Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical angiogenic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis: correlation with pathological features

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immunohistochemical markers of angiogenesis and their association with pathological prognostic features in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhotic liver. METHODS: Vascular endothelial growth factor, CD105, and cyclooxygenase-2 were immunohistochemically detected in 52 hepatocellular carcinoma tissue samples and 48 cirrhotic liver tissue samples. Semiquantitative measurements of vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase-2 were evaluated considering the degree and intensity of immunostaining based on a 7-point final scoring scale. CD105 microvascular density (MVD-CD105) was measured using automated analysis. Morphological aspects evaluated in the hepatocellular carcinoma samples included size (≤2 and >2 cm), differentiation grade, and microvascular invasion. RESULTS: The mean vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactivity score was slightly higher in the hepatocellular carcinoma samples (4.83±1.35) than the cirrhotic liver (4.38±1.28) samples. There was a significant and direct correlation between these mean scores (rs=0.645, p=0.0001). Cyclooxygenase-2 was expressed in all the cirrhotic liver samples but was only found in 78% of the hepatocellular carcinoma samples. The mean cyclooxygenase-2 score was higher in the cirrhotic liver samples (4.85±1.38) than the hepatocellular carcinoma samples (2.58±1.68), but there was no correlation between the scores (rs=0.177, p=0.23). The mean CD105 percentage in the hepatocellular carcinoma samples (11.2%) was lower than that in the cirrhotic samples (16.9%). There was an inverse relationship in MVD-CD105 expression between the hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhotic samples (rs=-0.78, p=0.67). There were no significant associations between vascular endothelial growth factor expression and morphological characteristics. Cyclooxygenase-2 and CD105 were associated with hepatocellular carcinoma differentiation grade (p=0.003 and p=0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclooxygenase-2, and MVD-CD105 were highly expressed in cirrhotic liver compared to hepatocellular carcinoma and might be involved in liver carcinogenesis. Additionally, cyclooxygenase-2 and CD105 might be involved in hepatocellular carcinoma differentiation grade.
Relative-intensity-noise reduction technique for frequency-converted radio-on-fiber system

A radio-on-fiber system is proposed that uses a frequency-multiplexing technique to reduce the relative intensity noise (RIN) caused by reflections at optical fiber connectors. It is based on the simultaneous transmission of IF and local oscillation (LO) frequency. Optimum LO frequency and optical modulation index that minimize RIN are investigated by experiments and calculations assuming the double and multiple reflection situations. The results agree well and RIN reduction of 17 dB is obtained in multiple reflection situations.
Structural and temporal analysis of the blogosphere through community factorization

The blogosphere has unique structural and temporal properties since blogs are typically used as communication media among human individuals. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that captures the structure and temporal dynamics of blog communities. In our framework, a community is a set of blogs that communicate with each other triggered by some events (such as a news article). The community is represented by its structure and temporal dynamics: a community graph indicates how often one blog communicates with another, and a community intensity indicates the activity level of the community that varies over time. Our method, community factorization, extracts such communities from the blogosphere, where the communication among blogs is observed as a set of subgraphs (i.e., threads of discussion). This community extraction is formulated as a factorization problem in the framework of constrained optimization, in which the objective is to best explain the observed interactions in the blogosphere over time. We further provide a scalable algorithm for computing solutions to the constrained optimization problems. Extensive experimental studies on both synthetic and real blog data demonstrate that our technique is able to discover meaningful communities that are not detectable by traditional methods.
Assessment of under nutrition using composite index of anthropometric failure among under five children of tribal population

Background: Under nutrition is one of the most imperative problems among children that needed to be addressed in the realm of public health. Undernourished children cannot maintain natural biological abilities, such as growth, recuperating from ailments, learning and physical development. Poor feeding practices along with illnesses like diarrhoea, pneumonia, helminthic infections etc. are major determinants of under nutrition in India. The tribal populations in India are identified to be the autochthonous people of the land thereby being one of the major sufferers of under nutrition. This study aimed at finding out the prevalence of under nutrition among under-five children in tribal population in Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu.Methods: This community based cross-sectional analytical study was done among Malayali Tribes population of Puthur village, Pachamalai Hills, Trichy to determine the prevalence of under-nutrition using CIAF and WHO Z scoring system and its risk factors by multivariate analysis.Results: Out of 100 children, about 85% were undernourished as per CIAF criteria. In the Multivariate analysis, children of employed mother and children who were not given exclusive breast feeding were associated with Under nutrition which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: CIAF could be considered as a better measure than any other single index to identify the problem in the community. The study also emphasizes the significance of proper IYCF practices among employed mothers and improvement of MCH services in Tribal population during antenatal and immediate postnatal period to bring down the prevalence of under nutrition.
Adherence to Antiplatelet Therapy after Coronary Intervention among Patients with Myocardial Infarction Attending Vietnam National Heart Institute

