Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting flood inundation information through Twitter: The 2015 Kinu River flood disaster in Japan

For effective responses to flood disasters, it is essential to identify affected areas in real time. Recently, social media (e.g. Twitter) have emerged as new sources of disaster-related information in real time. However, concerns still remain regarding the trustworthiness and the amount of information, especially that issued from a site of crisis. This study investigated a total of 109 tweets sampled based on certain criteria during a flood disaster in the Kinu River Basin, Japan in September 2015. We classified them into five categories depending on the main contents: 1) flood inundation, 2) rescue, 3) emotion, 4) river condition, and 5) damage situation. The analysis suggests that the highest proportion (37%) of tweets were related to flood inundation followed by damage (19%) and 32% of them were posted in near real time with photos. We further compared well-positioned tweets with other inundation extent information based on our field investigations and aerial photos. The results showed good agreement between the inundation information from the posted tweets and the expected locations. Some tweets suggested additional inundated areas, not originally identified by the aerial photos. Overall, the study shows the potential use of social media to collect local details about floods.
Canine and Equine Therapy for Mental Health: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness

Animals have been used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes throughout much of the course of human history. , Formal research into the use of animals for therapeutic purposes being in the 1960s, where work investigating the use of pet psychotherapy for treatment of behavior disorder in children was published. More recently, animals have been incorporated into a number of “animal-assisted interventions”, including animal-assisted activities, animal assisted-therapy, and service animal programs. The most common forms of animal-assisted interventions for the treatment of mental health conditions involve dogs or horses, often described as canine or equine therapy (or hippotherapy), respectively.Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders (including generalized anxiety disorder; GAD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) are common mental health conditions associated with disability, decreased quality of life, increased mortality, and economic burden. – PTSD is a persistent mental health condition that may occur in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as exposure to death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence. GAD, which is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 40 Canadians aged 15 years and older per year, is characterized by persistent and excessive fear, worry, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Finally, symptoms of MDD (also known as clinical depression or major depression) include sadness, insomnia, loss of interest in hobbies, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. A formal diagnosis of MDD requires the persistence of symptoms over a period of at least two weeks. Treatment strategies for PTSD, GAD, and MDD often include clinical care with pharmacologic agents (e.g., antidepressants), psychotherapy, or a combination of both approaches.The objective of the current report is to summarize and appraise the available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of canine therapy and equine therapy versus other forms of psychotherapy for the treatment of individuals with PTSD, GAD, MDD. This report compliments a 2012 CADTH Rapid Response Report on the use of therapy dogs and horses for patients with mental health conditions.
Nutritional and sensory acceptability of wheat bread from fish flour

Abstract There is a very high incidence of malnutrition in developing countries including Ethiopia. To tackle this problem development of high nutrient density foods is one of strategy intervention. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate some nutritional composition and sensory acceptability of wheat bread from labeobarbus fish flour blends. The experiment consisted of four proportion levels of fish flour (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%). 100% wheat flour was used as control. Results showed that as labeobarbus fish flour blending proportion increased, the crude protein (13.72–18.80%), crude fat (2.02–2.99%) and total ash (2.05–3.00%) values was significantly (p < 0.05) increased than control bread. However decreased moisture content, fiber, and carbohydrate scores were obtained. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of Ca, Zn, Fe, and P were found in all bread blends than 100% wheat bread sample. Sensory evaluation scores revealed that 5% and 10% labeobarbus flour based bread showed good overall acceptability scores (4.21 and 4.23). Therefore acceptable bread (10% fish flour) needs to be demonstrated to address malnutrition and enhance utilization of labeobarbus fish in the area.
Production and characterization of thermo-, halo- and solvent-stable esterase from Bacillus mojavensis TH309

