Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NEUTROPHIL TO LYMPHOCYTE RATIO AS A PREDICTOR OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASES AMONG REGULAR HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in patients with end-stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is considered an indicator of the severity and extent of systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis in patients with renal and cardiovascular disorders. Objective: To assess neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of peripheral arterial diseases in regular hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Hemodialysis Unit of Al-Hussein University Hospital over a period of six months from January to July 2020, and conducted on 40 hemodialysis patients. Demographic data and clinical information were recorded. Laboratory data including CBC, calcium, phosphate, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, iron profile were evaluated. The ankle-brachial index was measured in all patients. PAD was diagnosed if ankle-brachial index (ABI) ≤ 0.9. Duplex ultrasound for arterial system of both lower limbs was done for patient with ankle-brachial index≤ 0.9. Results: There were 29 males (72.5%) and 11 females (27.5%). The mean age of all patients was 43.2 ± 10.3 years. There were 7 diabetic (17.5%) patients, and 27 hypertensive (67.5%) patients. Regarding CBC, the mean of white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, lymphocytes, NLR, hemoglobin (Hb) and platelets (PLT) were 6.5 ± 1.7 (x10³/ul), 4.3 ± 1.5 (x10³/ul), 1.74 ± 0.53 (x10³/ul), 2.73 ± 1.3, 10.8 ± 2.3 (g/dl), and 234.7 ± 95.9 (x10³/ul) respectively. Regarding lipid profile, the mean of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides were 214.7 mg/dL, 41.9 mg/dL, 172.2 mg/dL, respectively. Regarding serum albumin, corrected serum calcium (Ca), serum phosphorus (PO4), serum Ca X PO4 product, and parathyroid hormone (PTH), the means were 3.99 ± 0.5 (g/dl), 8.3 ± 0.6 (mg/dl), 5.22 ± 1.1 mg/dl, 43.7 ± 11.2 and 722.1 ± 477.7 (ug/ml) respectively. Regarding to ABI, there were 13 patients (32.5%) ≤ 0.9, while there were 27 patients (67.5%) > 0.9. Conclusion: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could be considered as a predictor of peripheral arterial diseases (PADs) among regular haemodialysis patients.
Development of a business tool to evaluate the Northern Health Connections program

Organization and program self-assessments are important tools for enabling companies to learn and improve. Much like an annual health physical, they help managers better understand both what is working well and what areas require attention. Self-assessments also are effective for communicating priorities to various stakeholders and for monitoring progress over time, and their greatest value is their ability to enable organizations to improve their performance and produce positive results. Self-assessment tools are well evaluated in the literature, and Northern Health -- as an organization striving for excellence -- can make good use of them to meet the needs of it Northern Health Connections patient transportation program. Ideally, tools would already exist that can be easily modified to suit the program's needs however, because Northern Health Connections is a unique, multi-faceted program, it needs a new tool developed using existing self-assessment frameworks. This project proposes a tool consisting of a Route Evaluation Flow Chart (REFC) and accompanying questionnaire. The tool will assist managers at Northern Health Connections in the essential task of allocating transportation resources for moving patients to and from northern British Columbia's medical facilities. In this paper, I will present an overview of the relevant literature and then discuss the tool's conceptualization, design, and development. Finally, I will recommend that Northern Health Connections integrate the REFC tool into their daily operations.
Reaching Hard-to-Reach People Who Use Drugs: A Community-Based Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis C

