Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heart failure in a semi-urban setting in Cameroon: clinical characteristics, etiologies, treatment and outcome

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. There is limited contemporary data on HF in rural and semi-urban settings in Cameroon in this era of epidemiological transition. We aimed at determining the demographic and clinical characteristics, etiologies treatment and outcome of patients admitted for HF in the Buea Regional Hospital. Methods: We analyzed data from consecutive adult patients admitted for HF to the medical unit of the Buea regional Hospital between June 2016 and November 2017. Results: Of the eighty-six consecutive patients admitted for heart failure, 48 (55.5%) were females. Their mean age was 59.4±18.3 years. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were present in 53.4%, 14% and 5.8% of patients respectively. Etiologies of heart failure were hypertensive heart disease (47.7%), Cor pulmonale (11.6%), dilated cardiomyopathy (9.3%), ischemic heart disease (9.3%), and rheumatic heart disease (5.8%). At discharge, treatment included; loop diuretics (97.9%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (70.9%), beta blockers (36.9%), and aldosterone antagonist (50.6%). The median length of hospital stay was 7 days, and in hospital case fatality was 12.8%. Conclusions: As reported in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, heart failure in this semi-urban Cameroonian population occurs at a younger age, with hypertensive heart disease being the most common cause and associated high in-hospital mortality.
Peripheral axonal excitability in hemiplegia related to subacute stroke

Background/aim This study aims to investigate peripheral nerve excitability in patients with subacute stroke. Materials and methods The study was performed in 29 stroke patients within the subacute period and 29 healthy controls using QTRAC software and TRONDNF protocol. The threshold electrotonus, recovery cycle, stimulus-response, strength-duration, and current-threshold relationships were recorded. Results The membrane was more hyperpolarized, and excitability was decreased in the hemiplegic side. The impairment of inward rectifying channel function, degree of hyperpolarization, and decrease of excitability were directly related to the Brunnstrom stages, which were more pronounced in lower stages. Conclusion The lower motor neurons were affected at the level of axonal channels as a result of upper motor neuron lesions. It can be due to dying back neuropathy, homeostasis, and neurovascular regulation changes in the axonal environment, activity-dependent plastic changes, loss of drive coming from the central nervous system, or a combination of these factors.
The Identification and Evolutionary Trends of the Solute Carrier Superfamily in Arthropods

Abstract The solute carrier (SLC) transporter superfamily comprises an ancient and ubiquitous group of proteins capable of translocating a range of nutrients, endogenous molecules, and xenobiotics. Although the group has been the subject of intense investigation in both bacteria and mammals, its systematic identification in arthropods has not yet been undertaken. Here, we present a genome-wide identification of all 66 human SLC families in 174 arthropod species. A pipeline (SLC_id) was constructed to identify and group SLCs using a combination of hidden Markov model and BLAST searches followed by filtering based on polypeptide length and the number of transmembrane domains. Comparative analysis of the number of transporters in each family across diverse arthropod lineages was accomplished using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Computational Analysis of gene Family Evolution (CAFE). These results suggested that many SLC families have undergone expansions or contractions in particular evolutionary lineages. Notably, the sugar transporting SLC2 family was significantly larger in insects compared with arachnids. This difference may have been complemented by a rapid expansion of the SLC60 family in arachnids which also acts on dietary sugars. Furthermore, the SLC33 family underwent a recent and drastic expansion in aphids, although the biological relevance of this expansion was not possible to infer. Information on specific SLC transporter families across arthropod species can be accessed through an R shiny web application at http://chrysalida.imbb. forth.gr : 3838/Arthropod_SLC_Database/. The present study greatly facilitates further investigation of the diverse group of SLC transporters in arthropods.
High frequency of K‐ras mutations in pink salmon embryos experimentally exposed to Exxon valdez oil

