Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Considerations for a Virtual Training System to Improve Job Interview Skills for Software Engineers

Nowadays, engineers have to face a lot of challenges before going to a job interview. Introversion, insecurity or lack of experience are some of the reasons that can lead to poor interview performances. Through training, such difficulties can be overcome, leading to significant skill improvement. Our paper presents the advantages of using emerging technologies to facilitate job interview training. Our proposed model for a training system is based on virtual reality and chatterbots. Hard skills and soft skills training, various 3D virtual environments and domains modularity could ensure the personalization of the system for any job training situation.
Role of Ultraviolet Irradiation and Oxidative Stress in Cataract Formation—Medical Prevention by Nutritional Antioxidants and Metabolic Agonists

Purpose:Cataract is a significant cause of visual disability with relatively high incidence. It has been proposed that such high incidence is related to oxidative stress induced by continued intraocular penetration of light and consequent photochemical generation of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide and singlet oxygen and their derivatization to other oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. The latter two can also interact to generate singlet oxygen by Haber-Weiss reaction. It has been proposed that in addition to the endogenous enzymatic antioxidant enzymes, the process can be inhibited by many nutritional and metabolic oxyradical scavengers, such as ascorbate, vitamin E, pyruvate, and xanthine alkaloids, such as caffeine. Methods:Initial verification of the hypothesis has been done primarily by rat and mouse lens organ culture studies under ambient as well as ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and determining the effect of such irradiation on its physiology in terms of its efficiency of active membrane transport activity and the levels of certain metabolites such as glutathione and adenosine triphosphate as well as in terms of apoptotic cell death. In vivo studies on the possible prevention of oxidative stress and cataract formation have been conducted by administering pyruvate and caffeine orally in drinking water and by their topical application using diabetic and galactosemic animal models. Results:Photosensitized damage to lens caused by exposure to visible light and UVA has been found to be significantly prevented by ascorbate and pyruvate. Caffeine has been found be effective against UVA and UVB. Oral or topical application of pyruvate has been found to inhibit the formation of cataracts induced by diabetes and galactosemia. Caffeine has also been found to inhibit cataract induced by sodium selenite and high levels of galactose. Studies with diabetes are in progress. Conclusions:Various in vitro and in vivo studies summarized in this review strongly support the hypothesis that light penetration into the eye is a significant contributory factor in the genesis of cataracts. The major effect is through photochemical generation of reactive oxygen species and consequent oxidative stress to the tissue. The results demonstrate that this can be averted by the use of various antioxidants administered preferably by topical route. That they will be so effective is strongly suggested by the effectiveness of pyruvate and caffeine administered topically to diabetic and galactosemic animals.
Is There Shareholder Expropriation in the U.S.? An Analysis of Publicly-Traded Subsidiaries

This paper examines the relation between the performance and valuations of publicly-traded subsidiaries in the United States and the ownership stake of their parent companies. Cross-sectional and time-series tests demonstrate that subsidiaries in which the parent owns a substantial minority stake exhibit negative peer-adjusted operating performance and are valued at a 23% median discount relative to peers. In contrast, majority-owned and fully divested subsidiaries show no abnormal performance or valuations. The results of our study indicate that the association between parent ownership and subsidiary performance is nonlinear and that some parents do, in fact, behave opportunistically toward their publicly traded subsidiaries.
Similitud español-inglés a través de word embeddings

En este trabajo hemos afrontado la tarea de similitud de textos multilingue mediante representaciones vectoriales de las palabras. Hemos experimentado con varias colecciones de textos con pares de frases en espanol e ingles, adaptando dos tecnicas basadas en word embeddings que han mostrado su eficacia en la similitud de textos monolingue: la agregacion de vectores y el alineamiento. La agregacion permite construir una representacion vectorial de un texto a partir de los vectores de las palabras que lo componen, y el algoritmo de alineamiento aprovecha los word embeddigs para decidir el emparejamiento de palabras de los dos textos a comparar. En el proceso se han utilizado dos estrategias distintas: usar traductores automaticos para poder aplicar directamente las tecnicas de similitud monolingue, y aplicar una tecnica de transformacion de modelos para trasladar los vectores de un idioma al espacio del otro. Las dos estrategias han funcionado razonablemente bien por separado, y los resultados mejoran cuando las salidas de los dos tipos de sistemas se integran mediante tecnicas de ensemble learning.
Quality of diabetes care in community health centers.

