Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels predict survival in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

PURPOSE Our previous analyses suggested that surgery in the summertime with higher vitamin D intake is associated with improved survival in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We further investigated the results of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in NSCLC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Among 447 patients with early-stage NSCLC, data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, sex, stage, smoking, and treatment. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 72 months (range, 0.2 to 141), with 161 recurrences and 234 deaths. For OS, the adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.50 to 1.10; Ptrend = .07) for the highest versus lowest quartile of 25(OH)D levels. Stratified by stage, a strong association was observed among stage IB-IIB patients (AHR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.82; Ptrend = .002), but not among stage IA patients (AHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.96; Ptrend = .53). Similar effects of 25(OH)D levels were observed among the 309 patients with dietary information (AHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.17; Ptrend = .19). For the joint effects of 25(OH)D level and vitamin D intake, the combined high 25(OH)D levels and high vitamin D intake (by median) were associated with better survival than the combined low 25(OH)D levels and low vitamin D intake (AHR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.98; Ptrend = .06). Again, stronger associations were observed among stage IB-IIB than IA patients. Similar effects of 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D intake were observed for RFS. CONCLUSION Vitamin D may be associated with improved survival of patients with early-stage NSCLC, particularly among stage IB-IIB patients.
Use of atypical neuroleptics in child and adolescent psychiatry.

BACKGROUND This article reviews the published clinical experience with atypical neuroleptics in children and adolescents. METHOD A computerized literature search was conducted (MEDLINE, 1974-1998) to retrieve all reports on the use of atypical neuroleptics in children and adolescents. A hand search was performed as well. All relevant clinical data were collated by type of drug. RESULTS We found 5 blind placebo-controlled clinical trials (105 patients), 24 open-label clinical trials (387 patients), and 33 case series (115 patients) describing the use of the atypical neuroleptics clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, sulpiride, tiapride, amisulpride, remoxipride, and clothiapine in children and adolescents. Some of these agents, especially clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine, were found to be efficacious in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and pervasive developmental disorders. The role of atypical neuroleptics as augmenters of serotonin reuptake inhibitors in obsessive-compulsive disorder is unclear. Risperidone appears to possess anti-tic properties in patients with Tourette's disorder. CONCLUSION The most convincing evidence of the efficacy of atypical neuroleptics in children and adolescents concerns clozapine in the treatment of schizophrenia. Data on other atypical neuroleptics in other disorders are still sparse, and further research is needed. Some of the atypical neuroleptics may become the first-line treatment for childhood schizophrenia and pervasive developmental disorders.
Deregulation of a STAT3–Interleukin 8 Signaling Pathway Promotes Human Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation and Invasiveness

Inactivation of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (mutated in multiple advanced cancers 1) (PTEN) is recognized as a major event in the pathogenesis of the brain tumor glioblastoma. However, the mechanisms by which PTEN loss specifically impacts the malignant behavior of glioblastoma cells, including their proliferation and propensity for invasiveness, remain poorly understood. Genetic studies suggest that the transcription factor signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) harbors a PTEN-regulated tumor suppressive function in mouse astrocytes. Here, we report that STAT3 plays a critical tumor suppressive role in PTEN-deficient human glioblastoma cells. Endogenous STAT3 signaling is specifically inhibited in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells. Strikingly, reactivation of STAT3 in PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells inhibits their proliferation, invasiveness, and ability to spread on myelin. We also identify the chemokine interleukin 8 (IL8) as a novel target gene of STAT3 in human glioblastoma cells. Activated STAT3 occupies the endogenous IL8 promoter and directly represses IL8 transcription. Consistent with these results, IL8 is upregulated in PTEN-deficient human glioblastoma tumors. Importantly, IL8 repression mediates STAT3 inhibition of glioblastoma cell proliferation, invasiveness, and spreading on myelin. Collectively, our findings uncover a novel link between STAT3 and IL8, the deregulation of which plays a key role in the malignant behavior of PTEN-deficient glioblastoma cells. These studies suggest that STAT3 activation or IL8 inhibition may have potential in patient-tailored treatment of PTEN-deficient brain tumors.
Motion and haar-like features based vehicle detection

Lienhart et al. have added basic and rotated haar-like features in the face detection scheme based on a boosted cascade of simple feature classifiers. There are two key contributions in the paper. The first is introduction of motion features. With the haar-like and motion features, our sample vehicle detector shows off on average a 5% lower false alarm rate at a given hit rate. Considering the speed performance, motion features are used to given the candidate regions and haar-like features are used to detect the vehicles at the above results. Secondly, the haar-like features are used for the highway except face. In the face detection, Haar-like feature shows detection rate comparable to the best previous system. But little work is done in the traffic domain. And empirical analysis of vehicle detection is provided in the experiment section
How do business groups evolve ? Evidence from new project announcements

