Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Burdens and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Objectives: We conducted this study to identify factors influencing the burdens cancer brings to a patient’s family and to evaluate the association between the burdens and the caregiver’s quality of life (QOL). Methods: Participants were drawn from the primary family caregivers of cancer patients at 6 university hospitals and the National Cancer Center in Korea. Of the 738 eligible caregivers, 704 (95.4%) completed the questionnaire packets (Family Impact Questions and Caregiver’s QOL-Cancer). Results: Caregivers, who were poor (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.44–3.10), whose health status was poor (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.29–2.70), who were married (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.12–2.72), who provided care for a long time (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.59–3.28), who cared for patients with poor performance status (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00–1.82), and who paid high medical expenses (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.21–2.40), were more likely to lose their family savings. In multiple regression analysis, most burden variables – including requiring caregiving assistance, major life change, inability to function normally, loss of savings, loss of income, and altered educational plans – were associated with caregiver QOL. Loss of family income, which was related to economic issues, was most strongly associated with it (16.0%). Conclusions: Our study suggests that to improve caregiver QOL, we should give priority to decreasing the economic burden that cancer places on patient’s family.
Security of hardware architecture, design and performance of low drop-out voltage regulator LDO to protect power mobile applications

This paper present a new Low Drop-Out Voltage Regulator (LDO) and highlight the topologies and the advantages of the LDO for hardware security protection of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), this integrated circuits are considered as an ideal solution in low power System on-chip applications (SOC) for their compact sizes and low cost. The advancement in low-power design makes it possible that ubiquitous device can be powered by low-power energy source such as ambient energy or small size batteries. In many well supplied devices the problem related to power is essentially related to cost. However for low-powered devices the problem of power is not only economics but also becomes very essential in terms of functionality. Due to the usual very small amount of energy or unstable energy available the way the engineer manages power becomes a key point in this area. Therefore, another focus of this dissertation is to try finding ways to improve the security of power management problems. Complementary metal oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) has become the predominant technology in integrated circuit design due to its high density, power savings and low manufacturing costs. The whole integrated circuit industry will still continue to benefit from the geometric downsizing that comes with every new generation of semiconductor manufacturing processes. Therefore, only several CMOS analog integrated circuit design techniques are proposed for low-powered ubiquitous device in this dissertation. This paper reviews the basics of LDO regulators and discusses the technology advances in the latest generation of LDOs that make them the preferred solution for many points of load power requirements. The paper will also introduce characteristics of CMOS LDO regulators and discuss their unique benefits in portable electronics applications. these new device offer a real advantages for the power management security of new applications mobile. Power efficiency and some practical issues for the CMOS implementation of these LDO structures are discussed.
Mechanisms Involved in Fe(III) Respiration by the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Ferroglobus placidus

ABSTRACT The hyperthermophilic archaeon Ferroglobus placidus can utilize a wide variety of electron donors, including hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds, with Fe(III) serving as an electron acceptor. In Fe(III)-reducing bacteria that have been studied to date, this process is mediated by c-type cytochromes and type IV pili. However, there currently is little information available about how this process is accomplished in archaea. In silico analysis of the F. placidus genome revealed the presence of 30 genes coding for putative c-type cytochrome proteins (more than any other archaeon that has been sequenced to date), five of which contained 10 or more heme-binding motifs. When cell extracts were analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by heme staining, multiple bands corresponding to c-type cytochromes were detected. Different protein expression patterns were observed in F. placidus cells grown on soluble and insoluble iron forms. In order to explore this result further, transcriptomic studies were performed. Eight genes corresponding to multiheme c-type cytochromes were upregulated when F. placidus was grown with insoluble Fe(III) oxide compared to soluble Fe(III) citrate as an electron acceptor. Numerous archaella (archaeal flagella) also were observed on Fe(III)-grown cells, and genes coding for two type IV pilin-like domain proteins were differentially expressed in Fe(III) oxide-grown cells. This study provides insight into the mechanisms for dissimilatory Fe(III) respiration by hyperthermophilic archaea.
Insects as feed and the Sustainable Development Goals

