Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV prevalence and associated factors among married women, Mozambique, 2015: analysis of the 2015 National AIDS Indicator Survey (IMASIDA)

Background : The 2021 human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) global report indicated that women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa remained the most affected groups, accounting for 62% of new infections in the region. In 2021 in Mozambique, the HIV prevalence rate among the adult population was 12.5%, with a rate of 15.4% among women of reproductive age. Our study assessed HIV prevalence and associated factors among married women in Mozambique. Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out using secondary data extracted from the 2015 Immunization, Malaria and HIV/AIDS (IMASIDA) survey in Mozambique. Married women (civil marriage and common law marriage) of reproductive age (15-49 years) were included. We applied sample weights for data analysis. Results: Out of the 3,006 married women included in the study, 20.1% fell within the 20-24 age group (n=603), and the average age was 30 years (SD=8.9 years). HIV prevalence was 6.9%. Factors significantly associated with HIV infection were age group 35-49 years (aOR=2.5; CI [ 1.3-4.6]; p=0.005) compared to age group 15-24 years, lack of formal education and primary education compared to higher education (aOR 7.7; CI [1.1-52.9], p=0.038 and aOR=9.8; CI [1.6-60.1]; p=0.014 respectively), having an uncircumcised partner (aOR=1.9; CI [1.2-3.1]; p=0.008), and having three or more lifetime sex partners compared to one sex partner (aOR=3.6; CI [2.9-7.3]; p< 0.001). Women who were in one lifelong union had a lower risk of HIV positivity compared to women who hadmore than one union (aOR=0.5; CI[0.3-0.8] p=0.005). Conclusion: The factors that contributed
Privacy Preserving Feature Selection for Sparse Linear Regression

Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning (PPML) provides protocols for learning and statistical analysis of data that may be distributed amongst multiple data owners (e.g., hospitals that own proprietary healthcare data), while preserving data privacy. The PPML literature includes protocols for various learning methods, including ridge regression. Ridge regression controls the 𝐿 2 norm of the model, but does not aim to strictly reduce the number of non-zero coefficients, namely the 𝐿 0 norm of the model. Reducing the number of non-zero coefficients (a form of feature selection ) is important for avoiding overfitting, and for reducing the cost of using learnt models in practice. In this work, we develop a first privacy-preserving protocol for sparse linear regression under 𝐿 0 constraints. The protocol addresses data contributed by several data owners (e.g., hospitals). Our protocol outsources the bulk of the computation to two non-colluding servers, using homomorphic encryption as a central tool. We provide a rigorous security proof for our protocol, where security is against semi-honest adversaries controlling any number of data owners and at most one server. We implemented our protocol, and evaluated performance with nearly a million samples and up to 40 features.
Robust H∞ filter design of uncertain descriptor systems with discrete and distributed delays

The robust H/sub /spl infin// filtering problem for a class of continuous-time uncertain linear descriptor systems with time-varying discrete and distributed delays is investigated. The time delays are assumed to be constant and known. The uncertainties under consideration are norm-bounded, and possible time-varying, uncertainties. Sufficient condition for the existence of an H/sub /spl infin// filter is expressed in terms of strict linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Instead of using decomposition technique, a unified form of LMIs is proposed to show the exponential stability of the augmented systems. The condition for assuring the stability of the "fast" subsystem is implied from the unified form of LMIs, which is shown to be less conservative than the characteristic equation based conditions or matrix norm-based conditions. The suitable filter is derived through a convex optimization problem. A numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the method.
Dimensionality Mediated Highly Repeatable and Ultra-Fast Transformation of Semi-flexible Coordination Polymers Single Crystals for Secure All-Optical Data Transmission

