Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of cancers of the kidney in an Australian population.

BACKGROUND Kidney cancer has a high incidence in Australia by world standards but has attracted little public health attention because of its low ranking among other cancers as a cause of death. Incidence, mortality and survival trends were investigated in this study for an Australian population and cancer control opportunities considered. DESIGN Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were analyzed by broad age category using data from an Australian cancer registry. Disease-specific survivals were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit estimate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS Incidence rates approximately doubled during 1980-2008, with large increases affecting both sexes. Increases were more evident for renal cell and other histology types occurring predominantly in adulthood than childhood nephroblastomas. The male to female incidence ratio approximated 2:1 but decreased over time and was lower in younger than older age groups. The increase in mortality rate was smaller (at 25%) and higher in males (at 36%) than females (at 7%). Mortality increases were restricted to the age range of 70 years and over. Five-year survivals increased from 47% for 1980-84 to 66% for 2000-08 and multivariate predictors of high case fatality were older age at diagnosis and less recent diagnostic period. Country cases had lower survivals than metropolitan cases, although the difference was small. CONCLUSIONS Increases in mortality were smaller than incidence increases, evidently due to offsetting increases in case survival, and did not affect the younger age groups. Further reductions in tobacco smoking and reducing the prevalence of obesity will be important to prevent renal cell carcinomas. Molecular research is advocated to develop targeted therapies and potentially, an effective screening technology. Cancer registries need to routinely publish their data by histology type to enable more detailed global trend analyses. Population registries also need to record stage of cancer at diagnosis to facilitate interpretation of changes in survival.
Personality and Social Predictors of Atherosclerotic Progression: Edinburgh Artery Study

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether personality traits and social factors predict the progression of peripheral atherosclerosis. Progression was assessed using the objective, noninvasive ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI). Methods In the Edinburgh Artery Study, 1592 men and women were randomly sampled from the general population, and their ABPI was measured at baseline and at the end of a 5-year follow-up period. A low ABPI suggests the presence of peripheral arterial disease. The revised Bedford-Foulds Personality Deviance Scale was administered at baseline to assess submissiveness and hostility. Data on other baseline risk factors, including physiological and social factors, were also collected. Results Change in ABPI over 5 years was negatively correlated with age in both men and women (men, r = −0.10; women, r = −0.25). In multiple linear regression models, smoking, alcohol consumption, and submissiveness together accounted for 2% of the variance in ABPI change in men; in women, only age was related to change, accounting for 6% of the variance. Well-fitting structural equation models in both sexes showed that age influenced baseline ABPI and change in ABPI; that smoking and social deprivation directly affected baseline ABPI; and that the effect of hostility, and some of the effect of social deprivation, was mediated by smoking. Conclusions Social and personality factors were associated directly with baseline ABPI levels and indirectly with progression of atherosclerosis. Structural equation models revealed that associations among personality, social factors, and atherosclerotic progression were complex, involving mediation through other variables.
The contingent effect of social capital on performance of professional athletes: life cycle stages and changes in regulation as moderators

ABSTRACT Motorboat racing is a sport organized as public gambling in Japan. As well as physical strength and driving technique, skills to adjust equipment are critical for racers to win a race. Based on the contingency theory of social capital, this study analysed comprehensive panel data of motorboat racers and revealed that bonding and bridging social capital had different impacts on performance according to life cycle stages of racers and changes in regulation. First, bonding social capital has a positive impact on performance when racers are less experienced and most need psychological aid stemming from strong ties. Second, bridging social capital has a positive impact on performance when racers are more experienced and have accumulated absorptive capacity to learn efficiently from diverse sources of knowledge. Third, both bonding and bridging social capital lose their explanatory power after the changes in regulation that shifted ownership of propellers from racers to the authority, which could mitigate the significance of the formation of small groups among racers to share cost and knowledge regarding the improvement in propellers. Research and managerial implications of the findings are discussed.
Triangulation positioning system based on a static IR beacon-receiver system

