Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Patient-Dependent Parameters and Radiation Dose Rates Measured around Patients Undergoing PET/CT Imaging Using 18 F-FDG

Objectives: Patients undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging are considered external radiation sources. Accurate dose rate estimates are important for conducting realistic risk assessments and performing dose reconstruction in cases of accidental exposures. The patient radiation self-attenuation factor is assumed to be a function of the patient’s body size metrics, but we can use these metrics to predict the dose rate around the patients with accuracy. The objective of this work was first to measure the patient attenuation factor by performing direct dose rate measurements from patients undergoing PET/CT imaging studies using 18F-FDG. The second objective was to study the possible correlation between the measured dose rate constant per unit activity from the patients and their body size metrics; five metrics were tested in this work. The last objective was to measure the patients’ voiding factor. Methods: We have measured dose rates at one meter from 57 patients and noted the patient’s height (H), weight (W) and calculated patient size metrics namely: Equivalent Cylindrical Diameter (ECD), Equivalent Spherical Diameter (ESD) and the Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: The measured average dose rate was 92.2 ± 14 μSv·h-1·GBq-1 measured at one meter. Therefore, the dose rate constant of 92 μSv·h-1·GBq-1 proposed by the AAPM, TG-108 report is adequate for radiation protection purposes. There was no statistically significant correlation between the dose rate constant per unit activity and the patient body size metrics. We have measured a patient voiding factor of 0.89 ± 0.06 in comparison with 0.85 recommended by the AAPM. Conclusions: The presented data can be used by medical physicist working in nuclear medicine in formulating more accurate risk estimations resulting from radiation exposure from patients undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.
Benzophenone Suppression of Quercetin Antioxidant Activity towards Lipids under UV-B Irradiation Regime: Detection by HPLC Chromatography

Quercetin, a well-known flavonoid antioxidant, has been employed to control benzophenone-sensitized peroxidation of the lipid mixture in methanol solution, induced by continuous UV-B irradiation. Surprisingly, the detected quercetin antioxidant activity was almost negligible. The presented data suggests that the reason is not in its own UV-B-induced degradation but rather in its interrelationship with benzophenone during UV-B stress. On the other side of this relationship, benzophenone anticipated sensitizing role towards lipids; that is, the initiation of lipid peroxidation has been affected as well. These results, obtained by HPLC chromatography, partly confirm but partly relativize to some extent recent results obtained with the same system by spectrophotometric method.
Relationship of Activity Patterns to Acute Mountain Sickness in South Pole Workers

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of physical activity on incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by continuous activity monitoring in a free-living sample of South Pole workers over the initial 72 h at altitude exposure of 2,840 m (9,318 ft). Body Media activity monitors were worn by 47 healthy participants. AMS was defined by the Lake Louise symptom questionnaire. Venous blood samples were taken at sea level and approximately 48 h after high altitude exposure. AMS incidence was 34% (n=16/47) over the first 48 h and 40% (n=19/47) over 72 h. On day 2 at high altitude, individuals with AMS demonstrated a significantly greater increase in the percent change in physical activity metrics from baseline: total energy expenditure 19±13 vs. 5±7%, total steps 65±51 vs. 10±18%, metabolic equivalent of tasks 21±13 vs. 7±13%, and time spent performing moderate to vigorous physical activity 114±79 vs. 26±27% for individuals with AMS vs. no AMS, respectively, p<0.05. In addition, erythropoietin and vascular endothelial growth factor were 1.69 and 1.75 times higher, respectively, in those with AMS. In conclusion, workers who engaged in increased physical activity and activity intensity during initial exposure to the South Pole were more susceptible to developing AMS.
Motivational Climate and Physical Activity: A Multigroup Analysis in Romanian and Spanish University Students

Background: Motivational climate in sport is a psychosocial construct which is related with several factors, such as healthy habits and well-being, and is influenced by teachers, trainers, and parents. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between motivational climate, family functionality, and physical activity within a population of students from Spain and Romania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of university students specialization: physical education (n = 605; 20.71 ± 2.42 years old), using the perceived motivational climate in sport questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2), the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents (PAQ-A), and the family functionality scale (APGAR) as the main instruments. IBM SPSS Amos was used for data analysis in the structural equation model that was developed. Results: We observed positive relationships between task-oriented climate, family functionality, and the level of physical activity, showing higher regression weights for Spanish university students. Ego-oriented climate was negatively related to family functionality in Spanish university students, while this association was positive in Romanian students. Moreover, the relationship between physical activity and functional family was stronger in respondents from Spain. Conclusions: It can be pointed out that a better family functionality can promote higher levels of physical activity and self-determined motivations in sports shown by task-oriented motivational climates. Thus, it is essential to take into account the influence of family in the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Applying Conditional Random Fields into Bioinformatics

