Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL SURGERY AND ITS MODULATION BY RECOMBINANT HUMAN GRANULOCYTE COLONY- STIMULATING FACTOR (RHG-CSF, FILGRASTIM)

The effects of perioperative filgrastim (rhG-CSF) and surgery per se on the postoperative acute phase reaction were studied by assessing leukocyte functions, cytokine levels and tenascin-C (Tn-C) and procollagen propeptide (PINP, PIIINP) concentrations in different body fluid compartments in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Thirty consecutive patients were randomized to receive either filgrastim or placebo for five days, starting 12 hours before colorectal surgery. Filgrastim treatment led to marked neutrophilia with decreased neutrophil migration in peripheral blood but not in peritoneal fluid 48 hours postoperatively. Neutrophil phagocytosis and bacterial killing did not differ between the groups. Filgrastim caused increased postoperative expression of neutrophil CD11b/CD18 in blood but not in peritoneal fluid or wound fluid. CD11b/CD18 expression was higher in both wound fluid and peritoneal fluid than in blood in the placebo group. The expression of neutrophil CD62L was higher in blood than in peritoneal fluid or wound fluid in both groups. The serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-8 was lower in the filgrastim group 5 hours postoperatively. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and IL-10 did not differ between the groups. The cytokine levels were markedly higher locally in the wound and in the peritoneal cavity compared to circulating blood. No adverse events attributable to filgrastim were seen. Leukocyte counts, neutrophil and monocyte functions and the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were measured from 18 patients before and after colorectal surgery. Surgery caused an increase in neutrophil and monocyte counts along with lymphocytopenia. Neutrophil phagocytosis was decreased 4 and 24 hours postoperatively, but normalized after that. A distinct systemic cytokine response was seen postoperatively. In a study with 24 patients, Tn-C concentration increased in wound fluid during the first postoperative week after abdominal surgery. The Tn-C level was markedly higher in wound fluid than
HEPATIC CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS STUDIED IN A FAMILY GROUP

Introduction.Infection with Echinococcus granulosus is a disease known since around 1550 BC. In 1786, Batsch was the first to discover the etiological agent of the disease. The main intra-abdominal location of the hydatid cyst is the liver. The way of transmission of the disease leads to a possible infection of several members of a family. Materials and methods. In 2014, patient R.M. was admitted in the Surgery Clinic of Colentina Hospital, being diagnosed with liver hydatid cyst. Lagrot operation was performed, followed, postoperatively, by ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy. Investigating patient’s heredo-collateral antecedents, we discovered that 3 of her 4 children had been diagnosed and treated for liver hydatid cyst. In the fourth child and in patient’s husband, the absence of the disease was documented. Results and disscusion. Both the patient treated in Colentina Hospital and her children had a favorable post-treatment evolution, as confirmed by the latest evaluation performed in 2015. Conclusions. Infection with Echinococcus granulosus in one of the family members raises suspicion of affection in the other members too, which justifies a thorough anamnesis and paraclinic evaluation in order to identify all possible cases.
A Fast, High-Precision Implementation of the Univariate One-Parameter Box-Cox Transformation Using the Golden Section Search in SAS/IML®

The one-parameter Box-Cox transformation is implemented using the golden section search algorithm in SAS/IML®. This code quickly produces the optimal value of the transformation to the user-specified parameter. It is presented in the form of a macro which has been tested using The SAS System for Windows®, releases 6.12 and 8.2. Changes to the SAS/IML® code are also presented for Schlesselman’s data-independent version of the Box-Cox transformation.
Development of IoT Based Mobile Robot for Automated Guided Vehicle Application

