Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cold chain management practices of health care workers in primary health care facilities in Southern Nigeria

Introduction Vaccination has caused a dramatic reduction in the threat of diseases that were once widespread and often times fatal. The efficient practice of cold chain management is therefore key to ensuring that the benefits of vaccination are sustained. The objective of this study is to assess the practice of cold chain management among health workers in primary health care facilities in Benin City, Edo State. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. The study population consisted of registered nurses, auxiliary nurses and community health extension workers in primary health care facilities in Benin City, Edo State. The tool for data collection was pre-tested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Bivariate analysis between socio-demographic variables and practice of cold chain management was done. Binary logistic regression was also done to determine significant predictors of practice of cold chain management. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all associations. Results A total of 425 respondents participated in this study. Over two-thirds of respondents 314 (73.9%) had good practice of cold chain management. Significant determinants of practice of cold chain management were cold chain management training (p = 0.004), presence of functional refrigerators (p = 0.016), NPI supervision (p < 0.001) and higher level of education (p < 0.001). Conclusion The practice of cold chain management among respondents was fair. All stakeholders should ensure they work collectively towards ensuring that favorable environments which would improve the practice among health workers are put in place.
Long-Term Results in Ossiculoplasty: An Analysis of Prognostic Factors

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to examine the prognostic factors based on 6-month and 5-year results of ossiculoplasty. Study Design: Retrospective analysis was made on the ossiculoplasty cases in a county hospital. The information was extracted from a computer database. Methods: All patients who had ossiculoplasty were routinely followed up in a dedicated ear audit clinic on a yearly basis. Between 1988 and 1999, 242 ossiculoplasties for chronic otitis media were performed on 197 patients. Only the first ossiculoplasty operation performed on each patient during the study period was included in the analysis. The 6-month and 5-year results were analyzed. Two different statistical methods were used-logistic regression analysis and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). A successful ossiculoplasty is defined as a postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) of 20 dB or better. Results: The overall success rate of ossiculoplasty was 66.5% at 6 months and 50.3% at 5 years. In a multivariate analysis using logistic regression, those with present malleus were 6.36 times more likely to be successful. Using ANOVA, absent malleus and otorrhea were unfavorable factors of the 6-month ABG. Using logistic regression for the 5-year analysis, malleus remained a significant predictor at 5 years. Those with malleus were 2.65 times more likely to be successful. Using ANOVA, absent malleus was the only significant unfavorable factor of postoperative ABG at 5 years. In the univariate analysis, absent stapes and revision surgery are regarded as possible unfavorable factors. Conclusion: In the present study, the authors try to define the studied population (chronic otitis media) and the follow-up period (6 months and 5 years), and use logistic regression and ANOVA for statistical analysis. Absent malleus and otorrhea are important unfavorable factors for short-term outcome in ossiculoplasty (6 months), whereas absent malleus is the only important unfavorable factor for long-term outcome in ossiculoplasty (5 years).
Efficacy and safety of intraoperative intracameral mydriasis in manual small incision cataract surgery - A randomized controlled trial

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of intracameral mydriatic solution, as compared to preoperative topical mydriatics, in patients undergoing manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) under peribulbar anesthesia. To assess the sustainability of intracameral mydriasis in MSICS by monitoring pupil size at specific junctures during the surgery. Methods: This trial recruited 127 patients, who underwent MSICS under peribulbar block. Mydriasis in topical group was achieved with preoperative topical dilating drops while patients in intracameral group were taken up for surgery without dilation, and mydriasis was achieved intraoperatively with intracameral solution. Pupil sizes were measured serially, at six different junctures during surgery. Time duration of surgery, any intraoperative complications and first postoperative day visual acuity, corneal edema score, and anterior chamber inflammation score were noted in all patients. Results: Mean pupil size just before peribulbar block was 7.3 mm in topical group and 3.3 mm in intracameral group (P < 0.001). Mean pupil size in intracameral group increased to 7.3 mm 30 s after injecting intracameral dilating solution. Mean pupil size in both groups progressively reduced, reaching 5.5 mm (topical group) and 6.2 mm (intracameral group) just before intraocular lens implantation (P = 0.001), and measured 5.1 mm and 5.5 mm, respectively, at the end of surgery (P = 0.048). On first postoperative day, there was no significant difference in distribution of corneal edema scores, AC inflammation scores, and in median logMAR visual acuity between the two groups. Conclusions: MSICS can be performed effectively and safely utilizing intracameral mydriatic solution, without the use of preoperative dilating drops. Trial registration: CTRI/2016/06/007036
Only two of the Trichomonas vaginalis triplet AP51 adhesins are regulated by iron.

The sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis cytoadheres to the vaginal epithelium, and four candidate trichomonad adhesins have been identified. One such protein, termed AP51, was characterized further. To do this, we studied a 1 kb cDNA clone (AP51.2) isolated from a phagemid expression library, which encoded a fusion protein of approximately 38 kDa that was immuno-crossreactive with anti-AP51 serum and retained functional adhesive properties. We performed 5'-PCR amplification to recover the missing 5' end in order to provide the complete cDNA sequence for the gene encoded by AP51.2 (ap51-2). Other PCR products revealed almost complete sequences for two additional ap51 genes, making AP51 a member of a multigene family of at least three distinct proteins and genes. The ap51-1 and ap51-3 genes each encoded for 407 amino acids while ap51-2 encoded 408 amino acids, and not unexpectedly, these genes had a high percent identity at the DNA and amino acid levels. Mapping confirmed the sequence distinctions and uniqueness of the three ap51 genes. Southern analysis using gene-specific probes revealed the single copy nature of each of the ap51 genes, all of which were present among the numerous agar clones of single trichomonads of the isolates tested. Importantly, Northern analysis showed transcriptional regulation by iron of only the ap51-1 and ap51-3 genes but not ap51-2, perhaps indicating the presence of two bona fide isoforms of the ap51 genes. The 3'-untranslated region of ap51-3 had a short poly (A) tail as well as the sequence motif AUUUA, which may relate to differential degradation of ap51-3 transcripts, in comparison to ap51-1 and ap51-2. Finally, the ap51 genes had partial homology to the beta-subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase, reinforcing the idea that molecular mimicry may play a role in host parasitism by T. vaginalis.
Defrosting performance on hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and micro-patterned gradient heat transfer surfaces

In the current article, differences in drainage rates and defrosting effectiveness were explored for surfaces of differing wettability. Both patterned and nonpatterned surfaces were explored. Seven surfaces were examined in all—an uncoated, untreated aluminum plate (Sample 1), an identical surface treated with a hydrophilic coating (Sample 2), a surface containing evenly spaced microchannels with and without a hydrophobic coating (Samples 3 and 4), and a surface containing a microstructural roughness gradient with and without a hydrophobic coating (Samples 5 and 6). Cyclical tests consisting of three frosting/defrosting events were performed on each sample. Each cycle consisted of 1 hour of frost growth, followed by 10 minutes of defrost and drainage. The frost layer was grown on the surface inside an environmental test chamber under controlled operating conditions. The surface temperature, air temperature, and relative humidity were recorded to ensure that constant conditions were maintained during each experiment. Overall, the surface defrosting effectiveness varied from 52%–77% across all surfaces depending on the test conditions, with one test showing slightly lower percentages. The present data show that only small differences were observed in the defrosting effectiveness between the samples. The gradient surfaces did, however, remove slightly more water from the surface during defrosting (as compared to the baseline) when the frost was grown at colder surface temperatures. The average increase in defrosting effectiveness was 2%–4% for Surface 6 versus Surface 1 at Tw = −12°C. Interestingly, when the frost was grown at warmer surface temperatures, the gradient surfaces did not perform as well. However, in almost all cases the defrosting effectiveness increased as the surface temperature during the frost growth period was decreased. This finding suggests that defrosting effectiveness is intrinsically linked to the thermophysical properties of the grown frost layer.
Association of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the risk of colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

AIM To provide a quantitative assessment of the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS Systematic review was conducted thorough MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of knowledge databases till 31(st) January 2014. This meta-analysis included the cohort studies that illustrated relative risk (RR) or odds ratio estimates with 95%CI for the predictive risk of CRC by T2DM. Summary relative risks with 95%CI were analyzed by using an effects summary ratio model. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed by the Cochran's Q and I (2) statistics. RESULTS The meta analysis of 8 finally selected studies showed a positive correlation of T2DM with the risk of CRC as depicted by effects summary RR of 1.21 (95%CI: 1.02-1.42). Diabetic women showed greater risk of developing CRC as their effect summary RR of 1.22 (95%CI: 1.01-49) with significant overall Z test at 5% level of significance was higher than the effect summary RR of 1.17 (95%CI: 1.00-1.37) of men showing insignificant Z test. The effect summary RR of 1.19 with 95%CI of 1.07-1.33 indicate a positive relationship between DM and increased risk of CRC with significant heterogeneity (I (2) = 92% and P-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION Results from this systematic review and meta-analysis report that diabetic people have an increased risk of CRC as compared to non-diabetics.
Differences in incomes of physicians in the United States by race and sex: observational study

