Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Physical Impairment and Psychosocial Disorders in New Leprosy Patients before and after Multidrug Therapy in a Referral Hospital in Belo Horizonte , Minas Gerais , Brazil : The Value of Rating Scales in the Assessment of Disabilities

patients at the time of diagnosis and completion of multidrug therapy (MDT), to evaluate the association between physical disabilities and psychosocial disorders in such patients and to identify the factors associated with high impairment scores. The study population comprised of 56 new leprosy patients. Physical disabilities were evaluated by means of Maximum WHO Impairment Grade (IG) and Eye-Hand-Foot (EHF) impairment scores, while psychomotor and social disorders were evaluated using Screening of Activity Limitation and Self Awareness (SALSA), Green Pastures Activity Scale (GPAS), Participation, Hamilton depression and Jacoby stigma scales. The SALSA and Hamilton scales were the most efficient in reflecting changes in the status of patients after completion of MDT. Depression and activity limitations increased the probabilities of high IG http://www.ijl. org.in
Metamodels for Composite Lattice Fuselage Design

This paper presents a novel design of an anisogrid composite aircraft fuselage by a global metamodel-based optimization approach. A 101-point design of numerical experiments (DOE) has been developed to generate a set of individual fuselage barrel designs and these designs have further been analyzed by the finite element (FE) method. Using these training data, global metamodels of all structural responses of interest have been built as explicit expressions of the design variables using a Genetic Programming approach. Finally, the parametric optimization of the fuselage barrel by genetic algorithm (GA) has been performed to obtain the best design configuration in terms of weight savings subject to stability, global stiffness and strain requirements.
FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS AND PLASMA FSH CONCENTRATIONS DURING FOLLICULAR DEVIATION IN THE FIRST POST-OVULATORY WAVE IN TABAPUA (Bos indicus) COWS TREATED WITH BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN (bST)*

ABSTRACT. Arnone B. , Negrao C.B. , Brito L.F. C. , Giometti I.C. & Castilho C. Follicular dynamics and plasma FSH concentrations during follicular deviation in the first post-ovulatory wave in tabapua (Bos indicus) cows treated with bovine somatotropin (bST). [Dinâmica folicular e concentracao plasmatica de FSH durante a primeira onda pos-ovulatoria em vacas Tabapua (Bos indicus) tratadas com somatotrofina bovina (bST)]. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 35(4):318-322, 2013. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencia Animal, Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Rodovia Raposo Tavares, Km 572, Presidente Prudente, SP 19067-175, Brasil. E-mail: calie@unoeste.br. The objective of the present study was to evaluate follicular dynamics and plasma FSH concentrations during the first post-ovulatory wave in Bos indicus cows treated with bovine somatrotopin (bST). Diameters of ovarian follicles and plasma FSH concentrations were determined every 12 h until 5 d after ovulation in 10 Tabapua cows, half of which had been treated with 500mg bST. Treatment did not affect follicular diameters, follicular dynamics, ovulation-to-follicular deviation interval, or FSH concentrations. Follicular deviation was characterized primarily by a decrease in the growth rate of the largest subordinate follicle and occurred 54 h after ovulation when plasma FSH concentrations were decreasing. Mean diameters of the dominant and largest subordinate follicles at the time of deviation were 6.31 and 6.24 mm, respectively. In conclusion, bST did not affect follicular dynamics and plasma FSH concentrations in B. indicus cows. Follicular deviation occurred during a period of decreasing FSH concentration and no diameter differences between the dominant and largest subordinate follicle were observed prior to deviation.
Multistrip synthetic single-crystal-diamond photodiode based on a p-type/intrinsic/Schottky metal transverse configuration

