Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paediatric IBD: the host, diet & microbes in pathogenesis & treatment: a narrative review

The worldwide incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel diseases (pIBD) is increasing, especially in the Western world, but the pathophysiology of these diseases remains poorly understood. Genetic susceptibility, an aberrant immune response, alterations in the intestinal microbiome, and a patient’s environment, including diet, have been found to contribute to disease development. Diet is of particular interest as this modifiable factor provides a unique opportunity to amend the interaction between gut microbes, host metabolism, and immunity. Certain dietary factors, such as fibres, are fermented by gut microbes, resulting in key regulators of the host gut environment, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and other metabolites. Several SCFA-producing commensal bacteria, including Roseburia and Faecalibacteria, are reduced in pIBD, further illustrated by lower SCFA levels. SCFAs are thought to improve barrier integrity and regulate immune tolerance, two areas shown to be deficient in active pIBD. An altered hostmicrobe relationship, partly mediated by microbial metabolites (e.g., SCFAs), is evident and often varies with disease activity. Despite these insights into diet’s relationship with IBD pathogenesis, nutritional interventions remain underutilised and most current IBD therapies focus mainly on suppressing the immune system, exposing patients to potential risks and side effects. Novel and established nutritional therapies, capable of modifying these host-microbe relationships, are becoming increasingly available for clinical use. Here we provide an overview of the pathogenesis of pIBD and then discuss the evidence suggesting that modification of these host-microbe relationships via diet or other therapies is linked to therapy effectiveness in IBD, ultimately ameliorating gut inflammation and restoring intestinal homeostasis.
Foreign Exchange Intervention Rule for Central Banks: A Risk-Based Framework, WP/21/32, February 2021

This paper presents a rule for foreign exchange interventions (FXI), designed to preserve financial stability in floating exchange rate arrangements. The FXI rule addresses a market failure: the absence of hedging solution for tail exchange rate risk in the market (i.e. high volatility). Market impairment or overshoot of exchange rate between two equilibria could generate high volatility and threaten financial stability due to unhedged exposure to exchange rate risk in the economy. The rule uses the concept of Value at Risk (VaR) to define FXI triggers. While it provides to the market a hedge against tail risk, the rule allows the exchange rate to smoothly adjust to new equilibria. In addition, the rule is budget neutral over the medium term, encourages a prudent risk management in the market, and is more resilient to speculative attacks than other rules, such as fixed-volatility rules. The empirical methodology is backtested on Banco Mexico’s FXIs data between 2008 and 2016. JEL Classification Numbers: E58, F31, G17
An Online Questionnaire Investigating Children ’s Postures and Usage of Personal Electronic Devices

There has been a rapid development of computer technology which has seen a large increase in adults using personal electronic devices (PEDs) including laptops, tablets, mobile phones and desktops both for work and in their personal lives. In a similar vein, children have also increased their use of technology. Despite this, to date, there has been little research exploring children's self-reported postures whilst using their PEDs. The aim of this study was to use an online questionnaire to explore the ergonomic positions adopted by children aged 7-17 when using PEDs. Participants were recruited via social media, schools and posters. N=413 were included in the final analysis. The results indicate that children are using more portable handheld devices, smartphones and tablets compared with static devices, such as desktop computers and laptops. Over 80% of the participants reported using their PEDs for homework. The most commonly adopted position when using a PED was sitting on the sofa. The results show that children are reporting adopting less or non-ergonomic positions when using PEDs, using them for long periods, and not taking regular breaks. These findings raise questions around the relationship between device usage and posture as well as how to support children’s safe use of devices at home.
Isolation and identification of lignin-degrading bacteria with laccase activity from the gut of the leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

