Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural network design for the recurrence prediction of post-operative non-metastatic kidney cancer patients

In this paper, various post-operative recurrence estimation models called nomograms for the kidney cancer patients without any metastates are introduced and novel systems based on a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network are designed to simplify and integrate the mentioned techniques which is believed to ease the physician' s post-operative follow up procedures. The parameters effecting the recurrence are the TNM stage, tumor size and nuclear (Fuhrman) grade, the existance of necrosis and vascular invasion. Independent systems for two of the individual prediction methods, as well as a system that combines these are designed and performance analyses are carried out to verify the reliability.
A Feed Forward Artificial Neural Nework for the Stock Market Forecasting Using Conventional Forecasts as Input Variables

1n this s 悩 dy ，日 rst ， Milanka Price 1ndex (MP 1) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was forecast using Linear Moving average (LMA) ， Simple Exponential Smoothing (SES) and Adaptive Response Religh's Single exponential Smoothing (ARRSES). Then ， a Feed - FOIward Art ificial Neural Network (FFA NN) approach was developed where the inputs of the neural network are the forecasted values 合 om conventional forecasting techniques. Mean Absolute Percentage E 町 or(MAPE) and Prediction Error VarianceσEV) were employed to measure the performance of LMA ， SES ， ARRESES and the proposed FFANN method. Finally ， the results of the conventional approaches have been compared with that of the proposed FF ANN approach.
Cloning and functional identification of moricins from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small‐molecule peptides that play crucial roles in insect innate immune responses. To better understand the function of AMPs in Plutella xylostella, one of the main pests of cruciferous vegetables, three full‐length cDNAs encoding moricins were cloned from Pl. xylostella. Two variants of the moricin named PxMor2 and PxMor3 were heterologously expressed and purified. A secondary structure analysis using circular dichroism demonstrated that the two peptides adopted an α‐helical structure in the membrane‐like environment, but in aqueous solution, they were present in random coiled conformation. Antimicrobial activity assays demonstrated that PxMor2 exhibited high activity against Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli; however, PxMor3 only demonstrated high activity against E. coli. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser‐scanning microscopy analyses suggest that PxMors can lead to the disruption of bacterial membrane, which might be the mechanism by which PxMors inhibit bacterial growth. This study contributes to the understanding of Pl. xylostella AMPs and immune responses, and also enriches the knowledge of insect moricin.
Roadmaps to utopia: Tales of the smart city

Notions of the smart city are pervasive in urban development discourses. Various frameworks for the development of smart cities, often conceptualised as roadmaps, make a number of implicit claims about how smart city projects proceed but the legitimacy of those claims is unclear. This paper begins to address this gap in knowledge. We explore the development of a smart transport application, MotionMap, in the context of a £16M smart city programme taking place in Milton Keynes, UK. We examine how the idealised smart city narrative was locally inflected, and discuss the differences between the narrative and the processes and outcomes observed in Milton Keynes. The research shows that the vision of data-driven efficiency outlined in the roadmaps is not universally compelling, and that different approaches to the sensing and optimisation of urban flows have potential for empowering or disempowering different actors. Roadmaps tend to emphasise the importance of delivering quick practical results. However, the benefits observed in Milton Keynes did not come from quick technical fixes but from a smart city narrative that reinforced existing city branding, mobilising a growing network of actors towards the development of a smart region. Further research is needed to investigate this and other smart city developments, the significance of different smart city narratives, and how power relationships are reinforced and constructed through them.
Quantitative Risk Management: Concepts, Techniques and Tools : Concepts, Techniques and Tools

This book provides the most comprehensive treatment of the theoretical concepts and modelling techniques of quantitative risk management. Whether you are a financial risk analyst, actuary, regulator or student of quantitative finance, Quantitative Risk Management gives you the practical tools you need to solve real-world problems. Describing the latest advances in the field, Quantitative Risk Management covers the methods for market, credit and operational risk modelling. It places standard industry approaches on a more formal footing and explores key concepts such as loss distributions, risk measures and risk aggregation and allocation principles. The book? s methodology draws on diverse quantitative disciplines, from mathematical finance and statistics to econometrics and actuarial mathematics. A primary theme throughout is the need to satisfactorily address extreme outcomes and the dependence of key risk drivers. Proven in the classroom, the book also covers advanced topics like credit derivatives. Fully revised and expanded to reflect developments in the field since the financial crisis Features shorter chapters to facilitate teaching and learning Provides enhanced coverage of Solvency II and insurance risk management and extended treatment of credit risk, including counterparty credit risk and CDO pricing Includes a new chapter on market risk and new material on risk measures and risk aggregation
Diagnosis of triple-lumen catheter infection: comparison of roll plate, sonication, and flushing methodologies

