Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Nutrition-Related Problems and Falls in Hemodialysis Patients: A Narrative Review

Falls are a social problem that increase healthcare costs. Hemodialysis (HD) patients need to avoid falling because fractures increase their risk of death. Nutritional problems such as frailty, sarcopenia, undernutrition, protein-energy wasting (PEW), and cachexia may increase the risk of falls and fractures in patients with HD. This review aimed to summarize the impact of frailty, sarcopenia, undernutrition, PEW, and cachexia on falls in HD patients. The reported global incidence of falls in HD patients is 0.85–1.60 falls per patient per year. HD patients fall frequently, but few reports have investigated the relationship between nutrition-related problems and falls. Several studies reported that frailty and undernutrition increase the risk of falls in HD patients. Nutritional therapy may help to prevent falls in HD patients. HD patients’ falls are caused by nutritional problems such as iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic factors. Falls increase a person’s fear of falling, reducing physical activity, which then causes muscle weakness and further decreased physical activity; this cycle can cause multiple falls. Further research is necessary to clarify the relationships between falls and sarcopenia, cachexia, and PEW. Routine clinical assessments of nutrition-related problems are crucial to prevent falls in HD patients.
Association between lung function impairment with urinary heavy metals in a community in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Lung function status can be directly or indirectly affected by exposure to pollutants in the environment. Urinary heavy metals may be an indirect indicator of lung function impairment that leads to various diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to explore the prevalence of lung function impairment as well as its association with urinary heavy metal levels and other influencing factors among the community in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Urinary sampling was done during various community events in the housing areas of Klang Valley between March and October 2019. Only respondents who consented would undergo a lung function test. Urine samples were obtained and sent for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis for heavy metal cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration. Of the 200 recruited respondents, 52% were male and their ages ranged from 18 years old to 74 years old with a mean age of 38.4 ± 14.05 years. Urinary samples show high urinary Cd level in 12% of the respondents (n = 24) whereas none recorded a high urinary Pb level. There was a positive correlation between the levels of urinary Cd and urinary Pb (r = 0.303; p = 0.001). Furthermore, a negative correlation was detected between urinary Cd level and forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = − 0.202, p = 0.004), force expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) (r = − 0.225, p = 0.001), and also force expiratory flow between 25–75% of FVC (FEF 25–75%) (r = − 0.187, p = 0.008). However, urinary Pb did not show any correlation with lung function parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that urinary Cd had a significant negative effect on FVC (p = 0.025) and FEV1 (p = 0.004) based on the predicted value. Additionally, other factors such as education level (p = 0.013) also influenced lung function. However, no interaction was detected between heavy metals or other factors. In short, there was a significant negative linear relationship between urinary Cd and lung function, whereas urinary Pb was not associated with lung function. Beside acting as a biomarker for cadmium exposure level, urinary Cd may also be applied as indirect biomarker for asymptomatic chronic lung function deterioration among the healthy population.
On Real Irreducible Representations of Lie Algebras

Let us consider the following two problems: Problem A. Let g be a given Lie algebra over the real number field R. Then find all real, irreducible representations of g. Problem B. Let n be a given positive integer. Then find all irreducible subalgebras of the Lie algebra ôí(w, R) of all real matrices of degree n.
Teachers’ RA 4670 awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic times

This study investigated the public schoolteachers’ level of awareness of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670). An online survey was administered to public schoolteachers from three congressional districts and data were treated using appropriate statistical tools. The results revealed the respondents’ high awareness on the observance of due process at each stage of any disciplinary procedure, gradual salary progression every 3 years and required information was given in case of transfer. However, they were less aware of the permanency status of non-eligible teachers after rendering 10 years of service with no probationary period for eligible teachers. Also, there was a significant difference between teachers from districts 2 and 3, with the latter having a higher level of awareness. Therefore, this study recommends intensified information dissemination of the Magna Carta for Teachers, and further study may examine the relationship between teachers’ experience and awareness level of the said law. Keywords: Pandemic times, Magna Carta, RA 4670, ANOVA, awareness.
Enhanced In Vivo Wound Healing Efficacy of a Novel Hydrogel Loaded with Copper (II) Schiff Base Quinoline Complex (CuSQ) Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Wound dressings created using nanotechnology are known as suitable substrates to speed up the healing of both acute and chronic wounds. Therapeutic substances can be delivered using these materials. In this study, a hydrogel loaded with Cu (II) Schiff base 8-hydroxy quinoline complex (CuSQ) solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) was formulated to investigate its wound healing potential in an excision wound healing model in rats. The CuSQ SLN were spherical shaped with sizes ranging from 111 to 202 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) ranging from 0.43 to 0.76, encapsulation efficiency (EE) % between 85 and 88, and zeta potential (ZP) of −11.8 to −40 mV. The formulated hydrogel showed good homogeneity, good stability, and a pH of 6.4 which indicates no skin irritation and had no cytotoxicity on the human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell line. In the in vivo study, animals were placed in five groups: control, standard, plain hydrogel, low dose, and high dose of CuSQ hydrogel. Both doses of CuSQ showed significantly faster healing rates compared to standard and control rats. In addition, the histopathology study showed more collagen, improved angiogenesis, and intact re-epithelization with less inflammation. A significant increase in transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) level and increased immune expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by CuSQ treatment validates its role in collagen synthesis, proliferation of fibroblasts and enhancement of angiogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was found to be significantly reduced after CuSQ treatment. Immunohistochemistry of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) revealed a marked decrease in inflammation. Thus, we concluded that CuSQ would be a beneficial drug for cutaneous wound healing since it effectively accelerated wound healing through regulation of various cytokines and growth factors.
Cutaneous Angiosarcoma of the Head and Neck—A Retrospective Analysis of 47 Patients

