Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-classical Celiac Disease: Often Missed

Celiac disease (CeD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. CeD is a global disease and estimated to affect approximately one percent of the global population. With advent of simple serological tests for the diagnosis, the number of individuals diagnosed with CeD is increasing exponentially. It was initially thought that gluten hypersensitivity in CeD is limited to small intestine only and all other features are secondary to malabsorption, but it is now recognized that the hypersensitivity to gluten is not limited to small intestine alone and may affect other organs such as skin, brain, and bones independent of intestinal involvement. CeD is now considered a multi-system disorder and their clinical presentation may be with gastrointestinal symptoms, called “classical CeD” or more often with non-gastrointestinal symptoms called “non-classical CeD”. These patients may present with short stature, anemia, liver dysfunction (asymptomatic increase in transaminases, chronic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis), cutaneous manifestations (dermatitis herpetiformis, oral ulcers), reproductive diseases (infertility, recurrent abortions), neurological manifestations (ataxia, peripheral neuropathy), and metabolic disorders (osteopenia/osteoporosis). What determines these variable phenotypes remain unclear but likely is a result of genetic as well as environmental factors. Many of these patients with non-classical CeD are likely to report to specialists other than gastroenterologists such as hematologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists or gynecologists. Unfortunately, the awareness about non-classical presentations of CeD amongst health care professionals remains low. There is an urgent need to increase awareness among health care professionals about varied manifestations of CeD in order to decrease the burden of undiagnosed CeD.
Bank-Specific and Macroeconomic Determinants of Bank Profitability: Evidence from Member States of the OIC

The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of internal (managerial-bank specific) and external (macroeconomic) determinants of bank profitability over the period 2007-2012, adopting balanced panel data regression model for selected member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The results reveal that greater size of assets and management efficiency regarding expense management contributes to increase in Return on Assets. The paper also demonstrates that efficiency of management about operating expenses has a positive effect on profitability.
Relationships between mountain pine and climate in the French Pyrenees (Font-Romeu) studied using the radiodensitometrical method

A radiodensitometrical study was carried out on 46 Pinus uncinata (Ramond) in Font-Romeu (French Pyrenees). Correlation functions with monthly climatical data were calculated using separately the ring-widths, the earlywood and the latewood densities. The Mountain Pine shows narrow rings (1.5 mm) and a high sensitivity to climate (M.S. = 0.221), but it does not seem to suffer from drought despite the dryness of the climate (788 mm rainfall per year). This species is more sensitive to temperature than to precipitation, since temperature governs latewood formation. A hot spring and a mild autumn with maximum temperatures above threshold levels will extend the growing period. A warm autumn also increases the latewood density, whereas cold nights during the previous year's autumn are unfavourable to growth because they may affect the cambium and bud initiations.
Probabilistic approach to cloud and snow detection on Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) imagery

Abstract. Derivation of probability estimates complementary to geophysical data sets has gained special attention over the last years. Information about a confidence level of provided physical quantities is required to construct an error budget of higher-level products and to correctly interpret final results of a particular analysis. Regarding the generation of products based on satellite data a common input consists of a cloud mask which allows discrimination between surface and cloud signals. Further the surface information is divided between snow and snow-free components. At any step of this discrimination process a misclassification in a cloud/snow mask propagates to higher-level products and may alter their usability. Within this scope a novel probabilistic cloud mask (PCM) algorithm suited for the 1 km × 1 km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data is proposed which provides three types of probability estimates between: cloudy/clear-sky, cloudy/snow and clear-sky/snow conditions. As opposed to the majority of available techniques which are usually based on the decision-tree approach in the PCM algorithm all spectral, angular and ancillary information is used in a single step to retrieve probability estimates from the precomputed look-up tables (LUTs). Moreover, the issue of derivation of a single threshold value for a spectral test was overcome by the concept of multidimensional information space which is divided into small bins by an extensive set of intervals. The discrimination between snow and ice clouds and detection of broken, thin clouds was enhanced by means of the invariant coordinate system (ICS) transformation. The study area covers a wide range of environmental conditions spanning from Iceland through central Europe to northern parts of Africa which exhibit diverse difficulties for cloud/snow masking algorithms. The retrieved PCM cloud classification was compared to the Polar Platform System (PPS) version 2012 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) collection 6 cloud masks, SYNOP (surface synoptic observations) weather reports, Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) vertical feature mask version 3 and to MODIS collection 5 snow mask. The outcomes of conducted analyses proved fine detection skills of the PCM method with results comparable to or better than the reference PPS algorithm.
TRAUMA EXPERIENCE, PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AND DISPOSITIONAL OPTIMISM: THREE ADULT GENERATIONS IN LITHUANIA

