Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of four lymph node staging systems for predicting prognosis for stage IV rectum cancer.

Background With recommendation of surgical management in primary site, both the positive and negative lymph nodes (LNs) retrieved have been emphasized to predict prognosis in stage IV rectum cancer. Therefore, we attempt to compare the prognostic performance of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) N-stage relative to lymph node ratio (LNR), log odds of metastatic lymph nodes (LODDS), and N-score in stage IV rectal cancer. Methods Total 5,090 patients taken surgical resection of primary site in rectum cancer with distant metastasis were extracted from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database. Harrell's C statistic (C-index) and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) were used to evaluate the discriminative ability of the different LN staging systems. Results Of the 3,243 patients without radiotherapy, 82.46% (n=2,675) had been found with lymph nodes metastasis with median number of 16 lymph nodes collected (IQR: 11-22). Modeled as categorical cutoff variables for further clinical usage, when number of LNs was between 12 and 25 (C-index: 0.5997, AIC: 1,698.015), 8th AJCC N-stage outperformed other three schemas with increasing C-index and less AIC value. Assessed as continuous values, the LODDS shown as the best schemas with greatest discriminatory power (C-index: 0.5971, AIC: 3,680.017), generally. On the other hand, in the cohorts of other 1274 patients taken radiation, the median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 13 (IQR: 9-18). LODDS still remained remarkable performance as continuous (C-index: 0.5912; AIC: 1,058.765) and categorical variables (C-index: 0.5700; AIC: 1,061.703), while N-staging outperformed with less than 25 lymph nodes retrieved (LNs <12 C-index: 0.5678, AIC: 481.94; 12< LNs <25 C-index: 0.5933, AIC: 390.395). Conclusions When assessed as categorical variables, N-stage performed superiorly with adequate lymph nodes examined, whether the patients have got radiotherapy prior to surgery or not. LODDS showed, when assessed as a continuous variable, good discriminative ability and goodness of fit in predicting survival for stage IV rectum cancer patients regardless of radiation therapy status.
THE IMPACT OF INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY SET AND COST OF EQUITY TOWARD FIRM VALUE MODERATED BY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY GOVERNANCE

The aims of this study are to analyze whether the Investment Opportunity Set (IOS) that measured by Market to Book Value of Equity (MBVE) and the Cost of Equity (CoE) that measured by Ohlson (1995) influences Firm Value that proxied by Price Book Value (PBV), whether IT Governance can moderate the influence of IOS and CoE on Firm Value. The research sample was taken using a purposive sampling method with the type of banking industry listed on the IDX in 2011-2016. The total observation is 188 which consists of 39 companies. Data is processed using the Moderating Regression Analysis (MRA) with the SPSS program. The results are that Investment Opportunity Set has a positive influence on Firm Value, Cost of Equity has a negative influence on Firm Value, IT Governance weakens the influence of IOS on Firm Value, and IT Governance does not moderate the CoE of Firm Value.
Clear Cell Hidradenoma and Hidradenocarcinoma Arising from Benign Hidradenoma: Imaging Findings of Ultrasonography and CT

Clear cell hidradenoma (HA) is a rare tumor of sweat glands. Although this tumor is benign, local recurrence often occurs when the resection margin is insufficiently obtained. The common imaging finding of HA is a mixed solid and cystic mass with or without increased vascularity in the solid portion. Malignant transformation of the tumor is also recognized. Hidradenocarcinoma (HAC), which is a malignant counterpart of benign HA, can develop de novo or arise from benign HA. However, imaging findings of HAC are not well established because these tumors are rare and they are commonly excised without imaging study. We present two cases of benign HA and HAC arising from benign HA with characteristic ultrasonography and computed tomography imaging features.
Audio-visual speech processing using deep learning techniques

Speech separation is the task of segregating a target speech signal from background interference. To differentiate the separation of multiple speech sources from separating speech from non-speech noise, the terms Speaker Separation and Speech Enhancement (or Denoising) are commonly used, respectively. Speech separation can benefit from exploiting different modalities, i.e., audio and visual, and directional information when multiple microphones are available. A new approach is developed for subject-independent speaker separation by incorporating spectral, spatial and visual features. The audio signals have their magnitude and phase modified in the frequency domain for the speaker separation. The key idea is to estimate the target magnitudes from the audio with the Permutation Invariant Training (PIT) technique and then refine these estimates using both visual and spatial audio features. Specifically, visual features are matched to the corresponding audio, and spatial audio features are used as side information and shown to provide drastic improvement for magnitude and phase estimation in terms of output speech intelligibility, quality, and the separation performance. Visual information also provides improvements. Hence, both visual and spatial features are shown to be useful for speaker separation. A monaural speech enhancement model is also developed which incorporates both audio and visual information. In contrast to the audio-visual speaker separation model, the audiovisual speech enhancement model operates in time-domain. Hence, there is no need for a transformation and separate models for estimation of magnitude and phase spectra. According to the results of the objective evaluations, exploiting visual information for enhancement applications improves the performance in terms of both output quality and intelligibility.
The Missing Link in Coronavirus Assembly RETENTION OF THE AVIAN CORONAVIRUS INFECTIOUS BRONCHITIS VIRUS ENVELOPE PROTEIN IN THE PRE-GOLGI COMPARTMENTS AND PHYSICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ENVELOPE AND MEMBRANE PROTEINS*

