Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Universal Precautions among Medical and Nursing Students

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are potentially exposed to risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens (BBP). Universal precautions (UPs) are a set of precautions designed to prevent transmission of HIV, HBV and other blood borne pathogens while providing health care. The knowledge and understanding of UPs among HCWs in developing countries is inadequate. Present study was conducted to assess the knowledge on standard Universal precautions among medical and nursing students. The cross sectional study was conducted among 50 nursing and 50 medical students. A questionnaire was prepared based on the WHO and CDC guidelines. In the present study overall correct response from medical students was 75.6% and from nursing students was 85%. Nursing students were better than medical students in almost all aspects of knowledge regarding Universal precautions as well as compliance to Universal precautions. This difference was statistically significant.
The use of 185 nm radiation for drinking water treatment

The treatment of water via 185 nm radiation allows for the oxidative degradation of trace organic contaminants without the need for chemical addition. Critical information required for the practical application of such a process has been lacking. Carbamazepine was determined to be an ideal probe compound for study of the 185 nm regime due to negligible direct photolysis at 254 nm. An increase in probe degradation rate due to 185 nm is observed with increasing temperature when water is the only significant absorber of photons. A comparison with the temperature dependence of the 254 nm H2O2 process is made and a fundamental explanation proposed. Experimental evidence reveals that probe degradation rate is strongly influenced by anionic composition at environmentally relevant concentrations, particularly chloride. Evidence for the role of the chlorine radical is obtained by kinetic studies involving select probes, radical scavengers, and ionic strength. Interactions between the major organic and inorganic solutes indicate that resulting degradation kinetics are highly sensitive to the composition of the water matrix, a fact that has been neglected from the literature. A method to quantify molar absorption coefficients is developed that is not prone to errors due to stray radiant energy or wavelength inaccuracies. A method to quantify the 185:254 nm output of a low pressure mercury lamp is presented with results in agreement with values reported in the literature. In addition to the hydroxyl radical ( OH), other radical species such as chlorine (Cl ) and sulphate (SO – 4 ) are proposed to be involved in oxidative degradation of trace organics in the 185 nm regime. This suggests that the degradation rate of a given target contaminant depends on the composition of the water matrix, the second-order rate constants with the relevant radicals, and the relative reaction rate constants of the target and the matrix.
The Effects of Formality of Documentation on Auditors’ Acquisition of Knowledge from Prior Year Workpapers

Auditors’ knowledge is critical for audit and financial reporting quality, as it facilitates task performance and information sharing. We examine whether auditors’ acquisition of knowledge from prior year workpapers, a primary means for learning on the job, is negatively affected by the commonly-used style of documentation in those workpapers, specifically a formal one that is regimented and rigid. We find that auditors completing a risk assessment task with more (versus less) formal prior year workpaper documentation acquire less knowledge about risk assessment. We posit, and provide empirical support for, this negative effect occurring due to more formal documentation reducing attention to learning-relevant information, as well as reducing effort devoted to self-explanation of that information. Robustness tests rule out alternative explanations, such as short-term retention of information and effects of other inferences from formality. Collectively, these findings highlight the critical need for an intervention, and also have implications outside of auditing.
Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoro ethylene) Nanohybrid Membrane for Fuel Cell

Through nanochannels are created in the polymer/hybrid films by irradiating swift heavy ions followed by selective chemical etching of the amorphous latent track caused by irradiation. The dimensions of the nanochannels are varied from 30 to 100 nm by either using small (lithium) and large (silver) size of swift heavy ions with high energy (80 MeV) or by embedding few percentage of two-dimensional nanoparticle in the polymer matrix. The side walls of the nanochannels are grafted with polystyrene using the free radicals created during irradiation. Polystyrene graft is functionalized by tagging sulfonate group in the benzene ring of polystyrene to make the nanochannels conducting and hydrophilic. The proof of grafting and functionalization is shown through various spectroscopic techniques. The relaxation behavior and thermal stability of graft polymer within the nanochannel are shown through different thermal measurements. Nanoclay in nanohybrid nucleates the piezoelectric phase in the polymer matrix whose extent is further increased in grafted and functionalized specimen. Functionalized nanochannels exclusively facilitate proton conducting, whereas the remaining part of the film is electroactive, making it as a smart membrane. Greater water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC), high activation energy (8.3 × 103 J mol–1), and high proton conduction (3.5 S m–1) make these functionalized nanohybrid film a superior membrane. Membrane electrode assembly has been made to check the suitability of these membranes for fuel cell application. Open circuit voltage and potential are significantly high for nanohybrid membrane (0.6 V) as compared to pure polymer (0.53 V). Direct methanol fuel cell testing using the membrane assembly exhibit a considerable high power density of ∼400 W m–2, making these developed membranes suitable for fuel cell application and providing the ability to replace standard membrane like Nafion, as the methanol permeability is low, thus raising the higher selectivity parameter of the nanohybrid membrane.
What Drives Pay for Chief Investment Officers at Endowments?

