Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life Assessment with EQ-5D-3L in a Moroccan Diabetic Population

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that impairs the lifestyle of patients in different physical, mental and social dimensions. This study aims to investigate the determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in diabetics. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 526 diabetic patients followed in 2019 at the Hygiene Department of the Sidi Othmane district (Casablanca). The data were collected using a questionnaire gathering the demographic, clinical and paraclinical information of patients, as well as a description of health status in the 5 dimensions by the EQ-5D questionnaire. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 software. The determinants of quality of life were assessed using the ANOVA test and the Pearson correlation test. The result is considered statistically significant at 0.05. The average quality of life score based on the EQ-5D-3L scale and the VAS analog visual scale was 0.52 ± 0.34 and 55.47 ± 15.50, respectively. Severe problems were observed in anxiety/depression dimensions in 19.20% of patients, while the highest percentages for moderate problems were for the pain/physical discomfort and mobility dimensions (53.80% and 36.90% respectively). The average scores of the EQ-5D-3L and visual analogue scale (VAS) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with age, gender, education, marital status, professional activity and complications. It follows from this study that the HRQoL of the population of diabetics studied is influenced by many factors, which must be considered in order to achieve better management of diabetes and improve their quality of life.
HER2 Phenotyping of CTCs By Peptide-Functionalized Nanoparticles As The Diagnostic Biomarkers of Anti-HER2 Treatment in Breast Cancer

Background: The efficacy of anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) treatment is impacted by tissue-based evaluation bias due to tumor heterogeneity and dynamic changes of HER2 in breast cancer. Circulating tumor cell (CTC)-based HER2 phenotyping provides an integral and real-time assessment, benefiting accurate HER2 diagnosis for improved therapeutics.Methods: The study was exploratory. Fifty-four breast cancer patients, including 26 histopathologic HER2/neu-positive (Histo-HER2/neu+) and 28 HER2/neu-negative (Histo-HER2/neu+), were enrolled for blood draws before a new line of treatment. We used peptide-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles to isolate CTCs from 2.0 mL whole blood and determined HER2 phenotypes of the enriched CTCs by immunocytochemistry (ICC). We investigated the correlation of the enumeration and HER2 phenotyping on baseline CTCs with the diagnosis, the prognosis, and the efficacy of the trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapeutic agents of breast cancer. We also explored the dynamic change of HER2 phenotypes on CTCs after the combination therapy in a cohort of Histo-HER2/neu+ individuals (n = 14). Results: We achieved high-efficient detection of the CTC-positive cases (≥ 3 CTCs) (38/54, 70.4%), from whom 71.1% (27/38) had a concordant HER2 status on CTCs and tumor tissues at baseline. Pretheraputic CTC enumeration showed a significant correlation with the histopathologic diagnosis (e.g. estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status or proliferation of cancer cells) and the progression-free survival/overall survival (PFS/OS) of breast cancer. However, it was not a practicable biomarker to predict the efficacy of the trastuzumab-based combination therapy. In contrast, we demonstrated a significantly higher possibility of good overall responses in the patients with < 3 CTCs (P = 0.006) or with HER2 overexpression in CTCs (CTC-HER2+) at baseline, as compared to the individuals without HER2 overexpression in CTCs (CTC-HER2–) (P = 0.028). Conclusions: We demonstrate the significance of the peptide-functionalized magnetic nanoparticle in noninvasive detection and HER2 phenotyping of CTCs, and highlight its diagnostic and prognostic values for the patients about to start the anti-HER2 treatment.
Phenolic screening and biological activities of Chenopodium botrys L. extracts

: The genus Chenopodium is a genus that includes over 200 species and contains annual or perennial herbaceous flowering plant species scattered almost worldwide. While species belonging to the Chenopodium genus are used to treat various diseases, modern pharmaceutical research has revealed their strong anticancer, antifungal and antibacterial potential. In this study, some biological effects of Chenopodium botrys (methanol and ethanol) extracts were evaluated by helping some analytical approaches. The antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of the extracts were revealed. In this study, 4 phenolic components in the extracts were determined with the HPLC technique and to determine the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts TPC (total phenolic content), RPA (reducing power activity), and DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) methods were used. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of the extracts on the HL60 cell line. The results showed that both extracts have important properties that should be evaluated, and especially the ethanolic extract is more effective than the methanolic extract in all aspects (TPC, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxicity). As a conclusion, it is clear that this plant needs to be investigated further for the isolation and characterization of new and effective phytochemicals. We hope that this study could be a precursor for future studies
Halogens Substitution Effects on Electronic and Spectral Properties of Carbon Nanotube Molecules studying with the DFT method

