Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Birth weight and the risk of overweight in young men born at term

The aim of this birth cohort study was to determine the relationship between birth weight and the risk of overweight in young adulthood. Methods: Data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway were linked with register data from the National Conscript Service. This study used data on the 348,800 males who were born at term in single births in Norway during 1967 to 1984, and who were examined at the mandatory military conscription (98% were examined the year they turned 18 or 19 years of age). Sibling comparisons were conducted in the 11,865 sibships of two or more full brothers in which at least one brother was overweight (body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2) and at least one brother was not overweight. Results: When all the men in the study population were compared with each other there was a “J”‐shaped association between birth weight and the adjusted odds of overweight. When the men were compared with their brothers, the adjusted odds of overweight increased in an exponential way (linearly in logit) over the entire range of the birth weight scale. A within‐family difference of 100 g in birth weight was associated with a within‐family difference of 3.5% (99% confidence interval: 2.5–4.6) in the odds of overweight. Conclusions: There is a positive within‐family association between birth weight and the odds of overweight in young Norwegian men born at term. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:564–569, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Approximations for weakly nonlinear evolution equations

Convergence of approximations for a large class of weakly nonlinear parabolic and hyperbolic equations is proven. The main emphasis is on proving convergence of finite element and spectral Galerkin approximations of solutions to the weakly nonlinear wave equation u"(t) + Au(t) = F(t, u(t), u'(t)), u(0) = xo, u'(0) = yo, under minimal assumptions on the linear operator A and on the approximation spaces. A can be a very general elliptic operator (not just of 2nd order and not necessarily in a bounded domain); A can also be very singular and degenerate. The results apply also to systems of equations. Verification of the hypotheses is completely elementary for a large class of problems. 1. Overview. Approximations of solutions to initial value problems of the form (1) u'(t) + Au(t) = F(t, u), u(O) = xo, are studied. The basic results, in rather abstract form, are presented in Section 2. They can be used to prove convergence of finite difference, finite element, spectral, etc., approximations of weakly nonlinear hyperbolic and parabolic equations. Throughout the paper it is assumed that the nonlinear operator F is Lipschitz continuous in u, and for this reason, (1) is said to be weakly nonlinear (-A is the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup). The approach used to prove these results has origins in works of Kato [17], Trotter [29], Segal [27]. Section 3 contains a version of the results of Section 2 that is suitable for proving convergence of finite element approximations of solutions to the weakly nonlinear wave equation u"(t) + Au(t) = F(t, u(t), u'(t)), u(O) = xo, u'(O) = yo (Theorem 3.5) and to weakly nonlinear parabolic problems (Theorem 3.3). Theorem 3.5 is new. The main emphasis is on requiring as little as possible on the linear operator A and on the approximation spaces. A can be a very general elliptic operator (not just of 2nd order and not necessarily in a bounded domain); A can also be very singular and degenerate. Theorem 4.2 of Section 4 is perhaps the most interesting new result. It is a consequence of Theorem 3.5 and of the remarkable fact that sectorial operators have Friedrichs extensions. By using the Friedrichs extension one can bypass the "energy space" that is used in variational methods and this makes it possible to state the assumptions of Theorem 4.2 in a form that can be verified in a completely elementary way for a very general wave equation. Received July 11, 1988. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revision). Primary 65M60, 65J15, 35L70, 35L80, 47B44. 1989 American Mathematical Society 0025-5718/89 $1.00 + $. 25 per page
Impact of Top Management's IT Knowledge and IT Governance Mechanisms on Financial Performance

The primary objective of this paper is to examine whether top management’s IT knowledge and the firm’s use of important IT governance mechanisms reliably contribute to a firm’s financial performance. We found that IT knowledge at top executive levels and the board is associated with a company’s use of IT governance mechanisms such as CIOs and IT strategy committees that lead to improved financial performance. These findings provide evidence-based support for normative prescriptions for addressing the so-called IT attention and IT knowledge deficits at the top executive and board levels of companies.
Evidence of b-jet quenching in PbPb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76  TeV.

The production of jets associated to bottom quarks is measured for the first time in PbPb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV per nucleon pair. Jet spectra are reported in the transverse momentum (p(T)) range of 80-250 GeV/c, and within pseudorapidity |η|<2. The nuclear modification factor (R(AA)) calculated from these spectra shows a strong suppression in the b-jet yield in PbPb collisions relative to the yield observed in pp collisions at the same energy. The suppression persists to the largest values of p(T) studied, and is centrality dependent. The R(AA) is about 0.4 in the most central events, similar to previous observations for inclusive jets. This implies that jet quenching does not have a strong dependence on parton mass and flavor in the jet p(T) range studied.
Presenteeism Attitudes and Behavior Among Missouri Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade (K–12) School Nurses

