Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
e-Analytics for e-Learning

Nowadays education is inconceivable without the use of e-environment and all the benefits it can ensure. Modern learning systems are featured with a wide range of resources for gathering relevant user traces for data analysis. The main goal of the research described in this paper is to explore how the learning analytics methods can be used to improve the results of e-Learning. The novel method for cross-system data collection is accomplished in a newly designed database/system e-Analytics. Using the data collected, various analyses and reports are presented and discussed, aiming to disclose important learner's behaviors and regularities during the educational process. Recommendations are made for further improvements of the teaching and learning process. The paper concludes by enumerating some challenges and further works for creating effective Learning Analytics tools.
Structural and Ultrastructural Study of Rat Liver Influenced by Electromagnetic Radiation

Mobile communication systems are undoubtedly an environmental source of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). There is an increasing concern regarding the interactions of EMR with the humans. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of EMR on Wistar rat liver. Mature rats were exposed to electromagnetic field of frequency 2.45 GHz and mean power density of 2.8 mW/cm2 for 3 h/d for 3 wk. Samples of the liver were obtained 3 h after the last irradiation and processed histologically for light and transmission electron microscopy. Data demonstrated the presence of moderate hyperemia, dilatation of liver sinusoids, and small inflammatory foci in the center of liver lobules. Structure of hepatocytes was not altered and all described changes were classified as moderate. Electron microscopy of hepatocytes revealed vesicles of different sizes and shapes, lipid droplets, and proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Occasionally necrotizing hepatocytes were observed. Our observations demonstrate that EMR exposure produced adverse effects on rat liver.
A new phenomenon of usefulness in the radioimmunoassay of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Abstract A new technique for radioimmunoassay of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) has been developed based on the discovery of an increase in the proportional binding of ACTH to antibody when small increments of ACTH are added to relatively high concentrations of antisera. A progressive increase in the bound/free (B/F) ratios occurs instead of the conventional decrease. This paradoxical binding has been utilized to develop an accurate and convenient method for measuring ACTH levels in unextracted plasma. Antisera that are unsuitable for conventional radioimmunoassay can be used. The method has proven to be highly reliable and is used routinely in our institution. In 30 normal subjects, the average plasma ACTH level at 8 A.M. was 70 pg. per milliliter (range 22 to 175 pg. per milliliter) and at 4 P.M. the average value was 20 pg. per milliliter (0 to 75 pg. per milliliter). A circadian variation in plasma ACTH levels with a peak at 6 A.M. has been observed. After dexamethasone administration, plasma ACTH levels were undetectable; they rose to an average of 562 pg. per milliliter (235 to 1,250 pg. per milliliter) after oral metyrapone administration. Very high ACTH levels were observed in patients with Addison's disease, after bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome with adrenal hyperplasia, and after the intravenous administration of a bacterial pyrogen to normal subjects. Subnormal values were found in patients with panhypopituitarism and with Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenal tumor.
Risk factors for peri-operative stroke complicating carotid endarterectomy: selective analysis of a prospective audit of 1000 consecutive operations.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of potential clinical risk factors in the causation of peri-operative stroke associated with carotid endarterectomy. With the change in carotid endarterectomy practice from the use of a shunt to high-dose thiopental for cerebral protection (a previously undocumented method), it was essential to identify accurately the causes of all perioperative strokes. METHODS A prospective audit was undertaken of 1000 carotid endarterectomies in which the causes and pathology of all peri-operative strokes were documented. The roles of advanced age, female gender, hypertension, previous stroke, contralateral carotid stenosis >70%, and contralateral carotid occlusion as potential causes of peri-operative stroke were defined. Results were statistically analysed using odds ratio and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS None of the potential risk factors was statistically significant for peri-operative stroke. Female gender was associated with a significant risk of peri-operative stroke due to operative site thrombosis. Complications at the endarterectomy site were the commonest cause of stroke. CONCLUSIONS Prospective audit is a useful tool for identifying causes of peri-operative stroke and indicating the need for modifications to surgical clinical management which might improve outcomes for carotid endarterectomy.
Networked by Design: Interventions for Teachers to Develop Social Capital

