Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The additional value of chemotherapy to radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a meta-analysis of the published literature.

PURPOSE The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the additional value of neoadjuvant, concurrent, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy to radiation in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with regard to the overall survival (OS) and the incidence of local-regional recurrences (LRR) and distant metastases (DM). PATIENTS AND METHODS To be eligible, full published studies had to deal with biopsy-proven NPC and have patients randomly assigned to receive conventional radiotherapy (66 to 70 Gy in 7 weeks) or radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. RESULTS Ten randomized clinical studies were identified, including 2,450 patients. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of death for all studies was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.71 to 0.95; P = .01) corresponding to an absolute survival benefit of 4% after 5 years. Three categories of trials were defined according to the sequence of chemotherapy, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, at least concomitant chemoradiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy. A significant interaction term (P = .02) was found among these three categories. The largest effect was found for concomitant chemotherapy, with a pooled HR of 0.48 (95% CI, 0.32 to 0.72), which corresponds to a survival benefit of 20% after 5 years. Comparable results were found for the incidence of LRR and DM. CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that concomitant chemotherapy in addition to radiation is probably the most effective way to improve OS in NPC.
Sucking behaviour of hand-reared newborn dairy calves

Abstract AIM: To determine the feeding ability of calves during the first 4 days after birth. METHODS: The sucking behaviour of 171 dairy calves, fed from individual bottles during the first 4 days after birth, was evaluated by quantifying the volume of colostrum consumed, the duration of feeding, and speed of drinking. Calves had been separated from their mothers and brought into a rearing shed in the morning, when <24 h of age, and were offered 2 L colostrum from a bottle in the afternoon of the same day, and twice daily thereafter. RESULTS: Newborn calves became efficient suckers from bottles within 24 h of removal from their dams (collection). On the day after birth, 95% of calves drank the 2 L of colostrum offered during the afternoon feed, and by Day 4 virtually all calves (99%) drank this amount. Calves that had inadequate colostrum from their dam were more likely to drink all 2 L offered after collection, but a small number of calves that had not had colostrum from their dams and drank <500 ml at the afternoon feed following collection were likely not to drink 2 L on the following days. However, calves that did not drink all 2 L on Day 1 were not disadvantaged in comparison to those that did, in that they were equally likely to drink 2 L on Day 4. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of calves became efficient drinkers within 48 hours of birth, but a small number of slow feeders may need individual feeding at least up to 4 days after birth.
DNA topoisomerases.

The various problems of disentangling DNA strands or duplexes in a cell are all rooted in the double-helical structure of DNA. Three distinct subfamilies of enzymes, known as the DNA topoisomerases, have evolved to solve these problems. This review focuses on work in the past decade on the mechanisms and cellular functions of these enzymes. Newly discovered members and recent biochemical and structural results are reviewed, and mechanistic implications of these results are summarized. The primary cellular functions of these enzymes, including their roles in replication, transcription, chromosome condensation, and the maintenance of genome stability, are then discussed. The review ends with a summary of the regulation of the cellular levels of these enzymes and a discussion of their association with other cellular proteins.
Quantitative Properties of English Verb Valency

Abstract With the frequency data from the British National Corpus (BNC) and the valency information in the Valency Dictionary of English, the paper investigates quantitative properties of English verb valency. The results show: (1) the number of variants of English verbs follows the positive negative binomial distribution; (2) the complementation patterns of verbs and adjectives in English follow a power law, while that of nouns obeys the Zipf-Mandelbrot distribution; (3) the greater the valency of a verb, the shorter the verb is; (4) in comparison with less frequent verbs, the frequent ones have greater valency; (5) the greater the polysemy of a word, the greater its valency is.
Neutrino, wine and fraudulent business practices

The search for the neutrino and its properties, to find if it is a Dirac or Majorana particle, has kept physicists and engineers busy for a long time. The Neutrino Ettore Majorana Observatory (NEMO) experiment and its latest demonstrator, SuperNEMO, demanded the development of high-purity low-background $\gamma$-ray detectors to select radioactive-free components for the demonstrator. A spin-off of these detectors is inter-disciplinary measurements, and it led to the establishment of a reference curve to date wines. In turn, this proved to be an effective method to fight against wine counterfeiters.
Radar determination of winds at sea

