Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between COPD and Stage of Lung Cancer Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer; however, the association between COPD and stage of lung cancer diagnosis is unclear. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional analysis of lung cancer patients (2008–2020) in Ontario, Canada. Using estimated propensity scores and inverse probability weighting, logistic regression models were developed to assess the association between COPD and lung cancer stage at diagnosis (early: I/II, advanced: III/IV), accounting for prior chest imaging. We further examined associations in subgroups with previously diagnosed and undiagnosed COPD. Over half (55%) of all lung cancer patients in Ontario had coexisting COPD (previously diagnosed: 45%, undiagnosed at time of cancer diagnosis: 10%). Compared to people without COPD, people with COPD had 30% lower odds of being diagnosed with lung cancer in the advanced stages (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.72). Prior chest imaging only slightly attenuated this association (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.80). The association with lower odds of advanced-stage diagnosis remained, regardless of whether COPD was previously diagnosed (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.70) or undiagnosed (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.82). Although most lung cancers are detected in the advanced stages, underlying COPD was associated with early-stage detection. Lung cancer diagnostics may benefit from enhanced partnership with COPD healthcare providers.
Monetary policy and financial markets: evidence from Twitter traffic

The monetary policy announcements of three major central banks: the European Central Bank, the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England trigger significant discussions about monetary policy on Twitter. Using machine learning techniques we identify Twitter messages related to monetary policy around the release of policy decisions and build an hourly measure of similarity between tweets on monetary policy and the transcripts of announcements. We show that large changes in the similarity between tweets and central bank communication around the time of the announcement correspond to spikes in stock market volatility and jumps in sovereign yields. These findings suggest that social media discussions on central bank communication are a good proxy for monetary policy surprises
Weighted Total Least Squares with Singular Covariance Matrices Subject to Weighted and Hard Constraints

Weighted total least squares (WTLS) has been widely used as a standard method to optimally adjust an errors-in-variables (EIV) model containing random errors both in the observation vector and in the coefficient matrix. An earlier work provided a simple and flexible formulation forWTLS based on the standard least-squares (SLS) theory. The formulation allows one to directly apply the available SLS theory to the EIV models. Among such applications, this contribution formulates the WTLS problem subject to weighted or hard linear(ized) equality constraints on unknown parameters. The constraints are to be properly incorporated into the system of equations in an EIV model of which a general structure for the (singular) covariance matrix QA of the coefficient matrix is used. The formulation can easily take into consideration any number of weighted linear and nonlinear constraints. Hard constraints turn out to be a special case of the general formulation of the weighted constraints. Because the formulation is based on the SLS theory, the method automatically approximates the covariance matrix of the estimates from which the precision of the constrained estimates can be obtained. Three numerical examples with different scenarios are used to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm for geodetic applications. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)SU.1943-5428.0000239. © 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers. Author keywords: Weighted total least squares (WTLS); Errors-in-variables (EIV) model; Linear equality constraints; Two-dimensional (2D) affine transformation.
Self-healing by biocomposite containing metakaolin immobilized bacterial spores in concrete using low-cost corn steep liquor media

The present study aimed to develop a biocomposite constituting metakaolin as a suitable carrier material for immobilizing bacterial spores. The biocomposite was stored at 4 °C and 25 °C and showed a sustainable shelf-life of bacterial spores during the storage period of 180 days. Biocomposite was assessed for urease activity and calcium carbonate precipitation in corn steep liquor (CSL) as the growth medium. Significant improvements in strength and permeation were observed at 7 and 28 days of testing in concrete added with biocomposite. The study was extended to test the self-healing capabilities of biocomposite in prismatic specimens using CSL medium. Crack healing showed significant improvement in ultrasonic pulse velocity, indicating progressive healing of the crack, and the repaired surface was examined by water tightness. The precipitated minerals were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The CSL can be used as low-cost growth media, eventually decreasing the cost of self-healing concrete.
The Relationship between Caregiver Burden and Spiritual Intelligence in Caregivers of Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Breast cancer patients’ caregivers seem to face several challenges and problems that affect their physical and mental health. Spiritual intelligence, as the foundation of individuals› beliefs, plays an essential role in promoting the mental health of caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between caregiver burden and spiritual intelligence in caregivers of breast cancer patients. Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 309 breast cancer caregivers at Shahid Ramezanzadeh Radiotherapy Center, Yazd, Iran, based on census method in 2020. Data were collected using three questionnaires: Demographic Information, caregiver burden inventory (CBI) and Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI). Statistical analyses were done using Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test in SPSS-20. Results: The mean total score of caregiver burden was 48.12±20.93. The highest and the lowest mean scores were in the dimension of social pressure (10.33±5.09) and physical pressure (8.14±4.09), respectively. The mean total score of spiritual intelligence in caregivers was (67.32±30.84). The highest mean score was in the transcendent awareness dimension (20.54±18.75) and the lowest was in the personal meaning production dimension (13.07±6.10). There was a significant inverse relationship between the mean total score of spiritual intelligence and caregiver burden (r=- 0.63, P<0.001). Conclusion: Caregivers of breast cancer patients who have more spiritual intelligence, experience less burden of care. In fact, higher levels of spiritual intelligence act as a protective factor against the burden of care. Therefore, strengthening spiritual intelligence in oncology and radiotherapy centers is recommended.
The impact of inclusive finance on economic growth in Nigeria

