Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Rückkehr an den Arbeitsplatz und Lebensqualität bei erwachsenen Patienten mit Weichteil- und Knochensarkomen nach Therapieabschluss].

Treatment of extremital sarcoma patients may be associated with significant functional disabilities and psychosocial distress affecting return to work (RtW) and quality of life (QoL). In this exploratory study we prospectively investigated the RtW rate, explored biomedical and psychosocial predictors of RtW, and compared generic QoL with Swiss population norms. Forty people (89 %) returned to work. Full-time employment before sarcoma diagnosis, high educational level, and low tumor grade showed an increased probability of RtW. The median age was lower in patients who returned to work, and they reported less fear of progression. Generic QoL (SF-36) was reduced in almost all dimensions when compared to a normative Swiss population. Physical functioning and fear of progression have to be addressed in the rehabilitation process.
STIMULATORY CAPACITY OF AN OCTACALCIUM PHOSPHATE/GELATIN COMPOSITE ON BONE REGENERATION IN A RABBIT TIBIA DEFECT MODEL

: The present study was designed to investigate whether an octacalcium phosphate/gelatin (OCP/Gel) composite can repair a defect created in rabbit tibia within 4 weeks. Histological and μCT studies showed that the implantation of OCP/Gel composite (40 wt% OCP) enhances cortical bone deposition over the defect accompanied by the formation of cartilage and bone marrow with cancellous bone within 2 weeks. The defects were repaired even in the control group (defect only) within 4 weeks; however, the repaired cortical bone was thinner than that in the OCP/Gel-implanted group. The results suggest that an OCP/Gel composite could be effectively used as a bone substitute material for autografts.
Forms of Boron in Alkaline Alluvial Soils in Relation to Soil Properties and Their Contribution to Available and Total Boron Pool

In alkaline alluvial soils of Punjab, located in northern India, seven forms of boron (B) were compared using different extractants. The comparison was assessed in relation to soil properties and their contribution to soil available and total B pool. The mean contents of water-soluble (WS-B), hot-water-soluble (HWS-B), hot 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl2)–soluble (HCC-B), acid-soluble (HCl-B), leachable or mannitol-extractable (Mann-B), ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (AB-DTPA)–extractable, and total B in alluvium-derived soils of Punjab were 0.24, 0.49, 0.50, 0.53, 0.55, 0.19, and 17.04 mg kg−1 soil, respectively. All the forms of B were related with soil properties, especially organic carbon (C) content, clay content, texture, and cation exchange capacity. Different forms were correlated significantly with each other. Total B content ranged from 10.25 to 25.42 mg kg−1 and was nonsignificantly correlated with other forms of B. All the forms of B were positively and significantly correlated with organic C content, clay content, and cation exchange capacity while negatively correlated with soil pH, electrical conductivity, and sand content. The most commonly used form of B, i.e., hot water-soluble B, was significantly correlated with hot 0.01 M CaCl2–extractable B (r = 0.885**). Regression equations showed that 85, 94, 95, 88, 90, and 86% variations in WS-B, HWS-B, HCC-B, HCl-B, Mann-B, and AB DTPA-B contents were governed by various soil properties.
ACE2 gene transfer ameliorates vasoreparative dysfunction in CD34+ cells derived from diabetic older adults

Abstract Diabetes increases the risk for ischemic vascular diseases, which is further elevated in older adults. Bone marrow-derived hematopoietic CD34+ stem/progenitor cells have the potential of revascularization; however, diabetes attenuates vasoreparative functions. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the vasoprotective enzyme of renin–angiotensin system in contrast with the canonical angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). The present study tested the hypothesis that diabetic dysfunction is associated with ACE2/ACE imbalance in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and that increasing ACE2 expression would restore reparative functions. Blood samples from male and female diabetic (n=71) or nondiabetic (n=62) individuals were obtained and CD34+ cells were enumerated by flow cytometry. ACE and ACE2 enzyme activities were determined in cell lysates. Lentiviral (LV) approach was used to increase the expression of soluble ACE2 protein. Cells from diabetic older adults (DB) or nondiabetic individuals (Control) were evaluated for their ability to stimulate revascularization in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia (HLI). DB cells attenuated the recovery of blood flow to ischemic areas in nondiabetic mice compared with that observed with Control cells. Administration of DB cells modified with LV-ACE2 resulted in complete restoration of blood flow. HLI in diabetic mice resulted in poor recovery with amputations, which was not reversed by either Control or DB cells. LV-ACE2 modification of Control or DB cells resulted in blood flow recovery in diabetic mice. In vitro treatment with Ang-(1-7) modified paracrine profile in diabetic CD34+ cells. The present study suggests that vasoreparative dysfunction in CD34+ cells from diabetic older adults is associated with ACE2/ACE imbalance and that increased ACE2 expression enhances the revascularization potential.
Determination of Lead in Lipstick by Direct Solid Sampling High-Resolution Continuum Source Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: Comparison of Two Digestion Methods