Adherence to antiplatelet therapy is critical to successful treatment of cardiovascular conditions. However, little has been known about this issue in the context of constrained resources such as in Vietnam. The objective of this study was to examine the adherence to antiplatelet therapy among patients receiving acute myocardial infarction interventions and its associated factors. In a cross-sectional survey design, 175 adult patients revisiting Vietnam National Heart Institute diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction were approached for data collection from October 2014 to June 2015. Adherence to antiplatelet therapy was assessed by asking patients whether they took taking antiplatelet regularly as per medication (do not miss any dose at the specified time) for any type of antiplatelet (aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine.) during the last month before the participants came back to take re-examinations. The results indicated that the adherence to antiplatelet therapy among patients was quite high at 1 month; it begins to decline by 6 months, 12 months, and more than 12 months (less than 1 month was 90.29%; from 1 to 6 months 88.0%, from 6 to 12 months 75.43%, and after 12 months only 46.29% of patients). Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to detect factors associated with the adherence to antiplatelet therapy. It showed that patients with average income per month of $300 or more (OR=2.92, 95% CI=1.24-6.89), distance to the hospital of less than 50km (OR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.12-5.52), taking medicine under doctor's instructions (OR=3.65; 95% CI=1.13-11.70), and timely re-examination (OR=3.99, 95% CI=1.08-14.73) were more likely to follow the therapy. In general, the study suggested that to increase the likelihood of adherence to antiplatelet therapy it is important to establish a continuous care system after discharging from hospital.
Comparison of esterase gene amplification, gene expression and esterase activity in insecticide susceptible and resistant strains of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)

Organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide resistance in Nilaparvata lugens is based on amplification of a carboxylesterase gene, Nl‐EST1. An identical gene occurs in susceptible insects. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to demonstrate that Nl‐EST1 is amplified 3–7‐fold in the genome of resistant compared to susceptible planthoppers. Expression levels were similar to amplification levels, with 1–15‐fold more Nl‐EST1 mRNA in individual insects and 5–11‐fold more Nl‐EST1 mRNA in mass whole body homogenates of resistant females compared to susceptibles. These values corresponded to an 8–10‐fold increase in esterase activity in the head and thorax of individual resistant insects. Although amplification, expression and activity levels of Nl‐EST1 in resistant N. lugens were similar, the correlation between esterase activity and Nl‐EST1 mRNA levels in resistant individuals was not linear.
The Role of Racial Ideology in the Relation Between Racial Discrimination and Psychological Well-being Among African American College Students

The present study examined whether two dimensions of racial ideology, specifically nationalist ideology and assimilationist ideology, moderate the link between racial discrimination and a comprehensive measure of psychological well-being (i.e., well-being, selfesteem, and depressive symptoms). The purpose was to understand how each ideology may be a risk or protective factor. The study was conducted with 339 African American college students attending a large ethnically diverse minority-serving institution. Results revealed that frequency of perceived racial discrimination was linked to poor psychological well-being. Nationalist ideology was not associated with psychological well-being outcomes and assimilationist ideology was associated with poor psychological well-being. Contrary to hypotheses, racial ideologies did not buffer or exacerbate the link between racial discrimination and psychological well-being. This study emphasizes the importance of examining multiple indicators of psychological well-being and suggests that future work should consider the influence of a multicultural context when studying racial processes among college students. INDEX WORDS: African American, Racial discrimination, Racial identity, Psychological wellbeing THE ROLE OF RACIAL IDEOLOGY IN THE RELATION BETWEEN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS
The Role of Lead (Pb) in the High Temperature Formation of MoS2 Nanotubes

Recent studies have clearly indicated the favorable effect of lead as a growth promoter for MX2 (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se) nanotubes using MX2 powder as a precursor material. The experimental work indicated that the lead atoms are not stable in the molybdenum oxide lattice ion high concentration. The initial lead concentration in the oxide nanowhiskers (Pb:Mo ratio = 0.28) is reduced by one order of magnitude after one year in the drawer. The initial Pb concentration in the MoS2 nanotubes lattice (produced by solar ablation) is appreciably smaller (Pb:Mo ratio for the primary samples is 0.12) and is further reduced with time and annealing at 810 ° C, without consuming the nanotubes. In order to elucidate the composition of these nanotubes in greater detail; the Pb-―modified‖ MX2 compounds were studied by means of DFT calculations and additional experimental work. The calculations indicate that Pb doping as well as Pb intercalation of MoS2 lead to the destabilization of the system; and therefore a high Pb content within the MoS2 lattice cannot be expected in the final products. Furthermore; substitutional doping (PbMo) leads to p-type semiconducting character; while intercalation of MoS2 by Pb atoms (Pby/MoS2) should cause n-type semiconducting behavior. This study not only sheds light on the role of added lead to the growth of the nanotubes and their role as electron donors; but furthermore could pave the way to a large scale synthesis of the MoS2 nanotubes.
A dialogical understanding of the relationship between CSCL and teaching thinking skills

