Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visceral Obesity Is Associated with Shorter Progression-Free Survival in Well-Differentiated Gastro-Entero-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasia

The association of well-differentiated gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasia (WD GEP-NEN) with metabolic syndrome (MetS), abdominal obesity, and fasting glucose abnormalities was recently described. However, whether obesity and metabolic syndrome risk factors are associated with GEP-NEN adverse outcomes and the poorer prognosis was unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the presence of MetS or any of its individual components at WD GEP-NEN diagnosis influenced disease outcomes. A cohort of patients with non-localized WD GEP-NETs (n = 81), was classified according to the primary tumor site (gastrointestinal or pancreatic), pathological grading (G1 (Ki67 ≤ 2%) and G2 (3% ≤ Ki67 ≤ 20%) (WHO 2010)), disease extension (loco-regional or metastatic disease), presence of hormonal secretion syndrome (functioning or non-functioning), and evaluated for the presence of MetS criteria at diagnosis. MetS was present in 48 (59.3%) patients. During a median follow-up of 95.0 months (16.8–262.5), 18 patients died of the disease (10 with MetS vs. 8 without MetS). Overall survival (OS) at 5 years was 87.1% (95% CI: 73.6–94.0) for MetS and 90.9% (95% CI: 74.4–97.0) for non-Mets group, while OS at 10 years was 72.5% (95% CI: 55.3–84.0) for MetS, and 76.4% (95% CI: 53.6–89.0) for non-MetS group. Progression-Free Survival (PFS) at 5 years was 45.9% (95% CI: 30.8–59.8) for MetS and 40.0% (95% CI: 21.3–58.1) for non-MetS group, and PFS at 10 years was 18.1% (95% CI: 7.0–33.5) for MetS and 24.4% (95% CI: 9.0–43.7) for non-MetS group. Waist circumference (WC), a surrogate measure for visceral obesity, was associated with significantly shorter PFS (HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.06), although did not influence OS (HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.97–1.06). The findings of this study reinforce a potential link between visceral obesity and GEP-NEN and further suggest that obesity could influence disease prognosis.
The acoustic cue-weighting and the L2 production-perception link: A
 case of English-speaking adults’ learning of Korean stops

The current study examined English-speaking adult learners’ production and perception of L2 Korean stops (/t/ or /t’/ or /t h /) to investigate whether the two modalities are linked in utilizing voice onset time (VOT) and fundamental frequency (F0) for the L2 sound distinction and how the learners’ L2 proficiency mediates the relationship. Twenty-two English-speaking learners of Korean living in Seoul participated in the word-reading task of producing stop-initial words and the identification task of labelling CV stimuli synthesized to vary VOT and F0. Using logistic mixed-effects regression models, we quantified group- and individual-level weights of the VOT and F0 cues in differentiating the tense-lax, lax-aspirated, and tense-aspirated stops in Korean. The results showed that the learners as a group relied on VOT more than F0 both in production and perception (except the tense-lax pair), reflecting the dominant role of VOT in their L1 stop distinction. Individual-level analyses further revealed that the learners’ L2 proficiency was related to their use of F0 in L2 production and their use of VOT in L2 perception. With this effect of L2 proficiency controlled in the partial correlation tests, we found a significant correlation between production and perception in using VOT and F0 for the lax-aspirated stop contrast. However, the same correlation was absent for the other stop pairs. We discuss a contrast-specific role of acoustic cues to address the non-uniform patterns of the production-perception link in the L2 sound learning context.
Coupling relationship of tourism urbanization and rural revitalization: A case study of Zhangjiajie, China

ABSTRACT This study takes Zhangjiajie, a typical tourist city with abundant tourism resources but economically backward in China, as an example, adding geographic research methods on the basis of traditional coupling research to explore the relationship between the development of tourism urbanization and rural revitalization from 2006 to 2019. The findings revealed the comprehensive index of tourism urbanization grows faster than rural revitalization. Specifically, the level of agglomeration of the tourism industry and the ecological environment had the greatest effect on the coupling system, indicating that they are the critical factors to be considered during macro policy-making.
Creating Entrepreneurs via Social Media Platforms and Employment Generation in Nigeria

