Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blood Biomarkers Predict Survival Outcomes in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with PD-1 Inhibitors

Purpose To investigate the prognostic value of blood markers in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinicopathological data of 110 HBV-induced HCC patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were scrutinized using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test, and all potential risk factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results The mean OS and PFS were 6.5 and 5.5 months, respectively. According to Kaplan-Meier survival curves, elevated systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) correlated with decreased OS and PFS (all P < 0.05), and low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) correlated with decreased PFS and OS (all P < 0.05). Per multivariate Cox regression analyses, SII, PLR, and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) correlated independently with PFS (all P < 0.05), whereas SII, PLR, NLR, and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) correlated with OS (all P < 0.05). Conclusion SII, PLR, and PVTT predicted OS and PFS in HCC patients who received PD-1 inhibitors and, therefore, could be useful predictors for risk stratification and individualized therapeutic decision-making for patients with HBV-induced HCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors.
Reinsurance and the determinants of the ceding decision of life insurance companies in Nigeria

Purpose: This paper is an empirical analysis of Nigeria’s determinants of the ceding decision of life insurance companies. It is birthed from the notion that reinsurance, though highly beneficial to the insurance industry, is rarely undertaken by life insurers. Thus, this study aims at expounding on the determinants of reinsurance decisions of life insurance companies in Nigeria and the relationship of each determinant with ceded reinsurance.Methodology: An ex-post facto research design was adopted, and a sample size of seven (7) core life insurance companies in Nigeria was selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were sourced from the Nigerian Insurers Digest and the websites of the select insurance companies covering the years 2011 to 2019. Descriptive analysis and unit root tests were conducted on the data to justify its suitability. Data were further analyzed using the panel data regression, and a decision was arrived at using the Hausman and redundant fixed effect tests.Results/Findings: The analysis showed a significant relationship between leverage and ceded reinsurance, firm size and ceded reinsurance, as well as return on assets and ceded reinsurance, while underwriting risk and reinsurance price had insignificant relationships with ceded reinsurance. All the explanatory variables also had positive relationships with the ratio of ceded reinsurance. Thus, it was concluded that leverage, firm size and return on assets are major determinants of the ceding decision of these companies, while underwriting risk and reinsurance price are not.Originality and Practical Implications: This study is an original work of the authors. It practically shows the relationship between the factors considered by life insurers in deciding to cede their risks and ceded reinsurance. With previous studies on reinsurance and its benefit to the insurance industry, this study brings factors that impede the life insurer from deriving these benefits. Therefore, it was recommended that to encourage life insurers to cede more risks, policymakers and regulators should align specific regulations on leverage, firm size and return on assets of life insurers in Nigeria.
The Effect of Tablet Computer Configurations and Touchscreen Gestures on Human Biomechanics, Performance, and Subjective Assessment

Abstract As the increasing usage scenarios of tablet computers led to more non-neutral postures, optimizing the touchscreen gesture input became imminent to improve system performance and users’ well-being. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the influence of four tablet configurations and seven touchscreen gestures on electromyography, performance, and subjective assessment. Our results indicated that muscular loads of shoulder decreased under the Stand-Hand configuration while it increased under the Sit-Table during gesture interaction. We also found that Drag-Up and Drag-Left tended to possess higher muscular loads of shoulder while Drag-Down caused greater muscular loads of index finger. Besides, two-touch gestures spent longer duration when performing long-distance movements. Dragging in the inner direction was supposed to be more efficient than that in the outer direction. Our findings could provide a scientific basis for guiding the appropriate selection and the use of touchscreen interaction in the future HCI field.
Pharmaceutical innovation: The gap between knowledge, attitude, and perceptions among pharmacists and final-year pharmacy students

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in innovative business development. Nevertheless, in the pharmacy practice field, there seems to be a gap in perceptions, attitudes, and knowledge about innovation between practicing pharmacists and academia. This study explores this gap and aspects of pharmaceutical innovation in Jordan comparing pharmacists and last-year pharmacy students. A validated ( r 2 = 0.74) and reliable (Pearson’s r = 0.88) online questionnaire was designed to assess and compare knowledge, attitude, and perceptions about pharmaceutical innovation. A total of 397 participants (215 pharmacy students and 182 pharmaceutical professionals) responded. Compared with 50% of the pharmacists, only 32.1% of the students claimed that they knew the differences between pharmaceutical innovation, discovery, invention, and entrepreneurship [ x 2 (2) = 14.238, p = 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.189]. Pharmacists demonstrated a higher level of trust in the innovative website design for their institution compared with students (25.3% vs. 16.3%, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.327). However, 60% of the students did not know the innovative design standards for websites, while the corresponding percentage was 37% for the pharmacists (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.327). The majority of the students were interested in pharmaceutical innovation (81.9%). Unfortunately, 76.3% never studied about innovation in their pharmacy curricula. Similarly, most pharmacists (76.4%) considered adopting innovation, but only 30% had a concrete plan. For the field where pharmacists aim to innovate in the next 5 years, new pharmaceutical services were the dominant field (34.6%). Despite a positive attitude and perception, pharmacists and pharmacy students expressed poor knowledge about innovation. Policies to enhance awareness about innovation and professional educational tools should be implemented.
Multiple-User SC-FDMA System with Sub-Nyquist Receiver and PAPR Reduction

