Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complications of level I and II axillary dissection in the treatment of carcinoma of the breast.

OBJECTIVE To assess the complications of level I and II axillary lymph node dissection in the treatment of stage I and II breast cancer, with breast-conservation surgery and mastectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA The role of axillary dissection for staging, and as an effective means of controlling regional nodal disease, has long been recognized. As small and low-grade lesions have been detected more frequently, and as its therapeutic impact has been questioned, axillary dissection has increasingly been perceived as associated with significant complications. METHODS Two hundred patients, 112 of whom had breast-conservation surgery with axillary dissection and 88 of whom had total mastectomy with axillary dissection, were evaluated 1 year or more after surgery for arm swelling as well as nonedema complications. All patients had arm circumference measurements at the same four sites on both the operated and nonoperated sides. RESULTS No patient had an axillary recurrence. The mean difference in circumference on the nonoperated versus operated side was 0.425 cm +/- 1.39 at the midbiceps (p < 0.001), 0.315 cm +/- 1.27 at the antecubital fossa (p < 0.001), 0.355 cm +/- 1.53 at the midforearm (p < 0.005), and 0.055 cm +/- 0.75 at the wrist (n.s.). Seven patients (3.5%) had mild swelling of the hand. Heavy and obese body habitus were the only significant predictors of edema on multivariate analysis. One hundred fifty-three (76.5%) patients had numbness or paresthesias of the medial arm and/or axilla after surgery; in 125 (82%) of these, the problem had lessened or had resolved on follow-up assessment. CONCLUSIONS The characterization of a level I and II axillary dissection as a procedure with significant complications does not appear justified based on this experience.
Using Conceptual Models to Implement Natural Language Pedagogic Agent-Student Conversations

The last several decades have seen a growing trend in incorporating pedagogic conversational agents in interactive learning environments. Software systems have increasingly integrated intelligent virtual agents that can interact with students in natural language to fulfill specific tasks such as reviewing content or providing tutor training. The use of an agent-based approach in education has shown many benefits. However, certain design and development issues are still unresolved. This article focuses on the potentials of employing conceptual models to generate agent-student dialog and introduces a new mixed-initiative general domain agent called JARO. The authors report on the procedure for creating the initial conceptual model and discuss its use in guiding agent-student conversations adapted to students’ individual learning needs. The stages of implementation of the model as well as the model’s viability tested in a proof-of-concept experiment are addressed. Using Conceptual Models to Implement Natural Language Pedagogic AgentStudent Conversations
Muscle specialization in the squid motor system

SUMMARY Although muscle specialization has been studied extensively in vertebrates, less is known about the mechanisms that have evolved in invertebrate muscle that modulate muscle performance. Recent research on the musculature of squid suggests that the mechanisms of muscle specialization in cephalopods may differ from those documented in vertebrates. Muscle diversity in the development and the evolution of cephalopods appears to be characterized by modulation of the dimensions of the myofilaments, in contrast to the relatively fixed myofilament dimensions of vertebrate muscle. In addition, the arrangement of the myofilaments may also be altered, as has been observed in the extensor muscle fibres of the prey capture tentacles of squid and cuttlefish, which show cross-striation and thus differ from the obliquely striated pattern of most cephalopod locomotor muscle fibres. Although biochemical specializations that reflect differences in aerobic capacity have been documented previously for specific layers of the mantle muscle of squid, comparison of protein profiles of myofilament preparations from the fast cross-striated tentacle fibres and slow obliquely striated fibres from the arms has revealed remarkably few differences in myofilament lattice proteins. In particular, previous studies using a variety of SDS-PAGE techniques and peptide mapping of the myosin heavy chain were unable to resolve differences in the myosin light and heavy chains. Since these techniques cannot exclude the presence of a highly conserved variant that differs in only a few amino acids, in this study semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of myosin heavy chain messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from the cross-striated tentacle and obliquely striated arm muscle fibres was conducted. This analysis showed that a previously reported alternatively spliced isoform of the squid myosin motor domain is present only in low abundance in both muscle types and therefore differential expression of the two myosins cannot explain the difference in contractile properties. It thus appears that modulation of the contractile properties of the musculature of squid and other cephalopods occurs primarily through variation in the arrangement and dimensions of the myofilaments.
Psychological meaning of violence and aggression in a colombian urban sample

El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar el significado psicológico de la violencia y la agresión en una muestra urbana colombiana, así como determinar los elementos distintivos que guían a los individuos en la construcción de estos conceptos. Asimismo, se buscó identificar los elementos, conductas, sentimientos o emociones implicados en la valoración de la violencia y la agresión. Participaron 485 hombres y mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 74 años, y se utilizó la técnica de redes semánticas naturales Modificadas. Se encontró que ambos conceptos tienen considerables elementos compartidos, lo cual genera el uso indistinto de estos términos en el lenguaje coloquial, sin embargo, también tienen suficientes elementos diferenciadores para ser percibidos como constructos diferentes.
Adaptive learning in a compartmental model of visual cortex—how feedback enables stable category learning and refinement

