Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Good Gig, Bad Gig: Autonomy and Algorithmic Control in the Global Gig Economy

This article evaluates the job quality of work in the remote gig economy. Such work consists of the remote provision of a wide variety of digital services mediated by online labour platforms. Focusing on workers in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, the article draws on semi-structured interviews in six countries (N = 107) and a cross-regional survey (N = 679) to detail the manner in which remote gig work is shaped by platform-based algorithmic control. Despite varying country contexts and types of work, we show that algorithmic control is central to the operation of online labour platforms. Algorithmic management techniques tend to offer workers high levels of flexibility, autonomy, task variety and complexity. However, these mechanisms of control can also result in low pay, social isolation, working unsocial and irregular hours, overwork, sleep deprivation and exhaustion.
Metagoverning Aquaculture Standards: A Comparison of the GSSI, the ASEAN GAP, and the ISEAL

The presence of multiple eco-certification standards for sustainable aquaculture is thought to create confusion and add cost for producers and consumers alike. To ensure their quality and consistency, a range of so-called metagovernance arrangements have emerged that seek to provide harmonized quality assurance over these standards. This article aims to answer the question of how these metagovernance arrangements differ and whether they actually reduce confusion, with a focus on aquaculture in Southeast Asia. We compare three metagovernance arrangements, the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative, the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Good Aquaculture Practices, with respect to differences in their goals, their levels of inclusiveness, and their internal governance arrangement. The findings indicate that these metagovernance arrangements differ with respect to their goals and approaches and do not seem to directly reduce confusion. More critically, they represent a new arena for competition among market, state, and civil society actors in controlling the means of regulation when aiming for more sustainable aquaculture production.
Clinical phenotypes of COPD and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study

Introduction The Spanish COPD guideline (GesEPOC) classifies COPD into four clinical phenotypes based on the exacerbation frequency and dominant clinical manifestations. In this study, we compared the disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with different clinical phenotypes. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of patients with COPD attending the respiratory medicine clinic of University of Malaya Medical Centre from 1 June 2017 to 31 May 2018. Disease-specific HRQoL was assessed by using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD (SGRQ-c). Results Of 189 patients, 28.6% were of non-exacerbator phenotype (NON-AE), 18.5% were of exacerbator with emphysema phenotype (AE NON-CB), 39.7% were of exacerbator with chronic bronchitis phenotype (AE CB), and 13.2% had asthma-COPD overlap syndrome phenotype (ACOS). The total CAT and SGRQ-c scores were significantly different between the clinical phenotypes (P<0.001). Patients who were AE CB had significantly higher total CAT score than those with ACOS (P=0.033), AE NON-CB (P=0.001), and NON-AE (P<0.001). Concerning SGRQ-c, patients who were AE CB also had a significantly higher total score than those with AE NON-CB (P=0.001) and NON-AE (P<0.001). However, the total SGRQ-c score of AE CB patients was only marginally higher than those who had ACOS (P=0.187). There was a significant difference in the score of each CAT item (except CAT 7) and SGRQ-c components between clinical phenotypes, with AE CB patients recording the highest score in each of them. Conclusion Patients who were AE CB had significantly poorer HRQoL than other clinical phenotypes and recorded the worst score in each of the CAT items and SGRQ-c components. Therefore, AE CB patients may warrant a different treatment approach that focuses on the exacerbation and chronic bronchitis components.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with radical surgery vs radical surgery alone for cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim This systematic review was designed to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with radical surgery vs radical surgery alone for cervical cancer. Methods A computerized search was done for trials from PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The trials included neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery vs radical surgery alone. We measured overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), local and distant recurrence, lymph node metastasis, and parametrial infiltration per patient. Results In all, 13 studies involving 2,158 subjects were included. In regard to OS, DFS, PFS, local and distant recurrence, and parametrial infiltration, neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical surgery was similar to radical surgery alone. Among them, subgroup analysis of eight studies involving 1,544 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (FIGO stage IB2–IIB) showed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus radical surgery significantly improved OS, and decreased local and distant recurrence rates, lymph node metastasis rate, and the level of parametrial infiltration compared to radical surgery alone. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that preoperative NACT is now an accepted effective procedure in selected patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (FIGO stage IB2–IIB). However, the relationship between NACT and longer DFS and PFS cannot be demonstrated by this meta-analysis. Thus, the decision to use or not to use NACT before radical surgery depends on the surgeon’s experience and clinical judgment. Nevertheless, further research in this field is urgently needed to confirm it.
Blood pressure control in treated hypertensive Middle Eastern patients: a post hoc analysis based on JNC8 definitions