A new analytical procedure for the determination of lead in lipstick has been developed using direct solid sampling high resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS HR CS GFAAS). The performance of this method has been compared to acid digestion methods for sample preparation, with or without hydrofluoric acid (HF) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. Good reliability was obtained for all three methods; the results obtained for certified reference materials with concentrations between 1 and 20 ppm were in agreement with the certified values. However, for materials with complex matrices, such as pearl or Ca-Na borosilicate, only ICP-MS with HF sample digestion or AAS with direct solid sampling allowed complete recovery of lead. To avoid the use of hazardous acids, the development of SS HR CS GFAAS is an interesting alternative. With the AAS method, a characteristic mass of 13.2 pg of lead was obtained, and the limit of detection was 0.005 µg/g. The performance of the method was evaluated by determining lead in lipstick. The use of the solid sampling technique constitutes a good alternative for accurate and rapid determination of lead content in lipstick and cosmetic raw materials, with a suitable limit of detection and a reduced risk of contamination or of analyte loss. Another alternative would be to use ICP-MS determination in conjunction with microwave-assisted acid digestion without the use of HF, which implies accepting a quantification of “nearly total” lead, closer to a “bio-extractible” fraction.
An Evaluation of Inflammatory and Nutritional Status of Breast Cancer Outpatients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract Aim To assess the relationship between nutritional status and inflammatory markers of breast cancer patients, and to identify predictors of malnutrition in these patients. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 45 patients with breast cancer assessed between January and June 2018. Nutritional status was evaluated by objective and subjective methods. The inflammatory markers and inflammation-based scores evaluated were C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), CRP/albumin ratio, and Albumin/CRP ratio. Results A total of 45 patients were evaluated. Majority of the patients have high levels of both CRP and ESR (73.3% and 86.7% respectively). More than 70% of the patients were well nourished. There was no significant association between CRP (P = 0.067), ESR (P = 0.094) and SGA (Subjective Global Assessment) categories. Albumin (P < 0.001), Albumin/CRP ratio (P = 0.002), CRP/albumin ratio (P = < 0.001), and GPS (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with SGA categories. On multivariate analysis, albumin (P < 0.001), Albumin/CRP ratio (P = 0.004), CRP/albumin ratio (P = 0.009), GPS (P = 0.01), and ECOG (P = 0.009) were the only markers independently related to malnutrition. Conclusion The inflammation-based scores were significantly associated with malnutrition and can be used as biochemical nutritional assessment tools in cancer patients.
Self-Assembling Properties of a Membrane-Modifying Lipopeptaibol in Weakly Polar Solvents Studied by CW ESR

The self-assembling properties of TOAC spin-labeled analogues of the lipopeptaibol antibiotic trichogin GA IV have been studied by CW ESR in solvents of different polarity, ranging from CHCl3 to a mixture of CHCl3−toluene and CCl4 at different concentrations. At room temperature, evidence has been obtained that, in all of the solvents examined, a supramolecular assembly exists which is in equilibrium with monomeric molecules. The ESR spectral lines of the aggregates of double-labeled peptides are wider than those obtained from single-labeled peptides. Line widths were used to assess the rotational mobility of both the aggregates and the monomers. Their hydrodynamic radii were estimated to determine the number of peptide molecules per aggregate. This value (close to 4) almost coincides with the previously reported value for spin-labeled peptide clusters in frozen glassy solutions. Spectral broadenings, due to the modulation of the intra- and intermolecular dipole−dipole interactions of spin labels by the r.
Determination of Ti, K, Sm and Gd Values in Geological Survey of Japan Reference Materials by Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis

Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis was applied to the determination of the titanium, potassium, samarium and gadolinium contents of nine Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) reference materials (JB‐1, 1a, 2, 3; JA‐1, 2, 3; JR‐1, 2). Firstly, the values in JB‐1 were determined by the standard addition method: pressed powder disks of JB‐1 were used for neutron irradiation and gamma‐ray measurements, after known quantities of standard reagents had been added. Secondly, the contents of eight other reference materials were determined by comparison methods using JB‐1 as the comparative standard. The precision of analyses were obtained by replicate determinations on these samples. The relative standard deviation was generally less than 5%. For most samples, analysed values agreed well (< 5%) with the recommended values.
Measurement of ambient ozone using a nitrite-coated filter

