Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental and social benefits of the targeted intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer: data from UK TARGIT-A trial centres and two UK NHS hospitals offering TARGIT IORT

Objective To quantify the journeys and CO2 emissions if women with breast cancer are treated with risk-adapted single-dose targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (TARGIT) rather than several weeks' course of external beam whole breast radiotherapy (EBRT) treatment. Setting (1) TARGIT-A randomised clinical trial (ISRCTN34086741) which compared TARGIT with traditional EBRT and found similar breast cancer control, particularly when TARGIT was given simultaneously with lumpectomy, (2) 2 additional UK centres offering TARGIT. Participants 485 UK patients (249 TARGIT, 236 EBRT) in the prepathology stratum of TARGIT-A trial (where randomisation occurred before lumpectomy and TARGIT was delivered simultaneously with lumpectomy) for whom geographical data were available and 22 patients treated with TARGIT after completion of the TARGIT-A trial in 2 additional UK breast centres. Outcome measures The shortest total journey distance, time and CO2 emissions from home to hospital to receive all the fractions of radiotherapy. Methods Distances, time and CO2 emissions were calculated using Google Maps and assuming a fuel efficiency of 40 mpg. The groups were compared using the Student t test with unequal variance and the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test. Results TARGIT patients travelled significantly fewer miles: TARGIT 21 681, mean 87.1 (SE 19.1) versus EBRT 92 591, mean 392.3 (SE 30.2); had lower CO2 emissions 24.7 kg (SE 5.4) vs 111 kg (SE 8.6) and spent less time travelling: 3 h (SE 0.53) vs 14 h (SE 0.76), all p<0.0001. Patients treated with TARGIT in 2 hospitals in semirural locations were spared much longer journeys (753 miles, 30 h, 215 kg CO2 per patient). Conclusions The use of TARGIT intraoperative radiotherapy for eligible patients with breast cancer significantly reduces their journeys for treatment and has environmental benefits. If widely available, 5 million miles (8 000 000 km) of travel, 170 000 woman-hours and 1200 tonnes of CO2 (a forest of 100 hectares) will be saved annually in the UK. Trial registration number ISRCTN34086741; Post-results.
Brain metastasis model in athymic nude mice using a novel MUC1‐secreting human breast‐cancer cell line, MA11

The human breast epithelial cell line HBL 100 synthesizes and secretes FGF2, is able to grow in soft agar but is not tumorigenic in nude mice. Transfection of this cell line with the FGF4 gene led to its tumorigenic conversion in a dose‐dependent manner as assessed by growth under serum‐free conditions, growth in soft agar and growth as xenografts in nude mice. Clones of FGF4‐transfected cells producing different amounts of FGF4 secreted similar quantities of FGF2. Exagenously added recombinant FGF4 stimulated growth of clones that do not express this growth factor, but did not affect growth of FGF4‐producers. Neutralizing IgGs directed against FGF2 strongly inhibited growth of clones that do not produce FGF4, but did not affect growth of FGF4‐producers, indicating that the latter are FGF2‐independent. Cross‐linking experiments done with 125I‐FGF2 showed a down‐regulation of FGF receptors from the cell surface of FGF4‐expressing clones. Taken together, these results indicate that the FGF signalling pathway may be involved during tumoral progression of human breast epithelial cells and that there is a dose‐dependent relationship between the quantity of FGF4 produced and tumor development. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potential Impacts of the Planned Market Stability Reserve on Speculators’ Behavior in the EU Emissions Trading System

