Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Psychosocial and Family Factors in Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children

Background: The toxicity and complexity of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens are substantial challenges in the context of patients' lives. This study examines child psychosocial and caregiver/family factors influencing adherence to ART in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. Methods: Seventy-five children (ages 3–13 years) prescribed ART, and their primary caregivers were recruited from 2 urban pediatric HIV programs. A battery of psychologic assessments and self-report adherence data were collected from all caregivers and 48 children who were ≥7 years old. Results: Forty percent of caregivers and 56% of children reported missed doses of medication in the past month. Families in which the caregiver or child reported missed doses (nonadherent) were compared with families who reported no missed doses (adherent). In univariate analyses, nonadherence was significantly associated with older child age (P < 0.05), worse parent-child communication (P < 0.017), higher caregiver stress (P < 0.002), lower caregiver quality of life (P < 0.003) and worse caregiver cognitive functioning (P = 0.033), and of borderline significance in its association with increased (1) child responsibility for medications (P < 0.07), (2) HIV disclosure to the child (P < 0.07) and (3) child stress (P < 0.08) In logistic regressions controlling for age, caregiver/family factors were the most strongly associated with nonadherence, including worse parent-child communication (P < 0.03), higher caregiver stress (P < 0.01), less disclosure to others (P < 0.05) and quality of life (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our data suggest that efforts to improve children's adherence to complex antiretroviral regimens requires addressing developmental, psychosocial and family factors.
Malaria epidemiology in the province of Moyen Ogoov, Gabon.

In the course of epidemiological and immunological baseline studies parasitological surveys were conducted, in 1992, in three localities situated in our near rain forest in the area of Lambaréné, Gabon, western Central Africa. Anopheles gambiae s.s. and A. funestus are considered to be the main vectors of malaria. The three localities represent strata with obvious differences in the intensity of malaria transmission. The lowest parasite rates were recorded in the village around the Albert-Schweitzer-Hospital where environmental sanitation and easy access to diagnostic and therapeutic facilities afford a fair measure of malaria control. The villages of Bellevue and Tchad show a much higher prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum, followed by P. malariae and P. ovale. In all three villages parasite rates and geometric mean parasite densities of P. falciparum showed the age pattern typical for areas with stable, hyperendemic malaria. Analysis by season showed the period of the long rains to be the epidemiologically calmest while the dry season and even more the short rainy season produced an increase of parasite rates and densities. In Tchad, the most affected of the three villages, the parasite rates in female adults were significantly lower than in male adults. This was accompanied by lower parasite densities in female adults.
Vocoder Simulations of Highly Focused Cochlear Stimulation With Limited Dynamic Range and Discriminable Steps

Objectives: There is recent interest in focused stimulation of the cochlea via modalities such as tripolar electrical and infrared neural stimulation to improve speech in noise comprehension and music perception. The purpose of this work was to use vocoder-based simulations to investigate speech recognition for broad stimulation (standard monopolar paradigm) versus more focused stimulation under a variety of signal-to-noise ratios, dynamic ranges, and numbers of discriminable loudness steps. Design: Vocoder simulations were used to assess the intelligibility of sentences, consonants, and vowels that were noise vocoded and presented to 7 normal-hearing listeners for identification. A novel aspect of the simulations presented here was the use of nonuniform quantization steps within the dynamic range to more closely simulate the Weber functions observed in cochlear implant users. Intelligibility was assessed for the different filter slopes under a variety of signal-to-noise ratio levels, dynamic ranges, and numbers of discriminable steps. Results: Speech processed via vocoder simulations representing focused stimulation was found to be substantially more intelligible than speech processed via a monopolar electric vocoder simulation, with differences of up to 60 percentage points. There were no significant differences, however, seen between the two focused approaches (signal attenuations of 10 and 17 dB/mm) for the conditions investigated. Speech processed via the highly focused vocoder (17 dB/mm) was robust to constraints on small envelope dynamic range and small number of discriminable steps within the dynamic range, as high performance was maintained with at least a 5 dB dynamic range and eight or more discriminable steps. Significant drops in intelligibility were noted when the number of steps fell below eight. Conclusions: Highly focused stimulation—tripolar electrical and infrared neural stimulation—has potential for increased performance in noise compared with monopolar stimulation, but much work remains to bear this potential out and to take full advantage of each modality’s strengths.
Applications of DEC-MDPs in multi-robot systems