The primary goal of each of the navigation systems is to determine the object's position in a given reference frame. It can be achieved in many ways such as GPS, celestial navigation, inertial navigation etc. In local positioning systems a very important role is played by triangulation methods. This paper presents a new beacon-based triangulation system, in which both the transmitter and receiver do not contain any mechanical moving parts. Lack of mechanical moving parts makes the system less complex and more robust. The work contains a description of all the necessary steps to determine the object's position in a given reference frame.
Early subclinical cochlear dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal‐dominant inherited disorder clinically characterized by variable systemic manifestations. Among clinical features of the disease, ‘precocious presbyacusis’ has been previously reported. The underlying mechanism of this auditory impairment remains still poorly understood. Hearing is an active process located in the cochlea, where the outer hair cells (OHCs) play an important role in sound perception through a ‘contractile’ like movement resembling skeletal muscle fibers dynamics. OHCs status has not yet been investigated in DM1 patients. OHCs integrity can be assessed by measuring transient‐evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), a non‐invasive, repeatable, and objective quantitative tool.
Greater efficacy of pulsatile insulin in type I diabetics critically depends on plasma glucagon levels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of plasma glucagon levels on the blood glucose response to intravenous insulin administered continuously or in a pulsatile manner. Six type I diabetic patients proven to have no residual insulin secretion were investigated. Endogenous glucagon secretion was inhibited by a continuous intravenous infusion of somatostatin (100 micrograms/h) and replaced by exogenous infusions of the hormone at three different rates (7.5, 4.5, and 2.5 micrograms/h), resulting in three different plasma glucagon steady-state levels (i.e., approximately equal to 200, approximately equal to 130, and approximately equal to 75 pg/ml, respectively). Each subject, in random order and on different days, was infused intravenously with regular human insulin either continuously (0.17 mU X kg-1 X min-1) or with the same amount of insulin infused in a pulsatile manner (0.85 mU X kg-1 X min-1 during 2 min followed by 8 min during which no insulin was infused). At plasma glucagon levels approximately equal to 200 pg/ml, blood glucose rose from approximately 10 to approximately 13 mM without any difference between the two modalities of insulin infusion. For plasma glucagon levels approximately equal to 130 pg/ml, plasma glucose remained steady throughout the experiments, but during the last 40 min, plasma glucose levels were significantly lower when insulin was administered intermittently. This greater blood glucose-lowering effect of pulsatile insulin occurred earlier and was more pronounced for plasma glucagon levels averaging 75 pg/ml. We conclude that the greater hypoglycemic effect of insulin administered intravenously in a pulsatile manner in type I diabetics critically depends on plasma glucagon circulating levels.
Positioning for percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Purpose of the review To highlight the progressive evolution of the issue of patient positioning for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), explain the history of the prone and supine positions, report respective advantages and drawbacks, critically interpret the past and current literature supporting such arguments, identify the best candidates for each position, and reflect on the future evolution of the two approaches. Recent findings Positioning for PNL has become a matter of debate during the last decade. The traditional prone PNL position – most widely performed with good success and few complications, and exhibiting essentially no limits except for the treatment of pelvic kidneys – is nowadays flanked mainly by the supine and supine-modified positions, equally effective and probably safer from an anesthesiological point of view. Of course, both approaches have a number of advantages and drawbacks, accurately reported and critically sieved. Summary The current challenge for endourologists is to be able to perform PNL in both prone and supine positions to perfectly tailor the procedure on any patient with any stone burden, including increasingly challenging cases and medically high-risk patients, according to the patient's best interest. Intensive training and experience is especially needed for supine PNL, still less popular and underperformed worldwide. Video abstract http://links.lww. com/COU/A8.
Longitudinal Interventions in Elite Swimming: A Systematic Review Based on Energetics, Biomechanics, and Performance

Abstract Costa, MJ, Bragada, JA, Marinho, DA, Silva, AJ, and Barbosa, TM. Longitudinal interventions in elite swimming: A systematic review based on energetics, biomechanics, and performance. J Strength Cond Res 26(7): 2006–2016, 2012—Longitudinal information requires the notion of repeated measurements throughout time. Such data is important because it allows the determination of the effectiveness of an intervention program. Research in competitive swimming has given special emphasis to energetics and biomechanics as determinant domains to improve performance. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize longitudinal evidences on the energetic, biomechanical, and performance status of elite swimmers. A computerized search was made in 6 databases, conference proceedings, and department files. The 28 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. Studies' qualitative evaluation was made by 2 independent reviewers using the Quality Index. These studies were then gathered into 3 main categories according to their reported data: energetics (n = 18), biomechanics (n = 9), and performance (n = 8). The conclusions were as follows: (a) elite swimmers are able to demonstrate from slight to substantial changes in their performance and energetic and biomechanical profiles within and between seasons; (b) the magnitude of change is dependent on the characteristics of the training programs, the duration of the intervention, and subject's gender; and (c) future research should emphasize the use of more complex procedures to improve the quality of the interventions.
Influence of gender on attitude towards the use of social media for continuing professional development among academic librarians in Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of gender on attitude towards the use of social media for continuing professional development among academic librarians in Ogun State, Nigeria. ,Descriptive survey design was used for the study. Research instrument used was questionnaire where 79 copies were administered to academic librarians, using total enumeration sampling technique. Five universities in Ogun State, Nigeria were selected for the study. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentage, frequency, mean, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and t-test for data analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 19) was used to run the analysis. ,The study revealed that WhatsApp (75.0 per cent) is the most frequently used social media for continuing professional development among academic librarians. Attitude towards the use of social media for continuing professional development among academic librarians is positive. There is no statistically significant gender difference in attitude towards the use of social media for continuing professional development (t = 0.097, df = 54 and p > 0.05). There is significant moderate positive relationship between attitude towards social media use and frequency of use of social media (r = 0.439; p < 0.05). ,The study was necessary to identify gender difference in attitude towards the use of social media for continuing professional development by academic librarians in Ogun State, Nigeria.
The relationship between adolescent academic capability beliefs, parenting and school grades.

