Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Versus Radiation Monotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Era of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy: A Propensity Score-matched Analysis

Background: To investigate the survival benefit of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma during the years of intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Methods: Medical records of 1273 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received intensity-modulated radiotherapy from January 2005 to December 2017 in the CAMS were retrospectively reviewed. 683 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 590 patients received radiotherapy alone. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to eliminate baseline differences between the two groups. Survival and toxicity profile were evaluated afterwards. Results: After a median follow-up time of 50.4 months (3.2-157.4 months), both overall survival and progression-free survival of the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group were better than those of the radiotherapy group, either before or after PSM. After PSM, the 1-, 3-, 5-year OS of radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy groups were 63.3% vs 72.2%, 31.6% vs 42.2% and 28.5% vs 38.1%, respectively (p=0.003). The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year PFS rates of radiotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy group were 44.3% vs 48.6%, 23.4% vs 31.2% and 15.8% vs 25.2%, respectively (p=0.002). The rates of ≥ grade 3 leukopenia and radiation esophagitis in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy were higher than those in the radiotherapy alone group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the probability of radiation pneumonia between the two groups (p=0.359). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed ≥ 70 years old, female, KPS ≤ 70, stage I-II, and patients diagnosed at earlier years (2005-2010) had lower probability of receiving concurrent chemoradiation (p<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that female, stage I-II, EQD2≥60Gy and concurrent chemotherapy were favorable prognostic factors for both OS and PFS. Conclusions: Concurrent chemotherapy can bring survival benefits to patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy. For patients who cannot tolerate concurrent chemotherapy, radiation monotherapy is an effective alternative with promising results.
Evaluating the Ubiquity of Thresholds in Rainfall‐Runoff Response Across Contrasting Environments

Thresholds in precipitation‐runoff relationships have been observed in numerous studies using scatter plots comparing meteorological factors and hydrologic response metrics. Most thresholds reported in the literature have been identified from relationships between meteorological factors that quantify volumes or depths of water (e.g., total event rainfall) and metrics capturing hydrologic response magnitude (e.g., runoff ratio), with a strong emphasis on hillslopes and catchments in temperate humid environments. Knowledge gaps, however, remain regarding the ubiquity of hydrologic thresholds across different climatic environments and different meteorological factors that affect different response metrics. This study therefore aimed to evaluate relationships for a wide range of meteorological factors and response metrics derived from event‐scale rainfall‐runoff analysis for 21 sites spanning seven contrasting geographic areas. Specifically, meteorological factors quantifying rainfall depth, rainfall intensity, and hydrologic abstractions related to evapotranspiration were considered, along with response metrics that describe response timing and response magnitude, leading to 4,557 relationships being evaluated. While rainfall depth thresholds were observed for most sites, rainfall intensity thresholds were also observed. Additionally, threshold behavior was shown to be sensitive to antecedent conditions over specific durations of time preceding a rainfall‐runoff event. The large number of relationships evaluated in this study allowed for the development of a typology of threshold dynamics and the formulation of hypotheses about dominant hydrological processes. This typology may not only promote standardized threshold descriptions but also make intersite comparisons of nonlinear rainfall‐runoff behavior easier.
Examining Influence of Religiosity on Ethical Attitude Towards Business: Evidence from India and China

The primary purpose of the paper is to examine how religiosity influences ethical attitude towards business and to compare and contrast this relationship for two populous Asian countries: India and China. The socio-cultural setting of both the countries resonates strongly weaved religious values and traditional ideology, though with a disparate political system. Using Attitude towards Business Ethics Questionnaire (ATBEQ) and 10item Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI-10), data from 231, i.e., n(India)=122 and n(China)=109, respondents is collected, and research variables are compared based on gender and country of origin. Men demonstrate a higher ethical attitude towards business, higher religiosity, and higher score on ethical business philosophies than their women counterparts. Additionally, Indians score significantly higher than the Chinese on the three constructs. The results of regression analysis demonstrate that religiosity influences ethical attitude towards business for men, women, and Indians only. The relationship is not supported for China. The study further deconstructs religiosity into two subscales: intra (inner interpretive understanding) and inter (outer demonstrative action) religiosity to examine their influence on ethical attitude towards business. Individuals with higher intrareligiosity have a higher ethical attitude while no such relationship is evidenced for interreligiosity. Even further, items of ATBEQ are mapped to represent four ethical business philosophies and their differences compared on the basis of sub-constructs of religiosity. Variations in ethical business philosophies are shown by intra-religiosity only. Essentially, it is not about preaching religion, it is about practicing a religion that really matters. Puneeta Goel, Rupali Misra, and A. Dhanalakshmi 52 Freedom to practice religion, religion-based teaching, and ethical values embedded into business practices could help shape new virtue ethics as an inspiring point of reference and guidance for business leaders.
An exploration on the nexus between managers’ present bias and corporate investment

