Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Factors in Gastric Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Purpose: Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) has a dismal prognosis and is occasionally encountered during initial exploration in patients with gastric cancer. The clinicopathological characteristics and survival were analyzed in patients with gastric cancer and PC. Materials and Methods: Among 2,083 gastric cancer patients who received surgery at the department of surgery, Hanyang University Hospital from 1992 to 2009, 130 patients revealed PC. Ten patients who were lost during follow-up were excluded. The remaining 120 patients were divided into three groups according to the type of surgery. The degree of PC was classified into P1(to the adjacent peritoneum) and P2 (to the distant peritoneum). Various other clinicopathological factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariatec survival analyses. Results: Systemic chemotherapy (SC), type of surgery, lymph node dissection, degree of PC, and presence of ascites were significant prognostic factors. However, age, gender, resection of PC, and Borrmann type were not significant prognostic factors. In a multivariate analysis, SC and the degree of PC were independent prognostic factors. The survival benefit of SC was significant without reference to the type of surgery or degree of PC. Conclusions: A gastrectomy should be considered feasible in patients with gastric cancer and PC. The independent favorable prognostic factors were SC and a low degree of PC. SC improved the prognosis regardless of operation type and degree of PC.
The Charge Structures of Aether and Substance

The hypothesis of the charge structures matter serves as the basis for defining the inner energies of “rest” an electron: Ee=αc/(2πRe)[s﹣1]; a neutrino: En=Eeα3; a proton: Ep=Ee(α-2-3α-1). “Relict” radiation is regarded as the wave background is caused by charges oscillations of the aether. Charge pair known as a neutrino is the elementary structure of the aether and participant of the energy and charges exchange reactions between the ethereal and in-ert structures. The internal spin dynamics of the charge structures of particles creates their inertness. The electron mass of “rest” is defined as the time density on its shell that forms the space-time unity: Me=α/(2πRec)[s/m2]. Factors of randomness and periodicity in the radioactivity phenomenon are explained. The ethereal concept of the antiparticles origin is proposed.
The effects of individual weaning based on birth weight on growth performance and milk yield in dairy goats

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using birth weight of kids for weaning on growth and milk yield characteristics of Saanen and Alpine goats. A total of 24 does and their 40 kids were assigned to weaning groups when the kids reached three (X3) or four times (X4) their individual birth weights. The experimental design was a 2 x 2 factorial design with two weaning stages (X3 vs. X4) and two breeds (S: Saanen; A: Alpine). The averages of weaning age of the SX3, AX3, SX4, and AX4 kids were determined as 42.75, 42.21, 53.15, and 65.81 days, respectively. The weaning groups and the interaction between weaning and breed had effects (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) on weaning age of the kids. The average daily weight gain before weaning was different in weaning groups (P < 0.001). On the contrary, the growth performances of the kids until breeding age were not different between groups. The milk yield characteristics of dams in groups were not different. The results indicated that weaning at a predetermined weight based on birth weight can be done successfully in dairy goats under intensive conditions.
Phytoextraction of Nickel and Cobalt by Hyperaccumulator Alyssum Species Grown on Nickel-Contaminated Soils

Several Alyssum species native to Mediterranean serpentine soils hyperaccumulate nickel. These species can potentially be used to remediate Ni-contaminated soils. However, the ability of these species to phytoextract Ni from nonserpentine Ni-contaminated soils is unknown. Two Ni hyperaccumulator species, Alyssum murale and Alyssum corsicum, were grown for 120 days on two nonserpentine Ni-contaminated soils in a greenhouse experiment. Soils were amended to provide a range of values for three soil factors: soil pH, available phosphorus, and exchangeable Ca/Mg ratio. Both species hyperaccumulated Ni, but not Co, from both soils. Ni uptake was reduced at lower soil pH and increased at higher soil pH. Neither P fertilization nor adjustment of the exchangeable Ca/Mg ratio significantly affected phytoextraction of Ni or Co. There was no difference between the two species in the amount of Ni phytoextracted, but A. corsicum phytoextracted more Co than A. murale. Higher amounts of both metals were phytoextracted f.
High‐dimensional covariance matrix estimation using a low‐rank and diagonal decomposition

We study high‐dimensional covariance/precision matrix estimation under the assumption that the covariance/precision matrix can be decomposed into a low‐rank component L and a diagonal component D . The rank of L can either be chosen to be small or controlled by a penalty function. Under moderate conditions on the population covariance/precision matrix itself and on the penalty function, we prove some consistency results for our estimators. A block‐wise coordinate descent algorithm, which iteratively updates L and D , is then proposed to obtain the estimator in practice. Finally, various numerical experiments are presented; using simulated data, we show that our estimator performs quite well in terms of the Kullback–Leibler loss; using stock return data, we show that our method can be applied to obtain enhanced solutions to the Markowitz portfolio selection problem. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 48: 308–337; 2020 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada
Party Strength and Economic Growth

