Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of debulking surgery after induction chemotherapy on the prognosis in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Gynecological Cancer Cooperative Group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

BACKGROUND Although the value of primary cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer is beyond doubt, the value of debulking surgery after induction chemotherapy has not yet been defined. In this randomized study we investigated the effect on survival of debulking surgery. METHODS Eligible patients had residual lesions measuring more than 1 cm in diameter after primary surgery. After three cycles of cyclophosphamide and cisplatin, these patients were randomly assigned to undergo either debulking surgery or no surgery, followed by further cycles of cyclophosphamide and cisplatin. The study end points were progression-free and overall survival. At surgery 65 percent of the patients had lesions measuring more than 1 cm. In 45 percent of this group, the lesions were reduced surgically to less than 1 cm. RESULTS Of the 319 patients who underwent randomization, 278 could be evaluated (140 patients who underwent surgery and 138 patients who did not). Progression-free and overall survival were both significantly longer in the group that underwent surgery (P = 0.01). The difference in median survival was six months. The survival rate at two years was 56 percent for the group that underwent surgery and 46 percent for the group that did not. In the multivariate analysis, debulking surgery was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.012). Overall, after adjustment for all other prognostic factors, surgery reduced the risk of death by 33 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 10 to 50 percent; P = 0.008). Surgery was not associated with death or severe morbidity. CONCLUSIONS Debulking surgery significantly lengthened progression-free and overall survival. The risk of death was reduced by one third, after adjustment for a variety of prognostic factors.
The economy of induced early parturition in New Zealand dairy herds.

Abstract A breakeven analysis suggests that the economy of inducing cows to calve prematurely is precariously balanced. The analysis is based on data from recent New Zealand publications and on replies to a questionnaire sent to participants in a previously reported induction trial. It suggests that the extra cost per induction is $18.60, that the cost saved is $23.40 and that the income lost $28.80. This implies that extra returns have to be about $24.00 to achieve a nil balance and it is suggested that this might be just possible during the first lactation after induction. Any profit will have to come from advantages beyond the first year. The questionnaire data indicate that about 2/3 of induced cows are likely to provide such advantages, but that 1/3 might cause further losses. It is recommended that the technique of inducing dairy cows to calve prematurely be judiciously employed, mainly in emergency, on young and healthy cows only.
Hormone-refractory breast cancer remains sensitive to the antitumor activity of heat shock protein 90 inhibitors.

PURPOSE The antiestrogen tamoxifen (Tam) has been used as therapy against estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer for decades. Most tumors respond initially, but resistance frequently develops. The ER exists in a multiprotein complex containing the molecular chaperone heat shock protein (Hsp) 90, which is known to regulate the stability and activity of this receptor. Therefore, we investigated a ligand-independent approach to hormonal therapy that depletes cellular levels of the receptor by inhibiting the function of Hsp90. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The activity of the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) and its clinically relevant derivative, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AAG), was examined at the molecular and cellular levels using Tam-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells both in vitro and in tumor xenografts. RESULTS The ER was depleted by GA in several Tam-resistant cell lines, as were other Hsp90 client proteins such as Akt and Raf-1. Unexpectedly, Tam inhibited ER depletion by GA but had no effect on destabilization of Akt or Raf-1. When SCID mice supplemented with Tam were treated with 17AAG, their tumors also showed no decrease in ER levels as measured by immunofluorescent staining and laser scanning cytometry. In these same tumors, however, decreased Akt and Raf-1 levels were observed. Drug administration also led to inhibition of tumor xenograft growth. The mechanism by which Tam inhibits GA-mediated ER depletion is unclear, but immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Tam does not inhibit the ability of GA to alter the ER-chaperone complex. CONCLUSIONS Based on its ability to deplete the ER as well as other critical signaling molecules in Tam-resistant breast cancer, 17AAG may provide a useful alternative treatment for patients with recurrent, hormone-refractory breast cancer that should be explored further in Phase II trials. In this context, combined treatment with 17AAG and Tam should be avoided because Tam may inhibit the ability of 17AAG to deplete the ER, potentially reducing its anticancer activity.
Molecular identification of Dunaliella sp. utilizing the 18S rDNA gene

J. OLMOS, J. PANIAGUA and R. CONTRERAS.2000. The utilization of micro‐algae for the production of food and fine chemicals is growing in importance. However, confusion of names and species makes comparison of results by different authors very difficult. In this work, five species of Dunaliella were characterized using their 18S ribosomal RNA genes. Conserved oligonucleotides complementary to 5′ and 3′ termini of the 18S rDNAs were designed and utilized to amplify theme, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the polymerase chain reaction products was developed. Species‐specific primers were also designed and utilized to corroborate the identification.
Cryptocurrency from Shari’ah Perspective

