Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous sex steroids and risk of cervical carcinoma: results from the EPIC study.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic data and animal models suggest that, despite the predominant role of human papillomavirus infection, sex steroid hormones are also involved in the etiology of invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC). METHODS Ninety-nine ICC cases, 121 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) cases and 2 control women matched with each case for center, age, menopausal status and blood collection-related variables, were identified in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Circulating levels of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E(2)); dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS); progesterone (premenopausal women); and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured using immunoassays. Levels of free (f) T and E(2) were calculated from absolute concentrations of T, E(2), and SHBG. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using regularized conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Among premenopausal women, associations with ICC were observed for fT (OR for highest vs. lowest tertile = 5.16, 95% CI, 1.50-20.1). SHBG level was associated with a significant downward trend in ICC risk. T, E(2), fE(2), and DHEAS showed nonsignificant positive association with ICC. Progesterone was uninfluential. Among postmenopausal women, associations with ICC were found for T (OR = 3.14; 95% CI, 1.21-9.37), whereas E(2) and fT showed nonsignificant positive association. SHBG level was unrelated to ICC risk in postmenopausal women. No associations between any hormone and CIN3 were detected in either pre- or postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest for the first time that T and possibly E(2) may be involved in the etiology of ICC. IMPACT The responsiveness of cervical tumors to hormone modulators is worth exploring.
Uncertainty during breast diagnostic evaluation: state of the science.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To present the state of the science on uncertainty in relationship to the experiences of women undergoing diagnostic evaluation for suspected breast cancer. DATA SOURCES Published articles from Medline, CINAHL, PubMED, and PsycINFO from 1983-2008 using the following key words: breast biopsy, mammography, uncertainty, reframing, inner strength, and disruption. DATA SYNTHESIS Fifty research studies were examined with all reporting the presence of anxiety persisting throughout the diagnostic evaluation until certitude is achieved through the establishment of a definitive diagnosis. Indirect determinants of uncertainty for women undergoing breast diagnostic evaluation include measures of anxiety, depression, social support, emotional responses, defense mechanisms, and the psychological impact of events. CONCLUSIONS Understanding and influencing the uncertainty experience have been suggested to be key in relieving psychosocial distress and positively influencing future screening behaviors. Several studies examine correlational relationships among anxiety, selection of coping methods, and demographic factors that influence uncertainty. A gap exists in the literature with regard to the relationship of inner strength and uncertainty. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses can be invaluable in assisting women in coping with the uncertainty experience by providing positive communication and support. Nursing interventions should be designed and tested for their effects on uncertainty experienced by women undergoing a breast diagnostic evaluation.
Barriers and Facilitation Measures Related to People With Mental Disorders When Using the Web: A Systematic Review

Background Mental disorders (MDs) affect almost 1 in 4 adults at some point during their lifetime, and coupled with substance use disorders are the fifth leading cause of disability adjusted life years worldwide. People with these disorders often use the Web as an informational resource, platform for convenient self-directed treatment, and a means for many other kinds of support. However, some features of the Web can potentially erect barriers for this group that limit their access to these benefits, and there is a lack of research looking into this eventuality. Therefore, it is important to identify gaps in knowledge about “what” barriers exist and “how” they could be addressed so that this knowledge can inform Web professionals who aim to ensure the Web is inclusive to this population. Objective The objective of this study was to provide an overview of existing evidence regarding the barriers people with mental disorders experience when using the Web and the facilitation measures used to address such barriers. Methods This study involved a systematic review of studies that have considered the difficulties people with mental disorders experience when using digital technologies. Digital technologies were included because knowledge about any barriers here would likely be also applicable to the Web. A synthesis was performed by categorizing data according to the 4 foundational principles of Web accessibility as proposed by the World Wide Web Consortium, which forms the necessary basis for anyone to gain adequate access to the Web. Facilitation measures recommended by studies were later summarized into a set of minimal recommendations. Results A total of 16 publications were included in this review, comprising 13 studies and 3 international guidelines. Findings suggest that people with mental disorders experience barriers that limit how they perceive, understand, and operate websites. Identified facilitation measures target these barriers in addition to ensuring that Web content can be reliably interpreted by a wide range of user applications. Conclusions People with mental disorders encounter barriers on the Web, and attempts have been made to remove or reduce these barriers. As forewarned by experts in the area, only a few studies investigating this issue were found. More rigorous research is needed to be exhaustive and to have a larger impact on improving the Web for people with mental disorders.
Micro-leakage at the implant-abutment interface with different tightening torques in vitro

