Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Community awareness of intestinal parasites and the prevalence of infection among community members of rural Abaye Deneba area, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge of Abaye Deneba community members regarding intestinal parasites and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. METHODS Knowledge about intestinal parasites was assessed by administering a questionnaire to 345 randomly selected household heads. Parasitological stool examination of 491 randomly selected individuals was done using the formol ether concentration technique. RESULTS Knowledge of the Abaye Deneba community about parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, amoebiasis, ascariasis and taeniasis was very low. However, 204 (59.3%) members correctly responded that the cause of giardiasis is related to contaminated water and 176 (51.2%) knew how to prevent it. In some cases, respondents did correctly identify causes, symptoms of intestinal parasite infection and ways to prevent it, but they did not accurately link it to the appropriate disease caused by the different intestinal parasite species. Among the 491 stool samples examined, 50.2% of study participants showed infection with at least one intestinal parasite. Schistosoma mansoni was the most prevalent (41.3%) followed by Trichuris trichiura(9.4%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.4%), Taenia saginata (2.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.0%) and hookworm (0.4%). Prevalence of schistosomiasis was highest in men aged 15-24 years. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal parasitic infection is highly prevalent in communities of the Abaye Deneba area. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the community members about the parasite is less. Implementation of preventive chemotherapy, supplemented with health education, provision and use of sanitary facilities would be recommended to reduce morbidity and control transmission of intestinal parasites in this area.
Academic Dishonesty Among Nigeria Pharmacy Students: A Comparison With United Kingdom

Professionalism and integrity are integral attributes of the pharmacy profession. This study was set out to determine the perceptions towards and actual indulgence in academic dishonesty among Nigerian Pharmacy students and to compare these with results obtained in the United Kingdom. Final year and third year pharmacy students of University of Nigeria (UNN) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), all in Nigeria, were asked to complete a survey instrument consisting of 16 activities considered to be cheating. Data on perceptions and previous indulgence in such activities were collected and analysed with appropriate statistical tools. Three hundred and sixty six students participated (overall participation rate, 72.8%; UNN: n=216, 59.0%; OOU: n=150, 41%) in the study while male and female students were distributed almost equally (male: 48.6% and female: 51.4%). More students cheated in their coursework than in examination (54.2 vs. 45.8%, p<0.05), while significantly more final year students in OOU indulged in cheating (74.6 vs. 62.1%, p<0.05). Overall, significantly more students in UNN cheated than those in OOU (81.5 vs. 68%, p=0.002). In comparison with students of University of Portsmouth, proportionally more Nigerian students participated in all eleven selected scenarios than UK students. Nigerian pharmacy students generally have a poor perception towards academic dishonesty and acts of such dishonesty are prevalent among these students. Key words: Academic dishonesty, Nigeria, pharmacy practice, professionalism.
Experimental Study on an Impact Vibration Absorber

This paper investigates the effects of mass ratio, clearance, and excitation amplitude on system dynamics and impact vibration absorber (IVA) effectiveness. The experimental studies were carried out for both free and forced vibrations. For free vibrations, the effects of system parameters on the rate of decay of vibrations were shown. Constant frequency and frequency sweep experiments were conducted to study the dynamics of the system under forced vibration. Optimum system parameters were extracted, for which the vibration absorption and absorber efficiency is greatest. It was also shown that phase plots and coherence, between the forcing function and the primary system response, offered an insight in the effectiveness of the IVA.
Empirical Evaluation of Global Vitamin D Effective Ultraviolet Irradiances under Cloudy Conditions for a Subtropical Southern Hemisphere Site

Abstract This paper evaluates the global vitamin D effective UV (UVvitd) irradiances under cloudy conditions at a subtropical, southern hemisphere site. The UVvitd irradiances were analyzed on a horizontal plane and sampled at 5-min intervals over 18 months so that a wide range of parameters including cloud conditions, solar zenith angles (SZA) and ozone levels were taken into account. Cloud modification factors were determined from the influence of clouds on the global broadband solar radiation, and these were applied to the cloud-free vitamin D effective UV irradiance to evaluate the UVvitd irradiances on a horizontal plane for cloudy conditions. For vitamin D effective UV irradiance, cloud modification factors were found to range from 0.9 to 1.0 for no cloud and 0.4 to 0.5 for 8 octa of cloud cover. SZA played a minimal role in this variation. A comparison of the measured and calculated UVvitd irradiances for the 2004 data set in the range of SZA of 70° or less provided an R2 value of 0.90. The output of the model was compared to data measured during the first 6 months of 2005 for an SZA of 70° or less and provided an R2 value of approximately 0.82.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Content on Television

