Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women with ulcerative colitis: A retrospective study of 23 pregnancies

Background: Although China has a large population and increasing incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC), data on pregnancy outcomes in women with UC are insufficient and the relationship between simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI) and pregnancy outcomes has rarely been studied. This retrospective study aimed to assess the relationship between SCCAI and pregnancy outcomes of Chinese women with UC and explore factors affecting pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Overall, 23 pregnancies of 18 patients with UC were included. The following factors were analyzed: SCCAI before and during pregnancy; basic conditions, comorbidities, and treatment before and during pregnancy; frequency and details of pregnancy-related complications; and mode of delivery. Clinical characteristics, disease condition, and treatment details were compared between patients with and without adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results: The SCCAI was significantly lower in the remission group than in the active group (P < 0.001), except in the second trimester, but no significant difference in recurrence/exacerbation rate was found. There were 18 live births (remission group, 15; active group 3; P > 0.05). No significant difference in the frequency and characteristics of pregnancy-related complications was noted between the two groups. Outcomes of 15 pregnancies were satisfactory, but the other eight cases had adverse pregnancy outcomes. Patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes had higher SCCAI in the second trimester than the patients without adverse outcomes (P = 0.034). Multivariate analysis showed no statistically significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: Chinese women with UC can usually achieve favorable pregnancy outcomes under multidisciplinary management, and a higher SCCAI in the second trimester has a positive correlation with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
A Long Survival of III-IVb Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with IMRT with or without Nimotuzumab: a Propensity Score-matched Analysis

Backgrounds: To assess the efficacy of Nimotuzumab in combination with first-line treatment of chemoradiotherapy of Chinese patients with primary III-IVb stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Patients with primary locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and concurrent Cisplatin-based chemotherapy between January, 2008 and December, 2013 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Group A received at least 6 doses of Nimotuzumab; Group B did not received Nimotuzumab. A propensity score matching method was used to match patients from each group in a 1:3 ratio. Results: In total, 730 eligible patients were propensity-matched, with 184 patients in Group A and 546 in Group B. There were no significant differences in patient and tumor characteristics between Group A and Group B. At a median follow-up of 74.78 months (range 3.53–117.83 months), locoregional recurrence, distant failure and death were observed in 10.68%, 11.10% and 16.03% of all patients, respectively. Estimated 5-year locoregional relapse–free survival, distant metastasis–free survival, progression-free survival and overall survival in the Group A versus Group B were: 85.34% versus 89.79% (P=0.156), 93.09% versus 85.61% (P = 0.012), 79.96% versus 77.99% (P = 0.117) and 88.91% versus 78.30% (P=0.006), respectively. Conclusions: This nimotuzumab-containing regimen resulted in a better long-term survival in III-IVb stage NPC patients, and warrants further prospective evaluation.
Greater decision uncertainty characterizes a transdiagnostic patient sample during approach-avoidance conflict: a computational modeling approach

Background: Imbalances in approach-avoidance conflict (AAC) decision-making (e.g. sacrificing rewards to avoid negative outcomes) are considered central to multiple psychiatric disorders. We used computational modeling to examine two factors often not distinguished within model-free analyses of AAC: decision uncertainty (DU) and sensitivity to negative outcomes vs. reward (emotional conflict; EC). Methods: A previously-validated AAC task was completed by 477 participants, including healthy controls (HCs; N=59), individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs; N=159) and individuals with depression and/or anxiety (DEP/ANX; N=260) disorders without SUDs. Using an active inference model, we estimated individual-level values for a model parameter (β) reflecting DU as well as another reflecting EC. Analyses were also repeated in a subsample propensity matched on age and general intelligence.Results: The model showed high accuracy (73%). As further validation, parameters correlated with reaction times and self-reported task motivations in expected directions. EC further correlated with self-reported anxiety during the task (r=0.32, p<0.001), while DU correlated with self-reported difficulty making decisions (r=0.45, p<0.001). Compared to HCs, both DEP/ANX and SUDs showed higher DU in the propensity matched sample (t=2.16, p = .03; and t=2.88, p = .005, respectively), with analogous results in the full sample; SUDs also showed lower EC in the full sample (t=3.17, p=0.002). Limitations: This study is limited by clinical sample heterogeneity and an inability to examine learning.Conclusions: These results suggest that reduced confidence in how to act, rather than increased emotional conflict, may explain maladaptive approach-avoidance behaviors in psychiatric disorders.
Risk factors for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has increased worldwide in recent years, but the risk factors of ICC have not yet been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for ICC. Methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed database for eligible studies published from January 2000 to November 2018. Summary odds ratio (OR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Results Thirty-two studies (5 cohort, 27 case control) were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled estimates indicated that cirrhosis (OR=11.96, 95% CI 7.53-19.00), hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OR=4.09, 95% CI 3.13-5.34), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OR=3.94, 95% CI 2.85-5.45), alcohol consumption (OR=2.68, 95% CI 1.97-3.66), hepatolithiasis (OR=14.94, 95% CI 6.41-34.83), choledochal cyst (OR=21.67, 95%CI 10.83-43.36), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (OR=93.91, 95%CI 43.99-200.47), diabetes mellitus (OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.57-2.11), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (OR=2.23, 95% CI 1.65-3.02), liver fluke infection (OR=2.28, 95% CI 1.30-4.01) and smoking (OR=1.26, 95% CI 1.07-1.49) were significantly associated with ICC. Non-significant association was found between ICC and history of cholecystectomy, hypertension, coffee and aspirin. Conclusions Cirrhosis, HBV infection, HCV infection, alcohol consumption, hepatolithiasis, choledochal cyst, PSC, diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fluke infection and smoking are risk factors for ICC.
An Event-Driven SOA Based Service Integration Framework for Provision of Active Services

