Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What factors distinguish probands from multicase rheumatoid arthritis same sex sibships from sporadic disease

Thirty-two of 243 same sex sibships in which the proband had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had at least one same sex sibling with RA ("familial" RA) and 211 did not ("sporadic" RA). The most important factors accounting for familial RA were the sibship size, and the proportion of siblings sharing both HLA haplotypes with the proband. Demographic and clinical details, autoantibodies and HLA-DR status were similar between the 2 groups, with the exceptions of regular use of artificial teardrops, and involvement of distal interphalangeal joints, which were both more prevalent in familial RA. The extrapolation of results from familial to sporadic RA appears to be justified.
Technological Changes and Countries' Tax Policy Design

We investigate whether technological change predicts tax policy changes in 34 OECD countries from 1996 to 2016. To examine tax policy reactions, we construct two new country-level indexes, one capturing tax-related investment incentives and one capturing anti-tax avoidance rules in a country. We document a decreasing trend in statutory tax rates, stable capital investment incentives, and a trend toward stricter anti-tax avoidance rules across countries over the last two decades. Our main finding is that country-specific exposure to technological change predicts variation in these trends. We find that, following technological changes, countries tighten their anti-tax avoidance rules. Cross-sectional tests show that smaller countries deviate from this general trend and use less stringent anti-tax avoidance rules. In the competition for firms' mobile capital, smaller countries thus appear to create indirect investment incentives by opting for less salient tax policy tools (i.e., anti-tax avoidance rules).
Microsoft Word-pn1772-ahmed.docx

This paper contributes to the growing literature on peer-topeer (P2P) applications through an ethnographic study of auto-rickshaw drivers in Bengaluru, India. We describe how the adoption of a P2P application, Ola, which connects passengers to rickshaws, changes drivers work practices. Ola is part of the ‘peer services’ phenomenon which enable new types of ad-hoc trade in labour, skills and goods. Autorickshaw drivers present an interesting case because prior to Ola few had used Smartphones or the Internet. Furthermore, as financially vulnerable workers in the informal sector, concerns about driver welfare become prominent. Whilst technologies may promise to improve livelihoods, they do not necessarily deliver [57]. We describe how Ola does little to change the uncertainty which characterizes an auto drivers’ day. This leads us to consider how a more equitable and inclusive system might be designed. Author
Body Mass Index and Smoking Status as Predictors of Progression to Surgery and Complications and Postoperative Pain in Non-traumatic Back Pain Patients

Objective: While the adverse effects of both smoking and obesity on health are well established, the relationship of smoking and obesity to poor outcomes in specific surgical procedures are less well studied. The aim of this study was to quantify the risks of smoking and obesity in patients who are presenting to spine surgeons for evaluation of non-traumatic back pain. Methods: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients with nontraumatic back pain who presented to a spine surgeon in an academic tertiary referral setting. There were three binary dependent variables: the patient had surgery (yes/no), the patient had postoperative pain (yes/no) and the patient had complications (yes/no). All other variables were considered independent. First, we examined 367 patients (Group 1) presenting for non-traumatic back pain. Next, we examined the subset of 185 patients (Group 2) who proceeded to surgery. Results: The final logistic model predicting progression to surgery included the variable smoking status. The odds ratio for proceeding to surgery in Group 1 of a smoker versus non-smoker was OR = 2.47 (p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.60, 3.81). For the patients who had undergone surgery (Group 2), separate logistic models were created to predict complications and pain. The odds ratio for complications: with each increase in body mass index (BMI) of 5 kg/m2 OR = 1.41, (p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.11, 1.80); with positive smoking status OR = 4.85, (p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 2.32, 10.15). The odds ratio for postoperative pain with each increase in BMI of 5 kg/m2 was OR = 1.95 (p < 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.47, 2.59). Conclusion: Smokers who presented to our clinic with non-traumatic back pain are more likely to receive a surgical intervention than non-smokers. In patients who undergo surgery, both increased BMI and positive smoking status are associated with a greater likelihood of complications. Body mass index alone, but not smoking status, is associated with a greater likelihood of postoperative pain. From: 1Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, USA, 2Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University, USA, 3Less Exposure Surgery Specialists Institute (LESS Institute), USA, 4University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA and 5Less Exposure Surgery (LES) Society, USA. Correspondence: Dr K Chin, Less Exposure Surgery Specialists Institute (LESS Institute), 1100 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Suite #3, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33311, USA. Email: kingsleychin@thelessinstitute.com DOI: 10.7727/wimj.2017. 028 West Indian Med J 2017; 66 (3): 409 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Body Mass Index and Smoking Status as Predictors of Progression to Surgery and Complications and Postoperative Pain in Non-traumatic Back Pain Patients KR Chin1, 2, 3, 4, AY Jorgensen4, JR Eiszner4, FJR Pencle5
Factors Impacting EFL Teaching: An Exploratory Study in the Saudi Arabian Context

