Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Televisit Modalities Due to the COVID-Pandemic in Chile: A Comparison of Patient Satisfaction

BACKROUND: The corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted healthcare guidelines and modalities of patient consultation worldwide. The frequent cycles of quarantine confinement in Chile has caused mobility restrictions for both patients and physicians, which forced the Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano (HHT) to replace the assisted televisit modality with a more classic televisit program. This change may have impacted the satisfaction of patients.METHODS: Patient’s perception of satisfaction was evaluated through self-administered survey questionnaires, previously validated in the Spanish language. Cohorts were grouped according to two relational models:i) Assisted televisit, 503 neurology patients during the years 2018-2019; and ii) Televisit, 831 patients from different specialtiestreated during 2020. Perception of satisfaction was compared by gender, age, and type of televisit, and internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) and reliability (factorial analysis of main components) were assessed. RESULTS: Assisted televisit and televisit cohortswere composed by 64.2% and 67.6% women, respectively; patients under 65 years of age were 62.2% and 75%, respectively. Assisted televisit patients showed very high 94.4% (n=475) and high 5.2% (n=26) satisfaction levels, while televisit patients showed very high 22.3% (n=185), high 63.9% (n=531), and moderate 13.1% (n=109) satisfaction levels; this difference is statistically significant at p<0.001. Questionnaires showed excellent internal consistency, and all items showed point biserial correlations greater than 0.30. CONCLUSION: Lower perception of satisfaction due to the change in televisit relational modality underscores the importance of primary care professionals, who support the specialist inthe assisted televisit model. The results of this study suggest that assisted televisit contributes to delivering an integrative solution that helps to alleviate the fragmentation of the system.
FEATURE EXTRACTION AND CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUES OF AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM: A REVIEW

: Automatic speech recognition system are most prominent and important technique for human and computer interaction, controlling devices, extracting information. System user experience completely relies on accuracy, quality of speech notes and on the response time of the system. A system can be monolingual or multilingual, each works differently with different efficiency in accordance with the backend technique used. We have described about various ASR algorithms and feature extraction techniques and their comparison with each other in this paper. Feature extraction techniques like LPC, MFCCs, RASTA filtering, PLDA, LDA, PCA and algorithms like DTW, VQ, SVM, GMM, HMM.
Back to the Future: A Review and Editorial Agenda of the International Journal of Business Research and Management

In September 2020, in the tenth year of its life, a strong editorial turnaround happened within the International Journal of Business Research and Management (IJBRM). In this vein, editorial and review board members, together with the Journal’s current and future authors, should be made aware of the history of the Journal as well as its future agenda. Thus, this contribution aims to: i) identify the major research themes faced by the Journal’s articles in the past, and ii) define a research agenda for the Journal’s future development. All the 98 articles published in IJBRM up to August 2020 have been initially analyzed according to: i) number of papers published per year, ii) authors’ nationality, and iii) number of papers per research design. Thus, all papers have been thematically analyzed to identify the main research areas they represent. Results show that authors’ institutions are mainly based in Asian countries and the main areas addressed were “Marketing” and “Technology and Innovation Management”. Important implications for editors and future authors arise from the analysis. In particular, to exploit potentially fruitful collaborations in Europe and the Americas, editors and highly involved reviewers are asked to build their own subcommunities around the Journal, including the encouragement of Special Issues on all research areas within the management realm. In addition, authors are asked to explore unfulfilled research areas and to increase the scientific soundness of proposed works.
A System Dynamics Model for the Novel COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease with severe respiratory symptoms which may lead to death. According to the latest disease statistics, COVID-19 has been affecting 213 countries and territories around the world. So far, the statistics indicate that the disease led to about 367,000 deaths and 6 million infections worldwide between December 31st 2019 and May 30th 2020. In this paper, we propose a system dynamics model for the spread of COVID-19. The proposed model investigates possible mechanisms for the spread of infection among humans. The COVID-19 epidemiological parameters were estimated based on real pandemic data that covers a period of 110 days. The model was simulated and validated over 365 days for the cases of China, Italy, and USA. The model simulation outcomes predict a recession of the pandemic in China by August 2020 with a total of 85,832 COVID-19 infected cases. In Italy, the total number of infections is expected to reach 276,406. The model interestingly predicts another wave of the COVID-19 outbreak by early 2021. Finally, the large expected number of 3,394,754 infected people in the USA gives a clear warning of the possibility that the crisis can become out of control. Under such circumstances, quarantine procedures become ineffective, and a vaccine or a treatment becomes the only solution. The system dynamics model of COVID-19 provides a good estimation for the numbers of infected, recovered, and dead people, in addition to the pandemic timing and the peak time.
Prevalence of Depressive Disorder among Patients with Epilepsy: a cross-sectional study

