Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term oxidative lime pretreatment of palm pruning waste for use as animal feedstuff.

BACKGROUND Oxidative lime pretreatment (OLP) is an effective pretreatment for highly recalcitrant lignocellulosic materials. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of short-term OLP on fermentative gas production kinetics of date palm prunings. Rachis and petiole were pretreated with excess lime (0.5 g Ca(OH)2 g(-1) dry matter) in a reactor charged with 10 bar pure oxygen pressure at different times and temperatures. RESULTS Lignin removal was greatly affected by OLP, whereas cellulose was well preserved even after severe pretreatment. After 72 h fermentation, the cumulative gas production was 321.2 mL gas g(-1) organic matter (OM) for the most severe pretreatment, compared to 73.6 mL g(-1) OM for the untreated rachis. For the petiole pretreated at 120 °C for 280 min, 268 mL gas was produced compared to 59 mL gas g(-1) OM for the untreated petiole. Scanning electron microscope images showed the formation of pores (average diameter of 10-12 µm) and carbonate calcium deposits on the surface of treated biomass. An increase in biomass crystallinity was observed in pretreated samples resulting from cellulose enrichment. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that OLP improves the ruminal digestibility of date palm prunings, which may have potential for inclusion in the ruminant diet at low cost.
Lack of Associations between Body Mass Index and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background Obesity is associated with aggressive pathological features and poor clinical outcomes in breast and prostate cancers. In papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), these relationships remain still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between body mass index (BMI) and the clinical outcomes of patients with PTC. Methods This retrospective study included 1,189 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for PTCs equal to or larger than 1 cm in size. Clinical outcomes were evaluated and compared based on the BMI quartiles. Results There were no significant associations between BMI quartiles and primary tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, cervical lymph node metastasis, or distant metastasis. However, an increase in mean age was associated with an increased BMI (P for trend <0.001). Multifocality and advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (stage III or IV) were significantly associated with increases of BMI (P for trend 0.02 and <0.001, respectively). However, these associations of multifocality and advanced TNM stage with BMI were not significant in multivariate analyses adjusted for age and gender. Moreover, there were no differences in recurrence-free survivals according to BMI quartiles (P=0.26). Conclusion In the present study, BMI was not associated with the aggressive clinicopathological features or recurrence-free survivals in patients with PTC.
Is Diabetes a Risk Factor for a Severe Clinical Presentation of Dengue? - Review and Meta-analysis

Background The mean age of acute dengue has undergone a shift towards older ages. This fact points towards the relevance of assessing the influence of age-related comorbidities, such as diabetes, on the clinical presentation of dengue episodes. Identification of factors associated with a severe presentation is of high relevance, because timely treatment is the most important intervention to avert complications and death. This review summarizes and evaluates the published evidence on the association between diabetes and the risk of a severe clinical presentation of dengue. Methodology/Findings A systematic literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE database to access any relevant association between dengue and diabetes. Five case-control studies (4 hospital-based, 1 population-based) compared the prevalence of diabetes (self-reported or abstracted from medical records) of persons with dengue (acute or past; controls) and patients with severe clinical manifestations. All except one study were conducted before 2009 and all studies collected information towards WHO 1997 classification system. The reported odds ratios were formally summarized by random-effects meta-analyses. A diagnosis of diabetes was associated with an increased risk for a severe clinical presentation of dengue (OR 1.75; 95% CI: 1.08–2.84, p = 0.022). Conclusions/Significance Large prospective studies that systematically and objectively obtain relevant signs and symptoms of dengue fever episodes as well as of hyperglycemia in the past, and at the time of dengue diagnosis, are needed to properly address the effect of diabetes on the clinical presentation of an acute dengue fever episode. The currently available epidemiological evidence is very limited and only suggestive. The increasing global prevalence of both dengue and diabetes justifies further studies. At this point, confirmation of dengue infection as early as possible in diabetes patients with fever if living in dengue endemic regions seems justified. The presence of this co-morbidity may warrant closer observation for glycemic control and adapted fluid management to diminish the risk for a severe clinical presentation of dengue.
Mechanism of Differential Staining in Carious Dentin

The caries detector, 1.0% acid red sotution in proyylene glycol, failed to stain EDTA-demineralized bavine dentin matrix, but stained the same matrix when treated by lactic acid in a concentration above 0.01 M. Thus, acid of bacterial origin could possibly be responsible for the stainability change of carlous dentin in vivo.
Evolution of a genetic polymorphism with climate change in a Mediterranean landscape

