Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neutrophilic Lymphocytic Ratio as Predictive Biomarker in Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients

Background: Preoperative Neutrophil-Lymphocytic ratio has been suggested in many studies in resected colorectal cancer as predictive marker for recurrence and survival. This study investigated impact of pretreatment Neutrophil-Lymphocytic ratio on treatment outcome in rectal cancer patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of pretreatment Neutrophil-Lymphocytic ratio for one hundred and forty two patients with locally advanced rectal carcinoma (LARC) treated by neoadjuvant concomitant chemo-radiotherapy followed by surgical resection, between June 2006 and June 2011 in Minia University Hospital and Al-Hussein University Hospital. In order to study neutrophil lymphocytic ratio as a predictive factor for disease free survival and overall survival, other factors like age, sex, tumor length, tumor distance from anal verge, number of resected lymph nodes, positive lymph nodes, excision margin, tumor differentiation and circumferential resection margin with their impact on disease free survival and overall survival were also studied. Results: One hundred forty two patients with mean age of 65.1 ± 10.8. 64% were females; more than one third (34.5%) underwent colostomy and 61.3% ≤ 5 cm from anal verge. Pretreatment CEA was above 3 ng/ml in 57.7% of patients. Mean NLR was 4.1 ± 2.87. NLR of 58.4% patients were >3. Regarding disease free survival, In a univariate analysis, only involved excisional margin seen in 8 patients and positive CRM seen in 15 patients show significant impact on DFS (p-value 0,01, 0.001), respectively. On other hand, NLR didn’t show significance on DFS. None of the studied factors showed impact on overall survival in a univariate analysis. However, Neutrophil lymphocytic ratio at cut-off 3 showed significance. Population group with NLR ratio ≥ 3 showed less survival with a mean of 52.5 month compared to those with NLR ratio <3 that showed mean survival of 60.7 (p-value 0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment NLR is a simple, easily accessible laboratory finding for identifying LARC patients who had poorer prognosis for the standard line of treatment.
Immobilization of Pepsin onto Chitosan Silica Nanobeads with Glutaraldehyde as Crosslink Agent

Glutaraldehyde crosslinked chitosan - silica nanobeads have been used as a support in the immobiliza-tion process of pepsin. The effect of pH, pepsin concentration, and temperature on the characteristics of both free and immobilized pepsin had been investigated in this study. The results showed that the im-mobilized pepsin has wider pH range, better capacity, performance and stability to high temperatures compared with those of free pepsin. The immobilized pepsin can be used for 8 to 10 times at which the activity remains 20%, whereas the free pepsin can only be used once. These results suggested promis-ing applications of immobilized enzyme as biocatalyst. © 2014 BCREC UNDIP. All rights reserved. Received: 1st July 2014; Revised: 3rd September 2014; Accepted: 3rd September 2014 How to Cite : Cahyaningrum, S.E. , Sianita, M.M. (2014). Immobilization of Pepsin onto Chitosan Silica Nanobeads with Glutaraldehyde as Crosslink Agent. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis , 9 (3): 263-269. (doi:10.9767/bcrec.9.3.7060.263-269) Permalink/DOI : http://dx.doi. org/10.9767/bcrec.9. 3.7060. 263-269
Among paradigms: Major ways of framing user-related problems in contemporary architectural discourse

While a review of contemporary architectural theory indicates that user-related concerns have not been absent, this discussion remains rather fragmented and incidental. Seeking reasons behind this situation, this paper discusses the major paradigms underpinning contemporary architectural discourse and explicates how different paradigms ground different approaches to users. It reveals certain limitations of the dominating conceptual positions (positivism/post­positivism, critical theory, constructivism), and argues in turn for the relevance of phenomen­ology in supporting a more user- and context-sensitive architectural practice.
Effect of Stacking Sequence on Flexural and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Sisal/Glass Polyester Composite

