Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationships between Health and Perceived Unequal Treatment Based on Race: Results from the 2002 North Carolina BRFSS Survey

Objectives: Previous studies suggest that racism – prejudice or discrimination based on race – is an important underlying determinant of health disparities and quality of life in the United States. However, few studies have quantitatively measured the effect of racism on health. This study examines the relationship between health status and perceived treatment based on race among North Carolina adults. By “treatment” we mean how people are treated by others, not medical treatment. Methods: The North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a multistage, random-digit dialing, statewide telephone survey of non-institutionalized adult residents age 18 and older. In 2002 the North Carolina BRFSS included a six-question “Reactions to Race” module and conducted 6,748 interviews. This study used data from this BRFSS module. Results: Approximately 6.5 percent of North Carolina adults reported having emotional upset and/or physical symptoms due to treatment based on race in the past 30 days and 10 percent reported unequal experiences when seeking health care compared to people of other races. After adjusting for the other demographic characteristics, the odds of African Americans reporting emotional upset and/ or physical symptoms due to treatment based on race (Odds Ratio=5.30, p < 0.001) and reporting worse experiences than other races when seeking health care (Odds Ratio=4.92, p < 0.001) were much greater than those for whites. Respondents who reported having emotional upset and/or physical symptoms due to treatment based on race, or those respondents who reported experiences worse than other races when seeking health care, had significantly lower quality of life and higher rates of chronic conditions and health risks. These results persisted after controlling for demographic characteristics. Conclusions: Perceived unequal treatment based on race is associated with lower quality of life and with higher rates of chronic diseases and risk behaviors and conditions. African Americans are far more likely than whites to report being treated worse than other races when seeking health care and to report having emotional upset and/or physical symptoms due to treatment based on race. SCHS Studies NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES A Special Report Series by the State Center for Health Statistics 1908 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1908 www.schs. state.nc. us/SCHS/ North Carolina Public Health 1 State Center for Health Statistics, North Carolina Division of Public Health 2 Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Pediatrics
Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Spontaneous Osteonecrosis of the Knee: A Case Series

Background: Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) is a clinical entity identified by acute knee pain usually associated with joint effusion, with radiographic findings of a radiolucent defect on the weightbearing area of the femoral condyle. Conservative treatment is initially undertaken; however, surgical procedures are often necessary. Historically, surgical options have included core decompression, cartilage repair, high tibial osteotomy, or joint arthroplasty. Few studies in the literature have reported the use of fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) for the treatment of SONK lesions. Hypothesis: OCA transplantation is an effective treatment for SONK lesions on the medial femoral condyle. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A case series was analyzed of 7 patients treated with OCA for large SONK lesions of the medial femoral condyle with a minimum 4-year follow-up. All patients experienced failure of at least 6 months of conservative treatment and declined arthroplasty as the form of definitive treatment for medial femoral condyle lesion. All patients underwent OCA of the medial femoral condyle. Mean lesion size was 4.6 cm2 (range, 3.24-6.25 cm2), with a mean condylar width of 41.7 mm (range, 35.4-48.6 mm), resulting in a median proportion (lesion size/condylar width) of 56.8% (range, 32.7%-62.6%). The median surface allograft area was 5.1 cm2 (range, 3.2-6.3 cm2). Results: The median follow-up was 7.1 years (range, 4.5-14.1 years). No patient had additional surgery following OCA transplant; the allograft failure rate was 0%. Subjective outcome scores from the International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and modified Merle d’Aubigné-Postel scale improved from preoperative assessment to the latest follow-up. All patients were extremely satisfied with the results of the OCA transplant. Conclusion: Fresh OCA transplantation demonstrated excellent efficacy, durability, and satisfaction in this group of patients with isolated stage 2 and 3 SONK lesions who had experienced failure of conservative treatment. Fresh osteochondral allografts are an attractive method for surgical management of selected patients with spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee.
Adult, foetal and transformed fibroblasts display different migratory phenotypes on collagen gels: evidence for an isoformic transition during foetal development.

Data are presented indicating that the migration of fibroblasts into three-dimensional collagen gels is affected by cell density. We have defined a 'cell density migration index' (CDMI) to express this behavioural response in quantitative terms. The results of a survey of 77 different cell types indicate that the CDMI values expressed by normal adult skin fibroblasts and transformed cell lines fall into two distinct, non-overlapping groups. Measurement of the CDMI therefore provides an additional means of distinguishing between normal and transformed cells and may be used in conjunction with other commonly recognized criteria (e.g. anchorage-independent growth) to assess expression of a transformed phenotype in vitro. It is of interest to note that the CDMI values expressed by foetal cells define a group lying intermediate between normal and transformed cells. Both uncloned and cloned foetal cells have been observed to undergo a stable transition to expression of CDMI values characteristic of adult cells when followed throughout the duration of their in vitro lifespan. In addition to providing a novel means of distinguishing between normal adult and foetal cells, our results suggest that foetal fibroblasts undergo an 'isoformic' transition at some point in their developmental history, which is manifest in vitro by the expression of an adult CDMI.
Transfer Learning to Infer Social Ties across Heterogeneous Networks