This paper explores the potential need and benefits inherent in the use of social media as an instrument for creating entrepreneurs and generating employment amongst youths in Nigeria given the high youth unemployment rate. 92 youths who are social media users selected through survey responded to structured questionnaire via Google forms. The data was analysed using statistical descriptive tools and Chi square test. Findings revealed that in Nigeria, social media can promote on-line trading and create a source of livelihood for youths though, the enormous potentials of doing business through social media platforms locally and internationally are fairly explored. Also, trading via social media significantly impact employment creation and such trading does not significantly increase profits and reduce cost of doing business. The study recommended a reliable, affordable telecommunication network and combined efforts of government and the private sector to facilitate online trading and training in ICT entrepreneurship skills.
Extent of Awareness to Current Trends and Practices and Commitment in the Teaching Profession: The Case of Antique Public School Teachers

The teaching profession remains challenging due to growing demands and the world’s changing needs. However, the role of teachers has remained inspiring, requiring more service than employment for the sake of the youth and future generations. The study aimed to assess the extent of awareness of the current trends and the commitment in the teaching profession of public school teachers in the Schools Division of Antique, Philippines. The researchers employed a descriptive-correlational research design using a validated questionnaire in data gathering for the 320 randomly chosen teacher-respondents. Results revealed that most of the teachers were degree holders only, with less than ten years of teaching experience, and were dominated by female teachers. They were highly aware of the current trends and practices in the teaching profession and highly committed to their work. Results also indicated that teachers’ commitment is influenced by their level of education. Teachers with a greater level of education are more committed to their careers. Teachers with higher educational attainment are more effective than those with a lesser level of education. Similarly, teachers with more years of experience teach better than those with less experience. Teachers’ educational level and sex have little effect on their teaching performance. Moreover, teachers’ performance is related to their understanding of current trends and practices in the teaching profession and their commitment. Therefore, the greater teachers’ awareness, the more receptive they are to change, and the greater their commitment, the better their teaching performance and the tasks and responsibilities they may be assigned in response to changes in the educational system. The researchers suggest that the department shall provide continuous professional development interventions to give educators the tools and skills to stay modern with the needs of students and allows them to plan for changing trends in education.
Mid-infrared luminosity function of local star-forming galaxies in the North Ecliptic Pole-Wide survey field of AKARI

We present mid-infrared (MIR) luminosity functions (LFs) of local star-forming (SF) galaxies in the AKARI NEP-Wide Survey field. In order to derive more accurate luminosity function, we used spectroscopic sample only. Based on the NEP-Wide point source catalogue containing a large number of infrared (IR) sources distributed over the wide (5.4 sq. deg.) field, we incorporated the spectroscopic redshift data for about 1790 selected targets obtained by optical follow-up surveys with MMT/Hectospec and WIYN/Hydra. The AKARI continuous 2 to 24 micron wavelength coverage as well as photometric data from optical u band to NIR H-band with the spectroscopic redshifts for our sample galaxies enable us to derive accurate spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the mid-infrared. We carried out SED fit analysis and employed 1/Vmax method to derive the MIR (8, 12, and 15 micron rest-frame) luminosity functions. We fit our 8 micron LFs to the double power-law with the power index of alpha= 1.53 and beta= 2.85 at the break luminosity. We made extensive comparisons with various MIR LFs from several literatures. Our results for local galaxies from the NEP region are generally consistent with other works for different fields over wide luminosity ranges. The comparisons with the results from the NEP-Deep data as well as other LFs imply the luminosity evolution from higher redshifts towards the present epoch.
Use of Electronic Health Records and Quality of Ambulatory Healthcare

