Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of recurrence risk based on number of adverse prognostic factors in women with stage I uterine endometrioid carcinoma

Objective: The goal was to develop an updated model to predict the risk of recurrence, based on the number of adverse pathologic features in women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I uterine endometrioid carcinoma, who did not undergo any adjuvant treatment. Material and Methods: Women at a single center who underwent surgical staging without adjuvant therapy between January 1990 and December 2019 were included. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent predictors of relapse free survival (RFS). Prognostic groups were then created based on the number of independent predictors of recurrence that were identified (0, 1, or 2-3 risk factors). Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were also calculated for each group. Results: In total 1133 women were eligible for inclusion. Median follow-up was 84 months. Independent prognostic factors of recurrence included: age ≥60; grade 2 or 3 differentiation; and presence of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI). Due to the small number of patients with either 2 or 3 risk factors, these groups were combined into one (group 2/3). Isolated vaginal cuff recurrence was the most common site of recurrence in all study groups (2%, 7%, and 17% for groups 0, 1, and 2/3, respectively). Five-year RFS rates were 96%, 85%, and 57% for groups 0, 1, and 2/3 (p<0.01), respectively. Five-year DSS rates were 99%, 96%, and 85% and 5-year OS rates were 94%, 85%, and 62% (p<0.01), respectively. Conclusion: We identified older age, high grade, and presence of LVSI as independent predictors of recurrence for women with stage I uterine endometrioid carcinoma. Using these prognostic factors, recurrence risk can be quantified for individual patients, and these factors can be used in deciding the appropriate adjuvant management course.
Promoting Interactions with Technology

In this paper, we describe findings from an empirical review of a college-wide Tablet PC program at Virginia tech five years after the program’s inception. Data were collected through a student survey (n=1090) and focus groups with students (n=21) and semi-structured interviews with faculty members (n=4) were conducted. The findings suggested that the use of Tablet PCs with collaborative software promoted various types of faculty-student (e.g. real-time feedback, active engagement) and student-student interactions (e.g., online collaboration for co-located teams, virtual meetings). Additionally, students who use Tablet PCs in more courses showed higher level of engagement in classroom interactions. Recommendations for incorporating Tablet PCs into classrooms based on the findings are discussed.
Aerofoil characteristics from 3D CFD rotor computations

This article describes a method for extracting aerofoil characteristics from 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) rotor computations. Based on the knowledge of the detailed flow in the rotor plane, the average sectional axial induction is determined for each wind speed. Based on this, the local angle of attack is determined when knowing the rotational speed and the local blade twist angle. The local aerofoil characteristics, i.e. Cl and Cd, are then computed from the forces acting on the blade. The extracted Cl and Cd are used in a standard blade element momentum (BEM) code, where no corrections are made for the rotational augmentation of forces or for the tip effect, since these are directly included in the aerofoil characteristics. Three stall-regulated wind turbine rotors are used as test cases. The computed mechanical power is overpredicted at high wind speeds using steady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes computations, but using advanced turbulence models, e.g. detached eddy simulation, or a transition prediction model improves the computations. The agreement between the mechanical power (or low-speed shaft torque) predicted by CFD and BEM is good, even though a small but consistent difference in induction prediction is present. With the proposed method and a sufficiently accurate CFD computation it is possible to obtain aerofoil characteristics from a given wind turbine design without using empirical stall corrections models. Alternatively, new correction models can be derived using the extracted aerofoil characteristics. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Varying Midsole Hardness on impact Forces and Foot Motion during Foot Contact in Running

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of midsole hardness on both impact forces and rearfoot motion. Seven trained male long-distance runners were assessed with a Kistler force plate and with high-speed video, while running at 4.5 ± 0.1 m · s"1 with soft and hard shoe soles (EVA; soft shore Asker C40; hard shore Asker C65). The results showed smaller initial vertical impact peaks, occurring with a higher loading rate, and a significantly larger and faster initial eversion when subjects ran with hard shoes. Support is given to the concept that a more pronounced initial eversion offers an additional deceleration mechanism (Stacoff, Denoth, Kaelin, & Stuessi, 1988) also increasing the eccentric loading of the inverting muscles. On the other hand, during midstance soft shoe soles were found to produce a larger maximum eversion and pronation, also imposing an increased load on the same muscles. So, a good running shoe should be focused on a balance between reducing impact forces and reduci.
Back to a Post-Pandemic City: The Impact of Media Coverage on Revisit Intention of Macau

