Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective removal of trace antimony(III) from aqueous solution by phosphonic acid-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica spheres as a novel adsorbent

This study focused on the preparation of phosphonic acid-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica spheres (PHMSs) and their adsorption performance of trace antimony(III) from water under room temperature. Firstly, monodisperse carbon microspheres (CS) synthesized by the glucose-oxygen hydrothermal method was used as the hard template, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the soft template to synthesize hollow mesoporous silica spheres (HMSs). Then, phosphate groups were grafted by the post-grafting method to synthesize PHMSs. The characterization of the materials was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy methods, and Beckman Laser laser particle size analyzer. The results showed that PHMSs have a regular mesoporous structure, monodisperse particle size distribution, and a stable shell-core structure. The CS synthesized in this study with glucose precursors is superior in the uniformity of particle size to sucrose and starch precursors. The addition of ammonia could accelerate the hydrothermal polymerization of carbon microspheres during the hydrothermal reaction. The reducing conditions provided by the hydrothermal heat promoted the carbonization reaction and increased the average particle size of the carbon microspheres from 395 nm to 11.5 μm. The average pore size of the synthesized HMSs is 2.5 nm. The hollowness of the hollow spheres can be controlled by adjusting the particle size of the hard template. The content of each component in the reaction system has a great influence on the shell thickness and pore size of the formed HMSs. Infrared spectroscopy showed that on the surface of HMSs, the phosphate groups were highly compatible with the silanol groups. The adsorption experiment results showed that PHMSs have high adsorption of Sb(III) with an initial concentration of 100 μg L–1 and can be used as an effective adsorbent for trace amounts of antimony(III) in water. The maximum adsorption capacity is 87.46 mg g–1, the maximum removal rate is 96.02% and the adsorption equilibrium time is 6 h. The fitting degree of the Langmuir equation is 99.96%, indicating that the chemical adsorption is the main adsorption mechanism.
Getting the ball rolling: an exploration of the drivers and barriers towards the implementation of bottom-up circular economy initiatives in Amsterdam and Rotterdam

The notion of Circular Economy is often presented as a more sustainable alternative to a ‘linear’ economic system. However, there is a distinct gap in the academic literature surrounding the concept, particularly in terms of implementation. This article provides an initial exploration into critical factors influencing the process of implementation by studying 12 bottom-up CE initiatives in the two Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholder(s) for each initiative in order to identify the perceived importance of the critical factors. In total, 18 critical factors were identified, grouped into 5 overarching categories: financial, institutional, policy and regulatory, technology and knowledge, and social. The analysis shows that the critical factors identified do not act in isolation, and form a complex web of interconnecting critical factors. Furthermore, it illustrates how certain critical factors are of significant influence at particular stages throughout the process of implementation.
MANOSHI. Community health solutions in Bangladesh. Midline survey Dhaka urban slums 2009.

The MANOSHI Midline Survey 2009 is the second community based cross-sectional survey of 3226 (1549 women having infants and 1677 women having children aged 1-4 years) women residing in 100 sample slums in Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA). The survey was conducted in November-December 2009 as a part of the impact evaluation activity of the MANOSHI programme started in 2007. The programme expanded in two phases to all slums in DMA for the improvement of maternal newborn and child heath through implementation of a community based comprehensive package of essential services. This report contains the results of the Midline Survey 2009 for the programme and the comparison groups and the Baseline Survey 2007 results for the programme group to assess changes in knowledge and practices in the programme area between 2007 and 2009 as well as between the programme and the comparison areas in 2009. Substantial differences in maternal and newborn health indicators in the programme area between 2007 and 2009 and between the programme and the comparison areas in 2009 are attributed largely to the effects of the MANOSHI programme. (Excerpts)
Combining Hydrologic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment Approaches to Evaluate Sustainability of Water Infrastructure: Uncertainty Analysis