One missing link in the coronavirus assembly is the physical interaction between two crucial structural proteins, the membrane (M) and envelope (E) proteins. In this study, we demonstrate that the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus E can physically interact, via a putative peripheral domain, with M. Deletion of this domain resulted in a drastic reduction in the incorporation of M into virus-like particles. Immunofluorescent staining of cells coexpressing M and E supports that E interacts with M and relocates M to the same subcellular compartments that E resides in. E was retained in the pre-Golgi membranes, prior to being translocated to the Golgi apparatus and the secretory vesicles; M was observed to exhibit similar localization and translocation profiles as E when coexpressed with E. Deletion studies identified the C-terminal 6-residue RDKLYS as the endoplasmic reticulum retention signal of E, and site-directed mutagenesis of the 24 lysine residue to glutamine resulted in the accumulation of E in the Golgi apparatus. The third domain of E that plays a crucial role in virus budding is a putative transmembrane domain present at the N-terminal region, because deletion of the domain resulted in a free distribution of the mutant protein and in dysfunctional viral assembly.
Assessment of plasma blood sugar level in first degree relatives of known type 2 diabetes patients: a descriptive study from Maharashtra, India

Background: There is steady increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus from 0.73% to current 2.4% in rural and 4.0% to 11.6% in urban areas. Familial clustering of diabetes may support a genetic predisposition to diabetes. With increase in the prevalence of diabetes there is increase in number of first degree relative as well, thus an increased risk of developing diabetes, will also increase. To study the plasma glucose levels in First-degree relatives of family member of type 2 diabetic patients was the objective of the present study. Methods: It is a descriptive observational study with 1020 individuals serially coming to our outpatient Department for Pre-employment Medical Health Check Up Annual Health Check Up were selected. These individuals have been enrolled for the study and their family history of diabetes was noted, their sugar levels and their lipid levels were estimated and their body mass index was calculated. The data thus collected and analyzed with excel. Results: 184 (18%) individuals were FDRs, were as 836 (82%) individuals were Non-FDRs. There were 754 (74%) males [131(17%) FDR and 623(83%) Non-FDR], were as 213 (26%) females [53(20%) FDR and 213(80%) Non-FDR], 61(6%) individuals were having Diabetic Mother, 91(9%) individuals had Diabetic Father and 32(3%) were those in whom both the Parents were Diabetic. It was found that maternal history has strong association for getting abnormal BSL levels as compared to a diabetic father as the RR of 9.82 (95% 4.84 to 19.95) in individuals with mother being diabetic, and RR of 1.54(95% 0.68 to 3.87) of father being diabetic. Conclusions: Family history of diabetes, maternal history of diabetes and history of both the parents having diabetes are risk factors for diabetes in FDRs.
Application of Humanism Teaching Theory and Humanistic Approach to Education in Course-books

The present study aims to use humanism teaching theory and humanistic approach to education with reference to teaching and learning English as a second language in the course-book. The findings of this study revealed that teachers and materials developers use humanism teaching theory and humanistic approach to promote the materials to fit into the needs and preferences of the learners and to facilitate the learning process. The ultimate purpose of the current study is the utilization of humanism teaching theory and humanistic approach to education that was started and is intended for the benefit of humanizing mankind, and to achieve self-actualization learner to learn optimally and also shows that ,humanizing language learning materials helps language materials developers and teachers to design activities that are associated with learners’ lives and experiences and attempt to engage the learners effectively through excitement, emotion, or even fun. However, the need for humanizing language course-books derives from the fact that most of the global course-books accommodate artificial and unnatural activities that are not designed for particular learning program. Hence, through humanizing the course-books, language teachers personalize the learning materials to make them better teaching resources and also individualize them for a particular group of learners. Finally, this text elaborate the application of humanism teaching theory and humanistic approach in education to improve course-books to prepare the learners for more communicative goals to facilitate both language acquisition and personal development.
Perceived Employability in Online IT Education

