Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical Activity Opportunities in Afterschool Programs

Afterschool programs (ASPs) have potential to provide children moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The availability and types (e.g., free play or organized activities) of physical activity opportunities, their structure (e.g., presence of lines, elimination games), and staff behaviors (e.g., encouragement, engaged) can influence children’s MVPA. This study explored these factors in 20 ASPs serving over 1,700 elementary-age children. The occurrence, types, and structure of physical activity opportunities, and staff behaviors were collected via the SOSPAN (System for Observing Staff Promotion of Physical Activity and Nutrition). A total of 4,660 SOSPAN scans were completed across 63 complete program days (1,733 during physical activity opportunities). Physical activity opportunities were observed on 60 program days across all 20 sites, with 73% of those opportunities classified as free play. ASPs scheduled an average of 66.3 minutes (range 15-150 minutes) of physical activity opportunities daily. Games played included basketball, tag, soccer, and football. Staff rarely engaged in physical activity promotion behaviors, and the structure of organized games discouraged MVPA. For example, staff verbally promoted physical activity in just 6.1% of scans, while organized games were more likely to involve lines and elimination. Professional development training may enhance staffs’ physical activity promotion and the structure of activity opportunities.
Use of a Surrogate Chimeric Virus To Detect West Nile Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Avian and Equine Sera

ABSTRACT A chimeric yellow fever virus/West Nile virus (WNV) was compared to WNV alone as a biosafety level 2 reagent in the plaque reduction neutralization test for determining WNV infection histories. Concordance was 96.3% among 188 avian and equine serum samples. Neutralizing antibody titers were frequently more than twofold lower with the chimera.
Interobserver reliability in the Gustilo and Anderson classification of open fractures.

Summary: The Gustilo and Anderson classification system is widely used to categorize open fractures. To assess its interobserver reliability, 10 patients with open fractures had photographic slides taken of their wound before and after operative treatment. These slides were then shown to a group of orthopaedic surgeons. After an explanation of the Gustilo and Anderson classification system and each patient's pertinent history and physical examination, the physicians were asked to classify the fracture. Agreement among the various raters was determined by Kappa analysis, which is the preferred measurement of interobserver reliability for nominal data such as classification schemes. Kappa analysis demonstrated only moderate agreement among the observers classifying open fractures using the Gustilo and Anderson system. This seems to indicate that, although useful, the Gustilo and Anderson open fracture classification system does have limitations; studies and treatment recommendations based on it should be interpreted with caution.
AN ANALYSIS OF TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH VANCOMYCIN‐RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCAL BACTEREMIA

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become a major cause of nosocomial infections. If the organism is resistant or the patient is allergic to penicillin, proven therapy does not exist. To evaluate the treatment of patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia (VREB), we reviewed the therapy for 69 patients with VREB at 13 New Jersey hospitals that had five or more cases of VREB. Prior treatment of these patients with vancomycin was common. Susceptibility patterns varied according to the hospital, and clinicians employed many different combinations of antimicrobial agents to treat these infections. Lower mortality rates (34% vs. 61 %, P =.031; 95% Cl −49.8% to −4.2%) were achieved in patients who received at least one antimicrobial agent to which their organism was susceptible. Overall, mortality was 46%, and of these deaths, 72% were judged to be directly related to VREB. Optimal therapy remains to be determined.
One-Stage Hypospadias Repair

