Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Residual Tumors in Surgery Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Esophageal Cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by esophagectomy is considered the standard treatment for resectable advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Japan. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for residual tumors in surgery following NAC. We herein described risk factors for residual tumors in surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for thoracic esophageal cancer. We reviewed the medical records of patients in our institution selected by using the following criteria: (1) pathologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma before treatment; (2) cT1 to cT3; and (3) receipt of thoracotomy performed between 2007 and 2010 with the intention of curative resection after NAC composed of 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin. The patients were divided into the complete resection group (R0 group), and the macroscopic or microscopic residual tumor group [R(+) group]. A total of 88 patients were eligible (R0, 70 patients; R1, 9 patients; R2, 7 patients; and not resected, 2 patients). There were more cT3 cancers and clinical node-positive diseases in the R(+) group than in the R0 group. Multivariate analysis identified tumor depth (cT3) and tumor location (above the carina) as risk factors for residual tumor. Patients with cT3 esophageal cancer above the carina have a high risk of residual tumor in esophagectomy following NAC. In these patients, more intensive preoperative therapy will be required.
Storing and Retrieving Wavefronts with Resistive Temporal Memory

We extend the reach of temporal computing schemes by developing a memory for multi-channel temporal patterns or “wavefronts. ” This temporal memory re-purposes conventional one-transistor-one-resistor (1T1R) memristor crossbars for use in an arrival-time coded, single-event-per-wire temporal computing environment. The memristor resistances and the associated circuit capacitances provide the necessary time constants, enabling the memory array to store and retrieve wavefronts. The retrieval operation of such a memory is naturally in the temporal domain and the resulting wavefronts can be used to trigger time-domain computations. While recording the wavefronts can be done using standard digital techniques, that approach has substantial translation costs between temporal and digital domains. To avoid these costs, we propose a spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) inspired wavefront recording scheme to capture incoming wavefronts. We simulate these designs with experimentally validated memristor models and analyze the effects of memristor non-idealities on the operation of such a memory.
Local Implicit Grid Representations for 3D Scenes

Shape priors learned from data are commonly used to reconstruct 3D objects from partial or noisy data. Yet no such shape priors are available for indoor scenes, since typical 3D autoencoders cannot handle their scale, complexity, or diversity. In this paper, we introduce Local Implicit Grid Representations, a new 3D shape representation designed for scalability and generality. The motivating idea is that most 3D surfaces share geometric details at some scale -- i.e., at a scale smaller than an entire object and larger than a small patch. We train an autoencoder to learn an embedding of local crops of 3D shapes at that size. Then, we use the decoder as a component in a shape optimization that solves for a set of latent codes on a regular grid of overlapping crops such that an interpolation of the decoded local shapes matches a partial or noisy observation. We demonstrate the value of this proposed approach for 3D surface reconstruction from sparse point observations, showing significantly better results than alternative approaches.
Safe adaptive importance sampling: A mixture approach

This paper investigates adaptive importance sampling algorithms for which the policy, the sequence of distributions used to generate the particles, is a mixture distribution between a flexible kernel density estimate (based on the previous particles), and a "safe" heavy-tailed density. When the share of samples generated according to the safe density goes to zero but not too quickly, two results are established: (i) uniform convergence rates are derived for the policy toward the target density; (ii) a central limit theorem is obtained for the resulting integral estimates. The fact that the asymptotic variance is the same as the variance of an "oracle" procedure with variance-optimal policy, illustrates the benefits of the approach. In addition, a subsampling step (among the particles) can be conducted before constructing the kernel estimate in order to decrease the computational effort without altering the performance of the method. The practical behavior of the algorithms is illustrated in a simulation study.
Studying dynamics in two-dimensional quantum lattices using tree tensor network states

We analyze and discuss convergence properties of a numerically exact algorithm tailored to study the dynamics of interacting two-dimensional lattice systems. The method is based on the application of the time-dependent variational principle in a manifold of binary and quaternary Tree Tensor Network States. The approach is found to be competitive with existing matrix product state approaches. We discuss issues related to the convergence of the method, which could be relevant to a broader set of numerical techniques used for the study of two-dimensional systems.
Facilitating intergenerational storytelling for older adults in the nursing home: A case study

In this paper, we present our study regarding facilitating storytelling of older adults living in the nursing home with their children. The paper was driven by the following research questions: (1) What life stories would the older adults like to share? And (2) In which ways, could design enable the older adults to tell their stories? We designed a tangible device named Slots-Story, and conducted a preliminary evaluation to refine it. In the field study, eight pairs of participants (each pair consisted of an elderly adult and his/her child) were recruited to use the prototype for around ten days. Semi-structured interviews were conducted before and after the implementation. In total 344 stories were collected. Thematic, structural, and interaction analyses were conducted with the stories. In the discussion, we conclude the paper with design considerations for promoting older adults’ storytelling with their children.
Check List