In this paper, we use an online bachelor study program in IT as a case for research on Perceived Employability (PE). Collecting data from alumni through interviews and a survey we find an increase in students’ PE during their bachelor education. We also find a difference between students who had relevant work experience before their studies and those without such experience, the former having higher PE before their education. This gap decreases and is not significant after completion of the bachelor program, except for the aspect of Contact Network. We discuss the results in light of how PE can be used as a construct in the evaluation and development of the specific bachelor program of our study and other study programs. We suggest that PE can be used to measure some important aspects of a study program, but as part of an overall evaluation, it should be combined with questions about competence and satisfaction.
Geotechnical Properties and Slaking Characteristics of Shales in the Calabar Flank, Southeastern Nigeria

Samples of Ekenkpon and Nkporo shales from the Calabar Flank in southeastern Nigeria were analysed to determine their swelling and slaking characteristics and effect on pavement construction and stability of slopes. Engineering problems reported in areas underlain by the soils include pavement failure and landslides. Results show that for the Ekenkpon shale, Liquid Limit, Plasticity Index and free swell averaged 45%, 14%, and 23% respectively compared to values for Nkporo shale which were 45%, 14%, and 17% respectively. Montmorrilonite, illite and kaolinite are major mineral components of the soils. The undrained cohesion values of 47 to 49kN/m and angle of internal friction between 3 and 4 suggest low shear strength. The slake durability index of Ekenkpon shale was 41% compared to 8% for Nkporo shale. The index properties, mineralogy and the slake durability index imply that all the shales are soil-like, have moderate expansivity and are of low shear strength. They are susceptible to expansion on moisture influx, which would trigger pavement fatigues and failures, especially in the peak of rains when excessive precipitation promotes slippage along contact points.
Evaluation of lentil varieties for adaptation and yield performance under midland ecology of kaffa zone, south-west Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to identify the best adapted and high yielding lentil variety at Shishinda sub-testing site of Bonga Agricultural Research Center during 2012 main cropping season. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Eleven improved lentil varieties were used for this study. The varieties included in the study were Teshale, Alemaya, Alemtena, Assano, Gudo, EL-142, R186, Ada’a, Derso, Chalew and Chekol. The parameters studied in this experiment were days to flowering and maturity, plant height, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, thousand seeds weight and grain yield. The analysis of the experiment showed significant (p<0.05) differences among varieties for all studied parameters. The varieties Assano, Alemtena, Derso, EL-142, and Gudo were found to be high yielder with the value of 1.71, 1.59, 1.39, 1.36 and 1.31 ton ha-1, respectively. In addition, farmers were invited to evaluate the performance of the tested varieties under field condition. Eventually, the farmers selected Assano and Alemtena as the most preferred varieties. Therefore, these varieties can be suggested to use for wider production in the study area. The involvement of farmers in variety selection processes may increases the adoption of new variety in the area.
Angiotensin receptor blockade with Losartan attenuates pressor response to handgrip contraction and enhances natriuresis in salt loaded hypertensive subjects: a quasi-experimental study among Nigerian adults

Introduction Sympathetic and Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone systems play crucial roles in blood pressure response to increased salt intake. This study investigated the effects of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and sympathetic excitation on the responses of blood pressure (BP) and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) in salt loaded normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) Nigerian subjects. Methods 16 NT and 14 HT participants, that were age-matched [39.9 ± 1.3 vs 44.1±2.1yrs (P= 0.10)], underwent 5 days each of oral administration of 200mmol NaCl, and 200mmol NaCl + 50mg Losartan, preceded by a baseline control condition. BP and PVR responses to 30% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) of handgrip (HG) for one minute were determined at baseline, after salt load and after salt + Losartan. Data were presented as Mean ± SEM, and analyzed with two-way ANOVA and paired t-test, with P<0.05 accepted as significant. Results BP and PVR were significantly increased by HG at baseline, after salt load and after salt + Losartan in NT and HT. Salt load augmented the HG-induced SBP (P=0.04) and MABP responses (P=0.02) in HT. While Losartan attenuated the HG- induced Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) SBP response (P=0.007) and DBP response (P=0.003) in HT and NT respectively after salt + Losartan. HG-induced PVR response was significantly accentuated after salt load in HT (P=0.005), but it was not significant in NT (P=0.38). Conclusion The implication of our finding is that angiotensin II receptor blockade possibly attenuates salt-induced sympathetic nerve excitation in black hypertensive patients.
The Relationship between the Performance of Some Offensive and Defensive Skills, and the Results Order of Teams Participating in Olympics London 2012 for Men Beach Volleyball

The analysis of matches is considered to be of the most advanced methods commonly used in volleyball, and to measure and evaluate the performance of different skills, the method of plans' implementation and used playing methods as well as to identify the strength and vulnerable points, and make use of them in developing public and private policy that are used to improve and evaluate the players' performance. [14, 6]
An Evaluation of The Portascc® Test As A Measure of Udder Health Status Dairy Cows (An Excerpt From A Technical Report)*

