Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of markers and Risk factors of Hepatitis B Virus among blood donors in Brazzaville, Congo

In Congo, it is estimated that between 9 to 11% of the general population present hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Little data are available on the seroprevalence of markers and risk factors for this virus in blood donors in Brazzaville. This study aimed to determine the prevalence markers and factors associated with HBV infection in blood donors. Six hundred and forty eight healthy blood donors samples collected from October 2013 to June 2014 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Demographic data of these donors was also studied.Out of 648 patients included, overall prevalence estimates were 6,6%(95%CI:4.8-8.8) for HBsAg, 1,1%(95%CI:0.3-2) for HBeAg, 8.2%(95%CI:6.2-10.5) for anti-HBe, 13.6%(95%CI:11-16.4) for anti-HBs and 62.7%(95%CI:59-66.2) for anti-HBc. HBV infection was significant associated with Categories of blood donors (adjusted OR=1.70; 95%CI:1.08-2.67), age (adjusted OR=17.61; 95%CI:9.67-32.02), occupation (adjusted OR=2.25; 95%CI:1.53-3.31), sexual risk (adjusted OR=6.14; 95%CI:2.42-15.61) and families with a history HBV (adjusted OR=5.87; 95%CI:2.68-12.85). The seroprevalence rates found in this study were higher than those in other countries, suggesting high rates of HBV infection and a persistent risk of transmission of HBV in blood donors in Brazzaville.
Can Impulsive Aggression Provide Pleasure ?

We investigated the pleasurability of aggressive behavioral decisions. Four questionnaires (on hedonicity, decision making, justification of aggression, and impulsiveness) were given to 50 participants of both sexes, ranging from 16 to 80 years old. Most participants avoided unpleasant behaviors as part of a trend to maximize pleasure and to minimize displeasure. Mean hedonicity ratings followed a bell curve with increasing levels of aggressiveness (p < .0001). Thus, the participants chose neither passive nor highly aggressive responses to social conflicts, with both extremes receiving the most unpleasant ratings. The results offer empirical support for an interesting point: People may derive pleasure from aggression as long as it is exhibited on a low to medium level. More precisely, people associate pleasure with aggression up to a certain point: Aggressive responses of medium intensity were rated significantly less unpleasant than the most passive and most aggressive ones, which were associated with less pleasure. Conclusion: In social conflicts, behavior tends to maximize experienced pleasure; and impulsive aggression produces pleasure in the aggressor, except at extreme intensities. The point that mild to moderate aggression brings pleasure, whereas extreme or severe aggression does not, provides a perspective that may reconcile conflicting observations in the literature.
Chronic Gastritis Associated with Helicobacter pylori in Mexican Children: Histopathological Patterns

The objective of this study was to analyze the histopathological patterns of inflammation, distribution, severity, and degree of gastric mucosa of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)–infected children in Northern Mexico, as well as the correlation between colonization density and inflammation intensity. We carried out a cross-sectional study of gastric biopsies performed on children ranging from 2 to 17 years of age who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for diverse gastroduodenal disorders. This study includes only children who were found to be Hp carriers, with positive results for tests of Hp antigens in feces and in gastric biopsy studies. We studied 107 patients (age 8.2 ± 3.7 years). In 47.7% of patients, the density of Hp colonization was low; only 21.5% had a marked density. Mononuclear leukocyte infiltration showed a similar distribution. Thirty-seven percent of patients had follicular gastritis. An acute inflammatory response was absent in 65% and mild in 20.6% of patients. When inflammation was present, it was primarily located in the antrum (79%). There were no cases of intestinal metaplasia or atrophy. A link was found between Hp density and age, infiltration by mononuclear cells, the presence of follicular gastritis, and the level of neutrophil infiltration (P = 0.001). Despite the high rates of Hp infection in the region, the histopathological findings in these children were mild and were limited primarily to the antral mucosa. These data indicate the need to study the behavior of this disease in children in diverse study populations to provide localized prevention and treatment strategies.
Do Financial Ratio Models Help Investors Better Predict and Interpret Significant Corporate Events ?

