Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Al-Farabi International Journal on Social Sciences

Consumers can make purchasing decision according to country of origin while preferring for products, and have tendency to value their culture and economy above the others’. In this study, university students’ perceptions towards the role of consumer ethnocentrism and country of origin when making purchasing decision on different product categories were investigated. To measure consumer ethnocentrism, CETSCALE developed by Sharma and Shimp (1987), and to measure country of origin effect, Country of Origin Scale developed by Özmen (2004) was used. The research was conducted between April-May 2018 with 221 MBA (English) students at Bahçeşehir University Graduate School of Social Sciences. %46 of the participants had low-level and %43 had mid-level of ethnocentrism tendency. Tendency for purchasing domestic products and country of origin effect differentiated on behalf of participants with high-level ethnocentrism. There was found positive relation of consumer ethnocentrism with age group, and negative relations with family monthly income status and openness level to foreign cultures. However, there were no significant relations found between consumer ethnocentrism and closeness level to foreign cultures, marital status and gender. Tendency to consume domestic products differentiated in different product categories, however development seeking in country of origin did not differentiate in different product categories.
Automatic Transcription of Monophonic Audio to MIDI

This paper presents an automatic system for transcription of monophonic audio signals into the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) representation. The system incorporates two separate algorithms in order to extract the necessary musical information from the audio signal. The detection of the fundamental frequency is based on a pattern recognition method applied on the constant Q spectral transform. The onset detection is achieved by a sequential algorithm based on computing a statistical distance measure between two autoregressive models. The results of both algorithms are combined by heuristic rules eliminating the transcription errors in a natural manner. The method is suitable for rapid musical passages, able to deal with various musical sounds, and applicable within a wide range of MIDI frequencies.
Performance of Commercial Interferon-γ Release Assays for Screening Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Meta-Analysis

Performance of Commercial Interferon-γ Release Assays for Screening Latent Tuberculosis Infection: A Meta-Analysis This meta-analysis was performed to systematically evaluate two interferon gamma release assays (IGRAs): ELISA and ELISPOT along with Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) in the detection of latent tuberculosis infection.
Towards Semantic Story Telling with Digital Curation Technologies

We develop a system that aims at generating stories or, rather, potential story paths, based on the semantic analysis of multiple source documents (including news articles) using template-filling. The final system will be realised by additional methods, also taking specific domains and topics into account. For the processing we use NLP methods such as named entity recognition, we also use a triple store and classic document indexing modules. The analysis information is filtered, rearranged and recombined to fit the respective template. The system’s use case is to support knowledge workers (journalists, editors, curators etc.) in their tasks of processing large amounts of (incoming) documents, to identify important entities, relationships between entities and to suggest individual story paths between entities, eventually to come up with more efficient processes for content curation.
A large amount of attacking methods on generating adversarial examples have been introduced in recent years ( Carlini & Wagner , 2017 a

Previous work shows that adversarially robust generalization requires larger sample complexity, and the same dataset, e.g., CIFAR-10, which enables good standard accuracy may not suffice to train robust models. Since collecting new training data could be costly, we focus on better utilizing the given data by inducing the regions with high sample density in the feature space, which could lead to locally sufficient samples for robust learning. We first formally show that the softmax cross-entropy (SCE) loss and its variants convey inappropriate supervisory signals, which encourage the learned feature points to spread over the space sparsely in training. This inspires us to propose the Max-Mahalanobis center (MMC) loss to explicitly induce dense feature regions in order to benefit robustness. Namely, the MMC loss encourages the model to concentrate on learning ordered and compact representations, which gather around the preset optimal centers for different classes. We empirically demonstrate that applying the MMC loss can significantly improve robustness even under strong adaptive attacks, while keeping high accuracy on clean inputs comparable to the SCE loss with little extra computation.
Would People Still Obey Today?

The author conducted a partial replication of Stanley Milgram’s (1963, 1965, 1974) obedience studies that allowed for useful comparisons with the original investigations while protecting the well-being of participants. Seventy adults participated in a replication of Milgram’s Experiment 5 up to the point at which they first heard the learner’s verbal protest (150 volts). Because 79% of Milgram’s participants who went past this point continued to the end of the shock generator’s range, reasonable estimates could be made about what the present participants would have done if allowed to continue. Obedience rates in the 2006 replication were only slightly lower than those Milgram found 45 years earlier. Contrary to expectation, participants who saw a confederate refuse the experimenter’s instructions obeyed as often as those who saw no model. Men and women did not differ in their rates of obedience, but there was some evidence that individual differences in empathic concern and desire for control affected participants’ responses.
Impacto de la reconstrucción mamaria sobre la autoestima y la imagen corporal en pacientes con cáncer de mama* The impact of breast reconstruction on self-esteem and body image in patients with breast cancer

