Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sand Replacement by Silica Sand on Strength of Fibers Reinforced Foamed Concrete

To investigate the effect of sand type and particles grading, three (1200 kg/m3) foamed concrete mixes were produced with conventional sand (particles size <2.36), conventional sand (partials size <0.5mm) and silica sand (partials size <0.5mm). Additionally, three more (1200 kg/m3) foamed concrete mixes were reinforced by Polypropylene fibers (0.5% of volume) with different lengths (12, 18, 30 mm) and tested to examine the effect of added fibers and their lengths on the strength of foamed concrete. Absolute volume method was adopted to design the investigated mixes, while pre-foamed foam method was adopted to produce the foamed concrete mixes. It was found that replacing of conventional sand by silica sand helped in increasing both compressive and splitting tensile strengths. Also, an increase of strength was noticed with decreasing the particles grading of conventional sand from 2.36mm to 0.5mm. Moreover, reinforced foamed concrete mixes by Polypropylene fibers showed the highest strengths compared to those without fibers. Furthermore, incorporation of silica sand and polypropylene fibers together has the most beneficial influence on the strength of foamed concrete.
Failure of sex to predict the size and shape of the knee.

The concept of sex-related differences in knee morphology that has led to sex specificity in total knee replacement has generated a great deal of interest in both the popular press and the orthopaedic literature. Some clinicians and implant designers purport that there are sex-based anatomical differences in the size and shape of the female knee. Because of these differences, they add, women need an implant that is “just for them. ” Sex-specific knees have been touted as “the next level of sophistication. ”1 There is, however, legitimate skepticism about the scientific evidence supporting this view; thus, the need for these implants is a matter of debate. Proponents of this technology have identified three anatomical differences in the female knee: a smaller anterior condyle, an increased quadriceps angle (Q angle), and a reduced medial-lateral to anterior-posterior aspect ratio2,3. The evidence supporting these claims has recently been scrutinized by Merchant et al.4, who concluded that there appear to be no meaningful anatomical differences between male and female knees. Furthermore, they found no evidence that women have worse outcomes than men after traditional total knee arthroplasty, a conclusion that calls into question the need for sex-specific implants. In fact, women do equally well or, in some cases, better than men do4. The ideas regarding the need for a sex-specific implant have largely been introduced into the literature by representatives of the companies most associated with marketing the concept4. Sex-specific implants have been heavily marketed to surgeons in journal advertisements and direct mailings and to patients through direct-to-consumer advertising in the print and broadcast media. Advertisements stating that a particular implant is “the only knee truly for women” and “the first and only knee that fits the shape and size of a woman” have been …
Multidisciplinary care of patients with Parkinson's disease

There is increasing evidence that the effective care of patients with Parkinson's disease should involve a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, including the neurologist or geriatrician, Parkinson's disease nurse specialist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, dietitian, clinical psychologist and social worker, among others. Here, the authors review the evidence for the efficacy of multi‐disciplinary working and describe their own model of care in Derby.
Antioxidative effects of sulphurous water from macerata feltria thermal resort in patients with osteoarthritis

It has been widely demonstrated that reactive oxygen species are implicated as the main causative factors of osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease characterized by a progressive degradation of the articular cartilage. Sulphur thermal therapies are employed in the treatment of OA since ancient times; however, their mechanisms of action in the control of OA are only partially known. In the present study, we undertook a preliminary investigation aim at evaluating the antioxidative effects of a cycle of mud-therapy with sulphurous water in combination with hydropinotherapy in fifteen patients affected by degenerative OA from the Thermal Resort of Macerata Feltria. Subjects were evaluated both before (T0) and after (T1) therapy thus to monitor their antioxidant profile as well as some indices of oxidative damage. Interestingly, at the end of the thermal treatment we evidenced a significant increment of plasma total antioxidant capacity and total thiol levels, with a concomitant decrement of both lipid and protein oxidation markers. Our findings of improved body redox status in OA patients undergoing sulphur thermal therapy suggest major benefits from sulphurous water in reducing bio-molecule oxidation, possibly furnishing a valid protection against oxidative injury commonly associated with aging and age-related degenerative diseases.
Affine Differential Local Mean ZigZag Pattern for Texture Classification