Background: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in the general population. Depression when comorbid in individuals with epilepsy contributes to low quality of life. As the epilepsy clinics do not routinely assess for major depression substantial opportunity exists to improve the quality of care for many people with epilepsy. The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of depressive disorder and associated factors in individuals with epilepsy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the teaching hospital of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Jumla. Sixty patients with epilepsy meeting the inclusion criteria of the study were enrolled in the study. Data was collected using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) via face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics was presented as frequency and percentages. Association between variables was assessed with Chi-square test. P-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants in years was 32.45 (± SD 10.39). Majority of the participants were married (80%) and between 25-34 years of age (33.3%). Among the participants, 33.3% were farmers and 8.3% were housewives by occupation. The majority of the participants were literate (38.3%) and male (65%). The prevalence of depression was 55%. Various variables like age, sex, caste, education and occupation showed no association with depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression was more than half in individuals with epilepsy. The study recommends for screening of depressive disorder among individuals with epilepsy by attending clinicians on a regular basis.
CENTURY HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Purpose of the study: Twenty-first century has brought some fundamental changes in all types of organizations. Higher education is one being the most effected. The purpose of the current study was to explore such Work Climate dimensions that contribute towards job satisfaction in higher education institutes of Pakistan. Methodology: Descriptive statistics were selected for data collection through two adapted questionnaires. These questionnaires were about Job Satisfaction named as MohrmanCokke-Mohrman Job Satisfaction Scale (MCMJSS) and Organizational Climate Questionnaire (OCQ). A sample of 386 Private Universities’ Staff was randomly selected from the five provinces of Pakistan. The data was analyzed in SPSS through Pearson correlation. Main Findings: It revealed that all the Work Climate Dimensions were significantly correlated with job satisfaction. However, dimensions of respect, communication, innovation, direction, training, and learning were least significantly correlated as compared to the dimensions role clarity, reward system, career development, commitment, and moral, and lastly, teamwork and support. These have the highest level of correlation with job satisfaction. Applications of this study: This research will help to improve the standards of Higher Education Institutes in Pakistan in terms of job satisfaction of the employees. Considering the findings of the study, administrators can help improve their employees' satisfaction. It is also suggested that in-depth research may be carried out involving the same variables for extensive understanding. Novelty/Originality of this study: Educational organizations have always been an important part of the society as they provide society with the future workforce. Though such kind of studies have been conducted on other organizations, it is the first of its kind conducted in higher education institutes especially an education-wise developing country like Pakistan.
Association of Uric Acid Level and Body Mass Index in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Body Mass Index (BMI) or formerly called Quetelet Index is the measurement for scoring nutrient state in adults by using body weight (in kilogram) and body height (in metre). Obesity and overweight are defined as an abnormality of fat accumulation that can damage our health. Uric acid is a substance that is formed when the breaking process of purine occur. Hyperuricemia are condition that are closely related with gout. Uric acid level increased significantly towards those having obesity. It is also concluded that obesity was the usual cause in patients with recurrent gout attack. Strong relation has been found between high BMI with gout arthritis occurance. This research is a descriptive analytic research with cross sectional design included 50 diabetic subjects aged over 40 years old. Subjects picked by consecutive sampling then we examined the weight, height, waist size, blood pressure and laboratory tests for fasting blood sugar and serum uric acid level. With statistical analysis using chi square we found that there was no significant association between BMI and serum uric acid level in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (p>0.005).
Performances of Sharia Mutual Funds in Indonesia: Empirical Evidence from a Developing Economy

This study aims to analyze the performances of Sharia mutual funds, especially in the Sharia mutual funds on stocks, money market, fixed income, and mixed funds. To enact such a purpose, a descriptive quantitative approach was used in the investigation of on Sharia mutual funds listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange 2015-2020 following the criteria of Sharia mutual funds of actively operate in Indonesia stock exchange which has great performance seen from Net Asset Value (NAV). The data analysis was carried out using phases of determining the rate of return calculated from NAV, the measurement of total risk with the standard deviation proxy, and the measurement of its performance using Sharpe ratio. The results indicate that fixed return of Sharia mutual fund carries the best performance compared to the stock, money market, and mixed investment funds. It has a higher return per unit risk and maximum probability of investment return above the income with riskfree. These research findings can be a reference for investors, primarily those who follow Sharia rules, in making mutual funds investment related decision in the future. They also can consider the Sharpe ratio to select the type of Sharia mutual funds in Indonesia, as the proper hedge investment.
Bilingualism reconfigures brain attentional networks through neuroplasticity across the lifespan

