Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examination of the community-specific prevalence of and factors associated with substance use and misuse among Rural and Urban adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Objective The community of residence (ie, urban vs rural) is one of the known factors of influence on substance use and misuse (SUM). The aim of this study was to explore the community-specific prevalence of SUM and the associations that exist between scholastic, familial, sports and sociodemographic factors with SUM in adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods In this cross-sectional study, which was completed between November and December 2014, the participants were 957 adolescents (aged 17 to 18 years) from Bosnia and Herzegovina (485; 50.6% females). The independent variables were sociodemographic, academic, sport and familial factors. The dependent variables consisted of questions on cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. We have calculated differences between groups of participants (gender, community), while the logistic regressions were applied to define associations between the independent and dependent variables. Results In the urban community, cigarette smoking is more prevalent in girls (OR=2.05; 95% CI 1.27 to 3.35), while harmful drinking is more prevalent in boys (OR=2.07; 95% CI 1.59 to 2.73). When data are weighted by gender and community, harmful drinking is more prevalent in urban boys (OR=1.97; 95% CI 1.31 to 2.95), cigarette smoking is more frequent in rural boys (OR=1.61; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.39), and urban girls misuse substances to a greater extent than rural girls (OR=1.70; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.51,OR=2.85; 95% CI 1.88 to 4.31,OR=2.78; 95% CI 1.67 to 4.61 for cigarette smoking, harmful drinking and simultaneous smoking-drinking, respectively). Academic failure is strongly associated with a higher likelihood of SUM. The associations between parental factors and SUM are more evident in urban youth. Sports factors are specifically correlated with SUM for urban girls. Conclusions Living in an urban environment should be considered as a higher risk factor for SUM in girls. Parental variables are more strongly associated with SUM among urban youth, most probably because of the higher parental involvement in children’ personal lives in urban communities (ie, college plans, for example). Specific indicators should be monitored in the prevention of SUM.
ZEB2 Mediates Multiple Pathways Regulating Cell Proliferation, Migration, Invasion, and Apoptosis in Glioma

Background The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of Zinc finger E-box Binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) in glioma and to explore the molecular mechanisms of ZEB2 that regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Methodology/Principal Findings Expression of ZEB2 in 90 clinicopathologically characterized glioma patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, siRNA targeting ZEB2 was transfected into U251 and U87 glioma cell lines in vitro and proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were examined separately by MTT assay, Transwell chamber assay, flow cytometry, and western blot. Results The expression level of ZEB2 protein was significantly increased in glioma tissues compared to normal brain tissues (P<0.001). In addition, high levels of ZEB2 protein were positively correlated with pathology grade classification (P = 0.024) of glioma patients. Knockdown of ZEB2 by siRNA suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as induced cell apoptosis in glioma cells. Furthermore, ZEB2 downregulation was accompanied by decreased expression of CDK4/6, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, E2F1, and c-myc, while p15 and p21 were upregulated. Lowered expression of ZEB2 enhanced E-cadherin levels but also inhibited β-Catenin, Vimentin, N-cadherin, and Snail expression. Several apoptosis-related regulators such as Caspase-3, Caspase-6, Caspase-9, and Cleaved-PARP were activated while PARP was inhibited after ZEB2 siRNA treatment. Conclusion Overexpression of ZEB2 is an unfavorable factor that may facilitate glioma progression. Knockdown ZEB2 expression by siRNA suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion and promoted cell apoptosis in glioma cells.
Black hole thermodynamics

• The realization from Quantum Mechanics that we can think of all matter-energy as waves. A document on this appears here. • The realization from classical physics that in a confined region, waves exist as standing waves. A document on this appears here. • The realization from thermodynamics that the entropy can be viewed as a measure of the number of combinations or permutations of an ensemble that are equivalent. This is equivalent to viewing the entropy more conventionally as a measure of the heat divided by the temperature of a body. According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, in a closed system the entropy never decreases. A document on Entropy appears here. • The realization from Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle that we can violate the principle of Conservation of Energy so long as we do it for only a short period of time. This is discussed in the next section of this document.
Clinical Spectrum, Etiology, and Outcome of Neurological Disorders in the Rural Hospital of Mosango, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract. There is little published information on the epidemiology of neurological disorders in rural Central Africa, although the burden is considered to be substantial. This study aimed to investigate the pattern, etiology, and outcome of neurological disorders in children > 5 years and adults admitted to the rural hospital of Mosango, province of Kwilu, Democratic Republic of Congo, with a focus on severe and treatable infections of the central nervous system (CNS). From September 2012 to January 2015, 351 consecutive patients hospitalized for recent and/or ongoing neurological disorder were prospectively evaluated by a neurologist, subjected to a set of reference diagnostic tests in blood or cerebrospinal fluid, and followed-up for 3–6 months after discharge. No neuroimaging was available. Severe headache (199, 56.7%), gait/walking disorders (97, 27.6%), epileptic seizure (87, 24.8%), and focal neurological deficit (86, 24.5%) were the predominant presentations, often in combination. Infections of the CNS were documented in 63 (17.9%) patients and mainly included bacterial meningitis and unspecified meningoencephalitis (33, 9.4%), second-stage human African trypanosomiasis (10, 2.8%), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related neurological disorders (10, 2.8%). Other focal/systemic infections with neurological manifestations were diagnosed in an additional 60 (17.1%) cases. The leading noncommunicable conditions were epilepsy (61, 17.3%), psychiatric disorders (56, 16.0%), and cerebrovascular accident (23, 6.6%). Overall fatality rate was 8.2% (29/351), but up to 23.8% for CNS infections. Sequelae were observed in 76 (21.6%) patients. Clinical presentations and etiologies of neurological disorders were very diverse in this rural Central African setting and caused considerable mortality and morbidity.
Economic Development, Insurgency, and Civil War

