Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OUTCOME IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ENDOSCOPIC LUMBAR DISCECTOMY FOR PROLAPSED PARA SPINAL INTERVERTEBRAL DISC

Background: Backache is second most common problem presenting to the primary healthcare providers. Lumbar discectomy has been revolutionized from open conventional discectomy to endoscopic removal. Endoscopic procedures are proving their superiority regarding good outcome, less wound site pain and shorter hospital stay, in Neurosurgery as well. Micro discectomy and Endoscopic discectomy is used only in few centres in Pakistan. This study aimed to share our experience of early surgical outcome endoscopic lumbar discectomy in terms postoperative pain improvement and duration of hospital stay Methods: This prospective study was carried out at Neurosurgery Department, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from Jan 2014 to Jan 2016. During this period, 35 patients of both sexes, aging between 20 and 60 years, with symptoms and signs of lumbago with sciatica were enrolled. Data was collected on a questionnaire after informed verbal and written consent. Results: A total of 35 patients were operated including 10 males and 25 females. Their age ranged from 20 to 60 years with mean age 33.14±8 years. Majority (32, 91%) of the patients had left side prolapsed paracentral disc, and remaining (3, 9%) had right sided prolapsed disc. Regarding the level of disc 19 (54%) patients had L4-5 while 15 (43%) had L5-S1 and remaining one (2.9%) patients had L3-4 level. The post-op wound site visual analogue score was 1.57±1.1. Twenty-five patients had VAS of 1 (71.4%). Minimum hospital stay was 1 day in 16 (45.75%) patients and maximum was 4 days in 3 (8.6%) patients. Mean hospital stay was 1.83±0.95 days. The only complication encountered was iatrogenic dural tear seen in one patient but with no CSF leak from wound site. No surgical site infections were reported at follow-ups. Conclusion: Endoscopic Lumbar discectomy is a safe procedure with short hospital stay. Keywords: sciatica, prolapsed intervertebral disc, microscopic discectomy, endoscopic discectomy Pak J Physiol 2017;13(2):34–7
Self-efficacy as a predictor of reading instruction: a comparison between Norwegian and Swedish teachers

This study departs from socio-cognitive theory to describe differences in Swedish and Norwegian teachers’ attitudes towards reading instruction. The overall aim of the study is to describe how Swedish (n = 340) and Norwegian teachers’ (n = 236) self-efficacy for motivating their pupils and adapting their reading instruction vary with their attitudes towards reading instruction — more particularly: reading aloud, con- ducting text talk in whole class, or conducting teacher-guided text talk in small groups. The study reports a structural equation model using diagonally weighted least squares. We tested that the scales had the same meaning in both countries (invariance analysis) to ensure that the scale was comparable across countries. The results suggest that when compared to Norwegian teachers, the sampled Swedish teachers reported more positive attitudes towards reading instruction and higher self-efficacy for reading instruction. Specifically, reading self-efficacy for reading motivation was substantively higher in the latent (pro- bit) means. In addition, self-efficacy for reading instruction positively predicted higher propensity for positive attitudes towards reading instruction. The study also reports measures for individual reading atti- tudes (reading aloud, conducting text talk in whole class, or conducting teacher-guided text talk in small groups).
Impact of Foreign Exchange Exposure on Non-Financial Firms in India

Foreign exchange exposure constitutes one of the most common forms of risk that firms in the international arena encounter and, in recent years, the management of this risk has become one of the key factors in overall financial management. The risk helps investors determine appropriate expected returns from investment, firm value is thus affected by the risk a firm is exposed to since it affects the size of future cash flows. The study sought to investigate the impact of foreign exchange exposure on non-financial firms listed in Bombay Stock Exchange of India. Besides, several explanatory variables like international trade, foreign debt, firm size, and stock return have been analysed to determine the effect of these variables on foreign exchange exposure and to comply overall objective of this study. Secondary data has been used to extract quantitative information from annual reports of 10 non-financial firms listed in Bombay Stock Exchange of India for a ten-year period of 2008 to 2017. Descriptive analysis, various diagnostics tests, and OLS regression techniques had been used in this research. The analysis results concluded that foreign debt and stock return have a positive and significant relationship with foreign exchange exposure. While firm size has a negative and significant relationship with foreign exchange exposure. However, the study found a negative and insignificant relationship between international trade and foreign exchange exposure. Therefore, based on the research findings, several recommendations and area of future study have been recommended to improve the current results from future research.
Screening for cervical cancer in Senegal: Contributing factors

