Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carotid intima-media thickness and cardiometabolic risk factors in Pakistani type 2 diabetics

Context: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate measure of atherosclerosis. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, coexistent cardiometabolic risk factors contribute to atherosclerosis. Aims: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between known cardiometabolic risk factors and CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from June 2015 to May 2016 in a tertiary care center in Pakistan. Subjects and Methods: We recruited 237 participants among whom 119 had type 2 diabetes mellitus while 118 were controls. After complete history and examination, investigations including fasting and random blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting lipid profile were obtained. All participants underwent Doppler ultrasound scanning of the carotid arteries for measurement of CIMT. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed through SPSS version 20.0 using Pearson's correlation coefficient. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The target population constituted 44.3% males and 55.7% females. Among the participating males, 49.6% were diabetic while 50.4% of the female population was diabetic. There was a strong positive correlation of CIMT with duration of diabetes mellitus, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol. This correlation was moderately positive with age, diastolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Different cardiometabolic risk factors have a varying impact on CIMT in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The major contribution to CIMT is by the blood pressure, cholesterol, and duration of diabetes mellitus.
Education among Zambian children: linking head of household characteristics to school attendance

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of head of household characteristics on school attendance among Zambian children. The study used nationally representative cross-sectional survey data with a sample of 24,165 school-aged children between the ages of 6 and 14. Findings showed that approximately 23% of the children were not in school, 14% were orphans, and 42% of children in the sample were from poor households. Heads of household in the sample showed low levels of education attainment; about 45% had a primary level education. Male heads of household had significantly higher levels of education compared to females (p < .001). Logistic regression model results showed that children living with a female head of household were more likely to attend school compared to those living with a male head of household (OR = 1.339, p < .001). In addition, findings showed greater likelihood for children’s school attendance the more educated the head of household was (p < .001). Increase in the age of the head of household, and the further removed the child was in biological relatedness to the head of household were associated with lesser odds of school attendance. Children that were older, female, non-orphan and from wealthier households had greater odds of school attendance. Findings highlight important head of household socioeconomic factors that policy and research should take into consideration when looking at children’s school attendance in Zambia.
Effects of Forest Management and Experimental Dead Wood Removal on Macrofungal Communities in Boreal, Mixedwood Forests of Ontario

Boreal macrofungi are an ecologically diverse group of organisms that are threatened by forest management, including harvest-associated reductions in coarse woody debris (CWD) supplies. In this thesis, I compared richness and composition of macrofungal communities in old-growth and post-logged mixedwood stands in boreal northeastern Ontario, including post-logged stands in which downed CWD availability had been experimentally manipulated. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed a strong distinction between macrofungal communities of unlogged and logged plots, correlated with harvest-related reductions in large-diameter CWD supplies. Rarefaction revealed that macrofungal richness, particularly of saprotrophs, was higher in unlogged compared to logged plots, especially those with experimentally-reduced CWD supplies. These results demonstrate the negative effects of post-harvest decreases in CWD on macrofungal richness and suggest that forest management in Canada may, over time, lead to the harvest-related biodiversity losses of boreal Europe. Management practices that better emulate habitat conditions in old-growth stands, including availability of large-diameter CWD, are discussed.
Reporting on mental health difficulties, mental illness and suicide: Journalists’ accounts of the challenges

Media depictions of mental health difficulties and suicide are an important element in shaping how the public understands the issues and how relevant agencies devise strategies to advocate and reduce stigma. The role of the media in the production and reproduction of stereotypical portrayals of mental health difficulties and suicide has been of concern for a number of decades. However, relatively little research attention has been paid to date to the process through which stories on mental illness and suicide are produced by journalists. This article aims to contribute to that analysis by focusing on Irish journalists’ experiences of and insights into the challenges underpinning reporting on mental health difficulties and suicide. Despite some generic and platform differences, journalists noted that their output was shaped by a number of factors, which included, sensitivity to the topic of suicide; care for families; balancing public and private interests; challenges to reporting facts, finding appropriate sources and meeting the needs of media platforms; interpreting guidelines on reporting and the discovery of the relative absence of mental illness stories. Understanding how journalists deal with these challenges can help them and advocacy agencies to address these challenges and thereby improve the nature of coverage of mental health difficulties and suicide in media output.
Digital analysis of facial landmarks in determining facial midline among Punjabi population

