Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase II study of irinotecan (CPT-11) administered every 2 weeks as treatment for patients with colorectal cancer resistant to previous treatment with 5-fluorouracil-based therapies: comparison of two different dose schedules (250 and 200 mg/m2) according to toxicity prognostic factors

Our objective was to assess the antitumoral activity and toxicity of irinotecan (CPT-11) 60-min i.v. infusion every 2 weeks as second-line monotherapy of advanced colorectal cancer. Two doses were studied (250 and 200 mg/m2) according to the risk of developing toxicity. Two groups of patients were studied: high-risk group (HR, 200 mg/m2, n=45; Karnofsky score 60–80% and/or the record of prior pelvic irradiation) and low-risk-group (LR, 250 mg/m2, n=51; Karnofsky score >80% and without prior pelvic irradiation). The mean number of cycles per patient was 7: 6.6 (HR group) and 8.3 (LR group). Median RDI was 0.96. The overall response rate was 8.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5–21.2%; HR group] and 15.7% (95% CI 7.0–28.5%; LR group), respectively. The LR group showed two complete responses and a higher percentage of stable disease (56.9 versus 33.3% in HR group). The median survival was 7.1 months (95% CI 5.2–8.9 months, HR group) and 11.7 months (95% CI 8.4–15.1 months, LR group). The median time to disease progression was 3.2 months (95% CI 1.0–5.4 months, HR group) and 5.3 months (95% CI 3.8–6.7 months, LR group). Both CPT-11 treatments were well tolerated. Grade 3/4 toxicity incidence was low, e.g. granulocytopenia (7% of patients in HR group and 9% in LR group) and delayed diarrhea (18% of patients in HR group and 14% in LR group). We conclude that the treatment of patients with the adjusted dose of CPT-11 according to prognostic factors for toxicity resulted in the improved toxicity profile, but showed poorer efficacy outcome. Therefore, the dose reduction in patients with low performance and treated with radiotherapy needs further investigation to provide some new insights on the benefit:risk ratio of such treatment.
"CDG Lab": An Integrated Environment for Categorial Dependency Grammar and Dependency Treebank Development

We present ''CDG Lab'', an integrated environment for development of dependency grammars and treebanks. It uses the Categorial Dependency Grammars (CDG) as a formal model of dependency grammars. CDG are very expressive. They generate unlimited dependency structures, are analyzed in polynomial time and are conservatively extendable by regular type expressions without loss of parsing efficiency. Due to these features, they are well adapted to definition of large scale grammars. CDG Lab supports the analysis of correctness of treebanks developed in parallel with evolving grammars.
0 N SMMS Software Module Guide

interface an abstraction that represents more than one interface (see interface, module interface); it consists of the assumptions that are included in all of the interfaces that it represents. abstraction a description of a set of objects that applies equally well to any one of them. Each object is an instance of the abstraction. access function see access program access program a program that may be called by programs outside of the module to which it belongs. Most run-time communication between modules is effected by invocation of access programs. There are several different sorts of access functions: some return information to the caller, some change the state of the module to which they belong, and some do both.ion a description of a set of objects that applies equally well to any one of them. Each object is an instance of the abstraction. access function see access program access program a program that may be called by programs outside of the module to which it belongs. Most run-time communication between modules is effected by invocation of access programs. There are several different sorts of access functions: some return information to the caller, some change the state of the module to which they belong, and some do both. domain a set of access permissions. The access permissions specify a set of objects and set of operations that may be applied to those objects. hidden submodule a submodule whose existence is part of the secret of the parent module. interface (1) between two programs: the assumptions that each programmer needs to make about the other program in order to demonstrate the correctness of his own program. (2) between a program and a device: assumptions about the device that. must be accounted for in the program in order for the program to work as expected. internal program a program that is not accessible to programs outside the module; the existence of the internal program is part of the secret of the module. module a programming work assignment consisting of one or more programs. A module may be divided into smaller modules (submodules). module facility the access programs and events provided by a module in order to allow user programs to be independent of the module secret. A complete description of a facility is a specification of the module. module hierarchy a hierarchy defined by the relation "contains" on pairs of modules. module implementation the algorithms, data structures, and programs that satisfy the module specification. module interface the set of assumptions that the authors of external programs may make about the module. It includes restrictions on the way that the module may be used. In the SINIS software, modules communicate either by one module using access program from the other module, or by one module inspecting the value of a shared object that was set by the other module. The interface consists of a.ssumptions about the availability of the access programs, the syntax of the calls on the access programs, the behavior of the access programs, and the meaning of events. See also interface.
Limits on the adaptability of coastal marshes to rising sea level