A firm in steady state generates predictable income and investors can generally agree on valuation. However, when a significant corporate event occurs this creates greater uncertainty and disagreement about firm valuation and liquidity investors could prefer to avoid holding such a stock. We examine research that has developed financial ratio models to (i) predict significant corporate events; and (ii) predict future performance after significant corporate events. The events we analyze include financial distress and bankruptcy, downsizing, raising equity capital, and material earnings misstatements. We find that financial ratio models can generally help investors avoid stocks that are likely to have significant corporate events. We also find that conditional on a significant event occurring, financial ratio models can help investors distinguish good firms from bad. However, we find that research design choices often make it difficult to determine model predictive accuracy and type I and type II error rates. Across the different events we analyze, we find that accounting rule changes have impacted the predictive power of the models. We provide suggestions for innovations in improving models based on our cross-event analysis. * Correspondence can be directed to patricia_dechow@haas.berkeley. edu, korcan_ak@haas.berkeley. edu, yuan_sun@haas.berkeley. edu, and annika_wang@haas.berkeley. edu.
Etiology and Control of Citrus Canker Disease in Kavre

Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri (Hasse) occurs in large areas of the world's citrus growing countries including Nepal. Though the disease has serious effect in Nepal, this is the first detailed study carried out to isolate the pathogen and confirm it by available biochemical tests and pathogenicity test. Furthermore, the study was intended to find the proper and economical control measure to combat disease in citrus orchards. The causative agent of the disease was isolated from the diseased plants and pure culture was obtained. The isolated pure culture was subjected to Gram staining, catalase test, oxidase test, O-F test, starch hydrolysis, nitrate reduction test, methylred test, Voges-prausker test, indole production test, urease test and carbohydrate utilization test. To re-confirm it, pathogenicity test was conducted on host plant and after the appearance of the typical citrus canker lesion on host, the bacteria was re-isolated, thus proving the Koch's postulates. Different controlling chemicals, copperoxychloride (2.5%), copperoxychloride + kasugamycin (1000X), bordeaux mixture 1% and 2% were sprayed to the plants in citrus orchard at Dhulikhel and the decrease in disease severity after spraying of the chemicals was calculated with reference to the plants that were not sprayed with the chemicals. It was observed that spraying of the chemicals help in decreasing the disease severity. The chemical spray however was not able to eradicate the disease. The study concluded that Xanthomonas citri was the causative agent of the disease citrus canker and copper based chemicals when sprayed very early with the appearance of first symptoms of the disease could eliminate it in citrus fruits to minimum level. Key words: Copper fungicides; Citrus canker; Lime; Xanthomonas citri; A cid lime; Citrus aurantifolia DOI: 10.3126/njst.v10i0. 2824 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Volume 10, 2009 December Page: 57-61
Validation of ACE-FTS version 3.5 NO y species profiles using correlative satellite measurements

Abstract. The ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment – Fourier Transform Spectrometer) instrument on the Canadian SCISAT satellite, which has been in operation for over 12 years, has the capability of deriving stratospheric profiles of many of the NOy (N + NO + NO2+ NO3+ 2 × N2O5+ HNO3+ HNO4+ ClONO2+ BrONO2) species. Version 2.2 of ACE-FTS NO, NO2, HNO3, N2O5, and ClONO2 has previously been validated, and this study compares the most recent version (v3.5) of these five ACE-FTS products to spatially and temporally coincident measurements from other satellite instruments – GOMOS, HALOE, MAESTRO, MIPAS, MLS, OSIRIS, POAM III, SAGE III, SCIAMACHY, SMILES, and SMR. For each ACE-FTS measurement, a photochemical box model was used to simulate the diurnal variations of the NOy species and the ACE-FTS measurements were scaled to the local times of the coincident measurements. The comparisons for all five species show good agreement with correlative satellite measurements. For NO in the altitude range of 25–50 km, ACE-FTS typically agrees with correlative data to within −10 %. Instrument-averaged mean relative differences are approximately −10 % at 30–40 km for NO2, within ±7 % at 8–30 km for HNO3, better than −7 % at 21–34 km for local morning N2O5, and better than −8 % at 21–34 km for ClONO2. Where possible, the variations in the mean differences due to changes in the comparison local time and latitude are also discussed.
Interactions between Transient and Long-Term Auditory Memory as Reflected by the Mismatch Negativity

The mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related potential (ERP) component is elicited by any discriminable change in series of repetitive auditory stimuli. MMN is generated by a process registering the deviation of the incoming stimulus from the trace of the previous repetitive stimulus. Using MMN as a probe into auditory sensory memory, the present study addressed the question of whether the sensory memory representation is formed strictly on the basis of an automatic feature analysis of incoming sensory stimuli or information from long-term memory is also incorporated. Trains of 6 tone bursts (standards with up to 1 deviant per train) separated by 9.5-sec intertrain intervals were presented to subjects performing a visual tracking task and disregarding the auditory stimuli. Trains were grouped into stimulus blocks of 20 trains with a 2-min rest period between blocks. In the Constant-Standard Condition, both standard and deviant stimuli remained fixed across the session, encouraging the formation of a long-term memory representation. To eliminate the carryover of sensory storage from one train to the next, the first 3.6 sec of the intertrain interval was filled with 6 tones of random frequencies. In the Roving-Standard Condition, the standard changed from train to train and the intervening tones were omitted. It was found that MMN was elicited by deviants presented in Position 2 of the trains in the Constant-Standard Condition revealing that a single reminder of the constant standard reactivated the standard-stimulus representation. The MMN amplitude increased across trials within each stimulus block in the Constant- but not in the Roving-Standard Condition, demonstrating long-term learning in that condition (i.e., the standard-stimulus trace indexed by the MMN amplitude benefitted from the presentations of the constant standard in the previous trains). The present results suggest that the transient auditory sensory memory representation underlying the MMN is facilitated by a longer-term representation of the corresponding stimulus.
Energy analysis of two-tiered clustered architectures for smart world applications

Use of two-tiered clustered architecture in deploying sensor networks for smart world applications is well-known in research community. No other single routing algorithm has spawned that many variations as the LEACH clustering algorithm. Till date researchers are interested in exploring the operation and performance of LEACH algorithm and its improved versions. Most of these works compare their performance with original/ adapted LECH algorithm by using aggregate measures such as network lifetime, stability and payload delivered by the sensor network. The methods used for improving the performance include generating optimum no. of clusters, ensuring uniform cluster distribution, and using an energy-aware clustering mechanism for CH selection. To understand the utility of these different methods to improve the basic LEACH algorithm, this work presents an improved clustered architecture (ICAR) that uses an energy-aware CH selection mechanism along with uniform cluster distribution in the networked area. The energy analysis presented in this work shows that as compared to other methods, using an energy aware cluster-head selection mechanism greatly improves the stability period of a two-tiered clustered architecture.
Improving the Chest Protection of Elderly Occupants in Frontal Crashes Using SMART Load Limiters

