Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of survival in patients with recurrent follicular lymphoma: a 20-year study from a single center.

PURPOSE To examine outcome of treatment for patients with recurrent follicular lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred twelve newly diagnosed follicular lymphoma patients were studied. One hundred seventy-nine were initially treated successfully. Recurrent or progressive lymphoma developed in 116. Treatment was given according to disease stage and current protocols, mostly with single alkylating agents. A policy of repeated lymph node and bone marrow biopsy was pursued. RESULTS The overall median survival duration was 9 years, with a median follow-up duration of 12 years. Following recurrence, the median survival duration was 4 1/2 years. Only eight of 116 patients with recurrent disease died of causes unrelated to lymphoma. The overall response rate to first re-treatment was 78% and showed slight decline with successive recurrences, reaching 48% after the fourth treatment. The median duration of second remission was 13 months, (v 31 months for first remission), with the only significant predictive factor being quality of remission. Multivariate analysis showed only age at recurrence and number of prior treatments to correlate with survival after first recurrence. Survival after second remission was only correlated with age and quality of response: Kaplan-Meier estimates gave 53% of patients reaching second complete remission alive 10 years later, compared with 28% in partial remission. CONCLUSION Age and previous and continuing responsiveness of follicular lymphoma to therapy are the principal determinants of survival following recurrence. Improvement in survival with new treatments will be demonstrated most readily in older patients, while more intensive approaches should be tested in younger patients in whom remission is achieved with difficulty.
The effect of beam polarization in Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT): Monte Carlo simulations using Geant4

Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is an innovative experimental technique potentially able to overcome the limitations of conventional radiotherapy for infantile brain tumors. Its effectiveness seems to be related to the ability of normal tissues to tolerate a very high radiation dose in small volumes, resulting in the preservation of the tissues' architecture. The effectiveness of MRT is well represented by peak-to-valley dose ratios (PVDRs), which are one of the crucial parameters associated with the outcome of the treatment. We present Geant4 Monte Carlo calculations of the dose distribution deposited by planar polarized microbeams with micrometric resolution. The simulation of the beam polarization, made possible by different libraries included in Geant4, is a crucial step in enhancing the comparability of experimental data and simulation results.
Communication and decision‐making about seeking inherited cancer risk information: findings from female survivor‐relative focus groups

Dramatic advances in cancer genetics and identification of germline mutations in cancer genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 have led to new options in genetic risk assessment for families with histories of breast and ovarian cancer. However, little research has been carried out with individuals and their families regarding how cancer risk information is communicated within families and factors that may affect individuals and family members making informed decisions about their health. This study explored participants' knowledge of cancer risk, their perceptions and concerns regarding inherited cancer risk information, family communication patterns, and factors that may affect their decision to learn about inherited cancer risk in their families. Nine focus groups of family dyads were conducted (N=39) consisting of breast or ovarian cancer patients and close female relatives. All transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative software. Key findings showed diversity in how families communicated and made decisions about their health, persistent worry for their families, lack of knowledge about inherited cancer, vigilance in watching their health, and barriers present in communicating about genetic risk. Results from this study support inclusion of family members in addressing inherited cancer risk information and contextual family factors critical to consider in potentially high risk families. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Due-Date-Based Algorithm for Lot-Order Assignment in a Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication Facility

This paper focuses on a lot-order assignment problem, called the pegging problem, in a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. Pegging is a process of assigning wafer lots to orders for wafers. We consider two types of pegging strategies: hard pegging strategy, under which the lot-order assignment is not changed once lots are assigned to orders; and soft pegging strategy, under which the lot-order assignment can be changed during the production period. For the soft pegging strategy, we develop three operational policies and three algorithms for the pegging problem of assigning lots to orders with the objective of minimizing total tardiness of the orders. To evaluate performance of the suggested policies and algorithms, we perform simulation experiments using real factory data as well as randomly generated data sets. Results of the simulation tests show that the repegging policies and the algorithms operated under the soft pegging strategy give better results than the hard pegging strategy.
Genetic analysis of group B human rotaviruses detected in Bangladesh in 2000 and 2001

