Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Journal of Medicine & Health Research

Introduction: Release of sewage effluent containing bacteria having elevated antibiotic resistance levels poses threat to environment. The antimicrobial selective pressure through indiscriminate use of antibiotics has played a significant role in enriching the MDR strains in the hospital practice. Materials and methods: Study was conducted at the department of agricultural microbiology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP (India). Wastewater samples were collected from a drain of J. N. Medical College, Aligarh. Isolation of the enterobacteria was done. All isolates were tested for their sensitivity to antimicrobial agents by means of disc diffusion method [1] . Results: In the present study, a total of 50 enterobacteria were isolated from hospital wastewater. All the isolates were tentatively identified by morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. All the isolates were further tested for their antibiotic susceptibility (Table 2). A high level of resistance against penicillin-G (90%) was observed in strains isolated from hospital wastewater. Resistance against cloxacillin, novobiocin, nalidixic acid and polymixin B was 66%, 56%, 28%, 2% respectively (Table 3). All the isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, doxycycline, gentamycin, kanamycin and chloramphenicol. Majority of isolates from wastewater were found to be resistant to multiple drug/antibiotics. Among the fifteen antibiotics/drugs tested, seven different resistance patterns were observed in enterobacteria isolated from hospital
eLearning and Initial Teacher Education Programs: Insights from the Teaching Teachers for the Future Project

This paper argues that initial teacher education programs (ITE) which build the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) (Mishra & Koehler 2006) confidence and capabilities of future teachers is critical in enabling effective design and implementation of eLearning for school students. Insights are provided through drawing upon selected research and evaluation findings from the Teaching Teachers for the Future (TTF) Project involving all HEIs which provide ITE programs in Australia. The TTF Project, a 15 month long, $8 million project was funded by the Australian Government's ICT Innovation Fund and aimed to develop the ICT capabilities of future teachers. Findings from the TTF Project indicate that the TPACK conceptualisation used to guide the project, and the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership's ICT Elaborations for Graduate Teacher Standards (AITSL 2011a) can inform the design of ITE programs in preparing future teachers for using ICT to support teaching and to support student learning.
Evaluation effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on quality of life and mood in women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. The present research has been carried out to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on quality of life and mood in women with breast cancer undergoing mastectomy. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial (code: IRCT2017040933315N1), 50 voluntary patients who had undergone mastectomy, were screened among the patients admitted to OmidÂ Hospital and Reza Treatment Center in Mashhad and were randomly divided into experimental group (n=25) and control group (n=25). First, both groups were evaluated in pretest phase. Then, the experimental group received group MBCT treatments during eight sessions of 120 minutes, but the control group received no treatment. At the end of treatment, both groups evaluated in post-test phase. Data collection tools included standard questionnaires temperament (POMS) and the quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). The data were analyzed based on covariance analysis using SPSS software (Version 20). Results: Comparison of the mean scores of quality of life and mood showed a significant difference between the control and experimental groups after receiving the treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: Group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be considered as an effective and efficient approach to the quality of life and mood (anxiety and depression)Â Â in women with breast cancer who have undergone mastectomy.
Interrogations of Localization in Neuroscience

This article reports on two art-science collaborations, A-me: Augmented Memories and BrainCloud, that interrogate the central role of localization in neuroscience—including the use of technologies that augment sociability using localization as a central reference point. The two projects result from a series of interactions where a science/technology development fostered art, which in turn led to a science application, which potentially may lead to further artistic activity. A-me is an art installation that repurposes navigation and visualization tools normally reserved for medical clinicians and scientists, inviting reflection on the ongoing endeavor of neuroscience to explain and map cognitive functions such as memory. BrainCloud is a software prototype that provides neuroscientists with an interface for interacting with existing data and knowledge about the brain. Organized visually as a brain atlas, it forms a social network that allows neuroscientists to connect and share their ongoing research and ideas. Cognitive neuroscience has tremendous social and cultural impact, as it is a major player in shaping ideas about the self and about human capacities and behavior. For this reason, it is Leonardo Just Accepted MS. doi: 10.1162/LEON_a_01382
TEAM REASONING AND A MEASURE OF MUTUAL ADVANTAGE IN GAMES

Abstract: The game theoretic notion of best-response reasoning is sometimes criticized when its application produces multiple solutions of games, some of which seem less compelling than others. The recent development of the theory of team reasoning addresses this by suggesting that interacting players in games may sometimes reason as members of a team – a group of individuals who act together in the attainment of some common goal. A number of properties have been suggested for team-reasoning decision-makers’ goals to satisfy, but a few formal representations have been discussed. In this paper we suggest a possible representation of these goals based on the notion of mutual advantage. We propose a method for measuring extents of individual and mutual advantage to the interacting decision-makers, and define team interests as the attainment of outcomes associated with maximum mutual advantage in the games they play.
Effects of herbivores on a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow: importance of epiphytes

