Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized control led study comparing CMAC video laryngoscope and Macintosh laryngoscope for insertion of double lumen tube in patients undergoing elective thoracotomy

Background and Aims: Double lumen tube (DLT) insertion for isolation of lung during thoracic surgery is challenging and is associated with considerable airway trauma. The advent of video laryngoscopy has revolutionized the management of difficult airway. Use of video laryngoscopy may reduce the time to intubate for DLTs even in patients with normal airway. Material and Methods: A total of 87 ASA 1–3 adults, scheduled to undergo elective thoracotomy, requiring a DLT were randomly allocated to videolaryngoscope (CMAC) arm or Macintosh laryngoscope arm. It was on open label study, and only the patient was blinded. The primary objective of this study was to compare the mean time taken for DLT intubation with CMAC (Mac 3) and Macintosh laryngoscope blade and the secondary objectives included the hemodynamic response to intubation, the level of difficulty using the intubation difficulty scale (IDS), and complications associated with intubation. Data was analysed using the statistical software SPSS (version 18.0). Results: The time taken for intubation was not significantly different (42.8 ± 14.8 s for CMAC and 42.5 ± 11.5 s for Macintosh laryngoscope P -0.908). The CMAC video laryngoscope was associated with an improved laryngoscopy grade (Grade I in 81.8% with CMAC and in 46.5% with Macintosh), less pressure applied on the tongue, and less external laryngeal pressure required. Hemodynamic responses to intubation were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Macintosh blade is as good as CMAC (mac 3) blade to facilitate DLT intubation in adult patients with no anticipated airway difficulty, however CMAC was superior as it offers better laryngoscopic view, needed less force, and fewer external laryngeal manipulations.
OAG$_{\mathrm {know}}$ know : Self-Supervised Learning for Linking Knowledge Graphs

— We propose a self-supervised embedding learning framework—SelfLinKG—to link concepts in heterogeneous knowledge graphs. Without any labeled data, SelfLinKG can achieve competitive performance against its supervised counterpart, and signiﬁcantly outperforms state-of-the-art unsupervised methods by 26%-50% under linear classiﬁcation protocol. The essential components of SelfLinKG are local attention-based encoding and momentum contrastive learning. The former aims to learn the graph representation using an attention network, while the latter is to learn a self-supervised model across knowledge graphs using contrastive learning. SelfLinKG has been deployed to build the the new version, called OAG know of Open Academic Graph (OAG). All data and codes are publicly available.
Effects of Design Quality on Delay in Residential Construction Projects

Introduction This study is conducted to establish the effect of design quality on project delay in building projects. It aims at: 1) investigating the major factors of design quality, 2) identifying the main delay factors in building projects, 2) establishing the relationship between design quality and delay in building projects. To achieve these objectives, a questionnaire survey is performed. Seventeen (17) factors that might affect design quality, and 15 delay factors are listed in a questionnaire form. Sixty (60) contractors and 40 consultants are asked to identify the severity of the identified factors. Results indicate that the top factors affecting design quality are: delay in payments by client for design services, staff allocation for many projects at the same time, copying and modifying from previous work to minimize time and cost, tight design schedule, lack of designer knowledge with techniques and materials available in the market. The study also concludes that the top five delay factors include: payments delay, poor labor productivity, lack of skilled manpower, frequent change orders and rework. Regression analysis for data collected from 36 building projects shows a good correlation between design quality and delay in projects. This study is the first one that addresses the problem of design quality in the West Bank in Palestine. Furthermore, it is the first study that addresses the effect of design quality on project delay in Palestine and the neighboring countries. It is hoped to be helpful for researchers and professionals to understand the impact of design quality on schedule delay.
A Note on Identification in the Multinomial Probit Model in the Presence of Weak Correlation

An identification problem with the Multinomial Probit Model arises when correlations among choice alternatives are weak. Then even if formal conditions for model identification are satisfied, practical estimation of the unrestricted variance parameters is tenuous. An estimable specification of the model, in which all variance parameters are fixed, resolves the problem. This paper demonstrates the identification problem and presents an MCMC algorithm to estimate this restricted specification of the Multinomial Probit model.
Genetic Evolution of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Isolated from Chicken Poultry Flocks in Egypt

Poultry Diseases Department, Benha Provincial Laboratory, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Canter, Benha, Egypt Newcastle Department Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Agriculture Research Canter, Cairo, Egypt Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production, Animal Health Research Institute, Agriculture Research Canter, Giza 12618, Egypt
Mechanical Properties of Chemically Treated Sawdust-Reinforced Recycled Polyethylene Composites

