Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retrospective analysis of results of treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Macao.

BACKGROUND Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy in Southeast Asia, however, a full consensus has not yet been reached as to the value of comprehensive treatment for NPC. This study was designed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of NPC and their prognostic value, as well as the long-term efficacy of NPC treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 248 patients, with different stages of NPC, were included in this study. RESULTS The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients in stages I, II, III and IV were 90.48%, 76.71%, 76.89% and 33.87%, respectively (P=0.000), while the respective 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 85.15%, 72.36%, 63.88% and 26.26% (P=0.000). The respective 5-year OS rates, according to stage, for the group that received radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and for the group that received radiotherapy only were as follows: stages I and II, 81.67% and 79.59% (P=0.753); stage III, 79.91% and 70.38% (P=0.143); stage IV, 35.22% and 0% (P=0.000). The respective 5-year PFS rates in these groups were as follows: stages I and II, 75.83% and 74.98% (P=0.814); stage III, 74.08% and 42.25% (P=0.027); stage IV, 27.31% and 0% (P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS Clinical staging appears to be the most important prognostic factor for NPC. As the stage number increases, both the 5-year OS and PFS significantly decrease. Adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy was not advantageous for patients with stage I or II NPC, however the addition of chemotherapy to radiotherapy significantly improved OS and PFS in patients with stage IV NPC. The addition of chemotherapy improved PFS, but not OS in patients with stage III NPC.
Attachment in middle childhood.

1. Ontogeny of Attachment in Middle Childhood: Conceptualization of Normative Changes, Ofra Mayseless 2. Developmental Contextual Considerations of Parent-Child Attachment in the Later Middle Childhood Years, Rhonda A. Richardson 3. Assessing Attachment in Middle Childhood, Kathryn A. Kerns, Andrew Schlegelmilch, Theresa A. Morgan, and Michelle M. Abraham 4. The Attachment Hierarchy in Middle Childhood: Conceptual and Methodological Issues, Roger Kobak, Natalie Rosenthal, and Asia Serwik 5. Dimensions of Attachment in Middle Childhood, Jennifer L. Yunger, Brooke C. Corby, and David G. Perry 6. Attachment in Infancy and in Early and Late Childhood: A Longitudinal Study, Massimo Ammaniti, Anna Maria Speranza, and Silvia Fedele 7. The Construct of Coherence as an Indicator of Attachment Security in Middle Childhood: The Friends and Family Interview, Howard Steele and Miriam Steele 8. Attachment and Friendship Predictors of Psychosocial Functioning in Middle Childhood and the Mediating Roles of Social Support and Self-Worth, Cathryn Booth-LaForce, Kenneth H. Rubin, Linda Rose-Krasnor, and Kim B. Burgess 9. Quality of Attachment at School Age: Relations between Child Attachment Behavior, Psychosocial Functioning, and School Performance, Ellen Moss, Diane St-Laurent, Karine Dubois-Comtois, and Chantal Cyr 10. Perceived Security of Attachment to Mother and Father in 8- to 11-Year-Olds: Developmental Differences and Relations to Self-Worth and Peer Relationships at School, Karine Verschueren and Alfons Marcoen 11. Examining Relationships between Students and Teachers: A Potential Extension of Attachment Theory? , Laura T. Zionts 12. Relationships Past, Present, and Future: Reflections on Attachment in Middle Childhood, H. Abigail Raikes and Ross A. Thompson
Technological advances in suspended‐sediment surrogate monitoring

Surrogate technologies to continuously monitor suspended sediment show promise toward supplanting traditional data collection methods requiring routine collection and analysis of water samples. Commercially available instruments operating on bulk optic (turbidity), laser optic, pressure difference, and acoustic backscatter principles are evaluated based on cost, reliability, robustness, accuracy, sample volume, susceptibility to biological fouling, and suitable range of mass concentration and particle size distribution. In situ turbidimeters are widely used. They provide reliable data where the point measurements can be reliably correlated to the river's mean cross section concentration value, effects of biological fouling can be minimized, and concentrations remain below the sensor's upper measurement limit. In situ laser diffraction instruments have similar limitations and can cost 6 times the approximate $5000 purchase price of a turbidimeter. However, laser diffraction instruments provide volumetric‐concentration data in 32 size classes. Pressure differential instruments measure mass density in a water column, thus integrating substantially more streamflow than a point measurement. They are designed for monitoring medium‐to‐large concentrations, are generally unaffected by biological fouling, and cost about the same as a turbidimeter. However, their performance has been marginal in field applications. Acoustic Doppler profilers use acoustic backscatter to measure suspended sediment concentrations in orders of magnitude more streamflow than do instruments that rely on point measurements. The technology is relatively robust and generally immune to effects of biological fouling. Cost of a single‐frequency device is about double that of a turbidimeter. Multifrequency arrays also provide the potential to resolve concentrations by clay silt versus sand size fractions. Multifrequency hydroacoustics shows the most promise for revolutionizing collection of continuous suspended sediment data by instruments that require only periodic calibration for correlation to mean concentrations in river cross sections. Broad application of proven suspended sediment surrogate technologies has the potential to revolutionize fluvial sediment monitoring. Once applied, benefits could be enormous, providing for safer, more frequent and consistent, arguably more accurate, and ultimately less expensive sediment data for managing the world's sedimentary resources.
Exploring the intention to use mobile learning: the moderating role of personal innovativeness

