Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot-assisted versus laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper-tract urothelial cancer: A population-based assessment of costs and perioperative outcomes.

INTRODUCTION We compared short-term outcomes and costs between robotic-assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) and laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (LNU) in a large population-based cohort of patients with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). METHODS Overall, 1914 patients with UTUC treated with RANU or LNU between 2008 and 2010 within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample were abstracted. Propensity-score matching was performed to account for inherent differences between patients undergoing RANU and LNU. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to compare postoperative complications, blood transfusions, prolonged length of stay, and costs between the 2 procedures. RESULTS Overall, a weighted estimate of 1199 (62.6%) and 715 (37.4%) patients received LNU and RANU, respectively. In multivariable analyses no significant differences were observed in postoperative transfusion and length of stay between the 2 surgical approaches (all p > 0.1). However, patients undergoing RANU were less likely to experience any complications compared to their counterparts undergoing LNU (p = 0.04). The utilization of RANU was associated with substantially higher costs compared to the laparoscopic approach. Our study is limited by its retrospective nature and the lack of adjustment for tumour stage and grade. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the safety and feasibility of RANU for the treatment of UTUC. Indeed, the use of the robotic approach was associated with lower probability of experiencing perioperative complications compared to LNU. On the other hand, the utilization of RANU is associated with higher costs compared to LNU.
Reputations, Relationships and the Enforcement of Incomplete Contracts

PCT No. PCT/EP92/02630 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 19, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 19, 1994 PCT Filed Nov. 16, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO93/13605 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 8, 1993This invention relates to apparatus and a method for provision of diversity in reception in a communications system such as the GSM cellular radio system. A received call of low quality is received through a first of two antennas (15, 16) and through first of a plurality of receivers (10-14). A spare receiver that is not required for receipt of a call is identified and the spare receiver is switched to receive the call through the second antenna. The spare receiver is tuned to the frequency of the call of low quality and the calls are diversity combined through the first receiver and the spare receiver.
Effect of Chromium on Antioxidant Potential of Catharanthus roseus Varieties and Production of Their Anticancer Alkaloids: Vincristine and Vinblastine

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, a medicinal plant, has a very important place in the traditional as well as modern pharmaceutical industry. Two common varieties of this plant rosea and alba are named so because of pink and white coloured flowers, respectively. This plant comprises of about 130 terpenoid indole alkaloids and two of them, vincristine and vinblastine, are common anticancer drugs. The effect of chromium (Cr) on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant components and on secondary metabolites vincristine and vinblastine was studied under pot culture conditions of both varieties of C. roseus. Antioxidant responses of these varieties were analyzed under 0, 10, 50, and 100 μM chromium (Cr) level in order to investigate the plant's protective mechanisms against Cr induced oxidative stress. The results indicated that Cr affects all the studied parameters and decreases growth performance. However, vincristine and vinblastine contents were increased under Cr stress. Results are quite encouraging, as this plant shows good antioxidant potential and increased the level of active constituents under Cr stress.
Mechanical and tribological behavior of red clay ceramic tiles coated with fly ash powders by thermal spraying technique.

The mechanical and tribological performance of red clay ceramic tiles uncoated and coated by oxy-fuel thermal spraying process from fly ash powders was evaluated. The ceramic tile substrates were manufactured by uniaxial pressing at 26.17 bar pressure, and sintered at 1100 °C. The coating thickness was determined based on the number of projection-cycles oxyacetylene flame over substrate. Coal fly ash coatings were deposited, with average thickness of 56.18±12.18 μm, 180.42±20.32 μm, and 258.26±25. 88μm. The mechanical resistance to bending and wear by abrasion deep, were studied using ISO 10545-4 standards and ISO 10545-6 respectively; adhesion was measured using Elcometer equipment Type III according to ASTM D-4541-02 and the average roughness (Ra) was found according to ASTM standard D7127-13, using the profilometer Mitutoyo SJ 201. The surface morphology presented the heterogeneous molten or semi molten splats with average size of 35.262±3.48 micrometers with good adhesion, justifying increased mechanical resistance to bending by 5%, as well as wear by abrasion deep. These results contribute to the development of ceramic products with added value, to be used in various technological applications.
Mitochondrial Haplogroups: Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Other Diseases, Mortality, and Longevity in the General Population