Purpose: We evaluated one-stage hypospadias repairs in providing a normal looking penis with a normal functioning urethra. Also we looked critically at the effects of the severity of hypospadias, the type of repair and the experience of the surgeon on the outcome. Materials and Methods: From 1987 to 1996 we performed 578 primary hypospadias repairs. The type and surgical results as well as the effects of certain variables on outcome were reviewed retrospectively. Results: 544 single-stage hypospadias repairs have been followed up for a mean of 19 months (range 12–49). They included: MAGPI (92), ARAP (78), Mathieu (205), Mustarde (12), Duckett’s tubularized preputial flap (142) and Onlay preputial flap (15). Despite an initial overall complication rate of 19%, the final success rate was 96%, after a mean of 1.3 procedures. Complications included fistula in 48 (9%) cases, meatal stenosis or retraction in 28 (5%), residual chordee in 17 (3%), stricture in 14 (2.5%), tubal abnormality in 10 (2%), and flap necrosis in 9 (2%). Complication rates were significantly higher (p < 0.05) when the meatus was proximal, the degree of chordee was moderate or severe and in the early series. Complication rates were also significantly higher with flap procedures and when the urethral plate was resected. Cosmetic defects occurred mainly with meatal advancement procedures. Conclusions: A repertoire of different types of single stage procedures has allowed the successful treatment of most hypospadias cases presenting to one surgeon. Complication rates increases with the severity of hypospadias or transection of the urethral plate. A cumulative experience allows for better results via a proper selection of the procedure and a perfection of a few techniques.
Effect of interferon β-1b in MS

Objective: To determine whether the efficacy of interferon β-1b (IFNβ-1b) on lesion activity could be shown with annual analysis of MRI. Background: Clinical outcomes and MRI burden of disease changes in MS patients in a multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled 5-year trial of IFNβ-1b have been reported, together with an analysis of 6-weekly MRI activity in a small subgroup during 2 years. MRI activity measurements based on annual scans have not been documented. Methods: Patients were randomized into three treatment arms: placebo, 1.6 mIU, and 8 mIU IFNβ-1b self-administered subcutaneously every other day. Active lesions were identified as new, enlarging, or recurrent on proton density and T2-weighted MRI scans. Gadolinium was not used. An annual accumulation activity index was developed as an additional analysis of lesion activity. Results: During the 5 years, both high- and low-dose IFNβ-1b groups showed a striking reduction in lesion annual accumulation activity on the activity index versus placebo (p = 0.001). Thirty-five percent of the high-dose patients and 29% of the low-dose patients were MRI inactive by this method of analysis, whereas only 16% of placebo patients were inactive (p = 0.001, placebo versus 8 mIU). Conclusions: This analysis of the annual accumulation of lesion activity shows that the previously reported treatment effect seen on MRI scanning once every 6 weeks in a subcohort of the patients can also be seen on yearly scans. This annual accumulation activity analysis provides an independent MRI confirmation of a treatment and dose effect for IFNβ-1b.
Specificity of Subcapsular Antibody Responses in Ethiopian Patients following Disease Caused by Serogroup A Meningococci

ABSTRACT Dissecting the specificities of human antibody responses following disease caused by serogroup A meningococci may be important for the development of improved vaccines. We performed a study of Ethiopian patients during outbreaks in 2002 and 2003. Sera were obtained from 71 patients with meningitis caused by bacteria of sequence type 7, as confirmed by PCR or culture, and from 113 Ethiopian controls. Antibody specificities were analyzed by immunoblotting (IB) against outer membrane antigen extracts of a reference strain and of the patients' own isolates and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against lipooligosaccharide (LOS) L11 and the proteins NadA and NspA. IB revealed that the main antigens targeted were the proteins PorA, PorB, RmpM, and Opa/OpcA, as well as LOS. MenA disease induced significant increases in IgG against LOS L11 and NadA. The IgG levels against LOS remained elevated following disease, whereas the IgG anti-NadA levels returned to acute-phase levels in the late convalescent phase. Among adults, the anti-LOS IgG levels were similar in acute-phase patient sera as in control sera, whereas anti-NadA IgG levels were significantly higher in acute-phase sera than in controls. The IgG antibody levels against LOS and NadA correlated moderately but significantly with serum bactericidal activity against MenA strains. Future studies on immune response during MenA disease should take into account the high levels of anti-MenA polysaccharide IgG commonly found in the population and seek to clarify the role of antibodies against subcapsular antigens in protection against MenA disease.
Does Binding of Complement Factor H to the Meningococcal Vaccine Antigen, Factor H Binding Protein, Decrease Protective Serum Antibody Responses?