Purpose – The main purpose of this study was to combine the extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to examine how learners' beliefs affected their usage intention of mobile learning (m-learning) and explore whether the relationships between learners' beliefs and their usage intention of m-learning changed under different levels of personal innovativeness regarding the new information technology (IT). Design/methodology/approach – Sample data for this study were collected from Taiwanese mobile phone users, a total of 750 questionnaires were distributed, and 486 usable questionnaires were analyzed in this study, with a usable response rate of 64.80 per cent. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, multiple group analysis, and hierarchical moderated regression analysis. Findings – Perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived enjoyment (PE), and compatibility can play essential roles in affecting learners' intention .
Postoperative Capecitabine with Concurrent Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy or Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Patients with Stage II and III Rectal Cancer

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival outcomes and toxicity of postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in patients with stage II and III rectal cancer. Patients We recruited 184 patients with pathologically proven, stage II or III rectal cancer. Following total mesorectal excision (TME), the patients were treated with capecitabine and concurrent IMRT/3D-CRT. The treatment regimen consisted of two cycles of oral capecitabine (1600 mg/m2/day), administered twice daily from day 1–14 of radiotherapy, followed by a 7-day rest. The median pelvic dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy was administered after the chemoradiotherapy. Results The 5-year overall survival, disease-free survival and locoregional control (LRC) rates were 85.1%, 80% and 95.4%, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were observed in 28.3% of patients during treatment. Grade 3 or 4 late toxicity, including neurotoxicity or gastrointestinal toxicity, was only observed in nine patients (4.9%). Conclusions This study demonstrated that capecitabine chemotherapy with concurrent IMRT/3D-CRT following TME is safe, is well tolerated and achieves superior LRC and favorable survival rates, with acceptable toxicity.
Metaphor and Political Discourse: Analogical Reasoning in Debates about Europe

Andreas Musolff provides an analysis of the function of metaphor in political discourse, based on material from an extensive corpus of British and German press coverage of EU politics between 1989 and 2001.The analysis of distributions of "metaphor scenarios" in the two corpus samples reveals differences in attitude and argumentative tendencies and leads to a refinement of cognitive metaphor theory. The ethical dimension of metaphor in politics is further explored with reference to Hobbes' Leviathan.
Unmet Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Needs of Sexual Minority Elders

In a survey exploring the reliability and validity of a screening tool, we explored the substance abuse and mental health issues among 371 elders; 74 were sexual minorities. Analyses by age group indicated that elders 55–64 years had significantly more problems with substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts compared to those 65 and older. Bisexuals reported significantly greater problems with depression, anxiety, and suicidality than either heterosexual or lesbian or gay elders. Mental health and substance abuse treatment utilization was low among all elders with problems. Implications for assessment, access to care, and group-specific services delivery are discussed.
FOXO3 Regulates the CD8 T Cell Response to a Chronic Viral Infection

ABSTRACT Chronic infections with viruses such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV constitute a major global public health problem. Studies of chronic viral infections in humans and mice show that persistent antigenic stimulation induces dysregulation of T cell responses; virus-specific T cells either undergo clonal deletion or lose their ability to display the full spectrum of effector functions, a condition termed functional exhaustion. The ability to generate and retain sufficient numbers of functionally competent T cells, therefore, becomes vitally important in controlling chronic viral infections. Our understanding of the mechanisms governing T cell homeostasis during chronic viral infections, however, is poor. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway controls cell fate decisions in many cell types by modulating the activity of downstream effectors, including the FOXO family of transcription factors. We have observed dynamic, in vivo alterations in the phosphorylation levels of three key proteins (Akt, FOXO1/FOXO3 [FOXO1/3], and mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR]) involved in this signaling cascade and have identified the transcription factor FOXO3 as a negative regulator of the magnitude and effector function of CD8 T cells during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in mice. We report that ablation of FOXO3 in T cells reduced apoptosis, increased the abundance of polyfunctional virus-specific CD8 T cells, and improved viral control. Thus, FOXO3 is a promising candidate target for immunotherapies of chronic viral infection.
The combined exercise stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test for identification of masked heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with hypertension

Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is commonly associated with hypertension (HTN). However, resting echocardiography (ECHO) can underestimate the severity of disease. Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) and the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) appeared to be useful tests in dynamic assessment of HFpEF. The value of combined exercise stress echocardiography cardiopulmonary testing (ESE-CPX) in the identification of masked HFpEF is still undetermined. Objective The purpose of this study was to analyse the value of the combined ESE-CPX in the identification of masked HFpEF in patients with HTN, dyspnoea and normal resting left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function. Methodology We studied 87 patients with HTN, exertional dyspnoea and normal resting LV function. They all underwent ESE-CPX testing (supine bicycle, ramp protocol, 15 W/min). ECHO measurements were performed at rest, and at peak load. Achievement of peak E/e' ratio>15 was a marker for masked HFpEF. Results Increase of E/e'>15 occurred in 8/87 patients (9.2%) during ESE-CPX. Those patients had the lower peak VO2 (p = 0.012), the lower VO2 at anaerobic threshold (p = 0.025), the lower workload (p = 0.026), the lower peak partial pressure end tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) (p < 0.0001), and the higher VE/VCO2 slope (p < 0.0001) which was an independent multivariate predictor of HFpEF (p = 0.021), with the cut-off value of 32.95 according to the receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve (sensitivity (Sn) 100%, specificity (Sp) 90%). Conclusion The combined ESE-CPX test is feasible and reliable test that can unmask HFpEF and may become an important aid in the early diagnosis of HFpEF, excluding the other causes of exertional dyspnoea.
Monetary Stability and Liquidity Crises: The Role of the Lender of Last Resort

We evaluate the desirability of having an elastic currency generated by a lender of last resort that prints money and lends it to banks in distress. When banks cannot borrow, the economy has a unique equilibrium that is not Pareto optimal. The introduction of unlimited borrowing at a zero nominal interest rate generates a steady state equilibrium that is Pareto optimal. However, this policy is destabilizing in the sense that it also introduces a continuum of non-optimal inflationary equilibria. We explore two alternate policies aimed at eliminating such monetary instability while preserving the steady-state benefits of an elastic currency. If the lender of last resort imposes an upper bound on borrowing that is low enough, no inflationary equilibria can arise. For some (but not all) economies, the unique equilibrium under this policy is Pareto optimal. If the lender of last resort instead charges a zero real interest rate, no inflationary equilibria can arise. The unique equilibrium in this case is always Pareto optimal.
Increased Heart Rate Variability in Allergic and Highly Trait Anxious Individuals

Autonomic dysregulations were repeatedly observed in people with allergic reactions. Contradictory results of sympathetic over-activation on one hand and parasympathetic predominance on the other, were described for both atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. Secondly, psychological traits of high anxiety and depression described in allergic patients are mostly associated with increased sympathetic and decreased vagal modulation. To address inconsistency in prior findings, we aim to study autonomic nervous system changes in allergic and highly anxious people via HR (heart rate) and HRV (heart rate variability) measures during stressful and relax days in day to day life. We further assess differences between allergic diagnoses and impact of acute symptom occurrence on HR and HRV. 61 subjects (26 allergic, 18 healthy high trait anxious and 17 healthy low trait anxious) took part in this study. They were repeatedly measured for HR by a portable electrocardiographic device, and assessed their subjectively experienced stress during everyday life. HRV was analyzed using time-domain, spectral and non-linear analyses. We observed increased HRV and decreased HR in allergic patients and also in healthy highly anxious subjects, when compared to controls. Both atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis patients exhibited parasympathetic predominance or sympathetic withdrawal, seen in increased HRV and lowered HR. Described effects of parasympathetic predominance were, however, not present during acute symptoms occurrence.
Two Faces of Intention

We do things intentionally, and we intend to do things. Our commonsense psychology uses the notion of intention to characterize both our actions and our mental states: I might intentionally start my car, and I might intend to start it. My intention to start it clearly does not guarantee that I do. But beyond that it is not obvious how these two phenomena are related. A central problem for a theory of intention is to provide a plausible account of this relation. One thing seems clear: it is part of our commonsense psychological framework that these phenomena are not completely unrelated. In classifying both our actions and our states of mind in terms of some root notion of intention, commonsense psychology clearly assumes that there is some important commonality. Our problem is to say what this commonality is, by spelling out the relation between intentional action and intending (or, having an intention) to act. There are two common approaches to this problem. The firstthe desire-belief model-sees intentional action as action that stands in appropriate relations to the agent's desires and beliefs. ' This is a reductive model: it sees intentions to act as reducible to certain desires and beliefs.2 On this approach, the problem of the relation
The Participation of the Venomotor System in Pressor Reflexes

