Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A group-based intervention to increase condom use among HIV serodiscordant couples in India, Thailand, and Uganda

Abstract This study assessed the feasibility of a group-based couples intervention to increase condom use in HIV serodiscordant couples in three countries (India, Thailand and Uganda). The intervention focused on communication, problem solving, and negotiation skills. Forty-three couples enrolled in the intervention (15 in India, 14 in Thailand, and 14 in Uganda) and 40 couples completed all study activities. Participants were interviewed at baseline and at one and three months post- intervention. The intervention consisted of two same sex sessions and two couples sessions with ‘homework’ to practice skills between sessions. The same intervention modules were used at each site, tailored for local appropriateness. Participants at each site were enthusiastic about the intervention, citing information about HIV serodiscordancy and the opportunity to meet couples ‘like us’ as important features. Participants reported increased comfort discussing sex and condoms with their partner, although some participants remain concerned about situations when condoms might not be used (e.g. when drunk). At three-month follow up 90% of the participants reported having been able to use the skills from the intervention with their partner. Our results highlight the feasibility of this couples group-based intervention and the need for ongoing support for discordant couples.
Environmental Exposures , Infertility , and Related Reproductive Disorders : An Update

In 2002-2003 the Collaborative on Health and Environment (CHE) organized the development of a series of papers that summarized data linking environmental exposures to various health outcomes. One of the series addressed infertility and related reproductive disorders. New developments during the ensuing years motivated this supplemental update, although the original summary contains relevant material that is not repeated here.
Survey research in New Mexico Hispanics: some methodological issues.

A prevalence survey of respiratory diseases was conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the objective of explaining differing patterns of respiratory disease epidemiology in Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites (Anglos). The study population was selected at random from the 1978 R.L. Polk & Co. Directory. This paper focuses on methodological issues raised during the conduct of the study: response rates, potential language barriers and bias, and identification of Hispanics by surnames. Mail, telephone, and personal interview approaches were used to obtain adequate response rates, which ranged from 60% in Hispanic males to 78% in Anglo females; 22% of Hispanic males refused interview. Fewer Hispanics returned mailed questionnaires than responded to telephone interviewing. Spanish language was increasingly preferred as the respondent's age increased. Two methods of ethnic identification by surname (1980 Census List of Spanish Surnames and a computer program, GUESS (Generally Useful Ethnic Search System) were compared to the self-reported ethnicity of respondents. The GUESS Program was more sensitive than the census list, but the census list was more specific. The combination of both methods produced a 90% sensitivity and 97% specificity in males. Intermarriage reduced the accuracy in females.
Model of the formation of an elementary crater on the cucr cathode of a vacuum interrupters

Semiempirical hydrodynamical model has been developed to describe the formation of a microcrater and liquid-metal jets in vacuum arc on CuCr cathode with chrome particles that are both, larger or smaller than microcrater within the two-dimensional axisymmetric problem formulation. This model includes Navier-Stokes equations for viscous incompressible liquid with free surface, thermal conductivity equation that considers heat convection and Joule heating, and continuity equation for calculation of current density distribution in the cathode. It was shown that the diameter of elementary crater in homogeneous Cr cathode is equal to 3-7 μm when the time of current flow through cathode binding area is equal to 20-60 ns within current range of elementary cell of cathode spot that is 1.5-7 A. Due to relatively low thermal conductivity of chrome the effect of Cr particle size on crater parameters is significant only if their size comparable with crater diameter. If particle size is larger than the diameter of molten area at least by 0.5 μm, space-time characteristics of crater formation process are identical to that of the Cr homogenous cathode. If initial size of chrome particle is smaller than the radius of forming crater, the chrome is pressed out of the crater.
A Meta-analytic Study of Predictors for Loneliness During Adolescence

