Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A COMPARISON OF SELF AND PHYSICIANS' HEALTH RATINGS IN AN OLDER POPULATION.

A study of the relationships between self and physicians' health ratings, secured as responses to a five-point scale which were subsequently dichotomized as "favorable" or "unfavorable," yielded the following results: (1) A positive, but weak, relationship between the two sets of ratings; (2) Self-ratings tended to be lower than physicians' ratings; (3) Self-ratings were more closely related to selected attitudinal and behavioral items than were physicians' ratings. Although the design and instruments were different, in general the findings tend to support those from a similar study by Streib, Suchman, and Phillips.
Active compensation of aperture discontinuities for WFIRST-AFTA: analytical and numerical comparison of propagation methods and preliminary results with a WFIRST-AFTA-like pupil

Abstract. The new frontier in the quest for the highest contrast levels in the focal plane of a coronagraph is now the correction of the large diffraction artifacts introduced at the science camera by apertures of increasing complexity. Indeed, the future generation of space- and ground-based coronagraphic instruments will be mounted on on-axis and/or segmented telescopes; the design of coronagraphic instruments for such observatories is currently a domain undergoing rapid progress. One approach consists of using two sequential deformable mirrors (DMs) to correct for aberrations introduced by secondary mirror structures and segmentation of the primary mirror. The coronagraph for the WFIRST-AFTA mission will be the first of such instruments in space with a two-DM wavefront control system. Regardless of the control algorithm for these multiple DMs, they will have to rely on quick and accurate simulation of the propagation effects introduced by the out-of-pupil surface. In the first part of this paper, we present the analytical description of the different approximations to simulate these propagation effects. In Appendix A, we prove analytically that in the special case of surfaces inducing a converging beam, the Fresnel method yields high fidelity for simulations of these effects. We provide numerical simulations showing this effect. In the second part, we use these tools in the framework of the active compensation of aperture discontinuities (ACAD) technique applied to pupil geometries similar to WFIRST-AFTA. We present these simulations in the context of the optical layout of the high-contrast imager for complex aperture telescopes, which will test ACAD on a optical bench. The results of this analysis show that using the ACAD method, an apodized pupil Lyot coronagraph, and the performance of our current DMs, we are able to obtain, in numerical simulations, a dark hole with a WFIRST-AFTA-like. Our numerical simulation shows that we can obtain contrast better than 2×10−9 in monochromatic light and better than 3×10−8 with 10% bandwidth between 5 and 14 λ/D.
Hysterectomy in the United States, 1988‐1990

Objective: To describe patient characteristics and diagnoses associated with hysterectomy in the United States from 1988‐1990 using data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey, an annual probability sample of discharges from nonfederal, short‐stay hospitals in the United States. A population‐based sample of all women aged 15 years or older in the United States civilian population who had a hysterectomy during 1988‐1990 was examined to characterize factors associated with hysterectomy: patients' age and race, diagnoses, surgical approach, and oophorectomy. Results: Approximately 1.7 million women had a hysterectomy during 1988‐1990. The highest rates—100.5 hysterectomies per 10,000 women—were for women aged 30‐54 years. Total rates of hysterectomy for black women were similar to those for white women (61.7 and 56.5 per 10,000 women, respectively); uterine leiomyoma (“fibroid tumor”) was reported as the primary diagnosis for 61% of black women and 29% of white women. Abdominal surgery was used for 75% of all hysterectomies. Concomitant bilateral oophorectomy was done for 37% of the women under 45 years old and 68% of the women 45 years or older. Conclusions: Two‐thirds of all hysterectomies for noncancerous conditions were performed for uterine leiomyoma or endometriosis—conditions that are most common before the age of menopause. Future assessments of the appropriateness of hysterectomy will require better understanding of these disorders. Continued monitoring of hysterectomy rates is critical to understanding the appropriate use of hysterectomy, alternative therapies for uterine disorders, and future trends in women's health care. (Obstet Gynecol 1994;83:549‐55)
Regression and Progression Predictors of CIN2 in Women Younger Than 25 Years

Objective The purpose of this study was to review the management and outcome of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN2) in women younger than 25 years. Methods A retrospective review was performed, investigating women younger than 25 years at the time of diagnosis with biopsy-proven CIN2 between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, who were seen in the colposcopy clinic at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The regression, persistence, and progression rate of CIN2 in conservative managed women were evaluated, and potential risk factors were examined. Colposcopy, cytologic, and histopathologic findings were compared with women with immediate treatment (<6 months). Results Of the 319 women included in the study, 108 women received immediate treatment, and 211 women were managed conservatively; of these, 144 women remained untreated, and 67 women received treatment 6 months or greater. From the women managed conservatively, 150 women (71.1%) showed regression, 26 women (12.3%) had persistent disease, and 35 women (16.6%) progressed, with a median follow-up of 15.1 months. None of the women included in the study progressed to invasive cancer. The hazard ratio for time to progression was 2.40 for women who smoked (p = 0.006). Conclusions A conservative approach of CIN2 is the preferred management option for women younger than 25 years. Smoking was identified as a risk factor for progression.
Nitazoxanide in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides in a rural zone of Colima, Mexico

