Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Role of Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have a rising prevalence worldwide. The relationship between these two entities has long been studied and understanding it has become a public health and clinical priority. This association follows, in most patients, the path through non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and finally HCC. Nonetheless, increasing evidence has been found, that shows MetS as an independent risk factor for the development of HCC. This review brings together the clinical evidence of the relationship between these highly prevalent diseases, with a particular interest in the impact of each component of MetS on HCC; It aims to summarize the complex physiopathological pathways that explain this relationship, and to shed light on the different clinical scenarios of this association, the impact of treating the different components of MetS on the risk of HCC and what is known about screening for HCC in patients with MetS. By doing so, it hopes to improve awareness on this topic.
Islamic Financial Literacy and Intention to Use Gopay in Yogyakarta: Extended Theory of Acceptance Models

This study used the theory of acceptance model (TAM). This study analyzed the impact of Islamic financial literacy on the intention to use Go-Pay. This quantitative research used a purposive sampling of Muslim university students in Yogyakarta. The questionnaire was tested for validity and reliability, and the result exceeded its standard. Data were analyzed using path analysis. This study showed that Islamic financial literacy positively impacted perceived usefulness and ease of use. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use positively impacted the intention to use Go-Pay. Islamic financial literacy directly impacted the intention to use Go-Pay; Islamic financial literacy through perceived usefulness positively impacted the intention to use Go-Pay. Moreover, through perceived ease of use, Islamic financial literacy had a positive impact on the intention to use Go-Pay. Keywords: Islamic Financial Literacy; Technology Acceptance Model; Intention; E-walle
The Implication of Village Funds Utilization Towards Poverty in Maluku Province

The study was conducted to: first, observe and analyze the poverty in cities or regencies of Maluku Province before and after the village fund was granted and second, to find out and to analyze the impact of the expenditure on community empowerment; village development implementation; expenditure on the implementation of village government; and community development towards poverty in cities or regency in Maluku. The methods applied for this study are the average difference Paired Sample T-Test and multiple linear regression test by (Prasetyo Yudhi, 2015)using panel data on village funds and regency/city poverty in 2016-2018. Findings/Originality: the study is that there were no better changes of people’s in poverty of the Maluku cities and regencies when the village fund was granted, there were no significant differences. The study depicted a small implication of village fund utilization towards poverty, this was due to the misuse of the village expenditure, so only the two variables namely the village development implementation variables and the village administration expenditure variable which have an impact on poverty reduction but did not a significant. The implication of the result is that the agency/City Government of Maluku Province pays more attention to the accuracy of village funds usage and supervision on village spending. Village community empowerment spending needs to be increased and Village funds should focus more on the problems faced such as the level of education/skills of the poor household heads and the magnitude of the potential agricultural sector.
Ant Colony Optimization : An Alternative Heuristic for Aerospace Design Applications

A modified ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is applied to a set of solid-rocketmotor and single-stage solid missile design problems. A local search procedure is also integrated with the algorithm, adding a search intensification ability that compliments the ability of ACO to thoroughly explore a solution space. The goal of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of the ant colony optimization scheme by comparing its solution output quality with those of other, well-known optimization methods. Performance is based on solution “fitness”, or how closely each solution matches a specific set of performance objectives, as well as the number of calls to the objective function that are required in order to reach that solution. Additionally, an important performance criterion is to determine the algorithm′s capabilities of finding, not only a single quality solution to a design problem, but also a diverse set of additional, near-optimal solutions.
Drivers of Routine and Outbreak Vaccination Uptake in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo: An Exploratory Study in Ten Health Zones

We performed a cross-sectional survey on vaccination-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among randomly selected parents of <5 years-old children, elderly populations (aged ≥ 55 years), and health care workers (HCWs) in 10 health zones from 4 provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Questionnaires targeted both routine (BCG, measles, polio) and outbreak-related (cholera, Ebola, COVID-19) vaccinations. In total, 2751 participants were included, 1165 parents, 1040 elderly, and 546 HCWs. In general, KAP expressed were supportive of vaccination uptake, although concerns regarding side effects and feelings of being insufficiently informed were more prevalent among parents and the elderly. Vaccine acceptance was lower for outbreak vaccinations (57%) than for routine vaccinations (90%). HCWs expressed the highest vaccine acceptance. Problems with the vaccine supply chain were reported by 20% of respondents. Despite a high level of positive KAP towards vaccination, parents and the elderly expressed a need to be better informed and had concerns regarding vaccine side-effects. A high acceptance for routine vaccinations was reported by participants, but somewhat less for outbreak vaccinations. In conclusion, HCWs in the communities could play a key role in the increased uptake of routine vaccinations and in optimizing uptake during outbreaks, provided that the supply chain is functioning well.
Glycosylation of Epigallocatechin Gallate by Engineered Glycoside Hydrolases from Talaromyces amestolkiae: Potential Antiproliferative and Neuroprotective Effect of These Molecules

Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) are enzymes that hydrolyze glycosidic bonds, but some of them can also catalyze the synthesis of glycosides by transglycosylation. However, the yields of this reaction are generally low since the glycosides formed end up being hydrolyzed by these same enzymes. For this reason, mutagenic variants with null or drastically reduced hydrolytic activity have been developed, thus enhancing their synthetic ability. Two mutagenic variants, a glycosynthase engineered from a β-glucosidase (BGL-1-E521G) and a thioglycoligase from a β-xylosidase (BxTW1-E495A), both from the ascomycete Talaromyces amestolkiae, were used to synthesize three novel epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) glycosides. EGCG is a phenolic compound from green tea known for its antioxidant effects and therapeutic benefits, whose glycosylation could increase its bioavailability and improve its bioactive properties. The glycosynthase BGL-1-E521G produced a β-glucoside and a β-sophoroside of EGCG, while the thioglycoligase BxTW1-E495A formed the β-xyloside of EGCG. Glycosylation occurred in the 5″ and 4″ positions of EGCG, respectively. In this work, the reaction conditions for glycosides’ production were optimized, achieving around 90% conversion of EGCG with BGL-1-E521G and 60% with BxTW1-E495A. The glycosylation of EGCG caused a slight loss of its antioxidant capacity but notably increased its solubility (between 23 and 44 times) and, in the case of glucoside, also improved its thermal stability. All three glycosides showed better antiproliferative properties on breast adenocarcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231 than EGCG, and the glucosylated and sophorylated derivatives induced higher neuroprotection, increasing the viability of SH-S5Y5 neurons exposed to okadaic acid.
Removal of Circulating Tumor Cells from Blood Samples of Cancer Patients Using Highly Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Translational Research Project

The count of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been associated with a worse prognosis in different types of cancer. Perioperatively, CTCs detach due to mechanical forces. Diagnostic tools exist to detect and isolate CTCs, but no therapeutic technique is currently available to remove CTCs in vivo from unprocessed blood. The aim of this study was to design and test new magnetic nanoparticles to purify whole blood from CTCs. Novel magnetic carbon-coated cobalt (C/Co) nanoparticles conjugated with anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies were synthesized, and their antifouling and separation properties were determined. The newly developed C/Co nanoparticles showed excellent separation and antifouling properties. They efficiently removed tumor cells that were added to healthy subjects’ blood samples, through an anti-EpCAM antibody interaction. The nanoparticles did not interact with other blood components, such as lymphocytes or the coagulation system. In blood samples of carcinoma patients suffering from metastatic disease, on average, ≥68% of CTCs were removed. These nanoparticles could prompt the development of a blood purification technology, such as a dialysis-like device, to perioperatively remove CTCs from the blood of cancer patients in vivo and potentially improve their prognosis.
Model of Zakat Utilization Based on Local Geographical Potential in West Sumatra

Utilizing Zakat through a variety of productive programs can improve the welfare of the Muslim community and foster a sense of mental independence among them. Through the Boerka Superior Goat Breeding Center Program in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, this study aims to investigate how zakat is utilized based on the local geographical potential. Case study methodology is used as the qualitative research approach. Interviews and observations are employed as data collection techniques. The data analysis was conducted using the interactive data analysis model. According to the findings, the model consists of three phases: planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Several activities comprise the preparation of the program, including the formation of a management team, the selection of areas and mustahiks, and the provision of goats, forage seeds, and mentors. As part of the program's implementation, selected mustahiks will receive assistance in the form of training in recording, pen construction, disease prevention, and feed processing. During the monitoring and evaluation phase, the team conducted routine and ongoing monitoring and assessed the program's progress. This new basis in the utilization of zakat must be considered and implemented by zakat institutions, as it is insufficient to consider only the human factor, as local potential factors, including geographical potential, are also important in the utilization of zakat. Using zakat in a manner that prioritizes local geographical potential is anticipated to significantly enhance the quality of life for mustahiks.
The Relationship Between Patient Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Free Functional Muscle Transfer in Patients with Complete Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

