Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Alcohol or Delinquency Help Adolescents Feel Better Over Time? A Study on the Influence of Heavy Drinking and Violent/Property Offending on Negative Emotions

Conceptualizing adolescent drinking and delinquency as adaptations to strain, we explore whether they (a) decrease or increase the probability of feeling depression and anxiety later and (b) ameliorate or aggravate the effect of strain on the negative emotions over time. These relationships are also examined for gender differences by analyzing data separately for males and females as well as both combined. We conducted ordinary least squares regression analysis of panel data from the first two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Heavy drinking and serious delinquency were found to increase the probability of feeling depression and anxiety later, whereas they tend to ameliorate the emotionally deleterious effect of strain for males and, to a lesser extent, females.
The effect of a single and repeated administration of Corynebacterium parvum on bone marrow macrophage colony production in syngeneic tumor-bearing mice.

Administration of Corynebacterium parvum to tumor-bearing animals results in a greater augmentation of bone marrow macrophage colony production than do similar inoculations to non-tumor-bearing mice. Comparison of a single injection of C. parvum with one of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in tumor-bearing mice indicates that both agents can stimulate macrophage colony production, to a similar extent. A second inoculation of C. parvum was able to effect a significant augmentation in bone marrow macrophage production, whereas a similarly administered second inoculation of B. Calmette-Guerin failed to elicit such a response. The possible application of these results to elucidate an optimum therapeutic schedule for the use of immunopotentiators is discussed.
Phylogenetic analysis reveals positive correlations between adaptations to diverse hosts in a group of pathogen‐like herbivores

A jack of all trades can be master of none—this intuitive idea underlies most theoretical models of host‐use evolution in plant‐feeding insects, yet empirical support for trade‐offs in performance on distinct host plants is weak. Trade‐offs may influence the long‐term evolution of host use while being difficult to detect in extant populations, but host‐use evolution may also be driven by adaptations for generalism. Here we used host‐use data from insect collection records to parameterize a phylogenetic model of host‐use evolution in armored scale insects, a large family of plant‐feeding insects with a simple, pathogen‐like life history. We found that a model incorporating positive correlations between evolutionary changes in host performance best fit the observed patterns of diaspidid presence and absence on nearly all focal host taxa, suggesting that adaptations to particular hosts also enhance performance on other hosts. In contrast to the widely invoked trade‐off model, we advocate a “toolbox” model of host‐use evolution in which armored scale insects accumulate a set of independent genetic tools, each of which is under selection for a single function but may be useful on multiple hosts.
The validity of the German version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS‐D): a clinician‐rating for the differential assessment of the severity of mental disorders

The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) is an internationally‐established clinician‐rating instrument for the differential assessment of the severity of patients with mental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the German version of the HoNOS (HoNOS‐D). Evaluation of validity, including factor validity, convergent and discriminant validity and sensitivity to change, was conducted on a large, virtually representative, clinical sample of patients with mental disorders in inpatient psychotherapy (Study 1, N = 3169). Additional assessment of criterion‐based validity was completed using another clinical sample of patients with mental disorders (Study 2, N = 55). Although factor validity of the HoNOS‐D and its total score could not be confirmed as expected, the majority of single items of the HoNOS‐D proved to be valid in terms of convergent validity, criterion‐based validity and sensitivity to change. Hence, single items, rather than the total score of the HoNOS‐D, can be recommended for obtaining a picture of the impairment of patients with mental disorders in the clinical setting. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY DOES NOT AFFECT THE LIKELIHOOD OF PRESURGICAL LOCALIZATION IN ASYMPTOMATIC PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM.

OBJECTIVE Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was previously associated with larger adenoma size in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), but this topic was not addressed in patients with the mild/asymptomatic form of the disease (aPHPT). METHODS We retrospectively retrieved from our series of patients affected by PHPT, 96 consecutive subjects with aPHPT in whom 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels had been assayed and compared those results with localizing imaging studies. RESULTS Twenty-five of 96 patients had VDD (25OHD <20 ng/mL), but positive ultrasound and scintigraphic studies were not different between patients with and without VDD (52.3% versus 55.7% and 42.9% versus 52.4%, respectively). Upon logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for different variables, including the presence of goiter, VDD was not an independent predictor of localization by imaging studies. CONCLUSION VDD does not affect the likelihood of positive pre-operative imaging in aPHPT and the consequent surgical decisions.
Building a leadership brand.

