Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Well‐being in the welfare state: Level not higher, distribution not more equitable

Abstract The terms well‐being and welfare are often bracketed together, especially well‐being and state welfare. The level of well‐being is believed to be higher in welfare states, and its distribution more equitable. This theory is tested here in a comparative study of 41 nations from 1980 to 1990. The size of state welfare is measured by social security expenditures. The well‐being of citizens is measured in terms of the degree to which they lead healthy and happy lives. Contrary to expectation, there appears to be no link between the size of the welfare state and the level of well‐being within it. In countries with generous social security schemes, people are not healthier or happier than in equally affluent countries where the state is less open‐handed. Increases or reductions in social security expenditure are not related to a rise or fall in the level of health and happiness either. There also appears to be no connection between the size of state welfare and equality in well‐being among citizens of the state. In countries where social security expenditure is high, the dispersion of health and happiness is not smaller than in equally prosperous countries with less social insurance spending. Again, increases and reductions in social security expenditure are not linked with equality in health and happiness among citizens. This counterintuitive result raises five questions: (1) Is this really true? (2) If so, what could explain this lack of effect? (3) Why is it so difficult to believe this result? (4) How should this information affect social policy? (5) What can we learn from further research?
Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus Isolates from the Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere of Ficus sycomorus Linn

I report here a microbiological study of the Rhizosphere and the phyllosphere of Ficus sycomorus plant, with particular focus on Staphylococcus species, to provide the scientific explanation for an age-long observation and mythology of the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria, which says " ja ewe opoto kio ri ija eewo" which translates to "pluck the fig leaves and incur the brunt of boils". Various species of microorganisms have been discovered to inhabit different parts of plants. The Phyllosphere and the Rhizosphere of 40 samples of Ficus sycomorus plants were investigated to specifically isolate using the dilution plate technique, determine the pathogenicity, and antibiotic resistance of the associated Staphylococcus microbiota. In this study, the prevalent bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (60%), Staphylococcus intermedius (20%), Micrococcus sp (10%) and Staph. xylosus (10%) from the Phyllosphere, while Staphylococcus saprophyticus, S. aureus, S. xylosus and Micrococcus sp were recovered from the Rhizosphere at 19.5%, 54.2%, 15.5% and 10.8% respectively. Of all the isolates, Staph. aureus from all the samples were resistant to Penicillin, Tetracycline, Ampicillin and Streptomycin. While Micrococcus sp was only susceptible to Ampicillin, Staph. intermedius, S. saprophyticus and S. xylosus were resistant to Penicillin. Ciprofloxacin and Augmentin were the most active against the bacterial isolates. Based on the use of extracts of the leaves by some local cheese ("Wara") producers for cud coagulation, as well as in ethnomedicine, the presence of this antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains have the potentials to elicit preformed toxins and enteric infections if consumed, or elicit boils and abscesses on contact with abraided skin. Such patient may experience treatment failure using the first line antibiotics. This study indicate the potentials of Ficus sycomorus plant as a reservoir for dissemination of pathogenic multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus species in the environment. (Babalola Michael Oluyemi. Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus Isolates from the Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere of Ficus Sycomorus Linn. World Rural Observations 2013;5(3):83-89). ISSN: 1944-6543 (Print); ISSN: 1944-6551 (Online). http://www.sciencepub. net/rural . 13
The Bioequivalence of Telithromycin Administered Orally as Crushed Tablets Versus Tablets Swallowed Whole

This open‐label, randomized, crossover study was conducted to demonstrate bioequivalence for telithromycin administered as crushed or whole tablets. Single 800‐mg telithromycin doses (2 × 400‐mg tablets) were administered as crushed tablets mixed in 240 mL nutritional supplement drink followed by 120 mL water or as whole tablets swallowed with 240 mL water. Plasma telithromycin concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry; pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental methods. Average bioequivalence criteria were applied. Thirty‐two subjects received telithromycin by both methods. The 90% confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios of maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration‐time curve to 24 hours were within the 0.80 to 1.25 range. Median tmax was 3.00 hours for both treatments. Both methods of administration were well tolerated. Crushing telithromycin tablets and administering them with a nutritional supplement drink is bioequivalent to ingesting whole tablets and could be a viable method of administration for patients unable to swallow tablets whole.
Structure—function relationships in telomerase genes

The TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) subunit of telomerase is an intensively studied macromolecule due to its key importance in maintaining genome integrity and role in cellular aging and cancer. In an effort to provide an up‐to‐date overview of the topic, we discuss the structure of TERT genes, their alternative splicing products and their functions. Nucleotide databases contain more than 90 full‐length cDNA sequences of telomerase protein subunits. Numerous in silico, in vitro and in vivo experimental techniques have revealed a great deal of structural and functional data describing particular features of the telomerase subunit in various model organisms. We explore whether particular findings are generally applicable to telomerases or species‐specific. We also discuss in an evolutionary context the role of identified functional TERT subdomains.
Additional human remains from Blombos Cave, South Africa: (1999-2000 excavations).