Abstract The use of enzymes in many industrial applications has gained increasing importance in recent years due to their non-toxic, specific, and eco-friendly characteristics. However, two main reasons limiting their use in industry are production costs and instability under harsh conditions. We isolated thermophilic and halo-tolerant/halophilic bacteria from bio-deteriorated plastic waste. Among them, Bacillus mojavensis isolate TH309 exhibited excellent esterase secretion ability. Esterase production on sunflower seed meal increased approximately 20-fold (80.43 U/gds) with optimization of solid state medium using Plackett Burman design and response surface methodology Box Behnken design. The enzyme (BmEST) was purified 7.82-fold using ultrafiltration and anion-exchange techniques. The molecular weight of BmEST was estimated to be 30 kDa. BmEST demonstrated an optimal temperature and pH of 80 °C and 8.0, respectively, and was remarkable stable at 60–90 °C. BmEST exhibited high activity and stability in the presence of NaCl (5–20%). Furthermore, it was hyper-activated by n-pentane, acetone, hexane, DMSO, methanol, and ethanol. The apparent Km and Vmax values of BmEST were 1.28 mM and 23.88 µmol/min, respectively, with p-nitrophenol butyrate as a substrate. The enzyme caused a mass loss of poly(ε-caprolactone) films of 44% after 12 h hydrolysis. As a result, BmEST, with remarkable functional properties, presents a promising candidate to meet the needs of certain harsh biotechnological applications.
Activation of the transcription factor NF-кB by Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter is currently the most frequently isolated food-borne bacterial pathogen worldwide. Infections caused by C. jejuni may be self-limiting enteritis or chronic conditions such as Guillain-Barre' syndrome (GBS). Although the mechanisms by which C. jejuni causes disease are not clearly understood, the activation of the transcription factor NF-KB, which controls pro-inflammatory responses, is thought to be an important contributing mechanism for initiating the host's immune responses to C. jejuni infection. Signaling pathways leading to NF-KB by pathogens and/or their products include transmembrane Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and intracellular receptors nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain proteins (NODs). This study was carried out to: 1) investigate NF-KB activation by C. jejuni, 2) provide structural details regarding the NF-KB activating component(s) in C. jejuni boiled cell extract (BeE) and 3) investigate the role of TLRs (TLR2 and TLR4) and NODs (NODI and NOD2) in mediating NF-KB activation by C. jejuni. By means of measuring reporter gene activity, NF-KB activation and subsequent cytokine production by live or heat-killed C. jejuni, or BeE were observed in a range of tissue cultures cell lines. Structural characterisation of the NF-KB activating component in BeE indicated that the bioactive structure is an alpha-linked linear oligosaccharide composed of glucose where the activation by the oligosaccharide is suppressed upon pre-treatment of BeE with amyloglucosidase. NF- KB activation was observed to be augmented in cell lines transfected with TLR2 but not with TLR4. This activation is reduced upon transfection of cells with the dominantnegative versions (DNV) of TLR-adaptor molecules MYD88 or lRAKl. Additionally, NF-KB activation by C. jejuni was observed to be independent of NOD 1 and NOD2 in cells transfected with DNV of these receptors.
A Study into the Classification of Enterprise Architecture Benefits

While many authors have published on the subject, the question about the value of Enterprise Architecture (EA) remains unanswered. Using the four perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard as a starting point, 36 subcategories of organizational goals where benefits of EA could be expected were derived from literature. To validate these subcategories, an online Delphi study has been carried out. With the help of the experts contributing to the study, 24 subcategories of organizational goals are identified where the contribution of EA is assessed in the range from ‘moderate’ to ‘very much’. The contribution allocated to these subcategories is more or less in line with other publications on the subject, with the notable exception of subcategories in the Customer perspective of the Balanced Scorecard. In our study these subcategories were deemed more important than in previous studies. In the same Delphi study, we tried to differentiate between development-, implementationand exploitation activities of EA with respect to the contribution of EA to these 24 subcategories, but the results are as yet inconclusive.
A Graphenic Biosensor for Real-Time Monitoring of Urea During Dialysis

A patient at the fifth stage of chronic kidney disease usually needs dialysis or transplantation. The adequacy of dialysis can be assessed by the dimensionless parameter Kt/V, which depends on the concentration of urea in the blood. Kt/V is usually measured before and after treatment, or by an indirect measurement of dialysis fluid conductivity. For the real-time monitoring of the urea concentration during dialysis, this paper proposes a disposable biosensor that combines a pH sensitive reduced graphene oxide layer functionalized with 4-amino benzoic acid and urease. Urease is immobilized on reduced graphene oxide and catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia. This catalysis increases the pH value locally and elicits a sensor response. Urea concentration was assessed in the plasma of five dialyzed patients using a potentiometric measurement. The response time was 120 s and the error was 6 ± 3% compared with standard clinical laboratory analysis.
The Meaning of the European Union and Public Support for European Integration

This paper proposes a cognitive approach that focuses on the cognitive representations that underpin public support for the European Union. Its objectives are threefold: (1) to describe systems of representation associated with support for the EU; (2) to illustrate the importance of less commonly studied representations, such as liberal cosmopolitan representations; and (3) to demonstrate that at the beginning of the 2000s, the EU often represented greater economic prosperity and/or social protection for many Central, Eastern and Southern European countries, although the situation has changed significantly since then. This paper uses Eurobarometer data from 2004 to 2017 as well as multilevel models to examine how cognitive representations of the EU can explain public support for the EU, including variations across countries.
Investigation of material properties for polymer-based microwave devices

This work demonstrates that the molding technique for polymer-based flexible microwave electronics with various polymers in order to evaluate acceptable boundaries for conductivity and tan loss. Performance evaluation has been done on the microstrip line and patch antennas with and without material improvements. We have demonstrated that improvements in conductivity after 106 S/m do not give significant benefits. The attenuation in microstrip lines has been reduced from 0.16dB/cm to 0.05dB/cm. However, reduction in the tan loss is able to boost antenna gain from 4.2dBi to 6.5dBi.
Distributed Traffic Flow Consolidation for Power Efficiency of Large-Scale Data Center Network

Power optimization for data center networks (DCNs) has recently received increasing research attention, since a DCN can account for 10 to 20 percent of the total power consumption of a data center. An effective power-saving approach for DCNs is traffic consolidation, which consolidates traffic flows onto a small set of links and switches such that unused network devices can be shut down dynamically for power savings. While this approach has shown great promise, existing solutions are mostly centralized and do not scale well for large-scale DCNs. In this article, we propose DISCO, a <bold><underline>DIS</underline></bold>tributed traffic flow <bold><underline>CO</underline></bold>nsolidation framework, with correlation analysis and delay constraints, for large-scale data center network. DISCO features two distributed traffic consolidation algorithms that provide different trade-offs (as desired by different DCN architectures) between scalability, power savings, and network performance. First, a flow-based algorithm is proposed to conduct consolidation for each flow individually, with greatly improved scalability. Second, an even more scalable switch-based algorithm is proposed to consolidate flows on each individual switch in a distributed fashion. We evaluate the DISCO algorithms both on a hardware testbed and in large-scale simulations with real DCN traces. The results show that, compared with state-of-the-art centralized solutions, DISCO can achieve nearly the same power savings while decomposing the global problem into sub-problems that are three orders of magnitude smaller. As a result, DISCO can run <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {10^4}$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:msup><mml:mn mathvariant="bold">10</mml:mn><mml:mn mathvariant="bold">4</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="zheng-ieq1-2970403.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> to <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {10^6}$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:msup><mml:mn mathvariant="bold">10</mml:mn><mml:mn mathvariant="bold">6</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="zheng-ieq2-2970403.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> times faster for a DCN at the scale of 10K servers. The convergence of DISCO has also been proven theoretically and examined experimentally.
Understanding the Intention to Buy Secondhand Clothing on Sharing Economy Platforms: The Influence of Sustainability, Distance from the Consumption System, and Economic Motivations

Sharing economy platforms are increasingly providing an effective means of connecting providers and users of secondhand goods. While media seem to emphasize that the trend of selling/buying secondhand has been growing due to the consolidation and development of P2P sharing platforms, a comprehensive identification of the antecedents of buying secondhand on sharing economy platforms is virtually missing. This study addresses this gap by 1) identifying different sets of motivations and attitudes leading consumers to adopt sharing economy platforms for secondhand buying; 2) testing a model on a sample of UK consumers in the context of P2P sharing platforms for secondhand clothing. The study reveals that there are three major antecedents of consumers’ attitude towards buying secondhand clothes on P2P sharing economy platforms: perceived sustainability, economic motivations, and taking a distance from the consumption system. Perceived sustainability and economic motivations influence positively attitude toward buying secondhand, as well as motivations in the form of distance from the consumption system. Attitude toward buying secondhand is positively influenced also by distance from the system and, in turn, has a strong positive influence on behavioral intention to buy secondhand clothes. Moreover, past experience of buying secondhand online has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between perceived sustainability and distance from the consumption system.
Biomedical waste management practices in a tertiary care hospital: a descriptive study in Srinagar, Garhwal, India

Background: Biomedical waste (BMW) is generated in every health facility, which if not disposed off properly poses a risk for health and environment. Handling, segregation, mutilation, disinfection, storage, transportation and final disposal are vital steps for safe and scientific management of biomedical waste in any establishment. The objective were to assess the biomedical waste management (BMWM) practices and knowledge regarding BMWM in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the tertiary care hospital during July and August 2014. Hospital waste management practices were observed by making visits to the waste collection sites at different sites of the hospital and for assessment of knowledge regarding waste management a total of 113 health care personnel were interviewed. Results: The overall mean score for “Condition of waste receptacles” was 44.3%. The mean score for segregation of waste was 77%, for mutilation of recyclable waste the mean score was 88% and the disinfection mean score was 72%. There were some good practices observed like presence of posters regarding disposal of BMW in most places, availability of gloves, masks etc. to the workers collecting BMW . There was no separate route for transport of biomedical waste. The knowledge regarding BMWM was not satisfactory among the participants and scope of improvement is there. Conclusions: While there were some good practices observed, there were inconsistencies observed regarding BMWM in the hospital.
Study of cyp2E1 gene RsaI/PstI polymorphisms in patients with gastric cancer in north of Iran

