Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and level of C-reactive protein in a large cohort of pancreatic cancer patients: a retrospective study in a single institute in Japan.

OBJECTIVE Recent studies suggest that systemic inflammatory response is closely associated with cancer patient prognosis. Although several inflammatory prognostic markers have been proposed, the data to support their validity are lacking in large Japanese cohorts. METHODS This is a retrospective study to examine the prognostic value of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio and modified Glasgow prognostic scale, in pancreatic cancer. Selection criteria were admittance to hospital between January 2008 and December 2012, histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma, diagnosis of invasive ductal pancreatic cancer compatible by computed tomography imaging, and followed-up until death or for 180 days or longer. The primary end point was overall survival, which was measured from the day of histological diagnosis. RESULTS There were 440 patients who met the selection criteria. Of the 440 cases, 200 (45.5%) received curative resection (166 Stage I/II and 34 Stage III patients), 237 (53.9%) received chemotherapy (4 Stage I/II, 92 Stage III and 141 Stage IV patients), and the remaining 3 received palliative care. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses revealed that advanced computed tomography stage, high level of C-reactive protein (0.45 mg/dl or greater), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (2.0 or greater) and CA19-9 level (1000 U/ml or greater) were significantly associated with worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS We verified the results of previous studies, and showed that neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein also had prognostic value in a large Japanese PC cohort.
Effect of Prolactin on Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Responsiveness in the Rat

Abstract The effects of chronic ovine PRL (oPRL) infusion on resting systolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and pressor responsiveness to acute administration of norepinephrine and angiotensin were studied in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. oPRL was administered over 7 days, via osmotic pump implanted ip on Day 1, at rates of 0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, 1.20, and 4.80 μg/hr. Resting BP and heart rate were indirectly determined in conscious rats by tail cuff technique on Days 1, 4, and 7 following pump implantation. In addition, acute pressor responses to ia nor-epinephrine (4.3 μg) and angiotensin (1.25 μg) were directly measured via arterial cannula in halothane-anesthetized rats on Day 7 of oPRL administration. oPRL infusion did not alter resting BP or heart rate over the 7 days. However, oPRL increased the BP response to norepinephrine at infusion rates of 0.60 and 4.80 μg/hr (P < 0.01 vs controls). Body weight increases during the study were also greater in groups receiving 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, and 4.80 μg oPRL/hr (P < 0.05) than those in control animals. oPRL decreased pressor responses to angiotensin at infusion rates of 0.30 and 1.20 μg/hr (P < 0.01). These data suggest that, although the vascular effects of oPRL may not be evident under resting conditions, oPRL enhances vascular reactivity to norepinephrine infusion and depresses vascular reactivity to angiotensin infusion. Furthermore, at oPRL infusion rates which affect pressor responses to norepinephrine, oPRL increases body weight gain. These findings support a role for PRL in cardiovascular regulation during conditions of altered sympathetic activity.
Phylogenetics support an ancient common origin of two scientific icons: Devils Hole and Devils Hole pupfish

The Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis; DHP) is an icon of conservation biology. Isolated in a 50 m2 pool (Devils Hole), DHP is one of the rarest vertebrate species known and an evolutionary anomaly, having survived in complete isolation for thousands of years. However, recent findings suggest DHP might be younger than commonly thought, potentially introduced to Devils Hole by humans in the past thousand years. As a result, the significance of DHP from an evolutionary and conservation perspective has been questioned. Here we present a high‐resolution genomic analysis of DHP and two closely related species, with the goal of thoroughly examining the temporal divergence of DHP. To this end, we inferred the evolutionary history of DHP from multiple random genomic subsets and evaluated four historical scenarios using the multispecies coalescent. Our results provide substantial information regarding the evolutionary history of DHP. Genomic patterns of secondary contact present strong evidence that DHP were isolated in Devils Hole prior to 20–10 ka and the model best supported by geological history and known mutation rates predicts DHP diverged around 60 ka, approximately the same time Devils Hole opened to the surface. We make the novel prediction that DHP colonized and have survived in Devils Hole since the cavern opened, and the two events (colonization and collapse of the cavern's roof) were caused by a common geologic event. Our results emphasize the power of evolutionary theory as a predictive framework and reaffirm DHP as an important evolutionary novelty, worthy of continued conservation and exploration.
Prediction of the in vivo Body Composition of Pigs Based on Cross- Sectional Region Analysis of Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scans

