Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Factors Related to Survival Time in HIV-Infected Persons in Mashhad, Iran, Between 1994 - 2014: A Bayesian Joint Model

Background: The prevalence of HIV is increasing in Iran, so obtaining an estimate of the survival of HIV-infected persons can be helpful to prevent and control this infection. Objectives: This research aimed to use the Bayesian joint model by which identiﬁes factors associated with the survival and determine the relationship between the trend of CD4 + T cell counts and survival time in HIV-infected persons. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we collected HIV/AIDS surveillance data from Mashhad’s Counseling Center of Behavioral Diseases in the province of Khorasan Razavi, Northeast of Iran, during 1994 - 2014. Data collection included variables CD4 + T cellscount, survivaltime, andotherrelatedfactors. WeusedtheBayesianjointmodeltoestimatethesurvivaltimeandidentifythe factors associated with survival time in HIV-infected persons. Results: The study included 260 individuals, of whom 212 (81.54%) were male. The survival sub-model of the joint model identiﬁed gender (95% credible interval (CI): 0.486, 3.197) and antiretroviral treatment (95% CI: -1.935, -0.641) as the variables associated with the patients’ survival. The longitudinal sub-model, which determined the variables associated with the number of CD4 + T-cells included time (95% CI: -0.934, -0.554), age (95% CI: -0.152, -0.011), and antiretroviral treatment (95% CI: -6.193, -3.505). Conclusions: UsingCD4 + TcellsasacovariateintheBayesianjointmodel,thesurvivaltimeforHIV-infectedpersonswasestimated more precisely than separate model and it can be inferred that at the beginning of antiretroviral treatment, especially in men and controls, the CD4 + T cell counts can increase the survival time of HIV-infected persons.
The gap between macro and micro economic statistics: Estimation of the misreporting model using micro-data sets derived from the Consumer Expenditure Survey

In many countries we observe a gap between macroeconomic and microeconomic statistics. In order to explain the underreporting observed in microeconomic statistics, the present paper tests the misreporting hypothesis through the double hurdle model. The misreporting hypothesis is based on some key assumptions: It is assumed that there are two categories of 'zero expenditure households' in the Survey - one category involves households that did not purchase consumer durables during the survey period and reported zero expenditure correctly on the Survey while the other category of 'zero expenditure households' involves households that, although they purchased consumer durables during the survey period, reported zero expenditure on the Survey. This is the source of misreporting. We also assume that there are 'positive expenditure households' for consumer durables in the Survey. These positive expenditure households for consumer durables are assumed, in the misreporting hypothesis, to have reported correctly their expenditure on consumer durables in the Survey. This model enables us to correct for over-reporting of zero expenditure households in the micro data. The data used for estimation involves thirteen clusters of consumer durables from the Consumer Expenditure Survey complied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The empirical results are satisfactory in supporting the conclusion that misreporting plays an important role in the underreporting in microeconomic statistics compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics compared with macroeconomic statistics compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the US Department of Commerce
Resident physicians’ perceptions of ambulatory care pharmacy

Background: Physicians’ acceptance of clinical pharmacy services is dependent on exposure to those services, with use increasing as resident physicians progress through their training. Resident physicians train within environments that have a multidisciplinary teaching and clinical care approach, working closely with other healthcare professionals. Ambulatory care pharmacists are increasingly working with resident physicians in clinic settings as part of the multidisciplinary team, and identification of resident physicians’ perceptions may influence future collaboration. Objective: The objective of this research is to evaluate the perception of ambulatory care clinical pharmacy services from the perspective of resident physicians. Methods: A statewide network of ambulatory care pharmacists was identified and received an electronic questionnaire. Pharmacists working within clinics that serve as training sites for resident physicians then completed and distributed questionnaires to the resident physicians within their clinical site. Items related to demographics and perception of involvement and interactions with clinical pharmacists. Results: Forty-five resident physicians responded from four unique clinical sites (response rate = 42%). They agreed or strongly agreed that pharmacists help patients obtain their therapeutic goals (97.8%), are able to educate patients effectively (95.6%), provide high quality care (97.8%), and do a good job helping co-manage patients (91.1%). Previous exposure to pharmacists was limited primarily to the drugstore (48.9%) and hospital (51.1%) settings. Resident physicians in the third year of training and those reporting a friend was a pharmacist, were more likely to have a positive perception of the pharmacist’s role as a resident educator (p=0.048 and p=0.044, respectively). Conclusions: Resident physicians with a longer duration of exposure and personal friendship with a pharmacist are more likely to express positive perceptions. Areas for further enhancements in this interprofessional relationship related to perceptions about pharmacist autonomy and patient relationships were identified.
The estimate of average age at the onset of acute myocardial infarction in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis study

