Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of HIV infection among premarital couples in southeast Nigeria

The Catholic Church in Nigeria offers premarital HIV screening to couples, yet instances of voluntary screening are rare in southeast Nigeria. This study examines the contribution of such tests to HIV detection, and evaluates the prevalence of HIV infection in southeast Nigeria among couples who are planning to marry. Out of 858 individuals (or 429 couples) tested for HIV, 52 individuals were found to be HIV-positive (overall prevalence 6.1%), and females were marginally more affected than males. In both sexes, prevalence was higher in younger age groups. Prevalence among adolescent females was 10.7%. Although no male adolescents were screened, prevalence for the group aged 20 to 29 years was 6.3% for females and 10.8% for males. The prevalence estimate was slightly higher for rural dwellers (6.2%) than for urban residents (5.9%), but this was not statistically significant. We propose that screening apparently healthy individuals, such as couples intending to marry, and who are otherwise not members of a group considered at high risk for HIV infection, can serve an important role in HIV detection in the general population.
“The Red Plague Rid You For Learning Me Your Language!” – Standard and Non-Standard Use in English and in Portuguese

I n William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the knowledgeable Prospero arrives on an island with his daughter Miranda only to encounter its previous inhabitant, Caliban, presented as a brutish sort of man-monster (in fact, “not honour’d with/A human shape”) whom Prospero proceeds to enslave and educate. The relationship between the ‘civilised’ Prospero and the ‘savage’ Caliban is one of domination because Caliban’s knowledge and consequent view of the world is shaped by Prospero’s teachings, which include language. Part of Caliban’s subjection to Prospero is that the latter taught him how to speak, and it is also language which determines Caliban’s subsequent rebellion against Prospero. For the oppressed Caliban, rejecting the language imposed upon him is to reject the source of external power over his identity:
Issues in Transportation Planning – the Singapore Experience

Singapore can be considered as one of the few Asian cities to be successful in urban transport planning and management. It has introduced several far-reaching vehicle- restraint policies, such as the vehicle quota system, the electronic road pricing scheme and a high vehicle tax structure, all of which have been effective in relieving traffic congestion on the roads. Recognizing that these restraint policies must be complemented by a good public transport and transportation management system, the Singapore Government has, in the past two decades, embarked on several ambitious programs to introduce intelligent systems into its transportation operations as well as to develop an efficient urban rail network. These decisions are in line with Singapore's long-term transportation plan to integrate land use and transportation planning, to develop a comprehensive road network, to manage car population and road usage, and to provide quality public transport for its people. This chapter discusses the issues related to urban transportation planning in Singapore, with the intention of drawing out the lessons learned from its experience.
B Cell Receptor Cross-Linking Triggers a Caspase-8- Dependent Apoptotic Pathway That Is Independent of the Death Effector Domain of Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein1

We have previously reported that B cell receptors, depending on the degree to which they are cross-linked, can promote apoptosis in various human B cell types. In this study, we show that B cell receptors can trigger two apoptotic pathways according to cross-linking and that these pathways control mitochondrial activation in human Burkitt’s lymphoma cells. Whereas soluble anti-μ Ab triggers caspase-independent mitochondrial activation, cross-linked anti-μ Ab induces an apoptotic response associated with a caspase-dependent loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. This B cell receptor-mediated caspase-dependent mitochondrial activation is associated with caspase-8 activation. We show here that caspase-8 inhibitors strongly decrease cross-linking-dependent B cell receptor-mediated apoptosis in Burkitt’s lymphoma BL41 cells. These inhibitors act upstream from the mitochondria as they prevented the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential observed in B cell receptor-treated BL41 cells. Caspase-8 activation in these cells was also evident from the detection of cleaved fragments of caspase-8 and the cleavage of specific substrates, including Bid. Our data show that cross-linked B cell receptors induced an apoptotic pathway involving sequential caspase-8 activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Cells expressing a dominant negative mutant of Fas-associated death domain protein were sensitive to cross-linked B cell receptor-induced caspase-8 activation and apoptosis; therefore, this caspase-8 activation was independent of the death effector domain of Fas-associated death domain protein.
Innovative shelter for disasters

