Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capturing the Voices of Looked-After Children via Computerised Assisted Self-Interviewing Technology: A Longitudinal Approach

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate and utilise a method which allowed for more widespread views of looked-after children to be captured. As well as exploring these views longitudinally, to offer an understanding of the impact of being in care over time. METHOD: The views of 171 looked-after children, aged 10-14 years, collected via computerised self-interviewing technology (CASI), were analysed using a mixed method, longitudinal design. The surveys open-questions were analysed using thematic analysis. The themes and subthemes informed which of the closed-questions were explored using frequency tables and a repeated measures analysis, to investigate whether the children’s responses changed over time. FINDINGS: The findings from the qualitative analysis revealed that some children felt frustrated with adults not listening, keeping them informed and being unreliable. Many children wish to return home - or at least increase contact with their family, many children miss their friends and home community, and expressed emotional distress as a result. Alongside these findings, there were children expressing positive achievements and experiences of being in care. In contrast, the quantitative findings were encouraging, revealing that over 80% of children express satisfaction with their placement, foster carer, and felt listened to. Over 70% expressed satisfaction with access to their social worker, friends, family and hobbies. Over half of the children reported minimal feelings of anger or frustration and were content with the amount of information they received. The longitudinal analysis showed that these views only slightly change over time, which is positive for those children reporting high levels of satisfaction, but it does suggest a number of children remain vulnerable throughout their time in care. CONCLUSION: This study makes a valuable contribution to the knowledge base regarding using CASI to capture the voices of looked after children, as well as discussing the impact being in care has on these children over time.
Suppression of BRD4 inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma by repressing MYC and enhancing BIM expression

Bromodomain 4 (BRD4) is an epigenetic regulator that, when inhibited, has anti-cancer effects. In this study, we investigated whether BRD4 could be a target for treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We show that BRD4 is over-expressed in HCC tissues. Suppression of BRD4, either by siRNA or using JQ1, a pharmaceutical BRD4 inhibitor, reduced cell growth and induced apoptosis in HCC cell lines while also slowing HCC xenograft tumor growth in mice. JQ1 treatment induced G1 cell cycle arrest by repressing MYC expression, which led to the up-regulation of CDKN1B (P27). JQ1 also de-repressed expression of the pro-apoptotic BCL2L11 (BIM). Moreover, siRNA knockdown of BIM attenuated JQ1-triggered apoptosis in HCC cells, suggesting an essential role for BIM in mediating JQ1 anti-HCC activity.
Profiling the Oxylipin and Endocannabinoid Metabolome by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS in Human Plasma to Monitor Postprandial Inflammation

Bioactive lipids, including oxylipins, endocannabinoids, and related compounds may function as specific biochemical markers of certain aspects of inflammation. However, the postprandial responsiveness of these compounds is largely unknown; therefore, changes in the circulating oxylipin and endocannabinoid metabolome in response to a challenge meal were investigated at six occasions in a subject who freely modified her usual diet. The dietary change, and especially the challenge meal itself, represented a modification of precursor fatty acid status, with expectedly subtle effects on bioactive lipid levels. To detect even the slightest alteration, highly sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) methods for bioactive lipid profiling was employed. A previously validated UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for profiling the endocannabinoid metabolome was used, while validation of an UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for oxylipin analysis was performed with acceptable outcomes for a majority of the parameters according to the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for linearity (0.9938 < R2 < 0.9996), limit of detection (0.0005–2.1 pg on column), limit of quantification (0.0005–4.2 pg on column), inter- and intraday accuracy (85–115%) and precision (< 5%), recovery (40–109%) and stability (40–105%). Forty-seven of fifty-two bioactive lipids were detected in plasma samples at fasting and in the postprandial state (0.5, 1, and 3 hours after the meal). Multivariate analysis showed a significant shift of bioactive lipid profiles in the postprandial state due to inclusion of dairy products in the diet, which was in line with univariate analysis revealing seven compounds (NAGly, 9-HODE, 13-oxo-ODE, 9(10)-EpOME, 12(13)-EpOME, 20-HETE, and 11,12-DHET) that were significantly different between background diets in the postprandial state (but not at fasting). The only change in baseline levels at fasting was displayed by TXB2. Furthermore, postprandial responsiveness was detected for seven compounds (POEA, SEA, 9(10)-DiHOME, 12(13)-DiHOME, 13-oxo-ODE, 9-HODE, and 13-HODE). Hence, the data confirm that the UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method performance was sufficient to detect i) a shift, in the current case most notably in the postprandial bioactive lipid metabolome, caused by changes in diet and ii) responsiveness to a challenge meal for a subset of the oxylipin and endocannabinoid metabolome. To summarize, we have shown proof-of-concept of our UPLC-ESI-MS/MS bioactive lipid protocols for the purpose of monitoring subtle shifts, and thereby useful to address lipid-mediated postprandial inflammation.
Imbalanced Training Set Reduction and Feature Selection Through Genetic Optimization

