Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demographic and clinical characteristics of gastric cancer patients in north of Iran, Mazandaran province, 2008-2014

Gastric cancer has been known as a poor prognosis disease with a high degree of mortality. In Iran, it has been increased during the previous two decades, especially in northern part of the country. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of gastric cancer in Mazandaran province. All patients with gastric cancer diagnosis treated in the Imam Khomeini educational hospital or Touba Polyclinic, a university affiliated center, from March 2008 to March 2014 were included. Demographic data, the symptoms at the time of presentation, tumor size, type of tumor, lymph node involvement, status in terms of metastatic disease, therapeutic plan and type of chemotherapy regimens were gathered from patients' medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 16. Totally, 643 patients were investigated. The mean age of patients was 64.34 years and men were more affected than women. "Time to relapse" and "time to progression" were 13 and 6.5 months, respectively. The most common initial symptoms at diagnosis were nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain (47.4%). Only in 6.3%, the disease was diagnosed at the initial stages. The most common site of involvement was cardia (almost 40%) and antrum (32%). More than 91% of tumors were adenocarcinoma. DCF (Docetaxel, Cisplatin, 5FU) (43.3%), Xeloda (15.2%), DOX (Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin) (13.8%) and ECF (Epirubicin, Cisplatin.5FU) (9.2%) were the most common used regimens. There was a trend for improved survival with DCF regimen (P=0.08). Most gastric cancer patients were referred in the advanced stage or metastatic disease. The demographic characteristics are consistent with other previous reports. DCF regimen may have some advantages over other chemotherapy regimens.
The impact of utilizing previous generations of genotyped animals in genomic selection.

Introduction The routine use of genomic information to predict breeding values, referred to as “genomic selection”, has revolutionized animal breeding (Berry et al., 2016). Initially, genomic selection was centered around the concept of estimating the effects of genome-wide markers for a given trait in a training population. Once marker effects were estimated, the associated marker estimates were used for multiple generations to predict genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for genotyped selection candidates that lacked phenotypic observations. Based on this premise, research has been conducted to understand what factors impact the erosion of GEBV accuracy when effects are not re-estimated (Long et al., 2011). Currently, the landscape of genomic selection has changed such that animals are being routinely genotyped and phenotyped for most traits. As a result, the marker effects are re-estimated on a routine basis instead of occasionally. Furthermore, it has been shown that if marker effects are normally distributed with a constant variance, genomic selection as outlined previously is equivalent to replacing the pedigree-based relationship matrix (A) with a genomic-based relationship matrix (G) in the bestlinear unbiased prediction (BLUP) equations (Hayes et al., 2009). As new animals continue to be genotyped and the generational depth of genotyped animals continues to grow, the impact of truncating data from older animals on long-term genetic gain is currently not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to use simulation to determine the impact of truncating data on older animals on the longterm genetic gain when genomic selection is practiced.
Regulatory Compliance and Ecological Performance of Mitigation Wetlands in an Agricultural Landscape

The success of wetland mitigation projects nationwide is typically assessed by comparing the total number of wetland mitigation acres attained to the total number of mitigation acres required by Section 404 permits. In the absence of performance measurements on mitigation wetlands, the success of compensatory mitigation in replacing the ecological values of impacted wetlands is increasingly questioned by wetland scientists. This study focuses on evaluating regulatory compliance and ecological performance of mitigation wetlands in Iowa. Regulatory compliance was determined by comparing delineated wetland areas to permitted losses and by evaluating completeness of permit conditions at 24 randomly selected Iowa Department of Transportation wetland mitigation sites. In a separate study, intensive biological inventories were used to evaluate ecological performance at 12 mitigation and three reference wetlands. Species richness and abundance data were collected on algae, protozoa, aquatic invertebrates, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals at each site. Species richness and diversity at mitigation sites and reference sites were compared to determine if mitigation wetlands are performing differently than reference wetlands in Iowa. The results are valuable for building and expanding the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively assess and manage the ecological performance of compensatory mitigation wetlands and improve the ecological effectiveness of wetland mitigation.
On the Speed of Transition in Central Europe

Transition in Central Europe is four years old. State firms that dominated the economy are struggling with market forces. A new private sector quickly emerged and has taken hold. Unemployment, which did not exist, is high and still increasing. Will this process of transition accelerate or slow down? Will unemployment keep increasing? Can things go wrong and how? We make a first pass at answering those questions. The basic structure of the model we develop is standard, that of the transition from a low to a high productivity sector. But we pay attention to two aspects that strike us as important. The first are the interactions between unemployment and the decisions of both state and private firms. The second are the idiosyncracies that come from the central planning legacy, from the structure of control within state firms to the lack of many market institutions, which limits private sector growth. We start with a description of transition in Poland so far. We then develop a model and use it to think about the determinants of the speed of transition and the level of unemployment. Finally, we return to the role of policy and the future in Poland, as well as the causes of cross-Central European country variations.
The effect of age on the carcass composition, portion yield and proximate composition of two rabbit genetic types in South Africa