Group B rotaviruses detected in Bangladesh in 2000 and 2001 were analyzed genetically to clarify relatedness to human group B rotaviruses reported previously in China and India, and to animal group B rotaviruses. VP7 gene sequences of the Bangladeshi group B rotaviruses (Bang373, Bang544, Bang334, and Bang402) were almost identical to each other and also showed high sequence identity to the Indian strain CAL‐1 (98%) and Chinese strain adult diarrhea rotavirus (ADRV) (92%), while identities to bovine and murine viruses were considerably low (60–63%). Other genes of Bang373 and Bang544 encoding VP2, VP4, VP6, and NSP1 ∼ NSP5 also showed much higher sequence identities to those of CAL‐1 (97.7–99.4%) than to those of ADRV (89.9–93.9%). Characterization of nucleotide substitutions among Bang373, CAL‐1, and ADRV suggested that all the gene segments might have evolved neutrally at similar mutation rates, while some of the gene segments (e.g., VP2 gene) were suggested to be more conserved than others. In conclusion, group B rotaviruses detected in Bangladesh represented by Bang373 and the Indian virus CAL‐1 were considered as virtually identical viruses which are distinct genetically from ADRV, and it was suggested that Bang373 (CAL‐1)‐like group B rotavirus (Bengali strains) might be distributed primarily in an area around the Bay of Bengal. J. Med. Virol. 72:149–155, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Culture of Ciona intestinalis in closed systems

Improvements in closed‐system culturing methods for marine invertebrates are important prerequisites for the generalized use of transgenic lines. We discuss here the effects of several closed‐system conditions on the growth and survival of the solitary ascidian, Ciona intestinalis. In Shimoda, close to the sea, a small‐tank system was used to ensure that tanks and systems were reasonably equipped, water exchange was rapid, and animals separated to minimize the risk of infection. In Gif‐sur‐Yvette, an inland site, we tried to determine the optimal conditions to limit handling operations, and to save artificial seawater by avoiding water pollution. A mixture of at least two types of live algae was better than any single‐organism diet. With these maintenance protocols, we were able to obtain several generations of Ciona intestinalis, including several transgenic lines. Because these systems make it easier to rear Ciona intestinalis in laboratories, they increase the potentialities of this model organism for research. Developmental Dynamics 236:1832–1840, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis: Analysis of Outcome and Quality of Life in 3707 Patients

Background:Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice for chronic, medically refractory mucosal ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), and a select group of patients with Crohn's disease. Aim:We report outcomes, complications, and quality of life (QOL) in a cohort of 3707 patients treated at our institution from January 1984 to March 2010. Methods:Data were collected from a prospectively maintained database and chart review of 3707 consecutive primary IPAA cases. Patient demographics, postoperative complications, functional outcomes, and QOL data were available. Follow-up consisted of clinical examination with assessment of pouch function and QOL. Results:A total of 3707 patients underwent primary pouch and 328 underwent redo pouch surgery. Postoperative histopathological diagnoses were mucosal ulcerative colitis (n = 2953, 79.7%), indeterminate colitis (n = 63, 1.7%), FAP (n = 223, 6%), Crohn's disease (n = 150, 4%), cancer/dysplasia (n = 97, 2.6%), and others (n = 221, 6.0%). Early perioperative complications were encountered in 33.5% of patients with a mortality rate of 0.1%. Excluding pouchitis, late complications were experienced by 29.1% of patients. Of those patients who had IPAA at our institution, pouch failure occurred in 197 patients (5.3%). During a median follow-up of 84 months, 119 patients (3.2%) required excision of the pouch, 32 (0.8%) had a nonfunctioning pouch, and 46 patients (1.2%) had redo IPAA. Functional outcomes and QOL were good or excellent in 95% of patients and similar in each histopathological subgroup. Conclusions:IPAA is an excellent option for patients with MUC, IC, FAP, and select patients with Crohn's disease.
Measuring Flow Experience of Computer Game Players

This research-in-progress paper reports on the development of an instrument for measuring flow experience of computer game players. Flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi, 1993) has been widely adopted in various research fields such as information systems (IS), human-computer action (HCI), and computer games. We argue that flow experience in computer game play leads to enjoyment and therefore can be measured as a dimension of enjoyment in addition to emotion. Development process of the instrument is discussed in this paper.
Do hospitals provide lower quality care on weekends?

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of a weekend hospitalization on the timing and incidence of intensive cardiac procedures, and on subsequent expenditures, mortality and readmission rates for Medicare patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). DATA SOURCES The primary data are longitudinal, administrative claims for 922,074 elderly, non-rural, fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with AMI from 1989 to 1998. Annual patient-level cohorts provide information on ex ante health status, procedure use, expenditures, and health outcomes. STUDY DESIGN The patient is the primary unit of analysis. I use ordinary least squares regression to estimate the effect of weekend hospitalization on rates of cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, and bypass surgery (in various time periods subsequent to the initial hospitalization), 1-year expenditures and rates of adverse health outcomes in various periods following the AMI admission. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Weekend AMI patients are significantly less likely to receive immediate intensive cardiac procedures, and experience significantly higher rates of adverse health outcomes. Weekend admission leads to a 3.47 percentage point reduction in catheterization at 1 day, a 1.52 point reduction in angioplasty, and a 0.35 point reduction in by-pass surgery (p<.001 in all cases). The primary effect is delayed treatment, as weekend-weekday procedure differentials narrow over time from the initial hospitalization. Weekend patients experience a 0.38 percentage point (p<.001) increase in 1-year mortality and a 0.20 point (p<.001) increase in 1-year readmission with congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS Weekend hospitalization leads to delayed provision of intensive procedures and elevated 1-year mortality for elderly AMI patients. The existence of measurable differences in treatments raises questions regarding the efficacy of a single input regulation (e.g., mandated nurse staffing ratios) in enhancing the quality of weekend care. My results suggest that targeted financial incentives might be a more cost-effective policy response than broad regulation aimed at improving quality.
Distribution Grid Impacts of Smart Electric Vehicle Charging From Different Perspectives