This paper explored factors which influenced EFL teaching in the Saudi context, and identified various teaching techniques employed by qualified teachers to handle those factors. The research utilised semi-structured interviews to elicit qualitative data from five purposefully chosen EFL teachers. The participants shared their experiences and ideas about factors that influenced the pedagogical process in a positive or a negative way. The findings of the study highlighted that EFL teaching is challenged by three major factors comprising social, cultural, and religious sensitivities; lack of learners‟ motivation; and unfavourable institutional policies and procedures, thereof. However, with keen awareness of Saudi culture, thorough understanding of the learners‟ needs, and professional competence, the unfavourable effects of these factors might be neutralized or minimised. The present study attempted to offer considerable insights to course designers, teacher trainers, policy makers, and prospective EFL teachers working in Saudi Arabia and raise the consciousness of TESOL community at large about the issues broached in its contents.
Labor-Capital Substitution in the Manufacturing Industries in Punjab: A Pathway to Inclusive Growth

Labor-Capital Substitution in the Manufacturing Industries in Punjab: A Pathway to Inclusive Growth. Muhammad Nadeem, Majid Ali Rana, Muhammad Irfan Malik Abstract For inclusive growth, it is very important to determine a reasonable proportion of income distribution between labor and capital. It is also important that capital and labor are combined in such a way that the pace of growth is not lessened. Inclusive growth becomes more convenient if capital and labor can be substituted. The substitution between labor and capital can be found by elasticity of substitution from the production function. There is a wide choice of algebraic forms which can be used to represent production functions. This study uses constant elasticity of substitution (CES) production function to find the possibility of substitution between labor and capital by using Census of Manufacturing Industries (CMI) data of 3155 manufacturing industries of Punjab. Analysis has been done firstly for overall industries and then for small, medium and large scale industries. The results reveal that there is high substitution between capital and labor. It implies that there exists flexibility to adjust labor and capital in production process for better distribution of income. Furthermore results reveal that: elasticity of substitution, returns to scale and labor share is highest in small scale industries, so small scale industry may be more helpful in inclusive growth as compared to medium and large scale industries.
Histopathological and genetic study on the protective role of -Carotene on testicular tissue of adult male albino rats treated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are one of the famous widely produced nanoparticles in the world that are widely used in paints, cosmetics, plastics, pharmaceutical preparations, water treatment and purification and filtration of air. Beta carotene is provitamin A carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities. The aim of this study is to evaluate the histopathological changes that occur in the testicular tissue of adult albino rats after intraperitoneal injection of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and to clarify possible protective role of beta carotene against this toxicity. 48 adult male albino rats weighing 180 to 200 g was divided into 4 groups: (I) Control group which consisted of 24 rats divided into 3 equal subgroups (Subgroup Ia (negative control): Received balanced diet for 14 days; Subgroup Ib (positive control): received intraperitoneal injection of distilled water for 14 days; Subgroup Ic: received corn oil by gastric gavage for 21 days (positive control)). Beta carotene group (positive control) which consisted of 8 rats received oral beta carotene 10 mg/kg once daily by gastric gavage for 21 days. The treated group which consisted of 8 rats received intraperitoneal (IP) injection of TiO2 nanoparticles (300 mg/kg) daily for 14 days. The protective group which consisted of 8 rats received 10 mg/kg beta carotene for 7 days by gavage then intraperitoneal (IP) injection of TiO2 nanoparticles (300 mg/kg) for 14 days together with10 mg/kg beta carotene by gavage. Testicular sections were stained with H&E, Masson’s trichrome, vimentin immunohistochemical staining. Serum testosterone level along with quantitative real-time PCR for TNFα gene was measured and statistical analysis was done. Results revealed that marked histopathological changes in testicular tissue was observed in TDN treated group which was improved by co-administration of beta carotene. In addition, statistically significant difference in TNFα expression in testicular tissue, testosterone level, body weights, testes weights and sperm count, motility, tubular dimensions, thickness of capsule in TDN treated group compared to the control group and protective group which showed significant improvement. Thus, titanium dioxide nanoparticles have hazardous effect on testis and that can be improved by beta carotene co-administration. Key words: Adult albino rats, testes, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, β-carotene and gene expression.
Land-cover change in the Tatra Mountains, with a particular focus on vegetation

