Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preconception Screening for Cytomegalovirus: An Effective Preventive Approach

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of sensorineural hearing loss and delayed psychomotor development. Viral transmission to the fetus is far more likely to occur following a primary than a secondary maternal infection. Primary prevention seems to be the best means to reduce the burden of congenital CMV due to the lack of treatment options during pregnancy. We evaluated this approach on a cohort of 500 women planning pregnancy who attended our fertility clinic. Of the 444 who underwent CMV screening, 18 (4.1%) had positive IgM serology for CMV; of these, IgG avidity was high in 12 (remote infection) and low in 6 (recent infection). The latter were advised to delay pregnancy. All women who were seroimmune for CMV (366/444, 82.4%), including the 12 with remote infection, continued fertility treatment. The remaining patients (72/444, 16.2%), who were not immune to CMV at the initial screen, were advised to minimize CMV exposure by improving personal hygiene and to continue fertility treatment. None of the 69/72 (95.8%) women who were followed for one year were infected with CMV. Cytomegalovirus testing and counselling at preconception seemed effective in reducing CMV exposure in pregnancy.
Poverty, Parenting, Peer, and Neighborhood Influences on Young Adolescent Antisocial Behavior

Abstract Data from a sample of 963, 10- to 12-year-old children from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth were used to evaluate the parenting practices and environmental influences that explain the relation between poverty and antisocial behavior two years later. Results indicate that deviant peer pressure and neighborhood problems partially mediate the relation between poverty and young adolescent antisocial behavior. The parenting practices and environmental influences that predict antisocial behavior do not vary by the child's gender or race/ethnicity, and vary little by the child's age. Findings suggest that when environmental risk is high, authoritarian parenting strategies result in lower levels of antisocial behavior.
Excess Screen Time in US Children

We describe the association of screen time in excess of American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations (≤2 h/d) with family television-use policies and regular nonscreen activities among US school-aged children. Data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health were used. The sum of minutes spent on television, videos, video games, and recreational computer use was calculated for children 6 to 17 years old. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate relative odds of exceeding American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines and of heavy screen use (>4 h/d) for varying family media-use policies and frequency of alternative activities (physical activity and family meals). In all, 49% of school-aged children had screen time >2 h/d and 16% had screen time >4 h/d. Lower frequency of family meals, presence of TV in the bedroom, absence of rules about TV viewing, and less physical activity were associated with both >2 and >4 hours per day of screen time.
Classifying daily patterns in long duration network traces

Models of network traffic for use in simulation should be representative of the traffic observed on the type of day they are trying to replicate. Building a model from a single day or small number of days makes it prone to overfitting or being unduly influenced by unusual events. With very long duration traces such as the multiple-year spanning Waikato datasets captured by the WAND Network Research Group it is possible to more accurately characterise behaviour and define appropriate boundaries for when traffic is similar enough and when it is different. We present here an approach to identifying and describing discrete ldquotypesrdquo of days within these traces and what differences are important to distinguish between them. By applying machine learning techniques to the long duration traces it is possible to describe and simulate a generic day of a specific type without it being explicitly based on a particular day. The resulting parameters are used to configure a number of popular traffic generators which are then evaluated using the same criteria with which the model was built.
Characterization of a Grape Class IV Chitinase

A chitinase was purified from Vitis vinifera Manzoni Bianco grape juice and characterized. On the basis of proteomic analysis of tryptic peptides, a significant match identified the enzyme as a type IV grape chitinase previously found in juices of other V. vinifera varieties. The optimal pH and temperature for activity toward colloidal chitin were found to be 6 and 30 °C, respectively. The enzyme was found to hydrolyze chitin and oligomers of N-acetylglucosamine, generating N,N′-diacetylchitobiose and N-acetylglucosamine as products, but was inactive toward N,N′-diacetylchitobiose. The enzyme exhibited both endo- and exochitinase activities. Because yeast contains a small amount of chitin in the cell wall, the possibility of growth inhibition was tested. At a concentration and pH expected in ripe grapes, no inhibition of wine yeast growth by the chitinase was observed.
Magnetic-activated cell sorting for sperm preparation reduces spermatozoa with apoptotic markers and improves the acrosome reaction in couples with unexplained infertility.

