Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Triglyceride-Glucose Index and 2-Year Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Who Underwent Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background Data on the relationship between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and prognosis after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) are limited. This retrospective observational cohort study evaluated the association of the TyG index with prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus who underwent OPCABG. Methods The TyG index was calculated using the following equation: TyG index = ln (fasting triglyceride level [mg/dL] × fasting glucose level [mg/dL]/2). The primary outcomes included the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), which were defined as all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke and symptomatic graft failure. The association between the TyG index and MACCEs was assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results A total of 1578 patients with diabetes who underwent OPCABG (mean age, 62.9 ± 8.0 years; men, 72.7%) were enrolled in this study. Over the follow-up of 2 years, 176 patients (11.2%) had at least 1 primary endpoint event. The follow-up incidence of the primary endpoint rose with increasing TyG index tertiles. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis adjusted for multiple confounders revealed a hazard ratio for the primary endpoint of 2.133 (95% CI 1.347–3.377; P for trend = 0.001) when the highest and lowest TyG index tertiles were compared. Conclusion The TyG index was significantly and positively associated with MACCEs, suggesting that the TyG index may be a valuable predictor of adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes after OPCABG in patients with T2DM.
A Review on Atrial Fibrillation (Computer Simulation and Clinical Perspectives)

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition, has been a well-researched topic for the past few decades. This multidisciplinary field of study deals with signal processing, finite element analysis, mathematical modeling, optimization, and clinical procedure. This article is focused on a comprehensive review of journal articles published in the field of AF. Topics from the age-old fundamental concepts to specialized modern techniques involved in today’s AF research are discussed. It was found that a lot of research articles have already been published in modeling and simulation of AF. In comparison to that, the diagnosis and post-operative procedures for AF patients have not yet been totally understood or explored by the researchers. The simulation and modeling of AF have been investigated by many researchers in this field. Cellular model, tissue model, and geometric model among others have been used to simulate AF. Due to a very complex nature, the causes of AF have not been fully perceived to date, but the simulated results are validated with real-life patient data. Many algorithms have been proposed to detect the source of AF in human atria. There are many ablation strategies for AF patients, but the search for more efficient ablation strategies is still going on. AF management for patients with different stages of AF has been discussed in the literature as well but is somehow limited mostly to the patients with persistent AF. The authors hope that this study helps to find existing research gaps in the analysis and the diagnosis of AF.
Application of Software Tools for Simulation of Hot Isostatic Pressing

This paper is devoted to hot isostatic pressing (HIP). HIP capsule simulation software has been analysed. Abaqus has been proved the most appropriate simulation tool, which enables finite element analysis and allows users to define their own material properties via a special control program. Specific features of HIP simulation models have been evaluated. Powder densification model has been analysed and implemented. A control program has been developed to factor in elastic and plastic material behaviour. Preliminary simulations have been run for a one-element model and a capsule model.
Mechanical Behavior of an Ultisol Under Different Sugarcane Management Systems in Brazil

Compressibility and shear strength in agricultural soils are associated with pressures exerted on the soil surface by the intensive use of machines. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical behavior of an Ultisol cultivated with sugarcane under the application of sugarcane residues (vinasse and filter cake) and compare it with an Atlantic Forest soil. Uniaxial compression tests were performed through the application of increasing with pressures from 12.50 to 1,600 kPa, at three water contents in undisturbed samples from the layers of 0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m, and for shear direct test were collected in the layers of 0-0.20 m and, subjected to three water content levels and four levels of normal tensions of direct shear. The higher content of total organic carbon in the soil under native forest (2.42 g kg-1) allowed higher pre-compression stresses (101.21-143.55 kPa) due to an increase in soil cohesion from 22.58 to 61.23 kPa, with the reduction in the volumetric water content. Thus, this natural condition was significantly different from the management systems, with respect to the mean values of cohesion, by Tukey test (p<0.05). The application of filter cake and vinasse for 25 years significantly favored the dissipation of pre-compression stress in the soil, compared with the soil under native forest. The system with filter cake application showed higher shear strength from the tension of 100 kPa on, with values from 120 to 190 kPa, in comparison to the system with vinasse application.
Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a New Online Self-Help Intervention for Depression among Korean College Students’ Families