Abstract Background Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who use drugs (PWUD) remains a challenge even in countries in which HCV care is provided free of cost. We assessed whether an innovative community-based, respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey, coupled with HCV screening and immediate treatment, could be efficient to detect and cure current PWUD with chronic HCV in a large city of Southern France. Methods At a community site with peers, PWUD (cannabis not included) were enrolled after confirmation by a urine drug test. Participants were then screened for hepatitis B virus, HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus and benefited from onsite HCV treatment evaluation and prescription. Peer support was provided during treatment, and a systematic visit was scheduled 12 weeks after the end of treatment. The cost of the intervention was estimated. Results Five hundred fifty-four participants were enrolled. Most were male (78.8%) with a median age of 39 years (interquartile range, 33–46). Cocaine (73.1%) and heroine (46.8%) were the main drugs consumed. Overall, 32.6% of PWUD (N = 181) were HCV seropositive, 49 (27.1%) of which had detectable HCV ribonucleic acid and were thus eligible for treatment. Ten of these patients had severe fibrosis. Hepatitis C virus treatment was initiated for 37 (75.5%) patients, 30 (81.1%) of whom completed their treatment and 27 (73.0%) achieved sustained viral response at week 12. The total cost was 161 euros € per screened patient and 1816€ per patient needing treatment. Conclusions A community-based RDS survey approach, involving peers, proved efficient and cost-effective to reach and cure PWUD for HCV. This innovative strategy could be key for the final step of HCV elimination. Clinical trial registration. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04008927.
Acute Kidney Injury Recovery Patterns in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Identification of different AKI recovery patterns may improve patient prognostic stratification. We investigated the clinical relevance of AKI recovery patterns among STEMI patients undergoing PCI. Methods: A retrospective study of 2943 STEMI patients undergoing PCI. The incidence of renal impairment, in-hospital complications, short and long-term mortality, were compared between patients without AKI, with early recovery defined as a return to baseline creatinine within 72 h, and no AKI recovery/delayed recovery defined as all other AKI cases. Results: A total of 255 (8.7%) patients developed AKI, of whom 124/255 (49%) patients had an early recovery, whereas 131/255 (51%) had no AKI recovery/delayed recovery. Patients without recovery were more likely to have in-hospital complications and higher long-term mortality (36.64% vs. 7.25%%; p < 0.001). In a multivariable regression model, the mortality hazard ratio (HR) for long term mortality remained significant for patients with no/delayed recovery AKI (HR 7.76, 95% CI 4.69 to 12.86, p < 0.001), and a strong trend among patients with resolving AKI (HR 2.09, 95% CI 0.933–4.687, p = 0.071). Conclusions: Among STEMI patients undergoing PCI, the recovery pattern of AKI is a valuable prognostic marker.
Processos componentes no CPFR (collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment) - Um estudo de caso Process Components in CPFR (collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment) - A Case Study

Com base em um estudo de implementacao e operacao do CPFR (Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment), em uma empresa de food service operando no Brasil, este artigo apresenta os processos que envolveram essa pratica segundo as quatro atividades propostas pelo VICS – Voluntary Commerce Standards (2004), quais sejam: 1) estrategia e planejamento, 2) gestao da demanda e suprimento, 3) execucao e 4) monitoramento. A pesquisa destaca os principais processos que envolvem a implementacao do CPFR, observando que nem todos os agentes da cadeia de suprimentos necessitam ter o conhecimento e as informacoes a respeito das suas atividades, mas devem desempenhar corretamente o papel que lhes foi atribuido pelo agente coordenador do processo. A partir da analise deste estudo, e possivel concluir que o relacionamento consolidado entre os agentes da cadeia favorece os processos e a gestao do CPFR, e que o compromisso entre eles, como relatado na literatura, contribui muito para a implementacao desses processos.
Detection of some microorganisms of public health hazards in cheese

In this study, the microbial quality of Domiati, Kareish, and Ras cheeses was studied. A total of 150 cheese samples were collected, and samples were analyzed for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , yeast, and mold counts. The highest distribution of coliforms was lied in 10 - < 10 2 (26 %), 10 3 - < 10 4 (60 %) and 10 3 - < 10 4 (32 %) in Domiati, Kareish and Ras cheese respectively, 30, 18 and 16% of fecal coliforms samples had counts of 10 - < 10 2 , while 2, 4 and 16 % had counts of 10 2 - < 10 3 , and 2, 30 and 34 % had counts of 10 3 - < 10 4 . E. coli existed in 28, 28 and 37% of samples, respectively. Staph. aureus was detected in 26, 10 and 22 % of samples respectively, with average count of 1.27 x 10 3 , 7.5 x 10 4 and 2.15 x 10 3 respectively. Yeasts were detected in 98, 96 and 52 % of samples respectively, with average count of 3.88 x 10 5 , 3.26 x 10 5 and 1.04 x 10 4 respectively. Molds were detected in 46, 32 and 35 % of samples with average values of 3.9 x 10 4 , 1.2 x 10 4 and 2.61 x 10 4 , respectively. The presence of these organisms reflects unhygienic measures, inadequate heat treatment, using bad quality ingredients and improper sanitation during handling and storage. Durham's tubes. The inoculated and control tubes were incubated at 44±0.5 °C for 24 hours. The tubes showing gas production were recorded as positive tubes.
A 58.6/91.3 pJ/b Dual-Mode Belief-Propagation Decoder for LDPC and Polar Codes in the 5G Communications Standard

