Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Multiple Tailored Messages for Smoking Cessation Among Callers to the Cancer Information Service

ABSTRACT Self-help materials computer-tailored to the specific needs of smokers have shown promise as a high-reach, low-cost intervention for smoking cessation. Adding tailored cessation materials to telephone-based cessation counseling may be a way of generating greater efficacy in promoting and maintaining cessation. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of adding different types of behavioral smoking cessation materials to brief telephone-based cessation counseling. A total of 1,978 smokers calling the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Cancer Information Service (CIS) for help in quitting smoking initially received brief cognitive–behavioral cessation counseling from a CIS information specialist. Following a baseline interview administered by the information specialist, subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions, each delivered by U.S. mail: a single, untailored smoking cessation guide (SU); a single, tailored smoking cessation guide (ST); a series of four (multiple) printed materials tailored only to baseline data (MT); and a series of four (multiple) printed materials tailored to baseline as well as retailored using 5-month interim progress data (MRT). The primary outcome measure was 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates assessed using a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) at 12-month follow-up. At 12-month follow-up, using intent-to-treat, imputed, and per-protocol analyses, no differences were found among the four experimental conditions (linear trend), or when the ST, MT, and MRT groups were compared with the control (SU) group. Participants in the two multiple message group conditions combined (MT + MRT), however, had significantly higher abstinence rates than participants in the two single message group conditions combined (SU + ST). Moreover, among subjects who reported quitting at the 5-month follow-up, participants receiving the MRT materials reported higher abstinence rates at 12 months than the other three groups combined (SU + ST + MT). The results of this study support the effectiveness, over and above a single telecounseling interaction, of multiple tailored print material contacts on cessation. These effects, however may be due to tailoring, or the longitudinal nature of the two multiple tailored conditions, or both. The strongest evidence for tailoring occurred in the MRT condition for relapse prevention, suggesting that print materials tailored to interim progress may be especially effective in this context. The qualities of specific psychosocial and communication elements in tailored materials should receive attention in future research.
Infiltrative Astrocytomas With Granular Cell Features (Granular Cell Astrocytomas): A Study of Histopathologic Features, Grading, and Outcome

Granular cell astrocytomas (GCAs) are rare, incompletely characterized infiltrative gliomas that contain a prominent component of granular cells. Such tumors can readily be mistaken for reactive conditions. We studied 22 cases to explore their morphologic spectrum, establish features useful in distinguishing GCA from nonneoplastic diseases, and to determine which parameters correlate with biologic behavior. Tumors occurred in 17 men and five women, ranging in age from 29 to 75 years, who presented mainly with seizures, headache, aphasia, or hemiparesis. Radiologically, high-grade GCAs were contrast-enhancing, cerebral hemispheric masses with prominent peritumoral edema. All contained sheets or interspersed large, round cells packed with eosinophilic, PAS-positive granules. Lymphocytic infiltrates, either perivascular or admixed with neoplastic cells, were present in 14 tumors. Transition to typical infiltrating astrocytoma was noted in 16 cases; of these, granular cells comprised 30–95% of cells. Six tumors consisted almost entirely of atypical granular cells. By WHO criteria, four GCA were grade 2, seven were grade 3, and 11 were grade 4. Glial fibrillary acidic protein staining was seen in all but one tumor, and the majority were immunoreactive for S-100 protein, KP-1, ubiquitin, and epithelial membrane antigen. Although MIB-1 proliferation indices increased with tumor grade, granular cells accounted for only a minority of immunoreactive cells. Among 18 cases with follow-up, 15 recurred after surgery and resulted in death (mean survival, 7.6 months). Two patients died postoperatively, and one was alive at 51 months. Granular cell astrocytoma is an uncommon morphologic variant that appears to be rapidly progressive and usually fatal.
Radiographic mislead: apparent arterial placement of subclavian central venous catheter due to mediastinal shift

