Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insecticide-treated bed nets and curtains for preventing malaria.

BACKGROUND Malaria is an important cause of illness and death in many parts of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. There has been a renewed emphasis on preventive measures at community and individual levels. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the most prominent malaria preventive measure for large-scale deployment in highly endemic areas. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of insecticide-treated bed nets or curtains on mortality, malarial illness (life-threatening and mild), malaria parasitaemia, anaemia, and spleen rates. SEARCH STRATEGY I searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register (January 2003), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2003), MEDLINE (1966 to October 2003), EMBASE (1974 to November 2002), LILACS (1982 to January 2003), and reference lists of reviews, books, and trials. I handsearched journals, contacted researchers, funding agencies, and net and insecticide manufacturers. SELECTION CRITERIA Individual and cluster randomized controlled trials of insecticide-treated bed nets or curtains compared to nets without insecticide or no nets. Trials including only pregnant women were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The reviewer and two independent assessors reviewed trials for inclusion. The reviewer assessed trial methodological quality and extracted and analysed data. MAIN RESULTS Fourteen cluster randomized and eight individually randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Five trials measured child mortality: ITNs provided 17% protective efficacy (PE) compared to no nets (relative rate 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 0.90), and 23% PE compared to untreated nets (relative rate 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.95). About 5.5 lives (95% CI 3.39 to 7.67) can be saved each year for every 1000 children protected with ITNs. In areas with stable malaria, ITNs reduced the incidence of uncomplicated malarial episodes in areas of stable malaria by 50% compared to no nets, and 39% compared to untreated nets; and in areas of unstable malaria: by 62% for compared to no nets and 43% compared to untreated nets for Plasmodium falciparum episodes, and by 52% compared to no nets and 11% compared to untreated nets for P. vivax episodes. When compared to no nets and in areas of stable malaria, ITNs also had an impact on severe malaria (45% PE, 95% CI 20 to 63), parasite prevalence (13% PE), high parasitaemia (29% PE), splenomegaly (30% PE), and their use improved the average haemoglobin level in children by 1.7% packed cell volume. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS ITNs are highly effective in reducing childhood mortality and morbidity from malaria. Widespread access to ITNs is currently being advocated by Roll Back Malaria, but universal deployment will require major financial, technical, and operational inputs.
The Assembly and provisioning of a red team

As the value and merit of red team exercises in both academic and corporate settings continues to grow, the need to share experiences with staffing, organizing and supporting the red team becomes increasingly important. This paper documents the Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition’s (NECCDC) Red Team captain’s experiences and lessons learned over the past four years. The paper will begin by identifying the skills and attributes needed for a Red Team and a process for selecting and recruiting members. The methods employed to form a cohesive working group from the members in the time available prior to the event will be discussed. The resources necessary for the Red Team to be effective and how they were provided is examined. We will look at how to promote planning and organization within the team focused on specific strategic goals and objectives of the Red Team. There are several duties during the event for a Red Team captain that will be examined and cautions that will be explained. At the end of the competition, the style and delivery of the after-action-report can have a profound effect on the Blue Teams. Experience with different approaches over the years will be examined. Recommendations for Red Team/Blue Team exchanges that can maximize the learning outcome for the students will be provided. Finally this paper will provide a summary of the experiences for others seeking to form and organize a Red Team either for a competition or an internal educational event.
The Pin-Stripe Mafia: How Accountancy Firms Destroy Societies

