Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying Longitudinal Risk Factors for Anal High-risk HPV Infections and Strategies to Better Detect Anal High-grade Dysplasia for Anal Cancer Screening in Older Men who have Sex with Men

Author(s): Hsu, Hilary Kyle | Advisor(s): Javanbakht, Marjan; Wiley, Dorothy J. | Abstract: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are common sexually transmitted infections in the epithelium, some genotypes of which are oncogenic and capable of causing cervical and anal cancers. While HPV-associated cervical cancer rates have declined among U.S. women as a result of effective screening and treatment of cervical precancers, anal cancer is increasing in incidence nationwide and is quickly becoming a new threat to public health. While anal cancer is rare in the general U.S. population with an annual incidence rate of 1.8 cases per 100,000 men and women, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have exponentially higher anal cancer incidence rates: 78-137 cases per 100,000 HIV-infected MSM and 5-35 cases per 100,000 HIV-uninfected MSM. The highest estimates for anal cancer in MSM exceed the incidence of the most common cancer in the world (prostate cancer: 120 cases per 100,000), emphasizing the disparate cancer risk in this population. Older MSM are at the highest risk since they have often gone their whole lives without screening, allowing disease to progress unchecked. Risk factors and screening protocols for cervical cancer have long been established and informs anal cancer practices, though for anal cancer, more information is needed and a standard of care remains a work in progress. The purpose of this dissertation is to increase the knowledge and data surrounding anal HPV infections and resulting anal cancer precursors, to inform anal cancer screening and prevention protocols.This dissertation uses data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), the longest running longitudinal study tracking the natural history of HIV/AIDS in MSM, and an independent clinical trial for anal cancer screening in MSM (“Improving Screening Tools for Anal cancer” (ISTA)). Chapter 2 analyzes longitudinal anal HPV data to characterize HPV infection in older MSM, and uses multivariable time-to-event proportional hazards models to identify predictors for incidence and clearance of anal HPV16 and 18, the high-risk HPVs (hrHPVs) accounting for up to 90% of anal cancers. Chapter 3 examines a sample of men with anal biopsy data, to compare anal cytology and hrHPV testing strategies to identify the most effective screening tool to predict histological high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (hHSILs): the precursors of anal cancer. Lastly, Chapter 4 assesses self-reported data on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and associations with anal cytology test performance and risk for hHSIL. Findings from this dissertation may provide invaluable information to develop standardized anal cancer screening and prevention protocols.
Antimicrobial and Substantivity Properties of Silver Nanoparticles against Oral Microbiomes Clinically Isolated from Young and Young-Adult Patients

The dental plaque is an oral microbiome hardly associated to be the etiological agent of dental caries and periodontal disease which are still considered serious health public problems. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have demonstrated to have good antimicrobial properties affecting a wide variety of microorganisms, including oral bacteria; however, there is no scientific information that has evaluated the antimicrobial effect of AgNPs against clinical oral biofilms associated with dental caries and periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial and substantivity effects of AgNPs in oral biofilms isolated clinically from patients with dental caries and periodontal disease. Sixty-seven young and young-adult subjects with dental caries and periodontal disease were clinically sampled through the collection of subgingival dental plaque. The inhibitory effect of AgNPs was performed with standard microbiological assays by triplicate using two sizes of particle. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to identify the presence of specific bacterial species. All AgNPs showed an inhibitory effect for all oral biofilms for any age and, generally, any gender ( ); however, the effectiveness of the antimicrobial and substantivity effects was related to particle size, time, and gender ( ). The identified microorganisms were S. mutans, S. sobrinus, S. sanguinis, S. gordonii, S. oralis, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and P. intermedia. The AgNPs could be considered as a potential antimicrobial agent for the control and prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease.
Change of Direction and Agility Tests: Challenging Our Current Measures of Performance

ABSTRACT THE ABILITY TO CHANGE DIRECTION IS A HIGHLY VALUED ATHLETIC QUALITY IN SPORT AND HAS BEEN MEASURED EXTENSIVELY. DESPITE THE IMPORTANCE AND MAGNITUDE OF RESEARCH ON CHANGE OF DIRECTION (COD) AND AGILITY, THE VALIDITY OF THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES USED TO ASSESS THESE ABILITIES HAVE FACED LIMITED SCRUTINY. A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF OUR CURRENT MEASURES OF COD AND AGILITY ARE PRESENTED. FURTHERMORE, A SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE THE VALIDITY OF COD AND AGILITY ASSESSMENT IS PROVIDED IN THE ULTIMATE EFFORT TO IMPROVE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THIS CRUCIAL ATHLETIC QUALITY. A VIDEO ABSTRACT DESCRIBING THIS ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND IN SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1 (SEE VIDEO, http://links.lww.com/SCJ/A217).
The Rise and Fall of US Manufacturing: Re-Examination of Long-Run Spatial Trends

