Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Harnessing the sun for an evergreen revolution: a study of solar-powered irrigation in Bihar, India

ABSTRACT In 2012, the government of Bihar revived 34 non-functioning public tubewells using solar panels. The performance of 16 of these wells over 12 months was tracked and analyzed using data from tubewell operators and 240 farmers. Access to affordable irrigation from solar pumps led to a 9–10% increase in productivity of rice and wheat. Furthermore, in a severe drought, farmers could grow paddy in the entire area irrigated by solar pumps, when nearly 40% of other land was left fallow. Solar pumps can help increase crop productivity, reduce the cost of irrigation, and make agriculture more resilient to climate change.
The socio-cultural and biological meaning of parenthood

Parenting a child is one of the most universal, common and fundamental assumptions the majority of men and women make from an early age about their future. This common and historic assumption was challenged in modernized Western societies in the 1960s with the opportunities for ‘mass control’ of reproduction and then again supported in the 1980s with the advance of ‘mass enhancement’ of reproduction. This study qualitatively assessed the meaning of parenthood of post modern British individuals of different ages, gender, cultural backgrounds and parity. The results of the Interpretative Phenomenological Analyses revealed a number of common ideologies about parenthood, and a number of specific age, gender, parity and cultural differences in how individuals interpret and experience parenthood. These individual differences play a significant part in the quality of life of people gaining or losing the opportunity to parent, as has been discussed ‘around the globe’ by Frank van Balen and his team, and must be considered in counselling people faced with decisions which challenge their personal and universal assumptions to parent a genetically related child.
Regulation of Copper Transporter 2 Expression by Copper and Cisplatin in Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

Down-regulation of copper transporter 1 (CTR1) reduces uptake and sensitivity, whereas down-regulation of CTR2 enhances both. Cisplatin (DDP) triggers the rapid degradation of CTR1 and thus limits its own accumulation. We sought to determine the effect of DDP and copper on the expression of CTR2. Changes in CTR1 and CTR2 mRNA and protein levels in human ovarian carcinoma 2008 cells and ATOX1(+/+) and ATOX1(−/−) mouse embryo fibroblasts in response to exposure to DDP and copper were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and deconvolution microscopy. DDP triggered rapid degradation of CTR1 in 2008 human ovarian cancer cells. However, it increased the expression of CTR2 mRNA and protein levels. Expression of CTR2 was heavily modulated by changes in intracellular copper concentration; copper depletion produced rapid disappearance of CTR2, whereas excess copper increased the level of CTR2 protein. This increase was associated with an increase in CTR2 mRNA and prolongation of the CTR2 half-life. Consistent with prior observations that short hairpin RNA interference-mediated knockdown of CTR2 enhanced DDP uptake and tumor cell kill, reduction of CTR2 by copper starvation also enhanced DDP uptake and cytotoxicity. Comparison of the ability of copper and DDP to modulate the expression of CTR1 in ATOX1(+/+) and ATOX1(−/−) indicated that ATOX1 participates in the regulation of CTR2 expression. Unlike CTR1, the expression of CTR2 is increased rather than decreased by DDP. Therefore, these two copper transporters have opposite effects on DDP sensitivity. CTR2 expression is regulated by copper availability via the copper-dependent regulator ATOX1.
Ultrastructure of Enteromyxum leei (Diamant, Lom, & Dyková, 1994) (Myxozoa), an Enteric Parasite Infecting Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) and Sharpsnout Sea Bream (Diplodus puntazzo)

ABSTRACT. The ultrastructure of the developmental stages of the myxozoan Enteromyxum leei parasitizing gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) intestine and sharpsnout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo) intestine and gallbladder are described. The earliest stage observed was a small dense trophozoite located among enterocytes. Proliferative stages, observed intercellularly in the epithelium of the intestine and gallbladder as well as in the lumen, possessed the typical cell‐in‐cell configuration throughout their development. Secondary cells were seen undergoing division within a common vacuolar membrane that also encompassed pairs of tertiary cells. Cytochemical studies showed that primary cells stored mainly lipids whereas secondary cells stored abundant β‐glycogen granules. Sporogonic development resembled that described for other disporous myxozoans. Within sporogonic stages, nonsporogonic secondary cells were observed accompanying two developing spores. Mature spores had a binucleated sporoplasm in which glycogen stores were abundant and no sporoplasmosomes were found. Our observations are discussed in relation to our knowledge on other myxozoans of the genus Enteromyxum.
The Influence of Internal Social Capital on Serial Creators’ Success in Crowdfunding

