Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Global Visual Acuity Data in a time trade-off approach to calculate the cost utility of cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE To determine the cost utility of cataract surgery worldwide using visual acuity (VA) outcomes and utility values determined by the time trade-off (TTO) method. DATA SOURCES Some cost data were taken from a previous search conducted for 1995 to 2006 and we searched MEDLINE and Scopus and Google for more recent data (2006 and 2007). STUDY SELECTION Articles were identified from the literature using "cataract surgery" in combination with the terms outcome or visual acuity. Additional searches were conducted using individual countries as a term in combination with VA, outcome, or cost. Regression curves were constructed from utility values derived from a TTO study and VA data. Gains in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated based on life expectancy tables from the World Health Organization and discounts of 3% for both cost and benefit. Sensitivity analyses explored the effect of changes in discounting, life expectancy, preoperative VA, and cost. DATA EXTRACTION If the data were usable, they were kept; otherwise they were discarded. DATA SYNTHESIS Preoperative VA (logMAR) correlated with increasing gross national income per capita (Pearson correlation coefficient, -0.784; P < .001) and showed that in developing countries preoperative vision is much poorer compared with developed countries. Cost utility data ranged from $3.5 to $834/QALY in developing countries to $159 to $1356/QALY in developed countries. Sensitivity analysis showed that changing life expectancy, VA, and discount rate resulted in moderate changes. CONCLUSIONS The TTO approach demonstrates that cataract surgery is extremely cost-effective.
A new approach to the giant component problem

We study the largest component of a random (multi)graph on n vertices with a given degree sequence. We let n → ∞. Then, under some regularity conditions on the degree sequences, we give conditions on the asymptotic shape of the degree sequence that imply that with high probability all the components are small, and other conditions that imply that with high probability there is a giant component and the sizes of its vertex and edge sets satisfy a law of large numbers; under suitable assumptions these are the only two possibilities. In particular, we recover the results by Molloy and Reed on the size of the largest component in a random graph with a given degree sequence.
Esophageal dilation for endosonographic evaluation of malignant esophageal strictures is safe and effective

OBJECTIVE:Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is accepted as the most accurate modality for T- and N-staging of esophageal cancer, but some malignant strictures prevent passage of the echoendoscope beyond the level of the tumor. This incomplete evaluation may decrease staging accuracy. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding the safety and efficacy of esophageal dilation for EUS.METHODS:We prospectively evaluated 267 consecutive patients undergoing EUS for esophageal carcinoma staging at our institution over a 66-month period to determine the number of patients requiring dilation for EUS examination, the success of dilation, safety of dilation, and clinical importance.RESULTS:Among 267 endosonographic examinations of the esophagus, 81(30.3%) required dilation to advance the echoendoscope beyond the level of the stricture. After dilation was performed, the echoendoscope could be passed through the stricture in 69 patients (85.2%), and in 63 of 67 of the patients dilated to ≥14 mm (94.0%). No complications have occurred secondary to the dilations performed to permit completion of the endosonographic examination. Tumor staging by EUS after dilation was T2 (14.8%), T3 (56.8%), and T4 (21.0%), nodal staging N0 (14.6%) and N1 (75.3%); and M1 (9.9%). CONCLUSIONS:We conclude that incremental, stepwise dilation of malignant strictures to 14 mm is safe and effective in permitting echoendoscope passage beyond the stenosis. The presence of a malignant stricture does not seem to diminish the utility of EUS staging of esophageal cancer.
Management of a First Seizure

ABSTRACTPurpose of Review: Assessment of the patient with a first seizure is a common and important neurologic issue. Less than 50% of patients who have a first unprovoked seizure have a second seizure; thus, the evaluation should focus on determining the patient’s risk of seizure recurrence.Recent Findings: A number of population studies, including some classic reports, have identified the relative risk factors for subsequent seizure recurrence. The 2014 update of the International League Against Epilepsy definition of epilepsy incorporates these findings, and in 2015, the American Academy of Neurology published a guideline that analyzed the available data.Summary: Provoked or acute symptomatic seizures do not confer increased risk for subsequent unprovoked seizure recurrence. Multiple seizures in a given 24-hour period do not increase the risk of seizure recurrence. Remote symptomatic seizures, an epileptiform EEG, a significant brain imaging abnormality, and nocturnal seizures are risk factors for seizure recurrence. Antiepileptic drug therapy delays the time to second seizure but may not influence long-term remission.
Variation-Resilient Building Blocks for Ultra-Low-Energy Sub-Threshold Design

