Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A change point method for linear profile data

We propose a change point approach based on the segmented regression technique for testing the constancy of the regression parameters in a linear profile data set. Each sample collected over time in the historical data set consists of several bivariate observations for which a simple linear regression model is appropriate. The change point approach is based on the likelihood ratio test for a change in one or more regression parameters. We compare the performance of this method to that of the most effective Phase I linear profile control chart approaches using a simulation study. The advantages of the change point method over the existing methods are greatly improved detection of sustained step changes in the process parameters and improved diagnostic tools to determine the sources of profile variation and the location(s) of the change point(s). Also, we give an approximation for appropriate thresholds for the test statistic. The use of the change point method is demonstrated using a data set from a calibration application at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal intravascular inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membranes

Objective: Intrauterine inflammation has been implicated in the mechanisms responsible for preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). However, it is unclear whether this inflammatory process remains localized to the uterus, at the site of membrane rupture, or extends to the maternal compartment. Flow cytometric analysis is a sensitive method to assess the presence and magnitude of in vivo inflammation. This study was conducted to determine whether preterm PROM is associated with changes in the phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of maternal granulocytes and monocytes consistent with the presence of maternal intravascular inflammation. Study design: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed including patients with preterm PROM (n = 43) and with a normal pregnancy (n = 51). Maternal inflammation was assessed by flow cytometric analysis of maternal plasma. Intravascular inflammation was studied using flow cytometry. Maternal blood was assayed to determine granulocyte and monocyte phenotypes using monoclonal antibodies, which included cluster differentiation (CD) markers CD11b, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD18, CD49d, CD62L, CD64, CD66b and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR. The presence of basal intracellular oxygen radical species (iROS) and oxidative burst was assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted with the use of non-parametric methods. A p value < 0.01 was considered significant. Results: Preterm PROM was associated with a significant increase in the median mean channel brightness (MCB) of CD11b, CD14, CD64 and CD66b on granulocytes and median MCB of CD11b on monocytes. The ratio of oxidative burst over basal iROS in both granulocytes and monocytes was higher in preterm PROM than in normal pregnancy (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Preterm PROM is associated with a maternal intravascular inflammatory response.
An Automatic Detection System of Lung Nodule Based on Multigroup Patch-Based Deep Learning Network

High-efficiency lung nodule detection dramatically contributes to the risk assessment of lung cancer. It is a significant and challenging task to quickly locate the exact positions of lung nodules. Extensive work has been done by researchers around this domain for approximately two decades. However, previous computer-aided detection (CADe) schemes are mostly intricate and time-consuming since they may require more image processing modules, such as the computed tomography image transformation, the lung nodule segmentation, and the feature extraction, to construct a whole CADe system. It is difficult for these schemes to process and analyze enormous data when the medical images continue to increase. Besides, some state of the art deep learning schemes may be strict in the standard of database. This study proposes an effective lung nodule detection scheme based on multigroup patches cut out from the lung images, which are enhanced by the Frangi filter. Through combining two groups of images, a four-channel convolution neural networks model is designed to learn the knowledge of radiologists for detecting nodules of four levels. This CADe scheme can acquire the sensitivity of 80.06% with 4.7 false positives per scan and the sensitivity of 94% with 15.1 false positives per scan. The results demonstrate that the multigroup patch-based learning system is efficient to improve the performance of lung nodule detection and greatly reduce the false positives under a huge amount of image data.
Multi-armed bandits for efficient lifetime estimation in MPSoC design

Reliability in integrated circuits is becoming a critical issue with the miniaturization of electronics. Smaller process technologies have led to higher power densities, resulting in higher temperatures and earlier device wear-out. One way to mitigate failure is by over-provisioning resources and remapping tasks from failed components to components with spare capacity, or slack. Since the slack allocation design space is large, finding the optimal is difficult, as brute-force approaches are impractical. During design space exploration, device lifetimes are typically evaluated using Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS) by sampling each design equally; this method is inefficient since poor designs are evaluated as accurately as good designs. A better method will focus sampling time on the designs that are difficult to distinguish, reducing the time required to evaluate a set of designs; this can be accomplished using Multi-armed Bandit (MAB) Algorithms. This work demonstrates that MAB achieve the same level of accuracy as MCS in 1.45 to 5.26 times fewer samples.
Modulation of Adenylate Energy Charge During the Swarmer Cycle of Hyphomicrobium neptunium

Adenylate energy charge was measured in the budding bacterium Hyphomicrobium neptunium through the course of the swarmer cycle. The energy charge was modulated, being low in swarm cells (0.64) and in cells initiating bud formation (0.57), an event which coincides with a round of DNA replication.
Activity‐dependent modulation of GABAergic synapses in developing rat spinal networks in vitro

