Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ThE blENDED EDUCATIONAl pROGRAm As A mODIfIED EDUCATIONAl pROGRAm IN mEDICAl EDUCATION AND ThE EffECT ON sTUDENTs ’ CRITICAl

Introduction: Blended learning is a mixture of various learning strategies and delivery methods to optimize the learning experience of the users. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare a designed blended educational method with classical face to face method in the cognitive effect of the program on the students’ critical thinking. Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 41 first year nursing students of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences who participated in the psychiatry course in 2008–2009. The students were randomly divided into two groups of conventional and blended educational methods. The Watson Glazer test was used for assessment of critical thinking. Results: There was a significant increase in student’s critical thinking skills in both groups after conducting of the course. Analysis of variance results showed that there was a significant relationship between students’ final score, teaching method and critical thinking in conclusion skills. The mean of final scores of the students who participated in the blended educational group was significantly more than that of those who participated in the face to face teaching approach. Conclusion: The use of blended educational method is recommended for teaching in Medical and Para-medical sciences.
Supplementary Information for Impact of regulatory variation across human iPSCs and differentiated cells

1Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. 2Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. 3Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. 4Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. 5Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. 6Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, University, Stanford, CA, USA. ‡Present address. Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, USA (N.E.B.); Centre for Systems Genomics,
Metal composite as backing for ultrasonic transducers dedicated to non-destructive measurements in hostile

Our team is specialized in ultrasonic measurements in hostile environment especially under high temperatures. There is a need for acoustic transducers capable of continuous measurement at temperatures up to 700°C. To improve the performances of acoustic sensors we focus our works on the realisation and characterisation of transducer backings able to operate under very high temperature. Commercially, they are produced by the incorporation of tungsten powder in a plastic matrix, which limits the working temperature. The realisation of ultrasonic transducers for non-destructive measures at high temperatures requires adequate materials, manufacturing and assembly processes. To produce the backings, composites were made using very ductile metals such as tin and tungsten. These composites are manufactured by uniaxial hot pressing. First, we studied the influence of temperature and pressure on the densification of tin pellets. Then, several specimens made of tin/W were made and characterised by measuring the specific weight, speed and attenuation of sound. The acoustic measures were realised by ultrasonic spectroscopy. This test-bench was designed and tested on control samples of PMMA and on standard backings (epoxy / tungsten).
Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Patients With Cirrhosis Reduces Risk of Liver and Non-Liver Complications.

BACKGROUND & AIMS We performed a prospective study to investigate the effects of a sustained viral response (SVR) on outcomes of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and compensated cirrhosis. METHODS We collected data from 1323 patients included in the prospective Agence Nationale pour la Recherche sur le SIDA et les hépatites virales (ANRS) viral cirrhosis (CirVir) cohort, recruited from 35 clinical centers in France from 2006 through 2012. All patients had HCV infection and biopsy-proven cirrhosis, were Child-Pugh class A, and had no prior liver complications. All patients received anti-HCV treatment before or after inclusion (with interferon then with direct antiviral agents) and underwent an ultrasound examination every 6 months, as well as endoscopic evaluations. SVR was considered as a time-dependent covariate; its effect on outcome was assessed by the Cox proportional hazard regression method. We used a propensity score to minimize confounding by indication of treatment and capacity to achieve SVR. RESULTS After a median follow-up period of 58.2 months, 668 patients (50.5%) achieved SVR. SVR was associated with a decreased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (hazard ratio [HR] compared with patients without an SVR, 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19-0.43; P < .001) and hepatic decompensation (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.17-0.39; P < .001). Patients with SVRs also had a lower risk of cardiovascular events (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.25-0.69; P = .001) and bacterial infections (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29-0.68; P < .001). Metabolic features were associated with a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with SVRs, but not in patients with viremia. SVR affected overall mortality (HR, 0.27 compared with patients without SVR; 95% CI, 0.18-0.42; P < .001) and death from liver-related and non-liver-related causes. Similar results were obtained in a propensity score-matched population. CONCLUSIONS We confirmed a reduction in critical events, liver-related or not, in a prospective study of patients with HCV infection and compensated cirrhosis included in the CirVir cohort who achieved an SVR. We found an SVR to reduce overall mortality and risk of death from liver-related and non-liver-related causes. A longer follow-up evaluation is required to accurately describe and assess specific risk factors for complications in this population.
Optimization of extrusion processing conditions for preparation of an instant grain base for use in weaning foods

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of process conditions on the properties of instant grain base. A blend of wheat, mungbean and groundnut was used in the study. The effects of feed moisture, barrel temperature and screw speed on product responses viz. specific mechanical energy (SME), expansion ratio (ER), density (D), water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) was studied using response surface methodology.The blend was extruded at different moisture content (12.6 -19.4%), screw speed (349 601 rpm) and barrel temperature (116 184°C). The regression models for SME, expansion ratio, bulk density, WAI and WSI were highly significant. SME has been found to decrease with increase of moisture and temperature and increased with increase in screw speed. Expansion ratio and density were significantly affected by feed moisture and temperature. WAI and WSIwere found to decrease significantly with increase in moisture content and increased significantly with increase in Screw speed and temperature.The optimum values for moisture content, screw speed and temperature were 14.08%, 521 rpm and 140 o C respectively. The desirability was found to be 0.835 for this model.
Acquired resistance to macrolides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients receive chronic treatment with macrolides for their antivirulence and anti-inflammatory properties. We, however, previously showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, considered as naturally resistant to macrolides, becomes susceptible when tested in a eukaryotic medium rather than a conventional broth. We therefore looked for specific macrolide resistance determinants in 333 CF isolates from four European CF centres in comparison with 48 isolates from patients suffering from hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of macrolides and ketolides measured in eukaryotic medium (RPMI-1640) were higher towards CF than HAP isolates. Gene sequencing revealed mutations at three positions (2045, 2046 and 2598) in domain V of 23S rRNA of 43% of sequenced CF isolates, but none in HAP isolates. Enzymes degrading extracellular polymeric substances also reduced MICs, highlighting a role of the mucoid, biofilm-forming phenotype in resistance. An association between high MICs and chronic azithromycin administration was evidenced, which was statistically significant for patients infected by the Liverpool Epidemic Strain. Thus, ribosomal mutations are highly prevalent in CF isolates and may spread in epidemic clones, arguing for prudent use of oral macrolides in these patients. Measuring MICs in RPMI-1640 could be easily implemented in microbiology laboratories to phenotypically detect resistance. Ribosomal mutations are frequent in P. aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients, owing to chronic oral macrolide use http://ow.ly/B5vC308qfjl
Evaluation of Behavior Change Communication Campaigns to Promote Modern Cookstove Purchase and Use in Lower Middle Income Countries

Nearly three billion people worldwide burn solid fuels and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves to cook, light, and heat their homes. Cleaner-burning stoves reduce emissions and can have positive health, climate, and women’s empowerment benefits. This article reports on the protocol and baseline data from the evaluation of four behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns carried out in lower to middle income countries aimed at promoting the sale and use of cleaner-burning stoves. Interventions implemented in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria are using a range of BCC methods including mass media, digital media, outdoor advertising, and inter-personal communication. The mixed methods evaluation comprises three large-scale surveys: one pre-BCC and two follow-ups, along with smaller scale assessments of stove uptake and patterns of use. Baseline results revealed varying levels of awareness of previous promotions and positive attitudes and beliefs about modern (i.e., relatively clean-burning) cookstoves. Differences in cookstove preferences and behaviors by gender, socio-demographics, media use, and country/region were observed that may affect outcomes. Across all three countries, cost (lack of funds) a key perceived barrier to buying a cleaner-burning stove. Future multivariate analyses will examine potential dose-response effects of BCC on cookstove uptake and patterns of use. BCC campaigns have the potential to promote modern cookstoves at scale. More research on campaign effectiveness is needed, and on how to optimize messages and channels. This evaluation builds on a limited evidence base in the field.
The importance of genetic factors for the development of arthropathy: a longitudinal study of children and adolescents with haemophilia A

