Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Qualitative study of perceived causes of tuberculosis treatment default among health care workers in Morocco.

SETTING In Morocco, tuberculosis (TB) treatment default is increasing in some urban areas. OBJECTIVE To provide a detailed description of factors that contribute to patient default and solutions from the point of view of health care professionals who participate in TB care. DESIGN In-depth interviews were conducted with 62 physicians and nurses at nine regional public pulmonary clinics and local health clinics. RESULTS Participants had a median of 24 years of experience in health care. Treatment default was seen as a result of multilevel factors related to the patient (lack of means, being a migrant worker, distance to treatment site, poor understanding of treatment, drug use, mental illness), medical team (high patient load, low motivation, lack of resources for tracking defaulters), treatment organization (poor communication between treatment sites, no systematic strategy for patient education or tracking, incomplete record keeping), and health care system and society. Tailored recommendations for low- and higher-cost interventions are provided. CONCLUSIONS Interventions to enhance TB treatment completion should take into account the local context and multilevel factors that contribute to default. Qualitative studies involving health care workers directly involved in TB care can be powerful tools to identify contributing factors and define strategies to help reduce treatment default.
Racial identity attitudes and interracial communication: Implications for social work practice in Britain

Abstract This paper is written from a psychological perspective and explores the relationship between black people's stages of racial identity development and interracial communication. It describes Cross's model of psychological nigrescence for black people and Helms's model of white identity development–in which she describes how whites go through the process of defining themselves as racial beings. Since the majority of social workers in Britain are white, it is argued that white identity development and its implication for interracial communication are important aspects to consider. It is argued that one's stage of racial identity may have a stronger impact on the communication process between white social workers and black clients than 'race' per se.
Covariate-based constrained randomization of group-randomized trials

Group-randomized study designs are useful when individually randomized designs are either not possible, or will not be able to estimate the parameters of interest. Blocked and/or stratified (for example, pair-matched) designs have been used, and their properties statistically evaluated by many researchers. Group-randomized trials often have small numbers of experimental units, and strong, geographically induced between-unit correlation, which increase the chance of obtaining a “bad” randomization outcome. This article describes a procedure – random selection from a list of acceptable allocations – to allocate treatment conditions in a way that ensures balance on relevant covariates. Numerous individual- and group-level covariates can be balanced using exact or caliper criteria. Simulation results indicate that this method has good frequency properties, but some care may be needed not to overly constrain the randomization. There is a trade-off between achieving good balance through a highly constrained design, and jeopardizing the appearance of impartiality of the investigator and potentially departing from the nominal Type I error.
Genome‐wide identification of chitin‐binding proteins and characterization of BmCBP1 in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The insect cuticle plays important roles in numerous physiological functions to protect the body from invasion of pathogens, physical injury and dehydration. In this report, we conducted a comprehensive genome‐wide search for genes encoding proteins with peritrophin A‐type (ChtBD2) chitin‐binding domain (CBD) in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. One of these genes, which encodes the cuticle protein BmCBP1, was additionally cloned, and its expression and location during the process of development and molting in B. mori were investigated. In total, 46 protein‐coding genes were identified in the silkworm genome, including those encoding 15 cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with one CBD (CPAP1s), nine cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with three CBD (CPAP3s), 15 peritrophic membrane proteins (PMPs), four chitinases, and three chitin deacetylases, which contained at least one ChtBD2 domain. Microarray analysis indicated that CPAP‐encoding genes were widely expressed in various tissues, whereas PMP genes were highly expressed in the midgut. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting showed that the cuticle protein BmCBP1 was highly expressed in the epidermis and head, particularly during molting and metamorphosis. An immunofluorescence study revealed that chitin co‐localized with BmCBP1 at the epidermal surface during molting. Additionally, BmCBP1 was notably up‐regulated by 20‐hydroxyecdysone treatment. These results provide a genome‐level view of the chitin‐binding protein in silkworm and suggest that BmCBP1 participates in the formation of the new cuticle during molting.
In-school psychosocial support services for safeguarding children’s rights: Results and implications of a Botswana study

