Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention among Iranian adults: an application of the preventive health model.

Objective Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer among adults in Iran. CRC screening is an effective way in reducing mortality rate from this cancer. However, the screening rate of CRC is very low among Iranian adults. This study investigated predictors of Iranian average-risk adults ' intention to take up CRC screening with fecal occult blood test using a mediator model. Methods Participants of this cross-sectional study comprised of 477 average-risk adults who were selected using a national sampling frame in Hamadan city, west of Iran. Data was collected through the questionnaire based on the preventive health model constructs. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the relationship using Smart PLS 2.0 software. Results All measures were robust in terms of the reliability and validity. Benefit (b = 0.12, p < 0.01), self- efficacy (b = 0.36, p < 0.01), social support (b = 0.10, p < 0.05) and barriers (b = -0.14, p < 0.01) predicted the intention to be screened for CRC. Self- efficacy partly mediated the effects of social support and perceived barriers on intention. The study model explained approximately 24% of the variance in CRC screening intention with fecal occult blood test. Conclusion Our findings indicated that the preventive health model constructs such as self -efficacy, social support and barriers are useful in understanding CRC screening intentions and can help health planners to develop effective interventions to encourage Iranian adults to undergo CRC screening.
Representational interactions during audiovisual speech entrainment: Redundancy in left posterior superior temporal gyrus and synergy in left motor cortex

Integration of multimodal sensory information is fundamental to many aspects of human behavior, but the neural mechanisms underlying these processes remain mysterious. For example, during face-to-face communication, we know that the brain integrates dynamic auditory and visual inputs, but we do not yet understand where and how such integration mechanisms support speech comprehension. Here, we quantify representational interactions between dynamic audio and visual speech signals and show that different brain regions exhibit different types of representational interaction. With a novel information theoretic measure, we found that theta (3–7 Hz) oscillations in the posterior superior temporal gyrus/sulcus (pSTG/S) represent auditory and visual inputs redundantly (i.e., represent common features of the two), whereas the same oscillations in left motor and inferior temporal cortex represent the inputs synergistically (i.e., the instantaneous relationship between audio and visual inputs is also represented). Importantly, redundant coding in the left pSTG/S and synergistic coding in the left motor cortex predict behavior—i.e., speech comprehension performance. Our findings therefore demonstrate that processes classically described as integration can have different statistical properties and may reflect distinct mechanisms that occur in different brain regions to support audiovisual speech comprehension.
Management of Reduced Bone Mineral Density in HIV: Pharmacological Challenges and the Role of Exercise

Low bone mineral density is becoming more common among people living with HIV following the use of current antiretroviral therapy drugs such as tenofovir. Although pharmacological therapies used to treat low bone mineral density are associated with adverse effects and may increase the pill burden in people living with HIV who are already burdened by antiretroviral therapy drugs, non-pharmacological strategies to prevent and treat reduced bone mineral density resulting from antiretroviral therapy drugs in people living with HIV have not been fully explored. Despite evidence that exercise is effective in increasing bone mineral density, effects of exercise on low bone mineral density resulting from antiretroviral therapy drugs in HIV infected individuals are still unknown. This review highlights gaps in the strategies used to manage reduced bone mineral density resulting from antiretroviral therapy drugs and focuses on exercise as an alternative or adjunctive strategy.
Krishna Sudarsana: A Z-Space Similarity Measure

Similarity profiled association mining from time stamped transaction databases is an important topic of research relatively less addressed in the field of temporal data mining. Mining temporal patterns from these databases requires choosing and applying similarity measure for pruning patterns after computing similarity degree. This paper proposes a new z-space based similarity measure KRISHNA SUDARSANA for time-stamped transaction databases. Applying KRISHNA SUDARSANA requires moving the threshold value given by user to a different transformation space (z-space) and is a function of standard deviation. A new expression for standard deviation is derived for use in the expression for similarity measure. This research extends the similarity measure SRIHASS by using a product based membership function.
Autophagy controls neonatal myogenesis by regulating the GH-IGF1 system through a NFE2L2- and DDIT3-mediated mechanism