Recently the authors developed a coated filter for ozone collection that they used in a commercially available passive sampling device. Results from the ozone sampler validation tests are presented. The passive ozone sampler used in field and laboratory experiments consists of a badge clip supporting a barrel-shaped body which contains two coated glass fiber filters. The principal component of the coating is nitrite ion, which in the presence of ozone is oxidized to nitrate ion on the filter medium. After sample collection, the filters are extracted with ultrapure water and analyzed for nitrate ion by ion chromatography. The results from laboratory and field validation tests indicate excellent agreement between the passive method and standard ozone monitoring techniques. 22 refs., 6 figs.
Assessment of Prescription Opioid Medical Use and Misuse Among Parents and Their Adolescent Offspring in the US

Key Points Question What are the patterns of association between parental and adolescent medical prescription opioid use and misuse in the US? Findings In this nationally representative cross-sectional study of 15 200 parent-adolescent dyads from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, controlling for other factors, parental medical prescription opioid use within the past year was associated with adolescent medical prescription opioid use and misuse, whereas parental misuse was not. Meaning These findings suggest that reducing opioid prescribing by physicians and educating families about medication use practices that restrict the availability of prescription opioids to adolescents in the home could be important targets for reducing adolescent prescription opioid misuse.
The effects of water immersion and walking on leg volume, ankle circumference and epifascial thickness in healthy subjects with occupational edema

Background Balneotherapy has been considered beneficial in patients with chronic venous disease due to patient-reported positive outcomes on improvement of symptoms and quality of life. Study aim: Assessing the effects of prolonged water immersion (WI) on leg edema and epifascial thickness and to compare these data with those achieved after continuous walking on ground. Material and methods On three consecutive days, 14 otherwise healthy volunteers (9 females, 5 males, mean age 53 ± 10 years) affected by occupational edema (OE), defined as the edema developing during the time period of the working day and disappearing overnight, stayed standing immobile in a swimming pool for 30 minutes (30’), continuously walking again for 30’ in the same pool and walking on ground for 30’ without interruptions in a randomized sequence. Leg volume, ankle circumference and epifascial thickness of both legs were assessed each day before and after each intervention. Results Leg volume showed a median reduction by 4.20% (IQR 5-3.6) (p = 0.0002) after 30’ of immobile standing immersion and by 6.50% (IQR 7.30-5.61) (P < 0.0001) when the patients walked in the pool. Ankle circumference showed a median reduction by 2.89% (IQR 4.23-2.03) (p = 0.02) with the subjects staying standing still in water and by 5.98% (IQR 7.47-4.14) (p = 0.0002) after 30’ walking in the pool. Epifascial thickness showed a median reduction by 24.35% (IQR 35.26-22.5) (P < 0.0001) when the volunteers remained standing still and by 32.66% (IQR 36.91-28-84) (P < 0.0001), when walking in water. Leg volumetry showed a median reduction by 0.20% (IQR-0.44-0.29) (p = 0.375) after walking on ground for 30’. Ankle circumference and epifascial thickness did not show any difference walking on ground compared to baseline situation. Conclusions This study showed that 30’ of WI, especially when associated with walking, reduced leg volume in otherwise heathy subjects with OE and that walking outside the water did not.
Assessing ICD-11 gaming disorder in adolescent gamers by parental ratings: Development and validation of the Gaming Disorder Scale for Parents (GADIS-P)

Abstract Background and aims The addiction to digital games is associated with substantial impairments in daily functioning and adolescents are particularly at risk. Screening instruments for the new ICD-11 diagnosis Gaming Disorder (GD) are rare and only include self-ratings thus far. Since adolescents' insight might be limited due to young age or symptom denial, external ratings are essential. We therefore aimed to develop and validate the Gaming Disorder Scale for Parents (GADIS-P) in a representative sample of parents and young gamers. Methods GADIS-P was developed as an adaptation of a recently published self-rating scale. It was validated in 800 parents and their frequently gaming children between 10 and 17 years with standardized questionnaires in an online survey. Item structure was investigated by confirmatory factorial analysis. Gaming time, pathological gaming according to DSM-5, emotional dysregulation, and academic performance were used to derive criterion validity. Accordance with self-ratings was determined. ROC-Analyses were computed to determine cut-off values. Results A presumed two-factorial structure of GADIS-P could be confirmed describing cognitive-behavioral symptoms and negative consequences. The instrument showed good to excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89–0.92, McDonald's ω = 0.92–0.95) and criterion validity with moderate to strong correlations regarding gaming behavior (r/ϱ = 0.35–0.76), excellent discriminatory power, and moderate accordance with the adolescents' self-ratings (kappa = 0.47–0.58). Discussion and conclusions As the first successfully validated tool for the assessment of ICD-11 GD in adolescents by parental judgment, GADIS-P can make an important contribution to reliable GD screening in clinical and research settings.
Thin film reaction of transition metals with germanium

