Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Quality of Life Related to Radiation Proctitis in Patients Who Received Pelvic Radiotherapy

Background: Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of several pelvic neoplasms, Radiation-related adverse events may result in intestinal, urinary, sexual, bone and dermatological disorders, impacting quality of life. The prevalence of radiation proctitis is probably underestimated. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life associated with radiation proctitis in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy.Methods: A cohort of 40 consecutive patients from an academic institution in Brazil who received pelvic radiotherapy was analyzed. Patients completed questionnaires EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-PRT20 at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Clinico-pathological features were also collected using standard templates. Results: Thirty-seven patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-two patients (80%) were male and had prostate cancer. Pelvic radiotherapy was associated with worsening bowel control (p=0.0171) leakage (p=0.0542) and pain (p=0.0074) in EORTC QLQ-PRT20. Patients had increased number of bowel movements per day after treatment (p=0.0036). Fatigue (p=0.0176) and diarrhea (p=0.0103) increased after radiation therapy. There was no statistical difference in global quality of life in patients who received radiotherapy. Conclusion: EORTC QLQ-PRT20 questionnaire is suitable for assessing the quality of life related to radiation proctitis in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy. This tool may help clinicians in the management and monitoring of treatment-related adverse events of this treatment modality.
Moving Beyond the Planning Fallacy: The Emergence of a New Principle of Project Behavior

The question—what explains cost overruns and benefit shortfalls—remains an important conversation in project management. Two theoretical principles, the Planning Fallacy and the Hiding Hand, shed light on project behavior, that is how projects take different and complex out-turns. The Planning Fallacy denotes the tendency for forecasts of project schedules, costs, and benefits to be unrealistically close to best-case scenarios. The Hiding Hand, however, suggests that it is not always bad to overrate benefits and underrate costs and difficulties of the proposed projects as creativity may help succeed in unforeseen ways. This article focuses on the Planning Fallacy versus Hiding Hand or the Planning Fallacy debate. The bone of contention is whether the Planning Fallacy trumps the Hiding Hand and thus best explains project behavior and performance. We unravel the ontological, epistemological, theoretical, and methodological assumptions behind the debate. Then, considering these contrasting assumptions and the uncertainties and complexities that surround large-scale projects, we complexify the debate in line with the tradition of complexity thinking. In the face of the either/or framing that prevails, we propose a balanced theoretical approach that would accommodate both the Planning Fallacy and the Hiding Hand explanations of project behavior, to understand why projects experience cost overruns and benefit shortfalls. In so doing, we lay the foundations for the emergence of a new project behavior principle—The Fifth Hand. We conclude with a research agenda that highlights the key methodological challenges that need to be addressed to determine the presence of the Fifth Hand.
A Comparative Study of the Biodesulfurization Efficiency of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans LY01 Cells Domesticated with Ferrous Iron and Pyrite

ABSTRACT The high-sulfur coal desulfurization process completed by A. ferrooxidans LY01 cells domesticated with either ferrous iron [Fe(II)] or pyrite (FeS2) was investigated in this article. The desulfurization rate for 13 d was as high as 67.8% for the LY01 cells domesticated with pyrite but was only 45.6% for the LY01 cells domesticated with Fe(II). Bacterial adsorption experiments indicated that the bacterial adsorption quantity onto the pyrite particles was similar to the desulfurization efficiency. FTIR analysis showed that chemical composition of the two cell types was similar, but the LY01 cells domesticated with pyrite had higher levels of hydrophobic aromatic R-O groups than cells domesticated with Fe(II). The amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from the pyrite-domesticated LY01 cells was 1820 μg C/1010 cells, which was five times more than the amount of EPS in the Fe(II)-domesticated cells; the EPS readily bound Fe(III) with a maximum binding capacity of 0.21 mg Fe(III) per mg C EPS. Strains of pyrite-domesticated LY01 with a high amount of Fe(III) in their EPS possess greater oxidation activity than Fe(II)-domesticated strains with fewer Fe(III). These experiments showed the importance of the substrate-specific differences in the oxidative activity of A. ferrooxidans LY01. In addition, this study provides theoretical guidance for the future optimization of the biodesulfurization process.
Improvement of image sticking on liquid crystal displays with polymer layers produced from mixed monomers

