Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of ‘extra distance’ in the South Africa FMCG retail sector

Uncertainty can cause significant disruptions throughout supply chains. This paper focuses specifically on uncertainty within transport operations, an often neglected area within the literature. While the causes of uncertainty are documented, there is a need for research to understand the consequences of uncertainty on the transport operations. This paper introduces the concept of ‘Extra distance’ as a measure of uncertainty using a case study research approach. The measure is then applied to a distribution operation in South Africa to quantify the link between causes and consequences of uncertainty. From the results, it is found that 6% of the transport distance actually run does not add value to the end customer, with both economic and environmental implications.
Q-graph: preserving query locality in multi-query graph processing

Arising user-centric graph applications such as route planning and personalized social network analysis have initiated a shift of paradigms in modern graph processing systems towards multi-query analysis, i.e., processing multiple graph queries in parallel on a shared graph. These applications generate a dynamic number of localized queries around query hotspots such as popular urban areas. However, existing graph processing systems are not yet tailored towards these properties: The employed methods for graph partitioning and synchronization management disregard query locality and dynamism which leads to high query latency. To this end, we propose the system Q-Graph for multi-query graph analysis that considers query locality on three levels. (i) The query-aware graph partitioning algorithm Q-cut maximizes query locality to reduce communication overhead. (ii) The method for synchronization management, called hybrid barrier synchronization, allows for full exploitation of local queries spanning only a subset of partitions. (iii) Both methods adapt at runtime to changing query workloads in order to maintain and exploit locality. Our experiments show that Q-cut reduces average query latency by up to 57 percent compared to static query-agnostic partitioning algorithms.
Genotoxicity testing of quizalofop-P-ethyl herbicide using the Allium cepa anaphase-telophase chromosome aberration assay

Abstract Cytogenetic effects of phenoxy herbicide viz. quizalofop-P-ethyl (QPE, ethyl (R)-2-[4-[(6-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy] propionate) were evaluated in the root meristem cells of Allium cepa. In the Allium root growth test, the effective concentration (EC50) value was determined as approximately 1.5 ppm. Cytological experiments were carried out using QPE concentrations of 0.75 (EC50/2), 1.5 (EC50) and 3 ppm (EC50x2) at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, with a control for each combination. Mitotic index decreased with increasing the herbicide concentration at each exposure time. In anaphase-telophase cells, the total percentages of stickiness, bridges, vagrant chromosomes, c-anaphase, multipolarity, and fragments according to total cells with chromosome aberrations were calculated as 38.57, 28.42, 16.67, 14.10, 1.60, and 0.64%, respectively. The total chromosome aberrations increased with an increasing the QPE concentration. Micronucleated cells were observed at interphase. The frequency of the micronucleus was markedly higher at 3 ppm compared to other test concentrations.
Deep Segment Hash Learning for Music Generation

Music generation research has grown in popularity over the past decade, thanks to the deep learning revolution that has redefined the landscape of artificial intelligence. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to music generation inspired by musical segment concatenation methods and hash learning algorithms. Given a segment of music, we use a deep recurrent neural network and ranking-based hash learning to assign a forward hash code to the segment to retrieve candidate segments for continuation with matching backward hash codes. The proposed method is thus called Deep Segment Hash Learning (DSHL). To the best of our knowledge, DSHL is the first end-to-end segment hash learning method for music generation, and the first to use pair-wise training with segments of music. We demonstrate that this method is capable of generating music which is both original and enjoyable, and that DSHL offers a promising new direction for music generation research.
Effects of preservation method on canine (Canis lupus familiaris) fecal microbiota

Studies involving gut microbiome analysis play an increasing role in the evaluation of health and disease in humans and animals alike. Fecal sampling methods for DNA preservation in laboratory, clinical, and field settings can greatly influence inferences of microbial composition and diversity, but are often inconsistent and under-investigated between studies. Many laboratories have utilized either temperature control or preservation buffers for optimization of DNA preservation, but few studies have evaluated the effects of combining both methods to preserve fecal microbiota. To determine the optimal method for fecal DNA preservation, we collected fecal samples from one canine donor and stored aliquots in RNAlater, 70% ethanol, 50:50 glycerol:PBS, or without buffer at 25 °C, 4 °C, and −80 °C. Fecal DNA was extracted, quantified, and 16S rRNA gene analysis performed on Days 0, 7, 14, and 56 to evaluate changes in DNA concentration, purity, and bacterial diversity and composition over time. We detected overall effects on bacterial community of storage buffer (F-value = 6.87, DF = 3, P < 0.001), storage temperature (F-value=1.77, DF = 3, P = 0.037), and duration of sample storage (F-value = 3.68, DF = 3, P < 0.001). Changes in bacterial composition were observed in samples stored in −80 °C without buffer, a commonly used method for fecal DNA storage, suggesting that simply freezing samples may be suboptimal for bacterial analysis. Fecal preservation with 70% ethanol and RNAlater closely resembled that of fresh samples, though RNAlater yielded significantly lower DNA concentrations (DF = 8.57, P < 0.001). Although bacterial composition varied with temperature and buffer storage, 70% ethanol was the best method for preserving bacterial DNA in canine feces, yielding the highest DNA concentration and minimal changes in bacterial diversity and composition. The differences observed between samples highlight the need to consider optimized post-collection methods in microbiome research.
Delayed bipedicled nasolabial flap in facial reconstruction

