Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Associations between Risky Psychosocial Environment, Substance Addiction Severity and Imprisonment: A Swedish Registry Study

Abstract Objective: Both childhood and adult psychosocial stressors have been identified as links to both increased risk for substance use disorder (SUD) and increased risk of imprisonment. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify, for a sample of 14,914 adults who all were assessed for risky substance use or a SUD, the importance of having a history of psychosocial stressors compared to current addiction severity. The analyses control for age, gender and education on the likelihood of future imprisonment. Method: Baseline Addiction Severity Index data (ASI) were merged with national registry data on prison sentences from 2003 to 2016. In the analysis, a Cox regression was used to study the association between independent variables and the likelihood of future imprisonment. Results: In the regression, five variables showed significant association to increased risk of imprisonment: ASI drugs other than alcohol Composite Score (positive relationship), ASI alcohol Composite Score (negative relationship), age (younger), education (lower) and parental problems with drugs other than alcohol. The factor with strongest association with imprisonment was the ASI drugs other than alcohol Composite Score, which showed the highest HR = 10.63 (3.50–32.31) for women and HR = 5.52 (3.77–8.08) for men to predict the likelihood of imprisonment. Discussion: Research is needed on why individuals with history of psychosocial stressors have a higher likelihood of imprisonment compared to their counterparts. Findings indicate that a high ASI Composite Score for drugs other than alcohol are strong predictors of future criminality and criminal justice system involvement.
Short-range-order minerals as powerful factors explaining deep soil organic carbon stock distribution: the case of a coffee agroforestry plantation on Andosols in Costa Rica

Abstract. Soil organic carbon (SOC) constitutes the largest terrestrial C stock, particularly in the Andosols of volcanic areas. Quantitative information on distribution of SOC stocks is needed to construct a baseline for studying temporal changes in SOC. The spatial variation of soil short-range-order minerals such as allophane usually explains the variability of topsoil SOC contents, but SOC data for deeper soil layers are needed. We found that within a 1 km2 Costa Rican basin covered by coffee agroforestry, SOC stocks in the upper 200 cm of soil were highly variable (24 to 72 kg C m−2 ). Topsoil SOC stocks were not correlated with SOC stocks present in deeper layers. Diffuse-reflectance mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy made possible the analysis of a large number of samples (69 soil profiles, i.e. 598 soil samples) for ammonium-oxalate and sodium-pyrophosphate-extractable forms of Al, Fe, and Si, as well as SOC content and bulk density. Using the MIR spectra, we identified two different soil materials, which were identified as allophanic and halloysitic soil material. Allophanic soil occurred on top of the halloysitic soil. The thickness of the allophanic soil material, rich in SRO minerals and related to a young andic A horizon, explained the variability of SOC. This study illustrates that knowledge of topography and pedogenesis is needed to understand and extrapolate the distribution of SOC stocks at landscape scales.
Deposition of drugs in the nose and sinuses with an exhalation delivery system vs conventional nasal spray or high-volume irrigation in Draf II/III post-surgical anatomy.

BACKGROUND Endoscopic sinus surgery is often performed to improve delivery of topical medication into sinus cavities. Intranasal steroids are guideline recommended in post-surgical patients, and experiments with cadavers suggest that surgery improves delivery of drug into sinuses. Exhalation delivery systems (EDS) use a new mechanism for intranasal delivery and have been shown to reach superior/posterior regions of the nasal cavity better than nasal sprays in unoperated patients. METHODS Silicone casts of the nasal cavity and sinuses from a patient after Draf II, and then Draf III, were made from high-resolution computed tomography (CT) data using 3D printing. Internal surfaces were coated with liquid-sensitive, color-changing gel. Color changes were evaluated following conventional nasal spray delivery (0.1 mL × 2) (Nasonex®), EDS delivery (0.1 mL × 2) (XHANCE™), and high-volume, low-flow (HVLF) delivery (≈80 mL) with head tilted either 45° or 90°. RESULTS Conventional nasal spray deposited liquid only in anterior nasal segments. EDS deposited liquid throughout the nasal cavity, in surgically opened ethmoid and maxillary spaces, at entrances of the frontal sinuses in Draf II geometry, and into frontal sinuses in Draf III. Tilted 45°, HVLF delivery enters the maxillary sinuses but not the frontal sinuses or the ethmoid region. At full 90° inclination, HVLF delivery reaches most of the frontal and maxillary sinuses but not the roof and posterior wall of the ethmoid region. CONCLUSIONS HVLF and EDS produced a deep intranasal/intrasinal deposition in the silicone cast compared with conventional nasal spray delivery; both deposited liquid inside the surgically opened sinuses. HVLF offers the benefit of lavage, whereas EDS may be more efficient and convenient.
Thermal Extrusion 3D Printing for the Fabrication of Puerarin Immediate-Release Tablets