Using a unique data set of investment projects from India, we examine how business groups choose between implementing a new project within an existing firm (“integration”) versus implementing in a new firm (“non-integration”). While industry commonality is an important determinant of this choice, we document that it is also common for groups to house diversification projects in existing firms. Larger and more profitable groups are more likely to integrate projects, and the integrated projects are more likely to be from less profitable industries. Within the group, projects are more likely to be integrated into larger and more profitable firms. Interestingly, diversification projects from profitable industries are more likely to be integrated into high insider holding firms. On average, the market reacts more positively to project announcements by high insider holding firms. Overall, our results suggest that a key determinant of integration is to use an existing group firm’s cash flows to support the new project, and also that insiders expropriate minority shareholders by selectively implementing profitable projects in high insider holding firms. ∗School of Business and Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University. email: ayyagari@gwu.edu; ph: (202) 994-1292 †Olin Business School, Washington University. email: gopalan@wustl.edu; ph: (314) 935-9196. ‡Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. email: vyerrami@indiana.edu; ph: (812) 855-2694.
Characteristics of cold-induced dark, firm, dry broiler chicken breast meat

1. A study was designed to characterise dark, firm, dry (DFD) breast meat resulting from cold exposure of broilers and compare its properties with normal breast meat from cold-stressed and control birds. 2. A total of 140 broilers were selected from 5- and 6-week-old birds exposed to cold temperatures ranging from −18 to −4°C, or a control temperature of +20°C for 3 h in an environmental chamber. Half of these birds were slaughtered immediately following the cold exposure and the other half were given 2 h of lairage. 3. Breast meat samples were categorised based on ultimate pH (pHu) and colour L* (lightness) values into normal (5·7 ≤ pHu ≤ 6·1; 46 ≤ L* ≤ 53) breast meat from control (control-normal) or cold-stressed (cold-normal) birds, and DFD (pHu > 6·1; L* < 46) breast meat, which only occurred in cold-stressed birds (cold-DFD). 4. Residual glycogen was not different between cold-DFD and control-normal breast meat. Lactate concentration was lower in cold-DFD compared with control-normal breast meat. Lactate concentration almost tripled for all the samples by 30 h post-mortem, which resulted in a drop in pH of normal meat, but did not have any effect on pH of DFD breast meat. Glycolytic potential at both 5 min and 30 h post-mortem was lower in DFD breast meat compared with the normal breast meat from both cold-stressed and control birds. 5. Cold-DFD breast meat was significantly darker, with higher pHu, lower cook loss, higher water-binding capacity and processing cook yield than cold-normal and control-normal breast meat, which were not different from each other.
Multiple Substrate Growth Kinetics of Leptothrix discophoraSP‐6

The growth parameters of Leptothrix discophora SP‐6 were quantified on the basis of the steady‐state concentrations and utilization rates of pyruvate, dissolved oxygen, and concentration of microorganisms in a chemostat operated at 25 °C, pH 7.2, and an agitation rate of 350 rpm. The results showed that the microbial growth was limited by both pyruvate and dissolved oxygen. A combined growth kinetics model using Monod growth kinetics for pyruvate and Tessier growth kinetics for oxygen showed the best correlation with the experimental data when analyzed using an interactive multiple substrate model. The growth kinetics parameters and the respective confidence limits, estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation, were μmax = 0.576 ± 0.021 h−1, KsMp = 38.81 ± 4.24 mg L−1, KsTo = 0.39 ± 0.04 mg L−1, YX/p = 0.150 (mg microorganism mg−1 pyruvate), YX/o = 1.24 (mg microorganism mg−1 oxygen), the maintenance factors for pyruvate and oxygen were mp = 0.129 (mg pyruvate consumed mg−1 microorganism h−1) and mo = 0.076 (mg oxygen consumed mg−1 microorganism h−1), respectively.
Elevation of plasma-soluble HLA-G in childhood nephrotic syndrome is associated with IgE

