Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES OF STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS IN COASTAL SOUTH INDIA

Objectives : Health care professionals are constantly exposed to blood and other body fluids in the course of their work. Standard precautions are a simple set of effective practices designed to protect health workers and patients from infections. Hence, the present study was undertaken to know the extent of occupational exposure, perception and the reasons for noncompliance towards practice of standard precautions among the health care professionals. Methods: A cross sectional study was done among health care professionals working in four tertiary care teaching hospitals. A semi-structured questionnairewas used to collect information related to socio demographic details, history related to occupational exposure to blood/ body fluids, risk perception, perception and practice of standard precautions and the reasons for non-compliance of standard precautions. Data analysis was done by using SPSS Version 11.5 and results obtained were expressed in proportions. Chi square test was used to compare the perception, practices and reasons for non-compliance of standard precautions among doctors and nurses. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The perception regarding standard precautions was generally observed to be good among health care professionals in the study and the application of this knowledge however, in day to day practice was considerably lower. The most common reason for non-compliance towards practice of standard precautions among healthcare professionals was prioritizing the patient’s need in emergency conditions and their busy work schedule. Conclusion: Non-compliance to standard precautions despite of the knowledge of the possibility of acquiring hazardous infections is a serious cause of concern. Keywords Perception and practices; Standard precautions; Health care professionals: South India
Multiscale seismic attributes: source-corrected wavelet response and application to high-resolution seismic data

A wavelet-based method was presented in a previous work to introduce multiscale seismic attributes for high-resolution seismic data. Because of the limited frequency bandwidth of the seismic source, we observed distortions in the seismic attributes based on the wavelet response of the subsurface discontinuities (Le Gonidec et al.). In this paper, we go further in the seismic source-correction by considering Lalpha-stable distributions introduced in the formalism of the continuous wavelet transform (CWT). The wavelets are Gaussian derivative functions (GDF), characterized by a derivative order. We show that a high-resolution seismic source, after a classical signature processing, can be taken into account with a GDF. We demonstrate that in the framework of the Born approximation, the CWT of a seismic trace involving such a finite frequency bandwidth can be made equivalent to the CWT of the impulse response of the subsurface and is defined for a reduced range of dilations. We apply the method for the SYSIF seismic device (Marsset et al. ;K eret al.) and show that the source-corrections allow to define seismic attributes for layer thicknesses in the range (24; 115 cm). We present the analysis for two seismic reflectors identified on a SYSIF profile, and we show that the source-corrected multiscale analysis quantifies their complex geometries.
Evaluation of Standard Reference Environment for Photovoltaic Nominal Operating Cell Temperature Testing in Malaysia

This paper presents six months evaluation in determining Standard Reference Environment (SRE) for Photovoltaic (PV) Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) testing of IEC61215 and IEC61646 that suits Malaysian climate. The SRE is established based on the median environmental conditions in Malaysia when solar PV is producing power. The site of the study is located at the Energy and Environment Field Lab, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam (3.066239oN, 101.491685oE). Three types of PV module technologies involved are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and copper indium diselenide (CIS) thin film. The experimental setup is a test bed that meets the IEC61215, IEC61646 and IEC61724 requirements. The measurements of module temperature (MT) and open circuit voltage (VOC) are taken simultaneously for the three PV module technologies together with other ambient parameters of solar irradiance (SI), ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (Ws) and wind direction (Wd). The data set is taken for a six months period from February 2017 to July 2017. Based on the results obtained, a new proposed SRE of NOCT testing for IEC61215 and IEC61646 has been established to suit Malaysian climate. The SI and AT values for the SRE are 300W/m 2 and 31°C respectively.
S Control of Potato Bacterial Soft Rot Disease Caused by Erwinia carotovora subsp . carotovora with Streptomyces sioyaensis and Cinnamon Oil

OFT rot of potato is one of the most important diseases caused by . Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. Possibilities of its biological control were investigated by the use of some actinomycetes antagonists for controlling E. carotovora subsp. carotovora. A total of 40 different actinomycetes strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of healthy potato plants collected from different localities of Dakahlyia Province, Egypt. These were then tested, in vitro, for their antibacterial activity against E. carotovora subsp. carotovora using an agar disc method. Eight isolates were active against E. carotovora subsp. carotovora and the most active isolate was selected for further tests and characterized by conventional methods. Morphological, physiological and cultural characterization of the most active isolate established that it was closely related to Streptomyces sioyaensis.
Prevalence, attitude, and factors associated with risky health habits and behavior of secondary school students, Almajardah, Saudi Arabia -

