Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. The SArcoma treatment and Burden of Illness in North America and Europe (SABINE) study.

BACKGROUND To describe chemotherapy treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (mSTS) patients with favorable response to chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Multicenter (25) multi-country (9) retrospective chart review of mSTS patients with favorable response to chemotherapy, defined as stable disease or better following four cycles. RESULTS Two hundred and thirteen patients (58% female; mean age 54.7 years) received a mean of 2.7 lines of chemotherapy and 5.2 cycles per line. The most common first-line regimens were doxorubicin (34%) and anthracycline plus ifosfamide (30%). Favorable response was achieved by 83% to first-line and 42% and 38% in second- and third-line chemotherapy. The most common reason for chemotherapy discontinuation in lines with a favorable response was reaching a predefined number of cycles in first line (64% of 213) and disease progression in second or later lines (41% of 138). The mean time off chemotherapy was 38.0 weeks after first line, falling to 2.7-6.4 weeks in second or later lines. Median overall and progression-free survival were 23.5 (95% confidence interval 20.5-28.1) and 8.3 (7.4-9.9) months from first favorable response to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS mSTS patients achieving favorable response to chemotherapy have poor outcomes. Additional treatment options are needed.
The role of affect on the search for global and specific target information

Abstract Two experiments demonstrate that affect influences the extent to which individuals seek global versus specific target information when forming impressions. Experiment 1 relied on natural differences in individuals' moods and found that relatively happy participants were more likely than relatively unhappy ones to seek global before specific target information when forming impressions. Following an experimental mood manipulation, participants in Experiment 2 actively sought global and specific target information in an impression formation task. Overall, happy participants sought relatively more traits than behaviors, whereas sad participants sought relatively more behaviors than traits; however, these differences were significant only for participants exposed to positive trait information. These results suggest that sad participants may have been sensitive to the diagnosticity of the information they chose. The results of both experiments are consistent with the Affect–as–Information model and sug.
Absenteeism in Secondary Education

Abstract Despite the wide attention given to the problem of truancy, empirical data on the extent of this phenomenon are limited. This article reports on a research project concerning the extent of allowed and disallowed absenteeism of pupils in 36 schools in four large Dutch cities. Truancy was determined at eight levels (for instance per school, per class and per subject) during 3 school days and 8990 lessons. The results show that the extent of allowed absenteeism (4.7%) is on average higher than the extent of disallowed absenteeism ( = truancy), that is 4.4%. The difference in the extent of truancy between schools is considerable. In schools with a division for lower vocational education more pupils play truant on average. This also holds for most of the older classes, Fridays, the first and the seventh to the tenth lesson and for job‐oriented and commercial subjects. Relatively low truancy percentages were found for subjects that are frequently considered ‘truancy subjects’. Most truants play truant .
Changing patterns of sexuality in northern Namibia: implications for the transmission of HIV/AIDS

The objective of this study was to see how changes in patterns of sexual life may affect HIV transmission in northern Namibia. Literature reviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation were undertaken to explore traditional Owambo definitions of morality, and recent changes to them under the impact of Christianity and colonialism. Taboos and social sanctions against prohibited sexual behaviour have changed markedly, thereby loosening community control over sexuality and sexual behaviours that may predispose to HIV/AIDS‐related risk. The practice of ewilo has ceased, undermining young men's self‐restraint, self respect and respect for women. Taboos that increased a sense of responsibility in sexual matters and provided the link between community morals and sexual behaviour have weakened, and sexual attitudes have become more liberal. The disappearance of initiation practices such as efundula, which once served to protect young women from unwanted sex, has served to empower men more in sexual matters. This, together with the growth of sex work, may plausibly contribute to increased HIV transmission, and provides fertile ground for the further development of the epidemic.
Ambivalence in Adult Sibling Relationships

The present study attempted to understand the contradictions in the literature concerning the persistence of ambivalence in adult sibling relationships. It examined a potential source of systematic variation—gender and developmental differences in awareness of underlying feelings about one's age-near, same-sex sibling. Respondents were a random sample of 60 eligible child-rearing (CR) and empty nest (EN) subjects, age 30 to 69. Underlying feelings about the targeted sibling were assessed using the Sibling Thematic Apperception Test. Conscious feelings were assessed using selfreport scales of positive feelings, negative feelings, and contact frequency. For CR women, ratings and corresponding theme frequencies of the projective stories were significantly correlated, but only for positive aspects of the relationship. For EN women, correlations were limited to negative aspects. Contact frequency was strongly associated with separation concerns for CR men and EN women. These findings partially support the differential effects of the “parent˙al imperative” and its aftermath on personality characteristics, particularly for women.
The Relative Impact of Socio-Structural Characteristics on Behavioral Reactions Against Membership in a Low-Status Group

