Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stigma, Partners, Providers and Costs: Potential Barriers to PrEP Uptake among US Women

Background Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use has remained low among US women while significantly increasing among men who have sex with men. Besides lack of awareness, women face several social and structural barriers in gaining access to and using PrEP. Methods Four focus group discussions with 20 HIV-negative women who live in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Results The women expressed concerns about social and structural barriers to PrEP use. They were afraid that stigma related to using “HIV medicines” could affect PrEP use as well. They are worried that family and friends may question their reasons for taking anti-retrovirals and suspect that they were HIV-positive. They expected hostile reactions from male partners, including accusations of infidelity and introducing mistrust in their relationships. Communicating with health care providers about sexual matters in general and their need for PrEP in particular were identified as further barriers. Women reported that providers rarely ask about risk behaviors related to HIV acquisition; that short visits hinder establishing a trusting relationship to discuss sensitive matters. They were concerned that disclosure of risk behaviors may result in judgmental responses and harsh treatment from providers. Lastly, women were concerned that PrEP costs, including insurance coverage and copays, would keep PrEP out of their reach. While cognizant of the potential barriers, women were unwavering in their determination to find ways to circumvent challenges to PrEP access. Conclusion Social and structural barriers may impede women's access to PrEP despite their own reported interest. Continued efforts to reduce HIV stigma, improve patient-provider relationships and ensure affordability of PrEP may increase the likelihood that women will use this important prevention modality.
Why Pre-Electoral Coalitions in Presidential Systems?

Why do political parties join coalitions to support other parties’ presidential candidates if presidents, once elected, are not bound to their pre-electoral pledges? This article argues that policy agreements made publicly between coalition partners during the campaign help parties pursue policy goals. However, parties cannot use pre-electoral coalitions to secure access to patronage, pork and government benefits under the control of presidents because they cannot hold presidents accountable to these agreements. Quantitative analysis of Latin American electoral coalitions demonstrates that political parties are more likely to form presidential electoral coalitions as the ideological distance between them decreases. Yet presidential electoral coalitions tend not to include non-programmatic political parties, even though such office-oriented parties are unconstrained by ideological considerations.
Depreciation Policy and the Behavior of Corporate Profits

In recent years, several studies have appeared which provide some support for an inverse relationship between earnings variability and share price. ' That is, increased variability in reported earnings, other things equal, appears to reduce the price of a firm's shares. A rationale for this behavioral phenomenon has been suggested by several accounting writers. Almost two decades ago Hepworth contended that :2
Comparative Antimicrobial Efficacy of Eucalyptus Galbie and Myrtus Communis L. Extracts, Chlorhexidine and Sodium Hypochlorite against Enterococcus Faecalis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Eucalyptus galbie and Myrtus communis L. methanolic extracts, chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) as the predominant species isolated from infected root canals. Methods and Materials: One hundred twenty mandibular premolars were randomly divided into 8 groups: Eucalyptus galbie (E. galbie) 12.5 mg/mL, Myrtus communis L. (M. communis L.) 6.25 mg/mL, 0.2% CHX, %2 CHX, 2.5% NaOCl, 5.25% NaOCl, positive and negative control group. Sampling was performed using paper points (from the root canal space lumen) and Gates-Glidden drills (from the dentinal tubules); then colony forming units (CFU) were counted and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Mann Whitney U test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results: All irrigants reduced more than 99% of bacteria in root canal. In the presence of M. communis L. and E. galbie, the bacterial count in dentin were significantly more than CHX and NaOCl groups (P<0.05) except 0.2% CHX in 200 µm and 400 µm depths (P>0.05). Conclusion: Although 5.25% NaOCl was the most effective irrigant, all agents exerted acceptable antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis.
Possible Association of Benzalkonium Chloride in Nebulizer Solutions with Respiratory Arrest