Simple Summary Cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS) is a rare sarcoma with dismal prognosis. To better characterize this disease and elucidate potential treatments that improve overall survival (OS), we conducted a retrospective study exploring clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 47 patients with CAS of the head and neck treated at a tertiary academic center. We found that CAS continues to have a poor prognosis with high rates of recurrence even with current treatment modalities. Surgery was highly effective in improving OS in patients with disease that could be resected with low morbidity. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), and immunotherapy did not significantly improve OS. Our findings shed light on the current landscape of clinical characteristics and treatment of CAS and could prompt further research exploring new treatment options and role of immunotherapy in the management of this difficult disease. Abstract Cutaneous angiosarcoma (CAS) is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor with blood vessel or lymphatic-type endothelial differentiation. It has a poor prognosis with lack of standardized treatment options. This study retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 47 patients with CAS of the head and neck treated at an academic sarcoma center. Patient data were collected from the electronic medical records. 62% of patients were male with the scalp being the most commonly affected area (64%). The majority of patients presented with localized disease (53%). Median overall survival (OS) was 3.4 years with an OS of 36% at 5 years. There was a statistically significant increase in OS for patients who underwent surgery compared to those who did not (5.4 vs. 2.8 years). In contrast, radiotherapy (RT) or chemotherapy did not significantly increase OS. 45% of patients had recurrence of disease during their treatment course with a median time to recurrence of 22.8 months. There was not a significant difference in OS for patients who underwent immunotherapy compared to those who underwent chemotherapy, although only a few patients received immunotherapy. We found that surgery was an effective treatment modality in patients with easily resectable disease, while RT, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy did not significantly improve OS.
Impact of Tea Processing on Tryptophan, Melatonin, Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents in Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaves: Quantitative Analysis by LC-MS/MS

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves from two cultivars, Yai-Burirum (YB) and Khunphai (KP), were prepared into green tea (GT) and black tea (BT). Compared to fresh leaf (FL) extract, GT and BT extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Total phenolic content (TPCs) in all samples ranged between 129.93 and 390.89 mg GAE/g extract. The processing of tea decreased the levels of TPC when compared to FL extracts in both cultivars. The total flavonoid content (TFCs) in all samples was found in the range of 10.15–39.09 mg QE/g extract and TFCs in GT and BT extracts were higher than FL extracts. The change in tryptophan, melatonin, phenolic and flavonoid contents was investigated by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). The results exhibited that tryptophan contents in all samples were detected in the range 29.54–673.72 µg/g extract. Both GT and BT extracts increased tryptophan content compared to FL extracts. BT extracts presented the highest amounts of tryptophan among others in both cultivars. Phenolic compounds were found in mulberry leaf extracts, including gallic acid, caffeic acid, gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid and chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid presented the highest amount in all samples. Almost all phenolic acids were increased in the processed tea extracts except chlorogenic acid. Rutin was the only flavonoid that was detected in all extracts in the range 109.48–1009.75 mg/g extract. The change in phenolic and flavonoid compounds during tea processing resulted in the change in antioxidant capacities of the GT and BT extracts. All extracts presented acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) inhibitory activity with IC50 in the range 146.53–165.24 µg/mL. The processing of tea slightly increased the AChE inhibitory effect of GT and BT extracts. In conclusion, processed tea from mulberry leaves could serve as a new alternative functional food for health-concerned consumers because it could be a promising source of tryptophan, phenolics and flavonoids. Moreover, the tea extracts also had antioxidative and anti-AChE activities.
Analytical Assessment of Time-Varying Reliability and Penetration Limit of PV-Integrated Systems

