Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recommendations for the diagnosis and initial evaluation of patients with Waldenström Macroglobulinaemia: A Task Force from the 8th International Workshop on Waldenström Macroglobulinaemia

The diagnosis of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) can be challenging given the variety of signs and symptoms patients can present. Furthermore, once the diagnosis of WM is established, the initial evaluation should be thorough as well as appropriately directed. During the 8th International Workshop for WM in London, United Kingdom, a multi‐institutional task force was formed to develop consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and initial evaluation of patients with WM. In this document, we present the results of the deliberations that took place to address these issues. We provide recommendations for history‐taking and physical examination, laboratory studies, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy analysis and imaging studies. We also provide guidance on the initial evaluation of special situations, such as anaemia, hyperviscosity, neuropathy, Bing‐Neel syndrome and amyloidosis. We hope these recommendations serve as a practical guidance to clinicians taking care of patients with a suspected or an established diagnosis of WM.
Rural third-grade children’s social and psychological occupational gender-types : the relationship of maternal work patterns and attitudes

The present study examined third grade students' (N = 52) social and psychological occupational gender stereotypes in relation to their mothers' work patterns and attitudes toward women in a rural context. The results indicated that rural children not only aspire to and expect to hold gender-traditional jobs (psychological dimension), but they also recognize that certain occupations are typically filled by women or men (social dimension). Specifically, males reported more traditional occupational gender stereotypes for both themselves (psychological dimension) and others (social dimension), and overall, children perceived more traditional occupational gender stereotypes for themselves (psychological dimension) than others (social dimension). The students' social and psychological occupational gender stereotypes were not found to be related to the traditionality of their mothers employment nor to the traditionality of their mothers attitudes concerning the roles of women. Implications for education and future research are discussed.
A Computationally Efficient Model Predictive Control Strategy for Linear Systems With Integer Inputs

For linear systems with integer inputs, the model predictive control problem with output reference tracking is formulated as an integer least-squares (ILS) problem. The ILS problem is solved using a modified sphere decoding algorithm, which is a particular branch-and-bound method. To reduce the computational complexity of the sphere decoder, a reduction algorithm is added as a preprocessing stage to reshape the search space in which the integer solution lies. The computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is modest, enabling its implementation in a real-time system even when considering long prediction horizons. A variable-speed drive system with a three-level voltage source inverter serves as an illustrative example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Backward Induction in the Wild? Evidence from Sequential Voting in the U.S. Senate

In the US Senate, roll calls are held in alphabetical order. We document that senators early in the order are less likely to vote with the majority of their own party than those whose last name places them at the end of the alphabet. To speak to the mechanism behind this result, we develop a simple model of sequential voting, in which forward-looking senators rely on backward induction in order to free ride on their colleagues. Estimating our model structurally, we find that this form of strategic behavior is an important part of equilibrium play. We also consider, but ultimately dismiss, alternative explanations related to learning about common values and vote buying. (JEL D72, D82, D83)
Interspecies aminopeptidase-N chimeras reveal species-specific receptor recognition by canine coronavirus, feline infectious peritonitis virus, and transmissible gastroenteritis virus

We report that cells refractory to canine coronavirus (CCV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) became susceptible when transfected with a chimeric aminopeptidase-N (APN) cDNA containing a canine domain between residues 643 and 841. This finding shows that APN recognition by these viruses is species related and associated with this C-terminal domain. The human/canine APN chimera was also able to confer susceptibility to the porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), whereas its human/porcine homolog failed to confer susceptibility to CCV and FIPV. A good correlation was observed between the capacity of CCV, FIPV, and TGEV to recognize the different interspecies APN chimeras and their ability to infect cells derived from the relevant species. As an exception, TGEV was found to use a human/bovine APN chimera as a receptor although itself unable to replicate in bovine cells.
Intergenerational transmission and continuity of stress and depression: depressed women and their offspring in 20 years of follow-up