Despite its simplicity and good classification performance, the Nearest Neighbor (NN) rule is not applied in many practical tasks because of the high amount of computational resources that it requires. Besides, when working with imbalanced training samples, its classification accuracy can be seriously degraded. In the present paper we propose two genetic algorithms to cope with these two issues. The purpose is to obtain complexity reduction while at the same time, to get a better balance in the training sample. Experimental results showing the benefits of our proposals are also reported.
The presentation and survival of patients with non-cutaneous AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

BACKGROUND Acquired immune deficiency syndrome related Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We describe for the first time a proportion of patients with AIDS-KS who presented with no evidence of cutaneous disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS From our cohort of 5932 individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) treated in the HAART era, 319 were identified with KS. Of these, 11 patients (5.4%) were diagnosed with KS without the presence of any cutaneous disease. We compared their survival, clinical, immunological and virological characteristics to other individuals with KS. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences in survival, CD4 count or HIV viral load at KS presentation. We observed that tumour-associated oedema (P = 0.046) and non-oral gastrointestinal KS (P = 0.042) were significantly more common in patients with non-cutaneous KS. Only one case of non-cutaneous KS was observed prior to the era of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). CONCLUSIONS Non-cutaneous KS is a recognisable condition; patients should be treated with the standard of care as their prognosis is not inferior. This is likely to reflect a strong immune response, in the era of HAART.
Anococcygeal Raphe Revisited: A Histological Study Using Mid-Term Human Fetuses and Elderly Cadavers

Purpose We recently demonstrated the morphology of the anococcygeal ligament. As the anococcygeal ligament and raphe are often confused, the concept of the anococcygeal raphe needs to be re-examined from the perspective of fetal development, as well as in terms of adult morphology. Materials and Methods We examined the horizontal sections of 15 fetuses as well as adult histology. From cadavers, we obtained an almost cubic tissue mass containing the dorsal wall of the anorectum, the coccyx and the covering skin. Most sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or Masson-trichrome solution. Results The adult ligament contained both smooth and striated muscle fibers. A similar band-like structure was seen in fetuses, containing: 1) smooth muscle fibers originating from the longitudinal muscle coat of the anal canal and 2) striated muscle fibers from the external anal sphincter (EAS). However, in fetuses, the levator ani muscle did not attach to either the band or the coccyx. Along and around the anococcygeal ligament, we did not find any aponeurotic tissue with transversely oriented fibers connecting bilateral levator ani slings. Instead, in adults, a fibrous tissue mass was located at a gap between bilateral levator ani slings; this site corresponded to the dorsal side of the ligament and the EAS in the immediately deep side of the natal skin cleft. Conclusion We hypothesize that a classically described raphe corresponds to the specific subcutaneous tissue on the superficial or dorsal side of the anococcygeal ligament.
Social Distance, Perceived Drinking by Peers, and Alcohol Use by College Students

Many colleges in the United States are employing social norms marketing campaigns with the goal of reducing college students' alcohol use by correcting misperceptions about their peers' alcohol use. Although the typical message used in these campaigns describes the quantity and frequency of alcohol use by the average student on campus, many students may find such a vague comparison to others to be socially irrelevant. This study compares the relative weight of perceptions about alcohol use by distant versus proximate peers in the prediction of college students' personal drinking behavior. The results of analyzing data collected from a sample of college students at a large public northeastern university (N = 276) show that, as hypothesized, perceived alcohol use by proximate peers (best friends and friends) was a stronger predictor of students' personal alcohol use than perceived alcohol use by more distant peers (such as students in general), controlling for other strong predictors of alcohol use by college students (age, gender, race, off-campus residency, and sensation-seeking tendencies). The implications of these findings for the design of more effective social norms messages are discussed.
Molecular Characterization of Chicken Anemia Virus Circulating in Chicken Flocks in Egypt

