Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amit Jain’s Offloading System for Diabetic Foot Wounds: A Better and Superior Alternative to Felted Foam

Offloading is an essential treatment modality that is key in preventing and healing of ulcers in the foot of diabetes patients. Various different offloading modalities exist with each having their own advantage and disadvantage. What is essential in clinical practice is which one is the best that can be applied with ease and which can facilitate in ulcer healing. Felted foam is one of the common offloading modality used in the west by the clinical practitioner. It is however not available in many Asian and African countries. The author proposes a new offloading technique that can be considered an alternative to felted foam with superior characteristics which works on concept of deflective offloading and can be easily made and used all over the world.
A Monitoring System for Machine Learning Models in a Large-Scale Context

Since building a machine learning model costs a lot while following 9 stages, the automated machine learning model creation became a crucial role in a large-scale context. At the same time, a monitoring system became an essential factor for machine learning models. This thesis presents the monitoring system for machine learning models at ING in an enterprise context with new features required by users. Moreover, the thesis describes a case study of ING, a large global banking company that develops software solutions in-house. We conducted a mixed-methods study, consisting of data collection of the monitoring system and a survey with the users of the monitoring system. Our research shows that challenges found by the actual users of the monitoring system and mapped challenges discovered by the Microsoft study are related to machine learning model monitoring, the perception of the users on the importance of the monitoring system, and the impact of the monitoring system. We found that the monitoring system at ING supports relatively efficient model management in terms of checking model validation and evaluation. Moreover, the users of the monitoring system perceived that it is an important system, and it supports the models regarding quality, the trust of the automated model creation, and usability. Additionally, compared to the existing solution, the monitoring system at ING supports useful model management.
Development of nitrogen-doped hydroxyapatite ceramics

ABSTRACT Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2; HAp) is widely used as a biomaterial due to its high biocompatibility. However, biological apatite present in bone and teeth contains various ions in the HAp crystal structure. Thus, biological apatite has many strains and defects, which may impart high osteoconductivity to apatite. To clarify the effects of the strain and/or defects in the HAp crystal structure on the bioactivity, nitrogen-doped (N-doped) HAp ceramics were fabricated by heating pure HAp ceramics. This N-doped method is well-known as a technique to modify the chemical structure at the surface. Some properties of the N-doped HAp ceramics were examined for optimization of the heating temperature. N-doped HAp ceramics fabricated by heating at 850°C in an NH3 atmosphere had N2O molecules in the crystal structure. Therefore, the N-doped HAp ceramics fabricated by the N-doping method have a rare molecule-substitution structure. In conclusion, we have developed the N-doped HAp ceramics which have a rare molecule-substitution structure.
Technical efficiency evaluation: Study on Malaysian electrical and electronics firms

The purpose of this study is to measure the level of technical efficiency (TE) and to analyse the factors of technical inefficiency of electrical and electronic manufacturing industry in Malaysia in 2015. The determinants studied include capital-labour ratio, education level ratio, firm size, information technology, and communication expenses, training expenditure, wage rates, and research and development expenditure. This study uses data on 531 firms based on the latest census of 2015 obtained from the Department of Statistics, Malaysia using the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) approach. Based on the results, the firm’s overall TE level is high at 0.836. For the determinants of TE, it was found that firm size can reduce the inefficiencies of firm, while capital-labour ratios shows a positive relationship with technical inefficiencies in firms. The policy implication is that the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry needs to focus on scale economic achievement and high technology production in line with the competency level of employee and create more international industry technical cooperation.
Protótipo para Deteção de Contentores de Resíduos com Recurso a Técnicas de Visão Computacional