The role of activity‐dependent plasticity in modulating inhibitory synapses was investigated in embryonic rat spinal cord slice cultures, by chronic exposure to non‐NMDA receptor blockers. GABAergic synaptic efficacy in control and chronic‐treated cultures was investigated by patch‐recordings from visually identified spinal interneurons. In both culture groups proximal stimulation induced the appearance of postsynaptic currents (PSCs), which were fully antagonized by 20 µM bicuculline application and reverse polarity at potential values close to those reported for spontaneous GABAergic PSCs. In chronically treated cells GABAergic evoked PSCs displayed a larger failure rate and a smaller coefficient of variation of mean PSC amplitude, when compared to controls. As opposed to controls, chronic GABAergic evoked PSCs did not facilitate upon paired‐pulse stimulation. Facilitation at chronic synapses was observed when extracellular calcium levels were decreased below physiological values (< 2 mM). Kainate was used to disclose any functional differences between control and treated slices. In accordance with the presynaptic action of kainate, the application of this drug along with GYKI, an AMPA receptor selective antagonist, changed, with analogous potency, short‐term plasticity of GABAergic synapses from control and treated cultures. Nevertheless, in chronic cultures, the downstream effects of such activation unmasked short‐term depression. Ultrastructural analysis of synapses in chronically treated cultures showed a reduction both in symmetric synapses and in the number of vesicles at symmetric terminals. Thus, based on electrophysiological and ultrastructural data, it could be suggested that during the development of spinal circuits, GABAergic synapses are modulated by glutamatergic transmission, and thus implying that excitatory transmission regulates the strength of GABAergic synapses.
Rhoptry-Associated Protein 1-Binding Monoclonal Antibody Raised against a Heterologous Peptide Sequence InhibitsPlasmodium falciparum Growth In Vitro

ABSTRACT Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry-associated protein 1 (RAP-1) were generated and tested for inhibition of parasite growth in vitro. The majority of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA)-positive MAbs raised against recombinant RAP-1 positions 23 to 711 (rRAP-123–711) recognized epitopes located in the immunodominant N-terminal third of RAP-1. MAbs specific for the building block 35.1 of the synthetic peptide malaria vaccine SPf66 also yielded an IFA staining pattern characteristic for rhoptry-associated proteins and reacted specifically with rRAP-1 and parasite-derived RAP-1 molecules p67 and p82. Cross-reactivity with RAP-1 was blocked by the 35.1 peptide. Epitope mapping with truncated rRAP-1 molecules and overlapping peptides identified the linear RAP-1 sequence Y218KYSL222 as a target of the anti-35.1 MAbs. This sequence lacks primary sequence similarity with the 35.1 peptide (YGGPANKKNAG). Cross-reactivity of the anti-35.1 MAbs thus appears to be associated with conformational rather than sequence homology. While the anti-35.1 MAb SP8.18 exhibited parasite growth-inhibitory activity, none of the tested anti-rRAP-123–711 MAbs inhibited parasite growth, independently of their fine specificity for the RAP-1 sequences at positions 33 to 42, 213 to 222, 243 to 247, 280 to 287, or 405 to 446. The growth-inhibitory activity of MAb SP8.18 was, however, accelerated by noninhibitory anti-RAP-1 MAbs. Results demonstrate that in addition to fine specificity, other binding parameters are also crucial for the inhibitory potential of an antibody.
Risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among blood donors in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem. The lack of information about the seroprevalence and risk factors is an obstacle for preventive public health plans to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis. Therefore, this study was conducted in Iraq, where no studies had been performed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HBV infection. Methods: Blood samples were collected form 438 blood donors attending blood bank in Duhok city. Serum samples were tested for HBV core-antibodies (HBcAb) and HBV surface-antigen (HBsAg) by ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. Results: 5/438 (1.14%) of the subjects were HBsAg positive (HBsAg and HBcAb positive) and 36/438 (8.2%) were HBcAb positive. Hence, 41 cases were exposed to HBV and data analysis was based on that. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant associations between history of illegitimate sexual contact, history of alcohol or history of dental surgeries and HBV exposure (p<0.05 for all). Then, multivariate analysis was conducted to find HBV exposure predictive factors. It was found that history of dental surgery was a predictive factor for exposure to the virus (P=0.03, OR: 2.397). Conclusions: This study suggested that the history of dental surgery was predictive for HBV transmission in Duhok city. Further population-based study is needed to determine HBV risk factors in the society and public health plan based on that should be considered.
EFFECTS OF INTRARENAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALCIUM ANTAGONIST NIMODIPINE DURING PORCINE AORTIC OCCLUSION-INDUCED ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INJURY