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of possible association of benzalkonium chloride in nebulizer solutions with respiratory arrest and to review the involvement of various preservative agents in paradoxical bronchoconstrictive reactions. DATA SOURCES: Reference articles, case reports, and editorials are identified in the text. DATA SYNTHESIS: Many pharmacologic agents are available for nebulization. In addition to the active drug, these nebulizer solutions may contain preservatives. We describe a case of respiratory arrest in a 64-year-old man following nebulization therapy with albuterol and ipratropium solutions. These solutions contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. We are aware of only one report describing two deaths associated with such a severe reaction attributable to nebulization therapy. However, many reports of milder paradoxical bronchoconstriction are available in the medical literature. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of paradoxical bronchoconstrictive reactions when patients are treated with nebulized bronchodilators.
State of the Art of Gadolinium Zirconate Based Thermal Barrier Coatings: Design, Processing and Characterization

The fast consumption of fossil fuel resources and economic competitiveness makes it necessary to increase the efficiency of turbine engines. For this purpose, thermal barrier coating (TBC) has been used on some critical parts of gas turbines. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is widely and commercially used as a ceramic top coat material for TBC in the gas turbine system. On the other hand, the efforts to identify new material having better properties than YSZ have been continued. Gadolinium zirconate (GZ) is a promising alternative TBC material with its lower thermal conductivity, better sintering ability, and higher melting point and phase stability than YSZ. However, recent research studies on the responses of GZ-based TBC materials to the complex demands of modern gas turbine applications should be gathered under a study by comparing them with the results of traditional TBC material. This chapter discusses the GZ based TBC system, specifically addressing issues related to the production process and designing of the coating architecture, in comparison with some of the significant properties with YSZ and the test method-ology. Moreover, the chapter also contains information about laser surface modification of the GZ-based TBC.
Comparison of the EndoVac system and conventional needle irrigation on removal of the smear layer in primary molar root canals

Objective: This study aimed to compare the EndoVac system and conventional needle irrigation in removing smear layer (SR) from primary molar root canals. Materials and Methods: Fifty extracted human primary second molar roots were instrumented up to an apical size of 0.04/35 and randomly divided into two main groups; Group 1: EndoVac system (n = 25) and Group 2: Conventional needle irrigation (n = 25) and three subgroups (a) NaOCl + ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (n = 20) (b) ozonated water (OW) + EDTA (n = 20) and (c) saline (control, n = 10). After a standardized final irrigation protocol performed for all teeth, scanning electron microscope images were taken at ×1000 magnification for each thirds of each root canal. Data were analyzed by the weighted kappa, Kruskal–Wallis, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Results: EndoVac was more effective than conventional needle in the removal of SR from the apical third of the root canal system (P < 0.05). The OW + EDTA regimen provided similar SR removal compared with NaOCl + EDTA. Conclusions: EndoVac has better performance than conventional needle irrigation in the removal of the SR in the apical thirds of the primary molar root canals. As a final irrigation regimen, the OW + EDTA regimen is as effective as the NaOCl + EDTA regimen.
Outcomes of Childhood Asthma and Wheezy Bronchitis. A 50-Year Cohort Study.

RATIONALE Cohort studies suggest that airflow obstruction is established early in life, manifests as childhood asthma and wheezy bronchitis, and continues into early adulthood. Although an association between childhood asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in later life has been demonstrated, it is unclear if childhood wheezy bronchitis is associated with COPD. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether childhood wheezy bronchitis increases the risk of COPD in the seventh decade. METHODS A cohort of children recruited in 1964 at age 10 to 15 years, which was followed up in 1989, 1995, and 2001, was followed up again in 2014 when at age 60 to 65 years. Discrete time-to-event and linear mixed effects models were used. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS FEV1 and FVC were measured. COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7. Childhood wheezing phenotype was related to 1989, 1995, 2001, and 2014 spirometry data. Three hundred thirty subjects, mean age 61 years, were followed up: 38 with childhood asthma; 53 with childhood wheezy bronchitis; and 239 control subjects (of whom 57 developed adulthood-onset wheeze between ages 16 and 46 yr). In adjusted multivariate analyses, childhood asthma was associated with an increased risk of COPD (odds ratio, 6.37; 95% confidence interval, 3.73-10.94), as was childhood wheezy bronchitis (odd ratio 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.91). The COPD risk increased with childhood asthma, and wheezy bronchitis was associated with reduced FEV1 that was evident by the fifth decade and not an accelerated rate of FEV1 decline. In contrast, adulthood-onset wheeze was associated with accelerated FEV1 decline. CONCLUSIONS Childhood wheezy bronchitis and asthma are associated with an increased risk of COPD and reduced ventilatory function.
Is there a ‘weekend effect’ in major trauma?

