Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung Cancer Occurrence in Never-Smokers: An Analysis of 13 Cohorts and 22 Cancer Registry Studies

Background Better information on lung cancer occurrence in lifelong nonsmokers is needed to understand gender and racial disparities and to examine how factors other than active smoking influence risk in different time periods and geographic regions. Methods and Findings We pooled information on lung cancer incidence and/or death rates among self-reported never-smokers from 13 large cohort studies, representing over 630,000 and 1.8 million persons for incidence and mortality, respectively. We also abstracted population-based data for women from 22 cancer registries and ten countries in time periods and geographic regions where few women smoked. Our main findings were: (1) Men had higher death rates from lung cancer than women in all age and racial groups studied; (2) male and female incidence rates were similar when standardized across all ages 40+ y, albeit with some variation by age; (3) African Americans and Asians living in Korea and Japan (but not in the US) had higher death rates from lung cancer than individuals of European descent; (4) no temporal trends were seen when comparing incidence and death rates among US women age 40–69 y during the 1930s to contemporary populations where few women smoke, or in temporal comparisons of never-smokers in two large American Cancer Society cohorts from 1959 to 2004; and (5) lung cancer incidence rates were higher and more variable among women in East Asia than in other geographic areas with low female smoking. Conclusions These comprehensive analyses support claims that the death rate from lung cancer among never-smokers is higher in men than in women, and in African Americans and Asians residing in Asia than in individuals of European descent, but contradict assertions that risk is increasing or that women have a higher incidence rate than men. Further research is needed on the high and variable lung cancer rates among women in Pacific Rim countries.
A Convergence Analysis of Log-Linear Training

Log-linear models are widely used probability models for statistical pattern recognition. Typically, log-linear models are trained according to a convex criterion. In recent years, the interest in log-linear models has greatly increased. The optimization of log-linear model parameters is costly and therefore an important topic, in particular for large-scale applications. Different optimization algorithms have been evaluated empirically in many papers. In this work, we analyze the optimization problem analytically and show that the training of log-linear models can be highly ill-conditioned. We verify our findings on two handwriting tasks. By making use of our convergence analysis, we obtain good results on a large-scale continuous handwriting recognition task with a simple and generic approach.
The effectiveness of risk management program on pediatric nurses’ medication error

Background: Medication therapy is one of the most complex and high-risk clinical processes that nurses deal with. Medication error is the most common type of error that brings about damage and death to patients, especially pediatric ones. However, these errors are preventable. Identifying and preventing undesirable events leading to medication errors are the main risk management activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a risk management program on the pediatric nurses’ medication error rate. Materials and Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental one with a comparison group. In this study, 200 nurses were recruited from two main pediatric hospitals in Tehran. In the experimental hospital, we applied the risk management program for a period of 6 months. Nurses of the control hospital did the hospital routine schedule. A pre- and post-test was performed to measure the frequency of the medication error events. SPSS software, t-test, and regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: After the intervention, the medication error rate of nurses at the experimental hospital was significantly lower (P < 0.001) and the error-reporting rate was higher (P < 0.007) compared to before the intervention and also in comparison to the nurses of the control hospital. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study and taking into account the high-risk nature of the medical environment, applying the quality-control programs such as risk management can effectively prevent the occurrence of the hospital undesirable events. Nursing mangers can reduce the medication error rate by applying risk management programs. However, this program cannot succeed without nurses’ cooperation.
The impact of development and malaria control activities on its vectors in the Kinabatangan area of Sabah , East Malaysia

A study was carried out from July 2001 until January 2003 in the Kinabatangan area of Sabah, part of Borneo island, where malaria used to be mesoendemic. Vector surveys determined that Plasmodium falciparumwas the predominant species and Anopheles balabacensis the primary vector. Malaria cases have dropped drastically over the years but P. falciparumis still predominant. In the present study, Anopheles donaldi was the predominant species and was positive for sporozoites. Although An. balabacensiswas present, none were infective. An. donaldibite more outdoors than indoors and have a peak biting time from 18:00 to 19:00 h when most people are still out of their homes. An integrated malaria control programme along with area development has helped in the control of malaria and its vector. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Daisyphone: the design and impact of a novel environment for remote group music improvisation

Music has lost its role as a central part of many people's everyday action. This paper reports on the design and impact of a novel environment for remote group music improvisation with the view to understanding how we could design more engaging, social, and serendipitous musical environments. The design reported here focuses on the representation of looping music, support for remote collaboration, and support for idea formulation. Observations of use suggest that the environment developed does encourage some group music, and we identify clear areas for future design consideration.
AGB dust and gas ejecta in extremely metal-poor environments

