Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic or conformal radiotherapy for adrenal metastases: Patient characteristics and outcomes in a multicenter analysis

To report outcome (freedom from local progression [FFLP], overall survival [OS] and toxicity) after stereotactic, palliative or highly conformal fractionated (>12) radiotherapy (SBRT, Pall‐RT, 3DCRT/IMRT) for adrenal metastases in a retrospective multicenter cohort within the framework of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO). Adrenal metastases treated with SBRT (≤12 fractions, biologically effective dose [BED10] ≥ 50 Gy), 3DCRT/IMRT (>12 fractions, BED10 ≥ 50 Gy) or Pall‐RT (BED10 < 50 Gy) were eligible for this analysis. In addition to unadjusted FFLP (Kaplan‐Meier/log‐rank), we calculated the competing‐risk‐adjusted local recurrence rate (CRA‐LRR). Three hundred twenty‐six patients with 366 metastases were included by 21 centers (median follow‐up: 11.7 months). Treatment was SBRT, 3DCRT/IMRT and Pall‐RT in 260, 27 and 79 cases, respectively. Most frequent primary tumors were non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC; 52.5%), SCLC (16.3%) and melanoma (6.7%). Unadjusted FFLP was higher after SBRT vs Pall‐RT (P = .026) while numerical differences in CRA‐LRR between groups did not reach statistical significance (1‐year CRA‐LRR: 13.8%, 17.4% and 27.7%). OS was longer after SBRT vs other groups (P < .05) and increased in patients with locally controlled metastases in a landmark analysis (P < .0001). Toxicity was mostly mild; notably, four cases of adrenal insufficiency occurred, two of which were likely caused by immunotherapy or tumor progression. Radiotherapy for adrenal metastases was associated with a mild toxicity profile in all groups and a favorable 1‐year CRA‐LRR after SBRT or 3DCRT/IMRT. One‐year FFLP was associated with longer OS. Dose‐response analyses for the dataset are underway.
Autoantibodies and cancer among asbestos-exposed cohorts in Western Australia

ABSTRACT Asbestos exposure is associated with many adverse health conditions including malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as production of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies may serve as biomarkers for asbestos exposure in patients with cancer, and autoimmune dysfunction has been linked to increased rates of various cancers. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that autoantibodies are more frequent in asbestos-exposed individuals with either lung cancer or mesothelioma than those without these conditions. Asbestos-exposed individuals from Western Australia who had lung cancer (n = 24), malignant mesothelioma (n = 24), or no malignancy (n = 51) were tested for antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) using indirect immunofluorescence and specific extractable nuclear autoantibodies (ENA) employing a multiplexed addressable laser bead immunoassay. Contrary to the hypothesis, data demonstrated that individuals without malignancy were more likely to be positive for ANA compared to those with cancer. However, autoantibodies to histone and Ro-60 were found to be associated with lung cancer. These results support a possible predictive value for specific autoantibodies in the early detection of lung cancer and/or in our understanding of the role of autoimmune processes in cancer. However, further studies are needed to identify specific target antigens for the antibodies.
Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia is Associated with Increased Plasma Immunoglobulin G Agonist Autoantibodies Targeting the 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A Receptor.