Disasters cause tremendous material and immaterial damage to people and their habitat. During the first days after the disaster the victims have to be provided with food, shelter, security, health care and registration. For sheltering, depending on the local circumstances, tents are often used for a short period of time but often we often see them used for a longer time. However tents are not always the best solution. Although industries have developed new materials and building systems, not all of them are suitable to provide for an appropriate response as desirabIe for application in shelters. In order to improve this situation, various aspects were presented and discussed during an International Symposium held at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in November 2007 under the auspices of Red Cross organizations, universities, NGO's and private companies. As a result the TU/e has embarked on a research project on various approaches for sheltering in close cooperation with the Netherlands Red Cross. 1.Development of a collective center. The center has been worked out in detail and a test model of 3 bays will be erected shortly.2. Development of card board housing i.s. o. tents. After detailed studies of other shelters and the material of cardboard, a model of a cardboard housing was produced. The model has undergone physical tests, which has led to changes in the concept.3. Development of a steel frame transitional shelter. The frame has to be optimized in the light of the varying weather conditions. A full scale model of the frame is built and needs optimization from the point of view of providing solutions in state of guidelines. 4.Development of a manual for the design of shelters.Apart from carrying out model tests, a full scale test in a local situation will ultimately prove the validity of the developed concepts. These tests are under development.
IEEE 802.11 Distance Estimation Based on RTS/CTS Two-Frame Exchange Mechanism

The addition of positioning capabilities to wide- spread communications such as IEEE 802.11 compliant networks could open up interesting markets, in particular if a low-cost hardware has to be added to the existing one and standard RTS/CTS control frames exchange could be used for this purpose. In this paper various statistical estimators of the delay profile observed, derived from Round-Trip Time measurements, are analyzed and a linear regression of the statistical estimators is applied in order to improve the accuracy of distance estimation between a Mobile User and an Access Point. A precision in distance estimation with errors in the range of a meter is achieved.
[Brain repair after ischemic stroke: role of neurotransmitters in post-ischemic neurogenesis].

INTRODUCTION Brain ischemia and reperfusion produce alterations in the microenvironment of the parenchyma, including ATP depletion, ionic homeostasis alterations, inflammation, release of multiple cytokines and abnormal release of neurotransmitters. As a consequence, the induction of proliferation and migration of neural stem cells towards the peri-infarct region occurs. DEVELOPMENT The success of new neurorestorative treatments for damaged brain implies the need to know, with greater accuracy, the mechanisms in charge of regulating adult neurogenesis, both under physiological and pathological conditions. Recent evidence demonstrates that many neurotransmitters, glutamate in particular, control the subventricular zone, thus being part of the complex signalling network that influences the production of new neurons. CONCLUSION Neurotransmitters provide a link between brain activity and subventricular zone neurogenesis. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the role of neurotransmitters systems, such as glutamate and its transporters, in adult neurogenesis, may provide a valuable tool to be used as a neurorestorative therapy in this pathology.
Antibody Binding to a Conformation-Dependent Epitope Induces L-Selectin Association with the Detergent-Resistant Cytoskeleton1