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a zigzag (4, 0) shape before and after substituted with F, Cl, and Br atoms were used as a basic computer model depending on the Quantum Espresso package DFT process ( in the present work. This method demonstrated that the electronic structure, bandgap, total energy, FTIR spectrum, Raman spectrum, and depolarization spectrum can all being calculated. The simulated results are discovered that the increase in impurity atom size from F to Br as donor groups on nanotubes reduce the energy gaps from 0.959 eV to 0.674 eV, the ionization potentials from 6.088 eV to 5.729 eV, the electron affinities from 5.129 eV to 5.054 eV, and the firm energies from 5.609 eV to 5.392 eV. As a result, these substituted compounds have a high activity to act as a catalyst with broad absorption bands of the solar spectrum in the following order: Br+CNTs > Cl+CNTs > F+CNTs > CNT. This behavior will provide a better output for the solar cells and photovoltaic devices. The increment in HOMO, LUMO, and total energy magnitudes with increasing the impurity atom size from F to Br is given maximum changes, decreases band gaps, and elevated entropy values because of elevating in random.
Task Selection and Scheduling in UAV-Enabled MEC for Reconnaissance With Time-Varying Priorities

In this article, we study the problem of task selection and scheduling in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled multiaccess edge computing for reconnaissance (ASSUMER). Specifically, taking into account the time-varying priorities of reconnaissance tasks, we investigate how to maximize the overall reconnaissance utility by selecting an appropriate set of tasks and scheduling their execution sequence in the multiaccess edge computing server of the UAV. The ASSUMER problem is a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem, which includes both integer and continuous variables and is proved to be NP-hard. To address this challenging problem, we first model the task scheduling subproblem as a single machine scheduling problem with the deterioration effect. We find out that the optimal task scheduling can be solved efficiently given any task selection variables and propose an optimal scheduling algorithm. Second, using the proposed scheduling algorithm, the ASSUMER problem is equivalent to a binary integer programming problem with respect to the task selection variable only. We prove that the objective function falls into the category of the submodular function and transform the original problem into the problem of maximizing submodular function with the energy constraint. Third, combining the proposed scheduling algorithm with submodularity, we design an effective approximation algorithm for the ASSUMER problem and prove that the algorithm has $(1 - {e^{ - 1}})/2$ bicriterion approximation guarantee. Finally, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can improve the overall reconnaissance utility and energy efficiency compared to five benchmark algorithms.
Circulating mRNA Expression of astrocyte-Elevated Gene-1 Associated with Treatment Response and Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Pemetrexed

Backgrounds: Astrocyte-elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) functions as an oncogene and regulates angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this prospective study, we assessed the values of plasma AEG-1 mRNA expression by liquid biopsy associated with tumor response and survival in NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed. Methods: Patients diagnosed advanced NSCLC were enrolled to be treated with pemetrexed combined platinum as first-line chemotherapy. All patients underwent blood sampling before any cancer treatment (C0) and at first response evaluation after two cycles (C2) treatments. Response to chemotherapy and survival were assessed. Plasma mRNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and quantification of RNA was performed by real-time PCR.Results: A total of 50 patients with advanced NSCLC were included and 13 of 50 patients combined with bevacizumab. In patient groups of SD (n = 13) and PD (n = 10), the plasma mRNA of AEG-1, thymidylate synthase (TS) and CK19 were elevated significantly at C2 compared to patients in treatment response group (PR, n = 27) (PR v.s. SD or PD, AEG-1: 1.22 ± 0.80 v.s. 4.51 ± 15.45, p = 0.043). NSCLC patients had elevated AEG-1 (AEG-1 ≥ 2) after 2-cycle chemotherapy had shorter PFS and OS (high AEG-1 v.s. low AEG-1, median, PFS: 5.5 v.s. 11.9 months, p = 0.021; OS: 25.9 v.s. 40.8 months, p = 0.019, respectively). In Cox regression analysis, increased plasma mRNA expression of AEG-1indicated poor prognosis in survival.Conclusion: Circulating mRNA concentration of AEG-1 could be a predictive and prognostic biomarker in NSCLC patients treated with pemetrexed. Increased expression of AEG-1 contributed to the chemoresistance and caused lung cancer progression.
Biofilm Forming Bacteria Isolated From Human Eye Conjunctivitis and Keratitis Cases and their Ability to Adhere on Contact Lenses in vitro