Assumptions of a static landscape inspire predictions that about half of the world's coastal wetlands will submerge during this century in response to sea‐level acceleration. In contrast, we use simulations from five numerical models to quantify the conditions under which ecogeomorphic feedbacks allow coastal wetlands to adapt to projected changes in sea level. In contrast to previous sea‐level assessments, we find that non‐linear feedbacks among inundation, plant growth, organic matter accretion, and sediment deposition, allow marshes to survive conservative projections of sea‐level rise where suspended sediment concentrations are greater than ∼20 mg/L. Under scenarios of more rapid sea‐level rise (e.g., those that include ice sheet melting), marshes will likely submerge near the end of the 21st century. Our results emphasize that in areas of rapid geomorphic change, predicting the response of ecosystems to climate change requires consideration of the ability of biological processes to modify their physical environment.
A Structure-Based Approach to Psychological Assessment

The present article sets forth the argument that psychological assessment should be based on a construct’s latent structure. The authors differentiate dimensional (continuous) and taxonic (categorical) structures at the latent and manifest levels and describe the advantages of matching the assessment approach to the latent structure of a construct. A proper match will decrease measurement error, increase statistical power, clarify statistical relationships, and facilitate the location of an efficient cutting score when applicable. Thus, individuals will be placed along a continuum or assigned to classes more accurately. The authors briefly review the methods by which latent structure can be determined and outline a structure-based approach to assessment that builds on dimensional scaling models, such as item response theory, while incorporating classification methods as appropriate. Finally, the authors empirically demonstrate the utility of their approach and discuss its compatibility with traditional assessment methods and with computerized adaptive testing.
Malassezia: is it a pulmonary pathogen in the stem cell transplant population?

Abstract: Malassezia furfur is a yeast that can cause a variety of infections, most commonly in normal hosts, and also in immunocompromised hosts. This yeast typically colonizes the skin, and is the causative agent of tinea versicolor. However, in immunocompromised hosts, it can more commonly cause catheter‐related fungemia or folliculitis. Pulmonary infections from Malassezia have not been commonly recognized. Unlike many other common opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised hosts, neutropenia and the use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics do not appear to be significant risk factors for Malassezia infections in the stem cell transplant (SCT) population. Additionally, disseminated infection, despite fungemia, is uncommon. A series of patients who underwent SCT at the University of Minnesota between 2004 and 2006 were reviewed for the occurrence of suspected Malassezia infections in the post‐transplant period. Four cases of possible pulmonary M. furfur infection were identified in our SCT recipients. The clinical characteristics of these patients, the infections, treatment, and outcome are described. In addition, we discuss the possible pathogenicity of this yeast in the pulmonary setting.
Implementing excellence in your health care organization - managing, leading and collaborating McSherry Rob Warr Jerry Implementing excellence in your health care organization - managing, leading and collaborating Open University press £24.99 240pp 9780335234776 0335234771 [Formula: see text].

This is the second in a series of texts related to excellence in health and social care practice. Given the recent change in political direction as a result of the Health and Social Care Bill, it is essential that practitioners do not lose sight of the need to continue to embed excellence through managing, leading and working across and within boundaries.
A study on development of PV cell/module and output power variation based on two-diode model

As conventional energy sources are declining day by day and also they are one of the main reasons for polluting the environment, the focus is turning into the environment-friendly and Grid connection compatible renewable energy source which is PV system. There is an impact of environment factors on the electrical behavior of PV modules which accurately interpreted as output characteristics and the rate of conversion efficiency for a PV module is very low. Hence an accurate modeling of PV module is required. This paper proposes a study of PV system performance with better analysis and higher accuracy level even at low irradiance utilizing two diode cell based PSPICE model. And an effort is made utilizing two diode model based PV cell to analyze the output power variation due to partial shading effect. VI and PV characteristics are plotted by using the environment parameters such as Temperature and insolation levels as variables. Optimal charging of Battery as well as high gain inverter efficiency configuration is also discussed. The PSPICE simulation is performed in order to study the interfacing with MPPT algorithms and converters PV module. PSPICE simulator is a Platform to deal with non-linear devices such as diodes and Transistors availed with a number of parameters to achieve numerical convergence.
Comparison between two different measures of self-rated health: a single-question measure and a visual analogue scale.

