Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting the severity of motor vehicle traffic crashes involving young drivers in Ontario.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the factors affecting the severity of motor vehicles traffic crashes involving young drivers in Ontario. POPULATION: Ontario young drivers, aged 16 to 20, involved in traffic crashes resulting in injury, between 1 January 1988 and 31 December 1993, on public roads in Ontario. METHODS: Population based case-control study. Cases were fatal injury, major injury, and minor injury crashes involving young drivers. Controls were minimal injury crashes involving young drivers. Cases and controls were obtained retrospectively from the Canadian Traffic Accident Information Databank. Unconditional logistic regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Factors significantly increasing the risk of fatal injury crashes include: drinking and driving (odds ratio (OR) 2.3), impairment by alcohol (OR 4.8), exceeding speed limits (OR 2.8), not using seat belts (OR 4.7), full ejection from vehicle (OR 21.3), intersection without traffic control (OR 2.2), bridge or tunnel (OR 4.1), road with speed limit 70-90 km/hour (OR 5.6) or 100 km/hour (OR 5.4), bad weather (OR 1.6), head-on collision (OR 80.0), and overtaking (OR 1.9). Results of the same model applied to major and minor injury crashes demonstrated consistent but weaker associations with decreasing levels of crash severity. CONCLUSIONS: A casual relationship between crash severity and the risk factors listed above was proposed. Risk factors recommended for preventive intervention include: alcohol consumption, speeding, and use of seat belts. Head-on collisions are of primary concern.
Natural Convection in a Tilted Rectangular Enclosure with a Single Discrete Heater

The effect of inclination angle on the steady laminar free convection in a rectangular enclosure (aspect ratio = 5), which is discretely heated by an isoflux flush mounted small heater (L / H = 0.125) is studied numerically. The local and average Nusselt numbers are compared at inclination angles from 0 (bottom heating) to 180? (top heating), for modified Rayleigh numbers 102 ? Ra* ? 106. The two-dimensional mass, momentum and energy equations with Boussinesq approximation are solved for the present configuration where the sidewalls are adiabatic and the heat sink is isothermal. Forward time central space implicit finite difference scheme is employed to solve the coupled governing equations. Numerical results demonstrate the strong dependence of streamlines and isotherms on both inclination angle and Rayleigh number. Unlike fully heated enclosures the end effects of the discrete concentrated heat source enhances convection and increases the average Nusselt number as compared to that for thermally full active wall. The effect of the orientation angle on the flow structure and associated transition between unicellular and multiple cell flow is presented. The maximum Nusselt number is found close to the vertical orientation while the minimum is at the horizontal position with fluid heated from the top for which convection is effectual and the average Nusselt number is greater than unity.
The Y Chromosome Effect on Blood Pressure in Two European Populations

Higher blood pressure (BP) in males compared with females is well documented and is thought to be influenced in part by the Y chromosome. To examine whether there is an association between BP and a polymorphic Hin dIII biallelic marker in the nonrecombining region of the Y chromosome, we genotyped 155 males from a Polish study group and 762 males from a Scottish study group. We also tested for possible interaction between the Y chromosome and a mutation in the steroidogenic factor binding site of the aldosterone synthase gene by genotyping the same group from Scotland. There was no significant difference in age or body mass index between 2 Y chromosome genotypes in both study groups. Men with the Hin dIII(+) genotype had significantly higher systolic and diastolic pressures than those with the Hin dIII(−) genotype in both the Polish and Scottish studies. This difference between the genotypes was 5.27 mm Hg (P =0.0014) and 3.14 mm Hg (P =0.0005) for adjusted systolic BP and 2.6 mm Hg (P =0.0045) and 1.44 mm Hg (P =0.0084) for adjusted diastolic BP in the Polish and the Scottish studied, respectively. On binary logistic regression analysis, males with the Hin dIII(+)/TT SF1 genotype combination had an odds ratio for elevated BP of 3.92 (CI 1.21 to 12.68, P =0.023). Our results indicate that the Y chromosome harbors a locus or loci that contribute to BP variation in hypertensive and normotensive men. The polymorphism in the aldosterone synthase gene may interact with the Y chromosome to increase the odds of an individual’s developing higher BP.
On the elusive notion of meta-agreement

Public deliberation has been defended as a rational and noncoercive way to overcome paradoxical results from democratic voting, by promoting consensus on the available alternatives on the political agenda. Some critics have argued that full consensus is too demanding and inimical to pluralism and have pointed out that single-peakedness, a much less stringent condition, is sufficient to overcome voting paradoxes. According to these accounts, deliberation can induce single-peakedness through the creation of a ‘meta-agreement’, that is, agreement on the dimension according to which the issues at stake are ‘conceptualized’. We argue here that once all the conditions needed for deliberation to bring about single-peakedness through meta-agreement are unpacked and made explicit, meta-agreement turns out to be a highly demanding condition, and one that is very inhospitable to pluralism.
Selection-Driven Gene Loss in Bacteria

