Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real time estimation of the risk of death from novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection: Inference using exported cases

The exported cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection who were confirmed in other countries provide a chance to estimate the cumulative incidence and confirmed case fatality risk (cCFR) in China. Knowledge of the cCFR is critical to characterize the severity and understand pandemic potential of 2019-nCoV in the early stage of epidemic. Using the exponential growth rate of the incidence, the present study statistically estimated the cCFR and the basic reproduction number, i.e., the average number of secondary cases generated by a single primary case in a naive population. As of 24 January 2020, with 23 exported cases, and estimating the growth rate from 8 December 2019 (scenario 1) and using the data since growth of exported cases (scenario 2), the cumulative incidence in China was estimated at 5433 cases (95% confidence interval (CI): 3883, 7160) and 17780 cases (95% CI: 9646, 28724), respectively. The latest estimates of the cCFR were 4.6% (95% CI: 3.1-6.6) for scenario 1 and 7.7% (95% CI: 4.9-11.3%) for scenario 2, respectively. The basic reproduction number was estimated to be 2.2 (95% CI: 2.1, 2.3) and 3.7 (95% CI: 3.1, 4.3) for scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Based on the results, we note that current 2019-nCoV epidemic has a substation potential to cause a pandemic. The proposed approach can provide insights into early risk assessment using only publicly available data.
Body Image and Quality of Life Among Postsurgical Bariatric Patients

BODY IMAGE AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG POSTSURGICAL BARIATRIC PATIENTS Amy Leigh White Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology, 2016 Director: Dr. Barbara Cubic In recent decades, bariatric surgery has become an increasingly popular intervention for the treatment of morbid obesity. Bariatric surgery leads to substantial improvements in physical health (e.g., weight loss, increased life expectancy) and psychological health (e.g., body image, quality of life). After bariatric surgery, many patients undergo subsequent surgical procedures to remove excess skin (“body contouring”), which are also associated with positive medical and psychological outcomes. The present study sought to expand upon existing research into the psychosocial outcomes of bariatric surgery, investigate correlates of patients’ desire for body contouring, and determine whether presurgical motivations were associated with postsurgical outcomes. Seventynine adult postoperative bariatric patients completed a computer-based survey containing measures of body image (Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire [MBSRQ]), quality of life (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lite [IWQOL-Lite]), body image quality of life (Body Image Quality of Life Inventory [BIQLI]), desire for body contouring surgery, and presurgical motivations. A hierarchical multiple regression found that weight loss was associated with improvements in body image and quality of life – but not body image quality of life. Although most patients reported dissatisfaction with their abdominal region after surgery, a linear
An Investigation of Extracurricular Activities in Relation to Sense of Identity of College Freshmen

Based on a sample of 330 freshman students enrolled in a First-Year Studies Program, 32 of 38 extracurricular activities of students were found to be significantly related to sense of identity, including those pertaining to socializing, religious/spiritual activities, leisure pursuits, study groups, volunteering, sports, traveling, and passive entertainment. Discussion of results includes an explanation for their findings as well as theoretical and practical implications.
Isotopic characterization of nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrous acid (HONO), and nitrate (pNO3−) from laboratory biomass burning during FIREX

