Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Branchless banking in rural Malawi: Potential customers' perspective on bank-led mobile banking

Branchless banking is a distribution channel used for delivering financial services without necessarily relying on constructing bank branches. This offers customers the ability to conduct banking transactions at a whole range of retail agents instead of accessing banking services at bank branches. The study attempted to answer the question on whether Branchless banking can be used to reach the unbanked and underbanked rural areas in Malawi. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was developed based on the three main dimensions of the Technology Acceptance model, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use and Attitude towards use, and the two main requirements in branchless banking; Availability of Telecommunication Infrastructure and retail agents. The sample was drawn from a population in unbanked rural areas. The results shows that Branchless banking is feasible in the unbanked rural areas in Malawi.
Topical diltiazem in management of chronic anal fissure: a review of the literature

Anal fissure is a common painful anorectal condition which affects people of various age groups, and deteriorates their quality of life. Chronic anal fissure requires medical intervention either by pharmacotherapy or by surgery. Various pharmacological agents have been used in the treatment of chronic anal fissure with the aim of relaxation of internal anal-sphincter smooth muscle. Diltiazem is a calcium-channel blocker that has been tried in several clinical studies for management of chronic anal fissure. This review focuses on the available literature data on the use of topical diltiazem (cream, gel, ointment) in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in order to give an overall viewpoint of the work carried on in this field and the results obtained.
Nursing work in Jordan: an example of nursing work in the Middle East.

AIM The study aimed to investigate Jordanian nurses' perceptions of their role in clinical practice. BACKGROUND The lack of regulation of nursing practice by the profession across the Middle East until now has led to each institution setting its own policies regarding the role of the nurse and the practice of nursing. No study to date has examined the role of the nurse working in the acute hospital environment nor explored the practice of nursing in this region. DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted using a quota sample. A total of 348 medical-surgical staff nurses and practical nurses from the three healthcare sectors in Jordan participated in the study with a response rate of 77%. The results were analysed by constructing multiple response tables, chi-square test, anova and log-linear analysis. RESULTS Staff nurses in Jordan were expected to carry out the majority of nursing care activities. The role of the practical nurse was limited to the physical and professional domains of nursing care. Activities requiring higher levels of emotional or intellectual labour and interdisciplinary communication were attributed only to the staff nurse. The majority of the respondents reported nursing had not been their first choice of career. Male nurses had a higher intention to leave the nursing profession. The predominant method of care delivery used by nurses was task-oriented. CONCLUSION There was a general consensus regarding what constituted the nurse's work in the clinical area across the three healthcare sectors in Jordan. Role delineation between the two levels of nurses was also clear. There is a need to move from task-oriented to patient-centred care to promote quality patient care. Relevance to clinical practice. This study explores the role of the nurse working in the acute hospital environment in Jordan.
Assessment of clinical outcomes of Roth and MBT bracket prescription using the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System

Background: There is always a need to assess whether small changes in bracket prescription can lead to visually detectable differences in tooth positions. However, with little clinical evidence to show advantages of any of the popularly used bracket systems, orthodontists are forced to make clinical decisions with little scientific guidance. Aim: To compare the orthodontic cases finished with Roth and MBT prescription using American Board of Orthodontics-Objective Grading System (ABO-OGS). Settings and Design: Department of Orthodontics, Post-graduate dental college, retrospective cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Forty patients selected were divided into two groups of 20 patients each finished with straight wire appliance using Roth and MBT prescription, respectively. The examiner ability was assessed and calibrated by one of the ABO certified clinician to grade cases using the OGS. Statistical Analysis: Unpaired student t-test was used and P < 0.05 was accepted as significant. Results and Conclusions: MBT bracket group had a lower score of 2.60 points in buccolingual inclination and lower score of 1.10 points in occlusal contact category that was statistically significant when compared with Roth group. The difference in total ABO-OGS score was 2.65 points showing that the outcome for the MBT prescription was better than that of the Roth prescription, which is statistically significant, but with little or no clinical significance. It can be concluded that use of either one of the Roth and MBT bracket prescriptions have no impact to the overall clinical outcome and quality of treatment entirely depends on clinician judgment and experience.
Effects of streptozotocin-induced type 1 maternal diabetes on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rat neonates

