Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE LONG‐TERM OUTCOME OF THYROIDECTOMY FOR SPORADIC NON‐TOXIC GOITRE

To study the long‐term outcome after thyroidectomy, 113 sporadic non‐toxic goitre patients who underwent thyroidectomy in our hospital in the period 1974–1983, were studied. Five patients complained of recurrent goitre; a goitre was found on inspection and palpation in these five and in 15 others. There were no differences between the 20 patients with goitre and the 93 patients without goitre with regard to sex, age, duration of goitre, indication and type of thyroidectomy, postoperative thyroid hormone medication, period of follow‐up, and T4, T3, or TSH plasma values at the time of follow‐up examination. Twenty‐three patients complained of voice changes since thyroidectomy. In a case control study, included in this follow‐up study, 19 patients with goitre, i.e. thyroid size I and II as estimated by inspection and palpation (cases), and 16 patients without goitre, i.e. thyroid size OA and OB (controls), were studied in more detail. No difference between cases and controls was found in any of the above mentioned parameters that could explain the recurrence of goitre. Thyroid volume (median) was greater in the cases (34–1 ml, range 7.9–83.4) than in the controls (10.3 ml, range 2.5–48.7) (P < 0.001), although a considerable overlap between the two groups was observed. One or more thyroid nodules were found in 89.5% of the cases and in 62–5% of the controls (NS). Serum thyroid growth stimulating immunoglobulin (TGI) was present both in cases (68%) and controls (50%). TGI was present in high titres in all five patients who complained about recurrent goitre. Thyroid volume was negatively related to the plasma level of TSH (r =−0.36, P < 0.05), and positively but not significant to serum TGI. In conclusion: (1) a goitre is found in 17.7% of sporadic non‐toxic patients at long‐term follow‐up after thyroidectomy, not related to age, sex, duration of goitre, indication or type of operation, postoperative thyroid hormone medication, period of follow‐up, or plasma T3, T4, or TSH; (2) TGI is more prevalent in patients who complain of recurrent goitre after thyroidectomy; (3) thyroidal nodular disease persists in the majority of patients after thyroidectomy.
Is Escalation Always Irrational?

The escalation literature focuses upon unwarranted persistence with failing ventures. Escalation theory suggests that persistence may be prompted by individuals attempting to conceal their mistakes. In other words, the assumption is that a breakdown in rationality stems from irrational risk taking. This paper is less concerned with what such theories reveal about escalation, and more with what they obscure. More specifically, the present study seeks to demonstrate that decision fiascoes may partly stem from rationality itself. The demonstration utilizes a case study of project Taurus, 500 million IT venture which collapsed. Whereas the literature highlights the role of individual cognition in explaining escalation and failure, the present study focuses upon the contradictions surrounding the venture. Escalation is seen in the unfolding of the destructive logic of the situation, and, in what Ritzer calls, 'the irrationality of rationality'.
Robust H 1 Filter Design for Uncertain Linear Systems Over Network with Network-Induced Delays and Output Quantization

This paper investigates a convex optimization approach to the problem of robustH1 ltering for uncertain linear systems connected over a common digital communication network. We consider the case where quantizers are static and the parameter uncertainties are norm bounded. Firstly, we propose a new model to investigate the eect of both the output quantization levels and the network conditions. Secondly, by introducing a descriptor technique, using Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and a suitable change of variables, new required sucient conditions are established in terms of delay-dependent linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) for the existence of the desired network-based quantized lters with simultaneous consideration of network induced delays and measurement quantization. The explicit expression of the lters is derived to satisfy both asymptotic stability and a prescribed level of disturbance attenuation for all admissible norm bounded uncertainties.
Positive and negative affect in parenting disabled children

Abstract Research on parents' positive and negative affect may clarify critical aspects in the emotional impact of raising a child with disabilities, as related to stress-resistance factors such as personal coping and family climate. Parental affect (positive and negative), coping strategies (active and avoidant), and family climate (relationships, personal growth, and system maintenance) among 71 families with disabled children were compared (using MANCOVA) to parental measures of 77 families with nondisabled children, revealing significant differences. Parents of disabled children reported higher levels of negative (distressed) affect, adopted more avoidant coping strategies, and differed in their familial interrelations and the opportunities for personal growth available to them in their families. The discrepancies between the fathers' and mothers' scores in avoidant coping and in the family climate areas of personal growth and system maintenance were greater among the parents of disabled children than.
Democratic schooling practices in the Republic of Ireland: the gaps between the rhetoric and reality

