Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A stable gene set for prediction of prognosis and efficacy of chemotherapy in gastric cancer

Background Gastric cancer (GC) is a primary reason for cancer death in the world. At present, GC has become a public health issue urgently to be solved to. Prediction of prognosis is critical to the development of clinical treatment regimens. This work aimed to construct the stable gene set for guiding GC diagnosis and treatment in clinic. Methods A public microarray dataset of TCGA providing clinical information was obtained. Dimensionality reduction was carried out by selection operator regression on the stable prognostic genes discovered through the bootstrap approach as well as survival analysis. Findings A total of 2 prognostic models were built, respectively designated as stable gene risk scores of OS (SGRS-OS) and stable gene risk scores of PFI (SGRS-PFI) consisting of 18 and 21 genes. The SGRS set potently predicted the overall survival (OS) along with progression-free interval (PFI) by means of univariate as well as multivariate analysis, using the specific risk scores formula. Relative to the TNM classification system, the SGRS set exhibited apparently higher predicting ability. Moreover, it was suggested that, patients who had increased SGRS were associated with poor chemotherapeutic outcomes. Interpretation The SGRS set constructed in this study potentially serves as the efficient approach for predicting GC patient survival and guiding their treatment.
Study on the Ecological Process in an Urban Wetland Creation

The dynamics of physical,chemical and biological processes was researched in an urban created wetland in Tianjin.The result showed that all introduced macrophytes survived and the aboveground biomass increased 13 fold for Phragmites australis,1.5 fold for Acorus calamus and 1.4 fold for Typha orientalis,respectively.And 11 other macrophytes were occurred in the basin.For the nutriments in the sediment,the organic matter decreased,total Kjeldahl nitrogen significantly decreased from(1? 500)(mg/kg) to 720(mg/kg)(p0.01),and total phosphorus slightly increased in created wetland.12 parameters of the water quality were determined.The water quality was improved in summer season,since dissolved oxygen increased,and other parameters,such as total nitrogen,chlorophyll a,and the number of algae decreased from inflow to outflow.The study indicated that the biodiversity naturally increated in created wetland.The created wetland played a role for the stand and improvement of water quality.
Analysis of Soil and Microbial Characteristics and Microbial Response in Rare Earth Mining Areas in Jiangxi Province, China.

There is a certain connection between the microbial community and functional flora in rare earth mining areas, but the pollution characteristics and pollution metabolic pathways in the mining area are still unclear. The conditions of heavy metals, rare earth elements, and microorganisms after the mining of rare earth mines were studied in this paper. It was found that after mining, all the sampling areas showed low pH and low total organic carbon(TOC), accompanied by high iron and aluminum concentrations. The development of vegetation is closely related to the development level of microorganisms. In the complex environment of rare earth mining areas, the Proteobacteria showed an absolute competitive advantage. In the process of mine environmental recovery, the relative abundance of Acidobacteria will increase significantly, but with the further development of restoration, the relative abundance of Firmicutes in rare earth mining areas will gradually decrease. There are many genera of bacteria related to the N cycle and heavy metal metabolism in the study area, indicating important metabolic pathways of ammonia nitrogen and heavy metals in rare earth mining areas. At the same time, the study found that there are bacterial genera that promote plant nitrogen fixation in the area, further revealing the nitrogen cycle.
Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy in Patients with Transmural Defects of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

A transmural defect of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract is a life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) was used for managing UGI defects and showed promising results. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize evidence on the efficacy of EVT in patients with transmural defects of the UGI tract. We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for publications on the effect of EVT on successful closure, mortality, complications, and post-EVT strictures. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale. This meta-analysis included 29 studies involving 498 participants. The pooled estimate rate of successful closure with EVT was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.88). The pooled estimate rates for mortality, complications, and post-EVT strictures were 0.11, 0.10, and 0.14, respectively. According to the etiology of the transmural defect (perforation vs. leak and fistula), no significant difference was observed in successful closure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.45–4.67, p = 0.53), mortality (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.24–2.46, p = 0.66), complications (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.17–5.15, p = 0.94), or post-EVT stricture rates (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.12–4.24, p = 0.70). The successful closure rate was significantly higher with EVT than with self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement (OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.23–7.98, p = 0.02). EVT is an effective and safe treatment for leaks and fistulae, as well as for perforations in the UGI. Moreover, EVT seems to be a better treatment option than SEMS placement for UGI defects.
The value of short Earth science continuing professional development for trainee primary school teachers

