Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of sexually transmitted diseases and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus: Biological cofactors and markers of behavioural interventions

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) interact uniquely with HIV infection, regardless of the form of sexual transmission of HIV. Both STDs and HIV infection are behaviorally and biologically intertwined with one another. This concept is called epidemiologic synergy since they facilitate the sexual transmission of one another. Assuming that one accepts this concept, innovative and comprehensive STD control programs along with community and individual-based prevention programs should provide a more effective HIV control program by reducing the efficiency of HIV transmission in high-risk individuals. Public health workers can assess the effectiveness of these programs by monitoring incident STDs in high-risk groups. Other benefits of using incident STDs as markers for HIV prevention include: biological validation of self-reported behavioral change, possible association between self-reports of behavioral change and recall or social desirability bias, representation of a major target population for HIV programs by people at risk for STDs, and sensitive, specific, and noninvasive STD-assays. Disadvantages of using incident STDs as markers for HIV prevention are: incident STDs are unreliable for detecting deficiencies in one individual component (i.e., condom use), they can be used only in areas with a high STD prevalence and high transmission probability, STD diagnostic assays are not 100% sensitive and specific, and untreated/undetected STDs at enrollment may be mislabeled as incident STDs at follow-up. Questions remain about the validity of self-reported condom use and the use of STDs to evaluate individual intervention measures, e.g., condom use within a short period of time. Monitoring of HIV incidence would be ideal, but it may take too long. Valid measures of condom use and other risk behavior are needed to determine risk status and changes in risk status over time. Thus, further research is needed to develop more accurate measures.
Systems Thinking Among Enrollees in a Principal Preparation Program

Principal preparation programs are criticized for failing to produce school leaders who can successfully face the growing complexity of today’s educational leadership. Inasmuch as the literature highlighted systems thinking as beneficial for complex situations, this study aimed to explore how preservice principals, enrolled in a systems thinking course as part of their principal preparation program, would identify practical opportunities to apply systems thinking principles in school leadership. Findings showed that preservice principals considered the characteristic of leading wholes as helpful for instructional leadership (curriculum and community) and the characteristic of adopting a multidimensional view as useful for interpersonal relationships and decision making. Implications and further research are discussed.
Emergence of KPC-Possessing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Brooklyn, New York: Epidemiology and Recommendations for Detection

ABSTRACT Among 257 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae collected in Brooklyn, NY, 24% were found to possess blaKPC. Clinical microbiology laboratories that used automated broth microdilution systems reported 15% of the KPC-possessing isolates as susceptible to imipenem. The imipenem MIC was found to be markedly affected by the inoculum. For accurate detection of KPC-possessing K. pneumoniae, particular attention should be paid to proper inoculum preparation for broth-based susceptibility methods. In addition, using ertapenem or meropenem for class reporting of carbapenem susceptibility will improve detection.
The Utilization Of Webpage In Conveying Public Relations Communication Amongst Islamic Higher Learning Institutions//Penggunaaan Laman Sesawang untuk Penyampaian Komunikasi Perhubungan Awam di Institusi Pengajian Islam.

Whether targeting the public or the media especially journalist or editors, websites exist to ensure the information is available for people to access based on few criteria. This paper intends to explore the utilization of webpage in conveying Public Relation (PR) communication between Islamic higher learning institutions. Qualitative content analysis method was used to compare the differences in PR perspective between Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Univeristi Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) and Kolej Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Selangor (KUIS) websites. The findings of this study indicated that the webpages analyzed were relatively interactive in nature and that they are focusing on the important PR elements and strategies. In conclusion, more often than not, the three websites analyzed consider the PR aspects of the design and taking into account the nature of the web community who wants fast and usable information that can educate rather than told.
Effect of the modified Glasgow Coma Scale score criteria for mild traumatic brain injury on mortality prediction: comparing classic and modified Glasgow Coma Scale score model scores of 13.

