Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UROLOGICAL ONCOLOGY Comparison of Different Rectal Cleansing Methods for Reducing Post-Procedural Infectious Complications After Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsy

Materials and Methods: A total of 451 consecutive patients who underwent TRUS-guided prostate biopsy were prospectively included in this study. All patients received targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis and underwent bowel preparation through laxative administration. The patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the method of rectal cleansing immediately before the procedure. Group I patients (n =165) underwent cleansing of the perianal skin using povidone-iodine cotton balls; group II patients (n=116) received an injection of povidone-iodine solution (0.1 g/mL) into the anal and lower rectal canals; and group III patients (n =170) received direct manual cleansing of the mucosal surface of the anus and lower rectum using povidone-iodine cotton balls. The three groups were compared regarding the incidence of post-procedural infectious complications, re-hospitalization rates, and mean length of hospital stay using one-way ANOVA, the Chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analysis.
Evaluation of tissue ingrowth and reaction of a porous polyethylene block as an onlay bone graft in rabbit posterior mandible

Purpose A new form of porous polyethylene, characterized by higher porosity and pore interconnectivity, was developed for use as a tissue-integrated implant. This study evaluated the effectiveness of porous polyethylene blocks used as an onlay bone graft in rabbit mandible in terms of tissue reaction, bone ingrowth, fibrovascularization, and graft-bone interfacial integrity. Methods Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 3 treatment groups according to the study period (4, 12, or 24 weeks). Cylindrical specimens measuring 5 mm in diameter and 4.5 mm in thickness were placed directly on the body of the mandible without bone bed decortication, fixed in place with a titanium screw, and covered with a collagen membrane. Histologic and histomorphometric analyses were done using hematoxylin and eosin–stained bone slices. Interfacial shear strength was tested to quantify graft-bone interfacial integrity. Results The porous polyethylene graft was observed to integrate with the mandibular bone and exhibited tissue-bridge connections. At all postoperative time points, it was noted that the host tissues had grown deep into the pores of the porous polyethylene in the direction from the interface to the center of the graft. Both fibrovascular tissue and bone were found within the pores, but most bone ingrowth was observed at the graft-mandibular bone interface. Bone ingrowth depth and interfacial shear strength were in the range of 2.76–3.89 mm and 1.11–1.43 MPa, respectively. No significant differences among post-implantation time points were found for tissue ingrowth percentage and interfacial shear strength (P>0.05). Conclusions Within the limits of the study, the present study revealed that the new porous polyethylene did not provoke any adverse systemic reactions. The material promoted fibrovascularization and displayed osteoconductive and osteogenic properties within and outside the contact interface. Stable interfacial integration between the graft and bone also took place.
Heterogeneous Quality and Trade Costs

There is increasing empirical evidence that vertical product differentiation is an important determinant of international trade. Whereas all empirical studies focus the quality of products traded differs between dissimilar economies, we yet lack of empirical studies that investigate the role of quality trade between identical economies. This paper first develops a simple theoretical model that includes vertical product differentiation in a heterogeneous firms' framework. The model yields three main predictions for trade between similar economies: First, exported goods have a higher quality than goods sold on the domestic market. Second, with increasing trade costs higher quality goods are exchanged. Trade liberalization thus leads to a decrease in the average quality level of trade flows. Third, the number of trading partners is positively related to the product quality. For all three effects strong empirical support is found using detailed export trade data of fifteen EU countries. JEL Classifications: F12, F14
The Silent Majority? College Students’ Views, Conditions, and Reactions to Drunken Facebook Posts

College students’ definitions of inappropriate drunken posts, their reasoning, and what they do in response are generally absent in the literature. An online survey of 522 college students examined two drunken Facebook posts, one a general statement of drunkenness and a second which specifically mentioned vomiting and being underage. Findings suggest that students’ views of these posts are more complex and less accepting than previously thought. Most students considered both posts “a little” to “very” inappropriate, but the second post was more negatively viewed. A common reason was that the posts were socially unpopular, especially if the individual was underage. Findings also show that overwhelmingly students would ignore an inappropriate post or react in a way that is invisible to the poster. Thus, visible reactions may be falsely biased toward favorable feedback, even if many views are disapproving. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION COUPLING ON FREE MOVING CYLINDERS IN LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER FLOWS