The uppermost Middle Stone Age (MSA) layers at Blombos Cave contain high densities of Still Bay bifacial points. Information from other regional sites places the Still Bay prior to the Howiesons Poort industry, which has been dated at 65-70 ka. The Blombos Cave MSA strata have yielded nine human teeth or dental fragments. Four that were recovered during the 1997-1998 excavations have been published elsewhere. The remaining five were discovered during the 1999-2000 field seasons; these are described here. Three of the new specimens are deciduous teeth, and two are permanent premolar and molar crown fragments. The entire dental sample probably represents at least five and as many as seven individuals. The deciduous teeth from the upper MSA levels are likely to have been exfoliated in the cave. One deciduous tooth and the permanent tooth fragments from the lower MSA levels probably represent three individuals who died in or near the cave. The Blombos Cave premolars preserve horizontal circum-cervical striae suggestive of palliative tooth pick use. Approximately half of the permanent and deciduous crown diameters exceed those of recent Africans; for the remainder, the fossil values fall among modern African sample means. The Blombos Cave tooth crowns tend to be smaller than the majority of penecontemporaneous Neandertal teeth. The morphology of the Blombos Cave di is comparable to MSA homologues from the nearby, and presumably somewhat younger site of Die Kelders Cave 1.
The results of cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in patients with Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE To evaluate the results of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with Behçet's disease. METHODS Retrospective study was based on 19 uveitic eyes of 12 patients with Behçet's disease who underwent classic ECCE with IOL implantation in 5 eyes and phacoemulsification with IOL implantation in 14 eyes between 1993-1999. RESULTS In eyes with Behçet's uveitis 0.5 or better postoperative visual acuity was found in 21% at the end of mean 34.2-4.6 (range 5 to 66) months follow-up. The most frequent postoperative complications were posterior capsule opacification in 9 (47%), posterior synechiae in 5 (26%), anterior synechiae in 3 (16%). Anterior and posterior synechiae in the phacoemulsification group were less than those in the ECCE group (respectively p<0.05 and p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In eyes with chronic Behçet's uveitis, cataract extraction and IOL implantation by phacoemulsification had fewer postoperative complication than ECCE, but most of the patients had low visual acuity due to preoperatively existing optic atrophy and/or inflammatory degeneration or edema of macula.
Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Interleukin-17A and Interferon-&ggr; Levels in Early Asymptomatic Neurosyphilis

Background The mechanisms underlying the process of Treponema pallidum clearance from the central nervous system have not yet been established. Considering that neurosyphilis is associated with mild cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis with a lymphocytic predominance, it has been suggested that cells involved in the adaptive immune response may play a role in this process. In the current study, we assessed the cytokine production profile of T-helper cells in the serum and CSF of patients with early syphilis, with and without CSF abnormalities. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples were collected from 33 patients with secondary and early latent syphilis. Five patients (15%) had a reactive CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test without any accompanying neurological symptoms. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention classification, they were diagnosed with asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Serum and CSF levels of interferon-&ggr; (IFN-&ggr;; Th1-type cytokine), interleukin-4 (IL-4; Th2-type cytokine), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A; Th17-type cytokine) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Patients with asymptomatic neurosyphilis had significantly higher levels of IL-17A (8-fold) and IFN-&ggr; (7.8-fold) in the CSF compared with patients in the no-neurosyphilis group. Six individuals had CSF pleocytosis but a negative CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test result (presumptive neurosyphilis group). In this group, CSF IFN-&ggr; and CSF IL-17A levels were also significantly elevated when compared with no-neurosyphilis group. There was no correlation between serum and CSF concentrations of IL-17A. However, CSF pleocytosis correlated positively with both CSF IL-17A (r = 0.4, P = 0.01) and IFN-&ggr; (r = 0.42, P = 0.01). Conclusions Increased CSF levels of IFN-&ggr; and IL-17A in syphilitic patients with CSF abnormalities suggest that cells of adaptive immunity (probably T-helper cells producing IFN-&ggr; and IL-17) may contribute to the inflammatory response associated with neurosyphilis. In addition, the lack of correlation between serum and CSF IL-17A levels suggests intrathecal production of this cytokine. Further studies are needed to establish the exact nature of the immune response accompanying neurosyphilis and its clinical significance.
Development of 1RM Prediction Equations for Bench Press in Moderately Trained Men

