Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Staging in thyroid carcinoma

is an interesting and complicatedcoordinated effort to enlist a large number of patients from avariety of institutions to validate prospectively a new staging systemfor thyroid carcinoma. The authors are to be commended for theirextraordinary organizational efforts to get this underway at 14 differ-ent institutions. Their clinicopathologic staging system was based ontypical factors that have been found to be of prognostic signiﬁcancein patients with thyroid carcinoma such as age, tumor histology,tumor size, extraglandular invasion, and distant metastases. They alsoincluded some features that have not been found to be of prognosticvalue in other studies, and in their own study, such as intrathyroidalmultifocality. In their staging system, Stage I and Stage II essentiallyhave identical and near-perfect disease speciﬁc survival (99.8% forStage I and 100% for Stage II). Furthermore, recurrence for Stage Idisease was 94.3% and was 93.1% for Stage II disease, which was nota statistically signiﬁcant difference. Therefore, their deﬁnitions ofStage I and II disease was not a useful separation with regard to theirdeﬁned goal to develop a prognostic staging system.Of concern is the inclusion of medullary carcinoma, which is nota thyroid follicular cell carcinoma but rather one arising from theparafollicular “c” cells, and anaplastic carcinoma, prognostically oneof the worst cancers in humans. Although arising from the thyroidfollicular cell, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a distinctive histologictype with a median survival of , 6 months and , 10% of patientssurviving long term. Because all anaplastic malignancies are Stage IV(not on the basis of anatomic features but by histology) it does notrequire a staging system that by deﬁnition is an attempt to develop arange of prognoses for use in survival prediction and therapy selec-tion. It is as illogical to have a staging system that includes anaplasticcarcinoma and medullary carcinoma with differentiated papillary andfollicular carcinoma as it would be to include gastric sarcomas andlymphomas with the epithelial lesions of the stomach. There is noinherent advantage to developing a new staging system accommo-dating anaplastic and medullary carcinoma merely because they arisein the same gland; they are different diseases. Melanoma of the skinis not staged with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin; both arise inthe same organ, but are different diseases.The authors state that the goals of this prospective multicenterregistry were to establish a broadly applicable staging classiﬁcation topredict patient outcome, deﬁne contemporary clinical practice in themanagement of disease in these patients, and determine the effec-
A common mutation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is associated with an accumulation of formylated tetrahydrofolates in red blood cells.

A common mutation (C677T) in the gene encoding for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (5-methyltetrahydrofolate:(acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.7. 99.5), a key regulatory enzyme in one-carbon metabolism, results in a thermolabile variant of the MTHFR enzyme with reduced activity in vitro. In the present study we used a chromatographic method for folate analysis to test the hypothesis that this mutation would be associated with altered distribution of red blood cell (RBC) folates. An alteration was found as manifested by the presence of formylated tetrahydrofolate polyglutamates in addition to methylated derivatives in the RBCs from homozygous mutant individuals. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate polyglutamates were the only folate form found in RBCs from individuals with the wild-type genotype. Existence of formylated folates in RBCs only from individuals with the thermolabile MTHFR is consistent with the hypothesis that there is in vivo impairment in the activity of the thermolabile variant of MTHFR and that this impairment results in an altered distribution of RBC folates.
The reliability and validity of the Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire.

PURPOSE This study assessed the test-retest reliability and validity of the Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire (APARQ) among 13- and 15-yr-old Australians. METHODS Two studies were conducted using the same instrument. Self-reported participation in organized and nonorganized physical activity was summarized into four measures: a three-category measure of activity, a two-category measure, and estimated energy expenditure expressed as a continuous variable and as quintiles. The reliability study (N = 226) assessed strength of agreement for all measures between responses to two administrations of the questionnaire. The validity study (N = 2026) assessed the relationship between the APARQ and performance on the Multistage Fitness Test (MFT). RESULTS Reliability study: for the three-category measure, percent agreement ranged 67-83% and weighted kappa ranged 0.33-0.71. For the two-category measure, percent agreement ranged 76-90% and kappa ranged 0.25-0.74. For energy expenditure expressed as a continuous variable, the intraclass correlations coefficients were generally greater than 0.6 for grade 10 students, but most were below 0.5 for grade 8 students. Validity study: for the three-category measure, mean laps were higher in the adequately and vigorously active categories than the inactive category for girls, but only the mean laps in the vigorously active and inactive categories were significantly different for boys. For the two-category measure, mean laps were higher in the active category than the inactive category for all groups. Correlations between energy expenditure and MFT laps were 0.15, 0.21, 0.14, and 0.39 for grade 8 boys, grade 8 girls, grade 10 boys, and grade 10 girls, respectively. CONCLUSION The APARQ has acceptable to good reliability and acceptable validity, but further validation using other methods and in other population groups is required.
An analysis of labour productivity growth in the Canadian tourism/hospitality industry

