Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE FERMI-LAT HIGH-LATITUDE SURVEY: SOURCE COUNT DISTRIBUTIONS AND THE ORIGIN OF THE EXTRAGALACTIC DIFFUSE BACKGROUND

This is the first of a series of papers aimed at characterizing the populations detected in the high-latitude sky of the Fermi-LAT survey. In this work, we focus on the intrinsic spectral and flux properties of the source sample. We show that when selection effects are properly taken into account, Fermi sources are on average steeper than previously found (e.g., in the bright source list) with an average photon index of 2.40 ± 0.02 over the entire 0.1–100 GeV energy band. We confirm that flat spectrum radio quasars have steeper spectra than BL Lacertae objects with an average index of 2.48 ± 0.02 versus 2.18 ± 0.02. Using several methods, we build the deepest source count distribution at GeV energies, deriving that the intrinsic source (i.e., blazar) surface density at F100 ⩾ 10−9 ph cm−2 s−1 is 0.12+0.03−0.02 deg−2. The integration of the source count distribution yields that point sources contribute 16(±1.8)% (±7% systematic uncertainty) of the GeV isotropic diffuse background. At the fluxes currently reached by LAT, we can rule out the hypothesis that pointlike sources (i.e., blazars) produce a larger fraction of the diffuse emission.
Fertility desires and intentions of HIV-positive patients at a suburban specialist center.

OBJECTIVES To determine the extent of fertility desires and intentions of HIV-positive patients receiving care at a suburban specialist clinic and assess how these may vary by their sociodemographic and health-related factors. METHODS Questionnaire-based interview of a consecutive sample of HIV-positive men (18-55 years) and HIV-positive women (18-45 years) who presented at the HIV clinic of the Center for Special Studies, Sagamu, Nigeria, between November and December 2004. RESULTS 63.3% of the 147 studied participants expressed the desire for childbearing, even though 50.4% of them already had > or = 2 children. Respectively, 71.5% and 93.8% of men and women who desired children intended to have > or = 2 in the near future. Only 4.3% of those who desired children did not intend to have any. All 30 individuals who had no children intended to bear children in the future, and they constituted 32.3% of those who expressed the desire for childbearing. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of associated factors indicated that decreasing age, shorter time since diagnosis of HIV infection and nondisclosure of serostatus to current partner significantly increase the odds of desire for childbearing, while having no children and a poor most-recent CD4 count significantly increase the odds of intention to have > or = 3 children instead of 1-2. CONCLUSION The extent of the fertility desires and intentions of these patients poses a threat to the preventive strategies against vertical and heterosexual transmission of HIV in this region. In view of their compelling desire for parenthood, it may be wise for caregivers to desist from the conventional systematic advice against pregnancy but, in addition to laying emphasis on the risks, provide adequate information on practicable reproductive options for HIV-positive individuals.
Tumor Necrosis Is a Prognostic Factor in Thick Cutaneous Melanoma

The significance of tumor necrosis in cutaneous melanoma has not been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to explore the prognostic impact of necrosis in comparison with other known clinicopathologic factors in these tumors. Initially, 457 consecutive cases of nodular cutaneous melanoma (1981 to 2008) were included in this series. Tumor necrosis was assessed on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and was recorded as significant when an area of at least a quarter of a high-power field (×400; 0.07 mm2) was occupied by necrotic cells and as sparse when clusters of at least 5 necrotic cells were observed. Tumor necrosis (26% of the cases) was associated with increased tumor thickness, high mitotic count, presence of tumor ulceration, and decreased survival. Stratified analyses (univariate and multivariate) with standard microscopic variables indicated the strongest prognostic influence of necrosis in tumors thicker than 4 mm. Notably, in the stratum of pT4 tumors, presence of necrosis was a stronger prognostic predictor than was ulceration. Tumor necrosis was a significant prognostic indicator providing additional information to established predictors of patient outcome in this series of nodular cutaneous melanoma, predominantly among thick tumors (>4 mm). Presence of necrosis was a stronger indicator for worse outcome compared with ulceration in pT4 tumors.
Foetal life protein provision of mink (Neovison vison) changes the relative mRNA abundance of some hepatic enzymes regulating fat metabolism

