Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Energy Choices in Life Path : Modeling and Simulation under different Scenarios

The topic of fuel poverty has generated an increasing interest in the economic, political and social spheres. This economics thesis examines the measurement and analysis of the interactions between three fundamental indicators of forced household expenses in terms of health, housing, and energy to identify the relevant factors needed for the implementation of actions that address and prevent fuel poverty. This paper presents an original theoretical and analytical study that investigates this phenomenon first in terms of equity, highlighting the existence of disparities and justifying the implementation of additional potentially new measures that promote greater equity in the allocation of energy among individuals. Furthermore, the study characterizes the dynamics of this phenomenon, providing invaluable information on the types of measures (e.g., social tariffs for energy, innovative models of payment for energy, housing renovation assistance) that could be implemented to prevent fuel poverty and thus address the underlying objectives of equity. The thesis then presents an analysis of the consequences of energy vulnerability on dimensions other than those directly referring to energy (i.e., health), raising political decision-makers’ awareness of the multidimensional and broad effects of fuel poverty on other dimensions of social vulnerability. Fuel poverty is a factor that contributes to the worsening of other disparities (i.e., health disparities), compromising public decision-makers’ pursuit of the objective of equity. Finally, the analysis of new innovative methods of payment that provide energy (i.e., prepayment) with fewer costs indicated that prepayment is a tool that could contribute to the respective goals of horizontal and vertical equity.
Sustainability Cycles in China, India, and the World?

This paper studies the key variables of the so-called ImPACT identity, which includes four drivers of environmental impact (Im): population (P), affluence (A), intensity of consumption (C), and technology (T). In the empirical analysis, carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion (CO2) represents the environmental impact, and the influencing factors are represented by the amount of population (POP), gross domestic product per capita (GDP/POP), energy intensity of the national economy (TPES/GDP), and carbon intensity of energy supply (CO2/TPES), respectively. The authors present annual changes in the ImPACT variables and their comparative analysis in the World, China, and India during the time period 1971-2009. They also identify the cyclical nature of annual changes in the ImPACT variables, similar to the Goodwin growth cycle model. In the formation of green growth strategies this kind of empirical finding must be taken seriously into consideration
Cigarette smoking and alveolar bone in young adults: a study using digitized radiographs.

BACKGROUND Evidence indicates that cigarette smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for periodontal diseases; however, there have been few radiographic prospective studies of alveolar bone in young populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on alveolar bone in young adults. METHODS Eighty-one dental students (mean age: 20.5 years), considered not to have periodontitis according to clinical criteria, participated in this study. Forty-two subjects were smokers (mean consumption was 14.1 cigarettes/day for > or =2 years), and 39 subjects had never smoked. A parallel-arm prospective design was used. All subjects took part in a dental hygiene program (DHP) that included oral hygiene instructions, mechanical debridement, and polishing. The following clinical variables were measured before and after the DHP: plaque index (PI), gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow rate, gingival index (GI), probing depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Standardized posterior vertical bitewing radiographs were taken and digitized preexperimentally and on days 180, 365, and 545. The following analyses were performed: bone height measurement (BHM), computer-assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA), and qualitative analysis of digital subtraction radiography (DSR). Repeated-measures multiple-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed between the groups, and one-way ANOVA was performed within the groups. RESULTS The mean PI and GI were significantly greater in the smokers (P <0.01). The mean GCF flow rate was significantly lower in the smokers (P <0.01). CAL and the number of sites with recession were significantly greater in the smokers (P <0.001). The BHM indicated a significantly lower mean alveolar bone height in the smokers (P <0.01). The smokers showed significantly lower CADIA values, which indicated a lower bone density on days 0 (P <0.05), 180, 365, and 545 (P <0.01). CADIA values decreased during the study in the smokers, with significant differences on day 545 (P <0.05). The smokers had a significantly higher mean percentage of sites that had decreased density, as assessed by DSR (P <0.001). In the smokers, the mean percentage of sites with decreased density, as assessed by DSR, had increased significantly by days 365 (P <0.05) and 545 (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Smoking produces an adverse effect on clinical periodontal variables and alveolar bone height and density, acting as a potential risk factor for alveolar bone loss, even at an early age with low tobacco consumption. It is very important to inform young smokers about the risk of this habit in relation to periodontal health.
Application of 5′-Nuclease PCR for Quantitative Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Pure Cultures, Water, Skim Milk, and Unpasteurized Whole Milk