The purpose of this study was to examine the interplay between parenting, adolescent academic capability beliefs and school grades. First, we examined how aspects of parenting and adolescent's cognitive ability predicted adolescent academic capability beliefs and school grades at 6th grade, which, in turn, predicted adolescent school outcomes at 9th grade. Second, we examined how configurations of adolescents (based on cognitive ability, parental involvement, and capability beliefs) at 6th grade, related to their school grades at 9th grade. The sample included 641 German adolescents. The first set of analyses suggest that parents who demonstrated more warmth, engaged in more discussions concerning academic and intellectual matters with their adolescents, had higher school aspirations for their adolescents, and reported more interest/involvement in their adolescent's schooling, had adolescents with higher capability beliefs at 6th grade, and this, in turn, related to better school grades for adolescents at 9th grade. In the second set of analyses, results show that adolescents who were characterized by the configuration of having above average ability, parental school involvement and capability beliefs, received the best school grades. In contrast, adolescents who were characterized by below average ability, parental school involvement and capability beliefs, demonstrated the worst school performance.
Household Debt Overhang and Transmission of Monetary Policy

We investigate how the level of household indebtedness affects the monetary transmission mechanism in the U.S. economy. Using state‐dependent local projection methods, we find that the effects of monetary policy are less powerful during periods of high household debt. In particular, the impact of monetary policy shocks is smaller on GDP, consumption, residential investment, house prices, and household debt during a high‐debt state. We then build a partial equilibrium model of borrower households with financial constraints to rationalize these facts. The model points to the weakening of the home equity loan channel as a possible reason for the decline in monetary policy effectiveness when initial debt levels are high.
Combined spectral karyotyping and DAPI banding analysis of chromosome abnormalities in myelodysplastic syndrome

Spectral karyotyping (SKY) is a new molecular cytogenetic technique that allows simultaneous visualization of each chromosome in a different color. We have used SKY for comprehensive analysis of 20 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) (13 primary MDSs, 3 therapy‐related MDSs, and 4 acute leukemias developed from MDS, including 1 cell line established from a secondary leukemia), previously analyzed by G‐banding. To locate the chromosomal breakpoints, DAPI‐counterstained band images from all metaphases were transformed to G‐band–like patterns. By using SKY, it was possible to identify the origin and organization of all clonal marker chromosomes (mar), as well as the origin of all abnormalities defined as additional material of unknown origin (add) or homogeneously staining regions (hsr) by G‐banding. In total, SKY identified the chromosomal basis of 38 mar, add, and hsr, corrected 8 abnormalities misidentified by G‐banding, and revealed 6 cryptic translocations in 5 cases. Total or partial chromosomal loss (mainly of ‐5/5q‐ and ‐7/7q‐) is the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality in MDS. In 3 of 11 cases with ‐5/5q‐ and in 4 of 8 with ‐7/7q‐, lost material was detected by SKY in unbalanced translocations. A total of 60 chromosomal losses were identified by G‐banding in 16 cases with multiple chromosome abnormalities involving at least 3 chromosomes. For 26 of these losses (43%), SKY analysis suggested that the losses were not complete, but had been translocated to a variety of partner chromosomes. Moreover, SKY analysis revealed that a ring chromosome in a case of acute leukemia developed from MDS contained three to six segments that originated from chromosome 21 material. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed the amplification of the AML1 gene on regions derived from chromosome 21, providing the first evidence of amplification involving this gene in MDS. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 26:336–345, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of the Epstein‐Barr virus with Hodgkin's disease in southern Israel