In this thesis, we investigate Conditional Random Fields (CRFs) to predict the orientations and locations of alpha helices in transmembrane proteins. CRFs are discriminative undirected graphical models which are known to have several advantages over other classification models. We have selected 18 features to capture the structural information within the amino acids sequences. Most of these features are based on domain knowledge in protein science. We used a standard benchmark server to assess the performance of CRFs, and received the highest score in both the per-segment and per-residue accuracy among twenty eight other methods. We have also set up a CRFs prediction web server, which includes all the optimised parameters obtained from training process. Furthermore, we have carried out detailed experiments comparing CRFs against Maximum Entropy Markov Models (MEMMs), and have shown that CRFs are significantly better than MEMMs in predicting the location of helix segments in transmembrane proteins.
Toxicity and field persistence of thiamethoxam and dinotefuran against cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassica L. (Homoptera: Aphididae) under laboratory and field conditions

Cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassica L. is one of the most destructive and economically important insect pests of canola ( Brassica napus L.) worldwide including Egypt. Few information is available on the effect of neonicotinoid insecticides (thiamethoxam and dinotefuran) against cabbage aphid on canola fields in Egypt, particularly in Assiut Governorate. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the toxicity and field persistence of thiamethoxam and dinotefuran against cabbage aphid under laboratory and field conditions. Under laboratory condition, thiamethoxam was showed high toxic effect against adult field strain of cabbage aphid with LC 50 values, 84.10, 6.60 and 3.21 mg/L after 24, 48 and 72 hrs post treatment, respectively. In addition, dinotefuran also exhibited toxic effect against this pest but less than thiamethoxam where the LC 50 values were 300.50, 43.85 and 6.74 mgL -1 , respectively after the periods of exposure. Based on the relative potency values, thiamethoxam was more effective than dinotefuran with 3.6, 6.6 and 2.1 fold after the periods of exposure. Under field condition, both thiamethoxam and dinotefuran exhibited efficiency against cabbage aphid population on canola plants after one, three, seven, fifteen and twenty-one days of treatments but thiamethoxam was more efficient than dinotefuran. Cabbage aphid reduction percent were 62.07, 89.80, 96.02, 96.59 and 94.55% for thiamethoxam and 8.58, 65.63, 86.77, 93.92 and 71.18% for dinotefuran after periods of exposure. The obtained data from this study indicated that thiamethoxam have a high toxicity effect against cabbage aphid under laboratory and field conditions. Based on our results, we suggest using thiamethoxam for cabbage aphid control in canola fields in Assiut Governorate, however more trails are needed about which in other Egyptian Governorates.
Cx43 phosphorylation–mediated effects on ERK and Akt protect against ischemia reperfusion injury and alter the stability of the stress-inducible protein NDRG1

Gap junctions contain intercellular channels that enable intercellular communication of small molecules while also serving as a signaling scaffold. Connexins, the proteins that form gap junctions in vertebrates, are highly regulated and typically have short (<2 h) half-lives. Connexin43 (Cx43), the predominate connexin in the myocardium and epithelial tissues, is phosphorylated on more than a dozen serine residues and interacts with a variety of protein kinases. These interactions regulate Cx43 and gap junction formation and stability. Casein kinase 1 (CK1)–mediated phosphorylation of Cx43 promotes gap junction assembly. Using murine knock-in technology and quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation assays, we show here that mutation of the CK1 phosphorylation sites in Cx43 reduces the levels of total Cx43 in the myocardium and increases Cx43 phosphorylation on sites phosphorylated by extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK). In aged myocardium, we found that, compared with WT Cx43, mutant Cx43 expression increases ERK activation, phosphorylation of Akt substrates, and protection from ischemia-induced injury. Our findings also uncovered that Cx43 interacts with the hypoxia-inducible protein N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 1 protein (NDRG1) and that Cx43 phosphorylation status controls this interaction and dramatically affects NDRG1 stability. We propose that, in addition to altering gap junction stability, Cx43 phosphorylation directly and dynamically regulates cellular signaling through ERK and Akt in response to ischemic injury. We conclude that gap junction–dependent NDRG1 regulation might explain some cellular responses to hypoxia.
The Role of Leader's Talent Management Ability in Relations between Leadership Styles and Organizational Effectiveness

