Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obtaining smoking histories for population‐based studies on multiple primary cancers: Connecticut, 2002

Because of the absence of data on smoking history for patients in cancer registries, large population‐based studies have been unable to directly assess the role of smoking in the risk of multiple primary cancers. In a random sample of 618 adults diagnosed with invasive cancer in 2002 and reported to the population‐based Connecticut (CT) cancer registry, however, search of hospital records identified smoking history (current, former, never‐ or nonsmoker) for 83.3%. Number of cigarettes per day was known for 71.3% of 289 current or former smokers, while duration of quitting was found for 92.3% of 194 former smokers. Smoking status was strongly associated with current heavy alcohol use. Hospital records appear to be a promising resource for population‐based studies on smoking histories in relation to risk of multiple primaries, although completeness of information needs to be improved in CT and assessments are needed in other cancer registries. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brand Awareness in the Context of Mistrust: The Case Study of an Employment Agency

Brand awareness is important for a good market performance of a company. However, research on the contextual preconditions needed for the improvement of brand awareness is limited, particularly in specific service sectors such as employment agencies. We present the research results of the preconditions for the improvement of awareness (which is one of the dimensions of brand equity) in an employment agency. We also analyze the effects of the perceived trust of customers on the improvement of brand awareness in the employment sector. As a case study, we present an example of an employment agency in Lithuania. This research is particularly timely in the Lithuanian context, where high levels of emigration are having a considerable negative impact on companies and their major internal operations—human resource management, marketing, and strategic planning—challenging the aims of long-term socially sustainable development. This research paper has a high relevance for other high-emigration economies.
Quasi hamilton system stochastic averaging and EEAC combined transient stability analysis method

Transient stability analysis of stochastic power system with Monte Carlo simulations demands vast calculation tasks. A novel transient stability analysis method for stochastic power system based on quasi-Hamiltonian system stochastic averaging and EEAC combined method was proposed in this paper. Firstly, the stochastic power system was equivalent with a two-machine system. The stochastic differential algebraic equations model of the equivalent system was established. The transient energy of the corresponding Hamiltonian system was derived. The security region of the system was determined by the critical transient energy. Then, the stochastic averaging method was applied to analyze the quasi-Hamiltonian system. The averaged system and averaged equations were got. The diffusion process of the power system transient energy is studied by the diffusion equation theory. The conditional reliability function was governed by the backward Kolmogorov equation. The impacts of excitation amplitude, fault type and fault clearing time on transient stability can be investigated quantitatively. This method was applied in the four-generator and two-area system to verify its effectiveness. Simulations show that the results coincide with the Monte Carlo method well.
Gprc5a-deficiency confers susceptibility to endotoxin-induced acute lung injury via NF-κB pathway

Susceptibility to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) varies greatly among patients in sepsis/septic shock. The genetic and biochemical reasons for the difference are not fully understood. G protein coupled receptor family C group 5 member A (GPRC5A), a retinoic acid target gene, is predominately expressed in the bronchioalveolar epithelium of lung. We hypothesized that Gprc5a is important in controlling the susceptibility to ALI or ARDS. In this study, we examined the susceptibility of wild-type and Gprc5a-knockout (ko) mice to induced ALI. Administration of endotoxin LPS induced an increased pulmonary edema and injury in Gprc5a-ko mice, compared to wild-type counterparts. Consistently, LPS administration induced higher levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) and chemokine (KC) in Gprc5a-ko mouse lungs than in wild-type. The enhanced pulmonary inflammatory responses were associated with dysregulated NF-κB signaling in the bronchioalveolar epithelium of Gprc5a-ko mouse lungs. Importantly, selective inhibition of NF-κB through expression of the super-repressor IκBα in the bronchioalveolar epithelium of Gprc5a-ko mouse lungs alleviated the LPS-induced pulmonary injury, and inflammatory response. Thus, Gprc5a is critical for lung homeostasis, and Gprc5a deficiency confers the susceptibility to endotoxin-induced pulmonary edema and injury, mainly through NF-κB signaling in bronchioalveolar epithelium of lung.
Myofibrillar ATPase activity during isometric contraction and isomyosin composition in rat single skinned muscle fibres.