How do some firms produce a pipeline of consistently excellent managers? Instead of concentrating merely on strengthening the skills of individuals, these companies focus on building a broad organizational leadership capability. It's what Ulrich and Smallwood--cofounders of the RBL Group, a leadership development consultancy--call a leadership brand. Organizations with leadership brands take an "outside-in" approach to executive development. They begin with a clear statement of what they want to be known for by customers and then link it with a required set of management skills. The Lexus division of Toyota, for instance, translates its tagline--"The pursuit of perfection"--into an expectation that its leaders excel at managing quality processes. The slogan of Bon Secours Health System is "Good help to those in need. " It demands that its managers balance business skills with compassion and caring. The outside-in approach helps firms build a reputation for high-quality leaders whom customers trust to deliver on the company's promises. In examining 150 companies with strong leadership capabilities, the authors found that the organizations follow five strategies. First, make sure managers master the basics of leadership--for example, setting strategy and grooming talent. Second, ensure that leaders internalize customers' high expectations. Third, incorporate customer feedback into evaluations of executives. Fourth, invest in programs that help managers hone the right skills, by tapping customers to participate in such programs. Finally, track the success of efforts to build leadership bench strength over the long-term. The result is outstanding management that persists even when individual executives leave. In fact, companies with the strongest leadership brands often become "leader feeders"--firms that regularly graduate leaders who go on to head other companies.
Occupational allergy from 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and other preservatives in plastic emulsions.

Two male employees in an industry producing plastic emulsions acquired contact dermatitis from preservatives. One was sensitized to both components in a preservative, i.e. 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and ethylene diamine. The other man acquired a contact allergy to 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and to another preservative, formaldehyde.
Serum Endothelial Cell–Specific Molecule 1 (Endocan) Levels in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Its Clinical Significance

Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the process of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), that is, the endothelial cell–specific molecule 1 (ESM-1; endocan) is a novel endothelial dysfunction marker. However, the relationship between patients with AMI and serum ESM-1 levels is not very clear. Patients with AMI (n = 216) and a control group (n = 60) without AMI were included in the study. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured, and the severity of AMI was assessed by a modified Gensini stenosis scoring system. Serum ESM-1 levels were significantly higher in the AMI group (P < .05). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were also significantly higher in the AMI group (P < .05). In patients with AMI, serum ESM-1 levels were not significantly correlated with hsCRP levels. There was no significant correlation between serum ESM-1 level and Gensini score. Our findings suggest that serum ESM-1 levels may be a novel biomarker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with AMI.
Perception of Control and Appraisal of Illness in Chronic Low Back Pain

People who experience chronic low back pain face significant changes in their lives, and it is unclear why some people adapt to the pain situation better than others. Using a cognitive appraisal model, outcomes of the pain situation were examined in 40 chronic low back pain patients using situational control and appraisal of illness as predicted mediating factors. This article presents background of the problem and the results of the study.
Reduced intensity VEPEMB regimen compared with standard ABVD in elderly Hodgkin lymphoma patients: results from a randomized trial on behalf of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL)

Survival rates for elderly Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) have not improved substantially in recent years, mainly because of a lack of prospective randomized studies, due to difficulties in enrolling patients. Between 2002 and 2006, 54 untreated HL patients, aged between 65 and 80 years and considered ‘non‐frail’ according to a comprehensive geriatric evaluation, were enrolled into a phase III randomized trial to compare a reduced‐intensity regimen (vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, prednisone, etoposide, mitoxantrone, bleomycin; VEPEMB) with standard ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine). Primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS). Seventeen patients were in early stage (I‐IIA), while 37 were advanced stage. Median age was 72 years and median follow‐up was 76 months. Five‐year PFS rates were 48% vs. 70% [adjusted Hazard ratio (HR) = 2·19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·94–5·10, P = 0·068] and 5‐year overall survival (OS) rates were 63% vs. 77% (adjusted HR = 1·67, 95% CI = 0·69–4·03, P = 0·254) for VEPEMB compared to ABVD. Overall treatment‐related mortality was 4%. World Health Organization grade 4 cardiac and lung toxicity occurred in four patients treated with ABVD versus no cases in the VEPEMB arm. Standard ABVD regimen resulted in better PFS and OS than the VEPEMB, although the differences were not statistically significant. The low toxicity of both treatments was probably attributable to stringent selection of patients based on a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment that excluded frail patients.
Molecular Characterization of Slow Leaf‐Rusting Resistance in Wheat