Drawing upon the writings of Maxine Greene and Paolo Freire, this article explores the necessary conditions for the advancement of education for democracy in the context of modern post-industrial societies, with a focus on schooling in the Republic of Ireland. The article charts a general topography of the Republic of Ireland in relation to the democratic project. For that purpose, particular attention will be paid to the changing influence of ‘theocentric’ and ‘mercantile’ ideologies of education. Educators are keenly aware of the relationality that exists between particular schooling practices and the flourishing of education for democracy. Conversely, they are also very conscious of the fact that certain schooling practices can severely impede the democratic project in society. In order to situate the study in teacher education practices, the article examines the potential of ‘service-learning’ to advance the project of education, especially with respect to its democratic remit.
Evaluation of Hypertensive Patients after Care Provided by Community Pharmacists in a Rural Setting

We evaluated blood pressure control, quality of life, quality of care, and satisfaction of patients who were monitored by specially trained community pharmacists in a group medical practice. After participating in an intensive skill development program, pharmacists performed in an interdisciplinary team in a rural clinic. The primary objective was assessed by evaluating outcome variables at 6 months compared with baseline in 25 patients randomly assigned to a study group. A control group of 26 patients was also evaluated to determine if outcome variables remained constant from baseline to 6 months. Systolic blood pressure was reduced in the study group (151 mm Hg baseline, 140 mm Hg at 6 mo, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower at 2, 4, and 5 months compared with baseline. Ratings from a blinded peer review panel indicated significant improvement in the appropriateness of the blood pressure regimen, going from 8.7 ± 4.7 to 10.9 ± 4.5 in the study group (p<0.01), but they did not change in the control group. Several quality of life scores improved significantly in the study group after 6 months (p<0.05). These included physical functioning (61.6 vs 70.7), physical role limitations (56.8 vs 72.8), and bodily pain (60.0 vs 71.7) at baseline and 6 months, respectively. There were no significant changes in the control group. Patient satisfaction scores were consistently higher in the study group at the end of the study. Our results indicate that when community pharmacists in a clinic setting are trained and included as members of the primary care team, significant improvements in blood pressure control, quality of life, and patient satisfaction can be achieved.
An acute bout of whole-body vibration on skeleton start and 30-m sprint performance

Abstract Maximal 30-m upright sprinting and bent over, skeleton push performance were examined in five female national team skeleton athletes before and 10 min after an acute bout of whole-body vibration or no vibration. The whole-body vibration was applied at a frequency of 45 Hz with 4-mm displacement for 3×1-min treatments separated by 1 min. All changes in 30-m sprint and skeleton push times before and after whole-body vibration were small or trivial and within the tests’ typical variation (∼3.7% for the skeleton push and ∼3.2% for the upright sprint). Athletes were able to achieve 75–79% of their 30-m upright sprinting velocities when pushing a skeleton sled. These results question the effectiveness of whole-body vibration as an ergogenic aid immediately before performing a maximal upright sprint or skeleton push following a comprehensive warm-up.
Towards a consensus on datasets and evaluation metrics for developing B‐cell epitope prediction tools

A B‐cell epitope is the three‐dimensional structure within an antigen that can be bound to the variable region of an antibody. The prediction of B‐cell epitopes is highly desirable for various immunological applications, but has presented a set of unique challenges to the bioinformatics and immunology communities. Improving the accuracy of B‐cell epitope prediction methods depends on a community consensus on the data and metrics utilized to develop and evaluate such tools. A workshop, sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), was recently held in Washington, DC to discuss the current state of the B‐cell epitope prediction field. Many of the currently available tools were surveyed and a set of recommendations was devised to facilitate improvements in the currently existing tools and to expedite future tool development. An underlying theme of the recommendations put forth by the panel is increased collaboration among research groups. By developing common datasets, standardized data formats, and the means with which to consolidate information, we hope to greatly enhance the development of B‐cell epitope prediction tools. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequences of 18S rRNA Genes Comparison of Pyrotag and Full-Length from a Global Census: Insights from a Investigating Microbial Eukaryotic Diversity

Published Ahead of Print 9 May 2014. 10.1128/AEM.00057-14. 2014, 80(14):4363. DOI: Appl. Environ. Microbiol. Gast and David A. Caron S. Craig Cary, Evelyn B. Sherr, Barry F. Sherr, Rebecca J. Diane Y. Kim, Peter D. Countway, Linda A. Amaral-Zettler, Alle A. Y. Lie, Zhenfeng Liu, Sarah K. Hu, Adriane C. Jones, Sequences of 18S rRNA Genes Comparison of Pyrotag and Full-Length from a Global Census: Insights from a Investigating Microbial Eukaryotic Diversity
The Effect of Commitment to a Learning Goal, Self-Efficacy, and the Interaction Between Learning Goal Difficulty and Commitment on Performance in a Business Simulation

