Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statins and cancer risk: a literature-based meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of 35 randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE A growing body of literature suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against cancer. Our aim was to examine the strength of this association through a detailed meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS A comprehensive search for trials published up to 2005 was performed, reviews of each study were conducted, and data were abstracted. Before meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% CIs were calculated using the random- and fixed-effects models. Subgroup, sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses were also conducted. RESULTS Thirty-five RCTs of statins for cardiovascular outcomes contributed to the analysis (n = 109,143). The degree of variability between trials was consistent with what would be expected to occur by chance alone. Statin use was not associated with a substantially increased or decreased overall risk of cancer (RR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.04). Similarly, statin use did not significantly affect respiratory cancer risk (RR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.09). However, the meta-regression analysis indicated that age of study participants modified the association between statin use and cancer risk (P = .003). CONCLUSION Our findings do not support a protective effect of statins against cancer. However, this conclusion is limited by the relatively short follow-up periods (4.5 years on average) of the studies analyzed. Thus, it is important to continue monitoring the long-term safety profiles of statins. Until then, physicians need to be vigilant in ensuring that statin use remains restricted to the approved indications.
Spectral shape of the UV ionizing background and O VI absorbers at z ~ 1.5 towards HS 0747+4259

Aims. We report on high resolution spectra of the bright QSO HS 0747+4259 (z em = 1.90, V = 15.8) observed to search for intermediate redshift O VI absorption systems. Methods. The spectra were obtained by means of the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) at the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) at the W. M. Keck telescope. Results. We identify 16 Ovi systems in the range 1.07 ≤ z ≤ 1.87. Among them, six systems with z abs = 1.46-1.8 exhibit a sufficient number of lines of different ionic transitions to estimate the shape of the ionizing radiation field in the range 1 Ryd 3 Ryd compared to the model spectrum of Haardt & Madau (1996, ApJ, 461, 20). This is in line with the observational evidence of a deficiency of strong Lyo absorbers with N(HI) > 10 15 cm -2 at z < 2. The UV background shows significant local variations: the spectral shape estimated at z = 1.59 differs from that obtained at z = 1.81 and 1.73. A possible cause of these variations is the presence of a QSO/AGN at z ≃ 1.54-1.59 close to the line of sight. No features favoring the input of stellar radiation to the ionizing background are detected, limiting the escape fraction of the galactic UV photons to f esc < 0.05.
A Search for Multiple Equilibria in Urban Industrial Structure

Theories featuring multiple equilibria are widespread across economics. Yet little empirical work has asked if multiple equilibria are features of real economies. We examine this in the context of the Allied bombing of Japanese cities and industries in World War II. We develop a new empirical test for multiple equilibria and apply it to data for 114 Japanese cities in eight manufacturing industries. The data provide no support for the existence of multiple equilibria. In the aftermath even of immense shocks, a city typically recovers not only its population and its share of aggregate manufacturing, but even the industries it had before.
High-Throughput 1,536-Well Fluorescence Polarization Assays for α1-Acid Glycoprotein and Human Serum Albumin Binding

Two major plasma proteins in humans are primarily responsible for drug binding, the α1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP) and human serum albumin (HSA). The availability of at least a semiquantitative high-throughput assay for assessment of protein binding is expected to aid in bridging the current gap between high-throughput screening and early lead discovery, where cell-based and biochemical assays are deployed routinely to test up to several million compounds rapidly, as opposed to the late-stage candidate drug profiling methods which test at most dozens of compounds at a time. Here, we describe the miniaturization of a pair of assays based on the binding- and displacement-induced changes in fluorescence polarization (FP) of fluorescent small molecule probes known to specifically target the drug-binding sites of these two proteins. A robust and reproducible assay performance was achieved in ≤4 µL assay volume in 1,536-well format. The assays were tested against a validation set of 10 known protein binders, and the results compared favorably with data obtained using protein-coated beads with high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The miniaturized assays were taken to a high-throughput level in a screen of the LOPAC1280 collection of 1,280 pharmacologically active compounds. The adaptation of the AGP and HSA FP assays to a 1,536-well format should allow their use in early-stage profiling of large-size compound sets.
Integrating environmental and in situ hyperspectral remote sensing variables for grass nitrogen estimation in Savannah ecosystems

