Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External strangulated hernia in Khartoum, Sudan.

OBJECTIVES To determine the pattern of presentation and outcome of strangulated external hernia, to predict the risk factors of strangulation, and to draw the attention towards the incidence of strangulation and its sequelae which are preventable by early repair. DESIGN A prospective study over a two year period. SETTING Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Casualty Department during the period May 2002 to May 2004. SUBJECTS Sixty four patients with strangulated external hernias. RESULTS The mean age was 42 years and the age range was between 0.5-72 years. The male: female ratio was 5:1 and males dominated all types of hernia except in incisional hernia where more females were noted. Strangulated inguinal hernia was the most common type in 35 patients, being more common on hernias of a relatively short history (<1 year). Pre-strangulation symptoms like change in size, irreducibility and pain were reported by 57 (90%) patients few days to few weeks prior to strangulation. More than half of the patients presented to the hospital 24 hours after developing the symptoms. All patients were surgically explored, 52 through an inguinal incision and 12 via formal laparotomy. The total number of bowel resection was 24 (37.5%), mainly in those presenting after 48 hours and 12 of them were between the age of 51-60 years. There were four (6.25%) deaths. CONCLUSION Early diagnosis of patients with hernia and elective surgical treatment may offer the best way to minimise the relatively high morbidity and mortality associated with emergency operations.
Enrollment in Physical Education Is Associated With Overall Physical Activity in Adolescent Girls

Little is known about population-level contributions of school physical education to overall physical activity (PA) in youth. Because PA levels are lower in girls than boys, it is particularly important that the effects of PE programs in adolescent girls be understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the association of enrollment in physical education and overall physical activity participation in adolescent girls. A measurement protocol was administered to cross-sectional samples of 8th-, 9th-, and 12th-grade girls participating in a school-based PA intervention study (1998–2003). PA was assessed with the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall. Three-way analyses of variance were performed to compare groups formed on the basis of physical education enrollment. For each grade group of girls, those who were enrolled in physical education reported more moderate-to-vigorous PA and more vigorous PA than nonenrolled girls. When activity in physical education classes was deleted, 8th-and 9th-grade physical education enrollees were not more active than nonenrollees; however, 12th-grade physical education enrollees remained more active than nonenrollees. Girls who were enrolled in physical education were more physically active than nonenrolled girls in all three grade levels. These findings suggest that expanded enrollment in physical education may increase American adolescent girls' PA level.
Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, vol. 5A

Developments in methodologies, agglomeration, and a range of applied issues have characterized recent advances in regional and urban studies. Volume 5 concentrates on these developments while treating traditional subjects such as housing, the costs and benefits of cities, and policy issues beyond regional inequalities. Contributors make a habit of combining theory and empirics in each chapter, guiding research amid a trend in applied economics towards structural and quasi-experimental approaches. Clearly distinguished from the New Economic Geography covered by Volume 4, these articles feature an international approach that positions recent advances within the discipline of economics and society at large. Editors are recognized as leaders and can attract an international list of contributors Regional and urban studies interest economists in many subdisciplines, such as labor, development, and public economics Table of contents combines theoretical and applied subjects, ensuring broad appeal to readers
Effect of Suplatast Tosilate (IPD-1151T) on a Mouse Model of Asthma: Inhibition of Eosinophilic Inflammation and Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness

Background: Suplatast tosilate (IPD) is a newly developed ‘anti-allergic’ drug. It seems to be a unique compound because of its ability to suppress IgE but not IgG or IgM production in vivo and cytokine production from type 2 helper T cells (Th2) in vitro. However, information on its in vivo effect on an animal model of asthma is limited. Method: BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (3 times, 2-week interval) were challenged with ovalbumin by inhalation (50 mg/ml for 20 min, once a day for 6 days). In this study, we explored the influence of IPD on eosinophil infiltration into the airways, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine, specific IgE antibody production, and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using this murine model. Results: Treatment with IPD significantly reduced the number of total cells and eosinophils in BALF (around –40%) and almost completely inhibited the development of antigen-induced BHR. Histological findings confirmed the reduction of submucosal cell infiltration in the lung, and disclosed the marked inhibition of bronchial epithelial cell damage. Ovalbumin-specific IgE was slightly but significantly reduced. The levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF were significantly decreased in mice treated with the compound compared to those in untreated mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that IPD is capable of inhibiting the production of Th2 cytokines, which inhibit eosinophil infiltration into the murine airway, IgE synthesis, and development of BHR, in a murine model of asthma.
A controller design of quick chargers with a current offset compensator

