Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms on 8q24 Are Associated with Lung Cancer Risk and Survival in Han Chinese

Chromosome 8q24 is commonly amplified in many types of cancer, particularly lung cancer. Polymorphisms in this region are associated with risk of different cancers. To investigate the relationship between three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1447295, rs16901979 and rs6983267) on 8q24 and lung cancer risk, we conducted an association study in two Han Chinese populations: one population was from Zhejiang Province (576 case patients and 576 control subjects), whereas the other was from Fujian Province (576 case patients and 576 control subjects). We found that rs6983267 was significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in both populations. Compared with the TT genotype, the GG genotype was associated with a significant 1.555-fold increased risk of lung cancer [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.218–1.986, P = 4.0×10−4]. This effect was more pronounced in never-smokers [odds ratio (OR) = 2.366, 95% CI 1.605–3.488, P = 1.4×10−5]. Analyses stratified by histology revealed that rs6983267 GG genotype was most associated with patients with other histological types (OR = 3.012, 95% CI 1.675–5.417, P = 2.3×10−4). The AA genotype of rs1447295 was associated with increased risk for adenocarcinoma compared with the CC genotype (OR = 2.260, 95% CI 1.174–4.353, P = 0.015). Furthermore, the GG genotype of rs6983267 was associated with worse survival in the Zhejiang population (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.646, 95% CI 1.099–2.464, P = 0.016). No association was observed for rs16901979. These results suggest that genetic variations on 8q24 may play significant roles in the development and progression of lung cancer.
Identification of five new mutations of PDS/SLC26A4 in Mediterranean families with hearing impairment

Pendred syndrome is an autosomal‐recessive disorder characterized by congenital sensorineural hearing loss combined with goiter. This disorder may account for up to 10% of cases of hereditary deafness. The disease gene (PDS/SLC26A4) has been mapped to chromosome 7q22‐q31 and encodes a chloride‐iodide transport protein. Mutations in this gene are also a cause of non‐syndromic autosomal recessive hearing impairment (DFNB4). We have analyzed the PDS/SLC26A4 gene in Spanish and Italian families and we have detected five new mutations (X871M, T132I, IVS1‐2A>G, Y556H and 406del5). © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tactile Motion Adaptation Reduces Perceived Speed but Shows No Evidence of Direction Sensitivity

Introduction While the directionality of tactile motion processing has been studied extensively, tactile speed processing and its relationship to direction is little-researched and poorly understood. We investigated this relationship in humans using the ‘tactile speed aftereffect’ (tSAE), in which the speed of motion appears slower following prolonged exposure to a moving surface. Method We used psychophysical methods to test whether the tSAE is direction sensitive. After adapting to a ridged moving surface with one hand, participants compared the speed of test stimuli on the adapted and unadapted hands. We varied the direction of the adapting stimulus relative to the test stimulus. Results Perceived speed of the surface moving at 81 mms−1 was reduced by about 30% regardless of the direction of the adapting stimulus (when adapted in the same direction, Mean reduction = 23 mms−1, SD = 11; with opposite direction, Mean reduction = 26 mms−1, SD = 9). In addition to a large reduction in perceived speed due to adaptation, we also report that this effect is not direction sensitive. Conclusions Tactile motion is susceptible to speed adaptation. This result complements previous reports of reliable direction aftereffects when using a dynamic test stimulus as together they describe how perception of a moving stimulus in touch depends on the immediate history of stimulation. Given that the tSAE is not direction sensitive, we argue that peripheral adaptation does not explain it, because primary afferents are direction sensitive with friction-creating stimuli like ours (thus motion in their preferred direction should result in greater adaptation, and if perceived speed were critically dependent on these afferents’ response intensity, the tSAE should be direction sensitive). The adaptation that reduces perceived speed therefore seems to be of central origin.
JND's in the LPC poles of speech and their application to quantization of the LPC filter