Purpose Traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) causes severe disabilities to the patients, affecting not only upper limb function but also the psychosocial and economic aspects. Free functional muscle transfer (FFMT) is one of the reconstruction modalities for the management of TBPI. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional outcomes and their correlation to patient factors. Patients and Methods This is a retrospective study of 131 patients who suffered from complete TBPI (C5-T1) and were treated with the FFMT procedure to restore elbow flexion and wrist extension from 2010 to 2018 in our institution. We evaluated the active range of motion (AROM), muscle power with MRC (Medical Research Council) scale, DASH score, and complications, with a minimum of 12-month follow-up. Results Following FFMT surgery, elbow flexion was significantly and successfully restored (MRC ≥ 3) in 75.5% of patients with an average AROM of 88.17 ± 41.29°. The wrist extension was restored in 42% of the patients with an average AROM of 20.69 ± 18.72°. There was no correlation between age, side of injury, and time to surgery with the functional outcomes. There was a weak correlation between education level, rehabilitation compliance, and elbow functional outcomes. Conclusion FFMT is a reliable surgical option to restore elbow flexion in TBPI with a high satisfactory result. Our findings suggested that the FFMT indication is potentially expanded regardless of the patient factors.
Performance of T-Shaped and conventional Cement-Soil deep mixing piles to stabilize soft base of High-Speed trains

ABSTRACT The dramatic increase in train speeds has made settlement control in the train bed a critical issue. High differential settlements on railway tracks, especially high-speed trains, can derail trains and cause irreparable financial and human losses. Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) piles are among the efficient methods to control the train path’s settlement, especially paths on soft clay soils . Recently, T-shaped cement soil mixing (TDM) piles became more popular than a single DCM pile. In this study, total and differential settlements along the path of a high-speed train on a loose bed reinforced with DCM and TDM piles were studied using PLAXIS 3D software. Three different configuration patterns of the pile were investigated to determine the performance of DCM and TDM piles. Unlike the DCM piles, no differential settlements were captured in the TDM piles with a distance of 60, 120, and 180 cm between the piles.
SettingTime and Strength of Concrete Using the Impact-Echo Method

Tests were performed to evaluate the feasibility of using the impact-echo method to determine setting time and to monitor strength development of concrete. In the impact-echo method, the test object is subjected to point impact and the surface displacement is monitored at a point adjacent to the impact. From the measured displacement waveform and the thickness of the object, the P-wave velocity is determined. Changes in the P-wave velocity with time reveal information about the development of mechanical properties as the concrete matures. The results are discussed of setting-time tests on concrete mixtures of two water-cement ratios both with and without set-controlling admixtures. The results are also discussed of tests that examined the relationship between P-wave velocity, as determined by the impact-echo method, and the compressive strength of concrete. It is concluded that the impact-echo method is a promising nondestructive technique for monitoring the development of mechanical properties in concrete from initial setting to ages of several days.
Nervous habitat patches: The effect of hydropeaking on habitat dynamics

Alteration in the river flow regime due to intermittent hydropower production (i.e., hydropeaking) leads to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation worldwide. Due to the increasing shear of volatile green energy (i.e., wind and solar), hydropeaking frequency is deemed to increase in the coming decades. However, our mechanistic understanding of how the frequency of repeated hydropeaking (i.e., series of multiple events) affects ecological processes is still limited. Here, we reflect on the impacts of altered flow frequency and relative duration on the persistency of aquatic habitats. We focus on the habitats at patch‐scale, being this the scale representing what organisms perceive when interacting with their environment. With a showcase we explore a temporally explicit approach to quantify altered habitat dynamics at patch‐scale due to hydropeaking. We then review how changes in habitat dynamics and persistency may affect ecological processes. Our findings suggest that (i) a time‐series approach allows to account for the inherent multi‐event nature of hydropeaking; (ii) hydropeaking can increase the dynamics of single habitat patches by at least one order of magnitude if compared to unregulated rivers; (iii) altered habitat dynamics at the patch scale can affect the survival of more sessile species and life cycle stages (e.g., invertebrates) or the energy budget of mobile species and life cycle stages (e.g., adult fish). However, the ecological significance and potential environmental thresholds of patch‐scale dynamics and persistency are still poorly investigated and need further attention. Moreover, methods for the aggregation of habitat dynamics and persistency from the patch to the reach‐scale are not available yet.
Racial disparities in histological subtype, stage, tumor grade and cancer-specific survival in lung cancer

