Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contraceptive Dynamics in Rural Northern Malawi: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

CONTEXT Increased use of contraceptives in Malawi has not translated into a commensurate reduction in fertility, but the reason is unknown. Insight into contraceptive switching and discontinuation may shed light on this conundrum and on whether the commonly used modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) is the best indicator of family planning program performance. METHODS A one-year prospective longitudinal data set was created from patient-held family planning cards of 4,678 reproductive-age women living in a demographic surveillance site in rural northern Malawi. Contraceptive service data recorded on the women's cards by providers were linked to their socioeconomic, demographic and health data. Contraceptive point prevalence estimates calculated from these data were compared with mCPR estimates from cross-sectional surveys. Survival analyses examined contraceptive adherence. RESULTS The contraceptive point prevalence of 35% was slightly lower than comparable cross-sectional estimates of mCPR. Only 51% of users of the injectable-the most widely used modern method-received their first reinjection on time, and just 15% adhered to the method for 12 months. Although various study variables were associated with contraceptive use, none were associated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS Gaps in and discontinuation of use of the injectable may play a role in the discrepancy between mCPR and fertility. Interventions to help women adhere to injectable use and to promote long-acting methods should be strengthened.
Age-related eye disease, quality of life, and functional activity.

OBJECTIVE To examine the associations of measures of quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey) and functional activities (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and visual function) in persons with and without age-related eye diseases. METHODS Two thousand, six hundred seventy persons participated in the 1998 through 2000 examinations of both the Beaver Dam Eye Study and the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Age-related eye disease (age-related maculopathy, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macula edema, occlusions, amblyopia, and macular holes) were assessed by fundus, slitlamp, and retroilluminated photographs and self-reported ocular history. Also administered was a standard interview that included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and visual function questionnaires and information on other medical conditions. RESULTS After controlling for age and sex, we found that persons with an age-related eye disease had decreased scores in almost all the domains of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey, and persons with eye disease in both eyes had poorer scores than persons with eye disease in only 1 eye. Stratifying by age-related maculopathy and central cataract yielded similar results. Further adjustment for current visual acuity and the number of comorbid conditions explained most associations. Several of the mental scales were still marginally significantly lower (P<.10) in persons with age-related maculopathy after adjustment. Persons with an age-related eye disease were not more likely to have impaired activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living. After adjustment for current visual acuity and number of comorbidities, persons who had trouble reading small print or recognizing people across the street were more likely to have an age-related eye disease. Otherwise, there were no significant associations with the visual function questions and any of the specific ocular conditions. CONCLUSIONS Many measures of general quality of life and functional activities were related to age-related eye diseases, but few associations remained significant after adjustments for vision and other comorbidities. Our data are compatible with the notion that decreased visual function, irrespective of the pathologic reason for the decrease, is associated with diminished quality of life and functional activities of living.
Income inequality and macroeconomic activity: A study of the Peruvian case

The relationship between income inequality and macroeconomic activity has been extensively investigated for many countries, with mixed evidence over the years. In this context, the aim of the paper is to study this relationship for the Peruvian economy with emphasis on the variables statistical properties. To that end, unit root time series bootstrap simulations are applied, additionally, social and financial variables are used to explain changes in inequality. As a result, no evidence of this relationship is found when variables time series properties are taken into account so new empirical evidence on this issue is critical in light of rising income inequality worldwide and its pervasive effects on society.
Hyperefficient PrPSc amplification of mouse‐adapted BSE and scrapie strain by protein misfolding cyclic amplification technique

Abnormal forms of prion protein (PrPSc) accumulate via structural conversion of normal PrP (PrPC) in the progression of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. Under cell‐free conditions, the process can be efficiently replicated using in vitro PrPSc amplification methods, including protein misfolding cyclic amplification. These methods enable ultrasensitive detection of PrPSc; however, there remain difficulties in utilizing them in practice. For example, to date, several rounds of protein misfolding cyclic amplification have been necessary to reach maximal sensitivity, which not only take several weeks, but also result in an increased risk of contamination. In this study, we sought to further promote the rate of PrPSc amplification in the protein misfolding cyclic amplification technique using mouse transmissible spongiform encephalopathy models infected with either mouse‐adapted bovine spongiform encephalopathy or mouse‐adapted scrapie, Chandler strain. Here, we demonstrate that appropriate regulation of sonication dramatically accelerates PrPSc amplification in both strains. In fact, we reached maximum sensitivity, allowing the ultrasensitive detection of < 1 LD50 of PrPSc in the diluted brain homogenates, after only one or two reaction rounds, and in addition, we detected PrPSc in the plasma of mouse‐adapted bovine spongiform encephalopathy‐infected mice. We believe that these results will advance the establishment of a fast, ultrasensitive diagnostic test for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
Social Networks and Careers

Social networks affect a range of career outcomes including job search, promotion and wage determination. Networks also affect major career transitions, including entry into entrepreneurship and exit into retirement. Across a range of studies, individuals are found to use their networks to deal with two perennial problems they face in labor markets and organizations: the scarcity of information and the absence of trust. I review the literature with an eye towards understanding which features of a person's network help them solve these problems at different career stages. I conclude by considering how the rising importance of information technology will affect the networks-career link moving forward.
Inhibitory neurophysiological deficit as a phenotype for genetic investigation of schizophrenia.

