Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early breast cancer diagnostics based on hierarchical machine learning classification for mammography images

Abstract Breast cancer constitutes a significant threat to women’s health and is considered the second leading cause of their death. Breast cancer is a result of abnormal behavior in the functionality of the normal breast cells. Therefore, breast cells tend to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor that can be felt like a breast lump. Early diagnosis of breast cancer is proved to reduce the risks of death by providing a better chance of identifying a suitable treatment. Machine learning and artificial intelligence play a key role in healthcare systems by assisting physicians in diagnosing early, better, and treating various diseases. For achieving the early detection of breast cancer, this paper proposes a Machine Learning-based two-level top-down hierarchical approach for breast cancer detection and classification into three classes: normal, benign, and malignant, using the Mammographic Image Analysis Society (MIAS) mammography dataset. Different data preprocessing techniques are applied before using feature extraction techniques and machine learning algorithms for classification. The first classification stage which distinguishes between normal and abnormal cases is comprised of Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) as a feature extraction technique and random forest as a classifier, followed by the second classification stage which classifies the abnormal cases into benign or malignant cases and is comprised of Local Binary Patterns (LBP) as a feature extraction technique and random forest as a classifier. The classification accuracy for the first stage is 97% and an F1-score of 0.98 and 0.97 for normal and abnormal classes. While for the second stage, the classification accuracy is 75% and an F1-score of 0.76 and 0.74 for benign and malignant classes. The overall hierarchical classification system achieves a classification accuracy of 85%, Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.76, and F1-score of 0.98, 0.7, and 0.74 for normal, benign, and malignant test cases.
Boys will be boys: Young people’s perceptions and experiences of gender within education

ABSTRACT Despite many attempts in recent years, gender differences in young people’s experiences of education are still very much in existence. In this study we explored how gender impacted young people’s experiences of secondary education. We conducted five focus groups with N = 35 young people (N = 11 male) aged 13–14 years from a school in a low socio-economic status (SES), area in England and asked whether there were different expectations in school for boys and girls and the impact that this might have. Using thematic analysis, four key themes were identified that mostly related to boys: gender impacts subject choice, boys are naughty, and boys are strong. Furthermore, young people felt under extreme pressure to conform to gender stereotypes. Teachers were seen as inadvertently promoting gender stereotypes, while peers were often seen as doing this intentionally and harmfully. This indicates that gender can have a strong impact on young people’s experiences in secondary school and it is important to work with young people to empower them to change this.
Chest computed tomography versus RT-PCR in early diagnostics of COVID-19 – a systematic review with meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography (CT) scans of the chests of patients with the reference reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in early diagnosis of COVID-19. A systematic review with meta-analysis for numerical outcomes was performed, including 10 studies (6528 patients). High risk of systematic bias (spectrum bias) was demonstrated in all studies, while in several studies research information bias was found to be possible. The sensitivity of CT examination ranged from 72% to 98%, and the specificity from 22% to 96%. The overall sensitivity of the CT scan was 91% and the specificity 87% (95% CI). Overall sensitivity of the RT-PCR reference test was lower (87%) than its specificity (99%) (95% CI). No clear conclusion could be drawn on the rationale of using CT scanning in the early diagnosis of COVID-19 in situations when specific clinical symptoms and epidemiological history would indicate coronavirus infection. The sensitivity of the CT test seems to be higher than that of the RT-PCR reference test, but this may be related to the mode of analysis and type of material analysed in genetic tests. CT scanning could be performed in symptomatic patients, with a defined time interval from symptom onset to performing CT or RT-PCR, and it should be explicitly included as an additional procedure when initial coronavirus genetic test results are negative, while clinical symptoms and epidemiological history indicate possible infection. However, a reference test showing the presence of coronavirus genetic material is essential throughout the diagnostic and treatment process.
Language teaching and critical literacy curriculum in Greek primary education: implementation and perspectives

The approach of the critical literacy principles in the L1 Language Curriculum (CL_L1C) in Greek primary education is strictly related to the study of social practices that focuses on the elimination of social inequalities and on the formation of critically thinking and socially active individuals. In the frame of this analysis, the development of new semiotic modes of communication is examined through the evaluation of the activities presented by the curriculum, in order to underline the significance of multiliteracies pedagogy in the critical understanding of forthcoming sociocultural changes. Through the presentation of basic teaching practices promoted in the context of critical literacy, the study of the contribution of the curriculum (CL_L1C) is pursued to change the way language is treated as a subject of teaching. For this reason, the documentary analysis is comparatively built by incorporating references into the older cross-thematic curriculum (CT_L1C) that focused more on the development of pupils’ communication— and less critical — skills. The differentiation brought about by the newer curriculum, however, is mainly realized via the experience accumulated in schools, alongside the difficulties and perspectives it presents in the formation of a modern and innovative educational discourse.
VASCULAR AND ENDOVASCULAR TECHNIQUES From the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery

Objective: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) can be limited by inadequate proximal and distal landing zones. Debranching or hybrid TEVAR has emerged as an important modality to expand landing zones and facilitate TEVAR. We report a single-center experience with hybrid TEVAR. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with thoracic aortic disease who received a TEVAR between February 2005 and October 2008. Results: Forty-two patients underwent a hybrid procedure (mean age 68 13 years; 55% men). All patients were denied open surgery due to preoperative comorbidities or low physiologic reserve; 62% had a history of coronary artery disease, 67% had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 61% had undergone prior aortic surgery, and 90% had an American Society of Anesthesiology score of 4 and above. The average Society for Vascular Surgery comorbidity score was 12 2 with a range of 9 to 14. Fifty-five percent of cases were symptomatic on presentation and 83% were done emergently. Seventy-six percent underwent debranching of the aortic arch, 17% of the visceral vessels, and 7% required both. Primary technical success was achieved in all cases and of these, 43% were staged. The 30-day mortality was 5%. Myocardial infarction developed in 5%, respiratory failure in 31%, cerebrovascular accident (stroke or transient ischemic attack) in 19%, and spinal cord ischemia with ensuant paraplegia occurred in 5% of patients. Fifty-eight percent of patients were discharged home, 11% required rehabilitation, and 29% were transferred to a skilled nursing facility. There was a significant association between visceral vessel debranching and both spinal cord ischemia (P .004) and gastrointestinal complications (P .005). On the other hand, there was no difference between staged and non-staged hybrid procedures. Conclusions: Hybrid procedures can successfully extend the range of patients suitable for a subsequent TEVAR. These procedures are associated with higher complication rates than isolated infrarenal or thoracic endovascular repair, but given the medical and anatomical complexity of these patients, the current results are quite encouraging. (J Vasc Surg 2010;51:259-66.)
Magnetic Properties and Initiation of Biogenic Reefs in Xisha Islands, South China Sea, at the Oligo–Miocene Boundary

Biogenic reefs and carbonate platforms are valuable natural resources, playing an important role in modulating the global climate and in carbon cycles through biological processes. Biogenic reefs in the Xisha (Paracel) Islands began in the late Oligocene and covaried with the deep-sea basin of the South China Sea and with the aeolian deposit in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Core XK-1 was drilled into the Xisha Islands to their granitic base and well dated by magnetostratigraphy, offering an opportunity to reveal the details of how the Xisha reefs initiated. In this report, the lower section of the biogenic reefs (23.0–24.5 Ma) was sampled for studying magnetic properties. The main results are as follows: (1) magnetic minerals in the XK-1 biogenic reefs are dominated by low-coercivity and relatively coarse-grained magnetite; (2) the variabilities of magnetic parameters can be clustered into two sections around 23.6 Ma, and the differences between the two units are evident both in the amplitudes and the means; and (3) changes in the concentration-dependent magnetic parameters can be well correlated with the records of global deep-sea oxygen and carbon isotopes, and the sea level during the Oligo–Miocene boundary. Based on these results, a close link was inferred between biogenic reef evolution in the Xisha Islands and global climate change. This link likely highlights the covariation or the dominant role of the Asian monsoon in biogenic reefs and involves different responses to global temperature, CO2, and sea-level changes on various timescales. Therefore, we proposed that the origin of biogenic reefs in the Xisha Islands was likely paced by orbital obliquity from a long-term perspective.
Implementing local entomopathogenic nematodes to control Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the world’s most destructive fruit pests. Ceratitis capitata pupates in the soil, making it a target of many soilborne pathogens like entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). Entomopathogenic nematodes are highly lethal to many important pests, safe to non-target organisms and they might be good alternatives for control of C. capitata . In this study, the efficacy of four local EPN species; Steinernema affine Bovien, 1937, Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, 1955, Steinernema feltiae Filipjev, 1934 (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, 1976 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) against the third instar larvae and pupae of C. capitata were evaluated. The study was conducted in 2019-2020 both in the laboratory (in plastic cups) and in a climate room (in wooden cages with plastic pots) at doses of 100 and 200 IJs/larva-pupa and 7,650 and 15,300 IJs/pot, respectively. Larvae of C. capitata were found more susceptible to EPNs than pupae in the study. Steinernema feltiae isolate 113 and H. bacteriophora isolate 12 showed the highest efficacy while S. affine isolate 47 showed the least efficacy against the pest larvae and pupae. Suppression of C. capitata population by EPNs indicates that these EPNs can be considered as a biological control agent potentially useful for the control of this pest. After further support by field studies, these two local EPN isolates could be used as promising eco-friendly biological agents against C. capitata.
Family caregivers for older persons with dementia offer recommendations to current caregivers: a qualitative investigation