Previous studies demonstrated reduced survivorship of pink salmon embryos from populations in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA, that were exposed to Exxon Valdez–released oil compared with populations from matched nonoiled streams. Survivorship was also significantly decreased in embyros from lineages that were oiled in Prince William Sound and reared in clean water under controlled hatchery conditions compared with the descendants of nonoiled lineages. This suggests that the effect of oiling on pink salmon populations was persistent and could be transmitted intergenerationally. However, the ability of environmentally released oil to cause DNA sequence alterations in natural populations has yet to be demonstrated. We used polymerase chain reaction analysis to screen for alterations in the K‐ras oncogene in DNA from pink salmon embryos that were exposed under controlled laboratory conditions to weathered Prudhoe Bay crude oil. Polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequence analyses were used to identify mutational hotspots within exons 1 and 2 of K‐ras, and 3′ primer mismatch analysis was used to determine the frequency of mutations in the 40 offspring of two families of pink salmon that were experimentally exposed to oiled or clean gravel. Mutations were only observed at codons 12, 13, and 61 of K‐ras, sites that are frequently mutated in animal and human tumors. All mutations resulted in deduced amino acid substitutions. As expected, in all individuals exhibiting mutations, the copy number of the normal allele exceeded that of the mutated allele. The frequencies of mutations in oiled embryos at K‐ras exons 1 and 2 were 68 and 41%, respectively. K‐ras mutations were not observed in siblings that were exposed to clean gravel or in the parents of the two experimental matings. These results indicate that exposure of pink salmon embryos to weathered Prudhoe Bay crude oil under controlled laboratory conditions can elicit somatic cell mutations in high frequency at mutational hotspots in genes such as K‐ras. However, the frequency of these events in oiled natural populations of pink salmon and other vulnerable species in Prince William Sound and the heritability of these mutations within oiled lineages have yet to be evaluated.
Comparative landscape genetics reveals differential effects of environment on host and pathogen genetic structure in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and their transmissible tumour

Genetic structure in host species is often used to predict disease spread. However, host and pathogen genetic variation may be incongruent. Understanding landscape factors that have either concordant or divergent influence on host and pathogen genetic structure is crucial for wildlife disease management. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) was first observed in 1996 and has spread throughout almost the entire Tasmanian devil geographic range, causing dramatic population declines. Whereas DFTD is predominantly spread via biting among adults, devils typically disperse as juveniles, which experience low DFTD prevalence. Thus, we predicted little association between devil and tumour population structure and that environmental factors influencing gene flow differ between devils and tumours. We employed a comparative landscape genetics framework to test the influence of environmental factors on patterns of isolation by resistance (IBR) and isolation by environment (IBE) in devils and DFTD. Although we found evidence for broad‐scale costructuring between devils and tumours, we found no relationship between host and tumour individual genetic distances. Further, the factors driving the spatial distribution of genetic variation differed for each. Devils exhibited a strong IBR pattern driven by major roads, with no evidence of IBE. By contrast, tumours showed little evidence for IBR and a weak IBE pattern with respect to elevation in one of two tumour clusters we identify herein. Our results warrant caution when inferring pathogen spread using host population genetic structure and suggest that reliance on environmental barriers to host connectivity may be ineffective for managing the spread of wildlife diseases. Our findings demonstrate the utility of comparative landscape genetics for identifying differential factors driving host dispersal and pathogen transmission.
Phylogenetic analyses of Cloeodes Traver and related genera (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)

