Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mucocutaneous manifestations in hepatitis C patients

Objective To determine the frequency and nature of mucocutaneous manifestations in hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive patients. Methods Two hundred and five HCV positive patients presenting at the outpatient and inpatient departments of Services Hospital, Lahore were evaluated for mucocutaneous manifestations. Relevant data regarding history, clinical examination including cutaneous system and investigations were documented and analyzed. Results Mean age of patients was 36.6±11.0 years. There were 84 (41%) males and 121 (59%) females. 73.7% cases were exposed to antiviral therapy. Dermatological manifestations were present in 88.3% patients with HCV infection. Pruritus was the most common finding seen in 39.5% followed by hyperpigmentation of skin 34.1%, lichen planus 18%, lingual/buccal pigmentation 13.2%, melanonychia 12.7% and urticaria 6.8%. Less frequent features were palmar erythema, photosensitivity and cutaneous vasculitis. Conclusion Dermatological manifestations may appear as an earliest sign of hepatitis C infection. Therefore, vigilant detection and careful investigation can prevent the complications and further spread of this dreadful disease.
Influence of thyroid status on serum enzyme and lipid profile in dogs with chronic kidney disease

The present study was conducted with an attempt to evaluate the influence of euthyroidism and hypothyroidism in relation to chronic kidney disease in dogs. A total number of 72 client-owned dogs aged between two to ten years, presented to the Veterinary College Hospital, Bangalore, were included in this study. Clinically healthy dogs were assigned to Group I, euthyroid dogs with chronic kidney disease were assigned to Group II and hypothyroid dogs with chronic kidney disease were assigned to Group III. The selected dogs were in the age range of 2-4 years, >4-6 years, >6-8 years and >8-10 years with six dogs in each group. The dogs of all breeds and of either sex were included in the study. A single blood sample from the study dogs was collected at the time of presentation to clinics. Serum samples obtained were utilised for assay of aminotransferases and lipid profile using standard reagent kits. Significantly higher aminotransferase activities, total cholesterol and triglycerides were recorded in Group III compared to Group I and Group II. From the study it is concluded that the renal dysfunction exerted mild effects and hypothyroidism exerted marked influence on serum enzyme and lipid profile. Hhypothyroidism, being one of the most common causes of secondary dyslipidemia resulting in fatty liver, leading to leakage of liver specific enzymes into circulation in Group III dogs.
Characteristics of landslides in forests and grasslands triggered by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake

We examined the characteristics of landslides triggered by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake (Mw = 7.0: focal depth=10.0 km) in forests and grasslands within two affected watersheds (Tokosegawa: 6.9 km2 and Nigorigawa: 6.1 km2) in southwestern Japan. We identified 190 landslides using aerial photographs and analyzed their sizes by geographic information system (GIS). Field investigations were conducted to obtain landslide depth, volume and residual sediment for 38 selected landslides (21 in forests and 17 in grasslands). The minimum area of detected landslides in grasslands (400 m2) was smaller than in forests (1000 m2), probably because of reduced detectability of landslides under tree cover. The ratio of total area occupied by landslides for a given range of slope gradient in the watersheds increased from 3.2% on gentle grassland slopes (10–15°) to 15.5% on steep (>45°) slopes, whereas the maximum landslide‐area ratio in forest sites (7.4%) occurred on relatively gentle slopes (25–30°). Estimated landslide volume ranged from 27 to 9622 m3, based on mean depth of each landslide measured around individual landslide scars. Moreover, the volumetric ratio of landslide deposit volume to total landslide volume exceeded 100% for 48% of the landslides within forests and 35% of the landslides within grasslands. Our findings show that land cover had extensive and recognizable effects on the characteristics of landslides and resulting in‐channel sediment accumulations. Resetting sediment dynamics after earthquakes associated with different land cover distributions needs to be considered within watersheds. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New evidence on teachers’ working hours in England. An empirical analysis of four datasets

ABSTRACT Surveys have revealed that teachers in England work far longer hours than their international counterparts, causing serious concern amongst both policymakers and the profession. Despite this, surprisingly little is known about the structure of and changes to teachers’ working hours. We address this gap in the evidence base by analysing four different datasets. Working hours remain high: a quarter of teachers work more than 60 hours per week during term time, 40% report that they usually work in the evening and around 10% during the weekend. However, contrary to current narratives, we do not find evidence that average working hours have increased. Indeed, we find no notable change in total hours worked over the last twenty years, no notable change in the incidence of work during evenings and weekends over a fifteen year period and no notable change in time spent on specific tasks over the last five years. The results suggests that policy initiatives have so far failed to reduce teachers’ working hours and that more radical action may need to be taken in order to fix this problem.
Backstepping Technique-Based Customer-End Voltage Control Strategy of DC Distribution Network

