Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3639: Systemic inflammation and survival of patients with prostate cancer: Evidence from the Glasgow Inflammation Outcome Study.

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: There is some evidence that pre-treatment systemic inflammation may be associated with survival in patients with prostate cancer; however, it is unclear whether this is independent of grade and stage of cancer. We therefore investigated the role of inflammation-based prognostic scores, the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), and their associations with Gleason grade and socioeconomic circumstances in patients with prostate cancer. Methods: Patients from a cohort, the Glasgow Inflammation Outcome Study, who had diagnosis of prostate cancer, were included in this study. The mGPS was constructed by combining C-reactive protein and albumin while NLR by calculating the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. We estimated five-year relative survival using the age, gender and deprivation specific life tables and relative excess risk of death by mGPS and NLR categories after adjusting for age, socioeconomic circumstances and Gleason grade. Results: Eight hundred and ninety seven prostate cancer patients were identified; of those 422 (47%) died during a maximum follow up of 6.2 years. Systemic inflammation appeared to have significant prognostic value. The mGPS predicted poorer 5-year overall and relative survival independent of age, socioeconomic circumstances, disease grade and NLR. Raised mGPS also had a significant association with excess risk of death (mGPS 2: Relative Excess Risk = 2.41, 95% CI 1.37-4.23) among aggressive, clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason grades 8-10). Similarly, age-specific analyses were also carried out and raised mGPS showed significantly higher risk of death among those with age 75 years. Conclusions: The mGPS is a strong measure of systemic inflammation, when compared to NLR. Prostate cancer patients with a raised mGPS had significantly higher risk of death for overall as well high grade disease. Inflammation-based prognostic scores predict outcome in patients with prostate cancer and should be added to their routine clinical assessment. Keywords: mGPS, NLR, prostate cancer, prognosis, Gleason grade, systemic inflammation Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3639. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3639
Discrete Smooth Interpolation : Constrained Discrete Fairing for Arbitrary Meshes

In this paper, it is shown how the Discrete Smooth Interpolation method (D.S.I.) may be used as a new framework for creating, fairing and editing triangulated surfaces. Given an arbitrary mesh with an arbitrary set of vertices fixed by the user, D.S. I. assigns coordinates to the other nodes of the mesh, enabling the fixed vertices to be interpolated smoothly. The squared discrete Laplacian criterion minimized by D.S. I. is an objective function similar to the bending energy of a thin-plate. This approach fulfills the requirements of subdivision methods, in that it provides arbitrary topology, simplicity, the possibility to define creases of variable sharpness, as well as the convergence of recursive subdivisions to a smooth surface. It does not suffer from the limitations inherent to more classic subdivision methods, such as the subdivision connectivity requirement. Moreover, D.S. I. offers a high degree of flexibility. It then becomes possible to define the surface zones to be smoothed in order of preference. Furthermore, constraints linearly combining the coordinates at the vertices of the surface may be taken into account in a least square sense. As a result, a surface can be fitted to an arbitrary set of points with, or without, specified normals. The method might also have important implications for multi-resolution editing and mesh compression. CR Categories: I.3. 5 [Computational Geometry and Object Modeling]: curve, surface, solid and object representations
Sphingosine 1‐phosphate: a prototype of a new class of second messengers

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (SPP) is an important sphingolipid‐derived second messenger in mammalian cells that acts to promote proliferation and to inhibit apoptosis. Various growth factors increase the intracellular concentration of SPP by activating sphingosine kinase, the molecular cloning of which has revealed that it defines a new type of lipid kinase. Cell fate is influenced by the balance between the intracellular concentration of SPP and that of ceramide, a pro‐apoptotic sphingolipid metabolite. The observation that a similar “rheostat” is a determinant of cell survival in yeast cells exposed to heat shock indicates that it is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of stress regulation. SPP also acts extracellularly to inhibit cell motility and to influence cell morphology, effects that appear to be mediated by the G protein‐coupled receptor EDG1. These observations indicate that SPP is the prototype of a new class of lipid mediators that exert both intracellular and extracellular actions. J. Leukoc. Biol. 65: 341–344; 1999.
Detailed Star-Formation Histories of Nearby Dwarf Irregualr Galaxies using HST