Background Children of depressed mothers not only have higher risk of depression, but also may experience both elevated and continuing exposure to stressful experiences. The study tested hypotheses of the intergenerational transmission of stress and depression and examined the role of early childhood adversity and maternal depression in the interplay between youth depression and stress over 20 years. Method In a longitudinal community study of 705 families selected for history or absence of maternal depression, mothers and youth were studied from pregnancy to age 5 years and at youth ages 15 and 20 years. Youth and maternal depression were assessed with diagnostic interviews, acute and chronic interview-based stress assessment in the youth and contemporaneous measures of childhood adversity obtained between pregnancy and youth age 5 years. Results Regression analyses indicated evidence of intergenerational transmission and continuity of depression over time, continuity of acute and chronic stress and reciprocal predictive associations between depression and stress. Maternal depression and exposure to adversities by child's age 5 years contributed to the youth's continuing experiences of depression and stress. An overall path model was consistent with stress continuity and intergenerational transmission and highlighted the mediating role of age 15 youth chronic interpersonal stress. Conclusions Youth of depressed mothers are at risk not only for depression but also for continuing experiences of acute and chronic stress from childhood to age 20. The associations among depression and stress are bidirectional and portend continuing experiences of depression and further stress.
Kaposi's sarcoma‐derived cell line SLK is not of endothelial origin, but is a contaminant from a known renal carcinoma cell line

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an endothelial cell‐derived tumor. Investigations of the molecular mechanisms of KS pathogenesis and the identification of drugs for treatment of KS depend critically on valid cell‐culture models. Two major immortalized cell lines are available for KS research. Recently, the KS cell line KS Y‐1 has been shown to be cross‐contaminated with the T24 urinary bladder cancer cell line (ATCC HTB‐4). Here, we show by short tandem repeat profiling that the second KS cell line, SLK, is indistinguishable from the clear‐cell renal‐cell carcinoma cell line Caki‐1. Immunocytochemical detection of cytokeratin expression confirmed the epithelial‐cell origin of SLK cells. Our findings indicate that SLK cells are not of endothelial origin and should not be used in future studies as a model for KS‐derived endothelial tumor cells. We suggest that in the future, more attention needs to be paid to the authenticity of cells in lines derived from human tissues.
Concerns about reporting pain and using analgesics. A comparison of persons with and without cancer.

Cancer pain is not adequately managed, and patients' reluctance to report pain and to use analgesics contribute to this problem. The Barriers Questionnaire (BQ) assesses eight patient concerns about reporting pain and using analgesics. This study was designed to determine (a) whether such concerns differ for persons who have cancer versus those who do not, (b) whether the BQ has test-retest reliability, and (c) whether concerns are related to reticence in reporting pain and using analgesics. Two groups, 53 adults with cancer and 40 without, completed the BQ twice at a 1-week interval. The BQ has eight subscales (e.g., concerns about addiction) and a total scale score (alpha = 0.89). There were no differences between persons with and without cancer on BQ total or subscale scores. Test-retest reliability of the total scale was r = 0.90, whereas the subscales showed r = 0.60-0.81. At Time 1, 16% said they hesitated to report pain, and 12% hesitated to use analgesics; at Time 2, 15% hesitated to report pain, and 10% hesitated to use analgesics. At Time 2, those who hesitated to report pain had higher BQ total scores than those who did not hesitate to report it (p < 0.05). We discuss the results of this study with respect to patient and public education.
RNA‐Seq: A Method for Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis

A recently developed technique called RNA Sequencing (RNA‐Seq) uses massively parallel sequencing to allow transcriptome analyses of genomes at a far higher resolution than is available with Sanger sequencing‐ and microarray‐based methods. In the RNA‐Seq method, complementary DNAs (cDNAs) generated from the RNA of interest are directly sequenced using next‐generation sequencing technologies. The reads obtained from this can then be aligned to a reference genome in order to construct a whole‐genome transcriptome map. RNA‐Seq has been used successfully to precisely quantify transcript levels, confirm or revise previously annotated 5′ and 3′ ends of genes, and map exon/intron boundaries. This unit describes protocols for performing RNA‐Seq using the Illumina sequencing platform. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 89:4.11. 1‐4.11. 13. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nepalese Trekking Guides: A Quantitative Study of Sexual Health Knowledge And Sexual Behaviour

Tourism, a global industry, brings with it a number of public health problems, one of which is the spread of sexually transmitted infections transmitted between travelers and hosts. Previous studies have largely focused on sex workers and sex tourists. This study assesses sexual behavior, knowledge and condom use among male trekking guides in Nepal. A self-administered questionnaire survey (n=324) was conducted using snowball sampling amongst men working as mountain trekking guides in Nepal. Most respondents (59%) had initiated sex before the age of 18. Most (84 %) reported sexual relations with a woman other than their partner, 46% reported foreign partners, 43% had Nepalese partners, and 28% had concurrent foreign and Nepalese partners. Most (70 %) reported ever having sex with a foreign woman and two-thirds had had sexual intercourse with foreign women in the previous 12 months. Participants’ age, education status, age of first sex, smoking and drinking habits and English proficiency were significant predictors of having sex with foreign women. About 60% reported condom use during their most recent occasion of extra-marital sex. A similar proportion had used a condom during last sexual intercourse with a foreign woman. The likelihood of condom use was associated with a guide’s age, educational level, ethnicity, age of first sex and work experience. Most trekking guides reported sexual relations with foreign women as well as irregular use of condoms. Although sexual health knowledge about among trekking guides is high, some misconceptions still result in unsafe sex. Hence there is an urgent need to revise the existing training for trekking guides and implement appropriate health promotion programmes. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/jmmihs.v1i4. 12000 Journal of Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences Vol. 1, Issue 4, 2015 Page: 35-42
Clinically Relevant Transmitted Drug Resistance to First Line Antiretroviral Drugs and Implications for Recommendations

