Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing the effects of shallomin lotion and cryotherapy on treating plane warts

Background: Wart is a common transferable skin disease that is caused by human papilloma virus. Choosing the best treatment method can vary based on age, therapeutic goal, complications, and wart place. Due to antibacterial effect of shallomin (hirtifolium Boiss extract) and since its effect has not been studied yet, it was compared to cryotherapy therapeutic methods for treating patients with plane warts. Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial that was carried out on 40 patients. Sampling was conducted simply by 4 block randomization method. The selected patients were assigned into two Groups of A and B. Data analysis was conducted by descriptive methods, and then, statistical tests including Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and t-test were run to determine the relationship between qualitative and quantitative variables. In so doing, SPSS software version 16.0 was utilized. Results: Comparing the means showed that as opposed to cryotherapy, shallomin could not lead to a significant decrease in the size and number of warts. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, which is the first and the only investigation into the effects of shallomin on treating plane warts, it can be stated that despite of its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-herpetic properties, shallamin cannot be a clinically effective option for treating plane warts.
Molecular dynamics simulations on the inhibition of methane hydrates

We study the eﬀect of a speciﬁc hyperbranched poly(ester amide)s on the growth of the methane hydrate with atomistic molecular dynamics simulation. The growth of methane hydrates was modeled as a solid/liquid system containing a slab of hydrate crystallite and a liquid methane/water mixture. We modeled the eﬀects of two versions of this molecular system, either the core structure (H400) or a full sized version molecule (H1500), to examine whether the molecular weight of inhibitors aﬀect the growth of the hydrate. Radial distribution functions for carbon atoms of methane molecules are employed to examine the growth of crystal structures of the systems in the presence or absence of an inhibitor. In addition, the detailed processes of hydrate growth initiated by the crystallite in all systems are explored by examining the z-density proﬁles of the carbon and oxygen atoms of the methane and water molecules. The minimum change of entropy is estimated for both of the inhibited systems. These results show that the hydrate crystallite keeps growing in the presence of H400, while it dissociates when H1500 is present in the system. Thus the molecular size of the inhibitor plays a role controlling the hydrate formation. the ﬁrst study of hydrate inhibitors to explore the inhibition eﬀect of inhibitors of both small size (monomer) and large size (oligomer).
Socioeconomic status and cigarette expenditure among US households: results from 2010 to 2015 Consumer Expenditure Survey

Objectives To examine (1) the association between household socioeconomic status (SES) and whether a household spends money on cigarettes and (2) socioeconomic variations in proportion of total household expenditure spent on cigarettes among smoking households. Methods We pooled data from six consecutive years, 2010–2015, of the Consumer Expenditure Interview Survey. The interviews involved a structured questionnaire about household income, demographics and expenditures including expenditure on cigarettes. Households that reported cigarette expenditure in the previous 3 months were distinguished as smoking households. SES indicators were household poverty status, education and occupation of the head of household. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of household smoking status with SES. Fractional logistic regression was used to assess the association of cigarette expenditure as a proportion of total household expenditure with SES. The analysis sample size was 39 218. Results The probability of spending money on cigarettes was higher among lower SES households. Households in poverty compared with those above 300% of poverty threshold had 1.86 (95% CI 1.61 to 2.16), households headed by a person with less than high school education compared with those headed by a person with at least a bachelor’s degree had 3.37 (95% CI 2.92 to 3.89) and households headed by a blue-collar work compared with those headed by a person in a managerial occupation had 1.45 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.66) higher odds of spending money on cigarettes. Similarly, the proportion of total household expenditure spent on cigarettes was higher among lower SES smoking households. Conclusion Lower SES households are more likely to spend money on cigarettes and spend a larger proportion of their total expenditure on cigarettes. We recommend strategies effective in reducing smoking among low SES smokers.
Possible evidence of gravity wave coupling into the mid‐latitude F region ionosphere during the SEEK Campaign

On five of eight observation nights during the 1996 SEEK (Sporadic E Experiment over Kyushu) campaign, Japan, unusual “wave‐like” structures were imaged in the 630 nm thermospheric nightglow emission. Four of these events were observed to travel towards the southwest, providing new evidence in support of recent theories describing the coupling of medium‐scale gravity waves into the mid‐latitude F region ionosphere. Available ionosonde data and the visual characteristics of the wave structures indicate no association with the occurrence of mid‐latitude spread F or F region upwellings. Instead, the data support the novel concept of feedback from the ionosphere into the gravity wave, via the Perkins instability, to enhance its visibility.
Correlation Between Oral Lichen Planus and Thyroid Disease in China: A Case–Control Study

