Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Merging Prospect Theory with the Analytic Hierarchy Process: Applications to Technology Markets

This thesis presents a model for the buying behavior of consumers in a technology market. In this model, a potential consumer is not perfectly rational, but exhibits bounded rationality following the axioms of prospect theory: reference dependence, diminishing returns and loss sensitivity. To evaluate the products on different criteria, the analytic hierarchy process is used, which allows for relative comparisons. The analytic hierarchy process proposes that when making a choice between several alternatives, one should measure the products by comparing them relative to each other. This allows the user to put numbers to subjective criteria. Additionally, evidence suggests that a consumer will often consider not only their own evaluation of a product, but also the choices of other consumers. Thus, the model in this paper applies prospect theory to products with multiple attributes using word of mouth as a criteria in the evaluation.
Cross-modality feature learning for three-dimensional brain image synthesis

Multi-modality medical imaging is increasingly used for comprehensive assessment of complex diseases in either diagnostic examinations or as part of medical research trials. Different imaging modalities provide complementary information about living tissues. However, multi-modal examinations are not always possible due to adversary factors such as patient discomfort, increased cost, prolonged scanning time and scanner unavailability. In addition, in large imaging studies, incomplete records are not uncommon owing to image artifacts, data corruption or data loss, which compromise the potential of multi-modal acquisitions. Moreover, independently of how well an imaging system is, the performance of the imaging equipment usually comes to a certain limit through different physical devices. Additional interferences arise (particularly for medical imaging systems), for example, limited acquisition times, sophisticated and costly equipment and patients with severe medical conditions, which also cause image degradation. The acquisitions can be considered as the degraded version of the original high-quality images. In this dissertation, we explore the problems of image super-resolution and cross-modality synthesis for one Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) modality from an image of another MRI modality of the same subject using an image synthesis framework for reconstructing the missing/complex modality data. We develop models and techniques that allow us to connect the domain of source modality data and the domain of target modality data, enabling transformation between elements of the two domains. In particular, we first introduce the models that project both source modality data and target modality data into a common multi-modality feature space in a supervised setting. This common space then allows us to connect cross-modality features that depict a relationship between each other, and we can impose the learned association function that synthesizes any target modality image. Moreover, we develop a weakly-supervised method that takes a few registered multi-modality image pairs as training data and generates the desired modality data without being constrained a large number of multi-modality images collection of well-processed (\textit{e.g.}, skull-stripped and strictly registered) brain data. Finally, we propose an approach that provides a generic way of learning a dual mapping between source and target domains while considering both visually high-fidelity synthesis and task-practicability. We demonstrate that this model can be used to take any arbitrary modality and efficiently synthesize the desirable modality data in an unsupervised manner. We show that these proposed models advance the state-of-the-art on image super-resolution and cross-modality synthesis tasks that need jointly processing of multi-modality images and that we can design the algorithms in ways to generate the practically beneficial data to medical image analysis.
Primary Malignant Bones Cancers in Cote d’Ivoire: Epidemiological and Histopathological Aspects

Primary bones cancers are rare and ubiquitous malignant tumors. Aim: Our study aimed was to describe the epidemiological and histopathological aspects of primary malignant bone cancers in Ivory Coast. Material and method: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of primary malignant bone cancers diagnosed over the period 1990 to 2013 (24 years). The studied parameters were: epidemiological aspects (frequency, age, sex, topography) and histological aspects. Results: Over the study period, primary malignant bone cancers accounted for 1.93% (n = 228) of cancers. The average age was 27.02 years with extremes of 2 and 85 years. The sex ratio was 1.65. They were in the skull and maxilla in 43.9% (n = 105), lower limbs (23.8%), spine and ribs (19.8%), pelvis (5.3%) and upper limbs (2.3%). The clinic was dominated by pain and alteration of general state. Radiology was variable depending on the histological type. In children, primary malignant bone cancers were found in the maxillary (77.9%) and the lower limb (15.8%). Burkitt’s lymphomas represented 36.4% (n = 66) of the histological types followed by 22.4% osteosarcomas (n = 51). In adults at histology, sarcomas were the most common (10%), followed by cancers of the hematopoietic and lymphatic organs (8.09%). Conclusion: Primary malignant bone cancers are rare in Ivory Coast. They most often affect male children with maxillofacial involvement and predominant lower extremity. Burkitt’s lymphoma and osteosarcoma are the often diagnosed histological types.
Positive Association Between Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration and Biomarkers of Inflammation, Thrombosis, and Prediabetes in Non-Diabetic Adults