This article develops a robust control strategy for voltage regulation of customer-end ac loads, where the low-voltage multiterminal dc network has been used for power distribution purposes. The control law for load-end dc–ac converter is synthesized by Lyapunov’s direct method using the backstepping design process. The resultant control action is simply obtained by a linear combination of states and reference set-points and does not add extra dynamics into the system avoiding complexity. The proposed method does not require load current measurement. Simulation studies in MATLAB/Simulink show better dynamic performance compared with conventional PI controllers. The experimental results from a laboratory-scale prototype demonstrate the robustness of the proposed controller against variations in type and the amount of load profile and dc voltage.
Hedging and diversification across commodity assets

ABSTRACT We investigate the conditional cross effects and volatility spillover between equity markets and commodity markets (oil and gold), Fama and French HML and SMB factors, volatility index (VIX) and bonds using different multivariate GARCH specifications considering the potential asymmetry and persistence behaviours. We analyse the dynamic conditional correlation between the US equity market and a set of commodity prices and risk factors to forecast the transmission of shock to the equity market firstly, and to determine and compare the optimal hedge ratios from the different models based on the hedging effectiveness of each model. Our findings suggest that all models confirm the significant returns and volatility spillovers. More importantly, we find that GO-GARCH is the best-fit model for modelling the joint dynamics of different financial variables. The results of the current study have implications for investors: (i) the equity market displays inverted dynamics with the volatility index suggesting strong evidence of diversification benefit; (ii) of the hedging assets gold appears the best hedge for the US equity market as it has a higher hedge effectiveness than oil and bonds over time; and (iii) despite these important results, a better hedge may be obtained by using well-selected firm sized and profitability-based portfolios.
Use of Molecular Probes for Presumptive Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Associated with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Mycobacterium Bovis Infection in Antelopes in Pakistan

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: June 02, 2018 April 13, 2019 April 14, 2019 May 01, 2019 The etio-prevalence of tuberculosis complex and diagnostic significance of cytokines in antelopes of Lahore, Pakistan was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction and cytokine ELISA. One hundred blood samples of five different types of captive zoo antelopes including Mouflon sheep, black buck, gorial, hog deer and urial were tested. The percent prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis and M. tuberculosis was 30% and 20% respectively. All five categories of antelopes were infected with M. bovis and M. tuberculosis and none of the animals was positive for M. avium. Mouflon sheep, black buck and hog deer were significantly more affected by M. bovis as compared to M.tuberculosis. While Gorial had non-significantly more M.tuberculosis as compared to M. bovis. Urial had lowest tuberculosis incidence and was equally infected by both Mycobacterium species. The levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly higher in TB infected animals as compared to negative controls (P<0.05). From PCR positive animals two black bucks died later and the histopathological analysis of their lungs revealed pathognomic granuloma lesions. ©2019 PVJ. All rights reserved
Review: Octreotide reduces rebleeding more than does vasopressin or terlipressin in patients with esophageal varices

Source Citation Corley DA, Cello JP, Adkisson W, Ko WF, Kerlikowske K. Octreotide for acute esophageal variceal bleeding: a meta-analysis. Gastroenterology. 2001 Mar;120:946-54. 11231948 (All 2001 .
The Effect of Intervention Recombinant IL-10 on Level of TNF-α and GFAP Serum in the Wistar Rats with Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can trigger an inflammation and activation the mediator substances. TNF-α is a major cytokine that has adverse effects in high level. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) in brain cells increases in TBI thus can be an accurate biomarker for brain damage. The purposes of this study are to know the intervention effect of IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory to inflammatory processes (pro anti-inflammatory balance) in TBI. This is an experimental laboratory study with a post-test control group design consisting of four treatment groups and one control group. Measurement of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) and GFAP using Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA) methods. The result of this study shows Groups with provoked brain injury had significantly higher levels of serum TNF-α (p <0.05) than the control group. Group provoked a brain injury and given recombinant IL-10 did not have increased levels of TNF-α in serum after 1 hour, differ significantly with no intervention of IL-10. The levels of GFAP have no significant difference 1 hour after TBI, and these levels increase at 24 hours. The conclusion is Intervention by IL-10 could decrease the levels of TNF-α serum immediately after TBI in the Wistar rats and the levels of GFAP 24 hours after TBI are increasing persistently although given by intervention of IL-10 or not.
Embodied experiences: Critical insights from Dewey for contemporary education