This paper examines the compensation of Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) of nonprofit endowments, which have different economic models and monitoring arrangements than those of other institutional investors. We find that compensation reflects the demands of the job, abilities and experience that individuals bring to the job and how well the endowment performs. Pay relies heavily on bonuses and is positively linked to the CIO's education and professional experience. Large endowments hire CIOs with stronger backgrounds, pay them more and structure pay significantly linked to endowment performance. Even controlling for size, compensation depends on an endowment’s governance and location. The results are consistent with the increased investment skills needed to manage large pools of capital often involving alternative assets, and with differences in labor market and monitoring arrangements across endowments. For large endowments the sensitivity of pay to performance is greater than often reported for mutual fund managers.
Enhanced relay autotuning of unstable series cascade systems

ABSTRACT A widely used controller tuning method is relay autotuning. Approximate values for ultimate gain (Ku) and critical frequency (ωu) are achieved by this tuning procedure. Astrom and Hagglund have proposed a method of estimating Ku and ωu, which considers only fundamental harmonics, neglecting higher order harmonics, hence resulting in erroneous ultimate gain Ku values. In this paper, the effect of higher order harmonic analysis for simultaneous relay autotuning of open loop unstable series cascade systems is studied. Simultaneous relay autotuning for conventional P/PI cascade control configuration is designed for comparison with the proposed method, which utilizes corrected ultimate controller gain values. Three simulation examples are studied in this paper. The two controllers for the two methods are designed using Ziegler–Nichols tuning rules. The proposed method gives significant improvement in both the servo and regulatory responses for the three examples. Robustness studies using complimentary sensitivity function is carried out and robustness is ensured.
Impact of Long-Term Application of Organics, Biological, and Inorganic Fertilizers on Microbial Activities in Rice-Based Cropping System

ABSTRACT Organics, biological, and inorganic fertilizers play a crucial role for improving crop yield and soil properties. Accordingly, we assessed their impact on yield, microbial activities, and transformations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in soils under a 12-year-old intensively cultivated rice (Oriza sativa L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) system with sole inorganic (NPK); NPK + farmyard manure (NPKF); NPK + green manure (NPKG) (Sesbania sesban L.), and NPK + green manure + bio-fertilizer (NPKGB) (Azotobacter chroococcum+ pseudomonas putida) treatments in sub-tropical India. The system yield was much higher with NPKF (23%) and NPKGB (18%) than that with NPK. Organic supplementation had a favorable influence on soil microbial biomass C (Cmic), N (Nmic), and activities of extracellular enzymes. Results of principal component and multiple regression analyses showed significant influence of Cmic on system yield (R2 = 91, p = 0.001) and S availability (R2 = 62, p = 0.001). Similarly, mineralizable N and acid phosphatase could predict significantly soil available N (R2 = 85, p = 0.001) and P (R2 = 51; p = 0.001), respectively. Results thus indicated that integrated nutrient management (NPKF/G) improved system yield, nutrient accumulation, and microbial activities in soils.
A Systematic Review of Parkinson’s Disease Cluster Analysis Research

One way to understand the Parkinson’s disease (PD) population is to investigate the similarities and differences among patients through cluster analysis, which may lead to defined, patient subgroups for diagnosis, progression tracking and treatment planning. This paper provides a systematic review of PD patient clustering research, evaluating the variables included in clustering, the cluster methods applied, the resulting patient subgroups, and evaluation metrics. A search was conducted from 1999 to 2021 on the PubMed database, using various search terms including: Parkinson’s disease, cluster, and analysis. The majority of studies included a variety of clinical scale scores for clustering, of which many provide a numerical, but ordinal, categorical value. Even though the scale scores are ordinal, these were treated as numerical values with numerical and continuous values being the focus of the clustering, with limited attention to categorical variables, such as gender and family history, which may also provide useful insights into disease diagnosis, progression, and treatment. The results pointed to two to five patient clusters, with similarities among the age of onset and disease duration. The studies lacked the use of existing clustering evaluation metrics which points to a need for a thorough, analysis framework, and consensus on the appropriate variables to include in cluster analysis. Accurate cluster analysis may assist with determining if PD patients’ symptoms can be treated based on a subgroup of features, if personalized care is required, or if a mix of individualized and group-based care is the best approach.
Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultured cells as a model for studying physiological properties and toxin-induced effects on intestinal cells

