Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parvoviruses in Blood Donors and Transplant Patients, Italy

1. Staats JJ, Feder I, Okwumabua O, Chengappa MM. Streptococcus suis: past and present. Vet Res Commun. 1997;21:381– 407. 2. Kopic J, Paradzik MT, Pandak N. Streptococcus suis infection as a cause of severe illness: 2 cases from Croatia. Scand J Infect Dis. 2002;34:683–4. 3. Arends JP, Zanen HC. Meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis in humans. Rev Infect Dis. 1988;10:131–7. 4. Dupas D, Vignon M, Geraut C. Streptococcus suis meningitis: a severe noncompensated occupational disease. J Occup Med. 1992;34:1102–5. 5. Willenburg KS, Sentochnik DE, Zakods RN. Human Streptococcus suis meningitis in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1325. 6. Vilaichone RK, Vilaichone W, Nunthapisud P, Wilde H. Streptococcus suis infection in Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai. 2002;85(Suppl 1):S109–17. 7. Tang J, Wang C, Feng Y, Yang W, Song H, Chen Z, et al. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome caused by Streptococcus suis serotype 2. PLoS Med. 2006;3:e151. 8. Vadeboncoeur N, Segura M, Al-Numani D, Vanier G, Gottschalk M. Pro-infl ammatory cytokine and chemokine release by human brain microvascular endothelial cells stimulated by Streptococcus suis serotype 2. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2003;35:49–58. 9. Kay R, Cheng AF, Tse CY. Streptococcus suis infection in Hong Kong. QJM. 1995;88:39–47. 10. de Gans J, van de Beek D. Dexamethasone in adults with bacterial meningitis. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:1549–56. Address for correspondence: Gregory T. Lee, Department of Radiology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Box 27, 1000 West Carson St, Torrance, CA 90509-2910, USA; email: gregtlee@gmail.com
Cultural Variations in Health Conceptions: A Qualitative Approach

This research studied health conceptions among three cultural groups — Anglophones, Francophones, and First Nations. A total of 60 participants were individually interviewed in an urban area of central Canada. Intriguing findings include the following: (a) health was defined both as an achievable end state and a continuous process towards better health, (b) the specific structures needed both in the process of becoming healthier and to achieve the state of health were clearly identified, and (c) apparent cultural differences were noted: Anglophones and Francophones defined health as a self-contained concept, whereas First Nations participants viewed health as transcending the self to include their family, their community, and the environment at large. One theoretical implication of these findings is that health can no longer be viewed as a static state; it is a constantly changing process to maintain and improve one's health. A practical implication is that it is imperative for health professionals to learn the differing conceptions of health of their culturally diverse patients to provide culturally sensitive care. For health policy makers, these findings highlight the need to develop culturally appropriate policies and programs that reflect the concerns of members of cultural minority groups.
Studies on wine production from coconut (Cocos nucifera)

Wine was produced at 1:4 (must: sugar) from coconut (Cocos nucifera) using natural yeast (Recipe A), natural yeast augmented with granulated sugar (Recipe B), natural yeast augmented with Baker’s yeast, granulated sugar (Recipe C), a control consisting of granulated sugar and Baker’s yeast (Recipe D). On fermentation for 120 h, pH values were 4.68±0.191, 4±0.029, 4.08±0.023, 3.65±0.058, temperature values (°C) were 28.75±0.61, 27.75±0.26, 28.25±0.43, 27.5±0.58, specific gravity values were 1.003±0.0006, 1.012±0.00171, 1.001±0.0006, 0.99±0.0023, optical density values were 0.6918±0.019, 0.715±0.017, 0.774±0.0023, 0.752±0.005, % alcohol (v/v) values were 1.359±0.002, 1.371±0.006, 1.357±0.007, 1.354±0.008,% titratable acidity values were 0.16±0.001, 0.809±0.044, 0.302±0.002, 0.382±0.015, Rf values were 4.7±0.017, 4.9±0.058, 4.25±0.052, 4.95±0.058 and total aerobic counts were 7.308±0.036, 7.183±0.067, 6.72±0.046, 7.175±0.014 for Recipes A to D respectively. Malo-lactic fermentation after 48h was evident. Taste testing showed very little differences in wines from Recipes A to C. Statistical analyses at 95% confidence level showed no significant differences in coconut wine produced with different recipes for the tested parameters. The wine from the control had similar taste and characteristics with natural palm wine. Coconut wine could thus be produced for immediate consumption within 48 h using the Recipes A - C. Key words: Coconut, flora, fermentation, sugar, wine, flavor, yeast.
Self-Efficacy in Freshman and Sophomore Nursing Students.