Background A possible relationship between oral lichen planus (OLP) and thyroid disease has received attention in recent years. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between OLP and thyroid diseases in Chinese ethnic patients. Methods 192 OLP patients, 123 patients with oral lichenoid lesions (OLLs), and 162 controls were recruited in this case–control study. All participants received screening for thyroid function and underwent ultrasound. Sex and age of the patients in the three groups were matched. The prevalence of thyroid diseases in the subjects was analyzed. Using logistic regression, the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals was appraised for associations between OLP, OLL, and different types of thyroid diseases [Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), hypothyroidism, and thyroid nodule]. Results The prevalence of thyroid diseases in the OLP group (72.4%) and OLL group (68.3%) was higher than the control group (49.4%) with statistical significance. The OR of HT was 3.16 (1.87–5.33) for OLP, 2.09 (1.18–3.70) for OLL, while the OR of thyroid nodule was 2.31 (1.30–4.09) for OLP. Conclusion Our study suggested a close relationship between OLP/OLL and HT and thyroid nodule in a Chinese population. The possible mechanism behind this association warrants further investigation.
What does not kill a tumour may make it stronger: in silico Insights on Chemotherapeutic Drug Resistance

Tumour recurrence post chemotherapy is an established clinical problem and many cancer types are often observed to be increasingly drug resistant subsequent to chemotherapy treatments. Drug resistance in cancer is a multipart phenomenon which can be derived from several origins and in many cases it has been observed that cancer cells have the ability to possess, acquire and communicate drug resistant traits. Here, we present an in silico framework that can simulate multiple types of drug resistance and study their role in chemotherapeutic treatment. This framework is based on a hybrid multiscale mathematical model. We investigate drug response in cancer cell populations hosting various types of drug resistant phenotypes, arising from inheritance or mutations that are spontaneous, drug-induced or communicated via exosomes. Our study shows that drug response in cancer cell populations is crucially influenced by the drug resistant phenotypes amongst the cells. This indicates that the effect of chemotherapy, and by extension optimal chemotherapy administration, is heavily dependent not only on the existence of drug resistance, but also the type of drug resistance.
Non-Invasive Detection of Anastomotic Leakage Following Esophageal and Pancreatic Surgery by Urinary Analysis

Background: Esophagectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy is the standard surgical approach for patients with tumors of the esophagus or pancreatic head. Postoperative mortality is strongly correlated with the occurrence of anastomotic leakage (AL). Delay in diagnosis leads to delay in treatment, which ratifies the need for development of novel and accurate non-invasive diagnostic tests for detection of AL. Urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reflect the metabolic status of an individual, which is associated with a systemic immunological response. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of urinary VOCs to detect AL after esophagectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods: In the present study, urinary VOCs of 63 patients after esophagectomy (n = 31) or pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 32) were analyzed by means of field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry. AL was defined according to international study groups. Results: AL was observed in 15 patients (24%). Urinary VOCs of patients with AL after pancreaticoduodenectomy could be distinguished from uncomplicated controls, area under the curve 0.85 (95% CI 0.76–0.93), sensitivity 76%, and specificity 77%. However, this was not observed following esophagectomy, area under the curve 0.51 (95% CI 0.37–0.65). Conclusion: In our study population AL following pancreaticoduodenectomy could be discriminated from uncomplicated controls by means of urinary VOC analysis, NTC03203434.
Preservative effects of rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on quality and storage stability of chicken meat patties

