Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced growth hormone (GH) responsiveness to GH‐releasing hormone after dietary restriction in patients with Cushing's syndrome

In patients with Cushing's syndrome, decreased growth hormone (GH) secretion is observed although the basic mechanism is not yet understood. A short‐term hypocaloric diet is known to increase both spontaneous and GHRH‐stimulated GH secretion in normal subjects. In order to gain further insight into the altered GH secretion in patients with Cushing's syndrome, we assessed the effect of a short‐term hypocaloric diet on GH responses to GHRH in these patients.
The Characteristics of Obsessive‐Compulsive Experience

Background: It has traditionally been held that the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) must be experienced as senseless, and be resisted, by the patient. Stern and Cobb's (1978) investigation suggested that not all OCD symptoms exhibit these features, and also examined reassurance-seeking among OCD patients. The present study examines these same aspects of OCD, and also investigates whether OCD symptoms are ‘multidimensional’ (Kendler et al., 1983). Method: Fifty-five OCD patients rated their symptoms in terms of 16 characteristics. Eleven of these characteristics were included in a study by Garety and Hemsley (1987), five were introduced specifically for the present study. Results: The findings of the present investigation broadly support those of Stern and Cobbs, and indicate OCD symptoms to be ‘multidimensional phenomena’. Contrasts between the characteristics of obsessive-compulsive experience, on the one hand, and delusional experience (Garety and Hemsley, 1987), on the other, are noted. Conclusions: Like Stern and Cobb's investigation, the present study calls into question traditional accounts of the definition of OCD.
Eight Issues for Learning Scientists About Education and the Economy

Linking research to a compelling societal interest can build financial commitments to research, bring increased attention to findings, and grow support for scaling up impacts. Among many compelling societal interests that learning scientists can cite—such as increasing the quality of life, preparing citizens to make decisions in a complex world, and enhancing social cohesion among a diverse population—economic competitiveness is a compelling societal interest that resonates broadly among stakeholders. Indeed, it is now somewhat common to introduce learning sciences research, as in the Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences and the U.S. National Education Technology Plan, by citing economic rationales. Despite the utility of evoking a potential link between learning research and economic competitiveness in the minds of broader audiences, learning scientists engage in rather little critical discussion of whether such links are meaningful and empirically sound within their own programs of research. This article seeks both to problematize conventional wisdom about links between learning sciences research and economic growth and to suggest possible directions for future research aimed at discovering stronger links. Because the issues are complex, we do not reach firm conclusions. Rather, this article seeks to spark a discussion within the field.
Early child care and early child development: Major findings of the NICHD study of early child care

The changing landscape of maternal employment in the USA has led to more and more children at younger and younger ages experiencing routine, non-maternal care. Great debate about the effects of day care beginning very early in life led to the launch of a major study in the USA, following more than 1000 children from birth. Study findings through the start of school are summarized. These highlight the fact that good quality child care and exposure to centre-based care predict somewhat advanced cognitive-linguistic functioning, but that lots of time spent in any kind of care (irrespective of its quality) and greater exposure to centre-based care are related to elevated—but not clinical—levels of externalizing problem behaviour. Clearly, risks and benefits are associated with early child care, at least as routinely experienced in the USA. It is critically important to distinguish distinctive aspects of the child-care experience (i.e., quality, quantity, type) in order to understand its complex effect on child development.
Paired kidney analysis of tacrolimus and cyclosporine microemulsion‐based therapy in Chinese cadaveric renal transplant recipients

Few studies used paired kidneys for comparison between tacrolimus and cyclosporine in renal transplantation. Most of the published data used whole blood trough levels for drug monitoring. However, the use of limited sampling strategy and abbreviated formula to estimate the 12‐h area under concentration–time curve (AUC0−12) allowed better prediction of drug exposure. Sixty‐six first cadaveric renal transplant recipients receiving paired kidneys were randomized to receive either tacrolimus‐based (n = 33) or cyclosporine microemulsion (Neoral)‐based therapies (n = 33). Abbreviated AUC0−12 was used for drug monitoring and dose titration. Mean follow‐up duration was 2.8 ± 2 years. The patient and graft survival were comparable. Fewer incidence of acute rejection was observed in tacrolimus group (15% vs. 27.3%) though the difference was not significant (P = 0.23). The absolute value and the rate of decline of creatinine clearance were both significantly better in tacrolimus‐treated patients. Prevalence of hypertension, post‐transplant diabetes mellitus, infection, and malignancy were similar in both groups. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (11/33 vs. 4/33) and gum hypertrophy (6/33 vs. 1/33) was more common in cyclosporine‐treated patients (P = 0.04 in both parameters). This was the first prospective, randomized study with paired kidney analysis showing the renal function was significantly better in tacrolimus‐treated patients than in cyclosporine‐treated patients.
Existence, Stability, and Dynamics of Ring and Near-Ring Solutions to the Saturated Gierer-Meinhardt Model in the Semistrong Regime

