Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Network Analysis of Depressive Symptomatology in Underweight and Obese Adults

Background: Depressive symptoms can affect people’s quality of life and social environment. In addition, in severe situations, they can lead to suicidal behaviors. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the differences in depressive symptoms in underweight and obese Peruvian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out based on secondary data obtained from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (INEI), Lima, Peru. A sample of 10 053 participants was considered, of which 55.96% were women. Two Gaussian plot models were estimated and the levels of depressive symptomatology were compared between the 2 groups (adults with underweight and obese). Results: A total of 1510 (15.02%) were underweight adults and 8543 (84.98%) were obese adults. There were differences in the reporting of depressive symptoms in the underweight group; the most central items were “Depressed mood” (PH2), “Tiredness/low energy” (PH4), and “Psychomotor difficulties” (PH8). Conclusion: This study provides new evidence on the dynamic relationship between depressive symptoms according to the body mass index categories (underweight and obese) assessed.
Design configurator - managing the order engineering challenge in ETO companies

Configurators are considered as an essential tool in mass customization. While sales configurators and product configurators are gaining a lot of attention this study extends the concept to design configurators in a contex of project business. In project business order engineering is an essential phase in ordersupply chain. It provides crtical customer value but delays the start of production . An action research study was initiated to elaborate the concept of design configurator in order to automate order engineering process in a company producing cargo handling solutions. The study develops and evaluates the design configurator from a point of view of an ICTfeasibility study.
Beyond the limits of circadian entrainment: Non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, shift work, and social jet lag

While the vast majority of humans are able to entrain their circadian rhythm to the 24-hour light-dark cycle, there are numerous individuals who are not able to do so due to disease or societal reasons. We use computational and mathematical methods to analyze a well-established model of human circadian rhythms to address cases where individuals do not entrain to the 24-hour light-dark cycle, leading to misalignment of their circadian phase. For each case, we provide a mathematically justified strategy for how to minimize circadian misalignment. In the case of non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, we show why appropriately timed bright light therapy induces entrainment. With regard to shift work, we explain why reentrainment times following transitions between day and night shifts are asymmetric, and how higher light intensity enables unusually rapid reentrainment after certain transitions. Finally, with regard to teenagers who engage in compensatory catch-up sleep on weekends, we propose a rule of thumb for sleep and wake onset times that minimizes circadian misalignment due to this type of social jet lag. In all cases, the primary mathematical approach involves understanding the dynamics of entrainment maps that measure the phase of the entrained rhythm with respect to the daily onset of lights.
A survival analysis based volatility and sparsity modeling network for student dropout prediction

Student Dropout Prediction (SDP) is pivotal in mitigating withdrawals in Massive Open Online Courses. Previous studies generally modeled the SDP problem as a binary classification task, providing a single prediction outcome. Accordingly, some attempts introduce survival analysis methods to achieve continuous and consistent predictions over time. However, the volatility and sparsity of data always weaken the models’ performance. Prevailing solutions rely heavily on data pre-processing independent of predictive models, which are labor-intensive and may contaminate authentic data. This paper proposes a Survival Analysis based Volatility and Sparsity Modeling Network (SAVSNet) to address these issues in an end-to-end deep learning framework. Specifically, SAVSNet smooths the volatile time series by convolution network while preserving the original data information using Long-Short Term Memory Network (LSTM). Furthermore, we propose a Time-Missing-Aware LSTM unit to mitigate the impact of data sparsity by integrating informative missingness patterns into the model. A survival analysis loss function is adopted for parameter estimation, and the model outputs monotonically decreasing survival probabilities. In the experiments, we compare the proposed method with state-of-the-art methods in two real-world MOOC datasets, and the experiment results show the effectiveness of our proposed model.
Effects of a multi-strain probiotic on hippocampal structure and function, cognition, and emotional well-being in healthy individuals: a double-blind randomised-controlled trial