Objectives To estimate differences in annual income of physicians in the United States by race and sex adjusted for characteristics of physicians and practices. Design Cross sectional survey study. Setting Nationally representative samples of US physicians. Participants The 2000-13 American Community Survey (ACS) included 43 213 white male, 1698 black male, 15 164 white female, and 1252 black female physicians. The 2000-08 Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) physician surveys included 12 843 white male, 518 black male, 3880 white female, and 342 black female physicians. Main outcome measures Annual income adjusted for age, hours worked, time period, and state of residence (from ACS data). Income was adjusted for age, specialty, hours worked, time period, years in practice, practice type, and percentage of revenue from Medicare/Medicaid (from HSC physician surveys). Results White male physicians had a higher median annual income than black male physicians, whereas race was not consistently associated with median income among female physicians. For example, in 2010-13 in the ACS, white male physicians had an adjusted median annual income of $253 042 (95% confidence interval $248 670 to $257 413) compared with $188 230 ($170 844 to $205 616) for black male physicians (difference $64 812; P<0.001). White female physicians had an adjusted median annual income of $163 234 ($159 912 to 166 557) compared with $152 784 ($137 927 to $167 641) for black female physicians (difference $10 450; P=0.17). $100 000 is currently equivalent to about £69 000 (€89 000). Patterns were unaffected by adjustment for specialty and characteristics of practice in the HSC physician surveys. Conclusions White male physicians earn substantially more than black male physicians, after adjustment for characteristics of physicians and practices, while white and black female physicians earn similar incomes to each other, but significantly less than their male counterparts. Whether these differences reflect disparities in job opportunities is important to determine.
Adaptive complex wavelet-based filtering of EEG for extraction of evoked potential responses

We propose a new method for the extraction of auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) from an EEG signal. It is based on adaptive filtering of signals in the wavelet domain, where the transform used is a nearly shift-invariant complex wavelet transform (CWT). We compare our algorithm to two existing methods. The first simply consists of bandpass filtering the input EEG signal followed by linear averaging. The second method uses signal-adaptive filtering in the Fourier domain based on phase variance computed at each spectral component of the FFT. Realistic models of EEG and ABR are generated for this comparison. Results show that the wavelet-based method consistently outperforms the other two methods for ABR signals with an initial signal-to-noise ratio less than -20 dB.
Evaluation of Candida Colonization and Specific Humoral Responses against Candida albicans in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

The aim of this study was to assess the candidal colonization and specific humoral responses against Candida albicans in patients with atopic dermatitis. One hundred patients with atopic dermatitis and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Skin and oral specimens from all participants were cultured on CHROMagar Candida medium. Isolated yeasts were identified by using the sequence of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. ELISA was used for detection of IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies against C. albicans in sera of participants. Candida species were isolated from the skin and oral cavity of 31% of the patients and 12% of the controls. There was no significant difference between Candida colonization in patients and controls (P>0.05). Candida albicans was isolated from the skin and oral cavity of 23% of the patients and 6% of the controls (P< 0.05). There were no significant differences between serum levels of IgM and IgA in patients and controls (P>0.05). Serum level of IgG was significantly lower in patients than in controls (P<0.05). Type of Candida colonization can change in patients with atopic dermatitis. In addition, these patients have abnormalities in the production of antibodies against Candida albicans that may have a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.
Monocular Visual-Inertial State Estimation for Mobile Augmented Reality

Mobile phones equipped with a monocular camera and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) are ideal platforms for augmented reality (AR) applications, but the lack of direct metric distance measurement and the existence of aggressive motions pose significant challenges on the localization of the AR device. In this work, we propose a tightly-coupled, optimization-based, monocular visual-inertial state estimation for robust camera localization in complex indoor and outdoor environments. Our approach does not require any artificial markers, and is able to recover the metric scale using the monocular camera setup. The whole system is capable of online initialization without relying on any assumptions about the environment. Our tightly-coupled formulation makes it naturally robust to aggressive motions. We develop a lightweight loop closure module that is tightly integrated with the state estimator to eliminate drift. The performance of our proposed method is demonstrated via comparison against state-of-the-art visual-inertial state estimators on public datasets and real-time AR applications on mobile devices. We release our implementation on mobile devices as open source software1.
Designing mobility models based on social network theory