We analyze a singularly perturbed reaction-diffusion system in the semistrong diffusion regime in two spatial dimensions where an activator species is localized to a closed curve, while the inhibitor species exhibits long-range behavior over the domain. In the limit of small activator diffusivity, we derive a new moving boundary problem characterizing the slow time evolution of the curve, which is defined in terms of a quasi-steady state inhibitor diffusion field and its properties on the curve. Numerical results from this curve evolution problem are illustrated for the Gierer--Meinhardt model with saturation (GMS) in the activator kinetics. A detailed analysis of the existence, stability, and dynamics of ring and near-ring solutions for the GMS model is given, whereby the activator concentrates on a thin ring concentric within a circular domain. A key new result for this ring geometry is that by including activator saturation there is a qualitative change in the phase portrait of ring equilibria, in that.
Incidence of Dentinal Defects and Vertical Root Fractures after Endodontic Retreatment and Mechanical Cycling

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of dentinal defects and vertical root fractures (VRFs) after endodontic retreatment and mechanical cycling (MC). Methods and Materials: Two hundred mandibular premolars were selected. Forty teeth were left unprepared (control group). The remaining 160 root canals were prepared with ProTaper instruments and filled by using two different techniques [eighty with lateral compaction (LC) and eighty with single-cone (SC)]. Forty canals from each group (LC and SC) received no further treatment. The remaining eighty teeth were divided into two groups (LCR and SCR) (n=40) in order to undergo the removal of the root filling, re-preparation and refilling with lateral compaction and single-cone, respectively. All of the teeth were subjected to MC (1000000 cycles, 130 N, 2.2 Hz and 37°C). The roots were sectioned at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the apex and observed under 20× magnification. The defects were classified as: no defect, VRF and other defects. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher’s Exact test and the Chi-Squared tests (α=0.05). Results: MC alone did not promote any other defects or VRFs. Experimental groups presented higher dentinal defects than the control group (P=0.021). Retreatment groups did not present a higher amount of dentinal defects than the groups that were subjected to the first treatment (P>0.05). Conclusion: Endodontic treatment and retreatment, regardless of the filling technique and MC, did not influence the occurrence of dentinal defects or VRFs in the human premolars.
Robust Denoising using Feature and Color Information

We propose a method that robustly combines color and feature buffers to denoise Monte Carlo renderings. On one hand, feature buffers, such as per pixel normals, textures, or depth, are effective in determining denoising filters because features are highly correlated with rendered images. Filters based solely on features, however, are prone to blurring image details that are not well represented by the features. On the other hand, color buffers represent all details, but they may be less effective to determine filters because they are contaminated by the noise that is supposed to be removed. We propose to obtain filters using a combination of color and feature buffers in an NL‐means and cross‐bilateral filtering framework. We determine a robust weighting of colors and features using a SURE‐based error estimate. We show significant improvements in subjective and quantitative errors compared to the previous state‐of‐theart. We also demonstrate adaptive sampling and space‐time filtering for animations.
Triangular M/G/1-Type and Tree-Like Quasi-Birth-Death Markov Chains

In applying matrix-analytic methods to M/G/1-type and tree-like quasi-birth-death (QBD) Markov chains, it is crucial to determine the solution to a (set of) nonlinear matrix equation(s). This is usually done via iterative methods. We consider the highly structured subclass of triangular M/G/1-type and tree-like QBD Markov chains that allows for an efficient direct solution of the matrix equation.
The digital traces of bubbles: feedback cycles between socio-economic signals in the Bitcoin economy

What is the role of social interactions in the creation of price bubbles? Answering this question requires obtaining collective behavioural traces generated by the activity of a large number of actors. Digital currencies offer a unique possibility to measure socio-economic signals from such digital traces. Here, we focus on Bitcoin, the most popular cryptocurrency. Bitcoin has experienced periods of rapid increase in exchange rates (price) followed by sharp decline; we hypothesize that these fluctuations are largely driven by the interplay between different social phenomena. We thus quantify four socio-economic signals about Bitcoin from large datasets: price on online exchanges, volume of word-of-mouth communication in online social media, volume of information search and user base growth. By using vector autoregression, we identify two positive feedback loops that lead to price bubbles in the absence of exogenous stimuli: one driven by word of mouth, and the other by new Bitcoin adopters. We also observe that spikes in information search, presumably linked to external events, precede drastic price declines. Understanding the interplay between the socio-economic signals we measured can lead to applications beyond cryptocurrencies to other phenomena that leave digital footprints, such as online social network usage.
Using Hypnosis to Improve Performance of College Basketball Players

