Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of concurrent chemoradiation on quality of life in locally advanced head and neck cancers

Radiotherapy of head and neck cancers as a unimodality does not significantly impact on Quality of life (QOL). In contrast, multimodality treatment decreases QOL. A novel approach is necessary to assess its multidimensional aspects. A general module, which assesses symptoms commonly experienced by cancer patients, is supplemented by a site or treatment-specific module, can assess difficulties unique to that particular type of cancer. There are specific instruments with which QOL can be measured in head and neck cancer patients. This is a single arm prospective observational study to assess deterioration of QOL in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients undergoing curative concurrent chemo radiation. This study is based on the assessment of changes in various domains of Quality of life over a period of 3 months post therapy.
Optical control of the printed dipole antenna

This paper describes the various properties of the printed dipole antenna on optically plasma-induced semiconductor substrates. These properties are analyzed by using the spectral domain moment method. The input impedance and radiation pattern were calculated within the plasma densities from 0 to 2.0 × 1017 m−2 for semiconductor silicon substrate. Considering the equivalent circuit performance of the antenna, it is shown that the optical illumination is equivalent to loss loading to the antenna. Therefore, it reduces the input impedance and the radiation pattern also has significantly smaller amplitude compared to that without optical illumination. A half-wavelength antenna is fabricated on a high-resistivity silicon wafer by aluminum vapor deposition. The input impedance and radiation pattern were measured at the S band. The measured results agree considerably well with the theory.
Experimental Investigation on Performance and Emission Characteristics of Low Heat Rejection Diesel Engine with Ethanol as Fuel

Problem statement: Depleting petroleum reserves on the earth and increasing concerns about the environment leads to the question for fuels which are eco-friendly safer for human beings. The objective of present work was to investigate the effect of coating on piston, cylinder head and valves of a Diesel engine on the performance and emission characteristics of exhaust gases using wet ethanol (5% water) as a fuel. Approach: In this study the effect of Zirconia coating on the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine was investigated using ethanol as sole fuel. For this purpose the cylinder head, valve and piston of the test engine were coated with a partially stabilized Zirconia of 0.5 mm thick by the plasma spray coating method. For comparing the performance of the engine with coated components with the base engine, readings were taken before and after coating. To make the diesel engine to work with ethanol a modification was done. Results: The engine’s performance was studied for both wet ethanol and diesel with and without Zirconia coating. Also the emissions values are recorded to study the engine’s behavior on emissions. Satisfactory performance was obtained with Zirconia coating compared with a standard diesel engine. The brake thermal efficiency was increased up to 1.64% for ethanol with coating and there was a significant reduction in the specific fuel consumption. The NOx, CO and HC emissions in the engine exhaust decreases with coating. Conclusion: Using ethanol as sole fuel for a LHR diesel engine causes an improvement in the performance characteristics and significant reduction in exhaust emissions.
Use and Users of Digital Resources: A Focus on Undergraduate Education in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Use and Users of Digital Resources: A Focus on Undergraduate Education in the Humanities and Social Sciences April 5, 2006 Authors: Diane Harley, Ph.D., Principal Investigator Jonathan Henke, Shannon Lawrence, Ian Miller, Irene Perciali, Ph.D., and David Nasatir, Ph.D. With contributions from Charis Kaskiris and Cara Bautista Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE), University of California, Berkeley Funders: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Hewlett-Packard Company, the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), the California Digital Library (CDL), and the Vice Chancellor of Research, UC Berkeley Principal Investigator: Diane Harley, Ph.D. Center for Studies in Higher Education South Hall Annex, #4650 Berkeley, CA 94720 Project website: http://digitalresourcestudy.berkeley. edu/ © 2005–2006, Center for Studies in Higher Education
A Qualitative Study Exploring Community Yoga Practice in Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Yoga may improve physical function and reduce disease symptoms in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, little is known about how patients with RA are practicing yoga in the community. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore community yoga practice characteristics and thoughts about yoga practice for adults with RA. DESIGN Participants completed a semi-structured telephone interview with open-ended questions. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interview transcripts. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 17 adults with rheumatologist-diagnosed RA who had participated in yoga within the past year were asked about the decision to start, continue, and stop yoga; the perceived benefits of yoga; components of yoga sessions; and general thoughts about yoga as it relates to RA. RESULTS Although eight different styles of yoga were practiced, commonalities in yoga class components (such as stretching, strengthening, deep breathing, meditation, and positive messaging from the instructor) reveal examples of preferred types of yoga for patients with RA. Three main themes emerged, each with multiple subthemes: (1) motivators (physical fitness, influence of others, reduced price), (2) barriers (cost, symptom burden, class difficulty), and (3) benefits of yoga practice (mind-body, a tool for coping, pride/achievement, social, and "yoga meets you where you are"). CONCLUSION In this study, patients with RA described how yoga practice helped improve physical and psychosocial symptoms related to their disease. Yoga practice, a dynamic exercise, encompassing many different styles, can provide many benefits for adults with RA; however, yoga may not be beneficial for every adult with RA.
PREVALENCE OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES AND MORBIDITY BY INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CHILDREN 0-5 YEARS OF AGE IN IÑAPARI IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

