Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Scoping Review and Prevalence Analysis of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections in Honduras

Background Honduras is endemic for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, but critical information gaps still remain on the prevalence and intensity of these infections as well as on their spatial distribution at subnational levels. Objectives Firstly, to review the research activity on STH infections in Honduras and secondly, to carry out a national prevalence analysis and map the geographical distribution of these infections in children. Methods A systematic search was conducted of the published and grey literature to identify scientific work on the impact and prevalence of STH infections done between May 1930 and June 30, 2012. International databases and Honduran journals were searched. Grey literature was gleaned from local libraries and key informants. Select studies conducted between 2001 and 2012 were used to produce prevalence maps and to investigate association between STH prevalence and socio-economic and environmental factors. Results Of 257 identified studies, 211 (21.4% peer-reviewed) were retained for analysis and categorized as clinical research (10.9%), treatment efficacy studies (8.1%) or epidemiological studies (81%). Prevalence analysis and geographical mapping included 36 epidemiological studies from Honduras's 18 departments and 23% of its municipalities. Overall STH prevalence was >50% in 40.6% of municipalities. Prevalences above 20% for each trichuriasis, ascariasis, and hookworm infection were found in 68%, 47.8%, and 7.2% of studied municipalities, respectively. Municipalities with lower human development index, less access to of potable water, and with higher annual precipitation showed higher STH prevalences. Conclusions This is the first study to provide a comprehensive historic review of STH research activity and prevalence in Honduras, revealing important knowledge gaps related to infection risk factors, disease burden, and anti-parasitic drug efficacy, among others. Our decade-long prevalence analysis reveals geographical differences in STH prevalence and these findings suggest that differential intervention strategies might be necessary in Honduras for the control of these infections.
The effect of permethrin‐impregnated bednets on a population of Anopheles farauti in coastal Papua New Guinea

Abstract. The effect of introducing bednets impregnated with 0.4 g/m2 permethrin on local populations of the malaria vector mosquitoes Anopheles farauti Laveran and An.koliensis Owen was monitored in a coastal village of Papua New Guinea. Whole‐night landing collections were undertaken for 25 consecutive nights before and 21 nights after the introduction of the nets. Capture‐recapture experiments and resting collections were also performed before and after the introduction of the nets.
Chemical composition and bioactivity of different oregano (Origanum vulgare) extracts and essential oil.

BACKGROUND There is a growing interest in industry to replace synthetic chemicals by natural products with bioactive properties. Aromatic plants are excellent sources of bioactive compounds that can be extracted using several processes. As far as oregano is concerned, studies are lacking addressing the effect of extraction processes in bioactivity of extracts. This study aimed to characterise the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial properties of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil and extracts (in hot and cold water, and ethanol), and the chemical composition of its essential oil. RESULTS The major components of oregano essential oil were carvacrol, β-fenchyl alcohol, thymol, and γ-terpinene. Hot water extract had the strongest antioxidant properties and the highest phenolic content. All extracts were ineffective in inhibiting the growth of the seven tested bacteria. In contrast, the essential oil inhibited the growth of all bacteria, causing greater reductions on both Listeria strains (L. monocytogenes and L. innocua). CONCLUSION O. vulgare extracts and essential oil from Portuguese origin are strong candidates to replace synthetic chemicals used by the industry.
Effect of Instruction in Emotional Intelligence Skills on Locus of Control and Academic Self-Efficacy among Junior Secondary School Students in Niger State, Nigeria.

