Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistic Course: Can it Improves Numeric Reasoning Ability?

Background. Statistics courses are often one of the courses that must be taught in a college study program. Statistics help students think logically and implement a variety of problem-solving strategies. Statistical learning involves the ability of numerical reasoning to understand data processing and mathematical problems. Will statistics courses be able to improve students’ numerical reasoning? Purpose. This study aims to find out the comparison of students’ numerical reasoning skills before and after taking statistics courses. Materials and methods. A total of 63 students who took statistics courses became a sample. This research uses a quantitative approach. Data collection was conducted over a semester in an online course using a basic proficiency test of numerical reasoning section (α Cronbach = 0.899). The statistical analysis technique used is a Wilcoxon test paired sample. Results. The results of this study showed an increase in numerical reasoning in students after attending statistics courses (M = 7.50; SD = 1.87; p < 0.05). The results of other related studies were also discussed. Conclusion. The implication of this study is a statistical course learning model that can be replicated. The increase in numerical ability is also evidence that this ability can be trained with more exposure, the more students will increase their abilities.
Effect of Corporate Governance on Performance of ‎Microfinance Banks in Nigeria‎

Good corporate governance is perceived as a key component of sustainability for Microfinance ‎Banks (MFBs) as it is assumed to help them achieve their social and financial objectives. This study ‎examined the effect of corporate governance on the performance of MFBs in Nigeria. Corporate ‎governance was proxied by audit committees, board size and composition while Return on Equity ‎‎(ROE) was used as the measure of financial performance. Twelve MFBs were randomly selected ‎from South West, Nigeria. Secondary data was obtained from the annually published reports of the ‎selected licensed microfinance banks in Nigeria between ten years period of 2011 and 2020. Data ‎were analyzed using regression and correlation techniques. ‎ The results demonstrated that board size correlates favourably and significantly with MFBs ‎performance, implying that larger boards improve bank performance. Board composition exhibited ‎a strong positive relationship with MFBs’ performance. Furthermore, audit committees correlate ‎positively and significantly with MFBs’ performance, demonstrating that audit committees are ‎important components of corporate governance. Finally, the study found that corporate governance ‎proxies (audit committees, board size, and composition) have a positive and significant effect on ‎MFB's performance in Nigeria. ‎ Consequentially, this study suggests that an operational audit committee be established if MFBs’ ‎credibility, efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability are to be ensured. MFBs should also ‎maintain a completely unbiased board composition to ensure optimal achievement of goals and ‎long-term profit maximization. ‎
Human Life during a Pandemic: Exploring Intercorrelation between Fear of COVID-19 and Cognitive Judgments of Satisfaction

The cognitive judgment of satisfaction is suggested to be influenced by self-perceived levels of fear of COVID-19. However, limited research has been conducted as to the effects of fear of COVID-19 on the internal structure of the cognitive judgments of satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate the intercorrelation that existed between fear of COVID-19 and cognitive judgments of satisfaction via taking a sample of the population in the Kurdistan region of Iraq (n = 214). The findings suggested that there was a significant correlation between fear of COVID-19 and cognitive judgments of satisfaction. Accordingly, the results indicated that they share a significant negative association. Furthermore, results revealed that the level of fear that an individual experience during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacts on different types of life dissatisfaction. Therefore, individuals with different types of dissatisfaction in life (i.e., extremely dissatisfied, dissatisfied, and slightly dissatisfied) showed significantly higher levels of fear of COVID-19 than individuals with different types of life satisfaction.
Antifungal effect of acetogenins from avocado (Persea americana Mill.) seed against the fungus Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea (grey mould) is the causal agent of grey rot in strawberries. Worldwide, it causes substantial pre- and postharvest losses (40 - 60%), attacking over 1,400 crops. To combat this phytopathogenic fungus, synthetic preservatives including potassium sorbate (PS) are used, and other barrier technologies have been investigated. Avocado seed acetogenins (ASAs) have been studied for their antibacterial activity but not for their antifungal effect. The effect of ASAs against mycelial growth and conidia of B. cinerea in vitro is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to investigate the antifungal effect of a crude avocado seed extract enriched with acetogenins (Avosafe®) against mycelial growth and conidial germination of B. cinerea in vitro. Twelve Avosafe® treatments were tested using an agar extract dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the antifungal effect of Avosafe® on mycelial growth and conidial germination were tested after 96 and 5 h of incubation at 18 ± 1°C, respectively. An adjusted kinetic Gompertz model was used to determine the growth phase in which Avosafe® affected mycelial growth and conidial germination. Avosafe® at a concentration of 7,500 mg/L directly affected the stationary phase of the developing fungus with no significant differences (p > 0.05) with typical usage level of PS (1,000 mg/L). The mean fungistatic concentration of mycelial growth (661 mg/L) was associated with a 78% reduction in the percentage of conidial germination, whereas its IC50 at this stage was 75.42 mg/L. Therefore, Avosafe® could be a possible alternative as natural fungistatic agent against B. cinerea in processed food products such as strawberry purée.
Prevalence of Salmonella typhi in among febrile patients in a tertiary care hospital of South West Rajasthan

