Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
nfluence of habitat and seasonal variation on wild mammal diversity and istribution with special reference to the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense ost-reservoir in Bipindi ( Cameroon ) acques

To evaluate the role of wildlife in the resurgence and perenisation of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), we investigated the influence of habitat and seasonal variations on the diversity and spatial distribution of wild mammals, with special reference to those recognised as potential host-reservoirs of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Bipindi (southwestern Cameroon). To achieve this, we carried out transect surveys in four habitat types over two years. A total of 31 mammal species were recorded, of which 14 occurred in the undisturbed forest, 9 in cocoa plantations, 11 in farmlands and 11 in village-adjacent gallery forests. Among them, six species (Cephalophus monticola, Cephalophus dorsalis, Atherurus africanus, Cricetomys emini, Nandinia binotata and Cercopithecus nictitans), known as reservoir hosts of T. b. gambiense, occurred in all kinds of habitats suitable or unsuited to Glossina palpalis palpalis and in all seasons. These species are the most involved in the transmission cycle (human being/tsetse flies/wild animals). Cercopithecus cephus, Miopithecus talapoin and Heliosciurus rufobrachium host Trypanosoma brucei spp. ; however, only C. cephus does not occur permanently in the suitable habitat of G. palpalis palpalis. In general, some species (C. monticola, Tragelaphus spekei and C. emini) showed a slight density increase from the long dry to the heavy rainy season within the undisturbed and farmland habitats, and a slight decrease within cocoa plantations and village-adjacent forests in the same period. The density of A. africanus increased greatly from the long dry season to the heavy rainy season in the undisturbed forest while, the density of primates in this habitat decreased slightly from the long dry season to the heavy rainy season. These variations indicate a permanent movement of wild mammal reservoir or feeding hosts from one biotope to another over the seasons. Thryonomys swinderianus needs to be investigated because it e suit igs, fa occurs permanently in th similarities to domestic p
A relative of the approachability ideal, diamond and non-saturation

Abstract Let λ denote a singular cardinal. Zeman, improving a previous result of Shelah, proved that together with 2λ = λ+ implies ⋄S for every S ⊆ λ+ that reflects stationarily often. In this paper, for a set S ⊆ λ+, a normal subideal of the weak approachability ideal is introduced, and denoted by I[S; λ]. We say that the ideal is fat if it contains a stationary set. It is proved: 1. if I[S; λ] is fat, then NSλ + ∣ S is non-saturated; 2. if I[S; λ] is fat and 2λ = λ+, then ⋄S holds; 3. implies that I[S; λ] is fat for every S ⊆ λ+ that reflects stationarily often; 4. it is relatively consistent with the existence of a supercompact cardinal that fails, while I[S; λ] is fat for every stationary S ⊆ λ+ that reflects stationarily often. The stronger principle is studied as well.
Characterization of plasma cytokines in an infant population cohort of challenge‐proven food allergy

Sensitization to food allergens indicates the production of food‐specific IgE; however, sensitization is not a definite indicator of allergic reaction upon ingestion (N Engl J Med, 344, 2001, 30: J Allergy Clin Immunol, 120, 2007, 491). Currently, food challenge is the best approach to identify the presence or absence of allergy. While 95% positive predictive values (PPVs) thresholds for sIgE can assist with identifying increased likelihood of allergy among those who are sensitized, there are no specific biological markers that differentiate between allergic and sensitized individuals.
Patient dignity and its related factors in heart failure patients

Maintenance and promotion of patient dignity is an ethical responsibility of healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to investigate patient dignity and related factors in patients with heart failure. In this qualitative study, 22 patients with heart failure were chosen by purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation. Factors related to patient dignity were divided into two main categories: patient/care index and resources. Intrapersonal features (inherent characteristics and individual beliefs) and interpersonal interactions (communication, respect, enough information, privacy, and authority) were classified as components of the patient/care index category. Human resources (management and staff) and environmental resources (facilities and physical space) were classified as components of the resources category. The results will increase healthcare staff's understanding of patient dignity and its related factors, and provide information regarding the development of systems and processes that support patients in ways that are consistent with these values.
Mode analysis and excitation of slot antennas

An approach of mode analysis and excitation for slot antennas has been presented, which is based on a concept of impedance matching between the source and the slot modes. Wideband and multiband features of the slot antenna have been achieved by adjusting the frequency ratio between the slot modes. Several examples have been examined to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Ten-metre walk, with or without a turn?

