Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Factors Affecting the Treatment Efficacy of Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy in Patients with Hyperthyroidism

Objective: Hyperthyroidism is an increase in hormone production in the thyroid gland and the exposure of tissues to the hormones of the thyroid glands in the circulation. The most common causes encountered are Graves’ Disease, Toxic Multinodular Goiter and Toxic Adenoma. The purpose of radioactive iodine treatment is to make patients become euthyroid or hypothyroid. Despite adequate treatment, hyperthyroidism persists or reccurs in some patients. The aim of our study is to investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of radioactive iodine treatment in hyperthyroidism. Methods: In this retrospective study, relevant clinical and laboratory data were recorded in database of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases Outpatient Unit between 2013-2016. Results: A total of 79 cases including 17 (21%) male, and 62 (79%) female patients were enrolled in the study. There were 33 (42%) Graves’ disease 9 (11%) Toxic Multinodular Goitre and 37 (47%) Toxic Adenoma patients when grouped according to diagnoses. Mean age was 56.5 ± 16,80. Development of hypothyroidism or euthyroidism were accepted as efficient treatment, hyperthyroidism or recurrence were considered as treatment failure. In 71 (89%) patients, treatment efficiently resulted in hypothyroidism or euthyroidism, whereas in 8 (11%) patients, the treatment failed due to recurrence or persistent disease. Treatment was 100 % effective in Toxic Multinodular Goitre and Toxic Adenoma groups, while it was effective in 75.7 of patients with Graves’ Disease. Patients who did not use antithyroid drugs recovered faster than patients who did. Conclusion: Radioactive iodine therapy is an efficient treatment in patients with hyperthyroidism. It was determined that 1 mm increase in nodule size decreased the treatment efficacy by 1.07 times (p<0,05). However, there are many factors that affect the efficacy of this treatment. To elucidate these factors and improve clinical practice, prospective long-term studies providing more reliable data with larger samples needed.
Spread of COVID-19 in India: A Mathematical Model

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the greatest threat to human lives of the entire world since January 2020. In the present article, we discuss a mathematical model regarding the spread of COVID-19 in India. This model is aimed at finding the nature of time dependence of the number of symptomatic patients, officially recorded in the country, during the span from 1st March 2020 to 23rd March 2020. The number of persons infected with coronavirus disease, as declared by the country officially on a regular basis, is most probably the number of patients who have experienced the symptoms of the disease. The present study is based on a differential equation that has been formed here to find the dynamics of how the number of asymptomatic patients increases with time. Number of symptomatic patients has been estimated from its solution. Its time evolution is found to be quite consistent with the recorded data, for a certain set of parameter values. Using this particular set, we have discussed the probable effects of the imposition and the subsequent withdrawal of lockdown in the country.
Changes in properties of tropical ferruginous soils under long-term fertility management and continuous cultivation

— Soil fertility is an important resource to enhance crop productivity and meet global food demand. The present work investigated the impact of long-term fertility management and continuous cultivation on selected soil properties of ferruginous soils. 8 plots of the experimental research plot situated behind the Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (AERLS) building in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria,were subjected to different fertility treatment for over 50 years. These treatment were: control (C); nitrogen (N); nitrogen & potassium (NK); nitrogen & phosphorus (NP); nitrogen & phosphorus & potassium (NPK); dung & potassium (DP); dung & nitrogen (DN); and dung & nitrogen & phosphorus (DNP). Using a completely randomized design (CRD) sampling technique, triplicate soil samples were collected from each fertility plot from the first 300 mm of the soil surface and analysed for selected properties. Results showed that the soils were majorly sandy loam. Sand component of the fertility plots was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to the Control, while silt was observed to have reduced in the experimental plots. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the Control. Soils with dung as part of its fertilizer treatment showed slightly higher organic carbon content, with the DNP treatment having the highest value (0.76%), while lowest OC (0.36%) was recorded in the soils treated with inorganic fertilizer of NPK combinations. The OC content (0.35%-0.78%) recorded in soils of the various fertility plots was well below the 2% critical level required to guarantee soil structural stability. The pH values of treated soils were from 5.1 – 6.1 and significantly (P<0.05) higher in the Control. Bulk density was highest (1620 kg/m 3 ) in the Control, while the plot under DP showed the least value of 1520 kg/m 3 . The different fertility treatments were observed to have reduced the plasticity of the soils from highly plastic recorded in Control to medium plastic observed in most of the other treatments. It is suggested that measures to enhance the soil OC be implemented as that will not only enhance the soil aggregate stability, but reduce the risk of soil erosion.
Single-side open groin hernia repair with mesh or without mesh: Which is the best?

