Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rituximab as first-line and maintenance therapy for patients with indolent non-hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate response to single-agent rituximab in patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and no previous systemic therapy, and the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of maintenance rituximab, administered at 6-month intervals, in patients with objective response or stable disease after first-line rituximab therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with indolent NHL (follicular or small lymphocytic subtypes) previously untreated with systemic therapy received rituximab 375 mg/m(2) intravenously weekly for 4 weeks. Patients were restaged at week 6 for response; those with objective response or stable disease received maintenance rituximab courses (identical dose and schedule) at 6-month intervals. Maintenance was continued for a maximum of four rituximab courses or until progression. Between March 1998 and May 1999, 62 patients were entered onto this trial; minimum follow-up was 24 months. RESULTS Sixty patients (97%) completed the first 4-week course of rituximab and were assessable for response. All have now completed rituximab therapy; 36 (58%) received four courses at 6-month intervals. The objective response rate at 6 weeks was 47%; 45% of patients had stable disease. With continued maintenance, final response rate increased to 73%, with 37% complete responses. Response was similar in patients with follicular versus small lymphocytic subtypes (76% v 70%, respectively). Median actuarial progression-free survival was 34 months. Two patients experienced grade 3/4 toxicity with the first dose; one patient was removed from treatment. No cumulative or additional toxicities were seen with maintenance courses. CONCLUSION Rituximab is highly active and extremely well tolerated as first-line single-agent therapy for indolent NHL. First-line treatment with scheduled maintenance at 6-month intervals produces high overall and complete response rates and a longer progression-free survival (34 months) than has been reported with a standard 4-week treatment.
EVIDENCE ON DELTA HEDGING AND IMPLIED VOLATILITIES FOR THE BLACK‐SCHOLES, GAMMA, AND WEIBULL OPTION PRICING MODELS

Modifying the distributional assumptions of the Black-Scholes model is one way to accommodate the skewness of underlying asset returns. Simple models based on the compensated gamma and Weibull distributions of asset prices are shown to produce some improvements in option pricing. To evaluate these assertions, I construct and compare delta hedges of all S&P 500 options traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange between September 2001 and October 2003 for the Weibull, Black-Scholes, and gamma models. I also compare implied volatilities and their smiles (i.e., nonlinearities) among the three models. None of the three models improves over the others as far as delta hedging is concerned. Volatilities implied by all three models exhibit statistically significant smiles. 2005 The Southern Finance Association and the Southwestern Finance Association.
No Evidence for Long-Term Causal Associations Between Symptoms of Premature Ejaculation and Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Sexual Distress in a Large, Population-Based Longitudinal Sample

Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common male sexual complaints, but its etiology is unclear. Psychological problems, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression, have traditionally been seen as causal or maintaining etiological components of PE, and previous cross-sectional studies have found weak positive associations between them. The aim of the present study was to test possible causal pathways over time between PE and symptoms of the psychological problems anxiety, depression, and sexual distress. A sample of 985 male Finnish twins and brothers of twins completed a questionnaire in 2006 and 2012. Significant bivariate correlations were found both within and across time between PE and the psychological problems. When fitting structural equation models to test hypothesized causal pathways, symptoms of anxiety and sexual distress at the first measurement time point did not predict future PE. Likewise, PE symptoms at the first measurement did not predict increments or decrements in anxiety, sexual distress, or depression later on. These null findings regarding hypothesized associations may partly be explained by the relatively long time between measurements, or that the measures possibly did not capture the aspects of anxiety that are related to PE.
Risk perception in the Norwegian shipping industry and identification of influencing factors

In the recent years, safety culture in relation to shipboard safety and organizational factors has received increasing interest within the shipping industry. This study examines this relationship, where risk perception is an indicator for shipboard safety. Data was derived from a survey carried out in 2006, where 1262 questionnaires were collected from 76 vessels. Explorative factor analyses were used to extract factors of safety culture. Analysis of variance was used to assess the associations between the safety cultural factors and demographic and organizational variables. Finally, linear regression analysis was carried out to assess the association between risk perception and safety culture, controlling for the influence of demographic and organizational variables; age, department, vessel type and nature of work. The results suggest that safety-oriented shipboard management style, performance of proactive working practices and good reporting practices all contribute to a better perception of shipboard safety, while a high demand for efficiency contributes to a more negative perception of the safety level. Further, safety is perceived as better when work is performed as a team. To gain a better understanding of risk perception and safety at sea, it would be helpful to further examine the characteristics and influences of teamwork.
microRNAs: a new class of breast cancer biomarkers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory molecules known to be aberrantly expressed in cancer and contribute to numerous aspects of tumor biology including the initiation, growth and spread of the tumor. With such diverse roles, it is becoming apparent that some may also provide valuable information which may be of use in a clinical setting, demonstrating the potential to act as both screening tools for the stratification of high-risk patients, while informing the treatment decision-making process. There is mounting evidence to suggest that some miRNAs may even provide assistance in the diagnosis of patients with breast cancer. In addition, miRNAs may themselves be considered therapeutic targets, with inhibition or reintroduction of a particular miRNA capable of inducing a response in vivo. This review focuses on miRNAs that have prognostic, diagnostic or predictive potential in breast cancer as well as the possible challenges in the translation of such observations to the clinic.
A time dynamic pair copula construction: with financial applications