The nutrient provision to pregnant females has high impact on the growth and metabolism of their offspring. The objective was to investigate if the expression of hepatic enzymes regulating the fat metabolism was affected in foetuses and adult female mink born by dams fed either a low or an adequate level of protein during late gestation. The relative abundances of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) mRNA were determined by qualitative polymerase chain reaction in the livers of F0- and F1-generation dams and in F1-generation foetuses. Low protein provision during foetal life resulted in a lower expression of FAS in foetal liver but a tendency towards increased expression in the liver of adult dams. There was a tendency towards an effect of life stage of the animal on the expression of ACC resulting in a higher expression among F1 foetuses exposed to low protein during foetal life than F0 dams fed a low protein diet during late gestation. The expression of CPT1 was significantly lower among dams exposed to low protein provision during foetal life than controls, possibly indicating a lower rate of mitochondrial β-oxidation. Further investigations are needed to clarify the consequences of these changes for the fat metabolism.
Artificial intelligence - structures and strategies for complex problem solving (2. ed.)

s of papers presented at the Fourth International Conference on Infant Studies New York, New York, April 5-8, 1984, Judith M. Gardner, Carolyn K. Rovee-Collier, 1984, Family & Relationships, 411 pagesThe world turned upside down radical ideas during the English Revolution, Christopher Hill, 1972, History, 351 pages Patriarchs and Prophets , Ellen Gould Harmon White, 2005, Patriarchs (Bible), 805 pages
642PTRASTUZUMAB IN COMBINATION WITH DIFFERENT FIRST-LINE CHEMOTHERAPIES FOR TREATMENT OF HER2-POSITIVE METASTATIC GASTRIC CANCER: UPDATED FINDINGS FROM THE GERMAN NON-INTERVENTIONAL STUDY HERMES.

ABSTRACT Aim: The international phase III study ToGA has shown that trastuzumab (TRA) (Herceptin®) is effective in prolonging survival in HER2-positive metastatic gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (MGC). However, few data are available for TRA as part of routine clinical practice. Methods: This non-interventional observational study (NCT01220934) aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of TRA in previously untreated pts with HER2-positive MGC. Results: Between Apr 2010 and Apr 2014, we collected data from 360 pts. All pts were evaluable for safety. Baseline pt characteristics were as follows: median age 66 y (range 29–90); gender (male 74%; female 26%); ECOG PS (0: 28%; 1: 47%; 2: 12%; 3: 2%); distant mets (90%): liver (53%), lymph node (35%); peritoneal carcinomatosis (21%); lung (14%). Only 28% of pts received TRA in combination with cisplatin and 5-FU or capecitabine (see table). Most pts (51%) did not receive cisplatin-based therapy. 54 pts (15%) received TRA for more than 12 months. TRA containing regimen n (%) + 5-FU + cisplatin 75 (21) + 5-FU + cisplatin + leucovorin 54 (15) + 5-FU + oxaliplatin (+ leucovorin) 50 (14) + 5-FU + oxaliplatin + docetaxel 36 (10) + capecitabine + cisplatin 25 (7) + capecitabine 20 (6) other combinations * 87 (23) TRA monotherapy 13 (4) cisplatin-free regimen 184 (51) * including cisplatin. Preliminary median PFS was 7.6 m (number of events: n = 282), thus comparable to the ToGA data. Most common AEs (all grades) were diarrhoea (9%), nausea (7%), and fatigue (6%). Most common grade 3/4 AEs were general physical health deterioration (2%), vomiting (1%), and diarrhoea (1%). Health-related quality of life as assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 remained stable during observation time. An updated analysis of approx. 400 pts will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: TRA combined with diverse chemotherapies, including less toxic cisplatin-free schedules, is safe and effective in the routine treatment of MGC. Overall, the results are in line with those from the ToGA trial. TRA is the standard of care for pts with HER2-positive MGC. Disclosure: S. Al-Batran: Receipt of grants / research support from Roche;K. Zielke: employee of Roche;T. Wohlfarth: employee, stock ownership (Roche); P.C. Thuss-Patience: receipt of honoraria from Roche;M. Moehler: 1) receipt of honoraria from Roche for speeches, presentations or appearances 2); consultancy and advisory role compensated by Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Voice outcomes following transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Early glottic cancer may be treated with primary radiotherapy or transoral laser microsurgery with comparable survival. The choice of therapy therefore depends on patient preference after discussion of risks, benefits and alternatives. MATERIALS AND METHODS All previously untreated patients undergoing transoral laser microsurgery for T1 or T2 glottic cancer at St Vincent's Hospital between July 1997 and December 2004 had their staging and demographics recorded. Surgery was categorised according to the European Laryngological Society. A voice recording was made pre-operatively then at 12 weeks post-operatively and scored by two independent speech therapists on the Oates Russell Voice Profile - a scale of zero (normal) to five (severe dysphonia). Follow up was for a minimum of two years. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS Fifty-three patients with a mean age of 56 were included. The observed survival was T1 89.4 per cent and T2 85.3 per cent after a mean follow up of 47 months. Nineteen patients staged T1 underwent cordectomy. A second procedure was required in 22.2 per cent, however, none required a laryngectomy. Thirty-four patients staged T2 underwent hemilaryngectomy. A second procedure was required in 41.2 per cent including 8.8 per cent requiring salvage laryngectomy. One patient died with unresectable nodal disease. The mean Oates Russell Voice Profile for T1 disease was 2.37 and for T2 2.68 (range 1 to 4) indicating a mild (2) to moderate (3) degree of voice impairment. CONCLUSIONS Survival outcomes following transoral laser microsurgery are comparable to treatment with radiotherapy. Voice impairment is usually mild to moderate following transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer but overall may be greater than in radiotherapy patients. The repeatability of transoral laser microsurgery may result in a lower laryngectomy rate compared with published series using radiotherapy.
The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in broiler flocks and on broiler carcases, and the risks associated with highly contaminated carcases

