Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Total testosterone in young men is more closely associated than free testosterone with prostate cancer disparities

Introduction: Early adulthood has been suggested as the most relevant time to determine the influence of testosterone on prostate carcinogenesis. For a more detailed assessment of this hypothesis, the present study examined whether serum total or free testosterone in young men was more closely associated with prostate cancer disparities. Methods: A literature search was conducted for studies that reported both total and free testosterone levels for population samples of young men, along with prostate cancer incidences for the populations from which study populations were sampled. A previously developed analytical method was used to standardize the hormone levels of 19 population samples gathered from nine studies, and these standardized values were compared with disparities in prostate cancer incidence. Results: Population differences in total testosterone levels were significantly associated with prostate cancer disparities, r = 0.833, p = 0.001, as were population differences in free testosterone, r = 0.661, p = 0.027. After controlling for age differences, total and free testosterone remained associated with prostate cancer disparities, partial r = 0.888, p < 0.001, and partial r = 0.657, p = 0.039, respectively. A marginally significant difference existed in the strength of relationships between total and free testosterone with respect to prostate cancer disparities, with total testosterone exhibiting a stronger association, T 2 = 1.573, p = 0.077. Conclusions: Across analyses, total testosterone demonstrated a more robust relationship than free testosterone with cancer disparities, which may suggest that total testosterone is the more sensitive biomarker for evaluating androgenic stimulation of the prostate gland.
Thermotropic phase behavior of model membranes composed of phosphatidylcholines containing iso-branched fatty acids. 2. Infrared and 31P NMR spectroscopic studies.

The polymorphic phase behavior of aqueous dispersions of a number of representative phosphatidylcholines with methyl iso-branched fatty acyl chains was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy. For the longer chain phosphatidylcholines, where two transitions are resolved on the temperature scale, the higher temperature event can unequivocally be assigned to the melting of the acyl chains (i.e., a gel/liquid-crystalline phase transition), whereas the lower temperature event is shown to involve a change in the packing mode of the methylene and carbonyl groups of the hydrocarbon chains in the gel state (i.e., a gel/gel transition). The infrared spectroscopic data suggest that the methyl iso-branched phosphatidylcholines assume a partially dehydrated, highly ordered state at low temperatures, resembling the Lc phase recently described for the long-chain n-saturated phosphatidylcholines. At higher temperatures, some branched-chain phosphatidylcholines appear to assume a fully hydrated, loosely packed gel phase similar to but not identical with the P beta, phase of their linear saturated analogues. Thus, the iso-branched phosphatidylcholine gel/gel transition corresponds, at least approximately, to a summation of the structural changes accompanying both the subtransition and the pretransition characteristic of the longer chain n-saturated phosphatidylcholines. The infrared spectroscopic data also show that, in the low-temperature gel state, there are significant differences between the odd- and even-numbered isoacylphosphatidylcholines with respect to their hydrocarbon chain packing modes as well as to their head group and interfacial hydration states. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An Empirical Evaluation of Mutation and Crossover Operators for Multi-Objective Uncertainty-Wise Test Minimization

Multi-objective uncertainty-wise test case minimization focuses on selecting a minimum number of test cases to execute out of all available ones while maximizing effectiveness (e.g., coverage), minimizing cost (e.g., time to execute test cases), and at the same time optimizing uncertainty-related objectives. In our previous unpublished work, we developed four uncertainty-wise test case minimization strategies relying on Uncertainty Theory and multi-objective search (NSGA-II with default settings), which were evaluated with one real Cyber-Physical System (CPS) with inherent uncertainty. However, a fundamental question to answer is whether these default settings of NSGA-II are good enough to provide optimized solutions. In this direction, we report one of the preliminary empirical evaluations, where we performed an experiment with three different mutation operators and three crossover operators, i.e., in total nine combinations with NSGA-II for the four uncertainty-wise test case minimization strategies using a real CPS case study. Results show that the Blend Alpha crossover operator together with the polynomial mutation operator permits NSGA-II achieving the best performance for solving our uncertainty-wise test minimization problems.
Educational Needs of Palliative Care Nurses in Quebec