Context: Cervical cancer is first cancer in women in Africa. The disease is often diagnosed at a late stage. Aims: The purpose of this survey is to study the factors of cervical cancer screening. Settings and Design: This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey carried out in the health district of Thiès in Senegal. Subjects and Methods: Sampling was in two-stage clusters. The data were collected during an individual interview at home. The collection focused on knowledge, attitudes, and practices on cervical cancer. Statistical Analysis Used: Logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 498 women were interviewed; 77% of them lived in urban areas, 38% have not been to school, and 82% were married. Nearly, 82.7% of them have already heard about the disease. Infection was the most reported risk factor (55.8%). The screening practice was 35.5% in our sample. Nonschooling reduced screening, while women living in urban areas were seven times more likely to be screened. Screening increased from the poorest quartile to the richest quartile. The knowledge of risk factors and the possibility of recovery increased by 4.80 and 2.34, respectively, the chance of being screened. Conclusions: Improved screening requires multiple strategies that target particularly poor uneducated people living in rural areas but also the strengthening of the capacity of health-care providers.
The satisfaction of tourists using bicycle sharing: a structural equation model - the case of Hangzhou, China

Abstract This study explores the impacts of bicycle sharing and the satisfaction of tourists using such services. Using Hangzhou as a case study and data derived from 552 tourist surveys, a structural equation model of the satisfaction of tourists using bicycle sharing is constructed. Six perceptual factors were identified as sources of tourist satisfaction arising from the use of a cycle sharing scheme, namely: cycle accessibility, perceived risk, environmental awareness, psychological benefit, managerial action, and perceived rule adherence. Of these, tourists’ psychological benefits accounted for the highest proportion of tourists’ satisfaction, followed by easy access to cycles, environmental awareness, and management effectiveness. Rule adherence and risk perception exerted relatively less influence. A significant positive correlation was noted between usage satisfaction and environmental awareness, perceived rule adherence, ease of access to cycles, psychological benefit, and managerial action. However, the research hypothesis that perceived risk affects tourist satisfaction was not supported by the study findings. Finally, this study suggests some bicycle sharing management strategies and recommendations to enhance tourists’ usage satisfaction.
EFFECT OF BACTERIAL AGENTS OF PORCINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX ON PRODUCTIVE INDICES AND SLAUGHTER WEIGHT

Abstract Porcine respiratory disease complex comprises the interaction of two or more infectious agents. The major bacterial agents involved were investigated in 115 finishing pigs at a farm in São Paulo State, Brazil: Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (serology, bacterial culture, and multiplex PCR), Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhyo) (nested PCR), Pasteurella multocida (multiplex PCR), Haemophilus parasuis (PCR multiplex), and Streptococcus sp. (bacterial culture). Macroscopic and microscopic lung lesions were evaluated, and zootechnical indices were recorded. Mhyo occurred in 113 animals (98.3%), seventeen of which were co-infected with Streptococcus sp. The finding of emphysematous lung was associated with significantly lower final and carcass weight at slaughter. Although vaccinated against Mhyo with an inactivated immunogen, almost 100% of the animals were infected. Mhyo infection with and without Streptococcus sp. co-infection was related to lung lesions of varying degrees and lower slaughter and carcass weight.
The Regenerative Effects of Hemostatic Plant Extract in Second Degree Burn Wound

Introduction: The effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), a hemostatic herbal agent, on wound healing of experimental second degree thermal burn model were analyzed in this study. Material and Methods: 24 wistar albino rats were used. All rat subjects were divided into 4 equal groups as control, burn control, Ankaferd Blood Stopper and serum physiologic. In all rats except for those in negative control group, second degree thermal burn was formed with metal plates heated on their backs. Biopsies were taken on 0th,7th,14th and 21st days. In tissue samples; they were evaluated in terms of fibroblast increase histopathologically, congestion, inflammatory cell increase and epithelization findings and they were also scored. The values obtained were compared statistically. Results: No significant difference was observed between groups with regard to fibroblast increase (p>0.05). On the 7th day, congestion values in burn control group was determined higher than ABS group (p
The Effect of Soil Iron on the Estimation of Soil Water Content Using Dielectric Sensors

Nowadays, the estimation of volumetric soil water content (θ) through apparent dielectric permittivity (ea) is the most widely used method. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the high iron content of two sandy loam soils on estimating their water content using two dielectric sensors. These sensors are the WET sensor operating at 20 MHz and the ML2 sensor operating at 100 MHz. Experiments on specific soil columns, in the laboratory, by mixing different amounts of water in the soils to obtain a range of θ values under constant temperature conditions were conducted. Analysis of the results showed that both sensors, based on manufacturer calibration, led to overestimation of θ. This overestimation is due to the high measured values of ea by both sensors used. The WET sensor, operating at a lower frequency and being strongly affected by soil characteristics, showed the greatest overestimation. The difference of ea values between the two sensors ranged from 14 to 19 units at the maximum actual soil water content (θm). Compared to the Topp equation, the WET sensor measures 2.3 to 2.8 fold higher value of ea. From the results, it was shown that the relationship θm-ea0.5 remained linear even in the case of these soils with high iron content and the multi-point calibration (CALALL) is a good option where individual calibration is needed.
Level of Awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Members of Saudi Society: An Exploratory Study

