Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Canopy management, leaf fall and litter quality of dominant tree species in the banana agroforestry system in Uganda

Small-scale farmers in the banana-coffee agro-zone of Central Uganda plant and maintain trees to provide a range of benefits. However, the impact of trees on soil fertility and crop yields is small. On many farms, trees exist in infinite numbers, compositions, with no proper spacing, sequencing and canopy management recommendations. The objectives of this study were to: quantify and compare leaf fall and leaf litter biomass for the dominant tree species subjected to different pruning regimes and during different seasons and determine the nutrient concentrations in leaf litter materials in order to assess their potential to improve soil fertility. A survey was conducted on 30 randomly selected farms to examine and document the tree species. Four tree species were dominant; Ficus natalensis (15.3%), Albizia coriaria (10.2%), Artocarpus heterophyllus (10.0%) and Mangifera indica (9.2%). Experiments such as canopy pruning, collecting leaf fall and weights of pruned leaf biomass were established for the four dominant trees on five randomly selected farms. A total of 120 trees were subjected to three pruning regimes (0%, 25% and 50%). Litter traps (1 m × 1 m) were placed 2 m from the tree trunk to collect falling leaves. Leaf biomass was collected from pruned branches and eighed. Leaf samples were collected from pruned leaves and a composite sample analysed for carbon and nutrient concentrations. Results showed that 40 tree and shrub species belonging to 21 families existed on farms. Leaf fall was highest in the dry season and A. Heterophyllus registered the highest amount. Leaf biomass from pruned trees was heaviest for M. indica (42.4 ±3 kg) in the wet season and at the 50% pruning regime (45.7± 2.1kg). Total nutrient concentrations were in the order A. coriaria > F. natalensis > A.heterophyllus > M.indica. We concluded that F. natalensis and A. Coriaria should be integrated more into the agroforestry system to improve soil fertility. A.heterophyllus and M.indica should be planted on farm boundaries. The 50% pruning regime was the best and should be carried out during the wet season. Key words : Tree species, canopy management, leaf fall, nutrient concentrations, soil fertility
A Pressão Arterial dos Pacientes Está Sendo Medida Rotineiramente nos Consultórios Médicos

Fundamentos: A medida da pressao arterial e recomendada em toda avaliacao medica, independente da especialidade. E um procedimento simples e de facil realizacao, mas frequentemente negligenciado e realizado de forma incorreta. Objetivo: Avaliar se a medida da pressao arterial estava sendo realizada rotineiramente e comparar os valores encontrados por medida rotineira em consulta ambulatorial as medidas realizadas, seguindo a tecnica adequada. Metodos: Estudo transversal e observacional que incluiu pacientes adultos (> 18 anos) atendidos nos ambulatorios de especialidades clinicas e cirurgicas de um hospital universitario. Os sujeitos responderam a questionario especifico e, em seguida, foram submetidos a tres medidas de pressao arterial, seguindo as recomendacoes das diretrizes vigentes, por equipe treinada. Seguiram para o atendimento ambulatorial e apos o termino, foi verificado em prontuario se a pressao arterial foi aferida e, em caso positivo, anotou-se o valor desta afericao. Resultados: Foram selecionados consecutivamente 129 pacientes com idade media de 53 anos (± 15,92) e predominio do sexo feminino (61,2%). A maioria foi atendida em especialidades clinicas (70,5%) e 49,6% referiram diagnostico previo de hipertensao arterial sistemica. A pressao arterial nao foi aferida em 38,8% dos atendimentos, sendo mais frequente nas especialidades cirurgicas (72,5% vs. 27,5%; p < 0,001). O diagnostico previo de hipertensao arterial sistemica nao influenciou na chance de um paciente ter sua pressao aferida (p = 0,082). Nao houve diferenca entre a pressao arterial aferida pelos pesquisadores e aquelas realizadas em consulta (118 mmHg vs. 117 mmHg; p = 0,651; 72 mmHg vs. 75 mmHg; p = 0,055). Conclusoes: A pressao arterial dos pacientes nao foi aferida em um grande numero de atendimentos, principalmente nos ambulatorios de especialidades cirurgicas.
Exercise Countermeasures Demonstration Project During the Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project