Objectives This study evaluated the microleakage at the implant/abutment interface of external hexagon (EH) implants and abutments with different amounts of bacteria and tightening torques. Material and Methods A bacterial suspension was prepared to inoculate the implants. The first phase of this study used nine EH implants and abutments that were divided into three groups with different amounts of bacterial suspension (n=3): V0.5: 0.5 µL; V1.0: 1.0 µL e V1.5: 1.5 µL, and tightened to the manufacturer's recommended torque. The second phase of this experiment used 27 assemblies that were similar to those used in the first phase. These samples were inoculated with 0.5 µL of bacterial suspension and divided into three groups (n=9). T10: 10 Ncm; T20: 20 Ncm and T32: 32 Ncm. The samples were evaluated according to the turbidity of the broth every 24 hours for 14 days, and the bacteria viability was tested after that period. The statistical evaluation was conducted by Kruskal-Wallis testing (p<.05). Results During the first phase, groups V1.0 and V1.5 was presented with bacterial contamination in all samples after 24 h. During the second phase, two samples from group T10 and one from T20 presented positive results for bacterial contamination. Different amounts of bacterial solution led to overflow and contamination during the first 24 h of the experiment. The tightening torques did not statistically affect the microleakage in the assemblies. However, the group that was tightened to 32 Ncm torque did not show any bacterial contamination. Conclusion After 14 days of experimentation, the bacteria were proven to remain viable inside the implant internal cavity.
High-Performance Wide-Area Optical Tracking: The HiBall Tracking System

Since the early 1980s, the Tracker Project at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been working on wide-area head tracking for virtual and augmented environments. Our long-term goal has been to achieve the high performance required for accurate visual simulation throughout our entire laboratory, beyond into the hallways, and eventually even outdoors. In this article, we present results and a complete description of our most recent electro-optical system, the HiBall Tracking System. In particular, we discuss motivation for the geometric configuration and describe the novel optical, mechanical, electronic, and algorithmic aspects that enable unprecedented speed, resolution, accuracy, robustness, and flexibility.
Health and Economic Consequences of an Outbreak of Pertussis Among Healthcare Workers in a Hospital in France

Abstract Background: Bordetella pertussis is highly contagious, and because immunity wanes after vaccination, it continues to be a cause of cough among adults. Objective: To describe the healthcare services used and productivity losses accrued by healthcare workers (HCWs) missing work due to pertussis. Methods: After 3 pertussis cases were confirmed among HCWs, all hospital employees and patients with a cough were screened between November 2000 and March 2001. Each potential case underwent diagnostic tests and received antibiotics (spiramycin or azithromycin) when appropriate. Symptomatic employees were not allowed to return to work until they received an antibiotic for at least 5 days. Services used (physician visits and calls, antibiotics, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, and treatment provided to their contacts) were combined with cost estimates (in 2002 euros) for these services in France. Results: Ninety-one potential cases were identified (77 HCWs, 12 patients, and 2 family members). Of them, 89% received antibiotics and 22% had at least one contact who was also treated. Approximately half (55%) of the HCWs who were cases missed 5 days of work. Four patients were admitted to the hospital as a result of the infection. The average medical cost was 297 euros per potential case: diagnostic tests accounted for 32% and hospitalization for 31%. Total cost (medical and productivity) was 46,661 euros for 91 cases, 42% from productivity losses. An investigation to identify these potential cases also accrued additional costs. Conclusion: Serious adverse health and economic consequences arose from transmission of pertussis among HCWs, their families, and patients.
MAGE-A1, GAGE and NY-ESO-1 cancer/testis antigen expression during human gonadal development.