Interactions between project creators and backers on the crowdfunding platform represent the linchpin of every campaign. However, the resulting internal social capital has received little academic attention. To address this topic, we frame how internal social capital can develop through project track record and how internal social capital can spill over to external online communities. Focusing on the long–term implications of these manifestations of social capital, we empirically assess whether they can increase funding success beyond a single campaign. We test our hypotheses with two data sets derived from platform and survey sources and find support for the proposed relationships.
Eyeball Position in Facial Approximation: Accuracy of Methods for Predicting Globe Positioning in Lateral View

This study measured the accuracy of traditional and validated newly proposed methods for globe positioning in lateral view. Eighty lateral head cephalograms of adult subjects from Central Europe were taken, and the actual and predicted dimensions were compared. The anteroposterior eyeball position was estimated as the most accurate method based on the proportion of the orbital height (SEE = 1.9 mm) and was followed by the “tangent to the iris method” showing SEE = 2.4 mm. The traditional “tangent to the cornea method” underestimated the eyeball projection by SEE = 5.8 mm. Concerning the superoinferior eyeball position, the results showed a deviation from a central to a more superior position by 0.3 mm, on average, and the traditional method of central positioning of the globe could not be rejected as inaccurate (SEE = 0.3 mm). Based on regression analyzes or proportionality of the orbital height, the SEE = 2.1 mm.
Vibrotactile display for hand-held input device providing spatial and directional information

A hand-held input device providing vibrotactile cues is developed for transmitting spatial and directional information to the users controlling a mobile robot or a manipulator arm. A sphere-shaped handle is applied to make comfortable for gripping the handle, and the input device can provide six degrees of freedom motion of the handle. For maintaining isolation among vibrotactile actuators, surface of the sphere is divided into several pieces. Each vibrating module consists of a vibration motor, a piece of sphere surface and a vibration absorber. Spatial and directional information can be generated using sensory saltation and phantom sensation. As an evaluation of the developed device, two experiments were conducted. Experimental results show that the developed device is useful for displaying intuitive information for controlling mobile robot with vibrotactile feedback.
The evaluation of haemodynamics in cirrhotic patients with spectral CT

Objective: To evaluate haemodynamics in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension using spectral CT imaging. The group consisted of 21 subjects with functionality. All subjects three-phase spectral CT scans. Material decomposition images with water and iodine as basis material pairs were reconstructed. The iodine concentrations for the hepatic parenchyma in both arterial and portal venous phases were measured. The arterial iodine fraction (AIF) was obtained by dividing the iodine concentration in the hepatic arterial phase by that in the portal venous phase. AIF values from the study and control groups were compared using analysis of variance and between subgroups using a post-hoc test with Bonferroni correction, with a statistical significance of p , 0.05.
The Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire: A psychometric evaluation among college women

Abstract Individuals differ in the intensity of exercise that they prefer and the intensity that they can tolerate. We examined the psychometric properties of the Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire (PRETIE-Q; Ekkekakis, Hall, & Petruzzello, 2005: Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 27, 350 – 374). A sample of 601 college women (mean age 20 years) completed the PRETIE-Q and the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. Both the Preference and the Tolerance scale were internally consistent (alpha coefficients of 0.89 and 0.86, respectively), with all items making positive contributions. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that model fit was reasonable. Both Preference and Tolerance were related to the frequency of participation in strenuous exercise and the total leisure-time exercise score. The PRETIE-Q appears to be an internally consistent and structurally valid measure, with a broad range of possible applications in exercise science.
Performance analysis of the minimum variance beamformer

We present an analysis of the signal-to-interfere-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the output of the minimum variance beamformer. The analysis yields an explicit expression for the SINR in terms of the different parameters affecting the performance, including the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the interference-to-noise ratio (INR), the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), the angular separation between the desired signal and the interference, the array size and shape, the correlation between the desired signal and the interference, and the finite sample size.
MICROSURGICAL CERVICAL NERVE ROOT DECOMPRESSION VIA AN ANTEROLATERAL APPROACH: CLINICAL OUTCOME OF PATIENTS TREATED FOR SPONDYLOTIC RADICULOPATHY