Education appears to be a useful strategy for improving quality of care and work-related stress management. The present study assesses the educational needs of palliative care nurses working in acute care hospitals (n=88) and CLSCs (Centre Local de Services Communautaires, home-based, n=109) of the larger Quebec City area. It also describes relationships between educational needs, psychological distress, and self-efficacy. Nurses were surveyed and compared on training needs, preferred learning format, as well as barriers and factors facilitating attendance to workshops. Similar educational needs were observed in both work settings. Crisis, stress, and emotion management were rated as the most useful topics, followed by nonpharmacological ways to manage pain. Preferred educational formats were lectures and group discussions. Attending free training sessions during work hours was described as the best way to promote participation. Educational needs were positively related to psychological distress, and negatively related to perceived self-efficacy in providing good palliative care.
A note on generalization of Zermelo navigation problem on Riemannian manifolds with strong perturbation

Abstract We generalize the Zermelo navigation on Riemannian manifolds (M; h), admitting a space dependence of a ship's speed 0 < |u(x)|h ≤ 1 in the presence of a perturbation W̃ determined by a strong (critical) velocity vector field satisfying |W̃ (x)|h = |u(x)|h, with application of Finsler metric of Kropina type.
Higher order aberration comparison between two aspherical intraocular lenses: MC6125AS and Akreos advanced optics.

AIM To compare higher order aberrations in two aspherical intraocular lenses (IOLs): Akreos advanced optics (AO) and Dr. Schmidt Microcrystalline 6125 aspheric anterior surface (MC6125AS) with each other. METHODS Forty eyes of 39 patients underwent phacoemulsification and Akreos AO and MC6125AS were implanted in their eyes in a random manner. Three months post-operatively, higher order aberrations including spherical aberration, coma aberration, and total aberrations were measured and compared. RESULTS The total aberration was 0.24±0.17 in eyes with Dr. Schmidt and 0.20±0.01 in eyes with Akreos AO (P=0.361). The mean of coma aberration was 0.17±0.21 and 0.09±0.86 in Dr. Schmidt and Akreos lenses, respectively (P=0.825). Total spherical aberration was almost the same in both groups (Mean: 0.05, P=0.933). Best corrected visual acuity in Akreos AO (0.10±0.68) and Dr. Schmidt (0.09±0.67) did not differ significantly (P=0.700). CONCLUSION There is no statistically significant difference in the higher order aberrations between these two aspherical lenses.
Changing Patterns of Rotavirus Genotypes in Ghana: Emergence of Human Rotavirus G9 as a Major Cause of Diarrhea in Children

ABSTRACT Genotyping of human rotaviruses was performed on 312 rotavirus-positive samples collected from 2,205 young children with diarrhea in the Upper East District of Ghana, a rural community. Of the 271 (86.9%) rotavirus strains that could be VP7 (G) or VP4 (P) characterized, 73 (26.9%) were of G9 specificity. The predominant G9 genotype was G9P[8], which constituted 79.5% of all G9 strains detected, followed by G9P[6] (12.3%), G9P[10] (2.7%), and G9P[4] (1.3%). G9 strains with mixed P types constituted 2.7% of all G9 strains found in the study. All the G9P[8] strains had a long RNA electrophoretic pattern with VP6 subgroup II specificity. Four G9 isolates, GH1319, GH1416, GH3550, and GH3574, which were selected based on the abundance of stool material and were representative of the three electropherotypes observed, were cloned and sequenced. The Ghanaian isolates shared more than 98% sequence nucleotide homology with other G9 strains from the United States (US1205), Malawi (MW69), Brazil (R160), Japan (95H115), and Nigeria (Bulumkutu). However, they showed only 95% nucleotide homology with the Thai G9 strain Mc345. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleic acid sequence revealed the existence of at least three clusters, with Ghanaian strains forming one cluster, Nigerian and Brazilian strains forming a second cluster, and U.S., Malawian, and Japanese strains forming a third.
An Assessment of Alkali Degradation, Waxy Protein and Their Relation to Amylose Content in Thai Rice Cultivars

