Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dexmedetomidine over Labetalol for oligemic surgical field in middle ear microsurgeries- A prospective randomized clinical trial

Background: Maintenance of relatively bloodless field is favoured by surgeons during middle ear surgery under operating microscope as it produces better visibility, ease of operation and reduces operating time. Primary objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine and labetalol in providing better quality of the surgical field during middle ear surgeries under general anesthesia. Methods: Seventy patients aged 18-65 years of ASA Grades I and II, of both gender were randomised into two comparable equal groups of 35 patients each for middle ear surgery under general anaesthesia with standard anaesthetic technique. Patients of Group D (n=35) received dexmedetomidine in a loading dose of 1mcg/ kg over 10 minutes before induction of anaesthesia followed by incremental doses of 1/4th loading dose over 2mins if required and groupL (n=35) received bolus dose of labetalol 0.3mg/kg over 2 min and increments of 1/4th loading dose (5mg) over 2 min till the required mean arterial pressure was achieved. All patients were assessed intra-operatively for bleeding at surgical field, haemodynamic changes, mean end tidal isoflurane concentration,surgeon satisfaction, post-operative analgesia requirement time, sedation and side effects. Results: Patients receiving dexmedetomidine had significantly lesser bleeding at surgical field and better surgeon satisfaction score (P < 0.05). The mean arterial pressure did not show any significant difference between the groups. Mean time required for postoperative analgesia was significantly higher with dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine and labetalol can be used to provide hypotensive anesthesia and hence oligemic field for middle ear microsurgery. Dexmedetomidine was found to significantly reduce intraoperative bleeding, which improved operative field visibility and increased surgeon’s satisfaction during middle-ear surgery under general anaesthesia than labetalol. Mean end tidal isoflurane and post-operative shivering was significantly lower with dexmedetomidine than labetalol group. Time requirement of analgesics for post-operative pain was higher with dexmedetomidine group.
Preschool Teachers’ Experiences in Working with Children in an Inclusive Educational Facility

Inclusion is a process that signifies an equal approach to quality education for all children and supports their development and learning. Recognizing the role of a leader, mediator and rolemodel, among others, is particularly relevant for the contemporary preschool teacher. The preschool teacher does represent a role-model for children’s behavior and enables them – through everyday experiences – to learn how to respect and appreciate differences, as well as to develop their participation skills. It is important to create an environment in which every child will grow and develop, feel as an equal society member, with equal rights and values, in which differences are a source of fortune and learning opportunities. In a child upbringing, cooperation with parents and experts is important. Continuous professional development and lifelong learning is a preschool teacher’s prerequisite for realizing an inclusion philosophy in education. Having in mind the 21 century preschool teacher, this paper is aimed at indicating the need for strengthening his/her professional competences in inclusive work with preschool children. The aim of this research is to determine how much preschool teachers individualize processes in activities planned for the children with disabilities, and whether they consider themselves competent to conduct such activities to satisfy the principles of an inclusive environment, all in accordance with legislation in the Croatian education system. The sample includes preschool teachers (N=132) in educational facilities across the Republic of Croatia. The results should reveal the level of individualized educational practice, with a special emphasis on dilemmas and challenges arising from them (research results).
In vitro Analysis of the Efficacy of Selected Commercial Acaricides on The Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Ticks are important to the Nigerian livestock industry because of their ability to cause huge economic loss directly or indirectly. Chemical acaricides have played important roles in control of tick infestation for many years but development of acaricide resistance as being reported worldwide is a huge problem facing the livestock industry and the veterinarians. Thus, this study evaluated the efficacy of available commercial acaricides on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Using Adult Immersion Test (AIT): the LC50, inhibition of oviposition, control and resistance rates, gradation of tarsal reflexes were determined for ticks treated with different acaricides at five different concentrations the discriminating dose (DD) (the manufacturer’s recommended dose) and four other different concentrations of two below and two above the DD with the aid of prohibit regression. The association between weight and number of eggs laid was analyzed by linear correlation. Macrocyclic lactone(66.7%), Phenylpyrazole (62.5%), Cypermethrin (62.5%), Formamidine(33.3%) and Phenylpyrazole(13% egg production), Macrocyclic lactone (18% egg production), Cypermethrin(20% egg production), Formamidine(49% egg production) have the highest to lowest percentage control and oviposition inhibition values respectively. The LC50 of (Formamidine), (Phenylpyrazole), (Synthetic pyrethroids), (Macrocyclic lactone) against adult R. (B.) annulatus were 100, 8000, 2300 and 6000ppm respectively.The demonstration of acaricide resistancedevelopmentas demonstrated by the ticks in laying of eggs after dipping in acaricideis a call to the need for discovery and use of alternative tick control methods with good therapeutic dose and the need for continuous evaluation of available acaricide.
Comparative study on commercial semen extenders and storage times on the quality of boar semen