Validation of mobile ad hoc network protocols relies almost exclusively on simulation. The value of the validation is, therefore, highly dependent on how realistic the movement models used in the simulations are. Since there is a very limited number of available real traces in the public domain, synthetic models for movement pattern generation must be used. However, most widely used models are currently very simplistic, their focus being ease of implementation rather than soundness of foundation. Simulation results of protocols are often based on randomly generated movement patterns and, therefore, may differ considerably from those that can be obtained by deploying the system in real scenarios. Movement is strongly affected by the needs of humans to socialise or cooperate, in one form or another. Fortunately, humans are known to associate in particular ways that can be mathematically modelled and that have been studied in social sciences for years. In this paper we propose a new mobility model founded on social network theory. The model allows collections of hosts to be grouped together in a way that is based on social relationships among the individuals. This clustering is then mapped to a topographical space, with movements influenced by the strength of social ties that may also change in time. We have validated our model with real traces by showing that the synthetic mobility traces are a very good approximation of human movement patterns. The impact of the adoption of the proposed algorithm on the performance of AODV and DSR is also presented and discussed.
Mining Concept Sequences from Large-Scale Search Logs for Context-Aware Query Suggestion

Query suggestion plays an important role in improving usability of search engines. Although some recently proposed methods provide query suggestions by mining query patterns from search logs, none of them models the immediately preceding queries as context systematically, and uses context information effectively in query suggestions. Context-aware query suggestion is challenging in both modeling context and scaling up query suggestion using context. In this article, we propose a novel context-aware query suggestion approach. To tackle the challenges, our approach consists of two stages. In the first, offline model-learning stage, to address data sparseness, queries are summarized into concepts by clustering a click-through bipartite. A concept sequence suffix tree is then constructed from session data as a context-aware query suggestion model. In the second, online query suggestion stage, a user’s search context is captured by mapping the query sequence submitted by the user to a sequence of concepts. By looking up the context in the concept sequence suffix tree, we suggest to the user context-aware queries. We test our approach on large-scale search logs of a commercial search engine containing 4.0 billion Web queries, 5.9 billion clicks, and 1.87 billion search sessions. The experimental results clearly show that our approach outperforms three baseline methods in both coverage and quality of suggestions.
A Framework for Mobile Data Offloading to Leased Cache-Endowed Small Cell Networks

Cache-endowed small cell networks constitute a timely and effective solution for mobile network operators (MNOs) who strive to serve the massive content demand of the mobile users. However, the deployment of small cell base stations (SBSs) requires significant economic investments, while site acquisition issues render it infeasible in several cases. Yet, one potentially explosive factor for network expansion remains unexploited, namely, an increasing number of residential users install in their premises privately-owned SBSs (femtocell or WiFi access points) in order to serve their own needs. In this work, we envision an MNO offering incentives to the SBS owners to cache and deliver content items requested by the nearby mobile users. We model the interaction between the MNO and the SBS owners as a Stackelberg game, and show that the incentive design problem requires to know the content caching policy, which in turn should be jointly derived with the request routing policy. We then introduce a framework for the joint derivation of incentive, caching and routing policies. Numerical results indicate that our mechanism provides a substantial potential for reducing the MNO's costs, depending on the willingness of the SBS owners to lease their resources and the spatio temporal characteristics of the mobile data demand.
On light and heavy traffic approximations of balanced fairness

Flow level analysis of communication networks with multiple shared resources is generally difficult. A recently introduced sharing scheme called balanced fairness has brought these systems within the realm of tractability. While straightforward in principle, the numerical evaluation of practically interesting performance metrics like per-flow throughput is feasible for limited state spaces only, besides some specific networks where the results are explicit. In the present paper, we study the behaviour of balanced fairness in light and heavy traffic regimes and show how the corresponding performance results can be used to approximate the flow throughput over the whole load range. The results apply to any network, with a state space of arbitrary dimension. A few examples are explicitly worked out to illustrate the concepts.