Ca++ antagonists have been tested to improve I/R injury in the kidney, but their clinical use is limited due to their hypotensive properties. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis on whether infusing the Ca++ blocker nimodipine directly into the renal artery would reduce kidney cell apoptosis and thus improve organ function in a porcine model of suprarenal abdominal aortic cross-clamping. In a prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded study, anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, and instrumented pigs underwent 45 min of suprarenal aortic cross-clamping animals receiving either 0.25 μg kg−1 min−1 nimodipine (n = 8) or vehicle (n = 8). Systemic and right kidney hemodynamics, oxygen exchange, and metabolism were assessed before clamping, as well as before and at 75 and 195 min of reperfusion (i.e., at 120 and 240 min after aortic occlusion). At the end of the experiments, the right kidney was harvested for conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 gene expression and apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin end labeling test). Neither systemic nor renal hemodynamics and oxygen exchange, plasma and urine protein concentrations, urine osmolarity, and lactate-pyruvate ratios showed any intergroup difference. Nimodipine infusion resulted in a significantly higher creatinine clearance after 195 min of reperfusion (26 [17 - 42] vs. 17 [9 - 22] mL·min−1) and attenuated renal tubular damage, as indicated by lower urinary small protein (25 kd) concentrations. Improved renal function was concomitant with significantly less pronounced positive nuclear terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin end labeling staining. In a porcine model of suprarenal aortic cross-clamping, intrarenal nimodipine infusion improved postischemia kidney function, most likely as a result of attenuated glomerular apoptosis.
Review: Mycobacterium leprae – millennium resistant! Leprosy control on the threshold of a new era

Summary Over the past decades, the conditions of leprosy control implementation have changed dramatically. Introduction of multidrug therapy, together with the global effort of the World Health Organization to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem, had a tremendous impact on leprosy control, particularly by decreasing the registered prevalence of the disease. At the beginning of the new millennium, leprosy control programmes face several new challenges. These relate not only to changes in the prevalence of the disease, but also to changes in the context of leprosy control, such as those created by health sector reforms and other disease control programmes. This review discusses current knowledge on the epidemiology of Mycobacterium leprae and some important aspects of leprosy control. It is argued that our understanding is still insufficient and that, so far, no consistent evidence exists that the transmission of leprosy has been substantially reduced. Sustainable leprosy control, rather than elimination, should be our goal for the foreseeable future, which also includes care for patients on treatment and for those released from treatment. This, however, requires new strategies.
Safety and efficacy of intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty.

Tranexamic acid was intra-articularly injected in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce blood loss and transfusion. However, no single study has been large enough to definitively determine whether it is safe and effective. To determine the safety and efficacy of intra-articular tranexamic acid in TKA, the authors searched various databases for relevant randomized controlled trials. Mean difference (MD) in total blood loss, risk ratio (RR) for transfusion, and complication rate in the tranexamic acid-treated group vs the placebo group were calculated. Seven randomized controlled trials, including 622 patients (174 men and 448 women), were identified. All 7 placebo-controlled randomized trials had a low risk of bias. The pooled results showed a positive effect of tranexamic acid in all treatment groups, with significant reduction in total blood loss (MD, -396.42 mL [95% confidence interval (CI), -629.64 to -163.20]; P=. 0009). However, there was significant heterogeneity in the finding (chi-square=27.16, df=3, I(2)=89%; P<. 00001) among studies. The pooled results indicated that 5.8% (18 of 309) of tranexamic acid-treated patients required transfusion compared with 27.2% (85 of 313) of placebo-treated patients. This difference was significant (RR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.14-0.35; P<.00001). There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (RR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.35-1.98; P=.68) or pulmonary embolism (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.10-2.85; P=.46). In all, intra-articular tranexamic acid significantly reduced total blood loss, drainage, reduction of hemoglobin, and the need for transfusion without increasing the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Intra-articular tranexamic acid is safe and efficacious in TKA.
PENGARUH PENGALAMAN KERJA DAN KEPATUHAN TERHADAP KODE ETIK PADA KUALITAS AUDIT MELALUI SKEPTISISME PROFESIONAL AUDITOR