One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations is to achieve food security and improved nutrition. To be successful in feeding the rapidly growing human population, we need innovative changes in food production. The challenge of safeguarding food security is considerable because many potential solutions are incompatible with solutions for other challenges that we face, including climate change mitigation and halting the biodiversity loss. To produce animal proteins, we currently rely to a large extent on feedstuff for livestock that is either suitable as food for humans (e.g. cereals and soymeal) or on a resource that is becoming scarce due to overfishing of the oceans (fishmeal). To set a first step towards a circular approach to feed production, insects provide interesting opportunities as various species can be reared on organic waste streams, including waste streams of food production and manure. This paper discusses the opportunities for using insects as a valuable feed source for the production of livestock. Insects do not only provide excellent opportunities to replace fishmeal and soymeal, but may also have important additional benefits. These include positive effects on livestock health and welfare with opportunities to reduce antibiotic use in livestock production. This is discussed in the integrated context of five of the sustainable development goals. Recent entrepreneurial and regulatory developments underline the opportunities for employing insects as feed. In this development an important indirect effect may be that consumers get acquainted with insects as a valuable and sustainable component of the food chain. This may result in the acceleration of adopting insects as food and thus of producing mini-livestock as a sustainable source of animal protein.
Perfluorinated polymers for optical waveguides

A long with optical telecommunications systems (see box) (1-3), "integrated optics" (4) and "optical interconnect" (5) technologies are becoming more advanced. The major components of these technologies are photonic integrated circuits (PICs), optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs), and optoelectronic multichip modules (OE-MCMs). All the functional devices within these components, including optical and electronic components, are formed or attached on a single planar substrate. Optical signals are transmitted through optical waveguides that connect the components. To implement these technologies, active optical devices such as light sources, optical switches, and optical detectors are needed. Passive optical components such as beam splitters, beam combiners, star couplers, and optical multiplexers are also required. Various materials, including glasses and polymers, have been considered for the construction of these devices. Passive optical components have been fabricated using glass optical waveguides prepared by ion-exchange techniques (6) or by flame hydrolysis deposition and reactive ion etching (7). There are drawbacks to silica-based waveguides, however. First, all the waveguides and passive optical components have to be formed on the substrate before the active optical and electronic devices are attached because of the high processing temperatures needed. For example, temperatures up to 1300 °C are used to consolidate the silica in flame hydrolysis deposition and reactive ion etching. Such temperatures would damage the active optical and electronic devices. Second, glass waveguides are inflexible, making it difficult to process the large waveguides (longer than 30 cm) needed for PICs and OEICs. The development of optical technologies necessitates the fabrication of waveguides after optical and electronic components have been formed and attached. Thus, materials that are flexible and processable at low temperatures are needed. Polymers are one possibility. Polymers will soon be used as waveguide materials for interconnecting passive optical components (8). For integrated circuits and multichip modules, the manufac-
A dynamic MAC for Wireless Visual Sensor Networks

The growing trend towards multimedia communications over wireless sensor networks has led to the emergence of Wireless Visual Sensor Networks (WVSNs). Specially, video surveillance and security applications have received substantial attention due to terrorist and security threats of the last years. One of the biggest challenges in WVSNs is guaranteeing delay bound delivery of data to the destination. The energy and bandwidth constraints of sensor nodes, make this task even more daunting. This paper proposes a dynamic MAC protocol, that employs a duty cycle scheme, to achieve end-to-end delay guarantees (among heavy traffic load) along with energy conservation.
Influence of Various Factors on Circulating 25(OH) Vitamin D Concentrations in Dogs with Cancer and Healthy Dogs

Background Low blood 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations have been associated with cancer in dogs. Little research has examined what other factors may affect 25(OH)D concentrations. Objectives (1) To determine whether the presence of cancer (lymphoma, osteosarcoma, or mast cell tumor [MCT]) in dogs is associated with plasma 25(OH)D concentrations and (2) identify other factors related to plasma 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs. Animals Dogs newly diagnosed with osteosarcoma (n = 21), lymphoma (n = 27), and MCT (n = 21) presented to a tertiary referral oncology center, and healthy, client‐owned dogs (n = 23). Methods An observational study design was used. Dietary vitamin D intake, sex, age, body condition score (BCS), muscle condition score (MCS), and plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D, 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) (a marker of CYP24A1 activity), as well as ionized calcium (ICa), parathyroid hormone, and parathyroid hormone‐related protein concentrations were measured. An analysis of covariance was used to model plasma 25(OH)D concentrations. Results Cancer type (P = 0.004), plasma 24,25(OH)2D concentrations (P < 0.001), and plasma ICa concentrations (P = 0.047) had significant effects on plasma 25(OH)D concentrations. Effects of age, sex, body weight, BCS, MCS, and plasma PTH concentrations were not identified. A significant interaction between ICa and cancer was found (P = 0.005). Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations increased as ICa concentrations increased in dogs with cancer, whereas plasma 25(OH)D concentrations decreased as ICa concentrations increased in healthy dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Results support a relationship between cancer and altered vitamin D metabolism in dogs, mediated by plasma ICa concentrations. The CYP24A1 activity and plasma ICa should be measured in studies examining plasma 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs.
The implementation of the Cognitive Radio Energy Smart Transitivity