In-school psychosocial support services are intended to create safe learning environments for children, enabling the children to attain age-appropriate developmental tasks. This study investigated protections to children’s right to safe learning environments through the provision of in-school psychosocial support services. Participants were 230 learners from a cross-section of Botswana schools (females = 124, males 106; age range 10.7–17.7 years; school grades 5 to 12; median age = 14.5 years, SD = 3.65 years). Data on learner access, utilization, and preferences of in-school psychosocial support services were collected using focus group discussions, individual interviews, and a semi-structured survey. The data were analysed thematically and with supplemental quantitative analysis. A social risk management analysis approach was adopted for the interpretation of findings. Learners perceived their schooling rights to be protected when they had direct input into the type, scope, and delivery of the psychosocial support services. Botswana learners are sensitive to social risks to their rights to safe learning environments. Children’s rights to safe learning environments are likely to be realized with learner-oriented in-school psychosocial support services.
A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL : GREECE ’ S TOURISM DEMAND FOR TOURIST DESTINATION 1

Structural equation model (LISREL 8) was applied to test the causal relationships between tourist travel motivations and tourist destination. A survey containing Likert scale questions was conducted to collect data from 100 tourists who had travelled to Greece’s tourist destination. With the help of factor analysis, four dimensions were identified for scales used in the study: travel cost satisfaction, tourism product, tourism product attributes, and tourism product management. Results indicated that the travel cost satisfaction of tourists has a positive influence on tourism product, tourism product attributes and tourism product management. Moreover, our results suggested that the tourist demographics has a positive influence on tourism product and tourism product attributes and has an insignificant relationship with tourism product management. Based on our findings the tourist demographics has not influence on tourism product management. However, these findings suggest that both the private tourism and the governmental tourism sector should develop a better management of tourist destinations so as to develop a stronger attraction of tourism, better amenities, a better accessibility, an appropriate image, to make tourism competitive and to keep tourism product prices at a reasonable level. The implications of the tourism demand model can be used for the public environmental policy-making process based mainly on reasons of interest, ideology or understanding.
Sexually Transmitted Infections among HIV-1-Discordant Couples

Introduction More new HIV-1 infections occur within stable HIV-1-discordant couples than in any other group in Africa, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may increase transmission risk among discordant couples, accounting for a large proportion of new HIV-1 infections. Understanding correlates of STIs among discordant couples will aid in optimizing interventions to prevent HIV-1 transmission in these couples. Methods HIV-1-discordant couples in which HIV-1-infected partners were HSV-2-seropositive were tested for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, and HIV-1-uninfected partners were tested for HSV-2. We assessed sociodemographic, behavioral, and biological correlates of a current STI. Results Of 416 couples enrolled, 16% were affected by a treatable STI, and among these both partners were infected in 17% of couples. A treatable STI was found in 46 (11%) females and 30 (7%) males. The most prevalent infections were trichomoniasis (5.9%) and syphilis (2.6%). Participants were 5.9-fold more likely to have an STI if their partner had an STI (P<0.01), and STIs were more common among those reporting any unprotected sex (OR = 2.43; P<0.01) and those with low education (OR = 3.00; P<0.01). Among HIV-1-uninfected participants with an HSV-2-seropositive partner, females were significantly more likely to be HSV-2-seropositive than males (78% versus 50%, P<0.01). Conclusions Treatable STIs were common among HIV-1-discordant couples and the majority of couples affected by an STI were discordant for the STI, with relatively high HSV-2 discordance. Awareness of STI correlates and treatment of both partners may reduce HIV-1 transmission. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00194519
Robust digital image watermarking algorithms for copyright protection

Digital watermarking has been proposed as a solution to the problem of resolving copyright ownership of multimedia data (image, audio, video). The work presented in this thesis is concerned with the design of robust digital image watermarking algorithms for copyright protection. Firstly, an overview of the watermarking system, applications of watermarks as well as the survey of current watermarking algorithms and attacks, are given. Further, the implementation of feature point detectors in the field of watermarking is introduced. A new class of scale invariant feature point detectors is investigated and it is showed that they have excellent performances required for watermarking. The robustness of the watermark on geometrical distortions is very important issue in watermarking. In order to detect the parameters of undergone affine transformation, we propose an image registration technique which is based on use of the scale invariant feature point detector. Another proposed technique for watermark synchronization is also based on use of scale invariant feature point detector. This technique does not use the original image to determine the parameters of affine transformation which include rotation and scaling. It is experimentally confirmed that this technique gives excellent results under tested geometrical distortions. In the thesis, two different watermarking algorithms are proposed in the wavelet domain. The first algorithm belongs to the class of additive watermarking algorithms which requires the presence of original image for watermark detection. Using this algorithm the influence of different error correction codes on the watermark robustness is investigated. The second algorithm does not require the original image for watermark detection. The robustness of this algorithm is tested on various filtering and compression attacks. This algorithm is successfully combined with the aforementioned synchronization technique in order to achieve the robustness on geometrical attacks. The last watermarking algorithm presented in the thesis is developed in complex wavelet domain. The complex wavelet transform is described and its advantages over the conventional discrete wavelet transform are highlighted. The robustness of the proposed algorithm was tested on different class of attacks. Finally, in the thesis the conclusion is given and the main future research directions are suggested.
A Pilot Examination of Self-Esteem, Depression, and Sleep in College Women