Background Many previous studies have shown that patients admitted to hospital at weekends have worse outcomes than those on other days. It has been proposed that parity of clinical services throughout the week could mitigate the ‘weekend effect’. This study aimed to determine whether or not a weekend effect is observed within an all-hours consultant-led major trauma service. Methods We undertook an observational cohort study using data submitted by all 22 major trauma centres (MTCs) in England to the Trauma Audit & Research Network. The inclusion criteria were all major trauma patients admitted for at least 3 days, admitted to a high-dependency area, or deceased following arrival at hospital. Patients with Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15 were also analysed separately. The outcome measures were length of stay, in-hospital mortality and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). Secondary transfer of patients between hospitals was also included as a process outcome. Results There were 49 070 patients, 22 248 (45.3%) of which had an ISS >15. Within multivariable logistic regression models, odds of secondary transfer into an MTC were higher at night (adjusted OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.93 to 2.19) but not during the day at weekends (1.09, 0.99 to 1.19). Neither admission at night nor at the weekend was associated with increased length of stay, worse GOS or higher odds of in-hospital death. These findings remained stable when confining analyses to the most severely injured patients (ISS >15), excluding transferred patients, and using a single mid-week (Wednesday) baseline. Conclusions After adjustment for known confounders the weekend effect is not detectable within a regionalised major trauma service.
A food environments feedback system (FoodBack) for empowering citizens and change agents to create healthier community food places

This study developed a systems-based approach (called FoodBack) to empower citizens and change agents to create healthier community food places. Formative evaluations were held with citizens and change agents in six diverse New Zealand communities, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with 85 change agents in Auckland and Hamilton in 2015-2016. The emerging system was additionally reviewed by public health experts from diverse organizations. A food environments feedback system was constructed to crowdsource key indicators of the healthiness of diverse community food places (i.e. schools, hospitals, supermarkets, fast food outlets, sport centers) and outdoor spaces (i.e. around schools), comments/pictures about barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and exemplar stories on improving the healthiness of food environments. All the information collected is centrally processed and translated into 'short' (immediate) and 'long' (after analyses) feedback loops to stimulate actions to create healthier food places. FoodBack, as a comprehensive food environment feedback system (with evidence databases and feedback and recognition processes), has the potential to increase food sovereignty, and generate a sustainable, fine-grained database of food environments for real-time food policy research.
A local-ether wave equation unifying quantum mechanics, electromagnetics, and gravitation

A wave equation complying with Galilean transformations is proposed for electromagnetic and matter waves. A fundamental feature entirely different from the principle of relativity is that the wave equation is referred specifically to the proposed local-ether frame. For electromagnetic wave, the local-ether wave equation accounts for a wide variety of experiments of propagation or interference. For matter wave, the wave equation leads to modifications of Schrodinger's equation which in turn lead to a unified quantum theory of electromagnetic and gravitational forces in conjunction with the identity of inertial and gravitational mass. Further, it leads to modifications of the Lorentz force law and of Maxwell's equations. Moreover, the wave equation leads to dispersion of matter wave, from which the speed-dependences in the mass of a particle and in the wavelength, angular frequency, and quantum energy of a matter wave are derived. The consequences of the wave equation are in accord with a wide variety of experiments which are commonly ascribed to the special relativity, the general relativity, the Lorentz mass-variation law, or to the de Broglie matter wavelength. Thereby, the local-ether wave equation unifies quantum mechanics, electromagnetics, and gravitation.
Informed entry in auctions 1

