Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eliciting preferences of professors and medical group students for evaluation methods of theoretical courses: An application of discrete choice experiment analysis

BACKGROUND: Evaluation has become an inseparable part of education process which gives feedback to students and professors to improve education quality. This study aimed to elicit preferences of professors and students about attributes of evaluation methods in theoretical courses in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Discrete choice experiment (DCE) method used for eliciting preferences of participants of the study. A narrative literature review and interview with eight professors and ten students conducted to determine attributes and levels of evaluation methods in the university. Furthermore, experimental design used for making final choice sets of the evaluation methods. We included 213 students and 30 professors in the study. Conditional logistic regression model performed to data analysis. RESULTS: Most of the professors (36.67%) preferred to allocate up to 30% of evolution scores to midterm examination. However, the most percentage of students (30.45%) were agree to include midterm examination up to 15% of total scores. The majority of students prefer to examination questions compromise just presented materials, while 70% of professors prefer to include additional texts for evaluation examinations. In case of quiz examination, professors in comparison with students prefer that quiz should have higher proportion of total scores. DCE analysis indicated that professors and students preferred a mix of questions in examinations. In addition, additional resources beyond what is taught in class made utility for professors and disutility for students. Quiz, also, increased the utility of an evaluation package in professors. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that there is a gap between preferences of professors and students regarding some attributes of evaluation methods such as student's discipline, examination materials, and quiz. Further studies are needed to examining other attributes of evaluation methods in theatrical and practical courses in Iran and other contexts.
The Prevalence of Medication Errors Among Nursing Students: A Systematic and Meta-analysis Study

Background: Health promotion and preserving patients' safety are the main purposes of care in health-therapeutic systems. With regard to nursing profession, nursing students are exposed to medications errors (MEs) during clinical activities, which can be considered as a threat to patients' safety. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of MEs among nursing students using a systematic and meta-analysis approach. Methods: 8 studies (in 9 groups) in English and Persian from inception to March 2019, were collected. Searched was conducted in SID, MagIran, IranMedex, Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus. The meta-analysis method and the random effects model were used to analyze the data. In addition, the I2 statistic was used to examine heterogeneity among studies. The analyses were conducted using Stata, version 11. Results: Analysis of 8 studies (in 9 groups) with a total sample size of 688 showed that the overall MEs' prevalence among nursing students was 39.68% (95% CI: 22.07-57.29) and the prevalence of lack of reporting MEs was 48.60% (95%CI: 27.33-69.86). There were no relationships between the prevalence of MEs and lack of reporting MEs in nursing students with the sample size and the mean age of students. Conclusions: Considering the relatively high prevalence of MEs and lack of MEs reporting among nursing students and the importance of their effect on the level of patients' safety, measures such as educations, monitoring by clinical trainers, and examining and eliminating the causes of MEs are essential.
Prevalence and dependency of tobacco use among tribal gypsies in Thoothukudi district - A cross sectional study

Introduction: The Narikuravars or “gypsy” are a semi vagrant groups distributed across borders, but primarily live in Tamil Nadu, India. They are notorious to face discrimination that interprets into low education level, low socio-economic status and lack of pertinent access to health care. The focus of the present study is to determine the prevalence and dependency with tobacco use among tribal gypsies in Thoothukudi district. Materials and Methods: The study design of the present study was a cross sectional which was done in Thoothukudi district in the month of December, 2019. Oral health status of the study population was analysed by WHO assessment form (adults), 2013. Tobacco dependence was analysed by Fagerstrom Nicotine dependency scale. The inclusion criteria were to include every gypsy person who is a citizen of Thoothukudi district and of all ages. The study included all the narikuravars (164) whose origin is Thoothukudi district. SPSS version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and Chi square tests were done to establish the distribution and association of the variables, respectively. Results: The total study participants of this cross-sectional study were 164, among them 128 were adults and 36 were children. Results revealed that among the adult population 64.55% were using tobacco, among them 29.1% were using smoking tobacco, 63.4% were using smokeless tobacco and 7.5% were using both. Medium nicotine dependency was more prevalent in both smoking and smokeless tobacco users (82.75% and 53.57%). The association between prevalence of tobacco use and gingival bleeding was statistically significant. Gingival bleeding was present in 88.9% of tobacco users and 11% of non-users (p value- 0.01). Significant association was found between gender and tobacco usage (p value- 0.042), dental erosion and tobacco usage (p value- 0.007). There exists significant association established between gender and nicotine dependency. (p value - 0.000). Conclusion: More than 60% of the adult study participants were using some form of tobacco. Medium tobacco dependency was prevalent among tobacco users. The tribal people have no access to all the services as their counterparts and it's our duty to educate them and create an insight about the ill effects of tobacco usage.
Prediction of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms within microRNAs Binding Sites of Neuronal Genes Related to Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study