The texture classification is a significant problem in the area of pattern recognition. This work proposes a novel Affine Differential Local Mean ZigZag Pattern (ADLMZP) descriptor for texture classification. The proposed method has two manifolds: first Local Mean ZigZag Pattern (LMZP) map is calculated by thresholding the 3 × 3 patch neighbor intensity values with respect to path mean but in a ZigZag weighting fashion, which provides a well discriminated descriptor compared to other local binary descriptors. The local micropattern is obtained by comparing neighbor intensity values with respect to path mean which makes the descriptor robust against noise and illumination variations. Secondly, in order to make it invariant to affine changes, we incorporated an affine differential transformation along with affine gradient magnitude information of a texture image which is differed from Euclidean Gradient. The final ADLMZP descriptor is generated by concatenating the histograms of all Affine Differential Local Mean ZigZag maps. The results are computed over well known KTH-TIPS, Brodatz, and CUReT texture datasets and compared with the state-of-the-art texture classification methods.
QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES IN RAJKOT DISTRICT: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Primary health care through the setup of sub centre and PHCs build up the base of the health of community. Primary health care includes not only the curative care for the diseases, but also the preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care to the specified population of the defined area. Aims & Objectives: To assess the quality of facilities available at primary health care centres as per IPHS guidelines. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 14 PHCs randomly selected, 2 from 7 blocks of Rajkot district. Pretested close ended questionnaire was used. Results: The facility was assessed according to IPHS guidelines. 50% PHCs was located within the village area and 28% was within 1 KM from village. Doctor, Nurse, lab-technician and Pharmacist is available in 92%, 57%, 100% and 100% PHCs respectively. Residential facility is available in 21% of PHCs. More than 85% of Doctors, staff nurses and health worker are trained for IMNCI and ANC services. All PHCs were providing all RCH services but none of the PHC was providing MTP services. Conclusion: Incentives should be given to work at remote places and all the post of staff should be filled up as early as possible
Prediction of preterm labor by ultrasonographic cervical length

Objective To determine whether transvaginal ultrasound assessment of the cervix is superior to transabdominal ultrasonography in evaluating the cervical canal in the second trimester and to see which one is more accurate in predicting preterm labor. Patients and Method The study entailed 294 women with singleton pregnancy, who attended our antenatal clinic for routine care. Each woman underwent a transabdominal and endovaginal ultrasonographic cervical length measurement at 20-24 weeks. Women with risk factors for preterm deliveries like history of preterm delivery, cervical incompetence, uterine abnormalities, and previous cervical surgery were excluded. Maternal and fetal data were collected. Statistical comparison was made between the two ultrasonographic methods for gestational age at birth and parity. Result 10.8 % of the women delivered prematurely. Transvaginal ultrasonographic cervical length measurements of term and preterm deliveries showed a statistically significant difference (P0.05). Although transvaginal cervical length measurements showed a statistically significant difference between primiparous and multiparous women (P< 0.05), the difference was not significant by transabdominal route (P>0.05). Conclusion Transvaginal ultrasonography seems to be superior to transabdominal sonography in assessing the cervical length in the second trimester and for screening for spontaneous preterm delivery. (Rawal Med J 2009;34: ).
Antibiotics usage in food-producing animals in South Africa and impact on human: Antibiotic resistance

The widespread and intensive use of antibiotic agents in modern food production systems is believed to be contributing significantly to antibiotic resistance among bacteria. Antibiotic usage in foodproducing animals tend to be increasing and data show that even those that have been banned in other countries such as growth promoters are still being used in South Africa. Moreover, very few relatively recent surveys and reports on antibiotic resistance isolates from food animals in South Africa have been carried out and are crowded in Gauteng province. However, despite poor health status which include a large portion of bacterial infections, as well as HIV/AIDS epidemic and tuberculosis, South Africa has had the most active surveillance for antibiotic resistance of any African country. But, the concern is that it has not yet fully translated available antimicrobial resistance surveillance data into policy. Moreover, a national surveillance programme of antibiotics usage on the food-producing animals and antibiotic resistance is required to help to mitigate the problem of lack of availability of information.
Clinician‐driven value scoring to prioritise quality actions: a study of general medicine hospital pharmacists

As with many clinical services, the number of patients requiring clinical pharmacist care exceeds the supply of those trained to provide it, so leaders and clinicians must make choices about which services to provide. A ‘Quality Actions’ (QA) framework has been proposed that provides for clinician‐driven, systematic, transparent quantitative characterisation of individual QAs in terms of their value. This forms a basis for enhancement of quality of care.
Lack of progress in cardiogenic shock: lessons from the GUSTO trials