Habilituota socialinių mokslų daktarė, profesorė Klinikinės ir organizacinės psichologijos katedra, Vilniaus universitetas Universiteto g. 9/1–202, Vilnius Tel. (+370 5) 266 76 05 El. paštas: danute.gailiene@fsf.vu. lt Prof. Habil Dr., Department of Clinical and Organisational Psychology, Vilnius University Universiteto Str. 9/1–202, Vilnius Tel. (+370 5) 266 76 05 E-mail: danute.gailiene@fsf.vu. lt
Cytohistopathological appraisal of unusual locations of epidermoid inclusion cysts

Epidermal inclusion cyst (EIC) also called as epidermal cyst/epidermoid cyst are benign entity of the pilosebaceous origin can occurs anywhere in the body lined by squamous epithelium. The origin of EIC is controversial but it is developmental lesion from implanted epithelium arising from trauma or surgery so the name epidermal inclusion cyst. Also think that abnormal ectodermal tissue components formed during fetal period can form EIC2. The most common presentations of EIC are on head, neck, face and scalp, trunk and extremities. Grossly they are smooth, round, regular unilocular swelling of varying sizes from few millimeters to centimeters without a punctum. The light microscopical hallmark is cyst lined by stratified squaomus epithelium with a granular layer and lumina containing abundant whitish laminated keratinous material.
Developing industrial cases for teaching software engineering - A lesson learned

Software engineers are provided with an enormous choice of technology for improving the quality of software. Being intangible, software products tend to be more intricate to build than any other artifacts. The selection of technology can thus become a critical factor for the success of software development. Software engineers are expected to be well-versed in various technologies to enable them to decide the best one for a particular development project. Sensible decisions however require not only understanding but also active minds, which can be achieved through meaningful learning. Being a discussion-based learning approach that encourages students to exploit knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, the Case Method seems to be a practical teaching and learning option. This method entails developing specific cases that promote exploration and critical thinking. To ensure the developed cases are useful, they should be evaluated. This paper presents a practical methodology for developing as well as evaluating industrial cases for teaching software engineering through the Case Method. It also shares some important lessons learned from the process. These lessons act as a guideline for future case developers to compose useful cases and motivate software engineering instructors to use cases in teaching.
Bacterial community dynamics in liquid swine manure during storage: molecular analysis using DGGE/PCR of 16S rDNA

Denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA fragments prepared from extracted DNA using universal 16S rDNA primers was used to compare the composition of bacterial communities in liquid swine manure (LSM) during incubation in aerated and in non-aerated laboratory reactors. The LSM was initially dominated by 13 phylotypes whose identities were established by excising and cloning DGGE bands, and comparing the 16S rDNA sequences with those available in GenBank. With varying degrees of similarity, Clostridium butyricum, Clostridium disporicum, a Pedobacter sp. , two Rhodanobacter sp. , a spirochete, and seven uncultured eubacterial sequences were identified. The chemical composition, total microbial populations determined by direct microscopic count, and DGGE profiles of the LSM were stable during anaerobic storage for 7 weeks. However, the community composition of the LSM changed substantially with aeration, the DGGE bands in the original sample receding in intensity as the manure community became dominated by phylotypes most closely related to the aerobes Bacillus thuringiensis, Sphingobacterium mizutae, a ‘Sphingobacterium-like’ bacterium, and a Paenibacillus sp. When continuously aerated, the pH rose from 8 to 9.5, the ammonium-N content decreased, populations of culturable aerobes increased 150-fold, and total bacterial populations remained stable. DGGE analysis of manure fractionated into planktonic and biofilm (flocs and aggregates) communities suggested that Clostridium populations were stable in biofilms during aeration, whereas the aerobes that ultimately dominated the LSM community were primarily in the planktonic phase.
Effects of ethanol extract of Piper guineense seeds (Schum. and Thonn) on the conception of mice (Mus Musculus)

The effects of Piper guineense seeds (Piperaceae) on conception of mice (Mus musculus) were investigated. Thirty sexually mature mice (3 weeks old) were distributed in plastic cages with each cage containing two females and one male animal. Similar cages and same number of animals were set up as controls. Animals were fed a mixture of feed with extracts of P. guineense seed at various test concentrations (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kgBW). Controls were fed similar ration of normal diet without extract. The experiment lasted for 42 days, consisting of 21 days of feeding with extracts with males and females mice staying together in cages, and 21 days of feeding without extracts but male and female animals kept in separate cages to stop further sexual behavior. All the female mice in the control cages gave birth to young ones between the 28 and 35th day of the test periods but no animal in the test group showed signs of pregnancy and none had implantation of fetus in the womb. Histopathology sections of testis and ovary of test animals showed inflamed cells of the gonads compared to normal cells in the controls. Three alkaloidal amides (Piperanine, Δα,β-dihydrowasanine and isobutyl-(E,E)-2,4-decadienamide) were isolated by HPLC analysis of the extracts. On the bases of the results obtained, it was concluded that seeds of P. guineense contain substances that interferes with conception in mice. Key words: Piper guineense, conception, mice.
Spondylodiscitis: a common complication of brucellosis.

