Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Significant Factors Contributing to Extension of Time in Road Construction Contracts in Ghana

The purpose of this study was to assess the significant factors contributing to the extension of time within the road construction sector in Ghana. A quantitative study was conducted within the road agencies in the Sunyani Metropolis namely; Ghana Highway Authority, Department of Urban Roads and the Department of Feeder Roads. A total number of sixty-two (62) questionnaires were administered to management professionals (quantity surveyors, contract managers and engineers) for this study. Relative Importance Index, the mean score and One-Sample test were used for analysing the data. Adverse weather conditions, changes to the original contract scope, and suspension of work revealed to be the most significant factors contributing to extension of time in road construction contracts in Ghana. The researchers recommend that there should be clear guidelines for extension of time known to all the major stakeholders of road construction projects in Ghana to contribute to the effective management of time claims within the road construction sector.
Metabolic Syndrome Increases the Risk of Plasma Vitamin A, C, E and D Deficiency

The increasing incidence of metabolic diseases such as obesity or diabetes made them a major public health problem. Increasing oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species, which initiate the oxidative adverse changes in the cell, is mentioned, among other risk factors, to underlie these diseases. Vitamin A, C and E are listed among non-enzymatic mechanisms counteracting this phenomenon. Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of vitamin A, C, E and D deficit in plasma of metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. Material and methods: The study included 191 patients with MS and 98 subjects without MS. Log-linear analysis was used in the assessment of mutual interactions between the vitamin concentration and the analysis of classification by ROC curves to predict the frequency of vitamin deficiency in MS patients. Results: A correlation was found between the plasma level of vitamins in the group of MS patients. Vitamin A concentration correlated with that of vitamin C (r=0.51, p=0.0000), vitamin D (r=0.49, p=0.0000) and E (r=0.32, p=0.0001). The plasma level of vitamin D correlated with the level of vitamin E (r=0.46, p=0.00000) and vitamin C (r=0.37, p=0.0000). Regression analysis showed a correlation between the concentration of the tested vitamins in patients with MS. Interactions were observed between vitamins C-A and C-D. HDL cholesterol level was lower in patients with vitamin A deficiency compared to patients with its normal level. Conclusions: The plasma levels of vitamin A, C, E and D were significantly lower in patients with MS than in healthy subjects and they mutually correlated with each other. The normalization of glucose and HDL level may contribute to the regulation of the concentration of vitamin A in patients with MS.
Pattern of Major Salivary Gland Malignancy in B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital

Background: Salivary gland tumors represent a different variety of histological types. The definite diagnosis of type of salivary gland tumor is required for proper treatment planning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of salivary gland malignancy in B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in patients of malignant salivary gland tumor registered in B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer hospital retrospectively from September 2009 to August 2012. Results: Parotid gland was the most common sites for malignant salivary gland tumor (80%) followed by submandibular gland (20%). Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor of parotid gland and Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor of submandibu-lar gland. Male: Female ratio was 1.5:1 with age range from 12 years to 71 years. Common age group for malignant salivary gland tumor was from 50 to 60 years. Conclusions: Parotid was the most common site whereas Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor of major salivary gland.
Clinical implication of maximal voluntary ventilation in myotonic muscular dystrophy

Abstract Patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1 (DM1) tend to exhibit earlier respiratory insufficiency than patients with other neuromuscular diseases at similar or higher forced vital capacity (FVC). This study aimed to analyze several pulmonary function parameters to determine which factor contributes the most to early hypercapnia in patients with DM1. We analyzed ventilation status monitoring, pulmonary function tests (including FVC, maximal voluntary ventilation [MVV], and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure), and polysomnography in subjects with DM1 who were admitted to a single university hospital. The correlation of each parameter with hypercapnia was determined. Subgroup analysis was also performed by dividing the subjects into 2 subgroups according to usage of mechanical ventilation. Final analysis included 50 patients with a mean age of 42.9 years (standard deviation = 11.1), 46.0% of whom were male. The hypercapnia was negatively correlated with MVV, FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and their ratios to predicted values in subjects with myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1. At the same partial pressure of carbon dioxide, the ratio to the predicted value was lowest for MVV, then FEV1, followed by FVC. Moreover, the P values for differences in MVV and its ratio to the predicted value between ventilator users and nonusers were the lowest. When screening ventilation failure in patients with DM1, MVV should be considered alongside other routinely measured parameters.
Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Blanded Learning berbantuan Kahoot terhadap Motivasi dan Kemandirian Siswa

