Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging in diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis.

AIM To investigate the value of Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging in the differential diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis. METHODS The study included 4 normal subjects as the negative controls, 2 patients with acute prostatitis or cystourethritis as the positive controls and 59 patients diagnosed as chronic bacterial prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome by traditional laboratory tests. In every subject, the single photon emission computerized tomography images were obtained 3 h after intravenous injection of Tc-99m Ciprofloxacin. The results of the imaging were compared with those of laboratory tests. RESULTS On the images, negative uptake was observed in all normal subjects, while strong hot uptake, in the whole prostate of acute prostatitis patients and in the whole urethra of acute cystourethritis patients. In 13 (68%) of 19 patients categorized as chronic bacterial prostatitis by standard laboratory tests, hot uptake with less intensity than that of acute prostatitis was observed in the prostate area around the prostatic urethra. Negative uptake in the prostate was observed in 6 of 19 patients (32%) categorized as chronic bacterial prostatitis. Interestingly, hot uptake in the prostate was exhibited in 28 (70%) of the 40 patients categorized as chronic pelvic pain syndrome. CONCLUSION Tc-99m ciprofloxacin imaging is helpful in the differential diagnosis of prostatitis syndrome.
The boomerang effect: How nurses’ regulation of patients’ affect associates with their own emotional exhaustion and affective experiences.

Recent research has shown that the intentional regulation of others’ affect has effects not only on the target (e.g., a patient) of the regulation, but also on the agent (e.g., a nurse). In particular, the use of intentional interpersonal affect regulation strategies has been found to predict employees’ emotional exhaustion (EEx). Use of affect-worsening strategies is associated with an increase in EEx, whereas the effect of using affect-improving strategies is less clear. Another relevant consequence of interpersonal affect regulation is its effect on affective experiences, which is one of the main determinants of job attitudes. This study tests the relationships between the interpersonal affect regulation strategies that nurses use to regulate their patients’ affect and the nurses’ EEx and affective experiences. A longitudinal 2-wave field study was conducted in sample of nurses. Participants completed a questionnaire on 2 different occasions, 2 months apart (Time 1 [T1], Time 2 [T2]). Of the 141 participants at T1, 103 also completed the survey at T2. Longitudinal hierarchical regression analyses showed that using affect-worsening strategies was a significant predictor of nurse’s EEx, whereas using affect-improving strategies did not significantly predict their EEx. For affective experiences, use of affect-worsening strategies was related to nurses experiencing low-activation negative affect (e.g., feeling depressed); whereas affect-improving strategies was related to them experiencing low-activation positive affect (e.g., feeling calm). Results support the view that intentional regulation of patients’ affect needs to be considered not only in relation to the patients’ perception of service quality but also from the perspective of nurses’ well-being.
Query Processing in Spatial-Query-by-Sketch

Abstract Spatial-Query-by-Sketch is the design of a query language for geographic information systems. It allows a user to formulate a spatial query by drawing the desired configuration with a pen on a touch-sensitive computer screen and translates this sketch into a symbolic representation that can be processed against a geographic database. Since the configurations queried usually do not match exactly the sketch, it is necessary to relax the spatial constraints drawn. This paper describes the representation of a sketch and outlines the design of the constraint relaxation methods used during query processing.
Harnessing Internet topological stability in Thorup-Zwick compact routing

Thorup-Zwick (TZ) compact routing guarantees sublinear state growth with the size of the network by routing via landmarks and incurring some path stretch. It uses a pseudo-random landmark selection designed for static graphs, and unsuitable for Internet routing. We propose a landmark selection algorithm for the Internet AS graph that uses k-shells decomposition to choose landmarks. Using snapshots of the AS graph from 1997-2010, we demonstrate that the ASes in the kmax-shell are highly-stable over time, and form a sufficient landmark set for TZ routing in the overwhelming majority of cases (in the remainder, adding the next k-shell suffices). We evaluate path stretch and forwarding table sizes, and show that these landmark sets retain low average path stretch with tiny forwarding tables, but are better suited to the dynamic nature of the AS graph than the original TZ landmark selection algorithm.
An ageing world and the challenges for a model of sustainable social change

Purpose – Although the world is rapidly ageing, the alarming explosion of youth unemployment seems to have removed the workforce ageing issue as a priority from the policy agenda. The purpose of this paper is to test and investigate the main needs and willingness to work among the older population, as well as the main advantages for organizations employing older workers. Design/methodology/approach – The main research objectives were: first, to explore the effect of demographic and socio-economic predictors on an older person’s intention to work; and second, to focus on the main advantages that should induce organizations to retain older workers in their workplace. The paper is based on a survey and an interdisciplinary review of the literature. Findings – The study indicated that educational level led to improved active behaviours in the labour market. In other words, people who obtained a higher level of education showed a greater likelihood to desire a prolongation of working life, while lower educatio.
Sustained expansion of NKT cells and antigen-specific T cells after injection of α-galactosyl-ceramide loaded mature dendritic cells in cancer patients