This study investigated the effect of instruction i n emotional intelligence Skills on locus of control and academic self-efficacy among junior secondary school students in Niger state, Nigeria. This study emp loyed a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group, p re-test ‐ post-test design. The population of this study was 105,034 secondary school students out of which 40 s tudents were purposively sampled and used for the s tudy. The instrument used for data collection were locus of control scale(LOCS) and Academic Self Efficacy Scales (ASES). Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. The findings reveals that, Emotio nal intelligence skills was effective in moderating loc us of control (t=23.98, p=.000) and improve academic selfefficacy (t=22.88, p=.000) of secondary school stud ents. And there was no gender difference in the ef fect of emotional intelligence skills on locus of control ( t=1.02, p=.064) and academic self-efficacy (t=3.41, p=.003) of respondents. It was recommended that School Principals, counsellors, Psychologist and Subject teachers should be exposed to training in Emotional intelligence sk ills such as emotional self-awareness, self-managem ent, social- awareness and relationship management in re -addressing students with academic problems.
Glucosensing in parvocellular neurons of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Specialized hypothalamic neurons responding to rising extracellular glucose via increases or decreases in their electrical activity [glucose‐excited (GE) and glucose‐inhibited (GI) cells, respectively] have been reported in the hypothalamic arcuate, ventromedial and lateral nuclei. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is an important neurosecretory and preautonomic output nucleus. We tested whether parvocellular PVN neurons also possess glucosensing properties, using patch‐clamp recording and immunocytochemistry. Putative neurosecretory (p‐NS) and preautonomic (p‐PA) cells were identified electrophysiologically. Although parvocellular neurons were insensitive to transitions from 10 to 2.5 mm glucose, approximately 68% of p‐PA cells responded directly to glucopenia (mimicked by a step to 0.2 mm glucose) with an increased membrane conductance. Of these, approximately 24% hyperpolarized (accompanied by an outward current) and thus were GE, approximately 26% depolarized (with an inward current, thus GI) and approximately 18% did not change membrane potential. The concentration dependence of the glucose response was similar for both GE and GI cells (EC50 of 0.67–0.7 mm), but was steep, with Hill slopes of 3–4. The KATP channel blockers glibenclamide and tolbutamide did not prevent, while the KATP channel opener diazoxide did not mimic, the effects of low glucose on GE neurons. Moreover, the KATP sulfonylurea receptor SUR1 was not detected in glucosensitive neurons. We conclude that the PVN contains previously unknown GE and GI cells that could participate in regulation of autonomic functions. GE neurons in the PVN sense ambient glucose via a unique mechanism, probably independent of KATP channels, in contrast to neurons in other hypothalamic nuclei.
Ethnicity and postmigration health trajectory in new immigrants to Canada.

OBJECTIVES In this prospective cohort study, we examined the trajectory of general health during the first 4 years after new immigrants' arrival in Canada. We focused on the change in self-rated health trajectories and their gender and ethnic disparities. METHODS Data were derived from the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada and were collected between April 2001 and November 2005 by Statistics Canada. We used weighted samples of 3309 men and 3351 women aged between 20 and 59 years. RESULTS At arrival, only 3.5% of new immigrants rated their general health as poor. Significant and steady increases in poor health were revealed during the following 4 years, especially among ethnic minorities and women. Specifically, we found a higher risk of poor health among West Asian and Chinese men and among South Asian and Chinese women than among their European counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Newly arrived immigrants are extremely healthy, but the health advantage dissipates rapidly during the initial years of settlement in Canada. Women and minority ethnic groups may be more vulnerable to social changes and postmigration settlement.
Understanding the drivers of capital flows into the CESEE countries

We analyze the relationship between global factors and country-specific capital flow dynamics in a sample of 12 Central, Eastern and Southeastern European (CESEE) countries from 1994 until 2014. We detect a pronounced time-varying pattern of capital flow volatility that mirrors well-known crisis episodes in several instances. We show that the global co-movement of macroeconomic, financial and capital flow variables is able to explain the lion’s share of volatility of gross capital inflows into CESEE economies and that it became even more important after the 2008/09 global financial crisis. In particular, global financial factors that approximate the global financial cycle explain by far the largest share of capital flow volatility, followed by the global real business cycle component. If common global factors are dominant in explaining the volatility of gross capital inflows, a combination of better international coordination of economic policies, macroprudential measures or capital flow management instruments is advisable to smooth the capital flow cycle. We also show that gross capital inflows were so sizeable in some countries between 2003 and 2008 that common global (financial) factors like the buildup of global leverage were not as dominant as in other periods – a result that could partly be the outcome of the strategic positioning of foreign banks in the region.
Endoscopic biliary stenting facilitates safe and early removal of T-tube in liver transplant patients.

AIM Duct to duct anastomosis in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patients have been traditionally performed with a t-tube in place for 3 to 6 months. Following removal of the t-tube a high incidence of biliary leakage has been reported. METHODS Prospective study to evaluate the role of endoscopic biliary stenting to facilitate early and uncomplicated t-tube removal. All patients with duct to duct biliary anastomosis who had a t-tube in situ, from January 1998 to December 2002 were included in this study. RESULTS There were 29 patients eligible for the study. Eight patients were not included due to early death. A protocol t-tube cholangiogram was performed in all patients, (median 12 days; range 4-47 days) followed by an endoscopic stent insertion (median 37 days; range 20-55 days). The stent was removed later (median 84 days; range 45-133 days). All complications related to the procedure were noted. Stent insertion was successful in all cases. In 2 patients a second endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was necessary, either because of failure to cannulate the papilla or to reposition the stent. There was a patient who presented a biliary leak due to stent displacement requiring a laparotomy. There were two further biliary leaks, one of them in an asymptomatic patient, which were managed conservatively. In addition 1 patient developed a mild case of postERCP pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS In liver transplants patients with an end-to-end choledochostomy with a t-tube, endoscopic biliary stenting allows an early removal of the T tube, with few complications.
Signal Vector Based Detection Scheme for Spatial Modulation