Abstract Diabetes in pregnancy impairs hippocampus development in offspring, leading to behavioral problems and learning deficits. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the regulation of neuronal proliferation, survival and death. The present study was designed to examine the effects of maternal diabetes on PKB/Akt expression and phosphorylation in the developing rat hippocampus. Wistar female rats were maintained diabetic from a week before pregnancy through parturition and male offspring was killed at first postnatal day (P1). The hippocampal expression and phosphorylation level of PKB/Akt, one of the key molecules in PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis. We found a significant bilateral downregulation of AKT1 gene expression in the hippocampus of pups born to diabetic mothers (p < 0.05). Interestingly, our results revealed a marked upregulation of Akt1 gene in insulin-treated group compared with other groups (p < 0.05). The western blot analysis also showed the reduction of phosphorylation level of all AKT isoforms in both diabetic and insulin-treated groups compared with control (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results showed a significant increase in phosphorylation level of AKT in insulin-treated group compared with the diabetic group. These results represent that diabetes during pregnancy strongly influences the regulation of PKB/AKT in the developing rat hippocampus. Furthermore, although the control of glycemia by insulin administration is not sufficient to prevent the alterations in PKB/Akt expression, it modulates the phosphorylation process, thus ultimately resulting in a situation comparable to that found in the normal condition.
Passenger transgenes reveal intrinsic specificity of the antibody hypermutation mechanism: clustering, polarity, and specific hot spots.

We have analyzed somatic hypermutation in mice carrying an immunoglobulin kappa transgene in order to discriminate mutations that reflect the intrinsic specificity of the hypermutation mechanism from those highlighted by antigenic selection. We have immunized animals with three different immunogens. With one immunogen, the antigen-specific B cells express a transgenic kappa chain, which does not form part of the antibody; the transgene is a passenger free to accumulate unselected mutations. With the other two immunogens, the transgenic kappa chain constitutes the light chain of the expressed antibody. A comparison of the transgene mutations obtained under these different circumstances allows us to identify common features that we attribute to the intrinsic specificity of the hypermutation process. In particular, it yields only base substitutions and leads to hot spots occurring in individual positions (e.g., the second base of the Ser-31 codon). The mutations preferentially accumulate around the first complementarity-determining region. The process exhibits specific base substitution preferences with transitions being favored over transversions. We propose that these substitution preferences can be used to discriminate intrinsic from antigen-selected hot spots. We also note that hypermutation distinguishes between the coding and noncoding strands since pyrimidines (particularly thymidines) mutate less frequently than purines.
Commentary on: Decrease in Seroma Rate After Adopting Progressive Tension Sutures Without Drains: A Single Surgery Center Experience of 451 Abdominoplasties Over 7 Years.

Congratulations to the authors1 on contributing further evidence supporting the use of progressive tension sutures (PTS) in abdominoplasty. Since we initially introduced the concept of advancement and fixation of the abdominal flap to the abdominal wall in abdominoplasty into the literature in 20002 we have been surprised at how slow it has been for, what we believed to be a very empirically logical idea, to disseminate into common use. However, it became clear that simply being “empirically logical” was not adequate and that more clinical data were needed. Over the subsequent years, many contributions to the body of data on progressive tension suture in abdominoplasty have accumulated in the literature. First, we should point out that Baroudi3 independently preceded our paper publishing a hundred cases of “Quilting sutures” in abdominoplasty which is essentially the same concept and gives the same results. Additionally, Mladick,4 in a brief communication, pointed out that his mentor, Nicholas Georgiade, taught a similar technique at Duke and it was included in a chapter of his textbook. This goes to show that good ideas are rarely of one source. Since then, many articles have addressed the progressive tension suture/quilting suture concept from a variety of perspectives. Nahas et al5 used ultrasound to assess volumes of fluid that accumulated when PTS are used. He looked at 21 consecutive abdominoplasties between postoperative day 15 and 18 finding an average fluid volume of 8.2 cc. Only two patients had more than 20 cc (25 and 47 …
Neuromagnetic fields preceding unilateral movements in dextrals and sinistrals

MOVEMENT -related magnetic fields were recorded with a whole-head magnetoencephalographic system in three dextrals and three sinistrals during right or left index finger extension. The motor field (MF) demonstrated an asymmetrical isofield map pattern with larger field reversal over the contralateral hemisphere for dominant hand movement and an almost symmetrical pattern for non-dominant hand movement in each subject. The equivalent current dipole moment of the MF for the contralateral hemisphere was significantly larger than the ipsilateral hemisphere for dominant hand movement, and almost equal for both hemispheres for non-dominant hand movement. These results were congruent for both dextrals and sinistrals, suggesting a more important role of the hemisphere contralateral to the dominant hand in unilateral voluntary movement, regardless of handedness.
On the second order power spectral statistics of wideband indoor microwave channels

We derive closed form expressions for the second-order statistics of the spectral power gain of wide-band microwave indoor channels. We obtain our results within a framework general enough to be compatible with several popular channel models, such as those proposed by the IEEE 802.15. 3a task group, as well as the Saleh-Valenzuela channel model. As all these models, our channel description is based upon clusters and rays with Poisson arrivals and random amplitudes. Our results consist of closed form expressions for the second-order statistics of the channel power frequency response, where statistical averages involve expectations over ray amplitudes and arrival times. We first express the auto-covariance of this frequency response in closed-form. We then use this result to obtain an analytical expression for the variance and second-order moment of the channel power within any given interval of frequencies. This allows us to express the channel spectral diversity as a function of model parameters and bandwidth. From this function, we determine the range within which diversity scales approximately linearly with bandwidth and its upper limit.
On the optimal base-station density for CDMA cellular networks

In this paper, the minimal base-station density for a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) cellular radio network is determined such that the outage probability does not exceed a certain threshold. Base stations are assumed to be located on a regular triangular grid of minimum distance d, while mobiles are randomly distributed according to a two-dimensional Poisson point pattern. Each mobile may be connected to, at most, one of four surrounding base stations, effectively connecting and applying power control to the one with least attenuation. Thus, we model the use of macroscopic selection diversity. We obtain a normal approximation to the total interference power at a reference base station for a correlated log-normal shadowing law. The base station distance we obtain is proportional to the inverse of the square root of the traffic intensity, and we obtain the constant of proportionality, which is itself a function of the minimum acceptable carrier-to-interference (C/I) ratio and the maximum tolerable outage probability. Our formula for this distance can be used in network planning and design.
Shape analysis of Pashto script and creation of image database for OCR

Development of optical character recognition for the cursive script such as Pashto requires detailed knowledge of shape variation within Pashto script. The development of image dataset is essential for training/testing of various OCR approaches. This paper outlines various features of Pashto script, and describes the development of an image dataset for an optical character recognition system.
STUDY HABITS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN CORE SUBJECTS AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

This article investigates of the relationship between study habits and students' academic achievement in core subjects at the junior sec- ondary school level. The aim was to determine the relationship between vari- ous aspects of study habits including homework and assignments, time alloca- tion, reading and note taking, study period procedures, concentration, written work, examination and teacher consultation and students' achievement in English language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Art. This was meant to provide clearer understanding of the phenomenon. The descriptive research design of an ex post facto approach was used in the study. A sample of 300 JS2 students was drawn using simple random sampling technique. A major hypothesis was raised leading to the application of correlation and stepwise linear regression analysis. Findings reveal that of all the study habits' sub- scales, 'teacher consultation' was most influential while the 'time allocation'
Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS in the head kidney of larval and juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The aim of this investigation was to assess whether in teleosts, as in mammals, nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the regulation of cellular activity in the adrenal homolog. Larval and juvenile stages of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were used, in which the adrenal homolog consists of chromaffin adrenergic and interrenal steroidogenic cells localized mainly in the head kidney where there are also ganglion cells and nerve fibres that innervate the gland. In 12-month-old juveniles, the immunohistochemical reaction for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which catalyzes the synthesis of NO, revealed the presence of this enzyme in some nerve fibres and ganglion cells and only rarely in chromaffin cells. The latter are identified by the immunohistochemical reaction for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT). In larvae at 27 days postfertilization, numerous cells dispersed in the head kidney are nNOS positive, whereas the TH and PNMT positive cells are very rare. At hatching (31 days postfertilization), the positivity for nNOS in the cells of the head kidney disappears and reappears at 60 days posthatching in some nerve cells and fibres. These results suggest an involvement of NO in the regulation of adrenal function as in mammals and the nature of nNOS positive cells present in the head kidney of larvae of 27 days is discussed.
Highly branched HK peptides are effective carriers of siRNA

Both viral and nonviral carriers have been used to carry small interfering RNA molecules (siRNA) to their cytosolic mRNA target. To date, few peptide carriers have been developed that have proved effective for siRNA delivery. Our previous branched carriers composed of histidine and lysine were useful for transfection of plasmids. In this study, we determined if these and more highly branched HK polymers were effective carriers of siRNA.
A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and acceptability of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating major depression