Background: Groin hernia repair, which is a common operation performed by general surgeons, is still a controversial issue. Although some surgeons recommend mesh repair as the gold standard, the mesh also has its complications. In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether there is an advantage of using mesh in unilateral groin hernia operations. Methods: Patients who were operated on for groin hernia with open surgery at Erzurum Regional Education and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey between 2019 and 2021 were selected for the study retrospectively. After collecting data of the patients, patients were divided into two groups according to mesh usage. Differences between the group in which mesh was used and the group without mesh were evaluated. Results: 173 patients were operated on with open surgery due to groin hernia, and 163 (94.2%) were men. The mean age of all patients was 51.29±18.24 (range from 19 to 91). 84 (48.6%) patients were operated on with mesh, while 89 (51.4%) patients were operated on without mesh. The use of mesh was more common in the elderly (p<0.001). Comorbidity (p=0.042) and the need for a drainage catheter (p<0.001) were higher in the mesh group. Concomitant spermatic cord lipoma (p<0.001), length of hospital stay was longer (p=0.002) and mean rank of leucocyte count was higher (p=0.023) in the non-mesh group. In addition, the use of mesh decreased testicular complications (p=0.029). Conclusions: The use of mesh in groin hernia surgery is more preferred in elderly patients and patients with the comorbid disease, while the leukocyte count is higher and the need for additional imaging is higher in repairs performed without the use of mesh. The presence of cord lipoma during surgery was higher in surgeries without mesh, and the need for a drainage catheter was higher in the mesh group. The hospital stay was longer in cases without mesh with longer postoperative follow-up. Also, the use of mesh in cases does not affect the overall morbidity and recurrence. We emphasize that groin hernia surgeries without mesh can be performed safely like repair with mesh.
Disagreeing in Tunisian Arabic: a Politeness and Pragmatic Study

This research is a pragmatic and politeness study that deals with the speech act of disagreement in Tunisian Arabic, a variety of Arabic spoken in Tunisia. It accounts for disagreement in relation to the contextual factors of Social Distance, Social Power, and Rank of Imposition. Discourse Completion Test (DCT) is used to study the production of disagreement. Data was collected from a group of native speakers of Tunisian Arabic at “Institut Supérieur des Langues de Tunis, Tunisia”. Native speakers of TA used a variety of strategies, which were identified in other languages (e.g., Direct Refusal, Suggestion, Giving Account, and Request…) along with new strategies (e.g., Teasing, Unsympathetic advice, Challenge, and Criticism). The identification and quantification of the strategies of disagreement also helped develop insights into the Tunisian culture.
The Impact of Renewable Energy and Economic Complexity on Carbon Emissions in BRICS Countries under the EKC Scheme

Economic complexity makes it possible to assess the development of the countries, the relations of innovation, and the differentiation of products. The article considers the links between the hypotheses of the Kuznets environmental curve and economic complexity using panel data for the group of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 1990 to 2015. As an econometric strategy, this study considered the panel fully modified least squares (FMOLS), panel dynamic least squares (DOLS), fixed effects (FE), and Panel Quantile Regression. The empirical results showed that economic complexity, income per capita, renewable energy, and carbon dioxide emissions are integrated with the first difference when applying the unit root test. The arguments of Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests were also used. According to these results, the variables used in this research are cointegrated in the long run. The results validated the arguments of the EKC hypothesis, i.e., the income per capita and squared income per capita are positively and negatively correlated with CO2 emissions. Moreover, economic complexity and renewable energy aim to improve environmental damage and climate change.
Role of Interleukin 33 During Infection with Toxoplasmosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Toxoplasma gondii is avery common obligate intercellular parasite with highest infection rate among worlds populations. The Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) considered as an autoimmune disease characterized by loss immunological tolerance to self-antigens. Present study Aims to detection the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among RA patients and healthy control and evaluate concentrations of IL-33 to understand their role during infection. Seropositive cases of IgG was 36.7% percentage in RA patients with highest value of IgG 0.395 IU/ml while control group was 100% seronegative. Three cases only were seropositive to IgM with 1.17% and their mean 0.54 IU/ml.IL-33 levels in RA patients with toxoplasmosis was highest 187.74± 33.24 pg/ml when compared with RA patients 107.88±18.41 pg/ml and control group 55.59±25.75 pg/ml ,there was a significant differences in comparison between studied groups.
Human Rights from a Social Accounting Perspective in a Post-conflict Environment: The Case of Sri Lanka

