Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of prevention of ventilator-associated infections in four Australian intensive care units

Background: Effective approaches to practice improvement require development of tailored interventions in collaboration with knowledge users. Objectives: To explore critical care nurses’ knowledge and adherence to best practice guidelines for management of patients with an artificial airway to minimise development of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken across four intensive care units that involved three phases: (1) survey of critical care nurses regarding their current practice; (2) observation of respiratory care delivery; and (3) chart audit. Key care processes evaluated were: (1) technique and adherence to standard precautions when performing endotracheal suction, cuff pressure checks and extubation; and (2) frequency of endotracheal suctioning and mouth care. Results: Observational and chart audit data on the provision and documentation of respiratory care were collected for 36 nurse/patient dyads. Forty-six nurses were surveyed and the majority responded that endotracheal suctioning and mouth care should be performed ‘as required’ or every 2 hours (h). During observations of practice, no patient received mouth care every 2 h, nor had documentation of such. Inconsistent adherence to standard precautions and hand hygiene during respiratory care provision was observed. Chart audit indicated that nurses varied in the frequency of suctioning consistent with documented clinical assessment findings. Conclusion: Although nurses had good knowledge for the management of artificial airways, this was not consistently translated into practice. Gaps were identified in relation to respiratory related infection prevention, the prevention of micro-aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions and in the provision of mouth care.
Neotropical Floristic Diversity: Phytogeographical Connections Between Central and South America, Pleistocene Climatic Fluctuations, or an Accident of the Andean Orogeny?

The interchange of plant species between North and South America has been a major factor in determining the Neotropical phytogeographical patterns observed today. Although this has long been realized, recent historical geological evidence as well as increasing knowledge of today's distributional patterns now makes possible a more thorough analysis of how these patterns originated. This paper briefly reviews the geological background, summarizes the composition of the extant Neotropical flora, points out the striking ecological consistency of many taxa and life forms, and suggests how some of the present phytogeographical patterns have developed from the interplay of these factors.
The Reproductive Biology of Agalinis auriculata (Michx.) Raf. (Orobanchaceae), a Threatened North American Prairie Inhabitant

We examined the reproductive biology of the hemiparasitic threatened prairie species, Agalinis auriculata (Michx.) Raf. , eared‐false foxglove (Orobanchaceae), in two populations located at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois. Populations flowered from late August through mid‐September, and individual plants bloomed for an average of 8 d; typically two flowers per plant opened each day. Buds opened in the early morning hours between 0530 and 0630 hours, with the anthers dehiscing at this time. Stigmas reached peak receptivity ca. 2 h later, followed by corolla abscission shortly afterward. Breeding system experiments indicated that flowers readily self‐pollinate without reduction in fruit set, seed set, or seed mass compared with outcrossed individuals. The primary floral visitors were Bombus impatiens (Apidae) and Melissodes bimaculata (Anthophoridae). On the basis of phenological and breeding system data, A. auriculata is a self‐compatible species that self‐pollinates in the absence of floral visitors; however, when pollinators are present, outcrossing can occur. The autogamous nature, in combination with a healthy reproductive output, indicates that the decline of this species might result from other aspects of its biology, such as seed germination and availability of host plants.
Vertical distribution of planktonic copepods in Tokyo Bay in summer

To investigate the vertical zonation in the copepod community in relation to stratified water-masses, multi-layer sampling at 1–2-m intervals using a submersible pump was conducted on 6 August 2009 in the inner part of Tokyo Bay, central Japan. Acartia sinjiensis showed a peak of the population density in the surface water, which was influenced by river discharge, and Paracalanus parvus s.l. had a peak contrastingly in the mid layer, which was intruded by coastal water from out of the bay through estuary circulation. Calanus sinicus occurred in the coastal water layer with other oceanic copepods. The most dominant species, Oithona davisae showed a remarkable peak in the pycnocline in the 3–6-m layer. Adults of Labidocera rotunda and Pseudodiaptomus marinus and immature copepodids of Hemicylops japonicus accumulated just above the hypoxic bottom-water (DO 1.0 mg L ). The shallower peak of the bimodally distributed Acartia omorii was very sharp and seemed to be formed by predation by the moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita s.l. on the copepods in the layers above and below the peak. The vertical zonation in the copepod community were reflected by the characteristic environmental conditions in Tokyo Bay in the summer, i.e. estuary circulation, hypoxia in the bottom layer and the distribution of jellyfish.
Transintestinal Expulsion of Surgically Implanted Dummy Transmitters by Channel Catfish

Abstract Paraffin-coated polystyrene capsules, the same as used for commercial ultrasonic transmitters, were surgically implanted into the abdominal cavity of adult channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Capsules had a weight in water equal to either 1% or 2% of the fish's body weight. After an average 112 days from surgery, surgical implantation of transmitters had not increased mortality or decreased growth compared to fish without implants. However, 25 of 35 fish with implants had lost their capsules; the loss rate was greater for the capsules that were 2% of body weight (16 of 18 lost) than for the capsules that were 1% of the body weight (9 of 17). Of the 10 capsules retained, five were in the abdominal cavity, four were in the intestinal lumen, and one was enveloped in a mesentery. Loss of surgical implants of dummy transmitter capsules involved encapsulation, adhesive peritonitis, and, in some cases at least, the formation of an accessory or adventitious loop of intestine that grew about the encapsul.
Student Retention at a Higher Educational Institution: A Comparison Between Evaded and Nonevaded Groups Using Partial Least Square

Students’ desertions can be a threat to the proper functioning and management of a Higher Educational Institution. Based on the theoretical model named the Relationship Quality-based Student Loyalty that combines relationship marketing to educational studies retention constructs, the main objective of this study is the evaluation of the Relationship Quality-based Student Loyalty constructs in a Brazilian Higher Educational Institution reality and the identification of significant differences when evaded and nonevaded students groups are compared. A survey was carried out with 314 undergraduate students along with their secondary data. Data analysis was performed using Partial Least Square technique to test the model validity, Partial Least Square–Multiple Group Analysis to compare groups, and Mann–Whitney U test to identify significant differences in the parameters. Six of the eight hypotheses were entirely or partially confirmed. Those results can help educational managers to adopt a different positioning about student retention factors, in attempt to improve commitment and perceived quality.
Driving Food and Beverage SMEs Innovation

This study proposes the factors of innovation (i.e., incremental and radical) on SMEs performance in the context of food and beverage (F&B) industry in southern Thailand. This study is in line with Thailand new policy labelled as “Thailand 4.0”; an economic scheme aimed at developing a value-based economy and pull Thailand out of the middle-income trap and push Thailand in the high-income range via innovation agenda. The current study expected that the entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation and human capital have significant positive effects on innovation and that innovation affected SMEs performance positively. It is anticipated that the findings help to support the development of innovation of SMEs in Thailand. To address these challenges, it is imperative for Thailand to make strong efforts to foster innovation. Innovation is much more than research and development (R&D); it also involves the actions of entrepreneur to upgrade their characteristics level, enhance their organization and production methods, develop new activities and enter new markets. In addition, the decisive action and strategic reforms of F&B firms are required to ensure the long-term sustainability economic development and achieve Thailand’s 4.0 policy.
Study of lipid profile parameters abnormalities in patients with sickle cell disease from single centre study in central India

Background: Metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins is being altered in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It has been postulated that the hypocholesterolemia in SCD might be due to increased cholesterol utilization and decreased circulation. Hemolytic stress can be associated with a significant reduction in plasma lipid concentration. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from February 2016 to October 2017 at MGM Medical College and MY Hospital Indore, MP, which included 50 SCD patients and 50 healthy, age, and sex matched controls. Results: Total Cholesterol (TC) was less than 200mg/dl in 48 SCD patients with mean TC levels was 115.3mg/dl and it more than 200mg/dl in 2 SCD patients only with mean TC was 211mg/dl. This was statistically significant low as compare to controls (p value=0.001060). HDL was less than 60mg/dl in 47 SCD patients with mean HDL was 33.74mg/dl and more than 60mg/dl in 3 SCD patients with mean HDL was 105.6mg/dl and it was statistically significantly low in SCD patients(p value=0.001787). Tryglyceride (TG) was more than 150mg/dl in 27 SCD patients and it was less than 150mg/dl in 23 SCD patients. TG was statistically significantly high in SCD patients (p value=0.011303). LDL was less than 60mg/dl, 60-130mg/dl, and more than 130mg/dl in 25, 21, and 4 SCD patients respectively. This increase in LDL in SCD patients was statistically significant (p value 0.018977). Conclusions: It was evident from this study that dyslipidemia characterized by low HDL and TC was present among the SCD patients who participate this study. Further study in large number of SCD patients and controls may help to confirm or exclude the above correlation of SCD with derangement in lipid profile.
Dynamic Characteristics of Levitated YBCO Bulk Running Above the Permanent Magnet Guideway With Fluctuating Magnetic Field

The dynamic characteristics of high-Tc superconducting magnetic levitation train (HTS-Maglev) are of great significance for future engineering applications. In this article, the dynamic characteristics of the HTS-Maglev are studied by measuring the variation amplitude of the levitation force on the running speed using an HTS-Maglev levitation simulation platform, where the distribution of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet track is uneven. The stability of the superconducting bulk at various running speeds and with different field cooling heights (FCHs) is analyzed by using the time domain, frequency domain, and Lyapunov exponent calculation. The levitation force is found reduced by the fluctuated magnetic field as the FCH is larger than the working height. The unstable phenomena of the system are observed at a running speed equivalent to a driving frequency of 25, 400, 466, and 490 Hz. The movement of the YBCO bulk shows typical chaotic characteristics with a positive Lyapunov exponent when the FCH is greater than 50 mm and the running speed reaches 180 km/h.
Growth of young-of-the-year mackerel in the Bay of Biscay

The first growth season of young-of-the-year (0+ year) mackerel Scomber scombrus, sampled in the Bay of Biscay, was parameterized to determine growth patterns. Daily increments were identified on sagittae otoliths, for calculation of age and growth of 92 larvae and 54 juveniles over the range 3.6-215.0 mm standard length (L s ), A Gompertz curve was fitted to the length-at-age data. At the end of the first year of growth L s was 194.2 mm; with a maximum growth increment of c. 2 mm day -1 , observed 62 days after hatching. Backcalculated growth increments for mackerel juveniles, during their larval stage, were higher than those observed for sampled larvae; only 10.9% of sampled larvae were estimated to survive. Growth for north-eastern Atlantic mackerel was slower than that published for north-western Atlantic mackerel. Backcalculated hatching dates for mackerel were consistent with the typical temporal distribution of mackerel spawning in the Bay of Biscay.
Conceptual Model to Simulate Long-term Soil Organic Carbon and Ground Ice Budget with Permafrost and Ice Sheets (SOC-ICE-v1.0)

The degradation of permafrost is a large source of uncertainty in understanding the behaviour and projecting the future impacts of Earth’s climate system. The spatial distributions of soil organic carbon (SOC) and ground ice (ICE) provide essential information for the assessment and projection of risks and impacts of permafrost degradation. However, uncertainties regarding the geographical distribution and estimated range of the total amount of stored carbon and ice are still substantial. A numerical soil organic carbon–ground ice budget model, SOC-ICE-v1.0, that considers essential aspects of carbon and hydrological processes in above-ground and subsurface environments and permanently frozen ground (permafrost) and land cover changes (ice sheets and coastlines) was developed to calculate the long-term evolution of local SOC and ICE. The model was integrated to cover the last 125 kyr – from the last interglacial to date for areas north of 50 N at 1 resolution – to simulate the balance between accumulation and dissipation of SOC and ICE. Model performance was compared with observation-based data and evaluated to assess allogenic (external) impacts on soil carbon dynamics in the circum-Arctic region on a glacial–interglacial timescale. Despite the limitation of forcing climate data being constructed on the basis of a single Greenland ice core dataset, the simulated results successfully reproduced temporal changes in northern SOC and ICE, consist with current knowledge. The simulation also captured regional differences in different geographical and climatic characteristics within the circum-Arctic region. The model quantitatively demonstrated allogenic controls on soil carbon evolution represented by a key parameter that reflects climatological and topo-geographical factors. The resulting circum-Arctic set of simulated time series can be compiled to produce snapshot maps of SOC and ICE distributions for past and present assessments or future projection simulations. Examples of 1 resolution maps for the Last Glacial Maximum and mid-Holocene periods were provided. Despite a simple modelling framework, SOC-ICE-v1.0 provided substantial information on the temporal evolution and spatial distribution of circum-Arctic SOC and ICE. Model improvements in terms of forcing climate data, improvement of SOC and ICE dynamics, and choice of initial values are, however, required for future research.
MDL 28170 Attenuates Gentamicin Ototoxicity

Aminoglycosides are highly effective antibiotics; however, their clinical utility is severely limited by their nephrotoxic and ototoxic side-effects. The selective destruction of hair cells in the inner ear by aminoglycoside antibiotics is thought to arise from a carefully orchestrated programme of cell death involving caspases and calcium activated proteases or calpains. To more fully evaluate the role of calpains in aminoglycoside ototoxicity, we applied the cell permeant, selective calpain inhibitor MDL 28170, to gentamicin (GM) treated cochlear organotypic cultures and evaluated the degree of hair cell damage at various drug concentrations. Mean hair cell losses in cochlear cultures treated for 24hours with 250, 500 and 1000 μM of GM were 17, 64 and 81%, respectively. Cochlear cultures treated with 200 μM of MDL 28170 alone for 24hours had no adverse effects on hair cell survival. However, the two highest doses of MDL 28170 (500 and 1000 μM) resulted in disorganization of hair cell rows, stereocilia damage and 30–35% hair cell loss. Addition of MDL 28170 to cochlear cultures treated with 500 and 1000 μM GM enhanced hair cell survival in a dose-dependent manner. Two hundred μM of MDL 28170, which by itself had no adverse effects on hair cells survival, significantly enhanced hair cell survival (30–35%), but failed to provide complete protection against GM ototoxicity. Since MDL 28170 can cross the blood-brain barrier and prevent neurodegeneration, it could conceivably be used in vivo to attenuate aminoglycoside ototoxicity.
FcγRIII discriminates between 2 subsets of Vγ9Vδ2 effector cells with different responses and activation pathways

Upon recognition of nonpeptidic phosphoantigens, human Vδ2 T lymphocytes enter a lineage differentiation pattern that determines the generation of memory cells with a range of effector functions. Here, we show that within the effector memory Vδ2 population, 2 distinct and complementary subsets with regard to phenotype, mode of activation, and type of responses can be identified: Vδ2 TEMh cells, which express high levels of chemokine receptors, but low levels of perforin and of natural killer receptors (NKRs) and which produce large amounts of interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in response to T-cell receptor (TCR)–specific stimulation by phosphoantigens; and Vδ2TEMRA cells, which constitutively express several NKRs, high amounts of perforin, but low levels of chemokine receptors and of IFN-γ. These NK-like cells are refractory to phosphoantigen but respond to activation via FcγRIII (CD16) and are highly active against tumoral target cells. Thus, circulating Vδ2T lymphocytes comprise 2 functionally diverse subsets of effector memory cells that may be discriminated on the basis of CD16 expression.
The nature and challenges of guest house business in the Maldives: An exploratory study

The Maldives has long been perceived as an exclusive and expensive travel destination. However, the political changes have introduced another accommodation option, the guest house. This has provided an opportunity for many locally owned guest house owners to offer accommodation service at an affordable rate. The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of business and the challenges faced by the guest house business in the Maldives. The data were derived from in-depth interviews with nine key informants. The thematic analysis qualitative method was employed in identifying informants’ view of the current guest house business. A total of six themes (i.e. product image, service quality, marketing channel, infrastructure, competition, policies, laws and regulations) were identified. The contribution of the paper lies in growing knowledge within the research niche of guest houses in the Maldives and internationally. Implications of the factors that contribute to successful guest house operations, including customer-oriented and service quality are recommended based on the findings. These recommendations can benefit guest house managers in developing and managing their guest house business. Future research may be expanded to view differences in perception among different stakeholders. Such findings could provide insights into what is missing and what topics require further investigation in the future.
Impact of agronomic practices and environment on diseases of wheat and lentil in southeastern Saskatchewan

To determine the effect of tillage and rotation on plant diseases, their severity and prevalence were monitored on spring wheat, lentil, and field pea grown in rotation with zero and conventional tillage at Indian Head, SK, from 1992 to 1995. Root disease severity of wheat was less under zero tillage than conventional tillage, but leaf spot severity was unchanged. Incidence of the causal agents from roots was variable, such that Fusarium spp. were higher under zero tillage than conventional and Bipolaris sorokiniana was lower. Pyrenophora triticirepentis was the only foliar pathogen more prevalent under zero tillage than conventional. Rotation did not affect the pathogens causing root disease. However, the rotation of canaryseed-sunola-wheat-lentil had higher disease severity and levels of Septoria tritci on wheat compared with wheat-canola-wheat-lentil or wheat-pea-wheat-lentil. Neither crop rotation nor tillage practice had a measurable impact on lentil diseases, but epidemics of Ascochyta lentis and Bo.
Biologia comparativa e comportamento alimentar de Rhodnius neglectus e Rhodnius robustus (Triatominae) sob condições de laboratório

INTRODUCTION: The vector competence of triatomine insects is determined by studying their biology and feeding behavior under field and/or laboratory conditions. Factors including the number of bites, the amount of blood ingested and defecation time have implications for trypanosome transmission. The biological and behavioral parameters of Rhodnius neglectus and R. robustus were compared under experimental conditions to estimate differences in the potential transmission of trypanosomes. METHODS: The insects were observed daily to determine the period of nymphal development, mortality, detection of food source, number of bites, time of blood meal intake, amount of blood ingested, time elapsed between the end of the meal and the first defecation and the frequency of defecation. RESULTS: Although the nymphal development of R. neglectus (156.4 ± 25.05d) was lower than that of R. robustus (204.7 ± 13.22d), the mortality between species was similar (63.8 and 65% respectively). R. robustus and R. neglectus quickly located the food source, especially in the first instar (2.5 and 1.6 min, respectively). Although the time of blood meal intake was similar between the species, R. robustus ingested a larger amount of blood on average at all stages and exhibited higher values for the fifth instar. Nymphs of R. neglectus bit more frequently, and they defecated faster and more often than those of R. robustus. CONCLUSIONS: Under laboratory conditions, R. neglectus has a greater potential for transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi and T. rangeli than does R. robustus, an attribute that should be further evaluated in experimental infections.
The association of golf participation with health and wellbeing: A comparative study

Golf participation is comprised of activities likely to be beneficial to golfers' health and wellbeing, including regular walking and social interactions. The study aimed to use a questionnaire to compare physical activity, social trust and personal wellbeing of golfers with national statistics. Furthermore, the study aimed to measure the association between golfers’ physical activity levels and self-efficacy for both golf and general exercise participation. Results demonstrated that golfers reported significantly different physical activity levels in comparison to the population of England. Golfers scored significantly higher on social trust and personal wellbeing compared to the population of the UK and England respectively. Golf and exercise self-efficacy were significantly associated with physical activity. The findings of the study demonstrate that, despite golfers having relatively lower levels of physical activity, golf participation is associated with psychological wellbeing. Implications for coaches focus on increasing awareness of the possible benefits of golf participation.