Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)

Management of Hospital Acquired infection is a very important aspect of health care management. A nosocomial infection affects approximately 2 million patients annually in acute care facilities in our country and their annual patient care costs several millions of rupees. Studies show that nearly one-third of nosocomial infections can be prevented by a well organized infection control program. But only less than 10% are actually prevented. Health-care waste is an important source of HAI and should be considered as a reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms, which can cause contamination and give rise to infection. If waste is inadequately managed, these microorganisms can be transmitted by direct contact, air or by a variety of vectors. Infectious waste contributes in this way to the risk of nosocomial infections, putting the health of hospital personnel, and patients, at risk. The aim of the Hospital Infection Control Program is dissemination of information, surveillance activities, investigation, prevention and control of nosocomial infections in the hospitals.
University of Southern Denmark Prevalence and characteristics of three subtypes of dating violence among Danish seventh- grade students Karsberg,

Background: A high prevalence of adolescent dating violence (ADV) has been documented in recent years. However, the majority of ADV studies have been conducted in North America and moreover, ADV studies have primarily focused on high school or college populations. Objective: To investigate victimization and perpetration of ADV and related gender differences in a sample of Danish seventh-grade students. Method: In total, 2934 seventh-grade students (M = 3.5, SD = 0.5) filled out questionnaires at school. Results: The prevalence of victimization of emotional, physical and sexual ADV was 32.2%, 11.2% and 10.6%, and the prevalence of perpetration of emotional, physical and sexual ADV was 20.6%, 6% and 2.1%. One out of five students reported both victimization and perpetration of one of the three ADV types and 14.3% and 6% reported multiple forms of ADV victimization and perpetration respectively. Moreover, gender differences in the prevalence of ADV and the co-occurrence of ADV victimization and perpetration were identified. Conclusion: The present study highlights that a large proportion of Danish seventh-grade students are experiencing ADV, and that ADV preventive programs are relevant already in early adolescence. Based on the high proportion of students reporting co-occurrence of victimization and perpetration experiences, comprehensive preventive programs that focus on both victimization and perpetration experiences and the transmission of violence are recommended.
University of Groningen Genetic variability of arrhenotokous and thelytokous Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera)

The ichneumonid wasp Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera) has been studied extensively for foraging behaviour and population dynamics of sexually (arrhenotokous) and parthenogenetically (thelytokous) reproducing individuals. Here we report the development of a set of microsatellite markers for V.canescens and use them to show that arrhenotokous individuals have more genetic variability than thelytokous ones, which are even homozygous for all tested loci. Crosses between arrhenotokous individuals suggested one marker, Vcan071, to be linked with the Complementary Sex Determiner (CSD) locus and one, Vcan109, with the Virus Like Protein (vlp-p40) locus. The genome size of V. canescens was estimated to be 274–279 Mb. We discuss how both reproductive modes can give rise to the observed genetic variability and how the new markers can be used for future genetic studies of V. canescens.
Characteristics of EFL Curriculum in the Colombian Caribbean Coast: The Case of 12 State Schools

Research related to English as Foreign Language (EFL) curricula in Colombia is scant and mainly focuses on the analysis of policies and the challenges they pose to institutions. Consequently, there is a need for studies of EFL curricula in place in Colombia to serve as basis for evaluation and adjustment of current educational policies. This descriptive study follows a qualitative exploratory approach and addresses this gap by identifying the characteristics of the EFL curricula from twelve state schools. Data were reviewed and evaluated using document and comparative analysis techniques. Results reveal that all institutions have curricular documents but not all those requested by the educational authorities. Some of these documents show a lack of consistency in terms of the conceptual underpinnings as well as a misalignment with the national requirements or with contextual needs. While awareness of the importance of having strong English programs and the positive outlook shown by institutional stakeholders seem to be conditions for success, limitations related to allocation of resources, classroom conditions, and environments conducive to learning hinder the implementation of the EFL curriculum.
On the classification of arrhythmia using supplementary features from Tetrolet transforms

Heart diseases had been molded as potential threats to human lives, especially to elderly people in recent days due to the dynamically varying food habits among the people. However, these diseases could be easily caught by proper analysis of Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals acquired from individuals. This paper proposes a better method to detect and classify the arrhythmia using 15 features which include 4 R-R interval features, 3 statistical and 6 chaotic features estimated from ECG signals. Additionally, Entropy and Energy features had been gained after converting one dimensional ECG signals to two dimensional data and applied Tetrolet transforms on that. Total numbers of 15 features had been utilized to classify the heart beats from the benchmark MIT-Arrhythmia database using Support Vector Machines (SVM). The classification performance was analyzed under various kernel functions and different Tetrolet decomposition levels. It is found that Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel could perform better than linear and polynomial kernels. This research attempt yielded an accuracy of 99.35 % against the existing works. Moreover, addition of two more features had introduced a negligible overhead of time. Hence, this method is better suitable to detect and classify the Arrhythmia in both online and offline.
Knowing Your Beans in Parkinson's Disease: A Critical Assessment of Current Knowledge about Different Beans and Their Compounds in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease and in Animal Models