The goal of this research is identifying major sources of uncertainty of an environmentally-sustainable urban drainage infrastructure design, based on hydrologic analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA). The uncertainty analysis intends to characterize and compare relative roles of unreliability, incompleteness, technological difference, and spatial and temporal variation in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) data, as well as natural variability in hydrologic data. Uncertainties are analyzed using a robust Monte Carlo simulation approach, performed by High Throughput Computing (HTC) and interpreted by Morse-Scale regression models. The uncertainty analysis platform is applied to a watershed-scale LCA of rainwater harvesting systems (RWH) to control combined sewer overflows (CSOs). To consider the watershed-scale implications, RWH is simulated to serve for both the water supply and CSO control in an urban watershed in Toledo, Ohio, USA. Results suggest that, among the studied parameters, rainfall depth (as a hydrologic parameter) caused more than 86% of the uncertainty, while only 7% of the uncertainty was caused by LCIA parameters. Such an emphasis on the necessity of robust hydrologic data and associated analyses increase the reliability of LCA-based urban water infrastructure design. In addition, results suggest that such a topology-inspired model is capable of rendering an optimal RWH system capacity as a function of annual rainfall depth. Specifically, if the system could capture 1/40th of annual rainfall depth in each event from rooftops, the RWH system would be optimal and, thus, lead to minimized life cycle impacts in terms of global warming potential (GWP) and aquatic eco-toxicity (ETW). This capture depth would be around 2.1 cm for Toledo (given an 85 cm/year rainfall and 200 m2 typical roof area), which could be achieved through an RWH system with 4.25 m3 capacity per household, assuming a uniform plan for the entire studied watershed. Capacities smaller than this suggested optimal value would likely result in loss of RWH potable water treatment savings and CSO control benefits, while capacities larger than the optimal would likely incur an excessive wastewater treatment burden and construction phase impacts of RWH systems.
The Increase in Paraoxonase 1 Is Associated With Decrease in Left Ventricular Volume in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Background: Patients on dialysis have impaired cardiac function, in part due to increased fluid volume and ventricular stress. Restored kidney function through transplantation reduces left ventricular volume in both systole and diastole. We previously reported that the decrease in NT-proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was associated with a decrease in adiponectin. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has been inversely associated with cardiovascular outcomes. We now report the association of changes in PON1 with changes in left ventricular volume and left ventricular mass after kidney transplantation. Design: Patients on dialysis were assessed at baseline and 12 months after kidney transplantation (n = 38). A comparison group of patients on dialysis who were not expected to receive a transplant in the next 24 months were studied (n = 43) to determine if the change of PON1 with kidney transplantation achieved a significance greater than that due to biologic variation. Left ventricular volume and mass were determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. PON1 was measured by arylesterase activity and by mass. Results: PON1 mass and activity were not different between the groups at baseline. Both PON1 mass and activity were increased post-kidney transplantation (p < 0.0001 for change). The change in PON1 mass (p = 0.0062) and PON1 arylesterase activity (p = 0.0254) were inversely correlated with the change in NT-proBNP for patients receiving a kidney transplant. However, only the change in the PON1 mass, and not the change in PON1 arylesterase, was inversely correlated with the change in left ventricular volume (ml/m2.7) (p = 0.0146 and 0.0114 for diastolic and systolic, respectively) and with the change in hemoglobin (p = 0.0042). Conclusion: Both PON1 mass and arylesterase activity are increased by kidney transplantation. The increase in PON1 mass is consistent with a novel relationship to the increase in hemoglobin and decrease in left ventricular volume and NT-proBNP seen when kidney function is restored.
Study the Role of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients with Cerebral Infarction = دراسة دور الإصابة بالفيروس الكبدي (سي) في مرضى الجلطة الدماغية

