Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbial Contaminants in Drinking Water Collected from Different Regions of Kuwait

 Abstract — Water plays a major role in maintaining life on earth, but it can also serve as a matrix for pathogenic organisms, posing substantial health threats to humans. Although, outbreaks of diseases attributable to drinking water may not be common in industrialized countries, they still occur and can lead to serious acute, chronic, or sometimes fatal health consequences. The analysis of drinking water samples from different regions of Kuwait was performed in this study for bacterial and viral contaminations. Drinking tap water samples were collected from 15 different locations of the six Kuwait governorates. All samples were analyzed by confocal microscopy for the presence of bacteria. The samples were cultured in vitro to detect cultivable organisms. DNA was isolated from the cultured organisms and the identity of the bacteria was determined by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA genes, followed by BLAST analysis in the database of NCBI, USA. RNA was extracted from water samples and analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of viruses with potential health risks, i.e. Astrovirus, Enterovirus, Norovirus, Rotavirus, and Hepatitis A. Confocal microscopy showed the presence of bacteria in some water samples. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing of culture grown organisms, followed by BLAST analysis, identified the presence of several non-pathogenic bacterial species. However, one sample had Acinetobacter baumannii, which often causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised people, but none of the studied viruses could be detected in the drinking water samples analyzed. The results indicate that drinking water samples analyzed from various locations in Kuwait are relatively safe for drinking and do not contain many harmful pathogens.
A Delphi on Drowning Prevention Education Research

A Delphi on Drowning Prevention Education Research Adam Bradley Katchmarchi Background: The World Health Organization’s Global Drowning Report (2014) listed action steps to reduce drowning globally, with the last action step highlighting the need to address priority research with well-designed studies. While drowning injury and fatality rates remain largely unchanged in recent years in the United States, existing research has not developed a supportive foundation to identify priority research questions. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a 3-round Delphi procedure to determine and prioritize future research questions associated with drowning prevention education in the United States. Design & Methodology: This research employed a 3-round Delphi procedure to (1) survey experts to brainstorm research questions needing to be addressed in the US and (2) seek a consensus on the rating of importance of each research question. Following consensus building, a qualitative cluster analysis was completed to highlight related themes among research questions. Results: The results of the Delphi brainstorming resulted in 251 responses from 74 participants. After a qualitative content analysis, 101 research questioned emerged. Each research question was then rated by participants on a 7-point Likert scale of importance. Results of the Delphi reveled 9 priority (μ6) research questions and 75 moderately important (μ5) research questions. A qualitative cluster analysis revealed six distinct categories: (1) Education and Programming Effectiveness, (2) Lifeguard Protocols and Victim Recognition, (3) Aquatic Policy and Safety, (4) Surveillance Data, (5) Communication and Public Awareness, and (6) SocioCultural and Demographic Factors. Conclusion: Results of this study give an in-depth analysis of priority research questions while providing framework for impactful future research studies and educational programming endeavors. DELPHI ON DROWNING PREVENTION EDUCATION iii
Measuring skewness: we don’t assume much

Skewness plays a vital role in different engineering phenomena so it is desired to measure this characteristic accurately. Several measures to quantify the extent of skewness in distributions have been developed over the course of history but each measure has some serious limitations. Therefore, in this article, we propose a new skewness measuring functional, based on distribution function evaluated at mean with minimal assumptions and limitations. Four well recognized properties for an appropriate measure of skewness are verified and demonstrated for the new measure. Comparisons with the conventional moment-based measure are carried out by employing both functionals over range of distributions available in literature. Furthermore, the robustness of the proposed measure against unusual data points is explored through the application of influence function. The Mathematical findings are verified through meticulous simulation studies and further verified by real data sets coming from diverse fields of inquiries. It is witnessed that the suggested measure passes all the checks with distinction while comparing to the classical moment-based measure. Based on computational simplicity, applicability in more general environment and preservation of c-ordering of distribution, it may be considered as an attractive addition to the family of skewness measures.
Depression and Associated Factors among Elderly Outpatients in Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Elderly patients with their deteriorating global health are becoming more vulnerable to mental disorders, especially depression. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression amongst patients attending outpatient clinics in Songklanagarind Hospital, a tertiary care center in southern Thailand. Material and Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Elderly people (65-99 years of age) attending the outpatient department of Songklanagarind Hospital during 1st of September-30th of November 2015 were included in the study. The sample size was calculated using Epicalc in R program. We used the 15-item Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15) questionnaire to find the prevalence of depression among this group. Associated factors of depression were identified by multiple logistic regression using a backward-stepwise method. Results: The total number of participants in this study was 408. The prevalence of depression based on the TGDS-15, cut-off score of >5, among elderly outpatients in Songklanagarind Hospital was 9.6%. However, regarding multiple regression analysis, no statistically significant factors; sex, age, marital status, educational level, and religion, could be found to be associated with depression. Conclusion: Almost one-tenth of the elderly patients visiting the outpatient clinics within Songklanagarind Hospital had depression. This prevalence was quite high. The depression would worsen their health conditions. Good, rigorous screening coupled with a referral system should be encouraged and then implemented in this hospital.
Invertebrate response to impacts of water diversion and flow regulation in high‐altitude tropical streams

