Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning-Based Prediction of the Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Cochlear Nerve Deficiency and Normal Cochlea: A 2-Year Follow-Up of 70 Children

Cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) is often associated with variable outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI). We assessed previous investigations aiming to identify the main factors that determine CI outcomes, which would enable us to develop predictive models. Seventy patients with CND and normal cochlea who underwent CI surgery were retrospectively examined. First, using a data-driven approach, we collected demographic information, radiographic measurements, audiological findings, and audition and speech assessments. Next, CI outcomes were evaluated based on the scores obtained after 2 years of CI from the Categories of Auditory Performance index, Speech Intelligibility Rating, Infant/Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale or Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale, and Meaningful Use of Speech Scale. Then, we measured and averaged the audiological and radiographic characteristics of the patients to form feature vectors, adopting a multivariate feature selection method, called stability selection, to select the features that were consistent within a certain range of model parameters. Stability selection analysis identified two out of six characteristics, namely the vestibulocochlear nerve (VCN) area and the number of nerve bundles, which played an important role in predicting the hearing and speech rehabilitation results of CND patients. Finally, we used a parameter-optimized support vector machine (SVM) as a classifier to study the postoperative hearing and speech rehabilitation of the patients. For hearing rehabilitation, the accuracy rate was 71% for both the SVM classification and the area under the curve (AUC), whereas for speech rehabilitation, the accuracy rate for SVM classification and AUC was 93% and 94%, respectively. Our results identified that a greater number of nerve bundles and a larger VCN area were associated with better CI outcomes. The number of nerve bundles and VCN area can predict CI outcomes in patients with CND. These findings can help surgeons in selecting the side for CI and provide reasonable expectations for the outcomes of CI surgery.
Greater Emotional Distress Due to Social Distancing and Greater Symptom Severity during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: A Multicenter Study in Austria, Germany, and Denmark

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health of individuals with bipolar disorders (BD) is potentially more vulnerable, especially regarding COVID-19-related regulations and associated symptomatic changes. A multicentric online study was conducted in Austria, Germany, and Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, data from 494 participants were collected (203 individuals with BD, 291 healthy controls (HC)). Participants filled out questionnaires surveying emotional distress due to social distancing, fear of COVID-19, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 to assess symptom severity at four points of measurement between 2020 and 2021. General linear mixed models were calculated to determine the difference between the groups in these pandemic specific factors. Individuals with BD reported higher distress due to social distancing than HC, independently of measurement times. Fear of COVID-19 did not differ between groups; however, it was elevated in times of higher infection and mortality due to COVID-19. Individuals with BD reported higher psychiatric symptom severity than HC; however, symptom severity decreased throughout the measured time in the pandemic. Overall, individuals with BD experienced more distress due to the COVID-19 situation than HC. A supportive mental health system is thus recommended to ensure enhanced care, especially in times of strict COVID-19-related regulations.
Zebrafish Patient-Derived Xenograft Model to Predict Treatment Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer Patients

The use of zebrafish embryos for personalized medicine has become increasingly popular. We present a co-clinical trial aiming to evaluate the use of zPDX (zebrafish Patient-Derived Xenografts) in predicting the response to chemotherapy regimens used for colorectal cancer patients. zPDXs are generated by xenografting tumor tissues in two days post-fertilization zebrafish embryos. zPDXs were exposed to chemotherapy regimens (5-FU, FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, FOLFOXIRI) for 48 h. We used a linear mixed effect model to evaluate the zPDX-specific response to treatments showing for 4/36 zPDXs (11%), a statistically significant reduction of tumor size compared to controls. We used the RECIST criteria to compare the outcome of each patient after chemotherapy with the objective response of its own zPDX model. Of the 36 patients enrolled, 8 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), response rate after first-line therapy, and the zPDX chemosensitivity profile were available. Of eight mCRC patients, five achieved a partial response and three had a stable disease. In 6/8 (75%) we registered a concordance between the response of the patient and the outcomes reported in the corresponding zPDX. Our results provide evidence that the zPDX model can reflect the outcome in mCRC patients, opening a new frontier to personalized medicine.
Relative Price Shocks and Inflation

