Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of residents in medical research and barriers

Abstract Background: Research activity is an important component of postgraduate training in medical institutions. However, only a few residents of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital were able to publish research papers. Lack of funding and time, poor infrastructure, belief about research, and inadequate research knowledge and methodology were reported to be among the hindering reasons. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers to conduct research among clinical residents. Methods: Three hundred and forty-four residents from 13 clinical departments were enrolled in a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted during December 2015 - May 2016. Participants of this study were determined using convenient sampling technique. This means that residents who showed willingness to participate in the study were included. Data were collected using standardized field tested questionnaire. After collecting the responses they were entered into SPSS (version 20) software. Descriptive statistics, one sample-T, and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to analyze the data and report the finding. Results: Mean Knowledge score was 34.6% for all participants. Knowledge score was significantly better among females compared to males (p-value < 0.01 (95% CI: 0.32-0.85). Attitude towards research undertaking was positive with mean score of 3.8 (95 % CI: 3.75-3.86). Research practice (presentations and previous publications) were found to be very low (27.6% and 2% respectively). Research training received during graduate training was positively correlated with publications (practice) (p < 0.01). Inadequate financial and mentor support as well as lack of access to research equipment were found to be the main barriers the study participants face to conduct clinical research. Conclusion: Participants’ attitude towards research was positive, but their knowledge of research made their practice inadequate. There is a need for filling the gap between high level of positive attitude, low research knowledge and low research practice. This can perhaps be achieved through increasing their training during their graduate studies. Improving research equipment and the resident’s access to financial and better research mentorship are recommended to raise their knowledge and research practice. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2017;31(4):259-265] Key words: Medical research, Knowledge, Attitude, Post graduate training, Ethiopia.
Ischemic Stroke among Young Adults Visiting a Referral Hospital in Ethiopia: The Impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Background: The burden of stroke in young adults appears to have increased significantly over the past few decades. The causes of ischemic stroke are long-standing hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity and poor dietary habit. But, the burden of stroke from rheumatic heart disease in young adults in Ethiopia is not well studied. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all ischemic stroke patients presented to Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital from December 2011 to December 2015. Their demographic data and clinical characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result: A total of 161 patients with ischemic stroke were eligible for chart review, of which75 patients (46.6%) were female and 86 patients (53.4%) were male. The median age of patients was 60 years.
Spatial and Temporal Aspects of Growth in the Primary Root of Cotton Seedlings: Effects of NaCl and CaCl2

Seedlings of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Acala SJ-2) were grown in modified Hoagland nutrient solution with various combinations of NaCl and CaCl2. Marking experiments and numerical analysis were conducted to characterize the spatial and temporal patterns of cotton root growth at varied Na/Ca ratios. At 1 mol m-3 Ca, 150 mol m-3 NaCl reduced overall root elongation rate to 60% of the control, while increasing Ca to 10 mol m~3 at the same NaCl concentration restored the elongation rate to 80% of the control. Analysis of the spatial distribution of elongation revealed that the presence of 150 mol m"3 NaCl in the medium shortened the growth zone by about 2 mm from the approximate 10 mm in the control and also reduced the relative elemental elongation rate (i.e. the longitudinal strain rate, defined as the derivatives of displacement velocity of a cellular particle with respect to position on root axis). Supply of 10 mol m"3 Ca at the high salt condition restored partially the relative elemental elongation rate, but not the length of the growth zone. Compared to the control, the growth trajectories showed that at 1 mol m""3 CaCl2 it took more time for a cellular particle to move through the growth zone at 150 mol m 3 NaCl, while at 10 mol m-3 CaCl it took less time and there was no difference between the NaCl treatments.
TB147: Simulating the Development of Mexican Bean Beetle Immature Stages, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on Dry Beans

A computer model was developed to simulate and predict the phenology of Mexican bean beetle (MBB), Epilachna varivestis Mulsant, populations on dry beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. Timevarying distributed developmental rates of the egg, four larval instars, and pupal stages were simulated with degree day models, based on a standardized cumulative probability distribution function from a range of constant temperature experiments. Predictions from the simulation model provided a good fit to the observed constant temperature data and field experiments. Using temperature data in the form of daily maximums and minimums, the model can be used to predict the occurrence of immature MBB stages under field conditions, when the frequency distribution of egg mass recruitment is known (i.e., from sampling). It is also possible to incorporate mortality of the population by modifying the delay subroutine, and to simulate insect consumption by adding a consumption subroutine.
Effects of green tree retention and prescribed burning on the crown damage caused by the pine shoot beetles (Tomicus spp.) in pine‐dominated timber harvest areas

