Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative analysis of the InterVA model versus physician review in determining causes of neonatal deaths using verbal autopsy data from Nepal

Background: Verbal autopsy is a common method of ascertaining the cause of neonatal death in low resource settings where majority of causes of deaths remain unregistered. We aimed to compare the causes of neonatal deaths assigned by computer algorithm-based model, InterVA (Interpreting Verbal Autopsy) with the usual standard of Physician Review of Verbal Autopsy (PRVA) using the verbal autopsy data collected by Morang Innovative Neonatal Intervention (MINI) study in Nepal. Methods: MINI was a prospective community intervention study aimed at managing newborn illnesses at household level. Trained field staff conducted a verbal autopsy of all neonatal deaths during the study period. The cause of death was assigned by two pediatricians, and by using InterVA version 5. Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated to compare the agreement between InterVA and PRVA assigned proximate cause of death, using STATATM software version 16.1. Results: Among 381 verbal autopsies for neonatal deaths, only 311 (81.6%) were assigned one of birth asphyxia, neonatal infection, congenital anomalies or preterm-related complications as the proximate cause of death by both InterVA and PRVA, while the remaining 70 (18.4%) were assigned other or non-specific causes. The overall agreement between InterVA and PRVA-assigned cause of death categories was moderate (66.5% agreement, kappa=0.47). Moderate agreement was observed for neonatal infection (kappa=0.48) and congenital malformations (kappa=0.49), while it was fair for birth asphyxia (kappa=0.39), and preterm-related complications (kappa=0.31); but there was only slight agreement for neonatal sepsis (kappa=0.19) and neonatal pneumonia (kappa=0.16) as specific causes of death within neonatal infections. Conclusions: We observed moderate overall agreement for major categories of causes of neonatal death assigned by InterVA and PRVA. The moderate agreement was sustained for the classification of neonatal infection but poor for neonatal sepsis and neonatal pneumonia as distinct categories of neonatal infection. Further studies should investigate the comparative effectiveness of an updated version of InterVA with the current standard of assigning the cause of neonatal death through longitudinal and experimental designs.
In Vitro Selection of New DNAzymes as Metal Biosensors

iv Acknowledgements . vii Dedication . ix Table of Contents . x List of Figures . xvii List of Tables . xxii List of Schemes . xxiv List of Abbreviations . xxv Chapter 1. Introduction to Functional Nucleic acids . 1 1.1 Chemical structure of nucleic acids . 1 1.2 Naturally occurring catalytic RNAs: ribozymes . 4 1.3 Interaction between nucleic acids and metal ions . 4 1.4 Importance of metal ions detection . 7 1.5 Common methods for metal ion detection . 8 1.6 Biosensors . 9 1.7 Aptamer . 10 1.7. 1 SELEX for aptamer . 10 xi 1.7. 2 Examples of known metal binding DNAs . 11 1.7. 2.1 G-­‐quadruplexes . 11 1.7. 2.2 Hg2+ binding DNA . 13 1.7. 2.3 Ag+ binding DNA . 14 1.7. 2.4 Zn2+ binding DNA . 14 1.7. 3 In vitro Selection for DNAzymes . 15 1.8 Role of metal ions in DNAzyme catalysis . 16 1.9 DNAzymes and their catalysis . 17 1.10 Representative examples of RNA-­‐cleaving DNAzymes . 18 1.10. 1 The GR-­‐5 DNAzyme . 18 1.10. 2 The 10-­‐23 DNAzyme . 20 1.10. 3 The 8-­‐17 DNAzyme . 21 1.10. 4 The 39E DNAzyme . 23 1.10. 5 Comparison of GR-­‐5, 8-­‐17, 10-­‐23, and 39E catalytic efficiency in the presence of different metal ions . 25 1.11 Lanthanide ions . 25 1.12 Research focus . 27 Chapter 2. In Vitro Selection of a General Lanthanide-­‐Dependent DNAzyme. 29 2.1 Introduction . 29 2.2 Results and Discussions . 31 2.2.1 DNAzyme Selection . 31 2.2.1 DNAzyme secondary structure analysis . 32 2.2.3 Activity with Ce3+ vs. activity with Ce4+ . 37
Serum Cytokine Analysis in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of most common cancers with a high mortality rate. HBV/HCV infection is an important risk factor to trigger HCC. Therefore, developing serum biomarkers for early diagnosis is crucial to prolong survival in HCC patients. Methods: An antibody array technology was utilized to detect serum from 20 HBV-related HCC patients, 20 chronic hepatitis B patients and 20 normal population, whose results were further validated by ELISA. Results: Both antibody array and ELISA showed that ten growth factors (SCF R, GDF-15, HGF, FGF-4, IGFBP-1, PIGF, GH, GDNF, BDNF and IGF-1) were significantly differential in HCC patients when compared to the non-HCC population. Among these growth factors, the levels of SCF R, GDF-15, HGF, GH and IGF-1 showed significant correlation with hepatitis B and its severity, indicating that these growth factors may promote HCC progression by an HBV-specific mechanism. A therapy targeting these growth factors in hepatitis B patients may help to prevent the development of HCC. FGF4 and GH were found, for the first time, to be upregulated in HCC, suggesting that these two growth factors may serve as novel serum biomarkers for the early diagnosis of HCC. Conclusion: The combined detection of all the differential growth factors may improve the diagnostic accuracy of HCC.
Transformation of Dilute Ethylene at High Temperature on Micro- and Nano-Sized H-ZSM-5 Zeolites

