Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational skin diseases among self-employed farmers

Official statistics contain very limited information on occupational skin diseases among self-employed farmers. In the National Register of Occupational Diseases, there is no special category for self-employed farmers, irrespective the separate insurance institution and fundamental differences in labour legislation. Statistics published by the Agricultural Social Insurance Institution lack medically relevant data. This study was aimed at filling this gap through creating detailed statistics of occupational dermatoses among private farmers. Cases of occupational dermatoses diagnosed from 1991 to 1999 were included in the analyses. Results: the first case was recorded in 1992; altogether there were 101 cases by the end of 1999. There was a clear increase in the number of diagnosed cases – from 0 in 1991 to 27 cases in 1999. Allergic contact dermatitis was the most common diagnosis (86%). The health impairment ranged from 2 to 36% (median 20%). The most frequently identified causes for the diseases were plant dusts and animal allergens, followed by metals, pesticides, and rubber chemicals. Despite the rapid increase in the numbers of diagnosed cases, there is evidence that only a small percentage of cases is detected nowadays. The reasons for this are lack of prophylactic health checks for self-employed farmers, their difficult access to occupational safety and health services, and finally lack of knowledge on this topic both among farmers and doctors in rural areas.
Research Trends in the Use of Remote Sensing for Inland Water Quality Science: Moving Towards Multidisciplinary Applications

Remote sensing approaches to measuring inland water quality date back nearly 50 years to the beginning of the satellite era. Over this time span, hundreds of peer-reviewed publications have demonstrated promising remote sensing models to estimate biological, chemical, and physical properties of inland waterbodies. Until recently, most of these publications focused largely on algorithm development as opposed to implementation of those algorithms to address specific science questions. This slow evolution contrasts with terrestrial and oceanic remote sensing, where methods development in the 1970s led to publications focused on understanding spatially expansive, complex processes as early as the mid-1980s. This review explores the progression of inland water quality remote sensing from methodological development to scientific applications. We use bibliometric analysis to assess overall patterns in the field and subsequently examine 236 key papers to identify trends in research focus and scale. The results highlight an initial 30 year period where the majority of publications focused on model development and validation followed by a spike in publications, beginning in the early-2000s, applying remote sensing models to analyze spatiotemporal trends, drivers, and impacts of changing water quality on ecosystems and human populations. Recent and emerging resources, including improved data availability and enhanced processing platforms, are enabling researchers to address challenging science questions and model spatiotemporally explicit patterns in water quality. Examination of the literature shows that the past 10–15 years has brought about a focal shift within the field, where researchers are using improved computing resources, datasets, and operational remote sensing algorithms to better understand complex inland water systems. Future satellite missions promise to continue these improvements by providing observational continuity with spatial/spectral resolutions ideal for inland waters.
Recruitment and Selection Practices in Nigerian Institutions of Higher Learning

Recruitment and selection have become essential tools in organizations because individuals with appropriate qualifications need to be attracted in sufficient numbers and on a timely basis. The objective of this paper therefore, is to examine the recruitment and selection process and procedures in Nigeria with special reference to institutions of higher learning. This is an opinion paper which made use of secondary data and on point assessment of information from the critical sector. The study revealed that the recruitment and selection process in Nigerian higher institutions is clouded in subjectivity and not based on objective criteria that make the whole activity both inefficient and ineffective. The authors therefore, recommend that there should be a reversal of this trend first, by making the application process less complex and cumbersome so that highly qualified candidates will be motivated to apply for vacant positions. Secondly, there should be some form of objective criteria in the selection process instead of basing everything on subjectivity. Thirdly, recruitment and selection should be based on manpower needs assessment and requirement. Finally, there should be transparency in the entire process of recruitment and selection rather than behind the scene recruitment and selection. When all these are done, there will be a robust recruitment and selection process that will ensure finding the right people that will not be difficult to lead and manage in a way that maximizes the level of their individual engagement. Keywords: recruitment, selection, employment consultants, recruitment policies, employee engagement DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-30-15 Publication date :October 31 st 2019
Improved MPPT controls for a standalone PV/wind/battery hybrid energy system

In this paper, we present the modeling, optimization and control of a standalone hybrid energy system combining the photovoltaic and wind renewable energy sources to supply a dc electrical load, with storage batteries as a backup source. With the aim of improving the energy performance of the proposed system, we developed an MPPT controller based on new hybrid and robust approaches to evolve the power quality produced by both PV and Wind subsystems. For the PV subsystem, the proposed approach is based on the methods perturb and observe (P&O), sliding mode control (SMC) and fuzzy logic control (FLC). For the Wind subsystem, the proposed technique is based on the hill climbing search algorithm (HCS) and the fuzzy logic control. Also, to evaluate the efficiency of the developed controls and to analyze the behavior of each system during their maximum power point tracking, a comparison study was carried out with conventional techniques and the simulations are performed under varying weather conditions. The simulations results show the good performance of the proposed MPPT controls compared to other methods with better response time, a higher optimal power point and negligible oscillations.
Algorithm and VLSI Architecture Co-Design on Efficient Semi-Global Stereo Matching

