Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyclin A2 and Ki-67 proliferation markers could be used to identify tumors with poor prognosis in African American women with breast cancer

Background: Diagnosed invasive breast carcinomas in African American patients are more aggressive compared with those in Caucasian patients and diagnosed at later stages of the disease with higher grade tumors. Despite advances in breast cancer systemic treatment, new prognostic and predictive biomarkers are still needed. Therefore, potential biomarkers were chosen to correlate with different subtypes, recurrence, and survival of invasive breast cancer in a cohort of African American women. Methods: Eight protein biomarkers (ER, PR, HER2, Cyclin A2, Cytokeratin 5, Vimentin, Bcl2, and Ki-67) were evaluated using tissue microarrays (TMAs) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The IHC results from TMAs were analyzed by both supervised and unsupervised clustering methods. The predictive clusters for the supervised and unsupervised methods were compared for agreement with the empirical classification. Kappa values were used to determine the overall percent correct clusters and agreement between specific clusters. Chi-square statistics was used to examine the association between hierarchical and multinomial logistic clustering methods. Results: Five subtypes of breast tumors with distinct protein expression patterns were identified among the studied 166 breast tumors. Luminal B tumors have been distinguished from luminal A tumors by staining for cell cycle proteins Cyclin A2 and Ki-67, which promote cell proliferation. Forty-nine percent were stained positive for Cyclin A2, 39.2% positive for Ki-67, and 37% positive for both Cyclin A2 and Ki-67. The age of patients did not show any significant effect whether five (p-value= 0.576) or eight (p-value= 0.605) biomarkers were used, which indicating that age did not have any influence on the classification of the subtypes. Ninety percent of the thirty triple negative tumors were positive for Cyclin A2 or Ki-67 or both. Six-year overall survival was better for luminal A tumors (76%) than luminal B tumors (71%). Likewise, six-year relapse-free survival was better for luminal A tumors (76%) than luminal B tumors (29%). Conclusion: Discovery of molecular markers such as Cyclin A2 and Ki-67, and subtypes that are most prevalent in African Americans could lead to a better understanding of the factors contributing to higher morbidity and mortality in this group and to aid in decision-making to offer earlier treatment.
A note on a Markov bilinear stochastic process in discrete time

In this paper we study the ergodicity of a Markov bilinear stochastic process and prove that not all moments exist for a non-trivial bilinear stochastic process. We have derived expressions for the moments when they exist and diagrams are given which show the regions for which moments of various low orders exist. A modified bilinear process is briefly discussed.
The relationship between coping and distress among faculty members and students during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: The moderating effect of gender

Objectives Previous research has documented significant associations between the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, various mental health problems, and coping strategies. However, literature on the moderating role of gender on the relationship between distress and coping strategies during COVID-19 is almost nonexistent. Hence, the main objective of this study was two folds. To examine gender differences in distress and coping strategies, and to test the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between distress and coping among university faculty members and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional web-based study design was used to collect data from the participants. A sample of 649 participants (68.9% university students and 31.1% faculty members) was selected. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) were used to collect data from the participants. The survey was sent out during the COVID-19 lockdown from May 12th to June 30th, 2020. Results The results showed significant gender differences in distress and the three coping strategies. Women consistently scored higher on distress (p < 0.01), task-focused (p < 0.05), emotion-focused (p < 0.001), and avoidance coping (p < 0.01) compared to men. Gender moderated the relationship between emotion-focused coping and distress (p < 0.001) but not the relationship between distress and task-focused or avoidance coping. Conclusion Increased emotion-focused coping is associated with decreased distress among women while the use of emotion-focused coping by men predicted more distress. Workshops and programs focused on providing skills and techniques on how to cope with stressful situations induced by the COVID-19 pandemic are recommended.
DEPARTMENT OF DECISION SCIENCES AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (KBI)

We derive explicit formulae for estimation in logistic regression models where some of the covariates are missing. Our approach allows for modeling the distribution of the missing covariates either as a multivariate normal or multivariate t-distribution. A main advantage of this method is that it is fast and does not require the use of iterative procedures. A model selection method is derived which allows to choose amongst these distributions. In addition we consider versions of AIC that are based on the EM algorithm and on multiple imputation methods that have a wide applicability to model selection in likelihood models in general.
Gamification tailored for novelty effect in distance learning during COVID-19

