Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic status and the risk of breast cancer among Nigerian women: a case control study

Introduction an increased risk of breast cancer associated with high socio-economic status has been reported in high income countries. A few available African studies have reported inconsistent findings using different single socio-economic measures. Our aim was to investigate the association between socio-economic status and the risk of breast cancer among Nigerian women based on a range of socio-economic status measures. Methods we conducted a hospital-based case-control study involving participants from five hospitals in Lagos and Abuja. Women were interviewed in-person between October 2016 and May 2017 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Socio-economic status was assessed based on education, occupation, income, wealth, and socio-economic index. Multivariable logistic regression was applied in data analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Level of significance was based on 95% confidence interval or p-values less than 0.05. Results we recruited 379 histologically confirmed breast cancer cases and 403 controls. Following full adjustments, breast cancer risk reduced as socio-economic index increased (p for trend=0.028). Although women in the highest categories of educational attainment [Odds ratio (OR)=0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09, 0.53], and personal income (OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.72) had a reduced risk of breast cancer compared to women in the lowest categories respectively after adjustments for relevant covariates, income alone exhibited a significant risk reduction following mutual adjustment for other socio-economic status measures (p for trend=0.014). Conclusion the observed associations between high socio-economic status and lower breast cancer risk in Nigeria contrast with predominant findings in high-income countries. It suggests the need for socio-economic intervention and other preventive programmes such as improved access to screening and diagnostic services targeted at women of low socio-economic status in Nigeria.
COVID-19's Impact on Investors Sentiment and Price Behaviour: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Stock Market

Changes in investor sentiment are closely related to fluctuations of stock price. However, there seems to be little existing research that addresses the question of why investor sentiment changes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 on Chinese investor sentiment and stock price behavior from an event-driven perspective. First of all, this paper follows the method of Principal Component Analysis to form an investor sentiment index. Then, after the results were obtained, the index was incorporated into a simple linear regression model including stock prices and two SVAR models that includes stock prices and epidemic severity. Finally, the correlation test is carried out. The empirical results show that, first, the investor sentiment is overally higher and fluctuates more volatile after the COVID-19. Secondly, the relationship between investor sentiment and stock prices becomes insignificant during the epidemic, and stock prices revert to the intrinsic value corresponding to fundamental factors. Third, with the normalization of epidemic, the impact of the epidemic on investor sentiment gradually disappears after 10 months, but the impact of the epidemic on stock prices lasts longer, indicating that the impact of the epidemic on fundamentals is relatively deep and long-lasting. This paper may provide a way of thinking to better understand the formation of stock prices and investor behavior.
Severity and Hospitalization Cost Related to Warfarin-Related Adverse Events in a Tertiary Malaysian Hospital

Introduction: Oral anticoagulant is essential for the treatment and prevention of thromboembolism. Warfarin is an effective oral anticoagulant in prevention and treatment of thromboembolism. However, warfarin is frequently associated with adverse event (AE) requiring hospitalization. Method: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to a large tertiary public hospital for warfarin-related AEs. Patients were grouped based on bleeding severity and the direct medical cost was also calculated. Results: During the 4 years study period, a total of 224 patients were admitted for warfarin-related AEs. Mean age of patients admitted was 65.1 years (standard deviation [SD] = 11.5). More than half, 59.6%, of them were on warfarin for prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Major bleeding occurred among 50.9% of the patients with gastrointestinal bleed, 34 (29.8%), as the common site of bleed. Patients with major bleed had longer median hospital stay of 4 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 5) compared to 3 (IQR = 3) days in non-major bleed. There were 17 (14.9%) death among the major bleeders. Mean medical cost for managing warfarin-related AEs was USD 708.08. Conclusion: The admitted patients were equally distributed in terms of bleeding severity. Medical cost incurred for managing warfarin-related AEs increased with the severity of bleeding.
Wideband Balanced Filters With Intrinsic Common-Mode Suppression on Coplanar Stripline-Based Multimode Resonators

In this paper, two types of coplanar stripline (CPS)-based multimode stepped-impedance resonators are proposed for exploration of wideband balanced filters with intrinsic common-mode (CM) suppression. Such CPS multimode resonators (MMRs) can be readily terminated with either a pair of open- or short-circuited ends with no need of via holes. With resorting to a proper impedance ratio, the first three modes of each MMR are assembled to construct a wide differential-mode (DM) passband. Afterwards, two distinctive broadside-coupled sections are further investigated based on their open- and short-ended circuit models, respectively. Characteristic impedances and effective dielectric constants can be adequately obtained by virtue of an efficient quasi-static approach under the odd- and the even-mode operations. As such, two types of CPS-MMR-based bandpass filters each with five transmission poles are synthetically designed. For experimental validation, the proposed balanced filters are finally fabricated and measured with the help of two identical pairs of balanced-to-balanced microstrip-to-CPS transitions. Theoretical, simulated, and measured results are found in reasonable agreement with each other with/without the transitions, thus demonstrating that the proposed CPS-based MMRs are well characterized with the wideband DM transmission and intrinsic CM suppression.
RESIDENTS' EVALUATION OF RIVER LANDSCAPE AND INFLUENCE OF THE INFORMATION FOR RESTORATION OF THE GRAVEL BER AT NAGATA AREA ON THE TAMA RIVER