Water supply systems are critical infrastructure that provides food and energy security for developed societies. The operation of reservoirs (flow regulation) and water intakes (water diversion) has known negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems; however, quantification of ecological impacts and examination of these two types of flow alteration remain a developing area of research. We investigated the individual and combined impact of flow regulation and water diversion on stream ecosystem integrity, the freshwater macroinvertebrate community, and the population structure of flow‐sensitive insects. For 2 years, we monitored quarterly discharge, physical and chemical stream conditions, and benthic invertebrates of four high‐altitude tropical streams that are part of the water supply system of Quito, Ecuador. Flow regulation caused a loss of the hydrological seasonality of these streams, including a decrease in stream depth and biotic quality. Water diversion caused a decrease in dissolved oxygen and overall ecosystem integrity. Freshwater invertebrate density and richness decreased as a result of water diversion and flow regulation. The combined flow alteration in these streams decreased the density of nymphal stages of the widely distributed mayfly Andesiops peruvianus. Given the societal needs for food and energy security, water management for diversion (e.g., irrigation) and in‐line storage practices (e.g., hydroelectric dams) are anticipated to increase. This research suggests that the negative environmental impacts of flow alteration could be mitigated with discharge releases designed to approximate the natural hydrologic regime of undisturbed streams.
Dementia Care Work Situated Between Professional and Regulatory Codes of Ethics

ABSTRACT Safety, dignity and autonomy are keywords in care work for older people. Dementia, however, complicates the relationship between care workers and care receivers, in part because it affects memory, thought, perception, reasoning and speech. Thus it potentially influences the voice and consent competence of the individual. In such contexts, care work can become ethically challenging. This paper investigates how care workers in social care services ensure the safety and well-being of those receiving care and how these responsibilities must be weighed against the sometimes conflicting duty of upholding and respecting civil rights and individual choices when the older person has dementia. The empirical stage is home care and nursing home services in Norway. These settings provide a comparative foundation. Two different forms of ethical orientation are found to be active in the care workers’ accounts in this study: ethics situated in the care work profession, and ‘regulatory codes of ethics’ situated in organizational rules backed by legislation. Whether these forms create tension or strengthen each other in care work practices is an open question. The implications for care work services are discussed.
Handbook of the Shapley Value

This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Routledge/CRC Press in Handbook of the Shapley value on December 6, 2019, available online: https://www.crcpress. com/Handbook-of-the-Shapley-Value/Algaba-Fragnelli-Sanchez-Soriano/p/book/9780815374688
Comparing Occupation-Based and Repetitive Task Practice Interventions for Optimal Stroke Recovery: A Pilot Randomized Trial

ABSTRACT Aims: This pilot randomized comparative study investigated changes in motor performance and indices of neuroplasticity associated with occupation-based intervention and repetitive task practice in the recovery of occupational performance following stroke. Method: Sixteen participants received either occupation-based intervention or repetitive task practice for eight 55-minute sessions. Motor performance was measured by the Fugl Meyer Assessment (FMA), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS). Indices of neuroplastic change were assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Results: Both occupation-based intervention and repetitive task practice groups demonstrated significant changes on the FMA and the occupation-based group demonstrated significant changes on the GAS goals. Neurophysiological measures showed enlargement in TMS volume maps in the affected hemisphere for both groups. Conclusion: Occupation-based and repetitive task practice interventions can yield similar improvements in chronic stroke.
Differences in the niches of keratin/chitin feeding moths (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) in bird nests in central Japan