Introduction : Inapari is a town located in Peru, on the border of Brazil, between the Amazonian states of Acre and Amazonas. The local Peruvian children under five years of age present moderate anemia while the percentage of chronic child malnutrition is a major public health problem in the country as a whole. Goals: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of major childhood morbidities caused by anemia, malnutrition, intestinal parasites, toxocariasis, and hepatitis A, and identify connections with the socioeconomic and environmental conditions found in Inapari. Methods : Interviews with questionnaires; anthropometric measurements, collection of feces and venous blood samples. Results : A 20% prevalence of anemia and 8.5% prevalence of chronic malnutrition (height for age deficiency) was found. A pathogenic intestinal parasite was noted in 24.5% of the samples, where Giardia intestinalis (14.7%) was the most frequent. The seroprevalence of toxocariasis was 33.8% and hepatitis A was 21.2%. Conclusion : There is a connection between the results found and the poor living and sanitary conditions of the population. The low income noted is also linked to the malnutrition and anemia detected.
Protocol for Neurophysiological Studies of the Superior and Recurrent Laryngeal Nerves and of the Cricothyroid and Thyroarytenoid Muscles. Clinical Utility

Neurophysiological studies of the larynx using laryngeal electroneuromyography (LENMG), which includes electromyography (EMG) and electroneurography (ENG), are essential for assessing neuromuscular function and for differential diagnosis of voice alterations (dysphonia) secondary to specific laryngeal disease or to other more general processes affecting the larynx. Laryngeal disease can be caused by lesions to nerves (superior or recurrent laryngeal nerves), lesions to muscles innervated by those nerves, abnormalities in neuromuscular transmission, central nervous system alterations, or alterations in joints. Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) was introduced by Weddell G et al. [1]. LEMG was first used in the clinical setting by Faaborg-Andersen K, Buchthal F [2-5]. These authors studied motor unit action potentials, [6-11]. Sawashima M et al. [7] and Sram F. and Kaldova E. [12] were the first authors to report normal electromyographic findings in cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis. Faaborg-Andersen [4] was the first researcher to describe and use this technique for diagnosing paralysis secondary to surgical nerve lesions; this observation was followed by those of others [3,5,7,12-23].
Knowledge of nursing students on vasculogenic lesions

Objective: to assess the knowledge of nursing students on vasculogenic lesions. Methods: cross-sectional and descriptive study conducted in four higher education institutions. Researchers applied a questionnaire to 106 nursing students, which was composed of variables, such as school situation, prior contact and knowledge of students on the subject. Results: the mean score on the characteristics of vasculogenic lesions was higher among public institutions academic (33.0%), among those who reported having provided nursing care for patients with these lesions (37.7%) and among those who claimed to know the difference between venous lesions and arterial lesions (25.5%). The higher amount of correct answers on venous lesions was related to the coloration in perilesional area (74.5%); and on arterial lesions, regarding habits and underlying diseases (67.0%). Conclusion: academics who have practical experience in the care of patients with vasculogenic lesions during undergraduate course had higher theoretical knowledge on the subject.
Optimal control of a storage-retrieval queuing system