ABSTRACT This study examines tourists’ revisit intention by extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with three additional constructs: media coverage as well as macro and micro-destination image. Drawing upon the TPB, an integrated model was proposed to examine the effect of media coverage, the TPB core constructs, and destination image on tourists’ revisit intention. Data collected from 265 residents of Guangdong Province, China, was used to test the model regarding their intention to revisit Macau. The SEM results indicate that media coverage significantly impacts prospective tourists’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, macro-destination image, and micro-destination image. In contrast, all constructs except micro-destination image are essential determinants of their revisit intention. Notably, a significant negative impact of macro-destination image on revisit intention has been disclosed. Lastly, this study explores the mediating effects, and the subjective norm is the most significant mediator. Practical implications for tourism development under public health crises are also discussed.
Chrysin or mannitol for treatment of acute kidney injury: Evidence for pharmacokinetic interaction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a heterogeneous disorder that is associated with high percent morbidity and mortality especially in hospitalized patients. Seeking new drugs that have pleiotropic effects on multiple pathologic pathways to treat AKI is a demand. The study aims to investigate and compare the protective effects of chrysin, mannitol, and their combination on an ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury rat model. Rats were allocated into 5 groups: sham-operated group, I/R control group, and three groups administered with chrysin (50 mg/kg, p.o.), mannitol (0.75 ml/100 g bw of 20% mannitol, i.p.), and chrysin + mannitol, respectively. Biochemical parameters were measured. Histological examination, immunohistochemical analysis of apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and Bax), and pharmacokinetic (PK) study were also performed. Chrysin improved kidney injury indicators, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, inflammatory mediators (prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase-2), and interleukin 1-beta that were deteriorated after I/R injury. It also protected against increased renal damage score and expression of caspase-3 and Bax. The renoprotective effect of chrysin was comparable to mannitol; however, the combination of both drugs resulted in weak protection against renal injury and showed a decrease in PK parameters Cmax and area under the plasma concentrationtime curve as compared to chrysin alone. Both chrysin and mannitol protect against AKI after ischemia-reperfusion via multitarget mechanisms. The combination resulted in a PK interaction.
The effects of iPod Use on Driver Distraction

This study was designed to empirically examine the effects of iPod use on driver distraction. Thirty participants were asked to perform a driving simulation task while searching for songs using an iPod device. Driving errors were recorded and analyzed as a function of the distracter. Physiological measures (EEG) were also recorded during the driving phases in order to measure participant levels of cortical arousal. It was hypothesized that iPod use would affect driver distraction as measured by driving (lane deviations) performance and physiological (theta activity) measures. The results indicated that more driving errors occurred during the iPod (Mean=6.93) than the pre-iPod (Mean=3.27) or post-iPod (Mean=3.40) use. Similarly, the iPod device also resulted in a higher Theta activity when it was used with driving. Implications for driver assessment, training, safety, and design are also discussed.
Innovation Sources and Productivity: A Quantile Regression Analysis

This paper explores the effects of two main sources of innovation —intramural and external R&D— on the productivity level in a sample of 3,267 Catalan firms. The data set used is based on the official innovation survey of Catalonia which was a part of the Spanish sample of CIS4, covering the years 2002-2004. We compare empirical results by applying usual OLS and quantile regression techniques both in manufacturing and services industries. In quantile regression, results suggest different patterns at both innovation sources as we move across conditional quantiles. The elasticity of intramural R&D activities on productivity decreased when we move up the high productivity levels both in manufacturing and services sectors, while the effects of external R&D rise in high-technology industries but are more ambiguous in low-technology and services industries.
Biomedical students’ course preference and links with quality of life and psychological distress

Introduction: This study investigates psychological distress and quality of life (QoL) amongst first year premedical and health science students. The primary aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in QoL and psychological distress between students who sought entry into a medicine programme when compared to those opting for a non-medicine career. Methods: We examined participant responses to measures of QoL, psychological distress, and course preference (medicine or other). A structural equation model was conducted to consider the interrelationships among future course preference, gender, QoL, depression, anxiety and stress. Results: Three hundred and sixty-five students completed the online survey. An a priori conceptual model was developed and then evaluated using a structural equation model. The values obtained for RMSEA (0.027), CFI (0.999), and SRMR (0.016) indicated an excellent model fit. The overall model fit statistic, chi-square (χ2 = 7.626, df=6, p= .267), confirmed a good model fit. Students aiming to enrol in medicine generated higher psychological health and environmental QoL scores compared to their non-medicine oriented peers. In addition, physical QoL and psychological health QoL scores significantly predicted psychological distress measures. Conclusion: The study raises a potential debate regarding placing students with mixed career intentions into the same course and the potential implications this may have on teaching in interprofessional and large student groups in relation to wellbeing, pedagogy, equity, and expenditure. The findings clearly indicated that medical students are not as adversely impacted upon in terms of QoL and psychological distress compared with their non-medical peers.
Individually selected teletherapy technique for accelerated partial breast irradiation