This paper examines the impact of information communication technology (ICT), human capital, and human resource management on labour productivity growth in the Canadian tourism/hospitality industries using the Canadian Workplace and Employee Survey from 1999 to 2005. Feasible generalized least squares and generalized method of moments estimations are applied to the model. The empirical results show that Solow productivity paradox does exist in these industries. Adoption of ICT does not significantly improve labour productivity. The evidence shows that human capital is a determinant of labour productivity growth. This study categorizes training into on-the-job and classroom trainings for different skills. The managerial skills classroom training has positive and significant impact on labour productivity growth. The managerial skills on-the-job training and the other skills on-the-job and classroom training have negligible impact on labour productivity growth.
Liver Cancers in Mayak Workers

Abstract Gilbert, E. S. , Koshurnikova, N. A. , Sokolnikov, M. , Khokhryakov, V. F. , Miller, S. , Preston, D. L. , Romanov, S. A. , Shilnikova, N. S. , Suslova, K. G. and Vostrotin, V. V. Liver Cancers in Mayak Workers. Liver cancer mortality risks were evaluated in 11,000 workers who started working at the “Mayak” Production Association in 1948–1958 and who were exposed to both internally deposited plutonium and external γ radiation. Comparisons with Russian liver cancer incidence rates indicate excess risk, especially among those with detectable plutonium body burdens and among female workers in the plutonium plant. Comparisons within the Mayak worker cohort which evaluate the role of plutonium body burden with adjustment for cumulative external dose indicate excess risk among workers with burdens estimated to exceed 7.4 kBq (relative risk = 17; 95% CI = 8.0–36) and among workers in the plutonium plant who did not have routine plutonium monitoring data based on urine measurements (relative risk = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.3–6.2). In addition, analyses treating the estimated plutonium body burden as a continuous variable indicate increasing risk with increasing burden (P < 0.001). Relative risks tended to be higher for females than for males, probably because of the lower baseline risk and the higher levels of plutonium measured in females. Because of limitations in current plutonium dosimetry, no attempt was made to quantify liver cancer risks from plutonium in terms of organ dose, and risk from external dose could not be reliably evaluated.
On the stability of surface shape reconstruction using microwave algorithm for 3-D breast tumor based on the adjoint-fields scheme

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate some stability issues observed in the surface shape reconstruction algorithm of 3-D irregular breast tumors. The developed algorithm is based on integrating the method of moments (MoM) for the forward solver with the adjoint-field scheme for the computations of appropriate sensitivities derivaties. The results show that the stability of the algorithm relies on the manner in which the adjoint fields are calculated.
Virtual Peacemakers: Mimicry Increases Empathy in Simulated Contact with Virtual Outgroup Members

This research examined virtual-human interactions as a new form of simulated contact between members of groups in conflict. A virtual human representing an outgroup member (a Palestinian) interacted with 60 Jewish Israeli participants in an experimental study. We manipulated postural mimicry by the virtual interaction partner during a conversation about a sensitive conflict issue. Mimicry increased empathy toward the Palestinians, irrespective of participants' feelings toward the Palestinians prior to the experiment. Further, mimicked participants who reported a priori negative feelings toward Palestinians expressed more sympathy toward their Palestinian virtual interaction partner, rated themselves as closer to him, and perceived the interaction as more harmonious compared to participants in a counter-mimicry condition. The results underscore the impact of mimicry on intergroup interactions, especially on individuals who harbor negative feelings toward the outgroup. The use of virtual-human interactions in obtaining this effect reveals the still widely unexplored potential of technology-enhanced conflict resolution.
Cross genotype sex hormone treatment in two cases of hypogonadal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND Sex hormone deficiency is the most common cause of bone loss. Reduced bone mass and an increased risk for osteoporotic fractures have been described in hypogonadal subjects of both sexes. We present here the results of treating two patients showing abnormal sexual differentiation (an XX male and an XY female), who suffered from bone loss related to sex hormone deficiency, with cross genotype sex hormones. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Patient 1 was an asymptomatic 39-yr-old XY female with complete androgen insensitivity. Her testes had been removed, and she later discontinued estrogen treatment. Patient 2, a 37-yr-old XX male, had congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which led to a masculine phenotype. He was ovariectomized and reared as a male. He was treated with glucocorticoids but refused androgen treatment for many years. We treated both patients with phenotypically matched sex hormones (patient 1 received conjugated estrogens 1.25 mg/day, and patient 2 received 250 mg testosterone every 4 weeks) and followed their bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, urine calcium, and hydroxyproline excretion. RESULTS Before treatment both patients had low sex hormones and highly elevated gonadotropins. As a result of treatment urine hydroxyproline excretion decreased from 45 and 26.7 mg/g creatinine to 15 and 15.9 mg/g creatinine in patients 1 and 2 respectively. In patient 1, lumbar BMD rose from 0.912gr/cm2 to 0.976gr/cm2 and femoral neck BMD rose from 0.716gr/cm2 to 0.836gr/cm2 after 4 years of treatment. In patient 2, lumbar BMD rose from 0.717gr/cm2 to 0.815gr/cm2 and the femoral neck BMD rose from 0.509gr/cm2 to 0.635gr/cm2 after 27 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Phenotypically-matched sex hormone therapy in patients with abnormal sexual differentiation is essential not only to maintain external appearance but also for the preservation of bone mass.
The University of Virginia interprofessional education initiative: An approach to integrating competencies into medical and nursing education