Previous research on the use of social network analysis in education has demonstrated how the methodology can reveal patterns of interactions that enable the sharing of resources. For more than a decade, we have read about the promise that building networks can bring in terms of enacting instructional improvement. However, few studies have aimed at reporting on the designs and enactments of intentional structures for building teachers’ social capital through the development of social networks. Even fewer have discussed the deliberate mechanisms and methodologies used in the interventions. In this structured poster symposium, we present six current efforts in building teachers’ social capital with an emphasis on what this work is and how it is done. This group of researchers work with a variety of teacher populations both in formal and informal environments to solve important issues in the building of educational and teaching capacities.
Predictive value of plasma galectin-3 in patients with chronic heart failure.

AIM To study the predictive value of plasma galectin-3 in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with CHF (New York Heart Association functional class II-IV) caused by coronary heart disease were recruited. The levels of plasma galectin-3 and NT-proBNP were measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Echocardiography was performed to determine the diastolic left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the prognostic value of galectin-3 or NT-proBNP for CHF. RESULTS The level of galectin-3 was significantly higher in NYHA functional class III and IV compared with that in control (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The level of plasma galectin-3 was positively correlated with LAD (r = 0.271, p < 0.05) and LVEDD (r = 0.480, p < 0.01), but negatively correlated with LVEF (r = -0.683, p < 0.01). The level of plasma NT-proBNP was positively correlated with LAD (r = 0.481, p < 0.01) and LVEDD (r = 0.270, p < 0.05), but negatively correlated with LVEF (r = -0.516, p < 0.01). AUC was 0.798 when the level of plasma galectin-3 was more than 7.52 ng/ml. The sensitivity to predict CHF was 62.9%, and the specificity was 90%. AUC was 0.901 when the level of plasma NT-proBNP was more than 1143 pg/ml. The sensitivity to predict CHF was 92.8% and the specificity was 85%. CONCLUSIONS The level of plasma galectin-3 is related to the changes of left ventricular structure and function, indicating that galectin-3 may have been involved in the process of left ventricular remodeling in CHF. The specificity of galectin-3 to predict CHF is higher than NT-proBNP, but not the sensitivity.
Ionic Mechanism of Delayed Afterdepolarizations in Ventricular Cells Isolated From Human End-Stage Failing Hearts

Background—Animal studies have shown that the Ca2+-activated Cl− current (ICl(Ca)) and the Na+/Ca2+ exchange current (INa/Ca) contribute to the transient inward current (Iti). Iti is responsible for the proarrhythmic delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs). We investigated the ionic mechanism of Iti and DADs in human cardiac cells. Methods and Results—Human ventricular cells were enzymatically isolated from explanted hearts of patients with end-stage heart failure and studied with patch-clamp methodology. Itis were elicited in the presence of 1 &mgr;mol/L norepinephrine by trains of repetitive depolarizations from −80 to +50 mV. DADs were induced in the presence of 1 &mgr;mol/L norepinephrine at a stimulus frequency of 1 Hz. Iti currents were inwardly directed over the voltage range between −110 and + 50 mV. Neither the Cl− channel blocker 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid nor changes in [Cl−]i affected Iti or DAD amplitude. This excludes an important role for ICl(Ca). Blockade of Na+/Ca2+ exchange by substitution of all extracellular Na+ by Li+, conversely, completely inhibited Iti. In rabbit, ICl(Ca) density in ventricular cells isolated from control hearts did not differ significantly from that in ventricular cells isolated from failing hearts. Conclusions—In contrast to many animal species, Iti and DADs in human ventricular cells from failing hearts consist only of INa/Ca. In rabbits, heart failure per se does not alter ICl(Ca) density, suggesting that ICl(Ca) may also be absent during DADs in nonfailing human ventricular cells.
The Moderating Role of Trust in Supervisor in the Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Organizational Performance of Federal Public Service Organizations in Ethiopia