Resumo. Este artigo apresenta o desenho e implementação de um protótipo funcional para avaliar e validar a utilização de técnicas de visão computacional, na identificação de contentores de resíduos no contexto de uma cidade inteligente. Este protótipo recorre à utilização de uma rede neuronal convolucional YOLO e de um microcomputador Jetson Nano da Nvidia. Comparativamente ao método atual de identificação de contentores de resíduos por radiofrequência, esta abordagem é mais ágil e diminui os recursos necessários para implementação, contribuindo para poupar nos gastos logísticos e de implementação da gestão inteligente de resíduos.
Adaptive Multirate Mass Transfer (aMMT) Model: A New Approach to Upscale Regional‐Scale Transport Under Transient Flow Conditions

The long‐term evaluation of regional‐scale groundwater quality needs efficient upscaling methods for transient flow. Upscaling techniques, such as the Multirate Mass Transfer (MRMT) method with constant upscaling parameters, have been used for transport with steady‐state flow, yet the upscaling parameters (i.e., rate coefficients) may be time dependent. This study proposed and validated an adaptive MRMT (aMMT) method by allowing the mass transfer coefficients in MRMT to change with the flow field. Advective‐dispersive contaminant transport simulated in a 3‐D heterogeneous medium was used as a reference solution. Equivalent transport under homogeneous flow conditions was evaluated by applying the MRMT and aMMT models for upscaling. The relationship between mass transfer coefficients and flow rates was fitted under steady‐state flow driven by various hydraulic gradients. A power law relationship was obtained, which was then used to update the mass transfer coefficients in each stress period under transient flow conditions in the aMMT method. Results indicated that for advection‐dominated transport, both the MRMT and aMMT methods can upscale the anomalous transport dynamics affected by subgrid heterogeneity under transient flow conditions. Whereas for diffusion‐dominated systems, the MRMT model failed to capture the tails of tracer breakthrough curves after the boundary condition changed, but the results from the aMMT model were significantly improved. However, if the overall flow direction changed, both MRMT and aMMT failed to represent the breakthrough curve tail generated by the heterogeneous system. The results point toward a promising path for upscaling transport in complex aquifers with transient flow.
AKTIVITAS EKSTRAK ETANOL 96% KULIT BIJI MELINJO (Gnetum gnemon) SEBAGAI ANTIBAKTERI Salmonella enteritidis

Salmonella enteritidis contamination in chicken meat causes chicken meat to rapidly decay. The use of chemical preservatives is very harmful, therefore the use of natural materials is recommended because it is safer to consume for humans. One of them is using Melinjo seed skin which has antibacterial power. The purpose of the study is to find out the activity of Melinjo seed bark extract (Gnetum gnemon) in inhibiting the growth of Salmonella enteritidis that can be used as a natural preservative in chicken meat. The first stage of the study was by extracting Melinjo seed bark using ethanol 96% with maceration method for 6 days. Activity test of Melnjo seed bark extract against Salmonella enteritidis using method of disc paper with a variation of the treatment of 25%, 50%, 75% and tetracycline positive control. The observed parameter is the measurement of the inhibited region Diameter (DDH) and the phytochemical test against Melinjo seed bark extract. The research results for the testing of the area Diameter of the hhibited region obtained the most effective concentration of 75% in the diameter of the area of the barrier of 10.3 mm and categorized with antimicrobial power levels of moderate sensitivity as well as can be used as natural preservatives in chicken meat. Phytochemical test results indicate the presence of compound flavonoids, tannins, saponins and triterpenoid.
Occupational Exposures and the Co-occurrence of Work-related Skin and Respiratory Symptoms