Abstract. New techniques have recently been developed and applied to capture reactive nitrogen species, including nitrogen oxides (NOx=NO+NO2), nitrous acid (HONO), nitric acid (HNO3), and particulate nitrate (pNO3-), for accurate measurement of their isotopic composition. Here, we report – for the first time – the isotopic composition of HONO from biomass burning (BB) emissions collected during the Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments Experiment (FIREX, later evolved into FIREX-AQ) at the Missoula Fire Science Laboratory in the fall of 2016. We used our newly developed annular denuder system (ADS), which was verified to completely capture HONO associated with BB in comparison with four other high-time-resolution concentration measurement techniques, including mist chamber–ion chromatography (MC–IC), open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR), cavity-enhanced spectroscopy (CES), and proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF). In 20 “stack” fires (direct emission within ∼5 s of production by the fire) that burned various biomass materials from the western US, δ15N–NOx ranges from −4.3 ‰ to +7.0 ‰, falling near the middle of the range reported in previous work. The first measurements of δ15N–HONO and δ18O–HONO in biomass burning smoke reveal a range of −5.3 ‰ to +5.8 ‰ and +5.2 ‰ to +15.2 ‰, respectively. Both HONO and NOx are sourced from N in the biomass fuel, and δ15N–HONO and δ15N–NOx are strongly correlated (R2=0.89, p<0.001), suggesting HONO is directly formed via subsequent chain reactions of NOx emitted from biomass combustion. Only 5 of 20 pNO3- samples had a sufficient amount for isotopic analysis and showed δ15N and δ18O of pNO3- ranging from −10.6 ‰ to −7.4 ‰ and +11.5 ‰ to +14.8 ‰, respectively. Our δ15N of NOx, HONO, and pNO3- ranges can serve as important biomass burning source signatures, useful for constraining emissions of these species in environmental applications. The δ18O of HONO and NO3- obtained here verify that our method is capable of determining the oxygen isotopic composition in BB plumes. The δ18O values for both of these species reflect laboratory conditions (i.e., a lack of photochemistry) and would be expected to track with the influence of different oxidation pathways in real environments. The methods used in this study will be further applied in future field studies to quantitatively track reactive nitrogen cycling in fresh and aged western US wildfire plumes.
MAGNITUDE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AMONG WOMEN DELIVERED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS OF BENCH MAJI, KEFFA AND SHEKA ZONES SOUTH WEST OF ETHIOPIA, 2018

BACKGROUND: The burden of low birth weight has decreased dramatically worldwide in the past 40 years.Despite this, there is still a large gap between the developing and developed countries. Ethiopia is one of thedeveloping countries with limited data on the prevalence and main risk factors of low birth weight. Therefore;providing information on this problem is very important for planning maternal and child health care services.OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude and factors associated with low birth weight among women deliveredat Mizan-Tepi university teaching hospital, Tepi general hospital, Wacha hospital and Gebretsadik Shawo hospitalsSouthwest, Ethiopia, 2018.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at selected hospitals on all women who gave birth duringstudy period. Data was entered to Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logisticregression analysis was carried out to identify associated factors at confidence interval of 95% and significance levelof P-value<0.05. RESULT: The magnitude of low birth weight was 7.5%. Educational status of the mother [AOR 3.6, 95% CI(1.46-8.92)], iron intake during pregnancy [AOR 2.88, 95% CI (1.37-6.05)], Current pregnancy complication [AOR5.98, 95% CI (3.37-10.62)], induced labor [AOR 2.37, 95% CI (1.08-5.12)] and gestational age [AOR 37.61, 95% CI(20.61-68.56)] were significantly associated factors with low birth weight.CONCLUSION: The magnitude of low birth weight was found to be high in the study area. Educationalstatus of the mother, iron intake during pregnancy, pregnancy complication, induced labor and gestational age wereidentified predictors of low birth weight.KEY TERMS: Low Birth Weight, Pregnancy, Delivery, Women.
Clinical spectrum of acute kidney injury among hospitalized patients in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the important overall causes of mortality in hospitalized patients. Variability in definitions of AKI has led to gross variations in the incidence across the world. Multiple metabolic derangements in these patients can increase the mortality and morbidity. Our study aims at studying the incidence, clinical, biochemical, hematological and sonographic abnormalities seen in hospitalized patients with AKI. Methods and Material: Case records of 237 patients admitted in various departments of a tertiary care center over a three year period from 2010 to 2013, who developed AKI were included in the study. The etiologies, various hematological and biochemical test reports, ultrasonography of abdomen and treatment given was noted. Statistical analysis was done to find the pattern of AKI and the prevalence of various biochemical and metabolic abnormalities. Results: The incidence of AKI among hospitalized patients was 1.9%. Out of 237 patients with AKI, 62% were males. 70% belonged to medical and allied specialties. The most common cause of AKI was infection related. Fever was the most common symptom (48%) and common laboratory abnormalities included anemia (70%), hyperkalemia (36%) and proteinuria (29%). Mortality in this study was 21 (9%), 73% received conservative therapy while 27% had undergone hemodialysis. Conclusions: AKI is highly prevalent among hospitalized patients admitted in medical and allied departments. Infections top the list among the causes of AKI. Various metabolic and biochemical abnormalities are seen, most of them can be managed conservatively and up to one third may require hemodialysis.
Microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of rice and corn starch