Unless the nearby universe is subtly anomalous, it should contain a relatively normal selection of galaxies whose histories are representative of field galaxies in general throughout the Universe. We can therefore take advantage of our ability to resolve the nearby galaxies into individual stars to directly, and accurately, measure star formation histories. The star formation histories are determined from model-fitting analysis, based on stellar evolution tracks, of colour-magnitude diagrams. The most accurate information on star formation rates extending back to the earliest epochs can be obtained from the structure of the main sequence. However, the oldest main sequence turnoffs are very faint, and it is often necessary to use the more evolved stars to infer the star formation history. These can then be compared with the properties of galaxies seen over a large range of lookback times at moderate to high redshifts. There is considerable evidence that the faint blue galaxies seen in large numbers in cosmological redshift surveys are the progenitors of the small late-type irregular galaxies seen in copious numbers in the Local Group, and we concentrate on these here.
Leadership Studies in Education

This is the second of two linked articles reported in this edition of the journal. Its focus is the process of mapping the field of leadership studies and producing maps of leadership practice. We locate this in both the theory of knowledge and of knowledge production from which we develop two more mapping typologies: first, an approach to the what, why and how of leaders, leading and leadership; and second, the presentation of possible positions that knowledge workers can take when they use and produce knowledge about leadership practice. We engage reflexively with these arguments and draw conclusions about the interplay between our own agency and the structures we inhabit, and how we both capture and make this real time activity transparent.
Contemporary issues in varicocele management.

DOI:10.1097/MOU.0b013e328359735a The relationship between clinical varicoceles and testicular dysfunction is well established, but the rationale for repair of varioceles in specific clinical scenarios remains controversial. In this section, we present a series of articles that address varicocele repair in the adolescent, for improvement of testosterone production, for treatment of scrotal pain, and in men with nonobstructive azoospermia. An overview of the effects of varicocele repair for male infertility is presented as a meta-analysis as well as a perspective on the use of varicocele repair in today’s era of available advanced reproductive technologies. The value of varicocele repair for treatment of patients in each of these specific clinical scenarios is strongly supported in these articles from our distinguished contributors. A few areas of perspective on these data and presentations are worthwhile, as past clinical research studies on varicocele repair do not provide the highest quality of evidence. For the adolescent patient with a clinical varicocele, the outcome of greatest importance is the prevention of infertility for the affected individual. Fine and Poppas (pp. 513–516) have nicely summarized these studies. Surrogate outcomes of testicular (catchup) growth have been used to determine which patients should undergo varicocele repair. These observations have led clinicians to use relative testicular hypotrophy [a discrepancy in testicular development for the affected (left testis)] as the primary indication for varicocele repair in the adolescent. This approach makes sense and is repeated in guidelines for varicocele management, but unfortunately still does not address the most important clinical issue: does adolescent varicocele repair prevent infertility? What is the number needed to treat (NNT) to avoid one case of infertility? These data do not exist and would require substantive longitudinal studies. Most published studies report a very high rate of pain relief after varicocele repair in men who undergo surgery for scrotal/testicular pain. My personal impression is that most of the patients who I see with a varicocele and scrotal pain do not have varicocele-associated pain. Why the discrepancy? Perhaps, there is a publication bias in series that are available and referenced in
Who's in Charge Here? Sources of Leadership for Change in Eight Schools

In this study we identified a set of change leadership functions, including sustaining a vision for change, encouraging staff, modifying standard operating procedures, and monitoring progress. This study of program change in 8 schools-4 that successfully institutionalized Elias and Clabby's Social Problem Solving (SPS) program, 3 that only institutionalized it in a token form, and 1 that institutionalized it among a subset of teachers-provided evidence that these functions do contribute to change. Data came from interviews with 8 principals, 24 teachers, 3 district informants, and SPS staff. Our results also suggested that these functions are performed redundantly by people in a variety of overlapping roles, including central office personnel, principals, teachers, and outside consultants rather by any "heroic leader. " Implications for teacher leadership are discussed.
Chemical characterization of bioactive compounds from the endophytic fungus Diaporthe helianthi isolated from Luehea divaricata

Endophytic microorganisms, defined as fungi or bacteria that colonize the interior of plants without causing any immediate negative effects or damages, have reciprocal relationships with host plants. In some cases their presence is beneficial to the host due to the synthesis of bioactive compounds, among which several alcohols, esters, ketones and others that may react with other compounds and may be lethal to pathogenic microorganisms. Diaporthe helianthi (Phomopsis helianthi in its anamorphic phase) is available worldwide, especially in Europe, Asia and America. Isolated in Europe as an agent of the sunflower stem cancer, it has also been endophytically isolated from tropical and temperate plants. A D. helianthi strain isolated from Luehea divaricata has been employed in current research. An investigation of the secondary metabolite from D. helianthi by CC and NMR of 1H and 13C yielded the separation of 10 fractions and the identification of the phenolic compound 2(-4 hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol (Tyrosol). Its antimicrobial reaction was tested and the ensuing antagonistic effects on the human pathogenic bacteria Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, phytopathogenic Xanthomonas asc. phaseoli and phytopathogenic fungi were demonstrated. Results show that bioactive compounds and Tyrosol produced by D. helianthi have a biotechnological potential.
Pathogenesis of defined invasion mutants of Yersinia enterocolitica in a BALB/c mouse model of infection

