Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk for developing myelodysplastic syndromes in prostate cancer patients definitively treated with radiation.

BACKGROUND Exposure to ionizing radiation has been linked to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS); it is not clear whether therapeutic radiation doses used for prostate cancer pose an increased MDS risk. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of prostate cancer patients diagnosed between 1986 and 2011 at Cleveland Clinic, comparing those who underwent definitive treatment with radical prostatectomy (RP) to radiotherapy either external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or prostate interstitial brachytherapy (PI) and to population-based registries. Competing risk regression analyses were used to determine the cumulative risk of developing MDS. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Of 10924 patients, 5119 (47%) received radiation (n = 2183 [43%] in EBRT group and n = 2936 [57%] in PI group) and 5805 (53%) were treated with RP. Overall, 31 cases of MDS were observed, with age-adjusted incidence rates no higher than in population-based registries. In univariate analyses, advancing age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09 to 1.20; P < .001) and radiotherapy exposure (HR = 3.44; 95% CI = 1.41 to 8.37; P = .007) were statistically significantly associated with development of MDS. In multivariable analyses, although advanced age (HR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.19; P < .001) remained statistically associated with MDS, radiation did not, although a small non-statistically significant trend existed for PI-treated patients. MDS rates were no higher than in population-based registries. CONCLUSIONS With relatively short follow-up, prostate cancer patients definitively treated with radiation did not appear to have a statistically increased risk of subsequent MDS.
Matching Titles with Cross Title Web-Search Enrichment and Community Detection

Title matching refers roughly to the following problem. We are given two strings of text obtained from different data sources. The texts refer to some underlying physical entities and the problem is to report whether the two strings refer to the same physical entity or not. There are manifestations of this problem in a variety of domains, such as product or bibliography matching, and location or person disambiguation.We propose a new approach to solving this problem, consisting of two main components. The first component uses Web searches to "enrich" the given pair of titles: making titles that refer to the same physical entity more similar, and those which do not, much less similar. A notion of similarity is then measured using the second component, where the tokens from the two titles are modelled as vertices of a "social" network graph. A "strength of ties" style of clustering algorithm is then applied on this to see whether they form one cohesive "community" (matching titles), or separately clustered communities (mismatching titles). Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of our approach over existing title matching methods across several input domains.
Function and Regulation of Hydroxylases Involved in the Bile Acid Biosynthesis Pathways

The liver plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in the body and also in the regulation of plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. Cholesterol is an important constituent of cell membranes and a precursor of bile acids, steroid hormones, and vitamin D. It also plays a role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis and choleste;ol-gallstones, two major diseases affecting countries of Western civilization. For these reasons, the understanding of cholesterol metabolism in the liver is of great importance to both basic and clinical investigators.
FIRMA: a method for detection of alternative splicing from exon array data

Motivation: Analyses of EST data show that alternative splicing is much more widespread than once thought. The advent of exon and tiling microarrays means that researchers now have the capacity to experimentally measure alternative splicing on a genome wide level. New methods are needed to analyze the data from these arrays. Results: We present a method, finding isoforms using robust multichip analysis (FIRMA), for detecting differential alternative splicing in exon array data. FIRMA has been developed for Affymetrix exon arrays, but could in principle be extended to other exon arrays, tiling arrays or splice junction arrays. We have evaluated the method using simulated data, and have also applied it to two datasets: a panel of 11 human tissues and a set of 10 pairs of matched normal and tumor colon tissue. FIRMA is able to detect exons in several genes confirmed by reverse transcriptase PCR. Availability: R code implementing our methods is contributed to the package aroma.affymetrix. Contact: epurdom@stat.berkeley. edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Key Contributing Factors to the Acceptance of Agents in Industrial Environments

