Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health-Related Quality of Life of Community Thyroid Cancer Survivors in Hangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of community thyroid cancer survivors in Hangzhou, China, and to explore the important correlates defining HRQoL. METHODS All thyroid cancer patients who met study criteria in 183 communities were invited to participate (N = 1551). A self-administered questionnaire including collection of personal information and HRQoL instruments was completed by each participant (n = 970), with a response rate of 62.5%. HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form 36 Health Survey and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data for comparison were derived from a representative Hangzhou community sample (N = 1790). After bivariate analyses, multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate independent associations between socio-demographic variables, clinical characteristics, life-style behaviors, and HRQoL. RESULTS Information from 965 participants was available for analysis. A total of 92.1% were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, known as the most common type of thyroid cancer. In general, thyroid cancer survivors have impaired quality of life compared to the age- and sex-matched reference population using the Short Form 36 Health Survey. Thyroid cancer survivors reported the highest level of fatigue and insomnia. Multivariable regression analyses showed that being employed, higher education, and per capita disposable income (24,000-56,000 ¥ per year), and undertaking 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week were independent correlates of high physical component summary scores, while being overweight or obese and having a higher dose of levothyroxine intake per day had a negative influence. Being employed, higher per capita disposable income (>56,000 ¥ per year), undertaking 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week, and eating more fruit were positively associated with mental component summary scores, while females and patients having more surgeries reported lower mental component summary scores. The global quality of life scale scores were associated with education, employment status, marital status, per capita disposable income, physical activity per week, fruit intake per day, and type of surgery. CONCLUSION Although patients with thyroid cancer have a very good prognosis overall, in this study, they often experienced more problems than the community reference population, independent of their age and sex. Sex, education, marital status, employment status, weight status, per capita disposable income, number of surgeries, type of surgery, physical activity per week, fruit intake, and levothyroxine intake per day are important correlates of HRQoL of thyroid cancer survivors. Awareness of these relevant factors could help healthcare professionals provide better supportive care.
Differences in Learning Characteristics Between Students With High, Average, and Low Levels of Academic Procrastination: Students’ Views on Factors Influencing Their Learning

Within the field of procrastination, much research has been conducted on factors that have an influence on academic procrastination. Less is known about how such factors may differ for various students. In addition, not much is known about differences in the process of how factors influence students’ learning and what creates differences in procrastination behavior between students with different levels of academic procrastination. In this study learning characteristics and the self-regulation behavior of three groups of students with different levels of academic procrastination were compared. The rationale behind this was that certain learning characteristics and self-regulation behaviors may play out differently in students with different levels of academic procrastination. Participants were first-year students (N = 22) with different levels of academic procrastination enrolled in an elementary teacher education program. The selection of the participants into three groups of students (low procrastination, n = 8; average procrastination, n = 8; high procrastination, n = 6) was based on their scores on a questionnaire measuring the students’ levels of academic procrastination. From semi-structured interviews, six themes emerged that describe how students in the three groups deal with factors that influence the students’ learning: degree program choice, getting started with study activities, engagement in study activities, ways of reacting to failure, view of oneself, and study results. This study shows the importance of looking at differences in how students deal with certain factors possibly negatively influencing their learning. Within the group of students with average and high levels of academic procrastination, factors influencing their learning are regularly present. These factors lead to procrastination behavior among students with high levels of academic procrastination, but this seems not the case among students with an average level of academic procrastination.
BlockCNN: A Deep Network for Artifact Removal and Image Compression

We present a general technique that performs both artifact removal and image compression. For artifact removal, we input a JPEG image and try to remove its compression artifacts. For compression, we input an image and process its 8 by 8 blocks in a sequence. For each block, we first try to predict its intensities based on previous blocks; then, we store a residual with respect to the input image. Our technique reuses JPEG's legacy compression and decompression routines. Both our artifact removal and our image compression techniques use the same deep network, but with different training weights. Our technique is simple and fast and it significantly improves the performance of artifact removal and image compression.
In vitro evaluation of shear bond strength of orthodontic stainless steel brackets using transillumination