The pandemic led to an increase of online teaching tools use. One such tool, which might have helped students to stay engaged despite the distance, is gamification. However, gamification is often criticized due to a novelty effect. Yet, others state novelty is a natural part of gamification. Therefore, we investigated whether gamification novelty effect brings incremental value in comparison to other novelties in a course. We created achievement- and socialization-based gamification connected to coursework and practice test. We then measured students’ behavioral engagement and performance in a quasi-experiment. On the one hand, results show ICT students engaged and performed moderately better in a gamified condition than in control over time. On the other hand, BA course results show no difference between gamified and practice test condition and their novelty effect. We conclude an external gamification system yields better results than a classical design but does not exceed practice tests effect.
Meteorological and Aerosol Effects on Marine Stratocumulus

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of meteorological conditions and aerosols on marine stratocumulus in the southeastern Pacific using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Two regimes with different temperature and moisture conditions in the finest model domain are investigated. The western regime is around 87°–79°W, while the eastern regime is around 79°–71°W. In both regimes, cloud fraction, liquid water path (LWP), cloud thickness, and precipitation show significant diurnal cycles. Cloud fraction can be 0.83 during the night and down to 0.29 during the day in the western regime. The diurnal cycles in the eastern regime have smaller amplitudes but are still very strong. Stratocumulus properties also differ in the two regimes. Compared to the western regime, the eastern regime has lower temperature, higher relative humidity, and a more coupled boundary layer, leading to higher cloud fraction (by 0.11) and lower cloud-base height. The eastern regime also has lower inversion height th.
Peripheral eosinophil trends and clinical outcomes after non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background/objective Uncontrolled systemic inflammation after non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with worse outcomes. Changes in the peripheral eosinophil count have been linked to worse clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injury. We aimed to investigate the association of eosinophil counts with clinical outcomes after SAH. Methods This retrospective observational study included patients with SAH admitted from January 2009 to July 2016. Variables included demographics, modified Fisher scale (mFS), Hunt–Hess Scale (HHS), global cerebral edema (GCE), and the presence of any infection. Peripheral eosinophil counts were examined as part of routine clinical care on admission and daily for 10 days after aneurysmal rupture. Outcome measures included dichotomized discharge mortality, modified Ranked Scale (mRS) score, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), vasospasm, and need for ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Statistical tests included the chi-square test, Student's t-test, and multivariable logistic regression (MLR) model. Results A total of 451 patients were included. The median age was 54 (IQR 45, 63) years, and 295 (65.4%) were female patients. On admission, 95 patients (21.1%) had a high HHS (>4), and 54 (12.0%) had GCE. A total of 110 (24.4%) patients had angiographic vasospasm, 88 (19.5%) developed DCI, 126 (27.9%) had an infection during hospitalization, and 56 (12.4%) required VPS. Eosinophil counts increased and peaked on days 8–10. Higher eosinophil counts on days 3–5 and day 8 were seen in patients with GCE (p < 0.05). Higher eosinophil counts on days 7–9 (p < 0.05) occurred in patients with poor discharge functional outcomes. In multivariable logistic regression models, higher day 8 eosinophil count was independently associated with worse discharge mRS (OR 6.72 [95% CI 1.27, 40.4], p = 0.03). Conclusion This study demonstrated that a delayed increase in eosinophils after SAH occurs and may contribute to functional outcomes. The mechanism of this effect and the relationship with SAH pathophysiology merit further investigation.
Sweeping quartz crystals

Sweeping is a purification process that removes certain impurities and thereby improves the radiation sensitivity of quartz crystals. The major steps of a typical sweeping process consist of applying electrodes to the Z-surfaces of a lumbered quartz bar; applying voltage to the electrodes to produce an electric field of approximately 1 kV/cm; heating the bar slowly either in air, vacuum, or hydrogen-containing or inert atmospheres to about 500 degrees C; monitoring the current through the bar; and, when the current decays to some near-constant value, cooling the bar slowly to room temperature and removing the voltage. Alkali-metal impurities, such as Li/sup +/ and Na/sup +/, are charge compensators for trivalent aluminium impurities in quartz. When sweeping is performed in air or H/sub 2/ the alkalis diffuse to the cathode and are replaced by the indiffusion of hydrogen at the anode. The alkali-metal impurities are subsequently removed by lapping the Z-surfaces. The sweeping process also modifies dislocations, reducing the tendency for formation of etch channels. Recent advances have involved the use of impurity characterizations such as electron spin resonance, acoustic loss measurements, and infrared absorption spectroscopy. <<ETX>>
How information processing and risk/benefit perception affect COVID-19 vaccination intention of users in online health communities

Objective To investigate the relationship among information processing, risk/benefit perception and the COVID-19 vaccination intention of OHCs users with the heuristic-systematic model (HSM). Methods This study conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire via an online survey among Chinese adults. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the research hypotheses. Results Systematic information processing positively influenced benefit perception, and heuristic information processing positively influenced risk perception. Benefit perception had a significant positive effect on users' vaccination intention. Risk perception had a negative impact on vaccination intention. Findings revealed that differences in information processing methods affect users' perceptions of risk and benefit, which decide their vaccination intention. Conclusion Online health communities can provide more systematic cues and users should process information systematically to increase their perceived benefits, consequently increase their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine.
Generation of mountain wave‐induced mean flows and turbulence near the tropopause

