Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Control of the Injection of an Alumina Suspension Containing Nanograins in a dc Plasma

For many years, a new interest in nanomaterials, with grain sizes smaller than 100nm, has emerged. This is due to the enhanced properties of the resulting sintered materials or coatings compared to those with coarser-grained materials. This paper is devoted to the feasibility to produce nanomaterial coatings by a dc plasma spray process. Until now, only thick coatings (> 100µm) have been elaborated using this technique, by injecting, with a carrier gas, micrometric particles in the plasma flow. But, it is not possible to inject too small particles (<5µm) without perturbing drastically the plasma jet by the high carrier gas flow rate necessary to give them a high enough momentum. This work presents a new dc plasma spray process, designed to elaborate alumina nanocoatings. The most important step of the process is the control of the ceramic nanometric particle penetration in the plasma. Because of their small size, a liquid, which density made the momentum transfer more efficient, replaced the carrier gas with an injector creating calibrated droplets with controlled velocity and flow rate. To study the liquid-plasma interaction, the penetration of pure water in an Ar/H2 plasma jet was investigated by means of emission spectroscopy. The modification of temperature field together with oxygen concentration was determined quantitatively. Emission spectra were treated with a new localization method, avoiding the use of Abel's inversion implying a cylindrical symmetry, destroyed by the liquid injection. Such measurements allowed optimizing the liquid penetration in the plasma jet. Alumina nanopowders were dispersed in a liquid to form a stable suspension, which was injected in the plasma. The layered particle morphology, collected on glass substrates at different distances downstream of the injection point, was then studied.
The Association Between Plant-Based Diet Indices and Obesity and Metabolic Diseases in Chinese Adults: Longitudinal Analyses From the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Background A wide range of health benefits are associated with consuming a diet high in plant-based foods. Diet quality can be accurately assessed using plant-based diet indices, however there is inadequate evidence that plant-based diet indices are linked to obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially in Chinese cultures who have traditionally consumed plant-rich foods. Methods The data came from the China Nutrition and Health Survey. Overall, 11,580 adult participants were enrolled between 2004 and 2006 and followed up until 2009 or 2015 (follow-up rate: 73.4%). Dietary intake was assessed across three 24-h recalls, and two plant-based dietary indices [overall plant-based diet indice (PDI) and healthy plant-based diet indice (hPDI)] were calculated using China Food Composition Code and categorized into quintiles. The study's endpoints were overweight/obesity, hypertension, and T2D. The Hazard ratio (HR) and dose-response relationship were assessed using the Cox proportional risk model and restricted cubic splines. The areas under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the PDI and hPDI. Results During the median follow-up period of more than 10 years, 1,270 (33.4%), 1,509 (31.6%), and 720 (11.5%) participants developed overweight / obesity, hypertension, and T2D, respectively. The higher PDI score was linked with a reduced risk of overweight/obesity [HR: 0.71 (95% CI: 0.55–0.93), P-trend <0.001], hypertension [HR: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.51–0.79), P-trend <0.001], and T2D [HR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.87), P-trend <0.001]. The hPDI score was inversely associated with overweight/obesity [HR: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.62–0.98), P-trend = 0.02] and T2D [HR: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75–0.93), P-trend = 0.001]. In the aged <55-year-old group, subgroup analysis indicated a significant negative association between PDI/hPDI and overweight/obesity, hypertension, and T2D. There was no significant difference in the areas under the curve of the fully adjusted obesity, hypertension, and diabetes prediction models between PDI and hPDI. Conclusion The PDI and hPDI scores were very similar in application in Chinese populations, and our findings highlight that adherence to overall plant-based diet index helps to reduce the risk of T2D, obesity, and hypertension in Chinese adults who habitually consume plant-based foods, especially for those aged <55 year. Further understanding of how plant-based diet quality is associated with chronic disease will be needed in the future, which will help develop dietary strategies to prevent diabetes, hypertension, and related chronic diseases.
Citrus Consumption and Risk of Melanoma: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Background Epidemiological studies of citrus consumption in relation to melanoma risk have yielded conflicting results. This meta-analysis was performed to investigate the dose-response association between citrus consumption and risk of melanoma. Methods Relevant prospective cohort studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to February 28th, 2022. Results from individual studies were pooled using a random-effects model. Results Five prospective studies, with 8,836 melanoma cases and 977,558 participants, were included in the meta-analysis. A significantly increased risk of melanoma was associated with the highest categories of either total citrus products (RR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01–1.42) or citrus fruit consumption (1.15; 1.04–1.28), but consumption of citrus juice was not associated with melanoma risk (1.08; 0.97–1.21). The dose-response analyses revealed that for per 1 serving/day increase in total citrus or citrus fruit consumption, the risk of melanoma increased by 9 and 12%, respectively. An inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship, but not linear association, was observed between citrus juice consumption and melanoma risk. Conclusions Citrus consumption was generally associated with a greater risk of malignant melanoma. Our findings may have important public health implications with respect to preventing melanoma.
Features of post-obstructive pneumonia in advanced lung cancer patients, a large retrospective cohort

Abstract Background Post-obstructive pneumonia refers to an infection of the lung parenchyma distal to a bronchial obstruction. Previous experience-based studies reported a high prevalence of this infection among patients with a medical history of advanced lung neoplasia, up to 40–55%. Objectives The current study was designed to investigate the features of post-obstructive pneumonia in lung cancer, including its predictors and the discriminants for 30-day mortality. Method Data from medical records at the tertiary University centre, UZ Brussel, were collected retrospectively between January 2016 and January 2021. Patients affected by lung cancer stages III and IV were included. A multidisciplinary team, composed of a pulmonologist, an infectious disease specialist and a chest radiologist, identified patients affected by post-obstructive pneumonia. Results A total of 408 patients were included, of which 46 (11%) were diagnosed with post-obstructive pneumonia. Multivariable logistic regression for predictors of disease onset found significant differences for squamous cell carcinoma (OR:2.46 p-value: .014) and hilar location of the tumour (OR:2.72 p-value: .021). However, no significant differences were identified with regards to age or comorbidities. Furthermore, 30-day mortality among post-obstructive pneumonia patients was 30%. Multivariable logistic regression for prediction of 30-day mortality found significant differences in CURB-65 score (OR:73.20 p-value: .001) and smoking status (OR:0.009 p-value: .015) Conclusions Within this cohort, the prevalence of post-obstructive pneumonia in advanced lung cancer patients was lower than previously reported. Squamous cell carcinoma and a hilar tumour location were two variables associated with disease development, independent of age and comorbidities. Furthermore, a higher CURB-65 score at post-obstructive pneumonia diagnosis was correlated with mortality.
What Is Statistics

One might think that there is a simple answer to the question posed in the title of the form “Statistics is…. ” Sadly, there is not, although many contemporary statistical authors have attempted to answer the question. This article captures the essence of some of these efforts, setting them in their historical contexts. In the process, we focus on the cross-disciplinary nature of much modern statistical research. This discussion serves as a backdrop to the the aims of the Annual Review of Statistics and its Application, which begins publication with the present volume.
The influence of returnee technology executives on enterprise innovation: the innovation patent data of global exchange market listed companies

In this paper, the innovation patent data of 344 Chinese Global Exchange Market (GEM) listed companies from 2014 to 2018 is manually collected, and the effect of returnee technology executives (RTEs) on enterprise innovativeness is examined based on the empirical theory of the high ladder team. The study finds that RTEs promote enterprise innovation and that this effect persists after controlling for endogeneity and self-selection problems. By comparing the difference in the effect of RTEs on breakthrough innovation and non-breakthrough innovation, the study found that RTEs had a more significant role in promoting enterprise breakthrough innovation. Furthermore, through executive group analysis, it is found that Returnee Technology Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have more potently positive effect on promoting enterprise innovation especially breakthrough innovation and RTEs exert greater prominence in fostering innovation in companies across developed coastal areas. The research theoretically expands and deepens the investigation on the rapport between enterprise executive characteristics and innovation, highlights the importance of the human capital of overseas returnees in practice, and has a certain guiding significance for enterprise talent introduction policies.
Pre-clinical prediction of coronary atherosclerosis in copd by carotid artery intima media thickness

Aim and Introduction: To determine the association between Coronary atherosclerosis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Carotid Artery Intima Media Thickness. The objective of the present case control study is to determine the association between carotid atherosclerosis in COPD patients and cardiovascular morbidity. Material and methods. It was a prospective case-control observational study. 50 COPD patients and 50 age- and gender-matched non-COPD controls were studied. Carotid artery USG scanning was carried out using B-mode duplex USG for measurement of carotid artery intima - media thickness. Results. CIMT was found to be more common in COPD group patients (78%) as compared to non-COPD group patients (26%) (P value = 0.000). The mean CIMT is 1.04 0.41 mm in the COPD group and 0.71 0.24 in the COPD group with a P value of 0.0001. The mean CIMT in Gold 3 was the highest (1.10 0.48 mm), followed by Gold 4 (1.05 0.46 mm) and the minimum in Gold 1 (0.73 0.00 mm). Conclusion. Our study shows that COPD is associated with increased CIMT, which is a preclinical predictor of coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. However, further studies are needed.
Audit Committee, Board Characteristics, and Forced Auditor Switch Decisions – a Case study about Deloitte's Clients in Saudi Listed Companies