In a recent clinical trial, 248 triple-lumen catheters were removed from patients in an intensive care unit, and their tip and subcutaneous segments were cultured by both the sonication and roll plate methods; for 191 of these catheters, flush cultures of all three catheter lumens were also performed. Previously published quantitative endpoints were used to define significant catheter colonization. By using a composite index as a definition of colonization (any of the seven types of cultures meeting quantitative criteria), sonication of the subcutaneous segment was the most sensitive at detecting colonization (58%), followed by sonication of the catheter tip (53%). Sonication of both the subcutaneous and tip segments was 20% more sensitive than sonication of an adjacent catheter segment by the roll plate method (P < 0.05). The greater sensitivity of the sonication method could be attributed to its greater ability than the roll plate method to detect catheter lumen colonization (82 versus 57%, respectively; P = 0.01). A greater number of positive catheter segment cultures were found for colonized catheters from patients with associated bacteremia than for colonized catheters from patients without bacteremia (57 versus 37%; P = 0.004), making any culture method more likely to identify them. For catheters with significant colonization of only one site, the localization was as follows: 36.7% subcutaneous segment, 36.7% catheter lumen, and 26.6% tip segment. These findings suggest that the current practice of culturing a single segment of a central vascular catheter is inadequate and needs to be reexamined. They further suggest that initial colonization of the catheter lumen and tip segments may be more important than previously thought and may require a change in thinking of strategies designed to prevent catheter infection.
Liposomal doxorubicin in ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma: a retrospective comparative study of single-agent dosages.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative activity and tolerance of liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma at an initial dose of 40 or 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks. METHODS A retrospective single-institution study was performed on patients who received liposomal doxorubicin from 1/97 to 12/00. Demographic data, liposomal doxorubicin dose, dose reductions, response, and progression-free and overall survival were recorded. RESULTS Seventy-eight patients, 38 treated at 40 mg/m(2) and 40 treated at 50 mg/m(2), were identified. There was no difference with respect to patient age, performance status, percentage of patients who were platinum resistant or paclitaxel resistant, or tumor bulk. The response rate in this highly resistant population was 13.5 and 7.7% for liposomal doxorubicin at 40 and 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, respectively. Stable disease was observed in 49 and 51% of patients treated with liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 40 and 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, respectively. The progression-free survival for patients with responding and stable disease was similar. Dose reductions were required in 27.5% of patients treated at 50 mg/m(2) versus no patients treated at 40 mg/m(2) (P < 0.001). Treatment delays due to toxicity were required in 32.5% of patients treated at 50 mg/m(2) versus 16% of patients treated at 40 mg/m(2) (P = 0.14). CONCLUSION Liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 40 mg/m(2) appears to be as active as liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 50 mg/m(2) in ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma and is better tolerated based on the frequency of dose reductions and treatment delays.
Cryptosporidium parvum causes gastroenteritis epidemics in the Nablus region of Palestine

A total of 30 faecal samples collected from individuals admitted to a local hospital in Nablus city in Palestine with gastroenteritis symptoms, plus five faecal samples from healthy individuals living in the same area were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. by microscopic analysis using malachite green negative staining. Molecular techniques were used to confirm the microscopic identification. All 30 samples from individuals with gastroenteritis symptoms were positive by both techniques. No other parasites were found in the faecal material of patients or healthy individuals. To explore the source of the outbreak, water was collected from various reservoirs and springs that supply the city with drinking water. Al‐Qaryoon water spring was found to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium using both microscopic and molecular analysis. No other water resources were found to be contaminated. Genotyping analysis of Cryptosporidium oocysts using PCR‐RFLP technique identified the parasite as C. parvum.
Interspecific variation in the tetradactyl manus of modern tapirs (Perissodactyla: Tapirus) exposed using geometric morphometrics