This study examined, after discussion with the two coaches, whether hypnosis would improve shooting performance of a group of college basketball players and compared them with a control group of basketball players. Throughout one basketball season 12 male and 12 female basketball players were interviewed prior to individual and group sessions with hypnosis. The athletes' shooting scores were compared with those of the previous basketball season. The hypnosis groups showed higher cumulative scores for shooting than players in the control group.
Plasmid- and Chromosome-Encoded Redundant and Specific Functions Are Involved in Biosynthesis of the Siderophore Anguibactin in Vibrio anguillarum 775: a Case of Chance and Necessity?

ABSTRACT We report the identification of a novel chromosome cluster of genes in Vibrio anguillarum 775 that includes redundant functional homologues of the pJM1 plasmid-harbored genes angE and angC that are involved in anguibactin biosynthesis. We also identified in this cluster a chromosomal angA gene that is essential in anguibactin biosynthesis.
An Exploratory Study of Premature Termination in Child Analysis

Dropping out of psychotherapy among children and adolescent is a significant problem affecting 40–60 percent of the cases receiving outpatient care. Many factors have been investigated as possibly contributing to premature termination, but most of the findings were found to be inconsistent and contradictory throughout the literature. The present study is about premature termination in child analysis and includes an audit of the closed files from the period 1999–2003 at the Anna Freud Centre, London, and a qualitative study of five cases that were terminated prematurely. The audit confirmed that the rate of dropout from therapy, when understood to be an ending which is not agreed by all parties, at whatever stage this may be in the treatment-is around 60%. The audit also suggested that there are differences between cases that terminate prematurely or by mutual agreement in relation to gender and average length of therapy, but not in several other respects. The second part of this study, based on a thematic analysis of initial family interviews, discovered a set of themes characteristic of the assessment phase of work with families who were later to withdraw from treatment prematurely. These themes related to the parents' motivations for entering into therapy, their expectations about treatment, both in terms of its process and outcome, as well as their ability to think about feelings.
The Effects of Frequency, Repetition and Stimulus Quality in Visual Word Recognition

This paper describes a lexical decision experiment, which examined the relation between word frequency, repetition and stimulus quality. In contrast to earlier studies (Stanners, Jastrzembski and Westbrook, 1975; Becker and Killion, 1977), frequency and stimulus quality were found to interact. The implications of this result for models of word recognition are discussed within the framework of Becker's verification model.
The value of forceps biopsy and core needle biopsy in prediction of pathologic complete remission in locally advanced rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Patients with pathological complete remission (pCR) after treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) have better long-term outcome and may receive conservative treatments in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). The study aimed to evaluate the value of forceps biopsy and core needle biopsy in prediction of pCR in LARC treated with nCRT. In total, 120patients entered this study. Sixty-one consecutive patients received preoperative forceps biopsy during endoscopic examination. Ex vivo core needle biopsy was performed in resected specimens of another 43 consecutive patients. The accuracy for ex vivo core needle biopsy was significantly higher than forceps biopsy (76.7% vs. 36.1%; p < 0.001). The sensitivity for ex vivo core needle biopsy was significantly lower in good responder (TRG 3) than poor responder (TRG ≤ 2) (52.9% vs. 94.1%; p = 0.017). In vivo core needle biopsy was further performed in 16 patients with good response. Eleven patients had residual cancer cells in final resected specimens, among whom 4 (36.4%) patients were biopsy positive. In conclusion, routine forceps biopsy was of limited value in identifying pCR after nCRT. Although core needle biopsy might further identify a subset of patients with residual cancer cells, the accuracy was not substantially increased in good responders.
Effects of altering the sequence of midazolam and propofol during co-induction of anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of varying the sequence of midazolam and propofol administration on the quality of induction, cardiorespiratory parameters and propofol requirements in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, controlled, clinical study. ANIMALS Thirty-three client owned dogs (ASA I-III, 0.5-10 years, 5-30 kg). METHODS Dogs were premedicated with acepromazine (0.02 mg kg(-1) ) and morphine (0.4 mg kg(-1) ) intramuscularly. After 30 minutes, group midazolam-propofol (MP) received midazolam (0.25 mg kg(-1) ) intravenously (IV) before propofol (1 mg kg(-1) ) IV, group propofol-midazolam (PM) received propofol before midazolam IV at the same doses, and control group (CP) received saline IV, instead of midazolam, before propofol. Supplementary boluses of propofol (0.5 mg kg(-1) ) were administered to effect to all groups until orotracheal intubation was completed. Behaviour after midazolam administration, quality of sedation and induction, and ease of intubation were scored. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, and systolic arterial blood pressure were recorded before premedication, post-premedication, after midazolam or saline administration, and at 0, 2, 5, and 10 minutes post-intubation. End-tidal CO2 and arterial oxygen haemoglobin saturation were recorded at 2, 5 and 10 minutes post-intubation. RESULTS Quality of sedation and induction, and ease of intubation were similar in all groups. Incidence of excitement was higher in the MP compared to CP (p = 0.014) and PM (p = 0.026) groups. Propofol requirements were decreased in MP and PM groups with respect to CP (p < 0.001), and in PM compared to MP (p = 0.022). The HR decreased after premedication in all groups, and increased after midazolam and subsequent times in MP (p = 0.019) and PM (p = 0.001) groups. Incidence of apnoea and paddling was higher in CP (p = 0.005) and MP (p = 0.031) groups than in PM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Administration of midazolam before propofol reduced propofol requirements although caused mild excitement in some dogs. Administration of propofol before midazolam resulted in less excitatory phenomena and greater reduction of propofol requirements.
A Status Based Motivation for Behavioural Altruism