Background This study aimed to measure the association between electronic health record (EHR) use and quality measures in ambulatory healthcare. Methodology A quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional design was used by examining secondary data from the 2015-2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The relationship between EHR use and seven quality measures was examined using the Donabedian model as a framework. Quality measures included (a) diabetes measures, (b) obesity measures, (c) blood pressure screening, (d) depression screening, and (e) breast cancer screening. A total of 37,290 office visits were included, representing 817 million national office visits. For each of the quality measures, we determined the (a) associations using unadjusted and adjusted regression models based on subsets of the sample that met the inclusion criteria for quality measures; and (b) the changes in the area under the curve (AUC). Results Approximately 75% of office visits fulfilled all EHR use. Positive associations were found between EHR use and better quality for the following three out of seven measures: higher odds of screening for obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 2.2; p = <0.0001), blood pressure (OR = 2.5; p = <0.0001), and breast cancer (OR = 1.8; p = 0.0166). Receiver operating curve results showed the highest gain in the AUC for process-grouped measures. Hence, it was considered to be a strong predictor for all quality measures. Conclusions Evidence showed improvement in some quality measures (screening for obesity, blood pressure, and breast cancer). Common and standardized health processes were more likely to be completed and recorded than others. Future policies concerning health information technology can shift the focus from improving EHR use to enhancing patient and quality outcomes. Further research is needed to identify circumstances where quality is improved.
Very high energy emission and multi-wavelength campaigns of the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304

This thesis is concerned with multi-wavelength observations of the prominent southern hemisphere high energy BL Lac object, (HBL), PKS 2155-304. After a general introduction covering the particulars of Active Galactic Nuclei, the pysical processes and models that are believed to play an important role in the observations and ground based γ-ray astronomy, the results and interpretation of four individual multi-wavelength campaigns on PKS 2155-304 are presented. Lead by observations of the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.), these campaigns include observations with RXTE, NTT at ESO, ROTSE, Spitzer, JCMT and the NRT. During all these campaigns, the source appeared to be in a quiescent state, allowing us to probe the jet paramaters and emission models for a quiescent HBL for the first time. The models for VHE emission from HBLs have evolved over the last 14 years since Mkn 421 was detected as a VHE emitter. However, the sensitivity of the past generations of VHE telescopes has only been sufficient to observe VHE emission from HBLs during apparent active states. These evolved models are therefore essentially high active state emission models. Since the sensitivity of H.E. S.S. now allows us to detect these objects in a quiescent state , the obvious question is, do the 'active state' models still accurately predict the SED and in particular the VHE emission?
The Relationship between EFL Learners’ Flipped Learning Readiness and their Learning Engagement, Critical thinking, and Autonomy: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Purpose. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between Iranian EFL learners’ flipped learning readiness and their learning engagement, critical thinking, and autonomy. Methods. The participants comprised 520 EFL learners studying at various language institutes in the context of Iran. They were chosen according to convenience sampling. In this study, four instruments were used: flipped learning readiness questionnaire, learner autonomy scale, critical thinking inventory, and learning engagement questionnaire. To analyze the relationships among the variables, Pearson's correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling (SEM) was run. Results. The results revealed that flipped learning readiness correlated positively and significantly with three variables: learning engagement, critical thinking, and autonomy. In addition, based on the results, flipped learning is a positive significant predictor of critical thinking, learning engagement, and autonomy. Moreover, engagement is positively predicted by both critical thinking and autonomy. Finally, the results and their implications in the context of language learning were discussed.
On Weak Lensing Shape Noise