We re-examine the long-run geographical development of U.S. manufacturing industries using recent advances in spatial concentration measures. We construct spatially-weighted indices of the geographical concentration of U.S. manufacturing industries during the period 1880 to 1997 using data from the Census of Manufactures and Bureau of Labor Statistics. Doing so we improve upon the existing indices by taking into account industrial structure and checkerboard problem. Several important new results emerge. First, we find that average spatial concentration was much lower in the late 20th- than in the late 19th-century and that this was the outcome of a continuing reduction over time. Second, spatial concentration of industries did not increase in early twentieth century as shown by traditional indices but rather declined, implying that we do not find an inverted-U shape pattern of long-run spatial concentration. Third, the persistent tendency to greater spatial dispersion was characteristic of most manufacturing industries. Fourth, even so, economically and statistically significant spatial concentration was pervasive throughout this period.
Improving snow estimates over the Red River basin during the spring using empirical relationships between satellite snow water equivalent and snow-covered area

Assessing rapid changes in snow storage during spring is critical for predicting river flooding along the Red River in the north-central United States. While passive microwave retrievals of snow water equivalent (SWE) over the Red River water basin are generally accurate, they are less certain during the spring due to snowmelt events. These degrade the SWE retrieval algorithms by introducing liquid water into the snowpack. To increase confidence in daily SWE estimates over the Red River basin, we use the concept of a SWE depletion curve to relate basin mean SWE to snow-covered area (SCA) as determined by the MODIS cloud-gap-filled daily SCA product. We use this concept to derive an empirical relationship be-tween SWE and SCA over the Red River basin from 11 years of satellite observations (2007–2018). This relationship relies on the climatologically accurate passive microwave SWE product to mitigate acute inaccuracies in daily SWE retrievals caused by data gaps and complicated snowpack properties. In a comparison of SWE derived from the empirical SCA relationship to SWE estimated from the Snow Data Assimilation product, we find substantial quantitative improvement over the passive microwave SWE product during the spring melt season.
A Study on Cardiac Manifestations of Dengue Fever

Aims and Objectives: To study the cardiac manifestations of the dengue fever. Method: This two year descriptive study was undertaken at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, department of medicine, Darbhanga, Bihar. 50 patients admitted with dengue NS1 Ag, dengue IgM or IgM and IgG positivity were studied. Grading of severity and management were done following WHO guidelines. Electrocardiogram, 2D echocardiography and cardiac enzymes assay were done to find out cardiac manifestation. Other major organ involvements were also assessed. Results: Of the 50 patients, 32(64%) were males and 18(36%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 30 ± 8.5 years. The commonest clinical presentation was fever (94%). On clinical examination 54% of the patients had petecheia. Rhythm disturbance was noted in 8% of the patients. with AV block being the most common (66.67%). Cardiac manifestation in the form of changes in ECG and echocardiography were observed in 52% of the patients with a positive correlation with the severity of the dengue fever as defined by W.H. O. criteria. Cardiac manifestation was also found to be significantly related to other organ involvement. Conclusion: Patients with dengue fever are at high risk of developing cardiac involvement and therefore require a close cardiac monitoring. Introduction Dengue fever (DF) and its severe forms dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) have become major international public health concerns. Over the past three decades, there has been a dramatic global increase in the frequency of dengue fever (DF), DHF and DSS and their epidemics, with a concomitant increase in disease incidence. Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas. The name dengue is derived from the Swahili word ‘ki denga pepo’ which means ‘sudden seizure by the demon’. The term ‘break bone fever’ was coined following the Philadelphia epidemic in 1780. The earliest description of dengue fever was made in the same year by Benjamin Rush. The other names for dengue fever are dandy fever, denga, dunga fever and coupd-barre. Humans and mosquitoes are the principal hosts of dengue virus; the mosquito remains infected for life but the viruses are only known to cause illness in humans. There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care frequently saves the lives www.jmscr. igmpublication.org Impact Factor 5.84 Index Copernicus Value: 83.27 ISSN (e)-2347-176x ISSN (p) 2455-0450 DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i4.161
A prospective study of metformin versus myoinositol plus d-chiroinositol combination therapy in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance and resultant hyperinsulinemia contribute to hyperandrogenism in these patients. Weight loss or pharmacologic interventions that lower insulin levels reduce androgen levels. This study was planned to evaluate efficacy of metformin versus myoinositol plus d-chiroinositol combination therapy in PCOS patients and its effects on clinical, hormonal and radio diagnostic dimensions. Methods: This was a prospective study for nine months. 50 newly diagnosed PCOS patients from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar, were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was given metformin 500 mg twice daily and another myoinositol plus d-chiroinositol 1000 mg twice daily for 9 months. Follow up was done at 3, 6, 9 months. At each visit, ultrasonography and hormone levels were evaluated. Informed consent was taken. The approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee, GMC, Amritsar was also obtained. Results: The percentage change in free testosterone levels (22.46±6.47) and insulin levels (34.24±15.02) show statistically significant decrease in group 2 (p<0.001). There was statistically significant (p<0.05) fall in AMH levels (22.41±7.78) in group 1. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in ovarian volume on ultrasonography, random blood glucose levels, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, estrogen and progesterone levels. Conclusions: It was observed that both treatments are equally effective in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with better tolerability in myoinositol and d-chiroinositol group.
Single-Phase Bridgeless PFC Topology Derivation and Performance Benchmarking

