Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Evaluation of Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose as a Key Component for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment in Mexico Using Stochastic Simulation

The main purpose of this article is to report the development and application of a simulation model that was used to estimate the effects on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the cumulative costs of four different regimes of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) plus pharmacologic treatment experienced by patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a typical Mexican public health institution (MPHI). The simulation model was designed to imitate the individual experience of a patient with T2D at a MPHI; the main drivers for cost computation were HbA1c evolution and its effect on the incidence and treatment (or not) of comorbidities, complications and acute events associated with T2D. Simulation runs using this model show that the expected average cumulative cost for a patient with T2D and no SMBG is $60,443 US dollars over a 10year span, and the use of SMBG will reduce this expected cost in 6.5%, 7.5% and 7.8% for 1, 2 and 3 times daily regimes of SMBG, respectively. Key-Words: Type 2 diabetes, economic evaluation, stochastic simulation, self-monitoring, blood glucose
Which Orientation for Strategies and Policies for Local Animal Breeds: The Role of ICT and Novel Strategies

Local breeds are endowed with numerous advantages in terms of adaptability to specific conditions and the sustainable utilization of resources. Nonetheless, their role is neglected when their multiple societal, economic and environmental contributions are not properly acknowledged and interest is focused only on productivity issues. This paper explores the role of local breeds and the development of effective conservation strategies and relevant policy measures. The paper focuses on the reasons behind the underestimation of the values with which local breeds are endowed and discusses how economic development, policies and market competition have rendered many of these breeds in danger of extinction. The development of a new paradigm of conservation strategies, which could also be extended to breeding programs, is presented here, which incorporates ICT, new technologies and innovations. It is concluded that using proper measures and achieving synergies between actors and measures, local breeds can be protected in order to continue supporting multifunctional production systems and local short value chains.
REVIEW Genetic Improvements to the Sterile Insect Technique for Agricultural Pests

The sterile insect technique (SIT) relies on area-wide mass-releases of sterile male pest insects, which mate with their wild counterparts and thereby cause a drop in the wild population. In order to improve SIT efficacy or to avoid potential nega - tive effects of such releases, strains of insects have been developed by genetic means. Methods of strain improvement fall into two categories: those generated by classical genetics and those through transgenesis. Here, we describe development and successes of agriculturally important pest insect strains developed through the former, and how transgenic technology is offering a broad spectrum of potential improvements to SIT in a wider range of insects. Also discussed are future prospects and non-technical challenges faced by transgenic technology. The need for environment-friendly pest control methods in agriculture has never been more pressing. SIT and related technologies offer a solution with proven effectiveness.
Mesoscale modeling of offshore wind turbine wakes at the wind farm resolving scale: a composite‐based analysis with the Weather Research and Forecasting model over Horns Rev