BACKGROUND Couples with unexplained infertility (UI) tend to have low fertilization rates with current IVF procedures. Here, we attempted to identify spermatozoa with apoptotic markers in couples with UI and unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) and we investigated the efficiency and benefit of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) for sperm preparation in such patients. METHODS Sixty couples with UI and two IUI failures were recruited. The sperm were prepared by conventional density gradient centrifugation (DGC) and divided into two aliquots. One aliquot was used as a control and the other was further processed by MACS (D + M). Apoptotic markers were identified using fluorescence-labeled dye and flow cytometry, including externalization of phosphatidylserine (EPS), disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and DNA fragmentation. The fertilization potential of prepared spermatozoa was analyzed by basic semen analysis, computer-aided sperm analysis and the induced acrosome reaction test (IART). RESULTS After DGC, spermatozoa showed 18.6% EPS, 28.3% disrupted MMP and 13.5% DNA fragmentation. Numbers of spermatozoa with apoptotic markers were significantly reduced by D + M, versus DGC alone (P < 0.001). Although the motility of spermatozoa was slightly decreased after MACS, most sperm motion characteristics were not impaired. Interestingly, the IART significantly improved after D + M, versus DGC alone, especially for the couples with a normal hemizona assay (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The spermatozoa prepared by D + M showed a reduced level of apoptotic markers. Improvement in the IART suggests a high fertilization potential of the processed spermatozoa. The identification of apoptotic markers and use of MACS may be helpful in directing the management plan for patients with UI and multiple IUI failures.
A Parametric fMRI Study of Overt and Covert Shifts of Visuospatial Attention

It has recently been demonstrated that a cortical network of visuospatial and oculomotor control areas is active for covert shifts of spatial attention (shifts of attention without eye movements) as well as for overt shifts of spatial attention (shifts of attention with saccadic eye movements). Studies examining activity in this visuospatial network during attentional shifts at a single rate have given conflicting reports about how the activity differs for overt and covert shifts. To better understand how the network subserves attentional shifts, we performed a parametric study in which subjects made either overt attentional shifts or covert attentional shifts at three different rates (0.2, 1.0, and 2.0 Hz). At every shift rate, both overt and covert shifts of visuospatial attention induced activations in the precentral sulcus, intraparietal sulcus, and lateral occipital cortex that were of greater amplitude for overt than during covert shifting. As the rate of attentional shifts increased, responses in the visuospatial network increased in both overt and covert conditions but this parametric increase was greater during overt shifts. These results confirm that overt and covert attentional shifts are subserved by the same network of areas. Overt shifts of attention elicit more neural activity than do covert shifts, reflecting additional activity associated with saccade execution. An additional finding concerns the anatomical organization of the visuospatial network. Two distinct activation foci were observed within the precentral sulcus for both overt and covert attentional shifts, corresponding to specific anatomical landmarks. We therefore reappraise the correspondence of these two precentral areas with the frontal eye fields.
The stability and attitudinal correlates of warmth and caring in medical students

Summary. It is often said that medical school admits students who are compassionate, nurturant and person‐oriented, and transforms them into cold, impersonal graduates. These attributes describe two ends of a personality trait continuum referred to as psychological femininity. The Femininity Scale of the Personal Attributes Questionnaire was administered to a class of medical students four times over 3 years. Measures of empathy, attitudes towards doctor‐patient relations and attitudes towards professional psychological help were also obtained. Femininity appears to be normally distributed, remarkably stable over a 28‐month interval and predictive of attitudinal measures of empathy, readiness to make psychiatric referrals, recognition of one's own need for psychological help, and a non‐cynical, person‐oriented approach to patient care. Such findings suggest a different state of affairs within medical training than is usually portrayed. Rather than viewing medical school as having a universally adverse effect on student compassion, medical school has virtually no effect on self‐reports of warmth, kindness, helpfulness, etc. Students at different ends of the femininity continuum may require different interventions aimed at teaching communication skills and interpersonal sensitivity.
An Approach to Political Philosophy: Locke in Contexts

Part I. A Philosophy of Limited Government: 1. An introduction to Locke's political philosophy Part II. Property Disputes: 2. After the Macpherson thesis 3. The framework of natural rights in Locke's analysis of property 4. Differences in the interpretation of Locke on property 5. Rediscovering America: the two treatises and aboriginal rights Part III. Governing Subjects: 6. Governing conduct: Locke on the reform of thought and behaviour 7. Rights in abilities 8. Progress and scepticism Part IV. Freedom and Revolution: 9. Liberty and natural law 10. Political freedom.
Perceptions of the Etiology and Treatment of Hypertension Among Some Traditional Healers in Cameroon

