Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of anal high-risk human papillomavirus infections among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men ( MSM ) in Nigeria

Background—Prevalence estimates of anal high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) are needed in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV is endemic. This study evaluated anal HR-HPV in Nigeria among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) for future immunization recommendations. Methods—We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the prevalence of anal HR-HPV infections between 64 HIV-negative and 90 HIV-positive MSM. Multivariate Poisson regression analyses were used to examine demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with any HRHPV infections. Corresponding author: Rebecca Nowak, PhD, 725 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, Tel: 410-706-4642, Fax: 410-706-1944, rnowak@ihv.umaryland. edu. The TRUST Study Group is constituted as follows: Principal investigators: William Blattner and Man Charurat (IHV, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA) Co-investigators: Alash'le Abimiku, Sylvia Adebajo, Julie Ake, Stefan Baral, Trevor Crowell, Charlotte Gaydos, Lindsay Hughes, Babajide Keshinro, Jerome Kim, Hongjie Liu, Jennifer Malia, Nelson Michael, Ogbonnaya Njoku, Rebecca Nowak, Helen Omuh, Ifeanyi Orazulike, Sheila Peel, Merlin Robb, Cristina Rodriguez-Hart, Sheree Schwartz Institutions: Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (IHV), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP), Department of Defense, Walter Reed Program, Nigeria (WRP), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), International Centre for Advocacy for the Right to Health (ICARH), Population Council (Pop Council) Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding: None of the authors have conflicts of interest to declare. Contributors: WB and MC designed the TRUST study. RN, WB, and MC conceived the analysis for the manuscript. Data collection and management was facilitated by RN, WA, HO. RN conducted the data analysis with input from PG, SK, XH and MC. RN drafted the manuscript and PG, XH, SK, MC, and WB provided critical review and editing. All authors have seen and approved the paper; the corresponding author had full access to the data and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. HHS Public Access Author manuscript Sex Transm Dis. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 April 01. Published in final edited form as: Sex Transm Dis. 2016 April ; 43(4): 243–248. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000431. A uhor M anscript
Pattern of tissue destruction among patients diagnosed with cancrum oris (Noma) at a Northwestern Nigerian Hospital, Sokoto

Background: Cancrum oris is a debilitating and rapidly progressive gangrenous disease. It is life-threatening and results in severe devastation. Tissue loss constitutes a formidable cause of morbidity in patients and also poses an enormous challenge to a reconstructive surgeon. This study aims to describe the pattern of tissue loss among patients with cancrum oris at our center. Methods: A review of the data of patients treated for cancrum oris at Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, from December 1999 to 2011, was done. Data on the age, gender, and pattern of tissue loss were retrieved. The pattern of tissue loss was assessed anatomically and clinically. Analysis of data was done using SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 20 [Armonk, NY: IBM Corp]). Results: A total of 159 cases of cancrum oris were included in this study. The age range was 1–33 years with a mean (± standard deviation) of 3.5 (3.23) years. A male/female ratio of 1:1.2 was observed. A total of 425 sites were affected in 159 patients. In 109 (68.6%) patients, only soft tissue involvement was seen, while a combination of soft and hard tissue destructions was observed in 50 (31.4%) patients. The most frequently affected site was the cheek, 268 (63.1%), followed by the lips, 106 (66.7%). The nose was affected in 40 (25.2%) patients. Osseous involvement was observed in 50 (7.6%) patients. Conclusion: Cancrum oris, though considered to be a rare disease, continues to constitute a grievous cause of orofacial tissue loss and consequent morbidity in our environment.
Effective management of non-communicable diseases in Ghana : the case of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

v Co-Authorship Form . vi List of Abbreviations . vii List of Tables . viii List of Figures . ix List of Appendices . x Acknowledgements . xi Dedication . xii CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION . 1 1.
Understanding Tourists’ Willingness-to-Pay for Rural Landscape Improvement and Preference Heterogeneity

With the vigorous development of urbanization and rural tourism, the landscape of villages and towns has undergone tremendous changes under the influence of policies and industries. In order to avoid irreversible changes in the local heritage landscape and promote local sustainable development, it is necessary to strengthen the attention and research on the rural recreation landscape. This research examines the value of rural landscape recreation by applying the choice experiment method (CEM) to a suburban area in Sichuan, China. Mixed logit models were adopted in examining tourists’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for rural landscape improvement and preference heterogeneity. An assessment of the rural landscape’s recreational value was made using the compensating surplus calculation method. Results reported are of four important landscape elements: ecological environment, rural life and associated productive landscape, rural housing, and service landscape, ranked by tourists from high-to-low. A major finding of the research is that an increase in rural tourism is dependent upon improvements to landscape elements. The results of this research can provide policymakers with valuable information necessary to develop a successful plan to attract and increase tourism in rural areas of China.
The Shrinking Advantage of Market Potential