The study aimed at identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) awareness level among Saudi society members. ASD awareness scale applied to (888) individuals. Results showed that most participants have no information about ASD, derived from their work in Special Education. There are no statistically significant differences in ASD awareness level among participants from different districts. There are statistically significant differences in the level of ASD awareness between male and female participants, favoring females, and between young and old participants, favoring young. The highest ASD awareness level was among PhD holders, and the lowest was among holders of moderate and lower qualifications. In profession terms, the highest ASD awareness level was among participants practicing Special Education and the lowest was among unemployed.
Risk factors to major lower extremity amputation in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background According to national surveys Örebro County Council have higher frequency of amputations among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients compared with other county councils. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors that contributed to the endpoint major lower extremity amputation (LEA) among patients with T2DM in Region Örebro County compared to a control group. A second aim was to examine the amount of health care patients with diabetes and foot ulcers utilize between baseline and endpoint. Material and Methods A retrospective study in which the medical records of all patients with T2DM that underwent major lower extremity amputation at Örebro University Hospital between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014 were scrutinized. Results A total of 55 patients were amputated during the study and a majority were men. Out of those 55, 17 were matched to controls. Compared to the control group patients with an amputation had non-significant trends towards a higher age (P=0.09) and a longer diabetes duration (P=0.24). Patients with an amputation spent an average of 151.8 (±149.7) days as outpatients regarding the foot ulcer leading to amputation. The corresponding number among the non-amputated patients was 471.1 (±769.5) days. A higher percentage of the patients in the non-amputated group had lipid lowering medication. Conclusion The findings in this study indicate trends towards that age and diabetes duration are risk factors to major LEA. It also infers that patients with diabetes and foot ulcers are a patient group that requires a lot of health care in general.
Nivel educativo y ocupación de los padres: Su influencia en el rendimiento académico de estudiantes universitarios

El rendimiento académico de estudiantes de diferentes niveles educativos ha sido ampliamente analizado considerando factores económicos, sociales o psicológicos. Desde el punto de vista económico, la ocupación de los padres, así como su nivel educativo, muestra una relación positiva con el rendimiento académico de los hijos en diferentes niveles educativos. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue analizar la influencia del nivel educativo y la ocupación de los padres en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes universitarios y así proponer estrategias que permitan elevar el logro académico. Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante un cuestionario semiestructurado y analizados con el algoritmo chi-squared automatic interaction detection (Chaid), tablas de contingencia y una regresión ordinal. Los resultados muestran que el nivel educativo de la madre, cuando es superior a licenciatura, influye positivamente en el rendimiento académico de los hijos; en cambio el nivel educativo del padre no resultó significativo estadísticamente. Se observó también que estudiantes cuyos padres se desempeñan como profesionistas, comerciantes, directivos, jefes de departamento y trabajadores de la educación son aquellos que obtienen un mejor rendimiento académico; la ocupación de la madre no resultó estadísticamente significativa.
Leptomeningeal metastatic cells adopt two phenotypic states

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM), or spread of cancer cells into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is characterized by a rapid onset of debilitating neurological symptoms and markedly bleak prognosis. The lack of reproducible in vitro and in vivo models has prevented the development of novel, LM‐specific therapies. Although LM allows for longitudinal sampling of floating cancer cells with a spinal tap, attempts to culture patient‐derived leptomeningeal cancer cells have not been successful.
Counter- Ideology as a Wider Strategy for Defeating the Boko Haram Terrorist Group

Counter-Ideology as a Wider Strategy for Defeating the Boko Haram Terrorist Group by Kwesi Ayima MDRMDS, Ahmadu Bello University, 2017 MA, University of Ghana, 2011 MMAS, US Army Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, 2009 BSc, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 1992 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University November 2019
Role of endothelial dysfunction in relation to prothrombogenesis in polycythemia vera

