Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The pattern of metastatic lymph node dissemination from adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.

BACKGROUND The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction is rapidly increasing, and the extent of lymphadenectomy for such tumors remains controversial. The aim of this study was to identify the pattern of dissemination by examination of all lymph nodes retrieved from resected tumors of the esophagogastric junction. METHODS The endoscopic and pathologic reports of patients who underwent RO resection for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction between January 1996 and November 1999 were examined. Patients with type 1 tumors (distal esophagus) underwent subtotal esophagectomy with 2-field lymphadenectomy. Patients with type 2 (gastric cardia) tumors underwent transhiatal D2 total gastro-esophagectomy. Lymph node groups were dissected from the main specimens and examined separately. RESULTS One hundred and four type 1 and 48 type 2 tumors were studied. Median nodal recovery was 23 lymph nodes (type 1, 22 lymph nodes; type 2, 23 lymph nodes). Seventy-eight percent of the type 1 tumors with nodal metastases had dissemination in both the abdomen and mediastinum. The common abdominal sites were the paracardiac and the left gastric stations. Within the mediastinum, paraesophageal, paraaortic and tracheobronchial metastases were more often encountered. Type 2 tumors had positive lymph nodes most frequently in the left and right paracardiac, lesser curve (N1 group), and left gastric (N2 group) territories. Nodal status correlated with increasing depth of tumor invasion (P =.002). CONCLUSIONS The pattern of nodal dissemination for cardia tumors concurs with that described by other studies. The current definition of nodal fields in the abdomen and mediastinum for esophageal tumors relates to experience with squamous carcinomas. Our results demonstrate a different pattern of dissemination for junctional esophageal adenocarcinomas. The nodal stations to be resected in radical lymphadenectomies for such tumors should be redefined.
The Price Impact of Trades in Infrequently Traded Stocks in Periods of High and Low Market Activity

While the majority of market microstructure studies deals with the behavior of frequently traded stocks, the focus of this paper is on illiquid securities listed on the NYSE. Using high frequency data on ten infrequently traded stocks during the year 1999, we measure the information content of a trade and the relation to the trading intensity. We establish several results. While the price impact curve for frequently traded stocks (such as IBM) monotonically increases towards the full information price, we find impulse response functions that first 'overshoot' and subsequently decrease towards the full information price. The overshooting effect strongly depends upon the bid-ask spread and the trading intensity. Furthermore, we show that the difference in price impact between periods of slow and fast trading is much larger for illiquid stocks than for frequently traded stocks. This emphasizes that the information content of the trading intensity of infrequently traded stocks is larger than for liquid stocks. Finally, we explicitly model the overnight behavior of the trading intensity and returns. We show that for infrequently traded stocks it may take several days before the full information price that follows a trade is attained. Moreover, the adjustment time crucially depends upon the bid-ask spread and the trading intensity.
MIT-QCRI Arabic dialect identification system for the 2017 multi-genre broadcast challenge

In order to successfully annotate the Arabic speech content found in open-domain media broadcasts, it is essential to be able to process a diverse set of Arabic dialects. For the 2017 Multi-Genre Broadcast challenge (MGB-3) there were two possible tasks: Arabic speech recognition, and Arabic Dialect Identification (ADI). In this paper, we describe our efforts to create an ADI system for the MGB-3 challenge, with the goal of distinguishing amongst four major Arabic dialects, as well as Modern Standard Arabic. Our research focused on dialect variability and domain mismatches between the training and test domain. In order to achieve a robust ADI system, we explored both Siamese neural network models to learn similarity and dissimilarities among Arabic dialects, as well as i-vector post-processing to adapt domain mismatches. Both Acoustic and linguistic features were used for the final MGB-3 submissions, with the best primary system achieving 75% accuracy on the official 10hr test set.
A critical analysis of risk and volatility modeling in the financial markets

In light of the recent financial crisis, the limitations of current risk estimation techniques have become apparent. The purpose of this thesis is to see if nonlinear tools and techniques can facilitate our understanding of the financial markets, particularly during times of heightened turbulence. This is done by comparing econometric and nonlinear tools to analyse a number of asset classes, including equities, bonds and credit default swaps during periods of heightened turbulence. We analyse indices as well as individual corporate and sovereign securities. The methodology is to compare the linear stochastic framework (in particular the linear Gaussian framework) to the nonlinear time series framework. In essence the focus of the thesis is on the treatment of irregularity by these two very different frameworks. The linear stochastic framework treats irregularity as exogenous from the linear system, and expresses it in terms of probability distribution functions. The nonlinear time series framework allows the irregularity to be part of the system i.e. endogenous. The thesis is divided into five chapters, an introduction and conclusion chapter, and three chapters which represent three papers. The abstracts of the three papers i.e. chapters 2, 3 and, 4 are presented here. The objective of chapter two is to test for nonlinear dependence in the GARCH residuals of a number of asset classes using nonlinear dynamic tools. The equity and bond market samples appear to be independent once GARCH has been applied but evidence of nonlinear dependence in the CDS
Effects of carbon emission regulations on remanufacturing decisions with limited information of demand distribution

