Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adverse Events Associated With Ossicular Prostheses: Utility of a Federal Database

Objectives: Ossicular prostheses have demonstrated utility in ossicular chain reconstruction, but their use also is associated with complications. This study aims to explore the utility of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for the systematic analysis of complications associated with ossicular prostheses. It also summarizes adverse events to patients (AEPs) and device malfunctions (DMs) reported in the MAUDE database, and attempts to examine the consequences brought about by these events and to identify likely root causes. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of the MAUDE database. Methods: The MAUDE database was queried for reports from January 2010 to May 2020. Data were extracted from reports involving the use of ossicular prostheses. Results: Seventy-three medical device reports, reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration detailing suspected device-associated malfunctions, injuries, and deaths, involved ossicular prostheses and were included for analysis, from which 126 adverse events were extracted. Of these, 50 (39.7%) were AEPs, while 76 (60.3%) were DMs. The most common AEPs were foreign body and hearing loss, while the DMs reported most commonly were broken prosthesis and displaced prosthesis. Of the 76 DMs, 19 (25%) were attributed to mishandling by the operator, while 6 (7.9%) were due to a defective device. Broken prosthesis was the DM most commonly attributed to mishandling by the operator in 16 (32.7%) cases. Conclusion: Ossicular prostheses are used extensively for ossicular chain reconstruction, but also are associated with adverse events. The MAUDE database in its current form does not appear sufficient for the systematic review of adverse events associated with ossicular prostheses. A more standardized reporting format with clearly defined categories and inclusion of relevant variables might improve the quality of information provided by the MAUDE database.
Effect of Mineral Fertilization and Plant Density on Faba Bean (Vicia faba) Production in Siwa Oasis

Throughout two successive years (2009 and 2010), field experiments in three completely randomized replications for each treatment were carried out in Tegzerty region at Siwa Oasis, which located at 29o 11' 34" N and 25o 32' 11'' E. This soil was irrigated by flooded system and affected by irrigation water which was slightly saline (1.83 dS/m) while the soil salinity was 4.12 dS/m. Mineral fertilization were, 0, 30, 45 and 60 kg P2O5/fed, 0, 40, 60 and 80 kg K2O/fed, while one rate of N as 60 kg N/fed for all treatments except treatment of control. Phosphorus was mixed with organic manure (10 m 3 /fed) and supplied as a single application, whereas N and K fertilizers were split into three equal doses that were applied after 20, 40 and 60 days from sowing. Seeds of faba (Vicia faba) Rebaya were cultivated in three spaces 15, 20 and 25cm between plants and 40 cm within rows. The obtained results showed that faba bean gave the highest response to increasing rates of P and K fertilizers application when compared with the control (non-fertilized) treatment for all cultivation spaces during the two seasons. The same trend achieved to nutrients content and uptake in shoots and seeds of faba bean in each of cultivation spaces. When the cultivation spaces decreased the yield quantity/fed increased while yield quality/plant increased. The optimum fertilizers treatment for faba bean crop in three cultivation spaces was NP3K3 (60:60:80kg/fed) which recorded 3.77 and 1.99 ton/fed in cultivation space1, 3.30 and 1.65 ton/fed in cultivation space2, 2.93 and 1.51 ton/fed in cultivation space3 for shoots and seeds, respectively. Moreover, the fertilizer treatments in cultivation space3 achieved higher yield quality than another in space2 and space1. The results in this study showed that the optimum fertilizer treatment (NP3K3) with cultivation space2 (20cm x 40cm) achieved suitable quality and quantity yield of faba bean under conditions of the studied soil. Deriving multiple regression equations proved to be an effective tool for predicting the seeds and shoots production of faba bean plants in different cultivation spaces under Siwa Oasis conditions
Speed estimation from noisy resolver signals

A Kalman filter based method for estimation of the rotor speed of an AC motor from sine/cosine resolver signals is presented. A very simple algorithm, requiring only six multiplications and two trigonometric operations, is obtained. The algorithm is easily implemented on a digital signal processor. Direct hardware implementation is also feasible. Performance evaluations using both simulated and experimental data are made. It is shown that no lagging of the estimated speed occurs at transients. The noise rejection is also adequate.
The Methodological Consistency of Master’s of Education Dissertations at Eduardo Mondlane University (2013 - 2018)

This study examined the methodological consistency of Master of Educationdissertations defended at Eduardo Mondlane University (EMU) from 2013 to2018 using the typology of educational research proposed by Postlethwaite(2005), Norman et al. (2002), and Creswell (2012). The qualitative, comparativestudy employed a grounded theory design. Data were gathered from apurposive sample of 33 dissertations, available on the university’s OpenInstitutional Repository. Coding and anonymous analysis were performedof the dissertations’ title, research methodology, and findings. The findingsreveal that a large number of these dissertations are not methodologicallyconsistent and thus do not lay the foundation for further research and otherinterventions for school improvement. They thus point to the need to improve the quality of supervision and research in postgraduate studies in Education at EMU.Key words: EMU, Master’s dissertations, educational research, methodologicalconsistency, supervision
Small artificial impoundments have big implications for hydrology and freshwater biodiversity