ABSTRACT PCR techniques have significantly improved the detection and identification of bacterial pathogens. Countless adaptations and applications have been described, including quantitative PCR and the latest innovation, real-time PCR. In real-time PCR, e.g., the 5′-nuclease chemistry renders the automated and direct detection and quantification of PCR products possible (P. M. Holland et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:7276–7280, 1991). We present an assay for the quantitative detection of Listeria monocytogenesbased on the 5′-nuclease PCR using a 113-bp amplicon from the listeriolysin O gene (hlyA) as the target. The assay was positive for all isolates of L. monocytogenes tested (65 isolates including the type strain) and negative for all otherListeria strains (16 isolates from five species tested) and several other bacteria (18 species tested). The application of 5′-nuclease PCR in diagnostics requires a quantitative sample preparation step. Several magnetic bead-based strategies were evaluated, since these systems are simple and relatively easy to automate. The combination of nonspecific binding of bacteria to paramagnetic beads, with subsequent DNA purification by use of the same beads, gave the most satisfactory result. The detection limit was approximately 6 to 60 CFU, quantification was linear over at least 7 log units, and the method could be completed within 3 h. In conclusion, a complete quantitative method for L. monocytogenes in water and in skimmed and raw milk was developed.
The detection and treatment of psychiatric disorders and substance use among pregnant women cared for in obstetrics.

OBJECTIVE This investigation assessed the detection and treatment of psychiatric disorders and at-risk substance use among pregnant women in the obstetric sector. METHOD The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire and modified CAGE questionnaires were used to assess current psychiatric disorders and at-risk substance use among 186 women receiving prenatal care. Medical records were reviewed for evidence of obstetrical providers' recognition of psychiatric and substance use symptoms and diagnoses and initiation of evaluations and treatments. The associations between patient characteristics and chart-documented evaluations and treatments were ascertained. RESULTS Seventy (38%) of the women met screening criteria for psychiatric disorders or substance use. Among women who screened positive, symptoms were recorded in 43% of the charts, diagnoses in 18%, evaluations in 35%, and treatments in only 23% Patients who screened positive for psychiatric disorders and/or substance use were significantly more likely to have a documented mental health evaluation if they were less well educated, had inadequate prenatal care, or had longer hospital stays at delivery. CONCLUSIONS A substantial number of women treated in obstetrics have unrecognized and untreated psychiatric disorders and substance use. Given the potential impact of antenatal mental disturbances on maternal and infant outcomes, further investigations into the psychiatric evaluation and treatment of pregnant women in the obstetrical sector are required.
The Effect of Lumbar Total Disc Replacement on the Spinopelvic Alignment and Range of Motion of the Lumbar Spine

A lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) is a type of motion-preserving surgery, which aims to restore and maintain the normal range of motion (ROM) and the sagittal balance of the spine. However, little is known regarding how the spinopelvic alignment and ROM of the lumbar spine are influenced by the lumbar TDR with ProDisc. This study retrospectively analyzed the sagittal alignment and ROM of the lumbar spine in 26 consecutive patients who had undergone the TDR with ProDisc with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. A standing lateral radiograph, which included the femoral heads and dynamic flexion-extension lateral radiographs of the spine were taken before surgery and at the follow-up visit. The radiological parameters included the sacral tilt, the pelvic tilt, and the lumbar lordosis. The segmental lordosis and ROM were also measured at each operative level. Nineteen patients underwent a single-level TDR and 7 patients underwent a double-level TDR. The mean lumbar lordosis increased significantly from 30.5 degrees to 40.8 degrees in all patients who underwent TDR without any significant changes in the sacral tilt and pelvic tilt at the latest follow-up (P<0.05). In the patients who underwent single-level TDR, the mean segmental lordosis at the L5-S1 and L4-5 operative levels increased significantly from 15.8 degrees to 23.2 degrees and from 14.1 degrees to 24.9 degrees, respectively. The mean ROM at L5-S1 and L4-5 increased significantly from 7.1 degrees to 11.2 degrees and from 11.4 degrees to 14.6 degrees, respectively. The sagittal balance and ROM of the lumbar spine improved significantly after the lumbar TDR.
Complexity of the Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathies

Early-onset hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies are rare diseases representing a broad clinical and genetic spectrum. Without a notable familial history, the clinical diagnosis is complicated because acquired causes of peripheral neuropathy, such as inflammatory neuropathies, neuropathies with toxic causes, and nutritional deficiencies, must be considered. We examined the clinical, electrophysiological, and pathologic manifestations of a boy with an initial diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. The progression of the disease despite treatment led to a suspicion of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy. Genetic testing revealed the presence of the MPZ p.D90E mutation in heterozygosis. To clarify the pathogenicity of this mutation and achieve a conclusive diagnosis, we investigated the MPZ p.D90E mutation through in silico and cellular approaches. This study broadens the clinical phenotype of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy due to MPZ mutation and emphasises the difficulty of achieving an accurate genetic diagnosis in a sporadic patient to provide an appropriate pharmacologic treatment.
Integrating epidemiology and genetic association: the challenge of gene–environment interaction