We present the first records of Loxopholis southi (Ruthven & Gaige, 1924) from the western slope of the Cordillera Oriental in Colombia. This species had previously only been known from the biogeographic regions of Chocó and Magdalena River valley in the Cordillera Occidental and Central Colombia, and from Central America. This record expands the distribution of L. southi to the Andean mountains of the Cordillera Oriental, crossing the Magdalena River valley. It now constitutes the easternmost known occurrence in Colombia and the highest altitudinal record for this species.
Lozenge tilings of hexagons with central holes and dents

Ciucu proved a simple product formula for the tiling number of a hexagon in which a chain of equilateral triangles of alternating orientations, called a ‘fern,’ has been removed from the center (Adv. Math. 2017 ). In this paper, we present a multi-parameter generalization of this work by giving an explicit tiling enumeration for a hexagon with three ferns removed, besides the central fern as in Ciucu’s region, we remove two new ferns from two sides of the hexagon. Our result also implies a new ‘dual’ of MacMahon’s classical formula of boxed plane partitions, corresponding to the exterior of the union of three disjoint concave polygons obtained by turning 120 degrees after drawing each side.
Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) for oral delivery of Garcinia kola seeds ethanolic extract: formulation and in vivo antimalarial activity

Context: Garcinia kola seeds are widely used in Congolese traditional medicine to treat uncomplicated malaria. While the ethanolic extract of these seeds (GK) is reputed for oral antimalarial activity, some of its constituents have shown poor water solubility, which might compromise further phytopharmaceutical developments. Aims: To develop a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for oral delivery of GK, since SNEDDS are promising vehicles for enhancing drug product solubility. Methods: GK was loaded into liquid SNEDDS (solution and suspension) and solid SNEDDS (S-SNEDDS), and the resultant formulations were characterized using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. The antimalarial activity of SNEDDS (200 mg/kg × 4 days, oral) was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice using a conventional four-day suppressive test. Results: The characterization of SNEDDS formulations revealed the presence of nanosized structures of spherical morphology and negative surface charge. Data from in vivo study showed reduced parasite growth by 77.9, 73.8 and 74.2% for GK-SNEDDS solution, GK-SNEDDS suspension and GK-S-SNEDDS, respectively. The activity of GK-SNEDDS was found to be greater than that of a licensed GK-based syrup (N’sansiphos®) used at the same dose (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the potential of SNEDDS formulations as a promising alternative for enhancing the antimalarial efficacy of GK following oral administration. The SNEDDS technology holds the promise of improving the oral delivery of herbal-based products for malaria therapy.
UNDERGRADUATES’ PERCEPTION OF UNETHICAL PRACTICES AMONG LECTURERS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN DELTA STATE

The issue of unethical practices is now the bane of some higher institutions in Nigeria. This study therefore ascertained undergraduates’ perceptions on unethical practices among lecturers in higher institutions in Delta State. Three research questions were raised and answered. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study used a descriptive survey design. The students of Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, and Delta State University Abraka, comprised the population of the study. 247 students (112 males and 135 females) were selected across the institutions using convenience sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire entitled ‘Undergraduates’ Perception of Unethical Practices Questionnaire (UPUPQ)’. The face and content validity of UPUPQ was established by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability coefficient of the instrument using Cronbach Alpha method was 0.76. The data collected were analyzed using mean statistics to address the research questions while the hypotheses were tested at . 05 level of significance using t-test analysis. The findings revealed that some lecturers in higher institutions engage in unethical practices. Furthermore, factors such as that desperation for promotion, greed for money and many others are causes of unethical practices among lecturers in higher institutions. Also, the difference in the mean perception scores of male and female students on unethical practices among lecturers in higher institutions is not significant. Finally, the difference in the mean perception scores of male and female undergraduates on perceived causes of unethical practices among lecturers in higher institutions is not significant. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that various higher institutions authority should organize seminar on ethical re-orientation for academic staff in order to combat unethical practices in schools.
The Effect of Flaxseed Ethanolic Extract on the Structure of the Kidney and the Endocrine Pancreas in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Background : The present investigation has been designed to study the possible protective effect of flaxseed extract on the structures of the endocrine pancreas and kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats for 30 days. Methods : Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups (n=8). Normal control group (NC); received distilled water orally, normal flaxseed group (NF); treated orally with (400 mg/kg) extract of flaxseed, diabetic control group (DC); treated with single intraperitoneal dose of STZ (60 mg/kg), diabetic flaxseed group (DF); diabetic rats treated with extract of flaxseed (400 mg/kg), diabetic glibenclamide group (DG); diabetic rats treated with (0.6 mg/kg) glibenclamide. Results : Histological observation of sections in pancreas in DC group revealed shrunken islets of Langerhans with degenerated and degranulated β-cells, vacuolations and congested capillaries while sections of kidneys showed shrinkage of some glomeruli and degeneration of others with wide urinary space and hydropic degeneration in some tubular epithelial cells, dilated tubules and cell debris scattered in tubular lumina. These pathological changes were ameliorated in the flaxseed extract and glibenclamide treated rats. Conclusions : It is concluded that flaxseed extract may represent a good alternative treatment for management of diabetes and its related complications such as diabetic nephropathy.
Targeting Lifestyle Behavior to Improve Brain Health: User-Experiences of an Online Program for Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline

Background Online programs targeting lifestyle have the potential to benefit brain health. We aimed to develop such a program for individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). These individuals were reported to be at increased risk for dementia, and report both an intrinsic need for brain health information and motivation to participate in prevention strategies. Co-creation and user-evaluation benefits the adherence to and acceptance of online programs. Previously, we developed a prototype of the online program in co-creation with the users. Objectives We now aimed to evaluate the user-experiences of our online lifestyle program for brain health. Design 30-day user test; multi-method. Setting Participants were recruited in a memory clinic and (online) research registries in the Netherlands (Alzheimer Center Amsterdam) and Germany (Center for memory disorders, Cologne). Participants Individuals with SCD (N=137, 65±9y, 57% female). Measurements We assessed user-experiences quantitatively with rating daily advices and usefulness, satisfaction and ease of use questionnaires as well as qualitatively using telephone interviews. Results Quantitative data showed that daily advices were rated moderately useful (3.5 ±1.5, range 1–5 points). Participants (n=101, 78%) gave moderate ratings on the programs’ usability (3.7±1.3, max 7), ease of learning (3.6±1.9) and satisfaction (4.0±1.5), and marginal ratings on the overall usability (63.7±19.0, max 100). Qualitative data collected during telephone interviews showed that participants highly appreciated the content of the program. They elaborated that lower ratings of the program were mainly due to technical issues that hindered a smooth walk through. Participants reported that the program increased awareness of lifestyle factors related to brain health. Conclusions Overall user-experience of the online lifestyle program was moderate to positive. Qualitative data showed that content was appreciated and that flawless, easy access technique is essential. The heterogeneity in ratings of program content and in program use highlights the need for personalization. These findings support the use of online self-applied lifestyle programs when aiming to reach large groups of motivated at-risk individuals for brain health promotion.
Transversus abdominis plane block: A multimodal analgesia technique – Our experience

Context: A retrospective observational study conducted to assess transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block as a tool for providing multimodal analgesia postoperatively for abdominal surgeries. Aims: The aim is to compare the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain and the requirement of rescue analgesia postoperatively in patients undergoing various abdominal surgeries (open and laparoscopic) where TAP block was given for postoperative analgesia and was compared with patients who received pain relief according to the institutional protocol. Settings and Design: Retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: Retrospective data from anesthesia records of patients, who underwent abdominal surgeries from January 2016 to December 2016, were analyzed and were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 250) consisted of patients who received the conventional standard postoperative analgesia protocol of the department of anesthesia. Group B (n = 136) consisted of patients who were administered TAP block postsurgery for the postoperative analgesia by the trained anesthesiologist. Primary outcome considered was (i) average VAS at 02, 06, 12, and 24 h and (ii) average opioid/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcome considered was time to first rescue analgesia. Statistical Analysis: All parametric data were analyzed using unpaired t-test. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. A SPSS version 17 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Results: Average pain scores (VAS) were lower in Group B as compared to Group A in all subcategories of surgery postoperatively. Patients given TAP block (Group B) required less rescue analgesia in the postoperative period with time to first rescue analgesia being prolonged. Conclusions: On the basis of our retrospective study, we suggest that TAP block can be utilized as a part of multimodal analgesia regimen for abdominal surgeries, laparoscopic as well as open. Tap block has demonstrated a good safety profile in experienced hands; it is easy to perform and has displayed consistent analgesia over a prolonged period. It reduces postoperative morbidity and supports early ambulation.
Phenotypic, Genotypic Resistance and Virulotyping of Staphylococcus aureus