BACKGROUND Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) are expressed in several cancers and during normal adult male germ cell differentiation. Little is known about their role in fetal development of human germ cells. METHODS We examined expression of the CTAs MAGE-A1, GAGE and NY-ESO-1 in fetal gonads by single and double immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS We found that GAGE was expressed in the primordial germ cells of the gonadal primordium, whereas MAGE-A1 and NY-ESO-1 were first detected in germ cells of both testis and ovary after sexual differentiation was initiated. The number of positive germ cells and the staining intensity of all three CTAs peaked during the second trimester and gradually decreased towards birth in both male and female germ cells. In oocytes, MAGE-A1 expression terminated around birth, whereas NY-ESO-1 expression persisted through the neonatal stage and GAGE expression was maintained until adulthood. The population of GAGE-expressing male and female germ cells partially overlapped the population of OCT4-positive cells, whereas MAGE-A1 and NY-ESO-1 were clearly expressed only by OCT4-negative cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that MAGE-A1 and NY-ESO-1 are associated with highly proliferating germ cells, whereas GAGE proteins have a more general function in germ cells unrelated to any specific developmental stage. The recognition of differential cellular expression of GAGE, MAGE-A1, NY-ESO-1 and OCT4 may help define biologically distinct germ cell subpopulations.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF PLANTS TRADITIONALLY USED AS MEDICINES AGAINST SOME PATHOGENS

The antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC) of various plant extracts in different solvents such as ethanol (98%), hexane (99%) and distilled water of plants traditionally used as medicines as Bidens pilosa L. , Bixa orellana L. , Cecropia peltata L. , Cinchona officinalis L. , Gliricidia sepium, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Justica secunda Vahl. , Piper pulchrum, P. paniculata L. and Spilanthes americana were evaluated against five
Development of a Real-Time qPCR Assay for Quantification of Covert Baculovirus Infections in a Major African Crop Pest

Many pathogens and parasites are present in host individuals and populations without any obvious signs of disease. This is particularly true for baculoviruses infecting lepidopteran hosts, where studies have shown that covert persistent viral infections are almost ubiquitous in many species. To date, the infection intensity of covert viruses has rarely been quantified. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of a covert baculovirus infection within the lepidopteran crop pest Spodoptera exempta. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) procedure using a 5' nuclease hydrolysis (TaqMan) probe was developed for specific detection and quantification of Spodoptera exempta nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpexNPV). The qPCR assay indicated that covert baculovirus dynamics varied considerably over the course of the host life-cycle, with infection load peaking in early larval instars and being lowest in adults and final-instar larvae. Adult dissections indicated that, contrary to expectation, viral load aggregation was highest in the head, wings and legs, and lowest in the thorax and abdomen. The data presented here have broad implications relating to our understanding of transmission patterns of baculoviruses and the role of covert infections in host-pathogen dynamics.
Fast feature selection and training for AdaBoost-based concept detection with large scale datasets

AdaBoost has been proved a successful statistical learning method for concept detection with high performance of discrimination and generalization. However, it is computationally expensive to train a concept detector using boosting, especially on large scale datasets. The bottleneck of training phase is to select the best learner among massive learners. Traditional approaches for selecting a weak classifier usually run in O(NT), with N examples and T learners. In this paper, we treat the best learner selection as a Nearest Neighbor Search problem in the function space instead of feature space. With the help of Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) algorithm, the best learner searching procedure can be speeded up in the time of O(NL), where L is the number of buckets in LSH. Compared with the T (~500,000), the L (~600) is much smaller in our experiments. In addition, through studying the distribution of weak learners and candidate query points, we present an efficient method to try to partition the weak learner points and the feasible region of query points uniformly as much as possible, which can achieve significant improvement in both recall and precision compared with the random projection in traditional LSH algorithm. Experimental results reveal our method can significantly reduce the training time. And still the performance of our method is comparable with the state-of-art methods.
The deceased donor score system in kidney transplants from deceased donors after cardiac death