In the present work, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-treated sawdust-reinforced recycled polyethylene (RPE) composites were prepared by injection molding method. The mechanical properties of RPE composites reinforced with CTAB-treated sawdust were evaluated and the results were compared with those of untreated ones. The tensile strength (TS) values of the CTAB-treated composites were found to be much higher than those of the untreated ones. The Young’s modulus (YM), flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), and hardness values were also found to be improved for the treated sawdust–RPE composites compared to those of the untreated ones. The tensile fracture surface morphological features of treated sawdust–RPE composites observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed less microvoids and fiber agglomerates, indicating that better fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion has occurred upon treatment of the sawdust with CTAB. Water absorption (%) values were found to increase with increases in fib.
Contingency Model(s) of Is Project Management Contingency Model(s) of Is Project Management?

Researchers in Organization Theory have suggested that the way an organization, business unit or department is managed should vary according to the uncertainty inherent in its environment. Similarly, several IS researchers have suggested that the way an IS development project is managed should depend on the risk or uncertainty of the project. However, the contingency relationships hypothesized in the IS literature remain largely unverified. This paper develops and tests a contingency model where it is hypothesized that the outcome of an IS development project (Project Performance) is influenced by the fit (Project Risk Fit) between the project’s risk (Project Risk Exposure) and how the project is managed (Project Management Practices). The latter was assessed with three constructs drawn from the Organization Theory literature: internal and external integration, formalization, and formal planning. Using a profile deviation perspective of fit, and data obtained from 75 IS projects, significant contingency effects were observed for three of the four success measures used: estimated vs. actual budget, estimated vs. actual time to complete project, and system quality according to project leader. Interestingly, a different contingency relationship was observed for the fourth measure of project success, user information satisfaction. These results suggest that two different contingency models may be at work in IS project contexts, and that both models need to be considered for a thorough understanding of project management.
How Not to Measure Disentanglement

To evaluate disentangled representations several metrics have been proposed. However, theoretical guarantees for conventional metrics of disen-tanglement are missing. Moreover, conventional metrics do not have a consistent correlation with the outcomes of qualitative studies. In this paper we analyze metrics of disentanglement and their properties. We conclude that existing metrics of disentanglement were created to reﬂect different characteristics of disentanglement and do not satisfy two basic desirable properties: (1) assign a high score to representations that are disentan-gled according to the deﬁnition; and (2) assign a low score to representations that are entangled according to the deﬁnition.
ASAC 2008 Halifax, Nova Scotia

The upper echelon theory (Hambrick and Mason 1984) posits that the firm is a reflection and extension of the entrepreneurs that manage it. As such, the firm’s strategic choices, behaviours, and performance are, to a large extend, influenced by the demographic characteristics of the entreprenurs (Smith et al. 1996), their social connections (Geletkanycz and Hambrick 1997), their perceptions of the environment (Kiesler and Sproull 1982), and their decision-making styles (Eisenhardt 1999).
THE EFFECT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY LIVING IN HOSPICE AND AT HOME

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of urinary incontinence on the quality of life of elderly people living at home and those living in a hospice by focusing on the different demographic and incontinence related factors. Method: The study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study and was conducted between December 2015 and June 2016. Fifty participants aged ≥ 65 years who met the inclusion criteria were incruited in the study. Twenty-five of them were admitted by random sampling method from patients applying to faculty’s geriatric outpatient clinic with the complaint of incontinence. The other 25 were selected according to the study criteria out of elderly people living in the Darulaceze Institute. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-ShortForm (ICIQ-SF), Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) scale, and Katz Activities of Daily Living scale were used with all the individuals. Other variables were assessed using a demographic data form. Results: There was no difference between the quality of life (QOL) scores between the hospice and home groups (p=0.836, p=0.865, p=0.841, p=0.883). Social life was the most affected subdomain for both groups. Urinary incontinence (UI) affected psychologic effect (PE) and behavioral restriction (BR) aspects of QOL in individuals between the ages of 65 and 75 years more than those >75 years of age in the hospice (p=0.024, p=0.019). A higher UI output lowered BR scores only in hospice patients (p=0.016). For both groups, frequent incontinence episodes indicated a significantly lower QOL in terms of PE than rare episodes (p=0.032-home, p=0.022-hospice) and lower QOL in BR in home care (p=0.037). Mixed type incontinence affected QOL in terms of BR more than other types of incontinence in both groups (p=0.019-hospice, p=0.007-home). There was a significant correlation between I-QOL and ICIQ-SF visual analogue scale scores that measured quality of life (r=-0.64, p<0.001). Conclusions: Frequency of incontinence episodes is the major factor affecting QOL in both groups. Incontinence output has a significant role in QOL for hospice patients. The ICIQ-SF visual scale may be sufficient to evaluate the quality of life. I-QOL can be used for further evaluation of different aspects. Studies on incontinence and QOL in the institutionalized and home-care elderly population should be encouraged to improve conditions.
Predictors of In-hospital Mortality In Patients With RT-PCR Confirmed Lassa Fever Infection Treated At A National Treatment Center, South West Nigeria

