Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Models for Online Computing in Developing Countries: Issues and Deliberations

The implementation of computerized health information systems (HIS) across the African continent has had mixed success over the past 20 years. Many countries have been left with non-functional systems which cannot be adapted to meet current health information demands because funding is exhausted, the source code for legacy systems is not available and the challenge of maintaining complex and distributed systems in resource-poor environments has simply proved too great. The expansion of Internet connectivity in Africa has enabled a new model of provisioning systems using the web which may prove to be more robust and scalable. This paper uses the case of a new web-based HIS in Ghana to illustrate the opportunities and challenges of this new model. We discuss how the HIS in Ghana was materialized through an act of “improvized outsourcing” according to Ciborra [(1999). Notes on improvisation and time in organizations. Accounting, Management and Information Technologies, 9(2), 77–94], improvization is called upon in urgent situations “when plans and procedures fail” (p. 77). Such an urgent situation took place in Ghana when the data center intended for hosting of the HIS server was not operational in time for the national rollout. Through an act of improvization, hosting of the server was outsourced to a private company in Accra. Silva (2002) [Outsourcing as an improvisation: A case study in Latin America. The Information Society, 18(2), 129–138] argues that power is essential in understanding why outsourcing improvizations succeed or fail, and in light of this we discuss what empowering factors that enabled the successful improvization in Ghana and the role of improvization and outsourcing for the long-term sustainability of system.
Off-critical parafermions and the winding angle distribution of the O(n) model

Using an off-critical deformation of the identity of Duminil-Copin and Smirnov, we prove a relationship between half-plane surface critical exponents γ1 and γ11 as well as wedge critical exponents γ2(α) and γ21(α) and the exponent characterizing the winding angle distribution of the O(n) model in the half-plane, or more generally in a wedge of wedge-angle α. We assume only the existence of these exponents and, for some values of n, the conjectured value of the critical point. If we assume their values as predicted by conformal field theory, one gets complete agreement with the conjectured winding angle distribution, as obtained by CFT and Coulomb gas arguments. We also prove the exponent inequality γ1 − γ11 ⩾ 1, and its extension γ2(α) − γ21(α) ⩾ 1 for the edge exponents. We provide conjectured values for all exponents for n ∈ [ − 2, 2).
Recollections on the Origins and Development of the Prosomeric Model

The prosomeric model was postulated jointly by L. Puelles and J. L. R. Rubenstein in 1993 and has been developed since by means of minor changes and a major update in 2012. This article explains the progressive academic and scientific antecedents leading LP to this collaboration and its subsequent developments. Other antecedents due to earlier neuroembryologists that also proposed neuromeric brain models since the late 19th century, as well as those who defended the alternative columnar model, are presented and explained. The circumstances that apparently caused the differential success of the neuromeric models in the recent neurobiological field are also explored.
Accuracy, efficiency and preferences of survivors of traumatic brain injury when using three organization strategies to retrieve words

The primary objective was to compare the accuracy and preferences of adult survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) when using three organization strategies--semantic topic, geographic place and a word's first letter (alphabet)--to retrieve words using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology. A repeated measures research design was employed. Twelve adult survivors of TBI ranging in age from 18-50 years participated in the study. These participants retrieved words using an AAC system organized using the three experimental conditions. In addition, they rank-ordered their preferences for each of the three strategies. Results showed that adults with TBI retrieve words more accurately and more efficiently when using the alphabet organization strategy than when using the topic or place strategies. Despite this, participants expressed a preference for using the topic strategy. Explanations for the findings and implications for AAC use are provided.
Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin translocation across a tethered lipid bilayer

