Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attitude to Human Papillomavirus Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Based Cervical Cancer Screening in Antenatal Care in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Objectives Human papillomavirus (HPV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based testing is increasingly used for cervical cancer screening in developed countries, but the best approach to utilizing it in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is unclear. Incorporation of HPV DNA-based testing into routine antenatal care (ANC) is a potential yet poorly explored strategy for cervical cancer screening in LMIC. We explored the attitude of health care workers and pregnant women to the incorporation of HPV DNA-based tests into routine ANC in Nigeria. Methods We conducted nine focus group discussions with 82 pregnant women and 13 in-depth interviews with obstetricians and midwives at four health care facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. We used qualitative content analysis to analyze the data and the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework to examine the responses. Results Pregnant women expressed a favorable attitude toward HPV DNA testing for cervical cancer screening as part of routine ANC. Acceptability of this approach was motivated by the expected benefits from early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. The factors most commonly cited as likely to influence acceptability and uptake of HPV DNA-based tests are recommendations by their care providers and mandating testing as part of ANC services. Discussants mentioned lack of awareness and affordability as factors that may inhibit uptake of HPV DNA-based cervical cancer screening. Midwives expressed concerns about the safety of sampling procedure in pregnancy, while obstetricians fully support the integration of HPV DNA-based testing into routine ANC. Conclusion Our results show that incorporating HPV DN-based cervical cancer screening into routine ANC is acceptable to pregnant women and health care providers. Making the test affordable and educating health care workers on its efficacy and safety if performed during ANC will enhance their willingness to recommend it and increase its uptake.
Using Restriction-Map Analysis to Characterize the Colonization Process of Drosophila subobscura on the American Continent I. Rp49 Region

Chromosomal polymorphism as well as restriction-site variation for the rp49 region have been analyzed in one North American and one South American population of Drosophila subobscura. Seven tetranucleotide-recognizing restriction enzymes have been used to study nucleotide variation. Five restriction-site and five length polymorphisms have been detected, all but one length polymorphism being present in both populations. Only eight haplotypes have been detected in the American samples, compared with 70 haplotypes detected in two European populations; seven of the eight haplotypes detected in America are present in both populations. The distribution of haplotypes in North and South America confirms the relatedness of both colonization events. If the population of origin showed a similar or higher haplotype diversity than that estimated for the two European populations, then the number of 0 chromosomes for the rp49 region that expanded in the new area would most probably be 8-12.
Global Genomic Analysis of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas Reveals Significant Molecular Differences Compared to Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Objective:To determine whether intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs) have a different genetic background compared with ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Summary Background Data:The biologic and clinical behavior of IPMNs and IPMN-associated adenocarcinomas is different from PDAC in having a less aggressive tumor growth and significantly improved survival. Up to date, the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical behavior of IPMNs are incompletely understood. Methods:128 cystic pancreatic lesions were prospectively identified during the course of 2 years. From the corresponding surgical specimens, 57 IPMNs were separated and subdivided by histologic criteria into those with low-grade dysplasia, moderate dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, and invasive cancer. Twenty specimens were suitable for DNA isolation and subsequent performance of array CGH. Results:While none of the IPMNs with low-grade dysplasia displayed detectable chromosomal aberrations, IPMNs with moderate and high-grade dysplasia showed frequent copy number alterations. Commonly lost regions were located on chromosome 5q, 6q, 10q, 11q, 13q, 18q, and 22q. The incidence of loss of chromosome 5q, 6q, and 11q was significantly higher in IPMNs with high-grade dysplasia or invasion compared with PDAC. Ten of 13 IPMNs with moderate dysplasia or malignancy had loss of part or all of chromosome 6q, with a minimal deleted region between linear positions 78.0 and 130.0. Conclusions:This study is the first to use array CGH to characterize IPMNs. Recurrent cytogenetic alterations were identified and were different than those described in PDAC. Array CGH may help distinguish between these 2 entities and give insight into the differences in their biology and prognosis.
An Energy Management Service for the Smart Office

The evolution of the electricity grid towards the smart grid paradigm is fostering the integration of distributed renewable energy sources in smart buildings: a combination of local power generation, battery storage and controllable loads can greatly increase the energetic self-sufficiency of a smart building, enabling it to maximize the self-consumption of photovoltaic electricity and to participate in the energy market, thus taking advantage of time-variable tariffs to achieve economic savings. This paper proposes an energy management infrastructure specifically tailored for a smart office building, which relies on measured data and on forecasting algorithms to predict the future patterns of both local energy generation and power loads. The performance is compared to the optimal energy usage scheduling, which would be obtained assuming the exact knowledge of the future energy production and consumption trends, showing gaps below 10% with respect to the optimum.
Parameter Estimation of Large Scale Systems using Dynamic Data Monitoring : Application to Plume Dispersion Phenomenon