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are distinct glycolipid reactive innate lymphocytes that are implicated in the resistance to pathogens and tumors. Earlier attempts to mobilize NKT cells, specifically, in vivo in humans met with limited success. Here, we evaluated intravenous injection of monocyte-derived mature DCs that were loaded with a synthetic NKT cell ligand, α-galactosyl-ceramide (α-GalCer; KRN-7000) in five patients who had advanced cancer. Injection of α-GalCer–pulsed, but not unpulsed, dendritic cells (DCs) led to >100-fold expansion of several subsets of NKT cells in all patients; these could be detected for up to 6 mo after vaccination. NKT activation was associated with an increase in serum levels of interleukin-12 p40 and IFN-γ inducible protein-10. In addition, there was an increase in memory CD8+ T cells specific for cytomegalovirus in vivo in response to α-GalCer–loaded DCs, but not unpulsed DCs. These data demonstrate the feasibility of sustained expansion of NKT cells in vivo in humans, including patients who have advanced cancer, and suggest that NKT activation might help to boost adaptive T cell immunity in vivo.
Circadian-disruption-induced gene expression changes in rodent mammary tissues

Evidence is mounting that circadian disruption (CD) is a potential carcinogen in breast cancer development. However, despite the growing concern, to our knowledge, no studies have attempted a genome-wide analysis of CD-induced gene expression changes in mammary tissues. Using a rodent model system, a proven photoperiod-shifting paradigm, varying degrees of CD, and Illumina sequencing, we performed an exploratory genome-wide mRNA analysis in mammary tissues. Even though our analysis did not identify any significant patterns in mRNA levels based on the degree of CD, and the majority of groups did not show changes in gene expression on a large-scale, one group (two-week chronic ZT19) displayed 196 differentially expressed genes, 51 of which have been linked to breast cancer. Through gene-specific pathway analysis, the data illustrate that CD may promote breast cancer development through downregulation of DNA repair and p53 signaling pathways, thus promoting genomic instability and cancer development. Although these results have to be interpreted with caution because only a single group illustrated drastic changes in transcript levels, they indicate that chronic CD may directly induce changes in gene expression on a large-scale with potentially malignant consequences.
STRATEGIES IN EXPRESSING THANKING IN ENGLISH REALIZED BY INDONESIAN LEARNERS

This study describes the gratitude strategies realized by Indonesian EFL learners in responding to different situations. Data were collected from 17 undergraduate students of English Department of Education Faculty of Atmajaya Catholic University Jakarta by using (O’Keeffe et.al, 2011) Discourse Completion Tasks. This study revealed that the gratitude strategies employed by the participants of this study ranged from simple, brief thankings to lenghty, complex thankings. All participants produced mixed speect act sets of thanking in the following conditions: a) social status (between a vice-president and a newly hired personnel, b) indebtedness (because of money loan and meal treat), and c) breaking promise. On the other hand, in informal contexts, such as between friends and the setting of public area, the participants tended to use simple or brief thanking.
Engendering Autism: Gender and Sensory Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by a gender ratio skewed heavily towards males. To effectively address this discrepancy, the nature of sex and gender differences in ASD is examined. Sex and gender differences are distinguished with multidisciplinary references. A theoretical and definitional groundwork takes into consideration the dynamic and multi-levelled nature of developmental influences. Establishing distinctions between sex and gender while recognizing their interrelatedness aids in clarifying the specific nature of these influences; genetics and the environment are similarly conceptualized. Through this lens, Extreme Male Brain Theory (Baron-Cohen, 2009), is critically examined. Baron-Cohen’s theory, while containing some merit, requires further revision keeping in mind the many influences upon development as well as distinctions between gender and sex. New directions are proposed for research into gender and sex differences in ASD, with the identification of sensory processing as a promising avenue.
For Personal Use. Mass Reproduce Only with Permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. for Personal Use. Mass Reproduce Only with Permission from Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Homocysteine Level and Coronary Heart Disease Incidence: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an elevated homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) to aid the US Preventive Services Task Force in its evaluation of novel risk factors for incident CHD. METHODS: Studies of homocysteine and CHD were identified by searching MEDLINE (1966 through March 2006). We obtained additional articles by reviewing reference lists from prior reviews, original studies, editorials, and Web sites and by consulting experts. We included prospective cohort studies that measured homocysteine and Framingham risk factors and the incidence of CHD in the general adult population without known CHD. Each study was quality rated using criteria developed by the US Preventive Services Task Force. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to determine summary estimates of the risk of major CHD associated with each 5-µ µ µ µ µmol/L increase in homocys-teine level. The systematic review and meta-analysis were con-RESULTS: We identified 26 articles of good or fair quality. Most studies found elevations of 20% to 50% in CHD risk for each increase of 5 µ µ µ µ µmol/L in homocysteine level. Meta-analysis yielded a combined risk ratio for coronary events of 1.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.26) for each increase of 5 µ µ µ µ µmol/L in homocys-teine level. The association between homocysteine and CHD was similar when analyzed by sex, length of follow-up, outcome, study quality, and study design. CONCLUSION: Each increase of 5 µ µ µ µ µmol/L in homocysteine level increases the risk of CHD events by approximately 20%, independently of traditional CHD risk factors. For editorial comment, see page 1200 C oronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are the leading causes of death each year in the United States and Europe, accounting for nearly 40% of all deaths. 1 Several important risk factors are recognized and have been formally encompassed in the Framingham risk prediction tool. 2,3 Although traditional risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are thought to explain most CHD, 2,4,5 15% to 20% of those with CHD have no identified risk factors and miss the opportunity for primary prevention. 5 For this reason, epidemiologists and biologists have tried to identify other risk factors, particularly modifiable risk factors, that predict a portion of CHD events and might improve primary prevention efforts. Elevated plasma homocysteine level is a suggested and biologically plausible candidate. Interest in homocysteine …
Tilings of Binary Spaces