In early 2019, the market stability reserve (MSR), a volume-based regulatory regime for tackling the surplus in emission allowances (EUAs) in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), will enter into force. The MSR will take EUAs out of the market when the amount of banked and thus unused EUAs exceeds an upper threshold and will release EUAs into the market when the amount of banked EUAs falls under a lower threshold. Over the last years, the design of the MSR has been the topic of controversial discussion. Among other concerns, scientists are afraid that the MSR may increase price volatility and uncertainty, which in turn may enhance specula-tive activity. In this paper we analyze the effect of the MSR on the behavior of a speculator with market power. For this purpose, the interlinked electricity and carbon market is modeled with an open-source agent-based model, which is expanded by adding the banking behavior of the spec-ulator. The results indicate that with the MSR mechanism being active in the EU ETS, both speculative banking activity and speculator profit increase. We further test the hypothesis that the MSR mechanism itself could be used by a speculator to increase his returns, leading to the conclusion that while this is theoretically possible, it is unlikely to actually happen. The results obtained can help to understand future behavior of market participants in the EU ETS.
Alumina ceramic for dental applications: A review article

Alumina has received considerable attention and has been historically wellaccepted as biomaterials for dental and medical applications. This article reviews the applications of this material in dentistry. It presents a brief history, dental applications and methods for improving the mechanical properties of aluminabased materials. It also offers perspectives on recent research aimed at the further development of alumina for clinical uses, at their evaluation and selection, and very importantly, their clinical performance. This article also stated about the Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) which has been conceived as a new material design approach to improve performance compared to traditional homogeneous and uniform materials. This technique allows the production of a material with very different characteristics within the same material at various interfaces. The importance of the FGM concept in biological applications and functions was highlighted. Fundamentally, the combination of mechanical properties and biocompatibility are very important factors in application of any biomaterial to medical or dental fields. The characteristics of the surface govern the biocompatibility of the material, and the mechanical strength is determined by the average mechanical strength of the materials. However, the fabrication of FGMs is most often hindered by the variation of elastic, plastic, thermal, chemical, and kinetic properties within the composite. Across a material interface, these discontinuities in material properties lead to the formation of residual stresses. Despite these challenges, compositional gradient structures offer significant benefits. Notable research literature is highlighted regarding (1) applications of alumina in various fields in dentistry; (2) improvement of the mechanical properties of alumina by microstructural manipulation, FGM as well as composite formulations involving metallic, intermetallic elements and bioceramics.
Mode of Conception of Twin Pregnancies: Willingness to Reply to Survey Items and Comparison of Survey Data to Hospital Records

Abstract Based on results from a survey study in a sample of Australian parents of twins, Raj and Morley (2007) reported that questions concerning the mode of conception of twins may be offensive to parents. We looked at the willingness to reply to questions about mode of conception of twin pregnancies in a large survey study that was completed by 20,150 mothers of twins from the Netherlands Twin Registry. Data collection took place in 2005/2006. The amount of missing data was examined and by using data from earlier survey studies, responders and nonresponders were compared with respect to their answers to questions on assisted reproduction techniques. In addition, we assessed the reliability of the question on mode of conception by comparing the survey data with hospital records in a subsample of 80 mothers of twins. We found no indication that mothers of twins were not prepared to reply to questions on mode of conception. Only a small number of mothers did not fill in the question on mode of conception (0.8%). Also, the use of artificial fertility techniques did not differ between mothers who returned and mothers who did not return the 2005/2006 survey. The comparison of the survey data with the hospital records showed that mothers can accurately report on the mode of conception of their twins.
Prestige and Profit: The Royal Society of Arts and Incentives for Innovation, 1750-1850

Debates have long centered around the relative merits of prizes and other incentives for technological innovation. Some economists have cited the experience of the prestigious Royal Society of Arts (RSA), which offered honorary and cash awards, as proof of the efficacy of innovation prizes. The Society initially was averse to patents and prohibited the award of prizes for patented inventions. This study examines data on several thousand of these inducement prizes, matched with patent records and biographical information about the applicants. The empirical analysis shows that inventors of items that were valuable in the marketplace typically chose to obtain patents and to bypass the prize system. Owing to such adverse selection, prizes were negatively related to subsequent areas of important technological discovery. The RSA ultimately became disillusioned with the prize system, which they recognized had done little to promote technological progress and industrialization. The Society acknowledged that its efforts had been “futile” because of its hostility to patents, and switched from offering inducement prizes towards lobbying for reforms to strengthen the patent system. The findings suggest some skepticism is warranted about claims regarding the role that elites and nonmarket-oriented institutions played in generating technological innovation and long-term economic development.
Fungal adaptation to contemporary fungicide applications: the case of Botrytis cinerea populations from Champagne vineyards (France)