Many species show changes in distribution and phenotypic trait variation in response to climatic warming. Evidence of genetically based trait responses to climate change is, however, less common. Here, we detected evolutionary variation in the landscape-scale distribution of a genetically based chemical polymorphism in Mediterranean wild thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in association with modified extreme winter freezing events. By comparing current data on morph distribution with that observed in the early 1970s, we detected a significant increase in the proportion of morphs that are sensitive to winter freezing. This increase in frequency was observed in 17 of the 24 populations in which, since the 1970s, annual extreme winter freezing temperatures have risen above the thresholds that cause mortality of freezing-sensitive morphs. Our results provide an original example of rapid ongoing evolutionary change associated with relaxed selection (less extreme freezing events) on a local landscape scale. In species whose distribution and genetic variability are shaped by strong selection gradients, there may be little time lag associated with their ecological and evolutionary response to long-term environmental change.
Robust adaptive control for a class of perturbed strict-feedback non-linear systems with unknown Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis

This paper deals with robust adaptive control for a class of perturbed strict-feedback non-linear systems preceded by unknown hysteresis non-linearities. By using the Prandtl-Ishlinskii model with play and stop operators and the properties of this model, a robust adaptive control scheme is proposed to mitigate effects of the preceded hysteresis. The global uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop system is achieved, and the effectiveness of the proposed control approach is demonstrated through simulation examples.
Predictors of event-free survival after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy

Objective To assess the long term functional result after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy and identify the predictors of event-free survival following 10 years of experience. Design Analysis of clinical, echocardiographic, and haemodynamic variables at baseline and after the procedure by univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox model). Setting University hospital. Patients 532 consecutive patients receiving percutaneous mitral commissurotomy in the same institution. Results The mean (SD) follow up was 3.8 (4.0) years. Survival at 3, 5, and 7.5 years was 94%, 91%, and 83%, respectively; event-free survival was 84%, 74%, and 52%. Mitral valve anatomy was identified as the strongest independent predictor of event-free survival. Age, cardiothoracic ratio, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and mean echocardiographic mitral gradient after commissurotomy were also found to be independent predictors of long term functional result. Event-free survival was 92%, 84%, and 70% at 3, 5, and 7.5 years in patients with favourable anatomy (echo score = 1), 86%, 73%, and 34% in patients with intermediate anatomy (echo score = 2), and 45%, 25%, and 16% in patients with unfavourable anatomy (echo score = 3). In patients aged ⩽ 65 years, the event-free survival rate was 80%, 70%, and 45% at 3, 5, and 7.5 years v 52%, 38%, and 17% in patients aged > 65 years. Conclusions The anatomical form of the mitral valve and the patient’s age were the most powerful predictors of event-free survival. Patients with intermediate or unfavourable anatomy and those aged > 65 years have low 5 and 7.5 year event-free survival rates. This must be taken into account when discussing the indications for percutaneous mitral commissurotomy; immediate mitral valve replacement is a reasonable alternative to balloon mitral commissurotomy in patients with higher risk of functional deterioration after the procedure.
The Nigeria Police and zero corruption tolerance : the function of emotional intelligence

This paper is profiled on Nigerian Police corruption and how to utilize emotional intelligence to make Nigerian police adopt zero corruption tolerance. The paper x-rayed the structure of Nigerian police and the pandemic of corruption generally with a particular reference to the Nigeria police. The innovation in the fight against police corruption was the argument of the author on how to use emotional intelligence to wipe out corruption among Nigerian police. This adoption of emotional intelligence is further supported through a model on zero corruption tolerance. The paper therefore canvases inclusion of emotional intelligence in the Nigeria Police curriculum.
Research and development of grid integration of distributed generation in Japan

According to recent target of the Japanese government, more than 50 GW photovoltaic (PV) power generation will be penetrated in the utility system until 2030. Current measures adopted to DG to keep power quality and safety of the grid may not be adapted any more in the large penetration. In advance of the declaration of the target, CRIEPI proposed the Autonomous Demand Area Power System (ADAPS) as a new concept of future demand area distribution system to cope with the large penetration of DG. Basic system composition and operation measures of the ADAPS were developed until 2007. In the paper, Japanese expected technical problems on grid interconnection of large number of DG are indicated. The state of research and development of the ADAPS is introduced. A new research framework “TIPS” to establish stable operation of whole power system to cope with larger and wider penetration is also introduced.
Predictors of recurrence in patients with T2 and early T3, N0 adenocarcinoma of the rectum treated by surgery alone.