A synthetic multistrip single-crystal-diamond detector based on a p-type/intrinsic diamond/Schottky metal transverse configuration, operating at zero-bias voltage, was developed. The device was characterized at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Harwell (UK) under monochromatic high-flux X-ray beams from 6 to 20 keV and a micro-focused 10 keV beam with a spot size of ∼3 μm. No significant pixel-to-pixel variation of both spectral responsivity and time response, high spatial resolution and good signal uniformity along each strip were found, suggesting the tested device structure as a promising sensor for X-ray and UV radiation imaging.
The Influence of Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome in Youth: A Review

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of dyslipidemia, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and central obesity or waist circumference that places individuals at high risk for developing cardiovascular or heart disease. Although first characterized in adults, it has been found in children, but the definition of MetS in children is still controversial. Although MetS is most closely associated with obesity in children, 2 factors believed to affect MetS are physical activity (PA) and aerobic power or fitness. Studies using accelerometry to estimate PA of children have shown that low levels are associated with increased risk of developing MetS. Conversely, high levels of PA at moderate to vigorous intensities reduce the risk. Similarly, low levels of aerobic fitness increase the likelihood of developing MetS. These effects appear to be independent of obesity. Studies have also shown that interventions that increase PA levels and improve aerobic fitness cause a reduction in MetS risk; however, an exact prescription for exercise cannot be presently provided. This review provides an in-depth analysis of what is presently known about the relationship between MetS and PA and aerobic fitness in children. In addition, information is presented regarding potential mechanisms for exercise to affect the major markers of MetS.
Three-dimensional kinetic simulations of relativistic magnetostatic equilibria

We present the results of three-dimensional kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of isotropic periodic relativistically magnetized pair-plasma equilibria known as the ABC fields. We performed several simulations for initial wavenumbers k_ini = 2 or k_ini = 4, different efficiencies of radiative cooling (including radiation reaction from synchrotron and inverse Compton processes), and different mean magnetization values. These equilibria evolve by means of ideal coalescence instability, the saturation of which generates ab initio localized kinetically-thin current layers -- sites of magnetic reconnection and non-thermal particle acceleration -- eventually relaxing to a state of lower magnetic energy at conserved total magnetic helicity. We demonstrate that magnetic relaxation involves in addition localized collapses of magnetic minima and bulk mergers of current layer pairs, which represents a novel scenario of spontaneous magnetic dissipation with application to the rapid gamma-ray flares of blazars and of the Crab Nebula. Particle acceleration under strong radiative losses leads to formation of power-law indices N(gamma) ~ gamma^(-p) up to p ~= -2.3 at mean hot magnetization values of ~ 6. Individual energetic particles can be accelerated within one light-crossing time by electric fields that are largely perpendicular to the local magnetic fields. The energetic particles are highly anisotropic due to the kinetic beaming effect, implying complex patterns of rapid variability. A significant fraction of the initial total energy can be radiated away in the overall process of magnetoluminescence.
Respiratory Diseases Due to Occupational Exposure to Nickel and Chromium among Factory Workers in Kenya

Inhalation of airborne nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in workplaces causes a variety of respiratory ailments which adversely affects the productivity of employees. A study was therefore conducted on production workers (N=233) from six different types industrial plants, to investigate the influence of Ni and Cr exposure on their respiratory systems. Breathing zone air and urinary samples were collected, and analyzed for total Ni and Cr using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The medical history of the workers was obtained using questionnaires. Their lung functions were further examined using a spirometer. Mean (± standard deviation) breathing zone air of 23.4 ± 11.6 μg/m3 Cr and 10.3 ± 4.3 μg/ m3 Ni was highest among the tanners and welders, respectively. The mean level of 35.2 ± 12.1 Cr and 28.4 ± 7.8 Ni in μg/g creatinine were also highest in the urine of corresponding workers. A significant (P<0.01) correlation of r=0.86 Cr and r=0.89 Ni was observed between airborne and urinary levels in all production workers. Approximately 26.6% of the workers had respiratory diseases that were associated with wheezing, shortness of breath, sneezing attacks among other related symptoms. Most of these workers were welders, tanners and, to lesser extent, paint manufacturers. The breathing zone air of the afflicted workers had significantly (P<0.05) high mean levels of 6.4 ± 4.4 μg/m3 Ni and 9.6 ± 5.3 μg/m3 Cr than those who were not affected (3.9 ± 3.2 μg/m3 Ni and 4.4 ± 3.8 μg/m3 Cr). A high proportion of the workers had reduced ventilatory function measurements. We recommend comprehensive assessment of Cr and Ni in related industries with significant exposures. Designing and developing of training programs and educative manuals on safety and health procedures, and regular medical surveillance is also recommended.
Genetic variation in native and introduced populations of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Cambaridae) in Mexico and Costa Rica.