For the purpose of guiding a pole quantization scheme, a psychophysical experiment was performed to measure just-noticeable differences (JND) in the frequency and radius of the poles. The frequency JNDs, measured up to a formant frequency of 4 kHz, are quantified as distributions with means that are increasing functions of formant frequency and bandwidth. An example of a pole quantization scheme, based on the JND data, is presented and found to be significantly superior to common scalar quantization methods of the LPC-PARCOR coefficients. The pole quantization scheme is found to be almost comparable, both in quality and bit consumption, to vector quantization. >
Molecular Characterizations of Kenyan Brachiaria Grass Ecotypes with Microsatellite (SSR) Markers

Brachiaria grass is an emerging forage option for livestock production in Kenya. Kenya lies within the center of diversity for Brachiaria species, thus a high genetic variation in natural populations of Brachiaria is expected. Overgrazing and clearing of natural vegetation for crop production and nonagricultural uses and climate change continue to threaten the natural biodiversity. In this study, we collected 79 Brachiaria ecotypes from different parts of Kenya and examined them for genetic variations and their relatedness with 8 commercial varieties. A total of 120 different alleles were detected by 22 markers in the 79 ecotypes. Markers were highly informative in differentiating ecotypes with average diversity and polymorphic information content of 0.623 and 0.583, respectively. Five subpopulations: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Kitui, Kisii, Alupe, and Kiminini differed in sample size, number of alleles, number of private alleles, diversity index, and percentage polymorphic loci. The contribution of within-the-individual difference to total genetic variation of Kenyan ecotype population was 81%, and the fixation index (FST = 0.021) and number of migrant per generation (Nm = 11.58) showed low genetic differentiation among the populations. The genetic distance was highest between Alupe and Kisii populations (0.510) and the lowest between ILRI and Kiminini populations (0.307). The unweighted neighbor-joining (NJ) tree showed test ecotypes grouped into three major clusters: ILRI ecotypes were present in all clusters; Kisii and Alupe ecotypes and improved varieties grouped in clusters I and II; and ecotypes from Kitui and Kiminini grouped in cluster I. This study confirms higher genetic diversity in Kenyan ecotypes than eight commercial varieties (Basilisk, Humidicola, Llanero, Marandú, MG4, Mulato II, Piatá and Xaraés) that represent three species and one three-way cross-hybrid Mulato II. There is a need for further collection of local ecotypes and their morphological, agronomical, and genetic characterizations to support Brachiaria grass breeding and conservation programs.
Avaliação neuropsicológica em crianças vítimas de maus-tratos

Maus-tratos contra criancas e um grave problema de saude publica, amplamente conhecido pelo seu impacto no desenvolvimento fisico, social, emocional, comportamental e cognitivo. Esta dissertacao investigou a associacao entre maus-tratos na infância e o desempenho em tarefas de funcoes executivas (FE) em dois estudos. O estudo teorico revisou, de forma sistematica, publicacoes contendo dados empiricos sobre o desempenho cognitivo em tarefas e/ou em testes neuropsicologicos relacionados as FE em criancas vitimas de maus-tratos. O estudo empirico investigou a presenca de sintomas internalizantes e externalizantes, bem como transtornos mentais (problemas afetivos, problemas de ansiedade, problemas somaticos, Transtorno de Deficit de Atencao e Hiperatividade, Transtorno Desafiante Opositor e Transtorno de Conduta) e o desempenho em tarefas de FE em um grupo de criancas, vitimas de maus-tratos, em comparacao a um grupo controle, pareado por idade e sexo. Os achados sugerem que criancas vitimas de maus-tratos apresentam desempenho abaixo da media em tarefas que avaliam memoria de trabalho e flexibilidade mental. Verificou-se ainda importante interacao entre psicopatologia e FE, como demonstrado pela associacao entre problemas externalizantes e tarefas neuropsicologicas de controle inibitorio.
Design of a Low Reynolds Number Propulsion System for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

