Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personalised reprogramming to prevent progressive pacemaker-related left ventricular dysfunction: A phase II randomised, controlled clinical trial

Background Pacemakers are widely utilised to treat bradycardia, but right ventricular (RV) pacing is associated with heightened risk of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and heart failure. We aimed to compare personalised pacemaker reprogramming to avoid RV pacing with usual care on echocardiographic and patient-orientated outcomes. Methods A prospective phase II randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial in 100 patients with a pacemaker implanted for indications other than third degree heart block for ≥2 years. Personalised pacemaker reprogramming was guided by a published protocol. Primary outcome was change in LV ejection fraction on echocardiography after 6 months. Secondary outcomes included LV remodeling, quality of life, and battery longevity. Results Clinical and pacemaker variables were similar between groups. The mean age (SD) of participants was 76 (+/-9) years and 71% were male. Nine patients withdrew due to concurrent illness, leaving 91 patients in the intention-to-treat analysis. At 6 months, personalised programming compared to usual care, reduced RV pacing (-6.5±1.8% versus -0.21±1.7%; p<0.01), improved LV function (LV ejection fraction +3.09% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48 to 5.70%; p = 0.02]) and LV dimensions (LV end systolic volume indexed to body surface area -2.99mL/m2 [95% CI -5.69 to -0.29; p = 0.03]). Intervention also preserved battery longevity by approximately 5 months (+0.38 years [95% CI 0.14 to 0.62; p<0.01)) with no evidence of an effect on quality of life (+0.19, [95% CI -0.25 to 0.62; p = 0.402]). Conclusions Personalised programming in patients with pacemakers for bradycardia can improve LV function and size, extend battery longevity, and is safe and acceptable to patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03627585.
Exploring the impact of media literacy instruction and video projects in a college technology course

This study explored the impact of requiring a video term-paper project and media literacy instruction to address the desired educational goals of increasing student ownership of learning, learning course-related concepts, providing evidence of communication skills, and increasing knowledge of key media literacy concepts. Study participants came from convenience samples drawn from a technology course taught by the researcher and from a writing course taught by a colleague. The sixty participants were male (41) and female (19) college students in different years of their courses of study. Participants comprised traditional-age (18-24) and non-traditional-age (25+) students possessing varying levels of familiarity with the skills examined. A quasi-experimental, two-group control/intervention design was used, augmented by additional data collected from the intervention group. The quasi-experiment consisted of pre-and post-test measurements of media literacy, with both groups receiving media literacy instruction an intervention in the form of a video term-paper research project completed by the intervention group. Additional data were gathered from student surveys and interviews conducted with the intervention group. The quasi-experiment did not provide evidence that either the media literacy instruction or the video term-paper project increased knowledge of media-literacy concepts. However, the data collected indicated that the video project was a relevant challenge that engaged students in active participation in their learning. Despite the inherent difficulties in the use of writing and communications skills in technology classes, science and technology educators should investigate the benefits of using media projects in their courses. EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF MEDIA LITERACY INSTRUCTION AND VIDEO PROJECTS IN A COLLEGE TECHNOLOGY COURSE
Novel Management and Screening Approaches for Haematological Complications of Gaucher’s Disease

Purpose Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common lysosomal storage disorder. The principal manifestations for its diagnosis and further monitoring include haematological manifestations such as anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, spleen enlargement, and bleeding disorders, among others. This review aims to summarise and update the role of haematological complications in GD diagnosis and follow-up, describe their management strategies, and to use these indicators as part of the diagnostic approach. Materials and Methods A systematic review following the recommendations of PRISMA-P 2020 was carried out. Publications indexed in the databases PubMed, Embase, Science Open, Mendeley, and Web of Science were electronically searched by three independent reviewers, and publications up to June 2021 were accessed. A total of 246 publications were initially listed, of which 129 were included for further review and analysis. Case reports were considered if they were representative of a relevant hematologic complication. Results From the first review dated in 1974 to the latest publication in 2021, including different populations confirmed that the haematological manifestations such as thrombocytopaenia and splenomegaly at diagnosis of GD type 1 are the most frequent features of the disease. The incorporation of haematological parameters to diagnosis strategies increases their cost-effectiveness. Hematologic parameters are part of the scoring system for disease assessment and the evaluation of therapeutic outcomes, providing reliable and accessible data to improve the management of GD. However, cytopaenia, underlying coagulation disorders, and platelet dysfunction need to be addressed, especially during pregnancy or surgery. Long-term haematological complications include the risk of neoplasia and immune impairment, an area of unmet need that is currently under research. Conclusion Haematological features are key for GD suspicion, diagnosis, and management. Normalization of hematological parameters is achieved with the treatment; however, there are unmet needs such as the underlying inflammatory status and the long-term risk of hematologic neoplasia.
Knowledge and awareness of human papillomavirus infection and human papillomavirus vaccine among Kazakhstani women attending gynecological clinics

