Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PET imaging of prostate cancer with 11C-acetate.

rostate cancer is second only tolung cancer as the leading cause ofcancer deaths in American men. In1997, approximately 209,900 newcases of prostate cancer were diag-nosed, and more than 41,800 deathswere attributed to this malignancy (1). Primary or recurrent prostate cancercan be curatively treated when it isconﬁned to the gland. The therapy ofchoice is radical prostatectomy. There-fore, curative treatment for localizedtumors may be the best hope for low-ering the mortality rate of prostate can-cer (2). If the tumor has spread beyondthe gland, chemotherapy, immunother-apy, or hormonal therapy are at presentused. However, metastatic prostatecancer cannot be cured with these mo-dalities. According to this viewpoint, itis clear that the primary focus of pros-tate cancer management should be thedetection and aggressive treatment oftumors while they are still conﬁned tothe prostate.A great step forward was the discov-ery of prostate-speciﬁc antigen (PSA),which has made possible the detectionof tumors before they become palpableon rectal examination. In general, di-agnosis of primary or recurrent pros-tate tumors is based on clinical exam-ination, PSA level, and radiologicimaging modalities such as ultrasound,CT, and MRI. When PSA testing isused alone, it can detect up to 80% ofprostate cancers. However, the PSAtest lacks speciﬁcity, since only onethird of men with an abnormal serumPSA level actually have cancer (3). The task of nuclear medicine is to en-hance the sensitivity and speciﬁcity ofthe diagnostic procedures.
GABAergic Neurons in the Rostral Mesencephalon of the Macaque Monkey That Control Vertical Eye Movements

The mesencephalic reticular formation is important for the generation of vertical eye movements, but up until now the location of inhibitory premotor neurons is not known in primates. With tract‐tracer methods combined with immunocytochemistry or in situ hybridization, we investigated the location of GABAergic premotor neurons in the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle (riMLF) and interstitial nucleus of Cajal (iC) in macaque monkeys. In the present work, only the premotor pathways of the downward pulling eye muscles, superior oblique (SO) and inferior rectus (IR), were studied. We found that very few, small GABAergic neurons are present in the riMLF, and none of them was found to project to the oculomotor nuclei, suggesting the presence of exclusively excitatory projections from the riMLF to the oculomotor neurons. However, in the iC, medium‐sized and large GABAergic neurons were identified projecting contralaterally to the SO and IR motoneurons, and presumably the iC of the other side. These commissural GABAergic projections are well suited to inhibit the SO and IR motoneurons and possibly premotor down‐burst‐tonic neurons during upward eye movements.
Is It Facebook Official? Coming Out and Passing Strategies of Young Adult Gay Men on Social Media

ABSTRACT The rapid proliferation of social media, mobile applications, and Internet technologies has shifted a wide variety of social interaction from physical spaces to an online environment. Drawing from 42 semistructured, in-depth interviews with gay college-aged men between the ages of 18 and 27, this article explores these changing patterns of social interaction among gay men. I discuss three strategies of identity management college-aged gay men use to disclose or conceal their sexual identity to others. The first group of men, “Out and Proud,” uses Facebook as a way to celebrate and reaffirm their sexual identity, in addition to actively coming out to others on the social media Web site. The second group, “Out and Discreet,” uses Facebook to indirectly come out to some of their friends while hiding this information from others. The men in the last group I identify, “Facebook Closeted,” actively manage their online profiles to ensure their sexual identity is not exposed. Facebook is both transformative and risky for college-aged gay men, as it represents a new platform for them to come out as gay to friends and family, as well as other areas of their lives where they must actively manage the presentation of their sexual identity.
Improving electromagnetic compatibility of integrated switching converters for hybrid/electric vehicles

Practical techniques to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) for integrated DC/DC converters are discussed in the paper. As application case study a 48 V DC/DC converter for electric/hybrid cars is considered. Firstly, an EMI filter with very low values of inductor is designed to facilitate its integration and to reduce the overvoltage issues. Experimental results prove that the proposed EMI filter design procedure, taking into account the source and terminal impedance, avoids the state-of-art tendency of over-designing EMI filter components. Then, EMI is reduced further by integrating in the DC/DC converter a soft-start technique, which mitigates EMI issues reducing by 3 times the currents spikes at the car's power on.
Specificity and transmission mosaic of ant nest-wall fungi