How does a country's economic geography evolve along the development path? This paper documents recent employment growth in 18,961 regions in eight of the world's main economies. Overall, market potential is losing importance as a correlate of local growth, while local employment density is gaining importance. In mature economies, growth is strongest in low-market-potential areas. In emerging economies, the opposite is true, though the association with market potential is also weakening there. Structural transformation away from agriculture can account for some of the observed changes. The part left unexplained by structural transformation is consistent with a standard economic geography model that yields a bell-shaped relation between trade costs and the growth of centrally located regions.
Do Political Connections Matter to Bondholders? Evidence from Corporate Bond Offerings

The author examines the relationship between corporate political connections and yields of newly issued corporate bonds. Using the data from the SDC Global New Issue on 6,265 corporate bond issues for the period 2000–2014, the author finds that bonds offered by politically connected firms average a 36-basis-point yield discount over bonds offered by non-connected firms, holding other things constant. The author also finds that the negative relationship between political connections and bond yield becomes more pronounced when the offering is rated non-investment grade, when the issuer is largely dependent on government spending, and when it faces a more opaque information environment. Overall, the results suggest that corporate ties to politicians add firm value and are viewed favorably in the bond market. TOPICS: Legal/regulatory/public policy, fixed income and structured finance Key Findings • Bond investors require significantly lower yields on bonds offered by politically connected firms than those offered by non-connected firms. • The negative relationship between political connections and bond yield is at least partly driven by the credit quality of the issue, the issuer’s dependence on government spending, and the information environment. • The findings in this article suggest that corporate ties to politicians add firm value and are viewed favorably in the bond market.
Increasing the dose density of adjuvant chemotherapy by shortening intervals between courses or by sequential drug administration significantly reduces both disease recurrence and breast cancer mortality: An EBCTCG meta-analysis of 21,000 women in 16 randomised trials

Background: Much contemporary adjuvant chemotherapy uses conventional 3-weekly scheduling. Yet, cytokinetic modelling suggests that increasing the dose density of cytotoxic therapy by shortening the intervals between courses, or by using sequential rather than concurrent treatment schedules may enhance efficacy.1 At least 15 randomised trials have directly tested this hypothesis and this meta-analysis by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists9 Collaborative Group (EBCTCG) brings together the worldwide evidence to clarify the balance of risks and benefits of dose-dense chemotherapy. Methods: Individual patient data were provided for 98% (21,537/21,944) of women randomised in relevant trials: 7 randomised trials (10,004 women, 2240 breast cancer recurrences, 1481 breast cancer deaths) that compared 2-weekly dose-dense chemotherapy versus the same chemotherapy given 3-weekly, and 9 trials (11,533 women, 2773 breast cancer recurrences, 1711 breast cancer deaths) that compared sequential with concurrent anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy. Primary outcomes were time to recurrence and breast cancer mortality. Results: Highly significant reductions in disease recurrence [rate ratio (RR)=0.83 (95%CI 0.76-0.91), p=0.00004] were seen with 2-weekly compared with 3-weekly chemotherapy, and 10 year breast cancer mortality was 3.0% lower [16.7% vs 19.7%: RR=0.85 (95% CI 0.76-0.95), p=0.003]. Overall survival was also improved [RR=0·86 (95% CI 0·78−0·95), p=0.003]. Similarly, for sequential versus concurrent taxane plus anthracycline chemotherapy the rate ratio for disease recurrence was 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.93, p=0.0001), 10-year breast-cancer mortality was 2.3% lower [19.2% vs 21.5%: RR=0.87 (95% CI 0.79-0.96), p=0.005], and overall survival was improved [RR=0·85 (0·78−0·94), p=0.0008]. The proportional reductions in recurrence with dose-dense chemotherapy were similar and highly significant (both p Conclusion: Increasing the dose density of adjuvant chemotherapy is safe and results in fewer disease recurrences and fewer deaths from breast cancer. Reference: 1 Norton, L. Evolving concepts in the systemic therapy of breast cancer. Seminars in Oncology, 1997: S10-3 – S10-10. Citation Format: Gray R, Bradley R, Braybrooke J, Davies C, Pan H, Peto R, Bliss J, Cameron D, Mackey J, Del Mastro L, Swain S, Untch M, Bergh J, Pritchard K, Norton L, for the EBCTCG. Increasing the dose density of adjuvant chemotherapy by shortening intervals between courses or by sequential drug administration significantly reduces both disease recurrence and breast cancer mortality: An EBCTCG meta-analysis of 21,000 women in 16 randomised trials [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-01.
Aspects of holographic Wilson loops