Abstract: We explored how two recently introduced methods to promote biodiversity during the timber harvest in boreal forests – green tree retention and use of fire – may affect damages caused by pine shoot beetles (Tomicus piniperda and Tomicus minor; Col., Scolytinae) in the surrounding pine forests. The experimental design included 24 separate study sites, 3–5 ha each, which were assigned to different treatments according to factorial design. Retention levels included 0, 10, 50 m3/ha and uncut controls. Twelve of the sites were burned and thus there were three replicates of each treatment combination. Old and new fallen pine shoots were counted from transects in adjacent pine‐dominated forests 2 and 3 years after the treatments. Populations of Tomicus spp. in the sites were monitored using window traps before and after the treatments, and by examining felled sample trees. Numbers of fallen shoots returned to background levels around unburned and burned clearcuts with no retention trees in 3 years after the treatments, but remained still at increased level in burned harvested sites with 10 and 50 m3 of retained trees per hectare. Numbers of fallen shoots in burned uncut forests increased in one site only, where the fire was intense enough to kill large pine trees, but the damage did not extend outside the burned area. Shoot numbers remained at such low levels (<18 000 shoots/ha) in all treatment combinations that growth losses were not likely. Numbers of egg galleries of Tomicus spp. in trees killed by fire were low, indicating that burnings that take place after the swarming of Tomicus beetles create dead wood that is not optimal for the breeding of these pests. We conclude that green tree retention and prescribed use of fire do not automatically affect populations of Tomicus spp. more than traditional forestry operations (thinnings and clearcuttings) do.
Impact of polder system on flooding in the Rolava River basin

TAUFMANNOVÁ, A. , JENÍČEK, M. (2011): Impact of polder system on flooding in the Rolava River basin. Geografie, 116, No. 2, pp. 130–143. – This paper deals with evaluating the impact of dry reservoirs on flood events. The system of dry reservoirs could create an effective part of integrated flood protection. The system of four uncontrolled dry reservoirs was theoretically implemented to the headwater part of the Rolava River basin in the Ore Mountains. The main aim was to evaluate the potential impact of the dry reservoirs on peak discharge decrease during two known rainfall events in September 2007 and in August 2006 and four theoretical scenarios – 10, 20, 50 and 100-year return period of 1-day precipitation. Rainfall-runoff modelling was carried out by means of the model HEC–HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center – Hydrologic Modeling System) with satisfactory agreement in the calibration and verification process.
Effect of Nitrogen Supply and Storage Temperature on Vitamin C in Two Species of Baby Leaf Rocket, and the Potential of These Crops for a Nutrient Claim in Australia

Baby leaf crops such as rocket are popular in mixed salads and add flavor and diversity to these dishes. Rocket leaves contain many beneficial compounds to human health, including vitamin C. It is important to determine abiotic factors that influence the concentration of this compound; in order to improve the supply of quality produce with a high nutritional value. The possibility of a nutrient claim for leaves of perennial wall rocket [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC. ] and annual garden rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.) was examined under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) framework. Crops were supplied with 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg · ha−1 of nitrogen (N); leaves were stored at 0, 4, and 7°C for 15 days. The cultivar and amount of nitrogen supplied to perennial wall rocket did not affect the concentration of vitamin C in leaves at harvest, with a mean of 79.6 mg 100 g−1. For annual garden rocket there was an interaction between cultivar and nitrogen supply, with higher levels of supply generally resulting in lower vitamin C concentrations at harvest. The postharvest stability of vitamin C in both crops was best maintained at the lowest storage temperature. The results of this study illustrate that if stored at 0°C, both species contain vitamin C in sufficient quantities 15 days after harvest, to result in a “good source” health claim [>25% recommended daily intake (RDI)]. However, the storage temperature in the supply chain is typically ∼7°C, still permitting a “source” health claim (>10% RDI) for both species.
The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculations and cotyledon removal on early seedling growth of Pongamia pinnata

Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, a fast-growing oil-seed-producing tree legume, has the ability to grow on wastelands. It can be utilized for biofuel plantation on such lands. The preconditioning of young seedlings during the early stage of development with efficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) confers several benefits enhancing the possibility of their establishment in fields after outplanting from nurseries. However, before recommending these fungi for inoculation, the suitable AMF species must be identified. Therefore, to determine the potential AMF species, 9 purified fungi (isolated from different sites) were tested for their growth promotion activity. The inoculated fungi were not able to increase seedling growth. Some fungi reduced growth, which was attributed to more utilization of carbon by fungal symbiont. Development of fine roots was delayed up to 30 days after sowing and hence their colonization by AMF inoculants. This could be due to the large amount of nutrients stored in cotyledons of large P. pinnata seeds. Removal of cotyledons significantly reduced seedling growth and plants showed some extent of dependency on AMF inoculants. Thus, it was concluded that AMF inoculations should enhance biomass of P. pinnata only after depletion of metabolic reserves in its cotyledons and such mycorrhizal seedlings can be utilized for biofuel plantation.
Effects of Some Indigenous Plant Extracts as Inhibitors of Egg Hatch in Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita race 2)

