Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Redness Assessment in Melasma Lesions in Skin Whitening Evaluation

: Melasma has several well-recognized etiologic factors, but most researches focus on melanogenesis. The purpose of this study is to show improvement of melasma by reducing vascularity distinguished from melanogenesis. We examined 20 Korean women with both melasma and solar lentigo that were visually assessed by a dermatologist. The volunteers applied functional cosmetics for 8 weeks. We analyzed the results obtained using the chromameter, evaluating the skin color of three areas (melasma lesions, solar lentigo lesions, and non-lesional skin) on the face of volunteer. There was a statistically significant improvement in the brightness and redness of melasma lesions compared to those of non-lesional skin after 8 weeks. Also, we observed that the improvements in the brightness of melasma lesions and solar lentigo lesions were similar. However, the redness of melasma lesions improved more than that of solar lentigo lesions with statistical significance after 8 weeks. In this study, we have shown that brightness and redness in melasma lesions can be improved by functional cosmetics. Thus, we suggest redness to be an additional suitable parameter for the evaluation of melasma lesions.
Genetic variability and association of traits in Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes at Holetta, Central Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the secondary center for diversity of barley, and has a large number of accessions preserved in its gene bank. To determine the genetic variability and to assess the associations among morpho-agronomic characters, three hundred and twenty Ethiopian barley genotypes were evaluated in 2017 main-season at Holetta Agricultural Research Centre using 20 × 16 Alpha Lattice design. The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among the genotypes in all traits except for days to emergence, indicating the presence of genotypic variation among the studied genotypes. Out of 320, one hundred and twenty three genotypes gave significantly higher yield than the grand mean (2772.45 kg/ha) with yield advantage of best performing genotypes ranging between 145.98% for genotype Shege to 100.66% for genotype HB-1963. Grain yield, biomass yield and kernels per spike had high phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. The estimates of broad sense heritability and genetic advance were high for days to heading and maturity and thousand kernels weight. Grain yield exhibited positive and highly significant correlations with days to heading and maturity, number kernels per spike, biomass yield, harvest index, thousand kernels and hectolitre weights. Path coefficient analysis revealed that biomass yield followed by seed harvest index had high and positive direct effects on grain yield and negative direct effect was exerted by days to heading and scald disease. Therefore, there is a high possibility of developing new varieties from these genotypes.
Expatriates and International career management: Corporate and sporting context

Globalization makes expatriation an increasingly present reality, whether in the lives of employees of multinational companies or athletes. Therefore, the objective of this essay was to conceptuate the International Human Resources Management (IHRM) and to point out the relationship of such phenomenon with the career management conducted by the person participating in this process of "expatriation", both in corporate and sports contexts. For this, it was based on the methodological design of a qualitative research on the perspective of documental analysis. As the main reflections of this essay, we emphasize that, although it is considered fundamental, the IHRM is better developed in companies, while in sports clubs this is a secondary concern. It is also noteworthy the importance of athletes and expatriate employees to undergo a process of preparation, both from the psychological and social, economic and cultural point of view, so that the changes are faced in the best possible way.
Bandgap enhancement of periodic nonuniform metamaterial beams with inertial amplification mechanisms

The aim of this study was to obtain bandgaps that are much better, that is at lower frequencies and in broader frequency ranges. Novel nonuniform metamaterial beams with periodically variable cross sections and inertial amplification mechanisms are designed and investigated by numerical and experimental methods. Flexural vibration equations of the nonuniform metamaterial beams are established, and the enhanced bandgap and vibration reduction properties are achieved by combining Bragg scattering and the inertial amplification mechanisms. Numerical results of the bandgaps for the periodic elastic beams with and without the inertial amplification mechanisms are validated by comparing them with the results of vibration experiments. Effects of the amplification mass and angle on the bandgap properties are investigated. Larger amplification mass and angle lead to much enhanced bandgap performances of the nonuniform metamaterial beams in lower to higher frequency ranges.
Evaluating the Time Interval between Calling Emergency Medical Services and Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the intervention of choice for treating patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). This study was done aiming to measure the time interval between the patient calling emergency medical services (EMS) to performance of primary angioplasty on patients with acute MI. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out on patients brought to emergency department (ED) by EMS who complained from cardiac chest pain and underwent primary PCI. Data regarding age, sex, and various time intervals from the moment the patient calls emergency medical service until performing primary PCI, which were accurately recorded in their medical profile, were gathered in a pre-designed checklist and analyzed. Results: Data of 121 patients with the mean age of 58.36 ± 12.09 years was assessed (77.68% male). Mean time interval between calling EMS and undergoing primary PCI was 145.84 ± 62.37 minutes. Mean time interval between arriving at triage and primary PCI (door to balloon time) was 104.61 ± 62.37 minutes. The biggest part (32%) belonging to the time interval between diagnosis of acute MI and dislocation of patient to the angiography unit. The difference between door to balloon time in this study and the standard 90-minutes time was 14.61 minutes (minimum 3.38; maximum 25.83), which is significant (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Although in the present study, most patients underwent primary PCI in less than 3 hours of calling EMS following chest pain, comparing the overall door to balloon time in the present study with the 90-minute standard showed a significant difference. With EMS staff obtaining the patient’s electrocardiogram on the scene and confirming MI diagnosis before reaching the hospital, the patient can be directly delivered to angiography unit and the door to balloon time can be reduced by about 57%.
Validation of the QJIM: A measure of qualitative job insecurity

ABSTRACT Organisations are subject to ongoing changes. These changes offer opportunities but they can also increase the uncertainty about the future of jobs. Although there is a large body of literature on job insecurity, most studies focus on the worry of losing the job while another important stressor, namely the worry of losing valued job features, received less attention. The key contribution of this validation study is the development and psychometric analysis of the Qualitative Job Insecurity Measure (QJIM) that tries to account for the shortcomings of existing qualitative job insecurity scales. It is a quick but still comprehensive measurement of a highly prevalent but understudied phenomenon that directly influences organisational and employee well-being. The psychometric results show the confirmation of the scale’s one-dimensional structure via EFA and CFA, good reliability estimates and the demonstration of the scale's predictive validity regarding job satisfaction and disinclination to work. From a research perspective, QJIM can be used to gain insights into how and when changes negatively affect employees and to identify preventive or corrective measures. From an organisational perspective, QJIM is useful to recognise job features that employees value, to carefully plan changes and to actively increase employee well-being.
Determinants of Covid-19 vaccine uptake among the elderly aged 58 years and above in Kericho County, Kenya: Institution based cross sectional survey

Background Hesitancy to Covid-19 vaccine is a global challenge despite the compelling evidence of the value of vaccine in preventing disease and saving lives. It is suggested that context-specific strategies can enhance acceptability and decrease hesitancy to Covid-19 vaccine. Hence, the study determined uptake and determinants of Covid-19 vaccine following a sustained voluntary vaccination drive by Kenyan government. Method We conducted institution based cross-sectional survey of 1244 elderly persons aged 58 to 98 years in the months of January, February and March, 2022. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate determinants of Covid 19 vaccine uptake. The predictor variables included socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, convenience and ease of access of the vaccine, collective responsibility, complacency and the three dimensions of confidence; trust in safety, trust in decision makers and delivery system. The findings are reported as the adjusted odd ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI). Significant level was considered at p <0.05. Result The results from the multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated that advanced age and presence of chronic disease were associated with increased odds of doubt on Covid 19 vaccine, while long distance from vaccination centers was associated with increased odds of delay in vaccination. Conclusion Overall, the findings of this study have provided valuable insights into the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy among the elderly population in Kenya and will inform the development of targeted interventions to increase vaccine acceptance and uptake in this population. Key terms: vaccine hesitancy; determinants; delay; refuse
Lebanese Biology Teachers Perceptions and Practice of Conceptual Integration

This paper investigates Lebanese high school biology teachers’ perceptions and practice of Conceptual Integration among different science subject areas in the biology class. Fifty Lebanese in-service high school teachers completed a questionnaire about their perceptions of conceptual integration. Then, ten of them participated in a focus group to discuss the implementation of Conceptual Integration through an activity presented in the grade 10 biology program. The findings show that although teachers acknowledge the importance of integrating physics and chemistry in their biology teaching, they avoid implementing Conceptual Integration. In addition, they lack the right knowledge about what Conceptual Integration is and how to approach it in their practice. The study shed the light on the urge to revisit the teacher education program at the Faculty of Education at the Lebanese University, at the pedagogical level to include Conceptual Integration as a main strategy to teach Sciences and at the content knowledge level to highlight the one paradigm of science that includes various science disciplines sharing the same features of the “nature of Science”.
The effect of timing of initiation of renal replacement therapy on mortality: A retrospective case–control study

