
Research Note - Do Electronic Linkages Reduce the Bullwhip Effect? An Empirical Analysis of the U.S. Manufacturing Supply Chains

The bullwhip effect is a major source of supply chain inefficiency. Whereas prior literature has identified a number of potential contributing factors and recommended such remedies as information sharing enabled by information technology (IT) or electronic linkage (EL), few studies have provided empirical support. We use industry-level data to examine whether EL use with buyer and supplier industries helps reduce the bullwhip effect as measured by inventory--demand variance ratio. Our major findings are that (1) EL use with supplier industries reduces the bullwhip effect, whereas (2), surprisingly, EL use with buyer industries increases it, but (3) this adverse effect tends to be mitigated by IT use. These findings point to the possible asymmetric effects of EL use in supply chains and provide a different perspective to the existing conclusions in the literature that EL use improves performance. Combining the above results, we have learned that the use of EL tends to behave differently depending on whether it is used upstream or downstream in the supply chain. This also sheds light on the conditions under which such investment may be more (or less) beneficial.
Improved methods for the generation of human gene knockout and knockin cell lines

Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors in the generation of human knockout cell lines. The efficiency with which such cell lines can be generated using rAAV, in comparison with more extensively described plasmid-based approaches, has not been directly tested. In this report, we demonstrate that targeting constructs delivered by rAAV vectors were nearly 25-fold more efficient than transfected plasmids that target the same exon. In addition, we describe a novel vector configuration which we term the synthetic exon promoter trap (SEPT). This targeting element further improved the efficiency of knockout generation and uniquely facilitated the generation of knockin alterations. An rAAV-based SEPT targeting construct was used to transfer a mutant CTNNB1 allele, encoding an oncogenic form of β-catenin, from one cell line to another. This versatile method was thus shown to facilitate the efficient integration of small, defined sequence alterations into the chromosomes of cultured human cells.
Maternal caloric restriction partially rescues the deleterious effects of advanced maternal age on offspring

While many studies have focused on the detrimental effects of advanced maternal age and harmful prenatal environments on progeny, little is known about the role of beneficial non‐Mendelian maternal inheritance on aging. Here, we report the effects of maternal age and maternal caloric restriction (CR) on the life span and health span of offspring for a clonal culture of the monogonont rotifer Brachionus manjavacas. Mothers on regimens of chronic CR (CCR) or intermittent fasting (IF) had increased life span compared with mothers fed ad libitum (AL). With increasing maternal age, life span and fecundity of female offspring of AL‐fed mothers decreased significantly and life span of male offspring was unchanged, whereas body size of both male and female offspring increased. Maternal CR partially rescued these effects, increasing the mean life span of AL‐fed female offspring but not male offspring and increasing the fecundity of AL‐fed female offspring compared with offspring of mothers of the same age. Both maternal CR regimens decreased male offspring body size, but only maternal IF decreased body size of female offspring, whereas maternal CCR caused a slight increase. Understanding the genetic and biochemical basis of these different maternal effects on aging may guide effective interventions to improve health span and life span.
Assessing bilingual language switching behavior with Ecological Momentary Assessment

Abstract The putative bilingual executive advantage has been argued to stem from lifelong experience with executively demanding language behaviors, such as switching between the two languages. However, studies testing for possible associations between language switching frequency and EF in bilinguals have yielded inconsistent results. One reason for this could lie in the methods used that have evaluated the frequency and type of language switches with retrospective self-reports, as well as in problems in reliability and convergent validity of the executive tasks. By using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) as a reference point for self-reports of language switches, we examined the validity of general retrospective self-reports of language switching. Additionally, we examined associations between language switching and EF using multilevel models. Our results indicated that the commonly used retrospective self-reports of language switching may lack convergent validity. However, we found tentative evidence that contextual language switches, assessed with EMA, may be associated with better inhibitory control, set shifting, and working memory.
Welfare and Fiscal Policy With Public Goods and Infrastructure (Revised Version)

We construct and simulate a model to study the welfare and macroeconomic impact of government actions when its productive role is taken into account. The trade-off between public investment and public consumption is also investigated, since public consumption is introduced as a public good that directly affects individuals' well-being. Our results replicate econometric evidence showing that part of the observed slowdown of U.S. productivity growth can be explained by the reduction of investment in infrastructure which also implied a sizable welfare 1085 to the popu1ation. Depending on the methodology used we found a welfare cost ranging from 4.2% to 1.16% of GNP. The impact of fiscal policy can be qualitative and quantitative distinct depending on Whether we assume a higher or smaller output elasticity to infrastructure. If it is high enough, increases in tax rates may stimulate accumulation and production, which is the opposite prediction of standard neoclassical models.
Situation-Based Survey of Avian Influenza Viruses in Possible “Bridge” Species of Wild and Domestic Birds in Nigeria