This paper presents the design of variation-resilient ultra-low-voltage circuits functioning at MHz-speed. By careful design, robust digital circuits operating in the sub-threshold region are achieved. The paper discusses circuit techniques to obtain building blocks that are able to overcome the high sensitivity to variations and the decreased current ratios in sub-threshold while retaining MHz-performance. The building blocks are successfully implemented in two chips fabricated in 90 nm CMOS technology. Measurements show that the variation-resilient designs are fully functional at ultra-low supply voltages and obtain clock frequencies in the MHz-range and sub-pJ energy consumptions.
Perceived discrimination as a risk factor for depressive symptoms and substance use among Hispanic adolescents in Los Angeles

Objectives: Discrimination has been associated with adverse psychological and physical health outcomes, but few studies have examined the effects of discrimination on Hispanic adolescents. This study assessed the relation of perceived discrimination with depressive symptoms and drug use. Covariates included immigrant generation status (GS). A second objective was to examine the potentially moderating effect of neighborhoods' ethnic composition as suggested by Mair et al. Design: Secondary data analyses of a longitudinal survey examined self-reports of Hispanic adolescents in 9th grade (the first year of high school) and 11th grade at seven high schools in Los Angeles. Results: (1) Perceiving discrimination in 9th grade significantly predicted depressive symptoms (β=0.23, p<0.01) and drug use (β=0.12, p<0.01) in 11th grade, even after controlling for socioeconomic status, gender, acculturation, and GS in the USA. The third GS group reported significantly higher perceptions of discrimination compared to newer immigrants. (2) Neighborhoods' ethnic composition was included as a moderator of the association between perceived discrimination and the outcomes, but did not moderate the relation. Conclusion: Teaching Hispanic adolescents effective strategies for coping with discrimination, such as increasing their sense of belongingness in the American mainstream, may prove useful in preventing drug use and depressive symptoms.
Examining Parenting Perceptions Among Gay Adoptive Fathers: Do Experiences with Minority Stress Influence Parental Competency?

Title of Dissertation: EXAMINING PARENTING PERCEPTIONS AMONG GAY ADOPTIVE FATHERS: DO EXPERIENCES WITH MINORITY STRESS INFLUENCE PARENTAL COMPETENCY? Nicole M. Finkbeiner, MS, Doctoral Candidate, 2013 Dissertation Directed By: Professor and Chair, Elaine A. Anderson, Ph.D., Department of Family Science The purpose of this study was to explore factors that may influence gay adoptive fathers’ perceptions of their parental competency, or fathers’ confidence in and satisfaction with their parenting role. Minority stress theory guided the conceptual model and research questions for the present study. It was hypothesized that minority stress would be negatively associated with perceived parental competency and that fathers’ use of internal (cognitive) and external (behavioral) coping strategies would attenuate the impact of minority stress on perceptions of parental competency. The sample (n = 94) included adoptive gay fathers who were primarily white, highly educated, married/partnered, and from a middleto upper-class socioeconomic background. A recruitment letter explaining the study with a link to an online survey was emailed to various organizations, including gay-affirming religious institutions, LGB parenting and advocacy organizations, adoption agencies, and LGBT college/university alumni groups. Completed surveys were compiled on a secure internet website. This study revealed that minority stress is significantly negatively associated with perceived parental competency. Although coping was not a significant moderating variable in the path between minority stress and perceptions of parental competency, internal coping strategies were significant positive predictors of perceived parental competency while external coping strategies were significant negative predictors of perceived parental competency. Implications for future research, clinical practice, and legal/policy endeavors are discussed. EXAMINING PARENTING PERCEPTIONS AMONG GAY ADOPTIVE FATHERS: DO EXPERIENCES WITH MINORITY STRESS INFLUENCE PARENTAL COMPETENCY? By Nicole M. Finkbeiner Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2013 Advisory Committee: Professor Elaine A. Anderson, Chair Professor Norman Epstein Associate Professor Leigh Leslie Associate Professor Mia Smith Bynum Assistant Dean Colleen Farmer © Copyright by Nicole M. Finkbeiner 2013
A natural gesture interface for operating robotic systems

