Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The evaluation of anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients with oral lichen planus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine any association between anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients by the case–control method. Design relevant: Forty patients with OLP were evaluated. The OLP diagnosis was established through a composite of accepted clinical and histopathological characteristics. Forty patients from the register of patients who obtained general dental care were selected as controls. Material and method: The saliva samples collected between 9:00 and 9:15am were analysed for the level of cortisol with Cortisol EIA that used competetive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Trait and state anxiety levels of 80 patients were measured using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: The mean level of cortisol from 40 saliva samples in study group was 1.46 and 0. 93μg dl−1 in 40 controls (P=0.001). The mean level for state anxiety in the study group were 48.85 and 39.45 in control group (P=0.001). Trait anxiety levels in study group were 49.77 and 38.51 in control group (P=0.001). We found that salivary cortisol, state and trait anxiety levels in OLP group were significantly higher than in the control group. Conclusion: Because of the fact that the level of anxiety and salivary cortisol of OLP patients were high, our findings concluded that this disease is closely related with stress. Thus besides traditional treatment of OLP patients, our findings suggest that psychological support is also needed.
Dentists’ Outlook on Advertising in their Line of Work in Bengaluru, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Dentistry, being one of the healing professions, has a commitment to society that its members will adhere to high ethical standards of conduct. Dental Council of India (DCI), the regulating body for dental professionals in the country, has also given certain guidelines and regulations on advertising issues. But, studies on dentists’ opinion on the issues on advertising for dental professionals in India are very meager. Hence, the aim was to evaluate the opinion on advertising issues among practicing dentists from various dental colleges in Bengaluru, India. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 258 practicing dentists attached to various dental colleges in Bengaluru city. Chi-square test was used to determine the association of independent variables with each of the main outcome of interest. Results: Out of 258 practicing dentists, nearly three quarters of practitioners (68.2%) agreed that there is a need for some form of advertising. Among those who agreed that there is a need for advertising, more than half of the practitioners (63.6%) said that it is required for popularity, visibility, and good business. When asked about which form of advertising can largely benefit their dental practice, 29.1% agreed on the patient testimonials, and 25.2% thought ads in magazines and newspapers are useful. Conclusion: Nearly equal number of practitioners agreed and disagreed on the issue of whether advertising may make dentistry seem more like a trade than a health care service. More than three quarters of them agreed with the use of global advertising and tourism.
A technology-based statistical reasoning assessment tool in descriptive statistics for secondary school students

The focus of assessment in statistics has gradually shifted from traditional assessment towards alternative assessment where more attention has been paid to the core statistical concepts such as center, variability, and distribution. In spite of this, there are comparatively few assessments that combine the significant three types of statistical reasoning (reasoning about center, spread, and distribution) with information technology in the context of secondary school students. Hence, this paper intends to discuss the development and initial validation of a technology-based statistical reasoning assessment tool that has been created based on a previously developed statistical reasoning framework. This framework has been useful in evaluating students’ statistical reasoning levels in task-based interviews. The assessment tool formulated through this study will be used to refine and validate the initial statistical reasoning framework. There are five tasks in this instrument and each item is labeled according to four key constructs. The technological tool that has been used in solving tasks is dynamic mathematics software. This technology-based statistical reasoning assessment tool can be applied for further investigation.
Effect of Three Styles of Custom Ankle Foot Orthoses on the Gait of Stroke Patients While Walking on Level and Inclined Surfaces