a B s t r a c t The surgical treatment of breast cancer can change patients’ physical appearance and lead to important physical sequelae. Therefore, in order to ascertain whether the level of satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome, as well as with regard to self-esteem or the body image in these patients, differs depending on the kind of surgery undergone (unilateral mastectomy or breast reconstruction), a total of 72 patients were studied. To this end, a Psychosocial Survey, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem (RSE) Scale, the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-BR23), and the Test for the Measurement of Body Satisfaction were used. In general, patients who underwent reconstruction showed a higher degree of aesthetic satisfaction, as well as greater self-esteem and a lower degree of dissatisfaction regarding their body image.
RF-based Stent-Graft Endoleakage Monitoring System

A monitoring system to detect endoleaks in patients that undergo an EVAR procedure is presented which avoids the need for more complex biomedical imaging systems. The system resorts to capacitive pressure sensors placed in the stent-graft and monitored externally by means of an inductive coupling with the purpose of measuring the oscillation frequency of the LC resonant circuit created by the capacitive sensor and the inductor. Experimental results show that reliable measurements can be obtained with a power level well below that established to prevent damaging of living tissues. Resumo—É apresentado um sistema de monitorização de fugas em próteses endovasculares implantadas em pacientes submetidos a uma intervenção de reparação do aneurisma na aorta, que evita a necessidade de realização de exames imagiológicos mais complexos. Essas fugas são detetadas a partir da sensorização de pressão na prótese endovascular por intermédio de acoplamento inductivo que permite medir a frequência de oscilação do circuito LC ressonante formado pelo sensor e a inductância. Os resultados experimentais obtidos evidenciam que podem ser realizadas medições fiáveis com um nível de potência inferior àquele estabelecido para evitar danos nos tecidos humanos.
Pesticide exposure and cancer: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT We conducted an integrative literature review of published studies on pesticide and cancer exposure, focusing on farmers, rural population, pesticide applicators, and rural workers. The Medline/PubMed was used as searching database. After the retrieval, 74 articles were selected according to pre-established criteria, which design involved 39 case-controls, 32 cohorts, 2 ecological ones, and 1 cross-sectional. Among them, 64 studies showed associations between pesticides and cancer while 10 did not find any significant association. The studies found 53 different types of pesticides significantly associated with at least one type of cancer and 19 different types of cancers linked to at least one type of pesticide. Although few studies presented contradictory results, the sole fact of being a farmer or living near crops or high agricultural areas have also been used as a proxy for pesticide exposure and significantly associated with higher cancer risk. The literature well illustrates the case of prostate cancer, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, bladder and colon cancers. Studies are recommended to further investigate the relationship between pesticide and neoplasm of testis, breast, esophagus, kidney, thyroid, lip, head and neck, and bone.
Therapeutic Efficacy and Quality of Life Improvement in Women with Detrusor Underactivity Following Transurethral Incision of the Bladder Ne

Aims: To investigate the effects of transurethral incision of the bladder neck (TUI-BN) on long-term outcomes and quality of life (QoL) improvements in women with detrusor underactivity (DU) refractory to standard medical treatment. Materials and Methods: Data were retrieved for female patients with treatment-refractory DU who underwent TUI-BN between 2007 and 2018. Urodynamic parameters were measured at baseline and follow-up and were analyzed for surgical outcome. Patients who were capable of spontaneously voiding with a voiding efficiency (VE) of ≥50% with or without the aid of abdominal pressure were considered to have achieved satisfactory outcomes. Changes in self-reported QoL were measured based on the International Prostate Symptom Score QoL (IPSS-QoL), and treatment improvements were measured based on the global response assessment (GRA) index. Moreover, the voiding statuses of patients before and after TUI-BN were compared. Results: Overall, 82 women, with a mean age of 60.8 ± 17.9 years (range 12–102), were included. Most patients experienced chronic urinary retention or large postvoid residual (PVR) urine. Median follow-up period was 5 years (range 1–12). Following TUI-BN, 40 (48.8%) patients achieved satisfactory outcomes, with a mean GRA of 1.4 ± 0.93. Mean maximum flow rate, voided volume, PVR volume, VE, and IPSS-QoL were all significantly improved. Among all patients, 50 (61%) were subsequently able to spontaneously void with or without the aid of abdominal pressure without the need for catheterization. Indwelling catheters were required in 19 (23.2%) patients at baseline and in 5 (6.1%) following TUI-BN (P < 0.01). Moreover, 5 (6.1%) patients developed stress urinary incontinence and 2 (2.4%) experienced vesicovaginal fistulae following TUI-BN procedures, all of whom recovered satisfactorily after treatment. Conclusions: TUI-BN is an effective procedure for reducing the bladder outlet resistance and improving VE and QoL. Moreover, the procedure is durable with an acceptable incidence of complications.
Implications of bladder volume on target coverage and dose to critical structures during high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer: A dosimetric study

