Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving College Performance and Retention the Easy Way: Unpacking the ACT Exam. NBER Working Paper No. 17119.

Colleges rely on the ACT exam in their admission decisions to increase their ability to differentiate between students likely to succeed and those that have a high risk of under-performing and dropping out. We show that two of the four sub tests of the ACT, English and Mathematics, are highly predictive of positive college outcomes while the other two subtests, Science and Reading, provide little or no additional predictive power. This result is robust across various samples, specifications, and outcome measures. We demonstrate that focusing solely on the English and Mathematics test scores greatly enhances the predictive validity of the ACT exam.
Prevalence and Phenotypic Detection of Erythromycin-Induced Resistance to Clindamycin in MRSA Isolates

Background and objectives: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of MRSA in clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital and to demonstrate the in vitro ability of erythromycin to induce clindamycin resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococci. Materials and Methods: A total number of 112 Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from clinical specimens and MRSA were detected by the routine antibiotic susceptibility testing methods including the oxacillin disk method, the Cefoxitin disc diffusion test and the Oxacillin screen agar method and the results were interpreted as per the standard guidelines. The clinical isolates of erythromycin-resistant (ER-R), clindamycinsusceptible Staphylococci (CL-S) were examined for inducible clindamycin resistance (ICR) by the erythromycin induction test by using the double disc susceptibility test (D-test). Strains which produced ICR showed flattening of the clindamycin disc zone which was adjacent to the erythromycin disc. Results: Out of the 112 isolates, 29 (25.9%) Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and 83 Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were identified by the Cefoxitin disc diffusion test and the Oxacillin screen agar method. Among the 112 Staphylococcus aureus strains which were studied, 67 (32.4%) were erythromycin resistant. These isolates, when they were subjected to the D test, showed 36 (32 %) constitutive MLSB (cMLSB) phenotypic strains which were resistant to both erythromycin and clindamycin and 31 isolates showed clindamycin sensitivity. Out of these,16 (14.2%) strains were D-zone positive i.e. of the inducible MLSB (iMLSB) phenotype, which were resistant to erythromycin and sensitive to clindamycin, while 15 were negative for the D test, thus indicating that they were of the MS phenotype. Of the 36 cMLSB phenotypic strains, 24 isolates were MRSA and 12 were MSSA, while all the iMLSB phenotype strains were MRSA. Conclusions: We conclude that a significant number of ER-R CL-S strains were positive for ICR, among the MRSA isolates. These isolates should be reported as clindamycin resistant. Given the high rate of inducible resistance to clindamycin in the staphylococcal isolates, the test for inducible resistance to clindamycin should be included in the routine antibiotic susceptibility tests, as it will help in guiding the therapy.
Comparison of wear processes of biomaterials used in hip joint implants

In the last century, two different prosthetic systems for total hip joint replacement were intr oduced at the same time: metal-on-metal (MOM) and metal-on-UHMWPE (MOP). The tribosystem MOP was successful, because the MOM bearing system showed unsatisfactory short-term performance and practically disappeared. But nowadays, the idea of an all-metal joint was taken up again and led to the development of the second generation of metal articulation with improved alloy microstructure, surface finish, and manufacturing tolerances. The current work presents a tribological study of the metalon-metal and metal-on-UHMWPE bearing couples by means of a reciprocating pin-on-flat testing machine. In this study, it was found that the wear intensity and coefficient of friction are at least three times higher in the MOM friction pair than in MOP bearing system. The wear mechanisms observed for the MOM friction pair are abrasion, surface fatigue, and adhesion. For the MOP friction pair, the soft polymer smearing process on the hard metal surface was observed.
Therapies to Combat Co-Infection of HIV and Malaria during Pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa where Plasmodium falciparum malaria is endemic, 80% of the world’s HIV-infected persons reside, making co-infection with these two major human pathogens a common occurrence. Pregnancy is a condition that produces an immunosuppressed state in the mother, which, in combination with an immune compromising disease such as HIV/AIDS, can lead to an increased risk of contracting infectious diseases such as malaria. Co-infection during pregnancy can lead to a number of poor outcomes for both mother and child. There has been little research into the implications of pregnancy and/or co-infection with regard to treatment of HIV/AIDS or malaria, and as a result the options for efficacious drug therapy during gestation are limited. In light of this, prophylactic measures are being investigated, including a vaccine for pregnant women or those planning a family that aims to reduce or prevent the adverse effects of malaria and/or HIV/AIDS. This review discusses the pressing need for treatment, outlines the incumbent difficulties in production of an effective chemotherapeutic or immunization regimen, and considers strategies for present and prospective vaccine development.
Effects of Viewing Displays from Different Distances on Human Visual System

The current stereoscopic 3D displays have several human-factor issues including visual-fatigue symptoms such as eyestrain, headache, fatigue, nausea, and malaise. The viewing time and viewing distance are factors that considerably affect the visual fatigue associated with 3D displays. Hence, this study analyzes the effects of display type (2D vs. 3D) and viewing distance on visual fatigue during a 60-min viewing session based on electroencephalogram (EEG) relative beta power, and alpha/beta power ratio. In this study, twenty male participants watched four videos. The EEGs were recorded at two occipital lobes (O1 and O2) of each participant in the pre-session (3 min), post-session (3 min), and during a 60-min viewing session. The results showed that the decrease in relative beta power of the EEG and the increase in the alpha/beta ratio from the start until the end of the viewing session were significantly higher when watching the 3D display. When the viewing distance was increased from 1.95 m to 3.90 m, the visual fatigue was decreased in the case of the 3D-display, whereas the fatigue was increased in the case of the 2D-display. Moreover, there was approximately the same level of visual fatigue when watching videos in 2D or 3D from a long viewing distance (3.90 m).
Impact of environmental factors on milk β-hydroxybutyric acid and acetone levels in Holstein cattle associated with production traits

The objective of this study was to estimate the environmental factors affecting milk β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and acetone (Ac) concentrations in Holstein cattle. A total of 264,221 test-day records collected from the Korea Animal Improvement Association (KAIA) during the period of 2012 to 2014 were used in this study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the factors significantly affecting ketone body concentrations. Parameters considered in the model were season of test, season of calving, parity, lactation stage, and milk collecting time (AM and PM). According to the ANOVA, the R² for milk BHBA and Ac were 0.5226 and 0.4961, respectively. ‘Season of test’ showed a considerable influence on ketone body concentration. Least square (LS) means for milk BHBA concentrations was the lowest (39.04 μM) in winter while it increased up to 62.91 μM in summer. But Ac concentration did not significantly change along with ‘season of test’. The means of milk BHBA and Ac concentrations were high at first lactation stage, low around second lactation stage, and then gradually increased. Cows milked in the morning had lower mean BHBA and Ac concentrations (48.49 μM and 121.69 μM, respectively) in comparison to those milked in the evening (53.46 μM and 130.42 μM, respectively). The LS means of BHBA and Ac slightly increased over parities. These results suggest that proper maintenance of milk collection, herd management programs, and evaluation of ketone body levels in milk should be considered for the efficient management of resistance to ketosis.
Pulp Prognosis of Crown-Related Fractures, in Relation to Presence ofLuxation Injury and Root Development Stage

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of crown-related fractures with/without luxation injury in relation to the root development stage and referral time for treatment. Material and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 37 complicated and 69 uncomplicated crown fractured teeth in 75 patients referred to the Department of Pedodontics of Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey. The records of cases were examined for the following: age, sex, teeth number, trauma type, time elapsed following injury, accompanying trauma type, treatment and prognosis. The data were analyzed using the chi-square or binomial tests, and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The dental trauma records of patients with an average age of 10 years, including 75 patients with 37 complicated (34.9%) and 69 uncomplicated crown-fractured teeth (65.1%), were evaluated. The most commonly affected teeth were the maxillary right central incisors (46.2%). Only 16 patients (43.2%) with complicated crown fractures were referred to the clinic within the same day of the injury, whereas the number for uncomplicated crown fractures was 24 patients (34.7%) For uncomplicated crown fractures referred to the clinic after 1 week, increased vitality loss was seen. Depending on the accompanying trauma type and the time elapsed after trauma; the prognosis of the cases (even uncomplicated crown fractures) was affected negatively. Conclusions: It was concluded that even simple crown fractures with open apices may end up with inflammation or pulp necrosis because of late referral besides accompanying trauma.
EFFECTS OF DIETARY COMBINATION OF CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID WITH FISH OIL OR SOYBEAN OIL ON FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF BROILER MEAT

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), fish oil (n-3 rich), soybean oil (n-6 rich) or their respective mixtures as well as palm oil as a more saturated fat on the fatty acid profile of breast and thigh tissues in broiler chickens. The dietary fats were included in the experimental diets at 7% for single fats and 3.5% + 3.5% for dual mixed fats. Because of the lower metabolisable energy content of palm oil, its inclusion rate was about 12%. The results of the present study showed that the high CLA and fish oil dosage adversely affected the growth rate, carcass yield and general performance. However, the incorporation of dietary soybean oil as n-6 fatty acid source can moderate these adverse effects. The combinations of CLA + fish oil and CLA + soybean oil resulted in more effective enrichment of chicken meat with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and CLA, respectively. Therefore, it seems that this kind of enrichment of chicken meat is not always in a dose-dependent manner and could be affected by the associated dietary fat composition.
The Effects of Ambient Blue Light on Anger Levels: Applications in the Design of Unmanned Aircraft GCS

Spiridon E. and Fairclough S.H. (2017). The effects of ambient blue light on anger levels: Applications in the design of unmanned aircraft GCS. International Journal of Unmanned Systems Engineering. 5(3): 53-69. Light exercises broad psychophysiological effects besides vision including hormone secretion, body temperature, sleep, alertness, cognition, and emotion regulation. This study proposes that applying an integrative interaction design to the ground control station (GCS) that uses colour-coded lights to deliver peripheral information to GCS operators using blue light as a chromatic cue could promote relaxation and reduce physiological reactions associated with negative emotions with implications for emotional health and cognitive performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the effects of blue light in reducing negative emotions in an enclosed environment that resembles a GCS cabin for operating unmanned aircraft. Thirty healthy participants were invited to carry out a 12-min anger-inducing task in a car driving simulator. Three equal experimental groups were formed: the first group was primed to the relaxation effects of blue light (BL1), the second group was exposed to blue light without priming (BL2) and the third group was not exposed to any ambient blue light (control group). Light was presented at three stages: prior to the task for 5 mins and during anger induction due to 2 simulated traffic jams (TJ1, TJ2). Psychological state of anger was measured using questionnaires and psychophysiological measures including: Blood Pressure (BP), Cardiac Output (CO), Heart Rate (HR), and facial Electromiography (fEMG). There was a decrease in subjective feelings of anger in the BL1 condition relative to the control condition. Systolic BP was also significantly reduced in the BL1 condition compared to the control condition. In addition, corrugator muscle activity and stroke volume (a component in CO measurement) were lower in the BL2 group compared to the control condition. The findings have implications for the design of the photometry of GCS lighting and in particular the use of blue light in confined darkened GCSs.
The impact of European integration on institutional development

This paper investigates the speed of institutional development induced by European integration. The hypotheses are the following. The prospect for European countries to join the EU disposes them to strengthen their institutions, so that the speed of institutional development is high. Furthermore, EU Member States preparing for the introduction of the euro have incentives to develop their institutions, but the speed of institutional development is much lower. As soon as Member States introduce the euro, institutional development grinds to a halt, or is even reversed, as there could be incentives to undo reforms. To test these hypotheses, we estimate a dynamic panel data model, in which the institutional development is measured as positive changes in Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGIs). The WGIs are explained by the “status” of the European countries (i.e. being a member of the euro area, a Member State of the EU preparing to adopt the euro, an acceding country, a candidate country, a potential candidate country or none of the above) and additional controls. To sum up the findings, we can confirm a positive effect of prospective EU membership. Being a Member State does not influence the institutional development path. However, for members of the euro area, there is robust evidence for institutional deterioration in one particular area, namely control of corruption.
The Reproductive Effect of Terbinafine in Ewe: Effects on Estrous Cycle and Ovarian Follicles

Terbinafine is a fungicide given orally with the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight per day for each ewe for 60 days. The vaginal smears of ewe, body and ovarian weight were daily administered at slaughter time; ewes were slaughtered at 60 th day. Estrous cycle was affected by showing a significant reduce in the estrous cycle length of each phases of estrous cycle with associated significant increase in the diestrus phase in terbinafine treatment as compared with control group (olive oil treatment as adjuvant) of ewes. There was a significant reduce in the number of follicles and a significant raise in the number of atretic follicles in treated group as compared with control group as well as upsurge the progesterone/estrogen ratio. The body and ovarian weight were significant diminished in terbinafine treatment. These observed effects of terbinafine on the ovarian activity may be due to a direct effect as antiproliferative agent or the hypothalamus hypophysial ovarian axis causing hormonal inequality. ل يلسانتلا ريثأتلا يف هيفانبريتل جاعنلا ريثأتلا: يف هيضيبملا ثابيرجلاو قبشلا ةرود
Assessment of Drug Prescription Pattern in Two District Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: According to World Health Organization more than half of all medicines are prescribed and dispensed improperly, hence half of patients take them inappropriately. To reduce morbidity and mortality and their adverse outcomes, appropriate drug utilization has an enormous impact. Methodology: This study is aimed to assess prescription patterns of drugs in Finote Selam and Motta District Hospital in outpatient pharmacy unit. The study was cross-sectional retrospective by selecting the outpatient pharmacy units of Finote Selam and Motta district hospitals. A total of 362 prescription papers were incorporated from March 01/2015 to February 29/2016. A structured standardized proforma, adopted from the world health organizations, was used to fill data by observing the prescriptions papers of patients. The data was entered into EPI INFO version 7.0, and then analyzed using World Health Organization drug use indicators. Results: A total of 362 prescriptions were reviewed retrospectively from a total of those prescribed for 1-year period. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 2.1 with a range between 1 and 5. The percentage of encounters in which an antibiotic or injection was ordered was 58.8% and 3.6%, respectively while the percentage of those drugs prescribed by generic name and from an essential drug list was 98.4% (n=742) and 81% (n=611), respectively. Amoxicillin (9.2%), ciprofloxacin (6.2%), and doxycycline (4.8%) were among the common antibiotics prescribed. Conclusion: Our study showed that the prescription pattern for most antibiotics deviates from the one advised by the world health organization. There is also overuse of some antibiotics which needs urgent intervention. The study also revealed the occurrence of an increasing practice of prescribing drugs using generic names. The very interesting point that our study revealed is problems like poly pharmacy and prescribing from the essential drug list were not concerns in the studied hospitals. Baseline data gathered by this study can be used by researchers and policymakers to improve prescribing practice at these two Hospitals. Lastly, drug prescribing practices in these two hospitals are not far from the world health organization requirements.
The invasion of Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan, 1849) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) into the Southern Iraqi Marshes

Forty-two specimens of Macrobrachium nipponense (de Haan, 1849) were collected from Abu-Zirig Marsh in the south of Iraq, in July 2005. DNA sequences confirmed the morphological identification by 99 % similarity to published 16S sequences. The introduction vector for this non-native species into the wild is considered to be unintentional escapes from Iranian aquaculture.
Anthelmintic activity of the white wormwood , Artemisia herba-alba against Heterakis gallinarum infecting turkey poults

Artemisia herba-alba is widely used in the Egyptian folk medicine as vermifuge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the proclaimed anthelmintic efficacy of crude aqueous extracts of A. herba-alba, ACEA, in comparison to albendazole, ABZ, againstHeterakis gallinarum infecting turkey poults. 60, 1 day old large white turkey poults (males) were divided into four groups. Group 1 was neither infested nor treated. Groups 2, 3 and 4 were inoculated with 500 embryonated eggs of H. gallinarum at 1 day old. On day 25 post infestation and for three successive days, group 3 was treated with ABZ, 2.5% (20 mg/kg B. wt.) and group 4 was treated with ACEA (0.4 g/kg B. wt.) in drinking water. The whole experiment had been repeated three times. Seven days post treatments, ABZ and CAEA reduce egg output (97.31 and 97.78%, respectively), and worm burden of H. gallinarum(95.08 and 96.07%, respectively). The weight and feed conversion ratios were improved in group 4. Biochemical analysis and histopathological sections revealed the adverse effect of ABZ. ACEA is then considered as a good anthelmintic alternative therapy and recommended in the control of ascaridosis in poultry industry, since it is effective, safe, available and cheap. Key words: Heterakis, herbal remedies, Artemisia, albendazole, turkey.
Self‐image and schadenfreude: Pleasure at others' misfortune enhances satisfaction of basic human needs

The present research tested whether observing the failure of another individual and experiencing schadenfreude (i.e., pleasure at others' misfortune) enhance the satisfaction of basic psychological needs in terms of self-esteem, control, belongingness, and meaningful existence. Considering hypothetical scenarios (Experiments 1 and 4), real-life experiences (Experiment 2), and ostensibly real interactions (Experiment 3), four experiments revealed that individuals reported higher levels of need satisfaction when another's setback occurred in a competitive circumstance rather than in a non-competitive circumstance. Moreover, the increased feeling of schadenfreude accounted for the effect of observing the misfortune befalling a competitor on the subsequent satisfaction of human needs. Results are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications for research on schadenfreude, and future research directions are outlined.
A comparison of swarm intelligence algorithms for structural engineering optimization

This paper compares the performance of three swarm intelligence algorithms for the optimization of hard engineering problems. The algorithms tested were bacterial foraging optimization (BFO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and artificial bee colony (ABC). Besides the regular BFO, two other variants reported in the literature were also included in the study: adaptive BFO and swarming BFO. Both PSO and ABC were tested using the regular algorithm and variants that include explosion (mass extinction). Three optimization problems of structural engineering were used: minimization of the cost of a welded beam, minimization of the construction cost of a pressure vessel, and minimization of the total weight of a 10‐bar plane truss. All problems are strongly constrained. The algorithms were evaluated using two criteria: quality of solutions and the number of function evaluations. The results show that PSO presented the best balance between these two criteria. For the optimization problems approached in this paper, we can also conclude that the explosion procedure resulted in no significant improvements. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do Income Constraints Inhibit Spending on Fruits and Vegetables Among Low-Income Households?

This study assesses whether income constraints inhibit spending on fruits and vegetables among low-income households. If this is the case, then it is hypothesized that the distribution of expenditures on fruits and vegetables by low-income households should be stochastically dominated by the distribution of expenditures on these same food items by other households. Moreover, it must be the case that low-income households would increase their spending on fruits and vegetables in response to an increase in their income. Using household data from the 2000 Consumer Expenditure Survey, a test of stochastic dominance is performed. Censored quantile regressions are also estimated at selected points of the conditional expenditure distribution. Low income households are found to spend less on fruits and vegetables than other households, but they are not responsive to changes in income.