Healthcare disparities and inequities have been at the forefront of the health agenda thus supporting that minority healthcare is of poorer quality than that experienced by the majority population. Compounding this issue is the fact that our nation is growing more diverse. Only modest strides have been made to increase the diversity in the nursing workforce so patient care needs can be better met. Using a 99-item survey this study evaluates the relationship between personal factors community factors and the level of self-efficacy related to nursing as a career in pre-nursing minority students in higher education. The sample consisted of 88 African American and Caucasian freshman and sophomore students. No statistically significant differences were found between the two ethnic groups in nursing academic clinical self-efficacy or general self-efficacy. Differences were found between the ethnic groups in the kinds of social support needed by the students. These findings suggest that when minorities have relatively the same personal and community influencing factors as Caucasian students they achieve comparable levels of self-efficacy. These findings may suggest that other variables and perhaps other theories need to be examined.
The Aztec projects: providing assistive technology for people with dementia and their carers in Croydon

This paper describes the motivations, aims and outcomes of a multi-disciplinary project aimed at developing an assistive technology and telecare service that would support older people with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia in their own homes. The project has involved considerable partnership working and the establishment of a demonstration facility, the Aztec Centre, which has become an important resource for training staff and for introducing service users and their carers to the wide range of equipment that is now available. To date, the project has provided over 60 packages of technology support ranging from simple stand-alone devices to more complex combinations of equipment including telecare in 20 cases. The cost of the equipment, and its installation, varies from £20 up to about £1800 when there has been a need to manage risks associated with environmental factors such as water, gas and fire. A 24-hour formal response team, operated by Croydon Careline, has proved essential to support the care provided, in some cases by family members, or by other informal carers and neighbours. It has been found that with appropriately high levels of family support, assistive technology and telecare can help to maintain people with very low cognitive abilities in their own homes. It has confirmed that loss of short-term memory and other symptoms of dementia, need not, necessarily, determine a person’s capacity for independent living. A functional assessment, focusing on the individual’s residual skills, may be a better indicator of a person’s potential for technology support. Assistive technologies offer opportunities for people to continue to live safely in their own homes for extended periods of time. In all but one case, there have been significant cost savings produced through this approach and obvious Quality of Life benefits for service users and for their carers.
Association of Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism with Age and Gender in Balochistan, CENAR Quetta

Aims and Objectives: A retrospective study of all thyroid patients registered at the centre of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR), Quetta from 1 st January2010 to December 2011(02years). The aim of this study was to highlight gender and age wise distribution of hypothyroid & hyperthyroid patients in CENAR Quetta. Study design: A retrospective study. Place and Duration: A retrospective study of 2051 files of Thyroid patients was carried out in CENAR Quetta from1 st
Cross sections and production yields of 117mSn and other radionuclides generated in natural and enriched antimony with protons up to 145 MeV

Abstract Cross sections of a prospective medical radionuclide 117mSn along with 113Sn, 120m,122Sb, 111,114mIn and 118,119m,119g,121m,121g,123mTe generated in natural and enriched antimony targets by protons in a wide energy range up to 145 MeV were determined. A stacked-foil technique followed by gas chemical separation and γ-ray spectrometry were used. The obtained data were compared with experimental values reported in literature and with theoretical computations by ALICE, TALYS and Cascade-Evaporation-Fission codes. Production yields of 117mSn and the main impurity 113Sn were estimated for different irradiation modes.
The Role of Culture and Social Structures on Bengali Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Managing Their Health Condition