Gut bacterial symbionts have an essential role in the nutrition and fitness of xylophagous insects. These bacteria produce several enzymes like cellulase and laccase which are important in industrial applications. In this study, laccase-producing bacteria were isolated and identified from the gut of the wood borer leopard moth. Four novel laccase positive strains were isolated using guaiacol-containing agar plates. Among the strains of dc4f, le2f, lc2, and lb8, the strain le2f displayed high laccase activity of 0.059 U ml toward syringaldazine as a typical laccase substrate. The isolates were identified based on biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses. Nucleotide BLAST analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequence exhibited that the strains of dc4f, lb8, lc2, and le2f, had the most similarity (with more than 98% identity) with Enterobacter sp. strain W-6 16S (ACCN: MK505390), Serratia liquefaciens strain N112 (ACCN: MK629784), Brevibacterium sp. strain 773 (ACCN: MH777897) and Staphylococcus sciuri strain KSI 708 (ACCN: KC113150), respectively. Overall, the current study is the first research on alkaliphilic bacterial strains from the gut of leopard moth with laccase activity.
Arbutin attenuates nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin

Objective: In this study, the impact of arbutin was examined in a gentamicin (GM)-induced nephrotoxicity model. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups including control group; GM group, and three groups of GM+arbutin (25, 50 and 75 mg/kg). One day after the last injection of GM, creatinine, urea, carbonyl, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARs), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 8-hydroxyguanosine levels were assessed in serum samples. Left and right kidneys were used for biochemical assays and histological evaluation, respectively. Results: Our data showed that the FRAP level (p<0.05), urea (p<0.001), creatinine (p<0.001), and 8-hydroxyguanosine (p<0.001) levels of serum samples, were increased in GM-treated rats compared to the controls. The serum levels of TBARS (p<0.001) and carbonyl increased in serum and renal tissue (p<0.001) of GM-treated animals. Conversely, arbutin attenuated serum creatinine, urea and 8-hydroxyguanosine, and TBARS (p<0.001). Administration of arbutin significantly decreased carbonyl levels in serum and renal tissue samples (p<0.001). Furthermore, the levels of FRAP increased in the serum (p<0.01) and renal tissue samples (p<0.001) of arbutin-treated animals. Histological staining showed that arbutin significantly inhibits kidney damages. Conclusion: Our data suggest that arbutin attenuates GM-induced nephrotoxicity through its free radicals-scavenging activity.
The Study of Generic Patterns of Mission and Vision Statements of the Universities

Due to the significance of mission and vision statements (MS and VS) in academia across the world, this study aims at analysing generic patterns of MS and VS of universities from four different countries: two belonging to the native users of English language (UK and US) and the other two from non-native contexts (Pakistan and India). The purpose of the study is to investigate the rhetorical patterns in vision and mission statements to uncover structures used to establish universities’ global outreach and competitiveness in research and teaching. The data was collected from university websites and analysed through genre-based approach of Move Analysis introduced by Swales (2004) and applied on promotional genres by Bhatia (2004). The overall rhetorical structures of vision and Mission statements comprised of three moves with each move realized through further steps. The findings revealed that text of MS and VS provides the information about the university with an intended purpose of attracting the students by declaring the values, aims, obligations and strategic plans alongside establishing the aspects of global outreach and status in education and research as well as enriching the society and facilitating the individuals with the provision of best resources.
Men as Allies Against Sexism: The Positive Effects of a Suggestion of Sexism by Male (vs. Female) Sources

Sexism is often expressed in subtle and ambiguous ways, causing targets to doubt their own capabilities or to show stereotypeconfirming behavior. This research examines whether the self-confidence and stereotype (dis-)confirming behavior of targets of sexism can be bolstered when other male versus female sources suggest that sexism may have played a role. Both Study 1 (N = 78) and Study 2 (N = 90) show that a suggestion of sexism has more beneficial effects when it is made by male sources than when it is made by female sources. When males suggested that sexism had taken place, targets reported more self-confidence (less self-handicapping and higher personal performance state self-esteem) and showed less stereotype confirmation (less self-stereotyping and better task performance) than when sexism was suggested by a female source. Study 2 additionally revealed that targets are more likely to file a complaint when men suggest that sexism took place than when this same suggestion was made by women. These results indicate that men can constitute important allies against sexism if they speak out when sexist treatment takes place.
Assessment of the Fertility Pattern of Women in North Western Nigeria