Abstract Macht, JW, Abel, MG, Mullineaux, DR, and Yates, JW. Development of 1RM prediction equations for bench press in moderately trained men. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2901–2906, 2016—There are a variety of established 1 repetition maximum (1RM) prediction equations, however, very few prediction equations use anthropometric characteristics exclusively or in part, to estimate 1RM strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an original 1RM prediction equation for bench press using anthropometric and performance characteristics in moderately trained male subjects. Sixty male subjects (21.2 ± 2.4 years) completed a 1RM bench press and were randomly assigned a load to complete as many repetitions as possible. In addition, body composition, upper-body anthropometric characteristics, and handgrip strength were assessed. Regression analysis was used to develop a performance-based 1RM prediction equation: 1RM = 1.20 repetition weight + 2.19 repetitions to fatigue − 0.56 biacromial width (cm) + 9.6 (R 2 = 0.99, standard error of estimate [SEE] = 3.5 kg). Regression analysis to develop a nonperformance-based 1RM prediction equation yielded: 1RM (kg) = 0.997 cross-sectional area (CSA) (cm2) + 0.401 chest circumference (cm) − 0.385%fat − 0.185 arm length (cm) + 36.7 (R 2 = 0.81, SEE = 13.0 kg). The performance prediction equations developed in this study had high validity coefficients, minimal mean bias, and small limits of agreement. The anthropometric equations had moderately high validity coefficient but larger limits of agreement. The practical applications of this study indicate that the inclusion of anthropometric characteristics and performance variables produce a valid prediction equation for 1RM strength. In addition, the CSA of the arm uses a simple nonperformance method of estimating the lifter's 1RM. This information may be used to predict the starting load for a lifter performing a 1RM prediction protocol or a 1RM testing protocol.
Differential diagnosis of elevated troponins

In the year 2000, the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology Committee jointly redefined myocardial infarction (MI) by an elevation of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) or I (cTnI) in conjunction with clinical evidence of myocardial ischaemia.1 Since then, cTnT and cTnI have replaced creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) as the preferred biochemical markers for the diagnosis of MI. The decision for including cardiac troponins (cTn) in the diagnostic pathway was made because of the high sensitivity of cTn for detection of even small amounts of myocardial necrosis. An elevation of cTn indicates the presence of, but not the underlying reason for, myocardial injury. Hence, besides acute myocardial infarction (AMI), there is a myriad of potential diseases with troponin release, including acute pulmonary embolism, heart failure, myocarditis, and end stage renal disease. But regardless of what the release mechanism into the blood from cardiac myocytes is, elevated cTnT and cTnI almost always imply a poor prognosis. This article attempts to highlight the differential diagnosis of elevated cTn according to the various aetiologies of myocyte damage (table 1). View this table: Table 1 Causes of elevated troponins, prevalence, and underlying mechanism The troponin complex consists of three subunits—troponin C, troponin I, and troponin T—and is located on the myofibrillar thin (actin) filament of striated (skeletal and cardiac) muscle (fig 1). The cardiac isoforms troponin T and I are only expressed in cardiac muscle. Hence, cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) are more specific than creatine kinase (CK) values for myocardial injury and, because of their high sensitivity, they may even be elevated when CK-MB concentrations are not. The cTn complex regulates excitation–contraction coupling in the heart. Cardiac troponin C (cTnC), a calcium (Ca2+) binding 18-kD-protein, regulates the activation of the actin filaments. cTnI (∼23 kD) inhibits contraction in the absence of Ca …
Behavioral and Nonbehavioral Risk Factors for Occupational Injuries and Health Problems Among Belgian Farmers

ABSTRACT Preventive interventions to reduce occupational injuries and diseases among farmers require an appraisal of the relative importance of the various risk factors. This paper describes the results of a cross-sectional study investigating determinants of occupational health and injuries among 510 Belgian farmers, looking at health-related behaviors (machinery use, animal handling, fall prevention, and pesticide use), as well as nonbehavioral risk factors (demographic characteristics, farm characteristics, and participation in safety training). Education level and number of employees on the farm were identified as nonbehavioral risk factors for injuries, with highly educated farmers and working with one employee associated with a higher injury risk. In contrast, none of the nonbehavioral factors were related to occupational disease. Unsafe machinery use, animal handling, fall prevention, and pesticide use were behavioral risk factors for injuries, with unsafe pesticide use representing the highest risk. Unsafe machinery and pesticide use were also risks for disease. Significant differences in self-reported behavior were found for gender, age, number of employees, and the interaction between age and education. The study highlights the importance of behavioral factors as determinants of occupational injuries and diseases among farmers, and suggests that tailored preventive interventions should be developed to accommodate for differences in these behaviors among subgroups of farmers.
Thickness-dependent metal-insulator transition in epitaxial SrRuO3 ultrathin films