Abstract. The paper investigates the potential of Earth science for the development of primary school science. The evaluation from workshops run by the Earth Science Education Unit for trainee primary teachers was appraised to assess the effectiveness of the short continuing professional development (CPD) programmes over the period 2009–2015. Trainee teacher comments are analysed using thematic analysis, which identified points recognised by Guskey (2000) as being the most important ideas for effective CPD programmes. Despite these workshops being short, lasting generally less than 2 h each, the conclusion reached was that they offered useful teaching ideas, resources and background information which the trainees could and would apply in the classroom.
Deriving Natural Background Levels of Arsenic at the Meso-Scale Using Site-Specific Datasets: An Unorthodox Method

Arsenic is found in groundwater above regulatory limits in many countries and its origin is often from natural sources, making the definition of Natural Background Levels (NBLs) crucial. NBL is commonly assessed based on either dedicated small-scale monitoring campaigns or large-scale national/regional groundwater monitoring networks that may not grab local-scale heterogeneities. An alternative method is represented by site-specific monitoring networks in contaminated/polluted sites under remediation. As a main drawback, groundwater quality at these sites is affected by human activities. This paper explores the potential for groundwater data from an assemblage of site-specific datasets of contaminated/polluted sites to define NBLs of arsenic (As) at the meso-scale (order of 1000 km2). Common procedures for the assessment of human influence cannot be applied to this type of dataset due to limited data homogeneity. Thus, an “unorthodox” method is applied involving the definition of a consistent working dataset followed by a statistical identification and critical analysis of the outliers. The study was conducted in a highly anthropized area (Ferrara, N Italy), where As concentrations often exceed national threshold limits in a shallow aquifer. The results show that site-specific datasets, if properly pre-treated, are an effective alternative for the derivation of NBLs when regional monitoring networks fail to catch local-scale variability.
Examining the Impact of Technical Controls, Accountability and Monitoring towards Cyber Security Compliance in E-government Organisations

IT infrastructure and systems are made up of technical as well as social systems that work in alliance to ensure that organization's goals and objectives are met. Security controls and measures are developed and used to guard data and information systems of the organization. The breaches of Cyber security are primarily caused by the misuse of information systems and failure to comply with cyber security measures. Cyber security non-compliance is a major concern for organizations. For effective compliance and human acceptance of cyber security technology and complying with cyber practices, it is essential to ascertain, research, and examine the factors which contribute to the compliance and implementation of cyber security. This study has utilized an enhanced UTAUT2 i.e. Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 model and assessed its relationship with cyber security compliance. Five new formal and informal factors that affect cyber security compliance in organizations are identified and evaluated. The research questions addressed are: how the formal factors of technical measures; accountability; monitoring and evaluation impact employee's behaviour towards cyber security compliance. The study comprises a correlational survey of employees working at e-government organizations in Saudi Arabia. Results indicate that there is a significant role play by technical measures; accountability; monitoring and evaluation, on employee attitudes and behaviour towards cyber security compliance.
New Approach for Removal of Total Hardness ( Ca2+, Mg2+ ) from Water Using Commercial Polyacrylic Acid Hydrogel Beads, Study and Application

Adsorption and water treatment of Ca (II) and Mg (II) hardness were investigated via adsorption of metal ions onto commercial polyacrylic acid hydrogel beads as a novel sorbent for metal ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) removal and water treatment. Batch equilibrium technique was carried out under the influence of solution pH, contact time, sorbent dosage, initial metal concentration and competitive study. The maximum metal ions capacity (Ca2+, Mg2+) values were identified as 171.2 and 193.6, respectively. Sorption equilibrium was established in 24 hr and the data were described by both Langmuir and Freundlich models. The potential application of this sorbent for water treatment and metal ions removal from water samples is successfully accomplished
Error Floor Estimation of LDPC Coded Modulation Systems Using Importance Sampling

