Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of temporal and spatial variations of total precipitable water vapor in western Iran using radiosonde and MODIS measurements

Abstract. Investigating time series variations of total precipitable water (TPW) vapor is of great importance in meteorology and hydrology. The objective of this study is to use two nonparametric tests including Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope estimator to investigate the annual and seasonal trend of TPW changes using two remote sensing datasets and a ground dataset in western Iran. The daily near-infrared product of TPW from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), MOD05, and a daily TPW extracted from a developed regional TPW MODIS algorithm were considered as remote sensing data. The remote sensing estimations were utilized in six climatic zones, including hyperarid, arid, semiarid, semihumid, humid, and hyperhumid. For the ground data, the daily TPW was prepared from five radiosonde stations. At a significance level of 0.05, in the annual trend, MOD05 results showed a significant increase in the hyperarid, semiarid, semihumid, and hyperhumid climates, and regional MODIS TPW algorithm results showed a significant increase in all six climates. In the seasonal trend of spring in the Ahvaz radiosonde station, as well as in the seasonal trend of summer of MOD05 results in the hyperarid, arid, semihumid, and humid climates, there was a significant increase. Regional MODIS TPW algorithm results demonstrated a significant increase trend in all six climates in the spring and summer. Generally, the results proved the TPW incremental trend in the study area.
Quantification of Human Central Adipose Tissue Depots: An Anatomically Matched Comparison Between DXA and MRI

Excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and VAT volume relative to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) are associated with elevated health risks. This study compares fat measurements by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In total, 21 control subjects (Control) and 16 individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) were scanned by DXA and MRI. The region measured by MRI was matched to the android region defined by DXA, and MRI reproducibility was also evaluated. In addition, liver fat fraction was quantified via MRI and whole-body fat by DXA. VAT measurements are interchangeable between DXA and MRI in the Control (R = 0.946), MetSyn (R = 0.968), and combined cohort (R = 0.983). VAT/SAT ratio did not differ in the Control group (P = .10), but VAT/SAT ratio measured by DXA was significantly higher in the MetSyn group (P < .01) and the combined (P = .03) cohort. Intraobserver (ICC = 0.998) and interobserver (ICC = 0.977) reproducibility of MRI VAT measurements was excellent. Liver fat fraction by MRI was higher (P = .001) in MetSyn (12.4% ± 7.6%) than in controls (2.6% ± 2.2%), as was whole-body fat percentage by DXA (P = .001) between the MetSyn (42.0% ± 8.1%) and Control groups (26.7% ± 6.9%). DXA and MRI VAT are interchangeable when measured over an anatomically matched region of the abdomen, while SAT and VAT/SAT ratio differ between the 2 modalities.
Outpatient versus inpatient follow-up for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Aim of the study The optimum management method and the best time of delivery still remain unclear for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). We aimed to ascertain whether there is a benefit of close monitoring at hospital. Material and methods We evaluated the maternal and neonatal records of ICPs over a recent five-year period. A total of 35 women and their 38 newborns were analyzed. The impact of hospitalization was evaluated in terms of delivery type, labor induction, preterm delivery, Apgar scores, and neonatal intensive care unit admission. Results The median maternal age was 30.7 years, and median gestation at diagnosis was 34 weeks. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were normal in three patients; 32 (91.4%) women had at least one increased hepatic enzyme level. The median AST level was elevated to 66 U/l (almost two-fold), and the median ALT level was 91 U/l (about three-fold). The median gestation time at delivery was 37 weeks. The preterm delivery rate was 45.7%. The median birth weight was 3020 g, and median Apgar scores were 9 and 10 at the 1st and 5th minutes, respectively. Neonatal intensive care unit admission occurred in 21 neonates (55.3%). During pregnancy follow-up, 22 women (62.8%) were hospitalized during their pregnancies. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of obstetric and perinatal outcomes (p > 0.05). However, the hospitalized pregnant women were found to have higher levels of serum transaminases (p = 0.15 and p = 0.01 for ALT and AST, respectively). Conclusions Hospitalization may be helpful in some ICP cases, especially when enzyme levels are elevated.
Factores asociados al cumplimiento de la terapia preventiva con isoniacida en niños en Quito, Ecuador (2014-2016 y 2018)