This experiment examined how structural characteristics of an intergroup relationship influence the behavioral reactions by members of a low-status group. Participants were 542 pupils (aged 11-12 years) who were led to believe that their school class had a low intergroup status. A 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design was created by manipulating the legitimacy of the low group status, the stability of that status, the permeability of the group boundaries, and the perceived of the individual ability of the group members. Contrary to predictions derived from existing intergroup theories, these factors did not interact in determining participants’ strategy choice. The three feasibility factors (i.e. stability, permeability, and individual ability) produced substantial main effects on the choice between individual and collective strategies. The impact of legitimacy on strategy choice was rather modest and limited to collective nonnormative action and acceptance. On the other hand, legitimacy was an important determinant of ingroup bias as measured by a monetary division task. The implications for existing intergroup theories are discussed.
Social top-down response modulation (STORM): a model of the control of mimicry in social interaction

As a distinct feature of human social interactions, spontaneous mimicry has been widely investigated in the past decade. Research suggests that mimicry is a subtle and flexible social behavior which plays an important role for communication and affiliation. However, fundamental questions like why and how people mimic still remain unclear. In this paper, we evaluate past theories of why people mimic and the brain systems that implement mimicry in social psychology and cognitive neuroscience. By reviewing recent behavioral and neuroimaging studies on the control of mimicry by social signals, we conclude that the subtlety and sophistication of mimicry in social contexts reflect a social top-down response modulation (STORM) which increases one's social advantage and this mechanism is most likely implemented by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We suggest that this STORM account of mimicry is important for our understanding of social behavior and social cognition, and provides implications for future research in autism.
Messung der Bewegungs- und Sportaktivität mit dem BSA-Fragebogen: eine methodische Zwischenbilanz

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird der neu entwickelte „Bewegungs- und Sportaktivitat Fragebogen” (kurz: BSA-Fragebogen oder BSA-F) vorgestellt und hinsichtlich seiner Validitat uberpruft. Methode: Als Validierungskriterium dienten fahrradergometrische Parameter der Ausdauerleistungsfahigkeit (u. a. Leistung an der Individuellen Anaeroben Schwelle p [IAS] und errechnete VO2max), die im Rahmen einer randomisiert kontrollierten Interventionsstudie (N = 118) erhoben wurden. Ergebnisse: Der Index zur Gesamtaktivitat korrelierte mit r = . 32 bzw. r =. 34 signifikant mit den Leistungsparametern VO2max bzw. p [IAS] (konkurrente Validitat); der Index zur Sportaktivitat trug signifikant (p < .01) zur Vorhersage der 12 Wochen spater gemessenen Ausdauerleistungsfahigkeit bei (prognostische Validitat); und die Interventionsstudie zeigte, dass die mit dem Modifikationsprogramm provozierten Verhaltensanderungen mit dem BSA-F sensitiv abgebildet werden konnten (Konstruktvaliditat). Diskussion: Die Resultate unterstutzen–zusamme.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Students of Wolaita Sodo University, Southern Ethiopia

Background: sexually transmitted Infections represent a large burden of disease worldwide with an annual incidence of about 333 million cases. In Ethiopia, studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among youth are very few; therefore, conducting research on STIs in general and among youth in particular is an important input to design policy and strategy aimed at preventing and controlling the infections. Objectives: The objectives of the study were determining self reported prevalence of sexually transmitted Infections, and identifying fac tors associated with STIs among students of Wolaita Sodo University. Methodology: A cross sectional study design was employed among a total sample size of 447 students of Wolaita Sodo University from June to September 2011. Study subjects were selected using Stratified cluster sampling method. Data were collected using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Self-reported Syndromic approach was used to measure sexually transmitted Infections status. Logistic regression was used to model Odds Ratio, OR (95%CI). Result: This study was conducted among 309 (69.1%) male and 138 (30.9%) female students with response rate of more than 100%. Most of the students, 294 (65.8%), were first year, 178 (39.8%) were orthodox Christian, 241 (53.9%) were from rural place of previous residence and 421 (95.7%) were currently accommodated in the university. Self reported STIs prevalence in the past 12 months prior to the survey was 19.5% among students. Out of the 158(35.3%) students who were sexually active: 46.0% used condom infrequently, 24.8% had sex with causal sexual partners and 13.9% had sexual intercourse with commercial sex workers. Among 103 who reported the most recent STI syndrome, 43 (41.7%) study subjects had not got treatments for the syndrome they had. Students who had sexual contact with commercial sex workers in the last 12 months were at increased odds of developing sexually transmitted infections (Adjusted OR=4.7,95%CI: 1.2, 8.6). Conclusion: High prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) was obtained among university students who had risky sexual behaviors. Students had unreasonably poor treatment seeking behavior. The following specific recommendations are forwarded: Launching of recreational facilities and sexual and reproductive health service, abstinence and condom promotion interventions. The university should design reten tion facilities for students to limit them from sexual contact with commercial sex workers. Moreover, further studies to explore the predictor variables are highly recommended.
Screening biomarkers of prostate cancer by integrating microRNA and mRNA microarrays.

