Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Addressing the Childhood Obesity Crisis: A Call to Action

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing in the United States and globally. Associated with numerous comorbid conditions, childhood obesity is also recognized as a risk factor for multiple chronic conditions and premature mortality in adult life. Children and adolescents, particularly those from ethnic minorities and rural low income populations, bear an excess burden of obesity and its attendant comorbidities. A major contributor to childhood obesity is a physical and social environment that promotes foods high in fat and calories and minimizes the opportunities for physical activity. Despite the strong environmental influences that encourage overeating and sedentary behavior, weight maintenance is viewed as a personal responsibility. Addressing the obesity crisis requires a paradigm shift away from blaming individuals for the lack of willpower to control their eating and physical activity to one of recognizing the “toxic” or “obesigenic” environment as a primary determinant. This article addresses the obesity crisis from individual, family, local community, and public policy perspectives. Emphasis is placed on the role of nurses and nursing, acting to promote change with individuals and families and acting as advocates for multilevel policy initiatives, in reversing the epidemic and improving the health of future generations.
Blocking Indoleamine Dioxygenase Activity Early After Rat Liver Transplantation Prevents Long-Term Survival But Does Not Cause Acute Rejection

In a well-characterized rat model of liver transplantation, Piebald Virol Glaxo strain livers are accepted long term in fully mismatched Dark Agouti recipients (tolerance; TOL), but rejected in Lewis recipients (rejection; REJ). Spontaneous tolerance induction is associated with increased interferon-&ggr; expression, and we examined the role of the interferon-&ggr;-inducible immunomodulatory enzyme indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO) in this model. On day 3 after transplantation, IDO expression in the spleen of TOL recipients was significantly greater than in REJ. The B-cell population accounted for this early IDO increase. Intragraft expression of IDO increased to the same extent in both TOL and REJ. IDO inhibition for 7 days after transplantation reduced survival, but did not cause acute rejection of the liver in the TOL model. In conclusion, the differential IDO expression by B lymphocytes in the spleen of TOL recipients is not critical for preventing acute rejection.
Effects of ambient particulate matter on peak expiratory flow rates and respiratory symptoms of asthmatics during Asian dust periods in Korea

Objective: Dust generating events frequently produce ambient dust particles that are less than 10 µm in diameter, and these have been linked to adverse effects in the general population. However, the evidence linking these particles to adverse effects on the airways of asthmatic individuals is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible adverse effects of Asian dust events on the respiratory functions and symptoms of subjects with bronchial asthma.
Massive Gastric Dilatation Secondary to Duodenal Tuberculosis : A Case Report

Primary duodenal tuberculosis is an uncommon disease. Massive gastric dilatation secondary to duodenal tuberculosis is even a rarer event. A case is reported of a 40 year old lady who presented with gastric outlet obstruction with massive gastric dilatation. Endoscopy and CT scan abdomen was non-diagnostic. With the impression of duodenal stricture secondary to peptic ulcer cicatrisation and to rule out duodenal malignancy, she was operated in view of complete duodenal obstruction. The diagnosis of duodenal tuberculosis was made post-operatively.
Anxiety disorders in 318 bipolar patients: prevalence and impact on illness severity and response to mood stabilizer.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and impact of anxiety disorders on illness severity and response to mood stabilizers in bipolar disorders. METHOD 318 bipolar patients consecutively admitted to the psychiatric wards of 2 centers as inpatients were recruited. Patients were interviewed with a French version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies providing DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses and demographic and historical illness characteristics. Logistic and linear regressions to adjust for age and sex were performed. RESULTS In a population with mostly bipolar type I patients (75%), 24% had at least 1 lifetime anxiety disorder (47% of these patients had more than 1 such disorder), 16% of patients had panic disorder (with and without agoraphobia, and panic attacks), 11% had phobia (agoraphobia without panic disorder, social phobia, and other specific phobias), and 3% had obsessive-compulsive disorder. Comorbidity with anxiety disorders was not correlated with severity of bipolar illness as assessed by the number of hospitalizations, psychotic characteristics, misuse of alcohol and drugs, and suicide attempts (violent and nonviolent). Bipolar patients with an early onset of illness had more comorbidity with panic disorder (p <.05). Anxiety disorders were detected more frequently in bipolar II patients than in other patients, but this difference was not significant (p =.09). Bipolar patients with anxiety responded less well to anticonvulsant drugs than did bipolar subjects without anxiety disorder (p <.05), whereas the efficacy of lithium was similar in the 2 groups. There was also a strong correlation between comorbid anxiety disorders and depressive temperament in bipolar patients (p =.004). CONCLUSION Patients with bipolar disorders often have comorbid anxiety disorders, particularly patients with depressive temperament, and the level of comorbidity seems to decrease the response to anticonvulsant drugs.
Mineralization of atrazine in agricultural soil: Inhibition by nitrogen