Background— Rare mutations in the mitochondrial genome may cause disease. Mitochondrial haplogroups defined by common polymorphisms have been associated with risk of disease and longevity. We tested the hypothesis that common haplogroups predict risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease, morbidity from other causes, mortality, and longevity in a general population of European descent. Methods and Results— We followed 9254 individuals from the Danish general population, in the Copenhagen City Heart Study, prospectively for risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease, morbidity from other causes, and mortality during 25 and 11 years, respectively. Haplogroup frequencies were as follows: H (45.9%), U (15.9%), T (9.9%), J (9.1), K (6.2%), V (4.5%), W/I (3.8%), and Z (3.5%). Hazard ratios for hospitalization due to all cardiovascular disorders (haplogroup U: 1.0 [95% confidence interval{CI}, 0.9 to 1.1]; T: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.0]; J: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.1]; K: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2]; V: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2]; W/I: 0.8 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.0]; Z: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.2]), ischemic heart disease (U: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.1]; T: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.0]; J: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2]; K: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.3]; V: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.4]; W/I: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4]; Z: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4]), and ischemic cerebrovascular disease (U: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.4]; T: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.2]; J: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.4]; K: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4]; V: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.5]; W/I: 0.8 [95% CI, 0.5 to 1.3]; Z: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.6 to 1.4]) did not differ from 1.0 for any haplogroup versus the most common haplogroup H. Results were similar for hospitalization due to infectious and parasitic diseases, respiratory infections, respiratory disorders, malignant neoplasms, digestive disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders, and miscarriages. Likewise, hazard ratios for death from all causes were not different from 1.0 for any haplogroup versus haplogroup H (U: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.1]; T: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.1]; J: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.1]; K: 1.0 [95% CI, 0.8 to 1.2]; V: 1.1 [95% CI, 0.9 to 1.3]; W/I: 0.8 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.1]; Z: 0.9 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.2]). Finally, after stratification by major causes of death, hazard ratios remained insignificant. Conclusions— Our results do not support an association of mitochondrial haplogroups with risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease, morbidity from other causes, mortality, or longevity in a large general population of European descent.
Ixekizumab: a new anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody therapy for moderate-to severe plaque psoriasis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Psoriasis is a common, systemic, inflammatory disease with prominent skin and joint manifestations. Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) has been identified as a key effector cytokine that mediates immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Ixekizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets IL-17A, has been found in clinical trials to dramatically reduce signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Areas covered: The following areas are discussed: the basic structure and function of IL-17A, its role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the safety and efficacy of ixekizumab in clinical trials reported to date, and the possible impact of ixekizumab on the future therapeutic market for psoriasis. Expert opinion: A large proportion of patients with psoriasis achieve clear or near clear skin during treatment with ixekizumab in a rapid and sustained manner. This supports the idea that IL-17A plays a central role in psoriasis immunopathogenesis. While ixekizumab has been shown to be safe in trials up to 60 weeks, long-term safety data are not yet available. Because its efficacy is higher than all previously approved drugs for psoriasis thus far, approval and use of ixekizumab may lead to a treatment paradigm change for psoriasis, where clear or near clear skin becomes an acceptable and achievable treatment goal.
Approximation and Learning of Convex Superpositions

We present a fairly general method for constructing classes of functions of finite scale-sensitive dimension (the scale-sensitive dimension is a generalization of the Vapnik-Chervonenkis dimension to real-valued functions). The construction is as follows: start from a class F of functions of finite VC dimension, take the convex hull coF of F, and then take the closure \({\cal L}\) of coF in an appropriate sense. As an example, we study in more detail the case where F is the class of threshold functions. It is shown that \({\cal L}\) includes two important classes of functions: neural networks with one hidden layer and bounded output weights; the so-called Γ class of Barron, which was shown to satisfy a number of interesting approximation and closure properties.
Monitoring Agronomic Parameters of Winter Wheat Crops with Low-Cost UAV Imagery

Monitoring the dynamics in wheat crops requires near-term observations with high spatial resolution due to the complex factors influencing wheat growth variability. We studied the prospects for monitoring the biophysical parameters and nitrogen status in wheat crops with low-cost imagery acquired from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) over an 11 ha field. Flight missions were conducted at approximately 50 m in altitude with a commercial copter and camera system—three missions were performed between booting and maturing of the wheat plants and one mission after tillage. Ultra-high resolution orthoimages of 1.2 cm·px−1 and surface models were generated for each mission from the standard red, green and blue (RGB) aerial images. The image variables were extracted from image tone and surface models, e.g., RGB ratios, crop coverage and plant height. During each mission, 20 plots within the wheat canopy with 1 × 1 m2 sample support were selected in the field, and the leaf area index, plant height, fresh and dry biomass and nitrogen concentrations were measured. From the generated UAV imagery, we were able to follow the changes in early senescence at the individual plant level in the wheat crops. Changes in the pattern of the wheat canopy varied drastically from one mission to the next, which supported the need for instantaneous observations, as delivered by UAV imagery. The correlations between the biophysical parameters and image variables were highly significant during each mission, and the regression models calculated with the principal components of the image variables yielded R2 values between 0.70 and 0.97. In contrast, the models of the nitrogen concentrations yielded low R2 values with the best model obtained at flowering (R2 = 0.65). The nitrogen nutrition index was calculated with an accuracy of 0.10 to 0.11 NNI for each mission. For all models, information about the surface models and image tone was important. We conclude that low-cost RGB UAV imagery will strongly aid farmers in observing biophysical characteristics, but it is limited for observing the nitrogen status within wheat crops.
Antiretroviral therapy modifies the genetic effect of known type 2 diabetes-associated risk variants in HIV-infected women

