Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking habits and alcohol use of patients with tuberculosis at Standerton Tuberculosis Specialised Hospital, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Background A high prevalence of smoking and alcohol use has been reported in patients with tuberculosis (TB) by several researchers, even though these lifestyle habits have a negative impact on prognosis and treatment. Aim To determine the smoking habits and alcohol use of patients with TB and TB/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection, and how it is associated with gender, level of education and body mass index (BMI). Setting The study was conducted at Standerton TB Specialised Hospital, Mpumalanga. Methods A cross-sectional approach was applied. A structured interview was conducted by the researcher with each of the 100 hospitalised patients to obtain information about smoking habits, alcohol use and level of education. Weight and height were measured using standard techniques. Results Almost six out of 10 participants (58%) indicated that they were former (44%) or current (14%) smokers. Nearly half (49%) reported that they used alcohol, with 25% drinking alcohol more than three times per week. Significantly more women than men were non-smokers (60.0% vs. 30.0%) and more men drank alcohol three times or more per week than women (36.7% vs. 7.5%). Participants who indicated that they were either former or current smokers had significantly lower levels of education than participants who were non-smokers (95% confidence interval [CI] [−26.7%; −2.6%] and [−39.9%; −1.0%] respectively). Conclusion A high percentage of patients with TB and TB/HIV co-infection previously or currently smoked and used alcohol. Smoking and alcohol use are likely to have a negative impact on nutritional status and may further affect the prognosis of patients with TB.
Development of engobe composition with the use of pharmaceutical glass waste for glazed ceramic granite

This paper reports results of research into the application of pharmaceutical glass waste, which is a mixture of medical ampoules, in the production of ceramic tiles. Disposal of such waste reduces the negative impact on the environment and contributes to saving mineral raw materials. At the same time, environmentally safe handling of ampoule forms of pharmaceutical glass waste at the disposal stage implies the removal of drugs’ residues from them. The appropriateness of using glass ampoules cleaned from drug residues as a fluxing component of engobe coatings for glazed ceramic granite is experimentally and theoretically substantiated. Comparative analysis of the charge composition of engobes of various manufacturers and of different chemical compositions of fluxing materials, which are components of these engobes, was carried out. The chemical composition of pharmaceutical glass waste was found to suggest the similarity of the basic properties of melts of these wastes and engobe glass frit. The paper considers the dependence of viscosity of the melts of engobe glass frits on the temperature. It was found that by the estimated values of viscosity of melts and experimentally determined characteristics of fusibility, glass waste can serve as substitutes for expensive engobe frits, when used with other traditional components of engobes. The chemical composition of the waste and of the basic engobe frit was determined by the method of X-ray spectrometry. Fusibility characteristics were explored using the thermoscope MISURA. Temperature coefficient of linear expansion of glass materials was determined with the use of the dilatometer LIL402PC. The research into the development of engobe coatings using pharmaceutical glass waste for the technology of glazed ceramic granite at firing temperature of 1185 °C was carried out. The rational charge composition of glazed engobe with a whiteness of 76 % was determined, which contains 30 % by weight of glass waste. The engobe tiles with water absorption of 0.3–0.4 % and the limit of flexural strength of 52–54 MPa were obtained
Self-efficacy as correlates of students’ academic performance in financial accounting in secondary schools in Abia State, Nigeria

The need to improve the performance of students in financial accounting necessitated this study to ascertain self-efficacy as correlates of students’ academic performance in financial accounting in secondary schools in Abia State, Nigeria. Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 846 SS 2 financial accounting students of 2018/2019 session in state owned secondary schools in Abia State and 271 students were drawn using Taro Yamane formula. Self-efficacy Questionnaire (SEQ) and Financial Accounting Performance Test (FAPT) were used for data collection. The researchers with the help of three research assistants distributed copies of the SEQ to the participants in their classes. On-the spot distribution and collection was used. The reliability of SEQ was established using Cronbach alpha method which yielded correlation coefficients of 0.87, 0.91 and 0.86 for sections A to C and overall correlation value of 0.88. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses. The findings revealed (1) the positive and high relationship between students’ mastery experience, vicarious experience and their academic performance in financial accounting; (2) the negative and high relationship between students’ social persuasion and their academic performance. The findings also indicate the significant impact of students ‘both types of experiences (mastery and vicarious) and social persuasion on the students’ academic performance in the subject. The study strongly indicates the powerful effects of mastery experiences, vicarious experiences and social persuasion on improving students’ academic performance. They, therefore, should be used to increase students’ selfefficacy and academic performance.
Perennial pasture species for the mixed farming zone of southern NSW – We don’t have many options

