Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health-Related Quality of Life and Parental Stress in Children With Fecal Incontinence: A Normative Comparison

Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe the quality of life and parenting stress associated with a child with fecal incontinence (FI). Methods: Female caregivers (n = 170) of children of 3 to 12 years age with FI completed a broad and general measure of quality of life and a measure of parenting stress. Results were compared with proxy reports for a normative sample of healthy children. Results: Caregivers of children with FI reported significantly impaired quality of life for their children and increased parenting stress in all of the respective domains relative to healthy controls. Impairments reported by caregivers were large in magnitude. Similarly, rates of parenting stress were at or greater than the 98th percentile for caregivers of children with FI. Conclusions: Children with fecal incontinence and their families are in need of interventions targeting their quality of life and the stress associated with caregiving. FI appears to be particularly stressful for caregivers who may be in need of support beyond medical management of their child's bowel. Moreover, additional refinements in disease-specific quality of life assessment are needed in this population. Such refinement would allow for more precise measurement of the quality of life processes that are unique to FI.
“EU Equal Opportunities Policy: Towards a Broader Agenda?”

In Part I, I explain the various specific, positive actions adopted on behalf of women by the European Union in the 1990s, focusing in particular on the EU’s period Action Programmes; on the debate over “positive discrimination” after the Court of Justice’s Kalanke and Marschall decisions; and on the new actions taken on women’s issues under the EU’s new Justice and Home Affairs Pillar. In Part II, I introduce the concept of gender mainstreaming, and trace its adoption, and the brief record of implementation, in EU policymaking. In Part III, finally, I conclude the paper with a mixed assessment, namely that the EU has proven capable of addressing a broader women’s rights agenda than feminist theorists have generally argued; but also that, at this writing, the majority of actions undertaken in these areas have taken the form of exhortation, modest financial incentives, and soft law, and that the effects of these new actions on ordinary European women are likely to be felt slowly and unevenly across the member states in the years to come.
Template-based Quality Assessment of the Doppler Ultrasound Signal for Fetal Monitoring

One dimensional Doppler Ultrasound (DUS) is a low cost method for fetal auscultation. However, accuracy of any metrics derived from the DUS signals depends on their quality, which relies heavily on operator skills. In low resource settings, where skill levels are sparse, it is important for the device to provide real time signal quality feedback to allow the re-recording of data. Retrospectively, signal quality assessment can help remove low quality recordings when processing large amounts of data. To this end, we proposed a novel template-based method, to assess DUS signal quality. Data used in this study were collected from 17 pregnant women using a low-cost transducer connected to a smart phone. Recordings were split into 1990 segments of 3.75 s duration, and hand labeled for quality by three independent annotators. The proposed template-based method uses Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) to allow detection of the fetal heart beats and segmentation into short, time-aligned temporal windows. Templates were derived for each 15 s window of the recordings. The DUS signal quality index (SQI) was calculated by correlating the segments in each window with the corresponding running template using four different pre-processing steps: (i) no additional preprocessing, (ii) linear resampling of each beat, (iii) dynamic time warping (DTW) of each beat and (iv) weighted DTW of each beat. The template-based SQIs were combined with additional features based on sample entropy and power spectral density. To assess the performance of the method, the dataset was split into training and test subsets. The training set was used to obtain the best combination of features for predicting the DUS quality using cross validation, and the test set was used to estimate the classification accuracy using bootstrap resampling. A median out of sample classification accuracy on the test set of 85.8% was found using three features; template-based SQI, sample entropy and the relative power in the 160 to 660 Hz range. The results suggest that the new automated method can reliably assess the DUS quality, thereby helping users to consistently record DUS signals with acceptable quality for fetal monitoring.
A gateway based fog computing architecture for wireless sensors and actuator networks

The technologies of Internet of Things have been wide used in many areas such as intelligent building, logistics, security, and health. One of the key elements of the Internet of Things is Wireless Sensors and Actuators Networks(WSANs). Fog computing, the new concept of the cloud at the edge of the network, is considered the appropriate platform for many Internet of Things services and applications. In this paper we present a gateway based fog computing architecture for WSANs and argue that the key requirements of this architecture. This architecture mainly consists of master nodes and slave nodes, and manages virtual gateway functions, flows, and resources.
Propagation Features of Metamaterial NRD Waveguides