Background Long-term blood pressure (BP) control is challenging due to the asymptomatic nature of hypertension and poor treatment adherence among patients. We conducted a post hoc analysis to assess “target BP” attainment and maintenance and to identify their associated factors in a sample of hypertensive Middle Eastern patients. Methods We previously conducted an observational study between May 2011 and September 2012 to assess antihypertensive treatment adherence and its determinants in a sample of 1,470 hypertensive patients in Lebanon and Jordan. The study consisted of 3 visits: at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, where BP control, health-related quality of life, and treatment adherence were assessed. This post hoc analysis of data from the ADHERENCE study examined BP control in terms of target attainment at 3 months and 6 months, and target maintenance at 6 months in treatment-eligible patients as well as the determinants of BP control including the impact of the new JNC8 (Eighth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) guideline on treatment eligibility and target BP attainment in these patients. Results Based on JNC8 definitions, our results revealed that 81.2% of patients achieved BP control at 6 months. At 3 months, 62.2% achieved BP control; of those, only 57.5% maintained BP control till 6 months. Factors associated with higher BP target attainment at 3 months were higher educational level, new hypertension diagnosis, older age, and lower waist circumference, systolic BP, and diastolic BP at baseline. Factors associated with higher BP target attainment at 6 months were Lebanese nationality, new hypertension diagnosis, absence of chronic kidney disease, lower systolic BP at baseline, reaching BP target at 3 months, and having a BP target of <150/90 mmHg. Conclusion Older age, higher education levels, recent hypertension diagnosis, early achievement of target BP, and having milder disease at baseline were associated with better BP control. Moreover, JNC8 guideline reduced the number of treatment-eligible patients and increased BP target attainment.
Periodontal services rendered by general dental practitioners in Saudi Arabia

Purpose The study aimed to determine the types of periodontal services rendered by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional survey was performed on a convenience sample of 340 licensed GDPs practicing within Saudi Arabia. GDPs were asked several questions regarding the types of periodontal services offered, the level of training and education received in periodontics and the periodontal referral processes. Results Two hundred and ninety GDPs responded to the survey. The most commonly rendered periodontal services by the GDPs were oral hygiene instructions (84.1%; 244/290), mouthwash prescribing (82.7%; 240/290) and scaling and root planing (72.4%; 210/290). Only 21% (59/282) of the GDPs surveyed reported providing periodontal surgical services. The most frequently rendered surgical procedures included gingivectomy, functional crown lengthening and single posterior implant. Also, 76% (220/290) of the GDPs had no continuing education (CE) credit relating to periodontics. The level of training received in the dental school seemed to be an important factor that influenced a GDP’s decision to provide periodontal services. Also, 64% (184/286) of the GDPs were not routinely performing periodontal screening exams. The most common reason for not referring patients to a periodontist was practice setting’s policy. Conclusion Periodontal services commonly rendered by the GDPs of this survey were mostly nonsurgical in nature. The results indicate a need for formal advanced training in periodontics. GDPs should be encouraged to take periodontic CE courses.
c.259A>C in the fibrinogen gene of alpha chain (FGA) is a fibrinogen with thrombotic phenotype

Introduction Dysfibrinogenemia is a rare inherited disease that results from mutation in one of the three fibrinogen genes. Diagnosis can be misleading since it may present as a bleeding tendency or thrombosis and a specific coagulation test for diagnosis is not routinely available Aim To search for a new candidate gene of thrombophilia in a family with three generations of arterial and venous thrombosis. Methods Whole exome sequencing followed by Sanger validation and segregation analysis was carried out. In addition, structural modeling was performed. Screening for thrombophilia along with blood counts, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin, thrombin, reptilase time, and fibrinogen was done in each patient. Results and discussion A missense c.259A>C, p.K87Q (g.chr4: 155510050A-C) (rs764281241) in FGA gene was found in all three siblings without any other known thrombophilia marker to explain thrombosis in all three siblings. It is expected to be damaging by six out of seven prediction programs and is very rare in the entire population with Exac=0.000008. Conclusion The occurrence of the c.259A>C mutation in FGA may well explain the thrombosis phenotype of the affected family and is suggested as a new marker for thrombophilia phenotype.
ROS generation and autophagosome accumulation contribute to the DMAMCL-induced inhibition of glioma cell proliferation by regulating the ROS/MAPK signaling pathway and suppressing the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Purpose Chemotherapy after surgery can prolong the survival of patients with gliomas. Dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL), a novel chemotherapeutic agent, exhibited antitumor properties in acute myeloid leukemia stem cells and showed an increased drug concentration in the brain. This study aims to investigate the specific anticancer activities and mechanisms of DMAMCL in glioma cells. Materials and methods In this study, the effects of DMAMCL were evaluated and characterized in U87-MG and U251 glioma cells. Cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Autophagosome formation was observed with transmission electron microscopy, and the autophagy flux was measured by transfecting cells with mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenoviral vectors. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to determine the expression of proteins. Results In the present study, treatment with DMAMCL decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in U87-MG and U251 glioma cells. Additionally, DMAMCL activated autophagy-mediated cell death as evidenced by the formation of autophagosomes, accumulation of LC3B-II, inhibition of autophagy flux, and increase in cell viability after cotreatment with an autophagy inhibitor. Subsequent experiments showed that the DMAMCL-induced apoptosis and autophagy were possibly mediated by ROS generation and Akt/mTOR signaling pathway inhibition. On the other hand, the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine and the Akt activator insulin-like growth factor-1 attenuated the DMAMCL-induced autophagy and cell death. Conclusion Our findings revealed that DMAMCL induced apoptosis and autophagic cell death by regulating the ROS/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway and suppressing the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in human glioma cells. DMAMCL may be a novel effective anticancer agent, which can target gliomas.
Reconstruction of Complex Maxillary Defects Using Patient-specific 3D-printed Biodegradable Scaffolds