It has been hypothesized for many years that the ability of Yersinia spp. to invade tissue culture cells is reflective of their ability to penetrate the intestinal epithelium and that this capacity is an important aspect of the disease process. Three different genes from Yersinia spp. that are involved in the tissue culture invasion phenotype have been identified: inv, ail, and yadA. It was previously shown that inv is necessary for efficient penetration of the intestinal epithelium by Yersinia enterocolitica. The present study was initiated to determine whether other known Yersinia invasion factors could promote uptake of the bacteria by mice in the absence of invasion. In addition, the roles of these three invasion factors in the survival of the bacteria, lethality for mice, and development of pathology were compared. We found that YadA is necessary for persistence of Y. enterocolitica in Peyer's patches, and consistent with this observation, the yadA mutant was avirulent for mice infected either orally or intraperitoneally. In addition, the inv yadA double mutant was avirulent. Histological and immunohistological examination of the Peyer's patches of infected mice indicated that despite the presence of large numbers of CFU at 24 h the yadA and ail yadA mutants cause only minimal pathology and recruitment of macrophages. At 42 h postinfection, Peyer's patches from mice infected with the inv mutant showed no pathology, despite the prediction that some of the mice by this time would be colonized. However, at 72 h, inflammation and necrosis were evident in some Peyer's patches. Together, these observations suggest that for visible pathology to develop, a threshold number of bacteria (> 10(5)) is needed and the bacteria need to persist for more than 24 h. Lastly, YadA but not Ail may play a role in the less efficient, delayed invasion of the intestinal epithelium observed for the inv mutant.
PHAT: PHoto-z Accuracy Testing

Context. Photometric redshifts (photo-z's) have become an essential tool in extragalactic astronomy. Many current and upcoming observing programmes require great accuracy of photo-z's to reach their scientific goals. Aims. Here we introduce PHAT, the PHoto-z Accuracy Testing programme, an international initiative to test and compare different methods of photo-z estimation. Methods. Two different test environments are set up, one (PHAT0) based on simulations to test the basic functionality of the different photo-z codes, and another one (PHAT1) based on data from the GOODS survey including 18-band photometry and similar to 2000 spectroscopic redshifts. Results. The accuracy of the different methods is expressed and ranked by the global photo-z bias, scatter, and outlier rates. While most methods agree very well on PHAT0 there are differences in the handling of the Lyman-alpha forest for higher redshifts. Furthermore, different methods produce photo-z scatters that can differ by up to a factor of two even in this idealised case. A larger spread in accuracy is found for PHAT1. Few methods benefit from the addition of mid-IR photometry. The accuracy of the other methods is unaffected or suffers when IRAC data are included. Remaining biases and systematic effects can be explained by shortcomings in the different template sets (especially in the mid-IR) and the use of priors on the one hand and an insufficient training set on the other hand. Some strategies to overcome these problems are identified by comparing the methods in detail. Scatters of 4-8% in Delta z/(1 + z) were obtained, consistent with other studies. However, somewhat larger outlier rates (\textgreater 7.5% with Delta z/(1 + z) \textgreater 0.15; \textgreater 4.5% after cleaning) are found for all codes that can only partly be explained by AGN or issues in the photometry or the spec-z catalogue. Some outliers were probably missed in comparisons of photo-z's to other, less complete spectroscopic surveys in the past. There is a general trend that empirical codes produce smaller biases than template-based codes. Conclusions. The systematic, quantitative comparison of different photo-z codes presented here is a snapshot of the current state-of-the-art of photo-z estimation and sets a standard for the assessment of photo-z accuracy in the future. The rather large outlier rates reported here for PHAT1 on real data should be investigated further since they are most probably also present (and possibly hidden) in many other studies. The test data sets are publicly available and can be used to compare new, upcoming methods to established ones and help in guiding future photo-z method development.
Dimension‐specific intertrial facilitation in visual search for pop‐out targets: Evidence for a top‐down modulable visual short‐term memory effect