Abstract Intestinal parasites in Mexico are an endemic problem. A study was conducted in children, teenagers and adults in a rural community in Colima, Mexico to examine the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides infection and to evaluate the parasitological and clinical efficacy of nitazoxanide (NTZ). Two hundred and eighty children, teenagers and adults participated in this study. Parasitological diagnosis from faeces was confirmed by three consecutive stool samples using the floatation concentration Faust method. Egg counts were performed as described by the Kato–Katz technique before and after treatment. A questionnaire was systematically applied to obtain information about socio-economic status and hygienic habits. One hundred and six participants (38%) were diagnosed as harbouring intestinal parasites, and 86 of them (81%) were infected with A. lumbricoides. All patients with ascariasis infections underwent a complete physical examination before and after NTZ treatment. NTZ resolved 88% of the ascariasis cases, with a 89% clinical efficacy, and there was a 97.5% reduction in the levels of morbidity. The most intense infections for A. lumbricoides were found in housewives, and statistically significant associations were found between ascariasis and the absence of drainage and living in houses with dirt floors.
The dissemination of new medical information.

Dissemination of new medical information to the practicing physician is a complex and often faulty process. To examine the magnitude of this problem, we surveyed primary care physicians to determine their knowledge of the results of the cooperative trial of photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy. Despite the acknowledge relevance to their practice, only 28% (38/137) of family physicians and 46% (42/91) of internists were aware of the study results (P less than .001). Respondents were asked to manage two patient problems involving diabetic retinopathy. Only 33% (75/229) handled both correctly, although the retinopathy photocoagulation study had been published 18 months earlier. These findings indicate that results from clinical trials may not be disseminated to practicing physicians and, therefore, not incorporated into practice. Greater attention should be directed toward making findings from clinical trials available to practitioners.
En bloc resection of epithelial ovarian tumors with concomitant rectosigmoid colectomy: the KEMH experience

Between the years 1984 and 1988, 43 patients with bulky advanced stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma underwent en bloc pelvic resection with excision of the rectosigmoid colon as part of their primary cytoreductive surgery. Optimal cytoreduction was accomplished in over 70% of cases, and all women had complete debulking of their pelvic tumor. Primary anastomosis of the bowel was feasible in all cases and only two covering colostomies were performed. There were no postoperative leaks or fistulas. The postoperative morbidity was reflected by a mean postoperative hospital stay of 16 days. Our results suggest that this technique facilitates optimal cytoreduction of bulky pelvic tumor with an acceptably low morbidity in woman with advanced ovarian carcinoma.
Limited impact of a multicenter intervention to improve the quality and efficiency of pneumonia care.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of a multifactorial intervention to improve the quality, efficiency, and patient understanding of care for community-acquired pneumonia. DESIGN Times series cohort study. SETTING Four academic health centers in the New York City metropolitan area. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS All consecutive adults hospitalized for pneumonia during a 5-month period before (n = 1,013) and after (n = 1,081) implementation of an inpatient quality improvement (QI) initiative. INTERVENTIONS A multidisciplinary team of opinion leaders developed evidence-based treatment guidelines and critical pathways, conducted educational sessions with physicians, distributed pocket reminder cards, promoted standardized orders, and developed bilingual patient education materials. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The average age was 71.4 years, and 44.1% of cases were low risk, 36.8% were moderate risk, and 19.2% were high risk. The preintervention and postintervention groups were well matched on age, sex, race, nursing home residence, pneumonia severity, initial presentation, and most major comorbidities. The intervention increased the use of guideline-recommended antimicrobial therapy from 78.1 to 83.4% (p = 0.003). There was also a borderline decrease in the proportion of patients being discharged prior to becoming clinically stable, from 27.0 to 23.5% (p = 0.06). However, there were no improvements in the other targeted indicators, including time to first dose of antibiotics, proportion receiving antibiotics within 8 h, timely switch to oral antibiotics, timely discharge, length of stay, or patient education outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This real-world QI program was able to improve modestly on some quality indicators, but not effect resource use or patient knowledge of their disease. Changing physician and organizational behavior in academic health centers will require the development and implementation of more intensive, system-oriented strategies.
Initial Expectations in New Keynesian Models with Learning