Significance Many bacterial toxins can cross biological membranes to reach the cytosol of mammalian cells, although how they pass through a lipid bilayer remains largely unknown. Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase (CyaA) toxin delivers its catalytic domain directly across the cell membrane. To characterize this unique translocation process, we designed an in vitro assay based on a tethered lipid bilayer assembled over a biosensor surface derivatized with calmodulin, a natural activator of the toxin. CyaA activation by calmodulin provided a highly sensitive readout for toxin translocation across the bilayer. CyaA translocation was calcium- and membrane potential-dependent but independent of any additional eukaryotic protein. This biomimetic membrane will permit in vitro studies of protein translocation in precisely defined conditions. Numerous bacterial toxins can cross biological membranes to reach the cytosol of mammalian cells, where they exert their cytotoxic effects. Our model toxin, the adenylate cyclase (CyaA) from Bordetella pertussis, is able to invade eukaryotic cells by translocating its catalytic domain directly across the plasma membrane of target cells. To characterize its original translocation process, we designed an in vitro assay based on a biomimetic membrane model in which a tethered lipid bilayer (tBLM) is assembled on an amine-gold surface derivatized with calmodulin (CaM). The assembled bilayer forms a continuous and protein-impermeable boundary completely separating the underlying calmodulin (trans side) from the medium above (cis side). The binding of CyaA to the tBLM is monitored by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. CyaA binding to the immobilized CaM, revealed by enzymatic activity, serves as a highly sensitive reporter of toxin translocation across the bilayer. Translocation of the CyaA catalytic domain was found to be strictly dependent on the presence of calcium and also on the application of a negative potential, as shown earlier in eukaryotic cells. Thus, CyaA is able to deliver its catalytic domain across a biological membrane without the need for any eukaryotic components besides CaM. This suggests that the calcium-dependent CyaA translocation may be driven in part by the electrical field across the membrane. This study’s in vitro demonstration of toxin translocation across a tBLM provides an opportunity to explore the molecular mechanisms of protein translocation across biological membranes in precisely defined experimental conditions.
The Determinants of Bank Mergers: A Revealed Preference Analysis

We provide new estimates of merger value creation by exploiting revealed preferences of merging banks within a matching market framework. We find that merger value arises from cost efficiencies in overlapping markets, relaxing of regulation, and network effects exhibited by the acquirer-target matching. Beyond our findings, the revealed preference method has notable advantages that warrant its application beyond the bank merger market. Notably, we show that the method outperforms reduced form alternatives out of sample, enables sensible counterfactual experiments, and can be used to evaluate private-to-private mergers, which have been understudied because of lack of stock market data.Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mnsc.2015. 2245 . This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance .
Analysis of malaria diagnosis discrepancies between RDTs and microscopy by nested PCR

A total of 415 samples from febrile children exhibiting either concordant (n = 108) or discordant (n = 307) results between microscopy, the gold standard diagnostic test, and two Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), OptiMAL-IT? (pLDH) and Acon? HRP2, were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from May to December 2011 in Gabon. The aim of the study was to analyse these discrepancies using poly-merase chain reaction (PCR). Nested PCR targeting the Plasmodium ssrRNA gene was used to distinguish P. falciparum, P. malariae and P. ovale. Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria species identified. Discrepancies frequently involved samples that were negative by microscopy and positive by Acon? HRP2 (90%) or Optimal-it? (86%). The PCR assay detected submicroscopic infection in almost 23% of the microscopy-negative samples, whereas plasmodial DNA was not found in 77% of the Acon? HRP2 positive-microscopy negative samples. Although results obtained with Optimal-it? were more frequently concordant with those of PCR genotyping, the low specificity of Optimal-iT? for non-falciparum malaria parasite detection resulted in a high proportion of false negative RDTs (90%) and a high frequency of tests with faint line intensity. The present study highlights the specific attributes of the different methods used to identify malaria parasite below the microscopy level of detection. RDT results that were discordant with either microscopy or PCR as the gold standard could represent a challenge for rapid, accurate fever case management in malaria endemic areas. It is necessary to pursue the development of more precise and more sensitive point-of-care diagnostic tools for malaria.
Case Report: Respiratory Management With a 47-Day ECMO Support for a Critical Patient With COVID-19

This paper reports a complete case of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), who presented with rapid deterioration of oxygenation during hospitalization despite escalating high-flow nasal cannulation to invasive mechanical ventilation. After inefficacy with lung-protective ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration, prone position, we administered extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a salvage respiratory support with ultra-protective ventilation for 47 days and finally discharged the patient home with a good quality of life with a Barthel Index Score of 100 after 76 days of hospitalization. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clinical reference for the management of ECMO and respiratory strategy of critical patients with COVID-19-related ARDS.
Molecular Biotypes for Periodontal Diseases?