Objective:Type 2 diabetes mellitus incidence is increased in HIV-infected persons. We examined the associations of diabetes mellitus with known diabetes mellitus-risk alleles from the general population in the context of HIV infection, and explored effect modification by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Methods:The Women's Interagency HIV Study is a prospective cohort of HIV-infected women. Seventeen European-derived diabetes mellitus-risk polymorphisms were genotyped in the eligible participants of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Analyses were run separately for non-African Americans (Whites, Hispanics, Asians, and other; n = 378, 49 with incident diabetes mellitus) and African Americans (n = 591, 49 with incident diabetes mellitus). Cox proportional-hazards models were fit to estimate hazard ratios for diabetes mellitus overall and within strata of cART. Results:In non-African Americans, heterogeneity across cART regimen was observed for nine of the 14 polymorphisms (phet < 0.05). One polymorphism was statistically significantly inversely associated with diabetes mellitus risk among women taking two nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) + non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Five polymorphisms were statistically significantly associated with diabetes mellitus among women treated with at least two NRTIs + at least one protease inhibitor and one polymorphism was associated with diabetes mellitus among those treated with at least three NRTIs ± NNRTI. The hazard ratio per risk allele for IGF2BP2 rs1470579 was 2.67 (95% confidence interval 1.67–4.31) for women taking cART with at least two NRTIs + at least one protease inhibitor and 2.45 (95% confidence interval 1.08–5.53) in women taking at least three NRTIs ± NNRTI (phet = 2.50 × 10–3). No such associations were observed in the African Americans. Conclusions:Genetic susceptibility to diabetes mellitus, based on the variants studied, is substantially elevated among HIV-infected women using cART containing three or more NRTI/protease inhibitor components. A personalized medicine approach to cART selection may be indicated for HIV-infected persons carrying these diabetes mellitus-risk variants.
RN486, a Selective Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Abrogates Immune Hypersensitivity Responses and Arthritis in Rodents

Genetic mutation and pharmacological inhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) both have been shown to prevent the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice, providing a rationale for the development of Btk inhibitors for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, we characterized a novel Btk inhibitor, 6-cyclopropyl-8-fluoro-2-(2-hydroxymethyl-3-{1-methyl-5-[5-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamino]-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridin-3-yl}-phenyl)-2H-isoquinolin-1-one (RN486), in vitro and in rodent models of immune hypersensitivity and arthritis. We demonstrated that RN486 not only potently and selectively inhibited the Btk enzyme, but also displayed functional activities in human cell-based assays in multiple cell types, blocking Fcε receptor cross-linking-induced degranulation in mast cells (IC50 = 2.9 nM), Fcγ receptor engagement-mediated tumor necrosis factor α production in monocytes (IC50 = 7.0 nM), and B cell antigen receptor-induced expression of an activation marker, CD69, in B cells in whole blood (IC50 = 21.0 nM). RN486 displayed similar functional activities in rodent models, effectively preventing type I and type III hypersensitivity responses. More importantly, RN486 produced robust anti-inflammatory and bone-protective effects in mouse CIA and rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) models. In the AIA model, RN486 inhibited both joint and systemic inflammation either alone or in combination with methotrexate, reducing both paw swelling and inflammatory markers in the blood. Together, our findings not only demonstrate that Btk plays an essential and conserved role in regulating immunoreceptor-mediated immune responses in both humans and rodents, but also provide evidence and mechanistic insights to support the development of selective Btk inhibitors as small-molecule disease-modifying drugs for RA and potentially other autoimmune diseases.
Depressive symptoms are doubled in older British South Asian and Black Caribbean people compared with Europeans: associations with excess co-morbidity and socioeconomic disadvantage

