Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the knowledge of Health Care Professionals regarding Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Public Hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan

A cross sectional study was performed among 250 health care professionals from Children Hospital, Jinnah hospital and Services Institute of Medical science Lahore, through a self-designed questionnaire to assess the knowledge of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). A total 300 questionnaires were distributed and 250 were returned, giving a response 83%. Out of 300 health care professionals 50 participants do not even know the term TDM. Only 40% participants strongly agreed that TDM is done for all patients. Only 26.8% participants agreed that TDM is carried out for all drugs. Only 63.2% participants agreed that the TDM is very costly process. Only 38.4% strongly agreed that TDM requires extra time of health care professionals and only 36% participants remain neutral to the perception that TDM is requested by patient rather than health care professionals. Limited resources and lack of technical skills are barriers in performing TDM in under-developed country like Pakistan.
Gridlock, Leverage, and Policy Bundling

I consider a dynamic model of bargaining where alternatives to the status-quo arrive stochastically during the bargaining process, the proposer can bundle multiple alternatives into a single proposal, and a forward-looking voter elects the agenda-setter. I show that the prevailing wisdom that policy bundling reduces gridlock–by facilitating compromise across different policy areas–is incomplete. Policy bundling can also increase gridlock: a player may veto or delay a bipartisan alternative, which is unanimously preferred to the status-quo, so that in the future they can bundle this same alternative with a divisive alternative that otherwise would not pass. Gridlock of this form is more likely to occur during periods of economic or political stability and, when it occurs, suggests that traditional measures of legislator ideology will overstate polarization. From the voter's perspective, gridlock occurs at an inefficiently high frequency. This state of "excess gridlock" is driven by the voter being forward-looking and lacking commitment power.
GENETIC SURVEY OF INVASIVE S. PNEUMONIAE SEROTYPES IN BULGARIA FOR A 5-YEAR PERIOD

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonises the mucosal lining of the upper respiratory tract and is an important cause of invasive infections affecting young children, adults over 65 years of age, the immunocompromised and individuals with chronic diseases. Recent studies have shown variations in virulence based on the high rate of pneumococcal recombination. PCR-based molecular methods are highly sensitive, specific and are becoming the preferred tool for quick and accurate diagnosis of bacterial meningitis which is required to be defined within 2-3 hours. During the 5-year survey period (2013-2017), 202 materials received as cerebrospinal fluid samples and pneumococcal strains isolated from patients diagnosed with meningitis, were examined by Real-time PCR in the reference laboratory at NCIPD. Serotyping of S. pneumoniae-positive materials was performed with conventional multiplex PCR and Real-time PCR with primers for 41serotypes/serogroups. There is a high incidence of S. pneumoniae serotypes not covered by the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) currently used in Bulgaria. It was found that all cases of meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae vaccine serotypes occurred in patients that were not vaccinated.
Macromolecule Biomaterials Promote the Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Equine Adipose -Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background: Combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biomaterials is a rapidly growing approach in regenerative medicine particularly for chronic degenerative disorders including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. In the present study, the effect of biomaterial bone substitutes on equine adipose derived MSCs morphology, viability, adherence, migration and osteogenic differentiation were investigated. Methods: MSCs were cultivated in conjunction with collagen CultiSpher-S Microcarrier (MC), nanocomposite xerogels B30 and B30Str biomaterials in osteogenic differentiate medium either under static or mechanical fluid shear stress (FSS) culture conditions. The data were generated by histological means, life cell imaging, cell viability, adherence and migration assays. Osteogenic differentiation was detected by semi-quantification of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, matrix mineralization using Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining and quantification of the osteogenic markers; runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression using RT-qPCR. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Results: The data revealed that combined mechanical stress with MC but not B30 enhanced MSCs viability and promoted their migration. Combined osteogenic medium with MC, B30 and B30Str increased ALP activity compared to cultivation in basal medium. Osteogenic induction with MC, B30 and B30Str resulted in diffused matrix mineralization by means of ARS. FSS increased the viability in the presence of the osteogenic medium with MC but not B30 or B30Str. FSS enhanced osteogenic differentiation in the presence of B30Str. Upregulation of Runx2 and ALP expression was detected with osteogenic differentiation together with B30 and B30Str regardless of static or FSS culture. Conclusions: Taken together, the data revealed that FSS in conjunction with biomaterials promoted osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. This combination may be considered as a marked improvement for clinical applications to cure bone defects.
Genetic Variation in Remnant Populations of Dalbergia nigra (Papilionoideae), an Endangered Tree from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