Background: Adolescents make up to 20% of the worldâ€™s population. However, they have traditionally been neglected as a distict target group and subsumed under the proportion of family, women, and childâ€™s welfare and health. Objective: To study the prevalence of and attitude toward selected health-risk behaviors (smoking, alcoholism, substance abuse, and violence) and their possible associated risk factors among secondary school students, Almajardah, KSA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study among male Saudi adolescents enrolled in secondary schools at Almajardah city during the scholastic years 1434â€“1435. Data were collected using an Arabic-validated self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on State and Local Youth Risk Behavior survey and Global School-based Student Health survey. Result: The study included 442 male secondary school students. Their age ranged between 16 and 22 years with a mean of 17.8 and standard deviation of 1.1 years. More than one-third of the studied students (36.9%) reported at least one history of quarrel (violence) during the last year, and 8.4% of them required medical and/or hospital care as a result of quarreling. Thirty-seven students (8.4%) carried an arm at school during the last month. Smoking was reported by 22.6% of the studied students. Almost one-sixth (16.5%) of the students used to drink alcohol, and 4.1% of them reported having done it all the days of the last month. About one-sixth (16.7%) of the students were taking addictive substances. The substances used were mostly hashish and sedatives (59.5% and 40.5%, respectively). Studentâ€™s academic achievement was negatively predicted by all of the studied risky practices. Studentsâ€™ age and their paternal education and/or job were among the important predictors for practicing risky behaviors. Conclusion: Secondary school male students in Almajardah, KSA, have a number of risky behaviors. The most important one is violence. Although alcohol drinking, smoking, and use of addictive substances are less, they constitute a major concern. Almost 38% of the studied students did not practice any risky behavior. Safety practices are lacking, and the rates of exposure to accidents or injuries are high.
Mind the Gap in Mindfulness Research: A Comparative Account of the Leading Schools of Thought

The literature on mindfulness has been dominated by the two leading schools of thought: one advanced by Langer and her colleagues; the other developed by Kabat-Zinn and his associates. Curiously, the two strands of research have been running in parallel lines for more than 30 years, scarcely addressing each others’ work, and with almost no attempt to clarify the relationship between them. In view of this gap, this article sought to systematically compare and contrast the two lines of research. The comparison between the two schools of thought suggests that although there are some similarities in their definitions of mindfulness, they differ in several core aspects: their philosophies, the components of their constructs, their goals, their theoretical scope, their measurement tools, their conceptual focus, their target audiences, the interventions they employ, the mechanisms underlying these interventions, and the outcomes of their interventions. However, the analysis also revealed that self-regulation is a core mechanism in both perspectives, which seems to mediate the impact of their interventions. In view of the differences between the two strands of research, we propose that they be given different titles that capture their prime features. We suggest “creative mindfulness” for Langer and her colleagues’ scholarship, and “meditative mindfulness” for Kabat-Zinn and his associates’ scholarly work.
ASSOCIATION FOR MEDICAL PHYSICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING IN COOPERATION WITH THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF ORGANISATIONS FOR MEDICAL PHYSICS PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL PHYSICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Purpose/Objective: The 192IR Sources are the most commonly used in radiotherapy treatments HDRworldwide. According to international recommendations on quality assurance in HDRbrachytherapy, an acceptance test based on the determination of the source strength of any new source shall be carried out before first application to verify the manufacturer’s calibration data. The present paper gives the experimental determination of the source strength for our brachytherapy sources used until now in brachytherapy treatments. Materials/Methods: At Mother Teresa University Hospital we have a cost-effective gynecological brachytherapy unit from Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG named GyneSource® that is a five channel HDR afterloader equipped with an 192 Ir source. The software used is HDRplusTM 2.5 that delivers an optimized treatment plan and makes the process especially fast and we use intracavitary BEbig applicators. From April 2009 up to December 2012, we have imported nine HDR 192 Ir Sources. The exchange of the source and acceptance test is done by the physicist of the clinic once the source is imported. The measurements are done with a Well-type ionization chamber HDR1000 Plus and the electrometer used is MAX4000. Only seven sources are compared as we miss the dosimetry data of the first source, and the forth source was not measured and not used because the machine was not working in that time. Results/Conclusions: Eight sources were accepted for clinically use as the measurement were within the tolerance. The source number four with e deviation of -1.92% has been double checked compared with a free in-air measurement with farmer type chamber that gave a deviation to source certificate of 4% that is still inside the tolerance to accept a source for clinical use. The deviations of measured Air Kerma rate to the value of the sources certificates of all our used 192IR sources are less than 2%, which are within the tolerance. The checked value of updated source strength in planning system and afterloading units for all sources was done and was correctly calculated. A verification with other chambers has been done and also has given very good results. An IAEA external audit has acknowledged the good experience.
Tropical limit and a micro-macro correspondence in statistical physics