Interpersonal ties are responsible for the structure of social networks and the transmission of information through these networks. Different types of social ties have essentially different influences on people. Awareness of the types of social ties can benefit many applications, such as recommendation and community detection. For example, our close friends tend to move in the same circles that we do, while our classmates may be distributed into different communities. Though a bulk of research has focused on inferring particular types of relationships in a specific social network, few publications systematically study the generalization of the problem of predicting social ties across multiple heterogeneous networks. In this work, we develop a framework referred to as TranFG for classifying the type of social relationships by learning across heterogeneous networks. The framework incorporates social theories into a factor graph model, which effectively improves the accuracy of predicting the types of social relationships in a target network by borrowing knowledge from a different source network. We also present several active learning strategies to further enhance the inferring performance. To scale up the model to handle really large networks, we design a distributed learning algorithm for the proposed model. We evaluate the proposed framework (TranFG) on six different networks and compare with several existing methods. TranFG clearly outperforms the existing methods on multiple metrics. For example, by leveraging information from a coauthor network with labeled advisor-advisee relationships, TranFG is able to obtain an F1-score of 90% (8%--28% improvements over alternative methods) for predicting manager-subordinate relationships in an enterprise email network. The proposed model is efficient. It takes only a few minutes to train the proposed transfer model on large networks containing tens of thousands of nodes.
Dynamic stability and basins of attraction in the Sir Philip Sidney game

We study the handicap principle in terms of the Sir Philip Sidney game. The handicap principle asserts that cost is required to allow for honest signalling in the face of conflicts of interest. We show that the significance of the handicap principle can be challenged from two new directions. Firstly, both the costly signalling equilibrium and certain states of no communication are stable under the replicator dynamics (i.e. standard evolutionary dynamics); however, the latter states are more likely in cases where honest signalling should apply. Secondly, we prove the existence and stability of polymorphisms where players mix between being honest and being deceptive and where signalling costs can be very low. Neither the polymorphisms nor the states of no communication are evolutionarily stable, but they turn out to be more important for standard evolutionary dynamics than the costly signalling equilibrium.
Random measurement error and regression dilution bias

Random measurement error is a pervasive problem in medical research, which can introduce bias to an estimate of the association between a risk factor and a disease or make a true association statistically non-significant. Hutcheon and colleagues explain when, why, and how random measurement error introduces bias and provides strategies for researchers to minimise the problem
Freedom and Rules: The Acquisition and Reprogramming of a Bird's Learned Song

Canary song is hierarchically structured: Short stereotyped syllables are repeated to form phrases, which in turn are arranged to form songs. This structure occurs even in the songs of young isolates, which suggests that innate rules govern canary song development. However, juveniles that had never heard normal song imitated abnormal synthetic songs with great accuracy, even when the tutor songs lacked phrasing. As the birds matured, imitated songs were reprogrammed to form typical canary phrasing. Thus, imitation and innate song constraints are separate processes that can be segregated in time: freedom in youth, rules in adulthood.
Immunocytochemical Localization and Crystal Structure of Human Frequenin (Neuronal Calcium Sensor 1)*

Frequenin, a member of a large family of myristoyl-switch calcium-binding proteins, functions as a calcium-ion sensor to modulate synaptic activity and secretion. We show that human frequenin colocalizes with ARF1 GTPase in COS-7 cells and occurs in similar cellular compartments as the phosphatidylinositol-4-OH kinase PI4Kβ, the mammalian homolog of the yeast kinase PIK1. In addition, the crystal structure of unmyristoylated, calcium-bound human frequenin has been determined and refined to 1.9 Å resolution. The overall fold of frequenin resembles those of neurocalcin and the photoreceptor, recoverin, of the same family, with two pairs of calcium-binding EF hands and three bound calcium ions. Despite the similarities, however, frequenin displays significant structural differences. A large conformational shift of the C-terminal region creates a wide hydrophobic crevice at the surface of frequenin. This crevice, which is unique to frequenin and distinct from the myristoyl-binding box of recoverin, may accommodate a yet unknown protein ligand.
Changes in LPLa and reverse cholesterol transport variables during 24-h postexercise period.

