Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reducing the Number of Unnecessary Thyroid Nodule Biopsies With the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS)

Introduction Thyroid nodules are exceedingly common, occurring in up to 76% of adults. Less than 10% are palpable, and the majority are detected incidentally with an estimated prevalence of 68%, 25%, and 18% using ultrasound (US), CT, and MRI, respectively. The rising use of imaging over the last four decades has led to a significant increase in nodule detection or ‘over-identification,’ fine-needle aspiration (FNA), a higher reported incidence of thyroid cancer, and thyroidectomy. The purpose of this study is to provide a descriptive experience with thyroid nodule FNAs one year prior and one year after the implementation of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) at a prototypical community hospital. Methods A total of 104 patients with 114 thyroid nodules underwent US-guided FNA at Bluewater Health from January 1, 2018, to March 31, 2020, with available cytological results (The Bethesda System). The study population was divided into two cohorts (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018 - ‘local best practice cohort’, and March 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020 - ‘ACR TI-RADS cohort’) based on the implementation of the ACR TI-RADS guidelines in March 2019. Results The local best practice cohort (January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018) comprised 57 thyroid nodules in 52 patients (mean age 66 ± 12; 40 Women). The ACR TI-RADS cohort (March 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020) comprised 57 thyroid nodules in 52 patients (mean age 61 ± 16; 41 Women). There were no statistical differences with respect to age, gender, or thyroid nodule location. Our results show a dramatic decrease in the number of unnecessary FNAs if ACR TI-RADS was implemented from January to December 2018. Thirty (52.6%) of the previously sampled thyroid nodules using the local best practice guidelines would have been followed as per ACR TI-RADS. Conclusion ACR TI-RADS is a reliable classification system in routine practice that significantly reduces the number of unnecessary thyroid FNAs with higher specificity compared to local best practice guidelines.
Evolving Lending Regimes and the Political Economy of Dam Financing in Ghana

In the 21st century Ghana has seen the revival and construction of dam projects which had previously been stalled for decades as a result of financing constraints and socioenvironmental concerns. What has enabled Ghana’s contemporary dam-building revival? What are the risks and benefits? This paper examines Ghana’s constructed dams across time through the lens of changing modalities and sources of finance. It charts the country’s shift from traditional Bretton Woods mixed concessional/non-concessional bi- and multilateral lending in the 1960s in its early post-independence period to the introduction of bilateral resource-collateralised loans from China from the 1990s to the present, as well as its more recent reliance on the use of parallel offshore commercial financing in the form of Eurobonds. These changes in the scale, availability and varying modalities of external financing in the 21st century have presented a host of new challenges for Ghana, particularly in the area of public accounting and economic management. New opportunities for dam financing in the country carry with them significant short- and long-term risks and consequences. The study situates Ghana within a wider universe of comparative cases involving resource-backed loan arrangements with China for infrastructure. A closer look at the Ghanaian case highlights the ways in which the country’s use of commodity-collateralised or commodity-barter export arrangements with China differ from hydrocarbon-for-loan-type cases in other parts of Africa and Latin America. Pro-cyclical spending at disadvantageous terms, driven by high-stakes electoral competition, willing external partners and a global commodity boom has enabled contemporary Ghana to construct new dam projects at the risk of significant negative fiscal, social and environmental effects. Its overwhelming debt, tied to US and EU bond repayment, in addition to resource-collateralised bilateral lending with China, uniquely distinguishes Ghana from other African resources-for-infrastructure borrower cases. Ghana is at the forefront of the African Eurobond market and of a twin OECD- and Chinese-externally financed spending spree.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO DOS MUNICÍPIOS DO ESTADO DO AMAPÁ, AMAZÔNIA ORIENTAL BRASILEIRA, QUANTO ÀS DIFERENÇAS NOS NÍVEIS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO

O presente estudo foi realizado considerando os 16 municí­pios do estado do Amapá, Amazônia Oriental e, teve como objetivo analisar comparativamente o ní­vel de desenvolvimento dos municí­pios, através da análise de três grupos de indicadores, os fatores condicionantes, as caracterí­sticas e os efeitos ou consequências do processo de desenvolvimento. Foram realizadas análises de agrupamento para identificar as distâncias e hierarquizar os municí­pios do Estado do Amapá. Conclui-se que Macapá e Santana possuem os melhores indicadores relacionados aos condicionantes do desenvolvimento. Porto Grande se destaca com o maior número de estabelecimentos agropecuários nos indicadores relacionados à agricultura familiar. Macapá se distancia dos demais municí­pios em relação aos indicadores relacionados à saúde e a frota de veí­culos. O municí­pio de Serra do Navio apresenta indicadores que sinalizam para melhorias das condições de vida e da escolaridade e os municí­pios de Laranjal do Jari e Santana, para elevação da renda e redução da pobreza. O municí­pio de Mazagão, apresenta os piores indicadores relacionados aos indicadores de melhorias das condições de vida e da escolaridade. A análise de agrupamento permitiu avaliar simultaneamente um elevado número de indicadores e os resultados observados podem auxiliar os tomadores de decisão em processos importantes como elaboração, implementação e avaliação e controle de polí­ticas públicas, especialmente as polí­ticas com abordagem territorial.
Effect of risk factors on the outcomes of COVID-19-infected intensive care patients: a single-center retrospective study