One of the most powerful techniques to study the dark sector of the Universe is weak gravitational lensing. In practice, to infer the reduced shear, weak lensing measures galaxy shapes, which are the consequence of both the intrinsic ellipticity of the sources and of the integrated gravitational lensing effect along the line of sight. Hence, a very large number of galaxies is required in order to average over their individual properties and to isolate the weak lensing cosmic shear signal. If this `shape noise' can be reduced, significant advances in the power of a weak lensing surveys can be expected. This paper describes a general method for extracting the probability distributions of parameters from catalogues of data using Voronoi cells, which has several applications, and has synergies with Bayesian hierarchical modelling approaches. This allows us to construct a probability distribution for the variance of the intrinsic ellipticity as a function of galaxy property using only photometric data, allowing a reduction of shape noise. As a proof of concept the method is applied to the CFHTLenS survey data. We use this approach to investigate trends of galaxy properties in the data and apply this to the case of weak lensing power spectra.
Biofunctionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles with Multiplex Touchdown PCR for Simultaneous and Rapid Detection/Identification of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

The simple, accurate, and rapid detection of foodborne pathogens is essential for public health. Development of an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) multiplex touchdown PCR (IMS–multiplex TD–PCR) assay for simultaneous detection and distinguishing of C. jejuni and C. coli is reported herein. Polyclonal antibody (pAb) against multiepitope antigen (MEA) was conjugated to ferromagnetic nanoparticles (FMNs) to produce anti-MEA FMNs. Optimal anti-MEA FMNs loading yielded 26.7 μg of immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules per mg of FMNs with an average size of 72 ± 9 nm, corresponding to an 83% rate of pAb conjugation. Anti-MEA FMNs (20 μg) for IMS captured culturable C. jejuni cells at 3.54 × 10 2 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL in pure culture, while higher amounts (40 and 60 μg) reduced the recovery. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed the attachment of anti-MEA FMNs to target bacteria, forming aggregated cells and magnetic nanoparticles in ellipse-like shapes. The subsequent multiplex TD–PCR assay simultaneously detected and distinguished C. jejuni and C. coli at 104 CFU/mL in mixed culture and at 103 CFU/mL for each individual species. Furthermore, the limit of detection (LOD) of the IMS–multiplex TD–PCR assay was 104 CFU/g in spiked chicken breast samples. Specificity was 100% for both C. jejuni and C. coli as none of the amplicons were detected in control samples where Campylobacter was absent. This assay is able to detect and distinguish C. jejuni and C. coli simultaneously and is simple, accurate, and rapid with a time to result of 4 h without an enrichment step, making it a promising approach for rapid and culture-free detection of Campylobacter in chicken products.
On the Power-Law Tails of Vote Distributions in Proportional Elections

In proportional elections with open lists the excess of preferences received by candidates with respect to the list average is known to follow a universal lognormal distribution. We show that lognormality is broken provided preferences are conditioned to lists with many candidates. In this limit power-law tails emerge. We study the large-list limit in the framework of a quenched approximation of the word-of-mouth model introduced by Fortunato and Castellano (Phys.Rev.Lett.99(13):138701,2007), where the activism of the agents is mitigated and the noise of the agent-agent interactions is averaged out. Then we argue that our analysis applies mutatis mutandis to the original model as well.
Multiwavelength Observations of Accretion in Low-Mass X-ray Binary Systems

This work is intended to provide an introduction to multiwavelength observations of low-mass X-ray binaries and the techniques used to analyze and interpret their data. The focus will primarily be on ultraviolet, optical, and infrared observations and their connections to other wavelengths. The topics covered include: outbursts of soft X-ray transients, accretion disk spectral energy distributions, orbital lightcurves in luminous and quiescent states, super-orbital and sub-orbital variability, line spectra, system parameter determinations, and echo-mapping and other rapid correlated variability.
Self-Calibrated Double Luminescent Thermometers Through Upconverting Nanoparticles