While sleep deficits in adulthood are common and worsening, college women experience significantly more sleep problems and depression than their male counterparts. In recent years, sleep has been investigated as one of the primary contributors to college functioning and GPA. No known study, however, has investigated the connection between self-esteem, depression and sleep. Questionnaire assessments were given to 43 female college juniors and seniors, including: demographic information, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Pittsburg Quality Sleep Index. This pilot study investigates the relationship between college self-esteem and sleep quality, as mediated by depression. The results of the study indicate that self-esteem predicts both depression and sleep quality, such that decreased levels of self-esteem are associated with higher levels of depression and decreased sleep quality. Moreover, depression also predicts sleep quality and serves to mediate the relation between self-esteem and sleep quality. The results suggest that students’ self-esteem plays a significant role in the experience of depression, and that depression is the primary mechanism through which self-esteem influences sleep.
Governance, Negotiations, and Alliance Dynamics: Explaining the Evolution of Relational Practice

This paper explores relational practice in strategic alliances. Focusing on how governance mechanisms and negotiation strategies evolve and form patterns of interaction that are under influence of both recursive and adaptive forces, four modes of relational practice are discussed: recursively integrative, recursively distributive, adaptive toward integrative, and adaptive toward distributive. Three longitudinal cases are examined. I find that different contractual conditions enable (or restrain) interaction patterns. Negotiation behaviour, in turn, affects future contractual conditions and their combination and recombination form the evolution of relational practice. As relationships progress, initial governance mechanisms are complemented and negotiation behaviours change. I explain how perceptions of both process and relational outcomes influence relational practice. In addition, I explicate why relational practices have both recursive and adaptive characteristics, and identify conditions that cause relational practices to move towards more integrative or distributive modes.
Looking Through Flynn’s Rose-Colored Scientific Spectacles

In the first article of this special issue of the Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, I critiqued Flynn’s theoretical explanation of the Flynn effect because he depended too heavily on an apparently huge generational gain on the WISC Similarities subtest; I claimed he was comparing apples with oranges because that subtest changed too much when the WISC was first revised. Four sets of esteemed researchers were invited to respond to my article and also to an article by Zhou, Zhu, and Weiss—Flynn, Sternberg, McGrew, and Ceci and Kanaya. Flynn disagrees strongly with my critique of his theory, a theory that posits striking generational shifts from concrete (utilitarian) thinking to a kind of fluid reasoning that Flynn nicknames “scientific spectacles. ” In this final article of the special issue, I respond to Flynn’s claims, and also to the points made by the other invited respondents. In addition, I respond to the range of opinions expressed by the scholars who were invited to write an essay on whether or not IQs should be adjusted for the Flynn effect in capital punishment cases (Fletcher et al., Hagan et al., and Reynolds et al.). Ultimately, I disagree with Flynn’s explanation of the Flynn effect, but I agree with his position that IQs should be adjusted for the effect in death penalty cases.
A review on wideband microstrip patch antenna design techniques

This review article presents an overview of the design techniques for broadband microstrip patch antennas. Basically, a microstrip patch antenna is composed of a trace of copper or any other metal of any geometry on one side of a standard printed circuit board (PCB) substrate with other side grounded. This antenna can be fed using coaxial, stripline, aperture-coupling or proximity-coupling methods. The idea of patch antenna slowly attracted the antenna community in 20 years after its birth in early 50's. The patch antennas are very useful because of their; low weight, ability to conform to any geometrical shape, easy integration with HMICs and MMICs, and low cost fabrication. Their major drawback is their narrow bandwidth which makes them unsuitable for modern-day wireless communication technologies. Through extensive studies in the last few decades on antenna performance improvement, various techniques have been developed to enhance the bandwidth. The current research focus is on the reconfigurable antennas. These can provide wide bandwidth performance; multi-band functionality; the frequencies and bandwidths can be reconfigured as well. The microstrip antennas are widely used in military, industrial and commercial sectors. This article opens with short introduction of basic characteristics, feeding methods and analysis techniques of patch antenna. After that review of bandwidth enhancement techniques, multi-band and wideband reconfigurable antenna designs are presented. The article closes with conclusions and future perspective.
A utility script for automating and integrating AutoDock and other associated programs for virtual screening.

