Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sound and Circulation: Immobility and Obduracy in South African Electronic Music

This paper responds to the common assumption in much recent ethnomusicology that today music is more accessible, ubiquitous and mobile than ever before. In particular, I argue that this assumption runs aground when confronted with sonic practices in South Africa. Based on fieldwork with electronic musicians in Johannesburg and its surrounding areas, I ask how music is practiced and experienced in a context where musical equipment and storage devices constantly break down and where people are largely immobile. I focus on four factors: the physical layout of urban spaces; the immanence of crime and theft; the breakdown of musical equipment; and the interruption of information storage and transfer. By examining these factors, I elucidate the ways in which breakdown, obduracy and failure have generative as well as negative effects on music production and experience.
Oral Administration of Pentoxifylline Reduces Endometriosis-Like Lesions in a Nude Mouse Model

Introduction: Recent reports consider endometriosis to be an immunological disorder, thus suggesting potential efficacy of immunomodulators for its treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of oral administration of pentoxifylline on endometriosis-like lesions in a heterologous mice model. Study Design: Human endometrial tissue obtained from women (n = 5) undergoing surgery for benign conditions was implanted in nude female mice (n = 30). The animals were distributed into 3 experimental groups receiving: saline 0.1 mL/d (control, group 1); pentoxifylline 100 mg/kg/d (group 2), and pentoxifylline 200 mg/kg/d (group 3). After 28 days, the number of implants and the total volume of surgically extracted tissue were recorded. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess the area of endometriosis and vascularization of endometriosis-like lesions. Cytokine levels in peritoneal fluid samples were measured. Results: Macroscopic quantification showed a trend to dose-dependent reduction in the number of the endometriosis-like lesions after 28 days. The volume was significantly reduced in group 3 versus group 2 and controls (399.10 ± 120.68 mm3 vs 276.75 ± 94.30 mm3 and 145.33 ± 38.20 mm3, respectively; P = .04). Similarly, the mean area of endometriosis was significantly lower in group 3 (0.12 ± 0.08 mm2) versus group 2 (1.35 ± 0.43 mm2) and control (2.84 ± 0.60 mm2; P = .001). Vascularization and cytokine levels were also reduced posttreatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the oral administration of pentoxifylline may be an alternative to current therapies for endometriosis. Nonetheless, further studies are required.
Incidence and prevalence of juvenile chronic arthritis in East Berlin 1980-88.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the incidence and prevalence rates of juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). METHODS The study population was children under 16 years of age living in the East Berlin area (part of the former German Democratic Republic). By admission order that was effective up to 1990, all children with symptoms of a rheumatic disease living in the East Berlin area had to be referred to the 2nd Children's Hospital at Berlin-Buch. This specific condition allowed us to ascertain cases from the clinical records and to calculate population rates. Based upon this data, the results of surveys with different methods of case ascertainment are compared. RESULTS An incidence rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and a prevalence rate of 2.0 per 10,000 children were calculated. The frequency of JCA is higher for girls, with an incidence of 4.3 per 100,000 and a prevalence of 2.3 per 10,000. The figures for boys are 2.7 per 100,000 and 1.7 per 10,000, respectively. CONCLUSION Because of the specific prerequisites, the population rates of prevalence and incidence that were based on clinical records can be regarded as valid in this study. Deviant results of other surveys can be explained by differences in the study design or in the diagnostic procedures used.
Does SV40 infection contribute to the development of human cancers?

A large number of recent studies have reported the detection of simian virus 40 (SV40) nucleotide sequences in a number of unrelated human cancers which include paediatric and adult brain tumours, pleural mesotheliomas, bronchopulmonary carcinomas and osteosarcomas. Most of the data have been gathered by the use of PCR assays. These observations imply that SV40 is circulating in human communities by person‐to‐person transmission and that the virus is capable of wide dissemination in the infected individual. These claims must be regarded with skepticism for a variety of reasons. There are several inconsistencies in the reported data; for example, there is a wide variation (0–23%) in the frequency of SV40 sequences in normal tissues. The results of PCR assays have been difficult to confirm by less error‐prone and independent assays and the relationship of the virus to the tumour cell is not characterised. The SV40 sequences reported from humans are essentially identical to those of wild‐type SV40; it is difficult to conceive that a highly species‐specific polyomavirus like SV40 would cross the species barrier, become a human infection, and acquire pathogenic potential for the new host without significant adaptive change in its genome. The available evidence, although not extensive, does not indicate that SV40 is circulating in human communities. It is premature to discuss or speculate on the potential role of SV40 in the development of human cancer until the presence of SV40 in cancers and in human communities is established unequivocally, the risk factors for SV40 infection are elucidated, and the effect of SV40 exposure on the development of specific cancers is examined in the context of other known risk factors for those cancers. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure-activity relationships of milrinone analogues determined in vitro in a rabbit heart membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase model.