ABSTRACT Factor H binding protein (fHbp) is a principal antigen in a multicomponent meningococcal vaccine recently licensed in Europe for prevention of serogroup B diseases. The protein recruits the complement downregulator, factor H (fH), to the bacterial surface, which enables the organism to resist complement-mediated bacteriolysis. Binding is specific for human fH. In preclinical studies, mice and rabbits immunized with fHbp vaccines developed serum bactericidal antibody responses, which in humans predict protection against developing meningococcal disease. These studies, however, were in animals whose fH did not bind to the vaccine antigen. Here we review the immunogenicity of fHbp vaccines in human fH transgenic mice. The data suggest that animals with high serum human fH concentrations have impaired protective antibody responses. Further, mutant fHbp vaccines with single amino acid substitutions that decrease fH binding are superior immunogens, possibly by unmasking epitopes in the fH binding site that are important for eliciting serum bactericidal antibody responses. Humans immunized with fHbp vaccines develop serum bactericidal antibody, but achieving broad coverage in infants required incorporation of additional antigens, including outer membrane vesicles, which increased rates of fever and local reactions at the injection site. The experimental results in transgenic mice predict that fHbp immunogenicity can be improved in humans by using mutant fHbp vaccines with decreased fH binding. These results have important public health implications for developing improved fHbp vaccines for control of serogroup B meningococcal disease and for development of vaccines against other microbes that bind host molecules.
Determinants of Hepatitis A Vaccine Immunity in a Cohort of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children Living in Switzerland

ABSTRACT Vaccination in HIV-infected children is often less effective than in healthy children. The goal of this study was to assess vaccine responses to hepatitis A virus (HAV) in HIV-infected children. Children of the Swiss Mother and Child HIV Cohort Study (MoCHiV) were enrolled prospectively. Recommendations for initial, catch-up, and additional HAV immunizations were based upon baseline antibody concentrations and vaccine history. HAV IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a protective cutoff value defined as ≥10 mIU/ml. Eighty-seven patients were included (median age, 11 years; range, 3.4 to 21.2 years). Forty-two patients were seropositive (48.3%) for HAV. Among 45 (51.7%) seronegative patients, 36 had not received any HAV vaccine dose and were considered naïve. Vaccine responses were assessed after the first dose in 29/35 naïve patients and after the second dose in 33/39 children (25 initially naïve patients, 4 seronegative patients, and 4 seropositive patients that had already received 1 dose of vaccine). Seroconversion was 86% after 1 dose and 97% after 2 doses, with a geometric mean concentration of 962 mIU/ml after the second dose. A baseline CD4+ T cell count below 750 cells/μl significantly reduced the post-2nd-dose response (P = 0.005). Despite a high rate of seroconversion, patients with CD4+ T cell counts of <750/μl had lower anti-HAV antibody concentrations. This may translate into a shorter protection time. Hence, monitoring humoral immunity may be necessary to provide supplementary doses as needed.
A 61MHz 72K Gates 1280×720 30FPS H.264 Intra Encoder

This paper presents an HD720p 30 frames per sec H.264 intra encoder operated at 61 MHz with just 72 K gate count. We achieve the low cost and low operating frequency with the highly utilized variable pixel scheduling, and a modified three-step fast algorithm. Thus, the resulted design only needs half of operating frequency and reduces 30% of area cost compared to the previous HD720p intra encoder design.
MORPHOMETRIC STUDIES OF THE CRANIO-FACIAL REGION OF THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT IN NIGERIA

