Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of phonetic encoding for analyzing similarity of patient's data: Bangladesh perspective

Due to illiteracy and lack of standardized healthcare systems, patients in Bangladesh usually, provide misspelled names while making their entry via these systems. Different records with slightly misspelled names are thus generated which makes data mining and others tasks quite challenging and inefficient. In this paper, we have looked into the underlying problem of misspelled names of patients in healthcare systems and proposed a modified version of NameSignificance algorithm. Our proposed algorithm has performed significantly better than the existing solutions like NameSignificance, Modified Soundex, Double Metaphone encoding for Bangla as we founded our algorithm on the phonetic nature of Bengali names written in English transliterated form. Our algorithm achieved a staggering 77% matching of names whereas relevant algorithm could not pass 70% correct matches. This proposed method could pave the way for better record linkage and data analysis of the medical patient dataset. Our syllable based approach also helped us identify the reason behind the wrong matches appeared through our algorithm which will surely pave the way to purify our algorithm in the future.
Low-concentrated solar-pumped laser via transverse excitation fiber-laser geometry.

We demonstrate an extremely low-concentrated solar-pumped laser (SPL) using a fiber laser with transverse excitation geometry. A low concentration factor is highly desired in SPLs to eliminate the need for precise solar tracking and to considerably increase the practical applications of SPL technology. In this Letter, we have exploited the intrinsic low-loss property of silica fibers to compensate for the extremely low gain coefficient of the weakly pumped active medium. A 40 m long Nd3+-doped fiber coil is packed in a ring-shaped chamber filled with a sensitizer solution. We demonstrated a lasing threshold that is 15 times the concentration of natural sunlight and two orders of magnitude smaller than those of conventional SPLs.
IL‐10 suppresses TNF‐α‐induced expression of human aromatase gene in mammary adipose tissue

White adipose tissue inflammation is linked with increased aromatase gene expression and estrogen production, a major risk factor for breast cancer in obese postmenopausal women. TNF‐α, a proinflammatory cytokine, is a key driver of aromatase promoter I.4‐mediated expression in adipose tissue. In this study, we have shown that IL‐10, an anti–inflammatory cytokine, suppressed both TNF‐α‐stimulated human aromatase reporter‐luciferase (hARO‐Luc) expression in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells and aromatase gene expression in human breast adipose stromal cells (ASCs). IL‐10 blocked TNF‐α‐stimulated ERK1/2 activation in ASCs, suggesting an inhibitory effect through the MAPK signaling pathway. The links among obesity, IL‐10, and aromatase were confirmed in ovariectomized (OVX) hARO‐Luc mice, where increased adiposity was associated with upregulation of aromatase reporter activity and reduced IL‐10 level in the mammary fat pad. OVX mice also exhibited changes in gut microbiota, similar to that in obese women, indicating altered immune function. In summary, our results suggest that increased adiposity, induced by the lack of ovarian hormones, results in enhanced expression of aromatase in mammary adipose tissue, mediated by reduction in local IL‐10. These findings may bring new insights into the mechanisms involved in the development of postmenopausal breast cancer, as well as novel approaches for prevention. —Martínez‐Chacón G. , Brown, K. A. , Docanto, M. M. , Kumar, H. , Salminen, S. , Saarinen, N. , Mäkelä S. IL‐10 suppresses TNF‐α‐induced expression of human aromatase gene in mammary adipose tissue. FASEB J. 32, 3361–3370 (2018). www.fasebj. org
Improvement of Vehicle Service System by the Application of Lean Six Sigma

This research aims to improve the efficiency of vehicle service system in Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University. The study adopted the lean six sigma methods with DMAIC process and New Service Development by following 5D steps which are Discover, Define, Design, Develop and Deploy. In this process, the Lean Six Sigma or DMAIC is implemented and considered as the main tool which is used together with the development of service innovation in order to equip the tools with fully developed characters. The occurred problems and its root causes were discovered and defined by using SERVQUAL questionnaires to evaluate customer satisfaction levels to 20 service dimensions. Innovative solutions were generated by using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and lean techniques. The action plan includes: 1) developing a vehicle reservation system which can be done via intranet, 2) redesigning the back-end procedure by applying the ECRS principle and developing the manual, 3) improving the quality control and assessment system, 4) developing a new working standard for customers and drivers. After the implementation of this new system, the car users were satisfied with the service as the score (1-5 Likert scale) increased by 30% from 3.35 as the medium level to 4.37 as the good level. The time of check back system is decreased by 87% from 15.5 minutes to 2 minutes
A facile synthesis of novel pyrazolopyrimidine thioglycosides as purine thioglycoside analogues

