Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decline in sexually transmitted infection prevalence and HIV incidence in female barworkers attending prevention and care services in Mbeya Region, Tanzania

Objective:To assess trends in sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and HIV incidence and associated factors in a cohort of female barworkers exposed to behavioural interventions and STI screening and treatment. Methods:An open cohort of 600 female barworkers in Mbeya Region, Tanzania was offered 3-monthly information and education sessions on HIV/STI and reproductive health, voluntary HIV counselling and testing and clinical health check-ups including STI syndromic management with simple STI laboratory support. Outcome assessments included HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and syphilis serology, polymerase chain reaction for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and ulcerative STI, microscopy for Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and bacterial vaginosis and interviews on sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics. Results:Over a period of 30 months 600 barworkers were enrolled at the baseline examination round and 153 thereafter as replacements for losses to follow-up. At 3-monthly examinations the prevalence of gonorrhoea declined steadily from 22.2 to 6.8% (odds ratio for trend per quarter: 0.81; P < 0.001). The prevalence of all other STI/RTI, except for genital herpes and bacterial vaginosis, also decreased significantly. HIV incidence declined from 13.9/100 to 5.0/100 person-years over three consecutive 9-month periods. HIV incidence was significantly associated with genital ulcers and positive syphilis serology, but not with genital herpes or HSV-2 seropositivity. Conclusion:A relatively simple intervention consisting of regular 3-monthly STI screening and syndromic management in combination with HIV/STI information and counselling sessions was well accepted and effective in reducing STI among barworkers. Such interventions should be implemented more widely in high-risk environments in sub-Saharan Africa.
A generic transformation for optimal repair bandwidth and rebuilding access in MDS codes

We propose a generic transformation on maximum distance separable (MDS) codes, which can convert any non-binary (k+r, k) MDS code into another (k+r, k) MDS code with the following properties: 1) An arbitrarily chosen r nodes will have the optimal repair bandwidth and the optimal rebuilding access, 2) the repair bandwidth and rebuilding access efficiencies of all other nodes are maintained as in the code before the transformation, 3) it uses the same finite field as the code before the transformation, and 4) the sub-packetization is increased only by a factor of r. As two immediate applications of this powerful transformation, we show that 1) any non-binary MDS code with optimal repair bandwidth, or optimal rebuilding access, for only systematic nodes can be converted into an MDS code with the corresponding repair optimality for all nodes; and 2) any non-binary scalar MDS code can be converted to an MDS code with optimal repair bandwidth and rebuilding access for all nodes, or to an MDS code with optimal rebuilding access for all systematic nodes and moreover with the optimal sub-packatization, by applying the transformation multiple times.
Radiotherapy-related intracranial aneurysms: A role for conservative management

Background: Radiotherapy-related intracranial aneurysms are a recognized but rare phenomenon and often present following rupture leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage. Treatment poses a particular dilemma and both endovascular, and surgical approaches have been used with varied success. We present the case of a radiotherapy-related aneurysm treated conservatively with a favorable outcome. Case Description: A 37-year-old man was diagnosed with a left temporal lobe mass for which he underwent an uneventful craniotomy and debulking. Histology revealed Grade III anaplastic astrocytoma following which he received radiotherapy. Three years later, he presented with subacute headache and transient dysphasia. Computed tomography and catheter angiography revealed a fusiform aneurysm of the supramarginal branch of the left middle cerebral artery with probable intra-aneurysmal thrombus. Adjacent vessels also showed mild vasculitic changes. Trial balloon occlusion of the parent vessel resulted in profound dysphasia and was therefore abandoned. Bypass surgery or stent placement was deemed to have too high a risk of neurological deficit, and keeping in mind, the diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma, conservative management was pursued with partial thrombosis noted on serial imaging and stable appearances subsequently at 42 months’ follow-up. Conclusion: Conservative management can be pursued in selective cases of radiotherapy-related aneurysms, particularly if the risk of treating is too high and in the context of intracranial malignancy with limited lifespan.
High yield photocrosslinking of a 5-iodocytidine (IC) substituted RNA to its associated protein.

