Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Video-assisted thoracoscopy for lung cancer: who is the future of thoracic surgery?

As the computer processing technique and display technology evolved dramatically, the surgical approach to early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has made a rapid progress within the past few years. Currently, the gold standard for NSCLC is lobectomy. After the introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), lung resection can now be conducted mini-invasively, enabling better prognosis for patients and better operation condition for surgeons. At the very beginning, the conventional two-dimensional (2D) system enabled operators to have a closer, magnified and illuminated view inside the body cavity than open thoracotomy. With the introduction of the glasses-assisted three-dimensional (3D) and glasses-free 3D display system, multiple viewing angles were further enhanced, thus a more stable, easier to master and less invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) appeared. However, given that the standard VATS is associated with limited maneuverability and stereoscopy, it restricts the availability in more advanced cases. Hopefully, most of the limitations of standard VATS can be overcome with the robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). The RATS system consists of a remote console and a robotic unit with 3 or 4 arms that can duplicate surgeons’ movements. Also, it provides a magnified, 3D and high definition (HD) operation field to surgeons, allowing them to perform more complicated procedures. Apart from these, some new technologies are also invented in combination with the existing surgery system to solve difficult problems. It is hoped that the higher costs of innovative surgical technique can be offset by the better patient outcomes and improved benefits in cost-effectiveness.
STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF BACILLI CHARACTERIZED FROM LONAR LAKE (MS) INDIA

Culture dependent phenotypic characterization analysis was applied to study the bacilli diversity of the Lonar Lake. The uniqueness of the Lonar Lake water is its salinity and alkalinity. Aerobic, haloalkaliphilic bacteria were isolated and characterized from sediment and water samples collected from Lonar Lake. Fifty five bacterial strains were isolated using different enrichment media. Out of them twenty nine spore bearing bacteria were selected for further analysis. The phenotypic characterization indicated that bacterial strains were related to genera Bacillus and species were Bacillus flexus, Bacillus cellulosilyticus, Bacillus pseudofirmus, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus krulwichiae, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus lehensis, Bacillus halodurans, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus agaradhaerens, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus fusiformis, and Bacillus asahii, Bacillus pseudalcalophilus, Bacillus okuhidensis and Bacillus gibsonii. The abilities of many of the strains to produce extracellular protease, amylase and lipase suggest that they might be of potential value for biotechnological exploitation. Key Word: Bacillus, Diversity, Lonar Lake, Enzyme.
Application of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of muscle strength in a healthy population.

Background To investigate the validity of shear wave elastography (SWE) for the evaluation of muscle strength compared with isokinetic muscle testing, and to assess the influence of demographic factors such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) on the shear wave velocity (SWV). Methods Sixty healthy volunteers were consecutively enrolled. SWE was used to measure the SWV of the right quadriceps femoris in a relaxed position, in a tensive position, and under loads of 1 and 2 kg. Muscle strength parameters including peak torque (PT), PT to body weight ratio (PT/BW), and total work (TW) were evaluated using isokinetic muscle testing. The SWV of the rectus femoris in different positions were compared using the Friedman test and the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the SWV and muscle strength parameters were compared between different genders and age groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Additionally, Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between SWV and muscle strength, as well as the possible effects of height, weight, and BMI on SWV. Results As the load increased, the SWV of the rectus femoris increased (P<0.001). In the relaxed position, there was no significant correlation between the SWV and the results of isokinetic muscle testing. With increasing load, the SWV and the results of isokinetic muscle testing were not significantly correlated (r=-0.256--0.392, P<0.05). In the 1 kg load position, height and weight were not significantly correlated with SWV (r=-0.261--0.393, P<0.05). In the relaxed position, there were no significant differences in the maximum, minimum, or mean SWV of the rectus femoris between different genders and age groups (P>0.05). However, under a 1 kg load, the maximum, minimum, and mean SWV of the females in this study were significantly higher than those of the males (4.49±0.60 vs. 3.98±0.68 m/s; 2.55±0.61 vs. 2.20±0.63 m/s; and 3.51±0.60 vs. 3.06±0.58 m/s; P=0.003, 0.028, and 0.004, respectively). Furthermore, there were significant differences in the maximum and mean velocities between the groups aged 20-34 and 35-60 years (4.11±0.62 vs. 4.47±0.70 m/s; 3.17±0.53 vs. 3.52±0.69 m/s; P=0.045 and 0.044, respectively). Conclusions Ultrasound elastography (UE) shows potential for the measurement of muscle strength. The SWV of muscles demonstrate an increasing trend with the increase of impedance. Additionally, age and gender have a significant effect on SWV, while the effects of height, weight, and BMI require further investigation.
Tree species of South America central savanna: endemism, marginal areas and the relationship with other biomes