Background: Extensive research has been completed to investigate loneliness in adolescents over the past several decades; identification of key predictors for loneliness was needed using meta-analytic techniques. Objectives: To identify predictors for loneliness in adolescents through a comprehensive review of the literature and to use quantitative meta-analysis to determine the magnitude of the relationships between each predictor and loneliness. Methods: The literature reviewed included 242 studies published or unpublished between 1980 and 2004, of which 95 met the inclusion criteria. Eleven key predictors for loneliness were identified in the 95 studies. A meta-analysis was conducted on each of the 11 predictors in relation to loneliness. Results: Four predictors (gender, depression, shyness, and self-esteem) had large effect sizes, four predictors (social support, social anxiety, maternal expressiveness, and paternal expressiveness) had large medium to medium effect sizes, two predictors (stress and self-disclosure) had low effect sizes, and one predictor (age) had a very low effect size. Discussion: Theories of loneliness served as a framework for interpreting the findings of the meta-analysis. The most powerful predictors can be used in intervention studies aimed at reducing loneliness in adolescents.
Contribution of 5-HT2A receptor in nematode infection-induced murine intestinal smooth muscle hypercontractility.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Enteric nematode infection induces a smooth muscle hypercontractility that depends on interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 6. Serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the physiologic regulation of gut function. The present study investigated the contribution of 5-HT and its receptors in nematode-induced intestinal smooth muscle hypercontractility. METHODS Mice were infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (N brasiliensis) or Heligmosomoides polygyrus (H polygyrus) or injected intravenously with IL-13. Segments of jejunum were suspended in organ baths, and smooth muscle responses to 5-HT were determined in the presence or absence of specific 5-HT antagonists. IL-4, IL-13, and 5-HT receptor messenger RNA expressions were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS 5-HT evoked a modest contraction of smooth muscle in wild-type (WT) mice that was unaltered by the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin. N brasiliensis infection induced a smooth muscle hypercontractility to 5-HT that was abolished by 5-HT(2A) antagonists but not by other 5-HT antagonists. Infection-induced up-regulation of 5-HT2A expression was correlated with the smooth muscle hypercontractility to 5-HT. The infection-induced up-regulation of 5-HT2A in WT mice was observed also in IL-4(-/-) mice but was not seen in IL-13(-/-) or STAT6(-/-) mice. In addition, smooth muscle responses to 5-HT and 5-HT2A expression in WT mice were also enhanced by IL-13 or H polygyrus infection. CONCLUSIONS These data show that 5-HT2A is one of the molecules downstream from STAT6 activation that mediates changes in smooth muscle function. 5-HT2A represents a novel therapeutic target for modulating immune-mediated effects on intestinal motility.
Plasma concentrations of asymmetric-dimethyl-arginine in type 2 diabetes associate with glycemic control and glomerular filtration rate but not with risk factors of vasculopathy.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Increased plasma levels of ADMA may indicate endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of angiopathy. The relation of ADMA to diabetes, glycemic control, and renal function, especially early diabetic hyperfiltration, remains unknown. We tried to evaluate whether there is an association between ADMA and glycosylated hemoglobin (GHbA(1c)) on the one hand and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) on the other hand in diabetic subjects with normal or slightly increased GFR. We also studied whether plasma ADMA is associated with some risk factors of vasculopathy (hypercholesterolemia and hypertension). The study subjects consisted of 86 patients with type 2 diabetes and 65 control subjects. Plasma ADMA levels were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography as o-pthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatives and GFR was determined by the plasma clearance of chromium 51-EDTA. The diabetic patients had lower plasma ADMA levels than the nondiabetic control subjects (0.29 +/- 0.15 v 0.34 +/- 0.16 micromol/L, P <.03). In the diabetic subjects, plasma ADMA concentrations were inversely correlated with GHbA(1c) (R = -0.28, P =.01). In a multivariate linear model, significant predictors of ADMA were GFR (R = -0.32, P =.008) in diabetic subjects and GHbA(1c) (R = -0.19, P =.03) and GFR (R = -0.19, P =.02) in all subjects. Plasma ADMA was not associated with risk factors of vasculopathy. We conclude that diabetic patients with a normal or slightly increased GFR have lower circulating ADMA concentrations than nondiabetic control subjects. In type 2 diabetic patients high GFR and poor glycemic control were related to low plasma ADMA concentrations.
Biotransformation of pravastatin sodium in humans.

Pravastatin sodium (PV) is a potent cholesterol-lowering agent that acts by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Biotransformation profiles of PV in pooled human urine, plasma, and feces from healthy male volunteers given single 19.2-mg oral or 9.9-mg iv doses of [14C]PV were determined by HPLC. The predominant drug-related component in urine, plasma, and feces corresponded to intact PV; in the pooled urine samples, PV constituted 29 and 69% of the radioactivity after the po and iv doses, respectively. The delta 4.5-3 alpha-hydroxy isomer of PV constituted 10% (po) and 2% (iv), and 6-epi-PV constituted 3% (po) and 1% (iv) of the urinary radioactivity. Negligible amounts of the lactones of PV or its isomers were detected in urine, plasma, or feces. At least 15 other metabolites were also present; none of these accounted for more than 6% of the total urinary radioactivity. For metabolite isolation, an aliquot of pooled urine samples, obtained after administration of the radioactive dose, was added as a tracer to urine samples obtained from healthy subjects after administration of single nonradiolabeled 40-mg oral doses of PV. Urinary metabolites were concentrated on an XAD-2 column, extracted with ethyl acetate, and purified by extensive preparative HPLC. In addition to isolation and identification of unchanged drug and the two isomeric metabolites described above, eight other metabolites were isolated and structural assignments were made based on HPLC, UV spectra, mass spectral analysis, and proton NMR. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Novel adaptations in motor cortical maps: the relation to persistent elbow pain.