Microbial mineralization of atrazine was characterized in soils and liquid media in the presence of nitrogen fertilizer concentrations representing typical field applications. The mineralization of atrazine in soils varied between 6 and 99% after 18 d of incubation. Half‐lives of between 0.99 and more than 18 d were obtained. Mineralization kinetics and degree are related by a reciprocal trend to concentrations of available nitrogen in the soil. In liquid media, half‐lives were calculated as 0.12 d in the absence of fertilizer nitrogen and as 79 d in the presence of 1,000 mg/L of KNO3‐N. Only 20% of atrazine was mineralized after 18 d of incubation in the presence of this concentration of KNO3‐N, whereas greater than 90% mineralization occurred after 2 d of incubation in liquid medium without KNO3‐N. The results demonstrate that the mineralization of atrazine is inhibited even at fertilizer nitrogen levels lower than typical field applications. Inhibition in soil is lower than that in liquid medium, possibly because of the higher complexity of the soil system. This may explain why atrazine that infiltrates to the groundwater is persistent. The microbial consortium of the soils was characterized, and seven species were identified. The degrading capacity of these species suggests that only three species are involved in the degradation of atrazine.
Microalbuminuria in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of microalbuminuria (MAU) and albumin excretion rate (AER) in a timed overnight (12 hours) urine sample, in 72 insulin-dependent-diabetic (IDD) patients and to correlate the same to the clinical profile, glycemic control and to diabetic complications. Nine IDD patients (prevalence--12.5%) were detected to be microalbuminuric. Males had significantly higher prevalence of MAU (17.4%) than females (3.8%; p < 0.05). The prevalence of MAU was 4% in the third decade of age, 15% each in the fourth and fifth and 28.6% and 60% in the sixth decade and above (p < 0.05%). Prevalence of MAU also increased progressively with duration of diabetes. It increased from 8.3% (< 5 yrs) to 12.5% (6-10 yrs) and 33.3% (> 15 yrs). High AER in obese patients--33.1 +/- 23.2 v/s 11.4 +/- 3.4 micrograms/min in lean patients supports an association of obesity with albuminuria. Higher prevalences of MAU (62.5%; p < 0.001) was observed in hypertensive IDD patients in comparison to normotensive patients (3.6%). AER in patients with borderline hypertension (21.0 +/- 14.5 micrograms/min; p < 0.05) and in overt hypertensives (49.1 +/- 19.2 micrograms/min; p < 0.0005) were significantly higher compared to normotensive IDD-patients (6.2 +/- 2.4 micrograms/min). Prevalence of MAU and AER increased progressively with the deterioration of glycemic control. Well controlled subjects were normoalbuminuric. The incidence of MAU increased from 11.1% in fairly controlled (NS) and 21.1% in poorly controlled (p < 0.01) subjects. Also AER increased significantly from 2.4 +/- 0.5 micrograms/min. to 9.8 +/- 6.7 and 23.1 +/- 7.3 micrograms/min with the deterioration of glycemic control. Glycemic control in terms of glycated hemoglobin (GHb) did not show much agreement with the prevalence of MAU and AER, though they worsened with deteriorating control. The prevalences of peripheral neuropathy (PN) (34.4% v/s 33.3%) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) (9.8% v/s 11.1%) were similar in normo- and microalbuminuric patients. Patients with PN had high AER (15.2 +/- 6.3 micrograms/min). Also, AER was significantly high in patients with DR (27.7 +/- 23.5 micrograms/min; p < 0.05). High prevalences of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) (33.3%; p < 0.05) were observed in microalbuminuric compared to normoalbuminuric (1.6%) patients. Also AER was significantly high in association with CVD (53.9 +/- 21.9 micrograms/min; p < 0.0005). It can be concluded that, in IDD patients, MAU is common in males, older individuals and subjects with longer duration of diabetes. Raised blood pressure and hyperglycemia were identified as risk factors for the development of MAU.
Comparison of Five Expression Vectors for the Ha Gene in Constructing a DNA Vaccine for H6N2 Influenza Virus in Chickens