This paper proposes a controller design of quick battery chargers for electric vehicles with a current offset. The quick charger consists of a three-phase grid connected inverter and a full-bridge converter which use the phase-shift switching method. The 3-phase inverter controls the input and DC-link voltage by use of a current controller and a DC-link voltage controller. The full-bridge converter transfers the DC-link voltage to a fixed output voltage. The system and controller design of the quick charger are proposed in this paper. Furthermore, the paper proposes a compensation method for the offset current that is caused by switch failure and circuit problems. Simulations have been performed on a 50kW-battery charger system that is suitable for vehicles. The presented results verify the validity of the proposed method.
A Generalized Approach to the Modification of Solid Surfaces

Interfacial interactions underpin phenomena ranging from adhesion to surface wetting. Here, we describe a simple, rapid, and robust approach to modifying solid surfaces, based on an ultrathin cross-linkable film of a random copolymer, which does not rely on specific surface chemistries. Specifically, thin films of benzocyclobutene-functionalized random copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate were spin coated or transferred, then thermally cross-linked on a wide variety of metal, metal oxide, semiconductor, and polymeric surfaces, producing a coating with a controlled thickness and well-defined surface energy. The process described can be easily implemented and adapted to other systems.
Rapid Multiple-Locus Variant-Repeat Assay (MLVA) for Genotyping of Streptococcus agalactiae

ABSTRACT Several methods have been used for typing of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci [GBS]). Methods currently in use may provide inadequate resolution (e.g., typing of capsular polysaccharides and surface protein) or are labor-intensive and expensive (e.g., multilocus sequence typing [MLST] or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). This work describes the construction and use of a multiple-locus variant-repeat assay (MLVA) on 126 well-characterized human GBS strains, consisting mostly of invasive Norwegian strains and international reference strains. Based on in silico whole-genomic analysis of the genomes of strains A909, NEM316, and 2603V/R, 18 candidate loci were selected and investigated by PCR. Eleven loci showed diversity, and the five most diverse loci were used for the construction of an MLVA, consisting of a multiplex PCR followed by fragment analysis with capillary electrophoresis. The assay generated clusters which corresponded well with those observed by other methods. However, it provided a considerably higher degree of diversity, with 70 different MLVA types compared to 36 types generated by MLST. Simpson's index of diversity for the 5-locus MLVA was 0.963, compared to 0.899 for the MLST in this strain collection. MLVA results will generally be available within 2 days, which is usually faster than MLST. In our hands, MLVA of GBS represents a rapid, easy, and comparably inexpensive method for high-resolution genotyping of GBS.
Cellular localization of interleukin 13 receptor alpha2 in human primary bronchial epithelial cells and fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND Interleukin (IL) 13 is a key cytokine in asthma, regulating fibrosis, airway remodeling, induction of immunoglobulin E synthesis by B cells, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and mucus production. IL-13 signals through the type II IL-4 receptor (IL-4R), which is composed of the IL-4Ralpha and the IL-13Ralpha1 chains. Another IL-13 binding chain, IL-13Ralpha2, binds IL-13 with high affinity but has no known signaling capability and is thought to serve as a decoy receptor providing tight regulation of IL-13 responses. METHODS In this study, we investigated the cellular localization of IL-13Ralpha2 in human primary bronchial epithelial cells and fibroblasts using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, as well as the in vivo expression of IL-13Ralpha2 in the human bronchial mucosa by means of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS IL-13Ralpha2 is predominantly an intracellular rather than a membrane-bound molecule in both human primary bronchial epithelial cells and fibroblasts and displays a diffuse granular cytoplasmic distribution in both cell types. IL-13Ralpha2 protein is expressed in vivo in the human bronchial mucosa with its expression being higher in bronchial epithelial cells than bronchial fibroblasts both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS IL-13Ralpha2 is expressed by both human primary bronchial epithelial cells and fibroblasts as an intracellular protein with a diffuse cytoplasmic distribution. In vivo, IL-13Ralpha2 is expressed in the human airway mucosa mainly by bronchial epithelial cells.
Seeking Brain Biomarkers for Preventive Therapy in Huntington Disease