This paper reviews the literature linking ICT to teaching thinking skills and advocates a new dialogic framework which has implications for practice. The main conceptualisations of the relationship between ICT and teaching thinking are described as, the computer as tutor, the computer as cognitive tool and the computer as support for collaborative learning. The computer supported collaborative learning movement is critiqued for not always taking into account the radical implications of the concept of dialogue or ‘dialogic’ which is the idea that meaning-making requires the inter-animation of more than one perspective. It is then argued that dialogic lies at the heart of higher order thinking and that ICT has some unique affordances to help teach thinking through the deepening and broadening of dialogue. A dialogic theoretical framework for understanding the relationship of ICT to the aim of teaching thinking is presented with several implications for practice
CEO Incentives and Payout Policy : Empirical Evidence from Europe

We investigate how corporate payout policy is influenced by CEO share ownership and CEO stock option holdings for 1,754 publicly listed firms from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, over the period from 2002 to 2009. Similar to the findings for US firms, our results show that CEO stock option holdings are associated with lower dividend payments. This finding suggests that as CEOs accumulate more stock options as part of their equity-based compensation in European firms, they are reluctant to make dividend payments which would lead to a decline in the values of their stock option holdings. In contrast, we do not find any consistent evidence of CEO stock options driving the recent increase in share repurchase activity in European firms. Furthermore, we observe that the fraction of share repurchases in total payout increases as the CEO stock option holdings increase. Finally, our results do not show any significant impact of CEO share ownership on corporate payout policy.
Securing Mobile Ad Hoc Networks with Certificateless Public Keys

This paper studies key management, a fundamental problem in securing mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We present IKM, an ID-based key management scheme as a novel combination of ID-based and threshold cryptography. IKM is a certificateless solution in that public keys of mobile nodes are directly derivable from their known IDs plus some common information. It thus eliminates the need for certificate-based authenticated public-key distribution indispensable in conventional public-key management schemes. IKM features a novel construction method of ID-based public/private keys, which not only ensures high-level tolerance to node compromise, but also enables efficient network-wide key update via a single broadcast message. We also provide general guidelines about how to choose the secret-sharing parameters used with threshold cryptography to meet desirable levels of security and robustness. The advantages of IKM over conventional certificate-based solutions are justified through extensive simulations. Since most MANET security mechanisms thus far involve the heavy use of certificates, we believe that our findings open a new avenue towards more effective and efficient security design for MANETs
Novel SARS-like Betacoronaviruses in Bats, China, 2011

To clarify the evolutionary relationships among betavoronaviruses that infect bats, we analyzed samples collected during 2010–2011 from 14 insectivorous bat species in China. We identified complete genomes of 2 novel betacoronaviruses in Rhinolophus pusillus and Chaerephon plicata bats, which showed close genetic relationships with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses.
Chronic Plasma Cortisol Elevation Does Not Promote Riskier Behavior in a Teleost Fish: A Test of the Behavioral Resiliency Hypothesis

Synopsis Stressed fish have been shown to have higher predator-induced mortality than unstressed conspecifics, suggesting a role for the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal axis in modifying risk-taking behaviors. Yet, there is also evidence of behavioral resiliency in the face of chronic stressors. Here, we tested the behavioral resiliency hypothesis, which posits that animals can maintain consistent behavioral phenotypes in the face of significant physiological challenges. We determined whether chronic plasma cortisol elevation promotes risk-taking behaviors in a model teleost fish, the pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus). Experimental fish were implanted with cocoa butter either as a sham or with cortisol. At 48 h post-implantation, the behavior of individual focal fish was tested in an experimental arena comprising of a simulated physical refuge, an open zone containing a constrained conspecific shoal, and a compartment containing either a model of a northern pike (Esox lucius) paired with corresponding pike olfactory cues in lake water or no pike model (control) paired with sham lake water cues only. The fish were assayed individually for their refuge utilization, shoaling tendency, and general activity. Neither cortisol treatment nor predation-risk treatment influenced any of these behaviors. This suggests that sunfish, in the context of our experiment, were behaviorally resilient to the physiological effects of chronic plasma cortisol elevation and in the face of an apparent threat of predation. Our results thus provide support for the behavioral resiliency hypothesis in fish under both physiological and ecological stressors. We posit that behavioral resiliency is an evolutionary adaptation ensuring appropriate responses to environmental conditions.
“I can’t carry on like this” barriers to exiting the street-based sex trade 2015.pdf

