Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digital Stories in Writing Instruction for Middle School Students With Autism

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of computer-assisted writing instruction using digital stories for middle school students with autism. Four students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) participated in the study. A single-subject, multiple-baseline research design across students with ABC phases was used to evaluate students’ learning. During the baseline, students were assigned topics for free writing. During the intervention, digital pictures were presented to teach students to develop six compositions following the four stages of writing, including planning, drafting, editing and publishing. Each composition was evaluated by teachers to record total number of written words, correct words, and complete sentences as well as writing quality. Subsequently, the students were assigned to develop their own digital stories for two selected topics to evaluate their skill maintenance. Results showed that the students increased their number of written words and complete sentences when computer-assisted digital stories were applied within writing instruction. It indicates that using technology in writing instruction has potential to support students with autism.
Comparison of endothelial cell characteristics and corneal thickness between diabetics and non-diabetics

Objectives: To compare endothelial cell characteristics & corneal thickness between diabetic and non-diabetic population. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, non-interventional, cross sectional study where 200 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus and 100 controls were examined. Complete medical history was taken and ophthalmologic examination was done, including best corrected visual acuity tested by Snellen’s chart, intraocular pressure using applanation tonometer, slit-lamp examination, endothelial cell count and morphology (using non-contact specular microscopy) and central corneal thickness and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopic fundus examination. Patients with diabetic retinopathy were graded according to Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) study. Data obtained was grouped and analysed. Results: The mean endothelial cell count in diabetic group was significantly lesser than that in the control group. (p=0.000). Also a reduction in the mean percentage of hexagonal cells was seen in diabetic group. (p=0.000) Whereas the mean corneal thickness in diabetic group was found to be more than that in the control group. (p=0.000). And we also found that there was a significant increase in the mean coefficient of variation in diabetic group as compared to control group. (p=0.000) Conclusion: The mean endothelial cell count is significantly lower in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. The mean corneal thickness and also the mean coefficient of variation in diabetics is higher than the non-diabetics, but the mean percentage of hexagonal cells in diabetics is reduced.
Financial Performance of Paper and Paper Product Companies in India in Post-Liberalization Period: An Exploratory Study

This paper analyses the financial performance of Indian paper and paper product companies using data from CMIE over the period, 2000-01 to 2008-09.The analysis has been conducted from seven key financial dimensions, namely, financial profitability, capital structure, operational efficiency, fixed asset age, current asset efficiency and liquidity position. The financial performance analysis identifies financial strength and weakness of the firms within paper industry. The study suggests that liquidity position and profitability of the industry as a whole are sound and strong ensuring good liquidity management and better profitability to both investors as well as entrepreneurs. The study reveals that high and gradually increasing current asset turnover has been a contributing factor responsible for ensuring current asset efficiency which means that resources like current assets of the firms of the industry are getting utilized more efficiently. But, dividend payment being lower, the companies need to improve the quantum of dividend payment in order to satisfy the investors without affecting the future expansion and modernization programmes of the sector. Moreover, companies should make a concerted effort in maximizing assets and minimizing liabilities so that overall financial position could be improved. Key words: Paper, industry, financial performance, multiple regression, India.
Patient Safety Awareness among Future Health Professionals in a Pakistani Medical College of Military Set-up

Objective: To assess the awareness among undergraduate medical students towards patient safety in a medical school of the military set up in Pakistan. Methods: “Attitudes toward Patient Safety Questionnaire III” was used to assess awareness of MBBS students regarding patient safety. The questionnaire on 7 points Likert scale was administered to MBBS students of the fourth and final year during their clinical rotation at “The CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of Dentistry” in 2019. Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20 was used for the analysis of data. Results: The questionnaire was filled by 166 participants, yielding a response rate of 80%. The two out of nine domains regarding “teamwork” and “long working hours” scored the highest 6.0 mean score. “Disclosure responsibility” scored lowest 4.4 mean score followed by domain regarding “Professional incompetence” 4.5 and “Error inevitability” 4.7. Domain about the integration of this emerging issue in the curriculum scored 5.5. The mean scores of items showed no significant difference with respect to their academic levels and gender. Conclusion: Students showed an interest in patient safety. Most of them supported the integration of this important issue in an undergraduate medical curriculum. However, there was a knowledge gap among students regarding the causes and disclosure of medical errors. Due to insufficient awareness among future doctors, the inclusion of the formal patient safety curriculum and its early integration from the beginning of medical education is imperative.
Studies on the Nutritional and Quality Characteristics of Cucumis Sativus Varieties