AIMS Recent studies suggest elevated levels of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) can predict the risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD), even in individuals considered to be at low risk for cardiovascular disease(CVD) based on their LDL-C levels. This study aims to prospectively investigate the association between sdLDL-C concentration and traditional and nontraditional CHD risk markers to explore the underlying roles of sdLDL-C in atherogenic processes. METHODS Between 2009 and 2011, 594 healthy volunteers aged 35-65 years were recruited as control subjects in a study of work-related risk factors and acute CHD. All participants fasted for 12-14 h, and venous blood samples were collected in the morning to measure serum lipid profiles and other CHD-related markers. A standard oral glucose tolerance test was performed on all participants to assess their subclinical diabetes and prediabetes status. RESULTS There were significantly positive associations between sdLDL-C concentration and traditional (age, smoking and alcohol drinking habit, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), serum lipid profiles, and diabetes status) and nontraditional risk factors (complete blood counts, (CBC), fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and subclinical diabetes status) for CVD. After adjusting for confounding variables which include age, gender, BMI, hypertension, household income, and smoking and alcohol drinking habits, all atherosclerotic risk markers except D-dimer were significantly and positively associated with sdLDL-C. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated sdLDL-C is strongly associated with atherosclerotic risk markers, such as inflammation, thrombosis, hematological markers, and prediabetes. This study supports the hypothesis that sdLDL-C is a promising CVD risk biomarker.
(E)GPRS hardware dimensioning rules with minimum quality criteria

After describing the basics of the (enhanced) GPRS system, a set of analytical rules applicable both for initial deployment of GPRS networks and for future network expansion are presented. The same set of rules are fully applicable also to enhanced GPRS (EGPRS). Since they are based on a theoretical model and not on particular measurements or simulations, they can be utilized in any general case. The rules are derived from statistical models to calculate the reduction of user throughput at the link level control (LLC) layer due to user multiplexing on shared time slots (TSL). Statistical models are given for packet switch (PS) only and for PS and circuit switch (CS) mixed scenarios. From these rules it is possible to determine the required (E)GPRS hardware resources to fulfill minimum quality criteria. Furthermore, the analytical results are compared with the results obtained from network simulations.
Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and In-Hospital Outcome of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Patients Younger than 40 Years in Kermanshah, 2010 - 11

Background: CAD is the most important public health issue in developing and developed countries. Therefore, this study was done with the objective of determining epidemiology, risk factors, and in-hospital outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients younger than 40 years, admitted to the hospital of Kermanshah, Iran in 2010-11. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, CAD risk factors and in-hospital outcome of ACS patients who were younger than 40 years at the time of admission were extracted from their medical records. A total number of 2,084 medical records were reviewed, of which 125 records met the criteria and were included. The required information were gathered and inserted into the ACS registry developed by the European Society of Cardiology. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software (ver. 20.0) using descriptive indices and the Chi-squared test. Results: Of 125 patients, there were 98 male and 27 females with age range of 19 to 40 years (mean age of 36.67 ±5.19 years). About 44.8% had unstable angina, 14.4 had Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) and 27.2% had non Q-wave MI. All patients were alive at the time of the study and only one patient (0.8%) had history of MI. Conclusion: Unstable angina in individuals younger than 40 years is becoming common and is three times more common in males than in females.
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in sickle cell anaemia patients with nephropathy.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with a chronic inflammatory component; blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been described as a marker of organ dysfunction and clinical outcome in diseases associated with systemic inflammation. Objective: To evaluate NLR in Nigerian SCA patients with nephropathy. Methods: Seventy-nine (79) SCA patients in steady state and 50 aged-matched controls were prospectively enrolled for this study. Full blood count and dip-stick macro-albuminuria were done for each participant and data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05. Original Research Article John et al.; BJMMR, 10(11): 1-6, 2015; Article no.BJMMR. 20404 2 Results: The NLR was significantly higher in cases compared with controls (1.49±0.76 vs. 1.20±0.34, P=0.01) and the ANC was significantly higher in those with NLR ≥ 3.0 compared with those with NLR <3.0 (12.22±5.26x10/L vs. 6.10±2.96x10/L, respectively, P<0.001). Between cases with and without macro-albuminuria and controls, the means of NLR was significantly different (P=0.024). Macro-albuminuria was present in 16 (21.9%) of cases (all of which had NLR <3.0), this was not significantly correlated with NLR (r=-0.99, P=0.71). Conclusion: No significant relationship was observed between NLR and SCA nephropathy.
Visually Grouping Operands: Perceptual Factors Influence Arithmetic Performance.

