Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fuel prices at petrol stations in touristic cities

While it may seem obvious from common sense that retail fuel prices should be higher in touristic rather than in nontouristic cities, the related empirical literature has failed either to clearly support this assumption or to qualify and quantify the effect of tourism on retail fuel prices. Using a self-created data set that includes prices across a large sample of petrol stations located in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, we seek to evaluate the effects of tourism on local destination retail petrol prices. The estimations prove three main effects: Petrol prices are higher in cities with high levels of tourism, nearby beaches, and/or with the socioeconomic influence of a national park. In fact, petrol stations add a margin of around 6.6% and 6.4% for unleaded gasoline 95 and diesel, respectively, in touristic cities. Second, the more touristic the city, the higher these prices. Third, in the case of touristic municipalities, the percentage of travelers from abroad and being within the area of influence of a national park are two of the main drivers that explain this overpricing.
Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract in low transsphincteric fistulae: a new technique to avoid fistulotomy

Aim To date fistulotomy is still the treatment of choice for patients with a transsphincteric fistula passing through the lower third of the external anal sphincter, because it is a simple, effective and safe procedure with a minimal risk of incontinence. However, data suggest that the risk of impaired continence following division of the lower third of the external anal sphincter is not insignificant, especially in female patients with an anterior fistula and patients with diminished anal sphincter function. It has been shown that ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) is a promising sphincter‐preserving technique. Therefore, we questioned whether LIFT could replace fistulotomy in patients with a low transsphincteric fistula.
In vivo effect confirmation of anti-androgenic compounds in sediment contact tests with Potamopyrgus antipodarum

In order to investigate the sensitivity of Potamopyrgus antipodarum to anti-androgenic compounds, three spiked sediment tests were performed. The substances benzanthrone (7H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one), traseolide (ATII) and androstenone (5α-Androst-16-en-3-one) were previously identified in an effect-directed analysis study of the river Schijn in the north of Belgium. Although, in previous studies, all of the three compounds exhibited anti-androgenic activities in vitro, only the oxy-PAH benzanthrone had significant stimulating effects on the snails’ reproduction. The reproduction of P. antipodarum was significantly stimulated, following a sigmoidal dose response curve, whereby an EC50 of 10 ng/g dry sediment was calculated. Mortality was significantly increased at the highest concentration (69 ng/g dry sediment). The results indicate different relative potencies for the in vivo test with P. antipodarum and the in vitro anti-AR-CALUX assay, performed in a previous study. This highlights the importance of combined in vitro and in vivo assays for the effect assessment of field sediments.
Gene Sequence and Properties of ans-Triazine Ring-Cleavage Enzyme from Pseudomonassp. Strain NRRLB-12227

ABSTRACT Pesticides based on the s-triazine ring structure are widely used in cultivation of food crops. Cleavage of thes-triazine ring is an important step in the mineralization of s-triazine compounds and hence in their complete removal from the environment. Cyanuric acid amidohydrolase cleaves cyanuric acid (2,4,6-trihydroxy-s-triazine), which yields carbon dioxide and biuret; the biuret is subject to further metabolism, which yields CO2 and ammonia. The trzD gene encoding cyanuric acid amidohydrolase was cloned into pMMB277 fromPseudomonas sp. strain NRRLB-12227, a strain that is capable of utilizing s-triazines as nitrogen sources. Hydrolysis of cyanuric acid was detected in crude extracts ofEscherichia coli containing the cloned gene by monitoring the disappearance of cyanuric acid and the appearance of biuret by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DEAE and hydrophobic interaction HPLC were used to purify cyanuric acid amidohydrolase to homogeneity, and a spectrophotometric assay for the purified enzyme was developed. The purified enzyme had an apparentKm of 0.05 mM for cyanuric acid at pH 8.0. The enzyme did not cleave any other s-triazine or hydroxypyrimidine compound, although barbituric acid (2,4,6-trihydroxypyrimidine) was found to be a strong competitive inhibitor. Neither the nucleotide sequence of trzD nor the amino acid sequence of the gene product exhibited a significant level of similarity to any known gene or protein.
Midterm results of trochanteric flip osteotomy technique for management of fractures around the hip

