Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute promyelocytic leukemia: an experience from a tertiary care centre in north India.

BACKGROUND There are very limited data reported about acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) from developing countries. We reviewed the clinical course and treatment outcome of APL patients treated at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 1997 and December 2007, 33 patients with APL received induction therapy using ATRA + daunorubicin (n = 26), As = 26), As2O3 (n = 4) or daunorubicin + cytosar ( n = 3). RESULTS Median age was 30 years with a male to female ratio of 1.68. Twenty seven patients (82%) achieved CR. Complications during induction therapy were febrile neutropenia (33%), ATRA syndrome (30%), bleeding (58%), and diarrhea in (6%) patients. During induction and follow up, 8 (24.24%) patients died, 6 (18.18%) during induction, 1 (3%) during maintenance, and 1 (3%) after relapse. Median OS is 128 months while median EFS is 61 months. Four patients relapsed at a median time of 61 months. At the time of censoring, 25 patients were alive at a median follow up of 13 months (range 0.6 -127 months); 21 in CR1, 3 in CR2, 1 in CR3. Comparisons among the risk groups (CR and relapse rate and survival statistics) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS APL is a highly curable malignancy. Our results confirm the findings of the published literature from larger cooperative studies from the West. We may further improve outcome with quicker diagnosis and more efficient supportive care system.
A Study on Greedy Algorithms for Ensemble Pruning

Ensemble selection deals with the reduction of an ensemble of predictive models in order to improve its efficiency and predictive performance. A number of ensemble selection methods that are based on greedy search of the space of all possible ensemble subsets have recently been proposed. They use different directions for searching this space and different measures for evaluating the available actions at each state. Some use the training set for subset evaluation, while others a separate validation set. This paper abstracts the key points of these methods and offers a general framework of the greedy ensemble selection algorithm, discussing its important parameters and the different options for instantiating these parameters.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Arabic Version of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale on a Sample of Jordanian Arab Christians

This paper assesses the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) in an Arab Christian sample by analyzing its internal structure. A convenience sample of 340 Arab Christians was recruited from the adult community population of northern Jordan. Data were collected through a self-completion, anonymous questionnaire distributed through church and community groups. Principal Components factor analysis, non-parametric bivariate statistics, and Cronbach's alpha were used to assess the psychometric properties of the total scale and its subscales. The findings broadly supported the factor structure of the SWBS in other Arab samples in that the scale consists of three factors, representing positive existential well-being, affiliation, and alienation subscales. In conclusion, these preliminary findings suggest that the Arabic version of the SWBS can be used as an instrument to measure levels of spiritual well-being in Arab Christian populations.
Technological, Organizational, and Environmental Antecedents to Web Services Adoption

The proliferation of web services within the last two years enables organizations to assimilate software and services from different companies and locations into an integrated service capable of streamlining important processes. Widespread adoption of web services has not yet occurred across all industries. To better understand the key determinants of web services adoption at the firm level, a conceptual model of factors impacting web services adoption was developed. The conceptual model was grounded in the technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework (Tomatzky and Fleischer, 1990) to support the formulation of eleven propositions that may affect adoption and continued utilization of web services. Specifically, factors for each of the contexts within the TOE framework were formulated and supported including: (1) technological factors (security concerns; reliability; deployability); (2) organizational factors (firm size; firm scope; technological knowledge; perceived benefits); and, (3) environmental factors (competitive pressure; regulatory influence; dependent partner readiness; trust in the web service provider). A summary of the relationships between the key constructs in the model and recommendations for future research are provided.
Linagliptin: from bench to bedside

Purpose The nature of biomedical research affords a broad range of investigational topics at the preclinical stage, not all of which may be explored in subsequent clinical studies. To provide a comprehensive perspective on the physiologic effects of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin, this review will discuss the results of both preclinical and clinical research, summarizing data describing outcomes associated with its use. Summary Clinical studies demonstrate an overall favorable safety profile, low risk for hypoglycemia, weight neutrality, primarily nonrenal clearance, and efficacy for glycosylated hemoglobin reduction, typically ranging from 0.6% to 0.8% depending on baseline levels. In addition to these characteristics, preclinical research on linagliptin has yielded several interesting findings such as improved wound healing, reduced hepatic fat content, decreased infarct size following myocardial infarction or intracranial stroke, and improved vascular function with decreased oxidative stress. In accordance with its preclinical profile, linagliptin is unique among available dipeptidyl peptidase-4 compounds because it does not require dose adjustment when used in patients with renal dysfunction. Reduction of albuminuria with linagliptin on top of inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in both preclinical and post hoc clinical analysis serves as the foundation for ongoing clinical trials. Conclusion In addition to its efficacy for glycemic control, current literature points to other potential opportunities associated with linagliptin therapy. These results warrant further investigation and underscore the importance of translational study based on findings from preclinical research. Moving forward, we can expect that future research on linagliptin and other incretin-based therapies will continue to expand their applications beyond the maintenance of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Quantum gravity and turning points in the semiclassical approximation.