In this thesis we study some aspects of the AdS/CFT correspondence. In particular those involving observables that can be computed exactly, as Wilson loops. The gauge/gravity correspondence or AdS/CFT allows us to interpret two different theories with the same global symmetries as complementary descriptions of the ”same physics”. The expectation values of Wilson loops in several representations can be calculated on both sides of the duality by using localization in the gauge theory and strings and branes on the gravity side. From the holographic point of view, the general recipe tells us that we have to minimize the string worldsheet or brane worldvolume with the loop as boundary. These techniques, already applied to the fundamental and (anti)symmetric reprentations of the Wilson loops, can be extended to more complicated reprentations whose duals are coincident branes and bubbling geometries. An interesting phenomenom also is that in which we consider two loops, that on the gravity side translate into the connected catenoid-like solution. The existence of connected solutions between two loops depends on the values of several parameters that describe the geometry and relative position between the loops. Here, due to these parameters, exists a transition knows as Gross-Ooguri, in which the connceted solution becomes energetically non-favorable with respect to the disconnected solution, i.e. two independent loops. Much more interesting and rich is the case of two Wilson loops in the presence of defects, i.e. interfase regions due to the presence of, in this case, a D5 brane. We also study the correlator of two Wilson loops in this case.
Screening for pre- and post-anthesis drought responses in selected bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes

ABSTRACT Wheat genotypes with pre- and post-anthesis drought tolerance offer enhanced yield gains under water-limited environments. This study determined pre- and post-anthesis drought responses of selected bread wheat genotypes in order to identify and select candidate genotypes for breeding. Fifteen genetically differentiated wheat genotypes were evaluated under non-stressed (NS), pre-anthesis drought stress (PrADS) and post-anthesis drought stress (PoADS) in glasshouse (GH) and field (FLD) environments. Data were collected on agronomic and physiological traits including number of days to heading (DTH), days to maturity (DTM), plant height (PH), number of spikelet per spike (NSPS), number of kernels per spike (NKPS), thousand kernel weight (TKW), grain yield (GY) and canopy temperature (CT). Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotypes, environments and their interactions for studied traits. Weak and positive correlations were recorded between GY with PH (r = 0.47 and 0.32), NSPS (r = 0.37 and 0.52) and TKW (r = 0.30 and r = 0.20) under PrADS and PoADS conditions, respectively. Genotypes SMY-006, SMY-008, SMY-016, SMY-042 and SMY-044 were identified with pre- and post-anthesis drought tolerance and high yield potential and suitable yield-component traits. These are useful genetic stocks for breeding or cultivation in water-limited environments to improve yield gains.
Financial Access and Business Performance of Urban Unorganised Sector Enterprises: A Study of Assam in Northeast India

The urban unorganised sector has been a dominant characteristic feature of the developing countries providing livelihood to a disproportionately large number of households for prolonged period. However, enterprises in this sector are often stunted by myriads of problems among which meagre access to formal financial services is a crucial constraint, as access to other enabling conditions often hinges upon access to finance. This article is based on a study of such enterprises in the Northeast Indian state of Assam, where access to finance is relatively limited in general. Using inputs from a customised survey, the article explores the extent to which the accessibility of financial services influences the growth and financial performance of the unorganised sector enterprises in Assam. Tools employed include a customised financial access index, a generalised linear model and an ordered LOGIT regression. The results show that the financial performance of the enterprises is not significantly associated with the extent of their financial access, but their growth is critically dependent on it.
Suppression of homeostatic gene expression and increased expression of metabolism-related genes are early features of glaucoma in optic nerve head microglia

