Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative neurotoxicity of weekly non-break paclitaxel infusions over 1 versus 3 h

We evaluated the effects of weekly short infusions of paclitaxel (PAC) on the development of a peripheral neuropathy (PNP) as primary endpoint. Patients with advanced cancer were randomized to a weekly regimen of PAC (100 mg/m2) infused over 1 versus 3 h. PNP was evaluated by a clinical score including sensory symptoms, strength, tendon reflexes and vibratory sense (range 0–12; PNP >3 points). Kaplan–Meier-type curves were calculated. In total, 22 study centers enrolled 121 patients, 92 assessable for analysis. The probability to exceed a PNP score of 3 increased from 0.20 versus 0.30 after six to 0.68 versus 0.47 after 12 administrations (1 versus 3 h: p = 0.66). After 12 weeks of therapy only a quarter of assessable patients were free of PNP. Cox analysis yielded a relative risk of 1.10 for 1-h infusions (p = 0.80). We observed a rapid increasing risk of PNP manifestation in the course of weekly PAC administrations without significant differences between 1- and 3-h infusions. This is in contrast to pharmacokinetic observations indicating that a shortening of infusion time might enhance neurotoxicity by increasing the AUC of Cremophor. A majority of patients experiencing neurotoxic effects require the investigation of potential nerve protectors in future clinical trials accompanying PAC therapy.
Pithos

There has been significant research effort into peer-to-peer (P2P) massively multi-user virtual environments (MMVEs). A number of architectures have been proposed to implement the P2P approach; however, the development of fully distributed MMVEs has met with a number of challenges. In this work, we address one of the key remaining challenges of state consistency and persistency in P2P MMVEs. Having reviewed state management and persistency architectures currently receiving research attention, we have identified deficiencies such as lack of load balancing, responsiveness, and scalability. To address these deficiencies, we present Pithos—a reliable, responsive, secure, load-balanced, and scalable distributed storage system, suited to P2P MMVEs. Pithos is designed specifically for P2P MMVEs, and we show that it improves the reliability and responsiveness of storage architectures as compared to existing P2P state persistency architectures. Pithos is implemented as an OverSim simulation running on the OMNeT++ network simulation framework. It is evaluated using up to 10,400 peers, with realistic latency profiles, with up to 15.8 million storage and retrieval requests that are generated to store a total of 2.4 million objects. Each peer in Pithos uses a maximum of 1,950Bps bandwidth to achieve 99.98% storage reliability, while the most reliable overlay storage configuration tested only achieved 93.65% reliability, using 2,182Bps bandwidth. Pithos is also more responsive than overlay storage, with an average responsiveness of 0.192s, compared with the average overlay responsiveness of 1.4s when retrieving objects from storage.
Using surveys to Measure the Populist attitudes of political elites and voters: a Greek pilot study of Supply and Demand

Research on the phenomenon of populism has a long history in Europe and Latin America. Most studies up to now have focused on the clarification of the concept of populism as well as on explaining the success of populist contenders. Recently, empirical research has also advanced in the task of measuring the complexities of populism, e.g. through textual analysis of political speeches or public opinion surveys to measure populist attitudes of voters. However, with the exception of key political figures like presidents, prime ministers, and political parties in general, the inclination of political elites towards populist attitudes has yet to be adequately explored, especially from a comparative perspective. This chapter sets out to close this gap and presents a first glance on two genuine datasets measuring populist attitudes through both candidate and parliamentary elite surveys in Greece and Bolivia.
Feasibility of observing mechanical effects of cosmological neutrinos.

We reexamine mechanical effects of cosmological neutrinos, and the possibility of their detection. Classical and quantum-mechanical results are derived for the mean force on a spherical target mass due to neutrinos that are either extremely relativisitic, nonrelativistic but unclustered, or nonrelativistic and clustered; results are presented for Dirac and Majorana massive neutrinos. We find that there is no O(${\mathit{G}}_{\mathit{F}}$) mean force, in agreement with earlier calculations. In addition, we demonstrate that there are fluctuating forces O(${\mathit{G}}_{\mathit{F}}^{2}$), which are more important than the mean force except on sufficiently long time scales that we evaluate case by case. Thus, fluctuations may act as a source of noise for any experiment seeking to detect the small, mean force due to background neutrinos even if all other sources of noise can be eliminated. In addition, we show that the fluctuating forces on a pair of nearby targets due to background neutrinos should be correlated, and that interference effects can lead to a short-range ``shadowing force'' between targets even in a perfectly isotropic background. Finally, the rates of phonon excitation both from the ground state and for a state with nonzero preexisting excitation are computed.
Macrophage invasion does not contribute to muscle membrane injury during inflammation

