Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A sham drug improves a demanding prospective memory task

Every day, people rely on prospective memory—our ability to remember to perform a future action—to carry out myriad tasks. We examined how a sham cognitive enhancing drug might improve people's performance on a prospective memory task. We gave some people (but not others) the sham drug, and asked everyone to perform a high-effort prospective memory task. People who received the sham drug performed better on the prospective memory task. They also took longer to perform their ongoing task, suggesting that they increased their effortful monitoring. These results fit with research showing that suggestions can lead people to increase cognitive effort and increase memory performance.
Extended UTAUT to Examine the Acceptance of Web Based Training System by Public Sector

With the development of information technology, organizations have applied e-learning system to train their employees in order to enhance the its performance. In this respect, applying web based training will enable the organization to train their employees quickly, efficiently and effectively anywhere at any time. This research aims to extend Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use Technology (UTAUT) using some factors such flexibility of web based training system, system interactivity and system enjoyment, in order to explain the employees
Antiovulatory actions of RU 486: the pituitary is not the primary site of action in vivo.

Continuous administration of RU 486 impairs follicular development and inhibits ovulation in women. Yet, the mechanism of ovulation inhibition remains unknown. To characterize the mechanism(s) of ovulation inhibition, we studied six regularly menstruating cynomolgus monkeys for three consecutive (control-rest-treatment) cycles. Monkeys received 1 mg/kg.day RU 486 in between cycle days 2-22. Basal and GnRH-stimulated (1 and 50 micrograms GnRH, iv, 2 h apart) secretion of LH and FSH was assessed using serial blood samples (every 15 min for 12 h) collected on cycle day 10. Serum levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), RU 486, cortisol, LH, FSH, and PRL were analyzed by RIAs, the bioactivity of LH was assessed using a mouse Leydig cell assay. The mean cycle length was prolonged by RU 486 treatment from 31.8 to 69.8 days (P = 0.008). During RU 486 treatment, patterns of E2 secretion varied considerably; the mean +/- SD E2 level was 204 +/- 139 pmol/L. LH peaks and P4 profiles compatible with luteal function were seen only before resumption of menstruation. However, one monkey had an increase in P4 after the GnRH challenge-induced LH secretion. Basal levels of LH varied between suppressed and apparently normal values, whereas basal FSH seemed little affected by RU 486 treatment. In two monkeys with E2 secretion indicative of normal follicular development, minor peaks of LH, but no rises in serum P4, were seen. The ratio of bioactive/immunoactive LH was reduced in these monkeys during RU 486 treatment compared to that during the washout period of the treatment cycle. Surprisingly, the pituitary responsiveness to acute GnRH challenge was not affected by RU 486 administration. The individual levels of RU 486 were similar during the treatment period (mean, 40 nmol/L). A resumption of ovulatory cycles occurred when RU 486 concentrations were below 2.5 nmol/L. We conclude that in cynomolgus monkeys, inhibition of ovulation by RU 486 occurs mainly at the level of the hypothalamus, with possible additional effects on the granulosa cell function and alterations of LH bioactivity.
The Relationship between Temperament and Character Traits and Burnout among Nurses

Aim: A repeatedly asked question is why, under the same working conditions, one individual burns out, whereas another shows no symptoms at all. We sought to address this among nurses, who are considered to be particularly susceptible to the danger of burnout due to the nature of their work. Methods: This study was carried out with 108 randomly selected nurses working at Derince Training and Research Hospital. The Maslach burnout inventory and temperament character inventory were applied. Results: Novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA) scores showed a positive correlation with high burnout level; a negative correlation was shown with persistence (P), self-directedness (SD), and cooperation (C). According to the regression analysis performed in order to assess whether personality characteristics are predictive of burnout levels, Novelty Seeking and HA were positive predictors, while C was a negative predictor of total burnout levels. Conclusion: This study showed that there is a relationship between the temperament and character traits and burnout. While analyzing the structure of healthcare provider systems, individual specific evaluations and development of personality traits that are protective against individual burnout should be put on the agenda.
Analysis of micrometastatic disease in sentinel lymph nodes from resectable colon cancer: results of Cancer and Leukemia Group B Trial 80001.