OBJECTIVES This study assessed the quality of diabetes care in community health centers. METHODS In 55 midwestern community health centers, we reviewed the charts of 2865 diabetic adults for American Diabetes Association measures of quality. RESULTS On average, 70% of the patients in each community health center had measurements of glycosylated hemoglobin, 26% had dilated eye examinations, 66% had diet intervention, and 51% received foot care. The average glycosylated hemoglobin value per community health center was 8.6%. Practice guidelines were independently associated with higher quality of care. CONCLUSIONS Rates of adherence to process measures of quality were relatively low among community health centers, compared with the targets established by the American Diabetes Association.
A Bayesian method to estimate the optimal threshold of a longitudinal biomarker

The objective of this study was to develop methods to estimate the optimal threshold of a longitudinal biomarker and its credible interval when the diagnostic test is based on a criterion that reflects a dynamic progression of that biomarker. Two methods are proposed: one parametric and one non‐parametric. In both the cases, the Bayesian inference was used to derive the posterior distribution of the optimal threshold from which an estimate and a credible interval could be obtained. A numerical study shows that the bias of the parametric method is low and the coverage probability of the credible interval close to the nominal value, with a small coverage asymmetry in some cases. This is also true for the non‐parametric method in case of large sample sizes. Both the methods were applied to estimate the optimal prostate‐specific antigen nadir value to diagnose prostate cancer recurrence after a high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment. The parametric method can also be applied to non‐longitudinal biomarkers.
Clinical Significance of Smoking Cessation in Subjects With Cancer: A 30-Year Review

BACKGROUND: Despite the established causal relationship between tobacco smoking and cancer, many cancer patients continue to smoke after diagnosis. This partly reflects ignorance of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation, even after diagnosis. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of continuing or quitting smoking in patients with diagnosed cancer. METHODS: The study was based on a review of medical databases (PubMed Central, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library) in the last 30 y. All articles included in the present analysis were in English. RESULTS: In subjects with early-stage lung cancer, continued smoking after diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and decreased survival. Research has demonstrated significant differences in actuarial overall survival favoring the non-smoking group among subjects with lung cancer. In subjects with oral cancer, smoking cessation or reduction leads to a significant reduction in mortality. There is also evidence that tobacco smoking aggravates and prolongs radiotherapy-induced complications. Of particular importance is evidence that continued smoking is associated with adverse effects during anti-cancer treatment. Smoking promotes tumor progression and increases resistance to chemotherapy due to nicotine-induced resistance to apoptosis by modulating mitochondrial signaling. Continued smoking is also related to inferior outcomes of treatment with novel targeted therapies such as erlotinib. Smoking in subjects with gastric and lung cancer is also associated with an increased risk of developing second primary tumors. Quitting smoking after lung cancer diagnosis is associated with a better performance status, whereas persistent smokers have worse overall quality of life. Subjects who continue to smoke despite being diagnosed with cancer report more severe pain than subjects who have never smoked and greater pain-related functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Continued smoking after cancer diagnosis is related to reduced treatment efficacy and reduced survival, increased risk for second primary malignancies, and deterioration of quality of life.
İnovasyon ve Stratejik Yönetim Sinerjisi: Stratejik İnovasyon