Optimal placement of central venous catheters (CVC) is essential for accurate monitoring of central venous pressure (CVP) in major surgeries and ensuring long-term use of the catheter for managing the critically ill patient. Accidental subclavian artery catheterization is one of the most serious complications of the procedure. Radiography is commonly used to ensure optimal placement of CVC tip and rule out subclavian artery catheterization in the absence of Doppler ultrasound and a pressure transducer. We present a case of a haemodynamically unstable and hypoxaemic patient with mediastinal shift, in which the anaesthesiologist was in a dilemma about the arterial placement of the right subclavian CVC. The CVC crossing the midline due to mediastinal shift gave the false impression of it being placed in subclavian artery rather than the vein. Subsequently, it was proved to be correctly placed in the subclavian vein.
XSiena: the content-based publish, subscribe system

Declaration Herewith I declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of the university or other institute of higher education, except where due acknowledgment has been made in the text. Zbigniew Jerzak iv Preface Just as packet switched networks constituted a major breakthrough in our perception of the information exchange in computer networks so have the decoupling properties of publish/subscribe systems revolutionized the way we look at networking in the context of large scale distributed systems. The decoupling of the components of publish/subscribe systems in time, space and synchronization has created an appealing platform for the asynchronous information exchange among anonymous information producers and consumers. Moreover, the content-based nature of publish/subscribe systems provides a great degree of flexibility and expressiveness as far as construction of data flows is considered. However, a number of challenges and not yet addressed issued still exists in the area of the publish/subscribe systems. One active area of research is directed toward the problem of the efficient content delivery in the content-based pub-lish/subscribe networks. Routing of the information based on the information itself, instead of the explicit source and destination addresses poses challenges as far as efficiency and processing times are concerned. Simultaneously, due to their decoupled nature, publish/subscribe systems introduce new challenges with respect to issues related to dependability and fail-awareness. This thesis seeks to advance the field of research in both directions. First it shows the design and implementation of routing algorithms based on the end-to-end systems design principle. Proposed routing algorithms obsolete the need to perform content-based routing within the publish/subscribe network, pushing this task to the edge of the system. Moreover, this thesis presents a fail-aware approach towards construction of the content-based publish/subscribe system along with its application to the creation of the soft state publish/subscribe system. A soft state publish/subscribe system exposes the self stabilizing behavior as far as transient timing, link and node failures are concerned. The result of this thesis is a family of the XSiena content-based publish/subscribe systems, implementing the proposed concepts and algorithms. The family of the XSiena content-based publish/subscribe systems has been a subject to rigorous evaluation, which confirms the claims made in this thesis. v vi Acknowledgments …
Explaining the variation in impacts of non-native plants on local-scale species richness: the role of phylogenetic relatedness

