Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Case Management Intervention in Cervical Cancer Prevention: The Boston REACH Coalition Women’s Health Demonstration Project

Background: The Boston REACH Coalition developed a case management intervention for Black women in primary care settings to identify and reduce medical and social obstacles to cervical cancer screening and following up abnormal results. Methods: The 5-year intervention was evaluated among 732 Black women aged 18 to 75 who were at high risk for inadequate Pap smear screening and follow-up. Case managers provided social services referrals to address patient-identified social concerns (e.g., transportation, housing), as well as navigation to prompt screening and follow-up of abnormal tests. The three study aims were to (1) identify the social factors associated with Pap smear screening at baseline before intervention, (2) evaluate the correlation between exposure to case management intervention and achieving recommended Pap screening intervals, and (3) evaluate the correlation between exposure to case management intervention and having timely follow-up of abnormal Pap smear tests. Results: We found that a lack of a regular clinical provider, concerns communicating with providers, poor self-rated health, and having less than a high school education were important correlates of recent Pap smear screening before the case management intervention. During the case management intervention, we found a significant increase in achieving recommended Pap smear screening intervals among women with a recent Pap smear at study entry (increasing from 52% in the first year to 80% after 4 or more years; p < .01), but not among women who entered the study without a recent Pap smear (increasing from 31% in the first year to 44% after 4 or more years; p = .39). During case management intervention, having social support for childcare was associated with regular screening among women without a recent Pap smear (odds ratio [OR], 3.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28–9.69). Insurance status was the key factor in timely clinically indicated follow-up of abnormal results (uninsured OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08–0.86), rather than case management intervention. Conclusions: Exposure to case management was associated with regular Pap smear screening among women who recently engaged in screening. Future research should focus on systems changes to address social determinants of health, including strategies to facilitate screening for Black women without social support for childcare. To improve follow-up of abnormal results, financial access to care should be addressed.
Perceived Impacts of Higher Learning Institutions to the Local Community - Iringa Municipality-Tanzania

This study is an attempt to examine the perceived socio-economic impacts of higher learning institutions to the local community in Iringa municipality, Tanzania. A cross sectional research design with quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to 180 people aged 18 years and above. Interviews, focus group discussion, documentary review and field observation were used in data collection. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Results indicate that, there exist both positive and negative impacts of the existence of higher learning institutions to the local community. Among the positive impacts includes, high money circulation due to increase in population and mobility, increase in the stock of skilled human capital, increase in formal employment, consolidation and establishment of new investments and reduction in abject poverty. However, negatively, the Universities have triggered high costs of living in terms of commodity prices, high rental bills, family disintegration, increase in street children and high spread of HIV/AIDS. It is concluded that, higher learning institutions have greater contributions to the individual and community development. It is recommended that, education on the importance of these institutions and their effects to the indigenous needs to be provided. This has to go hand in hand with the provision of entrepreneurship skills and soft loans from the financial institutions to the local community to help establish and maintain their businesses.
A Descriptive Study of an Epidemic of Poisoning Caused by Heroin Adulterated with Scopolamine

Objective: Adulterants, contaminants, and diluents are all examples of additives to street drugs. Some of these additives may be pharmacologically active; however, it is unusual for them to cause toxic side effects. In the spring of 1995, a new form of heroin appeared in New York City, spreading to other East Coast cities, that was adulterated with scopolamine. It caused severe anticholinergic toxicity in heroin users with patients often presenting to emergency departments in great numbers. This is a report of the demographics and clinical characteristics of the epidemic. Methods: A combination of prospective and retrospective data collection from the New York City, New Jersey, Delaware Valley, and Maryland Poison Centers. The primary measurements were age, sex, route of drug use, vital signs, signs and symptoms, disposition, and treatment. Results: Of the 370 cases reported to the participating poison centers, 129 were excluded from the final analysis because of insufficient data. Of the patients who used this product, 55% presented with signs and symptoms of heroin toxicity but then became severely agitated with anticholinergic symptoms when naloxone was used to reverse respiratory depression. Nasal insufflation was the route of administration in 34% of the cases. Seizures were rare (3%). Ninety percent required admission, and half were admitted to a critical care unit. Conclusions: Adulteration of street drugs can lead to toxic epidemics. Poison centers are essential for identification of these trends and are the primary source of information on diagnosis and treatment.
The Cross River Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli) at Mawambi Hills, South-West Cameroon: Habitat Suitability and Vulnerability to Anthropogenic Disturbance

