Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prescription Opioid Use and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Death Among Adults from a Prospective Cohort (REGARDS Study).

OBJECTIVE Despite unknown risks, prescription opioid use (POU) for nonmalignant chronic pain has grown in the US over the last decade. The objective of this study was to examine associations between POU and coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death in a large cohort. DESIGN, SETTING, SUBJECTS POU was assessed in the prospective cohort study of 29,025 participants of the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study, enrolled between 2003 and 2007 from the continental United States and followed through December 31, 2010. CHD, stroke, and CVD death were expert adjudicated outcome measures. METHODS Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for CVD risk factors were used. RESULTS Over a median (SD) of 5.2 (1.8) years of follow-up, 1,362 CHD events, 749 strokes, and 1,120 CVD death occurred (105, 55, and 104, respectively, in the 1,851 opioid users). POU was not associated with CHD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]) 1.03 [95% CI 0.83-1.26] or stroke (aHR 1.04 [95% CI 0.78-1.38]), but was associated with CVD death (aHR 1.24 [95% CI 1.00-1.53]) in the overall sample. In the sex-stratified analyses, POU was associated with increased risk of CHD (aHR 1.38 [95% CI 1.05-1.82]) and CVD death (aHR 1.66 [95% CI 1.27-2.17]) among females but not males (aHR 0.70 [95% CI 0.50-0.97] for CHD and 0.78 [95% CI 0.54-1.11] for CVD death). CONCLUSION Female but not male POU were at higher risk of CHD and CVD death. POU was not associated with stroke in overall or sex-stratified analyses.
GPU-Centric Communication on NVIDIA GPU Clusters with InfiniBand: A Case Study with OpenSHMEM

GPUs have become an essential component for building compute clusters with high compute density and high performance per watt. As such clusters scale to have 1000s of GPUs, efficiently moving data between the GPUs becomes imperative to get maximum performance. NVSHMEM is an implementation of the OpenSHMEM standard for NVIDIA GPU clusters which allows communication to be issued from inside GPU kernels. In earlier work, we have shown how NVSHMEM can be used to achieve better application performance on GPUs connected through PCIe or NVLink. As part of this effort, we implement IB verbs for Mellanox InfiniBand adapters in CUDA. We evaluate different design alternatives, taking into consideration the relaxed memory model, automatic memory access coalescing and thread hierarchy on the GPU. We also consider correctness issues that arise in these designs. We take advantage of these designs transparently or through API extensions in NVSHMEM. With micro-benchmarks, we show that a Nvidia Pascal P100 GPU is able saturate the network bandwidth using only one or two of its 56 available streaming multiprocessors (SM). On a single GPU using a single IB EDR adapter, we achieve a throughput of around 90 million messages per second. In addition, we implement a 2dstencil application kernel using NVSHMEM and compare its performance with a CUDA-aware MPI-based implementation that uses GPUDirect RDMA. Speedups in the range of 23% to 42% are seen for input sizes large enough to fill the occupancy of Nvidia Pascal P100 GPUs on 2 to 4 nodes indicating that there are gains to be had by eliminating the CPU from the communication path when all computation runs on the GPU.
Characterization of Hydrolysis Kinetics in Staged Anaerobic Digestion of Wastewater Treatment Sludge

The hydrolysis of mixed primary and secondary sludges in two‐stage anaerobic digestion was evaluated and compared with conventional single‐stage digestion, using various temperature‐phased configurations of M1‐M2, M1‐T3, T1‐T2, and T1‐M3. A dual hydrolysis model best described the hydrolysis in all tests. This model was also able to consistently estimate the readily and slowly fractions of particulate chemical oxygen demand (COD) of raw sludge used in the tests. The hydrolysis kinetic coefficients (Khyd_s and Khyd_r) estimated for the mesophilic digesters were significantly greater in the short hydraulic retention time (HRT) M1 digester than those of the extended HRT digesters. Conversely, at thermophilic temperatures only Khyd_r was greater in short HRT T1 digester when compared to the extended HRT digesters. The increased Khyd_r and reduced Khyd_s values due to staging effect were explained with surface reaction models and endogenous decay. The temperature dependency of Khyd_s and Khyd_r was also explored in the staged digesters.
Integrated optical components produced in GaAs and InP epitaxial layers using the photo-elastic effect.