Occupational skin and respiratory symptoms, and disease, are common problems. Workers can develop new disease or aggravate existing disease as a result of exposures at work. Many workers are exposed to chemicals that can cause both respiratory and skin responses and there is evidence that some workers experience symptoms in both systems. There is also evidence that skin exposure may lead to sensitization and the development of respiratory disease. There is very little research that has examined both airborne and skin exposures together with lung and skin outcomes. The purpose of this thesis was to further investigate the relationships between occupational exposures, skin symptoms and disease, and respiratory symptoms and disease. Four studies were undertaken to improve our understanding of these complex relationships. Results from a study of clinical patch test data determined that seven of the ten most common occupational contact allergens are also capable of causing occupational asthma and that these common occupational exposures may not be recognized as sensitizers in common reference materials. Exposure-response relationships for skin symptoms were modeled in bakery workers and auto body shop workers using historical data; significant exposure-response relationships were found for auto body workers. In two separate studies of concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms, iii workers did report concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms. In predictive models, subjects reporting a history of eczema were more likely to report concurrent skin and respiratory symptoms. Overall, the results from this thesis provide more evidence that the skin and respiratory systems are associated. This body of work suggests that: (1) several common occupational exposures can cause disease in both the skin and respiratory system; (2) a portion of workers report both skin and respiratory symptoms; and (3) exposure-response relationships do exist for skin symptoms, both work-related and non-work-related. Future studies need to gather detailed information about exposure and response in both systems in order to better determine the role of exposure(s) in the development of skin and respiratory symptoms. Improved understanding of these relationships will allow for more targeted and effective exposure prevention strategies and will ultimately reduce the burden of occupational disease.
A Real-World Perspective on Interfacility Transfers of Acute Ischemic Stroke from a Semi-Rural Center

Introduction: Interfacility transfers (IFT) of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) may not always lead to a better prognosis. Methods: Retrospective cohort study included AIS patients at an emergency department (ED) with telestroke. Multiple linear regression for departure time from ED (DT), quantile regression for length of in-hospital stay (LOS), and Kaplan-Meier estimator with Cox proportional hazards model for one-year survival (SV) were performed. Results: 192 patients included were categorised according to IFT. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed in 50% who had been transferred. Differences were found in DT, discharge disposition and LOS. An inverse relationship existed between DT and NIHSS. The strongest predictor of LOS was TACS (β = 3.14 [0.03 - 8.49]; p = 0.005). SV was related to IFT (HR 4.68 [1.37 - 16.07]; p = 0.014), age (HR 1.1 [1.04 - 1.17]), BI < 60 (HR 2.7 [1.02 - 7.1]), TACS (HR 9.82 [1.08 - 88.95]) and NIHSS ≥ 6 (HR 2.85 [1.05 - 7.74]). Conclusions: Shared decision-making with a stroke unit through telemedicine enabled a standardised clinical management in a non-metropolitan setting. Several improvement opportunities were identified: multimodal computed tomography availability before transfer, as well as optimization of response time and training in neurosonology of emergency physicians.
Sensitivity of shotgun metagenomics to host DNA: abundance estimates depend on bioinformatic tools and contamination is the main issue

A recent study reported that increasing host DNA abundance and reducing read depth impairs the sensitivity of detection of low-abundance micro-organisms by shotgun metagenomics. The authors used DNA from a synthetic bacterial community with abundances varying across several orders of magnitude and added varying proportions of host DNA. However, the use of a marker-gene-based abundance estimation tool (MetaPhlAn2) requires considerable depth to detect marker genes from low-abundance organisms. Here, we reanalyse the deposited data, and place the study in the broader context of low microbial biomass metagenomics. We opted for a fast and sensitive read binning tool (Kraken 2) with abundance estimates from Bracken. With this approach all organisms are detected even when the sample comprises 99 % host DNA and similarly accurate abundance estimates are provided (mean squared error 0.45 vs. 0.3 in the original study). We show that off-target genera, whether contaminants or misidentified reads, come to represent over 10 % of reads when the sample is 99 % host DNA and exceed counts of many target genera. Therefore, we applied Decontam, a contaminant detection tool, which was able to remove 61 % of off-target species and 79 % of off-target reads. We conclude that read binning tools can remain sensitive to low-abundance organisms even with high host DNA content, but even low levels of contamination pose a significant problem due to low microbial biomass. Analytical mitigations are available, such as Decontam, although steps to reduce contamination are critical.
Etude de quelques paramètres hématologiques et morphométriques chez le poulet de chair (Gallus gallus domesticus) face à une perturbation du régime alimentaire en région d’Ain Zaatout –Biskra-