Headwater streams are critical for freshwater ecosystems. Global and continental studies consistently show major dams as dominant sources of hydrological stress threatening biodiversity in the world’s major rivers, but cumulative impacts from small artificial impoundments concentrated in headwater streams have rarely been acknowledged. Using the Murray Darling River basin (Australia)and the Arkansas River basin (USA) as case studies, we examine the hydrological impact of small artificial impoundments. The extent of their influence is significant, altering hydrology in 280 - 380% more waterways when compared to major dams alone. Hydrological impacts are concentrated in smaller streams (catchment area < 100 km2), raising concerns that the often diverse and highly endemic biota found in these systems may be under threat. Adjusting existing biodiversity planning and management approaches to address the cumulative effects of many small and widely distributed artificial impoundments presents a rapidly emerging challenge for ecologically sustainable water management.
Lower Limb Perfusion Asymmetries in Humans at Rest and Following Activity - A Collective View

The significance of lower limb perfusion asymmetries remains unknown in healthy individuals. Our study aims to understand how factors such as posture, sex, age, and body weight relate to perfusion. Data from studies previously published by our group, including experiments using laser Doppler flowmetry as the gold standard for perfusion measurements in baseline, (various) challenge, and recovery phases was assembled from a total of 139 healthy participants. Body position was shown to be a primary determinant of perfusion asymmetry, especially in women. Effects of sex and age were also analyzed. In a supine position, perfusion asymmetries seemed to relate negatively in the aged group of participants, where challenge and recovery seemed to follow different processes. In the upright position, young men and women have shown comparable distributions and asymmetry ratios at baseline and recovery. In the aged group, differences between sexes were observed at baseline, but again, the course of the asymmetry ratios with challenge was essentially similar in men and women. Our analysis suggests that ageing is a critical determinant in our upright study sample, as higher baseline asymmetries and longer recoveries after challenge were linked in older males with higher body mass index (BMI).
Estimating the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) of m6A methylation-associated genes.

Background N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA modification is the most prevalent in certain tumors. However, its expression profile and prognostic value in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unknown. Methods Herein, we performed an extensive investigation of the m6A-associated gene expression profile and determined its significance in the prognosis of ESCC. We received the RNA expression profiles of 81 ESCC tissues and one normal esophageal tissue from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis was used to assess the predictability of m6A methylation-associated gene expression in ESCC prognosis. In addition, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, as well as least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression models were employed for the establishment of prognostic signatures. Lastly, KM survival analysis, proportional hazard models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to verify the prognostic value. Moreover, we also investigated the associations among the m6A prognostic signature, immune cell infiltration, and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Results We demonstrated that YTHDF3 [hazard ratio (HR): 0.910; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.832-0.995; P=0.038], RBM15 (HR: 0.721; 95% CI: 0.549-0.948; P=0.019), KIAA1429 (HR: 0.801; 95% CI: 0.664-0.967; P=0.021), and ALKBH5 (HR: 0.948; 95% CI: 0.895-1.003; P=0.0.064) overexpression predicted better overall survival (OS) of ESCC patients. Furthermore, based on prognostic factors, the high-risk (H-R) cohort was found to have worse survival than the low-risk (L-R) cohort (P<0.001). Conclusions We revealed three m6A methylation-associated genes that were closely correlated with enhanced survival in ESCC patients. In addition, we generated an independent prognostic signature based on the expression of YTHDF3, RBM15, KIAA1429, and ALKBH5 genes. The results revealed significantly higher proportions of CD8+ T cells and higher expression of PD-L1 in the H-R group.
MoM solutions to building blockage of mobile satellite communications

This article presents a full-wave propagation model for arbitrary profile of building blockage in mobile satellite communications, by solving the electric field integral equation for induced surface currents using the method of moments. Asymptotic expressions are used to simplify the integrals. Scattered fields are then found by the radiation equations derived from Maxwell equations. The total received fields around different profiles of buildings are calculated as a function of space, elevation angle and frequency. The results agree well with measurements and other published data. Various useful parameters for designing robust and reliable communication systems like frequency response, average fade duration and coherence bandwidth are found. Performance of mobile satellite system is evaluated in terms of bit error rate of mobile satellite system in frequency non-selective, slowly fading channel.
Assessment of power interruption costs for the industrial customers in Greece