� Background and Aims Dalbergia nigra, known as Brazilian rosewood, is an endangered tree species restricted to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and has been intensively logged for five centuries due to its high-quality wood. The objective of the present study was to assess the genetic variation and structure in adults and saplings of the species from a large reserve of the Atlantic Forest, the Rio Doce State Park, and from two small surrounding fragments, one better preserved and another with a high degree of anthropogenic disturbance. � Methods Analyses of genetic variation and structure were conducted by studying allozyme markers. Seven putative enzymatic loci were resolved, five of them being polymorphic. � Key Results The mean numbers of alleles per locus (A) were 1� 93 and 1� 73, while the percentages of polymorphic loci (P) were 93 and 73 % for adults and saplings, respectively. Saplings from the fragment with high anthropogenic disturbance exhibited the lowest values of A and P. The fragment that constitutes a conservation area exhibited genetic variation similar to the population from the large reserve. The observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities were not significantly different among the three populations. Only sapling populations showed FST values (divergence among populations) significantly different from zero over all studied loci. The fragment with high anthropogenic disturbance exhibited considerable genetic divergence in relation to the above-cited populations. � Conclusions The evaluated populations displayed mean levels of genetic variation intermediate to those expected for narrow and widespread species. The results suggest that fragments with similar area and geographical distance from a large protected reserve can exhibit different levels of genetic variation, depending on the degree of anthropogenic disturbance. The considerable genetic variation in the protected fragment points to the importance of adequate conservation of small fragments for the preservation of genetic variation in D. nigra.
Malaria Prevalence and Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about Malaria among Febrile Patients Attending Chagni Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Ethiopia has achieved remarkable progresses in the prevention and control of malaria in the past decades, yet it is a formidable health concern and socio-economic impediment. This study aimed at assessing the magnitude and knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria among febrile patients attending Chagni health center, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: In the health facility based cross-sectional study, patients attending health center with suspicion of malaria symptoms and signs, were enlisted. To determine the magnitude of malaria, finger prick blood samples were collected from malaria suspected patients visiting health center between September 2017 and February 2018. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was also applied to assess KAP of suspected malaria patients attending the health center. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Prevalence of malaria among febrile patients attending at the sampled health facility was 7.3%. Of these, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infection accounted for 55, 44.3 and 0.7% of the cases, respectively. This study also revealed that 97% of the respondents had ever heard about malaria and recognized it as a serious health problem. Mosquito bite was identified as the main malaria transmission. Taking drug (86.3%), use of mosquito nets (73.3%), drain stagnated water (68%), and house spay with insecticides (66%) were mentioned as the main malaria prevention methods. Mosquito net coverage and its utilization in the previous night were 98% and 75%, respectively. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage was 99%, of which 77.5% of houses of participants were get sprayed in the last six months. Conclusions: The current study revealed that prevalence of malaria among febrile illnesses in the study area was relatively low (7.3%) with a high proportion of P. falciparum. Besides, participants had adequate knowledge, encouraging attitudes, and good practices about prevention and control of malaria. However, some misconceptions on malaria disease, its transmission, and prevention have been noted that actually require due attention by the concerned stakeholders. We believe that findings of this study would make inroads into the implementation effective malaria interventions in the area and beyond focusing on enhancing community awareness and scaling up coverage of evidence-based interventions.
Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite NiFe2O4@SalenSi and its application in efficient removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution

In this work, nano ferrite spinel NiFe 2 O 4 was synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and VSM. In second step Schiff base made from salicylaldehyde and amino propyl triethoxy silane was used for modification of the synthesized nano ferrit. In the third step removal of Ni(II) was done using modified adsorbent and 95% efficiency was achieved. The removal rate was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. These studies showed that the Freundlich isotherm model was fitted well with adsorption data. Moreover, the pseudo-second order kinetic model was fitted very well with experimental data. The results demonstrated that NiFe 2 O 4 @SalenSi nanoadsorbent can be used for the removal and recovery of metal ions from wastewater over a number of cycles, indicating its suitability for the design of a continuous process. KEY WORDS : Nano ferrite, Sol-gel method, Schiff base, Removal of Ni(II), Magnetic nanocomposite Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2018 , 32(1), 77-88 DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.4314/bcse.v32i1. 7
Meanings of physics mathematization in pre-service physics teachers