Nonradiative dielectric (NRD) waveguides comprised of time-dispersive isotropic double-negative or single-negative slabs sandwiched between metal plates are studied. Dispersion features of bound (surface) modes are considered, showing how to achieve ranges of unimodal backward propagation by means of epsilon-negative media. Such ranges allow us to relax the symmetry constraints, typical of ordinary double-positive NRD guides, aimed at avoiding the excitation of the undesired LSE01 dominant mode. Complex proper leaky modes supported by double-negative NRD guides are also illustrated, which show physical ranges of radiation into the first higher-order TE1 mode of the background parallel-plate waveguide
Comparison of 2 Anal Cytology Protocols to Predict High-Grade Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Objectives Nylon-flocked and Dacron swab anal cytology collection procedures were evaluated for detecting high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional data for 42 HIV-infected and 16 uninfected men who have sex with men have been used. Sequentially collected anal cytology specimens, high-resolution anoscopy, and medical biopsy evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of cytology for predicting high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia. Men showing atypical squamous cells (ASC) or more severe findings by cytology were compared with those showing negative for intraepithelial lesions. Results The prevalence of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia was 35% (21/58), and findings were approximately 1.5 times higher among HIV-infected compared with uninfected men. Unsatisfactory cytology was twice as common among Dacron compared with nylon-flocked swab protocol specimens (14% [8/58] vs 7% [4/58]). Sensitivity and specificity for the nylon-flocked protocol cytology showing ASC or more severe findings were 81% (58%–95%) and 73% (50%–89%), respectively. Dacron protocol specimens showed 52% (30%–74%) and 58% (34%–80%) sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Men showing ASC or more severe findings using the nylon-flocked protocol cytology showed 3-fold higher odds for high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia compared with men with negative results (p < .05), but no statistically significantly higher odds of high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia for men showing ASC or more severe findings compared with those with negative results for Dacron protocol cytology (p > .05). Conclusions The nylon-flocked protocol better detects high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia than does the Dacron protocol, yields more interpretable results, and classifies men with high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia as cytologically abnormal 2.5 times more often, even in this small clinical trial. Clinical trials registration number: NCT00955591.
Synthesis of Gold Nanotriangles and Silver Nanoparticles Using Aloevera Plant Extract

Biogenic gold nanotriangles and spherical silver nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple procedure using Aloe veraleaf extract as the reducing agent. This procedure offers control over the size of the gold nanotriangle and thereby a handle to tune their optical properties, particularly the position of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance. The kinetics of gold nanotriangle formation was followed by UV‐vis‐NIR absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of reducing agent concentration in the reaction mixture on the yield and size of the gold nanotriangles was studied using transmission electron microscopy. Monitoring the formation of gold nanotriangles as a function of time using TEM reveals that multiply twinned particles (MTPs) play an important role in the formation of gold nanotriangles. It is observed that the slow rate of the reaction along with the shape directing effect of the constituents of the extract are responsible for the formation of single crystalline gold nanotriangles. Reduction of silver ions by Aloe veraextract however, led to the formation of spherical silver nanoparticles of 15.2 nm ± 4.2 nm size.
A Noise-Shaping Time-to-Digital Converter Using Switched-Ring Oscillators—Analysis, Design, and Measurement Techniques

A high-resolution time-to-digital converter (TDC) using switched-ring oscillators (SROs) is presented. Leveraging oversampling and noise shaping, the proposed SRO-TDC achieves high resolution without the need for calibration. Ring oscillators are switched between two frequencies to achieve noise shaping of the quantization error in an open-loop manner. By decoupling the sampling clock and input carrier frequencies, SRO-TDC is capable of operating at high oversampling ratios (OSRs). This paper also discusses different noise sources and quantization/device noise tradeoffs in noise-shaping TDCs and presents techniques to characterize TDC linearity, range, and noise performance. Fabricated in 90 nm CMOS technology, the proposed TDC operates over a wide range of input carrier frequencies (0.6-750 MHz) and sampling rates (50-750 MS/s). At 500 MS/s and 80 MHz carrier frequency, it achieves an integrated noise of 315 fs in a 1 MHz bandwidth while consuming 1.5 mW from a 1 V supply. The SRO-TDC occupies an active die area of only 0.02 mm2.
[Annual school and menarche rhythms (vacation-study)].

BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that the yearly menarche rhythm could be caused by the seasonal variation of photoperiod and temperature or by the annual distribution of the scholar vacation and study periods. AIM To test the hypothesis that the distribution of study vacation periods is a condition that modifies the annual menarche rhythm. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Two thousand ninety four school girls from Chile, 2,356 girls from Madras, India, 3,454 girls from Medellin, Colombia and 2,627 girls from Debrecen, Hungary, were studied. They were asked about the month of their menarche. Vacation months were considered those with more than 6 days of leave from school. RESULTS The seasonal hypothesis was refuted because there were contradictions with the expected antithetical behavior in both hemispheres, there was a significant heterogeneity of the yearly menarche among girls from the same region, the expected cline of the menarche frequency variance from equator to poles was not observed, finding an antithetical cline instead and there was a significant heterogeneity among months of the same season. On the other hand, months with vacation periods coincided significantly with peaks of menarche, while study months had lower proportion of menarche (total binomial probability < 10(-6)). Girls whose month of menarche was the same as their month of birth, did not agree completely with the vacation-study hypothesis as the rest of the sample. CONCLUSIONS Vacation periods influenced menarche rhythm. However, these periods coincide with most cultural events and this strong association needs further study to be considered causal. It is not possible to assume school stress as the main explanatory variable. Ontogenetic factors such as birth imprinting also can influence the menarche rhythm, as shown in girls whose month of menarche coincided with their month of birth.
Master of Social Work Student Perception in Access to Documentation Training in Social Work Programs

iii LIST OF TABLES . viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Problem Statement . 1 Purpose of the Study . 5 Significance of the Project for Social Work Practice . 6 Summary . 7 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction . 8 Documentation in the Field of Social Work for Students . 8 Prepardness and Competency . 8 Risk Management and Ethics . 10 Documentation Training in Social Work Programs . 11 Limitations in Literature . 13 Theories Guiding Conceptualization . 13 Summary . 14 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS Introduction . 16 Study Design . 16 Sampling . 17 Data Collection and Instruments . 18 Procedures . 18
Exploring Greenhouse Gas‐Mitigation Strategies in Chinese Eco‐Industrial Parks by Targeting Energy Infrastructure Stocks

China has more than 1,500 industrial parks, which, collectively, play a crucial role in facilitating industrialization and urbanization. A key characteristic of these parks is that most rely on shareable energy infrastructure, an efficient configuration that can also deliver substantial and sustainable reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study offers strategies for mitigating GHG emissions from Chinese industrial parks. We focus on extensive data collection for the 106 industrial parks listed in the national demonstration eco‐industrial park (EIP) program. In doing so, we carefully examine the evolution of 608 serviceable energy infrastructure units by vintage year, fuel type, energy output, and technologies of combined heat and power units. We assess direct GHG emissions from both energy infrastructure and the parks, and then identify the features and driving forces of energy infrastructure development in the EIPs. We also offer recommendations for ways to mitigate the GHG emissions from these industrial parks. The energy infrastructure stocks in Chinese EIPs are characterized by heavy coal dependence (87% of capacity) and high ratios of direct GHG emissions versus the total direct emissions of the park (median value: 75.2%). These findings establish a baseline from which both technology and policy decisions can then be made in an informed way.
Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by human macrophages: Analysis by multiparameter flow cytometry

Phagocytic removal of apoptotic cells is an important regulatory event in development, tissue homoeostasis, and inflammation. There are several methodologic problems with most in vitro studies of the molecular mechanisms of apoptotic cell phagocytosis. First, cell loss occurs during rigorous washing of adherent macrophages required to ensure removal of noningested particles. Second, discrimination of adherent or internalised apoptotic cells is difficult. Third, microscopic quantification is time consuming and has the potential for significant interobserver error. Fourth, subsequent analysis of phagocyte populations is difficult.
Small and medium enterprises project finance: identifying optimum settings of controllable factor

Project finance (PF) has been a key area of concern in development-related lending institutions. The success of PF depends on the success of the financed projects. It is based on the possibility of minimising the losses to the lending institution due to project failures. The success of investments on a project depends on several factors and their levels at PF appraisal phase. A case study is carried out in collaboration with one of the regional development-related lending institutions to calculate the optimum set-points of control factors which affect the success of PF. Key control factors that influence the success of project financing were identified based on the inputs from the experienced PF personnel in the case study lending institution. Debt service cover ratio (DSCR) has been selected as a measure of projects’ performance. The manuscript provides a methodology based on the robust design technique to calculate optimum set-points of controllable parameters concerning the PF for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Also, the manuscript provides a verification experiment based on the identified optimum settings of the controllable factors.
The clinical performance of CAD/CAM-generated composite inlays.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a study to evaluate the longitudinal clinical performance of a resin-based composite (Paradigm, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, Minn.) for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-generated adhesive inlays. METHODS The researchers used a CAD/CAM unit (CEREC 2, Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim Germany) to fabricate 40 porcelain (Vita Mark II, Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) and 40 resin-based composite (Paradigm, 3M ESPE) inlays. Both restorative materials were cemented with a total-etch technique using Single Bond dental adhesive (3M ESPE) and a dual-cured resin cement (RelyX ARC Adhesive Resin Cement, 3M ESPE). Two examiners evaluated the inlays using modified U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) criteria at six months, one year, two years and three years. RESULTS No sensitivity was reported for either material at any recall period. There was no significant difference between the two materials relative to margin adaptation at three years. Margin adaptation initially was very good for both materials, with an increase in margin detection due to apparent wear of the resin-based composite luting agent. There was a significant difference in color match between the two materials at three years, with 91.4 percent of the resin-based composite inlays and 58.8 percent of the porcelain inlays rated Alfa. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The resin-based composite inlays had a significantly better color match at three years than did the porcelain inlays. Resin-based composite CAD/CAM inlays performed as well as porcelain CAD/CAM inlays after three years of clinical service.
Calibration of the Lutetium-Hafnium Clock

