Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of bariatric surgery on cardiac function in obese patients

Objectives: To analyze the clinical and echocardiographic changes in individuals with morbid obesity who underwent bariatric surgery. Methods: In total, 59 obese patients with body mass index >35 kg/m 2 were prospectively enrolled. We assessed baseline pre-operative and a 6-month post-operative lipid profile, hemoglobin A1c, echocardiography, lifetime, and a 10-year risks of atherosclerotic disease for all patients. Results: The mean patients’ age was 37±12 years, with 40 (67.8%) women. We found that the pre-operative total cholesterol (4.2±1.1 vs. 4.4±1.1, p=0.014) and triglyceride levels (1.4±0.7 vs. 1.8±0.8, p<0.0001) were significantly lower than post-operative levels, while post-operative high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher (1.5±0.5 vs. 1.2±0.3, p<0.0001). The calculated 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was significantly lower post-operatively (1.1±1.6% vs. 1.6±1.8%, p<0.0001). Echocardiography follow-up revealed that diastolic dysfunction was more prevalent pre-operatively than that post-operatively (41% vs. 10%, p<0.0001). Post-operative left ventricular (LV) mass was significantly lesser than the pre-operative mass (168±252 g vs. 187±255 g, p=0.019), whereas the post-operative LV diastolic (46.5±7 mm vs. 38.5±18 mm, p=0.002) and systolic dimensions (31±5 mm vs. 25±11 mm, p=0.001) were significantly smaller. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery resulted in a significant amelioration in lipid profile, reduction in LV mass, and LV cavity dimensions.
Silicon fertilization counteracts salinity-induced damages associated with changes in physio-biochemical modulations in spinach

Plant growth and productivity are limited by the severe impact of salt stress on the fundamental physiological processes. Silicon (Si) supplementation is one of the promising techniques to improve the resilience of plants under salt stress. This study deals with the response of exogenous Si applications (0, 2, 4, and 6 mM) on growth, gaseous exchange, ion homeostasis and antioxidant enzyme activities in spinach grown under saline conditions (150 mM NaCl). Salinity stress markedly reduced the growth, physiological, biochemical, water availability, photosynthesis, enzymatic antioxidants, and ionic status in spinach leaves. Salt stress significantly enhanced leaf Na+ contents in spinach plants. Supplementary foliar application of Si (4 mM) alleviated salt toxicity, by modulating the physiological and photosynthetic attributes and decreasing electrolyte leakage, and activities of SOD, POD and CAT. Moreover, Si-induced mitigation of salt stress was due to the depreciation in Na+/K+ ratio, Na+ ion uptake at the surface of spinach roots, and translocation in plant tissues, thereby reducing the Na+ ion accumulation. Foliar applied Si (4 mM) ameliorates ionic toxicity by decreasing Na+ uptake. Overall, the results illustrate that foliar applied Si induced resistance against salinity stress in spinach by regulating the physiology, antioxidant metabolism, and ionic homeostasis. We advocate that exogenous Si supplementation is a practical approach that will allow spinach plants to recover from salt toxicity.
Cost-effectiveness of Implementing Smoking Cessation Interventions for Patients With Cancer

Key Points Question What is the incremental cost per quit of offering intensive smoking cessation treatment in cancer care clinics relative to standard of care and usual care? Findings In this economic evaluation, the intensive smoking cessation treatment program had an incremental cost per quit of $3906 relative to standard of care and $9866 relative to usual care. Site-specific analyses suggest that the intensive treatment program may achieve incremental costs per quit as low as $2892 and $5408 vs standard and usual care, respectively. Meaning In this study, the incremental cost per quit of an intensive smoking cessation treatment program was comparable with other cessation programs and should be considered as a tobacco treatment model in cancer care.
Modélisation d'un photobioréacteur pour le pilotage de microalgues