Policy-makers are developing regulation policies to drive down carbon emissions from industries. Independent remanufacturers (IRs), which remanufacture recycled products/components/parts, must manage and evaluate economic costs generated by the production under future carbon emission regulations. We present three optimisation models to determine the remanufacturing quantity that maximises the total profits under three common carbon emission regulation policies: (a) mandatory carbon emissions capacity, (b) carbon tax and (c) cap and trade. These models include sales revenue, remanufacturing cost, disposal cost, inventory holding cost, shortage cost and carbon emission cost. The max–min approach is used to solve the models, which assume limited information on demand distribution. We investigate how the three regulation policies affect remanufacturing decision-making for IRs and we also solve some numerical examples where we vary the magnitudes of incentives, penalties and stringency of constraints to provide implications to policy-makers. The results indicate that remanufacturers should aim to improve yield rate to maximise the profit irrespective of the implemented carbon emissions policy. Policy-makers should prefer the carbon tax policy, if any of the other two policies must be performed, a remanufacturing discount such as a higher carbon emission cap or lower penalty should be implemented to better promote the development of remanufacturers.
Politics and Inequality in Latin America

Our symposium offers a variety of perspectives, such as on self-perpetuation of inequality in the international system, or on the consequences of inequality for economic growth or for social and political conflicts. This contribution discusses the determinants of domestic policy choices that affect inequality and the consequences of these policy choices. The empirical focus is on Latin American countries, which collectively are characterized by the highest regional levels of inequality in the world, but individually show considerable variation. Different analyses have emphasized different causes of income inequality and of the variation in inequality, such as historical structural roots in land distribution and natural-resource endowments, geography, ethnic divisions, the economic context, demographics, and state action or lack thereof. The role of the state has not received much systematic attention until rather recently, though, despite its essential role in the allocation of resources.
Semiconstrained Distal Radioulnar Joint Prosthesis

Abstract Distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) problems can occur as a result of joint instability, abutment, or incongruity. The DRUJ is a weight-bearing joint; the ulnar head is frequently excised either totally or partially, and in some cases it is fused, because of degenerative, rheumatoid, or posttraumatic arthritis. Articles about these procedures report the ability to pronate and supinate, but they rarely discuss grip strength, and even less do they address lifting capacity. We report the long term results of the first 35 patients who underwent total DRUJ arthroplasty with the Aptis DRUJ prosthesis after 5 years follow-up. Surgical indications were all causes of dysfunctional DRUJ (degenerative, posttraumatic, autoimmune, congenital). We recorded data for patient demographics, range of motion (ROM), strength, and lifting capacity of the operated and of the nonoperated extremity. Pain and functional assessments were also recorded. The Aptis DRUJ prosthesis, a bipolar self-stabilizing DRUJ endoprosthesis that restores forearm function, consists of a semiconstained and modular implant designed to replace the function of the ulnar head, the sigmoid notch of the radius, and the triangular fibrocartilage ligaments. The surgical technique is presented in detail. The majority of the patients regained adequate ROM and improved their strength and lifting capacity to the operated side. Pain and activities of daily living were improved. Twelve patients experienced complications, most commonly being extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendinitis, ectopic bone formation, bone resorption with stem loosening, low-grade infection, and need for ball replacement. The Aptis total DRUJ replacement prosthesis is an alternative to salvage procedures that enables a full range of motion as well as the ability to grip and lift weights encountered in daily living activities.
Will the (German) NAIRU Please Stand Up?

Abstract This paper deals with a critical assessment of the ‘non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment’ (NAIRU) for Germany. There are quite a few obstacles to perceiving the NAIRU as an easy-to-use analytical instrument: the possibility of a non-vertical Phillips curve, the occurrence of shocks and hysteresis effects, and the (mis-)measurement of important variables, cointegration issues and a time variability of the NAIRU. A new attempt is made to estimate a NAIRU for Germany using direct measures of inflationary expectations. However, by any method, the NAIRU is very hard to determine and subject to considerable arbitrariness.
Missed anatomy: frequency and clinical impact