One hundred bacteria isolated from conjunctivitis and keratitis showed 14 different bacterial species as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most. All 100 isolates were tested for their ability to form biofilm, 65 isolates (65%) showed positive for congo red agar (CRA) test with the exception of Enterobacter hormaechei, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Bacillus pumilus species, while 84 isolates (84%) showed positive for microtiter plate assay except Bacillus pumilusspecies. Nevertheless, icaAD genes were detected in 75 isolates (75%) within all species. Although 100 bacterial isolates showed different results toward biofilm production tests, CRA, MTP assay and icaAD genes, but there was no significant difference found among these tests. Appliedally, the ability to adhere on contact lenses (In vitro) appeared Staphylococcus aureus has the highest adhesion 12(92.3%) followed by P. aeruginosa 3(75%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis 3(60%).
Weed Species Trait Selection as Shaped by Region and Crop Diversity in Organically Managed Spring Cereals

Weeds remain a challenge in organic arable farming, as well as supply ecosystem services. The aim is to control weed densities while hosting a diverse and manageable weed community, preventing domination of few deleterious species. Therefore, we want to understand how specific species are stimulated, and which traits are selected for. This study focuses on crop diversity hypothesizing that (1) regions and (2) crop diversity function as filters for specific weed species traits. We conducted a weed monitoring in spring cereals over 2 years on organic farms in five northern European regions. Management and weed trait variables collected for the occurring species allowed an RLQ fourth-corner analysis. The weed communities were regionally specific, but trait selection was not observed, except in Latvia. Hence, the regional species pool provided different species with similar traits. Crop diversity within the management of spring cereals, such as undersowing and cereal frequency in the rotation, affected weed traits. The number of years under organic production selected no traits, although species numbers are known to increase. Hence, general weed species diversity increased, irrespective of traits. We conclude that organic management may support the agility within the weed community against selection of species and act as a buffer rather than as filter.
Twist-angle-dependent thermal conduction in single-crystalline bilayer graphene

Thermal conductivity (κ) of the single-crystalline bilayer graphene (BLG) is investigated experimentally as a function of the interlayer twist angle (θ) and temperature using the optothermal Raman technique. The results show that a slight 2° twist angle leads to a κ decrease in 15% at ∼320 K. With the regulation of θ from 0° to 30°, the in-plane κ of the BLG decreases first and then increases showing an asymmetry V shape. The local maximum value of κ was reached when the twist angle is 30° and the highest value was found on the Bernal stacked BLG. The obtained κ is further found to be sensitive to the Moire periodicity but insensitive to the commensurate lattice constant of the twisted BLG. The non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation reveals that the twist angle in t-BLG affects the proportion of low-frequency phonons and finally changes the κ. The quantitative study validates the regulation of thermal conduction through the interlayer twist angle and favors the further understanding of thermal transport in the van der Waals bilayer systems.
Investigation of Nanogrids for Improved Navy Installation Energy Resilience

Military bases perform important national security missions. In order to perform these missions, specific electrical energy loads must have continuous, uninterrupted power even during terrorist attacks, adversary action, natural disasters, and other threats of specific interest to the military. While many global military bases have established microgrids that can maintain base operations and power critical loads during grid disconnect events where outside power is unavailable, many potential threats can cause microgrids to fail and shed critical loads. Nanogrids are of specific interest because they have the potential to protect individual critical loads in the event of microgrid failure. We present a systems engineering methodology that analyzes potential nanogrid configurations to understand which configurations may improve energy resilience and by how much for critical loads from a national security perspective. This then allows targeted deployment of nanogrids within existing microgrid infrastructures. A case study of a small military base with an existing microgrid is presented to demonstrate the potential of the methodology to help base energy managers understand which options are preferable and justify implementing nanogrids to improve energy resilience.
Ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana on Balinese Traditional Houses Building

