Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Balance Control in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis and Disturbed Somatosensory Function

Study Design. A cross-sectional study of the balance control in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Objective. To investigate the relationship among somatosensory function, balance control, and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Summary of Background Data. Balance control requires the contribution of somatosensory, visual, and vestibular inputs. Previous studies have shown that abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were associated with AIS. Methods. A total of 105 girls with AIS and 57 normal girls aged 11–14 years entered the study, and were evaluated with bilateral tibial nerve evoked cerebral SSEPs and standing balance control under reduced or conflicting sensory conditions (i.e., the sensory organization test). One-way analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the effects of scoliosis and somatosensory function tested by SSEPs on the performance of sensory organization test. Results. There were 15 patients with AIS who had abnormal SSEPs. Postural sway was measured on all subjects under normal, reduced, or conflicting somatosensory, visual, and vestibular conditions. One-way analysis of variance indicated no significant effect of spinal deformity or SSEPs on the balance control when there was an increased reliance on the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular systems during stance (P > 0.05). However, in the patients with abnormal SSEPs, a significant effect was found when subjects had to rely on somatosensory input for their balance control (P = 0.023). The effect of scoliosis by itself was not found to be significant (P = 1.0). Conclusions. The finding of significantly larger difference in bilateral SSEP latencies in patients with AIS indicated the association of abnormal SSEPs with AIS. The finding of a significant effect of SSEPs on the balance control further indicated the presence of abnormal somatosensory function in a subgroup of patients with AIS.
Kinerja Manajemen Rantai Pasok Keripik Apel Pada Industri Kecil di Kota Batu

Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui pencapaian kinerja rantai pasok pada Industri Kecil Keripik Apel di Kota Batu. Penelitian dilakukan di Kota Batu, dengan menggunakan 3 responden. Metode yang digunakan yaitu analisis kualitatif untuk mengidentifikasi rantai pasok serta mengidentifikasi serta menganalisis rantai pasok, pemetaan rantai pasok dengan metode SCOR ( Supply Chain Operations Reference ), pengukuran kinerja rantai pasok dengan menggunakan atribut kinerja yang diukur yaitu Supply Chain Reliability, Supply Chain Responsiveness , dan Supply Chain Agility dengan metrik kinerja yaitu Perfect Order Fulfillment (POF), Order Fulfillment Cycle Time (OFCT), Upside Supply Chain Flexibility , Upside Supply Chain Adaptability , dan Downside Supply Chain Adaptability . Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan deskripsi mengenai rantai pasok, pemetaan rantai pasok dengan menggunakan metode SCOR ( Supply Chain Operations Reference ), pengukuran kinerja manajemen rantai pasok, kendala serta perbaikan kinerja manajemen rantai pasok di Industri Kecil Keripik Apel di Kota Batu.
Youngsters Perception Toward Social Networking Advertising: Does Social Media Advertising Factors Still Matter?

Social Networking Sites (SNS) including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, Flickr and My Space are significantly grown in popularity among youngster and has become powerful media for advertisers as well as advertising industry all around the world. Advertising via social networking platform allows segmentation of advertising activities based on customers’ demographic. Hence, it is different from social medial advertising which is public-focused based. Thus, this study aims to explore does the important success factors for social media advertising still matter toward youngsters’ perception on social networking advertising. As such, the study assess the relationships between five main social media advertising success factors (informativeness, entertainment, credibility, irritation and customization) with youngsters’ perception toward social networking advertising. The study is quantitative based. Data was collected from 274 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Management (FM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) via convenience sampling technique. Data analysis was done via descriptive analysis and Person correlation test. The findings from the study suggested that all the five social media advertising factors are significantly correlated with youngsters’ attitude towards social network advertising. In addition, finding from this study also revealed that credibility or the trustworthiness of social network advertising is viewed by youngsters as the least important factor. Perhaps this is because of youngsters generally view information in social network is lack of reliability and credibility as compare with traditional face to face networking platform.
Collaborative environments in small and medium-sized enterprises in architecture, engineering and construction