Mutualism, whereby species interact to their mutual benefit, is extraordinary in a competitive world. To recognize general patterns of origin and maintenance from the plethora of mutualistic associations proves a persisting challenge. The simplest situation is believed to be that of a single mutualist specific to a single host, vertically transmitted from one host generation to the next. We characterized ascomycete fungal associates cultured for nest architecture by the ant subgenera Dendrolasius and Chthonolasius. The ants probably manage their fungal mutualists by protecting them against fungal competitors. The ant subgenera display different ant-to-fungus specificity patterns, one-to-two and many-to-one, and we infer vertical transmission, in the latter case overlaid by horizontal transmission. Possible evolutionary trajectories include a reversal from fungiculture by other Lasius subgenera and inheritance of fungi through life cycle interactions of the ant subgenera. The mosaic indicates how specificity patterns can be shaped by an interplay between host life-cycles and transmission adaptations.
Tree crown ratio models for multi-species and multi-layered stands of southeastern British Columbia

The ratio of live crown length to tree height (crown ratio; CR) is often used as an important predictor variable for tree level growth equations, particularly for multi-species and multi-layered stands. Also, CR indicates tree vigour and can be an important habitat variable. Measurement of CR for each tree can be time-consuming and difficult to obtain in very dense stands and for very tall trees where the base of live crown is obscured. Models to predict CR from size, competition and site variables were developed for several coniferous and one hardwood tree species growing in multispecies and multi-layered forest stands (complex stands) of southeastern British Columbia. Simple correlations indicated the expected relationships of CR decreasing with increasing height, and with increasing competition. A logistic model form was used to constrain predicted CR values to the interval [0,1]. Also, predictors were divided into tree size, stand competition, and site measures, and the contribution of each set of contributors was examined. For all models, height was an important predictor. The stand competition measure, basal area of larger trees, contributed significantly to predicting CR given that crown competition factor was also included as a measure of competition. Logical trends in CR versus size and competition variable groups were reflected by the models; site variable slightly improved predictions for some species. Much of the variability in CR was not accounted for, indicating that other variables are important for explaining CR changes in these complex stands.
Midwifery Care: Reflections of Midwifery Clients

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of midwifery clients throughout the life span. A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 midwifery clients. The research question was: What has been your experience with midwifery care? Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data saturation was achieved and analysis procedures from Colaizzi were used. Five themes emerged from the data: 1) decision to seek midwifery care; 2) working together in a therapeutic alliance; 3) formulating a birth plan; 4) childbirth education; and 5) nurse-midwives as primary health-care providers throughout the life span. There is much to learn from listening to the voices of midwifery clients.
Traffic-related air pollution and the development of asthma and allergies during the first 8 years of life.

RATIONALE The role of air pollution exposure in the development of asthma, allergies, and related symptoms remains unclear, due in part to the limited number of prospective cohort studies with sufficiently long follow-ups addressing this problem. OBJECTIVES We studied the association between traffic-related air pollution and the development of asthma, allergy, and related symptoms in a prospective birth cohort study with a unique 8-year follow-up. METHODS Annual questionnaire reports of asthma, hay fever, and related symptoms during the first 8 years of life were analyzed for 3,863 children. At age 8, measurements of allergic sensitization and bronchial hyperresponsiveness were performed for subpopulations (n = 1,700 and 936, respectively). Individual exposures to nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), particulate matter (PM(2.5)), and soot at the birth address were estimated by land-use regression models. Associations between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and repeated measures of health outcomes were assessed by repeated-measures logistic regression analysis. Effects are presented for an interquartile range increase in exposure after adjusting for covariates. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Annual prevalence was 3 to 6% for asthma and 12 to 23% for asthma symptoms. Annual incidence of asthma was 6% at age 1, and 1 to 2% at later ages. PM(2.5) levels were associated with a significant increase in incidence of asthma (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.49), prevalence of asthma (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04-1.51), and prevalence of asthma symptoms (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.28). Findings were similar for NO(2) and soot. Associations were stronger for children who had not moved since birth. Positive associations with hay fever were found in nonmovers only. No associations were found with atopic eczema, allergic sensitization, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to traffic-related air pollution may cause asthma in children.
Muscle Reflexes in Motion: How, What, and Why?

Methods have been developed to study excitatory and inhibitory reflexes during human movements because dramatic task-dependent changes occur between different voluntary activities, and phase-dependent changes occur within cyclic movements. Interestingly, segmental reflexes are relatively unimportant for standing balance, although reflex responses are strong, yet they contribute substantially to force in several muscles during walking, when some reflex responses are weaker.
Residents' rights and nurses' ethics in the Australian nursing home.

