Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Annealing on Metal-Oxide Nanocluster

Recently, the development of optoelectronic devices based on metal-oxide nanocluster has attracted intensive research interest. Nanoclusters are suitable for these because of their large surface-to-volume ratio and the presence of abundant oxygen vacancies or trap states. Metal–oxides such as ZnO, In 2 O 3 , and TiO 2 synthesized using different technique produces high surface area films consisting of clusters and provides complete control over the film morphology. In this chapter, some of the metal oxides nanocluster film has investigated, and the effect of annealing on the structural, optical and electrical properties of the grown films when subjected to different annealing temperatures will be studied. Theoretically, these properties are presumed to improve after the heat treatment as the crystallinity, and the grain size of the film has increased due to the diminishing of oxygen vacancies. Thus, the greater surface-to-volume ratio, the better stoichiometry and higher level of crystallinity compared to bulk materials make nanocluster-based devices very promising for the mentioned application.
An optimum dynamic priority-based call admission control scheme for universal mobile telecommunications system

The dynamism associated with quality of service (QoS) requirement for traffic emanating from smarter end users devices founded on the internet of things (IoTs) drive, places a huge demand on modern telecommunication infrastructure. Most telecom networks, currently utilize robust call admission control (CAC) policies to ameliorate this challenge. However, the need for smarter CAC has becomes imperative owing to the sensitivity of traffic currently being supported. In this work, we developed a prioritized CAC algorithm for third Generation (3G) wireless cellular network. Based on the dynamic priority CAC (DP-CAC) model, we proposed an optimal dynamic priority CAC (ODP-CAC) scheme for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). We then carried out simulation under heavy traffic load while also exploiting renegotiation among different call traffic classes. Also, we introduced queuing techniques to enhance the new calls success probability while still maintaining a good handoff failure across the network. Results show that ODP-CAC provides an improved performance with regards to the probability of call drop for new calls, network load utilization and grade of service with average percentage value of 15.7%, 5.4% and 0.35% respectively.
Risk Assessment of Contamination by Potentially Toxic Metals: A Case Study in the Vicinity of an Abandoned Pyrite Mine

Abandoned mining areas can display soil and water pollution and also a high incidence of endemic diseases. Here, based on preliminary results on mental retardation and high incidence rates of cancers, we investigate the contamination status and potential ecological risk at an abandoned pyrite mine located in Xianju village, Hubei province, central China. The study focused on the three potentially toxic metals As, Pb, and Zn and four other common elements, including Ca, Fe, S, and Se. Soil samples were collected from 12 sites and leachate seeping from five sites. Leachates were strongly acidic compared to the soil, with pH values <3.22. Soil As and Se concentrations exceeded the Chinese Grade II standards for soil environmental quality (GB 15618-2009) (30 and 3 mg·kg−1, respectively), ranging from 33.6 ± 0.7 to 78.2 ± 1.0 mg As·kg−1 dry matter (DM) and 5.3 ± 0.8 to 17.1 ± 1.4 mg Se·kg−1 DM. Arsenic, Fe, Se, and S in leachates all exceeded the Chinese Grade III standard for surface water environmental quality (GB 3838-2002) (0.1, 0.3, 0.03, and 1.0 mg·L−1). The potential ecological risks from Pb and Zn in soils were low, but As in soils and leachates represented a moderate or strong risk to children according to the Nemerow index and hazard quotient. Soil replacement combined with further remediation measures is required to remediate the contaminated area.
Seroepidemiology of the Helicobacter pylori infection among people of Pishva city of Varamin

1. Biology Departemt, Pharmaceutical sciences branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad university Tehran, Iran. 4. Dr.Nejadeh Laboratory Varamin, Iran. 5. Shahid Mofatteh Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Varamin, Iran.
Analytic Model for the Time-dependent Electromagnetic Field of an Astrophysical Jet

An analytic model of the time-dependent electric and magnetic fields of an astrophysical jet is presented. These fields satisfy the time-dependent Faraday’s law and describe a jet with increasing length. The electric field contains both electrostatic and inductive parts. The electrostatic part corresponds to the rate of injection of toroidal magnetic flux, while the sum of the electrostatic and inductive parts results in the electric field parallel to the magnetic field being zero everywhere. The pinch force associated with the electric current provides a peaked pressure on the jet axis and a pressure minimum at the radius where the poloidal magnetic field reverses direction.
Implementation of JSON Update Framework in RDBMSs

