Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic status and malaria-related outcomes in Mvomero District, Tanzania

While policies often target malaria prevention and treatment – proximal causes of malaria and related health outcomes – too little attention has been given to the role of household- and individual-level socio-economic status (SES) as a fundamental cause of disease risk in developing countries. This paper presents a conceptual model outlining ways in which SES may influence malaria-related outcomes. Building on this conceptual model, we use household data from rural Mvomero, Tanzania, to examine empirical relationships among multiple measures of household and individual SES and demographics, on the one hand, and malaria prevention, illness, and diagnosis and treatment behaviours, on the other. We find that access to prevention and treatment is significantly associated with indicators of households’ wealth; education-based disparities do not emerge in this context. Meanwhile, reported malaria illness shows a stronger association with demographic variables than with SES (controlling for prevention). Greater understanding of the mechanisms through which SES and malaria policies interact to influence disease risk can help to reduce health disparities and reduce the malaria burden in an equitable manner.
Assessing the Formation of Experience-Based Gender Expectations in an Implicit Learning Scenario

The present study investigates the formation of new word-referent associations in an implicit learning scenario, using a gender-coded artificial language with spoken words and visual referents. Previous research has shown that when participants are explicitly instructed about the gender-coding system underlying an artificial lexicon, they monitor the frequency of exposure to male vs. female referents within this lexicon, and subsequently use this probabilistic information to predict the gender of an upcoming referent. In an explicit learning scenario, the auditory and visual gender cues are necessarily highlighted prior to acqusition, and the effects previously observed may therefore depend on participants' overt awareness of these cues. To assess whether the formation of experience-based expectations is dependent on explicit awareness of the underlying coding system, we present data from an experiment in which gender-coding was acquired implicitly, thereby reducing the likelihood that visual and auditory gender cues are used strategically during acquisition. Results show that even if the gender coding system was not perfectly mastered (as reflected in the number of gender coding errors), participants develop frequency based expectations comparable to those previously observed in an explicit learning scenario. In line with previous findings, participants are quicker at recognizing a referent whose gender is consistent with an induced expectation than one whose gender is inconsistent with an induced expectation. At the same time however, eyetracking data suggest that these expectations may surface earlier in an implicit learning scenario. These findings suggest that experience-based expectations are robust against manner of acquisition, and contribute to understanding why similar expectations observed in the activation of stereotypes during the processing of natural language stimuli are difficult or impossible to suppress.
Efficient Certificateless Signcryption in the Standard Model: Revisiting Luo and Wan's Scheme from Wireless Personal Communications (2018)

Certificateless public key cryptography (CL-PKC) promises a practical resolution in establishing practical schemes, since it addresses two fundamental issues, namely the necessity of requiring certificate managements in traditional public key infrastructure (PKI) and the key escrow problem in identity-based (ID-based) setting concurrently. Signcryption is an important primitive that provides the goals of both encryption and signature schemes as it is more efficient than encrypting and signing messages consecutively. Since the concept of certificateless signcryption (CL-SC) scheme was put forth by Barbosa and Farshim in 2008, many schemes have been proposed where most of them are provable in the random oracle model (ROM) and only a few number of them are provable in the standard model. Very recently, Luo and Wan (Wireless Personal Communication, 2018) proposed a very efficient CL-SC scheme in the standard model. Furthermore, they claimed that their scheme is not only more efficient than the previously proposed schemes in the standard model, but also it is the only scheme which benefits from known session-specific temporary information security (KSSTIS). Therefore, this scheme would indeed be very practical. The contributions of this paper are 2-fold. First, in contrast to the claim made by Luo and Wan, we show that unfortunately Luo and Wan made a significant error in the construction of their proposed scheme. While their main intention is indeed interesting and useful, the failure of their construction has indeed left a gap in the research literature. Hence, the second contribution of this paper is to fill this gap by proposing a CL-SC scheme with KSSTIS, which is provably secure in the standard model.
Clinical correlates of abnormal P14 in median SEPs

Recording median somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) from scalp and neck in separate channels with the use of an ear reference, 52 patients had abnormal scalp-recorded P14 associated with normal cervical-recorded N13. The patients had multiple sclerosis or other brainstem or high cervical cord lesions. Evidence of brainstem lesions was found in 35 patients on clinical examination or by brainstem auditory evoked potentials or blink reflex. Abnormalities of P14 were correlated highly with brainstem dysfunction, but high cervical cord lesions could not be excluded by this finding. The localizing value of SEP is improved by measuring the N13 and P14 peaks separately and assessing the cervical cord-brainstem conduction time.
RESTRICTION OF DUTY HOURS FOR RESIDENTS IN INTERNAL MEDICINE: A QUESTION OF QUALITY OF LIFE BUT WHAT ABOUT EDUCATION AND PATIENT SAFETY?

