Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Halting the March of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

Aki Hietaharju, MD, PhD Tampere University Hospital Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation PO Box 2000, 33521 Tampere, Finland Email: aki.hietaharju@pshp.fi D iabetes is a worldwide epidemic with a global prevalence of 8.3 %, and its prevalence is likely to increase in tandem with the global epidemic of obesity. Diabetic neuropathy is th most common complication of diabetes, and risk of developing it increases with the duration of diabetes. On the other hand, even patients with impaired glucose tolerance develop painful neuropathic symptoms and damage to small nerve fibers. Symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy manifest earlier in type 2 diabetes than in type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, 8% of patients have neuropathy at the time of diagnosis, and up to 50% of older type 2 diabetic patients have evidence of a distal neuropathy. Poor glycemic control is the most important risk factor for diabetic neuropathy, and according to high-quality evidence, enhanced glucose control significantly prevents the development of clinical neuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus. A meta-analysis showed that enhanced glucose control reduces the incidence of clinical neuropathy, although this finding was not statistically significant. In addition to glucose control, other potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factors such as higher levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, higher body-mass index, smoking, and hypertension also increase the risk of neuropathy. The clinical features of the diabetic neuropathies vary immensely, and only a minority of patients with neuropathy will experience pain. According to a large community-based study from England, one third of patients with diabetes have painful neuropathy symptoms. Painful diabetic neuropathy was more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes and in women. In a recent systematic review of epidemiological studies of neuropathic pain in the general population, the population prevalence of painful diabetic neuropathy was calculated at 0.8%. Incidence rates of painful diabetic polyneuropathy ranged from 15.3/100,000 person-years to 72.3/100,000. The natural history of painful diabetic neuropathy remains unclear, although in a small longitudinal study, one-fourth of the patients experienced remission of pain whereas the rest still had pain after 5 years. In a small study, dietary management and an exercise program resulted in improvement of painful symptoms and intraepidermal nerve fiber density in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and small-fiber neuropathy.
Genetic basis of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter clinical isolates in Saudi Arabia

Carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinases are reported increasingly in Acinetobacter baumannii. Here we report the contribution of carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinases genes to carbapenem resistance in clinical Acinetobacter baumannii strains in Saudi Arabia. Forty non-repetitive clinical A. baumannii strains were isolated and identified from 40 patients, hospitalized in various wards in King Khalid University and Armed Forces Hospitals (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Antibiotic susceptibility testing indicated that most isolates (65 to 100% of the total strains) were resistant to -lactams antibiotics with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from low to very high values. In addition, 65 and 67.5% of the total isolated clinical strains were resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, including imipenem and meropenem, respectively. Based on antibiotic susceptibility, it was possible to divide the isolated clinical A. baumannii strains into four phenotypes clusters, I, II, III and IV, with multiple antibiotic resistance of > 90% (with very high MICs), 80 to 89% (with high MICs), 70 to 79% (with moderate MICs), and 40 to 69 (with moderate to low MICs), of the total antibiotics (n = 17), respectively. The results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products analysis reveals that the major groups of oxacillinases genes including bla OXA-23 , bla OXA-24 , and bla OXA-58 were detected in 72.5% (n = 29), 45% (n = 18) and 37.5% (n = 15) of the isolated A. baumannii strains, respectively. In addition, analysis of the prevalence of different oxacillinases genes in different antibiotics-based phenotypes clusters, revealed that cluster I harbored the highest distribution of resistant genes, which could explain the extremely multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype within the strains of this cluster. Key words : Acinetobacter baumannii, oxacillinases, multi drug resistance, -lactam.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among School Children in Taif

Parasitic infection specially intestinal parasites is considered as the most common communicable diseases worldwide, with special concern in developing countries. Globally about 3.5 billion people are affected, and 450 million complain as a result of these infections, the severest age group affected are children. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of intestinal parasites infection and associated risk factors among school children in Taif primary school. Descriptive study was conducted on 150 school children. These were investigated for the spectrum, proportion and epidemiology of various kinds of enteroparasites. For 4 months, stool specimens were collected and examined for parasites using direct smear and formal-ether concentration technique. 12% were found positives for enteropathogens. Infections were more prevalent in males than in females. The spectrum of enteric pathogens were including Giardia lambelia(3%), Cryptosporidium parvum(3%), Blastocystis hominis(4%), and Entamoeba histolytica (2%).
COMMUNITIES, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, AND TOURISM-BASED DEVELOPMENT: CAN COMMUNITY-BASED NATURE TOURISM LIVE UP TO ITS PROMISE?