Currently, talent management has been considered as one of the most important responsibilities of leaders and HR departments in enterprises. This study aims to investigate the role of leader's talent management ability and the manners which leadership styles affect organizational effectiveness. A theoretical review and hypothesized research model are presented. To test the hypotheses, SPSS program was performed on the data collected from 356 employees working at various firms in Daegu City and Kyongsang North Province. Then the results show several implications and provide many contributions. The first one is our study extends the research on talent management from a traditional human resource management point of view to a leadership perspective. Second, our research is the first attempt to identify a leader's talent management ability as affects the correlation between leadership and organizational effectiveness. Finally, this study reveals that a leader's talent management ability directly and indirectly influences organizational effectiveness.
Radiomic measures from chest high-resolution computed tomography associated with lung function in sarcoidosis

Introduction Pulmonary sarcoidosis is a rare heterogeneous lung disease of unknown aetiology, with limited treatment options. Phenotyping relies on clinical testing including visual scoring of chest radiographs. Objective radiomic measures from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) may provide additional information to assess disease status. As the first radiomics analysis in sarcoidosis, we investigate the potential of radiomic measures as biomarkers for sarcoidosis, by assessing 1) differences in HRCT between sarcoidosis subjects and healthy controls, 2) associations between radiomic measures and spirometry, and 3) trends between Scadding stages. Methods Radiomic features were computed on HRCT in three anatomical planes. Linear regression compared global radiomic features between sarcoidosis subjects (n=73) and healthy controls (n=78), and identified associations with spirometry. Spatial differences in associations across the lung were investigated using functional data analysis. A subanalysis compared radiomic features between Scadding stages. Results Global radiomic measures differed significantly between sarcoidosis subjects and controls (p<0.001 for skewness, kurtosis, fractal dimension and Geary's C), with differences in spatial radiomics most apparent in superior and lateral regions. In sarcoidosis subjects, there were significant associations between radiomic measures and spirometry, with a large association found between Geary's C and forced vital capacity (FVC) (p=0.008). Global radiomic measures differed significantly between Scadding stages (p<0.032), albeit nonlinearly, with stage IV having more extreme radiomic values. Radiomics explained 71.1% of the variability in FVC compared with 51.4% by Scadding staging alone. Conclusions Radiomic HRCT measures objectively differentiate disease abnormalities, associate with lung function and identify trends in Scadding stage, showing promise as quantitative biomarkers for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Radiomic measures identify pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities in sarcoidosis and are highly associated with lung function, suggesting that radiomics could enhance visual reads and result in improved patient profiling, disease staging and monitoring. http://bit.ly/2HMLaKm
The child survival impact of the Ghana Essential Health Interventions Program: A health systems strengthening plausibility trial in Northern Ghana

Background The Ghana Health Service in collaboration with partner institutions implemented a five-year primary health systems strengthening program known as the Ghana Essential Health Intervention Program (GEHIP). GEHIP was a plausibility trial implemented in an impoverished region of northern Ghana around the World Health Organizations (WHO) six pillars combined with community engagement, leadership development and grassroots political support, the program organized a program of training and action focused on strategies for saving newborn lives and community-engaged emergency referral services. This paper analyzes the effect of the GEHIP program on child survival. Methods Birth history data assembled from baseline and endline surveys are used to assess the hazard of child mortality in GEHIP treatment and comparison areas prior to and after the start of treatment. Difference-in-differences (DiD) methods are used to compare mortality change over time among children exposed to GEHIP relative to children in the comparison area over the same time period. Models test the hypothesis that a package of systems strengthening activities improved childhood survival. Models adjusted for the potentially confounding effects of baseline differentials, secular mortality trends, household characteristics such as relative wealth and parental educational attainment, and geographic accessibility of clinical care. Results The GEHIP combination of health systems strengthening activities reduced neonatal mortality by approximately one half (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28,0.98, p = 0.045). There was a null incremental effect of GEHIP on mortality of post-neonate infants (from 1 to 12 months old) (HR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.30,1.79; p = 0.480) and post-infants (from 1 year to 5 years old) -(HR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.55–1.90; p = 0.940). Age-specific analyses show that impact was concentrated among neonates. However, effect ratios for post-infancy were inefficiently assessed owing to extensive survival history censoring for the later months of childhood. Children were observed only rarely for periods over 40 months of age. Conclusion GEHIP results show that a comprehensive approach to newborn care is feasible, if care is augmented by community-based nurses. It supports the assertion that if appropriate mechanisms are put in place to enable the various pillars of the health system as espoused by WHO in rural impoverished settings where childhood mortality is high, it could lead to accelerated reductions in mortality thereby increasing survival of children. Policy implications of the pronounced neonatal effect of GEHIP merit national review for possible scale-up.
Comparative study of proximate, phytochemical and mineral compositions of edible plant fruits/seeds from Nigerian rainforest