In this letter, a novel signal vector based detection (SVD) scheme for spatial modulation (SM) system is proposed. For analytical tractability, we focus on the system in which only one antenna is active during one time slot. Through the theoretical analysis and simulation results, it is shown that the performance of SVD scheme can agree well with the result of the optimal maximum likelihood (ML) detection. The proposed SVD approach also provides significant reduction in complexity as compared with other detection schemes, especially for high-order signaling constellation.
Use of posttraumatic stress disorder to support an insanity defense.

OBJECTIVE The authors examine the allegation that the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently abused in the legal system as the basis for a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity. METHOD Data for the investigation were drawn from a study of insanity pleas gathered from court records in 49 counties in eight states. Data on the 28 insanity plea defendants for whom PTSD was diagnosed before or immediately after trial were compared with data on 8,135 defendants whose insanity pleas were based on other diagnoses. RESULTS Insanity pleas by defendants with diagnoses of PTSD constituted only 0.3% of the cases. There were few significant differences between the two groups on demographic variables, psychiatric histories, previous involvement in crime, or current charges. The defendants with PTSD were more likely to have been married, less likely to have been arrested as juveniles, and less likely to have been detained after trial. CONCLUSIONS Contrary to previously expressed concerns, PTSD was infrequently associated with an insanity defense in the cases in this study. In the cases in which pleas based on PTSD were used, they were no more likely to succeed than pleas based on any other diagnosis. Defendants with PTSD-related insanity defenses differed little from other insanity defendants, contradicting the stereotype of the person who is driven by PTSD to commit crimes. The data do not support fears of widespread misuse of the diagnosis of PTSD in connection with the insanity defense.
Body sway, aim point fluctuation and performance in rifle shooters: inter- and intra-individual analysis

In this study, we examined the relationships between body sway, aim point fluctuation and performance in rifle shooting on an inter- and intra-individual basis. Six elite shooters performed 20 shots under competition conditions. For each shot, body sway parameters and four aim point fluctuation parameters were quantified for the time periods 5 s to shot, 3 s to shot and 1 s to shot. Three parameters were used to indicate performance. An AMTI LG6-4 force plate was used to measure body sway parameters, while a SCATT shooting analysis system was used to measure aim point fluctuation and shooting performance. Multiple regression analysis indicated that body sway was related to performance for four shooters. Also, body sway was related to aim point fluctuation for all shooters. These relationships were specific to the individual, with the strength of association, parameters of importance and time period of importance different for different shooters. Correlation analysis of significant regressions indicated that, as body sway increased, performance decreased and aim point fluctuation increased for most relationships. We conclude that body sway and aim point fluctuation are important in elite rifle shooting and performance errors are highly individual-specific at this standard. Individual analysis should be a priority when examining elite sports performance.
Effect of a Noise Reduction Program on a Medical— Surgical Unit

This quasi-experimental study tested an intervention to reduce sound levels in an acute care hospital. A parallel pre- and posttest design with control group was used; patients and employees completed the Topf Adapted Sound Disturbance Scales, and environmental sound levels were recorded on a Quest 2900 Sound Level Meter. Treatment interventions included an educational PowerPoint presentation for employees, minor environmental acoustical alterations, and the use of a Quest 261 Sound Detector/Controller for behavioral modification. None of these interventions produced statistically significant changes in sound levels. Patients and employees reported slightly less disturbance due to noise postintervention on the treatment unit. The findings of this study support Philbin and Gray's suggestion that the use of sound-absorbing materials in the hospital's physical structure may be the most effective measure to reduce sound levels in the hospital setting.
Telomerase expression in the glial scar of rats with spinal cord injury

A rat model of spinal cord injury was established using the weight drop method. A cavity formed 14 days following spinal cord injury, and compact scar tissue formed by 56 days. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results demonstrated that glial fibrillary acidic protein and telomerase expression increased gradually after injury, peaked at 28 days, and then gradually decreased. Spearman rank correlation showed a positive correlation between glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and telomerase expression in the glial scar. These results suggest that telomerase promotes glial scar formation.
Evaluating The Risk Of Osteoporosis Through Bone Mass Density.

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is a bone disorder, characterized by loss of bone mass density. Osteoporosis affects more than 30% of post-menopausal women. Osteoporosis is often associated with restricted body movement, pain and joint deformities. Early identification and early intervention can help in reducing these complications. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the burden of Osteoporosis in Urban setting of Sindh among women of different age groups and to access the effect of different protective measures that can reduce the risk of Osteoporosis. METHODS In this study, 500 women's of 3 major cities of Sindh were approached by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Women bearing age 20 years or more were included. Women who fall under inclusion criteria were screened for BMD (Bone mineral density) test and were classified as Healthy, Osteopenic and Osteoporotic based on their T-score. The association of different protective measures and risk of osteoporosis was assessed by prevalence relative risk (PRR). RESULTS The result of this study indicate that the burden of Osteoporosis is very high among the women of Sindh, only 17.4% (84) women were found to have normal BMD score. The life style of majority of women was sedentary. The PRR calculated for Exposure to sunlight, regular exercise, and use of nutritional supplement was 12.5, 5.19 and 2.72 folds respectively. CONCLUSIONS The results of study reveal that exposure to sunlight, regular physical exercise and use of nutritional supplements found to be effective in reducing the risk of osteoporosis among women of all age group. Health education and promotion toward osteoporosis prevention can significantly contribute in reducing the morbidity of osteoporosis.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Interpersonal Process in Homeless Veterans Participating in a Peer Mentoring Intervention: Associations With Program Benefit.

Homelessness among veterans has dropped dramatically since the expansion of services for homeless veterans in 2009, and now engaging homeless veterans in existing programs will be important to continuing to make progress. While one promising approach for engaging homeless veterans in care is involving peer mentors in integrated services, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may diminish the effects of peer mentorship. This mixed methods study examined how interpersonal and emotional processes in homeless veterans with and without PTSD impacted their capacity to engage in relationships with peer mentors. Four focus groups of 5-8 homeless male veterans (N = 22) were drawn from a larger multisite randomized trial. Qualitative analysis identified five primary themes: disconnectedness; anger, hostility, or resentment; connecting with others; positive view of self; and feeling like an outsider. Thematic comparisons between participants with and without a self-reported PTSD diagnosis, and between those who did and did not benefit from the peer mentor program, were validated by using quantitative methods. Disconnectedness was associated with self-reported PTSD diagnosis and with lack of program benefit; feeling like an outsider was associated with program benefit. Results suggest that disruption to the capacity to develop and maintain social bonds in PTSD may interfere with the capacity to benefit from peer mentorship. Social rules and basic strategies for navigating interpersonal relationships may differ somewhat within the homeless community and outside of it; for veterans who feel disconnected from the domiciled community, a formerly homeless veteran peer may serve as a critical "bridge" between the two social worlds. (PsycINFO Database Record
Proximity under Threat: The Role of Physical Distance in Intergroup Relations

Throughout human history, social groups have invested immense amounts of wealth and time to keep threatening out-groups at a distance. In the current research, we explored the relationship between intergroup threat, physical distance, and discrimination. Specifically, we examined how intergroup threat alters estimates of physical distance to out-groups and how physical proximity affects intergroup relations. Previous research has found that people judge threatening out-groups as physically close. In Studies 1 and 2, we examined ways to attenuate this bias. In Study 1 a secure (vs. permeable) US-Mexico border reduced the estimated proximity to Mexico City among Americans who felt threatened by Mexican immigration. In Study 2, intergroup apologies reduced estimates of physical proximity to a threatening cross-town rival university, but only among participants with cross-group friendships. In Study 3, New York Yankees fans who received an experimental induction of physical proximity to a threatening out-group (Boston Red Sox) had a stronger relationship between their collective identification with the New York Yankees and support for discriminatory policies toward members of the out-group (Red Sox fans) as well as how far they chose to sit from out-group members (Red Sox fans). Together, these studies suggest that intergroup threat alters judgment of physical properties, which has important implications for intergroup relations.
Vitamin D and white matter abnormalities in older adults: a cross‐sectional neuroimaging study

Morphological brain changes related to hypovitaminosis D have been poorly studied. In particular, the age‐related decrease in vitamin D concentrations may explain the onset of white matter abnormalities (WMA) in older adults. Our objectives were (i) to investigate whether there was an association between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and the grade of WMA in older adults and (ii) to determine whether the location of WMA was associated with 25OHD concentration.