Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intimate partner violence and partner notification of sexually transmitted infections among adolescent and young adult family planning clinic patients

Patient-initiated partner notification of sexually transmitted infection (STI), i.e. patients informing their sexual partners of a diagnosis, is a cornerstone of STI prevention. Growing evidence suggests that women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) may fear such notification, or face negative consequences in response to STI disclosure. The current study assessed associations of IPV with fear of partner notification, and experiences of partner notification, among adolescent and young adult female family planning clinic patients. Women aged 16–29 years attending five family planning clinics in Northern California, USA (n = 1282) participated in a cross-sectional survey. A history of physical or sexual IPV was associated with fear of partner notification. Moreover, participants exposed to IPV were more likely to have partners say that it was not from them or otherwise accuse them of cheating in response to partner notification. Such partners were less likely to seek indicated STI treatment or testing. Current findings suggest that partner notification for STI may be compromised by IPV. Clinical practices and policies to support effective partner notification should include IPV assessment, and provide mechanisms to address related fears concerning partner notification.
Intronic features that determine the selection of the 3′ splice site

Most eukaryotic primary transcripts include segments, or introns, that will be accurately removed during RNA biogenesis. This process, known as pre‐messenger RNA splicing, is catalyzed by the spliceosome, accurately selecting a set of intronic marks from others apparently equivalent. This identification is critical, as incorrectly spliced RNAs can be toxic for the organism. One of these marks, the dinucleotide AG, signals the intronic 3′ end, or 3′ splice site (ss). In this review we will focus on those intronic features that have an impact on 3′ ss selection. These include the location and type of neighboring sequences, and their distance to the 3′ end. We will see that their interplay is needed to select the right intronic end, and that this can be modulated by additional intronic elements that contribute to alternative splicing, whereby diverse RNAs can be generated from identical precursors. This complexity, still poorly understood, is fundamental for the accuracy of gene expression. In addition, a clear knowledge of 3′ ss selection is needed to fully decipher the coding potential of genomes. WIREs RNA 2012 doi: 10.1002/wrna.1131
Closely linked genetic loci required for swarm cell differentiation and multicellular migration by Proteus mirabilis

The pathogenic bacterium Proteus mirabilis exhibits a form of multicellular behaviour called swarming migration. This involves the differentiation of vegetative cells at the colony margin into swarm cells which are long, aseptate, multinucleate, hyper‐flagellated filaments able to undergo repeated cycles of co‐ordinated population migration and consolidation (reversion to vegetative cells). Transposon mutagenesis of uropathogenic P. mirabilis strain U6450 with Tn5 generated 4860 chromosomal insertions and, of these, 75 (1.6%) caused visibly abnormal swarming behaviour, indicating that at least 45 genes are involved in directing motility, cell differentiation and multicellular behaviour. While about one fifth of the swarm‐defective mutants lacked flagella and were non‐motile non‐swarming (NMNS) the majority were normally flagellated and motile but were unable to form swarm cells (motile non‐swarming, MNS), or were motile and able to form swarm cells but displayed abberant patterns of multicellular migration (dendritic swarming, DS) or consolidation (frequent and infrequent consolidation, FC and IC). Restriction enzyme mapping of representative mutant DNAs by Southern hybridization with transposon DNA probes identified eight different mutated genetic loci within the five phenotypic classes. Subsequent Southern analysis of large restriction fragments separated by pulsed‐field electrophoresis showed that these eight mutated loci required for motility, cell differentiation and multicellular migration were clustered on a region of DNA spanning approximately 8% of the 4.2mbp P. mirabilis chromosome. Further linkage analysis showed that the DS locus involved in the ordered migration of the swarm cell population mapped separately from two main clusters of swarm loci, one cluster containing, within 112kbp, genetic determinants of motility (NMNS) and also differentiation into swarm cells (MNS1, MNS2), and second within aneighbouring 95kbp DNA sequence containing three loci involved in the control of consolidation (FC, IC1, IC2).
Probabilistic Neural Network-Based Sensor Configuration in a Wireless Ad Hoc Network

