Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malaria, HIV and sickle cell disease in Ghana: Towards tailor-made interventions

Ghana has made many strides in the fight against malaria. This research looked at the contribution of malaria transmission heterogeneity to malaria, and the effect of geographical overlap between malaria, HIV and sickle cell disease. Our systematic review of the interactions between HIV and SCD showed that whilst HIV worsens SCD, SCD slows the progression of HIV to AIDS. Malaria transmission dynamics in the Kwahu highlands in the Eastern region of Ghana were documented with the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and non-falciparum infections in both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents. Haemoglobin AC was associated with higher risk for asymptomatic malaria. And pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes with West-African knock-down resistant mutation (kdr-w) were present. Extension of the study to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) indicated that though co-trimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis are given to patients at the anti-retroviral clinic, according to national policy, there was no significant associations between CTX and malaria episodes retrospectively. Diagnostically, an HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) was comparable to PCR gold standard. However, few false negatives detected did not test positive for the pfhrp2 gene. In a knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study of PLHA, those in the rural area were less informed of malaria and its preventive measures than those in the urban areas; which was associated with increased odds for malaria. The common practice in both areas was the low use of insecticide treated mosquito nets even though many people owned them. Further focus on these may help in the exponential decline of malaria in Ghana.
A cross-sectional survey of adolescents’ perceptions of their relationships with nonparental caregivers in group home settings: An attachment perspective.

A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY OF ADOLESCENTS‟ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH NONPARENTAL CAREGIVERS IN GROUP HOME SETTINGS: AN ATTACHMENT PERSPECTIVE Sarah Rabley Advisor: University of Guelph Dr. Michèle Preyde This thesis is an investigation of adolescents‟ perceptions of their relationships with staff members working in their group home. Past research has found the majority of youth who have lived in care often experience greater hardships later in life compared to those youth in the normative population (Schmid et al., 2008). Resiliency promoting factors such as long-term positive relationships with nonparental caregivers have shown to protect some youth in care from future adversities (Masten, 2000). A cross-sectional exploratory survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 17 adolescents (Male n= 9) currently living in group home settings in Southern Ontario. Youth reported that they best got along with staff who made them laugh, had similar interests, were caring and consistent. Youth reported that positive relationships with staff are developed through continual interactions, open communication and trust. Reasons as to why relationships with staff are difficult were also reported by youth.
Inside the happy personality: Personality states, situation experience, and state affect mediate the relation between personality and affect

Personality traits are strongly related to affect, but the mechanisms accounting for this association remain mostly unclear. We test a new theoretical model that proposes that personality states, situation characteristics, and affective states mediate the relation between personality traits and trait affect. Data from an experience sampling study (N = 206; 4,381 observations) indicate that personality traits are associated with personality states and experienced situation characteristics, personality states and experienced situation characteristics are associated with state affect, state affect is associated with trait affect, and that these variables indeed mediate the relation between personality traits and trait affect. These results emphasize the importance of daily experiences for trait-level variables and call for further research on the interplay between personality, behavior, situations, and affect.
A study of pathological gambling and its correlates among patients seeking treatment for substance use disorders in North India

ABSTRACT Background: Gambling, although being a common leisure activity in India, and it has been studied scarcely. There is a dearth of research regarding the rates of problem gambling among substance users in India. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care de-addiction center in India. Male patients aged 18–65 years were included. Diagnosis of gambling disorder or pathological gambling were made using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual–Fifth edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Disorders–10th Edition Diagnostic Criteria for Research (ICD-10 DCR) respectively. Pattern of gambling as well as the prevalence of probable pathological gambling was assessed using South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). Results: A total of 114 substance users were recruited in the study. The occurrence rate of pathological gambling according to ICD-10 DCR was 6.1%, gambling disorder according to DSM-5 was 11.4%, and probable pathological gambling according to SOGS was 12.3%. Playing cards for money was the most common type of gambling. Pathological gamblers had higher rates of injection drug use and high-risk sexual behaviors as compared to non-problem gamblers. Conclusion: Our study suggests pathological gambling to be a common comorbidity among substance use disorder patients. There is a need to study the impact and course of pathological gambling among the Indian patients with substance use disorders.
Central North Pacific SST anomalies linked late winter haze to Arctic sea ice

Haze pollution in the North China Plain is becoming more serious and consequently causes inconvenience in daily life and harms health. The inter‐annual variation of haze days in the North China Plain in late winter (February and March) is closely related to the East Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea ice in October, and the Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) plays a key role in delivering the effects of the sea ice on the haze. When the East Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea ice increases in October, the October and November SST in the region over Minami‐Tori Shima and Midway Atoll decreases. This reduced SST then lowers the January and February SST around the northwestern side of the Hawaiian Islands. The lower SST around the northwestern side of the Hawaiian Islands modulates the atmospheric circulation and makes the diffusion conditions and water vapour conditions in the North China Plain more conducive to the accumulation and growth of pollutants. Large ensemble simulations from the Community Earth System Model validate the process whereby the East Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea ice affects the SST in the aforementioned regions. The effect of changes in the SST around the northwestern side of the Hawaiian Islands on the meteorological conditions over the North China Plain was verified by numerical experiments using version 4 of the Community Atmosphere Model.
Does Export Intensity Affect Corporate Leverage? Evidence from Portuguese SMEs

Abstract This paper examines the effect of export intensity on a firm's capital structure using a sample of 7,676 Portuguese SMEs. Results obtained from a system GMM estimation method show that the leverage ratio is negatively affected by export intensity. We document that firms with more growth opportunities have a higher leverage, while firms that have more profits, higher asset tangibility and face higher business risk have lower debt ratios. Our results also show that the implementation of governmental mechanisms that support export firms’ borrowing activities are critical in economies facing a financial crisis.
Obstetric emergency preparedness among staff nurses working in obstetric care units

There are certain categories of pregnancies (20-30%) where the mother, the fetus, or neonate is in a state of increased jeopardy. This group must be identified and given extra care to improve obstetric result as this group is responsible for 70-80% of perinatal mortality and morbidity. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR), expressed as maternal deaths per 100,000 live births over a given period, is a major measure of quality of obstetric care. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, it varies up to 100-fold, from approximately 10 in developed countries to approximately 1,000 in least developed. Obstetric complications can neither be predicted nor be prevented but can be managed by timely provision of life saving services. Maternal death is usually the end result of inadequately or inappropriately managed complications arising during pregnancy and child birth. Quality of care in Emergency obstetrics involves institutional and staff preparedness in the provision of appropriate emergency services while responding to the needs and rights of the clients. These ABSTRACT
Essays on the Influence of Textual Sentiment in Real Estate Markets

This dissertation sheds light on the potential of text-based sentiment indicators within the area of commercial real estate. Using real estate related textual documents as “sentiment provider”, capabilities of a machine- and a deep-learning classifier for predicting direct and securitized market returns and liquidity within the US are assessed. Additionally, the relationship with up- and down-market periods, market regimes and out-of-sample forecasting performance are studied. Overall, this should answer the question whether real estate news analytics by means of textual sentiment classifiers in general and machine- and deep-learning algorithms in particular can be perceived as an innovative source of market sentiment and provides researchers and practioneers with a reliable leading market indicator.
The Impact of Perceived Usefulness of Online Reviews, Trust and Perceived Risk on Online Purchase Intention in Emerging Markets: A Mexican Perspective

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate online purchase intention in emerging markets focusing on the impact of perceived usefulness of online reviews, trust and perceived risk. The results were obtained by an online survey answered by 380 online shoppers in Mexico City. Results from partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS indicate that perceived usefulness of online reviews influences in trust and online purchase intention. Trust has an inverse relationship with perceived risk and influences positively in online purchase intention. The authors did not find perceived risk to influence directly in online purchase intention. The results suggest that companies should seek to enhance customers to share their positive online opinions in order to improve trust and encourage online purchases. This paper contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the influence on online purchase intention in emerging markets.
Remote Sensing Data Assimilation in Dynamic Crop Models Using Particle Swarm Optimization

A growing world population, increasing prosperity in emerging countries, and shifts in energy and food demands necessitate a continuous increase in global agricultural production. Simultaneously, risks of extreme weather events and a slowing productivity growth in recent years has caused concerns about meeting the demands in the future. Crop monitoring and timely yield predictions are an important tool to mitigate risk and ensure food security. A common approach is to combine the temporal simulation of dynamic crop models with a geospatial component by assimilating remote sensing data. To ensure reliable assimilation, handling of uncertainties in both models and the assimilated input data is crucial. Here, we present a new approach for data assimilation using particle swarm optimization (PSO) in combination with statistical distance metrics that allow for flexible handling of model and input uncertainties. We explored the potential of the newly proposed method in a case study by assimilating canopy cover (CC) information, obtained from Sentinel-2 data, into the AquaCrop-OS model to improve winter wheat yield estimation on the pixel- and field-level and compared the performance with two other methods (simple updating and extended Kalman filter). Our results indicate that the performance of the new method is superior to simple updating and similar or better than the extended Kalman filter updating. Furthermore, it was particularly successful in reducing bias in yield estimation.
Integralidade e Atenção Primária à Saúde: avaliação na perspectiva dos usuários de unidades de saúde do município de São Paulo Integrality and Primary Health Care: assessment in the perspective of health services users in the city of São Paulo