This working paper draws from research on the Makuleke Region of Kruger Park, South Africa, to analyze the opportunities and tensions generated by efforts to use conservation-based tourism as a catalyst for community development. By attending to the political economies in which effort is embedded, I seek to enrich our theorizations of community-based natural resource management. This paper represents an initial step in that direction; the Makuleke case is used to identify and think through the implications of nature tourism for participating communities. Like many other protected areas, the origins of the Makuleke Region lie in convergence of dispossession, forced removal, and conservation. The Makuleke, who consider the land their ancestral home, were forcibly removed in the late 1960s so that the land could be incorporated into Kruger National Park. They regained title in 1998, and have subsequently pursued economic development through conservation. While co-managing the Region with SANParks, the parastatal that manages all national protected areas, the Makuleke have sought to develop a tourism initiative that will produce economic self reliance and development. In adopting this strategy, the Makuleke are engaging with local, national, and international political economies over which community actors have limited room for maneuver. This case brings three factors to light. First, the legacy of fortress conservation may make it more difficult for community actors to engage with their partners on an equal basis. Second, sectoral attributes of tourism pose special challenges to CBNRM initiatives; it is not clear that tourism projects will produce substantial benefits. Third, the coincidence of the shift to CBNRM with liberalization and democratization has altered the landscape on which all conservation efforts are situated. The confluence of these factors have created an environment in which state protected areas, community controlled conservation areas, and private game parks are competing for domestic and international tourist revenue.
Effect of cocoa farming intensification on biodiversity and ecosystem properties in southern Ghana

We investigated the effect of cocoa farming on biodiversity and ecosystem services under different cocoa management systems. The study was carried out in three cocoa producing districts in southwestern Ghana using Y-frame sampling scheme. Five 25 m × 25 m size plots were demarcated at 100 m intervals along in the cocoa farms and the natural forest reserves. Fifteen plots were demarcated in the cocoa farms per community giving a total of 90 plots. Significant decrease in tree species diversity and soil microfungi diversity were recorded in the intensive cocoa farmland compared traditional cocoa and natural forest. Soil invertebrate species diversity was high in traditional cocoa farms than in natural forest. Shaded litter fall production declined in the different cocoa management systems. Total nitrogen content and phosphorus were high in intensive cocoa farms and low in the natural forest. Soil organic carbon was high in the natural forest and low in the intensive cocoa farms. Total litter mass was high in the traditional cocoa farms and low in natural forests. The magnitude of carbon stocks decrease in the cocoa farms compared to the natural forest. For a successful cocoa production, shaded cocoa agroforest system must be encouraged in order to ensure biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and a sustainable management of cocoa farmlands to check global climate change. Key words: Agricultural intensification, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, deforestation.
Photometric characterization of a well-defined sample of isolated galaxies in the context of the AMIGA project

We perform a detailed photometric analysis (bulge-disk-bar decomposition and Concentration-Asymmetry-Clumpiness - CAS parametrization) for a well defined sample of isolated galaxies, extracted from the Catalog of Isolated Galaxies (Karachentseva 1973) and reevaluated morphologically in the context of the AMIGA project (Analysis of the interstellar Medium of Isolated GAlaxies). We focus on Sb-Sc morphological types, as they are the most representative population among the isolated spiral galaxies. Our analysis yields a large number of important galactic parameters and various correlation plots are used to seek relationships that might shed light on the processes involved in determining those
In Search of Baseline: Absolute and Relative Measures of Blood Flow and Oxidative Metabolism in Visual Cortex Stimulated at Three Levels of Complexity

Objective: Functional imaging of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) or the blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) signal is based on the premise that changes of flow and energy metabolism are linked to the same incremental excitation of neurons. The baseline conjecture holds that a single default mode of brain function gives rise to coupled changes of blood flow and oxidative metabolism that raise oxygen’s extraction fraction, when activity falls, and lower the extraction fraction when activity rises. To locate the hypothetical baseline in visual cortex in relation to functional demands, we compared increments of (rCBF) and oxidative metabolism (rCMRO2) during stimulation of visual cortex at three different levels of complexity. Materials and Methods: Healthy volunteers underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with [15O] water and [15O] oxygen while they viewed three stimuli in random order; a cross-hair fixation stimulus without color or spatial frequency (FX), an achromatic white disc stimulus with an 8 Hz on-off rate (WD), and a circular yellow-blue chromatic checkerboard with an 8 Hz color-reversing frequency (YB). For the baseline conjecture to hold, the sum of any pair of contrasts must equal the third at any site of significant change, such that the sum of the contrasts [YB-WD] and [WD-FX] must equal the contrast [YB-FX]. Results: The rCMRO2 and rCBF changes averaged 21% and 52% of the whole-brain average, implying excitation by increasing stimulus complexity. The color reversal contrast ([YB-WD]) revealed bilateral sites of significant change of rCMRO2 and a single left hemisphere site of significant rCBF change in the general region of Brodmann’s areas (BA) 17 and 18 of the lingual gyrus. The spatial frequency contrasts ([YB-FX] and [WD-FX]) revealed single sites of significant change of rCMRO2 and rCBF also in the lingual gyrus but close to the midline. For the midline sites, the [YB-FX] and [WD-FX] contrasts were identical and revealed a baseline between the FX and WD/YB stimulus conditions. For the lateral sites, the [YB-WD] stimulus contrast revealed a baseline between the YB and WD stimulus conditions. Conclusion: The intermediate positions of the baselines indicated the existence in BA 17/18 of at least two populations of cells, a lateral group responding to the absence and presence of color reversal in the presence of a spatial frequency, and a midline group responding only to the absence and presence of spatial frequency.
THE INFLUENCE OF ETHICAL ATTITUDES ON TAXPAYER COMPLIANCE