ABSTRACT As a model of polymer-sustained-alignment liquid crystal display (PSA-LCD), the LC cells having the polymer layers produced from the homopolymers and copolymers of 4,4ʹ-dimethacryloyl-oxy-biphenyl (4,4ʹ-DMABiph) and 2,6-dimethacryloyl-oxy-naphthalene (2,6-DMANaph) were prepared and investigated image sticking phenomenon with evaluations of residual direct current voltage (VrDC) and difference in pre-tilt angle before and after application of alternate current (AC) voltage (Δtilt). The VrDC was effectively improved by adding a small amount of 2,6-DMANaph to 4,4ʹ-DMABiph because the concentrations of radicals and ions in the LC layer were decreased due to increase in the rate constant of the polymerisation with the addition of 2,6-DMANaph under UV light exposure. The Δtilt was proportionally increased with increasing the weight ratio of 2,6-DMANaph in the mixed monomers of 4,4ʹ-DMABiph and 2,6-DMANaph. We confirmed that the range of the weight ratio for 2,6-DMANaph in the mixed monomers of 4,4ʹ-DMABiph and 2,6-DMANaph from 10 to 25 wt% was useful for obtaining the small level of image sticking in the PSA-LCD. Graphical Abstract
A study to access morbidity profile and health-seeking behavior among transgender persons in a metropolitan city

Background: Sex is an ascribed status which makes us male or female, but gender is an achieved status which makes us masculine or feminine. Transgender people also called as the third gender are a vulnerable group because they are a socially discriminated and a scattered population. Aims and Objectives: The current study was conducted to enumerate the sociodemographic and morbidity profile of transgender persons in an urban slum area. Materials and Methods: After obtaining clearance from the ethical committee, the help of an NGO was solicited in contacting and interviewing the transgenders. A sample size of 102 was fixed using convenient sampling. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection using face-to-face interviews for 12 months. Results: Mean age of the study subjects was 28.29 years. Majority of them were involved in prostitution and begging. About 51% of them had undergone non-medical castration, and all of them gave a history of sexually transmitted infections. About 90% preferred private health care over free care provided by government due to discrimination and indifferent attitude faced by them in the later. Conclusion: The perception of the entire community and health care workers toward transgenders needs to change through nationwide advocacy, discussions, and mobilization of social and political will so that they become a regular part of the population.
Decreased CD10-positive granulocytes for the differential diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are highly heterogeneous myeloid neoplasms, and a large number of patients are difficult to diagnose and classify by blood and bone marrow examination. As a surface marker of granulocyte, studies have shown CD10 can be used to define the degree of granulocyte maturation in MDS patients. However, whether it can be used for differential diagnosis of MDS and other hematological diseases remains inconclusive. To explore the value of CD10 for differential diagnosis of MDS, 60 newly diagnosed MDS, 20 aplastic anemia (AA) patients, and 35 iron-deficient anemia (IDA) patients were selected for this study. Bone marrow (BM) specimens were processed for surface marker analysis and labeled with pre-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Stained cells were detected by flow cytometry. Our results indicated that CD10-positive granulocytes were significantly decreased in BM of MDS patients than AA and IDA patients, and the level of CD10-positive mature granulocytes was not associated with the clinical stages of malignancy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas under the curve (AUC) of CD10-positive granulocytes was 0.86 and 0.85, respectively, in MDS patients than the IDA group and AA group with good specificity and sensitivity. Further, CD10-positive granulocytes were increased after effective treatment. In conclusion, we found the decrease in CD10-positive granulocytes has a differential diagnostic value of MDS.
Factors Affect Budget Absorption In Government Institutions of South Sulawesi

