Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landmark mediation survival analysis using longitudinal surrogate

Clinical cancer trials are designed to collect radiographic measurements of each patient’s baseline and residual tumor burden at regular intervals over the course of study. For solid tumors, the extent of reduction in tumor size following treatment is used as a measure of a drug’s antitumor activity. Statistical estimation of treatment efficacy routinely reduce the longitudinal assessment of tumor burden to a binary outcome describing the presence versus absence of an objective tumor response as defined by RECIST criteria. The objective response rate (ORR) is the predominate method for evaluating an experimental therapy in a single-arm trial. Additionally, ORR is routinely compared against a control therapy in phase III randomized controlled trials. The longitudinal assessments of tumor burden are seldom integrated into a formal statistical model, nor integrated into mediation analysis to characterize the relationships among treatment, residual tumor burden, and survival. This article presents a frameworkfor landmark mediation survival analyses devised to incorporate longitudinal assessment of tumor burden. R 2 effect-size measures are developed to quantify the survival treatment mediation effects using longitudinal predictors. Analyses are demonstrated with applications to two colorectal cancer trials. Survival prediction is compared in the presence versus absence of longitudinal analysis. Simulation studies elucidate settings wherein patterns of tumor burden dynamics require longitudinal analysis.
FREQUENCY OF VENTRICULAR LATE POTENTIALS IN HEALTHY POPULATION

Department of Physiology Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. *Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi. Background: Ventricular late potentials are low amplitude signals detected on Signal averaged ECG. These potentials have been associated with the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Few studies are available relating frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy individuals but no such data is available for our population. We planned the study to determine frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy subjects of our population. Methods: Thirty-seven healthy subjects with mean age 26±5 were included. All the subjects underwent ECG, Echocardiography, Exercise tolerance test, blood sugar profile and coronary angiogram to rule out all the possible confounders. Signal averaged ECG was performed on all the subjects to determine ventricular late potentials. Three parameters of SAECG, i.e., fQRS, LAS 40 and RMS 40 were measured using 1200 EPX arrhythmia research technology. Results: Only 1 subject out of total 37 had ventricular late potentials (2.7 %). Conclusion: The frequency of ventricular late potentials in healthy subjects (2.7%) indicates the magnitude of development of ventricular tachyarrhythmias that may lead to vulnerability of sudden cardiac death. However study on larger scale is needed to confirm the frequency of ventricular late potentials in our population.
Reliability Maximization in Uncertain Graphs

Network reliability measures the probability that a target node is reachable from a source node in an uncertain graph, i.e., a graph where every edge is associated with a probability of existence. In this paper, we investigate the novel and fundamental problem of adding a small number of edges in the uncertain network for maximizing the reliability between a given pair of nodes. We study the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {NP}$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi mathvariant="bold">NP</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="khan-ieq1-2987570.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-hardness and the approximation hardness of our problem, and design effective, scalable solutions. Furthermore, we consider extended versions of our problem (e.g., multiple source and target nodes can be provided as input) to support and demonstrate a wider family of queries and applications, including sensor network reliability maximization and social influence maximization. Experimental results validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Astral microtubule cross-linking safeguards uniform nuclear distribution in the Drosophila syncytium

The early insect embryo develops as a multinucleated cell distributing the genome uniformly to the cell cortex. Mechanistic insight for nuclear positioning beyond cytoskeletal requirements is missing. Contemporary hypotheses propose actomyosin driven cytoplasmic movement transporting nuclei, or repulsion of neighbor nuclei driven by microtubule motors. Here, we show that microtubule crosslinking by Feo and Klp3A is essential for nuclear distribution and internuclear distance maintenance in Drosophila. Germline knockdown causes irregular, less dense nuclear delivery to the cell cortex and smaller distribution in ex vivo embryo explants. A minimal internuclear distance is maintained in explants from control embryos but not from Feo inhibited embryos, following micromanipulation assisted repositioning. A dimerization deficient Feo abolishes nuclear separation in embryo explants while the full-length protein rescues the genetic knockdown. We conclude that Feo and Klp3A crosslinking of antiparallel microtubule overlap generates a length-regulated mechanical link between neighboring microtubule asters. Enabled by a novel experimental approach, our study illuminates an essential process of embryonic multicellularity.
An artificial neural network approach for cost estimation of engineering services