The present study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional, functional and quality parameters of different varieties of locally available cucumbers and their shelf stability. Cucumbers are botanically categorized as berries, which are available in many different sizes, shapes and colors. The most popular variety is the long smooth salad cucumber which has a smooth, dark-green skin. Some of the varieties of cucumbers available in local markets of India are English, Holenarasipur, Dotted, Zucchini, Gherkin, Armenian, Organic Zucchini, Organic Regular, Regular, Pranic healed cucumber. Pranic healing is an Ancient Science and Art of healing using Prana or life force. Different varieties of fresh cucumbers were studied for nutritional parameters: Moisture, vitamin-C; functional parameters: total phenols, antioxidant activity, and quality parameters: pH, brix and titrable acidity. All the 9 varieties were evaluated for the above mentioned parameters in different parts of cucumber viz, whole vegetable, peel and pulp. Highest moisture content was observed in English, Zucchini and Pranic healed cucumbers, and the lowest moisture content was found in two varieties, viz, Holenarasipur and dotted variety. Zucchini, organic variety had the highest vitamin C, antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content and was lowest found in Holenarisupur variety.
Airborne Fungi in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Public Hospital in Brazil

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 12 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com Fungi are opportunistic organisms with wide geographical distribution and can also be found in the hospital environment. These microorganisms can cause infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate airborne fungal contamination in two neonatal intensive care units (ICU) of a public hospital before and after cleaning. The technique of Petri dishes exposure containing Sabouraud agar with 50mg/L chloramphenicol was used for sample collection. Air conditioning filters were also sampled using a sterile swab for fungal collection. The identification of fungal isolates was performed by observing macroscopic and microscopic structures. A total of 1305 colony forming units was isolated, where: 718 (55.0%) were isolated before neonatal ICU cleaning and 587 (45.0%) after cleaning. Forty-two species belonging to 24 genera were identified, being Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium aurantiogriseum and Aspergillus oryzae the most frequent species in the analyzed samples. The presence of pathogenic fungi in ICUs demonstrates the need for constant monitoring of indoor air quality in order to better control airborne contamination in hospital environments. K e y w o r d s Air quality, Airborne fungi, Neonatal ICU, Hospital infection, Indoor air Accepted: 10 November 2019
Morphologic study of diaphyseal nutrient foramina in dried fibulae and its clinical implications

Background: Fibula is an important site for muscle attachment. It is used as a vascularised graft for conditions such as stabilization of lost mandible, spine and even the tibia. The knowledge of morphological and topographic distribution of nutrient foramina of fibula is important to avoid damage to the nutrient arteries during surgical procedures. Methods: The study was conducted on 50 adult dried fibulae. Diaphyseal nutrient foramina were identified by their elevated margins and by the presence of a distinct groove proximal to them. Foramen index was calculated. Results: 90% fibulae showed single nutrient foramen, in 8% of fibulae nutrient foramen was absent and 2% fibulae presented with double nutrient foramina. 95.74% nutrient foramina were directed away from growing end, while 4.54% nutrient foramina were directed towards the growing end. 82.7% nutrient foramina were observed in the middle zone. All the foramina were present on the posterior surface. 48.93% of the foramina were present on the medial crest, 38.29% were present between the medial crest and posterior border. The mean foramen index of all the fibulae studied was 43.73. Conclusions: The knowledge of nutrient foramina is essential to preserve the vascularity of bone. This study aids the clinician in fracture reductions and bone grafting.
THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ON EARNINGS MANAGEMENT OF MALAYSIA AND NIGERIA BANKS

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of changes from Malaysia and Nigeria previous accounting standards to IFRSs-based standards on earnings management of Malaysia and Nigeria banks. Limited studies on the association between IFRS and earnings management in emerging economies and the continuous exclusion of financial institutions from samples of prior studies motivated this study to acquire the banking sector of two emerging countries – Malaysia and Nigeria in order to investigate whether changes in Malaysia and Nigeria accounting standards affects earnings management activities. Hence, this study used a sample of 23 banks representing 8 Malaysian banks and 15 Nigerian banks for a study period of 4 years (2009-2012). This study modified the Jones (1991) model to investigate earnings management in the banking sector. The modified Jones model is able to investigate earnings management in the banking sector. MFRSs and IFRSs impact more significantly and positively on the quality of accounting information of banks than the previous FRSs and SASs respectively for Malaysia and Nigeria. Specifically, the accrual and earnings quality of Nigerian banks has improved by approximately 41% and Malaysia banks 12.6% during the IFRSs/MFRSs adoption era. This study therefore recommends that globally, IFRSs should be adopted as the standard for the preparation and reporting of financial statements.
EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF METFORMIN AS ADJUVANT THERAPY TO NSAID (MELOXICAM) IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

