Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Markers of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Severe Obesity and One Year after Bariatric Surgery

Background: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS), mitral valve sclerosis (MVS), remodeling of major arteries, and increased pericardial fat are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. We assessed these markers of atherosclerosis in severely obese patients before and 1 year after bariatric surgery. Methods: Eighty-seven severely obese patients (43 ± 10 years, preoperative body mass index [BMI] 41.8 ± 5 kg/m2) underwent echocardiography before and 1 year after Roux-en-Y bypass surgery in the FatWest (Bariatric Surgery on the West Coast of Norway) study. We measured the end-diastolic aortic wall thickness (AWT), pericardial fat thickness at the right ventricular free wall, and AVS/MVS based on combined aortic leaflet thickness and hyperechoic valve lesions. Results: Postoperatively, patients experienced a reduction of 12.9 ± 3.9 kg/m2 in BMI, 0.5 ± 1.9 mm in AWT, 2.6 ± 2.3 mm in pericardial fat, and 45%/53% in AVS/MVS (p < 0.05). In multivariate regression analyses with adjustment for clinical and hemodynamic variables, less pericardial fat reduction was associated with male sex and higher 1-year blood pressure and BMI, and less AWT-reduction with higher age and 1-year BMI (p < 0.05). Persistent AVS and MVS were related to higher 1-year BMI and more advanced valve sclerosis preoperatively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Markers of subclinical atherosclerosis decreases significantly 1 year after bariatric surgery, particularly in younger patients that achieve a BMI < 28 kg/m2.
Irritable bowel syndrome in Egyptian medical students, prevalence and associated factors: a cross-sectional study

Introduction irritable bowel syndrome is a recurrent chronic gastrointestinal functional disorder. Despite it is not dangerous; it carries a significant feedback on self-confidence and quality of life. Medical students are expected to develop irritable bowel syndrome because they are subjected to stress due to over academic pressure. The objectives were to investigate irritable bowel syndrome prevalence, and to detect the related risk factors in this specific group of Egyptian people. Methods this cross-sectional study performed in two faculties of medicine in Nile Delta, Egypt. It had been built on self-administered questionnaires including Rome III criteria for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, as well as several questions for gathering socio-demographic information and manifestations suggesting irritable bowel syndrome. Results fifty (27.5%) of 182 evaluated medical students achieved criteria of irritable bowel syndrome, 64% of them were mixed type. Irritable bowel syndrome had a significant relationship with coffee, milk products, fewer vegetables, and fruits intake (P=0.034, P=0.044, P<0.001 respectively). Depression, anxiety, and food intolerance were detected to be significantly related to irritable bowel syndrome (p<0.001, p=0.005, p=0.04) respectively. Conclusion it was demonstrated that many Egyptian medical students were suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Some dietary habits, anxiety, and depression of the students could be risk factors related to development of irritable bowel syndrome.
Meeting public health objectives and supporting the resumption of tourist activity through COVID-19: a triangular perspective

ABSTRACT Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic (and previous health crises) have included measures to restrict interaction between people and minimize non-essential mobility. Therefore, tourism travel is one of the main areas affected by the restrictions. Even when the majority of the population is vaccinated, some risk of infection will remain, and governments are obliged to consider NPI measures that balance the health risk of outbreaks against the economic and social benefits of resuming tourist activity. This study analyzes the effect of each of four categories of NPIs (Social Distancing; Public Healthcare-System Improvements; Tourist Controls; and Capacity and Opening-Hours Regulation) on three major objectives (the resumption of tourism activity; tourist travel intention; and the minimization of public health risk), taking a triangular perspective (destination managers, domestic tourists, and public healthcare managers, respectively). While it is difficult to fulfil public healthcare objectives while simultaneously responding to the economic interests of tourism-industry stakeholders, the study finds that, under vaccinated-population conditions, tourist controls (e.g. COVID Certificate) alongside improvements to the public healthcare system (e.g. adequate resourcing and an efficient epidemiological monitoring system) could constitute a viable combination of measures.
Information Systems: Management Practices in Action

From the Publisher: Designed as a supplement to the text Information Systems: Management Principles in Action, this collection of real-world vignettes provides students with challenging applications based on the actual problems faced by information systems managers. The vignettes illustrate complex management problems at the corporate, functional, and end-user levels, most of which center around the evaluation of alternative decisions the information systems manager might make and the consequences of those decisions. Topics include information technology as a competitive weapon, strategic information systems planning, the organizational placement of the information systems department, corporate issues and opportunities, specific duties of the information systems department, organizing the information systems department, and much more.
Touchless Interfaces in the Operating Room: A Study in Gesture Preferences