On December 1, 2014, Capital Market Authority (CMA) suspended the local unit of accountancy firm Deloitte & Touche (Deloitte) from doing auditing for Saudi corporations by June 1, 2015. This decision is based on the role of Deloitte in Mohammad Al Mojil Group (MMG) failure. This paper takes advantage of the unique setting created by this event to examine the effect of characteristics of both audit committees and the board of directors on auditor switching decisions. The sample consisted of 102 observations represent auditor change in the Saudi stock market by 2015. CMA decision is been effective from June 1, 2015. T-test of mean differences suggests that there are differences between the companies select one of Big 4 audit firms and others in terms of audit committee characteristics. In addition, the result indicates differences in terms of audit committee characteristics between companies that decided to switch either by forced or voluntary. None of the board characteristics found to be significant. Using logistic regression with which forced change is the dependent variable, add more evidence for the importance of audit committee activities, with week evidence for switching to one of Big 4 in case of forced change.
An Integrative Literature Review of Social Entrepreneurship Research: Mapping the Literature and Future Research Directions

This article maps existing research from 5,874 scholarly publications on social entrepreneurship (SE) utilizing scientometrics. The mapping indicates a taxonomy of five clusters: (a) the nature of SE, (b) policy implications and employment in relation to SE, (c) SE in communities and health, (d) SE personality traits, and (e) SE education. We complement the scientometric analysis with a systematic literature review of publications on SE in the Financial Times 50 list (FT50) and Business & Society and propose a multistage, multilevel framework that highlights the clusters of existing research on SE based on their stage and level of analysis. This review study also helps outline a set of future research directions, including studies examining (a) the process stage at the micro-level and macro-level, (b) linkages across levels and stages, (c) linkages across stages over time or longitudinal studies, (d) SE in resource-constrained environments, (e) technological advancement and its impact on SE, (f) the types of social enterprises and their outcomes, and (g) various emerging topics in SE.
Anemia in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients—Etiologies and Management

Posttransplant anemia (PTA) is a common complication of pediatric kidney transplantation, with a prevalence ranging from 22 to 85%. PTA is categorized as early (within 6 months posttransplant) and late (>6 months posttransplant). Early PTA is typically associated with surgical blood losses and iron deficiency. Late PTA primarily results from graft dysfunction; however, iron deficiency, drug toxicity, and posttransplant inflammation also play a role. PTA is more severe compared with the anemia in glomerular-filtration-rate matched patients with native chronic kidney disease. Treatment of PTA is directed toward the underlying cause. Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) are effective; however, their use is limited in the transplant setting. Timely diagnosis and treatment of PTA are vital to prevent long-term adverse outcomes in pediatric transplant recipients.
Running pattern changes after a 38-km trail running race: does shoe fatigue play a role?

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate if acute impairments of the footwear midsole materials could interact with the modifications of the running patterns after a fatiguing trail running race. We hypothesized that introducing a control pair of shoes after the race, would modify running mechanics by partially correcting the alterations generated by the deteriorated properties of the shoes worn during the race. Eighteen participants ran on a treadmill at 10 km·h−1 pre- and post-race in three conditions varying the step frequency (free or fixed) or the footwear (control or personal shoes). Spatiotemporal parameters, tibial accelerations across the running conditions and shoe mechanical properties were measured. Significant changes in shoe characteristics (i.e. reduced thickness and increased stiffness) were measured after the race in the personal footwear. At free step frequency, significant changes in contact (+1.3 ± 3.5%) and flight (−19.4 ± 23.7%) times, step frequency (+2.9 ± 2.9%) and peak-to-peak amplitude acceleration at the tibia level (−3.6 ± 18%) were found. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the mediolateral axis showed a significant shoe × time interaction meaning that the control footwear could have had an impact in the running pattern. However, contrary to our hypothesis, no interaction effects were found between the changes in footwear and the changes in spatiotemporal parameters. In conclusion, impairments of shoes characteristics affect impact but not running mechanics.
ACUTE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LOADS ON MUSCLE PERFORMANCE AND PERCEIVED EXERTION IN YOUNG WOMEN

