Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Function of Final w in Nouns and Adjectives in the Autography of Selected Late Egyptian Texts

Summary Late Egyptian texts are often characterized by the presence of a w at the end of words that does not seem to have any etymological justification. This w has often been interpreted as a “space filler”, i.e. a sign without any real function used by the scribe to fill spaces in the text. In the present article I question this hypothesis, and I suggest instead that these w were used to supply some information about the vocalization of the word, as sort of very primitive matres lectionis. Starting from the analysis of nouns and adjectives from a corpus of selected Late Egyptian texts, my study shows that there is a correlation between the presence or absence of the w in late Egyptian words and the vocalization in the corresponding Coptic reflexes. Possible further research and some considerations about the larger implications of this system are presented in the conclusions.
Platinum and Palladium Bio-Synthesized Nanoparticles as Sustainable Fuel Cell Catalysts

A hydrogen economy powered by fuel cells is emerging as an alternative to the current fossil-fuel based energy system where hydrogen, produced through renewable sources, is used to generate electricity via fuel cells. A commonly investigated fuel cell, the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEMFC), usually uses platinum and other platinum group metal nanomaterials to catalyze the rate limiting Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) of this process. The high prices and durability limitations of these catalysts have prevented their mass commercialization. Biosynthesis of nanomaterials has emerged as a potentially attractive “eco-friendly” alternative to conventional chemical synthesis methods. Various attempts have been made to biosynthesize nanoparticles for use in fuel cells. However the processing methods used during and post synthesis increase their costs and limit their overall efficacies. We report bimetallic Pt/Pd nanoparticles (NPs) biosynthesized by E. coli (E. coli-Pt/Pd (10wt%:10wt%)) that shows promise for direct use as a PEMFC catalyst. This catalyst outperformed single metal versions of the same, i.e. E. coli-Pt(20wt%) and E. coli-Pd(20wt%) when tested as an electrocatalyst ex-situ. Direct use of E. coli-synthesized nanoparticles in PEMFCs is limited by the inherent resistances of the bacteria and the internal localization of nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy images and impedances (resistivity) tests showed that by initially synthesizing Pd nanoparticles on the E. coli cells, followed by Pt, gave a cell surface-localized metallic shell that improved conductivity of the catalyst. Catalyst Pt synthesis is likely mediated by initially-formed Pd-NPs reducing Pt(IV) under H2 resulting in alloying; this was evidenced by XRD data that showed XRD peaks for E. coli-Pt/Pd (10%:10%) which lie in between XRD peaks for Pt-only and Pd-only nanoparticles on the same planes. Protrusions of agglomerated nanoparticles were seen on the cell surface to form sites for catalytic activity. The catalyst, used in the ORR without optimization, performed significantly worse (~100 times) than a commercial catalyst (extensively developed for purpose) but which contained 5 times as much Pt. This serves as a starting point for a more engineered approach to bio-synthesizing nanoparticles for PEMFC catalysts.
Attachment, perceived social support and mental health problems in women with primary infertility

Background: Infertility is one of the fastest growing concerns when it comes to reproductive health and most often, women get the blame. Consequently, females suffer from major psycho-social and emotional problems that may lead to serious mental health concerns.Methods: To fill the gap in literature, a cross-sectional research design was used to measure the attachment styles with spouse, perceived social support, and predict mental health problems in women attending infertility clinics with ages ranging from 19-45 (M 27.21, SD 4.79). Adult Attachment Questionnaire, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were used among experimental subjects selected through purposive sampling technique.Results: About 32% women reported themselves as secure, 49% as ambivalent, and 19% as avoidant in their attachment style with spouse. The results revealed that a significant negative correlation exists between perceived social support and mental health problems among women with infertility. Moreover, women who identify their attachment pattern as Ambivalent perceive less social support and experience more mental health problems.Conclusions: Education is one of the strongest predictors of how likely infertility is to cause mental health issues while Attachment style is another strong indicator since infertile women with secure attachment pattern have fewer mental health problems. However, the sample size was modest to make any wide-scale assumptions, so further trials with larger participant pools must be performed. Additionally, future studies should include both rural and urban samples with different psychological variables to find the similarities and differences between various groups of people with diverse backgrounds.
Structural Basis of the Subcellular Topology Landscape of Escherichia coli