The wavefunctional in quantum gravity gives an amplitude for 3-geometries and matter fields. The four-space is usually recovered in a semiclassical approximation where the gravity variables are taken to oscillate rapidly compared to matter variables; this recovers the Schrodinger evolution for the matter. We examine turning points in the gravity variables where this approximation appears to be troublesome. We investigate the effect of such a turning point on the matter wavefunction, in simple quantum mechanical models and in a closed minisuperspace cosmology. We find that after evolving sufficiently far from the turning point the matter wavefunction recovers to a form close to that predicted by the semiclassical approximation, and we compute the leading correction (from `backreaction') in a simple model. We also show how turning points can appear in the gravitational sector in dilaton gravity. We give some remarks on the behavior of the wavefunctional in the vicinity of turning points in the context of dilaton gravity black holes.
Tumor vaccine against recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM To investigate the effects of autologous tumor vaccine on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Sixty patients with HCC who had undergone curative resection, were randomly divided into HCC vaccine group and control group. Three vaccinations at 2-wk intervals were performed after curative hepatic resection. Delayed-type- hypersensitivity (DTH) test was performed before and after vaccination. Primary endpoints were the time of recurrence. RESULTS Four patients in control group and 6 patients in HCC vaccine group were withdrawn from the study. The vaccine containing human autologous HCC fragments showed no essential adverse effect in a phase II clinical trial and 17 of 24 patients developed a DTH response against the fragments. Three of 17 DTH-positive response patients and 5 of 7 DTH-negative response patients had recurrences after curative resection. After the operation, 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence rates of HCC vaccine group were 16.7%, 29.2% and 33.3%, respectively. But, 1-, 2- and 3-year recurrence rates of the control group were 30.8%, 53.8% and 61.5%, respectively. The time before the first recurrence in the vaccinated patients was significantly longer than that in the control patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Autologous tumor vaccine is of promise in decreasing recurrence of human HCC.
The methylentetrahydrofolate reductase C677T point mutation is a risk factor for vascular access thrombosis in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Many reports indicate that a high homocysteine (Hcy) level is a potential risk factor for such thrombotic diseases as arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cerebral infarction in healthy individuals or hemodialysis (HD) patients. The methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism has been reported to be closely related to plasma Hcy level. METHODS Using a cross-sectional design in this study, the relationship between arteriovenous fistula (AVF) obstruction and the MTHFR C677T point mutation was examined in 337 HD patients. RESULTS Results of multivariate analysis showed no significant influence of age, HD therapy duration, sex, or the presence of diabetes mellitus, cerebral infarction, or myocardial infarction. Only the presence of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism yielded a significant difference. Percentages of patients who experienced AVF obstruction were as follows: CC (12.6%), CT (20.3%), and TT (31.8%). The number of those who experienced obstruction was significantly larger with the TT than CC (P < 0.01). Moreover, total obstruction episode ratios were as follows: CC, 1 in 107.21 episodes/patient-month; CT, 1 in 74.08 episodes/patient-month; and TT, 1 in 50.33 episodes/patient-month. Episode percentages tended to be greater when the degree of mutation was greater, and a significant difference was observed between the CC and TT alleles (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Although AVF obstruction is affected by numerous factors, there was a strong relationship between MTHFR C677T mutation and AVF obstruction. These findings suggest that the MTHFR C677T point mutation could serve as an important indicator in identifying susceptibility to AVF obstruction.
Genetic Relationships of Carcass Traits with Retail Cut Productivity of Hanwoo Cattle

