Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute rhinosinusitis – are we forgetting the possibility of a dental origin? A retrospective study of 385 patients

Abstract Background: Odontogenic sinusitis (OS) is a common but underdiagnosed form of acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). OS carries no specific characteristics, but unilateral symptoms and certain microbiological as well as radiological findings indicate odontogenic origin. Aims/objectives: We studied the proportion of OS in ARS patients, the presence and associations of unilateral symptoms, and possible OS microbial and radiological findings. In addition, we investigated how this condition is recognised among ear, nose and throat specialists and radiologists. Materials and methods: All 676 ARS patients treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Helsinki University Hospital in 2013 were retrospectively enrolled. The data were collected from patients’ hospital medical records, the laboratory database and radiological reports. Results: Odontogenic origin of ARS was suspected in 59 (15.3%) patients. Altogether (29.9%) 115 patients complained of unilateral symptoms and these were found to associate with probable oral microbial findings (p < .001). These findings covered 20.2% of isolates. Teeth were mentioned in 89.6% of the radiological reports. Conclusions and significance: OS is common among patients with ARS, and good diagnostic tools already exist in routine practice. Microbial and radiological findings should be carefully evaluated, especially in cases of unilateral symptoms.
Lateral Nodal Features on Restaging Magnetic Resonance Imaging Associated With Lateral Local Recurrence in Low Rectal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy or Radiotherapy.

Importance Previously, it was shown in patients with low rectal cancer that a short-axis (SA) lateral node size of 7 mm or greater on primary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) resulted in a high lateral local recurrence (LLR) rate after chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy ([C]RT) with total mesorectal excision (TME) and that this risk was lowered by a lateral lymph node dissection (LLND). The role of restaging MRI after (C)RT with regard to LLR risk and which specific patients might benefit from an LLND is not fully understood. Objective To determine the factors on primary and restaging MRI that are associated with LLR in low rectal cancer after (C)RT and to formulate specific guidelines on which patients might benefit from an LLND. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective, multicenter, pooled cohort study, patients who underwent surgery for cT3 or cT4 low rectal cancer with a curative intent from 12 centers in 7 countries from January 2009 to December 2013 were included. All patients' MRIs were rereviewed according to a standardized protocol, with specific attention to lateral nodal features. The original cohort included 1216 patients. For this study, patients who underwent (C)RT and had a restaging MRI were selected, leaving 741 for analyses across 10 institutions, including 651 who underwent (C)RT with TME and 90 who underwent (C)RT with TME and LLND. Main Outcomes and Measures The main purpose was to identify the factors on primary and restaging MRI associated with LLR after (C)RT with TME. Whether high-risk patients might benefit in terms of LLR reduction from an LLND was also studied. Results Of the 741 included patients, 480 (64.8%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 60.4 (12.0) years. An SA lateral node size of 7 mm or greater on primary MRI resulted in a 5-year LLR rate of 17.9% after (C)RT with TME. At 3 years, there were no LLRs in 28 patients (29.2%) with lateral nodes that were 4 mm or less on restaging MRI. Nodes that were 7 mm or greater on primary MRI and greater than 4 mm on restaging MRI in the internal iliac compartment resulted in a 5-year LLR rate of 52.3%, significantly higher compared with nodes in the obturator compartment of that size (9.5%; hazard ratio, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.6-21.3; P = .003). Compared with (C)RT with TME alone, treatment with (C)RT with TME and LLND in these unresponsive internal nodes resulted in a significantly lower LLR rate of 8.7% (hazard ratio, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.4-28.5; P = .007). Conclusions and Relevance Restaging MRI is important in clinical decision making in lateral nodal disease. In patients with shrinkage of lateral nodes from an SA node size of 7 mm or greater on primary MRI to an SA node size of 4 mm or less on restaging MRI, which occurs in about 30% of cases, LLND can be avoided. However, persistently enlarged nodes in the internal iliac compartment indicate an extremely high risk of LLR, and an LLND lowered LLR in these cases.
Examining the association between grip strength and testosterone

Abstract Background Skeletal muscle is an important site for storing proteins and providing general physical function. Recent research has shown that muscle strength decreases earlier than muscle mass decreases, as shown during the aging process. Our article aimed to compare the association between testosterone levels and grip strength to provide an earlier biomarker to detect muscle weakness. Method We adopted quartile-based analysis by dividing handgrip power into quartiles, with all participants in the lowest quartile serving as the reference group. Linear regression analysis was conducted between handgrip power and testosterone. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the longitudinal correlation between testosterone levels and the presence of low muscle strength. Results Serum testosterone levels had a significant correlation with grip strength in all models (p < .001). In addition, high testosterone levels were negatively associated with low muscle strength in all groups (p < .001). A stronger relationship was observed between testosterone levels and grip strength among non-obese participants than among obese participants. Conclusions In conclusion, our study highlighted that testosterone levels are related to greater grip strength.
Enhancing hydrocarbon productivity via wettability alteration: a review on the application of nanoparticles