Thermal extrusion (TE) 3D printing is a thermoplastic semisolid-based rapid prototyping process, which is capable of building complex structures. The aim of this study was to manufacture rapid-release puerarin tablets without solvent through TE 3D printing. Novel rapid-release tablets were fabricated with polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) as the carrier at appropriate puerarin/PEG 4000 ratios, assessed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), solubility, and dissolution tests. The novel structures of 3D-printed tablets with five different values were formed by printing paths, which established a flexible way of adjusting in vitro drug release. An obvious acceleration (85% of cumulative release about 7.5 min at the soonest) was observed for the tablets with internal structural design. It was inferred that puerarin formed simple eutectic mixtures with PEG 4000 and that puerarin dispersed into the carrier based on DSC and X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD). This highlights the combined advantage of PEG as a soluble polymer with TE 3D printing and provides a suitable system for rapid puerarin release.
Seroprevalence of anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies in population of Sulaimani governorate/Kurdistan Region/Iraq

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infection in the world. Objective: This study was done to assess the extent of H. pylori infection in Suleimani governorate by noninvasive ELISA technique for quantitative detection of anti-H. pylori IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies in serum. Methods: The study included 335 adult and children volunteers from Chamchamal and Sulaimani cities in Kurdistan region / Iraq. The participants answered a structured questionnaire and a blood sample was taken for serological analysis from each participant. The level of serum antibodies for IgM, IgG and IgA were detected using ELISA technique. Results: In the total sample 20.4% had positive IgM, 32.3% positive IgG and 58.2% positive IgA. Two hundred thirty four (74%) subjects had one or more of the antibodies, 138 subjects (41.1%) had at least one antibody positive (IgM 11 (3.2%), IgG 35 (10.4%), IgA 92 (27.4%). In this study 20% had at least two antibodies positive {IgM 25 (7.4%): IgG 45 (13.4%): IgA 64 (19.1%)}. Conclusions: H. pylori infection is common in population of Sulaimani governorate. IgA anti-H. pylori is the most prevalent antibody of population in Sulaimani governorate. The age group of 20-30 years old has the most seroprevalence of antibodies specific to H. pylori.
Drought dynamics and interannual rainfall variability on the Ghaap plateau, South Africa, 1918–2014

With drought expected to increase in frequency and severity as a result of climate change, drought and rainfall variability assessments at interannual time scales using long-term rainfall data are necessary to develop drought mitigation strategies and planning measures, especially in semi-arid and arid environments where drought impact is expected to be adverse. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence and severity of droughts and interannual rainfall variability trends in the Ghaap plateau, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. This study was based on long-term rainfall data for three meteorological stations (Postmasburg, Douglas and Groblershoop) from 1918 to 2014, sourced from the South African Weather Services (SAWS). Calculation of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) showed that more droughts occurred since the 1990s; these droughts were all moderately dry with SPI values ranging between −1.03 and −1.46, except for the 1992 drought at Groblershoop which was severe. The longest drought duration on record in the study area was 2 years. Fitting of the long-term rainfall data to a non-parametric spline smoother revealed that the total annual rainfall, number of rainfall days and extreme rainfall events were essentially stable. The total annual rainfall, however, followed a secular pattern of fluctuations over the years.
Exploring the Consumer Behavior That Influences Student College Choice

