Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The utility of urgent colonoscopy in the evaluation of acute lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding: a 2-year experience from a single center

OBJECTIVE:Urgent colonoscopy is often recommended to evaluate acute rectal bleeding. However, it may not identify a source because of blood in the lumen or inadequate preparation. Our aim was to determine the utility of urgent colonoscopy as the initial test for acute rectal bleeding.METHODS:This was a retrospective chart review of all patients discharged in 1997 and 1998 with an International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, code for hematochezia or rectal bleeding.RESULTS:We identified 514 charts but excluded 424 because of inaccurate coding. In the 90 with confirmed acute rectal bleeding, colonoscopy was the initial test in 39; age, sex, and race distributions were similar to those who did not have colonoscopy. A definite source of bleeding was seen at colonoscopy in only three patients, a probable source in 26, and no source in 10. Therapeutic intervention in four patients with a definite or probable source was successful in three. The commonest reasons for not performing urgent colonoscopy were bleeding from presumed hemorrhoids or bleeding that was clinically insignificant. Spontaneous resolution of bleeding and length of hospital stay were not affected by urgent colonoscopy. Five patients had surgery for unrelated reasons. In-hospital mortality was 2% and was unrelated to bleeding.CONCLUSION:Urgent colonoscopy as the initial investigation in acute lower GI tract bleeding probably does not alter the outcome in most cases. Identification of a definite bleeding source leading to successful therapeutic intervention is rare. Spontaneous resolution is frequent, length of hospital stay is similar, and clinical outcome is excellent regardless of whether or not urgent colonoscopy is performed.
Proposed Severity and Response Criteria for Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID3): Results for Categories of Disease Activity and Response Criteria in Abatacept Clinical Trials

Background. An index is needed to assess the status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as none of the existing measures are applicable to all individual patients. The 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) is the most specific and widely used index. Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID3) is an index containing only the 3 patient self-report core dataset measures, without a laboratory test or formal joint count, and with simple scoring. RAPID3 is correlated significantly with DAS28, but calculated in 5–10 seconds on a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ), compared to 114 seconds for DAS28. Methods. DAS28 (0–10 scale) categories for high, moderate, and low activity, and remission (≤ 2.6, 2.6–3.2, 3.21–5.1, and > 5.1, respectively) and proposed RAPID3 (0–30 scale) categories for severity (0 ≤ 3, 3.1–6, 6.1–12, and > 12) were compared in patients taking abatacept and control-treated patients at the endpoint of the Abatacept in Inadequate Response to Methotrexate (AIM) and the Abatacept Trial in Treatment of Anti-TNF INadequate Responders (ATTAIN) clinical trials, using cross-tabulations and kappa statistics. Results. Overall, 92%–99% of patients classified as having high DAS28 activity had high or moderate RAPID3 severity, while 64%–83% in DAS28 remission had RAPID3 low severity or remission; 50%–82% of patients with good or poor EULAR responses had good or poor RAPID3 responses. Kappa values ranged from 0.25 to 0.48, and weighted kappas from 0.32 to 0.52, indicating fair to moderate agreement for the 2 indices. Conclusion. Proposed RAPID3 severity and response categories yield comparable results to DAS28 and EULAR criteria in AIM and ATTAIN. DAS28 is more specific for clinical trials. RAPID3 does not preclude also scoring DAS28, and may be informative in the infrastructure of routine care.
Does Option-Based Compensation Affect Payout Policy? Evidence from FAS123R

Does option-based compensation affect payout policy? To address this question, we examine the adoption of mandatory expensing of stock options. Our identification strategy exploits the fact that the reduction in option-based compensation after the accounting change varies with the firm-specific expected accounting impact. Across a battery of tests, we do not find that (accounting-driven) reductions in option-based pay cause dividends to increase or repurchases to decrease. Our results contrast with the widely held belief that option-based pay has a significant causal influence on payout policy and cast doubts on its role in the shift from dividends to repurchases.
Should female relatives of factor V Leiden carriers be screened prior to oral contraceptive use?