Well-defined constants of radioactive decay are the cornerstone of geochronology and the use of radiogenic isotopes to constrain the time scales and mechanisms of planetary differentiation. Four new determinations of the lutetium-176 decay constant (λ176Lu) made by calibration against the uranium-lead decay schemes yield a mean value of 1.865 ± 0.015 × 10−11 year−1, in agreement with the two most recent decay-counting experiments. Lutetium-hafnium ages that are based on the previously used λ176Lu of 1.93 × 10−11 to 1.94 × 10−11year−1 are thus ∼4% too young, and the initial hafnium isotope compositions of some of Earth's oldest minerals and rocks become less radiogenic relative to bulk undifferentiated Earth when calculated using the new decay constant. The existence of strongly unradiogenic hafnium in Early Archean and Hadean zircons implies that enriched crustal reservoirs existed on Earth by 4.3 billion years ago and persisted for 200 million years or more. Hence, current models of early terrestrial differentiation need revision.
An update on body dysmorphic disorder

Purpose of review The present review provides an update on current research into body dysmorphic disorder. Recent findings Recent findings can be considered under four groupings: the classification of body dysmorphic disorder, its current inclusion under the somatoform disorders, and its relationship to obsessive compulsive disorder and other obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders; the psychotic ‘variant’ of body dysmorphic disorder, and whether it is simply a more severe form of the nonpsychotic type; the cognitive aspects of body dysmorphic disorder; and the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, both in terms of pharmacological and psychological parameters. Summary Body dysmorphic disorder does not sit comfortably in the somatoform disorder category, and there is a good case for it being considered part of the obsessive compulsive spectrum, although it is not merely a subtype of obsessive compulsive disorder. Insight into the illness suggests that it represents a spectrum of disorders, and a categorical delineation of ‘psychotic’ and ‘nonpsychotic’ variants cannot be supported. We are beginning to understand more about the neurocognitive aspects of body dysmorphic disorder, but more research is required to assess which deficits/aberrations (if any) are exclusive to body dysmorphic disorder as an entity, and which are a reflection of broader phenomenological manifestations. Finally, the mainstay of treatment for body dysmorphic disorder remains behaviour/cognitive behaviour therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibitors; much more work is required to identify effective interventions for those patients who fail to respond to these treatment modalities.
Effect of Donors’ Intravenous Drug Use, Cigarette Smoking, and Alcohol Dependence on Kidney Transplant Outcome

Background. The shortage of organ donors for kidney transplants has made the expansion of the kidney donor pool a clinically significant issue. Previous studies suggest that kidneys from donors with a history of intravenous (IV) drug, cigarette, and/or alcohol use are considered to be a risky choice. However, these kidneys could potentially be used and expand the kidney supply pool if no evidence shows their association with adverse transplant outcomes. Methods. This study analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing dataset from 1994 to 1999 using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox modeling. The effects on transplant outcome (graft and recipient survival) were examined with respect to the donors’ IV drug use, cigarette smoking, and alcohol dependency. Covariates including the recipient variables, the donor variables, and the transplant procedure variables were included in the Cox models. Results. The results show that the donors’ history of cigarette smoking is a statistically significant risk factor for both graft survival (hazard ratio = 1.05, P < 0.05) and recipient survival (1.06, P<0.05), whereas neither IV drug use nor alcohol dependency had significant adverse impact on graft or recipient survival. Conclusions. Assuming that adequate testing for potential infections is performed, there is no evidence to support avoiding the kidneys from donors with IV drug use or alcohol dependency in transplantation. Utilizing these kidneys would clearly expand the potential pool of donor organs.