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1 subtype) recurred in Nigeria after 9 months period of no reported case. A critical look at possible sources of the re-occurrence was desirable. The objective of this study was to determine whether avian influenza viruses were present at reasonably detectable levels (0.5%) in possible “bridge” species of wild and domestic birds. The study was conducted in 8 Nigerian states. A total of 403 birds from 40 species were sampled. Virus isolation was done in embryonated chicken eggs according to standard protocols. The test results were all negative for avian influenza viruses. The overall confidence interval (CI) calculated in R using the exact binomial confidence interval function was 0–0.007406. Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) was the lowest sampled 0.3% (1/403) and Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) the highest 11.7% (47/403). The limitations of the sample size and possibly designing effects on the study, as to make concrete conclusions were acknowledged. Species of wild birds, so identified in the study could be useful in future surveys. Furthermore, multidisciplinary and community oriented approach, blending targeted and passive surveillances was suggested. This approach was envisaged to bring about wider coverage of “bridge” species and clearer insight of their possible roles in avian influenza re-occurrences and spread in Nigeria.
The mediating role of friendship quality in the relationship between anger coping styles and mental health in Chinese adolescents

Increasing research studies and data, mostly focused on Western countries, suggest a dynamic relationship between coping with anger and psychological risk factors among children. Although there are cultural variations in anger coping, little attention has been directed among non-Western children. The present study examined the diverse influence of six anger coping styles on friendship quality and mental health among Chinese adolescents. Six competing anger coping strategies were tested as potential predictor variables: direct anger-out, assertion, social support-seeking, diffusion, avoidance, and rumination. Friendship quality was examined as a potential mediator. Mediation analyses were conducted using path analysis. The results indicated that friendship quality fully mediated the influence of social support-seeking on mental health problems, and partially mediated the influence of assertion on mental health problems. Furthermore, the direct anger-out and rumination coping styles directly and positively predicted mental health problems. These findings partially support the Simple Incidental Model suggesting that the influence of anger coping styles on mental health problems is complex, and friendship quality can mediate this influence. The present study points to a malleable target for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at increasing the favorable impact of anger coping strategies on psychological adjustment during the developmentally critical period of adolescence.
Association Between Changes in Lipid Profiles and Progression of Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Background and Purpose— Predictors of progression of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis have not been clearly identified. We investigated whether poststroke changes in lipid profiles would affect the prognosis of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Methods— This is a substudy of Trial of cilOstazol in Symptomatic intracranial Stenosis 2 (TOSS-2). From 10 centers we enrolled 230 subjects with acute symptomatic stenosis in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery or basilar artery. At baseline and 7 months after stroke, subjects underwent MR angiogram and assessment of cardiovascular risk factors including lipoprotein levels. Progression of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis was determined by comparing stenosis on the baseline and follow-up MR angiograms. Results— Cilostazol treatment was more frequently seen in the nonprogression group (109 of 198 [55.1%]) than in the progression group (11 of 32 [34.4%]). At 7 months after stroke when compared with baseline, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels decreased in both groups. However, only nonprogressors showed increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between baseline and follow-up. Changes in apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I levels were not different between the groups, although apolipoprotein B/A-I at 7 months was higher in progressors than in nonprogressors. Remnant lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased in nonprogressors, whereas they did not change in progressors. In multivariable analyses, after adjusting for cilostazol treatment and remnant lipoprotein cholesterol reduction or apolipoprotein B/A-I at 7 months, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol elevation remained as a significant predictor for the nonprogression. Conclusions— This is the first prospective multicenter study to demonstrate that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol elevation, along with remnant lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and low apolipoprotein B/A-I, is associated with prevention of angiographic progression of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis. Clinical Trial Registration Information— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00130039.
Variation in Specialists’ Reported Hospitalization Practices of Children Sustaining Blunt Head Trauma

Introduction Questions surround the appropriate emergency department (ED) disposition of children who have sustained blunt head trauma (BHT). Our objective was to identify physician disposition preferences of children with blunt head trauma (BHT) and varying computed tomography (CT) findings. Methods: We surveyed pediatric and general emergency physicians (EP), pediatric neurosurgeons (PNSurg), general neurosurgeons (GNSurg), pediatric surgeons (PSurg) and trauma surgeons regarding care of two hypothetical patients: Case 1: a 9-year-old who fell 10 feet and Case 2: an 11-month-old who fell 5 feet. We presented various CT findings and asked physicians about disposition preferences. We evaluated predictors of patient discharge using multivariable regression analysis adjusting for hospital and ED characteristics and clinician experience. Pediatric EPs served as the reference group. Results: Of 2,341 eligible surveyed, 715 (31%) responded. Most would discharge children with linear skull fractures (Case 1, 71%; Case 2, 62%). Neurosurgeons were more likely to discharge children with small subarachnoid hemorrhages (Case 1 PNSurg OR 6.87, 95% CI 3.60, 13.10; GNSurg OR 6.54, 95% CI 2.38, 17.98; Case 2 PNSurg OR 5.38, 95% CI 2.64, 10.99; GNSurg OR 6.07, 95% CI 2.08, 17.76). PSurg were least likely to discharge children with any CT finding, even linear skull fractures (Case 1 OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.08, 0.23; Case 2 OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.11, 0.30). Few respondents (<6%) would discharge children with small intraventricular, subdural, or epidural bleeds. Conclusion: Substantial variation exists between specialties in reported hospitalization practices of neurologically-normal children with BHT and traumatic CT findings.
SCIENTIFIC HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH : Ab initio Study of Magnetoelectricity in Composite Multiferroics