Abstract : This paper describes a novel application of a probabilistic neural network for overcoming the computational complexity involved in performing sensor configuration management in a collaborative sensor network. We consider the problem of reliably tracking a target moving through a field of stationary sensors by fusing the measurements returned from the distributed array of sensors while conserving power by minimizing the number of sensors participating in the decision-making at each step, which is a challenging problem of significant current interest. The twin, and often conflicting, requirements of high tracking accuracy (achievable by recruiting more sensors in order to develop fused decisions) and minimization of network latency (performing decisions using measurements from only a small subset of sensors) place a major emphasis on developing optimal strategies for sensor configuration management in such application scenarios. Recently suggested approaches to this problem typically employ Bayesian Networks and Influence Diagrams, which are computationally intensive and are often prohibitive for real time applications, particularly when the number of sensors involved is large. To overcome the computational complexity, we propose the use of a probabilistic neural network (PNN). The task for the PNN is to produce a distance measure (a radius, for instance) about a target location estimate within which to query sensors for observations by using the previous state estimate of the target as input. By integrating the PNN with a particle filter implementation of a tracking algorithm, we develop a collaborative distributed tracking scheme. Performance evaluation results are presented to demonstrate the benefits from sensor fusion (improvement of tracking accuracy) and reduction of latency (saving in the number of sensors deployed for accomplishing the task) in chosen tracking scenarios.
Extended-release Trazodone in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy, safety, and clinical benefit of a once-daily formulation of trazodone (Trazodone Contramid((c)) OAD) in the treatment of major depressive disorder. DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS In this double-blind study, 412 patients with major depressive disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria) were randomized 1:1 to receive either Trazodone Contramid OAD (150 to 375mg) or placebo. Treatment was titrated over two weeks to each individual optimal dose. Patients then continued six weeks of treatment; further dose adjustments were allowed based on efficacy and tolerability. MEASUREMENTS The primary end point was change in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total score from baseline to last study visit. Secondary end points included Hamilton Depression Rating Scale responders/remitters, change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Clinician and Patient Global Improvement Scales, and quality of sleep. RESULTS From the end of titration to the end of the six-week treatment period, the mean maximum daily dose of the intent-to-treat population was 310mg for the active group and 355mg for the placebo group. There was a statistically significant difference between trazodone and placebo on the mean HAMD-17 score (-11.4 vs. -9.3, P=0.012). A significant difference was present as early as Week 1 and was maintained at all subsequent study visits. Many secondary end points supported these findings, including improvements in quality of sleep. The most frequent adverse events were the same for both the treatment and placebo groups: headache and somnolence. There were no serious adverse events that were considered related to treatment. There were no clinically significant electrocardiogram or laboratory abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS The trazodone Contramid formulation was more effective than placebo in major depressive disorder and was well tolerated.
Treatment failure and drug resistance is more frequent in HIV-1 subtype D versus subtype A-infected Ugandans over a 10-year study period

Objectives:To determine the impact of HIV-1 subtype on treatment outcomes and the emergence of drug resistance in the resource limited setting of Kampala, Uganda. Design:The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Kampala, Uganda has provided over 2000 drug-resistant genotypes (DRGs) over the past 10 years as standard of care for patients failing therapy and 1403 from treatment-naive and experienced patients over the past 10 years have been analyzed for this study. Method:Viral loads, CD4 cell count, treatment histories and other relevant clinical data was compared with the infecting HIV-1 subtype and DRGs of Ugandan patients failing treatment. Results:Patients failing HAART with DRGs (n = 937) were more frequently infected with subtype D than expected on the basis of the subtype distribution in the treatment-naive population (n = 655) in Kampala (P < 0.001). Higher proportions of treatment failures among subtype D-infected patients were driven by resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) (P < 0.0002) more than to non-NRTIs (P > 0.04) or protease inhibitors. Conclusion:Higher rates of treatment failure among subtype D as compared with subtype A-infected Ugandans was analogous to the faster disease progression in subtype D-infected patients. The mechanism(s) by which drug resistance may emerge faster in subtype D HIV-1 may relate to higher replicative fitness and increased propensity for a CXCR4 tropism.
Female‐biased dispersal alone can reduce the occurrence of inbreeding in black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)

Although inbreeding depression and mechanisms for kin recognition have been described in natural bird populations, inbreeding avoidance through mate choice has rarely been reported suggesting that sex‐biased dispersal is the main mechanism reducing the risks of inbreeding. However, a full understanding of the effect of dispersal on the occurrence of inbred matings requires estimating the inbreeding risks prior to dispersal. Combining pairwise relatedness measures and kinship assignments, we investigated in black grouse whether the observed occurrence of inbred matings was explained by active kin discrimination or by female‐biased dispersal. In this large continuous population, copulations between close relatives were rare. As female mate choice was random for relatedness, females with more relatives in the local flock tended to mate with genetically more similar males. To quantify the initial risks of inbreeding, we measured the relatedness to the males of females captured in their parental flock and virtually translocated female hatchlings in their parental and to more distant flocks. These tests indicated that dispersal decreased the likelihood of mating with relatives and that philopatric females had higher inbreeding risks than the actual breeding females. As females do not discriminate against relatives, the few inbred matings were probably due to the variance in female dispersal propensity and dispersal distance. Our results support the view that kin discrimination mate choice is of little value if dispersal effectively reduces the risks of inbreeding.
Protection of Endothelial Function: Targets for Nutritional and Pharmacological Interventions