Recent advances in human genomics have made it possible to better understand the genetic basis of disease. In addition, genetic association studies can also elucidate the mechanisms by which ‘non-genetic’ exogenous and endogenous exposures influence the risk of disease. This is true both of studies that assess the marginal effect of a single gene and studies that look at the joint effect of genes and environmental exposures. For example, gene variants that are known to alter enzyme function or level can serve as surrogates for long-term biomarker levels that are impractical or impossible to measure on many subjects. Evidence that genetic variants modify the effect of an established risk factor may help specify the risk factor's biologically active components. We illustrate these ideas with several examples and discuss design and analysis challenges, particularly for studies of gene–environment interaction. We argue that to increase the power to detect interaction effects and limit the number of false positive results, large sample sizes will be needed, which are currently only available through planned collaborative efforts. Such collaborations also ensure a common approach to measuring variation at a genetic locus, avoiding a problem that has led to difficulties when comparing results from genetic association studies.
Altered bone mineral density and body composition, and increased fracture risk in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate fracture rate and bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with dexamethasone-based chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN Children with ALL (n = 61) participated. At diagnosis, during therapy, and one year after cessation of therapy, BMD and body composition were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of lumbar spine (LS) and total body (TB). Serum markers of bone turnover were assessed. RESULTS BMD(LS) was significantly reduced at diagnosis, and remained low during therapy. BMD(TB) was normal at diagnosis, with a fast decrease in the first 32 weeks, in which chemotherapy was relatively intensive. Apparent ("volumetric") BMD(LS) was also reduced, but this did not reach significance at diagnosis and follow-up. Bone formation markers were reduced at diagnosis; formation as well as resorption markers increased during treatment. Fracture rate was 6 times higher in ALL patients compared with healthy controls. Lean body mass was decreased at baseline. Percentage of body fat increased significantly during therapy. After ALL treatment was completed, BMD and body composition tended to improve. CONCLUSIONS Children with ALL are at risk for osteopenia because of the disease itself and the intensive chemotherapy. Fracture rate increases substantially, not only during but also shortly after treatment.
[Aging and exocrine pancreatic function].

To evaluate the effect of aging on exocrine pancreatic function, fecal chymotrypsin activity (FCA) was measured by a photometric method in 62 healthy controls (20 to 87 years old, average 51.0 years), 42 patients with non-pancreatic diseases (31 to 83 years old, average 56.1 years), 40 controls in an old-age home (63 to 92 years old, average 77.6 years), 20 patients with definite chronic pancreatitis (17 to 72 years old, average 53.5 years) and five patients with pancreatic cancer (60 to 76 years old, average 65.4 years). Exocrine pancreatic function showed a significant decrease with aging as indicated by: (a) a significant inverse correlation between aging and FCA in the 62 healthy controls (r = -0.56, p less than 0.001), in the 42 patients with non-pancreatic diseases (r = -0.59, p less than 0.001), and also in the 40 controls in an old-age home (r = -0.52, p less than 0.001); and (b) a significantly lower FCA in the 21 healthy controls aged 65 or more (designated as the B group of healthy controls) than the 41 healthy controls aged less than 65 (designed as the A group of healthy controls). The 40 controls in an old-age home showed significantly lower FCA than the B group of healthy controls. This result was ascribed to the fact that the former group consisted of significantly older subjects than the latter. No significant difference was found in FCA between patients with chronic pancreatitis, those with pancreatic cancer, the B group of healthy controls, and the controls in an old-age home. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The work gap: a structured review of collaborative teamwork research from 2005 to 2015

ABSTRACT Celebrations of the benefits of collaborative teams have become commonplace in contemporary organizations. Scholarship on this topic remains fragmented. Scholars in different sub-fields use distinct approaches to study this phenomenon. We provide an operational definition of this concept and introduce a conceptual framework designed to facilitate integration. Next, we review research on collaborative teams published in 17 communication and management studies journals from 2005 to 2015. Our analysis reveals three dominant approaches to studying collaborative teamwork: black-boxes, interactional studies, and work-oriented studies. Articles published in communication journals emphasize the study of isolated interactions over other aspects of collaborative team work. By comparing these approaches, we show how organizational communication is positioned to contribute by broadening its scope to cross these analytic divides.
Spousal perspectives on factors influencing recruitment and retention of rural family physicians.