The categorization of real world objects is often reflected in the similarity of their visual appearances. Such categories of objects do not necessarily form disjunct sets of objects, neither semantically nor visually. The relationship between categories can often be described in terms of a hierarchical structure. For instance, tigers and leopards build two separate mammalian categories, both of which are subcategories of the category Felidae. In the last decades, the unsupervised learning of categories of visual input stimuli has been addressed by numerous approaches in machine learning as well as in computational neuroscience. However, the question of what kind of mechanisms might be involved in the process of subcategory learning, or category refinement, remains a topic of active investigation. We propose a recurrent computational network architecture for the unsupervised learning of categorial and subcategorial visual input representations. During learning, the connection strengths of bottom-up weights from input to higher-level category representations are adapted according to the input activity distribution. In a similar manner, top-down weights learn to encode the characteristics of a specific stimulus category. Feedforward and feedback learning in combination realize an associative memory mechanism, enabling the selective top-down propagation of a category's feedback weight distribution. We suggest that the difference between the expected input encoded in the projective field of a category node and the current input pattern controls the amplification of feedforward-driven representations. Large enough differences trigger the recruitment of new representational resources and the establishment of additional (sub-) category representations. We demonstrate the temporal evolution of such learning and show how the proposed combination of an associative memory with a modulatory feedback integration successfully establishes category and subcategory representations.
Impact of Negative Bias Temperature Instability on 6T CMOS SRAM Cell Performance

This paper presents the effect of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) on a 6T CMOS SRAM cell and a technique to correct the NBTI induced error. The effect of NBTI on the generation of interface traps and Ids-Vgs characteristics is analyzed. The degradation of static noise margin and PMOS transistor’s Vth with increase in simulation time is analyzed in SRAM cell. Threshold voltage degradation is simulated at two different technologies and it is found that NBTI degradation is prominent in lower technology nodes. As memories occupy the maximum area on a chip, thus, more robust SRAM design is required for high reliability of SRAM cell. MOSFET reliability analysis (MOSRA) model is used to simulate the effects of Bias Temperature Instability and hot carrier injection. Error introduced because of NBTI is corrected using a bit flipping technique.
Metabolic poise in the North Atlantic Ocean diagnosed from organic matter transports

Recently there has been discussion about the metabolic state of the ocean, with arguments questioning whether the open ocean is net autotrophic or net heterotrophic. Accurately determining the metabolic balance of a marine system depends on fully defining the system being evaluated and on quantifying the inputs and outputs to that system. Here, a net northward transport of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (across 24.5°N) of 3.3 ± 1.9 Tmol C yr−1 was determined using basin‐wide transport estimates of DOC. This flux, coupled with DOC inputs from the Arctic Ocean (2.2 ± 0.8 Tmol C yr−1), the atmosphere (0.6 ± 0.08 Tmol C yr−1), and rivers (3.1 ± 0.6 Tmol C yr−1), indicates net heterotrophy in the North Atlantic (full depth, 24.5–72°N) of 9.2 ± 2.2 Tmol C yr−1. This rate is small (<2%) compared to autochthonous production (~494 Tmol C yr−1) and consumption (production : respiration of 0.98), indicating that the North Atlantic is essentially metabolically balanced and that autochthonous production is remineralized within the basin. The upper layer of the subtropical gyre has previously been reported to exhibit high rates of net heterotrophy, but our analysis does not support those findings. Instead, allochthonous inputs of organic carbon to the upper subtropical gyre are an order of magnitude less than required by the elevated rates of net heterotrophy reported. We find, too, that net mineralization of allochthonous DOC within the basin could account for 10% of the preindustrial inorganic carbon exported from the basin to the south. Two factors, the import of organic matter and the unique thermohaline circulation pattern of the North Atlantic, are primary in ensuring net heterotrophy in the basin.
Suicide gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma cells by survivin promoter-driven expression of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene

The aim of this study was to investigate the selective killing effect of the herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (TK/GCV) suicide gene system controlled by the survivin promoter on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells in vitro. Recombinant plasmid vectors driven by the survivin promoter were constructed. HepG2 HCC and LO2 normal human liver cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmids, green fluorescent protein (GFP)/pSURV, TK/pSURV and TAT-TK/pSURV. GFP expression was detected by fluoroscopy and flow cytometry (FCM). TK gene expression was detected using RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The selective killing effects after GCV application were evaluated by tetrazolium assay, FCM and western blot analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. After transfection with GFP/pSURV, TK/pSURV and TAT-TK/pSURV for 48 h, GFP expression was observed in the HepG2 cells, but not in the L02 cells and TK gene expression was evidently detected by RT-PCR and western blot analysis in the HepG2 cells. Three stably transfected cell lines (HepG2/pSURV, HepG2/TK/pSURV and HepG2/TAT-TK/pSURV) were successfully established. Compared with the HepG2/TK/pSURV group, a significant ‘bystander effect’ was observed in the HepG2/TAT-TK/pSURV group with the incorporation of unmodifed HepG2 cells at different ratios. Following transfection with TK/pSURV and TAT-TK/pSURV, the growth of HepG2 cells in the presence of GCV was markedly inhibited. This finding was further corroborated by FCM and immunoblot analysis revealed the repressed expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Our results showed that the plasmid vectors carrying the TK and TAT-TK fusion protein gene driven by the survivin promoter were successfully constructed and their specific expression in HepG2 cells provided the basis for the targeted gene therapy of HCC.
Object Action Complexes as an Interface for Planning and Robot Control

—Much prior work in integrating high-level artiﬁcial intelligence planning technology with low-level robotic control has foundered on the signiﬁcant representational di ﬀ erences between these two areas of research. We discuss a proposed solution to this representational discontinuity in the form of object-action complexes (OACs). The pairing of actions and objects in a single interface representation captures the needs of both reasoning levels, and will enable machine learning of high-level action representations from low-level control representations.
Whose Education Counts? The Impact of Grown Children's Education on the Physical Functioning of Their Parents in Taiwan

Research has identified education as an important predictor of physical functioning in old age. Older adults in Taiwan tend to experience close ties to family members and high rates of adult child coresidence much more so than is typical in Western cultures. These circumstances might imply additional health-related benefits stemming from the education of grown children. This association could arise in a number of ways for instance through the sharing of health-related information between child and parent the quality of caregiving efforts monetary assistance for medical and other services or through other psychosocial avenues. In this study a nationally representative survey of older Taiwanese is employed to examine these concurrent effects. Outcome variables include the existence of any functional limitations (dichotomously measured) and the severity of functional disorders (ordinally measured). Dichotomous and ordinal logistic models are employed. Results suggest that after adjusting for age sex and other factors both childs and parents education have an impact on the existence of physical limitations; however the childs education is more important than the parents in predicting severity limitations. This findings implies that models ignoring social network characteristics in the effort to determine health outcomes of older adults may be misspecified at least in some non-Western societies. (authors)
An Examination of the Relationship and Correlations Among Standardized Reading Test Scores, the Academic Success of Students, and the Completion of a Remedial Reading Course at a Mid-Sized Suburban Community College

While considerable attention is focused on the role of community colleges in educating the nation’s workforce, concerns pervade regarding the growing number of students whose basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics are insufficient to support success at the college-level. Community colleges contend with limited resources as they endeavor to provide opportunities to underprepared students who aspire to higher education. In order to support student success while containing costs, community colleges must examine the effectiveness of developmental program offerings. Using a quasi-experimental design, this quantitative study explored whether relationships exist between students’ scores on a standardized test in reading and the success of students at a mid-sized suburban community college and whether the successful completion of a remedial reading course affects student success. The definition of success in the study included student persistence as demonstrated through consecutive semesters of enrollment as well as by academic performance. Regression analyses were used to investigate whether reading test scores could be shown to be determinants of students' success. The study's findings suggest that standardized reading test results are not predictors of persistence or short-term academic success at the course level, but that they may be significantly related to grade point average at graduation. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Edward J. Sullivan Second Supervisor C. Michael Robinson Third Supervisor Carl L. Denti Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/113 This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/113 An Examination of the Relationships and Correlations Among Standardized Reading Test Scores, the Academic Success of Students, and the Completion of a Remedial Reading Course at a Mid-Sized Suburban Community College by Ellen M. Gambino Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Ed.D. in Executive Leadership Supervised by Edward J. Sullivan, Ed.D. Committee Members C. Michael Robinson, Ed.D. Carl L. Denti The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. School of Education St. John Fisher College
Comparison of CT Features of Aspergillus and Bacterial Pneumonia in Severely Neutropenic Patients

Purpose To establish whether a relationship exists between computed tomography features of lung opacities in severely neutropenic patients and their Aspergillus or bacterial etiology. Methods Computed tomography scans of 124 patients with lung opacities larger than 5 mm occurring during severe (neutrophils <500/mm3) and prolonged (>7 d) neutropenia—induced by bone marrow transplantation and/or high-dose chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies—were reviewed. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis or bacterial pneumonia were assessed by means of bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washing, trans-bronchial biopsy or (for bacteria only) blood cultures. Pulmonary opacities were classified as nodules or as consolidations. The presence of a perinodular ground-glass halo, the similarity of consolidations to a pulmonary infarction and the presence of cavitation (crescent-shaped or not) were recorded. Results Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis was diagnosed in 68 patients; bacterial pneumonia in 56. Nodules (85) were more common than consolidations (39); their distribution among the patients with aspergillosis (52 nodules and 16 consolidations) and those with bacterial pneumonia (33 nodules and 23 consolidations) was even. Out of the 19 nodules surrounded by a halo 17 were due to aspergillosis. Nine consolidations (3 due to aspergillosis) were infarctionlike shaped. Cavitation appeared during 22/68 aspergillosis and 31/56 bacterial pneumonias; an air-crescent in 6 patients with aspergillosis and in 24 with bacterial pneumonia. Conclusions Although rare enough, the perinodular halo is highly specific for invasive aspergillosis. The nodular pattern of lung opacities, their similarity to a pulmonary infarction, the occurrence of cavitation and the air-crescent are not related to aspergillosis.
The Auto/biographical: The theory and practice of feminist auto/biography

Introduction: On feminism, culture politics and post/modern selves enter the author, the auto/biographical I. Part 1 On auto/bimography: fictions and lives the presumptive feminist reinscribing "bio" in autography a biographer manque. Part 2 On (auto)biography: biography as microscope or kaleidoscope? - the cas of "power" in Hanah Cullwick's relationship with Arthur Munby how Olive Schreiner vanished, leaving behind only her asthmatic personality feminism and friendship. Part 3 On feminist auto/biography: is there a feminist auto/biography?
The Low-energy spectrum of (2,0) theory on T**5 x R

We consider the ADE-series of (2, 0) supersymmetric quantum theories on T(5) x R, where the first factor is a flat spatial five-torus, and the second factor denotes time. The quantum states of such a theory Phi are characterized by a discrete quantum number f is an element of H(3)(T(5), C), where the finite abelian group C is the center subgroup of the corresponding simply connected simply laced Lie group G. At energies that are low compared to the inverse size of the T5, the spectrum consists of a set of continua of states, each of which is characterized by the value of f and some number 5r of additional continuous parameters. By exploiting the interpretation of this theory as the ultraviolet completion of maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on T(4) x S(1) x R with gauge group G(adj) = G/C and coupling constant g given by the square root of the radius of the S(1) factor, one may compute the number N(f)(r) (Phi) of such continua. We perform these calculations in detail for the A- and D-series. While the Yang-Mills theory formalism is manifestly invariant under the SL(4)(Z) mapping class group of T(4), the results are actually found to be invariant under the SL(5)(Z) mapping class group of T(5), which provides a strong consistency check.
Agile Spectrum Evacuation in Cognitive Radio Networks

One of the most important aspects of cognitive radio technology is to avoid interference on the primary system. Typically, the interference is avoided by sensing a particular spectrum band for the existence of primary transmitter while all secondary users are kept quiet. Hence, a periodic sensing method is used which incorporates alternate phases of sensing and transmission by all secondary users. In this paper, we introduce a new method of agile spectrum evacuation that allows any secondary user to continue using the band until the return of the primary user is detected through the formation of a set of users that exclusively engages in sensing primary user in a cooperative manner. The proposed method yields better interference protection and enhanced spectrum utilization.
Acquired immune responses to the N- and C-terminal regions of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 in individuals exposed to malaria

In this study, we evaluated the naturally acquired immune response to Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 (PvMSP1) in individuals with recent clinical episodes of malaria from the state of Para, Brazil. Ten recombinant proteins representing the first 682 amino acids (aa) of the N-terminal region and one representing the final 111 aa of the C-terminal region were expressed in Escherichia coli as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. Both of these regions have been suggested as candidates for development of a vaccine against Plasmodium sp. The total frequencies of individuals with antibodies and cellular immune responses to PvMSP1 were high (83.8 and 75%, respectively). The recombinant proteins representing the N- and C-terminal regions were recognized by 51.4 and 64.1% of sera, respectively. The frequency of responders to the C-terminal region increased according to the number of previous malaria episodes, reaching 83.3% after four episodes. Cellular immune response was measured by in vitro proliferation and gamma interferon production. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 75 and 47.2% of individuals proliferated in response to stimulation by the N- and C-terminal regions, respectively. Also, we found that one protein representing the N terminus and a second representing the C terminus of PvMSP1 stimulated 54.5% of individuals to secrete gamma interferon. We concluded that PvMSP1 is immunogenic to a large proportion of individuals exposed to malaria. Our results also suggested that the C-terminal region of PvMSP1 containing the two epidermal growth factor-like domains is particularly immunogenic to antibodies and T cells during natural infection in humans.