The effect of commitment to a learning goal, self-efficacy, and the interaction between learning goal difficulty and goal commitment with performance was investigated using a highly complex business simulation. Participants (n = 128) needed to acquire knowledge in order to perform the task effectively. The correlation between commitment to the learning goal and performance was positive and significant (r = .47, p < .001). Commitment was also a moderator of the learning goal–task performance effect. The relationship between self-efficacy and performance was partially mediated by commitment to the learning goal. Performance was a partial mediator of the relationship between goal commitment and self-efficacy. Seventy-five percent of the participants self-set a performance goal. The correlation between self-set performance goals and performance was positive and significant (r = .31, p < .001).
Accumulating Research: A Systematic Account of How Cumulative Meta-Analyses Would Have Provided Knowledge, Improved Health, Reduced Harm and Saved Resources

Background “Cumulative meta-analysis” describes a statistical procedure to calculate, retrospectively, summary estimates from the results of similar trials every time the results of a further trial in the series had become available. In the early 1990s, comparisons of cumulative meta-analyses of treatments for myocardial infarction with advice promulgated through medical textbooks showed that research had continued long after robust estimates of treatment effects had accumulated, and that medical textbooks had overlooked strong, existing evidence from trials. Cumulative meta-analyses have subsequently been used to assess what could have been known had new studies been informed by systematic reviews of relevant existing evidence and how waste might have been reduced. Methods and Findings We used a systematic approach to identify and summarise the findings of cumulative meta-analyses of studies of the effects of clinical interventions, published from 1992 to 2012. Searches were done of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Methodology Register and Science Citation Index. A total of 50 eligible reports were identified, including more than 1,500 cumulative meta-analyses. A variety of themes are illustrated with specific examples. The studies showed that initially positive results became null or negative in meta-analyses as more trials were done; that early null or negative results were over-turned; that stable results (beneficial, harmful and neutral) would have been seen had a meta-analysis been done before the new trial; and that additional trials had been much too small to resolve the remaining uncertainties. Conclusions This large, unique collection of cumulative meta-analyses highlights how a review of the existing evidence might have helped researchers, practitioners, patients and funders make more informed decisions and choices about new trials over decades of research. This would have led to earlier uptake of effective interventions in practice, less exposure of trial participants to less effective treatments, and reduced waste resulting from unjustified research.
The Euro Area Sovereign Debt Crisis: Safe Haven, Credit Rating Agencies and the Spread of the Fever from Greece, Ireland and Portugal

Since the intensification of the crisis in September 2008, all euro area long-term government bond yields relative to the German Bund have been characterised by highly persistent processes with upward trends for countries with weaker fiscal fundamentals. Looking at the daily period 1 September 2008 - 4 August 2011, we find that three factors can explain the recorded developments in sovereign spreads: (i) an aggregate regional risk factor, (ii) the country-specific credit risk and (iii) the spillover effect from Greece. Specifically, higher risk aversion has increased the demand for the Bund and this is behind the pricing of all euro area spreads, including those for Austria, Finland and the Netherlands. Country-specific credit ratings have played a key role in the developments of the spreads for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Finally, the rating downgrade in Greece has contributed to developments in spreads of countries with weaker fiscal fundamentals: Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Belgium and France. JEL Classification: G15, F36
Numerical abnormalities of chromosomes 17 and 18 in sporadic colorectal cancer: Incidence and correlation with clinical and biological findings and the prognosis of the disease

In recent years important information has accumulated on the genetic alterations present in colorectal tumors. However, thus far few studies have analyzed the impact of numerical abnormalities of chromosomes 17 and 18, which carry the p53 and DCC plus SHAD4/DPC4 genes involved in colorectal cancer, on the clinical and biological behaviors of the disease.
Association between smoking and tuberculosis infection: a population survey in a high tuberculosis incidence area

Background: Associations between smoking and tuberculosis disease including death from tuberculosis have been reported, but there are few reports on the influence of smoking on the risk of developing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The aim of this study was to determine the association between smoking and M tuberculosis infection. Methods: In a cross sectional population survey, data on smoking and tuberculin skin test (TST) results of 2401 adults aged ⩾15 years were compared. Results: A total of 1832 (76%) subjects had a positive TST (⩾10 mm induration). Of 1309 current smokers or ex-smokers, 1070 (82%) had a positive TST. This was significantly higher than for never smokers (unadjusted OR 1.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62 to 2.45). A positive relationship with pack-years was observed, with those smoking more than 15 pack-years having the highest risk (adjusted OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.81). Conclusion: Smoking may increase the risk of M tuberculosis infection.
The Effect of Migration on Income Growth and Convergence: Meta-Analytic Evidence