Background The aim of the study was to individualize accelerated partial breast irradiation based on optimal dose distribution, protect risk organ and predict most advantageous technique. Materials and methods 138 breast cancer patients receiving postoperative APBI were enrolled. APBI plans were generated using 3D-conformal (3D-CRT), sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). In the case of superficial tumours, additional plans were developed by adding electron beam. To planning target volume (PTV) 37.5 Gy/10 fractions, 1 fraction/day was prescribed. A novel plan quality index (PQI) served as the basis for comparisons. Results IMRT was the most advantageous technique regarding homogeneity. VMAT provided best conformity, 3D-CR T — the lowest lung and heart exposure. PQI was the best in 45 (32.61%) VMAT, 13 (9.42%) IMRT, 9 (6.52%) 3D-CRT plans. In 71 cases (51.45%) no difference was detected. In patients with large PTV, 3D-CRT was the most favourable. Additional electron beam improved PQI of 3D-CRT plans but had no meaningful effect on IMRT or VMAT. IMRT was superior to VMAT if the tumour was superficial (p < 0.001), situated in the medial (p = 0.032) or upper quadrant (p = 0.046). Conclusions In half of all cases, individually selected teletherapy techniques provide superior results over others; relevance of a certain technique may be predicted by volume and PTV localization.
ESTIMATED SEASONAL AND ANNUAL WATER SURPLUS IN ONTARIO

The variability in seasonal and annual surplus water in four regions of Ontario is discussed in this paper. Surplus water is that water resulting from precipitation that runs off the land surface or drains through the soil profile to the groundwater table. A one-dimensional, deterministic model that simulated water flow in soil, including plant uptake, evapotranspiration, and freeze/thaw conditions was used to estimate the water surplus. This model, referred to as the Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) model, was applied to daily climate data for all seasons of the year from December 1, 1960 to November 30, 1990 at four climate recording sites, one representing each region. The seasons were: winter (December, January, February and March); spring (April and May); summer (June, July and August); and fall (September, October and November). A corn crop and typical local soil profile conditions, with the hydraulic properties for the local soil, were used as inputs for the model.There were significant differenc.
RESTRAINT MOMENTS IN BRIDGES WITH FULL-SPAN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FORM PANELS

An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the restraint moments generated at interior piers of bridges constructed with full-span prestressed concrete form panels. These moments result from the restraint of time-dependent deformation after adjacent spans are made continuous through a composite cast-in-place concrete topping. The experimentally determined moments from this investigation were compared with values calculated using current design methods for continuous prestressed concrete girders. It was concluded that these design methods, which ignore cracking of the cast-in-place topping, greatly overestimate the negative restraint moments in composite construction with shallow prestressed members. A new method for calculating restraint moments in bridges with shallow prestressed members, which includes provisions for cracking, is presented. Numerical design examples are included to illustrate the proposed method.
Model-based assistance system for confocal measurements of rough surfaces

Confocal sensors are well established in optical surface metrology and their performance has been thoroughly studied both experimentally and theoretically. However most of the theoretical work has been based upon the assumption of locally flat or point like measurement objects. As confocal sensors have become increasingly popular in industrial inspection of rough surfaces in recent years, severe measurement artifacts have been observed in certain situations. The physical reason for these artifacts was not fully understood and therefore a systematic procedure to choose a set of sensor parameters, that minimizes the impact of these artifacts, has been missing. In fact planning measurements of rough surfaces has been a formidable task that even highly experienced experts approached on a trial and error basis. To make things even worse, different confocal measurement systems, e.g. from different manufacturers, and different sensor parameters, e.g. different numerical aperture objectives, typically give substantially differing results. A reliable interpretation of these results let alone a sound judgement of the remaining uncertainty in the measurement results is very difficult. Starting from a quick review of a recently developed signal model, we therefore present an attempt to systematically guide the user of confocal sensors through the planning of an inspection task. In order to support our proposal, we present measurements of two roughness calibration standards, that were conducted with varying numerical aperture objectives on a custom build confocal microscope with rotating micro lenses. The uncertainty in these measurements is then compared to the predictions of our assistance system.
Finding Optimal Point Features in Transient Multivariate Excursions by Horizontally Integrated Trilateral Hybrid Feature Selection Scheme for Transient Analysis