Background: To date, little attention has been paid to the impact of risk factors on the outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study was performed to examine the effects of risk factors on death among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICU. Methods: From April 2020 to November 2020, data on 141 COVID-19-infected intensive care patients at 7 Air Force Hospital, Kanpur, were retrospectively retrieved. All analyses were performed using SPSS statistical software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, 15.0). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent risk factors. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most of study population were males (69.5%) with mean age of 59.8 ± 17.5 years. Out of 141 patients, 60 (42.6%) patients had comorbidities and 81 (57.4%) patients had no comorbidities. ICU death rates were 46.1%. Bivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (OR:0.45;95%CI:0.21-0.94), diabetes mellitus (OR:2.96; 95%CI:1.16-7.54), coronary artery disease (OR:2.48;95%CI:0.83-7.37), chronic kidney disease (OR:0.13,95% CI:0.02-1.12), patients with one (OR:1.25,95%CI:0.54-2.86) or more than two comorbidities (OR:1.95,95%CI:0.81-4.70), and who required high flow oxygen therapy (OR:13.30,95%CI:5.81-30.43), non-invasive (OR: 0.10,95% CI:0.02-0.45) and invasive ventilators (OR:0.04,95%CI:0.02-0.09) all were associated with higher ICU death rates. Multivariable logistic regression found following independent risk factors for death: patients with one comorbidity (OR:0.10;95%CI:0.02-0.66), non-invasive ventilator (OR:0.005;95%CI:0.000-0.091), and invasive ventilator (OR:0.003;95%CI:0.000-0.032). Conclusion: Identification of risk factors is of utmost importance to reduce death in COVID-19 infected intensive care patients.
Tip diameter of 0.04 and 0.06 tapered gutta-percha points from different commercial brands

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the diameter D0 of guttapercha points from three different commercial brands (Tanari Man, Cone Tech and Dentsply) and their original respective values. Materials and methods: A high precision micrometer was used by a single calibrated operator to evaluate if the gutta-percha points are in aggrement with the n. 57 ANSI/ADA specification. Results: For the 0.04 tapered points, Cone Tech showed lower percentage of inadequate points (52%), followed by Dentsply (56%) and Tanari (80%). For the 0.06 tapered points, Cone Tech showed lower percentage of inadequate points (50%), followed by manufacturers Dentsply (53%) and Tanari (81%). Conclusions: It can be concluded that there is no standardization in the diameter D0 of the gutta-percha points of different commercial brands.
Geometric characterisation of Portuguese RC buildings with masonry infill walls

Recent earthquakes showed that the vulnerability of some RC buildings with masonry infill walls is high when subjected to seismic actions. During the design practice, the infills are commonly treated as non-structural elements, despite their recognised contribution to the structural response of the buildings. The safety assessment of this type of buildings is important and any detailed information is essential, since such information is needed for estimation of the losses that future earthquakes are likely to induce. The present study focuses on the observation and analysis of architectural and structural design drawings of 80 buildings that represent common RC buildings with masonry infill walls located in Portugal. The data were analysed with the purpose of estimating geometric properties of the masonry infill panels confined by RC frames. Fourteen-hundred masonry infill walls were observed and were divided in to different types according to the different dispositions of the openings. Several measurements were performed in order to have deeper knowledge about the percentage of openings that exist in masonry infill walls and consequently in the building’s façade. Infill panels’ dimensions were also determined and other parameters related to the general characteristics of the buildings and the structural elements were also analysed. Parameters such as beams’ and columns’ dimensions and reinforcement details or slab thickness were also analysed. The collected data are utilized to derive probabilistic distributions, whose goodness-of-fit are partially verified with a statistical test. The results from this study can be used in structural modelling development of nonlinear models for masonry infill panels or computation of fragility models. In addition, the statistical parameters such as mean values, standard deviations, probability density functions and their goodness-of-fit have also been investigated for all the entire parameters.
Factors involved in combat readiness with hardiness as a mediator: an exploratory study