Objective: The purpose of this study is to better understand the effects of culture and social structures on Bengali adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in managing their health condition and treatment regimens. Design and Sample: In a qualitative approach and semi-structured individual interviews, researchers recruited 6 Bengali adults with type 2 diabetes from New York City. Measures: Guided by the Sunrise Model (Leininger & McFarland, 2002) from Leininger’s Theory of Cultural Diversity and Universality, researchers asked participants semi-structured questions related to the 7 categories in the model. The principal investigator, who also speaks the same language as the participants, audio recorded the interviews, translated and then transcribed interviews. Themes developed through content analysis and they were categorized using the Sunrise model. Results: Several themes emerged from each of the categories, such as different meaning of diabetes and fear of consequences of diabetes in Bengali adults. Religious factors that influenced participants included strong belief that Allah is in control of everything, such as giving and curing diseases. We also found out that many of the participants do not check their blood glucose regularly. There are also differences in family support and number of visits with primacy care provider (PCP) for male and female. In addition, participants explained the difficulties they had communicating in English. However, they did not perceive this as a barrier because they feel supported by the Bengali community. The perception of physical activity and diets differed from what the participants actually have daily. Participants also described different barriers to physical activity. Conclusions: The findings of the research study can help nurses and other health care THE ROLE OF CULTURE AND SOCIAL STRUCTURES 3 professionals to provide culturally congruent care to immigrant Bengali adults with type 2 diabetes.
Towards modulated feeding for the efficient and phenotypically controlled expansion of articular chondrocytes

Cell culture of chondrocytes, either in an experimental or industrial setting, typically rely on an invariant feeding strategy. The contribution of each component of the total expansion regime to the behaviour of the cells been expanded are not fully understood. It can be argued that to fully realise the potential of cell-based therapies, the exact contribution of the various expansion parameters to growth rate, metabolic behaviour and cell phenotype need to be intimately understood. The studies in this thesis aim to better inform the nutritional aspects of future cell manufacturing strategy by; uncovering the contribution of critical culture parameters to growth rate and phenotype, understanding the relationship of any interactions that may exist between components and how these components may influence the culture as a function of time. Results from the various studies demonstrated that an isolated subpopulation of chondrocytes can be sustained under serum-free conditions that promote SOX-9 transcript expression while returning growth rates similar to that found using serum-based medium. The contribution of the medium components, seed density and adhesion protein concentration to growth rate, metabolic behaviour and SOX-9,6 & 5 transcript expression were quantified using a statistically designed experiment. Two factors from the experiment, EGF and FGF-2, were taken forward and their effects on growth rate and gene expression as a function of time were investigated. The findings revealed that the exact timing of the introduction of the proteins into the culture medium had a marked impact on cell growth and gene expression.
A critical review and evaluation of some P-research methods