The distal forelimb (autopodium) of quadrupedal mammals is a key morphological unit involved in locomotion, body support, and interaction with the substrate. The manus of the tapir (Perissodactyla: Tapirus) is unique within modern perissodactyls, as it retains the plesiomorphic tetradactyl (four‐toed) condition also exhibited by basal equids and rhinoceroses. Tapirs are known to exhibit anatomical mesaxonic symmetry in the manus, although interspecific differences and biomechanical mesaxony have yet to be rigorously tested. Here, we investigate variation in the manus morphology of four modern tapir species (Tapirus indicus, Tapirus bairdii, Tapirus pinchaque, and Tapirus terrestris) using a geometric morphometric approach. Autopodial bones were laser scanned to capture surface shape and morphology was quantified using 3D‐landmark analysis. Landmarks were aligned using Generalised Procrustes Analysis, with discriminant function and partial least square analyses performed on aligned coordinate data to identify features that significantly separate tapir species. Overall, our results support the previously held hypothesis that T. indicus is morphologically separate from neotropical tapirs; however, previous conclusions regarding function from morphological differences are shown to require reassessment. We find evidence indicating that T. bairdii exhibits reduced reliance on the lateral fifth digit compared to other tapirs. Morphometric assessment of the metacarpophalangeal joint and the morphology of the distal facets of the lunate lend evidence toward high loading on the lateral digits of both the large T. indicus (large body mass) and the small, long limbed T. pinchaque (ground impact). Our results support other recent studies on T. pinchaque, suggesting subtle but important adaptations to a compliant but inclined habitat. In conclusion, we demonstrate further evidence that the modern tapir forelimb is a variable locomotor unit with a range of interspecific features tailored to habitual and biomechanical needs of each species.
Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt: A rare cause of basal ganglia and thalamic abscess

We report an 18-month-old female child with ventriculo-peritoneal shunt related thalamic abscess treated with stereotactic aspiration. Deep seated abscesses are complex due to difficult access and are associated with an increased risk of intra-ventricular rupture as well as antibiotic resistance, a fact which justifies a more aggressive and immediate neurosurgical management.
Economic Fluctuations in Sub-Saharan Africa

We compare business cycle fluctuations in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries vis-a-vis the rest of the world. Our main results are as follows: (i) African economies stand out by their macroeconomic volatility, which is is reflected in the volatility of output and other macro variables; (ii) inflation and output tend to be negatively correlated; (iii) unlike advanced economies and emerging markets (EMs), trade balances and current accounts are acyclical in SSA; (iv) the volatility of consumption and investment relative to GDP is larger than in other countries; (v) the cyclicality of consumption and investment is smaller than in advanced economies and EMs; (vi) there is little comovement between consumption and investment; (vii) consumption and investment are strongly positively correlated with imports.
Semiparametric GARCH via Bayesian Model Averaging

Abstract As the dynamic structure of financial markets is subject to dramatic change, a model capable of providing consistently accurate volatility estimates should not make rigid assumptions on how prices change over time. Most volatility models impose a particular parametric functional form that relates an observed price change to a volatility forecast (news impact function). Here, a new class of functional coefficient semiparametric volatility models is proposed, where the news impact function is allowed to be any smooth function. The ability of the proposed model to estimate volatility is studied and compared to the well-known parametric proposals, in both a simulation study and an empirical study with real financial market data. The news impact function is estimated using a Bayesian model averaging approach, implemented via a carefully developed Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling algorithm. Using simulations it is shown that the proposed flexible semiparametric model is able to learn the shape of the news impact function very effectively, from observed data. When applied to real financial time series, the proposed model suggests that news impact functions have quite different shapes over different asset types, but a consistent shape within the same asset class. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
The Effects of Social Networks on the Flow of International Students

International study provides many benefits to the countries that host students, to the students&#8217; home countries and to the students themselves. We extend the empirical knowledge regarding flows of international students, using a panel of data that spans 17&#160;years, 26 host countries and 85 countries of origin. We examine the hypothesis that social networks are an important factor motivating study abroad by including lagged variables of the levels and shares of enrolment in the analysis. The analysis shows that they are significant factors: a 1% rise in a host country's share of an origin country's international student &#8220;diaspora&#8221; is associated with a 0.09%&#8211;0.12% rise in the number of students studying in that host from that origin, 5&#160;years later. This is consistent with the literature on the economics of immigration, which finds social networks to be important, and transitory, in inducing immigration. These effects are found in models that control for other factors as well: earnings differentials, quality of higher education system, distance, common language and colonial relationship. The results suggest that one&#8208;off policies to better recruit or attract international students will have ongoing benefits, in terms of follow&#8208;on recruitment of further students by the initial students.
Competing discourses of territorial development: tensions between cities and regions as a result of the new regionalism

ABSTRACT Competition between metropolitan areas and old regions is one of the most visible results of the ‘new regionalism’ policy in the EU. The aim of this paper is to explain the newly emerged tensions between the regions and the cities within the EU in the context of the ‘new regionalism’. The newly introduced ‘Integrated Territorial Investments’ (ITI), a potentially powerful instrument of the cohesion policy of the EU was presented as ‘a flexible mechanism for formulating integrated responses to diverse territorial needs’. However, this flexibility produced a competitive relationship between cities and regions in their chase for money. Based on interviews with sub-state officials, the study focuses on two countries: Czechia and Slovakia. They are both major recipients of EU structural funds and the ITI tool is being implemented in both of them, however with different outcomes. Three variables have been identified as major factors causing the tensions: insufficient administrative capacity, political challenges and lack of shared understanding of priorities of regional development among sub-state actors.
A Novel PM-Free High-Speed Linear Machine With Amorphous Primary Core