Many investigators have proposed that biological endophenotypes might facilitate the genetic analysis of schizophrenia. A deficit in the inhibition of the P50 evoked response to repeated auditory stimuli has been characterized as a neurobiological deficit in schizophrenia. This deficit is linked to a candidate gene locus, the locus of the alpha7-nicotinic cholinergic receptor subunit gene on chromosome 15q14. Supportive evidence has been found by other investigators, including: 1) linkage of schizophrenia to the same locus; 2) linkage of bipolar disorder to the locus; and 3) replication of the existence of this neurobiological deficit and its relation to broader neuropsychological deficits in schizophrenia. It is certain that there are many genetic factors in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; what is needed is a complete and precise description of the contribution of each individual factor to the pathophysiology of these illnesses.
Regulation of the processivity and intracellular localization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae dynein by dynactin

Dynactin, a large multisubunit complex, is required for intracellular transport by dynein; however, its cellular functions and mechanism of action are not clear. Prior studies suggested that dynactin increases dynein processivity by tethering the motor to the microtubule through its own microtubule binding domains. However, this hypothesis could not be tested without a recombinant source of dynactin. Here, we have produced recombinant dynactin and dynein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and examined the effect of dynactin on dynein in single-molecule motility assays. We show that dynactin increases the run length of single dynein motors, but does not alter the directionality of dynein movement. Enhancement of dynein processivity by dynactin does not require the microtubule (MT) binding domains of Nip100 (the yeast p150Glued homolog). Dynactin lacking these MT binding domains also supports the proper localization and function of dynein during nuclear segregation in vivo. Instead, a segment of the coiled-coil of Nip100 is required for these activities. Our results directly demonstrate that dynactin increases the processivity of dynein through a mechanism independent of microtubule tethering.
Law Enforcement and the Depiction of Minorities and Women on Social Media: A Review of Municipal Police Department Facebook Pictures

There is a growing area of research today focusing on how the demographics of law enforcement officers and criminals are depicted. This research has concentrated on portrayals by the media, popular culture, criminal justice textbooks, training manuals, and other literature surrounding criminal justice. There is little known, however, about the way the race and gender of police and criminals are represented on social media. This study attempts to fill this void by examining police Facebook pages in the 171 largest cities in the United States. Specifically, 20,152 images of police and criminals on these police Facebook pages are examined to determine whether there are disparities in representation based on race, gender, and other variables. We found that female and minority officers are appropriately represented in the images of police on Facebook pages in relation to their actual representation in the field. In contrast, images of criminals tend to be disproportionately composed of Black males. Implications for the recruitment of minority officers and other relevant issues are discussed.
Cariogenicity of Streptococcus mutans Strains with Defects in Fructan Metabolism Assessed in a Program-fed Specific-pathogen-free Rat Model

To define the role of dental plaque fructans and the enzymes involved in their metabolism in the initiation and progression of dental caries, we constructed otherwiseisogenic mutants of Streptococcus mutans defective in the ability to synthesize fructans, to degrade fructans, or to do both. The cariogenic potential of these organisms was evaluated in a specific-pathogen-free rat model in which the feeding patterns of the animals were controlled by means of a Konig-Hofer programed feeder. Specifically, rats were infected with wild-type S. mutans UA159 or derivatives of this strain which contained an insertionally-inactivated fructanase (fruA) gene, fructosyltransferase (ftf) gene, or which had both genes inactivated. The animals were fed 17 meals per day of Diet 2000 containing 56% sucrose at 70-minute intervals for five weeks, and caries experience was evaluated. Animals infected with S. mutans with a mutated fruA gene only had statistically significant decreases in sulcal caries severity. Such a decrease was not observed in previous studies with ad libitum-fed animals (Wexler et al., 1992). The manifestation of diminished virulence in the programed feeding model, but not in ad libitum-fed animals, supports the concept that the primary contribution of FruA to virulence is through the utilization of fructans storage polysaccharides. Animals infected with strains carrying the ftf mutation or simultaneous mutations in ftf and fruA did not display decreased virulence, perhaps indicating that sucrose utilization pathways may compete for substrate in vivo, or that accumulation of fructans may affect the ecology or the physicochemical characteristics of dental plaque in such a way as to reduce its cariogenic potential. The results of this study also emphasize that the contribution of a particular virulence determinant to the caries process may be highly dependent on the experimental design, feeding regimen and diet, and the presence or absence of other enzymatic activities.
Visual analysis of child-adult interactive behaviors in video sequences