Abstract Wettability alteration (WA) of reservoir rock is an attractive topic in the upstream oil and gas industry, for the improvement of hydrocarbon production. Novel methods and chemicals that may change the wetting state of reservoir rock to water-wet have highly attracted petroleum researchers’ attention. Use of nanoparticles might be matured enough in different branches of sciences but in WA is still young, which increased in recent decades. This review paper presents a comprehensive review on WA, especially in terms of nanoparticle application in increasing oil recovery. Therefore, the areas of controversy of two rock types (carbonate and sandstone) as a main element in WA are discussed. A selection of reviewed nanoparticle types, preparation methods, and effective factors was also investigated. Moreover, two main methods of WA, static and dynamic, are highlighted. Although these methods have been discussed in many reviews, a clear classification form of these has not been considered. Such comprehensive arrangement is presented in this review, specifically on nanoparticle application. Moreover, coreflooding tests of different fluid types and injection scenarios are discussed. The review indicates promising use of nanoparticles in increasing ultimate oil recovery. It was hoped the current review paper can provide useful related reference to study WA via nanoparticle application.
On interference cancellation ordering of V-BLAST detectors

In this paper, the ordering effect of interference cancellation (IC) of V-BLAST detectors is evaluated in three different systems, which are the conventional V-BLAST system, the V-BLAST system with antenna selection, and the V-BLAST system with both antenna selection and adaptive modulation. The performance of different IC ordering algorithms, i.e. the optimal ordering algorithm and the fixed ordering algorithm, in these systems is compared through intensive simulations. It is shown that the performance of the optimal ordering, in terms of bit error rate and distribution of post-detection signal-to-noise ratio is superior to that of the fixed ordering algorithm in the conventional V-BLAST system, at cost of heavy computational load. The performance gap in terms of throughput becomes smaller when a simple antenna selection scheme is introduced in the V-BLAST system. In the system with both antenna selection and adaptive modulation, the effect of the ordering is not consistent and the throughput of the optimal ordering algorithm may sometimes even be worse than that of the fixed ordering algorithm.
Evaluation of Rice Straw Yield, Fibre Composition and Collection Under Mediterranean Conditions

Abstract Rice straw remains almost unutilised in the majority of cases and is usually burned. Data on rice residue production under European conditions are extremely limited. A detailed assessment of rice biomass yield, partitioning and straw collection was carried out in Spain. Eleven commercial rice varieties were evaluated in 2015, and two baling trials were performed in 2014 and 2015. The average straw yield was 9.7 t·ha−1. Straw yield, biomass partitioning indices and fibre composition varied significantly according to rice variety. Straw to grain ratio and harvest index were 1.00 and 0.50 on average for rough grain, and 1.25 and 0.41 for husked grain. Biomass partitioning indices significantly correlated with grain yield. Mean content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash of rice straw was 32.5%, 19.8%, 6.5% and 13.7%, respectively. Straw amount of less than 3.0 t·ha−1 can be collected during the baling trials. Rice straw could represent an eco-friendly source of lignocellulosic biomass in Europe, however, in order to achieve this, baling machine improvements and special crop management should be carried out.
Physical design of testable CMOS digital integrated circuits

A methodology for physical testability assessment and enhancement, implemented with a set of test tools, is presented. The methodology, which can improve the physical design of testable CMOS digital ICs, is supported in realistic fault-list generation and classification. Two measures of physical testability, weighted class fault coverage and fault incidence, and one measure of fault hardness are introduced. The testability is evaluated prior to fault simulation; difficult-to-detect faults are located on the layout and correlated with the physical defects which originate them; and suggestions for layout reconfiguration are provided. Several design examples are described, ascertaining the usefulness of the proposed methodology. The proposed methodology demonstrated that stuck-at test sets only partially cover the realistic faults in digital CMOS designs. Moreover, it is shown that classical fault models of arbitrary faults are insufficient to describe the realistic fault set. Simulation results have shown that the fault set strongly depends on the technology and on the layout style. >
Optimization of Diode Structures for Monolithic Integrated Microwave Circuits