Scans 1 Summary The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a cross-sectional scan as an alternative to the total body DXA scan for predicting the body composition of pigs in vivo. A total of 212 pigs (56 to 138 kg live body weight) were scanned by DXA. The DXA scans were analyzed for percentage fat and lean in the total body and in 14 cross-sections (57.6 mm wide): 5 in the front leg/thoracic region, 4 in the abdominal region, and 5 in the back leg region. Regression analysis was used to compare total body and cross-sectional DXA results and chemical analysis of total body fat, protein and water. The relation (R 2 ) between the percentage fat in individual slices and the percentage of total body fat measured by DXA ranged from 0.78 to 0.97 and by chemical analysis from 0.71 to 0.85, respectively. The relation between the percentage of lean in the individual slices and chemical analysis for percentage of total body protein and water ranged from 0.48 to 0.60 and 0.56 to 0.76, respectively. These results indicate that total body composition of the pig can be predicted (accurately) by performing a time-saving single-pass cross-sectional scan.
Idiosyncratic Volatility and Expected Stock Returns: Evidence from Thailand

This paper demonstrates the finding that time-varying expected idiosyncratic volatility has a significant and positive effect on expected stock returns for individual stocks as well as stock sectors. The positive relation remains after controlling for liquidity variables. The second finding is that time-varying expected market volatility has a significant effect on expected stock returns for both individual stocks and stock sectors, which is consistent with the traditional capital asset pricing model. Although the models control for liquidity variables, the significantly positive relation still exists. In addition, expected idiosyncratic volatility plays a more important role than expected market volatility in determining expected stock returns in the case of individual stocks. In contrast, expected market volatility plays a more important role than expected idiosyncratic volatility in the case of stock sectors.
EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN HIP POSITION ON ACTIONS OF SPINAL INHIBITORY INTERNEURONS IN HUMANS

The aim of the present study was to establish whether in healthy human subjects the actions of group I muscle afferents arising from the same spinal segments as the soleus innervation (e.g., common peroneal nerve; CPN) or from more proximal spinal segments (femoral nerve; FN) on the soleus H-reflex are modified by changes in hip position. Control and conditioned soleus H-reflexes were elicited and recorded via conventional methods. In seated subjects, CPN and FN stimulation resulted in similar effects to the soleus H-reflex to that previously reported in healthy subjects. However, during hip angle changes, CPN stimulation at the C-T interval of 2 ms resulted in soleus H-reflex depression only when the hip was flexed at 30°, whereas with the hip flexed or extended at 10° the H-reflex was facilitated. CPN stimulation delivered at 100 ms also induced soleus H-reflex facilitation regardless of the hip angle tested. The heteronymous reflex facilitation (conditioned H-reflex with FN stimulation) did not vary systematically with hip angle changes. These findings indicate that hip proprioceptors interact with spinal inhibitory interneurons to enhance spinal reflex excitability under static conditions. This neural switch might constitute an important feature of movement regulation in humans.
The Influence of Corporate Organization and Ownership on the Linkages of Industrial Plants: A Canadian Enquiry

Regularities in patterns of industrial linkage are sought at the level of individual plants whether these are single-plant firms or parts of larger corporations. Particular importance is attached, here, to flows of foreign origin within non-Canadian corporations. But this is only one of the ways industry in Canada adapts to the local environment in accordance with factors of industry, ownership, and plant size. Data on material inputs for a sample of manufacturing plants yield dimensions of linkage, which are related to a set of structural variables. The dimensions also allow identification of linkage types of plants which are further described using the structural variables. Results allow comparison of the linkage behavior of domestic and foreign plants and discussion of the dominance of corporate (organizational) factors over locational advantages for international companies in southern Ontario. Locational policy implications of the results are indicated.
Systemic Infusion Versus Bolus Chemotherapy with 5‐Fluorouracil in Measurable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

From January 31, 1986 to January 31, 1989, 184 eligible patients were enrolled in a randomized study of either infusional or bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for the treatment of metastatic measurable colorectal cancer. Infusion was administered at an escalated dose schedule starting at 350 mg/ m2 per day for 2 weeks with a 2-week rest period on a monthly basis, while bolus 5-FU was started at 400–450 mg/m2 for 5 days every 28 days. In these chemotherapy-naive patients with good performance status, the infusion arm produced a response in 11 of 88 patients versus 6 of 82 in the bolus arm (p = 0.384). Progression free survival was significantly longer (p = 0.0139) in the infusion group (3.8 versus 2.3 months), but no significant difference in survival was observed (p = 0.207). As expected, the toxicities of the regimens were different in character, but each had approximately a 20% incidence of significant toxicities. Neither of these methods of administering fluorouracil results in an exceptional response rate, nor does the infusion have an impact on survival as compared to the bolus route. If this type of complicated infusional approach is to continue, especially with increasing dosage (which could be accomplished on our schedule), randomized studies with survival as an endpoint must remain the gold standard.
Valuing Consumer Surplus for the Beach Resources at Ko Chang National Marine Park in Thailand

