Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of sexual risk behaviour among unmarried persons aged 15-34 years in South Africa

ABSTRACT South Africa accounts for the largest share of the global HIV epidemic, both in the number of people living with HIV and in new infection rates. In the context of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and its ensuing adverse socio-economic impact, in South Africa, this study aimed at examining the factors that impact the sexual risk-taking behaviours of unmarried persons aged 15–34 years in the country. Specifically, the study sought to examine the effects of selected sociodemographic factors on the condom use and sexual partnership behaviours of three age cohorts: 15–19-year-olds (adolescents), 20–24-year-olds (emerging adults), and 25–34-year-olds (young adults). The results showed that being male, wealthy, and living in an urban area generally protected against sexual risk-taking behaviours among respondents. Furthermore, early sexual debut, province of residence, and unemployment are risk factors for unsafe sexual practices among respondents. These demographic predictors showed varied effects depending on the age cohort of respondents. The findings support targeted interventions to improve sex education for adolescents and emerging adults in South Africa.
In the Pre-eclamp sia and Normotensive Patient- Lipid Profile Study

Pre-eclampsia is associated with substantial risks for the fetus and mother. Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism are reported to be a major cause of hypertension and proteinuria in pre-eclampsia. This was a cross-sectional comparative study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sylhet, M.A.G Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet during December 2013 to May 2014. 50 pre-eclampsia and 50 normotensive pregnant women's serum lipid profile were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fasting lipid profile was measured after 10-12 hours overnight fasting. The mean age (25.12 # 3.98 years vs 24.94 # 3.90 years; p=0.820), gestational age (36.80 # 0.70 weeks vs 36.9 # 1.1 weeks ; p=0.144), and BMI (21.43 # 2.09kg/M 2 vs 22.02 # 1.73kg/M 2 , p=0.131) were statistically similar in both pre-eclamptic women and the control pregnant women. SBP (163.70 #11.24mm of Hg vs 115.10 # 9.39mm of Hg; p<0.001) and DBP (103.6 #9.4mm of Hg vs 71.50 #5.37mm of Hg p<0.001) were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic women than that of normotensive pregnant women. Serum total cholesterol (227.56 # 55.79mg/dl vs 194.56 # 43.33mg/dl, p=0.001). serum LDL-cholesterol (147.72 #51.03mg/dl vs 119.43 # 37.17mg/dl; p=0.002) and serum triglyceride (232.06 # 65.54mg/dl vs 157.44 # 64.24mg/dl p<0.001) were significantly higher in pre- eclampsia than that of normal pregnancy; while serum HDL- cholesterol (38.96 # 2.93 mg/dl vs 45.82 # 6.11 mg/dl; p <0.001) was significantly lower in pre-eclampsia than that of control pregnancy. An abnormal lipid profile has a direct effect on endothelial dysfunction. Early detection of these parameters may help patient by preventing complications in pre-eclampsia. Medicine Today 2017 Vol.29(2): 1-4
Usefulness of mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio for predicting the risk of mortality in community-acquired pneumonia

Introduction The association between mean platelet volume (MPV) to platelet count (PC) ratio and prognosis has been demonstrated in some diseases but not in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). In this study, we evaluated the ability of MPV to PC ratio (MPR) to predict short-term mortality in CAP patients. Material and methods We retrospectively analysed data archived over 10 years and stratified MPR values into quartiles. Relations between MPR (femtoliters/number of thousand platelets per microlitre) quartiles and 60-day mortality were examined. Logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounders, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results After adjusting for confounding factors, the odds ratios of 60-day mortality for CAP were 2.66 (95% CI: 2.04–3.46) for the fourth MPR quartile (range ≥ 5.19; p < 0.001) versus the first MPR quartile (range ≤ 2.45). Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that a higher MPR was associated with a higher risk of mortality among CAP patients, and this was confirmed by the log-rank test (p < 0.001). Conclusions Mean platelet volume to PC ratio was found to be positively correlated with short-term mortality. Our data indicate that MPR might be a significant predictive marker of the mortality in CAP. Further prospective studies are required to establish the exact role of MPR in CAP and other diseases.
Research and research training in BIAZA zoos and aquariums: an analysis of the BIAZA research database

