Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Economic Growth, Trade Openness, and Urbanization on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Ghana, 1960 to 2014

This paper examines the effects of per capita gross domestic product (GDP), trade openness, and urbanization on the total carbon dioxide emissions of Ghana using time-series annual data from 1960 to 2014. The 55-year period, from 1960 to 2014, covered economic transformation of Ghana from a low-income agrarian country to a lower-middle income country. The analysis used the autoregressive distributed lag method of co-integration. The results showed that per capita GDP, trade openness, and urbanization all significantly influenced both long-run and short-run levels of carbon dioxide emissions in Ghana. However, increased trade openness led to reduced total emissions, while rising per capita GDP and increased urbanization both increased total emissions albeit at different intensity levels.
Evaluation of deep vein thrombosis incidence with respect to age and gender in light of regional factors in central Anatolia: A population-based study

Aim: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a prevailing cause of serious complications such as pulmonary thromboembolism, venous ulcer, chronic venous insufficiency, venous gangrene and postthrombotic syndrome, and significantly increased hospitalization costs. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of DVT and regional effects for its development as well as evaluate its distribution in terms of age and gender in Yozgat, a city with a population of more than 500.000 people, which is considered to fairly represent Central Anatolia with regards to geography, economy, industry, age distribution, morbidity and mortality. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we included all DVT cases aged 15 years and older from Yozgat diagnosed in Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Research and Application Hospital and Yozgat State Hospital between September 2012-September 2016. Patients and diagnostic characteristics were retrieved from medical records. The distribution of DVT cases were evaluated in terms of age and gender according to the data derived from address-based population registration system of Turkish Statistical Institute (TUSI) 2016. Results: One thousand two hundred and eighty-seven patients were enrolled in this research. DVT incidence increased with age and substantially accelerated above the age of 40. The overall DVT incidence was 1:1000 persons per year and slightly higher among the female population (1:1000 persons/year vs 0.9:1000 persons/year) (P=0.924). According to TUSI 2016, the mean body mass index (BMI) of females was significantly higher than that of males (29.2 (5.3) kg/m² and 26.7 (3.6) kg/m², respectively, P<0.001). In the region comprising Yozgat, Sivas and Kayseri, labor-force participation rate of females and males were 28% and 49.6%, respectively, which was a significant regional risk factor for DVT development. Conclusion: It would be possible to decrease the incidence of DVT and the high hospitalization costs of related complications, most of which can be avoided with suitable prophylaxis based on more reliable results obtained from further research. Appropriate precautions should be taken after considering regional socioeconomic and sociocultural values.
Recent Developments of Epoxy Nanocomposites Used for Aerospace and Automotive Application

Epoxy resins are widely utilized engineering thermosetting polymers for industrial applications such as aerospace and automotive fields due to their higher mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance. Recently, polymer nanocomposites have attracted huge attention both in academics and industry because they demonstrated the tremendous enhancement in material properties compared with a neat polymer or traditional micro and macro composites. Traditional composites generally require a high content (˃10%) of the inorganic fillers to bestow the desired mechanical properties. Higher filler content raises the density of the new product, thereby reducing the properties through fragile interfacial interaction among filler and the organic matrix. Furthermore, enhancing filler content makes processability very complicated. However, nanocomposites exhibit improved thermomechanical properties even with a small amount of nanoparticles (≤5%). The chapter provides information about the application of polymer nanocomposites (i.e., aerospace and automotive industries).
Modulation of tumor microenvironment for immunotherapy: focus on nanomaterial-based strategies

Recent advances in the field of immunotherapy have profoundly opened up the potential for improved cancer therapy and reduced side effects. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly immunosuppressive, therefore, clinical outcomes of currently available cancer immunotherapy are still poor. Recently, nanomaterial-based strategies have been developed to modulate the TME for robust immunotherapeutic responses. In this review, the immunoregulatory cell types (cells relating to the regulation of immune responses) inside the TME in terms of stimulatory and suppressive roles are described, and the technologies used to identify and quantify these cells are provided. In addition, recent examples of nanomaterial-based cancer immunotherapy are discussed, with particular emphasis on those designed to overcome barriers caused by the complexity and diversity of TME.
Kounis Syndrome Induced by Protamine Sulfate

Protamine sulfate is considered a “life-saving” antidote for heparinized patients with major bleeds. Although the beneficial attributes and application of protamine sulfate in various clinical settings cannot be argued, it also has an impressive side-effect profile. Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary syndrome in the setting of an allergic reaction, which can be induced by numerous allergens. Herein, we report a case of KS secondary to the use of protamine sulfate after cryoablation for atrial fibrillation.
Evaluation of Anti-cancer and Pro-apoptotic Activities of Iranian Green Tea Extract Against A549,PC3, and MCF-7 Cancer Cell Lines