En este estudio se midieron algunos parametros de la region craneofacial de la cabra enana del oeste africano (WADG). La media del peso de la cabeza fue de 0,74 kg. La longitud de la rima oral y espacio entre el canhi mediano fueron: 8,69 cm y 8,81 cm, respectivamente. La fisura palpebral derecha y la narina externa eran mas largas que las izquierdas. El peso del bulbo ocular era de 6,87g; el bulbo ocular izquierdo era mas pesado que el derecho. El peso del cuerpo y de las cabezas de las hembras, eran significativamente mayores que el de los machos. La fisura palpebral derecha era mas larga que la izquierda en las hembras, pero en los machos era lo contrario. Estos datos serviran como informacion basica en el estudio de la cabeza de WADG y en la Anatomia Comparada con otras cabras
Calibration and Evaluation of Quantitative Antibody Titers for Measles Virus by Using the BioPlex 2200

ABSTRACT The BioPlex 2200 (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA) is a rapid, automated platform, which can screen large numbers of specimens for antibodies to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Although approved for producing qualitative results, in this study we validated the test (off-label) to allow reporting of quantitative results. To do this, we used the third anti-measles World Health Organization standard to generate a calibration curve that allowed relative fluorescence intensity to be translated into quantitative antibody titer (antibody units [AU]/ml). The results from the BioPlex 2200 and the reference plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) exhibited a reasonable correlation following an exponential function, but correlation was poor in low-titer samples. Using a receiver operating characteristics analysis, an equivocal zone for the BioPlex 2200 was established between ≥0.13 and <1.10 AU/ml to achieve 100% specificity (95% confidence interval [CI] = 83.2 to 100%) and 100% sensitivity (95% CI = 93.5 to 100%) versus PRNT. By determining an equivocal range requiring confirmation by PRNT, we can avoid underestimating the levels of immunity through false-negative results and optimize methods for seroepidemiological studies.
Message Received: African American Women and Breast Cancer Screening

African American women are more likely than other women to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, to be diagnosed at a late stage, and to die from the disease. Yet we see evidence of irregular screening and follow-up. Previous research on psychosocial factors influencing decisions to screen reveals barriers: fear, fatalistic perceptions of cancer, inaccurate perceptions of risk, and associations with stigma. The current qualitative research with, largely, insured African American women (n = 26), health navigators (n = 6), and community stakeholders (n = 24) indicates both positive and negative factors influencing decision making. The women in our sample believe in the value of early detection and are motivated to screen in response to encouragement from health providers. However, they also report several factors that contribute to their decisions to delay or not screen. These include (1) perceptions that the health community itself is confused about the need for screening, (2) perceptions that White women are the priority population for breast cancer, (3) family roles that prohibit self-care and encourage secrecy, and (4) fear of diagnosis. Participants report not feeling included in national-level health promotion campaigns. It is argued that African American women, in particular, may benefit from more nuanced health information about their risk.
Comparison of Immune Responses to the O-Specific Polysaccharide and Lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O1 in Bangladeshi Adult Patients with Cholera

ABSTRACT Immunity against Vibrio cholerae O1 is serogroup specific, and serogrouping is defined by the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) part of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Despite this, human immune responses to V. cholerae OSP have not previously been characterized. We assessed immune responses against V. cholerae OSP in adults with cholera caused by V. cholerae O1 El Tor serotype Inaba or Ogawa in Dhaka, Bangladesh, using O1 OSP-core–bovine serum albumin (OSPc:BSA) conjugates; responses targeted OSP in these conjugates. Responses of Inaba-infected patients to Inaba OSP and LPS increased significantly in IgG, IgM, and IgA isotypes from the acute to convalescent phases of illness, and the responses correlated well between OSP and LPS (R = 0.86, 0.73, and 0.91, respectively; P < 0.01). Plasma IgG, IgM, and IgA responses to Ogawa OSP and LPS in Ogawa-infected patients also correlated well with each other (R = 0.60, 0.60, and 0.92, respectively; P < 0.01). Plasma IgM responses to Inaba OSP and Ogawa OSP correlated with the respective serogroup-specific vibriocidal antibodies (R = 0.80 and 0.66, respectively; P < 0.001). Addition of either OSPc:BSA or LPS, but not BSA, to vibriocidal assays inhibited vibriocidal responses in a comparable and concentration-dependent manner. Mucosal IgA immune responses to OSP and LPS were also similar. Our study is the first to characterize anti-OSP immune responses in patients with cholera and suggests that responses targeting V. cholerae LPS, including vibriocidal responses that correlate with protection against cholera, predominantly target OSP. Induction of anti-OSP responses may be associated with protection against cholera, and our results may support the development of a vaccine targeting V. cholerae OSP.
iParker—A New Smart Car-Parking System Based on Dynamic Resource Allocation and Pricing