We investigated the time course of exercise-induced lipoprotein lipase activity (LPLa) and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) during the 24-h postexercise period. Subjects were 10 sedentary normolipidemic males [NTG; fasting triglyceride (TG) = 89.1 +/- 8.6 mg/dl] and 6 hyperlipidemic males (HTG; fasting TG = 296.8 +/- 64.0 mg/dl). Each subject performed a control trial (no exercise) and 4 exercise trials. In the exercise trials, a subject jogged on a treadmill at 60% of his maximal O(2) consumption for 1 h. Pre- and postheparin blood samples were taken before exercise (baseline) and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after exercise. There was no group difference in LPLa (P > 0.05) over the time points. When the LPLa data from the two groups were combined, LPLa at 24 h after exercise was higher than baseline or at 4, 8, 12 h after exercise (P < 0.05). Plasma TG and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity (LCATa) were higher in HTG than in NTG, and the total high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL(tot)-Chol) was lower in HTG than in NTG (P < 0.05). HDL(2)-Chol, LCATa, and cholesterol ester transfer protein activity did not differ during the 24-h postexercise period (P > 0.05). These results suggest that LPLa is still increasing 24 h after an acute aerobic exercise and that the magnitude of the increase in exercise-induced LPLa in HTG was similar to that in NTG. Furthermore, in the sedentary population with or without HTG, the variables related to RCT do not change during the 24-h period after exercise.
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth An Invariant Rate- and State-Dependent Friction Formulation for Viscoeastoplastic Earthquake Cycle Simulations

We present a 2-D numerical modeling approach for simulating a wide slip spectrum in a viscoelastoplastic continuum. The key new model component is an invariant reformulation of the classical rateand state-dependent friction equations, which is designed for earthquake simulations along spontaneously evolving faults. Here we describe the methodology and demonstrate that it is accurate and stable in a setup consisting of a mature strike-slip fault zone. We show that the nucleation and propagation of an earthquake are well resolved, as supported by a good agreement with various analytical approximations, including those of the nucleation and cohesive zone lengths. Results generally converge with respect to grid size, time step, and other numerical parameters. The convergence rate with respect to grid size depends on the internodal averaging scheme, is influenced by wave reflections, and deteriorates for inclined faults. The simulated slip spectrum, ranging from stable sliding at the loading rate to periodic aseismic slip to periodic seismic slip as a function of nucleation size, is in general agreement with the literature. In this simple setup, dynamic pressure does not play a significant role. By analyzing the role of viscous deformation, we identify and confirm by our simulations a theoretical viscosity threshold below which earthquakes cannot nucleate. This threshold is shown to depend on the reference strength of rateand state-dependent friction and the loading strain rate, which is in agreement with previous work on the brittle-ductile transition.
In vitro activity of the F-6 fraction of oregano against Giardia intestinalis

SUMMARY Giardiosis is a neglected parasitic disease that produces diarrhoea and different degrees of malabsorption in humans and animals. Its treatment is based on derivatives of 5-nitroimidazoles, benzimidazoles, nitrofuranes, acridine and nitrotiazoles. These drugs produce undesirable secondary effects, ranging from a metallic taste in the mouth to genetic damage and the selection of resistant strains; therefore, it is necessary to develop new therapeutic alternatives. We demonstrated that a 2-h treatment with 2·87 μg ml−1 of fraction 6 of Lippia graveolens (F-6) was sufficient to kill half of an experimental Giardia intestinalis (Syn. G. duodenalis, G. lamblia) population, based on the reduction of MTT-tetrazolium salt levels. F-6 breaks the nuclear envelope and injures the ventral suckling disc. The major compounds of F-6 were characterized as naringenin, thymol, pinocembrin and traces of compounds not yet identified. The results suggest that Lippia is a potential source to obtain compounds with anti-Giardia activity. This knowledge is an important starting point to develop new anti-giardial drugs. Future studies will be required to establish the efficacy of F-6 in vivo using an animal model.
Public Data Archiving in Ecology and Evolution: How Well Are We Doing?

Policies that mandate public data archiving (PDA) successfully increase accessibility to data underlying scientific publications. However, is the data quality sufficient to allow reuse and reanalysis? We surveyed 100 datasets associated with nonmolecular studies in journals that commonly publish ecological and evolutionary research and have a strong PDA policy. Out of these datasets, 56% were incomplete, and 64% were archived in a way that partially or entirely prevented reuse. We suggest that cultural shifts facilitating clearer benefits to authors are necessary to achieve high-quality PDA and highlight key guidelines to help authors increase their data’s reuse potential and compliance with journal data policies.
Autotaxin/Lysophospholipase D-mediated Lysophosphatidic Acid Signaling Is Required to Form Distinctive Large Lysosomes in the Visceral Endoderm Cells of the Mouse Yolk Sac*

Autotaxin, a lysophospholipase D encoded by the Enpp2 gene, is an exoenzyme that produces lysophosphatidic acid in the extracellular space. Lysophosphatidic acid acts on specific G protein-coupled receptors, thereby regulating cell growth, migration, and survival. Previous studies have revealed that Enpp2−/− mouse embryos die at about embryonic day (E) 9.5 because of angiogenic defects in the yolk sac. However, what cellular defects occur in Enpp2−/− embryos and what intracellular signaling pathways are involved in the phenotype manifestation remain unknown. Here, we show that Enpp2 is required to form distinctive large lysosomes in the yolk sac visceral endoderm cells. From E7.5 to E9.5, Enpp2 mRNA is abundantly expressed in the visceral endoderm cells. In Enpp2−/− mouse embryos, lysosomes in the visceral endoderm cells are fragmented. By using a whole embryo culture system combined with specific pharmacological inhibitors for intracellular signaling molecules, we show that lysophosphatidic acid receptors and the Rho-Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK)-LIM kinase pathway are required to form large lysosomes. In addition, electroporation of dominant negative forms of Rho, ROCK, or LIM kinase also leads to the size reduction of lysosomes in wild-type visceral endoderm cells. In Enpp2−/− visceral endoderm cells, the steady-state levels of cofilin phosphorylation and actin polymerization are reduced. In addition, perturbations of actin turnover dynamics by actin inhibitors cytochalasin B and jasplakinolide result in the defect in lysosome formation. These results suggest that constitutive activation of the Rho-ROCK-LIM kinase pathway by extracellular production of lysophosphatidic acid by the action of autotaxin is required to maintain the large size of lysosomes in visceral endoderm cells.
Effect of standard interferon and ribavirin on haemoglobin level in hepatitis-C patients.

BACKGROUND The standard treatment for HCV infection involves combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The study was conducted to determine the effect of standard interferon and ribavirin on the haemoglobin level in patients treated for hepatitis-C. METHODS PCR confirmed 58 patients of chronic hepatitis-C treated with standard interferon and ribavirin for six months were included in this case series study. The patients were followed up monthly. Haemoglobin was measured by Sysmex Haematology analyser at monthly interval to study change in its level. RESULT The study found decrease in the mean haemoglobin levels during the six months treatment. when the mean of baseline haemoglobin was compared with the mean haemoglobin of six months treatment, a decrease of 2.05 gm/dl was observed and the result was statistically significant (p=0.000). CONCLUSION Six months treatment of chronic hepatitis-C with standard interferon and ribavirin decreases haemoglobin to a significant level causing anaemia in susceptible patients.
Plant Volatiles Induced by Herbivore Egg Deposition Affect Insects of Different Trophic Levels

Plants release volatiles induced by herbivore feeding that may affect the diversity and composition of plant-associated arthropod communities. However, the specificity and role of plant volatiles induced during the early phase of attack, i.e. egg deposition by herbivorous insects, and their consequences on insects of different trophic levels remain poorly explored. In olfactometer and wind tunnel set-ups, we investigated behavioural responses of a specialist cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae) and two of its parasitic wasps (Trichogramma brassicae and Cotesia glomerata) to volatiles of a wild crucifer (Brassica nigra) induced by oviposition of the specialist butterfly and an additional generalist moth (Mamestra brassicae). Gravid butterflies were repelled by volatiles from plants induced by cabbage white butterfly eggs, probably as a means of avoiding competition, whereas both parasitic wasp species were attracted. In contrast, volatiles from plants induced by eggs of the generalist moth did neither repel nor attract any of the tested community members. Analysis of the plant’s volatile metabolomic profile by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the structure of the plant-egg interface by scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the plant responds differently to egg deposition by the two lepidopteran species. Our findings imply that prior to actual feeding damage, egg deposition can induce specific plant responses that significantly influence various members of higher trophic levels.
On the modeling and optimization of discontinuous network congestion control systems

AIMD is a widely-used network congestion control scheme. Despite its discontinuous control behavior, the majority of contemporary literature employed a statistically-averaged continuous model to approximate AIMD without considering its discontinuity. The design of a discontinuous control system must be based on rules that are entirely different from that of continuous control systems. Ignoring discontinuity issues results in great discrepancy between analytical models and the practice. In this paper we use the sliding mode control (SMC) theory to investigate congestion control without ignoring its discontinuity. Based on the SMC theory, the design of discontinuous (congestion) control systems must consider the relative degree and zero dynamics of the system, in order to guarantee asymptotic stability. This framework can precisely reflect the behavior of the control rules and the controlled objective of a congestion control system. We show that the relative degree of the control system of rate-based, AIMD flow-control algorithms is two. That is, to apply sound control principles to the design of AIMD algorithms, one should use both the queue length error and its first order time derivative to construct the switching function of the control model of an active queue management scheme. Based on the SMC model, one can quantify the tradeoffs among the convergence speed, the amount of throttling adjustments, and the degree of oscillations. We show quantitatively that one can guarantee stability conditions, drastically reduce oscillation of AIMD without significant loss of fairness and stability, and quantitative understanding of the tradeoffs among oscillation, delay and fairness.