Introduction: Green tea contains active polyphenols including catechins. The goal of the current study was to evaluate anti-cancer effects of Iranian green tea extract (IGTE) on 3 human cancer cell lines including A549, PC3, and MCF-7. Methods: First, Camellia sinensis was obtained from Lahijan, a city in the north of Iran and then IGTE was prepared. Next, catechins of IGTE were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Finally, the cell viability of different cancer cells was evaluated by treatment with IGTE at concentration between 100 and 1000 µg/mL for 72 hours using MTT assay. Cell death of treated cancer cells was assessed by DAPI staining and RT-PCR method. Results: Our results demonstrated the potential anti-tumor activity of IGTE on MCF-7 cells (IC50= 400 µM), A549 cells (IC50= 500 µM), and PC3 cells (IC50= 600 µM), respectively. Chromatin damages within the nucleus of the treated cancer cells were shown. In addition, we found that IGTE induced apoptosis by up-regulation of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein) and down-regulation of Bcl2 (an anti-apoptotic protein). Conclusion: Herein, we showed that IGTE is a potent natural product with anti-tumor activity on breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The efficacy of current therapies against cancer is limited by a range of adverse effects, toxicity, and drug resistance; therefore, new therapeutic strategies and more effective agents, particularly with natural origin, are desired and green tea may be a potent candidate in the field of cancer therapy
PARTICLE EMISSION IN PAPER PRINTING FACILITY IN LA ROCHELLE

Problem statement. Printing services are known to release multiple pollutants of different sizes during the different processes of printing, gluing and cutting paper. The purpose of this article was the quantification of pollutant indoor emissions during working shifts in printing service. Particle concentration measurement when three printings are operating continuously showed that values of PM10 and PM2.5 could exceed the limits set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Conclusion. Measurements in confined environments containing printer and the gluing machine have shown that concentrations can reach values above the limits set by WHO and worrying values in the case of gluing machine. The result affirms the importance of ventilation system and the necessity of dispersing machines in a large.
Polymorphism of TNF-α as a Biomarker of Diabetic Nephropathy in patients of Telangana Region

Published by Madridge Publishers Abstract Background: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the complications in patients with prolonged diabetes. Among the genetic risk factors for DN, TNF-α, an anti-inflammatory cytokine is proposed to act in a paracrine/autocrine manner and is hypothesized to be associated with insulin resistance. In the current study, the relationship of the G ↆC variant of the TNF-α gene in patients, associated with other biochemical parameters with DN was investigated.
A simple model of mélange buttressing for calving glaciers

Abstract. Both ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica are discharging ice into the ocean. In many regions along the coast of the ice sheets, the icebergs calf into a bay. If the addition of icebergs through calving is faster than their transport out of the embayment, the icebergs will be frozen into a mélange with surrounding sea ice in winter. In this case, the buttressing effect of the ice mélange can be considerably stronger than any buttressing by mere sea ice would be. This in turn stabilizes the glacier terminus and leads to a reduction in calving rates. Here we propose a simple but robust buttressing model of ice mélange which can be used in numerical and analytical modeling.
The Effect of Capital Market Concerns on Specific Investments in the Supply Chain

The financial market gives significant consideration to the supply chain activities of publicly listed firms, which could in turn use their investments in the supply chain to manage market expectations. We study the effects of the capital market concerns of a publicly traded retailer that collaborates with a privately owned supplier in a supply chain. The firms each undertake a relation-specific investment and then bargain over the joint surplus generated by the collaboration. The retailer's market concerns make it a more aggressive bargainer and increase its ability to obtain a higher share of the joint surplus. The investments of both firms increase with the retailer's market concerns when the retailer's investment is sufficiently important for the collaboration. In this case, the retailer benefits from its market concerns. When the supplier's investment is sufficiently important, both firms invest less, and the retailer suffers as a result of its market concerns. From the perspective of the whole supply chain, the retailer's market concerns could mitigate or exacerbate the hold-up problem between the two firms and thus could be either beneficial or detrimental. In the extension, we also discuss the observability of the firms' investment decisions as well as the case of two symmetric firms that are both publicly traded.
Constitutional features of the occurrence and course of psoriasis (analysis of scientific literature)

