Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of bupivacaine with magnesium sulphate and dexamethasone as adjuvants in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for open unilateral inguinal hernia surgeries: A randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims: Inguinal hernia repair is associated with moderate to severe pain that is most extreme in the first 24 hours. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of dexamethasone versus magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) with bupivacaine in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernioplasty. Methods: Eighty patients were randomly allocated to two groups to receive ultrasound-guided TAP block postoperatively with either 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 8 mg of dexamethasone (Group BD) or 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 250 mg of MgSO4 (Group BM). Patients were assessed for the first 24 hours after surgery for pain at rest and movement using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Two mg/kg of tramadol was administered as rescue analgesia. The time to first demand tramadol, total consumption of tramadol, patient satisfaction score and side effects were evaluated. Results: The time to the first dose of rescue analgesia was significantly longer in BD group (596.13 ± 57.93 min) than in the BM group (422.50 ± 51.95 min). The NRS scores in the BD group were significantly lower compared to the BM group both at rest and on movement. The total requirement of tramadol was significantly less in the BD group (154.55 ± 59.11 mg) compared to the BM group (270.25 ± 105.72 mg). The incidence of side effects was lower and patient satisfaction was higher in BD group compared to BM group. Conclusion: Bupivacaine with dexamethasone in TAP block after unilateral open inguinal hernioplasty provides increased duration of analgesia and decreased requirement for rescue analgesics compared to magnesium sulphate, with lesser side effects and better patient satisfaction.
The 100 Top-Cited Studies on Loneliness: A Bibliometric Analysis

The present study explores characteristics of the top 100 most-cited articles on loneliness. A systematic search was carried out using the Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection to collect studies on loneliness from inception to June 1, 2022. The initial search resulted in 6,250 search results, which included articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, editorials, and letters. Two authors independently screened the literature and extracted the data. The study supervisor removed any discrepancies. Top 100 papers (articles and reviews) on loneliness published in English were extracted. Data analysis and visualization were performed on Excel, Web of Science (WoS) Data Analyzer, and VOSviewer 1.6. 16. The total number of citations of the 100 top-cited articles was 42,044, ranging from 203 to 2,201 per article. All of the studies were published from 1989 to 2021, and the years with the highest number of top-cited articles published were 2003 and 2008. Most publications were from the following journals: Computers in Human Behavior, Developmental Psychology, Psychological Science, Psychology, and Aging (n=4 each). The most cited article was titled “UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure” by Russell, DW, in the Journal of Personality Assessment. The most productive institute was the University of Chicago. The two most productive authors were Cacioppo, JT, and Hawkley, LC. Of the 100 top-cited publications, 87 were original articles and 13 were reviews. The top three WoS categories were psychology multidisciplinary, gerontology, and psychiatry. In total, 37 author keywords were elicited and further clubbed into eight distinct clusters. The study provides new insight into loneliness research, which may help doctors, researchers, and stakeholders achieve a more comprehensive understanding of trends and influential contributions to the field and highlight under-researched areas, which could be the basis for future investigation.
Complex graph neural networks for medication interaction verification

This paper presents the development and application of graph neural networks to verify drug interactions, consisting of drug-protein networks. For this, the DrugBank databases were used, creating four complex networks of interactions: target proteins, transport proteins, carrier proteins, and enzymes. The Louvain and Girvan-Newman community detection algorithms were used to establish communities and validate the interactions between them. Positive results were obtained when checking the interactions of two sets of drugs for disease treatments: diabetes and anxiety; diabetes and antibiotics. There were found 371 interactions by the Girvan-Newman algorithm and 58 interactions via Louvain.
Flexible Composition for Optional and Derived Arguments

⊙ Representational options: ◦ Structural position (P&P, LFG) ◦ Distinguished lists (HPSG) ◦ Grammatical functions (LFG) ⊙ Borderline cases: ◦ Optional arguments (1) Any child of Kim’s is unfortunately likely to drink . (2) Kim ate at 10 o’clock. ◦ Derived arguments (Needham and Toivonen 2011) (3) The hole was plugged by Kim. Passive by-phrase (4) Kim plugged the hole with a cork. Instrumental (5) Kim’s obstruction of the hole Possessive phrase in event nominal (6) Kim plugged the hole for them. Benefactive (7) The hole crawled with bugs. Displaced theme (8) It seemed to Kim like the hole could be plugged. Experiencer (9) The bugs crawled from the hole. Directional
The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and the finite-volume time-domain (FVTD) methods in solving Maxwell's equations