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is of practical interest in many fields of engineering, and is widely evident in aerospace and naval fields. This problem of fluid-structure interaction is easily found in risers, transmission lines and launch vehicles at the launch ramp, for example, and it is capable of influencing the dynamics of these structures. The long term objective of the work here reported is to develop the capability of analyzing fluid-structure interaction problems on oil-platform risers using CFD techniques. The specific aspects discussed in the present work concern validation of a computational tool and the study of a model fluid-structure interaction problem relevant in this case. This model problem considers the 2-D flow over a cylinder which is free to move in the longitudinal and transversal directions. The cylinder is restrained by linear springs which have their stiffness constants calculated in such a way to yield natural oscillating frequencies that correspond to representative oscillating frequencies of actual risers. Mass ratios for the fluid-structure interaction are selected to be consistent with actual values for the riser problem. The flows of interest are assumed to be adequately modeled by the 2-D Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes equations, with appropriate turbulence closures. In particular, most of the tests included in the present work have used the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The CFD code used is a finite volume code originally developed for treating aeroelastic problems for typical aerospace applications, which has been adapted for the present low speed problems. The study addresses forced motions of the cylinder as well as free moving cases. In both cases, the present results are compared to literature data as well as computations performed using commercial codes. The flow Reynolds number, based on the cylinder diameter, is varied from 300 to 10,000. The present results are in good agreement with the available data for similar flow configurations. Nonetheless, one can observe that the lack of inclusion of three-dimensional effects has strong influence on the results if the Reynolds number is considerably increased. João Luiz F. Azevedo, Luiz Augusto C. A. Schiavo, Rafael N. Ihi, João Henrique A. Azevedo, William R. Wolf
Experienced versus decision utility of income

A central finding in happiness research is low correlations between income and happiness. This is paradoxical since most people seem to attach a high value to a rise in their income. The various versions of this paradox can be explained in terms of rising aspirations (Easterlin 2001) and positional externalities (Frank 1997). However, econometric/ statistical studies which test these explanations on the level of individual cross-sections are rare and have produced mixed results. A careful analysis of the results of such studies leads to the conclusion that there seems to be considerable support for the explanations mentioned. On the other hand, these explanations seem only partial and do not take into account top-down relations between life satisfaction and aspiration levels as implied by some studies. Therefore, an alternative explanation of the above paradox in terms of the intrinsic/extrinsic-goals distinction of Kasser and Ryan (1993) is investigated. This approach points to a second kind of discrepancy between decision utility and experienced utility of income and implies that life satisfaction depends on absolute rather than relative income. It has some potential, but, in its present stage, it yields less specific predictions with respect to the paradoxes than the theories of aspirations and positional externalities. On the other hand, in the case of top-down relations between life satisfaction and aspiration levels, the intrinsic/extrinsic-goals explanation seems more fundamental. 1 Department of Economics, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. E-mail: M.Vendrik@algec.unimaas. nl. Tel. : 0031-43-3883638 (3883636). 2 Institute for Business Ethics, St. Gallen University, Switzerland.
Impact of Exercise on Some Haematological and Cellular Immune Markers in Male Athletes

Due to conflicting reports on the impact of exercise on haematological and immunological indices, this study investigated the effects of exercise on some haematological and cellular immune markers in male athletes. Blood samples were collected from 86 apparently healthy male athletes before and after exercise training using standardized methods. Similarly, blood samples were obtained from 100 male non-athletes and served as control. Blood samples collected from athletes and non-athletes were subjected to experimental evaluation of some haematological and cellular immune biomarkers using standard techniques. Results showed that, with the exception of neutrophils that significantly increased after exercise in athletes, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and clusters of differentiation counts significantly (p<0.05) decreased in athletes after exercise. Also, with the exception of platelets, other haematological parameters assayed in this study significantly (p<0.05) decreased in athletes after exercise. However, there was no significant change in these parameters between athletes at rest and non-athletes. This study concludes that heavy training could lead to an open window of immunodepression leading to susceptibility to infection in athletes and non-athletes alike. Original Research Article Nwoke et al.; AJI, 3(1): 23-29, 2020; Article no.AJI. 54405 24
Role of MRI in Evaluation of Spectrum of Liver Lesions in Cirrhotic Patients.