The development of tax decision-making models has focused on economic and behavioral factors affecting compliance. A possible explanatory factor that has been overlooked in these decisionmaking models is tax ethical beliefs. This study examines the influence of ethical beliefs on tax compliance decisions. Specifically, the research empirically tests whether an individual's ethical beliefs about tax compliance mediate withholding effects (overwithheld or tax due) and tax rate effects (low or high) in tax evasion decisions. The results indicate that tax ethics are highly significant in tax evasion decisions and may be a "missing variable" in decision making models.
Small, young, and exporters: New evidence on the determinants of firm growth

This work investigates how the export status of the firm influences the patterns of employment growth at different age classes. We address this research question resorting to a novel set of data that links together the universe of Italian firms and detailed data on export transactions. We find that the positive relationship between export status and growth declines with firm age. Further, we also find that, even when accounting for the role of age, the negative size-growth relationship does not disappear, contrary to some recent evidence. These results suggest a positive signaling role of the export status that is stronger for young exporters or born globals. Exploiting the product-country level dimension of the customs data, we also provide, for the first time, evidence on differences in exchange rates pass-through between young and experienced exporters. In particular, we find that early exporters appear to be better equipped than established firms to face exchange rates variations as their exports decrease less following a currency appreciation.
Sustainability of balancing item of balance of payment for OECD countries: evidence from Fourier Unit Root Tests

In this paper, the sustainability of the balancing item of balance of payments is examined for 33 OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) member countries. The sample period of each country is dependent upon the availability of data and Fourier unit root tests are employed in analysis. According to the empirical analysis the balancing item of balance of payments is sustainable for Australia, Canada, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland and United States. The results also show that nonlinearity is essential characteristic for the balancing item of balance of payments.
The Cross-Section of Risk and Return

In the finance literature, a common practice is to create characteristic portfolios by sorting on characteristics associated with average returns. We show that the resulting portfolios are likely to capture not only the priced risk associated with the characteristic, but also unpriced risk. We develop a procedure to remove this unpriced risk using covariance information estimated from past returns. We apply our methodology to the five Fama and French (2015) characteristic portfolios. The squared Sharpe ratio of the optimal combination of the resulting characteristic efficient portfolios is 2.16, compared with 1.16 for the original characteristic portfolios.
Recycling Irrigation Reservoir Stratification and Implications for Crop Health and Production

Recycling irrigation reservoirs (RIRs) are an emerging aquatic ecosystem and water resource of global significance. This study investigated the vertical distribution of water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH in eight RIRs at two nurseries each in Virginia and Maryland from 2011 to 2014. Monomictic thermal stratification was observed from April to October in all RIRs, despite their shallow depths (0.75‐3.89 m). The strongest stratification had a top‐bottom temperature difference of 21.53°C. The top‐bottom temperature difference was positively correlated with water column depth, air temperature, and daily light integral (p < 0.05). Wind speed did not impact the thermal stratification, likely due to their relatively small surface areas. Thermal stratification affected the vertical distribution of DO and pH. The top‐bottom differences in DO and pH were greater during stratification periods than nonstratification periods. Water pH in all RIRs was higher at the top than at the bottom with the greatest difference of 4.16 units. Discovery and characterization of thermal stratification in RIRs helps understand water quality dynamics in this novel ecosystem and promote safe and productive water reuse for irrigation. Specifically, water withdrawal depths should be adjusted according to variations in temperature, DO, and pH during the stratification and nonstratification periods to mitigate pathogen risk and improve water treatment efficacy and crop production.
Genetic analyses for conformation traits in South African Jersey and Holstein cattle