The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of sperm life, motility, and abnormal morphology of boar spermatozoa extended in the four commercial extenders. Five ejaculated semen boars were stored (38 x 106 spermatozoa/ml) in the two commercial extenders devised for short-term preservation (BTS and Dilumax-BTS) and the two long-term preservation extenders (D-Max6 and Gold life) with a randomized completely block design. The samples were stored for 9 days at 17 oC. On day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 of storage, sperm motility, sperm life and morphology of the stored semen were evaluated. Across storage day, the percentage of individual motile and total sperm life were significantly decreased (P<0.01) after storage. On day 5, 7 and 9 after storage, the percentage of sperm life in D-Max6 and Gold life were significantly (P<0.01) higher compared to BTS and Dilumax–BTS diluted semen. The individual motile and sperm life reduction below 60 percentages were observed from days 5 to 9 of storage in BTS, Dilumax–BTS and Gold life, whereas the semen stored in D-Max6 was observed the individual motile and sperm life above 60 percentages up to day 7 of stored. However, none of the semen extenders were associated with the morphology of spermatozoa. The data reveal that semen extended in D-Max6 had the highest percentage of individual motile and sperm life throughout the 9-days storage period. It can be concluded that Gold life, BTS and Dilumax–BTS were preserved sperm quality for up to 3 days of storage, whereas D-Max6 preserved the sperm quality for up to 7 days of dilution.
Influence of Hydroxyapatite Coating for the Prevention of Bone Mineral Density Loss and Bone Metabolism after Total Hip Arthroplasty: Assessment Using 18F-Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography and Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry by Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Hydroxyapatite- (HA-) coated implants tend to achieve good osteoinductivity and stable clinical results; however, the influence of the coating on the prevention of bone mineral density (BMD) loss around the implant is unclear. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of HA-coated implants for preventing BMD loss and to determine the status of bone remodeling after total hip arthroplasty (THA), making comparisons with non-HA-coated implants. Methods A total of 52 patients who underwent primary THA were randomly allocated to HA and non-HA groups. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at 1 week postoperation to form a baseline measurement, and then 24 weeks and 48 weeks after surgery. The relative change in BMD was evaluated for regions of interest (ROIs) based on the Gruen zone classifications. 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography (PET) was performed at 24 weeks postsurgery, and the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were evaluated in the proximal (HA-coated) and distal (non-HA-coated) areas in both groups. Results There were significant differences in BMD loss in ROIs 3 and 6 (p = 0.03), while no significant difference was observed in ROI 7 at either 24 or 48 weeks postsurgery. There was no significant correlation between PET uptake and BMD (24 or 48 weeks) in either group. Conclusion The influence of a HA coating in terms of BMD preservation is limited. No significant correlation was found between BMD and SUVmax measured by PET, either with or without the use of a HA coating.
ColorCode Exploring Social and Psychological Dimensions of Color

Color representation have a great impact on the way we perceive information. The psychological influence of colors has been studied to improve the usage of color in the most various contexts, such as marketing and interface design. On the other hand, personality is a field of psychology which studies human character and behavior. The relation between personality and color preference has been theorized and studied. However, current research presents a lack of conclusive results. In this work, we cross personality data, not only with self-reported color preferences, but also with neurophysiological responses, overcoming the limitations of the current research. The results of this study suggested some trends on general preference and excitation levels, as well as on the influence of personality and color preference, and the influence of arousal on the preference between different Extraversion groups. These trends contribute for the improvement of color uses, in particular in the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) field, based on personality.
NATURE, CAUSES, AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF ILLICIT OPIOID USE

