Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Multiple Choice Questions ( MCQs ) : Item and Test Statistics from an assessment in a medical college of Kolkata , West Bengal

Introduction: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are most widely used test format in health sciences today. The efficiency of MCQs as an efficient tool for evaluation solely rests upon theirquality which is best assessed by item and test analysis. Objectives:Toassess item and test quality and to explore the relationship between difficulty index (p-value) and discrimination indices (DI) with distractor efficiency (DE). Materials and Methods:The study was conducted among 40 fourth semester MBBS students in a medical college of Kolkata. Thirty MCQs administered in an internal examination in Community Medicine, were analysed for p-value, DI and DE. Reliability of the test was assessed by estimating the Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficient (KR20). Results:The mean score was 66.35 ± 17.29. Mean p value and DI were 61.92 ± 25.1% and 0.31 ± 0.27, respectively. DI was noted to be maximum at p value range between 40% and 60%. Combining the two indices, 14(46.67 %) items could be called 'ideal' having a p-value from 20% to 90%, as well as a DI ≥ 0.3. Overall 86.67% items had non-functional distractors (NFDs), while 80% items had functional distractors. Mean DE was 47.78 ± 32.38%. Excellent discrimination (DI = 0.404 and 0.396) was achieved with items having two and one NFD respectively while items with no NFD had lower DI (0.023). Internal consistency reliability of the test as per KR20was 0.9. Conclusion: Items having average difficulty and high discriminating power with functional distractors should be incorporated in future to improve the quality of the test.
Anomie in the Oil Patch: A Preliminary Analysis

This article explores the relationship between rising rates of violent crime and suicide in the oil producing region of western North Dakota during a time of rapid expansion for the oil extraction industry. The objectives of this article are: (1) to introduce the preliminary findings of a larger study that examines the rising rates of crime and other social problems within the socioeconomic context that currently exists in the oil extracting regions of western North Dakota; and (2) on a theoretical level, Durkheim’s theory of anomie is discussed and proposed as an explanation for the rising rates of crime and suicide that have accompanied the growing oil industry.
Six Sigma Assessment in the Latvian Commercial Banking Sector

: The goals of the present research are to estimate Six Sigma implementation in Latvian commercial banks and to identify the perceived benefits of its implementation. To achieve the goals, the authors used a sequential explanatory method. To obtain empirical data, the authors have developed the questionnaire and adapted it for the employees of Latvian commercial banks. The questions are related to Six Sigma implementation and its perceived benefits. The questionnaire mainly consists of closed questions, the evaluation of which is based on 5 point Likert scale. The obtained empirical data has shown that of the two hypotheses put forward in the present research Hypothesis 1 has to be rejected, while Hypothesis 2 has been partially confirmed. The authors have also faced some research limitations related to the fact that the participants in the questionnaire belong to different rank of the organization hierarchy.
[Association between fractional flow reserve and quantitative coronary angiography parameters in intermediate coronary artery stenosis].

