Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amenorrhea and infertility after oral contraception.

82 cases of secondary amenorrhea and infertility associated with oral contraceptive use are reported and their signifiance to the young woman using oral contraceptives who later wishes to become pregnant is evaluated. The patients included in 8 different studies during 1966-1970 ranged in age from 18-36 years were primarily nulligravid and 25% had a history of menstrual dysfunction. The average length of oral contraceptive use among these patients was 18.9 months and the average resulting amenorrhea was 12.4 months in 64 cases. At the time of each reports publication 19 patients were continuing amenorrheic for up to 60 months. Parity menstrual history length of contraceptive use and progestin dosage in the oral preparation used had no direct relationship to the incidence of amenorrhea. Endocrinopathic cases should be thoroughly examined for a complete hormonal profile. Successful treatment of this infrequent condition has been achieved using clomiphene gonadotropins and prednisone.
Hearing-in-Noise Benefits After Bilateral Simultaneous Cochlear Implantation Continue to Improve 4 Years After Implantation

Objective: The purpose of this 4-year longitudinal study was to assess the stability of the binaural benefits of head shadow, summation, and squelch for bilateral cochlear implant recipients and to quantify these benefits for the understanding of speech in noise. Design: This is a prospective study of 9 patients who received simultaneous bilateral insertion of MED-EL COMBI +40 cochlear implants in a single-stage operation at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Each patient had postlingual deafness of short duration before insertion of the device. Each year, the patients were tested for word recognition using consonant-nucleus-consonant words in quiet and speech perception in noise using City University of New York sentences. These tests were administered using direct audio input to the implants. Head-related transfer functions were used to simulate speech in noise testing in a spatial environment. Speech was always presented at midline (0°), and the noise masker was presented at either side or midline (−90, 0, +90 degrees). Results: The binaural benefits of head shadow and summation effects developed early in the postoperative period and remained stable throughout the follow-up period. Squelch developed more slowly and was first demonstrated at 12 months after implantation but continued to increase beyond the first year of follow-up. Conclusion: Benefits of head shadow and summation emerge early and remain stable. However, squelch has the most protracted period of development, with increasing benefit after a year or more of implant experience. These data support the idea that binaural integration continues several years after insertion of bilateral cochlear implant devices.
RADIATION FROM ACCELERATED PARTICLES IN RELATIVISTIC JETS WITH SHOCKS, SHEAR-FLOW, AND RECONNECTION

We have investigated particle acceleration and shock structure associated with an unmagnetized relativistic jet propagating into an unmagnetized plasma for electron-positron and electron-ion plasmas. Strong magnetic fields generated in the trailing jet shock lead to transverse deflection and acceleration of the electrons. We have self-consistently calculated the radiation from the electrons accelerated in the turbulent magnetic fields for different jet Lorentz factors. We find that the synthetic spectra depend on the bulk Lorentz factor of the jet, the jet temperature, and the strength of the magnetic fields generated in the shock. We have investigated the generation of magnetic fields associated with velocity shear between an unmagnetized relativistic (core) jet and an unmagnetized sheath plasma. We discuss particle acceleration in collimation shocks for AGN jets formed by relativistic MHD simulations. Our calculated spectra should lead to a better understanding of the complex time evolution and/or spectral structure from gamma-ray bursts, relativistic jets, and supernova remnants.
Comparative risk analysis

Risk assessment is a systematic process to estimate the level of risk related to some specific action or activity. It is now commonly applied to a wide variety of human endeavours in which harm to people, the environment or economic interests might occur. In the context of public health, the process attempts to quantify the likelihood and severity of illness to individuals or populations from a specified hazard. The primary purpose of risk assessment is to provide support for decisions about managing risks associated with those specific actions or activities. This is done by systematically synthesizing information about the factors that contribute to the risk in a coherent framework that enables risk, or relative risk, to be inferred from knowledge of those risk-contributing factors in specific circumstances. Depending on the needs of the risk manager, the risk assessment may attempt to assess the relative effectiveness of proposed risk mitigations, or to estimate the
Ain’T it "Suite"? Bundling in the Pc Office Software Market

