Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LEVEL OF AWARENESS, ACCESS AND USE OF LONG LASTING INSECTICIDAL NETS (LLINs) IN FIVE PUBLIC HEALTH CENTRES WITHIN KADUNA METROPOLIS

A cross sectional study designed to assess the difference in level of Awareness, Access and Use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) from consenting pregnant women aged between 15 to 40 years attending routine ante-natal clinic sessions at Kaduna State University (Barau Dikko) Teaching Hospital, General Hospital Kawo, Primary Health Care Badarawa, Primary Health Care Angwan Romi and General Hospital Sabon Tasha. A total of 360 questionnaires were distributed, but only 308 returned completed. Also, mosquito samples were collected in 30 randomly selected households of the consenting pregnant women that were within three kilometer radius range of the antenatal clinic for 12 weeks’ period. A one-way ANOVA was conducted using SPSS statistical package version 22. The result revealed that there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in level of Awareness (92.53%), Access (75.32%) and Use (67.86%) of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) among the pregnant women attending the various ante-natal hospitals/primary health care facilities. A total of 344 larvae samples were encountered and identified as Culex species 259(75.29%) and Aedes species 85(24.71%). Awareness, Access and Use of LLINs is relatively similar; while the mosquito species are vectors of Filariasis, Yellow fever, Dengue fever and can be prevented by the use of LLINs. ______________________________________________________________________________ Key word: Kaduna Metropolis, LLINs Awareness, Access and Use, Mosquito Preventive
Job demands and job resources and well-being of judges in South Africa

The quality of individuals’ work life and their well-being is influenced by their perceived and actual job demands and job resources. In keeping with the conservation of resources (COR) theory (Hobfoll, 2002), job demands are negatively appraised physical, psychological, social or organisational facets of work that necessitate continued physical or psychological effort. Such efforts are related to specific physiological and psychological costs (Schaufeli & Taris, 2014). Job resources are important physical, social or organisational facets of work that are functional in attaining work objectives, decreasing job demands or motivating personal development and advancement (Schaufeli & Taris, 2014).
Multiplex PCR protocol for the diagnosis of cow udder infection with Staphylococcus aureus

A total of 160 composite bovine milk samples were examined bacteriologically for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. PCR method was used with two primer pairs, one corresponding to Staphylococcus specific chromosome region 16S rRNA, and the other to the gene clfA existing only in S. aureus. The proposed method is relatively rapid (4 hours) and very specific in relation to mastitiscausing S. aureus strains. S. aureus strains were identified on agarose gel on the basis of two PCR products: the 638 bp corresponding to clfA gene and the 791 bp corresponding to the region 16S rRNA, the presence of the latter indicating udder infection with Staphylococcus sp. other than S. aureus. When no PCR product on the gel was found, the infection was qualified as caused by organisms other than Staphylococci. All the S. aureus isolates identified by conventional methods were confirmed by the PCR test. Laboratory tests showed that the presented PCR diagnostic method can be helpful in identification of S. aureus infection of the bovine mammary gland.
Efficacy and Safety of the CFTR Potentiator Icenticaftor (QBW251) in COPD: Results from a Phase 2 Randomized Trial