1. Myofibrillar ATPase activity, isometric tension (Po) and unloaded shortening velocity (Vo) were determined in single skinned fibres isolated from rat hindlimb muscles during maximal calcium activation at 12 degrees C. In each fibre, myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms were identified using electrophoresis and immunocytochemistry. ATPase activity was determined spectrophotometrically from NADH oxidation in a coupled enzyme assay. 2. On the basis of their MHC isoform composition, the fibres (n = 102) were divided into five groups containing the slow isoform, I MHC, or one of the fast isoforms, IIB MHC, IIA MHC, IIX MHC, or a mixture of the latter three. ATPase activity was significantly higher in IIB than in 2X and IIA fibres (0.230 +/‐ 0.010, 0.178 +/‐ 0.023 and 0.168 +/‐ 0.026 nmol mm‐3 s‐1, respectively). Mixed fibres had intermediate values. ATPase activity in slow fibres was considerably less (0.045 +/‐ 0.006 nmol mm‐3 s‐1). 3. The ratio between ATPase activity and Po, i.e. tension cost, was found to be 2.90 +/‐ 0.09, 2.56 +/‐ 0.14, 1.89 +/‐ 0.22, 1.52 +/‐ 0.13 and 0.66 +/‐ 0.004 pmol ATP nM‐1 mm‐1 s‐1 in IIB, mixed, IIX, IIA and slow fibres, respectively. All the differences were statistically significant except that between IIA and IIX fibres. 4. Within each group of fibres with the same MHC composition, ATPase activity was found to correlate with Po, but not Vo. However, ATPase activity was found to correlate with Vo when all the fibre types were pooled together. 5. In thirty‐seven fast fibres the MLC ratio, i.e. the proportion of the fast alkali light chain isoform, MLC3f, to the amount of the regulatory light chain, MLC2f, was determined. IIB fibres had the highest proportion of MLC3f and IIA fibres, the lowest. 6. A multiple regression analysis, used to distinguish between the effects of MHC and MLC composition, showed that ATPase activity was insensitive to the MLC ratio, whereas it had a significant impact on Vo. 7. The results obtained in this study indicate that in rat skeletal muscle fibres: (a) ATPase activity during isometric contractions and tension cost are strongly dependent on MHC isoform composition, and (b) there is no evidence that the alkali MLC ratio is a determinant of ATPase activity.
Memory Strength and Lineup Presentation Moderate Effects of Administrator Influence on Mistaken Identifications

Administrator/witness pairs (N = 313) were randomly assigned to target-absent lineups in a 2 (Suspect/Perpetrator Similarity: High Suspect Similarity vs. Low Suspect Similarity) × 2 (Retention Interval: 30 min vs. 1 week) × 2 (Lineup Presentation: Simultaneous vs. Sequential) × 2 (Administrator Knowledge: Single-Blind vs. Double-Blind) factorial design to test whether suspect similarity and memory strength constrain interpersonal expectancy effects on eyewitness identification accuracy. Administrators who knew which lineup member was the suspect (single-blind) or who administered simultaneous lineups were more likely to emit verbal and nonverbal behaviors that suggested to the witness who the suspect was. Additionally, single-blind administrators exerted more pressure on witnesses to choose the suspect as opposed to fillers. Administrator knowledge interacted with retention interval and lineup presentation to influence mistaken identifications of innocent suspects; witnesses were more likely to mistakenly identify an innocent suspect from single-blind than double-blind lineups when witness retention intervals were long and photographs were presented simultaneously. Contrary to our predictions, suspect/perpetrator similarity did not interact with other manipulated variables to influence identification decisions. Both sequential and double-blind procedures should be used to reduce the use of suggestive behavior during lineup administration.
Diagnostic accuracy of tumor markers for malignant pleural effusion: a