Spectrum scarcity is one of the major challenges facing Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs). To address this challenge, a new technology called Cognitive Radio has been introduced which has led to the establishment of Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks (CRAHNs). CRAHNs are networks which consist of two types of users accessing the spectrum: The primary users and secondary users. The secondary users access the spectrum opportunistically when primary users are idle. However, routing in Intermittent CRAHNs (ICRAHNs) is a challenge due to unavailability of guaranteed routing paths due to intermittent availability of spectrum. Nodes in intermittent CRHANs are therefore forced to buffer packets for extended periods while alternative routing paths are being discovered. The buffering of packets causes delay and high packet drop rate which degrades the performance of the network. The existing algorithms designed for ICRAHNs do not address these challenges. This paper introduces a new routing protocol which is based on spectrum and energy awareness called the Cognitive Radio Energy Smart Transitivity (CREST).
OPTIMIZATION OF THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MODIFICATION OF THE YEAST WASTE FROM BEER MANUFACTURING TO PRODUCE ADHESIVE COMPOSITIONS

During the production of beer large amounts of yeast waste are generated. This paper considers the possible making of environmentally friendly adhesive compositions from such wastes. Chemical treatment of yeast wastes increases their adhesive characteristics. Chemical cross-linking with glutaric aldehyde and biological cross-linking by enzyme transglutaminase improves the moisture resistance of the adhesive compositions. In terms of their physical and mechanical parameters they are not inferior to glues of natural origin and can be used for bonding paper, cardboard, and wood. The bonding strength of paper was 421.8 N / m, and that of wood was 27.8 MPa.
Perceptions of Shop Operators on Packaging of Made-in-Ghana Products

The importance of packaging in the marketing of a product cannot be overemphasized. It raises the appeal of the product and becomes its silent salesman. Proper packaging is a less expensive means of advertisement and leads to a direct reduction in production cost and indirectly increases sales by attracting the final consumer. The use of packaging as a marketing and sales promotional tool has been very well developed in the advanced countries with developing countries such as Ghana lagging far behind. In Ghana, many products are poorly labelled and packaged. This paper seeks to ascertain the views of sellers/traders about how the packaging of Made-in-Ghana products affects their marketability. Geographically, the study focused on Kumasi Metropolis given that it is a commercialized city in Ghana. The research employed the case study and qualitative approaches. Survey respondents were sampled through the cluster and accidental sampling techniques. The major road corridors served as the bases for clustering while the accidental sampling technique was employed for the selection of the shops to be interviewed given the absence of reliable information on the number and location of shops in the Kumasi Metropolis. A random accessible population of 100 was taken. A structured questionnaire was employed in a more interactive manner upon a pre-test of 10 shops. Data obtained was edited and presented in the forms of tables and charts to facilitate the analysis. The study revealed that indeed, the final purchasing decision of consumers are made at the point of sale and that packaging serves as the silent salesman through its aesthetic value and the adequacy of information provided on the label of the product. To the traders, the foreign products have their packaging really acting as their silent salesman better than the local ones, thus, their low patronage. Also, the incidence of product rejection due to its packaging was greater in the instances of locally manufactured products based on faded labels, exposed products’ contents and doubtful expiry dates. The use of right quality packaging materials, appropriate colour schemes, improvements in product branding, embossment of Ghanaian logos were suggested strategies for increasing the patronage of Made-in-Ghana products. Until and unless, the local manufacturer is “pushed” to ensure that their products are properly packaged to attract the final consumer, they would continue to struggle with reduction in sales.
Occupation profiling with user-generated geolocation data

The flourishing of social networking applications (SNA) in recent years has revolutionized the way we live. On the other hand, SNA are also used for malicious activities. Identifying the physical person behind a SNA account is a challenge task in investigations of SNA-involved criminal cases. As one way to address this challenge, automatic user attribute inference, which is also referred to as user profiling, has become an increasingly attractive research topic. However, existing methods may suffer from problems such as low quality content and complex social networks. The increasing amounts of user-generated geolocation data on SNA give rise to new opportunities for user profiling. In this paper, we study the problem of user profiling with user-generated geolocation data. Specifically, we take occupation profiling as an entry point. We design a supervised occupation classification framework and propose two categories of geolocation-based features, i.e., mobility pattern features (MPF) and location preference features (LPF). Experiments performed using real-world SNA data reveal that LPF can indicate the occupation to a certain extent and are more efficient than word count features and TF-IDF features. Moreover, it is also revealed that good occupation profiling accuracy can be achieved by integrating LPF and LDA topic features inferred from text content.
Modelisation thermomecanique tridimensionnelle du laminage couplage bande/cylindres