Background Nephrotic syndrome is related to immune system dysfunction. Soluble human leukocyte antigen-G has been suggested to have an immunomodulatory role. Additionally, human leukocyte antigen-G expression may be influenced by the 14-base pair insertion/deletion polymorphism. However, this molecule has not been investigated in nephrotic syndrome. Methods Fifty-five children with nephrotic syndrome were enrolled: 24 primary nephrotic syndrome patients and 31 recurrent nephrotic syndrome patients. A group of 120 healthy subjects were included as reference controls. Additionally, 22 patients in nephrotic syndrome remission after treatments were also included. Both nephrotic syndrome patients and healthy subjects were genotyped for the 14-base pair insertion/deletion polymorphism. Plasma soluble human leukocyte antigen-G concentrations and serum immunoglobulin concentrations were determined. Results Nephrotic syndrome patients showed significantly higher levels of both soluble human leukocyte antigen-G and immunoglobulin E compared to normal controls. Nephrotic syndrome patients presented a higher frequency of the −14-base pair allele than did normal controls. Soluble human leukocyte antigen-G concentrations in remission patients were dramatically lower compared to in nephrotic syndrome patients. Moreover, soluble human leukocyte antigen-G and immunoglobulin E were moderately correlated in nephrotic syndrome patients. Conclusions The present study demonstrated that plasma soluble human leukocyte antigen-G concentrations were significantly elevated and that a relationship between serum total immunoglobulin E in nephrotic syndrome patients and the human leukocyte antigen-G −14-base pair allele may be a risk factor for nephrotic syndrome. These findings suggest that soluble human leukocyte antigen-G may be used as a monitoring marker for nephrotic syndrome patients' condition.
Changing Role Perceptions for Parents of Handicapped Children

Socialization to the role of parent of a handicapped child is usually a traumatic and conflict producing experience. There are both instrumental (technical) and expressive (emotional) aspects of this role change which need resolution. The agents of socialization, such as doctors, teachers, social workers, and handicapped adults, play an important role in the socialization process. The transition in role perception is also influenced by the socioeconomic status, age, religion, and physical characteristics of the parents and by the sex and birth order of the child. An understanding of the influence of these factors should assist the agents of socialization in helping parents and in turn be beneficial to the handicapped child in making an effective adjustment to his handicap.
Transient Free Convection Generated by a Heated Vertical Plate in a Rectangular Cavity

The effects of aspect ratio on the transient free convection generated by a heated vertical plate in a rectangular cavity is investigated for the characteristics and rates of heat transfer from the plate into the surrounding fluid medium. The plate is assumed to be an isothermal plate at a high temperature, suddenly immersed in air at a lower temperature inside the cavity whose walls are also assumed to be adiabatic. The full two-dimensional time-dependent partial differential forms of the conservation equations of continuity, momentum, and energy governing the flow field are cast and solved by a numerical method employing the finite-difference scheme. During the initial short period, heat flow is found to be by conduction irrespective of aspect ratio. The conduction regime is found to be more prolonged for tall enclosures. Shortly after conduction sets in the convection indicated by increase in the heat transfer coefficient following a temporal minimum in the coefficient at the end of the conduction regime. The rate of heat transfer by convection is found to increase with aspect ratio. At large times the temperature field stratifies and the heat transfer to the medium approaches zero, the velocity field decaying gradually and the flow approaches its eventual quiescence.
The public's view of the competence, dangerousness, and need for legal coercion of persons with mental health problems.

OBJECTIVES The authors examined Americans' opinions about financial and treatment competence of people with mental health problems, potential for harm to self or others, and the use of legal means to force treatment. METHODS The 1996 General Social Survey provided interview data with a nationally representative sample (n = 1444). Respondents were given a vignette based on diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, major depression, alcohol dependence, or drug dependence, or a "control" case. RESULTS The specific nature of the problem was the most important factor shaping public reaction. Respondents viewed those with "troubles," alcohol dependence, or depression as able to make treatment decisions. Most reported that persons with alcohol or drug problems or schizophrenia cannot manage money and are likely to be violent toward others. Respondents indicated a willingness to coerce individuals into treatment. Respondent and other case characteristics rarely affected opinions. CONCLUSIONS Americans report greater concern with individuals who have drug or alcohol problems than with persons who have other mental health problems. Evaluations of dangerousness and coercion indicate a continuing need for public education.
Exposure to X-rated movies and adolescents' sexual and contraceptive-related attitudes and behaviors.

OBJECTIVES To examine the association between exposure to X-rated movies and teens' contraceptive attitudes and behaviors. METHODS Black females, 14 to 18 years old (n = 522) were recruited from adolescent medicine clinics, health departments, and school health clinics. RESULTS Exposure to X-rated movies was reported by 29.7% of adolescents. Exposure to X-rated movies was associated with being more likely to have negative attitudes toward using condoms (odds ratio [OR]: 1.4), to have multiple sex partners (OR: 2.0), to have sex more frequently (OR: 1.8), to not have not used contraception during the last intercourse (OR: 1.5), to have not used contraception in the past 6 months (OR: 2.2), to have a strong desire to conceive (OR: 2.3), and to test positive for chlamydia (OR: 1.7). CONCLUSIONS Additional research is needed to understand the impact of X-rated movies on adolescents' sexual and contraceptive health.
Storability and freezing tolerance of Douglas fir and Norway spruce seedlings grown in mid-Sweden