The study examined the impact of inclusive financing on Nigeria's economic growth between 2001 and 2021. Financial inclusion helps to decrease poverty and the enhancement of living conditions, making it an important indicator of economic growth in emerging nations. The unit root test result and Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test (ADF) revealed that the series becomes stationary after the first difference, making it suitable for additional Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression model was employed, cointegration test with Johansen's formula, Cointegration and causality tests were conducted using the Granger causality techniques. According to Johansen's cointegration, the series exhibit cointegration. This indicates the presence of a lasting connection between economic growth and financial inclusion. Using Granger causality tests, it was discovered that the indices of financial inclusion and Nigeria economic growth had a statistically significant causal relationship. This further provides the suggestion that financial inclusion significantly contributes to the economic growth of Nigeria. In addition, financial inclusion has a significant relationship with economic growth. The coefficient of determination (R-squared = 0.6962) implies that the indices of financial inclusion can account for almost 69.6 per cent of the variance in economic growth. It has been demonstrated that financial inclusion contributes favorably to economic growth and national development in Nigeria. The results also revealed that the Number of Deposit Money Banks Branches (NDMBB) coefficient (= - 0.683), for every thousand increases in NDMBB, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will decrease by 0.683, which is consistent with the actual situation on ground. The result of the study supports the hypothesis that monetary policy would be more effective if it promote more financial inclusion. The study therefore recommends that to achieve the desired level of money supply, the monetary authorities must implement policies to ensure that a substantial proportion of the money supply is made up of the currency in circulation. This will reduce the quantity of money held outside of banks. For economic growth to continue, rural bank branches should be encouraged to make loans to private businesses and small-and medium-sized enterprises.
Investigating the resolution of water-related conflicts through local approaches in Punjab, Pakistan

This study aimed to explore the use of local strategies by the farmers to resolve water-related conflicts in District Gujranwala of the Punjab, province. Total 384 farmers chosen at random were interviewed face to face on a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages, mean and F-test. Findings indicated that distribution of canal water at farm level (x̄=3.6), water theft (x̄=3.18) and Illegal ways of usage of canal water (x̄=3.14) were the key causes of water conflicts. Whereas, Panchayat (x̄=3.90), intermarriage between the conflicting parties (x̄=3.46), Payment of compensation to victims (x̄=3.46), Political pressure (x̄=3.42), use of thana culture (x̄=3.37) and migration (x̄=3.37) were the prominent strategies adopted locally by the farmers to resolve the conflicts. This study concludes that farmers had over-reliance on the non-formal judicial system, thus a comparison of the non-formal and formal judicial systems is suggested for future researchers. Moreover, a proactive institutional role is much needed for the formal resolution of conflicts and stoppage of water theft.
Development of fish hamburger with reduced sodium content using sweet passion fruit shell flour

Fish burgers were developed with the substitution of sodium chloride (NaCl) by using sweet passion fruit peel flour. Tambacu (a Brazilian freshwater fish) burgers were prepared with a 50% reduction of sodium chloride and an addition of 0, 3.1, 3.7, and 4.3% of sweet passion fruit peel flour. The burgers with higher levels of flour were less hard and less elastic and required less chewing to be swallowed. Significantly lower ash and sodium contents were found in the formulations in which flour was used. The formulations did not differ concerning the color and aroma, as well as texture, flavor, and overall impression. The burger with 0% flour have greater acceptance when compared to the other fish burgers, which did not differ from each other in sensory characteristics, obtaining scores corresponding to the descriptions of liked moderately and liked slightly. The partial substitution of NaCl by using sweet passion fruit peel flour resulted in fish burgers with reduced sodium content and good physical and sensory characteristics, demonstrating the potential demand for its use.
LRRK2 Kinase Inhibition Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Cytotoxicity in Animal Models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease-Related Neuroinflammation