Device requirements of a medium power Ku-band reflective phase shifter are reviewed indicating a requirement for a diode with a 4-Terrahertz cut-off frequency. Various structures are examined to test their suitability for integration and feasibility for meeting specifications. A "pocket version" of a surface oriented device design is chosen and described. It is shown to meet or exceed all electrical requirements while providing for compatibility with final integration into the circuit.
Spurred by Threats or Afraid of War? A Survey Experiment on Costs of Conflict in Support for Military Action

Abstract It is commonly assumed that perceived threats from a rival state will make individuals more likely to “rally-round-the-flag” and support military action. Previous studies have looked at how information about threats affects public support for military action. To date, however, there has been less attention to how information about the costs of conflict affects support for military action in response to threats. In this article, we present a survey experiment designed to evaluate how information about the likely military and economic costs of conflict influences support for military action. We provide Japanese respondents with information about relations with China, and probe how support for military action in the context of the ongoing territorial dispute changes with varying information on the military costs of conflict and its economic consequences. We find that information about trade ties and military capacity exerts a pacifying effect and strengthens opposition to military action. Consistent with our proposed mechanism, we show that greater awareness of military costs is associated with stronger opposition to military action. Our results indicate that even under the existence of external threats, greater awareness of the costs of conflict affects attitudes to military action and can increase support for peaceful solutions to territorial rivalries.
Adaptive Course Generation in Semantic Web Context

Personalized support for learners becomes very important in the context of increasing re-use of resources from heterogeneous and distributed learning repositories. This paper presents OrPAF, an Adaptive Educational Hypermedia (AEHS) and web-based System which integrates semantic web models and technologies like ontologies, semantic annotations and learning standards in order to achieve interoperability with e-learning systems. The key feature of OrPAF is the construction of adaptive hypermedia courses: both the course structure and the course content are dynamically generated and adapted to learners. On the one hand, a learning ontology is proposed to describe, at meta-level, abstract characteristics of an e-learning system. This learning ontology is instantiated to construct learning models: domain model, learner model and pedagogical model. On the other hand, semantic annotations and a semantic relevance measure are proposed to improve the LOM metadata associated to learning web resources in order to reuse and share them.
An Empirically-Aligned Concept of Trust in Government

Abstract Because of its capacity to facilitate consensus, trust in government is vital to the functioning of democracies. And yet those interested in the concept continue to struggle with the sheer number and ambiguity of available definitions. This paper confronts theoretical notions of trust with available empirical evidence, and ultimately defines “trust in government” as the willingness to bear the immediate or expected material and ideological costs that arise from compliance with government action. This definition is useful because it keeps up with recent empirical findings, involves a particular channel of effect, and distinguishes trust in government from the positive perceptions and attitudes which are commonly confused with trust.
Structural Ageism in Big Data Approaches

Abstract Digital systems can track every activity. Their logs are the fundamental raw material of intelligent systems in big data approaches. However, big data approaches mainly use predictions and correlations that often fail in the prediction of minorities or invisibilize collectives, causing discriminatory decisions. While this discrimination has been documented regarding, sex, race and sexual orientation, age has received less attention. A critical review of the academic literature confirms that structural ageism also shapes big data approaches. The article identifies some instances in which ageism is in operation either implicitly or explicitly. Concretely, biased samples and biased tools tend to exclude the habits, interests and values of older people from algorithms and studies, which contributes to reinforcing structural ageism.
Comparative syntax : the copulative in the African Languages of South Africa

The copulative construction in the African languages of South Africa will be considered within the following framework: firstly, an overview will be given of the various copulas or copulative verbs or the absence of overt copulative verbs in these languages. Secondly, the complements of these copulative verbs will be given as well as an overview of the moods and tenses within which each such copulative may appear. Lastly, attention will focus on the semantics and syntax of these copulative clauses.
Optimal rate control for high speed telecommunication networks

Presents two approaches for designing controllers that dynamically regulate the rate of data flow into a network based on feedback state information. They result in controllers that are similar to ones that have been advocated for both end-to-end and hop-by-hop congestion control in high-speed networks. Many existing control protocols have been developed on growing available experience, using ad-hoc techniques that did not come as a result of a control-theoretical study. This is due to the high complexity of the controlled systems, that are typically decentralized, have non-linear dynamics, and may only use partial noisy delayed information. Some attempts have been mode in recent years to use control theory to design flow controllers with, however, no explicit objective functions to be minimized; moreover, the class of control policies in existing theoretical work is quite restricted. In this paper the authors formulate explicitly some cost criteria to be minimized, related to performance measures such as delays, throughputs and loss probabilities. Using a linearized model, the authors then view the design problem as an optimal control problem. The authors follow true approaches to model interfering traffic and other unknown data: the H/sup /spl infin// approach, and the LQG one; and determine for both cases the optimal controllers. Some simulation results complete the study.
Measuring Low Viscosities and High Shear Rates with a Rotational Rheometer in a Thin-gap Parallel-disk Configuration