Abstract Two annual content analyses of programming from the 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 television seasons (n = 1,276 and 1,439 programs, respectively) were conducted to assess the presence of behaviors and verbal messages related to the sexuality of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals. Sexual content associated with nonheterosexuals was found in about 15% of programs overall; however, rates of occurrence within episodes were low. Of 14 genres, only movies and variety/comedy shows had substantial percentages of programs that contained nonheterosexual content. Programs on commercial broadcast networks were less likely to have nonheterosexual content than those on cable networks, especially those on premium cable movie networks. Implications of the continued lack of attention to sexual minorities are discussed for both heterosexual and nonheterosexual viewers.
Tuberculosis and Pregnancy

Over 8 million cases of tuberculosis will occur in the world next year. Most of these cases will occur in young adults, so women of child-bearing age are at significant risk for both tuberculosis infection and disease. Although older literature emphasized rec iprocal harmful effects of pregnancy and tuberculosis, with prompt diagnosis and early institution of proper therapy, a good outcome for mother and child should be the rule. Many pregnant women are good candidates for screening for tuberculosis infection, and some should receive preventive therapy before delivery. Active tuberculosis in pregnancy should be aggressively investigated and must always be treated. HIV infection and drug-resistant tuberculosis present special challenges in pregnancy, and knowledge of drug in teractions and teratogenic effects of antiretrovirals and second-line antituberculosis agents is needed to manage these patients properly.
On antimicrobial approaches to arrest and control chronic periodontitis

On antimicrobial approaches to arrest and control chronic periodontitis Maj-Karin Hellström Department of Periodontology, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Box 450, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden The main objectives were to study the effect of frequently repeated supragingival plaque removal on the subgingival microbiota and periodontal pocket reduction and to analyze the adjunctive effect of different antimicrobial agents on the treatment of periodontal disease. Subjects with gingivitis or chronic periodontitis were included. The patients in Study I underwent professional supragingival removal of plaque and calculus 2-3 times/week for 30 weeks. At sites with suprabony and infrabony pockets and furcation sites, repeated supragingival plaque removal reduced the total number of microorganisms, as well as the percentage of sites with P. gingivalis. In Study II, six months of unsupervised use of a dentifrice containing 0.3% magnolia extract produced significantly less gingival inflammation than a corresponding control dentifrice. Furthermore, at sites with similar amounts of plaque, fewer signs of gingival inflammation were observed in the magnolia group than the control group. In Study III, the effect of topically applied PVP iodine used as an adjunct both during basic SRP and at re-treatment during long term-maintenance was studied. PVP iodine, applied topically during subgingival instrumentation, may improve the outcome of SRP therapy. In Study IV, the shortand long-term effects of the systemic administration of tetracycline in conjunction with SRP were studied. One year after active therapy, the probing attachment level in the test group was almost 3 times higher than in the control group. Re-examinations after 3, 5 and 13 years of SPT disclosed that this short-term benefit was not maintained in the longer perspective. In Study V, the effects of topically applied minocycline in combination with surgery on PPD reduction were analyzed. Local minocycline as an adjunct to surgery produced a statistically significantly larger reduction in probing depth (0.3mm) compared with surgery alone.
Capitalizing on a Disaster to Create Quality Services: Some Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

ABSTRACT Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged libraries and everything else in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The subsequent flooding in New Orleans caused by years of human errors and incompetence resulted in even greater destruction. Although 14 of the 15 public libraries in Jefferson Parish were damaged by Katrina and/or Hurricane Rita and 15 percent of its collection was destroyed, Jefferson Parish Library was able to reopen three libraries five weeks after the storm and extend library services beyond its borders to everyone in the area. Library staff has used the disaster as an opportunity to “build back better” and ramp up efforts for long-term improvements. This article reviews the library's response to the disaster and some of the efforts being made to provide cutting-edge services that will enhance Jefferson Parish's quality of life and economic development along with the region's recovery.
Species Composition and Community Structure of Dung Beetles Attracted to Dung of Gaur and Elephant in the Moist Forests of South Western Ghats

Abstract The community structure of dung beetles attracted to dung of gaur, Bos gaurus (H. Smith) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) and Asian elephant, Elephas maximus Linnaeus (Proboscidea: Elephantidae), is reported from the moist forests of Western Ghats, in South India. The dominance of dwellers over rollers, presence of many endemic species, predominance of regional species and higher incidence of the old world roller, Ochicanthon laetum, make the dung beetle community in the moist forests of the region unusual. The dominance of dwellers and the lower presence of rollers make the functional guild structure of the dung beetle community of the region different from assemblages in the moist forests of south East Asia and Neotropics, and more similar to the community found in Ivory Coast forests. The ability of taxonomic diversity indices to relate variation in dung physical quality with phylogenetic structure of dung beetle assemblage is highlighted. Comparatively higher taxonomic diversity and evenness of dung beetle assemblage attracted to elephant dung rather than to gaur dung is attributed to the heterogeneous nature of elephant dung. Further analyses of community structure of dung beetles across the moist forests of Western Ghats are needed to ascertain whether the abundance of dwellers is a regional pattern specific to the transitional Wayanad forests of south Western Ghats.
Acurácia da punção aspirativa por agulha fina e da punção por agulha grossa no diagnóstico de lesões mamárias