| The present study aimed to determine phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antimicrobial resistance and some virulent genes in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from readytoeat (RTE) food purchased from commercial restaurants at Sharkia, Egypt. One hundred RTE food including kofta, shawarma, sausage and fried shrimp were streaked on Baired-Parker agar plates followed by biochemical identification of isolates. Twenty seven S. aureus isolates were screened for antibiotic resistance by disk diffusion test. Uniplex PCR was used to detect the antimicrobial resistance genes for methicillin (mecA), beta-lactamase (blaZ), aminoglycoside [aac (6’) aph(2’’)] and macrolides (mph C) and virulence genes (spa and clfA) in four phenotypically multidrug resistant (MDR) S. aureus isolates. Furthermore, enterotoxin genes were screened in the four isolates of S. aureus using multiplex PCR. In this study, S. aureus strains showed highest resistance to methicillin and cefotaxime (100%) followed by amoxicillin (85.18%) and gentamicin (81.48%). The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of S. aureushad a range of 0.36 to 0.9 with an average 0.58. Three (25%) isolates from kofta were multi-resistant to 10 antibiotics and one strain (9.09%) of S. aureus from shawarma was resistant to 10 antimicrobials. The four isolates of phenotypically resistant S. aureus to methicillin, amoxicillin and gentamicin were positive (100%) for each of mecA, blaZ and aac (6’) aph (2’’) resistance genes; while, two isolates showed resistance to macrolides were positive for mphC gene. The four multidrug resistant (MDR) S. aureus were negative for any enterotoxin genes. Additionally, all examined MDR isolates of S. aureus from RTE food harboring spa and clfA genes (100%). The higher contamination of different RTE food with MDR S. aureus indicates improper hygienic measures. Also, the higher MAR index of S. aureus isolates has high risk potential for consumers.
Public Goods: A Survey of Experimental Research

Environments with public goods are a wonderful playground for those interested in delicate experimental problems, serious theoretical challenges, and difficult mechanism design issues. A review is made of various public goods experiments. It is found that the public goods environment is a very sensitive one with much that can affect outcomes but are difficult to control. The many factors interact with each other in unknown ways. Nothing is known for sure. Environments with public goods present a serious challenge even to skilled experimentalists and many opportunities for imaginative work.
Personality-Cognition Associations across the Adult Lifespan and Potential Moderators: Results from Two Cohorts.

OBJECTIVE Personality and cognitive abilities have been previously linked. However, there are inconsistencies regarding whether this relationship varies as a function of age, and a lack of evidence on whether gender contributes to this relation, particularly across the adulthood. Therefore, this study investigated the association between personality and cognition across adult lifespan, accounting for age and gender. METHODS We examined the association between personality and cognition in two large samples (Sample 1: N = 422; Sample 2: N = 549) including young, middle aged and older adults. Participants completed personality scales and several cognitive measures related to reasoning, language, memory and speed of processing. Structural equation modelling was applied in order to investigate associations between personality and cognition, and moderation of age and gender within this relationship. We also conducted a mini-metanalysis procedure in order to examine personality-cognition associations, combining results from the two samples. RESULTS Openness was the main trait associated with cognitive performance; however, extraversion, conscientiousness and neuroticism were also independently associated with cognition. Age and gender did not consistently moderate personality-cognition in each sample, but the mini-metanalysis showed that gender moderated conscientiousness-cognition associations. CONCLUSIONS We provided robust evidence of personality-cognition associations across the adult lifespan, which was not consistently moderated by age, but in part by gender.
The effect of intermittent hypoxic exposure on erythropoietic response and hematological variables in elite athletes.

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the erythropoietin level and hematological variables in wrestlers after intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE). Twelve wrestlers were assigned into two groups: hypoxia (sports training combined with IHE, n=6) and control (sports training, n=6). An IHE was performed for 10 days, with one day off after 6 days, once a day for about an hour. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO), as well as total creatine kinase activity (CK) were measured. Also, the hematological markers (Hb - hemoglobin, Ht - hematocrit, RBC - red blood cell, WBC - white blood cell, Ret - reticulocytes) were analyzed. The 6-day IHE caused an increase in the levels of H(2)O(2), NO and VEGF. Similarly, the EPO level and WBC count reached the highest value after 6 days of IHE. The total Ret number increase constantly during 10 days of IHE. The hypoxia group showed a higher CK activity compared to the control. In conclusion, 10-day IHE in combination with wrestling training elevates levels of H(2)O(2), NO and VEGF, and improves the oxygen transport capacity by the release of EPO and Ret in circulation.