In addition to being one of the most acute problems impeding chemical control of fungal diseases, the evolution of fungicide resistance is an emblematic case of local adaptation to spatially heterogeneous and temporally variable selection pressures. Here we dissected the adaptation of Botrytis cinerea (the causal agent of grey mould) populations on grapes to several fungicides. We carried out a 2‐year survey (four collection dates) on three treated/untreated pairs of plots from vineyards in Champagne (France) and monitored the frequency of four resistant phenotypes that are unambiguously associated with four distinct genotypes. For two loci under selection by currently used fungicides (MDR1 and MDR2), the frequencies of resistant mutations at vintage were greater in treated plots compared to untreated plots, showing that the effect of selection is detectable even at the plot scale. This effect was not detectable for two other loci under selection by previously used fungicides (BenR1 and ImiR1). We also found that treatment with currently used fungicides reduced B. cinerea effective population size, leading to a significant decrease in genic diversity and allelic richness in treated vs. untreated plots. We further highlight that even under ample drift and migration, fungal populations can present an efficient response to selection. Finally, for the four studied loci, the costs of fungicide resistance were estimated by modelling the decrease in the frequency of resistant mutations in the absence of treatment. We discuss the importance of these estimates for defining strategies for limiting or counteracting the local adaptation of pests to fungicides.
Game changing strategies for retailers: How to create utilitarian offers for shoppers

The purpose of this study is to investigate why shopper experiences cognitive dissonance in the aftermath of impulsive shopping and what should be the retailer's strategy on that. A qualitative phenomenological research method was undertaken. In-depth interviews were conducted. The analysis revealed five themes that highlight the shopper's impulsive shopping experiences. Themes were divided into textural and structural descriptions of the phenomenon. In textual description one theme emerged that illustrate shopper post impulsive shopping experience. In structural description four themes emerged in which shopper expressed that they forced to do impulsive shopping. Impulse shopping is a blessing for retailer's perspective, however, it has found that shoppers are smart they can track retailer's tactics that persuading to increase impulse shopping. Now it is a challenge for retailers to overcome the situation. In this context, this study also discussed how does retailers can maximize profit by using the insights from game theory to shape a game that is right for their shoppers. An idea of creating value and how to capture value through game changing were elaborated.
Depression in Alzheimer's disease: Phenomenology, clinical correlates and treatment

Depression is one of the most frequent comorbid psychiatric disorders in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and is associated with worse quality of life, greater disability in activities of daily living, a faster cognitive decline, a high rate of nursing home placement, relatively higher mortality, and a higher frequency of depression and burden in caregivers. Depression in Alzheimer's disease is markedly under-diagnosed, and most patients with depression are either not treated or are on subclinical doses of antidepressants. This is related to the lack of validated diagnostic criteria and specific instruments to assess depression in dementia. Apathy and pathological affect-crying are the main differential diagnoses of depression in Alzheimer's disease. Left untreated, major depression in Alzheimer's disease may last for about 12 months. Recent randomized controlled trials demonstrated the efficacy of sertraline and moclobemide to treat depression in Alzheimer's disease. Other psychoactive compounds may be useful as well, but careful consideration must be given to potentially serious side-effects.
Eya2, a Target Activated by Plzf, Is Critical for PLZF-RARA-Induced Leukemogenesis

