Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association Between Patient Age and Lymph Node Positivity in Thin Melanoma

Importance More than half of all new melanoma diagnoses present as clinically localized T1 melanoma, yet sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is controversial in this population given the overall low yield. Guidelines for SLNB have focused on pathologic factors, but patient factors, such as age, are not routinely considered. Objectives To identify indicators of lymph node (LN) metastasis in thin melanoma in a large, generalizable data set and to evaluate the association between patient age and LN positivity. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study using the National Cancer Database, an oncology database representing patients from more than 1500 hospitals throughout the United States, was performed (2010-2013). Data analysis was conducted from October 1, 2016, to January 15, 2017. A total of 8772 patients with clinical stage I 0.50 to 1.0 mm thin melanoma undergoing wide excision and surgical evaluation of regional LNs were included for study. Main Outcome and Measures The primary outcome of interest was presence of melanoma in a biopsied regional LN. Clinicopathologic factors associated with LN positivity were characterized, using logistic regression. Age was categorized as younger than 40 years, 40 to 64 years, and 65 years or older for multivariable analysis. Classification tree analysis was performed to identify high-risk groups for LN positivity. Results Among the study cohort (n = 8772), 333 patients had nodal metastases, for an overall positivity rate of 3.8% (95% CI, 3.4%-4.2%). A total of 4087 (54.0%) patients were women. Median age was 56 years (interquartile range [IQR], 46-67) in patients with negative LNs and 52 years (IQR, 41-61) in those with positive LNs (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, younger age, female sex, thickness of 0.76 mm or larger, increasing Clark level, mitoses, ulceration, and lymphovascular invasion were independently associated with LN positivity. In decision tree analysis, patient age was identified as an important risk stratifier for LN metastases, after mitoses and thickness. Patients younger than 40 years with category T1b tumors 0.50 to 0.75 mm, who would generally not be recommended for SLNB, had an LN positivity rate of 5.6% (95% CI, 3.3%-8.6%); conversely, patients 65 years or older with T1b tumors 0.76 mm or larger, who would generally be recommended for SLNB, had an LN positivity rate of only 3.9% (95% CI, 2.7%-5.3%). Conclusions and Relevance Patient age is an important factor in estimating lymph node positivity in thin melanoma independent of traditional pathologic factors. Age therefore should be taken into consideration when selecting patients for nodal biopsy.
Dividend Policy And The Method Of Payment In Mergers And Acquisitions

This study examines how relative differences in dividend policies affect the choice of payment method in mergers and acquisitions. Using the dividend clientele hypothesis, we hypothesize that, at the margin, the method of payment is more likely to be stock if the dividend policies of the two firms involved in a merger or acquisition are quite similar, but more likely to be cash if the dividend policies are much different. The empirical data support the relevance of the dividend clientele hypothesis for the method of payment in mergers and acquisitions. We also find some evidence that in stock-based deals a difference in dividend policies is negatively correlated with announcement returns. JEL classification: G32, G34, G35
Instrumental Stakeholder Theory in Turbulent Environments: An Empirical Testing using Political and Social Donations

In this paper we empirically tested the instrumental stakeholder theory using firm donation to government and to community as proxy for stakeholder relationship intensity. Two models were applied to a sample of 339 publicly traded firms in Brazil using different performance indicators. In the first model, a multiple regression model estimated the effects of establishing political and social stakeholder relations on firm performance, by comparing donating firms to a control group of non-donating firms. The second model used structural equation modeling to test the mediating effects of stakeholder relationship intensity between firm and industry-level stakeholder orientations and performance on donating firms. In both tested models, our results indicate that instrumental theory hypothesis did not hold for our data. However, findings suggest that the market perceives stakeholder management as a firm cost, and that stakeholder relationship intensity can be explained by a one-dimension construct, measured by firm level indicators that describe the organizational context.
Ups and Downs in Pollinator Populations: When is there a Decline?

