Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the value of program outcomes: a review of multiattribute utility measures

Selection of a multiattribute utility instrument for economic evaluation is complex due to competition between developers and inflated claims for instrument properties. This review presents multiattribute utility theoretical requirements and assesses leading multiattribute utility instruments against these. Instruments reviewed are: the QWB, HUI3, 15D, EQ5D, AQoL and SF6D. The key finding is that no current instrument satisfies all the requirements for multiattribute utility measurement. We recommend that users should choose instruments most relevant to their circumstances and that studies should include two instruments. Rigorous sensitivity analyses should be conducted and both results reported. Subject to these caveats, preference should be given to instruments best meeting multiattribute utility theoretical requirements, viz., the AQoL or HUI3. However, we recognise that other instruments may perform as well, or even better, under certain circumstances.
Oximeter-based autonomic state indicator algorithm for cardiovascular risk assessment.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment is important in clinical practice. An autonomic state indicator (ASI) algorithm based on pulse oximetry was developed and validated for CV risk assessment. METHODS One hundred forty-eight sleep clinic patients (98 men, mean age 50 ± 13 years) underwent an overnight study using a novel photoplethysmographic sensor. CV risk was classified according to the European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology (ESH/ESC) risk factor matrix. Five signal components reflecting cardiac and vascular activity (pulse wave attenuation, pulse rate acceleration, pulse propagation time, respiration-related pulse oscillation, and oxygen desaturation) extracted from 99 randomly selected subjects were used to train the classification algorithm. The capacity of the algorithm for CV risk prediction was validated in 49 additional patients. RESULTS Each signal component contributed independently to CV risk prediction. The sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm to distinguish high/low CV risk in the validation group were 80% and 77%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for high CV risk classification was 0.84. β-Blocker treatment was identified as an important factor for classification that was not in line with the ESH/ESC reference matrix. CONCLUSIONS Signals derived from overnight oximetry recording provide a novel potential tool for CV risk classification. Prospective studies are warranted to establish the value of the ASI algorithm for prediction of outcome in CV disease.
Independence of Hand Preference and Sex-Linked Genetic Effects on Spatial Performance

The paper-and-pencil spatial performance of right- and left-handed high school students was compared separately for 1236 males and 1241 females. Handedness differences in favor of right-handed subjects were found among males only. Analysis of data for a subgroup of 555 subjects indicated that handedness and sex-linked genetic effects acted independently and additively on spatial performance.
Clinical features of double infection with tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme borreliosis transmitted by tick bite

Background: In Latvia and other endemic regions, a single tick bite has the potential to transmit both tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme borreliosis. Objective: To analyse both the clinical features and differential diagnosis of combined tick-borne infection with TBE and Lyme borreliosis, in 51 patients with serological evidence, of whom 69% had tick bites. Results: Biphasic fever suggestive of TBE occurred in 55% of the patients. Meningitis occurred in 92%, with painful radicular symptoms in 39%. Muscle weakness occurred in 41%; in 29% the flaccid paralysis was compatible with TBE. Only two patients presented with the bulbar palsy typical of TBE. Typical Lyme borreliosis facial palsy occurred in three patients. Typical TBE oculomotor disturbances occurred in two. Other features typical of Lyme borreliosis detected in our patients were distal peripheral neuropathy (n = 4), arthralgia (n = 9), local erythema 1–12 days after tick bite (n = 7) and erythema chronicum migrans (n = 1). Echocardiogram abnormalities occurred in 15. Conclusions: Patients with double infection with TBE and Lyme borreliosis fell into three main clinical groups: febrile illness, 3 (6%); meningitis, 15 (30%); central or peripheral neurological deficit (meningoencephalitis, meningomyelitis, meningoradiculitis and polyradiculoneuritis), 33 (65%). Systemic features pointing to Lyme borreliosis were found in 25 patients (49%); immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies to borreliosis were present in 18 of them. The clinical occurrence of both Lyme borreliosis and TBE vary after exposure to tick bite, and the neurological manifestations of each disorder vary widely, with considerable overlap. This observational study provides no evidence that co-infection produces unusual manifestations due to unpredicted interaction between the two diseases. Patients with tick exposure presenting with acute neurological symptoms in areas endemic for both Lyme borreliosis and TBE should be investigated for both conditions. The threshold for simultaneous treatment of both conditions should be low, given the possibility of co-occurrence and the difficulty in ascribing individual neurological manifestations to one condition or the other.
Temporal Aggregation of Random Walk Processes and Implications for Asset Prices

This paper examines the impact of time averaging and interval sampling data assuming that the data generating process for a given series follows a random walk with uncorrelated increments. We provide expressions for the corresponding variances, and covariances, for both the levels and differences of the aggregated series, demonstrating how the degree of temporal aggregation impacts these particular properties. Moreover, we analytically derive any differences that arise between the aggregated series and its disaggregated counterpart, and show that they can be decomposed into a distortionary and small sample effect. We also provide exact expressions for the variance and sharpe ratios, and correlation coefficients for any level of aggregation. We discuss our results in the context of asset prices, which have utilized these extensively.
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Model to Predict Depression among Geriatric Population at a Slum in Kolkata, India.