Studies on the effectiveness of some indigenous plant extracts as inhibitors of egg-hatch in root- knot nematode ( Meloidogyne incognita race 2) were carried out in the Plant Protection Laboratory of Institute of Agricultural Research & Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. Azadirachta indica (Neem); Chromolaena odorata (Siam weed); Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco); Carica papaya (Pawpaw); Cannabis sativa (Hemp); Cassia alata (Asunwon) and Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) were effective inhibitors of egg-hatch of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita race 2 at concentration of 2.5% w/v (250g/10litres of water) while the rest were good inhibitors of egg-hatch of M. incognita race 2.
Physiological and growth responses of St. Augustinegrass cultivars to salinity

Salt tolerance in grasses is needed due to increased restrictions on limited fresh water resources and to saltwater intrusion into groundwater. St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze) is used widely as a lawngrass in states border- ing the Gulf of Mexico. We describe the response of four St. Augustinegrass cultivars to solution cultures differentially salinized with synthetic seawater. A sea salt mixture was added to half-strength Hoagland's No. 2 nutrient solution to provide six salinity treatments ranging from 1.1 to 41.5 dS·m -1 . Adjustments in leaf water potential, leaf osmotic potential, and leaf turgor potential were measured as salt levels were increased gradually at 2-day intervals over 10 days. Salinity effects on growth of top, crown, and root of each cultivar were measured over 3 months. Turfgrasses differed in their response, but were consistent in adjustment in leaf water potential and in leaf turgor potential as salinity increased. Leaf water potential, leaf osmotic potential, and leaf turgor potential decreased linearly with increased salinity, but a positive turgor of 0.1 MPa was maintained at a salt concentration equal to that of seawater. 'Seville', the most salt-tolerant St. Augustinegrass cultivar, exhibited a 50% reduction in top growth at 28.1 dS·m -1 , while 'Floratam', 'Floratine', and 'Floralawn' St. Augustinegrasses showed the same reduction in top growth at 22.8 dS·m -1 . Differences between cultivars were greatest at salinity levels <10 dS·m -1 , where 'Seville' was twice as salt-tolerant compared to other cultivars. The grasses did not die, although top growth of all cultivars was severely reduced at a salt level equal to seawater.
Convolutional neural networks in skin cancer detection using spatial and spectral domain

Skin cancers are a world wide deathly health problem, where significant life and cost savings could be achieved if detection of cancer can be done in early phase. Hypespectral imaging is prominent tool for non-invasive screening. In this study we compare how use of both spectral and spatial domain increase classification performance of convolutional neural networks. We compare five different neural network architectures for real patient data. Our models gain same or slightly better positive predictive value as clinicians. Towards more general and reliable model more data is needed and collection of training data should be systematic.
Orthogonal Chirp-Division Multiplexing for Power Line Sensing via Time-Domain Reflectometry

