Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Rally-Intensive Campaign: A Distinct Form of Electioneering in Sub-Saharan Africa and Beyond

I consider how to characterize and classify election campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa. I revisit the typology proposed by Pippa Norris, which distinguishes between premodern, modern, and postmodern campaigns. This typology, and others like it, homogenizes ground campaigns. Ground campaigns only feature by virtue of their centrality in premodern campaigns and their peripherality in modern and postmodern campaigns. I argue that the prominence of the rally varies across ground campaigns. By trivializing rallies, current typologies obscure this variation between African campaigns and between campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. To accommodate these differences, I propose a schema of campaign ecologies, adapted from Norris’ own, which incorporates a distinct ideal-type: the rally-intensive campaign. This revision internationalizes this hitherto Western-bound typology and may illuminate the features of campaigns in other middle- and low-income countries too. Equally, it throws into relief differences between historic premodern campaigns in Western countries. I contend that rally-intensiveness is a definitive feature of election campaigns from which other features stem. To illuminate such typical features, I study Tanzania, which has the most rally-intensive campaigns in Africa. I draw on ethnographic research and original survey data to identify the four following typical features of the rally-intensive campaign. Local as well as national leaders hold rallies frequently. Local rallies are better attended in aggregate than national ones, and accordingly, campaign contact is direct. Mass meetings dwarf the canvass as a means of campaign contact, and local party networks concentrate their efforts on “producing” rallies.
A comparison between Two Cytogenetic Methods for Identification of Chromosome Aberration in Irradiated Blood Cells

Background: Understanding the genomic alteration induced by ionizing radiation still remains as a methodological challenge in the field of genetics. The energy released from this type of radiation can potentially cause structural and numerical alterations in lymphocytes, which in turn converts them into abnormal tumor cells. Chromosomal abnormalities associated with specific type of hematological malignancies are determinant factors in the evaluation of radiation dose and its potential in harming the body. Nonetheless, early detection of chromosomal aberration (CA) is crucial in the prognosis and selection of a therapy for the people exposed to irradiations. The aim of this study was to explore a swift and accurate genetic test that identifies CAs in radiologists exposed to X-rays. In addition, synergistic effect of other clastogens in irradiated workers was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four heparinized blood samples were obtained from radiology workers exposed to X-rays. Blood samples were cultured in RPMI 1640 and F-10 Medias with and without PHA stimulation. Lymphocytes were harvested, separated and arrested at metaphase and their chromosomes were analyzed by solid and G-Banding techniques. Lymphocytic CA was also analyzed through whole chromosome painting using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: Of the 37 blood samples from workers, 60% had various structural aberrations in which both the frequency and type of CAs were intensified among tobacco smokers. Conclusion: The results did not show any significant differences between the genders but other carcinogens like smoking can significantly increase the rate of CAs.
Analysing Vulnerabilities of local communities to flood disasters in the Lower Rufiji Floodplain, Tanzania

Climate change scenario shows that areas with bimodal rainfall pattern and major river basins including the Rufiji basin are anticipated to receive an increase of rainfall intensity by 5% to 45%, with a decrease of raining seasons. This incident is expected to upsurge the frequency and magnitude of extreme flood events and cause serious devastations to vulnerable communities. This paper examined the progression of factors causing community vulnerability to flood disasters as basis for developing appropriate flood risk reduction strategies. Data collection methods involved household survey, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, remote sensing and hydrological analysis. The household survey and hydrological data were analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Science and Trend Analysis software. Data from focus group discussion and interviews were triangulated with community during participatory discussions. Results showed high degree of community vulnerability to flood impacts extending from geographical, social, economic, political and environmental factors. The catchment delineation model showed that the community is geographically located in flood hazardous areas because the river networks flow into the study area. Also, severity of flood impacts was locally related by the recent influx of cattle in the area which has contributed to land degradation, increased runoff and siltation of the Rufiji river. Furthermore, lack of access to social services such as education, health, water and sanitation facilities were found to largely reduce socioeconomic abilities while illuminating underlying vulnerabilities of study communities to flood impacts. The findings suggested combining underlying and immediate factors in reducing future community vulnerability to flood disasters.
Comparing low-pass sequencing and genotyping for trait mapping in pharmacogenetics