It is generally accepted that a major cause of the failure of root canal therapy is an inability to localize and treat all of the canals of the root canal system. The risk of missing anatomy during root canal treatment is high because of the complexity of the root canal system. All categories of teeth may have extra roots and/or canals, but the likelihood of finding aberrant canal configurations is higher in premolars and molars. In addition, lateral ramifications of the root canal system may be present in all teeth with a significant frequency, increasing the probability of leaving untreated spaces after root canal therapy. Prevention of missed anatomy starts with good pre-operative radiographs, even though radiographs have limitations in assessing the number of canals and the presence of accessory canals and anastomoses. A correct access cavity preparation is of central importance in localizing the orifices of the root canals. However, to find hidden canals, an adequate armamentarium is required; the dental operating microscope and/or high-power loupes, used in conjunction with a headlight system, will provide enhanced lighting and visibility, whereas ultrasonic tips and long shank round burs with small shaft diameters will allow a controlled and delicate removal of calcifications and other interferences to the canal orifices. The impact of missed anatomy on the outcome of endodontic treatment is difficult to assess, and the literature on this subject is limited; a promising approach for future investigation may be a comparison of the number of canals found in failed treatment cases and after retreatment. The clinical impact of missed anatomy can be clearly demonstrated with a large number of re-treatment case reports available in the literature; in the majority of these cases, failure of endodontic therapy is associated with untreated canal space. Localization and treatment of this missed anatomy typically leads to complete clinical and radiographic healing.
The restructuring of the old industrial region of Grenland in Norway: Between lock-in, adjustment, and renewal

While the concept of ‘lock-in’ has been popular as a catch-all concept for explaining negative externalities associated with entrenched institutions in old industrial regions, recent research suggests a more nuanced account centred on path-dependent evolution. More specifically, regional economic development and restructuring might be better understood if lock-in is studied in relation to other potentially co-evolving processes, such as economic adjustment and renewal. The article indicates patterns of structural change and reported innovations, and the authors question how lock-in has co-evolved with various processes of adjustment and renewal in the old industrial area of the Grenland region in Norway, focusing on the period between 2000 and 2011. They pay specific attention to various measures of restructuring in the process manufacturing industry, the related mechanical manufacturing industry, and the emergence of a local information and communications technology (ICT) industry. While the Grenland region displays elements of economic lock-in and a continued dependence on process manufacturing, it has experienced substantial structural shifts that suggest regional renewal.
Short-Lived Information and Order Strategies: A Clinical Study

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the order strategies of investors, in particular their use of intermarket sweep orders (ISOs), in response to a short-lived information event. Design/methodology/approach - This paper uses a natural experiment on September 8, 2008, in which a 2002 bankruptcy story of United Airlines erroneously reappears through Bloomberg terminals and cause significant price changes on the stock. The authors first provide the background information of this natural experiment and use bootstrapping methods and regression analyses to examine investors' use of intermarket sweep orders. Findings - The results show that investors use intermarket sweep orders, a unique type of liquidity-demanding limit orders, in attempts to exploit their short-lived information. In particular, those investors show aggressiveness not only in trade speed but also in trade size. These findings support the hypothesis that investors with short-lived information demand immediacy to conserve the value of their information. Research limitations/implications - The results suggest that investors on the demand side of liquidity dynamically trade off the potential adverse impact of trade-throughs with the speed their trades are executed. How limit order traders on the supply side or liquidity suppliers in general adjust to the demand-side dynamics remains a future research direction. Practical implications - This paper highlights the fragility of information transmission in financial markets and suggests that the use of intermarket sweep orders could possibly magnify the impacts of erroneous information. Originality/value - Using a natural experiment, this paper provides the first piece of empirical evidence on the use of intermarket sweep orders when investors possess short-lived information.
The Rationality of Financial Analysts' Forecasts of Earnings

To assess the rationality of earnings forecasts for French companies, the author distinguishes between two categories of companies: those whose P/Es are in line with the market and those whose P/Es are not. For those companies whose P/Es are in line with the market, he finds earnings forecasts are rational. For those companies with extreme P/E values, he finds that the forecasts are not rational in the strict sense but can be considered dynamically rational—that is, increasingly rational as the earnings publication date approaches. He suggests that the quality of information for companies with extreme P/Es may be poor, which influences the quality of the forecasts. These findings are at odds with research on earnings forecasts in the U.S. and U.K. markets, but the author thinks this discrepancy is because of a failure to distinguish between types of companies.
How does a physical activity programme in elementary school affect fracture risk? A prospective controlled intervention study in Malmo, Sweden