A solution is described that can be used to maintain the patency of an I.V. catheter or other vascular access device having a lumen. The density and osmolarity of the solution are adjusted so that the density and osmolarity of the solution are approximately equal to the density and osmolarity of whole blood in a patient. The solution can be injected into the lumen of the vascular access device to prevent blood from the patient from entering the lumen.
Adaptively Secure Fully Homomorphic Signatures Based on Lattices

In a homomorphic signature scheme, given the public key and a vector of signaturesσ := (σ1, . . . , σl) over l messages μ := (μ1, . . . , μl), there exists an efficient algorithm to produce a signature σ′ for μ = f(μ). Given the tuple (σ′, μ, f), anyone can then publicly verify the validity of the signature σ′. Inspired by the recent (selectively secure) key-homomorphic functional encryption for circuits, recent works propose fully homomorphic signature schemes in the selective security model. However, in order to gain adaptive security, one must rely on generic complexity leveraging, which is not only very inefficient but also leads to reductions that are “unfalsifiable”. In this paper, we construct the first adaptively secure homomorphic signature scheme that can evaluate any circuit over signed data. For poly-logarithmic depth circuits, our scheme achieves adaptive security under the standard Small Integer Solution (SIS) assumption. For polynomial depth circuits, the security of our scheme relies on sub-exponential SIS — but unlike complexity leveraging, the security loss in our reduction depends only on circuit depth and on neither message length nor dataset size.
Gender Differences in the Association between Sleep Duration and Body Composition: The Cardia Study

Sleep duration has been inversely associated with body mass index (BMI). We examined the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and BMI, waist circumference, and percent body fat in Black and White individuals from the CARDIA study. Box-Tidwell regression models were adjusted for age and race (Model 1), additional lifestyle and demographic variables (Model 2), and physical activity (Model 3). There were significant interactions between sleep and gender for the main outcome variables. In men, there was a trend for an inverse relationship between reported sleep duration and BMI in Model 2 (β = −0.20, P = .053) but not model 3 (β = −0.139, P = .191). In women, inverse relationships were observed between sleep duration and BMI (β = −0.294, P = .005) and waist circumference (β = −0.442, P = .059), in Model 2. These associations became nonsignificant in model 3 (BMI: β = −0.172, P = .084; waist circumference: β = −0.161, P = .474). Our results are consistent with previous findings that sleep is associated with BMI and other body composition variables. However, the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and body composition may be stronger in women than in men.
Constraints on the late Quaternary glacial history of the Inylchek and Sary-Dzaz valleys from in situ cosmogenic 10 Be and 26 Al , eastern Kyrgyz

Paleoclimatic constraints from regions at the confluence of major climate systems are particularly important in understanding past climate change. Using geomorphic mapping based on remote sensing and field investigations, combined with in situ cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al dating of boulders associated with glacial landforms, we investigate the chronology of past glaciation in the Inylchek and Sary-Dzaz valleys in the eastern Kyrgyz Tian Shan, a tectonically active area with some of the highest peaks in the world outside of the Himalayas. Cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al exposure ages of boulders on moraines record up to five glacial advances including: Lateglacial age lateral moraine remnants and meltwater channels in the upper Inylchek Valley; Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage [MIS] 2) moraines in the Sary-Dzaz Valley and in a terminal moraine complex at the west end of the Inylchek Valley, overriding older moraines; an MIS 4 or 5 moraine remnant above the Inylchek terminal moraine complex; and an older high moraine remnant down-valley from the confluence of the Inylchek and SaryDzaz valleys. The evidence for glacial extent in this study is consistent with a limited ice expansion hypothesis for Tian Shan glaciation. Published results from the western and central Kyrgyz Tian Shan do not show evidence for significant LGM glacier expansion, which in combination with the results presented here, indicate a spatial variation in glacier records along the Tian Shan. This may reflect either paleoclimatic gradients or the impact of local physiographic conditions on responses to regional climate
Antiretroviral Drug Resistance in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2

