Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The volume‐outcome relation in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer

This study was undertaken to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature on the relation between procedural volume and outcome of esophagectomies. A systematic search was carried out to identify articles investigating effects of hospital or surgeon volume on short‐term and long‐term outcomes published between 1995 and 2010. Articles were scrutinized for methodological quality, and after inclusion of only high‐quality studies, a meta‐analysis assuming a random effects model was done to estimate the effect of higher volume on patient outcome. Heterogeneity in study results was evaluated with an I2‐test and risk of publication bias with an Egger regression intercept. Forty‐three studies were found. Sixteen studies met the strict inclusion criteria for the meta‐analysis on hospital volume and postoperative mortality and 4 studies on hospital volume and survival. The pooled estimated effect size was significant for high‐volume providers in the analysis of postoperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89‐2.80) and in the survival analysis (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.05‐1.30). The meta‐analysis of surgical volume and outcome showed no significant results. Studies in which the results were adjusted not only for patient characteristics but also for tumor characteristics and urgency of the operation showed a stronger correlation between hospital volume and mortality. Also, studies performed on data from the United States showed higher effect sizes. The evidence for hospital volume as an important determinant of outcome in esophageal cancer surgery is strong. Concentration of procedures in high‐volume hospitals with a dedicated setting for the treatment of esophageal cancer might lead to an overall improvement in patient outcome. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Approaches to Food/Non-food Image Classification Using Deep Learning in Cookpad

In this paper we report our approach to image classification, in particular to the food/non-food image classification problem, as used by our Cooking Log product of Cookpad Inc. We augment our existing services with an architecture which includes a loosely-connected and asynchronous image analysis module. One challenge of the classification is that the non-food class is very vast and varied and can only be defined in context. We find that having the nonfood class consist of multiple subclasses effectively improves both precision and recall by capturing different types of features in the images of that class.
Arctic plant responses to changing abiotic factors in northern Alaska.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Understanding the relationship between plants and changing abiotic factors is necessary to document and anticipate the impacts of climate change. METHODS We used data from long-term research sites at Barrow and Atqasuk, Alaska, to investigate trends in abiotic factors (snow melt and freeze-up dates, air and soil temperature, thaw depth, and soil moisture) and their relationships with plant traits (inflorescence height, leaf length, reproductive effort, and reproductive phenology) over time. KEY RESULTS Several abiotic factors, including increasing air and soil temperatures, earlier snowmelt, delayed freeze-up, drier soils, and increasing thaw depths, showed nonsignificant tendencies over time that were consistent with the regional warming pattern observed in the Barrow area. Over the same period, plants showed consistent, although typically nonsignificant tendencies toward increasing inflorescence heights and reproductive efforts. Air and soil temperatures, measured as degree days, were consistently correlated with plant growth and reproductive effort. Reproductive effort was best predicted using abiotic conditions from the previous year. We also found that varying the base temperature used to calculate degree days changed the number of significant relationships between temperature and the trait: in general, reproductive phenologies in colder sites were better predicted using lower base temperatures, but the opposite held for those in warmer sites. CONCLUSIONS Plant response to changing abiotic factors is complex and varies by species, site, and trait; however, for six plant species, we have strong evidence that climate change will cause significant shifts in their growth and reproductive effort as the region continues to warm.
Pulmonary colonization with Pneumocystis carinii in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients: assessing risk with blood CD4+ T cell counts.

Use of PCR analysis has led to detection of low numbers of Pneumocystis carinii organisms, which were undetectable by microscopy, in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid specimens from immunosuppressed patients who showed no evidence of acute P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) (1). These low levels of par- asites were usually considered to reflect pulmonary coloniza- tion, but their significance was a subject of controversy. Cases of colonization were described mainly in patients positive for HIV who had blood CD4 1 T cell counts of /L (2). 6 ! 400 3 10 There were little data concerning HIV-negative patients (3). This study investigates the presence of P. carinii DNA in BAL fluid specimens from HIV-negative patients with no evidence of PCP and examines the link between colonization and decreases in blood CD4 1 T cell counts in this patient population.
Applications of nucleic acid technology in the CNS

This review examines applications of nucleic acid technology in the form of catalytic nucleic acids (ribozymes and DNAzymes) and RNA interference (RNAi) in the CNS. The basic mechanism of catalytic nucleic acids and RNAi is reviewed, and potentials and problems highlighted. Recent advances in chemical modifications and delivery techniques are summarized. Applications in the CNS, including their use in primary neuronal cells, organotypic slice culture and the brain in vivo are further discussed.
The nucleotide sequence for the replication region of pVS40, a lactococcal food grade cloning vector