PURPOSE To determine whether sentinel lymph node (LN) sampling (SLNS) could reduce the number of nodes required to characterize micrometastatic disease (MMD) in patients with potentially curable colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Cancer and Leukemia Group B 80001 was a study to determine whether SLNS could identify a subset of LNs that predicted the status of the nodal basin for resectable colon cancer and, therefore, could be extensively evaluated for the presence of micrometastases. Patients enrolled onto this study underwent SLNS after injection of 1% isosulfan blue, and both sentinel nodes (SNs) and non-SNs obtained during primary tumor resection were sectioned at multiple levels and stained using anti-carcinoembryonic antigen and anticytokeratin antibodies. RESULTS Using standard histopathology, SNs failed to predict the presence of nodal disease in 13 (54%) of 24 node-positive patients. Immunostains were performed for patients whose LNs were negative by standard histopathology. Depending on the immunohistochemical criteria used to assign LN positivity, SN examination resulted in either an unacceptably high false-positive rate (20%) or a low sensitivity for detection of MMD (40%). CONCLUSION By examining both SNs and non-SNs, this multi-institutional study showed that SNs did not accurately predict the presence of either conventionally defined nodal metastases or MMD. As a result, SLNS is not a useful technique for the study of MMD in patients with colon cancer.
Replication-initiator protein (UL9) of the herpes simplex virus 1 binds NFB42 and is degraded via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway

The ubiquitin–proteasome pathway plays a critical role in the degradation of short-lived and regulatory proteins in a variety of cellular processes. The F-box proteins are part of the ubiquitin–ligase complexes, which mediate ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation of phosphorylated proteins. We previously identified NFB42, an F-box protein that is highly enriched in the nervous system, as a binding partner for the herpes simplex virus 1 UL9 protein, the viral replication-initiator protein, in a yeast two-hybrid screen. In the present work, we find that coexpression of NFB42 and UL9 genes in 293T cells leads to a significant decrease in the level of UL9 protein. Treatment with the 26S-proteasome inhibitor MG132 restores the UL9 protein to normal levels. We have observed also that the UL9 protein is polyubiquitinated in vivo and that the interaction between NFB42 and the UL9 protein is dependent upon phosphorylation of the UL9 protein. These results suggest that the interaction of the UL9 protein with NFB42 results in its polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation by the 26S proteasome. They suggest further a mechanism by which latency of herpes simplex virus 1 can be established in neuronal cells.
Demonstration of mucosa-associated microbial populations in the colons of mice

Gram-stained sections prepared in a microtome-cryostat and examined by light microscopy confirmed the observation with scanning electron microscopy made by other workers that microbes inhabit a zone adjacent to the mucosal surface of the proximal colon of mice. Microbes in the midcolon, in contrast, are restricted to the fecal pellets occupying the intestinal lumen.
Prioritizing strategies for preventing medication errors and adverse drug events in pediatric inpatients.

OBJECTIVES Medication errors in pediatric inpatients occur at similar rates as in adults but have 3 times the potential to cause harm. Error prevention strategies in this setting remain largely untested. The objective of this study was to classify the major types of medication errors in pediatric inpatients and to determine which strategies might most effectively prevent them. METHODS A prospective cohort study was conducted of 1020 patients who were admitted to 2 academic medical centers during a 6-week period in April and May 1999. Medication errors were characterized by subtype. Physician raters evaluated error prevention strategies and identified those that might be most effective in preventing errors. RESULTS Of 10 778 medication orders reviewed, 616 contained errors. Of these, 120 (19.5%) were classified as potentially harmful, including 115 potential adverse drug events (18.7%) and 5 preventable adverse drug events (0.8%). Most errors occurred at the ordering stage (74%) and involved errors in dosing (28%), route (18%), or frequency (9%). Three interventions might have prevented most potentially harmful errors: 1) computerized physician order entry with clinical decision support systems (76%); 2) ward-based clinical pharmacists (81%); and 3) improved communication among physicians, nurses, and pharmacists (86%). Interrater reliability of error prevention strategy assignment was good (agreement: 0.92; kappa: 0.82). CONCLUSIONS Of the assessed interventions, computerized physician order entry with clinical decision support systems; ward-based clinical pharmacists; and improved communication among physicians, nurses, and pharmacists had the greatest potential to reduce medication errors in pediatric inpatients. Development, implementation, and assessment of such interventions in the pediatric inpatient setting are needed.
Identification of overlapping DNA-binding and centromere-targeting domains in the human kinetochore protein CENP-C

The kinetochore in eukaryotes serves as the chromosomal site of attachment for microtubules of the mitotic spindle and directs the movements necessary for proper chromosome segregation. In mammalian cells, the kinetochore is a highly differentiated trilaminar structure situated at the surface of the centromeric heterochromatin. CENP-C is a basic, DNA-binding protein that localizes to the inner kinetochore plate, the region that abuts the heterochromatin. Microinjection experiments using antibodies specific for CENP-C have demonstrated that this protein is required for the assembly and/or stability of the kinetochore as well as for a timely transition through mitosis. From these observations, it has been suggested that CENP-C is a structural protein that is involved in the organization or the kinetochore. In this report, we wished to identify and map the functional domains of CENP-C. Analysis of CENP-C truncation mutants expressed in vivo demonstrated that CENP-C possesses an autonomous centromere-targeting domain situated at the central region of the CENP-C polypeptide. Similarly, in vitro assays revealed that a region of CENP-C with the ability to bind DNA is also located at the center of the CENP-C molecule, where it overlaps the centromere-targeting domain.
Effects of an osteoporosis educational programme for men.