This article presents a discrete convolution-based method for reliability evaluation of a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system, where special consideration is given to the variable availability of PV array components. Along with the negative impacts of variable solar irradiance and ambient temperature on the PV power generation, they affect the reliability of PV system power electronic components. A variable availability model based on the power loss in the semiconductors of PV system components is needed to account for this effect in the reliability analysis. The article proposes a 3-D capacity outage model of a PV farm that accounts for the variable availability and the redundancies associated with the topologically complex multistring PV arrays. The outage model is used to construct a PV capacity outage probability and frequency table (COPAFT), which along with conventional generation COPAFT, is convolved with the distribution of load to determine system reliability. An integration limit assessment tool is also developed within the proposed framework, ensuring that the PV power integration does not violate the system frequency stability. Simulations on the modified IEEE RTS-79 system demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.
TXNIP Participated in NLRP3-Mediated Inflammation in a Rat Model of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a spinal cord disease caused by cervical disc degeneration and related pathological changes. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy may result from inflammation responses and neuronal damage. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling promotes inflammation. However, the effects of TXNIP/NLRP3 on the pathogenesis of CSM have not been reported. Methods A rat model of chronic cervical cord compression was established to observe changes in the levels of of TNXIP/NeuN and NLRP3/NeuN expression in the damaged anterior horn of the spinal cord following progression of CSM. Rats were injected with TXNIP small interfering RNA (siRNA) and scrambled control to determine the effects of TXNIP inhibition on NLRP3-mediated inflammation in rats with CSM. Behaviors effects and the expression of NLRP3 and pro-caspase-1 in the damaged spinal cord were evaluated. Results The expression levels of TXNIP and NLRP3 were significantly increased in the damaged anterior horn of the spinal cord following CSM. Injection of TXNIP siRNA significantly improved behavioral measures and decreased apoptosis in the damaged anterior horn of spinal cord. Furthermore, the levels of NLRP3 and pro-caspase-1 in the lesioned area were reduced by the TXNIP siRNA injection. Conclusion Thioredoxin-interacting protein participated in NLRP3 mediated inflammation in a rat model of CSM, which indicated that TXNIP may be a potential therapeutic target in improving CSM.
Generic Results for Establishing the Asymptotic Size of Confidence Sets and Tests

This paper provides a set of results that can be used to establish the asymptotic size and/or similarity in a uniform sense of confidence sets and tests. The results are generic in that they can be applied to a broad range of problems. They are most useful in scenarios where the pointwise asymptotic distribution of a test statistic has a discontinuity in its limit distribution. The results are illustrated in three examples. These are: (i) the conditional likelihood ratio test of Moreira (2003) for linear instrumental variables models with instruments that may be weak, extended to the case of heteroskedastic errors; (ii) the grid bootstrap confidence interval of Hansen (1999) for the sum of the AR coefficients in a k-th order autoregressive model with unknown innovation distribution, and (iii) the standard quasi-likelihood ratio test in a nonlinear regression model where identification is lost when the coefficient on the nonlinear regressor is zero.
Supporting children with special educational needs as a socio-pedagogical problem

The purpose of this research is to determine the professional competencies of primary schoolteachers in order to support inclusion students with special education needs from a socio-pedagogical point of view. In this study, professional competencies of primary schoolteachers were evaluated by using the survey model, which is one of the quantitative research methods, in order to support the inclusion students with special education needs from a socio-pedagogical point of view. The research was conducted with 320 primary schoolteachers who continued their educational activities in the 2021–2022 academic year in various primary schools in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The research data were collected with the teacher professional competencies scale for inclusive students with special education needs developed by the researcher. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the professional competencies of primary schoolteachers for mainstreaming students with special education needs are moderate in the sub-dimensions of teaching methods and techniques, diagnosis and evaluation, cooperation and socialisation. In addition, it has been determined that the general average of the professional competencies of primary schoolteachers for inclusive students with special education needs is at a moderate level. It has been determined that the professional competencies of the primary schoolteachers participating in the research for inclusive students with special education needs do not differ according to the gender variable. It has been determined that the professional competencies of primary schoolteachers for inclusive students with special education needs show a significant difference according to their education status for inclusive students. It has been determined that the significant difference in terms of primary schoolteachers’ education to inclusive students is in favour of the educators. Keywords: Special education, inclusive education, teacher competencies;
Improving quality of life for residents of biosphere reserves and nature parks: management recommendations from Switzerland