This paper reviews the history and the current status of the relationship between the backscattering coefficient σ° and the wind-speed u at microwave frequencies. When σ° is assumed to be proportional to uγ, measurements have indicated that γ lies in the vicinity of 1.4 to 2.0. Under similar conditions with incidence angle between 30° and 80°, γ for HH polarization is usually larger than that of VV polarization and γ for upwind or downwind is larger than that of the crosswind. Better surface truth and controlled experiments are still needed to obtain a more specific value for γ under a given condition. Theoretical modeling of radar sea scatter indicates that near vertical incidence the physical optics method is applicable while for incidence angles approximately in the range 30° to 80° the return can be explained by Bragg scattering due to capillary waves when the tilting effect of the large-scale waves is also included. The methods used in extracting wind vectors from SEASAT scatterometer measurements are outlined. Areas where further experimental and theoretical studies are needed are indicated.
The effects of travel motivation on satisfaction: The case of older tourists

Older tourists have become an increasingly attractive market segment for both tourism businesses and tourist destinations. Specifically, several studies have shown that older tourists tend to travel in off-peak seasons, thus representing an interesting target, especially for destinations willing to reduce seasonality. Destination marketers should strive to understand older tourists’ travel motivations and their effect on overall satisfaction with the destination. Based on these premises, this paper investigates the effect of older tourists’ travel motivations on overall satisfaction with a mature, highly seasonal destination. A survey was carried out among a sample of 211 older tourists in Sirmione, a destination located on Lake Garda, Italy. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and linear regression. The findings highlight the relationships between four motivations—culture, pleasure-seeking, relaxation, and physical—and overall tourist satisfaction with the destination. In particular, the results indicate that the effects of the four motivations vary markedly depending on the age of the respondents. This study contributes to the literature on older tourist behavior. In addition, the findings may assist both destination managers and tourism operators (such as hoteliers) to position their offerings to intercept the growing demand from older tourists.
Ambient RF energy harvesting from DTV stations

In the framework of wireless power transmission and RF energy harvesting, the main objective is to design a harvester that collects ambient Radio Frequencies (RF) broadcasted from DTV (Digital TV) stations. This paper summarizes the main challenges experienced, when designing such a harvester. The distance and the free space path loss between the transmitting station and the harvesting location are calculated. Using Friis equation, the available power at the harvesting location is predicted. A novel broad-band Yagi-Uda antenna that covers the DTV broadcasting frequencies (470 MHz-810 MHz) is presented. The antenna design is based on integrating a wide-band strip dipole into a Yagi-Uda antenna. Moreover, The rectifier part, which converts the harvested RF power into DC is discussed, the simulated and measured input impedance and the output voltage of different commercial rectifiers are shown. A voltage multiplier is used to maximize the output voltage, and a matching network is presented to match the impedance of the multiplier to that of the antenna.
The effects of patient positioning when interpreting CT dose metrics: A phantom study

Purpose Review of dose metrics as part of the routine evaluation of CT protocols has become commonplace and is required by the Joint Commission and the American College of Radiology for accreditation. Most CT quality assurance programs include a review of CTDIvol and/or SSDE, both of which are affected by changes in mAs and kV. mAs, and sometimes kV, are largely determined by the Tube Current Modulation (TCM) functions of the scanner. TCM, in turn, relies on localizer scans to provide an accurate estimate of patient size. When patient size estimates are inaccurate, TCM and SSDE calculations are affected, leading to errors in both. It is important that those who are involved in reviewing CT dose indices recognize these effects to properly direct quality improvement initiatives. Methods An anthropomophic phantom was scanned on four clinical CT scanners using AP and PA localizers and the institution's routine abdomen protocol. Scans were repeated with the phantom at various heights relative to scanner isocenter. For each height, the projected phantom width, as shown by the localizer scans, was measured and normalized by the width of the helical scan. After each localizer scan, the TCM algorithm determined the mAs to be used for the helical scan. The scanner‐reported average CTDIvol was recorded for each helical scan, and the SSDE was calculated from the projected phantom size and the scanner‐reported CTDIvol at each phantom height. Last, the phantom was augmented with a lipid‐gel bolus material to simulate different body mass distributions and investigate the effect of differing body habitus on projected phantom size. The results were considered in the context of optimizing dose in CT imaging, with particular attention paid to the effect on dose to breast tissue. Results Vertical mis‐positioning of the phantom within the scanner led to errors in estimated phantom size of up to a factor of 1.5. These effects were more severe when localizers were acquired in the PA orientation compared with the AP orientation. Minification effects were more pronounced for AP localizers. As a consequence of inaccuracies in estimated phantom size, TCM resulted in changes in CTDIvol and SSDE of as much as a factor of 4.4 and 2.7, respectively. The effect was more pronounced when the TCM function used data from the PA, rather than the AP, localizer. Conclusions Proper patient positioning plays a large role in the function of TCM, and hence CTDIvol and SSDE. In addition, body mass distribution may affect how patients ought to be positioned within the scanner. Understanding these effects is critical in optimizing CT scanning practices.
Stratégie de décomposition de domaine à trois échelles pour la simulation du délaminage dans les stratifiés

