Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perception and risk factors for cervical cancer among women in northern Ghana.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed the perception of risk of cervical cancer and existence of risk factors for cervical cancer based on five known risk factors among women attending the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Ghana. METHODS A consecutive sample of 300 women was interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to inquire about risk factors and perception of risk of cervical cancer. Specific risk factors that were explored included early coitarche, multiple sexual partners, polygamous relationships, history of smoking, and having a current partner who had multiple sexual partners. RESULTS Sixty-one per cent of women reported that they had no personal risk for cervical cancer. 27% of respondents were in polygamous relationships, and of those, more than half didn't think they were at an increased risk of cervical cancer. 2 women had a total of ≥ 5 sexual partners in their lifetime and neither believed they were at any risk for cervical cancer. 23% said their current partner had had at least 2 sexual partners in his lifetime, and of those, (61%) thought they were at no risk for cervical cancer. 46% of respondents reported not having any of the risk factors listed in the study. 23% of respondents reported having one risk factor while 21% had two risk factors and 11% had three or more risk factors. CONCLUSION Women's perception of personal risk for cervical cancer is lower than their actual risk based on the five behavioural risk factors assessed and a lack of knowledge of the personal factors for the disease. FUNDING This project was supported by NIH Research Training Grant #R25 TW009345 funded by the Fogarty International Centre, in partnership with several NIH Institutes (NIMH, NIGMS, NHLBI, OAR and OWH).
Automatic Stereotyping: Category, Trait, and Behavioral Activations

On the basis of theorizing that proposes that category representations include a variety of associations and not simply trait information, two studies investigated whether the automatic activation of stereotypic traits following category priming is a necessary mediator of automatic social behavior. The results across both studies demonstrated an automatic behavior effect; participants primed with the elderly responded more slowly to general lexical decisions than participants not primed with the elderly. The results also provide evidence for automatic stereotypic trait activation; participants primed with the elderly responded faster to stereotypic than nonstereotypic traits. Moreover, consistent with the view that stereotypes are multicomponential, category priming predicted automatic social behavior in ways independent of mediation-by-trait activation.
Enumeration of Matchings: problems and Progress

This document is built around a list of thirty-two problems in enumeration of matchings, the first twenty of which were presented in a lecture at MSRI in the fall of 1996. I begin with a capsule history of the topic of enumeration of matchings. The twenty original problems, with commentary, comprise the bulk of the article. I give an account of the progress that has been made on these problems as of this writing, and include pointers to both the printed and on-line literature; roughly half of the original twenty problems were solved by participants in the MSRI Workshop on Combinatorics, their students, and others, between 1996 and 1999. The article concludes with a dozen new open problems.
Regulation of cancer cell motility through actin reorganization

Cell migration is a critical step in tumor invasion and metastasis, and regulation of this process will lead to appropriate therapies for treating cancer. Cancer cells migrate in various ways, according to cell type and degree of differentiation. The different types of cell migration are regulated by different mechanisms. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is the primary mechanism of cell motility and is essential for most types of cell migration. Actin reorganization is regulated by Rho family small GTPases such as Rho, Rac, and Cdc42. These small GTPases transmit extracellular chemotactic signals to downstream effectors. Of these downstream effectors, Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family proteins are key regulators of cell migration. Activated WASP family proteins induce the formation of protrusive membrane structures involved in cell migration and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Inhibition of Rho family small GTPase signaling suppresses the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Thus, control of cell migration via the actin cytoskeleton provides the possibility of regulating cancer cell invasion and metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 379 – 386)
Targeted Correction of Single-Base-Pair Mutations with Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors under Nonselective Conditions

ABSTRACT Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors possess the unique ability to introduce genetic alterations at sites of homology in genomic DNA through a mechanism thought to predominantly involve homologous recombination. We have investigated the efficiency of this approach using a mutant enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) fluorescence recovery assay that facilitates detection of gene correction events in living cells under nonselective conditions. Our data demonstrate that rAAV infection can correct a mutant eGFP transgene at an efficiency of 0.1% in 293 cells, as determined by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis. Gene repair was also confirmed using clonal expansion of GFP-positive cells and sequencing of the eGFP transgene. These results support previous findings demonstrating the efficacy of rAAV for gene targeting. In an effort to improve gene-targeting efficiencies, we evaluated several agents known to increase rAAV transduction (i.e., expression of an expressed gene), including genotoxic stress and proteasome inhibitors, but observed no correlation between the level of gene repair and rAAV transduction. Interestingly, however, our results demonstrated that enrichment of G1/S-phase cells in the target population through the addition of thymidine moderately (∼2-fold) increased gene correction compared to cells in other cell cycle phases, including G0/G1, G1, and G2/M. These results suggest that the S phase of the cell cycle may more efficiently facilitate gene repair by rAAV. Transgenic mice expressing the mutant GFP were used to evaluate rAAV targeting efficiencies in primary fetal fibroblast and tibialis muscles. However, targeting efficiencies in primary mouse fetal fibroblasts were significantly lower (∼0.006%) than in 293 cells, and no correction was seen in tibialis muscles following rAAV infection. To evaluate the molecular structures of rAAV genomes that might be responsible for gene repair, single-cell injection studies were performed with purified viral DNA in a mutant eGFP target cell line. However, the failure of direct cytoplasm- or nucleus-injected rAAV DNA to facilitate gene repair suggests that some aspect of intracellular viral processing may be required to prime recombinant viral genomes for gene repair events.
The effect of body movement on listeners’ perceptions of musicality in trombone quartet performance