The genetic variation among nine populations of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii was examined using partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene. Three populations (Illinois and Louisiana, United States and northern Coahuila, Mexico) represented the native range and six populations came from areas where the species has been introduced (central Coahuila, southern Nuevo Leon, Durango, Chihuahua and Chiapas, Mexico, and Cartago, Costa Rica). A 689 bp fragment was amplified from 37 samples. Uncorrected genetic distances among sequences were p = 0 to 0.02031 and 12 haplotypes were found. A phylogenetic reconstruction shows that the three populations from the native range remain very similar to each other and some introduced populations can be directly associated to one of them. The populations from Nuevo Leon, central Coahuila and Costa Rica were the most divergent ones. Overall the genetic variation found in P. clarkii in both native and introduced populations is low.
Epidemiological study of Lichen Planus

Lichen planus constitutes about 1% of the patients in dermatology OPD. Lichen planus is prevalent all over world with varying incidence. It affects all races and is concentrated in the age group between 30-70 years. Childhood lichen planus is relatively rare with 2-3% of all lichen planus cases occurring below the age of 20 years. The incidence as well as clinical type of lichen planus changes according to geographical areas. The objectives of this study are; To calculate incidence of lichen planus among patients attending skin OPD. To study age and sex distribution of lichen planus. To study distribution of lichen planus on different parts of body. The study was conducted in the out patient department of Dermatology and Venereology at Image hospitals, Ameerpet, Hyderabad on patients with lichen planus. The duration of the study period was from March 2007 to February 2008. A prospective study was conducted over a period of 1 year with all the new patients with a clinical diagnosis of lichen planus being included in the study. 1. Incidence of lichen planus in our study was 1.13% among the new patients attending skin OPD. 2. Lichen planus is mainly a disease of middle age with most of the cases in 20 to 39 years age group, paediatric cases are seen rarely. Lichen planus appears to be slightly more common among females. 3. Lichen planus is pruritic in most of the cases but in few cases there may be no symptoms.
The effect of strength and resistance training on changes in total fat , body mass index and serum leptin as well as their correlation in obese sedentary employees

This study aims to investigate the effect of strength and resistance training on changes in total fat, body mass index (BMI), and serum leptin as well as correlation between serum leptin and BMI in obese sedentary employees. Research variables include total fat, serum leptin, body mass index, and strength training protocol for a month and in 3 sessions per week, each session lasts for 84 minutes as well as 60 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate. The strength training protocol lasts for one month and the weight training for 3 times per week, 60 to 75% for 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and the total exercise lasts for 70 minutes per session. In this study, the research method is experimental. 30 out of 110 obese employees are randomly selected as the statistical sample. The sample is categorized into three groups, including control (n = 10), resistance (n = 10), and strength (n = 10). In pre-test, demographic and physical characteristics of the sample are measured and recorded. In the post-test and after the course of the training protocol, the previous measurements are repeated. Statistical methods to compare training groups in the test process include repeated measures ANOVA, the Bonferroni post hoc test whenever a signifi cant difference between three or more sample means has been revealed by an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation coeffi cient to investigate the relationship between variables. Spss version 19 software is used to analyze the data and the error rate in all cases is ( = 0.5 %). The fi ndings of the study include: 1) for both groups, the resistance training has no signifi cant effect on serum leptin level, 2) endurance training has a signifi cant effect on body mass index, but strength training has no signifi cant effect on body mass index, 3) Strength and resistance training have a signifi cant effect on total fat, 4) for the group with resistance training, there is a positive correlation between the variables of leptin and body mass index, 5) for the group with strength training, there is a positive correlation between the variables of leptin and body mass index. These changes are associated with an increase in the level of readiness for participants in both training protocol groups. Perhaps by increasing the statistical population, the intensity, and duration of exercise activities, there will be a different effect on changes of variables and their signifi cance.
Implementing RLWE-based Schemes Using an RSA Co-Processor

