Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of Diarrhoea in ‘Urban’ Slums of Dhaka and Adjacent Rural Areas: a Household‐level Analysis

Diarrhoeal diseases constitute an important public health problem in many developing countries including Bangladesh. This study aimed to report the household-level determinants of diarrhoea using the baseline information of cohort studies conducted in 2008 and 2009. The variation of diarrhoea by 3-month period was also reported. A total of 3,207 households were systematically selected from 12 slums in Dhaka and three rural villages located nearby. The highest prevalence of diarrhoea was found during the period of September to November (22.7%) and the lowest during December to February (9.2%). Slum households were more affected by diarrhoea as compared with the rural households (OR=1.49; 95% CI=1.06-2.08; p=0.020). Other determinants namely provisional house, sharing water source, and sanitary, and use of surface water were also associated with a higher risk of diarrhoea. In conclusion, slum house holds suffered more from diarrhoea than rural populations. Moreover, the higher burden of diarrhoea were found to be strongly and persistently associated with adverse housing and environmental conditions. Public health strategies based on our findings are required to reduce the burden of diarrhoea in the study population. Particularly multilevel interdisciplinary actions are needed to improving the quality of housing, water, and sanitation facilities in urban slums of Dhaka, and similar settings elsewhere. Copyright (C) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Democracy Based on Difference: Examining the Links Between Structural Heterogeneity, Heterogeneity of Discussion Networks, and Democratic Citizenship

This study explores the direct and indirect links between structural heterogeneity, network heterogeneity, and political participation. We review the often conflicting scholarship on discussion network heterogeneity and political participation and place it within a multilevel conceptual framework of heterogeneity. Based on this integrated theoretical model, our study uses a combination of macro-level and individual-level survey data from various sources. First, we use a cross-sectional national data set, based on a telephone survey with a probability sample of almost 800 adults. Second, we combine these individual-level data with county-level data on religious, political, and racial heterogeneity. Based on these data sets, we develop a path model linking structure, context, and networks into an integrated pathway to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of heterogeneity on political participation. Our results show positive links between structural and network heterogeneity that are both direct and indirect, that is, mediated through various communication processes.
Diagnosed child, treated child: food challenge as the first step toward tolerance induction in cow's milk protein allergy.

BACKGROUND Food challenge is required to assess tolerance in cow milk (CM) allergy. A positive challenge contraindicates the reintroduction of CM. Specific oral tolerance induction (SOTI) is a promising treatment. METHODS All children admitted for a challenge were prospectively enrolled. To those tolerating between 2 and 150 ml a SOTI protocol was offered. Outcome, adverse reactions, parents' satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS Out of 245 challenged patients, 175 reacted 122 out of 125, able to tolerate a minimum dose of 2 ml, underwent SOTI. After one year 75.4% were in an unrestricted diet, 16.1% tolerated between 5 and 150 ml, 8.5% stopped SOTI. Side effects were mild, parents' satisfaction was very high. CONCLUSIONS The majority of children tolerating limited amounts of CM at the challenge acquires tolerance with SOTI without relevant side effects. Maintaining on an exclusion diet partially tolerant children should be considered debatable.
Hierarchical Clustering Based on Mutual Information

Motivation: Clustering is a frequently used concept in variety of bioinformatical applications. We present a new method for hierarchical clustering of data called mutual information clustering (MIC) algorithm. It uses mutual information (MI) as a similarity measure and exploits its grouping property: The MI between three objects X, Y, and Z is equal to the sum of the MI between X and Y, plus the MI between Z and the combined object (XY). Results: We use this both in the Shannon (probabilistic) version of information theory, where the "objects" are probability distributions represented by random samples, and in the Kolmogorov (algorithmic) version, where the "objects" are symbol sequences. We apply our method to the construction of mammal phylogenetic trees from mitochondrial DNA sequences and we reconstruct the fetal ECG from the output of independent components analysis (ICA) applied to the ECG of a pregnant woman. Availability: The programs for estimation of MI and for clustering (probabilistic version) are available at this http URL
Interobserver Agreement for the Diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attacks

The interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of a cerebral transient ischemic attack (TIA) was investigated in a pool of eight senior and interested neurologists from the same department. They interviewed 56 patients in alternating pairs. The diagnosis was based on internationally accepted criteria. The agreement rates were corrected for chance (kappa statistics). Both neurologists agreed that 36 patients had a TIA and 12 had not, but they disagreed about 8 patients (kappa = 0.65; for perfect agreement kappa would be 1.0). The Vascular territory (carotid or vertebrobasilar) was agreed upon in only 24 of the 36 patients in whom both diagnosed TIA's (kappa = 0.31). We concluded that currently the diagnosis of a TIA, made by a single neurologist, is a poorly defined entity. Stroke Vol 15, No 4, 1984
Asylum policy and asylum experiences: interactions in a Scottish context