In this research, the effects of data measurement on source parameter estimation are studied. The concept of mutual information is applied to locate the optimal location for each sensor to improve the accuracy of the overall estimation process. For validation purposes, an advection diffusion simulation code, SCIPUFF (Second-order Closure Integrated PUFF) is used as a modeling testbed to study the effects of using dynamic data measurement. Bayesian inference framework is utilized to perform source parameter estimation using stationary and mobile sensor networks, where in mobile sensors, the proposed approach of Dynamic Data Monitoring is used to locate mobile data observation sensors. As our numerical simulations show, using dynamic data monitoring leads to a considerably better estimate of the source parameters, while just using fewer sensors, than the stationary sensors case, or other alternative approaches.
Cellular defects caused by hypomorphic variants of the Bloom syndrome helicase gene BLM

Bloom syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by extraordinary cancer incidence early in life and an average life expectancy of ~27 years. Premature stop codons in BLM, which encodes a DNA helicase that functions in DNA double‐strand‐break repair, make up the vast majority of Bloom syndrome mutations, with only 13 single amino acid changes identified in the syndrome. Sequencing projects have identified nearly one hundred single nucleotide variants in BLM that cause amino acid changes of uncertain significance.
On the Fixed-Parameter Intractability and Tractability of Multiple-Interval Graph Problems

Multiple-interval graphs are a natural generalization of interval graphs where each vertex may have more then one interval associated with it. Many applications of interval graphs also generalize to multiple-interval graphs, often allowing for better robustness in the modeling of the specific application. In this paper, we study the fixed-parameter tractability and intractability of three classical graph problems restricted to multiple-interval graphs. These problems are the k-Independent Set, k-Dominating Set, and k-Clique problems, which are known to W[1]-hard for general graphs, and NP-complete for multiple-interval graphs. We prove that the the latter problem is in FPT, while the first two are W[1]-hard. The importance of our results is twofold. First, we determine the parameterized complexity status of three elegantly defined combinatorial problems that have real life applications in various areas. Second, for proving our hardness results, we develop a useful framework for showing W[1]-hardness using a reduction from the k-Multicolored Clique problem, a variant of k-Clique. This problem seems to be very useful in reductions, and we believe that it can be used for showing other W[1]-hardness results.
Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce Implementation of Blended Learning Project at the University of Szczecin. Stage I & Ii

LAMS WZiEU project began in 2006. The biggest challenge of adopting an e-learning environment was the methodological and electronic development of chosen parts of the Computer Science subject and transferring didactic content delivered by traditional methods into e-learning language. As is shown from the executed analysis, the general rating of efficiency and quality of blended learning was twice as high as the traditional method. According to the students, blended learning is better in every element of the educational process, except communication. It seems that it is very important to find which must be taken into consideration when other e-courses are designed. Essential are solutions for synchronous communication or, going further, e-consultation tools. The general rating for the efficiency of the method was positive for both students and teachers.
A summary and comparison of bird mortality from anthropogenic causes with an emphasis on collisions

We estimate that from 500 million to possibly over 1 billion birds are killed annually in the United States due to anthropogenic sources including collisions with human-made structures such as vehicles, buildings and windows, power lines, communication towers, and wind turbines; electrocutions; oil spills and other contaminants; pesticides; cat predation; and commercial fishing by-catch. Many of the deaths from these sources would be considered unlawful take under federal laws such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. In this paper, we summarize this literature and provide the basis for the mortality projections for many of the apparent significant sources. Most of the mortality projections are based on small sample sizes, and on studies typically lacking adjustments for scavenging and searcher efficiency biases. Although the estimates for each source often range by an order of magnitude, the cumulative mortality from all these sources continues to be a concern.
An effective mutation operator to deal with multi-objective constrained problems: SPM

In this paper, a novel mutation operator for Evolutionary Multi-objective Algorithms (MOEAs), named as Subspace Polynomial Mutation (SPM) is presented. This specialized mutation operator is particularly designed to deal with constrained continuos problems. As a variation operator, SPM ensures the production of suitable candidate solutions which has not only the chance to improve their survival rate, but that fulfills feasibility also-saving in this way a considerable amount of function evaluations when avoiding unnecessary trials. This feature coupled with the ability of SPM for performing movements along the constrained Pareto set improves the efficiency of the mutation process in a MOEA.
Distinct modes of modulation of GABAergic transmission by Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat entorhinal cortex

