Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Psychological Distress Among Adolescents in Sierra Leone in 2017

: Adolescent mental health problems are a public health challenge around the world and particularly in a country like Sierra Leone that has experienced war and the Ebola virus epidemic. Adolescents may suffer from psychological distress with school and family determinants. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among school-going adolescent in Sierra Leone. This involved the secondary analysis of the data from the Sierra Leone, 2017 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). The dependent variable was “psychological distress,” which was assessed using two questions: 1) “In the past 12 months, how often have you worried about something to the point of not being able to sleep at night? ” and 2) “In the past 12 months, how often have you felt lonely? ” A weighted analysis of the data was performed using the software STATA version 12.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, United States). One in two adolescents surveyed was male (51.53%). The average age of these school-going adolescents was 15.32±1.73 years. The average age of the boys was 15.37±1.74 years and that of girls was 15.15±1.66 years. The prevalence of psychological distress in this population was 26.81% CI95%=[24.91 - 28.70]. The boys seemed to suffer more of psychological distress than the girls (28.95% CI95%=[26.12 - 31.78] vs 24.54% CI95%=[22.05 - 27.01]). The factors associated with psychological distress among school-going adolescents were bullying, lack of respect for their privacy, alcohol and/or cannabis use, multiple sexual partnerships and sedentary lifestyle. The psychological distress among adolescents in Sierra Leone is real. Knowing the risk factors for psychological distress in adolescents will improve its prevention and promote the mental health of these future adults.
Using Robust Standard Errors for the Analysis of Binary Outcomes with a Small Number of Clusters

Abstract Binary outcomes are often analyzed in cluster randomized trials (CRTs) using logistic regression and cluster robust standard errors (CRSEs) are routinely used to account for the dependent nature of nested data in such models. However, CRSEs can be problematic when the number of clusters is low (e.g., < 50) and, with CRTs, a low number of clusters is quite common. We investigate the use of the CR2 CRSE and an empirical degrees of freedom adjustment (dofBM) proposed by Bell and McCaffrey with a simulation using binary outcomes and illustrate its use with an applied example. Findings show that the CR2 (w/dofBM) standard errors are relatively unbiased with coverage and power rates for group-level predictors that are comparable to that of a multilevel logistic regression model and can be used even with as few as 10 clusters. To promote its use, a free graphical SPSS extension is provided that can fit logistic (and linear) regression models with a variety of CRSEs and dof adjustments.
Manager, coach and sports club participant perceptions of health promotion

Objectives: Sports clubs’ investment in health promotion (HP) has so far been limited, and efforts to understand where gaps exist in implementation are few and far between. This mixed-method study analysed managers’, coaches’ and sports participants’ perceptions of HP in a single sports club. Design: A mixed-method cross sectional design was used. Setting: The goal was to assess HP perceptions at the macro (club), meso (managers) and micro (coaches) levels with respect to four key health determinants. Method: Quantitative data were collected from 237 participants using e-PROSCeSS questionnaires. Qualitative data collection included two meetings with managers and a focus group with sports club participants. Data analysis took place by means of a hybrid thematic analysis informed by the health promoting sports club (HPSC) model. Results: Similar answer patterns among managers, coaches and sports club participants illustrated that social and environmental determinants scored higher than organisational and economic determinants, which was consistent with qualitative findings. Only one significant difference was found between managers and sports club participants – for organisational determinants at the macro level. In others words, all club actors agreed that sports clubs needed to invest in HP policy and funding, and not only acknowledge that HP is an integral outcome of sports participation. Gender differences in HP perceptions were identified, while being a volunteer compared to a non-volunteer did not make any significant difference. Conclusion: Study findings raise questions about how best to implement and evaluate sports club HP, especially in relation to policies and resources. This is essential to understand the interactions between macro, meso and micro level health determinants and the temporal implications of implementing a HPSC’s approach.
Organizational Climate and Turnover Intention of Employees in Private Security Firms in Port Harcourt

This research work examined the relationship between Organizational Climate and turnover intention in the private security firms in Port Harcourt. Eight firms were selected for this study and the systematic sampling was adopted. The cross sectional survey, which is a type of the quasi experimental design was used. The population of 248 workers in the eight selected private security firms was covered. Sample size was derived which gave a total of 153. However, only 150 questionnaires were recovered and used. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient statistical techniques was utilized for the bivariate analysis, while the partial correlation was utilized for the multi variate analysis. The outcomes portrayed a substantial negative relationship amongst the dimensions of organizational climate (reward, autonomy and recognition/encouragement) and intention to quit in the private security firms in Port Harcourt. The enquiry concluded that a favourable climate reduces intention to quit. Hence, it was recommended that the private security firms should ensure a reduction of mechanistic structure which is characterized by high degrees of formalization and centralization so that their workers can enjoy a degree of autonomy and at such reduce the possibility or tendency of leaving the firm.
Classification of Pneumonia Using Deep Convolutional Neural Network