Slow leaf-rusting resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) is gaining acceptance as a breeding objective because of its durability in comparison with race-specific resistance. CI 13227 was previously reported to provide the highest level of slow leaf-rusting resistance. The objective of this study was to characterize the slow leaf-rusting resistance conferred by CI 13227 using molecular markers. A population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from CI 13227/Suwon 92 was evaluated for final severity (FS), area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), infection rate (IR), and infection duration (ID) of leaf rust. Four hundred fifty-nine amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and 28 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were analyzed in the population. Two quantitative trait loci (QTL), designated as QLr.osu-2B and QLr.osu-7BL, were consistently associated with AUDPC, FS, and IR of leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (previously P. recondita Rob. Ex Desm. f. sp. tritici). The percentages of phenotypic variance explained by each QTL varied with experiments and traits, ranging from 13.4 to 18.8% for AUDPC, 12.5 to 20.8% for FS, and 12.9 to 16.1% for IR. The third QTL for leaf rust ID, designated as QLrid.osu-2DS, was located on chromosome 2DS and explained 26.4 and 21.47% of the phenotypic variance in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Both the QTL and correlation analysis indicate reasonable progress in leaf-rusting resistance by selecting for final severity. SSR markers closely associated with QLr.osu-2B or QLr.osu-7BL have potential to be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for durable leaf rust resistant cultivars.
Existence of Transdominant and Potentiating Mutants of UL9, the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Origin-Binding Protein, Suggests that Levels of UL9 Protein May Be Regulated during Infection

ABSTRACT UL9 is a multifunctional protein required for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in vivo. UL9 is a member of the superfamily II helicases and exhibits helicase and origin-binding activities. We have previously shown that mutations in the conserved helicase motifs of UL9 can have either a transdominant or potentiating effect on the plaque-forming ability of infectious DNA from wild-type virus (A. J. Malik and S. K. Weller, J. Virol. 70:7859-7866, 1996). In this paper, the mechanisms of transdominance and potentiation are explored. We show that the motif V mutant protein containing a G to A substitution at residue 354 is unstable when expressed by transfection and is either processed to a 38-kDa N-terminal fragment or degraded completely. The overexpression of the MV mutant protein is able to influence the steady-state protein levels of wild-type UL9 and to override the inhibitory effects of wild-type UL9. Potentiation correlates with the ability of the UL9 variants containing the G354A mutation to be processed or degraded to the 38-kDa form. We propose that the MV mutant protein is able to interact with full-length UL9 and that this interaction results in a decrease in the steady-state levels of UL9, which in turn leads to enhanced viral infection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that inhibition of HSV-1 infection can be obtained by overexpression of full-length UL9, the C-terminal third of the protein containing the origin-binding domain, or the N-terminal two-thirds of UL9 containing the conserved helicase motifs and the putative dimerization domain. Our results suggest that transdominance can be mediated by overexpression, origin-binding activity, and dimerization, whereas potentiation is most likely caused by the ability of the UL9 MV mutant to influence the steady-state levels of wild-type UL9. Taken together, the results presented in this paper suggest that the regulation of steady-state levels of UL9 may play an important role in controlling viral infection.
Intention to use digital library based on modified UTAUT model: Perspectives of malaysian postgraduate students

— Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model has demonstrated the influencing factors for generic information systems use such as tablet personal computer (TPC) and mobile communication. However, in the context of digital library system, there has been very little effort to determine factors affecting the intention to use digital library based on the UTAUT model. This paper investigates factors that are expected to influence the intention of postgraduate students to use digital library based on modified UTAUT model. The modified model comprises of constructs represented by several latent variables, namely performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), information quality (IQ) and service quality (SQ) and moderated by age, gender and experience in using digital library. Results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and information quality are positively related to the intention to use digital library, while service quality is negatively related to the intention to use digital library. Age and gender have shown no evidence of any significant interactions, while experience in using digital library significantly interacts with effort expectancy and intention to use digital library. This has provided the evidence of a moderating effect of experience in the intention to use digital library. It is expected that this research will shed new lights into research of acceptance and intention to use the library in a digital environment.
Decision analysis for avoiding postchemotherapy surgery in patients with disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

