Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of early effects of PCV7, PCV10 and PCV13 on S. pneumoniae (SP) nasopharyngeal carriage in a population based study; the Palestinian-Israeli Collaborative Research (PICR)

Background Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), PCV10 and PCV13, are currently used in different countries. We have previously reported the effectiveness of PCV7, following its introduction in Israel and before PCVs were introduced in Palestine. Here, we extended the study and compared the initial impact of PCV10 to that of PCV7/13. Methods Four cross-sectional surveys of S. pneumoniae carriage among children <5y through 2009-2014 were preformed among two proximate populations, living under two distinct health authorities, with different vaccination policies. In East-Jerusalem (EJ), PCV7 was implemented in 2009 and replaced by PCV13 in late 2010, while in Palestine (PA), PCV10 was implemented in 2011. Results A total of 1267 and 2414 children from EJ and PA were screened. Implementation of both PCV7 (in EJ) and PCV10 (in PA) did not affect overall S. pneumoniae carriage (∼30%), but resulted in a significant decrease in carriage of VT7 strains. In the pre-vaccine era, VT7/VT13 strains consisted 47.0%/62.0% and 41.2%/54.8% of pneumococci in EJ and PA, respectively. A 48.6% and 53.9% decrease was observed within 3 years of PCV7 implementation in EJ (p= 0.001) and PCV10 in PA (p<0.0001), respectively. These vaccination policies also resulted in ∼50% reduction in VT13-added serotypes especially 6A (from 11.0% to 0.0% (EJ) and 9.5% to 4.9% (PA)). Three years after PCV13 implementation in EJ, an additional 67% decrease in VT13 strains was observed, yet an increase in serotype 3 was observed (0.0% to 3.4%, p=0.056). The prevalence of non-VT13 strains increased during the study period from 38% and 45.3% to 89.8% and 70.7%, in EJ and in PA respectively. Conclusions Within the first three years following PCV implementation, we observed similar reductions in carriage of VT10 and VT13 strains with either vaccination policies, with no effect on overall carriage. Further follow-up is needed to compare the long-term effects.
Investigating science high school students’ metacognitive awareness and self-efficacy perceptions with respect to the some individual and academic variables Fen lisesi öğrencilerinin bilişötesi farkındalıkları ile öz yeterlik algılarının bazı kişisel ve akademik değişkenlere göre incelenmesi

The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in metacognitive awareness and self-efficacy perceptions with regard to the gender, grade level, perceived parental attitudes, perception of academic achievement and the case of attendance of Science and Art Center during primary education; and to assess the relationships among metacognitive awareness, self-efficacy perceptions and academic achievement. The sample of study consisted of a total of 492 science high school students, 261 (53%) of them were female and 231(47%) of them were male. The average age of the participants was 15.89 (Sd: 1.01) with an age which ranges from 14 to 18 years. Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Self-Efficacy Scale were applied to determine participants’ metacognitive awareness and self efficacy perceptions. Demographic data of the participants were collected with personal information form developed by researchers. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, one way MANOVA, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal Wallis Test, multiple linear regression analysis were applied. According to the results, metacognitive awareness and self-efficacy perceptions of high school students differed significantly with respect to the some individual and academic variables. Results of the study were discussed in the light of the relevant literature. Ozet Bu calismanin amaci, fen lisesi ogrencilerinin bilisotesi farkindaliklari ile oz yeterlik algilarinin cinsiyete, sinif duzeyine, algilanan ebeveyn tutumuna, akademik basari algisina, ilkogretim caginda BILSEM’e devam edip etmeme durumuna dayali farkliliklarini belirlemek; bilisotesi farkindalik duzeyleri ve oz yeterlik algilarinin akademik basari ile iliskisini degerlendirmektir. Arastirma grubu 261 (%53) kiz ve 231 (%47) erkek toplam 492 fen lisesi ogrencisinden olusmaktadir. Ogrencilerin yaslari 14 ile 18 arasinda degismekte olup yas ortalamasi 15.89’dur (Ss: 1.01). Ogrencilerin bilisotesi farkindalik duzeylerini olcmek amaciyla Bilisotesi Farkindalik Envanteri, oz yeterlik algilarini tespit etmek icin Oz Etkililik Yeterlik Olcegi kullanilmistir. Ogrencilere ait demografik veriler, arastirmacilar tarafindan hazirlanan Kisisel Bilgi Formu ile toplanmistir. Pearson Momentler Carpimi Korelasyon Katsayisi teknigi, tek yonlu Manova, Mann-Whitney U Testi, Kruskal Wallis Testi, coklu dogrusal regresyon analizinden yararlanilmistir. Elde edilen bulgulara gore, fen lisesi ogrencilerinin bilisotesi farkindalik ve oz yeterlik algilari yukarida ifade edilen bazi kisisel ve akademik degiskenlere dayali olarak farklilik gostermektedir. Bulgular literatur isiginda tartisilmistir.
PERFORMANCE OF SOME GRAIN SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor l. Moench) GENOTYPES UNDER DIFFERENT SOWING DATES IN EGYPT