This research aimed to know: The Effect of kahoot-assisted Blanded Learning model towards students’ motivation and Learning independence in subject of digital simulation for student of XI TKJ at SMK Bajang NW Ajan in the academic years 2019/2020. This research was a quantitative method of transfortation. The research design was a pre-ekperimental design in the form of one group pretest and posttest design. The population wa all students of XI TKJ consisting 30 students. The techniques used to collegt data were questionnaires and observation sheets. The questionnaire was used to measure students motivation and observation sheets. The questionnaire was used to measure students motivation and observation sheets were used to measure students’ learning independence. Analysis tehniques used was to measure students’ motivation and observation sheets were used to measure students’ learning independence. The analysis technique was the Paired Sample T-tes using SPSS. The test results showed that: (1) there was the influence of kahoot-assisted Blanded Learning models towards students’ learning motivation with a significance value of 11.390<1,699 and 0,000<0,05 (ρ<0.05). : (2) there was an influence of blanded learning assisted kaoot-assisted learning model -towards students’ learning indepedence of woyh a significance value of 21.892<1,699 and 0,000<0,05 (ρ<0.05).
NF90 modulates processing of a subset of human pri-miRNAs

MicroRNAs are predicted to regulate the expression of more than 60% of mammalian genes and play fundamental roles in most biological processes. Deregulation of miRNA expression is a hallmark of most cancers and further investigation of mechanisms controlling miRNA biogenesis is needed. The dsRNA-binding protein, NF90 has been shown to act as a competitor of Microprocessor for a limited number of pri-miRNAs. Here, we show that NF90 has a more widespread effect on pri-miRNA biogenesis than previously thought. Genome-wide approaches revealed that NF90 is associated with the stem region of 38 pri-miRNAs, in a manner that is largely exclusive of Microprocessor. Following loss of NF90, 22 NF90-bound pri-miRNAs showed increased abundance of mature miRNA products. NF90-targeted pri-miRNAs are highly stable, having a lower free energy and fewer mismatches compared to all pri-miRNAs. Mutations leading to less stable structures reduced NF90 binding while increasing pri-miRNA stability led to acquisition of NF90 association, as determined by RNA EMSA. NF90-bound and modulated pri-miRNAs are embedded in introns of host genes and expression of several host genes is concomitantly modulated. These data suggest that NF90 controls the processing of a subset of highly stable, intronic miRNAs.
Palliative Care and Moral Distress in the Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Literature Review

Moral distress is a harmful emotional experience that often afflicts health care providers who care for dying patients. First described among nurses, morally distressing situations are particularly common in critical care, where nurses and other providers can feel forced to prolong their patients’ death and suffering in pursuit of curative treatment. Meanwhile, the role of palliative care in the intensive care unit (ICU) continues to evolve, necessitating inquiry about how access to palliative care might affect the moral distress of ICU clinicians. The purpose of this review was to examine the relationship between palliative care and moral distress among health care providers in the adult ICU. An integrative review methodology was used to examine theoretical and empirical literature from 6 databases. Four studies—2 qualitative and 2 quantitative descriptive studies—met the final criteria for inclusion. Overall, inadequate palliative care seems to contribute to moral distress in ICU clinicians, and palliative care education alone is not sufficient to prevent moral distress in nurses and other providers. Further research is needed to examine how specific palliative interventions impact health care provider moral distress and to determine the effects of clinician moral distress on ICU patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Childhood Physical Maltreatment and Aggression among Chinese Young Adults: The Roles of Resilience and Self-Esteem

ABSTRACT While the association between childhood physical maltreatment and aggression has been verified by many studies, the mechanisms of this relationship are still unclear, particularly in China. The present study delineated characteristics of childhood physical maltreatment among Chinese young adults and estimated the relationship between childhood physical maltreatment and aggression. Data were obtained from 809 college students aged 17 to 22 years. All participants completed measures of childhood physical maltreatment, aggression, resilience, and self-esteem. Rates of physical abuse and neglect were 27.81% and 64.88%, respectively; while there were significant gender differences in childhood physical maltreatment, gender did not moderate the relationship between childhood physical maltreatment and aggression. Childhood physical maltreatment was positively associated with aggression; moreover, resilience and self-esteem mediated this relationship. Findings suggest that childhood physical maltreatment is an important public health issue; it not only has direct effects on aggression, but also has indirect effects on aggression via resilience and self-esteem. Increasing resilience and self-esteem should be applied in interventions to reduce aggression of childhood physically maltreated young adults.
Effect of Anti Diabetic Drugs on Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been defined as a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. This study includes (84) subjects, their age ranged from (40 to 54) years. (20) subjects were healthy chosen as control group and (64) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to their type of anti diabetic therapy: (23) newly diagnosed group without therapy (Group1), (20) with metformin therapy (Group2) and (21) with metformin plus glibenclamide therapies (Group3). In the study lipid profile level were quantitatively determine by enzymatic methods, in addition to that fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%) and body mass index (BMI) were identified in the patients. There is significant increase in the level of lipid profile in patients group. Metformin alone produce a non-significant favorable effect on all lipids profile parameters while metformin plus glibenclamide showed a significant reduction in TC and LDLC. Kewwords: diabetes mellitus; metformin; glibenclamide and lipid profile
Thyroid Cancer—Risks and Causes