Studies have been made of optical waveguides produced in GaAs and InP epitaxial layers. Of the possible waveguiding mechanisms present in these devices the contribution from the photo-elastic effect (strain-induced refractive index changes) dominates. Stresses in evaporated metal films and their control have been investigated. Strain-induced waveguides have been used to produce a novel directional-coupler structure with a short coupling length (~2mm). In GaAs bias has been applied to control the amount of light at the output of each of the two waveguides forming these couplers and it has been possible to isolate the light in either the excited or the coupled waveguide. A new theoretical model, based on finite difference techniques, has been developed and used to analyse strain-induced, slab and rib waveguide structures. Results obtained have been compared with those from other methods. Theoretical predictions of guiding properties in GaAs strain-induced waveguides give good agreement with experimental results in all cases. Optical waveguiding in InP layers using the same photoelastic mechanisms, assessed experimentally, indicates that the refractive index changes are similar to those in GaAs but slightly larger. One of the first measurements of the nonzero electro-optic coefficient, r41, of InP is described. Guiding properties vary little with time in both InP and GaAs. The reflection of light guided in a single-mode photoelastic waveguide into a second perpendicular guide using a vertical etched facet running at 450 to the direction of propagation is proposed for providing bending with negligible loss and some experimental results are reported.
Epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of major trauma patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation

Abstract The epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of severe trauma patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) remain unclear. This retrospective study aims to investigate the outcomes of PMV in this specific group. All patients with major trauma admitted to the respiratory care center (RCC) requiring PMV (duration ≥21 days between January 2014 and December 2016) were enrolled. A total of 36343 trauma patients visited our emergency department for management, and 1388 (3.82%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after initial resuscitation. After ICU management, 93 major trauma patients required PMV, and were then transferred to the RCC. Their mean age of these 93 patients was 68.6 ± 18.3 years and 65 patients (70.0%) were older than 65 years. Head/neck trauma (n = 78, 83.9%) were the most common injury, followed by thoracic trauma (n = 30, 32.2%), and extremity trauma (n = 29, 31.2%). Their median injury severity score was 25 (interquartile range [IQR] 16–27). The median length of hospital stay was 50 days (IQR, 39–62). Six patients died of ventilator-associated pneumonia for an in-hospital morality rate of 6.5%. In addition, 11 PMV patients became mechanical ventilator-dependent and were transferred to the respiratory care ward for further long-term care. In conclusion, <0.3% of trauma patients required PMV, and their in-hospital mortality rate was only 6.5%. Ventilator-associated pneumonia was the main cause of death and nosocomial infections were common in patients with long-term mechanical ventilator dependence.
Novel Mutations in the NKX2.1 gene and the PAX8 gene in a Boy with Brain-Lung-Thyroid Syndrome

Abstract Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism which causes thyroid dysgenesis (TD) in a boy with brain-lung-thyroid syndrome. Design, patients, measurements We describe a patient with TD, respiratory disease and cerebral palsy who is heterozygous for mutations in two different genes, the PAX8 (p.E234K) and the NKX2.1 (p.A329GfsX108). In vitro studies were performed to functionally characterize these mutations. Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) was identified by neonatal screening associated with a hypoplastic thyroid gland. Postpartum he developed a brain-lung-thyroid syndrome with severe respiratory failure, symptomatic epilepsy and a considerable psychomotor retardation. The DNA-binding capability and the transcriptional activity of the two mutated transcription factors were investigated in vitro. Results The NKX2.1 mutation did not show any transcriptional activity and had almost no DNA-binding. The PAX8 mutation was normally located to the nucleus and showed a normal transactivation and a normal binding to the known downstream targets. Conclusions The molecular defect explaining the phenotype of brain-lung-thyroid syndrome was identified. To what extent the PAX8 mutation contributes to the phenotype needs to be further investigated. We recommend to screen patients with CH and TD for mutations in all known TD candidate genes.
Post-translational deregulation of YAP1 is genetically controlled in rat liver cancer and determines the fate and stem-like behavior of the human disease

Previous studies showed that YAP1 is over-expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we observed higher expression of Yap1/Ctgf axis in dysplastic nodules and HCC chemically-induced in F344 rats, genetically susceptible to hepatocarcinogenesis, than in lesions induced in resistant BN rats. In BN rats, highest increase in Yap1-tyr357, p73 phosphorylation and Caspase 3 cleavage occurred. In human HCCs with poorer prognosis (< 3 years survival after partial liver resection, HCCP), levels of YAP1, CTGF, 14–3–3, and TEAD proteins, and YAP1-14-3-3 and YAP1-TEAD complexes were higher than in HCCs with better outcome (> 3 years survival; HCCB). In the latter, higher levels of phosphorylated YAP1-ser127, YAP1-tyr357 and p73, YAP1 ubiquitination, and Caspase 3 cleavage occurred. Expression of stemness markers NANOG, OCT-3/4, and CD133 were highest in HCCP and correlated with YAP1 and YAP1-TEAD levels. In HepG2, Huh7, and Hep3B cells, forced YAP1 over-expression led to stem cell markers expression and increased cell viability, whereas inhibition of YAP1 expression by specific siRNA, or transfection of mutant YAP1 which does not bind to TEAD, induced opposite alterations. These changes were associated, in Huh7 cells transfected with YAP1 or YAP1 siRNA, with stimulation or inhibition of cell migration and invasivity, respectively. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed that YAP1 transfection in Huh7 cells induces over-expression of genes involved in tumor stemness. In conclusion, Yap1 post-translational modifications favoring its ubiquitination and apoptosis characterize HCC with better prognosis, whereas conditions favoring the formation of YAP1-TEAD complexes are associated with aggressiveness and acquisition of stemness features by HCC cells.
Glomerular hyperpermeability after acute unilateral ureteral obstruction: effects of Tempol, NOS, RhoA, and Rac-1 inhibition.

It is well known that proteinuria following urinary tract obstruction is mainly of a tubular nature. However, it is unknown whether there are also changes in glomerular permeability. In this study, we compared glomerular sieving coefficients (θ) of polydisperse fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-Ficoll 70/400 following a 120- or 180-min unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Samples were collected from the obstructed kidney at 5, 15, and 30 min postrelease and analyzed by means of high-pressure size-exclusion chromatography. After 120-min UUO, mean θ for Ficoll70Å was increased ( P < 0.01) from 2.2 ± 0.5 × 10-5 (baseline) to 10.6 ± 10 × 10-5 15 min postrelease (highest value). After 180-min UUO, mean θ for Ficoll70Å was further increased ( P < 0.001) from 1.4 ± 0.5 × 10-5 (baseline) to 40 ± 10 × 10-5 at 5 min postrelease (highest value). Administration of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger (Tempol; 1 mg·kg-1·min-1) partly abrogated the permeability effects following 120-min UUO but not after 180 min. Moreover, administration of the RhoA kinase inhibitor Y-27632, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, or Rac-1 inhibition did not ameliorate glomerular hyperpermeability following 180-min UUO. We show, for the first time, that acute UUO results in marked elevations in glomerular permeability. In addition, our data suggest a time-dependent pathophysiology of UUO-induced hyperpermeability, where reactive oxygen species generation may play an important role in the early stages.
What kind of network are you? - Using local and global characteristics in network categorisation tasks

The amount of research done in the area of real-world networked systems is rapidly growing. Everybody knows what six degrees of separation or small-world phenomenon are. Scientists very easily give labels to the networks they analyse. If it has power law node degree distribution then it has to be scale-free network or if there is high clustering coefficient then it must be small-world network. These simplifications, although convenient, are not always very useful from the perspective of understanding phenomena existing within the network. In this paper we decided to go back to the basics and investigate whether analysis of one single measure is enough to describe a network. We analyse both local and global characteristics in order to discover the “true” nature of a network. Not only using local and/or global measures can lead to different classification of a network but we also show how significantly different interpretation can result from analysing the same data by building network models as directed/undirected and/or weighted/binary graphs.
A redundant gateway prototype for wireless avionic sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technologies provide advantages that allow them to replace traditional wired systems in an ever growing number of applications. This paper describes the design of a WSN for mission critical applications such as the case of avionics, in which data collected from the sensors can be delivered to a cloud application through multiple independent gateways, thereby increasing data availability in presence of failures. Since the same data might be distributed along multiple paths, system-wide synchronization must be provided in order to guarantee data consistency. A heartbeat protocol is introduced along each path in order to guarantee timely detection of any single failure. We present a solution that can be implemented using open source software and commercial off-the-shelf hardware, which makes this approach viable for networks with a large number of heterogeneous sensors. Results reported in this paper show some sample measurements as well as the performance evaluation for our heartbeat algorithm in terms of latency between a failure and a full recovery of the system.
Comparative effectiveness of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis options for the patient undergoing total hip and knee replacement: a network meta‐analysis

Essentials Despite trial data, guidelines have not endorsed direct oral Xa inhibitors above other options. We provide profiles of venous thromboembolism and hemorrhage risk for 12 options. Direct oral Xa inhibitors had a favorable profile compared with low‐molecular‐weight heparin. Other options did not have favorable profiles compared with low‐molecular‐weight heparin.
Is Mastectomy Oncologically Safer than Breast-Conserving Treatment in Early Breast Cancer

Aim: To describe and discuss the evidence for oncological safety of different procedures in oncological breast surgery, i.e. breast-conserving treatment versus mastectomy. Methods: Literature review and discussion. Results: Oncological safety in breast cancer surgery has many dimensions. Breast-conserving treatment has been established as the standard surgical procedure for primary breast cancer and fits to the preferences of most breast cancer patients concerning oncological safety and aesthetic outcome. Conclusions: Breast-conserving treatment is safe. Nonetheless, the preferences of the individual patients in their consideration of breast conservation versus mastectomy should be integrated into routine treatment decisions.
Effects of assortative mate choice on the genomic and morphological structure of a hybrid zone between two bird subspecies

Phenotypic differentiation plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of reproductive barriers. In some cases, variation in a few key aspects of phenotype can promote and maintain divergence; hence, the identification of these traits and their associations with patterns of genomic divergence is crucial for understanding the patterns and processes of population differentiation. We studied hybridization between the alba and personata subspecies of the white wagtail (Motacilla alba), and quantified divergence and introgression of multiple morphological traits and 19,437 SNP loci on a 3,000 km transect. Our goal was to identify traits that may contribute to reproductive barriers and to assess how variation in these traits corresponds to patterns of genome‐wide divergence. Variation in only one trait—head plumage patterning—was consistent with reproductive isolation. Transitions in head plumage were steep and occurred over otherwise morphologically and genetically homogeneous populations, whereas cline centres for other traits and genomic ancestry were displaced over 100 km from the head cline. Field observational data show that social pairs mated assortatively by head plumage, suggesting that these phenotypes are maintained by divergent mating preferences. In contrast, variation in all other traits and genetic markers could be explained by neutral diffusion, although weak ecological selection cannot be ruled out. Our results emphasize that assortative mating may maintain phenotypic differences independent of other processes shaping genome‐wide variation, consistent with other recent findings that raise questions about the relative importance of mate choice, ecological selection and selectively neutral processes for divergent evolution.
Relative Impact of Different Strategies for Allocating Federal Funds for Syphilis Prevention

Background Improvements in resource allocation can increase the benefits of federally funded sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention activities. The purpose of this study was to illustrate how different strategies for allocating federal funds to subnational districts for syphilis prevention might affect the incidence of syphilis at the national level. Methods We modeled syphilis rates by district and year using an equation based on a previous analysis of state-level syphilis elimination funding and syphilis case rates from 1998 to 2005 in the United States. We used the model to illustrate the potential impact of 3 different strategies for allocating supplemental federal funds to subnational districts to support syphilis prevention activities a hypothetical country with 18 subnational districts. The 3 strategies were based on each district's (1) population size, (2) syphilis incidence rate, or (3) number of syphilis cases. The hypothetical country was similar to the United States in overall population and syphilis burden. Results Without the supplemental federal funds, there would be an estimated 48,600 incident infections annually in the hypothetical country. With the supplemental federal funds, the annual number of infections would be reduced to 27,800 with a population-based allocation of funding to each district, 26,700 with a rate-based allocation, and 24,400 with a case-based allocation of funding. Conclusions Allocating federal STD prevention funds to districts based on burden of disease can be an efficient strategy, although this efficiency may be reduced or eliminated when high-burden districts have less ability to provide adequate STD prevention services than lower-burden districts.
A systematic review of pediatric obesity and family communication through the lens of addiction literature.

BACKGROUND Both treatment of addiction and treatment of pediatric obesity often integrate the family unit. Thus, addiction therapies may provide a model to guide treatment of pediatric obesity, particularly issues of family communication, weight, and weight-related behaviors. The aim of this systematic review is to assess what knowledge in the field of addiction treatment can be translated to pediatric weight management, particularly in relation to family-based approaches and communication. METHODS A systematic review of family communication and food addiction in obese children was conducted using MEDLINE and other databases, including all English-language studies published after 1990 meeting search criteria and related to family factors or family communication, and addiction treatment strategies used in obesity interventions. RESULTS Three reviews, two survey studies, and two observational studies were included. Most focused on family communication; less-healthy communication patterns and parental restriction were related to maladaptive eating behaviors in children and attrition from weight management programs. A few studies suggested family communication interventions to improve unhealthy eating patterns in children, using therapies common in family treatment of addiction (e.g., motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy). No studies presented concrete suggestions to aid family communication around issues of food and weight management. Potential contributions of addiction therapies are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Though the addictive properties of food have not been fully delineated and obesity is not classified as a disease of addiction, the field of addiction offers many approaches that may prove useful in the treatment of obesity.
The Mask of Sanity: Facial Expressive, Self-Reported, and Physiological Consequences of Emotion Regulation in Psychopathic Offenders.

This study investigated the physiological, self-reported, and facial correlates of emotion regulation in psychopathy. Specifically, we compared psychopathic offenders (n = 42), nonpsychopathic offenders (n = 42), and nonoffender controls (n = 26) in their ability to inhibit and express emotion while watching affective films (fear, happy, and sad). Results showed that all participants were capable of drastically diminishing facial emotions under inhibition instructions. Contrary to expectation, psychopaths were not superior in adopting such a "poker face. " Further, the inhibition of emotion was associated with cardiovascular changes, an effect that was also not dependent on psychopathy (or its factors), suggesting emotion inhibition to be an effortful process in psychopaths as well. Interestingly, psychopathic offenders did not differ from nonpsychopaths in the capacity to show content-appropriate facial emotions during the expression condition. Taken together, these data challenge the view that psychopathy is associated with either superior emotional inhibitory capacities or a generalized impairment in showing facial affect.