Background: The morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases burden and clonal evolution. These complications were primarily attributed to abnormal rheology consequent to the raised hematocrit, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis, and in vivo activation of leukocytes, thrombocytes, and endothelial cells. It has been established that damage of endothelium determines the release in circulation of specific markers including thrombomodulin (TM), selectins, and von Willbrand factor (vWF) which are released and favor the formation of cellular aggregates. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the pathophysiological role of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in relation to increased risk of thrombosis in PV patients. Patients and Methods: In a case–control study, 53 patients enrolled in this study from Al-Imamain Al-Khadimiyan Medical City, and the National Center for Hematology Diseases and Researches. They comprised of thirty patients with PV with mean age of − 54.87 ± 13.44 years-and another twenty-three patients with secondary polycythemia, whose mean age was 40.13 ± 12.21 years. Another thirty aged- and sex-matched, non-smokers healthy volunteers comprised 16 males and 14 females were also studied, their mean age was = 52.1 ± 11.16 years. JAK2 mutation was assessed for PV group while Serum erythropoietin (Epo), vWF and TM were determined for all patient and control group. Results: TM was significantly different among the three studied groups (P < 0.001) as well as vWF was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients with PV as compared to the patients with secondary polycythemia and controls. Epo level was significantly lower (P = 0.004) in the newly diagnosed patients with PV when compared to those with a history of thrombosis or longstanding disease. There is positive correlation between JAK2 and TM (r = 0.431, P = 0.017), while negative correlation with vWF (r = −0.565, P = 0.001) in PV patients. Conclusion: ED is one of mechanisms that contribute in prothrombogenesis in PV patient.
Reports of Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Middle East Countries

Context: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens worldwide. The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA) made vancomycin as the only therapeutic choice. Due to excessive use of vancomycin, decreased susceptibility and increased resistance against this antibiotic are reported worldwide. The current study aimed at investigating the emergence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) in different regions of the Middle-East. Evidence Acquisition: All reputable databases, such as Google Scholar and PubMed, were screened for articles and abstracts reporting VRSA in the Middle-East by the appropriate keywords. Reliable phenotypic and genotypic studies were included in the current review. Results: Reviewing all articles/abstracts revealed more than 100 reports of VRSA isolates from the Middle-East. Most of the studies did not use the clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines on VRSA identification. Until 2012, four VRSA strains were reported from Iran, 7 from Egypt, and 1 from Pakistan. From 2012 to 2016, seven VRSA isolates were added to the global statistics from the Middle-East; 1 from Iran and 6 from Egypt. Conclusions: VRSA is a global health threat. According to the expanding reports on the emersion of VRSA, more attention should be paid to the proper prescription of this antibiotic as the only choice for S. aureus infections.
Hubungan Merokok dengan Kadar Hemoglobin dan Trombosit pada Perokok Dewasa

Abstract: Smoking is one of the leading causes of death world wide. that cause death. The World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 6 millions of people died as active smokers and 890.000 as passive smokers. Several studies suggest that smoking can influence blood components, such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. This study was aimed to determine the correlation between smoking to hemoglobin and platelet levels in adult smokers. This was an analytical descriptive study with a cross sectional design that was conducted on 30 students of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sam Ratulangi University Manado. Data were analyzed with the One Way Anova test on hemoglobin levels and the Kruskall-Walis test on thrombocyte levels. The results showed that of the 30 respondents, 21 (70%) had normal hemoglobin levels and 9 (30%) had high hemoglobin levels. The One Way Anova test obtained a P value of 0.634. All respondents (100%) had normal platelet counts.The Kruskall-Walis test obtained a P value of 0.471. Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between smoking with hemoglobin and platelet levels. Keywords: smoking, hemoglobin level, platelet level. Abstrak: Merokok merupakan salah satu penyebab masalah kesehatan terbanyak di dunia yang menyebabkan kematian. World Health Organization (WHO) menunjukkan bahwa 6 juta orang meninggal sebagai perokok aktif dan 890 ribu orang meninggal sebagai perokok pasif. Beberapa penelitian menyatakan bahwa merokok dapat memengaruhi komponen – komponen darah, misalnya eritrosit, leukosit dan trombosit. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan merokok dengan kadar hemoglobin dan trombosit pada perokok dewasa. Jenis penelitian ialah deskriptif analitik dengan desain potong lintang yang dilakukan pada 30 mahasiswa Jurusan Teknik Mesin Fakultas Teknik Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado. Uji statistik menggunakan One Way Anova pada kadar hemoglobin dan uji Kruskall-Walis pada kadar trombosit. Responden terbanyak memiliki kadar hemoglobin normal yaitu 21 orang (70%) dan kadar hemoglobin tinggi sebanyak 9 orang (30%). Hasil uji One Way Anova mendapatkan nilai P = 0,634. Seluruh responden (100%) memiliki kadar trombosit normal. Hasil uji Kruskall-Walis mendapatkan nilai P = 0,471. Simpulan: Tidak terdapat hubungan bermakna antara merokok dengan kadar hemoglobin dan trombosit. Kata Kunci : merokok, kadar hemoglobin, kadar trombosit
AKUNTABILITAS KINERJA INSTANSI PEMERINTAH DAERAH

This research aims to examine wether there is an influence between organizational commitment, organizational culture, training and leadership style on the performance accountability of local government agencies. The data in this study are primary data obtained from questionnaires distributed directly to respondents. The data analysis model used is multiple linear regression. The results of the research organizational commitment influences the performance accountability, organizational culture influences the performance accountability, training influences the performance accountability, and leadership style influences the performance accountability.