Introduction Methods Biological background Variability measures Trends and perturbations Euglossine census techniques and evaluation Results Community comparisons Long-term trends Simultaneous sampling and evaluation of census techniques Discussion Bee communities over time ENSO and the bees Euglossine sampling techniques and long-term sampling strategies Responses to this Article Acknowledgments Literature Cited Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4
Effects of Gaze on Amygdala Sensitivity to Anger and Fear Faces

The amygdala is thought to be part of a neural system responsive to potential threat ( [1][1] ). Consistent with this is the amygdala's well-documented sensitivity to fear faces. What is puzzling, however, is the paucity of evidence for a similar involvement of the amygdala in the processing of
Auditor Independence and Earnings Management: Evidence of Non-audit Fees Disclosure in Australia

This study examines the association between the magnitude of earnings management and auditor independence of 325 Australian listed firms. Auditor independence is the epicentre of this study's analysis as this factor is considered to be a key determinant of earnings management. Our findings indicate the lack of a universal association between auditor independence and earnings management attributes. The main result is supported by tests using alternative measures of auditor independence. This result suggests that the provision of non-audit services by the incumbent auditor does not compromise independence. New regulatory initiatives, such as the Australian CLERP 9 law reforms, are thus queried.
Predicting consumer intentions to purchase energy‐efficient products

Purpose – This research aims to examine behavioral intentions toward purchase of energy‐efficient products utilizing the theory of reasoned action framework.Design/methodology/approach – Survey data from a sample of 202 shoppers of electrical appliances and small electronic products was utilized to estimate the proposed model.Findings – The main finding is that attitude toward energy‐efficient product has a stronger effect on intentions compared to the subjective norm component.Research limitations/implications – In order to maximize use of their financial resources, companies marketing energy‐efficient products need to focus more on enhancing consumer attitudes toward their brands and spend relatively less on efforts to educate consumers about using energy – efficient appliances in general.Practical implications – Since attitudes are formed from beliefs and knowledge, use of informational ads that clearly illustrate energy‐saving consequences of their specific brands of products will be an effective mark.
Distribution of lactoferrin in the normal and inflamed human prostate: An immunohistochemical study

A polyclonal rabbit antibody to lactoferrin was used to localize the distribution of lactoferrin within the different zones of the normal human prostate as well as within the inflamed human prostate. Cases of normal central zone, peripheral zone, periurethral glandular tissue, as well as cases in which foci of moderate to severe inflammation, along with varying degrees of inflammation‐related atrophy, were studied. In cases with inflammation, the staining pattern of lactoferrin was compared to the staining pattern of prostate‐specific antigen. Within the central zone, lactoferrin staining occurred in numerous individual cells peppered throughout the epithelium as well as within multiple intraepithelial lumens (lacunae). These lacunae were often numerous enough to give the central zone epithelium a fenestrated appearance; they were not seen in any of the other regions of the prostate. With the exception of an occasional individual cell or isolated positive gland, normal peripheral zone exhibited very little lactoferrin activity. Staining within the transition zone was similar to that seen in the peripheral zone. Staining within the urethral lining of the epithelium in the periurethral glands showed a distinct pattern of frequent intense staining involving the entire gland; frequent individual positive cells were also often seen. Three patterns of staining were identified in prostatic inflammation. Mild periglandular chronic inflammation produced foci of epithelial lactoferrin positivity that coincided precisely with the areas of inflammation. Severe acute inflammation produced strong staining within luminal secretions while cytoplasmic staining was limited to the luminal surface of the epithelium. Post‐inflammatory atrophy showed intense diffuse lactoferrin staining in the scant cytoplasm of the atrophic epithelium. In 12 of the 17 cases of inflammation that were studied, areas of post‐inflammatory atrophy or severe inflammation commonly showed absence of prostate specific antigen staining and epithelium that was strongly lactoferrin‐positive.
[Validation of a household food security scale in Antioquia, Colombia].

OBJECTIVE To adapt and validate in households of Antioquia, Colombia, a food security scale previously applied in households of Caracas, Venezuela. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out in 44 municipalities in the department of Antioquia, Colombia, in 2003 and 2004, with a randomly selected sample of 1 624 rural and urban households with children under 10 years of age, representative for family units located in the department of Antioquia. The sample was selected using a confidence interval of 95% and an error of 3%. Household food security scale previously used by Paulina Lorenzana in Venezuela were validated for this survey. Internal consistency of the scale was determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient and Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Construct validity was established through principal components analysis for categorical data. Prinqual procedure and Rasch modeling were used to define the components and items in the scale. RESULTS Factor analysis showed two components: 1) variables related to "food insecurity without hunger", which is explained in 95%; 2) variables related to "food insecurity with hunger", which is explained in 89.4%. Cronbach's Alpha coefficients for "food insecurity without hunger" and "food insecurity with hunger" were 0.95 and 0.89, respectively. When analyzed using Rasch modeling, all items showed infit values within a range of 0.8 and 1.2. The scale correlated significantly (p < 0.000) with food availability, begging, children's labor, household size, and occupation of the head of household. CONCLUSION The scale can be considered a reliable instrument for assessing food insecurity in Antioquia households.
Neurodevelopment and Growth of a Cohort of Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants Compared to Full-Term Infants in Brazil

