Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invasive Plant Researchers Should Calculate Effect Sizes, Not P-Values

Abstract Null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) forms the backbone of statistical inference in invasive plant science. Over 95% of research articles in Invasive Plant Science and Management report NHST results such as P-values or statistics closely related to P-values such as least significant differences. Unfortunately, NHST results are less informative than their ubiquity implies. P-values are hard to interpret and are regularly misinterpreted. Also, P-values do not provide estimates of the magnitudes and uncertainties of studied effects, and these effect size estimates are what invasive plant scientists care about most. In this paper, we reanalyze four datasets (two of our own and two of our colleagues; studies put forth as examples in this paper are used with permission of their authors) to illustrate limitations of NHST. The re-analyses are used to build a case for confidence intervals as preferable alternatives to P-values. Confidence intervals indicate effect sizes, and compared to P-values, confidence intervals provide more complete, intuitively appealing information on what data do/do not indicate.
Let's Talk: The Effect of Maternal Hearing Status on Interactions with Toddlers Who Are Deaf

Eight dyads comprised of deaf toddlers and their deaf mothers (D-D dyads) and eight dyads in which only the toddlers were deaf (D-H dyads) were compared on the use and success of various means for establishing mutual attention for communication. Three different sequences of invitation and response resulting in mutual attention for communication were examined. Results indicated that for two of the types of invitation, the D-D dyads experienced significantly more episodes of mutual attention, not only because the deaf mothers were more active, but also because their deaf toddlers were more responsive. The relevance of these differences for development and for communication was explored, and implications were discussed for early intervention with D-H dyads.
Strong-magnetic-field states of the pure electron plasma.

Etude du plasma electronique a T=0 dans un champ magnetique intense, dans l'approximation de Hartree-Fock avec traitement exact de l'echange; etablissement du diagramme de phases et mise en evidence d'une serie de transitions de l'etat fondamental qui passe d'un etat d'onde de densite de charge a Q∥H a un etat a densite uniforme, puis a un reseau de Wigner de trous et finalement a un cristal de Wigner electronique
A PILOT STUDY OF NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH ONE TO THREE NEW BRAIN METASTASES INITIALLY TREATED WITH STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY ALONE

OBJECTIVEWhether to administer or omit adjuvant whole-brain radiation therapy in conjunction with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the initial management of patients with one to three newly diagnosed brain metastases is the subject of debate. This report provides data from a pilot study in which neurocognitive function (NCF) was prospectively measured for patients with one to three newly diagnosed brain metastases treated with initial SRS alone. METHODSFifteen patients were prospectively treated with initial SRS alone. Assessment of NCF and magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed. RESULTSAt baseline, 67% of the patients had impairment on one or more tests of NCF. The domains most frequently impaired at baseline were executive function, motor dexterity, and learning/memory with an incidence of 50, 40, and 27% respectively. Brain metastasis volume (.3 cm3) measured at the time of initial SRS treatment was associated with worse performance on a measure of attention (P < 0.05). At 1 month, declines in the learning/memory and motor dexterity domains were most common. In a subgroup of five patients still alive 200 days after enrollment, four patients (80%) demonstrated stable or improved learning/memory, three (60%) demonstrated stable or improved executive function, and three (60%) demonstrated stable or improved motor dexterity relative to their baseline evaluation. CONCLUSIONAlthough two-thirds of the brain metastasis patients had impaired NCF at baseline, the majority of five long-term survivors had stable or improved NCF performance across executive function, learning/memory, and motor dexterity.
CD11c+ Dendritic Cells Are Required for Survival in Murine Polymicrobial Sepsis1

CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) are APCs that link innate and adaptive immunity. Although DCs are lost from spleen and lymph nodes in sepsis, their role in outcome remains unclear. Transgenic mice (B6.FVB-Tg.Itgax-DTR/EGFP.57Lan/J) expressing the diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor on the CD11c promoter (DCKO mice) received 4 ng/kg DT, which resulted in depletion of 88–95% of mature myeloid and lymphoid DCs, with less depletion (75%) of plasmacytoid DCs. Pretreatment of DCKO mice with DT resulted in reduced survival in sepsis compared with saline-pretreated DCKO mice (0 vs 54%; p < 0.05) or DT-treated wild-type littermates (0 vs 54%; p < 0.05). This increased mortality was not associated with either increased bacteremia or plasma cytokine concentrations. Intravenous injection of 107 wild-type DCs improved survival in DCKO mice (42 vs 0%; p = 0.05). These data confirm that DCs are essential in the septic response and suggest that strategies to maintain DC numbers or function may improve outcome.
Effects of Unilateral and bilateral Orchidectomy on serum levels of C ar cinogenic Embryonic antigen in M ale rats

