Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SERUM BIOMARKERS AND NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS.

Background: Serum biomarkers are used in the field of medicine since many years. One of the most important advantage of the biomarkers as its considered objective tests and it can be used as an indicator for many health conditions not only normal, pathological (diagnosis & prognosis) but also to show the effect of treatment. In fact, there is special biomarkers (prestin & Otolin-1) playing an important role in the audio-vestibular functions of the inner ear. Many of the studies have reported that there is a relationship between the levels of these biomarkers and hearing disorders. Aim of the work: The aim of this study is to search the relationship between serum biomarkers such as serum Prestin and Otolin-1 levels and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Patients and Methods: This study was conducted among 100 NIHL patients; 66 males and 34 females, and 50 healthy subjects; 30 males and 20 females served as controls with normal hearing threshold. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) and assessment of serum level of both prestin and otolin -1 were done for all participants. Result: Air and bone conduction threshold showed significant decrease in NIHL group than controls (P <0.05). Serum Prestin and Otolin-1 levels were significantly elevated in NIHL group than in controls (P <0.05). Both tests showed high accuracy levels (86% and 92%, respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, serum prestin and otolin-1 could be used in early detection of hearing loss in individuals at high risk of noise exposure.
Beyond reciprocity: Relational sacrifices in romantic partners

Reciprocity is often considered a precondition for sacrificial behaviors, with people being willing to make sacrifices in their relationships to better their collective interests and expecting their partners to do the same. However, whether relational sacrifices exist in a zero-sum game, wherein reciprocity cannot be established, remains unclear. Therefore, this study utilized the cold pressor task (CPT) to explore communal sacrificial behavior among romantic partners and to examine any possible gender differences in these behaviors in a laboratory setting. Seventy-two college students (36 men and 36 women, all currently in romantic relationships) were instructed to place their sub-dominant hand into cold water (2°C) as long as possible (baseline), for their romantic partners (romantic partner-beneficiary condition) or for their opposite-sex friends (friend-beneficiary condition; enduring it longer so that their friend/romantic partners may endure it for a shorter duration) in a counterbalanced order. Data on pain tolerance time were collected in the CPTs, with sacrificial behaviors indexed by how much longer participants endured pain for their romantic partners or friends than the baseline. The data indicated that participants demonstrated a longer pain tolerance time in partner-beneficiary condition than the baseline (and friend-beneficiary). No significant difference was found between friend-beneficiary condition and baseline. Moreover, a gender difference was noted, with male participants having a longer pain tolerance increment rate than female participants. These results provide a foundation for experimental research of relational sacrificial behaviors and suggest that relational sacrifices exist beyond reciprocity in romantic relationships, but not within opposite-sex friendships.
EFFECTS OF LEAD ON THE GROWTH OF TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller.)

The research aimed at investigating the effects of Lead as Pb2+ ion on growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.). The study comprised two phases, in vitro and field experiment. The concentration of lead treatment applied to in vitro, and field base experiment were 0ppm, 50ppm, 100ppm, 150ppm, 200ppm, 250ppm, 300ppm, 350ppm, and 400ppm with four replications each. The parameters investigated include percentage germination, radicle length, plumule length, plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, root length and number of leaves. The results showed action of Pb2+ ion increase percentage germination while radicle and plumule length, fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves, and root length significantly decreased at high concentration of Pb2+ ion compared to controls. Moreover, plants height revealed stunted growth. Conclusively, actions of Pb2+ ion at high concentration revealed decreased in plant activities associated with tomato growth.
Board of Directors Structure and Firm Performance: Evidence from Indonesia and Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to identify the influence of board size, independent director, board meeting frequency and women director on firm performance. Type of this research is a quantitative research using secondary data. The population in this study are manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and Bursa Malaysia in 2015-2019. The sampling method used was purposive sampling consisting of 120 companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange and 209 companies in Bursa Malaysia. The data analysis method used is multiple regression analysis which is preceded by the selection of a panel data estimation model using the Eviews 9 software. The results of the model test show that the best panel data estimation model is using the random effect model. The results showed that board size and board meeting frequency have a significant positive effect on the performance of manufacturing companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange and Bursa Malaysia. Independent directors has a significant positive effect on firm performance in Bursa Malaysia, but have a significant negative effect on firm performance in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Women directors has a significant positive effect on firm performance in Indonesia Stock Exchange, but has significant negative effect on firm performance in Bursa Malaysia.
Numerical and analytical modelling of friction pile group settlement performance in clay