The coexistence of magnetism and ferroelectricity in the same crystalline phase of a so called multiferroic material involves the opportunity of magneto-electric coupling. Magnetoelectric coupling, however is highly attractive since it offers magnetization switching by an electric field or polarization switching by a magnetic field. Since this phenomenon, in principle, allows to store information in nanometer-sized memories with four logic states, the issues of multiferroics (MF) are of prime interest. Studies based on density functional theory have significantly contributed to this rapidly developing field of single-phase MF (see, Ψk Scientific Highlight 92 by S. Picozzi and C. Ederer and references therein). In such multiferroics, however, the electric polarization and magnetization interact weakly with each other while ferromagnetism disappears far below room temperature. A more robust scenario of magnetoelectricity might occur in artificial MF composed of ferromagnetic thin films which are grown epitaxially on a ferroelectric substrate. Inaccessible by conventional synthesis, composite multiferroics exhibit specific properties which are superior to those of customary materials. In the study of composite multiferroics, the results of ab initio calculations, reported by Tsymbal’s group from Nebraska University after 2006, have shown an extremely promising direction for the next years. Although these calculations go ahead of experiment they explore the trends and basic physics of magnetoelectrics. Here, on the basis of first-principles calculations we predict that epitaxial ultrathin Fe films deposited on TiO2-terminated (001) surface of ATiO3 perovskites (A = Pb, Ba) exhibit an unexpected change in their magnetic structure with increasing Fe-film thickness. The magnetic order changes from strongly ferromagnetic for the single-monolayer-Fe system to ferrimagnetic with almost vanishing magnetization upon deposition of a second Fe layer. Ferromagnetic order is restored for thicker Fe films. This effect can be understood in terms of hybridization of electronic states and structural relaxation. Additionally, we study the effect of iron oxidation on the magnetoelectric coupling at the Fe2/ATiO3(001) interface. The simulated oxygen coverage ranged between 0.5 and 2.0 adsorbed O atom per Fe atom, using a slab geometry. The magnetic properties of the Fe layer are gradually degraded with increasing O coverage for c > 1.5. However, the change in magnetization which is induced by the electric polarization reversal remains robust for all energetically favorable compositions. For instance, we show that the surface oxidation of composite MF cannot destroy the switchable magnetoelectricity.
Regular Exercise or Changing Diet Does Not Influence Aortic Valve Disease Progression in LDLR Deficient Mice

Background The development and progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) shares a number of similarities with atherosclerosis. Recently we could demonstrate that regular exercise training (ET) as primary prevention prevents aortic valve disease in LDL-receptor deficient (LDLR−/−) mice. We aimed to investigate the impact of exercise training on the progression of CAVD in LDLR−/− mice in the setting of secondary prevention Methods and Results Sixty-four LDLR−/− mice were fed with high cholesterol diet to induce aortic valve sclerosis. Thereafter the animals were divided into 3 groups: group 1 continuing on high cholesterol diet, group 2 continuing with cholesterol diet plus 1 h ET per day, group 3 continuing with normal mouse chow. After another 16 weeks the animal were sacrificed. Histological analysis of the aortic valve thickness demonstrated no significant difference between the three groups (control 98.3±4.5 µm, ET 88.2±6.6 µm, change in diet 87.5±4.0). Immunohistochemical staining for endothelial cells revealed a disrupted endothelial cell layer to the same extend in all groups. Furthermore no difference between the groups was evident with respect to the expression of inflammatory, fibroblastic and osteoblastic markers. Conclusion Based on the present study we have to conclude that once the development of a CAVD is initiated, exercise training or a change in diet does not have the potential to attenuate the progress of the CAVD.
Computing Word-Pair Antonymy

Knowing the degree of antonymy between words has widespread applications in natural language processing. Manually-created lexicons have limited coverage and do not include most semantically contrasting word pairs. We present a new automatic and empirical measure of antonymy that combines corpus statistics with the structure of a published thesaurus. The approach is evaluated on a set of closest-opposite questions, obtaining a precision of over 80%. Along the way, we discuss what humans consider antonymous and how antonymy manifests itself in utterances.