Applying innovative online approaches to interventions for preventing depression is necessary. Since depressive emotions are typically shared within the family, the development of interventions involving family members is critical. This study thus aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a new online self-help intervention, MindGuide, among Korean college students’ families. We developed MindGuide, which integrates cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness and an emotional regulation approach. A one-group pretest–posttest design was used to measure the changes in the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Attitude Toward Suicide scale, and the Satisfaction With Life Scale before and after the intervention. Of the 34 families that began the program, completion rates were 88.2%, 85.3%, and 91.2% for fathers, mothers, and children, respectively. The findings indicated that the MindGuide program is feasible and acceptable for families of Korean college students. The results support the potential effect of MindGuide on reducing depression, improving positive attitudes toward suicide prevention, and enhancing family relationships in participants at risk of depression. However, future research is needed to thoroughly explore and evaluate the efficacy of the MindGuide program.
Proteins Adsorbing onto Surface-Modified Nanoparticles: Effect of Surface Curvature, pH, and the Interplay of Polymers and Proteins Acid–Base Equilibrium

Protein adsorption onto nanomaterials is a process of vital significance and it is commonly controlled by functionalizing their surface with polymers. The efficiency of this strategy depends on the design parameters of the nanoconstruct. Although significant amount of work has been carried out on planar surfaces modified with different types of polymers, studies investigating the role of surface curvature are not as abundant. Here, we present a comprehensive and systematic study of the protein adsorption process, analyzing the effect of curvature and morphology, the grafting of polymer mixtures, the type of monomer (neutral, acidic, basic), the proteins in solution, and the conditions of the solution. The theoretical approach we employed is based on a molecular theory that allows to explicitly consider the acid–base reactions of the amino acids in the proteins and the monomers on the surface. The calculations showed that surface curvature modulates the molecular organization in space, but key variables are the bulk pH and salt concentration (in the millimolar range). When grafting the NP with acidic or basic polymers, the surface coating could disfavor or promote adsorption, depending on the solution’s conditions. When NPs are in contact with protein mixtures in solution, a nontrivial competitive adsorption process is observed. The calculations reflect the balance between molecular organization and chemical state of polymers and proteins, and how it is modulated by the curvature of the underlying surface.
Nasal and Sinus Diseases: Common Causes of Upper Airway Cough Syndrome

Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), previously known as post-nasal drip syndrome, is a persistent cough that lasts more than four weeks in children or more than eight weeks in adults, which is associated with nasal and sinus diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and adenoid hypertrophy (AH). UACS is one of the major causes of chronic cough. Several theories support the pathophysiology of chronic cough in UACS, namely post-nasal drip, airway inflammation, and sensory neural hypersensitivity theories. Persistent and excessive cough generates a deterioration in patient’s quality of life and social interaction. This review summarizes the knowledge on pathophysiology and underlying disease of UACS, aims to help clinicians identify and treat this syndrome.
Distribution and Molecular Characterization of Functional Class 2 Integrons in Clinical Proteus mirabilis Isolates

Background Integrons are the main mode of horizontal transmission of drug-resistance genes and are closely related to drug resistance in clinical bacteria. In this study, the distributions of class 1, 2, and 3 integron gene cassettes were investigated in 150 Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) isolates from patients, and molecular characterization of functional class 2 integrons was further analyzed. Methods Class 1, 2, and 3 integrons were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 150 clinical P. mirabilis isolates. The variable regions of the integrons were determined by restriction analysis and sequencing. Internal stop codons mutations in class 2 integrons and their common promoters were also determined by sequencing. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) was used to analyze the phylogenetic relations of class 2 integron-positive isolates. Results Class 1 integrons were detected in 69 (46%) of 150 P. mirabilis isolates, and six different gene cassette arrays were detected, with the most prevalent being dfrA32-aadA2. Class 2 integrons were detected in 61 (40.7%) of 150 P. mirabilis isolates, and three different gene cassette arrays were detected, including sat2-aadA1, which was detected for the first time in a class 2 integron. Nearly similar ERIC-PCR fingerprinting patterns were detected in 45 (73.8%) of 61 class 2 integron-positive isolates. The functional class 2 integron was detected in three P. mirabilis isolates having the same gene cassette, dfrA1-sat2-aadA1, in the variable region and four novel open reading frames with unknown functions. Same PintI2 and Pc promoters were detected in these three functional class 2 integron isolates, as was found in other class 2 integron isolates. However, these three strains did not totally show identical homology and drug sensitivity. Conclusion Although functional class 2 integrons have low distribution and relatively conserved molecular characteristics, they can still form clinical dissemination and drug resistance expression.
Considering the receiver in knowledge sharing: when the receiver seems ready the sharer appears