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and its current generalizations have been demonstrated to be useful and powerful tools for the calculation of the radar cross section (RCS) of complicated objects, the radiation of antennas in the presence of other structures, and other applications. The mathematical techniques for conformal FDTD have matured; the primary impediments to its implementation are the complex geometries and material properties associated with the problem. Even under these circumstances, FDTD is more flexible to implement because it is based on first principles instead of a clever mathematical trick. This paper gives an account of some new results on conformal FDTD obtained by the authors and their associates at Lockheed Martin Space Company since 1988. The emphasis is on nonsmooth boundary condition simulation.
A mathematical model for blood flow in magnetic field

In the present study a mathematical model of biomagnetic fluid dynamics (BFD), suitable for the description of the Newtonian blood flow under the action of an applied magnetic field, is proposed. This model is consistent with the principles of ferrohydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics and takes into account both magnetization and electrical conductivity of blood. As a representative application the laminar, incompressible, three-dimensional, fully developed viscous flow of a Newtonian biomagnetic fluid (blood) in a straight rectangular duct is numerically studied under the action of a uniform or a spatially varying magnetic field. The numerical results are obtained using a finite differences numerical technique based on a pressure-linked pseudotransient method on a collocated grid. The flow is appreciably influenced by the application of the magnetic field and in particularly by the strength and the magnetic field gradient. A comparison of the derived results is also made with those obtained using the e.
Characterisation of the Aerodynamic Aerosol Classifier Transfer Function for Particle Sizes up to 5 Micrometres

The Aerodynamic Aerosol Classifier (AAC) classifies particles with the desired aerodynamic diameter by generating opposing centrifugal and drag forces on the particles using rotating concentric cylinders and a clean sheath flow. Particle transmission through the classifier is described by its transfer function, which is an important indicator of classifier performance. Characterisation of the classifier’s transfer function improves the accuracy of its common aerosol applications, such as measuring particle size distributions or providing classified particles to other aerosol instruments for calibration or further analysis. This characterisation is commonly achieved experimentally using a tandem set-up of the same classifier. While this approach was previously used to characterise the AAC’s transfer function for particle aerodynamic diameters up to 2.4 µ m using a nebuliser and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC), the current study expands the AAC’s characterisation up to 5 µ m using a condensation aerosol generator and an Optical Particle Counter (OPC). This upper size range is significantly higher than that offered by other common aerosol classifiers, such as the approximate 1 µ m upper limit typical of the Differential Mobility Analyser (DMA), and it is well suited to many applications, including OPC calibration, bio-aerosols, drug delivery and inhalation studies, and atmospheric dust analysis. This study found that the AAC maintains its high transmission efficiency ( ≥ 60%) for particles up to 5 µ m and that its transfer function width factor increases (i.e., the distribution becomes narrower) as the aerodynamic diameter increases. Setpoint agreement between two different production AACs remained within 2% over the size range tested. Therefore, the AAC has excellent performance for classifying particles up to 5 µ m.
Spiritual well-being, symptoms and performance of patients under palliative care

ABSTRACT Objectives: to assess the relationship between spiritual well-being, symptoms and performance of patients under palliative care. Methods: this is a descriptive correlational study, conducted with 135 patients seen in palliative care outpatient clinics. Karnofsky Performance Status Scale, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, Spirituality Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. Data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis and Spearman’s correlation. Results: among participants, 68.2% were cancer patients. The most prevalent symptoms were changes in well-being (65.2%), anxiety (63.7%), sadness (63%) and fatigue (63%). Sadness, dyspnea, sleepiness, anxiety and depression presented weak to moderate correlation with spiritual well-being. Symptom overload showed weak negative correlation with performance. Conclusions: symptom intensification was correlated with worsening in spiritual well-being perception. The reduction in performance was related to increased number of symptoms, especially depression and anxiety.
Rule-Based On-Off Traffic Control Strategy for CAVs on Motorway Networks: Assessing Cooperation Level and Driving Homogeneity

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) attract much attention due to their unique behavioral characteristics and the promise to transform road transport systems as we know them today. However, the behavior of such vehicles on the road is not homogeneous since each manufacturer offers different implementations. Cooperation is essential to homogenize the traffic flow of CAVs and prevent delays on congested networks with high demand. This work proposes a rule-based decentralized on- off cooperation strategy at merging locations on freeway networks using CAVs as mobile actuators. The proposed strategy handles bilateral conflicts at on- ramps between vehicles with conflicting trajectories, taking actions at the vehicle level in a lateral or longitudinal direction, to minimize the disturbance for the following vehicles. Furthermore, heterogeneity among such vehicles is assessed through different parameter distributions among CAVs to demonstrate the importance of ensuring homogeneous dynamics in the vehicle operation design. Microscopic simulation is used to demonstrate the robustness of the proposed strategy and the value of homogeneous dynamics. The results show that cooperation of CAVs decreases the average network delay time by up to 46%. Homogeneous driving behavior amplifies the benefit of the cooperative strategy significantly.
Optimal priority assignment with hard constraint

