Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reporting of central airway obstruction on radiology reports and impact on bronchoscopic airway interventions and patient outcomes

Background: Central airway obstruction (CAO) is a serious condition that affects patients with both benign and malignant diseases. Timely recognition of CAO is crucial for prompt intervention aimed at improving the symptoms and quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the formal radiology reporting of CAO and its impact on patients’ outcomes. Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent advanced therapeutic bronchoscopy for CAO from August 2013 to September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Three researchers each reviewed 14 of the 42 formal radiology reports that were performed at 16 different medical and radiology centers. Patient characteristics were reported as means, medians, and standard deviations for continuous variables, and as frequencies and relative frequencies for categorical variables. Results: Out of 42 patients who underwent advanced bronchoscopy for planned therapeutic intervention, only 30 had radiology and pulmonology concordance about the airway findings of CAO. This is an agreement rate of 71.4% [95% confidence interval (CI): 56.7–83.3%] or a disagreement rate of 28.6% (95% CI: 16.7–43.3%). The radiology reports did not mention 31% of CAO on CT scans. The median time from CT imaging to bronchoscopy was significantly longer in patients with CAO not reported by the radiologists (21 versus 10 days; p = 0.011). Most patients improved postoperatively with no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Findings of CAOs were not described in a significant proportion of radiology reports. This results in significant delay in bronchoscopic airway management.
Influence of processing parameters on physicochemical properties of Iranian mulberry (Morusalba L.) molasses

The white mulberry is a native fruit to China. The white mulberry as a fruit with high water content and sensitive texture, is a perishable fruit with high-level waste. To reduce the losses of the white mulberry, it used to be processed traditional dried fruit and mulberry molasses. The purpose of this study was to determine chemical and physical properties of white mulberry molasess made up of different cultivars, neutralizers and concentration methods. Two examples of cultivars were Bokhara and Khardar mulberry (local cultivars), two neutralizing compounds were white soil (traditionally special soil can be used as neutralization) and calcium carbonate, the concentration conditions were concentration under vacuum conditions and concentration under atmospheric pressure to achieve the desired final concentration (70°Brix). The experimental design was factorial in the frame of completely randomized design which was performed in three replications. The results showed that the neutralization and concentration methods had significant effects on acidity, pH and color (L*, a*, b* indexes). The selected sample for preparing mulberry molasses was the concentration of Bokhara mulberry in vacuum condition with calcium carbonate as neutralizing agent. /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
SEROLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF HBV INFECTION AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AMONG PATIENTS OF ASSIUT GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important health problem and the major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt, and especially in Upper Egypt. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus among Assiut Governorate patients. Patients and method: Our study focused on screened of all patients by ELISA tests for blood-borne viral infections. Seropositive patients were inquired about the exposure to possible risk associations for acquiring these infections. Biochemical, HBV markers by ELIZA, DNA-PCR, were done to classify patients to groups (Low viremia, High viremia, and occult). Results: We examined 1085 patients for HBsAg at Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Out of the 1085 population tested for HBs-Ag, 623 (57.5%) were males, whereas 462 (42.5%) were females. A total of 165 out 1085 were seropositive for HBsAg (15.2%). The highest seropositive of HBsAg were recorded in 106 males (17.1%) compared to 59 females (12.8%). HBsAg seropositive decreased with grassing age, The highest seroprevalence of HBsAg recorded in age ranged between 21-30 years 62 (37.5%). All patients were divided into four groups according to HBV-DNA. Seroprevalence of HBsAg increased with group 2 (Low titer of HBV-DNA 2000 IU/ml -14.5%). HBV was common in rural versus urban community areas (78.2% versus 21.8 % respectively). We did not find abnormal levels of biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions in HBV infected patients. Conclusion: Screening of HBV infection to monitor liver disease progression in HBV carriers by using molecular, biochemical and serological markers, stated that effective treatment can be initiated early before the development of advanced liver diseases.
ROBUST SINGLE-STEP ADVERSARIAL TRAINING

