Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Respiratory changes during adaptation to stress induced by movement restriction in rabbits

Background Confinement inside a restricted space causing movement restriction is a stressful condition, potentially leading to spontaneous changes of respiratory parameters that are expected to return to normal values as the stress subsides. Barometric plethysmography is a non-invasive method to study surrogates of pulmonary mechanics in conscious animals enclosed into a plexiglass chamber. This chamber greatly restricts the animal movements but does not cause its immobilization. Methods Respiratory parameters from six rabbits were recorded during 90 min/day for 5 days while the animal was confined inside a plethysmographic chamber. Modifications of respiratory parameters were evaluated by dividing the total length of the recording in three 30-min periods. Results During the 90-min recording, enhanced pause (Penh, a lung resistance surrogate) showed a decreasing trend, coinciding with a decline of the mid-expiratory flow (an airway obstruction surrogate), and time of braking (an end-inspiratory glottis closure surrogate). Respiratory frequency increased from 346 to 363 breaths/min, coinciding with a progressive decline of tidal volume and minute ventilation. Because rabbit responses to stressful situations are predominantly parasympathetic in nature, an increased parasympathetic tone during the first minutes of confinement might explain the initially augmented lung, airways and glottis resistances, and these, in turn, could be responsible for the low initial respiratory frequency. Subsequent changes of these variables probably reflect progressively lower level of stress due to adaptation to the new environment. This pattern did not change in the 5 days studied. Conclusions We concluded that respiratory parameters in rabbits display subtle changes during the first 90 min of movement restriction, probably driven by an initially augmented parasympathetic tone due to stress, with subsequent normalization as stress diminished due to adaptation to the new environment.
Mediating Impact of Financial Statements Window Dressings in Public Listed Companies Based on Corporate Governance Mechanism and Firm Financial Performance

This research examined the effects of corporate governance variables (foreign ownership, managerial ownership) on earnings multiples (FFP), and also the ability to earn management to mediate the relationship between corporate governance variables and earnings multiples. In this study, foreign ownership and managerial ownership are independent variables, earnings multiples (developed through PCA method from ROA, ROE and share price) is dependent variable and earnings management is mediating variable. All the relationship between dependent, independent and mediating variables are postulate on renowned agency theory. We estimate the dependent variable, i.e. earnings multiples (developed through PCA method from ROA, ROE and share price) while earning management is measured through modified Jones model, while rest of the data for CG variables are collected from the annual reports of the companies included in the sample. While financial data of earnings multiples and earning, management extracted from DataStream for the corresponding periods.
Rituximab treatment for steroid dependent or steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in adult patients

Background: Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) are major causes of nephrotic syndrome (NS). The patients of steroid-dependent (SD) or steroid-resistant (SR) NS are exposed to high doses of steroid, more adverse effects, and worse outcomes. This study applied B cell-oriented rituximab therapy in MCD or FSGS adult patients with SD or SR, to investigate its efficiency and safety. Methods: Eight patients with steroid-dependent and frequent-relapsing (SD/FR) NS and six patients with steroid-resistant (SR) NS were enrolled. B-cell-oriented (<5 cells/mm 3 ) rituximab administration was used with single dose of 375 mg/m 2 adjusted according to eGFR. Results: During the follow-up period of 15.0 (8.8-18.0) months, B-cell depletion was achieved and maintained in all the 14 patients. Four, two, seven, one patients received two, three, four, five infusions of rituximab respectively. No adverse event was observed. All the eight SD/FR patients maintained complete remission without relapse. Six of them stopped steroid in 10 (2.3-12.3) months and four of them further stopped immunosuppressants. All of them maintained stable kidney function (eGFR 107.4 ± 27.4 vs. 111.0 ± 31.5 mL/min/1.73m 2 , P=0.600). All the six SR patients showed no response and presented with severe nephrotic syndrome. Five of them presented with kidney function deterioration (eGFR 49.6 ± 35.7 vs. 15.9 ± 11.5 ml/min/1.73m 2 , P=0.047) and three of them went into ESRD. Conclusion: B cell depletion-oriented regimen of rituximab was effective and safe for MCD or FSGS adult patients with SD/FR nephrotic syndrome, which could reduce drug doses and adverse events. This regimen showed no therapeutic effect for SR patients.
IMPROVING SECURITY IN CLOUD COMPUTING WITH BLOCKCHAIN – USE CASES

A b s t r a c t: Network security has always been and remains a major topic in telecommunications and information technologies. Security plays a key role in a network and therefore it is very important to take appropriate measures to protect user data. In addition to standard protocols and security mechanisms, there are many researches and experiments with current blockchain technology. This paper presents several user scenarios for improving security in cloud computing when using blockchain and how this technology can help in cyber security within the cloud systems. Moreover, for cloud computing, we have proposed our solution, based on many analyses over different solutions, which provides higher degree of data protection and, what is important, it does not load the IoT network and IoT devices.
Translation and adaptation of the Learning Organisation Survey for french speaking countries.

