Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traditional versus authentic assessments in higher education

This study aimed to explore the effect of authentic and traditional assessment on students’ performance in the field of health and educational sciences. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were used in this study. Study used A questionnaire containing 20 items: 10 items represented traditional assessment and the other 10 represented authentic assessments has been used in this study. The survey sample used in this study consisted of 157 students and 52 educators. In addition, 10 educators were interviewed for the qualitative research part and 25 graduate students as an experimental sample. The main findings of this study indicated that educators preferred using both traditional testing tools and the preference towards traditional and authentic tools depended on academic qualification. This implies the importance of conducting institution in-service courses for educators, which may depend not only on the nature of the training but also on the academic qualifications of the participants. Furthermore, it is important to note that while many educators reported their preference in utilizing novel evaluation methods, a small proportion of them did not deem authentic assessment as their preferred way of assessing students’ performance. This could partly be the result of adopting a traditional curriculum instead. various outcomes of this study can lead educators to design a best model of assessment using both traditional and authentic assessment types. As for students, many advantages of using authentic assessment will help them enhance their academic writing and productivity skills.
Seismic collapse risk assessment of buildings : effects ofintensity measure selection and computational approach

Life safety and collapse prevention have always been primary goals of earthquake engineering. Although the collapse risk of structures has not been explicitly quantified until recently, interest in doing so has risen significantly. A primary reason for this is the advent of performance-based earthquake engineering, which considers uncertainties in the seismic hazard and structural response and seeks to engineer structures that will achieve a desired level of performance in terms of expected monetary losses, downtime and casualties. Collapse risk assessment of a structure involves combining information about the seismic hazard at the site with the behavior of the structure. Typically an intensity measure (IM) is used to describe the level of ground motion shaking and quantify the seismic hazard. The behavior of the structure is then characterized through nonlinear response history analysis by subjecting the structure to many different ground motions at various intensity levels. A collapse fragility curve, which describes how the probability of collapse increases as a function of the ground motion intensity, is constructed based on analysis results and combined with the seismic hazard curve to compute the mean annual frequency of collapse. This dissertation focuses on evaluating the effects of IM selection and computational approach on the computed collapse risk, and contributions are made in the following areas: (1) quantifying the uncertainty in the collapse risk estimate due to the number of ground motions used in structural analysis; (2) characterizing the ability of different IMs to efficiently predict structural collapse and provide reliable estimates of the collapse risk; (3) explaining why certain IMs perform better than others with respect to the previous point; and (4) because the spectral acceleration averaged over a period range has been identified as a promising IM for collapse risk assessment, providing recommendations on the period ranges that maximize the efficiency of this IM as a function of structural properties.
Introduction

The influence of temperature on efficacy of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal), were investigated in the laboratory. Fifth nymphal instar was inoculated by 1.5 ×10 spores/nymph by topical application using micropipette under the pronotum, at 50% RH. B.bassiana caused mortality for insects at temperature between 22-31°C, and 25°C was the optimum that caused more rapid death and the LT50 was 5.3 days. In contrast M. anisopliae has wide range of temperature that can caused death until 37°C, but 28-31°C was the optimum temperature and the LT50 was 5 days. At this optimums temperature, four doses (1.5×10, 1.5×10, 1.5×10, and 1.5×10 spore/nymph) were used against 4 and 5 nymphal instars of the desert locust. For 4 nymphal instar, It' was obvious that M. anisopliae caused rapid mortality among infected 4 instar nymph comparing with B. basiana at all the tested doses except incase of dose1.5×10 spore /nymph, where treated nymph with B. bassiana died faster than those treated with M. anisopliae. While for the 5 nymphal instar, It' was clear that M. anisopliae caused significant rapid mortality comparing with B. bassiana in case of dose1.5×10spore/nymph. While B. bassiana caused significant rapid mortality than M. anisopliae in case dose1.5×10.
Characterization of aggregate shape properties using a computer automated system