Rationale Excess mucus plays a key role in COPD pathogenesis. Cigarette smoke-induced cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) dysfunction may contribute to disease pathogenesis by depleting airway surface liquid and reducing mucociliary transport; these defects can be corrected in vitro by potentiating CFTR. Objective To assess the efficacy of the CFTR potentiator icenticaftor in improving airflow obstruction in COPD patients with symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Methods In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, COPD patients were randomized (2:1) to either icenticaftor 300 mg or placebo b.i. d. This non-confirmatory proof of concept study was powered for lung clearance index (LCI) and pre-bronchodilator FEV1, with an estimated sample size of 90 patients. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in LCI for icenticaftor versus placebo at Day 29; key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1 on Day 29. Key exploratory endpoints included change from baseline in sweat chloride, plasma fibrinogen levels, and sputum colonization. Results Ninety-two patients were randomized (icenticaftor, n=64; placebo, n=28). At Day 29, icenticaftor showed no improvement in change in LCI (treatment difference: 0.28 [19% probability of being better than placebo]), an improvement in pre-bronchodilator FEV1 (mean: 50 mL [84% probability]) and an improvement in post-bronchodilator FEV1 (mean: 63 mL [91% probability]) over placebo. Improvements in sweat chloride, fibrinogen and sputum bacterial colonization were also observed. Icenticaftor was safe and well tolerated. Conclusion The CFTR potentiator icenticaftor increased FEV1 versus placebo after 28 days and was associated with improvements in systemic inflammation and sputum bacterial colonization in COPD patients; no improvements in LCI with icenticaftor were observed.
Impacts of land use and cropland management on soil organic matter and greenhouse gas emissions in the Brazilian Cerrado

The Brazilian Cerrado is a large and expanding agricultural frontier, representing a hotspot of land‐use change (LUC) from natural vegetation to farmland. It is known that this type of LUC impacts soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics, particularly labile carbon (C) pools (living and non‐living), decreasing soil health and agricultural sustainability, as well as increasing soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and accelerating global climate change. In this study, we quantified the changes in the quantity and quality of SOM and GHG fluxes due to changes in land use and cropland management in the Brazilian Cerrado. The land uses studied were native vegetation (NV), pasture (PA) and four croplands, including the following management types: conventional tillage with a single soybean crop (CT), and three no‐tillage systems with two crops cultivated in the same year (i.e., soybean/sorghum (NTSSo), soybean/millet (NTSMi) and maize/sorghum (NTMSo)). Soil and gases were sampled in the rainy season (November, December and January) and dry season (May, July and September). The highest soil C and nitrogen (N) stocks (6.7 kg C m−2 and 0.5 kg N m−2, 0–0.3‐m layer) were found under NV. LUC reduced C stocks by 25% in the CT and by 10% in the PA and NT. Soil N stocks were 30% lower in the PA and NTMSo and 15% lower in the croplands with soybean compared to NV. δ13C values clearly distinguished between the C‐origin from NV (−25‰) and that from other land uses (−16‰). Soil (0–0.1 m) under NV also presented higher labile‐C (625 g C m−2), microbial‐C (70 g C m−2) and microbial‐N (5.5 g N m−2), whereas other land uses presented values three times lower. GHG emissions (expressed as C‐equivalent) were highest in the NV (1.2 kg m−2 year−1), PA (1.3 kg m−2 year−1) and NTMSo (0.9 kg m−2 year−1) and were positively related to the higher SOM turnover in these systems. Our results suggest that in order to maintain SOM, it is necessary to adopt “best” management practices, that provide large plant residue inputs (above‐ and belowground). This can be seen as a pathway to achieving high food production with low GHG emissions.
Рівень, варіабільність та кореляція кількісних ознак у різновидностей ячменю ярого

An unequal level of the indices of nine quantitative traits in 20 investi-gated initial forms of 8 rarely-spread ( inerme, nudideficiens, horsfordianum, coeleste, rickotense, pallidum, submedicum, capillacea ) and 2 wide-spread ( nutans, medicum ) variants of spring barley is established and it is important to recombination selection. As to the majority of traits the cultivars Fenix (8 traits of 9), Tokada (7), Etyket (7), Jerelo (6), Galaktik (5), Getman (5), Vacula (5) with high indices have been selected. The peculiarities of variability and corre-lation of quantitative traits are determined. In future researches it is important to estimate the efficacy of traits recombination in breeding
The Sensitivity pattern of Escherichia coli to Amikacin in a tertiary care hospital.