The purpose of this study was to analyze and study the effect of financial regulations, budget absorption, apparatus competence, bureaucratic environment, and organizational commitment to budget absorption by the South Sulawesi Provincial Government to be able to provide input for the policies of the South Sulawesi Provincial Government in maximizing budget absorption. This study's population was all employees of the South Sulawesi Provincial Government. They determined the sample using the technique Judgment Sampling by selecting 2 State Civil Servants represented by the Head of the regional apparatus organization Office as the Budget User Authority and Commitment Making Official at each Provincial Office. South Sulawesi so that a total of 54 samples were obtained. This study uses a quantitative approach with multiple regression analysis methods. The study results state that financial regulation, budget absorption, competence, bureaucratic environment, and organizational commitment have a positive and significant effect on budget absorption. This result implies that the community's interests always guide the South Sulawesi Provincial Government in every action and activity as principles in the planning and implementation process budgeting.
Circular dichroism spectra of amino acid complexes. III.* Copper(II) compounds

The solution circular dichroism spectra of the 1: 1 and 1: 2 copper(II) complexes of a series of α-amino acids are reported for the region 12500-25000 cm-1. These spectra and spectra of the isolated 1: 2 complexes dispersed in KBr disks have been interpreted as arising from three Cotton effects with a -,+,- sign pattern for the L configuration, except for the L-proline spectra, which were analysed in terms of a +,-,+ pattern. A tentative assignment is made for these Cotton effects, and the relative contributions of vicinal and conformational effects to the rotational strength are discussed.
Adaptive Capacity as Local Sustainable Development: Contextualizing and Comparing Risks and Resilience in Two Chilean Regions

Regional resilience refers to an immanent condition for facing multiple risks on a permanent basis, both episodic and incremental. These risks are not only linked to natural disasters and climate change, but also to poverty and inequality of access to services such as health, and personal safety. This article considers the underlying conditions that shape regional resilience in Chile, based on inter-regional and intra-regional comparisons in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago and the Region of Araucanía. Instead of viewing resilience in terms of an ability to counter a single risk, the article highlights the fact that risks are multiple and overlapping over time and generated at different scales. Municipal level data on poverty, health, and public finances in the two regions reveal the contrasting underlying inequalities that point to regional mosaics of resilience rather than homogeneity. Different threats are superposed on these preexisting conditions of resilience. The article refers to three in particular: the 2010 Chilean earthquake (episodic); climate change (episodic and incremental); and the Covid-19 pandemic (episodic). The findings point to high levels of urban versus rural differentiation, and also high differentiation within the Santiago Metropolitan Area based on socio-economic conditions. This regional mosaic of underlying structural conditions suggests that regional resilience can be enhanced by engaging with structural socio-spatial inequalities rather than a focus on managing risks via siloed, threat-by-threat responses.
Impact of Usage Curcuma Longa Extract on Experimental Canine Steroidal Hepatopathy: Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects

| Herbal drug (Tumeric) has been reported to have a good effect on body gain and treatment of liver diseases. In addition, this drug acts against the degenerative process of lipid peroxidation which involves free radicals and polyunsaturated fatty acids leading to hepatic pathogenesis. The present study was performed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of curcuma longa rhizome ethanolic extract on steroidal induced hepatopathy. Therefore 15 mongrel old dogs were enrolled in this study. Steroid hepatopathy was induced via dexamethasone injection for 14 days followed by administration of curcuma longa rhizome ethanolic extract for two weeks. Clinical, blood samples, ultrasound and cytology examinations were done at day 0, 7 and 14 of induction and day 7 and 14 post curcuma longa rhizome ethanolic extract administration. Haematological analysis revealed a significant decrease in Hb, RBCs in experimental hepatopathic dogs which began to increase at day 7 of treatment by curcuma longa extract, also hepatopathic dogs revealed significant increase in WBCS and after treatment by curcuma longa extract returned to nearly normal value after 7 days of treatment. Serum biochemical analysis revealed significant increase in ALT, AST and ALP in experimental hepatopathic dogs which began to decrease after treatment by curcuma longa ethanolic extract. Ultrasonography revealed increase in echogenicity of liver parenchyma in hepatopathic induced dogs and returned to nearly normal after treatment by curcuma longa ethanolic extract. From the obtained results we concluded that use of curcuma longa extract improve the general health status and weight of the dogs in addition to its great hepatoprotective properties. So it can be recommended as a potent product in protection and treatment of canine hepatopathy.
Restricted Molecular Rotation and Enhanced Emission in Polymer Blends of Poly(fluorene-alt-naphthol) and Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) with Mutual Hydrogen-Bond Interactions

