Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and natural history of colonic angiodysplasia among healthy asymptomatic people.

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of colonic angiodysplasia (AD) among healthy asymptomatic people is unknown, and the natural history of these lesions has not been clearly defined. The purpose of our study was to determine prevalence and to review and assess the natural history of AD. METHODS Each of the authors had previously published his own prospective study that involved screening colonoscopy for the detection of neoplasia in asymptomatic adult men and women who had never bled. All pathological lesions diagnosed by endoscopy were recorded, but only data pertaining to polyps were published. We pooled and analyzed the endoscopic findings (raw data) from those studies and assessed the natural history of the lesions by reviewing the medical charts of affected subjects to determine whether bleeding had occurred. Nine hundred sixty-four patients were evaluated (mean age, 62 yr). All were > or = 50 yr old (range, 50-79 yr), not anemic, Hemoccult negative, asymptomatic, and had full colonoscopy to the cecum. RESULTS Eight subjects had AD (prevalence, 0.83%). Lesions in affected individuals were usually small (mean size, 4.0 mm) and most often were located in the right colon (62%). No subject bled, and all maintained a stable hemoglobin (mean, 14.6 g%) with a mean follow-up of 3 yr. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that 1) colonic AD is uncommon among healthy asymptomatic people (prevalence, 0.83%), 2) lesions are usually small (< 10 mm) and are located proximal to the hepatic flexure, 3) the natural history for AD in these people is benign, and the risk of bleeding over a 3-yr period is low (0% in 3 yr), and 4) because of this low risk, endoscopic treatment for incidental (nonbleeding) AD is unnecessary.
HIV prevalence and behavioral risk factors in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army: Data from South Sudan

Overview After two decades of civil war, South Sudan has limited published data on HIV prevalence and behavioral determinants of HIV infection risk. A surge in HIV/AIDS prevalence is a real concern for this new country with limited access to medical or HIV preventive services, and low education and literacy levels. We present findings from the first bio-behavioral surveillance survey conducted within the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Methods A cross-sectional survey of 1,149 randomly selected soldiers from thirteen SPLA bases was conducted in two phases: July to August 2010 and April to May 2012. Consenting participants received HIV rapid tests, pre- and post-test counseling, and a personal interview. Demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, including sexual behavior, alcohol use, and mental health were assessed using computer-assisted interviews. Findings The final sample included 1,063 survey participants (96.7% male). Education levels within the SPLA are low; only 16.4% attended school beyond the primary level. The overall HIV prevalence in the sample was 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6–6.9). High-risk behaviors (e.g., multiple or concurrent sexual partners, heavy alcohol use, low condom use) were noted among SPLA members. High levels of HIV stigma were identified: 90.6% (n = 916) responded with one or more negative beliefs towards PLHIV, and 60.3% thought a healthy-looking person with HIV should not be allowed to remain in the SPLA. Conclusion Results from this first evaluation of risk behaviors and HIV prevalence among the SPLA highlight high-risk behaviors that may contribute to the spread of HIV. Understanding potential comorbid conditions will be critical to designing strategies to reduce HIV risk. This survey represents the first steps in understanding the HIV epidemic within the SPLA context.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Cytopathic and Noncytopathic Biotypes and Type 1 and 2 Genotypes in Diagnostic Laboratory Accessions: Clinical and Necropsy Samples from Cattle

One hundred three bovine samples submitted to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (OADDL) that were positive for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) were typed by a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for BVDV genotypes. These BVDV samples included supernatants from virus isolation (79), serums (17), and buffy coats (7). The biotype, cytopathic (CP) or noncytopathic (NCP), was determined by cell culture virus isolation. Twenty-eight of 103 samples were submitted for herd screening for BVDV, 32 from OADDL necropsy cases, and 43 from live cattle with varied clinical conditions. Two samples contained 2 bands indicating presence of both BVDV types 1 and 2. Of the 105 BVDV samples, 26 were type 1 CP strains (24.8%), 38 were type 1 NCP strains (36.2%), 10 were type 2 CP strains (9.5%), and 31 were type 2 NCP strains (29.5%). From the 105 BVDV isolates, NCP biotypes were isolated more frequently (69, 65.7%) than CP biotypes (36, 34.3%), and type 1 genotypes were more frequently isolated (64, 61.00%) than type 2 genotypes (41, 39.0%). The NCP strains were more common than CP in herd screening samples. Cattle with respiratory disease history at time of sampling had more NCP than CP biotypes and more type 1 than type 2 genotypes. Of the necropsy cases, more were type 1 than type 2 genotypes for the respiratory cases with fibrinous pneumonia, more were type 1 than type 2 genotypes in cattle with enteritis/colitis without systemic lesions, and more were CP than NCP biotypes in cattle with enteritis/colitis with systemic lesions. No CP biotype was isolated from serum samples.
Performance of Liaison XL automated immunoassay platform for blood‐borne infection screening on hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV 1/2, HTLV 1/2 and Treponema pallidum serological markers