Abstract Like in other medical specialities, training in internal medicine is confronted with the duty hours regulation. A reduction to a maximum of 48 duty hours has been introduced in Belgium in 1999 for all residents and is still under debate in the European Communities. A reduction of duty hours to a maximum of 80 hours per week was recently adopted in the USA. Several surveys were conducted in this country before and after the introduction of the new system to evaluate its impact on training and patient care. A reduction of duty hours appears to improve the mental health and the security and the quality of life of the trainees. On the other hand, it is suspected that reducing training hours can have a negative effect not only on education but also on patient safety and satisfaction giving the fragmentation of care. This appears to be a key problem, particularly in internal medicine, as it implies more frequent transfers of medical information, a source of medical errors and a loss of responsibility.
How Initial Fixation Position Influences Visual Word Recognition: A Comparison of French and Arabic

The position the eye initially fixates in a written word influences the ease with which this word is recognized. Prior research has shown that the function relating ease of word recognition and initial fixation position in the word is not symmetric. Word recognition is generally superior when the initial fixation is left rather than right of the center of the word. This asymmetry in the function relating initial fixation position to word identifiability could be due to (a) hemispheric specialization, (b) reading habits, or (c) variations in lexical constraint. The present experiments tested these alternative explanations by comparing the effects of initial fixation position in prefixed and suffixed words in French and Arabic. The results show that, contrary to both the hemispheric specialization and reading habit hypotheses, the average initial fixation curves for Arabic are asymmetric neither to the left nor to the right but depend on the morphological structure of the stimuli, thus lending support to the lexical constraint hypothesis.
Virtual environment support orientation skills of newly blind

The newly blind face enormous emotional, cognitive and physical difficulties in the first stage of rehabilitation. During the traditional orientation and mobility rehabilitation program, the newly blind are trained in basic orientation and mobility skills. The virtual system BlindAid aimed to serve as a simulator for the subject to practice his or her new spatial knowledge and orientation and mobility strategies. The two main goals of this research were to examine: (1) the exploration strategies and process of the newly blind when using a virtual environment; (2) the contribution of the virtual environment exploration process to performance on orientation tasks in virtual environments and real spaces. The findings supply evidence that interaction with the BlindAid system by people who are newly blind provides the participants' development of comprehensive cognitive maps of actual known and unknown spaces during their rehabilitation program.
Successful use of oral ganciclovir for the treatment of intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection in a renal allograft recipient

Abstract: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs in approximately 1% of newborns and is the leading infectious cause of congenital birth defects. Female renal allograft recipients who develop CMV infection during pregnancy are at risk for both graft dysfunction and fetal morbidity. DNA‐based analysis of amniotic fluid (AF) from at‐risk pregnancies has been suggested as an adjunct/substitute for traditional culture. We have shown that CMV‐polymerase chain reaction of AF is a useful diagnostic test for congenital CMV infection. Using this test we diagnosed CMV infection in the fetus of a 30‐year‐old renal transplant recipient. As termination was not an option for the family, the patient was extensively counseled and treated with oral ganciclovir. This resulted in clearance of the virus from the AF and the delivery of a healthy newborn girl, free of CMV disease. This is the first reported case to our knowledge of successful use of maternal ganciclovir to treat intrauterine CMV infection in a pregnant renal transplant recipient.
Synchronization of networked robotic systems on strongly connected graphs

In this paper we study controlled synchronization of networked robotic systems with dynamic uncertainties. Previous results in the literature on synchronization of nonlinear robotic systems have been primarily developed under the balanced communication graph assumption. By utilizing weighted storage functions, we demonstrate that synchronization is achievable in networked robotic systems communicating over strongly connected graphs that are not necessarily balanced. Previous results on controlled synchronization, based on adaptive and robust tracking schemes, are extended to strongly connected communication graphs. The robustness of the proposed algorithms to time delays in communication is also discussed. The control schemes are validated via simulations on a group of two-link robotic manipulators and the robustness of the proposed algorithms to noise in the system dynamics is also studied.
Navigating Ambivalence

This commentary explores the sometimes uncomfortable ambivalence that colors most people’s experience of disability, either as an aspect of a person’s own identity, or as an aspect of a person’s interactions with a person with a disability. Disabilities are experienced by many as both a positive and a negative aspect of a person’s identity. The commentary describes the work of two disability scholars who have recently explored how this ambivalence affects both legal schemes and parenting decisions, and argue for a ‘destigmatizing’ of this ambivalence. The framework provided by these scholars illuminates ways in which ambivalence about the experience of disability is revealed by many of the contributors to this collection of essays, and suggests that an open confrontation with this ambivalence may facilitate more satisfactory relationships between people with and people without disabilities.
Effect of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR&ggr;2 gene on response to pioglitazone treatment in menopausal women