This study examined consumer behavior influencing student college choice. The study focused on the choice stage, which is the last of Hossler and Gallagher's three-stage college-choice process. To understand how students select their institution, a survey was administered to the 395 freshmen who received recommended admission from a private university in northern Taiwan. The survey asked respondents to assign numerical ratings to statements regarding consumption values influencing their college choice; Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine the extent to which students used each of consumption values. Inferential analyses, including one-way ANOVAs, and independent sample I tests were then used to determine the differences to which students perceived each of the characteristics of the selected university. The findings revealed that students considered the consumption values to have a neutral effect on their college choices. However, students' opinions on the impact of the functional value upon the selected university's characteristics varied between neutral and agreement. Furthermore, significant differences regarding characteristics based on students' demographic characteristics were found. Students with higher GPA scores perceived the selected university has a friendly, open atmosphere to be significantly more important than did students with lower scores, and males perceived the university is located near many city activities to be significantly more important than did females. These findings provide practical information in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the selected university. Institutions, especially the selected university, can utilize the results to apply institutional marketing to accommodate the demands of its current and potential students.
Performance during mild acute hypoxia.

: The controversy regarding the effects of mild hypoxia on learning performance needs to be resolved, since this may be affecting flight operations and safety. This study examined the ability to learn new tasks at low altitudes. Naive subjects (n = 144) performed spatial orientation (Manikin), serial choice reaction time (SCRT) and logical reasoning (Baddeley) tasks at ground level and at altitudes of 1,524 m (5,000 ft), 2,438 m (8,000 ft), 3,048 m (10,000 ft), and 3,658 m (12,000 ft), at rest or during exercise (VO2 = 600 ml O2.min-1) in a hypobaric chamber. Each task was performed over four serial repetitions (blocks) and presented at ground level or one of the four test altitudes in a first session, and in the reverse order in a second session. Performance for the Manikin and SCRT tasks improved significantly (p < 0.0001) over the 4 blocks. No significant difference was found between the corresponding 4 blocks of the first session in resting and exercising subjects tested at ground level before altitude compared to altitude before ground level. In general, RT for the 3 tasks were faster in resting than in exercising subjects. These results indicate that the ability to learn new tasks is not impaired by mild hypoxia at altitudes of up to 3,658 m. We detected a biphasic response to altitude in LRT and SCRT performance, but not for Manikin performance.
Retail Shelf Analytics Through Image Processing and Deep Learning

The present thesis promotes an innovative approach based on modern deep learning and image processing techniques for retail shelf analytics within an actual business context. To achieve this goal, the research focused on recent developments in computer vision while maintaining a business-oriented approach. The project involved the full-stack software development of a product to analyze structured and unstructured data and provide business intelligence services for retail systems.
THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM TRADE-OFF BETWEEN RISK AND RETURN: CHAOS VS RATIONALITY

This paper used the composite construction method proposed by Haugen (1999) and its application by Zhao and Wang (2010) for the Chinese stock market. Utilizing the Shanghai A-share market stocks data, this paper first selected the shares listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange during January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2017. A portfolio was then built according to the mean variance model of portfolio structure, and simulation results were analysed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The relationship between risk and return in the long and short term was explored. Results indicated no significant relationship between the risk and return of the stock portfolio in the short run, which reflects the complexity of the Chinese stock market. However, in the long run, the risk and return of the stock portfolios are positively correlated, which means that high returns are accompanied by high risks, indicating that the stock market will eventually return to rationality. In other words, the A-share stock market will eventually return to be value-driven and the short-term speculators would be outweighed by long-term value investors.
Using Shock Pulse Method for Early Fault Detection of Rolling Element Bearings and Comparing with Vibration Envelope Technique