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the neurodevelopment and growth of very low birth weight (BW) preterm infants, at 8 and 18 months corrected age (CA), compared with full term in Brazil. Methods Prospective cohort study including 83 preterm infants with BW ≤ 1,500 g and gestational age ≤ 32 weeks, and 52 full-term control infants. Preterm infants free from significant sensory and motor disability, and from congenital anomalies were included. Alberta infant motor scale (AIMS) and Brunet–Lèzini scale (BLS) were used to evaluate the neurodevelopment at 8 and 18 months. Anthropometric measurements were collected to evaluate the growth in both age groups. Results At 8 months CA, preterm infants scored significantly lower in total AIMS score (p = 0.001). At 18 months, they scored significantly lower on the stand subscale from AIMS (p = 0.040) and exhibited poor psychomotor development in the BLS (p = 0.006). The nutritional status showed significant differences between the groups, in both age groups (p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between nutritional status and AIMS (r = 0.420; p < 0.001) and BLS (r = 0.456; p < 0.001) at 8 months, and between head circumference and BLS (r = 0.235; p < 0.05) at 8 months and AIMS (r = 0.258; p < 0.05) at 18 months. Conclusion Very low BW preterm infants at 8 and 18 months CA showed significant differences in the neurodevelopment and growth pattern when compared with their full-term peers.
Services quality dimensions of Internet retailing: an exploratory analysis

The purpose of this article is to extend what is know about service quality in realm of the context of Internet retailing. As a result of content analyzing 1,078 consumer anecdotes of online shopping experiences, 14 service quality dimensions representing 42 items were identified. The unique contents of each service quality dimension relate to Internet commerce are examined and discussed. Further, the analysis uncovered a number of contributors to consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The most frequently‐mentioned service attributes resulting in consumer satisfaction were responsiveness, credibility, ease of use, reliability, and convenience. On the other hand, different dimensions including responsiveness, reliability, ease of use, credibility, and competence, were likely to dissatisfy online consumers. Finally, this paper provides various managerial implications and recommendations which may suggest avenues for improving service quality in Internet retailing and, as a corollary, expanding experiences by consumers.
Genomic Comparisons of Salmonella enterica Serovar Dublin, Agona, and Typhimurium Strains Recently Isolated from Milk Filters and Bovine Samples from Ireland, Using a Salmonella Microarray

ABSTRACT Salmonella-induced enterocolitis is the leading food-borne illness with a lethal outcome and causes millions of cases of gastroenteritis each year. We examined genomic variation among 12 environmental, veterinary, and clinical Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin, Agona, and Typhimurium strains isolated in Ireland between 2000 and 2003, as well as two clinical isolates from Canada and four archival isolates, which belonged to serovars Dublin and Agona. Using DNA-DNA hybridization to a microarray consisting of most of the predicted protein-encoding sequences of the S. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 genome, we identified a number of genomic regions that were absent in one or more serovars. The 34 genomic regions encoded proteins involved in sugar metabolism, transport, fimbrial and phage biogenesis, and transcriptional regulation, as well as inner and outer membrane-associated proteins. Two of the four prophages identified in strain LT2, prophages Gifsy-1 and Gifsy-2, were present in all six serovar Typhimurium strains examined. Prophage Fels-1 was absent from all 18 isolates examined, and Fels-2 was completely absent from the serovar Typhimurium isolates and the Salmonella Reference Collection B serovar Dublin strain Du2. All five Salmonella pathogenicity islands were present in all isolates. Plasmid pSLT was absent from all serovar Agona isolates, and only homologues of the spv genes were present in eight of the nine serovar Dublin strains. Only limited intraserovar diversity was found among the nine serovar Dublin, three serovar Agona, and six serovar Typhimurium isolates examined even though these isolates had extensive geographic, temporal, and source differences.
Willingness of Patients with Breast Cancer in the Adjuvant and Metastatic Setting to Use Electronic Surveys (ePRO) Depends on Sociodemographic Factors, Health-related Quality of Life, Disease Status and Computer Skills