(Co)variance components for linear type traits of South African Jerseys and Holsteins were estimated. Heritability estimates are mostly in agreement with other studies although some estimates for the Jersey population are lower. Genetic trends for conformation traits of the South African Holstein show that cows are becoming taller and more angular, while udder traits have also improved. Teat lengths are becoming shorter in both breeds. Genetic trends of the Jersey indicate little or no selection for conformation traits, except for traits highly correlated with production, i.e. rear udder width, rear udder height and dairy form.
A Vegetation Analysis of a Pimpled Prairie in Northeastern Oklahoma

The effect of pimple mound microrelief on the vegetation of a tall grass prairie was considered. Taxonomic analysis of the vegetation affirmed the observation that mound and intermounds support communities with differing species composition. The difference in the percent cover by living vegetation on mounds and intermounds was determined not to be statistically significant. The physical composition of the soil in the two regions was found to be similar. Two factors are suggested as influencing the differences in mound and intermound vegetation: that mound soils can provide more available water to plants than can intermound soils, and that mounds, but not intermounds, contain the burrows of small mammals and are modified by their presence.
An Activity Theory Analysis of Teaching Goals versus Student Epistemological Positions

A teaching innovation for first year engineering students’ was designed to involve inquiry-based questions, an electronic graphical medium, small group activity and modifications to assessment. The use of an inquiry approach was intended to encourage students’ deeper engagement with mathematics and more conceptual understanding. Data were collected from observations of teaching, ongoing teacher reflections, student surveys, interviews and assessment outcomes. Despite evidence of success in assessments, analyses revealed fundamental differences between students’ perceptions of the teaching they experienced and the goals of the teaching team. Activity theory was used to juxtapose contradictory perceptions and highlight issues in the wider sociocultural and institutional settings of the research.
Riesz transforms related to Bessel operators

Riesz transforms $R_\mu$ related to the Bessel operators $$ \Delta_\mu=x^{-\mu-1/2}Dx^{2\mu+1}Dx^{-\mu-1/2} $$ are studied in this work. We develop for $R_\mu$ a theory that runs parallel to that for the Euclidean Hilbert transform. It is proved that $R_\mu$ is actually a Calderón–Zygmund singular integral operator. Also, $R_\mu$ is seen to be the boundary value of the appropriate harmonic extension for this context. Finally, we analyse weighted inequalities involving $R_\mu$.
Growth regulatory potential of five indigenous plant extracts against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Plant based insecticides are effective control agents against the stored grain insect pests especially for Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) is one of the severe pests of stored grain commodities The botanicals are have no toxic effects on our surrounding but the bioactivities of these plant extracts may induce certain detrimental effects on the biology of the certain insects causing infestation in stored grains The toxic and growth disruptive effects extracts from five medicinal plants viz; Azadirachta indica, Murraya exotica, Eucalyptus comeldulensis, Trachspermum ammi and Teminalia chebula were evaluated at a rate of 5, 10 and 15 % concentrations against the Tribolium castaneum. Highest larval inhibition was observed in case of E. comeldulensis (72.32%), followed by A. indica (63.96%), T. ammi (62.90%), M. exotica (58.93%) and T. chebula (54.96%). Maximum pupal inhibition was observed in case of E. comeldulensis (70.21%), followed by A. indica (62.26%), M. exotica (55.19%), T. ammi and T. chebula were both equally effective (54.82%). Highest adults’ inhibition was observed in case of E. comeldulensis (66.67%), followed by A. indica (58.82%), M. exotica (54.90%), T. ammi (52.08%) and T. chebula (50.00%). These experiments will lead to the development of effective and natural growth regulators for control of insect pests attacking stored commodities.
Trap selectivity and the effects of altering gear design in the South African rock lobster Jasus lalandii commercial fishery

The current trap fishery for the West Coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii in South African waters results in the capture, sorting and release of large numbers of undersized animals. Once removed from the water, they are vulnerable to damage from numerous sources. Even sub-lethal injury may result in a considerable reduction to individual productivity through decreased growth or reproductive potential. Given that the J. lalandii resource is heavily depleted, such wastage may have severe repercussions for the sustainability of the fishery. In an attempt to reduce these losses, 20% of the fishing gear used by the rock lobster industry has been modified to include grids designed to allow undersized rock lobsters (mainly females) to escape the traps before they are hauled. The efficiency of this gear (and two alternatives) was assessed by comparison with standard commercial gear over a range of fishing grounds. Results indicated that, in comparison to standard commercial traps, none of the alternative trap designs would be beneficial to the fishery in the long term, provided that overnight sets remain the most common fishing method. SELECT models were used to evaluate the fishing properties of commercial and bottom-grid traps relative to those of control (fine-mesh) traps. The results indicated that, given the choice, a rock lobster would preferentially enter a commercial trap, followed by a control trap, with bottom-grid traps being the least attractive. This suggests some level of saturation of control traps, a possibility that is of particular concern because the control trap design is used in a fishery-independent monitoring survey.