Purpose To determine if earlier initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is associated with improved survival in patients with severe acute kidney injury. Methods We performed a retrospective case–control study of propensity-matched groups with multivariable logistic regression using Akaike Information Criteria to adjust for non-matched variables in a surgical ICU in a tertiary care hospital. Results We matched 169 of 205 (82%) patients with new initiation of RRT (EARLY group) to 169 similar patients who did not initiate RRT on that day (DEFERRED group). Eighteen (11%) of DEFERRED eventually received RRT before discharge. By univariate analysis, ICU mortality was higher in EARLY (n = 60 (36%) vs. n = 23 (14%), p < 0.001) as was hospital mortality (n = 73 (43%) vs. n = 44 (26%), p = 0.001). Of the 18 RRT patients in DEFERRED, 12 (67%) died in ICU and 13 (72%) in hospital. After propensity matching and logistic regression, we found that EARLY initiation of RRT was associated with a more than doubling of ICU mortality (aOR = 2.310, 95% confidence interval = 1.254–4.257, p = 0.007). However, after similar adjustment, there was no difference in hospital mortality (aOR = 1.283, 95% CI = 0.753–2.186, p = 0.360). Conclusions While ICU mortality was increased in the EARLY group, there was no difference in hospital mortality between EARLY and DEFERRED groups.
Infantile colic: is it an early sign of an allergy?

Infantile colic is a worrisome problem to the parents and caregivers, characterized by the inconsolable crying of infants that usually occur in the first 4months of life. It constitutes the frequent complaint seen by physicians in early infants' life. The episodes generally disappear by the age of five or six months. However, there was growing evidence demonstrate the later impact of these episodes in later children' life. Many interventions were tried to reduce the symptoms associated with infantile colic and to foresee the etiological backgrounds. The allergic role is implicated to have a major role in the pathophysiology of infantile colic and in the later atopic outcome; however, more intensive reliable studies should be done to strengthen these evidences.
A Reappraisal about the Use of Mesh for Hiatal Hernia Repair

Citation: Alejandro Weber-Sanchez and Sofía Mateos-López. “A Reappraisal about the Use of Mesh for Hiatal Hernia Repair”. EC Gastroenterology and Digestive System 7.3 (2020): 01-10. Abstract Introduction: Hiatal hernia (HH) is a common anatomical disorder. Association with gastro esophageal reflux (GERD) is high, and HH act as a factor, accounting for the impairment and chronicity of GERD. Repair of HH and antireflux surgery are often done in the same surgical procedure by laparoscopy, being Nissen fundoplication the preferred anti-reflux surgery. Some key points to repair HH are extensive esophageal mobilization to bring down the gastroesophageal junction into the abdomen, complete sac dissection and tension-free closure of the hiatal crura. But tension-free closure of the hiatus is not always possible and if possible not guarantee that the tissue factor that induced hiatal defect, subside after repair, making recurrence possible. HH repair has a high recurrence rate. 12% to 42% in some series, and up to 60% in others, which is unacceptable. To improve these bad results, prosthetic materials were introduced as an adjunct to the repair and have been reported to prevent recurrence. But occurrence of serious morbidity, in some patients, mainly strictures or erosions into the stomach or the esophagus, diminished the enthusiasm to use prosthetic materials. To date, there are no consensus about which cases need reinforcement, the best material, the shape of the mesh, or the proper technique of placement. It is advisable to think about HH not only as a simple hole, but as a complex problem in which tissue defect may be present, and learn from what we have known, mainly from inguinal hernia repair history. Conclusion: Reinforcement the repaired hiatal area with mesh in some complex cases is under debate, but evidence indicate is useful to prevent recurrence. There is also no consensus about which is the best material or technique to place the mesh on the hiatus, but some technical points, as to avoid direct contact of the mesh with the esophagus and fix the mesh to the crura with suture to avoid displacement, make solid conclusions may be critical to avoid complications. More studies with emphasis on the technique and long follow-up are needed to make conclusions.
Impact of sowing time, genotype, environment and maturity on biomass and yield components in faba bean (Vicia faba)