To determine the Sensitivity pattern of Escherichia coli to Amikacin in a tertiary care hospital. The study was done for a period of one year from March 2011 to February 2012. A total number of 464 patients were included in the study. The culture reports of these patients were analyzed which included urine samples from patients with urinary tract infections, pus of infected wounds, and blood culture of septicemia patients. The cultures which were positive for Escherichia coli were identified and their sensitivity towards Amikacin was tested. 44 strains of Escherichia coli were obtained comprising of 36 from urine samples, 5 from pus, 3 from blood culture. Of these 40 strains were found to be sensitive to Amikacin. Escherichia coli was found to be sensitive to Amikacin. Amikacin is found to be very effective in controlling infections caused by Escherichia coli.
Die Gene der (1-Methylalkyl)succinat-Synthase im anaeroben n-Alkanabbau des Betaproteobakteriums Stamm HxN1

The common mechanism for anaerobic n-alkane degradation is the activation by addition to fumarate yielding (1-methylalkyl)succinate in a first step. In the Betaproteobacterium strain HxN1 the tentative (1-methylalkyl)succinate synthase catalyzes this initial step in anaerobic n-alkane degradation. Here, we report for the first time the purification of an anaerobic n-alkane activating enzyme. Purification revealed the existence of four subunits of (1-methylalkyl)succinate synthase. In contrast, the functional homologous enzyme for the anaerobic degradation of toluene, benzylsuccinate synthase, consists of only three subunits. According to sequence analysis of bacteria degrading n-alkanes, toluene or 2-methylnaphthalene by addition to fumarate, homologues of the newly identified MasB subunit were found to be exclusively present in n-alkane degrading bacteria. In enzyme activity measurements the postulated catalyzed reaction of (1-methylalkyl)succinate synthase was displayed in vitro. The enzyme did not only activate the known growth substrates of strain HxN1, n-hexane, -heptane and -octane, but also n-pentane and cyclopentane. Whereas n-pentane was identified as growth substrate for strain HxN1, cyclopentane was oxidized incompletely. Purification of (1-methylalkyl)succinate synthase
From Co-Learning to Shared Commitment to Agroecology. Some Insights from Initiatives Aimed at Reintroducing Agrobiodiversity

Agroecology represents a holistic approach in the transition to food system sustainability, integrating different dimensions, including knowledge creation, practices redefinition and social mobilisation. This study aims to explore the processes underlying the implementation of the agroecological approach and its transformative potential, focusing on the learning processes that lead to the development of new, shared systems of knowledge, values and beliefs, and to the growth of reflexivity and agency. It aims at deepening the understanding of these processes by analysing the reintroduction of agrobiodiversity in crop/food systems, considering this as a founding element of the agroecological model. Three initiatives located in Italy are investigated to that end. The study analyses role, mechanisms and potential of co-learning processes that develop within the multi-actor networks involved, uncovering enabling and hindering factors. It focuses on the role, reciprocal articulation and cumulative effects of three elements: actors involved and ways of interacting, types of knowledge mobilised and facilitation actions carried out. The findings highlight that the factors ensuring effectiveness of mutual learning, such as modes of actor interaction and, particularly, facilitation, are crucial. At the same time, the mechanisms that intervene seem increasingly complex, showing the need for deeper research and adequate forms of support.
Postfledging behavior of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) attended by the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs): a comprehensive approach to study the least-known stage of brood parasite–host coevolution

ABSTRACT In contrast to the thoroughly studied incubation and nestling periods, the postfledging period of the Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) remains virtually unknown. Here, we report detailed observations of a cuckoo fledgling attended by a male Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs). Molecular data (nuclear DNA) showed the fledgling was a male belonging to the Cuculus c. canorus/C. saturatus clade while mitochondrial DNA data confirmed that it did not belong to blue egg gens that parasitizes Redstarts (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), which is the most common local host and the only regular Common Cuckoo host. During one week of observations, feeding rates did not change, body mass decreased (by 10%), and wing length increased (by 16%). Video recordings showed that the provided diet consisted mostly of larvae and that the fledgling also self-fed on lichens. A radio transmitter fitted on the fledgling revealed that daily movement distances ranged from 0 to 650 m and significantly increased with age. We suggest that future studies should focus on the postfledging period in brood parasite young because this stage currently represents a major gap in our understanding of parasite–host arms races.
Development of a Preservation Method for Okara Using Lactic Acid Fermentation