Chronic neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the progression of several neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Intriguingly, in the last decade, leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2), a gene mutated in familial and sporadic PD, was revealed as a key mediator of neuroinflammation. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory properties of LRRK2 inhibitors have started to be considered as a disease-modifying treatment for PD; however, to date, there is little evidence on the beneficial effects of targeting LRRK2-related neuroinflammation in preclinical models. In this study, we further validated LRRK2 kinase modulation as a pharmacological intervention in preclinical models of AD- and PD-related neuroinflammation. Specifically, we reported that LRRK2 kinase inhibition with MLi2 and PF-06447475 (PF) molecules attenuated neuroinflammation, gliosis and cytotoxicity in mice with intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 fibrils or α-syn preformed fibrils (pffs). Moreover, for the first time in vivo, we showed that LRRK2 kinase activity participates in AD-related neuroinflammation and therefore might contribute to AD pathogenesis. Overall, our findings added evidence on the anti-inflammatory effects of LRRK2 kinase inhibition in preclinical models and indicate that targeting LRRK2 activity could be a disease-modifying treatment for NDDs with an inflammatory component.
Variable-density mixing in turbulent jets with coflow

Two sets of experiments are performed to study variable-density effects in turbulent round jets with coflow at density ratios, $s=4.2$ and $s=1.2$ . Ten thousand instantaneous realisations of simultaneous two-dimensional particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence at three axial locations in the momentum-dominated region of the jet allow us to calculate the full turbulent kinetic energy (t.k.e.) budgets, providing insights into the mechanisms of density fluctuation correlations both axially and radially in a non-Boussinesq flow. The strongest variable-density effects are observed within the velocity half-width of the jet, $r_{\tilde{u} _{1/2}}$ . Variable-density effects decrease the Reynolds stresses via increased turbulent mass flux in the heavy jet, as shown by previous jet centreline measurements. Radial profiles of turbulent flux show that in the lighter jet t.k. e. is moving away from the centreline, while in the heavy jet it is being transported both inwards towards the centreline and radially outwards. Negative t.k. e. production is observed in the heavy jet, and we demonstrate that this is caused by both reduced gradient stretching in the axial direction and increased turbulent mass fluxes. Large differences in advection are also observed between the two jets. The air jet has higher total advection caused by strong axial components, while density fluctuations in the heavy jet reduce the axial advection significantly. The budget mechanisms in the non-Boussinesq regime are best understood using effective density and velocity half-width, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}_{eff}\bar{u}_{1,CL}^{3}/r_{\tilde{u} _{1/2,eff}}$ , a modification of previous scaling.
The precise control of end flare with residual stresses of UHSS thin-walled component in roll forming process

To control precisely end flare of UHSS thin-walled component, FEA (finite element analysis) model of multi-pass RF (roll forming) process is established. Numerical simulations with developed FEA model considered Young's modulus variation and RF tests are conducted to explain the origin of end flare with residual stresses. It's found that the overlap of bending moment caused by residual longitudinal stress and twisting moment caused by residual shear stress in transversal-longitudinal direction leads to opening deformation in front end and back end for hat channel steel. End flare will decrease with the increase of flange length and increase with the increase of material strength. The effect of forming parameters on end flare is analysed that end flare can be reduced with UDT-type (USTB-Durable T) method, constant-arc-length method and appropriate forming parameters. The findings are applied to control end flare of hat channel steel in actual RF process to meet high-precision requirements.
An analysis of spatial dispersal in Ceratitis capitata in an orchard of the 'Palmer’ mango using McPhail traps

- Th e aim of this study was to analyse patterns of spatial dispersal in Ceratitis capitata using two types of attractive traps and propose a predictive model of pest dispersal with the aim of determining management zones for decision-making. The experiment was conducted in an orchard of the ‘Palmer’ mango in the district of Belo Campo, Bahia. Sampling was carried out using McPhail and Jackson traps. The pattern of spatial dispersal in C. capitata was determined using the Perry and Mead Index of Dispersion, the Morisita Index, and the Local Moran index (LISA). The spatial variability of the abundance of C. capitata was obtained by geostatistical analysis, with the indicator kriging method used to prepare the location and spatial distribution maps. The Perry and Mead Index of Dispersion and the Morisita Index showed an aggregated pattern of spatial dispersal, whereas the Moran Local index showed a random pattern from 7 DFSH (days from the start of the harvest) to 35 DFSH, and an aggregated pattern at 42 DFSH. The SDI was strong at 7 and 35 DFSH and moderate at 14, 28 and 42 DFSH. The dispersal patterns of C. capitata allow an exponential predictive model to be produced, outlining strategies for exponential management zones of C. capitata , and detecting which places have the highest risk of the pest occurring.
ANALYSIS OF PURCHASING DECISIONS FOR ADIDAS SPORTSWEAR BASED ON CELEBRITY ENDORSERS AND BRAND IMAGE