A gesture-based interaction framework is presented for controlling mobile robots. This natural interaction paradigm has few physical requirements, and thus can be deployed in many restrictive and challenging environments. We present an implementation of this scheme in the control of an underwater robot by an on-site human operator. The operator performs discrete gestures using engineered visual targets, which are interpreted by the robot as parametrized actionable commands. By combining the symbolic alphabets resulting from several visual cues, a large vocabulary of statements can be produced. An iterative closest point algorithm is used to detect these observed motions, by comparing them with an established database of gestures. Finally, we present quantitative data collected from human participants indicating accuracy and performance of our proposed scheme.
A Multiplex Allele Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (MAS-PCR) for the Detection of Factor V Leiden and Prothrombin G20210A.

INTRODUCTION In order to determine the frequencies of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A point mutations in the Iranian population with Azeri Turkish origin. MATERIAL AND METHODS 120 unrelated individuals from general population randomly selected and were examined for factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations using a multiplex allele specific polymerase chain reaction (MAS-PCR) assayOutcomes: The frequency of prothrombin G20210A mutation was 2.08%, which means 5 chromosomes out of 240 chromosomes had prothrombin G20210A mutation. The distribution of prothrombin 20210 GG, GA, AA genotypes and prothrombin 20210A allele were 37(92.5%), 3(7.5%), 0(0%) and 3(3.75%) in males and 78(97.5%), 2(2.5%), 0(0%) and 2(1.25%) in females, respectively. Factor V Leiden was not found in our tested group (zero chromosomes out of 240 chromosomes). Analysis of the observed frequencies in the studied groups indicates that there is no statistically significant difference between females and males, regarding prothrombin G20210A mutation (p value>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study in its own kind in this population and implies that the frequency of Factor V Leiden G1691A (R506Q, FV-Leiden) allele is extremely low but the prothrombin G20210A mutation is more frequent in the tested group.
Acoustic markers of emotions based on voice physiology

Acoustic models of emotions may benefit from considering the underlying voice production mechanism. This study sought to describe emotional expressions according to physiological variations measured from the inverse-filtered glottal waveform in addition to standard parameter extraction. An acoustic analysis was performed on a subset of the /a/ vowels within the GEMEP database (10 speakers, 5 emotions). Of the 12 acoustic features computed, repeated measures ANOVA showed significant main effects for 11 parameters. Subsequent principal components analysis revealed the three components that explain acoustic variations due to emotion, including “tension” (CQ, H1-H2, MFDR, LTAS) “perturbation” (jitter, shimmer, HNR), and “voicing” (fundamental frequency).
The International Soil Moisture Network: a data hosting facility for global in situ soil moisture measurements