Background and aims Family members who care for older adults with dementia encounter significant difficulties across many domains. There is limited research in this area; thus, the aim here is to share the actual experiences of 30 family caregivers to other family caregivers and to show how these experiences can provide help and recommendations. Methods This qualitative study of 30 family caregivers of family members aged 65 and older who died with dementia-related diagnoses used in-depth qualitative interviews conducted over a 12-month period for data collection and content analysis to understand the data. The study asked what they learned and what subsequent recommendations these caregivers had for other family caregivers taking care of an older person with dementia. Results Four primary themes emerged from the content data analysis and included the following: (1) “do not do it alone”; (2) patience, love, and kindness; (3) “first of all, take care of yourself”; and (4) “get educated. ” Conclusions This study is unique in asking directly of family caregivers of older persons who died of dementia what they learned and what they want to share and recommend to ongoing and future family caregivers.
An Accurate VSI Nonlinearity Modeling and Compensation Method Accounting for DC-Link Voltage Variation Based on LUT

The nonlinearity of the voltage source inverter (VSI) leads to the error between output voltage and reference voltage, and causes the phase current harmonics. It is necessary to compensate its influence in the fields such as parameter identification, sensorless control, and servo drives. In this article, an industrial solution for VSI nonlinear compensation method based on lookup table (LUT) is introduced. The characteristics of semiconductor devices, equivalent dead-time and influence of parasitic capacitance effects are calculated quantitatively though injecting increase and decrease current during self-commissioning process. The critical current value for parasitic capacitor and the variation of equivalent dead time are verified through different distorted voltage curves. Considering dc-link voltage variation is irresistible for industrial products, 3-D linear interpolation is adopted to compensate the variation of VSI nonlinearity under different voltage conditions. Proposed LUT method does not require VSI datasheet and complicated calculation formula during implementation. Experiments are carried out on a commercial permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system to verify the proposed LUT method.
Effect of Dolomite Lime on Soil Matric Suction

The most fundamental of unsaturated soil is matric suction parameter. Matric suction in unsaturated soils plays an important role in controlling physical and mechanical properties. This parameter can influence some other important parameters of soil, such as effective stress, shear strength, swelling pressure, etc. Investigation of matric suction was performed on Ayer Hitam soil, at Batu Pahat District, Johor, Malaysia. Field monitoring works were conducted with and without dolomite treatment at the slopes of Ayer Hitam acidic soil. Field testing used some devices to find out the behavior of matric suction during the rainy session. The result shows that the soil matric suction with dolomite treatment is larger than without treatment and matric suction has a significant difference around 20 – 50 kPa. Enhancement of acidity from the dolomite treatment was not only decreasing pores size caused by the alternating of the microstructure of soil but also leading to increasing the matric suction. The treatment of dolomite material is able to control matric suction and increase the stability of slope acidic Ayer Hitam soil.
Global 3‐D Electrical Conductivity Model of the World Ocean and Marine Sediments

This study presents global 3‐D electrical conductivity models of the world ocean and marine sediments. Electrical conductivity of the ocean was calculated by invoking the Equation of State of Seawater (TEOS‐10) with temperature and salinity data retrieved from the World Ocean Atlas and a series of high‐resolution regional ocean climatology data sets. The resolution of the ocean conductivity atlas varies between 0. 1° and 0. 25° globally. The conductivity of marine sediments was estimated by using compaction and thermal gradient models constrained by real observations on a 5‐arc‐minute global marine sediment thickness grid. I present numerical simulations of electromagnetic (EM) induction responses that demonstrate a significant effect of 3‐D electrical conductivity of the ocean and marine sediments on EM responses for a broad range of frequencies. I show that both marine and land‐based surveys designed for subsurface conductivity imaging or Space Weather modeling will benefit from inclusion of more realistic conductivity models of the ocean and seabed sediments.
Narrating Peer Assessment in a Group Task