The researcher Dr. Ellen Bialystok presents data about the effect of bilingualism on the brain across lifespan, regarding the relationship between the mastery of more than one language and attentional systems. Bialystok reflects on the lack of agreement on the bilingual advantages of studies with adults, listing the facts and myths about the theme, such as the problems with the definition of bilingual, the different age groups of participants, the different contexts investigated, the limitations of the tasks and the models of executive functions and the difficult replicability of studies, which lead investigations to a great controversy. The researcher points out that, even with little consensus, the effects of bilingualism on the brain are related to the reconfiguration of attentional systems. The researcher suggests that bilingualism may be a source of neuroplasticity, which re-adapts these systems, resulting in differences in the executive functions found in research in recent years, which are easy to identify and verify, especially in children and elderly bilinguals.
The battleground of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on Facebook: Fact checkers vs. misinformation spreaders

Our study examines Facebook posts containing nine prominent COVID-19 vaccine misinformation topics that circulated on the platform between March 1st, 2020 and March 1st, 2021. We first identify misinformation spreaders and fact checkers, further dividing the latter group into those who repeat misinformation to debunk the false claim and those who share correct information without repeating the misinformation. Our analysis shows that, on Facebook, there are almost as many fact checkers as misinformation spreaders. In particular, fact checkers’ posts that repeat the original misinformation received significantly more comments than posts from misinformation spreaders. However, we found that misinformation spreaders were far more likely to take on central positions in the misinformation URL co-sharing network than fact checkers. This demonstrates the remarkable ability of misinformation spreaders to coordinate communication strategies across topics.
A case-control study

Low bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly related to the fracture of distal radius. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level was closely related to BMD in spine and osteoporotic fractures. In this study, we aimed to explore the association of BDNF polymorphisms (rs6265 and rs7124442) with BMD and the fracture of distal radius. This retrospective study included 152 patients with distal radius fractures and 148 healthy controls. BDNF polymorphisms were detected via TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. BMD was evaluated through X-ray. Difference in features between cases and controls were compared adopting Chi-square test or t test. The associations of BDNF polymorphisms with fracture risk of distal radius and BMD were assessed employing x test and expressed by odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). BMD was significantly decreased in patients with the fracture of distal radius than in healthy controls. The polymorphism rs6265 significantly increased the risk of distal radius fracture (adjustment: GA: OR=1.724, 95%CI=1.003 –2.951, P= .049; GG: OR= 2.415, 95%CI=1.0219 –3.674, P= .005). Moreover, rs6265 genotypes GA (OR=4.326, 95%CI=1.725 –11.896, P= .003) and GG (OR=13.285, 95%CI=3.659 –51.072, P= .001) significantly increased BMD reduction. However, BDNF polymorphism rs7124442 had no obvious correlation with BMD or fracture risk. BMD was associated with BDNF rs6265 polymorphism. BDNF polymorphism rs6265 could elevate the risk of osteoporosis and distal radius fracture. Abbreviations: 3’-UTR = 3’-untranslated region, 95% CIs = 95% confidence intervals, BDNF = Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BMD = Bone mineral density, BMI = Body mass index, GWAS = Genome-wide association study, HWE = Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, ORs = Odds ratios, PCR = Polymerase chain reaction, SNP = Single nucleotide polymorphism.
Infections des dispositifs cardiaques implantables par des bactéries formant un biofilm dans les hôpitaux de l ' ouest Algérien

Background: The significant increase in the use of implantable cardiac devices (ICDs) has been accompanied by biofilm formation and increase rate of infection on the devices. The purpose of our study is to describe the clinical and microbiological findings of infection of ICDs in the cardiology units of western Algeria hospitals. Methodology: All patients with clinical diagnosis of ICD infections or infective endocarditis upon removal of their ICDs from December 2012 to August 2014 in cardiology units of 4 Algerian hospitals were included in the study. Each element of the ICD pocket and lead was separately sonicated in sterile saline, inoculated onto Chapman and MacConkey agar plates and incubated aerobically at 37C for colony count after 24 hours. Biochemical identification of the bacteria isolates was made by API 20E, API 20 NE and API Staph, and confirmed by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics WalkAway® 96 Plus System. Antibiotic susceptibility testing on each isolate was performed by the disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. Biofilm formation was detected by Congo Red Agar (CRA) and Tissue Culture Plate (TCP) methods, and hydrophobicity of the bacterial cell was determined by the MATH protocol. Results: Over a period of twenty-one months, 17 ICDs were removed from patients with post-operative infections; 6 (35.3%) had early infection of ICD and 11 (64.7%) had late ICD infection. Fifty-four bacterial strains were isolated and identified, with coagulase-negative staphylococci being the predominant bacteria with 46.3% (25/54). There was no significant association between hydrophobicity and antimicrobial resistance in the 54 isolates but there is positive correlation between biofilm production and antimicrobial resistance, with the strongest biofilm producers resistant to more than one antibiotic. Four independent predictors of infection of resynchronization devices were reported; reoperation, multi-morbidity, long procedure, and ICD implantation. Conclusion: Our study is the first in Algeria to describe microbiological characteristics of ICD infection. The bacteria in the biofilm were protected, more resistant and tolerated high concentrations of antibiotics and thus played a major role in the development of ICD infections. Despite the improvements in ICD design and implantation techniques, ICD infection remains a serious challenge.
A multiscale network-based model of contagion dynamics: Heterogeneity, spatial distancing and vaccination