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate safety and efficacy of the trochanteric flip osteotomy with surgical hip dislocation technique in selected displaced acetabular and femoral head fractures with clinico-radiological outcome and potential complications. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 32 patients from January 2009 to June 2014. Selected displaced acetabular fractures with comminution and/or cranial extension of posterior wall, marginal impaction, intraarticular fragment, femoral head fractures and hip fracture-dislocations were operated by this modified approach of trochanteric flip osteotomy and surgical hip dislocation. Patients were evaluated for fracture reduction, femoral head viability, trochanteric union, abduction power, and functional evaluation was done by Merle d’Aubigné-Postel scoring system. Minimum follow-up was 24 months. Results: Reduction was judged to be anatomical in 84.38% of cases, and within 1-3 millimetres in 9.38% of cases. All osteotomies healed in an anatomical position. Heterotopic ossification was found in 2 patients limited to Brooker class I. Osteonecrosis developed in 1 patient. 2 patients developed arthritis of the hip as sequelae of poor reduction. Abduction power was MRC 5/5 in all except in 1 patient (4/5). Mean Merle d’Aubigné-Postel score was 16.18; overall good to excellent result was achieved in 87.5% of cases. Conclusions: Trochanteric flip osteotomy with surgical dislocation allows better intraarticular assessment, control of intraarticular fragments, assists accurate reduction and the fixation of complex acetabular and femoral head fractures, without compromising femoral head vascularity and abductor strength. This technique has provided excellent midterm results in the management of complex injuries around the hip.
Sensitivity and specificity of bronchoalveolar lavage and protected bronchial brush in the diagnosis of pneumonia in pediatric burn patients.

BACKGROUND Infection is still one of the leading causes of death in burn patients. The diagnosis of respiratory tract infection in critically ill burn patients is still difficult. The diagnostic technique of choice remains uncertain, especially because of the lack of a criterion standard by which other diagnostic methods can be compared. HYPOTHESIS Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and protected bronchial brush (PBB) cultures are not efficacious for the diagnosis of pneumonia in critically ill burn patients. DESIGN All pediatric patients with burns who died at Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, Tex, in the past 10 years were studied. We compared the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, BAL quantitative culture results, and PBB culture results with autopsy findings. The diagnosis of pneumonia at autopsy was considered the criterion standard, and it was used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of BAL and PBB cultures. RESULTS Forty-three patients were studied. Pneumonia was present in 19 (44%) of the 43 autopsies. Pneumonia was diagnosed clinically in 12 (28%) of the 43 patients, and 6 (50%) of them had negative autopsy findings. The sensitivity and specificity of BAL were 56% and 28%, respectively; PBB, 55% and 61%, respectively. The same microorganisms were found at autopsy, in BAL cultures, and in PBB cultures in fewer than 10% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Bronchoalveolar lavage and protected bronchial brush have a low sensitivity and specificity and cannot be relied on by themselves for the diagnosis of pneumonia in critically ill burn patients. The results of these sampling techniques must be interpreted in the context of the overall clinical picture of each individual patient.
High speed electric machines — Challenges and design considerations

High speed electric machines have been widely used in many applications nowadays and are gaining more attention. However, many special design challenges exist for HSEMs. This paper aims to discuss major challenges and design considerations for HSEMs. Four different loss components of high speed design are discussed and the methods to reduce each loss component are elaborated. Bearing options for HSEMs are compared. In addition, the rotor dynamics and thermal challenges are discussed in detail, following with some design suggestions and considerations.
Warfarin or Low‐Molecular‐Weight Heparin Therapy does not Prolong Pig‐To‐Primate Cardiac Xenograft Function

Microvascular thrombosis is a prominent feature in cardiac delayed xenograft rejection (DXR). We investigated the impact of warfarin or low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) anti‐coagulation on xenograft function using a heterotopic pig‐to‐primate model. Donor hearts were from CD46 transgenic pigs and baboon immunosuppression included tacrolimus, sirolimus, anti‐CD20 and TPC, an α‐galactosyl‐polyethylene glycol conjugate. Three groups of animals were studied. Group 1 (n = 9) was treated with warfarin, Group 2 (n = 13) with LMWH and Group 3, received no anti‐coagulant drugs. The median duration of xenograft function was 20 days (range 3–62 days), 18 days (range 5–109 days) and 15 days (range 4–53 days) in Groups 1 to 3 respectively. Anti‐coagulation achieved the targeted international normalized prothrombin ratio (INR) and anti‐factor Xa levels consistent with effective in vivo therapy yet, no significant impact on median xenograft function was observed. At rejection, a similar histology of thrombosis and ischemia was apparent in each group and the levels of fibrin deposition and platelet thrombi in rejected tissue was the same. Anti‐coagulation with warfarin or LMWH did not have a significant impact on the onset of DXR and microvascular thrombosis. However, a role for specific anti‐coagulant strategies to achieve long‐term xenograft function cannot be excluded.
Assessment of the Quality of Civics Textbooks in Secondary Schools in Osun State, Nigeria