COVID19 interrupted many things in our life. To curb the spread of the virus, Movement Control Order (MOC) was enforced. Though face to face teaching and learning came to halt, was replaced by online learning. In the context of teaching and learning, teachers face a lot of problem in carrying out practices which were a norm before. This study intends to explore a group work, which was carried out during the pandemic. More importantly, on how to assess a group work, which was carried out online, is explored. The aim of this study is to reveal how a peer assessment, for a group task was carried out during the pandemic. Instead of students, 30 music pre-service teachers were involved in this study. They were divided into ten groups. These pre-service teachers were enrolled in a music pedagogy course. One of the tasks involves a group work. Each group is required to produce a video. The video is assessed based on three criteria i.e content of the video, creativity and group collaboration. Each pre-service teacher assessed another group’s video using these criteria. Descriptive statistics and web analysis were used to analyse the scores given by the pre-service teachers. The result revealed that the component of creativity is viewed differently by many pre-service teachers, compared to the other two.
Seismic Detection of Oceanic Internal Gravity Waves From Subaerial Seismometers

Oceanic internal gravity waves propagate along density stratification within the water column and are ubiquitous. They can propagate thousands of kilometers before breaking in shoaling bathymetry and the ensuing turbulent mixing affects coastal processes and climate feedbacks. Despite their importance, internal waves are intrinsically difficult to detect as they result in only minor amplitude deflection of the sea surface; the need for global detection and long time series of internal waves motivates a search for geophysical detection methods. The pressure coupling of a propagating internal wave with the sloping seafloor provides a potential mechanism to generate seismically observable signals. We use data from the South China Sea where exceptional oceanographic and satellite time series are available for comparison to identify internal wave signals in an onshore passive seismic data set for the first time. We analyze potential seismic signals on broadband seismometers in the context of corroborating oceanographic and satellite data available near Dongsha Atoll in May–June 2019 and find a promising correlation between transient seismic tilt signals and internal wave arrivals and collisions in oceanic and satellite data. It appears that we have successfully detected oceanic internal waves using a subaerial seismometer. This initial detection suggests that the onshore seismic detection and amplitude determination of oceanic internal waves is possible and can potentially be used to expand the historical record by capitalizing on existing island and coastal seismic stations.
High‐Latitude Electrodynamics Specified in SAMI3 Using AMPERE Field‐Aligned Currents

A new technique has been developed to determine the high‐latitude electric potential from observed field‐aligned currents (FACs) and modeled ionospheric conductances. FACs are observed by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE), while the conductances are modeled by Sami3 is Also a Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI3). This is a development of the Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere Coupling approach first demonstrated by Merkin and Lyon (2010), https://doi.org/10.1029/2010ja015461. An advantage of using SAMI3 is that the model can be used to predict total electron content (TEC), based on the AMPERE‐derived potential solutions. 23 May 2014 is chosen as a case study to assess the new technique for a moderately disturbed case (min Dst: −36 nT, max AE: 909 nT) with good GPS data coverage. The new AMPERE/SAMI3 solutions are compared against independent GPS‐based TEC observations from the Multi‐Instrument Data Analysis Software (MIDAS) by Mitchell and Spencer (2003), and against Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) ion drift data. The comparison shows excellent agreement between the location of the tongue of ionization in the MIDAS GPS data and the AMPERE/SAMI3 potential pattern, and good overall agreement with DMSP drifts. SAMI3 predictions of high‐latitude TEC are much improved when using the AMPERE‐derived potential as compared to Weimer's (2005), https://doi.org/10.1029/2005ja011270 model. The two potential models have substantial differences, with Weimer producing an average 77 kV cross‐cap potential versus 60 kV for the AMPERE‐derived potential. The results indicate that the 66‐satellite Iridium constellation provides sufficient resolution of FACs to estimate large‐scale ionospheric convection as it impacts TEC.
Effect of low protein intake on acute exacerbations in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: data from the 2007–2012 KNHANES

Background Several researchers have reported that the amount of protein intake is associated with lung function and airflow obstruction. However, few studies have investigated the effect of low protein intake on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of low protein intake on exacerbations in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods We used data obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2007 and 2012, linked to the National Health Insurance claims data. The clinical outcomes and the rate of exacerbation were retrospectively compared between the low protein intake group and the non-low protein intake group which was stratified by quartile categories of protein intake in 2,069 patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Results The low protein intake group was significantly associated with older age, women, never smoker, low household income, and low education level, compared with the non-low protein intake group. The low protein intake group was significantly associated with increased hospitalization (18.0% vs. 10.5%, P<0.001) and emergency department utilization (1.6±1.0 vs. 1.1±0.4, P=0.033) compared with the non-low protein intake group. In multivariate analysis, the low protein intake group was associated with hospitalization (odds ratio 1.46; 95% CI, 1.09–1.96; P=0.012). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the amount of protein intake was associated with FVC % predicted (β=0.048, P<0.001) and FEV1% predicted (β=0.022, P=0.015). Conclusions Low protein intake was associated with an increased risk of exacerbations in mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The data are available at the KNHANES website (https://knhanes.cdc.go.kr).