Deep learning models have shown impressive performance across a spectrum of computer vision applications including medical diagnosis and autonomous driving. One of the major concerns that these models face is their susceptibility to adversarial attacks. Realizing the importance of this issue, more researchers are working towards developing robust models that are less affected by adversarial attacks. Adversarial training method shows promising results in this direction. In adversarial training regime, models are trained with mini-batches augmented with adversarial samples. In order to scale adversarial training to large networks and datasets, fast and simple methods (e.g., single-step gradient ascent) are used for generating adversarial samples. It is shown that models trained using single-step adversarial training method (adversarial samples are generated using non-iterative method) are pseudo robust. Further, this pseudo robustness of models is attributed to the gradient masking effect. However, existing works fail to explain when and why gradient masking effect occurs during single-step adversarial training. In this work, (i) we show that models trained using single-step adversarial training method learns to prevent the generation of single-step adversaries, and this is due to over-fitting of the model during the initial stages of training, and (ii) to mitigate this effect, we propose a single-step adversarial training method with dropout scheduling to learn robust models. Unlike models trained using single-step adversarial training method, models trained using the proposed single-step adversarial training method are robust against both single-step and multi-step adversarial attacks, and achieve on-par results compared to the computationally expensive state-of-the-art multi-step adversarial training method, in white-box and blackbox settings.
ASSESSMENT OF THE MICROSCOPIC– OBSERVATION- DRUG - SUSCEPTIBLITY ASSAY (MODS) AND GENEXPERT ASSAY FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is considered the most common and highly contagious disease worldwide. Early and accurate diagnosis of TB with detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB) is of primary importance for both patient management and infection control. Objectives: To evaluate the performance of Microscopic-Observation Drug-Susceptibility (MODS) assay and GeneXpert MTB/RIF( GeneXpert ) assay in diagnosis of TB and detection of MDR-TB directly from sputum specimens in comparison to the convential diagnostic methods (direct Ziehl-Neelsen "Z-N" stained smear and culture on Lowenstein-Jenson media "LJ"). Patients and Methods: After approval of institutional ethical committee a total of 120 suspected pulmonary TB patients admitted to chest hospitals and dispensaries in Egypt (Giza, Cairo, Alexandria, Dakahlia, Suez, Beheira, Monufia, Qena). Their age was more than 16 years; all of them did not receive any anti tubercular drugs. Sputum samples were collected from each patient and subjected to direct ZN smear, culture and sensitivity of M.TB on LJ and Middlebrook 7H9 medium for MODS assay. Finally Genexpert M.TB/RIF assay was done directly for all sputum samples. Results: Infection rate among males was higher than female (81.7% & 18.7%). Also, it was observed that 56.7% of sputum samples gave positive direct Z-N smear, while 64.2% were positive for both LJ culture &MODS assay. On the other hand, by Genexpert, 68% of cases were positive. The sensitivity and specificity of the various diagnostic methods were studied in relation to LJ culture (gold standard). It was found that MODS assay was rapid that results were obtained in a median of 8 days ranged from (7– 21 days), while median time of LJ was 21dayes ranged from (21– 60). MODS had 100% sensitivity and specificity. Direct smear was less sensitive (88.3%), and GeneXpert was less specific (88.4%), but more rapid results were obtained in 2 hours. Finally, detection of MDR-TB using various methods for 77 isolated M.TB strains ranged from 16.9-19.5% to isoniazid (INH) and 9.8%-18.2% to rifampicin (RMP) by various diagnostic methods with statistically insignificant difference between them. Conclusion: MODS was an optimal alternative rapid diagnostic technique for TB and detection of M.TB and MDR-TB in resource limited settings, results were obtained in a median of 8 days. On the other hand, Gene Xpert was a novel integrated diagnostic PCR analysis in a single hand free step for rapid diagnosis of TB and detection of RMP resistance in clinical specimens in 2 hours but it was expensive.
Open Archive Toulouse Archive Ouverte (OATAO)

An 18-year-old male with neuroﬁbromatosis type I was treated for congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia using the Masquelet induced-membrane technique with internal ﬁxation by retrograde implantation of a transplantar intramedullary nail. Bone healing was obtained at the expense of malunion with external rotation and 5.5cm of lower limb shortening. A motorised intramedullary-lengthening nail (Fitbone ® , Wittenstein, Igersheim, Germany) was implanted. This treatment was successful in correcting the rotational malalignment and limb length discrepancy. The motorised nail Fitbone ® may be a valid option for treating complex cases of limb length discrepancy, including those combined with limb deformities.
Modelling mixed-phase clouds with the large-eddy model UCLALES–SALSA