L-Selectin mediates leukocyte rolling on endothelium and immobilized leukocytes. Its regulation has been the subject of much study, and the conformation of the molecule may play an important role in its function. Here we report that a conformational change in L-selectin, induced by an anti-lectin domain mAb (LAM1-116) and recognized by another mAb directed to a conserved epitope on L-selectin (EL-246), predisposed L-selectin to cytoskeletal association. This effect was due to direct binding of the mAb, not to overt signaling events, and was specific to LAM1-116. Nineteen other anti-L-selectin mAbs directed against the lectin, epidermal growth factor, or short consensus repeat domains lacked this activity. The induced conformational change occurred at 37°C, at 4°C, in the presence of sodium azide and tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A and genistein, and with soluble detergent-extracted L-selectin. In the presence of LAM1-116, EL-246 induced cytoskeletal association of L-selectin in the absence of Ab cross-linking as visualized by L-selectin staining after low dose detergent treatment of the cells. We propose that the conformational change described herein regulates L-selectin-mediated events by exposing a high avidity binding site that, when engaged, triggers association of L-selectin with the cytoskeleton, which may lead to stronger tethers with physiological ligands.
Social Health Insurance Systems in Western Europe

List of Contributors Introduction Foreword Acknowledgements Part One Social health insurance in perspective: the challenge of sustaining stability The historical and social base of social health insurance systems Organization and financing of social health insurance systems: current status and recent policy developments Patterns and performance in social health insurance systems Assessing social health insurance systems: present and future policy issues Part Two The challenge to solidarity Governance and (self-)regulation in social health insurance systems Solidarity and competition in social health insurance countries Key organizational issues Shifting Criteria for benefit decisions in social health insurance systems Contracting and paying providers in social health insurance systems The role of private health insurance in social health insurance countries The changing role of the individual in social health insurance systems Beyond acute care Prevention and public health in social health insurance systems Long-term care in social health insurance systems Index
Intrauterine Inflammation and the Onset of Peri-Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Premature Infants

Background: Peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (P/IVH) is a common neonatal morbidity among premature infants. The aim of the study was to examine the association between placental and/or fetal inflammation and the onset of P/IVH in premature infants. Methods: A prospective study included 125 infants with gestational age 23–29 weeks. Placentas were examined for the presence of chorioamnionitis and funisitis, cord blood was sampled for the measurement of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8). Fetal inflammation was defined as levels of IL-6 higher than 7.6 pg/ml. P/IVH was defined as early if diagnosed within the 1st day after birth; thereafter P/IVH was defined as late. Results: Adjusted for the influence of gestational age, early-onset sepsis (OR 3.2, p = 0.045) and no or incomplete antenatal steroid course (OR 6.0, p = 0.001) significantly predicted early P/IVH. Funisitis (OR 1.6, p = 0.06) and fetal inflammation (OR 2.6, p = 0.06) were only partially associated with early hemorrhage. Contrary to that, respiratory distress syndrome (OR 3.4, p = 0.04), mechanical ventilation (OR 5.9, p = 0.008), low blood pressure (OR 3.5, p = 0.02), and vasopressors (OR 5.7, p = 0.002) were associated with late P/IVH. In multivariate analysis no or incomplete steroid course remained independent predictors for early and use of vasopressors for late P/IVH. The interaction of fetal inflammation and vaginal delivery with no or incomplete steroid course increased the risk of early P/IVH. Conclusions: These results indicate different risk factors for early and late P/IVH. Neither funisitis nor fetal inflammation independently predicts the onset of P/IVH. However, the interaction of fetal inflammation and vaginal delivery with no or incomplete antenatal steroid course increase the risk of early but not also late P/IVH.
Life satisfaction, optimism and social capital as predictors of mental health of the recipients of financial welfare from the state.