Aim To assess how the magnitude of impacts of non-native plants on species richness of resident plants and animals varies in relation to the traits and phylogenetic position of the non-native as well as characteristics of the invaded site. Location Global. Methods Meta-analysis and phylogenetic regressions based on 216 studies were used to examine the effects of 96 non-native plant species on species richness of resident plants and animals while considering differences in non-native species traits (life-form, clonality or vegetative reproduction, and nitrogen-fixing ability) and characteristics of the invaded site (ecosystem type, insularity and climatic region). Results Plots with non-native plants had lower resident plant (–20.5%) and animal species richness (–26.4%) than paired uninvaded control plots. Nitrogen-fixing ability, followed by phylogeny and clonality were the best predictors of the magnitude of impacts of non-native plants on native plant species richness. Non-nitrogen-fixing and clonal non-native plants reduced species richness more than nitrogen-fixing and non-clonal invaders. However, life-form and characteristics of the invaded sites did not appear to be important. In the case of resident animal species richness, only the phylogenetic position of the non-native and whether invaded sites were islands or not influenced impacts, with a more pronounced decrease found on islands than mainlands. Main conclusions The presence of a phylogenetic signal on the magnitude of the impacts of non-native plants on resident plant and animal richness indicates that closely related non-native plants tend to have similar impacts. This suggests that the magnitude of the impact might depend on shared plant traits not explored in our study. Our results therefore support the need to include the phylogenetic similarity of non-native plants to known invaders in risk assessment analysis.
Comparison of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Alone or Combined with Triamcinolone versus Triamcinolone in Diabetic Macular Edema: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: To compare the effect of an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab alone (IVB) or combined with triamcinolone (IVB/IVT) versus triamcinolone (IVT) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: In this randomized three-arm clinical trial, eligible eyes were assigned randomly to one of the three study arms: the IVB group, 2 injections of 1.25 mg of bevacizumab with 6-week intervals; the IVB/IVT group, 1.25 mg of IVB with 2 mg of IVT, and the IVT group, 2 mg of IVT. The clinical course of best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness by optical coherence tomography was monitored for up to 12 months after the initial injection. Results: One hundred eleven eyes of 105 patients with DME completed 12 months of follow-up. The IVB/IVT group and the IVT group showed better visual acuity and reduced central macular thickness at 6 weeks and 3 months, compared with the IVB group (p = 0.041, p = 0.02 at 6 weeks; p = 0.045, p = 0.043 at 3 months, respectively). However, no significant difference in visual acuity and central macular thickness was observed between the three groups at 12 months (p = 0.088, p = 0.132, respectively). The frequency of retreatment was lower in the IVB/IVT and IVT groups during the 12-month period (p < 0.001). No significant differences in visual acuity or central macular thickness were observed between the IVB/IVT and IVT groups during the follow-up. Conclusion: IVB/IVT and IVT showed more pronounced effects during the earlier postinjection period. However, levels of visual acuity or central macular thickness at 12 months were comparable in the three study groups. No beneficial effect of the combination injection was observed.
Spectro-temporal modulation transfer function of single voxels in the human auditory cortex measured with high-resolution fMRI

Are visual and auditory stimuli processed by similar mechanisms in the human cerebral cortex? Images can be thought of as light energy modulations over two spatial dimensions, and low-level visual areas analyze images by decomposition into spatial frequencies. Similarly, sounds are energy modulations over time and frequency, and they can be identified and discriminated by the content of such modulations. An obvious question is therefore whether human auditory areas, in direct analogy to visual areas, represent the spectro-temporal modulation content of acoustic stimuli. To answer this question, we measured spectro-temporal modulation transfer functions of single voxels in the human auditory cortex with functional magnetic resonance imaging. We presented dynamic ripples, complex broadband stimuli with a drifting sinusoidal spectral envelope. Dynamic ripples are the auditory equivalent of the gratings often used in studies of the visual system. We demonstrate selective tuning to combined spectro-temporal modulations in the primary and secondary auditory cortex. We describe several types of modulation transfer functions, extracting different spectro-temporal features, with a high degree of interaction between spectral and temporal parameters. The overall low-pass modulation rate preference of the cortex matches the modulation content of natural sounds. These results demonstrate that combined spectro-temporal modulations are represented in the human auditory cortex, and suggest that complex signals are decomposed and processed according to their modulation content, the same transformation used by the visual system.
Dynamics of Laser-Induced Magnetostructural Phase Transitions in MnAs/GaAs (001) Epitaxial Layers

We have investigated by time-resolved X-ray diffraction the manganese arsenide structure dynamics in MnAs/GaAs (001) epitaxial films, when the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha \to \beta $ </tex-math></inline-formula> magnetostructural phase transition is triggered by an ultra-fast optical laser pulse. Understanding the photo-induced phase transition dynamics is relevant for applications of MnAs/GaAs (001) as a magnetically active template in laser-induced magnetization switching processes. The main goal of our experiment is to determine the timescales of the structural changes that are likely to play a role in laser-driven magnetization reversal.
Influence of restraint stress on endogenous central histamine-induced antinociceptive effect in rats : Studies with histamine N-methyltransferase inhibitor SKF 91488