Icinde bulundugumuz “hizli degisim cagi” isletmelerin rekabet kosullarinidegistirmistir. Gunumuzde isletmelerin rekabet edebilirlikleri degisime ayakuydurmalari ve musterilerin degisen ihtiyac ve istekleri dogrultusunda hareketetmelerine baglidir. Bu noktada ozellikle isletmelerin –inovasyon yonetimi- kavraminicalisma alanlarinin bir parcasi haline getirmeleri hayati bir onem tasimaktadir.Basarili bircok isletmenin stratejilerinin inovasyon yonetimi temelinde insa edildiginigormekteyiz.Bugunun ekonomik cevresi, orgutlerin farkli deger yaratmasina gereksinimduymaktadir. Bunu saglamanin yolu strateji ve inovasyon arasindaki sinerjiyiolusturmaktan gecmektedir. Orgutlerde karlilik ve buyumenin artirilmasindaki enonemli etkenlerden biri inovasyonel (yenilikci) yeteneklerin gelistirilmesidir.Stratejilerin verimli bir sekilde yasama gecirilmeleri kisa surede gerceklestirilmelerineve yonetimin buyume ve surdurulebilirlik icin yeni yollar bulmasina baglidir. Inovasyoncalismalarindan elde edilen kazanimlarin etkisini gostermenin en iyi yollarindan birietkin bir sekilde strateji ve inovasyonun birlikteliginin goz onunde bulundurulmasidir.Bu calismanin amaci stratejik inovasyonun onemini ortaya koymak, yapisini veunsurlarini analiz etmek ve stratejik inovasyona yonelik gelistirilen yonetim kavramietkilerini degerlendirmektir
Feedback between Glial Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and gp120 from HIV-Infected Cells Helps Maintain Infection and Destroy Neurons

An envelope glycoprotein, gp20, of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interacts with host systems to promote HIV replication. gp120 is also involved in tissue-destructive positive feedback cycles that contribute to HIV-related but non-lymphocytic-, non-immunodeficiency-related tissue-destructive morbidity. Exposure to gp120 results in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) upregulation, particularly in cells of monocyte lineage. The resultant increased TNF in the microenvironment of the TNF-producing monocyte lineage cells results in increased occupancy of TNF receptors on nearby lymphocytes, monocytes or glia in which HIV does replicate. Such TNF binding increases HIV replication. Increased replication results in increased gp120 available to bind to monocyte lineage cells, further increasing or maintaining those cells’ TNF production in the face of other TNF suppressive forces. A trophic environment (TNF) for HIV replication is thereby maintained. gp120 raises cAMP levels. Increased cAMP is inherently TNF-suppressive. This is a moderating negative feedback element embedded within the larger positive feedback cycle. HIV does not effectively replicate in neurons yet many HIV infections show significant neuron loss. gp120 stimulates glia to synthesize TNF. Increased TNF stimulates HIV to replicate in the cells present in which HIV is able to replicate. TNF also damages nearby neurons. The resultant increased gp120 would further stimulate glia, and the stimulated glia’s TNF would damage local neurons. Damaged neurons make factors that activate glia to upregulate TNF synthesis. These feedback cycles centering on gp120 and TNF contribute to HIV pathophysiology, neuron loss and maintenance of infection.
Digital Earth as a ' Miracle Cure ' for Sustainable Development in the Era of Globalization

The article explains that the classic principle of mapping is incompatible with the requirements of globalization and sustainable development for reasons of principle. Instead, Digital Earth concept could be considered as a new scientific paradigm that qualitatively empower classical cartography and provide reasonable quality of data representation for assuring sustainable development in the era of globalization.
Apoptotic cascade inspired lipid nanovesicles show synergism with encapsulated paclitaxel in chemoresistant colon carcinoma.

UNLABELLED Inspired from the apoptotic cascade, we developed phosphatidylserine (PS)-based proapoptotic lipid nanovesicles, capable of bypassing drug resistance and exhibiting synergistic anticancer activity with encapsulated paclitaxel in chemoresistant human colon adenocarcinoma (HCT-15). MATERIALS & METHODS Nanovesicles were developed and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo for their proapoptotic activity, synergism with encapsulated paclitaxel and ability to bypass drug resistance. RESULTS 110 ± 7 nm sized nanovesicles were found to be proapoptotic and synergistic with paclitaxel, and bypassed drug resistance. The formulation, with synergistic inputs from PS and paclitaxel, downregulated Ki-67 and inhibited angiogenesis leading to apoptosis by activating caspase-3 and downregulating Bcl-2, resulting in DNA fragmentation. The nanovesicles, while increasing the systemic circulation time of paclitaxel by 6.9-fold reduced systemic toxic effects of paclitaxel and were found to be nonimmunogenic. CONCLUSION These results suggest the therapeutic potential of PS-based proapoptotic nanovesicles encapsulating paclitaxel in chemoresistant human colon carcinoma.
Digital predistortion for envelope tracking power amplifiers

Envelope tracking seeks to achieve an optimally efficient PA by modulating the supply voltage and operating the RFPA at peak instantaneous efficiency over the majority of the waveform. However, it implies using a second power amplifier, the envelope amplifier (or envelope modulator) and it results in a nonlinear “mixing” process between the RF signal and the supply voltage. By using digital predistortion, it is possible to compensate for the system nonlinearity and achieve the desired transmitted signal. This talk will provide insights into envelope tracking systems and focus on improvements in digital predistortion beyond that used on systems with constant supply PA's.
BACK PAIN AND DISABILITY AFTER LUMBAR LAMINECTOMY: IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP TO MUSCLE RETRACTION?

OBJECTIVE:Preliminary studies have suggested that prolonged retraction of the paraspinal muscle during spinal surgery may produce ischemic damage. We report the continuous measurement of intramuscular pressure (IMP) during decompressive lumbar laminectomy and its relationship to subsequent back pain and disability. METHODS:Twenty patients undergoing two-level decompressive lumbar laminectomy for lumbar canal stenosis were recruited. Back pain and disability were assessed by use of the Visual Analog Score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. During surgery, IMP was recorded continuously from the multifidus muscle by use of a pressure transducer. The intramuscular perfusion pressure (IPP) was estimated as the difference between the patient's mean arterial pressure and IMP. RESULTS:Two muscle retractors were used: the Norfolk and Norwich (n = 10) and the McCulloch (n = 10). The mean duration of deep muscle retraction was 62.7 ± 8 minutes (range, 19–133 min). On application of deep muscle retraction, there was a rapid and sustained increase in IMP (P < 0.001), and overall, the calculated mean IPP approached 0 mm Hg or less during this period (P < 0.001). On release of deep muscle retraction, there was a rapid decrease in IMP to preoperative levels. The IPP was greater with the Norfolk and Norwich than the McCulloch retractor (P < 0.001). Compared with preoperative values, there was a decrease in ODI (P < 0.001) and VAS for back pain (P < 0.001) at discharge and 4 to 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. In addition, there was a decrease in SF-36 scores at 6 months compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001). Total duration of muscle retraction greater than 60 minutes was associated with worse VAS scores for back pain and ODI and SF-36 scores for disability at 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between the VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores and other parameters measured, including the mean IPP, retractor type, operating surgeon, and wound length. CONCLUSION:The McCulloch retractor generates a higher IMP than the Norfolk and Norwich retractor. However, postoperative improvement in VAS, ODI, and SF-36 scores in these patients was associated with a shorter duration of muscle retraction and not the degree of IMP or IPP generated. In this respect, periodic relaxation of the paraspinal muscle retractors during surgery to allow muscle perfusion may help to reduce postoperative back pain and disability.
Complete cDNA and Genomic Sequence Encoding a Flooding-Responsive Gene from Maize (Zea mays L.) Homologous to Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylase

The vast majority of identified flooding-responsive genes encode enzymes of Glc-P metabolism, which function to allow limited energy production in the face of limited oxygen supply (Sachs, 1994). However, in addition to the induction of these genes, flooded plants also undergo structural changes, such as formation of intercellular air spaces, which may help in survival by facilitating gas exchange between submerged and aerated plant parts (Drew et al., 1979). These structural modifications have not been addressed at the molecular level. Here we report the isolation of a complete cDNA (MZEXETHOM) and genomic sequence (g2005) encoding a flooding-responsive gene that is homologous to XET and related glucanases (Table I). XET is a recently discovered enzyme that is proposed to play a role in wall loosening during cell expansion and fruit softening ( e g Nishitani and Tominaga, 1992; Redgwell and Fry, 1993). The activity of XET is that of transglycosylation: the enzyme catalyzes cutting and rejoining of xyloglucans, and thus allows molecular grafting between polysaccharide chains that crosslink cellulose microfibrils (Fry et al., 1992; Nishitani and Tominaga, 1992). In accordance with its proposed role, increased XET activity was correlated with growth of cells in culture (Hetherington and Fry, 1993) and with altered wall rheology during water deficit (Spollen et al., 1993). In addition, increased XET activity was also correlated with fruit ripening, which results from enzymatic degradation of the cell wall, leading to loss of structural integrity. In this case, XET is proposed to loosen the cell wall prior to degradation by other enzymes (Redgwell and Fry, 1993). Thus, g2005 is likely to encode a flooding-responsive form of XET or a related glucanase, which may be involved in cell wall metabolism during processes leading to structural modifications. The deduced amino acid sequence of MZEXETHOM exhibits homology to XET sequences from a range of species
Improving communication in level 1 trauma centers: replacing pagers with smartphones.

INTRODUCTION Communication among healthcare providers continues to change, and 90% of healthcare providers are now carrying cellular phones. Compared with pagers, the rate and amount of information immediately available via cellular phones are far superior. Wireless devices such as smartphones are ideal in acute trauma settings as they can transfer patient information quickly in a coordinate manner to all the team members responsible for patient care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A questionnaire survey was distributed among all the trauma surgeons, surgery residents, and nurse practitioners who were a part of the trauma surgery team at a Level 1 trauma center. Answers to each question were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale. The completed survey questionnaires were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS version 17; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). RESULTS The respondents had an overall positive experience with the usage of the third-generation (3G) smartphones, with 94% of respondents in favor of having wireless means of communication at a Level 1 trauma center. Of respondents, 78% found the device very user friendly, 98% stated that use of smartphones had improved the speed and quality of communication, 96% indicated that 3G smartphones were a useful teaching tool, 90% of the individuals felt there was improvement in the physician's response time to both routine and critical patients, and 88% of respondents were aware of the rules and regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. CONCLUSIONS Smartphones in an acute trauma setting are easy to use and improve the means of communication among the team members by providing accurate and reliable information in real time. Smartphones are effective in patient follow-up and as a teaching tool. Strict rules need to be used to govern the use of smartphones to secure the safety and secrecy of patient information.
Desenvolvimento de um método para estimativa da condutância hidráulica e avaliação da atividade de aquaporinas em plântulas de milho

Development of a method for estimating the hydraulic conductance and evaluation of the activity of aquaporins in maize seedlings The water transport in plants is a complex process which involves passage through cell membranes. In them there are aquaporins, integral membrane proteins, that facilitate passive flux of water and small solutes. An important factor influencing the water transport in plants is root hydraulic conductance (LPr), which can contribute up to 50% of the water flow resistance in the plant. Various methods are proposed for estimating LPr, but the data are highly variable, even for the same plant species. Therefore, we intend to develop and propose a new methodology, the hydraulic suction system to estimate LPr and evaluate the contribution of aquaporins in root water transport in maize seedlings. The hydraulic suction system was built at the Laboratório de Estudos de Plantas sob Estresse (LEPSE / USP) in partnership with Laboritoire d'Ecophysiologie Plants des sous Stress Environnementaux Montpellier, France. The experiments were conducted in LEPSE where the seedlings grew in the hydroponics greenhouse. To evaluate the activity of aquaporins was used treatment with hydrogen peroxide, which in millimolar concentrations inhibits water channels. The conductance measurements were performed at the same time of day, since the LPr itself and aquaporins presents the circadian rhythm. There was a 53% reduction in conductance peroxide treatment compared to control and significant correlation between LPr and pH, so that the pH increase caused a drop LPr probably caused by alterations in the abundance and/or activity of aquaporins in maize roots. These results indicate that the suction method was efficient in estimated hydraulic conductance, may be adopted as an alternative technique to estimate the LPr in plants.