A family of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers (CPs) based on dynamic structural elements are of great fundamental and commercial interest addressing modern problems in controlled molecular separation, catalysis and even data processing. Herein, the endurance and fast structural dynamics of such materials at ambient conditions are still a fundamental challenge. Here, we report on the design of a series of Cu-based CPs [Cu(bImB)Cl 2 ] ( 1 ) and [Cu(bImB) 2 Cl 2 ] ( 2 ), where bImB is 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-yl)butane), with flexible ligand packed into one-and two-dimensional (1D, 2D) structures demonstrating dimensionality mediated
Dental Stem Cell Banking And Applications Of Dental Stem Cells For Regenerative Medicine: A Literature Review

Since the identification of mesenchymal stem cells, stem cell biology is a greatly researched field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering therapies and has become an essential part of practical dentistry. Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into many cell types. Dental mesenchymal stem cell populations have been identified in dental pulp, human exfoliated deciduous teeth, periodontal ligament and dental follicle of third molars and tooth germ of third molars, gingival of periodontium, alveolar bone, and apical papilla. Dental stem cells are the most natural, noninvasive source of stem cells that have been identified, and they have gained recent attention due to their accessibility and the associated relatively low cost of integration into regenerative therapy. Long-term preservation of dental stem cells is becoming a popular consideration and mirrors the ideology of banking umbilical cord blood. This review outlines the recent progress in the mesenchymal stem cells used in dentistry as well as some advancement that are being made in preserving dental stem cells for future personalized medicine. The aim of this study was to completely and concisely review the current use of adult dental stem cells specifically oral sources of stem cells, banking of dental stem cells, and applications or uses of dental stem cells specifically in oral regions and in a clinical setting.
Comparison of different methods for the derivation of the vectorcardiogram from the ECG and morphology descriptors

Several methods have been proposed for both the derivation of the vectorcardiogram from the 12-lead ECG and the quantification of the morphology of vectorcardiograms. The aim of this study was to compare commonly used QRS/T morphological descriptors obtained with different transforms. Vectorcardiograms were reconstructed for 180 patients by applying Singular Value Decomposition and Dowerpsilas inverse transform. Planes of best fit, morphology dispersion ratio, complexity ratio, wave residuum and normalized loop area were calculated among other parameters. Parameters computed after different derivation methods were poorly correlated. Also, low correlation values were found among any of the morphological parameters under evaluation.
Influence of Ownership Structure on Corporate Social Responsibility among Non-financial Listed Firms in Nigeria

The impact of ownership structure on CSR disclosure in Nigeria was investigated in this study. Seventy-seven (77) non-financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange make up the study's population. Data from the annual reports and accounts of 77 non-financial companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange between 2017 and 2019 were used to achieve the study's goal. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the collected data. This research discovered that both management besides foreign ownership had a durable advantageous influence going on CSR disclosure, meaning that ownership structure dictates CSR disclosure practices among Nigeria's listed non-financial enterprises to a large extent. According to the findings of this study, relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian corporate environment should support increased foreign ownership in the Nigerian corporate environment since their international market exposure will enable enterprises to be more socially responsible. In addition, potential investors besides customers should make societal info disclosure a priority when working with a company to encourage management to pay more attention to CSR disclosure.
Impact of the Dividend Policy and Related Corporate Governance Mechanisms on Agency Costs

The paper's primary goal is to identify the role of the dividend policy and related corporate governance mechanisms in reducing agency problem between management (agent) or large controlling shareholders and minority shareholders (principal). Another important goal of the research paper is approximating the agency costs. The turnover coefficient of total assets approximates this measure for the work. The agency costs are specific for joint-stock companies, and it results from the agency problem (when agents do not represent the best interests of principals), and it is not possible to measure it directly. Namely, the agency costs and the possibility of their reduction are linked to the legal protection of investors (principals) and the specifics of the joint-stock company's. Therefore, additional knowledge is essential in solving the agency problem in the insufficiently researched developing countries. Based on the results of the empirical research carried out as part of this paper, the significant role of dividend policy in explaining changes in the agency costs has been confirmed, which is in line with the majority of research carried out so far.
The complex relationship between classroom emotions and EFL achievement in China