MRI provides better intrinsic soft-tissue contrast with more enhanced depiction of even subtly different tissue properties making lesion evaluation easy. Faster sequences which capture arterial sequences better, lack of ionizing radiation and simultaneous evaluation of background liver parenchyma and the liver lesions are additional advantages of using MRI as the imaging technique of choice. Comprehensive liver imaging using MRI now includes T1, T2-weighted imaging and in- and opposed-phase, in addition to dynamic post-contrast imaging with proper breath holding techniques. Wider variety of liver specific contrast agents is available for use in MR imaging with the gadolinium based agents being considered the most useful and practical, particularly for lesion characterization. Aims and Objectives To evaluate MRI spectrum of liver lesions in cirrhotic patients, Role of MRI in focal liver lesion evaluation and to differentiate benign versus malignant lesions. Materials and Methods A prospective study of OPD or IPD patients who underwent imaging tests like Ultrasonography, or CT scan for suspected chronic liver disease was done. A total 35 patients were investigated (June 2014 - November 2016) with MRI abdomen done with the patient in supine position on a Philips Achieva 3.0T MRI scanner. Standard MRI abdomen protocol, including T2W TSE in axial and coronal plane, T2W fat suppressed (SPAIR) images in axial and coronal plane, T1W TFE, in- and out-of-phase imaging and Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in axial plane along with pre-contrast baseline fat-suppressed T1W imaging in at least one plane was acquired. Breath-holding was required in few sequences. 0.1 mmol/kg Gadolinium based contrast (Gadobenate) was injected at the rate of 2.5 ml/sec followed by saline flush and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) with post-contrast fat-suppressed T1W imaging was acquired. Results and Conclusions In cirrhosis, there is development of nodules which are initially only microscopically detectable. With progression of cirrhosis, there is development of radiologically detectable regenerative nodules, dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma. Amongst these regenerative nodules are completely benign lesions whereas dysplastic nodules, though benign, are considered premalignant; and hepatocellular carcinoma is a malignant condition. Differentiation of benign versus malignant lesions is possible on the basis of enhancement pattern in dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. The signal characteristics of focal lesions and other findings like portal vein thrombosis are helpful, give additional clue to the diagnosis and also helpful in assigning LIRADS grade to a lesion. Also, MRI characterization after gadolinium based contrast injection was found to be similar to the previous imaging based on non-gadolinium contrast agents.
Diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction targeting insertion sequence IS1081 for the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis

Background: Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PCR targeting IS1081in diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis and compare the results with MGIT culture. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of pediatrics, S.N. medical college, Agra. 100 subjects (28 pulmonary 72 extra pulmonary) were registered in study. The specimens obtained from these cases were subjected to Ziehl–Neelsen staining (ZN), MGIT 960 TB culture and PCR targeting insertion sequence IS1081. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of PCR were calculated in pulmonary and extra pulmonary specimens. The results of PCR IS1081 were compared to MGIT culture. Results: Microscopy with ZN staining was positive in 12 (12%) samples. MGIT culture was positive in 44% samples with maximum positivity in sputum (70%). PCR IS1081 has shown 93.3% sensitivity in pulmonary tuberculosis, while PCR IS1081 has shown 93.1% sensitivity in extra pulmonary tuberculosis. In diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis PCR IS1081 was found to be statistically significant (p value <0.05) as compared with MGIT culture. Result was statistically significant (p value <0.05) in CSF samples only. Conclusions: The study concluded that the PCR targeting sequence IS1081 technique is the most sensitive technique for a quick identification of MTB in pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis.
Effects of low-severity fire on structural attributes and radial tree growth in Abies concolor-dominated forest, Yosemite National Park, CA

A century of fire suppression has led to higher tree densities, higher basal area, and increased abundance of shadetolerant Abies concolor and Calocedrus decurrens in the lower montane forests of Yosemite National Park. Although fire was reintroduced to these systems over forty years ago, the effects of fire on forest structure and radial tree growth are still not well understood. This study compares live tree and snag basal area and density, seedling establishment, and radial growth patterns at four 0.1 ha plots in A. concolor-dominated stands of similar climatic water balance. Two sites had burned at different levels of lowseverity fire in 2005, and two sites had not burned since the onset of fire suppression. On average, unburned plots had three times the tree density and 2.6 times more trees with DBH between 2.5 cm and 30.0 cm than burned plots. Burned plots had a mean seedling density 3.8 times greater than unburned plots. Low-severity fire also appeared to affect radial growth patterns as both burned plots showed decreased growth relative to the control plots for two years immediately post-fire. However, only burned plot 1, which burned at a higher severity than burned plot 2, showed increased growth relative to control plots 3 to 5 years post-fire.
The Role of Mediator of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Perceived Stress in People with High Blood Pressure