Working while ill (presenteeism) with symptoms of influenza-like illness can contribute to outbreaks, but little is known about school nurse presenteeism. Missouri Association of School Nurses members (N = 396) were sent a survey in 2013/2014. A chi square test was conducted to compare having a school culture that encourages presenteeism versus actual sick leave policies. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to delineate factors associated with presenteeism. In total, 133 school nurses participated (33.6% response rate). Almost half (42.1%, n = 56) reported presenteeism. Nurses were more likely to feel pressure to engage in presenteeism than reported punitive sick leave policies (14.3% vs. 3.8%, χ2 = 18.3, p < .001). Presenteeism was associated with perceived pressure, odds ratio (OR) = 4.8, confidence interval (CI) = [1.5, 15.8], p < . 01, and having a mild illness, OR = 3.6, CI = [1.4, 9.7], p = . 01. Many school nurses engage in presenteeism, and this appears to be associated with organizational cultural norms rather than established sick leave policies.
Reliability of Sexual Behavior Data among High School Students in Rome

We compared findings on sexual behavior from a self-administered questionnaire and a face-to-face interview, separated by 2–4 weeks, directed at 383 Italian secondary school students. The correlation coefficients or kappa values for reported prevalence of coital experience, age at first inter-course, and age of first partner were all greater than 0.7. The interview underreported coitus and overreported condom use, when administered before the questionnaire. The students thought that 18.4% of their classmates had ever had coitus, compared with 23.5% on self-report. We conclude that despite an overall high reproducibility of sexual behavior measures, distortions due to perceptions of social desirability might occur. (Epidemiology 1992;3:531–535)
Review: Tailoring the treatment to the individual in Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease is a heterogeneous disease with approximately 30-40% of patients having a simple benign history and the rest having a chronic progressive disease leading to complications, surgeries and potentially socio-professional marginalisation. Recent studies have shown that an early treatment with immunosuppressive treatment and/or anti-tumour necrosis factor agents could change the natural history of the disease and avoid the development of such disabling disease. The therapy should thus be tailored according to the risk of developing such disabling disease. Recent cohort studies have shown that clinical factors such as age at diagnosis, disease extent, disease location and behaviour at diagnosis were predictive for the development of severe or disabling disease and could be used in helping the physician to tailor therapy.
The Safety and Efficacy of Intraoperative Heparin in Total Hip Arthroplasty

A single dose of unfractionated heparin (15 U/kg), administered intravenously before surgery on the femur suppresses thrombogenesis during total hip replacement. Nine hundred eighty-nine patients (1021 hips) who received one dose of intraoperative heparin with hypotensive epidural anesthesia were followed up prospectively for 3 months. Asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis assessed by ultrasound in the first 198 consecutive patients showed an incidence of 7.1% (14 of 198). The incidence of clinical deep vein thrombosis in the subsequent 791 patients was 0.88% (seven of 791). Symptomatic pulmonary embolism occurred in 0.5% (five of 989). No patients died and there was one major bleeding episode. Based on this favorable experience, intraoperative heparin appears safe and efficacious as thromboembolic prophylaxis.
Finite difference solution of radiation effects on MHD unsteady free-convection flow over vertical plate with variable surface temperature

An analysis is performed to study radiation effects on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) unsteady free-convection flow past a semi-infinite vertical plate with variable surface temperature in the presence of transversal uniform magnetic field. The boundary layer equations are transformed into a linear algebraic system by an implicit finite-difference method. A parametric study is performed to illustrate the influence of radiation parameter, magnetic parameter, and Prandtl number on the velocity and temperature profiles. The numerical results reveal that the radiation has significant influences on the velocity and temperature profiles, skin friction, and Nusselt number. The results indicate that the velocity, temperature, and local and average skin friction increase as the radiation parameter increases, while the local and average Nusselt numbers decrease as the radiation parameter increases.
Metabolic Effects of Protease Inhibitor-Sparing Antiretroviral Regimens Given as Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infection (AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study A5095)