Background The nasolabial flap is ideal for reconstruction of the nasal alar subunit due to its proximity, color and contour match, and well-placed donor scar. When raised as a random-pattern flap, there is a risk of vascular compromise to the tip with increased flap length and aggressive flap thinning. Surgical delay can greatly improve the chances of tip survival, allowing the harvest of longer flaps with greater reach. Methods We describe our technique of lengthening the nasolabial flap through multiple delay procedures. A bipedicled flap was first raised and then transferred as a unipedicled flap with a 6:1 length-to-width ratio. During the delay process, the flap tip was thinned to the subdermal layer. Results In our case series of seven patients, defects as far as the medial canthal area and contralateral ala were reconstructed successfully with no incidence of tip necrosis or flap loss. The resultant flaps were thin enough to be folded over for the reconstruction of alar rim defects. Conclusions We highlight the success of our surgical technique in creating thin and robust nasolabial flaps for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects around the nose.
Recommending Co-authorship via Network Embeddings and Feature Engineering: The case of National Research University Higher School of Economics

Co-authorship networks contain hidden structural patterns of research collaboration. While some people may argue that the process of writing joint papers depends on mutual friendship, research interests, and university policy, we show that, given a temporal co-authorship network, one could predict the quality and quantity of future research publications. We are working on the comparison of existing graph embedding and feature engineering methods, presenting combined approach for constructing co-author recommender system formulated as link prediction problem. We also present a new link embedding operator improving the quality of link prediction base don embedding feature space. We evaluate our research on a single university publication dataset, providing meaningful interpretation of the obtained results.
AN ITALIAN SURVEY OF COMPLIANCE WITH MAJOR GUIDELINES FOR L-THYROXINE OF PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM.

OBJECTIVE The adherence by endocrinologists to guideline regarding levothyroxine (LT4) therapy and the compliance of patients may impact the management of hypothyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare the adherence of Italian endocrinologists to the ATA/AACE and ETA guidelines on the management of newly diagnosed primary hypothyroidism and to validate the Italian version of the Morisky-Green Medical Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) questionnaire as applied to the evaluation of the adherence of patients with hypothyroidism to LT4 treatment. METHODS This was an observational, longitudinal, multicenter, cohort study, involving 12 Italian Units of Endocrinology. RESULTS The study enrolled 1,039 consecutive outpatients (mean age 48 years; 855 women, 184 men). The concordance of Italian endocrinologists with American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American Thyroid Association (AACE/ATA) and European Thyroid Association (ETA) recommendations was comparable (77.1% and 71.7%) and increased (86.7 and 88.6%) after the recommendations on LT4 dose were excluded, considering only the remaining recommendations on diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up. The MMAS-8 was filled out by 293 patients. The mean score was 6.71 with 23.9% low (score <6), 38.6% medium (6 to <8), 37.5% highly (= 8) adherers; the internal validation coefficient was 0.613. Highly adherent patients were not more likely to have good control of hypothyroidism compared with either medium (69% versus 72%, P = .878) or low (69% versus 43%, P = .861) adherers. CONCLUSION Clinical management of hypothyroidism in Italy demonstrated an observance of international guidelines by Italian endocrinologists. Validation of the Italian version of the MMAS-8 questionnaire provides clinicians with a reliable and simple tool for assessing the adherence of patients to LT4 treatment. ABBREVIATIONS AACE = American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; ATA = American Thyroid Association; EDIPO = Endotrial SIE: DIagnosis and clinical management of Primitive hypothyrOidism in Italy; eCRF = electronic case report form; ETA = European Thyroid Association; fT3 = free triiodothyronine; fT4 = free thyroxine; LT4 = levothyroxine; MMAS-8 = Morisky-Green Medical Adherence Scale-8; PH = primary hypothyroidism; T3 = triiodothyronine; T4 = thyroxine; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone; US = ultrasonography.
Phlebitis and infiltration: vascular trauma associated with the peripheral venous catheter