OBJECTIVE In this study, we screened microRNA (miRNA) target genes of prostate cancer by integrating miRNA and mRNA expression profiles after target prediction and performed function enrichment analysis for selected candidate genes. METHODS The miRNA expression profile (GSE36802) and mRNA expression profile (GSE36801) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We processed data and identified the differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs with R packages. Verified targets of miRNAs were identified through miRecods and miRTarBase. Then, software of Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes was used to construct the interaction network of target genes. Finally, we performed function enrichment analysis for genes in the interaction network with the Functional Classification Tool. RESULTS A total of 22 upregulated and 8 downregulated miRNAs were detected in this study, of which, hsa-mir-31 was the most overexpressed miRNA in prostate cancer. Both ITGA5 and RDX, two target genes of hsa-mir-31, were found to be differentially expressed from mRNA profiles by overexpressing hsa-mir-31. The cell adhesion molecule was found to be the most significant pathway enriched by ITGA5 and RDX. CONCLUSION Overexpression of hsa-mir-31 can be a significant marker to distinguish cancer tissues from benign tissues. The targets such as ITGA5 and RDX regulated by hsa-mir-31 are candidate genes of prostate cancer, which provide new treatment strategies for its gene therapy.
Effects of Part-Set Cuing on Reminiscence

Part-set cuing has frequently been found to inhibit the recall of previously learned information; see Nickerson's 1984 work. This study investigated whether negative part-set cuing effects extend to the disruption of reminiscence, the production of new items, on a delayed second recall trial. 64 psychology students from local Further Education colleges volunteered to participate. Following random assignment to conditions participants were presented 20 unrelated words at 2-sec. intervals. After a 30-sec. interference task participants free recalled. After a delay of 5 or 30 min., part icipants recalled a second time either with or without cues. Part-set cuing inhibited the production of new words (reminiscences). Time delay, however, had no effect on reminiscence.
Comprehensive Study of the Complex Dynamics of Forward Bias-Induced Threshold Voltage Drifts in GaN Based MIS-HEMTs by Stress/Recovery Experiments