Information about the distribution of grass nitrogen (N) concentration is crucial in understanding rangeland vitality and facilitates effective management of wildlife and livestock. A challenge in estimating grass N concentration using remote sensing in savannah ecosystems is that these areas are characterised by heterogeneity in edaphic, topographic and climatic factors. The objective is to test the utility of integrating environmental variables and in situ hyperspectral remote sensing variables for predicting grass N concentration along a land use gradient in the greater Kruger National Park. Data used include i) environmental variables, ii) measured grass N concentration and iii) in situ measured hyperspectral spectra. Non-linear partial least square regression was used. Results showed that several environmental variables were important for N estimation. Integrating environmental variables with in situ hyperspectral variables increased grass N estimation accuracy. The study demonstrated the importance of integrated modelling for savannah ecosystem state assessment.
Stimulation of Zero-trans Rates of Lactose and Maltose Uptake into Yeasts by Preincubation with Hexose To Increase the Adenylate Energy Charge

ABSTRACT Initial rates of sugar uptake (zero-trans rates) are often measured by incubating yeast cells with radiolabeled sugars for 5 to 30 s and determining the radioactivity entering the cells. The yeast cells used are usually harvested from growth medium, washed, suspended in nutrient-free buffer, and stored on ice before they are assayed. With this method, the specific rates of zero-trans lactose uptake by Kluyveromyces lactis or recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains harvested from lactose fermentations were three- to eightfold lower than the specific rates of lactose consumption during fermentation. No significant extracellular β-galactosidase activity was detected. The ATP content and adenylate energy charge (EC) of the yeasts were relatively low before the [14C]lactose uptake reactions were started. A short (1- to 7-min) preincubation of the yeasts with 10 to 30 mM glucose caused 1.5- to 5-fold increases in the specific rates of lactose uptake. These increases correlated with increases in EC (from 0.6 to 0.9) and ATP (from 4 to 8 μmol·g dry yeast−1). Stimulation by glucose affected the transport Vmax values, with smaller increases in Km values. Similar observations were made for maltose transport, using a brewer's yeast. These findings suggest that the electrochemical proton potential that drives transport through sugar/H+ symports is significantly lower in the starved yeast suspensions used for zero-trans assays than in actively metabolizing cells. Zero-trans assays with such starved yeast preparations can produce results that seriously underestimate the capacity of sugar/H+ symports. A short exposure to glucose allows a closer approach to the sugar/H+ symport capacity of actively metabolizing cells.
Do Community Colleges Provide a Viable Pathway to a Baccalaureate Degree?

Community colleges have become an important entryway for students intending to complete baccalaureate degrees. However, many question the viability of the transfer function and wonder whether students suffer a penalty for starting at 2-year institutions. The authors examined how the outcomes of community college entrants compared with those of similar students who initially entered 4-year institutions within the Ohio public higher education system. Using a detailed data set, the authors tracked outcomes for 9 years and used multiple strategies to deal with selection issues: propensity score matching and instrumental variables. The results suggest that straightforward estimates are significantly biased, but even after accounting for selection, students who initially began at community colleges were 14.5% less likely to complete bachelor’s degrees within 9 years.
Terahertz Performance of Integrated Lens Antennas With a Hot-Electron Bolometer

Radiation coupling efficiency and directive properties of integrated lens antennas with log-spiral, log-periodic, and double-slot planar feeds coupled to a hot-electron bolometer were experimentally studied at frequencies from 1 to 6 THz and compared with simulations based on the method of moments and physical-optics ray tracing. For all studied antennas, the modeled spectral dependence of the coupling efficiency fits to the experimental data obtained with both Fourier transform spectroscopy and noise temperature measurements only if the complex impedance of the bolometer is explicitly taken into account. At high frequencies, the radiation pattern of integrated antennas exhibits sidelobes, which are higher than those predicted by the antenna model
Late Adjunction and Minimalist Phrase Structure