Background: Salmonella enterica, serotype typhi, remains the predominant Salmonella species causing enteric fever in India. The mode of Salmonella typhi transmission is considered to be predominantly vehicle-borne through contaminated water or food. In India, the incidence of Salmonella typhi occurs between the months of April and June (dry season) followed by July and September (monsoon season). Typhoid fever may be difficult to distinguish clinically from other febrile illnesses and if left untreated, intestinal, neuropsychiatric, and other complications develop in some patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. typhi in bloodstream infections and its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among patients with febrile illness. Methodology: Febrile patients admitted in the hospital who were prescribed blood culture tests and whose samples were sent to microbiology laboratory were included in the study. All blood samples (average 5 mL for adults and 2–3 mL for pediatric age group) were immediately inoculated into Bac-T ALERT aerobic blood culture bottles containing sodium polyethanol sulfonate as an anticoagulant (0.025%). If growth was isolated, isolated colony characteristics of growth and Gram stain were assessed. On Gram staining, typical nonlactose fermenting Gram negative bacilli were further subjected to species identification and detection of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern on the VITEK2. Results: In this study period, a total of 511 blood culture (paired) samples were processed, out of which 47 isolates of Salmonella were obtained. Among these isolates, 33 (70.23%) were from males, and 14 (29.77%) were from females. Amongst these, 35 (74.4%) patients were from rural, 8 (17%) were from subrural, and 4 (8.5%) were from urban areas. Out of the total 47 isolates of Salmonella, 42 (89.36%) were Salmonella typhi, 2 (4.25%) were Salmonella paratyphi A and B each, and 1 (2.12%) was Salmonella enterica. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella isolates revealed that all the isolates of Salmonella species were highly susceptible (95%–100%) to third generation cephalosporins (ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cefoperazone-sulbactam) and other higher antibiotics such as betalactamase inhibitors – piperacillin tazobactam (95%–100%) and Ticarcillin–clavulanic acid (100%). They were also highly susceptible (100%) to carbapenams (imipenem, merpenem, doripenem, and ertapenem) but showed a fairly decreased susceptibility was towards nalidixic acid with 15% for Salmonella typhi and 50% for other Salmonella isolates. Conclusion: Surging drug-resistant Salmonella enterica cases, the level of resistance was not as high as predicted in our study population. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) trends may vary; therefore, drug susceptibility testing side-by-side to empirical therapy is mandatory, especially in developing countries where there is a practice of self-medication.
Maternal mental health and its determinants during COVID-19, experience from Kashmir, Northern India

Background: Since the start of the pandemic due to coronavirus 2019, stresses and anxiety have increased in all age-groups. We aimed to study the common mental disorders in pregnant and lactating females and study their fears and copings during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: Purposive sampling was employed in our study. We included all pregnant and lactating females who consented to participate in the study. A total of 95 females were included in our study. We used a semi-structured questionnaire with questions regarding socio-demographic variables and questions related to apprehensions due to COVID-19, belonging to high-risk group, and structured instruments like Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Results: The mean age of our study population was 30.8 ± 3.67 years. The majority of our patients were married (93) and homemakers (61) and studied up to 12th grade. Among our patients, 33 tested positive for COVID-19 and 12 patients were hospitalized for COVID-19-related symptoms. Thirty-nine females were pregnant and 56 were lactating. Preexisting medical illness was seen in 23, and psychiatric illness was already present in 19 patients. Major depression was seen in 43% of females, mild anxiety symptoms in 69%, severe anxiety in 8%, mild obsessive compulsive disorder in 16%, and moderate in 10% of cases. Conclusion: In our cases, anxiety and depression were seen in increased prevalence as compared to pre-pandemic levels. Being hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms, social isolation and apprehensions regarding the baby increased the risk of depression.
Application Effect of Dexmedetomidine and Dezocine in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Surgery under General Anesthesia and Analysis of Their Roles in Recovery Time and Cognitive Function