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) parameters and fractional flow reserve (FFR) for identifying ideal angiographic parameters predictive of myocardial ischemia. METHODS The study included 121 lesions with QCA and FFR data from 106 patients [mean age: (63 ± 10) years]. The lesions were grouped into FFR > 0.75 group and FFR ≤ 0.75 group. Assessed parameters by QCA included percentage diameter stenosis, minimum luminal diameter (MLD), percentage area stenosis, minimum luminal area (MLA), reference vessel diameter (RVD) and lesion length (LL). Correlation analysis was used to identify the relationship between QCA parameters and FFR value, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine parameters predictive of FFR ≤ 0.75. RESULTS LL was significantly higher [(14.8 ± 7.9) mm vs. (10.7 ± 5.4) mm, P = 0.024] while MLD [(1.47 ± 0.31) mm vs. (1.82 ± 0.51) mm, P = 0.028], RVD [(2.30 ± 0.50) mm vs. (2.81 ± 0.64) mm, P = 0.036], and MLA [(2.30 ± 1.50) mm(2) vs. (3.60 ± 2.30) mm(2), P = 0.038] were significantly lower in FFR ≤ 0.75 group than in FFR > 0.75 group. LL (r = -0.209, P = 0.040) was negatively correlated with FFR, and MLD (r = 0.414, P = 0.040), RVD (r = 0.303, P = 0.000) and MLA (r = 0.315, P = 0.002) were positively correlated with FFR. ROC analysis showed that MLD ≥ 1.6 mm was the best cut-off value to predict FFR > 0.75 with sensitivity 63%, specificity 82%, and positive predictive value 96%. CONCLUSIONS QCA derived anatomic parameters of intermediate coronary lesions correlate to FFR value in some extent. MLD ≥ 1.6 mm is the best cut-off value to predict FFR > 0.75 in patients with intermediate coronary lesions.
Repellent activity of common spices against the rice weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motsch (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Five essential oils and eight extracts of common spices were screened and evaluated for repellent activity against adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.), using the modified filter paper impregnation method. Both extracts of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and essential oils of gingers, Etlingera elatior, E. pyramidosphaera and Zingiber officinale, showed strong repellent activity against S. zeamis at 20 mg/ml. Cinnamon methanol extract exhibited potent repellent activity at the concentration of 10 mg/ml. Extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and black pepper (Piper nigrum) showed moderate repellent activity at 20 or 50 mg/ml. However, extracts of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and dry chili (Capsicum annuum) exhibited weak attractant activity. The findings from this research demonstrate the possible use of these spices as repellent of rice weevil in stored products.
Desempenho produtivo e qualidade de ovos de poedeiras comerciais semipesadas criadas em diferentes densidades populacionais

O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho zootecnico e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras semipesadas criadas em diferentes densidades populacionais. Foram utilizadas 150 poedeiras com 30 semanas de idade distribuidas em gaiolas com 100 x 45 x 40 cm com duas subdivisoes de 50 x 45 x 40 cm em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. Foram avaliadas tres densidades populacionais correspondentes a oito, 10 e 12 aves por gaiola (562,5; 450,0 e 375,0 cm2/ave) com cinco repeticoes cada, totalizando 15 unidades experimentais. As variaveis analisadas para o desempenho foram: consumo de racao (g/ave/dia), porcentagem de postura, peso do ovo (g), massa do ovo (g), conversao alimentar (kg/kg e kg/dz) e porcentagem de ovos inteiros, quebrados, trincados e sem casca. Para avaliacao da qualidade interna e externa dos ovos foram analisados: unidade Haugh, indice de gema, pH do albumen e gema e coloracao de gema crua. As aves alojadas em menor densidade populacional (562,5 cm2/ave) apresentaram maior consumo de racao, porcentagem de postura, massa de ovos e melhor conversao alimentar (kg/kg) (P<0,05). Conclui-se que a criacao de poedeiras semipesadas alojadas em densidades com ate 450,0 cm2/ave nao prejudica o desempenho zootecnico das aves e as caracteristicas qualitativas dos ovos.
microRNA expression in the cervix during pregnancy is associated with length of gestation

Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality and can lead to poor life-long health and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The pathophysiologic mechanisms that precede preterm labor remain elusive, and the role that epigenetic phenomena play is largely unstudied. The objective of this study was to assess the association between microRNA (miRNA) expression levels in cervical cells obtained from swabs collected during pregnancy and the length of gestation. We analyzed cervical samples obtained between 16 and 19 weeks of gestation from 53 women in a prospective cohort from Mexico City, and followed them until delivery. Cervical miRNA was extracted and expression was quantified using the NanoString nCounter Analysis System. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between miRNA expression levels and gestational age at delivery, adjusted for maternal age, education, parity, body mass index, smoke exposure, and inflammation assessed on a Papanicolaou smear. We identified 6 miRNAs that were significantly associated with gestational age at the time of delivery, including miR-21, 30e, 142, 148b, 29b, and 223. Notably, per each doubling in miR-21 expression, gestations were 0.9 (95% CI: 0.2–1.5) days shorter on average (P = 0.009). Per each doubling in miR-30e, 142, 148b, 29b, and 223 expression, gestations were shorter by 1.0 to 1.6 days. The predicted targets of the miRNAs were enriched for molecules involved in DNA replication and inflammatory processes. The levels of specific miRNAs in the human cervix during pregnancy are predictive of gestational age at delivery, and should be validated in future studies as potential biomarkers of preterm birth risk.
Is the antidepressive effect of second-generation antidepressants a myth?