Tri Hita Karana is the concept of three things that can lead to happiness, which consist of the relation of human beings with God, amongst human beings, and the relationship of human beings with the environment, which is embodied in the circulation, the design space forming element, the supporting build a room, design of facilities, utilities and decoration. The study of ergonomics on traditional residential houses in Bali focuses on task elements, organization, and environment. The task examines how the facilities were created based on anthropometric and activity flow. Organization study about traditional Balinese buildings layout in terms of space organization resulted in a large scale, function space, and circulation space. Environment review the two sides, firstly is the physical environment, namely: the use of circulation, lighting and handling the current season every year, and secondly is the social environment, namely: religion, beliefs, norms, and others. There are similarities between Ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana; therefore, this study intends to it. It is conducted by using qualitative descriptive analysis with Tri Hita Karana concept on traditional Balinese buildings and accompanied with ergonomic values based on the subject of the task and environmental organizations. This writing aims to observe whether the ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana have similar views in the embodiment of traditional Balinese houses. At the end of the discussion, we can conclude that the embodiment of traditional Balinese residential buildings has to be considered on the relationship of human beings with God and the relationship between human beings and the environment. It also includes a consideration in ergonomics consists of task, organization, and environment; and it is found out that the concept of Tri Hita Karana has similarities with the idea of ergonomics on traditional Balinese houses.
Developing an Evidence-base to Guide Ethical Action in Global Challenges Research in Complex and Fragile Contexts: A Scoping Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT The 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of our global future resulting in new research priorities and corresponding funding to address complex global challenges through partnership. This has generated the potential for powerful new solutions but also for ethical risks within and between disciplinary, geographic and cultural boundaries, in turn necessitating a greater emphasis on equitable partnerships and novel, just, transdisciplinary methodological approaches. Given this changing global research landscape, current ethical frameworks can seem fragmented, incoherent and no longer fit-for-purpose. The objectives of this scoping review were to (i) identify key issues of research ethics and integrity in GCR; and (ii) practices that can help address them. The review yielded 65, which were analysed in depth. Thematic analysis informed the development of a 4-part framework to support ethical action through analysis of ethical dilemmas pre-emptively and dynamically: Place (contextual ethical issues associated with cultural and language differences), People (ethical issues associated with human relationships involving participants and/or the research team), Principles (the worldview and values that influence decision making during the research) and Precedent (the way in which the research provides useful information to solve complex problems in a fragile context).
In vitro antiviral activity of SCH 446211 ( SCH 6 ) , a novel inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus NS 3 serine protease

Background: Current hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies may cure 60% of infections. They are often contraindicated or poorly tolerated, underscoring the need for safer and more effective drugs. A novel, a-ketoamide-derived, substrate-based inhibitor of the HCV serine protease (SCH446211) was developed. Compared with earlier reported inhibitors of similar chemical class, it has a P1 –P2 0 extension which provides extended interaction with the protease active site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antiviral activity of SCH446211.
Accuracy Improvement of Real-Time Location Tracking for Construction Workers

Extensive research has been conducted on the real-time locating system (RTLS) for tracking construction components, including workers, equipment, and materials, in order to improve construction performance (e.g., productivity improvement or accident prevention). In order to prevent safety accidents and make more sustainable construction job sites, the higher accuracy of RTLS is required. To improve the accuracy of RTLS in construction projects, this paper presents a RTLS using radio frequency identification (RFID). For this goal, this paper develops a location tracking error mitigation algorithm and presents the concept of using assistant tags. The applicability and effectiveness of the developed RTLS are tested under eight different construction environments and the test results confirm the system’s strong potential for improving the accuracy of real-time location tracking in construction projects, thus enhancing construction performance.
Adversarial Autoencoder Based Feature Learning for Fault Detection in Industrial Processes

Deep learning has recently emerged as a promising method for nonlinear process monitoring. However, ensuring that the features from process variables have representative information of the high-dimensional process data remains a challenge. In this study, we propose an adversarial autoencoder (AAE) based process monitoring system. AAE which combines the advantages of a variational autoencoder and a generative adversarial network enables the generation of features that follow the designed prior distribution. By employing the AAE model, features that have informative manifolds of the original data are obtained. These features are used for constructing and monitoring statistics and improve the stability and reliability of fault detection. Extracted features help calculate the degree of abnormalities in process variables more robustly and indicate the type of fault information they imply. Finally, our proposed method is testified using the Tennessee Eastman benchmark process in terms of fault detection rate, false alarm rate, and fault detection delays.
Investigation the need to teach the characteristics of the development of parliamentarism in Latin America as part of education

The article highlights the history and features of parliamentarism development in the Latin America countries. In addition, the need for training on the subject and the effect of increasing students and educators’ awareness in this field is examined. This process was lengthy, replete with the examples of various social groups, political trends and parties struggle intensity increase. Since the beginning of the 19th century, there have been almost no favorable conditions for the practical implementation of democratic government in the countries of Latin America, and the institutionalization of the party system has not taken place yet. However, there have been exceptions to the general rule in the history of Latin America. Chile and Argentina were such an example. The success of democratic transformations in the countries of the region depended on various reasons: a) whether the country had a democratic experience in its past; b) the conditions for the political and economic development of this country to develop representative institutions in the future; c) the importance of the parties in the political course development and the adoption of state decisions. The results of democracy and parliamentarism development in the states of Latin America are rather complicated by the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. On the one hand, the last decades of the XX-th century and the beginning of this century was marked by the democratization of political life, reforms, and the replacement of military regimes with civilian governments. Since the beginning of the 60-ies, they started the process of democratization and formation of independent island states in the Caribbean and Central America. Despite the successful development of the economy, culture, education, the presence of a large middle class in Argentina, the military governments overcame civilian ones in the 30-70-ies. Therefore, it is needed to consider this aspect as a part of education system to improve the educators’ level.