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulates synaptic transmission, whereas the roles of mGluRs in GABAergic transmission in the entorhinal cortex (EC) are elusive. Here, we examined the effects of mGluRs on GABAergic transmission onto the principal neurons in the superficial layers of the EC. Bath application of DHPG, a selective Group I mGluR agonist, increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) whereas application of DCG‐IV, an agonist for Group II mGluRs or L‐AP4, an agonist for Group III mGluRs failed to change significantly sIPSC frequency and amplitude. Bath application of DHPG failed to change significantly the frequency and amplitude of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) recorded in the presence of tetradotoxin but significantly reduced the amplitude of IPSCs evoked by extracellular field stimulation or in synaptically connected interneuron‐pyramidal neuron pairs in layer III of the EC. DHPG increased the frequency but reduced the amplitude of APs recorded from entorhinal interneurons. Bath application of DHPG generated membrane depolarization and increased the input resistance of GABAergic interneurons. DHPG‐mediated depolarization of GABAergic interneurons was mediated by inhibition of background K+ channels which are insensitive to extracellular Cs+, TEA, 4‐AP, and Ba2+. DHPG‐induced facilitation of sIPSCs was mediated by mGluR5 and required the function of Gαq but was independent of phospholipase C activity. Elevation of synaptic glutamate concentration by bath application of glutamate transporter inhibitors significantly increased sIPSC frequency and amplitude demonstrating a physiological role of mGluRs in GABAergic transmission. Our results provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to explain the physiological and pathological roles of mGluRs in the EC. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impedance flow cytometry gauges proliferative capacity by detecting TRPC1 expression

When examined, the expansion of many stem cell classes has been shown to be facilitated by mechanically‐regulated calcium entry from the extracellular space that also helps direct their developmental programs towards mechanosensitive tissues such as muscle, bone, and connective tissues. Cation channels of the transient receptor potential C class (TRPC) are the predominant conduit for calcium entry into proliferating myoblasts. Nonetheless, methods to non‐invasively study this calcium‐entry pathway are still in their infancy. Here we show that a microfluidic configuration of impedance‐based flow cytometry (IFC) provides a method to detect TRP channel expression in cells at high throughput. Using this technology we discern changes in the IFC signal that correlates with the functional expression of TRPC1 channels and coincides with cell proliferation. Pharmacological agents, mechanical conditions or malignant states that alter the expression of TRPC1 channels are reflected in the IFC signal accordingly, whereas pharmacological agents that alter cation‐permeation through TRPC1 channels, or ionophores that independently increase calcium entry across the membrane, have little effect. Our results suggest that IFC detects changes in whole‐cell membrane organization associated with TRPC1 activation and surface expression, rather than cation permeation through the channel per se. IFC‐based technologies thus have the potential to identify living stem cells in their earliest stages of expansion without staining or chemical fixation. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Population‐based study shows that Hirschsprung disease does not have a negative impact on education and income

Hirschsprung disease is a multifactorial disease, which is mainly treated during childhood. There is a risk of impaired bowel function for a long time after surgery, and its impact on adult life has not been well studied. This study assessed whether having Hirschsprung disease affected social parameters such as educational level and income.
Comparative analysis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in head and neck cancer and carcinoma cervix during concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Abstract Background: Cisplatin is widely used as radio sensitizer in head and neck cancer (HNC) and carcinoma cervix (CaCx). This study aims to see comparative nephrotoxicity of cisplatin in HNC and in CaCx without obstructive uropathy treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients of HNC and 50 patients of CaCx stage II/III without obstructive uropathy were included in this study. Cisplatin 50 mg intravenous weekly was given before EBRT with adequate hydration and premedication in both groups. Before chemotherapy; blood urea, serum creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. GFR was measured using 99m Tc diethylene triamine pentacaetic acid (DTPA) renogram study. Results: At the end of 4 th week, blood urea level 41-45 mg% was in 40 and 4% in HNC and CaCx, respectively (P = 0.018). At the end of 3 rd and 4 th week, blood urea level >45 mg% was 10 and 6% in HNC cases, respectively. At the end of 4 th week, serum creatinine level 1.1-1.5 mg% was 50 and 8% in HNC and CaCx, respectively (P = 0.047). Serum creatinine level >1.5 mg% was 6, 8, and 22% in HNC at the end of 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th week, respectively. GFR <80 ml/min at the end of 4 th week was 14% in HNC and only 2% in CaCx. GFR <100ml/min was significant at the end of 4 th week (P = 0.04). Univariate analysis showed significant relation between reduced oral fluid intake and reduced GFR (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In HNC, during concurrent chemoradiation, as the 3 rd -4 th week is reached, oral mucosal reactions increase and affect oral intake which further add to the cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. In CaCx without obstructive uropathy, renal function impairment is less severe as oral intake of water and liquid is not much impaired.
Estimation and measurement of closed-loop delays in the actual WACS of Guizhou Power Grid