An experimental study was carried out in broilers to study the effects of diets on hematological and morphometric parameters. This study was carried out during the two-month period March-May 2019, in the region of Ain Zaatout, Wilaya of Biskra. For this, 60 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were reared under standard broiler conditions. On the 30th day, they were randomly divided into 3 comparable groups representing the standard systems (lot A), route (lot B) and villagers (lot C). At the end of the experiment, the best live weight was (3471.25g) and the best length for the beak (4.9 cm), wings (33.46 cm) and tarsus (7.8 cm) were recorded for the lot A. The most reliable hematological parameters were recorded for lot A and the values are as follows: glucose (1.85-2.26g/l), cholesterol (0.88-1.14g/l). For hematocrit and albumin there was no significant difference between the three lots; hematocrit (25,8%) and (28,35%), albumin (12g/l) and (21.5g/l).
Human liver glycolate oxidase : gene identification and protein studies

Glycolate oxidase (GO) is a peroxisomal flavoenzyme which catalyses the oxidation of short chain a-hydroxy acids, notably glycolate. The reaction product, glyoxylate, is an oxalate precursor and GO is thus of potential interest for its role in the pathogenesis of the primary hyperoxalurias. The project aims were to identify human GO, characterise the kinetics and substrate specificity of the enzyme and establish methods for the analysis of relevant metabolic pathways in vitro. The gene for human GO was cloned from liver and expressed in bacterial cells. The cDNA is 1128 bp in length and has a 1113 bp open reading frame encoding a 372 amino acid protein. The genomic sequence comprises eight exons and spans -57 kb of chromosome 20pl2. Recombinant human GO protein shares 53% and 89% sequence similarity to GO from spinach and rat respectively, shows a-hydroxy acid oxidase activity in vitro and has been purified to homogeneity. Polyclonal anti-GO antibody detects a band of 43 kDa in human liver and, consistent with northern blot analysis, expression is not detected in other tissues including kidney and leucocytes. Kinetic analysis with a range of a-hydroxy acids indicates GO has highest affinity for glycolate as substrate (K^ = 0.54 mM) and 10 fold less affinity for glyoxylate (K^,= 5.1 mM). Site directed mutagenesis of active site residues demonstrates the importance of chain length for substrate affinity. Thus mutation of a Trp residue, conserved between spinach and human GO to a less bulky amino acid, permits the catalysis of longer chain length a-hydroxy acids. HPLC methods were developed for the separation and quantitation of glyoxylate, hydroxypyruvate and pyruvate, enabling analysis of metabolites produced by GO and neighboring enzymes in the metabolic pathway. These assays will be invaluable for future studies in which the pathways of glyoxylate metabolism are constructed in vitro.
How likely is Lepomis gibbosus to become invasive in Poland under conditions of climate warming?