There are few studies indicating the relationship between sex steroid hormone s and tumor markers. The aim of this study was to determine the orchidectomy effects on serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in male rats. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into control, sham - operation, unilateral - and bilateral - orchidectomi sed groups of 7 in each. Ten weeks after orchidectomy, following serum preparation, CEA, testosterone and dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay method. The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. Serum level of CEA was significantly increased (P < 0.01) and of testosterone and DHEA was significantly decreased in bilaterally orchidectomised rats compared with control animals (P < 0.01 , P < 0.05, respectively). In unilaterally orchidectomised animals, despite signif icant decreasing in serum testosterone level (P < 0.01), serum DHEA and CEA level was not significantly changed compared with control rats. Serum level of testosterone was also more reduced in bilaterally orchidectomised than unilaterally orchidectomised r ats (P < 0.01). Our findings indicated that considerable reducing in serum level of testosterone and DHEA results in enhanced serum CEA level, indicating the probable protective effect of male sex steroid hormones, in particular testosterone and DHEA, agai nst potentially tumorigenic conditions.
Effects of Age and Oral Disease on Systemic Inflammatory and Immune Parameters in Nonhuman Primates

ABSTRACT This report evaluated systemic inflammatory and immune biomarkers in a cohort of Macaca mulatta (rhesus monkeys) maintained as a large family social unit, including an age range from <1 year to >24 years. We hypothesized that the systemic host responses would be affected by the age, gender, and clinical oral presentation of the population, each contributing to inflammatory and immune responses that would reflect chronic oral infections. The results demonstrated that the prevalence and severity of periodontitis, including missing teeth, increased significantly with age. Generally, minimal differences in clinical parameters were noted between the genders. Systemic inflammatory mediators, including acute-phase reactants, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), cytokines/chemokines, and selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), demonstrated significant differences among the various age groups of animals. Levels of many of these were increased with age, although PGE2, RANTES, bactericidal permeability-inducing factor (BPI), MMP-1, and MMP-9 levels were significantly increased in the young group (∼1 to 3 years old) relative to those for the older animals. We observed that in the adult and aged animals, levels of the systemic inflammatory mediators related to gingival inflammation and periodontal tissue destruction were significantly elevated. Serum antibody levels in response to a battery of periodontal pathogens were generally lower in the young animals, <50% of those in the adults, and were significantly related to aging in the cohort. The levels of antibodies, particularly those to Porphorymonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Tannerella forsythia, were most significantly elevated in animals with periodontal disease, irrespective of the age of the animal. These results provide a broad description of oral health and host responses in a large cohort of nonhuman primates from very young animals to the aged of this species. The findings afford a base of data with which to examine the ontogeny of host responses at mucosal sites, such as the gingival tissues.
Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Placenta Accreta After Institution of Team-Managed Care

Introduction: Placenta accreta significantly contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality. We evaluated whether planned delivery and experienced, team-managed surgical intervention results in improved outcomes. We also examined whether risk factors differed for accreta, increta, and percreta and evaluated whether excess lower segment uterine vascularity correlates with disease severity. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients before versus after institution of a management protocol. Of the 58 044 deliveries over 10 years, there were 67 women whose pregnancies were histopathologically confirmed as placenta accreta, increta, or percreta (1/866). Clinical outcome measures were estimated blood loss (EBL), packed red blood cells (pRBCs) transfused, maternal and fetal complications, intensive care unit admission, and length of stay. Results: There were no maternal or infant deaths. In the managed cohort, EBL was reduced by 48% (P < .001), intraoperative pRBCs transfused by 40% (P < .01), total transfused pRBCs per case by 50% (P < .01), and surgical intensive care unit admissions by >50% (P < .01). Assessment of maternal risk factors by diagnosis revealed marked differences between accreta versus increta and percreta. Clinically assessed excess vascularity of the lower uterine segment correlated with disease severity. The incidence of neonatal complications was similar in both cohorts. Conclusions: Targeted delivery at 34 weeks and team-managed diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with placenta accreta were associated with improved maternal, but not neonatal outcomes.
Aqueous extract of rhubarb stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques due to depression of inflammation and lipid accumulation

The study evaluated the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine rhubarb on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic lesions were induced in rabbits through balloon injury with a high‐cholesterol diet and then were divided into a control group, a rhubarb group and a simvastatin group. At week 24 recombinant‐p53 adenoviruses were locally delivered to the atherosclerotic plaques. At week 26 plaque rupture was triggered by the intra‐arterial Chinese Russell's viper venom and histamine. Serological, ultrasonographic, pathologic, immunohistochemical and gene expression studies were performed. The results showed that the incidence of plaque rupture in the rhubarb group and the simvastatin group was significantly lower than that in the control group (42.86% and 35.71% versus 80.00%, both p < 0.05). Serum TC, LDL‐C (p < 0.05–0.01), IMT (both p < 0.01), PA (both p < 0.01), PB (%) (both p < 0.01) and the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR2, TLR4 and NF‐κB (p < 0.05, 0.01, respectively) in the rhubarb group and the simvastatin group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, AIIc% (both p < 0.05) in the two treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. These results suggest that rhubarb has antiatherosclerotic and plaque‐stabilizing properties due to antiinflammation and lipid‐lowering effects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia associated with extensive pneumatocele formation in a child with human immunodeficiency virus infection