We study partitions of the space $\F{n}$ of all the binary $n$-tuples into disjoint sets, where each set is an additive coset of a given set $V$. Such a partition is called a tiling of $\F{n}$ and denoted $(V,A)$, where $A$ is the set of coset representatives. We give a sufficient condition for a set $V$ to be a tile in terms of the cardinality of $V\! +\! V$. We then employ this condition to classify all tilings with sets of small cardinality. Further, periodicity of tilings in $\F{n}$ is discussed, and a simple construction of nonperiodic tilings of $\F{n}$ is presented for all $n \ge 6$. It is also shown that the nonperiodic tiling of $\F{6}$ is unique. A tiling $(V,A)$ is said to be proper if $V$ generates $\F{n}$; it is said to be full rank if both $V$ and $A$ generate $\F{n}$. We show that, in general, the classification of tilings can be reduced to the study of proper tilings. We then prove that any %proper tiling may be decomposed into smaller tilings that are either trivial or have full rank. Existence of full-rank tilings is exhibited by showing that each tiling is uniquely associated with a perfect binary code. Moreover, it is shown that periodic full-rank tilings may be further decomposed into smaller tilings, and then the existence of nonperiodic full-rank tilings is deduced. Finally, we generalize the well-known Lloyd theorem, originally stated for tilings by spheres, for the case of arbitrary tilings.
Oestrogenic activity of benzylparaben

Previous work has demonstrated that the alkyl esters of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (parabens) possess oestrogenic activity, which increases with length of alkyl chain from methylparaben to n‐butylparaben and with branching in the alkyl chain from n‐butylparaben to isobutylparaben. This study reports on the oestrogenic activity of benzylparaben in a variety of assays in vitro and in vivo. Benzylparaben was able to displace [3H]oestradiol from cytosolic oestrogen receptor (ER) of MCF7 human breast cancer cells by 22% at 1000‐fold molar excess, by 40% at 10 000‐fold molar excess, by 57% at 100 000‐fold molar excess and by 100% at 1 000 000‐fold molar excess. It was able to increase expression of a stably transfected oestrogen responsive reporter gene (ERE‐CAT) in MCF7 cells after 24 h at 10−5M/10−4M and after 7 days at 10−6M/10−5M/10−4M. Proliferation of MCF7 cells could be increased by 10−6M/10−5M benzylparaben and this could be inhibited by 10−7M pure anti‐oestrogen ICI 182,780, indicating that growth effects were ER mediated. Further evidence for ER‐mediation was provided from the ability of benzylparaben to increase the growth of a second oestrogen‐dependent human breast cancer cell line ZR‐75‐1, but not the oestrogen‐insensitive MDA‐MB‐231 cell line. When tested in the presence of 10−10M 17β‐oestradiol, benzylparaben gave no antagonist response on the growth of either MCF7 or ZR‐75‐1 cells. Finally, benzylparaben could increase uterine weight in the immature mouse following topical application of three daily doses of 33 mg to dorsal skin. These results demonstrate that the oestrogenicity of methylparaben can be increased by the addition of an aryl group as well as by lengthening or branching the alkyl grouping. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of supercritical CO2‐aided and conventional melt extrusion for enhancing the dissolution rate of an active pharmaceutical ingredient

