Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are there gender differences in smoking cessation, with and without bupropion? Pooled- and meta-analyses of clinical trials of Bupropion SR.

AIMS In this study, we examine gender differences in smoking cessation with and without treatment with Bupropion SR. We test whether women and men have comparable success rates quitting smoking regardless of treatment, whether Bupropion SR is effective for women, and whether Bupropion SR efficacy differs for men and women. DESIGN A literature search was conducted to identify relevant trials. Data were analyzed with individual-level (pooled) and study-level (meta-analytical) statistics. PARTICIPANTS Data from 4421 participants in 12 randomized smoking cessation trials of Bupropion SR 300 mg versus placebo were analyzed. FINDINGS Results from the meta-analysis revealed that Bupropion SR was an effective aid to smoking cessation [odds ratio (OR) = 2.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.06-3.00]. Moreover, Bupropion SR proved to be an effective cessation aid for women (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.92-3.17). No treatment-gender interaction was observed; women and men benefited equally from treatment with Bupropion SR (Q = 0.01, NS). Overall, women were less successful at quitting than men, regardless of treatment (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65-0.95). These results were replicated with pooled, individual-level analyses. CONCLUSIONS Bupropion SR is an effective smoking cessation aid for women. In these trials, women have less success quitting smoking than men, whether treated with Bupropion SR or placebo. There is a need to understand more about why women are less able to quit.
Effects of Endothelin Receptor Type-A and Type-B Antagonists on Prostaglandin F2alpha-Induced Luteolysis of the Sheep Corpus Luteum1

Abstract Three experiments were designed to examine the mechanisms that govern prostaglandin (PGF2alpha)-induced regression of the sheep corpus luteum. Evidence is presented supporting the involvement of endothelin 1 (EDN1) in PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis. Experiment 1 measured effects of PGF2alpha when actions of EDN1 were blocked by sustained administration of a type-A endothelin (EDNRA) or type-B endothelin (EDNRB) antagonist in vivo. Experiment 2 examined antisteroidogenic actions of PGF2alpha and EDN1 in the presence of an EDNRA or EDNRB antagonist in Day-8 luteal minces. In experiment 3, luteal cellular expression of EDNRA and EDNRB was determined immunohistochemically. Relative gene expression of EDNRA and EDNRB receptors was examined by real-time RT-PCR in Day-8 sheep corpora lutea. EDNRA, but not EDNRB, participated in antisteroidogenic actions of EDN1. During the first 12 h after PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis, EDNRA antagonist did not prevent a decline in serum progesterone concentrations. Early actions of PGF2alpha are either direct or mediated by something other than EDN1. However, beyond 12 h after PGF2alpha, serum progesterone concentrations increased in EDNRA antagonist-treated animals until they were the same as saline-treated controls, whereas an EDNRB antagonist had no effect in vivo or in vitro. The EDNRA antagonist negated the antisteroidogenic actions of EDN1 but only partially abolished the actions of PGF2alpha in vitro. In contrast, the EDNRB antagonist was ineffective in abolishing antisteroidogenic actions of EDN1 and PGF2alpha. Whereas real-time RT-PCR demonstrated high expression of EDNRA and low expression of EDNRB, immunohistochemically, only EDNRA was located in small steroidogenic, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells. In summary, studies in ovine corpora lutea provided strong evidence that: 1) EDNRA, but not EDNRB, mediates antisteroidogenic actions of EDN1, 2) actions of PGF2alpha are both independent of and dependent upon mediation by EDN1, and 3) small steroidogenic cells are targets for antisteroidogenic effects of EDN1. Furthermore, the results from experiment 1 suggest that the intermediary role of EDN1 may be more important in later stages of luteal regression.
Femtosecond laser – assisted technique for performing bag-inthe-lens intraocular lens implantation

ublished We describe a technique for femtosecond laser–assisted bag-in-the-lens (BIL) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Anterior capsulotomy and lens division into small pieces are performed by the laser. A fluid-filled interface makes it possible to re-dock the laser to the eye for posterior capsulotomy after the eye has been opened for lens aspiration without complications. The integrated optical coherence tomography also visualizes the posterior capsule, allowing a centered central posterior capsulotomy for uncomplicated IOL positioning. In 31 patients, no complications were observed within a 1-month follow-up. Femtosecond laser–assisted cataract surgery facilitated the BIL technique.
Establishment of Canine RNA Polymerase I-Driven Reverse Genetics for Influenza A Virus: Its Application for H5N1 Vaccine Production