ABSTRACT PLZF is a transcription factor that confers aberrant self-renewal in leukemogenesis, and the PLZF-RARA fusion gene causes acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) through differentiation block. However, the molecular mechanisms of aberrant self-renewal underlying PLZF-mediated leukemogenesis are poorly understood. To investigate these mechanisms, comprehensive expression profiling of mouse hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells transduced with Plzf was performed, which revealed the involvement of a key transcriptional coactivator, Eya2, a target molecule shared by Plzf and PLZF-RARA, in the aberrant self-renewal. Indeed, PLZF-RARA as well as Plzf rendered those cells immortalized through upregulation of Eya2. Eya2 also led to immortalization without differentiation block, while depletion of Eya2 suppressed clonogenicity in cells immortalized by PLZF-RARA without influence on differentiation and apoptosis. Interestingly, cancer outlier profile analysis of human samples of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed a subtype of AML that strongly expressed EYA2. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis of human AML samples, including TCGA data, showed that this subtype of AML was more closely associated with the properties of leukemic stem cells in its gene expression signature than other AMLs. Therefore, EYA2 may be a target for molecular therapy in this subtype of AML, including PLZF-RARA APL.
Creating communicatively accessible healthcare environments: Perceptions of speech-language pathologists

Abstract There is a growing body of research that indicates that a person with a communication disability communicates and participates more effectively given a communicatively accessible environment. If this research is to be translated into practice then one needs to determine who will take on the role of creating communicatively accessible environments. This research adopted a qualitative methodology to explore the perceptions of speech-language pathologists about working to create communicatively accessible healthcare settings. Fifteen speech-language pathologists in three focus groups participated in this research. The focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically. Thematic analysis indicated that speech-language pathologists believe there are four main benefits in creating communicatively accessible healthcare environments. These are Benefits for all people: Access for all, Benefits for healthcare administrators, Benefits for those wanting to improve communication with patients, and Benefits to the capacity to provide communicatively accessible environments. However, they believe these benefits can only be achieved if; The communication resources are available, Skilled, knowledgeable and supportive healthcare providers are available; and Systems are in place to support a whole-of-hospital approach. This research supports the development of a new role to improve the communicative accessibility of healthcare settings.
Effects of the novel 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on renal function of recipients in living-related kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND The optimal colloid for use during kidney transplantation is not clear. Patients undergoing living-related kidney transplantation (LRKT) were used to compare the protective effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES 130/0.4) and 4% succinylated gelatine, as donor kidney procurement, ischemia time and surgical conditions are comparable. Stroke volume variation (SVV) was used to monitor intravascular volume to avoid renal allograft hypoperfusion. METHODS Eighty patients undergoing LRKT were divided into two groups: group H received 6% HES 130/0.4 and group G received 4% succinylated gelatine. All donors and recipients received 15 - 25 ml/kg of the relevant colloid during surgery. Arterial blood pressure (ABP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), SVV and cardiac index (CI), electrocardiography (ECG) and SpO2 were monitored continuously. SVV was kept between 6% - 13% and mean arterial pressure at 100 - 130 mmHg. Samples of venous blood and urine were obtained 30 minutes after unclamping and on the mornings of post-operative days (POD) 1 - 4 to measure serum and urine β2-microglobulin, urine α1-microglobulin, microalbumin and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine were determined pre-operation (t(0)), 3 hours after surgery (t(1)) and on PODs 1 (t(2)), 2 (t(3)), 4 (t(4)), 7 (t(5)) and 10 (t(6)). Urine output was recorded at t(1), t(2), t(5), t(6). RESULTS Age, body weight, body surface area (BSA), operation time, urine output and the colloid volume infused were comparable between the groups and hemodynamics were stable during surgery. BUN, serum creatine, serum β2-microglobulin and urine β2-microglobulin decreased significantly after surgery in both groups relative to the baseline. BUN decreased significantly in group H compared with group G at t(1), t(2) and t(4). Urine microalbumin decreased significantly in group H on POD 4 compared with group G. Urine α1-microglobulin was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION Both colloids can be safely used for LRKT, but HES130/0.4 was associated with a more rapid recovery of renal function.
Non‐invasive measurements of carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin in children with sickle cell disease