Illicit drugs are those banned by international drug control treaties. They include cannabis products (for example, marijuana, hashish, and bhang); stimulant drugs (such as cocaine and methamphetamine); so-called dance-party drugs (such as 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy or MDMA); and illicit opioids (for instance, heroin and opium) and diverted pharmaceutical opioids (such as buprenorphine, methadone, and morphine) (see annex 48.A). Worldwide, 185 million people were estimated to have used illicit drugs during 1998–2002 (UNODC 2004; UNODCCP 2002). Cannabis was the most widely used illicit drug, with 146.2 million users in 2002, or 3.7 percent of the global population over age 15. The stimulant drugs were the next most widely used illicit drugs: 29.6 million people worldwide used amphetamines; 13.3 million used cocaine; and 8.3 million used ecstasy. An estimated 15.3 million, or 0.4 percent of the world population age 15 to 64, used illicit opioids; more than half used heroin and the remainder used opium or diverted pharmaceutical opioids. Illicit opioids continue to be the major illicit drug problem in most regions of the world in terms of impact on public health and public order (UNODC 2004). Even though cannabis use accounts for about 80 percent of illicit drug use worldwide, the mortality and morbidity attributable to its use are not well understood, even in developed countries (W. Hall and Pacula 2003; Macleod and others 2004; WHO Programme on Substance Abuse 1997). The same is true of the morbidity and mortality attributable to cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants (Macleod and others 2004). Dance-party drugs have been used for too short a time in most developed societies to enable a good assessment of their potential for harm (Boot, McGregor, and Hall 2000; Macleod and others 2004). The remainder of this chapter is concerned with disease control priorities for illicit opioid dependence, because dependent users account for most of the illicit opioids consumed and experience most of the harm such dependence causes (W. Hall, Degenhardt, and Lynskey 1999).
Judicial efficiency and foreign direct investments: evidence from OECD countries∗

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of judicial efficiency on a country’s ability to attract foreign direct investments. I analyse FDI flows after observing the internalisation choice ex post. I move beyond the gravity framework to study FDI, by claiming that the pattern through which foreign investors structure their production internationally is driven by the interaction between investment and country characteristics. I provide robust estimates of the effect that differences in efficiency have both on the extensive and intensive margin of FDI, by including zero entries. I tackle the issue of endogeneity resorting to IV methodology. Causal estimates show that judicial efficiency explains more of the pattern of FDI than the combined skilled labour and capital endowment. JEL Classification: F14, F23, K40.
Continuous Monocyclic and Polycyclic Age Structured Models of Population Dynamics

This paper focuses on the study of continuous age-structured models, or more general, physiologically structured models, which used for detailed and accurate study of population dynamics in many ecological, biological applications and medicine. In contrast to simpler unstructured models, these models allow us to relate the individual life-histories described as fertility and mortality rates of an individual at a given age with population dynamics. Depending from the particularity of reproduction mechanism continuous age-structured models are divided into monocyclic (reproduction occurs only at the one fixed age of individuals) and polycyclic (reproduction occurs with age-dependent probability at some age reproductive window) models. The linear monocyclic age-structured models are used often in cell cycles modelling, in population dynamics of plants, etc. In this case continuous age-structured models allow for obtaining the exact analytical solution. Since the linear and non-linear polycyclic age-structured models are more general then monocyclic models, they coverwider range of applications in life science. But in this case solution of model can be obtained only in the form of recurrent formulae and can be used only in numerical algorithms. Both solutions obtained in this work allow us to study numerically the important dynamical regimes population outbreaks of three types: oscillations with large magnitude, pulse sequence and single pulse. Thus, analysis of continuous age-structured models of population dynamics provides insight into features and particularities of complex dynamical regimes of populations in many applications in biology, ecology and medicine.
Trends and Correlates of Non-Vaginal Mode of Delivery in Nigeria: A 23-Year Analysis of Nationally Representative Data

Background: Cesarean section (CS) is a surgical obstetric procedure medically indicated to save the life of a mother and her baby. The CS rates in Nigeria is very low and is among the least in the world with only about one-quarter being elective CS while the majority are emergency CS, indicating poor access to maternal health services. In Nigeria, vaginal deliveries are associated with less risks to the mother and the baby when compared to CS. This study explore the trends and determinants of CS among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Methods: This secondary data analysis utilized Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) dataset from year 1990 2013. The overall pooled sample was 74,060 children born within 5 years of each survey. The 23-year time frame was chosen to make plausible comparisons of the trend in the caesarean section. We then conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with cesarean section. All analyses were performed at 5% level of significance and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using STATA version 13. Results: The trend in proportion of caesarean section mode of delivery was approximately similar in the four rounds of the survey. The overall percentage of caesarean section was high among women living in urban areas, those that delivered in private hospitals and those with very large babies. Also, having unintended pregnancies, first child birth, male children and multiple births had higher percentage of caesarean sections. From 1990 to 2013, babies that are at the extremes of size (large and small) have higher odds of being delivered via caesarean section compared with babies with average size. The Multivariable logistic regression models of 2003 and 2013 showed that multiple births were 2.67 and 3.57 times as likely to have caesarean section, compared with singleton births after adjusting for other covariates respectively. Conclusion: Although fluctuations occurred between 1990 and 2013 in reported CS rates, there was a slight decrease in trend of CS reported in 1990 and 2013. More advocacies should be made on educating people on the safety of the CS procedure. This will encourage increase in rate of elective CS as the current rate is very low. Efforts should be made on increasing the number and quality of maternal and child care centres/ hospitals with adequate facilities and personnel to cater for CS procedures should the elective or emergency need arise.
DEPRESSION IN A HOUSEHOLD SAMPLE IN ARACAJU (SERGIPE, BRAZIL)