Abstract The research focus on asylum seeking has tended to emphasize state and international level processes, with little attention paid to sub-national and local level process, which can influence policy implementation. Drawing on research conducted in devolved Scotland, the paper considers how contradictions and tensions are played out at service agency, community and individual levels and how these fundamentally affect local experiences, as well as illuminating some of the difficulties faced by government policy aimed at control of migration and particularly of asylum seekers. These issues are explored through consideration of the views of service providers, community-based local groups and asylum seekers themselves. The authors argue that whilst in some senses, local level processes may support control through, for example, exclusion and harassment of migrants locally, in other respects, they can undermine it by, for example, promoting the development of new communities and united action between indigenous people and asylum seekers.
Quantitative analysis of fluorescence lifetime measurements of the macula using the fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscope in healthy subjects.

PURPOSE Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) cannot only be characterized by the intensity or the emission spectrum, but also by its lifetime. As the lifetime of a fluorescent molecule is sensitive to its local microenvironment, this technique may provide more information than fundus autofluorescence imaging. We report here the characteristics and repeatability of FAF lifetime measurements of the human macula using a new fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscope (FLIO). METHODS A total of 31 healthy phakic subjects were included in this study with an age range from 22 to 61 years. For image acquisition, a fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscope based on a Heidelberg Engineering Spectralis system was used. Fluorescence lifetime maps of the retina were recorded in a short- (498-560 nm) and a long- (560-720 nm) spectral channel. For quantification of fluorescence lifetimes a standard ETDRS grid was used. RESULTS Mean fluorescence lifetimes were shortest in the fovea, with 208 picoseconds for the short-spectral channel and 239 picoseconds for the long-spectral channel, respectively. Fluorescence lifetimes increased from the central area to the outer ring of the ETDRS grid. The test-retest reliability of FLIO was very high for all ETDRS areas (Spearman's ρ = 0.80 for the short- and 0.97 for the long-spectral channel, P < 0.0001). Fluorescence lifetimes increased with age. CONCLUSIONS The FLIO allows reproducible measurements of fluorescence lifetimes of the macula in healthy subjects. By using a custom-built software, we were able to quantify fluorescence lifetimes within the ETDRS grid. Establishing a clinically accessible standard against which to measure FAF lifetimes within the retina is a prerequisite for future studies in retinal disease.
Towards A Better Understanding of Public Service Motivation and Mission Valence in Public Agencies

Abstract Research has not fully considered how public service motivation (PSM) and mission valence may work together to influence job satisfaction, extra-role behaviours, and turnover intentions. As a result, a causal model was developed and tested on local, state, and federal government employees in the United States. The results indicate that PSM had a direct effect on mission valence and extra-role behaviours. They also revealed that mission valence fully mediated the relationship between PSM and job satisfaction and partially mediated the relationship between PSM and extra-role behaviours. On the other hand, mission valence did not mediate the relationship between PSM and turnover intentions. These findings are thoroughly discussed in this article.
Usability of Videogame-Based Dexterity Training in the Early Rehabilitation Phase of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

Background Approximately 70–80% of stroke survivors have limited activities of daily living, mainly due to dexterous problems. Videogame-based training (VBT) along with virtual reality seems to be beneficial to train upper limb function. Objective To evaluate the usability of VBT using the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) to train fine manual dexterity in the early rehabilitation phase of stroke patients as an add-on to conventional therapy. Additionally, this study aimed to estimate the feasibility and potential efficacy of the VBT. Methods During 3 months, 64 stroke patients were screened for eligibility, 13 stroke patients were included (4 women and 9 men; age range: 24–91 years; mean time post stroke: 28.2 days). Intervention Nine sessions of 30 min VBT, three times per week as an add-on to conventional therapy with stroke inpatients. Outcome measures Primary outcome was the usability of the system measured with the System Usability Scale. Secondary outcomes concerning feasibility were the compliance rate calculated from the total time spent on the intervention (TT) compared to planned time, the opinion of participants via open-end questions, and the level of active participation measured with the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale. Regarding the potential efficacy secondary outcomes were: functional dexterity measured with the Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), subjective dexterity measured with the Dexterity Questionnaire 24, grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and motor impairment of the upper limb measured with the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FM-UE) scale. Results Primarily, the usability of the system was good to excellent. The patient’s perception of usability remained stable over a mean period of 3 weeks of VBT. Secondly, the compliance rate was good, and the level of active participation varied between good and very good. The opinion of the participants revealed that despite individual differences, the overall impression of the therapy and device was good. Patients showed significant improvements in hand dexterity. No changes were found in motor impairment of the upper limb (FM-UE) during intervention. Conclusion VBT using LMC is a usable rehabilitation tool to train dexterity in the early rehabilitation phase of stroke inpatients.
Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factors (RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4) Induce Sperm Membrane Depolarization and Acrosomal Exocytosis in Capacitated Stallion Sperm1