Background: Different genetic variants, including the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in microRNA recognition elements (MREs) within 3'UTR of genes, can affect miRNA-mediated gene regulation and susceptibility to a variety of human diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease of the central nervous system. Since the expression of many genes associated with MS is controlled by microRNAs (miRNAs), the aim of this study was to analyze SNPs within miRNA binding sites of some neuronal genes associated with MS. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven neuronal genes related to MS were achieved using dbGaP, DAVID, DisGeNET, and Oviddatabases. 3'UTR of candidate genes were assessed for SNPs, and miRNAs' target prediction databases were used for predicting miRNA binding sites. Results: Three hundred and eight SNPs (minor allele frequency >0.05) were identified in miRNA binding sites of 3'UTR of 44 genes. Among them, 42 SNPs in 22 genes had miRNA binding sites and miRNA prediction tools suggested 71 putative miRNAs binding sites on these genes. Moreover, in silico analysis predicted 22 MRE-modulating SNPs and 22 MRE-creating SNPs in the 3'UTR of these candidate genes. Conclusions: These candidate MRE-SNPs can alter miRNAs binding sites and mRNA gene regulation. Therefore, these genetic variants and miRNAs might be involved in MS susceptibility and pathogenesis and hence would be valuable for further functional verification investigation.
Factors associated with survival in adult people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) in Mumbai, India (2004-2019): A retrospective cohort study

Background: Knowledge of factors that affect survival in People living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) will help us develop and implement interventions to improve the clinical outcomes and survival in these individuals. The aim of this study was to estimate the survival in PLHAs on ART in the government ART programme in Mumbai, and the factors associated with survival in these individuals. Methods: It is a retrospective survival analysis of 28,345 adult PLHAs from 18 government ART centres in Mumbai (registration period 2004–2019). We estimated the mortality rates and their 95% confidence intervals [CIs], plotted the Kaplan Meier Survival curves, estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) and hazard ratios (HR). There were done for the whole cohort and according to various demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: The mortality in PLHAs on ART was 9.04 per 1000 person years. The HR was significantly for those aged 50 years and more at the time of registration (HR: 3.01, 95% CI: 2.37, 3.83; P < 0.001), in those with baseline CD4 count of less than 200 higher hazard (HR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.47, 2.27; P < 0.001), those with an adherence of 80–95% (HR; 5.58, 95% CI: 4.61, 6.75; P < 0.001) and adherence of <80% (HR: 9.37, 95% CI: 7.74, 11.33; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the hazard was significantly higher in those with TB compared those without TB (HR: 3.28, 95% CI: 2.87, 3.75; P < 0.001). Time from diagnosis (per month increase) to initiation of ART was not significantly associated with mortality. Conclusions: Increasing awareness about HIV testing and early detection of HIV in those who have high-risk behaviours, prompt diagnosis and management of TB among those infected, and developing and implementing strategies (such as enhanced counselling, telephone-based applications, messages, or reminders) to ensure ART adherence of more than 95% in those on ART will potentially help improve survival in PLHAs in India.
Efficacy of dexmedetomidine and ketamine addition to bupivacaine 0.25% by epidural method in reducing postoperative pain in patients undergoing femur fracture surgery

Background and Aim: One of the most complex medical problems is pain, that due to inappropriate management of patients after surgery could cause various side effects on the psychological, physiological, and metabolic state of the patients. The natural duration of analgesia can be increased by adding new efficient adjuvant. The present study is mainly aimed to investigate the differences between the epidural dexmedetomidine and ketamine effectiveness when administered as an adjuvant to epidural 0.25% bupivacaine for improving the postoperative analgesia duration. Methods: In the present double-blind clinical study, 105 patients of the age range of 40–85 years were selected for elective femoral surgery and then was divided into three of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and control randomly. The scores of postoperative pain were evaluated in accordance with the visual Analogue Scale (VAS) criteria and the duration of analgesia and the amount of analgesics consumption were recorded. Results: The mean pain VAS score during the first day after the surgery and recovery of patients in the dexmedetomidine group was significantly lower in comparison with two other groups (p = 0.01). However, no significant difference was found in the mean VAS score of Paine during 12 and 24 hours after the operation (P ≥ 0.05). Comparisons among these groups demonstrated that the mean on opioid administration during the operation and 24 hours after that was significantly higher in both groups of ketamine and control in comparison with the dexmedetomidine group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.01). Besides, analgesia duration among patients belonged to the dexmedetomidine group was notably lower in comparison with two other groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: In epidural anesthesia cases adding ketamine and dexmedetomidine as adjuvants to the solution of bupivacaine 0.25%, could increase the duration of analgesia and reduce the consumption of analgesics, which is more in the dexmedetomidine group when compared with ketamine.
Synthesis of crosslinked poly(styrene‐co‐sodium styrenesulfonate) latexes

