Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vascular malformations: An update on classification, clinical features, and management principles

Congenital vascular malformations are one of the most challenging subgroup of diseases treated by vascular surgeons and interventionalists. Currently, there exists a lot of misunderstandings and controversies in terminology, diagnosis, and management of patients with these problems. This review article helps doctors with a concise and current understanding of classification, clinical features, complications as well as diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines.
Reproductive and menstrual factors and the risk of endometrial cancer

Cel pracy: Celem badania była ocena zależności między ryzykiem raka błony śluzowej trzonu macicy a czynnikami związanymi z rozrodem, profilem miesiączkowania, stosowaniem menopauzalnej terapii hormonalnej i antykoncepcji hormonalnej. Materiał i metody: Badano dwie grupy kobiet – 129 pacjentek w wieku 41–83 lat (średnio 61,5 lat) z potwierdzonym w badaniu histopatologicznym pooperacyjnym rakiem błony śluzowej trzonu macicy oraz 139 pacjentek w wieku 45–84 lat (średnio 55,3 lat) hospitalizowanych z powodu krwawień z dróg rodnych, z zachowanym narządem rodnym, po wykluczeniu zmian rozrostowych i raka endometrium (grupa kontrolna). Wyniki: W grupie kobiet z rakiem endometrium wykazano istotnie rzadsze stosowanie w przeszłości antykoncepcji hormonalnej (p<0,05) oraz ciągłej terapii estrogenowo-gestagenowej (p<0,01), co wskazuje na ich ochronny charakter. Kobiety z grupy kontrolnej rodziły częściej niż kobiety z rakiem endometrium. Średni wiek urodzenia pierwszego dziecka, długość i regularność cyklu miesiączkowego oraz obfitość krwawień miesięcznych, czas karmienia piersią, łączny okres miesiączkowania, liczba poronień, wiek menopauzy nie różniły się istotnie w obu badanych grupach. Średni wiek menarche był wyższy w grupie kobiet z nowotworem i wynosił 13,7 lat w porównaniu do 13,3 lat w grupie kontrolnej (p<0,05). Wnioski: Spośród czynników niezwiązanych z reprodukcją i miesiączkowaniem istotnie częściej w grupie kobiet z rakiem trzonu macicy występowały otyłość, nadciśnienie tętnicze, choroba niedokrwienna serca i cukrzyca.
Development of fungal identification tools and evaluation of microbiological and clinical profiles of Candida species from Iran

In this PhD thesis, I will explain the identification hurdles for diagnosis/identification of opportunistic fungal species in developing countries and how these regions can benefit from the application of PCR-based assays. We developed several PCR-based assay to detect various yeast species as well as causative agents of eumycetoma. Development of such PCR assays allowed us to embark on various epidemiological studies, in which we comprehensively explored the clinical outcome and microbiological properties of the main non-albicans Candida species. Moreover, while identifying yeast species isolated from blood samples, we reported for the first time the occurrence of the environmental yeast Wickerhamomyces myanmarensis causing candidemia in an immunocompetent patient.
Nutrition, Appetite and Weight Loss in Elders Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

Elders living in long-term care facilities often experience weight loss. Weight loss in elders has been shown to increase their risk of death. Existing research has identified numerous factors associated with appetite and weight loss in elders. Dementia, depression, acute and chronic illness, and medications have all been identified as potential causes of decreased appetite and weight loss in elders. Only a few nutritional and appetite assessment tools exist, and these tools are not widely used in long-term care facilities. The purpose of this descriptive study was to validate the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), an appetite assessment tool in long-term care facilities. In addition, the study was designed to explore other potential contributors to poor appetite and weight loss in elders. Included in the study were 92 elders living in four Midwestern long-term care facilities. Participants were weighed and appetite was assessed using the SNAQ monthly. More than 50% of participants scored ≤14 on the SNAQ each month, suggesting poor appetite in this population. Most elders who lost ≥5% of their body weight each month scored ≤14 on the SNAQ. The SNAQ showed poor sensitivity for weight loss ≥5% each month and over 6 months, but high specificity in this population. Initial and sixth month data indicated that Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the SNAQ would improve from 0.51 to 0.57 and 0.56 to 0.78, respectively, when question 4 was removed. Construct validity was supported by significant correlations with number of diagnoses (r = –.343, p = .001) and dementia (r = .313, p = .01). The present study suggests that illness and medications are important factors in appetite and weight loss in elders living in long-term care facilities. This study supports Goodman, Karene, 2013 UMSL, p. 3 the SNAQ as a useful tool, but additional studies are needed to further explore the low sensitivity of the SNAQ in this population. Goodman, Karene, 2013 UMSL, p. 4
Machine Learning and Expert Judgement: Analyzing Emerging Topics in Accounting and Finance Research in the Asia–Pacific

