Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of four sampling methods among men having sex with men in China: implications for HIV/STD surveillance and prevention

Abstract Sample representativeness remains one of the challenges in effective HIV/STD surveillance and prevention targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) worldwide. Although convenience samples are widely used in studies of MSM, previous studies suggested that these samples might not be representative of the broader MSM population. This issue becomes even more critical in many developing countries where needed resources for conducting probability sampling are limited. We examined variations in HIV and Syphilis infections and sociodemographic and behavioral factors among 307 young migrant MSM recruited using four different convenience sampling methods (peer outreach, informal social network, Internet, and venue-based) in Beijing, China in 2009. The participants completed a self-administered survey and provided blood specimens for HIV/STD testing. Among the four MSM samples using different recruitment methods, rates of HIV infections were 5.1%, 5.8%, 7.8%, and 3.4%; rates of Syphilis infection were 21.8%, 36.2%, 11.8%, and 13.8%; and rates of inconsistent condom use were 57%, 52%, 58%, and 38%. Significant differences were found in various sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, migration history, education, income, and places of employment) and risk behaviors (e.g., age at first sex, number of sex partners, involvement in commercial sex, and substance use) among samples recruited by different sampling methods. The results confirmed the challenges of obtaining representative MSM samples and underscored the importance of using multiple sampling methods to reach MSM from diverse backgrounds and in different social segments and to improve the representativeness of the MSM samples when the use of probability sampling approach is not feasible.
Ten years of proteomics in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, which is the most common cause of chronic neurological disability in young adults, is an inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the CNS, which leads to the formation of multiple foci of demyelinated lesions in the white matter. The diagnosis is based currently on magnetic resonance image and evidence of dissemination in time and space. However, this could be facilitated if biomarkers were available to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms as well as to avoid cerebrospinal fluid analysis, which requires an invasive collection. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms of the disease are not completely elucidated, especially those related to the neurodegenerative aspects of the disease. The identification of biomarker candidates and molecular mechanisms of multiple sclerosis may be approached by proteomics. In the last 10 years, proteomic techniques have been applied in different biological samples (CNS tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood) from multiple sclerosis patients and in its experimental model. In this review, we summarize these data, presenting their value to the current knowledge of the disease mechanisms, as well as their importance in identifying biomarkers or treatment targets.
Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance in clinical Shigella isolates during 2014 and 2015: trends in South India.

BACKGROUND Shigella species are an important cause of acute diarrheal disease worldwide. This study describes the prevalence of Shigella spp. serotypes and their resistance profile in Vellore, South India from 2014 to 2015. METHODS From 2014 to 2015, 338 Shigella strains were isolated from stool samples at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. Identification and serotyping was carried out using standard protocols. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done against commonly used antibiotics. Multidrug resistance was detected in 157 isolates. A subset of 73 isolates was randomly characterized further for acquired antimicrobial resistance genes in this study. RESULTS The resistance profile of the study isolates varied by species and year. S. sonnei isolates were 100% resistant to all tested antibiotics in 2014, whereas in 2015, resistance was found for AMP-NAL-TAX-SXT-FIX. The resistance phenotypes among S. flexneri isolates for the year 2014 and 2015 were AMP-SXT-NAL-NOR-FIX-TAX and AMP-NAL-SXT-TAX-NOR-FIX respectively. Screening for antimicrobial resistance genes in S. flexneri found dhfr1A, sulII, blaOXA, blaTEM, blaCTX-M-1,qnrB, qnrS and AmpC genes while S. sonnei were found to have only dhfr1A, sulII, blaCTX-M-1 and qnrS genes respectively. Antimicrobial resistance genes were predominantly seen in AMP-SXT-NAL and AMP-SXT-NAL-NOR resistance phenotypes. CONCLUSION Shigella prevalence of 4.8% to 4.6% was documented between the years 2014 to 2015 in this study. We show evidence that resistance to commonly used antibiotics continues to increase among Shigella spp. in South India. The presence of qnrS and blaCTX-M-15 in the study isolates further indicates the threat of spreading resistance to quinolones and third-generation cephalosporins.
The Effects of Dobutamine on Renal Sympathetic Activity in Human Heart Failure