The existing SQL/JSON standard specifies the way how queries can be performed, but in order to reach the full functionality for data representation and as a sharing format, it needs to support several additional features. One of the most important missing features is the facility to perform updates on the content of JSON documents. In this article we discuss how update operations for JSON data have been implemented in relational database systems and compare these implementations in relation to their scope and coverage of our framework, which comprises the set of primitive update operations. SQL Server uniformly supports all implemented operations with the JSON_MODIFY function, but the syntax of the second argument of the function is not uniform. The syntax for PostgreSQL update operations is rather awkward and the implementation is not uniform. On the other hand, PostgreSQL supports the full update operation in the same way as this paper proposes. MySQL implemented all update primitives specified in the framework.
Turnover Modulates the Need for a Cost of Resistance in Adaptive Therapy

Tumor cell turnover modulates the speed of selection against drug resistance by amplifying the effects of competition and resistance costs; as such, turnover is an important factor in resistance management via adaptive therapy. Adaptive therapy seeks to exploit intratumoral competition to avoid, or at least delay, the emergence of therapy resistance in cancer. Motivated by promising results in prostate cancer, there is growing interest in extending this approach to other neoplasms. As such, it is urgent to understand the characteristics of a cancer that determine whether or not it will respond well to adaptive therapy. A plausible candidate for such a selection criterion is the fitness cost of resistance. In this article, we study a general, but simple, mathematical model to investigate whether the presence of a cost is necessary for adaptive therapy to extend the time to progression beyond that of a standard-of-care continuous therapy. Tumor cells were divided into sensitive and resistant populations and we model their competition using a system of two ordinary differential equations based on the Lotka–Volterra model. For tumors close to their environmental carrying capacity, a cost was not required. However, for tumors growing far from carrying capacity, a cost may be required to see meaningful gains. Notably, it is important to consider cell turnover in the tumor, and we discuss its role in modulating the impact of a resistance cost. To conclude, we present evidence for the predicted cost–turnover interplay in data from 67 patients with prostate cancer undergoing intermittent androgen deprivation therapy. Our work helps to clarify under which circumstances adaptive therapy may be beneficial and suggests that turnover may play an unexpectedly important role in the decision-making process. Significance: Tumor cell turnover modulates the speed of selection against drug resistance by amplifying the effects of competition and resistance costs; as such, turnover is an important factor in resistance management via adaptive therapy. See related commentary by Strobl et al., p. 811
Zahnärztliche Implantologie im Spiegel der aktuellen Leitlinien

Im Modell einer patientenzentrierten Wissenschaftlichkeit leisten zahnärztliche Leitlinien einen entscheidenden Impuls zur Qualitätsverbesserung in der zahnmedizinischen Versorgung. In diesem Beitrag werden daher die aktuellen AWMF-Leitlinien im Fachbereich der oralen Implantologie skizziert und die für den niedergelassenen Zahnarzt besonders relevante S3-Leitlinie zur Therapie der periimplantären Mukositis und Periimplantitis ausführlicher vorgestellt sowie die Leitlinien zu Zahnimplantaten bei Diabetes mellitus und bei medikamentöser Behandlung mit Knochenantiresorptiva (inkl. Bisphoshonate) kurz vorgestellt.
Progress update: crop development of biofortified staple food crops under HarvestPlus

Over the past 15 years, biofortification, the process of breeding nutrients into food crops, has gained ample recognition as a cost-effective, complementary, feasible means of delivering micronutrients to populations that may have limited access to diverse diets, supplements, or commercially fortified foods. In 2008, a panel of noted economists that included five Nobel Laureates ranked biofortification fifth among the most cost-effective solutions to address global challenges such as reducing hidden hunger. The 2016 World Food Prize was awarded to biofortification. Biofortification involves breeding staple food crops to increase their micronutrient content, targeting foods widely consumed by low-income families in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The focus is on providing sufficient levels of vitamin A, iron, and/or zinc through these crops, based on existing consumption patterns. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). HarvestPlus works in partnership with more than 200 scientific and implementation organizations around the world to improve nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. Crops bred for higher levels of micronutrients using conventional breeding methods have been released in 26 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and are now being grown and eaten by millions of farmers and consumers. This paper reviews crop development progress and varietal release of primary (major) and secondary (regionally important) staple crops, with a focus on progress in Africa. Keywords: Biofortification, Micronutrients, Micronutrient Deficiency, Staple Crops, Breeding, Provitamin A, Iron, Zinc
Family caregivers' perceived symptom distress of persons with a primary malignant brain tumor

FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ PERCEIVED SYMPTOM DISTRESS OF PERSONS WITH A PRIMARY MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMOR Nadine Linendoll, Ph.D., MDiv, APRN Dissertation Chair: Ellen Mahoney, DNS, RN The diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor (PMBT) can be devastating for individuals and their families due to the limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Patients often rely on family members to manage their care; however, many caregivers feel under-prepared and overwhelmed by the experience. Though caring for a person with a PMBT is challenging and complex, little research has addressed the family caregiver's performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which preparedness and caregiver role strain explained the family caregiver’s performance in symptom management. An adapted theoretical framework, The Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms for Family Caregivers, guided this study. The study employed a descriptive, correlational research design in which the researcher obtained cross-sectional data during one collection period. The participants were adults who identified themselves as family caregivers of persons with a PMBT. Forty caregivers were enrolled in the study at the Brain Tumor Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Results from the regression analyses indicated that caregiver role strain and preparedness explained 31% of the variance (adjusted R) in perceived psychological symptom distress and 29% (adjusted R) of the variance in perceived physical symptom
Haplotype of the astrocytic water channel AQP4 modulates slow wave energy in human NREM sleep

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow through the brain parenchyma is facilitated by the astrocytic water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Homeostatically regulated electroencephalographic (EEG) slow waves are a hallmark of deep non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep and have been implicated in the regulation of parenchymal CSF flow and brain clearance. The human AQP4 gene harbors several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AQP4 expression, brain-water homeostasis and neurodegenerative diseases. To date, their role in sleep-wake regulation is unknown. To investigate whether functional variants in AQP4 modulate human sleep, nocturnal EEG-recordings and cognitive performance were investigated in 123 healthy participants genotyped for a common eight-SNP AQP4-haplotype. We show that this AQP4-haplotype is associated with distinct modulations of NREM slow wave energy, strongest in early sleep and mirrored by changes in sleepiness and reaction times during extended wakefulness. The study provides the first human evidence for a link between AQP4, deep NREM sleep and cognitive consequences of prolonged wakefulness.
Biosonar spatial resolution along the distance axis: revisiting the clutter interference zone

Unlike all other remote senses like vision or hearing, echolocation allows estimating the distance of an object. Not only have echolocating bats and toothed whales been shown to measure distance by echolocation extremely precisely, distance information is even topographically represented by a neuro-computational map in bats’ auditory cortex. This topographic representation and the corresponding tuning of cortical cells to object distance suggests the bats may be able to perceptually resolve multiple, simultaneously present objects along the distance axis. Here we use a novel psychophysical paradigm with complex phantom targets to quantity spatial resolution along the distance axis in the echolocating bat Phyllostomus discolor. We show that our bats can indeed perceptually resolve objects along the distance axis when they are separated by about 40 cm (around a reference distance of 108 cm) along the distance axis. These results are well comparable to earlier work on bats’ clutter interference zone (Simmons et al., 1988) and confirm those results with a more robust psychophysical paradigm. Summary statement Echolocating bats perceive absolute distance to objects by measuring the time delay between call and echo. In addition, they possess spatial resolution along the distance axis.
Evaluation of Febrile Presentation among Children under Five-Years in a Ghanaian District Hospital

Background: Limited confirmatory tests are routinely performed in Ghanaian District hospitals for febrile illnesses beyond the malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and the Complete Blood Count (CBC). Recent surveys demonstrate a declining role of malaria as the prominent cause of childhood fever. This study evaluates febrile presentations among children under five years (U-5) on arrival at the pediatric unit of the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital (DPH), making comparison with the GDHS 2014 report. The potential role of the Complete Blood Count (CBC) in evaluating childhood febrile presentation is also examined. Methods and Findings: Multiple data entry forms were used to retrospectively obtain patients’ clinical parameters. Patients enrolled for the study comprised children from 6 months to 5 years (children U-5), presenting with fever (temperature ≥ 37.5°C) to the DPH pediatric unit between March and June 2014. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. 61.9% (57.76%-66.04% at 95% CI) of all the febrile children tested Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)-positive for malaria at presentation. 58.6% (51.52%-65.68%, at 95% CI) of non-malaria febrile children had normal White Blood Cell (WBC) counts. Conclusion: The high prevalence of malaria-related febrile illnesses among children U-5 in DPH does not reflect the declining national estimate reported for the same period. Such a high local U-5 malaria prevalence may warrant not only the allocation of appropriate resources but an epidemiological re-evaluation of peculiar malaria patterns in this district. The WBC count alone is unlikely to be reliable for the diagnostic evaluation of non-malarial febrile illness in children U-5.
Development of a List of Affective Competencies and Behavioral Indicators for Physical and Occupational Therapy

Background: Affective competencies, as demonstrated by behaviors acted upon by people, are essential components in providing optimal care and receiving trust from patients and clients of physical (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs). These, along with knowledge and skills, have to be developed early on in the educational system. If these are generated, PT and OT schools will be guided on how to inculcate them in their respective outcomes-based education designs, from planning to assessment. Assessment of the manifestation of these affective competencies is a challenge to educators; thus, the need for behavioral indicators for each. This study developed a list of the necessary affective competencies and their behavioral indicators for PT and OT. Methodology: A sample of experts from different fields of practice in the PT and OT population groups underwent three rounds of generation and refinement to create a list of affective competencies and their consequent behavioral indicators. To come up with the final list, testing for group consistency was done using Cronbach’s alpha and mean ranks. Results: Forty-two PT and twenty-five OT experts generated the final list of affective competencies and their behavioral indicators. For the PTs, those competencies are accountability, adaptability/flexibility, altruism, compassion, creativity, diligence, effective communication, ethical reasoning, excellence, honesty, initiative, passion, patience, perseverance, professionalism, reliability, responsibility, self-reflection, and time management. For the OTs, these are altruism, compassion, conscientiousness, creativity, inquisitiveness, professionalism, and responsibility. Conclusion: The list of affective competencies and behavioral indicators generated by experts in this study were mostly reflective of the existing code of ethics of the professions, with some not stated explicitly but were reflected as such in the behavioral indicators of the other competencies.
The Role of Biomarkers for Starting Antifungals in the Intensive Care Unit

Invasive candidiasis is associated with high mortality rates (35% to 60%), similar to the range reported for septic shock. The most common types include candidemia, frequently observed in immunocompromised patients, and noncandidemic systemic candidiasis, which constitutes the majority of cases in critically ill patients. However, they are difficult to prove and a definite diagnosis usually occurs late in the course of the disease, thus contributing to their bad prognosis. Early empirical treatment improves the prognosis and currently relies on the positive predictive value (PPV) of risk-assessment strategies (colonization index, Candida score, predictive rules) based on combinations of risk factors, but it may have also largely contributed to the overuse of antifungal agents in critically ill patients. In this context, non–culture-based diagnostic methods, including specific and nonspecific biomarkers, may significantly improve the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis. Candida DNA and mannan antigen/antimannan antibodies are of limited interest for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis as they fail to identify noncandidemic systemic candidiasis, despite early positivity in candidemic patients. The utility of 1,3-beta-D-glucan (&bgr;-D-glucan), a panfungal cell wall antigen, has been demonstrated for the diagnosis of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Preliminary data suggest that it is also detectable early in critically ill patients developing noncandidemic systemic candidiasis. To take advantage of the high negative predictive value of risk-assessment strategies and the early increase in specific fungal biomarkers in high-risk patients, we propose a practical 2-step approach to improve the selection of patients susceptible to benefit from empirical antifungal treatment.
Diagnosis of pleural effusion with ultrasound

We describe a case of a middle-aged male with end-stage renal disease who presented with dyspnea after a recent mycoplasma infection. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Patient care. Republished with permission from: Wallace LA, Adkins EJ, Bahner DP. Bedside sonography primer: diagnosis of pleural effusion with ultrasound. OPUS 12 Scientist 2012;6(1):12-13.
A Study on Leadership and Faculty Performance at Makerere University

Good leadership is essential for improved performance of public universities. However, despite signs of good leadership at Makerere University, performance of faculties at the University has continuously declined overtime. This has made the University’s status to continuously drop as seen in the Webmetrics rankings. This study therefore sought to examine the relationship between leadership and faculty performance and Makerere University. The study took the form of a cross sectional survey and correlation design to establish the relationships between leadership and faculty performance. A sample of 462 staff of Makerere University was taken. Results reveal a significant positive relationship between leadership and faculty performance (r = .223**, p<.01). This implies that a unit change in leadership will cause a 22.3% improvement in faculty performance at the university. The regression analysis results also indicate that leadership significantly predicted faculty performance (Beta= .087, Sig. = .000). For universities to improve faculty performance, they should put in place policies that bring about good leadership.
A study on efficacy of limbal relaxing incisions in correcting corneal astigmatism along with clear corneal phacoemulsification in a tertiary eye care centre in South India

Aim: The main aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of limbal relaxing incisions in correcting corneal astigmatism when combined with clear corneal phacoemulsification. Materials and Methods: 50 eyes of 37 patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. After adequate pre operative workup, all patients underwent limbal relaxing incisions coupled with clear corneal phacoemulsification. The incisions were calculated based on Gills nomogram. Postoperative visual acuity and corneal topography were performed to assess the correction of corneal astigmatism. Results: The mean age of our study population was 57.08± 10.07 years. 50 eyes of 21 males and 16 females were included in our study. The mean preoperative Uncorrected Visual Acuity was 1.0 with a standard deviation of 0.5 (in logMAR) and the best spectacle corrected visual acuity was 0.8 with a standard deviation of 0.4. The postoperative uncorrected visual acuity at 4 weeks 0.0±0.15 with a best corrected visual acuity was 0.09±0.1. At 12 weeks, uncorrected visual acuity was 0.0 with a standard deviation 0.07. There was 71.8% decrease in central corneal astigmatism after limbal relaxing incisions. Conclusion: Therefore we conclude that limbal relaxing incisions can be used effectively in conjunction with cataract surgery to reduce the astigmatism <3 D at the corneal level and aids us in providing spectacle free optimal distance vision in patients.