Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ENHANCING HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILLS THROUGH CLINICAL SIMULATION

Purpose – The study aimed to explore, describe and analyse the design and implementation of clinical simulation as a pedagogical tool in bridging the defi ciency of higher order thinking skills among para-medical students, and to make recommendations on incorporating clinical simulation as a pedagogical tool to enhance thinking skills and align the curriculum. Methodology – A qualitative approach using interpretativedescriptive case study design was utilized in framing the research study. Purposive sampling was used to select 20 fi nal year paramedical students and fi ve teaching staff who participated in this study. Data was collected through direct and participant observation, interviews and document analysis. Thematic analysis using Stake’s Countenance Model was utilized to analyse and present the findings. Findings – On the basis of these analyses, the study supports that (i) clinical simulation facilitates the infusion of higher order thinking skills; (ii) clinical simulation that uses thinking pedagogy nurtures the development of higher order thinking skills; and (iii) clinical simulation uses higher order thinking modality to promote, understand and transfer learning. While facilitators play a crucial role in engaging learners with higher order thinking modality and make students’ thinking visible by utilizing the use of metacognition and self-regulation abilities, learners become more autonomous, strategic and motivated to apply effort and strategies in a variety of meaningful contexts.
Lowpower CAM for ATM switch with improved VPI/VCI translation

CAM provide highspeed search function in one clock cycle.We proposed an Asynchronous Transfer Mode Switch by using high speed low power CAM.CAMs can be used in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switching network components as a translation table. Since ATM networks are connection-oriented, be set up across them prior to any data transfer. There are two kinds of ATM virtual circuits: Virtual Path (identified by a virtual path identifier or VPI) and Channel Path (identified by a channel path identifier or VCI). Parity bit and an effective gated power techniques allocates less power to match decisions involving a larger number of mismatched bits.These scheme results in a significant CAM power reduction.This provides a performance advantage over other memory search algorithms. It will reduce the peak current , average power consumption (36%),boosted search speed (39%) and improved process variation tolerance.
Long-Term Effects of Intracoronary β-Radiation in Balloon- and Stent-Injured Porcine Coronary Arteries

Background—The data on the long-term safety and efficacy of intracoronary β-radiation in animal models are limited. Methods and Results—A total of 30 coronary arteries in 15 swine were subjected to balloon or stent injury followed by β-radiation from a centered 32P source (2000 cGy to 1 mm beyond lumen surface) or a sham radiation procedure. The animals received aspirin for 6 months and ticlopidine for 30 days. Five of the 10 animals subjected to radiation died (at 5 days, 7 days, 3 months [n=2], and 4 months) as a result of layered, occlusive thrombus at the intervention site (3 stent and 2 balloon injury sites). No deaths occurred in the control group. In the surviving animals, balloon-injured and irradiated vessels showed a trend toward larger lumens than controls (2.15±0.17 versus 1.80±0.08 mm2, P=0.06) and larger external elastic lamina areas (3.32±0.21 versus 2.62±0.10 mm2, P=0.003). In the stent-injured vessels from surviving animals, lumen, neointimal, and external elastic lamina areas were 3.58±0.
Suggested guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic HCV infection in children

HCV infection in children is different from the adult infection in many ways like natural course of the disease; duration, therapeutic response and side effects profile of the drug therapy; and prognosis. Special considerations include what is the appropriate time to investigate a suspected child, when to institute and choice of drug therapy and how to prevent vertical transmission. In this article, based on the current evidence suggested guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic HCV infection in children is given. Feedback to help improve/modify these recommendations by those experienced in dealing with the children will be welcome.
Respiratory Muscle Training: Theory and Practice

Acknowledgements Dedication Foreword Preface Part I: Theoretical basis of respiratory muscle training Introduction to Part I 1. Anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system 2. Exercise physiology and training principles 3. The respiratory muscles 4. Functional benefits of respiratory muscle training (RMT) Part II: Practical application of respiratory muscle training Introduction to Part II 5. Methods of respiratory muscle training (RMT) 6. Implementing respiratory muscle training (RMT) 7. Functional training of the respiratory muscles Glossary Index
Teratogenic Effects of the Anti-Epileptic Drug (Levetiracetam) on Albino Rat Fetuses during Pregnancy and Lactation.