INTRODUCTION Brucellar spondylodiscitis is a frequent and serious complication of brucellosis. The aim of this study is to describe the brucellosis patients with spondylodiscitis and the predictive factors related to spondylodiscitis in brucellosis. METHODOLOGY Laboratory-confirmed brucellosis patients from a low- to medium-endemic region were enrolled in the study and distributed into two groups. Group I consisted of patients with spondylodiscitis and Group II patients had no complications. Both groups were compared for predictive factors of spondylodiscitis. RESULTS A total of 219 patients with active brucellosis were included in the study. We determined at least one complication in 91 (41.6%) patients. The most frequent complication was spondylodiscitis [n = 59 patients (26.9 %)]. In univariate analysis, age, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, presence of low back pain, increased levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and alkaline phosphatases were the most significant predictive factors for spondylodiscitis among brucellosis cases. Presence of headache and thrombocytopenia were less frequent in patients with spondylodiscitis when compared to patients without complications (p = 0.024, p = 0.006 respectively). In multivariate analysis, old age (odds ratio [OR] 1,063; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.026-1.101; p < 0.001), prolonged time between symptoms onset before diagnosis (OR 1.008; 95% CI 1.001-1.016; p = 0.031), and presence of low back pain (OR 12.886; 95% CI 3.978-41.739; p < 0.001) were indepedently associated with an increased risk of spondylodiscitis. CONCLUSIONS Spondylodiscitis is the most frequent complication of systemic brucellosis. Patients with low back pain, older age, and longer duration of symptoms should be considered as candidates of potential spondylodiscitis in brucellosis.
Cleaning of water-gilded surfaces using hydro- and solvent-gels

This paper describes the implementation of three customized gels on a 19th century panel painting for the removal of its degraded natural resin varnish from a water-gilded surface and a complex solvent-sensitive stratigraphic construction over the gilded substrate. At first, the varnish was unsoiled with a typical hydrogel that was composed of an aqueous phase buffered at pH 5.5 with sodium acetate, poly(ethylene glycol) p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl ether surfactant and hydroxy-prorylmethyl cellulose. The removal of the entire aged varnish was facilitated with a microemulsion of an aqueous phase buffered at pH 8.5 with triethanolaminate, a fatty phase of a mineral spirit - benzyl alcohol solution and a polyoxy-ethylene(23)lauryl ether surfactant, altogether incorporated in a viscous gel generated from the dissolution of a polyacrylic acid in poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) cocoalkylamine surfactant. The third gel, which was based on a polyacrylic acid of higher viscosity and incorporating a microemulsion of the same aqueous phase (pH 8.5) as in the second gel, and a fatty phase made of benzyl alcohol and a polyoxyethylene(23)lauryl ether surfactant, enabled the selective removal of the degraded varnish over the elaborate gilded area with a composite stratigraphy over the golden leaf. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV fluorescence imaging were employed for the analysis of the aged varnish and the monitoring of the cleaning procedure, respectively. The conservation procedure determined the effectiveness of the customized gels employed for this special implementation. The fine preservation of the water-gildings and of the complex solvent-sensitive stratigraphic construction of the painted surface was a satisfactory outcome.
Access to and investment of formal micro credit by small holder farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. A case study of Absu Micro Finance Bank, Uturu