Abstract The present study adopted a mixed-method approach combining principles from Complex Dynamic Systems Theory and Positive Psychology to examine the interaction between Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety (FLCA) and Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) of 1,307 Chinese students, the single and combined effects of FLCA and FLE on self-perceived English proficiency and actual English achievement, and finally, the effect of EA on FLE and FLCA. Statistical analyses revealed negative correlations between FLCA and FLE in three groups at different levels of English achievement. Qualitative data from 64 participants threw further light on this complex relationship. Second, FLCA was found to be significantly negatively related to self-rated proficiency at all achievement groups while FLE was positively related. Similar significant relationships were also found between two classroom emotions and actual English achievement except in the low achievement group. Finally, qualitative data allowed us to investigate the possible causes for this relationship.
Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of detomidine combined or not with diazepam in horses subjected to dental examination

A standing oral examination under sedation in horses is essential to facilitate the handling and ensure an excellent examination. This study aimed to determine if the use of diazepam associated with detomidine would increase the action of the α2 agonist (detomidine), mainly by tongue motion and chewing reduction without excessive destabilization. Twelve adult horses of different age, breed and gender underwent dental correction. The animals were randomly assigned to two treatments: detomidine (20 µg.kg -1 , IV) and diazepam (20 µg.kg -1 , IV) (DD; n=6) or detomidine (20 µg.kg -1 , IV) and 0.9% NaCl (DS; n=6). Tongue relaxation and exposure, heart rate, PR interval, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, rectal temperature, second-degree atrioventricular blocks, degree of ataxia and head movement were assessed at nine separated time points. Height of head above ground (HHAG) was
Behavioural Interventions in Tax and Fee Collection – Not Always a Success

Intergovernmental relations in terms of fiscal arrangements between the national and sub-national levels of government determine the way in which taxes are allocated and shared between the various levels of government. For local governments, local taxes and fees are the main source of revenue through which many public services are provided. Many local governments therefore seek to use various tools to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of tax and fee collection. Such tools include behavioural interventions to reduce the proportion of non-payers, i
El aptiense-albiense de karrantza-lanestosa (Bizkaia y Cantabria)

Se presentan los resultados obtenidos del estudio estratigrafico del Aptiense-Albiense de la zona de Karrantza-Lanestosa (Bizkaia) y zonas limitrofes de Cantabria. Los materiales objeto de investigacion alcanzan mas de 2000 m de espesor y se dividen en dos conjuntos litologicos principales: calizas con ruditas, margas, lutitas y areniscas. Para el estudio en detalle de estas series se han realizado cartografias a escala 1:25.000 y 1:50.000. Como resultado se han diferenciado 11 unidades litoestratigraficas, 9 ineditas y 5 subunidades. Asimismo, se han identificado 23 especies de foraminiferos y 11 especies de ammonites, siendo la mayoria de ellas primera cita en la zona y, algunas de ellas, en la Cuenca Vasco-Cantabrica. La datacion precisa de las series ha permitido la distincion de dos grandes lagunas estratigraficas correspondientes a casi todo el Aptiense y a gran parte del Albiense medio y superior. @@ Se describen sedimentologicamente 9 sistemas deposicionales: 1, plataforma terrigena (Formacion Ereza); 2, plataforma carbonatada (La Paredina); 3, plataforma carbonatada (Polvorin); 4, plataforma mixta (Minaclara); 5, rampa carbonatada (Ventalaperra); 6, plataforma mixta (Sangrices); 7, plataforma carbonatada-cuenca (Ranero); 8, plataforma mixta (Sopena); y 9, plataforma terrigena (La Escrita). @@ La zona de estudio sufrio una compartimentacion importante durante el Aptiense-Albiense debido a tectonica sinsedimentaria, condicionando la dinamica de los distintos sistemas deposicionales. Se han identificado 6 discordancias locales, 1 falla superficial, 3 pliegues y 8 fallas profundas, inferidas en base a criterios estratigraficos y sedimentologicos. Alguna de estas estructuras fue reactivada posteriormente en la Orogenica Alpina, y las mayores fracturas se corresponden con lineaciones estructurales heredadas de la Orogenia Hercinica. Rasgos tectonicos y sedimentologicos apoyan un encuadre geodinamico de desgarre sinistro que condiciono la sedimentacion durante el Aptiense-Albiense. @@ El analisis de la arquitectura deposicional y de discontinuidades estratigraficas ha permitido el establecimiento de 10 megasecuencias, controladas por variacionesrelativas del nivel del mar de origen principalmente tectonico. Estas se agrupan en dos ciclos de regresion-transgresion de validez local. Se propone una modelizacion secuencial basada en la naturaleza de los sistemas y en la distribucion paleogeografica de las megasecuencias. Se ha establecido, finalmente, una evolucion paleogeografica del area dividida en 12 estadios, caracterizados principalmente por el grado de desarrollo de los principales dominios de sedimentacion: plataforma carbonatada somera y cuenca relativa comparativamente mas profunda rellena de materiales siliciclasticos
Exploring the interactions between Hp infection and other risk factors of gastric cancer: a pooled analysis in the Stomach cancer Pooling (StoP) Project