The aim of this study was to provide a direct comparison of common types of AFOs used to assist stroke victims during ambulation. The study explored the effect of three types of ankle foot orthoses—solid, articulated, and posterior leaf spring—on the gait of 13 subjects with hemiparesis secondary to unilateral cerebral vascular accident. Step length, single support time, and speed were recorded using a GAITRite system on three surfaces—up incline, down decline, and a level surface. No interaction was found between surface and orthosis. Clinically no interaction indicates performance trends when walking the three surface conditions were consistent irrespective of the type of AFO worn. In general, gait under the solid ankle foot orthosis was most impaired when compared with the other orthotic conditions and shoes-only, and gait down a decline was most impaired when compared with other surfaces. Specifically, speed when walking with a solid AFO was 0.555 m/sec versus 0.627 m/sec with shoes, 0.621 m/sec with an articulated AFO, and 0.629 m/sec with a PLS AFO. Speed was 0.521 m/sec when walking down a decline, 0.590 m/sec when walking up an incline, and 0.718 m/sec when walking on a level surface. For chronic stroke patients with a functional ambulation category of four or five potential benefits of an orthosis other than solid ankle should be kept in mind when recommending an ankle foot orthosis for use in rehabilitation.
Estimating and modelling cumulative incidence functions using time-dependent weights

Competing risks occur in survival analysis when a subject is at risk of more than one type of event. A classic example is when there is consideration of different causes of death. Interest may lie in the cause-specific hazard rates, which can be estimated using standard survival techniques by censoring competing events. An alternative measure is the cumulative incidence function (CIF) which gives an estimate of absolute or crude risk of death accounting for the possibility that individuals may die of other causes. Geskus (2011 Biometrics, 67: 39â€“49) has recently proposed an alternative way for the estimation and modeling of the CIF that can use weighted versions of standard estimators. I will describe a Stata command, stcrprep, that restructures survival data and calculates weights based on the censoring distribution. The command is based on the R command crprep, but I will describe a number of extensions that enable the CIF to be modeled directly using parametric models on large datasets. After restructuring the data and incorporating the weights, one can use sts graph to plot the CIF and stcox can be used to fit a Fine and Gray model for the CIF. An advantage of fitting models in this way is that it is possible to use a number of the standard features of the Cox model, for example, using Schoenfeld residuals to visualize and test the proportional subhazards assumption. I will also describe some additional options that are useful for fitting parametric models and useful for large datasets. In particular, I will describe how the flexible parametric survival models estimated with stpm2 can be used to directly model the cumulative-incidence function. An important advantage is that all the predictions built into stpm2 can be used to directly predict the CIF, subdistribution hazards, etc.
Decision fusion in neural network ensembles

We present a comparison between different combining techniques in neural network ensembles. The main focus of this paper is on a new architecture that can be used in combining neural network ensembles. This architecture is based on training two neural networks to perform the aggregation. One network is trained to establish a confidence factor for each member of the ensemble for every training entry. The other network performs the aggregation of the ensemble to present the final decision. Both these networks evolve together during training. This approach is compared with standard fixed and trained combining schemes.
Sexually transmitted infections among HIV positive patients: a five year retrospective study

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most well established risk factors for the spread of HIV infection. STIs act as cofactors and facilitators for HIV transmission. The effects of HIV infection on immunity can increase susceptibility to other STIs. The aims and objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of co-infection of sexually transmitted infections among people living with HIV and AIDS.Methods: A retrospective chart review of the data collected from the clinical records of all HIV patients who had attended the STI clinic of Chengalpattu Medical College, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu during the five years period, from January 2013 to December 2017, was carried out. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, co-infection of STIs among HIV patients, laboratory investigations and treatment were collected. The data collected were computed and analyzed statistically.Results: During the study period of 5 years from 2013 to 2017 the total number of patients attended the STI clinic were 10825, among that males were 4534 (41.88%) and females were 6291 (58.12%). STIs/RTIs were seen in 2560 (23.65%) cases among the total number of patients attended. HIV was found to be positive in 294 cases, in that 168 (57.15%) were males and 126 (42.85%) were females. In male HIV patients, 51 (30.36%) had co-infection with other STIs/RTIs. In female HIV patients, 57 (45.24) % had co-infection with other STIs/RTIs. Viral STIs was the common co-infection seen in males and vaginal cervical discharge was common in females.Conclusions: STI/RTI co-infection, both symptomatic and asymptomatic are common among PLHIV. Hence they should be regularly counselled regarding the significance of periodic screening for STI/RTIs avoidance of high risk sexual behaviour.
Clinical efficacy and safety of combination of Deep and Superficial modes of fractional CO_2 laser for the treatment of atrophic acne scars