This paper presents recreation trip demand models from three beaches administrated by the Ko Chang National Marine Park in Thailand. In specific, we apply Poisson (POI) and negative binomial (NB) count data models to estimate consumer surplus (CS) attributed to tourism development. An onsite stratified random sample of 409 beach visitors was administrated along the shorelines of the marine park. The results show that the estimated CS of a Thai visitor is $244 per trip and $256 per trip, respectively, under POI and NB models. In contrast, the CS per trip of a foreign visitor is double that of the Thai visitor's. As all the potential beach visitors’ CS counted, it suggests that the beaches along the Ko Chang's coastline are highly valuable public resources. As a result, several important policy-making comments regarding the coastal park management are addressed.
Comparison of non-compression and compression interlocking intramedullary nailing in rabbit femoral shaft osteotomy model.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare non-compression and compression intramedullary nailing in an experimental femoral shaft osteotomy model in terms of radiological, histological, and biomechanical aspects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four white New Zealand rabbits (average weight 4.3 kg; range 4 to 4.8 kg) were divided into three groups. A right femoral osteotomy was performed in all rabbits and all femurs were fixed with titanium compression interlocking intramedullary nail. After locking of nails, no compression was performed in group 1 while 0.5 mm and 1 mm compressions were performed in group 2 and 3, respectively. All rabbits were sacrificed four weeks after operation. Fracture sites were examined histologically and radiologically. Finite element analyses were performed. RESULTS Radiological scores of groups 2 and 3 were significantly higher than group 1. There was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3 radiologically. Best histological scores were achieved in group 2. According to finite element analyses, osteotomy site in group 2 was exposed to 1240 N of load and 34.5 MPa of mean stress. CONCLUSION Compression interlocking intramedullary nailing provides faster fracture healing than non-compression interlocking intramedullary nailing. Best histological fracture healing scores were obtained with 0.5 mm compression performed at the fracture site.
How Do South American International Students Experience Student Life in Flanders? A Photo Elicitation Project

Millions of tertiary international students are studying abroad, and the number of exchange students continues to increase. We explored experiences of South American students studying in a non-Anglophone context. A photo elicitation methodology was applied to support data collection. Five participants were asked to visualize their challenges in their adjustment in pictures. We conducted individual interviews where images were used as prompts to narratives. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Three main themes were identified: socio-cultural adjustment, academic adjustment, and psychological adjustment. Our data suggest that adjustment processes do not automatically lead to an adaptation outcome. Individual factors such as students’ acculturation strategies and coping mechanisms, and situational variables like social interaction and cultural discomfort affect their adjustment.
INCIDENTAL ANXIETY AND EGOCENTRISM 2 Author Note

People frequently feel anxious. Although prior research has extensively studied how feeling anxious shapes intrapsychic aspects of cognition, much less is known about how anxiety affects interpersonal aspects of cognition. Here, we examine the influence of incidental experiences of anxiety on perceptual and conceptual forms of perspective taking. Compared with participants experiencing other negative, high-arousal emotions (i.e., anger or disgust) or neutral feelings, anxious participants displayed greater egocentrism in their mental-state reasoning: They were more likely to describe an object using their own spatial perspective, had more difficulty resisting egocentric interference when identifying an object from others’ spatial perspectives, and relied more heavily on privileged knowledge when inferring others’ beliefs. Using both experimental-causal-chain and measurement-of-mediation approaches, we found that these effects were explained, in part, by uncertainty appraisal tendencies. Further supporting the role of uncertainty, a positive emotion associated with uncertainty (i.e., surprise) produced increases in egocentrism that were similar to anxiety. Collectively, the results suggest that incidentally experiencing emotions associated with uncertainty increase reliance on one’s own egocentric perspective when reasoning about the mental states of others.
Intuitive Theories of Information: Beliefs about the Value of Redundancy