Objective: To compare results obtained using different procedures to measure 10-metre walking time. Design: Walking was timed over a straight 10 m, and over 5 m with return. Further, the time taken to turn was measured directly. Setting: Rehabilitation department of a university hospital. Subjects: Patients who had walking disability after stroke. Results: In the group of 43 patients, the time taken to walk 5 m and return was 3.3 (SD 5.0) s longer than the time to walk 10 m straight, but there was a large variation with some patients walking faster. The measured time to turn in a second group of 27 patients was 3.2 (SD 1.6) s. The times taken to walk 10 m straight and 5 m and return, and the time taken to turn were all highly correlated (r = 0.69 or more). Conclusions: Timing walking over 5 m with a return is an acceptable alternative to the 10 m straight walk, but the actual time taken varies. On average, the walk with a turn is 3.2 s longer but in individual patients the difference may be much more or less. Sometimes the walk with a turn is even faster than that without.
Creating Stories: Social Curation of Twitter Messages

Social media has become ubiquitous. Tweets and other user-generated content have become so abundant that better tools for information organization are needed in order to fully exploit their potential richness. ”Social cu- ration” has recently emerged as a promising new frame- work for organizing and adding value to social media, complementing the traditional methods of algorithmic search and aggregation. For example, web services like Togetter and Storify empower users to collect and or- ganize tweets to form stories that are pertinent, mem- orable, and easy to read. While social curation services are gaining popularity, little academic research has stud- ied the phenomenon. In this work, we perform one of the first analysis of a large corpus of social curation data. We seek to understand why and how people cu- rate tweets. We also propose an machine learning sys- tem that suggests new tweets, increasing the curator’s productivity and breadth of perspective.
Acid-Base and Ion Balance, Metabolism, and their Interactions, after Exhaustive Exercise in Fish

In fish, exhaustive exercise stress differs from steady-state aerobic exercise in causing (1) a depletion of glycogen, creatine phosphate (CP) and ATP reserves and an accumulation of lactate and metabolic acid (H+m) in white muscle; (2) blood respiratory and metabolic acidoses {PCO2 and H+m elevations, respectively); (3) marked ionic and fluid volume disturbances; and (4) a surge in plasma catecholamines. During recovery, the smaller fast component (20%) of excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is explained by CP and ATP resynthesis and aerobic demands, but the larger slow component (80%) is considerably greater than the cost of lactate clearance and glycogen resynthesis. Ionic and H2O shifts may contribute significantly to EPOC; net fluxes are greatest between extracellular (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF) compartments, with smaller disturbances at the kidney (increased filtration, reabsorption and excretion) and gills (passive ion losses and H2O uptake). Modulation of branchial Na+ and Cl− exchange is important in the temporary storage of H+m in the environment during recovery. Movements of lactate and H+ from ICF to ECF are dissociated processes; the major portions of both are retained in the white muscle and are probably cleared by oxidation and/or glycogen resynthesis in situ. Elevated catecholamine levels are implicated in many of these responses and serve to protect metabolic processes against acid-base disturbances, but do not appear to contribute to EPOC directly. Catecholamines also cause an elevation in blood Pco2 by a mechanism linked to the β-adrenergic activation of red blood cell Na+/H+ exchange that protects O2 transport. The compound blood addosis stimulates ventilation to meet the demands of EPOC.
Impact of Hip Fracture on Mortality: A Cohort Study in Hip Fracture Discordant Identical Twins