Background Bilateral repetitive magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising novel therapeutic intervention for major depression (MD). However, clinical trials to date have reported conflicting evidence concerning its overall efficacy, which might have resulted from low statistical power. Thus, meta-analytical approaches could be useful in examining this issue by allowing the integration of findings from multiple studies and thus producing more accurate estimates of the treatment effect. Method We searched the literature for randomized, double-blind and sham-controlled trials (RCTs) on bilateral rTMS for treating MD from 1995 to July 2012 using EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and from October 2008 until May 2012 using Medline. The main outcome measures were response and remission rates. We used a random-effects model, odds ratios (ORs) and the number needed to treat. Results Data were obtained from seven RCTs, totaling 279 subjects with MD. After an average of 12.9 (s.d. = 2.7) sessions, 24.7% (40/162) and 6.8% (8/117) of subjects receiving active bilateral rTMS and sham rTMS were classified as responders [OR 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95–9.52, p < 0.0001]. Also, 19% (23/121) and 2.6% (2/77) of subjects were remitters following active bilateral rTMS and sham rTMS, respectively (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.65–21.8, p = 0.006). No difference between baseline mean depression scores for the bilateral and sham rTMS groups was found, and the former was comparable with the latter in terms of drop-out rates at study end. Furthermore, we did not find significant differences efficacy- and acceptability-wise between active bilateral and unilateral rTMS at study end. Finally, heterogeneity between the included RCTs was not significant, and the risk of publication bias was found to be low. Conclusions Bilateral rTMS is a promising treatment for MD as it provides clinically meaningful benefits that are comparable with those of standard antidepressants and unilateral rTMS. Furthermore, bilateral rTMS seems to be an acceptable treatment for depressed subjects.
Effects of Ficus Exasperata Vahl on Common Dermatophytes and Causative Agent of Pityriasis Versicolor in Rivers State, Nigeria

Antifungal study on F. exasperate is rare in Nigeria and hence this study seeks to justify the ethobotanical uses of the plant. The antifungal activity of Ficus exasperata vahl against the three major Dermatophytes - Trichophyton, Mi- crosporum, Epidermophyton together with Malassezia furfur (the cause of Pityriasis versicolor (Eczema)), were studied by well-in-agar diffusion technique using 250mg/ml, 200mg/ml, 150mg/ml, 100mg/ml and 50mg/ml concentrations of ethanolic extracts. Isolates from the scalp, skin, toes and feet of forty individuals (mainly children) were obtained in four locations namely; Aluu, Choba, Rumuosi and Emohua areas of Rivers State. The results of in vitro antimicrobial screening of ethanol extracts from the plant displayed a wide range of activity on Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton together with Malassezia furfur. The leaf ethanol extract of Ficus exasperata vahl inhibited the growth of all four fungal isolates at the five different concentrations (250mg/ml, 200mg/ml, 150mg/ml, 100mg/ml and 50mg/ml) to varying degrees. The diameter zones of inhibition exhibited by the extracts against the test fungal species ranged between 13.00 and 22.45mm. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of Ficus exasperata vahl were 25.12, 39.81, 44.64 and 44.67 mg/ml for Malassezia furfur, Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton, respectively. The results revealed the significant inhibitory effect of Ficus exasperata vahl on the fungal isolates. F. exasperate extracts has shown to be a promising potential of new antifungal drug especially as a potent vehicle in antifungal drug design. The zones of inhibition exhibited by the extract on the fungi suggest that it could be effective in the treatment of infections associated with these fungi isolates. The appreciable levels of inhibition recorded for Ficus exasperata vahl on the isolates indicates that this plant could be potent sources of novel antifungal drugs. The results from this study indicated potentials of leaves extract as a source of antifungal compounds. Further studies should be carried out to unravel the identity of the active ingredients.
Oxcarbazepine accelerates cortisol elimination via cytochrome P450 3A4 induction

Oxcarbazepine (OXC) induces cytochrome CYP3A4 activity, lowering female sex steroid concentrations. To date, similar effects on corticosteroid concentrations have not been reported. The observation of an adolescent boy with Addison's disease requiring high hydrocortisone replacement doses while on OXC for epilepsy led us to investigate effects of OXC on CYP3A4 induction and steroid metabolism. Six young epileptic men on OXC monotherapy and six controls collected 24-h urines and had blood taken for steroid analysis. Accelerated cortisol elimination was confirmed by greater relative 24-h urinary 6-hydroxycortisol/cortisol excretion (4.67 (1.25) µg/day vs controls 2.32 (0.5) µg/day, p=0.001). Patients on OXC had lower serum oestradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels, but only tendencies remained after age adjustment. This study shows that OXC-induced CYP3A4 activity increases cortisol elimination. The effect is small in subjects with healthy adrenals. However, caution is warranted for patients with adrenal failure on high doses of OXC where choosing an alternative anticonvulsant may be advisable.