Abstract In a globally competitive world, with diminishing profit margins and decreasing market shares, the cost of a project is one of the major criteria in decision making at the early stages of a building design process in the construction industry. To remain competitive in the market, it is crucial for companies to have an accurate estimate of their projects. Nevertheless, given that very little is known about the scope and details of the project, the conventional cost estimation methods tend to be slow and inaccurate. With the rise of computing power, there is now a tendency to use Machine Learning (ML)-based methods, such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), for more accurate cost estimation that can remain reliable in face of insufficient details during the tendering phase. While the use of ANN for cost estimation has been abundantly investigated from the perspective of contractors, there are very limited studies on the development and application of ML-based methods for engineering consultancy firms. Given that the nature of products/services offered by consultancy firms is inherently different from that of contractors (i.e. they are more abstract and less material-based) and also given that the type and level of detail of the available data at the tendering stage is dissimilar, it is important to investigate the applicability of ML-based methods for cost estimation in consultancy firms. To this end, this paper presents an artificial neural network approach for the cost estimation of engineering services. In developing the model, first, the influential factors that affect the costs of engineering services are identified. Thereafter, a model is developed using the data of 132 projects. Subsequently, a heuristic method is developed to systematically improve and fine-tune the performance of the model. Eventually, the findings show that artificial neural networks (ANNs) can obtain a fairly accurate cost estimate, even with small datasets. In fact, the model proposed in this paper performed better than those proposed in other similar works. The model developed in this study showed a 14.5% improvement in the accuracy of the model, considering MAPE.
EFFECTIVE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MECHANISMS, OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL REPORTING QUALITY: EVIDENCE FROM OMAN

This study aimed to examine the relationship between corporate governance effectiveness and financial reporting quality among family and non-family owned companies in the Sultanate of Oman. This study used a panel dataset for 68 companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market for 6 years from 2013 to 2018. The study contributes to the literature by extending previous financial reporting quality with a consideration of the Sultanate of Oman business environment where family ownership control is more common. Additionally, this study contributes by using a composite measure of corporate governance mechanisms to capture the combined effect of corporate governance effectiveness on the propensity of financial reporting quality, based on the agency's theoretical framework. This study is based on the difference between family and non-family owned firms with Type I and Type II agency problems, with differences in ownership and control. This study contributes to the literature by examining the influences of corporate governance effectiveness on financial reporting quality, which is expected to be different between family and non-family firms. The empirical results indicate that the association between corporate governance effectiveness and its financial reporting quality is positive and significant for both, the full sample as well as the non-family firms. However, this relationship appears to be weaker for family owned firms.
Judging quality of education from social paradigm in Asia: effect of civil liberties, regulatory quality and voice and accountability

The present study attempts to examine the impact of Civil Liberties, Regulatory Quality, Voice and Accountability along with Literacy rate and Population growth on quality of education. For this research, the panel data has been collected over the period of 28 years for 9 Asian countries from World Bank and Global Economy data base. The data is specific to employed variables. After the completion of data collection, several tests were applied in order to test the hypotheses using the system GMM approach. The tests include LLC unit root test, diagnostic tests of Heteroskedasticity, Autocorrelation, Cross-section dependence and Multicollinearity, and the estimation of static and dynamic GMM. The results show that, civil liberty, regulatory quality, literacy rate and population growth significantly impact the quality of education in Asian Countries. Whereas, the insignificant impact of voice and accountability was evidenced from outcomes of the research. Also, the study embraces several theoretical, practical and policy making implications for the government to improve the quality of education and devise the policies for its regulatory controls and the policies of civil liberties to its citizens along with the effective controls for accountability. In the last, various limitations have been given along with the recommendations for in-depth findings by the future researchers.
‘Forward Petitions to NEWA for Whatever Guidance and Assistance, if any’: Post-War Demobilisation Conundrum in Nigeria, 1946–1951