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) has been frequently documented in the putative neoplastic Hodgkin‐Reed‐Sternberg (HRS) cells, in lymph nodes from patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD). This association varies in different geographic areas and between industrialized and developing countries, as does the epidemiological pattern of the disease. In the present study of 106 cases of HD from the Soroka Medical Center in Beer‐Sheva, which serves as the only hospital for most of the southern part of Israel, we found an association with EBV expression in only 30% of the patients; 45% of mixed cellularity (MC) cases compared with 21% of nodular sclerosis (NS) cases were positive for EBV. The number of patients in the 0‐14‐year‐old age group was limited; however, 8 of these 11 children were EBV positive. This low association rate of HD with the presence of EBV sequences is probably related to the small number of children in our series. A low proportion of EBV‐associated disease in older adults may be contributory. Other factors may be involved. Int. J. Cancer, 71:138–141, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of the Binding of Drugs to Human Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (IFABP): Potential Role of IFABP as an Alternative to Albumin for in Vitro-in Vivo Extrapolation of Drug Kinetic Parameters

This work characterized for the first time the binding of acidic, neutral, and basic drugs to human intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) and, for comparison, to bovine serum albumin (BSA). In addition, the study investigated whether IFABP can substitute for BSA as a constituent in incubations of human liver microsomes (HLMs) in in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IV-IVE) studies. Each molecule of purified IFABP bound a single molecule of the fluorescent probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate or arachidonic acid with Kd values similar to those reported for rat IFABP. Basic drugs bound negligibly to IFABP. Based on fraction unbound (fu) at a protein concentration of 0.5% (w/v), binding of acidic and neutral drugs ranged from minor (fu > 0.8) to moderate (fu 0.5–0.8). Of the compounds screened, highest binding to IFABP was observed for sulfinpyrazone (an acid) and β-estradiol (a neutral compound). However, binding to IFABP was lower than to BSA for all the drugs investigated. To determine the potential suitability of IFABP as an alternative to BSA for enhancing the prediction accuracy of IV-IVE based on human liver microsomal kinetic data, the kinetics of zidovudine (AZT) glucuronidation by HLM were characterized in the absence and presence of BSA and IFABP (0.5–2.5%, w/v). Each protein reduced the Km for AZT glucuronidation in a concentration-dependent manner, although a higher content of IFABP in incubations (2.5 versus 1–1.5% for BSA) was necessary for a 10-fold reduction in this parameter. The results indicate that IFABP is likely to have advantages over BSA in microsomal kinetic studies with drugs that bind extensively to albumin.
Features selection for Bayes classification of prolonged fatigue on rectus femoris muscle

Sports training is very important to athletes in improving and maintaining their performances. It commonly involves high intensity exercise and requires longer time for fatigue to recover, compares to normal activity. During training, adequate rest is essential to allow recuperation and build body strength. Unfortunately, inadequate rest exposes the body to prolonged fatigue (PF). Hence, this condition needs to be managed accordingly to avoid chronic fatigue syndrome. Recent findings indicate that there are strong characteristics on surface EMG under PF conditions. Currently, the assessment is limited to glycogen breakdown, the existence of lactate and soreness. In this study, twenty participants were recruited to perform five days intensive training (IT) to induce more PF signs. The IT conducted was based on Bruce Protocol treadmill test. It was discovered that the IT successfully induces soreness, unexplained lethargy and performance decrement. Surface EMG were collected from rectus femoris muscle during daily pre and post treadmill tests. Four features were extracted from the surface EMG; mean frequency (Fmean), median frequency (Fmed), root mean square (RMS) and mean absolute value (MAV). The results indicated that all features during post exercise had greater value under PF condition and it was significant at P<0.05. The features then were classified in accordance to Bayes. The results also showed that Fmed and MAV features offered good performance with 83.1% accuracy, 84.6% specificity and 80% of precision.
Glycerolipid synthesis and lipid trafficking in plant mitochondria

Lipid trafficking between mitochondria and other organelles is required for mitochondrial membrane biogenesis and signaling. This lipid exchange occurs by poorly understood nonvesicular mechanisms. In yeast and mammalian cells, this lipid exchange is thought to take place at contact sites between mitochondria and the ER or vacuolar membranes. Some proteins involved in the tethering between membranes or in the transfer of lipids in mitochondria have been identified. However, in plants, little is known about the synthesis of mitochondrial membranes. Mitochondrial membrane biogenesis is particularly important and noteworthy in plants as the lipid composition of mitochondrial membranes is dramatically changed during phosphate starvation and other stresses. This review focuses on the principal pathways involved in the synthesis of the most abundant mitochondrial glycerolipids in plants and the lipid trafficking that is required for plant mitochondria membrane biogenesis.
The immunohistochemical expression of CD34 in human hair follicles: a comparative study with the bulge marker CK15

Background. Anti‐CD34 antibodies label the bulge region of mouse hair follicles. However, in human hair follicles, CD34 immunoreactivity is found in the outer root sheath below the bulge zone. The immunohistochemical staining of CD34 in catagen and telogen follicles has not been evaluated.