Biological knowledge is important for guidance of conservation polices. In the Cerrado, an extremely diverse biome, the last synthesis of floristic knowledge has more than ten years. To understand the progress on the information, our aim was quantify the tree species of the Cerrado, and assess their distribution. We compiled 167 inventories and rapid surveys of tree species, corresponding to 625 sites. We accessed the species distributions in the Brazilian biomes, and estimated the number of species in the savannas of Cerrado using four algorithms. We observed a greater local richness in more central regions of the biome, but due to high beta diversity, more peripheral regions presented a greater cumulative richness. The Atlantic Forest was the most important neighbouring biome, influencing the floristic composition of the Cerrado. The proportion of typical Cerrado species was 16%. The highest proportion of endemic species is possibly found in other life forms, and it is crucial that these species are included in inventories and floristic surveys. To guide new studies and help supplement the knowledge of the Cerrado's flora, we identified the main sampling gaps, located mainly in ecotonal regions, which are responsible for the largest number of species recorded in studies of the Cerrado.
FATIGUE IMPAIRS KINEMATICS BUT NOT KINETICS OF LANDING AND CUTTING MOVEMENTS IN ELITE YOUTH FEMALE HANDBALL PLAYERS

Lower extremities are the most affected areas of injuries in indoor team handball, especially for female youth player. The mechanics of such injuries are well-known, however little is known about the influence of fatigue injury on risk factors. This study addresses fatigueinduced changes of movements that are associated lower extremity injuries in female youth handball players. Kinematics and kinetic data of 15 elite youth female team handball players were recorded for doubleand single-leg landings as well as sidecutting maneuvers before, in the middle of and after a simulated handball specific load protocol. The protocol consisted of exercises typical for handball match activity. RPE was used as measure of fatigability and showed values ranging from 13 to 18 at the end of the treatment. ANOVA revealed fatigue related changes in initial knee flexion angle of the non-dominant leg in all tasks. For the cutting task, significant changes of the initial knee angle of the dominant leg, the initial and maximum hip flexion angle as well as maximum knee flexion angle of the non-dominant leg were observed. Consequently, fatigue players exhibited more extended movement patterns. In summary, the fatiguing protocol caused changes in landing and cutting kinematics of the non-dominant leg predominantly, whereas movement kinetics where not affected.
Big Sisters

We model household investments in young children when parents and older siblings both contribute to human capital accumulation. The empirical pattern we observe is consistent with a model where: (i) older siblings’ investments in young children contribute to their human capital accumulation, (ii) both parents and older children perceive lower returns to investing in older girls than in older boys. We estimate the impact of having an older sister (rather than an older brother) on early childhood development in a sample of rural Kenyan households with otherwise similar family structures. Older sibling gender is not related to household structure, subsequent birth spacing, or other observable characteristics, so we treat the presence of an older girl (as opposed to an older boy) as plausibly exogenous. Having an older sister improves younger siblings’ vocabulary and fine motor skills by more than 0.1 standard deviations. JEL codes: O12, J13, J16, D13
Semiquantitative analysis of power doppler ultrasonography versus Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy in diagnostic and severity assessment of acute childhood pyelonephritis