Two field experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 seasons to investigate the influence of sowing date (April 7, April 27, May 17, June 6, and 26) on growth and yields of some sorghum genotypes (Shandaweel-1 hybrid, Shandaweel-305 hybrid, Shandaweel-306 hybrid and Dorado cultivar) grown in clay loamy soil at Giza Governorate, Egypt. Results obtained showed that growth and yield attributes of grain sorghum were significantly affected by sowing date and genotypes in both seasons. Delaying sowing from April to late May or June resulted in increasing growth attributes (plant height, number of green leaves, leaf area and total dry weight/plant). Late sowing in June accelerated plant maturity. Sandaweel-305 hybrid plants were the tallest and the earliest in maturity compared to the other genotypes. Sowing Shandaweel-306 hybrid at June produced the highest yield and yield components compared to the other genotypes planted at earlier sowings (April and May). The results also showed that grain yield was positively correlated with panicle weight (r = 0.52), kernel weight panicle-1 (r = 0.43), leaf area (r = 0.50) leaf area index (r = 53) and total dry weight (r = 0.43) suggesting that these parameters could be used to estimate sorghum grain yield.
Meta-analysis of drought-tolerant genotypes in Oryza sativa: A network-based approach

Background Drought is a severe environmental stress. It is estimated that about 50% of the world rice production is affected mainly by drought. Apart from conventional breeding strategies to develop drought-tolerant crops, innovative computational approaches may provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of stress response and identify drought-responsive markers. Here we propose a network-based computational approach involving a meta-analytic study of seven drought-tolerant rice genotypes under drought stress. Results Co-expression networks enable large-scale analysis of gene-pair associations and tightly coupled clusters that may represent coordinated biological processes. Considering differentially expressed genes in the co-expressed modules and supplementing external information such as, resistance/tolerance QTLs, transcription factors, network-based topological measures, we identify and prioritize drought-adaptive co-expressed gene modules and potential candidate genes. Using the candidate genes that are well-represented across the datasets as ‘seed’ genes, two drought-specific protein-protein interaction networks (PPINs) are constructed with up-and down-regulated genes. Cluster analysis of the up-regulated PPIN revealed ABA signaling pathway as a central process in drought response with a probable crosstalk with energy metabolic processes. Tightly coupled gene clusters representing up-regulation of core cellular respiratory processes and enhanced degradation of branched chain amino acids and cell wall metabolism are identified. Cluster analysis of down-regulated PPIN provides a snapshot of major processes associated with photosynthesis, growth, development and protein synthesis, most of which are shut down during drought. Differential regulation of phytohormones, e.g., jasmonic acid, cell wall metabolism, signaling and posttranslational modifications associated with biotic stress are elucidated. Functional characterization of topologically important, drought-responsive uncharacterized genes that may play a role in important processes such as ABA signaling, calcium signaling, photosynthesis and cell wall metabolism is discussed. Further transgenic studies on these genes may help in elucidating their biological role under stress conditions. Conclusion Currently, a large number of resources for rice functional genomics exist which are mostly underutilized by the scientific community. In this study, a computational approach integrating information from various resources such as gene co-expression networks, protein-protein interactions and pathway-level information is proposed to provide a systems-level view of complex drought-responsive processes across the drought-tolerant genotypes.
LiSr2[CoN2]: Ein Nitridocobaltat(I) mit gestreckten Anionen [CoN2]5- / LiSr2[CoN2]: A Nitridocobaltate(I) with Linear Anions [CoN2]5-