Background: The distension of the bladder during intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT) affects the applicator position and in turn the dose to tumour and normal structures. Aims and Objectives: To quantify the changes in the dose to high risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) and organs at risk (OARs) due to bladder filling. Methods and Materials: In this prospective study, dosimetric parameters of 40 cervical cancer patients treated with (ICBT) were studied. Two sets of CT images with empty and bladder filled with 100 ml of contrast were used for analysis of doses to HRCTV and organs at risk OARs. The distance between posterior wall of the bladder and reference point on the flange was recorded in X,Y and Z. Results: Target coverage between bladder distension and empty bladder was 84.15 vs 84.85 % (P=0.003) respectively. Mean dose to bladder was 1.57vs 2Gy (P=0.000), median dose was 6 vs7.25Gy (P=0.000), D5cc was 3.94 vs 4.17 Gy (P=0.103) and D2cc was 4.5 vs 5 Gy (P=0.01) respectively. The doses to rectum was D2cc - 3.76 vs 4.07Gy (P=0.000), Sigmoid was D2cc - 2.18 vs 2.43Gy (P=0.005), bowel D2cc was 2.81 vs 3.43Gy (P=0.000). The mean distance of the posterior wall of the bladder from reference point was 0.042 vs -0.079cm (P=0.391) in the X-axis, -0.618 vs -0.630cm (P=0.603) in Z-axis and 0.19 vs 0.26cm (P=0.009) in the Y-axis between two status of the bladder. Conclusions: Smaller volume of bladder receive higher dose and larger volumes a lower dose with bladder distension, while dose is same for rectum, sigmoid and bowel. The applicators shift posteriorly when the bladder is distended.
Acute Myocardial Infarction: Bedside Case Discussion

This is a bedside case discussion of a patient presenting with acute myocardial infarction. The symptoms and signs are discussed. The choices at each stage, the electrocardiogram (ECG), the angiogram, and the therapeutic findings are discussed in detail. The context with reference to India is also discussed. The differential diagnosis of the history of presentation is also discussed. ECG localization of myocardial infarction, management of acute coronary occlusion, and medical management of myocardial infarction are discussed.
Video-assisted anal fistula treatment in the management of fistula-in-ano: A 3-year experience

Background: Fistula-in-ano and especially the high and complicated type is still one of the difficult surgical problems to solve. The new promising technique, video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) was done first by Professor P. Meinero in 2006. Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the technique and the encouraging result of VAAFT. Materials and Methods: Using Karl Storz Company fistuloscope, 200 patients with anal fistulas were treated in Babylon Private Hospital in Al Hilla (Center of Babylon Governorate). This was done in two phases: diagnostic phase including visualization of fistula tract and identification of internal opening, followed by the operative phase by cauterization, curettage of the tract, irrigation using 1% mannitol solution, and closure of the internal opening using no. 1 Vicryl (polyglactin). Results: From the 200 patients with anal fistulas, 40 patients (20%) had undergone classical fistula surgery. No major complications were recorded. Early and late postoperative pain and discomfort were mild. The cases followed up at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. Primary healing rate was 70% at 12 weeks and 74% at 3-month follow-up. The overall healing rate percent after 1 year was 80%. Conclusion: VAAFT is a safe, sphincter-saving, painless procedure and can be done as a day case with promising preliminary results, and we can repeat the treatment till cure is achieved.
Effect of autoclaving cycles on the surface topography of endodontic nickel-Titanium rotary files: A systematic review

The surface topography of nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) rotary files, after being exposed to a specific number of sterilization cycles in an autoclave, can cause surface changes in the file. Hence, the use of AFM and scanning electron microscopy would help to shed some light on the delicate balance between the action of steam sterilization and its reaction, in terms of topographical changes on the surface of the instrument, which could have implications in its clinical use. To analyze the effect of autoclave cycles on the surface topography of endodontic Ni-Ti rotary files. English-language articles were retrieved from electronic biomedical journal databases. PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate were used to complete the search for all full-text articles available. The search was done till September 30, 2018. The last data search was conducted on September 30, 2018. All articles that were published in English were included. Only those articles that were published between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2018, comparing the effect of autoclaving cycles on the surface roughness of Ni-Ti rotary files, were included. Autoclave cycles. A total of 62 articles were identified through electronic database searching. After duplicate removal, and full-text reading, six articles qualified for qualitative synthesis in this systematic review. Autoclave sterilization causes an increase in the surface roughness of Ni-Ti files; the increase in roughness corresponds to the number of autoclave cycles that the instruments were exposed to.
Functional Relevance and Structural Correlates of Near Infrared and Short Wavelength Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging in ABCA4-Related Retinopathy