In present study, flexural properties in terms of break load, percentage elongation, flexural strength and flexural modulus, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in terms of storage modulus (), loss modulus (), damping , glass transition temperature and effectiveness constant of reinforcement of hybrid sisal/glass fibre reinforced polyester composite are investigated. Polyester based hybrid composites are prepared by Hand lay-up technique followed by static compression having constant 25 wt. % of fibre content with various stacking sequences. A significant improvement in flexural properties of sisal fibre reinforced polyester composite is observed by incorporation of glass fibre. In addition, the stacking sequence has great influences on flexural and dynamic mechanical properties of hybrid composites.
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of the Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Inhibitor Lomitapide in Patients With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder characterized by low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor dysfunction, markedly elevated levels of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and premature atherosclerosis. Patients are often poorly responsive to conventional lipid-lowering therapies that upregulate LDL-receptor expression.1 Lomitapide inhibits microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, which lipidates nascent apolipoprotein (apo)B-containing lipoproteins. In a pivotal 78-week open-label trial, lomitapide, titrated to the maximal tolerable dose, decreased LDL-C by 50% at the end of the efficacy phase (week 26) in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.2 The principal adverse events included gastrointestinal disturbances, hepatic enzyme elevations, and increased liver fat. Here we provide additional long-term efficacy and safety data, including an exploratory analysis of the potential metabolic consequences of hepatic fat accumulation from an extension trial (NCT00943306). Patients continued on lomitapide at the maximally tolerated dose until transition to commercial or compassionate lomitapide. Lipid-lowering therapies, including apheresis, could be modified at the investigator’s discretion if LDL-C was <100 mg/dL. Both studies received institutional review board and regulatory approval, and all participants provided informed consent. Significance of the percent changes from baseline was assessed using a mixed linear model; correlations were assessed with Pearson correlation. Nineteen (mean age, 30.4 years; 10 male/9 female) of the 23 patients who completed the pivotal trial enrolled in the extension trial, and 17 completed week 126 (78 weeks pivotal + 48 weeks extension) assessments (primary efficacy end point). Three patients discontinued prematurely (relocation, elevated transaminases and excess alcohol, sudden cardiac death). The median lomitapide dose remained mostly consistent at 40 mg (range, 20–60 mg) from week 36 in the pivotal study to week 282 in the extension trial. Overall, the median treatment duration with lomitapide across both trials was 5.1 years (range, 2.1–5.7 years). Among the 17 patients who completed week 126, LDL-C decreased from 356±127 mg/dL at baseline to …
Continuity of local times for Markov processes

© Foundation Compositio Mathematica, 1972, tous droits réservés. L’accès aux archives de la revue « Compositio Mathematica » (http: //http://www.compositio.nl/) implique l’accord avec les conditions générales d’utilisation (http://www.numdam.org/legal.php). Toute utilisation commerciale ou impression systématique est constitutive d’une infraction pénale. Toute copie ou impression de ce fichier doit contenir la présente mention de copyright.
Direct electron-beam-induced formation of nanometer-scale carbon structures in STEM. - II. The growth of rods outside the substrate

Electron-beam-induced growth of self-supporting carbon-containing rods outside the substrate has been investigated. The influence of the beam current in the range of 1 to 80 pA on the shape and dimensions of the rods has been determined. Differences in rods growth at the edges of dielectric and metallic substrates have been demonstrated. Energy loss spectra have been recorded during rods formation and then analyzed. The obtained results have been ascribed to the accumula- tion of electrostatic charges on the formed structures.
Bilateral Priming Accelerates Recovery of Upper Limb Function After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose— The ability to live independently after stroke depends on the recovery of upper limb function. We hypothesized that bilateral priming with active–passive movements before upper limb physiotherapy would promote rebalancing of corticomotor excitability and would accelerate upper limb recovery at the subacute stage. Methods— A single-center randomized controlled trial of bilateral priming was conducted with 57 patients randomized at the subacute stage after first-ever ischemic stroke. The PRIMED group made device-assisted mirror symmetrical bimanual movements before upper limb physiotherapy, every weekday for 4 weeks. The CONTROL group was given intermittent cutaneous electric stimulation of the paretic forearm before physiotherapy. Assessments were made at baseline, 6, 12, and 26 weeks. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who reached their plateau for upper limb function at 12 weeks, measured with the Action Research Arm Test. Results— Odds ratios indicated that PRIMED participants were 3× more likely than controls to reach their recovery plateau by 12 weeks. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses showed a greater proportion of PRIMED participants achieved their plateau by 12 weeks (intention to treat, &khgr;2=4.25; P=0.039 and per protocol, &khgr;2=3.99; P=0.046). ANOVA of per-protocol data showed PRIMED participants had greater rebalancing of corticomotor excitability than controls at 12 and 26 weeks and interhemispheric inhibition at 26 weeks (all P<0.05). Conclusions— Bilateral priming accelerated recovery of upper limb function in the initial weeks after stroke. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.anzctr. org.au. Unique identifier: ANZCTR1260900046822.
Infection following deep brain stimulator implantation performed in the conventional versus magnetic resonance imaging-equipped operating room.