We repurpose existing RSA/ECC co-processors for (ideal) lattice-based cryptography by exploiting the availability of fast long integer multiplication. Such co-processors are deployed in smart cards in passports and identity cards, secured microcontrollers and hardware security modules (HSM). In particular, we demonstrate an implementation of a variant of the Module-LWE-based Kyber Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM) that is tailored for high performance on a commercially available smart card chip (SLE 78). To benefit from the RSA/ECC co-processor we use Kronecker substitution in combination with schoolbook and Karatsuba polynomial multiplication. Moreover, we speed-up symmetric operations in our Kyber variant using the AES co-processor to implement a PRNG and a SHA-256 co-processor to realise hash functions. This allows us to execute CCA-secure Kyber768 key generation in 79.6 ms, encapsulation in 102.4 ms and decapsulation in 132.7 ms.
Radar polarimetry for geoscience applications

A source book for remote sensing and radar design engineers, this text covers wave polarization, polarization synthesis, scattering matrices, SAR polarization systems, and an array of applications It covers: an introduction to the different mathematical representations used to describe scattering properties, a review of scatterometer system design and calibration techniques for use in polarimetric measurements, a study of specific polarimetric radar systems, such as the shuttle imaging radar C (SIR-C), that includes calibration and compression techniques, data processing guidelines, and design approaches.
Profiles of U.S. science teacher candidates: Safeguards amidst the gathering storm

The shortage of science teachers in the United States and throughout the world indicates a collective need to recruit more students into the science teaching field and to retain current science teachers. This study explores the profiles of U.S. science teacher candidates and investigates what attracts and discourages these pre-service teachers into teaching science. Through the use of survey and structured interview approaches we investigated the profiles of pre-service elementary, middle school, and high school teachers (n = 109) who were interested in teaching science. Common findings among this set of science teacher candidates included: positive science experiences with K-12 teachers during childhood, beliefs that certain teacher preparation content courses were roadblocks to becoming certified, unfamiliarity with the employment market for science teachers, and a lack of being recruited to teach science. Based on these profile characteristics of science teacher candidates, teacher educators may pursue specific strategies to encourage more teachercandidates to select science as their teaching field.
An mHealth Technology for Chronic Wound Management

Increasingly, mobile consumer electronic devices are able to make meaningful applications in healthcare, and this chapter discusses the development of a mHealth app called SmartWoundCare, designed to document and assess chronic wounds on smartphones and tablets. Pressure ulcers (bedsores) were selected as the application area for SmartWoundCare due to their pervasiveness in healthcare and their associat‐ ed impacts on patients’ quality of life and mortality, and electronic documentation is considered as an important intervention in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment. The chapter reviews the design of SmartWoundCare on Android and iOS platforms. Its benefits over paper‐based charting include automatically generated wound histories in graph and text formats, alerts and notifications for user‐set conditions, wound image galleries, and positioning for telehealth consultation by transmitting wound data across sites. The mobile app was implemented in a user trial in a long‐term care facility in Winnipeg, Canada, and the user trial illuminated that a key benefit of SmartWound‐ Care was the ability to take wound photographs. This feature had benefits for patients as well as caregivers. Consequently, algorithms were developed to analyse wound images for size and colour to provide additional indicators of wound progression.
Change detection in quad and dual pol, single- and bi-frequency SAR data