Capacitation encompasses the molecular changes sperm undergo to fertilize an oocyte, some of which are postulated to occur via a cAMP-PRKACA (protein kinase A)-mediated pathway. Due to the recent discovery of cAMP-activated guanine nucleotide exchange factors RAPGEF3 and RAPGEF4, we sought to investigate the separate roles of PRKACA and RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4 in modulating capacitation and acrosomal exocytosis. Indirect immunofluorescence localized RAPGEF3 to the acrosome and subacrosomal ring and RAPGEF4 to the midpiece in equine sperm. Addition of the RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4-specific cAMP analogue 8-(p-chlorophenylthio)-2′-O-methyladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8pCPT) to sperm incubated under both noncapacitating and capacitating conditions had no effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation, thus supporting a PRKACA-mediated event. Conversely, activation of RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4 with 8pCPT induced acrosomal exocytosis in capacitated equine sperm at rates (34%) similar (P > 0.05) to those obtained in progesterone- and calcium ionophore-treated sperm. In the mouse, capacitation-dependent hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane has been shown to recruit low voltage-activated T-type Ca2+ channels, which later open in response to zona pellucida-induced membrane depolarization. We hypothesized that RAPGEF3 may be inducing acrosomal exocytosis via depolarization-dependent Ca2+ influx, as RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4 have been demonstrated to play a role in the regulation of ion channels in somatic cells. We first compared the membrane potential (Em) of noncapacitated (−37.11 mV) and capacitated (−53.74 mV; P = 0.002) equine sperm. Interestingly, when sperm were incubated (6 h) under capacitating conditions in the presence of 8pCPT, Em remained depolarized (−32.06 mV). Altogether, these experiments support the hypothesis that RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4 activation regulates acrosomal exocytosis via its modulation of Em, a novel role for RAPGEF3/RAPGEF4 in the series of events required to achieve fertilization.
Expression in Escherichia coli of the 37-kilodalton endoflagellar sheath protein of Treponema pallidum by use of the polymerase chain reaction and a T7 expression system

We previously reported the complete primary structure of the 37-kilodalton endoflagellar sheath protein (FlaA) of Treponema pallidum. However, we were unable to determine the nucleotide sequence of flaA upstream of amino acid 10. The desired nucleotide sequence was obtained by use of a strategy based upon the polymerase chain reaction and was found to contain a consensus Escherichia coli promoter, a ribosomal binding site, and a 20-amino-acid signal peptide. Expression of FlaA in E. coli was achieved by cloning polymerase chain reaction-derived constructs lacking the native T. pallidum promoter into a temperature-inducible T7 expression system. Pulse-chase and ethanol inhibition analyses of protein processing in E. coli cells and minicells, respectively, indicated that processing of the FlaA precursor was incomplete. Native and recombinant FlaA were identical as assessed by antibody reactivity and sodium dodecyl sulfate- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic mobilities. Soluble FlaA was not detected in either the cytoplasmic or the periplasmic fractions of E. coli transformants. Fractionation of E. coli cell envelopes unexpectedly revealed that FlaA precursor and FlaA were associated with both the cytoplasmic and outer membranes. This is the first report of expression in E. coli of a T. pallidum protein which could not be cloned or expressed with its native promoter. Our data also indicate that information obtained in E. coli regarding the subcellular location of cloned treponemal proteins must be cautiously extrapolated to T. pallidum.
The Socialization of Emotional Understanding: A Comparison of Neglectful and Nonneglectful Mothers and Their Children

This study investigated the influence of maternal socialization (i.e., maternal support, discussion of emotion, negative affect) on children’s emotional understanding in 24 neglectful mother-child dyads and a matched control group. Mothers and children were administered an interaction task. Mothers were also assessed for negative emotional experience, and children were assessed for emotional understanding and expectations of maternal support. Findings indicated that neglectful mothers, compared with nonneglectful mothers, provided less support in response to their children’s emotional displays, engaged in less emotional discussion, and reported more negative emotion. As well, neglected children demonstrated lower levels of emotional understanding than nonmaltreated children. Further, maternal support mediated the relation between neglect and children’s emotional understanding. Findings are discussed from the functionalist approach to emotional development, emphasizing the importance of social context and socialization on children’s emotional understanding.
Influence of the duration of the oestradiol rise on the success rate in GnRH analogue/HMG-stimulated IVF cycles.

