Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of erectile dysfunction (ED) and treatment seeking for ED in Asian Men: the Asian Men's Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) study.

INTRODUCTION There have been limited multiregional studies in Asia examining the parameters of men's general and sexual health and quality of life in the general population vs. those in clinical cohorts of patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). AIMS The aims of the Asian Men's Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (Asian MALES) study were to investigate the prevalence of ED, associated health conditions, and ED treatment-seeking patterns in the general male population in five regions of Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Standardized questionnaire previously used in a similar multiregional study and modified to ensure culturally appropriate content for Asia. METHODS Phase I of the study involved 10,934 adult men, aged 20-75 years, who were interviewed using the standardized questionnaire. Phase II of the study involved men with self-reported ED recruited from Phase I and via physician referral, invitations in general practitioner offices, and street interception (total Phase II sample, N = 1,209). RESULTS The overall prevalence of self-reported ED in the Phase I study population was 6.4%. ED prevalence varied by region and significantly increased with age (P < 0.01). Men with ED reported significantly greater rates of comorbid illness (P < 0.0001) and a reduced quality of life (P = 0.0001), compared with men without ED. Phase II of the study revealed that fewer than half of men with self-reported ED had sought treatment for their problem. Men were more likely to seek help for erection difficulties from Western doctors than from traditional medicine practitioners (P = 0.0001). A man's partner/spouse was the most common influencer of treatment seeking in all regions except Malaysia. CONCLUSION The findings confirm those of existing research on ED in both Asian and non-Asian males: ED is a prevalent condition; the prevalence of ED increases with age and is strongly associated with comorbid conditions; and the majority of men have never sought treatment for their condition. This study highlights a substantial need for the evaluation and treatment of ED in Asian men.
Risk Perception and Privacy Regulation Preferences From a Cross-Cultural Perspective. A Qualitative Study Among German and U.S. Smartphone Users

Following the notion that both individual privacy attitudes and (national) privacy regulation need to be addressed when understanding the privacy governance system, this article focuses on the relationship between information privacy risk perceptions and regulation preferences in two regulatory systems: Germany and the United States. Empirically, the study relies on semistructured interviews with German and U.S. smartphone users ( N = 55). We analyze privacy risk perceptions and perceived control over privacy (RQ1), carving out four domains of privacy risks (governmental, criminal, and commercial misuse, as well as social risks). Furthermore, we focus on preferences for privacy regulation (RQ2), investigating preference for do-it-yourself privacy, as well as state- and market-based regulation. Findings support the notion that while privacy risks are shared among German and U.S. participants, U.S. users feel more in control over their data. A discrepancy between German and U.S. users with respect to their preferences for state- versus market-based regulation also exists.
In Vitro and In Vivo Infection of Neural Cells by a Recombinant Measles Virus Expressing Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein

ABSTRACT This study focused on the in vitro infection of mouse and human neuroblastoma cells and the in vivo infection of the murine central nervous system with a recombinant measles virus. An undifferentiated mouse neuroblastoma cell line (TMN) was infected with the vaccine strain of measles virus (MVeGFP), which expresses enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). MVeGFP infected the cells, and cell-to-cell spread was studied by virtue of the resulting EGFP autofluorescence, using real-time confocal microscopy. Cells were differentiated to a neuronal phenotype, and extended processes, which interconnected the cells, were observed. It was also possible to infect the differentiated neuroblastoma cells (dTMN) with MVeGFP. Single autofluorescent EGFP-positive cells were selected at the earliest possible point in the infection, and the spread of EGFP autofluorescence was monitored. In this instance the virus used the interconnecting processes to spread from cell to cell. Human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY-5Y) were also infected with MVeGFP. The virus infected these cells, and existing processes were used to initiate new foci of infection at distinct regions of the monolayer. Transgenic animals expressing CD46, a measles virus receptor, and lacking interferon type 1 receptor gene were infected intracerebrally with MVeGFP. A productive infection ensued, and the mice exhibited clinical signs of infection, such as ataxia and an awkward gait, identical to those previously observed for the parental virus (Edtag). Mice were sacrificed, and brain sections were examined for EGFP autofluorescence by confocal scanning laser microscopy over a period of 6 h. EGFP was detected in discrete focal regions of the brain and in processes, which extended deep into the parenchyma. Collectively, these results indicate (i) that MVeGFP can be used to monitor virus replication sensitively, in real time, in animal tissues, (ii) that infection of ependymal cells and neuroblasts provides a route by which measles virus can enter the central nervous system in mouse models of encephalitis, and (iii) that upon infection, the virus spreads transneuronally.
Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined with Neuronavigation: A New Concept

