Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Staged or simultaneous varicose vein treatment after saphenous vein ablation

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a progressive condition that affects a significant percentage of the population. Clinical manifestation of CVD differs between the patients: from asymptomatic patients with esthetic problems only to the very severe stages (including venous leg ulcer) that significantly decrease the quality of life (Qol). Although the varicose vein patients can be asymptomatic and they decide for treatment only for cosmetic reasons, many of them present the symptoms and/or signs of CVD, including pain, heaviness, itching, cramps, swelling, trophic changes or ulcerations. Therapeutic management of varicose veins includes surgery, minimally invasive procedures (involving saphenous ablation or sclero-therapy), compression therapy and pharmacological treatment. Traditional surgical treatment has been a leading method in invasive VV management for many years. Nonetheless, minimally invasive treatment thrived in the 21st century and overtook open surgery regarding VVS and more advanced stages of CVD. Another commonly used minimally invasive method in the treatment of VV is foam sclerotherapy. The efficacy of EVLA in the treatment of VV can be improved by performing adjunctive foam sclerotherapy (FS) of the tributaries. The combination of EVLA and FS is an effective method of reducing the rate of reinterventions in VV patients with saphenous vein incompetence. In the patients undergoing saphenous ablation, VV treatment (FS or mini phlebectomy) can be performed within the same procedure or as the delayed treatment. The argument for delayed treatment is the potential possibility of the VV regression (partial or complete) after saphenous vein ablation. On the other hand, saphenous ablation and varicose vein treatment within the same session result in fast and complete varicose vein removal without the need for additional procedures. Nevertheless, there is no consensus regarding the optimal timing of performing FS after EVLA of the GSV trunk and because of many diversified scientific reports there are still different approaches to this problem in phlebological centres around the world. Since the timing of adjunctive FS after EVLA procedure in the treatment of VV associated with GSV incompetence is a topic of open debate among surgeons, this study is a review that compares concomitant and staged treatments of VV.
Impact of Antigen Presentation Mechanisms on Immune Response in Autoimmune Hepatitis

The liver is a very tolerogenic organ. It is continually exposed to a multitude of antigens and is able to promote an effective immune response against pathogens and simultaneously immune tolerance against self-antigens. In spite of strong peripheral and central tolerogenic mechanisms, loss of tolerance can occur in autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) through a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and an imbalance in immunological regulatory mechanisms. The liver hosts several types of conventional resident antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, B cells and macrophages (Kupffer cells), and unconventional APCs including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes. By standard (direct presentation and cross-presentation) and alternative mechanisms (cross-dressing and MHC class II-dressing), liver APCs presents self-antigen to naive T cells in the presence of costimulation leading to an altered immune response that results in liver injury and inflammation. Additionally, the transport of antigens and antigen:MHC complexes by trogocytosis and extracellular vesicles between different cells in the liver contributes to enhance antigen presentation and amplify autoimmune response. Here, we focus on the impact of antigen presentation on the immune response in the liver and on the functional role of the immune cells in the induction of liver inflammation. A better understanding of these key pathogenic aspects could facilitate the establishment of novel therapeutic strategies in AIH.
Conceptual framework of service learning in technical and vocational education at the Nigerian tertiary education