The purpose of this study was to determine what effect body movement would have on listeners’ (N = 90) perceptions of a professional chamber ensemble performance. Specifically, an audio/video recording of a trombone quartet performance was used for the music stimulus. Listeners were asked to rate each performance on the basis of perceived appropriateness of style and perceived ensemble expressivity. While the video portion of the stimulus changed to reflect each of three movement conditions: (1) deadpan – no extraneous movement, (2) head/face movement only, (3) full body movement, the audio portion of the stimulus remained the same. Results indicated that body movement condition did significantly affect listeners’ ratings of perceived style and expressivity. Increased movement in performance corresponded to higher ratings. Differences were also found on the basis of major (although the effect size was small) and presentation order. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Redundant Function of REV-ERBα and β and Non-Essential Role for Bmal1 Cycling in Transcriptional Regulation of Intracellular Circadian Rhythms

The mammalian circadian clockwork is composed of a core PER/CRY feedback loop and additional interlocking loops. In particular, the ROR/REV/Bmal1 loop, consisting of ROR activators and REV-ERB repressors that regulate Bmal1 expression, is thought to “stabilize” core clock function. However, due to functional redundancy and pleiotropic effects of gene deletions, the role of the ROR/REV/Bmal1 loop has not been accurately defined. In this study, we examined cell-autonomous circadian oscillations using combined gene knockout and RNA interference and demonstrated that REV-ERBα and β are functionally redundant and are required for rhythmic Bmal1 expression. In contrast, the RORs contribute to Bmal1 amplitude but are dispensable for Bmal1 rhythm. We provide direct in vivo genetic evidence that the REV-ERBs also participate in combinatorial regulation of Cry1 and Rorc expression, leading to their phase-delay relative to Rev-erbα. Thus, the REV-ERBs play a more prominent role than the RORs in the basic clock mechanism. The cellular genetic approach permitted testing of the robustness of the intracellular core clock function. We showed that cells deficient in both REV-ERBα and β function, or those expressing constitutive BMAL1, were still able to generate and maintain normal Per2 rhythmicity. Our findings thus underscore the resilience of the intracellular clock mechanism and provide important insights into the transcriptional topologies underlying the circadian clock. Since REV-ERB function and Bmal1 mRNA/protein cycling are not necessary for basic clock function, we propose that the major role of the ROR/REV/Bmal1 loop and its constituents is to control rhythmic transcription of clock output genes.
Exploring the contributions of human and social capital to productivity

In this article we investigate how human and social capital contribute to individual productivity. We study three firms that complete all their tasks as projects. The employees in all firms initiate and organise their projects. We collected archival data from the firms on performance, human capital, tenure, gender and their project activities. Social network data are generated from interviews and a survey. We find that social capital is the most important factor to determine productivity. We found mixed effects from human capital; only in one firm did human capital have a noticeable effect on productivity; tenure has no effects on productivity.
Big Data and the 21st Century Church

This article observes the practices and techniques of personal data collection with analytical analysis by major retailers and social media agencies, and then offers practical ways congregations can collect data for the purposes of producing targeted messaging, evaluating the movement of individual member faith practices, and creating a model for helping members growing a deep sense of connection and commitment to congregational life.
Assessment of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill impact on Gulf coast microbial communities