Summary Haemophilia A is a congenital bleeding disorder characterised by recurrent haemorrhages into the major joints. Haemophilic arthropathy is a well-established outcome of recurrent joint bleeding; however, it is clear that multiple factors determine the extent and severity of its occurrence. We sought to identify genetic factors related to abnormalities in range of motion (ROM) in the knees, ankles and elbows in a cohort of children and adolescents with haemophilia A not treated primarily with regular prophylaxis. Using data from the Haemophilia Growth and Development Study, we examined associations between 13,342 genetic markers and ROM scores measured at six-month intervals for up to seven years. As a first step, ordered logistic regression models were fit for each joint separately. A subset of SNP markers showing significant effects (p<0.01) on the right and left sides for at least two joints were included in a full model fit using a multivariate generalised linear mixed model assuming an ordinal response. The models contained all ROM scores obtained at all visits. Twenty-five markers analysed in the full model showed either increased or decreased risk of ROM abnormalities at the p<0.001 level. Several genes identified at either the first or second stage of the analysis have been associated with arthritis in a variety of large studies. Our results support the likelihood that risk for haemophilic arthropathy is associated with genetic factors, the identification of which holds promise for further advancing the individualisation of treatment.
The efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a popular treatment for myofascial restriction. IASTM uses specially designed instruments to provide a mobilizing effect to scar tissue and myofascial adhesions. Several IASTM tools and techniques are available such as the Graston® technique. Currently, there are no systematic reviews that have specifically appraised the effects of IASTM as a treatment or to enhance joint range of motion (ROM). PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to systematically appraise the current evidence assessing the effects of IASTM as an intervention to treat a musculoskeletal pathology or to enhance joint ROM. METHODS A search of the literature was conducted during the month of December 2015 which included the following databases: PubMed, PEDro, Science Direct, and the EBSCOhost collection. A direct search of known journals was also conducted to identify potential publications. The search terms included individual or a combination of the following: instrument; assisted; augmented; soft-tissue; mobilization; Graston®; and technique. RESULTS A total of 7 randomized controlled trials were appraised. Five of the studies measured an IASTM intervention versus a control or alternate intervention group for a musculoskeletal pathology. The results of the studies were insignificant (p>.05) with both groups displaying equal outcomes. Two studies measured an IASTM intervention versus a control or alternate intervention group on the effects of joint ROM. The IASTM intervention produced significant (P<.05) short term gains up to 24 hours. CONCLUSION The literature measuring the effects of IASTM is still emerging. The current research has indicated insignificant results which challenges the efficacy of IASTM as a treatment for common musculoskeletal pathology, which may be due to the methodological variability among studies. There appears to be some evidence supporting its ability to increase short term joint ROM.
From Word Embeddings to Document Similarities for Improved Information Retrieval in Software Engineering

The application of information retrieval techniques to search tasks in software engineering is made difficult by the lexical gap between search queries, usually expressed in natural language (e.g. English), and retrieved documents, usually expressed in code (e.g. programming languages). This is often the case in bug and feature location, community question answering, or more generally the communication between technical personnel and non-technical stake holders in a software project. In this paper, we propose bridging the lexical gap by projecting natural language statements and code snippets as meaning vectors in a shared representation space. In the proposed architecture, word embeddings are rst trained on API documents, tutorials, and reference documents, and then aggregated in order to estimate semantic similarities between documents. Empirical evaluations show that the learned vector space embeddings lead to improvements in a previously explored bug localization task and a newly de ned task of linking API documents to computer programming questions.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Genetic Variation in the Iberian Lynx along Its Path to Extinction Reconstructed with Ancient DNA

Abstract There is the tendency to assume that endangered species have been both genetically and demographically healthier in the past, so that any genetic erosion observed today was caused by their recent decline. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) suffered a dramatic and continuous decline during the 20th century, and now shows extremely low genome- and species-wide genetic diversity among other signs of genomic erosion. We analyze ancient (N = 10), historical (N = 245), and contemporary (N = 172) samples with microsatellite and mitogenome data to reconstruct the species' demography and investigate patterns of genetic variation across space and time. Iberian lynx populations transitioned from low but significantly higher genetic diversity than today and shallow geographical differentiation millennia ago, through a structured metapopulation with varying levels of diversity during the last centuries, to two extremely genetically depauperate and differentiated remnant populations by 2002. The historical subpopulations show varying extents of genetic drift in relation to their recent size and time in isolation, but these do not predict whether the populations persisted or went finally extinct. In conclusion, current genetic patterns were mainly shaped by genetic drift, supporting the current admixture of the two genetic pools and calling for a comprehensive genetic management of the ongoing conservation program. This study illustrates how a retrospective analysis of demographic and genetic patterns of endangered species can shed light onto their evolutionary history and this, in turn, can inform conservation actions.
Investigation into the toughening mechanism of epoxy reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract This study reports the reinforcement and fracture toughening mechanism of pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on epoxy matrix. The tensile strength and fracture energy (GIC) of the epoxy polymer increased simultaneously upon the addition of a small amount of MWCNTs. The fracture surfaces of single-edge-notch three-point bending test specimens were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, and the double-notch four-point bending technique was used to investigate the fracture process by transmission electron microscopy, respectively. MWCNT pull-out and subsequent plastic void growth were found; meanwhile, fracture of MWCNTs was observed along the crack propagation path. The theoretical model of shearing band initiated by the stress concentrations around the MWCNTs is the dominant toughening mechanism. While the crack bridging of MWCNTs and the plastic void growth of epoxy also have a toughening effect.
Nonlinear finite element analysis of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams

A nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to simulate the flexural behaviors of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams. For this, two different tension-softening curves obtained from micromechanics-based analysis and inverse analysis were incorporated. For micromechanics-based analysis, two-dimensional and three-dimensional random fiber orientations were assumed to obtain the fiber-bridging curve, and a softening curve of matrix in ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete was used. The use of tension-softening curves obtained from inverse analysis and micromechanics-based analysis using two-dimensional random fiber orientation exhibited fairly good agreement with the experimental results, whereas the use of tension-softening curve from micromechanics-based analysis using three-dimensional random fiber orientation underestimated the experimental results.
Characterization of nGaAs-Au Schottky Diodes as Grating Coupled Photodetectors

Using holography and wet chemical etching, a grating of period 450nm and depth of 15nm was fabricated on a n-type GaAs substrate having a doping of 10 16 cm −3 . A 30 nm layer of Au was deposited on the substrate forming a Schottky contact. The ohmic back contact is an alloy of Ni, Au and Ge. These devices were optically and electrically characterized. Optical characterization was done using a polarized 632.8 nm HeNe laser. Reflectivity measurements for complete angular scans with output currents were determined. It was observed that as reflectivity dropped to a minimum, at a specific incident angle, the output current peaked. This was attributed to excitation of surface plasma oscillations in the grating, allowing greater photon absorption in the depletion region. This was observed only when the incident electric field was p-polarized and normal to the orientation of the grating, thus satisfying the surface plasma resonance conditions. Under the above conditions, it was observed that in a grating coupled photodetector a higher quantum efficiency can be achieved.
Twitter and the Press: an Ego-Centred Analysis

Ego networks have proved to be a valuable tool for understanding the relationships that individuals establish with their peers, both in offline and online social networks. Particularly interesting are the cognitive constraints associated with the interactions between the ego and the members of their ego network, whereby individuals cannot maintain meaningful interactions with more than 150 people, on average. In this work, we focus on the ego networks of journalists on Twitter, and we investigate whether they feature the same characteristics observed for other relevant classes of Twitter users, like politicians and generic users. Our findings are that journalists are generally more active and interact with more people than generic users. Their ego network structure is very aligned with reference models derived from the social brain hypothesis and observed in general human ego networks. Remarkably, the similarity is even higher than the one of politicians and generic users ego networks. This may imply a greater cognitive involvement with Twitter than with other social interaction means. Moreover, the ego networks of journalists are much stabler than those of politicians and generic users, and the ego-alter ties are often information-driven.
Orthokeratology: clinical utility and patient perspectives

Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is a special rigid contact lens worn at night to achieve myopic reduction and control. This review provides an overview on prescribing ortho-k, including clinical consideration on patient aspect and lens design; its clinical outcomes; and clinical efficacy and safety. Patient satisfaction was summarized. In order to achieve long-term healthy ortho-k treatment, it requires both patient and practitioners’ care and rapport to maintain good ocular health and lens conditions.
Precipitation and recrystallization in a binary magnesium-neodymium alloy

The influence of precipitate state and annealing temperature on the recrystallization of a Mg-2.8wt. %Nd alloy has been investigated. Precipitation kinetics at 190, 350 and 400 were studied in order to understand precipitate evolution during recrystallization. Precipitation was studied primarily through electrical resistivity measurements, and modelled using a mean radius model. It was found that predicting the kinetics required the spatial distribution of solute to be considered. Pre-aging conditions were selected in order to study the influence of either preexisting or concurrently formed precipitates during recrystallization. After aging, the samples were cold rolled to a strain of 20%. The microstructures were characterized primarily through EBSD, and also through hardness measurements. Pre-aging the samples at 400 for three hours resulted in a dispersion of stable β precipitates during annealing. This led to a recrystallized microstructure with recrystallization nucleation sites similar to those previously reported in the literature. Pre-aging the sample at 190 for 24 hours lead to the formation of metastable β′′ precipitates which strengthened the sample, but dissolved rapidly upon annealing at higher recrystallization temperatures. When samples previously solutionized at 545 or aged at 190 were subsequently annealed at 350, recrystallization stagnated. This was attributed to concurrent precipitation pinning grain boundaries. In all samples, irrespective of aging condition, recrystallization was observed primarily in twins and shear bands. The twins which recrystallized were found to be {101̄1} contraction twins and {101̄1}{101̄2} contraction-extension twins. As the nuclei forming within these regions were not randomly oriented, recrystallization in these alloys did not randomize the texture.