This paper examines how the estimation results for a standard New Keynesian model with constant gain least squares learning is sensitive to the stance taken on agents beliefs at the beginning of the sample. The New Keynesian model is estimated under rational expectations and under learning with three different frameworks for how expectations are set at the beginning of the sample. The results show that initial beliefs can have an impact on the predictions of an estimated model; in fact previous literature has exposed this sensitivity to explain the changing volatilities of output and inflation in the post-war United States. The results indicate statistical evidence for adaptive learning, however the rational expectations framework performs at least as well as the learning frameworks, if not better, in in-sample and out-of-sample forecast error criteria. Moreover, learning is not found to better explain time varying macroeconomic volatility any better than rational expectations. Finally, impulse response functions from the estimated models show that the dynamics following a structural shock can depend crucially on how expectations are initialized and what information agents are assumed to have.
The Atari Grand Challenge Dataset

Recent progress in Reinforcement Learning (RL), fueled by its combination, with Deep Learning has enabled impressive results in learning to interact with complex virtual environments, yet real-world applications of RL are still scarce. A key limitation is data efficiency, with current state-of-the-art approaches requiring millions of training samples. A promising way to tackle this problem is to augment RL with learning from human demonstrations. However, human demonstration data is not yet readily available. This hinders progress in this direction. The present work addresses this problem as follows. We (i) collect and describe a large dataset of human Atari 2600 replays -- the largest and most diverse such data set publicly released to date, (ii) illustrate an example use of this dataset by analyzing the relation between demonstration quality and imitation learning performance, and (iii) outline possible research directions that are opened up by our work.
Running Up and Down Hills: Some Consequences of Size

Small mammals are able to run at about the same maximum speed vertically as horizontally, but larger mammals cannot do this. During level running a mouse weighing 30 grams uses about eight times as much energy per unit of body weight as does a chimpanzee weighing 17.5 kilograms (42.6 joules per kilogram meter versus 5.17 joules per kilogram meter). The additional energy required to lift 1 kilogram of body weight 1 meter while running uphill was similar for the two species (about 15.5 joules per kilogram meter). Therefore the increment in energy expenditure for mice to run uphill compared to running horizontally is about one-eighth that for a chimpanzee. Both mice and chimpanzees were able to recover about 90 percent of the energy stored running uphill on the way down.
Long-term Effects of Delayed Graft Function on Pancreas Graft Survival After Pancreas Transplantation

Background Compared with the impact of delayed graft function (DGF) after renal transplantation, DGF after pancreas transplantation has not been fully evaluated. Methods We retrospectively verified the impact of DGF on long-term pancreas graft survival in surgically successful cases. Pancreas graft failure was defined by the recipient’s return to exogenous insulin administration. Results Between May 2004 and April 2013, we performed 135 technically successful primary pancreas transplantations. Delayed graft function was defined as a total cumulative insulin requirement of 19 UI or greater within postoperative 7 days. Of the 135 recipients in our study cohort, 47 (34.8%) developed DGF after the pancreas transplantation. By multivariate analysis, DGF was found to be associated with a donor age of 30 years or older (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–7.69; P=0.003) and the increased ratio of body mass index in a recipient to a donor (odds ratio, 26.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.53–270.0; P=0.006). There was a trend toward higher acute rejection (P=0.622) and mortality (P=0.49) rates in recipients with versus without DGF, although this did not reach statistical significance. Delayed graft function was found to be associated with a greater risk of overall pancreas graft failure (P=0.016) and death-censored graft failure (P=0.037). Conclusion Delayed graft function after pancreas transplantation was found to be associated with a greater risk of overall pancreas graft failure and death-censored graft failure.
Factor Structure of the Italian Short Schema Mode Inventory ( SMI )

OBJECTIVE: This study involves the initial validation of the Short Schema Mode Inventory (SMI) in Italy. A total of 109 Axis II patients and 241 controls participated in the study. METHOD: Confirmatory factor analysis on SMI data to evaluate a measurement model of 14 factors using LISREL 8.80 was performed. Assessment of fit was based on CFI, NNFI, SRMR, RMSEA and Chi-square/df ratio. Reliability and construct validity were computed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: All indices considered (Chi-square = 15481.95; df = 6694; Chi-square/df = 2.23; NNFI = .95; CFI = .95; RMSEA = .061; SRMR = .079) reflected a reasonable fit of the observed data to 14factors model. Reliability and construct validity were also good. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the factor structure, involving 14 factors, of the Italian SMI.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF SPERMIOGENESIS AND THE SPERMATOZOON OF CREPIDOSTOMUM METOECUS (DIGENEA: ALLOCREADIIDAE), A PARASITE OF SALMO TRUTTA (PISCES: TELEOSTEI)

Spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Crepidostomum metoecus, an intestinal parasite of brown trout Salmo trutta, were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis begins with the formation of a differentiation zone in front of 2 centrioles associated by an intercentriolar body. Each centriole is linked to a striated rootlet, and gives rise to a flagellum. The rotation of flagella is greater than 90°; their fusion with the median cytoplasmic extension is proximodistal and asynchronous. The spermatozoon is formed after constriction of arched membranes. The spermatozoon possesses 2 axonemes of the 9 + “1” pattern, a nucleus, mitochondria, and glycogen. A major feature is the presence, in the anterior part, of external ornamentation and a lateral expansion associated with spinelike bodies. Another attribute is the presence of 2 mitochondria rather than just 1, as in most of the digenean spermatozoa. To our knowledge, this study is the first undertaken with a species of the Allocreadiidae.
Sustained Epstein‐Barr virus detection in paediatric liver transplantation. Insights into the occurrence of late PTLD

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection is the main cause of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). Little is known on chronic carrier state and its relation with late PTLD. We aimed to study EBV infection in the long‐term after paediatric liver transplantation (OLT). We conducted a retrospective review of 34 children monitored for a median of 5.8 years (range 1.5‐17.7). 21 were IgG seronegative (group A) and 13 seropositive (group B) before OLT. Primary infection was the appearance of VCA‐IgM or VCA‐IgG or Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR) in patients previously IgG seronegative; positive VCA‐IgM or EA‐IgG or RT‐PCR lasting longer than 6 months was defined sustained viral detection (SVD). 18/21 patients of group A had a primary infection at a median time of 3 months after transplant (0.5‐60). 14/18 of group A and 0/13 of group B had a SVD (P < 0.0001). Viral loads greater than 500 copies/10mononuclear cells occurred in 12/18 patients in group A and 0/13 patients in group B (P < 0.0001). The 3 patients who developed late PTLD (median time after OLT 47 months, range 15‐121) were from group A, and presented with SVD before developing PTLD. In conclusion, EBV infection in seronegative patients at OLT is associated with greater viral loads and sustained viral detection. Late PTLD occurred only in naïve patients with markers of SVD. Three to 4 monthly long‐term monitoring of EBV in pre‐OLT naïve patients might help preventing the occurrence of late PTLD. Liver Transpl 13:343‐348, 2007. 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Selenium or No Selenium- That Is the Question in Tumor Patients: A New Controversy

The essential trace element selenium, which is a crucial cofactor in the most important endogenous antioxidative systems of the human body, is attracting more attention from both laypersons and expert groups. The interest of oncologists mainly focuses on the following clinical aspects: protection of normal tissues, sensitizing in malignant tumors, antiedematous effect, prognostic impact of selenium, and effects in primary and secondary cancer prevention. Selenium is a constituent of the small group of selenocysteine-containing selenoproteins and elicits important structural and enzymatic functions. Selenium deficiency has been linked to increased infection risk and adverse mood states. It has been shown to possess cancer-preventive and cytoprotective activities in both animal models and humans. It is well established that it has a key role in redox regulation and antioxidant function, and hence in membrane integrity, energy metabolism, and protection against DNA damage. Recent clinical trials have shown the importance of selenium in clinical oncology. In 2009, a significant benefit of sodium selenite supplementation—with no protection of tumor cells, which is often suspected by oncologists— was shown in a prospective randomized trial in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. More recently, concerns arose from 2 large clinical prevention trials (NPC, SELECT) that selenium may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Despite obvious flaws in both studies and good counterarguments, controversy remains on the possible advantages and risks of selenium in cancer prevention. However, in the light of the recent clinical trials the potential benefits of selenium supplementation in tumor patients are becoming obvious, even though further research is needed.
Quantum parameter estimation using general single-mode Gaussian states

We calculate the quantum Cramer--Rao bound for the sensitivity with which one or several parameters, encoded in a general single-mode Gaussian state, can be estimated. This includes in particular the interesting case of mixed Gaussian states. We apply the formula to the problems of estimating phase, purity, loss, amplitude, and squeezing. In the case of the simultaneous measurement of several parameters, we provide the full quantum Fisher information matrix. Our results unify previously known partial results, and constitute a complete solution to the problem of knowing the best possible sensitivity of measurements based on a single-mode Gaussian state.
PREVALENCE OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) IN COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PRIMARY PYODERMA

Background: Although prevalence of MRSA strains is reported to be increasing, there are no studies of their prevalence in community-acquired primary pyodermas in Iraq. Aims: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of MRSA infection in community-acquired primary pyodermas. Methods: prospective survey carried out in Dermatology Department of Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Baghdad. Materials and Methods: Eighty-six patients with primary pyoderma, visiting the dermatology outpatient, were studied clinically and microbiologically. Sensitivity testing was done for vancomycin, sisomycin, gentamicin, framycetin, erythromycin, methicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, penicillin G and ciprofloxacin. Results: The culture positivity rate was 83.7%. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in all cases except two. Barring one, all strains of Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to methicillin. Conclusions: Methicillin resistance is uncommon in community-acquired primary pyodermas in Baghdad. Treatment with antibacterial active against MRSA is probably unwarranted for community-acquired primary pyodermas.