The BIAZA research database is a spreadsheet containing details that member collections submit about research (postgraduate and professional) and research training (up to undergraduate) projects being undertaken within their collection. The database contains information on 4816 projects since 1969, and these have been analysed to discern trends in numbers, taxa and subjects studied, academic institutions and collections involved. Thirty-eight collections contributed information to the database (31.4% of BIAZA membership). Both research and research training projects have increased substantially since 2000, which parallels a growth in animal care, welfare and behaviour courses in academic institutions. Projects in both categories are skewed heavily towards behavioural studies on mammals, with smaller numbers of projects on members of other taxa, or other topics. A small number of zoos and academic institutions are responsible for the majority of projects in both categories, although the number of academic institutions that have carried out projects in BIAZA zoos is very large (n=246 in 18 different countries). It is concluded that both research and research training are significant and widespread activities in BIAZA collections, but that more needs to be done to promote a wider diversity of topics and taxa studied.
Banking Finance Experts Consensus on Compliance in US Bank Holding Companies: An e-Delphi Study

Compliance measures emphasized in the Dodd-Frank Bill 2010, Section 165 is a response to the 2008 financial crisis, that requires large banks to maintain a minimum capital ratio. The Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) regulates capital of Bank Holding Companies (BHC) through compliance Supervisory Capital Assessment Program (SCAP) 2009 and Comprehensive Capital Adequacy Review (CCAR) 2011 annual stress test of capital. The Fed imposed a minimum capital ratio of 8% that has derailed the risk management objective of capital adequacy, as bank managers are forced to take on more risk to meet the capital ratio. This study concerns senior manager practices that can be effective in meeting compliance requirements posed by the Fed for BHCs. Through a qualitative e-Delphi study, 10 banking finance experts were convened to build consensus on senior manager’s practices that can be effective in meeting compliance requirements. Data were collected from three electronic questionnaires submitted through Qualtrics. Data were analyzed using theoretical triangulation, coding, and thematic analysis. Four important considerations were identified that could bolster compliance measures effectiveness: (a) emphasis placed on understanding regulatory consultant compliance, (b) maintenance of effective and independent compliance align to organizational objectives, (c) clear definition of data source for compliance analytics. These considerations of compliance practices may help senior bank managers reduce risky behaviors and investments that cause significant bank losses.
The Effects of Human New Pressor Protein and Coagulation Factor XIIa on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Bilaterally Nephrectomized Rats

Background: New Pressor Protein (NPP) is a human plasma enzyme structurally related to β–fragment of activated factor XІІ (β-FXIIa). The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of NPP and β-FXIIa on systolic blood pressure and heart rate in bilateral nephrectomized rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were shamoperated or bilaterally nephrectomized under anesthesia with a combination of halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen. Twenty four hours later under anesthesia with Inactin (100 mg/kg), they were ganglion blocked (pentolinium tartrate; 19.2 mg/kg), and their systolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after intravenous administration of captopril (2.5 mg/kg), NPP (20μ l plasma equivalent) or purified β-FXIIa (300 ng/kg). Results: NPP raised the systolic blood pressure by 31 ±2 mmHg and heart rate by 19 ±2 bpm in sham-operated rats. Captopril caused systolic blood pressure and heart rate to increase significantly by 64 ±7 mmHg and 107±9 bpm, respectively in response to NPP. In bilateral nephrectomized rats, NPP raised systolic blood pressure by 57 ±6 mmHg and heart rate by 70±13 bpm in the absence of captopril, which were not significantly different from those (46±3 mmHg and 75±8 beats/min) in the presence of captopril. Conclusion: This study shows that the effects of NPP and βfragment of factor XІІ on systolic blood pressure and heart rate are similar, suggestive of a functional relationship between them. The findings might suggest that the potentiation effect of captopril in sham-operated or bilaterally nephrectomized rats is primarily expressed via renal enzymes.
Alinity m HR HPV Assay Fulfills Criteria for Human Papillomavirus Test Requirements in Cervical Cancer Screening Settings