Cloeodes Traver is atypical among Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) because it seems to possess a unique Pantropical distribution. Thirty‐nine species have been described to date, 26 from the Neotropics, four from the Southern Nearctic, seven from the Afrotropics and two from the Oriental region. Several genera have been considered related to Cloeodes during the last decades, of which the following remain valid: Crassabwa Lugo‐Ortiz & McCafferty, Dabulamanzia Lugo‐Ortiz & McCafferty (both Afrotropical), Bungona Harker (Australasian) and Chopralla Waltz & McCafferty (Oriental). Despite their supposed relationship, a phylogenetic analysis between all of these genera has never been performed. In the present paper, based on an extensive analysis of all genera that have been considered related to Cloeodes, a phylogenetic analysis using morphological characters (continuous and discrete) was performed in order to address the monophyly of the genus Cloeodes within the Cloeodes complex of genera. According to our results, Cloeodes and the complex are paraphyletic. Based on this, Cloeodes is restricted to the New World, Potamocloeon is revalidated to include most representatives of Afrotropical Cloeodes and is divided into two subgenera: Potamocloeon (Africa) and the new Aquaediva (Madagascar). In addition, the concept of Bungona is expanded to include Australasian and Oriental taxa – namely the subgenera Chopralla and the revalidated Centroptella – and finally the new genus Crassolus is established to include C. inzingae comb.n. from Africa.
Parole Violations and Revocations in California: Analysis and Suggestions for Action

THE DEBATE ABOUT the costs and benefits of imprisonment is taking place all across the United States, but the stakes are highest in California. California’s 173,000 prisoners constitute the largest prison population of any state. One in seven state prisoners in the United States is incarcerated in California, and between 1980 and 2007, California’s prison population increased over sevenfold, compared with a fourfold increase nationally. And, despite a 2003 vow by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to reduce the state’s prison population, California’s prison population continues to grow; recent projections predict a prison population of 191,000 in the next five years. 2
Additions to the annotated list of marine alien biota in the mediterranean with special emphasis on foraminifera and parasites

The present work is an update of the annotated list (ZENETOS et al., 2006) based on literature up to April 2008. Emphasis is given to ecofunctional/taxonomic groups poorly addressed in the annotated list, such as the foraminiferan and parasites, while macrophytes are critically reviewed following the CIESM Atlas (VERLAQUE et al., in press). Moreover, in this update the bio-geographic area addressed includes the Sea of Marmara. The update yields a further 175 alien species in the Mediterranean bringing the total to 903. As evidenced by recent findings, more and more previously known ‘casual’ aliens, are becoming established. Approximately 100 more species have become well established in the region, raising the number of established species to 496 versus 385 until 2005. In the period from January 2006 to April 2008 more than 80 published papers have resulted in the recording of 94 new aliens, which is interpreted as a new introduction every 9 days, a rate beyond the worst scenario.
Prevalence and determinants of depression among caregivers of children with leukaemia in Iraq.

Background Depression in caregivers of leukaemic children is usually overlooked and hence missed, as doctors mostly focused on patient's evaluation and condition. Early attention to symptoms of depression may help to prevent the development of a more serious depression over time. Aims This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, assess severity and identify determinants of depressive disorder among caregivers of children with leukaemia in Baghdad, Iraq, 2014. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of caregivers of 250 leukaemia children aged <15 years admitted to Child Welfare Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. Socio-demographic variables were collected and the presence of depressive disorder was assessed using the Arabic Version of Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II); those with a score of >16 were considered depressed. Results The prevalence of depression was 72% (95% CI: 66-77.5%); classified to 18.9% having borderline clinical depression, 36.7% moderate depression, 27.8% severe depression and 16.7% extreme depression. Presence of depression was significantly higher among younger age caregivers, disease duration of >12 months and frequent hospital admission. Conclusions The high prevalence of depression among care givers of leukaemia patients urge health care professionals to pay more attention to the psychological aspects of the families of leukaemia patients and ensure referring them for psychiatric support.
IN SiC MONOFILAMENT MODEL COMPOSITES