Abstract Biosphere reserves and nature parks are protected areas that aim to combine nature conservation with human-development goals. These areas provide ideal environments for promoting and testing sustainable ways of living. The goal of this study was to determine how park management can best contribute to the quality of life of residents. The article presents the results of a survey in Switzerland of 2,409 residents of a biosphere reserve and two regional nature parks on the provision of quality of life. The results indicate that the quality of life in the parks is generally high. The identified dimensions that constitute this quality of life, their perceived importance, and the needs expressed by residents suggest that park management can help to increase and safeguard extant conditions by offering activities that improve health, social relations, and sustainable mobility. Awareness of how park management can contribute to the quality of life of park residents sustainably enables the setting of new priorities that have joint outputs that can be positive for both nature and people.
Ferroelectric Ternary Content Addressable Memories for Energy-Efficient Associative Search

A fast and efficient search function across the database has been a core component for a number of data-intensive tasks in machine learning, IoT applications, and inference. However, the conventional digital machines implementing the search functionality with repetitive arithmetic operations suffer from the energy efficiency and performance degradation due to the significant data transfer between the storage and processing units in the Von Neumann architecture. Ternary content addressable memories (TCAMs) are an essential hardware form of computing-in-memory (CiM) designs that aim to overcome the data transfer bottlenecks by implementing the parallel associative search function within the memory blocks. While most state-of-the-art TCAM designs focus on improving the information density by harnessing compact nonvolatile memories (NVMs), little efforts have been spent on optimizing the energy efficiency of the NVM-based TCAM. In this article, by exploiting the ferroelectric FET (FeFET) as a representative NVM, we propose an NOR-type 2FeFET-1T and an NAND-type 2FeFET-2T TCAM designs that enable highly energy-efficient associative search by reducing the associated precharge overheads. We then propose a hybrid ferroelectric NAND-NOR (HFNN) TCAM design to further improve the energy efficiency. An HFNN-based segmented architecture is proposed to reduce the search delay and energy by search operation pipeline. Evaluation results suggest that the proposed 2FeFET-1T, 2FeFET-2T and HFNN TCAM design consume <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3.03\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$8.08\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$226.92\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> less search energy than the conventional 16T complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) TCAM, respectively. Application benchmarking shows that our proposed 2FeFET-1T/2FeFET-2T/HFNN TCAM can save, on average, 45.2%/50.6%/57.5% the GPU energy consumption as compared to the conventional GPU.
Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Falls Behavioral Scale in Seniors

Background: The identification of the causes of risky behaviors is necessary to prevent the occurrence of injuries and reduce its costs. The present study aimed to translate and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Falls Behavioral (FaB) Scale in Iranian seniors. Methods: This methodological study was conducted on 300 seniors aged 60 years and older referring to retirement centers. After permission, the recommended forward-backward procedure was adopted to translate the original English version of the questionnaire. Thereafter, the content, face validity, and construct validity of the scale were determined and taken into consideration. In addition, the known-groups comparison (seniors with and without a history of falls), as well as convergent and divergent validity, was used to evaluate construct validity. Finally, internal consistency and the test-retest analysis were performed to assess the reliability of the FaB scale. Results: The results of the known-groups comparison demonstrated that the mean score of the FaB scale was higher in the seniors with a history of falls as compared to that in their counterparts without such an experience. The obtained scores on FaB scale, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale (r=-0.214, P<0.01), and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) (r=0.256, P<0.01) represented a significant correlation, confirming the construct validity of the scale. The Cronbach’s alpha of the total scale and test-retest reliability within one week were obtained as 0.71 and 0.91, respectively. Conclusion: As evidenced by the results of this study, the Persian version of the FaB scale is a valid and reliable instrument; therefore, it can be used to assess the behavioral fall risk factors, as well as fall prevention interventions in older people. It is suggested that in future studies, researchers focus on the assessment of more psychometric properties of this scale, especially sensitivity and specificity.
Robust optical flow estimation

In this paper a new robust estimator of the optical flow field is shown. Arising from the techniques based on the OFC (optical flow constraint), we develop an estimation that takes several measures around a given pixel and discards the erroneous ones, using a voting schema. In this way, velocities that have more accumulated votes are taken as the correct ones. A preliminary comparison with other well known techniques is shown, and clearly our approach performs quite better even in the cases where two or more movements are present in the analyzed pixels.