Objective:To investigate the influence of the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR&ggr;2 gene on metabolic and hormonal response to pioglitazone treatment in obese postmenopausal women. Design:We included 102 obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) and 97 nonobese (BMI ≤27 kg/m2) postmenopausal women. Anthropometric data were collected, and fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, estrone, estradiol, and adiponectin were measured and the PPAR&ggr;2 Pro12Ala genotypes were determined. Eighty-three obese postmenopausal women were treated with pioglitazone 15 mg/day for 15 days, and hormone levels and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) were assessed before and after treatment. Results:Obese women had a higher BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, leptin, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, testosterone, and adiponectin levels, whereas the follicle-stimulating hormone level was lower. Genotype frequencies were similar in obese and nonobese women. Analysis of the whole group showed that women with the Pro/Ala genotype had a higher BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and fasting glucose (P < 0.04, P < 0.02, and P < 0.004, respectively) than the group with the Pro/Pro genotype. After pioglitazone treatment, glucose levels decreased in both genotypes, but at a greater amount in carriers of the Pro/Ala genotype (−15 mg/dL vs −7 mg/dL, P < 0.003). However, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels were lower in carriers of the Pro/Pro genotype (−4.0 vs 0.7 IU/L, P=0.009 and −1.0 vs −0.08, P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions:The Pro/Ala genotype of PPAR&ggr;2 was associated with obesity and higher fasting glucose. Pioglitazone treatment in obese women with the Pro/Ala genotype induced a greater glucose decrease, and obese women may derive more benefit from this drug.
Neurological Complications After Regional Anesthesia: Contemporary Estimates of Risk

BACKGROUND:Regional anesthesia (RA) provides excellent anesthesia and analgesia for many surgical procedures. Anesthesiologists and patients must understand the risks in addition to the benefits of RA to make an informed choice of anesthetic technique. Many studies that have investigated neurological complications after RA are dated, and do not reflect the increasing indications and applications of RA nor the advances in training and techniques. In this brief narrative review we collate the contemporary investigations of neurological complications after the most common RA techniques. METHODS:We reviewed all 32 studies published between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2005 where the primary intent was to investigate neurological complications of RA. RESULTS:The sample size of the studies that investigated neurological complications after central and peripheral (PNB) nerve blockade ranged from 4185 to 1,260,000 and 20 to 10,309 blocks, respectively. The rate of neuropathy after spinal and epidural anesthesia was 3.78:10,000 (95% CI: 1.06–13.50:10,000) and 2.19:10,000 (95% CI: 0.88–5.44:10,000), respectively. For common PNB techniques, the rate of neuropathy after interscalene brachial plexus block, axillary brachial plexus block, and femoral nerve block was 2.84:100 (95% CI 1.33–5.98:100), 1.48:100 (95% CI: 0.52–4.11:100), and 0.34:100 (95% CI: 0.04–2.81:100), respectively. The rate of permanent neurological injury after spinal and epidural anesthesia ranged from 0–4.2:10,000 and 0–7.6:10,000, respectively. Only one case of permanent neuropathy was reported among 16 studies of neurological complications after PNB. CONCLUSIONS:Our review suggests that the rate of neurological complications after central nerve blockade is <4:10,000, or 0.04%. The rate of neuropathy after PNB is <3:100, or 3%. However, permanent neurological injury after RA is rare in contemporary anesthetic practice.
A novel soluble mimic of the glycolipid, globotriaosyl ceramide inhibits HIV infection

Objective:To determine the effect of a gp120 binding, non-cytotoxic soluble analogue of the glycosphingolipid (GSL), globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb3) on HIV infection in vitro. Design:HIV-1IIIB (X4 virus) infection in Jurkat and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)/interleukin-2 (IL2) activated, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and HIV-1Ba-L (R5 virus) infection of PHA activated PBMC in vitro were assessed. We monitored cell surface markers, cell viability, and viral/host cell morphology to eliminate pleiotropic effects. Viral-host cell fusion was measured to further address any inhibitory mechanism. Methods:HIV infection was monitored by p24gag ELISA. CD4, CCR5, CXCR4 and apoptosis were determined by fluorescent antibody cell sorting. A model fusion system comprising a cell line transfected with either CD4 and CXCR4 or CCR5, cocultured with a cell line expressing gp120 from either X4-, R5-tropic HIV-1 or HIV-2 virions, was used. PHA/IL2 activated PBMC GSL synthesis was monitored by metabolic radiolabelling. Results:AdamantylGb3 blocked X4 and R5 virus infection with a 50% inhibitory concentration of approximately 150 μM. A reverse transcriptase and a protease-resistant X4 HIV-1 strain retained adamantylGb3 sensitivity. AdamantylGb3 had minimal effect on cell viability. Treated Jurkat cells showed a small increase in CCR5/CXCR4 expression and a slight, transient CD4 down-regulation, which was probably not related to the mechanism of inhibition. Electron microscopy showed normal viral and host cell morphology following adamantylGb3 treatment, and viral entry was blocked. AdamantylGb3 was able to prevent virus-host cell fusion irrespective of HIV strain or chemokine receptor preference. Conclusions:These results suggest that adamantylGb3 may provide a new basis for blocking HIV infections, irrespective of HIV envelope/chemokine co-receptor preference or resistance to other therapeutics.
High expression of connective tissue growth factor in pre‐B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

In recent years microarrays have been used extensively to characterize gene expression in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Few studies, however, have analysed normal haematopoietic cell populations to identify altered gene expression in ALL. We used oligonucleotide microarrays to compare the gene expression profile of paediatric precursor‐B (pre‐B) ALL specimens with two control cell populations, normal CD34+ and CD19+IgM− cells, to focus on genes linked to leukemogenesis. A set of eight genes was identified with a ninefold higher average expression in ALL specimens compared with control cells. All of these genes were significantly deregulated in an independent cohort of 101 ALL specimens. One gene, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, also known as CCN2), had exceptionally high expression, which was confirmed in three independent leukaemia studies. Further analysis of CTGF expression in ALL revealed exclusive expression in B‐lineage, not T‐lineage, ALL. Within B‐lineage ALL approximately 75% of specimens were consistently positive for CTGF expression, however, specimens containing the E2A‐PBX1 translocation showed low or no expression. Protein studies using Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of CTGF in ALL cell‐conditioned media. These findings indicate that CTGF is secreted by pre‐B ALL cells and may play a role in the pathophysiology of this disease.
The relevance of serum levels of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostate cancer risk: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to systematically analyze the evidence for an association between serum level long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) and prostate cancer risk from human epidemiological studies. STUDY PROCEDURES: We searched biomedical literature databases up to November 2011 and included epidemiological studies with description of long chain n-3 PUFA and incidence of prostate cancer in humans. Critical appraisal was done by two independent reviewers. Data were pooled using the general variance-based method with random-effects model; effect estimates were expressed as risk ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed by Chi(2) and quantified by I(2), publication bias was also determined. RESULTS In total, 12 studies were included. Significant negative association was noted between high serum level of n-3 PUFA doc-osapentaenoic acid (DPA) and total prostate cancer risk (RR:0.756; 95% CI 0.599, 0.955; p = 0.019). Likewise, a positive association between high blood level of fish oil contents, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and high-grade prostate tumour incidence (RR:1.381; 95% CI 1.050, 1.817; p = 0.021) was noted; however, this finding was evident only after adjustment was done on interstudy variability through the removal of a lower quality study from the pool. CONCLUSIONS High serum levels of long chain n-3 PUFA DPA is associated with reduced total prostate cancer risk. While high blood level of EPA and DHA is possibly associated with increased high-grade prostate tumour risk.
Analysis of Supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification for remote sensing image

In this paper, Supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) has been used for analysis of remotely sensed image. The Landsat ETM+ image has used for classification. MLC is based on Bayes' classification and in this classificationa pixelis assigned to a class according to its probability of belonging to a particular class. Mean vector and covariance metrics are the key component of MLC that can be retrieved from training data. Classification results have shown that MLC is the robust technique and there is very less chances of misclassification. The classification accuracy has been achieved overall accuracy of 93.75%, producer accuracy 94%, user accuracy 96.09% and overall kappa accuracy 90.52%.
The Impact of Board of Directors Characteristics on Banks Performance: Evidence from Jordan

The awareness of board of directors’ role in enhancing firms’ financial performance has increased noticeably over the last years. Previous studies, however, have covered a traditional set of characteristics (i.e. board independence, board size and board meetings), but few studies are conducted to explore the impact of a new set of characteristics (i.e. political connections, number of foreign members and busy directors) on banks’ performance within the context of emerging markets. This study was motivated to combine the new set of characteristics with the traditional ones to gauge the impact of them on financial performance. Employing an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression technique on a sample of 14 Jordanian banks listed at the Amman Stock Exchange between 2013 and 2017 revealed that the only variable that has a significant positive impact on financial performance is board size. Busy directors have not obtained the sufficient knowledge and experience or at least they lacked the required time to enhance performance. Politically connected directors as well as foreign members were a stumbling block in the way to positively improve performance. Board meetings and independence were found to be insignificantly associated with return on assets. In a nutshell, the Jordanian regulators need to devote more efforts to revise the suggested characteristics related to boards of directors; since the current composition of boards has been presented as a weak monitoring tool to fulfil principals’ goals through enhancing banks’ performance.