AIM This paper reports an evaluation of the effects on knowledge, health beliefs and preventive behaviours of an osteoporosis educational programme for men. BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is an increasing global health concern, and educational programmes have been identified as a crucial strategy in its prevention. However, the effectiveness of osteoporosis educational programmes has mainly been evaluated in women. METHODS A randomized controlled trial was carried out to identify the effects of an osteoporosis educational programme for men. The study was conducted between September 2004 to February 2005, and 128 Hong Kong Chinese men were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group, with 64 in each group. The intervention group attended an osteoporosis educational programme. All participants completed pre- and post-test self-administered questionnaires: Osteoporosis Knowledge Test, Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale and Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS The intervention group showed a statistically significant increase in both knowledge (P < 0.0005) and health beliefs (P = 0.007) about osteoporosis and preventive behaviours in comparison with the control group. However, the difference in self-efficacy between the two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.154). CONCLUSIONS An osteoporosis educational programme can increase men's knowledge levels and change their health beliefs about osteoporosis and preventive behaviours. This approach should be more widely used in nursing practice to promoting the adoption of osteoporosis prevention behaviours in men.
Poverty , perceptions and planning : why socioeconomics matter in the management of Mexican reefs

This paper examines relationships between socioeconomic factors and perceptions of coastal resources in Mahahual, Mexico. Residents provided open-ended comments to questions regarding coral reefs and fisheries. Socioeconomic characteristics are examined to see if there are differences in perceptions between socioeconomic groups. We found that wealth is the most important socioeconomic variable influencing perceptions of coastal resources. The paper concludes that understanding how socioeconomic factors influence people’s values of the environment can help in the development of efficacious conservation strategies that address the root causes of environmental degradation, but emphasizes that interventions must complement the complex livelihood strategies of stakeholders such as fishers. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Time estimation and reproduction is abnormal in Parkinson's disease.

We compared the performance of 44 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), tested 12-24 h after withdrawal of dopaminergic medication, with 20 age-matched controls, on a verbal test for time estimation and in several time reproduction tasks. Patients with PD underestimated the duration of a time interval in the verbal time estimation task and showed overproduction of time intervals when required to reproduce a short time sample. Absolute errors were greater in the reproduction of longer time intervals in both control and PD patients, but especially in the latter. The presentation of time markers at faster rates had a detrimental effect on the performance of the patients but not of the controls. Patients with more severe PD performed worse on the time estimation and reproduction tasks compared with those with milder disease. Administration of levodopa-carbidopa (205/25 mg, p.o.) significantly reduced absolute errors in time estimation and reproduction in conditions where time markers were presented at the two faster rates of 5 Hz and 3.3 Hz. Performance in these two latter tests best discriminated patients and controls and had a positive significant association with simple reaction time and movement time. These results lead us to suggest that time estimation, i.e. the 'internal clock', is abnormally slow in PD.
Efficient full LR(I) parser generation

This paper proposes that full LR(1) parser generators are easier to use than the LALR(1) parser generators commonly in use, and that minimal-state full LR(1) tables are not much larger than LALR(1) tables. A method is presented for the automatic construction of minimal-state full LR(1) parser tables. The method is fast and accurate because it starts with the LR(0) table and resolves lookahead ambiguities as necessary by tracing the LR(0) table and splitting the minimum number of states, and because there is no need for generalized set manipulation.
Fundoscopy of nerve fiber layer defects in glaucoma.

Early attrition of nerve fiber bundles in glaucoma causes slit-like gaps to appear among the normally uniform, striated arcuate bundles of the retinal nerve fiber layer. The nerve fiber layer thins progressively, and its vessels become exposed as the defects coalesce, deepen, and widen with advancing disease. These changes in the peripapillary retina are exemplified photographically and compared with perimetric findings. We believe that these fundoscopic signs provide the earliest objective evidence of nerve fiber wasting in eyes with chronically elevated intraocular pressure.
Role for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring During Induction Therapy with TNF Antagonists in IBD: Evolution in the Definition and Management of Primary Nonresponse