PURPOSE: to determine the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and of core-needle biopsy (CNB) in diagnosing breast lumps and breast cancer. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study based on the review of medical records. FNAB and CNB were carried out sequentially according to the routine of the Mastology Service. Both percutaneous procedures were applied to 233 patients during the period from March 2005 to February 2007. Women aged 18 years or more with changes in the clinical and/or image examination of the breast or a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer were included. FNAB and CNB were carried out according to the technical recommendations of the National Institute of Cancer. The percentage of agreement, Cohen's Kappa coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and the accuracy of FNAB and CNB were calculated, considering the surgical biopsy as the gold standard. RESULTS: the average age of the patients was 49.0 years (±12.7) and the tumors measured 26.9 mm on average (±23.1), being larger than 20 mm in 47.2% of cases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were higher for CNB than for FNAB, regardless of the size of the breast lesion. The diagnostic accuracy was 97.5% for CNB and 77.5% for FNAB. CONCLUSION: although the CNB showed higher rates of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy than FNAB for palpable and non-palpable breast lumps, the method remains useful for the minimally invasive diagnosis of mammary lesions, especially when its results are analyzed together with the clinical and imaging examination.
A New X-Linked Mental Retardation Syndrome with Diplegia and Delayed Myelination

We report three boys (4, 6 and 8 years old) in a Japanese family with X-linked (XL) recessive severe mental retardation (MR), rigidospastic diplegia, mild athetotic movement of the upper limbs, delayed myelination and poor weight gain. Neurological manifestations were non-progressive. No deterioration of development, convulsion, cerebellar signs, dysarthria, pseudobulbar signs, or minor anomalies including facial dysmorphism or macro-orchidism were found. Ocular fundus was normal. The patients’ mothers and one grandmother were clinically normal. Blood chemistry was within normal limits. Serum anti-human T-cell leukemia virus-I antibody titer was negative. Levels of plasma amino acids and serum very long chain fatty acids, and lysozomal enzyme activities from leukocytes were normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans showed delayed myelination. Fragile X (FRAXA), fragile XE (FRAXE), proteolipid protein and L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) genes were normal. These findings were not consistent with previously reported 13 XLMR syndromes with paralysis. We conclude that this condition is a distinct and previously undescribed XLMR syndrome.
A Study of Attitudes Toward Sexuality Issues Among Health Care Students in Australia

SUMMARY This study examined the attitudes of 1132 higher education students enrolled in health profession education degree programs. Students were asked to indicate their anticipated level of comfort in a variety of interactions including working with a lesbian client or a homosexual male, and asking a client about his or her sexual orientation. Students also indicated whether they perceived their degree program had dealt adequately with these issues. High levels of discomfort were identified in our large sample of students. Approximately 30% of the sample indicated they would be uncomfortable working with a lesbian client and 27% of the sample indicated that they would feel uncomfortable if working with a male homosexual client. There were significant differences for these two items depending on the student's gender. Female students indicated significantly higher levels of comfort in dealing with homosexual male clients than did their male counterparts. Male students indicated significantly greater comfort in dealing with lesbian clients. More than half of our sample indicated that they would not be comfortable asking about a client's sexual orientation. Over 75% of senior-year students believed that their degree program had not adequately dealt with these issues. The impact of homophobia and discomfort on the quality of care health professionals provide for lesbian and gay clients and the role of educational strategies to reduce this are discussed.
Exploring healthcare professionals' perceptions regarding family-witnessed resuscitation in a hospital in Kigali, Rwanda

Background. The process of actively attempting to revive a patient in cardiac arrest while in the presence of family members is known as family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR). The positive benefits of having family members present during resuscitation have been documented. Objective . To explore the perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding FWR in an intensive care unit (ICU) and an accident and emergency (A&E) unit in a hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods . A qualitative approach was used to explore the participants’ perceptions regarding FWR, using two semi-structured individual interviews conducted with each participant. The principle of saturation was applied, and a total of eight participants from two departments (ICU and A&E) in a hospital in Kigali were included in this study. Results. From the participants’ responses at the beginning of the interview, it was evident that FWR was a new concept for them. The participants welcomed the idea by expressing their perceived benefits of FWR. They established that the hospital where the research was conducted did not have any policies or procedures currently in place, but felt that this practice might be beneficial to the families, the patient and the medical team. However, participants did raise various concerns related to the challenges of implementing the practice of FWR. Conclusion. FWR is not currently practised in Rwanda and a number of recommendations are suggested in an attempt to introduce this practice as an option for Rwandan families.
Sexual Abuse in Lesbian and Bisexual Young Women: Associations with Emotional/Behavioral Difficulties, Feelings About Sexuality, and the “Coming Out” Process