This study aimed to estimate genetic correlation between carcass grading and retail productivity traits and to estimate the correlated response on retail productivity traits through selection for carcass grading traits in order to assess the efficacy of indirect selection. Genetic parameters were estimated with the data from 4240 Hanwoo steers using mixed models, and phenotypes included carcass weight (CWT), back fat thickness (BFT), eye muscle area (EMA), marbling (MAR), and estimated lean yield percentage (ELP) as the carcass grading traits, and weight and portion of retail cuts (RCW and RCP), trimmed fats (TFW and TFP) and trimmed bones (TBW and TBP) as the lean productivity traits. The CWT had positive genetic correlations with RCW (0.95) and TFW (0.73), but its genetic correlation with RCP was negligible (0.02). The BFT was negatively correlated with RCP (−0.63), but positively correlated with TFW and TFP (0.77 and 0.70). Genetic correlations of MAR with TFW and TFP were low. Among the carcass grading traits, only EMA was positively correlated with both RCW (0.60) and RCP (0.72). The EMA had a relatively strong negative genetic correlation with TFW (−0.64). The genetic correlation coefficients of ELP with RCP, TFW, and TFP were 0.76, −0.90, and −0.82, respectively. These correlation coefficients suggested that the ELP and EMA might be favorable traits in regulating lean productivity of carcass.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Culture: The Interaction Between Technology, Progress and Economic Growth

Any technological advance, innovation or economic growth created by an organization is dependent on how that organization’s culture and environment fosters or inhibits these developments. This process is further complicated by the global nature of economic activity and differences in national cultures due to country-specific histories, experiences, traditions and rules. The distinguished authors in this important new book study the nature of organizational innovation and change by examining the complex interplay between entrepreneurship, innovation and culture. The book addresses a number of important questions including: • why do so many technological firms fail to sustain entrepreneurial spirit? • is a certain mindset required at the level of the individual entrepreneur? • do successful entrepreneurial firms need a certain culture and, if so, what elements make up that culture? • what role does national culture, corporate culture and professional culture play? • are these issues linked to high levels of innovation, technology development, progress and economic growth and, if so, how are they related? The book’s broad global perspective and multi-disciplinary analysis will ensure a wide and varied readership among academics, researchers and practitioners interested in technological and organizational change, entrepreneurship, innovation management and cultural studies.
Conditions Influencing the Efficacy of Vaccination with Live Organisms against Leishmania major Infection

ABSTRACT Numerous experimental vaccines have been developed with the goal of generating long-term cell-mediated immunity to the obligate intracellular parasite Leishmania major, yet inoculation with live, wild-type L. major remains the only successful vaccine in humans. We examined the expression of immunity at the site of secondary, low-dose challenge in the ear dermis to determine the kinetics of parasite clearance and the early events associated with the protection conferred by vaccination with live L. major organisms in C57BL/6 mice. Particular attention was given to the route of vaccination. We observed that the rapidity, strength, and durability of the memory response following subcutaneous vaccination with live parasites in the footpad are even greater than previously appreciated. Antigen-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing T cells infiltrate the secondary site by 1.5 weeks, and viable parasites are cleared as early as 2.5 weeks following rechallenge, followed by a rapid drop in IFN-γ+ CD4+ cell numbers in the site. In comparison, intradermal vaccination with live parasites in the ear generates immunity that is delayed in effector cell recruitment to the rechallenge site and in the clearance of parasites from the site. This compromised immunity was associated with a rapid recruitment of interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing CD4+ T cells to the rechallenge site. Treatment with anti-IL-10-receptor or anti-CD25 antibody enhanced early parasite clearance in ear-vaccinated mice, indicating that chronic infection in the skin generates a population of regulatory cells capable of influencing the level of resistance to reinfection. A delicate balance of effector and regulatory T cells may be required to optimize the potency and durability of vaccines against Leishmaniasis and other intracellular pathogens.
Connecting Career and Mental Health Counseling: Integrating Theory and Practice

Lenz, Janet G. , Assistant-In, Educational Psychology and Learning Systems Department; Program Director for Instruction, Research, & Evaluation, FSU Career Center, Florida State University. Dr. Lenz has 30+ years of experience in the career services field, is an NCDA Past-President and Fellow; she coordinates the FSU Master’s/EdS. program in career counseling, and has research interests related to career interventions in higher education and the application of cognitive information processing in career services.
Highly sensitive plastic optical fiber with palladium sensing layer for detection of hydrogen gas

This paper reports an optical sensor using plastic optical fiber for the detection of hydrogen gas. A thin layer of palladium is used as the sensing layer to enhance the performance of the optical fiber sensor. When interrogated with a broadband white light source and a spectrometer, significant changes were observed in the intensity spectrum and dynamic response of the sensor as the concentration of hydrogen in air changed. The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity towards concentrations of hydrogen between 0.5% to 2% in synthetic air with a high response and recovery time of 50s and 80s respectively.
Fetal Sex and RHD Genotyping with Digital PCR Demonstrates Greater Sensitivity than Real-time PCR.