Objectives: To investigate the perceptions of the etiology and treatment of hypertension among a number of traditional healers reputed to treat the disease in Yaounde. Methods: Semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were administered to 30 selected participants to collect information. Data were collected within the consulting rooms of the traditional caregivers. Findings: Most traditional health caregivers thought that hypertension was associated with target organs such as the heart, brain, liver and kidneys. Over 23% of participants used modern equipment to diagnose the disease or sent their patients to western hospitals for diagnoses before recommending treatment. However, close to 5% of our participants used mystical methods to diagnose hypertension in their patients. Importantly, all traditional healers depended on the patients' testimony or physical appearance to determine treatment success. Conclusion: The tools and methods used by many traditional healers to diagnose hypertension are inadequate. Treatment endpoints fail to recognize the need for the long-term management of hypertension.
Medical specialists’ accounts of the impact of the Internet on the doctor/patient relationship

In the context of health service delivery, deprofessionalization denotes a trend towards a demystification of medical expertise and increasing lay scepticism about health professionals, suggesting a decline in the power and status of the medical profession. This process has been linked to increasing consumerism, the rise of complementary medicine and the emergence of the Internet. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews with prostate cancer specialists, this article explores their experiences of the Internet user within the context of the medical consultation. Results suggest that the deprofessionalization thesis is inadequate for capturing the complex and varying ways in which specialists view, and respond to, the Internet-informed patient. It is argued that the ways in which these specialists are adapting to the Internet and the Internet user should be viewed as strategic responses, rather than reflecting a breakdown in their authority or status. ‘Enlistment’ and ‘translation’ are presented as useful conceptual tools for understanding specialists’ experiences of the Internet.
A Study on SMO-Type Decomposition Methods for Support Vector Machines

Decomposition methods are currently one of the major methods for training support vector machines. They vary mainly according to different working set selections. Existing implementations and analysis usually consider some specific selection rules. This paper studies sequential minimal optimization type decomposition methods under a general and flexible way of choosing the two-element working set. The main results include: 1) a simple asymptotic convergence proof, 2) a general explanation of the shrinking and caching techniques, and 3) the linear convergence of the methods. Extensions to some support vector machine variants are also discussed.
Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Is Involved in Stress-Fiber and Membrane Ruffle Formation in Endothelial Cells

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells, where it has been implicated in cellular reorganization during angiogenesis, as well as in endothelial retraction and changes in vessel permeability. However, the cellular functions of VASP are not known. In this study, we have expressed wild-type and mutant forms of VASP in endothelial cells to determine in what aspects of cytoskeletal behavior this protein participates. Expression of wild-type VASP induces marked membrane ruffling and formation of prominent stress fibers in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Deletion of the proline-rich domain of VASP abolishes its ability to bind profilin but does not affect ruffling or stress fiber formation. Further deletions reveal a sequence within the carboxy-terminal domain that is responsible for in vivo bundle formation. Ruffling occurs only on the expression of forms of VASP that possess bundling activity and the capacity to bind zyxin/vinculin-derived peptide. The ability of distinct subdomains within VASP to bind adhesion proteins and induce F-actin bundling in vivo suggests that this protein could function in the aggregation and tethering of actin filaments during the formation of endothelial cell–substrate and cell-cell contacts. These data provide a mechanism whereby VASP can influence endothelial migration and organization during capillary formation and modulate vascular permeability via effects on endothelial cell contractility.
University Students’ Attitudes and Behaviours Towards Smoking and Exercise

This study investigated the validity of Planned Behaviour Theory in the smoking and exercise behavioural domains and whether positive attitudes towards exercise were negatively related to attitudes to smoking. The study also examined whether role identity, attitude strength, knowledge and information would explain variance in smoking and exercise intentions additional to that already explained by attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Gender differences were also examined. The sample consisted of 324 university students, 114 men and 210 women, aged 18–22 years (Mean=20.17 years) who responded to questionnaires related to smoking and exercise behaviours. The questionnaire was constructed based on Planned Behaviour Theory. The results indicated that positive attitudes and behaviours towards exercise were associated with negative attitudes and behaviours towards weekly and monthly smoking. In line with Planned Behaviour Theory, attitudes and perceived behavioural control were significant predictors of intentions, but role identity was also found to contribute significantly to the explanation of intentions. Women had stronger attitudes towards exercise but a very small percentage of them exercised. It was shown that exercise could be used as a behaviour that will help people avoid smoking. Physical education could play a significant role if smoking prevention is combined with the promotion of exercise in a health‐related physical education programme.
Stress and Physical Health Deterioration in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