Abstract:While a large literature suggests an important role for political parties in development, this article is the first attempt to layout and test a comprehensive theory connecting parties to economic growth. The authors argue that strong parties broaden the constituencies to which policymakers respond and help politicians solve coordination problems. These features help to ensure better economic management, public services, and political stability. And this, in turn, enhances economic growth. Drawing on a novel measure of party strength from the Varieties of Democracy data set, the authors test this theory on data drawn from more than 150 countries observed annually from 1901–2010. They identify a sizeable effect that is robust to various specifications, estimators, and samples. The effect operates in both democracies and autocracies, and is fairly stable across regions and time periods.
EVALUATION OF GROWTH RESPONSE AND WATER RELATIONS OF TWO BEAN GENOTYPES (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) FROM ALGERIAN SEMI-ARID REGIONS GROWN UNDER SALT STRESS

Summary. The performance of two common bean genotypes Djadida and Tema tested under NaCl stress showed sensitivity to moderate salt concentrations. It appears that salinity produced an imbalance in water relations and affected growth parameters; NaCl application reduced roots, leaves and stems mass production and plant water content. A similar physiological behavior was observed in the two bean genotypes under saline conditions demonstrating the existence of quantitative rather than qualitative differences between the tested genotypes. We noted the superiority of the genotype Tema in maintaining water equilibrium by sinking water potential while sustaining higher growth rate under salinity.
Probing the history of SS 433’s jet kinematics via decade-resolution radio observations of W 50

We present the results of a kinematical study of the W 50 nebula using high-resolution radio observations from the Very Large Array spanning a 12-yr period, sampled in 1984, 1993 and 1996. We conduct a careful analysis of the proper motions of the radio filaments across the W 50 nebula at each epoch and detect no significant motion for them during this period. The apparent lack of movement in the radio filaments mandates either (i) a high degree of deceleration of SS 433's jet ejecta in the W 50 nebula; or (ii) that the lobes of W 50 formed a long time ago in SS 433's history, during a jet outburst with appreciably different characteristics from the well-known precessing jet state observed in SS 433 at the present day. We discuss the possible scenarios which could explain this result, with relevance to the nature of SS 433's current jet activity.
Examining the relationship between CEO remuneration and performance of major commercial banks in South Africa

The relationship between CEO remuneration and firm performance continues to receive much attention. Although the focus of most of the studies is across sectors, attention is increasingly being directed towards the banking industry. At the same time, controversy around what is deemed excessive remuneration of CEOs in the light of not so impressive firm performance across sectors continues. The 2008 global financial crisis and subsequent problems in the banking industry have increased interest in the dynamics of CEO remuneration and bank performance. This study, which examines the relationship between CEO remuneration and bank performance in South Africa, aims to bring a new perspective to the on-going research and debate. The data used is for the years 2008 – 2013, and a purposive sampling method was employed to select a sample frame that consists of five major commercial banks in South Africa. The results suggest that not all measurement instruments used confirmed that a relationship between CEO remuneration and bank performance existed. In the overall, the results of the study do show that the remuneration of the CEO in the banking industry is such that it does have a significant influence on the performance of a bank.
Intimacy and Couple Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Romantic Attachment

The present study extends findings regarding the established relation between intimacy (emotional and sexual) and couple satisfaction by investigating dyadic processes of intimacy (actor and partner effects) and the moderating role of gender and insecure romantic attachment on this relation. Using a sample of 117 heterosexual couples, results analyzed through an Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model revealed that only actor and partner emotional intimacy were significantly and positively related with actor couple satisfaction when examined simultaneously with sexual intimacy; stronger effects were revealed for actor versus partner emotional intimacy. Actor avoidant attachment was also found to moderate the aforementioned association, such that a decreased positive relation was demonstrated between actor emotional intimacy and actor couple satisfaction. Thus, results suggest that emotional intimacy may play a less important role in the attainment of satisfactory couple relationships amongst individuals exhibiting higher attachment avoidance. The myriad of additional practical and clinical implications of findings are discussed.
Shareholder effects from mergers in the Greek banking industry