Summary: Reconstruction of maxilla defects has remained one of the most challenging problems in craniomaxillofacial reconstruction because it typically requires harvesting and grafting of autologous bone, which poses limitations related to the difficulties in accurately reconstructing the defected bone and the highly prolonged duration of surgery. We employed tissue-engineered, patient-specific, 3-dimensional (3D)-printed biodegradable scaffolds for maxillofacial bone reconstruction in patients with complex maxillary defects after surgical removal of cancer. A customized polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold was designed and fabricated for each patient. For this purpose, we used computer-aided design and manufacturing combined with 3D printing technology. The patients implanted with the PCL scaffolds were followed up for up to 2 years with careful evaluation of morphological changes in the face. We confirmed that the patient-specific 3D-printed PCL scaffold effectively filled the maxillary defect and promoted regeneration of the deficient tissue while remaining stable in the body for a relatively long period. Employing customized tissue-engineered scaffolds built using the patient’s computed tomography data and an extrusion-based 3D printing system is safe and clinically feasible, helping create and maintain improved morphological features of the face, which represents the most important aspect from the perspective of the patients.
Current Trends in Surgical Airway Management of Neonates with Robin Sequence

Background: Robin sequence is defined by the clinical triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction, and is frequently associated with cleft palate and failure to thrive. Though the efficacy of certain surgical interventions to relieve airway obstruction has been well established, algorithms dictating decision making and perioperative protocols are poorly defined. Methods: A 22-question survey was sent via e-mail to members of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and International Society of Craniofacial Surgeons. Questions were related to surgeon experience in treating neonates with Robin sequence, and specific perioperative protocols. Results: One hundred fifty-one responses were collected. Most respondents were surgeons practicing in North America(82.8%), in a university hospital setting (81.5%) and had completed a fellowship in pediatric plastic surgery or craniofacial surgery (76.2%). Preoperative protocols varied widely by years in training and location of practice. Although 78.8% of respondents always performed direct laryngoscopy, only 49.7% of respondents routinely obtained preoperative polysomnography. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis was the most common primary surgical airway intervention reported by 74.2%, with only 12.6% primarily utilizing tongue-lip adhesion. Slightly less than half of respondents ever performed tongue-lip adhesion. Operative selection was influenced by surgeon experience, with 80% of those in practice 0–5 years primarily utilizing mandibular distraction, compared with 56% of respondents in practice >15 years. Conclusions: This study documents wide variations in preoperative, operative, and postoperative protocols for the surgical airway management of neonates with severe Robin sequence. These results underscore the need to acquire more objective data, to compare different protocols and outcome measures.
Long-term renal function following zero ischemia partial nephrectomy

Partial nephrectomy (PN), also known as nephron sparing surgery, is considered as the first-line treatment in small renal masses, especially in T1/2 tumors, and is applied as a standard treatment in advanced centers. The main expected outcomes from an ideal PN are surgical margin negativity, minimal impairment in renal function, and any surgical complications. Many authors have defined PN techniques as “zero ischemia partial nephrectomy”, where surgery is performed without clamping the main renal artery in order to protect the renal parenchyma from ischemic injury. Various PN techniques employed by surgeons include: selective or segmental renal artery clamping technique; off-clamp, clampless, or unclamped technique; preoperative superselective transarterial tumor embolization technique; sequential/modified sequential preplaced suture renorrhaphy technique, radio frequency ablation-assisted technique, and combination of these techniques. The common goal of all these techniques is to provide zero ischemia without hilar clamping. This systematic review focuses on the long-term functional outcomes of PNs performed by zero ischemia techniques.
Productivity, nutrient uptake and quality of sweet corn and potato in relation to integrated nutrient management practice