Improving storage stability of both fresh and processed meat products consider important economically and nutritionally. However, the antioxidant capacity of fresh meat depends on the activities of endogenous reducing enzymes at early postmortem time (Ahn et al., 2009; Serpen et al., 2012; Kumar et al., 2015). In addition, this capacity will decrease when muscle cells lost their homeostasis, then free radical formation increase causing meat spoilage and deterioration. However, meat storage stability depends on many internal factors such as metal catalysts, free iron, fatty acid profile, pH, and presence of other inhibitors (Xiong, 2000; Min & Ahn, 2005). Lipid and protein oxidation considered first priority issues affecting meat quality characteristics (Ahn et al., 2009; Estévez, 2011; Lund et al., 2011). Color, flavor, odor and other meat quality characteristics are highly affected by the oxidation (Lund et al., 2011; Guyon et al., 2016). In meat industry they have been extensively used synthetic antioxidants (SA) such as butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylatedhydroxytoluene (BHT) to prevent any oxidative changes (Monahan & Troy, 1997). However, because of the negative impression regarding the use of SA; natural antioxidants (NA) consider the suitable replacement (Velasco & Williams, 2011). Several research studies were reported possible carcinogenic and toxicological effects of the SA used in human foods (Altmann et al., 1986; Kumar et al., 2015). Currently, sodium nitrite (E-250) is the most important preservative and curing ingredients used in the meat industry (Al-Shuibi & Al-Abdullah, 2002). It is also responsible on meat color formation and their flavor after curing application (Honikel, 2008; Sindelar & Milkowski, 2011).
Neopterin as a Biomarker in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: Upregulation of the immune system is regarded to play an important role in the etiopathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). To the best of our knowledge, neopterin (NP) has never been investigated in patients with PAH and CTEPH. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of NP in blood in order to examine its impact on outcome and relationship with disease severity in that population. Methods: Serum concentration of NP was analysed prospectively in 50 patients (36 with PAH and 14 with CTEPH vs. 31 healthy controls) and assessed in relation to clinical parameters and outcome. Results: NP concentration in the PAH and CTEPH groups combined was significantly higher than in the control group (8.68, 6.39–15.03 vs. 5.14, 4.16–5.98 nmol/L, p < 0.0000001). During 9 months of follow-up, clinical deterioration occurred in 18 patients (including 8 deaths), and NP concentration in this group was higher when compared to stable patients (15.6, 8.52–25.13 vs. 7.87, 6.18–9.89, p = 0.002). The cutoff value of NP derived from ROC curve analysis was 15.3 nmol/L (p = 0.002, AUC 0.77, p = 0.0004, HR = 4.35, 95% CI 1.43–13.18, log-rank test). On Cox regression analysis, NP predicted clinical deterioration (p = 0.009, 95% CI 1.01–1.06). NP correlated positively with NT-proBNP (p < 0.001), red blood cell distribution width (p < 0.001), and right atrium area (p = 0.002) and inversely with 6-min walking test (p = 0.002) and peak oxygen consumption (p = 0.001). Conclusions: NP concentration is increased in patients with PAH and inoperable CTEPH. Elevated NP concentration is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and correlates with clinical parameters.
Conformational Flexibility in the CD81-Binding Site of the Hepatitis C Virus Glycoprotein E2

Numerous antibodies have been described that potently neutralize a broad range of hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates and the majority of these antibodies target the binding site for the cellular receptor CD81 within the major HCV glycoprotein E2. A detailed understanding of the major antigenic determinants is crucial for the design of an efficient vaccine that elicits high levels of such antibodies. In the past 6 years, structural studies have shed additional light on the way the host’s humoral immune system recognizes neutralization epitopes within the HCV glycoproteins. One of the most striking findings from these studies is that the same segments of the E2 polypeptide chain induce antibodies targeting distinct antigen conformations. This was demonstrated by several crystal structures of identical polypeptide segments bound to different antibodies, highlighting an unanticipated intrinsic structural flexibility that allows binding of antibodies with distinct paratope shapes following an “induced-fit” mechanism. This unprecedented flexibility extends to the entire binding site for the cellular receptor CD81, underlining the importance of dynamic analyses to understand (1) the interplay between HCV and the humoral immune system and (2) the relevance of this structural flexibility for virus entry. This review summarizes the current understanding how neutralizing antibodies target structurally flexible epitopes. We focus on differences and common features of the reported structures and discuss the implications of the observed structural flexibility for the viral replication cycle, the full scope of the interplay between the virus and the host immune system and—most importantly—informed vaccine design.
2 Related Work 2 . 1 Types of online privacy and anonymity threats

In this exploratory study, we investigate the factors affecting two opposite types of online privacy behavior: 1) online privacy paradox, i.e. a mismatch between users’ online privacy attitudes and their online privacy behavior; and 2) online privacy protection. To assess these two types of behavior, we devised a new direct scale comprising 25 items explicitly highlighting benefits and risks of the examined behavior. Various factors related to online privacy and anonymity were considered in light of the existing theories on online privacy behavior. To this end, 169 students from different fields of study in Israeli academia were administered closed-ended questionnaires. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that information science students had a significantly lower tendency toward privacy paradox behavior compared to other students. In addition, we found that as the participants’ privacy concern and online privacy selfefficacy increase, their tendency toward privacy paradox behavior decreases. However, surprisingly, there was no significant association between privacy protection behavior and high technical skills or online privacy literacy. This research has social implications for academia and the general public, as it shows that the protection of online privacy does not depend on technical knowledge or complicated tool usage, but rather can be achieved by raising users’ online privacy concern and self-efficacy.
Is household income diversification a means of survival or a means of accumulation? Panel data evidence from Tanzania

