Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis A and B in a Japanese Town

Sera collected from 1, 118 healthy children and adults aged between four years and 90 years during the period 1989 to 1990, were tested for serological markers of hepatitis A virus (HAV) [antibody to HAV(anti-HAV)] and hepatitis B virus (HBV) [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBsAb)]. The overall prevalence rates of anti-HAV, HBsAg, and anti-HBV were 20.2%, 0.36%, and 5.1%, respectively. No body was found to be positive for anti-HAV below 30 years of age but more than 70% of the adults aged 50 years or over were positive for anti-HAV. The level of exposure of HAV infection is declining in Japan and paradoxically at the same time a vast majority of people are becoming susceptible to more severe illness. The fall in prevalence of HBsAg possibly represents the positive impact of ongoing vaccination programs and other preventive measures against HBV.
Improved survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy and goserelin.

BACKGROUND We conducted a randomized, prospective trial comparing external irradiation with external irradiation plus goserelin (an agonist analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone that reduces testosterone secretion) in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. METHODS From 1987 to 1995, 415 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer were randomly assigned to receive radiotherapy alone or radiotherapy plus immediate treatment with goserelin. The patients had a median age of 71 years (range, 51 to 80). Patients in both groups received 50 Gy of radiation to the pelvis over a period of five weeks and an additional 20 Gy over an additional two weeks as a prostatic boost. Patients in the combined-treatment group received 3.6 mg of goserelin (Zoladex) subcutaneously every four weeks starting on the first day of irradiation and continuing for three years; those patients also received cyproterone acetate (150 mg orally per day) during the first month of treatment to inhibit the transient rise in testosterone associated with the administration of goserelin. RESULTS Data were available for analysis on 401 patients. The median follow-up was 45 months. Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall survival at five years were 79 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 72 to 86 percent) in the combined-treatment group and 62 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 52 to 72 percent) in the radiotherapy group (P=0.001). The proportion of surviving patients who were free of disease at five years was 85 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 78 to 92 percent) in the combined-treatment group and 48 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 38 to 58 percent) in the radiotherapy group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Adjuvant treatment with goserelin, when started simultaneously with external irradiation, improves local control and survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.
Relationship between body height and dementia.

OBJECTIVE Structural and functional brain reserves, thought to develop in childhood and adolescence, may be critical in determining the age at onset of cognitive impairment. Body height is affected by childhood conditions that promote growth. The authors examine the relationship of height in midlife and subsequent dementia, Alzheimer disease (AD), and vascular dementia. METHODS Dementia was evaluated from 1999 to 2001 in 1,892 men age 76 to 95. Height had been measured when these men participated in the Israeli Ischemic Heart Disease project in 1963. Age, socioeconomic status (SES), and area of birth were also assessed in 1963. RESULTS Older men and those with lower SES tended to be shorter. Relative to the shortest quartile, controlling for age, SES, and area of birth, the other quartiles had lesser respective odds ratios for dementia as a whole, AD, and vascular dementia. CONCLUSION Height was inversely associated with dementia, AD, and vascular dementia in a male sample. Since height is associated with childhood nutrition and may be associated with other risk factors for dementia, efforts to improve early life conditions that maximize body growth may diminish or delay the onset of dementia in later life.
Implied evaluation and the similarity-attraction effect.

In Experiment I, manipulations of similarity (high or low), implied evaluation (positive, negative, or none), sex of other, and physical attractiveness of other (high or low) produced main effects for similarity, implied evaluation, and physical attractiveness as well as a similarity by implied-evalu ation interaction. The similarity-dissimilarity effect was greater in the no-evaluation condition than in the positive- and negative-evaluation conditions. It was further found that in the no-evaluation condition, subjects perceived that the similar other would like them more than the dissimilar other. These results were interpreted as supporting three theoretical models and as ruling out a ceiling effect interpretation. In Experiment II, there were manipulations of similarity (five levels), sex of subject, and sex of other. A division of subjects into those who perceived the other would either like or dislike them versus those subjects who perceived more neutral implied evaluations resulted in an interaction with similarity. Subjects who perceived the evaluative implications of similarity showed a more marked similarity-attraction effect. A parallel analysis for subjects who differentially perceived the anticipated rewards of future interaction did not produce a significant interaction with similarity. The overall results were discussed in terms of their bearing on the three theoretical models, and the data were interpreted as giving the most support to a model implying that similarity causes liking, liking causes implied evaluation, and implied evaluation causes further liking. This model was the only one that predicted that the effect of similarity upon implied evaluation would become nonsignificant when liking was used as
Structural models for studying correlates and predictors of change

Abstract This paper is concerned with the theoretically and empirically important issue of identifying correlates and predictors of change in the context of a repeated measures design. Two traditional approaches to change measurement — the residualised observed difference score and the base-free measurement of change (Cronbach & Furby, 1970; Tuckert, Damarin, & Messick, 1966) — are initially discussed. Within the structural equation modelling methodology, the multiple-indicator extension of the original base-free measurement of change approach is then focused on. A structural model is next described that allows estimating the extent of covariation between true change and other measures. The two models permit consistent and efficient estimation of the degree of interrelationship between true change in longitudinally assessed psychological constructs and other variables, such as studied/presumed correlates and predictors of that change. These structural models are useful when it is of interest to identify v.
Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors.

