Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concepts of mental illness and medical pluralism in Harare

SYNOPSIS The Focus Group Discussions (FGD) described in this paper are the first step of a study aiming to develop an ‘emic’ case-finding instrument. In keeping with the realities of primary care in Zimbabwe, nine FGD were held with 76 care providers including 30 village community workers, 22 traditional and faith healers (collectively referred to as traditional healers in this paper), 15 relatives of patients and 9 community psychiatric nurses. In addition to the general facets of concepts of mental illness, three ‘etic’ case vignettes were also presented. A change in behaviour or ability to care for oneself emerged as the central definition of mental illness. Both the head and the heart were regarded as playing an important role in the mediation of emotions. The types of mental illness described were intimately related to beliefs about spiritual causation. Angered ancestral spirits, evil spirits and witchcraft were seen as potent causes of mental illness. Families not only bore the burden of caring for the patient and all financial expenses involved, but were also ostracized and isolated. Both biomedical and traditional healers could help mentally ill persons by resolving different issues relating to the same illness episode. All case vignettes were recognized by the care providers in their communities though many felt that the descriptions did not reflect ‘illnesses’ but social problems and that accordingly, the treatment for these was social, rather than medical. The data enabled us to develop screening criteria for mental illness to be used by traditional healers and primary care nurses in the next stage of the study in which patients selected by these care providers on the grounds of suspicion of suffering from mental illness will be interviewed to elicit their explanatory models of illness and phenomenology.
Assessment of Inflammatory Marker and Dyslipidemias in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by papulosquamous skin lesions and is associated with increased risk for development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker is considered as cardiovascular risk factor. Dyslipidemias plays a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. To evaluate CRP levels in psoriasis patients. To study the serum lipid profile in psoriasis. Present study involved 60 participants, of which 30 were clinically diagnosed cases of psoriasis and 30 were age and sex matched healthy controls. Blood samples were analyzed for CRP levels, lipid profile by using immune turbidometric method and enzymatic methods respectively. In the present study, the CRP levels were statistically highly significant (p<0.0001) in cases compared to controls. The cases had statistically significant high levels of total cholesterol (TC)(p=0.01), triglycerides(TG) (p=0.05), Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.0001) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (p=0.0001) when compared to controls. The High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was low compared to controls which were statistically significant (p=0.0001). Psoriasis patients had higher levels of CRP and lipid profile which increases the risk for the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Lymphocutaneous Nocardiosis in a Lymphopenic Breast Cancer Patient under Treatment with Docetaxel

A 65-year-old woman with metastatic breast cancer received 10 courses of chemotherapy with docetaxel 100 mg/m 2 and achieved considerable symptomatic relief despite minimal disease regression. Before her last course, a pustule appeared over her right ankle, which was aspirated for smear and culture. Profound lymphopenia (lymphocytes 100/ μ l) with normal granulocyte counts were also noticed in her peripheral blood. Despite 4 days of empirical treatment with amoxicillin and clavulanate, the lesion ulcerated (Fig. 1a) and her entire leg was inflamed. The initial sample, cultured in routine bacteriologic media, recovered a gram-positive, fine branching rod (Fig. 1b) susceptible to levofloxacin only, which was initiated at a dose of 500 mg twice a day. Finally, Nocardia otitidiscaviarum was identified as the offending agent. Twenty-eight days after levofloxacin initiation, considerable improvement was observed (Fig. 1c), and the patient was discharged on 2-months additional antibiotic treatment. Nocardiosis resulted in stopping an otherwise beneficial chemotherapy and delayed the application of an alternative one. Docetaxel-induced lymphopenia probably resulted in a transient cell-mediated immune defect that predisposed to this rare infection. Lymphopenia subsided 2 months after docetaxel cessation and did not reoccur with subsequently applied non–docetaxel-containing chemotherapy regimens.
Minimization of Cogging Torque in Axial-Flux Permanent-Magnet Machines: Design Concepts