Perceptual characteristics of mathematical equations may influence solvers’ problem solving. For example, in a study of equations involving addition and multiplication, Landy and Goldstone (2010) showed that participants tended to perform narrowly spaced operations first, suggesting that spacing affects how symbols are grouped for problem solving. Building on this past work, we examined whether perceptual factors affect participants’ interpretations of the minus sign. In an experiment with undergraduates, we manipulated the spacing of the operands and the position of the minus sign relative to its neighboring operands. Both the operands' spacing and the position of the minus sign affected performance. These results hold implications for the processing of symbolic representations and for mathematics education.
Focal Fat Deposition Developed in the Segment IV of the Liver Following Gastrectomy Mimicking a Hepatic Metastasis: Two Case Reports.

The relation between the focal fat deposition or sparing developed at the posterior area of the segment IV in the liver and the aberrant right gastric vein (ARGV) is well established (1, 2). Currently, late development of the focal fat deposition in this area, following the surgery, especially after the gastrectomy, is not well understood. However, these low-attenuating lesions, found on a computed tomography (CT), have clinical significance, in that they may mimic hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer (3). In the two cases presented here, we demonstrated focal fat deposition in this area on a CT scan, which was developed following a gastrectomy, and discussed the mechanism of its development.
Effects of Aroma Inhalation on Fatigue and Sleep Quality of Postpartum Mothers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of aroma inhalation on fatigue and quality of sleep of postpartum mothers. Method: The study design was a non-equivalent control group pre-post design. 51 Postpartum mothers were assigned either to a control group or to an experimental group that was exposed to aromas through inhalation for 6 days. Subjects in the experimental group were instructed to wear a necklace filled with Lavender and Eucalyptus oil from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM every day. Fatigue was measured using the Rhoten Fatigue Scale. Sleep duration, night arousal frequency and sleep satisfaction were used to assess the quality of sleep. Result: There was a significant difference in the score of fatigue following the treatment between the experimental and control groups (t=-2.79 p=.00). However, there was no significant difference in sleep duration, frequency of night arousal and sleep satisfaction following aroma inhalation between two groups. Conclusion: This intervention appears to be effective in reducing the fatigue in postpartum mothers.
An Exploratory Study of the Tourist-computer interaction: the role of web site Usabilityon Hotel Quality Perception

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the perception of a hotel website on the tourists’ perception of the hotel’s overall quality, in relation to the effects of functionalities, language, layout and graphics. We interviewed 50 subjects with experience on online hotel booking and we used the structural equation model to analyse the collected data. Our findings demonstrated the mediating role of layout and graphics on tourists’ perception of the hotel overall quality. The results show both the positive influence of a more appealing website on users’ perception of hotel overall quality and the main influencing factors of a good hotel website from a tourists’ point of view. Hence, it might be appropriate to mix an appealing layout and an effective graphics with more functionalities, by implementing innovative web user’s interfaces for an easier and entertaining browsing.
Pattern of Substance Abuse among Clients at a Drug Treatment Centre in Jos: A 5-year Prospective Study

Background : Substance abuse is a worldwide problem and public health issue with attendant health, social, and economic consequences. However, the types of substances and pattern of abuse vary from place to place and with time. Aim : The aim of the study was to determine the pattern of substance use with the specific objectives of determining the sociodemographic profile of clients and to determine the type of substances abused. Methods : All clients who consented to treatment at the Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, Vom between 2007 and 2011 were recruited consecutively throughout the period of study. They all had a standard psychiatric interview, and all their substance use information was recorded. They were also further assessed with the Treatnet Addiction Severity Index (ASI), MMPI-2™ and had urine toxicology carried out to determine the type of substances used as well as other laboratory investigations. The diagnosis was made from information gathered from interview and clinical investigations throughout the duration of treatment according to ICD-10 (RDC). Results : A total of 345 clients were treated. There was a preponderance of males, 333 (96.5%) who were mainly single, 288 (83.5%) and Christians, 320 (92,8%). All had some form of formal education with 214(62.0%) educated beyond secondary school. The unemployed were the majority, 247 (71.6%) followed by students,164 (47.5% ). The mean age of onset was 18.1± 6.3 and the mean age of the sample was 29.7 ± 9.3years. Majority, 193 (56.0%) were within the age group 20 -29 years. The commonest substance of abuse was alcohol, 287 (83.2%) followed by cigarette, 240 (69.6%) and cannabis, 225( 65.2%) . A great majority of the subjects were multiple substance abusers, 281(81.4%); and the commonest combination of substances was that of alcohol, cigarette and marijuana, 93 (27.0%); followed by combination of alcohol and cigarette, 48 (13.9%). More than two thirds of clients, 241(69.9%) were dependent on various substances with 99 (28.7%) dependent on alcohol only. Conclusion : Substance abuse occurred predominantly in young males of low socioeconomic status and began early in life. Majority of clients used multiple substances and most were dependent in various substances. This has great health and socioeconomic consequences. We recommend coordinated efforts among Government, Communities and Non - Governmental Organizations to provide health education and counseling in schools and communities, include substance abuse education and treatment in all health institutions and provide more treatment and rehabilitation centres in order to improve quality of life. Key words : Pattern, substance abuse, clients.
Collection development of electronic resources in management libraries of India

