Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information Theoretical Analysis of a New Write Channel Model for Bit-Patterned Media Recording

This article proposes a write channel model with input-dependent noise, called multiplicative noise, for bit patterned media recording (BPMR). In general, for these types of channels and other channels with memory, the capacity is not known. In channels with unknown capacity (with noise, dependent or independent of the input), the mutual information between channel input and output for any chosen input and output distribution is a capacity lower bound, which is called the information rate. In this article, the dependence of the noise on the channel input is added to the previously studied models. Using this write channel model with input-dependent noise and with memory considered as a binary random state, information rate lower and upper bounds and the gap between them can be found. These lower and upper bounds are calculated for the defined information rate relating to two types of input distribution [independent and uniformly distributed (i.u.d.) process and first-order Markov (foM) process]. The proposed model is shown to include some previous works as special cases and is compared mathematically with the other models, where, the noise is not considered and/or is considered to be independent of the input.
Mirror and Proton-cyclotron Instabilities Coexisting with Ambient Turbulence in a Proton–Alpha Plasma

We investigate the effect of ambient turbulence on the mirror and proton-cyclotron instabilities in a proton–alpha particle plasma. We perform three-dimensional hybrid simulations with particle-in-cell ions and a quasi-neutralizing electron fluid. The instabilities are driven by the protons with temperature perpendicular to the mean magnetic field larger than the parallel temperature. The description of these instabilities is usually based on the assumption of a uniform and stationary background. However, this assumption is violated by the ambient turbulence. In particular, the turbulent fluctuations modify the particle distribution function by making it spatially inhomogeneous and time-dependent. We compare the properties of the instabilities to the case of a uniform and stationary background and the same average temperature anisotropy and plasma beta. We find that the initial growth rates of the mirror mode are close, but the saturation level is significantly reduced when the turbulence is present. The saturation level of the proton-cyclotron mode is not affected as strongly.
Rotavirus Diarrhea Among Young Children Before Introduction of the Rotavirus Vaccine Program in Kenya : Baseline Data and Implications for Vaccine Safety Monitoring and Impact Evaluation

We interviewed caretakers of 1,043 children < 5 years old in a baseline cross-sectional survey (April to May 2007) and > 20,000 children on five separate subsequent occasions (May of 2009 to December 31, 2010) to assess healthcare seeking patterns for diarrhea. Diarrhea prevalence during the preceding 2 weeks ranged from 26% at baseline to 4–11% during 2009–2010. Caretakers were less likely to seek healthcare outside the home for infants (versus older children) with diarrhea (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.33, confidence interval [CI] = 0.12–0.87). Caretakers of children with reduced food intake (aOR = 3.42, CI = 1.37–8.53) and sunken eyes during their diarrheal episode were more likely to seek care outside home (aOR = 4.76, CI = 1.13–8.89). Caretakers with formal education were more likely to provide oral rehydration solution (aOR = 3.01, CI = 1.41–6.42) and visit a healthcare facility (aOR = 3.32, CI = 1.56–7.07). Studies calculating diarrheal incidence and healthcare seeking should account for seasonal trends. Improving caretakers’ knowledge of home management could prevent severe diarrhea.
Stay with the flow: How macroinvertebrate communities recover during the rewetting phase in Alpine streams affected by an exceptional drought

Droughts are affecting an increasing number of lotic ecosystems worldwide due to the combined effects of climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Unlike naturally intermittent rivers, where the drying phase is a part of the annual flow regime, water scarcity in Alpine rivers represents a relatively recent phenomenon and, therefore, a major threat for the biodiversity of these lotic ecosystems. However, Alpine stream community response to drought is still poorly investigated. Here, we assess the recovery of macroinvertebrates in two Alpine streams after a supraseasonal drought. As water returned, a total of 10 sampling sessions were carried out, and temporal patterns in diversity, density, and taxonomic composition of benthic communities, as well as in the percentage of functional feeding groups, were investigated.
Predictors of loss to follow-up in patients living with HIV/AIDS after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Benshangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia

Background: Long-term regular follow up of ART is an important component of HIV care. Patients who are lost to followup (LTFU) while on treatment compromise their own health and the long-term success of ART programs Objective: To assess prevalence and risk factors for LTFU in HIV patients on ART at ART clinic of Benshangul Gumuz, Ethiopia Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was conducted among a minimum 1044 of people living with HIV/AIDS and attending an ART clinic in ten health care facilities of Benshangul Gumuz region between 2005 and 2014. The primary outcome variable was LTFU from ART follow-up care after initiation of treatment, confirmed by reviewing medical registration at the facility. The time to LTFU calculated in year’s base according to the time interval between the dates of ART initiation to the date of termination, as recorded by the ART registration book. A logistic regression model was employed in order to identify independents predictors to Lost to follow up (LTFU). Result: One thousand forty-four patients living with HIV, who were start ARV treatment, were reviewed their documents for this study. Three quarter (76.1%) of the clients had working functional at ART initiation for the adult. However, for children whose age less or equal to 15 years old: 54(43.9%) of the clients had appropriate developmental milestones at ART initiation. Nearly two-thirds (66%) of the study participants started ART at an advanced stage of WHO clinical stage III and 190(18.2%) of the clients started ART at WHO stage II followed by 97(9.3%) of the clients were initiate ART at WHO stage IV at the baseline of ART start. Majority 63.1% of the study subject was done TB screening among them 110(10.5%) of the clients were positive in the TB screening result where 549 (52.6%) of the clients were negative TB screening result. Regarding CD4 count, 248 (25.9%) of the clients were start ARV treatment, when their CD4 count were below or equal to 100 cells/mm3 and 282 (29.4%) of the client, was start ARV treatment when their CD4 count was 100 – 200 cell/mm3 which is below the threshold for severe immunodeficiency. From the study subject in this cohort analysis; the outcome of patients after ARV treatment initiative 883(84.6%) of the clients were active, 82(7.9%) of the clients died, 14 (1.3%) of the clients were lost (lost from the treatment for less than three months) and 65(6.2%) of the clients were drop (lost from the treatment for 3months and more). The main reasons for termination of ARV treatment were toxicity/side effect of the drug 10 (7.0%), far distance 13 (9.2%), forget 8 (5.6%), too ill/sick 29 (20.4%) and deceased 82 (57.7%). After initiating ART drug
Comprehensive Treatment Strategy for Chronic Low Back Pain in a Patient with Bilateral Transfemoral Amputations Integrating Changes in Prosthetic Socket Design

Introduction Wounded service members with amputations undergo a complex rehabilitation regimen that can often become complicated by skin breakdown, heterotopic ossification (HO), and pain of the residual limb, contralateral limb, or low back. These complications can impact prosthetic socket fit, decreasing one's functional independence, and potentially negatively impact quality of life. The purpose of this report is to present a case involving the treatment of HO along with prosthetic socket modifications, with the intention to address low back pain (LBP), in a patient with bilateral transfemoral amputations. Materials and Methods The patient experienced traumatic bilateral amputations as a result of an improvised explosive device blast. He was initially fit with ischial containment sockets to provide stability and enhance early mobility. He became a community ambulator but was experiencing LBP and issues with HO. After extensive HO resection, a multidisciplinary discussion took place to determine the best way to diminish LBP by improving spinopelvic alignment while restoring function. It was decided to refit the patient with subischial containment sockets. Subjective questionnaires and three-dimensional gait analysis were used to quantify results. Results After HO resection and prosthetic socket modifications, the patient's complaints of LBP decreased, along with subjective improvements in the Oswestry Disability Index and Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment. During upright standing, anterior pelvic tilt decreased from 27.6° to 18.1°. During walking, excursion of the trunk relative to the pelvis decreased in all planes after changing prosthetic socket design to subischial and completing 6 months of rehabilitation: from 24.0° to 17.6° in the frontal plane, 12.4° to 7.8° in the sagittal plane, and 23.1° to 19.1° in the transverse plane. Conclusions A multidisciplinary team approach to the care of patients with bilateral transfemoral amputations can help to improve functional outcomes. For this patient with nonradicular, mechanical LBP, a subischial prosthetic socket design that minimized intrusion on the pelvis had a significant influence on static and dynamic sagittal spinopelvic alignment and overall outcomes. In the end, contributions by orthopedic and plastic surgeons, pain management strategies by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, rehabilitation by a physical therapist, and prosthetic modifications all played a role in reduction of this patient's LBP. Among the numerous interventions provided to this patient, including surgical revisions, prosthetic socket design, prosthetic alignment, and physical therapy, it is hypothesized that the change in prosthetic socket design from ischial containment to subischial had a significant, long-lasting impact on LBP and function.
Mental health and coping strategies of Bosnian immigrants in Switzerland

Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness, it is a state of well being in which every individual realizes his/her potentials, can cope with every day stressors, can work productively and is able to contribute to the community. Immigration and its phases represent great sources of stress and stressors. Immigrants need effective coping strategies which can help them maintain their physical as well as mental health. The aim of this study is to explore the persistence of coping strategies in a non clinical population of Bosnian immigrants in Switzerland. Our results showed a statistical significance of the t-test for all the scales (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ 28, Becks Depression Inventory, BDI and Perceived Stress Scale, PSS 14) and subscales of stress, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, insomnia and social dysfunction. At the same time, the study shows a presence of a primary coping strategy in the form of social support and its use by Bosnian immigrants while dealing with difficulties and problems.
Nitric Oxide-Mediated Modulation of Functional Iron Status in Iron-Deficient Maize Plants

Nitric oxide is reported to alleviate Fe-deficiency effects, possibly by enhancing the functional Fe status of plants. Study describes changes in leaf tissue Fe status and consequent modulation of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in Fe-deficient maize (Zea mays L.) plants supplied with NO. Supply of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), but not of sodium ferrocyanide (SF), caused regreening of leaves, syntheses of chlorophylls and carotenoids and increased activities of hydrogen peroxide-scavenging heme-Fe enzymes and lipid peroxidation, decreased SOD activity and hydrogen peroxide concentration. Though SNP or SF appears to donate Fe and increase leaf active Fe, the later did not induce increases in chlorophyll and carotenoids, and therefore NO appears to have a role in Fe nutrition irrespective of total or active Fe status of plants.
Collective Reason, the Rationality Gap, and Political Leadership

The article discusses the implications of the well&#8208;known discursive dilemma. The dilemma arises whenever a reasoned decision has to be taken by a collective decision&#8208;maker and generates persistent contradiction between what is defined as collective reason and public opinion. Following Philip Pettit, I argue that collective reason is normatively preferable and that the role of existing constitutional institutions in contemporary democracies is to collectivise reason. However, this makes the frustration of popular will a systematic by&#8208;product of any well&#8208;functioning political process. I argue that the only way out is if individual beliefs are subject to revision during cycles of public deliberations with the responsibility to lead this thrusted upon elected representatives.
Soil Properties Spatial Variability and Delineation of Site-Specific Management Zones Based on Soil Fertility Using Fuzzy Clustering in a Hilly Field in Jianyang, Sichuan, China

Avoiding soil degradation and improving crop productivity could be achieved by performing sustainable soil nutrient management with an appropriate understanding of soil properties’ spatial variability. The present fertilizer recommendations for the region where the study area is located are typically symmetric for large regions. This leads to the under-application of fertilizers in zones with low nutrient contents and over-application in zones with high nutrient contents. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess soil management zones (MZs) in the study area for effective soil nutrient management and to evaluate soil properties’ spatial variability. A total of 100 geo-referenced soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–20 cm, processed and analyzed for pH, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP), while C:N, C:P and N:P ratios were calculated. Soil properties’ coefficients of variation (CVs) widely varied from low (1.132%) to moderate (45.748%). Ordinary kriging and semi-variogram analysis showed differed spatial variability patterns for the studied soil properties with spatial dependence ranged from weak to strong. MZs were delineated by performing principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy K-means clustering. Four PCs with eigen values more than 1 dominated 84.44% of the total variance, so they were retained for clustering analysis. Three MZs were delineated based on the two criteria modified partition entropy (MPE) and fuzzy performance index (FPI). The studied soil properties differed significantly among MZs. Thus, the methodology used for MZ delineation could be used effectively for soil site-specific nutrient management for avoiding soil degradation concurrently with maximizing crop production in the study area.
Frequency Distribution and Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Patients with Gastric Problems in Mardan Pakistan