The continued and ever growing involvement of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to complex peacekeeping operations over the African continent has opened a platform in the academic field to better sharpen the SANDF’s performance and contribution to achieve peace in Africa. Previous deployments to various African countries has tested the SANDF’s level of preparedness. Although the organisation gives effort to train its forces to reach the desired level of combat readiness, the nature of the operations to which soldiers partake in has proven to be more demanding. This study was driven by the need to explore and provide a broader perspective of what constitute combat readiness. Utilising the SANDF, the study aimed to explore the relationship between the soldier’s relationship with the spouse (RWS) and the soldier’s relationship with the unit (RWU), and hardiness as a possible mediator variable to combat readiness (CR). Previous research and theories were explored to provide a theoretical background for the study variables. A non-experimental controlled inquiry was used to test the hypothesised relationship among the variables. A sample of 363 participants (across ranks, gender and race) was randomly selected from South African Infantry Battalion Group mobilising for a deployment to Sudan. Hypothesised relationships among the independent variables, mediator variable and dependent variable was determined using the correlational analysis (Spearman correlation). Partial Least Squares (PLS) – measurement and structural model was used to test the study model for combat readiness. The results showed significant correlations between the soldier’s RWS and CR. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between soldier’s RWU and CR. Partial mediation was explained by the path coefficients from RWU>hardiness>CR. No full mediating effect was found. The results also showed insignificant correlations between soldiers RWS and hardiness (rather than between soldier’s RWS and CR. These results were in support to previous research and proved to add insight to future research on CR. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Self-Checkout behaviours at supermarkets: does the technological acceptance model (TAM) predict smart grocery shopping adoption?

ABSTRACT Self-service technologies (SSTs) have been widely implemented across the supermarket sector, which has presented opportunities for grocery retailers to move beyond self-checkout systems. This research used the extended Technology Acceptance Model to investigate the current usage of self-checkout systems by comparing different groups of consumers and sought to determine the causal factors that allow these groups to adopt smart grocery shopping technologies. The study found that different segments of consumers have already adopted self-checkout, though at varying levels. It concludes that there is a general readiness among consumers to adopt smart grocery shopping with behavioural intention mostly influenced by consumers attitudes towards the mode of shopping and convenience.
Strong Association of Polymorphism in SPRED2 Gene with Disease Susceptibility and Clinical Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Iranian Population

Background: The high heritability of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been estimated from different studies. Recently, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) show a large number of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) loci affecting susceptibility to RA. The rs934734 polymorphism in the SPRED2 gene is one of these loci. Studies have shown that the SPRED2 gene is involved in the regulation of inflammatory response, leukocyte infiltration, and local chemokine production. In the current study, the possible association between SNP rs934734 (intronic variant) in the SPRED2 gene with RA risk in the Iranian population was evaluated. Methods: One hundred fourteen RA patients and 120 healthy counterparts were recruited in this case-control study to evaluate rs934734 genotypes using the real-time PCR High Resolution Melting method (HRM). Results: Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that GG and AG genotypes compared with AA genotype increase the risk of RA (GG vs. AA; OR=4.61; 95%CI [2.21–9.35]; p<0.001 and AG vs. AA; OR=2.54; 95%CI [1.36–4.76]; p=0.004). Furthermore, subjects with allele G were more frequently affected with RA than subjects with A allele (OR=2.33; 95%CI [1.61–3.38]; p<0.001). Besides, in the patient group, there was a significant correlation between Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration with rs934734 polymorphism (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that rs934734 in SPRED2 strongly underlies RA development and is associated with clinicopathological characteristics of this disease.
How Valid are They

During the last nearly 50 years, the blood lactate curve and lactate thresholds (LTs) have become important in the diagnosis of endurance performance. An intense and ongoing debate emerged, which was mainly based on terminology and/or the physiological background of LT concepts. The present review aims at evaluating LTs with regard to their validity in assessing endurance capacity. Additionally, LT concepts shall be integrated within the ‘aerobic-anaerobic transition’ – a framework which has often been used for performance diagnosis and intensity prescriptions in endurance sports. Usually, graded incremental exercise tests, eliciting an exponential rise in blood lactate concentrations (bLa), are used to arrive at lactate curves. A shift of such lactate curves indicates changes in endurance capacity. This very global approach, however, is hindered by several factors that may influence overall lactate levels. In addition, the exclusive use of the entire curve leads to some uncertainty as to the magnitude of endurance gains, which cannot be precisely estimated. This deficiency might be eliminated by the use of LTs. The aerobic-anaerobic transition may serve as a basis for individually assessing endurance performance as well as for prescribing intensities in
Determination of nitrogen and water stress with hyper spectral reflectance on maize using classification tree (CT) analysis