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is crucial in gastric carcinogenesis, but infection alone is not a sufficient cause, and the interaction between Hp infection and other risk factors has not been adequately studied. We conducted a pooled-analysis of seven case-control studies from the Stomach cancer Pooling (StoP) Project, comprising 1,377 cases and 2,470 controls, to explore the interaction between Hp infection and tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, socioeconomic status (SES) and dietary salt intake on the risk of gastric cancer. We estimated summary odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by multivariate unconditional logistic regression. The analysis showed no consistent interaction between Hp infection and cigarette smoking, while interaction was more than multiplicative for alcohol drinking (OR=1.38; 95% CI 1.07-1.77, p-interaction 0.02) and high intake of salt (OR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.88-3.65, p-interaction=0.04). The interaction with SES followed the multiplicative model (p=0.49), resulting in a weakening among infected individuals of the protective effect of high SES among observed Hp-negative individuals. The interactions found were more pronounced in subjects with history of peptic ulcer. The interactions with Hp infection were stronger for cigarette smoking and dietary salt in the case of non-cardia cancer, and for alcohol and SES in the case of cardia cancer. No differences were found when stratifying for histologic type. This large-scale study aimed to
Grammatical Complexity as a Predictor of Difficulty of Grammar Items in an English Test

This study explores the extent to which the difficulty levels of grammar items in an English test can be predicted by the complexity of grammatical structures. The researchers carried out two sets of analyses. In the first analysis, the item facility and item discrimination indices of 175 multiple-choice items were examined. In the second analysis, the researchers asked a group of experienced English instructors to rate the difficulty level of 116 English grammatical features. The results from both analyses were compared with the developmental stages of grammar acquisition of Pienemann’s Processability Theory (1998). The results revealed that some English grammar features were more difficult, and others less difficult, for ESL learners than the English instructors thought or believed. Moreover, the difficulty levels of grammatical structures derived from this study was not perfectly in accord with the developmental progression order proposed by Pienemann (1998). This result may suggest that Processability Theory might not adequately take account of the wide variety of grammatical structures in the standardized testing context. It is hoped that the findings of this study will be beneficial, not only to item writers and test developers, but also to English instructors, course syllabus designers, and developers of teaching materials.
Complement factors D and C3 cross-sectionally associate with arterial stiffness, but not independently of metabolic risk factors: The Maastricht Study