Introduction. Although many previous studies reported detection of chicken anemia virus (CAV) in Egypt since 1990, genomic characterization of this circulating CAV has not been published. In the present study, four nucleotide sequences of detected CAV were genetically characterized. Methods. These nucleotide sequences were obtained from commercial chicken flocks in two different locations of Egypt during 2010. The target region for sequencing was 675 bp nucleotide of partial coding region of VP1 protein. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the detected CAV were aligned and compared to worldwide CAV isolates including commonly used vaccine strains. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences was also carried out. Results. Our results showed that all the Egyptian CAV sequences were grouped in one group with viruses from diverse geographic regions. This group is characterized by amino acids profile 75I, 97L, 139Q, and 144Q in VP1. The phylogenetic and amino acid analyses of deduced amino acid indicated that the detected CAV sequences differ from CAV vaccine strains. Conclusion. This is the first report that describes molecular characterization of circulating CAV in Egypt. The study showed that the detected CAV, in Egypt are field viruses and unrelated to vaccine strains.
CXCL9 Associated with Sustained Virological Response in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Peginterferon Alfa-2a Therapy: A Pilot Study

Background and Aims There is lack of a practical biomarker to predict sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN). The aim of this pilot study was to identify immunological features associated with SVR. Methods Consecutive 74 CHB patients receiving 24 weeks (for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive) or 48 weeks (for HBeAg-negative) PEG-IFN, were prospectively enrolled. Serum HBV viral loads, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), CXCL9, IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were measured at baseline and week 12. SVR was defined as HBeAg seroconversion combined with viral load <2000 IU/mL in HBeAg-positive (n=36), and viral load <2000 IU/mL in HBeAg-negative patients (n=38) at 48 weeks after the end of treatment. Results Nineteen patients (25.7%), 7 in HBeAg-positive and 12 in HBeAg-negative, achieved SVR. There were significant declines of HBV DNA, HBsAg, IP-10 and IFN-γ levels at week 12. In multivariate analysis, pre-treatment CXCL9 >80 pg/mL, HBV DNA <2.5 x 107 IU/mL and on-treatment HBV viral load, HBsAg decline >10% at week 12 were predictors of SVR. The performance of CXCL9 in predicting SVR was good in patients with HBV DNA <2.5 x 107 IU/mL, particularly in HBeAg-negative CHB cases (positive predictive value, PPV= 64.3%). Conclusions Pre-treatment CXCL9 level has the potential to select CHB patients who can respond to PEG-IFN, especially in HBeAg-negative patients with low viral loads.
Quantifying Clinical HPV4 Dose Inefficiencies in a Safety Net Population

Purpose HPV4 is the most expensive vaccine requiring three appropriately timed doses to provide maximal efficacy against two oncogenic HPV types. The primary purpose of this study is to quantify the use of HPV4 vaccine in a safety net health care system in terms of its inefficiencies. Methods A retrospective study of HPV4 dosing from 2006–2009, among females 10–26 years old who sought care in a safety net health care system was conducted to determine dose usage patterns among those at highest risk for cervical cancer. Dose descriptors abstracted from the electronic medical record (EMR) included timing and number in series as well as characteristics of the person to whom and visit at which the dose was given. Dose inefficiencies were separated into “less than three doses” and “mistimed doses” for analysis. Results The majority (66%) of HPV4 doses administered were insufficient to induce the maximal immune response necessary for HPV infection prevention. Among on-time doses, 58% were singleton or doublet doses. Mistimed doses accounted for 19% of all doses administered with late intervals being more common than early intervals among those receiving more than one dose (9% vs. 4%, p<0.001). Third doses were mistimed twice as often as second doses (10% vs. 5%, p<0.001). Black women were more likely to have a mistimed second dose and Hispanic women more likely to have a mistimed third dose compared to white women (OR = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.11, 2.61 and 2.44 (1.19, 5.00), respectively). The HPV4-only visit type at which HPV4 was initiated was the most significant predictor of on-time doublet completion. Conclusions In a safety net health care system the large inefficiencies associated with HPV4 vaccination must be addressed in order to maximize our patient’s cervical cancer prevention.
Overlap and Uniqueness: Linguistic Componential Traits Contributing to Expressive Skills in English as a Foreign Language

This study identified robust predictors of expressive skills in academic English as a foreign language. The participants were 92 Korean-speaking learners of English. The field test of the Pearson Test of English Academic was used as a secondary data analysis. Four communicative skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and six enabling linguistic traits (written discourse, oral fluency, grammar, pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary) were analyzed using writing and speaking skills as dependent variables. The greatest overlapping variance was found in the relationship between reading and writing. When listening and speaking skills were controlled, the unique variance accounted by reading in the prediction of writing became marginal. The results of this study demonstrated that L2 oral language skills became increasingly important to L2 writing outcomes as language proficiency improved over time.
Achieving Legitimacy in Cross-Border Higher Education: Institutional Influences on Chinese International Branch Campuses in South East Asia