Various techniques exist for reducing the cogging torque in radial-flux permanent-magnet (RFPM) machines. However, although some of these can be applied to axial-flux PM (AFPM) machines, the additional manufacturing complexity and cost may be prohibitive. Therefore, alternative low-cost techniques are desirable for use in AFPM machines. In this paper, the utility of employing cogging torque minimization techniques that have been developed principally for use in RFPM machines is examined by 3-D finite-element analysis, and several alternative cogging torque minimization techniques for AFPM machines are proposed.
Physical activity of disabled individuals in the context of meeting WHO recommendations and support of local authorities.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate physical activity of disabled individuals in the context of fulfilling the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and to investigate the relationship between the risk of inactivity and activity of local authorities in this field. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 155 disabled individuals selected from a representative sample of the Polish society. The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LF) and the survey of the determinants of a sport activity among the Polish population were applied. The relationship between meeting the WHO recommendations and environmental factors were investigated. Results According to the IPAQ-LF, 68.2% of the Polish disabled adults performed a recommended dose of physical activity during their leisure time. The total leisure activity was composed mainly of vigorous activities (58.8%), in a less extent of moderate activities (11.8%), and walking (7.2%). According to the survey of the sport activity determinants, 10.3% is active (0.7% exercises for ≥60 min 3 to 4 times a week, 3.9% per day). Conclusion Based on our study results, there is a need to increase the activity of local authorities, promoting a participation in sport for all among Polish disabled individuals. In addition, these study results indicate methodological problems related with the implementation of the IPAQ-LF.
Lysine acetyltransfer supports platelet function

The reversible acetylation of protein lysine ε‐amino groups, catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases and deacetylases, serves as a molecular switch in the orchestration of diverse cellular activities. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of lysine acetyltransfer in platelet function.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER ( CSP ) TECHNOLOGY USING LCA

Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is receiving increasing attention as a means of producing electricity in a sustainable manner. However, like any other industrial activity, CSP plants generate environmental impacts that need to be identified and quantified so that they can be minimized and managed appropriately. This paper analyses the environmental performance associated with the generation of electricity in a commercial 50 MWe CSP plant based on parabolic trough technology and currently operating in Ciudad Real (Spain). The plant incorporates a 7.5 hour thermal energy storage system based on molten salts and an auxiliary boiler utilizing natural gas that provides 12 % of the energy input. The analysis, conducted according to ISO 14040-4, is based on a comprehensive inventory of the life cycle of the plant, including manufacturing, construction, operation and dismantling phases. The results describe the impact of the technology on 8 different environmental categories. The Energy Flux and the Energy Pay Back (EPB) time were also determined for standard operation conditions. ReCiPe Midpoint Europe (H perspective) was used for quantification and aggregation of environmental impacts. The normalized profile of the plant shows that most impacted environmental categories are natural land transformation and fossil fuel depletion. The generation of 1.0 MWh of electricity produced the following impacts in selected environmental categories: global warming 115 kg CO2 eq/MWh; human toxicity 10.2 kg 1,4-DB eq/MWh; marine ecotoxicity 217 g 1,4-DB eq/MWh; natural land transformation 0.02 m/MWh; eutrophication 7.5 g P eq/MWh. The most impacting elements in the life cycle of the CSP plant are associated with its operation phase. In particular, the consumption of natural gas contributed to 87 % and 79 % of the impact associated with climate change and natural land transformation, respectively. Significantly lower impacts were attributed to other stages in the life cycle of the plant like manufacturing of reinforcing steel, copper, heat transfer fluid and molten salts. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the use of alternative aggregation methods including ReCiPe Midpoint Europe (E and H perspective) and CML2 baseline 2000. The results showed similar results on the environmental impacts estimated for certain environmental categories (such as acidification, global warming, eutrophication) but notable differences in other categories (human toxicity, marine ecotoxicity).
The stress appraisal measure (SAM): A multidimensional approach to cognitive appraisal

Cognitive-relational theory emphasizes the fundamental role of cognitive appraisal in the stress process. However, existing measures of stress appraisal suffer from conceptual and methodological problems. The present paper reports the development of a new stress appraisal scale that attempts to overcome some of these difficulties. Six dimensions of primary and secondary appraisal were identified: threat, challenge, centrality, controllable-by-self, controllable-by-others, uncontrollable-by-anyone. Items were generated for each of these dimensions, as well as for an overall perceived stressfulness scale. In three studies examining anticipatory stress experienced by undergraduates, these items were subjected to item-selection, analysis and validation procedures. The findings provide strong support for the psychometric properties of the scales. Two factor analyses showed that the six appraisal dimensions were relatively independent. In multiple regression analyses, threat and centrality consistently emerged as significant predictors of overall stressfulness. The Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM) appears to be a promising instrument for use in future stress research.
PARTISAN MEDIA EXPOSURE AND AFFECTIVE POLARIZATION Implications of Pro-and Counter-Attitudinal Information Exposure for Affective Polarization