BACKGROUND Research indicates that the age of onset of first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an essential element in the life expectancy that has been decreasing in developing countries. There are various studies performed in Iran reporting a range of ages at time of AMI. Thus, this meta-analysis study is designed to determine the mean age at first AMI in the Iranian population. METHODS All studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed using standard keywords in the databases from 2000 to 2016. Two raters verified a total of 658 articles. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria of this study for meta-analysis. Cochran test and I-squared (I2) were used for samples’ homogeneity. Pooled estimates of mean were calculated using the random effects inverse-variance model. RESULTS The mean age of AMI varied between 55.9 to 62.9 years among the primary studies. The pooled mean age of first AMI with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the total sample, men, and women were 59 (58.9, 60.4), 58.7 (58.3, 59.2), and 64.2 (63.5, 64.8), respectively. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis shows that the mean age of first onset of AMI in Iranian people is slightly lower than that reported elsewhere; and it is lower for men than for women.
Rb-Sr Systematics of Basalts from the Hawaiian-Emperor Volcanic Chain

Rubidium and strontium concentrations and strontium isotopic compositions have been determined for 70 samples of basalt from 22 volcanoes in the Hawaiian Islands-Emperor Seamount volcanic chain. The mean Sr/Sr ratios for basalts of the tholeiitic suite range from 0.70316 to 0.70411 and have a mean value and standard deviation of 0.70369 ± 0.00028. Basalts of the alkalic suite show a range from 0.70290 to 0.70394 and have a mean value and standard deviation of 0.70344 ± 0.00026. In addition to the difference between these two suites, the variations in Sr isotopic composition within each suite indicate real differences in the Rb/Sr and Sr/Sr ratios of the source regions from which individual flows were derived. The isotopic composition of Sr in tholeiitic basalts erupted during the past 43 m.y. , from Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii to the Hawaiian-Emperor bend, is relatively uniform; but Sr/Sr ratios decrease systematically from the Hawaiian-Emperor bend to 65-m.y. -old Suiko Seamount. This pattern may be related to the difference in age between the underlying crust and the volcano. There is essentially no correlation between Sr/Sr and Rb/Sr for basalts of the Hawaiian-Emperor chain. These data do not support the concept of a mantle isochron indicating a time when the source region for the basalts was established. The source regions for basalts of the Hawaiian-Emperor chain probably lie within the lithospheric plate; the Hawaiian hot spot or melting anomaly is probably an energy source that produced melting in the overlying plate. Variations in Sr isotopic composition within individual volcanoes and between volcanoes indicate that the source regions for basalt are quite heterogeneous in detail.
Utilization of Institutional Delivery Services and Associated Factors among Mothers in Semi-pastoralist, Southern Ethiopia

Background: The problem of home delivery and maternal mortality is still the problem which is ubiquitous in most developing countries like Ethiopia. Trendy home delivery practices due to cultural norms, beliefs, perceptions and knowledge of women were deterrent to maternal health service utilization. Methods: A community based cross sectional study with internal comparison was conducted on 756 women who have delivered in the last two years. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the data. Odds ratio with 95% CI was estimated to assess the predictors of institutional delivery services. Result: Only 14.5% of the mothers delivered by skilled birth attendants, while a significant majority 83.3% gave birth at home. Maternal Knowledge about dangerous health problems related to pregnancy AOR (95% CI): 2.59(1.03,6.54), Lack of maternal knowledge about free delivery service AOR (95% CI): 0.02(0.01,0.06), Exposures to radio at least once a week AOR (95% CI):3.41(1.18, 9.89), husbands attendance during ANC AOR (95% CI): 4.08(1.25,13.32), knowledge of child birth need health professional help AOR (95% CI):3.60(1.40,9.30), Expecting birth complication during delivery AOR (95% CI): 3.68(1.41,9.65), preference of hot food AOR (95% CI): 0.03(0.01,0.12), a need to buried placenta immediately at home AOR (95% CI): 0.02(0.01,0.05) were important predictors of institutional delivery services. Conclusion: The study indicates that there is low utilization of institutional delivery service. Knowledge of mothers, exposure to radio, husband attendance at ANC, preference of hot food, a need to buried placenta immediately at home were found to be factors affecting utilization of institutional delivery services.
Risk of Subsequent HIV Infection Following Sexually Transmissible Infections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract Background HIV and bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) notifications among men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased in Australia and many other countries. The relationship between HIV infection and other STIs has been demonstrated previously. However, the relationship between the cumulative history of STIs and subsequent HIV infection remains largely unexplored and limits our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the elevated HIV risk. Methods Data from HIV-negative MSM who attended high–HIV caseload primary care clinics in Melbourne, Australia, from 2007 to 2014 with 2 or more HIV and STI tests were included. Controlling for sexual behaviors self-reported at clinic visits, discrete time survival analyses using generalized linear modeling estimated the effect of an STI at the prior test event and the cumulative history of STIs (none, 1, 2, or more [repeated]) on risk of HIV infection. Results A total of 8941 MSM met the study criteria; 227 (2.5%) were diagnosed with HIV over the follow-up period. Adjusting for sexual behaviors, a cumulative history of repeated rectal gonorrhea infections (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 6.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.68–14.50) and a single rectal gonorrhea infection (aHR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.15–3.79) were associated with increased HIV infection risk. Conclusions Repeated and single rectal gonorrhea infections were independently associated with increased HIV infection risk. These findings suggest that MSM with any history of rectal gonorrhea, particularly repeat rectal gonorrhea, represent a group for whom preventive interventions for HIV should be emphasized.
Entrepreneurship and Total Factor Productivity in Iran's Manufacturing Industries