Two recent meta-analyses on second-generation antidepressants versus placebo in mild to moderate forms of major depression, based on data on all randomized clinical trials using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) submitted to FDA, have shown an effect size of ∼0.30 in favour of antidepressants in the acute therapy of major depression. The clinical significance of an effect size at this level was found to be so poor that these meta-analyses have subscribed to the myth of an exclusively placebo-like effect of second-generation antidepressants. A re-allocation of HAMD items focusing on those items measuring severity of clinical depression, the HAMD6, has identified effect sizes of ⩾0.40 for second-generation antidepressants in placebo-controlled trials for which even a dose–response relationship can be demonstrated. In the relapse-prevention phase during continuation therapy of patients with major depression, the advantage of second-generation antidepressants over placebo was as significant as in the acute therapy phase. To explore a myth is not to deny the facts but rather to re-allocate them.
A Novel Method to Gauge Audience Engagement with Televised Election Debates through Instant, Nuanced Feedback Elicitation

Despite a steep increase in the use of the Internet and handheld computing devices for media consumption, television is still of critical importance for democratic citizenship. Television continues to be the leading source of political information and its relevance has been recognised at policy level. In addition, television keeps evolving technologically and in how it is experienced by viewers. Nonetheless, the ways researchers have measured audience engagement with televised political events in real-time is often limited to small samples of viewers and is based upon a narrow range of responses. In this paper we look at the audience of televised election debates, and propose a new method to gauge the richness and variety of citizens' real-time responses at scale by capturing nuanced, non-intrusive, simple and measurable audience feedback. We report on a paper prototype experiment, in which we used a set of flashcards to test the method in an actual televised election debate scenario. We demonstrate how the method can improve our understanding of viewer responses to the debaters' performances, to the contents in their arguments, and to the debate as media event. We conclude with design guidelines to implement the method on a mass scale in order to measure audience engagement with televised election debates in distributed contexts through audience feedback web and mobile applications.
Selective Nonoperative Management of Penetrating Abdominal Solid Organ Injuries

Objective:To assess the feasibility and safety of selective nonoperative management in penetrating abdominal solid organ injuries. Background:Nonoperative management of blunt abdominal solid organ injuries has become the standard of care. However, routine surgical exploration remains the standard practice for all penetrating solid organ injuries. The present study examines the role of nonoperative management in selected patients with penetrating injuries to abdominal solid organs. Patients and Methods:Prospective, protocol-driven study, which included all penetrating abdominal solid organ (liver, spleen, kidney) injuries admitted to a level I trauma center, over a 20-month period. Patients with hemodynamic instability, peritonitis, or an unevaluable abdomen underwent an immediate laparotomy. Patients who were hemodynamically stable and had no signs of peritonitis were selected for further CT scan evaluation. In the absence of CT scan findings suggestive of hollow viscus injury, the patients were observed with serial clinical examinations, hemoglobin levels, and white cell counts. Patients with left thoracoabdominal injuries underwent elective laparoscopy to rule out diaphragmatic injury. Outcome parameters included survival, complications, need for delayed laparotomy in observed patients, and length of hospital stay. Results:During the study period, there were 152 patients with 185 penetrating solid organ injuries. Gunshot wounds accounted for 70.4% and stab wounds for 29.6% of injuries. Ninety-one patients (59.9%) met the criteria for immediate operation. The remaining 61 (40.1%) patients were selected for CT scan evaluation. Forty-three patients (28.3% of all patients) with 47 solid organ injuries who had no CT scan findings suspicious of hollow viscus injury were selected for clinical observation and additional laparoscopy in 2. Four patients with a “blush” on CT scan underwent angiographic embolization of the liver. Overall, 41 patients (27.0%), including 18 cases with grade III to V injuries, were successfully managed without a laparotomy and without any abdominal complication. Overall, 28.4% of all liver, 14.9% of kidney, and 3.5% of splenic injuries were successfully managed nonoperatively. Patients with isolated solid organ injuries treated nonoperatively had a significantly shorter hospital stay than patients treated operatively, even though the former group had more severe injuries. In 3 patients with failed nonoperative management and delayed laparotomy, there were no complications. Conclusions:In the appropriate environment, selective nonoperative management of penetrating abdominal solid organ injuries has a high success rate and a low complication rate.
Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in different acute stroke subtypes