PURPOSE Treatment of rectal cancer with neoadjuvant radiotherapy has been shown to reduce local recurrence and improve overall survival. The role of chemoradiotherapy in patients with T2, N0 and early T3, N0 rectal cancer, treated by radical surgery with total mesorectal excision, remains controversial. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of recurrence in this group of patients to enhance treatment selection. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred patients with primary T2-3, N0 adenocarcinoma of the rectum, uniformly treated by surgery alone, were studied. The pathology slides available for 97 patients were rereviewed. Three patients with incomplete data sets were excluded. Clinical and survival data were obtained from a prospective computerized database and updated from hospital and office charts. The study end points were disease-free survival, disease-specific survival (DSS), time to pelvic recurrence (PR), and distant recurrence. RESULTS Complete follow-up was available for all study patients. Median follow-up was 79.5 months (range, 57.7 to 105.9 months). During this time period 30 patients (31.9%) died as a result of disease and 64 patients (68.1%) remained alive and disease free. Five-year DSS was 73%. The cumulative risk for PR was 8% at 5 years and 10% at 8 years. Lymphovascular invasion, preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA > 5 ng/mL) level, and age older than 70 years were all associated with adverse outcome. CONCLUSION Patients with T2-3, N0 rectal cancers and either lymphovascular invasion or elevated CEA levels have reduced survival and a higher incidence of PR, and should be considered for future randomized trials.
Hospitals’ use of hospitalists: Implications for financial performance

Background: Hospitalists, or physicians specializing in hospital-based practice, have grown significantly since they were first introduced in the United States in the mid-1990s. Prior studies on the impact of hospitalists have focused on costs and length of stay. However, there is dearth of research exploring the relationship between hospitals’ use of hospitalists and organizational performance. Purpose: Using a national longitudinal sample of acute care hospitals operating in the United States between 2007 and 2014, this study explores the impact of hospitalists staffing intensity on hospitals’ financial performance. Methodology: Data sources for this study included the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, the Area Health Resources File, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ costs reports and Case Mix Index files. Data were analyzed using a panel design with facility and year fixed effects regression. Results: Results showed that hospitals that switched from not using hospitalists to using a high hospitalist staffing intensity had both increased patient revenues and higher operating costs per adjusted patient day. However, the higher operating costs from high hospitalist staffing intensity were offset by increased patient revenues, resulting in a marginally significant increase in operating profitability (p < .1). Practice Implications: These findings suggest that the rise in the use of hospitalists may be fueled by financial incentives such as increased revenues and profitability in addition to other drivers of adoption.
Proteomic Analysis of Vestibular Schwannoma: Conflicting Role of Apoptosis on the Pathophysiology of Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma

Hypothesis In this study, we investigated the pathophysiology and mechanism underlying sporadic forms of vestibular schwannoma (VS) by comparing VS tissue with normal nerve tissue using proteomics. Background Proteomic analysis by two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry facilitates identification and characterization of specific proteins related to the pathogenesis of various diseases. Methods Proteins were extracted from two vestibular nerve specimens and two VS specimens and analyzed in parallel using two-dimensional electrophoresis. We then analyzed 29 spots that were differentially expressed using matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Upregulated proteins associated with apoptosis were confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results Twenty-nine proteins showing significant changes in the expression level between VS tissue and normal nerve tissue were identified. Of these, seven proteins were related to apoptosis. Conclusion Our findings indicate that apoptosis is associated in a complex manner with the pathophysiology of VS. The suppression of apoptosis is presumably involved in tumor occurrence and, conversely, increased apoptotic expression may contribute to the slow tumor growth rate and may be correlated with the Antoni type B area.
Inpatient Economic and Mortality Assessment for Liver Transplantation: A Nationwide Study of the United States Data From 2005 to 2009

Background Liver transplantation is a standard of care for treatment of end-stage liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate resource utilization for patients admitted to the U.S. hospitals for liver transplantation from 2005 to 2009. Methods Nationwide inpatient sample was used. Results A total of 5527 hospital admissions were included to the study cohort approximating 27,350 procedures nationwide (compared with 32,228 reported by United Network for Organ Sharing). Approximately 75% of patients had major or extreme severity of illness (All Patient Refined Diagnosis-Related Groups). The most prevalent comorbidities were coagulopathy (36.0%), fluid and electrolyte disorders (39.8%), anemia (18.7%), and type 2 diabetes (23.8%). Furthermore, 5.1% patients died in the hospital, 80.0% were discharged routinely or to home healthcare, and 14.9% were transferred to other healthcare facilities. The mean number of inpatient procedures was 7.2, and 3.5 were minimal therapeutic. The mean length of hospitalization was 22.2 days, the mean hospital charges were $358,200, and the mean inpatient costs of liver transplantation were $114,300. In multivariate analysis, the most significant factors associated with longer stay were younger age, major or extreme severity of illness, and more procedures performed during hospitalization. Similar factors were also associated with higher cost of inpatient treatment. Inpatient mortality, however, was associated only with more severe illness and more procedures while being inversely associated with younger age and higher income. Conclusions Liver transplantation is a life-saving procedure with significant economic burden to our society. Severity of illness is the common driver of both in hospital mortality and resource utilization.
Supervision and Training Needs of Practitioners Working in Batterer Intervention Programs