We modify a commercial rheometer so that the disks are aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation with a precision in parallelism of about 1 μm independent of the rheometer reading. This leads to decrease the zero-gap error by a factor of 25 and more. It enables samples to be studied at gap widths well below the absolute error of commercial rheometers. At gap widths of 20 μm, the modification allows the measurement range to be extended to shear rates up to 105 s-1 enabling to measure low viscosities such as that of solvents or water and of dilute polymer solutions. The measurements are restricted mainly by the torque resolution at low shear rates and by inertia at high shear rates.
Do Central and Eastern Europe Countries Play a Role in the Belt and Road Initiative? The Case of Chinese OFDI into the CEE–16 Countries

Abstract The main aim of the article was to analyze the motives behind the FDI decisions of Chinese companies’ capital engagement in Central and Eastern Europe. The article examines the applicability of existing theoretical concepts towards Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). Chinese OFDI patterns have been found to be consistent with Dunning’s investment development path (IDP) theory, but research shows that OFDI to CEE countries is additionally driven by specific motives different than in other regions. The study has proved that one of the major purposes is to get access to the EU common market. Additionally, data analysis has revealed that CEE countries that are not part of the EU attract proportionally more Chinese FDI than those that have easier access to EU funds.
Convergence to the local time of Brownian meander

Abstract Let {Sn, n ≥ 0} be integer-valued random walk with zero drift and variance σ2. Let ξ(k, n) be number of t ∈ {1, …, n} such that S(t) = k. For the sequence of random processes ξ(⌊uσn⌋,n) $\begin{array}{} \xi(\lfloor u\sigma \sqrt{n}\rfloor,n) \end{array}$ considered under conditions S1 > 0, …, Sn > 0 a functional limit theorem on the convergence to the local time of Brownian meander is proved.
Pre-Service Teachers' Attitudes towards Computer Use: A Singapore Survey.

The aim of this study is to examine the attitudes towards use of computers among pre-service teachers. A sample of 139 pre-service teachers was assessed for their computer attitudes using a Likert type questionnaire with four factors: affect (liking), perceived usefulness, perceived control, and behavioural intention to use the computer. The results of this study showed no gender or age differences among pre-service teachers on computer attitudes. However, there were significant differences for computer attitudes by the subject areas that pre-service teachers had been trained during their university education: Humanities, Sciences, Languages and General (Primary). Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between years of computer use and level of confidence, and computer attitudes. Implications for teacher training and suggestions for further research are provided.
Incidence and location of bone metastases in breast cancer

Abstract This report represents an analysis of 19 confirmed cases of breast cancer throughout a period of 14 months (January 2018 - February 2019), in which we assessed the incidence and sites of osseous metastases, in correlation with their histopathologic classification. This retrospective analysis is based on medical imaging techniques (X-ray radiography and nuclear medicine functional imaging).
Evidence-based programming language design : a philosophical and methodological exploration

Kaijanaho, Antti-Juhani Evidence-Based Programming Language Design. A Philosophical and Methodological Exploration. Jyvaskyla: University of Jyvaskyla, 2015, 256 p. (Jyvaskyla Studies in Computing ISSN 1456-5390; 222) ISBN 978-951-39-6387-3 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-6388-0 (PDF) Finnish summary Diss. Background: Programming language design is not usually informed by empirical studies. In other fields similar problems have inspired an evidence-based paradigm of practice. Such a paradigm is practically inevitable in language design, as well. Aims: The content of evidence-based programming design (EB-PLD) is explored, as is the concept of evidence in general. Additionally, the extent of evidence potentially useful for EB-PLD is mapped, and the appropriateness of Cohen’s kappa for evaluating coder agreement in a secondary study is evaluated. Method: Philosophical analysis and explication are used to clarify the unclear. A systematic mapping study was conducted to map out the existing body of evidence. Results: Evidence is a report of observations that affects the strength of an argument. There is some but not much evidence. EB-PLD is a five-step process for resolving uncertainty about design problems. Cohen’s kappa is inappropriate for coder agreement evaluation in systematic secondary studies. Conclusions: Coder agreement evaluation should use Scott’s pi, Fleiss’ kappa, or Krippendorff’s alpha. EB-PLD is worthy of further research, although its usefulness was out of scope here.