RESUMEN Objetivo. Conocer el porcentaje de cumplimiento de la terapia preventiva con isoniacida (TPI) en los establecimientos de salud de Quito, Ecuador y sus factores asociados en los niños menores de 5 años. Métodos. Investigación operativa con diseño de cohorte, en la que se obtuvo datos de informes y tarjetas de administración de tratamiento de los niños en TPI de los años 2014 al 2016 y de encuestas ad hoc aplicadas a cuidadores de los niños que recibieron TPI durante el año 2018. Resultados. Los niños menores de 5 años correspondieron a 29,3% del total de los contactos de los casos índices; 73% cumplieron TPI y 88,9% completaron al menos 6 meses de terapia. Se encontró asociación con la carga bacilar del caso índice, con la condición de pertenecer a un determinado distrito y su año de inicio. Se realizaron encuestas a 9 personas, funcionarios de los establecimientos salud y a 9 tutores de los niños; se registraron respuestas diversas sobre el agente causal de la tuberculosis, su transmisión y las características de la terapia preventiva. Conclusiones. La mayoría de los niños menores de 5 años que iniciaron TPI cumplieron con al menos 80% de las dosis prescritas, con determinadas asociaciones y percepciones en los cuidadores. En este contexto, surge la necesidad de realizar nuevas investigaciones operativas, para indagar más ampliamente sobre la adherencia y sobre los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas de los profesionales de salud, los afectados por tuberculosis y su entorno.
Clinical effectiveness of MARS treatment – multidirectional analysis of positive clinical response to treatment

Aim of the study Liver failure is a life-threatening condition which often requires intensive care treatment. It is essential to quickly determine whether there are indications for extracorporeal liver support systems for the patient. The aims of the study were: to assess effectiveness of molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) therapy based on selected clinical criteria, to analyze the moment of clinical response and to create a patient’s profile, who will benefit clinically from the treatment. Material and methods The analysis encompassed medical histories of 65 patients treated with MARS. Effectiveness of treatment was evaluated based on selected clinical parameters. Statistical analysis was performed based on medical data gathered. Results There were 158 cycles of MARS performed, with effectiveness documented in 57 cycles (36.6%). The first MARS session was effective in 43.1% of patients. They also more often responded to the second cycle (63.6% vs. 15.4%). A significant part of the analysis was devoted to create a profile of the patient in whom positive response can be expected. A low MELD score and low baseline white blood cells (WBC) level are statistically significant factors in multivariate analysis of selected features of positive clinical response to treatment. Conclusions MARS therapy is an effective form of treatment in a properly selected group of patients with liver failure. The first MARS session is the most effective one. It is also a good prognostic factor for further clinical response to treatment. Multifactorial analysis of positive clinical response to treatment enables to create a patient’s profile based on the lower baseline MELD score and WBC.
Markers of CNS Injury in Adults Living With HIV With CSF HIV Not Detected vs Detected <20 Copies/mL

Abstract The presence of quantifiable HIV RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during antiretroviral therapy (ART) can associate with central nervous system (CNS) pathology, but the significance of RNA detected below the limit of quantification (LOQ) on a standard assay during ART remains unknown. We compared CNS parameters between individuals with CSF RNA detected below the LOQ (20 copies/mL) with those with HIV RNA not detected. Detection of CSF HIV RNA associated with decreased blood–brain barrier integrity and with decreased executive function, but not with CNS immune activation or poorer performance in overall neuropsychological testing.
Are Standards for Dialysate Purity in Hemodialysis Insufficiently Strict?