Kids activity means a lot to their parents, and in the analysis of the activities, video retrieval has played an important role. In this paper, we propose an effective approach for the retrieval of the kid's activities from home videos. The video sequences are taken from our test-bed environment that is designed in the form of a smart home, and feature various types of child-adult interactions. We present a novel retrieval method with two steps, first using spatio-temporal matching to obtain a coarse result, And then we propose a method to learn dominant child-adult interactive behaviors based on a sequence of home videos. Based on these dominant behaviors, we get rid of some false retrieval and obtain fine result. We implement and test our methodology on a newly-introduced dataset containing several types of kid's activities, and the retrieval result shows its potential application in the video analysis demain, it can find out most of the video clips relevant to the query one.
New Perimetric Techniques: A Comparison between Rarebit and Frequency Doubling Technology Perimetry in Normal Subjects and Glaucoma Patients

Purpose:To compare rarebit microdot perimetry (RB) with frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry in normal subjects and a group of patients with ocular hypertension or glaucoma, with age-matched controls. Materials and Methods:Eighty-one subjects (age 17–88 years) were examined. Twenty-seven of these were patients, aged 50 to 88 years, with ocular hypertension or suspected/manifest glaucoma in at least one eye. All subjects were examined with the RB and FDT perimetry, using the standard procedures, recommended by the respective manufacturer. Results:All patients were able to perform the RB perimetry, but three patients could not perceive the strongest FDT stimulus. The concordance in RB and FDT classifications as normal/outside normal limits was 96% (Cohen's kappa = 0.90). A curvilinear (quadratic) relationship (Rsq = 0.75) was found between RB hit rate and FDT MD. All patients, who could perform both examinations, preferred the RB perimetry. Conclusion:In the current study, the information from the RB and FDT perimetry was almost completely equivalent. However, RB perimetry was preferred by the patients and seemed to have a larger dynamic range than FDT. The RB hit rate is apparently a straightforward and efficient measure of visual field function.
Fitting local field potentials generating model of the basal ganglia to actual recorded signals

A population level model of the basal ganglia has been shown to reliably reproduce the local field potential (LFP) activity recorded from subthalamic nucleus (STN) during typical microelectrode recording sessions. The purpose of the present work is to investigate optimization methods that can be used to fit that model to actual recorded LFPs. For that, we utilize data derived from seven parkinsonian subjects prior to the permanent implantation of the deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode. For the fitting, five optimization methods are used, combined with two methods for estimating the error between the actual recorded and the model predicted LFP signals in the frequency domain. The procedures are focused on re-generating the characteristic beta peak of the ST LFP. The results indicate that the model is able to reproduce the beta peak in various frequencies in the range of both low and high beta, while at the same time, the values of the critical parameters bringing the model in that area of behavior reveal the crucial role of the synaptic strengths in Parkinsonpsilas disease pathophysiology.
The BvgAS Signal Transduction System Regulates Biofilm Development in Bordetella

ABSTRACT The majority of Bordetella sp. virulence determinants are regulated by the BvgAS signal transduction system. BvgAS mediates the control of multiple phenotypic phases and a spectrum of gene expression profiles specific to each phase in response to incremental changes in the concentrations of environmental signals. Studies highlighting the critical role of this signaling circuitry in the Bordetella infectious cycle have focused on planktonically growing bacterial cells. It is becoming increasingly clear that the major mode of bacterial existence in the environment and within the body is a surface-attached state known as a biofilm. Biofilms are defined as consortia of sessile microorganisms that are embedded in a matrix. During routine growth of Bordetella under agitating conditions, we noticed the formation of a bacterial ring at the air-liquid interface of the culture tubes. We show here that this surface adherence property reflects the ability of these organisms to form biofilms. Our data demonstrate that the BvgAS locus regulates biofilm development in Bordetella. The results reported in this study suggest that the Bvg-mediated control in biofilm development is exerted at later time points after the initial attachment of bacteria to the different surfaces. Additionally, we show that these biofilms are highly tolerant of a number of antimicrobials, including the ones that are currently recommended for treatment of veterinary and human infections caused by Bordetella spp. Finally, we discuss the significance of the biofilm lifestyle mode as a potential contributor to persistent infections.
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1a Regulates Hepatic Fatty Acid Partitioning by Activating Acetyl Coenzyme A Carboxylase 2