The vascular endothelium synthesizes and releases a spectrum of vasoactive substances and therefore plays a fundamental role in the basal and dynamic regulation of the circulation. Nitric oxide (NO)—originally described as endothelium-derived relaxing factor—is released from endothelial cells in response to shear stress produced by blood flow, and in response to activation of a variety of receptors. After diffusion from endothelial to vascular smooth muscle cells, NO increases intracellular cyclic guanosine-monophosphate concentrations by activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase leading to relaxation of the smooth muscle cells. NO has also antithrombogenic, antiproliferative, leukocyte-adhesion inhibiting effects, and influences myocardial contractility. Endothelium-derived NO-mediated vascular relaxation is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive animals. NO decomposition by free oxygen radicals is a major mechanism of impaired NO bioavailability. The resulting imbalance of endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting substances disturbs the normal function of the vascular endothelium. Endothelin acts as the natural counterpart to endothelium-derived NO. Besides its arterial blood pressure rising effect in humans, endothelin-1 induces vascular and myocardial hypertrophy, which are independent risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Current therapeutic strategies concentrate mainly on lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an impressive reduction in the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has been achieved. Inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in vascular disease and inflammatory plasma markers correlate with prognosis. The production of reactive oxygen species under pathological conditions may represent an important inflammatory trigger. Novel therapeutic strategies specifically targeting inflammation thus bear great potential for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease. In this context, the vascular actions of flavanol-rich cocoa, particularly with regard to enhanced NO synthesis and endothelial function observed in humans following consumption, warrants further attention. This review discusses pharmacological and dietary intervention.
Analysis of 21·7 kb DNA Sequence from the Left Arm of Chromosome VII Reveals 11 Open Reading Frames: Two Correspond to New Genes

The DNA sequence of a fragment of 21 731 bp (nucleotides 87408 to 109138) located on the left arm of chromosome VII from Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C has been determined using a random cloning strategy followed by an oligonucleotide‐directed sequencing. This fragment contains eight complete genes previously sequenced (CLG1, SKI8, VAM7, YPT32, MIG2, SIP2, SPT16 and CHC1), the 5′ part of POX1 and two other complete unidentified open reading frames of more than 100 amino acids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dialysate Leaks in Peritoneal Dialysis

Dialysate leakage represents a major noninfectious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). An exit‐site leak refers to the appearance of any moisture around the PD catheter identified as dialysate; however, the spectrum of dialysate leaks also includes any dialysate loss from the peritoneal cavity other than via the lumen of the catheter. The incidence of dialysate leakage is somewhat more than 5% in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, but this percentage probably underestimates the number of early leaks. The incidence of hydrothorax or pleural leak as a complication of PD remains unclear. Factors identified as potentially related to dialysate leakage are those related to the technique of PD catheter insertion, the way PD is initiated, and weakness of the abdominal wall. The pediatric literature tends to favor Tenckhoff catheters over other catheters as being superior with respect to dialysate leakage, but no consensus on catheter choice exists for adults in this regard. An association has been found between early leaks (≤30 days) and immediate CAPD initiation and perhaps median catheter insertion. Risk factors contributing to abdominal weakness appear to predispose mostly to late leaks; one or more of them can generally be identified in the majority of patients. Early leakage most often manifests as a pericatheter leak. Late leaks may present more subtly with subcutaneous swelling and edema, weight gain, peripheral or genital edema, and apparent ultrafiltration failure. Dyspnea is the first clinical clue to the diagnosis of a pleural leak. Late leaks tend to develop during the first year of CAPD. The most widely used approach to determine the exact site of the leakage is with computed tomography after infusion of 2 L of dialysis fluid containing radiocontrast material. Treatments for dialysate leaks include surgical repair, temporary transfer to hemodialysis, lower dialysate volumes, and PD with a cycler. Recent recommendation propose a standard approach to the treatment of early and late dialysate leaks: 1–2 weeks of rest from CAPD, and surgery if recurrence. Surgical repair has been strongly suggested for leakage causing genital swelling. Delaying CAPD for 14 days after catheter insertion may prevent early leakage. Initiating CAPD with low dialysate volume has also been recommended as a good practice measure.
Financial Inclusion and the Role of Women in Nigeria