The study was performed on 68 patients who have symptomatic and radiologic evidence of painful OA of the knee. Patients were allocated into two groups, group A: treated with meloxicam (15mg/day) alone, and group B: treated with metformin (500mg/12 hr.) + meloxicam (15mg/day). The treatment was followed for 12 weeks, and serum levels of inflammatory mediators including IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α were measured before, after 6, and 12 weeks of treatment. The results showed that metformin, when used in combination with NSAID resulted in significant reduction in the serum levels of inflammatory mediators and consequently the intensity of symptoms, higher than that produced by meloxicam when used alone. Study showed that administration of metformin as adjuvant therapy to NSAID, meloxicam, in OA patients produced very well characterized anti-inflammatory activities, and improves the therapeutic profile of meloxicam.
Optimization of Antilisterial Activity of Cell-Adsorbed Bacteriocin Produced by Lactobacillus Curvatus CWBI-B28 By Essential Oils to Control Listeria Monocytogenes in Attiéké : Traditional Food Made Côte d’Ivoire

To study the effectiveness of a combination of lyophylized cell-adsorbed bacteriocin (LCAB; a suspension of producer cells on which maximum bacteriocin has been immobilized by pH adjustments) of a Lactobacillus curvatus strain with oreganoor savory essential oil to control Listeria monocytogenes in Ivorian traditional food, namely « Attiéké » at 4°C, the antimicrobial activity of the LCAB and six different essential oils was tested by the well diffusion assay against L. monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhi. The anti-Listeria activity of the LCAB and oregano or savory essential oils was also investigated in Attiéké matrix. The results of the well diffusion assay showed that LCAB was only inhibitory to L. monocytogenes while savory and oregano essential oils had the ability to inhibit the three indicator strains. In Attiéké matrix, Listeria counts have declined from 102 CFU g-1 to below the detectable limit during the first week of storage in samples treated with LCAB or oregano essential oil and in those treated with LCAB combined with oregano or savory essential oil. That said, there is a resumption of growth of L. monocytogenes cells after the third week ofstorage in all samples with the exception of those treated with the combination of LCAB and oregano essential oil. The combination of LCAB with savory essential oil resulted in a 2-week delay of the growth rebound compared with samples treated with LCAB alone. Addition of oregano or savory essential oil exhibited a synergistic effect with LCAB in Listeria growth controlling in Attiéké matrix at 4°C. The combination of LCAB with oregano or savory essential oil may be effectively used in our traditional Attiéké food to enhance it’s safety and stability.
Relationship between Shift work and High Blood Pressure- A Cross Sectional Study

Although, long-term effects of shift work are difficult to measure, researchers have found compelling connections between shift work and an increased risk of serious health conditions and diseases. To examine whether there is any relationship between the shift work and increase in blood pressure. A cross-sectional survey of Shift-workers (doctors, nurses, technicians and assistants) in the King Fahd university hospital was done by using random sampling technique during the period between October 2013 December 2013 . Blood pressure was measured twice in the sitting position with an automatic sphygmomanometer after 5 minutes of rest. Measurement was taken at the end of the shift. The mean age of the participants was 36.5 ± 4.6 years; 64% were women. The ovarall prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 33% and 4% for shift workers and 40% and 11% for non-shift workers respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of hypertension or pre-hypertension between shift workers and Nonshift workers. Shift workers did not have increase blood pressure and was not associated with hypertension or prehypertension.
LIPID PROFILE ABNORMALITIES IN HYPOTHYROIDISM

The present investigation was conducted to study the contributive role of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism in causing dyslipidemia. A total of 220 clinical hypothyroidism patients, 146 subclinical hypothyroids and 200 euthyroid controls, with a mean age of 39 years (range25 – 55 years) were included. The thyropropin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels of the patients were assayed by enzyme immunoassay method on ELISA Reader and lipid profile of the patients was estimated by enzymatic colorimetric method. The clinical hypothyroid patients exhibited decline in T3 and T4 concentration (T3 < 0.80 ng/ml, T4 < 4.5 μg/dl) and elevation in TSH level (TSH > 6 mIU/dl) whereas subclinical hypothyroidism patients have high thyrotropin concentration (TSH >6 mIU/dl) with normal thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels. The patients with clinical hypothyroidism exhibited significant increase in concentration of total cholesterol ((p<0.0001), LDL (p<0.0001) and triglycerides (p<0.0001), whereas HDL (p<0.0001) showed a decrease in its concentration in comparison to euthyroid controls. A decline in the the hepatic lipase activity (p<0.0001) was also noted. Subclinical hypothyroid patients revealed significant increase in concentration of total cholesterol (p<0.0001), LDL (p<0.0001) and triglycerides level (p<0.0001). Non significant decrease in HDL was observed in subclinical hypothyroid patients. We have found that hypothyroidism is associated with an atherogenic lipid and lipoprotein profile, characterized by an increase in concentration of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and by decrease in HDL levels.
STUDY OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF LEAVES OF LANTANA CAMARA