Current experiential learning approach in the Nigerian Technical and Vocational education (TVE) has been criticized for not meeting the desired challenges. The TVE departments give less emphasis to service learning due to lack of conceptual framework that can guide its implementation. Hence, this research aimed to develop a conceptual framework of service learning in TVE for Nigerian tertiary education. The research was designed to determine the aspects and their respective areas for the development of a conceptual framework for effective service learning in TVE. Mixed methods sequential explanatory research design was employed for this research. Two hundred and sixty seven (267) respondents comprised of 206 lecturers, 45 heads of department and 16 faculty deans and deputy deans were chosen using stratified random sampling technique from eight TVE departments of 15 tertiary education institutions in the North Eastern Sub-Region of Nigeria. Six service learning experts in TVE were interviewed. A researcher-made structured questionnaire consisting of 67 items and interview protocol on the six major aspects of service learning were used as instruments for the quantitative and qualitative data collection respectively. The instruments were validated by three experts and the reliability of the questionnaire was established through a pilot study. Stepwise linear regression analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to analyse the quantitative research questions whereas content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative research question. The findings revealed a conceptual framework of service learning for TVE in the Nigerian tertiary education which include course learning objective, faculty community involvements, students’ learning outcomes, assessment/reflection procedures, community service needs and pedagogical support services which covers a total of sixty seven areas of service learning in TVE. In conclusion, the research recommended for the implementation of the conceptual framework in TVE at the tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Wearable Activity Trackers for Increasing Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Wearable activity trackers (wearables) embed numerous behaviour change techniques (BCTs) that have previously been shown to increase adult physical activity (PA). With few children and adolescents achieving PA guidelines, it is crucial to explore ways to increase their PA. This systematic review examined the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of wearables and their potential mechanisms of action for increasing PA in 5 to 19-year-olds. A systematic search of six databases was conducted, including data from the start date of each database to December 2019 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020164506). Thirty-three studies were included. Most studies (70%) included only adolescents (10 to 19 years). There was some—but largely mixed—evidence that wearables increase steps and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA and reduce sedentary behaviour. There were no apparent differences in effectiveness based on the number of BCTs used and between studies using a wearable alone or as part of a multi-component intervention. Qualitative findings suggested wearables increased motivation to be physically active via self-monitoring, goal setting, feedback, and competition. However, children and adolescents reported technical difficulties and a novelty effect when using wearables, which may impact wearables’ long-term use. More rigorous and long-term studies investigating the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of wearables in 5 to 19-year-olds are warranted.
Analysis of Urban Visual Memes Based on Dictionary Learning: An Example with Urban Image Data

The coexistence of different cultures is a distinctive feature of human society, and globalization makes the construction of cities gradually tend to be the same, so how to find the unique memes of urban culture in a multicultural environment is very important for the development of a city. Most of the previous analyses of urban style have been based on simple classification tasks to obtain the visual elements of cities, lacking in considering the most essential visual elements of cities as a whole. Therefore, based on the image data of ten representative cities around the world, we extract the visual memes via the dictionary learning method, quantify the symmetric similarities and differences between cities by using the memetic similarity, and interpret the reasons for the similarities and differences between cities by using the memetic similarity and sparse representation. The experimental results show that the visual memes have certain limitations among different cities, i.e., the elements composing the urban style are very similar, and the linear combinations of visual memes vary widely as the reason for the differences in the urban style among cities.
Sigma-1 receptors and progesterone metabolizing enzymes in nociceptive sensory neurons of the female rat trigeminal ganglia: A neural substrate for the antinociceptive actions of progesterone

Orofacial pain disorders are predominately experienced by women. Progesterone, a major ovarian hormone, is neuroprotective and antinociceptive. We recently reported that progesterone attenuates estrogen-exacerbated orofacial pain behaviors, yet it remains unclear what anatomical substrate underlies progesterone’s activity in the trigeminal system. Progesterone has been reported to exert protective effects through actions at intracellular progesterone receptors (iPR), membrane-progesterone receptors (mPR), or sigma 1 receptors (Sig-1R). Of these, the iPR and Sig-1R have been reported to have a role in pain. Progesterone can also have antinociceptive effects through its metabolite, allopregnanolone. Two enzymes, 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD), are required for the metabolism of progesterone to allopregnanolone. Both progesterone and allopregnanolone rapidly attenuate pain sensitivity, implicating action of either progesterone at Sig-1R and/or conversion to allopregnanolone which targets GABAA receptors. In the present study, we investigated whether Sig-1 Rs are expressed in nociceptors within the trigeminal ganglia of cycling female rats and whether the two enzymes required for progesterone metabolism to allopregnanolone, 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, are also present. Adult female rats from each stage of the estrous cycle were rapidly decapitated and the trigeminal ganglia collected. Trigeminal ganglia were processed by either fluorescent immunochemistry or western blotting to for visualization and quantification of Sig-1R, 5α-reductase, and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Here we report that Sig-1Rs and both enzymes involved in progesterone metabolism are highly expressed in a variety of nociceptive sensory neuron populations in the female rat trigeminal ganglia at similar levels across the four stages of the estrous cycle. These data indicate that trigeminal sensory neurons are an anatomical substrate for the reported antinociceptive activity of progesterone via Sig-1R and/or conversion to allopregnanolone.
Limit theorems for stochastic growth models. II

We consider d-dimensional stochastic processes which take values in (R+) d These processes generalize Galton-Watson branching processes, but the main assumption of branching processes, independence between particles, is dropped. Instead, we assume for some Here τ:(R+) d →R +, |x| = σ1 d |x(i)|, A {x ∈(R+)d: |x| 1} and T: A→A. Under various assumptions on the maps τ and T it is shown that with probability one there exists a ρ > 1, a fixed point p ∈ A of T and a random variable w such that lim n→∞ Z n |ρ n wp. This result is a generalization of the main limit theorem for supercritical branching processes; note, however, that in the present situation both ρ and ρ are random as well. The results are applied to a population genetical model for zygotic selection without mutation at one locus.
Serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for predicting anemia of inflammation in children with urinary tract infection