We examine entry decisions in first-price and English clock auctions with participation costs. Potential bidders observe their value and report maximum willingness to pay (WTP) to participate. Entry occurs if revealed WTP (weakly) exceeds the randomly drawn participation cost. While payoffs are higher in English clock auctions, we find no corresponding difference in WTP between auction formats, although males have a higher WTP for first-price auctions. Most surprisingly, in both auction formats WTP is higher when there are more potential bidders, and this difference is not explained by relative payoffs. This result is partially explained by preferences for competition. JEL Classifications: D44, D80.
Integration of LPCVD-SiNx gate dielectric with recessed-gate E-mode GaN MIS-FETs: Toward high performance, high stability and long TDDB lifetime

By employing an interface protection technique to overcome the degradation of etched GaN surface in high-temperature process, highly reliable LPCVD-SiN<inf>x</inf> gate dielectric was successfully integrated with recessed-gate structure to achieve high-performance enhancement-mode (V<inf>th</inf> ∼ +2.37 V @ I<inf>d</inf> = 100 μA/mm) GaN MIS-FETs with high stability and high reliability. The LPCVD-SiN<inf>x</inf>/GaN MIS-FET delivers remarkable advantages in high Vth thermal stability, long time-dependent gate dielectric breakdown (TDDB) lifetime and low bias temperature instability (BTI).
Novice teachers' perceptions of their first year induction program in urban schools

Novice Teachers’ Perceptions of Their First Year Induction Program in Urban Schools. (August 2006) Phyllis A. Charleston-Cormier, B.A., Prairie View A&M University; M.Ed., Prairie View A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Norvella P. Carter The study examined and evaluated perceptions of first year teachers on the effectiveness of induction activities, assistance, and support following participation in their induction program. This was a quantitative study of novice teachers in an urban school district. Teachers from all teaching disciplines, both at the elementary and secondary level, participated in the study. The researcher used the Novice Teacher Perceptions Assessment to survey 171 teachers. Of the 171 surveys distributed, 144 were returned and analyzed for this study. From the survey data, descriptive statistics and frequency counts were obtained for demographic information items and specific induction activities, assistance, and support. All data were analyzed for the effectiveness of teacher induction program components. The results of this study revealed that novice teachers were provided with six factors that were important to them. The factors were: information concerning the school and its culture; support for emotional stress; assistance in instructional strategies; the allocation of resources; and overall support of the induction program in relation to mentors and reflection. Perceptions were consistent among the demographics; namely,
Difficult Situations Managing Diabetic Foot. Evidences and Personal Views

Both medical and surgical approaches have been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). In patients with risk factors of bad outcome such as major bone destruction, concomitant acute infections requiring drainage, problems in limb perfusion, highly resistant bacteria, and contraindication for or patient refusal of prolonged antibiotic therapy, the choice of surgery does not require further discussion. On the contrary, modest changes of bone on imaging assessment and no limiting factors as described above make medical treatment an attractive option for patients with DFO provided the rules of antibiotic treatment of chronic osteomyelitis are respected. The key question may not be to oppose surgery and medical treatment but to identify patients who need surgery and those who do not. There is currently no classification or score system that may allow physician to decide whether medical or surgical approach is best adapted to a given patient, and so both experience and skill of the multidisciplinary team appear paramount for guiding the choice of the best adapted (“tailored”) strategy in a given patient. In this regard, it would be interesting to compare surgical and medical approaches for DFO that apparently may benefit from one or another (ie, bone lesions seen on plain radiographs of the foot but without bone fragmentation or multiple sites of osteomyelitis, no contraindication to prolonged antibiotic therapy, and location of bone involvement that may allow conservative surgery). Given the current available data on the therapeutic options of DFO, it appears that surgery for those patients is obviously not an old-fashioned option.
Validity of the minimal assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MACFIMS)