Transport characteristics of ultrathin SrRuO3 films, deposited epitaxially on TiO2-terminated SrTiO3 (001) single-crystal substrates, were studied as a function of film thickness. Evolution from a metallic to an insulating behavior is observed as the film thickness decreases from 20 to 4 unit cells. In films thicker than 4 unit cells, the transport behavior obeys the Drude low temperature conductivity with quantum corrections, which can be attributed to weak localization. Fitting the data with 2-dimensional localization model indicates that electron-phonon collisions are the main inelastic relaxation mechanism. In the film of 4 unit cells in thickness, the transport behavior follows variable range hopping model, indicating a strongly localized state. Magnetoresistance measurements reveal a likely magnetic anisotropy with the magnetic easy axis along the out-of-plane direction.
Contacts of suicide attempters with GPs prior to the event: a comparison between Stockholm and Bern

The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of contact made with GPs by subjects in two cities prior to attempting suicide, in order to determine whether differences in the health care systems could be a possible factor influencing the help‐seeking behaviour of people experiencing suicidal crises. Structured interviews were conducted with suicide attempters from geographically defined catchment areas in two countries with private and national health care systems, respectively. The subjects were suicide attempters, admitted consecutively, aged ≥15 years and living either in Stockholm (n=202) or in Bern (n=66). Patients living in Bern had seen their GPs more regularly and more frequently throughout the year. There was an increase in the number of visits to the GP prior to the suicide attempt in both cities, but it was greater in Stockholm than in Bern. However, in Stockholm fewer patients who saw their GP in the week before the attempt talked about their suicidal thoughts. The differences in help‐seeking behaviour between the two patient samples may be related to the higher number of practising GPs and a more personal and consistent patient‐doctor relationship in Bern. It is possible that the private medical care system in Switzerland lowers the threshold enabling patients to talk to their GP about their suicidal plans. The results suggest that in both cities there is scope for improving communication of the suicidal patient with his or her doctor.
A spatially resolved study of photoelectric heating and (C II) cooling in the LMC Comparison with dust emission as seen by SAGE

Context. Photoelectric heating is a dominant heating mechanism for many phases of the interstellar medium. We study this mechanism throughout the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Aims. We aim to quantify the importance of the [C II] cooling line and the photoelectric heating process of various environments in the LMC and to investigate which parameters control the extent of photoelectric heating. Methods. We use the BICE [C II] map and the Spitzer/SAGE infrared maps. We examine the spatial variations in the efficiency of photoelectric heating: photoelectric heating rate over power absorbed by grains, i.e. the observed [C II] line strength over the integrated infrared emission. We correlate the photoelectric heating efficiency and the emission from various dust constituents and study the variations as a function of Ha emission, dust temperatures, and the total infrared luminosity. The observed variations are interpreted in a theoretical framework. From this we estimate radiation field, gas temperature, and electron density. Results. We find systematic variations in photoelectric efficiency. The highest efficiencies are found in the diffuse medium, while the lowest coincide with bright star-forming regions (similar to 1.4 times lower). The [C II] line emission constitutes 1.32% of the far infrared luminosity across the whole of the LMC. We find correlations between the [C II] emission and ratios of the mid infrared and far infrared bands, which comprise various dust constituents. The correlations are interpreted in light of the spatial variations of the dust abundance and by the local environmental conditions that affect the dust emission properties. As a function of the total infrared surface brightness, S-TIR, the [C II] surface brightness can be described as: S [C II] = 1.25 S-TIR(0.69) [10(-3) erg s(-1) cm(-2) sr(-1)], for S-TIR greater than or similar to 3.2 x 10(-4) erg s(-1) cm(-2) sr(-1). We provide a simple model of the photoelectric efficiency as a function of the total infrared luminosity. We find a power-law relation between radiation field and electron density, consistent with other studies. The [ C II] emission is well-correlated with the 8 mu m emission, suggesting that the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons play a dominant role in the photoelectric heating process.
Surface photovoltage analysis of thin CdS layers on polycrystalline chalcopyrite absorber layers by Kelvin probe force microscopy

An extensive Kelvin probe force microscopy study in an ultrahigh vacuum has been undertaken to examine the influence of growth modifications of a few nm thick CdS buffer layers in thin film chalcopyrite solar cells. In regions around the grain boundaries of the polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 substrate a lowering of the work function extending to about 200 nm away from this vertical interface was observed. This electrical inhomogeneity depends strongly on the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 surface condition and is interpreted by a diffusion process along the substrate grain boundaries. Our results contribute to the understanding of the crucial role of the several nm thick CdS layer for improving the photovoltaic performance of chalcopyrite thin film solar cells.