Semi-global matching (SGM) is favored for high accuracy real-time stereo matching design as it achieves a good trade-off between disparity image quality and computational complexity. Nevertheless, most of previous SGM designs so far are restricted to the real-time processing of small image resolution and disparity range, or achieve high throughput by simplifying the original algorithm at the penalty of significant disparity image quality degradation. We analyze that the major challenge to efficient SGM design is its memory architecture, including both on-chip memory cost and off-chip memory bandwidth. We address the memory architecture challenge by algorithm and architecture co-design. Based on two observed features of SGM algorithm, i.e. incompleteness and inaccuracy, this paper proposes several efficient techniques to reduce on-chip memory cost and compress off-chip memory bandwidth respectively. Moreover, we also design high throughput and pipelined architecture to implement the proposed techniques. The disparity image quality and hardware efficiency of the proposed SGM design are evaluated on both KITTI2015 and Middlebury V3 stereo datasets. Evaluation results demonstrate that, the throughput of the proposed circuit designs can easily achieve 1080P@30fps at the disparity range of 128, and can reduce the on-chip memory cost and off-chip memory bandwidth by up to $4\times $ and $2\times $ respectively while achieving better or the same disparity image quality, compared with the best reference design techniques.
The paleoecology and extinction of endemic tortoises in the Bahamian Archipelago

No native species of tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.) live today in the Bahamian (Lucayan) Archipelago (= The Bahamas + The Turks and Caicos Islands), although a number of species inhabited these islands at the first human contact in the late-Holocene. Until their extinction, tortoises were the largest terrestrial herbivores in the island group. We report 16 accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon (14C) dates determined directly on individual bones of indigenous, extinct tortoises from the six Bahamian islands (Abaco, Eleuthera, Flamingo Cay, Crooked, Middle Caicos, Grand Turk) on five different carbonate banks. These 16 specimens probably represent six or seven species of tortoises, although only one (Chelonoidis alburyorum on Abaco) has been described thus far. Tortoises seem to have survived on most Bahamian islands for only one or two centuries after initial human settlement, which took place no earlier than AD ~700–1000. The exception is Grand Turk, where we have evidence from the Coralie archeological site that tortoises survived for approximately three centuries after human arrival, based on stratigraphically associated 14C dates from both tortoise bones and wood charcoal. The stable isotope values of carbon (σ13C) and nitrogen (σ15N) of dated tortoise fossils show a NW-to-SE trend in the archipelago that may reflect increasing aridity and more consumption of cactus.
BIOEVALUATION OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE POTENTIAL OF SOME DERIVATIVES OF 3,5-DINITRO-4-METHOXYAMINO-BENZOIC ACID

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-proliferative and antimicrobial activity of some derivatives of 3,5-dinitro4-methoxyamino-benzoic acid previously obtained by coupling reactions of the above mentioned acid with benzylamine, nbutylamine, 4-amino-antipyrine, benzocaine, 3,4-dimethyl-5-amino-isoxazole, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-2-ethylamine and the corresponding methyl ester. The anti-tumoural activity was investigated on HCT8 cells, while the antimicrobial one was tested on bacterial and fungal cells, in planktonic and adherent growth state. The obtained compounds exhibited good antimicrobial activity, both against free-living, planktonic, as well as biofilm embedded Gram-positive bacterial and fungal cells, as well as anti-proliferative activity on the HCT8 cells. While PZ2, PZ6 and PZ7 compounds have shown a remarkable effect against planktonic microbial cells, PZ4 and PZ7 proved to be the most active anti-biofilm compounds. Considering their anti-tumoural potential, PZ1 and PZ7 proved to be the most cytotoxic against the HCT8 cells, inducing the HCT8 cells apoptosis and arrest in the G2/M phase of the cellular cycle.
Nietzsche’s philosophy of education: rethinking ethics, equality and the good life in a democratic age

This book provides a thought-provoking and carefully argued exposition and defense of Nietzsche’s philosophy of education. The authors argue that if educators followed Nietzsche’s approach to education, properly understood, then their students would contribute to the flourishing of democratic society. More specifically, the authors aim to refute a common argument for the incompatibility of Nietzsche and democratic education. Critics charge that Nietzsche promotes an elitism that would grant no rights to people of lesser talent, and treat their welfare as (at best) instrumental to the production of people with greater talent. In short, Nietzsche would treat the weak as contemptible and disposable. In response to these critics, the authors claim that Nietzsche promotes a society in which everyone is encouraged to flourish, and to help each other flourish. This society would urge everyone to see one goal as the highest pursuit in life: the production and appreciation of the highest possible works of culture. Moreover, it would regard the exclusion or neglect of anyone from this pursuit as a betrayal of the main goal. In support of their main claim, the authors identify what they regard as four key misunderstandings of Nietzsche’s educational philosophy. For each misunderstanding, they devote two chapters. The first chapter explains the common misunderstanding and argues for an alternative interpretation of Nietzsche. It also explains why the correct interpretation of Nietzsche promotes character traits that would contribute to the flourishing of everyone in society. The second chapter applies the relevant interpretation to education. That is, the authors present ways in which educators could promote the relevant character traits in their classrooms. In Chapters 1–2, the authors respond to the charge that Nietzsche’s perspectivalism undermines students’ character. Some critics argue that Nietzsche promotes an extreme and dangerous relativism. As the authors note, Nietzsche does deny that there is a single true perspective. However, Nietzsche also affirms that some perspectives empower people and others make them weaker. Those perspectives that empower people are ‘truer’ than those that do not. Along these lines, educators can promote respectful but critical dialogue among students that helps them develop and make use of a variety of truer perspectives. In Chapters 3–4, the authors respond to the charge that Nietzsche’s approach to selfovercoming undermines students’ characters. Some critics argue that Nietzsche encourages students to overcome all externally-imposed moral restraints in ways that could lead to destructive consequences. In response, the authors argue that Nietzsche British Journal of Educational Studies Vol. 68, No. 3, 2020, pp. 391–393
Comparison of Crown Discoloration with Triple Antibiotic Paste and Minocycline Paste Using Spectrophotometric Analysis

Aim : We evaluated the degree of crown discoloration induced by two different antibiotic pastes. Methodology : Ninety-five extracted human incisors were prepared to size #30. After pulp tissue removal, shaping and irrigation procedures, the specimens were randomly divided into two groups (n=45), which received either triple antibiotic paste or minocycline paste as intracanal medicament. In five teeth calcium hydroxide was used as a control group. Spectrophotometric readings were obtained on the buccal surfaces of the crowns on day 0 to week 4 after dressing, and the differences in color were recorded. Data were analysed with the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon sign tests ( P 0.05). Conclusions : Both antibiotic pastes induced crown discoloration, and neither was superior.
Growth of Long ZnO Nanowires with High Density on the ZnO Surface for Gas Sensors

Among the various approaches to grow semiconducting oxide nanowires, the thermal oxidation procedure is considered a simple, efficient and fast method that allows the synthesis of micro and nanostructured arrangements with controlled size and morphology. In the work reported in this paper, long ZnO nanowires were synthesized on the surface of oxidized high-purity Zn foils by heating in air at different rates and temperatures. Size and morphology investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for sample heated at 620 oC with heating rate of 20 oC/min reveal the growth of long ZnO nanowires with length of ∽50 μm and average diameter of 74 nm grown along the direction with high population density. Results with different heating rates indicates that this parameter is determinant in tuning the size, morphology and population density of nanowires. X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows patterns for both ZnO and metallic Zn with preferential orienta.
Post Operative Outcome Of Perforation Peritonitis Influenced By Albuminuria

Background: The prognostic significance of albuminuria in perforation peritonitis is significant. In this study we assess relation between presence of albumin in urine and post operative mortality in perforation peritonitis. Method-Our prospective observational study was conducted at Department of General Surgery, R.K. D.F. Medical College& Research Centre, Bhopal, during period of August 2013 to May 2015.Total 110 cases of perforation peritonitis were included. Urine albumin was measured in all patients diagnosed as perforation peritonitis at the time of admission and during hospital stay. Presence of albumin in urine was recognized as albuminuria. Site of perforation, Type of surgery, post operative complications, mortality and the association between presence of albumin in urine and post operative mortality in perforation peritonitis was assessed and evaluated. ResultIn this study of 110 patients, albumin in urine was present in 74 (67.27%) patient and was absent in 36 (32.72%) patients. Out of 74 patients with albuminuria, 20 (27%) patients died and remaining 36 patients without albuminuria 3(8.3%) had died. In present study, significant (p value<0.05) association was found among albuminuria and mortality in post operative peritonitis. So it may be concluded that albuminuria can be used as poor prognostic factor for assessing post operative mortality in perforation peritonitis. ConclusionAlbuminuria is a significant risk factor in assessing post operative mortality in perforation peritonitis. Keywords-Albumin, Albuminuria, Perforation peritonitis, Mortality, Septicaemia. www.jmscr. igmpublication.org Impact Factor 5.244 Index Copernicus Value: 83.27 ISSN (e)-2347-176x ISSN (p) 2455-0450 DOI: https://dx.doi. org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i12.15
The Influence of Text Message Reminders on Oral Hygiene Compliance in Orthodontic Patients

