Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of disease severity and comorbidities on length of stay (LOS) in COPD

Introduction: COPD is a chronic disease with well described comorbidities and a leading cause of non-elective hospital admission in the UK. We aimed to determine the effects of comorbidity and disease severity, according to GOLD criteria, on the LOS and readmission rates in patients admitted with exacerbations of COPD. Methods: Data was prospectively collected on 119 patients admitted to a large teaching hospital between November and December 2015. Results: The mean patient age was 70.5 years and the mean FEV1 was 48% predicted (severe/stage III). 40 patients (33%) were readmitted in the 30 days following discharge, and of these 18 had more than 1 readmission. 95 patients (80%) had more than 1 comorbidity (mean 2.6 per patient, range 1-8), and 11 (8%) patients died following their admission. The mean LOS was 5.5 days (range 0 – 24) and the number of comorbidities did not correlate with LOS, but severe disease was associated with an increased LOS. Conclusion: Increasing severity of COPD was associated with an increased LOS, and there was no significant relationship between the number of comorbidities and LOS or readmissions.
Tubulin vaccinated Ankole cattle develop less severe lesions than the non-vaccinated cattle when experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Invasion of the Central Nervous System (CNS) by African trypanosomes represents a critical step in the development of human African trypanosomiasis. The study aimed ats assessing the role of tubulin vaccine candidate in protection of cattle against trypanosomiasis using Trypanosoma brucei brucei subspecies that is highly related to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense that cause sleeping sickness in man. The tissue behavior and cerebral fate of T. b. brucei in cattle should mimic the situation in humans and since cattle are also natural hosts for trypanosomes, it was envisaged that the cattle system would be a more suitable model for vaccination studies than the rodent model. Experimental infection of tubulin vaccine candidate vaccinated and non-vaccinated Ankole long horn cattle breed calves was done using a Trypanosoma brucei brucei parasite strain that had been previously isolated from naturally infected cattle in Uganda. Trypanosomiasis disease progression and associated pathology were assessed by clinical and extensive post mortem examinations. Marked organ abnormalities and severe lesions were observed in the non-vaccinated cattle, however, the findings revealed that tubulin vaccination in cattle lowers tissue parasitiasis and ameliorates the inflammatory pathology and clinical signs of trypanosomiasis by Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The trypanosome tissue invasion may be susceptible to immunological attenuation.
Biological Parameters and Fisheries Indices of Beluga Sturgeon Huso Huso in the Southern Caspian Sea

Abstract There is a significant lack of data for the biological parameters of beluga or great sturgeon, the largest fish in the Caspian Sea. The age, growth and fisheries indices for the stock status of beluga was investigated in the south Caspian Basin of Iran between 1990 and 2011. Fork lengths ranged between 113-420 cm and weights from 8.0 to 725.0 kg. The growth parameters were L∞ = 440 cm, K = 0.027 year−1, t0 = − 5.8 years. The age at first capture (tc) was 13.1 years. The long-term age composition data showed age up to 63 years, and the ages 12-19 years comprised 76.7% of the total catch. The generation length was 33 years. The values of “KF” were close to 1 or >1, indicating that beluga sturgeon is in a favorable condition in the southern Caspian Sea. The length distribution showed that 24.2% of the catch is comprised of juveniles. Based on the age structure and age at first maturity, recruitment and growth overfishing occurred in beluga stocks. Therefore, increased length or age at first capture in future fishery policies should be implemented. The mega-spawners represented 4.4% of the fish captured and revealed an unhealthy population structure.
Vegetation succession in eight inland drift sands in relation to geomorphology and nitrogen deposition

Questions: (1) At what rate does succession take place in active and more stabilized drift sands in regions with low and high N deposition in The Netherlands? (2) What is the present composition of the pioneer vegetation in active and more stabilized drift sands in regions with low and high N deposition? (3) What efforts are necessary to conserve bare sand in drift sands? Location: Eight inland dunes in The Netherlands, which represent four active and four more stabilized drift sands in regions with low and high N deposition. Methods: Aerial photographs from 1950, 1981, 1995 and 2007 were used to compare rates of succession from bare sand towards forest. For each site, a detailed vegetation map was made in 2007. Results: In all studied sites, bare sand decreased, especially in regions with high N deposition. This decline was significantly higher between 1981 and 2007 than in the other periods. The loss of bare sand did not lead to increase of pioneer vegetation, which remained more or less stable. It led, however, to an increase of heath and forest. In active drift sands, pioneer vegetation was characterized by Corynephorus canescens and Polytrichum piliferum, while lichens, lichen-rich grassland and Campylopus introflexus were more common in stabilized drift sands. In regions with high N deposition, the proportion of Campylopus introflexus to older pioneer stages was significantly higher. In regions with high N deposition, the contribution of forest to the ‘heath/forest’ vegetation class was also higher. The calculated lifespan of bare sand decreased in all sites. Extrapolation of the results suggests that in the absence of restoration measures, bare sand will vanish in 2035. Conclusions: In both active and more stabilized drift sands, a generic loss of bare sand and an increase in forest area was found. The increase was higher in regions with high N deposition. Conservation management should include the annual transformation of 43 ha of forest into bare sand in order to stop the loss of bare sand. Nomenclature source: van der Meijden, R. (2005) for vascular plants; Siebel & During (2006) for bryophytes; Aptroot et al. (2004) for lichens.
Integrating Service Fairness Into The Post-Acceptance Model Of Is Continuance In Cloud Computing