This study aimed to detect the prevalence rate of depression-related symptoms in a household sample in Aracaju (Sergipe, Brazil), as well as estimating the chances of a positive diagnosis in the screening for depression based on socio-demographic and general health profiles. The sample was composed of 690 participants and only one resident per house was invited to take part in this study. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), questionnaires about socio-demographic and health-related data were used. Almost 35% of participants had positive diagnosis in the screening for depression. A logistic regression showed that those people who perceived themselves as sick, non-religious, lacked a college degree, smokers or who were obese, smokers composed the profile of individuals with a greater chance to be in the BDI positive group. Finally, the proposed objectives to this study allowed inferring that the population living in Aracaju present a high prevalence rate of depression-related symptoms. Considering that the interviews were conducted at home, it is still possible that part of the sample that showed these symptoms may not have sought assistance at primary health centers or have been assessed by primary care team. Thus, we think these findings are important due to the lack of similar studies in Brazilian Northeast region.
Financial reporting and States’ infrastructure investment decisions

We examine whether governments’ infrastructure-related financial reporting policies are associated with their infrastructure investment decisions. Variation in governments’ infrastructure reporting policies results from the flexibility provided by GASB Statement No. 34, which permits state and local governments to select between two methods of reporting infrastructure assets: the depreciation approach and the modified approach. In light of the increased financial reporting requirements associated with the modified approach, we use the adoption of the modified approach as a proxy for higher-quality financial reporting about infrastructure assets. We find that modified approach governments invest more in infrastructure assets and maintain their infrastructure at a higher condition level than governments using the depreciation approach. We employ a difference-in-differences research design and conduct additional analyses to help mitigate endogeneity concerns. Our results suggest that governments’ financial reporting policies influence their infrastructure investment decisions, which ultimately impacts businesses, citizens, and governments. Our findings also raise the question of whether the lack of reporting about infrastructure maintenance and repairs prevents stakeholders from ascertaining the magnitude and consequences of deferred infrastructure investments.
An Examination of Factors Influencing Repurchase Intention Towards a Fashion Brand in Thailand

The purpose of this research is to examine the factors affecting repurchase intention towards a fashion retail brand in Bangkok, Thailand measured by customer satisfaction, customer trust and attitude. The descriptive analysis is applied in this study, along with non-probability sampling methods including purposive, quota and convenient sampling procedure. The data are collected by using self-administrated questionnaire with 300 sample size at three main shopping mall in Bangkok. The result from analyzing 300 respondents’ valid samples by using Simple Linear Regression and Multiple Linear Regression demonstrated that customer satisfaction has significant impact on customer trust. Customer trust has significant impact on customer trust. In addition, customer satisfaction, customer trust and attitude have significant impact on repurchase intention of customers towards a fashion retail store, in which attitude has the strongest influence on repurchase intention; followed by customer trust, and customer satisfaction. Introduction In digitalized world, it is important that a firm has to understand and maintain a competitive advantage in order to reach and sell to the target market. To create or maintain a competitive advantage against rivals, the firm should provide superior service or product to customers. Repurchase intention is firms’ competitive advantage which strongly impact on their performance (Edvardsson et al., 2000). Recent marketing practice focuses on the retention of existing customer because of intense rivalry and high cost involved for attract new customers. (Hallowell, 1996). Moreover, organizations that focus on customers will attain maximum profit and market share (Hafeez and Muhammad, 2012). Therefore, the researchers aim to study the determinants that have an influence on repurchase intention. This study will be useful for both private and public organizations as well as future researchers.