The Alinity m HR HPV assay (Alinity) is a novel human papillomavirus (HPV) assay that individually identifies genotypes HPV16, HPV18, and HPV45 while reporting on 11 other high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes in two aggregates: HPV31/33/52/58 and HPV35/39/51/56/59/66/68. The clinical performance of Alinity for screening for cervical cancer was evaluated in population-based settings. ABSTRACT The Alinity m HR HPV assay (Alinity) is a novel human papillomavirus (HPV) assay that individually identifies genotypes HPV16, HPV18, and HPV45 while reporting on 11 other high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes in two aggregates: HPV31/33/52/58 and HPV35/39/51/56/59/66/68. The clinical performance of Alinity for screening for cervical cancer was evaluated in population-based settings. For women aged ≥30 years, the clinical sensitivity (n = 68) and specificity (n = 3,077) for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+) of Alinity were 100.0% and 92.4%, respectively, and were not inferior to those of the Qiagen Digene Hybrid Capture 2 high-risk HPV DNA assay (hc2) (P = 0.0006 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The intralaboratory reproducibility and interlaboratory agreement of Alinity were 96.7% (kappa, 0.92) and 98.7% (kappa, 0.97), respectively. In the group ≥30 years of age, women who were baseline hrHPV negative had a lower risk for CIN2+ at 3 years using Alinity (0.04%) than those with a normal baseline cytology (0.65%) and had a risk comparable to that determined by the Abbott RealTime High Risk HPV assay (0.04%), hc2 (0.08%), or the Roche Cobas 4800 HPV assay (0.04%). High-risk HPV16/18 infection was associated with a significantly higher baseline and 3-year CIN2+ and CIN3+ risk than the absence of HPV16/18 or the presence of hrHPVs at the baseline (all P values were <0.05). The baseline CIN2+ risk was 8.8% for those with HPV31/33/52/58 infection and 2.5% for those with HPV35/39/51/56/59/66/68 infection, while the 3-year CIN2+ risk was 17.0% and 4.9%, respectively (relative risk, 3.4 [P = 0.03] and 3.5 [P = 0.003], respectively), suggesting that extended genotyping by Alinity may be valuable in improving patient risk stratification. Alinity fulfills international consensus guideline criteria for primary cervical cancer screening and can be considered clinically validated, demonstrating safety comparable to that of other clinically validated HPV tests.
The Role of the Ventral Hippocampus in Anxiety-Related Behavior

The Role of the Ventral Hippocampus in Anxiety-Related Behavior Jessica Jimenez The hippocampus is traditionally thought to transmit contextual information to limbic structures where it acquires valence. Using freely moving calcium imaging and optogenetics, we show that while the dorsal CA1 subregion of the hippocampus is enriched in place cells, ventral CA1 (vCA1) is enriched in anxiety cells that are both activated by anxiogenic environments and required for avoidance behavior. Imaging cells defined by their projection target revealed that anxiety cells were enriched in the vCA1 population projecting to the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), but not to the basal amygdala (BA). Consistent with this selectivity, optogenetic activation of vCA1 terminals in LHA, but not BA increased anxiety and avoidance, while activation of terminals in BA, but not LHA impaired contextual fear memory. Thus, the hippocampus encodes not only neutral but also valence-related contextual information, and the vCA1-LHA pathway is a direct route by which the hippocampus can influence innate anxiety behavior.
Gender Differences in Postsecondary Enrollment Rates of Texas Public High School

Examined in this study was the degree to which gender differences were present in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates at Texas 2-year public colleges and at 4-year public universities. Specifically analyzed were the enrollment percentages of males and females for three academic years (i.e., 2012-2013 through 2014-2015) for Texas public high school graduates. Over the 3-year time period analyzed, statistically significant differences were present in the postsecondary enrollment of Texas public high school graduates by gender. Female Texas public high school graduates enrolled in both 2-year and 4-year public institutions at a higher rate than their male counterparts. Moreover, females tended to enroll at 2-year institutions at a higher rate then 4-year institutions. Implications of these results and recommendations for future research were discussed.
How enough becomes enough: Processes of change prior to treatment for substance use disorder

ABSTRACT Aim: Explore patient’s perceptions of change processes occurring prior to inpatient treatment for substance use disorder, forming the basis for treatment entry. Method: Four single focus-group interviews including a total of 14 patients (11 men and 3 women) were conducted in accordance with a brief interview guide. Interviews focused on patient’s perceptions of change processes prior to treatment entry, associated factors, decision-making and implications for their way forward. A content analysis was conducted to identify code and subcategorize meaning units. Results: Patients describe complex processes of change involving a new perception of life situation enabled by accumulation and escalation of negative consequences, especially related to loss and health, along with an external pressure or trigger. The transition to treatment entry is either based on a deliberate and active decision or a result of spontaneous action and less deliberate decision to initiate in treatment. Conclusions: Patient’s perceptions of treatment entry as a result of a more or less deliberate decision challenges patient’s readiness at treatment entry, constituting an important clinical challenge of relevance for clarifying treatment goals and interventions which in turn may affect the course of treatment applied to the patient.
Appearance Self-Attitudes and Health and Well-Being of Bulgarian Adolescents

