Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Costs of Care for Adults with Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Population-Based Study

Simple Summary This observational study provides a useful estimate of the cost of clinical pathways for soft tissue sarcoma at population level. Analyzing the drivers of the costs of a given illness emerging from these data could support the development of dynamic models for assessing cost-effectiveness based on real-world observations. Abstract The clinical treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) has evolved substantially over the last decade. This population-based cohort study based on real-world data included all incidental STS recorded by the Veneto Cancer Registry in 2017. Data on hospital admissions, emergency department and outpatient visits, drug prescriptions, and use of medical devices within two years from STS diagnosis were obtained from administrative databases. The average per-patient real-world costs over this two-year period, in total and by single expenditure item, were calculated and stratified by stage of disease at diagnosis, tumor histology and tumor site. The mean total cost per patient amounted to EUR 16,793. A higher TNM stage at diagnosis was associated with higher healthcare costs, as follows: compared with stage I, the average total cost per patient was 1.32, 2.18 and 3.36 times greater for stages II, III and IV, respectively. Hospital stays generated the greatest costs (averaging EUR 7950 per patient), followed by outpatient visits (mean EUR 3947 per patient) and drug prescriptions (mean EUR 3664 per patient). Given the paucity of population-based studies, the present results can serve as a reference for further cost-effectiveness analyses on care strategies for patients with STS.
Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of Indole Biodegradation in Acinetobacter sp. Strain O153

Indole is a molecule of considerable biochemical significance, acting as both an interspecies signal molecule and a building block of biological elements. Bacterial indole degradation has been demonstrated for a number of cases; however, very little is known about genes and proteins involved in this process. This study reports the cloning and initial functional characterization of genes ( iif and ant cluster), responsible for indole biodegradation in Acinetobacter sp. strain O153. Catabolic cascade was reconstituted in vitro with recombinant proteins and each protein was assigned an enzymatic function. Degradation starts with oxidation, mediated by IifC and IifD flavin-dependent two component oxygenase system. Formation of indigo is prevented by IifB and the final product – anthranilic acid – is formed by IifA, an enzyme which is both structurally and functionally comparable to cofactor-independent oxygenases. Moreover, the iif cluster was identified in the genomes of wide range of bacteria, suggesting the potential widespread of Iif-mediated indole degradation. This work provides novel insights into genetic background of microbial indole biodegradation. IMPORTANCE The key finding of this research is identification of genes, responsible for microbial biodegradation of indole, a toxic N -heterocyclic compound. A large amount of indole is present in urban waste water and sewage sludge raising a demand for efficient and eco-friendly means to eliminate this pollutant. A common strategy of oxidizing indole to indigo has a major drawback of producing insoluble material. Genes and proteins of Acinetobacter sp. strain O153 (DSM 103907) reported here pave the way for effective and indigo-free indole removal. In addition, this work suggests possible novel means of indole-mediated bacterial interactions and provides the basis for future research on indole metabolism.
A Modular Multilevel Voltage-Boosting Marx Pulse-Waveform Generator for Electroporation Applications

In order to overcome the limitations of the existing classical and solid-state Marx pulse generators, this paper proposes a new modular multilevel voltage-boosting Marx pulse generator (BMPG). The proposed BMPG has hardware features that allow modularity, redundancy, and scalability as well as operational features that alleviate the need of series-connected switches and allows generation of a wide range of pulse waveforms. In the BMPG, a controllable, low-voltage input boost converter supplies, via directing/blocking (D/B) diodes, two arms of a series modular multilevel converter half-bridge sub-modules (HB-SMs). At start up, all the arm's SM capacitors are resonantly charged in parallel from 0 V, simultaneously via directing diodes, to a voltage in excess of the source voltage. After the first pulse delivery, the energy of the SM capacitors decreases due to the generated pulse. Then, for continuous operation without fully discharging the SM capacitors or having a large voltage droop as in the available Marx generators, the SM capacitors are continuously recharged in parallel, to the desired boosted voltage level. Because all SMs are parallelly connected, the boost converter duty ratio is controlled by a single voltage measurement at the output terminals of the boost converter. Due to the proposed SMs structure and the utilization of D/B diodes, each SM capacitor is effectively controlled individually without requiring a voltage sensor across each SM capacitor. Generation of the commonly used pulse waveforms in electroporation applications is possible, while assuring balanced capacitors, hence SM voltages. The proposed BMPG has several topological variations such as utilizing a buck–boost converter at the input stage and replacing the HB-SM with full-bridge SMs. The proposed BMPG topology is assessed by simulation and scaled-down proof-of-concept experimentation to explore its viability for electroporation applications.
Implementation theory and determinants for success: A case study of televised distance learning implementation in an urban university

