Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local Uteroplacental Influences are Responsible for the Induction of Uterine Artery Myogenic Tone during Rat Pregnancy

Uterine artery constrictor responses to elevation of intraluminal pressure (myogenic tone) are considerably enhanced in late pregnant rats, although the underlying causes remain unknown. A single uterine horn ligation model was used to differentiate local from systemic influences, and to test the hypothesis that factors associated with the site of placentation, rather than systemic hormonal changes, are primarily involved in the induction of this adaptive process. Radial uterine arteries were dissected from the gravid and nongravid uterine horns of late pregnant rats, cannulated, and pressurized. Changes in arterial diameter and smooth muscle [Ca2+]i in response to the elevation of intraluminal pressure were studied using intact and endothelium-denuded arteries loaded with the ratiometric Ca2+-sensitive dye fura-2. Elevations of pressure from 10 to 60 and 100 mm Hg resulted in passive arterial distention of arteries from nongravid horns with a minor change in [Ca2+]i. In contrast, arteries from gravid horns developed myogenic tone associated with a significant elevation in [Ca2+]i. Synchronous oscillations in [Ca2+]i and lumen diameter were frequently observed in vessels from gravid horns. Endothelial denudation augmented tone in the gravid horn but did not uncover myogenic tone in vessels from the nongravid horn. In summary, pregnancy-associated uterine artery myogenic behavior is due to an upregulation of calcium-handling mechanisms, occurs independently of the endothelium, and is induced by local uteroplacental influences.
A resource-based perspective on information technology and firm performance: a meta analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to aggregate previous research that adopts the resource‐based view (RBV) to examine whether information technology (IT) and organizational resources have significant effect on firm performance.Design/methodology/approach – A framework that includes direct and indirect‐effect models is proposed. A meta‐analysis was conducted on 42 published empirical studies to examine how different factors in the RBV affect firm performance.Findings – First, it was found that the mediated model that includes organizational capabilities as mediators between organizational resources and firm performance can better explain the value of IT than the direct‐effect model without organizational capabilities. Second, technology resources can improve efficiency performance but may not enhance financial performance directly. Third, internal capabilities affect performance but it is external capabilities that affect financial performance.Research limitations/implications – The limitation of meta.
An Exploration of Organizational Level Information Systems Discontinuance Intentions

Limited attention has been directed toward examining post-adoption stages of the information system life cycle. In particular, the final stages of this life cycle have been largely ignored despite the fact that most systems eventually reach the end of their useful life. This oversight is somewhat surprising given that end-of-life decisions can have significant implications for user effectiveness, the value extracted from IS investments, and organizational performance. Given this apparent gap, a multi-method empirical study was undertaken to improve our understanding of organizational level information system discontinuance. Research commenced with the development of a broad theoretical framework consistent with the technology-organization-environment (TOE) paradigm. The resulting framework was then used to guide a series of semi-structured interviews with organizational decision makers in an effort to inductively identify salient influences on the formation of IS discontinuance intentions. A set of research hypotheses were formulated based on the understanding obtained during these interviews and subsequently tested via a random survey of senior IS decision makers at U.S. and Canadian organizations. Data obtained from the survey responses was analyzed using partial least squares (PLS). Results of this analysis suggest that system capability shortcomings, limited availability of system support, and low levels of technical integration were key determinants of increased intentions to replace an existing system. Notably, investments in existing systems did not appear to significantly undermine organizational replacement intentions despite support for this possibility from both theory and our semi-structured interviews.
Epidemiologic and laboratory findings from 3 years of testing United States blood donors for Trypanosoma cruzi

BACKGROUND: At most blood centers in the United States routine testing of donations for Trypanosoma cruzi using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is followed by supplemental testing by radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA). The objective of this study was to report the results of routine testing and risk factor data from allogeneic blood donors.
Peripheral/post‐thymic T‐cell lymphomas: A spectrum of disease clinical, pathologic, and immunologic features of 78 cases