5-Iodouracil is an excellent chromophore for introduction intoboth RNA and DNA for the purpose of achieving high yieldphotocrosslinking of nucleoprotein complexes ( 1,2). Crosslinkingyields are often three to five times higher than those achieved with5-bromouracil, in part, because the 5-iodouracil chromophoreabsorbs at longer wavelength and consequently can be excitedmore selectively. The highest yields are achieved by irradiatingwith a helium cadmium laser emitting at 325 nm (1); however,useful yields can also be obtained with a 312 nm transilluminator(1,2). The technique is primarily selective for aromatic amino acidresidues; consequently, success in crosslinking depends uponproximity of a U or T of the nucleic acid to an aromatic ring of theprotein. We now report that 5-iodocytosine is an excellentchromophore for nucleoprotein photocrosslinking complementing5-iodouracil.The nucleoprotein complex selected for demonstrating photo-crosslinking with the 5-iodocytosine chromophore was an RNAhairpin within the genome of the bacteriophage MS2 bound to adimer of the phage coat protein. The system has been character-ized by a co-crystal structure ( 3), and photocrosslinking has beendefined with RNAs bearing 5-iodouridine (1) and 5-bromo-uridine ( 4,5) complexed with the almost identical R17 coat protein.Further, the effect of RNA sequence variations on protein bindingand crosslinking is well established (4). RNA 1 bearing a single5-iodouridine at the –5 position (Fig. 1) binds with high affinityto the coat protein and upon irradiation of the complex at 325 nm,crosslinks in 75–95% yield to Tyr85 of the coat protein (1,5). Comparable photocrosslinking is now demonstrated withRNA 2 (Fig. 1) bearing an iodocytidine at the –5 position and fiveadditional iodocytidines in stem positions. Irradiation at 325 nmgives 75–95% crosslinking after 2 h with only traces of RNAcleavage. A time course of the crosslinking is shown by theelectrophoretic gel in Figure 2. The high yield is dependent upona saturating protein concentration. With a substantial excess ofcoat protein but at a concentration sufficient to bind only 36% ofthe RNA throughout the irradiation, a maximum crosslinkingyield of only 20% is achieved even after 3 h of irradiation. Thebalance of the RNA appears in the electrophoretic gel (not shown)primarily as unreacted RNA (40%) and two RNA cleavageproducts (40%). Further, gel electrophoretic analysis of thereaction mixture from irradiation of the RNA in the absence ofcoat protein showed no high molecular weight bands and inparticular no bands at the location of the crosslinked nucleoprotein
A Reinvestigation of Maximal Signal Drop in Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to reevaluate the usefulness of relative maximum signal drop (rMSD), as compared to relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and cerebral blood flow (rCBF), in dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods. Twenty‐five patients (11 with cerebral gliomas and 14 with infarcts of middle cerebral arterial territories) were included. The rMSD values were measured from 83 regions of interest and compared with measurements from corresponding rCBV and rCBF maps. Results. In stroke patients, rMSD correlated strongly with rCBF (r= 0.96) but only fairly with rCBV (r= 0.69). The absence of an association between rMSD and rCBV was evident in regions of increased contrast bolus dispersion. In glioma patients, the correlation of rMSD with rCBF (r= 0.85) was similar to that of rMSD with rCBV (r= 0.80). The interparameter associations were well predicted by computer simulations. Conclusions. The authors conclude that rMSD is as useful as rCBF under a variety of pathophysiological conditions, whereas in conditions with normal mean transit time, such as brain tumors, rMSD provides equivalent blood volume information to rCBV. The simplicity of rMSD maps could lead to the increased use of perfusion‐weighted MRI.
CHANGING IONIZATION CONDITIONS IN SDSS GALAXIES WITH ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI AS A FUNCTION OF ENVIRONMENT FROM PAIRS TO CLUSTERS

We study how active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity changes across environments from galaxy pairs to clusters using 143,843 galaxies with z < 0.2 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Using a refined technique, we apply a continuous measure of AGN activity, characteristic of the ionization state of the narrow-line emitting gas. Changes in key emission-line ratios ([N ii] λ6548/Hα, [O iii] λ5007/Hβ) between different samples allow us to disentangle different environmental effects while removing contamination. We confirm that galaxy interactions enhance AGN activity. However, conditions in the central regions of clusters are inhospitable for AGN activity even if galaxies are in pairs. These results can be explained through models of gas dynamics in which pair interactions stimulate the transfer of gas to the nucleus and clusters suppress gas availability for accretion onto the central black hole.
Handgrip Strength: A Population-Based Study of Norms and Age Trajectories for 3- to 17-Year-Olds