The knowledge needs and knowledge-related behaviours of receivers are among the most crucial, yet of ten overlooked, aspects of successful knowledge-sharing. This research examines how sharers consider receivers' knowledge needs and knowledge-related behaviours when choosing whether to share their knowledge and which channels to use for the transmission of that knowledge. A new theory of knowledge sharing - Receiver Theory - is introduced, and a receiver-based model of knowledge sharing is developed from existing literature. Two exploratory case studies are conducted using the model as a guiding framework. A key finding shows that perceived receiver knowledge needs and behaviours are Important motivators and inhibitors in sharer choices in intra-organisational knowledge sharing. This finding was suggested for both personalised and codified knowledge sharing strategies. The study suggests that for companies to realise more effective knowledge sharing, they should develop better ways to connect potential sharers with receivers' real knowledge needs. The study also suggests that sharing on a need-to know basis impedes change In organisational power structures and prevents the integration of isolated pockets of knowledge that may yield new value.
Critical Analysis of Soil for Better Rice and Sugarcane Farming in Thanjavur Region of India

Understanding the quality of soil by analyzing all soil quality parameters with reference to a particular crop is difficult and time consuming. Therefore, the need for soil quality index was formulated with scientific strategies. Heber Soil Quality Index (HSQI) was exploited in this study to understand the overall quality of Thanjavur region for better rice and sugarcane production. Thanjavur is one of the important cities of Tamil Nadu often referred as rice bowl of the state. Different varieties of crops are being cultivated in the district which includes paddy, sugarcane, pulses and coconut. The farmers in the district are very progressive and innovative in adopting modern technologies and crop varieties. The ultimate HSQI values of the samples examined in the current inspection ranged from 66.26 – 80.27 which suggests that they are of medium to good quality. The index was found to be time saving and economical way of assessing the fertile nature of the soil for the effective cultivation of rice and sugarcane. The twelve parameters in the HSQI are proved highly useful.
Profile Hidden Markov Model Malware Detection and API Call Obfuscation

: Proﬁle Hidden Markov Models (PHMM) have been used to detect malware samples based on their behavior on the host system and obtained promising results. Since PHMMs are a novel way of categorizing malware and there is limited research work on such detection method, there is no data on the impact that certain obfuscation techniques have on PHMMs. An obfuscation tool that could weaken PHMM based detection has not yet been proposed. Our novel approach is based on applying PHMM detection by training the machine learning models on API calls that are dynamically extracted from the malware samples, and then attempting to elude detection by the same models using obfuscation techniques. Hence, in our paper, we created a PHMM model trained on API call sequences extracted by running malware in a sandbox, then we tried to undermine the detection effectiveness by applying different state-of-the-art API obfuscation techniques to the malware. By implementing sophisticated API calls obfuscation techniques, we were able to reduce the PHMM detection rate from 1.0, without API call obfuscation, to 0.68.
Factors Influencing Italian Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Eggs Enriched with Omega-3-Fatty Acids

This paper focused on eggs enriched with omega-3-fatty acids with the aim of understanding if functional eggs were of interest to Italian consumers, and analyzing which characteristics of table egg quality, consumers’ attitudes and socio-demographic characteristics affect the consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) a premium price for eggs enriched with omega-3-fatty acids. We performed an online survey on 312 Italian consumers. The analysis was based on the Tobit regression model. The findings showed that unmarried females were more willing to pay a premium price for functional eggs than male consumers. Furthermore, the probability of showing a higher WTP for functional eggs increased among consumers reporting a higher income. Moreover, the WTP for functional eggs increased with the growing importance that people attributed to items such as the size of eggs, rearing type, feed given to chickens, and the provenience and brand of eggs. These results suggested that consumers need to have clear information about functional eggs. As expected, WTP for functional eggs decreased with increasing neophobia and food techno-neophobia factors. In conclusion, the findings showed an interesting potential for eggs enriched with omega-3-fatty acids, which seems to be a product with high possibility to be greatly appreciated on the market, especially if accompanied by a good, informative campaign for increasing people’s knowledge level.
ANALYSIS OF FITTING GROWTH CURVE IN EGYPTIAN LOCAL BREED CHICKENS AND THEIR CROSSES USING NONLINEAR MIXED GOMPERTZ MODEL