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combination of Deep and Superficial modes of fractional CO2 laser for the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Methods: Twenty patients with atrophic acne scars were enrolled in the case-control study. Patients were treated with the combination of Deep and Superficial modes of fractional CO2 laser for 2 courses. The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated 3 months after the treatment. Patients' self-assessments were also analyzed. Results: After the treatment, the acne scar severity scores were reduced from 64.3 ±19.8 to39.8±14.3. The rate of improvement was 37.6 ±9.6%. Seventeen patients experienced a marked improvement. No adverse reactions occurred in all subjects. Conclusion: The new modality of deep mode combined with Superficial mode of fractional CO2 laser is an effective and safe strategy for the therapy of atrophic acne scars.
Acalypha wilkesiana: preliminary in vitro microbiological and clinical trial on dermatitis.

: Acalypha wilkesiana is a common hedging plant in West Africa. Water extract of the red/brown varieties, the Red Acalypha has been used for decades by the local inhabitants for treating skin problems. The water extract of A. wilkesiana was subjected to a clinico-laboratory study to assess its efficacy i.e. ability to clear standard organisms in agar plates and to stop symptoms and clear skin lesions of eczema cases in a 3-week study period. The extract showed significant antibacterial and antifungal properties in vitro and was found to be reasonably useful in the treatment of eczema. No allergy or irritation was documented in the cases used for the study. In a depressed economy as found in most developing countries of Africa, medicinal plants like Acalypha wilkesiana could be used as a cheap and readily available sources of skin medication. More work is required to determine the active ingredients in the crude extract.
Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework, Priciples and Guidlines

موسسات آموزش عالی باید به نحوی پاسخگوی توقعات در حال تغییر مرتبط با یادگیری و فناوری‌های جدید باشند. دست‌اندرکاران آموزش عالی، رویکردهای سنتی آموزش را زیر سوال می‌برند تا ببینند آیا در سطوح بالاتر یادگیری کارساز می‌باشند یا خیر. یادگیری عمیق و صحیح مستلزم وجود یادگیرندگان فعال می‌باشد (kuh و همکاران، 2005). افرادی که با فناوری‌های نوین بزرگ شده‌اند، خیلی موافق تبادل اطلاعات از طریق سخن‌رانی نیستند و یادگیرندگان بیشتر به دنبال تجارب فعال و سرگرم‌کننده در یادگیری می‌باشند. زمان آن رسیده است که موسسات آموزش عالی از رویکردهای سنتی دوری گزینند تا بتوانند به نحو مقتضی، پاسخگوی جامعه تحصیل کرده کنونی باشند و موسسات خود را منطبق با نیازهای قرن 21 هدایت کنند. این موسسات باید به نحوی برنامه‌ریزی کنند که دانشجویان فرصت تعامل فعال با اساتید خود را داشته باشند (ایده‌آل‌های آموزش عالی). ما باید ایده‌آل‌های آموزش عالی را بررسی کنیم و در عین حال روش‌های فعلی را با دیدی منتقدانه ارزیابی کنیم و نقش تکنولوژی ارتباطات را در ایجاد تعاملات فعال در نظر داشته باشیم. با در نظر گرفتن رویکردهای نوین در ایجاد بحث و مناظره در ایده‌آل‌های سنتی آموزش عالی می توانیم این ایده‌آل‌ها را احیاء و بازیابی کنیم. در این کتاب نشان خواهیم داد که تنها راه احیاء ایده آل‌های آموزش عالی، طراحی مجدد آموزش ترکیبی می‌باشد. در حال حاضر مدیران، اساتید و دانشجویان موسسات آموزش عالی می‌دانند که باید تجارب آموزشی را به نحوی تغییر داد. اما آموزش ترکیبی چیزی فراتر از بهبود و تغییر نحوه سخن‌رانی و ارائه مطالب است و در اصل نشان دهنده رویکرد ما به آموزش و یادگیری می‌باشد. آموزش ترکیبی در حقیقت رویکردی منسجم برای طراحی مجدد کامل فضاهای آموزشی است که آزادانه نقاط قوت آموزش برخط و رو در رو را بررسی می‌کند. زمانی که آموزش ترکیبی به طور کامل درک و اجرا شود، آموزش عالی به گونه‌ای بی سابقه از زمان توسعه‌اش در دهه 1940، تغییر خواهد کرد. چالشی که اینک پیش روی ما است درک صحیح و درست از نیازها، پتانسیل و راهبردهای آموزش ترکیبی است تا بتوانیم به آرمان‌های آموزش عالی دست یابیم.
Adding Instruction about Technology Infusion to the Secondary Social Studies Course with Web-Based Modules.