The author examines how characteristics of evacuation management and FEMA trailer park communities affect hurricane evacuees' physical health. His objectives are (1) to examine to what extent typical factors influence physical health in post-disaster contexts, (2) to identify factors specific to the evacuation process and residential environment that exacerbate physical health, and (3) to expand the theoretical applicability of the stress process model by analyzing physical health under disaster conditions. Using survey data collected from 303 evacuees residing in FEMA trailer parks in Louisiana, the author estimates three nested regression models. Conditions of the evacuation process—loss of full-time employment, number of residences, and duration of residences, and FEMA trailer park environment—and sense of belonging and obstacles to involvement affect physical health when controlling for typical factors, indicating social support and social integration buffer the stress of residential instability. Findings necessitate attention to residential stability, social integration, and community involvement in disaster recovery.
A Common-Sense Theory of Time

The literature on the nature and representation of time is full of disputes and contradictory theories. This is surprising since the nature of time does not cause any worry for people in their everyday coping with the world. What this suggests is that there is some form of common sense knowledge about time that is rich enough to enable people to deal with the world, and which is universal enough to enable cooperation and communication between people. In this paper, we propose such a theory and defend it in two different ways. We axiomatic a theory of time in terms of intervals and the single relation MEET. We then show that this axiomatization subsumes Allen's interval-based theory. We then extend the theory by formally defining the beginnings and endings of intervals and show that these have the properties we normally would associate with points. We distinguish between these point-like objects and the concept of moment as hypothesized in discrete time models. Finally, we examine the theory in terms of each of several different models.
Complex wavelet regularization for solving inverse problems in remote sensing

Many problems in remote sensing can be modeled as the minimization of the sum of a data term and a prior term. We propose to use a new complex wavelet based prior and an efficient scheme to solve these problems. We show some results on a problem of image reconstruction with noise, irregular sampling and blur. We also show a comparison between two widely used priors in image processing: sparsity and regularity priors.
Primary proliferating immature myeloid cells from CML patients are not resistant to induction of apoptosis by DNA damage and growth factor withdrawal

Induction of apoptosis by growth factor deprivation or gamma‐irradiation‐induced DNA damage was directly studied in proliferating primary haemopoietic cells derived from CD34‐positive cells of 13 CML patients and 12 normal controls. CD34‐positive cells were cultured in the presence of appropriate concentrations of SCF and G‐CSF for 5–7 d. After gamma irradiation with 500 rad or growth factor deprivation, the fraction of apoptotic cells was assessed by two independent methods applying either measurement of cells incorporating FITC‐labelled dUTP by terminal transferase or assessment of the fraction of cells with a less than 2N DNA content in flow cytometry.
Social media use and participation: a meta-analysis of current research

Social media has skyrocketed to popularity in the past few years. The Arab Spring in 2011 as well as the 2008 and 2012 Obama campaigns have fueled interest in how social media might affect citizens’ participation in civic and political life. In response, researchers have produced 36 studies assessing the relationship between social media use and participation in civic and political life. This manuscript presents the results of a meta-analysis of research on social media use and participation. Overall, the metadata demonstrate a positive relationship between social media use and participation. More than 80% of coefficients are positive. However, questions remain about whether the relationship is causal and transformative. Only half of the coefficients were statistically significant. Studies using panel data are less likely to report positive and statistically significant coefficients between social media use and participation, compared to cross-sectional surveys. The metadata also suggest that social media use has minimal impact on participation in election campaigns.
A Path Model of the Relationship between Career Indecision, Androgyny, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Esteem

Utilizing a path model, this study investigated the relationship between Androgyny and career decision-making among 91 high school girls. The constructs included in the model were Androgyny as assessed by the Bern Sex-role Inventory, Self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Self-efficacy as assessed by the Wulff-Steitz Career Self-efficacy Scale, and Career Indecision as assessed by the Osipow Career Decision Scale. The results indicated that Androgyny scores were significantly associated with those on Self-esteem, Self-esteem with Self-efficacy, and Self-efficacy with Career Indecision. The results are discussed in terms of the usefulness of path models in clarifying complex interrelationships.
The Impact of Multiple Losses on the Grieving Process: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT Twenty-eight responders (23 women, 5 men) to an invitation in Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) publications were interviewed by telephone to assess the impact of multiple losses on the grieving process. All had experienced death(s). Most had also experienced self- or family injury, health problems, divorce or separation, or other problems. Grief lasted longest for losses close in time, was completed soonest when losses were more spaced apart, and required an intermediate amount of time for simultaneous losses. People generally grieved one loss at a time, even for simultaneous losses. Personal injuries altered grieving patterns. Multiple losses affected individuals' health, marriages, faith, finances, jobs, emotions, and personalities.