Objectives Recent evidence from the 7-year follow-up of the Pediatric Osteoporosis Prevention (POP) study indicates an inverse correlation between years of participation in a physical activity (PA) intervention and fracture risk in children. However, we could not see a statistically significant reduction in fracture risk, which urged for an extension of the intervention. Setting The study was conducted in 4 neighbouring elementary schools, where 1 school functioned as intervention school. Participants We included all children who began first grade in these 4 schools between 1998 and 2012. This resulted in 1339 children in the intervention group and 2195 children in the control group, all aged 6–8 years at the state of the study. Intervention We launched an 8-year intervention programme with 40 min of moderate PA per school day, while the controls continued with the Swedish national standard of 60 min of PA per week. Primary outcome measure We used the regional radiographic archive to register objectively verified fractures and we estimated annual fracture incidences and incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results During the first year after initiation of the intervention, the fracture IRR was 1.65 (1.05 to 2.08) (mean 95% CI). For each year of the study, the fracture incidence rate in the control group compared with the intervention group increased by 15.7% (5.6% to 26.8%) (mean 95% CI). After 8 years, the IRR of fractures was 52% lower in the intervention group than in the control group (IRR 0.48 (0.25 to 0.91) (mean 95% CI))]. Conclusions Introduction of the school-based intervention programme is associated with a higher fracture risk in the intervention group during the first year followed by a gradual reduction, so that during the eighth year, the fracture risk was lower in the intervention group. Trial registration number NCT00633828.
Indonesia: The politics of inclusion

Abstract Much commentary on Indonesian politics since the fall of President Suharto in May 1998 has suggested that Indonesia's political system has remained just as exclusionary as it was prior to his fall, despite becoming much more democratic and decentralised. In contrast to this view, we argue that Indonesia's political system has become more inclusive, if only somewhat more so. The fall of Suharto and the subsequent process of democratisation have removed key obstacles to organisation by poor and disadvantaged groups and their NGO allies, making it easier for them to engage in collective action aimed at achieving pro-poor policy change. By making attainment of political office dependent on the support of the voting public, many of whom are poor and disadvantaged, these developments have also created an incentive for politicians to pursue policy changes that favour these groups or at least that appeal to them. At the same time, however, we argue that poor and disadvantaged groups have not become major players in the policy-making process. Despite the fall of Suharto and democratisation, these groups continue to lack the resources possessed by other participants in the policy-making process. Whereas the politico-bureaucrats and well-connected business groups have been able to exercise influence over policy by buying support within representative bodies such as parliament and mobile capital controllers, the IFIs and Western governments have been able to exercise influence by virtue of their structural power, poor and disadvantaged groups have had to rely on less potent ways of exercising influence such as holding demonstrations, engaging in lobbying activity and participating in public debates. We illustrate these points with reference to two policy issues: land reform and mining in protected forests. The article concludes by considering the future prospects for inclusive policy-making in Indonesia.
The Effect of Investor Sophistication on the Influence of Nonfinancial Performance Indicators on Investors’ Judgments

This paper presents an experiment that examines how enhanced disclosure of nonfinancial performance indicators affects the stock-price estimates of nonprofessional and professional investors. Participants were provided with a case study containing excerpts from a hypothetical company's annual report. The experiment was a 2 (nonprofessional and professional) × 3 (positive nonfinancial performance indicators, negative nonfinancial performance indicators, and financial information only) between-subjects design. Consistent with conservatism, the nonprofessional investors underreacted in their stock-price estimates to the positive nonfinancial disclosures, compared with professional investors with task-specific knowledge. The results from this study suggest that the value of enhanced disclosure of this type may not flow equally to all users of financial reports, if conservatism, and lack of task-specific knowledge, adversely affect their decision-making. Copyright (c) The Author. Journal compilation (c) 2009 AFAANZ.
Neoadjuvant interferon-based chemoradiation for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreas cancer: a Phase II pilot study.

OBJECTIVES Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a viable treatment strategy for patients with pancreatic cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the Virginia Mason Protocol (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, interferon-α and radiation) given in the neoadjuvant setting for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODS A Phase II pilot study evaluating interferon-based neoadjuvant CRT in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer was performed. RESULTS A total of 23 patients were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 58.6 years. Of the 23 patients, seven (30.4%) completed all treatments. In the remaining 16 (69.6%) patients, treatment was interrupted as a result of toxicity. The most commonly reported effects of toxicity were leucopoenia/cytopoenia (n = 19, 82.6%) and gastrointestinal effects (n = 19, 82.6%). Surgical resection was successful in seven (30.4%) patients. Margins were negative in six (85.7%) of these seven patients. Positive lymph nodes were identified in three (42.9%) of seven patients. Overall survival was 11.5 months. Surgery provided improved survival (22.6 months) compared with CRT alone (8.8 months). Disease-free survival in resected patients was 17.2 months. CONCLUSIONS Interferon-based neoadjuvant CRT may allow for resection of locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but with significant toxicity. In the absence of surgical resection, survival remains dismal.