This paper examines how three decades of civil conflict in Sri Lanka has impacted the perceptions of the accounting practitioners with regard to human rights (both during and post-conflict). Using the legitimacy lens in social accounting and the role of the state-supported accountancy body - Institute of Chartered Accountants Sr Lanka (CASL) human rights case is investigated. Specifically, the study’s scope is on rights and the degree of legitimacy formation for which accounting associations are accountable for human rights disclosure in a post-conflict environment in an emerging economy. The study interprets documentary evidence and a survey data that was administered among the members of the CASL. The findings reveal that the civil conflict had not hindered the accountants being in parallel with the legitimacy of social accounting notions adopted by the Western world in the disclosure of human rights. At the individual response level, they perceive that the accounting discipline as agents to promote human rights disclosure in business entities. Despite the fact, that this study has a low response rate, what is generalisable is an understanding of the processes and mechanisms which relate to the way the accountants perceived human rights by themselves. The practical implication indicates that urgent measures need to be undertaken to mainstream the legitimate human rights obligations of business entities since there is no one-size-fits-all strategy in a post-conflict environment. The social implication is that awareness of human rights issues, especially among the next generation of accountants is vital since this transformation would enable them not only to be technically competent but also to be ethical in a post-conflict environment. The study contributes to the literature on perceptions of human rights in a post-conflict environment from a social accounting perspective in an emerging economy.
Characterization of Nadir Echoes in Multiple-Elevation-Beam SAR With Constant and Variable Pulse Repetition Interval

Multiple-elevation-beam synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a concept based on digital beamforming (DBF) in elevation and simultaneous recording of the echoes of multiple transmitted pulses. It enables high-resolution imaging of wide areas and is therefore ideal for the systematic observation of dynamic processes on the Earth’s surface. Furthermore, if the pulse repetition interval (PRI) is continuously varied (staggered SAR), it is possible to map a wide continuous swath rather than multiple subswaths separated by “blind” ranges. Within the design of multiple-elevation-beam SAR, however, it is fundamental to consider how nadir echoes affect the mapping capabilities of systems with constant PRI and the image quality of staggered SAR systems, where nadir echoes are intrinsically smeared due to the PRI variation. This article addresses the characterization of nadir echoes in multiple-elevation-beam SAR with constant and variable PRI by presenting a parametric model for the nadir echo profile based on real radar measurements, a formulation of the nadir echo location and smearing in staggered SAR, and realistic simulations based on TerraSAR-X data, which show that nadir echo are likely to be barely visible in staggered SAR images. The results of this work are relevant to both the design of future SAR systems and the interpretation of the acquired data.
Beliefs in conspiracy theories (CT): the role of country context

ABSTRACT While there is an increasing body of research on the individual predispositions affecting conspiracy beliefs, little research has to date analysed potential effects on the context level. In this research note, we develop the argument that socialization and communication factors on the context level may directly affect aggregate levels of generic conspiracy beliefs. Second, we analyse whether these context level factors also interact with specific characteristics of the conspiracy theory – in our case, the actors involved in the CT. Running survey experiments in Germany, Poland, and Jordan (total N = 4,113), we find evidence for aggregate level differences between countries and for interactions between country-specific heuristics and characteristics of the CT. These findings are in line with expectations based on context level socialization and communication mechanisms. In closing, we discuss remaining limitations and outline promising avenues for future research.
Thermal preferences of two spider species: an orb-web weaver and a synanthropic funnel-web weaver

Abstract Temperature, an important factor in the ecological niche, determines the individual fitness, distribution and abundance of many spider species. Typically, spiders from different habitats have different thermal preferences, which vary depending on the season, time of day, and reproductive status. Selected temperatures may also depend on thermal acclimation of animals. The study aimed at determining preferred temperatures of females of two spider species, synanthropic Eratigena atrica and garden Araneus diadematus, exposed to low (14°C) and high (23°C) acclimation temperatures. The mean preferred temperature observed in a thermal gradient varied between the species: E. atrica selected 13.7 ± 1.0°C, while A. diadematus selected 22.5 ± 1.5°C, irrespective of the acclimation temperature. Accordingly, thermal niche overlaps between the species were significantly lower than predicted by the random distribution. E. atrica changed their thermal environment on average 12.8 ± 1.9 times during the test, which made them more mobile than A. diadematus, changing their thermal environment 2.7 ± 0.5 times. On the other hand, the thermal niche breadth of A. diadematus acclimated to warm temperature was wider than that of E. atrica. The female behaviour may be related to the selection of optimal conditions with regard to food availability (location for web construction), shelter and/or, in the case of E. atrica, embryonic development.
Essential oil and apple pomace affect fermentation and aerobic stability of alfalfa silage