We present asymptotic giant branch (AGB) models of metallicity $Z=10^{-4}$ and $Z=3\times 10^{-4}$, with the aim of understanding how the gas enrichment and the dust production change in very metal-poor environments and to assess the general contribution of AGB stars to the cosmic dust yield. The stellar yields and the dust produced are determined by the change in the surface chemical composition, with a transition occurring at $\sim 2.5~M_{\odot}$. Stars of mass $M 5$.
Long-term follow-up of blood pressure in family members of soldiers killed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AIM To asses prevalence of essential arterial hypertension in family members of soldiers killed in 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS The study enrolled 1144 subjects who lost a family member in the war and 582 of their close neighbors who experienced no such loss. Data on their medical history and habits were collected, and their blood pressure was recorded in 1996 and 2003. Arterial hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure > or =140 mm Hg (> or =130 mm Hg in patients with diabetes mellitus), or diastolic blood pressure > or =90 mm Hg (> or =80 mm Hg in patients with diabetes mellitus), or taking antihypertensive therapy. Additional laboratory and clinical tests were performed in subjects with hypertension. RESULTS The prevalence of hypertension at both time points was higher in the group with a killed family member than in the group without the loss (55.1% vs 42.1%, P<0.001 in 1996, and 50.7% vs 39.0%, P<0.001 in 2003, respectively). However, there was also a significant decrease in the prevalence of hypertension in the group with the loss in 2003 (P<0.001), but not in group without the loss. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), smoking, and alcohol consumption were more prevalent in the group with a killed family member, but not cholesterol and triglyceride blood concentrations. In both groups, hypertension was more prevalent in subjects with PTSD and smoking or drinking habit. Proportion of subjects with hypertension who smoked and used alcohol was similar in both groups. Proportion of subjects with hypertension who did not smoke or drink was higher in the group with the loss (51.1% vs 36.7%, P<0.001; 46.2% vs 35.0%, P=0.006; respectively). CONCLUSION This study showed higher prevalence of hypertension in family members of killed soldiers, regardless of the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Only the stress of mourning was associated with higher prevalence of hypertension. Over time, proportion of hypertensive subjects with the loss decreased in the group with a killed family member, further suggesting that at least a part of their hypertension might have been of psychological origin.
Epidemiological profile of acute respiratory distress syndrome patients: A tertiary care experience

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is seen in critically ill patients. Its etiological spectrum in India is expected to be different from that seen in western countries due to the high prevalence of tropical infections. Aim: To study the epidemiological profile of ARDS patients. Setting: A tertiary care hospital in Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 150 out of the 169 ARDS patients diagnosed during 2010–2012. Data collected included the clinical features and severity scoring parameters. Results: The mean age of the study population was 42.92 ± 13.91 years. The causes of ARDS included pneumonia (n = 35, 23.3%), scrub typhus (n = 33, 22%), leptospirosis (n = 11, 7.3%), malaria (n = 6, 4%), influenza (H1N1) (n = 10, 6.7%), pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 2, 1.3%), dengue (n = 1, 0.7%), abdominal sepsis (n = 16, 10.7%), skin infection (n = 3, 2%), unknown cause of sepsis (n = 18, 12%), and nonseptic causes (n = 15, 10%). A total of 77 (51.3%) patients survived, 66 (44%) expired, and 7 (4.7%) were discharged against medical advice (AMA). Preexisting comorbidities (46) were present in 13 survivors, 19 nonsurvivors, and four discharged AMA. History of surgery prior to the onset of ARDS was present in one survivor, 13 nonsurvivors, and one discharge AMA. Mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, APACHE III, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores in survivors were 9.06 ± 4.3, 49.22 ± 14, and 6.43 ± 2.5 and in nonsurvivors 21.11 ± 7, 86.45 ± 23.5, and 10.6 ± 10, respectively. Conclusion: The most common cause of ARDS in our study was pneumonia, but a large percentage of cases were due to the tropical infections. Preexisting comorbidity, surgery prior to the onset of ARDS, higher severity scores, and organ failure scores were more frequently observed among nonsurvivors than survivors.
Peers at Work