Fertility behavior is conditioned by both biological and social factors. Knowledge of fertility pattern gives insight into drivers of human fertility. The paper investigated the birth pattern of women in Kebbi State, North Western Nigeria. A total of 2,256 questionnaires were distributed to the women of child bearing age using simple random sampling across five local government areas. The aim of the study was to analyze the pattern of fertility among age group of women of childbearing age and the effects of some exogenous variables on the fertility of women in the state. Poisson regression was applied for the positive count value recorded. The results from the analysis revealed that experience of birth or history of birth, financial reliant, obesity, individual age are highly significant to the study and have direct impact on fertility. Despite our ability to breed continuously, all human populations exhibit variation in reproduction.
Correlation between ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in diagnosis of Ovarian Tumors

ABSTRAC. Background and objective: To discuss the value of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of female patients with ovarian tumors. Methods: This study was performed on 250 patients at University hospital and the National Cancer Institute who were referred to radiodiagnosis department from the Obstetric and Gynecology department during the period from March 2017 to March 2018. All patients were subjected to pathology assessment, transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) and MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (MRI-DWI). Results: The study group of 250 patients had a mean age of 38.85 ± 17.1 years. Lesions were classified according to histo-pathological analysis into benign (120 lesions, 48%) and malignant (130 lesions, 52%). Using US with Doppler, 105 cases were judged benign, and 145 cases were judged malignant. The sensitivity of the US with doppler examination the sensitivity was 81.51%, with 93.9% specificity, The positive predictive value (PPV) was 91%, and the NPV was 86%. MRI analysis indicated that the mean dimension of benign tumors was 7.6 ± 1.3 cm, while the mean dimension of malignant tumors was 12.3 ± 2.4 cm (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of MRI was 96.43%, specificity was 95.83%, PPV. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were 1.85 ± 0.58 for benign tumors and 0.84 ± 0.16 for malignant tumors. MRI-DWI showed 100% sensitivity, 93% specificity, 95.5% PPV, and 98% NPV. Conclusion: MRI-DWI are promising techniques for the evaluation and characterization of ovarian cancer.
Mathematical Literacy from the Perspective of Solving Contextual Problems

The article deals with mathematical literacy in relation to mathematical knowledge and mathematical problems, and presents the Slovenian project NA-MA POTI, which aims to develop mathematical literacy at the national level, from kindergarten to secondary education. All of the topics treated represent starting points for our research, in which we were interested in how sixth-grade primary school students solve non-contextual and contextual problems involving the same mathematical content (in the contextual problems this content still needs to be recognised, whereas in the non-contextual problems it is obvious). The main guideline in the research was to discover the relationship between mathematical knowledge, which is the starting point for solving problems from mathematical literacy (contextual problems), and mathematical literacy. The empirical study was based on the descriptive, causal and non-experimental methods of pedagogical research. We used both quantitative and qualitative research based on the grounded theory method to process the data gathered from how the participants solved the problems. The results were quantitatively analysed in order to compare the success at solving problems from different perspectives. Analysis of the students’ success in solving the contextual and non-contextual tasks, as well as the strategies used, showed that the relationship between mathematical knowledge and mathematical literacy is complex: in most cases, students solve non-contextual tasks more successfully; in solvingcontextual tasks, students can use completely different strategies from those used in solving non-contextual tasks; and students who recognise the mathematical content in contextual tasks and apply mathematical knowledge and procedures are more successfulin solving such tasks. Our research opens up new issues that need to be considered when developing mathematical literacy competencies: which contexts to choose, how to empower students to identify mathematical content in contextual problems, and how to systematically ensure –including through projects such as NA-MA POTI –that changes to the mathematics curriculum are introduced thoughtfully, with regard to which appropriate teacher training is crucial.
An Uncertainty Quantification Framework for Autonomous System Tracking and Health Monitoring