BACKGROUND Noninvasive genotyping of fetal RHD (Rh blood group, D antigen) can prevent the unnecessary administration of prophylactic anti-D to women carrying RHD-negative fetuses. We evaluated laboratory methods for such genotyping. METHODS Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes and Streck® Cell-Free DNA™ blood collection tubes (Streck BCTs) from RHD-negative women (n = 46). Using Y-specific and RHD-specific targets, we investigated variation in the cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) fraction and determined the sensitivity achieved for optimal and suboptimal samples with a novel Droplet Digital™ PCR (ddPCR) platform compared with real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). RESULTS The cffDNA fraction was significantly larger for samples collected in Streck BCTs compared with samples collected in EDTA tubes (P < 0.001). In samples expressing optimal cffDNA fractions (≥4%), both qPCR and digital PCR (dPCR) showed 100% sensitivity for the TSPY1 (testis-specific protein, Y-linked 1) and RHD7 (RHD exon 7) assays. Although dPCR also had 100% sensitivity for RHD5 (RHD exon 5), qPCR had reduced sensitivity (83%) for this target. For samples expressing suboptimal cffDNA fractions (<2%), dPCR achieved 100% sensitivity for all assays, whereas qPCR achieved 100% sensitivity only for the TSPY1 (multicopy target) assay. CONCLUSIONS qPCR was not found to be an effective tool for RHD genotyping in suboptimal samples (<2% cffDNA). However, when testing the same suboptimal samples on the same day by dPCR, 100% sensitivity was achieved for both fetal sex determination and RHD genotyping. Use of dPCR for identification of fetal specific markers can reduce the occurrence of false-negative and inconclusive results, particularly when samples express high levels of background maternal cell-free DNA.
Reproducibility of three self-report participation measures: The ICF Measure of Participation and Activities Screener, the Participation Scale, and the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation.

OBJECTIVE To assess the reproducibility of 3 participation measures. DESIGN Repeated administration of a postal questionnaire with a 2-week interval. PARTICIPANTS Outpatients (n = 47) from 2 rehabilitation centres and a university hospital in The Netherlands. METHODS Measures were the ICF Measure of Participation and Activities Screener (IMPACT-S), the Participation Scale, and the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (USER-P). Test-retest reliability was analysed using Cohen's weighted kappa and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was expressed as the standard error of measurement and the smallest detectable change (SDC), substantiated as the ratio between the SDC and the standard deviation (SDC/SD). RESULTS ICC values of the IMPACT-S were 0.54-0.90 for the scale scores, 0.92 and 0.74 for sub-total scores Activities and Participation, and 0.88 for the total score. The ICC of the Participation Scale was 0.82. The ICC of the USER-P was 0.65 for the Frequency scale, 0.85 for the Restrictions scale, and 0.84 for the Satisfaction scale. The SDC/SD ratios for all measures were small (0.11-0.28) at the group level, but large (0.78-1.91) at the individual level. Most participants found all measures relevant and easy to complete. CONCLUSION All 3 measures showed generally satisfying reproducibility and were acceptable to the participants.
Cosmological Constraints from Strong Gravitational Lensing in Clusters of Galaxies

Through a Lens Darkly According to recent measurements, 72% of the energy content in the universe is in the form of dark energy, a gravitationally repulsive constituent that is powering the accelerating expansion of the universe but whose nature is unknown. Now, Jullo et al. (p. 924) show how observations of systems of multiple images produced by the strong gravitational lensing effect of a single mass distribution can be used to constrain the properties of dark energy. Applied to the cluster Abel 1689—a galaxy cluster that is known for its lensing properties—and combined with the results of other techniques, this method brings down the overall error in the equation of state parameter of dark energy by 30%. Light from distant sources bends around massive intervening objects and helps to reveal the properties of dark energy. Current efforts in observational cosmology are focused on characterizing the mass-energy content of the universe. We present results from a geometric test based on strong lensing in galaxy clusters. Based on Hubble Space Telescope images and extensive ground-based spectroscopic follow-up of the massive galaxy cluster Abell 1689, we used a parametric model to simultaneously constrain the cluster mass distribution and dark energy equation of state. Combining our cosmological constraints with those from x-ray clusters and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe 5-year data gives Ωm = 0.25 ±0.05 and wx = −0.97 ±0.07, which are consistent with results from other methods. Inclusion of our method with all other available techniques brings down the current 2σ contours on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter wx by ~30%.