Objective: To determine if text message reminders regarding oral hygiene have an effect on maintaining good oral hygiene in orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, 34 orthodontic patients were assigned to a text message or control group. Patients in the text message group received 2 reminder text messages each week for 4 weeks and one reminder text message for 8 weeks thereafter. Oral hygiene compliance was measured using bleeding index (BI), modified gingival index (MGI), and plaque index (PI) at baseline (T0), at 4 weeks after baseline (T1), and at 8 weeks after baseline (T2). Results: Text message group had highly significant lower BI, MGI, and PI scores than control group at T2. Conclusion: The use of text message reminders sent by the orthodontist was effective for improving oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients.
Práticas de gestantes soropositivas para HIV sobre o autocuidado: Construção de Tecnologia Educacional em Saúde

Objetivo: Construir uma tecnologia educacional em saude para gestantes soropositivas para HIV. Metodos: Estudo descritivo, de natureza qualitativa, do tipo pesquisa participante. Participaram do grupo focal 10 gestantes com HIV. Apos a dinâmica do grupo focal, foram analisados os depoimentos das mesmas e construido uma tecnologia educacional contendo os principais questionamentos das participantes e respostas com referencias de estudos realizados pelo Ministerio da Saude. Resultados: Com a metodologia realizada, foi possivel construir como produto um video educativo denominado “A gravidez em mulheres com HIV: vamos falar sobre? ”. Sobre os questionamentos delas, foi possivel destacar que elas nao sabiam como realizar o autocuidado de forma correta e que apresentam medo perante o estigma contido na doenca. Conclusao: A elaboracao de ferramentas educacionais se apresenta como forma de sanear duvidas e apresenta-se como forma de aumento de vinculo entre o profissional e a usuaria.
Learning-Driven Detection and Mitigation of DDoS Attack in IoT via SDN-Cloud Architecture

The Internet-of-Things (IoT) network is growing big owing to its utility in smart applications. An IoT network is susceptible to security breaches, in majority due to the resource-constrained nature of IoT. Of the various breaches, the Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack can snip off the network service to the users in various ways, such as consumption of server’s resources, saturating link bandwidth, etc. These types of DDoS breaches can turn out to be a catastrophe in critical IoT use cases. This article delves into tackling the DDoS attack triggered by malicious wireless IoT on IoT servers. Our security scheme leverages the cloud and software-defined network (SDN) paradigm to mitigate the DDoS attack on IoT servers. We have proposed a novel mechanism named learning-driven detection mitigation (LEDEM) that detects DDoS using a semisupervised machine-learning algorithm and mitigates DDoS. We tested LEDEM in the testbed and emulated topology, and compared the results with state-of-the-art solutions. We achieved an improved accuracy rate of 96.28% in detecting DDoS attack.
Pirfenidone ameliorates the formation of choroidal neovascularization in mice

The formation and development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. Existing treatments are expensive and can cause irreversible complications. Pirfenidone (PFD) exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects; however, its applications in the eye remain unclear. Male C57BL/6J mice (aged 6–8 weeks) were used to explore whether PFD can inhibit the formation of laser-induced CNV. The localization of transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2) was determined through immunofluorescent staining. After laser photocoagulation, the vehicle and PFD groups were intravitreally injected with 1 µl PBS and 1 µl 0.5% PFD, respectively. At day 7 after intravitreal injection, the expression of TGFβ2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was assessed. Fundus fluorescein angiography was performed to investigate the extent of fluorescence leakage, and the CNV areas were analyzed using a choroidal flat mount. The results demonstrated that, on day 7 after photocoagulation, the expression of TGFβ2 and VEGF was reduced in the experimental group. In addition, fluorescein angiography showed that the leakage area of CNV was significantly smaller in the PFD injection group than those observed in the control and vehicle groups. Moreover, the areas of CNV in the PFD injection group were smaller compared with those reported in the other two injection groups. Histopathological and TUNEL analyses performed on day 28 revealed that there were no notable abnormalities on the layers of the neural retina of PFD-treated mice. In conclusion, intravitreal injection of PFD inhibited the formation of CNV in mice, likely via the downregulation of VEGF and TGFβ2, which did not cause damage to the mouse retina after 28 days of treatment.