Cellular proteomes are distributed in multiple compartments: on DNA, ribosomes, on and inside membranes, or they become secreted. Structural properties that allow polypeptides to occupy subcellular niches, particularly to after crossing membranes, remain unclear. We compared intrinsic and extrinsic features in cytoplasmic and secreted polypeptides of the Escherichia coli K-12 proteome. Structural features between the cytoplasmome and secretome are sharply distinct, such that a signal peptide-agnostic machine learning tool distinguishes cytoplasmic from secreted proteins with 95.5% success. Cytoplasmic polypeptides are enriched in aliphatic, aromatic, charged and hydrophobic residues, unique folds and higher early folding propensities. Secretory polypeptides are enriched in polar/small amino acids, β folds, have higher backbone dynamics, higher disorder and contact order and are more often intrinsically disordered. These non-random distributions and experimental evidence imply that evolutionary pressure selected enhanced secretome flexibility, slow folding and looser structures, placing the secretome in a distinct protein class. These adaptations protect the secretome from premature folding during its cytoplasmic transit, optimize its lipid bilayer crossing and allowed it to acquire cell envelope specific chemistries. The latter may favor promiscuous multi-ligand binding, sensing of stress and cell envelope structure changes. In conclusion, enhanced flexibility, slow folding, looser structures and unique folds differentiate the secretome from the cytoplasmome. These findings have wide implications on the structural diversity and evolution of modern proteomes and the protein folding problem.
Applying Three Strategies for Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Databases in a Mixed Methods Study of a Nontraditional Graduate Education Program

A central issue for mixed methods research is for researchers to effectively integrate (or mix) the quantitative and qualitative data in their studies. Despite extensive methodological discussions about integration, researchers using mixed methods approaches struggle with translating these discussions into practice and often make inadequate use of integration in their studies. The authors examined their integration practices as they applied three literature-based strategies within the context of one mixed methods study about a nontraditional graduate education program. From this examination, the authors describe the processes, products, uses, and challenges that materialized as they merged their quantitative and qualitative databases to develop a better understanding of participants’ perceptions of their experience in the program.
Stärkung der Pflege in der Primärversorgung in Europa: die Bedeutung einer positiven Praxisumgebung = Strengthening primary health care nursing in Europe: the importance of a positive practice environment

Nurses, form one of the most important groups of human resources for health in Europe– also and especially in primary health care. In this paper it is argued that to support and develop the practice of nurses in primary care, the World Health Organization initiative of Positive Practice Environments should be examined, implemented and the outcomes of such an innovation subjected to rigorous research. Having reflected on the central place of primary health care in all health systems, the evidence concerning the position of nursing in primary health care is considered and innovative models of community based nursing examined. A tool, the ‘roadmap’, which may be used to examine the current position of nurses in primary health care is outlined and the context within which the ‘roadmap’ sits, Positive Practice Environments, is then considered in detail. The paper concludes with recommendations for changes in the organisation of primary health care nursing, drawing on the available evidence, and urging the need for implementation and research into Positive Practice Environments to strengthen primary health care and the value of primary health care nursing to be fully realised. The tool could be also helpful to develop primary health care nursing in Germany where, traditionally, primary health care has been fragmented and based on a single disease model.
Improving quality by involving patient. The role of health literacy in influencing patients’ behaviors

ABSTRACT Health services’ quality relies on patients’ participation in the design and delivery of care. Inter alia, self-efficacy and awareness are paramount to realize the full potential of health services’ co-production. This paper investigates the effects of health literacy – i.e. the ability to access, understand, process, and use health information – on individual self-efficacy perceptions and awareness. A random sample of 591 Italian patients was built. The Newest Vital Sign (NVS) screening tool was used to measure individual health literacy skills; moreover, a self-reporting survey was designed to assess: (1) self-efficacy perceptions; (2) awareness; and (3) health services’ use. A multivariate regression model was used to investigate the relationship between these variables. Limited health literacy was found to be prevailing. The lower the respondents’ health literacy skills, the poorer their self-efficacy perceptions and the smaller their awareness of health-related issues. Inadequate health literacy triggered lower patient involvement and greater risks of inappropriate access to care. Inadequate health literacy performs as a barrier to health services’ co-production. Therefore, a special health literacy concern should be attached to health policies aimed at promoting patient involvement.
Should Multidisciplinary Pain Management Programmes Attempt to Reduce Self-Reported Pain in Patients with Chronic Back Pain? The Experience of a Welsh Inpatient Unit

Given poor outcomes in pain reduction, It has recently been recommended in this Journal that the primary aim of multidisciplinary pain management programmes should be to improve physical functioning rather than attempting to reduce the experience of pain. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a pain management programme in reducing self-reported pain within the overall context of improvements in quality of life, as assessed by the SF36 Health Survey Questionnaire. Logistical and methodological problems in evaluating self-reported pain are discussed. The results at discharge show a statistically significant reduction in reported pain for the group as a whole and a clinically relevant Improvement in 53.8% of patients. These benefits are maintained up to one-year follow-up, which suggests that pain management programmes should not abandon the attempt to reduce self-reported pain.
Philosophical Debate on the Nature of Well-Being: Implications for Animal Welfare