The cardiac activity of a series of analogues of the positive inotropic bipyridines amrinone (5-amino-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one) and milrinone (2-methyl-5-cyano-[3,4'-bipyridin]-6(1H)-one) was evaluated in vitro in a rabbit myocardial membrane Mg(2+)-dependent, Ca(2+)-stimulable adenosine triphosphatase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) model and structure-activity relationships were compared for nine closely related derivatives. In the present studies, a 5-bromo analogue of milrinone stimulated myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase significantly (10(-7) M; P < 0.001 vs control, with 67% of the activity of milrinone), whereas a 2'-methyl-2H-milrinone derivative was inactive. Although amrinone was inactive in this assay, its 2-methyl analogue was stimulatory. However, analogues lacking a 2-substituent (with or without a 5-cyano group) or with the 3-N position blocked by a methyl group did not stimulate myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Structural data for these bipyridines show that those with either a 2- or 2'-methyl substituent have a twist conformation, whereas those without are nearly planar. Activity data reveal that those bipyridines with a nonplanar conformation are more active in the Ca(2+)-ATPase assay. Further study of milrinone analogues with a 2'-methyl substituent shows that even though the effect on the twist angle is equivalent to that of 2-methyl substitution, these analogues are less potent. Data for this series reveal that the prerequisites for Ca(2+)-ATPase stimulation include not only a 2-methyl to maintain a twist conformation but also a free 3-N position and a 5-substituent. This model for optimal activity in the myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase system differs from those proposed for phosphodiesterase enzyme receptor recognition only in the requirement for a nonplanar molecule. We have previously shown that milrinone, but not amrinone, shares structural homology with thyroxine and was able to stimulate myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in a manner similar to the thyroid hormone. Additionally, milrinone, but not amrinone, was an effective competitor for thyroxine binding to the serum transport protein transthyretin. Analysis of the milrinone-transthyretin crystal complex confirms the structural homology between milrinone and thyroid hormone which is not shared by amrinone. Modeling studies of the binding interactions of milrinone analogues indicate that the 2-desmethylmilrinone analogue, the most inhibitory analogue, lacks the hydrophobic contacts present in milrinone in its transthyretin-bound complex. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Childhood morbidity, household practices and health care seeking for sick children in a tribal district of Maharashtra, India.

OBJECTIVES To find out the magnitude of childhood morbidities, health care seeking behavior and explore the status of 'some desired practices' at household level during episodes of illness in two tribal blocks of Chandrapur district. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present explanatory mixed-method design of quantitative (survey) and qualitative (focus group discussions, FGDs )methods was undertaken in nine Primary health centers of Warora and Bhadrawati blocks in Chandrapur district. The information of 2,700 under-five children on morbidity, health care seeking behavior and some desired practices at household level was collected by paying home visits and using pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS 12.0. 1 and C sample program of epi_info (version 6.04d) software package. The conventional content analysis of FGD data was undertaken. RESULTS The prevalence of morbidities was high among newborns and children. About 1,811 (67%) children had at least one of the morbidities. Private health care providers and village level faith healers were preferred for seeking treatment of newborn danger sings and childhood morbidities. The status of some desired household practices such as frequent feeding and giving extra fluid to drink during episodes of illness was poor. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, considering high prevalence of child morbidities and poor status of some desired household practices of caregivers at household level for sick children, household and community IMNCI strategy needs to be implemented to promote child health and nutrition. Apart from this, health care delivery at village level should be strengthened.
Development of Consensus Statements for Pregnancy Screening in Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine: A Delphi Study