The influence of the duration of the serum oestradiol (E2) rise before human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) injection on the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles was investigated. Two different stimulation protocols were compared. In 218 cycles, the Norfolk protocol for stimulation with human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) was used (protocol A). In 235 cycles, pituitary function was suppressed by a single injection of a long-acting GnRH analogue ('Decapeptyl microcapsules') before HMG stimulation was started (protocol B). The overall pregnancy rates were significantly higher with protocol B (22% per puncture, 21% per started cycle) than with protocol A (14% per puncture, 9% per started cycle). For each interval of E2 rise duration (5-11 days), the fertilization rates (per oocyte) and the pregnancy rates (per puncture) were evaluated. There was a clear-cut maximum of the pregnancy rates for 6 and 7 days of E2 rise (21 and 16% respectively) for protocol A. For protocol B, pregnancy rates were generally higher than for protocol A. There was also a maximum of the pregnancy rates for 6 (32%) and 7 (29%) days of E2 rise but this maximum was not as clear-cut as for protocol A. The fertilization rates showed no significant differences for each interval of E2 rise in both groups (between 63 and 89%). Therefore, it is concluded that endometrial maturity, and not the oocyte's ability for fertilization, is the most critical factor for success in IVF cycles. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mood Charting and Technology: New Approach to Monitoring Patients with Mood Disorders

Bipolar disorder remains a serious public health problem with a significant personal and economic burden. In line with the widespread recognition of the value of active patient involvement in their care, daily mood charting may increase the patients understanding of their condition and improve adherence with complex medication regimes. Knowledge about the course and pattern of an individuals disorder may also allow earlier recognition of new episodes and help determine the optimal treatment strategy. Mood charting is also an essential tool for longitudinal studies of patient outcomes. Traditionally, patients have used paper-based tools for this daily self-assessment, but these forms are associated with problems of data quality, poor compliance, high costs for data entry, and only provide limited feedback for the patient and physician. As computer technology has gained acceptance by the public worldwide, new options are available to automate monitoring of patients with mood disorders. This article will review mood charting and describe our experience with the development, validation and use of ChronoRecord, an automated instrument for mood charting.
Proactive and reactive aggression in childhood and adolescence: A meta-analysis of differential relations with psychosocial adjustment

Aggressive behavior in childhood has long been separated into that which is proactively motivated and that which is reactive. We report a meta-analytic review of the existing empirical literature that examines the associations of each type of aggression with six indices of psychosocial adjustment: internalizing problems, emotional dysregulation and ADHD-type symptoms, delinquent behaviors, prosocial behavior, sociometric status, and peer victimization. Even though not detectable in most single studies, meta-analytic combination revealed that reactive aggression was more strongly related to most of the indices of adjustment than was proactive aggression. This difference was small, however, and we argue that the difficulty in detecting differential correlates is due to the high intercorrelation between the functions of aggression, which appears to be an artifact of traditional measurement procedures. It is recommended that future research use measures that provide distinct assessment of the functions in order to more clearly distinguish the correlates of proactive and reactive aggression.
Tropical pasture carbon cycling: relationships between C source/sink strength, above‐ground biomass and grazing

We measured net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) in Panamaover C4 pasture plots that varied in grazing intensity. After adjusting for variation in light, there were noticeable effects of grazing-related variables on CO2 exchange that were largely dependent on the developmental stage of the plant canopy. Above-ground productivity was positively related to grazing intensity (r 2 ¼ 0.30). Two experimentally grazed fields had significantly lower standing crop biomass but no significant difference in CO2 uptake (24.2 lmol/ m 2 /s) compared with two ungrazed fields (20.3 lmol/m 2 /s). Grazed fields had significantly lower ecosystem respiration rates (10.3 lmol/m 2 /s) than did ungrazed fields (17.6 lmol/m 2 /s). These results suggest that, although these pastures were possible sources of CO2 during the time intervals sampled, the size of the sources tended to be dampened by cattle grazing through reductions in ecosystem respiration. Thus, it appears that disturbance caused by cattle grazing will not always result in an increase in CO2 release from tropical pastures to the atmosphere.
Beyond conceptual change learning in science education: focusing on transfer, durability and metacognition

The frequently encountered problems of students being unable to utilize schoollearned science in different contexts, and of students forgetting what they have learned in a short time after initial instruction, are two important problems for classroom practitioners. This paper advocates a shift in focus of conceptual change learning research in order to address these problems. It draws upon four overlapping areas: conceptual change learning is the broad subject area that sets the epistemological background; transfer and durability of scientific conceptions are the two problem areas under scrutiny, while metacognition is seen as potential mediator of improvement. The paper offers a brief review of existing literature on the four areas; it proposes confronting the two problems by incorporating metacognitive instruction in the learning environment of primary school science; and it reports on recently completed research.