Mastitis is one of the most costly diseases of dairy cows (DeGraves and Fetrow, 1993; Fetrow, 2000). The National Mastitis Council (NMC) has developed and extended udder health management programs involving strategies to both eliminate and prevent intramammary infections (IMI), as well as to monitor udder health status (National Mastitis Council, 2002). Determination of udder health status has traditionally involved the use of time-consuming laboratory tests such as bacteriological culture and somatic cell count (SCC) determination. These tests are very reliable and relatively accurate (Radostitis et al., 1994). The expenses incurred, and logistic considerations involved, render these tests inconvenient on an individual cow basis. Yet, alternative options for effective, rapid, inexpensive on-farm evaluation of udder health status have been limited. Therefore, the California Mastitis Test (CMT) was often used on-farm as a lowcost method to assess of udder health status during lactation. Recent studies have examined the sensitivity and specificity of the CMT as a means of identifying infected cows in the immediate postpartum period (Sargeant et al., 2001; Dingwell et al., 2003). Most optimal results were reported from samples taken on day 3 (Sargeant et al., 2001) and day 4 (Dingwell et al., 2003). However, in both studies, the ability of the CMT to detect intramammary infection (IMI) was marginal.
Effect and Neuroimaging Mechanism of Electroacupuncture for Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia: Study Protocol for a Randomized, Assessor-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

Vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) is likely to develop into vascular dementia (VD) without intervention. The clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for VCIND has been previously demonstrated. However, the neuroimaging mechanism of EA for VCIND has not been elucidated clearly. This trial is designed to provide solid evidence for the efficacy and neuroimaging mechanism of EA treatment for patients with VCIND. This ongoing study is an assessor-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. 140 eligible subjects will be recruited from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and randomized into either the electroacupuncture (EA) group or the control group (CG). All subjects will receive basic treatment, and participants in the CG will receive health education performed weekly. Except for basic treatment and health education, participants in the EA group will receive treatment 5 times per week for a total of 40 sessions over 8 weeks. The primary outcome in this study is Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the secondary outcomes are Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Stroop color-naming condition (STROOP), Rey–Osterrieth Complex Graphics Testing, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). All of the outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 8 weeks of intervention. The medical abstraction of adverse events will be done at each visit. The results of this trial will demonstrate the efficacy and neuroimaging mechanism of EA treatment for VCIND, thus supporting EA treatment as an ideal choice for VCIND treatment. The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 28 July 2018 (ChiCTR1800017398).
The psychological functions of online self-injury forums

The use of the internet over the past decade has played a strong role in several areas of mental health, including the provision of informal peer support forums in which individuals can discuss specific difficulties anonymously. Self-injury is also a topic which has received far greater recognition over the past decade, with research studies reporting prevalence rates of between 4-25% of the adult population and between 22-35% of the college and university population. The current study investigates the use of a self-injury online forum in order to develop a psychological understanding of the functions that this forum provides to its users. This study employed a grounded theory qualitative methodology to analyse the data collected from an online forum across a 5-month period. The results revealed three core categories: i) human contact; ii) battling self-injury; and iii) being helpful – giving advice/ tangible help. The results suggest that a good deal of ‘therapeutic support’ occurs within exchanges on the forum, with possible benefits both for those receiving and for those giving support and advice. The findings highlighted some important considerations for clinical practice and, more specifically, for the role that clinical psychologists can have in developing services specifically to meet the needs of this client group. The findings are reviewed within the context of the current literature, and implications for service development and service delivery are discussed. Suggestions are made for how services might be able to encourage the use of safe and high quality online therapeutic support on a 24 hour basis to supplement live support by health professionals. Keywords: Self-injury, online internet forums, grounded theory, therapeutic support, peer support.
Distributed Algorithms for Composite Optimization: Unified Framework and Convergence Analysis

We study distributed composite optimization over networks: agents minimize a sum of smooth (strongly) convex functions–the agents’ sum-utility–plus a nonsmooth (extended-valued) convex one. We propose a general unified algorithmic framework for such a class of problems and provide a convergence analysis leveraging the theory of operator splitting. Distinguishing features of our scheme are: (i) When each of the agent’s functions is strongly convex, the algorithm converges at a linear rate, whose dependence on the agents’ functions and network topology is decoupled; (ii) When the objective function is convex (but not strongly convex), similar decoupling as in (i) is established for the coefficient of the proved sublinear rate. This also reveals the role of function heterogeneity on the convergence rate. (iii) The algorithm can adjust the ratio between the number of communications and computations to achieve a rate (in terms of computations) independent on the network connectivity; and (iv) A by-product of our analysis is a tuning recommendation for several existing (non-accelerated) distributed algorithms yielding provably faster (worst-case) convergence rate for the class of problems under consideration.