Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prior-residence and coattail effects in dominance relationships of male dark-eyed juncos

Captive male dark-eyed juncos from two different aviaries were combined either in one group's original aviary (seven replicates) or in a third aviary (two replicates). These experiments controlled for effects of handling the subjects during transfers between aviaries and, in statistical analysis of the results, took into account constraints on the dominance relationships within combined groups. The results (l) confirmed the influence on dominance of prior residence in an aviary and (2) revealed a lack of independence in the dominance relationships between individuals from different original groups. This lack of independence probably resulted from an influence ofdominant individuals on the relationships oftheir lamiliar subordinates, a'coat-tail' eflect. (3) The results further indicated that previous experience with dominance or recognition ofprevious opponents outweighed the effect ofprior residence. Consequently, prior residence might represent a last resort in the settlement ofcontests in this species, as predicted on theoretical grounds for the use of conventional asymmetries in the settlement of contests. The coat-tail effect, if it applies in the field, would create an advantage for subordinates associating with lamiliar
ON THE BETTI NUMBERS OF NODAL SETS OF THE ELLIPTIC EQUATIONS

In this paper we study the topological properties of the nodal sets, N (u) = {x : u(x) = 0}, of solutions, u, of second order elliptic equations. We show that the total Betti number of a nodal set can be controlled by the coefficients and certain numbers of their derivatives of equations as well as the vanishing order of the corresponding solution.
Comparative pharmacodynamics and plasma concentrations of d-threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride after single doses of d-threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride and d,l-threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover laboratory school study in children with attention-

OBJECTIVE Methylphenidate has four optical isomers due to two asymmetries (erythro-threo and dextro-levo). The initial commercial formulation eliminated the erythro isomer, but the dextro-levo asymmetry was racemic, with equal amounts of d and l-threo isomers (d,l-MPH). Previous work has suggested that the d-threo isomer methylphenidate (d-MPH) rather than the l-threo isomer (l-MPH) is responsible for the clinical effects in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study compared the efficacy of acute equimolar doses of d-MPH and dl-MPH in reducing ADHD symptoms over an 8-hour period in a laboratory school setting and investigated the relationship of efficacy to plasma levels of MPH. METHOD Thirty-two children with ADHD enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, and 31 completed the study. On seven separate occasions separated by at least 6 days, the children received a single morning dose of d-MPH (2.5, 5, or 10 mg), d,l-MPH (5, 10, or 20 mg), or placebo and then were observed in a laboratory classroom setting for 8 hours. At specified intervals, blinded observers rated behavior, and the children performed a computerized math test. The plasma levels of MPH were related to the response to study medication. The safety profiles of the two formulations were compared. RESULTS For both formulations, the responses to both MPH preparations were dose related, the plasma concentrations of l-MPH were negligible and of d-MPH were indistinguishable, and clinical efficacy was highly correlated with plasma concentrations of d-MPH. The efficacy of the d-isomer was equivalent to the racemic preparation in reducing ADHD symptoms and increasing academic productivity. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of MPH resides in the d-isomer. The elimination of the l-isomer does not diminish the efficacy of an acute dose of methylphenidate.
Elucidation of mechanism(s) of the nocturnal rise of testosterone in men.

ABSTRACT To elucidate the mechanism (s) responsible for the nocturnal rise of testosterone in men, 4 adult male subjects were studied for 3 nights at weekly intervals. On the third night each subject was given 2 mg of dexamethasone by mouth just before retiring. Sharp increases in the plasma testosterone (T), androstenedione (Δ) and dehydroepiandrosterone (dhea) levels were noted during the 8 control nights. Dexamethasone blocked the rise of DHEA, Δ, and cortisol, but not of testosterone. Fourteen distinct pulses of T (>15OO pg/ml) were observed. A discernible LH peak preceded 12 of the T pulses with a lag time of 20–140 min (median 80 min). Although rises of T were invariably preceded by LH peaks, one-third (12 of 36) of the LH peaks were followed by a distinct T elevation. No relationship was found between T elevations and the onset of sleep, REM sleep, or prolactin and FSH levels. These data suggest (1) plasma T, Δ, DHEA rise at night usually in episodic bursts; (2) the rise of T is testicular in origi.
Angiostatic immune reaction in colorectal carcinoma: Impact on survival and perspectives for antiangiogenic therapy