OBJECTIVE Intraoperative image data may be used not only to evaluate the extent of a tumor resection but also to update neuronavigation, compensating for brain shift. To date, however, intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be combined only with navigation microscopes that are separated from the magnetic field, thus requiring time-consuming intraoperative patient transport. To help solve this problem, we investigated whether a new navigation microscope can be used within the fringe field of the MRI scanner. METHODS The navigation microscope was placed at the 5-G line of a 0.2 MRI device. Patients were positioned lying down directly on the table of the scanner, with their heads placed approximately 1.5 m from the center of the magnet, fixed in an MRI-compatible ceramic head holder. Standard operating instruments were used. For intraoperative imaging, we slid the table into the center of the magnet in less than 30 seconds. RESULTS By use of this setup, we operated on 22 patients. In all patients, anatomic neuronavigation could be used in combination with intraoperative MRI. In addition, in 12 patients, functional data from magnetoencephalographic or functional MRI studies were integrated, resulting in functional neuronavigation. We did not encounter adverse effects of the low magnetic field during navigation. Moreover, intraoperative imaging was not disturbed by the navigation microscope and vice versa. CONCLUSION Functional neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI can be used essentially simultaneously without the need for lengthy intraoperative patient transport. The combination of intraoperative imaging with functional neuronavigation offers the opportunity for more radical resections and fewer complications.
The product of the adenovirus intermediate gene IX is a transcriptional activator

We have investigated the functional properties of the product of the adenovirus type 5 gene IX. This gene, which is expressed at intermediate times postinfection, encodes a small polypeptide (pIX) of 140 residues that has previously been shown to be incorporated into the viral capsid. Here, we show that pIX, in addition to its structural contribution, exhibits transcriptional properties. In transient transfection experiments, expression of pIX stimulated adenovirus major late promoter activity. The effect was independent of other viral proteins, but the level of promoter activation appeared strongly pIX dose dependent; similar levels of induction were observed with other cellular or viral TATA-containing (but not with TATA-less) promoters. This promoter specificity could be reproduced in a cell-free transcription system by the addition of purified recombinant pIX, further stressing the transcriptional nature of the phenomenon. A preliminary structural analysis of pIX indicated that the integrity of a putative leucine zipper at the carboxy-terminal end of the molecule, as well as elements within the amino-terminal half, was critical for pIX transcriptional activity. The relevance of these findings in adenovirus infection is discussed.
HIV Risk Behaviors in Sub-Saharan Africa and Northern Thailand: Baseline Behavioral Data From Project Accept

Background:Of 2.5 million new HIV infections worldwide in 2007, most occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia. We present the baseline data on HIV risk behaviors and HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa and northern Thailand from Project Accept, a community-randomized controlled trial of community mobilization, mobile voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), and posttest support services. Methods:A random household probability sample of individuals aged 18-32 years yielded a sample of 14,657, with response rates ranging from 84%-94% across the 5 sites (Thailand, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and 2 in South Africa). Individuals completed an interviewer-administered survey on demographic characteristics, HIV risk behaviors, and history of VCT. Results:In multivariate analysis, females, married individuals, less educated with 1 sexual partner in the past 6 months were more likely to have had unprotected intercourse in the previous 6 months. Rates of lifetime HIV testing ranged from 5.4% among males in Zimbabwe to 52.6% among females in Soweto. Conclusions:Significant risk of HIV acquisition in Project Accept communities exists despite 2 decades of prevention efforts. Low levels of recent HIV testing suggest that increasing awareness of HIV status through accessible VCT services may reduce HIV transmission.
Religion, religiosity and slack creation: some empirical evidence / Shayuti Mohamed Adnan, Maliah Sulaiman

Given that the ethical paradigms and the personal characteristics of managers serve as internally mediated controls for slack creation, our study examines if religion and religiosity influence the propensity of managers to create budgetary slack. We focus on Islam primarily because Islam does not recognize the divide between religious and worldly affairs. Accordingly, we argue that Islam may influence a manager’s propensity to create slack. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey. To control for variation effects, questionnaires were sent to 91 managers of just one company, a Malaysian based Korean company. We found no significant difference between the slack created by Muslim and non-Muslim managers.
Psychometric evaluation of children with auditory processing disorder (APD): comparison with normal-hearing and clinical non-APD groups.