Les composites stratifies sont aujourd’hui fortement utilises dans l’industrie. Ils permettent en effet une conception optimisee des structures et offrent ainsi une reponse aux contraintes energetiques auxquelles font face les industriels. Cependant, la prevision par le calcul de leur comportement sous charge et de leur degradation progressive souleve une difficulte : la modelisation du materiau doit etre realisee a une echelle tres inferieure a celle de la structure. On se concentre ici sur les modeles de zone cohesive qui, depuis les vingt dernieres annees, ont demontre leur aptitude a la prediction du delaminage. La taille des problemes resultant de la simulation de l’evolution de structures industrielles par ce type de modele est considerable. Leur resolution requiert alors l’utilisation de strategies de calcul intensif. Dans ces travaux, le probleme non lineaire pose a chaque piquet de temps du schema d’integration temporel est resolu par une methode de decomposition de domaine a trois echelles. L’introduction des differents niveaux de resolution permet de traiter les informations de l’echelle fine, de l’echelle du pli et de l’echelle de la structure de maniere adaptee au cours des iterations, et ainsi d’assurer l’efficacite de la methode proposee, en termes de taux de convergence et d’aptitude a la parallelisation. Cette strategie est ensuite amenagee pour resoudre les difficultes liees aux non-linearites fortement localisees et aux eventuelles instabilites engendrees par le comportement adoucissant du materiau simule.
Digitalization and Firm Performance: Are Digitally Mature Firms Outperforming Their Peers?

This thesis studies the effect of digitalization on firm performance. More specifically, it investigates whether digitally mature firms outperform their less digitally mature peers. My analysis is based on literature on information technology, information and digital systems, and digitalization in general. I assess digital maturity through a suitable proxy. With data from listed Swedish firms, I deploy dynamic panel data regressions, portfolio analyses, and risk factor models in order to analyze digital maturity's effect on subsequent operating performance and stock returns. For the most part, I find inconclusive results. Consequently, the proposition of a digital advantage is not reinforced. This adds to the literature by empirically examining the effects of digitalization on firm performance. (Less)
Swimming Coached–Management Program of Indonesian Swimming Association in South Sumatera

The research objectives are to evaluate and to analyze: (1) the antecedent covering background and objective of coaching program at Indonesian Swimming Association or PRSI (Persatuan Renang Seluruh Indonesia) in South Sumatera; (2) the transaction including athletes and trainers recruitment, implementation of training programs, facilities and infrastructures, consumption, coordination, transportation, welfare of trainers and athletes, funding sources of coaching programs of PRSI in South Sumatera; (3) the outcome encompassing the success of swimming program of PRSI in South Sumatera. Then, this research used qualitative research by applying evaluation of Countenance (Stake). From this research, it can be concluded that; (1) the antecedent of both the background and the purpose of coaching program are clear, (2) the transaction of the recruitment system of both trainers and athletes and the implementation of the training have done well, the national and international standard facilities and infrastructures have been proper maintained, the availability of consumption of athletes is in poor conditions, the transportation used by athletes and coaches is quite good, the coordination and the funding obtained are run well; (3) the outcome of coaching program at PRSI of South Sumatera has decreased.
Sinus Augmentation Complications: Etiology and Treatment

Sinus augmentation, either osteotome or lateral window approach, is a predictable procedure to augment vertical height that allows for proper implant placement in areas with previous limited restorative options. Like any surgical procedures, there is always a risk of encountering either intrasurgical or postsurgical complications. A Medline literature search of articles published from 1984 to 2006 related to complications following sinus augmentation were selected and analyzed. To make it easier for understanding, sinus augmentation complications were classified into following categories: systemic disease and mediations related; anatomy and surgical procedure related; sinus pathology related; infection related; and prosthetic related. Depending on the source or cause of complication, treatment may include palliative approach to surgical intervention. This article will review a newly proposed complication classification, discuss treatment modalities for each encountered complication and propose methods to avoid these complications.
Lot-Sizing with Constant Batches: Formulation and Valid Inequalities

We consider the classical lot-sizing problem with constant production capacities LCC and a variant in which the capacity in each period is an integer multiple of some basic batch size LCB. We first show that the classical dynamic program for LCC simplifies for LCB leading to an On2 min{n, C} algorithm where n is the number of periods and C the batch size. Using this new algorithm, we show how to formulate both problems as linear programs with On3 variables and constraints. A class of so-called k, l, S, I inequalities are described for LCB which capture both the dynamic nature of the problem as well as the capacity aspects. For LCB, we prove that these inequalities are the only facet-defining inequalities of a certain form. For LCC, we show that these inequalities include all the known classes of valid inequalities. Finally, we discuss several open questions and possible extensions.
A miniature digital current sensor with differential Hall probes using enhanced chopping techniques and mechanical stress compensation