Background: The roles of tumor markers, such as carbohydrate antigen (CA) 125, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, and CYFRA 21-1 (a fragment of cytokeratin 19), in differentiating malignant pleural effusion (MPE) from benign effusions are not yet clear. Methods: After a systematic review of English language studies, sensitivity, specificity, and other measures of accuracy of pleural concentrations of either 125, CA 15-3, CA 19-9, and CYFRA 21-1, or their combinations, in the diagnosis of MPE were pooled using random effects models. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves were used to summarize overall test performance. Results: Twenty-nine studies met our inclusion criteria for the analysis. The summary estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of these tumor markers were as follows: CA 125, 0.48/0.85; CA 15-3, 0.51/0.96; CA 19-9, 0.25/0.96; CYFRA 21-1, 0.55/0.91, for diagnosing MPE. The estimated summary receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the performance of pleural CA-125 and CA 19-9 measurement in the diagnosis of MPE was limited, whereas that of CA 15-3 and CYFRA 21-1 was better. When two or more of the above four tumor markers combined, or combined with carcinoembryonic antigen, the sensitivity and specificity were all increased at different extents. Conclusions: The current evidences do not recommend using one tumor marker alone for the diagnosis of MPE, however, the combination of two or more tumor markers seems to be more sensitive. The results of tumor marker assays should be interpreted in parallel with clinical findings and the results of conventional tests. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay; RIA = Radioimmunoassay, STARD = standards for reporting diagnostic QUADAS = studies
Firm-to-firm Trade in Sticky Production Networks

This paper develops a structural model of trade between heterogeneous firms in which the network of firm-level input-output linkages is determined both dynamically and endogenously. Firms vary in the size of their customer and supplier bases, occupy heterogeneous positions in different supply chains, and adjust their sets of trade partners over time. Despite the rich heterogeneity and dynamics, the model remains computationally tractable. Using both cross-sectional and panel data on trading relationships between US firms, I estimate the model's key parameters via a simulated method of moments technique and assess its fit to the data. Simulations of the model are then used to study how the structure and dynamics of the production network matter for the propagation of firm-level supply and demand shocks and their translation into aggregate effects.
Vitamin D induced up-regulation of keratinocyte growth factor (FGF-7/KGF) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Keratinocyte growth factor (FGF-7/KGF) is a secreted member of the fibroblast growth factor family, which functions primarily as an important paracrine mediator of cell growth and differentiation. Inhibitory pathways of vitamin D may also involve participation of some growth factors. To determine whether vitamin D may play a role in the expression of FGF-7, we investigated FGF-7 expression in human breast cancer cells treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, which inhibited the growth of the cells. By means of cDNA microarray, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis, we have shown an increase in expression of FGF-7 on both mRNA and protein levels after vitamin D exposure. This is the first demonstration of vitamin D regulation of FGF-7 expression and its possible involvement in mediating growth and differentiation by vitamin D.
Effects of 3-MeV Protons on 4H-SiC Bipolar Devices and Integrated OR-NOR Gates

Radiation effects of 3-MeV protons on 4H-SiC bipolar devices and integrated OR-NOR gates have been investigated. The chips were irradiated from a fluence of 1× 10<sup>8</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> until 1 × 10<sup>13</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup>. Up until a fluence of 1 × 10<sup>11</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup>, both the bipolar devices and the logic gates were found to be stable, but for higher fluence, they begin to degrade as a function of irradiation fluence. Using TCAD simulations, degradation of the transistor current gain has been found to be more dominated by surface states than bulk defects generated by the proton irradiation. Simulations of logic circuits using SPICE show that the gain degradation is the key contribution to the unstable performance of the circuits from the fluence of 1 × 10<sup>12</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> and above.
Understanding the role of registrars in DNSSEC deployment