ABSTRACT In the event of a new influenza pandemic, vaccines whose antigenicities match those of circulating strains must be rapidly produced. Here, we established an alternative reverse genetics system for influenza virus using the canine polymerase I (PolI) promoter sequence that works efficiently in the Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line, a cell line approved for human vaccine production. Using this system, we were able to generate H5N1 vaccine seed viruses more efficiently than can be achieved with the current system that uses the human PolI promoter in African green monkey Vero cells, thus improving pandemic vaccine production.
Effect of Disc Degeneration at One Level on the Adjacent Level in Axial Mode

Nonlinear three-dimensional finite element models of a ligamentous two motion segments spine specimen (L3-L4-L5) were developed to investigate the effects of disc degeneration, simulated at the L4-L5 level, on the biomechanical behavior of the adjacent intact L3-L4 motion segment. The disc degeneration was simulated by removing the hydrostatic capabilities of the nucleus and making the L4-L5 disc stiffer than a normal disc. The results of the degenerated model were compared with the predictions for a model in which the L4-L5 disc was left intact. The loads on the facets decreased, and intradiscal pressure in the intact L3-L4 disc increased as a result of disc degeneration compared with the intact model. The predicted increase in the intradiscal pressure and the associated increase in the disc bulge in the posterior region over time may trigger the degenerative process at the L3-L4 motion segment. This is in accordance with the Wolff's law; living tissue responds to chronic changes in stresses and strains. The limitations of the present two motion segments model and the potentials of multisegmental models are discussed.
Incidence and predictors of excess disability in walking among nursing home residents with middle-stage dementia: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT Background: Inability to walk compromises the well-being of the growing number of nursing home residents with dementia. The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and identify predictors of walking disability that may be remediable. Methods: A cohort was followed fortnightly for a year in15 nursing homes in western Canada. The study participants comprised 120 ambulatory residents with middle-stage Alzheimer's, vascular or mixed dementia. Standardized measures of potential predictors of disability included the Charlson Comorbidity Index, Global Deterioration Scale, and Professional Environment Assessment Protocol. Walking disability was defined as using a wheelchair to go to meals in the dining room. Results: Incidence of walking disability was 40.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 32.7–50.2). Approximately half of this (27.0%; 95% CI: 19.7–36.5) was excess disability. Residents with more advanced dementia and living in a less supportive nursing home environment experienced an increased hazard of walking disability (Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2–3.8 and HR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3–4.4 respectively). After adjusting for age, comorbidity and stage of dementia, predictors of excess disability in walking included using antidepressants (HR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.02–4.6), and not using cognitive enhancers (HR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.03–6.4). Conclusions: Over half of walking disability in nursing home residents with middle-stage dementia may be modifiable. Creating supportive environments, ensuring access to cognitive enhancer drugs, and preventing and treating depression and the adverse effects of antidepressants, may help to reduce walking disability and excess disability.
Similarity Measures for Satellite Images with Heterogeneous Contents

Tversky's set-theoretic similarity states that a similarity measure should increase with the saliency of common features and decrease with that of distinctive features. When all necessary and relevant semantic features could be listed by hand, the similarity measure would be reduced to count the number of common features followed by subtracting the number of distinctive features. The reason is one might well select semantic features, so that features are independent and in the same level of salience. However, in image retrieval, one might have very restricted way to semantic features, for instance semantic features need to be derived from low-level features or by interaction between users and retrieval system. In this paper, we explore the Tversky's similarity measure between satellite images with heterogeneous contents in this situation. In this paper, the semantic feature is not any real word or phrase, but a label of class in which homogeneous regions reside. We assume that each region in images is related to a semantic feature, although we do not know what the semantic feature is. Therefore, semantic features used in this paper are not well defined in the sense that the distinction of different pair labels might vary from time to time. In other words, the salience of distinctive features might switch from one state to another. Therefore, a factor is proposed to simulate the Switch of Distinctive Features (SDF). The underlining principle is that the SDF would increase with the difference between two images in terms of content variation pattern within each image. Intuitively speaking, the role of distinctive features would be enlarged when there is little change in one image and clearly contrast in the other image. Although the definition of variation within single image is rather simple in this paper, experimental results show that the SDF does improve the retrieval precision of satellite images with heterogeneous contents.
The Effects of Gender On The Adoption of Social Media: An Empirical Investigation

This study develops a research model to gain a deeper understanding on gender comparison relating to social media continuance/usage. The theoretical background for our research model is based on the diffusion of innovation and the technology acceptance models. We collected 290 datasets from college students that are enrolled in a large university located in North America. The statistical techniques to analyze our datasets are confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results of our data analysis show that females have stronger and significant perception of ease of use, compatibility, relative advantage, and risk when using social media compared to males. Also, our results show that males have a stronger perception of satisfaction and information quality when using social media compared to females.
A low-power 8-PAM serial transceiver in 0.5-μm digital CMOS