Dispersing at the molecular level a drug in a polymer matrix is a major challenge to be addressed by the pharmaceutical industry to enhance its bioavailability or to control its release. Melt extrusion and supercritical CO2-aided melt extrusion of solid pharmaceutical formulations were performed to enhance the dissolution rate of carvedilol, taken as a model of poorly soluble drug. The presence of the drug improved the processability of the polyacrylate matrix (Eudragit E) through its plasticizing effect. The supercritical method was found gentle compared with melt extrusion owing to the shorter residence time and lower processing temperature and melt viscosity. No traces of decomposition of the drug could be detected after the supercritical extrusion process based on capillary electrophoresis results. This extrusion process resulted in effective homogenization of the components and amorphization of the drug according to Raman mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and polarized light microscopy. The kinetics of dissolution can be dramatically improved. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Wrong Man for the Job: Biased Beliefs and Job Mismatching

In this paper we build a theoretical model to show the role of self-confidence in leading to inefficient job matching equilibria: underconfident highly-qualified workers do not apply for highly-skilled jobs, because mistakenly perceive themselves as having relatively lower abilities with respect to other candidates, and firms are no longer selecting their workers from a pool containing the best fitted ones. Policies to foster underconfident workers to apply for highly-skilled jobs cannot easily be implemented, because under-confidence is not an observable characteristic, and any attempt to elicit this information from workers can be easily manipulated. However, if gender is correlated with this psychological bias, and there more underconfident female workers than male workers, a second best policy based on gender affirmative action may enhance the efficiency of matching in the job market. We show that increasing the gender diversity of the qualified applicants by imposing an affirmative action may positively affect the selection of candidates because it increases the average quality of the pool of candidates for high-qualified jobs.
False Tendon‐Related Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

A 39‐year‐old woman showed nonsustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) during light physical activity. Cardiac multidetector row computed tomography demonstrated false tendons, one of which proved to be the focus triggering premature ventricular contraction (PVC) in electrophysiological studies. The triggered PVC arose during the diastolic period, which might have caused tension in the false tendon. Radiofrequency catheter ablation targeting the triggered PVC by pace mapping was performed and proved partially effective against PVT. (PACE 2012;35:e341–e344)
Multimodal turn allocation in ESL peer group discussions

ABSTRACT This article reports on multimodal practices used by English as a Second Language students as they work to distribute primary speakership within their peer group discussions. Following Goodwin’s participation framework, the focus is on the embodied conducts of the non-talking recipients and their nonvocal displays of emerging speakership in peer discussions. Analyses of the non-primary speakers’ gaze, gestures, touch, and bodily conduct show that the students’ turn allocation practices embody their sensitivity to the spatial and visual field of co-participants, project changing participation frameworks, and achieve incremental coordination of speaker nomination. Explorations of such nonvocal behaviors lead to a detailed understanding of the students’ embodied participation frameworks and the visible processes through which the students claim or avoid speakership during peer group discussions.
Use of Physical Restraints in a Rehabilitation Setting: Findings from a Point Prevalence Survey

A point prevalence survey among 125 patients in two units of a rehabilitation facility showed that the physical restraint rate was 12.8% (n=16). The survey examined the reason(s) for restraint use, whether its use had been explained, consent obtained and documented, whether the restraint had been appropriately applied and patients monitored during the period when restraint was applied, and whether alternatives had been attempted. Interestingly, six patients were found to have had their restraints removed either before or after the survey. A slightly less restrictive form of restraint, boxing gloves, was used for seven patients instead of limbs holders. Three patients remained restrained. The results of this study revealed that there was room for improvement in practice of restraints, and that measures to reduce the use of restraints were not necessarily very costly. Applying physical restraints is counter-productive to rehabilitative care. Nurses and other health disciplines need to be better informed regarding restraint reduction programs.
A Grammatical Approach to Automatic Improvisation

We describe an approach to the automatic generation of convincing jazz melodies using probabilistic grammars. Uses of this approach include a software tool for assisting a soloist in the creation of a jazz solo over chord progressions. The method also shows promise as a means of automatically improvising complete solos in real-time. Our approach has been implemented and demonstrated in a free software tool. Keywords— jazz, improvisation, educational software, probabilistic context-free grammar, melody generator. I. INTRODUCTION