Background Despite elevated risk profiles for depression among South Asian and Black Caribbean people in the UK, prevalences of late-life depressive symptoms across the UK's three major ethnic groups have not been well characterized. Method Data were collected at baseline and 20-year follow-up from 632 European, 476 South Asian and 181 Black Caribbean men and women (aged 58–88 years), of a community-based cohort study from north-west London. The 10-item Geriatric Depression Scale was interviewer-administered during a clinic visit (depressive symptoms defined as a score of ⩾4 out of 10), with clinical data (adiposity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cognitive function) also collected. Sociodemographic, psychosocial, behavioural, disability, and medical history information was obtained by questionnaire. Results Prevalence of depressive symptoms varied by ethnic group, affecting 9.7% of White European, 15.5% of South Asian, and 17.7% of Black Caribbean participants. Compared with White Europeans, South Asian and Black Caribbean participants were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms (odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.24–2.58 and 1.80, 1.11–2.92, respectively). Adjustment for co-morbidities had most effect on the excess South Asian odds, and adjustment for socioeconomic position had most effect on the elevated Black Caribbean odds. Conclusions Higher prevalence of depressive symptoms observed among South Asian people were attenuated after adjustment for physical health, whereas the Black Caribbean increased prevalence was most explained by socioeconomic disadvantage. It is important to understand the reasons for these ethnic differences to identify opportunities for interventions to address inequalities.
Living in Latvia after stroke: the association between functional, social and personal factors and the level of self-perceived disability—a cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate how functional, social and personal factors are associated with self-perceived level of disability in the chronic phase of stroke in a Latvian stroke population. The consequences of stroke can vary greatly and often leads to long-term disability that, according to the WHO definitions, depends on the interaction between the person and his/her context. Design Cross-sectional study with retrospective data gathering. Setting Community-dwelling persons who received specialised in-patient rehabilitation after stroke in Latvia. Participants Of 600 persons after stroke who were identified through hospital register and selected for the study, 255 were included in the analysis. Primary and secondary outcome measures The medical information and discharge data of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was extracted from medical records. Participants filled out a questionnaire on sociodemographic information and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), either in Latvian or Russian, depending on their wish when contacted for their oral agreement to participate. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to find a model that best explains the variance in WHODAS 2.0 scores. Results The models explained 23–43.5% of variance in outcomes. The best explained WHODAS 2.0 domains were ‘mobility’ and ‘self-care’. The significant factors were level of independence in ‘self-care’, ‘locomotion’ and ‘communication’ according to FIM, as well as working status, time since rehabilitation, age, gender, living alone or in family and preferred language. Conclusions Functional, social and personal factors are of similar importance when explaining self-perceived disability in the chronic phase of stroke. Some, but not all, of the factors are modifiable by the healthcare system. Therefore, a complex approach and involvement of medical, social and political systems is needed.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O): The Dominant Ozone-Depleting Substance Emitted in the 21st Century

Unwelcome Dominance Stratospheric ozone is depleted by many different chemicals; most prominently, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) responsible for causing the Antarctic ozone hole. Nitrous oxide is also an ozone-depleting substance that has natural sources in addition to anthropogenic ones. Moreover, unlike CFCs, its use and emission are not regulated by the Montreal Protocol, which has helped to reverse the rate of growth of the ozone hole. Surprisingly, Ravishankara et al. (p. 123, published online 27 August; see the Perspective by Wuebbles) now show that nitrous oxide is the single greatest ozone-depleting substance that, if its emissions are not controlled, is expected to remain the dominant ozone-depleting substance throughout the 21st century. Reducing nitrous oxide emissions would thus enhance the rate of recovery of the ozone hole and reduce the anthropogenic forcing of climate. Nitrous oxide causes more stratospheric ozone destruction than any other ozone-depleting substance. By comparing the ozone depletion potential–weighted anthropogenic emissions of N2O with those of other ozone-depleting substances, we show that N2O emission currently is the single most important ozone-depleting emission and is expected to remain the largest throughout the 21st century. N2O is unregulated by the Montreal Protocol. Limiting future N2O emissions would enhance the recovery of the ozone layer from its depleted state and would also reduce the anthropogenic forcing of the climate system, representing a win-win for both ozone and climate.
Moral Decision Making Frameworks for Artificial Intelligence

The generality of decision and game theory has enabled domain-independent progress in AI research. For example, a better algorithm for finding good policies in (PO)MDPs can be instantly used in a variety of applications. But such a general theory is lacking when it comes to moral decision making. For AI applications with a moral component, are we then forced to build systems based on many ad-hoc rules? In this paper we discuss possible ways to avoid this conclusion.