Ethylene dehydroaromatisation (EDA) was investigated at 700 °C under 1 bar of ethylene (5 mol% in N2) over a micro-(M) and a nano-sized (N) H-ZSM-5. On the M zeolite an induction period followed by deactivation was observed, which could be related to the presence of long diffusion path lengths in this sample, leading to mass transfer resistance. During the induction step, the aromatics yield increases, despite a significant loss of the acid site concentration as a result of coking. This induction period corresponds to the formation of an active hydrocarbon pool (HCP) composed of units of 2 to 5 aromatic rings with a molecular weight ranging from 130 to 220 g mol−1 (light coke). A kinetic study revealed that the developing HCP species is two times more active than Brønsted acid sites in the fresh zeolite. Diffusion limitations yet impact the product desorption by promoting coke growth and, therefore the deactivation of the HCP and hence of the catalyst. From MA-LDI/LDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization—Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy) characterisation was deduced that even after complete catalyst deactivation, the as-deposited coke continues growing at the external surface of the zeolite by condensation reactions, thus leading to heavy coke composed of more than 100 carbon atoms and a molar mass exceeding 1300 g mol−1. Unlike the micro-sized zeolite, the nano-scaled zeolite features a short diffusion path length and promotes fast formation of the active HCP. As a result, higher activity and selectivity into benzene were observed, whilst catalyst deactivation was significantly mitigated.
Comparing the functional and pasting properties of gari and the sensory attributes of the eba produced using backslopped and spontaneous fermentation methods

Abstract The possibilities of backslopped fermentation replacing spontaneous fermentation in gari production were evaluated by comparing the functional and pasting properties of gari and the sensory attributes of the eba. Backslopped cassava mash (BCM) was produced from 75 kg of TMS13F1343 cassava roots by pre-fermenting for 96 h. The BCM was mixed with fresh cassava mash (FCM) from another 75 kg of the same variety using design expert software developed blend ratios and processed to backslopped fermented gari (BFG). Another batch of 150 kg of the same variety was processed to gari by spontaneously fermenting for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h (SFG). All the gari samples were analysed for functional, pasting and sensory properties and physical colour using standard methods. Results showed that a significant difference (p < 0.05) exists in the whiteness, dispersibility and water absorption capacity of the 24 h SFG compared to that of the BFG. All the pasting properties of the 48 h SFG were significantly different (p < 0.05) from that of the BFG. Only the texture differentiates (p < 0.05) the 96 h SFG eba from that of the BFG eba. The outcome of this study may be used by cassava processors/value chain actors to produce an acceptable BFG of different qualities within a day, and whose quality may be comparable or better than the SFG.
Rate and Spraying Frequency Determination of Propiconazole Fungicide for the Management of Garlic Rust at Woreilu District, Northeastern Ethiopia