Only about 300 individuals of the Cross River gorilla (CRG; Gorilla gorilla diehli) survive today. The subspecies is endemic to approximately 12–14 sites at the Cameroon-Nigeria border, and is critically endangered. To understand survival prospects of the CRG at Mawambi Hills, Cameroon, a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) distribution model was used to predict the distribution of gorillas. Overall, 24% of the study area was predicted to be suitable for gorillas. The most important predictors of gorilla distribution were elevation as a surrogate for accessibility (52.4%), distance to nearby villages which represents proximity to anthropogenic disturbance (22.7%), and slope steepness as a proxy for security (19.4%). Gorillas mainly occupied slopes of steep hills and avoided areas of human disturbance. To evaluate the spatial relationship between gorilla distribution and human activities, the predicted habitat suitability map was overlaid with a kernel density map of human activities. A positive correlation was found between locations of human activity and suitable habitat for gorillas (r = 0.5). This suggests that anthropogenic pressures in previously unused forest areas are increasing as a result of resource depletion at lower altitudes, consequently putting the gorillas at greater risk. Conservation management plans that seek to reduce human encroachment into habitats preferred by gorillas such as steep hills will probably contribute to gorilla survival.
A Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance Evaluation of Weekend Backpack Food Assistance Programs

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an ongoing statewide weekend backpack program through the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Design. Mixed-methods inquiry was used to explore the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of backpack programs within Montana. Setting. Study participants completed audio-recorded one-on-one phone interviews. Participants. Key informants (e.g., managers at food banks, staff at participating schools, policy makers) were purposively sampled (N = 20). Method. Semistructured interviews were conducted to gather data to describe each RE-AIM dimension. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and deductively (i.e., using RE-AIM as themes) coded for meaning units, placed into higher-order categories, and summarized in narrative. Supporting quantitative data (e.g., the proportion of eligible students that joined the program, rate of school-level adoption) were calculated using descriptive statistics. Results. Backpack programs with a broad reach and evidenced effect may be appealing to adopt. Weekend food bags cost an average $3.87 (SD ± .94) and there were some positive (i.e., ease, protecting participants' privacy) and very few negative (logistical) components of implementation. Collaborators and community partners are necessary for long-term sustainability. Conclusion. Backpack programs are widespread and have potential to relieve weekend hunger; however, more efforts need to be made to end childhood hunger.
More than You Ever Wanted to Know About the VIX: Bringing Together Serial Correlation and Volatility Clustering

In this paper, I show that the volatility index VIX is not model-free as soon as the diff usion term is not Brownian motion even when correcting for jumps. In a stock index model that allows for temporary periods of under- or overreaction, such as a multifractional model, a wrong annualization procedure associated with the VIX, may lead to severe mispricings as the three concepts of the VIX, the volatility per annum and (the square-root of) realized variance do not coincide any longer.As a byproduct, this article proves that multifractionality is a parsimonious and economically sound explanation for the observable phenomenon of volatility clustering as it suggests that clusters of abnormally high (low) volatility can be attributed to periods of underreaction (overreaction). In this way, the paper brings together two observable patterns in fi nancial markets: the transitory existence of periods with serially correlated asset returns and the phenomenon of volatility clustering.
Modern antipsychotic drugs: a critical overview

CONVENTIONAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS, used for a half century to treat a range of major psychiatric disorders, are being replaced in clinical practice by modern “atypical” antipsychotics, including aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone among others. As a class, the newer drugs have been promoted as being broadly clinically superior, but the evidence for this is problematic. In this brief critical overview, we consider the pharmacology, therapeutic effectiveness, tolerability, adverse effects and costs of individual modern agents versus older antipsychotic drugs. Because of typically minor differences between agents in clinical effectiveness and tolerability, and because of growing concerns about potential adverse long-term health consequences of some modern agents, it is reasonable to consider both older and newer drugs for clinical use, and it is important to inform patients of relative benefits, risks and costs of specific choices.
Completion surgery following transanal endoscopic microsurgery: assessment of quality and short‐ and long‐term outcome

Patients with unfavourable pathology after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) should be offered completion surgery (CS) if appropriate. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the short‐term outcome and long‐term oncological results of CS and identify factors compromising the quality of resection specimens.
Economic impacts of induction reduction strategies

