Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urinary Microbiome Evaluation in Patients Presenting with Hematuria with a Focus on Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

Purpose: To better characterize the urinary microbiome in males and contribute to overall understanding of the urinary microbiota speci ﬁ cally in patients undergoing evaluation for possible bladder cancer, strati ﬁ ed by risk exposure to smoking. Patients and Methods: Recruitment of 43 male patients in a sequential manner presenting for hematuria evaluation to a single institution was undertaken. Mid-stream urine specimen pellets were processed through a DNA isolation protocol before undergoing PCR ampli ﬁ cation, puri ﬁ cation, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gene sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units and statistical analysis was performed to determine specimen diversity and phylogenetic trends. Results: No signi ﬁ cant difference in microbial diversity was found between the specimens. On subgroup analysis, no signi ﬁ cant difference was observed when strati ﬁ ed by either tobacco smoking history or by newly diagnosed urothelial bladder cancer. Variation in microbial diversity was seen amongst all analyzed specimens. Conclusion: The results of our analysis of carefully selected subjects help to better characterize the urinary microbiome in males and supplements the limited available informa-tion on the interrelationship between the urinary microbiome and development of genitourinary malignancy. No signi ﬁ cant difference was observed in our small sample size when strati ﬁ ed by tobacco exposure or newly diagnosed bladder cancer.
IS THERE CORRELATION OF BIOFILM FORMATION WITH MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE AND ESBL PRODUCTION IN PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ?

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative ubiquitous bacterium which has emerged as one of the leading cause of nosocomial infections. This bacterium has an ability to form biofilm. Antimicrobial resistance is the innate feature of the biofilm producing P. aeruginosa. Production of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) enzyme is one of the common antimicrobial resistance mechanisms observed in P. aeruginosa . Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the correlation of biofilm formation with multidrug resistance and ESBL production in P. aeruginosa. Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital located in central Nepal. A total of 55 strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical samples such as pus/wound, blood, sputum, endotracheal tube and urine were identified by standard microbiological techniques. The isolates were further tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar as per CLSI guidelines. The isolates were considered multidrug resistant (MDR) when they were non-susceptible to ≥ 1 agent in ≥ 3 antimicrobial categories. Biofilm formation was detected by microtitre culture plate method. ESBL production was screened and further confirmed by disk diffusion methods. Results: Biofilm formation was detected in 76.4% of P. aeruginosa . Resistance to cephalosporins; 3 rd and 4 th generations, and aztreonam were significantly higher in biofilm producers than in biofilm non-producers. All the isolates were sensitive to polymyxin B. Among the biofilm producers, 40.5% were MDR isolates. All the biofilm non-producers were non-MDR isolates. 50% biofilm producers were ESBL producers whereas only 7.7% biofilm non-producers were ESBL producers. Significant association was found to exist between biofilm formation and development of multidrug resistance and ESBL production in P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: P. aeruginosa has high tendency to form biofilm which is strongly associated with multidrug resistance and the ESBL production.
Communications of the Association for Information Systems Communications of the Association for Information Systems

Although scholars have provided advice regarding how to conceptualize multidimensional constructs, less attention has been directed on how to evaluate structural equation models that include multidimensional constructs. Further, the extant information systems literature has provided little, and sometimes contradictory, direction on how to operationalize multidimensional constructs. This gap in how we approach multidimensional constructs merits attention because: (1) establishing construct validity is critical to testing theory and (2) recent advances in software enable testing models with multidimensional constructs more readily. Therefore, this tutorial (1) describes different forms of multidimensional constructs and (2) illustrates how to integrate superordinate and aggregate multidimensional constructs in structural equation models. In doing so, we offer guidelines and examples for how to conduct and evaluate research using multidimensional constructs.
Running head: PERCEIVED SOURCES OF TEAM CONFIDENCE