As a consequence of the developments in electric transportation and the evolution toward smart grids, large-scale deployment of smart charging strategies for electric vehicles (EVs) becomes feasible. This leads to opportunities for different market parties to use the flexibility of EVs for various objectives that may be conflicting and result in a nonoptimal shifting of peak demands for the distribution grids. In this paper, we assess the financial impact of various EV charging strategies on distribution grids. We compare a strategy that minimizes network peak loads (from a network operators perspective) with a strategy to minimize charging costs (from the perspective of a commercial party). In a scenario with a high wind penetration in the system, the electricity prices are, for a significant part, determined by the instantaneous wind production. Therefore, we additionally study the effect of wind energy on electricity prices and, consequently, on the resulting EV load and network impacts. We obtain the network costs by calculating the impacts expressed in the net present value (NPV) of the investments costs and energy losses. We found that, in the case where EVs are basing their charge schedules on electricity prices, the increase in NPV compared with a no EV scenario was found to be 25% higher than in the case where the extra peak load due to EVs was minimized. The large difference in network impacts between the price based and network based charging strategies was only observed in the case with a high wind penetration. The results strongly suggest that the situation where EVs are controlled with a strategy to minimize charging costs that does not take the distribution grids into account may not lead to an optimal situation when the entire electricity delivery system is regarded.
An evaluation of the perceived effectiveness of the Municipal Forester Institute on its participants

An Evaluation of the Perceived Effectiveness of the Municipal Forester Institute on Its Participants. (December 2009) Melanie Rena’ Kirk, B.S.; M.S., Southern University and A&M College Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Gary E. Briers Despite the plethora of strategies used to educate urban foresters, many of the training programs offered are not being evaluated for effectiveness, regardless of the entity offering the training, which limits important information on whether the programs were worth the dollars spent. This study evaluates the effectiveness the Municipal Forester’s Institute (MFI) had on its participants. The MFI was developed as an in-depth leadership institute to train municipal foresters in both the managerial and leadership aspects of urban forestry. The research subjects in this study were the participants of the 2006 MFI. The satisfaction survey measured the participant satisfaction rate on a 5-point Likert scale (1= Not at all, 2 = Slightly Satisfied, 3= Somewhat Satisfied, 4= Mostly Satisfied, 5=Completely Satisfied), and yielded an overall score of “Mostly Satisfied” (4.56). A five point Likert scale online evaluation was used to measure the behavior change, and change in knowledge of the study (1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Somewhat Agree, 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree, 4 = Somewhat Agree, 5 = Strongly agree). The behavior change and increase in knowledge portion of the survey was divided into categories that mirrored the objectives
EDRF in pulmonary resistance vessels from fetal lamb: stimulation by oxygen and bradykinin.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor-nitric oxide (EDRF-NO) has been studied in isolated, pulmonary resistance vessels from term fetal lambs at a fetal (21 +/- 0.2 mmHg) and neonatal (69 +/- 0.4 mmHg) PO2. Bradykinin dose dependently (0.1-100 nM) relaxed arteries and veins that had been precontracted with a thromboxane A2 analogue. Their response did not differ at low PO2, whereas the response of the arteries was greater at high PO2. Sodium nitroprusside was almost as potent as bradykinin on the arteries, but its action did not vary with PO2. Acetylcholine also relaxed the arteries at higher concentrations (0.1-100 microM). N omega-mono-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (both at 100 microM) weakly contracted arteries at low PO2. The contraction to L-NAME, but not L-NMMA, increased with the PO2. In the arteries, L-NAME had no effect on bradykinin relaxation at low PO2, whereas it was an inhibitor at high PO2. Conversely, L-NMMA slightly inhibited bradykinin relaxation regardless of PO2. In the veins, L-NAME transiently increased basal tone and inhibited bradykinin relaxation at either PO2. Indomethacin (2.8 microM) had no effect on arteries at low PO2, whereas it was a constrictor at high PO2. No indomethacin constriction occurred in the veins. We conclude that fetal pulmonary resistance vessels possess an EDRF-NO relaxing mechanism that is stimulated by bradykinin. In the arteries, this mechanism is more effective at high PO2. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Real Time Range Tracker (RTRT): Range accuracy performance