The characterization of the closed-loop delays in a wide-area control system (WACS) is an important foundation for further research. The method to estimate and measure the closed-loop delay in actual WACSs were proposed in this paper. Then, the closed-loop delays in the actual WACS in Guizhou Power Grid in China were measured and analyzed. Also, the measured delays were used to verify the normal distribution estimation model proposed in previous research. The results indicate that the closed-loop delay in the WACS followed a normal distribution.
Media Democratization at the Crossroads: Community Radio in Thailand and Malaysia

Community radio can serve as an important national resource, giving local voices access to media and providing an alternative to mainstream broadcasters. This study examined the status of community radio in two contrasting settings: Thailand where community stations number in the thousands and Malaysia where community radio has so far not been allowed. Although Thailand's community broadcasters started their operations without formal authorization, successive governments have not taken action to force their general closure. However, steps to create a legal status for them have moved at a sluggish pace. In Malaysia, authorization for community radio stations seems never to have been seriously considered even though public groups have expressed enthusiasm for the idea. In both nations, political considerations have been major factors governing the slow development of policies for community radio.
An investigation of activity profiles of older adults.

OBJECTIVES In this study, we advance knowledge about activity engagement by considering many activities simultaneously to identify profiles of activity among older adults. Further, we use cross-sectional data to explore factors associated with activity profiles and prospective data to explore activity profiles and well-being outcomes. METHOD We used the core survey data from the years 2008 and 2010, as well as the 2009 Health and Retirement Study Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (HRS CAMS). The HRS CAMS includes information on types and amounts of activities. We used factor analysis and latent class analysis to identify activity profiles and regression analyses to assess antecedents and outcomes associated with activity profiles. RESULTS We identified 5 activity profiles: Low Activity, Moderate Activity, High Activity, Working, and Physically Active. These profiles varied in amount and type of activities. Demographic and health factors were related to profiles. Activity profiles were subsequently associated with self-rated health and depression symptoms. DISCUSSION The use of a 5-level categorical activity profile variable may allow more complex analyses of activity that capture the "whole person. " There is clearly a vulnerable group of low-activity individuals as well as a High Activity group that may represent the "active ageing" vision.
New insights into the stochastic geometry analysis of dense CSMA networks

Stochastic geometry proves to be a powerful tool for modeling dense wireless networks adopting random MAC protocols such as ALOHA and CSMA. The main strength of this methodology lies in its ability to account for the randomness in the nodes' location jointly with an accurate description at the physical layer, based on the SINR, that allows to consider also random fading on each link. Existing models of CSMA networks adopting the stochastic geometry approach suffer from two important weaknesses: 1) they permit to evaluate only spatial averages of the main performance measures, thus hiding possibly huge discrepancies in the performance achieved by individual nodes; 2) they are analytically tractable only when nodes are distributed over the area according to simple spatial processes (e.g., the Poisson point process). In this paper we show how the stochastic geometry approach can be extended to overcome the above limitations, allowing to obtain node throughput distributions as well as to analyze a significant class of topologies in which nodes are not independently placed.
Measuring theoretically complex constructs: the case of acquisition performance

Researchers face numerous challenges when measuring complex theoretical constructs. This article focuses on the tension between the benefits of measurement precision and the benefits of generalizability in the context of the acquisition performance construct. Achieving precision tends to lead to measurement proliferation, while achieving generalizability calls for measurement convergence. The authors perform qualitative and quantitative analyses to determine how the literature has dealt with this tension.They conclude that acquisition performance is a theoretically complex construct comprised of relatively unrelated dimensions and that there is often a misalignment between theory and measurement — resulting in missed opportunities to capture the benefits of precision or the benefits of generalizability. Based on their analyses, the authors’ develop a framework to help future acquisition researchers manage the tension between precision and generalizability. The approach is recommended for use by researchers studying other theoretically complex constructs.
In with the New, Out with the Old: Has the Technological Revolution Eliminated the Traditional Job Search Process?

A study was designed to compare the number of jobs found as well as the perceptions toward job search tools when employing internet-based tools versus traditional tools (e.g., print media). Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of five search tools (i.e., Monster.com, Hotjobs.com, General Internet, Open, and Print Media Searches) and instructed to search for job openings in the accounting industry. Results indicated that the number of jobs found were clearly greater in the internet-based conditions than in the traditional search condition. Impressions of the job search method were positively related to the perceived quality of information gathered and perceptions of job search success.