Tunis University

About: Tunis University is a education organization based out in Tunis, Tunisia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 11745 authors who have published 15400 publications receiving 154900 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Tunis & UT.

Appropriateness of percutaneous revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusions: An overview

Abstract: Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly encountered in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Several observational studies have demonstrated that successful CTO revascularization is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes and enhanced quality of life (QOL). However, in the absence of randomized trials, its prognostic benefit for patients remains debated. Over the past decade, the interest of the interventional community in CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has exponentially grown due to important developments in dedicated equipment and techniques, resulting in high success and low complication rates. Both European and American guidelines have assigned a class IIa (level of evidence B) recommendation for CTO PCI. In the current review, we focus on the impact of CTO revascularization on clinical outcomes and QOL and on appropriate patient selection, and we provide a critical assessment of the current guidelines and recommendations on CTO PCI.

The global diabetes pandemic: the Tunisian experience

Abstract: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is known to be increasing rapidly worldwide, but few population-based surveys have been undertaken in Africa or the Middle East. The aims of this study are to report the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in Tunisia, to compare the prevalence to previous studies and to analyse the relationship between diabetes and age, sex, area of residency and body mass index (BMI). We have used data from the Tunisian National Nutrition Survey, a cross-sectional health study providing a large nationally representative sample of the Tunisian population including 3729 adults. We used the American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and IFG. The overall diabetes prevalence was 9.9% (9.5% in men and 10.1 in women) giving age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes of 8.5% (7.3% in men and 9.6% in women). Step-wise logistic regression showed age of more than 40 years, urban residency and high BMI to each be significantly and independently related to diabetes prevalence. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has more than doubled in Tunisia over a 15-year period. Our study has demonstrated a high prevalence of diabetes in the adult population with a wide difference among the rural and urban areas with an increased prevalence compared to previous studies. The results underline the need to increase public awareness and to emphasize the benefit of lifestyle modification in order to prevent type II diabetes.

Frequent closed itemset based algorithms: a thorough structural and analytical survey

Abstract: As a side effect of the digitalization of unprecedented amount of data, traditional retrieval tools proved to be unable to extract hidden and valuable knowledge. Data Mining, with a clear promise to provide adequate tools and/or techniques to do so, is the discovery of hidden information that can be retrieved from datasets. In this paper, we present a structural and analytical survey of frequent closed itemset (FCI) based algorithms for mining association rules. Indeed, we provide a structural classification, in four categories, and a comparison of these algorithms based on criteria that we introduce. We also present an analytical comparison of FCI-based algorithms using benchmark dense and sparse datasets as well as "worst case" datasets. Aiming to stand beyond classical performance analysis, we intend to provide a focal point on performance analysis based on memory consumption and advantages and/or limitations of optimization strategies, used in the FCI-based algorithms.

Do Islamic banks use loan loss provisions to smooth their results

Abstract: Purpose – The paper seeks to examine income smoothing practices in Islamic banks. It first focuses on detecting income smoothing practices. It then seeks to test whether loan loss provisions (LLPs) are used for earnings management purposes.Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores income smoothing practices on a sample of 66 Islamic banks over the period 2001‐2006 using Beidleman's and Eckel's coefficients. Data are obtained from the Bankscope database. To test the use of LLPs to smooth Islamic banks results, a regression model was developed and tested.Findings – The results provide evidence on an extensive use of income smoothing by Islamic banks. More than 75 per cent of the examined banks have a determination coefficient between 0.5 and 1 and 44 per cent have a variation coefficient less than 0.5. However, income smoothing is not achieved through LLPs. The variable earnings before taxes and provisions are not significant in all model specifications. The paper advances that these smoothed incomes...