Tropical mathematics is used to establish a correspondence between certain microscopic and macroscopic objects in statistical models. Tropical algebra gives a common framework for macrosystems (subsets) and their elementary constituents (elements) that is well-behaved with respect to composition. This kind of connection is studied with maps that preserve a monoid structure. The approach highlights an underlying order relation that is explored through the concepts of filter and ideal. Particular attention is paid to asymmetry and duality between max- and min-criteria. Physical implementations are presented through simple examples in thermodynamics and non-equilibrium physics. The phenomenon of ultrametricity, the notion of tropical equilibrium and the role of ground energy in non-equilibrium models are discussed. Tropical symmetry, i.e. idempotence, is investigated.
An efficient protocol for clonal micropropagation of Mentha piperita L.(Pipperment)

This review highlights the recent development and achievements made for the micropropagation of Mentha piperita (scented herb) in hadoti region of south east Rajasthan. Shootlets were regenerated from nodal explants of stem through auxiliary shoot proliferation. The induction of multiple shoots from nodal segments was the highest in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP+3.0 mg/l Kn. For rooting different concentration of IBA were used and highest rooting was recorded on MS medium with 2.0 mg/l IBA. The rooted Plantlets were hardened initially in culture room conditions and then transferred to misthouse.
Disentangling Demand and Supply Shocks in the Crude Oil Market: How to Check Sign Restrictions in Structural VARs

Given the growing dissatisfaction with exclusion and long-run restrictions in structural vector autoregressive analysis, sign restrictions are becoming increasingly popular. So far there are no techniques for validating the shocks identified via such restrictions. Although in an ideal setting the sign restrictions specify shocks of interest, sign restrictions may be invalidated by measurement errors, data adjustments or omitted variables. We model changes in the volatility of the shocks via a Markov switching (MS) mechanism and use this devise to give the data a chance to object to sign restrictions. The approach is illustrated by considering a small model for the market of crude oil.
ARTS , the atmospheric radiative transfer simulator

ARTS is a modular program that simulates atmospheric radiative transfer. The paper describes ARTS version 1.0, which is applicable in the absence of scattering. An overview over all major parts of the model is given: calculation of absorption coefficients, the radiative transfer itself, and the calculation of Jacobians. ARTS can be freely used under a GNU general public license. Unique features of the program are its scalability and modularity, the ability to work with different sources of spectroscopic parameters, the availability of several self-consistent water continuum and line absorption models, and the analytical calculation of Jacobians. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
From Nash Equilibria to Chain Recurrent Sets: An Algorithmic Solution Concept for Game Theory

In 1950, Nash proposed a natural equilibrium solution concept for games hence called Nash equilibrium, and proved that all finite games have at least one. The proof is through a simple yet ingenious application of Brouwer’s (or, in another version Kakutani’s) fixed point theorem, the most sophisticated result in his era’s topology—in fact, recent algorithmic work has established that Nash equilibria are computationally equivalent to fixed points. In this paper, we propose a new class of universal non-equilibrium solution concepts arising from an important theorem in the topology of dynamical systems that was unavailable to Nash. This approach starts with both a game and a learning dynamics, defined over mixed strategies. The Nash equilibria are fixpoints of the dynamics, but the system behavior is captured by an object far more general than the Nash equilibrium that is known in dynamical systems theory as chain recurrent set. Informally, once we focus on this solution concept—this notion of “the outcome of the game”—every game behaves like a potential game with the dynamics converging to these states. In other words, unlike Nash equilibria, this solution concept is algorithmic in the sense that it has a constructive proof of existence. We characterize this solution for simple benchmark games under replicator dynamics, arguably the best known evolutionary dynamics in game theory. For (weighted) potential games, the new concept coincides with the fixpoints/equilibria of the dynamics. However, in (variants of) zero-sum games with fully mixed (i.e., interior) Nash equilibria, it covers the whole state space, as the dynamics satisfy specific information theoretic constants of motion. We discuss numerous novel computational, as well as structural, combinatorial questions raised by this chain recurrence conception of games.
Sample Handling and Instruments for the In-Situ Exploration of Ice-Rich Planets. Chapter 9

NASA's key science goals for the exploration of the solar system seek a better understanding of the formation and evolutionary processes that have shaped planetary bodies and emphasize the search for habitable environments. Efforts are also made to detect and quantify resources that could be used for the support of human exploration. These themes call for chemistry and physical property observations that may be best approached by in situ measurements. NASA's planetary missions have progressively evolved from remote reconnaissance to in situ exploration with the ultimate goal to return samples. This chapter focuses on the techniques, available or in development, for advanced geophysical and chemical characterization of icy bodies, especially Mars polar areas, Enceladus, Titan, Europa, and Ceres. These astrobiological targets are the objects of recent or ongoing exploration whose findings are driving the formulation of new missions that involve in situ exploration. After reviewing the overall objectives of icy body exploration (Section 9.1) we describe key techniques used for addressing these objectives from surface platforms via geophysical observations (Section 9.2) and chemical measurements (Section 9.3).
Personal computers pollute indoor air: effects on perceived air quality, SBS symptoms and productivity in offices