This review contains a critical appraisal of current knowledge about the use of beans in both animal models and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The potential beneficial effects of beans in PD are increasingly being touted, not only in scientific journals but also by the lay media. While there is a long tradition in Ayurvedic medicine of prescribing extracts from Mucuna pruriens (MP), whose seeds contain 5% L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (L-DOPA), many other beans also contain L-DOPA (broad beans, common beans, and soybeans) or have other ingredients (coffee and cocoa) that may benefit PD patients. Indeed, bean-derived compounds can elicit neuroprotective effects in animal models of PD, while several studies in human PD patients have shown that motor performance can improve after ingestion of bean extracts. However, there are several arguments countering the view that beans serve as a natural therapy for PD: (i) the results from animal PD models are not necessarily directly applicable to humans; (ii) beans have many bioactive ingredients, some of which can be harmful in large doses; (iii) studies in human PD patients are scarce and only report on the effects of single doses or the administration of bean extract over short periods of time; and (iv) no data on long-term efficacy or side effects of bean therapy are available. Therefore, reservations about the use of beans as a “natural” therapy for PD seem to be justified.
Does long-term fire exclusion in an Australian tropical savanna result in a biome shift? A test using the reintroduction of fireaec_2379 693..711

The structure of tropical savanna ecosystems is influenced by fire frequency and intensity. There is particular interest in the extent to which long-term fire exclusion can result in a shift from savanna to forest vegetation that is not easily reversed by the reintroduction of fire.This study examined changes in the structure and composition of a long-unburnt site within the northern Australian savannas following an extended period of active fire exclusion (>20 years), and the effect of the reintroducing fire through experimental fire regimes, including fires in the early and late dry season at a range of frequencies. After the long period of fire exclusion, the vegetation community was characterized by a well-developed midstorey and canopy layer, low grass cover, substantially higher densities of woody sprouts and saplings than frequently burnt savanna. The community composition included a high proportion of rainforest-affiliated species. Three years of experimental fires had no detectable effect on the overall composition of grass layer and woody plants but had an effect on woody vegetation structure. Continued fire exclusion further increased the density of woody stems, particularly in the midstorey (2.0–4.99 m), whereas moderate-intensity fires (>800 kW m-1) significantly reduced the density of midstorey stems.The reintroduction of higher moderate intensity fire events resulted in the vegetation in some compartments reverting to the open savanna structure typical of frequently burnt sites. Such rapid reversibility suggests that in general, the woody thickening resulting from long-term fire exclusion did not represent a biome shift to a non-savanna state. However, there was a small proportion of the site that could not sustain the fires applied to them because grass cover was very low and patchy and therefore appeared to have crossed an ecological threshold towards closed forest.
Prevalence of school bullying among school children in urban Rohtak, State Haryana, India

Background: School bullying has been recognized worldwide as the most common form of school violence. School bullying has frequently been associated with adverse behavioral, emotional and social consequences. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and demographic characteristics of school children involved in bullying in urban Rohtak, Haryana. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study wherein 370 middle school children were evaluated for school bullying. Socio-demographic information was collected using a separate performa and all the children completed the Korean–Peer Nomination Inventory. Results: The results of this study showed that 43% of school children were involved in bullying, with further categorization of victims, perpetrators and victim-perpetrators being 19%, 18% and 6% respectively. Boys outnumbered girls in all the three categories. Most of the perpetrators belonged to high-income families. Conclusions: School bullying is highly prevalent in middle school children and demographic characteristics can help to identify such children.
THE EFFECT OF CRITICAL TRACTION IN COHESIVE ZONE MODEL FOR FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH RETARDATIO

A cohesive zone model for simulation of fatigue crack growth is presented. The cohesive zone model is one of many alternative approaches used to simulate fatigue crack growth. The model incorporates a relationship between cohesive traction and separation in the zone ahead of a crack tip. The model introduces irreversibility into the constitutive relationships by means of damage accumulation with cyclic loading. The traction-separation relationship underpinning the cohesive zone model is not required to follow a predetermined path, but is dependent on irreversibility introduced by decreasing a critical cohesive traction parameter. The approach can simulate fatigue crack growth without the need for re-meshing and caters for single overloading. This study shows the retardation phenomenon occurring in elastic plastic-materials due to single overloading. Increasing the value of critical cohesive traction increases the extent of plastic zone at the crack tip which causes the fatigue crack growth to retard. Plastic materials can generate a significant plastic zone at the crack which is shown to be well captured by the cohesive zone model approach.
Mediating Effect of Competitive Advantage on the Relationship Between E-commerce Capability and Performance: Empirical Evidence from Commercial Banks in Kenya