Introduction : High blood pressure is one of the chronic medical conditions in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress in patients with high blood pressure. Methods : A total of 216 high blood pressure patients who referred to medical centers in Tehran in 2018 were selected by available sampling method and participated in this study. Participants in the study completed The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). For data analysis, Pearson correlation and path analysis were used. AMOS 22.0 was used to examine the fitness of the proposed model and path analysis. Results: The results of this study showed that there is a significant negative correlation between the adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness with perceived stress and positive correlation between the maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies with perceived stress (P <0.01). The results of path analysis indicated that the indirect effect of mindfulness on perceived stress was statistically significant through adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (0.09) and maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies (0.11), respectively (p <0.01). Conclusion : Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the variables of mindfulness and adaptive cognitive-emotion regulation strategies contribute to the reduction of stress in people with hypertension, which in turn leads to prevention and control of blood pressure. It is necessary to consider these factors in health-related interventions related to blood pressure control.
Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser - Origin rather than mild drought stress influenced chlorophyll a fluorescence in contrasting silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) provenances

The performance of PSII photochemistry in five Central European provenances of silver fir differing in the altitude of origin (250-1,300 m a.s.l.) were studied using the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters derived from the JIP-test. Measurements were performed on two dates in 2016: at the start and at the peak of growing season. Within this period, mild water stress was recorded, allowing us to monitor changes in photochemistry under drought conditions. Our results confirmed that silver fir is generally resistant to water deficit at the PSII level. However, the differences in photochemistry between provenances originating from different climatic conditions were observed. The high-altitude provenances (from wetter and colder localities) achieved higher PSII efficiency, which was also supported by clear trends along the climatic and geographic gradients of the provenance origins. After the drought, comparable PSII efficiency for low-altitude provenances and even higher for these originating in higher altitudes was observed.
DOES FOREIGN AID PROMOTE RECIPIENT EXPORTS? 1. Introduction Recent literature has shown that foreign aid is promoting exports from donor to recipient countries, with effects varying by donor and over time

This paper uses the gravity model of trade to investigate the effect of foreign aid on exports of aid recipients to donor countries. Most of the theoretical work emphasises the possible negative impact of aid on recipient countries’ exports, primarily due to exchange rate appreciation, disregarding possible positive effects of aid in overcoming supply bottlenecks and promoting bilateral trade relations. Using non-stationary panel (cointegration) estimators to control for omitted variable and endogeneity bias, we find that the net effect of aid on recipient countries’ exports is insignificant, both for our sample (of 123 countries) as a whole and for important regional sub-samples. This finding is in line with the small or insignificant macroeconomic impact of aid found in earlier studies and also suggests that exporters in recipient countries are not benefiting from improved trade relations with donors.
Reference Range of Platelets count in Healthy Adult Sudanese

DOI: 10.21276/sasjm.2018. 4.10. 4 Abstract: The hematological reference values used in Sudan were usually from those of Caucasian populations. It has previously been shown that the white blood cells count in Sudanese is different from international values. The objectives of this study were to establish the reference ranges of platelet count and indices in healthy Sudanese adults. The study included 1076 healthy Sudanese adults from five states and both sexes, with age range of 20 – 60 years. Clinical examination was performed, weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. Blood samples were obtained from brachial veins and drawn in EDTA tubes. WBCs and differential count were analyzed using Sysmex KX-21 automated hematology analyzer. SPSS version 25 statistical software was used for data analysis, P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant and 95% CI was accepted. The mean age of participants was 25.23±9.64 years. The median of platelets count was 280×10 3 /μL with reference range of (124465× 10 3 /μL). , for platelet distribution width (PDW) was14.6 ٪ with reference range of (9.1-17.1), and for the mean platelet volume (MPV) was 9.8 and the reference range was (8-13.2FL). Female had a significantly higher platelet count (295× 103/μL) than male (245× 103/μL). The platelets count was significantly higher in Red sea state and small age group (20-29), and also. The Sudanese platelets count is higher than many African Countries but lower than the international reference values, and higher in females than males with regional differences.