Background: Lassa fever (LF) infection is one of the viral hemorrhagic fever diseases found mainly in Sub-Saharan West Africa, including Nigeria. The case fatality rate is 60% among patients with Lassa fever complicated by AKI in one center study in Nigeria. Clinical and laboratory parameter has been documented as predictors of mortality among confirmed Lassa fever infected patients. Therefore, we decided to conduct similar study in our hospital to determine predictors of inhospital mortality among Lassa fever infected patients. Aim: This study was designed to determine the in-hospital clinical and laboratory predictors of outcome among RT-PCR (Real Time- Polymerase Chain Reaction) diagnosed Lassa fever patients. Methodology: This was a descriptive retrospective study involving the assessment of records of confirmed LF infected patients that were managed at the center from December 2019 to December 2020. 147 medical case record files of patients were retrieved for this study. Results: We found in our hospital setting, altered sensorium (p=0.001), seizures (p=0.001), bleeding diathesis (p=0.001), oliguria (p=0.001), elevated urea (p=0.001), elevated creatinine (p=0.001), hypoalbuminaemia (P=0.001), elevated SGOT (P=0.008) as significant predictors on in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: This study has helped us to identify the clinical parameters such as bleeding, central nervous system affectation, oliguria, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypoxaemia and laboratory parameters such as, elevated urea, elevated creatinine, hypoalbuminaemia as predictors of in-hospital mortality in RT-PCR confirmed Lassa fever patients. We believe early recognition of derangements of these parameters and with prompt intervention shall help to improve standards of care and outcome.
Microbial Quality Assessment of Selected Lebanese Dairy Products and the Antimicrobial Resistance of Bacterial Isolates

The microbial quality of dairy products is of major concern to the Lebanese consumers due to the possibility of microbial contamination during the production process. The purpose of this study was to assess the microbial load of packaged and unpackaged samples of Labneh and Halloumi cheese and to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among the isolated bacteria. A total of 30 samples (15 Labneh & 15 Halloumi cheese samples) were collected in Beirut district, Lebanon. This study showed that the unpackaged samples of Labneh and Halloumi cheese were 9.7 folds more contaminated (in term of total bacterial count) compared to the packaged samples. The mean counts of S.aureus and total coliforms showed a higher significant level in Halloumi compared to Labneh samples without exceeding the normal respective ranges of Lebanese standards. Our findings showed no significant difference in the count of S. aureus, coliforms, yeast and molds in the packaged samples of Labneh compared to the unpackaged ones. Significant differences in terms of APC were found between the packaged and unpackaged Halloumi samples with the latest being more contaminated, though within the normal Lebanese standards. Finally, isolated S.aureus and E.coli revealed resistance to some antibiotics.
Genres, Objects, and the Contemporary Expression of Higher-Status Tastes

Are contemporary higher-status tastes inclusive, exclusive, or both? Recent work suggests that the answer likely is both. And yet, little is known concerning how configurations of such tastes are learned, upheld, and expressed without contradiction. We resolve this puzzle by showing the affordances of different levels of culture (i.e., genres and objects) in the expression of tastes. We rely on original survey data to show that people of higher status taste differently at different levels of culture: more inclusively for genres and more exclusively for objects. Inclusivity at the level of genres is fostered through familial socialization, and exclusivity at the level of objects is fostered through formal schooling. Individuals’ taste configurations are mirrored in and presumably reinforce their adult social-structural positions. The results have important implications for understanding the subtle maintenance of status in an increasingly diverse and putatively meritocratic society.
Theoretical DFT Studies on Free Base, Cationic and Hydrochloride Species of Narcotic Tramadol Agent in Gas Phase and Aqueous Solution