This work proposes a perspective towards establishing a framework for uncertainty quantification of autonomous system tracking and health monitoring. The approach leverages the use of a predictive process structure, which maps uncertainty sources and their interaction according to the quantity of interest and the goal of the predictive estimation. It is systematic and uses basic elements that are system agnostic, and therefore needs to be tailored according to the specificity of the application. This work is motivated by the interest in low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle operations, where awareness of vehicle and airspace state becomes more relevant as the density of autonomous operations grows rapidly. Predicted scenarios in the area of small vehicle operations and urban air mobility have no precedent, and holistic frameworks to perform prognostics and health management (PHM) at the systemand airspace-level are missing formal approaches to account for uncertainty. At the end of the paper, two case studies demonstrate implementation framework of trajectory tracking and health diagnosis for a small unmanned aerial vehicle.
THE EFFECT OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF "MASHUA" TROPAEOLUM TUBEROSUM " ON SPERM QUALITY AND ITS IMPLICATION IN PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT. PRE-CLINICAL TEST

1 Laboratorio de Reproducción y Biología del Desarrollo. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima-Perú. 2 Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular. Universidad Científica del Sur, Panamericana Sur Km 19, Lima 42-Perú. a Biologist. b Mg. c Phd. Cite as: José Gonzales-Daga, Rafael Alvis-Dávila, José Luis Rafael Pino-Gaviño, Roger Iziga-Goicochea. The effect of the aqueous extract of "Mashua" tropaeolum tuberosum" on sperm quality and its implication in preimplantation embryonic development. Pre-clinical test. Rev. Fac. Med. Hum. October 2020; 20(4):662-669. DOI 10.25176/RFMH.v20i4. 3187 ABSTRACT Introduction: The "mashua,” Tropaeolum tuberosum, is a plant species native to Peru. Investigations carried out have verified its effects on the fertility of mammals. Objective: To evaluate the biological action of the aqueous solution of T. tuberosum in the development of preimplantation embryos of Mus musculus and the reproductive capacity of male Mus musculus. Methods: Pre-clinical experimental study of cases and controls. The sample consisted of 32 mice. The case group made up 24 mice grouped in three groups, each one of 8 mice, to which aqueous extract was administered ad libitum, in a concentration of 50 g / Kg of body weight during 8, 16 and 35 days respectively, the control group integrated it 8 mice, who received only tap water. Each group of males was crossed with females of fertile age, the presence of a vaginal plug indicated day 0 of embryonic development. At 72 hours, the uterine horns and oviducts were perfused, and the degree of development, condition and preimplantation embryonic morphology of Mus musculus were evaluated until reaching the blastocyst stage. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the case and control groups. Our results demonstrate that the administration of aqueous T. tuberosum to male mice alters the mouse’s reproductive quality, affecting the embryo’s ability to develop naturally until the blastocyst stage. Conclusion: The aqueous Tropaeolum tuberosum (mashua) extract affects preimplantation embryonic development and reproductive capacity in male Mus musculus.
Are hurricanes extraordinary? Determinants of reporting nonrecurring items in the government setting

We explore determinants and implications of reporting nonrecurring gains and losses – that is, extraordinary and special items – in the governmental setting. Common events triggering nonrecurring items include natural disasters, legal settlements, and asset sales. Primary results suggest that reporting choices are at least partially driven by managerial discretion. Evidence exploring implications of reporting nonrecurring items indicate they are used to reduce both surpluses and deficits. The results are stronger when state laws allow voters to directly place initiatives on the ballot or mandate balanced budgets, and preceding new public bond issuances. Corroborating analysis finds that nonrecurring items are strategically reported surrounding an exogenous shock of a presidentially declared disaster. Overall, we conclude that local governments strategically report extraordinary and special items.
Cancer Incidence Among Police Officers in a U.S. Northeast Region: 1976–2006