The replication region of a limited host range lactococcal vector, pVS40, was located within a 2359 bp EcoRI‐ClaI fragment. Within this fragment a sequence for a 1197 bp reading frame coding for a 46 826 Da protein together with a putative ribosomal binding site and the ‐10 and ‐35 promoter regions could be detected. Immediately upstream from the promoter were three complete and one nearly complete successive direct repeats (TATAGCGTATGAAAAAACTGTG), suggesting an origin of replication. The protein has considerable homologies to certain lactococcal plasmid replication proteins.
Unique Functional Properties of Conserved Arginine Residues in the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide Domains of the C-terminal Tail of HIV-1 gp41*

Background: The C-terminal tail of the HIV-1 envelope preferentially incorporates arginine over lysine despite the similar physicochemical properties of these two residues. Results: Conservative arginine to lysine substitutions impair HIV-1 Env functions and virus replication. Conclusion: Arginine conservation provides unique functions that cannot be provided by lysines. Significance: These observations conclusively demonstrate unique functional properties for the conserved arginine residues in mediating Env functional properties. A previous study from our laboratory reported a preferential conservation of arginine relative to lysine in the C-terminal tail (CTT) of HIV-1 envelope (Env). Despite substantial overall sequence variation in the CTT, specific arginines are highly conserved in the lentivirus lytic peptide (LLP) motifs and are scarcely substituted by lysines, in contrast to gp120 and the ectodomain of gp41. However, to date, no explanation has been provided to explain the selective incorporation and conservation of arginines over lysines in these motifs. Herein, we address the functions in virus replication of the most conserved arginines by performing conservative mutations of arginine to lysine in the LLP1 and LLP2 motifs. The presence of lysine in place of arginine in the LLP1 motif resulted in significant impairment of Env expression and consequently virus replication kinetics, Env fusogenicity, and incorporation. By contrast, lysine exchanges in LLP2 only affected the level of Env incorporation and fusogenicity. Our findings demonstrate that the conservative lysine substitutions significantly affect Env functional properties indicating a unique functional role for the highly conserved arginines in the LLP motifs. These results provide for the first time a functional explanation to the preferred incorporation of arginine, relative to lysine, in the CTT of HIV-1 Env. We propose that these arginines may provide unique functions for Env interaction with viral or cellular cofactors that then influence overall Env functional properties.
The Malay Hearing in Noise Test

The Malay language is an Austronesian language spoken by the Malay people in Malaysia, southern Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, central eastern Sumatra, the Riau Islands, and parts of the coast of Borneo. It is an official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. In Malaysia, the Malay language, also known as Bahasa Melayu or Bahasa Malaysia, is the national language of the country. This report summarizes the procedures for developing the hearing in noise test in Malay language.
A Common Mobility Solution for ATN OSI and Internet Protocol Stacks

The ATN as a global aviation infrastructure provides communications service to different classes of safety and non-safety related users over different air-ground subnetworks. The ATN provides mobility and segregates traffic using the OSI IDRP routing protocol and CLNP packet forwarding protocol. Non-safety related services such as those envisioned for the “Airborne Internet” could be rapidly developed using the Internet “TCP/IP suite of protocols”. To accommodate emerging IP traffic, this paper advocates using the ATN OSI IDRP routing protocol to advertise IP routes and thus provide a common mobility solution.
Inward internationalization of consumer services : lessons from Australian firms

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to explore the inward internationalization process of consumer services. A review of the service internationalization literature is conducted and the resource-based view of the firm is used as a theoretical approach. Design/methodology - Case study methodology is used to explore the internationalization process of five different consumer service sectors: tourism, education, accommodation, transport and entertainment. The main data collection method was interviews conducted with top managers of 12 Australian consumer service firms from these sectors. Findings - Findings of this study show that inward internationalizing services confront most of their barriers, such as immigration policies, exchange rate fluctuations, and cultural differences, in the domestic market where the service is provided. The findings also suggest that superior intentional performance for consumer service firms combines firm-specific resources and capabilities, such as market orientation, service quality, cultural sensitivity, international communicational activities, partnerships and networks, with country-specific resources and capabilities, such as country-of-origin image and government support. Research limitations/implications - This is one of the few studies in the academic literature that directly addresses the issue of inward internationalization of consumer services. Limitations derive from the qualitative nature of this study. Practical implications - The process of inward internationalization applies to a broad range of service industries and can assist firms to develop more effective international marketing strategies. Originality/value - This study contributes to the international services literature by identifying the main barriers and drivers of international performance for inward internationalizing consumer service firms, which is a topic that has been neglected in the literature.
Organizing quality management work at large manufactures