This paper evaluates land-cover change in the high mountain landscapes of parts of the Tatra Mountains (Western Carpathians, Europe). As well as carrying out a basic analysis of land-cover changes, we compared how these changes related to several abiotic variables and socio-economic influences. We used a geographic information system to analyse aerial images from surveys made in 1955, 1986 and 2010. The areas studied have undergone a number of changes, due most importantly to the establishment of a national park, long-term forestry management, natural disturbances, land abandonment, and the development of tourism. With regard to changes in vegetation cover, it is debatable whether these are related to climate change or to land-use change. Our study revealed two main changes: coniferous forest disturbance, and the expansion of shrubs (Pinus mugo) into the alpine zone. We also observed a slight upward shift of vegetation boundaries for coniferous forest, shrubs and alpine meadows over a period of more than 50 years (1956 to 2010). If we take into consideration (1) that forest ecosystems (and the tree line) have been changed significantly by human influence, and (2) that windstorms provoking outbreaks of spruce bark beetle are not a new phenomenon but more or less periodical in the Tatra Mountains, our results cannot provide clear evidence that climate change is partly responsible for the shift to higher elevations of the boundaries of mountain vegetation. Profile
Exploring the affordances and obstacles of blended e-learning pedagogical practices: perspective of Malaysian teachers

In Malaysia, blended e-learning pedagogical practices have made a very rapid penetration into Malaysian schools. However, there is little Malaysian studies on the affordances and obstacles of blended e-learning. This study examines and understands the affordances and obstacles of using Blended E-Learning Practices (BeLPs) and develops change actions that can lead to better use of BeLPs. A total of 27 practicing teachers were involved in this study. A phenomenological perspective was employed for this study. In-depth interviews with participating teachers was carried out to understand their perceptions on the usage of BeLPs. A majority of them agreed that there are many practical advantages to teach and learn using BeLPs. Significant affordances are to encourage active learning, improve motivation, and encourage authenticity and connectedness. This report also revealed the impact of teachers’ and students’ readiness to blended e-learning, technical infrastructure, support and environments towards the process of implementation of BeLPs.
Outcome of treatment of candidemia in children whose central catheters were removed or retained.

Abstract In this study we reviewed the outcomes of all pediatric patients at Duke University Medical Center between 1978 and 1987 who were treated with amphotericin B and in whom Candida sp. fungemia occurred in the presence of a venous or arterial central catheter. Twenty-one episodes were evaluated for efficacy of either of 2 interventions. In 13 patients the catheter was removed and amphotericin B therapy was begun (Group 1), and in 8 patients, the catheter was retained and amphotericin B therapy was begun (Group 2). Persistent candidemia beyond onset of intervention occurred in 2 of the 13 patients in Group 1 and in 6 of the 8 patients in Group 2 (P = 0.018). In Group 1, 2 of the 13 patients subsequently developed new complications of candidiasis, and no patient died of causes related to candidiasis. In Group 2, 3 of the 8 patients had resolution of persistent candidemia only after catheter removal, 3 developed new complications of candidiasis after initiation of amphotericin B and 2 died with systemic candidal infection. Only one of the catheters initially retained was maintained successfully beyond the second week of amphotericin B therapy. We conclude that adverse outcomes (persistent fungemia, morbidity and mortality) are associated with attempts to maintain central catheters in the presence of candidemia.
Functional Recovery of Patients with Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing the degree of neurological injury, show the natural course of recovery, and evaluate the relationship between degree of neurological injury and functional recovery from traumatic central cord syndrome. Method: We reviewed 15 patients retrospectively and investigated their demographic and treatment data. Initial ASIA motor scales and functional recovery at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after injury were analyzed. Results: The age of patients showed significant correlation with degree of neurological injury (r=-0.55145, p
Variability in the mass absorption cross section of black carbon (BC) aerosols is driven by BC internal mixing state at a central European background site (Melpitz, Germany) in winter

Abstract. Properties of atmospheric black carbon (BC) particles were characterized during a field experiment at a rural background site (Melpitz, Germany) in February 2017. BC absorption at a wavelength of 870 nm was measured by a photoacoustic extinctiometer, and BC physical properties (BC mass concentration, core size distribution and coating thickness) were measured by a single-particle soot photometer (SP2). Additionally, a catalytic stripper was used to intermittently remove BC coatings by alternating between ambient and thermo-denuded conditions. From these data the mass absorption cross section of BC (MACBC) and its enhancement factor (EMAC) were inferred for essentially water-free aerosol as present after drying to low relative humidity (RH). Two methods were applied independently to investigate the coating effect on EMAC: a correlation method (MACBC, ambient vs. BC coating thickness) and a denuding method (MACBC, ambient vs. MACBC, denuded). Observed EMAC values varied from 1.0 to 1.6 (lower limit from denuding method) or ∼1.2 to 1.9 (higher limit from correlation method), with the mean coating volume fraction ranging from 54 % to 78 % in the dominating mass equivalent BC core diameter range of 200–220 nm. MACBC and EMAC were strongly correlated with coating thickness of BC. By contrast, other potential drivers of EMAC variability, such as different BC sources (air mass origin and absorption Ångström exponent), coating composition (ratio of inorganics to organics) and BC core size distribution, had only minor effects. These results for ambient BC measured at Melpitz during winter show that the lensing effect caused by coatings on BC is the main driver of the variations in MACBC and EMAC, while changes in other BC particle properties such as source, BC core size or coating composition play only minor roles at this rural background site with a large fraction of aged particles. Indirect evidence suggests that potential dampening of the lensing effect due to unfavorable morphology was most likely small or even negligible.
Peritoneal metastatic gastric carcinoma cells exhibit more malignant behavior when co-cultured with HMrSV5 cells

Metastasis and recurrence are major causes of death in gastric cancer patients. Because there are no obvious clinical symptoms during the early stages of metastasis, we sought to isolate highly invasive metastatic gastric cancer cells for future drug screening. We first established a mouse model to observe gastric cancer metastasis in vivo. The incidence of peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer was much higher than liver or lymph metastasis. Peritoneal metastatic and non-metastatic NUGC-4 cells were isolated from the mouse model. Cell proliferation was measured using CCK-8 assays, while migration and invasion were investigated in Transwell assays. Proteins involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition were detected by Western blotting. Metastatic gastric carcinoma cells were more proliferative and invasive than primary NUGC-4 cells. The supernatants of metastatic gastric carcinoma cells notably altered the morphology of HMrSV5 peritoneal mesothelial cells and promoted their epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, primary or metastatic gastric cancer cells co-cultured with HMrSV5 cells markedly increased cancer cell proliferation and invasiveness. Moreover, peritoneal metastatic gastric carcinoma cells in the presence of HMrSV5 cells exhibited most malignant behaviors. Thus, peritoneal metastatic gastric carcinoma cells exhibited high capacities for proliferation and invasion, and could be used as a new drug screening tool for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer and peritoneal metastatic gastric cancer.
Thermal Face Recognition and Thermal to Visible Face Reconstruction using U-Nets

We present a thermal face recognition system that ﬁrst transforms the given face in the thermal spectrum into the visible spectrum, and then recognizes the transformed face by matching it with the face gallery. To achieve high-ﬁdelity transformation, the U-Net structure with a residual network backbone is developed for generating visible face images from thermal face images. Our work mainly improves upon previous works on the Nagoya University thermal face dataset. In the evaluation, we show that the rank-1 recognition accuracy can be improved by more than 10%. The improvement on visual quality of transformed faces is also measured in terms of PSNR (with 0.36 dB improvement) and SSIM (with 0.07 improvement).
Business inovation on discontinuity of satellite legacy business in Indonesia: A lesson from SBU Metrasat change management

This research aims to formulate strategic change management in SBU Metrasat Indonesia, by identifying internal and external driving factors of the company, developing new business strategies, and formulating corporate change programs to achieve SBU Metrasat’s competitive advantages. The research approach was through a case study with descriptive methods, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results of the analysis show that the type of changes are categorized into transition. The company establishes three priority strategic change managements, which shouldbe made in nine elements of business model canvas. However, to achieve the innovative value, SBU Metrasat should focus on elements of value proposition, key resources, key activities and key partners. The McKinsey 7S analysis found that structure and skill are two elements which become barriers to change. The strategic change management plan within the next five years at SBU Metrasat would execute only 6 of the 8-step change management model proposed by Kotter (1996).
EphB2 represents an independent prognostic marker in patients with gastric cancer and promotes tumour cell aggressiveness

Dysregulated expression of ephrin type-B receptor 2 (EphB2) has been linked with the development and progression of solid tumours. In the current study, we attempted to investigate the clinical relevance in GC and the effect of EphB2 expression on gastric cancer (GC) cells. EphB2 protein levels in GC and benign gastric tissues were determined using immunohistochemistry. EphB2 transcript expression in a GC cohort with GC tissue samples (n=171) and paired adjacent normal gastric tissues (n=97) was determined using qPCR. The EphB2 expression was over-activated using a CRISPR activator for the investigation of its cellular function. The expression levels of the EphB2 protein in the tumour tissues of tissue arrays were higher than the benign non-cancerous gastric tissues (P<0.05). EphB2 mRNA expression in GC tissues was also significantly elevated when compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues (P<0.01). EphB2 activation promoted the migration and invasion abilities of the GC cell lines (P<0.01, respectively). In contrast, EphB2 activation significantly decreased the adhesion in GC cells (P<0.0001, respectively). The enrichment analysis of the correlated genes in a GC cohort indicates that EphB2 may function through mediating the cytokine-cytokine interaction, JAK-STAT and TP53 signaling pathways. In conclusion, EphB2 represents as a novel independent prognostic marker in GC. And activation of the EphB2 gene expression elevated the levels of migration and invasion, but suppressed adhesion of GC cells, indicating that EphB2 may act as a tumour promotor in GC. Our findings thus provide fundamental evidence for the consideration of the therapeutic potential of targeting EphB2 in GC.