Gravity waves interacting with the tropopause are investigated using linear and nonlinear numerical simulations. The tropopause is modelled as the interface between two layers of constant Brunt–Väisälä frequency. The simulations are two‐dimensional with uniform horizontal flow, the background rotation is ignored, and the gravity waves are generated by flow over an idealized isolated obstacle shape at the surface. The nonlinear simulation results show a horizontal wave‐induced mean flow at the tropopause similar to previous results treating horizontally periodic internal waves impinging on a density‐gradient interface. The mean flow created by the impinging gravity waves is increased over the background wind below the tropopause and decreased above the tropopause. This effect is not present in the linear simulations. The nonlinear effect is felt more strongly for cases with higher mountain heights and larger values of the stability in the upper layer. The final steady mountain‐wave flow appears to permanently retain this mean‐flow change. The deceleration region above the tropopause results in a patch of slow‐moving fluid near the interface which induces local regions of reduced Richardson number and may help explain some observational results of higher turbulence intensities near the tropopause over mountainous regions.
Gradient crystal plasticity as part of the computational modelling of polycrystals

This paper describes how gradient hardening can, in a thermodynamically consistent fashion, be included into a crystal plasticity model. By assuming that the inelastic part of the free energy includes contributions from the gradient of hardening along each slip direction, a hardening stress due to the second derivative of the hardening along each slip direction can be derived. For a finite element model of the grain structure a coupled problem with displacements and gradient hardening variables as degrees of freedom is thereby obtained. This problem is solved using a dual mixed approach. In particular, an algorithm suitable for parallelization is presented, where each grain is treated as a subproblem. The numerical results show that the macroscopic strength increases with decreasing grain size as a result of gradient hardening. Finally, the results of different prolongation assumptions, i.e. how to impose the macroscopic deformation gradient on a representative volume element, are compared. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta-linguistic awareness skills in Chinese-speaking children with hyperlexia: A single-case study

Purpose The aim of the study is to examine the meta-linguistic awareness skills contributing to reading aloud in a Chinese-speaking child with hyperlexia. Methods Case study approach was used with one case of hyperlexia (TYH) and two control groups: typically developing (TD) children matched for chronological age (CA) and TD children matched for mental ability (MA). A battery of phonological, morphological, and orthographic awareness skill tests were administered. Results Results from the modified t-test found that the hyperlexic child did not demonstrate advanced meta-linguistic awareness skills in comparison with the two control groups. On the contrary, TYH’s morphological awareness skills were even lower than the CA control group. Also, in the orthographic awareness test, TYH demonstrated weaker knowledge of character structure and components than the two control groups although his ability in the recognition of real words is intact. In addition, the predictability of orthographic awareness skill was comparable to the CA group with predicted score showed no difference to his obtained score, while TYH achieved a significantly higher reading score than what his morphological awareness skills should predict with reference to TD children of similar age; as well as what his phonological awareness skill predict with reference to the MA group. Conclusion The findings suggest that TYH can achieve advanced reading ability with comparable phonological and orthographic awareness skill, despite his weakness in morphological awareness. It is concluded that the hyperlexic reading in Chinese might be achieved through the direct mapping between the whole character and the sound.
Stigma, Sociodemographic Factors, and Clinical Factors Associated with Psychological Distress among COVID-19 Survivors during the Convalescence Period: A Multi-Centre Study in Malaysia

High rates of psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors and stigmatisation have been reported in both early and late convalescence. This study aimed to compare the severity of psychological distress and to determine the associations among sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, stigma, and psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors across two different cohorts at two different time points. Data were collected cross-sectionally in two groups at one month and six months post-hospitalisation among COVID-19 patient from three hospitals in Malaysia. This study assessed psychological distress and the level of stigma using the Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress (K6) and the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) stigma scale, respectively. At one month after discharge, significantly lower psychological distress was found among retirees (B = −2.207, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = −4.139 to −0.068, p = 0.034), those who received up to primary education (B = −2.474, 95% CI = −4.500 to −0.521, p = 0.014), and those who had an income of more than RM 10,000 per month (B = −1.576, 95% CI = −2.714 to −0.505, p = 0.006). Moreover, those with a history of psychiatric illness [one month: (B = 6.363, 95% CI = 2.599 to 9.676, p = 0.002), six months: (B = 2.887, CI = 0.469–6.437, p = 0.038)] and sought counselling services [one month: (B = 1.737, 95% CI = 0.385 to 3.117, p = 0.016), six months: (B = 1.480, CI = 0.173–2.618, p = 0.032)] had a significantly higher severity of psychological distress at one month and six months after discharge from the hospital. The perceived stigma of being infected with COVID-19 contributed to greater severity of psychological distress. (B = 0.197, CI = 0.089–0.300, p = 0.002). Different factors may affect psychological distress at different periods of convalescence after a COVID-19 infection. A persistent stigma contributed to psychological distress later in the convalescence period.
Sums of Functions of Nearest Neighbor Distances, Moment Bounds, Limit Theorems and a Goodness of Fit Test

