Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Participant-Partners in Genetic Research: An Exome Study with Families of Children with Unexplained Medical Conditions

Background Unlike aggregate research on groups of participants with a particular disorder, genomic research on discrete families’ rare conditions could result in data of use to families, their healthcare, as well as generating knowledge on the human genome. Objective In a study of families seeking to rule in/out genetic causes for their children’s medical conditions via exome sequencing, we solicited their views on the importance of genomic information. Our aim was to learn the interests of parents in seeking genomic research data and to gauge their responsiveness and engagement with the research team. Methods At enrollment, we offered participants options in the consent form for receiving potentially clinically relevant research results. We also offered an option of being a “partner” versus a “traditional” participant; partners could be re-contacted for research and study activities. We invited adult partners to complete a pre-exome survey, attend annual family forums, and participate in other inter-family interaction opportunities. Results Of the 385 adults enrolled, 79% opted for “partnership” with the research team. Nearly all (99.2%) participants opted to receive research results pertaining to their children’s primary conditions. A majority indicated the desire to receive additional clinically relevant outside the scope of their children’s conditions (92.7%) and an interest in non-clinically relevant genetic information (82.7%). Conclusions Most participants chose partnership, including its rights and potential burdens; however, active engagement in study activities remained the exception. Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of participants—both partners and traditional—expected to receive all genetic information resulting from the research study.
Saline infusion sonography versus hysteroscopy in the evaluation of uterine cavity in women with unexplained infertility

Background Uterine abnormalities, congenital or acquired, are implicated as one of the causes of infertility. Embryo implantation depends on the quality of the ovum, the condition of the endometrium as well as the uterine cavity. Hence, it is recommended to diagnose and treat these abnormalities in patients with unexplained infertility. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy between saline infusion sonography (SIS) and hysteroscopy (HS) to evaluate uterine cavity pathologies among women with unexplained infertility. Patients and methods This study was carried out on 50 women with unexplained infertility in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tanta University Hospital, from March 2015 to December 2015. Patients were subjected to an ultrasound assessment of uterine cavity using saline as the contrast medium (SIS) and then followed by HS on a later date. Examination was performed after cessation of menstruation, but before the 10th day of the menstrual cycle (early-proliferative phase of the same menstrual cycle). The uterine cavity was inspected for irregularities such as synechiae, polyps, and submucous myomas, as well as uterine malformations. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of SIS and diagnostic HS to detect intracavitary abnormalities were compared. Results In this study, HS was more sensitive (100 vs. 85%), with the same specificity (100 vs. 100%), and more accurate (100 vs. 94%) than SIS. HS also had a higher predictive value (100 vs. 100% positive predictive value, 100 vs. 90% negative predictive value) than SIS during the evaluation of patients with unexplained infertility. Conclusion Infertile women should be screened for possible uterine cavity abnormalities. HS is still considered the gold standard to diagnose intrauterine pathology as it is more sensitive and more accurate than SIS. However, SIS has the advantages of being a simple, well-tolerated, noninvasive, cheap, affordable, shorter duration, and accurate method for uterine cavity evaluation. Thus, SIS can be used as an alternative technique for the evaluation of uterine cavity abnormalities when HS is not available.
Interference Characterization and Power Optimization for Automotive Radar With Directional Antenna

Wide deployment of radar sensors on automotive vehicles can potentially lead to a severe interference problem. Such interference has been characterized without considering directional antenna patterns, which could lead to results significantly larger than the actual ones. In this paper, we study the mean power of effective echo signals and interference, by considering both front- and side- mounted radars equipped with directional antennas. We employ the stochastic geometry method to characterize the randomness of vehicles and hence radars in both two-lane and multi-lane scenarios, and derive closed-form expressions for the mean interference by approximating the radiation pattern by Gaussian waveforms. Simulation results are shown to match the analytical results very well, and insights are obtained for the impact of radar parameters on interference. Based on the interference analysis, we aim to minimize the total transmission power of each vehicle with constraints on the required signal to interference and noise ratio. An optimal solution is obtained based on linear programming techniques and corroborated by simulation results.
Bridging theory and implementation – Testing an abstract classification system for practical mapping by field survey and 3D aerial photographic interpretation