From 2002–08 the Cooperative Research Centre for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity (CRC PBMDS) embarked upon an extensive evaluation program to identify viable alternative perennial pasture species for cropping environments across southern Australia. In southern NSW, there were relatively few species that showed adequate persistence and production. Lucerne, phalaris, chicory and cocksfoot were found to be the key species for this zone with lucerne being the only legume. Perennial veldt grass and perennial bromes exhibited desirable characteristics in small-plot experiments in the higher rainfall region, but further research is required to identify the best way to incorporate them into our farming systems. For warmer and lower rainfall regions of southern NSW, Lotononis bainseii offers some promise as an alternative legume to lucerne and also warrants further investigation. Sulla and Onobrychis vicifolia may be suitable alternatives as short-term forage options. This paper provides a brief overview of the relative performance of the key species tested within the CRC PBMDS program.
High-Performance Work Practices, Creative Performance and Talent Retention in travel agents: The Mediation of Job Embeddedness

The aim of this research is to develop and investigate a model that examines the mediating role of job embeddedness in the relationships among high-performance work practices, creative performance and talented employee retention at Egyptian travel agents. Using a questionnaire, data were collected from 398 employees working at the Egyptian travel agents category A. To test the relationships among the study variables, the data were analyzed via LISREL 8.30 through structural equation modeling. The results revealed that the implementation of highperformance work practices (HPWPs) enhances job embeddedness (JE) of Egyptian travel agents‘ employees. JE, in return, leads to high levels of creative performance(CP) and talented employee retention (TRT). The results also proved that JE partially mediate the relationships between HPWP, CP and TRT at the Egyptian travel agents.
Six critical questions for DNA repair enzymes in skincare products: a review in dialog

Abstract Concerns over existing sunscreen filters have reinforced the need to examine supplemental sun protection or repair of sun damage. Technology to enhance DNA repair has been available in skincare and sunscreen products for several decades, but skepticism and lack of familiarity with the supporting data remain prevalent. Here, we address six of the main questions raised by medical professionals regarding the efficacy of DNA repair enzymes in sun protection. These include the mode of delivery and mechanism of action, the effect on cellular responses and the amelioration of pre-cancers, cancers and photoaging. The conclusions are that topical DNA repair enzymes do enhance removal of DNA damage and reduce the appearance of new actinic keratoses as well as increase regression of existing lesions. Support for prevention of photoaging and skin cancer is significant but could be strengthened or disproven with additional research.
Study on miRNAs in Pan-Cancer of the Digestive Tract Based on the Illumina HiSeq System Data Sequencing

Objective miRNA has gained attention as a therapeutic target in various malignancies. The proposal of this study was to investigate the biological functions of key miRNAs and target genes in cancers of the digestive tract which include esophageal carcinoma (ESCA), gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC), colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and rectal adenocarcinoma (READ). Materials and Methods After screening differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) in four digestive cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the diagnostic value of above DEMIs was evaluated by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Then, corresponding DEMIs' target genes were predicted by miRWalk 2.0. Intersection of predicted target genes and DEMs was taken as the target genes of DEMIs, and miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks between DEMIs and target genes were constructed. Meanwhile, the univariate Cox risk regression model was used to screen miRNAs with distinct prognostic value, and Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to determine their significance of prognosis. Furthermore, we performed bioinformatics methods including protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, gene ontology (GO) annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and gene group RIDA analysis by Gene-Cloud of Biotechnology Information (GCBI) to explore the function and molecular mechanisms of DEMIs and predicted target genes in tumor development. Results Eventually, 3 DEMIs (miR-7-3, miR-328, and miR-323a) with significant prognostic value were obtained. In addition, 3 DEMIs (miR-490-3p, miR-133a-3p, and miR-552-3p) and 281 target genes were identified, and the 3 DEMIs showed high diagnostic value in READ and moderate diagnostic value in ESCA, GAC, and COAD. Also, the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network with 3 DEMIs and 281 overlapping genes was successfully established. Functional enrichment analysis showed that 281 overlapping genes were mainly related to regulation of cell proliferation, cell migration, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion The diagnostic value and prognostic value of significant DEMIs in cancers of the digestive tract were identified, which may provide a novel direction for treatment and prognosis improvement of cancers of the digestive tract.
A perceptive evaluation of volume rendering techniques