A methodology for the design of small autonomous underwater vehicle propulsion systems has been developed and applied to the Virginia Tech 690 AUV. The methodology is novel in that it incorporates fast design level codes capable of predicting the viscous effects of low Reynolds number flow that is experienced by small, slow turning propellers. The methodology consists of determining the minimum induced loss lift distribution for the propeller via lifting line theory, efficient airfoil sections for the propeller via a coupled viscous-inviscid flow solver and optimization, brushless DC motor identification via ideal motor theory and total system efficiency estimates. The coupled viscous-inviscid flow solver showed low Reynolds number flow effects to be of critical importance in the propeller design. The original Virginia Tech 690 AUV propulsion system was analyzed yielding an experimental efficiency of 26.5%. A new propeller was designed based on low Reynolds number airfoil section data yielding an experimental efficiency of 42.7%. Finally, an entirely new propulsion system was designed using the methodology developed herein yielding a predicted efficiency of 57-60%. This work was supported by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office.
Compact Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) Bandpass Filter With Complementary Split-Ring Resonators (CSRRs)

A novel cross-coupled bandpass filter using new substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) resonators is presented. The resonator is built up by a SIW cavity loaded with a complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) on its top metal plane. The resonant modes of the proposed resonator are analyzed, with the Q-factor of the dominant mode also extracted. It is shown that our proposed compact filter operates below the cutoff frequency of conventional SIWs. No spurious responses, corresponding to the higher-order resonant modes of the resonator, appear within an octave band of the central frequency. Its attractive performance is validated numerically and experimentally.
The use of experiential learning styles to predict attrition from a limited-residency information systems graduateprogram

Due to the expected growth of over 15% in the information systems industry between 2012 and 2022, many individuals desiring to work in academia, or as computer or information research scientists, are returning to graduate school to pursue a doctoral degree in information systems. Because of the need to balance their professional and academic lives, many returning students are electing to attend online or limited-residency programs. While traditional on-campus doctoral programs experience an attrition rate of approximately 50%, the drop-out rate from non-traditional programs may reach as high as 70%. It is higher education’s responsibility to ensure that students are offered the best opportunity for success in their educational endeavors by creating learning environments that support the needs of all students. To inform that effort, this study investigated the relationship between doctoral students’ experiential learning styles and success in a limited-residency information systems program. The results call for a more thorough investigation of this construct, and others, across disciplines and at different levels of education.
[Chlamydia infections in South Trøndelag--treatment and follow-up].

BACKGROUND According to Norwegian guidelines, infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis should be treated rapidly with antibiotics and a control test should be offered after 5-6 weeks. The purpose of the present registry study was to investigate Chlamydia treatment and the use of control tests among men and women tested for Chlamydia in South Trøndelag county in the period 2004-2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data on all Chlamydia tests from men and women 15-59 years of age resident in South Trøndelag County were retrieved from the Department of Medical Microbiology at St. Olavs Hospital. Information about Norwegian pharmacies' handling of prescriptions for antibiotics were obtained from the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD). RESULTS 8.5% (3,127/36 590) of those tested for Chlamydia in the study period were positive. Among those who were positive 87% (1,681/1 920) of women and 74% (909/1,207) of men bought antibiotics from a pharmacy within 4 weeks after the test was analyzed. The average time from available test result to treatment was 13.1 days (95% CI 12.7-13.5). Among those who received antibiotics, 41% (689/1,681) of women and 27% (247/909) of men were registered with a control test 4-16 weeks after the prescription was handled. INTERPRETATION Compliance to guidelines for treatment and follow-up of people with a positive Chlamydia test is poor, especially among men.
Proteomics Analysis for Finding Serum Markers of Ovarian Cancer

