Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of PET CT in the detection of second synchronous primary tumors and distant metastasis in head and neck cancers at initial presentation

Background: The patients with the head and neck cancer are strongly at risk of developing a second primary tumor which can be related to share etiological factors such as tobacco, alcohol and smoking. The aim of the study is to evaluate the percentage of synchronous second primaries and distant metastasis that are identified on PET CT imaging in head and neck cancer patients at initial presentation.Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study. A total of 503 patients with histological confirmation of head and neck cancer and who had undergone 18F FDG PET CT imaging from 2007 to 2013 were included in the study. The PET CT scan images of all 503 patients were reviewed. The patients with PET CT scan images indicating the presence of abnormal metabolic uptake suggestive of additional primary malignant lesion or distant metastasis were identified. Results: Out of the total 503 patients with histological confirmation of head and neck cancer, 34 patients were excluded due to non-availability of complete details, among the 469 patients of head and neck cancer, 7 patients (1.49%) were diagnosed with synchronous primary tumors and 33 patients (7.03%) were diagnosed with distant metastasis in PET CT imaging at the time of initial presentation.Conclusions: PET CT imaging is a useful tool to detect distant metastasis and second primary synchronous tumors in advanced head and neck cancers. The incidence of distant metastasis is a much more valid indication for the PET CT imaging in advanced head and neck cancers.
Center and periphery in phonology: A ‘stress-test’ for two Ligurian dialects

In this paper, we investigate the phonetic realization of vowel length in two related non-standard Romance varieties, the Ligurian dialects of Genoa (Genoese) and Porto Maurizio (Portorino, as representative of the Western Ligurian type). These varieties, albeit very similar, are usually said to differ in the implementation of vowel length, which seems more robustly attested in Genoese and appears to gradually fade along the Western coast of the region. Our analysis relies on two production tests, which also permit to investigate the effect of the utterance-final position and discourse focalization on the phonetic realization of vowel length. The results show that short and long vowels significantly differ in all the examined contexts and in both dialects. Moreover, the utterance-final position and focalization have a significant lengthening effect in Genoese and Portorino; however, their patterns, as expected, are quite different from each other. Furthermore, the phonological constraints on vowel length imposed by pre-pausal lengthening differ in the two dialects. Finally, although we can infer from the two experiments that the status of vowel length in the two varieties is relatively stable, we observed a tendency for vowel length contrasts to be easily outranked by other intervening factors as a primary cue for distinguishing various sub-minimal pairs.
Evaluation of the association between common genetic variants and breast cancer risk

329 Genetic variants affecting the regulation of gene expression are among the main causes of human diversity. The potential importance of regulatory polymorphisms is underscored by reports from the Genome Wide Association Studies, which have already implicated such polymorphisms in susceptibility to complex diseases such as breast cancer. In this study, we re-sequenced the promoter regions of 24 candidate breast cancer genes in 60 unrelated Caucasian individuals. We constructed haplotypes corresponding to these regions and the functional impact of the promoter variants thus identified was assessed using gene reporter assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. We identified some putative functional variants within the promoter regions of genes such as ESR1, ESR2, FOXA1, RAP80 and CDC7. The identified functional polymorphism on CDC7 (rs13447455), presented especially interesting features. Indeed, rs13447455 significantly influences CDC7 transcriptional activity in an allele-specific manner and alters DNA–protein complex formation in breast cancer cell lines via its modification of the GLIS2 transcription factor binding site. Thus, the association of the newly identified functional variants with breast cancer risk clearly warrants further genetic investigations. Furthermore, our study has helped to provide key methodological solutions to some technical difficulties that were encountered with gene reporter assays, particularly regarding inter-clone variability and statistical consistency.
Secure Sharing and Searching for Real-Time Video Data in Mobile Cloud: A Survey

: The ubiquitousness of mobile applications and devices has been part of the new market that enables mobile developers to provide new services for their users. The success of mobile applications is also driven by data feeds and services in the cloud, and hence it leads to the notion of mobile cloud computing. The demand for the transfer of huge amounts of data will need to be supported by rapid data transfer, which will make the application very usable and hence, enhance the users’ experience. The next major phase of the mobile telecommunication standard, known as 5G, will allow larger bandwidth. With the availability of 5G technology, sharing real-time high density video can be offered efficiently via the cloud platform. When incorporating the cloud, major security issues will arise, such as the leak of video data. To provide the solution to these security issues different algorithm and techniques has been introduced but every algorithm and technique has its own merits and demerits. In this paper we have done the survey of different cryptographic algorithms.
Identifying Statistical Arbitrage in Interest Rate Markets: A Genetic Algorithm Approach

