Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three different computed tomography obesity indices, two standard methods, and one novel measurement, and their association with outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery

Background Obesity can be measured by different indices, either as body mass index (BMI) or by more intuitive radiological measurements, and obesity has been shown to have an impact on outcome after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Purpose To investigate whether the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in the abdominal wall can be used as a surrogate for the visceral fat area (VFA)—both measured on computed tomography (CT)—in prediction of short- and long-term outcomes after elective CRC surgery. Material and Methods Preoperative CT scans of all patients having elective CRC surgery (stages I–III), in two consecutive years at a single-center institution, were used to measure the SAT (mm) and VFA (cm2). BMI was calculated for each patient. The three different obesity indices were used in different analyses in order to predict postoperative complications and overall survival. Results A BMI >30 kg/m2 was an independent prognostic factor in postoperative complications (odds ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43–7.03). SAT and VFA were not able to predict complications. Patients considered visceral obese according to a high VFA (>130 cm2) had poorer survival (hazard ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.00–2.36) compared to non-obese patients, but in the adjusted model, VFA lost its predictive power. BMI and SAT were not able to predict mortality. Conclusion The novel measurement of the thickness of SAT in a preoperative setting before elective CRC surgery cannot predict either postoperative complications or overall survival; the other obesity indices had better predictive features.
Public Reactions to the Cigarette Control Regulation on a Chinese Microblogging Platform: Empirical Analysis

Background On January 1, 2019, a new regulation on the control of smoking in public places was officially implemented in Hangzhou, China. On the day of the implementation, a large number of Chinese media reported the contents of the regulation on the microblog platform Weibo, causing a strong response from and heated discussion among netizens. Objective This study aimed to conduct a content and network analysis to examine topics and patterns in the social media response to the new regulation. Methods We analyzed all microblogs on Weibo that mentioned and explained the regulation in the first 8 days following the implementation. We conducted a content analysis on these microblogs and used social network visualization and descriptive statistics to identify key users and key microblogs. Results Of 7924 microblogs, 12.85% (1018/7924) were in support of the smoking control regulation, 84.12% (6666/7924) were neutral, and 1.31% (104/7924) were opposed to the smoking regulation control. For the negative posts, the public had doubts about the intentions of the policy, its implementation, and the regulations on electronic cigarettes. In addition, 1.72% (136/7924) were irrelevant to the smoking regulation control. Among the 1043 users who explicitly expressed their positive or negative attitude toward the policy, a large proportion of users showed supportive attitudes (956/1043, 91.66%). A total of 5 topics and 11 subtopics were identified. Conclusions This study used a content and network analysis to examine topics and patterns in the social media response to the new smoking regulation. We found that the number of posts with a positive attitude toward the regulation was considerably higher than that of the posts with a negative attitude toward the regulation. Our findings may assist public health policy makers to better understand the policy’s intentions, scope, and potential effects on public interest and support evidence-based public health regulations in the future.
Neural CRF Model for Sentence Alignment in Text Simplification

The success of a text simplification system heavily depends on the quality and quantity of complex-simple sentence pairs in the training corpus, which are extracted by aligning sentences between parallel articles. To evaluate and improve sentence alignment quality, we create two manually annotated sentence-aligned datasets from two commonly used text simplification corpora, Newsela and Wikipedia. We propose a novel neural CRF alignment model which not only leverages the sequential nature of sentences in parallel documents but also utilizes a neural sentence pair model to capture semantic similarity. Experiments demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms all the previous work on monolingual sentence alignment task by more than 5 points in F1. We apply our CRF aligner to construct two new text simplification datasets, Newsela-Auto and Wiki-Auto, which are much larger and of better quality compared to the existing datasets. A Transformer-based seq2seq model trained on our datasets establishes a new state-of-the-art for text simplification in both automatic and human evaluation.
Correlates to Work-Related Stress of Newly-graduated Nurses in Critical Care Units

Background. Nurses in critical care units were found to have s evere symptoms of work-related stress, with the newly-graduated nurses in critical care units found to have higher prevalence of work-related stress s ymptoms compared to experienced nurses. Objectives. To explore the causes of work-related stress among newly-graduated nurses in critical care units. Method. This study used a quantitative descriptive cross-s ectional design, using self-reported questionnaires . A total of 220 participants were conveniently recruit ed. Results. Participants reported high level of work-related s tre s. While the highest mean score was reported fo r “workload “(M= 2.6/3, SD= 0.3), the lowest mean score was reported for “ relationships and conflict” (M= 1.2/3, SD= 0.7). Many significant differences were noticed i n the work-related stress based on participants’ demographics. Discussion. This study underlines the significance of developin g nursing policies concerning stress relief aiming at improving nursing caring performance. Providing training courses for nurses on effective response t o stressful work situations is highly recommended during their orientation period, which may be helpful to prevent the negative consequences of stress on the newly-gradua ted nurses in the critical care units.
Small Countries, Big Performers: In Search of Shared Strategic Public Sector HRM Practices in Successful Small Countries