Abstract Touchless interfaces allow surgeons to control medical imaging systems autonomously while maintaining total asepsis in the Operating Room. This is specially relevant as it applies to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 disease. The choice of best gestures/commands for such interfaces is a critical step that determines the overall efficiency of surgeon-computer interaction. In this regard, usability metrics such as task completion time, memorability and error rate have a long-standing as potential entities in determining the best gestures. In addition, previous works concerned with this problem utilized qualitative measures to identify the best gestures. In this work, we hypothesize that there is a correlation between gestures’ qualitative properties and their usability metrics. In this regard, we conducted a user experiment with language experts to quantify gestures’ properties (v). Next, we developed a gesture-based system that facilitates surgeons to control the medical imaging software in a touchless manner. Next, a usability study was conducted with neurosurgeons and the standard usability metrics (u) were measured in a systematic manner. Lastly, multi-variate correlation analysis was used to find the relations between u and v. Statistical analysis showed that the v scores were significantly correlated with the usability metrics with an and p < 0.05. Once the correlation is established, we can utilize either gestures’ qualitative properties or usability metrics to identify the best set of gestures.
Toward a science of experience: Outlining some challenges and future directions

In recent decades, empirical study of experience has been installed as a relevant and necessary element in researching cognitive phenomena. However, its incorporation into cognitive science has been largely done by following an objectivist frame of reference, without reconsidering the practices and standards involved in the process of research and the interpretation and validation of the results. This has given rise to a number of issues that reveal inconsistencies in the understanding and treatment of some crucial aspects of first-person research. In this article, we will outline a research direction aiming at contributing to the establishment of a framework for the study of experience that addresses these inconsistencies. Specifically, we will identify some challenges facing the study of experience—in particular those linked to the understanding of memory, expression and description, and intersubjectivity in exploring experience—and propose to reframe them under the epistemological framework of the enactive approach. Moreover, we will explore the prospect of gaining insight into theoretical and methodological strategies for dealing with these issues by extending our vision beyond the field of cognitive science to its neighboring fields, focusing in particular on the field of somatic practices.
Time Series Shapelet-Based Movement Intention Detection Toward Asynchronous BCI for Stroke Rehabilitation

Brain computer interface (BCI) systems for neurorehabilitation have received increasing attention over the past decade. These systems provide an alternative approach to restore lost motor functions in stroke patients by inducing brain plasticity. To utilize BCI systems for stroke rehabilitation, user movement intentions from electroencephalogram are used as triggers for rehabilitation tools such as electrical stimulators. A reliable movement intention detection plays a vital role in an effective rehabilitation to establish a relation between movement intentions and corresponding feedback from a rehabilitation tool. We therefore propose a novel movement intention detection algorithm based on time series shapelets. We collected a dataset of subjects performing a self-pace ankle dorsiflexion and tested the algorithm in both classification and pseudo-online detection. The classification results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm significantly outperforms six other algorithms and achieves the highest classification performance with F1-score of 0.82. For pseudo-online detection, our algorithm gains very high performance in all performance metrics with 69% True Positive Rate (TPR), 8 False Positives per minute (FPs/min), and 44 ms Detection Latency (DL). Our proposed algorithm does not only provide competitive performance to state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of TPR, but also maintain low FPs/min and DL. In addition, the DL of our proposed algorithm is low enough to induce effective brain plasticity for neurorehabilitation. These promising results enlighten the development of asynchronous BCI systems based on time series mining techniques to enhance stroke rehabilitation results.
Comparison of Efficacy of 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate–Alcohol and 10% Povidone-Iodine–Alcohol against Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections and Bacterial Colonization at Central Venous Catheter Insertion Sites: A Prospective, Single-Center, Open-Label, Crossover Study