La deformation elastique des cylindres est critique en laminage de produits plats minces puisqu'elle conduit a des defauts d'epaisseur et des defauts de planeite de meme nature que le flambement. Un modele numerique tridimensionnel incluant ces effets est precieux pour optimiser le pilotage du laminoir et minimiser ces defauts. Nous avons developpe un tel modele, qui couple iterativement un modele thermomecanique stationnaire par elements finis dans la bande a un calcul de cedage semi-analytique. Les transferts thermiques dans le cylindre de travail sont egalement pris en compte par elements finis afin de modeliser le bombe thermique. Contrairement a d'autres modeles presentes dans la litterature, le modele de cedage decrit ici traite les ecrasements inter-cylindres et l'ecrasement a l'interface bande-cylindre a l'aide de modeles tridimensionnels ; la forme exacte de la colline de frottement resultant du calcul dans la bande par ef y est prise en compte a l'aide de coefficients d'influence en ecrasement a 4 indices. Les resultats de ce modele sont finalement compares a des simulations par elements finis et des mesures sur laminoir d'essai. Un algorithme elabore a ete mis au point pour gerer les surfaces libres et le contact dans l'approche stationnaire par elements finis, retenue ici pour calculer l'ecoulement plastique de la bande. L'effet de la rheologie, entre viscoplasticite et elastoplasticite, sur les distributions transverses en sortie d'emprise de l'epaisseur et des contraintes longitudinales a egalement ete etudie. Des rheologies a effet d'histoire, telles l'elasto-viscoplasticite, ont pu etre prises en compte dans le modele par la mise en uvre d'une formulation d'elements finis originale, baptisee eldth (eulerienne-lagrangienne a pas de temps heterogene). Les hypotheses formulees par d'autres auteurs a propos de l'ecoulement plastique de la bande ont pu etre discutees a la lumiere des resultats du modele par elements finis. Enfin, nous presentons quelques simulations couplees de laminage a chaud et de laminage a froid
Effect of intermittent administration of teriparatide on the mechanical and histological changes in bone grafted with β-tricalcium phosphate using a rabbit bone defect model

Grafting β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) is a well-established method for restoring bone defects; however, there is concern that the mechanical stability of the grafted β-TCP is not maintained during bone translation. Teriparatide has an anabolic effect, stimulating bone formation and increasing bone mineral density for the treatment of osteoporosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of intermittent teriparatide treatment on changes in bone grafted with β-TCP using a rabbit bone defect model. Bone defects (5×15 mm) were created in the distal femoral condyle of Japanese white rabbits, and β-TCP granules of two different total porosities were manually grafted. Teriparatide (40 µg/kg) or 0.2% rabbit serum albumin solution as a vehicle control was subcutaneously injected three times per week following the surgery. At 4 or 8 weeks post-surgery, serum samples were obtained and the levels of γ-carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC) were quantified using ELISA. Histomorphometry was also performed using sections of graft sites following staining for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase. Activity and mechanical strength (maximum shear strength, maximum shear stiffness and total energy absorption) were evaluated using an axial push-out load to failure test. Teriparatide treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) the serum levels of Gla-OC, a specific marker for bone formation, suggesting that teriparatide enhances bone formation in β-TCP-grafted rabbits. Furthermore teriparatide increased the degradation of β-TCP by bone remodeling (P<0.05) and promoted the formation of new bone following application of the graft compared with the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, teriparatide suppressed the reduction in mechanical strength (P<0.05) during bone translation in bone defects grafted with β-TCP. The results of the present study demonstrate that teriparatide is effective in maintaining the mechanical stability of grafted β-TCP, possibly by promoting new bone formation.
Predicting Revisit Intention of Commuters: A Case Study of Private Bus Company in Pakistan

Present research tends to explore the impact of service quality and relationship switching cost on revisiting intention. This scrutiny is quantitative in nature that has explored new dimensions of service quality designed public transportation industry. Specifically, revisit intention is taken as main contributor in this study based on commuter satisfaction. In Pakistan, intercity bus service has become competitive market after improvement in road structure and economic globalization. This study considered Daewoo Express Bus Service (Pakistan). Data was collected from 167 commuters that travel through private bus services. All proposed hypotheses were supported. Thus, study unraveled several managerial implications such as private bus services should increase service quality by providing them choices about internal environment of buses. Moreover, it’s not a wise decision by removing services to reduce expenses/cost to earn profits. This led intentions for commuters to switch as Daewoo is an educated professional’s choice of traveling, therefore new tools of commuter retentions are required to maintain their brand meaning.