We consider a discrete-time queueing system consisting of K + 1 classes of customers competing for a single server at an infinite capacity queue. For each customer class the arrival sequence forms a renewal sequence but is otherwise arbitrary. The service requirements are geometric with class-dependent parameter. The optimization criterion is to minimize a linear combination of the average line lengths for classes 1 through K , while simultaneously subjecting the average line length of class-0 customers to a hard constraint. The optimal policy is shown to be a randomized modification of a static-priority policy. The optimization problem is thereby reduced to a problem of finding the optimal randomization factor. This is done in a particular case, when the arrival processes are independent and geometrically distributed.
Position-Commanding Anti-Sway Controller for 2-D Overhead Cranes Under Velocity and Acceleration Constraints

This paper proposes an anti-sway controller for two-dimensional overhead cranes. The controller is of the position-commanding type, i.e., it sends position commands to the position-controlled trolley, and it uses the sensor information of the payload sway angle. The position commands are determined so that the trolley tracks the desired position signal sent from an upper-level controller and also so that the payload sway is damped. The sway damping is realized by a leaky integral controller, which employs a high-pass filtered time integral of the sway angle. In addition, arbitrary limits can be imposed on the first and second derivatives of the position command, and thus it is applicable to cases where the desired position signal from the upper-level controller is nonsmooth or discontinuous. Due to these features, the controller is expected to be useful in both human-operated and autonomous systems. The controller was validated with a laboratory setup. This paper also presents an algorithm that can be attached to the proposed controller to prevent the overshoot, which can take place when the desired position signal is discontinuous.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF CONCEPT OF ARITHMETIC MEAN

The research (spring of 2008) investigated the understanding of concept of arithmetic mean of 208 4th and 6th grade students of elementary school, in Thessaloniki in Greece. The result agrees with the conceptions of Mokros & Russell (1995, 22) that “the arithmetic mean is a mathematical object of unappreciated complexity”. The students participated in research were able to calculate the mean using the arithmetic algorithm, although they couldn’t use the metre to summarize data neither applied it in real life problems, that is interpreted as absence of statistical thought (Phannkuch & Wild, 2003). Children limit themselves in the simple knowledge of the algorithm (computational knowledge) that constitutes the lower level of instrumental understanding of the concept (Pollatsek et al, 1981). With regard to the comprehension of representativeness students recognized this attribute but they didn’t lead to the confrontation of data as an entity.
The Effect of Training and Competence Work Discipline on Improving the Performance of State Civil Apparatus at the Regional Secretariat of Jeneponto Regency

The research objective was to determine and analyze the effect of training and competency, work discipline on improving the performance of state civil servants at the Regional Secretariat of Jeneponto District. The research uses a causality design with a quantitative approach, it was conducted at the Regional Secretariat of Jeneponto District, and it lasted for approximately 2 (two) months, November to December 2020. The population was all staff of the Regional Secretariat of Jeneponto, namely 224 employees, with a saturated sampling technique so that the final sample involved was 224 employees. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation, while data analysis using path analysis. The research results showed that indirect impact, the performance of the employees could be improved by training where the implementation of practical training has been done by emphasizing to organizational needs to encourage corporate and employee enthusiasm in participating in the activity. In addition, competence is also a variable that promotes the improvement of the Regional Secretariat of Jeneponto district; formally, employees have good competence with placement by their competence. Employee competence is measured well with better knowledge, understanding, values, attitudes, and interests. On the indirect effect, the role of work discipline as an intervening variable has a good impact on training to performance. Good training has led to an increase in employee discipline, which impacts performance but differs from competence on employee performance. Employees feel the inability to apply organizational discipline to its full potential when many workloads are given.
Spectral Technique for Baud Time Estimation

A new approach for baud time (or baud rate) estimation of a random binary signal is presented. This approach utilizes the spectrum of the signal after nonlinear processing in a way that the estimation error can be reduced by simply increasing the number of the processed samples instead of increasing the sampling rate. The spectrum of the new signal is shown to give an accurate estimate about the baud time when there is no apriory information or any restricting preassumptions. The performance of the estimator for random binary square waves perturbed by white Gaussian noise and ISI is evaluated and compared with that of the conventional estimator of the zero crossing detector.
Enhancing TCP via Hysteresis Switching: Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Evaluation