Optimizing the operation of cooperative multi-robot systems that can cooperatively act in large and complex environments has become an important focal area of research. This issue is motivated by many applications involving a set of cooperative robots that have to decide in a decentralized way how to execute a large set of tasks in partially observable and uncertain environments. Such decision problems are encountered while developing exploration rovers, teams of patrolling robots, rescue-robot colonies, mine-clearance robots, et cetera. In this chapter, we introduce problematics related to the decentralized control of multi-robot systems. We rst describe some applicative domains and review the main characteristics of the decision problems the robots must deal with. Then, we review some existing approaches to solve problems of multiagent decen- tralized control in stochastic environments. We present the Decentralized Markov Decision Processes and discuss their applicability to real-world multi-robot applications. Then, we introduce OC-DEC-MDPs and 2V-DEC-MDPs which have been developed to increase the applicability of DEC-MDPs.
Anaerobic transcription activation in Bacillus subtilis: identification of distinct FNR‐dependent and ‐independent regulatory mechanisms.

Bacillus subtilis is able to grow anaerobically using alternative electron acceptors, including nitrate or fumarate. We characterized an operon encoding the dissimilatory nitrate reductase subunits homologous to the Escherichia coli narGHJI operon and the narK gene encoding a protein with nitrite extrusion activity. Downstream from narK and co‐transcribed with it a gene (fnr) encoding a protein homologous to E.coli FNR was found. Disruption of fnr abolished both nitrate and fumarate utilization as electron acceptors and anaerobic induction of narK. Four putative FNR binding sites were found in B.subtilis sequences. The consensus sequence, centred at position −41.5, is identical to the consensus for the DNA site for E.coli CAP. Bs‐FNR contained a four cysteine residue cluster at its C‐terminal end. This is in contrast to Ec‐FNR, where a similar cluster is present at the N‐terminal end. It is possible that oxygen modulates the activity of both activators by a similar mechanism involving iron. Unlike in E.coli, where fnr expression is weakly repressed by anaerobiosis, fnr gene expression in B.subtilis is strongly activated by anaerobiosis. We have identified in the narK‐fnr intergenic region a promotor activated by anaerobiosis independently of FNR. Thus induction of genes involved in anaerobic respiration requires in B.subtilis at least two levels of regulation: activation of fnr transcription and activation of FNR to induce transcription of FNR‐dependent promoters.
Pulmonary response after exposure to inhaled nickel hydroxide nanoparticles: Short and long-term studies in mice

Abstract Short and long-term pulmonary response to inhaled nickel hydroxide nanoparticles (nano-Ni(OH)2, CMD = 40 nm) in C57BL/6 mice was assessed using a whole body exposure system. For short-term studies mice were exposed for 4 h to nominal concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 μg/m3. For long-term studies mice were exposed for 5 h/d, 5 d/w, for up to 5 months (m) to a nominal concentration of 100 μg/m3. Particle morphology, size distribution, chemical composition, solubility, and intrinsic oxidative capacity were determined. Markers of lung injury and inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); histopathology; and lung tissue elemental nickel content and mRNA changes in macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (Mip-2), chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2), interleukin 1-alpha (Il-1α), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf-α) were assessed. Dose-related changes in BALF analyses were observed 24 h after short-term studies while significant changes were noted after 3 m and/or 5 m of exposure (24 h). Nickel content was detected in lung tissue, Ccl2 was most pronouncedly expressed, and histological changes were noted after 5 m of exposure. Collectively, data illustrates nano-Ni(OH)2 can induce inflammatory responses in C57BL/6 mice.
Pretreatment of docetaxel enhances TRAIL‐mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells

Tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising cancer therapeutic agent because of its tumor selectivity. TRAIL is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells but spare most normal cells. In this study, we examined whether treatment of docetaxel (DTX) can enhance apoptotic cell death by TRAIL against androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC). The cell death effect of combinations of TRAIL and docetaxel on prostate cancer cell lines (androgen‐dependent LNCaP and its derived androgen‐independent, metastatic C4‐2B) was evaluated by synergisms of apoptosis. Western blot assay and DNA fragmentation assay were used to study the underlying mechanisms of cell death and search for any mechanisms of enhancement of TRAIL induced apoptosis in the presence of docetaxel. In addition, we investigated the in vitro anti‐tumor effects of combined docetaxel and TRAIL using MAP kinase inhibitors. Docetaxel itself could not induce apoptotic cell death in 24 h even in high concentration. Apoptotic cell death, however, was drastically enhanced by pretreatment of docetaxel 20 h before TRAIL treatment. Docetaxel enhanced the PARP‐1 cleavage and caspases activation by TRAIL especially in androgen‐independent, metastatic C4‐2B cell line, mainly by phosphorylation of Bcl‐2 by JNK activation. It appears that apoptotic cell death was protected by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. The results of our study show that pretreatment of docetaxel is able to enhance the apoptosis produced by TRAIL in prostate cancer cells, especially in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1636–1646, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The position and speed detection sensors based on electro-magnetic induction for maglev train