Cervical cancer remains one of the top causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality all over the world. Currently, however, there are no published studies to assess the knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer in Kazakhstan. This study aimed to assess the awareness of HPV, the knowledge of HPV as a cause of cervical cancer, and the awareness of HPV vaccination among Kazakhstani women visiting gynecological clinics across the country. In addition, the study aimed to identify the factors associated with the awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine and knowledge of HPV as a major cause of cervical cancer. This was a cross-sectional survey-based study with 2,272 women aged between 18–70 years attending gynecological clinics, who were administered paper-based questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive statistics consisting of mean values, standard deviations, and frequencies, where applicable. Differences in categorical variables between groups were analyzed using the Chi-square test with a significance value of <0.005. Crude odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% corresponding confidence intervals were calculated in regression analysis using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. The mean age of participants was 36.33±10.09 years. More than half (53%) of the participants had been screened for cervical cancer. Among those who were aware of HPV, 46% knew that HPV causes cervical cancer and 52% were aware of the HPV vaccine. The key factors related to outcome variables were age, ethnicity, education, family, number of deliveries, and menarche. From a subgroup analysis, results from the HPV test and Pap smear test were factors related to dependent variables such as awareness of HPV and awareness of HPV vaccination.
Assessing the relationship between neural health measures and speech performance with simultaneous electric stimulation in cochlear implant listeners

Objectives The relationship between electrode-nerve interface (ENI) estimates and inter-subject differences in speech performance with sequential and simultaneous channel stimulation in adult cochlear implant listeners were explored. We investigated the hypothesis that individuals with good ENIs would perform better with simultaneous compared to sequential channel stimulation speech processing strategies than those estimated to have poor ENIs. Methods Fourteen postlingually deaf implanted cochlear implant users participated in the study. Speech understanding was assessed with a sentence test at signal-to-noise ratios that resulted in 50% performance for each user with the baseline strategy F120 Sequential. Two simultaneous stimulation strategies with either two (Paired) or three sets of virtual channels (Triplet) were tested at the same signal-to-noise ratio. ENI measures were estimated through: (I) voltage spread with electrical field imaging, (II) behavioral detection thresholds with focused stimulation, and (III) slope (IPG slope effect) and 50%-point differences (dB offset effect) of amplitude growth functions from electrically evoked compound action potentials with two interphase gaps. Results A significant effect of strategy on speech understanding performance was found, with Triplets showing a trend towards worse speech understanding performance than sequential stimulation. Focused thresholds correlated positively with the difference required to reach most comfortable level (MCL) between Sequential and Triplet strategies, an indirect measure of channel interaction. A significant offset effect (difference in dB between 50%-point for higher eCAP growth function slopes with two IPGs) was observed. No significant correlation was observed between the slopes for the two IPGs tested. None of the measures used in this study correlated with the differences in speech understanding scores between strategies. Conclusions The ENI measure based on behavioral focused thresholds could explain some of the difference in MCLs, but none of the ENI measures could explain the decrease in speech understanding with increasing pairs of simultaneously stimulated electrodes in processing strategies.
VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL ARCHITECTURAL ATMOSPHERE

This study, of the similarities between the perception of architectural space experienced in physical space conditions and in Virtual Reality, intents to clarify to what extend subjective and objective attributes of architectural space can be conveyed through a direct use of Building Information Models in Virtual Reality. 60 test persons experienced a specific test space as either a physical or a virtual environment, while data from their experiences was collected through a quantitative/qualitative questionnaire. The overall conclusion, from this phase of the study, is that even a simple BIM model through HMD VR can convey rather precise information about both subjective and objective experiences of architectural space, ambience and atmosphere. Next phase of the study will include eye-tracking data from the two scenarios.
New 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with positive mGlu4 receptor modulation activity and antipsychotic-like properties