Histamine as a neurotransmitter participates in modulation of pain transmission within the central nervous system. Exogenous histamine administered intracerebroventricularly (icv) as well as endogenous histamine, after blockage of its catabolism by histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) inhibitors, which leads to an increase in endogenous histamine concentrations, produce an antinociceptive effect. On the other hand, there is an activation of the histaminergic system, with the increase in histamine turnover and/or release from neurones, in response to potentially dangerous stimuli disturbing homeostasis, including changes in blood pressure, dehydration and nociceptive stimuli. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the influence of prior restraint immobilisation stress on HNMT inhibitor SKF 91488-induced antinociceptive effect in rats. SKF 91488 (100 μg icv) produced an increase in endogenous histamine concentrations 15 min after treatment in the cerebral cortex (1.09 ± 0.11 vs. 0.61 ± 0.22 nmol/g; p < 0.01), hypothalamus (5.67 ± 0.64 vs. 4.11 ± 0.49 nmol/g; p < 0.01) and medulla oblongata (0.53 ± 0.19 vs. 0.32 ± 0.08 nmol/g; p < 0.05) in comparison to saline-treated group. The effect was accompanied by a dose-dependent (50-100 μg icv) analgesic action both in tail-flick test and paw pressure test (Randall-Selitto test). Prior restraint stress increased SKF 91488-induced effect, however, it did not change central histamine concentrations. The restraint stress alone did not influence central histamine concentrations as well as nociceptive responses. The study confirms that SKF 91488 is an effective in vivo inhibitor of HNMT activity which increases endogenous central histamine concentrations, and thus produces an antinociceptive action. Moreover, prior restraint stress increases endogenous histamine-induced influence on pain transmission, possibly as a result of the activation of the histaminergic system. K e y w o r d s: endogenous histamine, pain perception, restraint stress, rat
HIV-1 Nef Promotes Survival of Myeloid Cells by a Stat3-dependent Pathway

Human immunodeficiency virus Nef is a small myristylated protein that plays a critical role in AIDS progression. Nef binds with high affinity to the SH3 domain of the myeloid-restricted tyrosine kinase Hck in vitro, identifying this Src-related kinase as a possible cellular target for Nef in macrophages. Here we show that Nef activates endogenous Hck in the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent myeloid cell line, TF-1. Unexpectedly, Nef induced cytokine-independent TF-1 cell outgrowth and constitutive activation of the Stat3 transcription factor. Induction of survival required the Nef SH3 binding and membrane-targeting motifs and was blocked by dominant-negative Stat3 mutants. Nef also stimulated Stat3 activation in primary human macrophages, providing evidence for Stat3 as a Nef effector in a target cell for human immunodeficiency virus.
The Prevalence of Infectious Bronchitis (IB) Outbreaks in Some Chicken Farms. I. Spotlight on the Status of IB Outbraks in Some Chicken Flocks .

Twenty five isolates of IBV were isolated from 36 broiler, layer and breeder chicken farms collected from 13 governorates during 2 years started from January 2003. Sixteen farms were vaccinated against IB, and nine farms were not vaccinated. The cardinal signs of the disease in layers were drop in egg production, with watery albumen, inferior (pale-misshape shell) eggs, un-noticed respiratory distress and pectoral myopathy, and those in broilers were respiratory distress, renal urate deposition and death beyond four weeks of age (late mortality). The viruses were isolated and identified by chicken embryo, and CEK cell culture inoculation. (Journal of American Science 2010;6(9):57-70). (ISSN: 1545-1003).
Heterogeneous Integration of Microwave GaN Power Amplifiers With Si Matching Circuits