In this study, fluorescent alternative copolymer poly(fluorene-alt-1,6-naphthol) (PFN) with inherent hydroxyl (OH) groups was blended with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVR) through facile hydrogen-bond (H-bond) interactions. The emission intensities of the resultant PFN/PVR mixtures of different compositions were shown to increase with increasing PVR content in both the chloroform solution and in the solid film states. The H-bond interactions between PFN and PVR resulted in the restricted molecular rotations of the fluorophores, which lead to the blockage of nonradiative energy decay channels and the accompanied emission enhancement. With the efficient H-bond interactions, the PFN/PVR blend with the low content (2.33 wt %) of fluorescent PFN component actually has a high quantum efficiency of 0.93, comparatively higher than other blends containing higher fluorescent PFN. The role of the H-bonding on the restricted molecular rotations of the PFN/PVR blends was therefore evaluated by the infrared, the 1H NMR sp.
Inhibition of the corrosion of mild steel in acidic medium by Vernonia amygdalina : adsorption and thermodynamics study

The inhibitive, thermodynamics and adsorptive properties of ethanol extract of vernonia amygdalina for the corrosion of mild steel in 0.4M HNO3 solutions have been investigated using weight loss technique. The extract was found to be a good inhibitor for corrosion of mild steel in HNO3. Inhibition efficiencies obtained ranged from 40.57 to 50.74% and from 38.06 to 49.27% at 303 and 323K respectively. The inhibition efficiency of the extract decreased as temperature and time of immersion increased, but increased with increase in concentration of extract. The inhibition capacity of this extract is attributed to the presence of saponnin, tannin, alkaloid, anthraquinone, flavanoid, cardiac glycosides in the extract. The heat of adsorption obtained ranged from -48.84 to -51.06KJ mol-1 indicating that adsorption of the inhibitor on surface of mild steel was exothermic, spontaneous and follows the mechanism of physical adsorption. Langmuir, Temkin, Frumkin and Flory-Huggins adsorption isotherms were found to conform the adsorption characteristics of the inhibitor.
Modelling of a large-scale in-situ migration experiment with 14C-labelled natural organic matter in Boom Clay

Abstract For the assessment of the long-term safety of a geological disposal of high- and intermediate-level radioactive waste and/or spent fuel in the Boom Clay, a better understanding of the migration behaviour of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) is needed because it can act as a carrier molecule for radionuclides. Therefore, an in-situ migration experiment with 14C-labelled NOM was performed to study the NOM migration behaviour on a large scale (m), on the long-term (>10 a) and in directions parallel and perpendicular to the bedding plane (transport anisotropy). The numerical modelling tool HYDRUS2D/3D was used to interpret the results. The model was built stepwise, testing the influence of advection, (non-)linear equilibrium sorption, colloid attachment/detachment and anisotropy. The up scaling of previously determined parameters from small scale lab tests was also tested. A classic diffusion-advection-retardation description, using parameter values in the range of those obtained in the lab tests, provided already reasonable results. Inclusion of a colloid filtration term in the model significantly improved the simulation. Finally, the model was successfully tested against a second dataset and the anisotropy of the Boom clay was brought into account.
Hydraulic stimulation of pre-existing discontinuities in tight rocks