One of the major environmental concerns of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was the ecological impact of the oil that reached shorelines of the Gulf Coast. Here we investigated the impact of the oil on the microbial composition in beach samples collected in June 2010 along a heavily impacted shoreline near Grand Isle, Louisiana. Successional changes in the microbial community structure due to the oil contamination were determined by deep sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Metatranscriptomics was used to determine expression of functional genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation processes. In addition, potential hydrocarbon-degrading Bacteria were obtained in culture. The 16S data revealed that highly contaminated samples had higher abundances of Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria sequences. Successional changes in these classes were observed over time, during which the oil was partially degraded. The metatranscriptome data revealed that PAH, n-alkane, and toluene degradation genes were expressed in the contaminated samples, with high homology to genes from Alteromonadales, Rhodobacterales, and Pseudomonales. Notably, Marinobacter (Gammaproteobacteria) had the highest representation of expressed genes in the samples. A Marinobacter isolated from this beach was shown to have potential for transformation of hydrocarbons in incubation experiments with oil obtained from the Mississippi Canyon Block 252 (MC252) well; collected during the Deepwater Horizon spill. The combined data revealed a response of the beach microbial community to oil contaminants, including prevalence of Bacteria endowed with the functional capacity to degrade oil.
Twisting Tongues and Twisting Arms: The Power of Political Rhetoric

While scholars of International Relations and comparative politics have usually treated rhetoric as epiphenomenal, one strand of constructivism has recently returned rhetoric to the heart of political analysis, especially through the mechanism of persuasion. We too maintain that rhetoric is central to political processes and outcomes, but we argue that persuasion is theoretically and methodologically problematic. We aver that rhetoric's role may be more usefully conceptualized in the context of coercion, and we advance a stylized model that illustrates how rhetorical coercion operates, explains why it works, and identifies key scope conditions. We subsequently illustrate our model's relevance through a detailed examination of a ‘hard’ case. This article's agenda is twofold. First, it advises scholars in these fields to avoid focusing on unanswerable questions about actors' motives and to examine instead what actors say, in what contexts, and to what audiences. Second, it lays the groundwork for a ‘coercive constructivism’, complementing the liberal version so prevalent today.
Immunoreactive Somatomedin C/Insulin-Like Growth Factor I in Urine from Normal Subjects, Pituitary Dwarfs, and Acromegalics

ABSTRACT: Using antibodies to somatomedin C/insulin-like growth factor I (SmC) produced in rabbits using the recombinant hormone, we have developed a radioimmuno-assay for SmC. Gel-chromatography of urine revealed that the vast majority of immunoreactive SmC was eluted coincident with 125I-SmC and a small portion eluted with fractions having a mol. wt. range of 30,000–40,000. The SmC concentration in urine was determined by radioimmuno-assay after ammonium sulfate extraction. Values did not ordinarily exceed 1 ng/ml. When the values from normal subjects were expressed as ng/mg creatinine, high levels were observed in the neonatal period. These values fell rapidly in infancy, declined more gradually in childhood, were slightly elevated at early puberty, and were lowest in adulthood. Urine SmC concentrations in 15 pituitary dwarfs were lower than the averages obtained from age-matched control subjects, and six of them showed abnormally low values. Three patients with active acromegaly had high SmC values in urine. In conclusion, 1) SmC, mainly of monomeric form, was immunologically detected in urine. 2) Radioimmunoassay for urine SmC revealed that values varied considerably with age in normal subjects and were partially dependent on the human growth hormone status. However, the full meaning of the findings remains to be elucidated.
Recent Trends of Drug Abuse and Drug‐Associated Deaths in Korea

Abstract: Methamphetamine is the most abused drug in Korea followed by cannabis and opiates. Recent characteristics of the drug problem in Korea include increased drug smuggling from abroad, drug trafficking by organized gangs, varieties of drug smuggling, foreigners engaged in drug smuggling, and spread among drug abusers and areas. New drugs such as MDMA, Yaba, and LSD are found in greater proportion in the seizure records, indicating diversification of smuggled drugs in Korea. In addition, there is a growing tendency for the abuse of common medicines among young people in Korea because they are easily available. Methamphetamine is so seriously abused that fatalities from its overdose have occurred; since 1985, 20 such fatalities have been reported. Many deaths from the abuse of noncontrolled substances, especially dextromethorphan, zipeprol, and carisoprodol, which are taken for their hallucinogenic effects, were also reported. Recently, there was even a fatality related to smuggling of cocaine by body‐packing.
Reperfusion injury of ischemic skeletal muscle is mediated by natural antibody and complement

Reperfusion of ischemic tissue induces an acute inflammatory response that can result in necrosis and irreversible cell injury to both local vascular endothelium and parenchyma. To examine the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury, we have used mice deficient in complement components C3, C4, or serum immunoglobulin in a hindlimb model of ischemia. We found that mice homozygous deficient in C3 or C4 were equally protected against reperfusion injury based on a significant reduction in leakage of radiolabeled albumin out of the vasculature. This demonstrates that classical pathway complement is an important factor in the initiation of inflammation following reperfusion. Furthermore, mice deficient in serum immunoglobulin were equally protected and this protection could be reversed by reconstitution with serum from normal mice. Thus, this report describes a novel mechanism for reperfusion injury that involves antibody deposition and activation of complement leading to inflammation permeability.
Structural Design Patterns Used in Data Structures Implementation