This study integrates service fairness into a post-acceptance model of information system continuance. This study added constructs based on Greenberg’s (1993) four-component taxonomy of organizational justice. The research model seeks to be useful in predicting satisfaction, which enhances continued usage of an IS. The results show that perceived usefulness and satisfaction influence continuance intention, as the post-acceptance model predicts. Three of the four distinct service fairness dimensions, systemic, configural and interpersonal fairness, significantly enhanced satisfaction. However, the relationship between informational fairness and satisfaction was negative and significant.
RPTSS 2018 International Conference on Research Paradigms Transformation in Social Sciences ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AS FACTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Organizational environment influences manifestation of various performance indicators, including the level of employee engagement, psychological well-being and creativity. Company employees define the creative environment as an environment characterized by a special atmosphere that gives freedom of creativity, the opportunity to offer and implement new ideas, the opportunity to go beyond the usual. The most important components of the creative potential of the company environment are the diversity and creativity of work tasks, the sound background, the possibility of solitude, indoor plants, and daylight. The sample of the study is comprised of 100 employees aged 20 to 62, working at 22 commercial companies in St. Petersburg. The following instruments were used for collecting the data: questionnaire 'Creative environment of the company', developed for research purposes on the basis of the 'Creativity Development Quick Scan' methodology, Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). The research results allow one to draw a conclusion that there is a link between the level of the organizational environment of the company and employee engagement level (r = 476, p <0.01) and psychological well-being (r = 329, p <0.01). The study allowed one to formulate the subjective characteristics of ‘creative environment' as perceived by employees. The characteristics of organizational environment contribute differently to the overall assessment of company creative potential. The received data can be used by CEO's or HR-managers to improve company organizational environment. The adjusted questionnaire, developed on the basis of the 'Creativity Development Quick Scan' technique, amplifies the psycho-diagnostic toolkit. © 2018 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
PORTADA separata

Objectives: Published data about the association between the consumption of sweetened soft-drinks (SSD) and obesity in childhood are controversial and still inconsistent. In addition, data are lacking in the Spanish population. The purpose of this study was therefore, to explore the cross-sectional association between body composition-related parameters and SSD consumption in Spanish adolescents. Subjects and methods: A representative sample of 1,523 adolescents (768 boys and 755 girls), with complete dietary data as well as anthropometric measurements, were included in this study. Weight, height, waist circumferences, and 6 skinfolds were measured, and BMI and percentage body fat were calculated. From a 24h dietary recall the subjects were grouped in 3 groups according to their SSD consumption: 1) Non-consumers (0 g of SSD consumption); 2) Moderate consumption (< 336 g/day of SSD, equivalent to the average SSD portion size); and 3) High consumption (> 336 g/day of SSD). Results: 67% males and 75% females did not consume any SSD the day before the dietary recall interview. Males consumed more SSD than females. Regarding the association between SSD consumption and measures of obesity, no difference was observed between the three groups of SSD consumption in any of the anthropometric measurement, BMI or body fat. Conclusion: As no association was present between SSD consumption and obesity in our cross-sectional study we suggest that dietary patterns and habits as well as lifestyle factors such as physical activity should be pre¿SE ASOCIA EL CONSUMO DE REFRESCOS AZUCARADOS CON LA COMPOSICIÓN CORPORAL? ESTUDIO TRANSVERSAL EN ADOLESCENTES ESPAÑOLES?
The effect of metformin in the treatment of intractable and late onset acne: a comparison with oral isotretinoin

Background: Insulin resistance and increased insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 with consequent mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) 1 overexpression is responsible for acne pathogenesis, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metformin is shown to improve acne as an adjunct therapy in females with PCOS and males with altered metabolic profile. We evaluated the use of metformin in the treatment of resistant and late-onset acne in females, and compared it with isotretinoin. Methods: Females with late-onset acne or acne resistant to common therapies (n=70) were randomized to receive metformin (n=35) or isotretinoin (n=35) for 6 months. Changes in acne severity were scored by global acne grading system (GAGS) which was the primary outcome. Other endpoints were changes in the components of metabolic profile. Results: Six-month treatment with metformin and isotretinoin significantly reduced the GAGS from 31.9 to 24.6 and from 34.1 to 13.3, respectively, indicating the superior impact of isotretinoin. Metfromin was more effective in decreasing the GAGS score in those with PCOS (13.5±7.1 vs. 24.2±19.4, P
Fullerene/MWCNT/Nafion Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for the Electrochemical Determination of Caffeine