OBJECTIVEWe previously reported our technique of selective microforaminotomy via an anterolateral approach for the treatment of spondylotic radiculopathy. We now report the clinical long-term results. METHODSA retrospective study of 40 patients who consecutively underwent operation via this technique was performed. Patients' demographic, clinical presentation, and radiological and surgical data were recorded by chart review. Long-term clinical outcome was assessed by a questionnaire, office visits, and intensive telephone interviews. The results were compared with the literature. RESULTSThe study was comprised of 22 women and 18 men with a mean age of 50.6 years (age range, 33.1–75.2 yr). Preoperatively, 98% (n = 39) of the patients presented radicular pain, 88% (n = 35) of the patients presented with neck pain, 75% (n = 30) of the patients presented with a sensory deficit, and 45% (n = 18) of the patients presented with a motor deficit. Patients underwent operation at one level (n = 15), two levels (n = 23), or three levels (n = 2). One patient underwent operation bilaterally in a two-step procedure. In total, 68 cervical nerve roots were completely decompressed by this technique. On the basis of preoperative x-ray criteria of instability, two patients (5%) required graft arthrodesis, which was performed during the same surgery after the nerve root decompression. After a mean follow-up period of 4.3 years (range, 2.7–7.4 yr), 85% of the patients have no residual radicular pain, 94% of the patients have no more neck pain, 90% of the patients recovered from their sensory deficits, and 83% of the patients recovered from their motor deficits. According to Odom's criteria, 95% achieved an excellent or good outcome (Odom Grades I and II). No postoperative instability occurred. The transient and permanent morbidity rates were 7.5% (n = 3) and 2.5% (n = 1), respectively; one patient has permanent Horner's syndrome. CONCLUSIONThe technique of microsurgical cervical nerve root decompression by selective microforaminotomy via an anterolateral approach is safe and efficient for the treatment of spondylotic radiculopathy. The morbidity rate is low. Clinical results are good after a long-term follow-up period. This technique allows the preservation of cervical motion and spinal stability. The results compare favorably to those of the literature.
Clinical Features and Follow-up of Congenital Syphilis

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate clinical features and outcomes of children treated for congenital syphilis (CS). Methods Infants born alive in the public sector of São Lucas Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 1997 to 2004, whose mothers had syphilis and neonates with CS born in other facilities and admitted during this period were included. Follow-up was performed from birth up to 5 years. Results Among 24,920 live births, 379 (1.5%) met the criteria for CS. A further 19 infants born in other hospitals were included, for a total of 398 with CS. We compared infants with CS with 120 infants whose mothers received adequate treatment of syphilis before delivery (total sample, 518 infants). Congenital syphilis was associated with delivery before 34 weeks, low birth weight, and small for gestational age. During the study period, 37 stillbirths with CS were detected. Result from the serum venereal disease research laboratory test was negative at birth in 17.5% of the neonates with CS, and in 4 infants, it became positive after the second day. Thirty percent of the infants with CS were reevaluated between 8 and 60 months, and most had a good outcome when managed according to standard guidelines. Sixteen infants (13.3%) had sequelae. Of these, 8 were symptomatic in the neonatal period, and 13 (81%) of 16 had laboratory/x-ray findings. All asymptomatic and 78% of symptomatic infants had nonreactive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test after 12 months of age. Conclusions Congenital syphilis remains an impacting disease that causes fetal and neonatal deaths, prematurity, low birth weight, and severe and irreversible sequelae in some children. This study confirms the value of standard guidelines for its management.
Dot Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for More Reliable Staging of Patients with Human African Trypanosomiasis

ABSTRACT Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a disease characterized by a hemolymphatic stage 1 followed by a meningoencephalitic stage 2 which is fatal without specific treatment. Furthermore, due to the toxicity of drugs used to treat stage 2 (mainly melarsoprol) accurate staging is required. Actual criteria employed during field surveys are not sensitive enough for precise staging. Antineurofilament (anti-NF) and antigalactocerebrosides (anti-GalC) antibodies have been identified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as potential markers of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. We describe a dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) to detect anti-GalC and anti-NF antibodies and its value in staging. NF- and GalC-dotted nitrocellulose strips were first developed in our laboratory. They were then evaluated in Angola and Central African Republic on 140 CSF samples. Compared to our staging criteria (i.e., CSF cell count ≥ 20 cells/μl, CSF immunoglobulin M concentration ≥ 100 mg/liter, and/or the presence of trypanosomes in the CSF), combined detection of both CSF anti-NF and CSF anti-GalC by dot-ELISA showed 83.2% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity. Dot-ELISA could be a useful test to diagnose CNS involvement in HAT in the less-equipped laboratories or in the field situation and to improve patient treatment.
A review of pharmacologic strategies for switching to atypical antipsychotics.