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a microorganism responsible for the most frequent and persistent bacterial infection worldwide. It is Gram-negative, spiral-shaped, microaerophilic bacterium that inhabits various areas of the stomach, particularly the atrium that was first discovered in 1982 and represents a key factor in the etiology of various gastrointestinal diseases, ranging from chronic active gastritis without clinical symptoms to peptic ulceration, gastric adeno-carcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma [1]. H. pylori infection is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer, and is estimated to account for approximately 80% in developing countries and less than 40% in developed countries [2]. The high prevalence of H. pylori infection and gastrointestinal disease in adults is closely related to H. pylori infection during childhood [3]. The prevalence of infection among children ranges from 2.4% to 13.6% in developed countries and from 22.6% to 80% in developing countries.
Analysis of Ocular Axial Length and Anterior Chamber Depth in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Aim: To determine the relationship between Ocular axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) in a normal population in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (LGA). Method: This was a multistage random sampling community based descriptive study carried out in Port Harcourt City LGA. The inclusion criteria were Visual Acuity > 6/18, age greater than 18 years with no history of past ocular surgeries or trauma. Data obtained through an interviewer administered structured proforma included age, sex, tribe, occupation and level of education. Ocular examinations done included visual acuity, applanation tonometry, and ophthalmoscopy. Axial length (AL) and Anterior Chamber Depth (ACD) were measured using Amplitude (A) scan ultrasonography (SONOMED PACSCAN 300AP). Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 17), and p value was set at ≤ 0.05. Results: Four hundred and sixty-six (466) subjects participated in the study made up of two hundred and twelve (212) males (45.5%) and two hundred and fifty-four (254) females (54.5%) with M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The age range was 18-92 years and mean age of the subjects studied 43.0±14.2 years. Findings revealed mean AL and ACD to be 23.2±1.0mm and 3.1±0.5mm respectively. The mean AL and ACD were greater in males than females. There was no statistically significant relationship between age and axial length but there was a statistically significant relationship between age and ACD. Males had longer AL than females which was statistically significant. It was also noted that for every millimeter increase in AL, there was a 0.07mm rise in ACD in the general population. (r=0.253, p=0.000). Conclusion: This study noted that for every millimeter increase in AL, there was a 0.07mm rise in ACD in the general population. (r=0.253, p=0.000) and the values are higher in males. This relationship may be used to derive simple mathematical formulae for use in keratometer and also add to the data bank for AL and ACD.
BOLD-based Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hypoxia in the Human Brain

Hypoxia denotes a pathological shortage of oxygen in the tissue that occurs for example in brain tumors or stroke. It is also a factor in the prognosis of the course of disease. In this work, existing, pre-clinical methods for hypoxia imaging have been optimized for application in the clinic, enabling identification of hypoxic tumor niches as well as the detection of areas with decreased oxygen supply in stroke. Thus, additional diagnostic information could be provided.
Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal repair versus open Lichtenstein repair: a randomized control trial

Repair of an inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgeries performed by the surgeons worldwide. There have been a plenty of evolution in surgical techniques of hernia repair. The current standard technique is tensionfree repair using a prosthetic mesh proposed by Lichtenstein. The use of laparoscopy in performing tension-free hernia repair was proposed to have benefits of reduced post-operative pain, early discharge from the hospital and early return to normal activities. But a few studies found that laparoscopy in hernia repair was associated with major vascular injury, bowel obstruction, nerve injuries and bladder injury. A Cochrane review by ABSTRACT
The Effects of Training on Instructor Beliefs about and Attitudes toward Online Teaching

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between one approach to training new online instructors and the ways in which the program influenced their beliefs about and attitudes about teaching online over time. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model serves as the theoretical framework for analyzing three primarily qualitative sources of data including (1) participants’ program application essays, (2) post-training program evaluation data; and (3) a follow-up survey of instructors after they delivered their redesigned course online. Findings reveal that, prior to and immediately following the training, instructors were highly optimistic about their course redesign and skill/knowledge development. After teaching the course online, participants were less optimistic and less satisfied with their training experience than they had been immediately prior to or following the training. Multiple instructors cited a need for additional or continued training and support.
Social media prosumption and online political participation: An examination of online communication processes

This study examines the extent to which social media prosumption, an integrated act of consumption and production, is associated with online political participation. Data from an online panel survey of American adults reveal that social media prosumption has a positive relationship with online political participation indirectly through online political information seeking. Social media prosumption is also positively related to online political participation through online political information and online discussion heterogeneity in serial. Implications are discussed for the role of prosumptive use of social media in online political participation.
Profile and performance of nutritionists in Primary Health Care

1 Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública. R. Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, 58429-500, Campina Grande, PB, Brasil. Correspondência para/Correspondence to: D FIGUEROA PEDRAZA. E-mail: <dixisfigueroa@gmail.com>. 2 Universidade Federal Pelotas, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Epidemiologia. Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Support: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Process no 476520/2013-4) and Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado da Paraíba (Process no 37/13). Profile and performance of nutritionists in Primary Health Care