We investigate how and why the productivity of a worker varies as a function of the productivity of her co-workers in a group production process. In theory, the introduction of a high productivity worker could lower the effort of incumbent workers because of free riding; or it could increase the effort of incumbent workers because of peer effects induced by social norms, social pressure, or learning. Using scanner level data, we measure high frequency, worker-level productivity of checkers for a large grocery chain. Because of the firm's scheduling policy, the timing of within-day changes in personnel is unsystematic, a feature for which we find consistent support in the data. We find strong evidence of positive productivity spillovers from the introduction of highly productive personnel into a shift. A 10% increase in average co-worker permanent productivity is associated with 1.7% increase in a worker's effort. Most of this peer effect arises from low productivity workers benefiting from the presence of high productivity workers. Therefore, the optimal mix of workers in a given shift is the one that maximizes skill diversity. In order to explain the mechanism that generates the peer effect, we examine whether effort depends on workers' ability to monitor one another due to their spatial arrangement, and whether effort is affected by the time workers have previously spent working together. We find that a given worker's effort is positively related to the presence and speed of workers who face him, but not the presence and speed of workers whom he faces (and do not face him). In addition, workers respond more to the presence of co-workers with whom they frequently overlap. These patterns indicate that these individuals are motivated by social pressure and mutual monitoring, and suggest that social preferences can play an important role in inducing effort, even when economic incentives are limited.
Crosstalk with cancer-associated fibroblasts induces resistance of non-small cell lung cancer cells to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition

Although lung cancers with activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are highly sensitive to selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), these tumors invariably develop acquired drug resistance. Host stromal cells have been found to have a considerable effect on the sensitivity of cancer cells to EGFR TKIs. Little is known, however, about the signaling mechanisms through which stromal cells contribute to the response to EGFR TKI in non-small cell lung cancer. This work examined the role of hedgehog signaling in cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-mediated resistance of lung cancer cells to the EGFR TKI erlotinib. PC9 cells, non-small cell lung cancer cells with EGFR-activating mutations, became resistant to the EGFR TKI erlotinib when cocultured in vitro with CAFs. Polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemical assays showed that CAFs induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition phenotype in PC9 cells, with an associated change in the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition marker proteins including vimentin. Importantly, CAFs induce upregulation of the 7-transmembrane protein smoothened, the central signal transducer of hedgehog, suggesting that the hedgehog signaling pathway is active in CAF-mediated drug resistance. Indeed, downregulation of smoothened activity with the smoothened antagonist cyclopamine induces remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton independently of Gli-mediated transcriptional activity in PC9 cells. These findings indicate that crosstalk with CAFs plays a critical role in resistance of lung cancer to EGFR TKIs through induction of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition and may be an ideal therapeutic target in lung cancer.
Comparison of individual and group/consultation treatment methods for preschool children with developmental delays.

OBJECTIVES Although alternative treatment methods are becoming more widely discussed and implemented in pediatric occupational therapy, empirical data demonstrating the effectiveness of these treatment methods are lacking. The present study compares the effectiveness of an alternative treatment method (group/consultation) to traditional direct therapy. METHOD Eighteen preschool subjects classified as developmentally delayed received either individual/direct therapy or group/consultation therapy. Each child was assessed initially and again 7 months later with three standardized tests assessing fine motor and gross motor development, functional skills in the home, and nonverbal intelligence. RESULTS Subjects in both treatment methods demonstrated significant increases in both fine and gross motor skills with the rate approximating that of the normal distribution of typically developing children. CONCLUSION There were no statistically significant differences between treatment methods on any of the assessments.
Advances in Minimum Description

A non-probabilistic foundation for model selection and prediction can be based on Kolmogorov complexity (algorithmic information theory) and Kolmogorov’s Structure functions (representing all stochastic properties of the data). A distinguishing feature is the analysis of goodness-of-ﬂt of an individual model for an individual data string. Among other things it presents a new viewpoint on the foundations of ‘maximum likelihood’ and ‘minumum description length’. We provide a leasure introduction to the central notions and results. \To each constructive object corresponds a function ' x ( k ) of a natural number k |the log of minimal cardinality of x -containing sets that allow deﬂnitions of complexity at most k . If the element x itself allows a simple deﬂnition, then the function ' drops to 1 even for small k . Lacking such deﬂnition, the element is \random" in a negative sense. But it is positively \probabilistically random" only when function ' having taken the value ' 0 at a relatively small k = k 0 , then changes approximately as '( k ) = ' 0 ¡ ( k ¡ k 0 ). " [A.N. Kolmogorov
Status of governmental oral health care delivery system in Haryana, India