The effect of Employee Engagement on Organizational Performance and the nature of Engagement-Performance linkage is new area of research in public service organizations of Ethiopia. Drawing on SET, the present study investigated the impact of Engagement on Performance of Public Service Organizations. The study also examined the moderating effect of Trust in Supervisor on the connection between Engagement-Performance. The study employed descriptive research design using cross-sectional data of 340 employees from nine federal public service organizations. The theorized three-factor model was validated through SEM. The legitimacy and reliability of the measurement and structural model was ensured using CFA. The finding of the study revealed that engagement has direct and significant effect on organizational performance. It was also found that Trust in Supervisor has significant effect on organizational performance. However, contrary to our expectation, the SEM analysis result demonstrated that Trust in Supervisor has no moderation effect on the relationship between Engagement and Performance, indicating that Trust in Supervisor has its own independent effect on performance of public service organizations. The result of the study adds to the current writing by incorporating the factors that help to improve performance. The study suggested that much investment should be made on the HR to build an engaged workforce to enhance performance. Keywords : Organizational Performance, Employee Engagement, Trust in Supervisor, Public Service, Federal employees.
Student learning preferences reflect curricular change

This study measured the learning preference profile development and readiness for self-directed learning over time of two undergraduate student cohorts experiencing different curricular presentations of essentially the same syllabus. The results from three measurement points are reported following each cohort through their first half of the BSc (Honours) Physiotherapy Course, Cardiff. At intake both cohorts preferred a concrete, fact-based learning environment, which was teacher structured. Over time, the cohorts responded significantly differently to their curricula in respect of the student-structured learning preference (LP) variable (p < 0.05), and displayed trends (p < 0.1) towards response difference for the concrete, interpersonal and individual LP variables. Cohort differences are discussed in terms of the planned curriculum changes made during the intervening revalidation exercise. It is suggested that curricula mould students' learning profile development. The impact of this statement on future curriculum development is discussed and educational research-in-action promoted.
PENGARUH KEPERCAYAAN DAN KOMITMEN NASABAH TERHADAP LOYALITAS NASABAH TABUNGAN BANK DANAMON DI SIDOARJO

The purpose of this research is investigating trust and commitments of customers to customer loyalty savings at Danamon Bank in Sidoarjo. Here are two independent variables and dependent variable, two independent variables are customers trust and customers commitments while one variable dependent is customers loyalty. Sampling technique is purposive sampling. This research used primary data. Data selected researcher directly from the survey by relying on a questionnaire to respondents. By taking data about 100 respondents of customers savings. Data analysis method used multiple linear regression analysis. By using SPSS program for windows 15.0. The result of the research indicated that variable customer trust does not affect the customers loyality, customers commitment influences significantly to customers loyality at Danamon bank in Sidoarjo, while customers trust and customers commitment simultaneously influence significantly to customers loyalty of Danamon Bank in Sidoarjo. Key words : Customer trust, Customer commitment, Customer loyalty
Hemostatic efficacy of two advanced dressings in an aortic hemorrhage model in Swine.