BACKGROUND The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) classifies traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as mild (14-15), moderate (9-13), or severe (3-8). The Advanced Trauma Life Support modified this classification so that a GCS score of 13 is categorized as mild TBI. We investigated the effect of this modification on mortality prediction, comparing patients with a GCS score of 13 classified as moderate TBI (classic model) to patients with GCS score of 13 classified as mild TBI (modified model). METHODS We selected adult TBI patients from the Pennsylvania Outcome Study database. Logistic regressions adjusting for age, sex, cause, severity, trauma center level, comorbidities, and isolated TBI were performed. A second evaluation included the time trend of mortality. A third evaluation also included hypothermia, hypotension, mechanical ventilation, screening for drugs, and severity of TBI. Discrimination of the models was evaluated using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Calibration was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemershow goodness of fit test. RESULTS In the first evaluation, the AUCs were 0.922 (95% CI, 0.917-0.926) and 0.908 (95% CI, 0.903-0.912) for classic and modified models, respectively. Both models showed poor calibration (p < 0.001). In the third evaluation, the AUCs were 0.946 (95% CI, 0.943-0.949) and 0.938 (95% CI, 0.934-0.940) for the classic and modified models, respectively, with improvements in calibration (p = 0.30 and p = 0.02 for the classic and modified models, respectively). CONCLUSION The lack of overlap between receiver operating characteristic curves of both models reveals a statistically significant difference in their ability to predict mortality. The classic model demonstrated better goodness of fit than the modified model. A GCS score of 13 classified as moderate TBI in a multivariate logistic regression model performed better than a GCS score of 13 classified as mild.
Longer exposure to a new refugee food ration is associated with reduced prevalence of small for gestational age: results from 2 cross-sectional surveys on the Thailand-Myanmar border123

Background: Despite the high risk of compromised nutrition, evidence of the effect of refugee rations on fetal growth is limited. A new ration containing micronutrient-fortified flour without increased caloric content of the general food basket was introduced to the Maela refugee camp in Thailand, July 2004. Objective: The effect of the length of gestational exposure of the new ration on fetal growth was compared with birth outcomes [small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth (PTB)]. Design: In an observational study in 987 newborns from 1048 prospectively followed antenatal clinic (ANC) attendees enrolled in 2 cross-sectional surveys, exposure was categorized in 2004 according to gestation at the time of commencing the new ration and in 2006 as comprehensive (preconception and pregnancy). In both surveys, the pregnancy-specific ration and vitamin supplements were routine. Results: In 2004, the proportions of SGA decreased with longer exposure to the new ration: no exposure during pregnancy (27.7%; n = 13 of 47) and exposure in the third (27.6%; n = 37 of 134), second (18.6%; n = 35 of 188), and first (19.4%; n = 6 of 31) trimesters, respectively (adjusted P-trend = 0.046). In 2006, the new ration was available to all women and there was no significant additional impact of the pregnancy-specific ration and vitamin supplements. Between 2004 and 2006, SGA decreased from 28.9% (13 of 45) to 17.3% (69 of 398) (adjusted P = 0.050), a reduction of 40.1% (95% CI: 34.7%, 45.9%); there was also a decrease in the percentage of underweight women on admission to the ANC (38.2%; 95% CI: 31.4%, 45.5%). PTB rates were low and not significantly different with exposure to the new ration. Conclusions: In 2004, the earlier in gestation in which the new ration was available the greater the effect on fetal growth as shown by a reduced prevalence of SGA. In 2006, additional benefits to fetal growth from the pregnancy-specific ration and vitamin supplements beyond those of the preconception ration were not observed. Good nutrition in pregnancy remains an important challenge for refugee populations. This trial was registered at http://drks-neu.uniklinik-freiburg.de/drks_web/ as DRKS00007736.
Bankruptcy Risk Models for Polish SMEs - Regional Approach

Credit risk management is a key element in bank management. For credit risk management, statistical models are used, the so‑called scoring and rating models. For enterprise risk assessment, rating models are used. Rating models consist of quantitative models (based on financial ratios) and qualitative models (based on a questionnaire). For estimation of quantitative models, econometric and statistical models are used, mainly logistic regression models. In this paper, statistical models for quantitative assessment are presented, including an empirical example based on the sample of data for SMEs made available by one of Polish banks. A logistic regression model with a nominal variable – the region of activity, including territorial differences, was used. The construction of rating model was presented, including the sector and region of activity.
The design of a compact, wide spurious-free bandwidth bandpass filter using stepped impedance resonators

We propose an analytical design for a microstrip broadband spurious-suppression filter. The proposed design uses each section of the transmission line as both a coupling and a spurious suppression element. Every two sections of the transmission line are combined to create a quarter-wavelength stepped impedance resonator (/spl lambda//4 SIR). The optimal resonator length is proven to be the shortest, while delivering the broadest spurious-free bandwidth. The experimental result shows that the size of the 4th order bandpass filter with a stepped impedance ratio (R) of 0.2 is 0.33/spl lambda/, long and 0.18/spl lambda/ wide, which is less than half of the size of the filter designed using the in-line coupling approach. The out-of-band attenuation of the developed filter is greater than 50 dB; and the first spurious mode is shifted to approximately 5.4 times the fundamental frequency.
Therapeutic Targeting of the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex/Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase (PDC/PDK) Axis in Cancer

The mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) irreversibly decarboxylates pyruvate to acetyl coenzyme A, thereby linking glycolysis to the tricarboxylic acid cycle and defining a critical step in cellular bioenergetics. Inhibition of PDC activity by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK)-mediated phosphorylation has been associated with the pathobiology of many disorders of metabolic integration, including cancer. Consequently, the PDC/PDK axis has long been a therapeutic target. The most common underlying mechanism accounting for PDC inhibition in these conditions is post-transcriptional upregulation of one or more PDK isoforms, leading to phosphorylation of the E1α subunit of PDC. Such perturbations of the PDC/PDK axis induce a "glycolytic shift," whereby affected cells favor adenosine triphosphate production by glycolysis over mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and cellular proliferation over cellular quiescence. Dichloroacetate is the prototypic xenobiotic inhibitor of PDK, thereby maintaining PDC in its unphosphorylated, catalytically active form. However, recent interest in the therapeutic targeting of the PDC/PDK axis for the treatment of cancer has yielded a new generation of small molecule PDK inhibitors. Ongoing investigations of the central role of PDC in cellular energy metabolism and its regulation by pharmacological effectors of PDKs promise to open multiple exciting vistas into the biochemical understanding and treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Marxism, Crypto-Marxism and the Political Economy of Capitalism

ABSTRACT This article conducts groundwork for a discussion of Marx’s influence through examining the boundaries of the specifically Marxian school of economics. This Marxian school extends well beyond the bounds of the self-identified Marxian school. Marx’s influence, Marxian themes and effectively Marxian theory can be found in several important heterodox traditions of economics, though this is often unacknowledged. A consideration of the proper boundaries of the Marxian school of economics is essential for a full understanding of Marx’s legacy and could contribute to the emergence of a more unified heterodoxy in economics.
Enabling declarative service composition for cloud applications

Service composition is recognized as a key enabler to deliver the vision of service-oriented computing. Although OSGi specification provides some level of support for service discovery, tracking, and composition, more should be done to be able to adequately address the need for more diverse service interactions. This paper proposes a novel service composition scheme to allow for a directed-acyclic-graph style composition of OSGi services. The proposal can model and instantiate a realistic topology of component service interactions beyond linear interactions as supported by the status quo. The design and implementation details of our proposed approach are discussed in the paper.
Reproducibility of binary‐mixture toxicity studies

Binary‐mixture studies often are conducted with the aim of elucidating the effect of one specific chemical on the biological action of another. The results can be interpreted in relation to reference models by the use of response‐surface analyses and isobolograms. The amount of data needed for these analyses is, however, extensive, and the experiments therefore rarely are repeated. In the present study, we investigate the reproducibility of isobole shapes of binary‐mixture toxicity experiments in terms of deviation from the reference model of concentration addition (CA), dose‐level dependence, and isobole asymmetry. We use data from four herbicide mixtures tested in three to five independent experiments on the aquatic test plant Lemna minor and the terrestrial plant Tripleurospermum inodorum. The results showed that the variation both within and among experiments was approximately half the size for the aquatic test system compared to the terrestrial system. As a consequence, a consistent deviation from CA could be obtained in three of four herbicide mixtures for L. minor, whereas this was only the case for one or two of the herbicide mixtures tested on T. inodorum. For one mixture on T. inodorum, both CA synergism and antagonism were detected. Dose‐dependent effects could not be repeated consistently, just as the asymmetry found in some isoboles could not. The study emphasizes the importance of repeating mixture toxicity experiments, especially for test systems with large variability, and using caution when drawing biological conclusions from the test results.
Multiple system atrophy of the cerebellar type: Clinical state of the art