Abstract. In situ measurements of soil moisture are invaluable for calibrating and validating land surface models and satellite-based soil moisture retrievals. In addition, long-term time series of in situ soil moisture measurements themselves can reveal trends in the water cycle related to climate or land cover change. Nevertheless, on a worldwide basis the number of meteorological networks and stations measuring soil moisture, in particular on a continuous basis, is still limited and the data they provide lack standardization of technique and protocol. To overcome many of these limitations, the International Soil Moisture Network (ISMN; http://www.ipf.tuwien.ac.at/insitu ) was initiated to serve as a centralized data hosting facility where globally available in situ soil moisture measurements from operational networks and validation campaigns are collected, harmonized, and made available to users. Data collecting networks share their soil moisture datasets with the ISMN on a voluntary and no-cost basis. Incoming soil moisture data are automatically transformed into common volumetric soil moisture units and checked for outliers and implausible values. Apart from soil water measurements from different depths, important metadata and meteorological variables (e.g., precipitation and soil temperature) are stored in the database. These will assist the user in correctly interpreting the soil moisture data. The database is queried through a graphical user interface while output of data selected for download is provided according to common standards for data and metadata. Currently (status May 2011), the ISMN contains data of 19 networks and more than 500 stations located in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The time period spanned by the entire database runs from 1952 until the present, although most datasets have originated during the last decade. The database is rapidly expanding, which means that both the number of stations and the time period covered by the existing stations are still growing. Hence, it will become an increasingly important resource for validating and improving satellite-derived soil moisture products and studying climate related trends. As the ISMN is animated by the scientific community itself, we invite potential networks to enrich the collection by sharing their in situ soil moisture data.
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION TESTS AND BIOPSY OF THE JEJUNUM IN SUBJECTS WITH HEAVY HOOKWORM INFECTION.

Summary Morphology of the peripheral blood and bone marrow was studied, and intestinal absorption tests and jejunum biopsy were performed in 22 patients harboring heavy hookworm infection. Fat absorption, measured both chemically and with oleic acid marked with I131, was normal in all but three patients who showed slight increase of excretion. d-xylose was poorly absorbed in 1 of 18 cases tested. Serum vitamin B12 concentration was significantly diminished although a value below 200 µµg per ml of serum was seen in only one case. Schilling test performed in 8 patients showed 24-hour urinary excretions of B12 Co58 of over 10 percent. On the other hand, there was low folic acid serum concentration and impairment of absorption. Morphological changes in the peripheral blood and bone marrow suggestive of either vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency were seen in five cases. In four of these cases which were examined for serum folate activity, values below 4.6 mµg per ml of serum were found. Jejunum biopsy, performed in 18 cases, showed only slight non-specific changes in 14. Of the other 4, one showed frank atrophy of the mucosa, a second showed flattening of the mucosal surface and fusion of the villi, and the other two showed marked infiltration, especially around the crypts. The results obtained here indicate that hookworm infection per se, without the association of other factors such as malnutrition and other parasitic infections, does not as a rule lead to histological changes in the mucosa which might cause malabsorption of nutrients.
Aspects of biopsy procedures prior to preimplantation genetic diagnosis

Today, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is offered in over 40 centres worldwide for an expanded range of genetic defects causing disease. This very early form of prenatal diagnosis involves the detection of affected embryos by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) (sex determination or chromosomal defects) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (monogenic diseases) prior to implantation. Genetic analysis of the embryos involves the removal of some cellular mass from the embryos (one or two blastomeres at cleavage‐stage or some extra‐embryonic trophectoderm cells at the blastocyst stage) by means of an embryo biopsy procedure. Genetic analysis can also be performed preconceptionally by removal of the first polar body. However, additional information is then often gained by removal of the second polar body and/or a blastomere from the embryo. Removal of polar bodies or cellular material from embryos requires an opening in the zona pellucida, which can be created in a mechanical way (partial zona dissection) or chemical way (acidic Tyrode's solution). However, the more recent introduction of laser technology has facilitated this step enormously. Different biopsy procedures at different preimplantation stages are reviewed here, including their pros and cons and their clinical applications. The following aspects will also be discussed: safety of zona drilling by laser, use of Ca2+/Mg2+‐free medium for decompaction, and removal of one or two cells from cleavage‐stage embryos. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
US trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, 1988-2008.