37 Purpose. Although it is generally accepted that team confidence is beneficial for 38 optimal team functioning and performance, little is known about the predictors of team 39 confidence. The present study was aimed to shed light on the precursors of both high and low 40 team confidence in two different sports. A distinction is made between sources of process41 oriented team confidence (i.e., collective efficacy) and sources of outcome-oriented team 42 confidence (i.e., team outcome confidence), which have often been confounded in previous 43 research. 44 Methods. In a first step, two qualitative studies were conducted to identify all possible 45 sources of team confidence in basketball and in soccer. In a second step, three quantitative 46 studies were conducted to further investigate the sources of team outcome confidence in 47 soccer (N = 1028) and in basketball (N = 867), and the sources of collective efficacy in 48 basketball (N = 825). 49 Results. Players perceived high-quality performance as the most important factor for 50 their team outcome confidence. With regard to collective efficacy, team enthusiasm was 51 perceived as most predictive determinant. Positive coaching emerged as second most decisive 52 factor for both types of team confidence. In contrast, negative communication and expression 53 by the players or the coach was perceived as the most decisive predictor of low levels of team 54 confidence. At item level, all studies pointed to the importance of team confidence expression 55 by the athlete leaders (i.e., leader figures within the team) and the coach. 56 Conclusion. The present manuscript shed light on the precursors of high and low 57 levels of team confidence. Athlete leaders and the coach emerged as key triggers of both 58 upward and downward spirals of team confidence, thereby contaminating all team members. 59
ORR_A_265905 139..143

1Department of Special Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 2Department of Special Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 3Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan Background: The role of routine lumbosacral MRI in patients presented with isolated chronic low back pain (CLBP) is still unclear. Most patients with CLBP will show diverting degenerative changes on MRI. As it is uncertain whether surgical treatment of degenerative MRI changes results in alleviation of back pain or not, the necessity of doing a diagnostic lumbosacral MRI remains questionable. This study aimed to evaluate the yield of lumbosacral MRI among Jordanian patients presented with isolated CLBP. Methods: We reviewed medical records of all patients who presented to neurosurgery outpatient clinic at Jordan University Hospital from December 2016 to December 2019. Only patients with a chief complaint of isolated CLBP were included. We obtained the relevant data from the computerized medical files and detailed radiological findings from their MRI reports. Results: One hundred and sixty-seven patients (167) matched the inclusion criteria. We reported positive findings in MRI in 112 patients (67%), but 55 patients (32.93%) had normal MRI findings. Dehydration of intervertebral disc was the most common finding. Positive MRI findings were most evident in the middle-age group (41–60 years old). Disc protrusion finding in middle-aged females was significantly less prevalent than males (P = 0.012). Conclusion: Jordanian patients presented with CLBP have similar worldwide patterns of lumbar degenerative changes. Providing that near one-third of patients with CLBP have normal MRI findings, we suggest following a streamlined protocol for imaging of patients presented with CLBP to reduce healthcare costs.
A Segmented Logistic Regression Approach to Evaluating Change in Caesarean Section Rate with Reform of Birth Planning Policy in Two Regions in China from 2012 to 2016

Objective: This study evaluated change in caesarean section rate with reform of birth planning policy in China from one-child to two-child policy. Methods: Study data were collected from patient-level hospital records of 59,668 pregnant women who visited three major urban hospitals in Jiangsu Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China between January 2012 and December 2016. A segmented logistic regression approach was developed to evaluate the changes in caesarean section rate in these regions with the launch of China ’ s new partial and universal two-child policies in January 2014 and January 2016, respectively. Results: Jiangsu Province had a signi ﬁ cantly lower non-emergency caesarean rate (Jiangsu 8.15% vs Inner Mongolia 34.03%, p < 0.001) and a much lower percentage of minority population (Jiangsu 6.99% vs Inner Mongolia 21.76%, p < 0.001) than Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In Jiangsu Province, no change in caesarean section rate was detected with the two-child policies (all p -values > 0.05), although the unadjusted trend change (0.038, 95% con ﬁ dence interval or CI: [0.016, 0.060], p < 0.001) in log odds after the implementation of the partial two-child policy was statistically signi ﬁ cant. In Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, an immediate jump in caesarean section rate was discovered by the segmented logistic regression with the implementation of both the partial (unadjusted level change 0.297, CI: [0.105, 0.489], p = 0.002) and universal two-child policies (unadjusted level change 1.945, CI: [1.277, 2.614], p < 0.001); but the rate reverted to the previous level thereafter. Ethnicity, maternal age, maternal reproduction history, insurance coverage type, infant weight, and infant gender were the signi ﬁ cant factors associated with caesarean section rate (for odds ratios, all p -values < 0.05). However, the signi ﬁ cance of infant gender may stem from the large sample size of the study and is not clinically meaningful. Conclusion: Change in caesarean section rate was not observed with the launch of two-child policy in China.
Sexual Dysfunction and Domestic Violence among Infertile Females: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Sexual dysfunction and interpersonal relationship have been reported as the associated factors with infertility. The association between sexual dysfunction-violence and infertility is complex and reciprocal. Objective: To investigate the sexual dysfunction and associated factors and determine the domestic violence among infertile females. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university infertility clinic. 386 of the 512 females agreed to participate and were given a preciously prepared questionnaire to complete. Questionnaire was including socio-demographic characteristics and habits, infertility associated factors, the history of domestic violence, the history of social pressure and sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was assessed with Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: The frequencies of sexual dysfunction and domestic violence were 13.7% (n=53) and 12.7% (n=49), respectively. According to socio-demographic characteristics; the frequency of sexual dysfunction was higher in non- employment (p=0.04) and lower income women (p=0.001), when the menarche age was lower than 12 (p=0.01) and with the existence of domestic violence (p=0.01). The frequency of domestic violence was lower in university graduated infertile females (p=0.02), in couples married with agreement (p=0.01) and higher in couples with lower income (p=0.02). The lower income (odds ratio [OR] 5.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-27.08, p=0.02) and the presence of sexual dysfunction (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.36-6.21, p=0.006) were risk factors for domestic violence. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with working status, income levels, menarche age and the domestic violence. Additionally, domestic violence was significantly associated with agreement in marriage, income levels and educational level.
Pharmacotherapy of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Current Recommendations