Scientists established long ago that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the causative agent of AIDS ([4][1], [30][2], [48][3]). HIV is known to severely damage the immune system by selectively infecting T-helper (CD4+) lymphocytes. This can lead to serious infections by agents that would
Oxymatrine on Hsp90a expression and apoptosis in a model of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury

The protective effects of oxymatrine (OMT) on apoptosis and heat shock protein 90a (Hsp90a) expression in a rabbit model of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) were investigated. The model of LIRI was established in rabbits and they were randomly divided into two groups: The control group (group C, n=10), and experimental group (further divided into groups E1, n=10; and group E2, n=10), to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in lung tissue homogenates at several time points (T0, 0 min; T1, 60 min; T2, 120 min; T3, 180 min; and T4, 240 min), and to measures changes in lung tissue wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), apoptosis index (AI), and Hsp90a expression and organization at T2, T3 and T4. Comparing group C with groups E1 and E2, the levels of SOD activity and MDA were not significantly different at T0 and T1 (P>0.05); W/D ratio and AI were significantly higher than in groups E1 and E2 (P<0.05, P<0.01); 120 min after LIR, MDA, W/D ratio, and AI were lower than in groups E1 and E2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). MDA, W/D ratio and AI were lower in E2 than in E1 (P<0.05), and SOD and Hsp90a expression increased (P<0.05). The ultrastructure in group E showed less injury compared with group C. In conclusion, by scavenging oxygen free radicals, OMT can inhibit apoptosis, increase Hsp90a expression, and reduce the injury caused by lung ischemia reperfusion.
Leadership Competencies: Time to Change the Tune?

This article indicates how the competency approach to leadership could be conceived of as a repeating refrain that continues to offer an illusory promise to rationalize and simplify the processes of selecting, measuring and developing leaders, yet only reflects a fragment of the complexity that is leadership. To make this argument we draw on two sets of data: a review of leadership competency frameworks and an analysis of participant reports from a reflective leadership development programme. A lexical analysis comparing the two data sets highlights a substantial difference with regards to the relative importance placed on the moral, emotional and relationship dimensions of leadership. The implications of these differences are considered, as are ways in which the competency approach could be aligned more closely with the current and future needs of leaders and organizations. In particular, we argue that a more discursive approach that helps to reveal and challenge underlying organizational assumptions is likely to be more beneficial if organizations are looking to move beyond individualistic notions of leadership towards more inclusive and collective forms. Methodological issues are also raised around the comparative analysis (both semantic and linguistic) of apparently incommensurable texts.
End-to-end congestion control for the internet: delays and stability

Under the assumption that queueing delays will eventually become small relative to propagation delays, we derive stability results for a fluid flow model of end-to-end Internet congestion control. The theoretical results of the paper are intended to be decentralized and locally implemented: each end system needs knowledge only of its own round-trip delay. Criteria for local stability and rate of convergence are completely characterized for a single resource, single user system. Stability criteria are also described for networks where all users share the same round-trip delay. Numerical experiments investigate extensions to more general networks. Through simulations, we are able to evaluate the relative importance of queueing delays and propagation delays on network stability. Finally, we suggest how these results may be used to design network resources.
Consumers’ intention to use e-money in Indonesia based on Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

This study investigates the consumers’ intention to use e-Money as micro payment transaction.E-money is a stored value or prepaid products that had recorded the funds or value and it can be done in online and offline transaction.Behavioral intention is a process in any type of actual behavior with giving the expression in making decision to the adoption of behavioral intention. This study integrates The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The conceptual framework of e-money transactions were reviewed to understand behavioral intention of consumers by using four dimensions of that theory; performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating condition.Furthermore, a perceived risk is considered to affect the consumers’ intention to use.Quantitative method will be utilized as sources of data collection.A total of one thousand and five hundred respondents will be selected using purposive sampling method in Jakarta, Indonesia.Descriptive analysis and Multiple Regression analysis will be conducted to analyze the data.The article ended with suggestion for future studies.
Nerves and blood vessels in degenerated intervertebral discs are confined to physically disrupted tissue