ABSTRACT The easy, convenient and high yielding preparation of new thioglycosides incorporating mercaptopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine moieties from readily accessible starting materials has been reported. The main step of this protocol is the formation of 7-mercaptopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carbonitrile derivatives 4a-d by condensation of sodium 2-cyano-3-ethoxy-3-oxoprop-1-ene-1,1-bis(thiolate) 1 with 4-(aryldiazenyl)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamines 3a-d to form target compounds 4a-d, which coupled with tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glycopyranosyl bromides 5a,b in the presence of basic medium to provide the corresponding product purine thioglycoside analogs 6a-h. Ammonolysis of the latter compounds 6a-d at ambient temperature for 10 minutes, led to the free glycoside derivatives 7a-h, which were obtained in approximately quantitative yields. Their structures were created based on the spectroscopic and elemental data.
University of Birmingham Perceived Pain Extent is Not associated with Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity, Clinical Features, Related-Disability, Anxiety, or Depression in Women with Episodic Migraine

Objective : People with migraine present with varying pain extent and an expanded distribution of perceived pain may reflect central sensitization. The relationship between pain extent and clinical features, psychological outcomes, related-disability and pressure pain sensitivity in migraine has been poorly investigated. Our aim was to investigate whether the perceived pain extent, assessed from pain drawings, relates to measures of pressure pain sensitivity, clinical, psychological outcomes, and related-disability in women with episodic migraine. Methods : Seventy-two women with episodic migraine completed pain drawings which were subsequently digitized allowing pain extent to be calculated utilising novel software. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed bilaterally over the temporalis muscle (trigeminal area), the cervical spine (extra-trigeminal area) and tibialis anterior muscle (distant pain-free area). Clinical features of migraine, migraine related-disability (migraine disability assessment questionnaire, MIDAS), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, HADS) were also assessed. Spearman rho correlation coefficients were computed to reveal correlations between pain extent and the remaining outcomes. Results : No significant associations were observed between pain extent and PPTs in trigeminal, extra-trigeminal or distant pain-free areas, migraine pain features, or psychological variables including anxiety or depression and migraine related-disability. Conclusions : Pain extent within the trigemino-cervical area was not associated with any of the measured clinical outcomes and not related to the degree of pressure pain sensitization in women with episodic migraine. Further research is needed to determine if the presence of expanded pain areas outside of the trigeminal area can play a relevant role in the sensitization processes in migraine.
Some factors affecting statistical power of approximate tests in the linear mixed model for longitudinal data

ABSTRACT Different longitudinal study designs require different statistical analysis methods and different methods of sample size determination. Statistical power analysis is a flexible approach to sample size determination for longitudinal studies. However, different power analyses are required for different statistical tests which arises from the difference between different statistical methods. In this paper, the simulation-based power calculations of F-tests with Containment, Kenward-Roger or Satterthwaite approximation of degrees of freedom are examined for sample size determination in the context of a special case of linear mixed models (LMMs), which is frequently used in the analysis of longitudinal data. Essentially, the roles of some factors, such as variance–covariance structure of random effects [unstructured UN or factor analytic FA0], autocorrelation structure among errors over time [independent IND, first-order autoregressive AR1 or first-order moving average MA1], parameter estimation methods [maximum likelihood ML and restricted maximum likelihood REML] and iterative algorithms [ridge-stabilized Newton-Raphson and Quasi-Newton] on statistical power of approximate F-tests in the LMM are examined together, which has not been considered previously. The greatest factor affecting statistical power is found to be the variance–covariance structure of random effects in the LMM. It appears that the simulation-based analysis in this study gives an interesting insight into statistical power of approximate F-tests for fixed effects in LMMs for longitudinal data.
Continuous root xylem formation and vascular acclimation to water deficit involves endodermal ABA signalling via miR165

ABSTRACT The plant root xylem comprises a specialized tissue for water distribution to the shoot. Despite its importance, its potential morphological plasticity in response to environmental conditions such as limited water availability has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we identify a role for the phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) for proper xylem development and describe how ABA signalling-mediated effects on core developmental regulators are employed to alter xylem morphology under limited water availability in Arabidopsis. Plants with impaired ABA biosynthesis and reduced ABA signalling in the cell layer surrounding the vasculature displayed defects in xylem continuity, suggesting that non-cell autonomous ABA signalling is required for proper xylem development. Conversely, upon external ABA application or under limited water availability, extra xylem strands were formed. The observed xylem developmental alterations were dependent on adequate endodermal ABA signalling, which activated MIR165A. This resulted in increased miR165 levels that repress class III HD-ZIP transcription factors in the stele. We conclude that a pathway known to control core developmental features is employed as a means of modifying plant xylem morphology under conditions of environmental stress. Highlighted Article: In Arabidopsis, non-cell-autonomous ABA signalling mediated by miR165 determines root vascular patterning and xylem morphology under both normal and water-limiting conditions, revealing employment of core developmental factors in the environmental response.
The role of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in preventing relapse of major depressive disorder

The objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and SSRIs compared with other treatment modalities in preventing relapse after an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD). An Ovid MEDLINE and PsycINFO search (from 1987 to August 2017) was conducted using the following terms: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants, depression, prevention, prophylaxis, relapse and MDD. Using predefined criteria, two authors independently selected and reached consensus on the included studies. Sixteen articles met the criteria: 10 compared the relapse rate of selective SSRIs with placebo or other SSRIs; one discussed the effectiveness of SSRIs plus psychotherapy, two compared SSRI versus tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), two were mainly composed of TCAs plus psychotherapy, and one compared SSRIs and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). According to the included studies, the relapse risk in adults was lower when SSRIs were combined with psychotherapy. Results comparing SSRIs and SNRIs were inconclusive. TCAs may be equally as effective as SSRIs. Atypical antidepressants (mirtazapine and St John’s Wort) had no significant difference in efficacy and remission rates compared with SSRIs. Escitalopram appeared to fare better in efficacy than other SSRIs, owing to a higher prophylactic efficacy and lower side effects; however, according to the current data, this difference was not significant. To conclude, this review provides evidence that continuing SSRIs for 1 year reduces risk of MDD and relapse. Furthermore, the combination of SSRIs and cognitive behavioural therapy may effectively reduce relapse. Escitalopram appeared to yield better results and fewer side effects than did other SSRIs or SNRIs. The effectiveness in reducing relapse of SSRIs was similar to that of TCAs and atypical antidepressants.
High-Density Lipoprotein Function in Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes Mellitus.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death worldwide.1 Major CVD risk factors are hypertension, smoking, physical inactivity, abnormal glucose levels/diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Among these, dyslipidemia characterized by a low level of HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) is strongly and inversely correlated with CVD risk,2–4 and low HDL-C levels is part of the atherogenic dyslipidemia complex associated with diabetes mellitus.5 These observations triggered intense interest in increasing HDL-C levels for therapeutic intervention of CVD.6,7 However, several recent lines of evidence now suggest that the association between HDL-C levels and CVD status may be indirect or more complicated than previously recognized.7 Thus, human genetic studies demonstrate that genetically altered HDL-C levels do not necessarily translate to an altered risk of CVD.8–12 Phase III clinical trials of drugs that elevate HDL-C, such as niacin and CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein) inhibitors, also have largely failed to reduce CVD events in statin-treated subjects with established CVD.13–15 For several CETP inhibitors, improvement in CVD prevention was unsuccessful because of off-target effects (torcetrapib) or lack of efficacy (dalcetrapib and evacetrapib). 14,16–18 The exception is the recent REVEAL trial (Randomized Evaluation of the Effects of Anacetrapib Through Lipid-Modification), which included more subjects and was performed for longer than previous CETP inhibitor trials. The REVEAL demonstrated that the CETP inhibitor anacetrapib exhibited beneficial effects on cardiovascular outcomes on top of those of statin therapy, although the risk reduction was moderate19,20 and might have been due, at least in part, to a reduction in non-HDL-C rather than elevated HDL-C.21 Considering these cumulative observations, it remains uncertain whether increased HDL-C directly impacts atherosclerosis and the …
Estimating the Willingness‐to‐Pay for Road Safety Improvements

Abstract The value of road safety is the fundamental input in social cost–benefit analysis of road safety schemes. It is also an increasingly important input in the social evaluation of almost any transport infrastructure project. This value is given by the amount that people are willing to pay for reducing the risk of a becoming a fatal victim or of suffering a serious injury. Traditionally, road safety willingness‐to‐pay has been estimated by means of contingent valuation and other surveys without making explicit reference to a particular travel demand context. The paper advocates the use of stated choice techniques that allow one to recreate the context of a particular trip customized to the respondent’s past experience. For this and other reasons, it is argued that the proposed method is clearly superior to previous methods for estimating people’s willingness‐to‐pay for improved road safety. The paper also provides a summary of the Chilean experience on road safety valuation using stated choice techniques; and it concludes by showing the importance of conducting local studies to elicit people’s willingness to pay for safety.
Parameter estimation of a composite production function model based on improved artificial fish swarm algorithm and model application