The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still rising, and this pathological condition is strongly associated with some serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, GDM must be timely recognized and adequately managed. Treatment of GDM is aimed to maintain normal glycemia and it should involve regular glucose monitoring, dietary modification, lifestyle changes, moderate physical activity, and pharmacotherapy, when necessary. As for the pharmacotherapy, needed in approximately one-third of GDM women, insulin administration is the first choice of pharmacological treatment, although oral hypoglycemic drugs, for example, metformin (a biguanide agent) or glyburide (a second-generation sulfonylurea drug), could be indicated, too. Metformin is considered as a reason-able and safe first-line alternative to insulin. If comparing two oral agents, metformin seems to be safer than glyburide, since glyburide was found to be linked to neonatal hypoglycemia and higher birth weight, which can for example increase the hazard for shoulder dystocia and a necessity for Cesarean delivery. Finally, it should be underlined that many pregnant women turn to complementary and alternative medicine for health maintenance or symptom relief, including traditional herbal medicine and the use of supplements. Given the previous facts, this chapter will address current pharmacotherapy options and challenges related to GDM treatment.
APOE Polymorphism And Susceptibility To Dementia Of The Alzheimer's Type In The Indian Population

Objective: The study aimed at the estimation of the prevalence of APOE polymorphism among Indians suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer's type and its association with disease risk as compared to the non-demented individuals. Another aim was to generate baseline data for future studies, as no study is available for those from Indian race/ethnicity. Methods: The APOE genotypes of 100 patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and 36 age-matched controls were determined by isotyping the polymorphic region from genomic DNA. PCR amplified APOE DNA fragment of 244 bp was digested with HhaI and fragments were analyzed on 15% PAGE. Results: The allele and genotype frequencies were found to be significantly higher in AD patients as compared to the controls and the E4 allele was found to affect the risk of the disease in a dose-dependent manner. The frequency of the E4 allele was significantly increased in the patient group (0.47) as compared to age-matched controls (0.13). More pronounced effects were observed in genotype comparison. Conclusions: The effect of APOE E4 was dosage dependent and the risk of AD in individuals with the E4E4 genotype was 20-fold greater than in individuals with the E3E4 genotype (10-fold), as compared to the E3E3 genotype. The risk was higher even after adjusting for age and sex. The E4 allele is an allele for developing AD in Indians.
Anomaly Detection in Streaming Data from a Sensor Network

In this thesis, unsupervised and semi-supervisedmachine learning techniques are analyzed as potential tools for anomaly detection in Scania truck sensor networks. The thesis investigates the need for both point and contextual anomaly detection in this setting. For the point anomaly detection the method of Isolation forest was applied and for contextual anomaly detection two different recurrent neural network architectures using Long Short Term Memory units were used. One model was simply a many-to-one regression model trained to predict a certain signal, while the other was an encoder-decoder network trained to reconstruct a sequence. Both models were trained in an semi-supervised manner, i.e. on data that only depicts normal behaviour, which theoretically should lead to a performance drop on abnormal sequences resulting in higher error terms. In both settings the parameters of a Gaussian distribution were estimated using these error terms, which allowed for a convenient way of defining a threshold which would decide if the observation would be flagged as anomalous or not. Additional experiments using an exponential weightedmoving average over a number of past observations to filter the signal was also conducted. Themethods performance on this particular task were very different, but the regression model showed a lot of promise especially when combined with a filtering preprocessing step to reduce the noise in the data. However, the model selection will always be governed by the nature of the particular task at hand, so the other methods might perform better in other settings.
Supply Chain Integration of LSPs