An effective antiseptic agent is an essential component of a central venous catheter (CVC) care bundle, to protect against catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). We conducted a trial to compare the incidences of CRBSI and the growth of insertion site flora in patients with CVC using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate–alcohol (CHG) or 10% povidone-iodine–alcohol (PVI) in the CVC care bundle. Patients who were admitted to two medical intensive care units (ICUs) and had CVC placement for >48 h were enrolled. Using a two-way crossover design with two six-month interventions, the ICUs were assigned to use either CHG or PVI in their care bundles. A total of 446 catheters in 390 subjects were enrolled in the study. The detection rate of flora was greater in the PVI group on both day 7 (26.6% versus 6.3%, p < 0.001) and day 14 (43.2% versus 15.8%, p < 0.001). The incidence rate of CRBSI was higher in the PVI group compared to the CHG group (2.15 vs. 0 events per 1000-catheter-days, p = 0.001), although the significance was lost in the multivariate analysis. In conclusion, 2% CHG was superior to 10% PVI in the CVC care bundle in terms of the inhibition of skin flora growth at CVC insertion sites and was potentially associated with lower incidence rates of CRBSI.
Development the composition and technology for obtaining a dietary supplement “Cachinol” with the antioxidant activity in the form of granules used in the polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim. To develop the composition and technology for obtaining a dietary supplement “Cachinol” with the antioxidant activity in the form of granules used in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and methods. To achieve the goal, physical, physicochemical, pharmacotechnological and statistical research methods, as well as generally accepted research methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine (SPhU) 2.0 were used in the work. Results and discussion. The rational dosage form is granules. The green tea leaf extract and myo-inositol were chosen as the active pharmaceutical ingredients of granules. For 3 batches of granules, the following parameters were determined: the fractional composition ranging from 13.2 to 17.9 % for 3-2 mm, from 45.3 to 56.2 % for 2-1 mm, from 20.1 to 26.1 % for 1-0.5 mm, from 8.1-12.4 for 0.5-0.25 mm, from 2.95-4.6 % for < 0.25 mm; the moisture content of granules ranging from 2.80-3.10 %; the bulk density – from 0.49 to 0.52 g/cm3, the tapped density – from 0.54 to 0.58 g/cm3; the flowability was in the range of 8.00-8.25 g/s; the angle of repose – from 30 to 33°; disintegration – from 41 to 45 s. Conclusions. The flowchart for obtaining granules in industrial conditions has been developed. The technological process for obtaining granules consists of 8 technological stages. The studies of the technological parameters of granules have been performed in accordance with the requirements of the SPhU 2.0. It has been found that the granules developed meet the requirements of the SPhU 2.0 and can be recommended for further research.
Remote Work in a Changing World: A Nod to Personal Space, Self-Regulation and Other Health and Wellness Strategies

Remote work has escalated as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and citizens have been doing their part to mitigate the spread of viral infection. The downside of quickly switching from a workplace office to remote work is that neither employees nor employers have had time to consciously process the new work environment and formally evaluate health and safety concerns. The aim of this commentary was to make suggestions on how to make remote work more satisfying, safe, and healthy for employees. First, I explored existing research on disease outbreaks and mental stress as the backdrop for discussing health-related strategies. To determine which types of strategies or measures would help, next I examined existing organizational research, including a qualitative study by my colleagues on workers’ perceptions about what makes a healthy workplace. Themes that emerged from the qualitative study align with three broad recommendations discussed in this commentary: cultivating personal space, building in ergonomics, and boosting self-regulation (self-learning) skills. Finally, I suggested that future research should explore the joint roles of the worker and his/her management team in recognition of organizational commitment to occupational health and safety alongside each worker’s need for autonomy in their personal workspace.
Microwave cavity resonance spectrum used for plasma diagnostics in AC glow discharge plasma

In this paper, microwave diagnostic was applied to AC glow discharge plasma. The electron density and the collision frequency changing with the input power in the fluorescent lamp have been measured by microwave cavity resonance spectrum (MCRS) which is proven to be useful for low density plasma diagnostic. By using the global model, electron density and collision frequency can be calculated by the variation of spectrum map. The resonant mode is altered by changing the position of the microwave antenna. The spectrum is measured by spectrum analyzer (DSA-815), and the frequency ranges from 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz. Finally, the experimental results are compared with the theoretical results.
A New Metaheuristic Cuckoo Search Algorithm

The growing complexity of real-world problems has motivated scientists to search for efficient problem-solving methods.Metaheuristic algorithms are becoming an important part of modern optimization.A new metaheuristic optimization algorithm,called Cuckoo Search(CS),was developed recently by Yang and Deb.This optimization algorithm is inspired by the life of a bird family,called Cuckoo.Application of the proposed algorithm to some benchmark functions have indicated that the proposed approach is a powerful search and optimization technique that may yield better solutions than those obtained using current algorithms.We discuss the unique search features used in CS and the implications for further research.
Cysteine-Rich LIM-Only Protein 4 (CRP4) Promotes Atherogenesis in the ApoE−/− Mouse Model

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can switch from their contractile state to a synthetic phenotype resulting in high migratory and proliferative capacity and driving atherosclerotic lesion formation. The cysteine-rich LIM-only protein 4 (CRP4) reportedly modulates VSM-like transcriptional signatures, which are perturbed in VSMCs undergoing phenotypic switching. Thus, we hypothesized that CRP4 contributes to adverse VSMC behaviours and thereby to atherogenesis in vivo. The atherogenic properties of CRP4 were investigated in plaque-prone apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and CRP4 double-knockout (dKO) as well as ApoE-deficient CRP4 wildtype mice. dKO mice exhibited lower plaque numbers and lesion areas as well as a reduced content of α-smooth muscle actin positive cells in the lesion area, while lesion-associated cell proliferation was elevated in vessels lacking CRP4. Reduced plaque volumes in dKO correlated with significantly less intra-plaque oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), presumably due to upregulation of the antioxidant factor peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4). This study identifies CRP4 as a novel pro-atherogenic factor that facilitates plaque oxLDL deposition and identifies the invasion of atherosclerotic lesions by VSMCs as important determinants of plaque vulnerability. Thus, targeting of VSMC CRP4 should be considered in plaque-stabilizing pharmacological strategies.
Organismal and Cellular Stress Responses upon Disruption of Mitochondrial Lonp1 Protease