The scope of this paper is to examine the stock market valuation of mergers and acquisitions in the Greek banking and financial services industry, in the post-deregulation era. Our results indicate that targets’ shareholders earned significant abnormal returns upon the announcement of horizontal and diversifying deals. On the contrary, bidders’ shareholders had significant losses in cases of horizontal and zero effects in diversifying deals. Although mergers and acquisitions in the Greek banking industry were not value-enhancing, they can be explained as an external growth strategy whose goal was to strengthen participants’ position in the domestic market and help them to become more tenacious in the fiercely competitive international environment.
An atmospheric-pressure plasma brush driven by sub-microsecond voltage pulses

An atmospheric-pressure room-temperature plasma brush, which can deliver uniform surface treatment effects, is reported. The plasma structure, which includes the negative glow, Faraday dark space and positive column, is clearly visible to the naked eye. The width of the Faraday dark space diminishes with decreasing gap distance and this phenomenon is different from that observed from low-pressure glow discharge plasmas. High-speed photographs taken at an exposure time of 2.5 ns show that the plasma propagates from the nozzle to the object in about 100 ns and 10 ns for gap distances of 6 mm and 2 mm, respectively, and the results are consistent with electric measurements. The emission spectra reveal N2(B–A) bands in addition to those of O, , N2(C–B) and He, indicating that the plasma source is reactive and suitable for applications such as surface modification and materials processing.
Does a Polyphagous Predator Prefer Prey Species That Confer Reproductive Advantage?: Case Study of Podisus maculiventris

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether preferred prey of Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) adult females also conferred maximal fecundity. We also studied egg development and maturation as a function of predator age, i.e., “ovigeny” as used predominantly in the context of parasitoids. To determine prey preference, adult females were simultaneously offered five pest prey: 1) beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); 2) fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); 3) cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae); 4) greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); and 5) yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) (n = 20). In a second experiment, adult P. maculiventris females were provided a single species of prey (for each of the five prey species, n = 10). This experiment was repeated over four durations: 7, 15, 22, and 30 d. After each time trial, egg load dissections were performed, and numbers of mature and immature eggs were recorded. P. maculiventris displayed a preference of beet armyworm, whether measured as numbers attacked or estimated biomass consumed. However, no significant differences were found in cumulative numbers of eggs laid under the different prey treatments, with the exception of the 22-d trial where significantly more eggs were laid when feeding on the cabbage looper. During the 22-d trial, the number of egg clutches and numbers of eggs per clutch were highest when fed cabbage looper and lowest with yellow mealworm. Percentage of egg hatch combined across time trials was highest in cabbage looper (81.7%) and lowest in greater wax moth (63.8%). Egg load dissections revealed that the total number of eggs and numbers of mature eggs declined significantly with predator age. However, numbers of immature eggs increased. The mean number of mature eggs in 7-d-old predators represented only ≈5% of mean cumulative numbers of eggs laid by 30-d-old predators, indicating that P. maculiventris is strongly synovigenic, where egg development and maturation continues during adulthood. The implications of these results are discussed from the context of P. maculiventris as a biological control agent.
Does Audit Committee Constraint Discretionary Accruals in MESDAQ Listed Companies?

The role and responsibility of the audit committee toward credible financial reporting are still much the same, but the issue of selecting appropriate people with the right mind is often challenged. The usual tripartite, namely independence, diligence, and knowledge of the audit committee is further refined in the recently revised Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance 2007. The study examines the determinants of discretionary accruals in MESDAQ companies. The central issues are the key aspects of the audit committee, namely independence, expertise, and diligence including the issue of former senior auditors and audit alumni on the audit committee and its effect on discretionary accruals. Based on OLS regression on cross-sectional data of 2007, the results suggest that audit committees with a higher proportion of financial expertise (former senior auditor or former CFO) and more diligent audit committees are significant for the said purpose. As such, it is argued that an audit committee with a higher proportion of financial experts would lead to credible financial reporting. However, audit committees with the former senior auditor and audit alumni are associated with larger discretionary accruals. In addition, the total independent audit committee is positively associated with larger discretionary accruals which lead to possible limited access to pertinent financial information compared to the audit committee with an insider.
A Network Analysis of the Greek Parliament and some Socio-Economic Issues

In this paper we provide some insights in the structure of the Greek Parliament from the perspective of social network analysis. We use historical and publicly available data to create a social network (i.e. a graph) that comprises of all members of the Greek Parliament for a period of 80 years, together with their interactions. We present a visualization of these data and calculate some well-established metrics, coming from social network analysis in this social network. Our results indicate that the Greek Parliament Network (GPN) is a small-world network, rather dissasortative and very difficult to disconnect. We finally argue that this network may be prone to produce corruption in its general sense.
Dividend payout by agricultural firms in Kenya [an empirical analysis of firms listed on the Nairobi security exchange]

Agriculture has been a major source of the country’s food security and a stimulant to off-farm employment yet agricultural production remained on decline. Most firms in the agricultural sector have performed below shareholder expectations which have led to shareholder apathy and have contributed to the decline of the rural economy due essentially to unstable and low dividend payout. This research is an attempt to analyze the determinants of dividend payout of Kenya Agricultural sector. It also focused on identifying whether various factors available as per literature influence dividend payout ratio in Agricultural sector in Kenya in existing scenario or not. Statistical techniques of correlation and regression were used to explore the relationship between key variables. Thus, the main theme of the study was to identify the various factors that influence the dividend payout policy decisions of Agricultural firms in Kenya listed on Nairobi Securities exchange. The objective of the study was achieved by adopting panel data estimation technique using multiple regressions because it is the best method to use when dealing with micro-units in the economy. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 17.0. The results show positive relationships between dividend payout and liquidity and profitability. The results also show negative associations between dividend payout and firm’s growth, Firm size and leverage. These results are consistent with the prediction by many authors.
PALAEOCLIMATIC EVOLUTION IN LOUTRA ARIDEAS CAVE (ALMOPIA SPELEOPARK, MACEDONIA, N. GREECE) BY STABLE ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS OF FOSSIL BEAR BONES AND TEETH

Carbon and oxygen stable isotope values (δC, δO) were obtained from structural carbonate in the bioapatite of bear bones (Ursus ingressus) from Loutra Arideas cave, Almopia Speleopark, Macedonia, N. Greece. Samples of Late Pleistocene bear bones were studied for palaeoclimatic reconstruction of the area. The age range of the fossil layers is from 32ka BP to a maximum of 38ka BP. Generally, the palaeoclimatic proxy is correlated with literature data for climatic variations in the area during Late Pleistocene, whereas dietary behavior was investigated taking into account possible diagenetic processes that may have affected the carbonate matrix of the bones.
Cultural Impact of Television on Urban Youth - An Empirical Study

Intentionally or unintentionally the globalised television has brought about significant changes in peopleâ€™s attitude, lifestyle, behaviour, etc, the various elements of culture. Thus globalised TV has become a cultural theme. Televised urban youth of country are siphoned off the multidirectional and multifaceted elements of culture dissipated by the television in tandem. Present study makes an effort to trace cultural implications of television on urban youth empirically in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Impact of SiO2 on Al–Al thermocompression wafer bonding

Al–Al thermocompression bonding suitable for wafer level sealing of MEMS devices has been investigated. This paper presents a comparison of thermocompression bonding of Al films deposited on Si with and without a thermal oxide (SiO2 film). Laminates of diameter 150 mm containing device sealing frames of width 200 µm were realized. The wafers were bonded by applying a bond force of 36 or 60 kN at bonding temperatures ranging from 300–550 °C for bonding times of 15, 30 or 60 min. The effects of these process variations on the quality of the bonded laminates have been studied. The bond quality was estimated by measurements of dicing yield, tensile strength, amount of cohesive fracture in Si and interfacial characterization. The mean bond strength of the tested structures ranged from 18–61 MPa. The laminates with an SiO2 film had higher dicing yield and bond strength than the laminates without SiO2 for a 400 °C bonding temperature. The bond strength increased with increasing bonding temperature and bond force. The laminates bonded for 30 and 60 min at 400 °C and 60 kN had similar bond strength and amount of cohesive fracture in the bulk silicon, while the laminates bonded for 15 min had significantly lower bond strength and amount of cohesive fracture in the bulk silicon.
Methanol extract of Oroxylum indicum leaves induces G 1 /S cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells via p53-mediated pathway

Oroxylum indicum is a Malaysian edible plant with traditional claims for some medicinal properties. This research was done to investigate the methanol extract of O. indicum leaves (MEOIL) for antiproliferative activity against human cervical cancer cell line, HeLa and its mode of cell death. Results from methylene blue assay showed that MEOIL exhibited antiproliferative activity on HeLa cells with IC50 of 3.87 µg/ml without affecting normal cells. Phase contrast microscopy indicated the confluency reduction in HeLa cells and changes on the cell shape. Nuclear staining with Hoechst 33258 displayed the formation of apoptotic bodies and fragmented nuclei. MEOIL was shown to induce early apoptosis event in HeLa cells as confirmed by FITC-Annexin V/propidium iodide staining by flow cytometry analysis. Protein study by flow cytometry indicated the increment of p53, slight increase of Bax and unchanged level of Bcl-2. Cell cycle analysis indicated the growth arrest of HeLa cells at G1/S phase. In conclusion, MEOIL demonstrated an antiproliferative activity in HeLa cell by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest via p53-mediated pathway.