Objective To explore the application influence of dexmedetomidine (DEX) and dezocine in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery under general anesthesia and analysis of their roles in recovery time and cognitive function. Methods A total of 120 patients who accepted thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection in our hospital from November 2021 to April 2022 were selected and randomly divided into group A (n =60) and group B (n =60). DEX combined with dezocine-assisted anesthesia was performed to group A, and the equal dose of normal saline was administered to group B, so as to compare their inflammatory influence level, brain function, arterial blood gas index, and cognitive function. Results Compared with group B, group A obtained significantly lower intraoperative and postoperative inflammatory factor levels (P < 0.001), better postoperative brain function and arterial blood gas index (P < 0.001), and lower Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) scores after surgery (P < 0.001). Combining DEX with dezocine-assisted general anesthesia can improve the inflammatory factors level of patients undergoing lung cancer surgery and maintain their brain function and oxygen saturation, so that they have better postoperative cognitive function. Therefore, such anesthesia modality should be promoted in practice.
COVID-19 vaccination: Is it a matter of concern?

Background: COVID-19 vaccination is still a matter of concern among the public since its inception. Primary care physicians being in prime position can share accurate and ample information about COVID-19 vaccination so we estimated proportion and determinants of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with Covishield vaccine, vaccination and reasons of non-vaccination. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2021. Data collection was done by using data capture tool Epicollect-5. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of AEFI and vaccine acceptance with various demographic variables. Results: Of 520 subjects, 408 got vaccinated, and of these 125 (30.6%) developed AEFI. Females without AEFI had lower median age than females having AEFI. Only religion (aOR = 5.311; 95%CI: 1.216–23.1) was significantly associated with AEFI. Education (aOR = 0.399; 95%CI: 0.199–0.799), marital status (aOR = 0.459; 95%CI: 0.245–0.858), and religion (aOR = 3.874; 95%CI: 1.96–7.648) were significantly associated with vaccination. Most common local AEFIs were inflammation (46; 36.8%) followed by lump (10; 8%) at the site of injection. Most common systemic AEFI were fever (87; 69.6%), feeling unwell (65; 52%), generalized weakness/fatigue (30; 20%), tiredness (26; 20.8%), flu-like symptoms (12; 9.6%), dizziness (10; 8%), headache (8; 6.4%) and gastrointestinal events (7; 5.6%). Conclusion: Most of the AEFI were mild and transient, resolved without any medical management. This study warrants active reporting of AEFI, public release of safety, and efficacy data. Primary care physicians can play a pivotal role by targeted awareness campaigns and trust-building activities to alleviate fear and anxiety related to vaccine.
Correlation of iron levels with glycemia and microvascular complications among type II diabetes mellitus patients in Najran university hospital

Background: Diabetes is influenced by changes in the body's iron levels. Because iron deficiency anemia is common in diabetes, this study examines the link between iron, glycemic control, and complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The study is a cross-sectional study conducted from October 2019 to June 2020 at Najran university hospital in the Najran area, Saudi Arabia. All T2DM patients (N = 201) during the study were recruited by simple random sampling. A checklist was completed to extract the study variables from each patient's medical record. Results: There is a positive poor correlation between hemoglobin (Hb) and diabetic foot (r = 0.186, P < 0.05), but not with other diabetic microvascular complications (i.e., retinopathy, nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy) or glycemic indicators fasting blood sugar, random blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (i.e., FBS, RBS, and HbA1C). No link is found between ferritin and glycemic indicators or diabetic microvascular complications. Conclusion: The study suggests that particular attention be paid to regular monitoring of iron levels before modifying the treatment plans for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. It raises critical inquiry about the reality of iron role in diabetes mellitus either in pathogenesis or treatment. It recommends accurately assessing body iron status with careful interpretation for better clinical judgment, encouraging large-scale and long-term epidemiological as well as interventional trials examining the effect of lowering iron in controlling glycemia.
Sports therapists’ perceptions and experiences of graduate employment