In transient analysis (TA), the processing time (PT) and prediction accuracy (PA) are the most significant indices be influenced the decision-making of grid operators to conduct timely-accurate corrective actions. In fact, achieving low PT and high PA (high-performance TA) necessitates designing the comprehensive feature selection scheme to select optimal transient point features (OTPFs). Hence, the partial-injective trilateral hybrid (filter-wrapper) scheme called PITHS is introduced in this paper. First, the transient dataset in the form of multivariate time series is constructed by an integrated programming platform. Next, based on PITHS, the first univariate trajectory feature (UTF1) is entered into the nested trilateral filter phase (NTFP) equipped with intertwined triple criteria of information theory for selecting filter-OTPFs of UTF1 (f-1OTPFs). Then, f-1OTPFs are fed to the nested trilateral wrapper phase (NTWP) for selecting filter-wrapper-1OTPFs (fw-1OTPFs). The NTWP is including the hyperplane-based predictive approach accompanied by the triple kernel. After conducting NTWP, fw-1OTPFs are considered as the first ultimate optimal point features (1UOPFs). Next, survived fw-1OTPFs injected into the subsequent trajectory (UTF2), and the neo-formed trajectory (fw-1OTPFs plus UTF2) drives a new round of NTFP and NTWP for finding fw-2OTPFs (2UOPFs). By conducting this procedure on the last neo-formed trajectory (the fw-k-1OTPFs+UTFk), the fw-kOTPFs are obtained (kUOPFs). Finally, the 1:kUOPFs set is tested to verify their efficacy for TA based on the cross-validation technique. The obtained results show that the proposed framework has a prediction accuracy of 98.75 % and a processing time of 152.591 milliseconds for TA.
Theoretical solutions of transient radiation from traveling-wave linear antennas

Analytic expressions based on time-domain integral equations for the electric and magnetic field intensities are developed for linear antennas of finite length. With the help of Fourier transformation and successive partial integrations, explicit closed-form expressions for the transient radiation are obtained. There are no restrictions on the waveform of the current along the antennas, the length of antennas, and the position of observations. The method can also be adopted to solve for the transient radiations due to reflected traveling-wave currents along the antennas, with similar results. >
Quasi-TEM description of MMIC coplanar lines including conductor-loss effects

A quasi-TEM model of MMIC coplanar structures is presented. The elements of the distributed equivalent circuit are calculated by closed-form approximations and hence can easily be implemented into CAD packages. The effects of nonideal conductors are included as well as substrate loss and finite metallization thickness. The description holds for the entire quasi-TEM range, i.e. for typical MMIC geometries from DC to millimeter-wave frequencies. The validity of the model was checked by comparison to full-wave results. The errors for the effective dielectric constant and the characteristic impedance range below 5% for the attenuation typical values of 5-10% are found (maximum: 20%). >
Singer’s Nodules: Investigating the Etiopathogenetic Markers Progressing Their Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations

Simple Summary Vocal nodules, together with vocal polyps, are the most common benign vocal cord structures that are thought to be caused by extensive vocal abuse (shouting, talking loudly for prolonged periods) and are routinely treated surgically. However, surgical excision of these nodules, does not exclude the possibility of recurrence of these nodules, especially if lifestyle changes are not adapted to prevent phonetic trauma. Furthermore, the etiopathogenetic pathways governing the formation and maintenance of these nodules are not known. Herein, we investigated the etiopathogenetic markers for proliferation, apoptosis, growth, ischemia (tissue hypoxia), inflammation and innervation to elucidate the causative pathways. We found a profound and significant intensification of apoptosis in tissue epithelium, which strongly correlated with proliferative, ischemic, and inflammatory changes, highlighting the underlying complex interactions between various mechanisms on a cellular and tissue level, which occur during the morpho-pathogenesis of vocal nodules. Abstract Vocal nodules (or Singer’s nodules) are benign vocal cord structures which are commonly encountered by clinicians. Though phonetic trauma/abuse is thought to be the main cause of the development of vocal nodules, the exact etiopathogenesis remains unknown. Hence, we compared the immunohistochemical markers for proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (TUNEL), growth (EGFR), ischemia (VEGF), inflammation (IL-1α and 10), and immunoreactive innervation (PGP 9.5), in vocal nodule tissue samples obtained from 10 females (17–56 years) and vocal cord tissue from seven controls. A statistically significant increase in Ki-67, TUNEL, EGFR, VEGF and IL-1α expression was noted (p < 0.05) between nodule tissue and control tissue in both epithelial and subepithelial layers. However, the difference was non-significant for both IL-10 and PGP 9.5 (p > 0.05). All markers demonstrated moderate to strong positive correlations, except for IL-10. These findings suggest increased cellular growth and proliferation in vocal nodules coupled with a persistent presence of inflammatory and ischemic environment. Furthermore, global prevalence of apoptotic cells and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines highlight the presence of underlying complex mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of vocal nodules, with age having a negligible impact on the marker levels. Our results could potentially further our knowledge in understanding the effects of different treatment modalities available at the cellular level.