In this study, a time-domain reflectometry (TDR) system based on the orthogonal chirp-division multiplexing (OCDM) scheme is proposed for power line sensing. After the system model description, a multiple access scheme that exploits the convolution theorem of the modified discrete Fresnel transform for enabling distributed reflectometric and transferometric power line sensing is introduced. Next, the effects of the parametrization of the proposed OCDM-based TDR system on range resolution and maximum unambiguous range are assessed. A comparison with multiple access schemes based on the Hermitian symmetric orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (HS-OFDM) is then performed, being the number of measurements obtained over time and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) used as performance metrics. Numerical results show that the proposed multiple access scheme achieves the highest number of measurements over time, besides yielding the same range resolution as the HS-OFDM-based counterparts. Finally, the proposed multiple access scheme is slightly outperformed by the HS-OFDM based on code-division multiple access and by the HS-OFDM based on frequency-division multiple access at some power line modems (PLMs) consisting the distributed sensing system, although its yielded SINR values at distinct PLMs are at a same level.
Effect of Bhastrika Pranayama on Abdominal Obesity in Men & Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a state of excess adipose tissue mass abdominal obesity or central obesity occurs when excessive abdominal fat around the stomach and abdomen there is a strong correlation between central obesity and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is associated with the development of some of the most prevalent diseases of modern society such as Type-II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, certain forms of cancer, arthritis, renal failure and gall bladder disease, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Generalized obesity measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the major causes of ill health in the society. However, abdominal obesity, which is closely associated with intra-abdominal fat and measured either by waist circumference or waist-to-hip ratio, predicts subsequent coronary artery disease. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was planned to evaulate the effect of Bhastrika pranayama on abdominal obesity. METHODS: Sixty [male or female] patients with Abdominal Obesity of age group between 18-45 years will participate in the study. After obtaining informed consent, they will be subjected to be measured for their Height, Weight, BMI, Hip and Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip ratio and Abdominal skin fold thickness. After obtaining informed consent, the selected patients would be subjected to Yoga Therapy for 10 mintues/twice a day for 60 days, under the supervision of Department of Yoga and Naturopathy, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College, Arumbakkam, Chennai 106. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of the results obtained, we can conclude the differences were found in weight, BMI, Skin fold thickness between study group and control group. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Two months combined practice of Bhastrika Pranayama in obese individuals showed minimal changes in Waist Hip Ratio and BMI.
Applying Machine Learning to Advance Cyber Security: Network Based Intrusion Detection Systems

APPLYING MACHINE LEARNING TO ADVANCE CYBER SECURITY: NETWORK BASED INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS Hassan Hadi Latheeth AL-Maksousy Old Dominion University, 2018 Director: Dr. Michele C. Weigle Co-Director: Dr. Cong Wang Many new devices, such as phones and tablets as well as traditional computer systems, rely on wireless connections to the Internet and are susceptible to attacks. Two important types of attacks are the use of malware and exploiting Internet protocol vulnerabilities in devices and network systems. These attacks form a threat on many levels and therefore any approach to dealing with these nefarious attacks will take several methods to counter. In this research, we utilize machine learning to detect and classify malware, visualize, detect and classify worms, as well as detect deauthentication attacks, a form of Denial of Service (DoS). This work also includes two prevention mechanisms for DoS attacks, namely a onetime password (OTP) and through the use of machine learning. Furthermore, we focus on an exploit of the widely used IEEE 802.11 protocol for wireless local area networks (WLANs). The work proposed here presents a threefold approach for intrusion detection to remedy the effects of malware and an Internet protocol exploit employing machine learning as a primary tool. We conclude with a comparison of dimensionality reduction methods to a deep learning classifier to demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods without compromising the accuracy of classification.
Open Appendectomy in Children: Double Ligation Versus Stump Inversion

Background: The aim of the study is to draw a comparison between two appendectomy techniques of open appendectomy procedure entitled double ligation and stump inversion. Methods: The study was designed retrospectively at two different points in time when one of these two techniques was performed in our department. At the first time period in 2008 (Group A) 166 double ligation appendectomies were performed in comparison to the latter in 2011 (GroupB) where 202 stump inversion have been carried out. The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and they were assessed according to the intention to- treat analysis principle. Results: There was no mortality and overall complication rate was similar in both groups. A total number 60 simple wound infections treated with wound dressing. The cases of deep wound infections and abdominal abscesses underwent antibiotic treatment and four children in group B required reoperation. The only statistically significant outcome is that the period of hospital stay of groupB turned out to be longer than groupA. Conclusion: Considering the main surgical principle of “the preference of the more simple technique”, we believe that; in performance of an open appendectomy, the preference of a double ligation technique would be more appropriate.
IMPOSEX IN THAIS CLAVIGERA (NEOGASTROPODA) AS AN INDICATOR OF TBT (TRIBUTYLTIN) BIOAVAILABILITY IN COASTAL WATERS OF HONG KONG

The degree of imposex (the imposition of male characteristics onto females) exhibited by females of Thais clavigera, collected during August 1996, was assessed using the Relative Penis Size Index (RPSI) and the Vas Deferens development sequence (VDS), to ascertain the extent of TBT (tributyltin) bioavailability in Hong Kong’s coastal waters. All sites showed some degree of imposex development. The most affected areas were Victoria Harbour and Aberdeen where up to 92% of females were effectively sterilised by the development of a vas deferens, thereby, blocking the oviduct (VDS scores of 4-6 and RPSI of 32-41%). There is some evidence of this affecting the population structure of T. clavigera, i.e., a dominance of males in affected populations. A Tolo Harbour site, at Starfish Bay, remote from major shipping routes was the least affected having an 88% incidence of imposex (VDS scores of 0-2 and RPSI of ,0.1%).