In this paper, we focus on the question to what extent machine learning (ML) tools can be used to support systematic literature reviews. We apply a ML approach for topic detection to analyze emerging topics in the literature—our context is accounting and finance research in the Asia–Pacific region. To evaluate the robustness of the approach, we compare findings from the automated ML approach with the results from a manual analysis of the literature. The automated approach uses a keyword algorithm detection mechanism whereby the manual analysis uses common techniques for qualitative data analysis, that is, triangulation between researchers (expert judgement). From our paper, we conclude that both methods have strengths and weaknesses. The automated analysis works well for large corpora of text and provides a very standardized and non‐biased way of analyzing the literature. However, the human researcher is potentially better equipped to evaluate current issues and future trends in the literature. Overall, the best results might be achieved when a variety of tools are used together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
A Loop-Line Antenna with Enhanced Bandwidth of Circular Polarization

We investigate a circularly polarized (CP) transmission-line antenna composed of loop radiation elements, called a loop-line antenna. To enhance the CP wave bandwidth, an isolated loop radiation element is first analyzed using the method of moments. It is found that a CP wave bandwidth for a 3 dB axial-ratio criterion has a maximum value of 8%. On the basis of the analysis results, we design the loop-line antenna. It is found that the antenna shows a CP wave bandwidth of 6%, which is twice as wide as that of a conventional loop-line antenna. The analysis results are verified with experimental ones. In addition, a condition for wideband CP radiation is discussed and found to be a composite radiation element consisting of two CP loops.
Design of highly effective multilayer feedforward neural network by using genetic algorithm

This paper presents a highly effective and precise neural network method for choosing the activation functions (AFs) and tuning the learning parameters (LPs) of a multilayer feedforward neural network by using a genetic algorithm (GA). The performance of the neural network mainly depends on the learning algorithms and the network structure. The backpropagation learning algorithm is used for tuning the network connection weights, and the LPs are obtained by the GA to provide both fast and reliable learning. Also, the AFs of each neuron in the network are automatically chosen by a GA. The present study consists of 10 different functions to accomplish a better convergence of the desired input–output mapping. Test studies are performed to solve a set of two‐dimensional regression problems for the proposed genetic‐based neural network (GNN) and conventional neural network having sigmoid AFs and constant learning parameters. The proposed GNN has also been tested by applying it to three real problems in the fields of environment, medicine, and economics. Obtained results prove that the proposed GNN is more effective and reliable when compared with the classical neural network structure.
Experiencias Desmotivacionales y Motivacionales de Estudiantes Varones de Ingeniería para Estudiar Matemáticas. El Caso de la Universidad Andrés Bello en Santiago de Chile

Based on the self-determination theory and the meta-theory of affective domain, the aim of this article is to analyze the motivations and demotivations of engineering students to study mathematics. The methodology used was the formation of a focus group of eight male students (19 to 24 years of age) from the Andrés Bello University in Santiago-Chile, who were asked about their motivating and non-motivating experience that contributed to their decision to study (or not) mathematics, and their specific motives for learning mathematical concepts and solving to problems. Results show that students are motivated and demotivated by the following themes: "being a teacher", "role of the teacher", "evaluations", "being an engineer" and "performance". It is concluded that motivations are exclusively extrinsic. This means that students are motivated to study mathematics if they satisfy their needs due to external factors (social relations, competence and autonomy) or are discouraged when they cannot satisfy those needs.
Keyframe-Based RGB-D Visual-Inertial Odometry and Camera Extrinsic Calibration Using Extended Kalman Filter