The display of space filling data is still a challenge for the community of visualization. Direct Volume Rendering (DVR) is one of the most important techniques developed to achieve direct perception of such volumetric data. It is based on semi-transparent representations, where the data are accumulated in a depth-dependent order. However, it produces images that may be difficult to understand, and thus several techniques have been proposed so as to improve its effectiveness, using for instance lighting models or simpler representations (e.g. Maximum Intensity Projection). In this paper we present two perceptual studies that question how DVR meets its goals, in either static or dynamic context. We show that a static representation is highly ambiguous, even in simple cases, but this can be counterbalanced by use of dynamic cues, i.e. motion parallax, provided that the rendering parameters are correctly tuned.
PTT_A_179182 91..96

Second Department of DermatologyVenereology, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece Abstract: Uveitis, an inflammatory disorder of the mid-portion of the eye, is considered a relatively rare but very serious ocular complication of psoriasis. Data on the specific characteristics of uveitis in the background of psoriasis are extremely limited. The presence of uveitis in the context of psoriasis has been estimated to occur in 7–20% of the psoriasis cases. This incidence tends to be higher in patients suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or PSA alone. Psoriatic uveitis is usually bilateral, chronic, and severe. In term of pathogenesis, both psoriasis and uveitis are considered as paradigms of T-helper 1/T-helper 17 (Th1/Th17) inflammatory reactions. Certain cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), Interleukin17 (IL-17), IL-23, and IL-6 play a significant role in the pathogenesis of both psoriasis and uveitis. As uveitis shares common pathogenetic mechanisms with psoriasis in certain circumstances, both diseases may benefit from the same targeted biologic therapies. Undiagnosed and under-treated cases of psoriatic uveitis may cause significant morbidity and even vision loss. Larger prospective studies are needed in order to further investigate the association between these two entities.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF ROSA INDICA LEAVES AND PETALS AGAINST VARIOUS PATHOGENS

The present study was designated to evaluate the antibacterial properties of ethanolic extract of leaves and petals of Rosa indica. Two different varieties of rose were used for this work (red and orange). The antibacterial activities of ethanolic extract against bacteria were tested by using agar well diffusion assay and the MIC values were determined by broth dilution assay. The ethanolic extract of Rosa indica of red and orange color showed positive result against 3 bacterial pathogesE. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The least concentrations were obtained 2.314 mg/ml for ethanolic extract of orange rose leaves against E. coli and 0.01 mg/ml for ethanolic extract of red rose leaves, ethanolic extract of red rose petals and ethanolic extract of orange rose petals against P. aeruginosa.
BEAM DYNAMICS SIMULATION OF SUPERCONDUCTING HWR OPTION FOR THE IFMIF LINAC

One of the requirements of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is a 250 mA, 40 MeV cw deuteron beam provided by two 125 mA accelerators. A superconducting (SC) option for the 5 to 40 MeV section could present some advantages. In this paper, a design based on SC-Half Wave Resonators and solenoids is presented. Multi particle beam dynamics simulations have been performed in order to validate the linac design in such a high charge space regime. A Monte Carlo error analysis has been carried out to study the effects of misalignments or field variations.
The Mortgage Prepayment Decision: Are There Other Motivations Beyond Refinance and Move?

Borrowers terminate residential mortgages for a variety of reasons. Prepayments and defaults have always been distinguishable, and researchers have recently distinguished between prepayments involving a move and other prepayments. But these categories still combine distinct decisions. For example, a borrower may refinance to obtain a lower interest rate or to borrow a larger amount. By matching mortgage servicing and credit bureau records, we are able to distinguish among several motivations for prepayment: simple refinancing, cash-out refinancing, mortgage payoff, and move. Using multinomial logit to estimate a competing hazard model for these types of prepayments plus default, we demonstrate that these outcomes are distinct, with some outcomes showing quite different relationships to standard predictive variables, such as refinance incentive, credit score, and loan-to-value ratio, than in models that combine outcomes. The implication of these findings is that models that aggregate prepayment types do not adequately describe borrower motivations.
Adsorption and equilibrium studies of phenol and para-nitrophenol by magnetic activated carbon synthesised from cauliflower waste

In this study, waste cauliflower leaves were used for adsorbent preparation. The waste cauliflower leaves were converted into activated carbon by pyrolysis at two different temperatures 250˚C and 500˚C with magnetic property. The prepared adsorbents were denoted as CAC-250 and CAC-500 and characterized by the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The adsorbents were applied for the removal of phenol and PNP from their aqueous solutions. The adsorption of phenol was found very less by the application CAC-250, whereas by the application of CAC-500 the adsorption of both phenol and PNP was enhanced. The maximum adsorption of phenol was found 99% and that of PNP was found ~100% using CAC-500, with initial adsorbate concentration 5 mg/L at 25˚C. The adsorption data was analysed with Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models and different kinetic models that are pseudo first order, pseudo second order, Elovich, intraparticle and pore diffusion model.
On the Design of a Default Pension Fund∗