Characterization of Aggregate Shape Properties Using a Computer Automated System. (December 2004) Taleb Mustafa Al Rousan, B.S., Jordan University of Science and Technology; M.S., Jordan University of Science and Technology Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Eyad Masad Shape, texture, and angularity are among the properties of aggregates that have a significant effect on the performance of hot-mix asphalt, hydraulic cement concrete, and unbound base and subbase layers. Consequently, there is a need to develop methods that can quantify aggregate shape properties rapidly and accurately. In this study, an improved version of the Aggregate Imaging System (AIMS) was developed to measure the shape characteristics of both fine and coarse aggregates. Improvements were made in the design of the hardware and software components of AIMS to enhance its operational characteristics, reduce human errors, and enhance the automation of test procedure. AIMS was compared against other test methods that have been used for measuring aggregate shape characteristics. The comparison was conducted based on statistical analysis of the accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, cost, and operational characteristics (e.g. ease of use and interpretation of the results) of these tests. Aggregates that represent a wide range of geographic locations, rock type, and shape characteristics were used in this evaluation. The comparative analysis among the different test methods was conducted using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a process of developing a numerical score to rank test methods based on how each method meets certain criteria of desirable characteristics. The outcomes of the AHP analysis clearly demonstrated the advantages of AIMS over other test methods as a unified system for measuring the shape characteristics of both fine and coarse aggregates.
Are Antibiotics Appropriately Dosed in Critically Ill Patients with Augmented Renal Clearance? A Narrative Review

Aims Augmented renal clearance (ARC), which is commonly defined as increased renal clearance above 130 ml/min/1.73 m2, is a common phenomenon among critically ill patients. The increased elimination rate of drugs through the kidneys in patients with ARC can increase the risk of treatment failure due to the exposure to subtherapeutic serum concentrations of medications and affect the optimal management of infections, length of hospital stay, and outcomes. The main goal of this review article is to summarize the recommendations for appropriate dosing of antibiotics in patients with ARC. Methods This article is a narrative review of the articles that evaluated different dosing regimens of antibiotics in patients with ARC. The keywords “Augmented Renal Clearance,” “Critically ill patients,” “Drug dosing,” “Serum concentration,” “Beta-lactams,” “Meropenem,” “Imipenem,” “Glycopeptide,” “Vancomycin,” “Teicoplanin,” “Linezolid,” “Colistin,” “Aminoglycosides,” “Amikacin,” “Gentamycin,” “Fluoroquinolones,” “Ciprofloxacin,” and “Levofloxacin” were searched in Scopus, Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases, and pediatric, nonhuman, and non-English studies were excluded. Results PK properties of antibiotics including lipophilicity or hydrophilicity, protein binding, the volume of distribution, and elimination rate that affect drug concentration should be considered along with PD parameters for drug dosing in critically ill patients with ARC. Conclusion This review recommends a dosing protocol for some antibiotics to help the appropriate dosing of antibiotics in ARC and decrease the risk of subtherapeutic exposure that may be observed while receiving conventional dosing regimens in critically ill patients with ARC.
High Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome Components in Lichen Planus Patients: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis, involving the skin, appendages, and mucous membranes. There is a growing body of evidence about higher risk of metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia in some dermatoses including LP. Aim To evaluate lipid profile, leptin, and CRP status among Iranian LP patients, compared to healthy controls, and peruse the relationship between abnormal values of these parameters with the disease duration and physical characteristics of patients. Methods 40 LP patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Data on weight, height, lipid profile, leptin, and CRP values were recorded and compared. Results The mean values for leptin, CRP, and lipid profile parameters (except for HDL) were higher in patients, compared to controls. Total cholesterol level was negatively associated with disease duration in patients (P value: 0.039, r: −0.33). Serum leptin level was positively correlated with BMI both in patients and controls (P value: 0.037 and 0.003, respectively). In the patient group, LDL level, although insignificant, was higher in men, but HDL and leptin levels were significantly higher in women in comparison with men (P value: 0.018). Conclusion Screening of LP patients in regard to their lipid profile might be more reasonable in men or those who have other cardiovascular risk factors to prevent morbidity and mortality in result of developing cardiovascular events.
Professional Mental Health Help-Seeking Amongst Afghan and Iraqi Refugees in Australia: Understanding Predictors Five Years Post Resettlement

The current longitudinal study sought to identify predictors of professional help seeking for mental health problems amongst Afghan and Iraqi refugees five years post-settlement utilising the Building a New Life in Australia dataset (BNLA). Data were collected via face-to-face or phone interviews across five waves from October 2013 to March 2018. Afghan and Iraqi born refugees numbering 1180 and over 18 years of age with a permanent humanitarian visa were included in this study. The results suggest differences in help-seeking behaviors amongst the two ethnic groups. Amongst the Afghan sample, older adults with high psychological distress were more likely to seek help, while living in regional Australia, not requiring interpreters, and knowing how to find out information about government services were related to lower likelihood of help-seeking. Within the Iraqi sample, poor overall health and knowing how to find out about services were related to a greater likelihood of help-seeking, while fewer financial hardships decreased the likelihood of help-seeking. Amongst those with probable PTSD, disability was associated with an increased likelihood of help-seeking while experiencing fewer financial hardships and living in regional Australia resulted in a lower likelihood of help-seeking in this group. These results have implications for promotional material and mental health interventions, suggesting that more integrated services tailored to specific characteristics of ethnic groups are needed.
Multichannel S-ALOHA-Enabled Autonomous Self-Healing in Industrial IoT Networks

