Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pancreas and Islet Transplantation: Comparative Outcome Analysis of a Single-centre Cohort Over 20-years

Objective: To provide the largest single-center analysis of islet (ITx) and pancreas (PTx) transplantation. Summary Background Data: Studies describing long-term outcomes with ITx and PTx are scarce. Methods: We included adults undergoing ITx (n=266) and PTx (n=146) at the University of Alberta from January 1999 to October 2019. Outcomes include patient and graft survival, insulin independence, glycemic control, procedure-related complications, and hospital readmissions. Data are presented as medians (interquartile ranges, IQR) and absolute numbers (percentages, %) and compared using Mann-Whitney and χ 2 tests. Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox proportional hazard models and mixed main effects models were implemented. Results: Crude mortality was 9.4% and 14.4% after ITx and PTx, respectively (P=0.141). Sex-adjusted and age-adjusted hazard-ratio for mortality was 2.08 (95% CI, 1.04–4.17, P=0.038) for PTx versus ITx. Insulin independence occurred in 78.6% and 92.5% in ITx and PTx recipients, respectively (P=0.0003), while the total duration of insulin independence was 2.1 (IQR 0.8–4.6) and 6.7 (IQR 2.9–12.4) year for ITx and PTx, respectively (P=2.2×10-22). Graft failure ensued in 34.2% and 19.9% after ITx and PTx, respectively (P=0.002). Glycemic control improved for up to 20-years post-transplant, particularly for PTx recipients (group, P=7.4×10-7, time, P=4.8×10-6, group*time, P=1.2×10-7). Procedure-related complications and hospital readmissions were higher after PTx (P=2.5×10-32 and P=6.4×10-112, respectively). Conclusions: PTx shows higher sex-adjusted and age-adjusted mortality, procedure-related complications and readmissions compared with ITx. Conversely, insulin independence, graft survival and glycemic control are better with PTx. This study provides data to balance risks and benefits with ITx and PTx, which could improve shared decision-making.
An SIS epidemic model with mass action infection mechanism in a patchy environment

In this paper, we study an SIS (susceptible–infected–susceptible) epidemic model with mass action infection mechanism in a patchy environment. We first analyze the long‐time dynamics of the model in terms of the basic reproduction number R0$\mathcal {R}_0$ , and prove under certain conditions that the disease‐free equilibrium (DFE) is globally attractive if R0≤1$\mathcal {R}_0\le 1$ whereas the endemic equilibrium (EE) is globally attractive if R0>1$\mathcal {R}_0>1$ . Then we establish the existence and uniqueness of EE provided R0>1$\mathcal {R}_0>1$ , which is achieved, among other ingredients, by reducing the equilibrium problem into the one involving only the component of infected population. We further investigate the asymptotic profile of EE as the motility rate of the susceptible and/or infected population becomes small. We also perform the theoretical analysis on the corresponding model with linear birth/death effect. By comparing the findings of the models considered here with those of other closely related ones, our results suggest that the variation of total population, individual motility, infection mechanism, and spatial heterogeneity all can play significant roles in the dynamics of disease transmission, which may shed light on the practical implications for predicting the patterns of disease outbreak and designing optimal control strategies.
The Antimicrobial Effect of Various Single-Strain and Multi-Strain Probiotics, Dietary Supplements or Other Beneficial Microbes against Common Clinical Wound Pathogens

The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is colonized by a diverse microbiota that works in harmony to protect the skin. However, when skin damage occurs, the skin microbiota is also disrupted, and pathogens can invade the wound and cause infection. Probiotics or other beneficial microbes and their metabolites are one possible alternative treatment for combating skin pathogens via their antimicrobial effectiveness. The objective of our study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of seven multi-strain dietary supplements and eleven single-strain microbes that contain probiotics against 15 clinical wound pathogens using the agar spot assay, co-culturing assay, and agar well diffusion assay. We also conducted genera-specific and species-specific molecular methods to detect the DNA in the dietary supplements and single-strain beneficial microbes. We found that the multi-strain dietary supplements exhibited a statistically significant higher antagonistic effect against the challenge wound pathogens than the single-strain microbes and that lactobacilli-containing dietary supplements and single-strain microbes were significantly more efficient than the selected propionibacteria and bacilli. Differences in results between methods were also observed, possibly due to different mechanisms of action. Individual pathogens were susceptible to different dietary supplements or single-strain microbes. Perhaps an individual approach such as a ‘probiogram’ could be a possibility in the future as a method to find the most efficient targeted probiotic strains, cell-free supernatants, or neutralized cell-free supernatants that have the highest antagonistic effect against individual clinical wound pathogens.
Coordinated Einstein and IUE observations of a disparitions brusques type flare event and quiescent emission from Proxima Centauri