For the past few years there has been a significant increase of people’s interest in crypto-currencies. Seminars and conferences have been organized to discuss the nature and feasibility of cryptocurrencies. Some argue that it is good to have an alternative to the current fiat money system in which the predominant role is played by banks, while a cryptocurrency does not require any bank account, tax payment and auditing. Some others disagree with these arguments and claim that any mode of payment in other than traditionally known instruments such as cash payment, telegraphic-transfers, cheques and so, will open the door to avoid tax and audits, which in turn may seriously effect a government’s budget and may even decrease GDP. This research uses theoretical, descriptive and analytical methods of research and therefore focuses on the following important points: a) defining the place of cryptocurrency in the financial system by determining the extent of its influence; b) reviewing the literature on the topic, which will allow us to determine the current understanding of the problem by modern science; c) unveiling the key requirements of Shari’ah for money and money circulation to formulate a standard understanding of money in Shari’ah; d) comparing the characteristics of paper money and crypto-currencies (using the bitcoins as an example). The authors believe in permissibility of using the cryptocurrencies but with strict reservations.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Fascia Lata and Synthetic Mesh for Sacral Colpopexy

Objective: To compare the objective anatomic outcomes after sacral colpopexy performed with cadaveric fascia lata and polypropylene mesh. Methods: Patients undergoing a sacral colpopexy were randomized to receive either fascia lata or polypropylene mesh in a double-blinded fashion. Data were collected at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The main outcome measures were pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system stage and individual POP-Q points over time. Objective anatomic failure was defined as POP-Q stage 2 or more at any point during the follow-up period. Proportions of patients with objective anatomic failure at 1 year in each group were compared using the &khgr;2 test. Mean POP-Q points and stage at 1 year were compared by using the independent samples t test. Results: One hundred patients were randomized to receive either fascia (n = 46) or mesh (n = 54). Of the 89 patients returning for 1-year follow-up, 91% (41/45) of the mesh group and 68% (30/44) of the fascia group were classified as objectively cured (P = .007). We found significant differences between the mesh and fascia groups with respect to the 1-year postoperative comparisons of points Aa, C, and POP-Q stage. There were no differences between the 2 groups with respect to points TVL (total vaginal length), GH (genital hiatus), PB (perineal body), Ap or Bp (2 points along the posterior vaginal wall). Conclusions: Polypropylene mesh was superior to fascia lata in terms of POP-Q points, POP-Q stage, and objective anatomic failure rates. Level of Evidence: I
Effects of stereo and head tracking on distance estimation, presence, and simulator sickness using wall screen in architectural project review

Stereo and head tracking are considered as distance perception cues in virtual environment. Several studies have investigated their influence on several tasks. Results were different among studies. In this paper, we conducted a complete experiment investigating the influence of the stereo and head tracking in the specific context of virtual visits of houses during architectural project review with clients. We manipulated the stereo and head tracking in four conditions and we examined effects of the two factors on distance perception (room dimensions, habitability, etc.), task difficulty, presence and simulator sickness. Results reveal a significant effect of the stereo on the estimation of the habitability, the dimensions of the rooms and task difficulty. However, the effect of stereo and head tracking was not significant on the presence and simulator sickness.
A new cis-acting element for RNA replication within the 5' noncoding region of poliovirus type 1 RNA

Mouse cells expressing the human poliovirus receptor (PVR-mouse cells) as well as human HeLa cells are susceptible to poliovirus type 1 Mahoney strains and produce a large amount of progeny virus at 37 degrees C. However, the virus yield is markedly reduced at 40 degrees C in PVR-mouse cells but not in HeLa cells. The reduction in virus yield at 40 degrees C appears to be due to a defective initiation process in positive-strand RNA synthesis (K. Shiroki, H. Kato, S. Koike, T. Odaka, and A. Nomoto, J. Virol. 67:3989-3996, 1993). To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in this detective process, naturally occurring heat-resistant (Hr)-mutants which show normal growth ability in PVR-mouse cells even at 40 degrees C were isolated from a virus stock of the Mahoney strain and their mutation sites that affect the phenotype were identified. The key mutation was a change from adenine (A) to guanine (G) at nucleotide position (nt) 133 within the 5' noncoding region of the RNA. This mutation also gave an Hr phenotype to the viral plus-strand RNA synthesis in PVR-mouse cells. Mutant Mahoney strains with a single point mutation at nt 133 (A to G, C, or T or deletion) were investigated for their ability to grow in PVR-mouse cells at 40 degrees C. Only the mutant carrying G at nt 133 showed an Hr growth phenotype in PVR-mouse cells. These results suggest that a host cellular factor(s) interacts with an RNA segment around nt 133 of the plus-strand RNA or the corresponding region of the minus-strand RNA, contributing to efficiency of plus-strand RNA synthesis.
REVISITING OVERLOOKED FOUNDATIONS OF EVOLUTIONARY COMPUTATION: PART II