A number of eukaryotic expression vectors have been developed for use as DNA vaccines. They showed varying abilities to initiate immune responses; however, there is little data to indicate which of these vectors will be the most useful and practical for DNA vaccines in different species. This report examines the use of five expression vectors with different promoters and Kozak sequence to express the same hemagglutinin (HA) protein of an H6N2 avian influenza virus for DNA vaccination in chickens. Although intramuscular vaccination with seven DNA constructs elicited no or limited measurable H6 HA antibody responses in Hy-Line chickens, variable reduction in virus shedding for either oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs post-virus challenge were observed. This indicated that all DNA constructs generated some levels of protective immunity against homologous virus challenge. Interestingly, lower dose (50 or 100 μg) of plasmid DNAs consistently induced better immune response than higher dose (300 or 500 μg). In the transfection experiments there appeared to be a hierarchy in the in vitro expression efficiency in the order of pCAG-optiHAk/ pCAG-HAk > pCI-HAk > VR-HA > pCI-HA > pCI-neo-HA > pVAX-HA. Since the level of in vitro expression correlates with the level of immune response in vivo, in vitro expression levels of the DNA constructs can be used as an indicator for pre-selection of plasmid vaccines prior to in vivo assessment. Moreover, our results suggested that the Kozak sequence could be used as an effective tool for DNA vaccine design.
Analysis of the Role of the Type III Effector Inventory of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448a in Interaction with the Plant

ABSTRACT In Pseudomonas syringae, the type III secretion system (T3SS) is essential for disease in compatible hosts and for eliciting the hypersensitive response in incompatible hosts. P. syringae pathovars secrete a variable number of type III effectors that form their secretomes. The secretome of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448a (Pph1448a) currently includes 22 experimentally validated effectors, one HrpL-regulated candidate for which translocation results have been inconsistent, two translocated candidates for which in planta expression has not been established, one bioinformatically identified candidate, and six candidates that have been experimentally discarded. We analyzed the translocation and/or expression of these and other candidates to complete the Pph1448a effector inventory, bringing this inventory to 27 bona fide effectors, including a new one that does not belong to any of the previously described effector families. We developed a simple process for rapidly making single and double knockout mutants and apply it to the generation of an effector mutant collection that includes single knockouts for the majority of the Pph1448a effector inventory. We also generated two double mutant strains containing effectors with potentially redundant functions and analyzed the virulence of the single and double mutant strains as well as strains expressing each of the effectors from a plasmid. We demonstrate that AvrB4-1 and AvrB4-2, as well as HopW1-1 and HopW1-2, are fully redundant and contribute to virulence in bean plants, thus validating this approach for dissecting the contribution of the Pph1448a type III effector inventory to virulence. We also analyzed the effect that the expression of these four effectors from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PtoDC3000) has during its interaction with Arabidopsis thaliana, establishing that AvrB4-1, but not the others, determines a restriction of bacterial growth that takes place mostly independently of the salicylic acid (SA)-signaling pathway.
A DISCONTINUOUS GALERKIN METHOD FOR COMPUTING TIME-OF-FLIGHT IN DISCRETE-FRACTURE MODELS