An algorithm of phrase structure building is proposed within the bare phrase structure framework. The algorithm is rooted in the idea that applications of Merge–the operation that combines syntactic objects–should not change the set of basic relations (in particular, c-command) in the existing structure, what Chomsky (2000) terms “Least Tampering. ” Under the proposed algorithm, this idea translates into a requirement that Merger must take place at the root of the tree/phrase marker when possible. As a result, the algorithm forces (base-generated or moved) structural adjuncts to be Merged postcyclically. Three empirical consequences of the proposed algorithm are discussed: (1) constructions involving raising across the experiencer (e.g., John seems to Mary to be smart) are shown not to be problematic for the Minimal Link Condition (cf. Chomsky 1995b); (2) a novel account of Adjunct Island effects (Huang 1982) is proposed; and (3) a principled analysis of approximative inversion in Russian is offered.
Fetal Cardiomyopathies: Pathogenic Mechanisms, Hemodynamic Findings, and Clinical Outcome

Background—Although the prenatal diagnosis of most fetal structural heart defects and dysrhythmias has been described, there is a paucity of information about cardiomyopathies (CMs) in prenatal life. Methods and Results—-To determine the pathogenic mechanisms, hemodynamic findings, and outcome of fetal CM, we reviewed the fetal echocardiograms and perinatal histories of 55 affected fetuses. Dilated CM was diagnosed in 22 cases, including 2 with congenital infections, 5 familial cases, 6 with endocardial fibroelastosis related to maternal anti-Ro/La antibodies, and 9 idiopathic cases. Thirty-three had hypertrophic CM, 7 associated with maternal diabetes, 2 with Noonan’s syndrome, 2 with &agr;-thalassemia, 18 with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, 1 with familial hypertrophy, and 3 with idiopathic hypertrophy. Systolic dysfunction was present in all cases of dilated CM and 15 cases of hypertrophic CM. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 19 of 30 fetuses with assessment of diastolic function parameters. Significant mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation was seen in 32 cases. Eight fetuses were hydropic and 23 had signs of early hydrops. Seven pregnancies were terminated. Of 46 continued pregnancies with follow-up, 29 (63%) died perinatally. The presence of systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, and significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation were identified as risk factors for mortality. By multiple logistic regression, diastolic dysfunction was associated with an 8-fold increased risk relative to the other parameters. Conclusions—Fetal CM has a broad spectrum of intrinsic and extrinsic causes. A poor outcome is observed in many affected fetuses. Diastolic dysfunction in fetal CM is associated with the highest risk of mortality.
Milder Variant of Sickle‐Cell Disease in Arabs in Kuwait associated with Unusually High Level of Foetal Haemoglobin

Summary Two families with a new form of relatively benign sickle‐cell disease in Arabs are described here. In the first family, born to AS parents, four children, all above the age of 10 years, had mild manifestation of the sickle‐cell disease. The haemoglobin pattern of these four children is that of SF with complete absence of HbA on the Hb electrophoresis. There was no evidence of thalassaemia minor in the parents. In the second family, two brothers with sickle‐cell disease showed on electrophoresis true SF pattern. Both were above the age of 12 and never needed blood transfusion before, except on recent admission of the younger brother to hospital. The elder brother was not anaemic and was free of symptoms though he has homozygous sickle‐cell disease.
Identification and Characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Replicase Proteins