Background: Health system should be organized to meet the needs of entire population of the nation. This means that the state has the direct responsibility for the health of its population and improving the quality of life through research, education, and provision of health services. The present study was conducted to evaluate the government oral health care delivery system in Haryana, India. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 dental care units (DCUs) of various primary health centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and general hospitals (GHs) existing in the state by employing a cluster random sampling technique. Data regarding the provision of water and electricity supply, dental man power and their qualification, number and type of instruments in the dental operatory unit, etc., were collected on a structured format. Statistical analysis was done using number and percentages (SPSS package version 16). Results: Alternative source of electricity (generator) existed in only a few of health centers. About 93.4% (155) of the staff were graduates (BDS) and 6.6% (11) were postgraduates (MDS). Ultrasonic scaler was available at dental units of 83.1% (64) of PHCs, 73.1% (19) of CHCs, and 93.8% (30) of GHs. Patient drapes were provided in 48.1% (65) of the DCUs, doctor′s aprons were provided in 74.1% (100) of the places. Conclusion: There is a shortfall in infrastructure and significant problem with the adequacy of working facilities. A great deal of effort is required to harmonize the oral health care delivery system.
Cohomology of a Hamiltonian $T$-space with involution

Let $M$ be a compact symplectic manifold on which a compact torus $T$ acts Hamiltonialy with a moment map $\mu$. Suppose there exists a symplectic involution $\theta:M\to M$, such that $\mu\circ\theta=-\mu$. Assuming that 0 is a regular value of $\mu$, we calculate the trace of the action of $\theta$ on the cohomology of $M$ in terms of the trace of the action of $\theta$ on the symplectic reduction $\mu^{-1}(0)/T$ of $M$. This result generalizes a theorem of R. Stanley, who considered the case when $M$ was a toric variety.
The use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve activation deficits in a patient with chronic quadriceps strength impairments following total knee arthroplasty.

STUDY DESIGN Case report. BACKGROUND Long-term deficits in quadriceps femoris muscle strength and impaired muscle activation are common among individuals with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Failure to address strength-related impairments results in poor surgical and functional outcomes, which may accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis in other lower extremity joints. The purpose of the current case report was to implement a neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) treatment protocol in conjunction with an intense weight-training program, with the aim of reversing persistent quadriceps muscle impairments after TKA. CASE DESCRIPTION The patient was a 62-year-old male cyclist 12 months following simultaneous, bilateral TKA with impairments in left quadriceps strength and volitional muscle activation. His left quadriceps strength was 26% weaker than his right and central activation ratio (CAR) of his left quadriceps was 13% lower than his right quadriceps CAR. NMES to the left quadriceps was implemented for 6 weeks, in addition to an intense volitional weight-training program with emphasis on unilateral lower extremity exercises. OUTCOMES The patient demonstrated a 25% improvement in left quadriceps femoris maximal volitional force output following 16 treatments of combined NMES and volitional strength training over a 6-week period. The patient's volitional muscle activation improved from a CAR of 0.83 before treatment to 0.97 after treatment. At discharge from physical therapy and at his 18-month postoperative follow-up, the patient's left quadriceps strength was only 4% lower than his right quadriceps strength. At the 24-month follow-up, the patient's left quadriceps strength was 6% stronger than his right quadriceps strength. DISCUSSION The patient was able to achieve symmetrical quadriceps strength and complete muscle activation following 6 weeks of NMES and volitional strength training. An intense strengthening program may have the potential to reverse persistent strength-related impairments following TKA.
Mitochondrial genome linearization is a causative factor for cardiomyopathy in mice and Drosophila.

AIMS Mitofusin (Mfn)2 redundantly promotes mitochondrial outer membrane tethering and organelle fusion with Mfn1, and uniquely functions as the mitochondrial receptor for Parkin during PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1)-Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Selective deletion of Mfn2 with retention of Mfn1 preserves mitochondrial fusion while rendering damaged mitochondria resistant to normal quality control culling mechanisms. Consequently, neuron and cardiomyocyte-specific Mfn2 gene ablation is associated with accumulation of damaged mitochondria and organ dysfunction. Here, we determined how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage contributes to cardiomyopathy in Mfn2-deficient hearts. RESULTS RNA sequencing of Mfn2-deficient hearts revealed increased expression of some nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes, but mitochondrial-encoded transcripts were not upregulated in parallel and mtDNA content was decreased. Ultra-deep sequencing of mtDNA showed no increase in single nucleotide mutations, but copy number variations representing insertion-deletion (in-del) mutations were induced over time by cardiomyocyte-specific Mfn2 deficiency. Double-strand mtDNA breaks in the form of in-dels were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, and in the form of linear mitochondrial genomes were identified by southern blot analysis. Linearization of Drosophila cardiomyocyte mtDNA using conditional cardiomyocyte-specific expression of mitochondrial targeted XhoI recapitulated the cardiomyopathy of Mfn2-deficient mouse hearts. INNOVATION This is the first description of mitochondrial genome linearization as a causative factor in cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION One of the consequences of interrupting mitochondrial culling by the PINK1-Mfn2-Parkin mechanism is an increase in mtDNA double-stranded breaks, which adversely impact mitochondrial function and DNA replication.