In South Africa, gender-based violence and sexual assault is widespread. Poverty, particularly amongst black women, is also rife. Women selling sex on the street are at greatest risk for adverse health outcomes, violence and poverty. This study sought to explore the challenges faced by women attempting to exit the street-based sex trade. Two focus groups, a total of 21 black women, were conducted. These groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The emerging themes exempli ﬁ ed a general sense of disempowerment and highlighted needs for exit. Context-speci ﬁ c requirements need to be elucidated for the development of successful exit interventions and policy reform. Further research should focus on the issue of decriminalization, empowerment and consciousness-raising in order to truly understand the relative harms to health in diverse contexts.
Decentralized Strategy for Supporting Multi-agent Negotiation of Several Aspects of Different Products

In virtual markets based on multi-agent systems, clients and providers delegate the responsibility of buying or selling a product or service to software agents. In this sense, decentralized negotiation strategies in multi-agent systems are the key to allow that agents to reach agreements. However, in environments where there is not any mediator, to reach consensus is not warranted. In this work, we propose a decentralized strategy of negotiation in order to two or more agents may negotiate as a group at the same time several characteristics of several products. We apply this proposal in a virtual market simulating ChileCompra, where provider agents generate coalitions to satisfy tenders requesting several products or services.
Face Value: The Irresistible Influence of First Impressions

What do you do to start reading face value? Searching the book that you love to read first or find an interesting book that will make you want to read? Everybody has difference with their reason of reading a book. Actuary, reading habit must be from earlier. Many people may be love to read, but not a book. It's not fault. Someone will be bored to open the thick book with small words to read. In more, this is the real condition. So do happen probably with this face value.
Anxiety and motivation in second language learning

Affective factors play an important role in the learning of a second language. Emotions such as anxiety and motivation can significantly affect a second language student's learning success and ability to perform in the language in question. Too much anxiety can create a formidable barrier to learning and performance. Given impetus by Krashen's (1985) theory of the "affective filter," much research has e~amined the role of affective factors in adult second language learning. This study attempts to build upon past research by investigating· language learners' and language instructors' perceptions of anxiety and motivation. One purpose of this research is to gain insight into methods of instruction that will improve the language learning process. Data for this study was obtained from interviews with two university professors, four university students of Spanish or French as a foreign language, two community college ESL students, and other experienced language learners. The study focused especially on the participants' perceptions of the causes and effects of anxiety, and relationships between anxiety and motivation, in both short-term and
How dynamic is your Dynamic Software Product Line?

Recently, there have been increasing demands for the postponement of decisions on software adaptations and product variations to provide the flexibility required by dynamic environments and users. The goal is that software adaptations and product variations can be chosen even at runtime. As such, a research theme that addresses development issues for reusable and dynamically reconfigurable core assets has emerged and it is called dynamic software product lines (DSPLs) with its consequential need to manage runtime variability. Research on the use of runtime variability, however, is still heavily based on the specification of decisions during design time. That is, a system simply postpones “when to adapt” to runtime but “how to adapt” is already decided at design time. In this paper, we present a brief assessment of the current research in the area and discuss some research issues related to the feasibility of DSPL oriented approaches to build self-adaptive systems.
On Quadruple Systems

Given a set E of n elements we denote by S(l, m, n), (l ≤ m ≤ n) a system of subsets of E, having m elements each, such that every subset of E having l elements is contained in exactly one set of the system S (l, m, n). It is clear (3), that a necessary condition for the existence of S (l, m, n) is that 1 is the number of elements of S(l, m, n) and is the number of those elements of S (l, m, n) which contain h fixed elements of E. It is known that condition (1) is not sufficient for S(l, m, n) to exist. It has been proved that no finite projective geometry exists with 7 points on every line. This implies non-existence of S(2, 7, 43).
Infrastructure support for evaluation as a service

How do we conduct large-scale community-wide evaluations for information retrieval if we are unable to distribute the document collection? This was the challenge we faced in organizing a task on searching tweets at the Text Retrieval Conference (TREC), since Twitter's terms of service forbid redistribution of tweets. Our solution, which we call "evaluation as a service", was to provide an API through which the collection can be accessed for completing the evaluation task. This paper describes the infrastructure underlying the service and its deployment at TREC 2013. We discuss the merits of the approach and potential applicability to other evaluation scenarios.