Multiple software agent-based solutions have been developed during the last decades, and applied with varying success to different domains offering control, reconfiguration, diagnosis, monitoring, etc. However, the promise that they once posed in terms of a new alternative decentralized approach offering modularity, flexibility and robustness, is only partially fulfilled. This paper investigates some key factors, i.e., design, technology, intelligence/algorithms, standardization, hardware, challenges, application and cost, which are hypothesized to be linked to the Industrial Agent acceptance. Empirical data was acquired via a conducted survey, and statistically analyzed to investigate the support of the posed hypotheses. The results indicate that all the factors are seen important issues that play a role toward deciding for or against an industrial agent solution.
[Study of in vitro expansion and differentiation into neuron-like cells of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE To explore the isolation, purification and expansion of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neuron-like cells in vitro. METHODS Human cord blood samples were obtained sterilely with 20 U/ml preservative-free heparin. MSCs were isolated by lymphocyte separation medium (density 1.077 g/ml), and purified and expanded with Mesencult trade mark medium. The surface antigen expression of MSCs was detected by flow cytometry. The passage 2, 5 and 8 of the expanded MSCs were induced to differentiate to neuron-like cells. Specific markers and structures were detected by immunohistochemistry and histochemistry methods. RESULTS The number of MSCs increased two- to three-fold with each expanded passage. 6.6 x 10(5) primary MSCs were expanded ten passages to reach a number of 9.9 x 10(8), and was increased about 1.5 x 10(3)-fold. Flow cytometry showed that MSCs did not express antigens CD(34), CD(11a) and CD(11b), but expressed strongly CD(29) and weakly CD(71), which was identical to human bone marrow-derived MSCs. 70% cells exhibited typical neuron-like phenotype after induction. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that all of the induced different-passage MSCs expressed neurofilament (NF) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Special Nissl body was found by histochemistry. CONCLUSION MSCs in human umbilical cord blood can expand in vitro and differentiate into non-mesenchymal cells.
An Exploration of Child Sexual Abusers' Sexual Fantasies Before and After Treatment

Although there is a substantial literature looking at the relationship between deviant sexual fantasies and child sexual abuse, there is scant previous work that focuses upon the actual content of such fantasies. The present study looks at child sexual abusers' deviant fantasies both pre- and postintervention. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, a description of the frequency and content of, and triggers for, child sexual abusers' deviant fantasies is reported both pre- and postintervention. The implications of this information for subsequent intervention programs is explored.
Domesticating Bead: adapting an information visualization system to a financial institution

The Bead visualization system employs a fast algorithm for laying out high-dimensional data in a low-dimensional space, and a number of features added to 3D visualizations to improve imageability. We describe recent work on both aspects of the system, in particular a generalization of the data types laid out and the implementation of imageability features in a 2D visualization tool. The variety of data analyzed in a financial institution such as UBS, and the ubiquity of spreadsheets as a medium for analysis, led us to extend our layout tools to handle data in a generic spreadsheet format. We describe the metrics of similarity used for this data type, and give examples of layouts of sets of records of financial trades. Conservatism and scepticism with regard to 3D visualization, along with the lack of functionality of widely available 3D web browsers, led to the development of a 2D visualization tool with refinements of a number of our imageability features.
Social Learning and Behaviour of Looked-After Children inMainstream Primary Schools within a Local Authority:Policy, Provision and Practice

Over the last 30 years, research has consistently found that children in public care (LAC), in general, have low educational attainments. The research has tended to be from a social work standpoint with the focus on achievements at secondary school, In contrast, this study is from an education perspective and concerns the educational attainments of primary school LAC. This in-depth classroom-based research examines potentially modifiable aspects of social learning and behaviour in the education of LAC in order to generate hypotheses that can be subsequently tested. An investigation was carried out into the social perceptions of LAC, and their social perceptions of self, in the context of their mainstream primary school classrooms. The purposive sample consisted of 15 LAC aged five to 11 years, in 15 classrooms, in 11 mainstream primary schools, in one local authority. A total of 372 children and 59 school staff participated. A case study design employing mixed methods was used to ascertain and analyse sociometric status (SMS), locus of control beliefs (LCB) and self-esteem (S-E). The 15 LAC and their classmates completed two sociometric tests set in the context of the playground and the classroom, and two psychometric measures, PPNSIE (Nowicki-Duke, 1973) and B/G-STEEM (Maines & Robinson, 1983). School records were used to evaluate the children’s academic attainment, and school staff were consulted regarding the LAC’s SMS, LCB and S-E. The main non-directional hypothesis emerging from the empirical data is that there are complex relationships between the SMS, LCB, S-E, and educational attainment of LAC. Two additional factors became apparent from the findings. These were the varied emotional well-being of the LAC, and difficulties concerning language development. The findings of the case studies highlight the uniqueness of the 15 individual LAC in their specific classrooms and schools. This data calls into question the helpfulness of stereotyping other than for Governmental and local authority policymaking. For the class teacher, the value and practical methods of identifying specific social learning difficulties open to modification within individual LAC, and other ‘vulnerable children’, have been demonstrated.
Channel Condition Aware Detection in Statistical Signal Transmission