Angiogenesis and inflammation are the 2 major stroma reactions in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Guanylate binding protein‐1 (GBP‐1) is a key mediator of angiostatic effects of inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that GBP‐1 may be a biomarker of intrinsic angiostasis associated with an improved outcome in CRC patients. GBP‐1 was strongly expressed in endothelial cells and immune cells in the desmoplastic stroma of 32% of CRC as determined by immunohistochemical investigation of 388 sporadic CRC. Cancer‐related 5‐year survival was highly significant (p < 0.001) increased (16.2%) in patients with GBP‐1‐positive CRC. Multivariate analysis showed that GBP‐1 is an independent prognostic factor indicating a reduction of the relative risk of cancer‐related death by the half (p = 0.032). A comparative transcriptome analysis (22,215 probe sets) of GBP‐1‐positive (n = 12) and ‐negative (n = 12) tumors showed that particularly IFN‐γ‐induced genes including the major antiangiogenic chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 were coexpressed with GBP‐1. Altogether our findings indicated that GBP‐1 may be a novel biomarker and an active component of a Th‐1‐like angiostatic immune reaction in CRC. This reaction may affect patient's response to antiangiogenic therapy and the identification of such tumors may provide a novel criterion for patient selection. Moreover, the induction of a Th‐1‐like angiostatic immune reaction may be a promising approach for the clinical treatment of CRC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The multiplication of Queensland and New Guinean arboviruses in Culex annulirostris Skuse and Aedes vigilax (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae).

Eighteen (but possibly 20) of 33 and 19 of 32 known or suspected arboviruses from Queensland and New Guinea multiplied after feeding to wild-caught Culex (Culex) annulirostris Skuse and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) vigilax (Skuse), respectively. The strains used of Sindbis, Ross River, Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin and Sepik viruses, all of medical importance, multiplied in both species; on the other hand, bovine ephemeral fever virus, of veterinary importance, gave some twidence of multiplication in C. annulirostris only. This study substantiates the importance of C. annulirostris as a vector, and emphasizes the need for further investigation of Ae. vigilax .
Incidence of intracranial tumours in the Lothian region of Scotland, 1989-90.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the incidence of primary and secondary intracranial tumours in the Lothian region of south east Scotland. METHODS--A population based study was performed. Patients from Lothian with incident intracranial tumours diagnosed in 1989 and 1990 (by CT or histology) were identified retrospectively using multiple sources. Differences in incidence by tumour type, age, sex, and socioeconomic status were examined. RESULTS--Four hundred and forty two patients with incident intracranial tumours were identified (228 primary tumours and 214 secondary tumours). The crude yearly incidences of primary and secondary tumours were 15.3 and 14.3 per 100,000 respectively. The commonest primary tumours were neuroepithelial tumours (53.5%), meningeal tumours (19.5%), and sellar tumours (16.5%). About 50% of patients with secondary tumours had an underlying lung cancer. The incidence of primary and secondary tumours increased markedly with age. Meningeal tumours were more common in women, and neuroepithelial tumours were more common in those who lived in more affluent areas. CONCLUSIONS--The incidence rates of primary and secondary intracranial tumours in Lothian were more than twice those previously reported in the United Kingdom. Intracranial tumours are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United Kingdom, and further research into their aetiology and treatment is urgently required.
The impact of volume on outcomes after oesophageal cancer surgery

Oesophageal cancer is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. Oesophagectomy is an established, potentially curative treatment, for patients with resectable oesophageal cancer. The anatomical location of the oesophagus explains why this type of operation is one of the most demanding and traumatic surgical procedures undertaken in general surgery. Unfortunately, the risk for severe post‐operative complications is high and the chance for cure remains low. It is, however, encouraging that the post‐operative morbidity has been decreasing and the survival has been improving during recent years. Several factors might have contributed to this improvement, including the centralization of oesophageal cancer surgery to high volume centres. This review focuses on the impact of hospital and surgeon volume on various outcomes after oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. Most available research indicates that, as far as post‐operative complications, early post‐operative mortality and health economics after oesophagectomy are concerned, high surgery volume is to be recommended, while the few studies evaluating long‐term survival and health‐related quality of life adjusted for tumour stage found no evidence of a role for volume. In conclusion, the available literature supports the centralization of oesophagectomy for cancer to dedicated centres with a multidisciplinary approach and a good track record of valid clinical research.
Semi-Orthogonal spline Scaling Functions for Solving Hammerstein Integral Equations

We developed a new numerical procedure based on the quadratic semi-orthogonal B-spline scaling functions for solving a class of nonlinear integral equations of the Hammerstein-type. Properties of the B-spline wavelet method are utilized to reduce the Hammerstein equations to some algebraic equations. The advantage of our method is that the dimension of the arising algebraic equation is 10 × 10. The operational matrix of semi-orthogonal B-spline scaling functions is sparse which is easily applicable. Error estimation of the presented method is analyzed and proved. To demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique the method applied to some illustrative examples and the maximum absolute error in the solutions are compared with the results in existing methods.20,25,27,29
Trends in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drug consumption in children and adolescents in Slovenia from 2001 to 2012: a drug use study from a national perspective.