BACKGROUND This article is derived from a more extensive review of literature for a qualitative study that explored the meaning of truth-telling within the care provider--aged resident dyad in high-level (nursing home) aged care. AIM This paper describes through the literature, work practices and the culture of the nursing home as promoting instrumental care, therefore prioritizing doing-for over being-with. The nursing home, starved of time and staff, silences and isolates the aged care resident in an environment that is, arguably, rarely homelike. CONCLUSION The appraisal of the nursing home offered here means that a number of residents' rights are at risk and care providers (notably registered nurses and the personal care assistants) risk contravening the Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia.
The RNA-binding Protein HuR Binds to Acetylcholinesterase Transcripts and Regulates Their Expression in Differentiating Skeletal Muscle Cells*

During myogenic differentiation, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) transcript levels are known to increase dramatically. Although this increase can be attributed in part to increased transcriptional activity, posttranscriptional mechanisms have also been implicated in the high levels of AChE mRNA in myotubes. In this study, we observed that transfection of a luciferase reporter construct containing the full-length AChE 3′-untranslated region (UTR) resulted in significantly higher (5-fold) luciferase activity in differentiated myotubes versus myoblasts. RNA-electrophoretic mobility shift assays (REMSAs) performed with a full-length AChE 3′-UTR probe and the AU-rich element revealed that the intensity of RNA-binding protein complexes increased as myogenic differentiation proceeded. Using several complementary approaches including supershift REMSA, mRNA-binding protein pull-down assays, and immunoprecipitation followed by reverse transcription-PCR, we found that the mRNA-stabilizing protein HuR interacts directly with AChE transcripts. Stable overexpression of HuR in C2C12 cells increased the expression of endogenous AChE transcripts as well as that of the luciferase reporter construct containing the AChE 3′-UTR. In vitro stability assays performed with protein extracts from these cells versus controls resulted in a slower rate of AChE mRNA decay. The down-regulation of HuR expression mediated through small interfering RNA further confirmed the role of HuR in the regulation of AChE mRNA levels. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that HuR interacts with the AChE 3′-UTR to regulate posttranscriptionally the expression of AChE mRNA during myogenic differentiation.
Test data adequacy measurement

Criteria for test data adequacy are rules for deciding when enough testing has been performed. Development of these criteria is an important objective of research in software testing. In this paper, the abstract properties of adequacy criteria are investigated in a formal axiomatic style. Starting from work by Weyuker [1, 2] and Parrish and Zweben [3], we define an adequacy criterion as a function from specifications, programs and subsets of data to a degree of the adequacy of the test set. In this paper, we address the general properties of adequacy criteria, independent of the syntax and semantics of specifications and programs. In subsequent work, we will address properties related to specifications and programs. The dependencies between the axioms, as well as the relationship between them and those in Weyuker's and Parrish and Zweben's system, are also investigated.
Leukocyte subsets and neutrophil function after short‐term spaceflight

Changes in leukocyte subpopulations and function after spaceflight have been observed but the mechanisms underlying these changes are not well defined. This study investigated the effects of short‐term spaceflight (8–15 days) on circulating leukocyte subsets, stress hormones, immunoglobulin levels, and neutrophil function. At landing, a 1.5‐fold increase in neutrophils was observed compared with preflight values; lymphocytes were slightly decreased, whereas the results were variable for monocytes. No significant changes were observed in plasma levels of immunoglobulins, cortisol, or adrenocorticotropic hormone. In contrast, urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol were significantly elevated at landing. Band neutrophils were observed in 9 of 16 astronauts. Neutrophil chemotactic assays showed a 10‐fold decrease in the optimal dose response after landing. Neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells was increased both before and after spaceflight. At landing, the expression of MAC‐1 was significantly decreased while L‐selectin was significantly increased. These functional alterations may be of clinical significance on long‐duration space missions. J. Leukoc. Biol. 65: 179–186; 1999.
Gastroduodenal mucosal protection.

The barrier that protects the undamaged gastroduodenal mucosa from autodigestion by gastric juice is a dynamic multicomponent system. The major elements of this barrier are the adherent mucus gel layer, which is percolated by the HCO3- secretion from the underlying epithelial cells; the epithelial layer itself, which provides a permeability barrier and can rapidly repair superficial damage by a process of cell migration referred to as reepithelization or restitution; and a specially adapted vasculature, which provides a supply of HCO3- for transcellular transport and/or diffusion into the mucus layer. Passive diffusion of intestinal HCO3- into the lumen is particularly important when there is superficial damage resulting in increased leakiness of the mucosal epithelium. The process of reepithelization occurs by the migration of performed cells from gastric pits or duodenal crypts. This process is quite distinct from the wound healing and associated inflammatory response that accompany more severe injury or chronic damage. The adherent mucus gel acts as a physical barrier against luminal pepsin and provides a stable unstirred layer that supports surface neutralization of acid by mucosal HCO3-. Surface neutralization by mucosal HCO3- provides a major mechanism of protection against acid in the proximal duodenum. In the stomach, where luminal acidity can fall to around pH 1, other mechanisms of protection must exist, since the surface pH gradient is reported to collapse when luminal H+ exceeds approximately 10 mM. This collapse of the surface pH gradients may reflect, at least in part, that such studies have been mostly performed on non-acid-secreting mucosa where the supply of HCO3- to the interstitium from the parietal cells will be reduced. However, because the gastric mucosa can withstand prolonged exposure to acid without apparent damage, this implies an intrinsic resistance of the epithelial apical surface. This is amply illustrated within the gastric glands that do not secrete mucus and HCO3- yet are exposed to undiluted pepsin and an isotonic solution of HCl. Bicarbonate and mucus secretions together with mucosal blood flow are under paracrine, endocrine, and neural control. The rate of reepithelialization will depend on local chemotactic factors, adhesion mechanisms, and the creation of an acid/pepsin/irritant-free environment under a protective gelatinous or mucoid cap. If optimal conditions are met, then the rate of reepithelialization appears to depend primarily on the intrinsic properties of the migrating cells themselves rather than control by exogenous mediators. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Pregnancy-Induced Changes in Renin Gene Expression in Mice1