This letter presents the first belief propagation (BP) decoder IC implementation for the two forward error correction (FEC) codes in the 5G communication standard. The LDPC mode supports 5G BG2 with 128 lifting size, while the polar mode supports code length $N = 1024$ . The 40-nm CMOS chip features BP module sharing, memory reuse, check node unit design, forwarding and layer pipelining, and dataflow rearrangement. Compared to two single-mode decoders, this dual-mode decoder saved 37% in the overall die area, 32% in the computation circuit area, and 41% in the memory area. The chip delivers throughputs of 2.38 and 1.85 Gb/s from 0.9-V Vdd with energy efficiencies of 58.6 and 91.3 pJ/b in the LDPC mode and the polar mode, respectively.
Modelling of the Electrically Excited Synchronous Machine with the Rotary Transformer Design Influence

An electrically excited synchronous machine (EESM) is a promising alternative to the permanent magnets synchronous machines being used in the automotive industry. However, the main disadvantage of the EESM with the conventional excitation system with brushes is the presence of slip rings on the shaft, which need regular maintenance. A promising alternative to the conventional excitation system of the EESM is a wireless power transfer (WPT) system. In this paper, we focused on WPT excitation system based on the rotary transformers. First, the model of the EESM in the d-q reference frame with vector control system has been built (based on the parameters of the real machine) and analyzed using MATLAB/Simulink software. Second, the influence of the rotary transformer design parameters on the dynamic performance of the EESM has been investigated. Finally, different topologies of the rotary transformers found in the literature have been analyzed, modeled and compared using an analytical and numerical approach. Based on the obtained results, the most suitable electrical parameters (i.e., geometry parameters, supply frequency, magnetizing and leakage inductance, winding resistance and efficiency) of the rotary transformer have been identified and implemented into the d-q model of EESM.
Fostering Teamwork through Design Thinking: Evidence from a Multi-Actor Perspective

This study examines the effects of a design thinking intervention on first-year students’ teamwork skills from a multi-actor perspective. A design thinking course was evaluated throughout a semester. Six-hundred-and-forty university students participated, guided by twenty-six facilitators. The students received in-class training and worked in multi-disciplinary teams to develop a solution for a real-life problem. In this quasi-experimental study, data were collected twice: in the middle (t1), and at the end (t2) of the course. Each time, students were rated by their teammates, themselves, and the course facilitator, using a rubric to map teamwork skills. The results show a significant improvement in teamwork skills, as consistently observed in the three ratings. The results also show a significant effect of sex on the improvement over time. Female students showed more considerable progress than male students. This study addresses researchers’ demands regarding the lack of robust evidence to assess the impact of design thinking in higher education settings. Furthermore, building on the data from a large sample size and an intervention designed in a replicable way, this study contributes to the available empirical evidence that helps one to adopt and implement design thinking in universities to develop essential skills, such as teamwork.
Performance characteristics of an ungrooved big-end bearing with misalignment

In this paper, the dynamic characteristics of an ungrooved big-end bearing are calculated. Effects of small misalignment in such bearings are also examined. Navier-Stokes equations for the flow-field in the bearing are solved using Galerkin's finite element approach. The computed results include bearing center orbits, variation of the minimum film thickness and the maximum film pressure. The results we compared with those of a grooved bearing. The Ruston-Hornsby 6 VEB-X Mk-III engine big-end bearing is selected as an example for calculation and comparison of results.
Insights for Educational Practice from a Thematic Analysis of Student Experiences with Speculative Design Mini-Projects about Personal Issues