Background: Arterial stiffness predicts cardiovascular outcomes. The complement system, particularly the alternative complement pathway, has been implicated in cardiovascular diseases. We herein investigated the associations of factor D, the rate-limiting protease of the alternative pathway, and C3, the central complement component, with arterial stiffness. Methods: In 3019 population-based participants (51.9% men, 60.1 ± 8.2 years, 27.7% type 2 diabetes [T2D], oversampled]), we measured carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), carotid distensibility coefficient (DC) and carotid Young's elastic modulus (YEM), and plasma concentrations of factors D and C3. We conducted multiple linear regression to investigate the association of factors D and C3 (main independent variables, standardized) with cfPWV (primary outcome) and DC and YEM (secondary outcomes), adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Per SD higher factors D and C3, cfPWV was 0.41 m/s [95% confidence interval: 0.34; 0.49] and 0.33 m/s [0.25; 0.41] greater, respectively. These associations were substantially attenuated when adjusted for age, sex, education, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate (0.08 m/s [0.02; 0.15] and 0.11 m/s [0.05; 0.18], respectively), and were not significant when additionally adjusted for T2D, waist circumference and additional cardiovascular risk factors (0.06 m/s [−0.01; 0.13] and 0.01 m/s [−0.06; 0.09], respectively). Results were comparable for carotid YEM and DC. In persons with T2D, but not in those without, the association between factors D and cfPWV was significant in the fully adjusted model (0.14 m/s, [0.01; 0.27], P = 0.038, Pinteraction < 0.05). Conclusion: The strong association of plasma factors D and C3 with arterial stiffness in this population-based cohort was not independent of T2D and other metabolic risk factors. Our data suggest that a possible causal pathway starting from alternative complement activation may via hypertension and T2D contribute to greater arterial stiffness.
Sleep Quality Among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus During COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Qatar’s National Diabetes Center

Purpose Sleep disturbance is suspected to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, and people with type 2 DM are known to have a higher risk of sleep disturbance. We aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of sleep disturbance through Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods We randomly selected two hundred eighty-eight people with T2DM from the outpatient clinics of the National Diabetes Centre in Qatar. We used Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, Spearman, and Point Biserial correlation tests to examine the association between sleep quality and the independent variables. Finally, we conducted multiple logistics regression to identify the predictors of poor sleep quality and set the alpha level at 0.05. Results In our sample, the mean age (±SD) was 51.4 (± 9.5) years, and 64.3% of the study participants were males. The median (IQR) duration of diabetes was 10 (11) years. Additionally, 6.3% of the participants were on insulin. The median HbA1c was 7.6% (2.4). Three in ten patients reported poor sleep quality (PSQI>5); (n=103; 35.8%). Poor sleep quality was statistically associated with young age, previous history of sleep disturbance, prior diagnosis of sleep disorders, high depression score, and high perceived stress score. After adjusting for confounders, only high depressive symptoms score and previous history of sleep disorder were significant predictors of poor sleep quality (p < 0.001), with adjusted odd ratios of (aOR = 1.421; 95% CI: 1.242–1.625) and (aOR = 3.208; 95% CI: 1.574–6.537), respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of poor sleep quality among people with T2DM during the COVID-19 pandemic is high. Physicians must screen for depression, stress, and previous history of sleep disorder to tackle poor sleep among T2DM.
Cellular Mechanisms of Psoriasis Pathogenesis: A Systemic Review

Abstract Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells. Many kinds of cells, including keratinocytes, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, are reported to play critical roles in the pathogenesis and progression of psoriasis. However, to date, the role of each kind of cell in the pathogenesis and development of psoriasis has not been systematically reviewed. In addition, although antibodies developed targeting cytokines (e.g. IL-23, IL-17A, and TNF-α) released by these cells have shown promising results in the treatment of psoriasis patients, these targeted antibodies still do not cure psoriasis and only provide short-term relief of symptoms. Furthermore, long-term use of these antibodies has been reported to have adverse physical and psychological effects on psoriasis patients. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of psoriasis and providing new thoughts on the development of psoriasis therapeutic drugs is of great necessity. In this review, we summarize the roles of various cells involved in psoriasis, aiming to provide new insights into the pathogenesis and development of psoriasis at the cellular level and hoping to provide new ideas for exploring new and effective psoriasis treatments.