Parking in major cities, particularly with dense traffic, directly effects the traffic flow and people's life. In this paper, we introduce a new smart parking system that is based on intelligent resource allocation, reservation, and pricing. The proposed system solves the current parking problems by offering guaranteed parking reservations with the lowest possible cost and searching time for drivers and the highest revenue and resource utilization for parking managers. New fair pricing policies are also proposed that can be implemented in practice. The new system is based on mathematical modeling using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) with the objective of minimizing the total monetary cost for the drivers and maximizing the utilization of parking resources.
Concordant Proficiency in Measurement of T-Cell Immunity in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Vaccine Clinical Trials by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell and Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assays in Laboratories from Three Continents

ABSTRACT The gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay is used routinely to evaluate the potency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine candidates and other vaccine candidates. In order to compare candidates and pool data from multiple trial laboratories, validated standardized methods must be applied across laboratories. Proficiency panels are a key part of a comprehensive quality assurance program to monitor inter- and intralaboratory performance, as well as assay performance, over time. Seven International AIDS Vaccine Initiative-sponsored trial sites participated in the proficiency panels described in this study. At each laboratory, two operators independently processed identical sample sets consisting of frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from different donors by using four blind stimuli. PBMC recovery and viability after overnight resting and the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay performance were assessed. All sites demonstrated good performance in PBMC thawing and resting, with a median recovery of 78% and median viability of 95%. The laboratories were able to detect similar antigen-specific T-cell responses, ranging from 50 to >3,000 spot-forming cells per million PBMC. An approximate range of a half log in results from operators within or across sites was seen in comparisons of antigen-specific responses. Consistently low background responses were seen in all laboratories. The results of these proficiency panels demonstrate the ability of seven laboratories, located across three continents, to process PBMC samples and to rank volunteers with differential magnitudes of IFN-γ ELISPOT responses. These findings also illustrate the ability to standardize the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay across multiple laboratories when common training methods, reagents such as fetal calf serum, and standard operating procedures are adopted. These results are encouraging for laboratories that are using cell-based immunology assays to test HIV vaccines and other vaccines.
Centralized and Localized Data Congestion Control Strategy for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks Using a Machine Learning Clustering Algorithm

In an urban environment, intersections are critical locations in terms of road crashes and number of killed or injured people. Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) can help reduce the traffic collisions at intersections by sending warning messages to the vehicles. However, the performance of VANETs should be enhanced to guarantee delivery of the messages, particularly safety messages to the destination. Data congestion control is an efficient way to decrease packet loss and delay and increase the reliability of VANETs. In this paper, a centralized and localized data congestion control strategy is proposed to control data congestion using roadside units (RSUs) at intersections. The proposed strategy consists of three units for detecting congestion, clustering messages, and controlling data congestion. In this strategy, the channel usage level is measured to detect data congestion in the channels. The messages are gathered, filtered, and then clustered by machine learning algorithms. K-means algorithm clusters the messages based on message size, validity of messages, and type of messages. The data congestion control unit determines appropriate values of transmission range and rate, contention window size, and arbitration interframe spacing for each cluster. Finally, RSUs at the intersections send the determined communication parameters to the vehicles stopped before the red traffic lights to reduce communication collisions. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy significantly improves the delay, throughput, and packet loss ratio in comparison with other congestion control strategies using the proposed congestion control strategy.