Rust is a major disease of garlic in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Kabe and Segno Kebeles of Woreilu District in 2019 to determine the appropriate rate and spraying frequency of propiconazole fungicide and select cost-effective management options of garlic rust. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. The combination of five rates and three spraying frequencies of propiconazole fungicide and unsprayed treatments was evaluated. A combination of rate and spraying frequencies of propiconazole significantly reduced disease with correspondingly increased bulb yield of garlic. The minimum percentage severity index and area under disease progress curve were scored from plots treated by all rates with three times spraying frequency of Tilt fungicide application. The highest bulb yield was obtained from plots treated with all fungicide rates with three times spraying frequencies of propiconazole application. But the highest (6896.36%) marginal rate of return was obtained from plots treated with 0.5 L with two times spraying. Generally, 0.5 liters with two times spraying of propiconazole was effective in controlling garlic disease and get the highest cost-benefit advantage as compared with other treatments. Therefore, it could be recommended for the management of garlic rust in Ethiopia.
Extraction, fractionation and assessment of antioxidant activities of active components of Aframomum sceptrum seeds

A simple procedure of extraction, fractionation and assessment of organoleptic and antioxidant properties of Aframomum sceptrum seeds was carried out, and the results were compared with a currently used synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Extraction was carried out using Soxhlet extractor and fractionation of the ethanolic extract was accomplished using vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). Various fractions of the ethanolic extract were obtained but similar fractions were pooled together to yield six fractions (F1-F6) as guided by thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis. Fractions obtained were subjected to sensory, chemical, spectroscopic and storage assessment in order to evaluate their antioxidant potentials. Sensory characterization and antioxidant storage tests showed that fractions F4 and F5 had non-bitter taste and yellow colour in contrast to bitter taste and dark brown colour of the crude extract. Statistical analysis (P= 0.05) showed that the antioxidant effectiveness (AE) of the fractionated extracts F4 and F5 were 62.57 and 59.13% for groundnut oil and 64.50 and 62.91% for red palm oil, respectively, and compared favourably with the standard synthetic antioxidant used. The fractions can be used to extend the shelf life of food products. Key words: Spices, fractionated extracts, antioxidant effectiveness, active components, sensory and spectroscopic characteristics.
Efficacy of Manual Therapy on Facilitatory Nociception and Endogenous Pain Modulation in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Series

Background: manual therapy (MT) has been shown to have positive effects in patients with osteoarthritis (OA)-related pain, and its use in clinical settings is recommended. However, the mechanisms of action for how these positive effects occur are not yet well understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of MT treatment on facilitatory nociception and endogenous pain modulation in patients with knee OA related pain. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with knee OA were included in this study. Pain intensity using the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), temporal summation (TS), conditioned pain modulation (CPM), and local (knee) and distant (elbow) hyperalgesia through the pressure pain threshold (PPT), were assessed to evaluate the pain modulatory system. Patients underwent four sessions of MT treatments within 3 weeks and were evaluated at the baseline, after the first session and after the fourth session. Results: the MT treatment reduced knee pain after the first session (p = 0.03) and after the fourth session (p = 0.04). TS decreased significantly after the fourth session of MT (p = 0.02), while a significant increase in the CPM assessment was detected after the fourth session (p = 0.05). No significant changes in the PPT over the knee and elbow were found in the follow-ups. Conclusions: The results from our study suggest that MT might be an effective and safe method for improving pain and for decreasing temporal summation.
Comparison of Equations To Estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate and Their Impact on Frequency of Cisplatin-associated Acute Kidney Injury.