Background. Despite increasing reports of non-native freshwater fish dispersal in Poland, a risk identification and risk assessment (RA) of their current or future impacts has not been undertaken. In this study, to advise policy and management decisions the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) was applied for the first time in Poland (the RA area) to identify whether or not non-native pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus (Linnaeus, 1758), a freshwater sunfish, posed a high risk of being invasive in the RA area. Material and methods. The AS-ISK was used to screen L. gibbosus for its potential invasiveness in the RA area under current climate conditions of the RA area (i.e. humid continental) and future predicted climate conditions (i.e. temperature increase by 1.5–3.0°C). The risk screening was based on available evidence of the species’ life-history traits (LHT) from its introduced European range, including both ambient and artificially-heated environments. Results. A LHT-based model for predicting L. gibbosus invasiveness revealed that the population in the Oder Canal, which receives heated-water discharge from the “Dolna Odra” electric power station, is amongst the most invasive in Europe. The basic AS-ISK score of 16.5 suggests the species already poses a risk of being invasive in Poland, and this risk is expected to increase under future, warmer climate conditions (AS-ISK Climate Change score = 28.5). Factors and traits affecting L. gibbosus’ invasiveness were: current rate and range of spread, high climatic match, parental care, relatively small size at maturity, opportunistic foraging behaviour, and elevated likelihood of being illegally stocked. Conclusion. Although L. gibbosus is known to cause adverse impacts in some circumstances, these are poorly understood for most of Europe, including the RA area, where the species is likely to disperse and establish new viable populations more widely, especially under future climate conditions. This first application of AS-ISK in Poland emphasises the need for national-level risk screening of non-native species in general, and freshwater fishes in particular, as part of Poland’s non-native species management strategy for the control and containment of invasive species.
Newborn Screening: Science, Policy, and People

Newborn Screening: Science, Policy, and People Catharine Riley Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Carolyn Watts Health Services Background: Newborn screening (NBS) is a large-scale, state-mandated screening program designed to screen infants for a set of rare congenital conditions, in order to identify infants that may be at risk for morbidity or mortality, with the intent to improve the health outcome for affected infants. The science behind NBS is critical to its success and data are required to make informed decisions. History has shown that advocacy efforts have also impacted the landscape of NBS policy. It is important to remember that NBS impacts infants and their families. Based on their experiences, parents can inform policy-making at the programmatic, state, and federal level. Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is to: 1) explore the role of advocacy in changing NBS policy, 2) describe the evidence base for understanding parents’ experience with and knowledge of NBS, and 3) demonstrate policy-making at the programmatic level using a quality assurance data analysis to revise the screening algorithm for congenital hypothyroidism. Methods: The methods used in this dissertation are: 1) a historical analysis, case studies, and the application of the Advocacy Coalition Framework, 2) a structured literature review, and 3) quantitative analysis of NBS data. Results: The ACF provides a suitable framework for understanding NBS policy and the role of advocacy. Forty-two articles on parents and NBS revealed six major discussion topics: 1) parents’ experience with NBS, 2) parents’ knowledge of NBS, 3) parents’ education on NBS, 4) the impact of false positive results, 5) the impact of true positive results, and 6) informed consent. The QA data analysis resulted in a revised stratification scheme that will reduce the number of false positive results by an estimated 35%. Conclusion: It is clear that advocacy was instrumental in initiating NBS and continues to be an important factor in NBS policy. A foundation of knowledge regarding parents and NBS has been established. Future research ought to focus on how information can be translated into public health and clinical practice at the ground level. Using data to determine cutoff stratification schemes that maintain a high sensitivity and specificity is an effective way to inform policy decisions.
Home ranges, sex ratio and recruitment of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) in semi-arid areas in Tanzania

Abstract Investigation of home ranges, sex ratio and recruitment of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) in semi-arid areas of Tanzania was conducted in maize and fallow fields using the capture-mark-release (CMR) technique. The aim of this study was to generate useful data for the management of M. natalensis. The relative home range size of M. natalensis was significantly higher during the wet [544 m2 ± 25 standard error (SE)] than during the dry (447 m2 ± 18 SE) season, in males (521 m2 ± 23 SE) than in females (450 m2 ± 17 SE) and in adults (576 m2 ± 34 SE) than in juveniles (459 m2 ± 16 SE). However, there were no significant differences between habitats. Sex ratio was not significantly different (p = 0.44) between habitats. Recruitment was significantly higher (p = 0.000) in maize fields (mean = 0.43) than in fallow land (mean = 0.32) and differed significantly over time (p < 0.0001) with the highest recruitment recorded from April to July and the lowest from October to December. Management strategies should focus on managing rodents inhabiting maize fields using methods that affect their recruitment in order to reduce the population increase of M. natalensis.