Diagnostics and early fault detection of the rolling element bearings (REBs) lead to the reliability enhancement of rotating machines. In recent decades, the shock pulse method (SPM) has been developed to detect faults in the early stage of REBs degradation. In this paper, the measurement results of some REBs accelerated life tests have been reported. Then, using extracted features from vibration and SPM, early fault detection in these experiments has been investigated. To analyze vibration signals, the trend of Vrms (root mean squares of vibration signals) is used for detecting fault existence. In addition, REBs characteristic frequencies and envelope technique is employed for predicting fault type. On the other hand, the trend of SPMHDm feature is also studied for early stage fault existence in REBs. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) of SPM time signals have been employed for diagnostics aim. The presented results show that usually fault existence and fault type could successfully be detected earlier in extracted features from SPM rather than those extracted from vibration signals. However, in some cases, both techniques have detected faults at the same time. The observed failure modes at the end of all experiments are in an excellent agreement with predicted fault types.
Ключови думи: лидерство, дигитално лидерство, дигитализация, дигитален мениджмънт LEADERSHIP AND DIGITALIZATION: CONTEMPORARY APPROACHES TOWARDS LEADING IN THE MODERN DAY WORKPLACE

The objectives of this research article are to shed light on the recent developments in management in a digital environment as well as the related challenges and opportunities in this matter. Thus, transformational leadership as the basis for the current change processes will be described. Afterwards a theoretical review of the current developments towards an entirely new digital leadership approach will be conducted by reviewing the current state of research on this topic. These theoretical key findings will then finally result in an overview of the success factors and needed characteristics of today’s digital leaders.
Effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of sulphadimidine in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats following a single intramuscular administration

Due to the low cost and effectiveness of sulphadimidine against a wide variety of animal diseases, it is still being widely used in veterinary medicine. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of age on the pharmacokinetics of sulphadimidine in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats following intramuscular route of administration. Eight (8) WAD goats separated into two groups of four animals consisting of two males and two female goats each were used. Sulphadimdine sodium was administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The goats in group one (3 months of age) and goats in group two (2 years old) were administered the drug on the right gluteal muscle. The pharmacokinetic parameters in the 3 months old WAD goats such as the maximum concentration (Cmax) (88.52±6.07), elimination half life (T1/2β) (3.79±0.29 h), volume of distribution (Vd) (4.55±0.46 L/kg), total body clearance (Cl) (0.77±0.09 L/kg/h) and mean residence time (MRT) (4.57±0.48 h), were significantly (p
Phenolic Compounds as Stress Markers in the Fern Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.F.) Underw.: A Search

Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.F.) Underw. is a desiccation-tolerant forked fern that can tolerate drought. To unravel this feature, the present study was unde rtak n to assess the role of phenolic compounds, its fractionation in the frond in successive periods of desiccation and its localization in the frond cells after enforced desiccation using PEG treatment. Phenolic distribution at the subcellular level was studied usin g gold particle-conjucated laccase. Cells from different ti ssues were observed under transmission electron microscop e (TEM). The content of phenolic compounds showed positive correlation with desiccation and subsequen t rehydration when compared with the control. Remarkable level of phenolic compound deposits was seen in the tissues corroborating with the quantita tive data. Fractionation of phenols by RP-HPLC reveals the waxing and waning pattern of phenolic acid such as ferulic acid, hydroxy benzoic acid phloroglucinol a nd others in the tissue during the different regimes o f desiccation. Phenolics were noticed in the vacuoles f all cells and also along the cell walls. The results su ggest the caliber of the fern to withstand desiccation tolera nce by accumulating phenolics. The in situ location of phenolics further reveals the protective chemical defense of the compound against environmental constraints. Further studies are warranted to analyze the antioxidant en zymes and compounds in the fern in relation to desiccatio n. Citation: Kavitha C.H. , Murugan K*. , 2016. Phenolic Compounds as Stress Markers in the Fern Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.F.) Underw. : A Search. The Journal of Phytochemistry. P hoton 117, 378-385 All Rights Reserved with Photon. Photon Ignitor: ISJN41728352D835315082016
The epidemic of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: An overview