Purpose: To provide normative values and equations for grip strength obtained from a population-based sample of individuals 3 to 17 years of age. Methods: This cross-sectional study used grip strength data from 2706 participants (49.2% males, 91% right-hand dominant) in the normative phase of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox project. Results: Analyses showed greater strength in the dominant hand in boys and with each yearly increase in age. Normative data are presented separately for each side, sex, and age. Separate regression equations using age and weight as explanatory variables of grip strength are provided for each side by sex. Conclusions: The normative data can serve as a guide for interpreting grip strength measurements. The trajectories can be used to investigate the effect of various pathologies and conditions on grip strength during physical maturation.
Fiber source and inclusion level affects characteristics of excreta from growing pigs

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the influence of varying fibrous diets on fecal characteristics of growing pigs. Methods A total of 104 pigs (initial weight 18±2.0 kg) were used in the study. They were housed in individual pens and fed on diets containing maize cob, grass hay, lucerne hay, maize stover, and sunflower husk. These fibers were included at 0, 80, 160, 240, 320 and 400 g/kg. Fecal and urine samples were collected. Results Fecal output was largest amongst pigs fed on diets containing grass hay and maize stover (p<0.05). Nitrogen content was highest in feces from pigs fed on sunflower husk (p< 0.05). Pigs fed on diets containing maize stover and maize cobs produced the largest concentrations of short chain fatty acids. Acetate concentration was high in feces of pigs fed maize stover than those fed grass hay and lucerne hay (p<0.05). As the level of fiber inclusion increased, fecal consistency and nitrogen content increased linearly (p<0.05). Urea nitrogen decreased as the inclusion level increased across all the fibers (p<0.05), with maize cobs containing the largest content of urea nitrogen. As dietary fiber content increased, fecal nitrogen content also increased (p<0.05). Conclusion It was concluded that different fiber sources influence fecal characteristics, thereby having different implications on pig waste management. It is vital to monitor fiber inclusion thresholds so as to easily manage environmental pollutants such as butyrate that contribute to odors.
Arab Public Opinion and NATO after the International Military Operations in Libya

Although, NATO has always taken into account public opinion in its member states, the emergence of new Information and Communication Technologies and the extension of its out-of- area operations have given NATO a new impetus to extend the space of communication beyond the Alliance countries.With regard to the NATO's partnership with Arab countries, the Arab spring uprisings have created a new political atmosphere in which many signs of a positive perception of NATO and its members states have been expressed, and can be flourished with more support to new governments arising from this unprecedented political and social mobility in the region. So, giving the growing influence of Arab public opinion on the region countries' foreign policies, in the post-Arab spring era, getting public support is one of the fundamental preconditions for the success of the NATO cooperation initiatives in the Arab world.The article aims to give an approximate picture of the current Arab public's perception of NATO. It deals with the vision of the Arab elites and public opinion on the Alliance after its participation in overthrowing the Gaddafi regime, surveys the opinion of some segments of Moroccan public opinion, and explores some possible kinds of relations between Arab countries and NATO viewed by the Arab public.
Preclinical characterization of AMPA receptor potentiator TAK‐137 as a therapeutic drug for schizophrenia

