Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Sustainable Construction Practices in the Zambian Construction Industry

Construction activities have been established to be posing a great danger to the environment. In a bid to curtail these negative happenings the call for sustainability in construction has become popular. Construction industries around the world are advised to build in a manner in which no harm is done to the environment, and the future generation can have enough to cater for their own needs. However, sustainable construction (SC) practices adoption, has been observed to be low in most developing countries. It is based on this knowing that this study assessed the barriers to SC practices within the Zambian Construction Industry (ZCI). The study adopted a survey approach and construction professionals within the ZCI were sampled using the questionnaire as a research instrument. Descriptive statistics tools were employed in analyzing the gathered data. Findings revealed that the major barriers to SC practices in ZCI are; fear of higher investment costs, no local green certification available, lack of government policies or support, and lack of financial incentives. Therefore educating construction clients and other stakeholders on the overall life-cycle cost benefit of SC is deemed necessary.
Activity of Marine Sponge-Derived Extracts against Trypanosoma Cruzi is Associated with Apoptosis-Like Death

Trypanosoma cruzi is the aetiological agent of Chagas disease that affects 6–7 million people in Latin America. Chemotherapy for this disease is unsatisfactory; therefore, it requires the development of new drugs. Marine sponges are known to be important sources of bioactive natural products. This present study investigated the activity of organic (E1) and aqueous (E2) extracts obtained from the sponge Amphimedon viridis against T. cruzi as well as their toxicity to mammalian cells. E1 and E2 displayed a dose-dependent lytic effect on bloodstream trypomastigotes with IC50 values of 10.80 and 0. 57μg/mL, respectively, being the aqueous extract ~19-fold more active than benznidazole; the corresponding values for effects on intracellular amastigotes were 44.85 and 21.37 μg/ mL, respectively. Both A. viridis extracts were nontoxic to cardiac cells at a concentration of 100 μg/ mL for up to 72 h of incubation. Trypomastigotes treated with 8 μg/ mL E2 and labelling with TRME led to mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation on 78.7±26.8% of the parasites, whereas labelling with 7-AAD induced apoptosis-like death in 50.9±16.8% of parasites. These data suggest a potential trypanocidal activity of A. viridis, which is partially associated with the ability to induce apoptosis-like death. The bioactive compounds in E2 are currently being chemically characterized to further discriminate the active components involved.
Regional Effects of Offshoring on Labor Demand: Evidence from Sweden∗

We estimate the effect of offshoring of intermediate input production on the relative demand for workers with different levels of educational attainment at the regional level for Sweden. We find no evidence of offshoring having reduced the relative demand for the least educated workers; on the contrary, if anything it seems to have increased the relative demand for this group. On the margin, the effect of offshoring on relative labor demand tends to be larger in peripheral and rural regions compared to central and urban regions. However, peripheral and rural regions have been less affected overall since there has been less offshoring from these regions. JEL Classification: F16
Association of Socioeconomic Status, Dietary Behavior, and Obesity among Moroccan Adults of the Region of Rabat: A Case-Control Study

Background: The incidence of worldwide obesity is on the increase. Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. 39% of adults, aged 18 years and over, were overweight in 2016 and 13% were obese. Aims: To examine the association of dietary patterns, socioeconomic status, and the body mass index in Moroccan adults. Methods and Material: This is an analytical case-control study, conducted among obese (n=100) and non-obese (n=150) subjects, aged between 18 and 59 years old, when women represented 60% of participants. At recruitment, all anthropometric parameters were measured. The body composition was assessed by the use of impedance meter. Dietary habits were assessed using 24 hours’ food recall and food frequency questionnaire. The results were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) and the chi-squared (χ2-test) test and the percent distribution. Results: Our results showed that abdominal obesity and overall body fat (BF) percent were much prevalent among the obese group (BF% >30). There was a significant association between the lack of physical activity (p=0.002), educational level (p=0.001) and the risk of development of obesity. Concerning the age (p=0.06) and the gender (p>0.05) of the participants, there was no difference regarding these parameters and the risk of development of obesity (p>0.05). A strong relationship between marriage and the development of obesity was found, when 83.90% of the obese group were married, whereas 73.70% of the non-obese group were single (p<0.001). Concerning dietary assessment, our data revealed that the energy consumption of lipids slightly exceeds the recommended target. The major consumed foodstuffs by the obese group were oils and fats. Conclusions: The adult participants of the region of Rabat have an unbalanced body weight status resulting from an altered dietary behavior and from an altered socioeconomic profile that can lead to various health complications. Further studies are required on a large population aiming to develop effective strategies to fight the rapid increase of obesity. Keywords : Obesity, body mass index, dietary behavior, socioeconomic status.
Interaction of the oral microbiota with respiratory pathogens in biofilms of mechanically ventilated patients

Mechanically ventilated (MV) patients are at risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia. During mechanical ventilation, it has been proposed that the mouth becomes colonised by respiratory pathogens (RP) and the endotracheal tube (ETT) facilitates leakage of oropharyngeal secretions to the lower airways, whilst also supporting a biofilm. These are likely contributory risk factors for VAP. This research aimed to further establish the relationship between oral microorganisms and RP in colonisation of dental plaque and ETT biofilms. The study also investigated intervention strategies to limit RP colonisation. The microbial composition of dental plaque, ETT biofilms, and non-directed bronchial lavages (NBLs) from MV patients was characterised using culture and molecular approaches. RPs were frequently present at all these sites, with oral microorganisms also occurring in ETTs and NBLs. Isolates from these sites in a single patient also were determined to be the same strains based on molecular typing. Additionally, NGS showed no significant difference between dental plaque and ETT biofilm microbiomes. In vitro biofilms revealed that oral microorganisms increased RP colonisation and associated gene expression in biofilms. In in vivo studies, toothbrushes and foam swabs were found to be equally efficient at removing dental plaque and improving oral hygiene in MV patients. In vitro investigation found Chlorhexidine to be the most effective mouthwash in combatting ETT biofilms, despite high tolerance by P. aeruginosa. No difference between ETT biomaterials in supporting biofilms was evident. The work highlights the importance of dental plaque as a reservoir of RP in MV patients, and these RP also colonise ETT biofilms. The synergistic effect of oral microorganisms in promoting RP colonisation reinforced the need to adequately manage oral care in MV patients. For the first time, equal effectiveness of achieving improved oral care by toothbrushes and foam swabs was demonstrated.
Demographic Features and High Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Khoram Abad, Lorestan

Background: Many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have undiagnosed celiac disease (CD). Diagnosis of CD is important because early diagnosis can prevent serious complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic features and prevalence of CD in patients with IBS in Khoram Abad, Lorestan. Materials and Methods : This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 369 patients with IBS who were diagnosed based on Rome III criteria and attended to gastrointestinal clinic of Shohada-y-AshayerHospital in KhorramAbad from June 2015 until March 2016. 31 patients did not accept to participate so were excluded from the study. Serological tests were performed and seropositive cases were underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t test and Chi-square test through SPSS software version 22. Results: The mean age of the patients with CD was 31±12 years and most of them (72.7%) were women. Most of CDs were diarrheal dominant IBS (77.3%). Among 338 patients who completed the study, 25 patients (7.4%) were seropositive, and CD was confirmed in 22 of them (6.5%) according to the Marsh classification. Marsh I was reported in seven cases, Marsh II in four, and Marsh III in 11 cases. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of CD (6.5%) in patients with IBS, the overlap of the symptoms, as well as the importance of timely diagnosis of CD, it is suggested to screen CD in patients with IBS.
The Effect of Spinal and Pelvic Posture and Mobility on Back Pain in Young Dancers and Non-Dancers

One-hundred-and-twenty healthy volunteers (ranging in age from 10 to 25 years), completed a questionnaire concerning the type and amount of regular activity and history of low back pain. There were 41 who participated in at least 6 hours of dance per week and 79 non-dancers. Computer-based analysis of videotape records examined sagittal standing posture and thoracolumbar flexion-extension mobility On average, dancers undertook 19 h/wk more regular activity (p = 0.0001), were lighter by 7 kg (p = 0.001), had straighter standing postures (p < 0.001) and greater thoracic and lumbar sagittal excursions (by 23° and 9°, respectively) (p < 0.01). One or more episodes of back pain of at least two days duration was experienced by 24% of all subjects in the past year, and 18% recalled at least one episode of back pain in earlier years. Dancers experienced significantly more back pain in the last year, and in earlier years, compared to non-dancers (37% versus 18% and 24% versus 14%, respectively), but the relative incidence of back pain expressed as hours of activity per incident was less for dancers (1:20 hours) than non-dancers (1:5 hours). The non-dancers who experienced pain had more flexed lumbar spine standing postures (p = 0.01), and a direct correlation between lumbar spine excursion and severity of the worst pain episode over the previous year (p = 0.02).
Effect of Metallurgical Waste Properties on Determining Suitable Recycling Method

Recycling of solid waste generated from metallurgical industries will avoid disposal of wastes, enhance the use of secondary raw material fines and save costs. Numerous hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes, or a combination of both, have been proposed for the utilization of metallurgical waste. Due to insufficient knowledge of the properties of these wastes, most of these attempts still have some technical difficulties. Investigation the properties of metallurgical waste is needed before choosing the suitable recycling process.The present work describes the chemical, morphological and mineralogical properties of blast furnace sludge (BFS) and basic oxygen furnace sludge (BOFS) produced in steel plants in Finland. The investigations indicated that BFS and BOFS show significant contents of iron and coke. The sludges also contain considerable concentrations of unwanted elements such as Zn. The authors propose that microwave dezincing followed by briquetting or pelletization represent a potential method for sludges recycling. Owing to high Fe and C content it can be utilized as self-reducing material.
Nonunion of the humerus after failure of surgical treatment

We used the Ilizarov circular external fixator to treat 16 patients with persistent nonunion of the diaphysis of the humerus despite surgical treatment. All patients had pain and severe functional impairment of the affected arm. In ten, nonunion followed intramedullary nailing. We successfully treated these by a closed technique. The nail was left in place and the fracture compressed over it. The fractures of the other six patients had previously been fixed by various methods. We explored these nonunions, removed the fixation devices and excised fibrous tissue and dead bone before stabilising with the Ilizarov fixator. In five patients union was achieved. Bone grafting was not required. In the single patient in whom treatment failed, there had been a severely comminuted open fracture. All except one patient had reduction of pain, and all reported an improvement in function.
Behavioral, Physiological, and Neural Signatures of Surprise during Naturalistic Sports Viewing

Surprise signals a discrepancy between past and current beliefs. It is theorized to be linked to affective experiences, the creation of particularly resilient memories, and segmentation of the flow of experience into discrete perceived events. However, the ability to precisely measure naturalistic surprise has remained elusive. We used advanced basketball analytics to derive a quantitative measure of surprise and characterized its behavioral, physiological, and neural correlates in human subjects observing basketball games. We found that surprise was associated with segmentation of ongoing experiences, as reflected by subjectively perceived event boundaries and shifts in neocortical patterns underlying belief states. Interestingly, these effects differed by whether surprising moments contradicted or bolstered current predominant beliefs. Surprise also positively correlated with pupil dilation, activation in subcortical regions associated with dopamine, game enjoyment, and long-term memory. These investigations support key predictions from event segmentation theory and extend theoretical conceptualizations of surprise to real-world contexts.
Bilateral Symmetry, Sex Differences, and Primary Shape Factors in Ankle and Hindfoot Bone Morphology

Background: Ankle injuries and joint degeneration may be related to ankle bone morphology. Little data exist to characterize healthy hindfoot bone morphology. The purpose of this study was to characterize side-to-side symmetry and sex differences in ankle and hindfoot bone morphology, and to identify the primary shape factors that differentiate ankle and hindfoot bone morphology among individuals. Methods: Computed tomography was used to create 3D surface models of the distal tibia, talus, and calcaneus for 40 ankle and hindfoot bones from 20 healthy individuals. Morphologic differences between left and right bones of the same individual and between males and females were determined. Statistical shape modeling was performed to identify primary shape variations among individuals. Results: Side-to-side differences in bone morphology averaged 0.79 mm or less. The average distal tibia in males was larger overall than in females. No significant sex difference was noted in the tali. The average female calcaneus was longer and thinner than the average male calcaneus. Variability in ankle and hindfoot bone morphology is primarily associated with articulating surface shape, overall length and width, and tendon/ligament attachment points. Conclusion: In general, the contralateral ankle can serve as an accurate guide for operative restoration of native ankle morphology; however, specific regions demonstrate higher asymmetry. Clinical Relevance: Knowledge of regions of high and low bilateral symmetry can improve hindfoot and ankle reconstruction. Design of ankle prostheses can be improved by accounting for differences in bone morphology associated with sex and shape differences among individuals.
Exploring the Insect Control and Plant Growth Promotion Potentials of Endophytes Isolated From Calotropis procera Present in Jeddah KSA

Pseudomonas bacteria are entomopathogenic that can naturally infect and kill insects upon ingestion. The insecticidal and plant growth-promoting roles of the bacteria were assessed by applying Pseudomonas IUK001 to insects and plants. The culture extract (CE) of IUK001 at the concentration of 1 mL/cm3 of an artificial diet was used as a treatment for Galleria mellonella larvae. The CE was heat stable at 70°C for 30 minutes and proteinase-K stable, showing 100% and 90% insecticidal activity against G. mellonella larvae. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis revealed the insecticidal compounds, for example, trans-cinnamic acid, ornithine, and cyclo (l-Pro-l-Val) in the CE of IUK001. Antibacterial activity was assessed through minimal inhibitory concentration and half-maximal inhibitory concentration values, which ranged from 28 ± 0.8 and 18.9 ± 0.7 to 8 ± 1.8 and 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively. Moreover, plants were inoculated with IUK001, which significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) the total plant lengths (root + shoot), dry and fresh biomasses and chlorophyll content, and also induced lateral roots. Plant growth hormones, auxins: indole-3-butyric acid and indole-3- propionic acid, were then analyzed through GC–MS in the CE using their respective isotopic internal standards. The findings of the study suggest that IUK001 is a significantly valuable candidate to be exploited as a biocontrol agent as well as a plant growth promoter.
The Inhibition of Cell Growth Through the EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 Pathway Induced by Ampelopsin in the Human Malignant Melanoma A375 Cell Line

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive skin cancers, having a very high mortality rate. However, its effective treatment is not clear. Ampelopsin, a plant flavonoid, has been reported to inhibit cell growth and/or induce apoptosis in various types of tumor. In this study, it was shown that ampelopsin significantly inhibits melanoma A375 cell line proliferation in a concentration-dependent/time-dependent manner. The flow cytometric data clearly demonstrated that ampelopsin causes cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Moreover, it also confirmed that growth inhibition mediated by treatment with ampelopsin is related to the decreased expression of Cdc2, Cdc25c, cyclin B1, and activation of caspase-3 and Bax, purportedly by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), extracellular regulated protein kinases, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) downregulation. As a result of this work, these findings suggest that ampelopsin inhibits human malignant melanoma A375 cell line proliferation by suppressing the EGFR/ERK/MMP-2 pathway.
Erythropoietin with iron supplementation for preoperative anaemia in non-cardiac surgery

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative erythropoietin (rHuEPO) with supplemental iron (parenteral or oral) in reducing perioperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusions in preoperatively anaemic people undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
The Effect of NLP Education on the Teaching Profession in Turkey

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the use of Neuro-linguistic Programming orNLP techniques affect a teacher’s professional achievements and motivations in Turkey. Today’s educationsystem has a tendency toward a student-centered education instead of a teacher-centered education. Teachers’responsibilities increase day by day. In particular, different methods and techniques are required because of changingstudent profiles in the information age. In recent years, NLP has tried to discover and reveal the inner resourcesof the individual, and is able to benefit from these resources at the highest level. This study has been carried out viaa survey of 68 teachers who were trained by an academy in Ankara that provides NLP education. After the NLPeducation, a paired sample t-test was applied to analyze the data regarding the effectof NLP on the teachers’professional achievements and motivations, and the relationship with school, student and parents.
Comparison of the incidence of venous thromboembolism between epidural and general anesthesia for total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study

postoperative retrospective study aimed to compare the early postoperative VTE incidence between patients managed with epidural anesthesia and those managed by general anesthesia at the time of TKA. Methods: We reviewed 589 cases of unilateral primary TKA performed between January 2011 and June 2014. We selected epidural versus general anesthesia groups as the main anesthetic choices, with postoperative patient-controlled analgesia. All the patients underwent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) computed tomography angiography on postoperative day 7. The incidence of DVT and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) was evaluated and compared between epidural and general anesthesia. Results: The overall incidence of VTE was 8.0% in the two groups together. The incidence did not differ between the groups. The odds ratio in the generalized estimation equations analysis showed a higher incidence of DVT and PTE in the epidural group; however, this result was not statistically significant. Although, the odds ratio for age showed that the risk of developing DVT and PTE increased 1.12 times per year. Conclusions: Total VTE incidence was not significantly different between patients who underwent general anesthesia and those who underwent epidural anesthesia for TKA. A prospective multicenter study is required to evaluate the nature of the Korean VTE status in major orthopedic surgeries, and to prepare guidelines and protocols for medical prophylaxis for DVT and PTE in Korea.
Role of Electrocardiogram for Rapid Detection of Arrhythmia in End Stage Renal Disease Patient in Babylon Province

The cardiovascular diseases and their complications are the major causes of death of patients with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis. Aim : Role of non invasive rapid methods, like ECG, in predicting arrhythmias in end stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis. Methods: 60 patients (23 female, 37 male) with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis were enrolled in this cross sectional study with mean age (52 ± 5.5), A resting 12-lead surface ECG was recorded for each patient, measurement of the longest and shortest intervals QT interval and correction of these intervals by using Bazett's square root formula. QT-dispersion is measured by finding the difference between these intervals. The Tp-Te is measured in each precordial lead and is obtained from the difference between QT interval and QTpeak interval. The LVH is evaluated by Two-dimensional echocardiography. Measurement of QRS duration and PR interval were done. Results : Percentage and range of Abnormal values of these parameters includes: QTc interval 83.3 % (456-554 mSec) , QT-dispersion 67% (81111mSec), TpTe 22.2%(110-120 mSec), PR interval 5% (0.22-0.24 Sec) with no abnormal QRS duration (0%) . Other findings : peaked T-wave (20%). 70% of the patients had LVH. Patients were divided into those with LVH and those without LVH, maximal QT-dispersion is greater in the group with LVH than those without LVH (44%, 22% respectively), but statistically there is no significant difference. Conclusion : Electrocardiograms are low cost diagnostic tools for renal therapy centers, and nephrologists must consider QT interval, as measurement of QT and QTc dispersion is a simple bedside method to be used for analyzing ventricular repolarization during hemodialysis.