Nerves and blood vessels are found in the peripheral annulus and endplates of healthy adult intervertebral discs. Degenerative changes can allow these vessels to grow inwards and become associated with discogenic pain, but it is not yet clear how far, and why, they grow in. Previously we have shown that physical disruption of the disc matrix, which is a defining feature of disc degeneration, creates free surfaces which lose proteoglycans and water, and so become physically and chemically conducive to cell migration. We now hypothesise that blood vessels and nerves in degenerated discs are confined to such disrupted tissue. Whole lumbar discs were obtained from 40 patients (aged 37–75 years) undergoing surgery for disc herniation, disc degeneration with spondylolisthesis or adolescent scoliosis (‘non‐degenerated’ controls). Thin (5‐μm) sections were stained with H&E and toluidine blue for semi‐quantitative assessment of blood vessels, fissures and proteoglycan loss. Ten thick (30‐μm) frozen sections from each disc were immunostained for CD31 (an endothelial cell marker), PGP 9.5 and Substance P (general and nociceptive nerve markers, respectively) and examined by confocal microscopy. Volocity image analysis software was used to calculate the cross‐sectional area of each labelled structure, and its distance from the nearest free surface (disc periphery or internal fissure). Results showed that nerves and blood vessels were confined to proteoglycan‐depleted regions of disrupted annulus. The maximum distance of any blood vessel or nerve from the nearest free surface was 888 and 247 μm, respectively. Blood vessels were greater in number, grew deeper, and occupied more area than nerves. The density of labelled blood vessels and nerves increased significantly with Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration and with local proteoglycan loss. Analysing multiple thick sections with fluorescent markers on a confocal microscope allows reliable detection of thin filamentous structures, even within a dense matrix. We conclude that, in degenerated and herniated discs, blood vessels and nerves are confined to proteoglycan‐depleted regions of disrupted tissue, especially within annulus fissures.
Innovation Adoption by Forward-Looking Social Learners

Motivated by the rise of social media, we build a model studying the effect of an economy’s potential for social learning on the adoption of innovations of uncertain quality. Provided consumers are forward-looking (i.e., recognize the value of waiting for information), equilibrium dynamics depend non-trivially on qualitative and quantitative features of the informational environment. We identify informational environments that are subject to a saturation effect, whereby increased opportunities for social learning can slow down adoption and learning and do not increase consumer welfare. We also suggest a novel, purely informational explanation for different commonly observed adoption curves (S-shaped vs. concave).
An Improvement of Vegetation Height Estimation Using Multi-baseline Polarimetric Interferometric SAR Data

This paper proposes a method for improving the estimation accuracy of vegetation height using multi-baseline Polarimetric Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (Pol-InSAR) data. Single-baseline Pol-InSAR technique has been applied to retrieve the vegetation parameters based on the random volume over ground (RVoG) model. There are two main error sources which might decrease the estimation accuracy. One is the non-volumetric decorrelation, such as thermal noise decorrelation, temporal decorrelation, etc. The other is the ground ambiguity and ideal assumption that volume-only coherence can be acquired in at least one polarization. This assumption may fail when vegetation is thick, dense, or the penetration of electromagnetic wave is weak. This paper proposes a method to solve both the abovementioned two problems at the same time based on the use of multi-baseline Pol-InSAR data. Firstly, the two main error sources are analyzed and an inversion model for representing them is constructed based on the RVoG model. With the constructed model, inversion procedure for estimating vegetation height using the multi-baseline Pol-InSAR data is presented. The performance of this new method is validated using simulated data, and the ratio between baselines and their efiects on the estimation performance are also presented.
A Practical One-Shot Multispectral Imaging System Using a Single Image Sensor

Single-sensor imaging using the Bayer color filter array (CFA) and demosaicking is well established for current compact and low-cost color digital cameras. An extension from the CFA to a multispectral filter array (MSFA) enables us to acquire a multispectral image in one shot without increased size or cost. However, multispectral demosaicking for the MSFA has been a challenging problem because of very sparse sampling of each spectral band in the MSFA. In this paper, we propose a high-performance multispectral demosaicking algorithm, and at the same time, a novel MSFA pattern that is suitable for our proposed algorithm. Our key idea is the use of the guided filter to interpolate each spectral band. To generate an effective guide image, in our proposed MSFA pattern, we maintain the sampling density of the G-band as high as the Bayer CFA, and we array each spectral band so that an adaptive kernel can be estimated directly from raw MSFA data. Given these two advantages, we effectively generate the guide image from the most densely sampled G-band using the adaptive kernel. In the experiments, we demonstrate that our proposed algorithm with our proposed MSFA pattern outperforms existing algorithms and provides better color fidelity compared with a conventional color imaging system with the Bayer CFA. We also show some real applications using a multispectral camera prototype we built.