A better knowledge of the cyclic fatigue effects in ceramic matrix composites needs a deeper understanding of the microscale mechanisms operating during friction between fibre and matrix. The present work deals with single filament model composites submitted to push-out tests at room temperature. Emphasis is made here on the effect of sliding velocity. The monofilament composites are made with a borosilicate glass matrix (Pyrex) and two types of silicon carbide filaments: SiC SCS-6 from Textron (coated with 3 μm pyrocarbon) and SiC Sigma from BP (nominally uncoated). The composites have been tested by a succession of push-out and push-back runs. The changes of frictional force are analysed as the drive velocity is suddenly changed: the SCS-6/Pyrex system exhibits the well known velocity weakening whereas an opposite behaviour is observed with the Sigma/Pyrex system. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of these results are discussed as regards to the mechanisms operating at the contact between the sliding surfaces.
SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY APPLIED TO HEALTH CONTEXTS: A META-ANALYSIS

Behavior change is more effective and lasting when patients are autonomously motivated. To examine this idea, we identified 184 independent data sets from studies that utilized self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) in health care and health promotion contexts. A meta-analysis evaluated relations between the SDT-based constructs of practitioner support for patient autonomy and patients’ experience of psychological need satisfaction, as well as relations between these SDT constructs and indices of mental and physical health. Results showed the expected relations among the SDT variables, as well as positive relations of psychological need satisfaction and autonomous motivation to beneficial health outcomes. Several variables (e.g., participants’ age, study design) were tested as potential moderators when effect sizes were heterogeneous. Finally, we used path analyses of the meta-analyzed correlations to test the interrelations among the SDT variables. Results suggested that SDT is a viable conceptual framework to study antecedents and outcomes of motivation for health-related behaviors.
Determinants of the Dividend Payout Policy of Public Companies in Indonesia, Based on Financial Ratio Analysis

Isti Fadaha, Nur Hasanahb, Tatok Endhiartoc, Asrid Juniard, aProfessor at Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia, b,cUniversitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia, dStudent Doctoral Program at Universitas Jember, Jember, Indonesia and Lecturer at Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin, Indonesia, Email: aistifadah1966@gmail.com, bnur26hasanah@gmail.com, cendhiartofe@gmail.com, dasridjuniar@ulm.ac. id
The Influence of Environmental Challenges on Small Scale Businesses in Bauchi Central Market

Purpose This study is to identify the influence of environmental challenges in small scale businesses performance in Bauchi. Environmental challenges are those factors that contribute either failure or success of small scale businesses. The study employed descriptive statistics and regression analysis to identify the influence of environmental challenges in SME’s. Design/methodology/approach The population of the study is the entire small scale businesses owners operating in Bauchi central market. The sample size of this study was determined based on Taro Yamane’s formula of sample determination was employed to reduce the total population to a research sample. The survey questionnaire was administered and distributed to the respondent on the issue regarding the influence of environmental challenges on small scale businesses reducing the sample to (52). Findings The find of the study discovered that lack of easy access to credit facilities, multiple taxations, poor market competitive advantage, and low volume of sales affects performance of small scale business in Bauchi Central Market. The result of this study would help both governmental and non-governmental organization (NGOs) and international agencies to assist the small scale business to address these challenges. Practical/Social implication The study would assist the management and the policy maker’s for the urgent need for specific management practice to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of small scale businesses in Bauchi central market. The study can also assist local entrepreneurs in formulating strategies that guide them against poor business performance. Originality/values -The examined setting is unique and contributes to several findings on environmental challenges of SSB and financial performance in Nigeria particularly in Bauchi.
Genetic Diversity Analysis in Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) Using Isozymes, RAPD and ISSR Markers