Hydraulic stimulation is an engineering technique whose aim is to enhance the permeability of fractured rock masses at depths ranging from one to five kilometers. It consists in the injection of fluid at sufficiently high pressure in order to shear pre-existing fractures and/or to create new fractures. The local reduction of effective stresses can indeed result into localized inelastic deformations along pre-existing discontinuities which upon dilation increase the overall permeability of the rock mass. Although this technique is used to extract deep geothermal energy from crystalline rocks, some fundamental hydro-mechanical mechanisms are not yet fully understood, especially in regards to the transition between aseismic and seismic slip. In this context, the present thesis investigates the interplay between pore pressure diffusion within pre-existing discontinuities and induced deformations including the possible nucleation of a dynamic rupture. This is achieved via the development of specific numerical algorithms that are extensively verified against existing analytical and semi-analytical solutions of fracture growth. Thanks to the use of a boundary integral representation for elasticity, fluid driven deformations localized on pre-existing discontinuities can be efficiently modelled, without involving an intensive discretization of the whole domain. We first present an in-depth study on the effect of dilatancy on the propagation of a fluid driven crack along a frictional weakening planar fault. The numerical results reveal that shear-induced dilatancy can effectively stabilize an otherwise unstable fault with respect to the nucleation of an unabated dynamic rupture. Although counter-intuitive, this is valid only for sufficiently large injection over-pressure. This important result is confirmed theoretically using linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) under small-scale yielding approximation. The simulations further show that this stabilization still holds even for large increase of fault permeability associated with shear deformations. In a second part of this manuscript, a new boundary element solver for localized inelastic deformations along a large set of pre-existing planes is proposed and described. Upon validation against several analytical and semi-analytical solutions, a series of problems are addressed in order to illustrate the capabilities, accuracy and performance of this algorithm. It is then used to model hydraulic stimulation of fractured rock masses in the extreme cases of critically stressed and marginally pressurized conditions.
The role of cyadox and recombinant growth hormone (rGH) on the promotion of growth through epigenetics

Background: Cyadox is an effective growth-promoting antibiotic, which is similar to the role of recombinant growth hormone (rGH). Current studies have shown that cyadox can promote animal growth through altering intestinal microflora, improving protein utilization and increasing protein synthesis. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetics are also closely related to growth. However, the potential role of epigenetics in the cyadox for growth has not been explored. Results: Here, we used recombinant growth hormone (rGH) and cyadox to study the relationship between growth and changes in epigenetics including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin structure. Bisulfite DNA sequencing (BSP) assay suggested that cyadox and rGH treatments increased IGF-1 expression partially by hypomethylation at CpG sites within the promoter region of IGF-1, which was regulated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). We also observed an enrichment of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac at the promoter regions of IGF-1 by ChIP-qPCR assay, which contributed to an increase in IGF-1 transcription. In addition, immunofluorometric assay displayed cellular accessible chromatin structure following the treatment of cyadox and rGH, facilitating the combination of transcription factors and DNA and thus enhancing gene transcription. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicated that cyadox and rGH promote cell growth partially through epigenetic changes, providing a prospect for the development of animal growth-promoting drugs in the future.
STUDY ON DIAGNOSIS AND PROPERTIES OF PLASMA PARAMETERS

The properties of spatial distribution of ECR plasma ion density and electronic temperature in the ECR-MOPECVD reaction chamber are diagnosed at P_w=650 W,I_m=145 A,p=0.1 Pa by a Langmuir probe and the effect of magnetic field are investigated. Under the influence of magnetic gradient, the ECR plasma in the upper region diffuses in the shape of magnetic field with a poor uniformity. The ECR plasma in the downstream region has fine radial uniformity. In particular, the uniformity in the scope of diameter 16 cm at z=30 cm amounts to 96.3%. This excellent uniformity has an extensive application in the plasma processing.