Anemia of inflammation (IA), the second most common cause of childhood anemia, results from macrophage iron sequestration and impaired erythropoiesis. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) plays an important role in innate microbial immunity through its influence on intracellular iron homeostasis and inhibition of erythropoiesis. The predictive value of NGAL in IA was assessed in 74 children (age 6.30 ±3.64 months) with the first episode of urinary tract infection (UTI). Anemia of inflammation was found in 50% of children, including those with non-febrile UTI, and delayed onset of anemia was observed in 20% of children. There were no differences in NGAL levels between the anemic and non-anemic children, and no correlations between NGAL and hemoglobin (HGB) levels and red blood cell (RBC) count. In multivariate logistic regression analysis elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) was only independently associated with the presence of anemia in children with UTI [OR (95% CI): 1.128 (1.005-1.265), p = 0.040]. In stepwise multiple analysis age independently correlated with RBC (β = 0.051, p = 0.001), while CRP independently correlated with HGB (β = –0.037, p = 0.027) and RBC (β = –0.022, p = 0.014). ROC analysis demonstrated better diagnostic profiles for CRP, procalcitonin (PCT) and fever duration for predicting the risk of IA than NGAL (AUC: 0.690, 0.669, 0.678 vs. 0.638, respectively). Despite the increase in HGB levels after 4-5 weeks from the onset of UTI, HGB values were still significantly lower in the anemic than in non-anemic children. NGAL was not useful for predicting IA in UTI, since its diagnostic value was inferior to conventional inflammatory markers.
Pengaruh Corporate Governance Terhadap Kualitas Sustainability Reporting

Laporan keberlanjutan merupakan bagian penting dari penilaian kinerja perusahaan. Studi ini dilakukan untuk memenuhi kajian atas pengaruh dari tata kelola perusahaan terhadap kualitas laporan keberlanjutan dengan indeks laporan keberlanjutan menggunakan six point scale yang dilatarbelakangi oleh perbedaan pemikiran dari peneliti sebelumnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan model regresi linear berganda yang akan dilakukan pada 232 perusahaan non-financial yang terdaftar pada Bursa Efek Indonesia. Penentuan sampel dalam penelitian menggunakan metode purposive sampling dan metode one shot dalam memperoleh data. Hasil dari penelitian ini memberikan kesimpulan yakni: hasil pengaruh negatif dan signifikan dari proporsi dewan komisaris independen pada kualitas sustainability reporting, hasil tidak berpengaruh dari pelatihan dewan komisaris pada kualitas sustainability reporting, serta hasil pengaruh negatif dan signifikan dari pengalaman dewan komisaris pada kualitas sustainability reporting.
Overview on Small Intestinal Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is a digestive system condition in which numerous sac-like protrusions form (diverticula). Diverticula in the small intestine are significantly less prevalent than diverticula in the colon. The aetiology of this illness is unknown. Peristalsis anomalies, intestinal dyskinesis, and high segmental intraluminal pressures are thought to cause it to develop. Small intestinal diverticula (SID) are incident is very low and rare, also they are usually asymptomatic. A nonspecific inflammatory condition might be the reason for the person's visit to the emergency room. In order to restrict the differential diagnosis and reveal a localized inflammatory lesion, ultrasound and computed tomography are frequently used. The objective of therapy is to reduce intestinal spasms, and the best way to do so is to consume a fiber-rich diet (vegetables, fruits, and cereals). Surgical treatment for diverticulosis is not required. Giant diverticula, on the other hand, need surgery since they are more prone to get infected and perforated. This review aims to overview the disease etiology, epidemiology, evaluation, and management.
The Interactive Effect of Genetic and Epigenetic Variations in FKBP5 and ApoE Genes on Anxiety and Brain EEG Parameters

