Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Prevalence of Occult HBV Infection Among Hemodialysis Patients of Tehran, Iran

Background: The presence of HBV DNA in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum of patients is called occult HBV infection (OBI). Because of the risk of hepatitis B transmission, OBI is an important subject for haemodialysis (HD) patients and centres. Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of OBI among haemodialysis patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum specimens were obtained from 200 haemodialysis patients who referred to HD centres of Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran (Iran) and were tested for HBsAg. They were then tested for HBV viral load in plasma and the presence of the HBV genome in peripheral blood mononuclear cell specimens using real-time PCR. Demographic data (age, sex, history of HBV vaccination, and blood transfusion), liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and duration of HD were recorded. Results: Among the 200 HD patients, 109 (54.5%) were male and 91 (45.5%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 56.09 ± 15.5 years (range: 22 to 88 years). A total of 38 patients (19%) had a history of blood transfusion and all patients had received 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine (34 patients also received a booster dose after recording a low serum level of HBsAb.). The prevalence of OBI was 0.5% (1/200). Conclusions: Considering the moderate prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Iran, the prevalence of OBI in HD patients was very low, which could be due to regular and on-time vaccination for hepatitis B and the good preventive care in HD centres.
Avaliação da Atenção Primária à Saúde utilizando o Instrumento PCATool-Brasil

Introduction: The evaluation of services is relevant, since it allows the planning of health care actions. Objective: This study aims to evaluate Primary Attention to Health Care through the PCATool - Brazil (professional health version) instrument, applied to primary health care teams of the municipality of Lajeado, headquarters of the 16 th Regional Health Coordination of Rio Grande do Sul. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 54 professionals in the basic health care units, who answered the PCATool instrument - Brazil. Results: The General Score, measured through the average of the Essential Score and the Derived Score, exceeded the cut-off point of 6.6. The average score for the Essential Score was 6.66, while the average for the Derived Score was 7.60. Conclusion: In general, the teams have a high degree of orientation towards Primary Attention to Health Care, although two essential attributes have indicators that need to be improved.
The Ontario Sexual Health Education Update: Perspectives from the Toronto Teen Survey (TTS) Youth

Sexual health education in schools is a controversial topic. In 2015 an updated version of the sex education program was introduced to schools in the Province of Ontario, Canada. The curriculum received strong criticism from some parents and lobby groups. Similar objections led to the Ontario Liberal government withdrawing the previous sex education program update in 2010. Public debates about the appropriateness of the new curriculum are primarily concerned with the extent to which parents were consulted. Absent from these discussions are the opinions of the curriculum’s target group: students. What do young people have to say about their sexual health education, and how can this information be used to provide more effective programs in schools? In this article we draw on the findings of the Toronto Teen Survey (TTS) (N = 1,216) to discuss youth responses to questions about their experience with sexual health education and the relevance of this information for school-based sexual health education (SBSE). Considering that TTS youth identified schools as their primary source of sexual health education, the survey findings have value for SBSE. In discussing the TTS data in the context of the updated Ontario sexual health curriculum, we provide a youth perspective on the revised sexual health education program that was implemented in the fall of 2015.
Accidente ofídico como evento de interés en salud pública en Colombia: aportes al diseño de estrategias de gestión

“SNAKE BITES AS EVENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH INTEREST IN COLOMBIA: CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DESIGN OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ” Snake bites are events of public health interest that have affected several developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, which can lead to death but at the same time avoidable. Since it has been considered an international public health problem and a neglected tropical disease, some series of activities and strategies have been established to be implemented in countries with great incidence of such accident. The country condition for developing activities and strategies described in the international literature was analyzed by a focal group, in order to make contributions by designing management strategies which allowed morbidity and mortality decrease, bearing in mind that the national institutions in charge of this, are in the right moment to take actions that help the strengthening of successful strategies and the inclusion of the ones that are determinant to prevent, treat and control snake bites, with an intersectoral, inter-institutional and multidisciplinary approach.
“Fine...I’ll do it myself”: Lessons from self-employment grants in a long recession period