A combination of peptide ligand library beads (PLLB) and 1D gel liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (1DGel-LC-MS/MS) was employed to analyze serum samples from patients with ovarian cancer and from healthy controls. Proteomic analysis identified 1200 serum proteins, among which 57 proteins were upregulated and 10 were downregulated in the sera from cancer patients. Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is highly upregulated in the ovarian cancer serum samples. ELISA was employed to measure plasma concentrations of RBP4 in 80 samples from ovarian cancer patients, healthy individuals, myoma patients, and patients with benign ovarian tumor, respectively. The plasma concentrations of RBP4 ranging from 76.91 to 120.08 ng/mL with the mean value 89.13 ± 1.67 ng/mL in ovarian cancer patients are significantly higher than those in healthy individuals (10.85 ± 2.38 ng/mL). Results were further confirmed with immunohistochemistry, demonstrating that RBP4 expression levels in normal ovarian tissue were lower than those in ovarian cancer tissues. Our results suggested that RBP4 is a potential biomarker for diagnostic of screening ovarian cancer.
[How safe is sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy? A multicentre analysis of 388,404 endoscopies and analysis of data from prospective registries of complications managed by members of the Working Group of Leading Hospital Gastroenterologists (ALGK)].

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal endoscopies are increasingly being carried out with sedation. All of the drugs used for sedation are associated with a certain risk of complications. Data currently available on sedation-associated morbidity and mortality rates are limited and in most cases have substantial methodological limitations. The aim of this study was to record severe sedation-associated complications in a large number of gastrointestinal endoscopies. METHODS Data on severe sedation-associated complications were collected on a multicentre basis from prospectively recorded registries of complications in the participating hospitals (median documentation period 27 months, range 9 - 129 months). RESULTS Data for 388,404 endoscopies from 15 departments were included in the study. Severe sedation-associated complications occurred in 57 patients (0.01 %). Forty-one percent of the complications and 50 % of all complications with a fatal outcome (10/20 patients) occurred during emergency endoscopies. In addition, it was found that 95 % of the complications and 100 % of all fatal complications affected patients in ASA class ≥ 3. CONCLUSIONS Including nearly 400,000 endoscopies, this study represents the largest prospective, multicenter record of the complications of sedation worldwide. The analysis shows that sedation is carried out safely in gastrointestinal endoscopy. The morbidity and mortality rates are much lower than previously reported in the literature in similar groups of patients. Risk factors for the occurrence of serious complications include emergency examinations and patients in ASA class ≥ 3.
Decreasing dosage of irinotecan, 5-flurouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in the treatment of advanced and/or metastatic colorectal cancer: a phase II study.

BACKGROUND In this study, we attempted to determine the efficacy and toxicity of decreasing dosage of irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS A total of 250 mg/m2 Irinotecan (CPT-11) intravenous infusion for 90 minutes was administered every 3 weeks. A 24-hour intravenous infusion with 2000 mg/m2 5-FU and 200 mg/m2 LV was administered through a port-A catheter system weekly for 2 consecutive weeks. Each treatment cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. Progression-free survival and survival curves were drawn according to Kaplan-Meier method. Tumor responses were determined according to the RECIST guidelines. Toxicities were evaluated using the WHO criteria. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients were enrolled from September 2001 through October 2004. The median number of treatment courses was 8.1 (range, 1-14). Based on the intent-to-treat principle, the response rate was 39.5% (95% CI: 25.4-54.4%) which included 5.3% complete response (CR) and 34.2% partial response (PR). The time to tumor progression was 8.4 months (range, 2-12 months). The median time of survival was 18.4 months (range, 4-26 months). The major toxicities were grade 1 neutropenia and grade 2 diarrhea. Toxic death was not found in this study. The efficacy of this regimen was compatible with the reports of the clinical trials in the United States and European countries but fewer incidence of toxicity was found in our results. CONCLUSION The results revealed that our combination regimen of 5-FU/LV + CPT-11 is a highly effective and acceptable protocol. This treatment is easily performed in an outpatient clinic. The biggest advantage is that all patients were intensively cared by the physicians to maintain a quality of life, and only 26.3% of patients showed progressive disease. Therefore, this regimen may be considered to be used in the treatment of patients with terminal cancer. A further randomized study comparing this regimen with oral fluoropyrimidines plus irinotecan is warranted.
Thresholds for the Recovery of Sparse Solutions via L1 Minimization