PURPOSE This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the outcome of patients with disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) managed under a postchemotherapy strategy developed at Indiana University. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of 295 consecutive patients with disseminated NSGCT treated with primary chemotherapy at Indiana University from 1987 to 1994. The patients were placed into five groups based on response to primary chemotherapy and the presence or absence of teratoma in the primary tumor. The 295 patients were divided as follows: group A (complete remission [CR]) n = 78; group B (unresectable), n = 50; group C (serologic CR, teratoma-positive primary tumor, resectable partial remission [PR]), n = 90; group D [serologic CR, teratoma-negative primary tumor, < 90% radiographic PR], n = 50; and group E (serologic CR, teratoma-negative primary tumor, > or = 90% radiographic PR), n = 27. Groups A, B, and E patients were routinely observed after chemotherapy, whereas groups C and D patients were routinely taken to postchemotherapy surgery. RESULTS The percent of patients who continuously had no evidence of disease (NED) were as follows: group A, 92%; group B, 40%; group C, 87%; group D, 86%; and group E, 74%. In assessing group A patients, the bulk of retroperitoneal disease at presentation had no influence on ultimate outcome. CONCLUSION Patients with NSGCT who achieve a serologic and radiographic CR with primary chemotherapy (group A) can be safely observed without surgical intervention, regardless of initial tumor bulk. Patients with a teratoma-negative primary tumor who achieve a serologic CR and a > or = 90% radiographic remission and are followed-up without surgical resection (group E) are at an increased risk of relapsed NSGCT. Decisions about postchemotherapy resection in this group remain complicated and controversial. Options include observation with serial radiologic evaluation or surgical resection of persistent mass or masses.
Responsibility cost control system in China: a case of management accounting application

This paper introduces the responsibility cost control system installed at Han Dan Iron and Steel Company in the People’s Republic of China. The Company has adopted a series of management accounting techniques or procedures in its cost control system, including target costing, responsibility accounting, standard costing, flexible budgeting, internal transfer pricing, behavior motivation, performance evaluation, variance analysis, and so on. In particular, the system has integrated responsibility accounting and cost control by introducing market mechanisms to substantially reduce production costs and raise profitability. The successful experiment reveals that the responsibility cost control system is an effective tool for cost control under the changing Chinese business environment. The Han Dan experience demonstrates that management accounting can play a positive role in improving business management and profitability in China or other developing countries. In addition, this study casts light on effective diffusion of management accounting practices under different social and economic systems. c 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Vaccinia Virus Entry, Exit, and Interaction with Differentiated Human Airway Epithelia

ABSTRACT Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, enters and exits the host via the respiratory route. To better understand the pathogenesis of poxvirus infection and its interaction with respiratory epithelia, we used vaccinia virus and examined its interaction with primary cultures of well-differentiated human airway epithelia. We found that vaccinia virus preferentially infected the epithelia through the basolateral membrane and released viral progeny across the apical membrane. Despite infection and virus production, epithelia retained tight junctions, transepithelial electrical conductance, and a steep transepithelial concentration gradient of virus, indicating integrity of the epithelial barrier. In fact, during the first four days of infection, epithelial height and cell number increased. These morphological changes and maintenance of epithelial integrity required vaccinia virus growth factor, which was released basolaterally, where it activated epidermal growth factor 1 receptors. These data suggest a complex interaction between the virus and differentiated airway epithelia; the virus preferentially enters the cells basolaterally, exits apically, and maintains epithelial integrity by stimulating growth factor receptors.
Glove-Talk: a neural network interface between a data-glove and a speech synthesizer

To illustrate the potential of multilayer neural networks for adaptive interfaces, a VPL Data-Glove connected to a DECtalk speech synthesizer via five neural networks was used to implement a hand-gesture to speech system. Using minor variations of the standard backpropagation learning procedure, the complex mapping of hand movements to speech is learned using data obtained from a single ;speaker' in a simple training phase. With a 203 gesture-to-word vocabulary, the wrong word is produced less than 1% of the time, and no word is produced about 5% of the time. Adaptive control of the speaking rate and word stress is also available. The training times and final performance speed are improved by using small, separate networks for each naturally defined subtask. The system demonstrates that neural networks can be used to develop the complex mappings required in a high bandwidth interface that adapts to the individual user.
Bok, Bcl-2-related Ovarian Killer, Is Cell Cycle-regulated and Sensitizes to Stress-induced Apoptosis*

Bok/Mtd (Bcl-2-related ovarian killer/Matador) is considered a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. Although identified in 1997, little is known about its biological role. We have previously demonstrated that Bok mRNA is up-regulated following E2F1 overexpression. In the current work, we demonstrate that Bok RNA is low in quiescent cells and rises upon serum stimulation. To determine the mechanism underlying this regulation, we cloned and characterized the mouse Bok promoter. We find that the mouse promoter contains a conserved E2F binding site (-43 to -49) and that a Bok promoter-driven luciferase reporter is activated by serum stimulation dependent on this site. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrate that endogenous E2F1 and E2F3 associate with the Bok promoter in vivo. Surprisingly, we find that H1299 cells can stably express high levels of exogenous Bok protein. However, these cells are highly sensitive to chemotherapeutic drug treatment. Taken together these results demonstrate that Bok represents a cell cycle-regulated pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, which may predispose growing cells to chemotherapeutic treatment.