: Pneumonia is considered a serious and fatal disease worldwide. In fact, pneumonia can be an individual's life-endangering if not treated promptly by drugs. Therefore, the early detection of pneumonia enhances the chances of recovery, which helps reduce mortality. It is worth noting that X-rays are one of the most important diagnostic tools for diagnosing pneumonia. In fact, Chest X-ray is widely used in the diagnosis of many lung diseases (such as: Breast Cancer, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, etc.), due to lower diagnostic costs. Indeed, the diagnoses can be subjective for many reasons for example the appearance of disease which can be unclear in chest X-ray images or can be confused with other diseases. Hence, for enhancing the level of diagnosis to guide clinicians, computer-aided diagnosis systems will be needed. In this paper, we put forward to develop a structure to classify pneumonia from chest X-ray images using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and residual network architecture. Clearly, to determine if a person is infected with pneumonia or not, we used two well-known CNN pre-trained models (ResNet50 and ResNet101), with multi-class Support Vector Machine (SVM) to classify and transfer learning from the pre-trained CNN models to extract and classify features. Thus, the proposed framework takes an X-ray image size of 224 x 224 pixels as an input and gives the final prediction Normal or Pneumonia. The experimental results showed that the classification models proved to be effective, with an accuracy range of 97% to 98.3%. More precisely, the image extraction features using Resnet50 + SVM and Transfer Learning + Resnet50 methods achieve the highest performance of Accuracy of 98.3% and 97.8%, respectively.
Survival Rates and Factors Affecting the Outcome Following Immediate and Delayed Implant Placement: A Retrospective Study

Background: Immediate implant placement into extraction sockets has become a widely acceptable treatment option to decrease treatment time and enhance esthetics. The objectives of this study were to assess and compare the survival rates of immediate and delayed implant treatment as well as to investigate the effect of patient- and site-related variables on the treatment outcome in a large-scale population-based study. Methods: Dental records of patients who received implant therapy were retrieved from the electronic records of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Demographic characteristics, dental insurance status, socioeconomic status as well as medical history and tobacco use were recorded. The treatment outcome was included as a binary variable (survival/failure). Time to failure (date of procedure to date of visit with failure) was compared between immediate and delayed implant treatment in Cox regression models. Kaplan–Meier plots for the survival of both treatment modalities were created. Patient-sites without failure were censored at the last follow-up visit. Results: A total of 4519 records of implants were included. The sample mean age was 60.27 years and included 50.7% males and 12.9% tobacco users. High socioeconomic status was characterized for 82.3% of the included population and 63.0% of them were self-payers. Immediate implants were significantly more frequently placed in the maxillary arch (p < 0.001) than in the mandible. Tobacco users received more often a delayed rather than an immediate implant placement (p = 0.001). The survival rate analysis revealed there were no significant differences between immediate and delayed implant placements (p = 0.48). The mean follow-up time was 32.27 months during which 1.5% immediate and 1.1% delayed implants were removed. The estimated mean survival time for immediate implants was 68.90 months, while delayed implants placed in healed sockets showed a mean survival time of 75.11 months. A statistically significant association was found between gender (p = 0.03) and osteoporosis (p = 0.001) with treatment outcome. Conclusions: The placement of immediate implants achieved similarly high survival rates when compared to delayed implants placed in healed sites. Males and osteoporotic individuals showed significantly higher implant failure than females and non-osteoporotic patients. This study demonstrated that both immediate and delayed implant placements are sound options with predictable treatment outcome.
Histological Findings in Kidney Biopsies of Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy—Always a Surprise

Background: The simultaneous occurrence of impaired kidney function and paraproteinemia is common in our constantly aging society. Both can be independent entities; however, renal insufficiency can also be caused by the paraprotein. We assessed all kidney biopsies in patients with monoclonal gammopathy in our clinic over the past 20 years and evaluated the histological results. Methods: Biopsies were systematically performed in nearly all patients with paraproteinemia and impaired kidney function (n = 178). The histological findings were systematically evaluated and correlated with the initial clinical diagnosis. Results: We found cast nephropathy (CN) in n = 66 (37.1%) biopsies, AL amyloidosis in n = 31 (17.4%) biopsies, monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) in n = 7 (3.9%) biopsies and other renal diseases (ORDs) in n = 74 (41.6%) biopsies. In the latter group, paraprotein-associated changes were found in 37 of 74 (50%) patients, whereas paraprotein-independent changes were found in the other half. Whereas, in the group of patients with MGUS, the findings were heterogenous, most of the patients with known multiple myeloma (MM) or B-NHL showed malignancy-associated changes in the kidney. The biopsy changed the diagnoses in a significant proportion of the patients: The group of patients with MM grew from 71 to 112 patients, whereas, in the MGUS group, only 31 of 44 patients remained. Conclusion: Kidney biopsies in patients with paraproteinemia and renal impairment show a wide range of findings that can lead to a change in diagnosis.
Susceptibility of Life Stages of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to Microwave Radiation