In this study, the amount of waxy protein and starch properties including amylose content and alkali digestibility, and their correlation were investigated in a collection of Thai rice cultivars. We found that glutinous rice lacked Wx protein, whereas nonglutinous rice showed a positive correlation between amylose content and the amount of Wx protein (r = 0.97, p<0.01). Starch granules of glutinous rice varieties showed high levels of disintegration in alkali (KOH) solution, while starch granules of nonglutinous rice cultivars were significantly more resistant to alkali digestibility (t = 12.2, p< 0.01).
Personality disorder diagnoses using DSM‐III‐R in a Japanese clinical sample with major depression

To investigate the availability of DSM‐III‐R Axis‐II diagnoses in Japan, DSM‐III‐R personality disorders (PDs) were diagnosed in a large sample of Japanese out‐patients with major depression. The SCID‐II was administered to 118 consecutive out‐patients with major depression. In general, the frequency of PD according to DSM‐III‐R criteria in this study was within the range of frequencies reported in North American and European studies. However, schizoid and narcissistic PDs were more frequent in this study. DSM‐III‐R diagnoses of PD would also be potentially useful for assessing personality disturbance in Japan. The DSM‐III‐R criteria for schizoid and narcissistic PDs may not be suitable for Japanese samples.
Alcohol septal ablation after transaortic valve implantation: The dynamic nature of left outflow tract obstruction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a less invasive and potentially high efficacious procedure for the treatment of high‐risk patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Appropriate patient selection for TAVI is a key component to ultimate clinical success. Herein, we describe a patient with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction that became apparent only following relief of aortic stenosis with TAVI. This report highlights the dynamic nature of LVOT obstruction, which was successfully treated in our patient with catheter‐based alcohol septal ablation. The potential to unmask dynamic LVOT obstruction with TAVI should be an important consideration in patient selection for the procedure, and the postoperative assessment of these patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urinary Bladder and Rectal Temperature Monitoring During Clinical Hypothermia

Three methods of temperature monitoring were studied in 55 adult hypothermic postcardiac surgery patients using the pulmonary artery, rectum, and urinary bladder as measurement sites. Pulmonary artery temperature served as the standard for core body temperature. Measurements in the rectum were recorded with a disposable plastic temperature probe and in the urinary bladder with a thermistor-tipped Foley catheter. Patients were studied within one hour of admission to the cardiac surgical intensive care unit and on an hourly basis until they reached normothermia (37 °C). Although mean temperatures did not vary greatly for any group, there was a significant difference between measures over time. Correlations of pulmonary artery and urinary bladder temperatures ranged from . 78 to . 94, pulmonary artery and rectal temperature from . 49 to . 82, and urinary bladder and rectal temperature from . 46 to . 85. The results of this study indicate that the urinary bladder is a reliable indicator of core temperature during rewarming following cardiac surgery.
Mapping of the Sites for Ligand Binding and Receptor Dimerization at the Extracellular Domain of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor FLT-1*