Abstract This paper evaluates the effect of a self-employment grant scheme for unemployed individuals—designed to ease the first 12 months of business operation—on firm growth, survival, and labor market reintegration in Croatia in the 2010–2017 period. Grants offered a moderate amount of finances (up to 50% of average annual gross salary) and absorbed only 5% of funds allocated to active labor market policies (ALMPs), but accounted for 10% of new firms opened throughout the years. We contribute to the literature on self-employment grants with several novel findings. Exploiting the longitudinal structure of the unemployment episodes dataset, we find that individuals who finish their spell with a grant have a significantly lower probability of returning to unemployment. The policy is particularly effective for individuals who would have otherwise had labor market opportunities (men, more educated, prime-age workers, previously employed), individuals who became unemployed after inactivity and lost their job due to a firm's closure—which demonstrates that self-employment subsidies can be effective in ameliorating unemployment. However, the policy was not effective for longer unemployed individuals. At the firm level, we find descriptive evidence that limited liability firms opened via a grant have lower growth potential and worse survival profile, while unlimited liability firms—even though a sizable portion of them closes after a required 12-month grant period—have a more favorable survival profile. Finally, we also find that the effectiveness of these grants has increased throughout the years, indicating toward the direction of institutional learning.
Introducing Daluga (Cyrtosperma merkusii) starch from corms collected in Siau Island, North Sulawesi

Daluga (Cyrtosperma merkusii) found naturally growing at some sites inside Siau Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. This plant is an aroid, known as giant swamp taro, and its corm is edible. Very little information known about the plant and corm, and none for its starch. The tendency surfaced is that the plant has been abandoned despite of the corm potency may serve as food source. The same practices also happened around the islands on the same region: even the statistics shown that daluga is excluded from both food expenditure and food crops consideration (BPS 2013). For that reason, this research mainly focus on the study of daluga corm starch that has never been studied or reported before. The major findings are starch yield, chemical composition, and granules morphology studied from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The data shows that daluga starch is unimodal with average size of 12.50 μm and crystalline type A. The average starch yield is 14.70%, and has medium to low amylose content that shall give good mouthfeel taste. These findings shall possibly support more research and utilization of daluga starch, improving people’s knowledge about it, thus it will benefit researchers or islands communities in the future, as it is a natural resource of food found on these islands of Indonesia.
The Effect of Microstructural Imperfections on Corrosion Fatigue of Additively Manufactured ER70S-6 Alloy Produced by Wire Arc Deposition

This study aims at evaluating the effect of microstructure imperfections on the corrosion fatigue performance of an ER70S-6 alloy produced by wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process, in a 3.5% NaCl solution. For reference, a regular ST-37 alloy with relatively similar chemical composition was considered as a counterpart alloy. This was justified by the fact that the ER70S-6 alloy is usually used for conventional welding of ST-37 steel. The results obtained indicated that while the ST-37 alloy exhibited fatigue strength of 240 MPa in the corrosive solution, the additively manufactured ER70S-6 alloy showed fatigue strength of only 140 MPa. These differences were related to microstructural imperfections that are inherently produced during the WAAM process.
Association between Grip Strength as Diagnostic Criteria of Sarcopenia and Health-Related Quality of Life in Korean Elderly

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between grip strength as diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in Korean elderly. Methods: Data were obtained through the 2014−2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (6th KNHANES), targeting a total of 3,096 elderlies (over 60 years old). Grip strength was measured and divided into four quartiles, and the lower quartile was used as the muscle strength criterion for sarcopenia. The EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire was used to measure HRQL and classified as poor HRQL when the EQ-5D index was less than 1. Complex sample design logistic regression was used to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of prevalence of poor HRQL associated with sarcopenia. Results: When confounding factors are adjusted, the OR (95% CI) of prevalence of poor HRQL for male and female elderlies in the group with the highest strength, as compared to the group with the lowest strength were 0.605 (0.413−0.893), and 0.406 (0.297−0.590), respectively. Conclusion: Muscle strength can be considered to be more effective in assessing the health status of the elderly compared to muscle mass. In particular, this is acceptable given the cost of measurement and the clarity as a health goal.
Mantle flow below the central and greater Alpine region: insights from SKS anisotropy analysis at AlpArray and permanent stations

Abstract. The Alpine chain in western and central Europe is a complex orogen developed as a result of the African–Adriatic plate convergence towards the European continent and the closure of several Tethys oceanic branches. Seismic tomography studies detected high-wave-speed slabs plunging beneath the orogen to variable depths and a potential change in subduction polarity beneath the Central Alps. Alpine subduction is expected to leave a significant imprint on the surrounding mantle fabrics, although deformation associated with the Hercynian Orogeny, which affected Europe prior to the collision with Adria, may have also been preserved in the European lithosphere. Here we estimate SKS anisotropy beneath the central and greater Alpine region at 113 broadband seismic stations from the AlpArray experiment as well as permanent networks from Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and France. We compare the new improved dataset with previous studies of anisotropy, mantle tomography, lithospheric thickness, and absolute plate motion, and we carry out Fresnel analysis to place constraints on the depth and origin of anisotropy. Most SKS directions parallel the orogen strike and the orientation of the Alpine slabs, rotating clockwise from west to east along the chain, from −45 to 90∘ over a ∼700 km distance. No significant changes are recorded in Central Alps at the location of the putative switch in subduction polarity, although a change in direction variability suggests simple asthenospheric flow or coupled deformation in the Swiss Central Alps transitions into more complex structures beneath the Eastern Alps. SKS fast axes follow the trend of high seismic anomalies across the Alpine Front, far from the present-day boundary, suggesting slabs act as flow barriers to the ambient mantle surrounding them for hundreds of km. Further north across the foreland, SKS fast axes parallel Hercynian geological structures and are orthogonal to the Rhine Graben and crustal extension. However, large splitting delay times (>1.4 s) are incompatible with a purely lithospheric contribution but rather represent asthenospheric flow not related to past deformational events. West of the Rhine Graben, in northeastern France, anisotropy directions are spatially variable in the proximity of a strong positive seismic anomaly in the upper mantle, perhaps perturbing the flow field guided by the nearby Alpine slabs.
Effectiveness of Course Portfolio in Improving Course Quality at Higher Education

To fulfill the demand of teaching and learning quality in Higher Education, different means of evaluating, assessing, and accrediting academic programs have evolved. The need arises on finding scientific tools to measure and assess quality at different stages of educational processes. In Higher Education, course portfolio is considered one of essential quality assurance tools used. It is used to monitor and develop activities, to help students construct knowledge, and to improve the academic activities. This paper tackles the effectiveness of such tool for improving learning and teaching processes College of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Bahrain. The results of this study showed that the college faculty have a positive perceptions towards the use of course portfolio. They also, positively perceive the usefulness of audit results of the course portfolio and show good intention towards using electronic course portfolio; however, they need more training and support to use it effectively. In this study, the benefits of course portfolio as an independent variable was found to be a significant predictor of e-portfolio acceptance. College of Health and Sport Sciences need to improve the implementation of e-portfolio system through continuous faculty feedback and improvement plans.
Risk Factors for Obesity in Nepalese Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. It ison the rise worldwide, not sparing developing countries. Both demographic and socioeconomic factors playan important part in its causation. Body mass index is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonlyused to classify overweight and obesity in adults. This study was done with objectives of assessing the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its associated factors among adult women attending selected outpatient departments of tertiary care center in western region of Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectionalthe study was conducted for six months. A total of 160 female respondents aged more than 20 years attending outpatient departments were included in the study using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data on socio-demographic status, dietary pattern, health risk behavior and presence of chronic illness were collected and anthropometric measurements were taken for all the respondents. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 31.8% and 3.8% respectively. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and overweight with age (p=0.044), educational status (p=0.017), frequency of consumption of fruits (p=0.029), dietary pattern (p=0.023), frequency of consumption of dairy products (p=0.019), marital status (p=0.020) and drinking alcohol (p=0.022). Conclusion: Age, educational status, frequency of consumption of dairy products, dietary habits, marital status and drinking habits were strongly associated with obesity and overweight among adult women.
Clinical outcome of osseointegrated prostheses for lower extremity amputations: a systematic review of the literature

Background:Extremity amputation is a common procedure for a variety of indications, including vascular problems, tumors, infections, and traumatic events. The socket prosthesis has always been the standard but has a low patient satisfaction and high skin complication rate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of osseointegrated prostheses (those that eliminate the socket in favor of direct skeletal attachment) for lower extremity amputees. Methods:A systematic review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE (January 1946–May 2014), EMBASE (Jan 1980–May 2014), and SCOPUS (Jan 1996–May 2014). All studies evaluating the clinical outcome of an osseointegrated prosthesis for patients with a lower extremity amputation were included. All included studies were evaluated for methodological quality using the GRADE checklist. Results:Thirteen studies with a total of 540 subjects were included. Between 82–90% of patients used their prosthesis on a daily basis. Ninety-five percent of patients were happy with their osseointegrated prosthesis. Short Form (SF)-36 and Questionnaire for Persons with Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA) scores were satisfactory. There was a high complication rate, including skin problems (30–54%), skin infections (28–55%), implant infections (2–41%), loosening (2–6%), periprosthetic fracture (0–9%), revision surgery (8–67%), and explants (3–20%). Most of the included studies had more than one flaw in their study design, decreasing their methodological quality. Meta-analysis of the data was not possible due to publication bias. Conclusions:This systematic review showed that osseointegrated prostheses resulted in a good quality of life and patient-reported outcomes. However, skin problems and infections were common and patients often needed revision surgery.
A cross-sectional study of drug prescription pattern in psoriasis patients attending dermatology and venereology department in a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Drugs have an important role in the improvement of human health and promotion of well-being. However, drugs should be safe, efficacious and have to be used rationally to produce the desired effect. Because of underuse, overuse or misuse of drugs, often optimal benefits of drug therapy are often not achieved. Irrational use of drugs can lead to ineffective and unsafe treatment, exacerbation or prolongation of illness, distress and harm to the patient and higher costs. Without the knowledge on how drugs are being prescribed, it is difficult to understand the rational use of drugs. Drug prescription pattern can explain the profile, extent and quality of drug use.
Disentangling the Effect of Waiting Times on Hospital Choice: Evidence from a Panel Data Analysis

This study examines the effect of waiting times on hospital choice by using patient-level data on elective Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) procedures in the Italian NHS over the years 2008-2011. We perform a multinomial logit analysis including conditional logit and mixed logit specifications. Our findings show the importance of jointly controlling for time-invariant and time varying dimensions of hospital quality in order to disentangle the effect of waiting times on hospital choice. We provide evidence that patients are responsive to changes in waiting times and aspects of clinical quality within hospitals over time, and estimate the trade-off that patients make between different hospital attributes. The results convey important policy implications for highly regulated health care markets.
Experimental Analysis on Thermal Characteristics of Argan Nut Shell (ANS) Biomass as a Green Energy Resource

Argan nut shell (ANS) is one of the most abundant agricultural by-product in the southwestern of Morocco. This study aims to focus on thermal characteristics of ANS biomass for alternate energy production. Physicochemical studies were done to characterize biomass-based material. Moreover, thermal degradation characteristics and kinetic parameters were assessed under pyrolysis and oxidizing conditions by means of thermogravimetric methods. Fundamental tests involving particle combustion of ANS and coal were carried out, and a comparison was performed. The results exhibit a heating value of 20.63 MJ kg -1 and negligible amount of nitrogen and sulfur. Furthermore, ANS follows the usual structural decomposition of lignocellulosique biomass, while coal reveal a discrete devolatilization zone. In addition, combustion tests show a significant burning period and high particle temperature. This experimental research is intended to provide a reference data of ANS biomass in engineering applications.
Analysis of MMP-3 polymorphism in osseointegrated implant failure

Polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) genes have been associated with several pathologies, including dental implant loss. MMP-3 is crucial to the connective tissue remodeling process. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between -1612 MMP-3 polymorphism and the early implant failure. A sample of 240 non-smokers was divided: test group 120 patients with one or more early failed implants and control group 120 patients with one or more healthy implants. Genomic DNA from oral mucosa was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. No association of early implant loss with genotypes and alleles of the -1612 polymorphism in MMP-3 were found by the Chi-squared test. Only the presence of the -1612 polymorphism of MMP-3 is not a genetic risk factor for early loss of implants.
An ALS-associated mutation in human FUS reduces neurotransmission from C. elegans motor neurons to muscles

Amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has been associated with multiple genetic lesions, including mutations in the gene FUS (Fused in Sarcoma), an RNA/DNA-binding protein. Expression of the ALS-associated human FUS in C. elegans results in mislocalization and aggregation of FUS outside the nucleus, and leads to impaired neuromuscular behaviors. However, the mechanisms by which mutant FUS disrupts neuronal health and function remain partially understood. Here we investigated the impact of ALS-associated FUS on motor neuron health using correlative light and electron microscopy, electron tomography, and electrophysiology. Expression of ALS-associated FUS impairs synaptic vesicle docking at neuromuscular junctions, and leads to the emergence of a population of large and electron-dense filament-filled endosomes. Electrophysiological recording of neuromuscular transmission revealed reduced transmission from motor neurons to muscles. Together, these results suggest a potential direct or indirect role of human FUS in the organization of synaptic vesicles, and reduced transmission from motor neurons to muscles. Summary statement An ALS-associated mutation in a trafficking protein disrupts the organization of the C. elegans neuromuscular junction.