In(cid:135)ation is determined by interaction between real factors and monetary policy. Among the most important real factors are shocks to the supply and demand for di⁄erent components of the consumption basket. We use an estimated multi-sector New Keynesian model to decompose the behavior of U.S. in(cid:135)ation into contributions from sectoral (or (cid:147)relative price(cid:148)) shocks, monetary policy shocks, and aggregate real shocks. The model is estimated by maximum likelihood with U.S
Awake Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Background and Objective Decreased ventilatory response to carbon dioxide or hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) is a feature of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is also known to diminish during sleep in obese adolescents (age, 12–16 years) with OSA. It reduces minute ventilation, air flow, and tidal volume during inspiration, as well as upper airway obstruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate awake HCVR in adult patients with OSA and to elucidate its association with sleep apnea.Methods HCVR was measured before performing polysomnography (PSG). PSG is performed as the evaluation method during sleep, and the severity of apnea is evaluated by apnea hypopnea index. Patient background, PSG data and HCVR were examined.Results Awake HCVR was greater in patients with severe OSA than in patients with mild and moderate OSA, and in severe OSA patients, the HCVR during awaking was higher in patients with larger changes in saturation of percutaneous oxygen during sleep. Awake HCVR did not differ by age, but it was greater in morbidly obese patients with OSA than in thin patients with OSA. The most frequent apnea pattern of OSA was obstructive, regardless of severity; although with an increasing severity of OSA, the central pattern decreased and the mixed pattern increased in frequency. The appearance of the mixed pattern increased in the augmented HCVR group.Conclusions This study suggested that awake HCVR could be used as an index of progression and a factor to determine the effects of treatment in patients with OSA.
Jogging in Your Avatar’s Footsteps: The Effects of Avatar Customization and Control Intuitiveness

This study examined the effects of customization and intuitiveness of control on the feeling of identification and embodiment, and the actual running performance of game players after playing a digital runner game developed for this research. A 2 (avatar design: customized vs. not customized) × 2 (avatar controls: intuitive vs. not intuitive) within-subjects experiment (N = 44) found that playing the game with a customized avatar increased identification with and embodiment in the avatar. However, using unintuitive controls with a customized avatar diminished the feeling of identification. Customizing an avatar increased identification with and embodiment in the avatar. However, using unintuitive controls with a customized avatar diminished the feeling of identification. Further, participants’ running performance was significantly hindered in the customized avatar and unintuitive controls condition, compared to the other conditions. The expectation that identification and embodiment would mediate the effect of avatar customization and control intuitiveness on physical activity was not supported. Together, these results suggest that avatar customization and control intuitiveness should be prioritized when designers intend to use video games to promote post-game physical activity.
Zinc and Breast Cancer Survival: A Prospective Cohort Study of Dietary Intake and Serum Levels

Zinc has been suggested to play a role in breast cancer progression; however, no previous study on zinc levels and the potential effect on breast cancer survival has been conducted. This study investigates recurrence-free survival (RFS), breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) in relation to zinc levels, in serum and diet, overall and stratified for phosphorus and selenium levels. The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, a prospective population-based cohort in Sweden including 17,035 women, was used to identify breast cancer patients diagnosed in the period 1991–2013. Diet was assessed by a validated modified diet history method. A Cox regression analysis yielded hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals adjusted for potential confounders. Out of 1062 patients with invasive breast cancer, 268 recurrences, 205 breast cancer deaths and 228 deaths from other causes were recorded. No overall associations were seen between zinc and RFS, BCSS or OS. However, in women with a high phosphorus intake, a higher BCSS and OS were seen in zinc intake Q2 to Q4 versus Q1; the adjusted HR was 0.41 (0.23–0.73) and 0.64 (0.41–1.00), respectively. The results indicate that the combination of intermediate/high zinc intake and high phosphorus intake may lead to a better breast cancer survival.
Reproductive biology of Pagellus acarne (Risso, 1827) (Teleostei: Sparidae) off western Algerian waters (Western Mediterranean)

: The reproduction of Pagellus acarne caught in Oran Bay was studied. The samples used were sorted monthly from commercial catches of coastal trawlers operating in this area from April 2008 to July 2009. The overall sex ratio was in favor of females 1:1.27 and length frequency distribution according to sex revealed that the females were highly representative beyond 20.5 cm of total length presuming a sexual inversion already described for this sparidae. The estimated lengths at maturity (L m ) were 12.8 cm for females and 16.0 cm for males. Two spawning periods were made out by the follow-up of the gonado and hepato somatic indexes: a spring period from April to June with a peak in May and an autumnal period, between November and January with a peak in December. The closed season in Oran Bay extends from 1 st May to 31 th August, which is to our opinion insufficient to safeguard the renewal of the resource and its spawning stock. occidentale). L’étude a cerné le cycle reproducteur du pageot argenté Pagellus acarne pêché dans la Baie d’Oran. Les spécimens provenaient mensuellement de la pêche chalutière commerciale entre avril 2008 et juillet 2009. Le sex ratio était en faveur des femelles 1:1,27 et la distribution des fréquences de taille par rapport aux tailles des individus a révélé que les femelles étaient majoritaires au-delà de 20,5 cm de longueur totale reflétant sans doute le phénomène d’inversion sexuelle déjà décrit pour ce sparidé. La taille de première maturité sexuelle a été estimée à 12,8 cm pour les femelles et 16,0 cm pour les mâles. Le suivi mensuel des indices gonado- et hépato-somatiques nous a permis de mettre en évidence deux périodes de ponte : l’une printanière d’avril à mai et la deuxième automnale entre novembre et décembre. La fermeture de la pêche au chalut s’étale du 1 er mai au 31 août, ce qui est de notre point de vue insuffisant pour préserver le renouvellement du stock reproducteur ainsi que celui de la ressource.
STUDY ON THE INTERNAL BULB QUALITY OF SAME NEW EGYPTIAN ONION CULTIVARS UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION REGIMES.