We describe a 12‐year‐old boy with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia complicated by extensive pneumatocele formation as the presenting manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This report emphasizes the importance of considering Pneumocystis carinii infection in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia associated with pneumatocele formation in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:144–146. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of parasitic effects from feed and termination on the far-field pattern of leaky-wave antennas based on HMSIW

In this paper the parasitic effects from the feed and termination on the far-field pattern of two types of leaky-wave antenna (LWA) based on Half-Mode Substrate-Integrated Waveguide (HMSIW) are thoroughly investigated. It is shown that the ripples observed on the radiation patterns originate from the discontinuities in the aperture field distribution, which typically appear at the feed and termination of the antennas. The paper will firstly focus on explaining the ripples on the pattern of a wideband omni-directional antenna based on a tapered HMSIW by studying the field distribution in the vicinity of this antenna. Then the ripples in the highly directive pattern of a uniform LWA are analyzed and compared. The understanding gained from this study can assist to develop techniques to reduce ripple level in the pattern of these types of LWAs.
Design and analysis of ℋ∞ force control of a series elastic actuator for impedance control of an ankle rehabilitation robotic platform

Impedance control based on robust force control can improves rehabilitation therapies. In this paper, we formulate and validate a model of a series-elastic-actuator-based ankle rehabilitation device that includes a second-order description of the human joint dynamics. In order to control the output impedance of the platform we used a cascade configuration with a PD position controller as outer loop and a force controller in the inner loop. We present the design and analysis of an ℋ∞ force controller that guarantees robust stability in the inner loop of the impedance control strategy. ℋ∞ mixed-sensitivity synthesis method was used for robust control loop-shaping design of the force controller. Experimental results of human-robot interaction tests are presented. Performance and stability analysis using frequency and temporal responses are conducted. We found that our controller, actually any fixed-gain controller, can not guarantee the same performance among the different human-robot conditions. Results obtained in this work are a departure point to improve performance of the force controllers and therefore impedance-controlled rehabilitation therapies.
Barriers and Facilitators to HPV Vaccination: Perspectives from Malawian Women

The aim of this research was to elucidate potential barriers and facilitators to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Malawi, a sub-Saharan country. In Malawi, approximately 31 out of every 100,000 women develop cervical cancer annually, and 80% of those affected die from this malignancy. HPV vaccination may provide a feasible strategy for cervical cancer prevention in Malawi. However, important questions and concerns regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccination acceptance among individuals and their communities must be considered prior to vaccine delivery. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 Malawian mothers aged 18–49 years from Chiradzulu District. Women's knowledge and beliefs about HPV, cervical cancer, and vaccination, and their social-ecological contexts were explored in-depth. Thematic analyses revealed that despite women's limited knowledge, cervical cancer was perceived to be a serious disease. Participants believed that as women, they were responsible for their children's health. Women unanimously reported that they would vaccinate their children against HPV, especially if a health professional recommended it. Malawi's health care infrastructure could present challenges to HPV vaccine programs; however, participants did not typically report this to be a barrier to vaccination. These data shed light on factors that may influence HPV vaccination acceptance and uptake in Malawi.
Calcium inhibits epidermal growth factor-induced activation of p21ras in human primary keratinocytes