Four elite diploid populations of sugarbeet viz. IISR Comp-1, LKC-11, LS-6 and Ramonskaya-06 were examined using isozymes and molecular markers. Seventy-one bands consisting of 28 isomorphs of 6 isozyme systems viz. superoxide dismutase, guaiacol peroxidase, malate dehydrogenase, amylase, esterase and aspartate amino transferase were resolved. Molecular analysis was performed using 28 RAPD (random amplification of polymorphic DNA) and 4 inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. Highly polymorphic band profiles with 327 RAPD markers (11.67/primer) of 162–2862 bp and 39 ISSR markers (9.75/primer) of 160–1884 bp were obtained. Mean value of Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) for RAPD and ISSR primers was 0.41 and 0.44 respectively. Based on the binary matrix of presence/absence of bands, Dice coefficient of genetic similarity (GS) matrix was computed for each marker system, which ranged from 0.62–0.76 (mean value 0.726), 0.10–0.74 (mean value 0.27) and 0.12–0.86 (mean value 0.35) for isozyme, RAPD and ISSR markers. There was significant correlation (r=0.908) between the RAPD-GS and ISSR-GS matrices, however, the correlation of isozyme matrix vs. RAPD and ISSR pattern was low. GS coefficients of isozyme, RAPD and ISSR were used to cluster the genotypes based on the UPGMA method and the dendrograms obtained were compared to develop consensus phylogenetic trees using NTSYSpc. The X-axis contained IISR Comp-1 and R-06, and the Y-axis contained LS-6 and LKC-11. The much lower values of average genetic similarity based on RAPD (0.27) and ISSR (0.35) indicated the ability of DNA based markers to detect high degree of polymorphism among these populations suggesting thereby, the possibility of screening a higher number of anonymous loci in sugarbeet using these molecular markers as compared to isozymes to enable the selection of the best parents in order to obtain new genetic combinations.
Do You Want to Learn Physics? Please Play Angry Birds (But With Epistemic Goals)

For some years now, the scientific community has been studying how videogames foster acquisition of mental representations of the world around us. Research to date suggests that the efficiency of videogames as learning tools largely depends on the instructional design in which they are included. This article provides empirical evidence related to the use of the videogame Angry Birds and how it can modify students’ conceptions regarding object motion. We selected a sample of 110 16- to 17-year-old students in postcompulsory secondary school. Both quantitative and qualitative data are provided. Our results show that (a) merely playing Angry Birds does not produce significant learning, (b) learning occurs when Angry Birds is guided by epistemic goals. Students who used the videogame in this way were able to recognize more variables, provide better explanations, and understand more fully the relationship between angle and distance, (c) naïf belief regarding the effect of mass on falling objects (“mass-speed belief”) remained unchanged after using Angry Birds guided either pragmatic or epistemic goals, and (d) there was no significant difference between students who worked collaboratively in pairs and those who worked individually. In the light of these results, we discuss potential implications for the future.
Prevalence of zoonotic helminth parasites of the small intestine in red foxes from central Poland.

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are known to be the most important predators in farmland areas. Their occurrence may be related to the distribution of food resources and the presence of adequate habitats. Several factors are regarded to be responsible for the high quantity of these carnivores, for example the intensive oral vaccination against rabies and the adaptation to new anthropogenic conditions (13). In the last years in Poland an increase of the fox population was observed from 67 000 in 1995 to over 215 000 in 2007. The expansion of this canid species is, probably as in other European countries, related to the antirabies campaigns. The actions started in 1993 in the western part of Poland, and from 2002 were extended onto the whole territory of the country. The rise of the population is also a result of adaptation to new habitats, such as suburban and urban areas. Examinations carried out in Zürich revealed that more than half of the fox stomachs content was of anthropogenic origin, and it has been estimated that the overall food supply of households would be sufficient to feed a much higher number of foxes than at present (7). The prey-predator interplay is a key factor in understanding the transmission dynamics of obligatory heteroxenous parasites such as cestodes (15). Red fox can also act as a reservoir maintaining zoonotic helminths. The possibility of their transmission to domestic animals or humans is enhanced in regions where foxes tend to approach rural and urban areas (38). The endoparasitic helminthofauna of V. vulpes is reasonably well characterized throughout Europe (5, 12, 27, 29, 31), but until now complete data from Poland have not been published. The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of helminth parasites of the red fox from central Poland (Mazowieckie voivodeship).