GaN high electron mobility transistors were integrated into monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) by molding hetero-substrates and using a redistribution layer (RDL). Driver amplifiers (DAs) and high-power amplifiers (HPAs) on SiC substrates were molded with matching circuits on Si substrates including Cu-filled through-substrate vias (TSVs), and their circuits on hetero-substrates were connected using a Cu RDL. This was the first attempt to fabricate hetero-substrate MMICs with five chips for two-stage power amplifiers. This method will be very useful to increase the achievable quantity of small DAs and HPAs—as opposed to using large MMICs with matching circuits on a SiC substrate—and to reduce production costs. Furthermore, various frequency bands, such as the millimeter-wave band, can be accommodated by changing the Si chips of the matching circuits.
Deciphering peripheral nerve myelination by using Schwann cell expression profiling

Although mutations in multiple genes are associated with inherited demyelinating neuropathies, the molecular components and pathways crucial for myelination remain largely unknown. To approach this question, we performed genome-wide expression analysis in several paradigms where the status of peripheral nerve myelination is dynamically changing. Anchor gene correlation analysis, a form of microarray analysis that integrates functional information, using correlation-based clustering, with a statistically rigorous test, the Westfall and Young step-down algorithm, was applied to this data set. Biological pathways active in myelination, genes encoding proteins involved in myelin synthesis, and genes whose mutation results in myelination defects were identified. Many known genes and previously uncharacterized ESTs not heretofore associated with myelination were also identified. One of these ESTs, MASR (myelin-associated SUR4 protein), encodes a member of the SUR4 family of fatty acid desaturases, enzymes involved in elongation of very long chain fatty acids. Its specific localization in myelinating Schwann cells indicates a crucial role for MASR in normal myelin lipid synthesis.
UWB based oil quality detection

In this paper we discuss an approach for fuel quality detection using Ultra-wideband (UWB) radar. The experimental setup consists of an ultrashort monocycle pulse transmitter (30 ps), an UWB sampling receiver and UWB antennae (3.1–10.6 GHz). One dimensional Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) model was used to model the electromagnetic wave propagation and assess the feasibility of oil quality detection using UWB RADAR. Performance of the UWB RADAR was analyzed through detailed experiments. The adulteration of gasoline and high speed diesel with kerosene was increased from 1% to 12% in steps. Using time of flight analysis the variation in adulteration of gasoline was detected from 1%. Adulteration in high speed diesel was detected using frequency domain analysis. Further, the level of water in the oil storage tank below the diesel or gasoline level can be accurately estimated. Detailed experiments with multiple batches of gasoline and high speed diesel were conducted. We also demonstrate that the adulteration can be detected across different batches of fuel.
Dysplasia in Adults with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: Incidence and Risk Factors

Objectives: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) causes significant morbidity in laryngology. The incidence of dysplasia in adult patients with RRP has not been well described. In this study, the risk factors and incidence of RRP-associated dysplasia are investigated. Methods: Pathology specimens from patients with RRP over a 6-year period are reviewed, along with the patients' clinical and demographic information. Results: Fifty-two male and 21 female patients (mean, 50 years) with RRP were identified. Some degree of dysplasia was identified in 22 of 170 specimens (13%). Sixteen of the 73 patients (21.9%) were found to have dysplasia at some point during their clinical course. Although the patients with RRP-associated dysplasia were older (56.3 versus 48.3 years of age), this difference did not reach statistical significance (p < 0.09, unpaired t-test). There was a male preponderance in both dysplastic (10 of 16; 62.5%) and non-dysplastic (42 of 57; 73%) cases. The mean number of operations for RRP was 2.4 for patients without dysplasia and 3.2 for those with dysplasia; there was no significant difference between the groups. Seven of the 16 patients with dysplasia (44%) and 22 of the 57 patients without dysplasia (39%) had a history of tobacco use (p < 0.77, Fisher's exact test). Conclusions: Dysplasia was discovered in more than 20% of adult patients with RRP studied over a 6-year period. Age, gender, tobacco history, and operative frequency were not identifiable risk factors for the presence of dysplasia.