There has been much consideration of well-being in philosophy, especially of human well-being, which contributes to our understanding of animal welfare. Three common approaches to well-being are presented here, which map approximately onto three possible ideas about animal welfare. Perfectionism and other forms of ‘objective list’ theories suggest that there are various values that should be realised or various things that an individual ought to have for his life to be a good life. In the case of humans, this is based on the concept of human nature. This approach is reflected in two ideas about animal welfare: first, that animals should live natural lives (which includes consideration of an animal's nature or ‘telos’), and second, that welfare is concerned with functioning or fitness of animals. The two other approaches are subjective: in other words, they relate solely to the mental processes of the subject. The first, desire fulfilment, suggests that well-being is defined by the satisfaction of desires or preferences. The other, hedonism, states that well-being is the presence of pleasant mental states and the absence of unpleasant ones. These two approaches are both relevant to the idea that the welfare of animals relates solely to their feelings. That idea corresponds most closely to hedonism, so it may be that preferences are most relevant in helping to reveal feelings. However, it is sometimes implied that satisfaction of preferences is itself part of feelings. It would also be possible to maintain, as in the desire fulfilment approach to human well-being, that animal welfare consists of preference satisfaction itself. These possibilities need to be more clearly distinguished. Arguments for and against each approach to well-being are presented, so that scientists may be more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their own ideas about animal welfare.
What are the antecedents and outcomes of self-perceived entrepreneurial leadership as reported by leaders?

Leading in a turbulent time and an increasingly competitive and entrepreneurial economy, a new form of leadership is required which has been termed entrepreneurial leadership. Key themes in the entrepreneurial leadership literature indicate a lack of perception studies, while leadership perception is seen as highly important when leaders that understand their own perceptions influence the way in which they behave like a leader and subsequently influence thereby the behavior of their employees and outcomes in term of firm performances. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: (1), if leaders’ entrepreneurial behavior is influenced by their perception components (affective, cognitive, behavior), and (2) if the entrepreneurial behavior of leaders has an effect on (perceived) firm performances. Qualitative interview results were translated by a generalization design into a quantitative dataset of 96 respondents and analyzed by conducting both a multiple linear regression and an ordinal logistic regression. Based on the perception of leaders it is recommended to increase the overall share of entrepreneurial leadership in their total leadership behavior which eventually increase the (perceived) firm performances. To come to a higher share of entrepreneurial leadership, this study recommended to focus on socially driven components where both affective (social intelligence) and behavior (TFL) are socially driven and contribute significantly to the share of entrepreneurial leadership in the total leadership behavior of leaders.
Online health communities: how do community members build the trust required to adopt information and form close relationships?

Abstract Online Health Communities (OHCs) have become a popular avenue for people to share common concerns about a health topic. However, because users of these forums tend not to have formal medical training, they often cannot verify objectively the soundness of the advice provided. Thus, there is a need to understand better the mechanism through which people trust and utilise information found on these forums. In testing a theory-based trust model, we find that forum users accept advice more readily as they develop cognitive trust (trust based on a cognitive assessment) and/or affective trust (trust based on an emotional connection). Affective trust is also closely related to formation of relational closeness. This indicates that, while both forms of trust are important, the development of emotional connections provides for long-term OHCs interactions. Findings here, indicate that prior exchanges are not needed to access and utilise OHC community resources. However, trust (developed through prior exchanges) is required for a recipient to leverage the contributor’s social capital for information adoption and relational closeness. These findings allow the distribution of social capital to be viewed in terms of an asymmetrical model where it is possible to accept capital, in the form of advice, without first demonstrating trustworthiness. In the OHC setting the onus is on the contributor of advice to establish trustworthiness, whereas traditionally social capital theory requires receivers of capital to establish trust. These findings are important for site designers and provide insight to managers and developers of OHCs regarding the behaviours and motivations of forum users.
Simo Decoction Stimulates Contractions of Antral Longitudinal Smooth Muscle via Multitudinous Mechanisms