Abstract:Primary nonresponse and primary nonremission are important limitations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, occurring in 10% to 40% and 50% to 80% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, respectively. The magnitude of primary nonresponse differs between phase III clinical trials and cohort studies, indicating differences, e.g., in definition, patient population or blinding. The causes of nonresponse can be attributed to the drug (pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity), the patient (genetics, disease activity), the disease (type, location, severity), and/or the treatment strategy (dosing regimen, combination therapy). Primary nonresponse has been attributed to “non-TNF-driven disease” which is an overly simplified and potentially misleading approach to the problem. Many patients with primary nonresponse could successfully be treated with dose optimization during the induction phase or switching to another TNF antagonist. Therefore, primary nonresponse is frequently not a non-TNF-driven disease. Recent studies from rheumatoid arthritis and preliminary data from inflammatory bowel disease evaluating therapeutic drug monitoring have suggested that early measurement of drug and anti-drug antibody concentrations could help to define primary nonresponse and rationalize patient management of this problem. Moreover, a modeling approach including pharmacological parameters and patient-related covariants could potentially be predictive for response to the treatment. We describe an overview of this evolution in thinking, underpinned by previous findings, and assess the potential role of early measurement of drug and antidrug antibody concentrations in the definition and management of primary nonresponse.
A Classification of Spikes and Plateaus

In this paper we classify local maxima into spikes and plateaus. We give analytic definitions for spikes and plateaus in terms of a nonlocal gradient and a fourth order derivative. In higher dimensions the Hesse matrix of $\Delta f(x)$ is of relevance. This classification is applied to pattern formation models in mathematical physics and mathematical biology, including Cahn-Hilliard equations, chemotaxis equations, reaction-diffusion equations, Gierer-Meinhardt models, and Gray-Scott models. We show for some of these examples that the stability of spatial patterns depends on the spike versus plateau type of the solution. We prove, for example, that scalar reaction-diffusion equations in any spatial dimension cannot have stable spike steady states.
Sensing Systems and Algorithms for Airbag Deployment Decision

This paper addresses the development of an integrated sensing system for the airbag deployment decision in an intelligent vehicle. A number of sensing systems has been developed and fused their decisions to provide an airbag deployment decision. The performance of the prototype system is evaluated through several test runs. The results proved that the airbag deployment decision is robust and intelligent and can be easily retrofitted into any vehicle with built-in airbag control.
Concise Review: NANOG in Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Development: An Update and Outstanding Questions

The homeobox domain transcription factor NANOG, a key regulator of embryonic development and cellular reprogramming, has been reported to be broadly expressed in human cancers. Functional studies have provided strong evidence that NANOG possesses protumorigenic attributes. In addition to promoting self‐renewal and long‐term proliferative potential of stem‐like cancer cells, NANOG‐mediated oncogenic reprogramming may underlie clinical manifestations of malignant disease. In this review, we examine the molecular origin, expression, biological activities, and mechanisms of action of NANOG in various malignancies. We also consider clinical implications such as correlations between NANOG expression and cancer prognosis and/or response to therapy. We surmise that NANOG potentiates the molecular circuitry of tumorigenesis, and thus may represent a novel therapeutic target or biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcome of cancer. Finally, we present critical pending questions relating NANOG to cancer stem cells and tumor development. Stem Cells 2015;33:2381–2390
Self-Assembly of Large and Small Molecules into Hierarchically Ordered Sacs and Membranes

We report here the self-assembly of macroscopic sacs and membranes at the interface between two aqueous solutions, one containing a megadalton polymer and the other, small self-assembling molecules bearing opposite charge. The resulting structures have a highly ordered architecture in which nanofiber bundles align and reorient by nearly 90° as the membrane grows. The formation of a diffusion barrier upon contact between the two liquids prevents their chaotic mixing. We hypothesize that growth of the membrane is then driven by a dynamic synergy between osmotic pressure of ions and static self-assembly. These robust, self-sealing macroscopic structures offer opportunities in many areas, including the formation of privileged environments for cells, immune barriers, new biological assays, and self-assembly of ordered thick membranes for diverse applications.
Specific activities of natural rocks and soils at quaternary intraplate volcanism north of Sana’a, Yemen

The level of natural radioactivity in rocks and soil of 32 samples collected from locations at North Sana′a in Yemen was measured. Concentrations of radionuclides in rocks and soils samples were determined by gamma-ray spectrometer using high purity germanium (HPGe) detector with specially designed shield. The average radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K were determined and expressed in Bq/kg. The results showed that these radionuclides were present in concentrations of 21.79 ± 3.1, 19.5 ± 2.6 and 399.3 ± 16 Bq/kg, respectively, for rocks. For soil, the corresponding values were 48.2 ± 4.4, 41.7 ± 4.5 and 939.1 ± 36 Bq/kg, respectively. Also, the radiological hazard of the natural radionuclide content, radium equivalent activity, total dose rates, external hazard index and gamma activity concentration index of the (rocks/soils) samples in the area under consideration were calculated. The dose rates at 1 m above the ground from terrestrial sources were 38.39 and 86.89 nGy/h for rocks and surface soil, respectively, which present no significant health hazards to humans.