Objective: To determine whether varying the seat belt load limiter (SBL) according to crash and occupant characteristics could have real-world injury reduction benefits in frontal impacts and, if so, to quantify those benefits. Methods: Real-world UK accident data were used to identify the target population of vehicle occupants and frontal crash scenarios where improved chest protection could be most beneficial. Generic baseline driver and front passenger numerical models using a 50th percentile dummy were developed with MADYMO software. Simulations were performed where the load limiter threshold was varied in selected frontal impact scenarios. For each SBL setting, restraint performance, dummy kinematics, and injury outcome were studied in 5 different frontal impact types. Thoracic injury predictions were converted into injury probability values using Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2+ age-dependent thoracic risk curves developed and validated based on a methodology proposed by Laituri et al. (2005). Real-world benefit was quantified using the predicted AIS 2+ risk and assuming that an appropriate adaptive system was fitted to all the cars in a real-world sample of recent frontal crashes involving European passenger cars. Results: From the accident data sample the chest was the most frequently injured body region at an AIS 2+ level in frontal impacts (7% of front seat occupants). The proportion of older vehicle front seat occupants (>64 years) with AIS 2+ injury was also greater than the proportion of younger occupants. Additionally, older occupants were more likely to sustain seat belt–induced serious chest injury in low- and moderate-speed frontal crashes. In both front seating positions, the low SBL provided the best chest injury protection, without increasing the risk to other body regions. In severe impacts, the low SBL allowed the driver to move dangerously close to the steering wheel. Compared to the driver side, greater ride-down space on the passenger side gave a higher potential for using the low SBLs. When applying the AIS 2+ risk reduction findings to the weighted accident data sample, the risk of sustaining an AIS 2+ seat belt injury changed to 0.9, 4.9, and 8.1% for young, mid, and older occupants, respectively, from their actual injury risk of 1.3, 7.6, and 13.1%. Conclusions: These results suggest the potential for improving the safety of older occupants with the development of smarter restraint systems. This is an important finding because the number of older users is expected to increase rapidly over the next 20 years. The greatest benefits were seen at lower crash severities. This is also important because most real-world crashes occur at lower speeds.
Seyircilerin Profesyonel Futbol Musabakalarina Katilim Kararini Etkileyen Degiskenler Uzerine Bir Inceleme

Seyirciler spor endustrisinin onemli bir bolumudur. Dolayisiyla seyircilerin spor etkinliklerine katilim kararlarini etkileyen degiskenlerin belirlenmesi spor endustrisinin gelisimini surdurebilmesi acisindan onemlidir. Bu calismanin amaci, seyircilerin Turkiye’de profesyonel futbol musabakalarina katilim (seyirci olarak) kararlarini etkileyen degiskenlerin belirlenmesinde kullanilabilecek bir olcum araci gelistirmektir. Arastirmaya iki farkli ligde oynanan iki musabakada yer alan seyirciler (n= 267) katilmistir. Kapsam gecerliligi calismasina dort uzman katilmistir. veriler, profesyonel futbol musabakasi seyircilerine uygulanan 24 maddeden olusan olcek ile toplanmis ve analiz edilerek 6 farkli boyut, onem sirasina gore, Fiziksel Cevre (FC), Rakip Takim (RT), Tuttugum Takim (TT), Programin Uygunlugu (PU), Musabakanin Cazibesi (MC), Toplumsallasma Firsati (TF) olarak adlandirilmistir. Seyircilerin profesyonel futbol musabakalarina katilim kararini etkileyen bilesenler arasinda Tuttugum Takim, en onemli bilesen olarak saptanmistir.
A STUDY ON THE EXCITATION AND RESONANT ABSORPTION OF CORONAL LOOP KINK OSCILLATIONS

We study theoretically the issue of externally driven excitations of standing kink waves and their resonant absorption into torsionally polarized m = 1 waves in the coronal loops in pressureless plasmas. We use the ideal MHD equations, for which we develop an invariant imbedding method available in cylindrical geometry. We assume a sinusoidal density profile at the loop boundary where the density inside the loop is lower than the outside and vice versa. We present field distributions for these two cases and find that they have similar behaviors. We compare the results for the overdense loops, which describe the usual coronal loops, with the analytical solutions of Soler et al. obtained using the Frobenius method. Our results show some similarity for thin nonuniform layers but deviate a lot for thick nonuniform layers. For the first case, which describes the wave train propagation in funnels, we find that resonant absorption depends crucially on the thickness of the nonuniform boundary, loop length, and density contrast. The resonant absorption of the kink mode is dominant when the loop length is sufficiently larger compared with its radius (thin loop). The behavior of the far-field pattern of the scattered wave by the coronal loop is closely related to that of the resonant absorption. For the mode conversion phenomena in inhomogeneous plasmas, a certain universal behavior of the resonant absorption is found for the first time. We expect that the main feature may also apply to the overdense loops and discuss its relation to the damping rate.
The Diversity of High-Frequency Traders