Cognitive impairment occurs in roughly 50% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is well known that processing speed and episodic memory deficits are the most common neuropsychological (NP) sequelae in this illness. Consensus has emerged about the specific tests that prove most helpful for routine monitoring of MS associated cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS), a recommended battery based on the findings of an international conference held in 2001. We tested 291 MS patients and 56 healthy controls. Frequencies of impairment paralleled those reported in previous work for both individual cognitive domains and general impairment. All tests were impaired in the MS group, and distinguished relapsing-remitting (RR) from secondary progressive (SP) course. Principle components analysis showed a distinct episodic memory component. Most of the MACFIMS tests discriminated disabled from employed patients. However, in regression models accounting for all NP tests, those emphasizing verbal memory and executive function were most predictive of vocational status. We conclude that the MACFIMS is a valid approach to routine NP assessment of MS patients. Future work is planned to determine its psychometric properties in a longitudinal study. (JINS, 2006, 12, 549–558.)
Reliability of the Circadian Rhythm of Water and Macronutrient-Rich Diets Intake in Dietary Choice

Rats with ad libitum water and the ability to self-select among three macronutrient-rich diets—carbohydrate (CHO), protein (PRO), and lipid (LIP)—show a circadian rhythmicity in their ingestion. The aim of the present study was to determine whether this circadian rhythmicity is reliable from day to day. Eight rats were offered ad libitum water and a choice of three isoenergetic diet rations providing carbohydrate, protein, and lipid. Water and food intake was recorded every 3 h for 7 days. The reliability of the circadian rhythm of water and food intake was assessed by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the test-retest reliability using the Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (r). The results showed that the circadian rhythm of water, CHO, and PRO intake are strongly reliable. However, the circadian rhythm of LIP intake is less reproducible. Among the three reliable parameters—water, CHO, and PRO, the circadian rhythm of water intake was the most reproducible over 7 days. This suggests that water intake may be used as a marker of circadian rhythmicity in ingestive behavior.
Cl Transport in Complemented CF Bronchial Epithelial Cells Correlates with CFTR mRNA Expression Levels

Little is known about the relationship between CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene expression and the corresponding transport of Cl. The phenotypic characteristics of polarized ΔF508 homozygote CF bronchial epithelial (CFBE41o-) cells were evaluated following transfection with episomal expression vector containing either full-length (6.2kb) wild type (wt) and (4.7kb) ΔF508CFTR cDNA. Forskolin-stimulated Cl secretion in two clones expressing the full-length wild type CFTR was assessed; clone c7-6.2wt gave 13.4±2.5 µA/cm2 and clone c10-6.2wt showed 41.3±25.3 µA/cm2. Another clone (c4-4.7ΔF) complemented with the ΔF508 CFTR cDNA showed high and stable expression of vector-derived ΔF508 CFTR mRNA and a small cAMP-stimulated Cl current (4.7±0.7 µA/cm2) indicating ΔF508CFTR trafficking to the plasma membrane at physiological temperatures. Vector-driven CFTR mRNA levels were 5-fold (c7-6.2wt), 14-fold (c10-6.2wt), and 27-fold (c7-4.7ΔF) higher than observed in normal bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-) endogenously expressing wtCFTR. Assessment of CFTR mRNA levels and CFTR function showed that cAMP-stimulated CFTR Cl currents were 33%, 167% and 24%, respectively, of those in 16HBE14o- cells. The data suggest that transgene expression needs to be significantly higher than endogenously expressed CFTR to restore functional wtCFTR Cl transport to levels sufficient to reverse CF pathology.