ABSTRACT Important tools for the investigation of phosphorus (P) in soil are the acid digestion in aqua regia (AR) for total P, the sequential P fractionation (SF), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy and P K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (P K-edge XANES) spectroscopy. The objective of the present study was to critically compare the outcomes of these methods in order to improve the data evaluation and interpretation. For this purpose, we analyzed total P (Pt) and the P speciation of three groups of soil samples (extremely P-rich, P-poor acidic, P-poor to P-rich alkaline). The recovery of the extracted P between the different methods depended on the soil characteristics, resulting in recommendations for improving the P extraction. The 31P-NMR spectra were calibrated to a monoester standard which provided a better consistency of the peak position in comparison to the shifting of the orthophosphate peak to 6.0 ppm. The SF and 31P-NMR agreed in the inorganic P (Pi) and Po proportions, especially in the alkaline fraction. The correlation between Po from P K-edge XANES and diesters from 31P-NMR indicated that P K-edge XANES detected rather diesters than monoesters in soils. Correlations between SF and P K-edge XANES results confirmed the presence of specific Pi species in the sequentially extracted fractions. However, the SF is still relatively unspecific for interpreting Po species from a certain fraction. A more specific description of the Po composition in fractions from the SF requires investigation of these fractions by 31P-NMR and P K-edge XANES.
The effects of water-based exercises on depressive symptoms and non- specific low back pain in retired professional athletes: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of water- based exercises on non-specific low back pain and Depressive Symptoms in retired athletes. Methods: 60 retired male patients were selected through accessible sampling method. By randomization, half of these patients were placed in the experimental group and the rest were chosen as the control group. After completing the written consent form, pre-tests (Beck Depression Inventory and low back pain tests) were performed. After the primary tests, the participates in the intervention group underwent exercise therapy in water for 24 sessions; three times in a week and each time lasted about 40 - 60 minutes, then post-test was performed. Independent Student's t-tests were used to compare the differences between the experimental and control groups. Results: the results suggested that WHR, PBF of intervention group were decreased significantly (respectively, p=0.04, p=0.05). Trunk muscle mass of intervention subjects was also increased significantly (p=0.04). On the other hand, the depression and low back pain of subjects were decreased after intervention (respectively, p=0.001, p=0.01). Conclusion: The results suggested that exercises in water may be one of the most useful modes of exercise for retired athletes with low-back pain and depression.
Hybrid 2D‐Material Photonics with Bound States in the Continuum

Integration of 2D materials on dielectric planar optical waveguides can make available new functionalities from the 2D materials' enhanced optoelectronic properties, such as nonlinearity, light emission, modulation, photodetection, and saturable absorption. However, the conventional integration schemes involving either the transfer of 2D materials onto prepatterned nonplanarized topology of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) or the growth and patterning of dielectric materials on 2D materials can degrade the properties of either the dielectric or the 2D material. Here, a fundamentally new and practical scheme is introduced for integrating 2D materials with PICs on a planar surface. The scheme can maintain large optical overlap with the 2D material by harnessing bound states in the continuum. This approach applies to integration of any 2D material on any single‐crystal dielectric substrate, and inherently offers strong light–matter interactions. Here, the approach is demonstrated with various hybrid photonic devices including thermo‐optic switches and filters, ultrafast photodetectors with 40‐GHz detection bandwidth, and ultrafast electro‐optic modulators with 5‐GHz modulation bandwidth. Therefore, the new platform will significantly expand the hybrid integration between 2D materials and single‐crystal dielectrics to achieve unexpected photonic functionalities.
Tissue remodelling in pulmonary fibrosis linked to 5-HT2 receptor activation