Abstract The purpose of this demonstration project was to assess the compliance of crew members to a portionof the exercise countermeasures planned for use during stays onboard the International Space Station(ISS) and to assess the outcomes of performing these countermeasures. Although these countermea-sures have been used separately in other projects and investigations, this was the first time they hadbeen used together for an extended period of time (60 days) in an investigation of this nature. Crewmembers exercised every day for six days, alternating every other day between aerobic and resistiveexercise, and rested on the seventh day. On the aerobic exercise days, subjects exercised on anelectronically braked cycle ergometer using a protocol which has been previously shown to maintainaerobic capacity in subjects exposed to a spaceflight analogue (6° head-down tilt bed rest). On theresistive exercise days, crew members performed five major multi-joint resistive exercises--benchpress, seated press, lat pull, squats, and heel raises--in a concentric mode, targeting those musclegroups and bones which are believed to be most severely affected by spaceflight. Subjects performedmaximal efforts with each repetition. Both exercise protocols were well tolerated by the subjects,demonstrated by a 98% compliance to aerobic exercise prescription and a 91% adherence to theresistive exercise protocol. Subjects also reported favorable comments. After 60 days, the crewmembers improved their peak aerobic capacity by an average of 7%. Strength gains during benchpress, shoulder press, lat pull, heel raise, and squat exercises were noted in all subjects. The results ofthis investigation suggest that these aerobic and resistive exercise protocols can be performed duringan ISS, lunar, or Mars mission. However, more frequent bouts of both resistive and aerobic exerciseare anticipated to be required to maintain crew health during long-duration spaceflight. Futureprojects should investigate the impact of increased exercise duration and frequency on thecompliance of subjects and the efficacy of such exercise prescriptions.vi
Does Greater Income Inequality Cause Increased Work Hours? New Evidence from High Income Economies

We explore the extent to which individual's allocation of time between labour and leisure is affected by the consumption standards of the rich. Utilizing a panel data methodology and panel Granger causality tests we investigate the relationship between income inequality and work hours for a cluster of 24 high&#8208;income OECD countries over the period 1990&#8211;2015. Four alternative measures of income inequality are considered. We find that greater income inequality is associated with longer work hours indicating stronger concern for conspicuous consumption rather than conspicuous leisure. Even though the resulting estimates lend support to the theoretical framework on consumption emulation, the generated evidence also appears to be in line with a Duesenberry's and Frank's expenditure cascading approach. The ambiguity however arising from the Granger Causality tests appears to lead &#8211; to a certain extent &#8211; to different conclusions about the direction of causality or whether a causal relationship does even exist. It is therefore imperative that caution should be exercised when interpreting the direction of the causal dimension.
Bias-Compensated Sparsity-Aware NLMM Algorithms for Robust Adaptive Echo Cancellation

For adaptive echo cancellation in hands-free communication systems, a family of bias-compensated sparsity-aware normalized least mean M-estimate (NLMM) algorithms is proposed that are robust to both impulsive noise and noisy inputs. First, we define a new cost function that integrates the M-estimate function of the a posteriori error, the Riemannian distance between the current and previous weight vectors, and the $L_{0}$ norm of the weighted current weight vector. By minimizing the defined cost function, we develop the sparsity-aware NLMM algorithms to achieve robustness against the impulsive noise. Then, an improved cost function is developed and proved to be unbiased in the presence of input noise. This leads to the development of the bias-compensated sparsity-aware NLMM algorithms that can deal with noisy inputs. The stability and computational complexity of the proposed algorithms are analyzed as well. Experimental results for system identification and adaptive echo cancellation demonstrate that the proposed algorithms outperform the existing ones in terms of convergence rate and steady-state misalignment.
The Effect of Problem Based Learning and Learning Motivation of Mathematical Problem Solving Skills of Class 5 Students at SDN 0407 Mondang

This study aims to: 1) find out whether students' mathematical problem solving abilities that are taught with problem based learning are better than students who are taught by direct learning. 2) find out whether the mathematical problem solving ability of students who have high learning motivation is better than students who have low learning motivation. 3) find out whether there is an interaction between learning and student learning motivation towards students' mathematical problem solving abilities. This study uses a quasi-experimental method with a 2x2 factorial design. The study population was fifth grade students (five) in the odd semester of the 2017/2018 Academic Year at SDN 0407 Mondang which consisted of two classes with a sample of 50 students. The class used as the sample of the experimental group is class V A with 25 students and the control class is class V B with 25 students. Thus the sample selection is done by total sampling technique. Data was collected by student achievement test and student motivation instrument. The collected data was processed statistically using a two-way variance (anava) analysis technique with a significance level of 0.05. The results showed that (1) There was an influence of problem-based learning methods on the mathematical problem solving ability of Class V students of SD Negeri 0407 Mondang 2017/2018 Academic Year; (2) There is an influence of student learning motivation on the mathematical problem solving ability of fifth grade students of SD Negeri 0407 Mondang for the Academic Year 2017/2018; and (3) There is an interaction between problem-based learning methods and students' motivation to the mathematical problem solving ability of students of Class V of SD Negeri 0407 Mondang 2017/2018 Academic Year. Practically, this study recommends that teachers use problem-based learning methods in mathematics learning and pay attention to the level of student motivation so that the learning design is adjusted to that motivation level. Theoretically, this study contributes to adding knowledge related to problem-based mathematics learning in elementary schools. Further studies can deepen studies related to the suitability of student characteristics with the selected learning method because these aspects are indicated as one of the key factors for student learning success.
ESTABLISHING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE TO IMPROVE WORK MOTIVATION

The research aims to obtain information about and to analyze the influence of: (1) interpersonal communication on work motivation, (2) organizational climate on work motivation, and (3) interpersonal communication on organizational climate. The study used a causal survey method, with path analysis technique. Population of 253 teachers sampled to 72 teachers. Data were gathered by using five-scaled questionnaires. The result of the research shows: 1) there is a direct influence of interpersonal communication on the motivation indicated by path coeficient of 0.468; 2) there is a direct influence of organizational climate on motivation indicated by path coeficent 0.447; 3) there is a direct influence of interpersonal communication on organizational climate indicated by path coefient of 0.735. The implication, improved interpersonal communication and organizational climate increase work motivation.
Evaluating Nursing Students’ Perception toward Use of E-Portfolio as an Innovative Learning Strategy for Student Assessment

Portfolios have been advocated in nursing education to help student link theory and practice. E-portfolio has the advantage of allowing students to record, assess, and reflect upon their learning. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate nursing students’ perception toward use of e-portfolio as an assessment tool through the following: (1) Assessment of nursing students’ computer skills and knowledge about electronic portfolio. (2) Conducting theoretical and practical educational sessions about building e-portfolio. (3) Evaluating the nursing students’ perceptions regarding use of electronic portfolios as an assessment tool. Study design: A descriptive exploratory research design was used to conduct this study. Setting: This study was conducted in classroom and computer laboratory at Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Subjects: A convenience sample of all nursing students (n=200) during the academic year 2015/2016 were recruited to participate in this study. Data collection tools: (1) Students' assessment questionnaire: to assess nursing students' previous experience regarding computer skills and previous knowledge about e-portfolio. (2) Self-administered students' perception questionnaire regarding use of e-portfolio. (3) E-portfolio Gen-software was used to allow students to build e-portfolio. (4) Self-administered students’ opinionnaire regarding the theoretical and practical educational sessions. Results: Regarding overall perception related to e-portfolio, most of the students (92%) reported that, "It is a good program and social media through which they can communicate easily with their teachers and colleagues and can share knowledge, ideas, opinions and clinical experiences with others". Nearly two thirds of the students (66%) reported that, their experience with e-portfolio has been positive and the majority of them (82%) stated that "creating e- portfolio was an interesting activity. Conclusion: The majority of the nursing students perceived the e-portfolio as a new way of assessment because it is creative, fun, interactive and stimulating. Recommendations: It is recommended to use the e-portfolio as an assessment tool for nursing students, in addition to conducting other researches to evaluate the effectiveness of e-portfolio as a learning tool.
Cancer : principles & practice of oncology : primer of the molecular biology of cancer

DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles \u0026 Practice of Oncology, 11th Edition Dr. Theodore S. Lawrence on Cancer: Principles \u0026 Practice of Oncology DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles \u0026 Practice of Oncology 9e Introduction to Cancer [2H SWEETHOME] Download free \"Devita's Cancer: Principles \u0026 Practice of Oncology\" 10ed DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles \u0026 Practice of Oncology 10th DeVita Hellman and Rosenbergs Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology Review Oncology MCQ books for NEETSS Cancer Classification \u0026 Metastasis ¦ NCLEX Review Devita, Hellman, and Rosenberg's Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology Review Cancer Principles A Discussion of the Book “The Death of Cancer\" Cancer:
Evaluating Telehealth Websites for Information Consistent with APA Guidelines for Telepsychology

Abstract The authors evaluated websites offering therapeutic telehealth services (N = 55) using a 38-item checklist based on the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology (APA Guidelines) to determine the extent that online service providers included such information on their websites. On average, the websites reviewed addressed only 39% of the checklist criteria. These findings are disconcerting and suggest most providers’ websites do not include information that would help potential clients make informed decisions about online treatment. The authors urge more providers to consider offering telehealth services to increase the supply of qualified providers in response to growing consumer demand.
A Professional Development Program for Dental Medical Educators in Kuwait: Needs Assessment, Program Design and Formative Evaluation

A Professional Development Program for Dental Medical Educators in Kuwait: Needs Assessment, Program Design and Formative Evaluation Haneen Alyaseen New innovative methods of teaching and learning adopted from mainstream research and development in educational theory and practice are being adapted to serve the unique needs of the medical professions. The success of these methods requires careful planning and establishment of faculty development programs. The purpose of this study is to perform a needs assessment for a faculty development program at the Faculty of DentistryKuwait University, centering on Case-based learning (CBL) and Problem-based learning (PBL) methods of teaching and lesson planning, and to design and test the faculty development digital module that is based on findings from the needs assessment. The author conducted a “proof of concept” mixed methods case study to answer three main research questions. First, what are the perceptions of the current dental faculty about the need for a professional development program? Second, what are the perceptions of, and characteristics and responses to, the learning experiences by a sample of the faculty who experience learning from a set of online professional development modules? Third, what evidence is there that the set of online modules have addressed the needs of the faculty participants? This study was conducted at Kuwait University Faculty of Dentistry. A needs assessment survey was sent to all 44 members of the faculty, of which 34 faculty responded to the needs assessment. The results of the needs assessment showed that overall there was a generally positive response to all of the items pertaining to a need for professional development with 28 faculty expressing interest in participating in an online faculty development program module. However, only 15 of the 28 who expressed interest actually participated in the online module. The results from the instruments embedded in the module showed that 87% of the participants were “satisfied with the module lesson on how to plan CBL lessons. The change in participants’ responses to the last three items of the post-instructional survey pertaining to case-based and problem-based learning was sufficiently large enough to be statistically significant. Future research expanding from this study would help to establish the foundational work to design a more substantial treatment of the various concepts covered in this study in a larger professional development program. The feedback and information gathered from the experimental modules such as used here can serve as a guide to improve and expand future program designs that encourage student-centered collaborative and transformative learning. Additional experimental research is also warranted where the novel designed products for professional development are evaluated by comparing the gains in student learning with the new methods compared to methods more typically used in traditional adult learning and dental education.
Thyroid Disease in Kerala: New Data on Thyroid Autoimmunity

Hakaru Hashimoto described Autoimmune Thyroiditis in 1912. Then he termed it “struma lymphomatosa” and described the infiltration of lymphoid cells as well as the formation of lymphoid follicles with a germinal center. Among endocrine diseases, thyroid diseases are arguably the commonest and Kerala is no exception. A house to house survey from Cochin, published by us and indexed in Medline in 2009 revealed that thyroid function abnormalities were present in 19.6% of the adult population (n=986). 1The study also revealed that this population was iodine sufficient (median urinary iodine excretion of 211.4 mcg/l). About 9.5 % of the population had anti- thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO). Among those patients with hypothyroidism, the prevalence of anti-TPO positivity was about 46%. The present study, led by Dr KP Paulose, is an invaluable piece of excellent research because it documents, for the first time, the immunological and biochemical correlates of Kerala-based subjects with a histological diagnosis of Autoimmune Thyroiditis/ Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This underscores the importance of both a careful clinical examination of the gland to look for nodularity, as well as an ultrasound (and a guided FNAC) in cases where the gland is nodular. Keywords: Thyroid Disorders, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Ultrasound, Antibodies
Comforting Investments are Rarely Profitable: Impediments in Investor Decision Making

This research aims at testing and confirming existence of selected behavioral biases of investors that affect their decisions. Five behavioral biases affecting irrational behavior of investors were selected: overconfidence bias, illusion of control bias, confirmation bias and recency bias and optimism bias. Primary data was collected through a questionnaire from 300 investors from banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges etc. The results were obtained by employing a correlation and regression analysis for the presence of behavioral biases and to detect degrees of their influence on decision making. Correlation results indicate moderate association between behavioral biases and decisions of investors. Outcome of the research indicates that while making financial decisions investors are moderately affected by behavioral biases.
ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: AN EXPERIENCE AT LADY READING HOSPITAL PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: To find out the clinical characteristics, treatment offered and outcome of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) admitted to cardiology unit Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, Pakistan.METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted in Cardiology Unit, LRH, Peshawar, Pakistan by analyzing record of all diagnosed STEMI patients of age >18 years, from 1st January to 31 December 2013.RESULTS: Total number of patients admitted with STEMI were 1733 (46.02% of total coronary artery disease admission). Of all these patients with STEMI, fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase were given to 1380 (79.6%) patients, while 343 (19.8%) were late for fibrinolytic therapy or having some contraindication to fibrinolytic therapy. Ninety four (5.4%) patients received primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Out of 1733 patients, males were 1085 (62.60%), female were 648 (37.40%), mean age was 57.42±8.7 years, diabetes was found in 458 (26.39%) cases, hypertension in 679 (39.18%) cases, smokers were 183 (10.5%). Family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) was found in 205 (11.82%) cases, past history for CAD was present in 305 (17.5%) patients and anterior wall myocardial Infarction & new onset left bundle branch block was found in 790 (45%) cases. In-hospital mortality was 158 (9.1%). CONCLUSION: About 46% of patients admitted with CAD were having STEMI, of them 80% receive streptokinase while only 5.4% were subjected to primary or rescue PCI. In-hospital mortality is about 9%. Anterior wall MI was the most frequent AMI.KEY WORDS: Coronary Artery Disease (MeSH), Streptokinase (MeSH), Myocardial Infarction (MeSH), Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (MeSH), Hospital Mortality (MeSH), Thrombolytic Therapy (MeSH)