Medicinal plants are gaining global attention owing to the fact that the herbal drugs are cost effective, easily available and with negligible side effects. The beneficial effects of the medicinal plants in health care can be well judged from the WHO estimate that around 80% of the world population uses them in some form or the other. It is important to note that homeopathy and modern medicine have their roots in medicinal plants. In the present investigation, different polar (aqueous and methanolic) and non polar (hexane) solvent extracts of leaves of Lantana camara at 250μg/ml were investigated for antimicrobial potential against different microbial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. The results showed that methanolic and aqueous extracts have significant antimicrobial activity in comparison to that of hexane extracts. Amongst all these extracts, methanolic extract had significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (45 mm) and Bacillus licheniformis (50 mm) while aqueous extract was found to have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (43 mm) while hexane extract was found to have no antibacterial activity against all the microbes studied. The Phytochemical screening results of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the leaves of the plant showed the presence of tannins, steroids, saponin, glycosides and reducing sugars while alkaloids and flavanoids were found to be absent.
Reduced Activation of CD4+ Regulatory T Cells is Associated With Preserved HIV- Specific CD8+ T Cells in Cohort of Indian Long Term Non Progressors (LTNPs)

Understanding the immune correlates of non-progressive HIV infection is utmost important in planning immune protection strategies like vaccine and also efficient immune therapies. HIV infected Long term Non Progressors (LTNPs) maintain CD4 counts for more than 7-10 years of HIV infection and may or may not have detectable viral load whereas the elite controllers (ECs) limit the viral load below undetectable level (<50 copies/ml) and also have normal CD4 count [1-3]. Since both these populations are known to be infected with replication competent HIV, these populations are thus could be used as a model for understanding immune correlates of absence of disease progression. Presence of HIV-specific CD8+ CTL responses is known to be important factor contributing in control over disease progression [4-6]. The Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have an immuno regulatory function and known to control immune activation and inflammation [7-9] and could also play a role in the HIV disease progression.
VARIOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS: A PROMISING TREATMENT FOR MULTIDRUG- RESISTANT BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM WOUND INFECTION

Bacteria have proved remarkably developing resistant to a known antibiotic; however, Medicinal plants have manifested notably useful for the control of bacterial infections. This study aimed to isolate and identify the multidrug-resistant bacteria from wound infection, then examine the antibacterial activity of different concentration of the ethanolic extracts of Cymbopogon proximus, Azadirachta indica, and Grewia senegalensis plants against it. One hundred specimens collected from wound infection, isolation and identification done according to standard methods. Antibiotics susceptibility test performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for: Cotrimoxazole (25 μg) Ciprofloxacin (5 μg), Gentamicin (10 μg), Imipenem (10 μg), Erythromycin (15 μg), Tetracycline (30 μg) Methacillin (5 μg), Ceftazidime (30 μg). 94 isolates showed bacterial growth, 40 (42.6%) isolates were Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and 54 sample Gram-negative bacteria; 15 (27.8%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 13 (24.1%) Proteus spp, 12 (22.2%) Escherichia coli, 10 (18.5%) Klebsiella pneumonia, 4 (7.4%) Citrobacter freundii. Ethanolic extracts from Sudanese medicinal plants namely Cymbopogon proximus, Azadirachta indica, and Grewia senegalensis, screened for their antimicrobial properties against isolated multidrug-resistant bacteria at different concentrations; 100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/ml using agar disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. The result revealed that all plants extracts were active against most of the resistant bacteria with MIC ranges from 50-6.25 mg/ml. In conclusion, the number of multidrug-resistant bacteria in wound infection was high, and the tested plant's species have a promising level of activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, manufacture these extracts at pharmacological form such as topical ointment should also be considered. INTRODUCTION: The term multidrug-resistant's (MDR) applies to the bacterium that is simultaneously resistant to some antimicrobials belonging to different chemical classes 1-3 .
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FLIPPED LEARNING IN DEVELOPING ENGLISH GRAMMATICAL PERFORMANCE OF UNDERACHIEVING LANGUAGE LEARNERS AT THE SECONDARY STAGE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of flipped learning in improving English grammatical performance in speaking and writing of underachieving language learners. The participants of the study consisted of forty nine first year secondary stage students at Port Said military secondary school for boys in Port Said Governorate. The two groups pre-post test quasi-experimental design was used. The instruments of the study included the verbal intelligence test for youth prepared by Hammed Zahran and the prepost grammatical performance in speaking test and grammatical performance in writing test. The results of the study revealed that flipped learning significantly developed English grammatical performance in speaking and writing of both underachieving language learners and their normal peers.