Latexes of 100 nm diameter were synthesized by emulsifier-free copolymerization of styrene, sodium styrenesulfonate, and 1–5 wt% divinylbenzene using persulfate initiator at 91°C. A shot growth method was used to incorporate a high density of sulfonate groups. Coefficients of variation of particle size were 0.04–0.08 without resort to seed growth polymerization. Redox initiation at 40–50°C produced larger, more polydisperse, and less colloidally stable crosslinked latexes. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of Position of the Functional Group on the Equilibrium and Dynamic Surface Properties of Butyl Alcohols

Abstract Adsorption properties of aqueous solutions of butanol-1, butanol-2, andtert-butanol under equilibrium and dynamic conditions were investigated. The study was aimed at determining how changes in the geometrical structure of an amphiphilic molecule can influence its adsorption properties and foamability. The surface tension measurements were carried out using the du Nouy ring method. The frothability of the solutions was determined by two independent methods: a pneumatic method and a combined pneumatic–mechanical method. It was found that the three isomers of butyl alcohol differ in their adsorption properties. The strongest decrease in surface tension was observed for butanol-1 and the lowest fortert-butanol. The foamability of the solutions changes in a similar sequence; it decreases from butanol-1 through butanol-2 totert-butanol solutions. Similar foamability changes were observed for both test methods. It was found that as the chemical structure of butyl alcohol was changed from the linear (butanol-1) to the bulkiest (tert-butanol), the adsorption behavior and foam stability changed in a similar way. These changes in foam stability have been related to changes in the values of the surface elasticity forces induced in the foam films studied.
Molecular Dynamics of Film Formation of Metal Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine and Poly Amidoamine Dendrimers

We performed molecular dynamics computer simulations to elucidate the behavior and properties of the metal tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine molecule and the poly(amidoamine) dendrimers in self-assembly depositions, respectively, on poly(allylamine hydrochloride) polymer and on film formed by metal tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine with poly(allylamine hydrochloride). Important physical properties of phthalocyanines were obtained such as the kinetic energy and temperature in situ. By the semiempirical model, we also obtained the UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the film formed by cobalt tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine deposited on poly(allylamine hydrochloride). We performed a study with poly(amidoamine) dendrimers on their deposition time on metal tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine, poly(allylamine hydrochloride) film, and we show the relationship of deposition time with the electrical charge and molecular mass of phthalocyanines. The deposition times of the dendrimers, as a function of their mass, were also elucidated.
Effects of cuvette surface material on ammonia-, nitrous oxide-, carbon dioxide-, and methane-concentration measurements

Closed-chamber systems are commonly used to determine gaseous C and N emissions from agricultural soils. We investigated the effects of eight cuvette surfaces on two standard gas concentrations of NH3, N2O, CO2, and CH4 under laboratory conditions. Cuvette surface materials differentially affected gas adhesion or recovery as a function of the type and the concentration of the gases. Given the strong effects on results of gas measurements in closed-chamber systems, both the type and the concentration of the measured gases need to be considered in selecting cuvette surface materials.
Resolution Limits of Non-Adaptive 20 Questions Search Strategies for a Moving Target

We establish fundamental limits of tracking a moving target over the unit cube with unknown initial location and velocity under the framework of 20 questions with measurement-dependent noise. Furthermore, we introduce non-adaptive query procedures that achieve these fundamental limits. In this searching problem, there is an oracle who knows the instantaneous location of a target. Our task is to quey the oracle as few times as possible to accurately estimate the traectory of the target. We ﬁrst study the case where the oracle’s answer to queries is corrupted by random noise with discrete distribution and then generalize our results to the case where the noise is additive white Gaussian. In our formulation, the performance criterion is the resolution, which is deﬁned as the maximal absolute value between the true location and estimated location at each discrete time during the searching process. We are interested in the minimal resolution of an optimal non-adaptive query procedure with a ﬁnite number of queries and derive approximations to this optimal resolution via the second-order asymptotic analysis. To do so, we relate the current problem with channel coding and borrow ideas from ﬁnite blocklength information theory.
The direct synthesis of pure zeolite-A using ‘virgin’ Kaolin

Here we demonstrate the conversion of a Nigerian Kaolin, straight from the source without any form of pre-treatment, directly into pure zeolite-A. The method involves a rapid and low temperature meta-kaolinization step followed by chemical conversion directly into pure zeolite-A. The synthesis step acts as the purification step removing the 80% quartz impurity simultaneously with zeolite growth. The whole process is designed to be both economical and straightforward to facilitate commercialisation.
Identifiability in the Behavioral Setting