SUMMARY A baseline survey on the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in broiler flocks and Campylobacter spp. on broiler carcases in the UK was performed in 2008 in accordance with Commission Decision 2007/516/EC. Pooled caecal contents from each randomly selected slaughter batch, and neck and breast skin from a single carcase were examined for Campylobacter spp. The prevalence of Campylobacter in the caeca of broiler batches was 75·8% (303/400) compared to 87·3% (349/400) on broiler carcases. Overall, 27·3% of the carcases were found to be highly contaminated with Campylobacter (⩾1000 c.f.u./g). Slaughter in the summer months (June, July, August) [odds ratio (OR) 3·50], previous partial depopulation of the flock (OR 3·37), and an increased mortality at 14 days (⩾1·25% to <1·75%) (OR 2·54) were identified as significant risk factors for the most heavily Campylobacter-contaminated carcases. Four poultry companies and farm location were also found to be significantly associated with highly contaminated carcases.
Misleading Interpretations and Public Misinformation on Human Growth Hormone in Athletes

The article by Meinhardt and colleagues (1) isimportant and informative. This randomized, controlled trial evalu-ating the independent and synergistic effects of exogenous growthhormone and testosterone on selected physiologic and athletic per-formance measures is a valuable contribution to the scientiﬁc litera-ture. It also provides critical evidence to the ongoing social andscientiﬁc debate surrounding sports doping.The study shows signiﬁcant increases in anaerobic work capac-ity, as measured by the Wingate cycle test, after 8 weeks of treatmentwith growth hormone, with and without concurrent testosteroneadministration. Although effect sizes were modest (0.22 to 0.38 forgrowth hormone alone and 0.61 for growth hormone and testoster-one), these ﬁndings suggest a previously unreported physiologic ef-fect that has potential implications for athletic performance. Theauthors correctly conclude, however, that the athletic signiﬁcance ofthese ﬁndings is uncertain.Unfortunately, oversights in the presentation of this importantwork have led to erroneous interpretations in the mainstream mediathat compromise its effect and carry dangerous ramiﬁcations, espe-cially when viewed by an untrained audience.The characterization of anaerobic work capacity as “sprint ca-pacity” is inaccurate and misleading. Although equivocal supportexists for cycle ergometry as a signiﬁcant predictor of sprinting per-formance (2, 3), it is widely recognized that additional factors, in-cluding strength and power, are important determinants (4, 5). Tosuggest even semantically that Wingate test performance and sprintcapacity are equivalent measures is wrong.More egregiously, even while acknowledging such limitations,the authors go on to speculate in speciﬁc terms how their ﬁndings inrecreational athletes translate to 100-meter running times and 50-meter swimming times in world-class competitors: “We do not knowhow an improvement in Wingate test performance translates to per-formance in the sporting ﬁeld, but we speculate that the approxi-mately 4% increase in sprint capacity that we observed could trans-late to an improvement of 0.4 second in a 10-second sprint over 100meters or of 1.2 seconds in a 30-second swim over 50 meters. ” Thisclaim is made without basis, evidence, or even a compelling expla-nation. Nonetheless, it forms the featured conclusion of numerousprominent media reports, including this from the
FORECASTING CAPITAL GAINS REALIZATIONS

As an input to its estimates of federal revenues, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) requires an estimate of capital gains realizations in the current calendar year and forecasts of realizations for the next 10 years. The purpose of our study is to improve the accuracy of the current-year estimates. As background, we describe the models and methods that CBO now uses and briefly mention models developed at other institutions. We then discuss in detail our method for constructing a new model and compare the model’s performance with that of other models by determining how well they would have estimated realizations had they been used in the past. Those comparisons are conducted using increasingly realistic assumptions about the amount of information available at the time the estimates are made. We find that if CBO had used our new model throughout the 1990s, with only the information available when the estimates of realizations were made, CBO’s estimates of current-year realizations would have been more accurate.
Minimally Invasive Management of Postoperative Lithiasis of the Common Bile Duct