OBJECTIVE In most Eastern and Central European countries, except Germany, there is a lack of drug consumption studies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The main purpose of the present study was to present the pattern and the evolution of national ADHD drug consumption in Slovenia. METHODS The national consumption data for the period 2001-2012 and medication costs were obtained from the database of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. A defined daily dose (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day and the total medication cost in euro were extracted. Only immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-MPH), methylphenidate-osmotic release oral delivery system (OROS-MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) have been approved for ADHD in Slovenia and are included in this study. Amphetamines have not been available in Slovenia. RESULTS ADHD drug consumption increased in Slovenia from 0.0537 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2001 to 0.0687 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2006 and to 0.3076 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2012. The rise was largely because of an increase in OROS-MPH consumption and increase in ATX consumption, whereas the consumption of IR-MPH decreased rapidly. During the study period, the total cost of the medicines increased 31-fold. From 2007 to 2010, the total cost of ADHD medicines increased 14-fold and from 2010 to 2012 the cost increased by 11.4% only. CONCLUSIONS When new drugs are licensed in a jurisdiction, their prescription rates increase rapidly. The changes in the pattern of prescribing medicines are evident in Slovenia, primarily in the increase of OROS-MPH and ATX prescriptions and in the rapid decrease of IR-MPH prescriptions. Results indicate a need for appropriate interventions in Slovenia.
The Safety and Immunogenicity of Rotavirus Vaccination in Infants With Intestinal Failure.

BACKGROUND Young children with intestinal failure are at risk for complications from rotavirus gastroenteritis. To date, the safety and immunogenicity of rotavirus vaccines in these children are not known. We hypothesized that rotavirus vaccination would be safe and confer immunity to infants with intestinal failure and a history of abdominal surgery. METHODS The study population consisted of infants with early intestinal failure who required abdominal surgery and parenteral nutrition for necrotizing enterocolitis, gastroschisis, jejunoileal atresia, or meconium peritonitis. Subjects received a rotavirus vaccine series at the appropriate age. Safety assessments were performed for the first 5 days after each vaccine dose. Viral stool shedding and serum rotavirus antigen were measured at multiple time points after each dose of the vaccine. A 3-fold increase in rotavirus immunoglobulin A titer at study completion defined seroconversion. RESULTS Fifteen infants were enrolled and 14 infants completed the study protocol. Mild diarrhea, emesis, and fever were noted after vaccination in 33%, 40%, and 7% of subjects, respectively. No subject experienced postvaccine intussusception, viremia, dehydration, or required alterations in nutritional care. Viral stool shedding was noted in 47%, but only 1 child shed virus beyond 2 weeks postvaccination. All subjects who were not considered immune at baseline developed seroconversion to rotavirus after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS In infants with intestinal failure, rotavirus vaccination appears to be safe and immunogenic. We found no evidence for altered viral shedding in this population. Given the profound consequences associated with rotavirus infection and potential benefits of rotavirus vaccine in this cohort, multicenter studies focusing on vaccine efficacy are warranted.
The Walking School Bus and Children's Physical Activity: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a “walking school bus” program on children's rates of active commuting to school and physical activity. METHODS: We conducted a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial among 4th-graders from 8 schools in Houston, Texas (N = 149). Random allocation to treatment or control conditions was at the school level. Study staff walked with children to and from school up to 5 days/week. Outcomes were measured the week before (time 1) and during weeks 4 and 5 of the intervention (time 2). The main outcome was the weekly rate of active commuting, and a secondary outcome was moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Covariates included sociodemographics, distance from home to school, neighborhood safety, child BMI z score, parent self-efficacy/outcome expectations, and child self-efficacy for active commuting. A mixed-model repeated measures regression accounted for clustering by school, and stepwise procedures with backward elimination of nonsignificant covariates were used to identify significant predictors. RESULTS: Intervention children increased active commuting (mean ± SD) from 23.8% ± 9.2% (time 1) to 54% ± 9.2% (time 2), whereas control subjects decreased from 40.2% ± 8.9% (time 1) to 32.6% ± 8.9% (time 2) (P < .0001). Intervention children increased their minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from 46.6 ± 4.5 (time 1) to 48.8 ± 4.5 (time 2), whereas control children decreased from 46.1 ± 4.3 (time 1) to 41.3 ± 4.3 (time 2) (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: The program improved children's active commuting to school and daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
Comparison of Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic vs Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic vs Open Partial Nephrectomy in Patients with T1 Renal Masses.