What drives income diversification among rural households in developing countries? A large literature has examined whether household income diversification is a means of survival or a means of accumulation, which has so far remained inconclusive. This paper attempts to evaluate which explanation of household income diversification – diversification as survival or diversification as accumulation – stands up to empirical scrutiny. We use household panel data from Tanzania of approximately 800 households for four years and use fixed and random effects models to sweep out unobserved households’ attitudes to risk that may be correlated with household income diversification behaviour. We also use instrumental variable methods to address the possibility of reverse causality and that the household’s income status may be endogenous to its diversification behaviour. Our results suggest that the ‘diversification as accumulation’ motive of household income diversification seems to have stronger empirical validity in the Tanzanian context.
Best Sources Forward: Domain Generalization through Source-Specific Nets

A long standing problem in visual object categorization is the ability of algorithms to generalize across different testing conditions. The problem has been formalized as a covariate shift among the probability distributions generating the training data (source) and the test data (target) and several domain adaptation methods have been proposed to address this issue. While these approaches have considered the single source-single target scenario, it is plausible to have multiple sources and require adaptation to any possible target domain. This last scenario, named Domain Generalization (DG), is the focus of our work. Differently from previous DG methods which learn domain invariant representations from source data, we design a deep network with multiple domain-specific classifiers, each associated to a source domain. At test time we estimate the probabilities that a target sample belongs to each source domain and exploit them to optimally fuse the classifiers predictions. To further improve the generalization ability of our model, we also introduced a domain agnostic component supporting the final classifier. Experiments on two public benchmarks demonstrate the power of our approach.
Box office forecasting for a cinema with movie and cinema attributes

The box office for a cinema depends on the characteristics of both the movie and the cinema. Although such a forecasting model is important for the strategic and operational decisions of the cinema company, few research on this topic has been conducted. In this paper, we develop a hierarchical forecasting scheme for box office in a single cinema. A box office forecasting model for a movie as a whole is developed, which is served as an input to the forecasting model for a single cinema. The data used in this paper were collected from official websites and a major cinema company in China. According to the results on 217 movies and 24 cinemas, the R2 value is as high as 0.889. It is interesting to found that provision of special halls, parking convenience, and the number of competitors nearby are more significant factors for the box office of a cinema than pricing.
Peak-Load Reduction by Coordinated Response of Photovoltaics, Battery Storage, and Electric Vehicles

Peak-load management is an important process that allows energy providers to reshape load profiles, increase energy efficiency, and reduce overall operational costs and carbon emissions. This paper presents an improved decision-tree-based algorithm to reduce the peak load in residential distribution networks by coordinated control of electric vehicles (EVs), photovoltaic (PV) units, and battery energy-storage systems (BESSs). The peak-load reduction is achieved by reading the domestic load in real time through a smart meter and taking appropriate coordinated action by a controller using the proposed algorithm. The proposed control algorithm was tested on a real distribution network using real load patterns and load dynamics, and validated in a laboratory experiment. Two types of EVs with fast and flexible charging capability, a PV unit, and BESSs were used to test the performance of the proposed control algorithm, which is compared with that of an artificial-neural-network technique. The results show that using the proposed method, the peak demand on the distribution grid can be reduced significantly, thereby greatly improving the load factor.
Control of robot arm based on speech recognition using Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (MFCC) and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) method

In this study describe the implementation of speech recognition to pick and place an object using 5 DoF Robot Arm based on Arduino Microcontroller. To identify the speech used Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficients (MFCC) method to get feature extraction and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) method to learn and identify the speech recognition based on Python 2.7. The database of speech use 12 feature for KNN process, then tested using trained (85%) and not trained (80%) respondent show the best agreement result to identifying the speech recognition. Finally, the speech recognition system implemented to control Robot Arm for perform assignment pick and place the object.
Chapter 2 Product and Systems Engineering / CA * Tool Chains

For the development of interdisciplinary technical systems such as CPS, systemic approaches which stringently summarize the logic of development are currently available. These approaches are suitable to support the complexity of both the CPS as well as the related developmental processes. However, these development methods are relatively generic. An adaptation or a tailoring to specific conditions of both the products under consideration as well as the development of boundary conditions is absolutely necessary to use them effectively and efficiently. For the development of CPS also a variety of IT tools which effectively support the product development but only if they are well coordinated with the corresponding processes, are already available. If the interfaces are described sufficiently and comprehensively, and the data characteristics of the results of the various development activities are taken into account, media discontinuities can be reduced. The major challenge in the development of complex technical systems is the overall system analysis and the system integration. To this end, modern methods such as modelbased engineering in general and model-based Systems Engineering in specific, provide powerful approaches that must be applied and adjusted for the purposes of the product and process characteristics. This adjustment process to product development and the integration of MBSE approaches into the IT-structures may be seen as the main challenges for the future.