The absolute position detecting method is one of the core technologies of traction control system and operation control system in maglev train. When the maglev train is running, the speed and position detection sensors are effected by the shake of the train in the suspension and guide direction. Also the unsuitable location of the locating sign board and the complex electro-magnetic environment can disturb the code-reading process, which led the traction control system can't get the absolute location, endangering the safety of the train. Based on analyzing the above issues, A code-reading method is proposed in which the smaller coils are used for position detection and the larger ones are used to read code. As for the hardware, methods such as multiple transmitting frequencies, double-tuned resonant reception and analog signals compare are adopted to enhance the anti-jamming ability of the system. At last the Fault Diagnosis strategy was devised for the sensor, achieving to improve the accurate ability and reliability of absolute locating sensor.
Equalization concepts for Alamouti's space-time block code

In this paper, we develop receiver concepts for transmission with space-time block codes (STBCs) over frequency-selective fading channels. The focus lies on Alamouti's space-time block-coding scheme, but the results may be generalized to other STBCs as well. We show that a straightforward combination of conventional equalizers and a space-time block decoder is only possible if at least as many receive antennas as transmit antennas are employed, but not for the practically interesting case of pure transmit diversity, for which space-time coding had been originally developed. This restriction is circumvented by our approach. Here, the structural properties of the transmit signal of space-time block coding, which is shown to be improper (rotationally variant), are fully used. For this, equalizers with widely linear (WL) processing are designed, such as a WL equalizer, a decision-feedback equalizer with WL feedforward and feedback filtering, and a delayed decision-feedback sequence estimator with WL prefiltering. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed concepts may be successfully employed in an enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) receiver, especially for pure transmit diversity. Here, significant gains can be observed, compared with a conventional single-input single-output transmission.
Developing Party Identification: A Further Examination of Life-Cycle, Generational, and Period Effects

Recent analyses demonstrate that the partisan loyalties of birth cohorts have not increased over the full course of more than two decades, and these findings have been used to support a generational explanation for the weak party loyalties of young Americans. Philip E. Converse (1976) argues that partisan strength did increase with age between 1952 and 1964, which he views as a "steady-state" period in the development of party identification. Converse argues that there is considerable evidence for a life-cycle explanation during this period. Converse's support for the life-cycle explanation is a good deal weaker than he claims. By including blacks in his analysis, Converse mixed period effects with life-cycle effects. An analysis of the white electorate replicating Converse's techniques shows little gain in partisan strength among young whites during the 1952-1964 period, while an analysis including blacks suggests that Converse's inability to control for race led him to overestimate the presence of life-cycle effects. In addition, an analysis including results from the 1976 election survey conducted by the Center for Political Studies of the University of Michigan demonstrates that there is little support for the life-cycle thesis if one examines the entire 24-year period for which appropriate data are now available.
Shared parameter models for the joint analysis of longitudinal data and event times

Longitudinal studies often gather joint information on time to some event (survival analysis, time to dropout) and serial outcome measures (repeated measures, growth curves). Depending on the purpose of the study, one may wish to estimate and compare serial trends over time while accounting for possibly non‐ignorable dropout or one may wish to investigate any associations that may exist between the event time of interest and various longitudinal trends. In this paper, we consider a class of random‐effects models known as shared parameter models that are particularly useful for jointly analysing such data; namely repeated measurements and event time data. Specific attention will be given to the longitudinal setting where the primary goal is to estimate and compare serial trends over time while adjusting for possible informative censoring due to patient dropout. Parametric and semi‐parametric survival models for event times together with generalized linear or non‐linear mixed‐effects models for repeated measurements are proposed for jointly modelling serial outcome measures and event times. Methods of estimation are based on a generalized non‐linear mixed‐effects model that may be easily implemented using existing software. This approach allows for flexible modelling of both the distribution of event times and of the relationship of the longitudinal response variable to the event time of interest. The model and methods are illustrated using data from a multi‐centre study of the effects of diet and blood pressure control on progression of renal disease, the modification of diet in renal disease study. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Regulations on Pension Risk Shifting: Evidence from the US and Europe