Aims To test whether plasma autoantibodies targeting the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor increase in COVID-19 infection; and to characterize the pharmacologic specificity, and signaling pathway activation occurring downstream of receptor binding in mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells and cell toxicity of the autoantibodies. Methods Plasma obtained from nineteen, older COVID-19 patients having mild or severe infection was subjected to protein-A affinity chromatography to obtain immunoglobulin G fraction. One-fortieth dilution of the protein-A eluate was tested for binding to a linear synthetic peptide QN.18 corresponding to the second extracellular loop of the human 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor. Mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells were incubated with COVID-19 IgG autoantibodies in the presence or absence of selective inhibitors of G-protein coupled receptors, signaling pathway antagonists, or a novel decoy receptor peptide. Results 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor autoantibody binding occurred in 17 of 19 (89%) patients with acute COVID-19 infection and increased level was significantly correlated with increased severity of COVID-19 infection. The agonist autoantibodies mediated acute neurite retraction in mouse neuroblastoma cells by a mechanism involving Gq11/PLC/IP3R/Ca2+ activation and RhoA/Rho kinase pathway signaling occurring downstream of receptor binding which had pharmacologic specificity consistent with binding to the 5-HT2A receptor. A novel synthetic peptide 5-HT2AR fragment, SN.8, dose-dependently blocked autoantibody-induced neurotoxicity. The COVID-19 autoantibodies displayed acute toxicity in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (stress fiber formation, contraction) and modulated proliferation in a manner consistent with known 'biased agonism' on the 5-HT2A receptor. Conclusion These data suggest that 5-HT2AR targeting autoantibodies are highly prevalent may contribute to pathophysiology in acute, severe COVID-19 infection.
Numerical study of convective heat transfer and fluid flow through porous media

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is applied to predict the phenomenon of natural convection in a generalised isotropic porous media model filled in a square geometry by introducing a force term to the evolution equation and porosity to the density equilibrium· distribution function. The temperature field is obtained by simulating a simplified thermal model which uses less velocity directions for the equilibrium distribution function and neglects the compression work done by the pressure and the viscous heat dissipation. The reliability of this model for natural convective heat transfer simulation is studied by comparing with results from other previous simulations at a porosity value, ∈ = 0.9999 which is close to unity resembling a square cavity condition. The model is then used for simulation at e equal to 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the Nusselt number, streamlines and isotherms. Comparison with previous works confirms the applicability ofthe model.
Morphological Differences in the Island-Endemic Hawaiian Subspecies of the Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata

Abstract: The study of island subspecies provides excellent “natural experiments” for examining the impacts of different selective regimes on animal taxa. We examined the morphological differences between the Hawaiian and continental North American subspecies of the Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis and G. g. cachinnans, respectively), for which the existing literature is both scant and contradictory. More than 200 live gallinules and >100 museum specimens were measured, and a meta-analysis of literature values on North American Common Gallinules was conducted to quantitatively assess differences in wing chord, culmen and tarsus length, and body mass between these subspecies. Hawaiian Common Gallinules had smaller wing chords (–2.5 to –4.0%), larger culmen (+4.5 to +7.0%) and tarsi (+5.5 to +23.0%), and slightly larger body masses (∼+4.0%) than their mainland conspecifics. This is likely due to several factors including reduced predation pressure, shorter dispersal distances, nonmigratory behavior, and sedentary lifestyles associated with ecological differences between the Hawaiian Islands and the North American mainland. We also introduce the novel hypothesis that intra- and interspecific agonistic interactions due to habitat limitation are an additional selective force in driving these morphological changes.
Recent Dynamics and Trends of Landbird Populations on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Abstract: The avifauna of Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, includes a variety of endemic and range-restricted species of conservation concern. Monitoring population dynamics, trends, and vital rates of these species can help inform their conservation. Here we apply reverse symmetry models to 11 years (2008–2018) of capture–recapture data from 6 mist-netting stations on Saipan to estimate adult apparent survival probabilities, recruitment rates, population growth rate, and demographic contributions to population growth rate for five bird species: Mariana Kingfisher (Todiramphus albicilla albicilla), Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons saipanensis), Bridled White-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus saypani), Golden White-eye (Cleptornis marchei), and Micronesian Myzomela (Myzomela rubratra saffordi). Population growth rate estimates suggested declines for all species except Golden White-eye. Survival was the largest contributor to annual population growth rate for all species except Micronesian Myzomela, for which population change was largely determined by recruitment (including 1-yo recruits and immigrating adults). Hierarchical models applied to the two species with the most captures and recaptures, Rufous Fantail and Golden White-eye, showed greater temporal than spatial variation in vital rates. Annual variation in vital rates confirmed the importance of survival in explaining population change, but also showed recruitment to be especially important in driving population growth in years of population increase. Our results provide new insights into drivers of population change in these species and highlight information gaps, such as a need for understanding seasonal habitat use and the scale and timing of movements.
A new species of the genus Indoribates (Indoribates) and three new records from Kerala, South India (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract A new species and three new records of oribatid mites collected from soil/litter samples of Malappuram Dt. of Kerala, South India, are studied. Indoribates (Indoribates) irumbuzhiensis sp. nov. shares some morphological similarities with I. (I.) hauseri (Mahunka, 1997) and I. (I.) crassisetiger (Fukuyama & Aoki, 2000) described from Borneo and China respectively. However, the larger body size, smooth rostral setae, straight interlamellar setae, long and smooth notogastral setae, barbed/ciliate nature of genital setae, g4 and g5, distally pointed anal and adanal setae, and presence of basiventral tooth on tibia I and II keep its identity separate from the above two species. Identification key to all known species of subgenus Indoribates (Indoribates) is provided. The paper also include three new records of oribatid mites from India viz. Gibbicepheus (Gibbicepheus) kanekoi (Aoki 1958), Yoshiobodes (Yoshiobodes) camerunensis Fernández, Theron, Leiva & Tiedt. ,2017 and Eupelops intermedius (Hammer, 1979), of which, Y. (Y) camerunensis is new record for the Oriental Region and first record of the genus from India.
Early surgical reconstruction versus rehabilitation with elective delayed reconstruction for patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture: COMPARE randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objective To assess whether a clinically relevant difference exists in patients’ perceptions of symptoms, knee function, and ability to participate in sports over a period of two years after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) between two commonly used treatment regimens. Design Open labelled, multicentre, parallel randomised controlled trial (COMPARE). Setting Six hospitals in the Netherlands, between May 2011 and April 2016. Participants Patients aged 18 to 65 with an acute rupture of the ACL, recruited from six hospitals. Patients were evaluated at three, six, nine, 12, and 24 months. Interventions 85 patients were randomised to early ACL reconstruction and 82 to rehabilitation followed by optional delayed ACL reconstruction after a three month period (primary non-operative treatment). Main outcomes Patients’ perceptions of symptoms, knee function, and ability to participate in sporting activities were assessed with the International Knee Documentation Committee score (optimum score 100) at each time point over 24 months. Results Between May 2011 and April 2016, 167 patients were enrolled in the study and randomised to one of two treatments (mean age 31.3; 67 (40.%) women), and 163 (98%) completed the trial. In the rehabilitation and optional delayed ACL reconstruction group, 41 (50%) patients underwent reconstruction during follow-up. After 24 months, the early ACL reconstruction group had a significantly better (P=0.026) but not clinically relevant International Knee Documentation Committee score (84.7 v 79.4 (difference between groups 5.3, 95% confidence interval 0.6 to 9.9). After three months of follow-up, the International Knee Documentation Committee score was significantly better (P=0.002) for the rehabilitation and optional delayed ACL reconstruction group (difference between groups −9.3, −14.6 to −4.0). After nine months of follow-up, the difference in the International Knee Documentation Committee score changed in favour of the early ACL reconstruction group. After 12 months, differences between the groups were smaller. In the early ACL reconstruction group, four re-ruptures and three ruptures of the contralateral ACL occurred during follow-up versus two re-ruptures and one rupture of the contralateral ACL in the rehabilitation and optional delayed ACL reconstruction group. Conclusions In patients with acute rupture of the ACL, those who underwent early surgical reconstruction, compared with rehabilitation followed by elective surgical reconstruction, had improved perceptions of symptoms, knee function, and ability to participate in sports at the two year follow-up. This finding was significant (P=0.026) but the clinical importance is unclear. Interpretation of the results of the study should consider that 50% of the patients randomised to the rehabilitation group did not need surgical reconstruction. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register NL 2618.
Mechanism of Light Fading of Azo Dyes on Polyvinyl Chloride and Poly(ethylene Terephthalate)