PURPOSE To investigate the clinical utility of the Children's Auditory Processing Performance Scale (CHAPPS; Smoski, Brunt, & Tannahill, 1992) to evaluate listening ability in 12-year-old children referred for auditory processing assessment. METHOD This was a prospective case control study of 97 children (age range = 11;4 [years;months] to 12;7). Auditory processing disorder (APD) was diagnosed based on findings of deficits on at least 1 nonverbal test and on at least 2 tests of an auditory processing test battery. Clinically referred children were grouped as APD (n = 38) or non-APD (n = 20). RESULTS The study found that (a) the APD group performed lower than the non-APD group on the Quiet, Ideal, Memory (p < .0001), and Attention (p < .05) subscales of the CHAPPS; (b) the non-APD group performed lower than the group with normal hearing on the Noise, Multiple Inputs, and Attention subscales (p < .0001); and (c) there were significant moderate-to-strong correlations (Spearman's ρ > .04) between Dichotic Digits, Duration Pattern tests, and the CHAPPS Attention, Memory, and total scores. CONCLUSION The CHAPPS may be a clinically useful tool to evaluate listening ability in 12-year-old children suspected of having APD. Restricting use of the CHAPPS to older children may help address its limitations as reported by other studies.
Probe-Tube Microphone Measures in Patients with Open-Mastoid Surgery: Real-Ear-to-Coupler Differences and Real-Ear Unaided Responses

Real-ear-to-coupler differences (RECDs) and real-ear unaided responses (REURs) were measured using a probe-tube microphone system in 15 patients who underwent open mastoid surgery. The results show that RECDs are significantly smaller at higher frequencies (1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 kHz) in mastoid ears. The intrasubject variability of RECDs measures in these patients is on average 2.6 dB larger than for controls. For REURs, mastoid surgery significantly reduced the mean peak resonant frequency without affecting the amplitude and bandwidth. In operated ears, mean resonant frequency is by a factor of 1.4 lower than that for normal ears. Reduced responses (negative gains) at frequencies above the resonance peak occurred in 7 out of the 15 patients. These reduced responses corresponded to the smaller RECD at the middle and high frequencies. The results support the need for individual RECD measures to be made in operated ears instead of using average values from normal subjects. Otherwise, real-ear measures of the aided response should be made for each patient with open-mastoid cavity and the fitting should be done in terms of the target response at the eardrum rather than by defining a target insertion gain.
Predictors of Survival in Patients with Carcinoma of the Gallbladder

We read with interest the article by Pradeep et al. evaluating the outcome of 87 patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) who underwent surgery. The authors concluded that surgical resection provides significantly better survival than a bypass procedure or exploratory laparotomy alone. Because radical tumor resection may significantly improve survival as compared with more conservative procedures, we also advocate radical resection for the treatment of this disease. Pradeep et al. reported that resection improved the survival of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Stage IV disease. These data, however, should be interpreted with caution. In their series, the specific procedure chosen was the surgeon’s personal preference. AJCC Stage IV disease is a broad category that includes regional and distant metastases. Thus, it may be true that resection was selected for stronger patients with less invasive disease and palliative procedures were performed on sicker patients. This selection bias may have influenced postoperative survival. We do not believe that a simple cholecystectomy, the most common resection in their series, would have affected survival in patients with Stage IV disease. Furthermore, Pradeep et al. recommended that resection be performed for patients with GBC even if it is noncurative. We believe that this recommendation may be misleading, as curative resection may be a prerequisite for long term survival. Of 108 patients we treated with radical resection, no patients with residual tumor survived longer than 5 years (unpublished data). Gall et al. also reported poor survival after palliative resection (median, 5 months). In addition, Bloechle et al. reported that patients with residual tumor survived no longer than 2 years. These data do not support radical resection for GBC patients unless it is curative.
Source-induced RDF overwhelms RTN in nanowire transistor: Statistical analysis with full device EMC/MD simulation accelerated by GPU computing

We numerically demonstrate that a random dopant fluctuation (RDF) in a source region causes a noticeable variability in the on-current of Si nanowire (NW) transistors, and its effect is much larger than that of a random telegraph noise (RTN). This work assesses the static and dynamic variability of NW device characteristics using the ensemble Monte Carlo/molecular dynamics (EMC/MD) simulation, which employs parallel computing technique using a graphic processing unit (GPU). The current flow in a one-dimensional NW device is determined by the number of dopants at the source edge, indicating the importance of forming an abrupt source-channel boundary to suppress the variability.
Gestational morphogenesis of the uterine epithelium of the gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus)