A recent technology in the statistics and econometrics literature is the Pair-Copula Construction (PCC), an extremely flexible modelling technique for capturing complex, but static, multivariate dependency. There are several available tools for time-varying bivariate copulas, but none for time-varying multivariate copulas in more than two dimensions. We use a Bayesian framework to extend the PCC to account for time dynamic dependence structures, introducing time dynamics to the multivariate copula through its PCC decomposition. In particular, we model the time series of a transformation of select parameters of the PCC as a first order autoregressive model (AR(1)) and conduct inference using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm. The Bayesian approach proves to be a powerful tool for estimating parameters, despite some additional computational effort. We use financial data to illustrate empirical evidence for the existence of time dynamic dependence structures, to show improved out-of-sample forecasts for our time dynamic PCC relative to the current time static PCC models, and to compare the relative performance of dynamic and static PCC models for Value at Risk (VaR) measures.
A model for ethical management of faculty—Student dual relationships.

The article discusses the nature of faculty-student dual relationships and provides guidelines for their ethical management. Three general guidelines for faculty in maintaining ethical relationships with students are (a) acknowledging the power and responsibility of the faculty role, (b) developing a frame for evaluating faculty-student relationships, and (c) fostering and maintaining a climate that supports ethical relationships with students. As a profession, psychologists should be discussing this issue more openly, and research on problematic faculty-student relationships and their management is warranted. Awareness of dilemmas concerning dual-role relationships and experience in addressing these dilemmas may provide valuable lessons for the student's future professional interactions with clients, students, and other professionals.
Pretreatment Cognitive Profile Likely to Benefit from Donepezil Treatment in Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Pooled Analyses of Two Randomized Controlled Trials

Background/Aims: Based on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) subitem scores, in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), we aimed to delineate features of cognitive impairment, identify cognitive domains improved by donepezil, and define a pretreatment cognitive profile likely to benefit from donepezil. Methods: Pooled data were used from two randomized controlled trials of donepezil in DLB (n = 235). Baseline MMSE subitem scores were calculated for all patients. Mean changes in subitem scores at week 12 were compared between the placebo and the active group. Finally, the subgroup identification based on differential effect search (SIDES) method was applied. Results: Baseline subitem scores were relatively low for serial 7's, delayed recall, and copying. Significant improvement by donepezil was found for orientation, serial 7's, repetition, 3-step command, and copying. The subgroup with pretreatment scores of serial 7's = 1, 2, or 3, delayed recall ≥1, and copying = 0 were the best responders. MMSE change in subgroups increased as more of these three conditions were fulfilled. Conclusion: Cognitive domains characteristically impaired in DLB are particularly improved by donepezil. The number of fulfilled conditions for serial 7's = 1, 2, or 3, delayed recall ≥1, and copying = 0 (likely to benefit score) may predict the response to donepezil in DLB patients.
National Culture and Information Technology Product Adoption

Abstract National culture is likely to play a role in Information Technology (IT) adoption. Data from a large scale study of national culture are used to predict the adoption of six information technologies -- PC, Telephone, Cell Phone, Fax, the Internet, and Pager — over a ten year period in thirty one nations. The results show that even after controlling for national economic and social differences, national cultural dimensions significantly predict most IT product adoptions.
Alterations in the TOP2A and HER2 genes: association with adjuvant anthracycline sensitivity in human breast cancers.