Our paper examines the importance of office suites for the evolution of the PC office software market in the 1990s. We develop a discrete choice model of product differentiation that enables us to estimate correlation in consumer preferences across spreadsheets and word processors. Estimation confirms strong positive correlation of consumer values for spreadsheets and word processor products, a bonus value for suites, and an advantage for Microsoft products. We use the estimated demand model to simulate various ‘hypothetical’ market structures in order to shed light on the welfare and competitive effects of bundling in the office productivity software market. We examine the competitive effects of bundling in a simulated market setting of partial competition, in which Lotus sells only a spreadsheet and WordPerfect sells only a word processor, while Microsoft sells both components as well as a suite. Assuming the rivals remain active in the market, when the correlation is positive, the introduction of the suite is pro-competitive (i.e., beneficial for consumers) on balance. This is mainly because the suite bonus 'value' is much larger than the difference between the suite price and the sum of Microsoft’s component prices when Microsoft does not offer a suite. When there is strong positive correlation (as we find), there are many such consumers who purchase both components separately when suites are not available. All of these consumers 'switch' to the suite when it is introduced, and reap significant benefits. The simulations show that the introduction of Microsoft’s Office suite also expands the distribution of spreadsheets and word processors, and this is beneficial to consumers as well.
Microsatellite instability in gastric cancer and pre-cancerous lesions.

AIM To investigate the microsatellite instability (MSI) in cancer and pre-cancerous lesions of the stomach and its mechanisms underlying the development of gastric cancer. METHODS Thirty-six gastric cancer samples were obtained from patients undergoing surgery. Forty-one gastric mucosa samples with dysplasia and 51 with intestinal metaplasia (IM) were obtained from patients with chronic gastritis undergoing gastro-endoscopy. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples. Silver staining single strand conformation polymorphis-polymerize chain reaction (SSCP-PCR) was used to screen MSI markers at 5 loci (Bat-25, Bat-26, D5S346, D17S250, and D2S123) in fresh tissues and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples and their corresponding normal gastric mucosa. RESULTS The abnormal shifting of the single-strand DNA (MSI) was identified in 21 out of 36 (58.3%) gastric cancers. Seven cases showed high-level MSI (two or more loci altered) and 14 showed low-level MSI (one locus altered). Gastric cancer with MSI had a tendency to be located in the distal stomach. MSI was also detected in 11 out of 41 (26.8%) dysplasia samples and in 9 of 51 (17.6%) IM samples respectively. Three cases of dysplasia and one case of IM showed high-level MSI. Eight cases of dysplasia and 8 cases of IM displayed low-level MSI. MIS in IM was found only in moderate or severe-grade IM. No association was detected between MSI and dysplasia grade. CONCLUSION Accumulation of MSI in dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia of gastric mucosa may be an early molecular event during gastric carcinogenesis and may contribute to the acquisition of transformed cell phenotype and the development of gastric cancer.
Evaluation of a drop-in rolling-group model of support to stop smoking.

AIMS To assess longer-term outcomes of a drop-in rolling-group model of behavioural support for smoking cessation and the factors that influence cessation outcomes. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING Fag Ends NHS Stop Smoking Service in Liverpool and Knowsley, UK. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2585 clients, aged 16 or over, setting a quit date. MEASUREMENTS Routine monitoring data were collected from Fag Ends service users and were supplemented by survey data on socio-economic circumstances, smoking-related behaviour and self-report and carbon monoxide (CO)-validated smoking status at 52-week follow-up. FINDINGS The CO-validated prolonged abstinence rate at 52 weeks for smokers attending the groups was 5.6%, compared with 30.7% at 4 weeks (a relapse rate of 78.2%). The sample was particularly disadvantaged: 68% resided in the most deprived decile of the English Index of Multiple Deprivation. Higher socio-economic status within the sample was a predictor of quitting. Other predictors of long-term cessation in multivariate analysis included older age, being female, lower levels of nicotine dependence, having a live-in partner, stronger determination to quit and use of varenicline versus other medication. CONCLUSIONS A wholly state-reimbursed clinical stop-smoking service providing behavioural support and medication in a region of high economic and social disadvantage has reached a significant proportion of the smoking population. Long-term success rates are lower than are found typically in clinical trials, but higher than would be expected if the smokers were to try and quit unaided. Research is needed into how to improve on the success rates achieved.
Codevelopment of Well-Being and Self-Esteem in Romantic Partners: Disentangling the Effects of Mutual Influence and Shared Environment

Common sense suggests that romantic partners tend to be interdependent in their well-being and self-esteem. The authors tested the degree to which codevelopment in romantic partners (i.e., development in similar directions) is due to mutual influence between partners or due to the effects of shared environment, using longitudinal data from 5 samples of couples (N = 4,116 participants). The samples included dating, cohabiting, and married couples, with a broad age range covering young adulthood to old age. The authors used a longitudinal version of the actor-partner interdependence model and examined measures of well-being (life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and depression) and self-esteem. After conducting the study-level analyses, we meta-analytically aggregated the findings across studies. The results showed significant mutual influence between partners in life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and depression, and significant effects of shared environment on life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, depression, and self-esteem. The findings suggest that both mutual influence and shared environment account for codevelopment of well-being in romantic partners. In contrast, only shared environment but not mutual influence contributes to the partners’ codevelopment of self-esteem. The findings have important implications because they show that the level of well-being of a person’s relationship partner has long-term influence on the person’s own well-being.
Androgen Receptor Activation by Gs Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells*