The use of the older generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy and lactation is known to be associated with increased risk of birth defects in the offspring. Much less has been known about newer generation AEDs to which Levetiracetam (LEV) belongs. LEV is a broad spectrum antiepileptic drug which is currently licensed worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the teratogenic effects of LEV on fetuses of albino rats. Pregnant albino rats(Rattusnorvegicus) were administered daily oral doses of 300mg/kg or 600mg/kg from the 5 th day of gestation till the end of lactation.The animals were sacrificed at the end of gestation and during lactation. Fetuses were removed from the uterus and evaluated for mortality rate, growth parameters, morphological and skeletal malformations as well as histological study of brain, liver and kidney. The data revealed that fetal weights were significantly reduced in most study groups. Resorption rates were significantly increased with increasing LEV doses. It was found that mild degenerative changes were observed in the liver, kidney as well as the brain following LEV administration. Levetiracetam pretreatment caused a non-significant effect on the level of lipid peroxidation. No significant correlation was noted between GSH levels and the anticonvulsant effects of Levetiracetam. Thus administration of LVE during pregnancy and lactation should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the fetus.
Acute Pyelonephritis: A Single-center Experience

Acute pyelonephritis (APN), although a common clinical entity, still not much is known about the clinical profile in the Indian scenario. We prospectively collected clinical, biochemical, and radiological data of patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of APN from March 2014 to June 2016. A total of 296 cases were included in the study. Mean age was 53.85 ± 9.78 years. Male to females ratio was 1.93:1. Among the risk factors recognized for complicated pyelonephritis (PN), diabetes mellitus (DM) (54.4%) was the most common factor followed by renal calculi (14.4%), benign prostatic hyperplasia (6.7%), immunocompromised state (3.3%), stricture urethra and meatal stenosis (3.3%), and neurogenic bladder (2%). Urinary culture was negative in 153 (51.7%) and positive in 143 patient (48.3%). Most common organism isolated was Escherichia coli (29.7%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (5.4%), pseudomonas (5.4%), Enterococcus (4.4%), and Proteus in 10 (3.4%). Serum creatinine of more than 1.5 mg/dl at admission was seen in 96.3% patients; 40% of them had underlying chronic kidney disease with DM being the most common. Multiorgan dysfunction either at admission or during the course in hospital stay was seen in 31.8% patients. Twelve (2%) had emphysematous PN. Six patients had Class II, 4 had Class III, 1 with Class I, and another with Class IV. A total of 18 deaths were noted (6.1%). Hemoglobin <10 g/dl, serum creatinine at admission >1.5 mg/dl, HbA1c% >10%, and immunosuppression had statistically significant association with the development of multiorgan dysfunction on univariate analysis, but on multivariate analysis, only hemoglobin, HbA1c%, and immunosuppression reached statistical significance. Even with attributable risk of mortality, only hemoglobin, HbA1c%, and immunosuppression reached statistical significance on multivariate analysis. HbA1c% adds to the predictive parameters to recognize at-risk patients to intensify the treatment and avoid complications.
SUPPLEMENT USE AND GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING

The use of supplements, such as vitamins, over the counter (OTC) agents, and herbal remedies have become a popular complementary therapy for a variety of conditions. There have been case reports describing an increased risk of bleeding associated with these supplements. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that there is an increased incidence of gastrointestinal bleeds among patients who take supplements. Methods This was a prospective cohort, survey-based study of 100 patients seen at MSMC from February 2013 to August 2013. Data included patient age, sex, ethnicity, country of origin, alcohol use, medical comorbidities, information regarding previous gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds, laboratory values, as well as the use of supplements, multivitamins, and anticoagulants. Results Overall, 32% of patients who had gastrointestinal bleeding consumed supplements. More patients in the supplement group took NSAIDS 52.9% vs. 27.9%, p =0.07), whereas more patients in the no supplement group took the combination of ASA and clopidogrel (25.6% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.08). Patients in the supplement group were less likely to have an elevated international normalized ratio (INR between 1.3-2.0: 6.3% vs. 22.1%, p = 0.05). Patients not taking supplements were significantly more likely to have no intervention done (14.7%) vs. 0%, p = 0.02). Conclusion Supplement use within the community is very common. Although non-significant, patients taking supplements appeared to have more severe gastrointestinal bleeds that required more interventions. Larger studies are needed to better define the risks of GI bleeding with particular supplements. Keywords: alternative medicine; gastrointestinal bleeding; herbal supplements
In vitro anticancer activity of some plants used in Moroccan traditional medicine