Police officers are exposed to occupational hazards which may put them at increased risk of cancer. We examined the incidence of cancer in a cohort of 2,234 white-male police officers in Buffalo, New York. The study population was followed for 31 years (1976–2006). The incidence of cancer, ascertained using a population-based tumor registry, was compared with 9 US regions using the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program data. Four hundred and six officers (18.2%) developed cancer between 1976 and 2006. The risk of overall cancer among police officers was found to be similar to the general white-male population (Standardized Incidence Ratio [SIR] = 0.94, 95%, Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.85–1.03). An elevated risk of Hodgkin ‘s lymphoma was observed relative to the general population (SIR = 3.34, 95%, CI= 1.22–7.26). The risk of brain cancer, although only slightly elevated relative to the general population (SIR = 1.61, 95%, CI = 0.73–3.05), was significantly increased with 30 years or more of service (SIR = 2.92, 95%, CI = 1.07–6.36). Incidence ratios were significantly lower than expected for skin and bladder cancer. Police officers were at increased risk of Hodgkin’s lymphoma overall and of brain cancer after 30 years of service. Correspondence to: Ja K. Gu, jgu@cdc.gov. HHS Public Access Author manuscript Int J Emerg Ment Health. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2015 December 16. Published in final edited form as: Int J Emerg Ment Health. 2011 ; 13(4): 279–289. A uhor M anscript
DMD #18382 THE INFLUENCE OF CYP3A5 EXPRESSION ON THE EXTENT OF HEPATIC CYP3A INHIBITION IS SUBSTRATE-DEPENDENT: AN IN VITRO-IN VIVO EVALUATION

Departments of Pharmaceutics (N.I., K.I., K.E.T.) and Pharmacy (D.K.B.), School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy (S.R.L., R.L.H., M.F.P.), General Clinical Research Center (R.C.G., S.N.P., P.B.W.), and Department of Medicine (E.C.D., P.B.W.), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN (J.K.L., E.G.S.). DMD Fast Forward. Published on October 22, 2007 as doi:10.1124/dmd.107. 018382
RAAE_1_2019, Regular Article, Alhassan_et_al

This study used multinomial logit regression to determine the factors that influence farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability of farmers in Savelugu-Nanton district, Northern region of Ghana. A simple random sampling was used to select 180 farmers. The data was analysed using a Multinomial logit regression model. From the results, the level of climate change and variability awareness was high and the adaptation strategies identified were mixed cropping, change crop varieties, changing planting time/date, soil conservation techniques, increased irrigation, increased female livestock herd, and seasonal migration. Farmers confirmed empirically observations that climate change would lead to a reduction in crop production. Also, gender, age, education, household size, farming experience, access to extension, access to credit, access to mobile phone and perceived decreased rainfall influenced farmers’ choices of a particular adaptation strategy. The findings support and justified calls for education of farmers on climate change and variability.
A numerical study of reversible plasticity using continuum dislocation mechanics

In this contribution, an elasto-viscoplastic fast Fourier transform-based (EVPFFT) numerical implementation of the Mesoscale Field Dislocation Mechanics (MFDM) formulation, called MFDM-EVPFFT, is applied to study the reversible plastic behavior of periodic two-phase crystalline composites with an elastoviscoplastic plastic matrix and a purely elastic second phase. Periodic laminate microstructures of this kind with different periods (i.e. sizes) are considered to examine the size dependence of the Bauschinger effect and hardening during cyclic loading. Comparisons with classic composite effects obtained with conventional crystal plasticity are discussed. Specifically, the MFDM-EVPFFT results shed light on the hardening mechanisms due to piling-up/unpiling-up of geometrically-necessary dislocations (GND) during reverse loading.