The androgen receptor (AR) is activated in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen ablative therapy and mediates growth of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells, suggesting it is activated by nonandrogenic factors. We demonstrate that activated α subunit of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding Gs protein activates the AR in prostate cancer cells and also synergizes with low concentration of androgen to more fully activate the AR. The Gαs activates protein kinase A, which is required for the nuclear partition and activation of AR. These data suggest a role for Gαs and PKA in the transactivation of AR in prostate cancer cells under the environment of reduced androgen levels.
Characteristics of high-level youth soccer players: variation by playing position

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate positional differences in 744 high-level soccer players, aged 8 to 18 years. Players were assigned to six age groups (U9–U19) and divided into four playing positions (goalkeeper (GK), defender (DEF), midfielder (MF) and attacker (ATT)). MANOVA and effect sizes were used to examine anthropometrical and functional characteristics between all positions in all age groups. The main findings of the study were that GKs and DEFs were the tallest and heaviest compared with MFs and ATTs in all age groups. Further, between U9–U15, no significant differences in functional characteristics were found, except for dribbling skill, which MFs performed the best. In the U17–U19 age groups, ATTs seemed to be the most explosive (with GKs), the fastest and the more agile field players. These results suggest that inherent physical capacities (i.e., speed, power, agility) might select players in or reject players from an attacking position, which is still possible from U15–U17. Apparently, players with excellent dribbling skills at younger age are more likely to be selected to play as a MF, although, one might conclude that the typical physical characteristics for different positions at senior level are not yet fully developed among young soccer players between 8 and 14 years.
The behind the knee (BTK) as an innovative test model for mechanical and chemical irritation, lotion and dye transfer and testing on compromised skin.

Aims: The aim of this manuscript is to present innovative applications of the BTK model that can potentially contribute additional aspects of safety evaluations for a broader range of products and materials intended for prolonged skin contact. Study Design and Methodology: The basic BTK protocol is one 6-h exposure per day for 4 days. Modification to the basic protocol were made for individual studies, as needed. Results: Studies using fabrics, tissues and films indicate the BTK may be well suited to evaluating these materials for skin compatibility. The BTK test discriminated between; different fabrics, drying methods of the same fabric, similar toilet tissue products, and two similar topsheet films used as coverings on the surface of a range of absorbent consumer products. The method was used successfully to measure the transfer of lotion, and lotion skin benefits from lotioned absorbent products. Conclusion: Studies demonstrate that the utility of the BTK goes beyond the original intent of evaluating the potential skin effects of feminine protection products. The ability to compare fabrics, tissues and films indicate the test model may be useful in the development broad range of absorbent consumer products and in textile development. The utility of the model in measuring the transfer of lotion and other materials from products to the skin surface has the potential to fill an important gap in the development of quantitative exposure assessments. Added endpoint measures, such as enhanced Method Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(18): 3440-3457, 2014 3441 visual scoring and sensory effects further increase the ability to differentiate between very similar products without requiring other protocol modifications.
Processes Influencing Secondary Aerosol Formation in the San Joaquin Valley during Winter

Abstract Air quality data collected in the California Regional PM10/PM2.5 Air Quality Study (CRPAQS) are analyzed to qualitatively assess the processes affecting secondary aerosol formation in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV). This region experiences some of the highest fine particulate matter (PM2.5) mass concentrations in California (≤188 μg/m3 24-hr average), and secondary aerosol components (as a group) frequently constitute over half of the fine aerosol mass in winter. The analyses are based on 15 days of high-frequency filter and canister measurements and several months of wintertime continuous gas and aerosol measurements. The phase-partitioning of nitrogen oxide (NOx)-related nitrogen species and carbonaceous species shows that concentrations of gaseous precursor species are far more abundant than measured secondary aerosol nitrate or estimated secondary organic aerosols. Comparisons of ammonia and nitric acid concentrations indicate that ammonium nitrate formation is limited by the availability of nitric acid rather than ammonia. Time-resolved aerosol nitrate data collected at the surface and on a 90-m tower suggest that both the daytime and nighttime nitric acid formation pathways are active, and entrainment of aerosol nitrate formed aloft at night may explain the spatial homogeneity of nitrate in the SJV. NOx and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions plus background O3 levels are expected to determine NOx oxidation and nitric acid production rates, which currently control the ammonium nitrate levels in the SJV. Secondary organic aerosol formation is significant in winter, especially in the Fresno urban area. Formation of secondary organic aerosol is more likely limited by the rate of VOC oxidation than the availability of VOC precursors in winter.
Subjective health among LGBT persons living with disabilities: A qualitative content analysis.