In this issue of the Journal, O’Malley et al. ( 1 ) present important, critical, and compelling new evidence regarding the association between alterations in the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 ( HER2 ) amplicon and incremental sensitivity to anthracyclinebased adjuvant therapy for breast cancers. This report is the latest in a series of publications that question the generalized assumption that there is an incremental benefit to all breast cancer patients who receive anthracycline-based adjuvant therapy as opposed to non – anthracycline-containing adjuvant therapy. This premise has dominated the design of studies and clinical practice utilization for the vast majority of adjuvant regimens worldwide over the past 30 years. The widespread use of adjuvant anthracyclines is almost entirely based on the well-known meta-analysis published by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists ’ Collaborative Group, frequently referred to as the Oxford “Overview” ( 2 ), rather than results from any single study. Indeed, the majority of individual studies have failed to show a substantial benefit from anthracycline-based adjuvant regimens over non – anthracyclinecontaining adjuvant regimens in breast cancer. The “Overview” used data derived from more than 15 000 women enrolled in 17 separate trials to show that breast cancer patients who received an anthracycline as part of their adjuvant treatment who had an absolute 3 to 4.5 percentage point improvement in relapse-free survival (RFS ) and overall survival (OS) compared with women who received nonanthracycline regimens ( 2 ). The magnitude of these benefits has generally been considered to outweigh the well-known, long-term,
Acid etching and composite resin restorations. A culturing and histologic study on bacterial penetration.

Class-V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of homologous pairs of premolars in vivo. Composite resin restorations (Adaptic®) were performed using two different acid-etch techniques. All cavities were unlined. Four cavities were unetched and served as controls. In one series the enamel margins were etched and a non-composite intermediate resin was used before filling. In the second series the enamel surrounding the composite filling was etched after the insertion of the composite resin and coated with an UV-light polymerized resin (Nuva-Seal®). The results were evaluated using both histological and culturing techniques. Neither of the two etching techniques was effective in preventing marginal leakage and in growth of bacteria was found along the cavity walls. The cervical border of the Class-V cavity is considered a weak link for marginal leakage. Culturing revealed a bacterial flora resembling that of dental plaque.
A minimal-variable symplectic integrator on spheres

We construct a symplectic, globally defined, minimal-variable, equivariant integrator on products of 2-spheres. Examples of corresponding Hamiltonian systems, called spin systems, include the reduced free rigid body, the motion of point vortices on a sphere, and the classical Heisenberg spin chain, a spatial discretisation of the Landau-Lifshitz equation. The existence of such an integrator is remarkable, as the sphere is neither a vector space, nor a cotangent bundle, has no global coordinate chart, and its symplectic form is not even exact. Moreover, the formulation of the integrator is very simple, and resembles the geodesic midpoint method, although the latter is not symplectic.
Probiotics and Child Care Absence Due to Infections: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled study in which we examine the effect of probiotics (BB-12 and LGG) on child care absenteeism and infections in infants. OBJECTIVES: The risk of infections is higher in children attending child care compared with children cared for at home. This study examined the effect of a combination of probiotics on absence from child care because of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in healthy infants aged 8 to 14 months at the time of enrollment in child care. METHODS: The ProbiComp study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 290 infants were randomly allocated to receive a placebo or a combination of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus in a dose of 109 colony-forming units of each daily for a 6-month intervention period. Absence from child care, occurrence of infant symptoms of illness, and doctor visits were registered by the parents using daily and weekly Web-based questionnaires. RESULTS: Median absence from child care was 11 days (interquartile range: 6–16). Intention-to-treat analysis showed no difference between the probiotics and placebo groups (P = .19). Additionally, there was no difference in any of the secondary outcomes between groups; the number of children with doctor-diagnosed upper or lower respiratory tract infections, the number of doctor visits, antibiotic treatments, occurrence and duration of diarrhea, and days with common cold symptoms, fever, vomiting, or caregivers’ absence from work. CONCLUSIONS: A daily administration of a combination of B animalis subsp lactis and L rhamnosus for 6 months did not reduce the number of days absent from child care in healthy infants at the time of enrollment in child care.
Production and Profitability Responses to Alternative Protein Sources and Levels in Broiler Rations

Abstract Profitability of using alternative protein sources in broiler feed is investigated through the development of a two-stage mathematical program that optimizes broiler production. A case study of peanut meal vs. soybean meal is examined. Value of marginal product concepts incorporated in this model permit analysis of demand adjustments before decisions on the production process occur. Given reported input and output prices, results indicate that soybean meal is generally more profitable than peanut meal. Peanut meal can be more profitable at higher dietary protein levels fed to broilers processed into whole carcass or at relatively higher prices for soybean meal.
MDR1 G1199A polymorphism alters permeability of HIV protease inhibitors across P-glycoprotein-expressing epithelial cells