The tendency of future communication network is to set up an environment supporting network convergence as well as dynamic service collaboration. The recent Internet of Things (IoT) visions makes provision of User-Centric and active service to common users an important aim. Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) based on Web service technology works well for provision of request/response style passive service. However, services and devices in IoT or mobile environment may dynamically interact and cause a considerable amount of states changes, which calls for an active and more flexible framework to enable interactive service provision. In this paper we propose an Event-driven SOA based service integration framework (EDSIF) for provision of active service. Compared with traditional SOA based service provision method, this approach will facilitate real-time event processing as well as intelligent service coordination. We present the concept model of Event-driven SOA and the key components of EDSIF. We also illustrate the ECA4IoS rules for active service execution and the enhancement work of WSN broker towards an effective EDSIF.
Effects of endophyte infection on the competitive ability of Achnatherum sibiricum depend on endophyte species and nitrogen availability

The leaves of almost all terrestrial plant species are colonized by endophytic fungi. Compared to agronomic grasses, which usually harbor few endophytes, native grasses generally possess greater endophyte species diversity. Existing studies examining endophyte effects on natural grasses under competition normally considered the infection status (infected or uninfected), and rarely considered endophyte species. We examined the effects of endophyte infection and of endophyte species on the interspecific competitive ability of a subdominant species, Achnatherum sibiricum, at two nitrogen levels (high nitrogen and low nitrogen). Achnatherum sibiricum plants infected by two different species of endophyte (Epichloë sibirica and E. gansuensis) and uninfected plants were grown in monoculture and binary mixtures with a dominant species, Stipa grandis (six individuals per species for monocultures and three + three individuals of each species in mixtures). Shoot and root biomass, tiller number and total phenolic concentration were measured after 3 months. Moreover, the aggressivity index was calculated to compare the competitive ability of A. sibiricum relative to S. grandis. Both E. gansuensis (Eg)- and E. sibirica (Es)-infected A. sibiricum plants showed a greater competitive ability than the uninfected plants under high nitrogen supply, while the opposite result occurred under low nitrogen supply. At high nitrogen levels, Eg plants had a higher tiller number and a greater shoot biomass inhibitory effect on S. grandis than Es plants had when growing in mixture, while Es plants showed better root growth performance than Eg and uninfected plants under mixture conditions at all nitrogen levels. A higher concentration of phenolic compounds in Eg plants than in Es plants might contribute to the higher inhibitory effect of Eg plants on competing plants. Our study indicates that the interaction between endophyte infection and nitrogen availability can alter the competitive ability of the host plant A. sibiricum but that these two endophyte species work in different ways, which may influence the coexistence of A. sibiricum with the dominant species.
Narrowing the gap? Stock turns in the Japanese and Western Car Industries

The Japanese motor industry is held up as an exemplar of world class manufacturing, setting the standards by which Western manufacturers measure themselves. Just-in-time or lean manufacturing is receiving particular attention. This paper analyses stock turnover data on eight Japanese vehicle assemblers and 33 major components suppliers over the period 1975-1988, and that of 15 Western assemblers and 41 suppliers over a similar period. This analysis reveals that Japanese manufacturers are not uniformly 'lean' but exhibit a wide range of performance, with Toyota standing out as the best. Although improving, Western assembler performance falls far short of the Japanese, and there is no sign of the gap narrowing. The gap between Western suppliers and their Japanese counterparts actually widened during the 1980s.
Terrorists and Unconventional Weapons: Is the Threat Real?