A series of monoazo compounds based on phenyl azo-β-naphthol and phenyl azo-8-hydroxyquinoline were applied to polyvinyl chloride and poly(ethylene terephthalate), respectively. From the relation between the electron attracting or withdrawing properties of the substituents in the benzene nucleus and relative fading rates, the conclusion was that the fading reaction in both the dye-fiber systems is probably oxidative. This conclusion agrees with that from an earlier analysis of fading products of anthraquinone disperse dyes on polyester. It is therefore clear that both polyvinyl chloride and poly(ethylene terephthalate) conform with the general observation that fading on any nonprotein is oxidative, provided the oxygen has access to the dye. Lightfastness of phenyl azo-β-naphthol dyes on polyvinyl chloride and that of phenyl azo-8-hydroxyquinoline dyes on poly(ethylene terephthalate) was very low. Also, in both the systems, the dyes in the substrate were in the form of a collection of particles of many different sizes.
Educational Leadership for Social Justice in Multicultural Contexts: The Case of Melilla, Spain

ABSTRACT In multicultural contexts, school principals and educators face unique challenges integrating disadvantaged and immigrant youth. We investigate how these leaders advocate, design and implement social justice pedagogies for inclusion. Drawing on an interdisciplinary literature and in-depth interviews with school principals in Melilla (Spain), we further explore the social justice ideologies and practices of leaders in culturally diverse, minority-majorityschools. The findings reveal that intercultural education and ICT both enhance the inclusion of students and families, transforming schools into more open, democratic, learning environments. However, scarce funding resources, exacerbated by Melilla’s remote location from its Central Ministry of Education and the limited bargaining power of leaders, often truncate social justice initiatives.
Interaction with Caged Budgerigars (Melopsittacus Undulatus) Enhances Human Affect

ABSTRACT Research interest in the benefits of human–animal interaction (HAI) has grown within the scientific community. One current limitation in the HAI literature however, is that the majority of research focuses on the beneficial effects of dogs and cats, paying less attention to other species commonly kept as pets, such as birds. In the present study, 88 participants were asked to read aloud to a live bird, a toy bird with sound and motion, a toy bird without sound and motion, or an empty cage (n = 22 for each group). Affect scores, heart rate and blood pressure were taken before and after the session and scores from a questionnaire regarding pet ownership and bird experience were collected. Results indicated that interactions with a live bird maintain positive affect while significantly decreasing negative affect. Overall, this study demonstrated a clear affective benefit to interactions with birds, but more research is warranted onto the effects of interaction with under-studied pet animals beyond dogs and cats.
The challenges experienced by parents when parenting a child with hearing loss within a South African context

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current study was to explore the challenges experienced by hearing parents when parenting a child with hearing loss. Using a qualitative purposive sampling design, interviews were conducted with 13 parents (9 mothers, 4 fathers) residing in Cape Town, South Africa. Four salient themes emerged, namely: 1) communication is difficult, hard, and frustrating; 2) lack of knowledge and information about hearing loss makes it difficult to parent; 3) little or no support makes for a lonely journey; and 4) support identified by parents for parents. The findings of the study have important implications for collaboration and partnerships between parents and health and family practitioners within South Africa for the design and development of supportive interventions for parents parenting a child with hearing loss.
On capitalism’s cusp