There is increasing evidence that herbivory in seagrasses is more important than previ- ously thought. However, little experimental data evaluating the importance of seagrass grazing and the factors involved in these interactions is yet available. We carried out an experimental evaluation of the effects of macroherbivores (i.e. the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the sparid fish Sarpa salpa) in a temperate seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadow by means of 2 macroherbivore density manipulation experiments in which several measurements of plant and epiphyte vitality, and abun- dance were carried out. The results show that P. oceanica can withstand high densities of sea urchins over long periods, as no significant effect on shoot density, shoot size, leaf growth or carbohydrate reserves was detected during the time course of both experiments. Conversely, epiphyte load was significantly higher in herbivore exclusion cages; even though this increase did not appear to reduce plant vitality. Furthermore, epiphyte biomass was greatly reduced when urchins were present even at relatively low densities (5 ind. m -2 ), suggesting that epiphytes are the most limiting food resource for sea urchins in P. oceanica meadows. Whereas epiphyte load was only reduced 30% by the pres- ence of fish alone, sea urchins at low densities (5 ind. m -2 ) decreased epiphyte load ca. 60%, reach- ing values as high as 80% in high density treatments, in which case the effect of fish was negligible. This study shows that in P. oceanica meadows, seagrass-herbivore interactions are further compli- cated by an underlying network of seagrass-epiphyte-herbivore, in which epiphytes appear to play a crucial role.
Development of microtitre plates for electrokinetic assays

Electrokinetic processes have wide ranging applications in microsystems technology. Their optimum performance at micro and nano dimensions allows their use both as characterization and diagnostic tools and as a means of general particle manipulation. Within analytical studies, measurement of the electrokinesis of biological cells has the sensitivity and selectivity to distinguish subtle differences between cell types and cells undergoing changes and is gaining acceptance as a diagnostic tool in high throughput screening for drug discovery applications. In this work the development and manufacture of an electrokinetic-based microtitre plate is described. The plate is intended to be compatible with automated sample loading and handling systems. Manufacturing of the microtitre plate, which employs indium tin oxide microelectrodes, has been entirely undertaken using excimer and ultra-fast pulsed laser micromachining due to its flexibility in materials processing and accuracy in microstructuring. Laser micromachining has the ability to rapidly realize iterations in device prototype design while also having the capability to be scaled up for large scale manufacture. Device verification is achieved by the measurement of the electrorotation and dielectrophoretic properties of yeast cells while the flexibility of the developed microtitre plate is demonstrated by the selective separation of live yeast from polystyrene microbeads.
DNA from lake sediments reveals the long-term dynamics and diversity of Synechococcus assemblages

While picocyanobacteria (PC) are important actors in carbon and nutrient cycles in aquatic systems, factors controlling their interannual dynamics and diversity are poorly known due to the general lack of long-term monitoring surveys. This study intended to fill this gap by applying a DNA-based paleolimnological approach to sediment records from a deep subalpine lake that has experienced dramatic changes in environmental conditions during the last century (eutrophication, re-oligotrophication and large-scale climate changes). In particular, we investigated the long-term (100 yr) diversity and dynamics of Synechococcus, , PC that have presumably been affected by both the lake trophic status changes and global warming. The lake's morphological and environmental conditions provided the ideal conditions for DNA preservation in the sediment archives. Generalised additive models applied to quantitative PCR (qPCR; quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) results highlighted that an increase in summer temperature could have a significant positive impact on the relative abundance of Synechococcus, (fraction of Synechococcus, in total cyanobacteria). The diversity of Synechococcus, in Lake Bourget was studied by phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and the following internally transcribed spacer (ITS). Up to 23 different OTUs (based on 16S rRNA), which fell into various cosmopolitan or endemic clusters, were identified in samples from the past 100 yr. Moreover, the study of ITS revealed a higher diversity within the major 16S rRNA-defined OTUs. Changes in PC diversity were related to the lake's trophic status. Overall, qPCR and sequencing results showed that environmental changes (in temperature and phosphorus concentration) affected Synechococcus, community dynamics and structure, translating into changes in genotype composition. These results also helped to re-evaluate the geographical distribution of some Synechococcus, clusters. Providing such novel insights into the long-term history of an important group of primary producers, this study illustrates the promising approach that consists in coupling molecular tools and paleolimnology to reconstruct a lake's biodiversity history.
EVALUATION OF AVERAGE DIAMETER OF LOWER EXTREMITY VEINS IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC THROMBOSIS AND COMPARISON WITH NORMAL PERSONS BY DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY

The goal of this study was to define the normal range of diameter in the deep vein of the lower limb and to compare this range with diameter of the veins with acute thrombosis and of veins with chronic thrombosis by using color doppler sonography. The study was cross sectional. The vein diameter and vein to artery ratio in different levels were measured and the following results were obtained. In patients with acute thrombosis the vein diameter and vein to artery ratio were more than normal range and this difference had statistical significance so we can reliably predict acute thrombosis if the vein diameter is upper than a suggested level. In chronic thrombosis, however, the vein diameter is not a good diagnostic factor and so we can not rely on it.
Late Life Depression and Anxiety in Four Types of Medicare Advantage Plans: Comorbidity with other Medical Diseases and Resource Utilization

Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression and associated medical co-morbidities and costs has not been studied across different types of Medicare Advantage plans that vary in their level of utilization management and patient costs. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 74,290 older adults belonging to four different Universal American Medicare Advantage Plans was conducted, to estimate the period prevalence of depression and anxiety, the comorbidity between these disorders and major medical illnesses and associated costs. Results: The prevalence of anxiety or depression ranged from 14.5% to 18.8% across four types of Medicare Advantage plans, with HMO members less likely to be identified than members from fee-for-service or preferred provider organizations. Regardless of the type of plan, there was a high degree of comorbidity between depression and anxiety and other medical conditions, and higher utilization of services and costs in members with these disorders. Conclusions: A substantial prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders is present among older adult members of Medicare Advantage Plans and the presence of both disorders is associated with substantial medical comorbidity and costs. Clinicians in all care settings will encounter a substantial number of medically complex older adults with depression and anxiety, requiring close follow-up and coordination of care.
Tinkering with Light at the Nanoscale using Plasmonic Metasurfaces and Antennas: From Fano to Function

Surface plasmons are charge density oscillations that can couple strongly to light and be excited in, for instance, thin metal films and metal nanoparticles. The plasmonic excitation squeezes the light down to nanometric length scales, far smaller than the wavelength of the light. This localization of light can be utilized in several surface-enhanced spectroscopies, for photothermal therapy, in optical trapping methodologies and in refractometric sensing schemes. This thesis focuses on various excitation schemes and spectroscopic measurements of surface plasmons and their sensitivity to the dielectric surrounding the metal. Plasmonic excitations in metal films and nanoparticles have several common features, although only the former has successfully been commercialized as a refractometric biosensing platform. In a direct comparison of the two, both platforms performed equally well, from a sensitivity point-of-view. However, there are two significant advantages of nanoparticle plasmonic sensing schemes: The much relaxed excitation conditions and the miniscule size of the nanoparticle sensors. In a combination of these features, hundreds of individual nanoparticles were simultaneously interrogated in order to approach the few to single molecule detection limit. The data were obtained using a hyperspectral imaging methodology in combination with an enzymatic precipitation reaction that enhanced the plasmonic response from individual adsorbed molecules. The results demonstrated a sensitivity in the single molecule range, but a number of inhomogeneous broadening effects prevented counting the exact number of molecules per particle. In a different line of research, plasmonic nanoparticles placed in a large two dimensional array with small interparticle spacing and supported with a glass substrate were interrogated. The nanoplasmonic layer then act as a metamaterial that can support strongly asymmetric resonances, dispersive modes and even complete light absorption. These effects are due to a so-called Fano interference between the plasmon excitation and the reflection from the dielectric boundary. Complete absorption enhances the optical near-fields, which can be utilized in, for instance, surface enhanced spectroscopy techniques. However, minimizing the reflection has another interesting feature: A rapid phase jump of the reflected light. The phase is shown to vary about one order of magnitude faster than the reflected intensity and, therefore, also provides around one order of magnitude higher sensitivity to molecular adsorption. Altogether, the results presented in this thesis provides a basis for several interesting sensing schemes, as well as insight into some fundamentally intriguing phenomena regarding absorption, nanoscale coherence and light localization.
Effect of plasticizer on Poly (vinyl alcohol): Poly (vinylidene fluoride) blend polymer electrolyte