Background The aim was to analyse trends in clinically relevant resistance to first-line antiretroviral drugs in Spain, applying the Stanford algorithm, and to compare these results with reported Transmitted Drug Resistance (TDR) defined by the 2009 update of the WHO SDRM list. Methods We analysed 2781 sequences from ARV naive patients of the CoRIS cohort (Spain) between 2007–2011. Using the Stanford algorithm “Low-level resistance”, “Intermediate resistance” and “High-level resistance” categories were considered as “Resistant”. Results 70% of the TDR found using the WHO list were relevant for first-line treatment according to the Stanford algorithm. A total of 188 patients showed clinically relevant resistance to first-line ARVs [6.8% (95%Confidence Interval: 5.8–7.7)], and 221 harbored TDR using the WHO list [7.9% (6.9–9.0)]. Differences were due to a lower prevalence in clinically relevant resistance for NRTIs [2.3% (1.8–2.9) vs. 3.6% (2.9–4.3) by the WHO list] and PIs [0.8% (0.4–1.1) vs. 1.7% (1.2–2.2)], while it was higher for NNRTIs [4.6% (3.8–5.3) vs. 3.7% (3.0–4.7)]. While TDR remained stable throughout the study period, clinically relevant resistance to first line drugs showed a significant trend to a decline (p = 0.02). Conclusions Prevalence of clinically relevant resistance to first line ARVs in Spain is decreasing, and lower than the one expected looking at TDR using the WHO list. Resistance to first-line PIs falls below 1%, so the recommendation of screening for TDR in the protease gene should be questioned in our setting. Cost-effectiveness studies need to be carried out to inform evidence-based recommendations.
Designing Serious Games for Safety Education: “Learn to Brace” versus Traditional Pictorials for Aircraft Passengers

Serious games for safety education (SGSE) are a novel tool for preparing people to prevent and\or handle risky situations. Although several SGSE have been developed, design and evaluation methods for SGSE need to be better grounded in and guided by safety-relevant psychological theories. In particular, this paper focuses on threat appeals and the assessment of variables, such as safety locus of control, that influence human behavior in real risky situations. It illustrates how we took into account such models in the design and evaluation of “Learn to Brace”, a first-of-its-kind serious game that deals with a major problem in aviation safety, i.e. the scarce effectiveness of the safety cards used by airlines. The study considered a sample of 48 users: half of them received instructions about the brace position through the serious game, the other half through a traditional safety card pictorial. Results showed that the serious game was much more effective than the traditional instructions both in terms of learning and of changing safety-relevant perceptions, especially safety locus of control and recommendation perception.
Modified AHP for Gene Selection and Cancer Classification Using Type-2 Fuzzy Logic

This paper proposes a modification to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to select the most informative genes that serve as inputs to an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2FLS) for cancer classification. Unlike the conventional AHP, the modified AHP allows us to process quantitative factors that are ranking outcomes of individual gene selection methods including t-test, entropy, receiver operating characteristic curve, Wilcoxon test, and signal-to-noise ratio. The IT2FLS is introduced for the classification task due to its great ability for handling nonlinear, noisy, and outlier data, which are common problems in cancer microarray gene expression profiles. An unsupervised learning strategy using the fuzzy c-means clustering is employed to initialize parameters of the IT2FLS. Other classifiers such as multilayer perceptron network, support vector machine, and fuzzy ARTMAP are also implemented for comparisons. Experiments are carried out on three well-known microarray datasets: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leukemia cancer, and prostate. Rather than the traditional cross validation, leave-one-out cross-validation strategy is applied for the experiments. Results demonstrate the performance dominance of the IT2FLS against the competing classifiers. More noticeably, the modified AHP improves the classification performance not only of the IT2FLS but of all other classifiers as well. Accordingly, the proposed combination between the modified AHP and IT2FLS is a powerful tool for cancer classification and can be implemented as a real clinical decision support system that is useful for medical practitioners.
Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in patients with epilepsy.