Field experiment entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management in sweet corn-potato cropping sequence" was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2014 to 2015 at Instructional Research Farm, Central Campus, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. Results revealed that the highest N, P and K content in grain and stover, total N, P and K uptake, protein content in grain of sweet corn were recorded in the treatment receiving T7 – 125% RDN + 25% N through VC, which were statistically at par with T6 – 125% RDN + 25% N through FYM. However, T2 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM proved to be the poorest source in terms of total uptake of NPK nutrients and quality parameters. The highest N, P and K content and total nutrient uptake in potato tuber and haulms and quality parameters of tubers were recorded in the plots with residual fertility of T1 – 100% GRDF, which was at par T6 – 125% RDN + 25% N through FYM. Application of FYM to preceding sweet corn led to significantly higher nutrient content and total N, P and K uptake in tuber and haulms of tubers during both the years.
Drug-release system of microchannel transport used in minimally invasive surgery for hemostasis

Background Sucrose allyl ether (SAE) containing hemostatic drugs and a photoinitiator was established to treat mild postpartum hemorrhage or long-term continuous abnormal uterine bleeding in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) using a photopolymerization method. Methods and results Real-time infrared spectroscopy and rheological experiments showed that the SAE monomer with shear-thinning characteristics could polymerize rapidly into a transparent membrane. Cytotoxicity experiments in vitro showed that this system could elicit a long-term hemostatic effect. Tissue adhesion was also evaluated. The photo-stability of four delivered antifibrinolytic drugs (6-aminocaproic acid, ethylenediaminediacetic acid, tranexamic acid and p-(aminomethyl) benzoic acid) was tested by ultraviolet-photolysis experiments and illustrated by time-dependent density functional theory. Sustained-release experiments revealed that the formed film could be used as a drug carrier. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics were done to investigate the binding mechanism between hemostatic drugs as ligands and the human plasminogen kringle-1 (1HPK) as a target. Conclusion It has been suggested that SAE with tranexamic acid could be a drug-release system of microchannel transport used in MIS. This system could tackle the dilemma of fluidity and adhesion in MIS. The photo-stable tranexamic acid was the most suitable drug according to its satisfactory binding energy, good photo-stability, and sustained release.
An OMPGW Method for Feature Extraction in Automatic Music Mood Classification Using PSO-SVM

In music related applications, Music mood are very useful. Music signal’s inherent emotional expression are represented music mood. Analysis of Music signal based on emotions are proposed in this paper. Wigner distribution function, Gabor functions and orthogonal matching pursuit forms base of this method. This method is termed as OMPGW and it has three schemes. They are high, middle and low level scheme. Music signal’s adaptive time-frequency decomposition is provided by combining Gabor function with orthogonal matching pursuit in middle low-level schemes. High temporal and spatial resolutions are given by proposed algorithm when compared to other algorithms. It also provides better representation of structure of music signal. From low-level schemes, results time-frequency energy distribution is obtained by applying Wigner distribution function in middle level schemes. Music mood classification procedure and audio feature modelling are described by high level schemes. Features are modelled using support vector machines with Particle Swarm Optimization classifier. Based on emotion model, features are extracted by proposed method. Particle swarm optimization is proposed to search optimum parameters. It enhances the support vector machine’s ability in generalization and learning. Four datasets are used for conducting experimentation and proposed method produced a better results. Various mood clusters are formed by classifying music clips in music mood classification with mean accuracy of 69.53%.
DOUBLE-ELLIPTICAL SHAPED MINIATURIZED MICRO STRIP PATCH ANTENNA FOR ULTRA-WIDE BAND APPLICATIONS

Greater design flexibility and newer miniaturization techniques are highly sought after by the commercial antenna industry and researchers. Micro-Strip Patch Antenna (MSPA) is finding huge applications in various fields of communication. In the present paper, the novel idea of DoubleElliptical Micro-strip Patch Antenna (DEMPA) is proposed for antenna miniaturization and higher design flexibility. Double-Elliptical Patch (DEP) is made as the combination of two half-elliptical patches having the same minor axis and different semi-major axes or the same major axis and different semi-minor axes. A DEP with different lengths of horizontally arranged semi-major axes and centrally given feed was considered here. The length of semi-major axis for right half-elliptical patch was varied while keeping the length of semi-major axis for left half-elliptical patch fixed. Design of DEMPA was carried out using Ansoft HFSS software, and the antenna has been fabricated and tested. The measured results were in good agreement with the simulated ones. The percentage reduction in effective patch area was found to be 8.33 for DEMPA compared to the corresponding elliptical patch antenna. The DEMPA covered the entire frequency range of Ultra Wide Band (UWB). With this novel shape, greater design flexibility along with miniaturization is achieved. The axial ratio analysis showed that the resulted antenna was of linear polarization.