Several studies have shown a long‐lasting higher mortality after hip fracture, but the reasons for the excess risk are not well understood. We aimed to determine whether a higher mortality after hip fracture exists when controlling for genetic constitution, shared environment, comorbidity, and lifestyle by use of a nationwide cohort study in hip fracture discordant monozygotic twins. All 286 identical Swedish twin pairs discordant for hip fracture (1972 to 2010) were identified. Comorbidity and lifestyle information was retrieved by registers and questionnaire information. We used intrapair Cox regression to compute multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for death. During follow‐up, 143 twins with a hip fracture died (50%) compared with 101 twins (35%) without a hip fracture. Through the first year after hip fracture, the rate of death increased fourfold in women (HR = 3.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32–10.40) and sevenfold in men (HR = 6.67; 95% CI 1.47–30.13). The increased rate in women only persisted during the first year after hip fracture (HR after 1 year = 0.99; 95% CI 0.66–1.50), whereas the corresponding HR in men was 2.58 (95% CI 1.02–6.62). The higher risk in men after the hip fracture event was successively attenuated during follow‐up. After 5 years, the hazard ratio in men with a hip fracture was 1.19 (95% CI 0.29–4.90). On average, the hip fracture contributed to 0.9 years of life lost in women (95% CI 0.06–1.7) and 2.7 years in men (95% CI 1.7–3.7). The potential years of life lost associated with the hip fracture was especially pronounced in older men (>75 years), with an average loss of 47% (95% CI 31–61) of the expected remaining lifetime. We conclude that both women and men display a higher mortality after hip fracture independent of genes, comorbidity, and lifestyle. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Improvement of the productivity in the growth of CdTe single crystal by THM for the new PET system

The effect of the THM growth rate on the CdTe crystalline quality and the detector performance was intensively investigated. The maximum growth rate for the single crystal growth was found to be approximately 15 mm/day which was 3 times greater than the conventional one. By optimizing other growth conditions, 90% of every ingot volume has become a single crystal. Te inclusions in the CdTe single crystal grown at various growth rates were also investigated by IR transmission microscopy. There was no correlation between the behavior of Te inclusions and the growth rate. The detector performance was also independent of the growth rate. Taking advantage of the large volume CdTe single crystals, about 700,000 Schottky detectors with 4 mm times 7.5 mm times 1 mm were fabricated for the research and development of the new PET system using CdTe detectors. The average FWHM for the 662 keV line from 137Cs and its standard deviation were 2.24% and 0.48%, respectively. This uniformity was essential for the development of the new PET system. For the further improvement of productivity, the growth technology of a 100 mm diameter crystal by THM is in the development and is presented.
A Model and Empirical Analysis of Patient Compliance and Persistence in Pharmaceuticals

We develop and estimate a stochastic model of patient compliance and persistence regarding pharmaceutical drugs. Persistence refers to whether a patient continues with therapy, i.e., whether the patient continues to obtain refills of the drug. Compliance refers to whether the customer obtains a refill on time, given he or she does in fact obtain a refill. We develop a simple stochastic model of these behaviors, drawing on models of customer value developed by Schmittlein, Morrison, and Colombo (1987) and Fader, Hardie, and Lee (2005). We estimate the model using patient-level data for 253 drugs and illustrate two applications: (1) We show how changes in drug characteristics would influence the number of days of therapy lost either through lack of persistence or lack of compliance, and (2) Show how the model could be used to identify patients who are at higher than average risk for losing therapy days due either to noncompliance or nonpersistence. We discuss implications of the work for researchers and practitioners. A Model and Empirical Analysis of Patient Compliance and Persistence in Pharmaceuticals Introduction The tendency of patients not to take their prescribed medications on a consistent and continuing basis has emerged as an issue of significant concern. This behavior has been reported to contribute to 125,000 premature deaths each year in the United States and an additional $100 billion in costs to the economy in terms of increased health care costs and lost productivity (Loden and Schooler 2000; Johnson and Bootman 1995). The result has been an active effort on the part of the health care industry to remedy the situation. These efforts include mechanical devices to monitor individual patients (Pharmaceutical Executive 2006) as well as better packaging to encourage adherence to the drug regimen. In a highly publicized move, CVS Pharmacy intends to use its data and marketing muscle to “get patients to take their pills” (Boyle 2009). The financial implication for pharmaceutical drug manufacturers is clear – to the extent that patients take their medications more consistently and continually, these companies stand to earn millions of dollars more in revenues. From a customer relationship management standpoint, increased patient diligence in taking their drugs increases customer retention and thus the lifetime value of the customer (CLV). Thus, from either a patient health standpoint or a company prosperity perspective there is a huge impetus to improve customer’s adherence to the instructions of their drug regimens. A first step in examining the issue is to note that “patient diligence in taking their drugs” consists of two distinct behaviors – “compliance” and “persistence”. Persistence means that the patient continues to refill the prescription, while nonpersistence means
Neighborhood Environment, Residential Satisfaction, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in Residential Care Homes