IMPLEMENTATION THEORY AND DETERMINANTS FOR SUCCESS: A CASE STUDY OF TELEVISED DISTANCE LEARNING IMPLEMENTATION IN AN URBAN UNIVERSITY. Deanne Shuman Old Dominion University, 2000 Director: Dr. Wolfgang Pindur The purpose of this study is to explore the implementation process of a distance learning initiative using televised instruction in an urban university. The scope and complexity of problems faced by colleges and universities today are growing, and public institutions are being asked to do more with less. Despite limited budgets and stretched resources, institutions are expected to be responsive to the challenges of change. Distance learning using televised instruction, which brings the classroom to the learner, is an available technology that can be responsive to students' diverse needs. This study explores factors that facilitated or served as barriers in the implementation of a distance learning initiative at one urban university. Further, this study addresses the process used by management to implement televised instruction. A single-case study design with embedded units of analysis was employed as the research design. Data collection included multiple measures, consisting of surveys of faculty, interviews of administrators, and a review of archival records and documents to answer the research questions. A Delphi method with three rounds was used to design a faculty survey Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. and identify significant facilitating factors and barriers to implementation of a distance learning initiative using televised instruction. Twelve faculty, representing all 6 colleges and with at least 3 semesters of televised teaching experience, were selected to participate as the expert panel in the Delphi rounds. The entire population of faculty, both full-time and adjunct, who had taught courses on television comprised the sample for the faculty survey. Administrators selected for interview were a purposive sample comprised of those individuals with direct experiences in the implementation of televised instruction on the campus. Interview results were analyzed by quantifying responses and employing pattern matching based on theoretical constructs from the literature on implementation theory. The Faculty Survey results were analyzed using frequency data and logistic regression analysis. Analyzing the experiences of one urban university with the development of televised distance learning can help other institutions seeking this innovation for education delivery for the purpose of expanding access to students who are bound to their geographic locations. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Long-Term Metabolic Outcomes after Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): Results from the Odense GDM Follow-Up Study (OGFUS)

Aims To compare metabolic profiles and the long-term risk of metabolic dysfunction between women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (pGDM) and women without pGDM (non-GDM) matched on age, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), and parity. Methods In total, 128 women with pGDM (median follow-up: 7.8 years) and 70 non-GDM controls (median follow-up: 10.0 years) completed a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with assessment of glucose, C-peptide, insulin, and other metabolic measures. Additionally, anthropometrics, fat mass, and blood pressure were assessed and indices of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function were calculated. Results The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was significantly higher in the pGDM group compared to the non-GDM group (26% vs. 0%). For women with pGDM, the prevalence of prediabetes (38%) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) (59%) were approximately 3-fold higher than in non-GDM women (p's < 0.001). Both insulin sensitivity and beta cell function were significantly reduced in pGDM women compared to non-GDM women. Conclusion Despite similar BMI, women with pGDM had a substantially higher risk of developing T2DM, prediabetes, and the MetS compared to controls. Both beta cell dysfunction and reduced insulin sensitivity seem to contribute to this increased risk.
Multi-Issue Negotiation EVs Charging Mechanism in Highly Congested Distribution Networks

The work presented in this paper describes a multi-issue negotiation protocol between active consumers and a management platform in order to establish load coordination in a highly congested network. The multi-issue negotiation protocol considers simultaneously the consumption interval, the price, and the size of the energy packages, which is the main contribution of this work . Regarding the implementation methodology, the proposed algorithms have been implemented using MATLAB classes that allow emulating the behaviour of a multi-agent system in which each vehicle is an agent that interacts with the platform, which is another agent. In the present work, and without loss of generality, the algorithm is applied to coordinate the charging of electric vehicles (EVs) in a distribution network in which building loads represent critical loads. The algorithm is tested in a realistic environment, and its stability and performance are evaluated. Furthermore, the description of the algorithm is provided in a generic form, and it could be applied to any other scenario.
Time-Domain Computation of Full-Wave Partial Inductances Based on the Modified Numerical Inversion of Laplace Transform Method

