Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep neural network analyses of spirometry for structural phenotyping of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BackgroundCurrently recommended traditional spirometry outputs do not reflect their relative contributions to airflow, and we hypothesized that machine learning algorithms can be trained on spirometry data to identify these structural phenotypes.MethodsParticipants enrolled in a large multicenter study (COPDGene) were included. The data points from expiratory flow-volume curves were trained using a deep learning model to predict structural phenotypes of COPD on computed tomography (CT), and results were compared with traditional spirometry metrics and an optimized random forest classifier. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and weighted F-score were used to measure the discriminative accuracy of a fully convolutional neural network, Random Forest, and traditional spirometry metrics to phenotype CT as normal, emphysema-predominant (>5% emphysema), airway-predominant (Pi10>median), and mixed phenotypes. Similar comparisons were made for the detection of functional small airway disease phenotype (fSAD>20% on parametric response mapping). ResultsAmong 8,980 individuals, neural network was more accurate in discriminating predominant emphysema/airway phenotypes (AUC 0.80, 95%CI 0.79-0.81) than traditional measures of spirometry, FEV1/FVC (AUC 0.71, 95%CI 0.69-0.71) and FEV1 %predicted (AUC 0.70, 95%CI 0.68-0.71) ), and random forest classifier (AUC 0.78, 95%CI 0.77-0.79). The neural network was also more accurate in discriminating predominant emphysema/small airway phenotypes (AUC 0.91, 95%CI 0.90-0.92) than FEV1/FVC (AUC 0.80, 95%CI 0.78-0.82), FEV1 %predicted (AUC 0.83, 95%CI 0.80-0.84), and with comparable accuracy with random forest classifier (AUC 0.90, 95%CI 0.88-0.91). ConclusionsStructural phenotypes of COPD can be identified from spirometry using deep learning and machine learning approaches, demonstrating their potential to identify individuals for targeted therapies.
Firm performance: the moderation impact of debt and dividend policies on overinvestment

PurposeDebt, dividend and investment policy constitutes a company's important financial decisions to determine firm performance. The research emphasizes on the problem of overinvestment, a phenomenon that worsens firm operation. Furthermore, it clarifies the moderation role of debt and dividend policy in mitigating the negative effect of overinvestment on firm performance in the case of Vietnamese listed companies.Design/methodology/approachThe research uses all financial statement of non-financial Vietnamese listed companies on Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi Stock Exchange in the period of 2008–2018. The data are collected from Thomson Reuters Eikon. The final data set is comprised of 669 listed companies. The study measures overinvestment though investment demand function and HP filter. Moreover, the research employs the dynamic model, so it has to apply the SGMM method to deal with the problem of endogeneity caused by the lagged dependent variable.FindingsThe research finds that overinvestment is negatively associated with firm performance. Debt or dividend policy separately can moderate the negative effect of overinvestment on firm performance. However, when these two policies are combined, they lessen the positive interaction impact of each policy due to the substitution between debt and dividend policy.Research limitations/implicationsThe research may have two limitations. Firstly, the research measures overinvestment indirectly through investment demand function and HP filter. These two measures only help identify the sign that companies may have the problem of overinvestment because we cannot determine whether they overinvest or not in reality. Secondly, when using interaction variables, the problem of multicollinearity may be higher, and this may adjust the signs and significance level of variables in the models.Practical implicationsPractically, the research proposes three policy recommendations. Firstly, a company can exploit debt or dividend policy to limit excessive free cash flow in order to constrain the problem of overinvestment. Secondly, a company should enhance its corporate governance to resolve agency problems. Thirdly, the government should make the financial sector more transparent and effective to improve monitoring functions of various parties in the capital market.Social implicationsOverinvestment sometimes can cause social issues. Overinvestment means that companies make ineffective investment. If they continue this situation over a long time, companies may have financial distress or even go bankruptcy. As a result, it will slow down economic growth and increase unemployment in the economy.Originality/valueThe research is supposed to make two great contributions to the existing empirical studies in two aspects. Firstly, it is the first attempt to take into consideration the interaction between overinvestment and financial policies. Secondly, it helps enhance the fundamental stance of the agency theory, which supports the interdependence of debt, dividend and investment policy.
Telemedicine for the Spine Surgeon in the Age of COVID-19: Multicenter Experiences of Feasibility and Implementation Strategies

Study design: Multicenter study. Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has obligated physicians to recur to additional resources and make drastic changes regarding the standard physician-patient encounter. In the last century, there has been a substantial improvement in technology, which over the years has opened the door to a new form of medical practicing known as telemedicine. Methods: Healthcare workers from three hospitals involved in the care for COVID-19 patients in the united states were invited to share their experience using telemedicine to deliver clinical care to their patients. Results: Since the appearance of this worldwide outbreak, social distancing has been a key factor in preventing the spread of the virus, for which measures have been taken to limit physical contact. Because of the ongoing situation, telemedicine has been progressively incorporated into the physician-patient encounters and quickly has become an essential component in the day-today medical practice. Conclusions: It is feasible to deliver viable spine practice with the use of telemedicine. A proper patient selection of patients requiring virtual treatment versus those requiring in-person visits should be considered.
An Evaluation of Yoga and Meditation to Improve Attention, Hyperactivity, and Stress in High-School Students.

Objective: Problems with attention and stress are common in children and predict academic difficulties and other behavioral and emotional problems. Mind-body interventions such as yoga and meditation improve attention and reduce stress. In this study, we examined the impact of Hatha yoga on attention and stress in ninth graders. Design: A total of 174 ninth graders from a Texas high school were enrolled in the study. Teachers assigned students to a yoga group (YG) or control group (CG) based on their class schedule. The YG participated in 25-min Hatha yoga classes twice weekly over 12 weeks (n = 123). The CG included 51 students. Student self-reports on measures of inattention and hyperactivity (the strengths and weaknesses of ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder] symptoms and normal behavior rating scale for ADHD) and stress (perceived stress scale) were obtained at baseline and at 12 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline levels of inattention (p = 0.86), hyperactivity (p = 0.25), and perceived stress (p = 0.28) between the YG and CG. Regarding inattention scores, there was a significant interaction of group and time (b = -1.09, standard error [SE] = 0.30, p < 0.001). Pairwise t-tests showed a significant reduction in inattention for the YG (d = 0.27) but a significant increase in inattention for the CG. Regarding hyperactivity, there was no significant interaction of group and time (b = -0.43, SE = 0.26, p = 0.1). Pairwise t-tests demonstrated a significant reduction in hyperactivity for the YG (d = 0.22), but not the CG. The interaction of group and time was not significant in predicting the slope of change in perceived distress (b = -0.93, SE = 1.19, p = 0.43). Pairwise t-tests did not show a significant reduction in perceived distress for either group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Hatha yoga may improve attention and hyperactivity in high school students.
The influence of calf rearing methods and milking methods on performance traits of crossbred dairy cattle in Thailand – 2. Reproductive performance and cow body weight

Forty Thai x Holstein-Friesian (HF) crossbred dairy cows (75 % and 87.5 % HF upgrade level) with calves were used in experiments to investigate restricted suckling (RS) versus bucket rearing (BR) and hand versus machine milking in Thailand. Calves were kept indoors and remained with their dams during the first 4 days and were then allocated to the RS or BS treatment. Milking was done twice daily and RS-calves were allowed to suckle for 15 minutes after milking. All experimental animals were fed according to requirements with concentrate supplements, minerals and water ad lib. This paper reports effects on reproductive performance and weight of cows. Calving to first oestrus interval in cows with RS and BR calves were 72.2 ± 2.5 and 54.7 ± 2.5 (p < 0.001), respectively, and days open 114.2 ± 6.68 and 86.5 ± 6.7 (p < 0.01). Milking method (hand or machine) had no effect on days to first oestrus and days open. Primiparous cows had a longer calving to first oestrus interval than multiparous cows (p < 0.001) (72.3 ± 2.8 vs 54.5 ± 2.3) and a longer days open period (p < 0.01) (114.4 ± 7.4 vs 86.2 ± 6.1). Body weight change of cows during the first 2 months of lactation was not affected by any treatment or systematic factor tested.
Multi‐mode target tracking in combined sky‐wave and surface‐wave monostatic high frequency radar

: Combined sky-wave and surface-wave monostatic high-frequency (CSSM-HF) radar is a new type of mono-static high frequency (HF) radar that uses multiple combined propagation modes of skywave and surface wave to detect targets. However, the detection range of different propagation modes partially overlaps, which results in multiple mode echoes from one target. To track the target in the presence of multi-mode echoes, a new multi-mode target tracking algorithm is proposed in the study, which uses the detection range as a priori knowledge. In CSSM-HF radar, the possible propagation mode of the target echo is related to the position of the target itself. Therefore, the study uses the detection range simulation results as a priori knowledge to construct a propagation mode judgment module to effectively improve the calculation efficiency and performance of the tracking algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively track the target in the presence of multi-mode echoes and the tracking performance of the target with lower abscissa speed is better. In addition, the mode judgment module directly affects the performance of the algorithm. The tracking performance will be reduced when the output of the mode judgment module has an error mode.
The role of nature on horse trail rides: tourist experience expectations

ABSTRACT Horse tourism is an important component of the tourism industry that has been relatively neglected by researchers. An important segment of this part of the industry is trail rides. Taking place in outdoor environments, nature constitutes an essential element of the trail ride experience. This explorative paper examines what tourists expect to experience in relation to nature on a trail ride in Otago, New Zealand. It is based on data collected from 26 tourists via semi-structured interviews that were conducted prior to the tourists undertaking a horse trail ride. The results of this study reaffirm the importance of nature in the expectations of horse trail ride tourists. Moving beyond this, the results demonstrate the importance of concepts of pristine, beautiful, and different nature in the expectations of the tourists. The results also show the central role nature places in the expectations of tourists that are focused on notions of romanticism, nostalgia, relaxation and escapism. The results of this study have implications for academic and tourism industry understandings of tourist expectations related to nature. They also raise questions about how views of nature may differ depending on the mode of transportation tourists choose to use when experiencing it.
A New Viscosity Constitutive Model for Generalized Newtonian Fluids Using Theory of Micropolar Continuum

In this paper, a new viscosity constitutive relation for the analysis of generalized Newtonian fluids is presented and analyzed. The theory of micropolar continuum is considered for the derivation of constitutive relations where the kinematics at the macroscopic level leads to incorporate the micro-rotational effects in existing rheology of CarreauYasuda model. It provides a more realistic approach to analyze the flow behavior of generalized Newtonian fluids. To the best of author’s knowledge such generalization of the existing rheology of Carreau-Yasuda is not present in literature. In order to show the effects of micro-rotations on the viscosity of generalized fluids, different computational experiments are performed using finite volume method (FVM). The method is implemented and validated for accuracy by comparison with existing literature in the limiting case through graphs and tables and a good agreement is achieved. It is observed that with the increase of micro-rotations the shear thinning phenomena slower down whereas the shear thickening is enhanced. Moreover, the effects of various model parameters on horizontal and vertical velocities as well as on boundary layer thickness are shown through graphs and contour plots It is worth mentioning that the proposed constitutive model can be utilized to analyze the generalized Newtonian fluids and has wider applications in blood rheology.
Improving pinniped diet analyses through identification of multiple skeletal structures in fecal samples

Marine mammal diet is typically characterized by identifying fish otoliths and cephalopod beaks retrieved from stomachs and fecal material (scats). The use and applicability of these techniques has been the matter of some debate given inherent biases associated with the method. Recent attempts to identify prey using skeletal remains in addition to beaks and otoliths are an improvement; however, difficulties incorporating these data into quantitative analyses have limited results for descriptive analyses such as frequency of occurrence. We attempted to characterize harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) diet in an area where seals co-occur with several salmon species, some endangered and all managed by state or federal agencies, or both. Although diet was extremely variable within sampling date, season, year, and between years, the frequency and number of individual prey were at least two times greater for most taxa when prey structures in addition to otoliths were identified. Estimating prey mass in addition to frequency and number resulted in an extremely different relative importance of prey in harbor seal diet. These data analyses are a necessary step in generating estimates of the size, total number, and annual biomass of a prey species eaten by pinnipeds for inclusion in fisheries management plans.
Electrical Fault Detection in Three-Phase Induction Motor Based on Acoustics

This study presents the methodology for detecting single phasing fault of three-phase induction motors in steady-state operation based on acoustic sound signal analysis. In the proposed methodology, the signal analysis based on the Root Mean Square (RMS) parameter is used as a comparison between a healthy and a faulty motor in the time-domain. Whereas for the frequency-domain, the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) with the Average power parameter is used. The hypothesis test is used to prove the statistical significance of the difference between the calculated parameters of the faulty and healthy three-phase induction motors. To illustrate the functionality of the proposed technique many tests have been carried out on a real machine. The results show that integrating motor sound with the traditional control system can increase the protection and reliability of three-phase induction motors.
Effectiveness of calcium carbide formulations in emergence stimulation and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings.

Calcium carbide formulations (CCFs) are used for nitrification inhibition and as precursor of ethylene in soil. Their impact on crop growth and yield is thoroughly investigated. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding their influence on seed germination. The present study was planned to study the impact of CCFs on wheat seed germination and early seedling growth. Encapsulated, beeswax coated, paraffin wax coated, paint coated, matrix-1, matrix-2 and matrix-3 CCFs were prepared and applied at 22.5 mg CaC2 kg -1 to sand filled cups. Wheat seeds were sown in sand medium contained in disposable cups. Treatments were allotted according to completely randomized design with three replications. All CCFs except encapsulated and matrix-3 significantly reduced mean emergence time (MET) and increased emergence rate index (ERI) of wheat seedlings. Application of these formulations also improved root growth and increased root: shoot ratio by length; however, influence on root: shoot ratio by weight was found non-significant. Maximum germination and root growth was observed in the treatments of matrix-1 followed by matrix-2, beeswax and paint coated CCFs. To explore the effect of different rates of matrix-1, second experiment was conducted. Its application at 15 mg CaC2 kg -1 was found comparatively better. It is concluded that soil applied CaC2 in some proper formulation can improve wheat seed germination and root and seedling growth.
Facile synthesis of antibiotic encapsulated biopolymeric okra mucilage nanoparticles: molecular docking, in vitro stability and functional evaluation

The biocompatible, biodegradable okra mucilage nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesised by a facile synthesis process and characterised by employing XRD, FTIR and FESEM studies. These were then encapsulated with the antibiotics (streptomycin, ampicillin and kanamycin) which are widely used in several pathogenic conditions. These antibiotics are susceptible to functional degradation upon exposure to adverse conditions like high temperature, UV, etc. The encapsulation of antibiotics within the mucilage matrix was testified with the aid of x-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, UV-vis, dynamic light scattering (DLS) as well as molecular docking estimations. These mucilage nanoparticles were then encapsulated with antibiotics when applied against bacterial strains like Escherichia coli DH5α and Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrated augmented bactericidal activity in comparison to the bare form of antibiotics. Our results further depict that the encapsulation of these antibiotics within the mucilage nanoparticles enhances their functionalities and also stabilises these antibiotics in conditions like elevated temperature, UV exposure and prolonged storage. Additionally, Rhodamine-B a fluorescent dye was encapsulated within the okra mucilage nanoparticles and is readily internalised by the human lung fibroblast cells, WI-38. Thus, our findings implicate that these synthesised MNPs are truly multi and can emerge as a promising therapeutic intervention in the coming years.
Integrated Pest Management of Mango Mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae) in Mango Orchards

An experiment was conducted to destroy the eggs and management of nymphs through different IPM components. The mango orchards were visited and it was found that maximum number of females were exposed from the roots of host plants in the field (1.9 m 2 ) and minimum numbers of females were recorded from the cracks of trees, sides of kacha roads, soil under tree canopy (0.16 m -2 ). The data revealed that the treatment with three measures (cultural, mechanical & chemical) were combined had maximum effect in reducing the population i.e., 98.46%. It was also concluded from the results that the measures in integrated form gave better results than the single treatment.
Critical periods for weed control in dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Weed removal experiments in dry edible beans were conducted during 1992 and 1993 at Crookston and Staples, MN. Ten manual weed removal treatments were studied to determine when a natural infestation of weeds first reduced dry bean yield, and when weed removal could be discontinued without further loss of seed yield. Major weeds in order of average biomass production on weedy check plots at dry bean harvest over locations and years were wild mustard, foxtail spp. , redroot pigweed, common ragweed, wild buckwheat, hairy nightshade, and common lambsquarters. Hairy nightshade also emerged late in the growing season and could negatively affect harvest efficiency and stain navy beans. Weed removal treatments had little effect on dry bean stands or 100-seed weights of harvested dry bean seed. The critical period for weed control in dry beans was 3 to 5 or 6 weeks after planting (WAP). Thus, weed control practices should begin no later than 3 WAP and continue until at least 5 or 6 WAP for maximum dry bean yields.
Pulmonary metastasectomy in the era of targeted therapy and immunotherapy

Metastatic melanoma is a fatal malignancy with a high mortality and morbidity. Since the early 1970s, available medical therapies were limited in improving survival. Surgery represented the best chance for a cure. However, surgery could only be offered to selected patients. The current landscape of treatment has radically evolved since the introduction of targeted and immunotherapies including BRAF and MEK inhibitors, and checkpoint blockers, like PD-1 and CTLA-4 antibodies. These new therapies have seen survival rates matching, and in some cases surpassing, that of surgery. Anti-PD1 and CTLA-4 combination treatments are associated with severe side effects and BRAF and MEK inhibitor combinations may trigger initial tumour responses but prolonged use have resulted in the development of resistant tumour clones and disease relapse. This review examines the role of pulmonary metastasectomy for lung metastasis from malignant melanoma in the current landscape of effective targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Molecular characterization of circulating tumour cells identifies predictive markers for outcome in primary, triple‐negative breast cancer patients

mRNA profiles of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) were analysed in patients with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) (pts) before (BT) and after therapy (AT) to identify additional treatment options. 2 × 5 mL blood of 51 TNBC pts and 24 non‐TNBC pts (HR+/HER2−; HR−/HER2+) was analysed for CTCs using the AdnaTest EMT‐2/Stem Cell Select™, followed by mRNA isolation and cDNA analysis for 17 genes by qPCR PIK3CA, AKT2, MTOR and the resistance marker AURKA and ERCC1 were predominantly expressed in all breast cancer subtypes, the latter ones especially AT. In TNBC pts, ERBB3, EGFR, SRC, NOTCH, ALK and AR were uniquely present and ERBB2+/ERBB3 + CTCs were found BT and AT in about 20% of cases. EGFR+/ERBB2+/ERBB3 + CTCs BT and ERBB2+/ERBB3 + CTCs AT significantly correlated with a shorter progression‐free survival (PFS; P = 0.01 and P = 0.02). Platinum‐based therapy resulted in a reduced PFS (P = 0.02) and an induction of PIK3CA expression in CTCs AT. In non‐TNBC pts, BT, the expression pattern in CTCs was similar. AURKA+/ERCC1 + CTCs were found in 40% of HR−/HER2 + pts BT and AT. In the latter group, NOTCH, PARP1 and SRC1 were only present AT and ERBB2 + CTCs completely disappeared AT. These findings might help to predict personalized therapy for TNBC pts in the future.