This paper proposes a novel method for Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) based on a RGB-D camera and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). To fuse the data from visual and inertial measurements, an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is deployed, while we propose an iterative procedure to reduce the linearization error. Our method not only estimates the trajectory of the camera, but also calibrates the gravity and the camera extrinsics, i.e. the relative pose between camera and IMU. For what concerns visual odometry, a KeyFrame strategy is employed, as it tends to outperform frame-to-frame alignment. Moreover, we combine feature- and ICP-based visual odometry, so to provide accurate and robust estimation. Evaluation results on simulation and real data show the effectiveness of our approach.
Design und Synthese neuer TGFβ-Inhibitoren zur Regeneration von Herzmuskelgewebe

Im Kontext der kardiovaskularen Erkrankungen stellt der TGFβ-Signalweg ein attraktives therapeutisches Ziel dar, da dieser nicht nur wahrend der kardialen Fibrosierung einen prominenten Einfluss besitzt, sondern auch im Bereich der Stammzellproliferation und -Differenzierung beteiligt ist. Bislang galt dessen selektive Hemmung trotz intensiver Bemuhen als sehr anspruchsvoll bis vor einigen Jahren b-annellierte 1,4-Dihydropyridine (DHPs) mit einem vollig neuartigen Hemmmechanismus entdeckt wurden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden intensive Bemuhungen vorgenommen, um fur verschiedene Anwendungen speziell designte Verbindungen auf Basis dieser 1,4-DHPs zu entwickeln. Dafur musste zunachst die bereits bestehende Struktur-Wirkungsbeziehung mit neuen Substitutionsmustern unterfuttert werden. Anschliesend wurden 1,4-DHP-Derivate fur eine in vivo-Anwendung entwickelt, wobei die hierfur entscheidenden Probleme zu adressieren waren ohne die TGFβ-Signalwegsinhibition zu kompromittieren. So konnten Substanzserien mit verbesserten pharmakokinetischen Proﬁlen erhalten werden. Des Weiteren wurde die Herstellung von molekularen Sonden („Probes“) auf Basis der DHPs angestrebt, um den neuartigen Wirkmechanismus der Verbindungen zu untersuchen und um zellulare Bindepartner zu identifizieren. Dazu wurden komplexe Syntheserouten entwickelt, um die benotigten funktionellen Gruppen erfolgreich zu installieren. Dies fuhrte zu hochaktiven und sehr selektiven Molekulen, welche ihre Anwendbarkeit in cellulo unter Beweis stellen konnten. Zuletzt konnten mittels eines Scaffold Hopping-Ansatzes drei neue Grundgeruste mit analogem Pharmakophor zu den 1,4-DHPs identifiziert werden. Fur eines davon, ein 3,4-disubstituiertes Indol, wurde eine komplexe Syntheseroute entwickelt, uber die eine Amid-basierte Bibliothek aufgebaut werden konnte. Die neue Serie an Substanzen stellt einen guten Startpunkt fur die Entwicklung neuer TGFβ-Inhibitoren mit ahnlichem Wirkmechanismus zu den 1,4-DHPs dar.
INHAUST AND EXHAUST VALVES GAP EFFECTS ON AN ENGINE PERFORMANCES

Valves is the part in an engine determining engine performance. The setting of the valves is to determine the composition of air and fuel in their combustion room. The mixing of the air and the fuel is the key of the engine performance. Dinamometer test was being conducted for the gap variation of the valves of 0.03 mm, 0.05 mm, and 0.07 mm each either for inhaust valve and exhaust one. The optimum of the engine performance of gasoline fuel as measured from the torque, the power, and the specific fuel consumption was at 0.05 mm of both.
Observer based dynamic control model for bilaterally controlled MU-lapa robot: Surgical tool force limiting

During laparoscopic surgeries, primary surgical tool insertion is the demanding and strenuous task. As the surgeon is unaware of the type of the tissue and associated parameters to conduct the insertion, therefore, to ease the procedure, the movement of the surgical tool needs to be controlled. It’s the operational capabilities that are to be manipulated to perform a smooth surgery even from a distant location. In this study, a robot system is being introduced for laparoscopic primary surgical tool insertion. It will incorporate a novel observer based dynamic control along with robot assisted bilateral control. Moreover, a virtual spring damper force lock system is introduced through which the slave system will notify the master regarding the target achieved and excessive force. The validation of the proposed control system is experimented with bilaterally controlled MU-LapaRobot. The experiment is comprising 3 cases of bilateral control criteria which are non-contact motion, contact motion, and limit force locking. The results defined the same value for contact and non-contact motion by 0.3N. The results depicted a force error of 3.6% and a position error of 5.8% which validated the proposed algorithm.
Risk Factors in Obstetric Hysterectomy in a Second Level Hospital in Mexico

Objective - To determine the risk factors for obstetric hysterectomy in a second level hospital in Mexico. Methodology. - Epidemiological study of cases and controls from January 2014 to December 2016 at the Child and Women Specialties Hospital of Queretaro. The cases were 56 women with obstetric hysterectomy, controls, 56 women without the procedure, sampling was random simple probabilistic in both groups, analyzed: age, schooling, parity, route of abortion, antecedent of previous cesarean sections, Uterine hypotonia, placental accretismo. For the analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used with chi2 test, student t, odds ratio (O.R.), and I.C. 95%, and a value of p <0.05). Results. -The mean age of the group of cases was 30.3 years (D.E. of 7,139) and the controls of 25.08 (D.E. of 5.979) with a p: <0.05. The factors that showed statistically significant difference (p: <0.05) were: Placental acretism (O.R., 126.17); Hypotonia or uterine atony (O.R., 8.22); Multiparity of 3 or more pregnancies (O.R., 5.11); Age of 28 years or more (O.R. of 4.86), placenta previa (O.R. of 3.11); Antecedent of two previous C-sections (O.R. of 2.77); Route of interruption of pregnancy by cesarean section (O.R. of 2.75) and cesarean antecedent (O.R. of 2.55). There was one maternal death in the case group. Conclusions: Obstetric hysterectomy is an emergency surgery, so the risk factors for this complication must be identified during prenatal care.
Evaluating Cardiac Biomarkers after Chemotherapy and Proton Therapy for Mediastinal Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Purpose Late cardiac complications from thoracic radiation of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma are of great concern. The authors investigated whether cardiac biomarkers could identify patients with early cardiac damage from thoracic radiation. Materials and Methods Following completion of anthracycline-based chemotherapy, 14 patients with stage I-IIIA mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma were enrolled on an IRB-approved prospective trial and agreed to serum evaluation of troponin, CK-MB, and BNP before beginning radiation, after completing radiation, and every 3 to 6 months for 5 years, during follow-up or until relapse. Results Among the 14 patients, median follow-up for the entire cohort was 5 years. No evidence in abnormal values in troponin or CK-MB was observed among the patient cohort. BNP levels demonstrated statistically significant higher values at various follow-up time points. Higher levels of BNP were observed among patients receiving higher anthracycline doses (>250 mg), but not among patients with higher mean heart radiation doses. Conclusions In the first 5 years after treatment, no rise in CK-MB or troponin was identified. BNP levels significantly increased following treatment, with larger increases among patients who received higher doses of anthracyclines. Further investigation is warranted.
Diagnosis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Clinical and Laboratory Data

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common metabolic liver disorders, and its incidence is expected to increase rapidly in the future as the rate of obesity increases and populations age. The gold standard for diagnosing NAFLD is liver biopsy, which involves sample error, high cost, and can be complicated due to its invasive nature. Therefore, many studies have been reported to establish accurate and convenient models to detect NAFLD using clinical and laboratory parameters. Most were derived from relatively small number of subjects and lack external validation, especially in the Korean population. This article summarizes the established and emerging risk factors for NAFLD and reviews non-invasive diagnostic algorithms for NAFLD including hepatic fibrosis.
Immune responses in hepatitis B and C virus infection

Het hepatitis B en C virus zijn virussen die chronische infectie van de lever kunnen veroorzaken. Zulke langdurige ontsteking van de lever kan leiden tot leverschade, met als gevolg het ontstaan van cirrose en hepatocellulair carcinoom. Naar de behandeling van deze chronische virus infecties wordt veel onderzoek gedaan. Chronische hepatitis C infectie kan sinds kort effectief worden behandeld met de zeer effectieve ‘direct acting antivirals’ (DAA’s). Voor de behandeling van chronische hepatitis B is vaak langdurige behandeling met virus onderdrukkende nucleotide analogen nodig. In dit proefschrift worden verschillende aspecten van chronische hepatitis B en C infectie onderzocht. Er wordt uitgebreid ingegaan op de afweerrespons die nodig is om deze virussen te kunnen klaren. Daarnaast worden klinische studies beschreven waarbij op zoek is gegaan naar nieuwe therapeutische opties voor de behandeling van chronische hepatitis B en C infectie. Dit omvat de combinatietherapie van peginterferon en nucleotide analogen voor chronische hepatitis B infectie en behandeling met een nieuw agens gericht tegen de gastheerfactor microRNA-122 evenals DAA’s voor de behandeling van chronische hepatitis C infectie. Daarnaast is er uitgebreid gekeken naar de effecten die deze behandelmodaliteiten hebben op het antivirale immuunsysteem. Bij de klaring van een acute hepatitis B infectie spelen zowel de virus-specifieke T cellen als de natural killer cellen een belangrijke rol. Ook bij klaring van het virus na succesvolle behandeling met combinatie therapie van peginterferon en nucleotide analogen blijken deze immuun cellen een rol te spelen. Bij klaring van het hepatitis C virus met de huidige middelen (DAA’s) en miRNA-122 blokkade lijken deze afweercellen een minder grote rol te spelen, en is vooral de specifieke remming van de virusreplicatie belangrijk. Ten slotte is er verder in gegaan op de lever-specifieke afweer, welke is vergeleken met de virus specifieke afweer in het bloed.
Biological effects of GYY4137 and other phosphorothioate-based hydrogen sulfide donors.

SIGNIFICANCE Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is regarded as the third gasotransmitter along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Extensive studies have demonstrated a variety of biological roles for H2S in neurophysiology, cardiovascular disease, endocrine regulation, and other physiological and pathological processes. Recent Advances: Novel H2S donors have proved useful in understanding the biological functions of H2S, with GYY4137 being one of the most common pharmacological tools used. One advantage of GYY4137 over sulfide salts, is its ability to release H2S in a slow and sustained manner akin to endogenous H2S production, rather than the delivery of H2S as a single concentrated burst. CRITICAL ISSUES Here, we summarize recent progress made in the characterization of the biological activities and pharmacological effects of GYY4137 in a range of in vitro and in vivo systems. Recent developments in the structural modification of GYY4137 to generate new compounds, and their biological effects are also discussed. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Slow-releasing H2S donor, GYY4137, and other phosphorothioate-based H2S donors are potent tools to study the biological functions of H2S. Despite recent progress, more work needs to be performed on these new compounds to unravel the mechanisms behind H2S-release and pace of its discharge, as well as to define the effects of by-products of donors after H2S liberation. This will not only lead to better in-depth understanding of the biological effects of H2S, but will also shed light on the future development of a new class of therapeutic agents with potential to treat a wide range of human diseases.
Bagasse sugarcane fibers as reinforcement agents for natural composites: description and polymer composite applications

Even some natural resources, considered as waste, can be used for manufacturing a lot of products with enhanced sustainable properties, such as cellulosic bagasse. In this review was performed in order to gather state of the art about natural fibers structure, properties, and applications in polymer composites reinforcement, giving an approach of bagasse sugarcane fibers. The literature was done in different scientific databases;more than 50 papers wereanalyzed. The vegetable fibersare an extensive and multipurpose group, bagasse sugarcane fibers emerge as a remarkable renewable resource, due to their suitable properties and a large amount of available resources worldwide. Nevertheless, this kind of products require the use of adequacy physical and chemical treatments in order to achieve an adequate proper interaction with polymer matrices, additionally, other characteristics as the geometry and fiber content can influence the performance as reinforcements in composite materials.