In the city of São Paulo, the Primary Health Care (PHC) outpatient clinics function based on the models of the Family Health Program (FHP) and Health Program. Both models involve integrality issues. The aim of this study is to assess the integrality achievement in PHC outpatient clinics located in the city of São Paulo, based on users’ opinion. The categories were: access to first contact, continuity, coordination, services catalogue, community orientation and family orientation. The two models of services organization at the PHC outpatient clinics in the city were compared using the Portuguese translated version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCA-Tool). The Adapted PCATool was administered to a sample of users of the two PHC models. The main results indicated good performance in the categories of first contact, services catalogue and coordination. Family orientation, community orientation and accessibility received the worst evaluation. Significant differences between the two models involve better medical records, better community-oriented activities, lower number of referrals to specialized care and more adequate working hours in the FHP model. The integrality issues that were best evaluated were those closely related to individual health care, while the issues concerned with services’ organization and culture received the worst scores.
Optical correction and evolution of hipermetropy

Objective: To compare changes in refraction and ocular biometric parameters in hyperopic children with and without full optical correction. Methods: Non-randomized prospecting study with 41 subjects (21 males and 20 females) aged 4 to 6 years with accommodative esotropia and or hyperopia between 3 to 6 diopters, select in Hospital Geral Universitário and Oftalmocenter Santa Rosa. The patients were divided in two groups: group 1 for hyperopic patients that did not need to use optical correction or could use partial correction, and group 2 for patients with accommodative esotropia or hyperopia who needed to use full optical correction all the time. The patients were examined to a complete ophthalmological examination, including objective cycloplegic refraction with auto refractometer, optical biometry and corneal topography, in baseline measurements and 3 years after that. Refraction and ocular biometric parameters were compared using T student test. Results: The mean initial age was 5.23 ± 0.81 and 5.36 ± 0.74 years; the initial refractive error in average was +3.99 ± 0.92 e +4.27 ± 0.85 D, the initial axial length was 21.42 ± 0.84 and 21.22 ± 0.86 mm, and initial keratometry was 42.55 ± 1.24 e 42.39 ± 1.22 D for group 1 and 2, respectively. In relation to refractive error, there was a significant decrease in group 1 and there was not in group 2 (p < 0.05). In relation to axial length, there was significant increase in group1 and there was not in group 2 (p<0.05). The 3-year comparison showed no statistically significant differences in keratometry for both groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that full optical correction of hyperopia may inhibit natural emmetropization during early and late childhood.
Discontinuation of Inhaled Corticosteroids May Reduce the Risk of Pneumonia in COPD Patients

defects seen on CTA may not represent the true PE, but may be treated as such, subjecting patients to the potential risks of anticoagulant therapy. The application of clinical prediction rules and the utilization of age-adjusted D-dimers may help increase the positive predictive value by selecting the appropriate patients for CTA. In addition, the combination of a negative lower-extremity Doppler ultrasound and an ageadjusted D-dimer may allow a clinician to safely observe patients who are found to have an isolated subsegmental PE without anticoagulation. Some small studies have shown that withholding anticoagulation in patients with inconclusive scans or those with isolated subsegmental PE may not result in adverse outcomes, although further investigation is needed. This study illustrates that the increased use of CTA will result in the detection of small subsegmental filling defects, some of which may not represent the true PE, and when treated, subject patients to the risks of anticoagulation, despite a lack of clear evidence that there is benefit to anticoagulation in these individuals.
Is One’s Own Ethnic Prejudice Always Subtle? The Inconsistency of Prejudice Endorsement and Prejudice Awareness Depends on Self-Related Egalitarian Standards and Motivations

Abstract In light of current egalitarian norms, it seems intuitive to assume that people endorsing ethnically prejudicial beliefs are largely unaware of their xenophobic content. However, a cognitive consistency perspective would suggest that individuals with low anti-prejudice standards might care less if their opinions are prejudiced. Corroborating this idea, Study 1 (N = 919) reveals that intra-individually the endorsement of prejudicial beliefs was negatively related to their evaluation as xenophobic (prejudice awareness), but more so among individuals with strong self-related egalitarian standards. Study 2 (N = 1,201) replicates these findings and shows that egalitarian standards salience led to a stronger negative association between prejudice endorsement and awareness. This suggests that low-egalitarians are less suitable targets for awareness-raising components of anti-prejudice interventions.
Effect of Oral Administration of 1,3-1,6 β-Glucans in DWV Naturally Infected Newly Emerged Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Honeybee pathogens have an important role in honeybee colony mortality and colony losses, most of them are widely spread and necessitate worldwide solutions to contrast honeybee’s decline. Possible accepted solutions to cope with the spread of honeybee’s pathogen are focused on the study of experimental protocols to enhance the insect’s immune defences. Honeybee’s artificial diet capable to stimulate the immune system is a promising field of investigation as ascertained by the introduction of 1,3-1,6 β-glucans as a dietary supplement. In this work, by collecting faecal samples of honeybees exposed to different dietary conditions of 1,3-1,6 β-glucans (0.5% and 2% w/w), it has been possible to investigate the DWV viral load kinetic without harming the insects. Virological data obtained by a one-step TaqMan RT-PCR highlights the ability of 1,3-1,6 β-glucans to reduce the viral load at 24th day of rearing. Furthermore, results indicated that the diet supplemented with 1,3-1,6 β-glucans was associated with a dose-dependent activation of phenoloxidase. Control group showed a higher survival rate than honeybees exposed to different dietary conditions of 1,3-1,6 β-glucans while no differences have been observed concerning syrup daily consumption.
Biopsychosocial and Institutional Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding among Working Mothers in Klaten, Central Java

Background : Breast milk has an important role in health maintenance and survival of infants. It is acknowledged as the best food for infant. The World Health Organization has recommended exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for infants until 6 months of age. However, many working mothers did not provide EBF to their infants. This study aimed to examine biopsychosocial and institutional factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding among working mothers, using health belief model and PRECEDE-PROCEED model. Subjects and M et hod : This study was observational analytic with cross sectional design. It was conducted in Klaten District, Central Java, from March to April, 2017. A sample of 120 working mothers was selected for this study by simple random sampling. The dependent variable was exclusive breastfeeding. The independent variables were maternal education, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, self efficacy, family support, health personnel support, and availability of lactation room at workplace. The data were collected by a pre-tested questionnaire. Logistic regression was employed for data analysis. Results : Maternal education (OR=4.2; 95% CI = 1.09 to 11.51; p=0.001), availability of lactation room at workplace (OR=4.11; 95% CI= 1.21 to 14.29; p=0.001), family support (OR=6.25; 95% CI= 1.45 to 15.96; p<0.001), health personnel support (OR=3.76; 95% CI = 1.43 to 16.06; p=0.002), perceived benefit (OR=2.30; 95% CI = 1.09 to 12.87; p=0.044), self-efficacy (OR= 3.57; 95% CI = 1.21 to 14.29; p=0.002) had positive effect on EBF. Perceived barrier (OR=0.18; 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.76; p<0.001) had negative effect on the provision of EBF. Conclusion : Maternal education, availability of lactation room at workplace, family support, health personnel support, perceived benefit, self-efficacy have positive effect on EBF. Perceived barrier has negative effect on the provision of EBF among working mothers. Keywords : biopsychosocial factors, exclusive breastfeeding, PRECEDE-PROCEED model, health belief model Correspondence: Desi Ekawati. Masters Program in Public Heath, Sebelas Maret University, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36 A, Surakarta, Central Java. Email: eccadesy@yahoo.com. Mobile: +6285725123320. Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2017), 2(3): 197-206 https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2017. 02.03. 01
Bacterial Keratitis in South East of Iran: Major Predisposing Factors and Final Clinical Results

Purpose: Identifying the predisposing factors of the infectious keratitis results in understanding the underlying mechanisms of its expansion and severity that is essential for initiation of optimal empirical antimicrobial therapy. This study identified main predisposing factors of bacterial keratitis in a sample of Iranian population. Methods: Ninety patients with bacterial keratitis were prospectively enrolled. Demographic and clinical features were collected by a face to face interviewing as well as physical examination. Predisposing factors and final outcomes were analyzed. Results: Trauma was the most commonly identified predisposing factor (40.0%), followed by blepharitis and cataract surgery that were observed in 27.8% and 23.3% of patients, respectively. 5.6% of cases were associated with contact lens wear and 4.4% with prior herpetic keratitis. No significant differences were found in overall prevalence of predisposing factors of infectious keratitis between men and women. Fifty-three patients experienced corneal scar and 15.6% of them had corneal neovascularization. Moreover, graft of cornea was programmed in 11.1% of cases and 5.6% of them underwent conjunctival flap. Conclusion: Ocular trauma, followed by surgery and ocular surface diseases are the major predisposing factors for bacterial keratitis. Identification of the appropriate predisposing factors aids in early recognition and treatment of microbial keratitis.