The general picture of Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) is of a sector that is a pyramid with control being in the hands of large players with a large base of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). It ensues naturally that SMEs are key players in supporting the large companies. This suggests that, the AEC sector has a continuous demand for collaboration. Collaborative working has been implemented in numerous companies. These efforts have resulted in the wide recognition of the opportunity that emerging technologies offer the AEC sector. It is, however, commonly observed that SMEs are likely to magnify the sector trend and to be less technically forward thinking than large companies. The main focus of this paper is, therefore, to explore the use of IT within AEC, and the barriers and different implementation factors that can influence SMEs to develop, in response to business pressures using the opportunities provided by collaborative technologies.
Detection of Gliotoxin in Experimental and Human Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT Gliotoxin was measured in the lungs (mean, 3,976 ± 1,662 ng/g of tissue) and sera (mean, 36.5 ± 30.28 ng/ml) of mice with experimentally induced invasive aspergillosis (IA), and levels decreased with antifungal therapy. Gliotoxin could also be detected in the sera of cancer patients with documented (proven or probable) IA.
Complete Genome Sequences of Enterococcus rotai LMG 26678T and Enterococcus silesiacus LMG 23085T

ABSTRACT The inclusion of molecular methods in the characterization of the novel species Enterococcus horridus necessitated the sequencing and assembly of the genomes of the closely related Enterococcus rotai and Enterococcus silesiacus. Sequencing using Illumina technology in combination with optical mapping led to the generation of closed genomes for both isolates.
Pathology of epiretinal membrane, idiopathic macular hole, and vitreomacular traction syndrome.

When considering vitreomacular traction, there are several phenotypic lesions including epiretinal membranes (ERMs) or macular puckering, idiopathic macular holes, and the vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS), all of which are because of pathologic changes at the vitreoretinal interface. Figure 1 shows how we look at the vitreoretinal interface, and although these images are improving, they do not yet depict the vitreoretinal interface itself. These pathologies at the vitreoretinal interface may be defined as follows:
PRODUCTS OF BIOGENIC AMINE METABOLISM IN THE LOBSTER: SULFATE CONJUGATES

Octopamine, dopamine and serotonin, the three biogenic amines found in the lobster nervous system, are each converted by lobster tissues into two principal classes of products, A and B metabolites. In this paper, evidence is presented that the B metabolites are sulfate conjugates of the amines and their A metabolites. Two double‐labelled conjugates were formed from each of the three amines during incubations of lobster nerves with tritiated amine and 35SO4. When the two octopamine conjugates were hydrolyzed by mild acid, one of the conjugates was converted to a mixture of 35SO4 and [3H]‐octopamine, and the other to a mixture of 35SO4, [3H]octopamine, and [3H]metabolite A. [3H]Metabolite A was also converted to octopamine by acid hydrolysis. The results indicated that one of the double‐labelled conjugates was octopamine‐sulfate, and the other metabolite‐A‐sulfate. An enzyme fraction prepared from nerve homogenates catalyzed the synthesis of double‐labelled sulfate conjugates from the tritiated amines and [35S]3′‐phosphoadenosine‐5′‐phospho‐sulfate. Double‐labelled conjugates formed in this way contained 1 mol of sulfate per mol of amine. Indirect evidence suggested that the sulfate was in ester linkage with the ring hydroxyls of the amines.
Breast cancer mortality trends and patterns in Córdoba, Argentina in the period 1986–2006

To estimate the mortality trends and spatial patterns for breast cancer in Córdoba (Argentina) in the period 1986–2006 taking into account age, calendar year, and birth cohort effects. Mortality data were provided by the Department of Statistics, Ministry of Health of Córdoba. Time trends in breast cancer mortality were analyzed using joinpoint analysis and age–period–cohort models. A random-intercept log–linear model was also used to assess the spatial pattern. Breast cancer age standardized mortality rates rose by 1.4% (95% confidence interval 0.2–2.6) per year from 1986 to 1997, and thereafter both breast and total cancer rates declined [−2.5% (−4 to −1.0) and −1.6% (−2.3 to −0.8), respectively]. In age-specific analysis the decline was mainly at age 20–49 years [−2.4% (−4 to −0.9)]. Rates over most recent calendar years decreased, mainly in the most urbanized districts. Age–period–cohort models for Córdoba province and Córdoba Capital showed a favorable cohort effect for generations born after 1955. A decreasing trend in breast cancer mortality was found in Córdoba, especially at younger ages and in most urbanized areas. This could be attributed to some unidentified favorable factors in generations born after 1955.
Geostatistical modelling of malaria indicator survey data to assess the effects of interventions on the geographical distribution of malaria prevalence in children less than 5 years in Uganda