The downregulation of the glutamate system may be involved in positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Through enhanced glutamate signaling, the activation of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionic acid (AMPA) receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor, could be a new therapeutic strategy for schizophrenia. TAK‐137 is a novel AMPA receptor potentiator with minimal agonistic activity; in this study, we used rodents and nonhuman primates to assess its potential as a drug for schizophrenia. At 10 mg kg−1 p.o. , TAK‐137 partially inhibited methamphetamine‐induced hyperlocomotion in rats, and at 3, 10, and 30 mg kg−1 p.o. , TAK‐137 partially inhibited MK‐801‐induced hyperlocomotion in mice, suggesting weak effects on the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. At 0.1 and 0.3 mg kg−1 p.o. , TAK‐137 significantly ameliorated MK‐801‐induced deficits in the social interaction of rats, demonstrating potential improvement of impaired social functioning, which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia. The effects of TAK‐137 were evaluated on multiple cognitive domains—attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. TAK‐137 enhanced attention in the five‐choice serial reaction time task in rats at 0.2 mg kg−1 p.o. , and improved working memory both in rats and monkeys: 0.2 and 0.6 mg kg−1 p.o. ameliorated MK‐801‐induced deficits in the radial arm maze test in rats, and 0.1 mg kg−1 p.o. improved the performance of ketamine‐treated monkeys in the delayed matching‐to‐sample task. At 0.1 and 1 mg kg−1 p.o. , TAK‐137 improved the cognitive flexibility of subchronic phencyclidine‐treated rats in the reversal learning test. Thus, TAK‐137‐type AMPA receptor potentiators with low intrinsic activity may offer new therapies for schizophrenia.
Are there two types of business cycles? a note on crisis detection

Business cycles are highly irregular fluctuations in economic activity. This article attempts to determine whether there are some properties of business cycles that can make them look more regular. This is done by analysing business cycle dynamics, especially by employing and adjusting to contemporary business cycle analysis the theories of growth cycles and classical cycles. The non-homogeneity of business cycles is surveyed in theory and practice with use of ad hoc filtering, spectral analysis and unobserved components models. With their use business cycles are extracted. Several macroeconomic indicators for 32 economies are analysed to draw up additional characteristics of contemporary business cycles. The author proposes that fluctuations in economic activity lasting 8-19 quarters should be called ‘growth cycles’ and those lasting 20-40 quarters – ‘classical cycles’. The value added of this article is the consideration of the two different type of cycles in light of the same methods of extraction, while to date they have been thought of as the ones that can be analysed with use of different methods of extraction. Another innovation is comparison of the cyclicality of different macroeconomic indicators from the point of view of the two types of cycles, while to date they have been analysed in the light of a single business cycle. In the article it is shown that dividing business cycles into such defined classical cycles and growth cycles enables us to understand the differences between the cyclicality of various macroeconomic aggregates and countries. It also enables us to distinguish between smaller downturns and severe recessions. Another conclusion is that the duration of contemporary business cycles around the world closes in a range of 2 to 10 years
The Replicative Capacities of Large E1B-Null Group A and Group C Adenoviruses Are Independent of Host Cell p53 Status

ABSTRACT Recent reports suggest that an early region 1B (E1B) 55,000-molecular-weight polypeptide (55K)-null adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) mutant (dl1520) can replicate to the same extent as wild-type (wt) Ad5 in cells either deficient or mutated in p53, implicating p53 in limiting viral replication in vivo. In contrast, we show here that the replicative capacity of Ad5 dl1520 is wholly independent of host cell p53 status, as is the replicative capacity of comparable Ad12 E1B 54K-null adenoviruses (Ad12dl620 and Ad12 hr703). Furthermore, we show that there is no requirement for complex formation between p53 and Ad5 E1B 55K or Ad12 E1B 54K for a productive infection, such that wt Ad5 and wt Ad12 will both replicate in cells which are null for p53. In addition, we find that these Ad5 and Ad12 mutant viruses induce S phase irrespective of the p53 status of the cell and that, therefore, S-phase induction does not correlate with the replicative capacity of the virus. Interestingly, the replicative capacities of the large E1B-null adenoviruses correlated positively with the ability to express E1B 19K and were related to the ability to repress premature adenovirus-induced apoptosis. Infection of primary human cells indicated that Ad5dl1520, wt Ad5, and wt Ad12 replicated better in cycling normal human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) than in quiescent HSFs. Thus, the cell cycle status of the host cell, upon infection, also influences viral yield.
Micro-shear bond strength of resin-bonding systems to cervical enamel.