1. Favero MS, Petersen NJ, Carson LA, Bond WW, Hindman SH: Gramnegative water bacteria in hemodialysis systems.Health Lab Sci 12:321±334, 1975 2. GordonSM,OettingerCW,BlandLA,Oliver JC,ArduinoMJ,Aguero SM, McAllister SK, Favero MS, Jarvis WR: Pyrogenic reactions in patients receiving conventional, high-eciency, or high̄ux hemodialysis treatments with bicarbonate dialysate containing high concentrations of bacteria and endotoxin. J Am Soc Nephrol 2:1436±1444, 1992 3. PeguesDA,Oettinger CW,BlandLA,Oliver JC,ArduinoMJ,Arguero SM, McAllister SK, Gordon SM, FaveroMS, JarvisWR:A prospective study of pyrogenic reactions in hemodialysis patients using bicarbonate dialysis ̄uids ®ltered to remove bacteria and endotoxin. J Am Soc Nephrol 3:1002±1007, 1992 4. Oliver JC, Bland LA, Oettinger CW, ArduinoMJ, Garrard M, Pegues DA, McAllister S, Moone T, Arguero S, Favero MS: Bacteria and endotoxin removal from bicarbonate dialysis ̄uids for use in conventional, high-eciency, and high̄ux dialysis. Artif Organs 16:141±145, 1992 5. Favero MS, Tokars JI, Arduino MJ, Alter MJ: Nosocomial infections associated with hemodialysis. In: Mayhall C. Glen, ed.Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams &Wilkins, 1999:897±917 6. FaveroMS, PetersenNJ:Microbiologic guidelines for hemodialysis systems. Dial Transplant 6:34±36, 1977
Protozoans in subgingival biofilm: clinical and bacterial associated factors and impact of scaling and root planing treatment

ABSTRACT Objective: In patients with periodontitis, identification of protozoans and evaluation of some bacteria and clinical parameters associated and assessment of scaling and root planing (SRP) impact on their detection. Methods: Before and after SRP, subgingival microbiota was collected in two pathological and one healthy site from 30 periodontitis patients. One healthy site from 30 control patients was also sampled. The usual clinical periodontal parameters were recorded; microbial detection was determined by PCR hybridization system for bacteria and qPCR for protozoans. Results: In periodontitis group, Trichomonas tenax and two subtypes of Entamoeba gingivalis (ST1 and a variant ST2) were detected in respectively 33.3%, 70% and 18.3% of pathological samples, and in 6.7%, 10% and 3.3% healthy samples. In control group, ST1 alone was found in 3.3% of individuals. ST1 was associated with Gingival Index, Clinical Attachment Level (p ≤ 0.03) and with the total bacterial count (p = 0.02). T. tenax alone was associated with P. gingivalis, T. denticola and E. nodatum (p ≤ 0,02). After therapy, only T. tenax detection decreased significantly (p = 0.004) and no association between the protozoan elimination and improvement of pathological sites was found. Conclusions: Protozoans were associated with some clinical parameters and/or periodontopathogens in patients with periodontitis.
Clinical Implications of the CMV-Specific T-Cell Response and Local or Systemic CMV Viral Replication in Patients With Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract Background The precise role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in ulcerative colitis (UC) remains disputed. We evaluated the association of CMV-specific host immune responses and systemic or local viral replication with responses to systemic steroids in patients with moderate to severe UC. Methods Patients who were hospitalized for moderate to severe UC between April 2015 and June 2016 were enrolled. At baseline, all enrolled patients underwent CMV-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of blood and colonic tissue for CMV viral load, histopathological testing for CMV in colonic tissue by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Clinical responses to steroid therapy based on the Oxford index were assessed on day 3. Results Of the 80 patients evaluated, 28 (35.0%) had poor responses to steroid therapy on day 3 of intensive treatment. The presence of inclusion bodies (32.1%) and high-grade (≥3) positivity on IHC (50.0%), as well as colonic (mean 1440.4 copies/mg) and blood (mean, 3692.6 copies/mL) CMV viral load, were higher in steroid-refractory UC patients than the control group (13.5%, 1.9%, mean 429.2 copies/mg, and mean 231.2 copies/mL, respectively; P = .046, .009, .017, and .002, respectively). However, CMV-specific T-cell responses were not associated with steroid-refractory UC. Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher Mayo score (odds ratio [OR], 2.00; P = .002) and higher blood CMV viral load via qPCR analysis (OR, 3.58; P = .044) were independent risk factors for steroid-refractory UC. Conclusions In patients with moderate to severe UC, higher Mayo score and blood CMV expression determined by qPCR are independently associated with steroid refractoriness. ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT 02439372.
Finger and Palmar Dermatoglyphic Study among the Dhimals of North Bengal, India