ABSTRACT Introduction: Load reduction using the repetition maximum (RM) method may be necessary to promote higher numbers of repetitions, and consequently, higher total volume, time under tension, and perceived exertion ratings. Objective: To compare the effects of different leg press exercise loads on number of repetitions, total volume, time under tension, and perceived exertion. Methods: Eighteen women university students (23.9 ± 3.8 years) performed two experimental sessions with 90% and 100% of 10-12 RM in a balanced crossover design. Results: The number of repetitions of the second and third sets, the total volume, and time under tension at 90% of 10-12 RM was statistically higher than at 100% of 10-12 RM ( p < 0.05). The perceived exertion of the first and second sets and the training load (perceived exertion x duration of sessions) were higher at 100% of the 10-12 RM session ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: A small reduction in load results in a greater number of repetitions, total volume, and time under tension. The session with the higher load appeared to induce higher perceived exertion and training load. Thus, scientists and coaches might consider lower loads to maximize the number of repetitions, total volume, and time under tension, which may cause greater long-term muscular adaptations. Level of evidence II; Comparative prospective study.
An Energy-Efficient Inference Engine for a Configurable ReRAM-Based Neural Network Accelerator

Resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) offers a potential solution to accelerate the inference of deep neural networks by performing processing-in-memory. However, the peripheral circuits of ReRAM crossbars used to perform arithmetic operations consume significant amounts of power. Based on a power consumption analysis of the ReRAM crossbar circuits, we propose using the dynamic reference voltage scalable analog-to-digital circuits (ADCs) to conduct the dot product operation to enable the reconfigurability of the ReRAM-based neural network (NN) accelerator while maintaining accuracy. We propose a configurable ReRAM-based NN accelerator to provide various degrees of computing granularity with different levels of power consumption, creating a tradeoff between performance and power consumption in the given NN. Next, we develop an energy-efficient inference engine for the configurable ReRAM-based NN accelerator, EIF, to assign the operation unit (OU) size to perform vector-matrix multiplication (VMM) based on the data dependence of the NN. Our evaluation shows that the proposed EIF provided an energy savings of up to 36% over the state-of-the-art ReRAM-based accelerator while maintaining performance without resource duplication.
Multi- and Transgenerational Effects of Developmental Exposure to Environmental Levels of PFAS and PFAS Mixture in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous in the environment and are tied to myriad health effects. Despite the phasing out of the manufacturing of two types of PFASs (perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)), chemical composition renders them effectively indestructible by ambient environmental processes, where they thus remain in water. Exposure via water can affect both human and aquatic wildlife. PFASs easily cross the placenta, exposing the fetus at critical windows of development. Little is known about the effects of low-level exposure during this period; even less is known about the potential for multi- and transgenerational effects. We examined the effects of ultra-low, very low, and low-level PFAS exposure (7, 70, and 700 ng/L PFOA; 24, 240, 2400 ng/L PFOS; and stepwise mixtures) from 0–5 days post-fertilization (dpf) on larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) mortality, morphology, behavior and gene expression and fecundity in adult F0 and F1 fish. As expected, environmentally relevant PFAS levels did not affect survival. Morphological abnormalities were not observed until the F1 and F2 generations. Behavior was affected differentially by each chemical and generation. Gene expression was increasingly perturbed in each generation but consistently showed lipid pathway disruption across all generations. Dysregulation of behavior and gene expression is heritable, even in larvae with no direct or indirect exposure. This is the first report of the transgenerational effects of PFOA, PFOS, and their mixture in terms of zebrafish behavior and untargeted gene expression.
Pattern of Acute Poisoning Among Pediatric Patients Admitted to Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals

Scientific background: Acute pediatric poisoning is considered as a major health problem in many countries and represents a significant burden for emergency room visits and hospitalization. The best way to fix this problem is to diagnose, treat and prevent it from happening again. Aim of the work: Determination the pattern and outcome of acute poisoning of children who admitted to Poison Control Center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCCASUH). Subjects and methods: It is a cross sectional descriptive study included 304 acutely poisoned children aged 1 to 18 years old from both gender who admitted to PCC-ASUH during the period from June 2020 to November 2020. In all children, the data that had been studied included: sociodemographic, poisoning profile, clinical examination, investigations, treatment measures, admission place and patients’ outcome. Results: The study documented that toxicity of children less than 4 years showed the highest percentage (41.1%). The oral route was the major route of exposure (97.3%). The most common exposure was pesticide poisoning (23%), antipsychotic drugs (20.1%) and substances of abuse (17.1%). There was a highly significant difference between studied groups as regard gender, age groups and type of poisonous agents and a highly significant relation between the mode of poisoning and gender. There was a highly significant relation between the outcome and age groups. Conclusion and recommendations: toxicity in children less than 4 years showed the highest percentage. The most typically included agents were pesticides and pharmaceuticals agents. Working on a trial for raising the community awareness programs about poisons’ exposure hazards as it is a very crucial strategy in that emergencies’ prevention.