In this article, the Nigerian Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Association is critically examined as an institutional mechanism Britain deployed to gauge and regulate the reintegration of Nigerian ex-servicemen into civilian life. It draws on Nigerian archival sources to establish that the demobilisation instrument, wartime recruitment promises and the skills ex-servicemen acquired during their military service had raised their hopes of gainful, post-war resettlement. However, the Nigerian Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Association, formed in 1946 by the government and led by British military personnel, became a buffer between ex-servicemen and the government and part of the regulatory officialdom that hampered the processing of the veterans’ petitions.
Estimation of the causal effect of tourism advertising campaign All You Need is Ecuador on digital exposure

Abstract This paper evaluated All You Need is Ecuador tourism advertising campaign in the two years following its launch. We estimate the effect on digital exposure by constructing synthetic counterfactuals with web search data obtained from Google Trends. The evaluation was carried out in 12 countries where the campaign was launched. The results indicate an average cumulative effect of 106.27 points of the popularity index in web searches, which represents a 21.49% increase on digital exposure in 11 of the 12 countries. In general, the effect turned out to be more intense during the semester after the intervention, later returning to pre-campaign levels.
Efficacy of Kshara Application in the Management of Internal Haemorrhoids—A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Ksharakarma (application of plant alkali) is a process of kshara (plant alkali) application called as pratisaraneeya kshara. It is a non-surgical procedure of Ayurveda indicated for the management of haemorrhoids. Kshara is alkaline in nature derived from a combination of various herbs that is applied to the pile mass with the help of a special slit proctoscope. Haemorrhoids are dilated veins within the anal canal in the sub-epithelial region formed by radicals of the superior, middle and inferior rectal veins. METHOD: 33 patients having haemorrhoids with complaints of mass protrusion, pain and bleeding per rectal of different grade (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree), irrespective of age, sex, religion and occupational status. Under local anaesthesia with 2% lignocaine hydrochloride Ksharakarma was done plant alkali of having strong potency of Achyaranthes aspera. Post procedure dressing was done with Jatyadi oil (Medicated Ayurved oil) and ayurvedic laxative was prescribed. RESULT: After 15 days, all major complaints i.e. mass protrusion got reduced, total score of pain before treatment was as visual analogue scale and after treatment was 0 and bleeding was also reduced. CONCLUSION: The result manifests that internal haemorrhoids can be treated with Ksharakarma having negligible recurrence rate.
Comparing the pooled cohort equations and coronary artery calcium scores in a symptomatic mixed Asian cohort

Background The value of pooled cohort equations (PCE) as a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) is poorly established among symptomatic patients. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) assessment further improves risk prediction, but non-Western studies are lacking. This study aims to compare PCE and CAC scores within a symptomatic mixed Asian cohort, and to evaluate the incremental value of CAC in predicting MACE, as well as in subgroups based on statin use. Methods Consecutive patients with stable chest pain who underwent cardiac computed tomography were recruited. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association between risk factors and MACE. Cohort and statin-use subgroup comparisons were done for PCE against Agatston score in predicting MACE. Results Of 501 patients included, mean (SD) age was 53.7 (10.8) years, mean follow-up period was 4.64 (0.66) years, 43.5% were female, 48.3% used statins, and 50.0% had no CAC. MI occurred in 8 subjects while 9 subjects underwent revascularization. In the general cohort, age, presence of CAC, and ln(Volume) (OR = 1.05, 7.95, and 1.44, respectively) as well as age and PCE score for the CAC = 0 subgroup (OR = 1.16 and 2.24, respectively), were significantly associated with MACE. None of the risk factors were significantly associated with MACE in the CAC > 0 subgroup. Overall, the PCE, Agatston, and their combination obtained an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.501, 0.662, and 0.661, respectively. Separately, the AUC of PCE, Agatston, and their combination for statin non-users were 0.679, 0.753, and 0.734, while that for statin-users were 0.585, 0.615, and 0.631, respectively. Only the performance of PCE alone was statistically significant (p = 0.025) when compared between statin-users (0.507) and non-users (0.783). Conclusion In a symptomatic mixed Asian cohort, age, presence of CAC, and ln(Volume) were independently associated with MACE for the overall subgroup, age and PCE score for the CAC = 0 subgroup, and no risk factor for the CAC > 0 subgroup. Whilst the PCE performance deteriorated in statin versus non-statin users, the Agatston score performed consistently in both groups.
Preliminary results of a controlled study of BCI–exoskeleton technology efficacy in patients with poststroke arm paresis