Over time, cancer remains a world public health problem. The use of traditional medicine as alternative treatments of cancer was recognized in 1950s by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the leadership of the late Dr. Jonathan Hartwell. In this context, we are interested to search for bioactive natural substances for cancer therapy used in Moroccan traditional medicine. Based on ethnopharmacological study, we selected four plants with an important therapy against cancer in Moroccan traditional medicine; these are Aristolochia longa (L), Citrullus colocynthis (L), Piper cubeba (L) and Delphinium Staphisagria (L). In the pharmacological study, we evaluated the antiproliferative activity of selected Moroccan plants on five different cancer cell lines namely MCF7, HT29, N2A, H5-6 and VCREMS using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at a dose of 500 µg/ml; lyophilized extracts after 24 h of treatment showed that two plants possess significant cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines, such as MCF7, HT29, N2A, H5-6 and VCREMS. P. cubeba (L) extract showed the inhibition of 98.64 and 91.59% against MCF7 lines and HT29 cell lines, and for C. colocynthis (L), 91.84 and 85.58%, respectively. C. colocynthis (L) showed a dose-dependent effect on MCF7 and HT29 cell lines with an IC50of 22.0 and 32.5 µg/ml, respectively. This cytotoxicity is induced probably by apoptosis. Key words: Aristolochia longa (L), Citrullus colocynthis (L), Piper cubeba (L), Delphinium Staphisagria (L), cytotoxicity, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), cancer cell lines, IC50.
Central nervous system in vitamin E-deficient rats.

During the past two years there have appeared numerous articles 1 dealing with the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other chronic degenerative diseases of the central nervous system with vitamin E in crude or purified form. These studies have been instigated by the currently accepted view that chronic vitamin E deficiency in rats brings about neurologic lesions more or less comparable to those found in human diseases. Since this is contrary to experience in this laboratory, we have undertaken anew a study of the question. REVIEW OF LITERATURE The first reference to possible alteration of neuromuscular function in cases of vitamin E deprivation is to be found in the paper of Evans and Burr, 2 in which is described paralysis of suckling rats born of vitamin E—deficient mothers. No study was made at that time of the underlying pathologic process. Material from such rats, however, was available to Lipschutz,
Greedy approximation

In this survey we discuss properties of specific methods of approximation that belong to a family of greedy approximation methods (greedy algorithms). It is now well understood that we need to study nonlinear sparse representations in order to significantly increase our ability to process (compress, denoise, etc.) large data sets. Sparse representations of a function are not only a powerful analytic tool but they are utilized in many application areas such as image/signal processing and numerical computation. The key to finding sparse representations is the concept of m-term approximation of the target function by the elements of a given system of functions (dictionary). The fundamental question is how to construct good methods (algorithms) of approximation. Recent results have established that greedy-type algorithms are suitable methods of nonlinear approximation in both m-term approximation with regard to bases, and m-term approximation with regard to redundant systems. It turns out that there is one fundamental principle that allows us to build good algorithms, both for arbitrary redundant systems and for very simple well-structured bases, such as the Haar basis. This principle is the use of a greedy step in searching for a new element to be added to a given m-term approximant.
Complementary feeding practices in West Africa : statistics, epidemiology and policy implications

Unlike breastfeeding, complementary feeding has not received the attention it requires, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. There is evidence to the effect that breast milk alone is nutritionally insufficient for children aged 6 months and over. Consequently, the World Health Organisation recommended commencement of complementary feeding at this juncture. This thesis aims to explore complementary feeding practices in West Africa. The thesis utilizes the newly developed WHO Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators and the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys of all the countries studied. It divides the West Africa sub-region into two groups; namely Anglophone (English-speaking) and Francophone (French-speaking) countries. The Anglophone countries comprise Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The Francophone countries comprise Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal. The thesis first examines the determinants of early introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods among infants aged 3-5 months in both Anglophone and Francophone West African countries. It then compares complementary feeding indicators among children aged 6-23 months between the Anglophone countries on the one hand and the Francophone countries on the other. Determinants of sub-optimal complementary feeding practices in the Anglophone and Francophone countries are examined in the next two studies. Finally, the policy implications of the issue of sub-optimal complementary feeding practices in West Africa are presented. Six published papers have been integrated to form the core of this thesis. These published papers are presented in individual chapters of the thesis and are described in the next paragraph. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the determinants of early introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods among infants aged 3-5 months in Anglophone and Francophone West African countries respectively. Findings in these two chapters identify some of the determinants of early introduction of solid, semi-solid or soft foods among infants aged 3-5 months in West Africa to include low maternal education, increasing infant age, regional differences, contraction of illness, non-attendance of antenatal clinics as well as household poverty. Chapter 5 compares complementary feeding indicators among children aged 6-23 months across all the 11 countries examined. This chapter reveals that the Anglophone West
The Distribution of OpenCL Kernel Execution Across Multiple Devices