The regulatory debate concerning high-frequency trading (HFT) emphasizes the importance of distinguishing different HFT strategies and their influence on market quality. Using data from NASDAQ-OMX Stockholm, we compare market-making HFTs to opportunistic HFTs. We find that market makers constitute the lion's share of HFT trading volume (63–72%) and limit order traffic (81–86%). Furthermore, market makers have higher order-to-trade ratios and lower latency than opportunistic HFTs. In a natural experiment based on tick size changes, we find that the activity of market-making HFTs mitigates intraday price volatility.
Mitochondrial–Lysosomal Axis in Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity

Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is the most common cause of acute liver failure and a major indication for liver transplantion in the United States and Europe. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying APAP hepatotoxicity, there is still an urgent need to find novel and effective therapies against APAP-induced acute liver failure. Hepatic APAP metabolism results in the production of the reactive metabolite N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which under physiological conditions is cleared by its conjugation with glutathione (GSH) to prevent its targeting to mitochondria. APAP overdose or GSH limitation leads to mitochondrial NAPQI-protein adducts formation, resulting in oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and necrotic cell death. As mitochondria are a major target of APAP hepatotoxicity, mitochondrial quality control and clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria through mitophagy, emerges as an important strategy to limit oxidative stress and the engagement of molecular events leading to cell death. Recent evidence has indicated a lysosomal–mitochondrial cross-talk that regulates APAP hepatotoxicity. Moreover, as lysosomal function is essential for mitophagy, impairment in the fusion of lysosomes with autophagosomes-containing mitochondria may compromise the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, resulting in exacerbated APAP hepatotoxicity. This review centers on the role of mitochondria in APAP hepatotoxicity and how the mitochondrial/lysosomal axis can influence APAP-induced liver failure.
Comparison between the accuracy of a rapid point-of-care HIV test TOYO versus ELISA, Western Blot, and RT-PCR analysis -

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is considered one of the most serious health challenges worldwide. Early detection and diagnosis are key elements in the effort to control HIV. Rapid tests for the detection of HIV-antibody allow timely point-of-care provision of results and do not require the laboratory facilities needed for conventional enzyme immunoassays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and Western blot (WB) testing. Regardless of the advantages of these tests, other studies showed that the sensitivity of the performance of some rapid test brands comparing with the lab standard methods have some limitation. Objective: This study evaluated and compared the performance of commercially available HIV rapid test TOYO against the gold standard tests used in the clinical laboratories at Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Forty-two male and female patient samples were tested with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), ELISA, and/or WB followed by TOYO rapid test to compare their results when performed under similar conditions. Results: The higher compatibility of TOYO results was observed with RT-PCR with 81% followed by WB and ELISA with 76% and 63%, respectively. However, more than 25% of the results showed either false positive or false negative results when compared with either of the standard diagnostic tests used in this study. Conclusion: This study have provided evidence that TOYO rapid HIV assay cannot perform equally as RT-PCR, ELISA, or WB for the detection of HIV antibodies. A further study is suggested to compare the performance of TOYO rapid test against standard diagnostic tests with larger number of patients’ samples.
Modeling of conductor loaded resonators and filters in rectangular enclosures

Full wave modeling of conductor loaded resonators in rectangular enclosures and associated coupling structure is presented. The generalized scattering matrices of the planar conductor loaded resonator in rectangular waveguide are obtained. By applying the short condition and cascading procedure, resonant frequency, field distribution of the resonator, and coupling between two cavities through an iris are obtained. The computed results are compared with the measured data and both are in good agreement. A 4-pole dual mode elliptic function filter using a planar structure cavity is designed, constructed and tested. Excellent measured frequency responses of the filter are obtained.