Luminescent nanothermometry uses the light emission from nanostructures for temperature measuring. Non-contact temperature readout opens new possibilities of tracking thermal flows at the sub-micrometer spatial scale, that are altering our understanding of heat-transfer phenomena occurring at living cells, micro electromagnetic machines or integrated electronic circuits, bringing also challenges of calibrating the luminescent nanoparticles for covering diverse temperature ranges. In this work, we report self-calibrated double luminescent thermometers, embedding in a poly(methyl methacrylate) film Er3+- and Tm3+-doped upconverting nanoparticles. The Er3+-based primary thermometer uses the ratio between the integrated intensities of the 2H11/2→4I15/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2 transitions (that follows the Boltzmann equation) to determine the temperature. It is used to calibrate the Tm3+/Er3+ secondary thermometer, which is based on the ratio between the integrated intensities of the 1G4→3H6 (Tm3+) and the 4S3/2→4I15/2 (Er3+) transitions, displaying a maximum relative sensitivity of 2.96% K−1 and a minimum temperature uncertainty of 0.07 K. As the Tm3+/Er3+ ratio is calibrated trough the primary thermometer it avoids recurrent calibration procedures whenever the system operates in new experimental conditions.
Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of masticatory muscle changes in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia before microvascular decompression

Primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) is characterized by chronic neuropathic pain. There are few studies exploring masticatory muscle changes in patients with PTN. This study evaluated the changes in the masticatory muscles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the predictive factors of masticatory muscle changes in patients with PTN. The radiologic outcomes of 52 patients with PTN and 58 healthy adults were evaluated. The temporalis, lateral pterygoid, medial pterygoid, and masseter muscles were assessed using MRI. Atrophy and edema of the masticatory muscles were noted. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with masticatory muscle atrophy. Among the PTN group, the right side (61.5%) and mandibular branch (53.9%) were the most affected. Muscle atrophy of the temporalis (P < .001), medial pterygoid (P = .016), lateral pterygoid (P = .031), and masseter (P = .001) were significantly higher in the PTN group than in the control group. Lateral pterygoid edema was significantly higher in the PTN group (P < .001). However, no significant difference was found in the temporalis and masseter edema between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that neurovascular conflict (NVC) significantly predicted mastication muscle atrophy (P = .037). Patients with PTN had higher rates of masticatory muscle atrophy and edema. The assessment of NVC may be a preoperative imaging biomarker to predict atrophy in PTN.
QUANTIFYING DISCORDANCE IN THE 2015 PLANCK CMB SPECTRUM

We examine the internal consistency of the Planck 2015 cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature anisotropy power spectrum. We show that tension exists between cosmological constant cold dark matter ( Λ CDM ? > ) model parameters inferred from multipoles ℓ < 1000 ? > (roughly those accessible to Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe), and from ℓ ≥ 1000 ? > , particularly the CDM density, &OHgr; c h 2 ? > , which is discrepant at 2.5 &sgr; ? > for a Planck -motivated prior on the optical depth, τ = 0.07 ± 0.02 ? > . We find some parameter tensions to be larger than previously reported because of inaccuracy in the code used by the Planck Collaboration to generate model spectra. The Planck ℓ ≥ 1000 ? > constraints are also in tension with low-redshift data sets, including Planck ’s own measurement of the CMB lensing power spectrum ( 2.4 &sgr; ? > ), and the most precise baryon acoustic oscillation scale determination ( 2.5 &sgr; ? > ). The Hubble constant predicted by Planck from ℓ ≥ 1000 ? > , H 0 = 64.1 ± 1.7 ? > km s − 1 ? > Mpc−1, disagrees with the most precise local distance ladder measurement of 73.0 ± 2.4 ? > km s − 1 ? > Mpc−1 at the 3.0 &sgr; ? > level, while the Planck value from ℓ < 1000 ? > , 69.7 ± 1.7 ? > km s − 1 ? > Mpc−1, is consistent within 1 &sgr; ? > . A discrepancy between the Planck and South Pole Telescope high-multipole CMB spectra disfavors interpreting these tensions as evidence for new physics. We conclude that the parameters from the Planck high-multipole spectrum probably differ from the underlying values due to either an unlikely statistical fluctuation or unaccounted-for systematics persisting in the Planck data.