A 10kHz bandwidth 50Amax current sensor using a Hall effect gradiometer without magnetic core provides 80kHz update rate with a digital interface. Very low un-calibrated offset of 30mA (1σ) and after calibration typical 10mA over temperature is accomplished by a chopped multi-bit feedback continuous-time 3rd order ΔΣ-ADC. This also realizes low noise of 13mArms in 1kHz signal bandwidth. The ADC uses enhanced chopping techniques and additional digital feedback loops to avoid chopper ripple. New analog and digital stress-compensation circuits with lateral and vertical n-doped resistors achieve lifetime gain drifts below 1% and temperature compensation. Auto-zeroing ping-pong comparators offer a fast over-current detection of 1. 2μs on a dedicated output pin. The monolithic integrated sensor chip and the 4kV galvanic isolated current rail fit into a very small 7×7×1mm3 package.
Development and Transcription of Assamese Speech Corpus

A balanced speech corpus is the basic need for any speech processing task. In this report we describe our effort on development of Assamese speech corpus. We mainly focused on some issues and challenges faced during development of the corpus. Being a less computationally aware language, this is the first effort to develop speech corpus for Assamese. As corpus development is an ongoing process, in this paper we report only the initial task.
Comparative Value Relevance of Accounting Information in the IFRS Period Between Manufacturing Company and Financial Services Go Public in Indonesia Stock Exchange

The purpose of this study is to examines the value relevance of accounting information between the manufacturing industry and the Financial Services on IFRS period of 2008 through 2014 and compares the results for both groups of sectors. The reason the researchers compare the two groups of sectors is to have different characteristics, the presentation of different financial statements, have different rules and some companies within the sector have first implemented IFRS and also includes both sectors are contributors of gross domestic product is quite large. This study uses the value of accounting profit, book value, and cash flow as a proxy for the value relevance of accounting information. This study uses a quantitative approach. The population of this research is a public company manufacturing and the financial services on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The dependent variable of this research is the study uses the stock price and independent variable used in this study are earnings per share, book value per share, and total cash flow per share. Analysis of research data using linear regression. The results showed that accounting information such as earnings, book value and cash flow have value relevance fluctuates on the phase of adoption and implementation of IFRS however the value relevance has been increasing of earnings, book value, and cash flow in the implementation phase of IFRS compared early adoption phase of IFRS and then earnings have value relevance higher than book value of equity, and cash flow both two groups of manufacturing and financial services industries.
Myanmar's Future Jobs : Embracing Modernity - Overview

Myanmar is a hard-working country. There are more than 24 million jobs in Myanmar, consisting of both income and in-kind earning activities. These jobs are behind Myanmar’s enviable recent economic growth rates. They are the main source of income for households, particularly poor households, and they can strengthen social cohesion, a particularly valuable outcome in an ethnically diverse and conflict-affected country. This overview presents proposals to promote the growth of better jobs in Myanmar beyond those that are likely to be produced by a strategy focused solely on economic growth. The full report includes the following notes: Note 1 is about a macroeconomic context for more and better jobs; Note 2 addresses Myanmar’s labor force; Note 3 explains about jobs in agriculture in Myanmar; Note 4 looks at the micro enterprises in Myanmar; Note 5 suggests promoting jobs through Myanmar’s private sector; and Note 6 concludes with migration as a jobs strategy. This overview pulls together these sector-specific analyses and policy recommendations and presents priority job creation policies for the whole Myanmar economy.
Organizational Competencies and the Scope of Contracting Out in Outsourcing Implementation on the Example of a Budget Housing Management Entity

The purpose of this article is to analyze the problem of core competencies in determining the scope of elimination in outsourcing implementation in a budget housing entity. In this case, the protection of core competencies is not strategically important because of specificity of the housing resources and its social and intervention nature, intended to meet the housing needs of families with low or very low income. The budget housing entity does not need to maintain competitiveness in all its business areas and some of them may be transferred to external suppliers.
Multispectral stereo acquisition using two RGB cameras and color filters : color and disparity accuracy

A multispectral stereo system featuring two RGB cameras and color filters enables the simultaneous acquisition of accurate color information and depth information from a scene, in only one shot. The filters must be carefully chosen given the RGB cameras and the light source utilized for the acquisitions. We use a set of broadband filters obtained by optimization out of filters from various manufacturers and compare them to dichroic filters. The spectral accuracy of both multispectral cameras is evaluated, in a mono as well as in a stereo configuration. The disparity estimation must be performed using images with different spectral information: we explain our algorithm that uses mutual information as similarity metric for the stereo matching. We also compare the performance of our algorithm on multispectral images with the results obtained with standard algorithms on RGB images.