Discrete fracture models, in which fractures are represented individually as lowerdimensional objects, are beginning to appear in simulators for porous media flow. Here we present a discontinuous Galerkin method for computing time-of-flight in discrete-fracture models of fracture-fault systems. Isocontours of time-of-flight are time-lines of porousmedia flow and give information about flow patterns, in particular for single-phase flow. Recent numerical results show that the discontinuous Galerkin (dG) method is efficient and accurate for solving the time-of-flight equation. In this paper, we use two simplified grid models to examine various approaches for the dG discretisation in fractured regions of the porous medium. Comparing the numerical results of the dG approximation with those from a streamline simulator, we demonstrate the importance of a sufficient grid resolution across the fractures, even though the widths of the fractures are very small compared to typical length scales of the unfractured parts of the reservoir.
Effects of Packaging Types and Storage Temperatures on the Shelf Life of Fresh Rice Noodles under Vacuum Conditions

The effects of packaging type and storage temperatures on the shelf life of fresh rice noodles were investigated. Fresh rice noodles were packed in four different packaging types; high density polyethylene (HDPE) wrap, high density polyethylene pouch, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pouch and nylon pouch under vacuum condition and stored at 25C. The shelf life of fresh rice noodles was determined by sensory evaluation for selecting the suitable packaging material. Microbiological properties and pH of samples in different packaging types were also investigated. The results showed that samples in the nylon pouch had the longest shelf life (13 days) compared to other packaging materials. Therefore, nylon pouches were chosen to study the effect of storage temperatures (4C and 25C) on the shelf life of fresh rice noodles under vacuum conditions. Microbiological and texture properties of these samples were determined. It was found that samples stored at 4C gave a longer shelf life than that stored at 25C. Low temperatures (4C) could inhibit the growth of microbes and slow down the decrease in pH. However, the shelf life of fresh rice noodles was only 29 days due to retrogradation.
Asymmetries in mouth opening during word generation in male stuttering and non-stuttering participants

We examined lateral asymmetries in mouth opening in right-handed male stuttering (N = 11) and non-stuttering (N = 14) participants. Lateral asymmetries in mouth opening were video-recorded and analysed in participants while they generated words beginning with the bilabial phones /b, p, m/. Non-stuttering participants showed an expected preference for right mouth opening during the task, whereas a group of stuttering participants who were matched for sex and age produced a left or bilateral pattern of mouth opening. Analysis of variance revealed the difference between the groups to be significant (p < .001). However, there was more variability in the lateral mouth asymmetries in the stuttering participants. We interpret this finding as adding some support for the hypothesis that aberrant hemispheric control for speech is involved in stuttering. Asymmetric mouth openings appear to have no direct linguistic function, and we discuss the possible implications of the phenomenon for models of speech planning and programming.
Effect of Rhizobium Inoculation on Growth and Nutrient Uptake of Sulla ( Hedysarumcoronarium L . ) Grown in Calcareous Soil of Northern Tunisia

Hedysarum coronarium L. cultivated on calcareous soil in Northern Tunisia was the subject of a trial attempted under field condition, to figure out the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and Rhizobium inoculation on their growth, nodulation and mineral content. Rhizobium inoculation enhanced significantly all growth parameters compared to the nitrogen fertilization especially at the flowering stage. No significance difference was shown between the uninoculated check and the nitrogen fertilized plants concerning the nodule number per plant at all plant stage. At 154 DAS (Day After Sowing) and 174 DAS, Rhizobium inoculated plants set a high mean nodule number (86.33 and 77.77 respectively). Nodule weight per plant was high in Rhizobium inoculated plants compared to the uninoculated check and the nitrogen fertilized plants especially at 123 DAS, 154 DAS and 174 DAS. Concerning nutrients content in shoot of sulla at flowering stage, Nitrogen fertilization significantly enhanced nutrients content. However rhizobial inoculation has almost doubled nutrients uptake compared to the nitrogen fertilized control.
Causes of Delinquent Acts Among Library Users: A Case Study Of The Delta State University Library, Abraka