Background This study aimed to compare the diagnostic and predictive value of power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) with Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy in pediatric acute pyelonephritis (APN) using a semiquantitative analysis system. Methods A total of 92 children and infants (184 kidneys) were hospitalized with possible APN. All children were examined by PDU and DMSA scintigraphy within 72 hours of admission. An empiric 9-point semiquantitative analysis system was used to sort kidneys into four grades (grade 0–III). Patients with several episodes of APN and congenital structural anomalies were excluded. Results Of 184 kidneys, we found 68 abnormal (grade I–III) and 116 normal (Grade 0) with DMSA scintigraphy, and 84 abnormal and 100 normal with PDU. In all, 23 kidneys were shown to be diseased by PDU but normal on DMSA scintigraphy while 7 kidneys showed the opposite trend. The sensitivity and specificity of PDU for diagnosing APN was 89.7% and 80.2%, respectively (P<0.05). In children older than 6 months, the sensitivity was higher (92%, P<0.05) than that in children younger than 6 months (87%, P<0.05). A moderate agreement (41%, P<0.05) on grade was found between the two methods. Conclusions With the help of a semiquantitative analysis system, PDU can obviate the use of DMSA scintigraphy in children older than 6 months for APN diagnosis.
BIOMECHANICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE KIZAMI TSUKI IN KARATE ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematics and kinetics characteristics of kizami tsuki karate punch technique. Punching actions represent the most frequently performed attacking techniques in karate combat competitions (75% of total actions, kizami tsuki being the most common). Six athletes were asked to perform three kizami tsuki against a hand-held target at their maximal speed. Punch kinematics and kinetics were recorded by means of stereophotogrammetry and forceplates. Power, lower and upper limb kinematics and their coordinative pattern during the punching actions were assessed to characterize the technique. A multiple linear regression model was devised to correlate punching kinematics and kinetic variables with maximal wrist velocity, considered as performance measure. Maximal net power, transformation time, average continuous relative phase between knee and elbow flexion-extension, and elbow peak flexion were significative predictors of wrist velocity (R2 = 0.84), indicating them as key factors to a proficient-performance of the kizami tsuki.
Effects of Yogic Intervention as an Adjunct to Conventional Pharmacotherapy in Patients with COPD: A Randomized Controlled Study

Yoga is a traditional therapy, originated in ancient India, with health benefits that are being acknowledged globally. Yoga is shown to be beneficial in chronic inflammatory disorders; therefore the study was conducted to evaluate the effects of yogic intervention as an adjunct therapy on selective and novel marker of COPD viz. club cell secretory protein-16 (CC16), multidimensional scoring system BODE index and oxidative stress. COPD patients were recruited as per inclusion/exclusion criteria and allocated randomly to either Group I (n = 20, age = 60.65 ± 1.84 years), who were administered conventional pharmacotherapy (inhaled corticosteroid with long acting β-agonist) for COPD or Group II (n = 21, age = 57.80 ± 2.68 years), given adjunct yogic intervention with conventional pharmacotherapy. The BODE index (body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, exercise), marker of inflammation (CC16) and oxidative stress (SOD, 8-isoprostane) were evaluated in both the groups at 0 and 12 weeks of treatment and compared. The results showed a significant improvement in BODE index (by 25% in Group I, 70% in Group II), marker of inflammation (by 42.68% in Group I, 93.74% in Group II) and markers of oxidative stress (SOD: by 14.5% in Group I, 43.07% in Group II; 8-isoprostane: by 11% in Group I, 24% in Group II) after 12 weeks of treatments vs. baseline; however, the degree of improvement was markedly more in Group II as compare to Group I. Taken together, it can be suggested that, introducing yoga as adjunct therapy in COPD can enhance the efficacy of conventional pharmacotherapy.
Comparative Study of Some Natural Materials Versus Traditional Medicaments used for Pulp Treatment of Primary Teeth