Infectious gastrointestinal diseases are frequently caused by toxins secreted by pathogens which may impair physiological functions of the intestines, for instance by cholera toxin or by heat-labile enterotoxin. To obtain a functional model of the human intestinal epithelium for studying toxin-induced disease mechanisms, differentiated enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells were co-cultured with goblet cell-like HT29-MTX cells. These co-cultures formed a functional epithelial barrier, as characterized by a high electrical resistance and the presence of physiological intestinal properties such as glucose transport and chloride secretion which could be demonstrated electrophysiologically and by measuring protein expression. When the tissues were exposed to cholera toxin or heat-labile enterotoxin in the Ussing chamber, cholera toxin incubation resulted in an increase in short-circuit currents, indicating an increase in apical chloride secretion. This is in line with typical cholera toxin-induced secretory diarrhea in humans, while heat-labile enterotoxin only showed an increase in short-circuit-current in Caco-2 cells. This study characterizes for the first time the simultaneous measurement of physiological properties on a functional and structural level combined with the epithelial responses to bacterial toxins. In conclusion, using this model, physiological responses of the intestine to bacterial toxins can be investigated and characterized. Therefore, this model can serve as an alternative to the use of laboratory animals for characterizing pathophysiological mechanisms of enterotoxins at the intestinal level.
Epidemiology of Measles in Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: Analysis of Surveillance Data from 2013 to 2019

Background Measles remains a cause of vaccine-preventable death in children worldwide. Reported cases in Ethiopiarepresent only a small proportion of expected cases, due to weak measles-based surveillance implementation. In this study, we aimed to analyze 7 years’ measles-surveillance data from Bale zone, in order to indicate measles epidemiology and surveillance-related gaps. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2019. The study population was all measles cases reported to the Bale Zone Health Office from 2013 to 2019. Data were abstracted from 7 years’ measles line lists and case-based reports using a data-abstraction check-list. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Pivot software, and were presented in tables and graphs. Results Overall, 4,241 measles cases were reported from 2013 to 2019. Mean age was 7.15 years, and 50.6% were male. The most affected age-group was children <4 years of age. Analysis indicated that the case-fatality rate was 3.07/1,000 population. Of the total cases reported, 248 (5.8%) were IgM-confirmed. The highest prevalence of 141/100,000 population was reported in 2019. Unvaccinated cases and those with unknown vaccination status numbered 890 (21%) and 731 (17.2%), respectively. The highest number of cases was reported from Ginir and Gololcha districts. Cases increased in autumn each year and peaked in May. Conclusion Measles is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Bale, due to poor immunization coverage. Its case fatality is also high, excluding community deaths. Of all the districts included, Ginir reported the highest number of cases. Improving vaccination coverage, early preparedness for the annual epidemic cycle, and strengthening case-based surveillance are important interventions to reduce measles morbidity and mortality.
Relationship between Work-Related Quality of Life and Job Satisfaction in Iranian Occupational Therapists

Objective This study is aimed at exploring the relationship between the work-related quality of life and job satisfaction among Iranian occupational therapists. Methods In an analytical-descriptive, cross-sectional study, 322 occupational therapists were recruited through a convenient sampling. Inclusion criteria consisted of age between 22 and 50 years, at least one-year work experience, 24 hours of working per week as an occupational therapist, and membership of Iranian Occupation Therapy Association. After signing the informed consent and completing demographic information, each participant completed the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire- Short Form (MSQ-SF) and work-related quality of life scale. Results The highest quality of working life belonged to occupational therapists who were female, married, with an annual salary of more than 40000$ (compared to below 20000 $), and those with work experience between 5 and 12 years. There was a positive and significant relationship between work-related quality of life and job satisfaction. Work-related quality of life scores could significantly predict MSQ-SF scores (β1 = 0.54, p < .001). Conclusions The significantly positive relationship between work-related quality of life and job satisfaction suggests the importance of organizational programs for enhancing factors of work-related quality of life in order to improve job satisfaction and quality of life among Iranian occupational therapists.
Why we dehumanize illegal immigrants: A US mixed-methods study

Dehumanization is a topic of significant interest for academia and society at large. Empirical studies often have people rate the evolved nature of outgroups and prior work suggests immigrants are common victims of less-than-human treatment. Despite existing work that suggests who dehumanizes particular outgroups and who is often dehumanized, the extant literature knows less about why people dehumanize outgroups such as immigrants. The current work takes up this opportunity by examining why people dehumanize immigrants said to be illegal and how measurement format affects dehumanization ratings. Participants (N = 672) dehumanized such immigrants more if their ratings were made on a slider versus clicking images of hominids, an effect most pronounced for Republicans. Dehumanization was negatively associated with warmth toward illegal immigrants and the perceived unhappiness felt by illegal immigrants from U.S. immigration policies. Finally, most dehumanization is not entirely blatant but instead, captured by virtuous violence and affect as well, suggesting the many ways that dehumanization can manifest as predicted by theory. This work offers a mechanistic account for why people dehumanize immigrants and addresses how survey measurement artifacts (e.g., clicking on images of hominids vs. using a slider) affect dehumanization rates. We discuss how these data extend dehumanization theory and inform empirical research.
Interpretation of x-ray absorption spectra using molecular dynamics simulations