ABSTRACT This article compares strategic public sector HRM practices between 10 small countries that have consistently shown extraordinary economic, social, and governance performance. The fact that these small countries, which are traditionally considered to be disadvantaged, have become benchmarks of good government suggests they have uniquely maximized and leveraged their key resource: people. In search of novel lessons, we assess through secondary data how their public sectors have organized and institutionalized four key HRM activities: 1) selection, 2) appraisal, 3) training, and 4) compensation, and whether they engage in strategic, centralized efforts to architect and “bundle” these activities. Our exploratory case study findings show that these high performing countries employ various integrated efforts to attract the best and brightest into their public sectors, and train and reward them well, although they differ in terms of their centralization dynamics. We conclude our article with seven propositions for future research and implications for emerging small countries.
Analysis of the resonant cavities using the FDTD scheme with effective permittivities formulae

An efficient expression of the effective permittivities along x-, y-, z-direction is obtained by analogy with the circuit concept of series–parallel connection of capacitance. Under the condition of numerical stability, the approximate formulae of effective permittivities for various inhomogeneous cell mesh are combined with the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) scheme of arbitrary spatial cell size to calculate resonant frequency of 3-D cavity. The results are in agreement with that of conventional FDTD method, but the proposed method can save computing time and memory.
Corrigendum

Mojtaba Soleimani Sedehi & Reza Zanjirani Farahani (2009) “An integrated approach to determine the block layout, AGV flow path and the location of pick-up/delivery points in single-loop systems”, International Journal of Production Research 47 (11), 3041–3061 DOI:10.1080/00207540701757029 Corresponding author. Email: farahan@aut.ac. ir The authors wish to draw readers’ attention to the following corrections. The INTRODUCTION section (pages 3042–3043) should be replaced with the following to give proper and appropriate acknowledgement to sources. Texts from (Kim and Goetschalckx, 2005) are quoted. The authors regret any confusion caused by the original version, which they note the Editors of the International Journal of Production Research reviewed and accepted in good faith based on warranties made by the authors.
Out/performing in the academy: writing ‘The Breast Project’

This paper tells the multi-layered story of how the author came to write a theatre script about breasts as part of her research. She frames this writing as ‘border-work’ as she plays at the edges of academic and fictional writing. In this paper ideas from Barthes and Cixous are interleaved with extracts from the author's own texts and with her story of writing for theatre in order to explore how poststructural theory can open up new spaces and places from which (and into which) to write. She describes the collaborative contexts of collective biography research, of writing, of dramaturgy, and of performance within which ‘the Breast Project’ was written and speculates on the extent to which the theatre script was shaped within and by these contexts.
Phytoplankton of an ice-edge bloom in the Ross Sea, with special reference to the elemental composition of Antarctic diatoms

approve David M. Nelson A phytoplankton bloom dominated by the pennate diatom Nitzschia curta (Van Heurck) Hasie was observed during January-February 1983 at a receding ice-edge in the Western Ross Sea, Antarctica. The core of the bloom was found between 100-150 Km from the ice-edge. Nitzschia curta cell densities up to 22 x io6 cells/i were observed. The nanoplankton contributed to 18% (average) of the total biomass. The contribution of another pennate diatom, Nitzschia closteriuzn (Ehrenberg) W. Smith, was significant in two offshore stations (22% and 90%). Other diatom species, dinoflageliates and other phytoplankton groups were very few in nuniber. A wind-driven upwelling event occurred along the ice-edge. The presence of off-shore species (e.g. Nitzschia kerguelensis) close to the ice suggests the existence of an eddy
Does sustainable supplier co-operation affect performance? Examining implications for the triple bottom line

The increasing importance of sustainable behaviour in business has enhanced its impact on supply chain management. Firms foster sustainability in their supplier base in reaction to growing sustainability requirements in various ways, including sustainable supplier co-operation. Knowledge about the effects of sustainable supplier co-operation on firm performance is limited; therefore, this study tests antecedents and implications of sustainable supplier co-operation according to the triple bottom line. A survey of Western European firms reveals that sustainable supplier co-operation has generally positive effects on firm performance across social, green and economic dimensions. However, only green practices have positive significant effects on economic performance, not social practices (e.g., child labour rules). In contrast to practitioner perceptions, investments in sustainability, for example through sustainable supplier co-operation does indeed result in sufficient returns.
Age and growth of the karyologically identified spined loach Cobitis taenia (Teleostei, Cobitidae) from a diploid population

A total of 174 specimens of the spined loach Cobitis taenia linnaeus, 1758, comprising 117 females, 45 males and 12 juveniles, from lake klawoj (Poland) were identified as C. taenia from their karyotype (2n = 48 chromosomes). The overall sex ratio (M:F = 1:2.6) showed that females dominated in the population, but this varied with increasing fish size. Age and growth were determined based on otolith measurements. standard lengths were back- calculated from the regression of fish standard length on the otolith radius and the growth pattern was described using the von bertalanffy model separately for males and females, which revealed a strong fit for both females (lt = 92.4(1- exp(-0.278 (t - 0.456)); r 2 = 0.803) and males (lt = 120.6 (1 - exp(- 0.227 (t - 0.558); r 2 = 0.772). comparison of asymptotic length with maximum observed size of males and females revealed that all values were a bit overestimated (as per the Taylor criteria). The sl - weight equations for males (w = 0.0003 sl 3.8377 ; r 2 = 0.8961) and females (w = 0.0039 sl 3.1683 ; r 2 = 0.9616) indicated allometric growth in both sexes, though more
Mechanism of Arsenical Toxicity on TGFβ Signaling and Genetic Regulation During Cardiac Progenitor Cell Differentiation

Exposure to environmental arsenic is associated with increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological diseases. Arsenic toxicity is mainly mediated by its strong genotoxic potential in causing DNA damage such as chromosomal aberrations and mutations. Line1 retrotransposon is a group of mobile DNA elements that comprises 17% of the human genome. Activation of Line1 contributes to increased genetic instability by causing insertional mutagenesis. Whether arsenic genotoxicity is partially mediated by Line1 activation remains unknown. In this chapter, the data show that arsenic exposure leads to an induction in the expression of both Line1 ORF-1 and ORF-2 mRNA, which starts at 2hr after exposure and peaks at 8hr. This induction is associated with increased expression of Hmox1 indicating that Line1 activation may associate with arsenic mediated ROS production. Prolonged arsenic exposure increases overall L1 protein levels in cells. Line1 luciferase reporter assays show that the transcriptional activity of Line1 is induced by arsenic exposure in a time and dose dependent manner. Nrf2 seems to play an important role in arsenic mediated Line1 activation as a Line1 element with a mutated ARE site shows an overall lower transcriptional activity as compared to the wild-type elements with intact ARE sites. Overexpression of Nrf2 shows a synergistic effect with arsenic exposure in inducing Line1 transcriptional activity, which is significantly blocked by Nrf2 siRNA. In addition, increased nuclear translocation of Line1 is detected following arsenic exposure in a dose dependent manner. Nuclear accumulation of truncated Line1-ORF2 is detected after 30 min of arsenic exposure, suggesting potential genomic insertion events. In summary, arsenic exposure leads to Nrf2 dependent induction in Line1 transcription, increased Line1 gene expression and Line1 ORF-2 protein nuclear accumulation. These observations demonstrate a novel mechanism of mobile element activation in arsenic associated genomic damage and instability.
Gay rights and school policy: a case study in community factors that facilitate or impede educational change

This article highlights factors that either facilitated or hampered the work of a local Safe Schools Coalition in advocating adoption and implementation of their school district’s policies that include sexual orientation. Non‐discrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity are needed to help stop anti‐gay peer abuse directed at gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and queer/questioning students. However, community opposition to the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in school policies frequently arises from morally conservative parents. Findings of this case are compared with a model of gay rights policy adoption that illustrates strategies the local Safe Schools Coalition used to effectively communicate their message, garner support and effect change, as well as factors in the political and cultural climates of the community that either facilitated or impeded the adoption and implementation of the policies. A group of morally conservative parents opposed the policies and saw them as the school’s promotion and legitimization of homosexuality. Advocates for the policies argued they were simply intended to ‘enhance safety. ’ Opponents’ claims are analyzed within a democratic and social justice framework.
Structural Studies of Bacterial Transcriptional Regulatory Proteins by Multidimensional Heteronuclear NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to elucidate detailed structural information for peptide and protein molecules. A small peptide was designed and synthesized, and its three-dimensional structure was calculated using distance information derived from two-dimensional NMR measurements. The peptide was used to induce antibodies in mice, and the cross-reactivity of the antibodies with a related protein was analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Two proteins which are involved in regulation of transcription in bacteria were also studied. The ferric uptake regulation (Fur) protein is a metal-dependent repressor which controls iron uptake in bacteria. Two- and three-dimensional NMR techniques, coupled with uniform and selective isotope labeling allowed the nearly complete assignment of the resonances of the metal-binding domain of the Fur protein. NTRC is a transcriptional enhancer binding protein whose N-terminal domain is a {open_quote}receiver domain{close_quote} in the family of {open_quote}two-component{close_quote} regulatory systems. Phosphorylation of the N-terminal domain of NTRC activates the initiation of transcription of aeries encoding proteins involved in nitrogen regulation. Three- and four-dimensional NMR spectroscopy methods have been used to complete the resonance assignments and determine the solution structure of the N-terminal receiver domain of the NTRC protein. Comparison of the solution structure of the NTRC receiver domain withmore » the crystal structures of the homologous protein CheY reveals a very similar fold, with the only significant difference being the position of helix 4 relative to the rest of the protein. The determination of the structure of the NTRC receiver domain is the first step toward understanding a mechanism of signal transduction which is common to many bacterial regulatory systems. « less
E-Government in Spain: An Analysis of the Right to Quality E-Government

The purpose of this article is to analyze the right to quality e-Government in Spain from the perspective of the New Public Management and Governance paradigms. We question whether Spain's e-Government is ready to guarantee citizens' rights to e-Government and to increase citizens' participation. We conclude that, due to the incipient development of Spanish e-Government, the e-Government law is perhaps better suited to the medium/long term than to the present and that it is also too early to evaluate the progress of e-Governance in Spain. We have also concluded that we have no control over how fast technology will continue to change in the ICT sector.
Navigating marginality en route to the professoriate: graduate students of color learning and living in academia

The author contends that marginalization is a major issue for graduate students of color in their doctoral studies. She explains three forms of marginalization, and suggests some strategies for how each can be counteracted. These are physical, cultural and intellectual isolation, benign neglect and problematic popularity. Her analyses are informed by insights gleaned from her personal experiences as a student and professor of color in predominantly White institutions (PWIs), her observations and interactions with graduate students of color as an instructor and doctoral studies advisor, and from the research and scholarship of other scholars. The author makes an appeal for professors of color and their European American colleagues to make their curriculum, instruction advising, mentoring and relationships more culturally responsive to ethnically, racially and linguistically diverse students. By doing so they can teach these students more effectively how to navigate the marginality they encounter en route to the professoriate, and how to be more successful in executing their roles and responsibilities as professors of color.
Fuzzy multiple objective decision making approach to prioritize design requirements in quality function deployment

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a customer-oriented design tool for developing new or improved products to increase customer satisfaction by integrating marketing, design engineering, manufacturing, and other related functions of an organization. QFD focuses on delivering value by taking into account customer needs and then deploying this information throughout the development process. Although QFD aims to maximize customer satisfaction, technology and cost considerations limit the number and the extent of the possible design requirements that can be incorporated into a product. This paper presents a fuzzy multiple objective programming approach that incorporates imprecise and subjective information inherent in the QFD planning process to determine the level of fulfilment of design requirements. Linguistic variables are employed to represent the imprecise design information and the importance degree of each design objective. The fuzzy Delphi method is utilized to achieve the consensus of customers in determining the importance of customer needs. A pencil design example illustrates the application of the multiple objective decision analysis.
Straight-line Assimilation in Leaving Home? A Comparison of Turks, Somalis and Danes

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to test the evidence for spatial assimilation and straight-line assimilation in the transition of leaving home in Denmark. Based on data from the extensive Danish registers, the paper analyses the home-leaving patterns of Danes, Turkish immigrants, Turkish descendants and Somali immigrants. Two main findings emerged. First, while spatial segregation patterns of home-leavers were clear, inter-generational mobility did take place, supporting the notion of straight-line assimilation. Second, inter-generational effects were identified. While there was no indication that parental socio-economic situation affected the spatial segregation of home-leavers, substantial effects were found for the share of ethnic minorities in the parental neighbourhood: the higher the share of ethnic minorities, the higher the hazard for moving to an ethnic neighbourhood and the lower the hazard for moving to a non-ethnic neighbourhood. Similarity in the patterns of natives and the ethnic minority groups indicates that the processes taking place might be about more than assimilation between generations.