We demonstrate 43.63-Gbps SC-FDMA with O.5-GSample/s sampling-rate receiver for each 32-user. Meanwhile, PAPR reduction is included in the proposed SC-FDMA system. We also compare results with L-FDMA, I-FDMA, and OFDM utilizing high sampling-rate ADC.
Mechanical Sensors for Cardiovascular Monitoring: From Battery-Powered to Self-Powered

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Long-term and real-time monitoring of cardiovascular indicators is required to detect abnormalities and conduct early intervention in time. To this end, the development of flexible wearable/implantable sensors for real-time monitoring of various vital signs has aroused extensive interest among researchers. Among the different kinds of sensors, mechanical sensors can reflect the direct information of pressure fluctuations in the cardiovascular system with the advantages of high sensitivity and suitable flexibility. Herein, we first introduce the recent advances of four kinds of mechanical sensors for cardiovascular system monitoring, based on capacitive, piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric principles. Then, the physio-mechanical mechanisms in the cardiovascular system and their monitoring are described, including pulse wave, blood pressure, heart rhythm, endocardial pressure, etc. Finally, we emphasize the importance of real-time physiological monitoring in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and discuss its challenges in clinical translation.
Current Evidence of a Deintensification Strategy for Patients with HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer

Simple Summary Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer represents a distinct disease entity, showing favorable treatment responses and survival outcomes. While the deintensification of treatment for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is widely considered necessary, details concerning patient selection and optimal strategies are undetermined. The heterogeneity of study populations and interventions in trials complicate the ability of physicians to apply the results in daily practice. The evolving landscape also requires physicians to consistently update the results of these trials. This article reviews the most recent evidence on the deintensification of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. We aim to provide physicians with some guidance regarding management options and assist researchers in appropriately designing trials in the future. Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer differs from HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer in terms of etiology, epidemiology, and prognosis. Younger and lower comorbidity patient demographics and favorable prognosis allow HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer patients to anticipate longer life expectancy. Reducing long-term toxicities has become an increasingly important issue. Treatment deintensification to reduce toxicities has been investigated in terms of many aspects, and the reduction of radiotherapy (RT) dose in definitive treatment, replacement of platinum-based chemotherapy with cetuximab, response-tailored dose prescription after induction chemotherapy, and reduction of adjuvant RT dose after transoral surgery have been evaluated. We performed a literature review of prospective trials of deintensification for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. In phase II trials, reduction of RT dose in definitive treatment showed comparable survival outcomes to historical results. Two phase III randomized trials reported inferior survival outcomes for cetuximab-based chemoradiation compared with cisplatin-based chemoradiation. In a randomized phase III trial investigating adjuvant RT, deintensified RT showed noninferior survival outcomes in patients without extranodal extension but worse survival in patients with extranodal extension. Optimal RT dosage and patient selection require confirmation in future studies. Although many phase II trials have reported promising outcomes, the results of phase III trials are needed to change the standard treatment. Since high-level evidence has not been established, current deintensification should only be performed as part of a clinical study with caution. Implementation in clinical practice should not be undertaken until evidence from phase III randomized trials is available.
Factors associated with total coliform and total viable bacterial count in camel milk from Isiolo County, Kenya