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the question of how far costly transfers of economic benefits to others, often understood in economics as instances of (behavioural) altruism, can be motivated by individual group status concerns, i.e. without the common reference to other-regarding preferences. Design/methodology/approach - Results from both economics and social psychology are reviewed and spliced together so as to obtain a more comprehensive picture of group status-based aspects of behavioural altruism. A more formal argument is provided in order to highlight specific effects. Applications (e.g. migration and workforce motivation) are discussed to support the argument and to illustrate its practical relevance. Findings - The reviewed literature indeed supports the argument that individuals care about the status of the groups they belong to and are willing to trade this against economic benefits. Accordingly, certain altruistic acts can be motivated by the individual's (selfish) concern for group status. However, the effect apparently depends on the degree of the individual's identification with the respective group which opens ways to influence its strength. Practical implications - The argument may help policy makers, chief executive officers, and people in similar positions who have to design decision environments, i.e. institutions, in a way that motivates the eventual decision makers to transfer economic benefits (e.g. donations, taxes, effort, …) to the respective institution. Originality/value - The paper adds to the discussion about the driving forces behind altruistic behaviour. In particular, it points out the potential importance of group status concerns in connection with aspects of social identity for individual decisions to transfer economic benefits to others. The relevance of the effect in view of the design of institutions is discussed.
Thermally assisted switching in exchange-biased storage layer magnetic tunnel junctions

A thermally assisted writing procedure is proposed in a tunnel junction based magnetic random access memory cell. The magnetic layers of the tunnel junction are both exchange-biased with antiferromagnetic layers, the reference layer having a much higher blocking temperature than the storage layer. In the operating mode, a current pulse sent through the junction generates enough heat to raise the temperature of the storage layer above its blocking temperature, without affecting the pinning of the reference layer. The concept is demonstrated here for an isolated junction using an homogeneous external magnetic field.
Developing Scientific Communities in Classrooms: A Sociocognitive Approach

The focus of this research is the role and value of scaffolding student discussions in advancing students' ability to co-construct theories and models from data they have collected while investigating floating and sinking. Three principles, derived from a sociocognitive perspective on science teaching and learning, undergird this instruction: (a) engaging students in reasoning practices in science, (b) offering explicit guidance on the roles students can assume to monitor their own and their peers' thinking, and (c) fostering a sophisticated epistemology of science by having students experience science as a process of revision. The participants were members of a Grade 314 split-level gifted class and a Grade 5 class in an urban district. Instruction occurred over a 10-week period, in which students worked in small-group and whole-class contexts to develop and refine explanations for floating and sinking. Pre- and postassessment data revealed changes in children's conceptual understanding, as well as chang.
The Measurement of Business Capital , Income and Performance

Even though it may be difficult empirically to estimate depreciation and hence to estimate net output as opposed to gross output, we nevertheless conclude that for welfare purposes, the net measure is to be preferred. Net measures of output are also known as income measures. In section 3, we study in some detail Samuelson’s (1961) discussion on alternative income concepts and how they might be implemented empirically. In particular, Samuelson (1961; 46) gives a nice geometric interpretation of Hicks’ (1939; 174) Income Number 3.