河川の自然環境の保全・復元や合意形成の観点から, 住民の自然環境評価と情報の影響を明らかにするため, 多摩川永田地区沿川住民に対し, 河川環境に関する情報を添付した調査票と添付していない調査票を用いてアンケート調査を実施した. その結果, 環境が変化する以前の河原の風景と現在の樹林化した風景の評価は年齢により異なり, 40代以上は現在よりも過去の風景の方が多摩川らしいと評価していること, 樹林化が進行している右岸住民は左岸住民よりも多摩川らしくないと評価していること等を明らかした. また, 情報を与えることにより、左右岸で異なっていた評価は一致する方向に変化すること (ただし, 情報の影響は年齢により異なる), ハリエンジユやカワラノギクの保全等の判断を行う人の割合は情報により増加することを明らかにした.
Hydropower and its constraints

Hydropower, although an ancient technology, will emerge as a strategically critical source of new electricity in the decades ahead, especially for developing countries and the former Soviet Union, where most of the world`s undeveloped potential exists. Although the global potential for hydropower is enormous, numerous factors may limit its exploitation. Nonetheless, much uncertainty surrounds existing estimates of potential. A number of key technologies, including pumped storage, refurbishment of old plants, and compensatory steps (such as reservoir redesign) to reduce the variable nature of river flow, have contributed to the successful exploitation of both large- and small-scale hydrologic resources. Despite such technological advances, social and environmental impacts are argued to be the principal constraints and sources of uncertainty affecting hydropower`s development. Large storage reservoirs exacerbate many problems, particularly in tropical regions. The impacts of hydropower can be categorized either as direct: those that arise during construction of the plant, filling of the reservoir, and changing of the river flow; or as indirect: those that affect the health and well-being of the community. Many of these problems, however, can be mitigated by improved planning that includes public participation at an early stage. Taking such externalities into account may prolong the planning processmore » and increase overall costs, which are already high owing to the capital intensity of hydropower. Indeed, finance has become a major constraint affecting the development of hydropower in regions of greatest potential. Nonetheless, because of its ubiquity and low impact on the environment (relative to fossil-fuel plants), hydropower will remain a critical supply of new electricity in the developing countries and the former Soviet Union and therefore needs to be better understood. 66 refs., 9 figs., 11 tabs. « less
Automatisierung der Rohr- und Kanalinspektion

Im folgenden Beitrag' wird ein Gesamtsystem zur Automatisierung der Rohrund Kanalinspektion (RKI) mittels moderner Algorithmen der kantenund texturorientierten Szenenanalyse vorgestellt. Die Systemkonzeption ermöglicht die von der Abwassertechnischen Vereinigung (ATV) geforderte objektive Fehlerklassifikation und -bewertung der RKI-Szenen. Im Gesamtsystem werden zwei Inspektionsphasen unterschieden, die On-line-Inspektion und die Off-lineInspektion. Die On-line-Inspektion läuft zeitgleich mit der Fahrt eines Kanalroboters und wertet in Echtzeit das eingehende Videosignal aus, um fehlerrelevante Rohrabschnitte, insbesondere die Muffenbereiche, zu erkennen. Die Aufnahmen dieser Abschnitte werden auf einem Videoband markiert. In der zeitversetzten Offline-Auswertung werden nur noch die markierten Abschnitte des Videobandes untersucht. Eine methodisch aufwendige Algorithmik, basierend auf Methoden
APHLIS – Postharvest cereal losses in Sub-Saharan Africa, their estimation, assessment and reduction

APHLIS provides estimates of the postharvest weight losses (PHLs) of cereal grains for Sub-Saharan Africa. These loss estimates support agricultural policy formulation, identification of opportunities to improve value chains, improvement in food security (by improving the accuracy of cereal supply estimates), andmonitoring of loss reduction activities. APHLIS is based on a network of local experts (see Annex 1). Each country supplies and quality controls its own data that are stored in an exclusive area of a shared database. The APHLIS website displays the loss estimates as maps and tables. The APHLIS Network members also have the opportunity to post a ‘Country Narrative’ that gives a commentary on these postharvest losses in the context of the postharvest systems and projects of their countries. The loss estimates are generated by an algorithm (the PHL Calculator) that works on two data sets, the postharvest loss (PHL) profiles and the seasonal data. Each PHL profile is itself a set of figures, one for each link in the postharvest chain. These figures are derived from a very detailed search of the scientific literature followed by screening for suitability. They remain more or less constant between years. The seasonal data are contributed by the APHLIS Network and address several factors that are taken into account in the loss calculation. They may vary significantly from season to season and year to year. APHLIS estimates are not intended to be ‘statistics’ although they are computed using the best available evidence; they give an understanding of the scale of postharvest losses using a ‘transparent’ method of calculation. The estimates are assigned by primary administative unit (province) and may be aggregated to country or to region. Provinces are usually large geographical units and may include several agro-climatic zones, consequently the loss figures are generalisations, i.e. may be at variance from those experienced in particular situations. APHLIS recognises this limitation and offers a downloadable PHL Calculator that enables practitioners to change the default values to those that are specific to the situation of interest and to obtain loss estimates at a chosen geographical scale. The PHL Calculator can also be used with hypothetical data inorder to model ‘what if’ scenarios. APHLIS offers a robust system for the estimation of PHLs, is transparent in operation and can capture improvements in loss estimation over time by the accumulation of new and more accurate data. It encourages the collection of new data and offers advice on modern approaches to loss asssessment. For the future, APHLIS is envisaged as a much broader communcition hub that informs, motivates and coordinates efforts to optimise postharvest mangement.
Characterizing duplicate bugs: Perceptions of practitioners and an empirical analysis

Bug handling is an essential part of the software development process. Ideally, in a bug‐tracking system, bugs are reported, fixed, verified, and closed. In some cases, bugs have to be reopened mostly due to an incorrect fix. However, instead of reopening the existing bug report, users may submit a new report for a previously reported bug, which results in duplicate bug reports. Users might report duplicate bugs if they miss the previous bug report or if the previous bug is unresolved (i.e., in progress) and therefore cannot be reopened. These duplicate bug reports may cost extra maintenance efforts in triaging and bug fixing. There have been several studies on characterizing reopened bugs and duplicate bug reports; however, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no prior work on understanding the dynamics of their interaction, which is missed reopen bugs. Our study is based on analyzing the difference between duplicate and nonduplicate bugs and further categorizing the duplicate bugs. In this regard, we categorize duplicate bugs according to the original bug's resolution status at the duplicate's creation time as Master‐Unresolved bugs and Master‐Resolved (Missed Reopen) bugs to distinguish their properties. We compare these two types of bugs in terms of their relationship to their master bug, bug surface time, bug fix time, bug's severity, and the number of users involved. We perform case studies using the Eclipse and Mozilla projects' bug repositories that include more than 165,500 and 394,000 bug reports, respectively. Additionally, we investigate the perceived importance, impact, and causes of duplicate bugs, as well as the difference between nonduplicate and duplicate bugs and its categories for practitioners in the software industry by conducting a survey.
Elements of Sleep Breathing and Sleep-Deprivation Physiology in the Context of Athletic Performance

This review summarizes sleep deprivation, breathing regulation during sleep, and the outcomes of its destabilization. Breathing as an automatically regulated task consists of different basic anatomic and physiological parts. As the human body goes through the different stages of sleep, physiological changes in the breathing mechanism are present. Sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, are often associated with sleep-disordered breathing and sleep deprivation. Hypoxia and hypercapnia coexist with lack of sleep and undermine multiple functions of the body (e.g., cardiovascular system, cognition, immunity). Among the general population, athletes suffer from these consequences more during their performance. This concept supports the beneficial restorative effects of a good sleeping pattern.
The complex link between filter bubbles and opinion polarization

There is public and scholarly debate about the effects of personalized recommender systems implemented in online social networks, online markets, and search engines. Some have warned that personalization algorithms reduce the diversity of information diets which confirms users’ previously held attitudes and beliefs. This, in turn, fosters the emergence opinion polarization. Critics of this personalization-polarization hypothesis argue that the effects of personalization on information diets are too weak to have meaningful effects. Here, we show that contributions to both sides of the debate fail to consider the complexity that arises when large numbers of interdependent individuals interact and exert influence on one another in algorithmically governed communication systems. Summarizing insights derived from formal models of social networks, we demonstrate that opinion dynamics can be critically influenced by mechanisms active on three levels of analysis: the individual, local, and global level. We show that theoretical and empirical research on these three levels is needed before one can determine whether personalization actually fosters polarization or not. We describe how the complexity approach can be used to anticipate and prevent undesired effects of communication technology on public debate and democratic decision-making.
Genetic variability and juvenile–adult correlations of Norway spruce (Picea abies ) provenances, tested in multisite comparative trials