Burgeoning evidence has shown that neighborhood environments are related to depressive symptoms in the older population. Older adults living in residential care homes may be more vulnerable to environmental characteristics. The current study sought to understand how institutionalized older adults relate to environmental factors and residential satisfaction in terms of depressive symptoms. Data were collected from a cross-sectional national survey of 1,429 Chinese elders living in residential care homes. The findings reveal that 46.1% of the older Chinese residents living in residential care homes suffered from mild to severe depression. In addition, the current study finds that both environmental factors (e.g., geographic position, air quality, and transportation) and residential satisfaction are negatively associated with depressive symptoms. The findings support that residential satisfaction partially mediate the relationship between exterior environmental characteristics and depressive symptoms.
[Antibiotics in Spanish households. Medical and socioeconomic implications. URANO Study Group].

BACKGROUND To determine the storage of antibiotics in Spanish households and to analyse its source. POPULATION AND METHODS Quantitative study carried out by telephone interview with housewives or head of the family members in 1,000 households that have been chosen at random and by agreement with a proportion of the territorial distribution of the Spanish population. RESULTS In 42% of households that have been approached, one (88.1%) or more antibiotic packets were present, being a result of a doctor's prescription in two thirds of cases. In most cases (71.9%) amoxycillin was the antibiotic found. Concerning the pharmaceutical forms, 55% corresponded to solid oral (pills, tablets, capsules), 45% liquid oral forms (syrups, suspensions, sachets), whereas parenteral vials were not identified. Only in the 19% of households with antibiotic packets (8% of the total) there was a member of the family under antibiotic treatment. The economic evaluation of the non administrated antibiotic doses, present in households was about 5,000 millions pesetas. Over 3,000 millions pesetas had been financed by Health Public Administration. CONCLUSIONS The storage of antibiotics in households is an important factor which increments the cost, reduces the efficiency and decreases the quality of the antibiotic treatment at the community level.
A comparative study on anticoagulant activities of three Chinese herbal medicines from the genus Panax and anticoagulant activities of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rg2