In visual search for pop‐out targets, target detection is expedited when the target‐defining dimension (e.g., colour) is repeated on consecutive trials, but not (or less) when the target feature (e.g., red) is repeated (Found & Müller, 1996). The present study examined whether this dimension‐specific intertrial facilitation (ITF) is mediated by an explicit or an implicit memory of the target on the previous trial. In Experiment 1, observers had no above‐chance knowledge of the target dimension (or feature) when this information was not to be encoded and retained explicitly; yet, they exhibited dimension‐specific ITF. In Experiment 2, the nature of the ITF effect was unaffected by whatever attribute of the target was to be explicitly encoded and memorized, its dimension or feature; however, ITF was increased compared to a no‐memory control condition. In Experiment 3, ITF was not increased when observers had to determine the target dimension, but without having to maintain a memory of it during the intertrial interval. These results suggest that, although an implicit memory is sufficient for producing dimension‐specific ITF, ITF is top‐down modulable by explicit memory instructions.
North-South trade, openness and growth

It has long been thought that openness to international trade can be beneficial to a country in terms of growth, and that trade liberalisation can assist in enhancing countries growth rates. For a long time such arguments were based on static theories, in which trade raises the level of income, but not the long-run growth rate. Recently, models have emerged that show how countries can increase their long-run growth rates through trade. Trade can affect growth through a number of channels. For developing countries however, the primary benefit that trade provides is likely to be access to the technology of more advanced countries. This study examines various aspects of the relationship between openness to trade and economic growth in developing countries. The study concentrates on North-South trade, since it is expected that imports from the North enhance growth by allowing access to more advanced knowledge and technology. It is shown that trade with the North can benefit countries in the South in terms of higher growth, through the importation of Northern goods. Evidence is also found to suggest that trade has a role in transferring to the South the benefits of Research and Development (R&D) conducted in the North, although these results tend not to be robust. The second part of the study examines the impact of trade liberalisation on openness and growth. It is found that trade liberalisation has tended to lower openness to imports from the North, at least in the short-run. The results suggest the possibility of a J-curve effect whereby openness initially falls, but then recovers somewhat. In the long-run we may expect openness to rise following liberalisation, but this cannot be shown in our dataset. The relationship between liberalisation and growth is also found to follow a J-curve, with liberalisation initially leading to a reduction in growth, but in the long-run increasing growth in per capita income.
Out With the Old, In With the New: Factor Analyses of a Classroom Environment Measure

Several instruments have been developed to gauge student perceptions of their classroom environment as greater attention has been given to the relationship between student achievement and student perceptions. One widely used instrument to assess those perceptions is the Classroom Environment Scale (CES), a 90-item measure for secondary level students that captures several dimensions of the classroom environment. However, psychometric analyses of this instrument are old and limited in conclusions. In order to update and reexamine the psychometric properties of the instrument, a sample of 1,207 middle school students were administered the CES. In a confirmatory factor analysis to test the model the instrument creators posited, model fit was poor. Subsequent exploratory and new confirmatory factor analyses were performed that produced more defensible results. The current study posits a new structure and model for the instrument with implications for potential users.
HOW COMMUNITY COLLEGES UNDERSTAND THE SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

While research and scholarship have long been distinguishing characteristics of universities, community colleges have focused on teaching as their primary goal. Community college faculty value excellence in the classroom, and many devote themselves to discovering and utilizing instructional methodologies that promote student success. The American Association of Higher Education's (AAHE) Carnegie Teaching Academy's focus on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has provided a new lens through which to consider effective teaching--one that informs and improves teaching practice through the creation of a dynamic link between teaching and learning research and classroom teaching. As Middlesex Community College became engaged in a The Carnegie Teaching Academy program, faculty and staff broadened their understanding of instructional pedagogy through greater appreciation of relevant connections between learning theory and classroom practice. This new "scholarship" encourages faculty to understand themselves both as practioners who can utilize research to enhance practice and researchers who can contribute to their profession through significant practice-based research.
Circular Time, Rectilinear Time

all a process of dating events, inscribing them in a chronology. Yet this framework, empty and elementary though it may appear, possesses nonetheless properties of its own, somewhat as real extension, the domain of orientation and weight, differs from pure geometrical space. Concrete time, too, has certain qualities, qualities which are not necessarily everywhere the same, and which take their configuration from the conception of the world particular to each civilization. These local cosmologies remain implicit for the most part, even though they frequently give rise to doctrines which can be highly complex. Philosophers and theologians have framed such constructions, basing them