Introduction: Postoperative common bile duct (CBD) lithiasis holdsa significant place in the bilio-pancreatic pathology, both due to its high frequency as well as to the diagnostic and treatment issues it triggers. Material and Methods: Based on a 5-year experience (20082012), assessed retrospectively, totalling 51 patients with postoperative lithiasis of CBD, we tried to elaborate on several recommendations for the treatment of this pathology. The recommendations were guided by the existing alternative therapeutic options and by the ideas in the literature regarding the results achieved by every manner of treatment. Results: The rate of clearance of the CBD was of 93.6%, themorbidity rate was of 10.65% and the mortality rate was of 0%, which entitles us to deem the effectiveness of the minimally invasive treatment as maximum in the treatment of this pathology. Conclusions: The endoscopic treatment of postoperative lithiasis of the CBD proved to be possible, efficient and we believe it good to be used as a principle; open surgery should be the solution in case of failures or of contraindications to minimally invasive treatment
Global analysis of the carbon starvation response of a marine Vibrio species with disruptions in genes homologous to relA and spoT

The stringent control response, which involves a rapid accumulation of ppGpp, is triggered if the marine Vibrio sp. strain S14 is subjected to carbon and energy starvation. By means of high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis, we addressed the role of the major ppGpp-synthesizing enzyme (RelA) in the regulation of the carbon starvation response of Vibrio sp. strain S14. The finding that a large number of the carbon starvation-induced proteins were underexpressed in the Vibrio sp. S14 relA mutant strain after the onset of glucose starvation suggests that a rapid accumulation of ppGpp is required for induction of many of the carbon starvation-induced proteins. However, it was also found that a majority of the carbon starvation-induced proteins were significantly less induced if the stringent control response was provoked by amino acid starvation. We therefore also addressed the notion that a carbon starvation-specific signal transduction pathway, complementary to the stringent control, may exist in Vibrio sp. strain S14. It was found that a majority of the proteins that were underexpressed in the relA mutant strain were also underexpressed in the Vibrio sp. S14 spoT mutant strain (csrS1). Interestingly, a large proportion of these underexpressed proteins were found to belong to a group of proteins that are not, or significantly less, induced by starvation conditions that do not promote starvation survival. On the basis of these observations and the finding that the csrS1 strain survives poorly but accumulates ppGpp in a fashion similar to the wild type during carbon and energy source starvation, the gene product of the csrS gene is suggested to be responsible for the mediation of a signal which is complementary to ppGpp and essential for the successful development of the starvation- and stress-resistant cell. This conclusion was also supported by experiments in which changes in phenotypic characteristics known to be induced during carbon starvation were studied. The starvation induction of the high-affinity glucose uptake system was found to be dependent on the csrS gene but not relA, and the synthesis of carbon starvation-specific periplasmic space proteins was dependent, at different times of starvation, on both the relA and the csrS gene products.
Monitoring Rotavirus Environmental Contamination in a Pediatric Unit Using Polymerase Chain Reaction

Rotavirus environmental contamination in a pediatric unit was investigated. Surfaces were swabbed, then viruses eluted, ultracentrifuged, and detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Of 55 samples, 25 (46%) tested positive. Rotavirus RNA was more prevalent on surfaces in direct contact with children (thermometers and play mats) than on other environmental surfaces (washbasins, door handles, etc). PCR has proved useful for monitoring rotavirus environmental contamination.
Structure and development of E-C coupling units in skeletal muscle.

Excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling depends on appropriate communication between the specialized, junctional domains of the sarcolemma/transverse tubules (jSUjT) and those of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (jSR). Essential events at the SR-T/SL junctions are depolarization of the surface membrane, its detection by voltage sensors, and the resultant release of calcium from jSR. In skeletal muscle, e-c coupling is independent of extracellular calcium (7, 16, 18, 27, 42, 70, 71, 85, 92 for reviews). The nonjunctional components of the two membrane systems, free SUfree T, and free or longitudinal SR, are continuous with the junctional domains, but functionally, and structurally distinct from them. In this chapter we review the structure and protein composition of the membranes involved in e-c coupling and the structure and development of junctions formed by the interaction of jSR with either jT or jSL (e-c units). Structural information provides the framework into which the function of and the interaction between the protein components of these structures must fit. The article is written from the perspective of immunolabeling and electron microscopy (EM). The two morphological approaches complement each other. Immunolabeling approaches assign specific locations within the cell