Commercial banks operate in a very competitive environment. As such, e-commerce capability of e-commerce has become a crucial tool for provision of competitive advantage and improved performance. However, the mediating effect of competitive advantage on the relationship between e-commerce capability and performance is still a key question. The study empirically analyzed the mediating effect of competitive advantage on the relationship between e-commerce capability and performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Competitive advantage was measured using customer satisfaction index. E-commerce capability was measured using four dimensions of information capability, transaction capability, customization capability and back-end integration capability while performance was measured using Return on Assets. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View Theory. The study used explanatory research design. A census of 43 commercial banks was taken; data for performance was extracted for the financial year 2016/2017. Data for e-commerce capability was collected from commercial banks websites. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that competitive partially mediates the relationship between e-commerce capability and performance of commercial banks in Kenya. recommends that managers of commercial banks should consider delivering superior value to their customers though implementation of e-commerce capability. Keywords: e-commerce capability, competitive advantage, customization, back-end integration, commercial banks in Kenya DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-17-06 Publication date :June 30 th 2019
EVALUATION OF ANTIGEN-BASED ENZYME IMMUNO-ASSAY IN REFERENCE TO DIRECT MICROSCOPY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA IN STOOL SAMPLES

In the present study, we have been used TechLab Entamoeba histolytica II Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) test for detection of Entamoeba histolytica and comparing it with microscopic examination. A total of 80 stool samples were collected from patients with intestinal amoebae, including 47 males and 33 females, the age between (1-60) years. The stool samples were examined by direct microscopy ,then we investigated E. histolytica specific adhesin antigen in stool samples using ELISA( TechLab E. histolytica II test , United States of America USA). Out of 80 stool samples examined microscopically 65 were infected with intestinal amoebae. The examination of the 65 (81.3%) positive samples by using TechLab E. histolytica II ELISA test revealed that 13 (16.3%) were positive for E. histolytica while 2 (2.5 %) positive result using TechLab E. histolytica II ELISA kit was detected among the15 (18.8 %) microscopically negative samples. The study shows the majority of intestinal protozoa occur in males 36 (45.0%) and females 29 (36.3%), as well in E. histolytica high percentage were record in males 9 (11.3%) and in females 6 (7.5%), the results shows the highest percentage of intestinal protozoa as well E. histolytica at age group (30-39) (22.5%) (7.5%) respectively.
Performance analysis of direction of arrival algorithms for Smart Antenna

This paper presents the performance analysis of the direction of arrival estimation algorithms such as Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Technique (ESPRIT), Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC), Weighted Subspace Fitting (WSF), The Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR or capon) and beamspace. These algorithms are necessary to overcome the problem of detecting the arrival angles of the received signals in wireless communication. Therefore, these algorithms are evaluated and compared according to several constraints required in smart antenna system parameters, as the number of array elements, number of samples (snapshots), and number of the received signals. The main purpose of this study is to obtain the best estimation of the direction of arrival, which can be perfectly implemented in a smart antenna system. In this context, the ROOT-Weighted Subspace Fitting algorithm provides the most accurate detection of arrival angles in each of the proposed scenarios.
C;Siliquini R. Norovirus Outbreaks on Commercial Cruise Ships: A Systematic Review and New Targets for the Public Health Agenda.. FOOD

Noroviruses are recognized as the leading cause of human acute viral gastroenteritis worldwide. The rate of outbreaks on cruise ships has grown significantly in recent years. Given the potentially harmful consequences of outbreaks for passengers and crewmembers and the subsequently high costs for cruise companies, disease outbreaks on cruise ships represent a serious public health issue. The aim of our study was to systematically review published studies related to Norovirus outbreaks on commercial cruise ships. We searched the PubMed and Scopus scientific databases. We included eligible studies published from January 1990 to July 2013 that were written in English and described infectious episodes involving at least two passengers and/or crewmembers on a commercial cruise ship. As a result, 15 studies and seven reviews met the inclusion criteria, describing a total of 127 outbreaks. The majority of the cases were reported in Europe and the USA, affecting <1 to 74 % of the embarked passengers. In the majority of the studies, stool samples and/or serum specimens from ill passengers were collected and tested for laboratory confirmation. Twelve studies reported that an ad-hoc questionnaire was administered. Fifteen studies investigated the possible source of infection which was contaminated food in the majority of cases. Our findings suggest a strong need for the monitoring and implementation of preventive measures in semi-closed communities, such as cruise ships. It would be advisable to strengthen all relevant initiatives in order to improve the detection of, response to and control of Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.
Overview of the Outreach and Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Africa