Design patterns may introduce a new perspective on the traditional subject of data structures. They introduce more flexibility and reusability in data structures implementation and use. This analysis shows that design patterns could bring important advantages in basic fields of Computer Science, too. Beside the advantages brought for data structures, presenting them in this perspective represents also a simple and efficient modality to introduce design patterns in early courses of computer science. We analyze in this paper structural design patterns that can be used for data structures implementation, and their advantages. Examples that illustrate the impact of the design patterns in this context are presented.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs, the Ethnic Enclave Strategy, and Venture Performance

This study argues that first- and second-generation immigrant entrepreneurs’ endowments of economic, human, and social capital, together with their degrees of social identification with their ethnic community, affect their elemental strategic choice to pursue a venture strategy focused either on their ethnic enclave or the dominant market. The authors then propose that this choice affects venture performance indirectly, depending on how well the entrepreneur’s capital endowment allows the chosen strategy to be executed. The authors test these ideas via a field study of 103 first- and second-generation immigrant-owned ventures in a U.S. Midwest state. The findings indicate that immigrant entrepreneurs’ capital endowments and social identities influence their choice of an enclave versus dominant market venture strategy. Moreover, it is the particular alignment of entrepreneurial capital and strategy that ultimately shapes venture performance.
A Pattern Reordering Approach Based on Ambiguity Detection for Online Category Learning

Pattern reordering is proposed as an alternative to sequential and batch processing for online category learning. Upon detecting that the categorization of a new input pattern is ambiguous, the input is postponed for a predefined time, after which it is reexamined and categorized for good. This approach is shown to improve the categorization performance over purely sequential processing, while yielding a shorter input response time, or latency, than batch processing. In order to examine the response time of processing schemes, the latency of a typical implementation is derived and compared to lower bounds. Gaussian and softmax models are derived from reject option theory and are considered for detecting ambiguity and triggering pattern postponement. The average latency and Rand Adjusted clustering score of reordered, sequential, and batch processing are compared through computer simulation using two unsupervised competitive learning neural networks and a radar pulse data set.
Los riesgos maternos pre-, peri- y neonatales en una muestra de madres de hijos con trastorno generalizado del desarrollo

La etiologia de los trastornos generalizados del desarrollo (TGD) es, en la actualidad, desconocida. Los estudios clinicos que ponen en evidencia el alto porcentaje de ninos con problemas en el desarrollo, que han sufrido diversas complicaciones y riesgos perinatales, son muchos. Desde este planteamiento, el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la presencia de riesgos pre-, peri- y neonatales en una muestra de 93 madres con hijos con un TGD. El instrumento utilizado ha sido un autoinforme, estructurado a modo de cuestionario, con el que se valoraron los riesgos perinatales en una serie de dimensiones: pregestacional, perigestacional, intraparto, neonatal, psicosocial y sociodemografica. Las diferencias significativas halladas permiten definir riesgos perinatales de diversa naturaleza que pueden condicionar y describir variaciones en los TGD. Los riesgos biologicos, sobre todo los pregestacionales, seguidos de los perigestacionales, han estado mas presentes que los de tipo psicosocial o sociodemografico. Los riesgos especificos, en distintas combinaciones, son muy notables, pero no implican una causa directa con respecto a la etiologia de los TGD. No obstante, suponen una descripcion de los posibles factores asociados a los mismos, asi como el reconocimiento de su multicausalidad. Pre-, peri- and neonatal maternal risks in a sample of mothers of children with a pervasive developmental disorder. Nowadays, the aetiology of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) remains unknown. There are a large number of clinical studies that demonstrate the high percentage of children with developmental disorders that have suffered a range of complications and perinatal risks. From this point of view, the goal of the present investigation is to analyze the presence of pre-, peri- and neonatal risks in a sample of 93 mothers of children with PDD. A self-report, structured as a questionnaire, has been the tool of choice and was employed to evaluate the perinatal risks in a series of dimensions: pregestational, perigestational, intra-childbirth, neonatal, psychosocial and sociodemographic. The significant differences that were found allow defining perinatal risks of diverse nature that can determine and describe variations in PDD. Biological risks, especially pregestational followed by perigestational ones, were more present than those of psychosocial and sociodemographic nature. The specific risks, in different combinations, are noteworthy, but they do not entail a direct cause with regard to the aetiology of PDD. Nevertheless, they represent a description of potential risks associated with them, and the recognition of their multicausality as well.