For years the government has been concerned about terrorists and unconventional weapons – but is the threat real? The threat is definitely real, but may not be from the source you would expect. The threat is not from biological and chemical weapons as experts seems to think – yes the information is readily available, but production and dissemination are far more complicated than what the public has been lead to believe. Even the threat from radiological devices, otherwise known as ‘dirty bombs’, is not realistic. The weapon is extremely dangerous to make, very heavy and produces a low mass casualty rate. Instead the threat stems from terrorists acquiring, producing or stealing nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons today are small enough that we would never be able to find them, and they can be remotely detonated.
Applied mathematics for restructured electric power systems : optimization, control, and computational intelligence

Applied Mathematics for Restructured Electric Power Systems. - Reactive Power and Voltage Control Issues in Electric Power Systems. - Identification of Weak Locations in Bulk Transmission Systems Using Voltage Stability Margin Index. - Bifurcation and Manifold Based Approach for Voltage and Oscillatory Stability Assessment and Control. - On-Line ATC Evaluation for Large-Scale Power Systems: Framework and Tool. - Automating Operation of Large Electric Power Systems Over Broad Ranges of Supply/Demand and Equipment Status. - Robust Control of Large Power Systems VIA Convex Optimization. - Instability Monitoring and Control of Power Systems. - Dynamic Embedded Optimization and Shooting Methods for Power System Performance Assessment. - Computational Intelligence Techniques for Control of FACTS Devices. - Placement and Coordinated Tuning of Control Devices for Capacity and Security Enhancement Using Metaheuristics. - Load Forecasting. - Independent Component Analysis Techniques for Power System Load Estimation.
Understanding the Effect of Channel Interference and RSSI in IEEE 802.11 PCF

With the increased popularity and deployment of WLANs, a major challenge is how to efficiently assign these available channels in order to optimize the network performance. In this paper, we design a testbed to analyze the effect of Channel Interference and RSSI in IEEE 802.11b PCF. We have observed that the performance of all hosts is subject to important signal fading and interference. We believe that the data collected by our experiments may be of interest to network designers who want to know the effective capabilities before their deployment.
Coordinating a Multi-Retailer Decentralized Distribution System with Random Demand Based on Buyback and Compensation Contracts

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to set up the coordinating mechanism for a decentralized distribution system consisting of a manufacturer and multiple independent retailers by means of contracts. It is in the two-stage supply chain system that all retailers sell an identical product made by the manufacturer and determine their order quantities which directly affect the expected profit of the supply chain with random demand. Design/methodology/approach: First comparison of the optimal order quantities in the centralized and decentralized system shows that the supply chain needs coordination. Then the coordination model is given based on buyback cost and compensation benefit. Finally the coordination mechanism is set up in which the manufacturer as the leader uses a buyback policy to incentive these retailers and the retailers pay profit returns to compensate the manufacturer. Findings: The results of a numerical example show that the perfect supply chain coordination and the flexible allocation of the profit can be achieved in the multi-retailer supply chain by the buyback and compensation contracts. Research limitations: The results based on assumptions might not completely hold in practice and the paper only focuses on studying a single product in two-stage supply chain. Practical implications: The coordination mechanism is applicable to a realistic supply chain under a private information setting and the research results is the foundation of further developing the coordination mechanism for a realistic multi-stage supply chain system with more products. Originality/value: This paper focused on studying the coordination mechanism for a decentralized multi-retailer supply chain by the joint application of the buyback and compensation contracts. Furthermore the perfect supply chain coordination and the flexible allocation of the profit are achieved.
Opportunists, Champions, Mavericks . . .? A Typology of Green Entrepreneurs

Given the importance of green entrepreneurs in the transition towards a sustainable society, the authors propose a framework for investigating the influences on, and motives of, green entrepreneurs. The literature on entrepreneurs generally, and approaches to classifying entrepreneurs, are reviewed with the aim of gaining useful insights for the green context. The scope for investigation encompasses all possible forms of green business, including not only those founded on the principle of sustainability but also those that are opportunistically or accidentally green. Assessing both the research on typologies of entrepreneurs generally and recent perspectives on green entrepreneurs in particular, the authors propose that green entrepreneurs are best characterised by a combination of internal motivations and external (hard and soft) structural influences. The resulting typology presented in this paper produces four 'ideal types' of green entrepreneurs: innovative opportunists, visionary champions, ethical mavericks and ad hoc enviropreneurs. Their characteristics are explored and examples provided. Recommendations are made on how the typology can contribute to further research into ways to foster green entrepreneurship and the change agent role that green entrepreneurs play in the two-way iterative relationship between firms and society. (Publication abstract)
GENDER EQUALITY-THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Gender Equality is a very important thing needed for the development of a country. Gender equality has been convincingly appeared to invigorate economic growth, which is crucial for low-income countries. Gender equality among women and men alludes to the equivalent rights, obligations and open doors for women and men and boys and girls. Fairness doesn't imply that women and men will become same however that woman and man's privileges, duties and openings won't rely upon whether they are brought into the world male or female. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration recognising the diversity of different groups of women and men. This paper clearly brings out the concept of gender equality in SDGs and provoking its importance in the well – being of a country.
Microbial Fuel Cells