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the current practices related to e-resource collection development in management libraries of India with special reference to the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi with some constructive suggestions for improvement in this area. ,A well-structured questionnaire was administered to the librarians of the nine management libraries under study. ,The management libraries are actively involved in building e-resource collection. The budget allocation for purchase of e-resources has increased progressively over the years in majority of the libraries. The factors that, to a great extent, affect selection of e-resources include quality, subject coverage, license agreements and vendor support. The study found that libraries associated with management institutions such as ABS, DMS-IITD, FMS, BIMECH and FSM need to add more management-related databases. ,The paper restricts the study exclusively to e-resources as the type of material and the librarians of nine major management institutions of NCR of Delhi as the respondents in its scope of discussion. ,The study is of great importance to information professionals of similar management institutions in India. The recommendations made could also help solve some of the challenges that are being faced. ,Very little is known about the electronic resource collection development practices followed in management institutes’ libraries of India owing to lack of significant research undertaken on the topic. This study is, therefore, significant because its findings fill up the existing knowledge gap in this area.
Negative pressure wound therapy: eleven-year experience at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Management of complicated wounds is a reconstructive challenge. A reconstructive surgeon has to be ready to face new challenges every day. Negative pressure wound therapy has revolutionized the management of complex wounds. We are presenting our experience with this wound care modality in the past 11 years. Methods: It was a prospective study conducted from January 2006 to December 2016 on patients having wounds of varied etiologies, who consented to participate in this study. Custom made low cost NPWT was used till definitive wound closure. Results: A total of 568 patients consented to participate in the study during these 11 years. No major complications were seen. Most of these were males (60.73%) in their 3 rd and 4 th decade. Trauma was the leading cause of wounds in 38.14%, followed by diabetic foot wounds in 21.5%. Ankle and foot was the most common site of wounds (30.92%) followed by leg (24.01%). A total of 322 small, 218 medium and 97 large size dressings were used. Most of the patients improved with the NPWT. No major complications were seen. Conclusions: NPWT is safe, effective and has proved to be revolutionary in managing difficult wounds. With the use of customized low cost NPWT the benefit can be extended to underprivileged population in under developed nations too.
Is the transdermal fentanyl patch an efficient way to achieve acute postoperative pain control?

Backgroupd: This study investigated the plasma fentanyl concentration and efficacy of transdermal fentanyl patch (TFP) (25 &mgr;g/h) in the management of acute postoperative pain. Methods: Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The TFP group (n = 30) received a single TFP 25 &mgr;g/ h to the anterior chest wall 14 h before operation. The IV group (n = 30) received a placebo patch. After the operation, intravenous fentanyl infusion (25 &mgr;g/h) was begun with loading dose 25 &mgr;g in the IV group and only normal saline in the TFP group. Plasma fentanyl levels were measured at admission, 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. Pain severity and adverse effects were evaluated too. Results: The fentanyl level peaked 1 h after operation in the TFP group (3.27 ± 0.34 ng/mL) and 24 h postoperatively in the IV group (2.9 ± 0.42 ng/mL). Pain scores and the use of rescue analgesics were not significantly different between 2 groups. Respiratory depression was not happened in both groups. Conclusions: The TFP (25 &mgr;g/h) affixed 14 h before surgery reached a higher constant concentration than the same dose setting of a constant IV infusion of fentanyl after surgery. Although the concentration of fentanyl was higher than those of previous researches, there was no respiratory depression. But, there was no advantage of reducing pain score and the use of rescue analgesics. Clinical trial registration: (available at: http://cris.nih.go.kr, KCT0002221).
An anthropological study into the views on diet and disease of a sample of Hindu Gujarati‐speaking women with Type 2 diabetes

Are perceptions of an appropriate diet by Asian Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) sufferers affected by cultural background? Twenty Hindu women of South Asian origin, all Gujarati-speaking and with a mean age of 60 years, were interviewed in depth by the author in the company of a Gujarati-speaker. The interviews consisted of open and closed questions targeted towards the patients'views of illness and how it was treated, with particular regard to diet. The findings showed that, in this group, the most problematic aspect of Type 2 diabetes was keeping to an appropriate diet, despite good knowledge of the complications associated with uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Most of the women felt a need to be seen as participating in the social and cultural values of people of their own age in their United Kingdom Asian community and, for them, these revolved largely around eating food.