Background and Aim: Camels have adaptive features to harsh climatic conditions, which make them a valued stable source of livelihood in arid lands. This study estimated the total bacterial and coliform counts (CCs), their associated factors in raw camel milk from the pastoral camel keepers, and the entire milk value chain in Isiolo County and Nairobi, Kenya. This study elucidates the bacterial load in camel milk and its potential risk. Moreover, this study provides recommendations on how to avert a human health hazard. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study targeted the camel pastoralists in Isiolo County, in the northern central part of Kenya. The study was conducted in July and August 2021. In addition, camel milk samples were collected along the value chain key points, including the producers, transporters, one bulker, and small traders in Isiolo town, and other retailers in Nairobi City. Eight camel herds were purposively selected and visited for a sample collection from pooled milking containers (10 mL each). In addition, milk was collected from pooled milk through the transporters, two milk bulkers, and several milk retailers in Isiolo town. Milk was further collected from retailers in Eastleigh town, Nairobi City. At each sampling point, 20 mL of milk sample was collected aseptically. The milk samples were assessed for total viable bacterial counts (TVBC) and CCs using the plate count and digital colony count, respectively. Results: A total of 76 respondents were selected and 213 milk samples were collected in this study. The respondents included the 1 (1.3%) bulker, 32 (42.1%) producers, 26 (34.2%) traders, and 17 (22.4%) transporters. Most respondents were male (62%), with most being over 40 years old. Overall, the TVBC had a mean of 2436835 ± 9276636 and a median of 3600. Furthermore, the multivariable multilevel mixed-effects linear regression model indicated that gender and practice of smoking milk-handling containers were positively and negatively associated with high counts of the natural logarithm of total viable bacteria, respectively. Of the milk samples evaluated for the CC, 10.3% (22/213) had counts greater than or equal to (≥) 100,000, where some also indicated extreme outliers of about 9.3 million. Conclusion: This study reports a low proportion of camel milk samples with high total viable bacterial and CCs. The material of the milk container and level of education interactively affected the total viable bacteria.
An integral equation method for solving Laplace’s equation with Robin boundary conditions

Boundary integral equations have been used to create effective methods for solving elliptic partial differential equations. Of primary importance is choosing the appropriate boundary representation for the solution such that the resulting integral equation is well-conditioned and solvable. Traditional boundary representations for Laplace’s equation use a double layer potential for Dirichlet problems and a single layer potential for Neumann problems since both lead to Fredholm integral equations of the second kind with continuous kernels. We investigate a representation that gives rise to Fredholm equations of the second kind for Robin boundary conditions. The equations have singular kernels for which we use specialized quadrature rules to construct numerical approximations. We also study the solution and conditioning of these methods with weak Robin conditions that approach Dirichlet ones in the limit and for domains that are multiply connected.
Democracy, Labor’s Share of Income, and Labor Supply: A Time-Series Cross-Sectional Analysis

This paper examines democracy’s impact on the labor share of income: the share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dedicated to wages, salaries, and benefits. I hypothesize democratic regimes afford labor the opportunity to increase its share of national income. While previous empirical work finds cross-sectional evidence for the hypothesis, this paper employs a time-series cross-sectional analysis using data for 119 countries between 1950 and 2017, indicating the labor share of income is higher in democratic countries. The estimates are robust to different specifications of the statistical model. This paper also examines a potential causal mechanism that links democracy to a higher labor share through the supply of labor (the average number of hours worked in the economy). The relationship between democracy and the supply of labor lends additional evidence to my hypothesis. In a world characterized by diverging democracy, the results imply the path countries choose between democracy and dictatorship matters.
Viability of Cardiac Parameters Measured Unobtrusively Using Capacitive Coupled Electrocardiography (cECG) to Estimate Driver Performance

A non-contact capacitive coupled electrocardiography (cECG) system to estimate driver’s fatigue is presented in this paper. Twenty male volunteers participated in this paper on a high fidelity driving simulator. To validate the cECG system, we have correlated it with conventional single lead ECG systems. Effect of perspiration on the cECG signal was also observed. Heart dynamics based on Poincaré plot was estimated to observe fatigue. Magnitude square coherence analysis provided good coherence between conventional ECG and cECG signals whereas, signal quality of the cECG signals was observed better as time progressed probably due to effect of perspiration. Significant change (p < 0.05) in HRV dynamics and frequency measure of cECG signals was observed during course of driving. Correlation coefficients between non-linear indices of HRV (SD1, SD2, and SD1/SD2) and frequency measure indices of HRV (LF, HF, and LF/HF) were tested by the Spearman rank correlation test. Result from non-linear and frequency indices analysis of HRV showed significant change (p < 0.05) during course of simulated driving. Validation of cECG with conventional ECG will be very helpful in considering cECG as a good replacement of conventional ECG to detect non-contact ubiquitous driver performance monitoring.
Potassium-competitive acid blockers, a new therapeutic class, and their role in acid-related diseases: a narrative review