The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the influence of Celebrity Endorser and Brand Image on the Purchasing Decision Adidas Sportswear at Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Sumatera Utara and also to find out and analyze the most dominant factors affecting purchasing decision. This research was conducted at the Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Sumatera Utara. The population in this study were students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Sumatera Utara. The sampling technique in this study was accidental sampling. The sample in this study is 81 students. The analytical method used is descriptive analysis method and multiple linear regression analysis method. This type of research is associative research and the data used are primary data and secondary data obtained through the study of documentation and a list of questions whose measurements use a Likert scale. Data is processed statistically using the SPSS, namely the t test model, f test and determinant coefficient (R2). The results of this study indicate that simultaneously Celebrity Endorser and Brand Image have a significant effect on Purchasing Decisions. Partially, the Celebrity Endorser and Brand Image have a positive and significant effect on Purchasing Decisions. Celebrity endorsers have the most dominant influence in influencing purchasing decisions.
Fault‐tolerant control of multi‐agent systems with input delay and sensor failure

The problem of fault‐tolerant control (FTC) for a multi‐agent system (MAS) with input delay and sensor failures is addressed in this study. The topology of communication is an undirected subgraph having directed connections between the followers and leader. The Lyapunov approach is used to identify sufficient criteria for consensus control. We propose a fault‐tolerant controller based on observed descriptors. On the basis of proposed fault‐tolerant control, actuator problems, sensor faults, and state estimations can be solved. To minimize the size of the data, the Artstein–Kwon–Pearson reduction method is applied. Based on a Lyapunov functional predictive descriptor observer architecture, sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the asymptotic stability. To demonstrate the theoretical results, numerical examples are provided.
Adding 6-month parameters for the prediction of kidney prognosis in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis

ABSTRACT Background Antineutrophil-cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) with kidney involvement (AAV-GN) frequently evolves to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) despite aggressive immunosuppressive treatment. Several risk scores have been used to assess renal prognosis. We aimed to determine whether kidney function and markers of AAV-GN activity after 6 months could improve the prediction of ESKD. Methods This retrospective and observational study included adult patients with AAV-GN recruited from six French nephrology centers (including from the Maine-Anjou AAV registry). The primary outcome was kidney survival. Analyses were conducted in the whole population and in a sub-population that did not develop ESKD early in the course of the disease. Results When considering the 102 patients with all data available at diagnosis, Berden classification and Renal Risk Score (RRS) were not found to be better than kidney function [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)] alone at predicting ESKD (C-index = 0.70, 0.79, 0.82, respectively). Multivariables models did not indicate an improved prognostic value when compared with eGFR alone. When considering the 93 patients with all data available at 6 months, eGFR outperformed Berden classification and RRS (C-index = 0.88, 0.62, 0.69, respectively) to predict ESKD. RRS performed better when it was updated with the eGFR at 6 months instead of the baseline eGFR. While 6-month proteinuria was associated with ESKD and improved ESKD prediction, hematuria and serological remission did not. Conclusion This work suggests the benefit of the reassessment of the kidney prognosis 6 months after AAV-GN diagnosis. Kidney function at this time remains the most reliable for predicting kidney outcome. Of the markers tested, persistent proteinuria at 6 months was the only one to slightly improve the prediction of ESKD.
Responses of Zooplankton Community Pattern to Environmental Factors along the Salinity Gradient in a Seagoing River in Tianjin, China

As the primary consumers in aquatic organisms, zooplankton play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. It is valuable for management and researchers to have an insight into the responses of zooplankton community patterns to environmental factors. In this study, RDA and variation partitioning analysis were adopted to determine the important environmental factors affecting zooplankton abundance and biomass, as well as the relative importance of different environmental factors. The findings reveal that TN (total nitrogen), WD (water depth), pH, and SAL (salinity) were all important abiotic factors shaping the zooplankton community pattern in the study area. TN affected protozoa by influencing Stentor amethystinus, while the effects of WD on copepods may have been mainly induced by the responses of Calanus sinicus and Paracyclopina nana. By inhibiting Stentor amethystinus and Vorticella lutea, pH significantly affected protozoa. In addition, Rotifera and copepods were affected by SAL mainly through the responses of Brachionus calyciflorus, Calanus sinicus, and Ectocyclops phaleratus. Importantly, fundamental alternations in the variation trends of zooplankton abundance and biomass along the salinity gradient were found when the salinity was approximately 4–5. By combining these results with the findings on phytoplankton responses to salinity in previous studies, it can be concluded that salinity may influence the river ecosystem by influencing zooplankton abundance and biomass rather than phytoplankton.