Lockdown and vaccination policies have been the major concern in the last year in order to contain the SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we present a model able to evaluate alternative lockdown policies and vaccination strategies. Our approach integrates and refines the multiscale model proposed by Bellomo et al., 2020, analyzing alternative network structures and bridging two perspectives to study complexity of living systems. Inside different matrices of contacts we explore the impact of closures of distinct nodes upon the overall contagion dynamics. Social distancing is shown to be more effective when targeting the reduction of contacts among and inside the most vulnerable nodes, namely hospitals/nursing homes. Moreover, our results suggest that school closures alone would not significantly affect the infection dynamics and the number of deaths in the population. Finally, we investigate a scenario with immunization in order to understand the effectiveness of targeted vaccination policies towards the most vulnerable individuals. Our model agrees with the current proposed vaccination strategy prioritizing the most vulnerable segment of the population to reduce severe cases and deaths.
Biochemical Parameters in Detecting Malnutrition and Inflammatory Markers in CAPD Patients

Original Research Article Background: The nutritional status of dialysis patients can be determined by biochemical Parameters, anthropometry, protein catabolic rate, and body composition methods. Over the past decade, various nutritional parameters have emerged. Objective: The aim of the study was evaluation of biochemical parameters in detecting Malnutrition and Inflammatory Markers in CAPD Patients. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology of National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology, Dhaka, Bangladesh to Detect Malnutrition and Inflammatory Markers in CAPD Patients. They were identified based on hospital registry and Peritoneal Dialysis service provider. 69 cases were randomly selected for the study. Clinical examination and evaluation were done from July 2018 to June 2019. Other necessary investigations were done if clinically indicated. Statistical analysis of the results was obtained by using window-based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-22). Results: Out of 69 patients 39 were male (56.5%) and 30 were female (43.5%). 49.3% were diabetic, 30.4% had GN, 15.2% had HTN & 2.9% had OU & 1.4% had PKD. Mean Hb of Patients were 9.48 ± 1.77 (g/dl). Mean S Creatinine was 9.32 ± 3.94 (mg/dl). Mean CRP was 23.73 ± 26.67. Mean Albumin was 3.11 ± 0.60 (mg/dl). Mean Prealbumin was 0.30 ± 0.11 (ng/ml). Mean TIBC was 165.8 ± 59.5. S-albumin & S-prealbumin was significantly lower in patients with higher MIS-score (>5). Conclusion: Biochemical parameters and inflammatory markers significantly correlate with malnutrition among patients on CAPD.
Supplementary material to "Water uptake patterns of pea and barley responded to drought but not to cropping systems"

Abstract. Agricultural production is under threat of water scarcity due to increasingly frequent and severe drought events under climate change. Whether a change in cropping systems can be used as an effective adaptation strategy against drought is still unclear. We investigated how plant water uptake patterns of a field-grown pea-barley (Pisum sativum L. and Hordeum vulgare L.) mixture, an important fodder crop, responded to experimental drought under four cropping systems, i.e., organic intensive tillage, conventional intensive tillage, conventional no-tillage, and organic reduced tillage. Drought was simulated after crop establishment using rain shelters. Proportional contributions to plant water uptake from different soil layers were estimated based on stable water isotopes using Bayesian mixing models. Pea plants always took up proportionally more water from shallower depths than barley plants. Water uptake patterns of neither species were affected by cropping systems. Both species showed similar responses to the drought simulation and increased their proportional contributions from shallow soil layer (0–20 cm) in all cropping systems. Our results highlight the impact of drought on plant water uptake patterns for two important crop species and suggest that cropping systems might not be as successful as adaptation strategies against drought as previously thought.
AJAS / SPAS ISSN 2316-0861 Modelling Clustered Survival Data with Competing Risks

The classical Cox proportional hazards model is the most popular semiparametric model commonly used to assess the effects of risk factors in a homogeneous population for continuous survival time data. It is however based on the assumption that survival times are untied. Discrete-time logit model has been widely applied to survival time data in order to handle ties when there is a single cause for the event occurring. There are situations when an individual is at risk of experiencing several risks of failure and only the first of them is observed. In this study, binary logit model for competing risk with mixture of baseline hazard functions for clustered discrete-time data is proposed.