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine serum levels of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their natural inhibitors (TIMPs) in the acute phase of different stroke types subdivided according to the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP) classification and the possibility of discriminating stroke types according to their levels. The study included 126 patients with acute stroke within the first 24h of symptom onset, and 124 healthy volunteers. The stroke group had lower MMP-2 concentrations and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios (p<0.001) but higher TIMP-2 (p<0.001) than controls. The level of MMP-9 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were higher in patients with total anterior circulation infarct (TACI) than in patients with other stroke subtypes according to OCSP classification (p=0.0019, p=0.0065, respectively) or in controls (p<0.0001, p=0.0024, respectively). A negative correlation of MMP-2 levels with MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio was recorded in all stroke subtypes except for TACI. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed similar discriminating power for MMP-9 levels and Barthel index in the differential diagnosis of TACI. High MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (odds ratio 3.263) was associated with TACI. Our results demonstrate that the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio may provide information to help in assessing stroke patients in the future as a baseline biomarker of infarct extent.
Plasma Immunoreactive Endothelin-1 Concentrations in Infants with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

Plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been reported to be elevated in children and adults with pulmonary hypertension. We hypothesized that infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) have elevated plasma concentrations of ET-1. Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive-endothelin-1 (ir-ET-1) were measured using a radioimmunoassay in 20 infants with PPHN and 20 normal term infants. Mean birthweight and gestational age of the infants were comparable in the two groups. The mean plasma ir-ET-1 concentrations were significantly elevated in neonates with PPHN compared to those of normal term infants (2.04 +/- 0.30 versus 1.04 +/- 0.29 pg/mL, p = 0.02). A linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between ir-ET-1 concentrations and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (r = 0.49, p = 0.02) and mean airway pressure (r = 0.49, p = 0.02). There was also a significant correlation between ir-ET-1 concentrations and duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation among infants with PPHN (r = 0.44, p = 0.05). We conclude that plasma ir-ET-1 concentrations are elevated in infants with PPHN. The presence of elevated ir-ET-1 concentrations and their positive correlation with disease severity suggests that ET-1 may serve as a marker of the disease severity in these infants. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the role of ET-1 in the pathophysiology of PPHN.
Effects of dietary benzoic acid and sodium-benzoate on performance, nitrogen and mineral balance and hippuric acid excretion of piglets