Two important economical aspects associated with justifying new facilities, quality and reliability of the electrical power systems are the costs and worth of reliability. The key indicators of this worth are the customer interruption costs which are best and most definitely derived from estimates of perceived costs and losses due to interruptions in their electrical power supply. The customer surveys are mainly utilized to determine these interruption costs. Such a customer survey approach was conducted by the Power Systems Laboratory of the National Technical University of Athens in order to assess the interruption cost for all the different sectors of power customers in Greece. The paper presents the results that were obtained from the survey in the industrial sector during 1997. These results mainly include the interruption cost data and their variation according to the various characteristics of the interruption events and the power supply customers together with a comparison with the respective data published for other countries.
A new method for pHEMT noise-parameter determination based on 50-/spl Omega/ noise measurement system

A new method for determining the four noise parameters of pseudomorphic high electron-mobility transistors (pHEMTs) based on a 50-/spl Omega/ noise measurement system without a microwave tuner is presented. The noise parameters are determined based on the noise correlation matrix technique by fitting the measured noise figure of the active device. On-wafer experimental verification up to 26 GHz is presented and a comparison with a tuner-based method is given. The scaling rules for noise parameters have also been determined. Good agreement is obtained between simulated and measured results for 2/spl times/20 /spl mu/m, 2/spl times/40 /spl mu/m, and 2/spl times/60 /spl mu/m gatewidth (number of gate fingers /spl times/ unit gatewidth) 0.25-/spl mu/m double-heterojunction /spl delta/-doped pHEMTs.
Size matters: market orientation and NPD in small and large firms

This study investigates the impact of market orientation, product advantage and new product performance on organisational performance in small and large firms. A review of literature identified constructs which formed the basis for a research model. This model was tested using data collected from 150 firms in Ireland. Findings from small and large firms were compared, and correlation and regression analyses were used to establish the relationships defined in the model for both sets of firms. The results confirm a relationship between new product and organisational performance in both small and large firms. In small firms, competitor orientation is the only dimension of market orientation that is linked to new product performance, while in large firms both competitor orientation and interfunctional coordination impact new product performance. The findings suggest that an understanding of competitors is critical for new product and organisational success. Finally, this paper questions the appropriateness of the research measures developed for use in large firms when applied to small firms and suggests that measures developed specifically for small firms could yield more meaningful results.
Theoretical and Practical Considerations of Helical Cable Elements Subject to End Effects at Cable Bending

Most cable elements of subsea cables and umbilicals are helical. If helical cable elements are restrained from sliding freely when the cable is bent, large axial strains and stresses will arise in the elements. This paper focuses on the case where the helical cable elements are fixed to end terminations, or to the beneath cable layer, at two points along the cable’s length. The elements can slide freely between these two points. Mathematical expressions are derived to calculate the strains that arise in the helical cable elements when bending the cable segment. The mathematical results have intuitive, practical interpretations that are thoroughly explained. It is shown that the maximum strains and stresses arise when the length of the cable segment is an integer number of pitch lengths plus one half pitch length.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Patterns and Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives The objectives of this study are to explore the most common causes, patterns, and severities of head traumas, to evaluate the outcomes of traumatic head injury (TBI) patients followed in the clinic, and to calculate the prevalence of admitted cases. Methods In our retrospective cohort study, we included all the cases of adults above 18 years old diagnosed with head traumas (171 patients). The inclusion criteria were patients who presented to the emergency department at National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 2016 to 2020. Patients were categorized according to their Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score upon admission. Results Of the 171 patients in this study, 151 (88.3%) were males and 20 (11.7%) were females. The median age of our patients was 31 years. Most of the cases had no medical illnesses 124 (72.5%). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in the majority of our cases (105, 61.4%), followed by falls from heights (34, 19.9%). The commonest computed tomography (CT) finding was subdural hematoma (47, 27.4%). The majority of the associated injuries were thoracic cases (43, 25.1%), followed by spinal (40, 23.4%). Most of the patients were admitted to NGHA (120, 70.2%), while the rest (51, 29.8%) were transferred from other hospitals. Of the total of 171 patients, 134 (78.4%) were treated conservatively. There were no associations between mortality nor length of stay and patients’ demographics, except for GCS on admission showed a significant p-value (<0.005). Conclusion In this study, it was found that the most common causes of TBI are MVAs followed by falls from heights. Therefore, preventive measures such as traffic safety rules need to be addressed.
Multidimensional Risk Factors of Age-Related Hearing Loss Among Malaysian Community‐Dwelling Older Adults