LiSr2[CoN2] (tetrag., P42/mnm (Nr. 136); a = 524.4(1) pm, c = 730.7(2) pm; Z = 2) was prepared by reaction of mixtures of Li, Sr2N and Co (molar ratio 6:3:1) in tantalum crucibles under nitrogen (1 atm) at 850 °C. The crystal structure (α-Li3[BN2]-type) contains linear anions [Co1N2]5- (Co-N : 181.0(5) pm) which are isostructural to [Fe11N2]4- (Li4[FeN2]) as well as to the maingroup species CO2 and [BN2]3-.
Mineral Availability and Dietary Fiber Characteristics of Moringa oleifera

Background: There is an increasing awareness on the potential of Moringa Oleifera (Malunggay) as a high-value agricultural crop because of its high dietary fiber and nutrient contents. Objective: The study determined mineral availability and dietary fiber characteristics of Moringa Oleifera. Materials and Methods: Malunggay leaves and fruit from Metro Manila and two suppliers were analyzed. Proximate composition, minerals, phytic/tannic acid, total/soluble/insoluble fiber were analysed and subjected for mineral availability and dietary fiber fermentation in vitro. Results: All samples were good sources of protein (46.4 g/100g), ash (11.5 g/100 g) and beta-carotene (45172 µg/100g). Mineral content of malunggay leaves powder were: calcium (1.3±0.1-2.0± 0.0 g/100g) > iron (5.7±0.2-7.8± 0.0mg/100g) > zinc (3.4±0.1-4.8±0.0 mg/100g; P acetate (1.4±0.1 - 21.7±0.1 mg/g) > butyrate (3.0±0.1-7.7±2.3 mg/g; P<0.05). Conclusions: Malunggay leaves and fruits are good sources of iron, zinc and calcium and moderate to highly available for absorption regardless of the high content of phytic and tannic acid. Malunggay leaves are excellent sources of dietary fiber, fermentable and produce short chain fatty acids with greater amounts of propionate shown to inhibit cholesterol synthesis.
The roles of disgust and harm perception in political attitude moralization

Abstract. What causes people to see their political attitudes in a moral light? One answer is that attitude moralization results from associating one's attitude stance with feelings of disgust. To test the possibility that disgust moralizes, the current study used a high-powered preregistered design looking at within-person change in moral conviction paired with an experimental manipulation of disgust or anger (versus control). Results from the preregistered analyses found that we successfully induced anger but not disgust; however, our manipulation had no effect on moral conviction. Additional exploratory analyses investigating whether emotion and harm predicted increases in moral conviction over time found that neither disgust, anger, nor sadness had an effect on moralization, whereas perceptions of harm did predict moralization. Our findings are discussed in terms of their implications for current theory and research into attitude moralization.
Distribution and preference for oviposition sites of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in the metropolitan area of Belém, in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT: The mosquito Aedes albopictus is a vector of several arboviruses transmitted to humans. They have a sylvatic behavior, occurring in rural areas. However, reports of their adaptation to anthropic environments have been increasing. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence and distribution of Ae. albopictus in the Metropolitan Region of Belém in the Brazilian Amazon and evaluate its preference for either natural or artificial breeding sites under the weather conditions of the Amazon. Ovitraps (artificial breeding sites) and bamboo internodes (natural breeding sites) were deployed in neighborhood peridomiciles during the dry and rainy seasons. The results showed that the presence of Ae. albopictus was recorded in 71.4% of the neighborhoods during the dry season and in 69.2% neighborhoods during the rainy season, thus indicating a wide distribution in the region. A significant increase in the frequency of the capture of mosquitoes in areas with higher vegetation cover was observed during the dry season (R2= 0.2995; p=0.018) but not during the rainy season (R2= 0.044; p=0.43). Comparing the weekly frequency of Ae. albopictus on positive bamboos and OVT, no significant difference was observed between them (t= 0.559; df= 23; p=0.58). A significant increase in the number of positive breeding sites was observed with increased rainfall for both bamboo (R2= 0.33; p= 0.002) and OVT (R2= 0.24; p= 0.013). This is the first report of Ae. albopictus in the metropolitan area of Belém. The findings suggest a wide distribution in the studied area, preferably in areas with more extensive vegetation cover. Additionally, the mosquito population showed the ability to use both natural and artificial habitats.
Building information extraction and refinement from VHR satellite imagery using deep learning techniques