The use of mesoscale modeling to reproduce the power deficits associated with wind turbine wakes in an offshore environment is analyzed. The study is based on multiyear (3 years) observational and modeling results at the Horns Rev wind farm. The simulations are performed with the Weather Research and Forecasting mesoscale model configured at a high horizontal resolution of 333 m over Horns Rev. The wind turbines are represented as an elevated momentum sink and a source of turbulent kinetic energy. Composites with different atmospheric conditions are extracted from both the observed and simulated datasets in order to inspect the ability of the model to reproduce the power deficit in a wide range of atmospheric conditions. Results indicate that mesoscale models such as Weather Research and Forecasting are able to qualitatively reproduce the power deficit at the wind farm scale. Some specific differences are identified. Mesoscale modeling is therefore a suitable framework to analyze potential downstream effects associated with offshore wind farms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of a Pilates Exercise Programme on Perceived Functional Disability and Pain Associated with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a symptom of unknown cause affecting one third of the UK adult population, accounting for more than 15 million lost work days and an estimated annual cost of £12.3 billion. Pilates based exercise is becoming increasingly incorporated in to spinal rehabilitation, yet there is limited evidence on the efficacy of the technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 6-week Pilates based exercise programme on perceived functional disability, pain, local muscular endurance and lumbar range of motion in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Participants (n=13) with chronic non-specific LBP (>12-weeks) were recruited to a pre-post intervention trial. All participants were assigned to a 6-week control period. Subsequently, participants undertook one hour of a Pilates based exercise intervention twice per week for 6-weeks. Perceived functional disability and pain were assessed using the Oswestry functional disability questionnaire (ODQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) respectively. Local muscular endurance (CE) and lumbar range of motion (LF) were assessed using the core endurance test and the fingertip to floor distance (FFD) respectively. Functional disability (ODQ), pain (VAS), local muscular endurance and lumbar flexion (FFD) improved after the intervention period (P<0.05). Improvements in perceived functional disability (ODQ) were associated with an increase in LF (P 0.05). The results of this pre-post intervention trial suggest that Pilates based exercise can be administered safely and is well tolerated by the majority of patients with non-specific chronic LBP.
Coronary Artery Disease Ankle-brachial Index Measured by an Automated Oscillometric Method as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) measured by conventional Doppler method has been reported to be an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Recently, a clinical device has been developed to measure ABI by an oscillometric method. It is unclear whether ABI measured by this device can serve as a significant predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with CAD. Materials and Methods: We included 82 patients from our outpatient clinic, who had received coronary angiography examination. ABI was determined in all subjects using the ABI-form (Colin VP1000) device. The lower value of ABI in either of the right or left limbs was used for data analysis. We divided our subjects into two groups with either ABI 0.9 or ABI 0.9 and compared basal characteristics between groups. We followed up these patients for 20.0 3.6 months (range 10 to 26). We analyzed the relationship between ABI and cardiovascular events. Then, we used univariate analysis to determine the significant predictors of cardiovascular events. Finally, we utilized multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the independent predictors of cardiovascular events. Results: There were 14 patients with ABI 0.9 and 68 patients with ABI 0.9. The patients with ABI 0.9 were older and had higher plasma level of uric acid. The prevalence of three-vessel CAD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diuretic use, and the risk of cardiovascular death and cardiovascular events were significantly higher in the group of patients with ABI 0.9. In a univariate analysis, cardiovascular events were significantly related to ABI 0.9 (odds ratio: 12.6), three-vessel CAD (odds ratio: 12.5) and DM (odds ratio: 4.7). After a multiple logistic regression analysis, ABI 0.9 and three-vessel CAD were still significant predictors of cardiovascular events. Conclusions: ABI measured by the automated oscillometric method, like three-vessel CAD, can serve as a useful parameter to predict cardiovascular events in patients with CAD.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells: A Model System for Delineating the Molecular Basis of Human Embryogenesis and Aging-related Diseases

The recent development of techniques to culture human embryonic stem cells (hESC) has allowed the study of reproductive (pregnancy) hormones involved in the growth and development of the early embryo. Until the advent of hESC culture techniques, no model system existed that could readily assess the requirement for pregnancy hormones in the growth and development of the human embryo. Hormonal manipulation of developing embryoes in utero was technically cumbersome and complicated by competing in vivo maternal hormonal signals. This chapter describes recent experimental studies, utilizing hESC, aimed at identifying physiologically relevant signals that promote cell division, differentiation and apoptosis during early embryogenesis and summarizes our current knowledge of how reproductive hormones direct growth and development during embryogenesis. It also describes the potential for using hESC, embryoid bodies (EBs) and neuroectodermal rosettes to gain insights into how reproductive endocrine dyscrasia associated with menopause/andropause drives aberrant cell cycle signalling mechanisms leading to age-related diseases including neurodegeneration and associated cognitive decline.
Eleutherococcus senticosus Inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast formation by attenuating the NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathway

Natural plant derived eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) has potential therapeutic and preventative effects on treating bone metabolism diseases such as: arthritis and osteoporosis. However, the mechanisms of ES effects on the osteoclastogenesis remains to be investigated. The current study is the first time to explored the effect of ES on RANKL mediated marrow derived macrophages (BMMs) and mice macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro. Here, we found ES can significantly decrease RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption compared with the control in dose dependent manner and showed no cytotoxicity. ES also downregulated the expression of osteoclastic genes such as TRAP and OSCAR. Moreover, ES markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of early signaling pathway such as NF-κB and MAPKs activity. Furthermore, ES extract significantly decreased the expression of osteoclast key transcriptor c-Fos/NFATc-1. Our results collectively demonstrating that as a natural compound, ES may serve as a useful drug in the prevention of bone resorption disease.
Identification of Possible Molecular Markers to Predict the Malignant Tendency of the Prostate Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN) Lesions

Abstract : This one year Exploration-Hypothesis Development Award is aimed to identify the possible molecular markers to predict the malignant tendency of the Prostate Intraepthelial Neoplasia (PIN) lesion. During the past year, our main effort has been made to establish reliable methods to micro-dissect the PIN cells, to extract RNA, and to use this RNA to perform microquantity differential display to analyze the differential expression patterns between the cancer precursor PINs and the benign PIN lesions. Altogether, we have assessed about 5000 functional genes and found 53 differentially-expressed bands. With the limited time schedule, we have tried to recover 11 genes and successfully obtained 7 sequences. We have examined the expression status of these 7 candidates in a large number of PINs and in an archival set of prostate tissues. While we continue to assess their potential of predicting malignant tendency of PINs, we have also found that one of them (osteopontin) is an important prognostic factor for prostate cancer.
Transport properties of pyroclastic rocks from Montagne Pelée volcano (Martinique, Lesser Antilles)

The hydraulic and electrical properties of pyroclastic rocks have been investigated in laboratory on a representative sampling of Montagne Pelee (Martinique, France) deposits with renewed interest in geophysical applications. This sampling covers all the lithologic units of this volcano: lava dome and lava flows, pumices from ash-and-pumice fall and flow deposits, lava blocks from block-and-ash flow and Peleean “nuees ardentes” deposits, scoriae from scoria flow deposits. The connected porosity varies over a wide range from 3 to 62%. The unconnected porosity is important only on pumices where it can reach 15%. The permeability covers more than 5 orders of magnitude, ranging from 10−16 to 35 × 10−12 m2. The higher values are obtained on lava blocks and the scoriae, even if these rocks are less porous than the pumices. The formation factor ranges from 7 to 1139. The transport properties of these rocks are slightly correlated with porosity. This indicates that these properties are not only controlled by the connected porosity. To connect the transport properties to the textural characteristics of the pore network of pyroclastic rocks, different models, based on geometrical considerations or percolation theory, were tested. The pore access radius distribution and the tortuosity control the transport properties of pyroclastic rocks. Consequently, the models (electric and hydraulic) based on the concept of percolation (e.g., the models of Katz and Thompson), apply better than the equivalent channel model of Kozeny-Carman. In addition, the difference in transport properties observed on lava blocks and pumices confirms that the mechanisms of degassing and vesiculation are different for these two types of rock.
A New THOR Shoulder Design: Its Range-of-Motion in Comparison with Volunteers, the Hybrid III and THOR NT

There is a need for dummies that mimic crash victims kinematics in oblique and offset frontal collisions. Improved seatbelt-to-dummy interaction in crash testing is also desirable. Hence, a new THOR shoulder was developed and evaluated in comparison with volunteers, the Hybrid III and THOR NT shoulder range-of-motion. The new shoulder has human-like bony landmarks, clavicle curvature and length, and joints. The evaluation showed that the range-of-motion for the static loading of the new shoulder was similar to that of the volunteers. This was not so for the Hybrid III and THOR NT. The data indicates that the new shoulder design can provide more human-like shoulder motions in a crash test.
The Role of Production Organization, Infrastructure, and R&D in the Catching-up Process of Japanese to German Industries

This paper presents an empirical study of productivity comparison between Japan and Germany with focus on the R&D and infrastructure. By using time-series datasets from auto vehicle industry and electronic engineering industry, the study shows the reversal of productivity advantage from Germany to Japan around 1980. We argue that Japanese productivity gains are from better infrastructure and cost-reducing innovations such as lean production methods. An econometric model determines the causes for the observed differences in the quantities of inputs used. It shows that frequent external procurement among Japanese manufactures has shifted the factor inputs from labor and capital to material, a result which is in line with the philosophy of lean production.
Patient Centered Approach and Health Related Quality of Life in Essential Hypertensive Patients

Hypertension is a common chronic disease amenable to control by adopting relevant lifestyle modifications and/or appropriate medication. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of patient centered approach on self-reported health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with essential hypertension attending Internal Medicine outpatient clinic in Zagazig University hospital. This single blinded randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in Zagazig university internal medicine outpatient clinic on 112 non complicated apparently healthy essential hypertensive patients without comorbidities from 45 to 65 years old randomly allocated into two groups (intervention and control 1:1). Data for this study was collected by social, biological and SF-12v2 questionnaire for both groups. Then management of the intervention group according to the patient centered approach for nine months while patients within control group received classic disease centered approach. The patients within intervention group were given an individualized medical care and tailored patient education program about essential hypertension. The outcome of disease was assessed by measuring change in blood pressure control and health related quality of life within the two groups. It has been found that patients with essential hypertension within both groups reported deteriorated HRQoL yet there was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding HRQoL at the start of the study. By the end of the study, there was a statistically significant difference between the two study groups regarding blood pressure control and self reported health related quality of life where patients within intervention group reported statistically significant improvement in both variables. In conclusion, the patient centered approach is better than the disease centered approach in management of patients with essential hypertension.
Interactive Unknowns Recommendation in E-Learning Systems

The arise of E-learning systems has led to an anytime-anywhere-learning environment for everyone by providing various online courses and tests. However, due to the lack of teacher-student interaction, such ubiquitous learning is generally not as effective as offline classes. In traditional offline courses, teachers facilitate real-time interaction to teach students in accordance with personal aptitude from students' feedback in classes. Without the interruption of instructors, it is difficult for users to be aware of personal unknowns. In this paper, we address an important issue on the exploration of 'user unknowns' from an interactive question-answering process in E-learning systems. A novel interactive learning system, called CagMab, is devised to interactively recommend questions with a round-by-round strategy, which contributes to applications such as a conversational bot for self-evaluation. The flow enables users to discover their weakness and further helps them to progress. In fact, despite its importance, discovering personal unknowns remains a challenging problem in E-learning systems. Even though formulating the problem with the multi-armed bandit framework provides a solution, it often leads to suboptimal results for interactive unknowns recommendation as it simply relies on the contextual features of answered questions. Note that each question is associated with concepts and similar concepts are likely to be linked manually or systematically, which naturally forms the concept graphs. Mining the rich relationships among users, questions and concepts could be potentially helpful in providing better unknowns recommendation. To this end, in this paper, we develop a novel interactive learning framework by borrowing strengths from concept-aware graph embedding for learning user unknowns. Our experimental studies on real data show that the proposed framework can effectively discover user unknowns in an interactive fashion for the recommendation in E-learning systems.
Formal and Substantive Conceptions of the Rule of Law: An Analytical Framework

*P.L. 467 There is a voluminous literature on the rule of law which examines the concept from almost every conceivable perspective. The analysis which follows makes no pretence at being a complete survey of these differing approaches. It does however attempt to address the subject in a way that is both important for public lawyers, and of broader significance outside of any particular legal system.
ON A GENERALIZATION OF HILBERTS 21ST PROBLEM

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Fiscal and economic aspects of book consumption in the European Union

One of the available and yet controversial tools in cultural policy at the national level is the reduction of VAT rates for cultural goods and services. We document the standard and reduced VAT rates in EU-28 countries in the period from 1993 to 2013 and explore the underlying determinants. We further introduce a simple theoretical framework to explain how reduced fiscal rates are expected to decrease prices and increase quantities of the consumed cultural goods and services. We then estimate quantitatively that a decrease in the VAT rate for books by one percentage point is associated with an economically significant drop in the price by 2.6%. Finally, we show the positive effect of a fiscal rate reduction on the book expenditure, where a one percentage point decrease in the VAT rate for books leads to an increase in expenditure by 2.7%.
Shedding Light on Modeling: Active Illumination for Mapping of Subterranean Voids

2 Overview 5 Underground Motivation 5 Thesis Statement 7 Background 9 Subterranean Modeling 9 Range and Intensity Fusion 13 Active Illumination 18 Comparison to Existing Range Modeling Techniques 23 Proposed Work 26 The Physics of Underground Appearance 26 Underground Material BRDFs 27 BRDF Measurement 28 Characterization of Airborne Dust on Sensing 30 Subterranean Void Geometry 31 Range Super-Resolution using Shading from Intensity Imagery 32 Super-Resolution Approach 34 Real-time Display of Dense Point Geometry with Hole Filling 38 Optimal LIDAR sampling using Fourier Image Cues 39 Image-Directed Sampling Approach 41 Non-Photorealistic Rendering of Mineral Textures 46 Next-View Selection using Occlusions from Shadow Images 47 Next Best View Approach 49 Scope of Work 51 Preliminary Work 54 Datasets 55 Schedule 57
Research of Moving Target Tracking Algorithm for Video

In this paper, the correlation tracking algorithm based on the function of minimum average absolute difference is analyzed. In addition, a kind of correlation tracking algorithm based on particle filtering is used to avoid the target shaded by object. And last, Kalman filtering approach is used as the motion model of the multi-target tracking, and the recursive filtering method is adopted to calculate and predict the location of moving targets. The tracking results show that correlation tracking algorithm based on particle filtering can overcome the obstacle occlusion problem perfectly, which can also improve the robustness of target tracking. Besides, target tracking algorithm based on Kalman filtering works well for multi-target tracking, which has great practical significance on tracking technology for moving targets.