The purpose of the work is to analyze the scientific literature on the constitutional features of the occurrence and course of psoriasis. The analysis of modern scientific literature in the scientific databases PubMed, eLIBRARY.RU and Web of Science was carried out. A review of the literature indicates the current state of the problem of such a disease as psoriasis, which is not only a skin lesion but also a serious socio-psychological problem. Given its chronic nature, lack of etiopathogenetic treatment, and knowing the trigger factors in the right way, it would be a good idea to look for early predisposition for the disease and to form risk groups for such individuals. Ideal in terms of efficiency and cheapness, given the results of the above studies, could be anthropological studies. The study of the constitutional features of the occurrence and course of psoriasis for the population of Ukraine is thus a priority and topical area of research.
Zaburzenia nastroju i strategie przystosowania do choroby u kobiet leczonych operacyjnie z powodu nowotworu piersi i narządów rodnych

fikacja wzorców radzenia sobie z chorobą kobiet leczonych operacyjnie z powodu raka piersi lub nowotworów narządu rodnego. Materiał i metody: Grupę badaną stanowiło 40 pacjentek Dolnośląskiego Centrum Onkologicznego we Wrocławiu w średnim wieku 56,1 ±10,2 roku. Ze względu na typ operacji pacjentki podzielono na dwie podgrupy: grupę I stanowiły pacjentki leczone z powodu nowotworu piersi (grupa NP), II – pacjentki po operacyjnym usunięciu nowotworu w obrębie narządów rodnych (grupa NNR). Pacjentki badano za pomocą Inwentarza depresji Becka (BDI) oraz skali przystosowania psychicznego do choroby nowotworowej Mini-MAC. Wyniki: Ponad połowa pacjentek (55%) po operacji w obrębie narządów rodnych oraz 25% kobiet po mastektomii wykazuje objawy obniżonego nastroju (BDI > 11). Objawy depresji w grupie NNR korelują z takimi składowymi skali Mini-MAC, jak zaabsorbowanie lękowe (ZL), bezradność–beznadzieja (B/B), oraz destrukcyjny styl radzenia sobie z chorobą. W grupie NP obserwowane związki są obustronne. Wysokie wyniki BDI, świadczące o nasileniu objawów depresyjnych, wykazują istotny związek z wysokimi wskaźnikami ZL, B/B oraz stylem destrukcyjnym (tak jak w NNR), a niska punktacja w BDI koreluje wyraźnie z takimi parametrami stanu psychicznego, jak duch walki, pozytywne przewartościowanie i konstruktywny styl radzenia sobie z chorobą. Wnioski: Różnice obserwowane pomiędzy porównywanymi grupami mogą mieć związek z wysokim poziomem wsparcia społecznego w przypadku kobiet operowanych z powodu raka piersi, czego nie obserwuje się w przypadku pacjentek po operacjach ginekologicznych.
Final results of a randomized phase II GELA/LYSA study of rituximab plus ACVBP or CHOP, using a PET-driven consolidation strategy, in patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

8503 Background: GELA standard for young patients (pts) with high-risk DLBCL (aaIPI 2-3) is R-ACVBP induction plus consolidative BEAM and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). R-CHOP induction might be as efficient and possibly less toxic than R-ACVBP. Also, early PET-negative patients may not need first-line ASCT. A phase II randomized trial was designed in 2007 to test both induction regimen and a PET-driven consolidation strategy (NCT00498043). Methods: Eligible pts were 18-59 years with a previously untreated CD20+ DLBCL, an aaIPI 2-3. Pts were randomly assigned to 4 cycles of either R-ACVBP14 or R-CHOP14 induction. Consolidation treatment was driven by centrally reviewed PET assessment (IHP visual criteria) after 2 (PET2) and 4 (PET4) induction cycles. Pts classified as PET2-/PET4- received a sequential immuno-chemotherapy consolidation; PET2+/PET4- pts underwent ASCT; PET4+ pts were considered as induction treatment failure and eligible for a salvage therapy. Primary endpoint was to evaluate .
Can virtual reality act as an affective machine? The wild animal embodiment experience and the importance of appearance

In view of the growing urgency to protect wildlife, the general goal of our research is to develop an immersive virtual experience where users can step into the ‘shoes’ of wild animals. The specific objective of this research is to explore the possibility of creating a strong emotional connection experience with a virtual animal body. In a game setting, users explore a simulated natural habitat of the animal. At the end of the game, users experience a distress event during which they become the target of an illegal animal hunter. The users receive physical feedback through haptic virtual reality suits (vibrating motors) that mimic the sensation of feeling pain of a hunter's shot. We compare the perceived pain, empathy, immersion, and embodiment experience evoked through a game character with a natural body (beaver), with an artificial body (robot beaver), and an amorphous body. The results of this investigation show a significant effect of game character appearance and perceived pain during the distress event. Moreover, we find a significant effect of game character appearance on immersion. These results suggest that the design of the game character appearance can influence users’ emotional connectedness to the character and the game experience.
Launching Medical Foster Home Programs: Key Components to Growing This Alternative to Nursing Home Placement