Gene loss by deletion is a common evolutionary process in bacteria, as exemplified by bacteria with small genomes that have evolved from bacteria with larger genomes by reductive processes. The driving force(s) for genome reduction remains unclear, and here we examined the hypothesis that gene loss is selected because carriage of superfluous genes confers a fitness cost to the bacterium. In the bacterium Salmonella enterica, we measured deletion rates at 11 chromosomal positions and the fitness effects of several spontaneous deletions. Deletion rates varied over 200-fold between different regions with the replication terminus region showing the highest rates. Approximately 25% of the examined deletions caused an increase in fitness under one or several growth conditions, and after serial passage of wild-type bacteria in rich medium for 1,000 generations we observed fixation of deletions that substantially increased bacterial fitness when reconstructed in a non-evolved bacterium. These results suggest that selection could be a significant driver of gene loss and reductive genome evolution.
Comparing Memory for Handwriting versus Typing

This is an investigation into the possible links between psychomotor action, in the activities of handwriting, and memory. A comparison of recall and recognition for common words demonstrates that memory is better for words when they have been written down rather than when they are typed. This provides additional support for the hypothesis that the additional context provided by the complex task of writing results in better memory. With the recent trend towards electronic note taking, the educational and practical implications of these findings would suggest that performance may be improved by using traditional paper-and-pen notes.
Prognostic Value of Intrinsic Subtypes in Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Treated With Letrozole With or Without Lapatinib.

Importance The value of the intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer (luminal A, luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [currently known as ERBB2, but referred to as HER2 in this study]-enriched, and basal-like) in the metastatic setting is currently unknown. Objective To evaluate the association of the intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer with outcome and/or benefit in hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants Unplanned retrospective analysis of 821 tumor samples (85.7% primary and 14.3% metastatic) from the EGF30008 phase 3 clinical trial (NCT00073528), in which postmenopausal women with HR-positive invasive breast cancer and no prior therapy for advanced or metastatic disease were randomized to letrozole with or without lapatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Tumor samples were classified into each subtype using the research-based PAM50 classifier. Prior neoadjuvant/adjuvant antiestrogen therapy was allowed. Patients with extensive symptomatic visceral disease were excluded. Treatment effects were evaluated using interaction tests. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary and secondary end points were progression-free survival and overall survival. Results The median (range) age was 62 (31-94) years. Intrinsic subtype was the strongest prognostic factor independently associated with progression-free survival and overall survival in all patients, and in patients with HER2-negative (n = 644) or HER2-positive (n = 157) diseases. Median progression-free survival differed across the intrinsic subtypes of clinically HER2-negative disease: luminal A (16.9 [95% CI, 14.1-19.9] months), luminal B (11.0 [95% CI, 9.6-13.6] months), HER2-enriched (4.7 [95% CI, 2.7-10.8] months), and basal-like (4.1 [95% CI, 2.5-13.8] months). Median OS also differed across the intrinsic subtypes: luminal A (45 [95% CI, 41-not applicable {NA}] months), luminal B (37 [95% CI, 31-42] months), HER2-enriched (16 [95% CI, 10-NA] months), and basal-like (23 [95% CI, 12-NA] months). Patients with HER2-negative/HER2-enriched disease benefited from lapatinib therapy (median PFS, 6.49 vs 2.60 months; progression-free survival hazard ratio, 0.238 [95% CI, 0.066-0.863]; interaction P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance This is the first study to reveal an association between intrinsic subtype and outcome in first-line HR-positive metastatic breast cancer. Patients with HR-positive/HER2-negative disease with a HER2-enriched profile may benefit from lapatinib in combination with endocrine therapy. The clinical value of intrinsic subtyping in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer warrants further investigation, but patients with luminal A/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer might be good candidates for letrozole monotherapy in the first-line setting regardless of visceral disease and number of metastases.
The Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory (APEL) for controlled human exposure to diesel exhaust and other inhalants: characterization and comparison to existing facilities