INTRODUCTION Self-rated health (SRH) is a useful concept for research and health planning, and an important indicator of population health. AIM The present study aims to evaluate the appropriateness of two different measures used to assess SRH, a single question with a five-response Likert-type scale and a visual analogue scale (VAS), by studying the correlation between the two measures and the factors influencing response rates according to respondent characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS A population-based postal survey was carried out within the framework of a World Health Organisation (WHO) project, with a national sample of randomly selected geographically stratified individuals. The factors influencing SRH using each measure were determined. The comparison of the two measures was also studied with respect to response frequencies and differences in association with potential determinants (age, sex, income, education). Answering to each measure depending upon answering to the other measure was also tested. RESULTS The maximum correlation between the two measures was p = -0.78 (p < 0.001). Age, sex, income and education had an effect on SRH as measured using both measures. More people replies to the single question measure irrespective of any particular socio-economic characteristic. Generally, those completing the VAS were women of higher income. CONCLUSIONS The two measures are moderately correlated, the structure of the questionnaire and sequence of questions seems to affect correlation, and the single question yields higher response rate than VAS does. Still, other factors may also play a significant explanatory role in SRH among the Greek population and in relation to which measure is used.
Proteome-Scale Analysis of Biochemical Activity

ABSTRACT During the last 10 years, there has been a large increase in the number of genome sequences available for study, altering the way that the biology of organisms is studied. In particular, scientific attention has increasingly focused on the proteome, and specifically on the role of all the proteins encoded by the genome. We focus here on several aspects of this problem. We describe several technologies in widespread use to clone genes on a genome-wide scale, and to express and purify the proteins encoded by these genes. We also describe a number of methods that have been developed to analyze various biochemical properties of the proteins, with attention to the methodology and the limitations of the approaches, followed by a look at possible developments in the next decade.
Immunologicai Characterization of Lymphocytes in Lymphoproliferative Diseases. Restriction of Classes, Subclasses, and Gm Allotypes of Membrane‐Bound Ig

Lymphocytes from nineteen patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and two with lymphosarcoma with transformation to leukemia had membrane‐bound Ig, showing restriction for Ig class, IgG subclass, Gm allotype, and light chain class. IgM was found on cells from all patients except one, who had IgG. These data, together with results from lymphocyte stimulation in vitro with mitogens, and studies of rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes, suggested that tumor cells were products of monoclonal proliferation of B cells. Lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia stained with concanavalin A and with antilymphocyte antiserum as strongly as normal lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from patiems with lymphosarcoma of the bone marrow or aleukemic chronic lymphocytic leukemia usually had a normal percentage of B lymphocytes in blood, but a tendency to restriction to one Ig class on B lymphocytes was seen, Blast cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia did not have membrane‐bound Ig. Lymphocytes from patients with lymphosarcoma of the bone marrow or aleukemic chronic lymphocytic leukemia and from those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, reacted normally on stimulation in vitro with T lymphocyte mitogens.
Cells that Express Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA in the Developing Postnatal Rat Brain

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of a family of related neurotrophic proteins which includes nerve growth factor (NGF) and hippocampus‐derived neurotrophic factor/neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3). To obtain information regarding possible roles for BDNF during postnatal brain development, we have examined the temporal and spatial expression of this trophic factor using in situ hybridization. In specific neocortical regions BDNF mRNA‐expressing cells were seen at 2 weeks of age and thereafter. One particular neuronal cell type strikingly labelled was the inverted pyramidal cell population in the deep layers of parietotemporal cortex. In pyriform and cingulate cortices, BDNF mRNA was detected at postnatal day 1 and 1 week of age, respectively, with increasing levels during ontogeny. Several forebrain regions, including the thalamic anterior paraventricular nucleus, hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus as well as the preoptic area, contained moderate levels of BDNF mRNA throughout development. BDNF mRNA was detected transiently in several brainstem structures, notably in the substantia nigra and interpeduncular nucleus. Expression of this trophic factor in hippocampus was relatively low in the early neonatal brain, but attained high levels in the CA3 and CA4 regions as well as in the dentate gyrus by 2 weeks of age. At this early age, which is still during the period of neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, labelling was restricted to the outer layer, which contained cells with a more mature appearance. However, by 3 weeks of age labelling was distributed throughout the granule cell layer. Our results show both transient and persistent expression of BDNF mRNA in various regions of the developing rat brain and suggest that there is a caudal to rostral gradient of BDNF expression during postnatal brain development, which may be correlated to neuronal maturation.
NMDA receptor antagonists: interactions with opioids