Background Malaria burden in Uganda has declined disproportionately among regions despite overall high intervention coverage across all regions. The Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) 2014–15 was the second nationally representative survey conducted to provide estimates of malaria prevalence among children less than 5 years, and to track the progress of control interventions in the country. In this present study, 2014–15 MIS data were analysed to assess intervention effects on malaria prevalence in Uganda among children less than 5 years, assess intervention effects at regional level, and estimate geographical distribution of malaria prevalence in the country. Methods Bayesian geostatistical models with spatially varying coefficients were used to determine the effect of interventions on malaria prevalence at national and regional levels. Spike-and-slab variable selection was used to identify the most important predictors and forms. Bayesian kriging was used to predict malaria prevalence at unsampled locations. Results Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) ownership had a significant but varying protective effect on malaria prevalence. However, no effect was observed for Artemisinin Combination-based Therapies (ACTs). Environmental factors, namely, land cover, rainfall, day and night land surface temperature, and area type were significantly associated with malaria prevalence. Malaria prevalence was higher in rural areas, increased with the child’s age, and decreased with higher household socioeconomic status and higher level of mother’s education. The highest prevalence of malaria in children less than 5 years was predicted for regions of East Central, North East and West Nile, whereas the lowest was predicted in Kampala and South Western regions, and in the mountainous areas in Mid-Western and Mid-Eastern regions. Conclusions IRS and ITN ownership are important interventions against malaria prevalence in children less than 5 years in Uganda. The varying effects of the interventions calls for selective implementation of control tools suitable to regional ecological settings. To further reduce malaria burden and sustain malaria control in Uganda, current tools should be supplemented by health system strengthening, and socio-economic development.
Biomechanical Implications of Corrective Surgery for FAI: An Evidence-based Review

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has been identified as a potential cause of hip osteoarthritis. The goal of FAI surgery is to relieve pain, and hopefully delay or prevent osteoarthritis of the hip. Several studies have now demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes after arthroscopic and open surgical correction of symptomatic FAI. The concept is restoration of normal hip anatomy may result in improved biomechanical function and kinematics of the hip, which may prevent or delay the progression of osteoarthritis. Although many clinical studies demonstrate restoration of “normal” anatomy, there are few studies evaluating improvement of biomechanics and function. To date, only 5 studies have been published in the English literature that study biomechanics and/or kinematics of the hip both preoperatively and postoperatively. At this point in the understanding of FAI, critical analysis of the literature suggests that FAI surgery can improve several parameters of biomechanical hip function. However, the impact of these improved biomechanics on the natural history and progression of degenerative changes in patients that are treated for symptomatic FAI has not been demonstrated.
[Expression levels of miR-181c-3p and miR-5692b in esophageal cancer and their clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE To study the expression level and clinical significance of miR-181c-3p and miR-5692b in esophageal cancer. METHODS The microRNA (miRNA) profiles of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed by miRNA microarray in 55 cases of esophageal cancer. The expression levels of miR-181c-3p and miR-5692b from 55 pairs of tumor tissues and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues were determined by qRT-PCR analysis. RESULTS Both miR-181c-3p and miR-5692b were significantly up-regulated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Their expression was also significantly associated with tumor size, depth of invasion and clinical tumor stage (P<0.05). High expression of miR-181c-3p and miR-5692b were significantly associated with poor prognosis (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that high expression of miR-181c-3p and miR-5692b was poor prognostic indicators in esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS There are significant correlation between miR-181c-3p/miR-5692b expression, clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis. They represent potential prognostic biomarkers in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Optimization of beam orientations and beam weights for conformal radiotherapy using mixed integer programming.

An algorithm for optimizing beam orientations and beam weights for conformal radiotherapy has been developed. The algorithm models the optimization of beam orientations and beam weights as a problem of mixed integer linear programming (MILP), and optimizes the beam orientations and beam weights simultaneously. The application process of the algorithm has four steps: (a) prepare a pool of beam orientation candidates with the consideration of avoiding any patient-gantry collision and avoiding direct irradiation of organs at risk with quite low tolerances (e.g., eyes). (b) Represent each beam orientation candidate with a binary variable, and each beam weight with a continuous variable. (c) Set up an optimization problem according to dose prescriptions and the maximum allowed number of beam orientations. (d) Solve the optimization problem with a ready-to-use MILP solver. After optimization, the candidates with unity binary variables remain in the final beam configuration. The performance of the algorithm was tested with clinical cases. Compared with standard treatment plans, the beam-orientation-optimized plans had better dose distributions in terms of target coverage and avoidance of critical structures. The optimization processes took less than 1 h on a PC with a Pentium IV 2.4 GHz processor.
Single-walled Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Field Effect Transistor Device Modeling