Developing embryos of the non‐placental, viviparous gummy shark (Mustelus antarcticus) are supplied with yolk from external and internal yolk sacs throughout the initial stages of gestation. Yolk supplies are exhausted by the 7th month of an 11–12 month gestation. During embryonic development, there is an approximate 800% gain in dry mass. These factors suggest nutrients are transferred from the mother to the young. The results of the present study provide some insights into how this is occurring. The uteri are paired and both are functional. Using both light and transmission electron microscopy, regions of the uterus were examined throughout maturation and gestation. The layers of the uterine wall throughout the entire length are similar to the uteri of other chondrichthyans previously examined. The uterine epithelium of the body of the uterus is smooth contoured, does not form villi, and undergoes cyclical and secretory changes throughout maturity and gestation. In immature uteri, the epithelium is simple columnar with minimal periodic acid‐Schiff‐positive and Alcian blue‐positive secretory vesicles. In mature uteri, the epithelium is highly stratified with cuboidal cells containing numerous Alcian blue‐positive and periodic acid‐Schiff‐positive vesicles. With pregnancy, prominent changes include a reduction in the number of cell layers, a reduction in cell size, a reduction in the connective tissue intervening between epithelium and blood vessel endothelium, and an increase in blood vessel number and size, so that at term, the uterine compartment consists of a single layer of squamous cells immediately underlain by sinusoidal‐like blood vessels. These features along with a small number of secretory vesicles, dilated intercellular spaces, and clear transport vesicles suggest the transepithelial transfer of water and minerals from the maternal to embryonic environment, supplemented by minimal uterine secretions. This is defined as minimal histotrophy and this article represents the first detailed description of this reproductive mode. J. Morphol. , 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Experimental Design of Classification Models: An Application of Recursive Partitioning and Bootstrapping to Commercial Bank Loan Classifications

This paper examines several issues in the experimental design and empirical testing of classification models. As an illustration, we focus on the classification of commercial bank loans. We stress the importance of and the interactions among three elements: the loss function associated with classification errors, the algorithm used to discriminate among or predict classifications, and the method used to estimate the expected misclassification losses achieved by various algorithms. These aspects of the design are of particular importance when an empirical researcher must proceed without the guidance of a well-specified model of the phenomenon under investigation. We use two nonparametric, computer-intensive statistical techniques
Recovery of Bordetella pertussis from nasopharyngeal swabs

Author's Reply Dr. Creager and Mr. Mach are apparently unaware of the fact that in the early stages of this project, we worked with Dr. Howard Soule of Kallestad to address many of the issues they raise. Any modification of their recommended procedure was evaluated before being used in our study. For example, we found that using Syva mounting medium instead of the Kallestad mounting medium did not alter our results. Similarly, we compared Formalin-fixed antigen, fresh antigen, and antigens actually provided to us by Dr. Soule of Kallestad and saw no appreciable differences in the outcome when using the Kallestad staining reagent. We used 10 ,ul to stain the slides rather than 30 ,ul because the area of the wells we stained (19.6 mm2) was about one-third of the area of the wells in kits used for patient specimens. As clearly stated in the paper, the results presented in Table 1 are all with undiluted reagents. Dilution of staining reagent was not advocated for clinical use but was used to ascertain the relative intensities of the stains tested. In summary, we believe that the procedures we used provide an objective comparison of staining reagents and should prove useful in comparing new products or modifications of other products.
SEX EDUCATION : THE PARENT 'S PERSPECTIVE California Parents' Preferences and Beliefs on School-Based Sex Education Policy

Ongoing and often rancorous policy arguments at the federal, state, and local school-district levels address the relative merits of different types of sex education. The conflicts between proponents of programs that exclusively teach abstinence-only-until-marriage versus programs that include instruction regarding contraception and protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are often characterized by strong emotional arguments. In this heated
Molecular phylogenetics of the Peromyscus boylii species group (Rodentia: muridae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences.

Variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1143 bp) was examined to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of taxa within the Peromyscus boylii species group. In addition, phylogenetic relationships among the aztecus, boylii, and truei species groups were addressed. Maximum-likelihood, neighbor-joining, and maximum-parsimony (weighted and equally weighted) analyses produced similar topologies with P. boylii, P. beatae, P. simulus, P. stephani, P. madrensis, P. levipes, and three undescribed taxa from western Mexico forming a monophyletic unit. At least two of the undescribed taxa from western Mexico potentially represent species. Members of the P. aztecus species group formed a clade separate from the P. boylii group and should be recognized as a distinct species group. P. sagax, P. polius, and P. pectoralis, formerly placed in the P. boylii species group, generally formed an unresolved polytomy with the P. truei, P. aztecus, and P. boylii species groups. P. attwateri formed a sister taxon relationship with members of the P. truei species group (P. difficilis and P. nasutus) and should be considered a member of this group. Members of the P. truei species group did not form a monophyletic unit, indicating that this species group is not monophyletic and may be composed of two assemblages.