This article introduces two general ways to derive single-phase bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) topologies and then, 15 accessible bridgeless topologies are derived based on the configuration of different basic types of dc–dc converter cells. Although the majority of the topologies have been previously proposed, other possible research points are reviewed. Besides, a consistent component sizing procedure with electric, thermal, and cost models is applied to conduct the performance benchmarking of these PFC topologies in terms of power loss, volume, and cost. Three boost-type PFC topologies are chosen as examples to demonstrate the procedure and the corresponding benchmarking results with both theoretical analyses and experimental verification. Finally, mission profiles of one specific application are introduced to show the material cost payback period of adopting one modified bridgeless boost topology instead of conventional one in different scenarios.
Health status of elderly based on daily activities living, cholesterol and uric acid profile in Medan city

Health problems in the elderly come from declining body cells, so the function and body endurance decreased along with increased risk factors for diseases. This study aimed to determine the elderly health status in Public Health Center of Tuntungan Medan. Health status includes measurement of daily activities living (DAL),and health parameter include blood pressure, blood sugar level (BSL), cholesterol level and uric acid level. The study design was descriptive with cross-sectional approach. The study population was the entire elderly population residing in the service area of public health center of Tuntungan Medan (55 subjects). The elderly who had a reasonable level of independence were 47 subjects (85.5%), the majority of elderly were in the category of hypertension stage I (20 subjects; 36.4%) with a mean systolic blood pressure level was 143mmHg. Most of them have BSL that exceeded the standard limit (42 subjects; 76.4%) with BSL mean value was 177mg/dL.Uric acid levels were in the high category (34 subjects; 61.98%) with a mean value of 7.0mm/dL, and most of them have normal cholesterol (43 subjects; 78.2%).
Students’ Perceptions on Teachers’ Teaching Strategy and Their Effects towards Students’ Achievement

Teaching strategy is necessary for the teaching and learning process. It is used as a way to present learning content in a way that engages the learners. It is assumed that applying appropriate teaching strategies has a positive impact on students' achievement. This study aimed to analyze students' perceptions of teacher's teaching strategy and its effect on students' achievement in learning English. This study was an Ex-post Facto study. The population of this study was the students who had studied English as a general subject at Universitas Negeri Padang in the academic year of January-June 2019. Cluster random sampling was used with 150 students as the sample of this study. Then, for collecting the data, two questionnaires and documents of students’ final scores were used as the instruments. The data was analyzed by using a Likert-type scale and regression linear statistical analysis through IBM SPSS Statistics 22 Software . The results showed that generally, students' perception of the teacher's teaching strategy was High . Then, based on the statistical analysis, it was found that thevalue of F-count was lower than F-table. It meant that the null hypothesis (H 0 ) was accepted, and the alternative hypothesis (H a ) was rejected. Thus, there was no significant effect of student's perception of teaching strategy towards students' achievement in learning English as a general subject.
Education and Training for Quality Work at the Intensive Care Unit