The x-ray absorption spectroscopy is a direct structure determination technique highly sensitive to the local structure. However, the nowadays extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra analysis meets complications due to the presence of multiple scattering effects and thermal disorder. In this work we have developed the method of the EXAFS spectra analysis based on the quantum mechanics-classical molecular dynamics approach coupled with ab-initio EXAFS spectra calculations. The method allows one to obtain unique information on the local atomic static and dynamic structure in crystalline materials, through the analysis of the many-atom distribution functions at required temperature and pressure. The method was applied to the modelling of the EXAFS spectra from crystalline ReO3, CaWO4 and ZnWO4. The investigation of nanocrystalline ZnWO4 is also reported.
Natural Antibodies and Alloreactive T Cells Long after Kidney Transplantation

Background The relationship between circulating effector memory T and B cells long after transplantation and their susceptibility to immunosuppression are unknown. To investigate the impact of antirejection therapy on T cell-B cell coordinated immune responses, we assessed IFN-γ-producing memory cells and natural antibodies (nAbs) that potentially bind to autoantigens on the graft. Methods Plasma levels of IgG nAbs to malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in 145 kidney transplant recipients at 5–7 years after transplantation. In 54 of these patients, the number of donor-reactive IFN-γ-producing cells was determined. 35/145 patients experienced rejection, 18 of which occurred within 1 year after transplantation. Results The number of donor-reactive IFN-γ-producing cells and the levels of nAbs were comparable between rejectors and nonrejectors. The nAbs levels were positively correlated with the number of donor-reactive IFN-γ-producing cells (rs = 0.39, p=0.004). The positive correlation was only observed in rejectors (rs = 0.53, p=0.003; nonrejectors: rs = 0.24, p=0.23). Moreover, we observed that intravenous immune globulin treatment affected the level of nAbs and this effect was found in patients who experienced a late ca-ABMR compared to nonrejectors (p=0.008). Conclusion The positive correlation found between alloreactive T cells and nAbs in rejectors suggests an intricate role for both components of the immune response in the rejection process. Treatment with intravenous immune globulin impacted nAbs.
Research Progresses in Immunological Checkpoint Inhibitors for Breast Cancer Immunotherapy

Tumor immune escape refers to the phenomenon in which tumor cells escape the recognition and attack of the body’s immune system through various mechanisms so that they can survive and proliferate in vivo. The imbalance of immune checkpoint protein expression is the primary mechanism for breast cancer to achieve immune escape. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are critical immune checkpoints for breast cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors block the checkpoint and relieve its inhibition effect on immune cells, reactivate T-cells and destroy cancer cells and restore the body’s ability to resist tumors. At present, immunological checkpoint inhibitors have made significant progress in breast cancer immunotherapy, and it is expected to become a new treatment for breast cancer.
Immunogenicity and Efficacy Evaluation of Vero Cell-Adapted Infectious Bursal Disease Virus LC-75 Vaccine Strain

Introduction Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is an avian viral pathogen that causes infectious bursal disease (IBD) of chickens. The disease has been endemic in Ethiopia since 2002, and vaccination has been practiced as the major means of disease prevention and control. An IBD vaccine is produced in Ethiopia using primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell, which is time-consuming, laborious, and uneconomical. The present study was carried out to develop cell-based IBDV LC-75 vaccine using Vero cells and to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and protection level. Methods Identity of the vaccine seed was confirmed with gene-specific primers using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Confluent monolayer of Vero cells was infected with vaccine virus and serial passage continued till passage 10. A characteristic virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed starting from passage 2 on the third day post-infection. The infectious titer of adapted virus showed a linear increment along the passage level. The virus-induced specific antibody was determined using indirect ELISA after vaccination of chicks through ocular route. Results The antibody titer measured from Vero cells vaccinated chicks revealed similar level with the currently available CEF cell-based vaccine, hence no significant difference. Chicks vaccinated with Vero cell adapted virus showed complete protection against very virulent IBDV, while unvaccinated group had 60% morbidity and 25% mortality. Conclusion It is concluded that the IBDV vaccine strain well adapted on Vero cells and found to be immunogenic induces antibody development and successfully protects chicks against challenge with the circulating field IBDV isolate. Hence, it is recommended to produce IBD vaccine using Vero cell culture at the industrial scale to conquer the limitations caused by using CEF cells and thus to vaccinate chicks population to protect against the circulating IBDV infection.