The American electorate is characterized by political polarization, and especially by increasingly negative affective responses toward opposing party members. To what extent might this be attributed to exposure to information reinforcing individuals’ partisan identity versus information representing the views of partisan opponents? And is this a uniquely American phenomenon? This study uses survey data collected immediately following recent national elections in two countries, the U.S. and Israel, to address these questions. Results across the two nations are generally consistent, and indicate that proand counter-attitudinal information exposure have distinct influences on perceptions of and attitudes towards members of opposed parties despite numerous cross-cultural differences. We discuss implications in light of recent evidence about partisans’ tendency to engage in selective exposure.
Calcitonin in a protochordate, Ciona intestinalis – the prototype of the vertebrate calcitonin/calcitonin gene‐related peptide superfamily

The calcitonin (CT)/CT gene‐related peptides (CGRPs) constitute a large peptide family in vertebrates. However, no CT/CGRP superfamily members have so far been identified in invertebrates, and the evolutionary process leading to the diverse vertebrate CT/CGRP superfamily members remains unclear. In this study, we have identified an authentic invertebrate CT, Ci‐CT, in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, which is the phylogenetically closest invertebrate chordate to vertebrates. The amino acid sequence of Ci‐CT was shown to display high similarity to those of vertebrate CTs and to share CT consensus motifs, including the N‐terminal circular region and C‐terminal amidated proline. Furthermore, the Ci‐CT gene was found to be the only Ciona CT/CGRP superfamily gene. Ci‐CT also exhibited less potent, but significant, activation of the human CT receptor, as compared with salmon CT. Physiological analysis revealed that Ci‐CT reduced the osteoclastic activity that is specific to vertebrate CTs. CD analysis demonstrated that Ci‐CT weakly forms an α‐helix structure. These results provide evidence that the CT/CGRP superfamily is essentially conserved in ascidians as well as in vertebrates, and indicate that Ci‐CT is a prototype of vertebrate CT/CGRP superfamily members. Moreover, expression analysis demonstrated that Ci‐CT is expressed in more organs than vertebrate CTs in the cognate organs, suggesting that an original CT/CGRP superfamily member gene was also expressed in multiple organs, and each CT/CGRP superfamily member acquired its current specific tissue distribution and physiological role concomitantly with diversification of the CT/CGRP superfamily during the evolution of chordates. This is the first report on a CT/CGRP superfamily member in invertebrates.
Experimental Study on Buckling-Restrained Knee Brace with Steel Channel Sections

In this paper, Buckling-Restrained Knee Bracing (BRKB) systems were developed through sub-assemblage tests. The steel core plate of the BRKB was restrained with two steel channel sections and is intended to retrofit existing low-story building structures for earthquake loadings. Five BRKB specimens were developed considering important variables that affected the lateral resisting capacity. Tests of the five BRKBs were carried out under cyclic loading as specified in the AISC2005 Seismic Provisions. It was observed that the ductility and energy dissipation capacity of the BRKBs were mainly affected by the size of core plate and the size of channel sections compared to the size of the end plate. Through a sub-assemblage test, five specimens satisfied the compression-strength adjustment factor’s requirement (≤ 1.3) in the AISC2005 Seismic Provision and four specimens exceeded requirement of the cumulative plastic ductility (≥130) specified in the AISC-SEAOC. The test results showed that the installation of the BRKB systems to the existing buildings can be considered as one of the effective retrofit procedures for existing low-story buildings.
2 Simulation Procedure of Die-Sinking EDM 2 . 1 Simulation

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a competitive process to machine difficult-to-cut materials, but thermal damage is a critical concern for the EDMed parts. Finite element modeling provides insight into the thermal damage mechanism in EDM processes. However, current modeling approaches of an EDM process are limited to a single discharge, which is far from reality to predict thermal damage due to the accumulating effect of massive random. In this study, an innovative modeling approach to account for massive random discharges has been developed based on the stochastic EDM process and probability theory. Die sinking EDM of NiTi alloys was simulated to investigate the thermal damage mechanism with the progression of massive random discharges. The temperature history profiles of both top surface and subsurface showed pulsing characteristics with the progression of massive random discharges, which resulted from high-frequency random discharging phenomenon. A large temperature gradient was also found on the area below the top surface, while it gradually decreased in the deep subsurface. The predicted “coral reef” surface topography and uniform temperature distribution across the surface showed that the proposed model accounting for random discharge phenomenon proved to be an effective approach to investigate the effect of EDM processes.
Normality in State Uncertainties from Orbit Determination Results fitting Optical Measurements