After an injury, an immediate reparative response is triggered to replace the damaged tissue, however, in fibrosis, cells remain active despite wound resolution causing a steady build-up of fibrotic tissue. In pulmonary fibrosis,there is a constant regeneration and remodelling of lung tissue where the thin architecture of alveoli become thickened, hampering efficient diffusion of oxygen, as seen in diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPFis a detrimental respiratory disease marked with enhanced extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition generating structural alterations in the lung. To provide new insight into the underlying pathological mechanisms of pulmonaryfibrosis, this thesis has examined how pro-fibrotic cellular responses may be driven by a specific receptor and how surrounding ECM may affect the disease progression of IPF. Serotonin (5-HT) and its 5-HT2B receptor have beenimplicated in several fibrotic conditions, acting as important mediators during fibrosis. In our studies, examination of 5-HT2B receptor antagonists showed several anti-fibrotic effects, reducing both myofibroblast differentiation andfibroblast proliferation as seen in human cell cultures, as well as attenuated production and deposition of ECM as observed in mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis. Beneficial add-on effects with the 5-HT2B receptor antagonistson bronchodilation and immune modulation were shown ex vivo and in vivo, respectively. The continuous induction of fibroblast activity in IPF renders an altered ECM with a unique protein composition that influencedcellular behaviour, as shown in this thesis. To elucidate the interplay between cells and ECM we have examined the fibroblast response to IPF-derived ECM, using decellularized lung scaffolds repopulated with healthy lungfibroblasts. The IPF-ECM with enhanced tissue density and stiffness, programmed the fibroblasts to rebuild a IPF-like matrix, lacking normal production of basement membrane proteins as well as enhanced early induction ofdisease associated proteins such as periostin and tenascin-C, and the proteoglycans decorin, versican and biglycan. Collectively these results show that several profibrotic responses can be attenuated by 5-HT2B receptorantagonism, identifying the 5-HT2B receptor as a promising target for pulmonary fibrosis. Fibroblast activity is evidently influenced by surrounding ECM, triggering pathological remodelling of the lung resulting in cellularactivation. Taken together, the ECM niche plays an important role in the disease mechanisms leading to progression of IPF. (Less)
Effect of financial sector development on energy consumption in Africa: Is it threshold specific?

ABSTRACT The relationship between financial development and energy consumption has not received much attention in theoretical and empirical literature. The scanty literature on the subject appears to exclude Africa while exacerbating the gap is probably no attempt to examine whether or not there exist nonlinearity in the relationship. This study reexamined the threshold effects of financial sector development on energy consumption in Africa by positing that whether finance promotes or inhibits energy consumption depends on a certain threshold of finance. Relying on an annual panel data for 45 countries in Africa covering 1973–2017, the study investigated the threshold effects of finance on energy consumption by employing Hansen sample splitting and threshold estimation technique. The results revealed evidence of threshold effect of finance on energy consumption for the continent suggesting that the impact of finance on energy consumption is threshold specific given the various indicators of finance. The main finding is that financial development generally promotes energy consumption in Africa but the impact is higher when they are below the threshold while the effect diminishes and eventually turn to inhibit energy consumption when they are above the threshold. Trade openness and inflation, however, inhibit energy consumption. This study provides member countries with well-informed level of their exposure to energy consumption. While increase in financial sector development motivated by other higher factors such as economic growth, inflation, and trade openness can be linked to higher energy consumption, higher finance driven by well-functioning regulatory institutions may potentially reduce energy consumption.
Management of Pregnancy and Childbirth among Adolescents at the Regional University Teaching Hospital of Parakou

Objective: Investigation on the management of childbirth among adolescents at the CHD-U of Parakou (Benin). Patients and study method: It was a cross-sectional study with descriptive purpose carried out during the period from March 1 to August 31, 2014. Its target consisted of 110 primiparous adolescents aged 14-19 years. The study was conducted in the gynecology and obstetrics unit of the Regional University Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori in Parakou. Results: Childbirth prevalence among female adolescents was 12.7%. The mean age of those adolescents was 17.7 ± 1.4 years. The adolescent mothers with student status dominated with 33.6%, 56.4% were married, 32.7% were not educated. 72.7% of them had a low socioeconomic status. 60.0% of the cases did not benefit from a lack of pregnancy monitoring or the latter was of poor quality among them. Dystocia were the diagnosis most encountered on admission. Vaginal delivery was dominant with 60.9% of the cases but about seven out of ten of those childbirths needed an episiotomy (67.2%). One childbirth out of ten (10.5%) got complicated by a perineal tear. Stillbirth rate was 8.2% and newborns had on average a good APGAR score at birth. Thirty-five (35) newborns i.e., 32.7% had a weight below 2500 g. Among the reasons for transfers to the neonatology division the leading ones are low birth weight (LBW), immediate neonatal distress and existence of pathologies during pregnancy. Conclusion: Among the adolescents in Parakou, pregnancy is a common reality and seems to be characterized by high risk.