Abstract The study intends to explore finger and palmer dermatoglyphic pattern of Dhimals, a little known community of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India. Bilateral finger and palm prints of 202 individuals of both sexes (in equal proportions) were studied for dermatoglyphic traits. The finger type exhibits more whorls (52.65%) followed by loops (45.25) with little sex differences. The values of different indices are: Pattern Intensity Index 15.05, Furuhata’s Index 116.49, Dankmeijer’s Index 4.1 and Poll’s Index 4.78. Total Finger Ridge Count is 162.18. The IV interdigital area is characterized by more pattern (88.73%) followed by others. Main line formula 7.5. 5 is more frequent (52.94%) with 7.38 as Main Line Index. The mean value of atd angle was calculated 42.290.
The Role of Psychological Capital as Mediating the Effect of Job Insecurity on Job Satisfaction: An Investigation at the Banda Aceh "Meuraxa" Public Hospital

This study aims to analyze the role of psychological capital in bridging the relationship between job insecurity and job satisfaction. It also aims to know the effect of job insecurity on job satisfaction. Contract workers at the Meuraxa General Hospital in Banda Aceh were the unit of analysis in this study, because we considered them to be very vulnerable to work insecurity related to termination of employment, as many as 112 contract workers we took as research samples. Primary data were obtained by distributing questionnaires to contract workers using random sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM). The results of our analysis found that psychological capital plays an important role in bridging the relationship between job security and job satisfaction. The analysis also found a direct effect between job insecurity and job satisfaction. We conclude that psychological capital is a very important variable when job insecurity wants to increase job satisfaction.
Convergence Behaviour of Some Gradient-Based Methods on Bilinear Zero-Sum Games

Min-max formulations have attracted great attention in the ML community due to the rise of deep generative models and adversarial methods, and understanding the dynamics of (stochastic) gradient algorithms for solving such formulations has been a grand challenge. As a first step, we restrict ourselves to bilinear zero-sum games and give a systematic analysis of popular gradient updates, for both simultaneous and alternating versions. We provide exact conditions for their convergence and find the optimal parameter setup and convergence rates. In particular, our results offer formal evidence that alternating updates converge "better" than simultaneous ones.
INVITED PAPER Laser additive manufacturing of powdered bismuth telluride

Traditional manufacturing methods restrict the expansion of thermoelectric technology. Here, we demonstrate a new manufacturing approach for thermoelectric materials. Selective laser melting, an additive manufacturing technique, is performed on loose thermoelectric powders for the first time. Layer-by-layer construction is realized with bismuth telluride, Bi2Te3, and an 88% relative density was achieved. Scanning electron microscopy results suggest good fusion between each layer although multiple pores exist within the melted region. X-ray diffraction results confirm that the Bi2Te3 crystal structure is preserved after laser melting. Temperature-dependent absolute Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, specific heat, thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT are characterized up to 500 °C, and the bulk thermoelectric material produced by this technique has comparable thermoelectric and electrical properties to those fabricated from traditional methods. The method shown here may be applicable to other thermoelectric materials and offers a novel manufacturing approach for thermoelectric devices.
Impact of Statistical Measures of Quality on Business Projects Performance "A Study in Istanbul-Turkey"