Current radiation protection recommendations do not provide clear guidelines or advice on pregnancy screening strategies for diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures. Previous studies have reported on variations in current practice for pregnancy screening before diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures. The development of consensus statements aims to provide a consistent approach and assist nuclear medicine personnel to confidently question patients about their pregnancy status. Methods: The Delphi technique was chosen for the research design. A panel consisting of 10 experienced nuclear medicine personnel from Australia and New Zealand was recruited. Panel members were provided with a summary of existing research. Consensus agreement was predefined as 80%. Questionnaires were developed and distributed to the panel members, with iterative analysis and feedback between survey rounds. Three survey rounds were conducted online using SurveyMonkey between December 2013 and June 2014. The round 1 questionnaire was developed from the results of a previous survey. It consisted of 30 questions designed to gather the opinions of the expert panel. After analysis of the round 1 responses, consensus statements were developed for round 2 and revised in round 3. Results: Consensus was achieved for 16 statements. The statements recommend using verbal questioning with patient signature, defining the age range for questioning as 12–55 y, providing advice on the use of pregnancy testing, and questioning potentially difficult groups such as teenagers. A flowchart was included for comment in round 3. Conclusion: This was the first Australian study to develop consensus statements and a flowchart to assist nuclear medicine personnel in consistently and confidently questioning patients about their pregnancy status before diagnostic procedures. Implementation of these statements into clinical practice guidelines should reduce the possibility of inadvertent fetal irradiation.
Ultrasound Features of Middle Cervical Sympathetic Ganglion

Objectives:To evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound (US) detection of the middle cervical sympathetic ganglion (CSG). Materials and Methods:We examined 52 consecutive patients with 104 bilateral middle CSGs. We identified middle CSG according to our sonographic assessment criteria. After finding oval-shaped hypoechoic structure on transverse scan, we verified a continuous, hypoechoic line connecting the bulbous structure at both sides. The basic US characteristics were evaluated using the size, location, relationship to the common carotid artery, and relationship to the inferior thyroidal artery. Results:The middle CSG was identified in 41% (43/104). The mean size of the middle CSG was 3.8±1.5 mm in width, 1.9±0.7 mm in height, and 8.7±3.2 mm in length. They were primarily located at the C6 level (41/43, 95%). Regarding the relationship with common carotid artery, 88% (38/43) were lateral type and 12% (5/43) were medial type. Regarding the relationship with the inferior thyroid artery, 34% (15/43) were anterior type, 26% (11/43) were posterior type, and 40% (17/43) were unable to access the relationship. Discussion:Direct visualization of middle CSG based on the understanding of both its location and US features may reduce complications and improve the accuracy of US-guided neck procedures.
Social networks and coronary heart disease risk factors in South Asians and Europeans in the UK

Objectives. To compare the social networks of South Asian (Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis) and European-origin participants in the Newcastle Heart Project, and to examine the relationships between social network sizes and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in both groups, testing the hypothesis that part of the reason for high rates of CHD in the South Asian UK population may be social isolation. Design. Participants were 684 South Asian (259 Indians, 305 Pakistanis, 120 Bangladeshis) and 825 European men and women aged 25–74 years, who completed a questionnaire and were screened for CHD risk factors in a cross-sectional study. Results. South Asians were more likely to be married than Europeans, had bigger households and were more likely to attend a place of worship regularly. Europeans saw more friends and relatives on a regular basis than did South Asians. There was also some heterogeneity between the South Asian groups. Europeans who reported bigger social networks were less likely to smoke than those with smaller networks, but there was little evidence of an association between social network size and waist circumference, blood pressure or TC:HDL ratio in either Europeans or South Asians. Conclusion. The results provided only partial support for the hypothesis that South Asians in the UK are socially isolated, and suggest that South Asians and Europeans in the UK utilise different sources of social support. Future work should acknowledge variation in sources of social support between ethnic groups, and should explore the possibility that different mechanisms link social support and health in different ethnic groups.
Infestation of sucking insect pests on five cotton cultivars and their impacts on varietal agronomic traits, biochemical contents, yield and quality

The five cotton cultivars viz., CB1, CB3, CB5, CB8, and C12 were evaluated under field conditions to compare their resistance levels against the aphid species Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the jassid species Amrasca devastans (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) . The effects of plant characteristics that could explain some of the varietal resistance levels were tested by measuring infestation levels, biochemical content, leaf trichome density, agronomic traits, yield, and quality of seed and fiber. In comparison with other varieties, CB1 and CB3 showed the least leaf and boll infestation, and possessed higher numbers of trichomes. CB12 had the lowest number of trichomes and exhibited the highest percentages of leaf and boll infestation. Biochemical analyses indicated that the highest percentage of starch occurred in CB8, and that of protein in CB5. Both starch and protein content were lowest in CB12. Aphid and jassid infestation reduced the starch and protein content of all cultivars. CB3 was the best performing variety in terms of size and weight of bolls; ginning out-turn (GOT); number of branches, leaves, and bolls per plant; and number of locules per boll. Seed cotton yields and lint indices were highest in CB1 and CB3 and lowest in CB12. CB12 was also the worst performing variety in terms of plant height, micronaire value, percentage of GOT and germination, number of leaves and bolls per plant, and boll length, width and weight. The findings of this study clearly demonstrate that, among the cultivars evaluated, CB12 is the most susceptible to aphid and jassid infestation. SAARC J. Agri. , 14(1): 11-23 (2016)
DNA Sequencing for Confirmation of Rifampin Resistance Detected by Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF Assay

ABSTRACT DNA sequencing of rpoB and culture-based drug susceptibility results were evaluated for samples referred for confirmation of rifampin resistance detected by the Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF assay. Silent mutations and mutations associated with low-level resistance were found in the study population. These data support CDC recommendations to confirm Xpert rifampin resistance results.
A sustained virologic response is durable in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin.