The clinical, pathologic, and immunologic features of 78 cases of peripheral/post‐thymic T‐cell lymphomas are described. These neoplasms were extremely heterogenous and were classified as small lymphocytic, mixed small and large cell, large cell, lymphoepithelioid cell, angiocentric, and adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma type. Some cases revealed angioimmunoblastic or Hodgkin's‐like features. These neoplasms mainly affected older adults (mean age, 57 years; median age, 60 years). Lymphadenopathy represented the most frequent clinical presentation, although most patients demonstrated both nodal (87%) and extranodal involvement (77%) during the course of disease. Sites of extranodal disease included skin/soft tissue, spleen, lung, liver, bone, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, peripheral blood, nasopharynx, and retrovaginal tissue. Splenomegaly at presentation was most frequently observed in lymphoepithelioid cell lymphomas. Angiocentric lymphomas involved lung. A mediastinal presentation was typically observed in young adults and associated with a poor prognosis. Patients with gastrointestinal lymphomas presented with bleeding and/or malabsorption. B symptoms were present in most cases (65%). Hypercalcemia occurred in four patients. Phenotypic studies of T‐cell antigens demonstrated the loss of one or more pan‐T‐cell markers in eight of 47 cases evaluated. Assessment of T‐cell subsets revealed a helper/inducer phenotype for nearly all immunoreactive cases. For the overall series, 32 patients died of disease (median survival time, 11.5 mo). There was a statistical difference between the combined groups of small lymphocytic and lymphoepithelioid cell types as compared with mixed and large cell types, with a poorer survival for the latter group. Angiocentric and adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma were associated with poor survival. This series of T‐cell lymphomas further documents the marked heterogeneity of this group of neoplasms as well as the poor prognosis observed for certain histologic types.
Evaluating a brief alcohol intervention with fraternities.

OBJECTIVE The current study tested the efficacy of a brief intervention designed to reduce drinking and drinking-related consequences among first-year fraternity members. METHOD Twelve fraternities were randomly assigned to receive either a motivational enhancement intervention with individual and housewide feedback components (n = 6 houses) or a treatment-as-usual control condition (n = 6 houses). Individual feedback was delivered either by peer interviewers or professional research staff. Participants were assessed during their pledge (first) year of house membership and during a follow-up period 1 year later. RESULTS Of the participants who completed follow-up (N = 120), fraternity members who received the brief intervention reported significant reductions in alcohol use (total average consumption) and typical peak blood alcohol concentrations when compared with fraternity members in the control condition. No differences in drinking-related consequences were observed. Fraternity members who received their individualized feedback from peer interviewers and professional members of the research staff reported similar outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Results provide support for the efficacy of a brief motivational enhancement intervention in reducing drinking within this high-risk population. The cost-effective use of peer interviewers appears to be a promising strategy for delivering individualized prevention programming in college populations.
Bis(2-bromopyridinium) hexachloridostannate(IV)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C5H5BrN)2[SnCl6], contains one cation and one half-anion. The [SnCl6]2− anion is located on an inversion center and forms a quasi-regular octahedral arrangement. Hydrogen-bonding interactions of two kinds, viz. N—H⋯Cl—Sn and C—H⋯Cl—Sn, along with Cl⋯Br interactions [3.4393 (15) Å], connect the ions in the crystal structure into two-dimensional supramolecular arrays. These supramolecular arrays are arranged in layers approximately parallel to (110) built up from anions interacting with six symmetry-related surrounding cations.
Arbitrary control of a quantum electromagnetic field.

We present a cavity QED interaction which forces the ground state of a cavity field mode to evolve into an {ital arbitrary} quantum state at a prechosen time {ital t}{asterisk}. This method does not involve either atom-field state entanglement or the projections characteristic of quantum measurement. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }
The choice of second‐line therapy in steroid‐resistant immune thrombocytopenia: Role of platelet kinetics in a single‐centre long‐term study

Splenectomy is a time‐honoured well established approach for patients with steroid‐resistant immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, due to the more recent availability of therapeutic options alternative to splenectomy, such as rituximab and agonists of the thrombopoietin‐receptor, the choice of second‐line therapy is challenging. Platelet kinetics has been widely used to predict response to splenectomy. We describe the outcome of 70 chronic ITP patients who performed a platelet kinetic study after failure of front‐line corticosteroids and subsequently underwent open splenectomy. After a median follow‐up from surgery of 20 years, 62 (88.5%) patients responded to splenectomy and 9 patients (13%) relapsed. Achieving a complete response (CR) significantly predicted a higher probability long‐term stable response. The pattern of platelet sequestration was predominantly splenic in 52 patients (74%), predominantly hepatic in 12 patients (17%), and diffuse in 6 (9%). Patients with nonsplenic (diffuse and hepatic) sequestration showed significantly lower overall responses compared to patients with splenic captation (P = 0.002). A nonsplenic sequestration significantly correlated with lower CR rate and, among CR patients, predicted an increased risk of relapse. Also, the probability of stable responses in nonsplenic uptake patients was substantially lower than in patients with splenic uptake (85% vs. 50%, P = 0.0083). Platelet life span and platelet turnover did not correlate with response and relapse rate. Overall, splenic sequestration was able to predict not only a better quality, but also a higher durability of the responses. However, it should be enphasized that the response rate and duration of response even in patients with nonsplenic uptake were similar or even superior to those reported in patients treated with rituximab as first option. Am. J. Hematol. 89:1047–1050, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Friendship and Delinquency: Selection and Influence Processes in Early Adolescence