The partial inductance is a very well known concept in electromagnetic modeling that allows us to ascribe the properties of inductance to an isolated piece of conductor and of a mutual inductance to a couple of finite-size conductors, not necessarily constituting a closed loop as it is required for the standard concept of inductance. Although, its computation has been widely studied in the static case and in the frequency domain for the dynamic case, its computation in the time domain (TD) has been only partially addressed. This article aims to fill this gap also pointing out their use in the framework of a TD solver. In particular, the modified numerical inversion of the Laplace transform (NILT) is adopted to compute the time samples of the partial inductance avoiding the cumbersome inverse Fourier transform (IFT). It will be shown that, in addition to the high accuracy, the delayed implementation of the NILT method strictly preserves the causality of the magnetic coupling. Furthermore, the use of Hermite interpolation allows us to significantly reduce the computational effort. The proposed method is tested by comparison with analytical formulas existing for coplanar zero-thickness regions and with IFT techniques for the both orthogonal and nonorthogonal geometries.
Modeling and Analysis of Priority-Based Distributed Access Control in Vehicular Networks

This paper analyzes priority-based distributed access control in vehicular networks. Characterizing the spatial correlation between vehicles, users, and roads, this paper uses Cox point processes to model vehicles and users, respectively. Then, this paper proposes that each vehicle transmits if it has the highest priority among all of its neighbors. Using the stochastic geometry framework, this paper derives the probability that a typical vehicle is retained to transmit. Then, this paper derives a second-order moment measure of the retained point process to evaluate the signal-to-interference (SIR) distribution of a typical user. The derived SIR distribution is compared to the system-level simulation of the SIR distribution of a typical user.
The effects of realistic tactile haptic feedback on user surface texture perception

Haptic interaction plays an important role in virtual reality and human-computer interaction paradigms. However, most haptic devices only create kinesthetic feedback or simple unrealistic tactile feedback. This study presents theory and practice for creating realistic tactile feedback. The approach is based upon skin sensing capabilities, tactile perception principles, and tactile stimulation techniques. The approach uses a vibration sensor, controller, and actuator to create a tactile haptic device. The device is portable, small, light, and cost-effective. This study uses the device to create realistic tactile sensations from actual surface features, and measures the effects of tactile haptic feedback on user surface texture perception. Verification test results show that the device can create realistic tactile feedback that matches actual surface features well. User test results show that users can match actuator vibrations for 40-grit and 180-grit surface textures to actual 40-grit and 180-grit surface textures 99.3 % of the time.
POST-INTENSIVE CARE DEPRESSION FOLLOWING CRITICAL ILLNESS IN PATIENTS AFTER USING MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Background: Critical illness survivors have been improved due to advances in critical medicine, but they can experience psychological impairments after ICU discharge. Depression is one of the psychological impairments in Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Post-Intensive Care Syndrome is a collection of symptoms that occur post-ICU discharge. This can be experienced by post-intensive care patient after using mechanical ventilation. Post-intensive care depression has an impact on the patient quality of life after ICU discharge. Objectives: This study aimed to determine post-intensive care depression in patients after using mechanical ventilation and to investigate correlation duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay with post-intensive care depression. Methods: This study was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design and retrospective medical record. We used total sampling technique. We enrolled all post-intensive care patient after using mechanical ventilation at Gedung Bedah Pusat Terpadu Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in a range of January-December 2020. The number of samples in this study was 97 Patients. We collect detailed sociodemographic data and clinical data from medical record. The symptoms of post-intensive care depression were assessed at least 3 months after ICU discharge with Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The data were analyzed using Chi-Square statistical test. Results: Out of 97 post-intensive care patients after using mechanical ventilation, 43 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and 27.91% among them had mild depression (BDI-II score = 14-19). There is no significant correlation between post-intensive care depression and duration of mechanical ventilation (p-value = 0.398) and there is no significant correlation between post-intensive care depression and ICU length of stay (p-value = 0.303). Conclusion: Post-intensive care patients after using mechanical ventilation are prone to have mild depression at least three months after ICU discharge. However, there is no significant correlation duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay with post-intensive care depression.
Research on measuring method of large-caliber gun muzzle vibration

In this paper, a measuring system based on binocular vision is developed for the research on large-caliber gun muzzle vibration. The system is consisted of two high-speed cameras and other equipment. The two-step calibration method based on radial constraint is adopted in order to complete the calibration, the inter-frame differential multiplication method is used to detect the centroid of moving target accurately, the improved Kalman filter tracking algorithm is used to obtain the motion trajectory of the muzzle identification point. The system is applied to practice for a type of muzzle vibration measurement and meaningful original data is acquired.
Electromyographical Analysis of Table Tennis Forehand Stroke Using Different Ball Material