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this research was to examine and explain elements that enhanced or thwarted program growth of the United States Veterans Health Administration Medical Foster Home program. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted nationally through individual interviews over the phone and in-person (n = 22) with coordinators (n = 15 at slow-growth programs; n = 6 at fast-growth programs), program support assistants (PSAs) (n = 1 at slow-growth program), and home-based primary care team members (n = 3), as well as three in-person focus groups (n = 28 total participants) with home-based primary care team members. All participants (N = 53) were involved with programs in existence for at least two years. Results: Facilitators and barriers that enhanced or thwarted program growth emerged around four themes: A full-time coordinator; Unmitigated home-based primary care team engagement; Pursuit and receipt of appropriate referrals; and Match between caregiver, home, and Veteran. Conclusions: To facilitate program growth, program leaders should consider themes identified and how to foster situations and shape policies that put themes into practice.
Stomach Cancer and Parabens

Background and Objectives: Parabens are one of the chemicals used widely in preserving foods and pharmaceutical preparations. Although it was safe for many years, recently it has been proven that its action mimics estrogen in the body when it is linked to its receptors, known as estrogen receptors which are present in many systems of the body and that it may have a link with breast cancer, especially after it was found in samples of breast cancer. As known that estrogen receptors are placed in different areas in the body, including the stomach, therefore it may have a role in cancer formation and development in the stomach. The purpose of this manuscript is to investigate the presence of Methyl, Ethyl and Propylparaben in stomach cancer in men and women. Methods: Samples of stomach cancer have been collected immediately after surgery in Al Assad University Hospital and after extracting parabens from samples, they have been analyzed by HPLC / MS in the science faculty at Damascus University. Results: All samples have the three types of parabens with total mean concentration (22.5 ± 0.4 ng/g). The concentration of Methylparaben was the highest (8.2 ± 0.3 ng/g) then Propylparaben (7.4 ± 0.4 ng/g) and finally Ethylparaben (6.9 ± 0.2 ng/g). Conclusion: Because of the presence of parabens in all stomach cancer samples, so more studies must be done to research if parabens may have any effect in the formation of abnormal cells and the formation of cancer in the body systems which have estrogen receptors.
The Study on the Possibility of Using Ecological Materials with Antifungal Properties for Treating Natural Leathers

Synthetic fungicides presently used are potentially harmful to both human health and for the environment. Recent research aims to fully or partially replace potentially toxic biocides with environmentally friendly materials. Esential oils extracted from plants may be an alternative to conventional fungicides.The purpose of the study was to investigate the possibility of using essential oil of cloves as alternative preservatives for skin treatment. Essential oil isolated from cloves (Eugenia caryophyllata) containing: eugenol – 78.03%, aceteugenol – 10.93%, caryophylene – 9.46%. Following the study, it is concluded that the selected essential oil of cloves can be used as an antifungal agent in the field of natural leather processing.
Diversity and abundance of macrophytes of streams under different anthropogenic influences in the Buea municipality, southwestern Cameroon

Macrophytes can occur as submerged, floating or emergent. They provide not only important structural supports in streams and river habitats, but also absorb and sequester pollutants, provide primary food production, nutrients and habitats to a wide range of macro and micro-organisms living in and around lotic sites. Their existence is however threatened by both anthropogenic and natural stresses. This study aimed to document macrophyte diversity and abundance in streams under different anthropogenic influences in Buea, southwestern Cameroon. Floristic surveys were carried out using 500 m long transects laid along the different streams. Plants encountered were identified and confirmed at the Limbe Botanic Garden Herbarium. One hundred and ten species belonging to 38 families and 83 genera were recorded. There were no floating species and only one stream had submerged species (Vallisneria spiralis L and Crinum calamistratum Bogner & Heine). The highest number of families (26), genera (58) and species (70) were obtained in Ndongo while the least of these taxa were obtained in Bulu (16, 35 and 39, respectively). Overall, Asteraceae and Poaceae were the most abundant, suggesting anemophilic dispersals. However, individual species abundances varied with streams. The highest diversity index (0.945) was in Wongangjio while the least (0.760) was in Nange, suggesting that waste discharge from car wash might influence species diversity negatively. The macrophyte composition was made up of obligate and non-obligate species as a consequence of anthropogenic influences. These results constitute baseline data for the area that can be exploited for further research and monitoring.