Abstract. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a significant rotation crop in northern New South Wales. However, drought limits yield, and the reproductive structures of faba bean are sensitive to high temperatures and frost. Although early sowing can avoid terminal heat and drought stresses, the accumulation of large amounts of vegetative biomass may result in low yield. Experiments were conducted over 2 years at Breeza and Narrabri in north-western New South Wales, Australia, to examine the influence of sowing time on yield, yield components, maturity, pod distribution and biomass production. The second sowing date (early May) produced the highest yield and seed weight at both sites. However, the third sowing date (late May) produced greater yield than the first (mid-April) at Breeza, and this was associated with very high final biomass. At Narrabri, the first and third sowing dates produced similar low yield. Poorer yield in late-sown materials was likely due to terminal stress, and the impact will be greater in less favourable locations and seasons. The poorer yield of faba bean from the first sowing date was likely driven by excessive biomass accumulation, an effect that would be exacerbated in favourable seasons and locations. The lower seed weight observed at Breeza was possibly a result of greater intra-plant competition. The earliest maturing genotype had the highest yield and seed weight at both sites, indicating the importance of rapid pod growth and senescence in these warm and often water-limited environments. Dry matter production was greater with early sowing, higher moisture and warmer temperatures. In contrast to other studies, a weak relationship between biomass and yield was observed.
Effectiveness of Sowing Dates and N Rates on Productivity of Two Flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) Cultivars

AT DAR-RAMAD Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt, two field experiments were done during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons to investigate the effect of date of sowing and N rates on straw and seed yields of two Linum usitatissimum L. cultivars. The arrangement was done in split split-plot in RCBD with three replications. Date of sowing (i.e. November 10th, November 25th and December 10th) were allocated in the main plots. Flax cultivars (Sakha-1 and Sakha-2) occupied in the sub-plots, whereas, N rates (i.e., 35, 70, 105 and 140kg N ha-1) were distributed in the sub sub-plots. The obtained results showed that earlier sowing date in November 10th significantly overtop middle and late sowing dates for straw and seed yield and related traits. Sakha-1 significantly surpassed Sakha-2 in studied straw yield traits, while, Sakha-2 exceeded Sakha-1 in seed yield traits. Nitrogen rate at 140kg ha-1 gave significantly higher straw and seed yields than other N rates which significantly vary from each other and this is true in both seasons. The regression analysis of seed yield specified that there are three traits, i.e. seed index, number of capsules plant-1 and seed yield plant-1 in 1st season and two ones, i.e. seed index and number of capsules plant-1 in 2nd season were significantly participated (P≤ 0.001) in variation of seed yield ha-1.
Accommodating the Learning Needs and Experiences of Nurses and Nursing Students with Hearing Loss

Abstract The number of nursing students with disabilities is increasing. Nursing students with disabilities have the right tobe educated and to practice nursing within their unique scope of practice. According to the Supreme Court ofCanada, Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom under Part I of the 1982 Constitution Act, everyindividual has the right to equal benefit of the law without discrimination that is based on characteristics such as sex,race, religion and disability (Government of Canada, 2013). The objective of this paper is to illuminate the challengesnursing students with disabilities experience as they adapt to their clinical settings. This paper will increaseawareness among nurses, educators and nursing managers about the challenges that nursing students with hearingloss may encounter during their clinical practicum and eventually in practice. Keywords : Learning, Experiences, Disabilities, Nursing, Needs
In vitro antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae causal agent of bacterial canker in kiwifruit

Abstract Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the causal agent of bacterial canker of kiwifruit, is considered the main pathogen of yellow-, green- and red-fleshed kiwifruit. All major kiwifruit producing countries in the world have been affected by this bacterial pathogen, leading to substantial economic losses. The control of bacterial canker of kiwifruit is based only on preventive methods or on the use of copper compounds that can cause phytotoxicity problems. In this study, the in vitro antibacterial activity of seven different plant extracts against eight Psa strains has been evaluated. The inhibition of 100% of the Psa growth was observed, after 24 h, for the extracts of Polygonum cuspidatum roots (POL-roots), Hypericum perforatum roots elicited with chitosan oligosaccharides (HYP-COS roots) and non-fermented grape pomace (ITA-pomace). The strongest antibacterial activity was exhibited by POL-roots, with a geometric mean of minimum inhibitory concentration of 100% of growth (GMMIC100) of 105.11 µg/mL after 24 h, and with a GMMIC100 value of 148.65 µg/mL after 48 h. Moreover, POL-roots extract showed the best bactericidal activity with a GMMBC of 210.22 µg/mL. No phytotoxic activity was observed up to 15 days in the leaves of Actinidia chinensis “Belen” treated with plant extracts at 500 µg/mL.