Aims: We used the GUSTO-I and GUSTO-III databases to evaluate our performance in treating cardiogenic shock patients over much of the 1990s. Methods and Results: GUSTO-I (1990-1993) and GUSTO-III (1995-1997) prospectively identified all patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction. Demographics, clinical presentation and outcomes for cardiogenic shock patients in the two trials were compared. Only patients enrolled with cardiogenic shock in countries common to both trials were included in these analysis. The 695 patients with cardiogenic shock in GUSTO-III were compared with the 2814 patients with cardiogenic shock in GUSTO-I. GUSTO-III patients were older (P=0.0001) and more likely to be diabetic (P=0.009) and hypertensive (P=0.025). They had a higher Killip class (P=0.002) and significantly greater index anterior infarction than cardiogenic shock patients enrolled in GUSTO-I. Time to treatment, presentation heart rate, and diastolic blood pressure were similar; however, systolic blood pressure at presentation was higher among GUSTO-III patients (P=0.002). Rates of coronary angiography, pulmonary artery catheterization, and mechanical ventilation declined in GUSTO-III compared with GUSTO-I (P=0.001); rates of angioplasty and bypass surgery were similar. Cardiogenic shock mortality in GUSTO-III was significantly higher than in GUSTO-I (62 vs 54%, P=0.001), as were rates of reinfarction (14 vs 11%, P=0.013) and recurrent ischaemia (35 vs 27%, P=0.00001). Mortality at non-U.S. sites (68 and 64%) was higher than at U.S. sites (53 and 50%) in both GUSTO-I and GUSTO-III studies, respectively. Angioplasty, bypass surgery, and balloon pump rates were lower for non-U.S. patients. Conclusions: Cardiogenic shock continues to be associated with high mortality in thrombolytic-treated patients. Lower mortality observed in the U.S.A. supports consideration for percutaneous and surgical revascularization. (C) 2000 The European Society of Cardiology.
Meningiomas: Quality of life before and after surgery

Evaluation of the quality of life before and after the development at three, six and twelve months intervals from meningioma resection was considered. A prospective study was carried out with 29 patients carrying benign meningioma, whose ages ranged from 28 to 76 years old. In order to evaluate the quality of life, two instruments were used: the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the Innsbruck Health Dimensions Questionnaire for Neurosurgical Patients (IHD-NS). Meaningful differences were found between the NHP and the IHD-NS total score, when comparing the evaluations before and after intervention. A significant improvement in pain, emotional reaction, physical ability, sleepiness, communication, physical condition, independence and the psychological condition domains was noticed. It was possible to observe that patients who had meningiomas in the left hemisphere have shown higher symptomatology, but those were also the ones who have shown significant reduction of the symptoms after the surgical intervention. Patients who undertook surgical intervention for the meningioma resection presented a significant improvement in their quality of life. A meaningful improvement took place up to the first three months. There was then a tendency to stabilize between three to six months (because of a rise in the Emotional Reactions Domain) and thereafter there was a reduction in new symptom taking place up to twelve months from intervention. Taking this study into to consideration it seems beneficial to recommend psychotherapy intervention after three months from surgery.
A Need Assessment for Prevention of Work-Related Stress Experienced by Radiographers in Ghana

Background: The various components within the radiography practice pose different injury risks to radiographers in the course of performing diagnostic imaging examinations such as positioning patients in bed or on x-ray tables and lifting of heavy objects. These identified situations have a significant role in the development of RSS in radiographers Aim: This study aimed to establish whether radiographers at the study site experience Repetitive Stress Syndrome (RSS) in order to outline possible techniques to reduce the risk of RSS. Method: This was a descriptive survey and 68 radiographers consented to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, radiographers’ awareness about distress, work schedule and problems associated with musculoskeletal injury were completed. Data were entered into a database using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0 and graphs and tables presented using Microsoft Excel. Result: It was observed from the study that majority of the Radiographers (52%) had practiced between one to five years. Forty eight percent of the respondents had no awareness of any kind of distress. Some of the radiographers (39%) had experienced multiple symptoms of distress in their workplaces. Conclusion: The study identified lack of awareness about several stress syndromes among the radiographer at the study site. The symptoms of distress among the radiographers were mostly pain and weakness. Other practices that influenced the occurrence of stress among the participants were frequent transferring and positioning of patients.
Contribution of kinesophobia and catastrophic thinking to upper-extremity-specific disability.