SUMMARY We examined associations between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and emotional/behavioral difficulties, feelings about one's sexuality, and the “coming out” process in a sample of 227 lesbian and bisexual women, ages 18–23, recruited for an online questionnaire study. Participants with a CSA history (“experiencers”) reported significantly more emotional/behavioral difficulties than their nonexperiencer counterparts, suggesting that CSA may be an important contributor to some problems and behaviors currently linked in the literature to sexual orientation. Lesbian and bisexual experiencers varied widely as to whether and how they felt a CSA history affected their feelings about their sexuality or their “coming out” process. We discuss the implications of these findings for counseling, research, and theorizing involving lesbian and bisexual young women.
Tobacco Use and Dependence in Asian American and Pacific Islander Adolescents

Abstract Purpose: This article identifies gaps in extant tobacco literature and areas for further research on Asian American adolescents. Methods: Research articles published until December 2005 were retrieved from computer-database and manual searches. Results: A total of 62 data based research articles were identified and most (N = 38, 61.3%) had been published within the past 5 years. Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese American adolescents were studied most frequently. In general, Asian-American adolescents initiated smoking later and had a lower prevalence rate than non-Asian American adolescents. However, the estimates of current smoking for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino American adolescents in Hawaii were higher than those for adolescents in any other racial and ethnic groups. Most risk factors for smoking initiation were found to be similar to other ethnic minority groups, including the positive association of smoking with acculturation. For this age group the three treatment studies evaluated culturally focused interventions, but did not find improved outcomes. Conclusion: Further research is needed to identify factors associated with the growing use of cigarettes and other tobacco products in late adolescence and young adulthood within the population, including treatment outcome studies. Research recommendations are suggested.
Robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty is associated with improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig-based total knee arthroplasty

Aims The objective of this study was to compare early postoperative functional outcomes and time to hospital discharge between conventional jig‐based total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and robotic‐arm assisted TKA. Patients and Methods This prospective cohort study included 40 consecutive patients undergoing conventional jig‐based TKA followed by 40 consecutive patients receiving robotic‐arm assisted TKA. All surgical procedures were performed by a single surgeon using the medial parapatellar approach with identical implant designs and standardized postoperative inpatient rehabilitation. Inpatient functional outcomes and time to hospital discharge were collected in all study patients. Results There were no systematic differences in baseline characteristics between the conventional jig‐based TKA and robotic‐arm assisted TKA treatment groups with respect to age (p = 0.32), gender (p = 0.50), body mass index (p = 0.17), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p = 0.88), and preoperative haemoglobin level (p = 0.82). Robotic‐arm assisted TKA was associated with reduced postoperative pain (p < 0.001), decreased analgesia requirements (p < 0.001), decreased reduction in postoperative haemoglobin levels (p < 0.001), shorter time to straight leg raise (p < 0.001), decreased number of physiotherapy sessions (p < 0.001) and improved maximum knee flexion at discharge (p < 0.001) compared with conventional jig‐based TKA. Median time to hospital discharge in robotic‐arm assisted TKA was 77 hours (interquartile range (IQR) 74 to 81) compared with 105 hours (IQR 98 to 126) in conventional jig‐based TKA (p < 0.001). Conclusion Robotic‐arm assisted TKA was associated with decreased pain, improved early functional recovery and reduced time to hospital discharge compared with conventional jig‐based TKA.
Relationship between alcohol intake, age of onset and duration of Alzheimer's disease: A pilot survey of 84 autopsy‐confirmed cases

Little is known about the drinking habits of individuals who develop Alzheimer's disease. A pilot survey of 84 autopsy‐confirmed Alzheimer cases was carried out to explore a possible role of alcohol consumption in the onset and duration of Alzheimer's disease. Information on the drinking habits of deceased patients for a 15‐year period prior to the onset of the disease was obtained from a surrogate respondent (next of kin) and from the patients' medical records. Alzheimer patients' drinking patterns were comparable to those of the general population. Patients with a history of alcohol abuse did not develop Alzeimer's disease at an earlier age than abstainers or occasional, light or moderate drinkers. Although not statistically significant, duration of survival in Alzheimer's disease was a few years shorter in patients with a history of alcohol abuse.