We have developed a surface potential based compact model for the single-walled semiconductor CNT field effect transistor (CNT-FET) shown in Figure 1. Our compact modeling results for surface potential, channel charge, gate capacitance and channel current are shown in Figures 2-5 respectively. The model comparison is done using the numerical results of [1-4]. The compact model is developed for circuit simulation application based on graphene material physics using a 1-D approximation.
Targeting AMPK signalling pathway with natural medicines for atherosclerosis therapy: an integration of in silico screening and in vitro assay

An integration of virtual screening and kinase assay was reported to identify AMPK kinase inhibitors from various natural medicines.The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signalling pathway plays a central role in the pathologic progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Targeting the AMPK is thus considered as a potential therapeutics to attenuate AS. Here, we report the establishment of a synthetic pipeline that integrates in silico virtual screening and in vitro kinase assay to discover new lead compounds of AMPK inhibitors. The screening is performed against a large-size pool of structurally diverse natural products, from which a number of compounds are inferred as promising candidates, and few of them are further tested in vitro by using a standard kinase assay protocol to determine their inhibitory potency against AMPK. With this scheme we successfully identify five potent AMPK inhibitors with IC50 values at micromolar level. We also examine the structural basis and molecular mechanism of nonbonded interaction network across the modelled complex interface of AMPK kinase domain with a newly identified natural medicine.
Mixed Dementia: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are the most frequent causes of dementia in older people. Although AD can be diagnosed with a considerable degree of accuracy, the distinction between isolated AD, VaD, and mixed dementia (MD), where both pathologies coexist in the same patient, remains a controversial issue and one of the most difficult diagnostic challenges. Although MD represents a very frequent pathology, especially in older people, as reported in neuropathological studies, the respective importance of degenerative and vascular lesions, their interaction in the genesis of dementia, and the mere existence of MD are still debated. Accurate diagnosis of MD is of crucial significance for epidemiological purposes and for preventive and therapeutic strategies. Until recently, pharmacological studies have generally focused on pure disease, AD or VaD, and have provided little information on the best therapeutic approach to MD. This article provides an overview of MD in older people. A retrospective review of the recent literature on prevalence, incidence, course, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of MD was performed. The article also emphasizes the need for further studies, including neuropsychological and functional evaluations, and neuroimaging and clinicopathological correlations to develop a better understanding of MD, which appears to be one of the most common forms of dementia.
Monitoring myeloablative therapy‐induced small bowel toxicity by serum citrulline concentration

Intestinal mucositis is an important cause of cancer treatment‐related morbidity and mortality, carrying a serious economic burden. Currently, objective parameters are lacking that would enable the monitoring of gut damage in routine clinical practice, thus hindering the development of clinical studies designed to investigate potential new strategies aimed at reducing or preventing this side effect. The authors investigated the characteristics of serum citrulline concentration compared with sugar permeability tests with respect to its use as a marker for cancer treatment‐induced small bowel injury.
Investigating Fatigue in Offshore Drilling Workers: A Qualitative Data Analysis of Interviews

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Interviews were conducted with offshore operators in the oil and gas industry in order to gain insight into their experiences of fatigue and associated mitigation strategies. These interviews indicated that effective mitigation methods and techniques originate from both the organization and the worker. Current industry practices and potential recommendations to manage worker fatigue in the oil and gas operations are provided. These practices and recommendations include improving sleep quality through effective sleep-cabin arrangements, reducing physical and cognitive workload through improved work/tool/environment designs, and facilitating periodic fatigue monitoring. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Offshore drilling in the oil and gas industry presents a fast-paced, hazardous work environment that can evoke states of fatigue or tiredness. Purpose: To gain insight into the day-to-day experience and mitigation of fatigue among workers in this industry. Methods: Interviews were conducted with eleven offshore personnel working on an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Qualitative data analysis of interview transcripts provided an initial code set for categorizing the data. Results: The coding process, enhanced using visualizations, revealed some themes that highlighted dimensions of fatigue, such as physical and cognitive aspects, in addition to the more commonly recognized source of fatigue, namely shiftwork. These themes also emphasized potential fatigue mitigation strategies that were either organizationally or individually driven. Such strategies include needs for improved coordination around shift work schedules and sleeping arrangements, and a widespread perceived obligation to work past fatigue, despite being encouraged to report symptoms. Conclusions: These results provided a better understanding of worker perceptions of fatigue sources, reporting challenges, and adoption of personal mitigation strategies among oil and gas workers. These results can also inform specific organizational opportunities for mitigating fatigue in offshore drilling operations. Potential strategies that encourage periodic fatigue monitoring, improve sleep quality, and reduce work-related physical and cognitive overload should be examined for effective adoption in this industry.