When the covariance matrix representation is used for multi-look polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, the complex Wishart distribution applies. Based on this distribution a likelihood ratio test statistic for equality of two complex variance-covariance matrices and an associated p-value are given. In a case study airborne EMISAR C- and L-band SAR images covering agricultural fields and wooded areas near Foulum, Denmark, are used in single- and bi-frequency, bi-temporal change detection with full and dual polarimetry data.
Learners' Errors and their Evaluation

This study identifies, describes and evaluates the learners' errors, and determines the gravity of those errors in terms of intelligibility and acceptability by the Nepali, non-Nepali and native English speaking teachers. This study was targeted at the grammatical errors and perceptions of different English teachers on those errors. The research findings were analyzed and expressed quantitatively. The study revealed that the Nepali English teacher evaluators were found to be the most severe judges. The non- Nepali (i.e. other than Nepali and the native English) evaluators were in between the Nepali and the native English evaluators. The researcher proposes to treat the most serious errors for Nepali and non- Nepali English teachers with priority. Key words : error analysis, grammatical errors, error gravity DOI: 10.3126/nelta.v14i1. 3093 Journal of NELTA Vol.14, No 1&2, 2009 December Page: 71-81
Climate change, plant extinctions and vegetational recovery during the Middle-Late Pennsylvanian Transition: the Case of tropical peat-forming environments in North America

Abstract A major extinction of terrestrial plants occurred at the end of the Westphalian (Middle Pennsylvanian) in the lowland tropics of North America. Approximately 67% of the species in peat-forming mires, and at least half the species in clastic wetlands were eliminated by changing climatic conditions, probably protracted moisture deficits or exaggeration of seasonal dryness. Independent studies suggest that the end of the Westphalian was marked by deglaciation in Gondwana and increase in global temperature. In peat-forming habitats major floristic changes followed the extinction. Earliest Stephanian (Late Pennsylvanian) dominance-diversity patterns were highly variable temporally; several different plant groups that were of minor importance in Westphalian mires became major framework dominants, with high coal to coal variability. Ultimately opportunistic tree ferns, previously subdominant, became the dominant elements. Westphalian tree ferns were mostly small, cheaply constructed colonists with massive reproductive outputs and broad ecological amplitudes. Stephanian tree ferns were much larger and appear to have occupied sites for extended periods; they retained the cheap construction of earlier forms but added massive root mantles, which permitted greater height and girth. The ‘marsh’-forming lycopsid Chaloneria also became common in Stephanian mires. These elements formed mire landscapes that had few analogues in the older Westphalian mire forests, dominated by tree lycopsids. Generic dominance patterns in the Stephanian became fairly consistent after the initial period of irregularity; however, the species composition of Stephanian mires was highly variable within generic themes. Ecological assemblages were persistent during most of the Westphalian and Stephanian. Patterns at the end-Westphalian suggest that high levels of species extinction disrupt self-regulatory properties of groups of species and create intervals of lóttery-like ecological dynamics. Opportunists may have an advantage during these periods, but ultimately they must give rise to species capable of site occupation. Thus the size of the extinction, and the proximity of existing species that can recolonize vacated resource space, will dictate whether speciation or colonization will rebuild the new landscapes.
Appendicectomies at a tertiary hospital: disease profile and surgical practices at Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg

Appendicitis is one of the commonest causes of abdominal pain in both genders, occurring more often younger people [1], with the gender predominance varying across regions [1,2]. The causes of this disease are not clear, with several pathophysiological hypotheses having been proposed. The dietary fiber hypothesis suggests that the disease may be caused by the consumption of a low fiber diet. The hygiene theory suggests that improvements in water supply and sewerage disposal lead to an increase in appendicitis cases in Britain in the late 19th century by reducing children’s exposure to enteric organisms, leading to an altered immune response to viral infections [1,3,4].