Identifiability, i.e., uniqueness of a solution of the identification problem, is a fundamental issue in system identification and data-driven control. Necessary and sufficient identifiability conditions for deterministic linear time-invariant systems that do not require a priori given input/output partitioning of the variables nor controllability of the true system are derived in the article. The prior knowledge needed for identifiability is the number of inputs, lag, and order of the true system. Our results are based on a modification of the notion of a most powerful unfalsified model for finite data and a novel algorithm for its computation. We provide a generalization of a result that became known as the fundamental lemma and a novel nonparametric data-driven representation of the system behavior based on general data matrix structures. The results assume exact data, however, low-rank approximation allows their application in the case of noisy data. We compare empirically low-rank approximation of the Hankel, Page, and trajectory matrices in the errors-in-variables setting. Although the Page and trajectory matrices are unstructured, the parameter estimates obtained are less accurate than the one obtained from the Hankel matrix.
Single-wall carbon nanotube paste electrodes: A comparison with carbon paste, platinum and glassy carbon electrodes via cyclic voltammetric data

A new carbon electrode material, obtained by mixing single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with a mineral oil binder is studied. Carbon nanotube pastes show the special properties of carbon nanotubes combined with the various advantages of composite electrodes such as a very low capacitance (background current) and the possibility of an easy preparation, modification and renewal. A better knowledge of the characteristics of electrode reactions at carbon nanotube paste (CNTP) electrodes was obtained studying the electron transfer rates of various redox couples under different pretreatment conditions. A critical comparison with carbon paste (CP), platinum (Pt) and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes was also carried out. Capacitance and resistance values were also calculated for all electrodes investigated. Both untreated and treated CNTP electrodes showed a low resistance while the capacitance was markedly reduced with CNTP electrodes previously treated with concentrated nitric acid. An electrochemical pretreatment on CNTP electrodes was developed which showed an excellent result towards two-electron quinonic structure species. After this treatment the heterogeneous standard rate constants for p-methylaminophenol sulfate (MAP) and dopamine resulted to be significantly higher (2.1×10−2 cm/s and 2.0×10−2 cm/s, respectively) than those obtained with the other electrodes studied. Reproducibility, stability and storage characteristics of CNTP electrodes were also reported.
Portfolio Management: A Financial Application of Unsupervised Shape-based Clustering-Driven Machine Learning Method

To diversify, investors should avoid adding assets to their portfolio when their prices exhibit high correlation. Industry diversification is a common portfolio diversification method. It is likely that the notion of investing across different industries can help achieve portfolio diversification, as companies in different industries are likely to have different revenue and cost drivers. However, results across various studies have been mixed. This study seeks to identify a novel application to diversify portfolios to overcome the mixed results of industry diversification, through the use of unsupervised time series clustering-based machine learning technique. There are various ways of clustering time-series, namely shape-based, model-based and feature-based. Feature-based approach faces limitation for the need of equal-length feature vectors, and model-based approach faces limitation in terms of scalability. In this research, a shape-based clustering approach, which overcomes the aforementioned limitations, and specifically agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm (AHC-DTW), with dynamic time warping as the distance measure, is utilized to perform diversification. AHC-DTW allows clustering to be conducted across different temporal lengths, many-to-one point comparison to measure distances rather than one-to-one point comparison for euclidean distance. Further, AHC-DTW remains robust with scaling and shifting, unlike for instance, euclidean approach which requires clustering of the same time length, and is highly sensitive to outliers, noise, and transformations. The shape-based clustering approach implemented seeks to match the shapes of time series data as closely as possible. Since shape-based clustering technique groups together cumulative stock returns that trends closely across time, it will be intuitive that investors investing in more than one stock in the same cluster will not be better off, in contrast to diversifying investments across different clusters. Research found clear outperformance of shaped-based cluster diversification against industry diversification. Annualized mean return improved by 598 basis points, and Sharpe performance measure improved by 337%. Further, research found that AHC-DTW clustering exhibited time persistency. These robust results suggest promise for industry practitioners in the utilization of shape-based cluster diversification for enhanced investment portfolio performance.
Descoloração de corantes industriais e efluentes têxteis simulados por peroxidase de nabo (Brassica campestre)

The removal of important textile dyes by turnip peroxidase (TNP) was evaluated. The textile effluents besides the residual dyes contain also chemical auxiliaries such as salts, dispersing and wetting agents. The effect of these was evaluated in the removal of the dyes reactive blue 21 and reactive blue 19 by TNP in synthetic effluents. A decrease of the efficency decolorization was observed. The action of the enzyme on colour removal of dye mixture was equivalent to the dyes alone. The chemical demand of oxygen in the effluent after enzymatic treatment had a significant increase in relation to the untreated effluent.