Abstract Context: Chemical compositions of three herbal plants from the family Araliaceae genus Panax [Panax ginseng C. A. Mey, P. quinquefolius L. and P. notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen] are quite similar; however, their medicinal natures vary greatly. The reason for differences has been explained in traditional Chinese medicine theory and partially verified by modern pharmacological investigations, such as antiplatelet aggregation. Aside from platelet aggregation, a variety of plasma coagulation factors are also involved in blood coagulation. The anticoagulation profiles of three herbs have not been investigated. Objective: The current research compared the inhibitory effects of three herbal extracts from Panax spp. and the purified ginsenosides from P. ginseng on blood coagulation. Materials and methods: Human plasma was mixed with the water extracts (0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL) from roots of P. ginseng, P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng and ginsenosides Rg1 and Rg2 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL), the blood clotting time of activated partial thromboplastin, prothrombin and thrombin were measured by a biochemical analyzer. Results: The water extracts (0.05 mg/mL) of P. ginseng, P. quinquefolius and P. notoginseng could significantly extend blood clotting time as compared to the control group. Among three herbal medicines, 0.05 mg/mL of water extract from P. ginseng exhibited the strongest anticoagulation effects, followed by P. notoginseng, while P. quinquefolius presented the weakest effects. Both ginsenosides Rg1 and Rg2 could significantly extend blood clotting time in all three tests; ginsenoside Rg2 exhibited relative stronger anticoagulation effects as compared to ginsenoside Rg1. Discussion and conclusion: Among three herbs tested, P. ginseng as well as its active component ginsenoside Rg2 shows the strongest anticoagulation activity; current results indicate that P. ginseng and ginsenoside Rg2 have great potential to be an anticoagulation drug.
Notice of RetractionFoliar Uptake of Atmospheric Nitrogen Dioxide

Plants in nature show species-specific nitrogen dioxide (NOι) uptake and a wide variation in NO<sub>2</sub> assimilation. This specific NO<sub>2</sub> uptake or assimilation is affected not only by the structural, physiological and genetic make up of leaves, but also by various environmental factors. This review focuses on the processes of leaf NO<sub>2</sub> uptake. We describe the influence of stomatal traits on foliar NO<sub>2</sub> uptake, discuss the interactions between NO<sub>2</sub> uptake and apoplastic antioxidant (ascorbate and glutathione), and present the roles of cuticles in NO<sub>2</sub> deposition and emission. Further progress is proposed to gain a better understanding of the dynamic uptake of NO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup> transporters in leaves.
In vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic potential of gold and silver nanoparticles prepared using Embelia ribes

Abstract In recent years, the green synthesis of gold (GNPs) and silver (SNPs) nanoparticles has gained great interest among chemists and researchers. The present study reports an eco-friendly, cost-effective, rapid and easy method for the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles using the seed extract of Embelia ribes (SEEr) as capping and reducing agent. The synthesised GNPs and SNPs were characterised using the following techniques: UV–vis spectroscopy, DLS, HR-TEM, FT-IR and XRD. The free radical scavenging potential of GNPs and SNPs was measured by DPPH assay and Phosphomolybdenum assay. Further, the antimicrobial activity against two micro-organisms were tested using disc diffusion method and cytotoxicity of GNPs and SNPs was determined against MCF-7 cell lines at different concentrations by MTT assay. Both the GNPs and SNPs prepared from E. ribes comparatively showed promising results thereby proving their clinical importance.
Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Thymidine Kinase from Clinical Strains of Varicella-Zoster Virus Resistant to Acyclovir

ABSTRACT Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a common herpesvirus responsible for disseminated or chronic infections in immunocompromised patients. Effective drugs such as acyclovir (ACV), famciclovir (prodrug of penciclovir), and foscarnet are available to treat these infections. Here we report the phenotypic and genetic characterization of four ACV-resistant VZV strains isolated from AIDS patients and transplant recipients. Sensitivity to six antiviral drugs was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, viral thymidine kinase (TK) activity was measured by comparing [3H]thymidine and 1-β-d-arabinofuranosyl-[3H]thymine as substrates, and the TK gene open reading frame was sequenced. Three strains were found to be TK deficient, and the fourth was a mixed population composed of TK-positive and TK-deficient viruses. Each strain presented a unique TK gene mutation that could account for ACV resistance. In one strain, the deletion of two nucleotides at codon 215 induced a premature stop signal at codon 217. In another strain, a single nucleotide addition at codon 167 resulted in a premature stop signal at codon 206. In both other strains, we identified amino acid substitutions already described in other ACV-resistant VZV strains: either Glu→Gly at residue 48 or Arg→Gly at residue 143. According to our work and data previously reported on resistant VZV strains, there are three areas in the TK gene where 71% of the mutations described to date are located. These areas are putative candidates for a genotypic diagnosis of ACV resistance.