Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poverty, AIDS and child health: identifying highest-risk children in South Africa.

BACKGROUND Identifying children at the highest risk of negative health effects is a prerequisite to effective public health policies in Southern Africa. A central ongoing debate is whether poverty, orphanhood or parental AIDS most reliably indicates child health risks. Attempts to address this key question have been constrained by a lack of data allowing distinction of AIDS-specific parental death or morbidity from other causes of orphanhood and chronic illness. OBJECTIVES To examine whether household poverty, orphanhood and parental illness (by AIDS or other causes) independently or interactively predict child health, developmental and HIV-infection risks. METHODS We interviewed 6 002 children aged 10 - 17 years in 2009 - 2011, using stratified random sampling in six urban and rural sites across three South African provinces. Outcomes were child mental health risks, educational risks and HIV-infection risks. Regression models that controlled for socio-demographic co-factors tested potential impacts and interactions of poverty, AIDS-specific and other orphanhood and parental illness status. RESULTS Household poverty independently predicted child mental health and educational risks, AIDS orphanhood independently predicted mental health risks and parental AIDS illness independently predicted mental health, educational and HIV-infection risks. Interaction effects of poverty with AIDS orphanhood and parental AIDS illness were found across all outcomes. No effects, or interactions with poverty, were shown by AIDS-unrelated orphanhood or parental illness. CONCLUSIONS The identification of children at highest risk requires recognition and measurement of both poverty and parental AIDS. This study shows negative impacts of poverty and AIDS-specific vulnerabilities distinct from orphanhood and adult illness more generally. Additionally, effects of interaction between family AIDS and poverty suggest that, where these co-exist, children are at highest risk of all.
Single-pass algorithms for mining frequency change patterns with limited space in evolving append-only and dynamic transaction data streams

We propose an online single-pass algorithm MFC-append (mining frequency change patterns in append-only data streams) for online mining frequent frequency change items in continuous append-only data streams. An online space-efficient data structure called Change-Sketch is developed for providing fast response time to compute dynamic frequency changes between data streams. A modified approach MFC-dynamic (mining frequency change patterns in dynamic data streams) is also presented to mine frequency changes in dynamic data streams. The theoretic analyses show that our algorithms meet the major performance requirements of single-pass, bounded storage, and real time for streaming data mining.
Evaluation of a simplified procedure for serotyping Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli which is based on the O antigen

A simplified procedure for serotyping Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli on the basis of thermostable antigens was developed and tested for its applicability as a routine typing method. The assay involves the sensitization of erythrocytes with an antigenic extract and performance of a slide agglutination assay with specific antisera. In order to simplify the typing system to a greater extent, the standard typing antisera were pooled into nine groups for C. jejuni and four groups for C. coli. The five antiserum samples allocated to each pool were selected so that pairs or groups of cross-reacting antisera were included in the same pool. When this system was tested with the serotype reference strains, it was found that, in most cases, a strain reacted in only one pool. The specific serotype of that strain could then be further defined by typing in each of the antisera belonging to that pool. To evaluate the specificity of the simplified method, 246 clinical isolates of C. jejuni and 57 clinical isolates of C. coli were typed at the same time by the standard passive hemagglutination assay and by the rapid slide agglutination system. Although both schemes effectively differentiated isolates and results from both schemes were generally very similar, differences were noted for a few isolates. On the basis of these findings, the simplified procedure may be recommended as an alternative means for serotyping these species for epidemiological purposes.
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Are Dysregulated at the BPH/5 Mouse Preeclamptic-Like Maternal–Fetal Interface