We investigate the effects of different equity exposures of the default fund in a defined contribution pension plan with universal coverage. Using Swedish individual-level data on financial portfolios inside and outside the pension system, we document a strong relation between default investing in the pension system and limited stock market participation outside the pension system. Motivated by this finding, we build a life-cycle portfolio choice model to investigate the effect on default investors’ welfare of different designs of the default fund. We find that leverage (i.e., an equity share above 100 percent) is warranted in the sense of expected utility. The expected gain in consumption of moving from 100 to 150 percent is in the order of four percentage points during every year in retirement. The loss of a shift from 100 to 50 percent is of the same order. We also explore the implications from the introduction of a universal pension fund (i.e., abolishing individual choice of equity exposure in the pension plan). Current active investors either gain or lose from such a reform, depending on the equity exposure of the universal fund. In expectation, active investors gain more from leverage than default investors. On the contrary, if the equity exposure of the universal fund is below 100 percent, active investors do not lose as much as default investors. We attribute this effect to active investors’ greater ability to use their savings outside the pension system to compensate for the equity exposure inside the pension system. JEL classification: G11, G18, H55, E21, D91.
Multipath influence analysis on detection probability of radars and optimal estimators of velocity in ArcSAR : Análise da influência de multipercurso na probabilidade de detecção de radares e estimadores de velocidade ótimos em ArcSAR

This dissertation comprises two contributions to the radar field. As a first contribution, we analyze the impact of the multipath effect caused by different reflective surfaces on the performance of radar detection probability. Thus, we deduced an analytical expression of detection probability for non-fluctuating (Swerling 0) and fluctuating (Swerling 1) target 1 when more than one specular reflection occurs. The results were compared with the obtained in a free-space environment where there is no reflection effect, and with the simple multipath environment (reflective plane surface) where only one reflection occurs. The expressions are deduced from the propagation factor concepts, which is included in the radar equation to describe the effect of the reflection of the waves over the surface. As a useful mechanism to predict the detection probability coverage by using the novel deduced expressions, we propose a geometric algorithm for the search of reflection rays over real irregular terrain, which is described by the earth’s curvature, shadow regions, and the knowledge of the target positions. The reflection points are based on the difference between incident and reflected grazing angles as a function of the range parameter. The analytical formulation of the algorithm is given by an ordinary differential equation (ODE), which represents an advance in conventional techniques since it represents nonlinear modeling. From results, the multipath effect can be seen as a diversity mechanism to mitigate possible detection losses of distant targets. Our second contribution focuses on the velocity estimation of distributed targets using an arc-scanning synthetic aperture radar (ArcSAR) system for meteorological applications. We investigate the performance of the current methods of Doppler centroid estimation, such as those based on the correlation, energy, and phase, used in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in an ArcSAR system. Moreover, we propose and derive an optimal method based on the maximization of the likelihood function (MLE); and a sub-optimal method, based on the least square error (LSE). We make use of the Brownian motion concept to add realistic random shifts to the cloud scatterers and characterize the ArcSAR system by including the effect of the antenna beam pattern on the signal amplitude. As an essential performance indicator, the influence of different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels is compared in all methods. From the numerical results, the derived sub-optimal LSE method outperforms all the other known methods in term of estimate efficiency, and it achieves a low-complexity in comparison to the optimal MLE method.
Methods for Capture- Recapture Analysis When Cases May Not Be Identified Uniquely

Capture-recapture methods are used for estimating the unknown size of a closed population from overlapping lists of cases [1, 2, 3]. After the cases on each list are enumerated and cases recorded on both lists are identified, an estimate is obtained for the number of cases that are not on either list. This estimate of the number of unknown cases is combined with the number of matched and unmatched cases to yield an estimate of the size of the population. To estimate the number of unknown cases, Lincoln and Petersen developed the maximum likelihood estimator [4, 5]. Chapman later adjusted the estimator for use with small samples [6, 7].
ANALYSIS OF PROFITABILITY OF SMALLHOLDER IRRIGATED FOOD PLOTS IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Smallholder irrigation farming is transformative to poor households as they improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty but little has been done to quantify their profitability. The present study assessed the profitability of smallholder irrigated crop farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and ascertained their determinants. A multi-stratified technique was employed to select 120 smallholder irrigated crop farmers. Data were analysed using gross margin and multiple regression models. Results showed that crop production is profitable. Farm experience, years spent in school, access to credit, distance to markets, and tractor use were found to have a bearing on the profitability of the irrigated crop farmers. Based on the results, crop farming is identified as crucial for jobs and poverty reduction.