Starch granules from rice and corn were isolated, and their molecular mechanism on interaction with α‐amylase was characterized through biochemical test, microscopic imaging, and spectroscopic measurements. The micro‐scale structure of starch granules were observed under an optical microscope and their average size was in the range 1–100 μm. The surface topological structures of starch with micro‐holes due to the effect of α‐ amylase were also visualized under scanning electron microscope. The crystallinity was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction patterns as well as second‐harmonic generation microscopy. The change in chemical bonds before and after hydrolysis of the starch granules by α‐ amylase was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Combination of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques relates structural and chemical features that explain starch enzymatic hydrolysis which will provide a valid basis for future studies in food science and insights into the energy transformation dynamics.
Antibiotic Prescribing : Towards a reducTion during Urgent NHS Dental appointments in England (The APTiTUDE Study)

Health problem: Slowing the development and spread of infections resistant to antibiotics is an urgent public health and patient safety need. Clinicians are encouraged to use antibiotics wisely but unnecessary antibiotic use by dentists remains high. In 2015, dentists issued 1-in-20 of all NHS antibiotic prescriptions, totalling 3.4 million per year. Approaches to date, such as issuing clinical guidance advising dental procedures rather than using antibiotics for toothache/infection, have been inadequate. Aim of the research: To develop ways to support reduced antibiotic prescribing for adults with acute conditions during urgent NHS dental appointments in England. How did I approach it? To understand the factors associated with dentists’ antibiotic prescribing behaviour, influences on treatment decisions were explored during urgent dental appointments in NHS high-street practices and out-of-hours dental clinics. Based on observations and follow-up interviews with patients, dentists and dental nurses, a list of factors influencing treatment decisions was produced. Next, people with experience of receiving urgent dental care, dental team members and service/policy managers prioritised the factors and identified those potentially amenable to modification. Finally, behavioural science was applied to underpin the development of an intervention to reduce dental antibiotic prescribing. What was the outcome? A logic model was produced describing the theory of change and intervention components to reduce antibiotic prescribing by dentists for adults with acute conditions during urgent dental appointments in England. This will inform development of a complex intervention aimed at individual dentists and patients, the dentist-patient dyad and at organisational level for future evaluation after completion of this doctoral research. Dissemination: Co-production with patients and key stakeholders has provided a wide network for disseminating the findings of this research, including addition to the national dental antimicrobial stewardship toolkit. Presentations at national and international dental, and antimicrobial stewardship conferences have generated extensive interest in the research.
The endogenous L-cysteine desulfhydrase and hydrogen sulfide participate in supplemented phosphorus-induced tolerance to salinity stress in maize (Zeamays) plants