Heterogeneous network (HetNet) plays an important role in the upcoming 5G communications. A HetNet in futuristic communications is envisaged to provide full access data services, such that users will always have the best service with their available radio resources. To realize a full access HetNet, statistical signal transmission (SST) can be an important enabling technique. SST exploits statistical features of ordinary signals as a data transmission scheme to carry information data. Due to its inherent unique properties, SST signal is more robust than ordinary signals in conventional quasi-static channels. However, detection of SST signals in fast time-varying channels will face challenges. Motivated by this fact, this paper aims to analyze the impact of fast time-varying channels to SST, and reveals negative effects of burst of deep fading channel-state (BDFC) and feature dissipation with out-of-phase (FDOP). Accordingly, we design an automatic re-transmission scheme and a fragmental feature capturing method to mitigate the aforementioned issues, respectively. Based on these studies, we propose a channel condition aware detection scheme for SST, aiming to enhance SST detection performance in fast time-varying channels. Numerical results show that with the proposed scheme, a maximum gain of more than 10 dB can be obtained under either BDFC or FDOP condition. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that the proposed scheme is robust with imperfect channel coherence time information, which is attractive for practical applications.
The serumtyrosine level as an index of thyroid function.

serum tyrosine appear to be a useful test for the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism, not invalidated by previous iodine administration and not involving the use of radio-isotopes. Administration of vitamin C reduced the increased values of tyrosine in thyrotoxicosis to normal levels. It is suggested that a latent vitamin C deficiency may partly explain the increase in the serum tyrosine values in thyrotoxicosis.
The Role of Temperament in Dating Relationships among Young Adults.

To test predictions derived from a goodness of fit model of the role of tempera ment in person-social context relations, and from the related filtering/similarity hypothesis, 153 young adult dating dyads, i.e., college students engaged in ex clusive dating relationships, were studied. Measured were each dyad member's (a) temperament, and (b) expectations for partner's temperament. Consistent with predictions derived both from the goodness of fit model and the filtering/ similarity hypothesis, the results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indi cated a significant relationship between temperament or demand scores for dyad members. However, counter to expectation derived from the filtering/ similarity hypothesis, neither length of relationship nor the interaction of part ner's score and relationship length contributed significantly to the variance ac counted for in any regression equation. Results are discussed in regard to the role of temperament, and to the use of the goodness of fit model, in the adult hood years.
Trends in Equine Nutrition and the Effects of a Hindgut Buffer Product in Overconditioned Horses

Nearly 50% of the equine population is overweight due to feeding and management practices. Obesity is related to development of diseases that are detrimental to performance and potentially fatal in horses, including insulin resistance, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Objectives of this research included first, characterization of nutrition-related management practices of hunter/jumper show industry via a voluntary survey; second, evaluating the Body Condition Index (BCI) in comparison to the Body Condition Scoring system (BCS) in sporthorses; and lastly, determining the effects of a hindgut buffer in overconditioned horses following an abruptly introduced moderate nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) meal. There were no differences in nutritional management between hunter and jumper disciplines and most representatives (n=89) had no nutritional concerns. Many used trainers (38%) and veterinarians (36%) as sources of nutritional advice rather than professional equine nutritionists (7%). BCI had consistently higher scores than BCS (P<0.01), with the largest differences in horses with BCS < 5. Horses were offered a concentrate meal containing 1.2g NSC/kg BW with and without DigestaWell® Buffer (DB). Horses receiving DB had decreased plasma L-lactate (P=0.05), and a tendency for increased fecal pH (P=0.08) and decreased fecal D-lactate (P=0.07). These studies demonstrate a need to improve horse owner education and the relationship between representatives and trained nutritionists to reduce disease incidence, that different equations may need to be developed for a more consistently accurate BCI across various breed and body types, and that DB may have a positive impact on the equine digestive response to NSC. Trends in Equine Nutrition and the Effects of a Hindgut Buffer Product in Overconditioned Horses
Prediction of outcome after valve replacement for rheumatic mitral regurgitation in the era of chordal preservation.