An Android application (app), called Real Time Range Tracker, was developed as part of a Naval Innovation Science and Engineering program and provides near real-time “line of sight” range between mobile smart devices. In order to properly design tests and analyze test results, the accuracy of the data generated by the app must be fully understood along with any associated measurement uncertainties. This paper discusses the methods used to assess the app's performance and resulting analysis of the range accuracy. The app's stationary range accuracy was found to be 4.2 meters (13.8 feet) and the mobile-to-mobile range accuracy was found to be 95.7 meters (314 feet) for speeds up to 70 mph and ranges up to 20 miles apart. Additionally, sources of accuracy error are discussed and quantified. Based upon this information, a worst-case accuracy prediction equation is provided for cases where test conditions are known. This equation was found to adequately predict an accuracy that was worst-case when compared to actual data sets obtained during testing.
The social norm of unemployment in relation to mental health and medical care use: the role of regional unemployment levels and of displaced workers

The relationships between unemployment, mental health (care) and medication use among 50–65 year-old men (N = 11,789) and women (N = 15,118) are studied in Europe. Inspired by the social norm theory of unemployment, the relevance of regional unemployment levels and workplace closure are explored, using multilevel analyses of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement. In line with the social norm theory, the results show that – only for men – displaced workers are less depressed and use less medication than the non-displaced unemployed. However, they report more depressive symptoms than the employed, which supports the causal effect of unemployment on mental health. Non-displaced unemployed men are also more likely to consume medication than the displaced unemployed. In addition, using regional unemployment as a proxy for the social norm of unemployment can be questioned when studying mental health effects, as it seems to be a stronger measurement of labour market conditions than of the social norm of unemployment, especially during a recession.
Influence of surface charge of gold nanorods on skin penetration

The skin plays an important role as a protective barrier against toxic environments and also is a route of drug administration. In spite of evidence for and interest in the skin penetration of nanoparticles, no study has examined the effect of nanoparticle surface charge on percutaneous absorption. In this study, we investigated the effect of surface charges of gold nanorods (GNs) on skin penetration.
GeoNet: A project enabling active safety and IPv6 vehicular applications

Next generation vehicles are expected to exchange information with other non-LOS vehicles, the road infrastructure and databases in the Internet in order to increase road safety and traffic efficiency, or simply to entertain passengers. In this context, the mutual knowledge of positions and trajectories is necessary and is only meaningful to vehicles in a particular geographic area - potentially far away from the information source. It requires reliable and scalable communication capabilities which we refer to as geographic addressing and routing (geonetworking). The TCP/IP protocol suite provides a unification layer between various physical communication technologies and various types of applications. A wide deployment of invehicle/onboard Internet access and services to millions of vehicles will only be possible with IPv6, the latest version of the Internet Protocol. However, geonetworking and IPv6 need still to be combined efficiently, which corresponds to GeoNet project target, i.e. to have single communication architecture, referred as "IPv6 geonetworking". It will allow for both IPv6 and non-IPv6 communications and will effectively provide a path to new and outstanding applications requiring data transmission to explicit geographical areas. GeoNet aims at developing a reference specification of "IPv6 geonetworking", with active participation in standardization bodies such as ETSI TC ITS, ISO TC204 WG16 (CALM) and IETF.
The Wave Concepts Inventory-an assessment tool for courses in electromagnetic engineering

The Foundation Coalition at Arizona State University offered for the first time a novel upper division integrated course in Electrical Engineering in the fall '97 semester. The courses involved were (1) an introduction to the properties of electronic materials and (2) the first course for EE majors in electromagnetic engineering. The main thread that integrated the two courses was "wave phenomena". To determine whether this integration successfully teaches the students in wave phenomena, we developed an assessment tool, which we have called the Wave Concepts Inventory. This paper describes in detail the organization of the Waves Concepts Inventory and its use in assessing upper division students in their understanding of wave concepts.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the enzyme Catechol-O-Methyltransferase: methodological issues

Results from extensive 70 ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme are reported. The simulations were performed with explicit TIP3P water and Mg2 + ions. Four different crystal structures of COMT, with and without different ligands, were used. These simulations are among the most extensive of their kind and as such served as a stability test for such simulations. On the methodological side we found that the initial energy minimization procedure may be a crucial step: particular hydrogen bonds may break, and this can initiate an irreversible loss of protein structure that becomes observable in longer time scales of the order of tens of nanoseconds. This has important implications for both molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics–molecular mechanics simulations. 1Presented at CMTPI 2007: Computational Methods in Toxicology and Pharmacology Integrating Internet Resources (Moscow, Russia, September 1–5, 2007).