Background: Intensive Therapy Unit is specially equipped and organized unit of a hospital that provides highly specialized care to patients at risk of life. It constitutes a specific organizational and spatial unit with the specified characteristics of the profession, nursing, facilities, technology, equipment, work organization, administration and education. Nurses at the Intensive Therapy Unit are highly educated and trained and they take care of patients with life-threatening conditions (with an unstable and rapidly changing health condition). A nurse must have well-developed knowledge base, together with special expertise and professional experience relating to technology and health care requirements of the critically ill patients, leading to the ability of a clear, quick, critical judgment in an environment of intensive treatment. Methods: With the method of compilation we summarized the views of domestic and foreign experts and presented the main findings. Conclusion: Possibility of education and training must be provided and accessible to all employees as they contribute to greater patient safety in health facilities. To successfully carry out the work, it is important that each employee is properly educated and professionally qualified for the performance of their duties. With training, an employee has the opportunity to expand his or her knowledge and also to apply it in practice. The purpose of the training is to master the standards and procedures in health care.
Is the relation between non-controlling interests and parent companies misleading?

This article investigates whether different levels of investor protection affect the equity market’s valuation of non-controlling interests (NCIs) in a consolidated corporate entity. Using a set of publicly listed European firms, our findings suggest a positive (negative) association of NCIs with parent companies’ share prices in countries with low (high) levels of investor protection. We interpret the findings as evidence that when non-controlling investors are not well-protected, parent companies have an opportunity to extract rents from non-controlling owners, leading to a positive valuation of NCIs’ equity. However, in countries where non-controlling investors are well-protected, parent companies are not able to extract rents but still must monitor and govern the related subsidiary; thus, NCIs become a net cost, and the relation inverts. JEL Classification: M41, M48
Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea and its Effects on School Performance: A Crosssectional Study

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is a painful menstrual cramp of uterine origin. It is the most common gynecologic complaints in adolescence and young women among university female students. Major symptoms including pain, adverse effect on daily life and school performance, causing recurrent short-term school absenteeism among female adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its effect on school performance. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted in Debre Berhan University, which is one of public higher institutions in Ethiopia. Cluster sampling technique was used to enroll 307 students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire which was designed for this research. The questionnaire was anonymously completed by each participant who were consented to participate in the study. Data was cleaned, coded and entered into statistical product for service solution (SPSS V.16) for analysis. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine linear relationship between dependent and independent categorical variables. Bivariabe and multivariable logistic regression was executed to determine the effect of dysmenorrhea on school performance. Results: The age of the respondent ranges from 18-29 with a mean and standard deviation of 20.35 ± 1.55. Most of the participants 249 (84.4%) were in the age category of 18 to 21. Concerning the age of menarche, the average was 15.1 ± 1.79 years. Regarding painful menses, 197 (66.8%) of students were suffering from dysmenorrhea. Out of dysmenorric students, 119 (60.4%) of them reported that their school performance was affected attributed to the pain and this was explained by loss of concentration and class absenteeism. Pearson Chi-square test revealed that severity of pain among dysmenorric students had effect on their academic performances (X2df=2=25.1, p<0.001). The result also showed that statistical significance evidence was found among severity of pain and class absentees (X2df=2=15, p<0.001); loss of concentration in class (X2df=2=12.85, p<0.05) and lack of focus on exam (X2df=2=7.4, p<0.05). Moreover, students who are suffering from dysmenorrhea were 8 times more likely their educational performance had been affected than those students who had no dysmenorrhea (AOR=8.013, 95%CI: 3.41, 17.305). It also had psychological effect on students (AOR=2.52, 95%CI: 1.135, 5.595). Conclusion and Recommendation: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common problem among female students of Debre Berhan University and brought a number of physical and emotional symptoms. As a result the condition affected their school performance and limited their daily class activities. Therefore, to combat these effect students most probably expected to change their lifestyle particularly regular physical exercise. Moreover, awareness should be brought to school authority and teachers about dysmenorrhea to provide psychological and academic support to affected students.
Equity-Focused K-12 Science Teacher Professional Development: A Review of the Literature 2001–2017

ABSTRACT Providers of K-12 in-service teacher science professional development programs (PDPs) in the United States are moving to address recent and unprecedented policymaker calls to close achievement gaps in K-12 science learning. Our systematic review of primary, peer-reviewed equity-focused PDP studies is intended to inform this movement. We structured our review around the themes of selected studies’PDP context, research design and methods, and outcomes. PDP context and research design and methods were evaluated against relevant effective practices for equity-focused K-12 in-service science teacher PDPs. The theme of PDP outcomes was structured around reported teacher and student outcomes. We use these themes to present a coherent picture of previous equity-focused PDP efforts. This picture informs discussion and selection of strategies for effective implementation of PDPsdesigned to target the needs of specific traditionally underserved student populations. It also highlights potentially promising lines of inquiry for PDP developers and researchers to pursue.