ABSTRACT Macroautophagy/autophagy is emerging as an important process in adult muscle stem cells functions: it regulates metabolic reprogramming during activation from a quiescent state, maintains stemness and prevents senescence. We now show that autophagy is specifically required for neonatal myogenesis and muscle development. Specific deletion of Atg7 in PAX7+ (paired box 7) precursors led in mice to a dwarf phenotype, with an effect restricted to the neonatal phase of muscle development. Atg7 knockdown suppressed neonatal satellite cell (nSC) proliferation and differentiation, downregulating the GH-IGF1 functions. When we disrupted autophagy, NFE2L2/NRF2 (nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2) accumulated in muscle and nSCs and negatively modulated DDIT3/CHOP (DNA-damage inducible transcript 3) expression. Lower levels of DDIT3 were responsible for reduced GHR expression leading to impaired local production of IGF1. Our results conclusively identify a novel autophagy-dependent pathway that regulates nSC behavior and indicate that autophagy is required for skeletal muscle development in the neonatal phase. Abbreviations: AKT/protein kinase B: Thymoma viral proto-oncogene; ASCs: adult stem cells; ATF4: activating transcription factor 4; ATG7: autophagy related 7; BAT: brown adipose tissue; BMP: bone morphogenetic protein; CEBPB: CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), beta; CSA: cross sectional area; CTNNB1: catenin (cadherin associated protein), beta 1; DDIT3: DNA-damage inducible transcript 3; DM: differentiation medium; E: embryonic stage; EIF2AK3/PERK; EIF4EBP1: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; FGF21: fibroblast growth factor 21; GH: growth hormone; GHR: growth hormone receptor; HSCs: hematopoietic stem cells; IGF1: insulin-like growth factor 1; ITGAM: integrin alpha M; KEAP1: kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1; LY6A/Sca-1; MAP1LC3: lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus A; microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAPK1/ERK2: mitogen-activated protein kinase 1; MAPK3/ERK1: mitogen-activated protein kinase 3; miRNAs: microRNAs; MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; mtUPR: mitochondrial unfolded protein response; MYF5: myogenic factor 5; MYH: myosin, heavy polypeptide; MYOD1: myogenic differentiation 1; MYOG: myogenin; NFE2L2: nuclear factor, erythroid derived 2, like 2; nSC: neonatal satellite cells; NSCs: neuronal stem cells; P: postnatal day; PAX7: paired box 7; PECAM1: platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1; PPARG: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma; PTPRC: protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, C; ROS: reactive oxygen species; RPS6: ribosomal protein S6; SCs: adult satellite cells; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; STAT5: signal transducer and activator of transcription 5; TGFB1: transforming growth factor beta 1; WAT: white adipose tissue; WT: wild type.
Analysis of C3 Gene Variants in Patients With Idiopathic Recurrent Spontaneous Pregnancy Loss

Miscarriage is the most common complication of pregnancy. Approximately 1% of couples trying to conceive will experience recurrent miscarriages, defined as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses and many of these cases remain idiopathic. Complement is implicated both in the physiology and pathology of pregnancy. Therefore, we hypothesized that alterations in the C3 gene could potentially predispose to this disorder. We performed full Sanger sequencing of all exons of C3, in 192 childless women, with at least two miscarriages and without any known risk factors. All exons carrying non-synonymous alterations found in the patients were then sequenced in a control group of 192 women. None of the identified alterations were significantly associated with the disorder. Thirteen identified non-synonymous alterations (R102G, K155Q, L302P, P314L, Y325H, V326A, S327P, V330I, K633R, R735W, R1591G, G1606D, and S1619R) were expressed recombinantly, upon which C3 expression and secretion were determined. The L302P and S327P were not secreted from the cells, likely due to misfolding and intracellular degradation. Y325H, V326A, V3301I, R1591G, and G1606D yielded approximately half C3 concentration in the cell media compared with wild type (WT). We analyzed the hemolytic activity of the secreted C3 variants by reconstituting C3-depleted serum. In this assay, R1591G had impaired hemolytic activity while majority of remaining mutants instead had increased activity. R1591G also yielded more factor B activation in solution compared with WT. R1591G and G1606D showed impaired degradation by factor I, irrespectively if factor H, CD46, or C4b-binding protein were used as cofactors. These two C3 mutants showed impaired binding of the cofactors and/or factor I. Taken together, several alterations in C3 were identified and some of these affected the secretion and/or the function of the protein, which might contribute to the disorder but the degree of association must be evaluated in larger cohorts.
Adult Ube3a Gene Reinstatement Restores the Electrophysiological Deficits of Prefrontal Cortex Layer 5 Neurons in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome

E3 ubiquitin ligase (UBE3A) levels in the brain need to be tightly regulated, as loss of functional UBE3A protein is responsible for the severe neurodevelopmental disorder Angelman syndrome (AS), whereas increased activity of UBE3A is associated with nonsyndromic autism. Given the role of mPFC in neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, we aimed to identify the functional changes resulting from loss of UBE3A in infralimbic and prelimbic mPFC areas in a mouse model of AS. Whole-cell recordings from layer 5 mPFC pyramidal neurons obtained in brain slices from adult mice of both sexes revealed that loss of UBE3A results in a strong decrease of spontaneous inhibitory transmission and increase of spontaneous excitatory transmission potentially leading to a marked excitation/inhibition imbalance. Additionally, we found that loss of UBE3A led to decreased excitability and increased threshold for action potential of layer 5 fast spiking interneurons without significantly affecting the excitability of pyramidal neurons. Because we previously showed that AS mouse behavioral phenotypes are reversible upon Ube3a gene reactivation during a restricted period of early postnatal development, we investigated whether Ube3a gene reactivation in a fully mature brain could reverse any of the identified physiological deficits. In contrast to our previously reported behavioral findings, restoring UBE3A levels in adult animals fully rescued all the identified physiological deficits of mPFC neurons. Moreover, the kinetics of reversing these synaptic deficits closely followed the reinstatement of UBE3A protein level. Together, these findings show a striking dissociation between the rescue of behavioral and physiological deficits. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Here we describe significant physiological deficits in the mPFC of an Angelman syndrome mouse model. We found a marked change in excitatory/inhibitory balance, as well as decreased excitability of fast spiking interneurons. A promising treatment strategy for Angelman syndrome is aimed at restoring UBE3A expression by activating the paternal UBE3A gene. Here we find that the physiological changes in the mPFC are fully reversible upon gene reactivation, even when the brain is fully mature. This indicates that there is no critical developmental window for reversing the identified physiological deficits in mPFC.
The Influence of Regional Power Distributions on Interdependence

Political economy debates about the influence of power configurations in expanding and maintaining global liberalization ebb and flow with the wax and wane of the concentration of power in the international system. This article engages the debate in a novel way from previous scholarship. Employing a series of econometric models that account for regional power, I argue that the global power concentration is ill fit to be the primary predictor of trade liberalization, but instead, regional power fluctuations can dampen and enhance global trends. By incorporating subsystemic power configurations, we gain a better understanding of the regional variation in states buying into or cashing out of interdependence.
Whole-cortical graphical networks at wakeful rest in young and older adults revealed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Abstract. A good understanding of age-dependent changes and modifications in brain networks is crucial for fully exploring the effects of aging on the human brain. Few reports have been found in studies of functional brain networks using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Moreover, little is known about the feasibility of using fNIRS to assess age-related changes in brain connectomes. This study applied whole brain fNIRS measurement, combined with graph theory analysis, to assess the age-dependent changes in resting-state brain networks. Five to eight minutes of resting-state brain hemodynamic signals were recorded from 48 participants (18 young adults and 30 older adults) with 133 optical channels covering the majority of the cortical regions. Both local and global graph metrics were computed to identify the age-related changes of topographical brain networks. Older adults showed an overall decline of both global and local efficiency compared to young adults, as well as the decline of small-worldness. In addition, young adults showed the abundance of hubs in the prefrontal cortex, whereas older adults revealed the hub shifts to the sensorimotor cortex. These obvious shifts of hubs may potentially indicate decreases of the decision-making, memory, and other high-order functions as people age. Our results showed consistent findings with published literature and also demonstrated the feasibility of whole-head fNIRS measurements to assess age-dependent changes in resting-state brain networks.
Stabilization of Vegetable Market Waste through Vermicomposting

Vegetable wastes from market and homes are source of environmental pollution, global climatic changes and human health hazards. Methods of their disposal and management are not satisfactory. Earlier studies on vermicomposting of kitchen and vegetable waste could not provide a simple and satisfactory method of waste recycling. Therefore, the study was taken up. Vegetable waste was mixed with paper, sand-soil mixture and after pre-decomposition for 20 days, 30 earthworms were released. The cultures were maintained for three months and then observations on number and weight of worms, temperature, pH and NPK value of the medium were recorded. Different results were obtained in different combinations of three waste mixtures. Usually dung slurry (50%) is sprinkled for maintaining proper moisture in the vermicomposting medium. The best results were obtained in 5:1:2 mixture of vegetable waste, paper waste and soil-sand mixture with a maximum increase in worm population and worm biomass. Analysis of vermicompost revealed maximum nitrogen (1.94%), potassium (1.19%) and phosphorus (1.11%) content in this mixture. Thus it is concluded that vegetable waste can be converted into high quality vermicompost in an environment friendly manner. Promotion of vermicomposting of household waste will help in environmental conservation, organic farming and sustainable development.
Internet Usage by University Academics: Implications for the 21 st Century Teaching and Learning