Evolutionary computation is a rapidly expanding field of research with a long history. Much of that history remains unknown to most practitioners and researchers. This two-part article offers a review of selected foundational efforts in evolutionary computation, with a focus on those that have not received commensurate attention. Part I presented an initial overview of the essential components of evolutionary algorithms followed by a review of early research in artificial life and modeling genetic systems. Here, Part II reviews seminal results in evolving programs and evolvable hardware. Comments on theoretical developments and future developments conclude Part II.
The effects of airway hyperresponsiveness, wheezing, and atopy on longitudinal pulmonary function in children: A 6‐year follow‐up study

We examined growth of spirometric lung function in 696 children of European ancestry who were followed from ages 9 to 15 years and stratified according to their degree of responsiveness to methacholine inhalation challenge, atopic status, and respiratory symptoms. Subjects were participants in the longitudinal Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study in Dunedin, New Zealand. Forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1), and vital capacity (VC) were measured at 9, 11, 13, and 15 years of age, concurrently with assessment of airway responsiveness determined by the concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20 FEV1). Atopic status was assessed at age 13 by skin‐prick testing to 11 allergens. In children demonstrating airway hyperresponsiveness, FEV1 increased with age at a slower rate, and the FEV1/VC ratio had a faster rate of decline through childhood, compared to non‐responsive children. Subjects with positive skin tests to house dust mite and cat dander also had lower mean FEV1/VC ratios than the control group. Any reported wheezing was associated with slower growth of FEV1 and VC in males. We conclude that in New Zealand children with airway responsiveness and/or atopy to house dust mite or cat growth of spirometric lung function is impaired. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tissue imaging using MALDI-MS: a new frontier of histopathology proteomics

Modern pathology is an amalgam of many disciplines, such as microbiology, biochemistry and immunology, which historically have been intermingled with the practice of clinical medicine. For centuries, the pre-eminent pathological tool, at least in the context of patients, was a post-mortem examination. With the advent of optical microscopes, morphology became a predominant means of developing tissue classification. A further paradigm shift occurred in the attempt to understand the nature and origin of disease; the recognition that, ultimately, it is the derangement in the structure and function of genes and proteins that causes human disease. More recent progress in pathology has led to the use of genomics and molecular technologies, including DNA sequencing, microarray analysis, PCR, in situ hybridization and proteomics. Today, the newest frontier appears to be histopathology proteomics, which adds the mass spectrometer to the arsenal of tools for the direct analysis of tissue biopsies and molecular diagnosis. Typically called MALDI imaging, this technique takes mass spectral snapshots of intact tissue slices, revealing how proteins and peptides are spatially distributed within a given sample. In this review, MALDI imaging technology is presented as well as applications of such technology in cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case-control Study in a Japanese Population

Objective. Cigarette smoking may be associated with increased risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), whereas the role of alcohol consumption is unknown. We examined the association between SLE risk and smoking or drinking. Methods. We investigated the relationship of smoking and drinking compared to SLE risk among 171 SLE cases and 492 healthy controls in female Japanese subjects. Unconditional logistic regression was used to compute OR and 95% CI, with adjustments for several covariates. Results. Compared with nonsmoking, current smoking was significantly associated with increased risk of SLE (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.86–5.03). The higher the level of exposure to cigarette smoke, the higher the risk of SLE. Inhalation was also associated with increased SLE risk (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.46–9.94 for moderate inhalation; OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.81–5.15 for deep inhalation). In contrast, light/moderate alcohol consumption had a protective effect on SLE risk (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19–0.76). As for beer, the risks for non-beer drinkers and beer drinkers were similar. This also applies to alcoholic beverages other than beer. Conclusion. Our results suggest that smoking was positively associated with increased SLE risk whereas light/moderate alcohol consumption was inversely associated with SLE risk, irrespective of the type of alcoholic beverage. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Analysing the institutional pressures on shippers and logistics service providers to implement green supply chain management practices