OBJECT Risk factors for deep brain stimulator (DBS) infection are poorly defined. Because DBS implants are not frequently performed in the MR imaging-equipped operating room (OR), no specific data about infection of DBS implants performed in the MR imaging environment are available in the literature. In this study the authors focus on the incidence of infection in patients undergoing surgery in the conventional versus MR imaging-equipped OR. METHODS To identify cases of DBS-associated infection, the authors performed a retrospective cohort study with nested case-control analysis of all patients undergoing DBS implantation at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center. Cases of DBS infection were identified using standardized clinical and microbiological criteria. RESULTS Between January 1998 and September 2003, 228 DBSs were implanted. Forty-seven operations (20.6%) were performed in the conventional OR and 181 (79.4%) in the MR imaging-equipped OR. There was definite infection in 13 cases (5.7%) and possible infection in 7 cases (3%), for an overall infection rate of 8.7% (20 of 228 cases). There was no significant difference in infection rates in the conventional (7 [14.89%] of 47) versus MR imaging-equipped OR (13 [7.18%] of 181) (p = 0.7). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 62% of cases. Twelve of 13 confirmed cases underwent complete hardware removal. On case-control analysis, younger age (< or = 58.5 years) was a significant predictor of DBS infection (odds ratio 3.4, p = 0.027) CONCLUSIONS Infection is a serious complication of DBS implantation and commonly requires device removal for cure. The authors found that DBS implantation can be safely performed in MR imaging-equipped suites, possibly allowing improved lead placement. Young age was associated with an increased risk of DBS infection.
Quasar outflows at z ≥ 6: the impact on the host galaxies

We investigate quasar outflows at $z \geq 6$ by performing zoom-in cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. By employing the SPH code GADGET-3, we zoom in the $2 R_{200}$ region around a $2 \times 10^{12} M_{\odot}$ halo at $z = 6$, inside a $(500 ~ {\rm Mpc})^3$ comoving volume. We compare the results of our AGN runs with a control simulation in which only stellar/SN feedback is considered. Seeding $10^5 M_{\odot}$ BHs at the centers of $10^{9} M_{\odot}$ halos, we find the following results. BHs accrete gas at the Eddington rate over $z = 9 - 6$. At $z = 6$, our most-massive BH has grown to $M_{\rm BH} = 4 \times 10^9 M_{\odot}$. Fast ($v_{r} > 1000$ km/s), powerful ($\dot{M}_{\rm out} \sim 2000 M_{\odot}$/yr) outflows of shock-heated low-density gas form at $z \sim 7$, and propagate up to hundreds kpc. Star-formation is quenched over $z = 8 - 6$, and the total SFR (SFR surface density near the galaxy center) is reduced by a factor of $5$ ($1000$). We analyse the relative contribution of multiple physical process: (i) disrupting cosmic filamentary cold gas inflows, (ii) reducing central gas density, (iii) ejecting gas outside the galaxy; and find that AGN feedback has the following effects at $z = 6$. The inflowing gas mass fraction is reduced by $\sim 12 \%$, the high-density gas fraction is lowered by $\sim 13 \%$, and $\sim 20 \%$ of the gas outflows at a speed larger than the escape velocity ($500$ km/s). We conclude that quasar-host galaxies at $z \geq 6$ are accreting non-negligible amount of cosmic gas, nevertheless AGN feedback quenches their star formation dominantly by powerful outflows ejecting gas out of the host galaxy halo.
DETECTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE-WIDTH EMISSION LINE REGION IN QUASAR OI 287 WITH THE BROAD EMISSION LINE REGION OBSCURED BY THE DUSTY TORUS