Two fundamentally different approaches to determine normality of state uncertainty are compared by application to a range of test cases. The first method is the Henze-Zirkler test, which operates on a random particle sample. The variability of its result is quantified. Using this method, breakdown of state normality has been found to occur in three stages which are detailed. The second test compares the offset of the sample from the unscented transform to the mean of the covariance in whitened space. This test is much more efficient than the random particle based approach and can be applied using any perturbations model. The comparison is performed on the state uncertainty in Cartesian space and using two-body motion without process noise. The more efficient, unscented transform based approach shows promising results in first comparisons.
The Therapeutic Potential of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Inhibitors in Breast Cancer: Rational and Progress

Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is among the most frequently dysregulated pathways in patients with BC. The activation of this pathway is associated with increased cell growth and clinical outcome, and its overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis. It has been proposed that it may be of importance as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of BC. The aim of current review is to provide an overview of the potential utility of PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors in patients with BC, with particular emphasis on recent preclinical and clinical studies. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 213–222, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Food waste management-a cheap source of lactic acid produced by Lactobacillus sp .

The most common and important chemical compound used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and food industry is lactic acid. There have been various attempts made to produce lactic acid efficiently from inexpensive raw materials. The main objective of present study was to produce lactic acid from cheap food waste such as potato peels, orange peels and mango peels as substrate. A total of 35 isolates were screened for Lactobacillus spp. On the basis of temperature and pH optimization, 4 bacterial isolates (5SA, 21SA, 22SA, 32SA) were selected for further study and fermentation. The highest lactic acid production, 12.23 g L was obtained for mango peels where as for orange peels it was 11.98 g L for 21SA isolate. Isolates 5SA and 22SA produced 13.08 g L and 12.54 g L, respectively, lactic acid for potato peels at the 3rd of fermentation. For mixed peel waste, 32SA isolate was able to produce maximum 11.56 g L lactic acid after fermentation at the end of 3rd day. Thus it shown that lactic acid can be efficiently produced from food wastes at a cheaper cost and high rate.
Estimation of Kappa ( κ ) for a Sedimentary Basin in Greece ( EUROSEISTEST )-Correlation to Site Characterisation Parameters

Knowledge of the acceleration spectral shape is important for ground motion prediction. At high frequencies spectral amplitude decreases rapidly, controlling peak values. Anderson and Hough (1984) modelled this with the spectral decay factor κ, which constitutes today a basic input parameter –a site effect proxy– for the generation of stochastic ground motion and the calibration and adjustment of GMPEs. We study κ in the EUROSEISTEST valley: a geologically complex and seismically active region with a permanent strong motion array. We derive κ at 14 locations in and around the basin following two approaches: measuring it directly on Swave spectra and indirectly on the site functions derived from source-path-site inversions. The agreement is good. Because κ is a site-effect proxy, we correlate it with local site conditions: the well-known sitecharacterisation parameter Vs30, but also the resonant frequency and depth-to-bedrock. We find that these new parameters may complement the existing κ-Vs30 correlation.
Test of the technology acceptance model for the internet in pediatrics

There is growing recognition of the importance of the Internet and, more generally, information technology to pediatric care. However, acceptance of these technologies has been low. Attitudes of physicians can play a pivotal role in the adoption session. This study tests the extension to a widely used model in the information systems literature: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were collected in a survey of pediatricians to see how well the extended model, TAM2, fits in the medical arena. Our results partially confirm the model; significant parts of the model were not confirmed. The primary factors in pediatricians' acceptance of technology applications relate to their usefulness and job relevance. Little weight is given to ease of use and social factors. We discuss possible explanations for the discrepancies and suggest future research.
Modeling Surface Deformations and Hinging Regions HINGING in Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns

Understanding the spread of inelastic deformations at various stages of loading is a particularly difficult problem for bridge structures subjected to multiaxial dynamic loading. A high-resolution model of a bridge column was developed using the computer program ABAQUS and calibrated using the measured displacement field in a column of a bridge system subjected to dynamic biaxial loading in an earthquake simulator. The bridge system was subjected to a succession of test trials with increasing earthquake intensity. Computer simulations were performed of the complete sequence of trials, providing information about the variation in the spread of plasticity with the intensity of loading. The main goal of this study was to investigate changes in the spread of plasticity of the bridge column, quantified in terms of curvature demand along the column height and longitudinal reinforcement strain, associated with the displacement demand at various levels of earthquake intensity.