Inadequate capital is a major problem confronting small-scale enterprises including farmers in Nigeria, despite the fact that small scale farmers produce the bulk of the food consumed locally and some export crops which generate foreign exchange to the country. Micro credit is a powerful anti poverty tool that has demonstrated relevance to people on six (6) continents and in nearly every country. Consequent upon the foregoing, this study determined access and investment of formal micro credit by small holder farmers in Abia state, Nigeria. A case study of Abia State University Micro Finance Bank Micro Finance Bank, Uturu (ASUMFB). Specifically, it sought to describe the socio-economic characteristics of loan beneficiary; to examine demand for micro credit by comparing the amount of formal loans applied for with the amount approved and the amount actually received by the farmers; to determine the uses of micro credit by small farmer loan beneficiaries; to determine factors that influence access to micro credit in micro finance banks. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 96 loan beneficiaries. Instrument of data collection was through a set of structured and pre-tested questionnaire. The study employed descriptive statistics and Probit regression model as analytical tools. The results of the Probit analyses showed that the coefficient of age, education, farm income, extension contact and distance between home and loan source were statistically significant at one percent probability level while farming experience and farm size were at 5 percent level. It was however recommended that Micro finance banks should ensure timely disbursement of loans to young, experienced and educated farmers who are more likely to utilize resources efficiently. Key words: Access; Investment; Micro Credit DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/jas.v6i2. 3861 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences , 2011, vol . 6, no 2, pp69-76
Al-Qeisi K, Dennis C, Alamanos E, Jayawardhena C. Website design quality and usage behavior: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use

Firms gain many benefits from well-designed websites. But which elements of website design quality really matter, and how do these elements influence website usage behavior? With the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) as the theoretical foundation, this paper proposes that website design quality is a multi-dimensional construct with a higher-order structure that, when successfully incorporated into the UTAUT model, can conceptually outperform existing models. The results are based on a survey of 216 users of Internet banking. The findings indicate that the technical, general content and appearance dimensions of a website are the most important for users. In addition, these dimensions are significantly related to usage behavior directly and indirectly through belief constructs. Finally, a halo effect may influence the overall evaluation of a website because the dimensions of website design quality are interrelated. The implication is that improvements to the appearance of a website should enhance the overall evaluation of the site and lead to greater usage intentions.
Comparing WTO Panelists and ICSID Arbitrators: The Creation of International Legal Fields

Who are people who make the decisions in trade and investment dispute settlement systems? In order to describe and analyze investment arbitrators and trade panelists, the whole populations of people nominated to ICSID’s tribunals and committees as well as to WTO Panels from 1995 to 2009 were studied, considering their specialization in law, and their career backgrounds as public servants, academics or private professionals. Applying Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of legal fields, the data suggested that both systems produce legitimacy but in quite different ways and, interestingly, that the one more similar to domestic legal systems takes that form due to political forces, not by an incremental process powered by people with legal backgrounds.
Effect of drought stress on some physiological traits of durum (Triticum durum Desf.) and bread (Triticum aestivum L.) wheat genotypes

Drought is a wide-spread problem seriously influencing wheat production and quality worldwide. We aimed to study adaptive changes in physiological parameters of 6 durum and 7 bread wheat genotypes under drought stress. Water stress caused reduction of leaf gas exchange parameters-photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO 2 concentration, transpiration rate as well leaf area, dry mass, relative water content, and chlorophyll content. Photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content were higher in flag leaf of bread wheat genotypes. Photosynthesis rate positively correlated with leaf area, dry mass and relative water content.
Synthesis and Characterization of DNase 1-Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters

Abstract : DNase 1-stabilized gold nanoclusters (DNase 1 AuNCs) were synthesized with multiple energy levels in a metal-concentration-dependant fashion. From multiple characterization techniques including fluorescence spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we assigned 2 reaction products to contain pure populations of clusters with core sizes of 8 and 25 Au atoms for the products where 10- and 2.5-mM HAuCl4 was used in the reaction, respectively, and 2 reaction products to contain either mixtures of the Au8 and Au25 clusters or Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) dependent upon the initial Au concentration. An initial HAuCl4 concentration of 5 mM produced a small amount of AuNPs but no NCs, while an initial concentration of 0.5-mM HAuCl4 resulted in a mixture of Au8 and Au25 clusters with a higher percentage of Au25 clusters. The DNase 1 Au8NCs exhibiting blue fluorescence have an excitation and emission maxima of 390 and 460 nm, respectively, whereas the DNase 1 Au25NCs are red-emitting and have an excitation and emission maxima of 490 and 640 nm, respectively.
What is the Expected Return on the Market

I derive a lower bound on the equity premium in terms of a volatility index, SVIX, that can be calculated from index option prices. The bound implies that the equity premium is extremely volatile and that it rose above 20% at the height of the crisis in 2008. The time-series average of the lower bound is about 5%, suggesting that the bound may be approximately tight. I run predictive regressions and find that this hypothesis is not rejected by the data, so I use the SVIX index as a proxy for the equity premium and argue that the high equity premia available at times of stress largely reflect high expected returns over the very short run. I also provide a measure of the probability of a market crash, and introduce simple variance swaps, tradable contracts based on SVIX that are robust alternatives to variance swaps.