The N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor for glutamate has been implicated in the generation and maintenance of central (spinal) states of hypersensitivity. Thus antagonists at this receptor‐channel complex have the potential not to totally abolish pain, but to prevent or block hyperalgesic states induced by tissue damage, inflammation, nerve damage and ischaemia. Information on amplification systems in the spinal cord such as the NMDA receptor is a step towards understanding why and how a painful stimulus is not always related to the response. There are now sufficient controlled clinical studies with agents such as ketamine to believe that, in humans, NMDA mediated events are critical in pathological and/or prolonged pain states. Consequently, use of antagonists may aid the treatment of difficult clinical pains when given alone or in combination with opioids. The combinations of opioids and NMDA antagonists may be especially helpful since some NMDA mediated events can be difficult to control with opioids alone (eg. neuropathic pain states). In addition, the ability of opioids to act presynap‐tically on C‐fibre terminals to reduce transmitter release produces synergistic inhibitions with postsynaptically acting NMDA receptor antagonists. Consequently, low dose combinations may be possible with low side‐effect liability. Finally, NMDA receptor activation would appear to be responsible for the generation of nitric oxide and prostanoids which further enhance pain transmission whereas adenosine release acts to control these NMDA mediated events. Thus, further targets for the indirect control of NMDA induced activity are possible.
A new algebraic semantic approach and some adequate connectives for computation with temporal logic over discrete time

ABSTRACT In this paper we present a new semantic approach for propositional linear temporal logic with discrete time, strongly based in the well-order of IN (the set of natural numbers). We consider temporal connectives which express precedence, posteriority and simultaneity, and they provide a family of expressively complete temporal logics. The selection of the new semantics and connectives used in this work was principally to obtain a suitable executable temporal logic, which can be used for the specification and control of process behaviour in discrete time in a similar way to thai presented by D. Gabbay in [GAB 89], Our new approach has two advantages: firstly, the connectives are defined intuitively so that they have interpretations which relate to properties of interest in real systems; secondly, it provides a new semantics that facilitates simpler proofs of many valid formulas and metatheorems. To confirm this second advantage, we use our semantics to give a formal proof of the Separation Theorem .
A trial of the effect of a standardized psychiatric consultation on health outcomes and costs in somatizing patients.

BACKGROUND Patients who somatize but who do not meet criteria for somatization disorder are common in the community. Virtually no research has been conducted to determine how to treat these patients. METHODS We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial of a psychiatric consultation intervention we had previously shown to improve the management of somatization disorder. The study population included 51 physicians treating 56 somatizing patients who had a history of seeking help for six to 12 lifetime unexplained physical symptoms. At the onset of the experiment, physicians randomized to the treatment condition received a consultation letter recommending a specific management approach; physicians randomized to the control/crossover condition received the consultation letter after 12 months. Data on health outcomes and charges were collected every 4 months for 2 years after randomization for 96% of subjects who entered the study. RESULTS Patients of physicians who received the intervention reported significantly increased physical functioning, an improvement that remained stable during the year after the intervention. The intervention reduced annual medical care charges by $289 (95% confidence interval, $40 to $464) in 1990 constant dollars, which equates to a 32.9% reduction in the annual median cost of their medical care. CONCLUSIONS Somatizing patients with a lifetime history of six to 12 unexplained physical symptoms reported better physical functioning after their primary care physician was provided appropriate treatment recommendations via a psychiatric consultation. Such a consultation is cost-effective because it reduces subsequent charges for medical care, while improving health outcomes in a chronically impaired population.
Effect of computer-based instruction on students ’ functional task performance

This study was designated to examine the effectiveness of Computer-based intervention (CBI) on high school students’ reading performance and self-efficacy. Fifty high school students from 2 resource rooms were recruited. The students in the experimental group (CBI group) received training on the Kurzweil 3000 by the classroom teacher and the researcher and use the Kurzweil to do homework/coursework for 10 weeks. The control group did homework/coursework using paper and pencil. Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI), Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA; Harter, 1987), and Self-Perception Profile for Learning Disabled Students (SPPLD; Renick & Harter, 1988) were obtained to compare the changes prior to and following the study period. The CBI intervention has a significant effect on students’ reading comprehension scores. In addition, there was significant difference between CBI and control group students’ self-efficacy in reading competence the preand post-study period. The study results suggested that this reading enhancement software program is an effective CBI tool to enhance students’ reading comprehension and self-efficacy in reading.
AS A RESOURCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TOBACCO USE

Today, in 2010, tobacco remains the number one caus e of preventable death and disability in the United States [1]. Mortality rates associated with most chronic illnes s s are falling and yet, with tobacco use as the ma in contributing factor, mortality from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonar y Disease (COPD) continues to rise [2]. In addition direct health effects associated with tobacco use, there i s growing awareness of the health effects of exposu re to secondhand smoke. Numerous facts are available that dramatical ly substantiate the significant health, economic an d societal toll of tobacco. Nonetheless, a lack of precise informat ion on the magnitude of tobacco’s total burden to t he individual and to society remains. This paper aims to: