Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the analytical performance of five commercially available assays for neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin using urine

Background Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a promising biomarker for acute kidney injury that is beginning to be used in clinical practice in addition to research studies. The current study describes an independent validation and comparison of five commercially available NGAL assays, focusing on urine samples. This is an essential step in the translation of this marker to clinical use in terms of allowing valid inter-study comparison and generation of robust results. Methods Two CE (Conformité Européenne)-marked assays, the NGAL Test (BioPorto) on Siemens ADVIA® 1800 and the ARCHITECT Urine NGAL assay on i2000SR (Abbott Laboratories), and three research-use-only (RUO) ELISAs (R&D Systems, Hycult and BioPorto) were evaluated. Imprecision, parallelism, recovery, selectivity, limit of quantitation (LOQ), vulnerability to interference and hook effect were assessed and inter-assay agreement was determined using 68 urine samples from patients with various renal diseases and healthy controls. Results The Abbott and R&D Systems assays demonstrated satisfactory performance for all parameters tested. However for the other three assays evaluated, problems were identified with LOQ (BioPorto/ADVIA®), parallelism (BioPorto ELISA) or several parameters (Hycult). Between-method agreement varied with the Hycult assay in particular being markedly different and highlighting issues with standardization and form of NGAL measured. Conclusions Variability exists between the five NGAL assays in terms of their performance and this should be taken into account when interpreting results from the various clinical or research studies measuring urinary NGAL.
A Low-Complexity Detector for Memoryless Polarization-Multiplexed Fiber-Optical Channels

A low-complexity detector is introduced for polarization-multiplexed M-ary phase shift keying modulation in a fiber-optical channel impaired by nonlinear phase noise, generalizing a previous result by Lau and Kahn for single-polarization signals. The proposed detector uses phase compensation based on both received signal amplitudes in conjunction with simple straight-line rather than four-dimensional maximum-likelihood decision boundaries.
DSP-based Mitigation of RF Front-end Non-linearity in Cognitive Wideband Receivers

Abstract Software defined radios are increasingly used in modern communication systems, especially in cognitive radio. Since this technology has been commercially available, more and more practical deployments are emerging and its challenges and realistic limitations are being revealed. One of the main problems is the RF performance of the front-end over a wide bandwidth. This paper presents an analysis and mitigation of RF impairments in wideband front-ends for software defined radios, focussing on non-linear distortions in the receiver. We discuss the effects of non-linear distortions upon spectrum sensing in cognitive radio and analyse the performance of a typical wideband software-defined receiver. Digital signal processing techniques are used to alleviate non-linear distortions in the baseband signal. A feed-forward mitigation algorithm with an adaptive filter is implemented and applied to real measurement data. The results obtained show that distortions can be suppressed significantly and thus increasing the reliability of spectrum sensing.
CA125 response is associated with estrogen receptor expression in a phase II trial of letrozole in ovarian cancer: identification of an endocrine-sensitive subgroup.

PURPOSE This study was an open-label Phase II trial of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole (Femara) in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer with evaluation of possible biological markers for response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 60 patients were treated with letrozole (2.5 mg daily) at the time of CA125 relapse. Disease response was assessed by Union International Contre Cancer (UICC) criteria and by CA125 measurement. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, erbB2, and HSP27 were measured by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-fixed material obtained from the primary tumors at initial surgery. RESULTS 50 patients were evaluable by UICC criteria, and although no complete or partial responses were obtained, 10 patients had stable disease on scan for at least 12 weeks. CA125 responses were evaluable in 54 patients. A partial marker response (>50% decrease) was seen in 5, and the marker remained stable in an additional 14 patients (25% increase). Tumors from the UICC stable disease group had significantly higher ER (P = 0.027) and progesterone receptor (P = 0.0066) values than the progressive disease group, and a combination of these was strongly associated with stable disease (P < 0.0001). Using CA125 criteria, comparison of the CA125 stable/responding disease with progressive disease indicated that tumors with higher ER (P = 0.013), lower erbB2 (P = 0.026), and higher epidermal growth factor receptor (P = 0.009) were associated with CA125 stable/responsive disease. CONCLUSIONS These results imply that letrozole treatment can produce disease stabilization and CA125 responses that in turn are linked to higher levels of ER expression. These data suggest the presence of an endocrine-sensitive group that could be targeted in future studies.
Ethnic Outbidding and Party Modernization: Understanding the Democratic Unionist Party's Electoral Success in the Post-Agreement Environment

Abstract This article considers the phenomena of intra-group ethnic outbidding and party political modernization during peacemaking processes in civil war situations. At first glance, ethnic outbidding may seem unconnected with ‘modern’ political parties that function—as their modernity suggests—without recourse to ethnic exclusivity. This article makes the case that the two processes can operate in tandem. It begins by presenting an original conceptualization of outbidding processes by examining both the strategies employed by out-bidders and the potential impacts of outbidding on peacemaking processes. It then turns to consider political party modernization theory, which suggests that parties must abandon the appeals to confessionalism and ethnic particularism (usually displayed among intra-group outbidders) as part of the modernization process. As the example of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in post Agreement Northern Ireland illustrates however, the ability of political parties in peacemaking processes to mix traditional appeals with decidedly modern discourse and campaigning tools undermines this presumed incompatibility between particularlism and modernization within political parties. Instead we find that party modernization and ethnic outbidding can co-exist in the context of a peacemaking process. Moreover, we find that the nuances of outbidding mean that hard-line positions can be maintained on identity and constitutional issues but moderation can occur on other issues.
Predictors of long-term adherence to continuous positive airway pressure therapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease in the SAVE study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical variables that best predict long- term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence among patients with cardiovascular disease who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). DESIGN 12-mo prospective within-trial observational study. SETTING Centers in China, Australia, and New Zealand participating in the Sleep Apnea cardioVascular Endpoints (SAVE) study. PATIENTS There were 275 patients age 45-70 y with cardiovascular disease (i.e., previously documented transient ischemic attack, stroke, or coronary artery disease) and OSA (4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) > 12) who were randomized into the CPAP arm of the SAVE trial prior to July 1, 2010. METHODS Age, sex, country of residence, type of cardiovascular disease, baseline ODI, severity of sleepiness, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores plus CPAP side effects and adherence at 1 mo were entered in univariate analyses in an attempt to identify factors predictive of CPAP adherence at 12 mo. Variables with P < 0.2 were then included in a multivariate analysis using a linear mixed model with sites as a random effect and 12-mo CPAP use as the dependent outcome variable. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS CPAP adherence at 1, 6, and 12 mo was (mean ± standard deviation) 4.4 ± 2.0, 3.8 ± 2.3, and 3.3 ± 2.4 h/night, respectively. CPAP use at 1 mo (effect estimate ± standard error, 0.65 ± 0.07 per h increase, P < 0.001) and side effects at 1 mo (-0.24 ± 0.092 per additional side effect, P = 0.009) were the only independent predictors of 12- mo CPAP adherence. CONCLUSION Continuous positive airway pressure use in patients with coexisting cardiovascular disease and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea decreases significantly over 12 months. This decline can be predicted by early patient experiences with continuous positive airway pressure (i.e., adherence and side effects at 1 month), raising the possibility that intensive early interventions could improve long-term continuous positive airway pressure compliance in this patient population. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTER Clinical Trials, http://www.clinicaltrials. gov, NCT00738179.
Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love

Acknowledgments. Introduction. UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS ON THE ROAD TO LASTING LOVE. Four Hallmarks of a Great Relationship: PREP in a Nutshell. Destructive Patterns: Signs of Danger Ahead. Changing Roles, Changing Rules: Men and Women in Conflict. TEAM UP TO HANDLE CONFLICT. When What You Heard Isn't What I Said: Understanding Filters in Communication. Talking Safely Without Fighting: The Speaker--Listener Technique. Controlling the Home Fires: Handling Issues and Events Well. New Perspectives on Problems and Problem Solving. Keeping Conflict Under Control: Ground Rules for a Great Relationship. ENJOYING EACH OTHER. Safe Harbor: Preserving and Protecting Friendship. Playing Together: How to Succeed in Fun Without Really Trying. Sense and Sensuality: Enhancing and Protecting Your Sex Life. Core Beliefs and Spiritual Intimacy. STAYING THE COURSE. Why You Can't Always Get What You Want: Unraveling the Mysteries of Expectations. Forgiveness: Restoring Hope. Sticking, Stuck, or Stopped: On the Path to Commitment. What to Do Now. Some Thoughts on Domestic Violence. Resources and Training. Selected Research and References. About the Authors. Index.
A Proposed Framework for Evaluating Alignment Studies

Evaluating the multiple characteristics of alignment has taken a prominent role in educational assessment and accountability systems given its attention in the No Child Left Behind legislation (NCLB). Leading to this rise in popularity, alignment methodologies that examined relationships among curriculum, academic content standards, instruction, and assessments were proposed as strategies to evaluate evidence of the intended uses and interpretations of test scores. In this article, we propose a framework for evaluating alignment studies based on similar concepts that have been recommended for standard setting (Kane). This framework provides guidance to practitioners about how to identify sources of validity evidence for an alignment study and make judgments about the strength of the evidence that may impact the interpretation of the results.
Korean Year 3 Children’s Environmental Literacy: A prerequisite for a Korean environmental education curriculum

The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean children’s environmental literacy levels and the variables that affect their environmental literacy. An instrument, the Environment Literacy Instrument for Korean Children (ELIKC), was developed that measures four different dimensions (knowledge, attitude, behaviour, and skills) using 69 items and 13 demographic variables. The ELIKC was administered to 969 Year 3 students from large cities, medium‐sized cities, and rural areas. The students were given 80 min to answer the questions. Statistical analysis was performed on each of the scales that make up the ELIKC and a multivariate analysis of variance was performed to identify the variables that affect environmental literacy. Results indicate that the correlation between attitude and behaviour is the strongest while that between knowledge and behaviour is the weakest. Also, it was found that gender, parents’ school background, and the source from where students obtain environmental information affect all categories of environmental literacy.
Demonstration of Virulence Markers and Methicillin S usceptibility of Staphylococci in various Clinical Isolates

A B S T R A C T The pathogenic potential of Staphylococci is associated with virulence factors mainly seen in Staphylococcus aureus but can also be expressed in coagulase negative staphylococci. This study identified some virulence factors in staphylococci isolated from various clinical isolates and also determined the relationship in the expression of these virulent factors in S. aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci (CONS) isolates with methicillin resistance. Production of coagulase, phosphatase, hemolysin, DNAse and slime formation were investigated on 100 staphylococci isolates using standard methods. The results showed that expression of virulence factors varied in isolates. The rate of expression was higher in S. aureus than in CONS although this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Statistically significant correlation(p<0.05) was observed between virulence markers haemolysin and slime formation in both coagulase positive and negative Staphylococci with methicillin resistance indicating these factors could help in suspecting methicillin resistance.
Constituting the significance and value of research: views from information technology academics and industry professionals

The information technology research community, comprising both academic and industry stakeholders, is responding to national and international imperatives that challenge disparate groups to work together. In this article it is shown how, within both academic and industrial contexts, researchers interpret, or constitute, the significance and value of research in different ways. Important aspects of these differences may be described in terms of what comes to the foreground when members of the community are asked to consider the significance of projects; and what recedes to the background, ultimately forming a ‘perceptual boundary’ beyond which they do not see. The study reported here represents a first step in understanding one dimension of the ‘collective consciousness’ of the information technology research community. The framework developed may contribute to the widening awareness of more experienced researchers, as well as revealing something of the character of the research community to those engaged in researcher training, education and development.
Rainbow trout follicular maturational competence acquisition is associated with an increased expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor and insulin‐like growth factor 2 messenger RNAs

Post‐vitellogenic female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were assayed in vitro for follicular maturational competence (FMC). Ovarian follicles were stimulated with a range of concentrations of partially purified gonadotropin. The efficient concentration for 50% germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) was calculated and used as an indicator of FMC. Before in vitro assay, ovarian tissue was sampled in order to quantify mRNA abundance of specific genes in the ovarian follicle by real‐time PCR. In addition, maturation‐inducing steroid (MIS, 17, 20beta‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one) and estradiol (E2) plasma levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression of several genes such as luteinizing hormone receptor (LH‐r), follicular stimulating hormone receptor (FSH‐r), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1), insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2), insulin‐like growth factor receptor 1a (IGF‐r1a), and 20beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20beta‐HSD) that are putatively expressed in the preovulatory ovary, was studied in females of varying FMC using real‐time PCR. FMC acquisition is characterized by an increase of MIS circulating levels and a concomitant drop of E2 levels. At the ovarian level, no significant variation of LH‐r, 20beta‐HSD, IGF1, and IGF‐r1a mRNA abundance was observed among females of varying FMC. In contrast, FSH‐r and IGF2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in females exhibiting high FMC. In addition, correlation analyses showed that IGF2 and FSH‐r, mRNA levels were positively correlated with FMC. These results indicate that FMC acquisition is associated with an increased expression of these gene products that may be useful markers of FMC. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 66: 46–53, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Attitudes and Beliefs Predicting Taiwanese Older Adults’ Intentions to Attend Strength and Balance Training Programs

While strength and balance training (SBT) programs are effective in preventing falls, older adults rarely participate. A cross-sectional study design was used to explore factors that influence their decisions to attend SBT programs. Questionnaires were collected that measured theory of planned behavior constructs from 221 community-dwelling Taiwanese older women between the age of 55 and 94. Results suggest that (a) benefits of SBT programs such as increasing independence in daily life, (b) participation approval and involvement from the older adults’ family members, and (c) SBT programs conducted in familiar places strengthened potential participants’ positive attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, respectively. Health care professionals should consider incorporating these factors in the recruitment materials or the actual design of SBT programs to enhance older adults’ decision to attend and increase the recruitment rate of such programs.
The Effects of Perceived Interdependence on Dealer Attitudes

Channels research has consistently argued that asymmetric channel relationships are more dysfunctional than those characterized by symmetric interdependence. The authors propose that the degree of both interdependence asymmetry and total interdependence affect the level of interfirm conflict, trust, and commitment. Using survey data from automobile dealers, they demonstrate that, with increasing interdependence asymmetry, the dealer's trust in and commitment to the supplier decline while interfirm conflict increases. In addition, they demonstrate that relationships with greater total interdependence exhibit higher trust, stronger commitment, and lower conflict than relationships with lower interdependence. The effects on conflict are consistent with those predicted by bilateral deterrence theory, and the effects on trust and commitment are in accord with the authors’ bilateral convergence predictions.
Adapting k-means for Clustering in Big Data

data if used properly can bring huge benefits to the business, science and humanity. The various properties of big data like volume, velocity, variety, variation and veracity render the existing techniques of data analysis ineffective. Big data analysis needs fusion of techniques for data mining with those of machine learning. The k-means algorithm is one such algorithm which has presence in both the fields. This paper describes an approximate algorithm based on k-means. It is a novel method for big data analysis which is very fast, scalable and has high accuracy. It overcomes the drawback of k-means of uncertain number of iterations by fixing the number of iterations, without losing the precision.
Contribution of Lactococcus lactis Cell Envelope Proteinase Specificity to Peptide Accumulation and Bitterness in Reduced-Fat Cheddar Cheese

ABSTRACT Bitterness is a flavor defect in Cheddar cheese that limits consumer acceptance, and specificity of the Lactococcus lactis extracellular proteinase (lactocepin) is widely believed to be a key factor in the development of bitter cheese. To better define the contribution of this enzyme to bitterness, we investigated peptide accumulation and bitterness in 50% reduced-fat Cheddar cheese manufactured with single isogenic strains of Lactococcus lactis as the only starter. Four isogens were developed for the study; one was lactocepin negative, and the others produced a lactocepin with group a, e, or h specificity. Analysis of cheese aqueous extracts by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography confirmed that accumulation of αS1-casein (f 1-23)-derived peptides f 1-9, f 1-13, f 1-16, and f 1-17 in cheese was directly influenced by lactocepin specificity. Trained sensory panelists demonstrated that Cheddar cheese made with isogenic starters that produced group a, e, or h lactocepin was significantly more bitter than cheese made with a proteinase-negative isogen and that propensity for bitterness was highest in cells that produced group h lactocepin. These results confirm the role of starter proteinase in bitterness and suggest that the propensity of some industrial strains for production of the bitter flavor defect in cheese could be altered by proteinase gene exchange or gene replacement.
Characteristics of Traumatic Memories in Normal Subjects

In recent years, there has been considerable debate about how accurately people remember emotionally significant information. Early studies concerned with “flashbulb memories” claimed that emotional memories are accurate and persistent. However, recent studies indicate that flashbulb memories are subject to deterioration over time. This finding fits with the idea that individuals who have experienced a traumatic event do not retain all the details of the trauma equally well. Instead, they have relatively good memory for central detail information and relatively poor memory for peripheral details of the traumatic situation. Using self-report data of a normal, healthy sample, Christianson and Loftus (1990) found evidence for this idea. The current study is an attempt to replicate Christianson and Loftus' finding in a normal student population (N = 106). Subjects were asked to describe their most traumatic situation. They rated the vividness of the memory, the intensity of emotion at the time of the trauma and at the time of recall, the amount of reliving, and the amount of central and peripheral detail information remembered. Results indicate that subjects who reported strong emotion at the time of the trauma remembered significantly more central detail information than subjects with relatively low past emotionality ratings. However, no differences in the amount of peripheral detail information remembered were found.