1.0 Problem Statement The disposal of municipal solid wastes is one of the most serious problems facing Waste generation is on the increasing trend due to exponentially renders waste management as a significant problem. The solid waste generation (lb/capita/day) has been on increasing trend since 1980, with the curr New York State alone generates 8.4 million tons of municipal solid waste per year and approaching their limit for the built and permitted capacity
Turbulent-Flow Separation Criteria for Overexpanded Supersonic Nozzles

SUMMARYA comprehensive compilation of available turbulent-flow separation data for over-expanded supersonic nozzles is presented with a discussion of correlation techniques andprediction methods. Data are grouped by nozzle types: conical, contoured, and two-dimensional wedge. Correlation of conical-nozzle separation is found to be independentof nozzle divergence half-angle above about 9°, whereas the contoured-nozzle data followa different correlation curve. Zero-pressure-gradient prediction techniques are shownto predict adequately the higher divergence-angle conical separation data, and an empiri-cal equation is given for the contoured-nozzle data correlation. Flow conditions for whichthe correlations are invalid are discussed and bounded. A nozzle boundary-layer transi-tion criterion is presented which can be used to show that much of the noncorrelating datain the literature are concerned with nonturbulent separation and which explains the pre-viously reported "external flow effects" on nozzle separation.INTRODUCTIONThe flow field of a supersonic nozzle exhausting to an ambient pressure grc_aterthan that for which the nozzle is designed will contain oblique shock waves, and the flowmay separate from the walls as a supersonic jet which fills only a portion of the cross-sectional area available for expansion. This realistic behavior is in contrast to the theo-retical inviscid description (ref. 1) of supersonic expansion after the throat, followed bya normal shock and subsonic compression. This is the classical flow pattern that wouldexist if there were no boundary layer. Figure 1 illustrates the difference between thetwo cases.For the case with separation, the nozzle flow expands from the supply pressure Ptto a mininmm wall static pressure, usually designated in nozzle-separation studies as theseparation pressure Ps" Separation occurs upstream of where a normal shock wouldoccur and, when the flow separates, the pressure rises to ambient pressure much morerapidly than the pressure rise associated with subsonic compression. This results inhigher wall pressures for the separated case and improved performance (higher thrust)over the normal shock case. For vehicles such as proposed hypersonic research aircraftwhich have afterbodies that act as the nozzle, separation location will affect lift and stabil-ity characteristics as well as thrust. Obviously, knowledge of the point of separation isessential for performance prediction. Studies have been made (refs. 2 to 4) of techniquesto induce and control separation for both improved stability and performance.
Course of Performance as Evidence of Intent or Waiver: A Meaningful Preference for the Latter and Implications for Newly Broadened Use Under Revised U.C.C. Section 1-303

This article revisits and critiques the treatment of course of performance evidence — a fifty year old doctrine included in the original draft of U.C. C. Article 2. In view of the recent revisions to U.C. C. Article 1, which remove the treatment of course of performance evidence from the narrow confines of Article 2 and relocate this doctrine in Article 1, it seems a particularly apt time to review our experience with the use of this evidence under Article 2. Under Article 1, the use of course of performance evidence applies broadly, throughout the Uniform Commercial Code. The article also makes a contribution to the broader scholarly debate with respect to the overall effectiveness of Llewellyn’s strategy of using the Code to turn immanent commercial norms into immanent commercial law. While a significant body of scholarship has been produced to date on this broader issue, I believe this article provides a greater depth of analysis with respect to the narrow issue of course of performance evidence as a unique post-formation resource employed by courts in attempting to discover mutual contractual intent. Lastly, the article provides potential added guidance for courts in their ongoing efforts to provide consistent and principled decisions in the ever murky world of contract interpretation. As any first year Contracts student can attest, the paths through “plain meaning” and “parol evidence,” in search of a mutual “objective intent,” are often varied and all too rarely predictable with any degree of certainty.