CONTEXT Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and treatment and control of hypertension reduces risk. The Healthy People 2010 goal was to achieve blood pressure (BP) control in 50% of the US population. OBJECTIVE To assess progress in treating and controlling hypertension in the United States from 1988-2008. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994 and 1999-2008 in five 2-year blocks included 42 856 adults aged older than 18 years, representing a probability sample of the US civilian population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hypertension was defined as systolic BP of at least 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP of at least 90 mm Hg, self-reported use of antihypertensive medications, or both. Hypertension control was defined as systolic BP values of less than 140 mm Hg and diastolic BP values of less than 90 mm Hg. All survey periods were age-adjusted to the year 2000 US population. RESULTS Rates of hypertension increased from 23.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.7%-25.2%) in 1988-1994 to 28.5% (95% CI, 25.9%-31.3%; P < .001) in 1999-2000, but did not change between 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 (29.0%; 95% CI, 27.6%-30.5%; P = .24). Hypertension control increased from 27.3% (95% CI, 25.6%-29.1%) in 1988-1994 to 50.1% (95% CI, 46.8%-53.5%; P = .006) in 2007-2008, and BP among patients with hypertension decreased from 143.0/80.4 mm Hg (95% CI, 141.9-144.2/79.6-81.1 mm Hg) to 135.2/74.1 mm Hg (95% CI, 134.2-136.2/73.2-75.0 mm Hg; P = .02/P < .001). Blood pressure control improved significantly more in absolute percentages between 1999-2000 and 2007-2008 vs 1988-1994 and 1999-2000 (18.6%; 95% CI, 13.3%-23.9%; vs 4.1%; 95% CI, -0.5% to 8.8%; P < .001). Better BP control reflected improvements in awareness (69.1%; 95% CI, 67.1%-71.1%; vs 80.7%; 95% CI, 78.1%-83.0%; P for trend = .03), treatment (54.0%; 95% CI, 52.0%-56.1%; vs 72.5%; 95% CI, 70.1%-74.8%; P = .004), and proportion of patients who were treated and had controlled hypertension (50.6%; 95% CI, 48.0%-53.2%; vs 69.1%; 95% CI, 65.7%-72.3%; P = .006). Hypertension control improved significantly between 1988-1994 and 2007-2008, across age, race, and sex groups, but was lower among individuals aged 18 to 39 years vs 40 to 59 years (P < .001) and 60 years or older (P < .001), and in Hispanic vs white individuals (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS Blood pressure was controlled in an estimated 50.1% of all patients with hypertension in NHANES 2007-2008, with most of the improvement since 1988 occurring after 1999-2000. Hypertension control was significantly lower among younger than middle-aged individuals and older adults, and Hispanic vs white individuals.
Heartland virus antagonizes type I and III interferon antiviral signaling by inhibiting phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT2 and STAT1

Heartland virus (HRTV) is a pathogenic phlebovirus recently identified in the United States and related to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) emerging in Asia. We previously reported that SFTSV disrupts host antiviral responses directed by interferons (IFNs) and their downstream regulators, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. However, whether HRTV infection antagonizes the IFN–STAT signaling axis remains unclear. Here, we show that, similar to SFTSV, HRTV also inhibits IFN-α– and IFN-λ–mediated antiviral responses. As expected, the nonstructural protein (NSs) of HRTV (HNSs) robustly antagonized both type I and III IFN signaling. Protein interaction analyses revealed that a common component downstream of type I and III IFN signaling, STAT2, is the target of HNSs. Of note, the DNA-binding and linker domains of STAT2 were required for an efficient HNSs–STAT2 interaction. Unlike the NSs of SFTSV (SNSs), which blocks both STAT2 and STAT1 nuclear accumulation, HNSs specifically blocked IFN-triggered nuclear translocation only of STAT2. However, upon HRTV infection, IFN-induced nuclear translocation of both STAT2 and STAT1 was suppressed, suggesting that STAT1 is an additional HRTV target for IFN antagonism. Consistently, despite HNSs inhibiting phosphorylation only of STAT2 and not STAT1, HRTV infection diminished both STAT2 and STAT1 phosphorylation. These results suggest that HRTV antagonizes IFN antiviral signaling by dampening both STAT2 and STAT1 activities. We propose that HNSs-specific targeting of STAT2 likely plays an important role but is not all of the “tactics” of HRTV in its immune evasion.