Physical methods of stored grain pest management such as microwave radiation can be utilized as a preventive and curative method of pest control. The susceptibility of various lifestages of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) to microwave radiation was studied by irradiating infested wheat flour at 3 cm flour bed thickness. All the life stages of T. castaneum were irradiated at five different power levels viz., 136 W, 264 W, 440 W, 616 W and 800 W for 20 s. Eggs were more susceptible to microwave irradiation, whereas the susceptibility of grubs, pupae and adults were comparable. Mortality of all the life stages of T. castaneum increased with the increase in microwave irradiation power. Mortality of egg, grubs, pupae and adults were highest at an irradiation dose of 800 W i.e., 100, 96, 80 and 80%, respectively. Standardization of power, depth of flour bed thickness and duration of irradiation will enable the utilization of household microwave oven for the disinfestation of food grains.
Locally Injected Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves Cutaneous Wound Healing in Cats

Simple Summary Wound healing in cats is a complex process that can be accomplished by first or second intention. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a product from patients’ own blood that has been found to promote wound healing in both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of PRP infiltration in open wounds in cats. It was found that experimentally created wounds infiltrated with PRP showed a more rapid total wound healing and a better perfusion, supporting the use of PRP in open wounds in laboratory cats. In conclusion, PRP is considered a cost-effective and simple method to accelerate open-wound healing in cats. Abstract Cutaneous defects in cats are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and healing can be accomplished by first or second intention. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is characterized by a plasma concentration containing a large number of platelets in a small volume of plasma. The objective of the present study was to record the efficacy of PRP infiltration in open wounds in laboratory cats. Six wounds were created in the dorsal midline of eight laboratory cats, with the wounds of one side designated as the PRP group and the wounds of the other side as the control group. Wound healing was evaluated by daily clinical examination, planimetry, laser Doppler flowmetry, and histologic examination on days 0, 7, 14, and 25, and by measurement of metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 on days 0, 14, and 25. Based on the results of the present study, the mean time for full coverage with granulation tissue was shorter in the PRP group, the mean contraction and total wound healing percentage were increased compared to the control group, and finally, the perfusion measured with laser Doppler flowmetry was higher in the PRP group during all examination days. In conclusion, this is the first study focusing on the topical application of PRP in the treatment of open wounds in laboratory cats, and our results are encouraging—showing a more rapid healing in the PRP group.
mTOR Complex 1 Content and Regulation Is Adapted to Animal Longevity

Decreased content and activity of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway, as well as the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) itself, are key traits for animal species and human longevity. Since mTORC1 acts as a master regulator of intracellular metabolism, it is responsible, at least in part, for the longevous phenotype. Conversely, increased content and activity of mTOR signalling and mTORC1 are hallmarks of ageing. Additionally, constitutive and aberrant activity of mTORC1 is also found in age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cancer. The downstream processes regulated through this network are diverse, and depend upon nutrient availability. Hence, multiple nutritional strategies capable of regulating mTORC1 activity and, consequently, delaying the ageing process and the development of age-related diseases, are under continuous study. Among these, the restriction of calories is still the most studied and robust intervention capable of downregulating mTOR signalling and feasible for application in the human population.
Intelligent Remote Photoplethysmography-Based Methods for Heart Rate Estimation from Face Videos: A Survey

Over the last few years, a rich amount of research has been conducted on remote vital sign monitoring of the human body. Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) is a camera-based, unobtrusive technology that allows continuous monitoring of changes in vital signs and thereby helps to diagnose and treat diseases earlier in an effective manner. Recent advances in computer vision and its extensive applications have led to rPPG being in high demand. This paper specifically presents a survey on different remote photoplethysmography methods and investigates all facets of heart rate analysis. We explore the investigation of the challenges of the video-based rPPG method and extend it to the recent advancements in the literature. We discuss the gap within the literature and suggestions for future directions.
Characteristic of Clorox Poisoning before and during COVID-19 Pandemic, Saudi Arabia, 2019-2020.