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of work experience and adherence to a code of conduct on the quality of the audit by the auditor's professional skepticism. This research was conducted on the entire public accounting firm located in the province of Bali. Samples are taken as many as 81 people auditors, with nonprobability methods of sampling and purposive sampling technique. Data collected through questionnaires. The analysis technique used is Partial Least Square (PLS). Based on the analysis found that the work experience and adherence to a code of ethics positive effect on the audit quality through an auditor's professional skepticism.
The psychosocial outcomes of total and subtotal hysterectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION Current controversies involve the adverse effects of hysterectomy on women's psychosocial functioning and whether subtotal as opposed to total hysterectomy mitigates these effects. AIM To investigate the psychosocial effects of hysterectomy by examining sexual, pain, and psychological outcomes of total vs. subtotal hysterectomy in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS Patients suffering from benign gynecological conditions were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) total hysterectomy, that is, laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (TOT, N = 32); or (ii) subtotal hysterectomy, that is, supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy (SUB, N = 31). Both groups were premenopausal and underwent hysterectomy without concurrent oophorectomy. Two premenopausal control groups: (i) minor gynecological surgery (SURG-CON, N = 30); and (ii) healthy nonsurgical controls (NORM-CON, N = 40), were also tested. All surgical groups were assessed 2-3 weeks before surgery and then 6-7 months afterward; the nonsurgical control group was assessed at the time of recruitment and 6-7 months later. OUTCOME MEASURES Assessments included semistructured interviews, standardized questionnaires, and standardized gynecological examinations. RESULTS For the TOT group, sexual drive, arousal, and sexual behavior significantly improved postoperatively. For the SUB group, sexual behavior and overall sexual functioning significantly improved. For both TOT and SUB groups, unprovoked pain in the abdomen and pain in the abdomen during gynecological examinations was significantly reduced. For both TOT and SUB groups, overall psychological functioning did not significantly change postoperatively. Although between 3% and 16% of women undergoing hysterectomy reported adverse changes in psychosocial well-being after surgery, similar percentages of women in the control groups reported such effects. CONCLUSIONS Hysterectomy resulted in a consistent reduction in abdominal pain, some improvement in sexual functioning, but no change in overall psychological functioning. There was no evidence supporting the idea that subtotal hysterectomy produced more favorable psychosocial outcomes than total hysterectomy nor was there any evidence that either type of hysterectomy resulted in adverse effects.
Benzodioxole derivative as coinitiator for dental resin

Objective. The aim of this work was to examine whether it was possible to substitute benzodioxole derivatives for amine as coinitiators for dental application. Material and Methods. A mixture of urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) (70/30 wt%), camphorquinone (CQ) and coinitiators was photocured. Real time Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy with a horizontal sample holder was used to monitor the extent of polymerization. Dynamic mechanical analysis was performed over a temperature range from −50°C to 200oC, with a ramping rate of 5oC per minute, using extension mode. Results. Benzodioxole derivatives as coinitiator improved the rate of polymerization and final double bond conversion of the dental resin. The cured samples showed similar properties, e.g. modulus, glass transition temperature, water sorption and solubility. Conclusion. The results indicate that two benzodioxole derivatives, piperonyl alcohol (PAL) and benzodioxole (BDO), are viable alternatives to conventional amines as coinitiator. The biocompatibility of benzodioxole derivatives makes them more promising than amine in dental resin formulations.
The influence of antibiotics and other factors on reconsultation for acute lower respiratory tract illness in primary care.

BACKGROUND Antibiotics are prescribed to the majority of patients consulting their general practitioner (GP) for lower respiratory tract illness (LRTi). A common reason for prescription is the belief that antibiotics reduce re-attendance; a motive supported by the high reconsultation rates for this largely self-limiting illness. Information about reconsultation following treatment of LRTi, and the factors that influence it, is scarce. AIM To explore factors associated with reconsultation after initial management of LRTi. METHOD Analysis of data collected prospectively during presentation of acute LRTi in primary care. RESULTS Seventy-six per cent of 518 patients were prescribed antibiotics, and 30% reconsulted for similar symptoms within the next 28 days (29% of those who were given antibiotics and 33% of those who were not). Forty-one per cent of patients who had seen their GP 15 or more times in the previous two years reconsulted, compared with 13% of those who had made fewer than five visits. Reconsultation was more common in patients with a history of underlying disease (38.6% versus 24.3%) and in patients who reported dyspnoea (41.5% versus 24.3%). CONCLUSION Reconsultation is common in acute LRTi and is associated with a heightened consulting habit prior to the index consultation, the presence of previous ill health, and dyspnoea. It appears not to be influenced by prescribing antibiotics.
Overweight and obesity may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is one of the commonest diseases in allergological and dermatological practice. It constitutes an interdisciplinary problem, and its pathogenesis is not always easily determined. It has been suggested that metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidaemia are more frequent in patients with CSU, but the influence of overweight and obesity on the development of CSU has not been thoroughly investigated.