In order to prevent spoilage of okara, a by-product of tofu manufacturing, the use of lactic acid fermentation was investigated. Lactobacillus casei L-14 and Weissella paramesenteroides HM25 were selected as starter cultures of okara fermentation. The optimum fermentation conditions, such as inoculum levels and mixing ratios, of the two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were determined in order to realize rapid LAB growth and high organic acid levels in the okara. When okara was inoculated with 10 6 cfu/g mixed LAB and incubated at 30℃ for 7 days, almost no microorganisms except for the LAB inoculated were detected in the okara. However, okara contaminated with large numbers of microorganisms at the tofu manufacturers and fermented under identical conditions showed significant numbers of bacteria, especially spore-formers. Therefore, semi-anaerobic incubation was attempted to effectively prevent okara spoilage. Okara was inoculated with mixed LAB and then packaged into airtight containers at 0.92 kg/L. After 7-day incubation, no spore-forming bacteria, coliforms or fungi were detected in the okara. These results indicated that the combination of mixed LAB and semi-anaerobic incubation using airtight containers were effective in preventing the spoilage of okara.
An Investigation of CYP2B in Rat Brain: Regulation and Role in Drug and Toxin Response

INTRODUCTION: Cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B) is a drug-metabolizing enzyme subfamily found in both the brain and liver, which metabolizes clinical drugs, drugs of abuse (e.g. nicotine), toxicants and endogenous neurochemicals. Brain CYP2B’s role in the local metabolism of centrally acting substrates is important to investigate because of its ability to metabolize a variety of centrally active substrates. Additionally, CYP2B regulation by genetics, and exposure to xenobiotics, results in great inter-individual differences in the brain expression of this enzyme. METHODS: We investigated the time-course of rat brain CYP2B induction after chronic nicotine treatment. Using the rat model of brain CYP2B induction, combined with intracerebroventricular (ICV) inhibition of CYP2B, we assessed the effects of brain CYP2B in the response to the anaesthetic substrate, propofol. We also investigated the role of brain CYP2B-mediated activation of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on its neurotoxicity. RESULTS: Nicotine’s induction of rat brain CYP2B was long lasting, returning to basal levels by day 7, and was unaffected by nicotinic receptor blockade. Induction of CYP2B in rat brain, by chronic nicotine treatment, reduced the anaesthetic efficacy of propofol, through increased brain CYP2Bmediated metabolic inactivation. Inhibition of brain CYP2B, using mechanism based inhibitors of the enzyme, inhibited both basal and induced brain CYP2B activity, and
Humanistic leadership in the UAE context

The main intention of this paper is to understand humanistic leadership through an eminent leader representing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) culture. The authors identified a prominent humanistic leader of a well-known private university in Dubai as an example, analyzing his leadership approach from a humanistic lens and demonstrating humanistic leadership characteristics linked to the cultural roots. ,This paper is designed as a single case to examine how humanistic leadership behaviors and practices are applied in an organization and how they are connected to the UAE culture. The leader and his seven followers are interviewed by using semi-structured forms, and inductive conventional content analysis was utilized to identify common themes and concepts related to humanistic leadership traits in the UAE. ,The paper highlights ten themes named humility, respect, care, fairness, transparency, well-being orientation, generosity, family focus and will with humanistic determination. These themes coincide with the various well-accepted humanistic literature theories and are also aligned with salient Islamic values and the existing humanistic leadership theories. A humanistic leadership description is provided to show the implications to the UAE context. ,This study only focuses on a single higher education institution, and further studies need to be conducted to reach a generalization. ,The paper offers an alternative humanistic leadership for government departments, semi private and private companies to create an organizational culture where those values are flourished and creating an awareness in youth leadership programs to include humanistic leadership principles that will eventually increase social welfare. ,This study provides an insight into humanistic leadership phenomenon by giving a contextual example from the UAE. As there has been no attempt to link humanistic leadership to the UAE culture, the findings of this paper will contribute to cross-cultural leadership research.
Molecular diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with atypical pneumonia: comparison with the standard culture procedure

Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes a variety of respiratory tract infections in young children and adults. The standard laboratory methods for its diagnosis are culture and serology, but this agent being fastidious and growing slowly limits the usefulness of culture for routine purposes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique has recently been used as a rapid method for diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection. In this study we compared culture on selective media as a standard method and direct detection of M. pneumoniae DNA in clinical specimens by PCR. Throat specimens from 40 children suffering from atypical pneumonia and 20 apparently healthy children were studied. A significant difference was found between atypical pneumonia cases and controls as regard total leucocytic count and erythrocyte sedmintation rate. Eight cases (17.5%) were culture positive, while 12 (27.5%) were PCR positive. All culture positive cases were PCR positive, PCR sensitivity was 100%, specificity 92% and accuracy 93.3%. In conclusion, PCR is a sensitive and rapid method for diagnosis of M. pnemoniae infection, while culture on selective media although being specific but time consuming. The high sensitivity of the test allows early initiation of proper antibiotic therapy to decrease morbidity of the disease.
A National Survey of Probation Staff of the Needs, Services and Barriers of Female Youth in Juvenile Justice Settings

Abstract Despite a growing awareness and documentation of the growing proportion of justice-involved girls and their unique needs over the last three decades, federal efforts to disseminate gender-responsive priorities have largely been unsuccessful. The purpose of this national, cross-sectional survey of juvenile justice staff was to describe the current implementation of gender-responsive programming, the degree to which it is empirically supported, the needs of justice involved girls, and the training needs of juvenile justice staff for working with this population. Two-hundred juvenile justice staff from the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) responded to this 24-item online survey across 28 U.S. states. The large majority (97%) agreed girls have unique needs, while 94% thought they needed gender-responsive programming. Seventy-percent of respondents endorsed local gender-responsive programming, although most services were offered post-adjudication, and few were empirically supported. Probation staff identified multiple training and programmatic needs to support their work with justice-involved girls.
Sternal transplant using cadaveric allograft: quantitative and qualitative assessment of bone healing by computed tomography.

Background Sternal transplant using cadaveric allograft (STCA) is a complex and rarely performed surgical procedure usually applied for massive bone tissue loss, sternotomy complications, or neoplastic resections. Although radiological imaging and especially computed tomography (CT) is routinely applied for the post-surgical assessment, up to now, a standardized approach evaluating the outcome of STCAs is missing. Therefore, aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate, by CT, bone healing after STCA. Methods The first and the last available postsurgical CT of patients who underwent STCA in two tertiary centers between 2009 and 2017 were collected. Standardized regions of interest were applied on the cancellous bone along the transplanted sternum, and, as reference, on the fourth thoracic vertebra, at both time points, collecting the density values. The areas nearby the fixation devices were assessed by a four-points qualitative score. To evaluate the mineralization, the analysis of the variance (ANOVA) with post-hoc Bonferroni correction was applied for the quantitative measurements while the Wilcoxon test was used for the qualitative score (P<0.05). To evaluate the intra-rater reliability of the qualitative and the quantitative analyses, the same rater repeated the measurements after two months and the Cohen's kappa (k) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed. Results Fourteen patients (11 females, 61±12.8 years) were examined. The first control CTs were performed 32±40.26 days after the STCA and the last CT were acquired after 729±745 days. The quantitative and the qualitative score significantly increased between the two intervals (P<0.05, each). The density of the transplanted sternum was lower than that of the vertebral reference at the first CT (P=0.006) while no differences occurred at the last control (P=0.361). The assessments showed high intra-rater reliability and agreement (ICC ≥0.890, k≥0.906). Conclusions The hereby-proposed qualitative and quantitative methods demonstrated to be good tools for assessing bone healing after STCA.