Huntington disease (HD) is a severe incurable nervous system disease that generally has an onset age of around 35–50, and is caused by a dominantly transmitted expansion mutation. A genetic test allows persons at risk, i.e., offspring or siblings of affected individuals, to discover their genetic status. Unaffected mutation‐positive subjects will manifest HD sometime during life. Despite major advances in research on pathogenic mechanisms, no studies have yet fully validated preventive therapy or biomarkers for use before the symptoms become clinically manifest. Seeking brain and peripheral biomarkers is a requisite to develop a cure for HD. Changes in the brain can be observed in vivo using methods such as structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), functional MRI (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), detecting volumetric changes, microstructural and connectivity alterations, abnormalities in brain activity in response to specific tasks, and abnormalities in metabolism and receptor distribution. Although all these imaging techniques can detect early markers in asymptomatic HD gene carriers for premanifest screening and pharmacological responses to therapeutic interventions no single modality has yet provided and validated an optimal marker probably because this task requires an integrative multimodal imaging approach. In this article, we review the findings from imaging procedures in the attempt to identify potential brain markers, so‐called dry biomarkers, for possible application to further, yet unavailable, neuroprotective preventive therapies for HD manifestations.
Design of H-plane Y junction in RSIW for C-band applications

This paper concerns the designing, considerations and analysis of H-plane Y junction in rectangular substrate integrated waveguide technology using HFSS code. The proposed design unites the advantages such as low fabrication cost, low signal losses, planer profile, easily integrated with the other microwave devices and high performance in microwave application. The transmission coefficients S21 and S 31 shows that the input power (3W) in a waveguide is equally split into −8dB power or combined −8dB power in needed manner by using presented SIW Y junction. The divided E-fields are in same phase as the E-field at the input. The junction is optimized in C-band [4–8 GHz] at super high frequency of 7 GHz. The proposed SIW Y junction is designed on RT Duroid substrate and the measured results demonstrate that The return loss is −44.5668 dB, VSWR at the output port is 1.1 & 1.2 and reflection loss is 0.0059 dB at 7.9 GHz frequency. Thus, through the study of results, proposed SIW Y junction is very effective for signal transmission with low losses over entire C-band.
Experience with immediate and delayed mandibular reconstruction

The functional disability and cosmetic deformity after jaw and neck dissection can be very severe due to soft tissue and mandibular loss. Reconstruction of the mandible alone without soft tissue coverage can be complicated with prosthetic exposure, infection and, finally, rejection. We attempted to reconstruct the mandible at the time of tumor resection in a group of patients, using titanium mesh with marrow, rib, scapular spine, and clavicle. We used myocutaneous flaps in order to obtain intraoral coverage of the mandibular grafts. In a second group of patients, delayed reconstruction of the jaw was performed 6 months to 2 years after tumor resection. Titanium mesh prostheses were used for reconstruction of the mandible in conjunction with myocutaneous flaps for soft tissue augmentation. Osteomyocutaneous flaps were also used. The results and complications in 54 patients are presented.
A heterogeneous nonlinear attenuating full- wave model of ultrasound

A full-wave equation that describes nonlinear propagation in a heterogeneous attenuating medium is solved numerically with finite differences in the time domain (FDTD). Three-dimensional solutions of the equation are verified with water tank measurements of a commercial diagnostic ultrasound transducer and are shown to be in excellent agreement in terms of the fundamental and harmonic acoustic fields and the power spectrum at the focus. The linear and nonlinear components of the algorithm are also verified independently. In the linear nonattenuating regime solutions match results from Field II, a well established software package used in transducer modeling, to within 0.3 dB. Nonlinear plane wave propagation is shown to closely match results from the Galerkin method up to 4 times the fundamental frequency. In addition to thermoviscous attenuation we present a numerical solution of the relaxation attenuation laws that allows modeling of arbitrary frequency dependent attenuation, such as that observed in tissue. A perfectly matched layer (PML) is implemented at the boundaries with a numerical implementation that allows the PML to be used with high-order discretizations. A -78 dB reduction in the reflected amplitude is demonstrated. The numerical algorithm is used to simulate a diagnostic ultrasound pulse propagating through a histologically measured representation of human abdominal wall with spatial variation in the speed of sound, attenuation, nonlinearity, and density. An ultrasound image is created in silico using the same physical and algorithmic process used in an ultrasound scanner: a series of pulses are transmitted through heterogeneous scattering tissue and the received echoes are used in a delay-and-sum beam-forming algorithm to generate a images. The resulting harmonic image exhibits characteristic improvement in lesion boundary definition and contrast when compared with the fundamental image. We demonstrate a mechanism of harmonic image quality improvement by showing that the harmonic point spread function is less sensitive to reverberation clutter.
Framingham Risk Score and Estimated 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction by a Short-Term Yoga-Based LifeStyle Intervention.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention program in lowering Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk. METHODS This was a single-arm, pre-post interventional study including data from a historical cohort with low to moderate risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It was conducted in a tertiary-care hospital. Participants with low (0 or 1 CVD risk factors) to moderately high risk (10-year risk between 10% and 20% and two or more CVD risk factors) were included. Participants with previously diagnosed CVD, defined as a history of myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or cerebrovascular accident, were excluded from the analysis. However, those with controlled hypertension were included. Intervention included a pretested short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention, which included asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, relaxation techniques, stress management, group support, nutrition awareness program, and individualized advice. The intervention was for 10 days, spread over 2 weeks. However, participants were encouraged to include it in their day-to-day life. Outcomes included changes in FRS, and estimated 10-year CVD risk from baseline to week 2. A gender-based subgroup analysis was also done, and correlation between changes in FRS and cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated. RESULTS Data for 554 subjects were screened, and 386 subjects (252 females) were included in the analysis. There was a significant reduction in FRS (p < 0.001) and estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk (p < 0.001) following the short-term yoga-based intervention. There was a strong positive correlation between reduction in FRS and serum total cholesterol (r = 0.60; p < 0.001). There was a moderate positive correlation between reduction in FRS and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.58; p < 0.001), and a weak but positive correlation between reduction in FRS and triglycerides (r = 0.26; p ≤ 0.001), serum very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.29; p < 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.20; p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This yoga-based lifestyle intervention program significantly reduced the CVD risk, as shown by lowered FRS and estimated 10-year CVD risk. Further testing of this promising intervention is warranted in the long term.
Nigeria’s Economic Growth: Past, Present and Determinants