The Einstein Imaging Particle Counter observed a major X-ray flare in its entirety during a 5-hr period of simultaneous observations, with the IUE, of the dM5e flare star Proxima Centauri in August, 1980. The detailed X-ray light curve, temperature determinations during various intervals, and UV line fluxes obtained before, during, and after the flare indirectly indicate a 'two-ribbon flare' prominence eruption. The calculated ratio of coronal to bolometric luminosity for the event is about 100 times the solar ratio. The Proxima Cen corona is analyzed in the context of static loop models, in light of which it is concluded that less than 6% of the stellar surface seems to be covered by X-ray emitting active regions.
The Relationship between Resiliency and Quality of Life in Senior Undergraduate Students in Private University

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significant impact on people worldwide, both on the health system and social life, particularly on education. This study aimed to identify the relationship between resilience and quality of life in senior undergraduate students at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study used descriptive with a cross-sectional approach. Data collection using WHOQOL-BREF and CD-RISC questionnaires have been tested for validity and reliability. The sample was 100 respondents who were taken by stratified nonrandom sampling. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results: The results revealed there is a positive and strong correlation between resiliency and quality of life. Conclusion: Senior undergraduate students who perceived better resiliency are more likely to report a higher quality of life. It suggests that senior undergraduate students need to maintain their resilience to perceive more satisfaction in QoL during pandemic COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic; Resiliency; Quality of Life; Undergraduate Students
Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Tracking Control for Affine Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Dynamics via Reinforcement Learning

This paper investigates the optimal fault-tolerant tracking control (FTTC) problem for unknown affine nonlinear continuous-time systems with process and actuator faults in the framework of reinforcement learning (RL). The proposed novel active FTTC scheme is based on adaptive optimal control theory. In this way, the FTTC problem is formulated as an optimal regulation problem for the augmented system, which consists of the controlled system and the reference trajectory. To solve the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation of the augmented system, an identifier-critic-based online RL strategy is employed with a dual neural network (NN) approximation structure. Initially, in order to remove the requirement of prior knowledge of the system dynamics, an adaptive NN identifier is designed. The forgetting factor in the proposed identifier update law is variable and a function of the filtered state estimation error and filtered state error. Choosing this variable forgetting factor increases the convergence speed and decreases the estimation error of identifier NN weights compared to the constant one while maintaining its robustness. When a fault occurs, the system continues to operate under the former FTTC until the fault is detected. Meanwhile, the optimal FTTC design in the RL framework requires the initial admissible control condition. In order to make it possible to initiate the FTTC learning process from the former FTTC, we employed a stabilizing term in the critical update rule. The Uniformly Ultimately Boundedness (UUB) of identifier and critic NN weight errors and, as a result, the convergence of the control input to the neighborhood of the optimal solution are all proved by Lyapunov theory. In the proposed method, changes in the values of faults are detected by comparing the HJB error to a predefined threshold. Finally, the simulation results are given to validate the effectiveness of the developed method. Note to Practitioners—Long-time operations and the influence of external perturbations often make the faults inevitable for many practical engineering systems which can lead to unpredictable behaviors and catastrophic impacts. In general, the faults are naturally uncertain in time, value, and pattern, that is, it is unknown when, how much, and which system components fail. Therefore, the control system must be able to tolerate an extensive set of component faults. The design of optimal model-free FTTC strategies in an adaptive manner is challenging in nonlinear systems. The proposed method is suitable for a large class of nonlinear systems with input-affine form, and guarantees the system stability in the presence of process and actuator faults.
Ideal toroidal stability beta limits and shaping effects for reversed field pinch configurations

The influence of shaping and toroidicity on the ideal MHD stability of the reversed field pinch(RFP) is investigated with respect to current driven and pressure driven modes. It is found that triangularity and X-point shaping does not significantly modify the operational limits of RFPs, while ellipticity and D shaping is destabilizing. A simple relation for the stability of current driven modes is also given.
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Living with Chronic Low Back Pain in Ethiopia