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor FLT-1 has been shown to be involved in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. The receptor is characterized by seven Ig-like loops within the extracellular domain. Upon VEGF binding FLT-1 becomes phosphorylated, which has been thought to be preceded by receptor dimerization. To further investigate high affinity binding of VEGF to FLT-1 and ligand-induced receptor dimerization, we expressed in Sf9 cells the entire extracellular domain comprising all seven Ig-like loops: sFLT-1(7) and several truncated mutants consisting of loop one, one and two, one to three, one to four, and one to five. The corresponding proteins, named sFLT-1(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) were purified. Only mutants sFLT-1(3) to (7) were able to bind125I-VEGF with high affinity. No binding of VEGF was observed with sFLT-1(1) and sFLT-1(2), indicating that the first three Ig-like loops are involved in high affinity binding of VEGF. The binding of VEGF to sFLT-1(3) could be competed with placenta growth factor (PlGF), a VEGF-related ligand, suggesting that high affinity binding of VEGF and PlGF is mediated by the same or closely related contact sites on sFLT-1. Deglycosylation of the sFLT-1(3), (4), (5), and (7) did not abolish VEGF binding. Furthermore, unglycosylated sFLT-1(3), expressed in Escherichia coli, was able to bind VEGF with similar affinity as sFLT-1(3) or sFLT-1(7), both expressed in Sf9 cells. This indicates that receptor glycosylation is not essential for high affinity binding. Dimerization of the extracellular domains of FLT-1 upon addition of VEGF was detected with all mutants containing the Ig-like loop four. Although sFLT-1(3) was able to bind VEGF, dimerization of this mutant was inefficient, indicating that sites on Ig-like loop four are essential to stabilize receptor dimers.
Growth and luminescence of the bacterium Xenorhabdus luminescens from a human wound

Xenorhabdus luminescens, a newly isolated luminous bacterium collected from a human wound, was characterized. The effects of ionic strength, temperature, oxygen, and iron on growth and development of the bioluminescent system were studied. The bacteria grew and emitted light best at 33 degrees C in a medium with low salt, and the medium after growth of cells to a high density was found to have antibiotic activity. The emission spectrum peaked at 482 nm in vivo and at 490 nm in vitro. Both growth and the development of luminescence in X. luminescens required oxygen and iron. The isolated luciferase itself exhibited a temperature optimum at about 40 degrees C; after purification by affinity chromatography, it showed two bands (52 and 41 kilodaltons) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicative of an alpha and beta subunit structure. Reduced flavin mononucleotide (Km of 1.4 microM) and tetradecanal (Km of 2.1 microM) were the best substrates for the luciferase, and the first-order decay constant under these conditions at 37 degrees C was 0.79 s-1.
High‐gain observer design for multi‐output systems: Transformation to a canonical form by dynamic output shaping

In this paper, we consider the observer design problem for a class of observable linear systems perturbed by nonlinear, time‐varying terms. Our design methodology is based on a canonical form, similar to canonical forms used elsewhere in the literature, that allows the nonlinearities to be dominated using high gain. We show that linear state and output transformations to this canonical form exist if, and only if, the data of the system satisfies a certain admissibility property. Moreover, the appropriate transformations can easily be constructed using available tools. We furthermore show that, if a system does not satisfy the admissibility property, it may be possible to extend it with an invertible output filter that makes the data of the extended system admissible. We refer to the problem of constructing such a filter as the output shaping problem and introduce an algorithm that solves the problem whenever it is solvable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Analysis of MFCC , LFCC , RASTA-PLP

: A human’s voice has various parameters that convey vital information. Speech feature extraction follows preprocessing of the speech signal. This process makes certain that the speech feature extraction contains true and accurate information that reveals the emotions of the speaker. In this paper, we present a study and comparison of feature extraction methods like Mel-Frequency Cepstral Co-efficient (MFCC), Linear Predictive Cepstral Co-efficient (LPCC), and Relative Spectral Analysis Perceptual Linear Prediction (RASTA-PLP). These techniques will be analyzed for their suitability and usage in recognition of the speaker. The experimental results show that the better recognition rate is obtained for MFCC as compared to LPCC and RASTA-PLP.
Kinetic Velocity Model to Account for Ballistic Effects in the Drift-Diffusion Transport Approach

This paper proposes a novel kinetic velocity model (KVM) for the drift-diffusion (DD) transport approach to describe ballistic effects. It also presents a simulation study of the ballistic effect in short-channel InGaAs and silicon FETs. Monte Carlo and subband Boltzmann transport equation results as well as DD simulations using the simple gate length-dependent ballistic mobility proposed in the literature and the KVM model are compared and discussed. Basic concepts, such as the Matthiessen rule and Fermi-Dirac statistics, are analyzed with a view on ballistic transport in devices in the linear and saturation regimes.
A qualitative study, using focused interviews, of the information needs of families whose children's names are on a cerebral palsy register.