Proximate, phytochemical and mineral compositions of Aframomum melegueta, Dacryodes edulis, Dialium guineense, Gambeya albida and Garcinia kola were studied at Umudike, Nigeria. Fruits of these five plant species were collected in separately labeled and marked polythene bags at the rainforest at Umudike, Nigeria. The edible parts were separated from the non edible parts. The edible parts were put in labeled envelopes and dried in an oven set at 65 °C for 24 hours. The proximate, phytochemical and mineral compositions of each sample were analyzed at the laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Umudike. There were differences between species in the percent carbohydrate, ash, protein and fibre contents. All the fruits/seeds contained between 3.94 and 11.18 percent moisture, 26.67 and 89.92 percent carbohydrate and between 0.26 and 5.97 percent fat. Iron had a low concentration ranging from 36.43 to 117.83 mg/kg. Nickel and mercury were in trace amount in Dialium guineense and Aframomum melegueta. Calcium ranged from 0.06 to 2.56 mg/100 mg, magnesium ranged from 0.22 to 0.98 mg/100 mg, potassium ranged from 0.26 to 1.05 mg/100 mg, sodium ranged from 0.18 to 0.85 mg/100 mg and phosphorus ranged from 0.14 to 0.76 mg/100 mg. The order of lead contents is as follows: Garcinia kola > Aramomum melegueta > Dialuim guineense > Dacryodes edulis > Gambeya albida. It was concluded that little quantity of Aframomum melegueta, Dialium guineense, Gambeya albida and Garcinia kola should be taken when the need arises as these contain reasonable amount of copper, zinc, lead and mercury. These metals could have adverse effects on the liver and kidney of the consumers when a large quantity is taken.
Exploring the Views and Dietary Practices of Older People at Risk of Malnutrition and Their Carers: A Qualitative Study

Background: While malnutrition is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older people, it is commonly under-recognised. We know little on the views of community-dwelling older people and their carers regarding the management of malnutrition. The aim of the study was: (a) to explore views and dietary practices of older people at risk of malnutrition and their carers; (b) to identify gaps in knowledge, barriers and facilitators to healthy eating in later life; (c) to explore potential interventions for malnutrition in primary care. Methods: A qualitative study was performed using semi-structured interviews with participants recruited from four general practices and a carers’ focus group in London. Community-dwelling people aged ≥75, identified as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (n = 24), and informal carers of older people (n = 9) were interviewed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Older people at risk of malnutrition rarely recognise appetite or weight loss as a problem. Commonly held perceptions include that being thin is healthy and ‘snacking’ is unhealthy. Changes in household composition, physical or mental health conditions and cognitive impairment can lead to inadequate food intake. Most carers demonstrate an awareness of malnutrition, but also a lack of knowledge of what constitutes a nutritious diet. Although older people rarely seek any help, most would value advice from their GP/practice nurse, a dietitian or another trained professional. Conclusion: Older people at risk of malnutrition and their carers lack knowledge on nutritional requirements in later life but are receptive to intervention. Training for health professionals in delivering tailored dietary advice should be considered.
Multistep cascade annihilations of dark matter and the Galactic Center excess

If dark matter is embedded in a non-trivial dark sector, it may annihilate and decay to lighter dark-sector states which subsequently decay to the Standard Model. Such scenarios - with annihilation followed by cascading dark-sector decays - can explain the apparent excess GeV gamma-rays identified in the central Milky Way, while evading bounds from dark matter direct detection experiments. Each 'step' in the cascade will modify the observable signatures of dark matter annihilation and decay, shifting the resulting photons and other final state particles to lower energies and broadening their spectra. We explore, in a model-independent way, the effect of multi-step dark-sector cascades on the preferred regions of parameter space to explain the GeV excess. We find that the broadening effects of multi-step cascades can admit final states dominated by particles that would usually produce too sharply peaked photon spectra; in general, if the cascades are hierarchical (each particle decays to substantially lighter particles), the preferred mass range for the dark matter is in all cases 20-150 GeV. Decay chains that have nearly-degenerate steps, where the products are close to half the mass of the progenitor, can admit much higher DM masses. We map out the region of mass/cross-section parametermore » space where cascades (degenerate, hierarchical or a combination) can fit the signal, for a range of final states. In the current paper, we study multi-step cascades in the context of explaining the GeV excess, but many aspects of our results are general and can be extended to other applications. « less