This study investigated the carcass component yields and meat proximate composition of 2 rabbit genetic types (Californian and hybrid New Zealand Red×Californian), with 5 rabbits per genetic type being slaughtered every 2 wk throughout the study period (9-17 wk) to evaluate the effect of age on these traits. Slaughter weight, reference yield, portion yield (hind leg, foreleg and fore part, as percentage of slaughter weight), meat yield, skin weight and the fat content of the meat (percentage of wet weight) increased significantly with age, while the full gastrointestinal tract, liver, head and feet decreased significantly. This is likely a reflection of the early-maturing nature of bone and viscera and later maturing nature of muscle and fat. These results indicate that delaying slaughter to 13 wk tends to improve yields for valuable carcass components. The Californian had a significantly higher total meat yield at 11 and 17 wk and higher portion meat yields at 9 (hind leg), 11 (hind leg and fore part) and 13 (foreleg) weeks than the hybrid. This was likely due to the later maturation of the hybrid and the influence of the New Zealand Red on carcass quality. It therefore appears that the Californian may be more favourable for meat production, from a carcass and meat quality perspective.
Diversity and evolution of Fusarium species in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex

Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa Department of Genetics, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology (CTHB), Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Evaluation of leukocyte SIRT 1 expression in women with gestational diabetes mellitus ( GDM ) in the third trimester of pregnancy

Background. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a NAD+-dependent deacetylase, has been implicated as a key regulator of glucose/lipid metabolism, insulin secretion as well as adiponectin production and inflammation in metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains widely unknown. Since GDM is associated with inflammation, the aim of this study was to determine whether leukocyte SIRT1 mRNA expression is altered in GDM women in the third trimester of pregnancy, and whether this change is correlated with clinical characteristics of patients. Methods. Leukocytes were isolated from the blood of GDM (n = 135) and normal glucose tolerant (NGT; n = 52) pregnant women. After extracting RNA from leukocytes, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) approach was performed to assess SIRT1 gene expression in these cells. Univariate regression analyses were applied to investigate correlations between SIRT1 expression and clinic parameters of
Variation in wood density determines spatial patterns inAmazonian forest biomass

Uncertainty in biomass estimates is one of the greatest limitations to models of carbon flux in tropical forests. Previous comparisons of field‐based estimates of the aboveground biomass (AGB) of trees greater than 10 cm diameter within Amazonia have been limited by the paucity of data for western Amazon forests, and the use of site‐specific methods to estimate biomass from inventory data. In addition, the role of regional variation in stand‐level wood specific gravity has not previously been considered. Using data from 56 mature forest plots across Amazonia, we consider the relative roles of species composition (wood specific gravity) and forest structure (basal area) in determining variation in AGB.
Galaxy And Mass Assembly: search for a population of high-entropy galaxy groups

Observations with the ChandraX-ray Observatory are used to examine the hot gas properties within a sample of 10 galaxy groups selected from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey's optical Friends-of-Friends group catalogue. Our groups have been screened to eliminate spurious and unrelaxed systems, and the effectiveness of this procedure is demonstrated by the detection of intergalactic hot gas in 80 per cent of our sample. However, we find that 9 of the 10 are X-ray underluminous by a mean factor of ∼4 compared to typical X-ray-selected samples. Consistent with this, the majority of our groups have gas fractions that are lower and gas entropies somewhat higher than those seen in typical X-ray-selected samples. Two groups, which have high 2σ lower limits on their gas entropy, are candidates for the population of high-entropy groups predicted by some active galactic nucleus feedback models.
Improvement of decontamination and isolation protocols for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) from raw milk samples

Most protocols regarding sample decontamination for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) isolation are based on the MAP detection from feces and not milk. The choice of the best decontamination protocol is crucial to a successful MAP isolation. In this study, 36 combinations of variables for sample decontamination and MAP isolation from raw milk presented in the literature were carried out on milk samples artificially contaminated which were then inoculated into tubes with three different culture media: Herrold egg yolk medium (HEYM) prepared with fresh egg yolk, HEYM prepared with commercial egg yolk and Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ). Each treatment was performed in triplicate for each medium, with a total of 324 observations. The protocol combination which provided higher MAP growth and lower nonspecific contamination in a shorter period of time was considered improved. In this study, the protocol involving 0.75% HPC at room temperature for 24 h, using centrifuge at 2500 × g for 15 min and addition of antimicrobial solution immediately before inoculation into tubes with HEYM prepared with fresh egg yolk provided the greatest MAP isolation from raw milk samples.
Illiteracy Classification Using K Means-Naïve Bayes Algorithm

Illiteracy is an inability to recognize characters, both in order to read and write. It is a significant problem for countries all around the world including Indonesia. In Indonesia, illiteracy rate is generally set as an indicator to see whether or not education in Indonesia is successful. If this problem is not going to be overcome, it will affect people’s prosperity. One system that has been used to overcome this problem is prioritizing the treatment from areas with the highest illiteracy rate and followed by areas with lower illiteracy rate. The method is going to be a way easier to be applied if it is supported by classification process. Since the classification process needs a class, and there has not been any fine classification of illiteracy rate, there is needed a clustering process before classification process. This research is aimed to get optimal number of classes through clustering process and know the result of illiteracy classification process. The clustering process is conducted by using k means algorithm, and for the classification process is conducted by using Naive Bayes algorithm. The testing method used to assess the success of classification process is 10-fold method. Based on the research result, it can be concluded that the optimal illiteracy classes are three classes with the classification accuracy value of 96.4912% and error rate value of 3.5088%. Whereas the classification with two classes get the accuracy value of 93.8596% and error rate value of 6.1404%. And for the classification with five classes get the accuracy value of 90.3509% and error rate value of 9.6491%.
Classification of all alternatives to the Born rule in terms of informational properties

The standard postulates of quantum theory can be divided into two groups: the first one characterizes the structure and dynamics of pure states, while the second one specifies the structure of measurements and the corresponding probabilities. In this work we keep the first group of postulates and characterize all alternatives to the second group that give rise to finite-dimensional sets of mixed states. We prove a correspondence between all these alternatives and a class of representations of the unitary group. Some features of these probabilistic theories are identical to quantum theory, but there are important differences in others. For example, some theories have three perfectly distinguishable states in a two-dimensional Hilbert space. Others have exotic properties such as lack of "bit symmetry", the violation of "no simultaneous encoding" (a property similar to information causality) and the existence of maximal measurements without phase groups. We also analyze which of these properties single out the Born rule.
Fertilization strategies for winter flounder: effects of spermatozoa density and the duration of gamete receptivity

Winter flounder is one of the most commonly used models for studying fish biology in North America; however little is known about their reproductive ecology, especially during the spawning event. The objectives of this research were to determine the optimal number of spermato zoa required to fertilize eggs and to explore how long spermatozoa (30 to 240 s post-acti- vation) and eggs (30 to 7680 s post-activation) are receptive to fertilization after exposure to sea- water. We conducted experiments using gametes from wild-caught fish and measured fertilization success by examining eggs at 5 to 6 d post-fertilization. On average 34 038 sperm cells per egg were required to fertilize 81.3% of the eggs. Duration after spermatozoa activation had an effect on the proportion of eggs fertilized (F3,6.69 = 338.38; p < 0.0001; mixed-model ANOVA). At 30 s post-spermatozoa activation, 98% of the eggs were fertilized. After 60 s, a significant decrease in fertilization success was detected. Duration after egg exposure to seawater had an effect on the proportion of eggs fertilized (F8,16 = 19.89; p < 0.0001; mixed-model ANOVA). For all trials (30 to 1920 s), the percentage of eggs fertilized ranged from 61 to 90%. A significant decrease to 11% occurred at 3840 s after egg exposure. This area of research has particular importance for our understanding of reproductive strategies, evolutionary challenges, reproductive potential and recruitment. In addition, examining sperm-egg interactions provides information important to management of living and frozen-thawed gene banks.
An Empirical Model of Optimal Capital Structure

The authors provide a reasonably user‐friendly and intuitive model for arriving at a company's optimal, or value‐maximizing, leverage ratio that is based on the estimation of company‐specific cost and benefit functions for debt financing. The benefit functions are downward‐sloping, reflecting the drop in the incremental value of debt with increases in the amount used. The cost functions are upward‐sloping, reflecting the increase in costs associated with increases in leverage. The cost functions vary among companies in ways that reflect differences in corporate characteristics such as size, profitability, dividend policy, book‐to‐market ratio, and asset collateral and redeployability. The authors use these cost and benefit functions to produce an estimate of a company's optimal amount of debt. Just as equilibrium in economics textbooks occurs where supply equals demand, optimal capital structure occurs at the point where the marginal benefit of debt equals the marginal cost. The article illustrates optimal debt choices for companies such as Barnes & Noble, Coca‐Cola, Six Flags, and Performance Food Group. The authors also estimate the net benefit of debt usage (in terms of the increase in firm or enterprise value) for companies that are optimally levered, as well as the net cost of being underleveraged for companies with too little debt, and the cost of overleveraging for companies with too much. One critical insight of the model is that the costs associated with overleveraging appear to be significantly higher, at least for some companies, than the costs of being underleveraged.
ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME INEQUALITY IN TURKEY: REGRESSION-BASED DECOMPOSITION APPROACH

Bu makale Gelir ve Yasam Kosullari Arastirmasi’ni kullanarak 2006-2014 donemi icin Turkiye’deki gelir esitsizligini incelemektedir . Bu amacla, mikroekonomik faktorlerin gelir esitsizligi uzerindeki etkisini ortaya koymak icin regresyon temelli ayristirma yontemi kullanilmistir. Bulgular hanehalki liderinin yasinin, hanede kisi basina dusen issiz sayisinin ve kisi basina dusen kotu saglik durumunun esitsizlik ustunde kucuk bir etkisi oldugunu, buna karsin kisi basina dusen egitimin ve bolgenin yalnizca esitsizlikteki agirliklari anlaminda degil esitsizlikteki degisim anlaminda da cok buyuk etkiye sahip olduguna isaret etmektedir. Bu durum gelir esitsizligini azaltmayi amaclayan karar alicilarin egitim ve bolgeyi politika olusturma surecinde ana faktorler olarak ele almalari gerektigini ortaya koymaktadir.
The impact of fielding on retrieval performance and bias

Within many domains, such as news, medicine and patent, documents contain a variety of fields such as title, author, body, source, etc. As such fielded retrieval models that query across these fields are often employed. It is largely presumed that fielding provides a better representation of the document and offers more control when querying and that this will lead to improved retrieval performance. However, depending on how the fields are weighted and if the fields are populated, the retrieval algorithm may unduly favour certain documents over others. This is known as algorithmic bias and it can be detrimental to retrieval systems performance. In this paper, we explore the impact of fielding on retrieval bias and performance across a variety of TREC News Test Collections. We perform an extensive large‐scale analysis on two types of fielded retrieval model variations that are based on the popular BM25 retrieval algorithm where either: fields are scored independently and then combined (Model 1), or fields are first combined and then scored (Model 2). Our findings show that for Model 1 fielding, a strong correlation exists between retrieval bias and performance such that as title fields are weighted more heavily, bias increases, while retrieval performance decreases. When weighting is applied to content‐based fields, performance increases as bias decreases, showing that relying more on content may be favourable in terms of fairness and performance. On the other hand, for Model 2 fielding, the relationship between retrieval bias and performance is more complex. But, crucially we show that Model 2 fielding results in lower retrieval bias and greater performance than Model 1 fielding. And, we observed that under Model 1, news articles without titles are substantially less retrievable (i.e. more susceptible to algorithmic bias). These findings have serious ramifications as many popular Open Source Information Retrieval frameworks, commonly used by professional searchers, use the default implementation of Model 1 for their fielded search capability. This research shows the importance of analysing retrieval algorithms with respect to both bias and performance to ensure they minimize any unwanted or unintended biases when maximising performance. Further work is required to examine this phenomenon in more detail and to design fielded retrieval models that have the advantages of control and performance without detrimental biases.
GENETIC DIVERSITY AND STRUCTURE OF Oenocarpus mapora GERMPLASM CONSERVED AT EASTERN AMAZON

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a diversidade e a estruturacao genetica em germoplasma de Oenocarpus mapora conservado na Amazonia Oriental. Para isso, foram genotipados com cinco locos microssatelites 88 individuos pertencentes a 24 acessos conservados no Banco Ativo de Germoplasma (BAG) da Embrapa Amazonia Oriental e coletados em oito locais distintos de tres estados da Amazonia brasileira. Todos os locos foram polimorficos, gerando 85 alelos e media de 17 alelos por loco. A diversidade genetica total (HE) foi de 0,48. As areas de coleta foram consideradas geneticamente distintas, com ? p = 0,354. A analise de variância molecular (AMOVA) identificou que a porcao de variacao genetica entre as areas foi de 36,14%, e dentro, de 63,86%. As distâncias de Nei variaram de 0,091, entre as areas de coleta de Abaetetuba e Santo Antonio do Taua, no Estado do Para, a 4,18, entre as areas de coleta de Parintins, no Amazonas e Rio Branco, no Acre. Estudo por meio de abordagem bayesiana identificou a existencia de nove populacoes que compoem as amostras do BAG analisado, com diferentes distribuicoes entre as amostras. O estudo mostrou alta taxa de endogamia por area de coleta, indicando que pode haver significativas taxas de autofecundacao ou cruzamento aparentado nessa especie, sugerindo que as coletas de amostras devam ser feitas de diferentes plantas nas populacoes naturais. Mesmo assim, foi identificado que ha consideravel variacao genetica no germoplasma de O. mapora avaliado.