The aim of our study was to analyze the stability traits between 33 Norway spruce provenances tested in five field trials across different environmental conditions, in two major variants of the Romanian Carpathians: outside of the natural distribution range (ONR) and in the natural habitat (INR). To justify the early selection, we selected 40-year-old trees and measured tree height (Th), breast height diameter, pruning height, crown diameter, tree volume, tree slenderness (Ts), pruning height ratio, and crown slenderness, which were then compared on a time series with measurements from trees at 30 and 10 years old, respectively. All provenances reacted to the changes in the environmental conditions, presenting higher Th in the warmer ONR environments, compared with the results of the mountain INR trials, with negative consequences on the stand's stability. In all trials, highly significant differences resulted between, and especially within provenances, suggesting a high potential for adaptation in the future climate change scenario. An analysis of the stability traits suggests that we must avoid ONR afforestation with Norway spruce. All the elite provenances (Marginea, Gurghiu, Comandău, and Sudrigiu), together with Câmpeni and Turda, were highlighted, both for the stability and growth traits, whereas the local provenances and the standard IUFRO provenance were ranked below the average of the trials. The age-age significant correlations and the ranking of the provenances show that no major changes occurred in the last ten years, confirming the backward selection performed at the age of 30 years. The juvenile–mature correlations were also strong but the different evolutions in time of the elite provenances eliminate the possibility of a juvenile selection. The forward selection strategy, for the best trees belonging to the six mentioned provenances, according to Ts, can be applied in the INR trials.
Sex Differences in Metabolic and Behavioral Responses to Exercise but Not Exogenous Osteocalcin Treatment in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet

Background Exercise helps improve glucose handling in diabetes and has been shown to improve mood and cognition in other conditions. Osteocalcin, a protein produced by bone osteoblasts, was reported to have endocrine actions to improve both metabolism and also improve age-related cognitive deficits in mice. Methods This study was designed to compare the effects of daily treadmill running exercise with injection of osteocalcin in high fat diet (HFD) induced diabetes in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Following established glucose intolerance and treatment for 8 weeks, mice were assessed for anxiety on an elevated plus maze, motivation by tail suspension test and cognition and memory in a puzzle box. Endogenous osteocalcin was measured by ELISA. Results Mice on HFD had high weight gain, glucose intolerance and increased white fat. Exercise increased circulating osteocalcin levels in female mice but decreased them in male mice. Exercise also decreased weight gain and improved glucose tolerance in female but not male mice; however, treatment with osteocalcin made no metabolic improvements in either males or females. HFD induced anxiety only in female mice and this was not improved by osteocalcin. Exercise induced anxiety only in male mice. HFD also increased depressive-like behavior in both sexes, and this was improved by either exercise or osteocalcin treatment. Cognitive deficits were seen in both male and female mice on HFD. Exercise improved cognitive performance in female but not male mice, while osteocalcin treatment improved cognitive performance in both sexes. Conclusion There were sex differences in the effects of exercise on endogenous osteocalcin regulation that correlated with improvements in cognitive but not metabolic outcomes. Exogenous osteocalcin did not improve metabolism but was effective in improving HFD-induced cognitive deficits. Sex is an important variable in hormonal and cognitive responses to exercise in diabetes.
The pathogenicity of blood stream and central nervous system forms of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense trypanosomes in laboratory mice: a comparative study

Background: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) develops in two stages namely early stage when trypanosomes are found in the blood and late stage when trypanosomes are found in the central nervous system (CNS). The two environments are different with CNS environment reported as being hostile to the trypanosomes than the blood environment. The clinical symptoms manifested by the disease in the two environments are different. Information on whether blood stream are pathologically different from CNS trypanosomes is lacking. This study undertook to compare the inter-isolate pathological differences caused by bloodstream forms (BSF) and central nervous system (CNS) of five Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense ( Tbr) isolates in Swiss white mice. Methods: Donor mice infected with each of the five isolates were euthanized at 21 days post infection (DPI) for recovery of BSF trypanosomes in heart blood and CNS trypanosomes in brain supernatants. Groups of Swiss white mice (n = 10) were then infected with BSF or CNS forms of each isolate and monitored for parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight, survivorship, trypanosome length, gross and histopathology characteristics. Results: Amplification of SRA gene prior to trypanosome morphology and pathogenicity studies confirmed all isolates as T. b. rhodesiense. At 21 DPI, CNS trypanosomes were predominantly long slender (LS) while BSF were a mixture of short stumpy and intermediate forms. The density of BSF trypanosomes was on average 2-3 log-scales greater than that of CNS trypanosomes with isolate KETRI 2656 having the highest CNS trypanosome density. Conclusions: The pathogenicity study revealed clear differences in the virulence/pathogenicity of the five (5) isolates but no distinct and consistent differences between CNS and BSF forms of the same isolate. We also identified KETRI 2656 as a suitable isolate for acute menigo- encephalitic studies.