This study assessed the effects of the additions of an essential oil (EO), composed of ricinoleic acid, cardol, cardanol, and apple pomace, on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of alfalfa silages. The experimental treatments consisted of T1) alfalfa (control), T2) alfalfa with EO, T3) alfalfa (75%) with apple pomace (25%), T4) alfalfa (75%) with apple pomace (25%) and EO, T5) alfalfa (50%) with apple pomace (50%), T6) alfalfa (50%) with apple pomace (50%) and EO, T7) alfalfa (25%) with apple pomace (75%), and T8) alfalfa (25%) with apple pomace (75%) and EO. The addition of apple pomace decreased the silage pH compared with the control (P <0.01). Apple pomace at 25% level increased the total volatile fatty acid (iVFA) content (P <0.05). Essential oil (EO) decreased tVFA and increased dry matter (DM) content 90 days after ensiling (P <0.01). Apple pomace decreased ammonia (N-NH3), crude protein (CP), and crude ash (CA) content and increased the amounts of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) (P <0.01). Essential oil and apple pomace (level 75%) increased effective digestibility (P <0.05). Apple pomace decreased aerobic stability and the addition of EO increased aerobic stability (P <0.05). Thus, use of apple pomace as a source of fermentable carbohydrate and/or the addition of EO in the preparation of high-quality alfalfa silage is recommended to offset its high buffering capacity and low carbohydrate content. ______________________________________________________________________________________
Multidimensional Assessment of Job Satisfaction in Telework Conditions. Case Study: Romania in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Improving employee performance is one of the main levers for companies to achieve their goals. The detachment of work from place is a growing trend, affecting the performance levels of both employees and employers. The purpose of this research was to assess job satisfaction in telework conditions, based on areas considered decisive and evaluated by specific items. To this end, an opinion questionnaire was created, the information was processed with correlation analysis and regression analysis. This study showed that job satisfaction in telework is associated with higher skills, autonomy, and a favorable organizational climate, but also with a higher level of emotional exhaustion generated by constant access to work, as well as the lack of relationships and mentoring. We found a statistically significant positive link between competencies, autonomy, organizational climate, and job satisfaction. Significant differences were observed in the perception of job satisfaction with respect to the gender dimension, as well as between employees of various age categories.
HighNyammer: Metrics Feedback on BBS for Collaborative Improvement of Collective Cognitive Responsibilities

This study aimed to examine whether real-time feedback can enhance “collective cognitive re-sponsibility” as contribution from each learner’s collective cognitive responsibility is essential in collaborative knowledge creation. To this end, we hypothesized that higher values of betweenness centrality in subjects’ relationships reflect an improvement in collective cognitive responsibility, and developed a bulletin board system (BBS) for feeding back values of betweenness centrality in real time to know one’s position within the community using network-analysis methodology. The research target was a student-staff community working for “Classroom-M” that used the BBS developed by us, called “HighNyammer,” for information-sharing among students and staff members. HighNyammer revealed the real-time value of betweenness centrality for each participant based on the relationships between the authors of posted articles. We conducted questionnaire surveys and retrospective interviews with four student-staff members to evaluate the function of HighNyammer. The subjects demonstrated the potential effectiveness of this function, especially for novice workers. Furthermore, they recognized the meaning of be-tweenness centrality value in relation to their own work as student-staff members. They also recognized that the meaning of betweenness centrality value depended on each student-staff member’s degree of expertise in Classroom-M.
Capacitive Power Transfer System With Double T-Type Resonant Network for Mobile Devices Charging/Supply

In the applications of wireless power transfer for mobile devices, the pick-up of the wireless power transfer system often needs to be moved in and moved out. A sudden change in the system structure will cause high transient voltages or currents, which could damage the power electronic device of the capacitive power transfer (CPT). In addition, the standby power of the system will be too high to work after removing the pick-up. A CPT system with double T-type resonant networks has been proposed to address these problems. The steady-state models of the system without the pick-up and normal state conditions of it are established. The relationships between the resonant network parameters are analyzed, and a systematic circuit parameter design method is provided. The proposed CPT topology and the parameter design method have been verified by simulation and experiment. The system not only achieved self-protection under severe load change but also entered standby mode automatically after the pick-up was moved out. Besides, the system is restored to the normal state condition when the pick-up is moved in without additional detection and control circuitry.
Dietary Supplement Intake: A Study on its Associated Factors among University Students in Terengganu

The aim of this paper is to determine the associated factors that influence students’ decision to have a dietary supplement in their daily intake. The participants for this study are bachelor degree students in three Terengganu local universities. Data were obtained through online questionnaires. Among 406 respondents, 126 (30.9%) are currently using dietary supplements. The prevalence of dietary supplement used does not differ significantly between males and females. However, most respondents claimed decreases in their Body Mass Index and it is higher in non-associated science students as compared to science-associated students. The most used sources of information are the internet, and the most popular places to obtain their supplement are pharmacy and drugstore. Furthermore, the main reason for dietary supplement consumption is to maintain their health level, and most of them consumed only one supplement. Results of this study extend and provide additional information to the existing research by extending the area of research and beneficial to the supplement industry, especially in Terengganu. However, future research in this area is recommended to expand in other area and population in Malaysia. Therefore, supplement consumption among university students is still controllable.