В статье представлены предварительные результаты исследования iMove. На момент публикации получены данные по 47 пациентам. Основная группа (n = 36) пациентов проходила обучение кинестетическому воображению движения под контролем интерфейса мозг–компьютер (ИМК) с управляемым экзоскелетом. В контрольной группе проводи-ли процедуры имитации ИМК. В среднем пациенты прошли 9 тренингов длительностью до 40 мин. По завершении тренингов только в основной группе выявлено улучшение по параметрам [Me (25 %; 75 %)]: шаровой захват кисти — c 0,5 (0,0; 13,0) до 3,0 (0,0; 15,5) балла (р = 0,003) и щипковый захват пальцев кисти — с 0,5 (0,0; 7,5) до 1,0 (0,0; 12,0) бал-ла (р = 0,005) по шкале ARAT. В основной группе клинически значимое улучшение двигательной функции по шкале ARAT показали 33,3 % пациентов, а по шкале Fugl-Meyer — 30,5 %. В контрольной группе эти показатели были мень-ше: 9,1 и 18,2 % пациентов соответственно. The article presents preliminary results of iMove research study. By the time of this publication, the data of 47 patients have been processed. The patients in the experimental group (n = 36) were trained in kinesthetic motor imagery using brain-computer interface (BCI) and a controllable exoskeleton. In the control group, BCI imitation procedures were carried out. In average, the patients had 9 training sessions with a duration of up to 40 minutes. On completing the training, only the experimental group showed improvement in scores (results are presented as median and quartiles (25 %; 75 %)): grasp score increased from 0.5 (0.0; 13.0) to 3.0 (0.0; 15.5) points (р = 0.003) and pinch score increased from 0.5 (0.0; 7.5) to 1.0 (0.0; 12.0) points (р = 0.005) on ARAT scale. In the experimental group, a significant improvement in motor function was found in 33.3 % patients on ARAT scale, and in 30.5 % patients on Fugl-Meyer scale. In the control group, those scores were lower: 9.1 % and 18.2 % patients, respectively. Ключевые слова: реабилитация, инсульт, парез, экзоскелет, интерфейс мозг–компьютер, воображение движенияKeywords: rehabilitation, stroke, paresis, exoskeleton, brain-computer interface, motor imagery
Effect of Axial Profile Modification on the Characteristics of a Finite Length Misaligned Journal Bearing

Misalignment in journal bearings is a common industrial problem which affects the general performance of the bearing. This includes a significant effect on the load carrying capacity of the bearing and the change in the level and shape of the pressure distribution. There are many causes for the presence of misalignment in the practical uses of the journal bearing system, such as deflection of the shaft under high levels of load, manufacturing errors, installation error, and others. In the case of severe misalignment levels, a sharp drop in the lubricant film thickness or even a direct contact may occur between the shaft and the bearing at the edges of the bearing. This paper considers such extreme cases of misalignment, where the introduction of bearing axial profile modification to prevent edge contacts is investigated in detail. A general 3D model of misalignment for the case of a finite length bearing is considered in the analyses, where the Reynolds equation is solved numerically based on the finite difference method. The results reveal that the use of profile modification leads to an improvement in the levels of film thickness and an increase in the load-carrying capacity of the bearing.
Exploring Efficient Acceleration Architecture for Winograd-Transformed Transposed Convolution of GANs on FPGAs