Purpose: To evaluate clinically, radiographically and histologically the postoperative success of Miswak, Allium sativum and Nigella sativa extracts use in pulpotomy procedures for primary teeth Materials and Method: 92 Primary teeth found in 26 patients were selected according to inclusion criteria. In the first part of the study pulpotomy was accomplished in 20participants having 80 teeth and depending on the type of radicular pulp medicament, the teeth were divided randomly and equally into four groups: Group I (Miswak group),GroupII (Nigella sativa group),GroupIII(Allium sativum group) ,Group IV(formocresol group). Clinical follow up was done after 1,3, and 6 months.Periapical radiographs also were taken at 3and 6months follow up visits only. In the second part of the study 12 primary molars planned for extraction due to orthodontic purpose were treated by pulpotomy procedure and then the teeth were grouped into four groups and then the teeth extracted after 2 months and were observed under light microscope. Results: No statistically significant difference between groups in the overall cumulative clinical or radiographic success at follow up visits. Histopathological examination revealed dentine bridge formation in primary molars treated with Miswak, Nigella sativa treated primary molars showed absense of odontoblastic layer, Allium sativum showedwell organized odontoblastic layer and chronic inflammatorycellular infiltration, whileformocresolspecimens showed sever hyperemia and hyalinization of pulp stroma. Conclusion: Miswak, and Allium sativum can be considered as good natural alternatives to formocresol in primary molars pulpotomy,however Nigella sativa cannot be a suitable substitute to formocresol.
Effect of Electronic Correlations on the Electronic Structure, Magnetic and Optical Properties of the Ternary RCuGe Compounds with R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er

In this study, the ab initio and experimental results for RCuGe ternary intermetallics were reported for R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er. Our theoretical calculations of the electronic structure, employing local spin density approximation accounting for electron–electron correlations in the 4f shell of Tb, Dy, Ho, Er ions were carried in DFT+U method. The optical properties of the RCuGe ternary compounds were studied at a broad range of wavelengths. The spectral and electronic characteristics were obtained. The theoretical electron densities of states were taken to interpret the experimental energy dependencies of the experimental optical conductivity in the interband light–absorption region. From the band calculations, the 4f shell of the rare-earth ions was shown to provide the major contribution to the electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of the RCuGe intermetallics. The accounting for electron–electron correlations in Tb, Dy, Ho, Er resulted in a good agreement between the calculated and experimental magnetic and optical characteristics.
SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF TWO-CHAMBER MUFFLERS HYBRIDIZED WITH MULTIPLE PARALLEL DISSIPATIVE TUBES USING SIMULATED ANNEALING METHOD

Mufflers hybridized with a single dissipative tube have been extensively researched; however, there has been a palpable lack of work directed toward mufflers conjugated with multiple parallel dissipative tubes that disperse venting fluid and reduce secondary noise. That being so, an analysis of the Sound Transmission Loss (STL) of two-chamber mufflers with multiple parallel dissipative tubes that are optimally designed to perform within a limited space will be considered, here. By using a decoupled numerical method, a four-pole system matrix for evaluating acoustic performance (STL) emerges. During the optimization process, a simulated annealing (SA) method, which is a robust scheme utilized to search for the global optimum by imitating a physical annealing process, is used. Before dealing with a broadband noise, the STL’s maximization relative to a one-tone noise (400 Hz) is offered to confirm the SA method’s reliability. Subsequently, the mathematical model is checked for accuracy, and three types of mufflers (mufflers A-C) hybridized with one, two, and four parallel dissipative tubes are assessed. To bring into focus the acoustical interaction between the dissipative tube (with wool filled within a set of perforated tubes) and the non-dissipative tube (without wool within the perforated tubes), two types of mufflers (one and four nondissipative tubes) have been surveyed. Results divulge that the maximal STL is located at the desired tone, and the acoustical performance of two-chamber mufflers conjugated with multidissipative tubes decreases as a result of the decrement of the acoustical function for acoustical elements (II) and (III). Consequently, optimally designed two-chamber mufflers with multiple parallel dissipative tubes that avoid secondary noise induced by high speed flow while simultaneously maximizing acoustical performance within a constrained space are preferable.
Fuzzy Mathematical Models for Maximizing Contractors’ and Clients’ Satisfaction by Considering Flexible Start Date of the Project