Growing evidence supports the position that interprofessional education (IPE) and collaborative care are essential elements of healthcare education and practice (Institute of Medicine, 2003; World Health Organization, 2010). Nonetheless, there remain significant barriers to integrating IPE experiences in meaningful and measurable ways (e.g. Freeth, Hammick, Reeves, Koppel, & Barr, 2005; Gilbert, 2005; Reeves, Goldman, Burton, & Sawatzky-Girling, 2010). The University of Virginia Interprofessional Education Initiative (UVA IPEI) is a systematic, collaborative effort by the Schools of Medicine and Nursing and the UVA Health System (University Hospital and associated clinical services) to address these barriers in order to create, assess and logically integrate IPE experiences into the education of students in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing.
Creating strategies for managing evolving customer service

This paper reports research that investigates the perceptions of service managers on the future of customer service. It provides insight into the evolving managerial issues through detailed interviews with senior customer‐service directors and managers in different service sectors. Service organisations that will be successful in the future will focus the roles and capabilities of their customer‐service staff on customer needs, and support them through active service leadership. A six‐stage approach to developing the necessary strategies for managing customer service in this environment is deduced.
AN EXPERIMENTAL MARKET INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN OPTIMAL AGENCY CONTRACT

In this dissertation, I conduct experimental labor markets to investigate the effectiveness of an optimal agency contract in inducing employee effort and maximizing firm profit. I compare firm profit under the optimal agency contract to that under a theoretically sub-optimal contract that relies on the norm of reciprocity to motivate employee effort, and explore how factors outside standard agency models affect the relative profitability of the two contracts. Experimental results show that firm profit is higher under the optimal agency contract in markets where only one of the two contracts is available, but is statistically indistinguishable between the two contracts in markets where both contracts are available. These results are inconsistent with the assumptions of agency theory, but are consistent with my proposition that employees'perceptions about the intentions underlying firms' contract offers, which play no role in standard agency theory, influence employees' reactions to the offers, and that this, in turn, affects the relative profitability of the two contracts. The implications of these results for research on incentives, contracting, and social norms, and for the design of management control systems in practice, are discussed.
Hydroxyapatite ceramic coating for bone implant fixation. Mechanical and histological studies in dogs.

The success of bone ingrowth into porous coated implants depends on several factors which can be separated into five main groups: implant related factors, such as design of implant, surface structure and pore characteristics. status of host bone bed, such as underlying disease (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis), available bone stock, use of drugs and surgical technique. mechanical stabilization and loading conditions applied on the implant. adjuvant therapies such as bone grafting and HA coating which might enhance the amount of bone ingrowth. remodeling of periprosthetic bone. Once bone ingrowth has occurred, maintenance of bony anchorage depends on bone remodeling at the interface. The present series of studies were performed in order to investigate the effect of some of these factors on bone ingrowth in relation to hydroxyapatite (HA) and titanium alloy (Ti) coating when subjected to pathological and mechanical conditions mimicking the clinical situation. HA- and Ti-coated implants were inserted into the femoral condyles of mature dogs. The observation period ranged from 4 to 16 weeks, and the results were evaluated by mechanical push-out testing, histomorphometric analysis, polarized light microscopy, UV fluorescence microscopy, collagen analysis and transmission electron microscopy (microanalysis). There were no complications related to the operative procedures and all dogs were terminated according to the original time schedule. Host bone related factors were studied in the initial experiments. First, the effect of a gap between bone and implant was studied and compared with press-fit insertion. The HA-coating yielded superior effect on bone ingrowth compared to Ti in situations where the implant was surrounded by a gap and also where the implants were inserted in press-fit. Gaps of 1 mm and 2 mm around the implant were bridged by bone around HA implants whereas significantly less amounts of bone filled the gap around Ti implants. The gap-healing capacity of bone was increased even at a relatively great distance (400 microns) from the HA surface. This finding indicates that the osteoconductive effect of HA is not limited to the bone forming capacity on the surface of the implant. A positive gradient of newly formed bone was found towards the HA-coating, this gradient not being found towards the Ti-coating. In order to investigate the significance of arthritic bone changes (osteopenia) on fixation of porous coated implants we adopted the Carragheenin-induced gonarthritis model resulting in substantial bone loss as determined by CT-scanning. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Recognition of the Economic Security in the Form of Assurance Fund as a Protection to Landowners and the Economic Stimulator in Malaysia

The increase of land fraud statistics in Malaysia’s administration system shows that the legal security, at present, is not able to guarantee landowners in the long run. Furthermore, there are registered landowners who are not able to recover their losses due to the stripping of title done erroneously by the government. This occurs due to the Malaysia’s administration system only practices two principles out of the three principles in the Torrens systems, which are the mirror principle and the curtain principle. The retention of these two principles for the last 40 years since the National Land Code came into effect on the 1st January, 1966, and this has revealed the failure of the government in guaranteeing the landowners in the form of the economic security. This can indirectly impact the real estate investment in Malaysia due to the complaints pertaining to the loss of trust in the Malaysia administration system. Based on the studies conducted, we can see that the recognition towards economic security in the form of assurance fund can impact the increase of real estate investment in Malaysia. This can bring benefits not only to land owners as a protection but also towards the increased securities legislation in the form of the Malaysia land administration system, which could attract in an increase in the interest of investors to invest in Malaysia. So, the interviews with the directors of the land office in Peninsular Malaysia, legal practitioners, and insurance companies have been conducted to support this study. The results of this study hopefully will assist our land administration system in creating a form of economic security in order to make our system more guarantees, efficient, and good governance in resolving matters related to land, especially to address the issue of fraud and forgery. Furthermore, it is expected to help the landowners and innocent buyer in seeking protection of economic loss is not due to their own mistakes and to increase the investment in Malaysia.
Environmentally responsible purchase behaviour: a test of a consumer model

A consumer model of environmentally responsible purchase behaviour was tested using covariance structural analysis. The model successfully predicted the purchase of environmentally responsible and non‐responsible product alternatives. A hierarchial relationship from values to product specific attitudes to purchase intention to purchase behaviour was confirmed. Individual consequences, which take the personal implications of consumption into account, were found to be just as important in predicting intention as the environmental consequences of a product. The study empirically tested a values typology as a basis to explain attitude formation.
Enterprise patenting and the factors influencing patenting——based on the analysis of a survey of Zhejiang

Based on the analysis of a survey of Zhejiang enterprises,this paper attempts to explore the characteristics of enterpris patenting and the factors influencing patenting in Zhejiang Province.The paper proposes that the enterprises patenting have been enhanced along with the improving of IP systems in China.The survey reveals that the enterprise patent output positively correlates with the scale of enterprise and the GDP of area.At present,the private enterprises have become the principal contribution of Chinese enterprises patenting.However the patenting capabilities of Chinese enterprises are still weak compared with the foreign-capital enterprises in China.And the number of enterprises which had ever patent application is rather small.Only less than 4% enterprises had patent application since 1985.This paper finally suggests that the technological capabilities and the patenting capabilities of enterprises need to be greatly improved,and the patent technological market is also required to be developed.
Charge-Dipole Model for the Universal Field Dependence of Mobilities in Molecularly Doped Polymers.

have focused on the role played by spatial and ener-getic disorder [2,6–8]. The GDM, for example, describestransport as abiased random walk among dopant moleculeswith Gaussian-distributed random site energies [2]. Of thevarious mechanisms proposed as the source of this disor-der, it has been shown that the interaction of charge carrierswith permanent dipoles (located on either dopant or hostmolecules) can give rise to a Gaussian-like density of statesof the type assumed in the GDM [9,10]. Considerable dataestablishing a relationship between carrier mobilities andgroup dipole moments of molecular constituents supportthis view of charge-dipole interactions as the source of en-ergetic disorder in these systems [9,11–15]. Unfortunately, although the standard GDM satisfacto-rily explains many features of experiment, such as thetime-of-ﬂight transients, it displays a ﬁeld dependencesimilar to (1) only in a relatively narrow range and only atlarge ﬁelds (
Opportunity Discovery and Creation in Disruptive Innovation

These papers are produced by the Institute for Manufacturing, at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department. They are circulated for discussion purposes. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and can be directed to any of the authors. ABSTRACT In this paper we explore theories of opportunity discovery/creation with reference to the research, development and commercialization process of disruptive innovations. We apply this distinction (and inferences drawn in prior literature) to a number of cases of disruptive innovation (DI), using both known and new examples from mature and emerging markets. We find that the features of opportunity discovery and creation are too closely connected to be separable among the innovations studied. This leads us to question the theoretical basis of this distinction and to revisit earlier theories of entrepreneurship for an account of the way entrepreneurs innovate both in their use of means and in their choice of ends, as supported by our evidence on disruptive innovations. The aim of the paper is to clarify both the nature of disruptive innovations and the generation of opportunities.