Background Learning organizations need a diagnostic tool that allows them to assess how well their team, department, or the entire institution is performing, and help them identify areas of improvement. In turn, having that tool in your own language (in this case, French) and adapted to your own context, gives reliability and ease of application. Health organizations are starting to use more and more tools like this that allow them to improve their learning capabilities and, therefore their performance. The aim of the study was the translation of Garvin's et al. Learning Organization Survey into French to evaluate french-speaking health organizations. Methods the method used to translate the questionnaire was based on Brislin's modified reverse translation technique. Followed by the stage of cross-cultural adaptation through an Atelier of experts, obtaining a pre-final version that was reviewed by a committee of judges with an index of the validity of IVC content ≤ 80%. The French version of the questionnaire proved to be an adequate instrument for the evaluation. The survey was conducted with a sample of 111 workers from the National Oncology Institute of Rabat, who accepted the filling of the survey, ≥ 65%. Results The established validation criteria were exceeded with results > 80% in the assessment of experts. We found a good internal consistency, evidenced by a Cronbach's Alpha of > 0.8 in each block. Conclusion The questionnaire gathers enough psychometric properties to be considered a useful and reliable tool capable of objectively measuring a french speaking Learning Organization.
Path Planning for Autonomous Platoon Formation

In the context of automated highway systems (AHS), this work proposes an approach that enables a vehicle to autonomously join a platoon with optimized trajectory in the presence of dynamical traffic obstacles. A notable aspect is the use of Model Predictive Control (MPC) optimization of the planned path, in conjunction with a variant of the Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRT*) algorithm for the purpose of platoon formation. This combination efficiently explores the space of possible trajectories, returning trajectories that are smoothened out with respect to the dynamic constraints of the vehicle, while at the same time allowing for real-time implementation. The implementation we propose takes into consideration both localization and mapping through relevant sensors and V2V communication. The complete algorithm is tested over various nominal and worst-case scenarios, qualifying the merits of the proposed methodology.
Novel Sprinter Assistive Smart Agent for Continuous Performance Improvement

In the field of Sports, sprinting is the term used for introducing running over a short distance in a limited time. To date, a method to identify whether sprinters are getting enough speed during the accelerated period is not available so far. This paper proposes a smart agent to recognize the technical precision and performance of a sprinter using wireless hardware devices and a software solution. Smart shoe, track sensor, arm motion detection bracelet are the devices used to collect data from a sprinter. After required data collecting is complete the based web application provides feedback to the sprinter to improve sprinting techniques. This modern technology based system reduces human errors and workload of a trainer and would be highly beneficial for the sports community including coaches and sprinters as it could be accessed through mobile phones. The results of the study show the visualization of sprinter data effectively and an analysis on the obtained data regarding the performance.
Project Management Volume, Velocity, Variety: A Big Data Dynamics Approach

The era of Big Data has provided business organisations opportunities to improve their management processes. This developmental paper is adopting a mixed-method research approach where qualitative data will underpin a quantitative questionnaire. The early insights are based on an initial eleven qualitative interviews and conceptualised in the following three statements: (i) Project practitioners need to increase their data literacy; (ii) Project practitioners are not utilising the available Big Data based on the 3 Vs; Volume, Velocity and Variety; (iii) Project practitioners need to utilise the structured available data to augment the decision-making process to represent the complex environment of Big Data, the study adopts Complexity Theory as a theoretical framework. When completed, the research will demonstrate the results through System Dynamics modelling.
Simultaneous determination of four hormonal compounds in oral contraceptive tablet formulations by high performance liquid chromatography

ABSTRACT A rapid, accurate, and precise HPLC method has been developed for simultaneous determination of four contraceptive hormonal compounds namely ethinylestradiol (EE), drospirenone (DR), gestodene (GS), and levonorgestrel (LV) in oral contraceptive tablet dosage form. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5μ) column; the mobile phase consists of acetonitrile: water (50:50, v/v) pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; and UV detection was set at 200 nm. The limit of detection was 0.0086 µg/mL for (EE), 0.0397 µg/mL for (GS), 2.80 µg/mL for (DR), and 0.229 µg/mL for (LV), whereas the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.028 µg/mL for (EE), 0.132 µg/mL for (GS), 9.500 µg/mL for (DR), and 0763 µg/mL for (LV), respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) values of the four compounds ranged from 0.99995 to 0.99999. The method was validated as per ICH guidelines and USP 34 for estimation of (EE), (DR), (GS), and (LV) in commercially available tablet dosage form. The validation results were found satisfactory. The proposed method can be useful in quality control of bulk manufacturing and pharmaceutical dosage forms. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Increased Frequency of KIR2DS4 del/del among AA Genotype Carriers with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Southwestern Iranian Population