Background People with chronic low back pain experience myriads of problems from living with their condition. This study aimed to explore the lived experience of people with chronic low back pain in Ethiopia. Design This is a qualitative semi-structured study design which used an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach for data analysis. Participants Fifteen adults (10 women and 5 men) with chronic low back pain (duration ≥ 3 months) with age ranging from 19 to 66 years old were interviewed. Setting Participants were recruited from the outpatient departments of the University of Gondar hospital in Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods Data was collected through an in-depth semi-structured interview. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed through an iterative process, beginning with a line-by-line coding to identify the lived experience of chronic low back pain. Findings Five main themes related to the lived experience of people with chronic low back pain emerged: 1) CLBP impacts life on a day-to-day basis, 2) The invisibility of pain results in misunderstanding, misjudgment, and loneliness, 3) The cause of pain is a mystery, 4) The search for the cure is a quest, 5) Each person has their ways of managing, coping, and living with pain. Conclusion The findings from this study improve our understanding of the experience of people with chronic low back pain and its impact on their day-to-day life in Ethiopia. The findings from this study could inform the development of culturally centered chronic low back pain interventions such as self-management programs in the Ethiopian context.
Effectiveness of microwave ablation for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma - meta-analysis and meta-regression

Abstract Background The treatment of hepatic hemangioma includes surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation and Transarterial embolization. However, complications, mortality and compromised effectiveness limit their applications. Microwaves with effective heating generation and short ablation time become a promising treatment. The aim of this study is to conduct systematic review and meta-analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of Microwave Ablation (MWA) for the treatment of hepatic hemangioma. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed. Main outcomes were defined as hemangioma decreases in diameters and volume changes post-MWA. Conventional random-effect meta-analysis technique was applied to analyze the pooled data, and meta-regression model was established to explore the association among factors. Results There were nine studies with a total of 501 patients retrieved. The pooled estimate of mean differences and 95% CI of hemangioma decreases after MWA treatment in diameter and in volume change (%) were 3.009 cm and (1.856, 4.161), and 53.169% and (51.274, 55.065), respectively. The pooled estimates of liver enzyme, ALT and AST, elevation were 219.905 with 95%CI (160.860, 278.949) and 315.679 with 95%CI (226.961, 404.397), respectively. Major complications were defined as acute kidney injury (AKI), pleural effusion, diaphragmatic hernia, and jaundice that needed to be treated, and the pooled incidence was 0.017 with 95% CI of (0.006, 0.029). No mortality related to MWA was reported. Meta-regression showed ablation time was associated with pre-operative lesion size (p = .001). Conclusion MWA is effective and safe in treatment of hepatic hemangioma, and our study suggests that hemangioma size should be investigated in the future MWA pretreatment difficulty scoring system study.
Delay-dependent stability and output feedback stabilisation of Markov jump system with time-delay

The stochastic stability and stabilisation problems of the Markov jump system (MJS) with time-delay under dynamical output feedback control law is considered. LMI-based sufficient conditions are established for the system to be stochastic stable and exponentially stable. A sufficient and necessary condition for the MJS to be stabilisable in the mean square quadratic stable sense, which implies the stochastic stability of the system, is established. An LMI-based control design method is proposed and a numerical example is included to show the usefulness of the theoretic results.
A Review of Telepharmacy in Asia

This review article is composed of different perspectives from various countries in Asia that are involved in the pharmaceutical scope of online services that provide healthcare amidst certain circumstances. This paper inspects and evaluates the knowledge, attitude, behavior, and relationship of different conditions to be consulted in the services of Telepharmacy in Asia. The information collected for this review article was extracted from PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, MHealth, Research gate, National Center for Biotechnology Information, Frontiers, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Multiple countries in Asia offer this type of pharmaceutical online services but the most abundant places include Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, India, and Qatar. This method of services offered by some pharmacies have assisted patients that are mostly homebound which creates a favorable and efficient assistance for these individuals. Including the interventions of Telepharmacy towards different conditions. In this paper, it expands the role of pharmacists in cases of inquiries in regards to the patient’s illnesses which are mainly the concerns within the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also there were studies and articles involved with epilepsy and hypertension. Telepharmacy is an instrument in providing healthcare services towards patients in need of consultation without any face-to-face interaction. It ensures the privacy and exclusiveness of the pharmacists’ counseling and attendance towards patient concerns.
Combinatorial screening of the effect of temperature on the microstructure and mobility of a high performance polythiophene semiconductor

Using a gradient combinatorial approach, the authors report the effects of temperature on the microstructure and hole mobility of poly(2,5-bis(3-dodecylthiophen-2yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) thin films for application in organic field-effect transistors. The gradient heating revealed a detailed dependence on thermal history. Optimal heat treatment achieved mobilities as high as 0.3cm2V−1s−1. Mobility enhancement coincides with an increase in crystal domain size and orientation, all of which occur abruptly at a temperature closely corresponding to a bulk liquid crystal phase transition.Using a gradient combinatorial approach, the authors report the effects of temperature on the microstructure and hole mobility of poly(2,5-bis(3-dodecylthiophen-2yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) thin films for application in organic field-effect transistors. The gradient heating revealed a detailed dependence on thermal history. Optimal heat treatment achieved mobilities as high as 0.3cm2V−1s−1. Mobility enhancement coincides with an increase in crystal domain size and orientation, all of which occur abruptly at a temperature closely corresponding to a bulk liquid crystal phase transition.
Deuterium fractionation in warm dense interstellar clumps