This paper provides evidence that pension regulations can incentivize or curb risk shifting in the investment of defined benefit plan assets. We document that in the US, where the pension insurance premium charged by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is largely flat, financially distressed firms with severely underfunded plans shift pension investment risk. We further find that risk shifting is mitigated in the UK after the implementation of risk-adjusted pension insurance premiums, and in the Netherlands where full pension funding is mandatory. Overall the results in this paper lend support to the view that structural flaws in the US statutory pension insurance scheme incentivize high-risk sponsors to gamble their pension assets when distress terminations of their plans become foreseeable.
Variable Selection with Partial Least Squares Sensitivity Analysis: An Application to Currency Crises' Real Effects

The effects of a currency crisis on the economy depend on non-linear relations among several variables that characterize the economic, financial, legal, and socio-political structure of the country at the onset of the crisis. We seek to determine which variables are significant in explaining currency crises' real effects when they are all considered together. It uses a novel algorithm with Partial Least Squares (PLS) for selecting relevant variables. This algorithm works well with datasets characterized by few observations relative to the number of right-hand side variables and nonlinearity. Variables describing the banking sector, the international trade, the severity of the crisis, and foreign interest rates are found to be significant. On the other hand, socio-political variables, IMF's intervention, and legal variables are found to be less significant. The results of the PLS sensitivity analysis are compared with all-best subsets variable selection and their predictive power are examined using neural networks.
A New Energy-Efficient Topology for Wireless Body Area Networks

Wireless body area networks consist of several devices placed on the human body, sensing vital signs and providing remote recognition of health disorders. Low power consumption is crucial in these networks. A new energy-efficient topology is provided in this paper, considering relay and sensor nodes’ energy consumption and network maintenance costs. In this topology design, relay nodes, placed on the cloth, are used to help the sensor nodes forwarding data to the sink. Relay nodes’ situation is determined such that the relay nodes’ energy consumption merges the uniform distribution. Simulation results show that the proposed method increases the lifetime of the network with nearly uniform distribution of the relay nodes’ energy consumption. Furthermore, this technique simultaneously reduces network maintenance costs and continuous replacements of the designer clothing. The proposed method also determines the way by which the network traffic is split and multipath routed to the sink.
Essays on stock return predictability and corporate payout policy

Xfi Centre for Finance and Investment University of Exeter Business School Doctor of Philosophy in Finance by Pedro Angel Garcia Ares This dissertation studies the effect of the changes in corporate dividend policy on the predictability of stock returns. The first two chapters re-visit the question of what drives stock returns after controlling for these market-wide changes in the cross-sectional profile of dividend paying firms, and the third chapter studies the nature of these changes across different industry groups, stock market indexes, size and age. There have been several significant changes in the nature of corporate payout policy of US firms over the last several decades. We focus our work on the effect of two of these changes, using the present value model, into the question of what drives stock returnscash flows or discount rate news. Chapter 1 studies the effect of the large decrease in the proportion of dividend paying firms in changes in expected cash flows and/or discount rates by focusing on portfolios of dividend paying firms rather than aggregate portfolios of all listed firms. Our results, from Chapter 1, imply that the relatively importance of cash flows and discount rate news is intimately related to the cross-sectional variation in the patterns of dividend payers in the stock market and provide an intuitive explanation for the contradictory results documented in the existing literature. Chapter 2 builds on Chapter 1 and tries to reconcile and explain why results using the return and the book-to-market decomposition differ for the post-WW II period. It also provides with an alternate explanation different from dividend smoothing for the apparent absence of dividend growth predictability in post-WW II U.S. data. We find that predictive regressions based on the return on equity decomposition are sensitive to the way in which firm-level data is aggregated. Specifically we find that when firmlevel data is weighted by value both decomposition methods -the Campbell-Shiller and the Voulteenaho return decompositions provide strong support for cash flow news as a driver of stock returns in post-WW II data. We also find that, in post-WW II data, the existence of cash flow news is driven by the fact that the biggest firms by market capitalization are not always those that generate the biggest earnings or pay the largest dollar dividends.