This investigation was carried out at Gemmeiza Agriculture Research Station Farm, Gharbeia Governorate during 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 onion growth seasons. The objectives of this study was aimed to study the effect of four irrigation regimes (one, two, three and four irrigations) and six onion cultivars selected by Onion Research Section (Composite 9, Giza white, Behairy no pink, 1866 Globe, Giza Red and Giza 20) on internal bulb quality. A separate experiment for each irrigation treatment was used Randomize Complete Blocks Design in four replications. The main obtained results from this investigation cane be summarized as follows: of total soluble solids. Whereas, Comp. 9 cultivar have the lowest values of total soluble solids. Giza White cultivar have the highest values of dry matter content followed by Giza 20 and Giza Red. Whereas, Comp. 9 cultivar have the lowest values of dry matter content in bulbs. 3- The interaction between irrigation regimes and cultivars showed significant effects on average stem plate diameter/bulb in the second season of study. Giza White have the widest stem plate diameter when gave three irrigations.
Partial-Update Kalman Filter for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Estimates Under Intermittent Data

The partial-update Kalman filter (PKF) is an extension of the Schmidt Kalman filter, which can improve the capabilities of the conventional extended Kalman filter for handling model uncertainties and nonlinearities. Herein, we adapt the PKF to estimate the states and parameters of electric machines, particularly in cases with intermittent observations. To account for missing data within the filter, the arrival of new measurements is treated as a Bernoulli process. We show that the estimation error of the proposed filter remains bounded if the system satisfies mild assumptions. Moreover, we show that the prediction error covariance matrix is guaranteed to be bounded if the observation arrival rate has a lower bound. Hardware experiments validate this technique for a surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor.
Novel Drugs with High Efficacy against Tumor Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is involved in physiological and pathological processes in the body. Tumor angiogenesis is a key factor associated with tumor growth, progression, and metastasis. Therefore, there is great interest in developing antiangiogenic strategies. Hypoxia is the basic initiating factor of tumor angiogenesis, which leads to the increase of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin (Ang), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), etc. in hypoxic cells. The pathways of VEGF and Ang are considered to be critical steps in tumor angiogenesis. A number of antiangiogenic drugs targeting VEGF/VEGFR (VEGF receptor) or ANG/Tie2, or both, are currently being used for cancer treatment, or are still in various stages of clinical development or preclinical evaluation. This article aims to review the mechanisms of angiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis and to focus on new drugs and strategies for the treatment of antiangiogenesis. However, antitumor angiogenic drugs alone may not be sufficient to eradicate tumors. The molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is considered a promising molecular target. The VEGFR system and its downstream signaling molecules depend on the function of HSP90. This article also briefly introduces the role of HSP90 in angiogenesis and some HSP90 inhibitors.
Women’s participation and the Incumbency Advantage in Slovak Cities: the Case Study of the Mayoral elections in Slovakia

The article focuses on the mayoral elections in all cities (138) in Slovakia. This analysis presents how the positions of mayors are distributed between men and women. Specific and detailed electoral data from the 2006 and 2010 mayoral elections allows for presuming whether the current distribution is caused by the electoral preferences of voters (demand) or by the supply of candidates. According to theoretical literature, mayors who are running for second term may have an advantage over their opponents. Data shows us how big this incumbency effect is in Slovak cities.
‘We are going to the right direction… but we are not in ideal world yet’: understanding gender (in)equality within leadership positions in Nordic football governance