ABSTRACT Climate change provides new challenges to Nordic forestry. Use of non-native species, such as Douglas fir, can be a means of mitigating the effects of climate change and meeting the growing demand for biomass. When Douglas fir is grown in Sweden, it is several degrees of latitude north of its normal range, which can affect timing of growth cessation, hardening of seedlings, and seedling storability. The objective of this study was to investigate tolerance to freezing and sub-zero storability of seven Douglas fir provenances and make comparisons with the native Norway spruce. Freezing tolerance and storability were evaluated by measuring the electrolytic leakage of shoots and roots after freezing, complemented with a three-week cultivation test after storage. All provenances of Douglas fir used in this study were able to tolerate frozen storage at −4°C for about four months. Norway spruce and the interior Douglas fir provenance, Three Valley, could be stored earlier in the autumn than the southern coastal Douglas fir provenances. Consequently, it should be possible to store Douglas fir seedlings with the same routines as for Norway spruce.
Cardiovascular Profile of Duloxetine, a Dual Reuptake Inhibitor of Serotonin and Norepinephrine

Abstract: This analysis assessed the effects of duloxetine, a dual reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine, on indices of cardiovascular safety, including heart rate, blood pressure (BP), and electrocardiograms (ECGs), in a large group of clinical trial patients with depression. Data were available from 8 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled (n = 777), and active comparator-controlled depression trials. Duloxetine (n = 1139) doses ranged from 40 to 120 mg/d, and fluoxetine (n = 70) and paroxetine (n = 359) were administered at a dose of 20 mg/d. Patients were treated for 8 to 9 weeks. There was a significant increase for duloxetine compared with placebo for heart rate (1.6 vs. −0.6 beats per minute) and for systolic BP (1.0 vs. −1.2 mm Hg); the difference for diastolic BP (1.1 vs. 0.3) was not significant. There were no significant differences between duloxetine and placebo treatment groups in the incidence of sustained (at least 3 consecutive visits) elevations in systolic (duloxetine 1.0%, placebo 0.4%), diastolic (duloxetine 0.4%, placebo 0.4%), or either (duloxetine 1.3%, placebo 0.8%) BP. Moreover, the effect of duloxetine on mean changes in supine systolic and diastolic BP was not significantly different from that of fluoxetine or paroxetine. Drug-placebo differences in mean changes in electrocardiograms (eg, QTc, PR, and QRS intervals) were neither statistically nor clinically significant, with the exception that duloxetine 120 mg/d had significant decreases in PR and QRS intervals compared with placebo. These data demonstrate that duloxetine has modest effects on heart rate and BP and no clinically meaningful effect on electrocardiogram profiles in a relatively healthy cohort of clinical trial patients. The cardiovascular effects of duloxetine appear to be comparable with medications considered to be first-line options for depression.
Population Dynamics of Peromyscus leucopus at Clear Creek Metro Park

Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed mouse, is a generalist rodent that shows an affinity for deciduous forest fragments. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in population characteristics of mice based on variation in habitat. This study surveyed population characteristics of these very adaptive rodents within habitats at a novel field research site in the Hocking Hills region of Ohio. In this study, a 4 x 4 grid of 16 Sherman live-traps was set in each of two different habitats at Clear Creek Metro Park in southeast Ohio. Traps were set on six different occasions during Fall 2013 in the two secondary growth deciduous forest habitats. One habitat contained deciduous trees (‘deciduous habitat’) while the other contained both deciduous and coniferous tree species (‘conifer habitat’). Results showed that the relative abundance was greater in the conifer habitat compared to the deciduous habitat, which may be explained by different available food resources. Other descriptive characteristics of mice were similar between populations.
An observational study of powered wheelchair provision in Italy

ABSTRACT Powered wheelchairs are complex and expensive assistive devices that must be selected and configured on the basis of individual user needs, lifestyle, motivation, driving ability, and environment. Providing agencies often require evidence that their financial investment will lead to a successful outcome. The authors surveyed a sample of 79 users who had obtained powered wheelchairs from a Regional Health Service in Italy in the period 2008–2013. Follow-up interviews were conducted at the users’ homes in order to collect information about wheelchair use, and its effectiveness, usefulness, and economic impact. The instruments used in the interviews included an introductory questionnaire, QUEST (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology), PIADS (Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale), FABS/M (Facilitators and Barriers Survey/Mobility), and SCAI (Siva Cost Analysis Instrument). The results indicated positive outcomes, especially in relation to user satisfaction and psychosocial impact. A number of barriers were identified in various settings that sometimes restrict user mobility, and suggest corrective actions. The provision of a powered wheelchair generated considerable savings in social costs for most users: an average of about $38,000 per person over a projected 5-year period was estimated by comparing the cost of the intervention with that of non-intervention.