Perceived air quality and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms were studied in a lowpolluting office space ventilated at an air change rate of 2h (10 L/s per person with 6 people present) with and without personal computers (PCs). Other environmental parameters were kept constant. Thirty female subjects were exposed for 4.8 h to each of the two conditions in the office and performed simulated office work. They remained thermally neutral by adjusting their clothing and were blind to the interventions. In the absence of PCs in the office the perceived air quality improved, odour intensity was reduced and air freshness increased; all effects were significant. In the presence of PCs the performance of text typing significantly decreased. The sensory pollution load of the PCs was found to be 3 olf per PC, i.e. three times the load of the occupants. Present results indicate negative effects of PCs on human comfort and performance.
Rheological Properties of Organophilic Synthetic Hectorites and Saponites

To determine the dependency of rheological properties on mineralogical characteristics, eleven organophilic hectorite and nine organophilic saponite samples were prepared from hydrothermally synthesized smectites and a quaternary ammonium salt containing mainly octadecyl groups as alkyl chains and were examined by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), particle size, chemical, and rheological procedures. The rheological properties of the organophilic products dispersed in toluene were found to depend chiefly on (1) particle size, (2) the expansion behavior of the stacked clay platelets, in which the amount and location of negative charge of the silicate layer affected the expandability, and (3) the amount of methanol added as a polar activator. By the addition of 2–4% methanol, apparent viscosities of the hectorite clays were drastically increased at low shear rate, although even a 10% addition did not significantly affect the saponite clays. Under the most suitable gellation conditions, the saponite clays showed lower apparent viscosity than the hectorite clays. Inasmuch as the former had its negative charge near the surface of the silicate layer and formed strong bonds to the organic ion, the expansion of the platelets was apparently difficult. An optimum layer charge for increasing the viscosity was found; specifically 0.45–0.50 and 0.50–0.55 equivalents per half unit cell for saponite and hectorite clays, respectively. Because the saponite clays contained a denser population of organic ions than the hectorite clays, the ion density in the interlayer of both clays was considered to be the same, i.e., about 0.4 organic ions per unit ab area.
Maternal temperature exposure triggers emotional and cognitive disorders and dysregulation of neurodevelopment genes in fish

Fish are sensitive to temperature, but the intergenerational consequences of maternal exposure to high temperature on offspring adaptive behaviour and underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that a thermal maternal stress induces emotional and cognitive disorders in offspring. Thermal stress in mothers triggered the inhibition of fear responses and decreased spatial learning abilities in progeny. Impaired behavioural phenotypes were associated with the dysregulation of several genes known to play major roles in neurodevelopment, including auts2, a key gene for neurodevelopment, more specifically neuronal migration and neurite extension, and critical for the acquisition of neurocognitive function. In addition, our analysis revealed the dysregulation of another neurodevelopment gene (dpysl5) as well as genes associated with human cognitive disorders (arv1,plp2). We observed major differences in maternal mRNA abundance in the eggs following maternal exposure to high temperature indicating that some of the observed intergenerational effects are mediated by maternally-inherited mRNAs accumulated in the egg. Together, our observations shed new light on the intergenerational determinism of fish behaviour and associated underlying mechanisms. They also stress the importance of maternal history on fish adaptive capacities in a context of global climate changes.
Does discussion lead to opinion change? An experiment in deliberative democracy

While the model of deliberative democracy gives a crucial role to dialogue, empirical evidence has not yet established if discussion helps to reach a better understanding of political issues and, above all, if individuals are prepared to change their views and preferences. This article presents an experiment carried out within the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the LUISS University of Rome. Students were asked to discuss in the classroom the course issues, and to cast a vote on selected issues before and after the deliberation. Although our sample is not representative, we have managed to gather evidences from the same population on a rather large number of issues. Students changed their view in 25.5 per cent of cases, they agreed that discussion increased their understanding of the various issues, while students with strong ex-ante views are more reluctant to change their opinions as a consequence of discussion. The experiment also shows the presence of impermeable and permeable subjects, the former which are more refractory to the discussion in changing their opinion, while the latter are more likely to change their preferences following deliberation. Thanks to their volatility, this second group can provide different majorities and so to be crucial in any electoral dynamics. * Italian National Research Council,