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a late‐onset, sporadic neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by autonomic failure and either poorly levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism or cerebellar ataxia. It is neuropathologically defined by widespread and abundant central nervous system α‐synuclein–positive glial cytoplasmic inclusions and striatonigral and/or olivopontocerebellar neurodegeneration. There are two clinical subtypes of MSA distinguished by the predominant motor features: the parkinsonian variant (MSA‐P) and the cerebellar variant (MSA‐C). Despite recent progress in understanding the pathobiology of MSA, investigations into the symptomatology and natural history of the cerebellar variant of the disease have been limited. MSA‐C presents a unique challenge to both clinicians and researchers alike. A key question is how to distinguish early in the disease course between MSA‐C and other causes of adult‐onset cerebellar ataxia. This is a particularly difficult question, because the clinical framework for conceptualizing and studying sporadic adult‐onset ataxias continues to undergo flux. To date, several investigations have attempted to identify clinical features, imaging, and other biomarkers that may be predictive of MSA‐C. This review presents a clinically oriented overview of our current understanding of MSA‐C with a focus on evidence for distinguishing MSA‐C from other sporadic, adult‐onset ataxias. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Advanced Coronary Artery Calcification Is Associated with Ischemic Stroke

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is widely accepted as a quantitative index of subclinical atherosclerosis in the coronary artery, and is utilized as a valuable tool for the global risk assessment of cardiovascular events in individuals at intermediate risk. However, the association between CAC and ischemic stroke has not been evaluated. Methods: CAC scores were measured in 401 consecutive first-ever acute ischemic stroke patients and in 5,420 healthy subjects who underwent detailed medical health screening. The authors randomly matched case:referent sets (1:2) for gender, age, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Accordingly, 290 stroke cases were matched with 580 referent controls. Results: Moderate-to-extensive CAC (CAC ≧100) was detected in 78 (26.9%) of the ischemic stroke cases and in 120 (20.7%) of the referent controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis, which was conducted to investigate the association between categorized CAC scores and ischemic stroke, and adjusted for other relevant confounders, revealed that moderate-to-extensive CAC was associated with the occurrence of ischemic stroke (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.05–2.80, compared to the subjects with no CAC). The mean ± SE of the AUC-ROC curve for Framingham risk score (FRS) plus CAC score (0.760 ± 0.018) was significantly greater than that of FRS alone (0.748 ± 0.018; p = 0.005). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that moderate-to-extensive CAC is associated with an increased occurrence of ischemic stroke. In view of the contribution made by CAC to the risk assessment of cardiovascular diseases, the CAC score may be utilized to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: Treatment with Multiple Sessions of Intra-Arterial Nimodipine and Angioplasty

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by acute severe headache with or without additional neurological symptoms and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction. Unruptured aneurysms have been reported in some cases with RCVS. We describe a severe case of a 50-year-old woman with RCVS presenting as cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated the typical angiographic findings of RCVS and two very small unruptured aneurysms of the left internal carotid artery. The patient was treated with calcium channel blockers and the two aneurysms were successfully treated endovascularly. On day 16 the patient developed new focal neurological symptoms (severe paraparesis) and was successfully treated with intraarterial nimodipine and angioplasty in multiple sessions.
Local Authority Responses to Climate Change in South Africa: The Challenges of Transboundary Governance

Recent progress and innovation are testament to the willingness of municipal authorities to address climate change. However, urban regions worldwide exhibit an immense diversity of conditions, capabilities and responses to the challenges of changing climatic conditions. While separated by politico-administrative borders, adjacent municipalities within such regions are connected through biophysical, politico-economic, and social systems likely to be reconfigured under changing climatic/environmental conditions. Yet, to date, politico-administrative borders have largely determined the parameters of local government climate change adaptation strategies, with insufficient attention to the role of inter-municipal collaboration, especially between neighbouring rural, peri-urban and urban municipalities, for co-ordinating such policies and interventions. Within a multi-level governance framework, this paper considers the recent evolution of climate agendas in the eThekwini (formerly Durban City Council) metropolitan municipality and the adjacent Ugu (predominantly rural) district municipality on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN), South Africa, focusing particularly on cross-border collaboration within the greater city region. The challenges were investigated by means of 53 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with municipal, regional and local authority association staff in November 2009, March 2012, and August 2017. Our core argument is that weak inter-municipal collaboration, particularly between urban, peri-urban and rural areas within metropolitan and functional city regions, has been a significant impediment to realizing transformative adaptation within such regions. The experiences of these two contiguous yet contrasting municipalities represent a microcosm of the dramatic discontinuities and inequalities on all variables within adjacent urban metropolitan and rural contexts in South Africa and beyond. Despite promising recent signs, the challenges of inter-municipal collaborative action are therefore formidable.