ABSTRACT The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) encodes proteins required for RNA transcription and genome replication as large polyproteins that are proteolytically processed by virus-encoded proteinases to produce mature replicase proteins. In this report, we generated antibodies against SARS-CoV predicted replicase protein and used the antibodies to identify and characterize 12 of the 16 predicted mature replicase proteins (nsp1, nsp2, nsp3, nsp4, nsp5, nsp8, nsp9, nsp12, nsp13, nsp14, nsp15, and nsp16) in SARS-CoV-infected Vero cells. Immunoblot analysis of infected-cell lysates identified proteins of the predicted sizes. Immunofluorescence microscopy detected similar patterns of punctate perinuclear and distributed cytoplasmic foci with all replicase antibodies and as early as 6 h postinfection. Dual-labeling studies demonstrated colocalization of replicase protein nsp8 with nsp2 and nsp3 in cytoplasmic complexes and also with LC3, a protein marker for autophagic vacuoles. Antibodies directed against mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) virions and against the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Pol) detected SARS-CoV nucleocapsid and nsp12 (Pol), respectively, in SARS-CoV-infected Vero cells. These results confirm the predicted protein processing pattern for mature SARS-CoV replicase proteins, demonstrate localization of replicase proteins to cytoplasmic complexes containing markers for autophagosome membranes, and suggest conservation of protein epitopes in the replicase and nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV and the group II coronavirus, MHV. Further, the results demonstrate the ability of replicase antibodies to detect SARS-CoV-infected cells as early as 6 h postinfection and thus represent important tools for studies of SARS-CoV replication, inhibition, and diagnosis.
Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour Modelfor Measuring Households’ Recycling Behaviour in Malaysia

Malaysia generates 0.8 kg waste per capita per day. Despite the recycling previous programmeslaunched, the national recycling rate was as low as 5%. Households’ involvement is expected to be the key factor to the success of recycling. Therefore, empirical study is needed to examineon the behavioural determinants of households’ recycling behaviour. The paper aims to extend the Theory of Planned Behaviour in predicting the households’ recycling behaviour. The paper will provide useful information and guidelines to the respective authorities in designingstrategies to encourage higher participation from households in the recycling programs.
Microstructure and cytocompatibility of plasma sprayed gradient hydroxyapatite coatings

The fine (38–75 μm) and coarse (75–106 μm) hydroxyapatite (HA) particles were used to fabricate double layer gradient HA coatings on pure titanium (Ti) by plasma spraying method. The inner layer and outer layer of HA coatings had a different melting degree because of various spraying parameters. The microstructure and cytocompatibility of the double layer HA coatings were researched in this paper. In addition, the effect of sintering treatment on the properties of HA coatings was also studied. It showed that the flattened splats distributed randomly in the HA coatings and dissolved after being eroded by dilute nitric acid, revealing that the stability of this part was weak. Meanwhile, the microstructure of HA coating became uniform and the brittleness of coatings increased after sintering. The biological results showed that the heat treatment could accelerate the osteoblast MC3T3 adhesion and differentiation on the coatings after culture for a period.
Comparison of ephedrine and ketamine in prevention of injection pain and hypotension due to propofol induction

Background and objective: This prospective, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study compares the effects of ephedrine and ketamine on injection pain, and hypotension from propofol. Methods: After obtaining the approval of the Ethics Commitee, 75 patients (ASA I‐II) scheduled for elective operations with general anaesthesia were divided into three groups. Saline 2 mL (Group S, n = 25), ketamine 0.5 mg kg−1 (Group K, n = 25) or ephedrine 70 μg kg−1 (Group E, n = 25) were administered over 5 s after tourniquet application. After releasing the tourniquet, propofol 2 mg kg−1 was injected in 30 s. Pain was evaluated on a numerical scale (0‐10) where 0 represented no pain and 10 the most severe pain possible. Systolic, diastolic blood pressures and heart rates were recorded preoperatively, 1 min after propofol injection, before intubation and 1, 2 and 3 min after intubation in all patients. Results: The incidences of pain in Groups S, E and K were similar (84%, 80% and 72%, respectively). The mean pain score in Group K (2.1, SD 3.1) was significantly lower than those of Groups S and E (4.9, SD 2.6 and 4.6, SD 3.3, respectively) (P < 0.05). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure values in Group K (120 ± 27 mmHg) and Group E (123 ± 21 mmHg) before intubation were significantly higher than that of Group S (104 ± 25 mmHg) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean heart rate values of the groups. Conclusions: Low dose ketamine or ephedrine pretreatment may prevent hypotension due to propofol induction. Despite the reduction in injection pain intensity after ketamine, the study drugs were found to be ineffective in lowering the injection pain incidence.
Sparse Vector Distributions and Recovery from Compressed Sensing

