Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kuwaiti hospital patients’ continuance intention to use telemedical systems in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate factors influencing patients’ continuance intention to use telemedicine after the COVID‐19 pandemic in the medical sector of Kuwait. To reach this purpose, the updated Delone and Maclean (2003) model was utilized to investigate the aforementioned factors. As such, this research applied quantitative research methods with a sample of 290 participants from patients in Dar Al Shifa Hospital, a private hospital in Kuwait which utilizes telemedical services called ‘Sehaty online’. The corresponding data was analyzed using SmartPLS. The findings of this study revealed that information quality and system quality have a positive and significant influence on patient's satisfaction, whereas service quality has an insignificant influence on patient's satisfaction. Also, patients’ continuance intention to use telemedicine is found to be significantly impacted by their satisfaction. Furthermore, several limitations of the study, related future research, and recommendations have been discussed.
Interactions between the Nucleoprotein and the Phosphoprotein of Pneumoviruses: Structural Insight for Rational Design of Antivirals

Pneumoviruses include pathogenic human and animal viruses, the most known and studied being the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and the metapneumovirus (hMPV), which are the major cause of severe acute respiratory tract illness in young children worldwide, and main pathogens infecting elderly and immune-compromised people. The transcription and replication of these viruses take place in specific cytoplasmic inclusions called inclusion bodies (IBs). These activities depend on viral polymerase L, associated with its cofactor phosphoprotein P, for the recognition of the viral RNA genome encapsidated by the nucleoprotein N, forming the nucleocapsid (NC). The polymerase activities rely on diverse transient protein-protein interactions orchestrated by P playing the hub role. Among these interactions, P interacts with the NC to recruit L to the genome. The P protein also plays the role of chaperone to maintain the neosynthesized N monomeric and RNA-free (called N0) before specific encapsidation of the viral genome and antigenome. This review aims at giving an overview of recent structural information obtained for hRSV and hMPV P, N, and more specifically for P-NC and N0-P complexes that pave the way for the rational design of new antivirals against those viruses.
A simple theoretical model for rectangular microstrip resonator with stubs

In this work, we present a simple theoretical analysis of a compact rectangular microstrip resonator with stubs. The analytical model is based on a recursive algorithm for a transmission line loaded with capacitive stubs. We calculate the input impedance and the resonant frequency of this resonator and analyse the dependence of these parameters on the number and dimensions of the stubs. The numerical results are compared with those obtained by other methods and with experimental data. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 41: 119–123, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20066
Sexual Function, Self-Esteem, and Quality of Life in Infertile Couples Undergoing in vitro Fertilization: A Dyadic Approach

Purpose Infertility has adverse effects on the quality of life (QoL) of infertile couples. Previous studies found important associations between sexual function, self-esteem and QoL, but mainly focused on one individual’s approach rather than both partners. This study adopted a dyadic approach to evaluate the relationship between sexual function and QoL in couples with infertility through mediation and improving self-esteem. Patients and Methods Between October 2020 and January 2021, 428 couples with infertility (n=856) undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) at a tertiary hospital in Hefei, China, were registered for the current descriptive cross-sectional research. The dyads’ sociodemographic and clinical features, as well as their sexual function, self-esteem, and QoL were evaluated. The Fertility quality of life scale (FertiQoL), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) were used to evaluate the participants. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) was utilized to examine data from the dyadic relationships. Results According to the APIMeM analysis, sexual function of individuals with infertility was directly and indirectly connected with their QoL, mediated through their self-esteem. The women’s sexual function was found to be positively associated with their partner’s QoL, with the women’s self-esteem acting as a complete mediator. The men’s sexual function was found to be positively associated with partner’s QoL, with the men’s self-esteem acting as a complete mediator. Conclusion The findings suggest that boosting participants’ self-esteem can help them and their partners have a better QoL. Also, therapies aimed at improving and sustaining self-esteem of couples with infertility could help mitigate the negative influence of low sexual function on their QoL.
A Philosopher against the Bandwagon: Carnap and the Informationalization of Thermal Physics

In this article I aim to demonstrate that Rudolf Carnap’s analysis of the application of information theory within physics, an analysis that is an intellectual-historical precedent of current philosophical criticisms of the information theoretical tendency, is justified. First, Carnap and Bar-Hillel underlined the unjustified ‘semantification’ of Shannon entropy. Furthermore, Carnap criticized the ‘physicalization’ of Shannon entropy, but that criticism was not accepted by the physics community of the 1950s. Finally, in the posthumously published Two Essays on Entropy, Carnap developed a critical assessment of entropy concepts that showed deep conceptual and interpretative deficiencies in Jaynes’s and Brillouin’s informational approaches to thermophysics.
Nonuniform Flow Distribution Analysis of Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger

The header and the multiple microchannel tubes connected to the header compose a complicated fluid network with several circuits, and the refrigerant flow into the header and is distributed to the microchannels in parallel by the refrigerant pressure driving in the inlet. So all changed details of geometry, operating conditions and thermophysical properties of the fluids lead to nonuniform refrigerant flow distribution in the microchannels. In the present work, one 6-pass 40-tube microchannel condenser as the research objective was equipped in a window type air conditioner prototype with the cooling capacity 5200W for Middle East T3 climate. A mathematical model based on fluid network theory was developed to predict flow distribution and phase separation in 9 flat tubes and their connecting headers on the second pass of the microchannel condenser. In the assumption of homogeneous flow, the mesh current analysis was employed to solve the mass flow of the loopi+1 by that of the loopi upon two phase pressure drop. The simulated mass flow rate distribution in 9 tubes is parabolic and approaches to uniform distribution when inlet quality comes to the median 0.45 from both directions.
Higher Radiation Dose to the Immune Cells Correlates with Worse Tumor Control and Overall Survival in Patients with Stage III NSCLC: A Secondary Analysis of RTOG0617

Simple Summary Emerging evidence indicates that the immune system plays an important role in controlling tumors during radiotherapy, and radiation-induced immune toxicity such as lymphopenia is associated with poor survival. However, the immune system is not considered as a critical organ at risk in radiotherapy partially because the radiation dose to the immune system is difficult to compute. In this study, we developed a model to compute the radiation dose to the circulating blood, which contains the majority of active immune cells. We then validated this model by examining the correlations of the blood dose with treatment outcome for patients enrolled in the NRG/RTOG0617 phase III clinical trial. We demonstrated that the blood dose was significantly and independently associated with overall survival and local progression-free survival. This result suggests that radiation dose to circulating immune cells is critical for tumor control, and decreasing the dose to the immune system has the potential to improve survival. Abstract Background: We hypothesized that the Effective radiation Dose to the Immune Cells (EDIC) in circulating blood is a significant factor for the treatment outcome in patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: This is a secondary study of a phase III trial, NRG/RTOG 0617, in patients with stage III NSCLC treated with radiation-based treatment. The EDIC was computed as equivalent uniform dose to the entire blood based on radiation doses to all blood-containing organs, with consideration of blood flow and fractionation effect. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and local progression-free survival (LPFS). The EDIC–survival relationship was analyzed with consideration of clinical significant factors. Results: A total of 456 patients were eligible. The median EDIC values were 5.6 Gy (range, 2.1–12.2 Gy) and 6.3 Gy (2.1–11.6 Gy) for the low- and high-dose groups, respectively. The EDIC was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.12, p = 0.005) and LPFS (HR = 1.09, p = 0.02) but PFS (HR = 1.05, p = 0.17) after adjustment for tumor dose, gross tumor volume and other factors. OS decreased with an increasing EDIC in a non-linear pattern: the two-year OS decreased first with a slope of 8%/Gy when the EDIC < 6 Gy, remained relatively unchanged when the EDIC was 6–8 Gy, and followed by a further reduction with a slope of 12%/Gy when the EDIC > 8 Gy. Conclusions: The EDIC is a significant independent risk factor for poor OS and LPFS in RTOG 0617 patients with stage III NSCLC, suggesting that radiation dose to circulating immune cells is critical for tumor control. Organ at risk for the immune system should be considered during RT plan.
"Alamak! Macamana nak cakap ni?": penggunaan strategi tampungan dalam komunikasi lisan bahasa Arab