ABSTRACT The abstract classification system Nature in Norway (NiN) has detailed ecological definitions of a high number of ecosystem units, but its applicability in practical vegetation mapping is unknown because it was not designed with a specific mapping method in mind. To investigate this further, two methods for mapping – 3D aerial photographic interpretation of colour infrared photos and field survey – were used to map comparable neighbouring sites of 1 km2 in Hvaler Municipality, south-eastern Norway. The classification accuracy of each method was evaluated using a consensus classification of 160 randomly distributed plots within the study sites. The results showed an overall classification accuracy of 62.5% for 3D aerial photographic interpretation and 82.5% for field survey. However, the accuracy varied for the ecosystem units mapped. The classification accuracy of ecosystem units in acidic, dry and open terrain was similar for both methods, whereas classification accuracy of calcareous units was highest using field survey. The mapping progress using 3D aerial photographic interpretation was more than two times faster than that of field survey. Based on the results, the authors recommend a method combining 3D aerial photographic interpretation and field survey to achieve effectively accurate mapping in practical applications of the NiN system.
INTERMEDIATE MOLECULAR WEIGHT RENIN AND RENIN-BINDING PROTEIN(S) IN THE HOG KIDNEY

The pressor enzyme renin (EC 3.4.99.l9) exists in a high molecular weight (M1. 60,000) and a low molecular weight form (M,2 40,000) in kidney extracts. However, the mechanism responsible for the conversion between the two forms of renin is unclear. We found a new form of renin which was intermediate between the high molecular and the low molecular weight renin in kidney extract. The incubation of hog kidney extract at 37° C for 60 min yielded a renin of intermediate size (Mr: 50,000) from low molecular weight renin. This new form was converted to the high molecular weight form by the addition of sodium tetrathionate, a sulfhydryl reagent. The reverse conversions, i.e., from the high molecular to the intermediate size and then from the intermediate to the low molecular weight form were mediated by dithiothreitol and acid or alkali treatment, respectively. We further demonstrated the presence of renin-binding substance(s) in the hog renal cortex and subsequently separated them completely from renin by a pepstatin-aminohexyl-agarose column. When incubated with a preparation of this binding substance, pure hog renal renin (M,:40,000) was converted to the high molecular weight form through the intermediate form. This conversion could also be reversed. These results indicate that the intermediate molecular and the high molecular weight renin is the reversible complex of lower molecular weight renin and the renin-binding substance(s). Furthermore sulfhydryl group(s) of renin and/or the binding substance(s) are a key factor in the dissociation and association of the complex.
Psychological distress, hopelessness and health service needs of late adolescents in rural Pondicherry, South India

WHO defines adolescence as the period of life between 10-19 years. Adolescents face rapidly changing challenges in their social and physical environments. Their cultural beliefs, family structure and support, peer relationships and educational opportunities influence their behaviour and adjustment. Late adolescence encompasses the later part of teenage years between 1519 years. This is the period where major physical and mental changes usually occur and also it is a time of opportunity, idealism and promise. Globalisation is leading to rapid changes in these sociocultural systems in low and middle-income countries, and changing values and expectations of adolescents may influence the risk of mental disorders. Although adolescent health has gained increasing priority in India’s National health policies, the main focus has been on reproductive and sexual health. ABSTRACT
Analysis of Pressure and Production Transient Characteristics of Composite Reservoir with Moving Boundary

The mathematical model of composite reservoir has been widely used in well test analysis. In the process of oil recovery, due to the injection or replacement of the displacement agent, the model boundary can be moved. At present, the mathematical model of a composite reservoir with a moving boundary is less frequently studied and cannot meet industrial demand. In this paper, a mathematical model of a composite reservoir with a moving boundary is developed, with consideration of wellbore storage and skin effects. The characteristics of pressure transient in moving boundary composite reservoir are studied, and the influences of parameters, such as initial boundary radius, moving boundary velocity, skin factor, wellbore storage coefficient, diffusion coefficient ratio, and mobility ratio on pressure and production, are analyzed. The moving boundary effects are noticeable mainly in the middle and late production stages. The proposed model provides a novel theoretical basis for well test analysis in these types of reservoirs.
Bacterial Flow Cytometry and Imaging as Potential Process Monitoring Tools for Industrial Biotechnology

Minimizing process variations by early identification of deviations is one approach to make industrial production processes robust. Cell morphology is a direct representation of the physiological state and an important factor for the cell’s survival in harsh environments as encountered during industrial processing. The adverse effects of fluctuating process parameters on cells were studied using flow cytometry and imaging. Results showed that altered pH caused a shift in cell size distribution from a heterogeneous mix of elongated and short cells to a homogenous population of short cells. Staining based on membrane integrity revealed a dynamics in the pattern of cluster formation during fermentation. Contradictory findings from forward scatter and imaging highlight the need for use of complementary techniques that provide visual confirmation to interpret changes. An atline flow cytometry or imaging capable of identifying subtle population deviations serves as a powerful monitoring tool for industrial biotechnology.
Monsoons, Upwelling, and the Deoxygenation of the Northwestern Indian Ocean in Response to Middle to Late Miocene Global Climatic Shifts