Ce travail a ete realise pour la societe Thallia Pharmaceuticals S. A. , qui s'interesse a la production de molecules a haute valeur ajoutee a partir de la microalgue porphyridium purpureum et a developpe un photobioreacteur tubulaire a cette fin. Il a pour but de modeliser le fonctionnement d'un photobioreacteur pilote, afin de mieux maitriser les phenomenes de croissance de porphyridium purpureum et de servir de base a l'optimisation et au controle du procede. Pour ce faire, trois aspects sont etudies et modelises : les cinetiques de croissance, le transfert gaz-liquide du dioxyde de carbone et l'ecoulement dans le photobioreacteur. Le premier aspect, le modele de croissance, permet de predire la production de biomasse en fonction de nombreuses conditions operatoires comme la lumiere, le carbone, la temperature et la photoperiode. La modelisation de chaque aspect est developpee avec le logiciel de simulation dynamique SpeedUp, a partir d'etudes experimentales puis validee pas-a-pas. La modelisation complete du procede est realisee en imbriquant ces trois aspects et permet de predire la production de biomasse a partir uniquement des conditions operatoires et des conditions initiales. Enfin, une etude de faisabilite du recyclage du milieu de culture est realisee sur un reacteur de petit volume, de type « air-lift » et fonctionnant en continu. Pour cette etude, seul l'appauvrissement en azote est considere. Elle montre qu'un recyclage du milieu de culture est possible mais qu'il existe un appauvrissement maximal en azote au-dela duquel le risque serait de perturber la production microalgale apres remise a niveau des nutriments. De plus, la modelisation de la vitesse de consommation de l'azote est realisee de maniere a predire l'evolution de l'azote residuel. Ce dernier modele couple au modele de croissance, est valide sur l'experience de recyclage du milieu de culture et represente donc un outil predictif pouvant faciliter l'organisation du travail technique.
Asymptotic properties of a class of statistical models in software reliability

In software reliability theory many different models have been proposed and investigated. A number of important software reliability models can be formulated in terms of counting processes and are completely characterized by their intensity function. In this paper a rather general class of intensity functions is considered. Sufficient conditions are given under which some important asymptotic properties of the model and of the maximum likelihood estimators for the model parameters can be proved. A novel aspect of our approach is the way in which we treat asymptotic theory. An application to software reliability theory is presented. Computer systems have become more and more important in modern society. The problem of estimating the reliability of computer software has therefore received a great deal of attention over the last two decades. For this purpose a considerable number of models has been proposed. We refer to Musa et al. (1987) for a complete overview of the most common software reliability models. Each of these statistical models, based on certain assumptions, is a simplification of reality which we want to describe or understand better. The development of so many different models, which are all supposed to describe the same thing-the evolution of the failure behaviour of a piece of software undergoing debugging-is largely due to a lack of agreement among modellers about how the human mind creates imperfect computer programs. When one wants to predict the reliability of computer software on the basis of past failure data, however, one needs more than just a software reliability model. The model parameter inference procedure and the incorporation of the results in prediction are also very important. Many important software reliability models can be formulated in terms of counting processes, counting the number of failure occurrences. In this paper we study some asymptotic properties of the maximum likelihood estimation procedure for parametric counting process models. For a general class of counting processes, we derive conditions on the intensity function that are sufficient for these asymptotic properties to hold. We show that the intensity functions of some fairly well-known software reliability models, the models of Jelinski- Moranda and Littlewood, satisfy these conditions. The software models analyzed are perhaps not the most realistic models for computer systems; however, they represent a natural starting point for such a study. A novel aspect of our approach is the fact that-in order to treat asymptotic theory-instead of increasing the time variable or the number of data as is usually the case, we (conceptually) increase one of the model parameters itself. To illustrate the problem and to motivate our concepts, we present here one of the oldest and most elementary software reliability models, that of Jelinski-Moranda (1972), as an example.
The blind spot and challenges in pain management

Although pain is not a matter of life and death, it is a common cause of poor quality of life for people [1,2]. It is also the primary reason why patients visit hospitals. Therefore, clinicians should pay particular attention to the presence of a patient's pain and effectively control it. Pain occurs primarily because of degeneration or damage to musculoskeletal structures. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, rotator cuff disease, adhesive capsulitis, myofascial pain syndrome on the cervical or lumbar areas, knee and hip osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal or nervous system injuries are common causes of pain, and clinicians are familiar with diagnosing and treating these diseases. However, clinicians are often unaware of pain in patients suffering from diseases of relatively low incidence. In this special issue, Kwak [3] reviews the pain patterns and pain management in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease). In addition, Park and Chang [4] describe the methodology of ultrasound-guided intervention to treat thoracic spine and chest wall pain. Motor neuron disease is uncommon; furthermore, pain in patients with motor neuron disease is often overlooked because clinicians focus on and treat the patient's main symptoms, including muscle weakness. In addition, the incidence of thoracic spine and chest wall pain is relatively low compared to that of the abovementioned common diseases causing musculoskeletal pain, and thoracic spine and chest wall pain are often not actively treated by clinicians because of the risk of developing lung puncture during pain control interventions. This special issue allows clinicians to improve their understanding of pain in patients with motor neuron disease and implement interventions safely and confidently in patients with thoracic spine and chest wall pain. In clinical practice, corticosteroid injections are mainly used to control musculoskeletal pain [5]. Although corticosteroid injections can effectively control various musculoskeletal disease-associated pain, several side effects, such as allergic reaction, flushing, hyperglycemia, immunosuppression, menstrual changes, and adrenal suppression may occur [6]. Thus, several methods have been assessed as corticosteroid injection replacements. Among these methods, PRF stimulation and PRP injections are known to have some pain control effects that are equivalent to those of corticosteroid injections [6,7]. Moreover, this special issue deals with pain treatment using pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) stimulation and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. Park and Chang [8] review studies on mechanisms of PRP stimulation for controlling pain, and Thu [9] reviews studies related to PRP injection in the management of musculoskeletal pain. With the help of these review papers, we hope that clinicians can effectively use PRF stimulation and PRP injections to control pain in patients, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of pain control. We also expect that this special issue will serve as a bridge to advanced research on neglected pain-causing diseases, PRF stimulation, and PRP injections.
The impact of host plant (Pinus thunbergii) on the mycelial features of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon roseolus