Background The objective of this study was to compare the effect of transillumination techniques to conventional light curing on shear bond strength (SBS) and adhesive remnant index (ARI) of orthodontic stainless steel brackets. Material and Methods 240 extracted human maxillary incisors, canines and premolars were randomly separated into four control and four experimental groups, based on tooth type. Labio-lingual thickness was measured. Control groups were light cured from buccal surface and experimental groups from lingual surface (transillumination) from four directions (mesial-distal, incisal-direct, direct, mesial-distal-incisal). SBS was measured using an Instron machine and ARI evaluated by microscopic inspection. Results Mean SBS on maxillary central incisors was lower when cured from lingual side in comparison with buccal side for three light cure directions, but direct cure direction showed nearly equal SBS. Statistical significance was observed for mesial-distal cure direction only. In contrast to central incisors, lateral incisors showed a higher mean SBS when treated from lingual side, for two cure directions (mesial-distal and incisal-direct) with statistical significance observed only for mesial-distal light cure direction. Mean SBS was lower when cured from lingual direction in comparison with buccal direction for all cure directions for canines and premolars. For canines statistical significance was observed for all directions, except incisal-direct; whereas for premolars statistical significance was observed for direct and mesial-distal-incisal directions only. Conclusions Transillumination is an effective and clinically acceptable light curing technique for bonding orthodontic stainless steel brackets to maxillary central and lateral incisors. For the other teeth groups (canines and premolars) tested, the mean SBS values, using transillumination light curing fell below the acceptable clinical SBS values, indicating that transillumination is not beneficial in light curing brackets on these teeth. Key words:Orthodontic stainless steel bracket, transillumination, shear bond strength.
Prior-based Binary Masking and Discriminative Methods for Reverberant and Noisy Speech Recognition Using Distant Stereo Microphones

Reverberant and noisy automatic speech recognition (ASR) using distant stereo microphones is a very challenging, but desirable scenario for home-environment speech applications. This scenario can often provide prior knowledge such as physical information about the sound sources and the environment in advance, which may then be used to reduce the influence of the interference. We propose a method to enhance the binary masking algorithm by using prior distributions of the time difference of arrival. This paper also validates state-of-the-art ASR techniques that include various discriminative training and feature transformation methods. Furthermore, we develop an efficient method to combine discriminative language modeling and minimum Bayes risk decoding in the ASR post-processing stage. We also investigate the effectiveness of this method when used for reverberated and noisy ASR of deep neural networks (DNNs) as well when used in systems that combine multiple DNNs using different features. Experiments on the medium vocabulary sub-task of the second CHiME challenge show that the system submitted to the challenge achieved a 26.86% word error rate (WER), moreover, the DNN system with the discriminative training, speaker adaptation and system combination achieves a 20.40% WER.
Effect of Age on Pentacam Keratoconus Indices

Purpose To assess the effect of age on elevation and pachymetric Pentacam keratoconus (KC) detection indices, and the need to adjust normative values accordingly. Methods In a retrospective study, 95 eyes of myopic normal subjects without KC were evaluated using the OCULUS Pentacam, with an age range of 17.4 to 46.8 years. Subjects were categorised into three groups according to their age: the first included those younger than 21 years (19 eyes), the second was for the age range of 21–40 years (65 eyes), and the third comprised subjects older than 40 years (11 eyes). Results There were statistically significant differences among the three groups regarding many elevation indices: AE from BFS, PE from BFS, and PE minus AE from BFS (P = 0.003, 0.010, and <0.001, resp.), and pachymetric indices: PPI avg, PPI max, ART avg, ART max, and diagonal decentration of the thinnest point (P = <0.001, 0.024, 0.003, 0.026, and 0.026, resp.). On comparing subjects below 21 years to those above 40 years, there was a statistically significant decrease of both PE from BFS and PE minus AE (P = 0.005 and <0.001, resp.) and statistically significant increase in AE from BFS (P = 0.001). Conclusions Age is an important determinant of elevation indices, significantly altering their normative values. The use of the more robust pachymetry, rather than elevation, indices is recommended in subjects below 21 or above 40 years of age.
Group Analysis of Q Values Calculated with Tangential Radius of Curvature from Human Anterior Corneal Surface