The purpose and aim of this research are to show and evaluate the relationship and the effectiveness between total quality management (TQM) Practices, Statistical Measures, and Financial, Innovation, and Operational performance respectively in business projects at firms. In addition to finding ways to improve the performance through focuses on how to use TQM Practices and Statistical Measures to improve the performance of business projects. Data were collected from 283 respondents in Istanbul, sample of Turkish firms based on the study model data were examined using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software by applying frequency distribution tables also bar charts of questionnaire (part A) and further correlation, R-Square, ANOVA and Regression Analysis for questionnaire (part B). Results show that the relationship between TQM Practices, Statistical Measures, and Performance (Financial, Innovation, and Operation) in the firms is positive. This study has analyzed through a descriptive approach that was used to study about the demographic profile of business in Istanbul, and TQM items have been developed to test the hypothesis. Five-point Likert scale questionnaire has been adopted for data collection, the reliability statistics of all items was 0.909 which is excellent, in order to measure the relationship among variables correlation a test was used, regression analysis R-Square interpretation, ANOVA was used to show the impact of TQM Practices on Financial, Operations, and Innovation Performance of the business projects. Statistical analysis also showed results and suggestions for this model.
Improved propagation models for LTE path loss prediction in urban & suburban Ghana

To maximize the benefits of LTE cellular networks, careful and proper planning is needed. This requires the use of accurate propagation models to quantify the path loss required for base station deployment. Deployed LTE networks in Ghana can barely meet the desired 100Mbps throughput leading to customer dissatisfaction. Network operators rely on transmission planning tools designed for generalized environments that come with already embedded propagation models suited to other environments. A challenge therefore to Ghanaian transmission Network planners will be choosing an accurate and precise propagation model that best suits the Ghanaian environment. Given this, extensive LTE path loss measurements at 800MHz and 2600MHz were taken in selected urban and suburban environments in Ghana and compared with 6 commonly used propagation models. Improved versions of the Ericson, SUI, and ECC-33 developed in this study predict more precisely the path loss in Ghanaian environments compared with commonly used propagation models.
Modelling the inuence of campaign contribution and advertising on US Presidential Elections

We provide a stochastic electoral model of the US Presidential election where candidates use the campaign contributions they receive from special interest groups (SIGs) to run their electoral campaign. Prior to the election, candidates announce their policy platforms and advertising (ad) campaigns and use the contributions of SIGs to generate two SIG valences to enhance their electoral valence. Voters have preferences over candidatespolicies relative to their ideal policy and over candidatesad messages relative to their ideal message frequency, their campaign tolerance level. Voterschoices are also inuenced by two endogenous SIG valences: one associated with candidates policy platform, the other with the candidates ad campaign. Citizensvotes also depend on their sociodemographic characteristics and candidatestraits and competences. Candidatescritical policy and ad campaign are a weak local Nash equilibrium (LNE) of the election if the expected vote shares of all candidates are greater than their corresponding pivotal vote shares. If the expected vote share of at least one candidate is lower than its pivotal vote share, then the electoral mean is not a LNE of the election. In LNE, candidatespolicy and ad campaign balance the electoral and SIG pulls.
Working Paper Series

Leading into a debt crisis, interest rate spreads on sovereign debt rise before the economy experiences a decline in productivity, suggesting that news about future economic developments may play an important role in these episodes. An empirical VAR estimation shows that a news shock has a larger contemporaneous impact on sovereign credit spreads than a comparable shock to labor productivity. A quantitative model of news and sovereign debt default with endogenous maturity choice generates impulse responses and a variance decomposition similar to the empirical VAR estimates. The dynamics of the economy after a bad news shock share some features of a productivity shock and some features of sudden stop events. However, unlike during sudden stop episodes, long-term debt does not shield the country from bad news shocks, and it may even exacerbate default risk. Finally, an increase in the precision of news allows the government to improve its debt maturity management, especially during periods of high stress in credit markets, and thus face lower yield spreads while increasing the amount of debt. JEL Classification: F34, F41, G15.