Some moth larvae feed not on plants but on keratin and/or chitin produced by animals. These substances are polymers and are commonly found in bird nests as feathers and raptor pellets. Many qualitative studies have examined the association of keratin/chitin feeding moths with bird nests. However, few studies have quantified the species composition with respect to type of nest and habitat. Hence, we have studied the degree to which the niches of these moths differ in terms of type of nest and habitat. We set-up open-top nest boxes for the Ural owl Strix uralensis (damp exposed nests from which owl chicks were fledged successfully) and artificial bird nests (mesh bags filled with duck down to imitate dry exposed nests) in a deciduous forest and artificial bird nests in an urban setting in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, and collected the contents of the nests every two months from June to December 2014. We recorded 592 individuals of five keratin/chitin feeding moth species (Tineidae, Tineinae) from the contents. Using non-metric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis of the relative abundances of individual species in each type of nest in forest and urban settings, these species were classified into three groups: (1) Monopis longella and M. congestella inhabiting forest, (2) M. flavidorsalis and Niditinea tugurialis mainly in damp exposed nests in forest and (3) N. piercella mainly in dry exposed nests in urban areas. This classification was compared with findings of other studies. As a result, these moths probably have different niches with respect to nest type (damp or dry), keratin/chitin as a source of food (raptor pellets or feathers), and habitat (forest or urban area). Furthermore, we suggest that the evolution of larviparity in M. congestella might be related to its preference for feathers as a source of food for the development of its larvae.
Prevalence of constipation in people with intellectual disability: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Constipation can lead to serious health issues and death. This systematic review summarises international research pertaining to the prevalence of constipation in people with intellectual disability. Method: Studies published from 1990 to January 2016 were identified using Medline, Cinahl, PsycINFO, Web of Science, email requests, and cross-citations. Studies were reviewed narratively. Results: 31 studies were identified. Constipation rates of 50% or more were reported in 14 studies; 21 studies reported rates over 33%. Based on the most representative study, over 25% of people with intellectual disability received a repeat prescription for laxatives in one year, compared to 0.1% of people without intellectual disability. Constipation was more common in those with cerebral palsy and profound intellectual disability, and associated with immobility but not age. Conclusion: Constipation is a significant issue for people with intellectual disability across the life course and should be actively considered as a diagnosis in this population.
Tuning in to Kids

Zusammenfassung. Es wird eine deutsche Version des Elterntrainings Tuning in to Kids vorgestellt. Das Training zielt über die Förderung elterlicher Strategien zur Emotionssozialisation auf eine Verbesserung kindlicher emotionaler Kompetenzen ab und kombiniert kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Prinzipien mit einem emotionsfokussierten Ansatz. In einer kontrollierten Pilotstudie mit Prä-Posttest-Design (TG: n = 41, KG: n = 30; Alter der Kinder: 3 – 6 Jahre) wurden durch das Training nicht-supportive emotionsbezogene Überzeugungen und Reaktionen auf kindliche Emotionen reduziert sowie supportive Überzeugungen und Reaktionen aufgebaut. Für verschiedene Maße des emotionalen Familienklimas zeigten sich tendenziell positive Effekte. Trotz der Vorläufigkeit der Befunde sprechen die Ergebnisse für eine gute Trainierbarkeit elterlicher Strategien zur Emotionssozialisation und einen stärkeren Einbezug in Prävention und Intervention.
Psychosocial Motives for Undergoing Male Circumcision (MC) in High HIV Epidemic Areas and the Probable Impact on the Mass MC Strategy ofHIV Prevention: A Case Study of Swaziland

While millions of men have been circumcised cumulatively under the mass male circumcision campaigns for the prevention of HIV, the uptake of male circumcision (MC) is below the set targets. This suggests that prevention of HIV is not a convincing motive for circumcision to the majority of men. Notably some men are undergoing male circumcision for other psychosocial motives, rather than the primary public health motive of preventing HIV transmission. These motives have not been explicitly studied in order to ascertain their potential impact on the male circumcision strategy of HIV prevention. This study aimed at assessing the psychosocial motives for undergoing male circumcision in Swaziland and determines their potential impact on the success of the mass male circumcision strategy. A qualitative study design was used, in which in-depth individual face-to-face unstructured interviews were conducted with 17 men seeking health care services at the Family Life Association of Swaziland clinic in Mbabane, Swaziland. All men aged 18 years and above were eligible. Results indicate that some men are undergoing circumcision primarily for psychosocial reasons rather than for HIV prevention. These psychosocial motives include: giving in to pressure from public health advocates, sexual partners and peers; to perceived sexual benefits of the procedure; to demonstrate one’s manhood, as well as to utilise the free and readily available male circumcision services. However, subsequent safe post-MC sexual behaviour is not guaranteed. Nevertheless, it was recommended that these motives be emphasised in the mass male circumcision campaigns, along with appropriate health education, in order to complement HIV prevention in promoting uptake of male circumcision and ensuring safe post-circumcision sexual behaviour.
Diversifying Conceptions of Sexual Pleasure in Self-Reported Genital Piercing Stories