Companies organize quality management work in different ways according to their needs. This study was done at one of Bosch-Rexroth ́s manufacturing plants in the United States. The research was done in parallel with an internship at Bosch-Rexroth. The research was conducted on quality groups who were responsible for daily quality work within the manufacturing plant. Indicators were identified how large manufactures go about organizing their quality management work and a close look was taken into their responsibility and roles. A case study was selected for the study because it fits well with collection of data. Data was collected through document studies, interviews, observations, SWOT analysis and literature review. The educational objective is to gain modern and practical insight into how larger manufacturing plants organize their Quality management work, and hopefully to gain some knowledge about a best practice model for similar manufacturing plants. The theoretical framework is focused on defining quality, Quality Management, and organizing quality work. Definition of quality is explained and that it can be within themes such as: products, defects, processes, customers and systems. Quality management is explained in relation to the Sand Cone Model and a look will be taken into areas that show how quality management work can be divided. These areas are Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Quality Inspection. The cornerstone model is connected with Quality Inspection since that area deals mostly with customers. Past studies on how quality work can be organized, are presented with a connection to the plant and outside suppliers. Bosch-Rexroth specializes in the “Drive and control Technology”, and has four major business units consisting of; Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, Factory Automation and Renewable Energies. The plant in Pennsylvania employs around 600 people, making costume designs according to customers ́ requirements. Bosch-Rexroth produces products like hydraulic control valves, hydraulic cylinders, customized manifolds and power units with various options for particular solutions. The study yield analysis structured in section of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Giving points on the current structure of quality management work, in respect to previous structure. Both can have negative and positive points, but the idea is to understand the reason why quality management work is structured in such a way and to identify factors of best practice. The major factor influencing the quality of the current setup are organizational matters like: resources, internaland external communications, understanding of each other’s roles in a complex structure and balancing product quality, cost and delivery. The roles and responsibilities of quality groups vary according to their functional area of responsibility. The main finding are that quality issues should be dealt with at their root causes early in the production process, and showing a modern approach how you can structure firm’s quality groups to do so.
Use of restraints in long-term residential care facilities in Hong Kong SAR, China: predisposing factors and comparison with other countries.

To the Editor: Use of physical and chemical restraint may be considered to be an indicator of the quality of care in an institutional setting. In Hong Kong, 9% of the population aged 65 years and older reside in long-term care facilities. The quality of care in these facilities is only recently being reviewed, with a view to setting up regulatory guidelines. We examined the prevalence of and factors associated with the use of chemical and physical restraints among residential care homes for elderly people in China as a quality of care indicator in comparison with other countries. A total of 1820 of 1914 residents in 14 residential case institutions were successfully assessed (95% response rate) using the Minimum Data Set–Residential Assessment Instrument translated into Chinese (1). Participants were classified into four categories to enable comparison with other countries, ranging from those with minimal impairment (Low ADL [activities of daily living] 1 Low CP [cognitive performance]) to those highly dependent (High ADL 1 High CP), where high ADL represents an ADL score . 9 and high CP represents a cognitive performance scale score . 1 (2). The overall prevalence of chemical restraint was 11.4%. Bedside rails were used in 62.5% of residents, while other physical restraints were used in approximately 25% of residents, with trunk restraint being most commonly used, followed by limb restraint and chair restraint. In multivariate logistic regression, factors positively associated with physical restraint use were dependent ADL, impaired balance, dementia, need for artificial nutrition and hydration, and socially inappropriate behavior. Low staff number was not a significant factor. Dependency and impaired balance were not associated with increased risk of falls, suggesting that the perceived risk may be much higher than the actual risk, prompting use of physical restraints that may not be indicated. Adjusting for case mix, the use of physical restraint was
Proteomic analysis of Brucella abortus cell envelope and identification of immunogenic candidate proteins for vaccine development