Building information extraction and reconstruction from satellite images is an essential task for many applications related to 3D city modeling, planning, disaster management, navigation, and decision-making. Building information can be obtained and interpreted from several data, like terrestrial measurements, airplane surveys, and space-borne imagery. However, the latter acquisition method outperforms the others in terms of cost and worldwide coverage: Space-borne platforms can provide imagery of remote places, which are inaccessible to other missions, at any time. Because the manual interpretation of high-resolution satellite image is tedious and time consuming, its automatic analysis continues to be an intense field of research. At times however, it is difficult to understand complex scenes with dense placement of buildings, where parts of buildings may be occluded by vegetation or other surrounding constructions, making their extraction or reconstruction even more difficult. Incorporation of several data sources representing different modalities may facilitate the problem. The goal of this dissertation is to integrate multiple high-resolution remote sensing data sources for automatic satellite imagery interpretation with emphasis on building information extraction and refinement.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing HOPE Treatment and Present-Centered Therapy in Women Residing in Shelter With PTSD From Intimate Partner Violence

The current study is a randomized controlled trial comparing HOPE (Helping to Overcome PTSD through Empowerment) to an adapted version of present-centered therapy (PCT+) in residents of domestic violence shelters with posttraumatic stress disorder from intimate partner violence. HOPE is a cognitive-behavioral treatment that adopts an empowerment approach. PCT is an attention-matched control condition frequently used in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment research. PCT+ was adapted to include safety planning. We collected data from 172 women from one of six shelters, randomizing participants to receive either HOPE or PCT+. Participants in both treatments received up to 16 sessions during shelter and the first 3 months post-shelter. Follow-up assessments occurred at post-shelter, post-treatment, and 6- and 12-months post-treatment. Results of multivariate models found that both HOPE and PCT+ were associated with significant and large reductions in intimate partner violence–related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Further, both treatments resulted in significant small to medium effects on intimate partner violence, depression, empowerment, posttraumatic cognitions, and health-related quality of life. Results suggest that both HOPE and PCT+ are viable and efficacious treatments of intimate partner violence–related posttraumatic stress disorder in women residing in shelters. As PCT+ has the potential to be delivered by paraprofessionals and individuals without mental health expertise, PCT+ may be the preferred treatment model for shelters. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub. com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684320953120
Estimating the Relative Biological Effectiveness of Auger Electron Emitter 123I in Human Lymphocytes

Auger electron emitters are considered to be a promising strategy for targeted radionuclide therapy of metastatic diseases, given their high linear energy transfer (LET) and short range in tissue which could potentially limit normal tissue toxicity. Particularly Auger electron emitters that can be targeted into the DNA of tumor cells have been considered as an attractive cancer therapy in the past decade. In this study, the efficiency of the Auger electron emitter 123I (half-life 13.2 h) to induce chromosomal damage was investigated by using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. A stannylated deoxyuridine was synthesized and radiolabeled with 123I, resulting in 123IUdR that carried the Auger electron emitter across the nuclear membrane and allowed its incorporation into newly synthesized DNA. The DNA damage caused by the 123I Auger cascade was estimated by evaluating the induced micronuclei frequencies in human peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from three different donors. The isolated lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (1 mg/ml) for 48 h before pulse labeling with 123IUdR and the S-phase fraction was determined using flow cytometry. Geant4 Monte Carlo calculations were performed to determine the absorbed dose in cells by the Auger emitter. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was calculated by comparing the dose response curves for 123IUdR with the reference dose response curves, obtained with 60Co γ-ray irradiation in this study, for lymphocytes of the same donors. This resulted in a range of individual RBE values from 3 up to 10, depending on the donor and the radiation dose. In addition, dose limiting RBE values (RBEMax) were calculated for each donor and ranged from 5 to 11, dependent on the inherent radiosensitivity of the donors. This study provides valuable information on the RBE of Auger electron emitter 123I, which is identified as a promising theranostic radionuclide for future targeted radionuclide therapy.
Supporting Patients With Untreated Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance: What Causes an Increase in Anxiety During the First 10 Months?