BACKGROUND An effective hemostatic agent capable of stopping severe arterial bleeding and sustaining hemostasis over a prolonged time is required. The U.S. Army recently distributed fibrin sealant (under an Investigational New Drug-approved protocol) and chitosan dressings among deployed medics for treating severe external hemorrhage on the battlefield. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of these dressings, as compared with the standard gauze army field dressing, to provide initial and sustained hemostasis up to 96 hours in a lethal uncontrolled arterial hemorrhage model. METHODS Anesthetized pigs were splenectomized and chronically instrumented for fluid/drug administration and continuous monitoring of vital signs. An infrarenal aortotomy was created using a 4.4-mm aortic hole punch and free bleeding was allowed for 5 seconds. While bleeding profusely, a dressing was applied and pressed into the wound for 4 minutes (occluding the distal flow) and then released. If hemostasis was not obtained, the dressing was replaced with a new one (maximum, two dressings per experiment) with another 4-minute compression. If hemostasis was achieved, the abdomen was closed; the animal was then recovered and monitored up to 96 hours. Initial hemostasis, duration of hemostasis, survival time, blood loss, and other variables were measured. RESULTS Application of army field dressing (gauze) did not stop the arterial hemorrhage and led to exsanguination of all the pigs (n = 6) within 10 to 15 minutes of the injury. Chitosan dressing produced initial hemostasis in five of seven pigs. However, the dressings failed to maintain hemostasis for more than 1.6 hours (range, 28-102 minutes), resulting in secondary bleeding and death of the animals. Fibrin sealant dressing produced initial hemostasis in all the pigs (n = 6) and maintained hemostasis in five cases, with one failure at 2.2 hours. These pigs resumed normal activities and lived for the 96-hour experiment duration. Computed tomographic images and histologic sections of the aortas from surviving fibrin sealant dressing-treated animals showed formation of pseudoaneurysms and early granulation tissue at the aortotomy site. The posttreatment blood loss, duration of hemostasis, and survival time were significantly different in the fibrin sealant dressing group than the chitosan dressing and army field dressing groups. CONCLUSION Both chitosan dressing and fibrin sealant dressing stopped initial arterial bleeding that could not be controlled by the standard army field dressing. However, although the fibrin sealant dressing secured hemostasis for up to 4 days, the chitosan dressing consistently failed within 2 hours after application. There may be a risk of rebleeding for high-pressure arterial wounds treated with chitosan dressings, particularly in situations where definitive care is delayed substantially.
Optimal D2D user allocation over multi-bands under heterogeneous networks

This paper analyzes the optimal D2D user allocation over multi-bands in the heterogeneous networks. The heterogeneous networks contain one or several cellular systems and D2D communication shares uplink resource with them. By allocating D2D users on different bands, it can reduce the interference between D2D and cellular systems and improve D2D transmission capacity at the same time. Through utilizing stochastic geometry, the problem is formed as sum D2D transmission capacity on each band with constraints that guarantee outage probilities of both cellular and D2D transmission. The primal problem is first proved to be convex and then solved by constructing Lagrange function and KKT conditions. The optimal D2D user densities over multi-bands are derived and we propose a D2D scheduling algorithm base on this conclusion for the dynamic D2D access process. Simulation results show the superiority of optimal user allocation over average allocation method.
Climate of the Past Late Quaternary vegetation-climate feedbacks