The study tests the assertion that greater lending to microfinance female clients leads to an improvement in repayment rate. The study uses unbalanced panel data framework of 752 microfinance banks (MFBs) in Nigeria during the period 2011 to 2014. Findings from the regressions confirm a positive impact of female inclusion on loan repayment rate. A higher proportion of female clients is associated with a greater repayment rate and with fewer loan provisions. The study recommends that microfinance banks should target specifically women clients in Nigeria, as greater lending to them will improve outreach to the poor.
Learning Geometric Equivalence between Patterns Using Embedding Neural Networks

Despite impressive results in object classification, verification and recognition, most deep neural network based recognition systems become brittle when the view point of the camera changes dramatically. Robustness to geometric transformations is highly desirable for applications like wild life monitoring where there is no control on the pose of the objects of interest. The images of different objects viewed from various observation points define equivalence classes where by definition two images are said to be equivalent if they are views from the same object. These equivalence classes can be learned via embeddings that map the input images to vectors of real numbers. During training, equivalent images are mapped to vectors that get pulled closer together, whereas if the images are not equivalent their associated vectors get pulled apart. In this work, we present an effective deep neural network model for learning the homographic equivalence between patterns. The long term aim of this research is to develop more robust manta ray recognizers. Manta rays bear unique natural spot patterns on their bellies. Visual identification based on these patterns from underwater images enables a better understanding of habitat use by monitoring individuals within populations. We test our model on a dataset of artificially generated patterns that resemble natural patterning. Our experiments demonstrate that the proposed architecture is able to discriminate between patterns subjected to large homographic transformations.
Effective Features of Collaborative School-Linked Services for Children in Elementary School: What Do We Know from Research and Practice? Publication Series #95-16.

AUTHOR Wang, Margaret C. ; And Others TITLE Effective Features of Collaborative School-Linked Services for Children in Elementary School: What Do We Know from Research and Practice? Publication Series #95-16. INSTITUTION Coordinating Centre for Regional Information Training, Nairobi (Kenya). ; Temple Univ., Philadelphia, PA. National Education Center on Education in the Inner Cities. SPONS AGENCY Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. PUB DATE 95 NOTE 32p. PUB TYPE Reports Evaluative/Feasibility (142)
Governance and Tax Revenue in Asean Countries

Tax revenue is influenced by many factors. Existing studies reveal that political stability, level of corruption, quality of the policy, income per capita, share of agriculture to the GDP, and market openness are some of the factors influencing tax revenue. This study aims to analyze the influence of governance by using some indicators, such as political stability, government effectiveness, quality of regulation, law enforcement accountability and control on corruption in tax area through empirical analysis of ASEAN countries. Descriptive analysis and causality methods are employed in this study. causality method is used to determine the relationship between observed variables using panel regression. The results of the study indicate that the controlon corruption, voice and accountability and political stability variables have significant negative effects on the tax ratio, while rule of law and quality of regulatory variables have positive impact on the tax ratio.
Genetic probes for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from childhood diarrhea in the Central African Republic

Escherichia coli strains were isolated from 778 children with diarrhea and 151 well children in the Central African Republic over a period of 1 year. These 929 strains were assayed for heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxin production and were hybridized (probed) with structural genes for these enterotoxins. Twenty-four isolates from diarrheal patients and one isolate from a well child were found to be toxigenic by assay and probe. Minor discrepancies were encountered with both assays and probes during initial screening procedures, but the two methodologies were ultimately comparable.
Understanding posttraumatic stress disorder: insights from the methylome

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous disease‐associated variants; however, these variants have a minor effect on disease and explain only a small amount of the heritability of complex disorders. The search for the missing heritability has shifted attention to rare variants, copy number variants, copy neutral variants and epigenetic modifications. The central role of epigenetics, and specifically DNA methylation, in disease susceptibility and progression has become more apparent in recent years. Epigenetic mechanisms facilitate the response to environmental changes and challenges by regulating gene expression. This makes the study of DNA methylation in psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) highly salient, as the environment plays such a vital role in disease aetiology. The epigenome is dynamic and can be modulated by numerous factors, including learning and memory, which are important in the context of PTSD. Numerous studies have shown the effects of early life events, such as maternal separation and traumas during adulthood, on DNA methylation patterns and subsequent gene expression profiles. Aberrations in adaptive DNA methylation contribute to disease susceptibility when an organism is unable to effectively respond to environmental demands. Epigenetic mechanisms are also involved in higher order brain functions. Dysregulation of methylation is associated with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative cognitive disorders, affective disorders, addictive behaviours and altered stress responses. A thorough understanding of how the environment, methylome and transcriptome interact and influence each other in the context of fear and anxiety is integral to our understanding and treatment of stress‐related disorders such as PTSD.