FKBP51 is a key stress-responsive regulator of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. To elucidate the contribution of rs1360780 FKBP5 C/T alleles to aging and longevity, we genotyped FKBP5 in a cohort of 800 non-demented and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) subjects of different age, taking into account the allele state of ApoE ε4, the major risk factor for AD. Furthermore, we searched for the association of FKBP5 with subcohorts of non-demented subjects evaluated for anxiety and resting-state quantitative EEG characteristics, associated with cognitive, emotional, and functional brain activities. We observed that increased state anxiety scores depend on the combination of the FKBP5 and ApoE genotypes and on the DNA methylation state of the FKBP5 promoter and ApoE genotype. We also found a significant gender-dependent correlation between FKBP5 promoter methylation and alpha-, delta-, and theta-rhythms. Analysis of the FKBP5 expression in an independent cohort revealed a significant upregulation of FKBP5 in females versus males. Our data suggest a synergistic effect of the stress-associated (FKBP5) and neurodegeneration-associated (ApoE) gene alleles on anxiety and the gender-dependent effect of FKBP5 on neurophysiological brain activity.
Fabrication and Operation Methods of a One-time Programmable (OTP) Nonvolatile Memory (NVM) Based on a Metal-oxide-semiconductor Structure

In this paper, a novel one-time programmable (OTP) nonvolatile memory (NVM) device and its array based on a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure is proposed. The Iindividual memory device has a vertical channel of a silicon diode. Historically, OTP memories were widely used for read-only-memories (ROMs), in which the most basic system architecture model was to store central processing unit (CPU) instructions. By grafting the nanoscale fabrication technology and novel structuring onto the concept of the OTP memory, innovative high-density NVM appliances for mobile storage media may be possible. The program operation is performed by breaking down the thin oxide layer between the pn diode structure and the wordline (WL). The programmed state can be identified by an operation that reads the leakage currents through the broken oxide. Since the proposed OTP NVM is based on neither a transistor structure nor a charge storing mechanism, it is highly reliable and functional for realizing the ultra-large scale integration. The operation physics and the fabrication processes are also explained in detail.
BLUETOOTH BASED VISUALIZATION FOR REAL TIME ECG MONITORING

This paper investigates a portable system for remote monitoring of cardiac activity. In this paper we present a low cost, handheld device with wireless transmission for real time ECG acquisition, archiving and visualization both in a mobile phone and a PC. With the recent advance in technology, we create small size wireless ECG system capable of transmitting ECG signal via Bluetooth technology to laptop. Keywords— Wireless, ECG, Bluetooth.
Data-Driven In-Crisis Community Identification for Disaster Response and Management

Since 2019, the world has been seriously impacted by the global pandemic, COVID-19, with millions of people adversely affected. This is coupled with a trend in which the intensity and frequency of natural disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes have increased over the past decades. Larger and more diverse communities have been negatively influenced by these disasters and they might encounter crises socially and/or economically, further exacerbated when the natural disasters and pandemics co-occurred. However, conventional disaster response and management rely on human surveys and case studies to identify these in-crisis communities and their problems, which might not be effective and efficient due to the scale of the impacted population. In this paper, we propose to utilize the data-driven techniques and recent advances in artificial intelligence to automate the in-crisis community identification and improve its scalability and efficiency. Thus, immediate assistance to the in-crisis communities can be provided by society and timely disaster response and management can be achieved. A novel framework of the in-crisis community identification has been presented, which can be divided into three subtasks: (1) community detection, (2) in-crisis status detection, and (3) community demand and problem identification. Furthermore, the open issues and challenges toward automated in-crisis community identification are discussed to motivate future research and innovations in the area.
Blueberries and health

Blueberry is a high value crop globally. Both wild and cultivated blueberries are commercially available to consumers. Although mostly consumed as fresh or frozen, dried blueberries are also offered in the market. Yogurts, beverages, jams, and jellies made with blueberries are some of the products popular with consumers. Blueberries are rich in several health-beneficial phytochemicals including phenolic compounds and vitamins. This article reviews the health implications of blueberry consumption. The review was limited to the research studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The impact of blueberry intake on cardiovascular functions, obesity, cancer, diabetes, cognitive performance, and gut microbiota was the focus of this review. This review clearly revealed very broad health benefits of blueberry intake. However, it is evident that scientific studies on this topic are scarce. Indeed, there are only a few studies on the health effects of blueberries published in scientific journals. The majority of the investigations on this topic were carried out using animal models or cell cultures. Scarcity and limited size of the clinical studies in this field leave many questions about the effect of blueberry consumption on human health unanswered. Undoubtedly, there is a need for large-scale controlled and randomized clinical and epidemiological studies and meta-analyses of the data from such research. This would allow for an in-depth understanding of the effect of blueberries on health and the biological and metabolic pathways involved in disease mitigation and treatment.