Feedbacks between vegetation and other components of the climate system are discussed with respect to their influence on climate dynamics during the late Quaternary, i.e., the last glacial-interglacial cycles. When weighting current understanding based on interpretation of palaeobotanic and palaeoclimatic evidence by numerical climate system models, a number of arguments speak in favour of vegetation dynamics being an amplifier of orbital forcing. (a) The vegetation-snow albedo feedback in synergy with the sea-ice albedo feedback tends to amplify Northern Hemisphere and global mean temperature changes. (b) Variations in the extent of the largest desert on Earth, the Sahara, appear to be amplified by biogeophysical feedback. (c) Biogeochemical feedbacks in the climate system in relation to vegetation migration are supposed to be negative on time scales of glacial cycles. However, with respect to changes in global mean temperature, they are presumably weaker than the positive biogeophysical feedbacks.
Safety and tolerability of methylphenidate in preschool children with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE To report on the safety and tolerability of methylphenidate (MPH) 3- to 5-year-old children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during 1 year of treatment. METHOD Exactly 183 children (3-5 years old) entered a treatment study of MPH, consisting of a 1-week open-label lead-in (n=183); a 5-week placebo-controlled, double-blind phase (n=165); a 5-week double-blind, parallel phase (n=114); and 10 months of open-label maintenance (n=140 entered, 95 completed). Mean total daily MPH doses rose from the titration trial best dose, 14.1 (+/-8.1) mg/day, to 20.5 (+/-9.7) mg/day mean total daily dose at the end of maintenance. Pulse, blood pressure, and the presence of treatment emergent adverse events (AEs), parent and teacher AE ratings, and vital signs were recorded in each phase. RESULTS Thirty percent of parents spontaneously reported moderate to severe AEs in all study phases after baseline. These included emotional outbursts, difficulty falling asleep, repetitive behaviors/thoughts, appetite decrease, and irritability. During titration, decreased appetite (chi=5.4, p<.03), trouble sleeping (chi=5.4, p<.03), and weight loss (chi=4.0, p<.05) occurred statistically more often on MPH than on placebo. During maintenance, trouble sleeping and appetite loss persisted and other MPH-related AEs decreased. There were transient, one-time pulse and blood pressure elevations in five children. Twenty-one children (11%) discontinued because of drug-attributed AEs. CONCLUSIONS Eleven percent of preschoolers discontinued treatment because of intolerable MPH AEs. Of the serious AEs reported, one occurred in baseline, two in lead-in, three in titration, one in parallel, and one in maintenance. Only one was possibly related to MPH.
Functional Recovery in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury During Inpatient Rehabilitation

Dumas HM, Haley SM, Ludlow LH, Rabin JP: Functional recovery in pediatric traumatic brain injury during inpatient rehabilitation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002;81:661–669. Objective To examine changes in functional status of children with traumatic brain injury by identifying the pattern and amount of change between and within the domains of self-care, mobility, and social function during inpatient rehabilitation and to examine the relationships of age and injury severity to functional recovery. Design Retrospective descriptive study. Seventy-nine children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury were assessed at inpatient rehabilitation hospital admission and discharge by using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory’s (PEDI) functional skills and caregiver assistance domains of self-care, mobility, and social function. Results Admission self-care functional levels were significantly greater than mobility and social function for both PEDI scales. At discharge, significant improvement was noted within all three domains and the amount of change between domains was significantly greater for the mobility domain on both scales. Age was not related to the amount of recovery. Admission functional status was moderately negatively correlated to the change in PEDI scores (ranging from r = −0.432 to −0.681). Conclusions Variations exist in the recovery of self-care, mobility, and social function capability and independence during inpatient rehabilitation. Self-care was the least affected. Participants showed significant improvement in all domains, with the most recovery in mobility. Children with greater functional deficits demonstrated greater functional gains.
HYPERTONIC SALINE SOLUTION INCREASES THE EXPRESSION OF HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70 AND IMPROVES LUNG INFLAMMATION EARLY AFTER REPERFUSION IN A RODENT MODEL OF CONTROLLED HEMORRHAGE

Hypertonic saline solution (HS solution, NaCl 7.5%) has shown to restore hemodynamic parameters in hemorrhagic shock and to decrease the inflammation triggered by ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-R). Therefore, our objective was to investigate the effects of HS solution on the mechanisms involved in I-R, in an experimental model of controlled hemorrhagic shock. Wistar rats (280-350 g) were submitted to controlled bleeding, keeping the mean arterial pressure around 40 mmHg, for 1 h. After that, rats were randomized and treated with HS solution (4 mL/kg) or normal saline (34 mL/kg). There were no differences in hemodynamic parameters between both groups for at least 2 h after shock. No difference either was observed in reactive oxygen species generation (measured indirectly by malondialdehyde concentration) or cytokines (interleukins 6 and 10) production (measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Quantitative analysis of lung tissue showed a smaller neutrophil infiltration in animals that received HS solution. Moreover, the animals in the HS group showed an increased expression of heat shock protein 70. Therefore, we concluded that treatment of hemorrhagic shock with HS solution can decrease pulmonary inflammation and increase cellular protection by up-regulating heat shock protein 70 expression.