According to the World Health Organization, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTmC) is a papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) measuring 10 mm or less in size. There has been a recent worldwide increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer, largely attributed to an increase in the incidence of PTC and more precisely to an increase in the incidence of PTmC. The management of PTmC continues to be an area of controversy and has resulted in wide differences in recommended management, ranging from observation to an aggressive approach with total thyroidectomy, central lymph node dissection and radioiodine ablation therapy. The aim of this review is to present some of the recently published studies discussing the clinical aspects of this disease (PTmC).
LECTURE NOTES ON ADDITIVE COMBINATORICS

These are the lecture notes for the course Topics in additive combinatorics and incidence geometry, given at the University of Helsinki in the Autumn semester of 2015. The material is harvested and brought together from various origins, see the list of references. The students of the course were asked to choose a topic, give a presentation on it, and supply notes in LTEX. These notes are, or will be, gathered in the appendices at the end of the document. As of 5/11/2015, Laura Venieri’s notes have been added. CONTENTS 1. Freiman’s theorem 2 1.1. The Cauchy-Davenport inequality 2 1.2. Freiman’s theorem in Z 2 2. Proof of Freiman’s theorem 3 2.1. Structure of the proof and Ruzsa calculus 3 2.2. Freiman homomorphisms and reduction to Zq 6 2.3. Fourier analysis on Zq 10 2.4. Lattice theory and the conclusion of the proof of Freiman’s theorem 13 3. The Balog-Szemerédi-Gowers lemma 16 3.1. Proof of the Balog-Szemerédi-Gowers lemma 17 4. Existence of arithmetic progressions in subsets of Z 22 4.1. Heuristics of the proof 22 4.2. Recapping Fourier analysis and basic definitions 22 4.3. Proof of Roth’s theorem on 3-term arithmetic progressions 23 5. Sum-product theory 28 5.1. Solymosi’s sum-product theorem 29 5.2. The Bourgain-Katz-Tao Sum-product theorem in prime fields 31 6. Incidence geometry 37 6.1. Tools from topology 37 6.2. The Szemerédi-Trotter theorem via polynomial cell decompositions 40 6.3. Finite field Kakeya and the Joints problem 44 6.4. A generalised Loomis-Whitney inequality 46 7. Possible topics for presentations 48 Appendix A. Guth’s "induction on scales" proof of the non-endpoint multilinear Kakeya inequality, by Laura Venieri 49 A.
Mehwish et al.: An inventory of traditional knowledge of wild plants of Watala National Park and allied villages from Bhimber District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

An ethnobotanical (EB) research was conducted on the wild plants of Watala National Park (WNP) and allied villages of Barnala, District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. EB data have been collected by questionnaire method employing structured and semi-structured interviews. A total of 79 interviewees (47 male, 32 female) having age 25-65 years were included in the EB study. 92 plant species of 37 families were studied and the obtained data were compiled in an inventory form consisting of ethnomedicinal (EM) use, parts used, mode of application and EB use. For validation of EM data of plants different microstatistical tools like frequency of citation (FC), relative frequencies of citation (RFC), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF) were used. Direct matrix ranking (DMR) and priority ranking (PR) were applied on EB data for quantitative analysis to find multiple use forms of plant(s) and calculate biotic threats for the plants. Study results depicted that FC ranged 59 to 11, RFC was 0.75 to 0.14 and UV was between 0.82 and 0.15. Leaves were the most frequently used (31%) part of plants and powder form (25%) was the most commonly used form. The highest FL was found for Senegalia modesta species (100%) and diseases such as fever, flu, headache, bronchitis and cough ranked first (0.94) in ICF analysis. DMR results showed that Senegalia modesta was the first regarding multifarious use. Fuel wood cutting and fire burning were top two threats for the flora of the area. Due to anthropogenic pressure and climatic dynamics plants of the area are under severe threats and there is urgent need to conserve the flora of WNP, District Bhimber for future generations and to introduce sustainable applications.