PURPOSE To evaluate the micro-shear bond strength of current adhesive systems to cervical and mid-coronal enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two commercially available resin adhesives were investigated; a self-etching primer system (Clearfil SE Bond) and a one-bottle adhesive system (Single Bond) intended for use with the total-etch wet-bonding technique were employed. Two regions of enamel, cervical and mid-coronal regions, were chosen from the buccal surface of extracted molars and were then bonded with each adhesive system and submitted to the micro-shear bond test. In addition, the conditioned enamel surfaces without any bond and the enamel-resin adhesive interfaces were studied morphologically using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS No significant differences were found between the adhesive systems used (P > 0.05). However, for both bonding systems, cervical enamel showed significantly lower bonding than mid-coronal enamel (P < 0.05). The relatively lower bond strengths obtained from cervical enamel probably resulted from its aprismatic structure, which appears to be more resistant to dissolving in acids than prismatic mid-coronal enamel.
Requirements for a high rate of potassium excretion in rats consuming a low electrolyte diet

Control mechanisms for potassium (K+) excretion in humans developed in Palaeolithic times when diets were sodium poor and episodically K+ rich. Nevertheless, our understanding of the regulation of K+ excretion comes from experiments in rats with large sodium and K+ intakes. Our objective was to identify how K+ excretion was regulated when rats consumed a low NaCl diet to reflect Palaeolithic conditions. Rats that were given mineralocorticoids plus either NaCl, mannitol, or NaHCO3 had a small kaliuresis. In contrast, KCl load induced a large kaliuresis and a near‐maximal luminal [K+] in the terminal cortical collecting duct ([K+]CCD). The time course of events was important. The rise in the [K+]CCD was prompt, but the initial kaliuresis was only modest. Over the next 4 h, kaliuresis increased markedly due solely to a higher calculated distal flow rate, which appeared to be due to diminished reabsorption of NaCl in the loop of Henle; of note, the measured papillary [K+] rose. In summary, the increase in the [K+]CCD in rats given KCl is likely to be due to an increase in the number of luminal K+ channels rather than to mechanisms that are known to induce a lumen‐negative voltage in cortical distal nephron segments. The higher distal flow rate might be due to a higher interstitial [K+], which inhibited NaCl reabsorption in the loop of Henle. Thus, to understand which of the potential control mechanisms are operating, one must look very closely at the conditions imposed by the experimental setting.
Impaired right and left ventricular diastolic myocardial mechanics and filling in asymptomatic children and adolescents after repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

AIMS After tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair patients have right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and reduced exercise tolerance. Diastolic dysfunction may be important but is as yet poorly characterized. The early diastolic strain rate (SR) is a measure of ventricular relaxation, and may be useful to assess diastolic mechanics in TOF. We hypothesized that children after TOF repair have diastolic dysfunction and dyssynchrony by this measure, and sought to determine their relationship with pulmonary regurgitation (PR), RV enlargement, and aerobic exercise capacity. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively recruited asymptomatic children after TOF repair. RV and PR volumes were measured by magnetic resonance imaging; Doppler and tissue Doppler indices by echocardiography and RV and left ventricular (LV) early diastolic SR by two-dimensional speckle tracking. Exercise peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)) was determined using bicycle ergometry. Results were compared with healthy controls. We studied 53 TOF patients and 49 age-matched controls. TOF patients had significant PR (2.05 ± 1 L/m(2)) with moderate RV dilatation (157 ± 39 mL/m(2)), low-normal RV ejection fraction (49 ± 8.8%), and moderate QRS prolongation (141 ± 23 ms). The RV outflow gradient was 21.7 ± 16.0 mmHg. Patients had RV diastolic dysfunction vs. controls [reduced tricuspid valve (TV) E/A ratio, E' velocity, and longitudinal diastolic SR; increased right atrial volume and TV E/E' ratio]. LV early diastolic radial and circumferential SR were lower in TOF patients in association with more PR [parameter estimate (PE) 0.177 standard error (SE) (0.08) mL/m(2), P = 0.02] and higher RV volumes [(PE) 0.005 (0.002)mL/m(2), P = 0.01]. Diastolic dyssynchrony was not different in TOF patients vs. controls. CONCLUSION TOF patients have RV and LV diastolic dysfunction associated with RV enlargement and reduced early filling. SR imaging may be useful to quantify early myocardial diastolic dysfunction in these children.