Objective:To assess metabolic changes after initiation of protease inhibitor (PI)-sparing regimens in antiretroviral-naive patients. Methods:Metabolic changes were analyzed within the triple-nucleoside (zidovudine [ZDV]/lamivudine [3TC]/abacavir [ABC])-containing, 3-drug efavirenz (EFV) [ZDV/3TC + EFV]-containing, and 4-drug EFV [ZDV/3TC/ABC + EFV]-containing arms of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group multicenter trial A5095. Metabolic values were compared with published US general population norms. Results:From week 0 to week 24, all arms exhibited similar mild median increases in glucose and decreases in insulin sensitivity, whereas changes in lipids were greater in the ZDV/3TC + EFV and ZDV/3TC/ABC + EFV arms than in the ZDV/3TC/ABC arm: triglyceride (TG; 7, 18, and −1 mg/dL, respectively), total cholesterol (TC; 23, 28, and 5 mg/dL, respectively), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 9, 14, and 1 mg/dL, respectively), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 10, 10, and 5 mg/dL, respectively). Adjusted mean study lipid values of all study participants at week 0 and week 96 compared with those of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 through 2002 values were: TG (148, 187, and 123 mg/dL, respectively), TC (164, 195, and 203 mg/dL, respectively), HDL-C (35, 47, and 51 mg/dL, respectively), and LDL-C (101, 117, and 123 mg/dL, respectively) (P ≤ 0.005 for each value vs. NHANES values). Conclusions:Similar mild increases in glucose and decreases in insulin sensitivity were observed in all regimens, whereas lipids were modestly higher in the EFV-containing arms. Compared with general population norms, the metabolic dysfunctions of concern after these PI-sparing therapies were increasingly abnormal TC and lower (but improved relative to baseline) HDL-C levels.
Identification of active site residues in the Shigella flexneri glucosyltransferase GtrV

Abstract The serotype-specific glucosyltransferase, GtrV, is responsible for glucosylation of the O-antigen repeating unit of Shigella flexneri serotype 5a strains. GtrV is an integral inner membrane protein with two essential periplasmic loops: the large Loop 2 and the C-terminal Loop 10. In this study, the full length of the Loop 2 was shown to be necessary for GtrV function. Site-directed mutagenesis within this loop revealed that conserved aromatic and charged amino acids have a critical role in the formation of the active site. Sequential deletions of the C-terminal end indicated that this region may be essential for assembly of the protein in the cytoplasmic membrane. The highly conserved FWAED motif is thought to form the substrate-binding site and was found to be critical in GtrV and GtrX, a serotype-specific glucosyltransferase with homology to GtrV. The data presented constitutes a targeted analysis of the formation of the GtrV active site and highlights the essential role of the large periplasmic Loop 2 in its function.
Modeling Poliovirus Transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan to Inform Vaccination Strategies in Undervaccinated Subpopulations

Due to security, access, and programmatic challenges in areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, both countries continue to sustain indigenous wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission and threaten the success of global polio eradication and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) cessation. We fitted an existing differential‐equation‐based poliovirus transmission and OPV evolution model to Pakistan and Afghanistan using four subpopulations to characterize the well‐vaccinated and undervaccinated subpopulations in each country. We explored retrospective and prospective scenarios for using inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in routine immunization or supplemental immunization activities (SIAs). The undervaccinated subpopulations sustain the circulation of serotype 1 WPV and serotype 2 circulating vaccine‐derived poliovirus. We find a moderate impact of past IPV use on polio incidence and population immunity to transmission mainly due to (1) the boosting effect of IPV for individuals with preexisting immunity from a live poliovirus infection and (2) the effect of IPV‐only on oropharyngeal transmission for individuals without preexisting immunity from a live poliovirus infection. Future IPV use may similarly yield moderate benefits, particularly if access to undervaccinated subpopulations dramatically improves. However, OPV provides a much greater impact on transmission and the incremental benefit of IPV in addition to OPV remains limited. This study suggests that despite the moderate effect of using IPV in SIAs, using OPV in SIAs remains the most effective means to stop transmission, while limited IPV resources should prioritize IPV use in routine immunization.
The impact of a continuing education oral health program on providing services for young children by dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a 4 hour continuing education (CE) program on the oral health knowledge and behaviors of dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants in providing oral health services to young children in West Virginia general dental practices. METHODS A free CE program was provided for 92 general dentists, 123 dental hygienists and 37 dental assistants (n=252) at 4 sites across West Virginia. Participants completed a pre- and post-test on topics including the timing of the first dental exam, fluorides, xylitol, Alternative Restorative Technique (ART) and their practice pattern of caring for children under 3 years old. A 6 month follow-up questionnaire was mailed to participants to assess outcomes. RESULTS Participants showed a 22% increase in knowledge from the pre-test to the post-test (p<0.001) for all questions except for ART, which showed no change. The majority of dentists and hygienists (89%) increased their comfort in providing services for children under 3 years old. Participants (80%) stated they would increase the number of children under 3 years old they examine, yet 6 months after the program only 42% responded affirmatively (p<0.001). At the time of the program, 62% reported that they currently examine children at 1 year of age, and there was no significant change 6 months later. While 54% responded that they would contact their local physicians about early oral health care, only 27% followed through. CONCLUSION This program significantly increased the participants' knowledge and comfort level for providing infant and toddler oral health care. However, it did not motivate most to alter their practice behaviors to conform to national best practice guidelines.
Polymorphism of GSTM 1 and GSTT 1 genes in prostate cancer : A study from North India