Theoretical studies based on the density functional theory (DFT) have been performed to study structural and vibrational properties of the free base, cationic, and hydrochloride species of narcotic tramadol agent in the gas phase and aqueous solution. In both media, B3LYP/6-31G* calculations were used while in solution, the self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) method together with the integral equation formalism variant polarised continuum (IEFPCM) and universal solvation model density (SMD) models have been employed because these models consider the solvent effects. The vibrational studies have revealed that the species cationic is present in the solid phase because the most intense band predicted for the hydrochloride in infrared and Raman spectra is not observed in the experimental spectra. The harmonic force fields, together with the normal internal coordinates and scaling factors, have allowed the complete vibrational assignments of 126, 129, and 132 vibration modes expected for the free base, cationic, and hydrochloride species, respectively, by using the SQMFF methodology. The cationic species evidence the most negative solvation energy and higher hydration in solution in agreement with its lower stability, while the hydrochloride species is the most reactive in solution. MK charges and NBO and AIM studies support cationic species' instability due to the positive charge on N atom. Comparisons of the experimental UV spectrum of hydrochloride tramadol with the predicted for the three species suggest that the free base, cationic, and hydrochloride species can be present in solution. Comparisons of predicted infrared, Raman, H, and C NMR and electronic spectra for the free base, cationic, and hydrochloride species of tramadol with the corresponding experimental ones have evidenced reasonable correlations for the cationic species showing that this species present in the solid phase and in solution.
Development and validation of a prognostic model for COVID-19: a population-based cohort study in Iceland

Background: The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection varies from asymptomatic state to severe respiratory failure and the clinical course is difficult to predict. The aim of the study was to develop a prognostic model to predict the severity of COVID-19 at the time of diagnosis and determine risk factors for severe disease. Methods: All SARS-CoV-2-positive adults in Iceland were prospectively enrolled into a telehealth service at diagnosis. A multivariable proportional-odds logistic regression model was derived from information obtained during the enrollment interview with those diagnosed before May 1, 2020 and validated in those diagnosed between May 1 and December 31, 2020. Outcomes were defined on an ordinal scale; no need for escalation of care during follow-up, need for outpatient visit, hospitalization, and admission to intensive care unit (ICU) or death. Risk factors were summarized as odds ratios (OR) adjusted for confounders identified by a directed acyclic graph. Results: The prognostic model was derived from and validated in 1,625 and 3,131 individuals, respectively. In total, 375 (7.9%) only required outpatient visits, 188 (4.0%) were hospitalized and 50 (1.1%) were either admitted to ICU or died due to complications of COVID-19. The model included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), current smoking, underlying conditions, and symptoms and clinical severity score at enrollment. Discrimination and calibration were excellent for outpatient visit or worse (C-statistic 0.75, calibration intercept 0.04 and slope 0.93) and hospitalization or worse (C-statistic 0.81, calibration intercept 0.16 and slope 1.03). Age was the strongest risk factor for adverse outcomes with OR of 75- compared to 45- year-olds, ranging from 5.29-17.3. Higher BMI consistently increased the risk and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease correlated with worse outcomes. Conclusion: Our prognostic model can accurately predict the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection using information that is available at the time of diagnosis.
Domestic waste management: a survey for the design of an innovative compactor

Integrated waste management requires considerable resources in terms of both materials and energy, thereby constituting a significant item of expenditure for local administrations. Thus, the correct management and disposal of home waste imperatively pursue innovative strategic objectives to reduce the environmental impact. European policies aim at reducing the overall impact of domestic waste on environment and public health by promoting an efficient use of the resources and reducing the quantities of the unsorted waste produced. Encouraging the reuse of recyclable fractions as resources, increasing the levels of separated waste fractions, and implementing a safer waste disposal system are crucial goals nowadays. Moreover, the active involvement of citizens through information, accountability and rewarding approaches has generally shown to increase the amounts and the quality of recyclable fractions. The aim of this study is to develop an innovative system to help users optimize domestic waste management. A survey has been designed and submitted to citizens of a Town in the South Italy in order to investigate their habits and behaviours in managing home waste as well as the difficulties and wished supports to appropriately separate waste fractions. Nonparametric analyses have been carried out on the 385 answers received, and the outcomes of the survey analysis are presented in this paper. They have been adopted in the design of an innovative home waste compactor device. The compaction of paper, plastic, and metal fractions and sealing of organic waste are suited by the interviewed to improve the management of separated waste fractions. The steady municipal implementation of such a system will allow the reduction of both the logistic and economic expenditures required for waste collection and the disposable quantities of unsorted waste.
Calculating the Temperature dependence Radiative recombination rate Coefficients for ions

Radiative recombination rate coefficients (RRC) are presented for several ions with open and closed shells, ( H I, He I, He II, N V, N VI, N VII) . The temperature of electron range 10-10 K is considered. The calculations have been performed in the framework of analytic fit parameters formula with no consideration of relativistic effects. Our results of RRC compared with the theoretical data available as a function of electron temperature, and the agreement was very good. Some data which had been depended showed a peak at high temperatures because of the influence of autoionizing resonance.