Summary Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is three-fold higher among FV Leiden (FVL) carriers receiving oral contraceptives (OCPs) than in the general population. FVL screening, however, is not routinely performed before prescribing OCP, and the cost-effectiveness of this strategy is unknown. A decision tree model was constructed to evaluate FVL screening and prophylactic anticoagulation (AC) strategies in female relatives of FVL carriers. In the model, AC was low molecular weight heparin, given warfarin embryopathy risks. VTE morbidity, mortality, and other clinical parameters were obtained from published studies. Drug costs were based on average wholesale price, and counseling included VTE risk with OCP use and FVL status. Outcomes included medical costs, effectiveness measured as quality-adjusted-life-years (QALY), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) over 30 years, with cost and effectiveness discounted at 3%/year. FVL screening and counselling without prophylactic AC cost less and was more effective than no screening in this population, but was less effective than screening, counselling,and prophylaxis during high-risk periods, which gained 0.083 QALY, for an ICER of $147/QALY gained. Screening with counselling and long-term AC cost $3,536 with minimal QALY gain and an ICER >$600,000/QALY. Screening, OCP counseling, and prophylactic AC during high-risk periods was favoured and cost <$20,000/QALY, unless: (a) high-risk prophylaxis cost >$4,231 (base $932), (b) long-term prophylaxis cost < $1199 (base $6,546), or (c)VTE relative risk reduction with prophylaxis was <21% (base 90%). In conclusion, screening, counselling and prophylactic AC during high-risk periods in female relatives of FVL carriers is an economically favourable strategy.
Electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) involves the induction of a seizure (fit) for therapeutic purposes by the administration of a low frequency electrical stimulus shock via electrodes applied to the scalp. At present it is used for those with schizophrenia but its effects are unclear. OBJECTIVES To determine whether electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) results in clinically meaningful benefit with regard to global improvement, hospitalisation, changes in mental state, behaviour and functioning in those with schizophrenia. SEARCH STRATEGY Electronic searches of Biological Abstracts (1982-1996), EMBASE (1980-1996), Medline (1966-1996), PsycLIT (1974-1996) and SCISEARCH (1996) were undertaken. The references of all identified studies were investigated. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials that compared ECT with placebo, 'sham ECT', non-pharmacological interventions and antipsychotics for people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or chronic mental disorder. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The reviewers extracted the data independently and analysed the data on an intention to treat basis. MAIN RESULTS Less people with schizophrenia treated with ECT showed no improvement in general functioning when compared to those given placebo in the short term (OR 0.48 CI 99% 0.26-0.90). This effect, however, does not last. However, ECT is less effective than antipsychotic drug treatment for those with schizophrenia. Limited evidence exists to suggest that combining antipsychotic drugs and ECT increases the rate and extent of clinical improvement, in the short term, in one out of every five to six people. The evidence for the efficacy of ECT in the medium to long term is equivocal. Electroconvulsive therapy is also more effective than the now obsolete insulin coma treatment. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There is some evidence to support the use of ECT for those with schizophrenia for short term relief of symptoms. Electroconvulsive therapy may be advocated as an adjunct to antipsychotic medication for those with schizophrenia who show a limited response to medication alone but the evidence for this is not strong. In fact in spite of more than five decades of widespread clinical use, the administration of ECT to those with schizophrenia lacks a strong research base.
Chemoprophylaxis and vaccination in preventing subsequent cases of meningococcal disease in household contacts of a case of meningococcal disease: a systematic review

SUMMARY Household contacts of an index case of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) are at increased risk of acquiring disease. In revising WHO guidance on IMD in sub-Saharan Africa, a systematic review was undertaken to assess the effect of chemoprophylaxis and of vaccination in preventing subsequent cases of IMD in household contacts following an index case. A literature search for systematic reviews identified a single suitable review on chemoprophylaxis in 2004 (three studies meta-analysed). A search for primary research papers published since 2004 on chemoprophylaxis and without a date limit on vaccination was therefore undertaken. There were 2381 studies identified of which two additional studies met the inclusion criteria. The summary risk ratio for chemoprophylaxis vs. no chemoprophylaxis (four studies) in the 30-day period after a case was 0·16 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·04-0·64, P = 0·008]; the number needed to treat to prevent one subsequent case was 200 (95% CI 111-1000). A single quasi-randomized trial assessed the role of vaccination. The risk ratio for vaccination vs. no vaccination at 30 days was 0·11 (95% CI 0·01–2·07, P = 0·14). The results support the use of chemoprophylaxis to prevent subsequent cases of IMD in household contacts of a case. Conclusions about the use of vaccination could not be drawn.
Fasting insulin and incident dementia in an elderly population of Japanese-American men

Objective: To evaluate the association of fasting insulin level to incident dementia in a cohort of elderly men. Methods: Data are from the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study, a community-based study of Japanese-American men, aged 71 to 91 years in 1991. Serum insulin was measured in 1991 and participants were grouped based on their insulin levels. Dementia was ascertained in 1991, 1994, and 1996 according to international guidelines. The 2,568 men dementia-free in 1991 were reexamined in 1994 and 1996; 244 new cases of dementia were diagnosed. Survival analysis with age as the time scale was used to estimate the risk (hazard ratio [HR] and 95% CI) for incident dementia associated with levels of insulin. Results: The risk of dementia was increased at the two extremes of the insulin distribution (lower and upper 15th percentiles). Compared to the rest of the cohort subjects in the lowest 15th percentile and highest 15th percentile had an increased risk for dementia (HR = 1.54, CI 1.11 to 2.11 and HR = 1.54, CI 1.05 to 2.26). In men with insulin levels <22.2 mIU/L the risk for dementia decreased with increased levels of insulin (HR = 0.76, CI 0.72 to 0.79 for each increase of one logarithmic unit −2.72 mIU/L of insulin). In men with insulin levels ≥22.2 mIU/L the risk for dementia increased with increasing levels of insulin (HR = 1.64, CI = 1.07 to 2.52 for each 2.72 mIU/L). Conclusions: Both low and high levels of insulin are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.
Noncoherent Diversity Combining for Spectrum Sensing