The study examined teachers’ assessment of the arrangement and contents of the Civic textbooks with the approved guidelines for the secondary school curriculum in Osun State. It also determined teachers’ assessment of the readability level of each of the textbooks with respect to students’ ability to read and understand the contents of Civic textbooks effectively. The study further determined teachers’ assessment of the relevance of the Civic textbooks at the respective level of the students and finally investigated difference in teachers’ assessment of the qualities of two Civics Education textbooks recommended for use in Osun State secondary schools. The study adopted survey research design. Secondary school Civic Education teachers constituted the population for the study including the recommended Civic Education textbooks. 60 Civic Education teachers and 2 recommended Civic Education textbooks were sampled using multistage sampling technique and simple random sampling technique respectively. A questionnaire, termed Civic Teachers’ Questionnaire on Quality of Recommended Civic Textbooks (CTQ2RCT), was used for the study. The instrument was developed by the investigator and validated before use. Three research questions were asked and answered, and one hypothesis generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed among others that 8(26.7%), 10(33.3%), 3(10.0) and 4(13.3%), 10(37.3%), 2(6.7%) of the teachers admitted that the contents of textbooks 1 and 2 are in agreement with the guidelines spelt out in the approved curriculum of Civic Education. 7(23.3%), 11(36.7%), 6(20.0%) and 7(23.3%), 5(16.7%), 11(36.7%) were of the opinion that textbooks 1 and 2 are readable for the designated level. There was no significant difference in teachers’ assessment of the quality of the recommended Civic Education textbooks with t = -. 102; p >. 05. The study concluded that the contents of Civic textbooks agree with the approved guidelines, readable and understandable according to the levels of the students.
What drives Black contributions to Wikipedia?

We examine extrinsic motivational factors around Black Wikipedians' content contributions. Data collected from an online survey of 318 participants were analyzed with multiple regression analysis in order to measure the degree of association among factors. Results indicate that racial identity, social presence, and perceived information quality have significant positive effects on motivations of Black Wikipedia authors and editors.
Rice pollen hybrid incompatibility caused by reciprocal gene loss of duplicated genes

Genetic incompatibility is a barrier contributing to species isolation and is caused by genetic interactions. We made a whole genome survey of two-way interacting loci acting within the gametophyte or zygote using independence tests of marker segregations in an F2 population from an intersubspecific cross between O. sativa subspecies indica and japonica. We detected only one reproducible interaction, and identified paralogous hybrid incompatibility genes, DOPPELGANGER1 (DPL1) and DOPPELGANGER2 (DPL2), by positional cloning. Independent disruptions of DPL1 and DPL2 occurred in indica and japonica, respectively. DPLs encode highly conserved, plant-specific small proteins (∼10 kDa) and are highly expressed in mature anther. Pollen carrying two defective DPL alleles became nonfunctional and did not germinate, suggesting an essential role for DPLs in pollen germination. Although rice has many duplicated genes resulting from ancient whole genome duplication, the origin of this gene duplication was in recent small-scale gene duplication, occurring after Oryza-Brachypodium differentiation. Comparative analyses suggested the geographic and phylogenetic distribution of these two defective alleles, showing that loss-of-function mutations of DPL1 genes emerged multiple times in indica and its wild ancestor, O. rufipogon, and that the DPL2 gene defect is specific to japonica cultivars.
Carboxyl-Functionalized Polymeric Microspheres Prepared by One-Stage Photoinitiated RAFT Dispersion Polymerization

Herein, we report a photoinitiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl methacrylic (MAA) for the preparation of highly monodisperse carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres. High rates of polymerization were observed, with more than 90% particle yields being achieved within 3 h of UV irradiation. Effects of reaction parameters (e.g., MAA concentration, RAFT agent concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and solvent composition) were studied in detail, and highly monodisperse polymeric microspheres were obtained in most cases. Finally, silver (Ag) composite microspheres were prepared by in situ reduction of AgNO3 using the carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres as the template. The obtained Ag composite microspheres were able to catalyze the reduction of methylene blue (MB) with NaBH4 as a reductant.
Visualization and Analysis of Mapping Knowledge Domain of Urban Vitality Research

Mapping knowledge domain (MKD) is an important research technology in bibliometrics. It provides a visual perspective for researchers and helps researchers to clearly understand the general situations of specific research fields. Presently, MKD has been widely used in fields such as ecology and transportation safety. In this paper, we conduct a systematically bibliometric analysis of the development trend on urban vitality research by using VOSviewer software, and this work is based on the related articles published in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) between 1998 and 2018. In the implementation, we firstly introduce the annual numbers of articles, source journals, highly cited papers, and production countries relating to urban vitality research. Then, we adopt a keywords co-occurrence analysis to explore the topic distribution, research frontiers, and research trends of urban vitality research intuitively. Overall, the Mapped Knowledge Domain method has proved to be an effective way to assess research trends in specific disciplines and to contribute to researchers and governments with respect to management and decision-making on issues of science.
Quantitative measurement of sugar concentration using in house fabricated microgap biosensor