Metabolic syndrome is thought to result from obesity and obesity-linked insulin resistance. Obesity in adulthood is characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy. Adipose tissue participates in the regulation of energy homeostasis as an important endocrine organ that secretes a number of biologically active "adipokines. "Heterozygous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma knockout mice were protected from high-fat diet induced obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy, and insulin resistance. Systematic gene profiling analysis of these mice revealed that adiponectin/Acrp30 was overexpressed. Functional analyses including generation of adiponectin transgenic or knockout mice have revealed that adiponectin serves as an insulin-sensitizing adipokine. In fact, obesity-linked down-regulation of adiponectin was a mechanism whereby obesity could cause insulin resistance and diabetes. Recently, we have cloned adiponectin receptors in the skeletal muscle (AdipoR1) and liver (AdipoR2), which appear to comprise a novel cell-surface receptor family. We showed that AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 serve as receptors for globular and full-length adiponectin and mediate increased AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha ligand activities, and glucose uptake and fatty-acid oxidation by adiponectin. Obesity decreased expression levels of AdipoR1/R2, thereby reducing adiponectin sensitivity, which finally leads to insulin resistance, the so-called "vicious cycle. " Most recently, we showed that osmotin, which is a ligand for the yeast homolog of AdipoR (PHO36), activated AMPK via AdipoR in C2C12 myocytes. This may facilitate efficient development of adiponectin receptor agonists. Adiponectin receptor agonists and adiponectin sensitizers should serve as versatile treatment strategies for obesity-linked diseases such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Gastric lanthanosis (lanthanum deposition) in dialysis patients treated with lanthanum carbonate

Lanthanum carbonate (LaC) is used to prevent hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients. It is commonly believed that there is little LaC absorption from the intestines. However, La deposition in the gastric mucosa, which we coined “gastric lanthanosis”, was recently reported. We describe here the clinicopathological features of and a possible mechanism for gastric lanthanosis. This study included 23 patients with definite gastric lanthanosis. We extracted characteristic clinicopathological features of gastric lanthanosis by computed tomography (CT) imaging and endoscopic, histologic, electron‐microscopic, and element analysis examinations. The Helicobacter pylori infection rate in the lanthanosis group was much lower than that among the general population. The clinicopathological features characteristic of gastric lanthanosis were mucosal high‐density linear appearance by CT, reflective bright‐white spots (BWS) by gastroscopy, eosinophilic histiocytes occasionally phagocytizing foreign materials by histology, and numerous electron‐dense particles in the histiocytes. The particles had burr‐like skeletons resembling La crystals. Gastric lanthanosis is an under‐reported, but not a rare lesion. It is characterized by endoscopic BWS and histologic eosinophilic histiocytes in dialysis patients treated with LaC. The proposed mechanism for gastric lanthanosis is that LaC is dissolved by gastric juice, crystallized within the mucosa and is phagocytized by histiocytes.
Increased Growth-Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activity of Arsenic Trioxide in Head and Neck Carcinoma Cells with Functional p53 Deficiency and Resistance to EGFR Blockade

Background and Purpose Mutations in the p53 gene are frequently observed in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (SCCHN) and have been associated with drug resistance. The potential of arsenic trioxide (ATO) for treatment of p53-deficient tumor cells and those with acquired resistance to cisplatin and cetuximab was determined. Material and Methods In a panel of 10 SCCHN cell lines expressing either wildtype p53, mutated p53 or which lacked p53 by deletion the interference of p53 deficiency with the growth-inhibitory and radiosensitizing potential of ATO was determined. The causal relationship between p53 deficiency and ATO sensitivity was evaluated by reconstitution of wildtype p53 in p53-deficient SCCHN cells. Interference of ATO treatment with cell cycle, DNA repair and apoptosis and its efficacy in cells with acquired resistance to cisplatin and cetuximab was evaluated. Results Functional rather than structural defects in the p53 gene predisposed tumor cells to increased sensitivity to ATO. Reconstitution of wt p53 in p53-deficient SCCHN cells rendered them less sensitive to ATO treatment. Combination of ATO with irradiation inhibited clonogenic growth in an additive manner. The inhibitory effect of ATO in p53-deficient tumor cells was mainly associated with DNA damage, G2/M arrest, upregulation of TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) receptors and apoptosis. Increased activity of ATO was observed in cetuximab-resistant SCCHN cells whereas cisplatin resistance was associated with cross-resistance to ATO. Conclusions Addition of ATO to treatment regimens for p53-deficient SCCHN and tumor recurrence after cetuximab-containing regimens might represent an attractive strategy in SCCHN.
Sequential Sympatric Speciation Across Trophic Levels