A CMOS multi-level (8-PAM) transceiver is described. Preemphasis is implemented without an increase in DAC resolution or digital computation. The receiver oversamples with three fully differential 3-bit ADCs. The device transmits at up to 1.3Gb/s and has a measured BER of for an 81OMb/s PRBS transmission. The device, packaged in a 68 pin CLCC, is implemented k 0.5pm digital CMOS, occupies 2”’ and dissipates 400mW from a 3.3V supply.
Effect of variation in the common “a” determinant on the antigenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen

Antibody to the common “a” determinant of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) protects against infection with hepatitis B virus. A number of variant surface antigens with amino acid substitutions within the “a” determinant have been described in patients around the world. Both wild type and variant HBsAgs were expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and the antigens were semi‐purified and quantitated. The effect on antigenicity of these changes was investigated in a quantitative fashion using four monoclonal antibodies known to bind to different epitopes within the common “a” determinant. The results suggest that amino acid substitution of T131I, K141E and G145R and insertion of 3 amino acids between residues 123 and 124 markedly affect the antigenic structure of HBsAg. These substitutions and insertions in the viral envelope may lead to evasion of the virus neutralizing antibody response and also to reduce efficiency of detection by immunoassays used for diagnosis and blood‐bank screening. J. Med. Virol. 60:113–121, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Locking the Kink in the Influenza Hemagglutinin Fusion Domain Structure*

We have previously identified Trp14 as a critical residue that stabilizes the kink in the boomerang structure of the influenza fusion domain and found that cells expressing hemagglutinin with a Trp14 to Ala mutation cannot fuse with red blood cells. However, mutating another aromatic residue, Phe9, on the other side of the kink did not have a significant effect on fusion or the ability of the mutant fusion peptide to bind to or perturb the bilayer structure of lipid model membranes. We reasoned that Phe is not as potent to contribute to the kink as the larger Trp and that the cooperation of Phe9 and Ile10 might be needed to elicit the same effect. Indeed, the double mutant F9A/I10A diminished cell-cell fusion and the ability of the fusion domain to bind to and perturb lipid bilayers in a similar fashion as the W14A mutant. A structure determination of F9A in lipid micelles by solution NMR shows that F9A adopts a similarly kinked structure as wild type. Distances between the two arms of the boomerang structure of wild type, F9A, W14A, and F9A/I10A in lipid bilayers were measured by double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy and showed that the kinks of W14A and F9A/I10A are more flexible than those of wild type and F9A. These results underscore the importance of large hydrophobic residues on both sides of the kink region of the influenza hemagglutinin fusion domain to fix the angle of the boomerang structure and thereby confer fusion function to this critical domain.
-Interaction Measure for Unstable Systems

The requirement that the system and its block diagonal elements have the same unstable poles limits the applicability of μ interaction measure (μ-IM) to stable systems. We propose an extension of the conventional μ-IM to overcome this difficulty. The decentralized controller is designed based on a block diagonal approximation that is different from the block diagonal elements and is selected by minimizing the scaled L∞ distance between the system and the approximation. We also present a simple method for designing the decentralized controller based on the approximation. The proposed method is useful for system stabilization using independent designs of the decentralized controller.
Strategic Management Practice and Corporate Performance of Selected Small Business Enterprises in Lagos Metropolis

Strategy is considered to be a detailed plan for a business in achieving success. Managers employ strategy to achieve result. Strategic management practices and organization performance in small business enterprises {SBEs} goes together, but most Small business enterprises place less emphasis on making effective strategy for improved performance. This paper examines the influence of strategic management on corporate performance in selected small scale enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria. The paper also provides how strategy could be used for improved performance of small scale enterprise in Nigeria. Two hypotheses were tested. They are to determine whether: {i} there is a significant relationship between strategic management and organizational profitability; {ii} there is a significant relationship between strategic management and company market share. Cross sectional survey research method was adopted for the study and 140 participants were randomly selected among SSEs in Lagos metropolis. Pearson product moment coefficient of correlation and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that strategic management practices enhance both organizational profitability and company market share. The study recommends that investors and managers should make use of strategic management to improve their organizations actual performance at all times.
Positive Surgical Margins in Areas of Capsular Incision in Otherwise Organ-confined Disease at Radical Prostatectomy: Histologic Features and Pitfalls