Objective To calculate the Q values from the human anterior corneal surface with the tangential radius of curvature and analyze its distribution characteristics in different age and refractive status groups. Methods Tangential power maps of the anterior cornea from Orbscan II were acquired for 201 subjects' right eyes. They were divided into groups of adults and children and then divided further into subgroups according to the refraction status. The Q values of each semimeridian were calculated by the tangential radius with a linear regression equation. The Q value distribution in both the nasal cornea and temporal cornea were analyzed. Results The mean temporal Q values of the emmetropia group of adults and all children's groups were significantly different from the mean nasal Q value. The mean nasal corneal Q values were more negative in children. The adult group showed differences only in the low myopia group. The mean Q value of the nasal cornea among different refractive groups of children was significantly different, and so was the temporal cornea between the adult myopia and emmetropia group. Conclusion The method using the tangential radius of curvature combined with linear regression to obtain anterior surface Q values for both adults and children was stable and reliable. When we analyzed the anterior corneal Q value, area division was necessary.
Effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background Therapeutic neovascularization might represent an important strategy to salvage tissue after ischemia. Circulating bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were previously shown to augment the neovascularization of ischemic tissue. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) might modulate EPC mobilization. We evaluated populations of circulating stem cells and early EPCs in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients and the effect of ACEI on circulating EPCs in these patients with respect to aspects of stroke pathogenesis. Methods We studied 43 AIS patients (group I), comprising 33 treated with ACEI (group Ia) and 10 untreated (group Ib). Risk factor controls (group II) included 22 subjects. EPCs were measured by flow cytometry. Results In AIS patients, the number of circulating stem cells and early EPCs upon admission was similar to that in control group individuals. There were no significant differences in the numbers of stem cells and early EPCs over subsequent days after AIS. There were also no significant differences in stem cell and early EPC numbers over the first 3 days between group Ia and group Ib. However, on day 7, these numbers were significantly higher in group Ib than in group Ia (p < 0.05). In AIS patients chronically treated with ACEI, there was a negative correlation between CD133+ cell number and neurological deficit on the first, third, and seventh days (p < 0.005). Conclusions An increased number of circulating stem cells and early EPCs were not observed in stroke patients chronically treated with ACEI. In patients chronically treated with ACEI, a significant correlation was observed between decreased neurological deficit and higher levels of CD133+ cells; this could be due to the positive influence of these cells on the regeneration of the endothelium and improved circulation in the ischemic penumbra.
Silicon Mechanisms to Ameliorate Heavy Metal Stress in Plants

The increased contaminants caused by anthropogenic activities in the environment and the importance of finding pathways to reduce pollution caused the silicon application to be considered an important detoxification agent. Silicon, as a beneficial element, plays an important role in amelioration of abiotic stress, such as an extreme dose of heavy metal in plants. There are several mechanisms involved in silicon mediation in plants, including the reduction of heavy metal uptake by plants, changing pH value, formation of Si heavy metals, and stimulation of enzyme activity, which can work by chemical and physical pathways. The aim of this paper is to investigate the major silicon-related mechanisms that reduce the toxicity of heavy metals in plants and then to assess the role of silicon in increasing the antioxidant enzyme and nonenzyme activities to protect the plant cell.
Prevalence and Predictors of Silent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Hypertension

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) without symptoms or silent GERD can be easily missed in patients with hypertension. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of GERD, specifically the prevalence of silent GERD in hypertensive patients, and to explore its possible predictors. Methods Consecutive patients with hypertension referred to the cardiovascular clinic of Suining Central Hospital in 2016 were screened for this study. A Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were employed for the evaluation of silent GERD. Included patients were divided into silent-GERD group and non-GERD control group. The demographic characteristics and antihypertensive agent prescriptions were collected and compared between the two groups. Results The prevalence of silent GERD and GERD in patients with hypertension was 15.1% and 31.4%, respectively. 66 patients were included in the silent-GERD group, and 298 patients were included in the non-GERD control group. Abdominal obesity and untreated hypertension were positive predictors, while controlled hypertension was a negative predictor for silent GERD. The prescription of calcium channel blockers was not a predictor for it. Conclusions High prevalence of GERD, specifically silent GERD, could be found in patients with hypertension. Abdominal obesity and untreated hypertension were positive predictors for silent GERD, while controlled hypertension was a negative predictor for it.
Head circumference in Iranian infants