Mobile robot has been one of the researches focuses in this era due to the demands in automation. Many industry players have been using mobile robot in their industrial plant for the purpose of reducing manual labour as well as ensuring more efficient and systematic process. The mobile robot for industrial usage is typically called as Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV). The advances in the navigation technology allows the AGV to be used for many tasks such as for carrying load to pre-determined locations sent from mobile app, stock management and pallet handling. More recently, the concept of Industry 4.0 has been widely practiced in the industries, where important process data are exchange over the internet for an improved management. This paper will therefore discuss the development of Internet of Things (IoT) bases mobile robot for AGV application. In this project a mobile robot platform is designed and fabricated. The robot is controlled to navigate from one location to another using line following mechanism. Mobile App is designed to communicate with the robot through the Internet of Things (IoT). RFID tags are used to identify the locations predetermined by user. The results show that the prototype is able to follow line and go to any location that was preregistered from the App through the IoT. The mobile robot is also able to avoid collision and any obstacles that exist on its way to perform any task inside the workplace.
On estimation of expectation of simultaneous renewal time of time-inhomogeneous Markov chains using dominating sequence

The main subject of the study in this paper is the simultaneous renewal time for two time-inhomogeneous Markov chains which start with arbitrary initial distributions. By a simultaneous renewal we mean the first time of joint hitting the specific set $C$ by both processes. Under the condition of existence a dominating sequence for both renewal sequences generated by the chains and non-lattice condition for renewal probabilities an upper bound for the expectation of the simultaneous renewal time is obtained.
Preliminary approach to predictive modelling of a process for depolymerisation of cassava non-starch carbohydrate using oxalic acid and ionic salt

A study on preliminary approach to the development of a predictive modelling of a process for depolymerisation of cassava non-starch carbohydrate using oxalic acid and ionic salt (potassium iodide) is reported. The effects of three independent variables namely; oxalic acid (0.0278 M), potassium iodide ( 0.241 M) at volumetric (mL) range of 2-10 and 0.05-1.00 for oxalic acid and potassium iodide respectively with heating range time (min) of 60 to180 were studied using the central composite rotatable design in a 23 factorial experiments. Hydrolysate markers namely: solubility index and reducing sugar were evaluated as a measure of depolymerisation, consequently used as responses in the study. Equations for predicting the responses were developed and their adequacy confirmed using analysis of variance and residual assessment. The predictive model provides insight to the potentials of using oxalic acid as depolymerisation agent for cassava non-starch carbohydrate in the presence of potassium iodide salt. This would open a new opportunity for depolymerisation of cassava non-starch carbohydrate using foodgrade depolymerisation agent with view to yield product that its application will not be limited by safety concern.
Community and International Nutrition Breast-Feeding Lowers the Frequency and Duration of Acute Respiratory Infection and Diarrhea in Infants under Six Months of Age

It remains unclear whether breast-feeding protects infants against acute respiratory infection (ARI). To determine if breast-feeding protects against ARI as it does against diarrhea, 170 healthy newborns were followed for 6 mo. Feeding mode, incidence and duration of ARI and diarrhea were recorded biweekly. Infants were classified as fully or partially breast-fed, or formula-fed. Incidence and prevalence were computed monthly. The effects of duration of breast-feeding and potential confounders were analyzed by multiple and logistic regression analyses. Incidence and prevalence of ARI were significantly lower in fully breast-fed infants than in formulafed infants from birth up to 4 mo, as was the mean duration of individual episodes (5.1 { 3.5 vs. 6.4 { 3.6 d, respectively). Incidence of ARI was negatively associated with duration of breast-feeding and positively associated with the presence of siblings (P õ 0.05). The prevalence of ARI was associated only with the duration of breastfeeding (P õ 0.05). Infants that were never breast-fed and that had one or more siblings were more likely to have an episode of ARI than those fully breast-fed for at least 1 mo. Incidence, prevalence, and duration of individual episodes of diarrhea were also lower in breast-fed infants. Incidence (r Å 00.17, P õ 0.02) and prevalence (r Å 00.19, P õ0.008) were negatively associated with duration of full breast-feeding. Introduction of solid food was not associated with further episodes of diarrhea. The present results demonstrate protection against ARI as a result of breast-feeding similar to that for diarrhea, i.e., lower incidence and percentage of days ill, and episodes of shorter duration. J. Nutr. 127: 436–443, 1997.
A Case Report and Review of Literature: Laing Early-onset Distal Myopathy Due to the MYH7 Mutation in an Iranian Family