The existence of intermediate-width emission line regions (IELRs) in active galactic nuclei has been discussed for over two decades. A consensus, however, is yet to be arrived at due to the lack of convincing evidence for their detection. We present a detailed analysis of the broadband spectrophotometry of the partially obscured quasar OI 287. The ultraviolet intermediate-width emission lines (IELs) are very prominent, in high contrast to the corresponding broad emission lines (BELs) which are heavily suppressed by dust reddening. Assuming that the IELR is virialized, we estimated its distance to the central black hole to be ∼2.9 pc, similar to the dust sublimation radius of ∼1.3 pc. Photo-ionization calculations suggest that the IELR has a hydrogen density of ∼108.8–109.4 cm−3, within the range of values quoted for the dusty torus near the sublimation radius. Both its inferred location and physical conditions suggest that the IELR originates from the inner surface of the dusty torus. In the spectrum of this quasar, we identified only one narrow absorption-line system associated with the dusty material. With the aid of photo-ionization model calculations, we found that the obscuring material might originate from an outer region of the dusty torus. We speculate that the dusty torus, which is exposed to the central ionizing source, may produce IELs through photo-ionization processes, as well as obscure BELs as a natural “coronagraph. ” Such a “coronagraph” could be found in a large number of partially obscured quasars and may be a useful tool to study IELRs.
ournal of C osmology and A stroparticle hysics Breaking a dark degeneracy with gravitational waves

We identify a scalar-tensor model embedded in the Horndeski action whose cosmological background and linear scalar ﬂuctuations are degenerate with the concordance cosmology. The model admits a self-accelerated background expansion at late times that is stable against perturbations with a sound speed attributed to the new ﬁeld that is equal to the speed of light. While degenerate in scalar ﬂuctuations, self-acceleration of the model implies a present cosmological tensor mode propagation at (cid:46) 95 % of the speed of light with a damping of the wave amplitude that is (cid:38) 5 % less eﬃcient than in general relativity. We show that these discrepancies are endemic to self-accelerated Horndeski theories with degenerate large-scale structure and are tested with measurements of gravitational waves emitted by events at cosmological distances. Hence, gravitational-wave cosmology breaks the dark degeneracy in observations of the large-scale structure between two fundamentally diﬀerent explanations of cosmic acceleration — a cosmological constant and a scalar-tensor modiﬁcation of gravity. The gravitational wave event GW150914 recently detected with the aLIGO instruments and its potential association with a weak short gamma-ray burst observed with the Fermi GBM experiment may have provided this crucial measurement.
O nly Extreme rainfall impacts on soil CO 2 efflux in an urban forest ecosystem in Beijing

Extreme rainfall events are infrequent disturbances that affect urban environments and soil respiration (Rs). Using data measured in an urban forest ecosystem in Beijing, China, we examined the link between gross primary production (GPP) and soil respiration on a diurnal scale during an extreme rainfall event (i.e., the ‘21 July 2012 event’), and examined diel and seasonal environmental controls on Rs. Over the seasonal cycle, Rs increased exponentially with soil temperature (Ts). In addition, Rs was hyperbolically related to soil volumetric water content (VWC), increasing with VWC below a threshold of 0.17 m 3 m -3 , and then decreasing with further increases in VWC. Following the extreme rainfall event (177 mm), Rs showed an abrupt decrease and then maintained a low value of ~0.3 μmol m -2 s -1 for about 8 h as soil VWC reached the field capacity (0.34 m 3 m -3 ). Rs became decoupled from Ts and increased very slowly, while GPP showed a greater increase. A bivariate Q10-hyperbolical model, which incorporates both Ts and VWC effects, better fit Rs than the Q10 model in summer, but not for whole year.
Impact of electric field variability on Joule heating and thermospheric temperature and density