Herein, a convenient method based on a fullerene/multiwalled carbon nanotube/Nafion modified glassy carbon electrode (fullerene/MWCNT/Naf/GCE) for the electrochemical determination of caffeine (CAF) is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study ionic exchange properties and conductivity the proposed electrode using [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox couple. Caffeine gave an irreversible oxidation peak around +1.33 V (vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode) in HClO4 (pH 1). The linear dependence of the peak current with the square root of the scan rate showed that the electron transfer process is controlled by diffusion. After optimization of key analytical parameters involved in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the oxidation peak current varied linearly with CAF concentration in the range of 10 to 1000 μM. A detection limit of 7.289 × 10-8 M (S/N = 3) was found. Kinetic and chronocoulometric studies were also performed to characterize the diffusion of CAF. The developed electrode exhibited good stability and was easily regenerated. The influence of some potential interfering compounds such as dopamine, uric acid, glucose and sulfite ions on the anodic peak current of CAF was also examined. The proposed method was successfully employed in the determination of CAF in some commercial drugs.
Using quantitative research approaches to place students in Japanese university English language classes

In university English language programs in Japan, students are often tested soon after admission to the university in order to determine their level of English proficiency, so that they can be placed into classes at advanced, intermediate, and basic levels, a result that is generally seen as advantageous for both students and teachers. However, how these test scores are to be used to create placement lists is not always given extensive consideration, especially from a statistical perspective. For example, programs might simply combine test scores or use them in another relatively simple way, probably in part because the specialties of program administrators and teachers tend to be in areas such as linguistics and language, rather than quantitative research methods. In this paper, I will first explain the placement testing situation in Japan and briefly discuss tests frequently used, and then explain how placement committees might improve their placement process by using one of a number of ideas and approaches from quantitative research methods, such as z scores, T scores, factor analysis, and Rasch analysis, to create English class placement lists of students.
Kazue Sawami_Doi_Article

Introduction: Regarding dementia prevention, as it has been reported that the volume of hippocampus increase with continuous dancing and that dancers’ gray matter increases, dancing and recognition tasks have been combined and developed into brain training. Furthermore, we equipped a robot with dance therapy and a cognitive evaluation scale, the results of which we will exam as the focus of this study. Methods: Comparison of the results of cognitive evaluation tests before and after 7 weeks of continuous cognitive dance therapy once a week. The cognitive evaluation test utilized was the cognitive test used by the National Police Agency for the renewal of elderly person’s licenses. Moreover, mental states before and after dance were compared on a five-level Likert scale, and we surveyed the psychological condition of participants after robot therapy. Results: Of the 91 registrants, with no missing values data of 71 people was analyzed with paired t-test. The mean age was 70.3±5.7 years old, the average score for the cognitive test prior to intervention was 86.8 points. After 7 weeks of intervention, the average score was 94.7 points, significant increase (p<0.01). At the Likert scale of the mental state, there was a significant improvement in mood comfort, satisfaction, and vitality (p<0.01). And there was a correlation between cognitive function and mental state (p<0.05). Next, the average score of the robot therapy satisfaction level was as high as 4.73 out of 5 points. In the comments section, there were in descending order comments such as being happy, healing, clarity of the mind, facilitation of social interactions, et cetera. Conclusion: Cognitive dance therapy improves cognitive ability. Remembering songs and choreography together with music is indeed easy and effective. Additionally, with the combined effects of the results from robot psychological healing, it was shown that both the mind and body of older people are revitalized.
The Criminogenic Effect of Marijuana Dispensaries in Denver, Colorado: A Microsynthetic Control Quasi-Experiment and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract The study analyzed the criminogenic effect of legalizing recreational marijuana dispensaries in Denver. Street segments with recreational dispensaries experienced no changes in violent, disorder and drug crime but did experience an 18% increase in property crime, and street segments adjacent to recreational dispensaries experienced some notable (but non-significant) drug and disorder crime increases. Medical dispensaries demonstrated no significant crime changes. A cost-benefit analysis found the associated crime costs were largely offset by sales revenue. Monetary benefits were much less pronounced, and barely cost effective, when only considering tax revenue.
Effects of light-emitting diode (led 640nm) on human gingival fibroblasts: a comparative in vitro study.

Purpose The light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been applied in oral surgery for tissue stimulation and wound healing. Several Authors have highlighted that fibroblasts subjected to phototherapy have an increased viability, proliferation, biomodulation of inflammatory cytokines and genes expression. It remains to be determined which are the best irradiation parameters (energy, wavelength, power) for each type of cell in order to obtain the best bio-stimulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LED irradiation on primary human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF) on DSP, ELN, HAS1, ELANE, HYAL1, RPL13 genes activation using Real Time PCR. These genes activation is directly connected with elastin protein production and HGF functionality. Materials and methods Human gingival tissue biopsies were obtained from three healthy patients during extraction of teeth. The gingival pieces were fragmented with a scalpel and transferred in culture dishes for allow the cells growth. Human gingival fibroblasts at the second passage were seeded on multiple 6-well plates and were stimulated with three different light-emitting diodes (LEDs) fixture. After irradiation, the cells were trypsinized, harvested and lysed for RNA extraction. Genes expression was quantified using Real Time PCR. Results We didn't found significant differences in genes activation of HGF of the three different LEDs. The LED irradiation seems to be directly correlated with the elastin and hyaluronoglucosaminidase 1 genes activation that are directly connected with proteins production and HGF functionality. Conclusions HGF show an increased deposition of elastin as well as enhanced expression of collagen type I, which is the main protein related to the synthesis and of the collagen-rich matrix.
Int. J. Biosci

This study was conducted to investigate the genetic control of yield components. A six parent diallel cross, including reciprocals, of wheat was tested for heading and maturing time, plant and peduncle height, spike length, spikelet number per spike, grain number and weight per spike, harvest index and grain yield per plant. These traits measured were analyzed employing the techniques of Jinks-Hayman type diallel analyses. Results revealed that significant variance among the genotypes to make diallel analyses for all traits and the scaling test suggested that the additive-dominance model was adequate for data analysis for all characters except for maturing date, spike length and grain weight per spike. Additive (a and D) and non-additive (b and H1, H2) gen effects were involved in the heritance of all traits according to diallel variance analyses and estimation of genetic parameters. The Wr/Vr graphs and (H1/D) value revealed that partial dominance for plant height, peduncle length, spikelet and grain number per spike, while over dominance for harvest index and grain yield per plant. Furthermore, the regression coefficient of Wr on Vr was significant from unity for heading and maturing time, spike length and grain weight per spike indicating the presence of epistatic gene effects. The effective selection was possible in early generations for plant height, peduncle length, spikelet number per spike, grain number per spike and harvest index, since these traits had high narrow sense heritability, which estimated that according to additive gene action. * Corresponding Author: Imren Kutlu  ikutlu@ogu.edu. tr International Journal of Biosciences | IJB | ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print), 2222-5234 (Online) http://www.innspub. net Vol. 6, No. 12, p. 61-70, 2015
Study on the Effect of Temperature Requirements on Samany and Zaghloul Date Palms Performance under Three Different Conditions

The experiment aimed to study the effect of temperature requirements on fruit physical and chemical properties of Samany and Zaghloul date palm cultivars grown at Aswan, Giza and El-Kalubiya Governorates. This study showed that the development of fruit growth of Samany and Zaghloul date palm cultivars exhibited a sigmoid curve, consisted of three stages, the first stage showed a limited increase in fruit weight till May for Samany and Zaghloul date palms grown at Aswan Governorate, but the same cultivars grown at, Giza and El-Kalubiya showed a limited increase in fruit weight till Jun. The dramatic increase in fruit weight was noticed in the second stage of fruit development in Jun and July at Aswan, Giza and El-Kalubiya Governorates. The fruit growth curve slowed again in the third stage till harvest for Samany and Zaghloul date cultivars grown under Aswan, Giza and El-Kalubiya Governorates. The data revealed that, Samany cultivar grown at Aswan region gave the highest fruit and flesh weight as compared with those grown at Giza and El-Kalubiya Governorates in the first season. Samany and Zaghloul date cultivars grown at Aswan gave the lowest fruit moisture content, total acidity and crude fibers, while they gave the highest reducing and total sugars compared with those grown at Giza and El-Kalubiya Governorates in both seasons. On the other side, Samany and Zaghloul date palms grown at El-Kalubiya Governorate gave the highest bunch weight and total yield which compared with those grown at Aswan and Giza Governorates in the second seasons only. It could be generally concluded that Samany and Zaghloul date palm cultivars produced early yield and gave fruit with better physical and chemical characteristics under Aswan Governorate conditions.
Some mathematical properties of a barotropic multiphase flow model

We study a model for compressible multiphase flows involving N non miscible barotopic phases where N is arbitrary. This model boils down to the barotropic Baer-Nunziato model when N = 2. We prove the weak hyperbolicity property, the non-strict convexity of the natural mathematical entropy, and the existence of a symmetric form.