The transient recovery characteristics of the threshold voltage drift (ΔVth) of GaN-based HEMTs with a SiO2 gate dielectric induced by forward gate bias stress are systematically and comprehensively investigated for stress times from 100 ns to 10 ks, recovery times from 4 μs to 10 ks, and stress biases from 1 to 7 V. The measured recovery data are analyzed using the concept of capture emission time maps. It is shown that the observed data cannot be explained by simple first-order defect kinetics. It is revealed that the recovery curves for constant stress times scale with the stress bias. Furthermore, the shape of the recovery curves changes from concave to convex with increasing stress time, independent of the stress bias. For short stress times and low stress bias, a dominant rate limiting effect of the III/N barrier layer is proposed. Defect-related physical processes with a broad distribution of characteristic time constants are discussed to explain the logarithmic time dependency of ΔVth stress and recovery, at which the role of the Coulomb feedback effect, complex defects, and spatially distributed defects are considered.
Risk factors for development of a second lymphoid malignancy in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Previous studies suggested that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are at a three‐ to fivefold increased risk of developing a second lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). This observational cohort study used the Mayo Clinic CLL Database to identify factors associated with developing a second LPD. A second LPD was identified in 26 (2·7%) of 962 CLL patients during a median follow‐up of 3·3 years. Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma was the most common subtype of secondary LPD (12 of 26 cases). Patients previously treated for CLL had a trend toward higher prevalence of second LPD (4%) compared with previously untreated patients (2%; P = 0·053). More strikingly, patients treated with purine nucleoside analogues (PNA) had a significantly increased risk of subsequent second LPD (5·2%) compared with patients who had not received PNA (1·9%; P = 0·008). No statistically significant association was observed between risk of second LPD and other CLL characteristics (ZAP‐70, CD38, IgVH mutation status or cytogenetic abnormalities). In this series, prior treatments with PNA or anthracyclines were the only significant factors associated with risk of developing a second LPD in patients with CLL. Physicians should strictly adhere to established criteria to initiate treatment for CLL patients who are not participating in clinical trials.
Gadolinium-enhanced excretory MR urography after low-dose diuretic injection: comparison with conventional excretory urography.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical utility and morphologic accuracy of gadolinium-enhanced excretory magnetic resonance (MR) urography after low-dose diuretic injection and to correlate the results with those of conventional urography. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 71 patients with urologic symptoms, excretory MR urography was performed after intravenous injection of 5-10 mg furosemide and, 30-60 seconds later, 0.1 mmol of gadopentetate dimeglumine per kilogram of body weight. The MR urograms were interpreted by three radiologists, who were blinded to the clinical outcome, and subsequently compared with conventional urograms. RESULTS Injection of furosemide before contrast material led to rapid, uniform gadolinium distribution inside a sufficiently distended collecting system such that there was no excessive concentration of gadolinium in the urine. In patients with normal or moderately reduced excretory function, this effect allowed complete visualization of the urinary tract within 5-20 minutes of contrast material injection while minimizing gadolinium-related endoluminal T2* effects. The clinical course helped verify almost all MR urographic results. The MR urographic technique was significantly superior to conventional urography in the assessment of the ureters and bladder (P < .0001). Delineation of small caliceal abnormalities is still problematic. The best depiction of the pelvicaliceal system was obtained with fat-suppressed MR imaging, although it was still slightly inferior to conventional urography (P < .05). CONCLUSION Gadolinium-enhanced excretory MR urography performed after low-dose diuretic injection is a promising and accurate alternative to conventional excretory urography for imaging the morphology of the urinary tract.
Comprehensive strategy to prevent nosocomial spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a highly endemic setting.

BACKGROUND The effectiveness and feasibility of a comprehensive strategy to reduce nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a highly endemic setting have not yet been proved. Limited benefits and the high cost of such programs are the main concerns. METHODS We prospectively evaluated the effect of an aggressive infection control program on transmission of MRSA in the University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases. All patients with MRSA carriage during 5 years (January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2002) were included and categorized into imported or hospital-acquired cases. RESULTS Methicillin-resistant S aureus was recovered from 223 hospitalized patients; 142 cases were imported and 81 were acquired at our institution. After introduction of the comprehensive infection control program in 1999, the annual incidence of MRSA carriage per 1000 admissions increased from 4.5 in 1998 to 8.0 in 1999 (P = .02), and remained stable thereafter. In this period, the proportion of MRSA cases acquired in our institution decreased from 50.0% in 1999 to 6.1% in 2002 (P<.001), whereas the proportion of MRSA cases transferred from other hospitals (P<.001) and nursing homes (P = .03) increased. All 19 MRSA carriers with 3 sets of follow-up cultures were successfully decolonized. CONCLUSIONS With a comprehensive infection control program, it was possible to reduce nosocomial transmission of MRSA in a highly endemic setting. With good hand hygiene using alcohol handrub, early detection, isolation, and a decolonization strategy, containment of MRSA was achievable, despite a high rate of transferred patients with MRSA.
A Field Study of Rating Conditions and Leniency in Performance Appraisal

Performance appraisal ratings of 89 secretarial and clerical employees of a large university were studied. Most recent administrative ratings, used to make personnel decisions, were obtained for all employees. In addition, research ratings were collected under one of two conditions. For approximately half of the employees, confidential ratings were obtained from the employees' supervisors whereby the supervisors were told that only the researchers would see their ratings. For the other half of the employees, ratings were obtained under sharing conditions whereby supervisors were told that copies of their ratings would be sent to their respective employees. As expected, administrative ratings showed relatively more leniency than corresponding confidential research ratings but did not show more leniency than corresponding sharing research ratings. Findings were discussed in terms of the cognitive dynamics which may cause more lenient ratings to occur.