Background Low pass sequencing has been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to genotyping arrays to identify genetic variants that influence multifactorial traits in humans. For common diseases this typically has required both large sample sizes and comprehensive variant discovery. Genotyping arrays are also routinely used to perform pharmacogenetic (PGx) experiments where sample sizes are likely to be significantly smaller, but clinically relevant effect sizes likely to be larger. Results To assess how low pass sequencing would compare to array based genotyping for PGx we compared a low-pass assay (in which 1x coverage or less of a target genome is sequenced) along with software for genotype imputation to standard approaches. We sequenced 79 individuals to 1x genome coverage and genotyped the same samples on the Affymetrix Axiom Biobank Precision Medicine Research Array (PMRA). We then down-sampled the sequencing data to 0.8x, 0.6x, and 0.4x coverage, and performed imputation. Both the genotype data and the sequencing data were further used to impute human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes for all samples. We compared the sequencing data and the genotyping array data in terms of four metrics: overall concordance, concordance at single nucleotide polymorphisms in pharmacogenetics-related genes, concordance in imputed HLA genotypes, and imputation r 2 . Overall concordance between the two assays ranged from 98.2% (for 0.4x coverage sequencing) to 99.2% (for 1x coverage sequencing), with qualitatively similar numbers for the subsets of variants most important in pharmacogenetics. At common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the mean imputation r 2 from the genotyping array was 0.90, which was comparable to the imputation r 2 from 0.4x coverage sequencing, while the mean imputation r 2 from 1x sequencing data was 0.96. Conclusions These results indicate that low-pass sequencing to a depth above 0.4x coverage attains higher power for association studies when compared to the PMRA and should be considered as a competitive alternative to genotyping arrays for trait mapping in pharmacogenetics.
Region of Interest Based Coding of 2-D and 3-D Magnetic Resonance Images

We present a lossy to lossless wavelet based image compression scheme with progressive transmission and region of interest coding functionalities for 2D and 3D magnetic resonance images. Context based entropy coding is used to efficiently code significance and sign information of wavelet coefficients. Contexts for 2D and 3D schemes are built using a mutual information based context merging algorithm. The obtained compression performance for the 3D scheme of about 2.1 bits per pixel is comparable to the existing Multidimensional layered zero coding (MLZC) scheme [4].
Quantitative Assessment of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterial Communities in the Epiphyton of Submerged Macrophytes in Shallow Lakes

ABSTRACT In addition to the benthic and pelagic habitats, the epiphytic compartment of submerged macrophytes in shallow freshwater lakes offers a niche to bacterial ammonia-oxidizing communities. However, the diversity, numbers, and activity of epiphytic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria have long been overlooked. In the present study, we analyzed quantitatively the epiphytic communities of three shallow lakes by a potential nitrification assay and by quantitative PCR of 16S rRNA genes. On the basis of the m2 of the lake surface, the gene copy numbers of epiphytic ammonia oxidizers were not significantly different from those in the benthic and pelagic compartments. The potential ammonia-oxidizing activities measured in the epiphytic compartment were also not significantly different from the activities determined in the benthic compartment. No potential ammonia-oxidizing activities were observed in the pelagic compartment. No activity was detected in the epiphyton of Chara aspera, the dominant submerged macrophyte in Lake Nuldernauw in The Netherlands. The presence of ammonia-oxidizing bacterial cells in the epiphyton of Potamogeton pectinatus was also demonstrated by fluorescent in situ hybridization microscopy images. By comparing the community composition as assessed by the 16S rRNA gene PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis approach, it was concluded that the epiphytic ammonia-oxidizing communities consisted of cells that were also present in the benthic and pelagic compartments. Of the environmental parameters examined, only the water retention time, the Kjeldahl nitrogen content, and the total phosphorus content correlated with potential ammonia-oxidizing activities. None of these parameters correlated with the numbers of gene copies related to ammonia-oxidizing betaproteobacteria.
Risk of Catheter Migration During Combined Spinal Epidural Block: Percutaneous Epiduroscopy Study

Combined spinal epidural (CSE) block with the needle-through-needle technique has become increasingly popular during recent years. However, the risk of epidural catheter penetrating dura mater through the hole made by the spinal needle (migration) is a major concern. In 15 fresh cadavers a percutaneous epiduroscopy technique with a rigid epiduroscope and video recording was used to assess the risk of catheter migration when a CSE block is performed. The experimental sequence included (a) one dural hole made by the spinal needle, (b) multiple (five) dural holes made by the spinal needle, and (c) a dural hole made by Tuohy needle. Twenty-four experimental sequences were performed in the lumbar region. Four sequences were failures due to technical problems. In the remaining 20 cases, the anatomic structures in the epidural space were recognized easily. The epidural space appears to be only a potential space, kept open either by epiduroscope or by repeated injections of air or saline. The dural holes made by Tuohy and spinal needles, and the ease of difficulty of catheter penetration through these holes, were clearly visible. Extensive tenting of the dura was seen in all subjects. It was impossible to force an 18-gauge epidural catheter through the dural hole after a single dural puncture made by a 25-gauge spinal needle. After multiple (five) dural punctures with the spinal needle, the epidural catheter penetrated the perforated dura in 1 of 20 cases. The epidural catheter penetrated the dural hole made by the Tuohy needle in 9 of 20 cases. The distribution of fat, rather than any dorso median connective tissue band, influences the course of epidural catheter in epidural space. We conclude that the risk of epidural catheter migration through the dural hole during uncomplicated combined spinal-epidural block is very small. (Anesth Analg 1995;80:747-53)
News Shocks: Different Effects in Boom and Recession?