Simple Summary Preexisting reproductive disorders and perturbed placentation are proposed to play a role in the development of preeclampsia, a leading hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. However, underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Pregnancy establishment and maintenance are tightly regulated by estrogen and progesterone signaling in the uterus and developing placenta. Accordingly, placental estrogen and progesterone receptor dysregulations have been speculated to contribute to preeclampsia. Using a spontaneous model of superimposed preeclampsia, the Blood Pressure High Subline 5 (BPH/5) mouse, we tested the hypothesis that uteroplacental estrogen and progesterone receptor misexpression occur prior to pregnancy and during the peri-implantation period of preeclamptic-like pregnancies. BPH/5 females display estrogen deficiency, delayed embryonic development, and delayed decidualization. Herein, we describe for the first time estrogen and progesterone receptor dysregulation in the BPH/5 non-pregnant uterus and developing maternal–fetal interface. This study provides evidence of disrupted sex hormone signaling in the peri-conception phase of preeclamptic-like BPH/5 pregnancies, offering potential insights on estrogen and progesterone signaling at unexplored timepoints of human preeclampsia. Abstract The etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia, a leading hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, has been proposed to involve an abnormal circulating sex hormone profile and misexpression of placental estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively). However, existing research is vastly confined to third trimester preeclamptic placentas. Consequently, the placental–uterine molecular crosstalk and the dynamic ER and PR expression pattern in the peri-conception period remain overlooked. Herein, our goal was to use the BPH/5 mouse to elucidate pre-pregnancy and early gestation Er and Pr dynamics in a preeclamptic-like uterus. BPH/5 females display low circulating estrogen concentration during proestrus, followed by early gestation hypoestrogenemia, hyperprogesteronemia, and a spontaneous preeclamptic-like phenotype. Preceding pregnancy, the gene encoding Er alpha (Erα, Esr1) is upregulated in the diestrual BPH/5 uterus. At the peak of decidualization, Esr1, Er beta (Erβ, Esr2), and Pr isoform B (Pr-B) were upregulated in the BPH/5 maternal–fetal interface. At the protein level, BPH/5 females display higher percentage of decidual cells with nuclear Erα expression, as well as Pr downregulation in the decidua, luminal and glandular epithelium. In conclusion, we provide evidence of disrupted sex hormone signaling in the peri-conception period of preeclamptic-like pregnancies, potentially shedding some light onto the intricate role of sex hormone signaling at unexplored timepoints of human preeclampsia.
Flow Characteristics and Robustness of an Inclined Quad-vortex Range Hood

A novel design of range hood, which was termed the inclined quad-vortex (IQV) range hood, was examined for its flow and containment leakage characteristics under the influence of a plate sweeping across the hood face. A flow visualization technique was used to unveil the flow behavior. Three characteristic flow modes were observed: convex, straight, and concave modes. A tracer gas detection method using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) was employed to measure the containment leakage levels. The results were compared with the test data reported previously in the literature for a conventional range hood and an inclined air curtain (IAC) range hood. The leakage SF6 concentration of the IQV range hood under the influence of the plate sweeping was 0.039 ppm at a suction flow rate of 9.4 m3/min. The leakage concentration of the conventional range hood was 0.768 ppm at a suction flow rate of 15.0 m3/min. For the IAC range hood, the leakage concentration was 0.326 ppm at a suction flow rate of 10.9 m3/min. The IQV range hood presented a significantly lower leakage level at a smaller suction flow rate than the conventional and IAC range hoods due to its aerodynamic design for flow behavior.
Environmental impacts of domestic resource extraction in China

ABSTRACT Introduction: The rapid development of economy has led to extensive raw material consumption and relevant environmental damage in China. To analyze environmental impacts and identify materials resulting in these environmental effects via raw material extraction, we combine economy-wide material flow accounting and life-cycle analysis methods to estimate environmental impacts of Chinese domestic extraction (DE) during the period of 1992–2015. The relationship between these increasing environmental impacts and Chinese GDP was also explored by decoupling analysis. Outcomes: Results show that Chinese DE increased by 372% during 1992–2015. The global warming potential, abiotic depletion potential, and respiratory inorganics of Chinese DE increased by 195%, 46%, and 408%, respectively. In terms of specific materials, extraction of iron ores, gravel and sand, and coal induced the most environmental impacts. The relationship between environmental impacts and Chinese GDP/DE was characterized by relative decoupling. Conclusion: To minimize the environmental impacts of extraction, we recommend that the Chinese government improve its extraction techniques and reduce excess demand for materials with large extraction such as iron ores, gravel and sand, and coal. We also recommend researching alternative materials for scarce resources like molybdenum, gold, and fluorite.
Comparative study of different models for soil erosion and sediment yield in Pairi watershed, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract A Comparative Study of different models for assessment of soil erosion (Universal Soil Loss Equation and Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) and sediment yield (Modify Universal Soil Loss Equation and Sediment delivery ratio) carried out in Pairi Watershed, Chhattisgarh, India. The main objective is to estimate the spatial pattern of annual soil erosion rate and sediment yield using Remote Sensing and GIS technique which are promising and cost-effective tools for mapping critical areas. To calculate the soil erosion and sediment yield different spatial data sets were utilized such as rainfall, soil texture, topography, land use land cover etc. Obtained result of soil erosion and sediment yield was validated using field check using Baronda CWC Observatory data. It is found that, RUSLE model for soil erosion and MUSLE model for sediment yield has been found to be most reliable for the study area.
Cytoplasmic flows as signatures for the mechanics of mitotic positioning

Interactions of astral microtubules (MTs), the pronuclear complex, and the cell cortex with the cytoplasm during pronuclear migration in the first cell division of Caenorhabditis elegans have two key consequences: cytoplasm-filled astral MTs behave as a porous medium, and different mechanisms result in different cytoplasmic flows.
Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Humans: Disease and Healthy States