Introduction A new therapeutic class, potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), has emerged in Brazil to promote a superior antisecretory effect addressing the unmet needs related to acid-related disease management. Vonoprazan fumarate showed a good safety profile and was approved by the Brazilian regulatory agency – ANVISA. Aim This narrative review was conducted to review the general concepts regarding P-CABs, focussing on vonoprazan fumarate. Material and methods A literature search was conducted through April–May 2021 using official databases with a combination of MeSH controlled vocabulary and text words. The authors selected articles that described pivotal and novel insights about P-CABs and vonoprazan fumarate. Results Vonoprazan is a drug of the P-CABs class newly approved for the management of acid-related diseases in Brazil. P-CABs achieve rapid, potent, and prolonged acid suppression (including night-time) and promise to address some unmet clinical needs in GERD. Furthermore, considering the difficulties encountered in attaining effective symptomatic control – particularly at night – using currently available PPIs, this new drug class is promising. Conclusions This review brings important information about vonoprazan, a new therapeutic option in Brazil, which may be considered as a valuable tool for managing acid-related diseases.
Cost-effective accurate coarse-grid method for highly convective multidimensional unsteady flows

A fundamentally multidimensional convection scheme is described based on vector transient interpolation modeling rewritten in conservative control-volume form. Vector third-order upwinding is used as the basis of the algorithm; this automatically introduces important cross-difference terms that are absent from schemes using component-wise one-dimensional formulas. Third-order phase accuracy is good; this is important for coarse-grid large-eddy or full simulation. Potential overshoots or undershoots are avoided by using a recently developed universal limiter. Higher order accuracy is obtained locally, where needed, by the cost-effective strategy of adaptive stencil expansion in a direction normal to each control-volume face; this is controlled by monitoring the absolute normal gradient and curvature across the face. Higher (than third) order cross-terms do not appear to be needed. Since the wider stencil is used only in isolated narrow regions (near discontinuities), extremely high (in this case, seventh) order accuracy can be achieved for little more than the cost of a globally third-order scheme.
Representação em grafo da cobertura de fluxo de dados e sua aplicação

CONCILIO NETO, Mario. Graph representation for data-flow coverage and its application. 2021. 72 p. Dissertation (Master of Science) – School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 2021. Data flow testing helps testers design effective tests by requiring the tests to execute sequences of statements from definitions of variables to one or more subsequent uses. These def-use associations are derived from graphs that model software behavior. A “flow graph” that only includes paths that cover def-use associations, and not other control flows, has been defined elsewhere. Although these flow graphs have several advantages over previous graphs, as computed, they omit some valid paths, which are needed to use the graphs to discover subsumption relationships and generate test data. These omissions lead to errors in the results, for example, in the calculation of the subsumption relationship among def-use associations. This work extends previous solutions by introducing a graph that represents all paths that cover a given def-use association. The dissertation presents empirical data showing that this graph can be generated at reasonable cost and efficiently applied for data flow subsumption discovery. We envision other applications for graphduas such as input data generation and feasibility analysis of data-flow testing requirements.
An Innovative Bidirectional DC-AC Converter to Improve Power Quality in a Grid-Connected Microgrid

The management of the electrical energy still raises a huge interest for end-users at the household level. Home electricity management systems (HEMS) have recently emerged both to warrant uninterruptible power and high power quality, and to decrease the cost of electricity consumption, by either shifting it in off peak time or smoothing it. Such a HEMS requires a bidirectional DC-AC converter, specifically when an energy transfer is required between a storage system and the AC-grid, and vice versa. This article points out the relevance of an innovative topology based on sinusoidal waveforms from the generation of sine half-waves. Such a topology is based on a DC-DC stage equivalent to an adjustable output voltage source and a DC-AC stage (H-bridge) which are in series. The results of a complete experimental procedure prove the feasibility to improve the power quality of the output signals in terms of total harmonic distortion (THD-values about 5%). The complexity of the proposed converter is minimized in comparison with multilevel topologies. Finally, wide band-gap semiconductor devices (SiC MOSFETs) are helpful both to warrant the compactness and the high efficiency (about 96%) of the bidirectional converter, whatever its operation mode (inverter or rectifier mode).
Understanding the functional attributes of different microbial enzymes in bioremediation

Bioremediation uses biological organisms and their metabolic processes in order to degrade contaminants present in water, soil etc. Microbes have the vast potential are the major resource for bioprocess of using microbial enzymes reduces the toxicity of pollutants caused by the waste materials like pesticides, insecticides, plastics, other hydrocarbon-containing substances and obtain novel useful substances for mankind and the environment. Enzymes produced by bacteria, fungi, plants play a key role in the biodegradation of toxic organic compounds. The purpose of bioremediation processes that will an eco-friendly and cost-effective mechanism. The aim is to develop an advanced technique in bioprocesses that will help to minimize toxin risk and thereby acquire new, usable substances. Some of the bioremediation-related compounds like oxidoreductases hydrolases, dioxygenase, peroxidases, and laccase are most widely considered. The aim of the review is to express the role of microbial enzymes on the bioremediation of toxic, hazardous environmental pollutants.