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been linked to numerous co-existing conditions including metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease. Stroke is a major public health crisis worldwide. About 87% of strokes are ischemic. Between 2540% of ischemic stroke may be cryptogenic. HCV infection is associated with a wide spectrum of extra-hepatic manifestations, affecting different organ systems. Neurological complications occur in a large number of patients and range from peripheral neuropathy to cognitive impairment and/or cerebral infarctions (CI). Objective: Studying the role of HCV infection in patients having CI. Patients and Methods: After departmental ethics committee approval and patient consents were obtained, 60patients included in this work: 20 patients having CI and chronic hepatitis C (CHC), 20 patients having CI without CHC, and 20 patients having CHC without CI. All patients were subjected to history taking and clinical examination, complete blood count (CBC), evaluation of HCV antibodies, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag), liver function tests, renal function tests, lipid profile, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anticardiolipin antibodies immunoglobulin G (ACLIgG), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), cryoglobulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postprandial plasma glucose (PPPG). In addition, ultrasound (U/S) abdomen, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain, doppler study of the carotid arteries and echocardiography. Results: Group A (CI and CHC) patients were significantly younger and females were predominant in these patients than those of either group B (CI without CHC) or C (CHC without CI) . Group B patients were significantly overweighed compared to group A or C. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), FPG and low density lipoprotein (LDL) significantly decreased in group A and C compared with group B . Patients of group A showed significantly higher positive of HCV viremia, cryoglobulins, ANA, c-ANCA and ACL-IgG, compared with group C, while those of group B were negative for same parameters. Carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease (IHD) were significantly higher in patients of group A, compared with group (B and C), respectively. Conclusion: Chronic HCV infection is a risk factor in development of CI by multiple mechanisms including atherosclerosis, thromboembolism and vasculitis. Also, it increases stroke risk and might be considered as an important and independent risk factor.
Effects of Mexico’s Seguro Popular Program on Health-Related Outcomes: Ten Years After its Implementation

Author(s): GARCIA APPENDINI, IDA CATERINA | Advisor(s): VARGAS BUSTAMANTE, ARTURO | Abstract: The launch of Seguro Popular by the Mexican government in the early 2000s has been one of the main highlights of Mexican health reform during this century. Essentially a voluntary health insurance program, Seguro Popular was implemented with the aim to expand health insurance coverage to the uninsured population, provide financial protection to families, and improve access to care. Gaining insight as to whether the program is meeting its proposed objectives and responding to the health needs of the Mexican population is crucial, given the adverse economic and social conditions imposed by the epidemiological and demographic transitions that are currently coexisting in the country. Numerous research studies have analyzed the impact of the program on different outcomes and sectors of Mexico’s population. However, the majority of these studies have addressed the effects of the program at the individual level (rather than from a state or regional perspective), most of them have analyzed the impact of Seguro Popular on the short term, and very few have focused on the population of older Mexican adults with chronic conditions, which represent one of the most vulnerable and fastest growing segments of Mexico’s population.This dissertation consists of three studies that analyze: (a) the effect of state-level Seguro Popular health-related resources on outpatient health care utilization (primarily); (b) the impact of Seguro Popular on health care utilization among the population of older Mexican adults with diabetes and/or hypertension at the individual level; and (c) the individual-level effect of Seguro Popular on out-of-pocket expenditures among older Mexican adults with diabetes and/or hypertension While the first study makes use of a panel dataset on state-level characteristics that was compiled from publicly available data, the second and third studies use data from the first and third waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of Mexican adults aged 50 or more. Different methodological approaches were used to address the research questions in each of the studies. Findings from the first study indicate that greater availability of Seguro Popular health-related resources at the state level are associated with higher outpatient health care utilization rates. Moreover, results from the second and third study suggest that older Mexican adults who were enrolled in Seguro Popular were associated with higher utilization rates and lower out-of-pocket expenditures compared to those who were uninsured.
Geology of the Susa Shear Zone (Susa Valley, Western Alps)

ABSTRACT The 1:10,000 scale geological map of the Susa Shear Zone (SSZ) in the inner sector of the Western Alps, aims to describe the geological setting and tectonic evolution of a first-order Alpine shear zone, which drove exhumation and juxtaposition of different oceanic and continental margin units (i.e. the blueschist-facies External Piedmont Zone in its hanging wall and the eclogite-facies Internal Piedmont Zone and Dora Maira Massif in its footwall). The SSZ corresponds to a tectonic mélange showing a block-in-matrix structure, wherein mylonitic calcschists embed blocks of different rock units. Geological mapping and structural analysis investigated overprinting relationships among shear planes and structures related to different deformation phases: they show that the SSZ evolved through two tectonic events, during which apparent reverse top-to-E shear planes were superposed by extensional top-to-W ones.
Forensic anthropology from skeletal remains to CT scans: A review on sexual dimorphism of human skull

Sex estimation remains one of the most important steps in a forensic anthropology context, especially when dealing with deteriorated or fragmented skeletal remains. In this respect, the need for the permanent actualisation of study database, as well of the skeletal remains is obvious. Therefore, besides classical skeletal collections an important amount of data can be obtained from computed imaging of the skeletal system, namely CT scans. The CT scans have the advantage of being virtually unlimited in number, not having any interference with secular trends, individuals being of known age and sex as well as increase in accessibility and applicability of data, for subsequent statistical and complex analysis (for instance, geometric morphometric). In the following review, we have gathered and compared some of the most significant studies in the field of physical and forensic anthropology focusing on sexual dimorphism on the skull, both on skeletal collections and CT scans. The results of the studies were similar in terms of sexing accuracy, thus allowing us to conclude that using CT scans in forensic anthropology is a viable and sometimes better option than skeletal collections, in term of data acquisition.
Evaluation of midwife's vaginal examination by virtual reality model

The objectives of this study were to determine the vaginal examination techniques used by midwives through measurements with objective indicators; to determine the relation between midwives' vaginal examination techniques, number of years of work experience, and number of years of providing birth assistance; and to provide basic data for the development of an educational model of noninvasive vaginal examination. The study was conducted on 103 midwives working in hospitals. An actual measurement of five items (Cervical dilatation, position of the cervix, cervical consistency, cervical effacement, and station of the presenting fetal head) involved in vaginal examination was performed by using the first virtual-reality model of vaginal examination developed in Japan. The accuracy rate of the vaginal examination based on the total score was 57.8%. Of the five evaluation items, the “station of the presenting fetal head” had the lowest accuracy rate. No relationship was found between the total scores of vaginal examination techniques, the midwives' clinical experience, and the number of births they had assisted. This study will serve as basis for constructing basic data for practical use in an educational system for the learning and mastery of diagnostic skills.
The story of LINKAGES-AED in Madagascar. Using the essential nutrition actions to improve the nutrition of women and children 1997-2004.

Today in 2004 there remains great interest in international circles on how to reduce under-five mortality. It is generally accepted that we know what to do however the challenge that remains is how to implement broad scale programs to reach large numbers of at-risk children that are both practical and effective. Recently a group of eminent scientists confirmed that improved breastfeeding could avert upwards to 13 percent of under-five deaths. These authors went on to state that "…a group of effective nutrition interventions including breastfeeding complementary feeding vitamin A & zinc supplementation could save about 2.4 million children each year (25% of child deaths)". The LINKAGES-AED project has experience with implementing such a broad scale effort to improve nutrition in the Indian Ocean country of Madagascar (population 15 million) through support given to breastfeeding practices in the context of the Essential Nutrition Actions. The approach taken by LINKAGES-AED with its local partners was based on a behavior change communication strategy aimed at improving nutrition practices of Malagasy mothers and families. Over the period from 1997 to the present time LINKAGES-AED worked closely with the Government of Madagascar and other in-country groups in a partner-wide effort to strengthen nutrition relevant policies guidelines human resources and community activities. At one point in time the program was active in 23 districts and covered a population of 6 million. Field assessments carried out through the lifetime of the program showed that significant results were achieved namely an improvement in exclusive breastfeeding practices from a baseline level of 46 percent to a peak level of 83 percent in target communities. In addition a second generation expansion of a streamlined approach of the original LINKAGES-AED community level breastfeeding strategy showed improvements in exclusive breastfeeding levels in program sites from 29 percent to 52 percent within a 10 month period. These results indicate great potential for replication elsewhere in the country. (excerpt)
Brisk walking to improve quality of life of high technology industrial workers: a randomised control trial

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short periods of brisk walking on the quality of life (QOL) of workers in high technology industries. 86 workers were recruited from a high technology company in northern Taiwan who had not participated in regular physical activity within the last three months. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG: Males=16, Females=25; mean age=33.34±6.40) and a control group (CG: Males=27, Females=18; mean age=29.40±3.59). The EG received an eight-week brisk walking intervention twice per week, each session covering the same distance (6km) with durations of 45 to 60 minutes, and maintaining the intensity at 60 to 90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax). The CG continued their normal daily routine. The Taiwanese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered pre- and post-test to both groups. The eight-week brisk walking intervention programme enhanced the physical health domain (p<0.05), psychological health domain (p<0.01), environment domain (p<0.01) and the overall QOL (p<0.01) of the workers in high technology industries. The findings may be useful for future workplace health promotions in high technology industries. Keywords: Brisk walking; Physical health; Workplace health promotions; Taiwan
Spina Bifida in Iceland: Epidemiology, Health and Well-being among Adults

6 Ágrip . 7 Acknowledgements . 8 Table of contents . 9 List of figures . 12 List of tables . 12 List of abbreviations . 13 1 Introduction . 14 1.1 Spina bifida . 14 1.1.1 Impairments . 14 1.1.2 Types of spina bifida . 16 1.1.3 History . 16 1.1. 4 Etiology . 17 1.1. 5 Incidence and prevalence . 17 1.1. 6 Prognosis and outcome . 17 1.2 Lifestyle-related conditions . 18 1.2. 1 Spina bifida and lifestyle conditions . 18 1.2. 1.1 Obesity . 18 1.2. 1.2 Hypertension . 19 1.2. 2 Spina bifida, health and lifestyle . 19 1.2. 3 The effect of physical activity on lifestyle-related conditions . 20 1.2. 3.1 The measurement of physical activity . 20 1.2. 3.2 The effect of physical activity on individuals with spina bifida . 21 1.3 Spina bifida in Iceland . 21 1.3.1 Incidence and prevalence . 21 1.3.2 Services available for individuals with spina bifida . 22 1.3.3 Health and well-being . 22 2 Aim . 23 3 Methods . 24 3.1 Type of study . 24 3.2 Epidemiology . 24 3.2. 1 Incidence and prevalence of Spina Bifida . 24 3.2. 2 Mobility, intelligence and comorbidities at five years . 25 3.3 Health and well-being – risk factors for developing lifestyle-related conditions. 25 3.3.1 Participants . 25
Commentary: Evidence on salt is consistent

A rise in blood pressure is not an inevitable consequence of aging. In some societies blood pressure remains at about 110/70 mm Hg throughout life.1 2 Dietary salt, low dietary potassium, alcohol, and body weight contribute to the increase in blood pressure with age in Western countries. The Intersalt study quantifies the effect of each of these factors while allowing for the others.1 The new Intersalt paper is a valuable addition to the evidence on salt and blood pressure.3 In the original Intersalt paper the different analyses on sodium and blood pressure varied, some suggesting a strong association, others a weaker one.1 Now the position has been clarified; all the Intersalt analyses confirm salt as an important determinant of blood pressure. The average increase in blood pressure with age (from 25 to 55 years) was greater in centres with higher sodium intake, by 10 mm Hg systolic for a 100 mmol/day higher …