Free standing film of Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) based on Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA): Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF): Lithium triflate (LiCF3SO3): Ethylene carbonate (EC) have been prepared by solution casting technique. Effect of lithium salt and plasticizer in PVA:PVdF blend polymer electrolytes have been analyzed using AC impedance spectroscopy and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. The ionic conductivity (σ) of pure PVA: PVdF blend system is low (~ 10 -10 Scm -1 ) because of the crystalline nature of PVdF and Semi crystalline nature of PVA. This value has been enhanced by the addition of lithium salt (σ =10 -3 Scm -1 ). However on the addition of Ethylene carbonate, the ionic conductivity has been decreased slightly by one order of magnitude. This may be due to the increase in viscosity of gel polymer electrolyte which may restrict the segmental motion of polymer chains at ambient temperature. This is inturn reflected in the dielectric spectra in which a very low value of dielectric constant is observed for GPE compared to salt doped system. Interaction of lithium salt and plasticizer with the polymer blend matrix has been confirmed from FTIR spectra analysis.
Agrobacterium-mediated Genetic Transformation in Cucumber (var. Shital) as Influenced by Explant, Inoculation Time and Co-cultivation Period

To study genetic transformation for abiotic stress resistance in cucumber (var. Shital), leaf, nodal and internodal calli were subjected to Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation using LBA4404 strain containing CIPK sense gene. Transformation ability was examined by histochemical assay of GUS reporter gene in survived calli. Conspicuous GUS positive (blue colour) region were detected in callus tissue. There were 3 factors in this investigation. Factor A consisted of three types of explants viz. leaf, nodal and internodal callus, factor B consisted of two durations of inoculation time viz. 3 and 5 min and factor C consisted of two co-cultivation periods viz. 24 and 48 hours. The highest GUS positive transgenic callus obtained from leaf explants (3.30) and internodal explants gave the lowest number (1.79) of GUS positive transformants. Inoculation time is an important factor in transformation experiment mediated by A. tumefaciens. Transformation ability was increased with increase of inoculation time. Percentage of survived callus was higher (53.68 %) when the calli were immersed for 5 min in bacterial suspension. Both number and percentage of GUS positive callus were higher (3.17 and 52.87 %, respectively) when they were kept in bacterial suspension for higher time (5 min) and lower (2.15 and 35.88 %, respectively) when calli were soaked in bacterial suspension for minimum time (3 min).
An approach to QoS-constrained path protection in MANETs using segment-backup paths

In the context of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), we consider the problem of identifying (a) an optimal primary path which satisfies the required QoS constraints, and (b) a set of alternate paths that may be used in case a link or a node on the primary path fails. The alternate paths are also required to satisfy the same set of QoS constraints as is the case with the primary path. In the paper, we have proposed that the traffic be re-routed along a subpath that bypasses a segment of the primary path that contains the failed link or node. The segments are determined based on (a) availability of alternate paths, so that (b) QoS constraints are met. This flexibility in identifying the segments can also be used to ensure that the delay in switching traffic over to an alternate path, and the resulting packet loss, are bounded. This paper is focused on proving that for a given (a) source-destination pair of nodes in a network, and (b) any primary path between them, the nodes on the primary path can be divided into a collection of segments such that for each segment there exists an alternate path which completely bypasses the segment if and only if there exist two or more node-disjoint paths between the source and destination nodes. This implies that if there exists a solution consisting of a set of alternate backup paths for a given primary path then such a solution can always be found for any primary path. We describe an algorithm to identify (a) a primary path, (b) the collections of segments, and (c) the corresponding set of alternate paths, one for each segment, each of which satisfies specified QoS constraints, so that the delay in switching traffic over to an alternate path is bounded.
Approximate and exact D-optimal designs for $2^k$ factorial experiments for Generalized Linear Models via SOCP

We propose (Mixed Integer) Second Order Cone Programming formulations to find approximate and exact $D-$optimal designs for $2^k$ factorial experiments for Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). Locally optimal designs are addressed with Second Order Cone Programming (SOCP) and Mixed Integer Second Order Cone Programming (MISOCP) formulations. The formulations are extended for scenarios of parametric uncertainty employing the Bayesian framework for \emph{log det} $D-$optimality criterion. A quasi Monte-Carlo sampling procedure based on the Hammersley sequence is used for integrating the optimality criterion in the parametric region. The problems are solved in \texttt{GAMS} environment using \texttt{CPLEX} solver. We demonstrate the application of the algorithm with the logistic, probit and complementary log-log models and consider full and fractional factorial designs.
DESIGN FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: DESIGN ASPECTS OF WEARABLE ACTIVITY TRACKERS

Many people use wearable activity trackers to gather personal behavioral data, make better decisions, and make changes to their behavior. While the proliferation of new products on the market makes collecting personal data easier, what people expect from these products remains an open question. To uncover which features of these products lead people keep using, a one-week user study was conducted with people who use these products to support or track their behavior. Baseline interviews were conducted and participants were asked to interact with a typical wearable activity tracking product. The study reveals that people are open to use and accept these kinds of products. Still, resistance to keep using the system can be a major common point of the people, even though they can be volunteer and enthusiastic to use these products. This research also reveals the product qualities that people expect from these products to keep using the system. At the end, design implications for future products are offered.