article aims to shed light on the relationship between entrepreneurship and total factor productivity (TFP) growth in Iran's manufacturing industry during the period 1974-2006 using a time series approach. The production function approach provides a natural point for the analysis of productivity. This approach can help to examine the relationship between TFP and its main drivers through the developed endogenous growth theories. In addition to entrepreneurship, it is expected that human capital and openness have distinct impact on total factor productivity as well. These variables are included in the empirical model. The findings of the study show that there is a positive and significant influence of entrepreneurship on the TFP in Iran's manufacturing industry in the short run but not in the long run. Moreover, the results confirm that human capital and openness have positive and significant effects on the level and growth rate of TFP in the short run and long run.
Predominant Polarity in Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Scoping Review of Its Relationship with Clinical Variables and Its Implications

Background: Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is an episodic psychiatric disorder that is associated with considerable morbidity. Psychiatrists have found it difficult to treat the disorder owing to the variety of presentation and variety of challenges in clinical decision-making. To guide the clinicians, the concept of predominant polarity (PP) in BPAD has become important. This review was conducted to understand the definition, epidemiology, relationship with sociodemographic and clinical parameters, and implications of PP in BPAD. Methodology: The review was conducted after selecting 17 original research studies from PubMed using appropriate search terms. Results: There is no consensus definition of PP. Epidemiological data showed varied results, although most common PP demonstrated in most studies was depressive polarity. The relation between sociodemographic and clinical parameters also lacked uniformity, although certain patterns could be identified in their relationships. The implications of PP in diagnostics, treatment, and classificatory system are discussed. Conclusion: PP in BPAD conveys clinically important information that aids a clinician in decision-making. Further studies are required so that we can understand the neurobiological underpinning of the concept.
Intrinsic Roughness Mitigation of Pavements on Expansive Soils – an Analytic Investigation

Pavements resting on active clays are exposed to uneven heaving and shrinking of their bottom boundary. This paper investigated the inherent ability of pavements to mitigate such underlying (core) roughness. The problem is addressed and analyzed with an analytic model. It is found that the combined thicknesses of all inert pavement layers govern this smoothing feature. Core wavelengths that are much larger compared to the aforementioned thickness are essentially mirrored at the surface. Conversely, core wavelengths shorter than the system's thickness are attenuated. The information included in this work can serve as an additional (and rational) decision basis for the design and evaluation of pavements on expansive soils.
The relation between competition and innovation : Empirical results and implementation into WorldScan

We analyse the theoretical and empirical relation between changes in competition levels and innovation efforts. Using OECD panel data we find a positive and significant elasticity of 1.8 between competition (measured as one minus the Lerner index) and innovation (measured as R&D intensity). This result is similar to other studies that find a monotonic relation between both variables. However, we do not find and inverted-U relationship as in the influential paper by Aghion et al. (2005). Using the theoretical insights and our own empirical results we include this relationship into WorldScan –CPB’s multicountry recursive dynamic CGE model. Although the impact of competition changes on R&D expenditures can be significant at the sectoral level, our simulations using WorldScan do not result in significant macroeconomic changes when the link between competition and innovation is present.
Activity patterns and habitat use of sympatric small carnivores in southern Taiwan