A new quantitative empirical model of the high‐latitude forcing of the thermosphere, which is the first empirical model with an electric field variability component consistent with the average electric field, is used with the NCAR‐TIEGCM to investigate the influence of the electric field variability on the Joule heating, neutral temperature and density. The electric field variability increases the Joule heating by more than 100%, and significantly improves the agreement between the total Joule heating and integrated Poynting flux, while the horizontal distributions of the height‐integrated Joule heating and the Poynting flux have some detailed differences in the polar cap and nightside regions. Including the electric field variability into the energy calculation results in significant changes in the neutral temperature and density. At 400 km, it causes a 120 K polar average temperature increase and the corresponding percentage difference of density is close to 30%.
A strategic leadership model for policy implementation

South Africa suffers from a doubtful history of its ability to implement policies successfully. The disastrous effect of this legacy is that the apparent lack of expertise and excellence may lead to a complete loss of the institutional memory in terms of effectiveness and client satisfaction. Responsible and competent leadership is needed by managers who understand the complexities of policy implementation. They must weed out outdated practices the public sector is burdened with and do all they can to attract and retain competent managers who are able to put public service delivery on the track of excellence again. In the fi nal analysis, the quality and impact of policy implementation will be given determined expression to by committed and competent leaders and those they lead. In this article an effort will be made to present a model that will show that leadership and performance are infl uenced by the commitment and competencies of offi cials. The performances of people are stimulated by the ability of leaders to provide vision and direction and to infl uence, inspire and empower them to collectively achieve policy goals. Apart from the external impact (leadership) on their performance, successful implementation of policies also requires internally located driving forces, which, for purposes of this model include: • Commitment depends on a person’s self-confi dence and motivation. Strong leadership by managers boosts the self-confi dence of junior staff and peoples’ motivation is determined by their level of interest in their work and their enthusiasm. • Competencies of employees in South Africa are affected by skills development legislation as well as existing skills development practices. A survey was done among staff members of different provincial government departments and municipalities in the Free State and North-West provinces
Correction factors for important brown bear foods in Europe

Abstract Correction factors that relate the dry mass of food items consumed by brown bears (Ursus arctos) to the volume of the corresponding residue in the feces have been determined for various foods consumed by brown bears in North America, but the values of some important foods used by European populations remain unknown. We estimated the correction factors for wild cherries (Prunus avium), beechnuts (Fagus sylvatica), hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), and supplemental foods (corn, oats, and sugar beets) provided to bears in many areas of Europe. In 2011, we fed captive bears from the Warsaw Municipal Zoological Garden, Poland, with known amounts of these foods and measured the volume of their remains in their feces. Overall, correction factors for supplemental foods were lower than for natural foods. We recommend use of the values estimated in this study and further evaluations of correction factors for bear food items not yet assessed.
An initial study of voice characteristics of children using two different sound coding strategies in comparison to normal hearing children

Abstract Objective: To compare some perceptual and acoustic characteristics of the voices of children who use the advanced combination encoder (ACE) or fine structure processing (FSP) speech coding strategies, and to investigate whether these characteristics differ from children with normal hearing. Design: Acoustic analysis of the sustained vowel /a/ was performed using the multi-dimensional voice program (MDVP). Analyses of sequential and spontaneous speech were performed using the real time pitch. Perceptual analyses of these samples were performed using visual-analogic scales of pre-selected parameters. Study sample: Seventy-six children from three years to five years and 11 months of age participated. Twenty-eight were users of ACE, 23 were users of FSP, and 25 were children with normal hearing. Results: Although both groups with CI presented with some deviated vocal features, the users of ACE presented with voice quality more like children with normal hearing than the users of FSP. Conclusions: Sound processing of ACE appeared to provide better conditions for auditory monitoring of the voice, and consequently, for better control of the voice production. However, these findings need to be further investigated due to the lack of comparative studies published to understand exactly which attributes of sound processing are responsible for differences in performance.