Introduction: Laing early-onset distal myopathy is a disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance pattern caused by a mutation in the MYH7 gene that encodes the human β-myosin heavy chain. Most previous studies reported this disorder with mild symptoms involving foot and hand fingers extensors as its early-onset and neck flexors as late-onset symptoms. In this study, the previously reported cases suffered from the same mutation are reviewed, too.
Gaudiebility and health status perception in a Mexican sample

espanolResumen En la actualidad, para el abordaje del proceso salud-enfermedad se requiere, ademas de controlar la enfermedad, preservar en lo posible la calidad de vida de la persona. En este sentido, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue identificar la relacion entre la gaudibilidad y la percepcion del estado de salud en una muestra de mexicanos, y comparar dichas variables segun el genero de los participantes. Para esto, se utilizo un diseno transversal y correlacional con la aplicacion de la Escala de Gaudibilidad y la version corta del Cuestionario de Salud (SF-36). En total, participaron 285 personas de entre 14 y 78 anos (M = 32.13, DE = 13.38), reclutados por medio de la tecnica de bola de nieve, con quienes se formo una muestra no probabilistica. Los resultados indicaron una relacion estadisticamente significativa, positiva y moderada entre la gaudibilidad y la salud general de los participantes (p = .407, p EnglishAbstract The current approach to the health-illness process requires, in addition to disease control, the preservation of the person's quality of life. This study has the purpose of identifying the relationship between gaudiebility and the perception of health status in a Mexican sample, as well as comparing these variables by gender. A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted for such purposes. Gaudiebility was measured with the Gaudiebility Scale and the perception of health status with the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The sample consisted of 285 people between the ages of 14 and 78 (M = 32.13, SD = 13.38), who were recruited with the snowball sampling method, forming a non-probability sample. Results indicate a statistically significant positive and moderate relationship between gaudiebility and the General Health of people (p = .433, p portuguesResumo Na atualidade, para a abordagem do processo saude-doenca requer-se, alem de controlar a doenca, preservar, na medida do possivel, a qualidade de vida da pessoa. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar a relacao entre a gaudibilidade e a percepcao do estado de saude em uma amostra de mexicanos e comparar tais variaveis de acordo com o genero dos participantes. Para isso, utilizou-se um desenho transversal e correlacional com a aplicacao da Escala de Gaudibilidade e a versao curta do Questionario de Saude (SF-36). No total, participaram 285 pessoas com idades entre 14 e 78 anos (M = 32.13, DP = 13.38) recrutados por meio da tecnica de bola de neve, com quem se formou uma amostra nao probabilistica. Os resultados indicaram uma relacao estatisticamente significativa, positiva e moderada entre a gaudibilidade e a saude geral dos participantes (p = . 407, p
Indigenous Environmental Interests and their Connection to Anthropogenic Climate Change

This research advocates a strategy to mitigate or prevent further anthropogenic climate change and preserve natural resources. The strategy takes into account mechanisms of social and moral norms, which are innate in humanity due to millions of years of evolution. Social norms themselves are not innate, but the mechanisms to acquire them and implement them are. To slow down anthropogenic climate change global forces, inclusive of governments, NGOs, and collective humanity, should help indigenous peoples to protect their territories and property. Important to the moral argument is highlighting the murder of Berta Caceres, a Honduran environmental activist, in 2015 by military members of Honduras at the instruction of the Honduran joint chiefs of staff as well as the likely involvement of an energy company. To conclude, if global forces were to enforce protection of indigenous communities affected by the negative effects of urbanization and globalization, then there would be a mitigating effect on anthropogenic climate change.
The Impact of the Rural Environment and Environmental Conservation on Poverty Alleviation: The Moderating Effect of Tourism Resources