Abstract Camera-trapping was used to examine the activity patterns and habitat use of a small carnivore community in southern Taiwan from March 1998 to February 2001. Six small carnivore species occurred in disturbed and successional stage forests in southern Taiwan. The small carnivore community was mainly composed of four species, including small Indian civet Viverricula indica, masked palm civet Paguma larvata, crab-eating mongoose Herpestes urva, and ferret badger Melogale moschata. There were no significant differences of occurrence between dry and wet seasons for small Indian civet, masked palm civet, and ferret badger (p>0.05), whereas occurrence of crab-eating mongoose during the dry season was significantly higher than during the wet season (p<0.02). Small Indian civet were closely correlated to disturbed and mosaic secondary forests and seemed restricted to certain elevations, whereas the distribution of the masked palm civet, crab-eating mongoose, and ferret badger could occur from low to moderate elevations. These results show segregation of temporal distribution and habitat use among these four sympatric carnivore species.
Particulate Matter 10 and the Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infectionsin Children in an Industrial Stone-carving Area in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Stone carving, which is a common craft industry throughout Allakuang village, has the potential to produce particulate matter 10 (PM10) during the cutting and grinding of stone. This can result in air pollution in the workplace, as well as in the homes of local residents. PM10 is a risk factor for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children. This study aimed to determine the association between exposure to dust PM10 inside homes and the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Allakuang village, Maritengngae subdistrict, Sidrap, South Sulawesi, Indonesia and consisted of 101 children. ARI cases were based on a doctor’s diagnosis. The concentration of PM10 in the workplace was assessed using a Haz-Dust EPAM 5000 monitor. Chi-square analysis and multiple logistic regression tests were conducted. The concentration of PM10 was significantly associated with the incidence of ARIs (2.6; 1.1-6.1). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that children living in homes with PM10 concentrations that exceeded accepted limits had a 3.5 times higher risk of ARIs after adjusting for smoking behavior of family members. The significant association between the PM10 concentration and incidence of ARIs in children found in this study points to the need to control stone dust in the stone carving craft industry to prevent indoor air pollution of homes close to the industrial area.
Interdependence of the Stock Markets, Before and During the Economic Crisis : The Case of East and South Asia

This study examines the stock market interdependence among the South and East Asian countries, namely Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Taiwan, before and during the current economic crisis. The data employed in the study is composed of daily closing stock price indices over the period from January 3, 2000 to July 6, 2012. The research methodology employed includes testing for stationarity both with the Dickey-Fuller and the Phillips-Perron tests, the use of a VAR model and VECM for the implementation of the Granger Causality test, and cointegration tests according to Johansen-Juselious. The results show that both long-run cointegration relationships and short-run causal relations among these markets were strengthened after the economic crisis.
Antiproliferative Effect of Metformin on the Endometrium in cases of perimenopausal bleeding

Background: based on numerous epidemiologic and experimental studies it has been speculated that unopposed estrogen has a central role in development of endometrial benign, premalignant and malignant lesions. Endometrial cancer is the most common malignancy of the female genital tract, and the fourth most common cancer in women in developed countries. EC is the seventh most common cancer in women worldwide. Objective: To examine the effect of metformin on disordered proliferative endometrium and simple endometrial hyperplasia in comparison with progesterone to assess metformin clinical usefulness in these situations. Patients and Methods: All patients who referred for abnormal uterine bleeding (perimenopausal) and underwent endometrial office biopsy or D&C in our hospital and their tissue diagnosis was disordered proliferative endometrium (DPE) or simple hyperplasia (SH) were included in this study. Past medical history gathered from patients’ interview records and patients with history of metformin sensitivity, renal failure, anorexia, anemia, skin rashes, diabetes mellitus, gynecologic neoplastic disorders and patients on estrogen or progesterone were excluded. Patients who fitted with including criteria were categorized in two groups in randomized fashion. Results: Our findings in this study revealed that metformin could be effective as well as progesterone in resolving of benign enodometrial proliferative lesions. Conclusion: The current study showed that treatment of the patients with abnormal endometrial proliferation (DPE and SH) with metformin induced endometrial atrophy and prevents abnormal cell growth and prevents perimenopausal bleeding subsequently.
Effects of Post-Activation Potentiation on Physical Performance Parameters: A Brief-Review

When applied correctly, techniques to induce PAP have the potential to enhance performance in high-intensity, short duration sports including: track sprinting, jumping and events, and a limited capacity to enhance performance in team sports such as Football and Rugby [1]. Defined as the increase in force of a plyometric exercise immediately following a similar heavy resistance exercise, PAP is typically applied using complex training, necessitating the performance of a high-load weight training exercise before executing a plyometric exercise with a similar biomechanical profile [2]. Heavy resistance exercise is typically low velocity, while movements such as vertical jumping involve high velocity application [3, 4]. However, more traditional methods separating the weight training and plyometric sessions could also induce PAP. It remains to be seen which method is more effective at eliciting a performance benefit, and how PAP could be best exploited to enhance sport performance.