Introduction: Prosthodontic rehabilitation aims to achieve the best possible facial esthetic appearance for a patient. Attaining facial symmetry forms the basic element for esthetics, and knowledge of the midline of face will result in a better understanding of dentofacial esthetics. Currently, there are no guidelines that direct the choice of specific anatomic landmarks to determine the midline of the face or mouth. Most clinicians choose one specific anatomic landmark and an imaginary line passing through it. Thus, the clinician is left with no established guidelines to determine facial midline. Objective: The purpose of the study is to digitally determine the relationship of facial landmarks with midline of face and formulate a guideline for choosing anatomic landmark among Punjabi population. Materials and Methods: Three commonly used anatomic landmarks, namely nasion, tip of the nose, and tip of the philtrum, were marked clinically on 100 participants (age range: 21–45 years). Frontal full-face digital images of the participants in smile were then made under standardized conditions. Midline analysis was carried out digitally using an image analyzing software. The entire process of midline analysis was done by a single observer and repeated twice. Reliability analysis and one-sample t-tests were conducted. Results: The results indicated that each of the four landmarks deviated uniquely and significantly (P < 0.001) from the midlines of the face as well as the mouth. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, the hierarchy of anatomic landmarks closest to the midline of the face in smile was as follows: (1) Intercommissural midlines, (2) Tip of philtrum, (3) Nasion, (4) Tip of the nose, and (5) Dental midlines. The hierarchy of anatomical landmarks closest to the intercommissural/mouth midline was: (1) Tip of philtrum, (2) Tip of the nose, (3) Nasion, and (4) dental midline.
Serum Leptin Might Be Causally Correlated to Invasive Ductal Breast Carcinoma

Introduction: Leptin, the hormone secreted from white adipose tissue is suspected of being a causative factor in tumorigenesis in various tissues. Thus it might be a link between obesity and breast cancer. Objectives: In this project we tried to study causative association of obesity and serum leptin with invasive ductal breast cancer (IDC) in a sample of Malaysian population. Methods: We measured various obesity parameters, and estimated serum leptin levels in a group of healthy control and IDC patients. After confirming diagnosis by standard histopathological methods, serum leptin levels were estimated using ELISA. Both the pre-and postoperative leptin levels were measured with the Patient group. Results: The difference between the serum leptin levels of the Control and the Patient group were highly significant with a P value of 0.05). Conclusion: Since high serum leptin in IDC patients persists unabated in the post-operative state, we infer that the source of leptin in these cases cannot be the breast cancer tissue itself and leptin cannot be a marker for breast cancer. Highly significant association between serum leptin and IDC patients suggests that leptin in serum might play a causative role in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer, and it might be an important connection between obesity and breast cancer. Therefore, leptin signal transduction pathway might be a prospective therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of IDC.
Relative efficacy of piracetam, modafinil and citicoline on cognitive function in an animal model

Introduction: Nootropic drugs or cognitive enhancers are pharmacological agents that improve cognitive function and memory by various mechanisms. Drugs like piracetam, modafinil and citicoline have been used as nootropic agents.Aim: To compare the relative efficacy of nootropics like piracetam, modafinil and citicoline on learning and memory in rats using the Morris water maze test.Materials and Methods: A total of 30 Wistar rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into five groups (n=6). The groups I to V received gum acacia orally, scopolamine 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally, piracetam (52.5 mg/kg), modafinil (2.5 mg/kg), citicoline (25 mg/kg) respectively orally for twenty days. Learning and memory was evaluated using the Morris water maze test. The animals were trained in the Morris water maze on the last five days of dosing. Scopolamine 2 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally to the above groups of animals (except Groups I and II) for induction of amnesia, 45 minutes before the behavioural test.Results: Scopolamine induced marked impairment of memory evidenced by significant reduction (p<0.01) in the number of entries and time spent in the target quadrant when compared to the control group. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in the number of entries and time spent in target quadrant of the Morris water maze in the animals who were pretreated with piracetam, modafinil and citicoline, in comparison to the scopolamine treated group. Amongst the three nootropics, modafinil and citicoline showed significant (p<0.05) memory enhancement in comparison to piracetam.Conclusion: Modafinil and citicoline can significantly reverse the memory impairment in scopolamine induced amnesia model in comparison to piracetam. However, further studies are warranted to confirm this result
Pengaruh Penggunaan Media Video pada Konsep Sistem Kerangka Manusia Terhadap Motivasi dan Hasil Pembelajaran Kognitif Siswa SMAN I Peukan Baro Kabupaten Pidie