This paper presents a finite element parametric study of several variables that affect the stiffness efficiency of rigidly capped pile groups with a view to developing a solution for preliminary design purposes. Previous empirical solutions from linear elastic work had identified a significant dependence of stiffness efficiency on pile group size and group spacing, and in this study, the effect of the pile length-to-diameter ratio, the compressibility of a stiff bearing stratum beneath the pile group and the depth below ground level to the stiff bearing stratum are also considered. Pile groups in a soft clay/silt are modelled using PLAXIS 3D Foundation in conjunction with a soil model that captures the stress dependency of soil stiffness. The trends from the soft soil study have been formulated into a set of equations which can be used to predict the stiffness efficiency of pile groups. This new approach captures more variables than previous simpler empirical prediction methods and performs better when applied to a database of 29 published pile group case histories.
Effect of Some Storage Conditions on Emamectin Benzoate Formulation and Its Activity against Spodoptera Littoralis.

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential activity of Speedo WG 5.7% emamectin benzoate formulation (A.I) at different accelerated storage conditions to predict the stability of the formulation under storage at 54 oC ,effect of UV rays and effect sun light in initial and after 3 , 14 , 21 and 35 days of exposure. Moreover to evaluate its toxicity against 4 cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis. Our results indicated that the stability of active ingredient was 5.66% in initial before exposure to different storage conditions.In the treatment of temperature at 54 oC the stabilities were 5.50 , 4.71 , 3.93 , and 3.55 % after exposure to ultraviolet rays they were 5.46 , 5.05, 4.22 , and 3.73 %, while after exposure to sunlight were5.03 , 4.94 , 3.78 ,and 3.42% after 3-14 -21-35 days , respectively. Storage for a period of 45 days, was decomposed about 50%(TD50) of the active ingredient in the formulation at 54oC reached to 48.47% ,to 53.57%under ultraviolet rays and under direct sunlight was 51.43 %. The toxicity results showed that the LC50s of Speedo formulation recorded14.957mg/l at initial, and 35.097, 71.040, 160.307, 429.257mg/l after 54 oC temperature,22.580, 36.329, 59.431, 91.568 mg/l after exposure to UV and(51.935, 90.601, 233.491, 2432.3) mg/l after the treatments of the exposures to direct sunlight.
The Role of Sperm Proteins IZUMO1 and TMEM95 in Mammalian Fertilization: A Systematic Review

Gamete membrane fusion is a critical cellular event in sexual reproduction. In addition, the generation of knockout models has provided a powerful tool for testing the functional relevance of proteins thought to be involved in mammalian fertilization, suggesting IZUMO1 and TMEM95 (transmembrane protein 95) as essential proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the process remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the current knowledge about IZUMO1 and TMEM95 during mammalian fertilization. Hence, three distinct databases were consulted—PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science—using single keywords. As a result, a total of 429 articles were identified. Based on both inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final number of articles included in this study was 103. The results showed that IZUMO1 is mostly studied in rodents whereas TMEM95 is studied primarily in bovines. Despite the research, the topological localization of IZUMO1 remains controversial. IZUMO1 may be involved in organizing or stabilizing a multiprotein complex essential for the membrane fusion in which TMEM95 could act as a fusogen due to its possible interaction with IZUMO1. Overall, the expression of these two proteins is not sufficient for sperm–oocyte fusion; therefore, other molecules must be involved in the membrane fusion process.
Practicality and Robustness of Tree Species Identification Using UAV RGB Image and Deep Learning in Temperate Forest in Japan

Identifying tree species from the air has long been desired for forest management. Recently, combination of UAV RGB image and deep learning has shown high performance for tree identification in limited conditions. In this study, we evaluated the practicality and robustness of the tree identification system using UAVs and deep learning. We sampled training and test data from three sites in temperate forests in Japan. The objective tree species ranged across 56 species, including dead trees and gaps. When we evaluated the model performance on the dataset obtained from the same time and same tree crowns as the training dataset, it yielded a Kappa score of 0.97, and 0.72, respectively, for the performance on the dataset obtained from the same time but with different tree crowns. When we evaluated the dataset obtained from different times and sites from the training dataset, which is the same condition as the practical one, the Kappa scores decreased to 0.47. Though coniferous trees and representative species of stands showed a certain stable performance regarding identification, some misclassifications occurred between: (1) trees that belong to phylogenetically close species, (2) tree species with similar leaf shapes, and (3) tree species that prefer the same environment. Furthermore, tree types such as coniferous and broadleaved or evergreen and deciduous do not always guarantee common features between the different trees belonging to the tree type. Our findings promote the practicalization of identification systems using UAV RGB images and deep learning.
Comparative study between two different surgical techniques in veloplasty