Introduction: Head circumference (HC) measurement is one of the important parameter for diagnosis of neurological, developmental disorders and dysmorphic syndromes. Recognition of different disorders requires an understanding of normal variation for HC size, in particular, in infancy period with most rapid growth of the brain. Because of international and interracial standard chart differences about anthropometric indices, some differences from local to local, generation to generation and changes in ethnic mix of population and socioeconomic factors, periodic revolution of HC size is suggested. The aims of our study were presenting local HC standard for an Iranian infant population and comparison with the American national center of health statistics (NCHS) charts accepted by WHO. Methods: 1003 subjects aged from birth to 24 months apparently healthy normal children enrolled randomly in this cross sectional study. HC size were measured and recorded. Tables and graphs were depicted by Excel Microsoft Office 2007. We use two tailed t-student test for statistical analysis. Results: The mean of HC size in boys was larger than girls. The curves were followed a similar pattern to NCHS based on a visual comparison. Overall our subjects in both sexes at birth time had smaller HC size than NCHS. In other ages our children had larger HC size than those of NCHS. Conclusion: Because of international and interracial difference of HC size. We recommend in each area of the world, local anthropometric indices are constructed and used clinically. In addition more extensive and longitudinally design comprehensive studies is suggested.
On Enforcing the Digital Immunity of a Large Humanitarian Organization

Humanitarian action, the process of aiding individuals in situations of crises, poses unique information-security challenges due to natural or manmade disasters, the adverse environments in which it takes place, and the scale and multi-disciplinary nature of the problems. Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations are transitioning towards a strong reliance on the digitization of collected data and digital tools, which improves their effectiveness but also exposes them to computer security threats. In this paper, we conduct a qualitative analysis of the computer-security challenges of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a large humanitarian organization with over sixteen thousand employees, an international legal personality, which involves privileges and immunities, and over 150 years of experience with armed conflicts and other situations of violence worldwide. To investigate the computer security needs and practices of the ICRC from an operational, technical, legal, and managerial standpoint by considering individual, organizational, and governmental levels, we interviewed 27 field workers, IT staff, lawyers, and managers. Our results provide a first look at the unique security and privacy challenges that humanitarian organizations face when collecting, processing, transferring, and sharing data to enable humanitarian action for a multitude of sensitive activities. These results highlight, among other challenges, the trade offs between operational security and requirements stemming from all stakeholders, the legal barriers for data sharing among jurisdictions; especially, the need to complement privileges and immunities with robust technological safeguards in order to avoid any leakages that might hinder access and potentially compromise the neutrality, impartiality, and independence of humanitarian action.
Design of Education Methods in a Virtual Environment.

The purpose of the presented article is to review existing approaches to modern training methods design and to create a variant of its technology in virtual educational environments in order to develop general cultural and professional students’ competence in pedagogical education. The conceptual modeling of a set of methods for students’ training in the conditions of an information-and-communication saturated environment was carried out by means of a subject-design method within the framework of prescriptive theory. This allowed us to allocate the stages in designing the methods of student training when using a virtual educational environment. The presented results reflect the general approach to the design of teacher activity including the design of training methods on the basis of accounting for the primary structural components of educational technologies. The given results of examining the features and the opportunities of the virtual educational environment allow us to define the essence of training methods enrichment as well as mechanisms of self-adjustment and self-improvement for a training methods system in educational information environments, and to formulate conclusions about the impossibility of creating modern educational processes without virtual educational environments.
ALGORAND AGREEMENT: Super Fast and Partition Resilient Byzantine Agreement

We present a simple Byzantine agreement protocol with leader election, that works under > 2/3 honest majority and does not rely on the participants having synchronized clocks. When honest messages are delivered within a bounded worst-case delay, agreement is reached in expected constant number of steps when the elected leader is malicious, and is reached after two steps when the elected leader is honest. Our protocol is resilient to arbitrary network partitions with unknown length, and recovers fast after the partition is resolved and bounded message delay is restored. We will briefly discuss how the protocol applies to blockchains in a permissionless system. In particular, when an honest leader proposes a block of transactions, the first voting step happens in parallel with the block propagation. Effectively, after the block propagates, a certificate is generated in just one step of voting.
Communication and information exchange among SMEs and their local environment

Abstract In this article the results from a Swedish pilot study in the project Arena for Sustainable Innovative Development of small and medium-sized enterprises is presented. The project in a whole aims to create and test a model for collaboration and sustainable development among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in local areas. The research question in this article is delimited to issues concerning use of ICT, information exchange and communication among the interested parties. The pilot study was accomplished in a qualitative and explorative way with semi-structured interviews. As a result of the study some questions are identified as urgent to further investigate.