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that can be metabolised through different pathways, a major route being the kynurenine pathway. The first enzyme of the pathway, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, is strongly stimulated by inflammatory molecules, particularly interferon gamma. Thus, the kynurenine pathway is often systematically up-regulated when the immune response is activated. The biological significance is that 1) the depletion of tryptophan and generation of kynurenines play a key modulatory role in the immune response; and 2) some of the kynurenines, such as quinolinic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine and kynurenic acid, are neuroactive. The kynurenine pathway has been demonstrated to be involved in many diseases and disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, AIDS dementia complex, malaria, cancer, depression and schizophrenia, where imbalances in tryptophan and kynurenines have been found. This review compiles most of these studies and provides an overview of how the kynurenine pathway might be contributing to disease development, and the concentrations of tryptophan and kynurenines in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues in control and patient subjects.
Diffusion-weighted MRI as a predictor of extracapsular extension in prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as a predictor of extracapsular extension (ECE) in patients with localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Enrolled in this study were 167 patients who underwent preoperative DWI at 3 T followed by surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses including clinical variables (serum prostate-specific antigen level, biopsy-based Gleason score, clinical stage, greatest percentage of cancer in all biopsy cores, and presence of perineural invasion) and tumor ADC data were performed for predicting ECE. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was also performed to investigate the diagnostic performance of the clinical variables and tumor ADC for predicting ECE. RESULTS Histopathologic results indicated that 23 (13.8%) patients had ECE. At univariate analysis, tumor ADC, biopsy-based Gleason score, the presence of perineural invasion, and greatest percentage of cancer in all biopsy cores were associated with ECE (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the greatest percentage of cancer in all biopsy cores (p=0.001), biopsy-based Gleason score (p=0.015), and tumor ADC (p=0.032) were independent predictors of ECE. For predicting ECE, the area under the curve (AUC) of tumor ADC was 0.771, which is the second best AUC of all the variables evaluated. CONCLUSION As an imaging biomarker, tumor ADC may have potential for predicting ECE before surgery in patients with prostate cancer. Further studies investigating this possibility are warranted.
A quasi-experimental evaluation of an HIV prevention programme by peer education in the Anglican Church of the Western Cape, South Africa

Introduction Religion is important in most African communities, but faith-based HIV prevention programmes are infrequent and very rarely evaluated. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a church-based peer education HIV prevention programme that focused on youth. Design A quasi-experimental study design compared non-randomly chosen intervention and control groups. Setting This study was conducted in the Cape Town Diocese of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Participants The intervention group of 176 teenagers was selected from youth groups at 14 churches and the control group of 92 from youth groups at 17 churches. Intervention and control churches were chosen to be as similar as possible to decrease confounding. Intervention The intervention was a 20-session peer education programme (Fikelela: Agents of Change) aimed at changing risky sexual behaviour among youth (aged 12–19 years). Three workshops were also held with parents. Primary and secondary outcome measures The main outcome measures were changes in age of sexual debut, secondary abstinence, condom use and numbers of partners. Results The programme was successful at increasing condom usage (condom use score 3.5 vs 2.1; p=0.02), OR 6.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 40.7), and postponing sexual debut (11.9% vs 21.4%; p=0.04) absolute difference 9.5%. There was no difference in secondary abstinence (14.6% vs 12.5%; p=0.25) or with the number of partners (mean 1.7 vs 1.4; p=0.67) and OR 2.2 (95% CI 0.7 to 7.4). Conclusion An initial exploratory quasi-experimental evaluation of the Agents of Change peer education programme in a church-based context found that the age of sexual debut and condom usage was significantly increased. The study demonstrated the potential of faith-based peer education among youth to make a contribution to HIV prevention in Africa. Further evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme is, however, required before widespread implementation can be recommended.
Enhanced glucose metabolism is preserved in cultured primary myotubes from obese donors in response to exercise training.