Since the introduction of 2 forms of periodontitis, chronic periodontitis (CP) and aggressive periodontitis (AgP) (Armitage, 1999), based on major differences in clinical phenotypes, questions still remain regarding the exact biological features that correspond to the separation of destructive periodontal disease into these 2 entities. Why not just one form, or why not at least 4 types based on age of onset (Van der Velden, 2000)? Scherp (1964), in his notable epidemiological survey on periodontitis, wrote that “the varieties of periodontal disease are almost limitless, depending on one’s taste for subclassification. ” Periodontitis diagnosis and classification continue to be under debate (Van der Velden, 2005; Armitage and Cullinan, 2010). An interesting study in the current issue of the Journal of Dental Research (Kebschull et al., 2013) proposed that there are characteristic gene expression signatures (transcriptomes) in gingival biopsies from CP and AgP. These molecular patterns are distinctive between the 2 disease forms and possibly could identify characteristic features and specific pathophysiology pathways. To date, no unequivocal histopathological or clear microbiological features have been found to establish a clear biological basis for the distinction between CP and AgP (Armitage, 2010; Smith et al., 2010). Although Kebschull et al. (2013) observed differences in gene expression profiles between CP and AgP, the authors also rightfully wrote that the CP and AgP lesions displayed surprisingly limited differences: for AgP, “the magnitude of the differences was generally modest, with 30 over-expressed and only one under-expressed probe by an absolute change of >1.5 fold in AgP vs. CP lesions. ” How to put this into perspective? Obviously, gene expression signatures per se may not really reflect the complex pathophysiological pathways of periodontitis; they may merely reflect in both CP and AgP, closely resembling “end points” of immune and tissue physiologies in response to a given biofilm. For example, the experimental gingivitis study by Offenbacher et al. (2009) showed, also with transcriptomic signatures from gingival biopsies, the up-regulation of genes in response to the increasing dental plaque mass. Periodontitis is a complex disease, where multiple causal factors play simultaneous and interactive roles (Laine et al., 2012). There are 4 main causal risk factors, i.e., the intriguing dental and subgingival microbiota (the bacterial biofilm), individual genetic variations, lifestyle, and systemic factors. Complexity is not just a word to describe our inability to cope with a large number of parameters involved in a system. Complexity has now been found to be a fundamental law in nature, rooted to almost every phenomenon we observe, even those appearing to be simple (Nicolis and Nicolis, 2012). There are several attributes of complexity that are well-recognized:
Dexamethasone treatment affects skin mucous cell density in Gyrodactylus derjavini infected Salmo salar

Abstract Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, is normally rather refractive to infection with the ectoparasitic monogenean Gyrodactylus derjavini but dexamethasone treatment of the host increases the susceptibility. The causative mechanisms were elucidated in this work. Groups of Atlantic salmon were treated by intra-peritoneal dexamethasone injections and subsequently infected with G. derjavini. It was shown that both the infection level and the mucous cell density of caudal and pelvic fins were affected by the treatment. Significantly higher mucous cell densities were found on infected and treated fish whereas non-infected and treated fish showed no significant elevation of cell density. This suggests that mucous cell discharge elicited by infection is inhibited by the drug. The association with elevated parasite counts in these fish can be explained either by decreased anti-parasitic mucus action or by parasite predilection for intact mucous cells.
Estudo sobre o Efeito das Eleições Presidenciais no Gerenciamento de Resultados de Empresas Atuantes em Setores Regulados

O presente trabalho investiga o efeito da regulacao economica e das eleicoes presidenciais no gerenciamento de resultados das companhias no mercado de capitais brasileiro. Nesse contexto, analisa-se o gerenciamento de resultados considerando-se empresas atuantes em diversos setores da economia, mais especificamente os regulados pelo Governo Federal. Foram analisadas 339 companhias abertas com acoes listadas na Bolsa de Valores de Sao Paulo - Bovespa, nos periodos de 1993-1995, 1997-1999, 2001-2003, 2005-2007, agrupados em setores regulados e setores com menor regulacao. Os dados financeiros foram coletados da Economatica, e utilizou-se o modelo de regressao proposto por Han e Wang (1998) para a analise da pratica de gerenciamento de resultados. Estes apontam para indicios de que companhias com acoes listadas na Bovespa manipularam seus accruals na contabilidade para gerenciarem seus ganhos, confirmando a literatura internacional (HAN; WANG, 1998; CAHAN, 1992; JONES, 1991), segundo a qual a atencao publica interfere nos resultados publicados das companhias e, consequentemente, na elaboracao da informacao contabil.
Salmonella SirA is a global regulator of genes mediating enteropathogenesis

SirA of Salmonella typhimurium is known to regulate the hilA and prgH genes within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1). To identify more members of the SirA regulon, we screened 10 000 random lacZY fusions (chromosomal MudJ insertions) for regulation by SirA and identified 10 positively regulated fusions. Three fusions were within the SPI1 genes hilA (an SPI1 transcriptional regulator), spaS (a component of the SPI1 type III export apparatus) and sipB (a substrate of the SPI1 export apparatus). Two fusions were within the sopB gene (also known as sigD). sopB is located within SPI5, but encodes a protein that is exported via the SPI1 export apparatus. In addition, five fusions were within genes of unknown function that are located in SPI4. As spaS and sipB were likely to be hilA dependent, we tested all of the fusions (except hilA) for hilA dependence. Surprisingly, we found that all of the fusions require hilA for expression and that plasmid‐encoded SirA cannot bypass this requirement. Therefore, SirA regulates hilA, the product of which regulates genes within SPI1, SPI4 and SPI5. Both sirA and hilA mutants are dramatically attenuated in a bovine model of gastroenteritis, but have little or no effect in the mouse model of typhoid fever. This study establishes the SirA/HilA regulatory cascade as the primary regulon controlling enteropathogenic virulence functions in S. typhimurium. Because S. typhimurium causes gastroenteritis in both cattle and humans, we believe that this information may be directly applicable to the human disease.
Investigating the significance of multiple scattering in ultrasound contrast agent particle populations