Overall, MFIs in Africa are dynamic and growing. Of the 163 MFIs that provided information for this study, 57 percent were created in the past eight years—and 45 percent of those in the past four. African MFIs appear to serve the broad financial needs of their clients. Unlike trends in most regions around the globe, more than 70 percent of the reporting African MFIs offer savings as a core financial service for clients and use it as an important source of funds for lending.
International Food and Agribusiness Management Review

Despite frequent public criticism of modern husbandry practices, many animal welfare programs lack acceptance among both farmers and consumers. We contend that this lock-in originates from a lack of market orientation and consequential neglect of key stakeholders’ preferences in program design. Considering the case of a retailer-owned meat brand, we demonstrate the relevance of stakeholders’ inclusion when establishing animal welfare programs for pigs. Surveys among 62 farming members of a pig trading cooperative and 692 supermarket customers reveal the heterogeneity of beliefs and acceptance within both groups. While a Responsible Innovation approach, including key actors from the initial criteria selection, could be effective for raising acceptance, it would likely lead to lengthy time-to-market, prohibiting first-mover advantages. We suggest instead that beliefs and acceptance among farmers may be influenced through a communication strategy based on survey results and experimental research, as well as facilitating positive word-of-mouth.
ON A MORPHISM OF COMPACTIFICATIONS OF MODULI SCHEME OF VECTOR BUNDLES

A morphism of nonreduced Gieseker – Maruyama functor (of semistable coherent torsion-free sheaves) on the surface to the nonreduced functor of admissible semistable pairs with the same Hilbert polynomial, is constructed. This leads to the morphism of moduli schemes with possibly nonreduced scheme structures. As usually, we study subfunctors corresponding to main components of moduli schemes.
ESTIMATING ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS IN ZAGROS FOREST, IRAN, USING SENTINEL-2 DATA

Abstract. Accurate and reliable assessment of above-ground biomass (AGB) is important for the sustainable forest management, especially in Zagros forests, in which a frangible forest ecosystem is being threatened by anthropogenic factors as well as climate change effects. This study presents a new method for AGB estimation and demonstrates the potential of Sentinel-2 Multi-Spectral Instrument (MSI) data as an alternative to other costly remotely sensed data, such as hyperspectral and LiDAR data in unapproachable regions. Sentinel-2 performance was evaluated for a forest in Kurdistan province, west of Iran, using in-situ measured AGB as a dependent variable and spectral band values and spectral-derived vegetation indices as independent variables in the Random Forest Regression (RFR) algorithm. The influence of the input variables number on AGB prediction was also investigated. The model using all spectral bands plus all derived spectral vegetation indices provided better AGB estimates (R2 = 0.87 and RMSE = 10.75 t ha−1). Including the optimal subset of key variables did not improve model variance but slightly reduced the error. This result is explained by the technically-advanced nature of Sentinel-2, which includes fine spatial resolution (10, 20 m) and strategically-positioned bands (red-edge), conducted in different topographical conditions with an advanced machine learning algorithm. However, assessing its transferability to other forest types with varying conditions would enable future performance and interpretability assessments of Sentinel-2.
METTL3 Attenuates LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response in Macrophages via NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), an RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, is essential for the m6A mRNA modification. As a key enzyme of m6A methylation modification, METTL3 has been implicated in immune and inflammation regulation. However, little is known of the role and underlying mechanism of METTL3 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study is to elucidate the function and potential mechanism of METTL3 in RA pathogenesis. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of METTL3 in RA patients and controls as well as the macrophage cell line. CCK-8 was used for cell proliferation assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to estimate the generation of IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophages. Western blot and immunofluorescence were applied to evaluate the activation of NF-κB in macrophages. The expression of METTL3 was significantly elevated in patients with RA. It was positively associated with CRP and ESR, two common markers for RA disease activity. Besides, LPS could enhance the expression and biological activity of METTL3 in macrophages, while overexpression of METTL3 significantly attenuated the inflammatory response induced by LPS in macrophages. Moreover, the effect of METTL3 on LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages was dependent on NF-κB. This study firstly demonstrates the critical role of METTL3 in RA, which provides novel insights into recognizing the pathogenesis of RA and a promising biomarker for RA.