Positive association of relevant characteristics is a widespread pattern among adolescent friends. A positive association may be caused by the selection of similar others as friends and by the deselection of dissimilar ones, but also by influence processes where friends adjust their behavior to each other. Social control theory argues that adolescents select each other as friends based on delinquency. Differential association theory, on the other hand, argues that adolescent friends influence each other's delinquency levels. We employ new statistical methods for assessing the empirical evidence for either process while controlling for the other process. These methods are based on ‘actor‐oriented’ stochastic simulation models. We analyze longitudinal data on friendship networks and delinquent behavior collected in four waves of 544 students in 21 first‐grade classrooms of Dutch secondary schools. Results indicate that adolescents select others as friends who have a similar level of delinquency compared with their own level. Estimates of the social influence parameters are not significant. The results are consistent with social control theory but provide no support for differential association theory.
Water-assisted chemical vapor deposition synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes and their photoluminescence property

A novel water-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the efficient synthesis of boron nitride (BN) nanotubes is demonstrated. The replacement of metal oxide by water vapor could continuously generate intermediate boron oxide vapor and enhance the production of BN nanotubes. The nanotubes synthesized when an appropriate amount of water vapor was introduced had an average diameter of about 80 nm and lengths of several hundred μm. The diameter and yield of nanotubes could be controlled by tuning the amount of water vapor. This simple water-assisted CVD approach paves a new path to the fabrication of BN nanotubes in large quantities.
Structure of resonance in preheating after inflation

We consider preheating in the theory $1/4 \lambda \phi^4 + 1/2 g^2\phi^2\chi^2 $, where the classical oscillating inflaton field $\phi$ decays into $\chi$-particles and $\phi$-particles. The parametric resonance which leads to particle production in this conformally invariant theory is described by the Lame equation. It significantly differs from the resonance in the theory with a quadratic potential. The structure of the resonance depends in a rather nontrivial way on the parameter $g^2/\lambda$. We construct the stability/instability chart in this theory for arbitrary $g^2/\lambda$. We give simple analytic solutions describing the resonance in the limiting cases $g^2/\lambda\ll 1$ and $g^2/\lambda \gg 1$, and in the theory with $g^2=3\lambda$, and with $g^2 =\lambda$. From the point of view of parametric resonance for $\chi$, the theories with $g^2=3\lambda$ and with $g^2 =\lambda$ have the same structure, respectively, as the theory $1/4 \lambda \phi^4$, and the theory $\lambda /(4 N) (\phi^2_i)^2$ of an N-component scalar field $\phi_i$ in the limit $N \to \infty$. We show that in some of the conformally invariant theories such as the simplest model $1/4 \lambda\phi^4$, the resonance can be terminated by the backreaction of produced particles long before $ $ or $ $ become of the order $\phi^2$. We analyze the changes in the theory of reheating in this model which appear if the inflaton field has a small mass.
Hospice staff members' views on conducting end-of-life research

Objective: Hospice staff members have concerns about the appropriateness of enrolling terminally ill people in research studies. These concerns can have profound implications for the advancement of palliative and hospice care as they can impede the empirical investigation of interventions for improving the quality of life of patients with advanced disease. This survey study was designed to examine hospice staff attitudes, beliefs, and values about research with their patients and family members. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional, anonymous survey design to measure hospice staff members' beliefs, attitudes, and values. The survey contained questions derived by hospice and palliative care experts from their experience and review of the literature. It was handed out at staff meetings and returned via mail. The survey contained 14 questions and was able to be completed in less than 5 min. Results: A total of 225 participants (56.25% response rate) completed the survey and were included in the data analysis. Hospice staff members were largely supportive about the idea of conducting research with patients and family members (mean agreement of 4.08–4.44 on several perception items about research on a 1–5 scale). They also acknowledged a mixture of being protective of controlling access to patients (52% wanted to be the ones to approach patients) and not having enough time for research (59% either had no time or would be willing to spend no more than 10 min on research). Significance of results: Although many of the opinions derived from the survey appear to indicate a willingness to embrace research in a hospice setting, significant barriers, especially time constraints and protective attitudes, remain. Educational efforts and firsthand involvement in the research process might be a useful first step in attempting to address these barriers and traditionally held beliefs against using hospice patients and families in research.
Disopyramide stress test: a sensitive and specific tool for predicting impending high degree atrioventricular block in patients with bifascicular block.