For industrial Internet of Things network operators, undesired and abrupt network failure is a critical problem to be resolved quickly. In order to provide reliable communication services to devices in faulty cells, in this article, we propose a distributed autonomous self-healing mechanism that allows a random-access-based instantaneous communication to the neighbor cells. The design of the self-healing mechanism is challenged by the diverse device locations and the different available number of channels provided by the neighbor cells due to their intracell traffic load. By estimating the number of devices communicating with each neighbor cell in an online manner, our proposed mechanism can control the channel access probability of each cell to maximize throughput. In addition, the devices can reselect their serving cells in a distributed manner while realizing maximum but fair throughput among devices. Through extensive simulations, we show that our proposed mechanism can provide effective performance for autonomous self-healing.
Safety and Efficacy of Inflatable Penile Prostheses for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: Evidence to Date

Abstract Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem, and prevalence rates are expected to rise as life expectancy increases worldwide. In more severe cases of ED, penile prosthesis implantation has been an excellent option for patients. Over the past few decades, significant design improvements have been made to the penile prosthesis and modifications to surgical technique to improve clinical outcomes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the safety and efficacy of FDA-approved penile implants in the US market. Design modifications have greatly improved the safety and reliability of the implant. Development of improved surgical techniques has decreased intraoperative injuries and reservoir-related complications. With its high overall satisfaction rates and low risk of complications, the inflatable penile prosthesis remains an excellent option for patients with erectile dysfunction.
Anatomical connectivity profile development constrains medial-lateral topography in the dorsal prefrontal cortex

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a highly variable, evolutionarily expanded brain region that is engaged in multiple cognitive processes. The subregions of the PFC mature relatively late compared with other brain regions, and the maturation times vary between these subregions. Among these, the dorsomedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dmPFC and dlPFC) share a parallel topographic pattern of functional connectivity, while participating in different types of complex behaviors. However, the developmental trajectories of the two areas remain obscure. In this study, we uncovered differences in the developmental trends of the dmPFC and dlPFC. These differences were mainly caused by structural and functional changes in the medial area of the superior frontal gyrus (SFG). The developmentally different arealization patterns were verified using multiple parcellation approaches with multimodal data, including structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), diffusion MRI (dMRI), resting state functional MRI (rfMRI), and a publicly available transcriptomic dataset. Human brain gene expression data was also used to perform downstream analyses, which could inform us about the potential biological mechanisms underlying the developmentally different arealizations. Furthermore, behavioral analyses hinted at the effects of regionalization on ontogeny. In brief, this study revealed a tendency toward a medial-lateral prefrontal division and can provide a fuller understanding of the potential underlying genetic underpinnings as well as of the potential effects on developmental behavior.
Transmission dynamics of low pathogenicity avian influenza (H2N2) viruses in live bird markets of the Northeast United States of America, 2013–2019

Abstract Live bird market (LBM) surveillance was conducted in the Northeast United States (US) to monitor for the presence of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in domestic poultry and market environments. A total of 384 H2N2 low pathogenicity AIV (LPAIV) isolated from active surveillance efforts in the LBM system of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland during 2013–2019 were included in this analysis. Comparative phylogenetic analysis showed that a wild-bird-origin H2N2 virus may have been introduced into the LBMs in Pennsylvania and independently evolved since March 2012 followed by spread to LBMs in New York City during late 2012–early 2013. LBMs in New York state played a key role in the maintenance and dissemination of the virus to LBMs in the Northeast US including reverse spread to Pennsylvania LBMs. The frequent detections in the domestic ducks and market environment with viral transmissions between birds and environment possibly led to viral adaptation and circulation in domestic gallinaceous poultry in LBMs, suggesting significant roles of domestic ducks and contaminated LBM environment as reservoirs in maintenance and dissemination of H2N2 LPAIV.
Eosinophilic myocarditis complicated by permanent atrioventricular nodal block: a case report