In 2020, we gave a large-scale first-year informatics course an assignment to speculatively design hypothetical solutions for issues they were experiencing due to social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we present a speculative design mini-project, then analyse student feedback and present insights about applying speculative design mini-projects around personal issues and in a large-scale technology education context. Our findings indicate that students had strong emotional experiences throughout the process and gained deeper insights into both design and the issues they were engaging with. Through peer reviews, students found new perspectives and feelings of relatedness in the face of shared hardships. From this, we summarise learnings for teaching practice about 1) peer review as a tool for feedback loops and discussions, 2) safety and student well-being when addressing personally experienced issues, 3) abridged design processes for trans-disciplinary competency, and 4) fostering safe spaces for creative vulnerability.
Comparative Analysis of Heat-Tolerant and Heat-Susceptible Rice Highlights the Role of OsNCED1 Gene in Heat Stress Tolerance

To elucidate the mechanism underlying the response of rice to heat stress (HS), the transcriptome profile of panicles was comparatively analyzed between the heat-tolerant line 252 (HTL252) and heat-susceptible line 082 (HSL082), two rice recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Our differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis revealed that the DEGs are mainly associated with protein binding, catalysis, stress response, and cellular process. The MapMan analysis demonstrated that the heat-responsive (HR) genes for heat shock proteins, transcription factors, development, and phytohormones are specifically induced in HTL252 under HS. Based on the DEG analysis, the key gene OsNCED1 (Os02g0704000), which was induced under HS, was selected for further functional validation. Moreover, 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the ABA biosynthetic pathway. Overexpression of OsNCED1 improved the HS tolerance of rice at the heading and flowering stage. OsNCED1-overexpression plants exhibited significant increases in pollen viability, seed setting rate, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, while significantly lower electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content relative to the wild type (WT). These results suggested that OsNCED1 overexpression can improve the heat tolerance of rice by enhancing the antioxidant capacity. Overall, this study lays a foundation for revealing the molecular regulatory mechanism underlying the response of rice to prolonged HS.
Abordagem fim-a-fim para uso de aprendizado de máquina em IDS – Caso de detecção stateless para TCP Scan

A evolução recente das redes têm impulsionado um aumento da superfície de ataques cibernéticos. O início de um ataque é pela fase de reconhecimento, em que se buscam nos hosts os serviços ativos através de varreduras (scan) sendo o protocolo de transporte TCP ainda o mais utilizado. Este trabalho propõe uma abordagem para identificar os ataques na sua fase inicial, e assim anular ou comprometer sua consumação. Esta abordagem baseia-se na inspeção isolada de pacotes (stateless) em função de um conjunto de regras determinísticas obtidas por aprendizado de máquina. Ela opera como um sistemas de detecção de intrusão (IDS) que alcançou um desempenho f1-score de 0, 96 para detecção do TCP scan quando tratado isoladamente como um problema de análise de dados, e 82% de acurácia quando avaliado na abordagem fim-a-fim.
Evaluation of the Potential of Lipid-Extracted Chlorella vulgaris Residue for Yarrowia lipolytica Growth at Different pH Levels

Projections show that the cultivation of microalgae will extend to the production of bio-based compounds, such as biofuels, cosmetics, and medicines. This will generate co-products or residues that will need to be valorized to reduce the environmental impact and the cost of the process. This study explored the ability of lipid-extracted Chlorella vulgaris residue as a sole carbon and nitrogen source for growing oleaginous yeasts without any pretreatment. Both wild-type Yarrowia lipolytica W29 and mutant JMY3501 (which was designed to accumulate more lipids without their remobilization or degradation) showed a similar growth rate of 0.28 h−1 at different pH levels (3.5, 5.5, and 7.5). However, the W29 cell growth had the best cell number on microalgal residue at a pH of 7.5, while three times fewer cells were produced at all pH levels when JMY3501 was grown on microalgal residue. The JMY3501 growth curves were similar at pH 3.5, 5.5, and 7.5, while the fatty-acid composition differed significantly, with an accumulation of α-linolenic acid on microalgal residue at a pH of 7.5. Our results demonstrate the potential valorization of Chlorella vulgaris residue for Yarrowia lipolytica growth and the positive effect of a pH of 7.5 on the fatty acid profile.
Comparative Proteomics Combined with Morphophysiological Analysis Revealed Chilling Response Patterns in Two Contrasting Maize Genotypes

Maize yield is significantly influenced by low temperature, particularly chilling stress at the maize seedling stage. Various physiological approaches have been established to resist chilling stress; however, the detailed proteins change patterns underlying the maize chilling stress response at the seedling stage remain unknown, preventing the development of breeding-based methods to resist chilling stress in maize. Thus, we performed comprehensive physiological, comparative proteomics and specific phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) assay on different maize inbred lines (tolerant-line KR701 and sensitive-line hei8834) at different seedling stages (the first leaf stage and third leaf stage) under chilling stress. The results revealed several signalling proteins and pathways in response to chilling stress at the maize seedling stage. Meanwhile, we found ABA pathway was important for chilling resistance of tolerant-line KR701 at the first leaf stage. Related chilling-responsive proteins were further catalogued and analysed, providing a resource for further investigation and maize breeding.
An Exercise to Explore Avatar Customization and Gender Swapping

Avatars are a visual representation of users in a virtual world such as an MMORPG. These avatars are often seen as representations or idealizations of the user`s actual self. However, this view does not account for the prevalence of two behaviors: multiple avatars and `gender swapping`. An exercise and questionnaire were created to study avatar customization practices across players outside the context of any particular game to understand better user motivations in creating their virtual selves. A preliminary trial of the exercise showed little correlation between age or gender and gender swapping. While those of non-traditional sexuality were more likely to gender swap, half of traditional sexuality also swapped. Finally, the personality trait, Openness to Experience, showed promising correlation with gender swapping.
Generalized extended state observer-based H ∞ control design for a missile longitudinal autopilot

In this paper, a novel inner/outer-loop control framework for the pitch autopilot of a tail-controlled, skid-to-turn missile is proposed. The generalized extended state observer (GESO)-based inner-loop design is constructed to estimate the disturbances and uncertainties and simultaneously compensate them in the input channel. In doing so, the uncertainty of the model can be reduced within an appropriate range for robust control design. The outer-loop H ∞ design based on mixed sensitivity method acquires the desired closed-loop performance and robustness. The presented H ∞ -GESO design is novel in that it combines the powerful disturbance rejection methodology with the effective robust H ∞ control technique. Moreover, it neither requires accurate plant model nor any information about the uncertainty and disturbance. Nonlinear simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. In order to further evaluate the robustness of the presented method, a performance comparison with equivalent-input-disturbance-based control and conventional gain-scheduled H ∞ design is also implemented in the presence of parameter perturbations, wind disturbance, actuator characteristics, and measurement noise.
The Potential of Mustard as a soil biofumigant against Meloidogyne javanica in-vitro and in-vivo on tomato

The nematicidal activity of mustard plant against hatching, migration and mortality of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica was investigated in-vitro and in-vivo on tomato. In vitro test found that mixing sandy clay soil with mustard at 4% as a biofumigant significantly reduced the percentage of egg hatching at all different incubation periods compared to control treatment. Laboratory results also led to high percentage of larval mortality at the different intervals periods tested. Laboratory results confirmed the highest reduction in egg hatching and larval mortality obtained after 48 hrs incubation period . Application mustard at 5% either before one week or 48 hrs. of nematode inoculation was the most effective treatment that significantly reduced all nematode parameters comparing to the check. The percent of chemical components i.e. total sugars, total amino acids and total phenols were markedly enhanced compared to positive and negative control. The highest percentage was obtained with mustard at 5% one week before nematode inoculation by 68.7, 57.3 and 45%, respectively .