Today, upwelling along the Oman margin in the Arabian Sea is governed by the South Asian Monsoon winds. The Oman upwelling results in the formation of an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) spanning across the Arabian Sea and large parts of the Indian Ocean. While these conditions are recorded as early as the middle Miocene (~15 Ma), the long‐term dynamics of upwelling in the Arabian Sea are as of yet poorly constrained during the middle to late Miocene. Here, we use organic and inorganic proxies combined with sedimentary and paleontological records to constrain the evolution of upwelling at Ocean Drilling Program Site 722B between ~15 and ~8.7 Ma. Our record shows that Mn depletion occurred at ~14.5 Ma, likely due to regionally confined OMZ formation at that time. Biogenic silica accumulation intensified between ~12.5 and ~11 Ma. The δ15N values (>6‰) provide evidence for the onset of at least intermittent denitrification between ~11 and ~9.5 Ma during the apex of the global “carbonate crash. ” Our data demonstrate that upwelling and OMZ intensity in the Arabian Sea were linked to the reorganization of the Indian Ocean circulation system and South Asian Monsoon during the Miocene. The initiation of these systems occurred once the regional tectonic configuration (i.e., the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau ~25 Ma and the closure of the Tethyan seaway ~20 Ma) was in place. The subsequent development of monsoonal upwelling after 14 Ma responded to latitudinal shifts in climatic belts following the progressive Miocene glaciation of Antarctica.
Funding Renal Care in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal

There is no longer any doubt that renal failure is prevalent in Nigeria and just like the trend elsewhere, the incidence is rising annually. This rising prevalence also extrapolates to large amounts of funds for renal care. The burden of renal care is so enormous that no single individual or family can sustain any patient on treatment for renal failure for a reasonable length of time and this results in death and poor quality of life before they succumb. Renal care is expensive worldwide. In the United States of America (USA) the total cost for Medicare patients with ESRD in 1998 was S12.0-+ billion. Likewise in 1991 the Saudi Arabian government with an oil economy like Nigeria. spent the equivalent of $19,363.14/patient/year for haemodialysis (HD). The story is the same in Nigeria where the cost ofRD is at least N958,000.00/patient/ year. Cost of kidney transplantation varies from between N740, 000.00 - N3.2 million depending on centre being patronised. These amounts of mane: for renal care are out of the reach of most Nigerians. The reality is that only the very rich and those w hose medical expenses are paid for by their employers are able to sustain HD for reasonable periods of time or are able to afford kidney transplant. CRF/ESRD is prevalent in Nigeria. Its treatment is expensive and as at today majority of Nigerians, bears the cost of their renal care. In the face of high poverty rate and the resultant inability to maintain treatment options for more than a few months, countless lives have been lost. Many Nigerians in the productive age have died of kidney failure. To avert this trend the NAN needs to play a more visible role to reduce the increasing burden of ESRD. Emphasis needs now to be placed on preventive nephrology.
Effect of Cupping Therapy on Range of Motion, Pain Threshold, and Muscle Activity of the Hamstring Muscle Compared to Passive Stretching

PURPOSE: Flexibility and range of motion are very important factors in sports performance, rehabilitation, and musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of cupping therapy on flexibility, muscle activity, and pain threshold of hamstring muscle compared to passive stretching in healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects were randomly assigned in a crossover design to cupping therapy and passive stretching. Subjects were tested to compare their effects according to the intervention such as Passive range of motion (PROM) (straight leg raising) and active range of motion (AROM). And algometer (pain) testing and MVC assessment using EMG were performed as dependent variables. RESULTS: The cupping therapy group and passive stretching group showed significant differences in all variables including PROM (p=.00, p=.00), AROM (p=.00, p=.03), Pain Threshold (p=.03, p=.08), Semitendinosus MVC (p=.01, p=.00), and Biceps femoris MVC (p=.01, p=.16). There were no significant differences between the
Network Closure Versus Structural Hole: The Role of Knowledge Spillover Networks in National Innovation Performance

The main sources of technological development are from abroad rather than domestic in many countries. The global networks for knowledge and technology flows are becoming sophisticated. This article examines how a country's embeddedness in the global knowledge spillover networks, particularly trade and FDI, is related to national innovation performance. Network closure and structural hole, the main arguments in network theory literature, represent the main objectives of our network analysis. The results are subsequently used to assess how these network characteristics are related to national innovation performance via panel negative binomial regression analysis. The findings show an overall tendency of a negative effect of network closure and a positive one of structural holes on a country's innovative outcome. In conclusion, this article not only highlights the significant role of network characteristics in national innovation performance, but also provides implications on how to leverage such network resources to improve national innovation systems.
Quantum Plasmonics in Nanorods: A Time-Dependent Orbital-Free Density Functional Theory Study with Thousands of Atoms