ABSTRACT We generated a line of mice in which sterol regulatory element binding protein 1a (SREBP-1a) was specifically inactivated by insertional mutagenesis. Homozygous mutant mice were completely viable despite expressing SREBP-1a mRNA below 5% of normal, and there were minimal effects on expression of either SREBP-1c or -2. Microarray expression studies in liver, where SREBP-1a mRNA is 1/10 the level of the highly similar SREBP-1c, demonstrated that only a few genes were affected. The only downregulated genes directly linked to lipid metabolism were Srebf1 (which encodes SREBP-1) and Acacb (which encodes acetyl coenzyme A [acetyl-CoA] carboxylase 2 [ACC2], a critical regulator of fatty acyl-CoA partitioning between cytosol and mitochondria). ACC2 regulation is particularly important during food restriction. Similar to Acacb knockout mice, SREBP-1a-deficient mice have lower hepatic triglycerides and higher serum ketones during fasting than wild-type mice. SREBP-1a and -1c have identical DNA binding and dimerization domains; thus, the failure of the more abundant SREBP-1c to substitute for activating hepatic ACC2 must relate to more efficient recruitment of transcriptional coactivators to the more potent SREBP-1a activation domain. Our chromatin immunoprecipitation results support this hypothesis.
Changing Use of Antibiotics in Community-Based Outpatient Practice, 19911999

What is the problem and what is known about it so far? Antibiotics are drugs that are effective in treating infections caused by bacteria. Unfortunately, certain bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics. Resistance means that the antibiotic is no longer effective in treating that type of bacteria. Antibiotic overuse is a concern because it promotes resistant bacteria. Overuse refers to using the antibiotics to treat conditions, such as the common cold, that are not caused by bacteria. Overuse also means using powerful antibiotics that treat a wide range of bacteria (broad-spectrum antibiotics) when a simpler antibiotic would be enough. Antibiotics are among the most common drugs prescribed, and there have been efforts in the United States to get doctors to use them more appropriately. Much of the research on antibiotic use has focused on the hospital setting. Less is known about antibiotic use in doctors' offices. Why did the researchers do this particular study? To compare the use of antibiotics for outpatient infections between the early and late 1990s. Who was studied? Patients whose visit to the doctor was recorded in the National Ambulatory Medical Survey in 19911992, 19941995, or 19981999. The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey is a national survey of a sample of patient visits to doctors' offices. How was the study done? The researchers looked at the frequency of antibiotic prescription in each of the three time frames. Then they compared antibiotic use in 19911992 with use in 19981999 for various conditions, including the common cold, sore throat, sinus infections, and bronchitis. Viruses usually cause these conditions, so antibiotics would be unlikely to help patients. The researchers paid particular attention to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. What did the researchers find? Between 19911992 and 19981999, the use of antibiotics for outpatient infections decreased. However, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics doubled in both adults and children during this period. What were the limitations of the study? This study was based on survey data and cannot provide information on the reasons that doctors prescribed antibiotics. What are the implications of the study? While antibiotic use for ambulatory infections appears to be decreasing, doctors are using more broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat. Efforts to encourage appropriate use of antibiotics should focus not only on when to prescribe antibiotics but also on which antibiotics to use.
Use of the Minimum Spanning Tree Model for Molecular Epidemiological Investigation of a Nosocomial Outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

ABSTRACT The minimum spanning tree (MST) model was applied to identify the history of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in an outbreak involving five children attending a pediatric oncology-hematology outpatient ward between 1992 and 2000. We collected blood samples from all children attending since 1992, all household contacts, and one health care worker positive for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV). HCV RNA detection was performed with these samples and with smears of routinely collected bone marrow samples. For all isolates, we performed sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis of hypervariable region 1 of the E2 gene. The MST model was applied to clinical-epidemiological and molecular data. No additional cases were detected. All children, but not the health care worker, showed genotype 3a. On six occasions, all but one child had shared the medication room with another patient who later seroconverted. HCV RNA detection in bone marrow smears revealed, in some cases, a delay of several months in anti-HCV responses. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis revealed a high identity among the isolates. The MST model applied to molecular data, together with the clinical-epidemiological data, allowed us to identify the source of the outbreak and the most probable patient-to-patient chain of transmission. The management of central venous catheters was suspected to be the probable route of transmission. In conclusion, the MST model, supported by an exhaustive clinical-epidemiological investigation, appears to be a useful tool in tracing the history of transmission in outbreaks of HCV infection.