ABSTRACT Objective: to determine the incidence rate and risk factors for the nursing-sensitive indicators phlebitis and infiltration in patients with peripheral venous catheters (PVCs). Method: cohort study with 110 patients. Scales were used to assess and document phlebitis and infiltration. Socio-demographic variables, clinical variables related to the PVC, medication and hospitalization variables were collected. Descriptive and inferential analysis and multivariate logistic models were used. Results: the incidence rate of phlebitis and infiltration was respectively 43.2 and 59.7 per 1000 catheter-days. Most PVCs with these vascular traumas were removed in the first 24 hours. Risk factors for phlebitis were: length of hospital stay (p=0.042) and number of catheters inserted (p<0.001); risk factors for infiltration were: piperacillin/tazobactan (p=0.024) and the number of catheters inserted (p<0.001). Conclusion: the investigation documented the incidence of nursing-sensitive indicators (phlebitis and infiltration) and revealed new risk factors related to infiltration. It also allowed a reflection on the nursing care necessary to prevent these vascular traumas and on the indications and contraindications of the PVC, supporting the implementation of the PICC as an alternative to PVC.
Bone-free 3D Computed Tomography Angiography Using an Image-processing Application - Imaging Efficacy for Aneurysms Near the Skull Base and Clipped Cerebral Aneurysms

Bone-free 3D computed tomography angiography (CTA) can be carried out to image cerebral aneurysms near the skull base when the elimination of bones is surgically required. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) images were initially obtained using the application. Further post-processing was performed to obtain the MIP and volume-rendering (VR) images. This technique did not increase radiation exposure to patients, and remnant bones in the initial MIP images automatically acquired by the application for bone elimination could be easily removed through post-processing. Although parts of vessels were sometimes removed from the image along with the bones, these could be quickly and easily recovered through post-processing. Thus, bone-free 3D CTA and conventional 3D CTA are complementary tools for imaging cerebral aneurysms near the skull base prior to surgery. This application could also eliminate clips in cases of clipped cerebral aneurysms, and it could improve the accuracy of detecting remnant necks after clipping surgery.
A Model for Construction of Height and Sex from Shoulder Width, Arm Length and Foot Length by Regression Method

Volume 3 | Issue 1 Abstract Anthropometry is a systematic study of measurements on man and it involves scientific techniques for taking various measurements and somatic observations on the living man. As crime rate is increasing day by day, issue for human identification is of prime note. A forensic anthropologist would attempt to answer the following key questions relating to origin, age, sex, height and race after examining the remains. For instance height and sex determination is of utmost importance for human identification. No organized studies are yet available for sex and height estimation of people of Gujarat. The present study examines relationship between height and sex with shoulder width, arm length and foot length among two communities, Muslim and Hindu of Gujarat, India. A comparative study on measurements of shoulder width, arm length and foot length were taken among 160 adults (20-50 years) of which 80 were Muslim and 80 were Hindu of Gujarat. Linear and Multiple regression equations were calculated for determining height and it was observed that Hindu showed significantly higher correlation coefficient value (r) than Muslim of Gujarat. All the variables showed positive significance with male and gave higher mean values than female samples. Linear regression showed more reliable results compared to multiple regression analysis. Logistic regression models were prepared and were known that sex estimation from shoulder width in Hindu and from arm length in Muslim gives more reliable results compared to other measurements.
On the intrinsic complexity of logical transformation problems

The design of combinatorial and sequential circuits relies on multiple logical transformations that can show different levels of complexity. This paper investigates the intrinsic complexity of eight logical transformation problems: (1)-from human-language statement into formal function, (2)-from formal function into truth table, (3)-from truth table into formal function, (4)-from formal function into k-map, (5)-from truth table into k-map, (6)-from k-map into minimized formal function, (7)-from formal function into minimized formal function using Boolean algebra, and (8)-from formal function into digital circuit. 27 potential complexity variables were first identified and specified and a total of 303 test items/problems were generated and solved by up to 43 students each with time recording. The level of intrinsic complexity was defined based on average solving time and error ratio. Regression models were generated to establish a predictive relationship between the intrinsic complexity level and the complexity variables for each transformation problem. Apart from Transformation 7, the regression models showed adjusted R-square values between 81% and 94%. These models can be used to predict the solving time of new problems towards more reliable test design.
Upregulation of dNTP Levels After Telomerase Inactivation Influences Telomerase-Independent Telomere Maintenance Pathway Choice in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In 10–15% of cancers, telomere length is maintained by a telomerase-independent, recombination-mediated pathway called alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT mechanisms were first seen, and have been best studied, in telomerase-null Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells called “survivors”. There are two main types of survivors. Type I survivors amplify Y′ subtelomeric elements while type II survivors, similar to the majority of human ALT cells, amplify the terminal telomeric repeats. Both types of survivors require Rad52, a key homologous recombination protein, and Pol32, a non-essential subunit of DNA polymerase δ. A number of additional proteins have been reported to be important for either type I or type II survivor formation, but it is still unclear how these two pathways maintain telomeres. In this study, we performed a genome-wide screen to identify novel genes that are important for the formation of type II ALT-like survivors. We identified 23 genes that disrupt type II survivor formation when deleted. 17 of these genes had not been previously reported to do so. Several of these genes (DUN1, CCR4, and MOT2) are known to be involved in the regulation of dNTP levels. We find that dNTP levels are elevated early after telomerase inactivation and that this increase favors the formation of type II survivors.
ADAPT at SemEval-2018 Task 9: Skip-Gram Word Embeddings for Unsupervised Hypernym Discovery in Specialised Corpora

This paper describes a simple but competitive unsupervised system for hypernym discovery. The system uses skip-gram word embeddings with negative sampling, trained on specialised corpora. Candidate hypernyms for an input word are predicted based based on cosine similarity scores. Two sets of word embedding models were trained separately on two specialised corpora: a medical corpus and a music industry corpus. Our system scored highest in the medical domain among the competing unsupervised systems but performed poorly on the music industry domain. Our system does not depend on any external data other than raw specialised corpora.
Focus Groups in Ethnography of Communication: Expanding Topics of Inquiry Beyond Participant Observation

Historically, ethnography of communication has viewed participant observation as the central and necessary methodological point of departure for any ethnographic endeavor. However, as this article illustrates, this becomes problematic when particular topics of inquiry do not provide ample opportunities for observation. After struggles to participant observe conversations on women's marital naming practices, I was able to research this topic and produce participant observation-like understandings after I incorporated focus groups into my methods. Based upon these experiences and study, this article urges ethnography of communication scholars to step outside their traditional methodological practices, when necessary, and integrate the focus group method into their research protocols. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. Acknowledgements The author would also like to thank Todd Trautman, Lee Nickoson, and Mary Sheridan-Rabideau for helpful feedback. An earlier version of this paper was presented in November, 1999 at the National Speech Communication Association's 85th Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois. This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova. edu/tqr/vol5/iss1/1 Focus Groups in Ethnography of Communication: Expanding Topics of Inquiry Beyond Participant
Effects of humidity on skin friction against medical textiles as related to prevention of pressure injuries

Sustained pressure, shear forces, and friction, as well as elevated humidity/moisture, are decisive physical factors in the development of pressure injuries (PIs). To date, further research is needed in order to understand the influence of humidity and moisture on the coefficient of friction (COF) of skin against different types of medical textiles. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of moisture caused by sweat, urine, or saline on the resulting COF of skin against different textiles used in the medical setting in the context of PI prevention. For that purpose, we performed physical measurements of static COFs of porcine skin followed by finite element (FE) computational modelling in order to illustrate the effect of increased COF at the skin on the resulting strains and stresses deep within the soft tissues of the buttocks. The COF of dry skin obtained for the 3 textiles varied between 0.59 (adult diaper) and 0.91 (polyurethane dressing). In addition, the COF increased with the added moisture in all of the tested cases. The results of the FE simulations further showed that increased COF results in elevated strain energy density and shear strain values in the skin and deeper tissues and, hence, in an increased risk for PI development. We conclude that moisture may accelerate PI formation by increasing the COF between the skin and the medical textile, regardless of the type of the liquid that is present. Hence, reduction of the wetness/moisture between the skin and fabrics in patients at a high risk of developing PIs is a key measure in PI prevention.
Effectiveness of Platinum-Based Treatment for Triple Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: a Meta-Analysis

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a sub-group of breast cancers with a particularly poor prognosis. The results of studies investigating the role of platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) in metastatic TNBC (mTNBC) have been conflicting. In this meta-analysis, our aim was to assess the effectiveness of PBCs for mTNBCs. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Databases, and EBSCOhost databases were accessed. The English language was used as the search language and only human studies were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale and the Jadad scoring system were used to evaluate the quality of the included randomized controlled studies. Results: Seven studies and 1,571 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival (OS), evaluated on the basis of six studies, showed the use of PBC regimes to be related to OS in mTNBCs (HR 0.620; 95% CI 0.513-0.749; p:<0.001). Four studies containing HR and abstract statistics used for HR calculation were included in the meta-analysis for progression-free survival (PFS). The pooled HR again indicated a significant relation (HR, 0.628; 95% CI, 0.501-0.786; p:<0.001). Conclusions: In this meta-analysis, we confirmed that PBC regimes provide OS and PFS advantages compared to non-PBC regimes. The use of PBC regimes could be a good choice in mTNBC patients for better quality of life and survival.