INTRODUCTION Unilateral elbow pain results in sensorimotor dysfunction that is frequently bilateral, affects local and remote upper limb muscles, and persists beyond resolution of local tendon symptoms. These characteristics suggest supraspinal involvement. Here, we investigated 1) the excitability and organization of the M1 representation of the wrist extensor muscles and 2) the relation between M1 changes and clinical outcomes in lateral epicondylalgia (LE) (n = 11) and healthy control subjects (n = 11). METHODS Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to map the M1 representation of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum (ED). RESULTS The cortical representations of ECRB and ED were more excitable, and the centers of gravity for the two muscles were located closer together in LE than that in healthy controls. Increased ECRB excitability and closer location of the center of gravity were associated with higher pain severity at rest and/or in the preceding 6 months. A novel finding was a reduced number of discrete peaks in the representations of ECRB and ED in participants with LE compared with that in healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS This finding may have broad implications for the control of the wrist extensor muscles in LE. These data provide evidence that cortical organization may be maladaptive in LE and suggest that reorganization may be associated with persistence/recurrence of pain.
Radiofrequency and microwave ablation in combination with transarterial chemoembolization induce equivalent histopathologic coagulation necrosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients bridged to liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Bridging therapy plays an increasingly important role in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) awaiting liver transplantation (LT). Combination therapy with drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and percutaneous thermal ablation, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA), has shown success at prolonging survival and bridging patients to LT. However, few studies have evaluated the two combination therapy regimens head-to-head at a single institution, and fewer have compared histopathology. This retrospective study compares tumor coagulation on explanted livers in patients with HCC treated with DEB-TACE sequentially combined with RFA versus MWA. METHODS From 2005 to 2015, 42 sequential patients underwent combination therapy prior to LT by Milan criteria, with 11 patients (11 tumors; mean, 2.9 cm; range, 1.8-4.3 cm) in the DEB-TACE/RFA cohort and 31 patients (40 tumors; mean, 2.4 cm; range, 1.1-5.4 cm) in the DEB-TACE/MWA cohort. The mean TACE procedures in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 1.3 (range, 1-2) and 1.3 (range, 1-3), respectively. The mean thermal ablations in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 1.2 (range, 1-2) and 1.3 (range, 1-3), respectively. Tumor coagulation was evaluated on explanted livers. RESULTS Mean tumor coagulation in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 88.9% (range, 0-100%) and 90.5% (range, 30-100%), respectively (P=0.82). Rates of complete tumor coagulation in the RFA and MWA cohorts were 45% and 53%, respectively (P=0.74). No difference in tumor coagulation was found between the cohorts when separating tumors <3 cm (P=0.21) and >3 cm (P=0.09). Among all 51 tumors, the 36 in complete response (CR) on imaging at LT demonstrated mean tumor coagulation of 95.8%. No correlation was found between tumor coagulation and initial tumor size or time interval to LT. No tumor seeding was seen along the ablation tracts. CONCLUSIONS RFA and MWA in sequential combination with DEB-TACE, used as a bridge to LT, are equally efficacious at inducing HCC tumor coagulation.
Intraoral ulcerations of recurrent herpes simplex and recurrent aphthae: two distinct clinical entities.

The lesions of recurrent intraoral herpes simplex and those of recurrent aphthae are clinically and etiologically different. Failure to recognize the difference may be due to conflicting terminology used in the literature, the transient nature of changes detectable by cytology, and the short period in which herpes virus is isolable from oral lesions. Criteria are proposed for identifying lesions of the two conditions.
A Framework for Actionable Clustering Using Constraint Programming

Consider if you wish to cluster your ego network in Facebook so as to find several useful groups each of which you can invite to a different dinner party. You may require that each cluster must contain equal number of males and females, that the width of a cluster in terms of age is at most 10 and that each person in a cluster should have at least $r$ other people with the same hobby. These are examples of cardinality, geometric and density requirements/constraints respectfully that can make the clustering useful for a given purpose. However existing formulations of constrained clustering were not designed to handle these constraints since they typically deal with low-level, instance-level constraints. We formulate a constraint programming (CP) languages formulation of clustering with these cluster-level styles of constraints which we call \emph{actionable clustering}. Experimental results show the potential uses of this work to make clustering more actionable. We also show that these constraints can be used to improve the accuracy of semi-supervised clustering.
An Improved Rete Algorithm Based on Double Hash Filter and Node Indexing for Distributed Rule Engine