This paper investigates the nonlinearity in the effects of news shocks about technological innovations. In a maximally fl exible logistic smooth transition vector autoregressive model, state-dependent effects of news shocks are identified based on medium-run restrictions. We propose a novel approach to impose these restrictions in a nonlinear model using the generalized forecast error variance decomposition. We compute generalized impulse response functions that allow for regime transition and find evidence of state-dependency. The results also indicate that the probability of a regime switch is highly infl uenced by the news shocks.
Knowledge and attitudes of waterpipe tobacco smoking among GPs in England.

Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is a growing public health concern. This exploratory study sought to assess the WTS knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals by distributing an anonymous, 12-item, cross-sectional survey to GPs in two areas; Brent: a socially-deprived, ethnically-diverse area of outer London known for its high prevalence of WTS1 (response rate 49 out of 251 [19.5%]), and Lancashire: an area of the north west of England not typically known for its WTS popularity …
Decaying grid turbulence in a rotating stratified fluid

Rotating grid turbulence experiments have been carried out in a stably stratified fluid for relatively large Reynolds numbers (mesh Reynolds numbers up to 18000). Under the combined effects of rotation and stratification the flow degenerates into quasi-horizontal motions. This regime is investigated using a scanning imaging velocimetry technique which provides time-resolved velocity fields in a volume. The most obvious effect of rotation is the inhibition of the kinetic energy decay, in agreement with the quasi-geostrophic model which predicts the absence of a direct energy cascade, as found in two-dimensional turbulence. In the regime of small Froude and Rossby numbers, the dynamics is found to be non-dissipative and associated with a symmetric and highly intermittent vertical vorticity field, that displays $k_h^{-3}$ energy spectra. For higher Rossby numbers, fundamental differences with the quasi-geostrophic model are found. A significant decay of kinetic energy, which does not depend on the stratification, is observed. Moreover, in this regime, although both cyclones and anticyclones are initially produced, the intense vortices are only cyclones. For late times the flow consists of an assembly of coherent interacting structures. Under the influence of both rotation and stratification, they take the form of lens-like eddies with aspect ratio proportional to $f/N$.
Concurrent partial splenic embolization with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma can maintain hepatic functional reserve

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently complicated with cirrhosis, and it is not unusual for treatment options to be limited as a result of pancytopenia due to hypersplenism. Partial splenic embolization (PSE) has been performed for thrombocytopenia resulting from hypersplenism. We studied the efficacy in terms of hepatic functional reserve and safety in patients who underwent concurrent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with PSE for HCC.
Racial Differences in Program Evaluation of a Lifestyle Physical Activity Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study was to compare program evaluation responses between African American and Caucasian caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who completed a lifestyle physical activity randomized controlled trial. The aim was to determine if African Americans evaluated the study differently than Caucasians. Family caregivers (N = 211) were randomly assigned to a 12-month physical activity intervention or a control condition. Upon intervention completion (n = 114), caregivers responded to an 11-item questionnaire using Likert-type scale responses and three open-ended questions about the overall intervention quality. Findings indicated that African American caregivers evaluated both conditions more favorably than Caucasian caregivers (p = .02). Content analysis of the narrative responses revealed five major qualitative themes: support, resources, responsibility, adjusting, and time. These findings suggest the value of both access to resources, and support for African American caregivers who participate in intervention research.
Comparative Study of Fluconazole and Clotrimazole for the Treatment of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Background: The introduction of the triazole antifungal agent fluconazole, which can be used via an oral route and single dose, has had a significant impact on patient compliance. Goal of this Study: To compare the efficacy and safety of a single oral dose of 150 mg fluconazole with that of a 100-mg clotrimazole vaginal suppository twice a day in the morning and at bedtime for 3 days in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Study Design: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at Ramathibodi Hospital between June 1 and September 30, 1993. Results: There were 53 women in the group treated with fluconazole and 50 in the group treated with clotrimazole. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding clinical characteristics (age and length of follow-up period). Mycological cure rates approximately 1 week after treatment were 79.2% in the fluconazole group and 80.0% in the clotrimazole group. Approximately 4 weeks after treatment, these rates were 60.4% and 66.0%, respectively. The side effects were minimal and did not warrant any treatment. The differences in the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion: We recommend that a single oral dose of 150 mg of fluconazole be given as an alternative method of treating vulvovaginal candidiasis, but the cost is higher than for clotrimazole.
Optimal Resolutions of Financial Distress by Contract