Problem: In today’s competitive business world, companies are faced with challenges due to increasing competition, changes in customer demands, new technologies, and globalization. Due to these changes, competition does not take place between single companies anymore but rather whole SCs. To cope with such challenges, more and more companies focus on SCI. Business managers and academics emphasize the potential of integration. However, existing literature shows a gap concerning the integration of LSPs. In this thesis, LSPs are divided into three different types; carriers, intermediaries, and 3PL providers. Due to differences in their business focus and the deriving logics, their way of integrating with customers will likely differ. Hence, based on these differences and the gap in literature concerning the integration of LSPs, this thesis focuses on an investigation of two carriers, two intermediaries, and two 3PL providers. Purpose: The purpose of this Master thesis is to explore how and why LSPs integrate with their main customers. Therefore, motivators and obstacles, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the extent of integration and possible integration approaches are investigated. Method: This qualitative study makes use of a case study strategy which includes six companies. Data is gathered from semi-structured interviews and documentary secondary data. The findings are analyzed using a two-stage process. First, a comparison of the findings for each of the three types of LSP is conducted. Second, a cross-analysis among carriers, intermediaries, and 3PL providers is performed in order to identify similarities and differences. Conclusions: The findings of this thesis reveal integration of technologies and systems, flows, and relationship evaluation as approaches for LSPs. Further, LSPs integrate externally, upstream and downstream in terms of intermediaries and 3PL providers and downstream in regards to carriers, and on different levels ranging from relatively shallow in case of carriers to deep in terms of 3PL providers. Moreover, LSPs are motivated by factors such as competition, differentiation, and business safety, whereas aspects such as resource investments and customer power differences present potential obstacles. Furthermore, LSPs benefit from integration, e.g. due to improved problem-solving ability, expansion of business, and better responsiveness to market changes. In contrast, aspects such as increased customer expectations, the risk of sunk costs, and dependence present potential disadvantages for LSPs.
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND STABILITY OF GROUNDNUT MINI-CORE COLLECTIONS FOR EARLY AND LATE LEAF SPOT RESISTANCE IN NIGERIA

Disease epidemics of early and late leaf spots (ELS and LLS, respectively) are affected by weather patterns such as hot and wet conditions, making them prevalent in the Guinea and Sudan Savanna zones of Nigeria. The objective of this research was to determine the genetic diversity and stability of groundnut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) mini-core collections for ELS and LLS in Nigeria. The collections were evaluated at Bayero University Kano (2015, 2016 and 2017) and Minjibir (2017) during the rainy seasons. The data collected were analysed by a mixed model and Cluster analysis was carried out to summarise relationships among the mini-core collections. Significant differences were observed between the lines for kernel yield, ELS and LLS resistance. The highest kernel yield was recorded by ICG 12988 (1225 kg ha -1 ). The highest yielding check variety was Samnut 24, with a kernel yield of 805 kg ha -1 . Lines with low ratings for ELS and LLS were in cluster one but had the lowest mean kernel yield; followed by Cluster 2 with a similar trend. Two lines, ICG 12988 and ICG 12989, were grouped in Cluster 10, which had the highest mean yield (1107 kg ha -1 ), with ELS and LLS rating of 3 and 4, respectively. Check varieties such as Samnut 22, 24 and 25 were grouped in Cluster 9 and are moderately tolerant to leaf spots; while Samnut 26, which is a more recent improved variety was in Cluster 7 with moderate resistance to leaf spots. There was a significant line × environment interaction for kernel yield. ICG 12988 and ICG 12989 were highly unstable; while ICG 2019 was the most stable line followed by ICG 12697, ICG 3312 and ICG 8567. In general, results of the current study show a linkage between kernel yield and leaf spots diseases. Therefore, special breeding techniques such as backcrossing or marker-assisted backcrossing are required to improve lines identified with low yield but high resistance or high yield with low resistance.
Aiming High and Falling Short: California’s Eighth-Grade Algebra-for-All Effort

Algebra the accountability benchmark test for 8th-grade mathematics. This article takes advantage of this unevenly implemented policy to understand the effects of curricular intensification in middle school mathematics. Using district-level panel data from all California K–12 public school districts, we estimate the effects of increasing 8th-grade Algebra enrollment rates on a 10th-grade mathematics achievement measure. We find that enrolling more students in advanced courses has negative average effects on students’ achievement, driven by negative effects in large districts.