Sugar is carbohydrate sweet-flavoured substance that composed of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. It is an important component to provide sweet taste in food. Besides, it also provides immediate energy to complete daily routine life. However, uncontrolled amount of sugar can lead to serious health complications and diseases such as Hypoglycemia (low sugar in blood), syndrome X, diabetes and heart disease. Low amount of sugar in bloodstream may cause nausea and dizziness. Besides that, it also can be used as sensor to detect the amount of sugar in beverages. Here, sugar is used as a reference measurement to test the functionality of the device before testing it in real life using glucose samples. In future, real urine samples will be used to measure concentration of glucose in diabetic patients. In this paper, sugar concentration measurement based on microgap biosensor is fabricated by using conventional photolithography process. Silicon was used as the substrate material and followed by layers of Silicon dioxide (SiO2), Polysilicon, Titanium (Ti) and Gold (Au). Chrome mask were used to transfer pattern of microgap and contact pads onto the silicon substrate. The device design has been optimised to achieve few performance factors that includes accuracy, sensitivity, response time and fabrication cost. A number of sugar concentrations were prepared by diluting it with DI water for measurement process by electrical characterization. In this work, studies and analysis were conducted based on different concentration of sugar on constant sized microgap and based on different size of microgap structure on constant sugar concentration. As the result, the experiment has been successfully yielded a high sensitive microgap sensor and the lowest detected sugar concentration sample is 0.0245gml-1. This method of biosensing provides a very simple and promising detection technique for any kind of biomolecules that includes proteins, DNA, enzymes, antibody and antigen.
HIV serostatus disclosure and lived experiences of adolescents at the Transition Clinic of the Infectious Diseases Clinic in Kampala, Uganda: A qualitative study

Abstract Most studies on HIV serostatus disclosure and adolescents focus on whether, how and when to disclose to adolescents their HIV diagnosis. Fewer studies have examined HIV serostatus disclosure by adolescents who know they are infected with HIV. This study presents qualitative data examining HIV serostatus and treatment disclosure practices and concerns of young people living with HIV in Uganda and the extent to which they are satisfied with current norms around HIV serostatus and treatment disclosure. We conducted two focus groups and interviewed 20 HIV-infected young people aged 15–23 receiving HIV care and treatment at the Transition Clinic in Kampala. Respondents perceived disclosure as a relationship encompassing both communication and self-conduct. Adolescents employed unique strategies to disclose their HIV status, notably joking to “test the waters” and emotionally prepare the other person before later disclosing in a more serious manner. Findings reinforce the idea that HIV disclosure is a process, not a one-time event. Interviewees anticipated both positive and negative outcomes of disclosure, including financial and emotional support, stigma, discrimination and rejection. They described a sense of violation of their autonomy when confidentiality was breached by third party disclosure, and also expressed fear of emotional distress for their loved ones. Although adolescents yearned to be in control of information about their HIV status and treatment, they have little space to call their own, and privacy is often compromised, especially because in traditional African settings, young people are considered to be dependents under the full responsibility of caregivers. Further exploration of disclosure outcomes and strategies specific to adolescents can help better tailor interventions towards youth. Antiretroviral therapy programmes should consider counselling for caretakers to appreciate and respect the privacy and disclosure concerns of their HIV-infected children.
Dietary fat and the risk of breast cancer: A prospective study of 25,892 Norwegian women

In this prospective study, the relationship between energy and fat consumption and the risk of breast cancer was examined. Between 1977 and 1983, 31, 209 Norwegian women, 20 to 54 years of age attended a health screening. The attendees were given a food‐frequency questionnaire to be completed at home, and this was returned by 25,892 (83%). During the 7 to 13 years of follow‐up, 248 cases of breast cancer were identified for analysis by linkage to the Norwegian Cancer Registry. The relative risk of women who ate meat more than 5 times a week, as compared with those who consumed meat twice or less than twice a week, was 2.44. Consumers of 0.75 litres or more of full‐fat milk daily had a relative risk of 2.91 compared with those who consumed 0.15 litres or less. A positive relationship was found between those reporting the highest quartile of mono‐unsaturated fat consumption and the risk of breast cancer. The main foods contributing to the mono‐unsaturated fat index were edible fats, meat and milk.
Stochastic analysis for rotating polarization communication with multi-reflection waves in multipath environment

To compensate for the phase fluctuation of the arriving wave that experiences many reflections off conducting surfaces, a wireless communication method using a polarization rotating wave is proposed. The proposed method reduce the phase fluctuation by adaptively controlling the polarization rotating frequency. The proposed method is applied to stochastic models of communication, when that the number of reflections is low and high. The probability distribution function of the received waves is derived in these cases. The bit error rates of the communication are derived by using the proposed method for synchronous and delay detections. The numerical results of the bit error rates indicate that the polarization rotating wave improve communication quality in multipath environment without line-of-sight waves.