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is known to be the most common malignancy among children. The early onset of ALL suggests a key role of genetic factors in its development. Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor (KIR) gene complex that encodes a group of key receptors expressed at the surface of natural killer cells has been of great interest as a possible genetic factor affecting the susceptibility to ALL. In this case-control study, we aimed to verify whether the inheritance of specific KIR genes or genotypes were associated with susceptibility to childhood B-ALL in southwestern Iranian population. To this end, KIR genotyping was carried out for 120 patients with childhood B-ALL and 170 unrelated healthy controls using PCR-SSP method. The frequencies of 11 KIR genes and KIR2DS4 variants were investigated among patients and healthy controls. We found no association between KIR genes and genotypes, centromeric and telomeric genotypes as well as the number of activating or inhibitory KIRs and susceptibility to childhood B-ALL. Moreover, no association between childhood B-ALL and KIR B-content scores was detected. However, AA genotype carriers homozygous for KIR2DS4 deleted variant were found to be at a higher risk of developing childhood B-ALL compared with those who inherited at least one KIR2DS4 full-length variant. It seems that the inheritance of different KIR genes does not affect the risk of childhood B-ALL in southwestern Iranian population. However, among individuals with AA genotype, homozygosity for KIR2DS4 deleted allele seems to increase the risk of childhood B-ALL.
Estimation of total phenolic content and evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity of different extracts of Cassia absus (Linn) by Superoxide radical, Iron chelating activity

Cassia absus (Linn) (family Fabaceae) is generally known as “chaksu” in ayurvedic traditional system. The current study, aerial parts of different concentrates (concentrates (Pet.ether, ethyl acetate and methanol) of Cassia absus were evaluated for its in-vitro antioxidant potential by Superoxide radical, Iron chelating activity taking activity taking quercetin , Ethylenediamine tetraacetate as the standard respectively and total phenol content was estimated as equivalent to gallic acid. An IC50 value was originate that methanolic concentrates of Cassia absus more efficient in Superoxide radical, Iron chelating activity compared EA & PE concentrates. The methanolic concentrates of Cassia absus and standard exhibited antioxidant potential possessing IC50 217g/ml & 60g/ml (Superoxide radical). 184g/ml & 65g/ml (Iron chelating) respectively. The methanolic and EA concentrates of Cassia absus showed the total phenolic content (10.22  0.40, 4.03  0.47) respectively. The difference in scavenging potential of the extracts can be due to variation in the percentage of bioactive compound present in different solvents. Invitro antioxidant studies obviously show methanolic concentrates of Cassia absus have better antioxidant activity due to the presence of total phenolic content. This result indicate that aerial parts of methanolic concentrates Cassia absus could serve as natural antioxidant, which may be useful in prevent free radical induced diseases
Catalytic Synthesis of Enantiopure Chiral Alcohols via Addition of Grignard Reagents to Carbonyl Compounds

Remarkable progress in the enantioselective addition of Grignard reagents to carbonyl compounds has been made over the past decade. This enantioselective transformation now allows the use of these challenging reactive nucleophiles for the formation of chiral alcohols using catalytic amounts of chiral ligands. This review summarizes the developments in this area.
The Effect of Training on Participant Adherence With a Reporting Time Frame for Momentary Subjective Experiences in Ecological Momentary Assessment: Cognitive Interview Study

Background Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has the potential to minimize recall bias by having people report on their experiences in the moment (momentary model) or over short periods (coverage model). This potential hinges on the assumption that participants provide their ratings based on the reporting time frame instructions prescribed in the EMA items. However, it is unclear what time frames participants actually use when answering the EMA questions and whether participant training improves participants’ adherence to the reporting instructions. Objective This study aims to investigate the reporting time frames participants used when answering EMA questions and whether participant training improves participants’ adherence to the EMA reporting timeframe instructions. Methods Telephone-based cognitive interviews were used to investigate the research questions. In a 2×2 factorial design, participants (n=100) were assigned to receive either basic or enhanced EMA training and randomized to rate their experiences using a momentary (at the moment you were called) or a coverage (since the last phone call) model. Participants received five calls over the course of a day to provide ratings; after each rating, participants were immediately interviewed about the time frame they used to answer the EMA questions. A total of 2 raters independently coded the momentary interview responses into time frame categories (Cohen κ=0.64, 95% CI 0.55-0.73). Results The results from the momentary conditions showed that most of the calls referred to the period during the call (57/199, 28.6%) or just before the call (98/199, 49.2%) to provide ratings; the remainder were from longer reporting periods. Multinomial logistic regression results indicated a significant training effect (χ21=16.6; P<.001) in which the enhanced training condition yielded more reports within the intended reporting time frames for momentary EMA reports. Cognitive interview data from the coverage model did not lend themselves to reliable coding and were not analyzed. Conclusions The results of this study provide the first evidence about adherence to EMA instructions to reporting periods and that enhanced participant training improves adherence to the time frame specified in momentary EMA studies.
The Implementation of Giving Task Method to Improve Students’ Achievement