The ubiquitous least squares method for systems of linear equations returns solutions which typically have all non-zero entries. However, solutions with the least number of non-zeros allow for greater insight. An exhaustive search for the sparsest solution is intractable, NP-hard. Recently, a great deal of research showed that linear programming can find the sparsest solution for certain 'typical' systems of equations, provided the solution is sufficiently sparse. In this note we report recent progress determining conditions under which the sparsest solution to large systems is available by linear programming. Our work shows that there are sharp thresholds on sparsity below which these methods will succeed and above which they fail; it evaluates those thresholds precisely and hints at several interesting applications.
Performance analysis and coherent guaranteed cost control for uncertain quantum systems

This paper presents several results on performance analysis for a class of uncertain linear quantum systems subject to either quadratic or non-quadratic perturbations in the system Hamiltonian. Also, coherent guaranteed cost controllers are designed for the uncertain quantum systems to achieve improved control performance. The coherent controller is realized by adding a control Hamiltonian to the quantum system and its performance is demonstrated by an example.
Clusterin Seals the Ocular Surface Barrier in Mouse Dry Eye

Dry eye is a common disorder caused by inadequate hydration of the ocular surface that results in disruption of barrier function. The homeostatic protein clusterin (CLU) is prominent at fluid-tissue interfaces throughout the body. CLU levels are reduced at the ocular surface in human inflammatory disorders that manifest as severe dry eye, as well as in a preclinical mouse model for desiccating stress that mimics dry eye. Using this mouse model, we show here that CLU prevents and ameliorates ocular surface barrier disruption by a remarkable sealing mechanism dependent on attainment of a critical all-or-none concentration. When the CLU level drops below the critical all-or-none threshold, the barrier becomes vulnerable to desiccating stress. CLU binds selectively to the ocular surface subjected to desiccating stress in vivo, and in vitro to the galectin LGALS3, a key barrier component. Positioned in this way, CLU not only physically seals the ocular surface barrier, but it also protects the barrier cells and prevents further damage to barrier structure. These findings define a fundamentally new mechanism for ocular surface protection and suggest CLU as a biotherapeutic for dry eye.
Is a robot an appliance, teammate, or friend? age-related differences in expectations of and attitudes towards personal home-based robots

Future advances in technology may allow home-based robots to perform complex collaborative activities with individuals of different ages. Two studies were conducted to understand the expectations of and attitudes toward home-based robots by younger and older adults. One study involved questionnaires sent to 2500 younger adults (aged 18-28) and 2500 older adults (aged 65-86) in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. One hundred and eighty questionnaires were completed and returned by individuals in the targeted age groups. For the questionnaire, participants were asked to imagine a robot in their home and then to answer questions about how well characteristics matched their imagined robot. Participants' technology and robot experience, demographic information, and health information were also collected. In conjunction with the questionnaire study, twelve younger adults (aged 19-26) and twenty-four older adults in two sub-age groups (younger-older, aged 65-75, and older-older aged 77-85) were interviewed about their expectations of and attitudes toward a robot in their home. They were asked to imagine a robot in their home and answer numerous questions about the tasks their envisioned robot would perform, the appearance of the robot, and other general questions about their interaction with the robot. The results of the studies suggest that individuals have many different ideas about what a robot in the home would be like. Mostly, they want a robot to perform mundane or repetitive tasks, such as cleaning, and picture a robot as a time-saving device. However, individuals are willing to have a robot perform other types of tasks, if they see benefits of having the robot perform those tasks. The ability of the robot to perform tasks efficiently, with minimal effort on the part of the human, appears to be more important in determining acceptance of the robot than its social ability or appearance. Overall, individuals both younger and older seem to be very open to the idea of a robot in their home.as long it is useful and not too difficult to use.