Abstract A puzzling feature of the renin-angiotensin system during pregnancy is the appearance in the maternal circulation of a large increase in the concentration of prorenin and renin. The physiologic role of these changes is not understood. We determined that high levels of renin protein occur in the circulation of pregnant mice, thereby establishing the mouse as a valuable model for understanding gestation-induced changes in the renin-angiotensin system. We used the murine model to show that high levels of renin gene expression occur at the mother-fetus interface, first in maternal decidua and subsequently in placentas. These results were obtained using ICR mice that have 2 related renin genes, Ren1 and Ren2. We also examined renin gene expression in C57Bl/6 mice that have only the Ren1 gene. In these mice, very little renin gene expression was observed in placentas but instead was upregulated in kidneys during pregnancy. In both ICR and C57Bl/6 mice, there is an increase in renin protein in the maternal circulation during pregnancy. However, these mice differ with regard to gestation-induced sites of increased renin gene expression. These studies suggest that mice are a convenient and valuable model for studying renin gene expression during pregnancy.
Risk to Researchers in Qualitative Research on Sensitive Topics: Issues and Strategies

Traditionally, risk assessments in research have been limited to examining the risks to the research participants. Although doing so is appropriate and important, there is growing recognition that undertaking research can pose risks to researchers as well. A grounded theory study involving a range of researchers who had undertaken qualitative health research on a sensitive topic was completed. Analysis of the in-depth, face-to-face unstructured individual interviews with 30 Australian public health researchers provided evidence that researchers do confront a number of physical and emotional risks when undertaking research. Training, preparation, and supervision must be taken into account so that the risk to researchers can be minimized. Researchers need to consider occupational health and safety issues in designing research projects that deal with physical and emotional risks. Recommendations for professional supervision, policy development, and minimum training standards for researchers are provided.
Early Dexamethasone Treatment Enhances Hearing Preservation after Pneumococcal Meningitis: An Animal Study

Materials and Methods: Thirty rats with confirmed diagnosis of meningitis after intracisternal S. pneumonia injection were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Animals in group 1 recieved intramuscular (im) ceftriaxone for 7 days, animals in group 2 recieved im dexamethasone on days 4-7 adjunct to im ceftriaxone treatment and animals in group 3 received im dexamethasone on days 1-4 adjunct to im ceftriaxone treatment. Hearing status of all rats were evaluated by auditory brainstem responses (ABR) on days 7 and 28 and categorized as normal hearing, moderate hearing loss, severe hearing loss and profound hearing loss.
Natural Resources, Social Conflict and Poverty Trap

The paper analyses a model where the fight for the appropriation of rents from natural resources between two groups leads to multiple equilibria. The possibility to be trapped into the low-income equilibrium, characterized by strong social conflict (civil war) and stagnation of income, increases with the weakness of political institutions, the population growth rate, the amount of rents from natural resources and the rate of depletion of natural resources and decreases with the level of per capita income, the investment rate and the length of life expectancy of individuals. The size of minority has an ambiguous effect, widening the range of income leading to low-income equilibrium, but also raising incentives to reach an agreement, i.e. a social contract, without any social conflict. Empirical evidence appears to support these findings.
Eye gaze behavior under chromatic impairments and quality assessment

The use of eye gaze to formalize human visual system models and its use for QoE assessment is considered in this work. Typically the eye gaze defined by attention maps reveals difficult to be correlated with the perceived QoE. In this work attention maps of images with induced chromatic errors are obtained with an eye tracking device. Those attention maps are analyzed and compared with the MOS obtained from the subjective evaluation of the considered images.