ABSTRACT The paper presents a critique of persistent tendencies in (macro)economic theorizing to draw binary distinctions between states and markets, and between liberal-market capitalism and its (more statist) others. Against this dichotomous perspective, a case is made for conjuncturally sited investigations of reconfigured capitalisms and recombinant economic forms. The ambitious scheme to construct a ‘Greater Bay Area’ (GBA) in China’s Pearl River Delta, with its inchoate remit to transcend the two-systems divide between ‘free market’ Hong Kong and the ‘state capitalism’ of the mainland, is taken as a case in point. The GBA scheme entails the construction of a new political economic scale, imagined as a developmental horizon and as a space for experimentation in economic statecraft.
Three Contexts As The Post-Migration Ecology For Refugees: School Principals’ Challenges And Strategies In Turkey, Lebanon, And Germany

ABSTRACT This article seeks to compare and analyze school-level challenges for school leaders and their responses to Syrian refugee education in Turkey, Lebanon, and Germany, drawing on the post-migration ecology framework developed and sensemaking processes in leadership. We utilized a comparative qualitative design within the realm of qualitative research. Findings revealed that the challenges are similar across the three contexts and are categorized into three domains: structural, psychological, and socio-pedagogical. School leaders’ strategies in addressing these challenges fell into three different groups as ethics of care, principal agency, and sense making. In their strategies, all school principals are driven by ethics of care and act from a humanitarian stance, and they try to provide a better future for the Syrian students as well as the host country’s students. However, the German education system provides greater autonomy to the school leaders in their implementations. In the Turkish and Lebanese cases, school leaders rely more on their discretion and personal values in their attempts, yet their authority is legally limited in taking further action. Further conclusions and implications are discussed.
Children’s Conversations Reveal In-Depth Learning at the Zoo

ABSTRACT Learning in the zoo is a complex process with many influences affecting outcomes, which traditional methods of evaluation may not consider. This study used conversational content analysis, an innovative and under-used technique, to investigate children’s learning in the zoo setting during an educational experience. The children’s conversations were observed at Fota Wildlife Park and Dingle Aquarium in Ireland at three different animal exhibits (1) free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) (2) Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) and (3) Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Some groups of children (the treatment group) participated in a purposefully designed educational intervention, while others (the control group) experienced the standard curriculum only. Descriptive statistics indicated that all children engaged in diverse topics of conversation indicative of learning as they viewed animals. However, further analysis using a general linear model showed that participation in the treatment or control group (p < 0.001) and species viewed (p < 0.001) affected the proportion of positive comments made by children. Groups that viewed free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs and Gentoo penguins made more types of positive comments than those that viewed Humboldt penguins, and children who experienced the educational intervention made more types of positive comments than children in the control group. Conversely, children in the control group made more types of negative comments (p < 0.001) than those in the treatment group. The results indicate that children do learn in the zoo setting; however, this was enhanced based on the type of educational activity the children experienced and the species they viewed. Overheard conversation offers a unique insight into the visitors’ experience at the zoo, but further research is required to establish if conversation can reveal a propensity for pro-conservation behavior.
Mobile wallets: key drivers and deterrents of consumers’ intention to adopt

ABSTRACT Mobile wallets are one of the latest innovations with a considerable potential to change how consumers make purchases and enhance their shopping experiences. However, their diffusion has been much slower than initially anticipated, particularly in countries such as the UK where the present study was conducted. The services offered by the mobile wallet have to be secure, reliable, and constantly available. Any problems during mobile wallet use are likely to affect consumers’ perceived value and level of satisfaction with the service providers. This study identifies key drivers and deterrents of a mobile wallet adoption. The study utilizes a mixed-method research design to gain deeper insights and understanding of the studied phenomena. Accordingly, the study findings are firmly grounded in empirical evidence. The conceptual model blends existing with new ideas emanating from the real-life experiences of the study participants. Our findings confirm the important role of all factors considered in the model: they affected directly and/or indirectly consumers’ intention to adopt the mobile wallet and explained a substantial portion of its variance. In addition to enriching existing knowledge on consumer behavior toward innovations, our findings provide valuable insights to marketers and retailers by helping them make effective decisions regarding the use of this recent innovation for the benefit of all stakeholders involved.