INTRODUCTION Recruiting and retaining medical personnel to rural communities is a human resource challenge. Studies suggest that the spouse's experiences and perceptions of a rural community are among the most influential factors in a physician's decision to remain in or leave a rural practice. This study describes the factors that both directly and indirectly influence spousal contentment and explores how these factors contribute toward recruitment and retention of physicians to rural practice locations. METHODS In this explorative study, 13 interviews were conducted with spouses of rural physicians to gain a better understanding of spousal concerns and experience regarding rural living. Participants in the present study included the spouses of general practitioners and family physicians practising and living in rural communities (population<or=10,000) on the Burin and Bonavista peninsulas of Newfoundland and Labrador. Specialists, residents and locums were excluded from the study. RESULTS The findings indicate that physician workload and community integration most highly influence spousal contentment. Other factors, including licensure, remuneration and physician demand, indirectly influence spousal contentment and, ultimately, practice location decisions. Many of the factors that directly influence spousal contentment are personal, and, as a result, it is difficult to implement policies that will influence them. CONCLUSION The physician's spouse is highly influential in the decision to move to, remain in, or leave a rural practice location. Understanding the factors that contribute to, and detract from, spouses' contentment in rural practice offers useful insights for human resource policies.
Hyperbilirubinemia as a Post-Sphincterotomy Bleeding Risk during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) Procedure in Normal Hemostasis Profile Patients

the development of complications after procedure, such as age, heart and lung condition, electrolyte imbalance, advanced liver disease, and liver coagulopathy. Obstructive jaundice, especially in patients with high bilirubin level can be more challenging due to the risks of infection and bleeding [3, 4]. Hyperbilirubinemia can lead to hemostasis impairment due to poor absorption of vitamin K. Bacterial translocation is also play a major role in hemostasis disturbance due to inflammation, septic complication, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) [5]. Endoscopic sphincterotomy is a common procedure in ERCP where it has a potential risk for bleeding complication, even in patients with normal blood coagulation [6]. Until now, there is still lack of data about immediate bleeding risk in severe hyperbilirubinemia patients due to post-hepatic obstructive jaundice who underwent ERCP procedure.
Phenothiazine Radicals Inactivate Trypanosoma cruzi Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase: Enzyme Protection by Radical Scavengers

Phenothiazine cation radicals (PTZ + ” ) irreversibly inactivated Trypanosoma cruzi dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (LADH). These radicals were obtained by phenothiazine (PTZ) peroxidation with myeloperoxidase (MPO) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP/H 2 O 2 ) systems. LADH inactivation depended on PTZ structure and incubation time. After 10 min incubation of LADH with the MPO-dependent systems, promazine, trimeprazine and thioridazine were the most effective; after 30 min incubation, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine and promethazine were similarly effective. HRP-dependent systems were equally or more effective than the corresponding MPO-dependent ones. Chloro, trifluoro, propionyl and nitrile groups at position 2 of the PTZ ring significantly decreased molecular activity, specially with the MPO/H 2 O 2 systems. Comparison of inactivation values for LADH and T. cruzi trypanothione reductase demonstrated a greater sensitivity of LADH to chlorpromazine and perphenazine and a 10-fold lower sensitivity to promazine, thioridazine and trimeprazine. Alkyl-amino, alkyl-piperidinyl or alkyl-piperazinyl groups at position 10 modulated PTZ activity to a limited degree. Production of PTZ + ” radicals was demonstrated by optical and ESR spectroscopy methods. PTZ + ” radicals stability depended on their structure as demonstrated by promazine and thioridazine radicals. Thiol compounds such as GSH and N -acetylcysteine, l -tyrosine, l -tryptophan, the corresponding peptides, ascorbate and Trolox, prevented LADH inactivation by the MPO/H 2 O 2 /thioridazine system, in close agreement with their action as PTZ + ” scavengers. NADH (not NAD + ) produced transient protection of LADH against thioridazine and promazine radicals, the protection kinetics being affected by the relatively fast rate of NADH oxidation by these radicals. The role of the observed effects of PTZ radicals for PTZ cytotoxicity is discussed.
Taking a leap of faith: are investors left short changed?

This chapter examines the compliance and performance of an international sample of faith-based ethical funds which screen their investment not only on risk and return but also on compliance with Islamic law – Islamic equity funds (IEFs). Using a set of stringent shariah screens similar to those of Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Islamic Index, we find less than one-third of the equity holdings of IEFs are shariah compliant. While most of the fund holdings pass the business screens, only about 38 per cent pass the total debt to total assets ratio screen. This finding suggests that, in order to overcome a significant reduction in the investment opportunity, shariah principles are compromised, with IEFs adopting lax screening rules in an attempt to achieve financial performance. Our matched firm approach shows that shariah screening reduces investment performance by an average of 0.04 per cent per month if benchmarked against matched conventional funds – this is a relatively small price to pay for religious faith. Cross-sectional regressions show an inverse relationship between shariah compliance and fund performance: every 1 percentage point increase in total compliance decreases fund performance by 0.01 per cent per month. However, shariah compliance fails to explain relative performance of the funds when matched with conventional funds.