The aim of the study was to investigate Simo decoction–induced contractions of antral smooth muscles of rats and its mechanisms. The contractile responses of longitudinal strips to consecutive concentrations of Simo decoction were characterized by atropine, gallamine, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, and adrenaline, hexamethonium, L-arginine, and nifedipine and compared with Krebs solution (control) and acetylcholine-induced contractions. Simo decoction dose-dependently increased contractions of antral strips (P = .000 vs control); its maximal effect was higher than acetylcholine (10−3 mol L−1; P < .05); Simo decoction–induced contractions were completely inhibited by atropine, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, or 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide + gallamine (P = .000 for all) but were partly suppressed by gallamine, adrenaline, hexamethonium, L-arginine, and nifedipine (P = .000 for all). Simo decoction promotes the contractions of antral strips mainly through activation of muscarinic M3 receptor, while partly through activation of M2 receptor, Ca2+ channel, nicotinic receptor, and inhibition of adrenergic receptor as well as release of nitric oxide.
Prevalence of Tuberculosis among Livestock Slaughtered for Human Consumption: A Jos Abattoir Based Study

Tuberculosis is a zoonotic and infectious granulomatous disease of virtually all vertebrates caused by the bacterial genus, Mycobacterium. Previous studies have shown that both humans and livestock like cattle, sheep and goat are susceptible to both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis. This retrospective study determined the prevalence of tuberculosis among these livestock slaughtered at Jos abattoir for human consumption between 2006 and 2012, which were potential sources of humans infections. It also determined the yearly and month-wise distribution of the prevalence of tuberculosis, and compared the prevalence among the study species. Seven-year abattoir entries were collated. All the prevalence were calculated using Microsoft Excel, and further subjected to Chi-square test for establishment of statistical significance using Graph-pad Prism. Lesions suggestive of tuberculosis were found in 5,726 (2.22%) animals (cattle: 5,504, sheep: 74, goat: 148) out of the 257,553 (cattle: 64,091, sheep: 72,004, goat: 121,458) slaughtered during the study period. Yearly prevalence was highest (4.21%) in 2011, and lowest (1.76%) in 2006. Month-wise prevalence for the study period was highest (3.24%) and lowest (1.37%) in November and April respectively. Prevalence in cattle, sheep and goat were 8.59%, 0.1% and 0.12% respectively. This study reported high prevalence of tuberculosis among livestock slaughtered for human consumption in the abattoir. We therefore recommend that the appropriate authorities should intensify efforts in public awareness on the dangers of consuming tuberculosisinfected meat, establish active surveillance network, and enforce active and thorough meat inspection.
SCREENING PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN EFFECTS ON RACIAL DISPARATE MORTALITY: A PROPENSITY SCORE ANALYSIS

SCREENING PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN EFFECTS ON RACIAL DISPARATE MORTALITY: A PROPENSITY SCORE ANALYSIS By R. David McNally, Ph.D., M.S.H.A. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Dissertation Chair: Jeffrey S. Legg, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Doctoral Program in Health Related Sciences Department of Radiation Sciences Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States. It is frequently cited that racial disparities in mortality between Caucasian and African American men with localized prostate cancer exist. In addition, the question of whether prostate cancer screening with the prostate specific antigen blood test (PSA) leads to reduced mortality remains unanswered. Outcomes theory and survival analysis have shown controversial inconsistencies in support of early detection methods for prostate cancer to the extent that experts in the medical community do not agree on bestpractice guidelines suggestive of eliminating such disparities and reducing mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between screening PSA tests and racial differences in mortality among Caucasian and African American men with application of a propensity scoring analysis on a large population-based data set. Prostate cancer patients diagnosed from January 1, 1986 through December 31, 2006 (n = 515,802 cases) from the SEER-17 data set linked to Medicare claims files were included. A separate analysis using a 5% randomized group of over 263,000 men without prostate cancer was also examined. The results demonstrated that no statistically significant differences in mortality between Caucasians and African Americans in the prostate cancer group existed (p=0.993). Further, the same result was found among men from the 5% randomized group without prostate cancer (p= 0.832), that no statistically significant difference exists for this study population when using a propensity scoring analysis and a conditional Cox regression model. From both analyses, no survival benefit was found for screened men versus non-screened men when using the PSA test for early detection. In addition, because age is a well-known predictor of death, a separate analysis was performed on age-matched men. The results for the age analysis also demonstrated no statistically significant differences in racial mortality or whether screening PSA reduced mortality after applying a propensity scoring analysis to a conditional Cox regression model. In conclusion, it is believed that using a propensity scoring method and Cox regression analysis improved the evaluation of this large population data set where censoring for survival time was important and where matched pairs were utilized. Further work in health services research using large population-based data sets should be pursued and incorporating Cox regression with a propensity analysis can be helpful.