Objective − The study aims to explore the associations between adolescents’ appearance self-attitudes and their self-rated health, psychosomatic complaints and psychological well-being. A number of covariates known to impact health and well-being are also being investigated. Materials and Methods − The study utilizes data from the Bulgarian 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. The national representative sample included 3204 adolescents aged 13 and 15. The methods used were the Body image feelings and attitudes subscale of the Body Investment Scale (BIS), the HBSC psychosomatic complaints scale, the KIDSCREEN-10 index as a measure of psychological well-being, and single-item measures for appearance satisfaction and self-rated health. Results: Adolescents’ appearance satisfaction and positive feelings and attitudes towards body and appearance were significantly associated with better self-rated health, absence of or little psychosomatic complaints and better psychological well-being. These associations remained significant after the addition of a large number of covariates, including sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, and family affluence); chronic health conditions; health behaviours (healthy eating, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and dieting to lose weight); overweight/obesity; and peer victimization. Adolescents’ appearance self-attitudes explained the largest proportions of the variances in self-rated health, psychosomatic complaints and psychological well-being, compared to the other groups of independent variables. Conclusion − The results demonstrate the great significance of appearance self-attitudes for physical and mental health and well-being in adolescence. They are important for medical practice, health education and health promotion among adolescent populations, where appearance self-attitudes should be considered as crucial risk factors for health.
Mining Stable Communities in Temporal Networks by Density-Based Clustering

Community detection is a fundamental task in graph data mining. Most existing studies in contact networks, collaboration networks, and social networks do not utilize the temporal information associated with edges for community detection. In this article, we study a problem of finding stable communities in a temporal network, where each edge is associated with a timestamp. Our goal is to identify the communities in a temporal network that are stable over time. To efficiently find the stable communities, we develop a new community detection algorithm based on the density-based graph clustering framework. We also propose several carefully-designed pruning techniques to significantly speed up the proposed algorithm. We conduct extensive experiments on four real-life temporal networks to evaluate our algorithm. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
White Supremacy and Counseling Psychology: A Critical–Conceptual Framework ψ

The mainstreaming of White nationalism in the United States and worldwide suggests an urgent need for counseling psychologists to take stock of what tools they have (and do not have) to combat White supremacy. We review the rise of social justice issues in the field of counseling psychology and allied helping professions and point to the limits of existing paradigms to address the challenge of White supremacy. We introduce transnationalism as an important theoretical perspective with which to conceptualize global racisms, and identify White racial affect, intersectionality, and allyship as three key domains of antiracist action research. Finally, we suggest three steps for sharpening counseling psychologists’ approaches to social justice: rejecting racial progress narratives, engaging in social justice-oriented practice with White clients, and centering White supremacy as a key problem for the field of counseling psychology and allied helping professions.
STRESSING STATE CHARACTERISTICS OF REINFORCEMENT CONCRETE BOX-GIRDERS STRENGTHENED WITH CARBON FIBER REINFORCED PLASTIC

This paper investigates structural performance of five reinforcement concrete (RC) box-girders under a combination loading of bending, shear and torsion, applying the structural stressing state theory. The measured strain data is modeled as generalized strain energy density (GSED) to characterize the structural stressing state mode. Then the Mann-Kendall (M-K) criterion is innovatively applied to detect the leap characteristics of RC box-girders’ stressing state from the E’-T curves, deriving the new definition of structural failure load. Furthermore, the reinforcement effects of different Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) wrapping schemes on the behaviors of experimental RC box-girders are revealed through comparing strain modes of stirrup and longitudinal reinforcement. Finally, the method of numerical shape function is applied to reasonably expand the limited strain data for further exploring the strain distribution of cross section and analyzing the stressing state characteristics of the RC box-girders. The research results provide a new angle of view to conduct structural analysis and a reference to the improvement of reinforcement scheme.
Allopatric speciation is more prevalent than parapatric ecological divergence in a recent high-Andean diversification (Asteraceae: Linochilus)

Elucidating how species accumulate in diversity hotspots is an ongoing debate in evolutionary biology. The páramo, in the Northern Andes, has remarkably high indices of plant diversity, endemicity, and diversification rates. A hypothesis for explaining such indices is that allopatric speciation is high in the páramo given its island-like distribution; an alternative hypothesis is that the altitudinal gradient of the Andean topography provides a variety of niches that drive vertical parapatric ecological speciation. A formal test for evaluating the relative roles of allopatric speciation and parapatric ecological divergence is lacking. The main aim of our study is to test which kind of speciation is more common in an endemic páramo genus. We developed a framework incorporating phylogenetics, species’ distributions, and a morpho-ecological trait (leaf area) to compare sister species and infer whether allopatric or parapatric ecological divergence caused their speciation. We applied our framework to the species-rich genus Linochilus (63 spp.) and found that the majority of recent speciation events in it (12, 80%) have been driven by allopatric speciation, while a smaller fraction (1, 6.6%) is attributed to parapatric ecological divergence; two pairs produced inconclusive results (13.3%). We conclude that páramo autochthonous diversification is primarily driven by allopatric speciation.