BACKGROUND Noninvasive predictors of important outcomes after valve replacement for mitral regurgitation have not been examined in a rheumatic population (in whom the results of valve repair are suboptimal) in the era of chordal preservation. Timing of valve replacement thus remains a difficult question in rheumatic mitral regurgitation. METHODS AND RESULTS Of 278 patients followed after valve replacement, 66 had pure or predominant mitral regurgitation, and in 61 of these the etiology was rheumatic. The mean age was 24 years. After a mean follow-up of 24 +/- 10 months, the ability of preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data to predict outcome was assessed prospectively, and the possible impact of chordal preservation (n = 35) on survival and post-operative left ventricular function was examined retrospectively. There were no perioperative deaths. There were six postoperative deaths, all the result of heart failure and all related to left ventricular dysfunction. The mean probability of survival was . 90 at 16 months. In a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the only independent predictor of postoperative death was preoperative end-systolic diameter. According to a logistic model, the probabilities of death (n = 6) and death or severe heart failure (n = 7) increased abruptly at a preoperative end-systolic diameter of 51 mm (probabilities, .23 and .31, respectively), and the accuracy of this cut point for predicting outcomes was 97% and 98%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis identified a large preoperative end-systolic diameter and the need to use tricuspid annuloplasty as significant independent predictors of postoperative fractional shortening; the use of chordal preservation (n = 35) was not a predictor of postoperative fractional shortening. A good outcome was predicted at a preoperative end-systolic diameter of 40 mm: probability of death or heart failure was . 0001, and predicted mean postoperative fractional shortening was 0.27 after mitral valve replacement without tricuspid annuloplasty. CONCLUSIONS When preoperative end-systolic diameter is more than 50 mm, a poor postoperative outcome is predicted despite chordal preservation in relatively young patients with rheumatic mitral regurgitation, and alternative strategies should therefore be considered. When preoperative end-systolic diameter is 40 mm or less, an excellent outcome is predicted, and close observation without surgery would appear to be reasonable in the absence of symptoms.
Genetic characterization of strains of Saccharomycescerevisiae responsible for ‘refermentation’ in Botrytis‐affected wines

Aims: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is responsible for alcoholic fermentation of wines. However, some strains can also spoil sweet Botrytis‐affected wines. Three ‘refermentation’ strains were isolated during maturation. Characterization of those strains in regards to their fingerprint, rDNA sequence and resistance to SO2, which constituted the main source of stress in Botrytis‐affected wines, was carried out.
Teachers' Attitudes, Bias, and Perceptions Pertaining to Students with AD/HD and Effects on the Teacher/Student Relationship

Current studies have indicated that in 2006, "over 4 Yz million children 3-17 years old were diagnosed with AD/HD" (CDC, 2006, n.p). There are concerns regarding teachers' attitudes, biases, and perceptions of AD/HD and how it affects their ability to teach and impact these children academically. Information regarding the prevalence, possible causes, diagnostic criteria, gender differences, and assessments used in the school environment are reviewed in this paper. Academic and social difficulties AD/HD students may have in the classroom and the effects of the AD/HD label on the perceptions of teachers and peers are also examined. Previous research suggests that the attitudes, biases and perceptions teachers have of AD/HD students stem from the frustrations in the classroom based on a lack of education and a lack of support district wide (Harrison & Rush, 2008). Evidenced-based classroom interventions for teachers to use that helps AD/HD students with academic and behavioral problems are provided. Recommendations are
Combine Incremental Planning, Reasonable Ordering, External Information and Soft Goals Handling

Partial satisfaction or Over-subscription Planning problems arise in many real world applications, and these soft problem goals have been defined as preferences in PDDL3.0. Planning with over-subscription problem and preferences is one of the most challenging problems in planning. Inspired by the following two facts, we come up with a method to handle soft goals problem, and it also efficient with classical planning problems. Firstly, using external information has turned out to be a fruitful approach for classical planning; secondly, strategies in incremental planning for ordering and grouping subproblems partitioned by the subgoals of a planning problem have recently draw a lot attention from planning community. In this paper we present an approach to combining incremental planning with control knowledge and this approach can be used to handle soft goals. Our method improved incremental planning using goal agenda with more ordering for atomic goal and grouping subproblems partitioned by the subgoals. We also provide preliminary empirical results in a planner called FFps which demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in comparison to the original FF and it can handle soft goals problem.
Structural and Return Characteristics Of Mid-Capitalization Firms: A Study Into The Myth Around The Superior Returns Of Mid-Size Stocks

Structural and Return Characteristics of Mid-Capitalization Firms: A Study Into the Myth Around the Superior Returns of Mid-Size Stocks By Lane Alex Steinberger May 2016 Committee Chair: Wesley Johnston Major Academic Unit: J. Mack Robinson College of Business Over the years there has been significant research around the misspecification of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), which challenges the linear relationship between beta and market returns. One of the biggest challenges relates to the “smallfirm effect,” which states there are two classifications of stocks (large and small) and that the companies with small-market capitalizations have higher returns. However, the definition of a small-cap is vague and there has been little focus in academia on the stocks in the middle-market capitalization deciles. Despite this, institutional and retail investors created the “mid-cap” category in the early 1990s and, since then, the riskadjusted returns have been exceptional, relative to smalland large-cap stocks. This study examined mid-cap stocks from an academic perspective and delves into the “midcap myth” by evaluating the category over the past 85 years to answer the question around whether mid-caps are superior to other asset class. The results revealed that the highly touted and advertised mid-cap stock performance premium during the 19802013 time period was statistically insignificant. Moreover, mid-caps did have superior