BACKGROUND: Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are active in the detoxification of wide variety of endogenous or exogenous carcinogens. The genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes have been studied earlier to evaluate the relative risk of various cancers. AIM, SETTING AND DESIGN: In the present study, we examined the association of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with sporadic prostate cancer patients in north Indian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case control study was undertaken over a period of 24 months and included 103 prostate cancer patients and 117 controls; both patients and controls originated from northern part of India. The GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes were identified by multiplex PCR in peripheral blood DNA samples. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Difference in genotype prevalence and association between case and control group were assessed by the Chi square and Fisher Exact tests. RESULTS: Frequencies of null genotypes in GSTT1 and GSTM1, was 11% (13/117) and 30% (35/117) respectively in control individuals. The frequencies of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes in prostate cancer patients were 34% (35/103) and 53% (55/103) respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 are substantially at higher risk for prostate carcinoma as compared to the normal healthy controls. The GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes did not show significant association with tobacco usage in prostate cancer patients. However, the null genotypes were significantly stratified in 50-60 year-old patients when incidence of prostate cancer is high.
Obesity–hypertension: an ongoing pandemic

Considerable evidence has suggested that excessive weight gain is the most common cause of arterial hypertension. This association has been observed in several populations, in different regions of the world. Obesity–hypertension, a term that underscores the link between these two deleterious conditions, is an important public health challenge, because of its high frequency and concomitant risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. The obesity–hypertension pandemic imposes a considerable economic burden on societies, directly reflecting on healthcare system costs. Increased renal sodium reabsorption and blood volume expansion are central features in the development of obesity–hypertension. Overweight is also associated with increased sympathetic activity. Leptin, a protein expressed in and secreted by adipocytes, is the main factor linking obesity, increased sympathetic nervous system activity and hypertension. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system has also been causally implicated in obesity–hypertension, because angiotensinogen is expressed in and secreted by adipose tissue. Hypoadiponectinemia, high circulating levels of free fatty acids and increased vascular production of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) have been reported as potential mechanisms for obesity–hypertension. Lifestyle changes are effective in obesity–hypertension control, though pharmacological treatment is frequently necessary. Despite the consistency of the mechanistic approach in explaining the causal relation between hypertension and obesity, there is yet no evidence that one class of drug is superior to the others in controlling obesity–hypertension. In this review, we present the current knowledge and research in obesity–hypertension, exploring the epidemiologic evidence of the association, its probable pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment issues.
Functional Graph Alterations in Schizophrenia: A Result from a Global Anatomic Decoupling?

Abstract Introduction: During rest, the brain exhibits slow hemodynamic fluctuations (<0.1 Hz) that are correlated across spatially segregated brain regions, defining functional networks. Resting-state functional networks of people with schizophrenia were found to have graph properties that differ from those of control subjects. Namely, functional graphs from patients exhibit reduced small-worldness, increased hierarchy, lower clustering, improved efficiency and greater robustness. Notably, most of these parameters correlate with patients’ cognitive performance. Methods: To test if a brain-wide coupling deficit could be at the origin of such network reorganization, we use a model of resting-state activity where the coupling strength can be manipulated. For a range of coupling values, the simulated functional graphs obtained were characterized using graph theory. Results: For a coupling range, simulated graphs shared properties of healthy resting-state functional graphs. On decreasing the coupling strength, the resultant functional graphs exhibited a topological reorganization, in the same way as described in schizophrenia. Discussion: This work shows how complex functional graph alterations reported in schizophrenia can be accounted for by a decrease in the structural coupling strength. These results are corroborated by reports of lower white matter density in schizophrenia.
Antibodies and the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak of 1964: I. The Widal reaction

SUMMARY The outbreak of typhoid fever in Aberdeen during 1964 (Walker, 1965) presented an opportunity to study the antibody titres of typhoid fever patients and of TAB immunized individuals to obtain further knowledge concerning the behaviour of these titres with the passage of time. This paper gives an abbreviated version of part of a research programme which followed the Aberdeen typhoid outbreak of 1964. The antibody titres of patients were followed up for a period of 2 years after discharge from hospital and the findings have been compared with those in TAB immunized healthy individuals. The following points emerged: (1) The value of the Widal test as an aid to diagnosis was limited; (2) the flagellar antibody titre in patients' sera provided a more reliable aid towards diagnosis than did the somatic antibody titre; (3) the response of immunized and non-immunized patients to the somatic antigens was poor and often delayed well into the period following discharge from hospital; (4) titres of 1/40 and over for Vi agglutinins were present in immunized and non-immunized patients for at least 12 months after discharge without their being S. typhi excretors; (5) Vi agglutinin titres as high as 1/40 were present in TAB immunized healthy individuals and also in members of the general public; (6) the presence of S. typhi septicaemia need not result in a high antibody titre; (7) patients who relapse, may do so without enhancement of previous antibody titres and may relapse even in the presence of earlier appreciable titres.