Komunikasi lisan yang juga dikenali sebagai bertutur atau berbual merupakan salah satu kemahiran penting yang perlu dikuasai oleh seseorang pelajar untuk berkomunikasi dengan baik dalam sesuatu bahasa, termasuk bahasa Arab. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian di Malaysia mendapati para pelajar Melayu yang mempelajari bahasa Arab masih lemah dalam penguasaan komunikasi lisan bahasa ini. Dalam hal ini, para sarjana bahasa berpendapat apabila seseorang menghadapi masalah dalam berkomunikasi, seseorang itu akan menggunakan strategi tampungan untuk mengatasi keterbatasan ini. Maka, kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti strategi tampungan yang digunakan oleh pelajar universiti di Malaysia ketika berkomunikasi lisan menggunakan bahasa Arab. Kajian kualitatif ini melibatkan tujuh orang responden yang dipilih secara bertujuan. Data yang diperoleh melalui kaedah temu bual, kemudiannya dianalisis mengikut lapan jenis strategi tampungan; iaitu beralih kepada bahasa ibunda, mendapatkan bantuan, menggunakan gerak bibir dan bahasa badan, mengelakkan komunikasi sama ada sebahagiannya atau secara keseluruhan, memilih topik, menyesuaikan maklumat, mencipta perkataan baharu, dan juga menggunakan sinonim atau huraian. Hasil kajian mendapati responden mengaplikasi kesemua jenis strategi tampungan tersebut, kecuali strategi mencipta perkataan baharu. Tujuan penggunaan strategi ini pula adalah lebih kepada tujuan untuk mengatasi keterbatasan dari aspek kosa kata Arab yang dikuasai. Selain itu, rakan perbualan yang berbeza bangsa turut mempengaruhi penggunaan jenis strategi ini, apabila mereka akan beralih kepada bahasa Melayu ketika berkomunikasi lisan dengan orang Melayu dan beralih kepada bahasa Inggeris apabila berhadapan dengan penutur jati bahasa Arab. Namun, di sebalik pelbagai kekangan yang dihadapi, mereka tetap berusaha untuk berkomunikasi lisan dalam bahasa Arab.
Evaluation of Energy Meters' Accuracy Based on a Power Quality Test Platform

Abstract Is it advisable to replace ferraris based meters with electronic meters? The permanence of the electromechanical meters currently in use is often justified on the grounds of their long working life and low price. However, it is well known that they are highly sensitive to external conditions and that many factors can lead to miscalibration. This work attempts to clarify some key points in order to answer the previous question. It reviews the operating principles of energy meters. The behavior of watt-hour meters under nonsinusoidal conditions is also studied. The disturbances considered were harmonics, unbalance and main frequency variations.
Association of Antidepressant Prescription Filling With Treatment Indication and Prior Prescription Filling Behaviors and Medication Experiences

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Given the wide range of uses for antidepressants, understanding indication-specific patterns of prescription filling for antidepressants provide valuable insights into how patients use these medications in real-world settings. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association of antidepressant prescription filling with treatment indication, as well as prior prescription filling behaviors and medication experiences. Design: This retrospective cohort study took place in Quebec, Canada. Participants: Adults with public drug insurance prescribed antidepressants using MOXXI (Medical Office of the XXIst Century)—an electronic prescribing system requiring primary care physicians to document treatment indications and reasons for prescription stops or changes. Measures: MOXXI provided information on treatment indications, past prescriptions, and prior medication experiences (treatment ineffectiveness and adverse drug reactions). Linked claims data provided information on dispensed medications and other patient-related factors. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the independent association of not filling an antidepressant prescription (within 90 d) with treatment indication and patients’ prior prescription filling behaviors and medication experiences. Results: Among 38,751 prescriptions, the prevalence of unfilled prescriptions for new and ongoing antidepressant therapy was 34.2% and 4.1%, respectively. Compared with depression, odds of not filling an antidepressant prescription varied from 0.74 to 1.57 by indication and therapy status. The odds of not filling an antidepressant prescription was higher among adults filling < 50% of their medication prescriptions in the past year and adults with an antidepressant prescription stopped or changed in the past year due to treatment ineffectiveness. Conclusion: Antidepressant prescription filling behaviors differed by treatment indication and were lower among patients with a history of poor prescription filling or ineffective treatment with antidepressants.
The effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of the legs in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of the legs in patients with heart failure. Methods Data were obtained from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until August 12, 2021. We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of functional electrical stimulation applied to the legs of patients with heart failure, namely changes in cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, and quality of life. Results In total, 14 randomized controlled trials (consisting of 518 patients) were included in our article. Pooled estimates demonstrated that functional electrical stimulation significantly improved peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2; standardized mean difference = 0.33, 95% confidence interval = 0.07–0.59, eight randomized controlled trials, n = 321), 6-min walking distance (mean difference = 48.03 m, 95% confidence interval = 28.50–67.57 m, 10 randomized controlled trials, n = 380), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire quality of life score (mean difference = − 8.23, 95% confidence interval = − 12.64 to − 3.83, nine randomized controlled trials, n = 383). Muscle strength of lower extremities was not significantly improved in the functional electrical stimulation group compared with that in the control group (standardized mean difference = 0.26, 95% confidence interval = − 0.18 to 0.71, five randomized controlled trials, n = 218). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed that functional electrical stimulation significantly improved peak VO2, 6-min walking distance, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire quality of life score in the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction subgroups. Conclusion Functional electrical stimulation can effectively improve the cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with heart failure. However, functional electrical stimulation did not significantly improve muscle strength in the legs.
Discussing HPV and oropharyngeal cancer in dental settings: gender and provider-type matter

ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US and the leading cause of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), an oral cancer most often identified by dental providers. Given the rise in HPV-associated OPC and recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the HPV vaccine to prevent OPC, dental providers have a unique role in HPV prevention. This study assessed US adults’ comfort levels discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers. An online survey platform was used to recruit a nationally representative sample of US adults (n = 300). The questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge, acceptability, and comfort discussing HPV-related topics with dental providers. SPSS 24 was utilized for data analyses. In general, participants reported feeling comfortable discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers. Participants reported feeling more comfortable with dentists than dental hygienists when discussing (t = 2.85, p < .01) and receiving recommendations about the HPV vaccine (t = 2.09, p < .05). Participants were less comfortable discussing HPV as a risk factor for OPC compared to non-HPV related risk factors (t = 2.94, p < .01). Female participants preferred female providers, whereas male participants had no preference. Previous research has indicated dental providers recognize their role in HPV prevention, but research is needed to understand patients’ perceptions of dental providers’ role in HPV prevention. Findings demonstrate that US adults are comfortable discussing HPV and OPC with dental providers, which may be key to OPC-HPV prevention. Future research is needed to facilitate HPV communication between patients and dental providers.
Treatment of landfill leachate in intermittently aerated hybrid or conventional SBRs operating at different temperatures

Research on the treatment of leachate from municipal landfill was carried out in three sequential batch reactors (SBRs) and their hybrid variants (HSBR) equipped with biomass carriers made of PU foam cuboids. The reactors were operated at 20°C, 30°C, and 40°C. The operational cycle lasted 24 h, while hydraulic retention time was set at 48 h. In the reactors alternatingly aerobic (DO < 1 mg/L) and anaerobic conditions were maintained. Raw leachate was characterized by COD concentration of 3,278, 672 mg/L of total nitrogen, including 630 mg/L of TAN. Neither nitrate nor nitrite nitrogen was found in the leachate drained from the landfill. The nitrogen loading rate was relatively low in all reactors and amounted to 0.315 kg/m3 d. The highest removal efficiency of both organics and nitrogen compounds was achieved in HSBR operating at 40°C, and was 78% and 80.8%, respectively. Quantitative analyses of the most common bacteria phyla in the landfill leachate treatment systems were determined after the stabilisation of the outflows by qPCR, and shown a significant decrease of 16S rRNA copies with an increase of temperature.
Narrative Analysis as a Means of Investigating CLIL Teachers’ Meaningful Experiences

An ever-increasing need for a bilingual education in globalized societies have set new challenges for all stakeholders from ideological (monoglossic vs heteroglossic) as well as methodological perspectives. Teachers’ persistent interest in different forms of bilingual education has attracted us to explore the potential of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) as a means of attaining a bilingual education in the second decade of the 21st century, especially the professional development of teachers who work in the given context. In this study, narrative analysis is employed to investigate how teachers’ explicit meaningful experiences lead a teacher to become a CLIL teacher in the Estonian educational settings, and disclose the factors shaping this process. The results reveal a variation in the teachers’ meaningful experiences driven mostly by their context – the type of bilingual program, the status of the foreign language, school support for collaborative practices - as well as a variation in the belief of what constitutes CLIL - views on languages and personal pedagogical beliefs.
Invasive Fungal Infections and Targeted Therapies in Hematological Malignancies

The use of targeted biologic therapies for hematological malignancies has greatly expanded in recent years. These agents act upon specific molecular pathways in order to target malignant cells but frequently have broader effects involving both innate and adaptive immunity. Patients with hematological malignancies have unique risk factors for infection, including immune dysregulation related to their underlying disease and sequelae of prior treatment regimens. Determining the individual risk of infection related to any novel agent is challenging in this setting. Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent one of the most morbid infectious complications observed in hematological malignancy. In recent years, growing evidence suggests that certain small molecule inhibitors, such as BTK inhibitors and PI3K inhibitors, may cause an increased risk of IFI in certain patients. It is imperative to better understand the impact that novel targeted therapies might have on the development of IFIs in this high-risk patient population.