Aims.In a recently published 1-millimeter line survey of the Orion Bar by Leurini et al., the confirmation of dense neutral clumps was reported based mainly on an analysis of methanol spectral lines. Within these clumps, a high abundance ratio was found between the deuterated isotopologue DCN and HCN. Methods.In this paper, we use steady-state chemical modelling to determine if the DCN/HCN abundance ratio can be understood in terms of gas-phase processes. Results.Our results show that, at temperatures (50-75 K) and densities ( 5 - 20 x 10{6} cm-3) in the vicinity of those measured, the calculated DCN/HCN abundance ratio can reach 0.01 or even higher, in good agreement with the measured range of 0.007-0.009. Moreover, the fractional abundance of HCN is also calculated to be in the vicinity of that reported. Other computed abundance ratios between deuterated and normal isotopologues are reported for the physical conditions of the clumps. The abundance ratios are analyzed as functions of temperature and density in terms of a simple formula. In general, calculated ratios can be somewhat dependent on the choice of two very different sets of elemental abundances, one of which is the "standard" low-metal set, while the other we term the "warm-core" set.
Vibronic interactions in Nd:YAG resulting in nonreciprocity of absorption and stimulated emission cross sections

In this paper we discuss the quantum efficiency of the metastable4 F_{3/2} state in Nd:YAG. We show that the vibronic interaction disrupts the equality between absorption and emission cross section ("reciprocity") upon which spectroscopic quantum efficiency measurements are based. Even if the electron-lattice coupling is weak, a phonon whose energy matches the energy difference between two electronic states can have a significant effect. Our spectroscopic measurements clearly show nonreciprocity and establish the importance of vibronics in Nd:YAG. The data are consistent with a high quantum efficiency.
The impact of transparency constraints on the efficiency of the Russian healthcare system: systematic literature review

Abstract There is an ongoing debate among researchers and policy-makers on how to make transparency a powerful tool of healthcare systems. This study addresses how the availability and accessibility of information about medical services to the general population affects healthcare outcomes in Russia. A systematic review was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviewing and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Transparency indicators of health facilities used in the world’s most efficient healthcare systems are also reviewed. Although the increase of transparency in the Russian healthcare system is considered as a tool for improving its efficiency, very little has been done to improve the actual level of transparency. The existing institutional specifics of the Russian healthcare system impose serious restrictions on acceptable levels of transparency. In the reviewed empirical Russian studies, transparency is often viewed simplistically as either information available on the websites of medical organizations or issues related to the amount of accessible indicators of compulsory medical statistical reporting. The novelty of this study consists in (a) reviewing the most recent studies on the topic and (b) including studies in Russian in the analysis. We elaborate on general and specific policy implications for improving transparency-driven outcomes in the Russian healthcare system.
Measure algebras on idempotent semigroups.

Taylor has shown that for every commutative convolution measure algebra M there is a compact topological semigroup S, called the structure semigroup of M, and an embedding μ—> μ s of M into M(S) such that every complex homomorphism of M has the form h/(μ) — \ fdμ s for some semicharacter / JS on S.This paper deals with commutative convolution measure algebras whose structure semigroups are idempotent. The measure algebra on the interval [0,1], where the interval is given the semigroup operation of maximum multiplication, is an algebra of this type. These algebras are studied in this general setting in the hope of shedding new light on the known theory of measure algebras on locally compact idempotent semigroups and in the of extending attempts to a algebra in terms of the algebraic nature of its structure semigroup.
High Marangoni number convection in a square cavity

Steady thermocapillary flow is examined in a square two‐dimensional cavity with a single free surface and differentially heated side walls. The numerical solutions are obtained with a finite difference method applied to a streamfunction‐temperature formulation. This work investigates the Prandtl number dependence, structure, and stability of high Marangoni number flow. It is found that the character of thermocapillary flow is highly sensitive to the value of the Prandtl number over a range of Marangoni numbers exceeding 1×105 for 1≤Pr≤50, the magnitude of the flow showing nonmonotonic dependence on the Marangoni number for Pr≤∼10. A complete structural analogy is observed between flow in a cavity driven by a moving lid and thermocapillary flow in the boundary layer limit, and it is found that all the solutions, spanning a wide range of Marangoni and Prandtl numbers, are linearly stable to a restricted class of disturbances.