Objective:To evaluate the impact of the human multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) G1199A polymorphism (amino acid change Ser400Asn) on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-dependent transepithelial permeability and uptake kinetics of HIV protease inhibitors (PI), by using recombinant epithelial cells expressing wild-type MDR1 (MDR1wt) or the G1199A variant (MDR11199A). Methods:Using a recombinant expression system developed previously, the transepithelial permeability and uptake kinetic parameters of five PI, amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir were estimated across polarized epithelial cells. Results:For all PI, the transepithelial permeability ratio (basolateral-to-apical transport divided by apical-to-basolateral transport) was significantly greater in MDR11199A cells than MDR1wt cells: amprenavir (1.7-fold), indinavir (1.8-fold), lopinavir (1.5-fold), ritonavir (2.8-fold), and saquinavir (2.1-fold). However, the impact of G1199A on P-gp activity appeared to primarily influence drug permeability in the apical-to-basolateral direction. Kinetic analysis of ritonavir and saquinavir uptake by MDR1wt- and MDR11199A-expressing cells showed that Vmax was similar, while uptake Km was significantly higher in cells expressing the G1199A variant suggesting that alterations in P-gp-dependent efflux mediated by G1199A were due to changes in transporter affinity. Conclusions:Alterations in transepithelial permeability of HIV PI due to the G1199A polymorphism may impact oral bioavailability of PI and penetration into cells and tissues of the lymphoid and central nervous systems.
TOTAL PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY IN COLOMBIAN WATERS AND SOILS

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) were required by the Colombian Environmental Authorities. However, the great diversity of hydrocarbon sources, in addition to the variety of available techniques and analytical methods had created confusion among the users of the data in regards to the appropriate methodologies. This study presents the results obtained in the method validation for the determination of TPHs in waters and soils/sediments using the HRGC/FID technique and its application in the Colombian Exploration and Production (E&P) industry. HRGC coupled to FID Detector (HRGC/FID) was used to determine individual alkane hydrocarbon in the Gasoline Range (GRO) and Diesel Range (DRO). The limit of detection was established in 0.020 µg mL -1 for waters and 2.30 µg g -1 for soils and sediments. The recovery percentage of water samples were 101 and 98%, while for soils was 99 and 97% for both, low and high levels of n-alkane hydrocarbons, respectively. This method is an economical, fast and accurate way to determinate TPHs and individual alkane hydrocarbons in water and soil samples. The method provides the robustness, limit of detection and percentage of recovery enough to comply with Colombian environmental regulations.
Clinical features of cocaine induced paranoia.

Objective: The authors’ objective was to assess the frequency and nature of cocaineinduced paranoia. Method: They interviewed 50 cocaine-dependent men consecutively admitted to a 28-day rehabilitation program. Results: Thirty-four (68%) of the 50 men reported highly distressing transient paranoid states in the context of cocaine use. The men who experienced paranoia did not differ from those who did not in age, race, or measures of cocaine use. The mean duration and amount ofcocaine use before development of paranoia of the men who reported paranoia were not significantly different from the mean lifetime duration and amount of cocaine used by the men who did not report paranoia. Paranoia became more severe and developed more rapidly with continued cocaine use. Conclusions: The transient paranoid state appears to be a common feature ofcocaine dependence and does not seem to be simply a result of exceeding a threshold of use. Rather, affected individuals might possess a predisposition to this drug-induced state. The fact that paranoia became more severe and developed more rapidly with continued drug use is consistent with a sensitization model of cocaine-induced paranoia. In vulnerable individuals, limbic sensitization may underlie its expression, but localization to a specific brain region is speculative. Quantity ofuse and route ofadministration do not appear directly to predispose to this phenomenon. Future investigations must be aimed at uncovering the markers and meaning of vulnerability to transient paranoia in heavy cocaine users. (Am J Psychiatry 1991; 148:495-498)
The “Employment‐first” Welfare State: Lessons from the New Deal for Young People

New Labour is introducing an 'employment first' welfare state. A new Jobcentre Plus Agency is transforming the passive culture of the benefit system and creating more explicit links between individual behaviour and engagement with labour market programmes. The New Deal for Young People (NDYP) has been at the forefront of these changes. This article reports on the findings from four independent case studies to explore how the NDYP is being implemented at the front line and how this welfare to work regime has changed young people's experience of the welfare state. It concludes that the programme is not the monolithic instrument of social control, suggested by many of its social policy critics, but a complex and sometimes contradictory synthesis of employment assistance and pressure which has made real progress in improving front line services and getting young long term unemployed people into work.