Purpose: This study was planned to compare intravelar veloplasty versus Furlow double opposing z-plasty technique both clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging regarding effectiveness in palatal reconstruction and future imoprovement of soft palate function. Materials & Methods: This is an interventional, comparative study that was carried out on 16 patients with cleft palate and were divided randomly into two equal groups, Group I: included eight patients in whom soft palate cleft was repaired with intravelar veloplasty,Group II: included eight patients in whom soft palate cleft was repaired with Furlow double opposing z-plasty. All patients underwent regular follow up for six months for functional evaluation of the soft palate. Results: Clinically, there was primary wound healing uneventfully was achieved in all patients in the two groups with no signs of infection. No oronasal fistula was recorded in any case in the two
Comparative study between Milligan Morgan Haemorrhoidectomy and Laser Ablation for the Management of third and fourth Degree of hemorrhoids

Background: In were comparative study, using a hemorrhoid laser process (LHP) was found to be more successful, easy to use, noninvasive, non-toxic, painless, and extremely effective. The hemorrhoid laser treatment (LHP) were a new technique for treating hemorrhoids that involves laser coagulation of the rectal artery flow supplying the hemorrhoid plexus. Aim of the work: to compare the safety, efficacy, and benefits and complication between Laser-operative technique and the open-operative technique (Milligan Morgan) for the treatment of patients suffering from haemorrhoids of third and fourth degree. Patients and methods: Between November 2019 and September 2021, thwere research was carried out in the department of general surgery at Al-Azher university Hospital in Cairo for boys and Luxor International Hospital. In thwere research, 30 patients were included with third and fourth degree of hemorrhoids. The included patients were partitioned into two groups. In Group (I): included fifteen patients that managed by using LHP operative technique, and Group (II): included fifteen patients were managed by using Open-Milligan Morgan operative technique. Appraisal of both operative techniques applied of the procedure timing, operative and postoperative bleeding, post-operative pain, and return to normal life were all assessed using a visual analogue scale. Results: There were significant differences in operating time, postoperative bleeding, and early postoperative pain. In terms of early postoperative pain, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P value less than 0.001). The mean operational time for LHP was 15.9 ± 5.9 minutes, compared to 25.9 ± 4.7 minutes for the milgan and morgan method (p<0.0001). Conclusion: LHP had greater effectiveness than the open approach concerning Postoperative pain, bleeding and operative time, recovery and recurrence.
Etiology, Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes in Infective Endocarditis Patients Requiring Cardiac Surgery

Background: Infective endocarditis, which may be caused by various microbial agents, severely affects the innermost layer of the heart and often leads to poor clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology, risk factors and short and long-term outcomes of infective endocarditis caused by various bacterial agents in patients requiring cardiac surgery. Methods: One hundred and forty-four patients aged 18 years or above with indications for cardiac surgery due to S. aureus, Streptococcus spp. , E. faecalis or coagulase-negative staphylococci caused infective endocarditis were included in this study. Results: S. aureus, Streptococcus spp. , E. faecalis and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the causative agents of infective endocarditis in 44 (30.6%), 35 (24.3%), 33 (22.9%) and 32 (22.2%) patients, respectively. The presence of bicuspid aortic valve was the most common predisposing factor confirmed in 19 (23.5%), whereas intravenous drug usage was the most common in 17 (11.8%) patients. No significant differences in intrahospital mortality due to infective endocarditis caused by various bacterial agents were found, however, the worsening of long-term prognosis of endocarditis caused by S. aureus when compared to E. faecalis was confirmed (p = 0.03). The presence of S. aureus was associated with significantly higher rates of embolic complications (p = 0.003). The presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci was associated with prosthetic valve endocarditis (p = 0.015) and perivalvular complications (p = 0.024). Conclusions: In contrast to E. faecalis, the presence of S. aureus determines the worsening of the long-term mortality from infective endocarditis. Perivalvular complications are associated with the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Music and wellbeing vs. musicians’ wellbeing: examining the paradox of music-making positively impacting wellbeing, but musicians suffering from poor mental health

ABSTRACT This paper interrogates two different perspectives on music and wellbeing. The first positions musical practice as being beneficial for emotional wellbeing and mental health, whilst the second positions musical work – building a career as a musician – as potentially detrimental. This apparent paradox matters because the clinical findings which establish a causal link between music and wellbeing are being disembedded from the contexts in which those links are manifesting by charities, social enterprises, advocacy organisations, educational institutions, governments and international bodies, and fuelling normative sociological prescriptions which encourage participation in music making. For those who go on to develop career ambitions, wellbeing outcomes are far less clear. Therefore, a more sophisticated appreciation of the uses of music and its impact on wellbeing is required. This paper provides a more balanced view of the connections between music, wellbeing and health and reflects on how this paradox might be resolved.
Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccine Decision-Making among Parents in Southern California