Assessment of oxyhemoglobin saturation in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) is vital for prompt recognition of hypoxemia. The accuracy of pulse oximeter measurements of blood oxygenation in SCD patients is variable, partially due to carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and methemoglobin (MetHb), which decrease the oxygen content of blood. This study evaluated the accuracy and reliability of a non‐invasive pulse co‐oximeter in measuring COHb and MetHb percentages (SpCO and SpMet) in children with SCD. We hypothesized that measurements of COHb and MetHb by non‐invasive pulse co‐oximetry agree within acceptable clinical accuracy with those made by invasive whole blood co‐oximetry. Fifty children with SCD‐SS underwent pulse co‐oximetry and blood co‐oximetry while breathing room air. Non‐invasive COHb and MetHb readings were compared to the corresponding blood measurements. The pulse co‐oximeter bias was 0.1% for COHb and −0.22% for MetHb. The precision of the measured SpCO was ±2.1% within a COHb range of 0.4–6.1%, and the precision of the measured SpMet was ±0.33% within a MetHb range of 0.1–1.1%. Non‐invasive pulse co‐oximetry was useful in measuring COHb and MetHb levels in children with SCD. Although the non‐invasive technique slightly overestimated the invasive COHb measurements and slightly underestimated the invasive MetHb measurements, there was close agreement between the two methods. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:808–815. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trade in Environmental Goods: How Important Are Trade Costs Elasticities?

Negotiations on the liberalization of environmental goods (EGs) and services within the WTO Doha Round (mandated in November 2001) are facing specific challenges. Conflicting interests and differing perceptions of the benefits of increased trade in EGs were reflected in different approaches proposed for determining EGs. Using import data of 34 OECD member countries and from a sample of 167 countries, from 1995 to 2012, we discuss the trade effect of reducing barriers on EGs. We analyze the lists of EGs proposed by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) using a Translog gravity model. We found that removing tariff barriers for EGs will have a modest impact because for the biggest importers and exporters, elasticities of trade costs are very low while for most trading relationships they are very high, making it difficult for exporters to maintain their markets. Overall, our results suggest that, because of their substantial effect on international trade, future negotiations on EGs should also address the issues of standards and nontariff barriers (NTBs).
Evaluation of Two Homologous Proline-Rich Proteins of Coccidioides posadasii as Candidate Vaccines against Coccidioidomycosis

ABSTRACT Evaluation of the protective efficacy of recombinant T-cell-reactive proteins of Coccidioides posadasii in a murine model of coccidioidomycosis has led to the discovery of potential vaccines against this respiratory disease. A recombinant proline-rich antigen (rAg2/Pra) has been reported to be a leading vaccine candidate. However, contradictory results exist on the protection afforded by this antigen. Subcutaneous vaccination of either C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice with rAg2/Pra plus adjuvant followed by intraperitoneal challenge with C. posadasii resulted in a significant reduction of the fungal burden at 12 to 14 days postchallenge compared to that in nonvaccinated animals. Use of the same vaccination protocol followed by intranasal (i.n.) challenge of C57BL/6 mice with an equal number of organisms culminated in chronic pulmonary infection or death over a 90-day period. Early studies of Ag2/Pra suggested that it is a component of an immunogenic complex. We reveal in this study that C. posadasii produces a homolog of the reported proline-rich antigen, designated Prp2, which shows 69% protein sequence identity and 86% similarity to Ag2/Pra. Protection against i.n. challenge of C57BL/6 mice was evaluated by vaccination with the single bacterially expressed homolog, rAg2/Pra, or rPrp2 in combination with rAg2/Pra, each in the presence of the same adjuvant. The combined vaccine provided significantly better protection than either of the single recombinant protein vaccines. Results of enzyme-linked immunospot assays of the immunized mice revealed that the two proline-rich homologs contain unique T-cell epitopes. In combination, the recombinant proteins stimulate a more heterogeneous and protective T-cell repertoire than the monovalent vaccines.