A systematic study of the thermally induced reaction of 20 transition metals (Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Re, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Cu) with Ge substrates was carried out in order to identify appropriate contact materials in Ge-based microelectronic circuits. Thin metal films, nominally 30nm thick, were sputter deposited on both amorphous Ge and crystalline Ge(001). Metal-Ge reactions were monitored in situ during ramp anneals at 3°Cs−1 in an atmosphere of purified He using time-resolved x-ray diffraction, diffuse light scattering, and resistance measurements. These analyses allowed the determination of the phase formation sequence for each metal-Ge system and the identification of the most promising candidates—in terms of sheet resistance and surface roughness—for their use as first level interconnections in microelectronic circuits. A first group of metals (Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, and Ta) reacted with Ge only at temperatures well above 450°C and was prone to oxidation. Another set (Cr.
Taxonomic revision of Madagascan species of the Pheidole fervens species-group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Madagascar, one of the top megadiversity regions, hosts one of the highest numbers of endemic and threatened organisms on earth. One of the most spectacular examples of ant radiation on the island has occurred in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole. To this date, there are 117 described Madagascan Pheidole divided into 16 species-groups, and 97% of them are endemic to the island. Only two of these species-groups contain widely distributed invasive species in addition to native, endemic taxa: megacephala, and fervens species-groups. Here we revise the fervens species-group and discuss updated distribution records of its introduced members on Madagascar. We recognize six species belonging to this group, including five new to science: Pheidole ampangabe sp. nov., P. arivo sp. nov., P. comosa sp. nov., P. indica Mayr, P. mamirapiratra sp. nov., and P. mena sp. nov. Detailed descriptions are supplemented with measurements, diagnoses, identification key, high-resolution images for major and minor worker, and comments on distribution and biology.
Migration of Phosphorus in Sewage Sludge during Different Thermal Treatment Processes

The utilization of phosphorus (P) in activated sludge discharged from wastewater treatment plants is an important part of the global phosphorus circulation. Thermal treatment of excess sludge would become a promising method for their disposal throughout the world. Herein, we investigated the transformation and migration of P in sewage sludge during different thermal treatment conditions. The results indicate that the temperature can significantly influence the species and content of P in the sewage sludge char or ash (SSC/A), while the atmosphere of thermal treatment has a slight effect on the fate of P. 31P NMR and XRD analysis indicated that P migrated mainly to the medium-term plant available P pool (poolNaOH) on treating the sewage sludge at a low temperature (673–873 K), while it was prone to migration to the long-term plant available P pool (poolHCl) when treated at a high temperature (873–1073 K).
Teores de trigonelina, ácido 5-cafeoilquínico, cafeína e melanoidinas em cafés solúveis comerciais brasileiros

Commercial Brazilian regular and decaffeinated instant coffees (33 brands) were studied. The levels ranged from 0.47 to 2.15 g 100 g-1 for trigonelline, 0.38 to 2.66 g 100 g-1 for 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA), 0.24 to 4.08 g 100 g-1 for caffeine, and 0.253 to 0.476 (420 nm) for melanoidins. Variations in bioactive compound levels among batches were observed. There was no relationship between the drying process and the composition of the products. In general, Gourmet and decaffeinated coffees had higher trigonelline and 5-CQA but lower caffeine and melanoidin content than regular products.
Synthesis of Interconnected Polyaniline Nanofibers in Catanionic Micelles

Interconnected polyaniline nanofibers with diameters in the range of 30–60 nm and lengths up to several micrometers have been synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in catanionic solution by mixing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. The product was characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of the molar fraction of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on the morphologies of polyaniline have been investigated.
Treatment of missing values in process data analysis

Process data suffer from many different types of imperfections. For example, bad data due to sensor problems, multi-rate sampling, outliers, compressed data etc. Since most modelling and data analysis methods are developed to analyze regularly sampled and well conditioned data sets there is a need for pre-treatment of data. Traditionally data conditioning or pre-treatment has been done without taking into account the end use of the data, for example, univariate methods have been used to interpolate bad data even when the intended end use of data is for multivariate analysis. In this paper we consider the pre-treatment and data analysis as a collective problem and propose data conditioning methods in a multivariate framework. We first review classical process data analysis methods and acclaimed missing data handling techniques used in statistical surveys and biostatistics. The applications of these acclaimed missing data techniques are demonstrated in three different instances: (i) principal components analysis (PCA) is extended in data augmentation (DA) framework for dealing with missing values, (ii) iterative missing data technique is used to synchronize uneven length batch process data, and (iii) PCA based iterative missing data technique is used to restore the correlation structure of compressed data.