BACKGROUND We were concerned that information held on a register of children with cerebral palsy was not being made available to contributing families, and that the existence and purpose of the register was not sufficiently understood. METHODS Focused interviews with 13 families selected by purposive sampling. RESULTS Many parents would like more information about the data on registers which include their child. They would also like to be more involved in the design of the register and its reports, but there are practical difficulties in making time available for such activity. Although parents were surprised that they had not already been given more information about the existence and purpose of the register, none were resentful that their child's name was on the register once they were reassured about confidentiality and database security. Parents also had general concerns unrelated to the register which were about their need to be treated as equals by professionals, to have more information about equipment and to have earlier and clearer diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Registers of children with uncommon conditions have well-established roles in epidemiology, planning and research. By fully involving parents in ways suggested by this study, registers can also empower parents. The study should also provide reassurance to those who hold such registers without explicit consent that the requirement to now obtain consent should not create resentment or jeopardize completeness.
Separation of Ownership and Control: Delegation as a Commitment Device

This paper provides a theoretical model for explaining the separation of ownership and control in fi rms. An entrepreneur hires a worker for providing effort to complete a project. The worker's effort determines the probability that the project is completed on time, but the worker receives private benefit s for every period she is employed. We show that hiring a manager on a short-term contract may increase firm value and we identify the conditions under which separation of ownership and control is optimal.
Effects of dietary vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation on the level of α-tocopherol and L-ascorbic acid in muscle and on the antioxidative status and meat quality of pigs

In total thirty pigs (Slovak Meaty) defined by DNA based test as not susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (non-mutant on RYR1) were used in the experiment. Treatment consisted in supplementation of vitamin E (500 mg α-tocopherol/kg diet as α-tocopherol acetate) (group E) and the same doses of vitamin E plus vitamin C (200 mg L-ascorbic acid/kg diet) (group E + C) to finishing pigs for the last 30 days before slaughter. The higher dietary vitamin E level resulted in higher levels of α-tocopherol in fresh (24 h), chill-stored (5 days, 4°C), chill-stored and cooked (80°C) and frozen meat (3 months, -25°C), (P < 0.05). Higher dietary vitamin C resulted in higher levels L-ascorbic acid in fresh and chill-stored meat (P < 0.05) but no significant differences vs. control pigs were observed in cooked and frozen meats. Supplementation with vitamins E and C (group E + C) had positive effects on pH (45 min) ( P = 0.06) and on drip loss (P < 0.05) values as compared to control group. The rate of oxidation (malondialdehyde-MDA production) by stimulation with Fe 2+ /ascorbate (incubation of muscle LD for 0 and 30 min) was higher in control group as compared to both experimental groups (P < 0.05). Positive effects of vitamin E on oxidative stability measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS, MDA) were observed mainly in chill-stored meat (P < 0.05). Using TBARS method, no additional effect of vitamin C on oxidative stability of fresh, chill-stored, cooked and frozen meat was found. In conclusion, supplementation of the combination of vitamin E (500 mg α-tocopherol/kg diet) and vitamin C (200 mg L-ascorbic acid/kg diet) for 30 days before slaughter improved meat quality values (drip loss, pH), however, it seems to depend on the genetic background of animals (occurrence of mutation on RYR1). Oxidative stability of meat lipids measured as TBARS value can be improved by vitamin E supplementation to feed.