We compare a set of econometric studies that measure the effect of net internal migration in neoclassical models of long-run real income convergence and derive 67 comparable effect sizes. The precision-weighted estimate of beta convergence is about 2.7 per cent. An increase of one percentage point in the net migration rate of a region increases the per capita income growth rate in that region on average by about 0.1 percentage points. Introducing a net migration variable in a growth regression increases the estimate of beta convergence slightly. Studies that use panel models or IV estimation methods yield smaller coefficients of net migration in growth regressions, while the opposite holds for regressions controlling for high- skilled migration.
Suppression of Extracellular Signal-related Kinase and Activation of p38 MAPK Are Two Critical Events Leading to Caspase-8- and Mitochondria-mediated Cell Death in Phytosphingosine-treated Human Cancer Cells*

We previously demonstrated that the phytosphingosine-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the concomitant induction of both the caspase-8-mediated and mitochondrial activation-mediated apoptosis pathways. In the present study, we investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the activation of these two distinct cell death pathways induced by phytosphingosine in human cancer cells. Phytosphingosine caused strong induction of caspase-8 activity and caspase-independent Bax translocation to the mitochondria. A rapid decrease of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and a marked increase of p38 MAPK phosphorylation were observed within 10 min after phytosphingosine treatment. Activation of ERK1/2 by pretreatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or forced expression of ERK1/2 attenuated phytosphingosine-induced caspase-8 activation. However, Bax translocation and caspase-9 activation was unaffected, indicating that down-regulation of the ERK activity is specifically required for the phytosphingosine-induced caspase-8-dependent cell death pathway. On the other hand, treatment with SB203580, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor, or expression of a dominant negative form of p38 MAPK suppressed phytosphingosine-induced translocation of the proapoptotic protein, Bax, from the cytosol to mitochondria, cytochrome c release, and subsequent caspase-9 activation but did not affect caspase-8 activation, indicating that activation of p38 MAPK is involved in the mitochondrial activation-mediated cell death pathway. Our results suggest that phytosphingosine can utilize two different MAPK signaling pathways for amplifying the apoptosis cascade, enhancing the understanding of the molecular mechanisms utilized by naturally occurring metabolites to regulate cell death. Molecular dissection of the signaling pathways that activate the apoptotic cell death machinery is critical for both our understanding of cell death events and development of cancer therapeutic agents.
Expression of Erk5 in Early Stage Breast Cancer and Association with Disease Free Survival Identifies this Kinase as a Potential Therapeutic Target

Background Breast cancer is the most common neoplasia in women. Even though advances in its treatment have improved disease outcome, some patients relapse. Therefore, attempts to better define the molecular determinants that drive breast cancer cell proliferation may help in defining potential therapeutic targets. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) play important roles in tumorigenesis. One of them, Erk5, has been linked to the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. Here we have investigated the expression and prognostic value of Erk5 in human breast cancer. Methodology/Principal Findings Animal and cellular models were used to study Erk5 expression and function in breast cancer. In 84 human breast tumours the expression of Erk5 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Active Erk5 (pErk5) was studied by Western blotting. Correlation of Erk5 with clinicopathological parameters and with disease-free survival in early stage breast cancer patients was analyzed. Expression of Erk5 was detected in most patients, and overexpression was found in 20%. Active Erk5 was present in a substantial number of samples, as well as in tumours from an animal breast cancer model. Overexpression of Erk5 was associated with a decrease in disease-free survival time, which was independent of other clinicopathological parameters of prognosis. Transient transfection of a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Erk5, and a stable cell line expressing a dominant negative form of Erk5 (Erk5AEF), were used to investigate the influence of Erk5 on drugs used in the clinic to treat breast tumours. We found that inhibition of Erk5 decreased cancer cell proliferation and also sensitized these cells to the action of anti-HER2 therapies. Conclusions/Significance Overexpression of Erk5 is an independent predictor of disease-free survival in breast cancer, and may represent a future therapeutic target.
Aggressive behaviour in early elementary school children: relations to authoritarian parenting, children’s negative emotionality and coping strategies

This study examined whether authoritarian parenting, children’s negative emotionality and negative coping strategies independently or jointly predict children’s aggressive behaviour at school. Participants included the teachers and mothers of 185 Hong Kong resident Chinese children (90 girls and 95 boys), aged 6–8. Teachers rated the children’s aggressive behaviour at school, and mothers reported how often they adopted an authoritarian parenting style and rated the children’s negative emotionality and coping strategies. A model predicting children’s aggressive behaviour with maternal authoritarian parenting and children’s negative emotionality affecting children’s aggressive behaviour at school through the mediating effect of children’s negative coping strategies was examined. Mother’s adoption of authoritarian parenting was not related to their perception of the children’s negative emotionality. Neither authoritarian parenting nor negative emotionality alone predicted children’s aggressive behaviour at school. The mediation model was supported. The results imply that school personnel should take children’s emotionality into consideration when offering training programmes on emotion coping strategies for children.