The majority of the existing models describing the behavior of microbubble ultrasound contrast agents consider single, isolated microbubbles suspended in infinite media. The behavior of a microbubble population is predicted by summing the results for single microbubbles and ignoring multiple scattering effects. The aim of this investigation is to determine the significance of multiple scattering in microbubble populations and establish whether an alternative approach is required. In the first part of the work, linear models are derived to identify approximately the conditions under which multiple scattering may be expected. A nonlinear model for sound propagation in a microbubble suspension then is developed and used to examine multiple scattering at higher insonation pressures. Broadband attenuation measurements are described for two different types of microbubble suspension (albumin encapsulated octofluoropropane and copolymer encapsulated isobutane) to ascertain whether or not multiple scattering may be observed experimentally. The results from the simulation work indicate that multiple scattering effects would be discernible at moderate concentrations (10/sup 6/ microbubbles/ml) such as may be present in vivo. The effect upon attenuation in the suspension would be pronounced, however, only if the population contained a sufficient proportion of relatively large (>4 /spl mu/m radius) microbubbles excited at their resonance frequency. This also is found to be the case experimentally. These findings may have important implications for the characterization of ultrasound contrast agents and their use in quantitative diagnostic techniques.
Malaria: consideraciones sobre su diagnóstico

La malaria ha afectado la especie humana y por varios milenios y aun continua siendo una de las enfermedades que mas morbilidad y mortalidad causan, particularmente en las regiones tropicales de paises en desarrollo. Es la infeccion parasitaria mas importante, causando mas de un millon de muertes al ano en el mundo. La malaria es producida por cinco especies de Plasmodium que infectan al hombre: P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malarie, P. knowlesi y P. falciparum; esta ultima es la que mayor riesgo tiene para los pacientes por su capacidad de infectar eritrocitos de todas las edades, quedar atrapado en la microcirculacion y por su resistencia a los antimalaricos. Debido al aumento de la resistencia de los parasitos a los agentes antimalaricos y al incremento de los viajes internacionales, entre otros factores, la malaria continua siendo un importante problema de salud publica. En este modulo se describen los aspectos mas importantes del parasito y de la enfermedad, incluyendo el ciclo de vida, la epidemiologia y las manifestaciones clinicas asociadas. Por ultimo, se hace especial enfasis en las diferentes pruebas diagnosticas, sus indicaciones y su disponibilidad
A Briefing Survey on Advances of Coupled Networks With Various Patterns

In real-world scenarios, networks do not exist in isolation but coupled together in different ways, including dependent, multi-support, and inter-connected patterns. And, when a coupled network suffers from structural instability or dynamic perturbations, the system with different coupling patterns shows rich phase transition behaviors. In this review, we present coupled network models with different coupling patterns developed from real scenarios in recent years for studying the system robustness. For the coupled networks with different coupling patterns, based on the network percolation theory, this paper mainly describes the influence of coupling patterns on network robustness. Moreover, for different coupling patterns, we here show readers the research background, research context, and the latest research results and applications. Furthermore, different approaches to improve system robustness with various coupling patterns and future possible research directions for coupled networks are explained and considered.
Negotiating the Middle: Interactions of Class, Gender and Consumerism Among the Middle-Class in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

6 CHAPTER ONE: A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WORLD 7 CHAPTER TWO: ORIENTATIONS 38 CHAPTER THREE: A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 77 CHAPTER FOUR: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF THE MIDDLE-CLASS 109 CHAPTER FIVE: MIDDLE-CLASS CULTURE: “MIDDLENESS” AND PERFORMATIVITY 146 CHAPTER SIX: WANTING TO BE BETTER: EDUCATION, WORK AND APPROPRIATENESS 198 CHAPTER SEVEN: MIDDLE-CLASS CONSUMERISM AND MIDDLENESS 260 CHAPTER EIGHT: EPILOGUE 327 REFERENCES 342