All universities must achieve legitimacy, as this is essential to attract students, staff, and resources, including funding. To achieve legitimacy in transnational higher education, universities must conform to the rules and belief systems in the host countries. Adopting a case study approach, this research aims to investigate the different institutional influences on three Chinese international branch campuses (IBCs) that operate in South East Asia. The institutional factors behind the strategies taken in establishing and operating such branch campuses are discussed, as well as the different legitimacy building strategies adopted to counteract the liability of foreignness in the host countries. It was found that legitimacy is established through three modes: legitimacy conformity, selective legitimacy conformity/nonconformity, and legitimacy creation, which are adopted according to the IBC’s dependence on local resources and the strength of the institutional forces in the host country.
Probabilistic Inference in Hybrid Domains by Weighted Model Integration

Weighted model counting (WMC) on a propositional knowledge base is an effective and general approach to probabilistic inference in a variety of formalisms, including Bayesian and Markov Networks. However, an inherent limitation of WMC is that it only admits the inference of discrete probability distributions. In this paper, we introduce a strict generalization of WMC called weighted model integration that is based on annotating Boolean and arithmetic constraints, and combinations thereof. This methodology is shown to capture discrete, continuous and hybrid Markov networks. We then consider the task of parameter learning for a fragment of the language. An empirical evaluation demonstrates the applicability and promise of the proposal.
Leader-member exchange and leader identification: comparison and integration

The purpose of this paper is to compare and integrate leader-member exchange (LMX) and leader identification (LID) as concurrently functioning mediators between three leadership styles (individual-focused transformational, contingent reward, and benevolent paternalistic) and two citizenship behaviors (helping and taking charge). ,Data included 395 stable, independent leader-follower dyads from numerous Chinese organizations. Partial least squares structural equation modeling and relative weight analysis were used in data analyses. ,In established, steady-state leader-member alliances, LMX was the dominant explanation between various leadership styles and helping; whereas LID explained leadership effects on taking charge. Three-stage indirect effects of leadership-LMX-LID-taking charge were found. Also, LMX and LID related to the three focal leadership styles in distinct ways. ,Limitations include cross-sectional data. Strengths include a large, multi-source field sample. Implications include that LMX and LID provide different prosocial motivations; LMX indirectly engenders stronger other-orientation through LID; and the nature of indirect leadership effects via LID is more sensitive to the nature of the focal leadership styles. LMX and LID together provide a package of prosocial motivations. ,Leaders interested in increasing employees’ helping vs taking charge behaviors can be more effective by understanding the different motivational potentials of LMX vs LID. Leaders also need to choose appropriate behavioral styles when they activate LMX vis-a-vis LID. ,This study integrates multiple leadership theories to provide a nuanced account of how social exchange and self-concept explain leadership at the interpersonal level when leadership styles, LMX, and LID are stable.
Bleeding following pregnancy loss before 6 weeks' gestation.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy loss before 6 weeks' gestation is common, but little has been reported about the associated bleeding. We compared women's bleeding following a pregnancy loss before 6 weeks' gestation with their typical menstruation. METHODS Women provided daily urine samples while trying to become pregnant and recorded the number of pads and tampons used each day. Thirty-six women had complete bleed data for a loss before 6 weeks' gestation and one or more non-pregnant cycles. RESULTS Mean bleed length following a pregnancy loss was 0.4 days longer than the woman's average menstrual bleed (P = 0.01), primarily because of more days of light bleeding. Although there was no overall increase in the total number of pads plus tampons used, women with losses bled less than their typical menses following pregnancies of very short duration and more than usual for the pregnancies lasting the longest. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the bleeding associated with pregnancy loss before 6 weeks' gestation is similar to menstrual bleeding and unlikely to be recognized as pregnancy loss. The intriguing finding that pregnancies of very short duration were associated with less bleeding than the woman's typical menses might reflect endometrial factors associated with loss.
Conceptualisation of a national integrated credit bureau (NICB) in a developing country context

The financial crisis of 2008 was triggered by a liquidity shortfall in the banking systems of major global economic players, which resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions and businesses, loss of jobs and lack of confidence in global economy. A number of developing countries e.g., Nigeria had long been experiencing liquidity shortfall in the banking system due to a highly disintegrated credit management system that has resulted in a high ratio of non-performing credits. The review of literature indicates that a large number of African countries do not have an integrated national credit bureau system. This has resulted in individuals incurring credits beyond their income capacities through the use of single collateral for multiple loans. The research reported in this paper focuses on the development of a conceptual framework for an integrated national credit bureau databank. The proposed framework recognises the uniqueness of the African traditional credit system, which is still predominant in most African societies.