Capsular incision (CI) refers to the urologist transecting either benign or malignant prostatic tissue, where the edge of the prostate in this region is left within the patient. Histologic assessment of CI is difficult and its diagnosis varies among pathologists. Between 1993 and 2004, we reviewed 186 radical prostatectomies that were signed out as either: (1) CI into tumor in otherwise organ-confined disease [elsewhere no extra-prostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle invasion, or lymph node spread] (n=143); (2) positive surgical margin in an area difficult to distinguish EPE from CI into tumor in otherwise organ-confined disease (n=36); or (3) equivocal positive surgical margin in an area difficult to distinguish organ-confined disease with tumor close to resection margins (OC M−) from CI into tumor in otherwise organ-confined disease (n=7). On review, CI with a positive margin was confirmed in 83.2% of cases. Of cases signed out with margins positive where it was difficult to distinguish CI from EPE, CI was confirmed in 52.8% of cases. Cases with equivocal positive margins with either CI or OC M− were considered CI with positive margins in 57.1% of cases on review. Cases in all 3 groups not considered positive margins with CI were on review equally divided between diagnoses of organ-confined margin negative and EPE with positive margins. The locations of the 39 cases originally misdiagnosed as definitive or questionable CI with positive margins were posterolateral (N=19, 48.7%), distal (N=12, 30.8%), posterior (N=6, 15.4%), and anterolateral (N=2, 5.1%). Familiarity with different patterns of EPE in different anatomic locations and applying strict criteria for diagnosing CI into tumor can minimize overcalling CI and can provide accurate feedback to urologists to prevent iatrogenic positive margins.
Mild cognitive impairment 1 : prevalence and predictive validity according to current approaches

Objectives – Mild cognitive impairment is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. However, there is no consensus on diagnostic criteria and different concepts have rarely been evaluated in population‐based samples. This paper compares the prevalences and predictive validities for different concepts in a population‐based study. The aim was to identify a concept with the best relation of sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of dementia.
Anatomical note. Spurt and shunt muscles.

Stanier (1977) has proposed the abandonment of the anatomico-kinetic classification of skeletal muscles into 'spurt' and 'shunt' types made by MacConaill (1946, 1949). His paper is very important for four reasons. First, it completely misrepresents the grounds upon which the classification was made, and upon which it is still valid and useful. Secondly, it fails to distinguish between the classification itself and a hypothesis based on it, but not part of it. Thirdly, it does not appear to be based upon that well-proportioned knowledge of anatomy that is essential for any who would write upon the matter. Lastly, it contains no references to any of MacConaill's relevant publications during the 26 years between 1949 and the year 1975 in which Stanier presumably wrote his own paper it was accepted for publication in April 1976. In all four respects it is in complete contrast to the carefully worded account of this classification given by Warwick & Williams (1973), an account cited by Stanier himself. It is proposed to state and correct the misrepresentation; to state briefly the actual grounds for the classification; to distinguish between the classification and the hypothesis based on it; and to show how the assumption that led to that hypothesis has been destroyed (for both its author and the objectors to it) by a discovery by MacConaill in the realm of mathematical physics. This last item will bring the whole matter up to date.
Screening for depression in head and neck cancer

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to identify the prevalence of depression and the accuracy of depression screening instruments in ambulatory head and neck cancer patients who have received radiation. This population is at risk for depression because of the life‐threatening nature of the illness, and treatment‐induced oral morbidity.
Heptasodium tetraaluminium tetrakis(diphosphate) orthophosphate, Na7Al4(P2O7)4(PO4)

The asymmetric unit of title compound contains three Na+, one Al3+, three P5+ and eight O2− atoms, with one Na+ atom lying on a twofold rotation axis and one Na+ and one P5+ atom on fourfold rotoinversion axes. The fundamental building units of the title structure are isolated PO4 tetrahedra, AlO6 octahedra and P2O7 groups, which are further interlocked by corner-sharing O atoms, forming a three-dimensional framework structure. The Na+ atoms are located within the cavities of the framework, showing coordination numbers of 4, 6 and 7.
The Effects of Concrete to Semiconcrete to Abstract Instruction in the Acquisition and Retention of Fraction Concepts and Skills.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects of concrete to semiconcrete to abstract (CSA) instruction in fraction concepts and skills to the effects of instruction that was based on textbook curriculum. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with one between subject factor (treatmentversus control) and one within subject factor (performance over time) was computed to determine whether any significant differences were present among the levels of the experimental treatments. At each posttest measure, treatment and control groups differed significantly in achievement in fraction concepts and skills. Students who were taught fraction concepts and skills in aCSA sequence performed significantly better on each of the three pasttest measures than students taught with textbook curriculum. The results of this investigation provide practical implications for classroom instruction and future research.