Abstract Considering the allosteric regulation of mGlu receptors for potential therapeutic applications, we developed a group of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives that displayed mGlu4 receptor positive allosteric modulatory activity (EC50 = 282–656 nM). Selectivity screening revealed that they were devoid of activity at mGlu1, mGlu2 and mGlu5 receptors, but modulated mGlu7 and mGlu8 receptors, thus were classified as group III-preferring mGlu receptor agents. None of the compounds was active towards hERG channels or in the mini-AMES test. The most potent in vitro mGlu4 PAM derivative 52 (N-(3-chloro-4-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl)picolinamide) was readily absorbed after i.p. administration (male Albino Swiss mice) and reached a maximum brain concentration of 949.76 ng/mL. Five modulators (34, 37, 52, 60 and 62) demonstrated significant anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like properties in the SIH and DOI-induced head twitch test, respectively. Promising data were obtained, especially for N-(4-(5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-3-methylphenyl)picolinamide (62), whose effects in the DOI-induced head twitch test were comparable to those of clozapine and better than those reported for the selective mGlu4 PAM ADX88178. Graphical Abstract
Estimation of cost efficiency of fattening pigs, sows, and piglets using SFA approach analysis: Evidence from China

The hog industry is the core industry in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry in China, which development is related to the improvement of people’s quality of life. The production of the hog industry has been restricted by environmental regulations, which needs to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Based on the data of 29 provinces from 2008 to 2019, this paper aims to use the stochastic frontier analysis method to calculate the cost efficiency of fattening pigs, sows, and piglets in three stages of pig production and focuses on the impact of environmental regulation policies on cost efficiency. The study found that the cost efficiency of fattening pigs, sows, and piglets in China were 0.77, 0.79, and 0.53, respectively, and the efficiency losses were 23%, 21%, and 47%, respectively. The impact of environmental regulation policies on the cost efficiency of fattening pigs showed an ’ N ’ trend, and the impact on the cost efficiency of sows and piglets showed an inverted ’ N ’ trend. For fattening pigs, increasing the intensity of environmental regulation, and exceeding the second inflection point of the ’ N ’ curve can achieve the dual goals of environmental governance and cost reduction and efficiency increase. For sows, reducing the intensity of environmental regulation appropriately can avoid cost-efficiency loss. For piglets, environmental regulation policies have not effectively incentives the cost efficiency of piglets. In addition, raising the level of technology investment in fattening pigs and sows can achieve cost efficiency gains, and can farmers use emerging financial product tools such as ’ insurance + futures ’ to avoid market risks and efficiency losses.
Distributed Practice or Spacing Effect-Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education

The spacing effect (also known as distributed practice) refers to the finding that two or more learning opportunities that are spaced apart, or distributed, in time produce better learning than the same opportunities that occur in close succession. A number of theories have been proposed to account for the spacing effect. These include deficient processing, encoding variability, study-phase retrieval, and consolidation. According to the deficient processing account, learning opportunities that are spaced apart in time, compared to non-spaced or “massed” learning opportunities, are more likely to receive a learner’s full attention, ultimately leading to better quality learning. The encoding variability account proposes that spaced learning opportunities, because they are separated in time, are more likely to be associated with a number of different contextual cues that can benefit later memory for the information learned. Study-phase retrieval is based on the premise that retrieval benefits learning, and spaced learning opportunities are more likely than massed learning opportunities to involve retrieval of the previous learning experience. More recent evidence suggests that spacing learning opportunities across different days may benefit memory due to sleep-dependent neural consolidation processes. Research in authentic educational contexts shows that spacing benefits learning of a wide variety of materials, from basic facts to complex scientific concepts and skills. Regarding the practi­ cal question of when spaced learning opportunities should occur, the ideal scheduling of these opportunities depends upon how long the information needs to be remembered in the future, such that retention over longer intervals of time benefits most by longer spac­ ing between repeated learning opportunities. Despite its promise for enhancing student learning, spacing can be challenging to implement in authentic educational contexts due to the intuitive notion that immediate repetition is better for learning, and the difficulties involved in setting a spaced study schedule in advance and adhering to it. To realize the full potential of spacing to enhance educational practices, future studies are needed that can measure implementation of spacing by students and teachers in real educational en­ vironments.
Entrepreneurial Characteristics and Careers: American High-Tech Entrepreneurs

The dramatic success of American entrepreneurs has long captured the interest of the nation. Entrepreneurs are perceived by many to illustrate the American Dream. In American Entrepreneur: The Fascinating Stories of the People Who Defined Business in the United States (2009), Larry Schweikart and Lynne Pierson Doti explore the history of American entrepreneurs and their impact on the American economy. To honor the research legacy of Lynne Doti, this paper will examine the characteristics and careers of high-tech entrepreneurs within the framework of our previous research on one of the entrepreneurs highlighted in their book by examining the early influences, reconnection, transformation, reflection, and death stages of Steve Jobs’ career.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF EUPHORBIA LATHYRIS L. A HYDROCARBON YIELDING PLANT.