Introduction. Physics teaching practice is permeated by the meaning that teachers constructed about the relationship between mathematics and physics, but this relationship often goes unnoticed by the teacher himself, because of their education where it is traditionally thoughtlessly assumed that “mathematics is the physics language. ” Objective. In this work, we contribute to the comprehension of how modifying this reality in teacher training. To this end, we conducted a study on how is understanding physics and mathematics relationships by preservice teachers. Materials and methods. Data collection was done from observation of a nonparticipating classroom in two physics courses using an observation grid and a questionnaire. We made a content analysis. Results. We found that pre-service teachers consider the mastery of problem-solving equations as the primary medium for learning physics, but when they are asked to explain physics they usually opt for qualitative descriptions and pictorial representations not for equations. Conclusions. It means that they differentiate between a “mathematical part” of the phenomenon that is self-controlled as the basis of his physics learning and a “qualitative part” of the phenomenon that serves to explain physics. So, it seems that to teach physics they feel the need to explain conceptually without mathematics, while to learn physics they should concentrate on applying equations, which is paradoxical.
Burn-out and mental health of minority medical students in Hungarian medical education.

Background Previous researches suggested that minority students are more exposed to discrimination and mistreatment at university, therefore may have higher risk of mental and physical health problems. Methods An online questionnaire was conducted among medical students of the 4 Hungarian medical universities (N=530). The survey contained questions about general demographic data, health behavior, burnout, mental and physical health issues and discrimination. Results 29.6% of students self-identified as minority. High level burnout was indicated by 48.1% of respondents, while another 27.0% showed moderate level. High level burn-out was associated with minority status (84.6% vs. 71.0%; p<0.001), discrimination (83.0% vs. 68.5%, p< 0.001), lower level of social support (89.0% vs 69.0%, p<0.001) and higher levels of perceived stress (57.1% vs. 95.4%) in the chi-squared test. Higher scores on trait (B = 0.123; p<0.001) and state anxiety (B = 0.082; p<0.001) subscales of STAI and lower score of resilience (B= -0.168; p<0.001) were significantly associated with higher level of burnout in the univariate model. In our final analysis, perceived stress, resilience, minority identity and experienced discrimination remained significant. Conclusions Belonging to a minority community might need to be considered an essential factor leading to burnout in Hungarian medical students. Our research suggests that minority medical students have poorer mental health and higher risk for burnout.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

The chemistry of the Earth is unimaginably complex mostly due to a splendid tangled web of interdependencies of living and lifeless components that include a vast, diverse, and global array of naturally occurring nanomaterials. Green synthesis of nanoparticles using biological entities is a novel, reliable, ecofriendly approach. So these can be used as mini factories for the production of nanoparticles. The green synthesis methods are more ecofriendly and safe compared to other physical and chemical methods. This chapter highlights a comprehensive view to understand the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.
The limits of solidarity: changing welfare coalitions in a transforming European party system

The configuration of political party competition has been in upheaval in Europe for several decades now. Much has been written on how the competition between the New Left and the New Right has transformed voter coalition potentials on socio-cultural issues. By contrast, the reconfiguration of mass political competition over the welfare state has received much less attention: most studies assume either convergence or the persistence of a traditional conflict between the Left and the Right. However, this assessment of stable and/or pacified political conflict on welfare issues is erroneous, as it neglects massive differences in the relative importance voters attribute to different social policies, in particular to social investment and social consumption policies. Integrating these differences reveals conflict and changing coalition-structures both at the societal and partisan levels. Using newly collected survey data from 8 West European countries (the welfarepriorities data), we are able to combine attitudes on policy support with policy priority, computing an individual-level indicator of weighted social policy positions. Our findings reveal that the conflict structure regarding social policy actually differs starkly from the traditional left-right conflict. We find a distinctive, uni-dimensional alignment of social classes and political parties, with at the poles green and far right party voters. While the social-liberal voters support social investment as opposed to consumption, the reverse is true for the far right voters. This preference configuration reveals coalition potentials between green and moderate right parties for social investment, and between far left and far right parties for social consumption, with the social democrats “lost” in the middle.
Template-Free Synthesis of Hollow G-C3N4 Polymer with Vesicle Structure for Enhanced Photocatalytic Water Splitting