There are some learning methods used by educators that aim to motivate learners to be diligent and enjoy learning. Learners who have high motivation to learn will play an active role, critical thinking, social interaction, creativity, and focus while learning. One of the methods that can encourage the creativity of learners in learning to improve creativity and knowledge for achieving satisfying learning outcomes is the assignment method. This research aims to analyze whether or not the giving-task method can improve students’ achievement in the letter of credit material. The method used in this research is class action research that consists of two cycles, starting from planning, giving treatment, and reflection. To collect the data, the writer uses a subjective test. The data source is the first-grade students (I.B) of the Economic Education Department Faculty of Teachers’ Training And Educational Sciences UGJ. The result of this research shows that giving task method can improve students’ achievement. It is shown from the satisfying score got by students. In the first cycle, the average score is 45.29 while in the second cycle, it is 89.00. This research concludes that the giving-task method can help students comprehending the letter of credit concept and it develops the students’ responsibilities individually or in group work and their creativities during the learning process.
Whale Optimization Based Automatic Generation Control for Two Area Interconnected Thermal Power System

This article presents automatic generation control (AGC) of an interconnected two area thermal system. A maiden attempt is made to apply a Proportional Integral (PI) controller in AGC using two objective functions. Controller gains are optimized using Whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and Opposition theory enabled whale optimization algorithm (OIWOA) techniques. The results of the proposed model is compared with GSA, PSO, and GA techniques. Results revealed that the OIWOA optimized PI controller shows effective and improved results over WOA, GSA, PSO, and GA techniques.
Test Automation Framework using Soft Computing Techniques

Soft-computing helps in modeling and providing solution for real-world problems using various techniques like genetic algorithm, machine learning and artificial neural networks. This paper proposes the model to design test automation framework extending the traditional strategies like keyword-driven and page-object models. Test case generation and optimization problem is addressed. Representation of test cases is considered to be a challenge in various encoding schemes with respect to test case representation in soft computing techniques. An insight into test case representation and suitable soft computing algorithms applicable to test case generation is covered.
Determinants of customer experience in e-services: the case of online universities

Purpose – The study analyzes the key drivers of consumer experience in e-services, with the particular goal of defining and quantifying the influence of website quality and university brand assessments on the experience of consumers who are students of a virtual university. Theoretical framework – To carry out the research we analyzed website quality, brand, and customer experience Design/methodology/approach – We carried out a statistical analysis using structural equation modeling of web-based questionnaires collected from 306 postgraduate students of a virtual university. Findings – Our research reveals that the university’s brand is the most influential factor. In contrast, the influence exerted by the web environment is lower. Of the three website dimensions, the quality of the system exerts the greatest influence, followed by relationship quality, which is moderated by the role of university staff. Research, practical, and social implications – We propose that the quality of a virtual classroom (quality of the system, quality of information, and service quality), together with students’ individual assessments of the brand, determine the students’ experience as consumers of this service. The brand assessment is the most important factor.
Comprehensive Survey of Security Issues & Framework in Data-Centric Cloud Applications

The emergence of the cloud computing paradigm has influenced business organizations for migration over two decades. This has enabled a more incredible communication speed paired with a better fault tolerance of web-based applications and the scope of having practically unlimited storage available for the user and business data. Such colossal data availability over cloud platforms has increased concerns about the security of the same from various threats such as unauthorized eavesdropping, deliberate malicious mutation of data, loss of data integrity, and identity theft. The presence of such security vulnerabilities has rendered cloud security to be an active research area. This article aims to deep dive into the present state-of-the-art in cloud security research and mitigation approaches. It is observed that cloud storage, cloud services are the widely used applications among the organization. However, vulnerabilities and security challenges faced by this two area is maximum. Besides, outsourcing sensitive information to cloud service provider’s (CSP) end leads to trust issues among organizations. This article performs a detailed comparative analysis of the security frameworks developed towards cloud storage level, cloud service level, and cloud trust level to date and throws light on future research directives. All the existing research has been evaluated against CIA (confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) principles here.