Human primary keratinocytes are an elegant model system to study the balance between proliferation and differentiation. Both epidermal growth factor (EGF) and extracellular calcium have been implicated to function in the control of this balance, although the molecular mechanism underlying this process is poorly understood. In this study, we measured the effect of both EGF and calcium treatment on activation of p21ras and ERK2. We found that addition of EGF stimulated the activity of ERK2. This stimulation was dependent on p21ras activity, since it was completely abolished by expression of a dominant negative mutant of p21ras (p21ras(Asn-17)). Raising the level of extracellular calcium (1.8 mM) did not result in activation of ERK2. On the contrary, calcium treatment inhibited EGF-induced stimulation of ERK2 activity. In order to determine the site at which calcium treatment interferes in EGF-induced signaling, we analyzed the effect of calcium on the various steps that are involved in EGF-induced, p21ras-dependent activation of ERK2. We observed that calcium treatment inhibited EGF-induced p21ras activation. Calcium treatment, however, did not interfere with EGF-induced EGF receptor autophosphorylation or association of mammalian SOS with the EGF receptor and Shc. This, together with the observation that calcium treatment alone decreased the basal level of p21ras activity, indicates that calcium treatment interferes in EGF-mediated signaling at the level of p21ras. This type of cross talk may play a role in the decision between proliferation and differentiation in human primary keratinocytes.
Smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis in women with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND Some patients with inflammatory bowel disease have reduced bone mineral density, but the risk factors for osteoporosis in these patients are unclear. METHODS To evaluate the effect of smoking and other lifestyle factors on bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, we studied 67 patients with ulcerative colitis, 78 with Crohn's disease, 7 with indeterminate colitis, and 73 healthy control subjects. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and the proximal femur was measured, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Measures of smoking and other lifestyle factors were assessed in an interview. RESULTS The female ex- or current smokers with inflammatory bowel disease (n = 38) had lower age- and sex-adjusted Z-scores of bone mineral density than the female patients who had never smoked (n = 34) (Z-scores in the lumbar spine, -0.277 (1.283) (mean (standard deviation)) and 0.487 (1.056), respectively; p = 0.008; and in the femoral neck, -0.626 (1.055) and -0.013 (1.019); p = 0.015). These differences were not explained by the type or treatment of the disease, the menstrual history, or the use of estrogen preparations. In male patients no differences in bone mineral density were found between ex- or current smokers and non-smokers. Coffee drinking and alcohol consumption were not associated with bone mineral density in these patients. CONCLUSIONS Smoking is associated with low bone mineral density in women with inflammatory bowel disease. This association is not related to the body mass index, the medical treatment, or the type of disease.
Prediction of pregnancy‐induced hypertensive disorders by angiotensin II sensitivity and supine pressor test

An angiotensin II sensitivity test and a supine pressor test were done consecutively at 28 weeks gestation in 90 healthy, normotensive nulliparous women. None of the supine pressor tests was positive, applying the predefined threshold of a rise of 20 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure after rolling over; nine tests were positive using a corrected 9 mmHg cut-off level. Ten women had a positive angiotensin sensitivity test using a threshold of the effective pressor dose of 8 ng/kg/min; 22 women were positive using an effective pressor dose of less than or equal to 10 ng/kg/min. Later in pregnancy 12 women (13%) developed pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease (PIH). The specificity of both tests of predicting the development of PIH was about 90%. The sensitivity of the angiotensin sensitivity test at the 10 ng/kg/min level was 92%. Because of its low sensitivity of 25% the supine pressor test appears to have no value for the prediction of PIH. There was a significant positive association between angiotensin II refractoriness and birthweight.
RTOG 0525: A randomized phase III trial comparing standard adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) with a dose-dense (dd) schedule in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM).

2006 Background: Radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant TMZ (TMZ/RT→TMZ) is the standard of care for newly diagnosed GBM. MGMT methylation status may be an important determinant of treatment response. Compared with the standard adjuvant TMZ, dd TMZ results in prolonged depletion of MGMT in blood mononuclear cells and possibly in tumor. This trial determined if intensified TMZ improves survival (OS) or progression free survival (PFS). METHODS This phase III trial was conducted by the RTOG, EORTC and NCCTG. Neurologically stable patients with adequate tissue for prospective MGMT analysis were randomized to Arm 1: standard TMZ (150-200 mg/m2 x 5 d) or Arm 2: dd TMZ (75-100 mg/m2 x 21 d) q 4 wks for 6-12 cycles. Symptom, QOL and neurocognitive testing was performed in a subset of patients. The primary endpoint was OS. Secondary analyses evaluated impact of MGMT status. Eligibility criteria included age > 18 yrs, KPS ≥ 60, and tissue block with > 1cm2 tumor. RESULTS A total of 833 patients were randomized from a total of 1173 registered. Inadequate tissue (n=144) and early disease progression (n =56) were the most frequent reasons for non-randomization. No statistical difference was observed between Arms 1 and 2 for median OS (16.6, 14.9 mo, p = 0.63), or median PFS (5.5, 6.7 mo, p = 0.06), or by methylation status. MGMT methylation was associated with improved OS (21.2, 14 mo, p < 0.0001), PFS (8.7, 5.7 mo, p < 0.0001) and response (p = 0.012). Cox modeling showed that MGMT status and RPA class were significant predictors of OS while the treatment arm and radiation technique (EORTC vs. RTOG) were not. There was increased grade ≥ 3 toxicity in Arm 2 (19%, 27%, p = 0.008); mostly lymphopenia and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS This study did not demonstrate improved efficacy for dd TMZ for newly diagnosed GBM regardless of methylation status. However, it confirmed the prognostic significance of MGMT methylation in GBM. Additionally, it demonstrated the feasibility of tumor tissue collection, molecular stratification and collection of patient outcomes in a large transatlantic intergroup trial and established this as a viable clinical trial paradigm. Supported by NCI U10 CA 21661 and U10 CA37422.