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the role of top manager’s present bias as a main driver of corporate investment. For this purpose, we embed an experiment in a firm-level panel survey with a sample of top managers from 623 textile and garment firms in Vietnam. The experiment enables us to elicit present bias for each individual manager. We find that firms led by managers with a greater level of present bias are more likely to have a lower investment. There also exists evidence that the effect of managers’ present bias on corporate investment is stronger for SMEs than for large firms.
Shift Work: Impact on Nurses’ Health and Quality Life in Pointe-Noire (Congo)

Introduction: The consequences of shift work on health, psychological balance and socio-family life are multiple and universally known. Objective: The aim of this survey was to describe the impact of shift work on nurses’ health and quality life. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of the exposed and non-exposed type from May 2013 to July 2013, i.e. for a period of 3 months. We had included and divided into two groups the nurses working in the various departments of the Loandjili General Hospital (LGH). A questionnaire derived from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale had been used to collect the data. Results: Of the 91 nurses considered, including 59 in shift work (group I) and 32 in daytime work (group II), significant associations were found between shift work on the one hand and sleep problems on the other hand in all these aspects, stress and appetite disturbances. However, no significant association was found between shift work on the one hand and the use of sleeping pills on the other hand. Fatigue, mood disorders and the notion of free time (at home and for leisure), although the frequencies are relatively high in the group of nurses on shift work. Conclusion: Our results show that nurses’ health, social and family life at Loandjili General Hospital are negatively impacted by shift work. There is a need to put in place means of prevention.
Variability of Upstream Proton Cyclotron Wave Properties and Occurrence at Mars Observed by MAVEN

The presence of plasma waves upstream from the Martian bow shock, with frequencies near the local proton cyclotron frequency in the spacecraft frame, constitutes, in principle, an indirect signature for the existence of planetary protons from the ionization of Martian exospheric hydrogen. In this study, we determine the "proton cyclotron wave” (PCW) occurrence rate between October 2014 and February 2020, based on Magnetometer and Solar Wind Ion Analyzer measurements from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission. We characterize its dependence on several wave and solar wind (SW) properties, and solar longitude ranges. We confirm a previously reported long‐term trend with more PCWs near perihelion, likely associated with changes in exospheric hydrogen density. Furthermore, we report for the first time a decrease in median PCW amplitude for each consecutive Martian perihelion. Such variability cannot be attributed to differences in the distribution of SW conditions. This trend could be associated with changes in solar inputs, foreshock effects, and asymmetries due to the SW convective electric field influencing newborn protons. In addition, we observe PCWs more frequently for low to intermediate interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) cone angles, slower SW speeds, and higher SW proton densities. The IMF cone angle preference likely results from the trade‐off between associated linear wave growth rates, wave saturation energies, and pick‐up proton densities. Moreover, the dependencies on SW speed and density indicate the importance of the characteristic SW transit timescale and the charge exchange process coupling SW protons with the hydrogen exosphere.
Plant Water Relations and Seedling Growth of Three Pistachio Cultivars as Influenced by Irrigation Frequency and Applied Potassium

Abstract Despite the economic importance of pistachio (Pistasia vera L.) crop, very little information is available on its water needs and nutrient requirements. Therefore, the effects of three irrigation frequencies (1, 3, and 7 d) and five potassium (K) levels (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 mg kg− 1) on the plant water relations and growth of three pistachio cultivars (‘Badami,’ ‘Ghazvini,’ and ‘Sarakhs’) were studied in a greenhouse experiment. After 30 weeks, the dry weights of leaves, stems, and roots were measured and the total leaf area determined together with the number of leaves per pot and stem height. The effect of water frequency and K application on the leaf water potential, osmotic potential, and turgor potential was studied. Water frequency decreased all of the above growth parameters. Shoot dry weights were reduced by 50% and 68% for ‘Badami,’ 42% and 66% for ‘Ghazvini,’ and 26% and 46% for ‘Sarakhs’ at the three and seven-day irrigation intervals, respectively. Root dry weights were significantly reduced by 27% and 47% for ‘Badami,’ 18% and 48% for ‘Ghazvini,’ and 10% and 28% for ‘Sarakhs’ at the three and seven-day irrigation intervals, respectively. Leaf water potential, and turgor potential were unexpectedly increased by increase in water frequency. However, water frequency decreased leaf osmotic potential. The K application had no significant effect on the leaf water potential, osmotic potential, and turgor potential. It seems that NH4OAc-extractable K (70 mg kg− 1) was probably sufficient for optimum seedling growth of pistachio. Furthermore, ‘Sarakhs’ proved to be the cultivar most tolerant to drought stress in the present study.
Explore Jordanian mathematics teacher's perception of their professional needs Related to Mathematical Proficiency

Mathematically proficiency as being described by five strands: conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competency, adaptive reasoning(National Research Council, 2001), and. The purpose of this study is to Jordanian mathematics teacher's perceptions of their professional needs Related to the Five Strands of Mathematical Proficiency and to search for the effect of teachers' demographic factors on their perceived needs. Participants included (171) teachers with varying qualifications and years of experience teaching at multiple grade levels schools in Jordan. The study uses a 35-item questionnaire to evaluate a teacher's professional development needs within five Strands of Mathematical Proficiency. The results offer more insight into mathematics teachers’ most essential needs in terms of specific knowledge and experience within different categories. This information aids in planning professional development programs and workshops that will meet teachers’ needs
Increase the influence of the travel video bloggers by using Youtube to sell trips indirectly through relationship marketing and service quality online

Purpose: The main aim of this article is to verify by applied field research the relationship between the e-service quality provided by the travel youtubers and the e-relationship quality with the users, formed by trust, satisfaction and commitment. Design/methodology/approach: For the theoretical framework and the creation of the hypothesis there was used a literature review that is focused on travel youtubers, relationship marketing and service quality online. For confirmation of the hypothesis there was applied a quantitative survey technique to 1245 sample units. Findings: Dimensions of information and communication, that are part of the quality of the service, are the ones that affect the most in the development of the quality of the relation. As a consequence, travel youtubers have to develop a strategy that includes all kinds of actions of content creation in order to grow their notoriety while not selling any sort of product or service. Hence, the quality of the relation must be defined as a multi-dimensional construct with a superior order formed by trust, satisfaction and commitment as main dimensions that may be influenced (antecedent) or may be admitted of other dimensions (consequents), having them put through clients and users. Therefore, travel youtubers must create among their followers a positive attitude towards themselves. Attitude is formed by cognitive elements (trust), affective elements (satisfaction) and conative elements (commitment). Originality/value: This research paper offers theoretical framework confirmed by a field study for measuring quality relationship online by users and travel youtubers and identifies which are the dimensions that form the user’s attitude. These attitudes will be transformed into behaviors such as the repetition of purchase and the development of positive word-of-mouth communication.
When Time Flies: How Timelessness Determines Creative Process Engagement

ABSTRACT Based on a model for the experience of timelessness in organisations, this study aims to empirically study the relationship between timelessness and creative process engagement. Research provides an integration of the current model of timelessness by including the dependent variable creative process engagement. With multilevel data, results suggested that timelessness mediated the indirect relationship between individual and work environment variables and creative process engagement. Findings suggested that timelessness was positively related to creative process engagement. Theoretical implications for integrating the construct of timelessness in the creativity literature will be discussed, as well as the practical benefits for managers regarding how to improve timelessness and time management at work.
Understanding Smallholder Farmers’ Intention to Adopt Agricultural Apps: The Role of Mastery Approach and Innovation Hubs in Mexico

While several studies have focused on the actual adoption of agricultural apps and the relevance of the apps’ content, very few studies have focused on drivers of the farmer’s intention and initial decision to adopt. Based on a survey of 394 smallholder farmers in 2019, this study investigated willingness to adopt an agricultural advice app in Guanajuato, Mexico. A structural equation modeling approach, based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), was applied. To understand the farmers’ adoption decisions, extended constructs were studied (e.g., mastery-approach goals) along with the farmers’ age and participation in an innovation hub. Results showed that the intention to adopt the app is predicted by how farmers appraise the technical infrastructure and acquire new knowledge by using an app. The multi-group analysis revealed that performance expectancy is a relevant predictor of the intention to adopt, whereas the mastery-approach goal is relevant only for younger farmers and farmers not connected to the innovation hub. This study provides valuable insights about the innovation hubs’ role in the intention to adopt apps, offering precision agriculture advice in developing countries. The findings are useful for practitioners and app developers designing digital-decision support tools.
ColAtt‐Net: In Reducing the Ambiguity of Pedestrian Orientations on Attribute‐Aware Semantic Segmentation Task

Semantic segmentation has become one of the trending topics in the world of computer vision and deep learning. Recently, due to an increasing demand to solve a semantic segmentation task simultaneously with attribute recognition of objects, a new task named attribute‐aware semantic segmentation has been introduced. Since the task requires to handle pixel‐wise object class estimation with its attributes such as a pedestrian's body orientation, previous works had difficulties to handle ambiguous attributes such as body orientations in object‐level, especially when segmenting the pedestrians with their attributes correctly. This paper proposes the ColAtt‐Net that is an attribute‐aware semantic segmentation model augmented by a column‐wise mask branch to predict the pedestrians' orientations in the horizontal perspective of the input image. We firmly assume that the pedestrians captured by a car‐mounted camera are distributed horizontally so that for each column of the input image, the pedestrian pixels can be labeled with one orientation uniformly. In the proposed method, we split the output of the base semantic segmentation model into two branches; one branch for segmenting the object categories, while the other one, as the novel column‐wise attribute branch, is to map the recognition of pedestrian's orientations that are distributed horizontally. This method successfully enhances the performance of attribute‐aware semantic segmentation by reducing the ambiguity on segmenting the pedestrian's orientation. Improvements on the pedestrian orientation segmentation are confidently shown by the proposed method in the experimental results, both in quantitative and qualitative views. This paper also discusses how the improved performance becomes an advantage in the autonomous driving system. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Effect of different levels of phosphorus on growth and yield of Cowpea varieties in Dang, Nepal

Variety having proper response to phosphorus for proper nutrient uptake and the optimum level of phosphorus for higher yield may be a way of increasing production and productivity in the context of Nepal. This experiment was carried out in Lamahi Municpality, Dang district of the Province no: 5, inner terai region of Nepal during the rainy season, 2019. The objective of the experiment was to study the effect of different phosphorus level on growth and development of different varieties of cowpea. The experiment was laid out in two factorial RCBD with two varieties (Aakash and Prakash) and five phosphorus level (0 kg ha-1, 20 kg ha-1, 40 kg ha-1, 60 kg ha-1 and 80 kg ha-1). The result revealed that variety Aakash showed the significantly higher yield of fresh pod (15.99 t ha-1) and yield attributing parameters like number of leaves at 45 DAS (35.22), leaf area at 45 DAS (70.23 cm²), pod diameter (0.77 cm), total number of fresh pods per plant (44.85) than Prakash variety (yield; 12.25 t ha-1). The parameters like number of branches and pod length were not affected by the variety used. In addition, the different level of P also affects the yield of the fresh pod of different varieties. The P level 40 kg ha-1 reported highest yield of fresh pod (20.18 t ha-1 and showed significantly higher number of leaves (38.9), number of branches (23.48), plant height (88.78cm), leaf area (81.89 cm²), pod length (17.76 cm), pod diameter (0.79 cm) and total number of fresh pods per plant (55.19) whereas control produced the lowest total yield of fresh pod (8.33 t ha-1), control (30.99) and 80 kg P ha-1 (30.86) produced the least number of leaves, control produced the least number of branches (17.31), control (63.77 cm) and 80 kg P ha-1 (67.83) produced the shortest plant, 80 kg P ha-1 produced the minimum leaf area (51.09 cm2), control produced least pod length (14.3 cm), pod diameter (0.74cm), total number of fresh pods (34.29). Similarly, interaction of Aakash and phosphorus dose 40 kg ha-1 produced significantly maximum number of leaves (43.07) and total yield of fresh pods (23.33 t ha-1). The results of the experiment revealed that variety Aakash with the phosphorus level 40 kg ha-1 seems the more profitable in Terai and inner Terai condition of Nepal. However, the results need to be confirmed for other varieties used by farmers in the region.
Adsorbed ion activity coefficients in K–Ca exchange on soil fractions derived from volcanic materials

The effects of temperature and iron oxide coatings on the adsorbed ion activity coefficients obtained by the Gaines–Thomas treatment for the K–Ca exchange equilibria on clay fractions of 3 Chilean Andisols were studied. The comparison with the values calculated through the Vanselow approach, using conversion equations, was also considered. Adsorbed Ca activity coefficient curves present a similar shape for the Gaines–Thomas and Vanselow approaches; for K, maxima were observed only when the Gaines–Thomas treatment was used. Iron oxide coated samples showed higher adsorbed ion activity coefficients than allophanic samples. The adsorbed K activity coefficients increased when temperature increased from 4°C to 26·5°C, but only a slight effect on Ca ions was observed. In both types of samples, the presence of 3 possible selective sites was detected: K-selective sites, Ca-selective sites, and sites where K–Ca competition occurs.