ABSTRACT The impact of host plant on the mycelial features of mycorrhizal symbiont and its characteristics has been poorly investigated. This study aimed to compare and quantify (statistically tested) some of the mycelial features of an ectomycorrhiza (ECM)-forming fungus with and without the ECM host. The ECM-forming fungus, Rhizopogon roseolus, inoculated with or without Pinus thunbergii on both rich and poor nutrient media, was observed under laboratory conditions. On rich medium, fungi with the host had the highest colony diameter and consistently produced the highest hyphal length relative to fungi on other media. Thus, the host had a significant impact on the mycelium production of R. roseolus in both rich and poor media. Further, fungi without the host had a higher number of hyphal anastomoses per hyphal length on both poor and rich media than fungi with the host in the same medium. Anastomosis, which refers to the fusion of two parallel hyphae, was evident in all experiments. However, there was no significant impact of the host on the number of hyphal anastomoses. In addition, fungi without the host had more frequent hyphal branching on both rich and poor media than fungi with the host. The occurrence of a host only had a significant impact on the formation of the hyphal branch on poor medium. Further, a chlamydospore-like structure was identified, which had a higher diameter when formed with the host on both rich and poor media. The present data provide new insights into the host plant’s impact on the mycelial features of ECM-forming fungi.
Fuzzy Communication Reaching Consensus through Robust Messages

We present a fuzzy communication model in multi-agent system. In the model agents have the fuzzy structure induced from an equivalence relation associated with the multi-modal logic S5n, and he/she obtains the membership value of an event under his/her private information, so each agent considers the event as a fuzzy set. He/she sends not exact information on the membership value but fuzzy information on it. We show that consensus on the fuzzy event among all agents can still be guaranteed in the fuzzy communication according to any a cyclic communication graph; i.e., all the membership values are equal after long running communication. As a consequence we can show that all agents can reach consensus on a sentence phi S5n through the fuzzy communication.
Safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir‐based medication regimens with and without ribavirin in hepatitis C patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Sofosbuvir (SOF) is a new and highly effective medication that dramatically improved hepatitis C virus (HCV) management. However, ribavirin (RBV) is still added to SOF‐based medication regimens in several clinical scenarios, despite its well‐known toxicities. The aim of our study is to systematically review and analyse the impact of adding RBV to SOF‐based medication regimens on clinical outcomes among HCV patients.
Metabolic and immune-sensitive contacts between lipid droplets and endoplasmic reticulum reconstituted in vitro

Significance The intricate membranous network inside cells, with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at its center, allows coordinated cellular function by transmitting information across membrane contact sites (MCSs) that form between diverse kinds of cellular organelles and the ER. Unfortunately, these submicroscopic MCSs remain poorly understood and difficult to visualize and manipulate inside cells. We developed an in vitro assay to form MCSs between lipid droplets and an ER-mimicking microsomal membrane purified from rat liver. An optical trap is used to demonstrate physical tethering at the MCS, which changes dramatically in response to metabolic state and immune activation under control of Rab18 GTPase and phosphatidic acid. This assay can potentially be adapted to understand abnormal MCS formation in various disorders.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and the Need for a Meaningful Regulatory Plant Protection Product Testing Strategy

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) perform key soil ecosystem services and, because of their symbiotic relationship with plant roots, may be exposed to the plant protection products (PPPs) applied to soils and crops. In 2017, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a scientific opinion addressing the state of the science on risk assessment of PPPs for in‐soil organisms, recommending the inclusion of AMF ecotoxicological testing in the PPP regulatory process. However, it is not clear how this can be implemented in a tiered, robust, and ecologically relevant manner. Through a critical review of current literature, we examine the recommendations made within the EFSA report and the methodologies available to integrate AMF into the PPP risk assessment and provide perspective and commentary on their agronomic and ecological relevance. We conclude that considerable research questions remain to be addressed prior to the inclusion of AMF into the in‐soil organism risk assessment, many of which stem from the unique challenges associated with including an obligate symbiont within the PPP risk assessment. Finally, we highlight critical knowledge gaps and the further research required to enable development of relevant, reliable, and robust scientific tests alongside pragmatic and scientifically sound guidance to ensure that any future risk‐assessment paradigm is adequately protective of the ecosystem services it aims to preserve. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1808–1823. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Impact of a Single Spoiler on Scouring Depth Status Beneath a River Crossing Inclined Pipeline