Abstract Introduction: Because of the often unfavorable prognosis, particularly for patients with metastases, health-related quality of life is extremely important for breast cancer patients. In recent years, data on patient-relevant endpoints is being increasingly collected electronically; however, knowledge on the acceptance and practicability of, and barriers to, this form of data collection remains limited. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was completed by 96 patients to determine to what extent existing computer skills, disease status, health-related quality of life and sociodemographic factors affect patientsʼ potential willingness to use electronics methods of data collection (ePRO). Results: 52 of 96 (55 %) patients reported a priori that they could envisage using ePRO. Patients who a priori preferred a paper-based survey (pPRO) tended to be older (ePRO 53 years vs. pPRO 62 years; p = 0.0014) and typically had lower levels of education (p = 0.0002), were in poorer health (p = 0.0327) and had fewer computer skills (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: Barriers to the prospective use of ePRO were identified in older patients and patients with a lower quality of life. Given the appropriate conditions with regard to age, education and current health status, opportunities to participate should be provided to encourage patientsʼ willingness to take part and ensure the validity of survey results. Focusing on ease of use of ePRO applications and making applications more patient-oriented and straightforward appears to be the way forward.
Cerebral Dysrhythmia: Its Significance in Aggressive Behaviour

As far as history records there have always been individuals born to lives of emotional maladjustment, perverse sexuality or uncontrolled aggressiveness. At the end of what may be called the anecdotal period of psychiatry, Maudsley expressed the view that sudden violent crimes committed in "blind fury" were frequently due to an epileptic process and he also made the observation that this tendency ran in families. He observed that such persons were frequently the siblings or children of epileptics and he believed that "the impulse sprang from a morbid condition of nerve element". Bleuler, like many other authorities, described a group of psychopathic personalities with abnormal irritability, the brief description of which has not, I think, been bettered. He says: "The irritable types react to influences from without in a very acute and exaggerated manner, which takes the form of attacks of rage lasting mostly a few hours, despair with suicide, anxiety attacks, or stuporose states. During the attack, reflection is altogether inadequate. Some cases are practically in a twilight state; the memory is later markedly clouded; jealousy and alcohol are especially frequent causes for the precipitation. " Bleuler's view of these attacks suggests that a clouding of consciousness can occur. In the classification of many authors the term "epileptoid" has been applied to these personalities. Despite the failure of most workers to demonstrate a constant type of personality change among epileptics, this term has been applied to such patients because of their egocentricity, their insensitiveness, and the sudden violence and uncontrolled fury which they exhibit and which is frequently followed by partial or complete amnesia.
Characterization of buffalo milk production system in Bangladesh

This survey study was conducted in Tangail, Jamalpur, Bogra, Sirajganj, Pabna and Thakurgaon districts for household farming, and in Bhola, Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Patuakhali districts for bathan farming to undertake an assessment on the management factors in household and bathan farming for identifying the potentiality and constraints in milk production from buffalo. A 90 number of pre-designed questionnaire was used for data collection by direct interviewing of buffalo farmers. From this study, it was revealed that 82% of the farmers have 1 to 3 buffalo per household and 73% of the farmers have 51 to 200 buffalo per bathan . Buffaloes were raised in homestead and approximately 5-7 hours were grazes per day in household farming. Small quantity of concentrate feeds were offered to buffalo by the rich farmers during dry season. On the other hand, in bathan , farmers were fully depended to feed the buffalo on grazing at public land. In household, the average daily milk production was 3 to 8 liters and total milk yield was 799 liters in a lactation length of 270 days. In bathan , the average daily milk production was 1 to 2 liters and total milk yield was 435 liters in a lactation length of 215 days. The average age of first calving, service per conception, gestation period and calving interval were 39 months, 1.9 numbers, 310 days and 490 days, respectively in household farming. The average age of first calving, service per conception, gestation period and calving interval were 40 months, 2.1 numbers, 315 days and 530 days, respectively in bathan farming; however, further study is required on the buffalo nutrition in the bathan farming. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (1):69-77
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Risk Perceptions among African American Women at Increased Risk for Hereditary Breast-Ovarian Cancer

Objectives: To describe BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) risk perceptions among African American women at increased risk for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer and to identify factors having independent associations with these perceptions. Methods: Risk perceptions were evaluated by self-report during a structured telephone interview among African American women (n = 162) at increased risk for hereditary cancer who were recruited from oncology clinics, general medical practices, and community oncology resources. Results: The majority of women (75%) believed that it was likely that they had a BRCA1/2 mutation. Women ages 50 and younger and those with greater cancer-specific worry were most likely to believe that they had a BRCA1/2 mutation. Conclusions: Although BRCA1/2 risk perceptions may be consistent with objective risk levels among African American women, discussion about the basis of risk perceptions may enhance provision of genetic counseling and testing in this population.