AutoDock is one of the most widely used docking programs but, is under utilized for the purpose of virtual screening. In order to overcome the difficulties that arise during virtual screening with AutoDock especially for GUI users an attempt is taken to automate the entire docking process, starting from grid map generation through ligand preparation and finally docking. Additional features from software like FILTER, OMEGA, ROCS and EON are also incorporated to create a complete virtual screening platform. The program completely reduced user intervention so that the program can be left unattended for longer period of time and there by improving the computational efficacy. Availability The script is available upon request from the authors
Revised nomenclature for avian telencephalon and some related brainstem nuclei

The standard nomenclature that has been used for many telencephalic and related brainstem structures in birds is based on flawed assumptions of homology to mammals. In particular, the outdated terminology implies that most of the avian telencephalon is a hypertrophied basal ganglia, when it is now clear that most of the avian telencephalon is neurochemically, hodologically, and functionally comparable to the mammalian neocortex, claustrum, and pallial amygdala (all of which derive from the pallial sector of the developing telencephalon). Recognizing that this promotes misunderstanding of the functional organization of avian brains and their evolutionary relationship to mammalian brains, avian brain specialists began discussions to rectify this problem, culminating in the Avian Brain Nomenclature Forum held at Duke University in July 2002, which approved a new terminology for avian telencephalon and some allied brainstem cell groups. Details of this new terminology are presented here, as is a rationale for each name change and evidence for any homologies implied by the new names.
Improving Nocturnal Fire Detection With the VIIRS Day–Night Band

Building on existing techniques for satellite remote sensing of fires, this paper takes advantage of the day-night band (DNB) aboard the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) to develop the Firelight Detection Algorithm (FILDA), which characterizes fire pixels based on both visible-light and infrared (IR) signatures at night. By adjusting fire pixel selection criteria to include visible-light signatures, FILDA allows for significantly improved detection of pixels with smaller and/or cooler subpixel hotspots than the operational Interface Data Processing System (IDPS) algorithm. VIIRS scenes with near-coincident Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) overpasses are examined after applying the operational VIIRS fire product algorithm and including a modified “candidate fire pixel selection” approach from FILDA that lowers the 4-μm brightness temperature (BT) threshold but includes a minimum DNB radiance. FILDA is shown to be effective in detecting gas flares and characterizing fire lines during large forest fires (such as the Rim Fire in California and High Park fire in Colorado). Compared with the operational VIIRS fire algorithm for the study period, FILDA shows a large increase (up to 90%) in the number of detected fire pixels that can be verified with the finer resolution ASTER data (90 m). Part (30%) of this increase is likely due to a combined use of DNB and lower 4-μm BT thresholds for fire detection in FILDA. Although further studies are needed, quantitative use of the DNB to improve fire detection could lead to reduced response times to wildfires and better estimate of fire characteristics (smoldering and flaming) at night.
“Does That Make Me A Woman?”

Feminist scholars and activists writing about breast cancer care among women have highlighted the sexist and heterosexist assumptions often embedded in the medical management of breast cancer, and of mastectomy in particular. Despite these contributions, and some speculation that sexual minority women may be less interested in breast reconstruction, limited research explores sexual minority women’s lived experience of mastectomy and decision making about reconstruction. Thirteen lesbian and/or bisexual women who had undergone mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer participated in individual qualitative interviews exploring decisions to have, or not have, breast reconstruction. Reasons for/against reconstruction reflected themes identified in prior studies among heterosexual women. Although participants described sexual, gender, and political identities and orientations as influences on their decision making, for most participants, experiences with physicians who encouraged reconstruction and concerns about stigmatization of illness in romantic, professional, and social contexts were also central. Findings are interpreted through feminist dis/ability, medicalization, and existential frameworks.