BACKGROUND Health is largely influenced by the subjective well-being, optimism, social inclusion and satisfaction with life as well as usually defined variables. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of dimensions of personality (optimism, control over life), social involvement (social capital) and socio-economic status with health and inequalities in health. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This study was performed on 1017 respondents which were chosen according to set criteria: middle age, working capability, and, according to the documentation of the Centres for social welfare, the recipients of financial welfare from the state. A questionnaire was created from several existing questionnaires with validated indicators. RESULTS The results show that 78.1% of respondents were unemployed. Regarding the health males express a higher level of health than female. The presence of a chronic disease was found in 56.6% women and 43.4% men. The predictors of health such as optimism, life satisfaction and locus of control showed that satisfaction with life was expressed by 39.7% respondents. Greater satisfaction with life was seen in females (59.6%). Surprisingly, 47.7% of respondents said they thought they had control over their lives and decisions. Women are statistically more optimistic. Almost 60% of respondents were not satisfied with their lives. CONCLUSIONS Socially deprived population is mainly unemployed with insufficient resources for living. More burdened and higher risk for future development of the disease was found within this population. Optimism, social inclusion and life satisfaction play a large role, as protective factors in health. The interventions demand a multi disciplinary approach, and, with regard to the sensitivity of the population, the best solution is in their own empowerment, as a protective factor for mental health.
How Much Do Corporate Defendants Really Lose? A New Verdict on the Reputation Loss Induced by Corporate Litigation

Using a comprehensive sample of 83,260 corporate lawsuits filed in U.S. Federal District courts, we extend the results of prior studies investigating market value and reputational losses due to corporate misconduct. This larger sample allows us to examine several alternative explanations for the loss in market value, such as the impact of media coverage, the expectation of procedural expenses and subsequent litigation, and the defendant’s willingness to settle, as well as previously documented factors, such as anticipated penalties and cross-sectional firm characteristics. Our results suggest that, with the exception of securities litigation, this loss in market value can be attributed to these alternative explanations rather than to reputational consequences. We confirm this finding using indirect measures of reputation loss, such as declines in financial performance, changes in the outside directorships held by the defendant firm’s CEO, reductions in institutional ownership, CEO and CFO turnover, and improvements in corporate governance.
p53 expression in colorectal cancer: relation to tumor type, DNA ploidy pattern and short-term survival.

p53 protein expression was evaluated in a series of 204 primary colorectal adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry using frozen tissue sections and monoclonal antibody DO-7. Nuclear staining of more than 5% of neoplastic cells was observed in 124 (60.8%) adenocarcinomas, which were classified as p53 positive. p53 immunoreactivity was found to he unrelated to several clinical and pathologic variables, including age and sex of patient, tumor site, tumor stage, grade of differentiation, pattern of growth, degree of peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration, and venous invasion. A strong association was demonstrated between p53 immunostaining and tumor type. Only 4 of 21 mucinous carcinomas examined (19%) were p53 positive. Conversely, 120 of 183 (65.6%) nonmucinous adenocarcinomas showed positive p53 immunostaining (P <.0001). p53 expression also was related to the flow cytometric DNA ploidy pattern, aneuploid carcinomas with DI >1.20 showing higher frequency of p53 overexpression than DNA diploid, and aneuploid tumors with DI < or = 1.20 (P = .0003). No relationship was found between p53 expression and the Ki-67 proliferation index. With respect to the total study population (mean follow-up 33.4 months; range 19-47 months) the duration of overall survival was independent of p53 expression. In the group of 141 patients with stage I, stage II, and stage III disease who had undergone curative resection, positive p53 immunostaining was associated with poorer overall survival (P = .029). Subgroup analysis showed that the reduced survival conferred by p53 overexpression was confined to patients with stage III tumors (P = .027). However, in multivariate analysis, p53 expression failed to demonstrate independent prognostic significance. Our results indicate that immunohistochemical analysis of p53 expression provides valuable information for the understanding of colorectal cancer biology and clinical behavior.
Cheyne-Stokes respiration in ischemic stroke

Article abstract-We monitored breathing pattern and arterial oxygen saturation in 32 conscious patients with acute ischemic stroke. Seventeen (53%) had Cheyne-Stokes respiration with concomitant drops in oxygen saturation, unrelated to infarct location. The ventilatory disturbance promptly reversed after intravenous theophylline ethylenediamine or oxygen inhalation. The therapy is a simple way of improving arterial oxygenation in a large subgroup of patients with acute ischemic stroke. NEUROLOGY 1995;45: 820-821
Changes in the Disparity of HIV Diagnosis Rates Among Black Women — United States, 2010–2014