The Domain Name System (DNS) provides a scalable, flexible name resolution service. Unfortunately, its unauthenticated architecture has become the basis for many security attacks. To address this, DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) were introduced in 1997. DNSSEC's deployment requires support from the top-level domain (TLD) registries and registrars, as well as participation by the organization that serves as the DNS operator. Unfortunately, DNSSEC has seen poor deployment thus far: despite being proposed nearly two decades ago, only 1% of . com, . net, and . org domains are properly signed. In this paper, we investigate the underlying reasons why DNSSEC adoption has been remarkably slow. We focus on registrars, as most TLD registries already support DNSSEC and registrars often serve as DNS operators for their customers. Our study uses large-scale, longitudinal DNS measurements to study DNSSEC adoption, coupled with experiences collected by trying to deploy DNSSEC on domains we purchased from leading domain name registrars and resellers. Overall, we find that a select few registrars are responsible for the (small) DNSSEC deployment today, and that many leading registrars do not support DNSSEC at all, or require customers to take cumbersome steps to deploy DNSSEC. Further frustrating deployment, many of the mechanisms for conveying DNSSEC information to registrars are error-prone or present security vulnerabilities. Finally, we find that using DNSSEC with third-party DNS operators such as Cloudflare requires the domain owner to take a number of steps that 40% of domain owners do not complete. Having identified several operational challenges for full DNSSEC deployment, we make recommendations to improve adoption.
Reversal of Bone Marrow Mobilopathy and Enhanced Vascular Repair by Angiotensin-(1-7) in Diabetes

The angiotensin (ANG)-(1-7)/Mas receptor (MasR) pathway activates vascular repair–relevant functions of bone marrow progenitor cells. We tested the effects of ANG-(1-7) on mobilization and vasoreparative functions of progenitor cells that are impaired in diabetes. The study was performed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic (db/db) mice. Diabetes resulted in a decreased number of Lineage−Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells in the circulation, which was normalized by ANG-(1-7). Diabetes-induced depletion of LSK cells in the bone marrow was reversed by ANG-(1-7). ρ-Kinase (ROCK) activity was increased specifically in bone marrow LSK cells by ANG-(1-7) in diabetes, and the beneficial effects of ANG-(1-7) were prevented by fasudil. ANG-(1-7) increased Slit3 levels in the bone marrow supernatants, which activated ROCK in LSK cells and sensitized them for stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF)–induced migration. Diabetes prevented the mobilization of LSK cells in response to ischemia and impaired the recovery of blood flow, both of which were reversed by ANG-(1-7) in both models of diabetes. Genetic ablation of MasR prevented ischemia-induced mobilization of LSK cells and impaired blood flow recovery, which was associated with decreased proliferation and migration of LSK cells in response to SDF or vascular endothelial growth factor. These results suggest that MasR is a promising target for the treatment of diabetic bone marrow mobilopathy and vascular disease.
Topological analysis of electron density and the electrostatic properties of isoniazid: an experimental and theoretical study.

Isoniazid (isonicotinohydrazide) is an important first-line antitubercular drug that targets the InhA enzyme which synthesizes the critical component of the mycobacterial cell wall. An experimental charge-density analysis of isoniazid has been performed to understand its structural and electronic properties in the solid state. A high-resolution single-crystal X-ray intensity data has been collected at 90 K. An aspherical multipole refinement was carried out to explore the topological and electrostatic properties of the isoniazid molecule. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical charge-density calculations performed using CRYSTAL09 with the B3LYP/6-31G** method. A topological analysis of the electron density reveals that the Laplacian of electron density of the N-N bond is significantly less negative, which indicates that the charges at the b.c.p. (bond-critical point) of the bond are least accumulated, and so the bond is considered to be weak. As expected, a strong negative electrostatic potential region is present in the vicinity of the O1, N1 and N3 atoms, which are the reactive locations of the molecule. The C-H···N, C-H···O and N-H···N types of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions stabilize the crystal structure. The topological analysis of the electron density on hydrogen bonding shows the strength of intermolecular interactions.
Evaluation of Precision in Optoacoustic Tomography for Preclinical Imaging in Living Subjects