The study is on causes of delinquent acts in Nigerian University libraries: A case study of Delta State University Library, Abraka. In rendering adequate services there is the need to guard library information resources from any form of delinquent behaviour carried out by library users. Survey research design was employed for the study. The population of the study consists of both students and library staff. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. Mean was used to analyzed the data collected. Findings of the study among others revealed that textbooks, reference books, journals and newspapers are stocked in the university libraries, refusing to return overdue borrowed materials, hiding library materials, vandalism, and mutilation are the various forms of delinquent acts among users. Refusing library users to borrow books and other information resources, students’ dissatisfaction, harsh economic situation, lack of photocopying services and lack of security among others are responsible for delinquent behaviour among users. The study concludes that tightening security at library entrance and exits, provision of multiple copies of heavily used text and constant supervision of library materials are the possible solutions to delinquent acts among users in the university libraries. It was recommended that delinquent acts among users could be control by organizing orientation and users’ education on the usage of library materials for the users, seminars and workshops for the librarians on how to safeguard library information resources.
Attenuation of the Rayleigh Waves in a Covered Half-space Made of Viscoelastic Materials

Bu makalede lineer viskoelastik malzemelerden olusan tabakali yari uzay ortamlarda yayilan genellestirilmis Rayleigh dalgalarinin sonumlenmesi incelmistir. Arastirmalar dogrusal viskoelastisite teorisinin hareket denklemleri uygulayarak parcali homojen modeli araciligiyla ile yapilmistir. Dispersiyon denklemi, elde edilmis ve sayisal sonuclar elde etmek icin bir cozum algoritmasi gelistirilmistir. Farkli atenuasyon durumlari icin katmanlarin viskozitesinin etkisi, elastik sabitlerle karakterize eden reolojik parametreler araciligiyla incelenmistir. Malzemelerin viskoelastisite modelide Rabotnov 'un kismi eksponansiyel operatoru ’nu kullanilmistir. Ozellikle, reolojik parametrelerin, incelenen dalgalarinin atenuasyonunu nasil etkiledigi tespit edilmistir.
ELUCIDATING MECHANISMS OF CHROMATE COMPLEXATION ON IRON OXIDES SURFACES USING FLOW CALORIMETRY AND INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

EXTENDED ABSTRACT A promising approach to developing complex SCMs is to obtain multiple lines of evidence for the types of surface complexes that a compound forms under different geochemical conditions. Various types of spectroscopy combined with quantum mechanical calculations can be used to narrow down the surface complexation reactions and constrain the number of parameters needed to adequately describe adsorption, as well as to validate the model predictions. Even though hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is an important contaminant, there is surprisingly much less information available on its surface complexation compared to other oxyanions, such as phosphate, carbonate, sulphate, arsenate and selenate. Additionally, there is contradictory information in the literature regarding its complexation on different mineral surfaces.
A National Sample of Individuals Who Acquired Hepatitis C Virus Infections in Childhood or Adolescence: Risk Factors for Advanced Disease

Objectives: To describe hepatitis C virus (HCV)–related liver disease in a national cohort of patients who acquired their infections in childhood or adolescence and to assess risk factors for progressive disease and response to antiviral therapy. Patients and Methods: Demographic, laboratory, and clinical outcome data on 246 individuals who acquired HCV infection before the age of 16 years were extracted from the UK HCV National Register database. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent effects of sex, age, duration and route of infection, and comorbidity on histological stage of liver disease. Results: Median ages at enrollment and follow-up were 14.0 years (range, 2.2–29.6 years) and 19.2 years (range, 2.3–35.5 years), respectively. Mean duration of infection at enrollment was 8.5 years (standard deviation [SD], 3.3 years), and mean duration of follow-up was 4.5 years (SD, 4.5 years). Fifty-nine (24%) had persistently abnormal liver aminotransferase levels; 22% reported physical signs and symptoms of liver disease. Among 123 individuals with liver biopsies, 117 (95%) had abnormal histological findings. Ninety-eight individuals had biopsies referred for independent blind scoring; median Ishak grade and stage scores were 3 and 1, respectively. Presence of comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 7.19; 95% CI, 2.00–26.17; P = 0.003) and female sex (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10–1.00; P = 0.05) were independently associated with histological stage scores greater than the median. A total of 110 individuals received antiviral therapy; 47% achieved a sustained response. Conclusions: HCV-related liver disease in those who acquired the infection in childhood or adolescence was mild for most, although comorbidity and female sex were associated with more advanced disease. Antiviral therapy in childhood or adolescence successfully eradicates the virus for many patients.