Purpose This study evaluates the prevalence of and the multidimensional risk factors associated with age-related hearing loss (ARHL) among community-dwelling older adults in Malaysia. Patients and Methods A total of 253 participants aged 60 years and above participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants were subjected to pure tone audiometric assessment. The hearing threshold was calculated for the better ear and classified into pure-tone average (PTA) for the octave frequencies from 0.5 to 4 kHz and high-frequency pure-tone average (HFA) for the octave from 2 to 8kHz. Then, the risk factors associated with PTA hearing loss (HL) and HFAHL were identified by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of ARHL based on PTA and HFA among the community-dwelling older adults was 75.5% and 83.0%, respectively. Following multifactorial adjustments, being older (OR: 1.239; 95% CI: 1.062–1.445), having higher waist circumference (OR: 1.158; 95% CI: 1.015–1.322), lower intake of niacin (OR: 0.909; 95% CI: 0.831–0.988) and potassium (OR: 0.998; 95% CI: 0.996–1.000), and scoring lower in RAVLT T5 (OR: 0.905; 95% CI: 0.838–0.978) were identified as the risk factors of PTAHL. Meanwhile, being older (OR: 1.117; 95% CI: 1.003–1.244), higher intake of carbohydrate (OR: 1.018; 95% CI: 1.006–1.030), lower intake of potassium (OR: 0.998; 95% CI: 0.997–0.999), and lower scores on the RAVLT T5 (OR: 0.922; 95% CI: 0.874–0.973) were associated with increased risk of having HFAHL. Conclusion Increasing age, having higher waist circumference, lower intake of niacin and potassium, higher intake of carbohydrates and having lower RAVLT T5 score were associated with increased risk of ARHL. Modifying these risk factors may be beneficial in preventive and management strategies of ARHL among older persons.
Integrated Pest Management Practice and its Adoption Determinants among Apple Farmers in Mustang District of Nepal

Integrated pest management is an eco-friendly solution which can minimize the use of pesticides reducing the cost of production. The study was undertaken to identify the factors affecting the adoption of IPM practices along with reasons, problems and satisfaction level regarding IPM practice among apple farmers. Semi-structured interview schedule was prepared and field survey was conducted in July, 2013 for the collection of data regarding the IPM practice on apple production in Tukuche VDC at Mustang district of Nepal. The socio-demographic profile of the IPM adopters and non-adopters are presented. Probit analysis of a sample of 40 apple farmers suggests that adoption is positively influenced by training and membership in farmers group and negatively influenced by age of the farmers. Model resulted that the adoption level of IPM practice would increase by 45.8 % and 3.3% if farmers are provided trainings and membership in farmers group respectively. With one year increase in age the adoption level would decrease by 1.5 %. Farmer Field School facilitated by the district agriculture office and for management of pest and disease was the major reasons for IPM adoption. Lack of materials used in the IPM was the most severe problem faced by the IPM adopters followed by lack of detailed knowledge. Farmer Field School (FFS) was the major source of information followed by leader farmer in the study area. About 53 percent of farmers were satisfied with the practice. Study revealed that for higher adoption and dissemination of IPM practice it is needed to give more emphasis in extension programs.
Patterns of Diversity of Fusarium Fungi Contaminating Soybean Grains

Soybean is an important, high protein source of food and feed. However, like other agricultural grains, soybean may pose a risk to human and animal health due to contamination of the grains with toxigenic Fusaria and associated mycotoxins. In this study, we investigated the diversity of Fusaria on a panel of 104 field isolates obtained from soybean grains during the growing seasons in 2017–2020. The results of species-specific PCR analyses showed that Fusarium avenaceum was the most common (n = 40) species associated with soybean grains in Poland, followed by F. equiseti (n = 22) and F. sporotrichioides (11 isolates). A set of isolates, which was not determined based on PCR analyses, was whole genome sequenced. Multiple sequence analyses using tef-1α, top1, rpb1, rpb2, tub2, pgk, cam and lsu genes showed that most of them belonged to Equiseti clade. Three cryptic species from this clade: F. clavum, F. flagelliforme and FIESC 31 (lacking Latin binomial) were found on soybean for the first time. This is the first report demonstrating the prevalence of Fusaria on soybean grains in Poland.
A 174.7-dB FoM, 2nd-Order VCO-Based ExG-to-Digital Front-End Using a Multi-Phase Gated-Inverted-Ring Oscillator Quantizer

This paper presents a second-order voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)-based front-end for the direct digitization of biopotential signals. This work addresses the non-linearity of VCO-based ADC architectures with a mismatch resilient, multi-phase quantizer, a gated-inverted-ring oscillator (GIRO), achieving >110-dB SFDR. Leveraging the time-domain encoding of the first integrator, the ADC's power is dynamically scaled with the input amplitude enabling up to 35% power savings in the absence of motion artifacts or interference. An auxiliary input-impedance booster increases the ADC's input impedance to 50 MΩ across the entire bandwidth. Fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS process, this ADC achieves 92.3-dB SNDR in a 1 kHz BW while consuming 5.8 µW for a 174.7 dB Schreier FoM.