Previous observations have shown that neutrophil invasion precedes macrophage invasion during muscle inflammation and that peak muscle injury is observed at the peak of ED1+ macrophage invasion. We tested the hypothesis that neutrophil invasion causes subsequent invasion by ED1+ macrophages and that ED1+ macrophages then contribute significantly to muscle membrane injury during modified muscle use. Rat hindlimbs were unloaded for 10 days followed by reloading by normal ambulation to induce inflammation. Membrane injury was measured by assaying Evans blue‐bound serum protein influx through membrane lesions. Muscle neutrophil populations increased significantly during the first 2 h of reloading but ED1+ macrophages did not increase until 24 h. Neutrophil invasion was uncoupled from subsequent macrophage invasion by reloading rat hindlimbs for 2hto cause neutrophil invasion, followed by resuspension for hours 2–24. This produced similar increases in neutrophil concentration as measured in muscles continuously reloaded for 24 h without causing an increase in macrophages. However, resuspension did not reduce the extent of muscle damage compared with that occurring in muscles that were reloaded continuously for 24 h. Thus, muscle invasion by neutrophils is not sufficient to cause invasion by ED1+ macrophages. In addition, muscle membrane injury that occurs during reloading is independent of invasion by ED1+ macrophages. J. Leukoc. Biol. 65: 492–498; 1999.
Classes of transformations and bordering transformations

Introduction. I do not propose to give a complete or closed theory of any of the phases of the subjects I touch on in this address. In fact one of my primary purposes is to indicate what the natural unsolved problems are and what it would be reasonable to expect, and I shall raise as many questions as I answer. Many of my comments bear on results not yet published or on work in progress in connection with a book on fixed point theory. In a general way the first part of my remarks will interpret bordering transformations as those metrically near a canonical type, usually an isometry, while my later remarks will interpret bordering in a homotopy sense. Our initial considerations will be devoted to the implications of what we may term uniform departures from standard transformations. The first to formulate some problems of this type was Ulam. In order to bring out their interconnections we present them as special cases or modifications of a general form and free the formulation from metric dependence although the metric cases alone have been treated. Suppose then tha t X and F are uniform spaces with the vicinities of the diagonals denoted by SSI and 9JÏ. We assume the existence of a multiplication in these spaces denoted by O and ©. That is to say, O maps XXX into X, and © maps F X F into F. Let T, S be transformations on X to F satisfying
Participation in tax e-filing: Creating ownership sense or reduce indistinctness in system's design?

The form of tax e-filing technology introduced in Malaysia particularly on corporate taxation is not fully utilized, despite huge amount of budget allocated for this matter. The resistance among tax preparers in Malaysia indirectly had raised questions of (i) what are the determinants toward behavioral acceptance in tax e-filing in Malaysia; and (2) how the factors identified are related to tax e-filing acceptability.Thus, an extension of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is tested and applied in the relationship that possibly influences the behavioral intention and moderated by user participation. Even though this unified model is accepted and integrated in many studies of various fields, their results revealed some inconsistencies when applied in different areas or situations.In other words, there is no universal UTAUT that can explain all situations of acceptance.As such, the present research is attempting to discover enrichment to the model of acceptability.In addition, this research tries to propose and validate a model that examines the role of user in application developments as introduced in Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3). Hence, the integration of UTAUT and TAM3 is expected to give a new outlook to the existing model. It is expected to reveal the noncompliance behavior towards corporate tax e-filing acceptability among tax agents/prepares in Malaysia.
Polymer based solutions of bupranolol hydrochloride for intranasal systemic delivery

The present study was aimed at developing intranasal polymer based solutions as alternative route for systemic delivery of Bupranolol hydrochloride (BPH). It is a potent β-blocker drug which upon oral administration undergoes extremely high hepatic first-pass metabolism (>90% in humans). The polymeric solutions were prepared using varying concentrations of polymers like sodium alginate, chitosan, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose (MC), polyvinyl alcohol, carbopol, hydroxypropyl MC, and hydroxypropyl cellulose. The prepared formulations were evaluated in terms of pH of the solution, angular viscosity, drug content, gel strength, gelation temperature, in vitro drug release, in vivo pharmacodynamic studies, histopathological, and stability studies. Except MC based solutions, a biphasic pattern of drug release was obtained in all other cases. Nasal administration of selected batches of polymeric solutions were found to be nontoxic and were able to improve drug bioavailability when compared to oral, nasal, and intravenous solution administrations of BPH.
AMD-like lesions in the rat retina: a latent consequence of perinatal hemorrhage.