The Distribution of OpenCL Kernel Execution Across Multiple Devices Steven Gurfinkel Master of Applied Science Graduate Department of the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2014 Many computer systems now include both CPUs and programmable GPUs. OpenCL, a new programming framework, can program individual CPUs or GPUs; however, distributing a problem across multiple devices is more difficult. This thesis contributes three OpenCL runtimes that automatically distribute a problem across multiple devices: DualCL and m2sOpenCL, which distribute tasks across a single system’s CPU and GPU, and DistCL, which distributes tasks across a cluster’s GPUs. DualCL and DistCL run on existing hardware, m2sOpenCL runs in simulation. On a system with a discrete GPU and a system with integrated CPU and GPU devices, running programs from the Rodinia benchmark suite, DualCL improves performance over a single device, when host memory is used. Running similar benchmarks, m2sOpenCL shows that reducing the overheads present in current systems improves performance. DistCL accelerates unmodified compute intense OpenCL kernels, obtained from Rodinia, AMD samples and elsewhere, when distributing them across a cluster.
Unstable historic glass: symptoms, causes, mechanisms and conservation

Abstract A significant proportion of glass objects in museum collections are known to be actively deteriorating, irrespective of the storage or display conditions. Various terms have been used to describe the effect including sick glass, glass disease, glass illness, crizzling and weeping. The symptoms reflect the chemical instability of certain types of glass as a consequence of their manufacturing technology, such as over-purification of raw materials or poor batch formulation. A review of the literature indicates the wide range of approaches adopted to mitigate the problem. There are significant discrepancies between those that have been recommended in the past and those in the current conservation literature, indicating the need for further research.
Major histocompatibility complex of the dog

textabstractNowadays everybody has become familair with the procedure of blood transfusion. It is not always appreciated, however, that transfusions are equivalent to transplantations. This latter term is commonly reserved for the more spectacular transplantations of kidney, liver or heart, in which an organ from a deceased individual is given to a living human patient in need of such an organ. It has become generally accepted that before blood of a given donor can be given to a particular patient investigations have to be done to exclude a possible harmful effect of the blood on the recipient. The impressive bloodbanking institutes all over the world are in themselves convincing examples of the impor~ lance of finding compatible blood for each individual patient. ln theory compatibility tests between donor and recipient would also seem to be indicated foi solid organ transplantations just as for tranfusions. In practice compatibility tests (or in other words donor selection) are not performed by all teams involved in transplantation in humans. Major reasons for this negative attitude towards donor selection for organ grafting are probably that l) it appears to be a complicated art to the uninitiated and 2) no clear cut beneficial effect of donor selection could be demonstrated in some of the first clinical trials with human kidney transplantation. However, in a number of other studies a favourable effect of donor selection has been found. The experimental studies described in this thesis were initiated with the purpose of obtaining a model in an outbred experimental animal, in which the doubts on the usefulness of donor selection for organ transplantation could be evaluated.
Sheep And Goats Slaughtered At Keffi Abattoir: Health Status, Carcass Yield And Foetal Deaths

It becomes very worrisome if at this stage of human technological advancement animals with potential zoonosis even pregnant ones are continually being slaughtered in abattoirs. Yet, there are no documented cases and where there are, the data are inaccurate and inconsistent. Hence, the health status, carcass yield and incidences of foetal deaths from animals slaughtered at Keffi abattoir were investigated. Data were gathered on incidence of foetal deaths, body conformation, ectoparasites burden, diarrheal symptom as well as discharges from the mouth and nostrils from a total of 120 animals. Also, information on the carcass yield and organs weights was recorded. Results showed that 17(28.3%) sheep and 10(16.6%) goats were emaciated, 50(83.0%) sheep and 47(78.3%) goats were infested with ectoparasites. Also, it was observed that 25(41.7%) sheep and 20(33.3%) goats presented diarrheal symptom, 24(40.0%) sheep and 18(30.0%) goats were drooling at the mouth as well as 28(46.7%) and 35(58.3%) sheep and goats respectively had frothy discharges from the nostrils. Out of the 30 each of ewes and does investigated, 12(40%) and 15(50%) in that order were pregnant that culminated in a total of 27 foetal deaths. There were observed significant differences (P<0.05) in the carcass and organs parameters measured in the slaughtered animals. The ill health status and high rate of foetal deaths observed proved zoonotic threat to man and future foundation stock availability. Consequently, there should be provisions for modern abattoir, personnel training, lairage, pregnancy test and pregnant animal pens to curb this barrier to animal agriculture in Nigeria.