Background Racial differences in lung cancer survival are well documented in the United States, but the fundamental causes are less clear. In this study we aimed to examine racial differences in lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) and explore mediating factors. Methods We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database to obtain data pertaining to lung cancer patients from 2004 to 2017. Outcome was LCSS and covariates included nonclinical (age at diagnosis, gender, marital status, race) and clinical factors (tumor site, year of diagnosis, tumor grading, histological subtype, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, surgery status, chemotherapy status and radiation status). Kaplan-Meier methods served for comparative LCSS disparities among patients of different racial origins. Meanwhile, univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to determine racial disparities in LCSS. Results Among 61,961 lung cancer patients, 75.70% were White, 12.80% were Black, 11.30% were Asian or Pacific Islander (API), and 0.20% were American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN). In API patients, adenocarcinoma patients (54.5%) were more frequent than in White patients (43.2%), Black patients (44.1%) and American Indian/Alaska Native patients (41.2%). Black and API patients exhibited higher stage than White patients (P<0.01). However, our multivariate analysis identified API patients exhibited better LCSS than White patients (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.88–0.93). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed that API patients exhibited best LCSS, especially in stage IV adenocarcinoma. Conclusions The novel evidence obtained from this study enrich our knowledge of racial differences among lung cancer patients and suggest that race may be associated with LCSS.
Eating Habits among US Firefighters and Association with Cardiometabolic Outcomes

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of on-duty mortality among firefighters, with obesity as an important risk factor. However, little is known regarding the dietary patterns which are characteristic in this population and how these patterns relate to cardiometabolic outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the dietary patterns of US firefighters and examine their association with cardiometabolic outcomes. The participants (n = 413) were from the Indianapolis Fire Department, and were recruited for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-sponsored Mediterranean diet intervention study. All of the participants underwent physical and medical examinations, routine laboratory tests, resting electrocardiograms, and maximal treadmill exercise testing. A comprehensive food frequency questionnaire was administered, and dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.0 ± 4.5 kg/m2 and the percentage of body fat was 28.1 ± 6.6%. Using principal component analysis, two dietary patterns were identified, namely a Mediterranean diet and a Standard American diet. Following the adjustment for gender, BMI, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), max metabolic equivalents (METS), age, and body fat percent, the Mediterranean diet was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (β = 1.20, p = 0.036) in linear regression models. The Standard American diet was associated with an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (β = −3.76, p = 0.022). In conclusion, the Mediterranean diet was associated with more favorable cardiometabolic profiles, whereas the Standard American diet had an inverse association. These findings could help in providing adequate nutrition recommendations for US firefighters to improve their health.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR)-Mediated Signaling in iPSC-Derived Human Motor Neurons

Exposure to environmental pollutants and endogenous metabolites that induce aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression has been suggested to affect cognitive development and, particularly in boys, also motor function. As current knowledge is based on epidemiological and animal studies, in vitro models are needed to better understand the effects of these compounds in the human nervous system at the molecular level. Here, we investigated expression of AhR pathway components and how they are regulated by AhR ligands in human motor neurons. Motor neurons generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) were characterized at the molecular level and by electrophysiology. mRNA levels of AhR target genes, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 (cytochromes P450 1A1/1B1), and AhR signaling components were monitored in hiPSCs and in differentiated neurons following treatment with AhR ligands, 2,3,7,8,-tetrachlodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), L-kynurenine (L-Kyn), and kynurenic acid (KA), by RT-qPCR. Changes in AhR cellular localization and CYP1A1 activity in neurons treated with AhR ligands were also assessed. The neurons we generated express motor neuron-specific markers and are functional. Transcript levels of CYP1B1, AhR nuclear translocators (ARNT1 and ARNT2) and the AhR repressor (AhRR) change with neuronal differentiation, being significantly higher in neurons than hiPSCs. In contrast, CYP1A1 and AhR transcript levels are slightly lower in neurons than in hiPSCs. The response to TCDD treatment differs in hiPSCs and neurons, with only the latter showing significant CYP1A1 up-regulation. In contrast, TCDD slightly up-regulates CYP1B1 mRNA in hiPSCs, but downregulates it in neurons. Comparison of the effects of different AhR ligands on AhR and some of its target genes in neurons shows that L-Kyn and KA, but not TCDD, regulate AhR expression and differently affect CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression. Finally, although TCDD does not significantly affect AhR transcript levels, it induces AhR protein translocation to the nucleus and increases CYP1A1 activity. This is in contrast to L-Kyn and KA, which either do not affect or reduce, respectively, CYP1A1 activity. Expression of components of the AhR signaling pathway are regulated with neuronal differentiation and are differently affected by TCDD, suggesting that pluripotent stem cells might be less sensitive to this toxin than neurons. Crucially, AhR signaling is affected differently by TCDD and other AhR ligands in human motor neurons, suggesting that they can provide a valuable tool for assessing the impact of environmental pollutants.
Policies for sharing workspaces in activity-based flex offices

Policies for maintaining non-territoriality (desk-sharing and clean desk policies) and for maintaining zones with different sound levels vary between activity-based flex offices. Five policies were identified as crucial for making the activity-based office concept work. In cases without explicitly expressed policies employees reported uncertainties and interpretations of how to act in the office.