© Touch MEdical MEdia 2014 Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, representing about 1 % of all malignancies diagnosed worldwide, with approximately 600,000 men and women alive in the US who have a history of cancer of the thyroid (http://seer.cancer.gov /statfacts/html/thyro.html). Despite its prevalence, the mortality from thyroid cancer remains relatively low at ~0.5 per 100,000 population per year as a result of the availability of effective therapies for most types of the disease. The exception to this is the anaplastic subtype, which is ranked among the most deadly of all human cancers.
Lenalidomide in Combination with Dexamethasone Is More Effective Than Dexamethasone at First Relapse in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma.

Background: High-dose dexamethasone (Dex) remains a standard therapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Lenalidomide is a novel, orally administered, immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) that has single-agent activity against MM and additive effects when combined with Dex. At the interim analysis, lenalidomide/dexamethasone achieved a significant benefit over dexamethasone, providing a longer median time to progression (TTP), higher response rates, and higher CR rates. Aim: This prospective subgroup analysis of MM-009/010 was performed to determine the potential benefit of starting lenalidomide/dexamethasone at first relapse by analyzing outcomes with lenalidomide/dexamethasone versus dexamethasone among patients who had received only 1 versus > 1 prior line of therapy. Methods: Patients who had received at least 1 prior treatment and were not refractory to dexamethasone were randomized to either receive oral lenalidomide (25 mg daily for 3 weeks every 4 weeks) plus Dex (40 mg on Days 1–4, 9–12, 17–20 every 4 weeks for 4 months, then 40 mg on Days 1–4 every cycle thereafter) or placebo plus Dex. The European Blood and Marrow Transplantation criteria were used to evaluate response. Randomization was stratified at entry by number of prior therapies (1 versus > 1). Results: Among the 248 patients who had received only 1 prior therapy, those receiving second-line lenalidomide/dexamethasone had a significantly longer median TTP (71 vs. 20 wks) and a higher response rate (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR]; 65% vs. 26%) versus those receiving second-line dexamethasone. Among the 456 patients who had received > 1 prior line of therapy, the median TTP (41 vs. 20 wks), response rate (58% vs. 20%) were higher with lenalidomide/dexamethasone compared with dexamethasone. Comparing patients who received lenalidomide/dexamethasone as second-line versus as later salvage therapy, the median TTP appeared longer and the response rates higher in patients who received lenalidomide/dexamethasone earlier, although TTP and response rates were also significantly better with lenalidomide/dexamethasone than with dexamethasone in patients who received lenalidomide/dexamethasone later. Differences in the groups included prior stem cell transplant (66% vs. 54%), thalidomide (12.5% vs. 53.2%), and bortezomib (0.4% vs. 11.6%) in the second-line versus later salvage therapy groups. No difference was observed in grade ¾ adverse events or survival with a median follow-up of 16.8 months. Conclusions: Lenalidomide/dexamethasone provided higher response rates and improved TTP compared with dexamethasone at first relapse and beyond. Response to lenalidomide/dexamethasone was superior to that to dexamethasone regardless of the type of prior therapy. TTP and response rates appeared more favorable when lenalidomide/dexamethasone was administered earlier at first relapse compared with its use as later salvage therapy. These data support the use of lenalidomide/dexamethasone for patients as second-line therapy.
Measuring Values at Work: Extending Existing Frameworks to the Context of Work

Personal values have been shown to be associated with a range of important psychological experiences, attitudes, and behaviors. Researchers and practitioners have, however, called for additional models and measures of employee values, specific to the context of work. Drawing from Schwartz’s extensively studied model of personal values, this study aimed to develop a scale that researchers and practitioners can use to measure individual work values. Data from 2,968 participants who were currently working or had previous work experience were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. An 11-factor model, aligning closely with Schwartz’s original personal values framework, yielded good fit. Furthermore, the 11 newly developed work values correlated significantly with Schwartz’s generalized values, and multidimensional scaling broadly supported a configuration consistent with that previously proposed for general values. Overall, the research makes a contribution by extending Schwartz’s extensively validated personal values framework to the context of work. The results support the psychometrics of a new measure of work values that will enable valid and reliable assessment of the important influence that work values can have on individual, team, and organizational outcomes. Practical implications, research limitations, and proposed future research directions are discussed.
Why are you here? Exploring the logic behind nonurgent use of a pediatric emergency department