Background Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss. Ocular hypertension is a major risk factor for glaucoma and recent work has demonstrated critical early neuroinflammatory insults occur in the optic nerve head following ocular hypertension. Microglia and infiltrating monocytes are likely candidates to drive these neuroinflammatory insults. However, the exact molecular identity / transcriptomic profile of microglia early following ocular hypertensive insults is unknown. Methods To elucidate the molecular identity of microglia during early glaucoma pathogenesis, we performed RNA-sequencing of microglia mRNA from the optic nerve head of a genetic mouse model of glaucoma (DBA/2J) at a time point following ocular hypertensive insults, but preceding detectable neurodegeneration (with microglia identified as being CD45lo/CD11b+/CD11c-). Transcriptomic profiles were compared to other published optic nerve head datasets to assess the contribution of microglia to the signatures discovered in these published data. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing was performed on optic nerve head microglia from mice treated with radiation therapy, a potent therapy preventing neuroinflammatory insults. Results Transcriptomic profiling of optic nerve head microglia mRNA identifies early metabolic priming with marked changes to mitochondria-derived RNA expression, and changes to phagocytosis, inflammatory, and sensome pathways. Comparative analysis of these data with data from previously published whole optic nerve head tissue or monocyte-only samples from DBA/2J mice demonstrate that many of the neuroinflammatory signatures in these data sets arise from infiltrating monocytes and not reactive microglia. Finally, radiation therapy of DBA/2J mice potently abolishes these microglia metabolic transcriptomic changes at the same time points. Conclusions Microglia become metabolically primed early in glaucoma pathogenesis with suppression of homeostatic regulation including phagocytosis, inflammatory, and sensome pathways. These changes are largely prevented by radiation therapy. Neuroinflammatory signatures in DBA/2J glaucoma likely arise from infiltrating monocytes and not from activated or proliferative microglia at this early time point. In addition, our data provide a unique resource for the community to help drive further hypothesis generation and testing.
Loss of histone H3.3 results in DNA replication defects and altered origin dynamics in C. elegans

Histone H3.3 is a replication-independent variant of histone H3 with important roles in development, differentiation and fertility. Here we show that loss of H3.3 results in replication defects in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. To characterize these defects, we adapt methods to determine replication timing, map replication origins, and examine replication fork progression. Our analysis of the spatiotemporal regulation of DNA replication shows that despite the very rapid embryonic cell cycle, the genome is replicated from early and late firing origins and is partitioned into domains of early and late replication. We find that under temperature stress conditions, additional replication origins become activated. Moreover, loss of H3.3 results in impaired replication fork progression around origins, which is particularly evident at stress-activated origins. These replication defects are accompanied by replication checkpoint activation, a prolonged cell cycle, and increased lethality in checkpoint-compromised embryos. Our comprehensive analysis of DNA replication in C. elegans reveals the genomic location of replication origins and the dynamics of their firing, and uncovers a role of H3.3 in the regulation of replication origins under stress conditions.
Charged spherically symmetric Taub–NUT black hole solutions in $f(R)$ gravity

$f(R)$ theory is a modification of Einstein’s general relativity which has provided many interesting results in cosmology and astrophysics. To derive a black hole solution in this theory is difficult due to the fact that it contains fourth-order differential equations. In this study, we use the first reliable deviation from general relativity which is given by the quadratic form of $f(R)=R+\beta R^2$, where $\beta$ is a dimensional parameter. We calculate the energy conditions of charged black holes and show that they are all satisfied for the Taub–NUT spacetime. Finally, we study some thermodynamic quantities such as entropy, temperature, specific heat, and Gibbs free energy. The calculations of heat capacity and free energy show that the charged Taub–NUT black hole has positive values, which means that it has thermal stability.
Compassionate care in nursing: A hybrid concept analysis

Article type: Original Article Received: Oct. 2016 Accepted: Dec. 2016 Published: Jan. 2016 Corresponding author: Mansour Ghafourifard e-mail: m.ghafori@yahoo.com Background & Aim: Although compassionate care is recognized as a core component of nursing care, there is not still a precise definition about this complex and challenging concept. This study aimed to analyze the concept of compassionate care in nursing using a hybrid model. Methods & Materials: A three-phase hybrid model (theoretical, field work, and final analysis) was used in this study. In the theoretical phase, the concept of compassionate care was searched in main databases from 2000 to 2016. In the field work phase, in-depth, face to face interviews were done with 11 nurses. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Final analysis was done in the last phase. Results: The results of the final analysis showed that compassionate care is a process in which nurses interactively communicate with patients, try to explore patients’ concerns by putting themselves in their positions and understanding their situations, and do their utmost to eliminate these concerns. Conclusion: According to this concept analysis, the constructive interaction between nurse and patient is one of the most important features of compassionate care that has not been mentioned in previous definitions. Also in this study, the nurses emphasized that they did their best to resolve the patients’ concerns. Therefore, the current study could be the basis for future studies in the area of compassionate care.