CONTEXT It was suggested that human cultured primary myotubes retain the metabolic characteristics of their donor in vitro. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the metabolic responses to endurance training are also conserved in culture. DESIGN AND VOLUNTEERS Middle-aged obese subjects completed an 8-week supervised aerobic exercise training program in which vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were collected before and after training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anthropometric and blood parameters, as well as aerobic capacity, were assessed before and after training. Muscle biopsies were either used for Western blot analysis or digested to harvest myogenic progenitors that were differentiated into myotubes. Glucose oxidation, palmitate oxidation, and glycogen synthesis assays were performed on myotubes before and after training. Gene expression was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS Our data indicate that in parallel of in vivo improvement of whole-body aerobic capacity and glucose metabolism, biopsy-derived primary myotubes showed similar patterns in vitro. Indeed, glucose oxidation, glycogen synthesis, and inhibition of palmitate oxidation by glucose were enhanced in myotubes after training. This was associated with consistent changes in the expression of metabolism-linked genes such as GLUT1, PDK4, and PDHA1. Interestingly, no difference in myogenic differentiation capacity was observed before and after training. CONCLUSION Aerobic exercise training is associated with metabolic adaptations in vivo that are preserved in human cultured primary myotubes. It can be hypothesized that skeletal muscle microenvironmental changes induced by endurance training lead to metabolic imprinting on myogenic progenitor cells.
Exposure to fine particulate matter and hospital admissions due to pneumonia: Effects on the number of hospital admissions and its costs.

OBJECTIVE Given that respiratory diseases are a major cause of hospitalization in children, the objectives of this study are to estimate the role of exposure to fine particulate matter in hospitalizations due to pneumonia and a possible reduction in the number of these hospitalizations and costs. METHOD An ecological time-series study was developed with data on hospitalization for pneumonia among children under 10 years of age living in São José do Rio Preto, state of São Paulo, using PM2.5 concentrations estimated using a mathematical model. We used Poisson regression with a dependent variable (hospitalization) associated with PM2.5 concentrations and adjusted for effective temperature, seasonality and day of the week, with estimates of reductions in the number of hospitalizations and costs. RESULTS 1,161 children were admitted to hospital between October 1st, 2011, and September 30th, 2013; the average concentration of PM2.5 was 18.7 µg/m3 (≈32 µg/m3 of PM10) and exposure to this pollutant was associated with hospitalization four and five days after exposure. CONCLUSION A 10 µg/m3 decrease in concentration would imply 256 less hospital admissions and savings of approximately R$ 220,000 in a medium-sized city.
Same news is good news: automatically collecting reoccurring radio news stories

We present methods for ﬁnding same or almost same news stories in the hourly radio news broadcasts. Our procedures are able to detect reoccuring news stories of subsequent news broadcasts spoken by the same or different announc-ers only from the speech signal. They allow to establish a large database of repeated and professionally read speech at low costs that is especially interesting for prosody research, but also, e.g., for concept-to-speech and socio-linguistic studies. An automatically recorded complete radio news broadcast is ﬁrst segmented into individual news stories us-ing HMM recognition. Then, the word sequence estimates of the stories are either compared directly (naive method) or realigned with the signal of other stories (realignment method) in order to ﬁnd out which stories were read before and which not. Both methods can be further improved by computing “meta distances” that also take into account distances to other stories. We evaluate and compare the usefulness of the proposed methods on real life data. We ﬁnd that the realignment method combined with meta distances is the most reliable of the methods and that it is well suited for the task.
Agent based approach to modelling ATM network

Modelling the automatic teller machines (ATMs) by means of place/transition Petri nets (PNs) is presented. Simultaneously, the attendance on elementary ATMs in an ATM network as to money replenishment is partially solved. Namely, a contribution to solving the so called travelling salesman's problem (TSP) by means P/T PNs-based approach is pointed out.
Transmission of Kala-Azar in India: The Case against the Sandfly—A Reply

some difficulty in taking it as a serious contribution to literature in connection with the problem of transmission of kala-azar. I was strengthened in this opinion by my personal knowledge of both authors, more especially of one of them, whom I know to be a very fervent admirer of Mr. Bernard Shaw, and I came to the conclusion that the whole article was written in the shavian tradition, with the authors' tongues in their cheeks and with the intention of raising a controversy about a subject on which the authors hold no serious views. As I have seen no reply in the medical literature to the arguments
Why is heart failure so important in the 21st century?

Heart failure (HF) is a common affliction across the globe. As the 21st century unfolds, data from all over the planet suggest that HF increasingly affects us on a global level.1–7 The causes of HF are different in different parts of the world, ranging from hypertension and rheumatic heart disease in developing regions6 to degenerative valvular and myocardial diseases driven by aging populations in Europe and North America.1–3. Curiously, whatever triggers the HF process, it seems that once initiated HF becomes a separate syndrome with an accelerated dire outcome. For example, we were surprised in recent years when examining the results of an acute HF registry in sub-Saharan Africa to learn that short-term rates of readmission and death were similar to rates observed in other regions8 despite patients in the registry being younger, with HF mostly driven by hypertension and with virtually none of the patients having manifestations of ischaemic heart disease. This combination of HF being highly prevalent across the globe and the significant adverse outcome, which seems to be largely independent of age, aetiology, and region, should prompt the global community to invest in tackling this growing epidemic as a major priority, with focus in a few key areas.