This study empirically analyses the pattern of economic growth in Nigeria since its independence and investigates the determinants of its economic growth for the sample period 1960-2015. The findings of the study based on the estimation of Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model indicate that the long-run economic growth is significantly influenced by the level of investment, while political stability and political freedom have a negative insignificant impact on the growth rate of the Nigerian economy. However, the one-year lag of the economic growth substantially determines the level of economic growth in the short-run.
Trait procrastination and compulsive Internet use as predictors of cyberloafing

Cyberloafing, defined as non-work-related Internet use during work hours, has brought about considerable loss of both employees' performance and organization's profits all over the world. Accordingly, more and more researchers have tried to explore the predictors of cyberloafing. While most researchers pay attention to some organization conditions or personal emotions, we suppose some personal characteristics also matter, such as the trait of procrastination and the tendency of compulsive Internet use. 272 questionnaires were distributed among the graduate and doctoral students who are available to the Internet and do research online nearly every day. 255 effective questionnaires have been got. The results of the multiple regression analysis have proved that both trait procrastination and the tendency of compulsive Internet use are significant predictors of the prevalence of cyberloafing.
Brexit, the City and the Contingent Power of Finance

ABSTRACT Brexit poses a profound challenge to the economic fortunes of the financial services sector in the United Kingdom (UK) because it threatens to sever access to the single market in the European Union (EU). Recognising this, the City of London’s largest financial firms and main representative bodies supported a Remain vote in the June 2016 referendum, and subsequently lobbied for a ‘soft’ Brexit policy to preserve the City’s lucrative passporting rights. Despite this, the government led by Theresa May pursued a ‘hard’ Brexit policy which threatened to leave the UK outside the single market. How can we explain the City’s apparent failure to influence the UK’s Brexit policy? We argue that whilst the UK financial sector wielded formidable latent structural power, its capacity to translate this into instrumental influence in the policy process was constrained by three factors: the political statecraft of Brexit, leading the government to downgrade the concerns of the financial industry; the reconfiguration of institutional structures, which undermined the City’s voice within government; and constraints on business organisation, caused by collective action problems and heterogeneous preferences. These three factors constitute important scope conditions which highlight the contingent power of finance in liberal market economies.
Schweiz: Exekutive Verfassungsreform zum Finanz- und Lastenausgleich und zur Neuordnung der Aufgabenverteilung zwischen Bund und Kantonen

Am 28. November 2004 wurde ein neues Finanzausgleich sowie eine grundlegende Neuordnung der Kompetenzen und Aufgabenverteilung zwischen Bund und Kantonen, kurz NFA, vom Volk in der Schweiz mit 64 Prozent Ja-Stimmen und nur drei Nein seitens der Kantone angenommen. Damit traten 27 Verfassungsänderungen in Kraft und wurden über 30 Gesetzesänderungen bzw. Gesetzesneuerungen vorgenommen. Zwei Jahre später folgte noch ein Ausführungsgesetz betreffs der Neuordnung der Aufgabenverteilung und in diesem Jahr wird verabschiedet werden, wie genau mit welchen Beträgen der Finanzausgleich für die nächsten Jahre ausgestattet wird (die sogenannte „Dotierung der Ausgleichsgefässe“). Ab dem 1. Januar 2008 gilt dann die neue Ordnung.