Batterer intervention programs (BIPs) seek to address violence in families by working with perpetrators in developing skills to remain nonviolent. The purpose of this study was to explore the supervision and training needs of practitioners who work in batterer intervention programs (BIPs). This study utilized qualitative data collected from hourlong, audio-recorded interviews with three BIP practitioners (one male and two female). Interviews were conducted in a large, Midwestern metro area over a period of three weeks, were transcribed verbatim, and coded for themes by the researcher. Major findings included: Participants were overall satisfied with quality of supervision, which was in contrast with previous research. Participants felt more supervised (even oversupervised) than participants in previous research. Finally, specific training and education in batterer intervention, even the field of domestic violence in general appears to be lacking. Social work implications were also discussed. This study is a beginning effort to more closely examine the supervision and training needs of BIP practitioners. Quality training and supervision supports BIP practitioners in their effort to help reduce violence and abuse in families in the community.
Detection of Formaldehyde in Water: A Shape-Effect on the Plasmonic Sensing Properties of the Gold Nanoparticles

The effect of morphology on the plasmonic sensing of the presence of formaldehyde in water by gold nanostructures has been investigated. The gold nanostructures with two different morphologies, namely spherical and rod, were prepared using a seed-mediated method. In typical results, it was found that the plasmonic properties of gold nanostructures were very sensitive to the presence of formaldehyde in their surrounding medium by showing the change in both the plasmonic peaks position and the intensity. Spherical nanoparticles (GNS), for example, indicated an increase in the sensitivity when the size was increased from 25 to 35 nm and dramatically decreased when the size was further increased. An m value, the ratio between plasmonic peak shift and refractive index change, as high as 36.5 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) was obtained so far. An expanded sensing mode to FD was obtained when gold nanostructures with nanorods morphology (GNR) were used because of the presence of two plasmonic modes for response probing. However, in the present study, effective plasmonic peak shift was not observed due to the intense plasmonic coupling of closely packed nanorod structures on the surface. Nevertheless, the present results at least provide a potential strategy for response enhancement via shape-effects. High performance plasmonic sensors could be obtained if controlled arrays of nanorods can be prepared on the surface.
A REVIEW OF IMAGE ANALYSIS BASED METHODS TO EVALUATE FIBER PROPERTIES

This review focuses on fiber analysis methods, where the fibers are carried in suspension. They are photographed in a flow cell and their properties are evaluated by digital image analysis. Three fields of fiber analysis are covered: Fiber morphology, pulp surface chemistry, and chemically induced swelling respectively dissolving behaviour of pulp. For fiber morphology commercial analyzers were compared. On an absolute level the measurement differences between the analyzers varied from 15% to 40%, for some morphological parameters up to 70%. Still fiber length, width, and curl results are highly correlated, so relative comparison is possible. An increasing number of publications have recently been devoted to image analysis based evaluation of surface chemistry respectively chemically induced fiber swelling and dissolving. Considering that research effort it can be expected, that numerous innovations in both fields commercial fiber analyzers as well as new machine vision based fiber analysis techniques, can be expected in the next years. Keywords:
Dissipative particle dynamics simulation of critical pore size in a lipid bilayer membrane

We investigate with computer simulations the critical radius of pores in a lipid bilayer membrane. Ilton et al. (Ilton et al. 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 257801 (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.257801)) recently showed that nucleated pores in a homopolymer film can increase or decrease in size, depending on whether they are larger or smaller than a critical size which scales linearly with film thickness. Using dissipative particle dynamics, a particle-based simulation method, we investigate the same scenario for a lipid bilayer membrane whose structure is determined by lipid–water interactions. We simulate a perforated membrane in which holes larger than a critical radius grow, while holes smaller than the critical radius close, as in the experiment of Ilton et al. (Ilton et al. 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 257801 (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.257801)). By altering key system parameters such as the number of particles per lipid and the periodicity, we also describe scenarios in which pores of any initial size can seal or even remain stable, showing a fundamental difference in the behaviour of lipid membranes from polymer films.
Robust distributed multi-speaker voice activity detection using stability selection for sparse non-negative feature extraction

In this paper, we propose a robust multi-speaker voice activity detection approach for wireless acoustic sensor networks (WASN). Each node of the WASN receives a mixture of sound sources. We propose a non-negative feature extraction using stability selection that exploits the sparsity of the speech energy signals. The strongest right singular vectors serve as source-specific features for the subsequent voice activity detection (VAD). To separate active speech frames from silent frames, we propose a robust Mahalanobis classifier that is based on an M-estimator of the covariance matrix. The proposed approach can also be applied to a distributed setting, where no fusion center is available. Highly accurate VAD results are obtained in a challenging WASN of 20 nodes observing 6 sources in a reverberant environment.