Faisalabad, Pakistan Abstract: Although phosphorus supplementation (SP) has been shown to improve salinity tolerance in plants, crosstalk between hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) or L-cysteine desulfhydrase (LDES) and SP-induced salinity tolerance needs to be elucidated. Thus, prior to initiation of stress treatment, young seedlings were transferred to aqueous solution containing the scavenger of H 2 S, 0.1 mM hypotaurine (HT), or the inhibitor of LDES, 0.3 mM DL-propargylglycine (PAG), for 12 h. The plants grown under control (no NaCl added) or salinity stress (SS; 100 mM NaCl) were then supplemented with SP (2.0 mM in total) as KH 2 PO 4 for 5 weeks. SS caused a significant decrease in plant growth, PSII maximum efficiency, chlorophyll a and b, leaf water potential, relative water content, mineral element contents, ascorbate, and glutathione, but a significant increase in hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, electron leakage, proline, the activities of different key antioxidant enzymes, Na + contents, endogenous H 2 S, and LDES activity. The SP-induced tolerance to salinity stress of maize plants was found to be due to reduced leaf Na + content and oxidative stress, as well as improved antioxidant defence system, leaf mineral nutrient contents, plant growth and photosynthetic traits, levels of H 2 S and proline, and LDES activity. However, HT significantly reversed the levels of H 2 S, but did not reduce LDES activity. The application of PAG reversed both H 2 S and LDES in the salinity-stressed maize plants. Both HT and PAG reversed the positive effects of SP on oxidative stress and the antioxidant defence system, suggesting that H 2 S and LDES both jointly participated in P-induced salinity tolerance of
Effect of salt stress on salt tolerant indices of morpho-physiological traits and yield attributes of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Salinity is considered in major abiotic stress creating constraints to plant growth and productivity. The knowledge of tolerant genotypes and their variability is an important requirement for success of any breeding programme. Therefore present study was attempted to screen salinity tolerance in ten lentil genotypes on the basis of their morphological, physiological and yield attributes. On the basis of experimental findings, the genotypes PDL1 were found to be highly tolerant and genotype PL07, PL04, IPL316, IPL406 was moderately tolerant whereas genotypes L4076, L4147, DPL62, DPL58 and K75 were found sensitive among studied genotypes under both salinity levels. However on the basis of yield attributes, the genotype PDL1 was found to be most tolerant among studied genotypes under both salinity levels. The genotype PDL1 will be very beneficial for the farmer belong to area which is salt affected to achieve higher pulse production.
Genetic Diversity and Phyletic Evolution of Eleven Chinese Indigenous and Three Commercial Chicken Breeds by mtDNA Sequences

23/April/2019 Approved: 27/August/2019 ABSTRACT Chinese indigenous chicken breeds are geographically widespread, and a total of 116 indigenous chicken breeds are listed as Chinese national genetic resources. However, these indigenous chicken breeds are facing serious challenges as declining population and germplasm degeneration because lots of commercial chicken breeds had been introduced. In this study, the genetic variations of eleven Chinese indigenous chicken breeds of Sichuan province and three commercial chicken breeds were investigated based on the partial mitochondrial DNA D-loop of 487bp in length. 147 individuals from 14 breeds were examined and 34 haplotypes were observed. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the highest haplotype diversity level was found in Dahen Chicken (DH) population, while the Arbor Acres Chicken (WF) and Roman layer (RM) showed lower genetic diversity levels. The long-term artificial selection may lead to reduced nucleotide diversity. Genetic population differentiation analysis indicated that most of the variation (80.80%) was attributed to variations among breeds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these individuals were divided into four distinct genetic clades, including cluster A, B, C and D. Eighteen haplotypes were classified as cluster A, eight haplotypes were classified as cluster B, five haplotypes were classified as cluster C and three haplotypes were classified as cluster D. There was no breed-specific clade. Our study firstly identified the population’s genetic structure of Chinese indigenous chickens and the most important commercial breeds in Sichuan province, though the genetic diversity of
Bayesian genomic models boost prediction accuracy for resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia (Oreochromus nilioticus)