Purpose To evaluate the functional relevance and structural correlates of autofluorescence (AF) alterations under short-wavelength (SW) and near-infrared (NIR) excitation light in ABCA4-related retinopathy. Methods In this prospective, cross-sectional case series, 88 eyes of 44 patients with ABCA4-related retinopathy (mean age, 37.6 years; range, 9–77 years) underwent SW-AF and NIR-AF imaging. The AF images were graded for disease characteristic patterns by two independent readers and correlated with alterations in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and impairment of retinal sensitivity along a foveo-papillary line assessed by fundus-controlled microperimetry. Results A centrifugal sequence of AF patterns from atrophic lesions to homogeneous background was found for both AF modalities. The eccentricity of each AF pattern in NIR-AF was larger compared to those in SW-AF (P < 0.001). Increasing eccentricity of each pattern correlated with increasing retinal sensitivity. The distant border of the zone of hyperfluorescent flecks in SW-AF and hypoautofluorescent flecks in NIR-AF correlated with the margins of the ellipsoid zone loss in OCT (r = 0.979 and r = 0.971, P < 0.001). The expansion of hypofluorescent flecks in SW-AF was associated with the boundaries of external limiting membrane loss (r = 0.933, P < 0.001). Conclusions SW-AF and NIR-AF revealed a characteristic sequence of AF patterns that correlated with functional and structural alterations, suggesting different stages in disease progression. Translational Relevance Alterations in NIR-AF exceeded those in SW-AF images, substantiating the hypothesis of different AF origins and suggesting NIR-AF as surrogate marker for early disease-related changes.
Animal Models in Immunology and Transplant Medicine

mission is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. I also strongly feel that there are many ethical goods that come out of the use of animals in research. When we under­ stand the biology of systems in any organism we understand general principles that apply to humans because all life has a common origin. This knowledge helps us understand devas­ tating physical and behavioral disorders in humans because we have more insight into the underlying biology of the dis­ order. And these insights lead to treatments, cures, and pre­ vention that can be applied to humans and other animals. We are developing deep insights into the nature of human beings and I think this is incredibly important. And I believe that the more dominant human beings become on this planet we will desperately need this information if we are to keep the bal­ ance of life here. Finally, a word on animal welfare. I think the NIMH, partially because it really understands the nature of suffering and how it can develop, has always paid a lot of attention to animal welfare. I believe we and this community pay more attention than almost any other segment of human-animal interaction (the only exception to that, I think, is what goes on in veterinarians’ offices). But if you think about almost every other use or interaction of humans with animals, ani­ mals come out worse, in many cases much worse. To pay attention to animal welfare through the Animal Welfare Act has been an incredible benefit both to animals used in re­ search and ultimately I think to us, by helping us to under­ stand the illnesses that this Institute studies.
Function of NADPH Oxidases in Diabetic Nephropathy and Development of Nox Inhibitors

Several recent studies have reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), play important roles in various cellular signaling networks. NADPH oxidase (Nox) isozymes have been shown to mediate receptor-mediated ROS generation for physiological signaling processes involved in cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Detectable intracellular levels of ROS can be induced by the electron leakage from mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as by activation of cytochrome p450, glucose oxidase and xanthine oxidase, leading to oxidative stress. The up-regulation and the hyper-activation of NADPH oxidases (Nox) also likely contribute to oxidative stress in pathophysiologic stages. Elevation of the renal ROS level through hyperglycemia-mediated Nox activation results in the oxidative stress which induces a damage to kidney tissues, causing to diabetic nephropathy (DN). Nox inhibitors are currently being developed as the therapeutics of DN. In this review, we summarize Nox-mediated ROS generation and development of Nox inhibitors for therapeutics of DN treatment.
The genetics of isolated congenital heart disease

The genetic mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease (CHD) are complex and remain incompletely understood. The majority of patients with CHD have an isolated heart defect without other organ system involvement, but the genetic basis of isolated CHD has been even more difficult to elucidate compared to syndromic CHD. Our understanding of the genetics of isolated CHD is advancing in large part due to advances in next generation sequencing, and the list of genes associated with CHD is rapidly expanding. Variants in hundreds of genes have been identified that may cause or contribute to CHD, but a genetic cause can still only be identified in about 20–30% of patients. Identifying a genetic cause for CHD can have an impact on clinical outcomes and prognosis and thus it is important for clinicians to understand when and what to test in patients with isolated CHD. This chapter reviews some of the known genetic mechanisms that contribute to isolated inherited and sporadic CHD as well as recommendations for evaluation and genetic testing in patients with isolated CHD.