In many situations, quantity estimates from multiple experts or diagnostic instruments must be collected and combined. Normatively, and all else equal, one should value information sources that are nonredundant, in the sense that correlation in forecast errors should be minimized. Past research on the preference for redundancy has been inconclusive. While some studies have suggested that people correctly place higher value on uncorrelated inputs when collecting estimates, others have shown that people either ignore correlation or, in some cases, even prefer it. The present experiments show that the preference for redundancy depends on one's intuitive theory of information. The most common intuitive theory identified is the Error Tradeoff Model (ETM), which explicitly distinguishes between measurement error and bias. According to ETM, measurement error can only be averaged out by consulting the same source multiple times (normatively false), and bias can only be averaged out by consulting different sources (normatively true). As a result, ETM leads people to prefer redundant estimates when the ratio of measurement error to bias is relatively high. Other participants favored different theories. Some adopted the normative model, while others were reluctant to mathematically average estimates from different sources in any circumstance. In a post hoc analysis, science majors were more likely than others to subscribe to the normative model. While tentative, this result lends insight into how intuitive theories might develop and also has potential ramifications for how statistical concepts such as correlation might best be learned and internalized.
Astrocytes in the Rat Nucleus Tractus Solitarii Are Critical for Cardiovascular Reflex Control

We have shown that an antibody to dopamine-β-hydroxylase conjugated with saporin (anti-DBH-SAP) damages catecholamine neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of rat, attenuates arterial baroreflexes, and leads to lability of arterial blood pressure, damage to cardiac myocytes, and, in some animals, sudden death. However, others have shown that injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a toxin devoid of saporin, also damaged NTS catecholamine neurons but did not lead to these cardiovascular changes. We found similar cardiovascular changes after injecting a different SAP conjugate to target NTS neurons with neurokinin (NK1) receptors. Because ribosome-inactivating proteins may be toxic to glia, we hypothesized that SAP, a ribosome-inactivating protein, might target glia whose loss could account for physiological changes. We tested this hypothesis by assessing effects on select neurons and on glia in the NTS after exposure to SAP, targeted SAP conjugates, or 6-OHDA. SAP and all SAP conjugates led to loss of immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein, a marker for astrocytes, in the NTS while 6-OHDA did not. As reported previously, anti-DBH-SAP selectively killed noradrenergic neurons in the NTS while SAP conjugated to stabilized substance P (SSP-SAP) selectively killed neurons with NK1 receptors. In contrast, SAP produced no demonstrable neuronal damage. All injections led to activation of microglia in the NTS; however, only SAP and its conjugates attenuated cardiovascular reflexes while also producing lability of arterial pressure, damage to cardiac myocytes, and in some animals, sudden death. Thus, NTS astrocytes may play a role in mediating cardiovascular reflex transmission through the NTS.
Socioeconomic determinants of child mortality: Evidence from Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey

This paper attempts to highlight socioeconomic determinants of child mortality in Pakistan. Binary logistic regression is applied to 7297 observations from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2012-13. The results reveal that probability of child mortality decreases with greater birth-interval, child’s large size at birth, more family members, mother’s education, mother’s ownership of assets and mother’s decision-making at the household level. Policy makers can work to improve mothers’ characteristics such as fertility behavior, education, empowerment and decision-making at the household level, to reduce child mortality.
Business Cycles and Start-Ups Across Industries: An Empirical Analysis of German Regions

We analyze whether start-up rates in different industries systematically change with business cycle variables. Using a unique data set at the industry level, we mostly find correlations that are consistent with counter-cyclical influences of the business cycle on entries in both innovative and non-innovative industries. Entries into the large-scale industries, including the innovative part of manufacturing, are only influenced by changes in the cyclical component of unemployment, while entries into small-scale industries, like knowledge intensive services, are mostly influenced by changes in the cyclical component of GDP. Thus, our analysis suggests that favorable conditions in terms of high GDP might not be germane for start-ups. Given that both innovative and non-innovative businesses react counter-cyclically in ‘regular’ recessions, business formation may have a stabilizing effect on the economy.
The International Commonality of Idiosyncratic Variances Geert Bekaert

We establish several facts about the aggregate idiosyncratic variances of equity markets in 23 countries. First, we document strong global commonality in aggregate idiosyncratic variances of returns and cash flows across countries. Second, the global and country level common factors of the idiosyncratic return and cash flow variances are mostly but not always countercyclical. Third, the time series variation of these common factors in idiosyncratic variances of returns and cash flows are highly correlated. Global aggregate idiosyncratic return variances are also significantly related to variables capturing aggregate discount rate variation, and growth opportunities. These stylized facts are mostly inconsistent with extant theories regarding the time variation in idiosyncratic return variances. JEL Classification: F39, G12, G15