BACKGROUND In daily clinical practice, frequent switching of antipsychotic medications is widespread. There are various reasons for switching, including a partial or complete lack of efficacy, adverse side effects, and partial or noncompliance with medication. Patients switched from conventional drugs to oral atypical antipsychotic drugs have been shown to benefit from significant improvements in clinical response and tolerability. This review examines the strategies for switching patients from conventional antipsychotic drugs to both oral and long-acting formulations of atypical antipsychotic drugs that are the recommended treatment in the majority of patients with schizophrenia. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION An electronic literature search of relevant studies using MEDLINE (January 1994-June 2004) was performed using the search terms antipsychotic, atypical, conventional, schizophrenia, and switching. English-language articles, references from bibliographies of reviews, original research articles, and other articles of interest were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data quality was determined by publication in the peer-reviewed literature and the most important information identified. Data from clinical trials suggest that switching to an atypical antipsychotic drug is beneficial for the patient with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS If initiated appropriately, switching to atypical antipsychotic medications should not compromise patient functioning; indeed, individualized strategies have been shown to provide continuous treatment efficacy. Switching to atypical antipsychotic therapy should, therefore, be employed as a pharmacologic strategy to maximize patient outcomes.
Effects of transforaminal balloon treatment in patients with lumbar foraminal stenosis: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common condition in the elderly. Although balloon treatment is a well-known therapeutic method in specific pain conditions, applying the balloon treatment in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis is not yet well established. OBJECTIVES We tested the therapeutic effect of transforaminal balloon treatment with a Fogarty balloon catheter on body pain and functional performance in patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, active control trial. SETTING A tertiary, interventional pain management practice, specialty referral center. METHODS Sixty-two patients with refractory unilateral radiculopathy aggravated by walking were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive transforaminal steroid injection after transforaminal balloon treatment using a 3 Fr balloon catheter (n = 32) or the same procedure without balloon treatment (n = 30). The patients were prohibited from making any alterations to their medications during the 12 weeks of their follow-up period. After the first 12 weeks, the patients who had persistent symptoms or unbearable pain were allowed to increase the dose of analgesics or to receive additional interventional treatment. OUTCOME ASSESSMENT Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores for the leg and lower back, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and claudication distance were measured at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks post procedure. During the 52 weeks of the overall follow-up period, the patients achieving ≥ 50% leg pain relief without additional treatment or increasing the dose of analgesics were evaluated. RESULTS Significant improvement occurred compared to baseline in VAS (P < 0.001), ODI (P < 0.001), and claudication distance (P < 0.001) in the balloon group during the overall follow-up period, whereas the improvement in ODI (P < 0.05) and claudication distance (P < 0.05) in the control group persisted for 8 weeks. The balloon group showed better improvement in leg VAS (P < 0.05), ODI (P < 0.05), and claudication distance (P < 0.05) than the control group at all post-procedure assessment points. Kaplan-Meier analysis of the duration of the patients achieving ≥ 50% leg pain relief without additional treatment or increasing the dose of analgesics showed a significant intergroup difference between the balloon and control (P = 0.003) groups. Six patients (18.8%) in balloon group maintained ≥ 50% pain relief for 52 weeks whereas no patient (0%) did in control group. LIMITATIONS Our study is an active-controlled randomized design with a relatively small number of patients. CONCLUSION Transforaminal balloon treatment leads to both significant pain relief and functional improvement in a subset of patients with refractory spinal stenosis. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Asan Medical Center.
[Food consumption trend of Chinese adults in nine provinces (autonomous region) from 1989 to 2006].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the trends of food consumption among Chinese residents aged from 18 to 59 years old in 9 provinces (autonomous region) from 1989 to 2006. METHODS The paper was based on data collected in 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006 China Health and Nutrition Survey of Chinese residents of 24 h in three consecutive day dietary recall data. The healthy residents aged 18 - 59 years with twenty-four-hour dietary recall data were selected as study subjects. The sample sizes of these seven surveys were 5766, 7296, 7019, 7599, 8143, 7168 and 6827, respectively. The trends of their food consumption in each year were analyzed through Kruskal-wallis method. RESULTS The intake of cereals decreased significantly from (528.5 ± 192.9) g/d in 1989 to (427.7 ± 173.8) g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 2833.13, P < 0.01). The minor variation of soybean food intake was observed. The average intake was (22.3 ± 39.4) g/d in 1989 and (18.9 ± 30.5) g/d in 2006 which was still at a low level. The trend of vegetables intake showed a small decrease. It was (374.5 ± 205.9) g/d in males and (346.4 ± 187.6) g/d in females in 2006, respectively. Both quantity and rate of fruits consumption showed an increase trend. Its consumption rate reached at 22.5% (741/3296) in males and 27.7% (1004/3619) in females in 2006, respectively. The average intake increased from (122.4 ± 126.9) g/d in 1989 to (228.5 ± 267.3) g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 539.66, P < 0.01). At the same time, the daily intake of meat and egg showed a large increase, the average meat intake increased from (97.0 ± 111.5) g/d in males and (80.2 ± 97.0) g/d in females in 1989 to (141.5 ± 125.2) g/d in males and (118.4 ± 111.8) g/d in females in 2006, respectively. The oil consumption showed a significant increase. The average intake increased from (30.4 ± 37.9) g/d in 1989 to (42.8 ± 32.3) g/d in 2006 (χ(2) = 1646.94, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS There have been noticeable changes in the Chinese dietary pattern in the past 17 years. Some changes would be helpful for nutritional improvement in Chinese people, but it also caused some adverse effects on health because of improper food consumption.