ABSTRACT While research into motivations for obtaining a genital piercing has often shown sexual pleasure to be a key reason that persons get such piercings, research has typically overlooked the diverse ways that sexual pleasure is conceived of amid the context of genital piercings. In this article, we use examples from a study of self-reported genital piercing stories in order to illuminate this diversity and call attention to how sex research could benefit from a more robust and inclusive understanding of sexual pleasure. In doing so, we engage with more general research on pleasure as seen in other disciplines, and we argue for both a broader understanding of sexual pleasure as well as for an accompanying methodology that focuses on individuals’ own conceptions of sexual pleasure.
Private Information Transmission, Momentum and Reversal

Abstract We propose a simple model of information transmission and price dynamics to investigate that private information can contribute to both momentum and reversal. The prior literature only suggests that public information can correct the bias of price and cause a reversal. In a word-of-mouth transmission process, the heterogeneity of investors depends on the private information that they have. We incorporate self-updating private information into our model and find that price increases at first and then decreases under certain conditions. This paper provides a unified explanation for momentum and reversal in the view of private information. Moreover, our empirical results verify our theoretical conclusions.
Improving the health of homeless youth through community-based sexual health promotion

Background: Although Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) impact individuals of all ages, adolescents and those who are homeless, are at a particularly increased risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated adolescents aged 15-24 years account for half of all new STIs in the US. Homeless youth are generally knowledgeable about transmission, prevention, and treatment of STIs, however, there are disparities regarding access and knowledge of free preventive and medical services. This pilot study explored the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of homeless youth before and after the implementation of a sexual health education program. Methods: The curriculum included four separate topic presentations in small group sessions of 7-15 participants at local community-based street outreach program related to reproductive anatomy, STIs, contraception, and an interactive reproductive physical exam simulation. This study used a retrospective pre/post survey to evaluate the impact. Results: Fifteen individuals participated in at least one of the sessions. Participants who attended 3-4 of the sessions showed greater knowledge improvement than those who only attended 1-2 sessions. Basic knowledge was the same (e.g., will visit a medical care provider when needed, 100% both groups) but more advanced knowledge was greater for those who attended 3-4 sessions (Plan B usage, 43% (n=3/7) vs . 75% (n=3/4)). Conclusion: By overcoming barriers regarding health disparities through education and collaboration, this study was able to empower at-risk youth to be proactive in their own sexual health. health education. This pilot study explored the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of homeless youth after the implementation of a sexual health education program based on previously reported gaps in health education for this population. The goal was to further understand how STI and sexual health education impacted the behaviors of homeless young adults.
Capital structure of enterprises as a factor of ensuring financial stability

The aim of the study is to develop a methodological approach to assess the impact on the financial stability of enterprises of the processes of formation and use of intellectual capital in the structure of total capital. Systematic, monographic, analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, the method of financial ratios, cluster analysis, regression analysis, factor analysis. The work is characterized by the content and highlights the key factors of the concept of "financial stability of the enterprise. " Using cluster analysis, groups of machine-building enterprises of the Kharkiv region were formed depending on the structure and efficiency of capital use. A methodological approach has been created for empirical studies of the influence of intellectual capital on the results of activities of machine-building enterprises of the Kharkiv region for the selected clusters. It has been established that there is a positive relationship between the processes of functioning of intellectual capital and the financial results of enterprises; the impact of the efficiency of using intellectual capital on asset turnover is not unidirectional, but the contribution of the efficiency of using the components of intellectual capital in obtaining these results differs for enterprise clusters; individual components of intellectual capital without the presence of the rest are not significant. The factors of the influence of intellectual capital on the identified clusters of engineering enterprises are identified, which will reveal the reserves of effective reproduction of intellectual capital on the selected groups of enterprises. Тhe practical significance of the results is that their use will allow enterprises reasonably structure in both total and intellectual capital, increase the effective use of material, financial and intellectual components. Methodical recommendations contained in the study, providing a comprehensive approach to management of capital structure formation and identification of potential areas for optimization.