A clinical score to identify kidneys from donors after cardiac death (DCD) with a high risk of dysfunction following transplantation could be a useful tool to guide the introduction of new algorithms for the preservation of these organs and improve their outcome after transplantation. We investigated whether the deceased donor score (DDS) system could identify DCD kidneys with higher risk of early post‐transplant dysfunction. The DDS was validated in a cohort of 168 kidney transplants from donors after brain death (DBD) and then applied to a cohort of 56 kidney transplants from DCD. In the DBD cohort, the DDS grade predicted the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and levels of serum creatinine at 3 and 12 months post‐transplant. Similarly, in the DCD cohort, the DDS grade correlated with DGF and also predicted the levels of serum creatinine at 3 and 12 months. Interestingly, the DDS identified a subgroup of marginal DCD kidneys in which minimization of cold ischemia time produced better early clinical outcome. These results highlight the impact of early interventions on clinical outcome of marginal DCD kidneys and open the possibility of using the DDS to identify those kidneys that may benefit most from therapeutic interventions before transplantation.
STOPOVER HABITAT ALONG THE SHORELINE OF NORTHERN LAKE HURON, MICHIGAN: EMERGENT AQUATIC INSECTS AS A FOOD RESOURCE FOR SPRING MIGRATING LANDBIRDS

A . —Recent work in Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula suggests that terrestrial areas bordering northern Lake Huron provide important stopover habitat for spring migrating landbirds, principally because of the presence of emergent aquatic midges (Diptera: Chironomidae). Migrants were concentrated in lakeshore habitats abundant with midges during spring migration. American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) and Black-throated Green Warblers (Dendroica virens) foraged and used habitat diff erently, depending on their distance from the lakeshore. Here, we describe results of an integrative study in which we sampled resources, quantifi ed American Redstart foraging behavior, and estimated mass change in American Redstarts and fi ve other common migrant landbird species to evaluate the importance of adult midges as an early season resource for spring migrants. Resource sampling and American Redstart foraging behavior suggested that more food was available in shoreline habitats than inland during spring migration. Furthermore, migrants gained mass in shoreline habitat during stopover, which supports the argument that nearshore areas provide important stopover habitat for spring migrants. Finally, resource sampling, mass change estimates, and American Redstart foraging behavior suggested that midges and spiders (Araneae: Arachnidae) provided an important early season resource for migrating landbirds. Evidence suggests that midges were responsible for elevated spider abundance at the shoreline and that birds foraged on both midges and spiders. Midges appear to play an important role in providing high-quality stopover habitat for landbirds migrating through Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula. Received 29 June 2004, accepted 12 January 2006.
Two Distinct Emotional Experiences in Romantic Relationships: Effects of Perceptions Regarding Approach of Intimacy and Avoidance of Conflict

This study examined how perceived position and velocity regarding approach and avoidance in romantic relationships relate to affective experiences. The authors hypothesized that perceived progress toward intimacy would predict positive affect and that perceived movement toward conflict would predict anxious affect. Ninety-two romantic couples recorded perceived levels of, and perceived changes in, both intimacy and conflict twice daily throughout 10 consecutive days using electronic palm-top devices. Multilevel modeling demonstrated that perceived increase in intimacy related to positive affect above and beyond perceptions of intimacy, conflict, and changes in conflict, for both male and female partners. Perceived increase in conflict related to anxious affect above and beyond perceptions of conflict, intimacy, and changes in intimacy, but only among male partners. Findings support a dual-process view of these feelings in romantic relationships and suggest that increases in positive feelings in close relationships depend on enhancing intimacy rather than on decreasing conflict.
Biomass Pyrolysis and Gasification of Varying Particle Sizes in a Fluidized-Bed Reactor