One of the key weaknesses of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes is the error floor that they typically exhibit at high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Such an error floor is usually attributed to problematic structures known as trapping sets (TSs). The overwhelming majority of existing error floor estimation schemes consider the case of binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signalling. Unfortunately, these schemes are not readily extensible to estimate the error floor of high order LDPC coded modulation systems considered herein. To provide such a scheme, in this work, we use mean-shift importance sampling (MS-IS) to develop a novel error floor estimation methodology for high-order pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) LDPC coded systems. First, a computationally efficient graphical-based approach is used to identify the TSs of a given LDPC code. Subsequently, a novel analytical approach is devised to identify the TSs that are likely to have a higher contribution in the error floor. These TSs are referred to as potentially dominant TSs (PDTSs). Finally, a new methodology for categorizing the PDTSs into equivalence classes is developed. A representative PDTS of each equivalence class is chosen and an MS-IS framework is devised to obtain the error rate corresponding to each equivalence class. To arrive at the desired MS-IS scheme, we develop an algorithm that invokes the geometry of the constellation to determine the MS value. In contrast with the conventional MS-IS method used in BPSK signalling, in the proposed MS-IS scheme, the MS value is a variable that is determined based on the TS and the transmitted codeword. The computational complexity of the three main steps of our methodology, viz. extracting the PDTSs, determining the MS values, and applying the MS-IS scheme, depends merely on the size of the constellation and the structure of the code, but not on the SNR. Numerical simulations confirm the efficacy and accuracy of the proposed technique at different SNRs.
Enhanced Seismic Structural Reliability on Reinforced Concrete Buildings by Using Buckling Restrained Braces

The control of vibrations and damage in traditional reinforced concrete (RC) buildings under earthquakes is a difficult task. It requires the use of innovative devices to enhance the seismic behavior of concrete buildings. In this paper, we design RC buildings with buckling restrained braces (BRBs) to achieve this objective. For this aim, three traditional RC framed structures with 3, 6, and 9 story levels are designed by using the well-known technique nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) in order to reduce the cost and maximize the seismic performance. Then, equivalent RC buildings are designed but including buckling restrained braces. Both structural systems are subjected to several narrow-band ground motions recorded at soft soil sites of Mexico City scaled at different levels of intensities in terms of the spectral acceleration at first mode of vibration of the structure Sa(T1). Then, incremental dynamic analysis, seismic fragility, and structural reliability in terms of the maximum interstory drift are computed for all the buildings. For the three selected structures and the equivalent models with BRBs, it is concluded that the annual rate of exceedance is considerably reduced when BRBs are incorporated. For this reason, the structural reliability of the RC buildings with BRBs has a better behavior in comparison with the traditional reinforced concrete buildings. The use of BRBs is a good option to improve strength and seismic behavior and hence the structural reliability of RC buildings subjected to strong earthquake ground motions.
Understanding the cultural orientations of fear appeal variables: a cross-cultural comparison of pandemic risk perceptions, efficacy perceptions, and behaviors

Abstract To understand the cultural nuances of fear appeal model variables, this study conducted a cross-cultural survey comparing risk perceptions, efficacy perceptions, and behaviors during the 2019-nCoV pandemic in China (N = 425) and in the U.S. (N = 352). Hofstede’s cultural orientations (collectivism, power distance, long-term orientations, and indulgence) were applied to examine variables in the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) (severity, susceptibility, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and compliance behavior). Findings show that, on the individual level, all the fear appeal variables, except for severity, are partially culturally rooted and are associated with at least two of the cultural orientations. On a national level, after controlling for individual and cultural differences, the Chinese sample reported higher severity, susceptibility, and self-efficacy, but lower compliance behaviors than the U.S. sample. No difference was found in response efficacy. Results imply that different fear appeal variables (severity vs. susceptibility, self-efficacy, and response efficacy) may function differently when it comes to their cultural orientations. The study gives suggestions as to how risk communication efforts can be maximized based on each of the fear appeal variables’ relationships with the cultural orientations.
Associated predictor covariates of cervical cancer stage and impact on survival at Khartoum oncology hospital, Sudan