PURPOSE To evaluate the validity of hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (HALPN) for small renal masses, patients who underwent HALPN, robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN), or open partial nephrectomy (OPN) at a single medical institution were compared in terms of perioperative outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, all 590 consecutive patients who underwent HALPN (n=89), RALPN (n=147), or OPN (n=354) between July 2011 and April 2014 in a single institute were compared in terms of perioperative outcomes, including the mean operative time, warm ischemia time (WIT), length of the hospital stay, change in the estimated glomerulofiltration rate (eGFR), duration of analgesic use, surgical margins, and adverse events. The patient groups were compared by a multivariate regression model, in which adjustments were made for differences in baseline demographic and tumor characteristics. RESULTS OPN associated with a significantly longer mean operative time (187 minutes) than RALPN (162 minutes; p<0.001) or HALPN (172 minutes; p=0.013), a longer hospital stay (7.3, 5.3, and 5.9 days, respectively; p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively), and a longer duration of analgesic use (6.6, 4.6, and 5.4 days, respectively; p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). HALPN and RALPN were equivalent in terms of operative time. RALPN had a significantly longer WIT than HALPN and OPN (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). HALPN had a significantly longer hospital stay than RALPN (p=0.026). The three methods differed in terms of eGFR change (p=0.028), but multivariate analysis found that the surgical method was not a significant factor for eGFR. The three methods did not differ in terms of complication rates. CONCLUSIONS HALPN associated with shorter operative and convalescence times compared with OPN. HALPN was generally not inferior to RALPN in terms of perioperative outcomes, although it associated with a longer convalescence.
Intercomparison of whole-body averaged SAR in European and Japanese voxel phantoms

This paper provides an intercomparison of the HPA male and female models, NORMAN and NAOMI with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) male and female models, TARO and HANAKO. The calculations of the whole-body SAR in these four phantoms were performed at the HPA, at NICT and at the Nagoya Institute of Technology (NIT). These were for a plane wave with a vertically aligned electric field incident upon the front of the body from 30 MHz to 3 GHz for isolated conditions. As well as investigating the general differences through this frequency range, particular emphasis was placed on the assumptions of how dielectric properties are assigned to tissues (particularly skin and fat) and the consequence of using different algorithms for calculating SAR at the higher frequencies.
Enhancing Self-Efficacy and Performance: An Experimental Comparison of Psychological Techniques

Purpose: We assessed how 6 psychological performance enhancement techniques (PETs) differentially improved self-efficacy (SE) and skill performance. We also assessed whether vicarious experiences and verbal persuasion as posited sources of SE (Bandura, 1982) were supported and, further, if the effects of the 6 PETs remained after controlling for achievement motivation traits and self-esteem. Method: A within-subject design assessed each individual across 2 trials for 3 disparate PETs. A between-groups design assessed differences between PETs paired against each other for 3 similar novel tasks. Participants (N = 96) performed 2 trials of 10 attempts at each of the tasks (kick, throw, golf putt) in a counterbalanced sequence using their nondominant limb. Participants completed the Sport Orientation Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and General Self-Efficacy Scale and were randomly allocated to either the modeling or imagery, goal-setting or instructional self-statement, or knowledge-of-results or motivational feedback conditions aligned with each task. Results: An instructional self-statement improved performance better than imagery, modeling, goal setting, and motivational and knowledge-of-results augmented feedback. Motivational auditory feedback most improved SE. Increased SE change scores were related to increased performance difference scores on all tasks after controlling for age, sex, achievement motivation, and self-esteem. Conclusions: Some sources of SE may be more influential than others on both SE and performance improvements. We provide partial support for the sources of SE proposed by Bandura's social-cognitive theory with verbal persuasion but not vicarious experiences improving SE.
Awareness, perception, and knowledge of heart disease risk and prevention among women in the United States. American Heart Association Women's Heart Disease and Stroke Campaign Task Force.

CONTEXT One of 2 women in the United States dies of heart disease or stroke, yet women are underdiagnosed and undertreated for these diseases and their risk factors. Informed decisions to prevent heart disease and stroke depend on awareness of risk factors and knowledge of behaviors to prevent or detect these diseases. OBJECTIVE Assess (1) knowledge of risks of heart disease and stroke and (2) perceptions of heart disease and its prevention among women in the United States. DESIGN AND SETTING Telephone survey conducted in 1997 of US households, including an oversample of African American and Hispanic women. PARTICIPANTS One thousand respondents 25 years or older; 65.8% white, 13.0% African American, and 12.6% Hispanic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Knowledge of heart disease and stroke risks, perceptions of heart disease, and knowledge of symptoms and preventive measures. RESULTS Only 8% of the respondents identified heart disease and stroke as their greatest health concerns; less than 33% identified heart disease as the leading cause of death. More women aged 25 to 44 years identified breast cancer as the leading cause of death than women 65 years or older. Women aged 25 to 44 years indicated they were not well informed about heart disease and stroke. Although 90% of the women reported that they would like to discuss heart disease or risk reduction with their physicians, more than 70% reported that they had not. CONCLUSIONS Most women do not perceive that heart disease is a substantial health concern and report that they are not well informed about their risk. Age influenced knowledge to a greater extent than ethnicity. Programs directed at young women that address the effects of lifestyle behaviors on long-term health are needed. Better communication between physicians and patients is also warranted.