It is well known that the performance of sparse vector recovery algorithms from compressive measurements can depend on the distribution underlying the non-zero elements of a sparse vector. However, the extent of these effects has yet to be explored, and formally presented. In this paper, I empirically investigate this dependence for seven distributions and fifteen recovery algorithms. The two morals of this work are: 1) any judgement of the recovery performance of one algorithm over that of another must be prefaced by the conditions for which this is observed to be true, including sparse vector distributions, and the criterion for exact recovery; and 2) a recovery algorithm must be selected carefully based on what distribution one expects to underlie the sensed sparse signal.
Nanoalloy Based on Clays: Intercalated‐Exfoliated Layered Silicate in High Performance Elastomer

A novel method is described for the preparation of nanocomposites comprising a high performance rubber for tire application and layered silicates clay. In this work nanocomposites of solution‐styrene butadiene rubber (S‐SBR) with montmorillonite layered silicate were prepared with carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR), a polar rubber, as a compatibilizer. A sufficient amount of organomodified layered silicate was loaded in carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and this compound was blended as a master batch in the S‐SBR. Mixed intercalated/exfoliated morphologies in the nanocomposite are evinced by X‐ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy. Dynamic mechanical analysis also supports the compatibility of the composites. A good dispersion of the layered silicate in the S‐SBR matrix was reflected from the physical properties of the nanocomposites, especially in terms of tensile strength and high elongation properties.
A systems biology analysis connects insulin receptor signaling with glucose transporter translocation in rat adipocytes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, which arises from malfunctions in the intracellular insulin signaling network. Knowledge of the insulin signaling network is fragmented, and because of the complexity of this network, little consensus has emerged for the structure and importance of the different branches of the network. To help overcome this complexity, systems biology mathematical models have been generated for predicting both the activation of the insulin receptor (IR) and the redistribution of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane. Although the insulin signal transduction between IR and GLUT4 has been thoroughly studied with modeling and time-resolved data in human cells, comparable analyses in cells from commonly used model organisms such as rats and mice are lacking. Here, we combined existing data and models for rat adipocytes with new data collected for the signaling network between IR and GLUT4 to create a model also for their interconnections. To describe all data (>140 data points), the model needed three distinct pathways from IR to GLUT4: (i) via protein kinase B (PKB) and Akt substrate of 160 kDa (AS160), (ii) via an AS160-independent pathway from PKB, and (iii) via an additional pathway from IR, e.g. affecting the membrane constitution. The developed combined model could describe data not used for training the model and was used to generate predictions of the relative contributions of the pathways from IR to translocation of GLUT4. The combined model provides a systems-level understanding of insulin signaling in rat adipocytes, which, when combined with corresponding models for human adipocytes, may contribute to model-based drug development for diabetes.
An Open, Large-Scale, Collaborative Effort to Estimate the Reproducibility of Psychological Science

Reproducibility is a defining feature of science. However, because of strong incentives for innovation and weak incentives for confirmation, direct replication is rarely practiced or published. The Reproducibility Project is an open, large-scale, collaborative effort to systematically examine the rate and predictors of reproducibility in psychological science. So far, 72 volunteer researchers from 41 institutions have organized to openly and transparently replicate studies published in three prominent psychological journals in 2008. Multiple methods will be used to evaluate the findings, calculate an empirical rate of replication, and investigate factors that predict reproducibility. Whatever the result, a better understanding of reproducibility will ultimately improve confidence in scientific methodology and findings.