Objective: The Air Pollution Exposure Laboratory (APEL) was designed for the controlled inhalation of human subjects to aged and diluted diesel exhaust (DE) to mimic “real-world” occupational and environmental conditions. Methods: An EPA Tier 3-compliant, 6.0 kW diesel generator is operated under discrete cyclic loads to simulate diesel on-road emissions. The engine accepts standard ultra-low sulfur diesel or a variety of alternative fuels (such as biodiesel) via a partitioned tank. A portion of raw exhaust is drawn into the primary dilution system and is diluted 9:1 with compressed air at standard temperature (20°C) and humidity (40%) levels. The exhaust is further diluted approximately 25:1 by high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered air (FA) and then aged for 4 min before entering the 4 × 6 × 7-foot exposure booth. An optional HEPA filter path immediately proximal to the booth can generate a particle-reduced (gas-enriched) exposure. In-booth particulate is read by a nephelometer to provide an instantaneous light scattering coefficient for closed-loop system control. A Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer and multi-stage impactor measures particle size distribution. Filter sampling allows determination of sessional average concentrations of size-fractionated and unfractionated particulate oxidative potential, elemental carbon, organic carbon and trace elements. Results: Approximately 300 μg/m3 PM2.5 is routinely achievable at APEL and is well characterized in terms of oxidative potential and elemental components. Conclusion: APEL efficiently creates fresh DE, appropriately aged and diluted for human experimentation at safe yet realistic concentrations. Description of exposure characteristics allows comparison to other international efforts to deepen the current evidence base regarding the health effects of DE.
Do former substance users with psychosis differ in their symptoms or function from non-substance users? A systematic meta-analysis

Objective: To compare the symptoms and function of patients with psychosis who have ceased using substances to those who have psychosis but do not have a history of substance use. Method: The databases EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched for peer-reviewed publications in English reporting the characteristics of patients with psychotic illness who had stopped using substances and those who had never used substances. The searches yielded 20 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Four key outcome variables – positive symptoms, negative symptoms, depression and global function – and four other outcome measures reported in five or more studies were examined using meta-analysis. Results: Former substance-using patients were significantly younger than non-substance-using patients and were more likely to be male, but did not differ in age at onset of psychosis or in their level of education. There were no significant differences between former substance users and non-substance users in ratings of positive symptoms, negative symptoms, depression or global function. Among first-episode patients there was a trend towards former substance users having less severe depressive symptoms than non-substance users. In contrast, among non-first-episode patients, former substance users had significantly more depressive symptoms than non-substance users. In studies rated as being of higher quality, former substance users had significantly less severe positive symptoms than non-substance users. Conclusion: The absence of significant differences between the two groups suggests that a history of substance use is not a poor prognostic indicator for patients who are able to stop using substances.
Safety of Percutaneous Tendoachilles Tenotomy Performed Under General Anesthesia on Infants With Idiopathic Clubfoot

Background Most patients with idiopathic clubfeet require a percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy to correct residual equinus deformity. This procedure is typically performed with the child awake in an outpatient setting. Percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy under general anesthesia offers the potential advantages of better pain control, the ability to perform the procedure in a more controlled manner, and the possibility of lessening the pain response of the infant. Potential disadvantages include concerns regarding the safety of general anesthesia in infants. The purpose of this study is to review the safety of this procedure performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Methods A retrospective review was carried out of patients with idiopathic clubfoot less than 1 year of age who underwent percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy under general anesthesia from 2000 to 2008. Patient medical records were reviewed for gestational age, age at surgery, risk factors for anesthesia, and surgical/anesthesia-related complications. To be discharged on the day of surgery, patients met the accepted criteria. Children at risk for apnea were considered for overnight observation using established criteria of postconception age under 44 weeks, premature birth, pulmonary comorbidities, and history of an apneic event. Results One hundred and thirty-seven patients underwent a total of 182 tenotomies under general anesthesia. Ninety-two tenotomies were unilateral, 45 were bilateral. The average postconception age at time of surgery was 53.9 weeks (range, 41 to 90 wk, SD 9.8 wk). Eighty-nine patients were under 3 months of age. Twenty-one patients (15.3%) met the criteria for the observation for postoperative monitoring for apnea because of postconception age under 44 weeks or gestational age under 37 weeks. Three patients were admitted overnight because of a maternal history of drug abuse. No patients had earlier apneic events or were American Society of Anesthesiologists Class III for comorbidities. No patient showed apnea or anesthesia-related complications. Conclusions Percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy under general anesthesia can be safely performed in infants with clubfeet. No complications related to anesthesia were identified in this group and nearly all patients were discharged on the day of surgery. Level of Evidence Prognostic level 3.
Cardiovascular Effects of Sustained Norepinephrine Infusions. III. Lactic Dehydrogenase Isoenzyme Release

Infusion of norepinephrine (NE) in dogs in doses of 1 to 4 μg/kg/min resulted in a rapid and dose related increase in serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and those isoenzymes of LDH present in the heart. Histochemically definable lesions in the heart were correlated with the isoenzyme release produced by 2 and 4 μg/kg/min NE infusion. Evidence of LDH isoenzyme release from organs other than the heart was found only in dogs in the highest dose group that, in addition, had evidence of low cardiac output.
Articulating a deficit perspective: a survey of the attitudes of post-primary English language support teachers and coordinators