Purpose: Poisoning is one of the leading causes of morbidities and mortalities worldwide. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, there was a dramatic increase in the use of detergents and disinfectants, both in health care and domestic settings. As Clorox is the most used for these purposes; it was expected that there would be changes in the characteristics of Clorox poisoning. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate characteristics of Clorox poisoning in Saudi Arabia during Covid-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Methodology: Through a record-based study; all Clorox poisoning cases reported to the ministry of health in 2019 (n=267) representing pre-pandemic and 2020 (n=198) representing during the pandemic periods were collected. The data were retrieved from the electronic database, and it was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Categorical variables are represented as frequency distribution. Finding: There was a decrease in the total number of reported Clorox poisoning cases from 267 pre-pandemic to 198 cases during the pandemic. Females were slightly more than males (55.7% vs 44.3%), and most of the cases were in the age groups (1-5 years) and (20-39 years) (27.3%). The overwhelming majority of the cases occurred at home) (96.3%), with a higher percentage during the pandemic than pre-pandemic (98.0% vs 95.1%), and few minorities occurred intentionally (9.3%). Most of the cases arrived the hospital in stable conditions, with few cases (17.0%) needed antidotes. The great majority of the cases recovered before discharge. The overall incidence of Clorox poisoning reached to 0.57/100,000 population during the pandemic, compared to 0.78/100,000 in the pre-pandemic. Conclusion: There was a decline in incidence of Clorox poisoning during the pandemic; with a relative increase in home incidents, with nausea and vomiting as most common symptoms and all cases recovered. Recommendation: It is highly recommended to plan for a health education messages about safe store and using of detergents and disinfectants.
Amitriptyline: Useful for the prophylactic treatment of migraine?

Migraine is a type of headache described by recurrent attacks that may be accompanied by some symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, phonophobia, among other conditions. About 1 billion people in the world could come into existence. Some measurements are recognized for the treatment of use, as measurements are made appropriately with cost drugs. Amitriptyline has become a great alternative for the prophylactic treatment of migraine, its metabolization is extensively in the liver and its analgesic effect is linked to the ability to modulate mood or modulate the excitability of neurons that transmit pain signals from the dura mater. This study is an integrative literature review. A search key was created, and the search was performed in the Web of Science (WoS-all databases). A temporal search was carried out between the years 2018 to June 2022, without language restriction. Tools such as MapChart were used to create the worldwide distribution map based on the corresponding author. 100 articles were rescued from the Web of Science, of which only 20 were chosen to compose the final table, due to their high relevance and sensitivity in the investigated topic. Migraine prevention for patients is critical, as it can reduce stigma and enhance quality of life.
The Pulsed-DC Plasma Actuator: Characteristics and Stall Control in Axial Compressors and Fans

by Ryan C. McGowan A new means of powering dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators that utilizes a pulsed-DC waveform is proposed for preventing or delaying stall inception in axial compressors and fans. The plasma actuator arrangement, like most AC DBD designs, has two staggered electrodes that are separated by an insulating dielectric layer. However, instead of an AC voltage input to drive the actuator, the pulsed-DC DBD utilizes a DC voltage source. The DC source is supplied to both electrodes and remains constant in time for the exposed electrode, while a resistor limits the current to the covered electrode. A fast-acting solid-state switch periodically grounds the covered electrode for very short instants and then allows its voltage to rise to the source DC level. This process results in a larger peak induced velocity than that from a purely AC waveform such as a sine or sawtooth wave. Experiments to examine the relevant characteristics for optimizing the pulsed-DC plasma actuator, including frequency, voltage, dielectric material, and static pressure, are presented. A predictive model of stall margin extension (SME) in the Notre Dame Transonic Axial Compressor (ND-TAC) facility is also developed; a plasma-actuator-generated thrust of 300 mN/m is found to result in a 3.4% SME at design conditions. To validate the actuators’ ability to interact with and modify the formation of stall cells, a facility
Efficacy of coloured sticky traps against thrips in cotton

Colour sticky traps are used in several crops for monitoring and mass trapping. This study evaluated coloured sticky traps for mass trapping of thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) and Thrips palmi (Karny) in cotton. The attractiveness of six colours viz., blue, yellow, orange, green, red and white in traps was evaluated during 2018 to 2020. Number of thrips captured in differed coloured traps was significantly different, with the blue-coloured sticky trap attracting more thrips followed by yellow. These observations reveal that blue and yellow- coloured traps can be used for monitoring and mass trapping of thrips as a component of IPM programme in cotton.