Resource-Constrained Multi-Project Scheduling Problem (RCMPSP) is considered a significant topic in project management studies and many kinds of research have been carried out in this field which have been proposed numerous approaches. However, in most of them, the viewpoints of clients and contractors, two important stakeholders of the project are not directly considered. The current research tries to introduce a new approach of RCMPSP in order to schedule the project portfolio and allocate the budget as a limited resource simultaneously. In this way, first, the client's and contractors' budget satisfaction is defined. Then some budget allocation models have been proposed to maximize the clients' and the contractors’ satisfaction. These models consider constraints such as the minimum cost required for each project, the maximum budget for each period, and the flexibility for the start date of each project. To illustrate the proposed models, a real case of the project portfolio is considered.
Causal Analysis of Retail Distribution System Change from Direct Store Delivery to Centralized Distribution

Logistics has always been a significant part of retailing. Retail marketing works on insuring demand by choosing and forming product assortment and their prices according to consumers’ needs and promoting it with the goal of pulling customers to stores (offline or online) to make a purchase. But it cannot be successful without logistics. The main emphasis of logistics activities is on the physical flow and supportive information flow with a goal of ensuring Abstract
Diversification of Old World Bats in Malaysia: an evolutionary and phylogeography hypothesis tested through the Genetic Species Concept

Objectives of this study are to use a multifaceted approach to understand biodiversity and systematic implications through the interpretation of genetics and morphological datasets. Extensions to this approach use phylogenetic datasets to infer biogeographic scenarios of diversification, distribution and establishment of monophyletic evolutionary lineage. In Chapter II, I have first assessed the genetic variation within Malaysian bats collected during the TTU-UNIMAS Sowell Expedition in 2006 that are distributed in both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Out of 16 species studied in this study, nine were identified with 5% or more genetic divergences indicating these phylogroups have been evolving independently for sufficient time to speciate by the Bateson-Dobzhansky-Mueller (BDM) model and therefore deserve further study to determine if specific status is merited. Further study on the taxonomy of these species within their geographic range indicates that some of these species merit a specific status. In some cases, they have been recognized previously as subspecies. Using this as the preliminary data, in Chapter III, I have further applied the genetic species concept to the genus: Kerivoula which was found to exhibit more than 10% genetic divergence within morphologically identified species. Based on the field keys available to us we concluded there were at least three species present in our field collection: K. pellucida, K. intermedia, and K. papillosa. However, based on subsequent morphometric and genetic analyses we identified six species within our collection: K. hardwickii, K. intermedia, K. lenis, K. minuta, K. papillosa, and K. pellucida. The utility of multiple data sets to assess poorly studied genera that show morphological similarities is explained.
Change in shock attenuation during marathon running

The purpose of this study was to estimate shock attenuation during marathon running using inertial measurement units attached on the foot and sacrum. Eleven male runners were recruited as subjects from the participants of the official marathon race. Two inertial measurement units (IMUs) attached on the foot and sacrum operated at 200 Hz and stored three axis acceleration data in the memory through the marathon race. Absolute acceleration was transferred power spectrum density (PSD) by FFT and a transfer function was calculated by PSD of the sacrum relative to the foot. The results showed that the impact acceleration was recognized from 11 to 18 Hz at the foot and was attenuated between the foot and the sacrum. It is suggested that this method could be useful to evaluate shock attenuation during endurance running easily and might be used to give appropriate feedback in real time to decrease injury risk.