This paper proposes a novel dc-excited flux-modulated linear machine with a new primary structure for utilizing amorphous core. Although amorphous core is regarded as a good candidate in highly efficient electric machines, and is being investigated for decades, it has not been widely used in electric machines yet. The key challenge is the difficulty in slotting. For the new structure, the difficulty in slotting is avoided. Furthermore, the proposed machine is economical and has a robust double salient structure without any permanent magnets, and both single-toothed field and armature windings are located together in the primary core. By regulating the field excitation, the machine can operate at a wide speed range. Due to the low loss of amorphous core, this machine shows high efficiency at high speed.
Study of Partial Discharge Measurement in Power Equipment Using Acoustic Technique and Wavelet Transform

This study proposes a noncontact type of acoustic measurement system and applies wavelet transform to noise suppression in order to raise the correct partial discharge (PD) signal identification rate. We first investigate an acoustic measurement method in the laboratory and apply the wavelet transform to suppress noise. A wavelet mother function most similar to the acoustic PD signals is chosen to set the filtering threshold value for the wavelet transform. Finally, the proposed acoustic measurement system is applied on line to epoxy-resin transformers, power distributors and the like. The superior measurement results we obtained will be able to help maintenance personnel eliminate field noise to correctly identify the PD fault types of power equipment.
Iterative prototyping of strategy implementation workshop design

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a strategy implementation workshop design can be developed and tested while minimizing the time spent on developing the design. Design/methodology/approach This multiple case study at a diesel engine company shows how iterative prototyping can be used to structure the design process of a strategy implementation workshop. Findings Strategy implementation workshop design can be developed in resource-constrained environments through iterative prototyping of the workshop design. Each workshop iteration can generate value in its own right and at the same time the workshop design can be optimized until the final, most effective, design is found which can then be rolled out. Research limitations/implications In a strategy-as-practice perspective, this study shows how scholarly attention to micro-level strategy praxis at a company can be enlightening to strategy consultants who need to conduct strategy implementation workshops. Practical implications By selecting an iterative modular workshop design, the strategy consultant has at his/her disposal a strategy tool that is easily adaptable to organizational practice and one for which s/he can draw on his/her experience as well as add to his/her knowledge base. Originality/value Introducing iterative prototyping in an organizational context can facilitate fast yet structured development of a rigorous workshop design. Strategy consultants are provided with empirical examples of how an iterative prototyping process can be structured across multiple workshops.
Super-resolution of overlapped waves in time and frequency domain in a directional borehole radar measurement

The Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm is modified in order to resolve multiple waves and to estimate reflection points in 3-D space. This algorithm is suitable for directional borehole radar with a circular dipole array antenna. Making use of the spatial frequency difference of acquired array signals, the signals are decorrelated, and the 3-D MUSIC algorithm is applied. The time domain signals of the singlehole array-type borehole radar are used in order to form a measurement vector in the MUSIC algorithm. A computer simulation confirms that the proposed algorithm may estimate the directions of arrival (DOA) for three signals. Applying the proposed algorithm to field experiment data successfully estimates the DOA of a reflected wave from a fracture in rock.
Decolorization and degradation of synthetic dyes by Irpex lacteus KUC8958

This study was carried out to evaluate the dye decolorizing and detoxifying abilities of Irpex lacteus. The decolorization abilities of 14 strains of I. lacteus were investigated in agar-plates containing 3 synthetic dyes: Congo Red (CR), Orange II (OII), and Reactive Blue 4 (RB4). In an agar plate test, I. lacteus KUC8958 showed the highest dye decolorizing rate with all 3 dyes. Subsequently, we investigated the decolorizing and detoxifying abilities of I. lacteus KUC8958 on synthetic dyes in liquid media under both shaking and static conditions. I. lacteus KUC8958 showed high decolorization rates for CR and BR4 (more than 95%) under shaking conditions, but only moderate decolorization of OII (up to 53%). The dye decolorizing rates of I. lacteus KUC8958 were approximately 20% to 60% higher under shaking conditions than under static conditions. In a detoxification assay, the toxicities of CR and OII solutions increased, whereas the toxicity of RB4 decreased after decolorization by I. lacteus KUC8958. Subsequently, high-performance liquid chromatography analysis detected 2 compounds in CR and 1 compound in OII that were newly formed during the decolorizing process, and which might be involved in the increased toxicities. Further studies are required to identify these newly formed compounds.