In this paper we study the relationship between the TCP packet loss cycle and the performance of time-sensitive traffic in data centers. Using real traffic measurements and analysis, we find that such loss cycles are not long enough to enable most partition-aggregate time-sensitive TCP applications to recover their packet losses via the TCP 3-dup ACKs mechanism. As a result, the Timeout (RTO) mechanism is frequently triggered, leading to the expansion of the flow completion times (FCT) of such applications by orders of magnitude. Hence, we seek an alternative method that does not change the virtual machines and that can effectively expand the loss cycle duration to enable short flows to finish their transfer without incurring the cost of the RTO. To this end, we propose a novel TCP-AQM mechanism that alternates between a slow constant bitrate (CBR) mode and a fast TCP rate via hysteresis switching to expand the loss cycle. We prove the stability of the proposed TCP-AQM via a control theoretic model, then evaluate its performance gains via small and large scale NS2 simulation and by real FPGA implementation of a prototype on the NetFPGA platform. The results show considerable improvements in FCT distribution and reduction of missed deadlines in simulation and real experiments.
Anteroposterior dysplasia indicator (APDI) and Overbite depth indicator (ODI) in a sample of Iraqi adults with different skeletal classes

This study aimed to establish the mean value of Anteroposteri or Dysplasia Indicator (APDI), as measurements of the sagittal discrepancy and Overbite Depth Indicator (ODI), as measurement of vertical discrepancy, in a sample of Iraqi adults with different skeletal classes. Materials and Methods: Ninety dental students, 30 subjects have class I (15 males and 15 females), 30 subjects have class II (15 males and 15 females) and 30 subjects have class III (15 males and 15 females) were chosen for this study. Each student was subjected to clinical examination and digital true lateral cephalometric X-ray. The radiographs were analyzed using AutoCAD 2007. Descriptive statistics obtained for the variables for both genders, independent samples t-test was performed to evaluate the gender difference, and ANOVA then LSD tests were applied to compare the measurement among the skeletal classes. Results and Conclusions: The mean value of APDI and ODI were established for class I, class II and class III, the APDI and ODI values showed high statistically significant differences among the different skeletal classes for both genders. The mean value of APDI was greater for class III group, and the mean value of the ODI was greater for class II group and it was smaller in class III group.
Interorganizational Systems and Supply Chain Agility in Uncertain Environments: The Mediation Role of Supply Chain Collaboration

The economy is recovering in today’s postpandemic phase, but uncertainties such as supply chain disruptions remain a top risk. Environmental uncertainty creates the need for swift supply chain adjustments in response to these external changes. Supply chain agility (SCA) has been recognized as a key capability for firms working to achieve superior performance in uncertain business environments. SCA is challenging to achieve, however, because it requires the firm and its supply chain partners to collaborate closely yet flexibly across organizational boundaries. Considering interorganizational systems (IOS) have been widely deployed to establish digital connections across organizational boundaries, this study aims to explore to what extent and how IOS as boundary objects, characterized by standardization and adaptability, affect SCA under different levels of environmental uncertainty. This study provides guidance for information technology (IT) and business directors on how to achieve SCA through the design or implementation of IOS, provides guidance for business directors on how to invest more effectively to capture opportunities and deal with risks, and advises business and IT directors on how to respond appropriately to different levels of environmental uncertainty (e.g., IT directors should design adaptive IOS and business directors should invest in supply chain collaboration when environmental uncertainty is high).
Performance Evaluation of Lithium-ion Batteries under Low-Pressure Conditions for Aviation Applications

Electrification is getting more important in the aviation industry with the increasing need for reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and fuel consumption. It is crucial to assess the behavior of Li-Ion batteries at high-altitude conditions to design safe and reliable battery packs. This paper aims at benchmarking the performance of different formats of battery cells (pouch cells and cylindrical cells) in low-pressure environments. A test setup was designed and fabricated to replicate the standard procedure defined by the RTCA DO-311 standard, such as the altitude test and rapid decompression test. During the test voltage, current, temperature, and pressure were monitored, and the evaluation criteria is based on the capacity retention, along with the structural integrity of the cell. From preliminary tests, it was observed that cylindrical cells do not show a significant change in performance at low-pressure conditions thanks to their steel casing. Failure has been observed in pouch cells due to the absence of a rigid enclosure.