Modules to teach the appropriate integration of technology into social studies teaching were pilot-taught in a secondary social studies methods course. The seven modules emphasized the World Wide Web as a resource for teachers and students. Preand post-course surveys were conducted with the 24 students in the course. Both qualitative and quantitative evidence showed that most methods students valued, understood, and were able to use the Web in planning instruction. No conclusions can be drawn about the impact of the modules or instruction on the students in the course. The freestanding module approach does not appear to be an efficacious approach to integrating technology use in teacher education courses or programs. The revised modules are available on the Web for other methods instructors to adopt or adapt. (Author/BT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Adding Instruction About Technology Infusion to the Secondary Social Studies Course With Web-Based Modules.
Handwashing Practices amongst Health Workers in a Teaching Hospital

Problem statement: Hand washing with soap is an important means of preventing hospital acquired infections . However the rate of hand washing with soap and water is unacceptably low amongst health workers. Few studies on this subject have been done amongst health workers in Nigeria. The aims of this study were to explore perceptions, attitudes and hand washing practices amongst health workers in a tertiary health institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Approach: This was a descriptive cross sectional survey carried out amongst randomly selected doctors and nurses in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. A simple questionnaire exploring perceptions, attitudes and self reported behavior was used. Information obtained included bio data, awareness information and practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 258 health workers (139 doctors and 119 nurses) participated in this study. Male to female ratio was 1: 3.3. The rate of hand washing before and after interacting with patients were 9.3 and 51.2% respectively (χ2= 105.19, p-value=0.000). The rate of hand washing before and after simple procedures were 13.6 and 59.7% respectively (χ2 = 116.25, p-value = 0.000). Soapy water in a basin was most frequently (55.8%) used for hand washing. Doctors were more likely than nurses to wash hands before interacting with patients (χ2 = 7.98, p-value = 0.005) and before simple procedures (χ2 = 4.29, p-value = 0.039). The rates of hand washing before meals and after defaecation were 69.0% and 58.1% respectively. Soap and running water were more frequently used after defecation (61.6%) than before meals and snacks (46.5%). The greatest motivation for hand washing was fear of contracting disease, whilst constraints included lack of soap and water. Conclusion/Recommendations: Hand washing rates are low amongst health workers in Port Harcourt. There is need for regular education and re-education and provision of facilities for hand washing.
Knowledge sharing among teachers: the role of the Big Five Personality traits

Purpose - The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of personality traits on knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour among teachers. Design/methodology/approach - The study employed a survey research. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample of 300 respondents out of which 247 was used in the final analysis. Data was analysed using hierarchical regression. Findings - The results indicate that the Big Five Personality traits have effects on knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour of teachers. With the exception of conscientiousness trait, all the traits used in this study cause a significant change in the variations of the knowledge-sharing attitude and behaviour of the teachers. Research limitations/implications - The main limitation of the study is the use of the convenient sampling technique in choosing the subject; however, this was because there was no sampling frame, making it difficult to use probability-sampling technique. Originality value - This study contributes to the growing literature on the relationships among personality traits and knowledge sharing attitude and behaviour.
QUALIFICAÇÃO DE ENFERMEIROS EM SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA E QUALIDADE DA ATENÇÃO NA ÓTICA DE USUÁRIOS