OBJECTIVE--To study the value of intravenous disopyramide as part of an invasive electrophysiological study in predicting impending high degree atrioventricular block in patients with bifascicular block. DESIGN--An invasive electrophysiological study was performed in the basal state and after the infusion of disopyramide (2 mg/kg body weight). The progression to high degree atrioventricular block was assessed by bradycardia-detecting pacemakers or repeated 12-lead electrocardiogram recordings, or both. PATIENTS--73 patients with bifascicular block were included, of whom 25 had a history of unexplained syncope. The remaining 48 patients had no arrhythmia related symptoms and were included as controls. All patients had an ejection fraction of > 35%. RESULTS--After a mean follow up of 23 months, seven patients in the syncope group and three in the non-syncope group had a documented high degree atrioventricular block or pacemaker-detected bradycardia of < or = 30 beats/min for > or = 6 s. The sensitivity of the disopyramide test was 71% and the specificity 98%. The corresponding figures for an abnormal electrophysiological study in the basal state were 14% and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS--The sensitivity of an invasive electrophysiological study in patients with bifascicular block and syncope can be markedly increased by the use of intravenous disopyramide. A positive test is a highly specific finding and warrants pacemaker implantation.
Effects of Dietary Marine Algae (Spirulina platensis) on Egg Quality and Production Performance of Laying Hens

In this experiment, a total of 128 Hy-line W36 hens at 63 weeks of age were used. The hens were put at random into 4 treatment groups (4 replicates and 32 hens per treatment) and were fed four different diets: three diets with different levels of Spirulina (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) and one control group based on wheat and soybean meal. All birds were housed in commercial cages, had ad libitum access to water, and were fed 100 g bird -1 per day. Egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, yolk index, Haugh unit, shell thickness, shell weight, specific gravity, egg yolk cholesterol, and yolk color were compared with the control group. Egg yolk color was measured by the BASF Ovo-color fan. Our results indicated that these traits did not show any significant changes with the Spirulina addition (P> 0.05), while a significant increase in egg yolk color was observed in the treatments that received the Spirulina (P< 0.0001). Yolk color scores of the control group and different levels of Spirulina (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%) were 1.5, 10.5, 11.4 and 11.6 in BASF color fan, respectively. There were not significant differences between the treatments with 2.0 and 2.5% of Spirulina. In conclusion, this study can suggest use of 2.0~2.5% of Spirulina in diet to produce an aesthetically pleasing yolk color.
Review of the evidence for motorcycle and motorcar daytime lights

The accepted remedy for motorcycleand to a lesser extent also motorcarconspicuity accidents with other vehicles or pedestrians in daytime is daytime lights. So in 2002 the European motorcar manufacturers (ACEA) made an offer to the European Union to fit daytime lights to all new motorcars; and shortly after the European motorcycle manufacturers (ACEM) agreed amongst themselves also to fit them to all new motorcycles. Against this background, the paper first, negatively, critically reviews the main evidence and arguments that motorcycle (or motorcar) daytime lights are effective to reduce accidents. In the course of the review the paper: a) Reveals the defects of method, conduct or findings of Janoff et al 1970, Andersson et al 1976, and the other main monitoring studies to date of the effect of motorcycle (or motorcar) daytime light laws; b) Concludes on the balance of the prima facie arguments for and against the use of motorcar (and motorcycle) daytime lights that an overall net safety benefit from daytime lights is not assured  indeed a net safety disbenefit from motorcar daytime lights cannot be discounted; and c) Considers the highly persuasivebut time and place specificfindings of Olson et al 1981's experimental field study of the effect of motorcycle daytime lights upon the gap acceptance behaviour of ordinary motorcar drivers in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The paper second, positively, describes the other possible causes of an ostensible motorcycle daytime conspicuity accident besides an actual Lack of conspicuity of the motorcycle, such as Obscuration of the motorcycle or Arbitrary estimation of the motorcycle's speed. It describes the research that remains to be conducted in order formally to establish the causes in question. The paper finally canvasses some of the important means of prevention of motorcycle conspicuity accidents that might potentially flow from successfully establishing the causes. Review of the evidence for motorcycle and motorcar daytime lights Review of the evidence for motorcycle and motorcar daytime lights
[Clinical observation of icotinib hydrochloride for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy and side effects of icotinib hydrochloride in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS The efficacy and side effects of icotinib hydrochloride in treatment of 59 cases with stage IV NSCIC and followed-up from March 2009 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS Twenty seven patients (45.8%) showed partial response (PR), 17 patients (28.8%) achieved SD, and 15 (25.4%) had progressive disease. The objective response rate (ORR) was 45.8% (27/59), and disease control rate (DCR) was 74.6% (44/59). Among the 23 patients with EGFR mutation, ORR was 73.9% (17/23), and DCR was 95.7% (22/23). Thirty six patients (61.0%) achieved remission of symptoms to varying degrees. The main symptoms relieved were cough, asthmatic suffocating, pain and hoarseness. The major adverse events were mild skin rash (35.6%) and diarrhea (15.3%). Others were dry skin, nausea and stomach problems. The efficacy of icotinib hydrochloride were related to the ECOG performance status, smoking history, EGFR mutation and rash significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Monotherapy with icotinib hydrochloride is effective and tolerable for patients with advanced NSCLC, especially with EGFR mutation.