Background The psychological burden possibly deriving from not immediately undergoing radical treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) could be a potential disadvantage of active surveillance (AS), especially in the eve of some relevant clinical exams [i.e., re-biopsy, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and medical examination]. Even if it is known from the literature that the majority of PCa men in AS do not report heightened anxiety, there is a minority of patients who show clinically significant levels of anxiety after diagnosis. The present study aimed to investigate if demographic, clinical, and psychological variables at the entrance in AS (T0) were associated with the risk of developing clinically significant PCa-related anxiety 2 months before the first re-biopsy (T1) and to offer psychological support to improve quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods A total of 236 patients participated in the PCa Research International: AS (PRIAS) protocol and in PRIAS-QoL study. Demographic/clinical features, health-related QoL domains, coping with cancer, PCa-related anxiety [Memorial Anxiety Scale for PCa (MAX-PC)], personality traits, and decision-making-related factors were assessed at T0. MAX-PC was also administered at T1. PCa-related anxiety at T1 was considered to be of clinical significance if the MAX-PC score was ≥1.5. Multivariable logistic regression coupled to bootstrap was used to detect factors associated with high levels of anxiety. Results The median age was 64.4 years. Fifty-six patients (24%) reported MAX-PC total score above the cutoff. Three factors were associated with a high level of PCa anxiety at T1: anxious preoccupation [odds ratio (OR) = 4.36], extraversion (OR = 1.9), and prostate-related symptoms (median OR = 0.46). Physical well-being was associated with a low PCa anxiety subscale (median OR = 0.15); neuroticism and functional well-being were associated with PSA anxiety (median OR = 7.05 and 0.73, respectively). Neuroticism and helplessness/hopelessness were associated with fear of progression (median OR = 18.1 and 5.8, respectively). Conclusion Only a partial portion of the sample experienced significant levels of anxiety after 10 months. Psychological assessment should be routinely conducted to detect risk factors (i.e., anxious preoccupation, extraversion) for increased anxiety, offering tailored psychological interventions aimed at promoting interpersonal awareness and emotional well-being.
Effects of Chronic Tinnitus on Metabolic and Structural Changes in Subjects With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Tinnitus is a conscious auditory perception in the absence of an external stimulus. Despite previous reports of a recognized association between tinnitus and cognitive deficits, the effects of tinnitus on functional and structural brain changes associated with cognitive deficits remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the changes in glucose metabolism and gray matter (GM) volume in subjects diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) depending on tinnitus. Twenty-three subjects were subclassified into MCI with the chronic tinnitus (MCI_T) and MCI without tinnitus (MCI_NT) groups. Encouraged by the identification of neural substrates associated with tinnitus and cognitive deficits, we correlated the extent of tinnitus severity with the changes in glucose metabolism and GM volume and conducted a glucose metabolic connectivity study. Compared to the MCI_NT group, the MCI_T group showed significantly lower metabolism in the right superior temporal pole and left fusiform gyrus. Additionally, the GM volume in the right insula was markedly lower in the MCI_T group compared to the MCI_NT group. Moreover, correlation analyses in metabolism or GM volumes revealed specific brain regions associated with the cognitive decline with increasing tinnitus severity. Metabolic connectivity analysis revealed that MCI_NT had markedly strengthened intra-hemispheric connectivity in the frontal, parietal, and occipital regions than did MCI_T. Furthermore, MCI_NT showed a strong negative association between the parietal and temporal and parietal and limbic regions, but the association was not observed in MCI_T. These findings indicate that tinnitus may cause metabolic and structural changes in the brain and alters complex inter- or intra-hemispheric networks in MCI. Considering the impact of MCI on accelerating dementia, these results provide a valuable basis on which yet-to-be-identified neurodegenerative markers of tinnitus can be refined.