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between qualification of nurses in Primary Health Care – APS (Family Health) and quality of care from the perspective of users. Cross-sectional and quantitative study, conducted with 373 adults service users and 78 nurses, in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais-Brazil, using Primary Care Assessment Tool adult version. The services of APS whose professionals had residence showed higher scores for the majority of attributes evaluated and statistical differences for the attributes of accessibility, longitudinality, coordination, integrality of services available, family counseling and community, as well for the essential score. As for the demographic profile, academic and occupational nurses, were statistically significant differences between the scores assigned to the academic training (graduate or not) and time in service. The qualification of nurses in primary health care can bring forward in assisting of the APS, being positive factor in improving the model of health care.
Random breath testing in Australia: a complex deterrent

Australian road fatalities are currently at their lowest level for many years. It is argued that one reason for this decline is the success of random breath testing (RBT) and random stopping programs in some parts of Australia. There is evidence that RBT in New South Wales has been a remarkably successful law, with a 36% decline in alcohol-related fatalities which has been sustained for 5 years. Survey data support the conclusion that RBT in NSW has had a powerful and sustained deterrent impact especially on heavy drinkers, although there is evidence that deterrence is an unstable process. However, RBT and random stopping have not been as successful in other parts of Australia. The key ingredients for success appear to be continued, highly visible police enforcement, with about one motorist in three being tested each year, together with extensive publicity, particularly in the early stages. The mechanisms whereby RBT may change drink-driving behaviour are complex. They include simple deterrence, reduction.
A detailed in vivo analysis of the retinal nerve fibre layer in choroideremia

Choroideremia is a currently incurable X‐linked recessive retinal degeneration that leads to blindness. Gene therapy approaches to date target the outer retinal layers. However, the choroideremia (CHM) gene is expressed in all retinal layers, and a previous study on a small cohort of choroideremia patients suggested possible thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). The purpose of the study was to examine the RNFL in detail using advanced imaging techniques in a larger cohort of choroideremia patients.
Validação de uma metodologia de avaliação rápida das características organizacionais e do desempenho dos serviços de atenção básica do sistema de saúde (SUS) em nível local

O objetivo geral e realizar uma sondagem populacional para validar a nova metodologia de avaliacao rapida das caracteristicas organizacionais e da provisao de servicos do sistema de atencao basica no SUS, no municipio de Petropolis. Os produtos esperados sao:1-Instrumentos validos para a rapida avaliacao dos servicos de atencao basica usando a) informantes-chaves nas unidades; b) informantes-chaves em nivel da gestao municipal; e c) usuarios dos servicos. 2.Uma ferramenta para medir a experiencia dos usuarios no desempenho do sistema de atencao basica em nivel local. 3.Recomendacoes especificas e operacionais sobre como a ferramenta e a metodologia podem ser utilizadas no monitoramento e avaliacao da atencao basica do SUS. 4.Estudo de caso em profundidade no municipio de Petropolis, que incluira uma comparacao, baseada nas dimensoes criticas de atencao basica, entre programas distintos (PSF x unidades tradicionais), comparando o ponto de vista dos usuarios com o dos prestadores de servicos e os supervisores e gestores do sistema. O instrumento contem 100 perguntas especificas sobre aspectos que correspondem a indicadores oriundos de pesquisas e experiencias internacionais na avaliacao da atencao basica e cada um corresponde a uma das nove dimensoes ja mencionadas. Trata de informacoes pessoais sobre a experiencia dos usuarios nas consultas medicas dos servicos do SUS. O questionario contem perguntas sobre os problemas de saude, os tratamentos recebidos e a opiniao do usuario sobre a qualidade do atendimento