ABSTRACT This paper applies institutional theory to analyse the institutional pressures (regulatory, market, competitive) experienced by two actors within supply chains: shippers (i.e. logistics buyers) and logistics service providers (LSPs). Both actors are subject to institutional pressures to adopt green supply chain management practices, which could drive shippers to purchase green logistics services from LSPs, and LSPs to provide them. Also, the two actors are influenced by various factors that moderate the level of pressures on them and the responses they undertake. This study examines these pressures and moderators in detail to analyse how they influence green logistics purchasing/providing decisions. Empirical data were obtained from eight individual cases of three shippers and five LSPs. Accordingly, we compare these pressures and moderators based on the actors’ different roles in the supply chain. The findings aim to contribute to advancing the theory through (i) incorporating the roles of the moderating factors and (ii) providing further applications within specific shipper-LSP contexts. Further, this paper aims to assist managers within shipper and LSP organisations by demonstrating how their firm and market characteristics moderate the pressures exerted on them to buy or provide green logistics services, while providing insights on issues influencing their responsiveness.
Effects of Collocation Information on Learning Lexical Semantics for Near Synonym Distinction

One of the most common lexical misuse problems in the second language context concerns near synonyms. Dictionaries and thesauri often overlook the nuances of near synonyms and make reference to near synonyms in providing definitions. The semantic differences and implications of near synonyms are not easily recognized and often fail to be acquired by L2 learners. This study addressed the distinctions of synonymous semantics in the context of second language learning and use. The purpose is to examine the effects of lexical collocation behaviors on identifying salient semantic features and revealing subtle difference between near synonyms. We conducted both analytical evaluation and empirical evaluation to verify that proper use of collocation information leads to learners' successful comprehension of lexical semantics. Both results suggest that the process of organizing and identifying salient semantic features is favorable for and is accessible to a good portion of L2 learners, and thereby, improving near-synonym distinction.
Neuromuscular control of free-flight yaw turns in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta

SUMMARY The biomechanical properties of an animal’s locomotor structures profoundly influence the relationship between neuromuscular inputs and body movements. In particular, passive stability properties are of interest as they may offer a non-neural mechanism for simplifying control of locomotion. Here, we hypothesized that a passive stability property of animal flight, flapping counter-torque (FCT), allows hawkmoths to control planar yaw turns in a damping-dominated framework that makes rotational velocity directly proportional to neuromuscular activity. This contrasts with a more familiar inertia-dominated framework where acceleration is proportional to force and neuromuscular activity. To test our hypothesis, we collected flight muscle activation timing, yaw velocity and acceleration data from freely flying hawkmoths engaged in planar yaw turns. Statistical models built from these data then allowed us to infer the degree to which the moths inhabit either damping- or inertia-dominated control domains. Contrary to our hypothesis, a combined model corresponding to inertia-dominated control of yaw but including substantial damping effects best linked the neuromuscular and kinematic data. This result shows the importance of including passive stability properties in neuromechanical models of flight control and reveals possible trade-offs between manoeuvrability and stability derived from damping.
MODERATING ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFORMATION SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENT AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN KENYA

Information security risk assessments enable SMEs to identify their key information assets and risks in order to develop effective and economically-viable control strategies. In Kenya, SMEs employ about 85 percent of the workforce. The need to link ISRA with firm performance has become vital for firms striving to achieve superior performance. However, limited attention has been paid to the link and more so to the moderating role of EO on ISRA-firm performance relationship model. To better understand this relationship, this paper employed a mixed methods research guided by a cross-sectional research design. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed to analyze the collected data using SPSS, Ms-Excel, AMOS, SmartPLS, STATA, R-GUI and ATLAS.ti analytical softwares. Analyses were conducted using a two-phase process consisting of CFA and SEM. The theoretical models and hypotheses were tested based on empirical data gathered from 94 SMEs in the 2013 Top 100 Survey. The study found that ISRA was a significant predictor of firm performance. The results also revealed that entrepreneurial orientation significantly moderated the relationship between ISRA and firm performance in Kenya. This study will enhance the skill set in Kenyan SMEs and produce a more sustainable solution.
Extracting Information from Interval Data Using Symbolic Principal Component Analysis

We introduce generic definitions of symbolic variance and covariance for random interval-valued variables, that lead to a unified and insightful interpretation of four known symbolic principal component estimation methods: CPCA, VPCA, CIPCA, and SymCovPCA. Moreover, we propose the use of truncated versions of symbolic principal components, that use a strict subset of the original symbolic variables, as a way to improve the interpretation of symbolic principal components. Furthermore, the analysis of a real dataset leads to a meaningful characterization of Internet traffic applications, while highligting similarities between the symbolic principal component estimation methods considered in the paper.