ABSTRACT The traditional Cobb–Douglas production function uses the compact mathematical form to describe the relationship between the production results and production factors in the production technology process. However, in macro-economic production, multi-structured production exists universally. In order to better demonstrate such input–output relation, a composite production function model is proposed in this article. In aspect of model parameter estimation, artificial fish swarm algorithm is applied. The algorithm has satisfactory performance in overcoming local extreme value and acquiring global extreme value. Moreover, realization of the algorithm does not need the gradient value of the objective function. For this reason, it is adaptive to searching space. Through the improved artificial fish swarm algorithm, convergence rate and precision are both considerably improved. In aspect of model application, the composite production function model is mainly used to calculate economic growth factor contribution rate. In this article, a relatively more accurate calculating method is proposed. In the end, empirical analysis on economic growth contribution rate of China is implemented.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Alters Immune Cell Composition and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are interrelated diseases with substantial mortality, and the pathogenesis of both involves aberrant immune functioning. Objectives: To profile immune cell composition and function in patients with NSCLC and describe the effects of COPD on lung and tumor microenvironments. Methods: We profiled resected lung and tumor tissue using flow cytometry and T‐cell receptor sequencing in patients with and without COPD from a prospective cohort of patients undergoing resection of NSCLC. A murine cigarette smoke exposure model was used to evaluate the effect on pulmonary immune populations. A separate retrospective cohort of patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was analyzed, and their survival was quantified. Measurements and Main Results: We observed an increased number of IFN‐&ggr;‐producing CD8+ and CD4+ (T‐helper cell type 1 [Th1]) lymphocytes in the lungs of patients with COPD. In both humans and mice, increased Th17 content was seen with smoke exposure, but was not associated with the development or severity of COPD. COPD‐affected lung tissue displayed increased Th1 differentiation that was recapitulated in the matching tumor sample. PD‐1 (programmed cell death protein 1) expression was increased in tumors of patients with COPD, and the presence of COPD was associated with progression‐free survival in patients treated with ICIs. Conclusions: In patients with COPD, Th1 cell populations were expanded in both lung and tumor microenvironments, and the presence of COPD was associated with longer progression‐free intervals in patients treated with ICIs. This has implications for understanding the immune mediators of COPD and developing novel therapies for NSCLC.
Elevated Blood Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate Vary with Symptom Load in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Findings from a Longitudinal Study of Refugees in Sweden

Background: The present study is part of a longitudinal study of recently resettled refugees with the aim of learning which factors in their daily life influence health as measured by self-report and stress-responsive hormones. Methods: In a group of recently resettled refugees with a high incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diagnosed by structured interview, self-rated symptoms of PTSD were followed three times over a period of 9 months after inclusion in the study. Eighty-six individuals were included in the study and 58 subjects (67.4%) completed it. Blood samples were drawn at each examination for assessment of hormone levels. Results: After adjustment for age, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-s) was observed to be higher in non-depressed PTSD cases than in non-PTSD without depression. There was an interaction between PTSD and depression regarding DHEA-s levels. DHEA-s correlated significantly with changes in self-rated symptoms of PTSD at last follow-up; the greater the increase in PTSD symptoms, the greater the increase in plasma DHEA-s. The variation of DHEA-s levels in relation to changes in self-rated health in non-PTSD showed the opposite pattern, although not reaching significance. Conclusions: The finding of changes in DHEA-s should encourage further studies of the role of altered steroid metabolism in PTSD.
A new approach to supracervical hysterectomy during laparoscopic sacral colpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse: A randomized clinical trial

Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) for pelvic prolapse is a complex procedure, characterized by long operative times and, when combined with supracervical hysterectomy, by a high risk of spreading of unsuspected cancerous tissue. The aim of the present study was to compare, in patients who underwent hysterectomy plus LSC for severe POP, different methods for cervical incision and uterine morcellation.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health-Related Quality of Life among Participants with Self-Reported Diabetes from NHANES 2001-2010

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the racial/ethnic disparities in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adults with self-reported diabetes and identify the different risk factors related to HRQOL for specific racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Methods National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2010 participants (ages 20 years and older) who were self-identified as non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, or Hispanic and with self-reported diabetes were included in the analysis (n = 2594). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HRQOL-4 was used to assess factors associated with HRQOL through multivariate logistic regression models with survey weighting. Stepwise model selection was applied to select the most significant factors for HRQOL in each racial/ethnic group. Results Hispanic participants were less likely to report 14 or more mentally unhealthy days and activity-limited days compared to non-Hispanic white counterparts, adjusting for age, sex, education, marital status, family poverty–income ratio (PIR), body mass index, smoking status, insurance coverage, and diabetes duration. Current smoking status and obesity were significantly associated with worse HRQOL among whites and blacks. Marital status predicted better HRQOL only among Hispanics. Having insurance coverage predicted better HRQOL among both blacks and Hispanics. Increased family PIR had a favorable association with the 4 HRQOL domains consistently among all races/ethnicities. Conclusion Minimal racial/ethnic disparities in HRQOL were observed among US adults with self-reported diabetes. Support is offered for more individualized health care and communication with patients to target care and interventions that improve health and quality-of-life indicators.