Energy security is one of the most pressing challenges of the 21 st century. A shift to next-generational fuels and increased use of renewable source of energy are increasingly being considered as viable options. Euphorbia lathyris is one of the most-suitable species that falls into the category of hydrocarbon yielding plants. This plant is suitable to grow in arid and semiarid climate. Addition of gravel to the sand considerably enhanced the plant height, fresh weight and dry weight. Maximum hexane, methanol and total extractables were also favoured by the addition of gravel.
Analysis and design of asymmetrical half bridge flyback converter

The detailed circuit behaviour of the asymmetrical half bridge flyback converter is analysed. The specific relationships between the duty cycle and the different types of energy in the energy storage elements are thoroughly investigated. From the analytical results, the maximum duty cycle is not bounded by 50%, which means that the converter can now be optimally used for the different applications. The zero voltage switching (ZVS) conditions of the power switches are derived. Mathematical equations and design considerations are also given. According to the presented design guidelines, the ZVS operations of the power switches can be maintained from no-load to full-load conditions. A 5V/20A prototype has been built to verify the analytical results under real life conditions.
Temperature- and structural-parameters-dependent characteristics of V-band heterojunction FET MMIC DROs

This paper describes a systematic approach to the design and analysis for dielectric resonator oscillators (DROs). The approach features a temperatureand structural-parameters-dependent dielectric resonator (DR) model and a newly developed temperature-dependent nonlinear FET model. The implementation of these models on a harmonic-balance circuit simulator allows prediction for mechanical tuning characteristics, coupling strength dependencies, and temperature-dependent performance of oscillation frequency, output power, and phase noise of DROs. V-band heterojunction FET monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit DROs utilizing a TE/sub 01/spl delta//-mode cylindrical DR were designed and fabricated based on the proposed procedure. Good agreement between the predicted and measured characteristics indicates the validity of our design technique featuring the proposed DR and FET models.
Joint Inference for Neural Network Depth and Dropout Regularization

Dropout regularization methods prune a neural network’s pre-determined backbone structure to avoid overﬁtting. However, a deep model still tends to be poorly calibrated with high conﬁdence on incorrect predictions. We propose a uniﬁed Bayesian model selection method to jointly infer the most plausible network depth warranted by data, and perform dropout regularization simultaneously. In particular, to infer network depth we deﬁne a beta process over the number of hidden layers which allows it to go to inﬁnity. Layer-wise activation probabilities induced by the beta process modulate neuron activation via binary vectors of a conjugate Bernoulli process. Experiments across domains show that by adapting network depth and dropout regularization to data, our method achieves superior performance comparing to state-of-the-art methods with well-calibrated uncertainty estimates. In continual learning, our method enables neural networks to dynamically evolve their depths to accommodate incrementally available data beyond their initial structures, and alleviate catastrophic forgetting.
THE EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR DISTRACTION ON ANALYST FORECASTS

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Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Ban on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining at Bonsa, Ghana

Article history: Received 03 March 2021 Revised 16 March 2021 Accepted 20 March 2021 Available online 10 June 2021 Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) in Ghana before its ban in March, 2017 comprised of licensed operators and illegal operators popularly known as galamsey. The ban imposed by the Government of Ghana aimed at curbing the effects of the operation of ASM on the environment and also streamlining the processes involved in their operations. Bonsa, a town in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality whose economic activities were dominated by galamsey before the ban was selected for the research. These operations mostly involved dredging of the river bed, discharging effluents into the river and mining lands close to water bodies for gold. ASM contributes immensely to the overall gold output of Ghana. An investigation was done to determine the environment and socio-economic impacts of the ban of ASM in Bonsa. Water samples, assessment of lands and questionnaires were used as data collection methods to determine these impacts. Results from this investigation show that lands destroyed by galamsey operations largely remain the same, however, results from water samples when compared to previous results performed better in physico-chemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity, but fell short in conductivity and the other parameters. The socio-economic status of the people had dwindled after the ban. It was recommended that through the Multilateral Mining Integrated Project, lands destroyed by galamsey operations should be reclaimed and alternative jobs should be provided. Also, stricter measures should be put in place to ensure better water quality of River Bonsa.