ABSTRACT The rural environment adds value to the countryside that provides socio-economic development while environmental conservation draws attention to the locals protecting the environment from deforestation. In line with the Stakeholder Theory, this study examines the impact of the rural environment and environmental conservation on poverty alleviation; tourism resources are used as a moderator to measure the strength of endogenous and exogenous variables. Data was collected from 520 respondents in Kuching and Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the hypotheses. The results of the study indicate that tourism contributes to an increase in the household income of locals; however, there is a negative relationship between rural environment, tourism resources and poverty alleviation due to the high cost of private transportation to the rural areas. The results imply that the improvement inaccessibility of public transportation to the rural areas would increase the use of tourism resources and tourist arrivals, and enhance the well-being of local communities. This study also contributes to the literature on rural environment, environmental conservation, tourism resources, poverty alleviation and Stakeholder Theory. Keywords: Environmental impact; tourism resources; poverty alleviation; tourism development; stakeholder theory ABSTRAK Persekitaran luar bandar memberi nilai tambah sosio-ekonomi penduduk di kawasan desa, sementara pemuliharaan alam sekitar menarik perhatian penduduk tempatan dalam melindungi alam sekitar dari penebangan hutan. Selaras dengan teori pemangku kepentingan, kajian ini mengkaji kesan persekitaran luar bandar dan pemuliharaan alam sekitar terhadap pembasmian kemiskinan serta sumber pelancongan yang digunakan sebagai moderator untuk mengukur kekuatan pembolehubah endogen and eksogen. Data dikumpul daripada 520 responden dari Kuching dan Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. Perisian PLS-SEM telah digunakan untuk menganalisis hasil hipotesis. Hasil kajian menunjukkan pelancongan menyumbang kepada penduduk tempatan dalam meningkatkan pendapatan isi rumah. Walaubagaimanapun, terdapat hubungan negatif terhadap pembasmian kemiskinan akibat kos pengangkutan swasta ke kawasan luar bandar adalah tinggi. Kajian ini memberi implikasi bahawa perkhidmatan pengangkutan awam ke kawasan luar bandar dapat meningkatkan penggunaan sumber pelancongan, ketibaan pelancong dan membasmi kemiskinan. Kajian ini juga memberi sumbangan kepada teori pemangku kepentingan dan kesusasteraan pro-miskin pelancongan. Kata kunci: Impak persekitaran; sumber pelancongan; pembasmian kemiskinan; pembangunan pelancongan; teori pemangku kepentingan
Two-dimensional Assembly of Organically Functionalized Ag Nanoparticles at Air-water Interface

We report organically functionalized Ag nanoparticles spontaneously form two-dimensional (2D) novel superstructures at the air-water interface. Analysis of the superstructures suggests that the 2D assembly of Ag nanoparticles originates from a subtle interplay between characteristic inter-particle interactions that can be readily controlled by changing the sizes of nanoparticle metal core and surfactants. Such structures have potential uses in nanostructured functional materials, catalysis, and device applications.
Outcome and New Methods of Surgical Treatment