Abstract Background Animal studies have shown beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on the hippocampus (HC) and cognitive performance. Evidence in humans is scarce. It was hypothesised that probiotic supplementation is associated with enhanced hippocampal (HC) regional grey matter volume (rGMV), as well as HC functional connectivity (FC). Relatedly improvements in mnestic and navigational performance, or emotional well-being, were expected to be observed in healthy human volunteers. Methods A randomised-controlled, double-blind trial (RCT) was conducted in N = 59 volunteers (age Mean = 27.1, s.d. = 6.7), applying a multi-strain probiotic (Vivomixx®) v. non-probiotic milk-powder placebo, each with 4.4 g/day, for 4 weeks. Volumetric data was extracted from 3T structural magnetic resonance images of total HC and -subfields. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and FreeSurfer-based analyses were performed. Potential neuroplastic change beyond HC was explored using whole-brain-VBM for white- and GMV. Seed-based FC was calculated based on HC. Cognitive tests included visual, map-based, object-location, and verbal memory, and spatial navigation. Mental health status (stress, anxiety, depression, and emotion-regulation) was assessed using self-reports. Results There were no changes in HC-total, -subfield GMV, or FC, through probiotics. VBM revealed no changes at a whole-brain-level. There were no effects on cognitive performance or mental health. Evidence in favor of the null-hypothesis, using Bayesian statistics, was consistent. Conclusions The applied multi-strain probiotic did not elicit any effects concerning hippocampal structural plasticity, cognition, or mental well-being in young, healthy adults. For future studies, longer application/observation RCTs, perhaps in stressed, otherwise psychologically/ cognitively vulnerable, or ageing groups, with well-founded strain selection and investigation of mechanism, are advised.
Effectiveness of three delivery models for promoting access to pre-exposure prophylaxis in HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in Nigeria

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of three models for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) service delivery to HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in Nigeria. Methods 297 heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples were recruited into three PrEP delivery models and followed up for 18 months. The models were i) Outpatient clinic model providing PreP in routine outpatient care; ii) Antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic model providing PrEP in ART clinics; and iii) Decentralized care model providing PrEP through primary and secondary care centres linked to a tertiary care centre. The primary effectiveness endpoint was incident HIV-1 infection. The HIV incidence before and after the study was compared and the incidence rate ratio computed for each model. Survival analysis was conducted, Cox regression analysis was used to compare the factors that influenced couple retention in each of the models. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the median retention time (in months) of the study participants in each of the study models, and log-rank test for equality of survival functions was conducted to test for significant differences among the three models. Results There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the couple retention rates among the three models. At months 3, 6 and 9, adherence of the HIV-1-infected partners to ART was highest in the decentralized model, whereas at months 9 and 12, the outpatient model had the highest proportion of HIV-1- uninfected partners adhering to PrEP (p<0.001). The HIV incidence per 100 person-years was zero in the general outpatient clinic and ART clinic models and 1.6 (95% CI: 0.04–9.1) in the decentralized clinic model. The difference in the observed and expected incidence rate was 4.3 (95% CI: 0.44–39.57) for the decentralized clinic model. Conclusion Although incidence of HIV seroconversion was highest in the decentralized clinic model, this difference may be due to the higher sexual risk behavior among study participants in the decentralized model rather than the type of service delivery. The study findings imply that any of the models can effectively deliver PrEP services.
Formative assessment to develop oral communication competency using YouTube: self- and peer assessment in engineering

ABSTRACT Obtaining oral communication competency is an important skill for engineering students to prepare them for interacting and working in any professional setting. For engineers, it is also important to be able to present technical information to non-technical audiences. To ensure oral competency, a non-graded formative assessment approach using video with self- and peer assessment was introduced into a final-year engineering thesis course. A low workload approach was used due to growing student numbers and higher pressures on academic staff. A quasi-experimental design was used to investigate the differences between traditional delivery, self-assessment and combined self-assessment with peer feedback. The study found that the formative models were seen by students to help develop their presentation skills. However, the results showed no significant improvement compared to the traditional method. This could be due to previous presentation practice within the degree or more probable, the lack of incentive for weaker students to engage and improve due to the ungraded nature of the activity.
Emerging drugs for the treatment of radioactive iodine refractory papillary thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction The most frequent radioactive (RAI) refractory thyroid cancers are papillary thyroid carcinoma, followed by poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. They are rare and lethal. In recent years, significant therapeutic progress has been achieved. Areas covered This paper offers insights on refractoriness to RAI treatment and the optimization of treatment initiation and treatment choice. Clinical trials performed with anti-angiogenic kinase inhibitors and with targeted inhibitors in patients with BRAF, RAS mutation or RET, TRK or ALK fusion are discussed. Expert opinion These treatments provide high response rates. Anti-angiogenic kinase inhibitors improve median progression-free-survival; however, their benefit in terms of overall survival has been shown in only few subsets of patients. Treatment sequencing is challenging; in the absence of targetable abnormality, lenvatinib should be used as first-line treatment. Options for second-line treatment include lenvatinib (if not given at first line), cabozantinib or the addition of an anti-checkpoint antibody. In patients with a targetable abnormality, specific inhibitors, might be used as first-line treatment and lenvatinib as second line or vice-versa. Further studies are needed, based on documented genomic and immunologic characteristics of the tumor to assess the potential role of combination and redifferentiation therapy.
Allergic contact dermatitis from Cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil

A 22-year-old non-atopic woman was referred for the evaluation of itchy erythemato-vesicular lesions arising around a permanent tattoo done on her back a month before. She had applied daily an organic hemp seed oil (Pranarôm, Inula Natural Health) as well as an antiseptic foam rinse-off, Cytéal solution (Pierre Fabre Dermatologie), and Bepanthen cream (Bayer Healthcare). The label of the hemp seed oil bottle mentioned only the presence of tocopherols. A short course of topical steroids allowed an improvement, with a relapse when she stopped applying them, with an extension of the lesions to the arms, the hands, and the neck. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was suspected and patch testing was performed after dermatitis had healed using IQ Ultra chambers (Chemotechnique Diagnostics), occluded for 2 days with Opertape (Iberhospitex, Innovative Health Technologies). Patch tests were conducted with the European baseline series and supplements, microbials/preservatives (AllergEAZE, SmartPractice), cosmetic and fragrance series, (Chemotechnique), the hemp seed oil and Bepanthen cream tested both “as is”, and Cytéal 5% (aq) and in semi-open test “as is”. All tests were read on Day (D) 2, D4, and D7 according to ESCD recommendations. Positive tests were observed only to hemp seed oil (+ on D2, ++ on D4 and D7) (Figure 1A). Subsequently, repeated open application tests performed twice a day on the patient's forearm with the hemp seed oil to confirm sensitization were positive after 2 days with a strong follicular pattern (Figure 1B).
DNA Methylation Patterns of Glucocorticoid Pathway Genes in Preterm Birth Among Black Women

Preterm birth (PTB; <37 weeks gestation) rates have increased for 5 of the last 6 consecutive years in the United States. These rates are particularly alarming for U.S. non-Hispanic Black women who give birth prematurely at 1.5 times the rate of non-Hispanic White women. Previous research suggests that psychological stress is associated with PTB in Black women. However, the biological pathways by which stress alters birth timing are not clear. We examined DNA methylation (DNAm) in peripheral blood leukocytes in 6 glucocorticoid, stress-related genes in 44 (22 PTB; 22 term birth) pregnant Black women. Four cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites were identified as differentially methylated (p < 0.05) between women with PTB and women with term births. The ability to identify stress-related biological markers that are associated with PTB among Black women would provide a critical step toward decreasing the PTB disparity among these women. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and gene expression analyses of the stress-related biological pathways to PTB.
UNDERSTANDING ANCIENT DESIGN THROUGH SURVEY: EXAMPLES FROM HADRIAN’S VILLA

The Dipartimento di Architettura of the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is carrying out a series of investigations on the Villa Adriana in Tivoli, in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia del Lazio e Dell’Etruria Meridionale, Italian and foreign Universities and higher education institutions and companies in the field of remote sensing, which have digitally acquired several pavilions of this important UNESCO site since 2013. In this paper we present briefly the first outcomes of numerous documentation campaigns aimed at solving some outstanding problems in relation with investigation lines concerning mixtilinear plan design and complex vaulted spaces. The latter, thanks to a complete digital surveying campaign, can be examined with an high level of accuracy that led to more reliable interpretation of vaulted systems conceived during Hadrianic age.
Inhibition of pyrimidine biosynthesis targets protein translation in acute myeloid leukemia

The mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) catalyzes one of the rate‐limiting steps in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, a pathway that provides essential metabolic precursors for nucleic acids, glycoproteins, and phospholipids. DHODH inhibitors (DHODHi) are clinically used for autoimmune diseases and are emerging as a novel class of anticancer agents, especially in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) where pyrimidine starvation was recently shown to reverse the characteristic differentiation block in AML cells. Herein, we show that DHODH blockade rapidly shuts down protein translation in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and has potent and selective activity against multiple AML subtypes. Moreover, we find that ablation of CDK5, a gene that is recurrently deleted in AML and related disorders, increases the sensitivity of AML cells to DHODHi. Our studies provide important molecular insights and identify a potential biomarker for an emerging strategy to target AML.
Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): antimicrobial‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dogs and cats