Caregivers often associate fevers with permanent harm and bring children to emergency departments (EDs) unnecessarily. However, families using EDs for nonurgent complaints often have difficulty accessing quality primary care. Mutual misconceptions among caregivers and healthcare providers regarding nonurgent ED use are a barrier to implementing meaningful interventions. The purpose of this project was to identify dominant themes in caregivers’ narratives about bringing children to the ED for nonurgent fevers. Thirty caregivers were recruited in a pediatric ED for participation in qualitative semi-structured interview from August to November 2014. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed for themes. Caregivers’ decisions to come to the ED revolved around their need for reassurance that children were not in danger. Several major themes emerged: caregivers came to the ED when they felt they had no other options; parents feared that fevers would result in seizures; caregivers frequently drew on family members and the internet for health information; and many families struggled to access their PCPs for sick care due to challenging family logistics. Reducing nonurgent ED utilization requires interventions at the individual and structural level. Individual-level interventions should empower caregivers to manage fevers and other common illnesses at home. However, such interventions may have limited impact on utilization outcomes among families with poor access to primary care. Afterhours primary care should be expanded to accommodate families with rigid work schedules and limited transportation resources.
Early potato production is positively affected by potassium fertilization

Two field experiments were conducted during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt with aim of investigation of potassium application on earliness of potato. To achieve this goal, five different net potassium levels: 0, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg/Feddan were applied and potato tubers were harvested at two harvesting times: 90 and 105 days after planation. The results reported that both potassium application and harvesting time as well as their interaction significantly affected most of the studied traits. The highest values of plant height, plant fresh weight, plant dry matter, tuber dry matter, marketable yield/feddan, total yield/feddan, soluble solid content (SSC), nitrogen (N) content and potassium (K) content were obtained from the plants received 120 kg K and harvested at 105 days after planation. While, the potassium fertilized plant at 120 kg/feddan and harvested at 90 days achieved the maximum values of total yield per plant, total sugar and non-reducing sugars. However, the difference between these two treatments was not necessarily significant for some traits. In addition, the results of the current study interestingly clarified that potassium level (150 kg) negatively affected some yield attributes in both harvesting times compared to the other potassium levels. Consequently, the result of the current study indicates that high level of potassium (120 kg) can hasten the earliness of potato, which may achieve notable financial profits for potato growers.
Clinical Manifestation and Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Sinusitis in Patients with Hematological Malignancy

Background: Invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) is a potentially deadly infection especially in patients with immunocompromising conditions. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations, outcomes and factors that may affect survival of patients with IFS. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was performed on hospitalized patients admitted to Taleghani hospital affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from October 2012 to October 2013. The clinical data of 24 patients with IFS were reviewed. All patients had hematologic malignancies, and received broad spectrum chemotherapy. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, presented symptoms and signs, underlying diseases and outcomes of the patients were studied. Results: The age range of patients was 15 - 60 years. The IFS was proven, probable and possible in 25%, 66.7% and 8.3% of the cases, respectively. Serum galactomannan antigen was positive in 41.6% of the cases; 15 out of 24 cases with IFS had received antifungal chemoprophylaxis before diagnosis, 54% fluconazole and 8.3% itraconazole. Aspergillus flavus (33%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.8%), Aspergillus niger (16.7%) and Mucor spp. (16.7%) were responsible for incidence of IFS; 54% of IFS cases occurred in summer and 91.6% of occurred during hospital construction; a risk factor in 91.6% of the cases. Conclusions: Current study revealed that A. flavus was the most common isolated pathogen. Moreover, A. fumigatus was the second commonisolated pathogen in patients with IFS. Additionally, the hospital construction was an important environmental risk factor for acquisition of infection in patients with hematological malignancy. The most common season for IFS incidence was summer. Additionally, the common causes of death in patients with IFS were primary disease and also resistance to chemotherapy (37.5%).
Prevalence and Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms among University Students : From the Honam District, Korea

=0.257, p<0.001), stress (β=0.212, R 2 =0.312, p<0.001), suicidal attempt (β=0.133, R 2 =0.349, p<0.001) and female gender (β=-0.108, R 2 =0.358, p<0.001) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Among life stress factors, worry about employment, maladaptation of major field of study, appearance and body shape, lack of time and academic achievement were significantly associated, over r=0.25 with depression in sequence (r=0.256 to r=0.321). ConclusionZZThis study showed very high prevalence of depressive symptoms among universi- ty students in Honam district, Korea. Intensive mental health promotion programs to prevent de- pression and early detection of depressive symptoms appear needed to improve mental health status for university students.