Deep river crossing pipelines utilized to carry fluids are often placed upon the sand bed. Placement of pipe on the non-smooth bed would result in the production of some local gaps beneath the pipe. Asymmetric scouring is one of the main reasons for pipe underwater failures which are significant in pipeline management. So, in designing pipelines, knowing the interaction between pipelines and bed, and predicting the scour depth with respect to the pipe distance from the bed is significant to ensure that the pipe will finally deposit on the bed. Numerical models have been developed for predicting the balance depth of scouring beneath the pipelines. In this paper, the impact of pipe orientation on maximum scour depth beneath the pipelines is investigated. To do this, a pipe is modeled with various angles with the flow. To manage the local scouring, some spoilers are placed and modeled upon some pipes too. Also, in order to know the effects of placement of a pipe at various distances from the bed, the impact of placement of each pipe at a distance of 0.2D, 0.4D and 0.6D is investigated as well. To model the pipe with and without a spoiler, the finite element model Flow-3D is utilized and the results show good accordance with previous experimental studies and proof the current model’s precision in predicting the scour depth. Results show that in the placement of the pipe in angles not investigated before and also with the installing of a spoiler, the scour process has a reverse ratio with the distance which would result in full deposition of the pipe on the bed. The least scour depth belongs to the condition in which the pipe has a 130° angle with the side wall.
Down-Regulation of G-Protein-mediated Ca2+

Prolonged treatment with guanosine 5'-[Iy-thio]triphosphate (GTPyS; 5-16 h, 50 ,uM) of smooth muscle permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus a-toxin down-regulated (abolished) the acute Ca2+ sensitization of force by GTPyS, AlFj, phenylephrine, and endothelin, but not the response to phorbol dibutyrate or a phosphatase inhibitor, tautomycin. Down-regulation also abolished the GTPyS-induced increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation at constant [Ca2+I and was associated with extensive translocation of p2lrhoA to the particulate fraction, prevented its immunoprecipitation, and inhibited its ADP ribosylation without affecting the immunodetectable content of G-proteins (p2lrhoA, p2lras, Gaq/11i, Gdi3, and G,) or protein kinase C (types a, I3l, 132, 8, E, rj, 0, and C). We conclude that the loss of GTPySand agonist-induced Ca2+ sensitization through prolonged treatment with GTPyS is not due to a decrease in the total content of either trimeric (Gq/11i, G,i3, and G,,) or monomeric (p2lrhoA and p21ras) G-protein or protein kinase C but may be related to a structural change of p2lrho and/or to down-regulation of its (yet to be identified) effector.
The Origins of Finite Mathematics: The Social Science Connection

Walter Meyer (meyer@adelphi.edu) received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1969, and his research has been mainly in geometry and combinatorics. He has written or collaborated on four books, including For All Practical Purposes and Geometry and Its Applications. For most of his career he has been a professor at Adelphi University (Garden City, NY 11530), but in addition he was a fellow at IBM's Systems Research Institute, he carried out research in geometry related to robotics at the Grumman Corporation, and he was a visiting professor at the U.S. Military Academy. He likes soccer and is trying to learn how to cook, which isn't easy at all.
Design and Implementation of Optical Fiber Liquid Level Sensor Using He-Ne Laser

One of the difficult duties in chemical industrial units is the determination of the level of liquid for real – time monitoring. Determination of this parameter is useful in process control loop. Hence present study is devoted for this purpose by employing microbend based optical fiber sensor. In this work, in order to continuously monitor liquid level in petroleum and chemical industries, an optical fiber sensor based on microbend effect was designed and implemented. The system is consist of a sensor that is composed of a microbend modulator, sensing fiber, emitting / detecting devices, in addition to liquid container unit
The American Journal of Human Genetics Vol . 6 No . 3 September 1954 Shortened Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Rh Gene Frequencies ' 2

THE Rh BLOOD TYPES provide a good example of the classification of a population into several phenotypes determined by a known number of genes. If tests are made with the usual four sera, anti-C, anti-D, anti-E and anti-c, we can classify all individuals into the following twelve phenotypes, where a large letter represents a positive reaction and a small letter a negative reaction, except that small c represents a positive reaction with anti-c, and C is repeated to indicate a negative reaction with anti-c.