Abstract : The limiting behavior of sums of functions of nearest neighbor distances is studied for an m dimensional sample. A central limit theorem and moment bounds for such sums, and an invariance principle for the empirical process of nearest neighbor distances are both established. As a consequence the asymptotic behavior of a practicable goodness of fit test is obtained based on nearest neighbor distances.
The language of English and Polish corporate tweets – a corpus analysis

The following analysis investigates selected properties of the language of the tweets used in the interaction with consumers on English and Polish brand profiles. The analysis examines the structure of tweets, word frequency, as well as the frequency of informal and non-standard language items, language mistakes, the use of emoticons and hashtags. The study contrasts the language used by English and Polish representatives and reveals a number of similarities and differences between the corpora. What the corpora share is a high frequency of conventional politeness acts and language structures reflecting a customer-oriented tone of the interaction. Differences are observed in the frequency and use of informal and non-standard structures, emoticons and hashtags, as well as in the structure and complexity of the tweets. The study indicates a lower formulaicity and a greater individualization of the interaction on the Polish profiles.
Upper-lower body super-sets vs. traditional sets for inducing chronic athletic performance improvements

Background To promote chronic adaptations, resistance training needs the manipulation of different variables, among them, the order of the exercises and sets. Specifically, for velocity-based training, paired exercises alternating upper and/or lower-body muscle groups appear to be a good choice to promote neuromuscular adaptations. Objective This study aimed to compare the effect of two velocity-based training programs only differing in the set configuration on muscle strength, muscular endurance and jump performance. Methods Moderately strength-trained men were allocated into a traditional (TS, n= 8) or alternating sets (AS, n= 9) configuration group to perform a 6-week velocity-based training program using the full squat (SQ) and bench press (BP) exercises. The TS group completed all sets of the full squat (SQ) exercise before performing the bench press (BP) sets, whereas the AS group completed the first set of each exercise in an alternating manner. Training frequency, relative load, number of sets, percentage of velocity loss (%VL) within the set and inter-set rest were matched for both groups. Countermovement jump height (CMJ), load (kg)-velocity relationship, predicted 1RM, and muscular endurance for each exercise were evaluated at pre- and post-training. Results The TS and AS groups obtained similar and non-significant improvements in CMJ (3.01 ± 4.84% and 3.77 ± 6.12%, respectively). Both groups exhibited significant and similar increases in muscle strength variables in SQ (6.19–11.55% vs. 6.90-011.76%; p = 0.033–0.044, for TS and AS, respectively), BP (6.19–13.87% and 3.99–9.58%; p = 0.036–0.049, for TS and AS group, respectively), and muscular endurance in BP (7.29 ± 7.76% and 7.72 ± 9.73%; p = 0.033, for the TS and AS group, respectively). However, the AS group showed a greater improvement in muscular endurance in SQ than the TS group (10.19 ± 15.23% vs. 2.76 ± 7.39%; p = 0.047, respectively). Total training time per session was significantly shorter (p = 0.000) for AS compared to TS group. Conclusions Training programs performing AS between SQ and BP exercises with moderate loads and %VL induce similar jump and strength improvements, but in a more time-efficient manner, than the traditional approach.
Diagnostic Performance Evaluation of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection of Prostate Cancer with Supervised Machine Learning Methods

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Its early and correct diagnosis is of particular importance to controlling and preventing the disease from spreading to other tissues. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have effectively detected and graded several cancers, in particular prostate cancer. The purpose of this review is to show the diagnostic performance (accuracy and area under the curve) of supervised machine learning algorithms in detecting prostate cancer using multiparametric MRI. A comparison was made between the performances of different supervised machine-learning methods. This review study was performed on the recent literature sourced from scientific citation websites such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to the end of January 2023. The findings of this review reveal that supervised machine learning techniques have good performance with high accuracy and area under the curve for prostate cancer diagnosis and prediction using multiparametric MR imaging. Among supervised machine learning methods, deep learning, random forest, and logistic regression algorithms appear to have the best performance.