Research purpose. This study aimed to determine the EMG analysis of forehand topspin using different ball materials. Materials and methods. For the purposes of this study, seven male university-level table tennis players who were right-hand dominant players (age 21.1 ± 2.4 years, height 162.6 ± 6.8 cm, mass 61.8 ± 3.2 kg) with at least 6 years of playing experience were selected. The selected participants were physically active and had no physical injuries. The study was approved by the research committee. Pectoralis Major (PM), Deltoid Anterior (DA), Latissimus Dorsi (LD), Biceps Brachii (BB), Extensor Carpi Radialis (ECR), Flexor Carpi Radialis (FCR) muscles were selected for the electromyographical study. One of the EMG signals variable Root Mean Square was measured in all muscles, through which the maximum muscle involvement was evaluated. For each assessed muscle and both ball materials, the mean value of Root Mean Square EMG signals was computed. For descriptive statistics, minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation were used, and a t-test was used as a statistical technique. Results. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Results of the study showed no significant difference in EMG variable Root Mean Square between celluloid and poly plastic ball material on selected muscles. Conclusions. We conclude that the biceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis are important muscles for the forehand topspin because they are responsible for flexion of the arm and work strongly in the action of gripping in the performance of quick forehand spin strokes.
Preparation and Sound Insulation Performance of Polystyrene Building Flame Retardant and Thermal Insulation Building Materials

In this study, magnesium hydroxide (MH) was modified by sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) to prepare modified magnesium hydroxide (MMH) flame retardant, which was mixed with polystyrene (PS) to obtain flame retardant PS composite plate. The micromorphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and flame retardancy of flame retardant PS composite plate were analyzed. The experimental results show that MMH is well dispersed in PS matrix, PS-MMH-3 has the best tensile strength and elongation at break, the limit oxygen index (LOI) is 44.3% higher than that of pure PS, and the combustion rate is slow, indicating that PS-MMH-3 has good flame retardant properties.
The role of trust in mediation the effect of perception of ease of use and perception of usefulness on intention to re-using the mobile banking service

The purpose of this study was to examine and explain the role of trust in mediating the effect of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on the intention to reuse mobile banking on the BNI Mobile Banking application. This research is categorized as an associative quantitative research conducted in Denpasar City. Data consists of 160 samples, collected by distributing questionnaires containing open and closed questions and statements that have been tested for validity and reliability. The analysis technique used is the Structural Equation Model (SEM) using an analysis tool in the form of SmartPLS 3.0 software. The results of this study indicate that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have a positive and significant effect on trust and intention to reuse, and trust has a positive and significant effect on intention to reuse as well as partially mediate the relationship between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness with intention to reuse to the BNI Mobile Banking application in Denpasar City.
Peer assessment as a method for facilitating cross-sector learning: A national pilot

Background: The delay of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) pharmacist registration assessments in England due to COVID-19 created a need for innovative assessment methods. Peer assessment was identified as a potential method for use across the sector and geographical boundaries. The aim was to establish a model for a national peer assessment tool to support Early Careers Pharmacists (ECPs) development. Method: Participating ECP submitted cases using a standard template to be anonymised and distributed to three peer reviewers. An external supervisor provided a final agreement on the feedback given. Results: Two hundred and fifty pharmacists participated in peer assessment from a range of sectors and locations. 75.5% (n=566) of potential peer reviews were completed with an average score at expected standard for an ECPs. Commonality of sector experience between submitter and peer did not affect scoring. Conclusion: These findings support acceptability and feasibility of asynchronous pharmacy peer assessment across sector and geographical boundaries.
Behavioral Sleep Interventions for Children With ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To evaluate intervention characteristics and components within behavioral sleep interventions in school-aged children with ADHD and examine evidence related to effectiveness. Method: A systematic review was conducted using PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and OpenGray. The subsequent meta-analysis used sleep outcomes to produce comparable effect sizes (Hedges’ g) and compare intervention effects between randomized controlled trials and pre-post studies. Results: Eleven articles satisfied the inclusion criteria (562 children, across all groups, aged 5–14 years, M = 8.71). Studies reported improvements in sleep although there was marked heterogeneity between studies and limited use of objective sleep measures within them. On average, intervention groups improved more than control groups in the five randomized controlled trials (−0.46, 95% CI = [−0.58, −0.35], k = 4). Conclusion: The findings support the use of behavioral sleep interventions for school-aged children with ADHD. Findings suggest that brief, individualized intervention may be more effective than standardized.