In dogs anesthetized with chloralose, innervated loops of intestine were isolated so as to permit periodic interruptions of blood flow to record pressure-volume diagrams from the venous bed. Pressor reflexes were found to produce alterations in the venous distensibility diagrams which, on the basis of comparison with distensibility changes produced by constrictor drugs, are interpreted as direct evidence of venoconstriction accompanying pressor responses of the cardiovascular system.
Determinants of length of stay in the psychiatric wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Inpatient care constitutes the most expensive component of psychiatric services and pressure is increasingly being mounted on clinicians to discharge patients early. With the advent of managed care in Nigeria, psychiatrists as well as other physicians will be faced with the challenge of having to justify patient's length of hospital admission. This study was designed to examine the factors that influence the length of stay (LOS) in an acute psychiatric ward. METHODS A list of all patients admitted to the psychiatric unit of the UCH for the twelve month period between June 1st 2006 and May 31st 2007 was compiled from the ward admission registers. Data were extracted from the patient's case notes using specially designed data record forms. RESULTS There were a total of three hundred and seventy one (371) admissions made up of three hundred and thirty three (333) patients, out of which a total of 247 (74.5%) case notes were successfully reviewed. The most common diagnoses necessitating admission were schizophrenia and mood disorders. The mean LOS was 28.7 days and bed turnover for this period was 5.8. Factors found to be significantly associated with longer LOS include age, diagnosis, previous admissions and receiving electroconvulsive therapy with medication. These factors need to be considered in determining the period of hospitalization covered under managed care schemes.
Influence of female sex on hepatitis C virus infection progression and treatment outcomes

Background The influence of sex on hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related outcomes is often neglected. The effects of sex on liver fibrosis progression and the effect of socioeconomic status on management are unclear. Patients and methods Data were evaluated from patients followed at The Ottawa Hospital and Regional Viral Hepatitis Program. Results Of 1978 chronic HCV-infected patients, 630 (32%) were women. Women had lower liver enzyme levels, HCV RNA levels, and weight compared with men. Women were more likely to be non-genotype-1 infected, Black or Asian, and immigrants from Africa and Asia (all P<0.01). Under 50 years of age, women on average had lower fibrosis scores than men. Beyond the age of 50 years, the mean fibrosis scores were similar, suggesting a ‘catch-up’ phase. Women were less likely to have initiated interferon-based HCV antiviral therapy (35.3 vs. 43.3%, P=0.01). Crude sustained virological responses were higher in women (65.3 vs. 56.3%, P=0.03), but were similar to men as determined by multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.58–1.46). Women of low socioeconomic status were more likely to be HIV coinfected and had higher rates of fibrosis progression. Women living in low-income neighborhoods were less likely to achieve sustained virological response (odds ratio: 0.50, 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.75, P=0.01) compared with women in higher income regions. Conclusion Sex differences have been identified as a potential barrier to overcome when managing viral infections. Our analysis suggests that sex influences fibrosis progression, likelihood of initiating HCV antiviral therapy, and treatment outcomes.
Sociocultural Beliefs Related to Sex among Mexican American Adolescents

This exploratory study examines the cultural content of two domains related to antecedents of sexual behavior among Mexican American adolescents: preferred partner qualities and reasons to have or not have sex. Domain analysis, a qualitative research methodology drawn from anthropology, was employed. The methodology involved two phases. First, male andfemale adolescents listed positive and negative items in each of these two domains; second, 16 male and 21 female adolescents classified these items using a simple pile-sort procedure. Results suggest that partner qualities and reasons to have sex expressed by the adolescents are reflective of important Mexican American cultural values and gender-specific expectations. The study provides an understanding of cultural and gender-specific beliefs related to sexual decision making among Mexican American adolescents.
Ribosomal RNA guanine-(N2)-methyltransferases and their targets

Five nearly universal methylated guanine-(N2) residues are present in bacterial rRNA in the ribosome. To date four out of five ribosomal RNA guanine-(N2)-methyltransferases are described. RsmC(YjjT) methylates G1207 of the 16S rRNA. RlmG(YgjO) and RlmL(YcbY) are responsible for the 23S rRNA m2G1835 and m2G2445 formation, correspondingly. RsmD(YhhF) is necessary for methylation of G966 residue of 16S rRNA. Structure of Escherichia coli RsmD(YhhF) methyltransferase and the structure of the Methanococcus jannaschii RsmC ortholog were determined. All ribosomal guanine-(N2)-methyltransferases have similar AdoMet-binding sites. In relation to the ribosomal substrate recognition, two enzymes that recognize assembled subunits are relatively small single domain proteins and two enzymes that recognize naked rRNA are larger proteins containing separate methyltransferase- and RNA-binding domains. The model for recognition of specific target nucleotide is proposed. The hypothetical role of the m2G residues in rRNA is discussed.