BACKGROUND Upper-extremity-specific disability correlates with mood and coping strategies. The aim of this study was to determine if two psychological factors, kinesiophobia (fear of movement) and perceived partner support, contribute significantly to variation in upper-extremity-specific disability in a model that included factors known to contribute to variation such as depression, pain anxiety, and catastrophic thinking. METHODS We performed an observational cross-sectional study of 319 patients who each had one of the following conditions: trigger finger (n = 94), carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 29), trapeziometacarpal arthrosis (n = 33), Dupuytren contracture (n = 31), de Quervain syndrome (n = 28), wrist ganglion cyst (n = 32), lateral epicondylosis (n = 41), and a fracture of the distal part of the radius treated nonoperatively six weeks previously (n = 31). Each patient completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression, pain anxiety, catastrophic thinking, kinesiophobia, and perceived level of support from a partner or significant other. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to determine significant independent predictors of the DASH score. RESULTS Men had significantly lower (better) DASH scores than women (21 versus 31; p < 0.01). DASH scores also differed significantly by diagnosis (p < 0.01), marital status (p = 0.047), and employment status (p < 0.01). The DASH score correlated significantly with depressive symptoms (p < 0.01), catastrophic thinking (p < 0.01), kinesiophobia (p < 0.01), and pain anxiety (p < 0.01) but not with perceived partner support. The best multivariable model of factors associated with greater arm-specific disability (according to the DASH score) included sex, diagnosis, employment status, catastrophic thinking, and kinesiophobia and accounted for 55% of the variation. CONCLUSIONS In this sample, kinesiophobia and catastrophic thinking were the most important predictors of upper-extremity-specific disability in a model that accounted for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pathophysiology (diagnosis) and explained more than half of the variation in disability. Perceived partner support was not a significant factor. The consistent and predominant role of several modifiable psychological factors in disability suggests that patients may benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that optimizes mindset and coping strategies.
Development of a drug safety ePlatform for physicians, pharmacists, and consumers based on post-marketing adverse events

Rigorous clinical trials under the watchful eye of regulators remain the cornerstone of drug safety. However, the emergence of serious and life-threatening Adverse Events (AEs) across best-selling drug classes [sometimes many years after winning Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval] underscores the limitations of current clinical trial processes and reinforces the need for careful postapproval pharmacovigilance. The FDA’s sizeable repository of patient case reports linking AEs to approved drugs is the Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). We believe that open and user-friendly access to the millions of case reports in FAERS would help advance the field of post-marketing pharmacovigilance. However, FAERS data are virtually inaccessible to most physicians, pharmacists, and consumers. Accordingly, we have recently launched a big data platform (www.AdverseEvents.com) that, unlike previous efforts, provides on-demand, user-friendly, and highimpact access to FAERS data. Bringing the power of big data to regular users, such as clinicians, pharmacists, and patients, is the logical next step in the transformation of health care to a model of shared decision making between consumers and the system.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF ANXIETY AND CARING IN A SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN BEGINNING NURSING STUDENTS

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv DEDICATION. v TABLE OF CONTENTS . vi LIST OF TABLES. ix LIST OF FIGURES . x CHAPTER
The relationship between structural barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life

We examined the relationship between structural barriers to antiretroviral therapy and quality of life among 291 antiretroviral therapy users in South Africa. We found significant relationships between structural barriers to clinical attendance and pill taking and various dimensions of quality of life. Psychological distress was not found to be a mediator between structural barriers to clinic attendance and indicators of health-related quality of life, although it was a potential mediator between structural barriers to pill taking and some dimensions of quality of life. Psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between structural barriers to pill taking and physical well-being and between structural barriers to pill taking and emotional well-being.
Clients' Experience of Partnership with Occupational Therapists in Community Mental Health

The occupational therapy profession is committed to providing services that are client centred. Partnership with clients is seen as central to this way of working. However, there is little published evidence about the types of service and the relationships with therapists that clients value. This qualitative study used in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven clients from three adult community mental health teams to explore the experiences of working in partnership with occupational therapists from the clients' perspective. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim by the researcher. The data were analysed by means of content analysis. This established four factors that contributed to partnership: the therapist's personality, the therapist's behaviour, client-centred skills and boundary issues. Five factors described as barriers to partnership were also established: the lack of an individual approach, the lack of communication and knowledge, the lack of confidentiality, the directive therapist and inequality. The personality and behaviour of the therapist emerged as important, with the participants valuing those occupational therapists whom they perceived as warm, caring, committed and hard working and who appeared to value them as individuals. It was also found that the participants used the language of original writing on client-centred practice to describe their relationships with their therapists: warmth, empathy, trust and acceptance. Further exploration of the barriers to working in partnership with clients is needed, but the implications for practice are clear. Clients wish to be valued as individuals by occupational therapists who are committed to working in partnership with them.
Modelling the effects of upper arm cuff pressure on pulse morphology

We propose a distributed model of entire human arterial tree to describe the haemodynamic changes due to pressure applied on the brachial artery. The model (without baroreflex) parameters are positively correlated with measured parameters (maximum systolic slope r = 0.54; maximum diastolic slope r = 0.77; pulse height r = 0.89 when P < 0.05). We calculated correlation coefficient of all parameters with baroreflex system (for maximum systolic slope r = 0.97; for maximum diastolic slope r = 0.93; for pulse height r = 0.99 when P < 0.05). With baroreflex loop in the model, the experimental parameters are accurately predicted.