In 2015, black women represented 61% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses among women (1). HIV diagnosis rates among women declined during 2010-2014 (1); however, whether the decline resulted in a decrease in the disparities between black women and Hispanic and white women was unknown. To assess whether a change in disparities occurred, CDC used three different measures of disparity: 1) the absolute rate difference (the difference between the group with the lowest rate and the group with the highest rate) (2); 2) the diagnosis disparity ratio* (the ratio of the difference between the group rate and the overall population rate to the overall rate); and 3) the Index of Disparity (the average of the differences between rates for specific groups and the total rate divided by the total rate, expressed as a percentage) (3). The absolute rate difference between black women and white women decreased annually, from 36.9 in 2010 to 28.3 in 2014. The diagnosis disparity ratio for black women decreased from 1.7 in 2010 to 1.2 in 2014. The Index of Disparity increased during 2010-2011, and then decreased each year during 2012-2014. Although disparities still exist, these findings indicate improvement. Expanding access to biomedical and behavioral interventions and research guided by social and structural determinants frameworks could close the remaining gap.
Do we need a number sense ?

From year to year, species after species, ever more specialised mental organs have blossomed within the brain to better process the enormous ̄ux of sensory information received, and to adapt the organism's reactions to competitive or even hostile environments. One of the brain's specialised mental organs is a primitive number processor that pre®gures, without quite matching it, the arithmetic that is taught in our schools . This ``number sense'' provides animals and humans alike with a direct intuition of what numbers mean. (Dehaene, 1997, pp. 4±5)
Assessment of Mixtures - Review of Regulatory Requirements and Guidance

Humans and the environment are continuously exposed to a multitude of substances via different routes of exposure. However, the risk assessment of chemicals for regulatory purposes does not generally take into account the “real life” exposure to multiple substances, but mainly relies on the assessment of individual substances. This report summarises the different methodologies that are used to assess the toxic effects of mixtures. It also provides an overview of current legislation in the European Union (EU) that deals with the safety assessment of chemicals in different matrices and the extent to which the current legislation addresses the toxicological risk of mixtures. Relevant Guidance Documents from the EU and other countries (USA, Canada) and international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) are also included in this review.
Cobalamin and folate status predicts mental development scores in North Indian children 12-18 mo of age.

BACKGROUND Micronutrient deficiencies can affect cognitive function. Many young children in low- and middle-income countries have inadequate cobalamin (vitamin B-12) status. OBJECTIVE The objective was to measure the association of plasma concentrations of folate, cobalamin, total homocysteine, and methylmalonic acid with cognitive performance at 2 occasions, 4 mo apart, in North Indian children aged 12-18 mo. DESIGN Bayley Scales of Infant Development II were used to assess cognition. In multiple regression models adjusted for several potential confounders, we measured the association between biomarkers for folate and cobalamin status and psychomotor or mental development scores on the day of blood sampling and 4 mo thereafter. RESULTS Each 2-fold increment in plasma cobalamin concentration was associated with a significant increment in the mental development index score of 1.3 (95% CI: 0.2, 2.4; P = 0.021). Furthermore, each 2-fold increment in homocysteine or methylmalonic acid concentration was associated with a decrement in mental development index score of 2.0 (95% CI: 0.5, 3.4; P = 0.007) or 1.1 (95% CI: 0.3, 1.8; P = 0.004) points, respectively. Plasma folate concentration was significantly and independently associated with mental development index scores only when children with poor cobalamin status were excluded, ie, in those who had cobalamin concentrations below the 25th percentile. None of these markers was associated with psychomotor scores in the multiple regression models. CONCLUSIONS Cobalamin and folate status showed a statistically significant association with cognitive performance. Given the high prevalence of deficiencies in these nutrients, folate and cobalamin supplementation trials are required to measure any beneficial effect on cognition.