Issues related to supporting the language of schooling have become important social and educational policy concerns in Ireland. This article reports on a three-year investigation of the micro-climate of English language support provision in 70 post-primary schools since 2007 and highlights potential points of leverage in the educational system for improving language minority migrant student achievement. It argues that language minority migrant students have equality of presence in our classrooms but this is not securing equality of participation or achievement. While fundamentally challenging a prevailing political credo that Ireland has a unique moral, intellectual and practical capability to adapt to the experience of inward migration, the views of language support teachers at the ‘chalkface’ also reveal a lack of engagement with wider issues of power, language and identity in the classroom as well as with the important role of parental involvement in migrant student education. Contrary to best intercultural and inclusive paradigms, a monolingual deficit model which emphasises the child's linguistic limitations is widely established in our post-primary schools.
Association analysis of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with bone mineral density in young women with Graves' disease.

UNLABELLED Graves' (GD) hyperthyroidism induces accelerated bone turnover that leads to decreased bone mineral density (BMD). The role of the VDR gene in predisposition to primary osteoporosis has been recognized. Recent studies show associations between the VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Here we analyzed if VDR gene polymorphisms: BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI may predispose women with Graves' hyperthyroidism to BMD reduction or to disease development. The subjects were 75 premenopausal female Polish patients with GD and 163 healthy women. The genotyping was performed by the use of the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP). We studied the association of the VDR polymorphisms and their haplotypes with patients' BMD and also SNPs and haplotypes association with Graves' disease. We found a strong linkage disequilibrium for the BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphims that formed three most frequent haplotypes in Graves' women: baT (47.9%), BAt (34.9%), and bAT (16.4%). We did not show statistically significant association of analyzed VDR polymorphisms or haplotypes with decreased bone mineral density in Graves' patients. However, the presence of F allele had a weak tendency to be associated with Graves' disease (with OR=1.93; 95% CI: 0.97-3.84; p=0.058). IN CONCLUSION VDR gene polymorphisms do not predict the risk of decreased BMD in Polish women with Graves'. It may be speculated that the F allele carriers of the VDR-FokI polymorphism are predisposed to Graves' disease development.
Mechanisms and Representations of Language-Mediated Visual Attention

The experimental investigation of language-mediated visual attention is a promising way to study the interaction of the cognitive systems involved in language, vision, attention, and memory. Here we highlight four challenges for a mechanistic account of this oculomotor behavior: the levels of representation at which language-derived and vision-derived representations are integrated; attentional mechanisms; types of memory; and the degree of individual and group differences. Central points in our discussion are (a) the possibility that local microcircuitries involving feedforward and feedback loops instantiate a common representational substrate of linguistic and non-linguistic information and attention; and (b) that an explicit working memory may be central to explaining interactions between language and visual attention. We conclude that a synthesis of further experimental evidence from a variety of fields of inquiry and the testing of distinct, non-student, participant populations will prove to be critical.
A Stochastic-Variational Model for Soft Mumford-Shah Segmentation

In contemporary image and vision analysis, stochastic approaches demonstrate great flexibility in representing and modeling complex phenomena, while variational-PDE methods gain enormous computational advantages over Monte Carlo or other stochastic algorithms. In combination, the two can lead to much more powerful novel models and efficient algorithms. In the current work, we propose a stochastic-variational model for soft (or fuzzy) Mumford-Shah segmentation of mixture image patterns. Unlike the classical hard Mumford-Shah segmentation, the new model allows each pixel to belong to each image pattern with some probability. Soft segmentation could lead to hard segmentation, and hence is more general. The modeling procedure, mathematical analysis on the existence of optimal solutions, and computational implementation of the new model are explored in detail, and numerical examples of both synthetic and natural images are presented.
Positive adjustment to poverty: How family communities encourage resilience in traditional African contexts

In the main, resilience literature explains positive adjustment to adversity in ways that are biased towards western culture. Although studies of resilience among African Americans have reported the importance of kinship, a typically Africentric concept, no studies have explored how family communities promote youths’ positive adjustment, particularly in contexts of poverty. Family communities are a feature of traditional African culture and comprise extended family members, both alive and deceased. We draw on 14 case studies to illustrate how positive adjustment to poverty was facilitated by appreciative attachment to this community. Each case comprised a resilient black South African student who had adjusted well to the complex challenges associated with poverty. An inductive comparison of their resilience processes, as recounted by each participant in narrative and visual form, demonstrated how their positive adjustment was supported by resilience-supporting transactions within their family community. Specifically, expectation-dominated and example-focused transactions, arising from the family community’s accentuation of mutuality, supported resilience. As such, we conclude that black youth resilience follows communal pathways as emphasised by Africentric culture, in general, and kinship systems, in particular, but urge continued critical investigation of the influence of family communities on youths’ resilience.