The use of long-acting corticosteroids to induce calving and shorten gestation length was a technology developed in the 1970’s that achieved rapid and widespread adoption because it allowed late-conceiving cows to be retained within seasonal pasture systems (Welch et al. 1973). At that time there were no effective treatments for post-partum anoestrus, and the use of prostaglandins in controlled breeding programmes was in its infancy. While the primary benefi t of calving induction was promoted as a reduction of involuntary culling rates, farmers rapidly realised that the resulting compaction of herd calving patterns, synchronised with spring pasture growth, was an effective means to increase milk production and the technique quickly gained wide acceptance with farmers. A survey of 193 Taranaki dairy farmers found that 76% of respondents induced some cows, with a total of 8.1% of all cows in surveyed herds being induced (Bunny 1993). Of farmers that did not induce, 63% cited welfare concerns for the cow as their primary reason for not doing so. Overall opinion, however, was that while the procedure did not cause unnecessary suffering for the cow, it could have a detrimental effect on calf welfare.
Narrative Qualities in Schizophrenia: Associations With Impairments in Neurocognition and Negative Symptoms

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders often involve a profound diminishment in people's ability to coherently narrate their lives. Unknown is whether narrative difficulties of persons with schizophrenia differ from those with other disabilities, and how they relate to clinical or neurocognitive aspects of schizophrenia. To address both issues, personal narratives were obtained for 25 participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and a comparison group of eight legally blind participants and four with major depressive disorders. Flexibility of abstract thought and positive, negative, and emotional discomfort symptoms were assessed among the schizophrenia group. ANCOVA comparing scores on our scale to assess narrative development, controlling for age, found the schizophrenia group narratives significantly more impoverished than the comparison group on multiple dimensions, including self-worth and agency. Neurocognitive impairment and negative symptoms were significant predictors of impoverishment in the schizophrenia group. Results may highlight deficits that could be addressed in psychotherapy or rehabilitation to promote recovery.
Boosting of Thalamic D2 Dopaminergic Transmission: A Potential Strategy for Drug-Seeking Attenuation

Abstract This commentary focuses on novel findings by Clark et al. (2017) published in eNeuro, which show that dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) are involved in cocaine sensitization. We extend the discussion on how their findings contribute to our understanding of the role of the PVT in drug seeking by providing new insight on the role of the PVT in the regulation of food-seeking and fear responses. We also consider the significance of the neuroanatomical findings reported by Clark et al., that the PVT is reciprocally connected with areas of the brain involved in addiction and discuss the implications associated with the source and type of dopaminergic fibers innervating this area of the thalamus.
ℋ∞ dynamic output feedback for LPV systems subject to inexactly measured scheduling parameters

This paper proposes a design procedure for reduced-order dynamic output feedback (DOF) gain-scheduling controllers with H∞ guaranteed cost for linear parameter-varying (LPV) continuous-time systems, where the measurement of the scheduling parameters may be affected by uncertainties. Thanks to the flexibility of the proposed modeling, the LPV-DOF controllers can be implemented in terms of a selected set of parameters, which are supposed to be available for measurement in real time. The design conditions can cope with both additive and multiplicative noises, considered as time-varying uncertainties, affecting the measures. All parameters and uncertainties are modeled through the multi-simplex framework, i.e., the Cartesian product of simplexes. The problem is solved through a two-stage procedure based on linear matrix inequalities.
A comprehensive model of instructional leadership: The effects of middle school leadership on growth in student learning

Using a comprehensive model of instructional leadership, this mixed-methods study investigates the relationship between the leadership of middle school principals and growth in student learning. This study also delineates specific actions performed by principals to execute researchbased instructional leadership behaviors. The researcher used annual student growth data from the Idaho Star Rating System of schools to identify five middle schools of high growth and five middle schools of low growth. The researcher’s newly developed comprehensive instructional leadership survey based on a 5-point Likert scale measured differences in leadership styles, school cultures, and the correlations between 21 researched-based leadership behaviors and three school cultures. The open survey items of the survey collected specific actions that school principals used to perform the leadership behaviors. The results of this study verified that the comprehensive instructional leadership survey is a valid and reliable measurement of effective middle school leadership, and yielded three significant differences between the leadership of high-growth schools and low-growth schools. The correlation results ascertained that a majority of transformational behaviors, which comprise half of the comprehensive instructional leadership model, are highly correlated with fostering a collaborative, teacher-learning culture of instructional innovation and support. A near majority of the transformational behaviors of this study also correlate highly with creating a high-trust culture of teacher satisfaction and commitment.
Precise determination of turning mirror loss using GaAs/AlGaAs lasers with up to ten 90 degrees intracavity turning mirrors

The authors report the fabrication and testing of GaAs/AlGaAs ridge-waveguide lasers with two, six, and ten 90 degrees intracavity turning mirrors using temperature-controlled chemically assisted ion beam etching. By measuring the laser threshold current as a function of the number of mirrors over an entire 1-cm/sup 2/ wafer, the authors make a very reliable estimate of the average single-pass turning mirror loss of 1.16+or-0.14 dB/mirror. Comparison with theory shows that the etched facets have a very small RMS surface roughness of less than 150 AA. <<ETX>>
Meniscal injury following initial cranial cruciate ligament stabilization surgery in 26 dogs (29 stifles)