Abstract. The large-eddy model UCLALES–SALSA, with an exceptionally detailed aerosol description for both aerosol number and chemical composition, has been extended for ice and mixed-phase clouds. Comparison to a previous mixed-phase cloud model intercomparison study confirmed the accuracy of newly implemented ice microphysics. A further simulation with a heterogeneous ice nucleation scheme, in which ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are also a prognostic variable, captured the typical layered structure of Arctic mid-altitude mixed-phase cloud: a liquid layer near cloud top and ice within and below the liquid layer. In addition, the simulation showed a realistic freezing rate of droplets within the vertical cloud structure. The represented detailed sectional ice microphysics with prognostic aerosols is crucially important in reproducing mixed-phase clouds.
Prevalence and patterns of use of concomitant medications among participants in three multicenter human immunodeficiency virus type I clinical trials

Data on the prevalence and patterns of use of concomitant medications among participants in three large phase III clinical trials of zidovudine (ZDV) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection were analyzed. Overall, 2,801 patients reported 43,331 uses of concomitant medications. Over 85% of clinical trial participants used one or more concomitant medications at some point during the study. Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) used an average of 7.1 drugs per month. Patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) or who were asymptomatic used relatively fewer drugs: 3.1 and 2.7 per month, respectively. Fourteen percent of patients with AIDS used more than 10 concomitant medications per month. The three most commonly utilized classes of drugs were antiinfectives (57%), analgesics or antipyretics (55%), and vitamins (47%). A total of 17% of patients overall and 30% of AIDS patients used acyclovir while on trial. Consumption of prescription drugs was greater, and "over-the-counter" drugs less, among AIDS patients. Reported use of agents not approved by the Food and Drug Administration or approved drugs used for off-label indications was infrequent. Overall use of concomitant medications did not differ across demographic subgroups when corrected for disease stage at the time of enrollment. White, non-Hispanic, homosexual and bisexual men consumed significantly more antivirals and vitamins than other trial participants. Women in all three protocols took more analgesics or antipyretics than did men. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Small and profitable. Quantifying returns to cattle value in rural Uganda

A recent debate in the economic literature has questioned whether rearing cattle in developing countries is a profitable activity or not. By relying on a unique household panel dataset collected in 2015 and 2016 in rural Uganda, this paper explores the relationship between rates of return to cattle rearing, herd size and cattle value. I find positive annual median returns of +48% and marginal returns of +14%, but with one third of the sample still earning negative returns. I further explore the marginal returns of investing one additional dollar in cattle value by using an instrumental variable approach and show that marginal returns increase by investing in higher value animals. Yet, only farmers with low value cattle benefit from these positive marginal returns, while the e↵ect is insignificant for those with already high value cattle, suggesting decreasing returns to cattle value.
Wavelet approaches to synchrony (wsyn) package vignette

The wsyn package provides wavelet-based tools for investigating population synchrony. Population synchrony is the tendency for population densities measured in different locations to be correlated in their fluctuations through time (A. Liebhold, Koenig, and Bjørnstad 2004). The basic dataset that wsyn helps analyze is one or more time series of the same variable, measured in different locations at the same times; or two or more variables so measured at the same times and locations. Tools are implemented for describing synchrony and for investigating its causes and consequences. Wavelet approaches to synchrony include Grenfell, Bjørnstad, and Kappey (2001); Viboud et al. (2006); Keitt (2008); Sheppard et al. (2016); Sheppard, Reid, and Reuman (2017); Sheppard et al. (2019); Walter et al. (2017); Anderson et al. (2018). The focus here is on techniques used by Sheppard et al. (2016); Sheppard, Reid, and Reuman (2017); Sheppard et al. (2019); Walter et al. (2017); Anderson et al. (2018). The techniques can also be used for data of the same format representing quantities not related to populations, or, in some cases, multiple measurements from the same location. Some of the functions of this package may also be useful for studying the case of “community synchrony,” i.e., co-located populations of different species that fluctuate through time in a positively or negatively or time-lag-correlated way.
The Effects of Surfactant on the Evolution of a Thin Film under a Moving Liquid Drop

The effect of surfactant on the thickness of a thin film bounded by a solid surface and a moving liquid drop was investigated. We proposed a model so that parameters from the liquid drop can be stated in a parameter that acts as normal pressure to the thin film. Using the lubrication approximation, the model was reduced to a set of nonlinear partial differential equations in terms of the film thickness and surfactant concentration. Since we were interested in the role of the surfactant in lifting up the drop, we assumed that the density of the drop is higher than the density of the thin film. Numerically, the results show that the presence of the surfactant tends to delay the decrease of the film thickness insignificantly. However, when the surfactant was added into the system, it tends to significantly increase the film thickness for a certain range value of the normal pressure.
Improved homogenization techniques for sputum cytology counts.