Optoacoustic tomography (OT) is now widely used in preclinical imaging; however, the precision (repeatability and reproducibility) of OT has yet to be determined. Methods: We used a commercial small-animal OT system. Measurements in stable phantoms were used to independently assess the impact of system variables on precision (using coefficient of variation, COV), including acquisition wavelength, rotational position, and frame averaging. Variables due to animal handling and physiology, such as anatomic placement and anesthesia conditions, were then assessed in healthy nude mice using the left kidney and spleen as reference organs. Temporal variation was assessed by repeated measurements over hours and days both in phantoms and in vivo. Sensitivity to small-molecule dyes was determined in phantoms and in vivo; precision was assessed in vivo using IRDye800CW. Results: OT COV in a stable phantom was less than 2.8% across all wavelengths over 30 d. The factors with the greatest impact on signal repeatability in phantoms were rotational position and user experience, both of which still resulted in a COV of less than 4% at 700 nm. Anatomic region-of-interest size showed the highest variation, at 12% and 18% COV in the kidney and spleen, respectively; however, functional SO2 measurements based on a standard operating procedure showed an exceptional reproducibility of less than 4% COV. COV for repeated injections of IRDye800CW was 6.6%. Sources of variability for in vivo data included respiration rate, degree of user experience, and animal placement. Conclusion: Data acquired with our small-animal OT system were highly repeatable and reproducible across subjects and over time. Therefore, longitudinal OT studies may be performed with high confidence when our standard operating procedure is followed.
‘There’s no pill to help you deal with the guilt and shame’: Contemporary experiences of HIV in the United Kingdom

The experience of living with HIV, in the global north, has changed significantly over the past 20 years. This is largely the result of effective biomedical methods of treatment and prevention. HIV is now widely considered to be a long-term condition like many others – it has been argued that HIV has been ‘normalised’. Drawing on online qualitative survey data, with respondents aged 18–35 years, diagnosed with HIV in the past 5 years, this research explores contemporary subjective experiences of being diagnosed, and living, with HIV in the United Kingdom. The data reveal ambiguous experiences and expectations, as the ‘normative’ status of HIV exists alongside ongoing experiences of fear, shame and stigma – maintaining its status as the most ‘social’ of diseases. In rendering HIV ‘everyday’, the space to articulate (and experience) the ‘difference’ which attaches to the virus has contracted, making it difficult to express ambivalence and fear in the face of a positive, largely biomedical, discourse. In this article, the concepts of normalisation and chronicity provide an analytical framework through which to explore the complexity of the ‘sick role’ and ‘illness work’ in HIV.
Serum amyloid P component scintigraphy for diagnosis and monitoring amyloidosis

Serum amyloid P component is a normal plasma protein and a universal non-fibrillar constituent of amyloid deposits. Radiolabelled serum amyloid P component scintigraphy is a non-invasive and quantitative method for imaging amyloid deposits in vivo, which produces diagnostic images in most patients with systemic amyloidosis, and can be used repeatedly to monitor the course of the disease. The scintigraphy technique and biopsy histology are complementary, providing a detailed microscopic analysis and a quantitative whole body survey respectively. Clinically useful observations provided by the imaging method include different organ distributions of amyloid in different types of the disease, demonstration of amyloid in anatomic sites not available for biopsy, and evidence for rapid progression and sometimes regression of amyloid deposits with different rates in different organs. Labelled serum amyloid P component studies thus make a unique contribution to the diagnosis and management of individual patients with systemic amyloidosis, and to systematic studies of existing and novel therapies. The technique is available routinely for all known or suspected cases of amyloidosis in the NHS National Amyloidosis Centre at the Royal Free Hospital, but it has not been developed commercially.
Screening for Depression in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

DESCRIPTION: This article describes the update of the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for major depressive disorder (MDD) in children and adolescents. METHODS: The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the benefits and harms of screening, accuracy of primary care–feasible screening tests, and benefits and harms of treatment with psychotherapy, medications, and collaborative care models in patients aged 7 to 18 years. POPULATION: This recommendation applies to children and adolescents aged ≤18 years who do not have an MDD diagnosis. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF recommends screening for MDD in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. Screening should be implemented with adequate systems in place to ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and appropriate follow-up (B recommendation). The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for MDD in children aged ≤11 years (I statement).