A major cause for biodiversity may be biodiversity itself. As new species form, they may create new niches for others to exploit, potentially catalyzing a chain reaction of speciation events across trophic levels. We tested for such sequential radiation in the Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) complex, a model for sympatric speciation via host plant shifting. We report that the parasitic wasp Diachasma alloeum (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) has formed new incipient species as a result of specializing on diversifying fly hosts, including the recently derived apple-infesting race of R. pomonella. Furthermore, we show that traits that differentially adapt R. pomonella flies to their host plants have also quickly evolved and serve as ecological barriers to reproduction, isolating the wasps. Speciation therefore cascades as the effects of new niche construction move across trophic levels.
The generation of macrophages with anti‐inflammatory activity in the absence of STAT6 signaling

Macrophages readily change their phenotype in response to exogenous stimuli. In this work, macrophages were stimulated under a variety of experimental conditions, and phenotypic alterations were correlated with changes in gene expression. We identified 3 transcriptionally related populations of macrophages with immunoregulatory activity. They were generated by stimulating cells with TLR ligands in the presence of 3 different “reprogramming” signals: high‐density ICs, PGE2, or Ado. All 3 of these cell populations produced high levels of transcripts for IL‐10 and growth and angiogenic factors. They also secreted reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐12. All 3 macrophage phenotypes could partially rescue mice from lethal endotoxemia, and therefore, we consider each to have anti‐inflammatory activity. This ability to regulate innate‐immune responses occurred equally well in macrophages from STAT6‐deficient mice. The lack of STAT6 did not affect the ability of macrophages to change cytokine production reciprocally or to rescue mice from lethal endotoxemia. Furthermore, treatment of macrophages with IL‐4 failed to induce similar phenotypic or transcriptional alterations. This work demonstrates that there are multiple ways to generate macrophages with immunoregulatory activity. These anti‐inflammatory macrophages are transcriptionally and functionally related to each other and are quite distinct from macrophages treated with IL‐4.
Finding Multi-Density Clusters in non-stationary data streams using an Ant Colony with adaptive parameters

Density based methods have been shown to be an effective approach for clustering non-stationary data streams. The number of clusters does not need to be known a priori and density methods are robust to noise and changes in the statistical properties of the data. However, most density approaches require sensitive, data dependent parameters. These parameters greatly affect the clustering performance and in a dynamic stream a good set of parameters at time t are not necessarily the best at time t+1. Furthermore, these parameters are global and so restrict the algorithm to finding clusters of the same density. In this paper, we propose a density based algorithm with adaptive parameters which are local to each discovered cluster. The algorithm, denoted Ant Colony Multi-Density Clustering (ACMDC), uses artificial ants to form nests in dense areas of the data. As the ants move between nests, their collective memory is stored in the form of pheromone trails. Clusters are identified as groups of similar nests. The proposed algorithm is evaluated across a number of synthetic data streams containing overlapping and embedded multi-density clusters. The performance of the algorithm is shown to be favourable to a leading density based stream-clustering algorithm despite requiring no tunable parameters.
Work Demands and Work-to-Family and Family-to-Work Conflict

This article uses a demands-and-resources approach to examine relationships between three types of work demands and work-to-family and family-to-work conflict: time-based demands, strain-based demands, and boundary-spanning demands. The analysis is based on data from 2,155 employed adults living with a family member who were interviewed for the 1997 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). The results indicate consistent positive relationships between the three types of demands and work-to-family conflict. Strain-based demands show the strongest relationships with family-to-work conflict. In addition, work-to-family conflict partially mediates relationships between several demands and family-to-work conflict. Thus, work demands reveal direct and indirect relationships with family-to-work conflict.
Evaluation and Analysis of Logistic Network Resilience With Application to Aircraft Servicing

To analyze the resilience of logistic networks, it is proposed to use a quantificational resilience evaluation approach. Firstly, the node resilience in a network is evaluated by its redundant resources, distributed suppliers and reachable deliveries. Then, an index of the total resilience of logistic network is calculated with the weighted sum of the node resilience. Based on the evaluation approach of resilience, the reasonable structure of the logistic networks is analyzed. A model is then studied to optimize the allocation of resources with connections, distribution centers or warehouses. Our approach has been used to study the resilience of logistic networks for aircraft maintenance and service and to guarantee the security and service quality of aeronautical systems. To monitor the operation of the logistic networks and enhance resilience, the architecture of a synthesized aircraft maintenance information management system and service logistic network is designed and being developed, which is called resilience information management system for aircraft service (RIMAS). The research results have been provided to the decision makers of the aviation management sector in the Chu Chiang Delta of China. Good comments have been achieved, which shows that the approach has potential for application in practice.
Pass Cognitive Processing: Comparison between Normal Children with Reading Difficulties

This study compared the PASS cognitive functions that represent human intelligence were based on the Luria’s three functional units of brain which are Planning, Attention, Simultaneous and Successive (PASS). Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) was used to measure the PASS cognitive functions. CAS was administered individually to 50 normal readers and 50 children with RD of primary Standard 3 English as the second language (ESL) learners in Selangor, Malaysia. This study was a descriptive design that aimed to obtain profiles of the CAS and to determine the specific weakness of cognitive processing among the subjects. There were distinct PASS cognitive profiles among the normal children and children with RD. There was significant differences for both PASS cognitive processing and reading processes between the normal readers and children with RD. Overall, the poor readers were significantly low for Simultaneous processing identified as cognitive weakness. While the normal readers didn’t show any significant weakness or strength in their overall cognitive processing of PASS. The findings were also suggested the consideration of cognitive functioning to enhance reading among Malaysian children.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the residual stomach after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS In recent years, the role of Helicobacter pylori in gastritis of the residual stomach has attracted much attention. We investigated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the residual stomach after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, as well as the correlations between Helicobacter pylori positivity and clinical characteristics or the severity of gastritis in the residual stomach. METHODOLOGY The subjects were 66 patients with gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth I reconstruction at our department. Helicobacter pylori was detected by the 13C-urea breath test, and patients were considered to be Helicobacter pylori-positive if the delta 13C value was > 2.5@1000. RESULTS The overall Helicobacter pylori positivity rate of the gastrectomy patients was a high 80.3%, with the rate being especially high in patients under 60 years of age and in those tested less than 5 years after surgery. There was a close relationship between Helicobacter pylori positivity and the severity of gastritis. CONCLUSIONS Helicobacter pylori infection appears to cause the development of gastritis. Helicobacter pylori eradication needs to be taken into consideration in the management of Helicobacter pylori-positive patients after gastrectomy.
Efficient tail estimation for sums of correlated lognormals

Our focus is on efficient estimation of tail probabilities of sums of correlated lognormals. This problem is motivated by the tail analysis of portfolios of assets driven by correlated Black-Scholes models. We propose three different procedures that can be rigorously shown to be asymptotically optimal as the tail probability of interest decreases to zero. The first algorithm is based on importance sampling and is as easy to implement as crude Monte Carlo. The second algorithm is based on an elegant conditional Monte Carlo strategy which involves polar coordinates and the third one is an importance sampling algorithm that can be shown to be strongly efficient.
Vector Clocks in Coq: An Experience Report

This report documents the process of implementing vector clocks in the Coq proof assistant for extraction and use in the distributed Dynamo-inspired data store, Riak. In this report, we focus on the technical challenges of using Core Erlang code extracted from the proof assistant in a production-grade Erlang application, as opposed to verification of the model itself.
Comparative Study : Detection of Shadow and Its Removal

The presence of shadows has been dependable for reducing the trustworthiness of many computer vision algorithms, including segmentation, object detection, scene analysis, tracking, etc. Therefore, shadow detection and removal is a significant pre-processing for improving performance of such vision tasks. This work performs comparative study for three representative works of shadow detection methods each one selected from different category: the first one based on to derive a 1-d illumination invariant shadow-free image, the second one based on a hypothesis test to detect shadows from the images and then energy function concept is used to remove the shadow from the image. In this paper, we use the transformation of the gradient field for edge suppression which will result into the removal of the shadow from an image.
Octree textures

Texturing using a set of two dimensional image maps is an established and widespread practice. However, it has many limitations. Parameterizing a model in texture space can be very difficult, particularly with representations such as implicit surfaces, subdivision surfaces, and very dense or detailed polygonal meshes. This paper proposes the use of a new kind of texture based on an octree, which needs no parameterization other than the surface itself, and yet has similar storage requirements to 2D maps. In addition, it offers adaptive detail, regular sampling over the surface, and continuity across surface boundaries. The paper addresses texture creation, painting, storage, processing, and rendering with octree textures.