PURPOSE Hemorrhaging is a commonplace event in the human retina around the time of birth. This study was conducted to examine the potential long-term sequelae of hemorrhaging in the eyes of rats that exhibited transient spontaneous microhemorrhages a few days after birth. METHODS Retinas of Dark Agouti rats aged from day of birth to 2 years old were analyzed histologically, histochemically, and by immunocytochemistry. Fetal human retinas were also examined anatomically and histochemically for evidence of hemorrhages. RESULTS Dark Agouti rats from our colony consistently exhibited spontaneous focal hemorrhages at the vitread surface of the retina between postnatal days 3 and 6. Erythrocytes were subsequently cleared by macrophages, which accumulated hemosiderin. These macrophages remained in focal patches in the inner retina for the duration of the study. For at least 6 months after the initial transient hemorrhages, the retinas exhibited no overt histologic damage. At approximately 8 to 9 months, photoreceptor degenerative changes were apparent in spatial register with the patches of macrophages in the inner retina. Additional events such as breakdown of Bruch's membrane, glial remodeling, neovascularization, ingress of RPE cells into the retina and accumulation of drusen-like autofluorescent structures were also observed in topographic register with macrophage-laden patches in aged animals. CONCLUSIONS Microhemorrhages in the retina may initiate the formation of focal lesions, months or years after the initial insult. The lesions exhibit key features of AMD. These animals may represent a useful model for studying the potential basis of the pathogenesis of AMD.
Busulfan and melphalan as conditioning regimen for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Summary. Twenty‐four patients with multiple myeloma (MM), three (12‐5%) in complete remission (CR) and 21 (87‐5%) in partial remission (PR) were treated with high‐dose chemotherapy (HDCT) (busulfan 12 mg/kg‐l‐melphalan 140mg/m2) as preparative regimen for autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. These cells were previously collected by leukapheresis after mobilization by high‐dose cyclophosphamide (HD Cy) + rhGM‐CSF (18 patients) or rhG‐CSF alone (six patients). Considering 23 evaluable patients following HDCT, the CR rate was 58% (14 patients) and the PR rate was 38% (nine patients). One transplant‐related death occurred following this regimen (4%). With a median follow‐up of 20 months (range 4‐34) after transplantation, 21 patients are alive (87%). Disease progression after transplantation was observed in four patients. Overall and relapse‐free actuarial survival at 24 months was 91% and 74%, respectively. 12 patients (50%) remain in CR 15 months (4‐34) post transplant. The major toxicity was mucositis. Busulfan + melphalan is a safe and feasible conditioning regimen for APBSCT in MM with acceptable toxicity and a high objective response rate, which may result in prolonged survival.
Coronaviruses Maintain Viability despite Dramatic Rearrangements of the Strictly Conserved Genome Organization

ABSTRACT Despite their high frequency of RNA recombination, the plus-strand coronaviruses have a characteristic, strictly conserved genome organization with the essential genes occurring in the order 5′-polymerase (pol)-S-E-M-N-3′. We have investigated the significance of this remarkable conservation by rearrangement of the murine coronavirus genome through targeted recombination. Thus, viruses were prepared with the following gene order: 5′-pol-S-M-E-N-3′, 5′-pol-S-N-E-M-3′, 5′-pol-M-S-E-N-3′, and 5′-pol-E-M-S-N-3′. All of these viruses were surprisingly viable, and most viruses replicated in cell culture with growth characteristics similar to those of the parental virus. The recombinant virus with the gene order 5′-pol-E-M-S-N-3′ was also tested for the ability to replicate in the natural host, the mouse. The results indicate that the canonical coronavirus genome organization is not essential for replication in vitro and in vivo. Deliberate rearrangement of the viral genes may be useful in the generation of attenuated coronaviruses, which due to their reduced risk of generating viable viruses by recombination with circulating field viruses, would make safer vaccines.
Influence of Government Support on Performance of Women Run Small Enterprises in Kenya: Langata Sub-County

All over the world, it is generally accepted that women run small enterprises (SEs) are becoming increasingly important in employment, wealth creation, and development of innovation. Small Enterprises encounter many challenges one of which is insufficient government support which hinder their performance and growth. This study sought to investigate why women run small enterprises grow less rapidly and shut down more often than men run enterprises. The objective of the study was to determine the extent to which government support influence the performance of women run small enterprises operating in Langata Sub-County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted a population of 118 women run small enterprises in Langata Sub-County in Nairobi County, Kenya. To collect primary data, a sample size of 91 enterprises was randomly selected for administering of questionnaire. The ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model derived from the analysis sufficiently explained the variation in performance of women run small enterprises. The findings indicated significant positive relationship between government support and performance of women run small enterprises in Langata sub-county. The study recommends that the government should increase its support to women run small enterprises because such support would greatly improve their performance. Keywords: Government support, Performance, Women-Run, Enterprise
Long‐term follow‐up of chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to splenectomy: a prospective analysis

Summary. Splenectomy remains the most effective treatment of chronic autoimmune idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP) (i.e. of > 6 months duration). Treatment of patients refractory to splenectomy (with absence of response or relapse after initial response) is difficult, and their long‐term outcome is not well known. Over a 10‐year period, 183 patients with chronic ITP were splenectomized including 158 adults and 25 children (≤ 15 years). Forty‐seven of them, who were refractory to this treatment, were prospectively followed up for 5‐‐15 years (median 7·5 years). Twelve of them, with moderate thrombocytopenia, remained untreated, and 35 were treated by a median of two regimens (range 1‐‐6), to which 27 responded. Thirty‐six (77%) of the refractory cases reached platelet counts durably > 100 × 109/l, nine of them without treatment and 27 of them with low‐dose steroids or azathioprine; six (13%) remained moderately thrombocytopenic (35 × 109/l to 100 × 109/l platelets); the last five patients, without response to any treatment (up to six regimens), remained severely thrombocytopenic (platelets < 20 × 109/l), and three of them died from bleeding. Twenty‐seven (57%) of the 47 refractory cases required at least one hospitalization, in the majority of cases for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusions. Seven of the refractory cases occurred in children. Six of them subsequently reached platelet counts > 100 × 109/l, but one died from bleeding. Our findings confirm the overall favourable long‐term prognosis of chronic ITP refractory to splenectomy.
Cognitive impairment in medical inpatients. I: Screening for dementia--is history better than mental state?

BACKGROUND evaluation of the short version of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) as screening tools for dementia in medical inpatients. METHODS 201 patients over 65 were assessed. Assessment included administration of the AMT, a delirium screening instrument and a brief psychiatric interview. Relatives were interviewed and the IQCODE administered. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) IIIR diagnoses of various causes of cognitive impairment were made. Sensitivity and specificity values of the screening tests for a DSM IIIR diagnosis of dementia were calculated. RESULTS our study suggests that the IQCODE is more accurate than the AMT as a screening instrument for dementia. Using a cut-off point of > 3.44, sensitivity and specificity of the IQCODE for diagnosing dementia were 100 and 86% respectively. Equivalent values for the AMT (cut-off point < 8) were 96 and 73%. It was possible to use the IQCODE in eight of the 10 patients unable to complete the AMT. CONCLUSION using both the IQCODE and a brief cognitive function test when screening for dementia in medical inpatients will maximize the number of patients who can be screened.
Jordanians Families Home Literacy Practices and Their Associated Functions in Malaysia

Jordanian postgraduate students and their families came to Malaysia to pursue their postgraduate studies. These families came with their own literacy practices based on their home country social and cultural aspects and they have to adjust and balance their home literacy practices to cope with the new cultural and social aspects in the host country while guarding their own cultural and social aspects. This study aims to explore Jordanian family home literacy practices types and the literacy functions associated with these practices. Twelve open-ended structured questions Interviews, 16 observations and field notes (12 during the interviews and four while sharing social events with the family) and photographs were used to collect the data from the family members over fourteen weeks. The interview questions were adopted from Alshaboul(2004) and adapted to fulfill the study objectives. The findings indicate that reading literacy practices are superior to the writing literacy practices as each main literacy practice has sub literacy practices that served sub literacy functions that eventually led to the main literacy function while the main literacy practice led directly to the main literacy function. The family most frequent and prevalent home literacy practices are social, religious, academic, educational, digital, daily living, geographical and numerical while the less frequent and prevalent home literacy functions are medical and financial. Moreover, the findings indicate that the home literacy practices are dynamic that occurred in multiple, integrated and simultaneous way that led to multiple, integrated and simultaneous literacy functions.
Caffeine: A Valuable Tool to Study Central Fatigue in Humans?

KALMAR, J.M. , and E. CAFARELLI. Caffeine: A valuable tool to study central fatigue in humans? Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 143–147, 2004. This review focuses on caffeine’s effects on the central modulation of muscle activation in humans. The drug’s effects on voluntary muscle activation, the Hoffman reflex, motor-evoked potentials, self-sustained firing, pain, and sensation are discussed, and the possibility that caffeine maybe useful in the study of central fatigue is explored.
Citalopram in Depression—Meta‐analysis of Intended and Unintended Effects

An updated qualitative meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials is presented. When compared to reference drugs, especially tricyclics, citalopram after 6 weeks of treatment showed a similar intended effect on the depression index of the Hamilton scale. However, on the sleep index of the scale citalopram was weaker than tricyclics. When compared to placebo, citalopram after 6 weeks of treatment showed to be significantly superior on the Hamilton scale and on the global assessment scales. Analysis of unintended effects showed that citalopram had fewer side-effects than tricyclics, especially of anticholinergic types. In conclusion, citalopram has been found to be a non-sedating antidepressant which is well accepted by the patients due to its lack of unintended effects.