Stable distal radius fractures are treated non-surgically in a cast. Unstable distal radius fractures are treated with surgery. The majority of patients have good outcome, but up to one fifth are not satisfied. In this thesis the overall aim was to compare newer surgical techniques, evaluate our treatment over a longer time-period, and identify risk factors for poor outcome. In a previous randomized study of unstable distal radius fractures, better grip strength and pronation-supination were found at one year in patients treated with open reduction and fragment-specific fixation compared to closed reduction and external fixation. In a follow up at five years, both grip strength as well as pronation-supination had normalized in both groups and no clinical or radiographic differences were found. In a new randomized trial of unstable distal radius fractures, comparing the fragment-specific fixation and the newer volar locking plate, no difference was found in the primary outcome grip strength at one year. Both the fragment-specific fixation and the volar locking plate achieved good subjective, objective and radiological outcome, with more complications in the fragment-specific group. In a prospective and consecutive distal radius fracture registry, a retrospective decade-long study analyzed the subjective outcome at one year, using the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. At one year, good outcome was found for both non-surgically and surgically treated patients, but despite a shift of implant over the 10-year period, with volar locking plates replacing the external fixators and fragment-specific fixation, no change was found in subjective outcome. Finally, patients with major disability at one year, identified in the distal radius fracture registry, were re-evaluated at 2 12 years. Half of the patients improved, but only a small proportion returned to normal scores and the rest improved to a moderate level of disability. In conclusion, the surgical methods to treat distal radius fractures are good. But, a limited proportion of both and surgically treated patients has an inferior outcome. In the future, we need to focus on this subgroup and find better ways to identify causes to inferior outcome and try to prevent these complications before they become irreversible.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty for Corneal Decompensation Secondary to Phakic Intraocular Lenses

Purpose To describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of bilensectomy (pIOL explant and phacoemulsification), followed by DMEK performed for bullous keratopathy secondary to pIOL. Methods Seven eyes of seven patients, who developed corneal decompensation after pIOL implantation, underwent bilensectomy followed by DMEK in a two-step procedure. Main outcome measures included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, endothelial cell density (ECD) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results DMEK was performed at a mean time of 9.83 ± 8.23 months after bilensectomy. BCVA (log MAR) improved in all eyes, increasing from 1.11 ± 0.78 preoperatively to 0.54 ± 0.21, 0.28 ± 0.23, 0.21 ± 0.21, and 0.17 ± 0.17 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after DMEK. One year after surgery, mean spherical equivalent and cylinder were −0.70 ± 0.92 D and −1.50 ± 0.54 D, respectively. ECD decreased by 62 ± 4%, 69 ± 4%, 74 ± 4%, and 77 ± 3% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after DMEK. There was one case of primary graft failure and no other postoperative complications. Conclusions The two-step technique bilensectomy followed by DMEK is a feasible technique for the management of bullous keratopathy secondary to pIOL, providing a fast visual recovery with good visual and refractive results.
Associations of ORMDL1 gene copy number variations with growth traits in four Chinese sheep breeds

Abstract Copy number variations (CNVs) are gains and losses of genomic sequence of more than 50 bp between two individuals of a species. Also, CNV is considered to be one of the main elements affecting the phenotypic diversity and evolutionary adaptation of animals. ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 1 (ORMDL1) is a protein-coding gene associated with diseases and development. In our study, the polymorphism of ORMDL1 gene copy numbers in four Chinese sheep breeds (abbreviated CK, HU, STH, and LTH) was detected. In addition, we analyzed the transcriptional expression level of ORMDL1 gene in different tissues of sheep and examined the association of ORMDL1 CNV with growth traits. The statistical analysis revealed that ORMDL1 CNV was remarkably correlated with body height, heart girth, and circumference of cannon bone in HU sheep (P<0.05), and there are significant effects on body weight, body height, body length, chest depth, and height of hip cross in STH sheep (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results provide a basis for the relationship between CNV of ORMDL1 gene and sheep growth traits, suggesting that ORMDL1 CNV may be considered a promising marker for the molecular breeding of Chinese sheep.
Head-Unit Integrated Microphone Array for Handsfree Wideband Telephony

Recently, beamforming-based multi-channel speech enhancement techniques have drawn lots of interest for handsfree telephony in cars. With upcoming wideband telephony appropriate solutions operating at a sampling frequency of 16 kHz are required. A typical beamformer algorithm is the minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer [1], which includes both the delay-and-sum beamformer and the superdirective beamformer. However, using just a beamformer does not provide sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains.