Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Health-Related Quality of Life after Radical Cystectomy Using Validated Questionnaires Really Better in Patients with Ileal Orthotopic Neobladder Compared to Ileal Conduit: A Meta-Analysis of Retrospective Comparative Studies

Introduction: From the most recent systematic revision of the literature, an orthotopic neobladder would seem to show marginally better health related quality of life (HR-QoL) scores compared with an ileal conduit. The aim of this study was to review all relevant published studies about the comparison between ileal orthotopic neobladder (IONB) and ileal conduit using validated HR-QoL questionnaires. Materials and Methods: Studies were identified by searching multiple literature databases. Data were synthesized using meta-analytic methods conformed to the PRISMA statement. Results: The literature search identified 10 papers; pooled effect sizes of combined quality of life outcomes for ileal conduit versus IONB showed a significantly better HR-QoL in patients with IONB (Hedges' g = 0.278; p = 0.000);. The present study has an important limitation due to the type of the analyzed comparative studies, all retrospective and not randomized. Conclusion: This meta-analysis of not-randomized, retrospective comparative studies on the impact of ileal conduit versus IONB on HR-QoL showed a significant advantage of IONB subgroups.
Transcriptome Analysis of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Roots during Development of the Prepenetration Apparatus1[W]

Information on changes in the plant transcriptome during early interaction with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is still limited since infections are usually not synchronized and plant markers for early stages of colonization are not yet available. A prepenetration apparatus (PPA), organized in epidermal cells during appressorium development, has been reported to be responsible for assembling a trans-cellular tunnel to accommodate the invading fungus. Here, we used PPAs as markers for cell responsiveness to fungal contact to investigate gene expression at this early stage of infection with minimal transcript dilution. PPAs were identified by confocal microscopy in transformed roots of Medicago truncatula expressing green fluorescent protein-HDEL, colonized by the AM fungus Gigaspora margarita. A PPA-targeted suppressive-subtractive cDNA library was built, the cDNAs were cloned and sequenced, and, consequently, 107 putative interaction-specific genes were identified. The expression of a subset of 15 genes, selected by reverse northern dot blot screening, and five additional genes, potentially involved in PPA formation, was analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and compared with an infection stage, 48 h after the onset of the PPA. Comparison of the expression profile of G. margarita-inoculated wild type and the mycorrhiza-defective dmi3-1 mutant of M. truncatula revealed that an expansin-like gene, expressed in wild-type epidermis during PPA development, can be regarded as an early host marker for successful mycorrhization. A putative Avr9/Cf-9 rapidly elicited gene, found to be up-regulated in the mutant, suggests novel regulatory roles for the DMI3 protein in the early mycorrhization process.
Low back pain problem amongst port crane operator

Purpose of this study to be conducted is to identify the risk factor of low back pain amongst port crane operator and to improve the health management program in the company. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the major group of port crane operator that having low back pain problem, to analyse the risk factors that associated to low back pain problem (WBV, Awkward prolonged sitting and shift work-psychological) , individual characteristics (sport activity or hobby), to analyse the associated rate operator’s absence from work (medical leave) and low back pain problem and to propose the basic ergonomic assessment checklist for management to investigate health incident cases and fit-to-work (ergonomics) screening checklist for new recruitment. A survey research design through the distribution of the questionnaire and interview & field observation will be used for research methodology. The population of this study consists of port crane operators-Rubber Tyred Gantry Operator (RTG). Questionnaire method used to collect all relevant information from correspondence. Interview also will be conducted to gain further details information. Data were analyzed with the usage of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to make the process of analysis easier. As result, firstly, the study shown that there are association of risk factor for working posture and years of exposure with Low back Pain. The null hypothesis was rejected and there is probability that these risk factors have influence the low back pain. It was also concluded that the null hypothesis was accepted which means there are no correlation of risk factors for heavy physical works, previous job experience, previous accident with low back pain problem. Thirdly, the study shown there are no correlation of rate operator’s absence from work (medical leave) with low back pain problem as the null hypothesis was accepted with p value<0.05.
Relationships between disease progression and serum levels of lipid, urate, creatinine and ferritin in Japanese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have reported distinct serological profiles of lipid, urate and ferritin in Western patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We aimed to examine the levels of these serological factors and their relationship to disease progression in Japanese ALS patients. METHODS Ninety-two patients with definite or probable ALS who fulfilled the revised El Escorial criteria were analyzed for clinical and serological variables. Serological data at the time diagnosed with ALS were compared to those of 92 age/sex/body mass index-matched healthy controls. RESULTS Compared to controls, urate and creatinine (Cr) levels were decreased and ferritin levels were increased significantly in sera of male and female patients with ALS. Significant increases of serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels were found in female ALS patients. The annual decline of ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALS-FRS) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were inversely correlated with serum TC, LDL-C, Cr and urate levels, and were positively correlated with serum ferritin levels. Multivariate analysis showed that the rapid worsening of annual ALS-FRS and FVC was associated with serum levels of TC, LDL-C, Cr, urate and ferritin. CONCLUSION The present study indicated that serum levels of TC, LDL-C, Cr, urate and ferritin were correlated with clinical deterioration in ALS patients. These results are similar to those in Western patients. Metabolic and nutritional conditions of lipid, urate and iron could contribute to disease progression in ALS patients. Further studies investigating high nutrition diets and iron chelation for the treatment of ALS are warranted.
Statistical characterization and modeling of drain current local and global variability in 14 nm bulk FinFETs

A detailed statistical characterization and modeling of drain current local and global variability in 14nm Si bulk FinFET devices is performed. To this end, an analytical mismatch model covering weak to strong inversion region is used to extract the main matching parameters. Our results show that, despite their very aggressive dimensions in terms of Fin width and height, such devices exhibit excellent local and global variability performance. Moreover, a Lambert-W function-based MOSFET compact model is used for MC simulation of local variability.
Euro chordates: Ascidian community swims ahead. The 4th International Tunicate meeting in Villefranche sur Mer

Accepted 21 January 2008A cohort of 150 biologists from 14countries working with ascidians andappendicularians gathered on theFrench Riviera last June to enjoy goodscience and the perfect azure weather.At a time when molecular phylogenystudies tout ascidians and appendicu-larians as “our closest chordate ances-tors,”
Wood dust exposure and risk of lung cancer

Objectives Despite the compelling association between wood dust and sinonasal cancer, there has been little systematic and rigorous study of the relationship between wood dust and lung cancer. We investigated whether a history of wood dust exposure through occupational and hobby-related activities was associated with increased lung cancer risk. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study, with 440 cases and 845 age-matched controls. Using detailed work and personal histories, quantitative estimates of cumulative exposure to wood dust (thought to be primarily from softwood) were calculated for each participant. Using unconditional logistic regression adjusted for age and smoking status, risk of lung cancer was examined in relation to employment in wood-related occupations, working with wood as a hobby, as well as cumulative wood dust exposure that took into account both occupational and hobby-related sources. Results While we observed an increased risk of lung cancer associated with working in a sawmill (OR=1.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.1), we found no evidence of increased risks with other occupations, working with wood as a hobby or with estimated cumulative exposure to wood dust. Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed modest decreased risks with exposure to wood dust, although no dose-response relationship was apparent. Conclusions This study provided somewhat reassuring evidence that softwood dust does not increase the risk of lung cancer, but future studies should evaluate exposure to hardwood dusts. Suggestive evidence for an inverse association may be attributable to the presence of endotoxin in the wood dust, but the lack of a dose-response relationship suggests a non-causal relationship.
[Effect of transformed steroids on Na,K-dependent ATPase].

The transformed steroids containing delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy- or 3 beta, 5 alpha-dihydroxy-6-keto groups in the A/B rings and an additional cycle E (17,20-dihydroxy-delta-lactone, 16,23-pyranone or delta 20(22)-16 alpha, 17 alpha-dihydroxy-23-carbethoxy-side chain) (1 . 10(-5) M) inhibit Na+,K+-ATPase from pig kidney medulla or from ox brain. The steroid structure has a noticeable effect on ATPase inhibition varying from 3 to 26%. The data obtained suggest that the uneven distribution of polar substituents in the steroid molecule is essential for ATPase inhibition by steroid aglycons.
Investigation of the Depth Reconstruction and Search for Local Performance Variations With a Large Coplanar-Quad-Grid CdZnTe Detector

CdZnTe coplanar-grid (CPG) detector is used in the COBRA experiment to search for neutrinoless double beta decay. In the next phase of the experiment, significantly larger detectors with a volume of $(20 \times 20 \times 15)~\text {mm}^{3}$ and a coplanar-quad-grid will be used. This paper presents the results of a spatially resolved investigation of the performance of one detector of this type, focusing on its usability in a double-beta experiment. With these data, two modifications of the interaction depth formula, which is of great importance for background reduction in COBRA, are investigated for the first time with such a detector, and the results are compared with a detector with a conventional CPG. Furthermore, we report the mobility-lifetime product for electrons for each sector of the detector.
Maximum likelihood frequency estimation in smart grid applications

This paper focuses on the estimation of the fundamental frequency in balanced three-phase power systems. Specifically, we propose a Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) that exploits the multidimensional nature of electrical signals. For perfectly sinusoidal signals, we show that the MLE can be expressed according to the periodogram of the instantaneous positive component. For harmonic signals, we demonstrate that the MLE can be approximated by a cumulated periodogram of the zero, positive and negative sequence components. As compared to single-phase estimators, statistical analysis and simulation results prove that the proposed estimator decreases the Mean Square Error by a factor of three, whatever the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) or data length. Furthermore, simulations with experimental data show that the proposed technique outperforms classical spectral estimators such as MUSIC.
Craving and substance use among patients with alcohol, tobacco, cannabis or heroin addiction: a comparison of substance- and person-specific cues.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS It is well established that craving increases following exposure to substance-related 'cues', but the role of life-styles or substance use habits that are unique to each person remains poorly understood. This study examines the association of substance-specific and personal cues with craving and substance use in daily life. DESIGN Ecological momentary assessment was used during a 2-week period. SETTING Data were collected in a French out-patient addiction treatment centre. PARTICIPANTS A total of 132 out-patients beginning treatment for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis or opiate addiction were included. MEASUREMENTS Using mobile technologies, participants were questioned four times per day relative to craving, substance use and exposure to either substance-specific cues (e.g. seeing a syringe) or personal cues unique to that individual (e.g. seeing the specific person with whom the substance is used). FINDINGS Craving intensity was associated with the number of concurrently assessed substance-specific cues (t = 4.418, P < 0.001) and person-specific cues (t = 4.006, P < 0.001) when analysed jointly within the same model. However, only person-specific cues were associated with increases in craving over subsequent hours of the day (t = 2.598, P < 0.05). Craving intensity, in turn, predicted increases in later substance use (t = 4.076, P < 0.001). Causal mediation analyses demonstrated that the association of cues with later substance use was mediated by craving intensity (mediated effect = 0.007, 95% confidence interval = 0.004-0.011). CONCLUSIONS Unique person-specific cues appear to have a robust effect on craving addictive substances, and the duration of this association may persist longer than for more general substance-specific cues. Mobile technologies provide new opportunities for understanding these person-specific risk factors and for providing individually tailored interventions.
A distributed PSO-ARIMA-SVR hybrid system for time series forecasting

The combination of techniques in order to achieve more accurate predictions in time series forecasting has been widely applied. Statistical linar models such as the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) can not capture nonlinear patterns in time series. Therefore nonlinear models such as the support vector regression (SVR) are able to map such patterns. Thus time series can be decomposed in linear and nonlinear patterns. In order to capture both types of patterns a hybrid system comprised by ARIMA and SVR models optimized by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied to perform predictions. The results show that the proposed method achieved promising results for one-step ahead predictions.
Prostaglandins from human T suppressor/cytotoxic cells modulate natural killer antibacterial activity

We have recently described potent antibacterial activity of purified human NK cells. Here we show that this function is regulated by T cytotoxic/suppressor CD8+ cells. Thus, coculture of NK and CD8+ cells for 3 h or longer times abrogated the expression of the NK antibacterial activity, and of two activation markers IL-2R and transferrin receptor (Tf-R). The suppressive activity was mediated by PGE2 as demonstrated by direct PGE2 determination in CD8+ cell free supernatants, and by inhibition of CD8+ cell suppression with indomethacin or piroxicam in vitro. We also found that resting T cytotoxic/suppressor cells purified by negative selection produce higher amounts of PGE2 than adherent cells like monocytes and macrophages, and that these concentration levels are in the range of concentrations known to suppress a significant number of in vitro immunologic functions.
Characterization of blend and composites for agricultural use at arid and semiarid soils

The use of polymers as soil-stabilizer additive has expanded significantly in agricultural use to control soil degradation, desertification and to improve arid and semi arid soils. This research was conducted to determine the effects of different synthetic polymers and biopolymers at low concentration (0.03 %-1%) at arid and semi arid soil of North Africa.Polystyrene (PS), Polyacrylamide (PAM); Cellulose and the mixture of PAM and PS were characterized by viscosity, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffractometry, thermal analysis (TG and DSC) and Scanning electron micrographs (SEM). The results showed that composites from polymers: PAM and PS with Cellulose in soil, could improve better, soil physical proprieties and augment water retention at arid soils compared with application of any other polymers at the same concentrations.This work can help to improve the productivity of arid and semi arid soils by using low concentration of biopolymers from plant fibers and polymers from synthetic plastics compounds or the wastes of plastic industry, aiming the increase of water holding capacity and also to improve physical properties of soils by binding soils particles together. The reduction of the water loss; also to make valuable wastes of plastic industry and renewable organic fibers to protect environment.
Chest-Wall Contouring Surgery in Female-to-Male Transsexuals: A New Algorithm

Background: In female-to-male transsexuals, the first surgical procedure in their reassignment surgery consists of the subcutaneous mastectomy. The goals of subcutaneous mastectomy are removal of breast tissue, removal of excess skin, reduction and proper positioning of the nipple and areola, and ideally, minimization of chest-wall scars. The authors present the largest series to date of female-to-male transsexuals who have undergone subcutaneous mastectomy. Methods: A total of 184 subcutaneous mastectomies were performed in 92 female-to-male transsexuals, using the following five techniques: semicircular, transareolar, concentric circular, extended concentric circular, and free nipple graft. The technique used depended on the breast size and envelope, the aspect and position of the nipple-areola complex, and the skin elasticity. To best meet the goals of creating a normal male thorax, the authors have developed an algorithm to aid in choosing the appropriate procedure. Results: The overall postoperative complication rate was 12.5 percent (23 of 184 subcutaneous mastectomies), and in eight of these cases (4.3 percent), an additional operative intervention was required because of hematoma, infection, and/or wound dehiscence. Despite this low complication rate, additional procedures for improving aesthetic results were performed on 59 breasts (32.1 percent). The semicircular and concentric circular techniques produced the highest rating of the overall result by patient and surgeon, whereas the extended concentric circular technique produced the lowest rating. Conclusions: Skin excess and skin elasticity are the key factors in choosing the appropriate technique for subcutaneous mastectomy, which is reflected in the algorithm. Although the complication rate is low and patient satisfaction is high, secondary aesthetic corrections are often indicated.
Application of Multifractal and Joint Multifractal Analysis in Examining Soil Spatial Variation: A Review

© 2012 Biswas et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Application of Multifractal and Joint Multifractal Analysis in Examining Soil Spatial Variation: A Review
Business Intelligence - Definitions, Managerial Effects and Aspects: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper presents findings from the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on Business Intelligence (BI), to clarify key definition alongside managerial effects resulting from its implementation in organizations. In doing this, the paper aims to assist organizations, decision makers, managers and information system researchers to validate the existing state of research in BI motivation. The review highlights gaps in the presented body of existing literature, contradictory answers in relation to BI definition and aspects, in addition, uncovers themes significant to BI implementation that are not well addressed in the literature. The need for empirical research is also highlighted, as the majority of the articles analyzed are at the conceptual and/or theoretical level. In addition, the research recognized a connection between a set of different managerial aspects affected by BI.
Identifying Critical Success Factors: the case of ERP Systems in Higher Education

This paper reports on a study that uses a combination of techniques to formally characterize and determine the critical success factors influencing the effective usage of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, with special reference to higher education institutions. The thirty-seven ERP success factors identified from the literature are classified into: Critical, Active, Reactive and Inert categories. The classification of decision factors can generally support organizations to explore their current challenges and to adequately prepare decisions in a more participatory way for future endeavors. This study suggests a possible alternative that decision makers should take when a factor or a set of factors dominates during the implementation of ERP systems.
Expression of Leptin Receptor by Glial Cells of the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius: Possible Involvement in Energy Homeostasis

Leptin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone, regulates food intake and body weight by acting principally on the hypothalamus, which displays the highest expression of leptin receptor (Ob‐R). Nevertheless, other regions of the brain express Ob‐R and constitute leptin’s target sites. The dorsal vagal complex (DVC), an integrative centre of autonomic functions located in the caudal brainstem, is one of these structures. Leptin, by acting through the DVC, affects autonomic and neuroendocrine functions, such as control of food intake and gastric motility. In the present study, we observed Ob‐R labelling within the DVC in cells that correspond to neuronal cell bodies. We showed for the first time Ob‐R expression in a subpopulation of glial fibrillary acid protein positive cells located at the border between the area postrema and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). These glial cells exhibit an atypical morphology consisting of unbranched processes that radiate rostro‐caudally from the fourth ventricle wall. In vitro, the glial cells exhibited both long and short Ob‐R expression with a preferential expression of the Ob‐Ra and‐f isoforms. Interestingly, using i.v and i.c. v. injection of the fluorescent tracer hydroxystilbamidine, we provided evidence that these cells may constitute a diffusion barrier which might regulate entry of molecules into the NTS. Finally, modulation of energy status, by acute or chronic reduction of food intake, modulated especially the short Ob‐R isofoms in the DVC. In the light of these results, we hypothesise that Ob‐R positive glial cells of the DVC participate in the transport of leptin into the brainstem and thus contribute to regulation of energy homeostasis.