The Association for Accountancy & Business Affairs (AABA) is an independent and non-profit making body limited by guarantee (company number 3480632). AABA is funded entirely from donations and subscriptions from individuals concerned to make the world a better place. AABA is devoted to broadening public choices by facilitating critical scrutiny of accountancy and business affairs. AABA will publish monographs and papers to advance alternative analysis and public policy reforms. Its principal objects are: (i) to advance the public interest by facilitating critical scrutiny of commercial and non-commercial organisations inter alia companies, partnerships, sole traders, public bodies, local authorities, charities, non-profit making organisations and any other form of commercial or non-commercial organisation; (ii) to facilitate critical scrutiny of professional bodies, regulatory bodies, employer organisations, employee organisations, government departments and business organisations; (iii) to campaign for such reforms as will help to secure greater openness and democracy, protect and further the rights of stakeholders and to make disclosures where necessary; (iv) to engage in education and research to further public awareness of the workings, the social, political and the economic role of accountancy and business organisations. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publishers.
Analysis of 3-Phase Superconducting Fault Current Limiters in Power Systems With Inhomogeneous Quenching

The limitation behavior of a 3-phase superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) in power systems is greatly affected by inhomogeneous quenching among phases, where it can lead to increasing current limitation burden upon some phase units. Accordingly, this paper aims to analyze the behavior of SFCL with inhomogeneous quenching among phases. A model is developed for the resistive type SFCL using PSCAD/EMTDC software considering the transition from superconducting state to normal conducting state through flux flow state. Inhomogeneous quenching is represented in two different ways, either as an inhomogeneity in Ic value or an inhomogeneity in n value. Different types of faults including symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults are studied. For each case, the influence of inhomogeneous quenching on current limitation and corresponding voltage drop across units is evaluated. From the obtained results, it is found that the most severe case appears for line-to-line fault. Therefore, the effect of inhomogeneity degree is discussed for this fault type.
Effectiveness of Budgetary Entities

This paper acquaints readers with the practice of effectiveness evaluation in the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to study performance measurement according to the changes in public sector reform by focusing on performance-based budgeting in Russia. This paper suggests that the construction process of performance measurement should be aligned with outputs and outcomes of budget policy. The main research materials for this paper are based on data from a survey and follow-up interviews of budgetary managers and accountants. The survey result sets priorities and weighted some indicators to the measurement of effectiveness in the public sector. The data of this study were not large, but the study led to understanding how effectiveness is seen by budgetary managers and how measurement systems should be structured. Texts and contents from different sources such as financial annual reports and budgetary entities’ websites provided insightful and interesting findings.
Improving the Rural Investment Climate for Income Generation: Evidence from the Rural Investment Climate Survey Data

This study examines the major constraints of rural nonfarm business entries and performance. The rural investment climate (RIC) survey data for ten countries are available: Tanzania (2004); Sri Lanka (2003); Nicaragua (2004); Indonesia (2005); Benin (2005); Ethiopia (2006); Yemen (2010); Burkina Faso (2010); Nigeria (2010); and Mozambique (2010). Major constraints perceived by rural entrepreneurs and households may be biased due to their limited experience and knowledge; therefore, RIC indicators were used to assess the RIC constraints more objectively. Overcoming the selection bias, the Heckman Selection Model was applied for entry decision and outcome performance analysis. This paper identifies four critical areas of the RIC components: weak market demand, poor access to market, limited access to finance, and limited business advisory services. Policy makers should focus on improving these four critical areas as well as the weak areas of other RIC components. The government should also put efforts into preparing improvements in regulatory constraints, such as entry regulatory barriers, in rural areas. By improving the RIC, rural entrepreneurs may generate more income and become taxpayers in the near future though their operations are currently informal and many are not paying taxes.
Post‐natal incidence of HIV‐1 infection among children in a rural Ugandan population: no evidence for transmission other than mother to child

We conducted a prospective cohort study to determine the post‐natal incidence of and possible transmission routes for HIV‐1 infection in rural Ugandan children. The cohort consisted of the population of a cluster of 15 villages in Masaka District, south‐west Uganda, and was enrolled in 1989–1990 through a demographic and serological survey. During the period 1991–1993 the population was resurveyed annually. A total of 5492 children aged O‐12 years were enrolled; of these, 41 (0.7%) were seropositive infants. A total of 3941 (72%) children were HIV‐negative on enrolment and had at least one follow‐up specimen. During 8596 person‐years of observation only 1 seroconversion was observed, an incidence rate of 0.12 (95% CI 0.00‐0.35) per 1000 years of observation. The transmission of HIV was most probably through breast milk. The case corresponds to a rate of 1.1 per 1000 in households with one or more HIV‐positive adults (874 years of observation); no incident case was observed in households with only seronegative adults (6423 years of observation). Thus, HIV infection among children aged 0–12 years in this population is virtually exclusively the result of mother‐to‐child transmission. No infections were observed attributable to parenteral exposure, non‐sexual casual or household contact, or insects.
Fabrication and Characterization of Metal Oxide-Coated Long-Period Fiber Gratings

Sensors based on long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) over coated with metal oxide were fabricated and characterized for refractive index (RI) sensing. Oxidation of Ni, Ti, Al, and Cr was monitored in real time by following the features of the LPFG attenuation band. The metals were deposited simultaneously on top of Si substrates for further chemical and morphological analysis. Wavelength sensitivities (nm/RIU) of about 10 437 at 1.432, 1150 at 1.400, 20 125 at 1.448, and 875 at 1.420 were achieved for LPFGs coated, with 68 nm of Ni, 60 nm of TiO2, 50 nm of Al2O3, and 62 nm of Cr2O3, respectively. For surrounding RI higher than the cladding RI, the wavelength sensitivities are 1937, 6801, 5762, and 3051 nm/RIU at 1.457 for the Ni, Ti, Al, and Cr oxides, respectively. Working as intensity sensing devices sensitivities up to 167 dB/RIU were measured. Metal oxide coated LPFGs leads to wavelength sensitivity enhancement comparing to bare LPFGs and may be used in systems with RI higher than the fiber cladding, a region where bare LPFGs are insensitive.
Absorbing random walks and the NAE2SAT problem

In this paper, we propose a simple randomized algorithm for the NAE2SAT problem. The analysis of the algorithm uses the theory of symmetric, absorbing random walks. Inasmuch as the NAE2SAT problem is in the complexity class L (Deterministic Logarithmic Space) and L ⊆ P ⊆ RP, the existence of such an algorithm is not surprising. However, the simplicity of our approach and the insights revealed by its analysis make the current study worthwhile. Not-all-equal SAT (NAESAT) is the variant of the satisfiability problem (SAT), in which we are interested in an assignment that satisfies all the clauses, but falsifies at least one literal in each clause. NAESAT is an interesting SAT variant in its own right and has been studied by SAT theoreticians, on account of its connections to the graph colouring problem. It is well-known that the variant of NAESAT with exactly three literals per clause (NAE3SAT) is NP-complete [M.R. Garey and D.S. Johnson, Computers and Intractability: A Guide to the Theory of NP-Completeness, W. H. Freeman Company, San Francisco, 1979]. Likewise, there seem to be a number of polynomial time algorithms for NAE2SAT as part of algorithm design folklore [D.S. Johnson, Personal Communication]. Here we show that the NAE2SAT problem admits an extremely simple, literal-flipping algorithm, in precisely the same way that 2SAT does. On a satisfiable instance involving n variables, the probability that our algorithm does not find a satisfying assignment is at most 1/24. The randomized algorithm takes O(1) extra space, in the presence of a verifier and provides an interesting insight into checking whether a graph is bipartite. It must be noted that space-parsimonious randomized algorithms for a problem, such as the one proposed in this paper, invariably lead to error–bounded, online algorithms for the same. As part of our analysis, we argue that a restricted variant of NAE2SAT is L-complete. We note that the bounds derived in this paper are sharper than the ones in Papadimitriou [C.H. Papadimitriou, On selecting a satisfying truth assignment, in Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1–4 October 1991, IEEE, ed., IEEE, Washington, DC, 1991, pp. 163–169].
Reproductive factors, exogenous hormone use and bladder cancer risk in a prospective study

Sex is a consistent predictor of bladder cancer: men experience 2–4‐fold higher age‐adjusted rates than women in the U.S. and Europe. The objective of this study was to examine whether hormone‐related factors are associated with bladder cancer in women. We examined parity, age at menarche, age at first birth, age at menopause, oral contraceptive use and menopausal hormone therapy (HT) use and bladder cancer risk in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project Follow‐Up Study. Endpoint and exposure information was collected on 54,308 women, using annual telephone interviews (1980–86) and 3 mailed, self‐administered questionnaires (1987–98). During an average follow‐up time of 15.3 years, 167 cases of bladder cancer were identified. Univariate and adjusted rate ratios (RRs) were estimated using Poisson regression. Parity, age at menarche, age at first birth, age at menopause, and oral contraceptive use were not associated with bladder cancer risk. The majority of menopausal women who took HT used estrogen therapy (ET). Postmenopausal women with less than 4 years, 4–9 years, 10–19 years and 20 or more years of ET use had RRs of 1.55 (95% CI = 0.96–2.51), 1.00 (95% CI = 0.49–2.04), 1.23 (95% CI = 0.62–2.43) and 0.57 (95% CI = 0.14–2.34), respectively, compared with nonusers (p = 0.50). Findings from this study are not consistent with the hypothesis that hormone‐related factors in women are associated with bladder cancer. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Control of the Myc‐Max mediated transactivation in yeast by natural promoter elements

Transcriptional activation studies involving the human oncoprotein and transcription factor Myc and its helix‐loop‐helix partner protein Max in mammalian cells are critical due to the presence of endogenous Myc and Max proteins. Here we show that co‐expression of the human c‐myc and max genes from 2μ circle derived high copy number vectors in yeast cells stimulate the transcriptional activation of a LacZ reporter gene fused to the yeast cytochrome‐c1, oxidase minimal promoter containing the adenovirus major late promoter element (AMLPE). The exchange of the single Myc binding site in the AMLPE by the two E‐box DNA motifs (CACGTG) present in the Myc responsive element of a human Myc target gene (ornithine decarboxylase) in front of a promoter‐reporter gene cassette results in a two‐fold enhanced ß‐galactosidase expression. Low expression of max and high level expression of c‐myc at the same time led to a further enhancement of transcriptional activation from this promoter‐reporter gene cassette.
International Trade Intermediaries

International trade intermediaries (ITIs) are specialist intermediaries involved in the management of international trade. This service either involves an agency-brokerage or a merchant-reselling role. ITIs are ubiquitous in global markets and are one of the most enduring organizational entities in the history of international business. Acting as agents, ITIs exist because manufacturers sometimes lack the ability or the incentive to engage in exporting directly. However, manufacturers may hesitate to contract with independent intermediaries because of the threat of opportunism. The circumstances under which manufacturers would prefer ITIs to in-house exporting can be predicted using transaction cost analysis, which describes the matching of exchange characteristics with particular exchange modes or governance structures. Acting as merchant resellers, ITIs create new markets for goods and services by developing exchanges between buyers and sellers located in different nations. In developing these links, the ITI may also transfer marketing skills to others in the channel. Although ITIs improve the efficiency of exchange and entrepreneurially create markets where none existed previously, their survival within cross-border channels of distribution is inherently impermanent. The information asymmetries that give ITIs their “edge” in a market tend to diminish over time, undermining their position in the channel. Keywords: international trade intermediary; importer–exporter; indirect exporting; distribution channels; information asymmetry
Bradykinin Sequesters B2 Bradykinin Receptors and the Receptor-coupled Gα Subunits Gαq and Gαiin Caveolae in DDT1 MF-2 Smooth Muscle Cells*

In this report, we show that the vasoactive peptide agonist bradykinin (BK) when bound to B2 BK receptors on DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells promotes the recruitment and sequestration of the occupied receptors and the receptor-coupled G-protein α subunits Gαq and Gαi in caveolae. Association of ligand receptor complexes and Gα subunits with caveolae was indicated by their co-enrichment on density gradients with caveolin, a marker protein for caveolae. Caveolin and Gα subunits were monitored by immunoblotting, whereas receptors were monitored as ligand receptor complexes formed by labeling receptors with the agonist BK or the antagonist NPC17731 prior to cell disruption and caveolae enrichment. These complexes were detected with radioligand and by immunoblotting with BK antibodies. A direct interaction of Gα subunits with caveolin was also indicated by their co-immunoprecipitation. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the enriched caveolin, Gα subunits, and BK receptor complexes were present in structures of 0.1–0.2 μm. At 4 °C, BK and NPC17731 receptor complexes were detected in caveolae, and both complexes were sensitive to acid washing prior to cell disruption and caveolae enrichment. Elevation of the temperature to 37 °C increased the amount of BK receptor complexes in caveolae with a maximal response at 10 min (continuous labeling) or 20 min (single-round labeling), and the complexes became acid-resistant. These conditions also increased the amount of Gαq and Gαi in caveolae with a maximal response at 5–10 min. In contrast, the NPC17731 receptor complexes remained acid-sensitive and dissociated at this temperature, and antagonists did not increase the amount of Gα subunits in caveolae. These results show that some agonists that act through G-protein-coupled receptors promote the association of their receptors and receptor-coupled Gα subunits with caveolae.
Genetic design of optimum linear and nonlinear QRS detectors

Describes an approach to the design of optimum QRS detectors. The authors report on detectors including a linear or nonlinear polynomial filter, which enhances and rectifies the QRS complex, and a simple, adaptive maxima detector. The parameters of the filter and the detector, and the samples to be processed are selected by a genetic algorithm which minimizes the detection errors made on a set of reference ECG signals. Three different architectures and the experimental results achieved on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database are described. <<ETX>>
Geographic and phylogenetic evidence for dispersed nuclear introgression in a daphniid with sexual propagules

The role of among‐species gene flow in eukaryotic evolution remains controversial. Putative hybrid lineages are common in water fleas, but their ecological success is often associated with polyploidy and the production of asexual propagules. Advanced hybrid lineages with sexual propagules are expected to be geographically restricted because their successful dispersal is contingent on overcoming fertility complications, assimilation by parent taxa, and competition with parent taxa. Here we provide evidence that a diploid lineage of Daphnia has been formed by introgression between distantly related species and attained a broad distribution (Nearctic) despite its requirement for sexual propagules. The evidence is based on geographical discordance, phylogenetic discordance, recombinant genotypes and additive genotypes of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) and mitochondrial DNA. Additive genotypes also provided evidence of hybridization between introduced European Daphnia and North American Daphnia. We argue that the unique biology of Holarctic lacustrine water fleas and the spatial separation of lineages during Pleistocene glaciation have promoted hybridization and its evolutionary consequences.
The Business-to-Business implications of low-tech Entrepreneurial Ethnic Minority Businesses in a virtual environment

The evidence of limited ICT adoption and use among Ethnic Minority Businesses is growing, supported by the work of Ram and Smallbone (1999), Foley and Ram (2002) and SBS (2004). The reasons discussed are many including firm size, lack of skills, culture, markets and sectors (SBS, 2004 and Allinson et al, 2004). However, existing examinations of ICT adoption and use by EMBs have failed to consider business-to-business (B2B) activities especially by firms in sectors where B2B activities are rapidly developing and increasingly the norm. Given, the increasing economic impact of EMBs in the UK and the growing push towards international trade the paper identifies the factors that both aid and limit B2B development among EMBs and potential International partners. The focus of B2B development is the UK’s first Virtual Trade Fair bringing UK EMBs, US EMBs and US Corporates together virtually. The paper identifies a number of factors creating and limiting B2B development and the formation of any international strategic alliances including: limited ICT use; limited understanding and use of virtual trade fair technologies, operating sectors and markets. The recommendations to overcome such issues include greater inclusion of EMBs in UK government backed e-procurement programmes, improved matching of sectors between buyers and sellers and raised ICT awareness and adoption in the EMB community.