Parameters of the Gomperz function pf growth fit to individual body weight curves of two crossbred groups. Six hundreds and twenty chicks from two groups were used. The first group involved Fayoumi (Fay), Rhode Island Red (RIR) and their reciprocal crosses (FayxRIR) and (RIRxFay). The second group involved Sinai (S), White Leghorn (WL) and their reciprocal crosses (WLxS) and (SxWL). The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth pattern of local and crossbreds chickens and to evaluate growth curve parameters using non-linear model for Gompertz. Chickens were weighed at hatch, 14, 21, 30, 45, 60, 90, 124 and 154 days of age. Feeds and water were supplied ad libitum. In the first group: weights at 16 week of age relative to asymptotic was the same for (FayxRIR) and (RIRxFay) and highest for Fay and RIR. Birds in (FayxRIR) showed the lowest maturing rate 0.3365 for female and 0.3386 for male. High estimates for mature weight were observed in (FayxRIR) males and (FayxRIR) females. The mature live weights of hybrid (FayxRIR) males was 3.370 Kg compared to 2.680 kg for (RIRxFay). The rate of maturing parameters (L) of the males used in this evaluation was greater than for the females. In the second group: (WLxS) chicks were hieavier the Sinai and (SxWL) chick at hatch. (WLxS) hybrid was heavier at 12 week of age than (SxWL), S and WL. Both hybrids reached the same asymptotic body weight at 20 week of age. The predicted mature body weights differ among sexes. The rate of maturation K was higher in males than in females. The mature body weight estimated for males were higher than those for females.
Interacting Elements of Leadership: Key to Integration But Looking for Integrative Theory

The most consensually shared insight in leadership research may be that in understanding leadership effectiveness, multiple elements of leadership should be considered: different leader behaviors, psychological traits and states, demographic attributes, etc. The notion that leadership consists of multiple elements begs the question of whether these elements have interactive effects, but the empirical study of interactive effects of elements of leadership is far less common. Studying interacting elements of leadership has particularly strong potential to bridge siloed perspectives in leadership research, however: When interactive effects concern elements drawn from different research perspectives, their interpretation requires theory bridging these perspectives. An integrative review of empirical studies of interacting elements of leadership can therefore uniquely contribute to the development of integrative theory bridging siloed perspectives in leadership research. Drawing on 117 empirical papers reporting tests of interactions of elements of leadership, we provide such a review. We identify four perspectives on such interactions, which we call the relationship, status, social identity, and congruence perspectives. We also outline how the field can build towards integration of these perspectives.
Impact of strategies to encourage bicycle use on work trips: a case study involving employees of Companhia Riograndense de Saneamento

This study identifies the most valued factors for potential bicycle users on work trips and evaluate the impact of implementing different strategies to improve bicycle use. We applied an online stated-preference survey from 127 Companhia Riograndense de Saneamento (CORSAN) employees in Porto Alegre (Brazil). Then, we formulated hybrid ordered logit models to estimate the probability of bicycle use under different hypothetical scenarios. The results showed that locker rooms, bicycle parking, bike-sharing systems (bike loaner programs run by the company), training for employees in bicycle use and the presence of bike paths for access to CORSAN all encourage bicycle use. The availability of locker rooms proved to be the most important variable. The joint implementation of locker rooms, bicycle parking and bike-sharing systems (loaner programs) would increase demand by 66%. The strategies discussed in this article can easily be adapted to other contexts where there is a desire to increase shared bicycle commuting to workplaces.
Molecular Docking, Tyrosinase, Collagenase, and Elastase Inhibition Activities of Argan By-Products

The argan tree (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) is one of the most important floristic resources in Morocco. This Moroccan endemic tree is known for its numerous therapeutic and medicinal uses. In addition to some medicinal and cosmetic uses, argan fruit pulp and press cake are traditionally used by the Berber population for heating and feeding livestock. Molecular docking is an in silico approach that predicts the interaction between a ligand and a protein. This approach is mainly used in chemistry and pharmacology of natural products as a prediction tool with the purpose of selecting plant extracts or fractions for in vitro tests. The aim of this research is to study the evaluation of potential tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase inhibitory activities of argan fruit press-cake and pulp extracts. Extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic content (TPC), and the major polyphenols of both press-cake and pulp extracts were submitted to molecular docking in order to determine the mechanisms of action of these compounds. Obtained results revealed that fruit pulp had the strongest dermocosmetic activities, as well as the highest TPC, with values above 55 mg gallic-acid equivalent per gram of dry matter (mgeq AG/gDM). Moreover, those results were positively correlated with the docking findings, suggesting that the pulp lead compounds have higher affinity with tyrosinase, collagenase, and elastase action sites. The results here presented are very promising and open new perspectives for the exploitation of argan-tree by-products as cosmetic agents towards the development of new anti-aging products.