A queuing model is proposed for a storage-retrieval system consisting of two service stations, one of which is fed by two competing queues. Costs are charged linearly in the number of jobs in the system, but the model also includes a form of blocking at the storage queue, where additional costs are incurred if the queue length exceeds a given value. A simplified model is analyzed, and the existence of an optimal switching policy is shown. The optimality of a fixed priority rule determined by the cost parameters is established. A fixed priority rule that is optimal for the original model but not independent of the discount factor is derived. <<ETX>>
Explained Variation for Survival Models

This article introduces a new measure of explained variation for use with censored survival data. It is a modified version of a measure previously described by John O'Quigley and colleagues, itself a modification of Nagelkerke's earlier proposal for a general index of determination. I describe Stata programs str2ph, which implements the new measure, and str2d, which implements a measure proposed in 2004 by Royston and Sauerbrei. I provide examples with real data.
A Pilot Comparative Study between Transobturator Tape (TOT) Versus Vaginal Polypropylene Mesh in Management of Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence in Egyptian Women

Aim of work: To assess the efficiency of vaginal polypropylene mesh as a cheaper alternative to Obtape. Patients and methods: Forty qualified patients were subjected to history, examination and investigations including urodynamic studies and the patients were divided into two groups each containing twenty patients. Group 1 underwent the procedure using OB TAPE LG (Mentor Corporation- USA) and Group 2 did the procedure using a polypropylene mesh (Ethicon). Follow-up was done atone and six months post-operatively by clinical exam and by urodynamics (after 6 months only). Results: Age, parity, duration of disease, mode of delivery, menopausal status, associated anterior vaginal wall repair and pre-operative urodynamics were similar in both groups. Success rate was 95% in the mesh group and 90% in the OBTAPE LG (Mentor Corporation- USA) and mean operative time was 18.5 minutes for the mesh and 17.5 minutes for the OBTAPE LG (Mentor Corporation-USA). After 6 months follow-up complications did not differ greatly between the two groups except for mesh erosion which was three cases with Obtape and none with the mesh. Post-operative urodynamics showed significant improvement in cystometric capacity in mesh (P<0.001) and ob Tape (P=0.05), maximum urethral closure pressure in mesh (P=0.01) and obtape (P=0.03), maximum urethral closure pressure at stress in mesh (P=0.04) and obtape (P=0.007) and pressure transmission in mesh (P=0.01) and obtape (P=0.05). Conclusion: Transobturator approach is a safe minimally invasive surgical technique. The use of vaginal mesh for this operation can provide a cheaper alternative for poorly resourced hospital settings. Further studies are needed to properly assess the efficiency of vaginal mesh for this surgical technique.
Insulin Induced Down Regulation of the Progesterone Receptor Number in Neutrophils in the Synthesis of Maspin in Breast Cancer

Purpose: The binding of either progesterone or insulin to their specific receptors on neutrophils has been reported to stimulate nitric oxide (NO) induced maspin synthesis in these cells. Experiments were carried out to determine the role of progesterone receptor interaction in the nitric oxide induced maspin synthesis in neutrophils that was preincubated with insulin. Methods: progesterone receptor positive (PR+), progesterone receptor negative (PR–) neutrophils were isolated from the blood cancer subjects. Maspin was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay after in vitro translation of maspin mRNA. NO was determined by methemoglobin method. Results: Immunohistochemical studies of progesterone receptor (PR) demonstrated the presence of progesterone receptor in the normal peripheral neutrophils and less in number in PR+ breast cancer neutrophils. In contrast, PR– breast cancer neutrophils lacked the progesterone receptor, suggesting pathophysiological defects in the synthesis of PR protein in peripheral PR– neutrophils. It was also found that as a result of incubation of neutrophils with insulin the binding affinity for progesterone to its receptor in normal neutrophils remained essentially unchanged which demonstrated Kd = 47.619 nM compared to Kd of the binding of progesterone is 46.08 nM in the normal neutrophils that were not pretreated with insulin. The progesterone receptors which were 11.5×1010/cell in the untreated cells was found to be decreased to 8.2×1010/cell (p<0.005, n=6) after the same cell were treated with 200μU of insulin. The reduction of PR number on normal neutrophils due to the pretreatment with insulin resulted in the decreased NO induced maspin synthesis from 2.329 ± 0.012 nM to 1.410 ± 0.002 nM. Decreased PR number in PR+ breast cancer neutrophils due to disease condition and pretreatment with insulin reduced the maspin synthesis from 1.138 ± 0.024 nM to 0.555 ± 0.003 nM compared to normal control. Conclusion: These results suggested that insulin down regulated maspin synthesis in normal and in breast cancer neutrophils by decreasing the progesterone receptor number in both cases.
Gender, Simulation, and Gaming: Research Review and Redirections

This review of gender and gameplay research over the past three decades documents a set of persistent methodological repetitions that have systematically impeded its progress since the inception of this trajectory of research. The first is, in fact, a refusal to consider gender at all: Conflating gender with sex impedes possibilities to identify nonstereotypical engagements by girls and women. Second is the persistent attempt to identify sex-specific “patterns” of play and play preferences “characteristic” of girls and women mainly to support and promote these in the name of “gender equity,” whether in women’s involvement in the game industry as designers, in the development and marketing of “games for girls,” or the access and uses of digital games for education, training, and entertainment. Third, it is found that “gender” is an issue in research studies only long enough to dismiss it as a significant variable, which in turn makes any deeper critical interrogation unproductive.
Resveratrol Normalizes Hyperammonemia Induced ProInflammatory and Pro-Apoptotic Conditions in Rat Brain

Chronic liver failure (CLF) led hyperammonemia (HA) is known to develop into a metabolic brain disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy (HE). TNF-α is now considered responsible for mounting neurological complications associated with HA/HE. However, the mechanism that connects inflammation and neuroexcitotoxicity is not yet clear. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural antioxidant and known to mediate its therapeutic actions mainly by scavenging (ROS). RSV is predicted to modulate many cellular targets as well; however, there is little information on its neuroprotective roles. This article describes the effect of RSV treatment on the expression profiles of TNF-α, NFkB and apoptotic factors; Bcl2 & Bax in cerebral cortex and cerebellum of the CLF rats (induced by administration of 100 mg thioacetamide i.p. for 10 days) confirming moderate grade HA. A significant increase in mRNA level of TNF-α (p<0.001) in both of the rat brain regions of HA (cerebral cortex and cerebellum). This was consistent with a similar enhancement in the level of NFkB, a transcription factor for TNF-α synthesis, and thus, suggests induction TNF-α led inflammation in the brain during persistent HA. A significant decline in Bcl2 level (p<0.001) with a significantly enhanced level of Bax further suggested a neurodegenerative condition in those brain regions of the HA rats. Moreover, post treatment of those HA rats, with 10 mg/Kg b.w. RSV for a week, was found to bring all the factors towards their normal level in both the brain regions. The finding suggest that RSV is able to ameliorate moderate HA induced TNF-α led inflammatory cascade and proapoptotic neurodegenerative condition in the rat brain primarily by modulating expression of the inflammatory and apoptotic factors.
Ayurveda Herb Juices and Yoga for Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate: a Controlled Trial

1. Abstract 1.1. Background:increasing hypertension throughout society is increasing health costs. One possible solution, Yoga medicine, is increasingly popular with all strata of society. Here we present a study of methods of Ayurveda and Yoga for blood pressure and pulse rate. 1.2. Methods:The study was a three arm controlled trial over ninety days in Bhopal, India of 112 males. Informed consent was given by all participants and Ethical Clearance granted by the Institutional Ethics Committee. The three arms were: Group 1, Ayurveda herbal juices and Yoga; Group 2, Yoga; Group 3, no intervention. Assessments of blood pressure and pulse rate were made every 15 days. Statistical analysis used Excel and Graph Pad. Ayurveda herbal juices consisted of freshly prepared Wheatgrass, Amla, Adusa and Guduchi, totalling 200 ml. Fresh sprouted moong beans, chickpeas, fenugreek, and peanuts totalling 100 gms were also given daily as a breakfast replacement. 1.3. Results:Significant changes in both variable means and variances were observed. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduced significantly for Group 1 and Group 2; but not significantly for Group 3. Pulse rate decreased significantly for Group 1 and Group 2; but not significantly for Group 3. 1.4. Discussion:Significant decreases in Standard Deviations over the 3-month intervention mean that both Ayurveda Herbal juices and Yoga, and Yoga alone improve variable regulation: both high and low blood pressure normalize. Modern medicine drives variables in one direction, but here Yoga practice has been observed to normalize them.
Miniperc vs Shockwave Lithotripsy for Average-Sized, Radiopaque Lower Pole Calculi: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Abstract Introduction: To detect safety and feasibility of miniperc and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for treatment of average-sized (1–2 cm), radiopaque lower pole calculi in a prospective randomized manner. Patients and Methods: In the period from January 2014 to June 2015, 150 patients were attached to this study with single lower pole radiopaque stone ranging from 10 to 20 mm. Patients were divided randomly into two groups using computer-generated randomization in an equal manner. First group patients were subjected to miniperc procedure, while second group patients underwent SWL. Patient's characters, stones' characters, fluoroscopic time, operative time, blood transfusion, hospital stay, retreatment, auxiliary procedure (AP), and complications using modified Clavien grading are tabulated and analyzed. Results: This study included two equal groups with 75 patients in each group. With regard to age (37.75 ± 11.25 vs 40.55 ± 10.55), body mass index (26.92 ± 2.26 vs 27.29 ± 2.87), and stone.
FLEXIBLE INFORMATION ACQUISITION IN STRATEGIC SITUATIONS

My dissertation focuses on exible information acquisition in strategic environments. "Flexible" means that people choose not only the quantity but also the qualitative nature of their information. This is modeled by rational inattention where information acquisition incurs a cost proportional to reduction of entropy. Hence, people only collect information most relevant to their payo¤s but be rationally inattentive to other aspects. In strategic environments, peoples incentives to acquire information are shaped by their payo¤ structures, which depend on others strategies. My dissertation addresses the key questions like what information is acquired and how it a¤ects equilibrium outcomes. Chapter 1 studies the optimality of securitized debt under exible information acquisition. A seller designs an asset backed security and a buyer decides whether to buy it to provide liquidity. Rather than treating the seller as an insider endowed with information, we assume no information asymmetry before bargaining. The buyer has an expertise in exibly acquiring information of the fundamental. She collects the most relevant information determined by the "shape" of the security, which may endogenously generate adverse selection. Hence, the seller deliberately designs the security in order to induce the buyer to acquire information least harmful to the sellers interest. Issuing securitized debt is uniquely optimal in raising liquidity regardless of the stochastic interdependence of underlying assets. Fixed aggregate risk and homogeneous information cost are the key factors driving the results. Chapter 2 studies exible information acquisition in a coordination game with binary actions. When information is cheap, this exibility enables players to acquire information that makes e¢ cient coordination possible, while also leads to multiple equilibria. This result contrasts with the global game literature, where information structure is less exible and cheap information leads to unique equilibrium with ine¢ cient coordination. Moreover, di¤ering from decision problems with information iii acquisition, players could be strictly better o¤ if they can throw away information. We also go beyond the entropic information cost to highlight the key aspects of exibility and how they drive our results. Chapter 3 examines exible information acquisition in linear best-response games. Introducing capacity constraints on information acquisition dampens both peoples responses and their incentives to acquire information. We show an equivalence between the games with capacity constraints and the games without such constraints but having lower strategic externalities.