PURPOSE Poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are common complaints of patients with epilepsy (PWE). This study aimed to evaluate possible predisposing factors for EDS and subjective sleep quality in PWE. METHODS One hundred and seventeen PWE were enrolled and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. EDS was evaluated by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) while the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was designed to evaluate overall sleep quality. Clinical baseline data and possible risk factors for sleep disturbances were included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS Twenty percent of PWE (23/117) and 7% of healthy controls (2/30) had excessive daytime sleepiness (p = 0.007). PWE had significantly higher PSQI total scores (6.5 ± 3.8 vs. 3.7 ± 2.9), sleep latency (1.2 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7) and sleep efficiency (0.8 ± 1.0 vs. 0.0 ± 0.2) scores than the controls (all p < 0.001). A significantly higher prevalence of poor sleep quality was found in the partial seizure, non-seizure-free, and polytherapy groups (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that poor seizure control was the strongest independent risk factor for poor sleep quality (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.15-5.15, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION EDS and poor sleep quality are common in PWE and are closely related to partial epilepsy, poor seizure control, and polytherapy. These relationships must be addressed in order to provide the best management of sleep disturbance in such patients.
BRIGHT ULTRAVIOLET REGIONS AND STAR FORMATION CHARACTERISTICS IN NEARBY DWARF GALAXIES

We compare star formation in the inner and outer disks of 11 dwarf irregular galaxies (dIm) within 3.6 Mpc. The regions are identified on Galaxy Evolution Explorer near-UV images, and modeled with UV, optical, and near-IR colors to determine masses and ages. A few galaxies have made 105–106 M☉ complexes in a starburst phase, while others have not formed clusters in the last 50 Myr. The maximum region mass correlates with the number of regions as expected from the size-of-sample effect. We find no radial gradients in region masses and ages, even beyond the realm of Hα emission, although there is an exponential decrease in the luminosity density and number density of the regions with radius. Hα is apparently lacking in the outer parts only because nebular emission around massive stars is too faint to see. The outermost regions for the five galaxies with H i data formed at average gas surface densities of 1.9–5.9 M☉ pc−2. These densities are at the low end of commonly considered thresholds for star formation and imply either that local gas densities are higher before star formation begins or subthreshold star formation is possible. The first case could be explained by supernovae triggering and other local processes, while the second case could be explained by gravitational instabilities with angular momentum loss in growing condensations. The distribution of regions on a log(mass) − log(age) plot is examined. The distribution is usually uniform along log(age) for equal intervals of log(mass) and this implies a region count that varies as 1/age. This variation results from either an individual region mass that varies as 1/age or a region disruption probability that varies as 1/age. A correlation between fading-corrected surface brightness and age suggests the former. The implied loss of mass is from fading of region envelopes below the surface brightness limit.
Simulation of Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Networks

The structure and material properties of polymer networks can depend sensitively on changes in the environment. There is a great deal of progress in the development of stimuli-responsive hydrogels for applications like sensors, self-repairing materials or actuators. Biocompatible, smart hydrogels can be used for applications, such as controlled drug delivery and release, or for artificial muscles. Numerical studies have been performed on different length scales and levels of details. Macroscopic theories that describe the network systems with the help of continuous fields are suited to study effects like the stimuli-induced deformation of hydrogels on large scales. In this article, we discuss various macroscopic approaches and describe, in more detail, our phase field model, which allows the calculation of the hydrogel dynamics with the help of a free energy that considers physical and chemical impacts. On a mesoscopic level, polymer systems can be modeled with the help of the self-consistent field theory, which includes the interactions, connectivity, and the entropy of the polymer chains, and does not depend on constitutive equations. We present our recent extension of the method that allows the study of the formation of nano domains in reversibly crosslinked block copolymer networks. Molecular simulations of polymer networks allow the investigation of the behavior of specific systems on a microscopic scale. As an example for microscopic modeling of stimuli sensitive polymer networks, we present our Monte Carlo simulations of a filament network system with crosslinkers.
New Directions in Sales Leadership Research

The changing environment facing sales organizations is characterized by the dimensions of complexity, collaboration, and accountability. Responding effectively to this dynamic environment requires a focus on specific leadership activities by senior sales leaders, field sales managers, and salespeople. A sales leadership framework is presented and used to identify and discuss specific leadership challenges and important research questions at different sales organization levels. Several new directions for sales leadership research are proposed to improve sales leadership thought and practice.