Cells engage complex surveillance mechanisms to maintain mitochondrial function and protein homeostasis. LonP1 protease is a key component of mitochondrial quality control and has been implicated in human malignancies and other pathological disorders. Here, we employed two experimental systems, the worm Caenorhabditis elegans and human cancer cells, to investigate and compare the effects of LONP-1/LonP1 deficiency at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Deletion of the lonp-1 gene in worms disturbed mitochondrial function, provoked reactive oxygen species accumulation, and impaired normal processes, such as growth, behavior, and lifespan. The viability of lonp-1 mutants was dependent on the activity of the ATFS-1 transcription factor, and loss of LONP-1 evoked retrograde signaling that involved both the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic unfolded protein response (UPRmt and UPRcyt) pathways and ensuing diverse organismal stress responses. Exposure of worms to triterpenoid CDDO-Me, an inhibitor of human LonP1, stimulated only UPRcyt responses. In cancer cells, CDDO-Me induced key components of the integrated stress response (ISR), the UPRmt and UPRcyt pathways, and the redox machinery. However, genetic knockdown of LonP1 revealed a genotype-specific cellular response and induced apoptosis similar to CDDO-Me treatment. Overall, the mitochondrial dysfunction ensued by disruption of LonP1 elicits adaptive cytoprotective mechanisms that can inhibit cancer cell survival but diversely modulate organismal stress response and aging.
Implications of an exogenous shock (COVID-19) on wine tourism business: A Portuguese winery perspective

This study investigates the impact of an exogenous and unexpected shock (COVID-19) on the wine tourism business from the winery’s perspective. A sample of 146 Portuguese wineries was surveyed. The econometric results show that the share of wine tourism sales, the amount of dependence on exports and the assertiveness of brand recognition have a structural effect on direct-to-consumer tasting room wine sales, even when the winery’s business is disrupted by a shock that degrades the dynamics and flows of international trade. The research establishes a starting point that allows to understand the implications of an exogenous shock on the structure of the winery’s business, calling for further research on the firm’s economic performance as well as on the consumer’s behaviour in a post-pandemic context.
Factors That Contribute to hIAPP Amyloidosis in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cases of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are increasing at an alarming rate due to the rise in obesity, sedentary lifestyles, glucose-rich diets and other factors. Numerous studies have increasingly illustrated the pivotal role that human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) plays in the pathology of T2DM through damage and subsequent loss of pancreatic β-cell mass. HIAPP can misfold and form amyloid fibrils which are preceded by pre-fibrillar oligomers and monomers, all of which have been linked, to a certain extent, to β-cell cytotoxicity through a range of proposed mechanisms. This review provides an up-to-date summary of recent progress in the field, highlighting factors that contribute to hIAPP misfolding and aggregation such as hIAPP protein concentration, cell stress, molecular chaperones, the immune system response and cross-seeding with other amyloidogenic proteins. Understanding the structure of hIAPP and how these factors affect amyloid formation will help us better understand how hIAPP misfolds and aggregates and, importantly, help identify potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting amyloidosis so alternate and more effective treatments for T2DM can be developed.
Evaluating stability of salt rock gas storage during operation period

Based on the features of Chinese salt rock bed,the comprehensive evaluation system of the stability of rock salt gas storage with multilevel and multi-index has been set up;and the assessment class level of the stability of rock salt gas storage during the operation period also has been defined.According to the test data and the result of numerical simulating,the scoring models of evaluation indices are built and the value of the corresponding evaluation indices for every assessment class is got.The weight of the describing layer and the index layer has been obtained by analytic hierarchy process.Both the extension evaluation and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation have been used to evaluate the stability of Jintan Xi-1 salt rock gas storage of the West-to-East Natural Gas Transmission Project.And the results of the two above methods are consistent,just like the real situation,which show that it is of great worth to set up the comprehensive evaluation system of the stability of rock salt gas storage with multilevel and multi-index.
The Application and Research of a Simulation-based Streamline Balance Method

In order to improve a real compressor assembly line,the rebuilt strategy based on a streamline balance method and the object oriented modeling technology is proposed.Firstly the simulation model of the compressor assembly line is set up and,the bottleneck is found out and analyzed with the the model.Secondly the optimal strategies based on streamline balance method are given and evaluated by the model.Finally one of the strategies causing a 10.39% accretion of the production capacity is selected to rebuild the assembly line,which strongly proved the effectiveness of the simulation technology and the reliability of the streamline balance method.