Field experiments were conducted at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India during rabi (winter) season of 2013-14 with maize crop (TNAU maize hybrid Co 6). To ensure the stressed environment, the crop was subjected to two irrigation levels (IW/CPE: 0.80 and 0.50) and five staggered nitrogen levels (0, 50, 75, 100 and 125 % of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized blocks design RBD (Factorial) with three replications. Hyper spectral observations were made with spectroradiometer GER 1500 at 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS). Measured spectral reflectance curve of maize exhibited a broad low intensity peak centered in the green region at 550 nm and a sharp rise starting at about 675 nm to a plateau in the vicinity of 762 nm under unstressed environment created with irrigation at 0.80 IW/CPE ratio and fertilizer application at 100 % RDN. Significant differences in reflectance were established for nitrogen and water stress at green and NIR region. The results of Classification tree analysis revealed that nitrogen and water stress can be assessed and differentiated using reflectance data when transformed into spectral vegetation indices viz., NDVI, GNDVI, RVI, LCI, IR-RED and SR. Further the Classification tree algorithm coulddetermine that NDVI was the most effective index to assess the combined effect of nitrogen and water stress in maize crop.
Anemia and Its Associated Factors among Final-Year Medical Students at Sana'a University, Yemen

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anemia and its associated risk factors among final-year medical students at Sana'a University, Yemen. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 269 final year students randomly selected from the medical faculties of Sana'a University in the period from January to April 2018. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while venous blood samples were collected by venipuncture into EDTA tubes. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was estimated using an automated hematology analyzer in the Laboratory Department of the University of Science and Technology in Sana’a city. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, and statistical significance was considered at P-values <0.05. Results: The mean Hb concentration of final-year medical students at Sana’a University was 15.1 ± 1.9 g/dL. The mean Hb concentration for male students was 16.3 ± 1.5 g/dL, while the mean Hb concentration for female students was 13.1 ± 1.5 g/dL. Anemia was prevalent among 12 (4.5%) out of 269 medical students and was significantly associated with the gender and smoking status of the students, where females (OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 1.8–27.4; P = 0.011) and smokers (OR = 6.3, 95% CI: 1.2–3.7; P = 0.002) were about six times more likely to be anemic compared to their counterparts. In contrast, there was no statistically significant association between anemia and age, family size, family income, presence of chronic disease(s), khat chewing, exercise, or history of blood transfusion. Conclusions: The prevalence of anemia among final-year medical students at Sana'a University is low compared to other studies elsewhere. The female gender and smoking are the risk factors significantly associated with anemia among medical students. Further large-scale studies among medical and non-medical students from different levels of study at public and private universities of the country are recommended.
Minimax powerful functional analysis of covariance tests with application to longitudinal genome‐wide association studies

We model the Alzheimer's disease‐related phenotype response variables observed on irregular time points in longitudinal Genome‐Wide Association Studies as sparse functional data and propose nonparametric test procedures to detect functional genotype effects while controlling the confounding effects of environmental covariates. Our new functional analysis of covariance tests are based on a seemingly unrelated kernel smoother, which takes into account the within‐subject temporal correlations, and thus enjoy improved power over existing functional tests. We show that the proposed test combined with a uniformly consistent nonparametric covariance function estimator enjoys the Wilks phenomenon and is minimax most powerful. Data used in the preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database, where an application of the proposed test lead to the discovery of new genes that may be related to Alzheimer's disease.
Relationship between the set outcome and volleyball skills in a professional volleyball champion male team in Puerto Rico

Volleyball skills or factors that affect the outcome of a volleyball match can vary according to the level of league competition or team attributes. This study aimed to determine whether any volleyball skills or factor predicted set outcomes of the games played by the team that won the Male Championship Professional Volleyball League in 2016. A total of 33 matches and 133 sets were observed of the male volleyball championship team during the 2016 season. Errors in serve, points in serve, points in attack, blocking points, reception efficiency, total digs, complex I efficiency, complex II efficiency, and total errors were the variables assessed in this study. The result showed that the variables of errors in service, point service, blocking points, complex I efficiency, complex II efficiency, and total digs were significant predictors of set outcomes.
Binding fan fiction and reexamining book production models

Binding fan fiction into books is an increasingly popular phenomenon that follows in the footsteps of twentieth-century fanzines and challenges the current perception of fic as an exclusively digital form. Fan binders complicate book historical notions of bookmaking as a commercially driven enterprise by infusing it with affective connotations that rearrange the book production model of Robert Darnton's communication circuit. The notion of a fan fiction communication circuit extends Darnton's model to account for the noncommercial, reciprocal practices of fan fiction production. Members of Renegade Bindery, a community of fan binders on Discord, provide testimony regarding their philosophy, technique, and motivation that paints a complex picture of contemporary private bookbinding practices that construes value for printed works through affective labor rather than commercial return.