Brucella abortus is the etiologic agent of bovine brucellosis and causes a chronic disease in humans known as undulant fever. In livestock the disease is characterized by abortion and sterility. Live, attenuated vaccines such as S19 and RB51 have been used to control the spread of the disease in animals; however, they are considered unsafe for human use and they induce abortion in pregnant cattle. For the development of a safer and equally efficacious vaccine, immunoproteomics was utilized to identify novel candidate proteins from B. abortus cell envelope (CE). A total of 163 proteins were identified using 2‐DE with MALDI‐TOF MS and LC‐MS/MS. Some of the major protein components include outer‐membrane protein (OMP) 25, OMP31, Omp2b porin, and 60 kDa chaperonin GroEL. 2‐DE Western blot analyses probed with antiserum from bovine and a human patient infected with Brucella identified several new immunogenic proteins such as fumarate reductase flavoprotein subunit, F0F1‐type ATP synthase α subunit, and cysteine synthase A. The elucidation of the immunome of B. abortus CE identified a number of candidate proteins for developing vaccines against Brucella infection in bovine and humans.
An Evolution Method of Driving Seat Comfort Based on Least Squares Support Vector Regression

An evaluation method based on support vector regression (SVR) is put forward for the purpose of predicting subjective perceptions of automobile seat comfort. The inputs included fourteen seat interface pressure measures, three anthropometric. The output was an overall comfort index derived from occupant responses to a survey. In process of experimental data analysis, the algorithm of the least squares support vector regression (LSSVR) was used. The experimental results show that support vector regression model in a number of superior performance on the widely-used artificial neural network prediction model, results of this study will help automotive manufacturers improve car seat in the comfort of the process to reduce costs and shorten the manufacturing time for the car seat provides the industrial design aspects of the man-machine engineering evaluation method.
Determination of the minimal phototoxic dose and colorimetry in psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation therapy

Background: The use of an adequate initial dose of ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation for photochemotherapy is important to prevent burns secondary to overdosage, meanwhile avoiding a reduced clinical improvement and long‐term risks secondary to underdosage. The ideal initial dose of UVA can be achieved based on the phototype and the minimal phototoxic dose (MPD). The objective measurement of constitutive skin color (colorimetry) is another method commonly used to quantify the erythematous skin reaction to ultraviolet radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to determine variations in MPD and constitutional skin color (coordinate L*) within different phototypes in order to establish the best initial dose of UVA radiation for photochemotherapy patients.
Electrical Tweezer for Droplet Transportation, Extraction, Merging and DNA Analysis

Droplets of aqueous solutions distributed in an immiscible oil phase are increasingly used and investigated as a means to handle and assay small volumes of samples. The primary attraction of this method is that surface interactions are kept to a minimum, and changes in sample concentration, especially due to adsorption to the walls, are avoided. Microfluidic methods to generate, transport, merge, split and perform reactions in droplets were developed recently. These methods depend on the continuous flow of the two phases involved inside closed microfluidic channels. Alternatively, an electrowetting phenomenon was also exploited to control the movement of droplets between two solid substrates. However, there are some situations where small volume sample transport and assaying are required in open systems. Here, we demonstrate a simple electromechanical probe (tweezers) that is capable of manipulating a small aqueous droplet in a bi-layer oil phase. The tweezer consists of two needles positioned close to each other and uses polarization of the aqueous droplet in an applied electrical field to confine the droplet between the needles with minimal solid contact. Mechanical motion of the tweezer can be used to transport the droplet to various positions. Operations such as aliquoting, merging and transport are demonstrated. Finally, this method was used to perform a DNA amplification assay where droplets of the sample and the amplification mixture are aliquoted separately, mixed and amplified using an in-situ heater. This electromechanical tweezer is of interest in low-throughput, small-volume biological and chemical assays where the investigator requires direct and open access to the samples.
IFRS 7 and Risk Disclosure Policies: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Italian Listed Banks

This paper has a double aim, to give a theoretical evaluation of the disclosure model chosen by IASB referring to market risks of financial instruments and to analyze the practical solutions adopted in the case of a sample of listed banks and compliance of the information referring to risk in the “Notes” with the requirements of IFRS 7. In order to investigate the effectiveness of “IFRS 7, Financial Instruments”, the research has been conducted considering Annual Report of a sample of 17 banking companies, all listed in the three-year period (2008-2010) in Italian financial markets. Studying a three-year period should reveal the performance of IFRS 7 in fostering market discipline by pressing banks to disclose more information regarding risk profile elements, mainly considering market risks such as interest rate risk, currency risk, and price risk, and then making financial disclosure more transparent. A content analysis has been adopted through a cross-sectional and time series study. The results underline that IFRS 7 improves the disclosure of market risks in financial statements compared with previous years even if a better equilibrium between qualitative and quantitative information could be found. In the sample analysed, substantial compliance with IFRS 7 requirements has been found, except for some particularly sensitive information. In some cases quantitative information cannot be considered sufficient to inform on potential impact of changes in risks exposure on the actual and expected value of income and equity of entities.