: Information Technology is driving transformative pedagogy in both lower and higher education institutions. This paper discusses internet usage patterns among university academics before advancing to explore how to improve these aspects in the context of education. This descriptive survey collected data from a random sample of 440 university academics in Zimbabwe. Academics use the internet for research more than they did for teaching purposes. Statistical analysis of data revealed gender differences in internet access. Age and experience were found to explain differences in usage among university academics. Educational implications of these findings in relation to advancing development of 21 st century skills through Information Technology in tomorrow’s leadership and drivers of country’s economic growth were highlighted. The study recommends a transformation of university teaching practice through technology based holistic models that encompass creative and innovative Webogogy and facilitative content delivery for better performance in higher educational institutions. The paper advocates for university management to promote Technology based teaching practice in universities, fund and develop formal training programmes to upgrade internet search and webagogy skills of academics.
Deep Learning Features Fusion with Classical Image Features for Image Access

Depending on the society, the access to the adult content can create social problems. This paper thus proposes a fusion approach for image based adult content filtering. The proposed approach merges the Deep Learning (DL) architecture and classical hand crafted feature extraction approaches. From the DL, we fuse the rich feature extraction capabilities of the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with the Correlograms features. We optimize the classification by integrating and modifying the Correlograms into skin Correlograms. The results show an increased performance by combining the DL learnt features with the classical hand crafted features. From an evaluation, the proposed approach achieves an Accuracy of 0.93. This work thus motivates the usage of classical hand crafted features to be exploited in the DL architectures for segmentation and detection scenarios.
Improving Spatial Thinking Through Experiential-Based Learning Across International Higher Education Settings

Research in geographic education has a strong focus on the improvement of spatial thinking. For Millennials, spatial thinking curriculum could benefit from the inclusion of experiential-based learning activities. However, as universities are faced with larger class sizes, new approaches need to be incorporated by the instructors to offer improved learning environments. Courses introducing basic geography skills often incorporate lessons concerned with spatial thinking and global perspectives. Thus, the instruction of geographic tools such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), longitude, latitude, and remote sensing offer prime opportunities for experiential-based learning in geographic pedagogy. This research aimed to employ a low-cost experiential-based learning method incorporating a geocaching activity to strengthen spatial thinking skills. The method was employed at universities in both the United States and Ethiopia with non-geography major students at different levels of study. The effectiveness of the method was measured utilizing the pre- and post- spatial thinking ability test (STAT). Additionally, the student’s perceptions and experience with the activity were further explored through a survey. The results suggest that the geocaching activity significantly ( t (133)=-2.914, p =0.004) improved the spatial thinking of the grouping of all students. These students showed significant improvements in orientation and directional abilities ( p =0.000), spatial overlay and dissolve ( p =0.033), and points, networks, regions/ spatial shapes and patterns ( p =0.003). Additionally, students suggested they strongly agree that they enjoyed the activity (85.83%) and that the activity stimulated their thinking more than a lecture (79.69%). The findings suggest that the incorporation of an experiential-learning activity in the undergraduate classroom may lead to improvements in student spatial thinking. a correlation between the experiential-based learning activity and spatial thinking.
Baseline fragmented QRS increases the risk of major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

Fragmented QRS reflects disturbances in the myocardium predisposing the heart to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Recent studies suggest that fragmented QRS (fQRS) is associated with worse major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature has not been done. We assessed the association between fQRS and major arrhythmic events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by a systematic review of the literature and a meta‐analysis.
The Effects of Social Exclusion and Group Heterogeneity on the Provision of Public Goods

The multi-dimensional nature of social exclusion requires several perspectives in understanding its causes and consequences. Focus on the topic is largely centred around questions of material deprivation. However, as poverty and inequality are inextricably linked to questions of access and inclusion, a holistic approach is required. Consequently, we explore how imposed relational asymmetries which manifest as differences in the ability to exercise personal agency and in turn, engender wealth inequalities, affect social cooperation in future interactions. To do this, we generate wealth inequalities through two Prisoner’s Dilemma games, where one party is excluded from participating in the determination of the outcomes of the game. The effects of this asymmetry in social participation on ex post cooperation is examined using a Public Goods game. We find that the presence of prior asymmetric influence in social decision-making subsequently reduces contributions to the public good, independent of endowment level. This reduction in social welfare is driven by the under-contribution from players who were excluded in prior social interactions. Simply put, the data shows that a history of social exclusion reduces subsequent public goods provision, independent of material inequality.
Disclosure of financial instruments according to International Accounting Standards: empirical evidence from Brazilian companies

This article analyzes the level of disclosure of financial instruments in the financial statements of Brazilian companies in light of the requirements of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). We examined the annual reports of a sample of 24 nonfinancial firms provided to the Brazilian and the American capital markets for the years from 2002 to 2006. The main results are that the reports to the Brazilian market have an average disclosure level that it statistically inferior to the level of the reports released to the American market, and firms in regulated sectors, firms with a longer history of issuing ADRs and larger firms show higher levels of disclosure.