Spectrum sensing is a key enabling function for opportunistic spectrum access in a cognitive radio system. In this work, the spatial diversity of multiple spatially distributed antennas is exploited, and diversity combining schemes are studied to improve the spectrum sensing performance. In contrast to existing diversity combining techniques, the proposed detectors do not rely on knowledge of realizations of channel fading and hence operate in a \emph{noncoherent} mode. The optimal detector developed combines the received signals from multiple antennas based on statistical knowledge of channel fading. Two simplified detectors are also proposed that trade off between implementation complexity and sensing performance. For all the presented detectors, closed-form expressions of the probability of false alarm and the probability of miss detection are derived, and are investigated through numerical examples under the Neyman-Pearson criterion.
Banks' pricing strategies and income diversification : theoretical and empirical evidence

This thesis makes three different contributions to the literature on bank income diversification and its effect on bank performance. Firstly, the study makes a theoretical contribution by incorporating non-interest income components into Ho and Saunders (1981) model in the presence of pricing strategies, including bundling and loss-leader strategies, as well as being well-informed and less-informed customers. The model distinguishes fees and commissions income and trade income by proposing the conditions that create the negative relationships with net interest margin. The study also empirically tests the theoretical relationships for the European banking system and the results state that both fees and commissions income and trade income negatively affect interest margin. Secondly, this study examines the relationship between interest and non-interest income sides by considering the switching cost for customers created by loan maturity for non-interest products. Theoretically, the study derives an equation that long-term loans create a switching cost for the sale of non-traditional products. The theoretical contribution is empirically tested for the UK banking system using unique UK banking data over the period 2005 2012. The empirical results suggest that by shifting loan maturity from short term to long term creates a switching cost for non-interest product sale. This empirical finding leads to test switching cost created by long-term loan, particularly for trade products. Shifting the maturity from short term to long term creates switching cost for trade products either. Thirdly the study contributes by investigating the aftermath of findings on the relationship between interest and non-interest income sides, and switching cost created by increasing loan maturity. The third study in this thesis contributes to the literature by examining the effect of non-interest income, conditional on deposit and loan maturities, on bank performance using UK banking data as a laboratory from 2005 to 2012. The study finds that fees and commissions income do not explain bank performance. However, when the fees and commissions variables are conditional on longer loan maturity, it alleviates the risk-adjusted bank performance. Trade income increases the bank performance. However when it is dependent on deposits and loans with long maturities, it has an adverse effect on bank performance. The result of direct maturity diversification indicates that, while the UK banks do not benefit from deposit diversification, the maturity diversification of loan is linked to a higher bank performance.
Suicide among Immigrant Psychiatric Patients in Canada

Ninety-four Canadian-born psychiatric patients who committed suicide were compared with 23 foreign-born patients committing suicide in Canada. East Europeans were over-represented, and significant differences were found in the age distribution, stress, level of education, social isolation, and methods of suicide. Most foreign-born patients had come to Canada for family or economic reasons but were unemployed, with poor social integration. Employment, homing, education, social integration and a support network seem to be important in preventing these deaths. Cultural evaluation of the patient and early intervention is recommended.
Family-based association study of ADHD and genes increasing the risk for smoking behaviours

Objective To investigate five top single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in different genes and loci (CHRNA3, BDNF, DBH and LOC100188947) that were highly associated with different dimensions of smoking behaviour, in relation to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Design Cohort study consisting of a clinical sample of children with ADHD. Setting Douglas Institute ADHD Clinic, Montreal, Canada. Patients Families of 454 children with ADHD aged 6–12 years old. Interventions Family-based association tests used to study the transmission of risk alleles within these five genetic markers. Main outcome measures Clinical diagnosis of ADHD, and a number of behavioural and neurocognitive phenotypes relevant to the disorder. Results One SNP (rs1329650) from a non-coding RNA (LOC100188947) was significantly associated with overall ADHD diagnosis with the C* risk allele being over-transmitted from parents to children with ADHD (p=0.02). It was also over-transmitted to children with higher scores on Conners’ Parents (p=0.01) and Conners’ Teacher (p=0.002) index scores, and Child Behaviour Checklist withdrawn (p=0.001) and aggressive (p=0.007) behaviours. Children with poorer performances on executive and attention tasks were more likely to inherit the risk allele. Conclusions The C* allele of rs1329650 may be increasing the risk for ADHD and smoking behaviour through a common mechanism, possibly externalising behaviours and specific cognitive deficits that manifest as ADHD in childhood and are the gateway to smoking behaviour later in life. This exploratory study illustrates the use of comorbid disorders to investigate ADHD genetics. In spite of its relatively large sample size, replication in future studies is warranted. Trial Registration Number NCT00483106.
CTLA4 gene polymorphism contributes to the mode of onset of diabetes with antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibody in Japanese patients: genetic analysis of diabetic patients with antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibody

Aim The mode of onset is occasionally similar in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and some patients with Type 2 diabetes are positive for antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GAD Ab). We investigated the contribution of Type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes to the progression of the insulin‐deficient state and mode of onset of Type 2 diabetes in GAD Ab‐positive (GAD‐Ab+) patients. We examined the variable number of tandem repeats in the promoter region of the insulin gene (INS‐VNTR, insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) 2) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4, IDDM12) as representative of Type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes.
Minimum Wage and Real Wage Inequality: Evidence from Pass-Through to Retail Prices

Abstract This paper considers the impact of the minimum wage on both labor and product markets using detailed store-level scanner data. I provide empirical evidence that a 10% increase in the minimum wage raises grocery store prices by 0.6% to 0.8% and suggest that the minimum wage not only raises labor costs but also affects product demand, especially in poorer regions. This points to novel channels of heterogeneity in pass-through that have distributional consequences, with key implications for real wage inequality. I also find that price rigidity within retail chains ameliorates these effects, reducing the pass-through elasticity for retail prices by about 60%.
Rietveld analysis of the modulated structure in the superconducting oxide Bi2(Sr,Ca)3Cu2O8+x.

The modulated structure of the high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ superconductor ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$(Sr,Ca${)}_{3}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathit{x}}$ was analyzed with a newly developed Rietveld refinement program for modulated structures. The structure refinement was made by the simultaneous refinement method using x-ray and time-of-flight neutron-diffraction data. It has a one-dimensionally modulated structure with N Bbmb/11\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}1, a=5.3957(3), b=5.3971(3), c=30.649(1) \AA{}, and k=0.2118(1)${\mathbf{b}}^{\mathrm{*}}$. Atoms in Bi-O, Sr-O, Cu-O, and Ca layers are all greatly displaced from their average positions. In particular Bi atoms are displaced mainly along the b axis, forming Bi-condensed and Bi-dilute regions. The characteristic feature of the structure is the existence of extra oxygens, giving x=1.0, in the Bi-dilute region of the Bi-O layer. Bi has a distorted rocksalt-type oxygen coordination with four short Bi-O bonds in the Bi-condensed region and a deformed square pyramidal coordination with five Bi-O bonds in the Bi-dilute region. The apical oxygen of a ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{5}$ pyramid, which joins Cu to Bi, moves along with Bi, distorting the pyramid considerably.
Declining pollution abatement R&D in the United States: theory and evidence

Industrial R&D spending in the United States for the specific purpose of abating conventional pollution declined appreciably in real terms over the period 1973–1998, both as a share of total industrial R&D spending, and as a share of pollution abatement and control expenditure. I use industry-level panel data for this period to investigate the causes of the decline. Hypotheses are derived from a conceptual model of the forces that drive the production of universally new knowledge concerned specifically with abatement. I find evidence that the decline was caused at least in part by policy design changes, and by spillovers from other-industry pollution abatement R&D substituting for R&D spending in the focal industry.
Revisiting the Role of Private Schooling on Children Learning Outcomes: Evidence from Rural India

In the view of increasing preference of private schooling in India, this article assesses its impact on learning outcomes for rural children from 8 to 11 years. Despite earlier attempts to study the issue, this article stands out in two ways. Firstly, it addresses the problems arising because of non-random selection of children attending private schools. Secondly, it also presents an all-India estimate unlike most studies which have dealt largely with few states. Our results show the performance of children attending private school to be significantly better than those from public schools. This difference is evident among ‘low-fee’ private schools as well. However the private schooling premium differ across regions and groups, and there are several other concerns regarding affordability, access and segregation which require further deliberation and debate. JEL: I2, I21, I28
13C-octanoic acid breath test: a reliable tool for measuring gastric emptying.

Non-invasive evaluation of gastric emptying is generally performed by scintigraphy which is, however, not always applicable and is not suitable for children and child-bearing women. Recently, a new method based on stable isotope breath testing has been introduced in clinical practice i.e., the 13C-octanoic acid breath test. An overview is made here of the current knowledge on this technique with special emphasis on the principle of the test, the mathematics used to analyse the results, and the physiological, pathological, and pharmacological aspects of gastric emptying studied with this new method. Possible pitfalls of the test are also reported.