: Liquefaction of sputum with dithiothreitol induces regular distribution of cells and facilitates total and differential counting without affecting morphology or staining characteristics. The reagent is cheap and stable. The process is predictable, reasonably quick and obviates the need for examination of multiple preparations, otherwise mandatory in quantitative studies of inflammatory conditions of the lower respiratory tract.
Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty and Organizational Complaint Handling: Economic Aspects of Business Operation of Airline Industry

The undertaken study examines economic aspects of business operations of the airline industry vis-a-vis organizational complaint handling and customer loyalty. For this purpose, we used a structured questionnaire to collect sample data of 200 respondents from university students and households of Pakistan who are the customers of the airline industry. We employed five independent variables, namely, response time, complaint resolution perfection, executives’ attitude, brand image and responsiveness to complaints. We used the descriptive analysis and SEM-based approaches; namely, confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis for estimation purposes. The findings of the undertaken study demonstrated that the resolution of complaints, timely response, and responsiveness to complaints had a significant and positive influence on satisfaction of customers and loyalty of clients using international airline services, and this leads to the economic prospects of business operation in the airline industry. However, customer relationship, executives’ attitude and brand loyalty do not have significant influence on the customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Thus, it is concluded that the immediate response to customer complaint handling enhances the customer satisfaction and customer loyalty that increases the economic aspects of business operation in the airline industry.
Specifying the Process Model for Systematic Reviews: An Augmented Proposal

Context: Systematic Literature Review (SLR) is a research methodology intended to obtain evidence from scientific articles stored in digital libraries. SLRs can be performed on primary and secondary studies. Although there are guidelines to the SLR process in Software Engineering, the SLR process is not fully and rigorously specified yet. Moreover, it can often be observed a lack of a clear separation of concerns between what to do (process) and how to do it (methods). Objective: To specify the SLR process in a more detailed and rigorous manner by considering different process modeling perspectives, such as functional, behavioral, organizational and informational. The main objective in this work is specifying the SLR activities rather than their methods. Method: The SPEM (Software & Systems Process Engineering Metamodel) language is used to model the SLR process from different perspectives. In addition, we illustrate aspects of the proposed process by using a recently conducted SLR on software testing ontologies. Results: Our SLR process model specifications favor a clear identification of what task/activities should be performed, in which order, by whom, and which are the consumed and produced artifacts as well as their inner structures. Also, we explicitly specify activities related to the SLR pilot test, analyzing the gains. Conclusion: The proposed SLR process considers with higher rigor the principles and benefits of process modeling backing SLRs to be more systematic, repeatable and auditable for researchers and practitioners. In fact, the rigor provided by process modeling, where several perspectives are combined, but can also be independently detached, provides a greater richness of expressiveness in sequences and decision flows, while representing different levels of granularity in the work definitions, such as activity, sub-activity and task.
Three Stage Membrane Process for CO 2 Capture from Natural Gas

Abstract— This work is focused on a techno-economic analysis of a three stage membrane separation system for CO2 capture from natural gas (without using any sweep gas or vacuum on the permeate side). The membrane used for CO2 removal from natural gas is made of a thin PVAm (polyvinyl amine) and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) blended membrane layer on a polysulfone support. The successful experimental results depicted that these fixed site carrier membranes can play a promising role in CO2 capture from major industrial sectors like natural gas processing. Therefore, a viable process design associated with realistic CO2 capture cost is inevitable for large scale applications. Simulation analysis is based on two cases describing two different natural gas (feed) flow rates and compositions. Analysis shows that it is possible to attain 90% CO2 recovery and 90% purity at considerably lower gas processing cost, especially for Case A. Natural gas in Case B contains lower concentration of CO2 hence 90% recovery is not feasible in this case. However, for 90% CO2 purity and 75% recovery, it is feasible to employ this process at lower gas processing cost. The gas processing cost does not include any cost of feed pre-treatment such as removal of higher hydrocarbon and moisture and the recompression of permeate (containing 90% CO2) up to desired CO2 pipeline pressure.