Aim of the study was to evaluate performance of a new fully automated platform, DiaSorin‐LIAISON® XL (DiaSorin S.p.A, Vercelli, Italy), in blood donor screening, specifically for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibodies (anti‐HBc), hepatitis C antibodies (anti‐HCV), HIV p24 antigen, HIV antibodies, human T‐lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV‐1/2) and Treponema pallidum antibodies.
A Multicriteria Evaluation of Hybrid Recommender Systems: On the Usefulness of Input Data Characteristics

Recommender Systems (RS) may behave differently depending on the characteristics of the input data, encouraging the development of Hybrid Filtering (HF). There are few works in the literature that explicitly characterize aspects of the input data and how they can lead to better HF solutions. Such work is limited to the scope of combination of Collaborative Filtering (CF) solutions, using only rating prediction accuracy as an evaluation criterion. However, it is known that RS also need to consider other evaluation criteria, such as novelty and diversity, and that HF involving more than one approach can lead to more effective solutions. In this work, we begin to explore this under-investigated area, by evaluating different HF strategies involving CF and Content-Based (CB) approaches, using a variety of data characteristics as extra input data, as well as different evaluation criteria. We found that the use of data characteristics in HF proved to be useful when considering different evaluation criteria. This occurs in spite of the fact that the experimented methods aim at minimizing only the rating prediction errors, without considering other criteria.
Dietary beta carotene and lung cancer risk in U.S. nonsmokers.

BACKGROUND Approximately 15% of all lung cancer deaths in the United States (about 22,350 deaths annually) may not be directly attributable to active cigarette smoking. Consumption of beta carotene, which is derived almost exclusively from intake of fruits and vegetables, has been associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer in smokers. However, studies examining this association in nonsmokers, particularly nonsmoking men, are limited. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine whether dietary factors including beta carotene and retinol are associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer in nonsmoking men and women. METHODS A population-based, matched case-control study of lung cancer in nonsmokers was conducted in New York State from 1982 to 1985. Dietary interviews were completed for 413 individually matched case-control pairs of subjects. To determine whether the relationship between dietary intake from specific food groups and lung cancer differed by type of interview, smoking history, sex, age, or histologic type, we examined data on the case-control pairs from each subgroup separately. The intake of beta carotene and retinol was calculated as the weighted sum of the monthly frequencies of consumption of food items containing these nutrients, where the weights correspond to the nutrient content of a typical portion of the food items. RESULTS Consumption of greens (P for trend < .01), fresh fruits (P for trend < .01), and cheese (P for trend < .05) was associated with a significant dose-dependent reduction in risk for lung cancer, whereas consumption of whole milk (P for trend < .01) was associated with a significant dose-dependent increase in risk. Use of vitamin E supplements was also protective (odds ratio = 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35-0.85). Increased consumption of the following food groups was associated with a reduction in risk among females: vegetables (P for trend < .025), raw fruits and vegetables (P for trend < .005), and dairy products (P for trend < .025). In males, increased consumption of raw fruits and vegetables was associated with a reduced risk for lung cancer (P for trend < .005). Dietary beta carotene (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.50-0.99), but not retinol (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.82-1.17), was significantly associated with risk reduction. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study to date of dietary factors and lung cancer in nonsmokers; results suggest that dietary beta carotene, raw fruits and vegetables, and vitamin E supplements reduce the risk of lung cancer in nonsmoking men and women.
High Levels of Resistance in the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), to Neonicotinoid Insecticides

Abstract The rapid increase of bed bug populations resistant to pyrethroids demands the development of novel control tactics. Products combining pyrethroids and neonicotinoids have become very popular for bed bug control in the United States, but there are concerns about evolution of resistance to these compounds. Laboratory assays were used to measure the toxicity of topical applications of four neonicotinoids to a susceptible population and three pyrethroid-resistant populations. Activity of esterases, glutathione S-transferases, and cytochrome P450s of all strains was also evaluated. High levels of resistance to four neonicotinoids, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, dinotefuran, and thiamethoxam, relative to the susceptible Fort Dix population, were detected in populations collected from human dwellings in Cincinnati and Michigan. Because activity of detoxifying enzymes was increased in these two populations, our results suggest that these enzymes have some involvement in neonicotinoid resistance, but other resistance mechanisms might be involved as well. Detection of high levels of resistance to neonicotinoids further limits the options for chemical control of bed bugs.
Carrier-cooperative zero-forcing for power minimization in parallel MIMO broadcast channels

We consider the power minimization problem with per-user minimum rate constraints for parallel multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channels employing zero-forcing beamforming. Recent results have shown that spreading data streams across several carriers-so called carrier-cooperative (CC) transmission-can lead to a reduction of the sum transmit power in such a scenario. However, using state-of-the-art power minimization algorithms based on zero-forcing, only carrier-noncooperative (CN) solutions can be obtained. In this paper, we derive a novel algorithm that is capable of finding CC transmit strategies and can achieve a significant decrease in sum transmit power compared to a conventional zero-forcing power minimization method. The key point of the algorithm is that it combines greedy allocation of data streams, which is a popular technique to optimize zero-forcing strategies, with a gradient-based update of the filter vectors, which is a way to ensure that CC solutions can be obtained. Numerical simulations show that the advantage of the new algorithm is most pronounced in an environment where users have spectrally similar channels.
Mercúrio nos peixes do Rio Tapajós, Amazônia brasileira

Foram estudadas as concentracoes de mercurio total (Hg), a bioacumulacao e a biomagnificacao desse metal na ictiofauna de tres lagos do rio Tapajos. Alem disso, uma atencao especial foi dada as possiveis variacoes temporal e espacial dos niveis desse metal na ictiofauna. Os resultados provem de duas amostragens correspondentes a cheia (abril-maio/2000) e a enchente do rio (janeiro/2001). A biomagnificacao do Hg na cadeia trofica dos tres lagos foi identificada durante os dois periodos analisados. No periodo das chuvas, 31% dos peixes predadores apresentaram concentracoes superiores ao valor critico de 500 ng/g, contra 28% durante a enchente. Sao raramente observadas correlacoes do tipo linear ou curvilinear positiva entre as concentracoes de Hg do tecido muscular e o comprimento total dos peixes. Varias especies de importância comercial nao apresentaram nenhuma variacao nas concentracoes de Hg com o aumento do comprimento do peixe. Outras correlacoes, do tipo linear negativa e nao linear positiva e negativa do Hg ao longo do desenvolvimento dos peixes, foram igualmente identificadas. Nossos dados sugerem que as concentracoes de Hg possam variar sazonalmente. Nenhuma variacao espacial das concentracoes de Hg foi observada na maioria das especies estudadas. De acordo com a presente pesquisa, e importante que os diferentes modos de acumulacao do Hg pelos peixes, bem como eventuais variacoes espaco-temporais dos niveis desse metal, sejam considerados no momento em que medidas de intervencao/educacao visando informar as populacoes expostas forem empreendidas
A MOSSBAUER EFFECT STUDY OF TRIPLITE AND RELATED MINERALS

Mdssbauer parameters are reported for the phosphate minerals triplite, zwieselite, triploidite, and wolfeite. Analysis of the absorption data confirms the existence of non-equivalent ferrous ions. The broadening of the resonance peaks is rationalized on the basis of a microscopic disorder due to half-occupied fluorine sites in the fluoride minerals and to sets of closelv related metal sites in the hydroxy minerals.
Online learning: enhancing nurse education?

BACKGROUND The need to integrate information technology into nursing education has been recognized and well documented. In spite of this, information technology remains a neglected subject in many nursing programmes. Strategies have been considered for increasing the integration of information technology in nursing education. One of the key issues identified is the need for research into the factors that contribute to optimal learning with information technology, specifically the need to explore issues that contribute to student frustration and satisfaction with learning. Within Australia, the incorporation of information technology as a core subject in nursing education is still relatively new. This article describes how one university used 'online' learning to expose students to conceptual and experiential opportunities that enabled them to develop skills in the management of information technology. METHODS Twenty-one students participated in this qualitative study. Individual interviews were used to develop insights into student perceptions. Thematic analysis enabled refined themes to emerge. These themes formed the basis of focus group discussions. Focus groups were used to enhance and validate the information from one-to-one interviews by using group dynamics to add experiential richness to the data. FINDINGS Four major themes emerged: computer confidence, flexibility, active learning and practicalities of teaching. CONCLUSIONS The integration of information technology into nursing education requires a dramatic change in thinking. The 'learning curve' is steep for both student and educator and there are many issues that need to be considered. This research does not aim to provide solutions to the issues highlighted but rather offers recommendations for enhancing the teaching and learning experience.
Opt-Out Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Female Detainees at Cook County Jail in Chicago, IL

Background In April of 2011, the Cook County Jail initiated opt-out screening of all women for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) at the time of intake. In this retrospective review, we assess the impact of opt-out protocol on rates of testing, diagnoses, and successful treatment. Methods We collected the results of all CT and GC tests ordered during intake from April 2011 through December 2012 and reviewed the medical chart of every patient with a positive result for documentation of treatment. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to examine the factors associated with receipt of treatment. Results Opt-out screening increased the number of diagnoses by more than 4-fold (from 9.3 to 40.8 cases/mo). Among 17,065 women eligible for screening, 3729 (22%) women opted out of screening, and screening was completed in 9265 (54.2%). There were 235 (2.5%) gonococcal infections and 702 (7.6%) chlamydial infections. Of 866 women with a positive test result, 602 (69.5%) received treatment while in jail. In multivariable analysis, older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.63), pregnancy (aOR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.22–5.18), and longer length of stay in jail (aOR, 18.1; 95% CI, 11.7–28.1) were associated with greater likelihood of treatment. Conclusions Women entering the Cook County Jail have high prevalence of GC/CT infections. Opt-out screening increased the number of GC and CT diagnoses made, and a high proportion of women were treated while incarcerated. Significant challenges remain in ensuring that screening is completed for all women who do not opt out and in providing treatment to women with short duration of incarceration.
Characterization and distribution of Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated in Indonesia

Previous studies have shown that Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus can be isolated from similar types of marine samples. In this report, the results of an examination of 567 V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus strains, isolated from seawater in Jakarta Bay and from more than 30 types of seafood from markets in Jakarta, Indonesia, are presented. Most isolates were from mackerel, shrimp, or squid. Numerical taxonomic analyses clustered 337 isolates and three V. alginolyticus reference strains at S greater than or equal to 80%. These strains produced acid from sucrose, but only approximately 80% produced acetoin or grew in the presence of 10% NaCl. The frequency of occurrence of V. alginolyticus in seawater samples ranged from 0% (in February and March 1972) to 100% (in September and December 1972) and was highest in seafood samples from August to December 1972. A second cluster of 230 isolates and seven V. parahaemolyticus reference strains was observed at S greater than or equal to 82%. These strains did not produce acetoin or acid from sucrose, and approximately 20% grew in the presence of 10% NaCl. V. parahaemolyticus was detected in seawater samples each month, with the highest frequency of occurrence (83.3%) in May 1972. Twenty-nine K antigen serotypes were demonstrated in V. parahaemolyticus isolates, and another 40% were untypable. The modal antibiotic resistance pattern for each species included five drugs. Only 12% of the V. parahaemolyticus strains were Kanagawa positive, and 10% elicited fluid accumulation in ligated rabbit ileal loops. All of the 7 V. alginolyticus strains and 94 (70%) of the V. parahaemolyticus strains tested killed mice when inoculated intraperitoneally. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Is Attitudes: toward Theoretical and Definition Clarity

There has long been a recognized need to measure the "success" or efficacy of information systems and the implementation process. Various constructs related to success have been suggested, such as user attitudes, system use, performance, and value. The attitude construct has received a great deal of attention for both theoretical and operational reasons. This paper focuses on the need for a convincing theoretical model linking systems or policies and user attitudes on the one hand, and user attitudes and performance or value on the other. Using job satisfaction research as a reference discipline for understanding the relationship between attitudes and performance, a model of IS attitudes, beliefs, and performance is developed. This model suggests that performance is affected by the correspondence or "fit" between the task requirements and the functionality of the IS environmenL In addition a distinction between beliefs and attitudes is recommended. While satisfaction might be best determined by measuring attitudes, the correspondence between task and functionality is best determined by measuring beliefs. The implications of this model for future research are discussed. use. Attitude measures are also seen as more INTRODUCTION generalizable and more general purpose than context specific measures of performance or There has long been a recognized need to value. measure the "success" or efficacy of information systems and the implementation process. MIS research in this area has been criticized for Various constructs related to success have been poor operationalization of the theoretical consuggested, such as user attitudes, use, perforstructs and insufficient attention to measuremance, and value. The attitude construct has ment error (Treacy, 1985). However, the sucreceived a great deal of attention for both cessful use of attitudes in information systems theoretical and operational reasons. Some research is also dependent upon the developresearchers theorize that user attitudes are a ment of a convincing theoretical model of the causal factor explaining use of a system causal chain from systems to value, and the (Swanson, 1982a). Attitudes are also sometimes place of attitudes in that system-to-value chain. seen as a surrogate for a key factor, such as Thus we need models linking both systems or quality of design, performance or value itself policies and attitudes. on the one hand, and (Epstein and King, 1982). Attitude research is attitudes and performance or value on the attractive operationally because user attitudes other. Without a strong theoretical base of this can be measured after the fact-they don't retype, we will be unable to build a body of emquire the large up-front organizational commitpirically supported theory, regardless of the ment associated with unobtrusive measures of statistical significance of individual results.