Background/Aims Graduate employability is complex and has moved beyond the notion of subject-specific skills being sufficient for acquiring a graduate level job, to now include important transferable skills. Sports therapy is a rapidly expanding profession focusing on assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions. These facets encompass components of critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal skills and communication, thus courses can set graduates up for careers within or outside the industry. The three aims of this study were to survey BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy graduates to determine their current employment status and job role, explore graduates’ experience of their undergraduate programme and investigate graduates’ perceptions of how well the programme had prepared them for subsequent employment. Methods BSc (Hons) sports therapy graduates from two British universities were surveyed regarding their experience of their undergraduate degree programme and their perceptions of how well the programme had prepared them for employment. The survey was distributed to approximately 150 graduates and had a response rate of 23% (35 graduates). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the responses to the multiple-choice questions and thematic analysis was performed on free-text responses. Results Overall, 43% of respondents were employed as sports therapists and needed their degree to get their jobs. A total of 71% of respondents felt that their degree had equipped them fully or partly for employment. Free-text responses generated three themes relating to sports therapy specific skills, job availability and work-based learning opportunities. Managing student expectations, continued exposure to the range of career opportunities available and developing students subject-specific skills, ‘soft’ or transferrable skills, as well as personal characteristics, can help with employability. Conclusions Courses should be sensitive to the demands of a changing employment landscape and, as such, encourage a student-centred approach and support placement opportunities to help with graduate employability.
The Level of Knowledge and Constraints Faced by the Malay Language Teachers While using the Google Meet Application in Online Teaching and Learning

The usage of Google Meet (GM) application is one of the methods of manual teaching that introduced by the KPM. The purpose of this research is to explore the level of knowledge and constraints faced by the teachers while using GM as the medium of implementation of an online teaching and learning (T&L) Malay Language in secondary school. A total of 11 Malay Language teachers in Kulim, Kedah is taking part as participants to be interviewed. 5 of Malay Language teachers who are teaching in the town area and another 6 teachers who are teaching Malay Language in rural area are chosen as participants. All of them are experienced Malay Language teachers. Interview data are analyzed as narrative. The finding shows that the level of online teaching knowledge every teacher is high. The constraints and difficulties faced by the teachers while using the GM application is the student’s behavior who are not ready for the online learning, as well as the parents’ attitude who do not cooperative in online T&L. The study proofs even though the online T&L is a new norm in an education context in Malaysia, but the teachers are giving high commitment in executing the online T&L. The teachers are using a variety tools and methods of digital applications such as GM to attract students’ interest in online learning.
Historical trends in climate indices relevant to surface air temperature and precipitation in Japan for recent 120 years

Geographical distributions of trends in climate indices with statistical significance in Japan are investigated at each of the 51 observation stations for the recent 120 years. We employed a comprehensive set of the 70 climate indices on an annual timescale to detect climate changes and to facilitate climate information for a variety of sectors, which are developed by expert team on sector‐specific indices in the World Meteorological Organization. The rising trends have regional differences such as the annual mean of daily maximum and minimum surface air temperatures in the Kanto‐Koushin region. The statistically significant increasing trends in three daily heavy precipitation‐relevant climate indices, R95p, R99p, and RX1day, are seen in Hokuriku, Shikoku, the western part of Northern and Southern Kyusyu regions, and isolated stations in the other regions. Rotational empirical orthogonal function analysis of R99p revealed different features of statistically significant modes suggesting the trends are attributed to changes in different atmospheric phenomena as well as those of warm spell duration index. The number of the stations with statistically significant trends varies with an index. Indies relevant to daily minimum surface air temperatures have statistically significant trends at most of the 51 stations. Consecutive dry days are the most sensitive to climate changes for the 120 years among the indices relevant to precipitation in this analysis. The indices relevant to heavy precipitation are not always been most sensitive to climate change detections in Japan. The geographical distributions of the percentage of the number of indices with statistically significant changes to the total number of the stations provide information about stations sensitive to climate changes. The highest sensitivity is seen at Kumamoto. These results directly provide detection of climate changes and show the potentials of which index is sensitive to ongoing climate changes from the viewpoint of geographical distributions.
Representing negated statements: when false possibilities also play in the mind

ABSTRACT Some possibilities (e.g. “there are roses and lilies”) are true given a particular expression (e.g. “If there are roses, then there are lilies”) but false given another (e.g. “It is not the case that there are roses and lilies”). Deductive theories disagree about what people have in mind after reading these sentences. This research reports the results of two priming experiments that examine the mental representations underlying the comprehension of negated conjunctions, affirmative conjunctions and affirmative conditionals. Experiment 1 revealed that people have more accessible true possibilities when they are explicit models than false possibilities, but true and false possibilities are equally accessible to them when both are in the initial models. Experiment 2 extended this to show that for both true and false possibilities, the initial models are the most accessible possibilities. We discuss the implications of the results for theories of reasoning.