As always, layered graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) polymer demonstrated importance in the field of artificial photocatalysis. Many modified works have been operated on defected g-C3N4 to improve its limited photocatalytic performance. Two-dimensional g-C3N4 exploitation is attractive for researchers because it provides distinct photoelectric effect and large surface area. However, a great deal of studies focus on nanosheet-like g-C3N4 based on its stratified structure and mountains of discussion about it have been made. Other two-dimensional morphologies still lack research. Herein, a novel two-dimensional g-C3N4 nanoplate with a hollow vesicle structure was constructed through traditional solid-phase synthesis. The prepared process is simple and complete in one step without any guiding agent. Cyanuric chloride was chosen as precursor and coacted with elemental sulfur which was used here to fix cyanuric chloride and modify the texture of the resulting sample. Compared with the traditional g-C3N4, the su.
Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 in the Inflammation-Related Dyslipidemia of Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis is Related to Disease Activity.

Introduction: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease that regulates cholesterol metabolism through low-density lipoprotein receptor degradation and that has been linked to cardiovascular risk. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether PCSK9 levels are related to both abnormalities in the lipid profile and the development of severe atherosclerosis that often occurs in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods: Cross-sectional study that encompassed 545 individuals; 299 patients with axSpA and 246 statin use-matched controls. PCSK9, lipoproteins serum concentrations and standard lipid profiles were analyzed in patients and controls. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaques were assessed in patients. A multivariable analysis, adjusted for standard cardiovascular risk factors, was performed to evaluate the influence of PCSK9 on axSpA related dyslipidemia and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.Results: Most lipid panel parameters (total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) and apoliprotein A1) were significantly lower in axSpA patients than controls. PCSK9 serum levels (beta coef. -44 [95%CI -60- -27] ng/dl, p=0.000) were also downregulated in axSpA patients after fully multivariate adjustment, including other lipid profile-related molecules modifications that the disease generates. Unadjusted higher levels of PCSK9 were associated with carotid plaque in axSpA patients (beta coef. 27 [95%CI 9-45], p=0.003). ASDAS-CRP was found to be independently and significantly related to PCSK9 (beta coef. 10 [95%CI 1-18] ng/dl, p=0.023) after analyzing fully adjusted models that took age, sex, and the rest of lipid profile molecules into account. Whereas patients taking prednisone showed higher serum levels of PCSK9 (55 [95%CI 24-8]) ng/ml, p=0.001), those under anti-TNF alpha therapies exhibited lower levels (beta coef. -26 [95%CI -43- -9], p=0.003). Conclusion: PCSK9 is downregulated in patients with axSpA. Disease activity is positive and significantly related to PSCK9. Anti-TNF-therapy yields reduction in PCSK9 serum levels.
Characterisation of growth and biochemical response of Onopordum acanthium L. under lead stress as affected by microbial inoculation

ABSTRACT Microbial associations may influence the negative effects of potentially toxic elements on plants. In a greenhouse experiment, the growth; biochemical response; and Pb, Fe, and Zn uptake of Onopordum acanthium L. were investigated in response to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF (a mixture of Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus irregularis, and Rhizophagus fasciculatus) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, PGPR (a mixture of Pseudomonas species including P. putida, P. fluorescens, and P. aeruginosa) at increased Pb levels in soil. The treatments were arranged as a factorial experiment based on a randomised complete block design. Results revealed that inoculation with AMF and PGPR decreased Pb toxicity in plants. Inoculated plants with AMF and PGPR had higher shoot and root dry weight compared with the non-inoculated plants. In this study, AMF and PGPR inoculation led to a significant increase (P ≤ .05) in chlorophyll a, b, chlorophyll a+b, carotenoid, proline, and relative water content of plants. Furthermore, AMF and PGPR inoculation likely played a more important role in growth and Pb uptake in O. acanthium L. Our results suggest that AMF and Pseudomonas bacteria could be effective bio-inoculants for enhancing the plant growth and Pb uptake by inhibiting the adverse effects of Pb in O. acanthium.