Streptococcosis due to Streptococcus agalactiae is a major bacterial disease in Nile tilapia, and development of the resistant genetic strains can be a sustainable approach towards combating this problematic disease. Thus, a controlled disease trial was performed on 120 full-sib families to i) quantify and characterize the potential of genomic selection for S. agalactiae resistance in Nile tilapia and to ii) select the best genomic model and optimal SNP-chip for this trait. In total, 40 fish per family (15 fish intraperitoneally injected and 25 fish as cohabitants) were selected for the challenge test and mortalities recorded every 3 hours, until no mortalities occurred for a period of 3 consecutive days. Genotypes (50,690 SNPs) and phenotypes (0 for dead and 1 for alive) for 2472 cohabitant fish were available. The pedigree-based analysis utilized a deep pedigree, going 17 generations back in time. Genetic parameters were obtained using various genomic selection models (GBLUP, BayesB, BayesC, BayesR and BayesS) and traditional pedigree-based model (PBLUP). The genomic models were further analyzed using 10 different subsets of SNP-densities for optimum marker density selection. Prediction accuracy and bias were evaluated using 5 replicates of 10-fold cross-validation. Using an appropriate Bayesian genomic selection model and optimising it for SNP density increased prediction accuracy up to ∼71%, compared to a pedigree-based model. This result is encouraging for practical implementation of genomic selection for S. agalactiae resistance in Nile tilapia breeding programs.
Self-regulated learning: Intelligence quotient and mathematical disposition

Self-regulated learning is very important in efforts to improve mathematics learning outcomes. For that, the factors that influence it needs to get attention in learning mathematics. these factors include intelligence and mathematical disposition. The purpose of this study is to analyze the direct effect of intelligence quotient and mathematical disposition towards self-regulated learning in state junior high school students in Bandar Lampung City. The research uses survey methods with path analysis techniques. Intelligence quotient (X1) and mathematical disposition (X2) as exogenous variables, self-regulated learning (X3) as an endogenous variable. The results show 1) there is a positive direct effect of intelligence quotient towards self-regulated learning; 2) there is a positive direct effect of mathematical disposition towards self-regulated learning.
Nurses Treating Patients in the Emergency Department? a Patient Survey

Background Hong Kong residents are familiar with prolonged waiting times in emergency departments (ED), particularly with semi-urgent or non-urgent conditions. In the United Kingdom and Australasia, extended nurse practitioners are well established. The aim of this study was to identify whether Hong Kong patients would prefer treatment by ED nurses or traditional care by doctors under various waiting time conditions. Methods This was a prospective questionnaire study of patients who had been triaged into category 4 (semi-urgent) or 5 (non-urgent) during office hours from 20 to 27 June 2005. Following verbal consent, three waiting time scenarios were considered by the patient using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis used the chi square test. Results Overall, 253 patients were approached and 249 patients [119 (47.8%) male; mean age 48 (SD 19.4) years] verbally agreed to participate (98.4%). Patients were classified into three age groups. When the waiting time for nurse treatment was four hours shorter than doctors, patients aged 15–30 and 31–64 years more often chose nurses (overall 59.3%) for treatment but those aged ≥65 years preferred doctors to nurses (58.1% in favour of doctors), despite the longer waiting time (p=0.013, chi square test). Men also preferred nursing treatment compared to women (p<0.001). When the waiting time for doctors was 4 hours shorter than nurses or the same, 99.2% and 95.5% chose doctors respectively. Conclusion When the waiting times are long, Hong Kong patients <65 years would prefer to see suitably trained nurses in preference to doctors. Consideration should be given to providing training for senior nurses to have an extended role in Hong Kong EDs.
The Impact of Financial Crisis on the Commercial Bank Net Interest Margins: Evidence from the Turkish Banking Industry

This paper investigates the impact of financial crisis on the determinants of bank interest rate margin (NIM) in Turkey over the period 1995-2017. The sample period is divided into two sub-periods: Pre-crisis period (1995-2000) and post-crisis period (2002-2017). The NIMs are specified as a function of bank and market-specific variables, such as operating cost, liquidity, credit risk, implicit interest payments, size, managerial efficiency, and concentration. The differences between two time periods could be explained by the differences in the legal, financial and macroeconomic environment. Competition seems to be more intense in the post-crisis period. The new regulatory and macroeconomic environment has enhanced the level of bank competition. Particularly, competitive pressure from foreign banks will lead domestic banks to enhance the quality and range of financial products offered in near future. Policy makers should promote mergers and acquisitions in order to increase scale of banks operating in the sector. Exploitation of the scale economics seems to be important in decreasing interest rate spread in the Turkish banking sector.