Using time-dependent orbital-free density functional theory, we performed large-scale quantum-mechanical simulations to examine localized surface plasmon resonances in sodium nanorods. The dependence of the optical absorption wavelength, spectral width, and field enhancement on the dimensions of the nanorods, including the diameter, length, and aspect ratio as well as polarization direction, is examined for both longitudinal and tranverse plasmonic resonances. The longitudinal resonance is characterized by a dipolar charge oscillation with negligible charge spill-out from the surface, and its spectral wavelength is linearly related to the aspect ratio. The spectral width is found to be dependent on both the nanorod size and the aspect ratio, in contrast with previous classical results. The spectrum of the transverse plasmons is much wider than that of the longitudinal plasmons owing to the presence of multipolar oscillations and a strong electron spill-out effect. No linear relationship between the spectr.
An investigation on biodiversity of aquatic insects in Sagar Lake

Sagar Lake is located in the centre of Sagar city in Madhya Pradesh. This lake is surrounded by agricultural fields, industries, hospital, bus stand and slums. The waste from the industries and surrounding localities is directly discarded into the lake. To evaluate the water quality of this lake, study was carried out for the period of two year from July 2013 to June 2015. Monthly water samples and aquatic insects were collected to analyse different physico-chemical parameters and diversity indices. The status of lake was investigated on the basis of obtained results of physico-chemical parameters of water and diversity indices of aquatic entomofauna.
ASSESSING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OBSERVED LEVELS OF ADHERENCE TO ANTIRABIES PEP VACCINE AMONG ANIMAL BITE VICTIMS IN MACHAKOS LEVEL FIVE HOSPITAL

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with observed levels of adherence to ant rabies PEP vaccine among animal bite victims in Machakos level five hospital. Methodology : The study used Cross sectional study design. It utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was collected by use of semi-structured questionnaires, physical examination sheet and key informant interview. The study population was victims of animal bites who revisited the health facility for the scheduled PEP vaccine. Random Sampling was used to select the revisiting animal bite victims until a sample size of 68 was achieved. Purposive sampling was used to select health care workers directly involved in management of animal bite victims until a sample size of three was achieved. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and excel computer programs. Qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis. Binary logistic regression and multivariate regression was done. Results : The study findings established that knowledge of rabies significantly affects the level of adherence to antirabies PEP vaccine. At least 48.50% of the respondents admitted that they have no knowledge of rabies and 75% had no knowledge of prevention of rabies. The study also found out that affordability of the cost of PEP vaccine is statistically associated with adherence to anti-rabies PEP vaccination. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy : The study concluded that: the level of adherence and the overall awareness not only of anti-rabies PEP vaccine, the follow-up of victims to check on the completion of the anti-rabies PEP vaccine schedule but also the management of wounds before visiting health facilities among animal bite victims in MKS L5 Hospital is low, thus a major public health concern both to the community and the county government.
Echocardiography in pulmonary hypertension: current evidence and future perspectives

Pulmonary hypertension is a debilitating disease with limited treatment options and prognosis. A significant part of right heart failure management is the accurate imaging of right heart chambers with the means of conventional echocardiography as well as advanced imaging. The purpose of this review was to explain the anatomy and physiology of the right heart chambers and subsequently to demonstrate all latest available echocardiographic indices specific for right heart. We also discuss three‐dimensional echocardiography and speckle tracking as advanced imaging modalities for right heart assessment.
Green marketing orientation: achieving sustainable development in green hotel management

ABSTRACT The sustainable consumption behavior of customers affects the sustainable development of society. Customers’ pro-environment behavior provides economic benefits to society and ensures the sustainable development of the environment. Green economy and strategy are important in the hotel system nowadays. This study discusses the benefits of green hotel management in protecting the earth and establishes a green marketing-oriented model through stress cognitive theory. Smart partial least squares method is used for structural analysis to understand that green marketing orientation is important in practice. A total of 836 responses were collected from customers of a green hotel. This study found that stakeholders and executive corporate social responsibility hotels could indirectly increase consumer loyalty to the image of the hotel through green marketing.
The Practice of Shariah Governance in Islamic Banking and Finance: A Study of Islamic Banks in Bangladesh

This paper aims to study Shariah governance of Islamic banks in Bangladesh. Desk-based research was conducted for this paper to explore the main challenges faced by Islamic banks in the country. Based on empirical studies and newspapers, this paper concludes that there is a lack of a well-defined regulatory and supervisory framework for IFIs to function effectively in line with the tenets of Shariah. This study also finds that the shortage of Shariah scholars remains an impediment to Shariah compliance. The government and the central bank of Bangladesh should pay greater attention to education and training, in addition to creating a national Shariah advisory council to monitor Islamic banking and financial activities in Bangladesh.