We study theoretically the possibility for the parties to efficiently resolve financial distress by contract as opposed to exclusively rely on state intervention. We characterize which financial contracts are optimal depending on investor protection against fraud, and how efficient is the resulting resolution of financial distress. We find that when investor protection is strong, issuing a convertible debt security to a large, secured creditor who has the exclusive right to reorganize or liquidate the firm yields the first best. Conversion of debt into equity upon default allows contracts to collateralize the whole firm to that creditor, not just certain physical assets, thereby inducing him to internalize the upside from efficient reorganization. Concentration of liquidation rights on such creditor avoids costly inter-creditor conflicts. When instead investor protection is weak, the only feasible debt structure has standard foreclosure rights, even if it induces over-liquidation. The normative implications are that lifting legal restrictions on floating charge financing, convertibles and concentration of liquidation rights, and increasing investor protection against fraud should improve the efficiency of resolutions of financial distress.
Alcohol dehydrogenase 3 contributes to the protection of liver from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nutritional steatohepatitis is closely associated with dysregulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress control. ADH3 is a highly conserved bifunctional enzyme involved in formaldehyde detoxification and termination of nitric oxide signaling. Formaldehyde and nitric oxide are nonenzymatically conjugated with glutathione, which is regenerated after ADH3 metabolizes the conjugates. To clarify roles of ADH3 in nutritional liver diseases, we placed Adh3‐null mice on a methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet. The Adh3‐null mice developed steatohepatitis more rapidly than wild‐type mice, indicating that ADH3 protects liver from nutritional steatohepatitis. NRF2, which is a key regulator of cytoprotective genes against oxidative stress, was activated in the Adh3‐null mice with liver damage. In the absence of NRF2, the Adh3 disruption caused severe steatohepatitis by the MCD diet feeding accompanied by significant decrease in glutathione, suggesting cooperative function between ADH3 and NRF2 in the maintenance of cellular glutathione level for cytoprotection. Conversely, with enhanced NRF2 activity, the Adh3 disruption did not cause steatohepatitis but induced steatosis, suggesting that perturbation of lipid metabolism in ADH3‐deficiency is not compensated by NRF2. Thus, ADH3 protects liver from steatosis by supporting normal lipid metabolism and prevents progression of steatosis into steatohepatitis by maintaining the cellular glutathione level.
Vitamin supplement use and breast cancer in a North Carolina population

Abstract Objective: Laboratory data suggest that several different vitamins may inhibit the growth of mammary cancers, however epidemiologic data on the relationship between vitamin supplement use and breast cancer are inconsistent. We examined the association between self-reported vitamin supplement use and breast cancer among black women and white women. Design and setting: The data came from a population-based, case–control study conducted in North Carolina between 1993 and 1996. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for breast cancer associated with the use of multivitamins or individual vitamin supplements. Subjects: Eligible cases were aged 20 to 74, and approximately 40% of the study population were black women. The analyses included 861 cases and 790 controls. Results: Among all women, there was little evidence for an association between any vitamin supplement and breast cancer. Modest inverse associations were observed among white women for use of multivitamins (OR = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–1.12), vitamin C (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.54–1.14) and vitamin E (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.49–1.13). There was no evidence that vitamin supplements reduced the risk of breast cancer among black women. Conclusions: This study provided very limited support for the hypothesis that vitamin supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer. Although dietary factors are likely an important influence in breast cancer aetiology, reductions in risk are most likely to be achieved through dietary modification rather than through vitamin supplementation.
The ARID1B phenotype: What we have learned so far

Evidence is now accumulating from a number of sequencing studies that ARID1B not only appears to be one of the most frequently mutated intellectual disability (ID) genes, but that the range of phenotypes caused by ARID1B mutations seems to be extremely wide. Thus, it is one of the most interesting ID genes identified so far in the exome sequencing era. In this article, we review the literature surrounding ARID1B and attempt to delineate the ARID1B phenotype. The vast majority of published ARID1B patients have been ascertained through studies of Coffin–Siris syndrome (CSS), which leads to bias when documenting the frequencies of phenotypic features. Additional observations of those individuals ascertained through exome sequencing studies helps in delineation of the broader clinical phenotype. We are currently establishing an ARID1B consortium, aimed at collecting ARID1B patients identified through genome‐wide sequencing strategies. We hope that this endeavor will eventually lead to a more comprehensive view of the ARID1B phenotype. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.