A study has been conducted to determine the differences in motivation and student learning outcomes by using video media and by conventional learning on Human Skeletal System subject at SMAN 1 Peukan Baro in Pidie Regency in 2016/2017 school year. The population of this study was 46 students. The entire population was selected as a research sample that is 23 students for the experimental class and 23 students for the control class. Motivation data and learning outcomes were collected through a pretest and posttest questionnaire. The learning outcomes were analyzed using the F test and Mann Whitney. The results showed that motivation and learning outcomes differed significantly between students who used video media learning and students who were teached conventionally with a P value of 0,000 < 0.05. In conclusion there are significant differences in motivation and learning outcomes between students who use video media learning and students who use conventional learning methods especially on the topic of the Human Skeletal System.
Susceptibility to Flight Simulator-Induced Spatial Disorientation in Pilots and Non-Pilots

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether pilots and non-pilots differ in their susceptibility to spatial disorientation (SD) during a flight in various disorienting scenarios, and in coping with SD. Background: Pilot selection is relevant in assessing pilots’ susceptibility to SD. However, SD-related accidents indicate that it may not be fully effective. Method: A set of 12 flight sequences (six containing an SD conflict, three with vestibular and three with visual illusions) was flown by military pilots (N = 20; age: M = 31.6; SD = 8.22) and non-pilots (N = 20; age: M = 30.95; SD = 7.72) in a flight simulator specially designed for SD research and training. The number and mean magnitude of control reversal errors (CREs) were calculated along with the effects of SD conflict on flight performance. Results: With two exceptions, in all SD-conflict flights, the mean number of CREs increased. For mean magnitudes of CREs, the same effects were not observed. Pilots and non-pilots differed in disorientation conditions (M = 4.5 ± 1.95 vs M = 2.6 ± 2.41) only in one profile (shape constancy illusion). In the other two (false horizon and leans illusions), the applied SD cues significantly affected their flight performance. Conclusion: Although the effects of SD cues on flight performance were observed, the applied disorientation scenario would not be useful in the pilot selection procedure. To provide the criteria to select pilot candidates, other disorientation scenarios, or even a different flight simulator should be considered.
Body Temperature Regulation During Exercise and Hyperthermia in Diabetics

Thermoregulatory function, that is, heat dissipative responses such as skin blood flow (SkBF) and sweating to an increased body temperature, is critical during physical work or exercise in warm and hot conditions and during hyperthermia. Thermoregulatory function is associated with individual somatotype, fitness level, normal aging, and physi ological status and diseases. Individuals with type 2 diabetes have decreased thermoreg - ulatory responses compared with healthy counterparts, characterized by decreased SkBF and sweating. The decreased SkBF and sweating would be associated with the reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial functions in skin vasculatures, also with central mechanisms, and so on. Aerobic exercise training and/or acclimation to the heat improve heat dissipative responses in healthy subjects. The effects of exercise training in type 2 diabetics on glycemic control are well established while it remains unclear that high levels of aerobic fitness or exercise training in diabetics improve thermoregulatory function during heat stress.
Kurdish Female Fighters the Western Depiction of YPJ Combatants in Rojava

As this paper is drafted, the YPJ continues to clash against Daesh’s patriarchal impositions. This paper considers three significant questions for its purpose; first, who are Kurdish female fighters and why did they choose to take up arms in an orga- nized militia? Second, how did the Western media portray the YPJ? Third, it consid- ers whether the Western representation of female soldiers is coherent or not with the subject. In conclusion, the essay will attempt to summarize in a nutshell the reality of the Kurdish female fighters. The aim of this essay is to identify a possible misrepresentation of the objective entailed in Rojava’s liberation struggle, since this could com- promise the real understanding of the subject, withholding from the audience the opportunity to learn about the plight of the Kurdish female fighters. The study of YPJ’s representation was pursued with the Analysis of Textual Data (ATD). However, the subject material for the socio-political analysis on the background of YPJ fighters was pursued through reference to books and interviews of Western reporters that were engaged in Rojava. Furthermore, a written interview was submitted to Meral Çiçek, of REPAK (Kurdish Women’s Relation Office). The results show an overall heterogeneous representation of the subject, as it is still not entirely exhaustive. The socio- political and ideological stand of YPJ combatants is often not addressed in a proper manner, therefore diminishing some aspects of their struggle. While Western fascination with Kurdish female fighters has slowed down, the YPJ battle is still ongoing. To that regard, the analysis in this paper ought to be considered as a starting point for further research.
Evaluation of oral-hygiene awareness and practice among dental students

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare oral-health knowledge, attitudes, and self-care practice behaviors among dental students. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was prepared regarding oral-health attitudes and behaviors. The survey was carried out at Government Dental College and Hospital, Kashmir India. Three hundred sixty-seven questionnaires were responded by the dental students (208 clinical and 159 preclinical students). The data were tabulated and analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.17. 0. Chi-square tests were also used. Results: A more significant knowledge (P < 0.001) of oral-hygiene procedures are noticed in clinical students than in preclinical students. The responses varied mainly regarding the type of brush they are using, the brushing technique, motivating people to consult a dentist (clinical — 95.2%, preclinical— 78%), and educate people about oral hygiene procedures (clinical — 98.6%, preclinical — 80.5%). oral hygiene practices in different genders were not included in the present study. Conclusion: The outcome of the study is that there is an appreciably high level of knowledge about oral self-care procedures in clinical students than in preclinical undergraduate dental students. There is a need to educate the undergraduate dental students on oral care procedures as soon as they join the BDS course.
Accurate inference for repeated measures in high dimensions

: This paper proposes inferential methods for high-dimensional repeated measures in factorial designs. High-dimensional refers to the situation where the dimension is growing with sample size such that either one could be larger than the other. The most important contribution relates to high-accuracy of the methods in the sense that p-values, for example, are accurate up to the second-order. Second-order accuracy in sample size as well as dimension is achieved by obtaining asymptotic expansion of the distribution of the test statistics, and estimation of the parameters of the approximate distribution with second-order consistency. The methods are presented in a uniﬁed and succinct manner that it covers general factorial designs as well as any comparisons among the cell means. Expression for asymptotic powers are derived under two reasonable local alternatives. A simulation study provides evidence for a gain in accuracy and power com- pared to limiting distribution approximations and other competing methods for high-dimensional repeated measures analysis. The application of the methods are illustrated with a real-data from Electroencephalogram (EEG) study of alcoholic and control subjects.
A comparison of learner characteristics, beliefs, and usage of ASR-CALL
 systems

Wall Street English3 has built online activities that allow students to record phrases and receive word-level Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) driven pronunciation feedback. Students in language centres in China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Italy (N=2,867) used ASR-Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) activities, and some (N=482) completed a questionnaire. A high number of students reported that ASR-CALL activities helped them to improve their pronunciation. However, the study found remarkable differences in usage of product features across countries, with students from Vietnam and China using more retries than Saudi Arabia, and students from Italy using the fewest retries. Students from China, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia more frequently listened to model audios than students from Italy. A series of Kruskal-Wallis tests revealed significant group differences between dominant L1 and students’ beliefs and perceptions using ASR, and between age groups and students’ beliefs and perceptions using ASR. This study points to the importance of considering regional differences, and suggests that learner engagement may depend not only on the effectiveness of the technology, but also on learner beliefs and perceptions.
Pengaruh Kebijakan Perlakuan Selisih Kurs dalam Laporan Keuangan dan Indikator Keuangan Positif terhadap Laba pada Perusahaan Farmasi yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Periode 2012-2016

This study aims to test "The influence of the wise treatment of foreign exchange differences in financial statements and positive financial indicators on earnings in Pharmaceutical companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) for the period 2012-2016. The population of this study were all Pharmaceutical companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the 2012-2016 period. Samples used were 6 companies based on purposive sampling method. Data analysis method used is Multiple Regression using SPSS Version 21.0 for Windows software. Based on the empirical results of the study, it was found that (1) the foreign exchange difference did not have a significant effect on the profits of the pharmaceutical company. (2) Earning PerShare partially had a significant effect on the profits of the pharmaceutical company) Changes in Revenue partially have no significant effect on the profits of Pharmaceutical companies. Variables Exchange rates, EPS, Changes in Revenue, TAK together - influence the sigmifikan of company profits, with a contribution of 84.6% while the remaining 15.4% is influenced by other variables not examined.
Finer Granularity DFT Bins With Moving Window for Capacitance Sensing

In this article, the moving window discrete Fourier transform (MWDFT) with finer granularity bin indices is proposed for frequency estimation of periodic signals. The MWDFT structure is a cascade connection of comb filter and a complex resonator. The sign of comb filter is toggled between positive and negative using a multiplexer to select the integer and fractional bin indices. The sign of comb filter is chosen as negative for setting-up integer bin indices with certain resonator angle. The positive sign of comb filter rotates the zeros of the MWDFT to a specified angle in the anticlockwise direction in the z-plane. By selecting the positive feed forward coefficient, all odd harmonics of one-half of the fundamental frequency can be extracted from the MWDFT. This unique property of MWDFT with finer granularity bin indices is exploited to extract frequencies of finer resolution. A frequency locked loop is designed with MWDFT of finer granularity bins to estimate the frequency change of finer resolution. The proposed method is implemented on field programmable gate array (FPGA) as a capacitance measurement system. The method is able to provide better accuracy, wider frequency estimation range, and wider capacitance measurement range.