Corresponding Author: Ali Barzegar Department of Basic Sciences, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari-Iran. Phone: +981133822574 E-mail: alibar647@yahoo.com Abstract Background: North of Iran is amongst high incidence rate areas of gastric carcinoma where environmental carcinogenic compounds especially agricultural pesticides are massively used. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme metabolically activates a large number of low molecular mass xenobiotics. The polymorphic nature of cyp2E1 gene control elements is associated with interindividual differences for toxicity of its substrates and may be responsible for increased gastric cancer susceptibility. The current study investigated the allelic frequencies of cyp2E1 gene RsaI/PstI polymorphisms and its association with gastric cancer risk in north of Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-control study comprised of 120 gastric cancer patients and a group of 135 healthy individuals as control. Genotyping of cyp2E1 gene PstI/RsaI polymorphisms were carried out by PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analyzes were performed by Logistic regression model and P<0.05 was considered as significance level. Results: TNM classification showed that most patients (88%) were in advanced stages when the disease was diagnosed. Frequencies of C1C1 and C1C2 genotypes of PstI/RsaI polymorphisms were 96 and 4% in case, and 99 and 1% in control group, respectively whereas homozygote C2C2 genotype was not observed in any of the subjects. In Logistic regression model no significant association was found between RsaI/PstI allelic variants and gastric cancer risk (p =0.443, OR=0.386, CI=0.034-4.395). Furthermore, no significant correlation was seen between genotypic frequencies and clinicopathological characteristics. Conclusion: No significant association was found between cyp2E1 gene PstI/RsaI allelic variants and gastric cancer risk or clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer patients in north of Iran.
A comparative evaluation closed reduction with percutaneous K-wire fixation versus closed reduction of extra articulur fracture of distal end of radius

Background: Selection of method of treatment of Colles fracture depends upon age, occupation, dominant hand, type of fracture, co-morbid conditions and nature of wound. Even in the treatment of fracture in elderly patients, orthopaedic surgeon must have more thresholds for intervention in an unstable and displaced fracture than young one. There is difference in the outcome of fracture stabilisation of Colles fracture, so we have designed this study to evaluate the result of treatment of this fracture by closed reduction and plaster cast immobilisation alone or by K-wire fixation and plaster cast immobilisation.Material and Method: As per exclusion and inclusion criteria 64 patients with fracture of distal and of radius were enrolled for this study and equally divided into two groups. Patients were assessed clinically for range of movement, fracture union and by radiologically for radiological parameters like, volar tilt which was expressed as degree from neutral position radial inclination and radial length. The range of movement was measured and compared to the normal side after 3 months for assessment of daily life activities Gartland and wereley score was used, in the form of excellent, good, fair and poor.Result: Overall evaluation the result was excellent in 2 (6.25%) patient in group A and 4 (12.5%) in group B. It was good in 6 (18.75%) patents in group A and 18 (56.25%) patients is group B. 20 (62.5%) patients in group A have fair result and 10 (31.25%) patient in group B have fair result. Result was poor in 4 (12.5%) patient in group A and 1 (3.125%) in group B.Conclusion: The overall evaluation result of two modalities of treatment, K-wire fixation has statistically significant better result than cast immobilisation alone. More patient in K- wire group has good result (56.25%) then closed reduction group but in closed reduction group fair result was more (62.5%).
Drug-related Mortality in Camden: Demographics and Substance Misuse Trends during the 2010 to 2013 Period

Background and Objectives: Mortality from substance misuse has a constantly changing pattern, with notable rising trends in certain regions of the country. In particular, Camden County, New Jersey has historically struggled with this problem. Because of its inclusion of Camden City, with its high poverty rate and high availability of illicit drugs, and the broader regional impact of the economic recession, analysis of substance misuse-related death in this population might facilitate understanding of these contributory factors in the development and maintenance of addiction and resulting mortality. Methods: Mortality and population data were obtained from public sources (N=516). Subjects’ demographic information and substance profile found at death were investigated for regression and trend analysis. Results: Across the study period, an overwhelming majority of subjects were white adult males. Opiate derivatives were the highest offending agent, occurring in 83.7% of deaths, followed by stimulants (50.3%) and benzodiazepines (38.4%). Furthermore, 24.4% of subjects were found to have 3 or more substances at death. No significant trends were found in mortality rates, but Camden County had significantly higher rates of drug mortality than the rest of New Jersey for the study period. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: This study highlights the opiate epidemic as a major player in Camden County, but also notes significant mortality contributions from stimulant drugs and benzodiazepines in the setting of polysubstance use elicited at the time of death. It is imperative to focus on basic needs (particularly housing) and outpatient long-term programs, rather than inpatient rehabilitation, especially in a population with high poverty rate.