OBJECTIVE There exist significant health disparities among both lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual (LGBT) and disability persons; however, there is a dearth of information regarding the subjective health experiences of LGBT persons living with disabilities (LGBTPWD). As such, the purpose of this study was to understand how LGBTPWD subjectively defined and characterized the meaning of health in their lives. METHOD Using qualitative content analyses procedures outlined by Elo and Kyngäs (2008), we conducted a secondary data analysis using a larger questionnaire study that was administered via the Internet. Participants were originally asked to answer the following prompt, "Describe what it personally means to you to be healthy? " Open-ended responses from 79 participants were thematically analyzed over several inductive and comparative coding iterations by a 3-person research team. Trustworthiness of data analysis was ensured via researcher triangulation, negative case analyses, and researcher reflexivity. RESULTS Four dimensions of subjective health emerged during the qualitative analytic process: physical wellness, emotional vitality, functionality, and social engagement. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS There are contextually nuanced characteristics that constitute subjective health for LGBTPWD. These findings could help rehabilitation professionals provide culturally competent interventions. Implications for future research and limitations are provided in the discussion section. (PsycINFO Database Record
Phosphotransfer signal transduction between two regulatory factors involved in the osmoregulated kdp operon in Escherichia coli

The proteins KdpD and KdpE are regulatory factors critically involved in the osmotic regulation of the kdpABC operon that is responsible for a high‐affinity transport system in Escherichia coli. In this study, we obtained biochemical evidence supporting the view that the KdpD protein is a sensory protein kinase that exhibits autophosphorylation and KdpE‐phosphotransfer characteristics. During the course of such studies we established a procedure for purifying the KdpE protein in large quantities. We also developed a procedure for preparing cytoplasmic membrane enriched with the KdpD protein that exhibits in vitro ability with regard to phosphorylation of KdpE protein.
Economic Implications of Inadequate Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism and Potential Solutions

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and serious medical complication among medical and surgical patients, both in the hospital and postdischarge. Patients with venous stasis or vascular damage or those with underlying hypercoagulable disorders, including cancer, are at risk of developing VTE. The clinical consequences of inadequate treatment of VTE can result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. The direct health care costs and indirect societal costs related to VTE and its complications are high. Traditional anticoagulants can reduce recurrent VTE but they present costly management challenges. Oral anticoagulants currently in development offer simpler management compared with the established agents, potentially resulting in improved adherence with VTE treatment regimens and better outcomes. Reductions in recurrent VTE and its associated complications could translate into reduced direct and indirect costs.
Cocaine Use and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults

Background and Purpose— Although case reports have long identified a temporal association between cocaine use and ischemic stroke (IS), few epidemiological studies have examined the association of cocaine use with IS in young adults, by timing, route, and frequency of use. Methods— A population-based case–control study design with 1090 cases and 1154 controls was used to investigate the relationship of cocaine use and young-onset IS. Stroke cases were between the ages of 15 and 49 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between cocaine use and IS with and without adjustment for potential confounders. Results— Ever use of cocaine was not associated with stroke with 28% of cases and 26% of controls reporting ever use. In contrast, acute cocaine use in the previous 24 hours was strongly associated with increased risk of stroke (age–sex–race adjusted odds ratio, 6.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–18.6). Among acute users, the smoking route had an adjusted odds ratio of 7.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.8–35.0), whereas the inhalation route had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.7–16.9). After additional adjustment for current alcohol, smoking use, and hypertension, the odds ratio for acute cocaine use by any route was 5.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.7–19.7). Of the 26 patients with cocaine use within 24 hours of their stroke, 14 reported use within 6 hours of their event. Conclusions— Our data are consistent with a causal association between acute cocaine use and risk of early-onset IS.
Intraoperative x‐ray to measure distance between DBS leads: A reliability study

Many factors can jeopardize the accuracy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placement. Confirmation of lead placement while the patient is still in the operating room would be advantageous. Intraoperative MRI or CT can identify placement errors, but these modalities can be cost‐ or time prohibitive. Intraoperative fluoroscopy may give information on the accuracy of the Y coordinate, but the accuracy of the X coordinate usually cannot be confirmed. When an object of known dimensions is present in the brain, such as a unilateral DBS lead, its dimensions can be used to calculate unknown distances. The objective of this study was to determine if intraoperative AP skull x‐ray accurately predicts the distance between DBS electrodes using postoperative MRI as the gold standard.