Abstract Background Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare disease with different clinical pictures and disease courses. Little literature is available on the various courses of the disease. Case summary A previously healthy 44-year-old male patient presented with acute heart failure and developed complete atrioventricular (AV) block requiring pacing. Acute heart failure was managed with inotropic support, non-invasive ventilation, and implantation of a permanent AV-sequential pacemaker. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of myocarditis and endomyocardial biopsy diagnosed EM histologically. Endomyocardial biopsy was essential for definite aetiologic assignment, thus dispelling initial reservations about immunosuppressive therapy. Final treatment strategy consisted of steroids and Azathioprine. Discussion Endomyocardial biopsy is essential to establish diagnosis and targeted treatment in EM, which can rapidly lead to life-threatening conditions. Left ventricular function recovered within 2 weeks in response to immunosuppression and the patient was consistently well during follow-up. Despite the otherwise good response to immunosuppression, complete AV block continued over time.
Differentiated knowledge service strategy by addressing the moderating effect of company growth stages on organizational performance: the case of South Korea

ABSTRACT This study clarified the effect of knowledge services (KSs) on the business performance of firms in South Korea using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The moderating effect of company growth stages was analyzed using partial least squares multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA) analysis. The utilisation degree of KSs was selected as an independent variable, and the dependent variable was the degree of contribution to business performance. In addition, the degree of contribution of KSs to decision making was introduced as a mediating variable. Structural paths were analyzed according to the company growth stages of startup, growth, and maturity. It can be seen that KSs are more effective for firms in the startup stage than in the growth or maturity stage. PLS-MGA results indicated that the difference in path coefficients from KSs to decision making was statistically significant when comparing firms in the startup stage with those in the maturity stage. The other differences in path coefficients showed no statistical significance. It can be concluded that when considering the target of KSs, we should focus on firms in the startup stage more than in the growth or maturity stage to maximise the contribution of KSs to innovation or business performance.
An investigation into the gap between budgets and experience: the case of Bamburi special products limited

The analysis of variances depicts a huge variation from the set targets. The performance in the four-year shows that only a small proportion of the expected profits was attained. The highest level of achievement accounts for only 7% of the budget. The capital expenditure was equally below, the budgeted. Empirical evidence suggests that most budget targets are set to be 80% to 90% achievable (Merchant and Manzoni, 1989). This is in contrast to management accounting literature which suggests that for optimum motivation budget targets should be achievable 50 percent of the time. According to Marks (1966), there is a problem of planning ahead for expenditures to be incurred in two years time. The variances observed in this study add to the already complex challenge of dealing with the future which is uncertain.
A domain decomposition method for analysis of three-dimensional large-scale electromagnetic compatibility problems

This dissertation work investigates the numerical method for solving Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) problems involving electrically large and complex platform. Numerical simulation of the antenna couplings on the aircraft is of great interest in EMC community. Conventional Computational Electromagnetics (CEM) solvers suffer inefficiency and inflexibility in modelling this kind of problems. One of the challenges comes from the multi-scale physics in the geometry containing both electrically large platform and antennas with electrically small structures. Also, using conventional CEM solvers, the user may have the dilemma of choosing between the Partial Differential Equation (PDE) based methods , like Finite Element Method (FEM), which are convenient and accurate in modelling complex materials but requires volume mesh, and Integral Equation (IE) based methods, which only require surface discretization but are not convenient in modelling antennas with complex materials. In this dissertation, a Multi-Solver Domain Decomposition Method (MSDDM) has been proposed to model the problems with electrically large and complex structures. Using MSDDM, the problem of antenna coupling can be decomposed into antenna sub-domains and platform sub-domains, for which different CEM solvers can be applied. This gives an efficient way to precondition the global system. It hybridizes the strength of PDE based methods and IE methods. Also, the CEM solvers in MSDDM
The association between school-level SES and emergent literacy in Italy (La relación entre el nivel socioeconómico a nivel de centro escolar y la alfabetización emergente en Italia)

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the association between mixed-SES kindergartens and emergent literacy in Italian children. The independent contributions of parents’ occupational (SES-PO) and educational level (SES-PE) on emergent literacy were separately analysed. Three emergent literacy skills were assessed in 189 children twice, at the beginning and the end of the last year of kindergarten. Firstly, repeated-measures MANCOVA has shown that only SES-PE was significantly associated with the increase of all emergent literacy skills over the school year. Secondly, robust-methods ANOVA has shown what type of mix of family-PE is optimal at a school level for children to achieve significant improvements after one year of kindergarten. Creating mixed-SES learning environments may improve children’s emergent literacy skills. Policymakers should specifically target parental educational levels, rather than occupational levels, when addressing the issue of SES in schools.