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of sodium-benzoate (NaB) with those of benzoic acid (BAc) on growth performance of piglets as well as nutrient digestibility, nitrogen and mineral balance, urinary pH, and the urinary excretion of BAc and hippuric acid (HAc). The study was conducted with 120 weaning piglets (6.5 kg body weight), divided in four groups (15 replicates of two piglets each), which received (1) a basal diet (Control), or the basal diet supplemented with (2) 4 g NaB per kg (Group 4NaB), (3) 3.5 g BAc per kg (Group 3.5BAc) or (4) 5 g BAc per kg (Group 5BAc). Performance data were monitored over a 42-day period. Urine and faeces were collected from day 28–33 in metabolic cages with five piglets per treatment. Piglets of Groups 3.5BAc and 5BAc had similarly a considerably improved average daily gain and feed intake (p < 0.05). Performance of Group 4NaB was not significantly different from the other groups. Compared to the Control, the nitrogen retention was only improved in Group 5BAc (p < 0.05); the other groups showed intermediate values. In the supplemented groups, most of the BAc was excreted as HAc in urine, but only Groups 3.5BAc and 5BAc had reduced urinary pH (p < 0.05). Daily intake and faecal and urinary excretion of P and Ca were not affected by the treatment. The molar excess of Na in Group 4NaB was reflected by higher renal excretion of Na compared to the other groups (p < 0.05).
Validity of new immunological human fecal hemoglobin and albumin tests in detecting colorectal neoplasms--an endoscopy-controlled study.

BACKGROUND Screening for occult blood by means of guaiac tests has an unsatisfactory sensitivity for the detection of colorectal neoplasms. To increase sensitivity and specificity the immunological determination of human hemoglobin and albumin in feces has been developed. The validity of analyzing only two samples from one bowel movement of either test is not known. METHODS An immunological determination of human fecal hemoglobin and albumin using luminescence immunoassays (LIA) was performed in 739 patients with gastrointestinal complaints before scheduled colonoscopy. Each patient collected two 1 ml samples from one stool. There were no dietary restrictions. RESULTS The sensitivity for detecting colorectal carcinomas was 95.3% (95% confidence interval 84.2-99.4%) with hemoglobin and 67.4% (95% confidence interval 51.2-80.9%) with albumin. The sensitivity for detecting large adenomatous polyps was 62.9% (95% confidence interval 50.5-74.1%) with hemoglobin and 32.9% (95% confidence interval 22.1-45.1%) with albumin. The specificity was 97% for hemoglobin, 96% for albumin and 94% for the combined test. CONCLUSIONS The immunological determination of fecal hemoglobin is superior to albumin and has a better sensitivity for the detection of colorectal neoplasms than that reported for guaiac tests, even if two samples from one bowel movement are examined. The immunological determination of fecal hemoglobin should therefore be evaluated for use in colorectal cancer screening.
Catalytically Inactive Cyclooxygenase 2 and Absence of Prostaglandin E2 Biosynthesis in Murine Peritoneal Macrophages following In Vivo Phagocytosis of Heat-Killed Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin1

Over 25 years ago, it was observed that peritoneal macrophages (Mφ) isolated from mice given heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (HK-BCG) i.p. did not release PGE2. However, when peritoneal Mφ from untreated mice are treated with HK-BCG in vitro, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), a rate-limiting enzyme for PGE2 biosynthesis, is expressed and the release of PGE2 is increased. The present study of peritoneal Mφ obtained from C57BL/6 mice and treated either in vitro or in vivo with HK-BCG was undertaken to further characterize the cellular responses that result in suppression of PGE2 release. The results indicate that Mφ treated with HK-BCG in vivo express constitutive COX-1 and inducible COX-2 that are catalytically inactive, are localized subcellularly in the cytoplasm, and are not associated with the nuclear envelope (NE). In contrast, Mφ treated in vitro express catalytically active COX-1 and COX-2 that are localized in the NE and diffusely in the cytoplasm. Thus, for local Mφ activated in vivo by HK-BCG, the results indicate that COX-1 and COX-2 dissociated from the NE are catalytically inactive, which accounts for the lack of PGE2 production by local Mφ activated in vivo with HK-BCG. Our studies further indicate that the formation of catalytically inactive COX-2 is associated with in vivo phagocytosis of HK-BCG, and is not dependent on extracellular mediators produced by in vivo HK-BCG treatment. This attenuation of PGE2 production may enhance Mφ-mediated innate and Th1-acquired immune responses against intracellular infections which are suppressed by PGE2.