Background: Cervical cancer can be invasive and advanced at diagnosis causing devastating suffering and premature death. The cancer stage at presentation is related to survival evaluation and several factors determine stage. The aim of the study was to examine predictors covariates associated with cervical cancer stage at diagnosis and its impact on patient prognosis and survival. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out at Khartoum oncology hospital, Sudan. Participants were 239 cervical cancer patients diagnosed and treated between 2011-2015. Patients’ pathological and socio-demographic data were extracted from their medical files and survival times were calculated from follow-up. Chi-square, Kaplan-Meier, Log-rank test and Cox regression model were used to examine relationships between demographic and clinical variables and survival outcome. Results: The mean age of the participants was 56.91 years and the majority were ≥45 years. Cancer survival analysis showed that the stage at diagnosis had limited association with socio-demographic factors, except where patients reside. Multivariate regression using the Cox proportional hazard model confirmed strongly that stage (p=0.035), chemotherapy (p=0.000) and radiotherapy (p=0.001) were the most likely predictor covariates of patient prognosis and survival time. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest cancer stage at diagnosis and certain treatments are the most important factors impacting the prognosis and survival of patients with cervical cancer. Early detection and vaccination of women against HPV infection provide enormous opportunities for early diagnosis, more effective treatment and better chances of survival.
Affective Context and the Interpretation of Facial Expressions in Portrait Paintings

The present study examined the effects of affective context on evaluation of facial expression of emotion in portrait paintings. Pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral context photographs were presented prior to target portrait paintings. The participants’ task was to view the portrait painting and choose an emotion label that fit the subject of the painting. The results from Experiment 1 indicated that when preceded by pleasant context, the faces in the portraits were labeled as happier. When preceded by unpleasant context, they were labeled as less happy, sadder, and more fearful. In Experiment 2, the labeling effects disappeared when context photographs were presented at a subthreshold 20 ms SOA. In both experiments, context affected processing times, with times slower for pleasant context and faster for unpleasant context. The results suggest that the context effects depend on both automatic and controlled processing of affective content contained in context photographs.
Optimum material distribution of porous functionally graded plates using Carrera unified formulation based on isogeometric analysis

Abstract The current literature deals with the multi-objective optimal material distribution of porous functionally graded plates subjected to free vibration in the framework of Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) based on isogeometric analysis (IGA). The objective function is to maximize the natural frequencies and minimize the weight of the PFG plate, considering the material properties and porosity through the thickness of the plate. The governing equation of the PFG plate is obtained by using the principle of virtual displacement (PVD) based on the CUF. A non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS)-based isogeometric finite element model associated with CUF is utilized for the plate free vibration analysis. The Legendre polynomials are used to approximate the thickness direction of plates. The rule of mixture is used to estimate the effective material properties. The Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is employed as an optimizer. Design variables are the power and porosity indices. For verification, several structural design examples are compared with those available in the literature. Several numerical examples for optimizing the PFG plates, including maximization of the first natural frequency and minimization of mass, illustrate the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method. The results show that the optimum values for the power and porosity indices depend on the objective function and boundary conditions. Furthermore, the clamped boundary condition leads to less mass than the simply-supported boundary condition for each desired first natural frequency.
The Integration of Shade-Sensitive Annual Crops in Musa spp. Plantations in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo

Small-holder banana fields are often intercropped with various annual crops to optimize land-use in East and Central Africa, a practice severely constrained by light availability under the banana canopy. Light availability is not a major constraint in newly established banana fields, giving a window of opportunity to target light-demanding annual crops before shifting to more shade-tolerant crops. This study investigated the performance of climbing and bush beans and the vegetable amaranth in banana fields with varying shade levels across three sites in the South Kivu province, DR Congo. These crops were selected for their highly nutritious and good market value and the added benefit of nitrogen fixation for the legumes. We show that both grain legumes and vegetable amaranth can achieve reasonable yields during a first annual cropping season in newly established banana fields, irrespective of the plant density. Declines in yield occurred during a second cropping season in more densely spaced banana fields (2 × 2 m and 2 × 3 m). A greater decline occurred in amaranth and its cultivation should be limited to the first annual cropping season or to less dense banana fields. The legumes could be extended to a second cropping season with reasonable yield. Significant variability in amaranth and legumes performance was observed across sites, with rapid yield declines occurring under more fertile soil conditions due to fast banana growth/canopy formation and under more vigorous cultivars. The choice of banana spacing will need to be tailored to the banana cultivar, soil conditions and the farmers’ objectives.