In this paper a multidimensional term structure model is used to find statistical arbitrage opportunities in the interest rates derivatives market. The implied volatility of the model is calibrated by using a genetic algorithm optimization method. Two different options over the same underlying interest rate asset are tested, using data from a weak efficient economy market. The results show that there is no systematic mis-pricing between these two options, but temporary arbitrage opportunities perceptible to the average informed trader are possible.
PII: S0149-2063(01)00127-1

Human capital often cannot be acquired in efficient labor markets due to poor information or firm-specific skills that develop over time. Since such knowledge may be critical to firms building a strategic capability, it is not surprising that many acquisitions occur in human capital-intensive industries. Yet, the uncertainty associated with human capital increases the risk of overbidding. If the buyer bids conservatively, the target may reject the offer or rival bidders may emerge. In contrast, aggressive bidders may need to back out of the transaction if due diligence reveals unanticipated risks. Either way, impasse is more likely for targets in human capital-intensive industries. This study explores whether a shared expertise mitigates these hazards. Findings suggest that similar expertise is particularly important when acquiring human capital-intensive targets. Transactions involving unrelated buyers of such targets are less likely to close. This has implications for diversification theory and the resource-based view. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Improved cardiovascular risk prediction in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis using machine learning modeling and circulating microribonucleic acids

Rationale: To test whether novel biomarkers, such as microribonucleic acids (miRNAs), and nonstandard predictive models, such as decision tree learning, provide useful information for medical decision-making in patients on hemodialysis (HD). Methods: Samples from patients with end-stage renal disease receiving HD included in the AURORA trial were investigated (n=810). The study included two independent phases: phase I (matched cases and controls, n=410) and phase II (unmatched cases and controls, n=400). The composite endpoint was cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke. miRNA quantification was performed using miRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR. The CART algorithm was used to construct regression tree models. A bagging-based procedure was used for validation. Results: In phase I, miRNA sequencing in a subset of samples (n=20) revealed miR-632 as a candidate (fold change=2.9). miR-632 was associated with the endpoint, even after adjusting for confounding factors (HR from 1.43 to 1.53). These findings were not reproduced in phase II. Regression tree models identified eight patient subgroups with specific risk patterns. miR-186-5p and miR-632 entered the tree by redefining two risk groups: patients older than 64 years and with hsCRP<0.827 mg/L and diabetic patients younger than 64 years. miRNAs improved the discrimination accuracy at the beginning of the follow-up (24 months) compared to the models without miRNAs (integrated AUC [iAUC]=0.71). Conclusions: The circulating miRNA profile complements conventional risk factors to identify specific cardiovascular risk patterns among patients receiving maintenance HD.
Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis Transgenic Corn for Lepidopteran Control on Nontarget Arthropods

Abstract Field populations of nontarget arthropods in transgenic corn with the MON 810 event expressing the Cry1Ab endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki (Bt) were compared with those in conventional, near isogenic corn. The study was conducted at two locations in Georgia in 2001 and 2002 using visual counts, pitfall traps, and corn ear insect evaluations. Results were analyzed by trial using a repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a combined ANOVA of all trials. The only insect whose numbers were strongly affected by the Bt corn was the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), a target insect. When averaged over all trials, larvae and adults of sap beetles, Carpophilus spp. (mostly C. lugubris Murray), and larvae of the otitid fly Euxesta stigmatis Loew were less abundant on Bt than non-Bt corn ears. Kernel damage caused by H. zea was less in Bt corn, which presumably made Bt corn ears less attractive to these insects. There were no consistent significant differences in nontarget phytophagous and predaceous arthropods in the visual counts and pitfall traps between Bt and non-Bt corn. One exception was Nabis spp. , which was less abundant in Bt than non-Bt corn in the combined analysis. Flea beetles, mostly corn flea beetle, Chaetocnema pulicaria Melsheimer, were more abundant on Bt than non-Bt corn in the combined analysis but presumably were not adversely affected by the Bt corn. With the exception of nabids, these results indicate that transgenic Bt field corn containing the MON 810 event did not have an adverse effect on populations of nontarget phytophagous or predaceous arthropods in the Georgia corn system.
Deep Learning Neural Networks as a Model of Saccadic Generation

Approximately twenty years ago, Laurent Itti and Christof Koch created a model of saliency in visual attention in an attempt to recreate the work of biological pyramidal neurons by mimicking neurons with centre-surround receptive fields. The Saliency Model has launched many studies that contributed to the understanding of layers of vision and the sphere of visual attention. The aim of the current study is to improve this model by using an artificial neural network as the spatial component of a model that generates saccades similar to how humans make saccadic eye movements. The proposed model uses a Leaky Integrate-and-Fire layer for temporal predictions, and replaces parallel feature maps with a deep learning neural network in order to create a generative model that is precise for both spatial and temporal shifts of attention. Our model was able to predict eye movements based on unsupervised learning from raw image input, combined with supervised learning from fixation maps retrieved during an eye-tracking experiment. The results imply that it is possible to match the spatial and temporal distributions of the model to spatial and temporal human distributions.
STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION AND PROPOSITION OF PRE-SIZING PARAMETERS FOR UAVS WING SPARS

UAVs are a growing segment in the aviation market and it has arisen the necessity of lighter and low cost design. Considering this, the present work’s goal is to propose an optimized pre-sizing of an UAV wing spar using genetic algorithm optimization method followed by a finite elements analysis, which also provides low computational cost.
POWER QUALITY ASSESSMENT IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS EMBEDDED WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND ITS ENHANCEMENT BY OPTIMAL CHARGING

In this paper, the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on power quality in distribution networks is analyzed. The impacts of EVs on power quality indices such as undervoltage or overvoltage are discussed. As the EVs do not follow a deterministic pattern for their charge/discharge duties, hence a probabilistic analysis is applied to quantify their impacts on power quality. Moreover, the overload and unbalance of distribution transformers are assessed for different EV types and penetration level. It is indicated that the limits for undervoltage/overvoltage is not the same for different countries, so the impact of EVs on voltage quality depends on the set values. Hosting capacity is a term used for the acceptable amount of Distributed Generation (DG) in distribution feeders; this definition is extended for taking into account the fleet of EVs that could be connected to a feeder without violating the power quality indices.
First report of gummy stem blight caused by Didymella bryoniae on muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in India

Since 1999, severe losses have been observed on seedlings of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in four commercial fields in the Doddaballapura, Nanjangud, Malvalli and Arasikere regions of Karnataka, India. Losses occurred during the months of October and November. Disease symptoms included stem necrosis with an exudation of gummy material, angular water-soaked lesions on the leaves and rotten fruits. The presence of black pycnidia was observed on the stems, leaves and fruits. A fungus was isolated from diseased stems, leaves and seeds, by plating surface-sterilized plant tissues onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. On PDA, the mycelium was olivaceous green and few pycnidia were observed. White aerial mycelium was also produced. Conidia were hyaline, cylindrical with rounded ends, mostly nonseptate, but a few single-septate, and 6–11 × 3–5 µm in size. Based on the symptoms and the morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as Didymella bryoniae (Keinath et al., 1995). The pathogen causes gummy stem blight of cucurbits on species of Citrullus, Cucumis and Cucurbita (Keinath et al. 1995). To confirm pathogenicity of D. bryoniae, 30-day-old muskmelon plants were wounded using a syringe needle and inoculated at the collar region with a suspension of 12 × 105 conidia mL−1 in sterile distilled water. The plants were covered with plastic bags for 2 days and kept at 23°C and 90% relative humidity, with a 12 h photoperiod. Plants were assessed 7 days after infection. Inoculated plants produced typical symptoms on stems, leaves and fruits. The fungus was consistently re-isolated from infected plant parts. In contrast, the control plants did not show symptoms. The seedborne nature of D. bryoniae was evaluated by plating different components of the seed, such as the seed coat, cotyledons and embryo, using the Standard Blotter method (ISTA, 1999) and PDA. Results clearly indicated that all parts of the seed were infected with the D. bryoniae. Subsequently, infected seeds were sown in the field and 41% incidence of disease was recorded. Didymella bryoniae was re-isolated from the harvested seeds. Although the disease was previously noticed on fruits of Citrullus vulgaris var. fistulosus and on leaves of Sechium edule and Praecitrullus fistulosus in India (Sohi & Om-Prakash, 1972), this is the first confirmed report of the pathogen on C. melo in this country. The disease incidence has increased from 13% in 1999 to 21% in 2003. Consequently, disease monitoring and management measures need to be taken.
Population Dynamics Based on Individual Size Rather than Age: A General Model with a Reef Coral Example

Models of population dynamics based on age-related parameters do not provide accurate predictions if within-age-class variance in those parameters is high. Often the demographic fate of an individual or population may be predicted more accurately using size rather than age classifications. I describe here a general model of size-related population dynamics, based on a modified Leslie matrix. The model is designed to include demographic processes, such as fragmentation and shrinkage, which are excluded from conventional age-related demographic analysis. The parameters of the model were measured during a calm and a stormy year in a field study of a colonial, sessile coral. These data were used in computer simulations to predict the fate of a cohort over long periods of time. Measured differences in individual rates of growth and shrinkage resulted in huge long-term variations in calculated colony size, fecundity, and mortality rates, between corals of equal age. Therefore, individuals of the same age will have widely differing probabilities of obtaining representation in subsequent generations. Population growth was simulated by adding a constant number of juvenile corals every year to the smallest size class. Although the model has no density-dependent parameters, population growth stops. The population size attained depends on the number of settling juveniles. Local populations of sessile organisms may be regulated by larval input, as well as by recurring disturbances or density-dependent interactions.
The mediating role of parental involvement with school for the relation between parental education and the child's outcomes at school

3 INTRODUCTION 4 Child outcomes: Academic work habits and social networks 4 Parental education level as a predictor of child outcomes 5 Parental involvement with the school 6 Definitions and types of parental involvement 6 The association between parental involvement with the school and parental education level 7 Parental involvement with the school as a predictor of child’s
Archetypes of translation: recommendations for engagement

This paper reviews 128 works on translation in management studies and identifies four perspectives (diffusion, actor-network theory, Scandinavian Institutionalism, and organisational boundaries) which are argued to be underpinned by four relatively disparate theoretical archetypes (scientism, actualism, social constructivism, and symbolic interactionism). It is argued that, individually, these archetypes possess strengths and weaknesses in understanding translation, yet are relatively incommensurable, which mitigates against inter-perspective dialogue and the insights that this might promote. With illustrations, the paper suggests that the stratified and emergent ontology proposed by critical realism can provide a more inclusive foundation for inter-disciplinary engagement on translation, which combines many strengths and ameliorates several weaknesses of the individual archetypes.
Contemplating Nanometer Scale Transport Characteristics through Aromatic Molecules Based Molecular Devices

In this research article, we contemplate the quantum transport properties through a single molecular junction comprising of Azulene (C10H8) sandwiched between two semi-infinite gold (Au) electrodes and compare the transport properties with its higher derivative Anthracene (C14H10) based device having similar geometrically optimized data. By modeling this device, we evaluate vital transport parameters like current, conductance, transmission spectra, HOMO-LUMO gap and rectification ratio using a combination of non-equilibrium green’s function and extended Huckle formalism. We observe that Au-C10H8-Au device exhibit higher current in spite of having lower conductance as compared to Au-C14H10-Au device within a variegated bias range. However, Azulene based device has the advantage of getting fabricated as a molecular wire because the charge transfer through this molecule is comparatively stabilized. This property can allow us to produce a molecular diode, which in turn can give us further insight to design molecular devices which can replicate the conventional semi-conductor devices. On the other hand, Anthracene based molecular devices can be utilized in electronic applications such as organic solar cells, OLEDS (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) etc. Keyword: Azulene, Anthracene, HOMO-LUMO Gap, Non-Equlibrium Green’s Function, Extended Huckle Theory.
Prey Size Selection by Tree Swallows

Diets were determined for Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) that collected flying insects for nestlings and foraged at two locations, 3.25 km apart, where food abun- dance differed. At both locations, more than 99% of prey in the diets were I0 mm or less in length and at least 95% of the diets consisted of insects from the orders Diptera and Ho- moptera. Regardless of location, Tree Swallows were selective in the sizes of prey that they delivered to their young. They chose more valuable prey but did not completely reject less valuable items, and the diet was closer to the optimum at the location where food abundance
Determinants of customer loyalty in Yemen banking industry

The purpose of this research is to examine customer motivations to use the banking system in Yemen. It remains unpredictable as the rise of new types of banking systems for example, Automated Teller Machines (ATM), internet banking, developed financial markets and worldwide competition have constrained banks to investigate the significance of customer loyalty. Therefore, research needs to focus on these changes within the banking system. According to Central Bank of Yemen,(2008)Regulators in Yemen are paying attention to increase the number of bank client because of the important role of banking to the economy (Alkibsi& Lind, 2011). The majority of people still do not use banking services to facilitate their financial needs in Yemen. Therefore, for banks to gain customer loyalty and to offer them what they need has become a considerable challenge for banks in Yemen. This research paper aims to provide better awareness of the factors that influencing loyalty among customers in the Yemen banks. The study is a quantitative research; 200 questionnaires were distributed to bank customers in Yemen. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS were used for Analysis to examine the contribution of independent variables in predicting the dependent variable customer loyalty.The findings showed that the five factorsservice quality, brand image, corporate social responsibility, satisfaction and trust are significantly and positively influence the customer’s loyalty in Yemen.The study has had a significant contribution towards identifying the factors that influencingcustomer loyalty in Yemen, which might guide bankers, policy makers and business managers to use the right strategy in order to attract more customersand maintain their loyalty in Yemenretail banks.