Background Accurate estimation of kidney function is essential for patient selection and drug dosing in patients with cancer. eGFR equations are necessary for decision making and monitoring. Our aim was to identify which of these equations-estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl) by Cockcroft-Gault (CG), eGFR by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (eGFRMDRD), CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (eGFRCKD-EPI) or the recently proposed Janowitz-Williams equation (eGFRJ-W)-would be most suitable for GFR estimation among patients with cancer receiving cisplatin. Methods We assembled a cohort of 5274 patients with cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy at two large cancer centers. We ascertained the frequency of cisplatin-associated AKI (C-AKI) defined as a ≥0.3 mg/dl rise in serum creatinine over baseline. We compared baseline eGFR and eCrCl using Bland-Altman (B-A) plots, coefficients of variation (CV), and concordance correlation coefficients. We calculated the positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (PPV), accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC). Results Patients were predominantly middle aged (median 58 years, IQR 49-66 years), overweight (median BMI 26.2, IQR 23.1-29.8 kg/m2), and White (88%), with a median baseline creatinine of 0.8 mg/dl and median cisplatin dose of 99 mg. C-AKI developed in 12% of the cohort. eGFRCKD-EPI had the highest PPV and AUC. eGFRCKD-EPI and eGFRMDRD, along with their BSA-modified counterparts, had the closest agreement with the lowest CV (7.2, 95% CI, 7.0 to 7.3) and the highest concordance. C-AKI was lowest when using eGFRCKD-EPI to define eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Conclusions On the basis of its superior diagnostic performance, eGFRCKD-EPI should be used to estimate GFR in patients being considered for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Mooring Analysis of a Floating OWC Wave Energy Converter

This investigation focuses on the modelling of a floating oscillating water column (FOWC) wave energy converter with a numerical code (ANSYS AQWA) based on potential flow theory. Free-floating motions predicted by the numerical model were validated against experimental data extrapolated from a 1:36 scale model device in regular and irregular sea states. Upon validation, an assessment of the device’s motions when dynamically coupled with a four-line catenary mooring arrangement was conducted at different incident wave angles and sea states ranging from operational to survivable conditions, including the simulation of the failure of a single mooring line. The lack of viscosity in the numerical modelling led to overpredicted motions in the vicinity of the resonant frequencies; however, the addition of an external linear damping coefficient was shown to be an acceptable method of mitigating these discrepancies. The incident wave angle was found to have a limited influence on the magnitudes of heave, pitch, and surge motions. Furthermore, the obtained results indicated that the mooring restoring force is controlled by the forward mooring lines under the tested conditions.
Technological advances to enhance recovery after cardiac surgery

Surgery, and especially cardiac surgery, is common, costly, and entails considerable risk. Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve quality, promote patient safety, and increase value and cost-effectiveness in surgical care. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) initiatives are increasing in popularity, improving outcomes, and enriching patient satisfaction. First developed for abdominal surgical cases, ERAS has increasingly established itself across all surgical subspecialities, including cardiac surgery. ERAS focuses on evidence-based initiatives in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care to promote patient well-being and efficient care. The deliberate, judicious incorporation of technology into surgery and the periprocedural home has tremendous, revolutionary potential in all phases of care and is consistent with ERAS principles. This technology can be harnessed by physicians and the care provider team, the healthcare system, and perhaps most importantly, by patients themselves to lead to a higher level of engagement. We will explore technology's transformational capability by concentrating on cardiac surgery because of its prevalence, costs, risks, and contribution to the healthcare system's bottom line. In addition, the role that ERAS combined with technology can play in a constructive manner will be important. We discuss the disruptive effect that the COVID-19 pandemic offers to accelerate these developments. While the human cost of the pandemic has been staggering, in the post-COVID world, the lessons learned can be vital. Finally, we seek to show that the opportunities technology provides are closely related to what both patients and the physician and provider teams want. As technology inevitably becomes more integrated into healthcare, the ability to harness technology to maximize patient outcomes and well-being while promoting more efficient healthcare delivery will be critical. © Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy. All rights reserved.
Two-Way Risk Communication, Public Value Consensus, and Citizens’ Policy Compliance Willingness About COVID-19: Multilevel Analysis Based on a Nudge View