Summary Objective: To describe clinical signs, arthroscopic findings, and outcome in a group of dogs undergoing second look arthroscopy for the treatment of meniscal tears following original surgery to correct a CCL deficient stifle joint. Methods: The medical records of 26 dogs from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M University and the Veterinary Orthopedic Center (Round Rock, Texas) that had second look arthroscopy for lameness following an original surgical procedure were reviewed. Pre-operative clinical findings, 2nd look arthroscopic findings and owner assessed outcome were documented. Results: Postliminary bucket handle tears of the medial meniscus were detected in 22 (75.9%) cases. Other postliminary meniscal injuries included frayed caudal horn tears of the medial meniscus 6 (20.7%), and longitudinal tears of the lateral meniscus 1 (3.4%). An audible or palpable click was present in 27.6% of cases. An improvement or resolution of lameness was reported in 96.5% of cases reported. In conclusion, tears of the medial meniscus are a significant cause of lameness in dogs subsequent to surgery for cranial crucial ligament ruptures. Increased lameness or acute onset of lameness after surgery for cranial crucial rupture is a consistent finding. In rare cases, a palpable or audible click will be appreciated. Arthroscopic evaluation and partial meniscectomy improve or resolve lameness in the majority of cases. Clinical significance: Sudden or increased lameness in dogs with historical CCL stabilization surgery should be evaluated and treated arthroscopically for postliminary meniscal injury if another cause for lameness can not be determined.
Advanced Analysis and Modeling of MOSFET Characteristic Fluctuation Caused by Layout Variation

We report an advanced method of analyzing and modeling MOSFET characteristic fluctuations in CMOS circuits. We focused on gate space dependence, STI width dependence, and interaction between gate-STI distance and STI width in 65-nm node technology with a 40-nm-gate length. These dependences haven't been treated by the conventional BSIM and other models. Gate space dependence is well modeled by treating mechanical stress and TED as separate causes of fluctuation. By bringing these dependences newly to the BSIM model in adequate form, advanced CMOS circuit performances must be estimated more accurately.
Is There a Way to Predict Outcome in (Near) Term Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Based on MR Imaging?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has previously been demonstrated that comparison of signal intensity (SI) between selected brain structures on T1-weighted images enables distinction between the absence or presence of hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury in young infants. The aim of the present study was to assess whether this method of brain structure T1-weighted SI comparison also enables prediction of outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Survivors of a group of 57 children with neonatal HI encephalopathy (HIE) grade 2 or 3 according to Sarnat and Sarnat and controls who underwent neonatal MR imaging were retrospectively assigned to 1 of 3 outcome groups at 5 years of age, depending on developmental outcome: 1) normal, 2) mildly abnormal, and 3) definitely abnormal. Gestational age was not significantly different between the HIE group (range, 35 + 5–42 + 5 weeks; mean, 39 + 4 weeks) and control group (range, 35 + 0–42 + 1 weeks; mean, 39 + 2 weeks). We calculated the predictive values of the neonatal clinical HIE classification according to Sarnat and Sarnat for outcome (neonatal death and developmental outcome in survivors). We assessed which brain structure T1-weighted SI comparison scored best for outcome prediction. Predictive values of that comparison for outcome were calculated for the entire group and for the HIE grade 2 group only, a patient group with highly variable outcome. RESULTS: Of the 57 children, 6 died. Outcome group 1 consisted of 31; group 2, of 14; and group 3, of 6 children. The positive predictive value of the neonatal clinical classification for adverse outcome (outcome group 3 and death) was 52%; and negative predictive value, 100%. These were respectively 45% and 0% in children with HIE grade 2. Of all brain structure T1-weighted SI comparisons, that of the posterior limb of the internal capsule versus the posterolateral putamen scored best for outcome prediction. The positive predictive value for adverse outcome was 69%; and negative predictive value, 98%. In children with HIE grade 2, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for adverse outcome were 67% and 88%. CONCLUSIONS: Brain structure T1-weighted SI comparisons are helpful to predict outcome in (near) term neonates with HIE. This finding adds to the current knowledge and clinical practice. If the SI in the posterolateral putamen is less than the SI in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, favorable outcome is very likely, whereas if the SI in the posterolateral putamen is equal to or greater than the SI in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, adverse outcome is very likely. In neonates with HIE grade 2 according to Sarnat and Sarnat, prediction of outcome is substantially improved by using these brain structure T1-weighted SI comparisons.