Adolescent COVID-19 vaccination has stalled at 53% in the United States. Vaccinating adolescents remains critical to preventing the continued transmission of COVID-19, the emergence of variants, and rare but serious disease in children, and it is the best preventive measure available to return to in-person schooling. We investigated parent–adolescent COVID-19 vaccine decision-making. Between 24 February and 15 March 2021, we conducted surveys and 12 focus groups with 46 parent–adolescent dyads in Southern California. Parents and adolescents completed a survey prior to participation in a focus group discussion, which focused on exploring COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or uncertainty and was guided by the 5C vaccine hesitancy model. Parents uncertain about vaccinating adolescents expressed low vaccine confidence and high COVID-19 disease risk complacency. Parents who accepted COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents expressed high confidence in health authority vaccine recommendations, high perceived COVID-19 risk, and collective responsibility to vaccinate children. Additionally, unique pandemic-related factors of vaccine acceptance included vaccinating for emotional health, resuming social activities, and vaccine mandates. Among parents, 46% were willing to vaccinate their adolescent, 11% were not, and 43% were unsure. Among adolescents, 63% were willing to vaccinate. Despite vaccine availability, 47% of adolescents remain unvaccinated against COVID-19. Factors associated with vaccine uncertainty and acceptability inform health care practitioner, school, community, and public health messaging to reach parents and adolescents.
Deep versus Moderate Neuromuscular Blockade in Gynecologic Laparoscopic Operations: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: To investigate whether deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) improves surgical conditions and postoperative pain compared to moderate block, in patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. Methods: A single blind, randomized, controlled trial was undertaken with laparoscopic gynecologic surgical patients, who were randomly assigned to one of the following two groups: patients in the first group received deep NMB (PTC 0-1) and in the other, moderate NMB (TOF 0-1). Primary outcomes included assessing the surgical conditions using a four-grade scale, ranging from 0 (extremely poor) to 3 (optimal), and patients’ postoperative pain was evaluated with a five-grade Likert scale and the analgesic consumption. Results: 144 patients were analyzed as follows: 73 patients received deep NMB and 71 moderate NMB. Mean surgical field scores were comparable between the two groups (2.44 for moderate vs. 2.68 for deep NMB). Regarding postoperative pain scores, the patients in the deep NMB experienced significantly less pain than in the group of moderate NMB (0.79 vs. 1.58, p < 0.001). Moreover, when the consumption of analgesic drugs was compared, the moderate NMB group needed more extra opioid analgesia than the deep NMB group (18.3% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.007). From the secondary endpoints, an interesting finding of the study was that patients on deep NMB had significantly fewer incidents of subcutaneous emphysema. Conclusions: Our data show that, during the performance of gynecologic laparoscopic surgery, deep NMB offers no advantage of operating filed conditions compared with moderate NMB. Patients may benefit from the deep block as it may reduce postoperative pain.
Validation of an Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Risk-Prediction Model in a Chinese Cohort

Background: The novel arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)-associated ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) risk-prediction model endorsed by Cadrin-Tourigny et al. was recently developed to estimate visual VA risk and was identified to be more effective for predicting ventricular events than the International Task Force Consensus (ITFC) criteria, and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) criteria. Data regarding its application in Asians are lacking. Objectives: We aimed to perform an external validation of this algorithm in the Chinese ARVC population. Methods: The study enrolled 88 ARVC patients who received implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) from January 2005 to January 2020. The primary endpoint was appropriate ICD therapies. The novel prediction model was used to calculate a priori predicted VA risk that was compared with the observed rates. Results: During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, 57 (64.8%) patients received the ICD therapy. Patients with implanted ICDs for primary prevention had non-significantly lower rates of ICD therapy than secondary prevention (5-year event rate: 0.46 (0.13–0.66) and 0.80 (0.64–0.89); log-rank p = 0.098). The validation study revealed the C-statistic of 0.833 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.615–1.000), and the predicted and the observed patterns were similar in primary prevention patients (mean predicted–observed risk: −0.07 (95% CI −0.21, 0.09)). However, in secondary prevention patients, the C-statistic was 0.640 (95% CI 0.510–0.770) and the predicted risk was significantly underestimated (mean predicted–observed risk: −0.32 (95% CI −0.39, −0.24)). The recalibration analysis showed that the performance of the prediction model in secondary prevention patients was improved, with the mean predicted–observed risk of −0.04 (95% CI −0.10, 0.03). Conclusions: The novel risk-prediction model had a good fitness to predict arrhythmic risk in Asian ARVC patients for primary prevention, and for secondary prevention patients after recalibration of the baseline risk.