COVID-19 has spawned a surge in the number of public epidemic prevention policies. More important than active policy-making is how to increase citizens’ policy compliance willingness. Based on public value theory and nudge theory, this study adopts a multilevel mediation and moderation model to analyze the relationships among the government’s authoritarian control, two-way risk communication, public value consensus, nudge, and citizens’ policy compliance willingness. A sample of 2,616 citizens nested in 86 Chinese cities was collected. The study found that (a) local governments can improve citizens’ policy compliance willingness by adopting both “stick” (authoritarian control) and “sermon” (two-way risk communication) policies, whereas two-way risk communication demonstrates a uniquely positive effect on public value consensus; and (b) the effect of two-way risk communication on policy compliance willingness is mediated by public value consensus. By enhancing public value consensus, two-way risk communication helps establish consensus between citizens and the government on “what needs/needs not to be done” and “what should/should not be done” to slow down the pandemic, thus coalescing efforts in a cooperative spirit; (c) nudge intervention positively moderates the effect of two-way risk communication on public value consensus, but has no effect on the authoritarian control–policy compliance willingness relationship. In other words, nudge intervention is a better companion to “sermons,” not “sticks. ” Findings of the nuanced relationship manifested the differentiated effect of authoritarian control and two-way risk communication on citizens’ policy compliance willingness during a pandemic. The results provide theoretical implications for scholars to unlock the “black box” of public values and practical implications for strategies from behavioral public administration aspects to curb the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Technology training for ELT teachers at a Private University in Malaysia

Online teaching and learning are not new experiences in the field of ELT, but the sudden need for everyone globally to go virtual due to the pandemic is unprecedented. Currently,with theCovid-19 pandemic, online classes are beingconducted globally as a short- term emergency response to sustain education through crisis management. This study explores the effect of technology training on the teacher trainees’ preference to use print and digital media in the ELT classroom. As students in schools in the recent past years, the participants who are presently TESOL trainee teachers had never or rarely had the experience of using digital media in the ELT classroom. The study employs a qualitative method based on data gathered online through questions posed to TESOL trainee teachers during their online class on Media Resources in November 2020 – February 2021. A total of 10 TESOL trainee teachers responded to 8 open-ended interview questions posed to them digitally. Data collected was analysed qualitatively by identifying statements that respond to the research questions. Expression used in these statements were categorized to narrow down the themes. The expressions were then uploaded into a Word Cloud to identify the most significant expression that was used repetitively in response to each research question. The findings of this study will inform practice among teacher educators as the current generation of teacher trainees seemto be garnering momentumto improve the use of technology in the ELT classroom with a special focus on digital media and to encourage other ELT teacher trainees to gain confidence to use technology in their future ELT classroom. The above findings show that even though the 10 students had little exposure to digital technology when they were school students themselves, but with appropriate training to use print and digital technology and resources in the ELT classroom, they were confident of using both media resources in the future.
Structural and Electrochemical Properties of the High Ni Content Spinel LiNiMnO4

This work presents a contribution to the study of a new Ni-rich spinel cathode material, LiNiMnO4, for Li-ion batteries operating in the 5-V region. The LiNiMnO4 compound was synthesized by a sol-gel method assisted by ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) as a chelator. Structural analyses carried out by Rietveld refinements and Raman spectroscopy, selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy reveal that the product is a composite (LNM@NMO), including non-stoichiometric LiNiMnO4-δ spinel and a secondary Ni6MnO8 cubic phase. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge profiles show similar features to those of LiNi0.5Mn1. 5O4 bare. A comparison of the electrochemical performances of 4-V spinel LiMn2O4 and 5-V spinel LiNi0.5Mn1. 5O4 with those of LNM@NMO composite demonstrates the long-term cycling stability of this new Ni-rich spinel cathode. Due to the presence of the secondary phase, the LNM@NMO electrode exhibits an initial specific capacity as low as 57 mAh g−1 but shows an excellent electrochemical stability at 1C rate for 1000 cycles with a capacity decay of 2.7 × 10−3 mAh g−1 per cycle.