ABSTRACT Background: Reflecting increased cross-disciplinary interest in the significance of the body in education, this paper considers that a greater appreciation of John Dewey’s conceptualisations of experience and habit would benefit contemporary theory- and practice-related concerns. Sources of evidence and main argument: The paper draws upon pragmatist-informed epistemological insights into the nature of experience and the habitual body from John Dewey. In doing so, the paper highlights how embodied experiences could become more central to realising a diverse range of educational goals. These include contexts where students appreciate that embodied learning practices can play a reconstructive part in shaping their identity, as well as the culture and school environments they share with others. Conclusion: The paper concludes by exemplifying and critiquing some conceptual possibilities which recognise the benefits of intensifying bodily experiences and cultivating related habits in everyday contemporary schooling.
The Effect of Need for Cognition and Need for Affection on the Intention of Spreading Fake News

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the need for cognition and the need for affection towards the intention of spreading fake news. This research used an experimental design by giving the participants some manipulations in the form of fake news. The study examined whether the participant spreads the news provided based on their different need orientations. The results of this study indicate that there was a significant relationship between the need for affection and the need for cognition in terms of spreading false news. This study also investigated the variation of the tendency to spread the news based on both need scores. Although predictions are related to participants who have high or low scores who tend to spread false news, further research is needed.
Effects of Solvent Fractions of Caylusea abyssinica (Fresen.) Fisch. and Mey. on Blood Glucose Levels of Normoglycemic, Glucose Loaded and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rodents

In Ethiopia the leaves of Caylusea abyssinica (Fresen.) Fisch. &Mey. (Family: Resedaceae) are used as a cooked vegetable and also for the management of diabetes mellitus in folk medicine. The present study was carried out to investigate effects of solvent fractions of the leaves of C. abyssinica on Blood Glucose Levels (BGLs) of normoglycemic, glucose loaded and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rodents. Solvent fractions were prepared by successive extraction of the leaves in a soxhlet apparatus with chloroform and methanol, and then further maceration of the marc left with distilled water. Phytochemical analysis indicated presence of alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugars and steroids. Acute toxicity test showed that all the fractions were safe at doses of up to 2 g/kg. Whilst only the methanol fraction at a dose of 300 mg/kg produced significant hypoglycemic effect 4 h after treatment, both the methanol and aqueous fractions significantly decreased BGL of glucose loaded and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rodents. A reduction of 55.37% (p<0.05) and 59.54% (p<0.001) in BGL was observed within 2 h of oral glucose tolerance test by 200 and 300 mg/kg of the methanol fraction, respectively. The same fraction at doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg reduced BGL by 80.24% (p<0.001) and 81.05% (p<0.001), respectively, whereas the aqueous fraction at a dose of 300 mg/kg lowered BGL by 55.33%. It was therefore concluded that the reputed application of C. abyssinica leaves for the management of diabetes in traditional medical practice is well founded.
Maternal adverse childhood experiences, current cumulative risk, and behavioral dysregulation among child welfare involved children

The intergenerational influence of adverse childhood experiences on individual outcomes demonstrates a need for research that considers both personal and environmental contributors to risk. As such, the current study explored how maternal cumulative risks influence the relationship between maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their children’s behavioral dysregulation among families involved with the child welfare system (N = 314). The importance of child age is also considered. The sample was stratified by age groups of children (1.5–5 years and 6–18 years), and the relationship between maternal ACEs, cumulative risk, and child behavior was assessed using OLS regressions. For younger children, maternal ACEs were only associated with externalizing behaviors when not controlling for cumulative risk, but cumulative risks were independently and significantly associated with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors. For older children, ACEs were independently associated with both types of behavior, but controlling for cumulative risk attenuated the strength of this relationship. Cumulative risks were also independently associated with older children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Findings suggest the need to consider both individual and environmental risks for parents and children involved in the child welfare system, and the developmental timing and stability of that risk, in order to adequately support parent-child relationships as well as caregiving environments.
Model uncertainty, nonlinearities and out-of-sample comparison: evidence from international technology diffusion

This paper reconsiders the international technology diffusion model. Because the high degree of uncertainty surrounding the Data Generating Process and the likely presence of nonlinearities and latent common factors, it considers alternative nonparametric panel specifications which extend the Common Correlated Effects approach and then contrasts the out-of-sample performance of them with those of more common parametric models. To do so, we adopt an approach recently proposed within the literature of nonparametric regression. This approach is based on a pseudo Monte Carlo experiment that takes its roots on cross validation and aims at testing whether two competing approximate models are equivalent in terms of their expected true error. Our results indicate that the adoption of a nonparametric approach provides better performances. This work also refines previous results by showing threshold effects, nonlinearities and interactions, which are obscured in parametric specifications and which have relevant implications for policy.
The supervision of school nurses in New Jersey: parallel needs, actions, and impacts on student care

v List of Tables . x Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Problem Statement . 2 Purpose of the Study . 3 Research Questions . 4 Conceptual Framework . 5 Significance of the Study . 5 Conclusion . 5 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 7 Research Strategy.8 School Nursing as a Specialty.9 Clinical Issues of School Students . 9 Student Achievement and School Nursing . 9 Organizational Role Theory . 11 Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity . 14 Potential Consequences of Role Conflict or Role Ambiguity . 20 Supervision . 30 Administrator Understanding of the School Nursing Role . 32 Impact of the Supervisor-Subordinate Relationship . 33 Conclusion . 34 Chapter 3: Methodology . 35
The use of the mother tongue in the teaching of English as a foreign language in Libyan higher education

This research examines the role of mother tongue use in the teaching of English as a foreign language within the context of Libyan Higher education. The present research aims to explore the extent of Arabic use, attitudes towards this use and reasons for it among Libyan teachers and students. Literature within the field indicates that there has been much controversy surrounding the use of the mother tongue in teaching English with shifting views over the centuries. However, recently there has been a swing towards a recognition of potential positive roles that the mother tongue could have in the language classroom. Yet, despite this recognition, the issue is far from resolved and despite research within the field, there are still substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding of teachers and students’ extent and reasons for L1 use, as well as attitudes towards this use. The ongoing debate surrounding this issue requires further empirical research as proposed by the present research, with a focus on the unexplored Libyan context, aiming to add new insights to current discussions. The present research investigates this issue through a mixed method approach, allowing for an elaborate understanding as well as offering greater confidence in conclusions reached. I carried out three studies, in which I employed questionnaires, interviews, and observational as data collection methods with each expanding and adding depth to findings. The results of the three studies indicate that various factors within the Libyan EFL classroom, including lack of teacher training, proficiency level in the TL and course content, lead with some exceptions, to an overall high use of L1 (Arabic) among teachers and students. I also found that attitudes of teachers are mostly positive, and those of students differed according to proficiency level. I reasoned that teachers’ practices could be constrained by many aspects and conditions both internal and external to the teacher. In this regard, I drew out insights to factors leading to teachers’ L1 use within the Libyan EFL classroom, raising awareness of their potential effect on the process of teaching and learning. This highlights the need for future policy change and improvement allowing for a more judicious and well-informed teacher use of L1 based on appropriate, practical, and effective teacher training and continuing professional development programs.
Implementation of fast ICA using memristor crossbar arrays for blind image source separations

Independent component analysis (ICA) is an unsupervised learning approach for computing the independent components (ICs) from the multivariate signals or data matrix. The ICs are evaluated based on the multiplication of the weight matrix with the multivariate data matrix. This study proposes a novel Pt/Cu:ZnO/Nb:STO memristor crossbar array for the implementation of both ACY ICA and Fast ICA for blind source separation. The data input was applied in the form of pulse width modulated voltages to the crossbar array and the weight of the implemented neural network is stored in the memristor. The output charges from the memristor columns are used to calculate the weight update, which is executed through the voltages kept higher than the memristor Set/Reset voltages (±1.30 V). In order to demonstrate its potential application, the proposed memristor crossbar arrays based fast ICA architecture is employed for image source separation problem. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is very effective to separate image sources, and also the contrast of the images are improved with an improvement factor in terms of percentage of structural similarity as 67.27% when compared with the software-based implementation of conventional ACY ICA and Fast ICA algorithms.