A new 4 in. (102 mm) diameter fluidized-bed reactor has been built and used to study the effect of biomass particle size on the yield of light gas and tar compounds during gasification. Batch experiments were conducted with white oak milled into four sphere sizes with diameters of 6, 13, 18, and 25 mm, at reactor bed temperatures of 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 °C. As expected, the yields of light gas increase with temperature but then reach a plateau above 800 °C. As the particle size increases, a decrease in the formation of light gases, accompanied by an increase in the formation of char, is observed. For larger particle sizes, the commonly used power law dependence of particle devolatilization time with sphere diameter holds true and the transition from heat- and mass-transport control to kinetic control as particle diameter decreases is illustrated. Measurements of the organic compounds present in the syngas are performed using a molecular beam mass spectrometer (MBMS). These measurements indicate tha.
HLA-DRB1*1101 Allele May Be Associated With Bilateral Méniére's Disease in Southern European Population

Objective: To analyze the associations of HLA-DRB1* and DQB1* Class II alleles in patients with bilateral Méniére's disease (MD). Patients and Methods: Eighty patients from two ethnically defined groups with definite bilateral MD, according to the diagnostic scale of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, were compared with normal controls from the same origin in a prospective multicenter study. We performed an allele-specific amplification for HLA-DRB1* and DQB1* genes of the major histocompatibility complex. Results: The allele HLA-DRB1*1101 was associated with bilateral MD in the Mediterranean population (odds ratio, 3.65 [95% confidence intervals, 1.5-9.1], corrected p = 0.029); however, this allele was not associated in the group from Galicia (northwest of Spain). No differences were found in the distribution of alleles for the gene HLA-DQB1* between patients and controls. Conclusion: The allele HLA-DRB1*1101 and the allelic group HLA-DRB1*11 may determine an increased susceptibility to develop bilateral MD in a southern European population.
Detection of breast cancer with full-field digital mammography and computer-aided detection.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate computer-aided detection (CAD) performance with full-field digital mammography (FFDM). MATERIALS AND METHODS CAD (Second Look, version 7.2) was used to evaluate 123 cases of breast cancer detected with FFDM (Senographe DS). Retrospectively, CAD sensitivity was assessed using breast density, mammographic presentation, histopathology results, and lesion size. To determine the case-based false-positive rate, patients with four standard views per case were included in the study group. Eighteen unilateral mammography examinations with nonstandard views were excluded, resulting in a sample of 105 bilateral cases. RESULTS CAD detected 115 (94%) of 123 cancer cases: six of six (100%) in fatty breasts, 63 of 66 (95%) in breasts containing scattered fibroglandular densities, 43 of 46 (93%) in heterogeneously dense breasts, and three of five (60%) in extremely dense breasts. CAD detected 93% (41/44) of cancers manifesting as calcifications, 92% (57/62) as masses, and 100% (17/17) as mixed masses and calcifications. CAD detected 94% of the invasive ductal carcinomas (n = 63), 100% of the invasive lobular carcinomas (n = 7), 91% of the other invasive carcinomas (n = 11), and 93% of the ductal carcinomas in situ (n = 42). CAD sensitivity for cancers 1-10 mm (n = 55) was 89%; 11-20 mm (n = 37), 97%; 21-30 mm (n = 16), 100%; and larger than 30 mm (n = 15), 93%. The CAD false-positive rate was 2.3 marks per four-image case. CONCLUSION CAD with FFDM showed a high sensitivity in identifying cancers manifesting as calcifications and masses. Sensitivity was maintained in cancers with lower mammographic sensitivity, including invasive lobular carcinomas and small neoplasms (1-20 mm). CAD with FFDM should be effective in assisting radiologists with earlier detection of breast cancer. Future studies are needed to assess CAD accuracy in larger populations.