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) was identified among the most relevant antimicrobial‐resistant (AMR) bacteria in the EU for dogs and cats in a previous scientific opinion. Thus, it has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on its eligibility to be listed, Annex IV for its categorisation according to disease prevention and control rules as in Article 9, and Article 8 for listing animal species related to the bacterium. The assessment has been performed following a methodology previously published. The outcome is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether each criterion is fulfilled (lower bound ≥ 66%) or not (upper bound ≤ 33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment. Reasoning points are reported for criteria with uncertain outcome. According to the assessment here performed, it is uncertain whether AMR P. aeruginosa can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the AHL (33–90% probability). According to the criteria in Annex IV, for the purpose of categorisation related to the level of prevention and control as in Article 9 of the AHL, the AHAW Panel concluded that the bacterium does not meet the criteria in Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Categories A, B, C and D; 0–5%, 1–5%, 5–33% and 5–33% probability of meeting the criteria, respectively) and the AHAW Panel was uncertain whether it meets the criteria in Section 5 (Category E, 33–90% probability of meeting the criteria). The animal species to be listed for AMR P. aeruginosa according to Article 8 criteria are mainly dogs and cats.
Microanalysis of the stomach of southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor): Histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopic studies

This study was designed to provide more detailed knowledge on the stomach histochemistry and immunohistochemistry in the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Two animals were used in the present work. Periodic acid Schiff's (PAS) and Alcian blue were used for histochemical purposes. SOX9, gastrin, serotonin, and glucagon markers were traced immunohistochemically. The mucosa was extremely folded in the fundus with numerous opening of glands. The body and pylorus mucosa were almost smooth and equipped with gastric gland openings. A simple columnar epithelium covered the stomach entirely. Cardiac glands region was mucus secreting with both positive and negative reactions to PAS. Fundic mucosa was contained cardiac glands near to the cardia, and toward the body it was divided into the light and dark zones. These zones and body contained proper gastric gland, which constituted of parietal, chief, and mucous neck cells. These glands contained PAS‐positive cells on their basal portions. The pyloric glands were mucus secreting but negative for PAS. All gastric glands were Alcian blue‐negative, but epithelium showed moderate reaction especially in the pylorus. SOX and gastrin were express highly in the body and fundus. The expression of serotonin and glucagon was rare. Comparatively, some similarities between the stomach of hedgehog and dog can be assumed. The present findings provide additional information concerning the histochemical characteristics and endocrine cells distribution in the stomach of the southern white‐breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor). Further detailed studies are required to enhance the current knowledge on histophysiology of the digestive system in this species as a pet and exotic animal.
Integrated PHEV Charging Loads Forecasting Model and Optimization Strategies

In this dissertation, an integrated Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PHEV) charging loads forecasting model is developed for regular distribution level system and microgrid system. For regular distribution system, charging schedule optimization is followed up. The objectives are 1. Better cooperation with renewable energy sources (especially wind). 2. Relieving the pressure of current distribution transformers in condition of high penetration level PHEVs. As for microgrid, renewable energy power plants (wind, solar) plays a more important role than regular system. Due to the fluctuation of solar and wind plants’ output, an empirical probabilistic model is developed to predict their hourly output. On the other hand, PHEVs are not only considered at the charging loads, but also the discharging output via Vehicle to Grid (V2G) method which can greatly affect the economic dispatch for all the micro energy sources in microgrid. Optimization is performed for economic dispatch considering conventional, renewable power plants, and PHEVs. The simulation in both cases results reveal that there is a great potential for optimization of PHEVs’ charging schedule. Furthermore, PHEVs with V2G capability can be an indispensable supplement in modern microgrid.
Drive Cycle Performance of Hybrid-Electric Vehicles

This paper focuses on the effects of HEV (Hybrid-Electric Vehicles) Powertrains on fuel economy and overall system efficiency. Three different hybrid-electric powertrains: Series; Parallel and Combined have been simulated on ADVISOR by the use of MATLAB platform. Three drive cycles, Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and Highway Fuel Economy Transport Cycle (HWFET), were used to determine best Fuel Economy, Overall System Efficiency and Energy usage for each Powertrain.While Parallel Powertrain showed best fuel economy and system efficiency at lower speeds (20 mph) during frequent start-stops, Combined Hybrid showed much more significant fuel savings at constant speeds above 48 mph. In situations where both battery and engine power were required simultaneously, Combined Hybrid showed much higher system efficiency giving credence to its PowerSplit device. In conclusion, the selection of the preferred Powertrain for Hybrid Electric application depends strictly on the application required. The results clearly show that advantages of both Series and Parallel powertrains have not been effectively harnessed in the Combined Powertrain as expected. This highlights the need for a Powertrain which effectively saves fuel at all speeds irrespective of number of idle times or stops. Keywords: Hybrid electric vehicle; zero emissions; combined hybrid; series hybrid; parallel hybrid; electric vehicles; fuel cells