The pathophysiology of the cardiorenal syndrome remains poorly understood. Renal sympathetic activity is increased in heart failure. It contributes to the sodium avid state, renal vasoconstriction, and reduced glomerular filtration rate that is characteristic of a large number of heart failure patients. Dobutamine is commonly used in the treatment of decompensated heart failure. We used the norepinephrine spillover technique to examine the effects of dobutamine on renal sympathetic activity in human heart failure. Dobutamine was titrated to increase the peak positive rate of change in left ventricular pressure by 25%. In 11 patients with heart failure, dobutamine infusion reduced efferent renal sympathetic activity by 50% (P < 0.003). This sympatholytic response was associated with an 11% increase in renal plasma flow (P < 0.03) and a 12% increase in glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.04). These findings suggest that dobutamine infusion is acutely associated with a beneficial effect on renal function. This observation is potentially related to a renal sympatholytic response to ventricular mechanoreceptor activation associated with the inotropic effects of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation.
Preliminary findings on the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system: simulator sickness and presence

Abstract Background: Virtual environments in medical education are becoming increasingly popular as a learning tool. However, there is a large amount of evidence linking these systems to adverse effects that mimic motion sickness. It is also proposed that the efficacy of such systems is affected by how well they engage the user, which is often referred to as presence. Purpose: This primary purpose of this study was to look at the side effects experienced and presence in the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system which has recently been introduced. Method: A pre-VERT questionnaire was given to 84 subjects to ascertain general health of the subjects. The simulator sickness questionnaire was utilised to determine the side effects experienced, whereas the igroup presence questionnaire was used to measure presence. Both questionnaires were given immediately after use of the VERT system. Results: The majority of symptoms were minor; the two most commonly reported symptoms relating to ocular issues. No relationship was seen between simulator sickness and presence although subjects with a higher susceptibility to travel sickness had reported higher levels of disorientation and nausea. There was also a decrease in involvement with the system in subjects with a higher susceptibility to travel sickness.
Analysis for LLC resonant converter considering parasitic components at very light load condition

The LLC resonant converter has a critical problem that the output voltage cannot be regulated at very light load condition, although switching frequency is widely changed. This letter proposes time domain analysis considering parasitic components at very light load condition. Based on the proposed analysis, the essential reason of the regulation problem of the LLC resonant converter at very light load condition is described and the clear solution is suggested. To confirm the validity of the proposed analysis, the experimental results with 200W prototype is presented.
Associative classification rules hiding for privacy preservation

Sensitive patterns could be discovered from the given data when the data are shared between business partners. Such patterns should not be disclosed to the other parties. However, the shared data should be credible and trustworthy for their 'quality'. In this paper, we address a problem of sensitive classification rule hiding by a data reduction approach. We focus on an important type of classification rules, i.e., associative classification rule. In our context, the impact on data quality generated by data reduction processes is represented by the number of false-dropped rules and ghost rules. To address the problem, we propose a few observations on the reduction approach. Subsequently, we propose a greedy algorithm for the problem based on the observations. Also, we apply two-bitmap indexes to improve the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Experiment results are presented to show the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
The Impact of Social Influence on Individuals' Adoption of Innovation

This article empirically examines the impact of social factors (peer and social network) on attitudes toward innovation and the impact of that attitude on individual employees adopting innovation in their workplaces in Australia. This research uses quantitative research methodology and specifically multivariate statistical analysis. The research framework is based on the theory of reasoned action, the technology acceptance model, Frambach and Schillewaert's conceptual framework, and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Data were collected from employees of a tertiary institution in Australia using a structured questionnaire. The results of multiple regression analysis show that social network impacts significantly on attitudes toward an innovation which, in turn, affects the innovation adoption behavior of employees. Furthermore, social network has been found to directly influence the innovation adoption process. This outcome has strategic implications for organizations in the effective management of innovation involving employees. These implications are highlighted in the article. This research has focused on only one organization in a particular region in Australia. Future research can explore the relationship between variables by including a number of organizations across Australia and beyond to provide a deeper insight into the issues explored in this article.
Challenges for chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is treated with surgery followed by combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel plus carboplatin. In an effort to improve outcomes, clinical trials are evaluating the following strategies: maintenance therapy; intraperitoneal drug administration; new combinations; novel cytotoxics; combination chemotherapy for recurrent disease; and molecular-targeted therapies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clinical trials evaluating the above strategies are being performed in ovarian cancer in patients with: (1) previously untreated advanced ovarian cancer; (2) platinum-sensitive recurrent disease; and (3) platinum-resistant recurrent disease. RESULTS Combination chemotherapy regimens are superior to single-agent therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer. Molecular-targeted therapy has produced objective responses in previously treated patients. Maintenance therapy of any type has not been shown to prolong survival. Intraperitoneal therapy has resulted in improved survival with considerable toxicity in patients with small-volume stage III disease. CONCLUSIONS Numerous novel clinical strategies are being evaluated in ovarian cancers that have the potential to improve outcomes compared to standard therapy.
Investigating Factors Influencing the Use of E-Government Service

Enhanced telecommunication technologies have enabled Taiwan government to provide businesses and citizens with integrated information and online services. Such technology-based services, often referred to e-government, have substantially advanced the efficiency and accessibility of public services. While the benefits of e-government are widely recognized, the use of online services remains low. The present quantitative study aims to uncover the underlying factors that influence business user adoption of e-government services. In particular, this study integrates the system acceptance model with the trust perspective to investigate the factors that influence business user intentions. Based on the results from questionnaires collected from 204 business users of an online tax payment system, the findings suggest that perceived ease of use has a positive impact on perceived usefulness, that structural assurance influences trust positively, that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust have positive impact on attitude, and that trust and attitude influence behavioral intentions positively.
The Play Behavior of Hearing-Impaired Kindergarten Children

This exploratory study examined the cognitive and social play behaviors of hearing-impaired kindergarten children with regard to classroom instructional mode and communication strategies. Two classes were observed—one using sign communication and the other using an oral-based method of communication. Functional, constructive, dramatic, and social play behaviors were observed and documented. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups of children with regard to social and dramatic play as well as with regard to levels of aggression. For example, children in the sign-based class demonstrated higher levels of social play behavior and lower levels of aggression than the children in the oral-based class. Guidelines and strategies to help children initiate and sustain play are suggested.
Rapid colorimetric determination of calcium in biologic fluids with methylthymol blue.

A simple and rapid colorimetric method of determining calcium concentration, based on methylthymol blue, is described. Serum proteins and sizable concentrations of phosphate, magnesium, and bilirubin do not interfere significantly. Sensitivity is sufficient to permit ultramicro application, and the color of the calcium-dye complex is completely stable for several hours. The procedure involves no deproteinization, and can be completed within five minutes after serum or plasma have been obtained, and is equally applicable to routine and to “stat” requests. Two simple stock solutions are mixed together in equal volumes to form a working reagent, which, when added to the specimen, gives a blue color with calcium. Absorbance follows Beer’s law at calcium concentrations as high as 12.5 mg. per 100 ml. The results agree closely with those of Gitelman’s o-cresolphthalein complexone (SMA 12/60) procedure, and good accuracy has been shown by recovery data.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: A Masquerader in Sino-Orbital Infections

Purpose: To report 2 immunocompromised patients with sino-orbital necrotizing pseudomonas infections and review the literature. Methods: This is a noncomparative, retrospective case series, and review. The clinical data of 2 patients with histopathologic and microbiologic diagnoses of pseudomonas sinus infections causing orbital cellulitis were obtained from medical records. A retrospective literature review was performed on all reported cases of periorbital pseudomonas infections. Results: One patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome was noted to have orbital cellulitis with clear visualization of eschar in the middle turbinate on nasal endoscopy. A second patient also had orbital cellulitis with ophthalmoplegia and presence of eschar in the sinus. Both patients had some degree of erosion through the lamina papyracea found on orbital imaging and both had intact vision without optic neuropathy. Pseudomonas infection was confirmed in both cases with permanent histopathology and cultures from conservative sinus debridement. Conclusions: Pseudomonas sino-orbital infections must be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of eschar and orbital wall erosion especially when vision is preserved in immunocompromised individuals. This finding obviates the need for radical debridement including orbital exenteration, which can be indicated in cases of invasive fungal disease.
Statistical analysis of hydrological response in urbanising catchments based on adaptive sampling using inter-amount times

Abstract. Urban catchments are typically characterised by a more flashy nature of the hydrological response compared to natural catchments. Predicting flow changes associated with urbanisation is not straightforward, as they are influenced by interactions between impervious cover, basin size, drainage connectivity and stormwater management infrastructure. In this study, we present an alternative approach to statistical analysis of hydrological response variability and basin flashiness, based on the distribution of inter-amount times. We analyse inter-amount time distributions of high-resolution streamflow time series for 17 (semi-)urbanised basins in North Carolina, USA, ranging from 13 to 238 km2 in size. We show that in the inter-amount-time framework, sampling frequency is tuned to the local variability of the flow pattern, resulting in a different representation and weighting of high and low flow periods in the statistical distribution. This leads to important differences in the way the distribution quantiles, mean, coefficient of variation and skewness vary across scales and results in lower mean intermittency and improved scaling. Moreover, we show that inter-amount-time distributions can be used to detect regulation effects on flow patterns, identify critical sampling scales and characterise flashiness of hydrological response. The possibility to use both the classical approach and the inter-amount-time framework to identify minimum observable scales and analyse flow data opens up interesting areas for future research.
-TYPE MAPS AND BIRKHOFF-KELLOGG THEOREMS

(a) Kakutani; (b) acyclic; (c) O’Neill; (d) approximable; (e) admissible in the sense of Górniewicz; or (f) in κ c . The maps considered will also satisfy various compactness criteria described in Section 2. Our analysis is elementary and combines properties of the Minkowski functional with fixed point theory for self-maps. Also using our new homotopy theorem, we will present an “invariant direction” result for particular classes of maps. The theory and results in this paper complement and extend previously known results in the literature (see [2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12] and the references therein). For the remainder of this section, we present some definitions and some known facts. Let X and Y be subsets of Hausdorff topological vector spaces E1 and E2, respectively. We will look at maps F : X → K(Y); here K(Y) denotes the family of nonempty compact subsets of Y . We say that F : X → K(Y) is Kakutani if F is upper semicontinuous with convex values. A nonempty topological space is said to be acyclic if all its reduced Čech homology groups over the rationals are trivial. Now F : X → K(Y) is acyclic if F is upper semicontinuous with acyclic values. The map F : X → K(Y) is said to be an O’Neill map
Evaluation of EGFR, KRAS and BRAF gene mutations in renal cell carcinoma

A subset of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients has been shown to respond to anti-EGFR therapy. As KRAS and BRAF mutations are associated with poor response to anti-EGFR therapy in some cancers, it has been suggested that screening for KRAS and BRAF mutations in RCC may be a promising strategy to identify patients who might respond to EGFR-targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the mutation status of EGFR, KRAS and BRAF in RCC patients. Renal tumors and normal renal samples from forty-eight patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer were used in this study. Histological classification of the tumors was performed according to International Union against Cancer (UICC) / American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) classification. Seventeen patients (48%) had clear-cell RCC, 7 (20%) had chromophobe RCC, and 11 patients (32%) had papillary RCC. DNA isolated from the samples was subjected to melting curve mutation analysis for EGFR, BRAF and KRAS using ABI-3130 DNA sequencer. DNA sequencing analysis of RCC samples, when compared with morphologically normal matched regions, did not show any exon mutations. Our results do not support the notion that EGFR, KRAS and BRAF might be mutated in RCC.
A Neolithic revolution? New evidence of diet in the British Neolithic

Were marine foods still a significant part of the diet in the Early and Middle Neolithic in Britain? This paper presents new evidence, from δ13C measurements of 78 radiocarbon-dated humans from 27 coastal and inland sites in England and Wales, for an apparent abandonment of the use of marine foods in the British Early and Middle Neolithic.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 suppresses the interferon signaling pathway by inhibiting phosphorylation of STATs and janus kinases during an early infection stage.

We examined the influence on the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway of infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strain VR3. Data from reporter gene assays showed that expression of both type I and type II IFN-inducible genes was dramatically suppressed during the early stage of HSV-1 infection (2 to 3 h postinfection). During these periods, phosphorylation levels of janus kinases (JAKs) and STATs did not increase after treatment of HSV-1-infected FL cells with IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma, although cellular protein levels of the JAKs and the STATs were not significantly changed. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of HSV-1 on phosphorylation of STAT1 was not observed in U937 cells, which show resistance to steady-state accumulation of RNA for HSV-1 immediate-early genes. The phosphorylation of STAT1 in FL cells was not inhibited by infection with a UV-inactivated virus. These results indicate that viral gene expression or viral protein production is necessary for the inhibition of phosphorylation by HSV-1.
Changes in high-density lipoprotein and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in medicated schizophrenic patients and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND This study intended to simultaneously investigate the relationships between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in medicated schizophrenic patients vs healthy controls. METHODS During a 1-year period, we recruited 37 medicated schizophrenic patients and 30 healthy controls. Metabolic syndrome-related biomarkers including insulin and lipid profiles were enzymatically determined. RESULTS An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with BMI adjustment revealed that the patients had significantly lower HDL levels than the healthy controls (p = 0.017). ANCOVA with age adjustment revealed that the patients had significantly higher fasting insulin levels than the healthy controls (p = 0.034). In addition, in comparison with the healthy controls, the patients had higher mean serum levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol as well as higher HOMA-IR values. However, there were no significant differences in any marker in the ANCOVA analysis after adjustment for age or BMI. CONCLUSION We found lower HDL and higher insulin levels in medicated schizophrenic patients than in healthy controls.