BACKGROUND & AIMS A sustained virologic response (SVR) to therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is defined as the inability to detect HCV RNA 24 weeks after completion of treatment. Although small studies have reported that the SVR is durable and lasts for long periods, it has not been conclusively shown. METHODS The durability of treatment responses was examined in patients originally enrolled in one of 9 randomized multicenter trials (n = 1343). The study included patients who received pegylated interferon (peginterferon) alfa-2a alone (n = 166) or in combination with ribavirin (n = 1077, including 79 patients with normal alanine aminotransferase levels and 100 patients who were coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and HCV) and whose serum samples were negative for HCV RNA (<50 IU/mL) at their final assessment. Patients were assessed annually, from the date of last treatment, for a mean of 3.9 years (range, 0.8-7.1 years). RESULTS Most patients (99.1%) who achieved an SVR had undetectable levels of HCV RNA in serum samples throughout the follow-up period. Serum samples from 0.9% of the patients contained HCV RNA a mean of 1.8 years (range, 1.1-2.9 years) after treatment ended. It is not clear if these patients were reinfected or experienced a relapse. CONCLUSIONS In a large cohort of patients monitored for the durability of an SVR, the SVR was maintained for almost 4 years after treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a alone or in combination with ribavirin. In patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, the SVR is durable and these patients should be considered as cured.
Comparison of trait and ability measures of emotional intelligence in medical students

Context Emotional intelligence (EI), the ability to perceive emotions in the self and others, and to understand, regulate and use such information in productive ways, is believed to be important in health care delivery for both recipients and providers of health care. There are two types of EI measure: ability and trait. Ability and trait measures differ in terms of both the definition of constructs and the methods of assessment. Ability measures conceive of EI as a capacity that spans the border between reason and feeling. Items on such a measure include showing a person a picture of a face and asking what emotion the pictured person is feeling; such items are scored by comparing the test‐taker’s response to a keyed emotion. Trait measures include a very large array of non‐cognitive abilities related to success, such as self‐control. Items on such measures ask individuals to rate themselves on such statements as: ‘I generally know what other people are feeling. ’ Items are scored by giving higher scores to greater self‐assessments. We compared one of each type of test with the other for evidence of reliability, convergence and overlap with personality.
Is the Duration of an Eye Fixation a Sufficient Criterion Referring to Information Input?

In experiments on eye movements duration of eye fixations is frequently used as a criterion. In different studies mean duration of eye fixations is relatively constant, amounting approximately to . 30 sec. , even though duration of a single fixation can vary within a quite large range (cf. Fig. 1). An eye fixation in reference to information-input (Purkinje, 1825) may mean distinguishing between fixations devoted to exploring, processing, and staring according to their durations which should be respectively short, at about average, and long. Even though strict limits were never given, this statement has influenced recent research. If this statement is true, then the distribution of durations must be represented at least by a bimodal vs trimodal curve. For testing this hypothesis the durations of a total of 960 eye fixations, observed on six drivers while steering a car on a straight road, were analyzed as described, elsewhere (Cohen & Fischer, 1977). The mean duration was 0.36 sec. with a standard deviation of 0.22 and a skewness of 2.18; the respective distribution as well as the cumulative frequency are shown in Fig. 1. This figure indicates clearly a unimodal curve. The observed distribution does not allow distinction berween types of eye fixations by their durations only. Furthermore, about 70% of the eye fixations might be approximated by a linear relationship between their cumulative frequency and the respective durations. These data suggest that duration of eye fixation alone is not a sufficient criterion for distinguishing among the three possible purposes of single eye fixations. The duration of a fixation might also depend on the interactions among prior fixations, the am litude of eye movements, characteristics of the fixated point, the present schema of the suiject, as well as his capacity to process information. It might be assumed that detailed information is picked up through foveal vision, while parafoveal vision could be devoted simultaneously to exploration of further points of special interest in the environment to determine the next fixation point prior to beginning the eye movement. This dual function of the eye excludes also a strict distinction between eye fixations devoted only to processing or to scanning.