SUMMARY Rule engine technologies have been widely used in the development of enterprise information systems. However, these rule-based systems may su ﬀ er the problem of low performance, when there is a large amount of facts data to be matched with the rules. The way of cluster or grid to construct rule engines can ﬂexibly expand system processing capability by increasing cluster scale, and acquire shorter response time. In order to speed up pattern matching in rule engine, a double hash ﬁlter approach for alpha network, combined with beta node indexing, is proposed to improve Rete algorithm in this paper. By using fact type node in Rete network, a hash map about ‘fact type - fact type node’ is built in root node, and hash maps about ‘attribute constraint - alpha node’ are constructed in fact type nodes. This kind of double hash mechanism can speed up the ﬁltration of facts in alpha network. Meanwhile, hash tables with the indexes cal- culated through fact objects, are built in memories of beta nodes, to avoid unnecessary iteration in the join operations of beta nodes. In addition, rule engine based on this improved Rete algorithm is applied in the enterprise information systems. The experimental results show that this method can e ﬀ ectively speed up the pattern matching, and signiﬁcantly decrease the response time of the application systems.
PPMgLN-Based High-Power Optical Parametric Oscillator Pumped by Yb $^{{\bm 3}{\bm +}}$-Doped Fiber Amplifier Incorporates Active Pulse Shaping

We report a periodically poled magnesium-oxide-doped lithium niobate (PPMgLN) based optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a diode-seeded, linearly polarized, high-power, pulsed, ytterbium fiber master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA). Using adaptive pulse shaping of the seed laser (using an external modulator), we demonstrate a reduction in the impact of dynamic gain saturation and optical Kerr/Raman nonlinearities within the fiber MOPA, obtaining shaped signal and idler pulses at the OPO output and reduced spectral bandwidths. A maximum average output power of 26.5 W was obtained from the MOPA at 1062 nm. An output power as high as 11 W from the OPO at an overall slope efficiency of 67% was achieved, with 2.7 W of output power obtained at a wavelength of 3.5 mum. Our experiments were pump-power-limited and considerable scope remains for further power scaling of such OPOs using this approach.
Factors Predicting the Adherence to the Therapy of Italian IBD Patients

Background Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic gastrointestinal disorders influencing many aspects of the patient's life and accounting for substantial social costs. They require long-term therapies and regular contact with the clinic of reference. Our aim is to investigate therapy adherence and identify predictors of adherence. Methods 151 patients were recruited in IBD clinic at the University of Salerno filled in the modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, a standardized questionnaire provided during the visit. Results Overall, 71.5% of the patients report to take all medications regularly. According to the scale, our population showed a 62.5% medium-high adherence to oral 5-ASA, a 72% medium–high adherence to immunomodulators, a 60% medium–high adherence to oral steroids, and 94.9% adherence to biologics. Younger patients tend to be less compliant to the therapy. The main reasons for the low adherence to therapy were the “hassle of sticking to the medication plan” and “their feeling better. ” Conclusion. In Italy, where the healthcare system covers most of the expenses for IBD therapy, almost 30% of IBD patients report low compliance to therapy. Healthcare givers should improve the knowledge regarding the disease and favor the development of combined drugs that would simplify the daily medication plan.
Genetic algorithm based approach for low power combinational circuit testing

With the advancement in automation, periodic testing of electronic circuits during their lifetime is becoming more and more important. For such a circuit, it is thus very much necessary to reduce the power requirement during the testing,phase also. This paper presents a genetic algorithm based formulation to solve the problem of generating a test pattern set such that it has high fault coverage and low power consumption. Exhaustive experimentation done on ISCAS85 combinational benchmark suite has shown that the this tool results in up to 78% reduction in transition activity over the original test set generated by ATPGs like ATALANTA.
Recent paleoseismic investigations in Northern and Western Thailand

Recent paleoseismic investigations have identified a number of active faults in Northern and Western Thailand. Northern Thailand is an intraplate basin and range province, comprised of north-south-trending Cenozoic intermontane grabens and half grabens, bounded by north- to northwest-striking normal to normal-oblique faults and northeast-striking left-lateral strike-slip faults. The basin-bounding normal faults are marked by steep, linear range fronts with triangular facets and wineglass canyons and have slip rates of 0.1 to 0.8 mm/yr. Based on limited data, the average vertical displacement-per-event is about 1.0 to 1.5 m. These faults are characterized by recurrence intervals of thousands to tens of thousands of years and are capable of generating earthquakes up to moment magnitude (M) 7, and larger. The northeast-striking strike-slip faults are marked by shutter ridges, and deflected drainages. Slip rates are 3 mm/yr or less. Western Thailand is dissected by a number of northwest- and north-northwest-striking, right-lateral strike-slip faults related to the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar. Although showing much less activity than the faults in neighboring Myanmar, these faults display abundant evidence for late Quaternary movement, including shutter ridges, sag ponds, and laterally offset streams. The slip rate on these faults is estimated to be 0.5 to 2.0 mm/yr. These faults are considered capable of generating maximum earthquakes of up to M 71/2.