The acceleration architecture of transposed convolution layers is essential since transposed convolution operations, as critical components in the generative model of generative adversarial networks, are computationally intensive inherently. In addition, the pre-processing of inserting and padding with zeros for input feature maps causes many ineffective operations. Most of the already known FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) based architectures for convolution layers cannot tackle these issues. In this paper, we firstly propose a novel dataflow exploration through splitting the filters and its corresponding input feature maps into four sets and then applying the Winograd algorithm for fast processing with a high efficiency. Secondly, we present an underlying FPGA-based accelerator architecture that features owning processing units, with embedded parallel, pipelined, and buffered processing flow. At last, a parallelism-aware memory partition technique and the hardware-based design space are explored coordinating, respectively, for the required parallel operations and optimal design parameters. Experiments of several state-of-the-art GANs by our methods achieve an average performance of 639.2 GOPS on Xilinx ZCU102 and 162.5 GOPS on Xilinx VC706. In reference to a conventional optimized accelerator baseline, this work demonstrates an 8.6× (up to 11.7×) increase in processing performance, compared to below 2.2× improvement by the prior studies in the literature.
Inverse boundary-value problem for the equation of longitudinal wave propagation with non-self-adjoint boundary conditions

We study the inverse coefficient problem for the equation of longitudinal wave propagation with non-self-adjoint boundary conditions. The main purpose of this paper is to prove the existence and uniqueness of the classical solutions of an inverse boundary-value problem. To investigate the solvability of the inverse problem, we carried out a transformation from the original problem to some equivalent auxiliary problem with trivial boundary conditions. Applying the Fourier method and contraction mappings principle, the solvability of the appropriate auxiliary inverse problem is proved. Furthermore, using the equivalency, the existence and uniqueness of the classical solution of the original problem are shown.
From Alcoholism to Firm Abstinence: Revealing multidimensional Experiences of Treated Alcoholics in Croatia

Correspondence to: Ana Opačić, PhD, assistant professor, Department for Social Work, Faculty of Law, University in Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, Address: Nazorova 51, Zagreb, Croatia E-mail: ana.opacic@pravo.hr, Phone: 00385 1 4895 801, Fax: 00385 1 4821 206 Copyright © 2019 KBCSM, Zagreb e-mail: alcoholism.kbcsm@gmail.com • www.http://apr.kbcsm. hr Abstract Alcoholism is significant public health problem in Croatia and affects almost a quarter of population. However, there has been a lack of qualitative research revealing complexity of phenomenon and experiences related to alcoholism, treatment and abstinence. Paper reports on conducted phenomenological qualitative study with 9 participants that have undergone phases from addiction to established abstinence. It is noted that these experiences are non-linear, personal trajectories are different, and above all they are multidimensional. Experiences are multidimensional and constructed on 6 levels: cognitive, emotional, behavioral aspects, relations with social context, important life events and alcoholism and treatment in narrow clinical sense. In stage when alcoholism is developing, attempts of balancing and experiments with sobriety exist, and participants assign different meanings to drinking. In stage of crucial change that mostly happens within hospital treatment, treatment itself is generator of many specific challenges with many experiences of emotional, cognitive or behavioural crisis during abstinence. In stage of maintaining abstinence, participants differ in a way that some have narrower approach focusing on abstinence as behavioural task; while other have more holistic approach viewing alcoholism just as an inducement for overall transformation. Experiences related to alcoholism and treatment are multidimensional and more introspective. Phenomenological study enables us to get intimate personal stories that have strong legitimacy in further understanding of the phenomenon.