Abstract The importance of gender equality and equity in sports is highlighted not only in practice but also in research; however, previous research has often treated sports as a single context and has disregarded game-specific differences and characteristics. This research addresses this gap by building on a multi-level framework and utilizing a case study approach to increase understanding of why women in leadership positions (employed staff) are underrepresented in the sport of football (soccer) in two Nordic countries, Finland and Norway. The findings show that regardless of the general good state of gender equality in the Nordic countries and even if major barriers have been removed, women aiming for leadership positions face structural and cultural bottlenecks that hinder their possibilities in Nordic football. In addition, this article identifies factors that have improved gender equality in case organizations and suggests new means to address inequality.
Efficacy and Safety of Deep Sedation and Anaesthesia for Complex Endoscopic Procedures—A Narrative Review

Propofol sedation for advanced endoscopic procedures is a widespread technique at present, which generates controversy worldwide when anaesthetic or non-anaesthetic personnel administer this form of sedation. There is some evidence for safe administered propofol sedation by non-anaesthetic personnel in patients undergoing endoscopy procedures, but there are only few randomised trials addressing the safety and efficacy of propofol in patients undergoing advanced procedures. A serious possible consequence of propofol sedation is the rapid and unpredictable progression from deep sedation to general anaesthesia mostly when elderly and frail patients are involved in the diagnosis or treatment of various neoplasia. This situation requires rescue measures with skilled airway management. The aim of this paper is to review the safety and efficacy aspects of sedation techniques, with special reference to propofol administration covering the whole patient journey, including preassessment, sedation options and discharge when advanced endoscopic procedures are performed.
Therapeutic Efficacy of Arnica in Hamsters with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania braziliensis and L. tropica

Leishmaniasis may occur in three different clinical forms, namely, visceral, mucocutaneous and cutaneous, which are caused by different species of trypanosomatid protozoans of the genus Leishmania. Pentavalent antimonials are the leading treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis despite the hepatic, renal, and cardiac toxicity. In addition, the response of some Leishmania species to pentavalent antimonials is increasingly poorer, and therefore new and more potent therapeutic alternatives are needed. Arnica montana L. , Asteraceae, is a traditional medicinal plant of Europe and preparations of its flowers are commonly used externally to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system as well as superficial inflammatory conditions. Previous studies have shown that Arnica tincture (AT), an ethanolic extract prepared from the flowerheads of Arnica montana as well as isolated Arnica sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) have antileishmanial activity in vitro against L. donovani and L. infantum, as well as in vivo against L. braziliensis. In this work, we studied the in vitro cytotoxicity and antileishmanial activity of AT and STLs against both L. braziliensis and L. tropica. The in vivo therapeutic effect of AT was studied in hamsters with cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) caused by experimental infection with L. braziliensis and L. tropica. Furthermore, various semisolid Arnica preparations were also evaluated against L. braziliensis. The STLs and the AT possess a very high in vitro activity against both Leishmania species with median effective concentrations (EC50) ranging from 1.9 to 5.9 μg/mL. The AT was not cytotoxic for human tissue macrophages, skin fibroblasts, and hepatic cells. The therapeutic response of hamsters infected with L. braziliensis to the topical treatment with AT was 87.5% at a dose of 19.2 μg STL/2× day/60 d, 72.7% at doses of 19.2 μg STL/1× d/60 d and 67% at a dose of 38.4 μg STL/2× d/60 d. In turn, the therapeutic response in hamsters infected with L. tropica was 100% when treated at a dose of 19.2 μg STL/2× day/60 d and 71% at a dose of 38.4 μg STL/2× d/60 d. On the other hand, the effectiveness of treatment with glucantime administered intralesionally at a dose of 200 mg/every three days for 30 days was 62.5% for L. braziliensis and 37.5% for L. tropica infection. These results are promising and encourage the implementation of clinical trials with AT in CL patients as a first step to using AT as a drug against CL.
Robust Geotechnical Design Optimization of Retaining Walls and Levees

Seismic geotechnical design of retaining walls should consider the uncertainties not only in soil properties such as friction angle of the backfill but also in earthquake load such as peak ground acceleration (PGA). When the uncertainties are incorporated in the design, the robustness which is a measure of sensitivity of a design to uncertain parameters must be considered and evaluated for obtaining suitable design and corresponding construction cost. This paper presents a response surface-based robust geotechnical design approach for cantilever retaining wall subjected to earthquake load. First, the upper and lower bounds of the design variables were determined through dynamic retaining wall design using Mononobe-Okabe method for possible variations in the uncertain parameters. Then, dynamic finite element analyses were performed on a subset of designs by applying El Centro earthquake motions with varying PGA for computing the maximum wall tip deflection which is considered as the serviceability indicator. A response surface for the wall deflection was developed as a function of uncertain and design variables and validated. Finally, a design optimization was performed considering cost and robustness index as the objectives. Two robustness indices, standard deviation of the response and signal to noise ratio were used in this