INTRODUCTION Depression is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity among the geriatric population. Although, the aging brain is more vulnerable to depression, it cannot be considered as physiological and an inevitable part of ageing. Various sociodemographic and morbidity factors are responsible for the depression among them. Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model depression can be predicted from various sociodemographic variables and co morbid conditions even at community level by the grass root level health care workers. AIM To predict depression among geriatric population from sociodemographic and morbidity attributes using ANN. MATERIALS AND METHODS An observational descriptive study with cross-sectional design was carried out at a slum under the service area of Bagbazar Urban Health and Training Centre (UHTC) in Kolkata. Among 126 elderlies under Bagbazar UHTC, 105 were interviewed using predesigned and pretested schedule. Depression status was assessed using 30 item Geriatric Depression Scale. WEKA 3.8. 0 was used to develop the ANN model and test its performance. RESULTS Prevalence of depression among the study population was 45.7%. Various sociodemographic variables like age, gender, literacy, living spouse, working status, personal income, family type, substance abuse and co morbid conditions like visual problem, mobility problem, hearing problem and sleeping problem were taken into consideration to develop the model. Prediction accuracy of this ANN model was 97.2%. CONCLUSION Depression among geriatric population can be predicted accurately using ANN model from sociodemographic and morbidity attributes.
Lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex: MR findings with a three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo sequence.

PURPOSE To evaluate the use of a three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequence in the depiction of lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC) complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS MR images of the TFC complex were evaluated in 31 patients who underwent wrist arthroscopy less than 6 months after MR imaging. The results were compared with the arthroscopic findings. RESULTS Eleven of 12 full-thickness TFC tears were depicted, but one partial-thickness tear, one abnormal disk, and one normal disk were overstaged. Lesions in the volar and dorsal radioulnar ligament and lesions of the attachments of the TFC complex to the ulna often were overstaged. Lesions of the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments often were understaged. CONCLUSION Imaging with the three-dimensional GRE sequence is reliable in the depiction of TFC tears and the exclusion of tears of components of the TFC complex other than those of the ulnolunate and ulnotriquetral ligaments.
Game Attendance and Competitive Balance in the National Hockey League

We examine the relationship between attendance, uncertainty of outcome, and team quality in the National Hockey League. Based on results from a reduced form model of attendance at 6054 regular season NHL games from 2005/06 to 2009/10, we find evidence that attendance increases when fans expect the home team to win by a large margin. Attendance increases for home team underdogs, but the extent of that boost declines as the underdog status worsens. An asymmetric relationship exists between expected game outcomes and attendance, suggesting the need for an expanded definition of the Uncertainty of Outcome Hypothesis.
Performance of MLPA as a screening method for aneuploidy in uncultured amniocytes.

OBJECTIVE To test whether the Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) technique can be used as a screening test for rapid diagnosis of aneuploidies in uncultured amniocentesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this prospective blind study, MLPA with chromosomes 13,18,21,X and Y specific probe mixes was performed in 500 amniotic fluid samples. Chromosome copy numbers were determined by analyzing size and peak area for each MLPA probe. Results were compared with those of karyotyping/FISH. RESULTS Conclusive test results were obtained in 98% of the samples, whereas 10 were inconclusive. In all conclusive tests, the MLPA results were concordant with that of cytogenetic and/or FISH analyses. There were no false-positive results. A case with 69,XXX triploidy could not be diagnosed by MLPA. In total, 28 aneuploidies were diagnosed. There were no false-positive results. The performance of each probe was determined. CONCLUSION MLPA is a rapid, simple and reliable assay for aneuploidy screening in uncultured amniocytes.
Impaired Tight Junctions in Atopic Dermatitis Skin and in a Skin-Equivalent Model Treated with Interleukin-17

Tight junction (TJ) dysfunction in the stratum granulosum leads to aberrant barrier function of the stratum corneum (SC) in the epidermis. However, it is unclear whether TJs are perturbed in atopic dermatitis (AD), a representative aberrant SC-related skin disease, and whether some factors related to AD pathogenesis induce TJ dysfunction. To address these issues, we investigated the alterations of TJs in AD skin and the effects of Th2 and Th17 cytokines on TJs in a skin-equivalent model. The levels of TJ proteins were determined in the epidermis of nonlesional and lesional skin sites of AD. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the levels of zonula occludens 1 were decreased in the nonlesional sites of AD, and the levels of zonula occludens 1 and claudin-1 were decreased in the lesional sites relative to the levels in skin from healthy subjects. Next, we examined the effects of interleukin (IL)-4, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-17, and IL-22 on the TJ barrier in a skin-equivalent model. Only IL-17 impaired the TJ barrier. Furthermore, we observed a defect in filaggrin monomer degradation in the IL-17–treated skin model. Thus, TJs are dysfunctional in AD, at least partly, due to the effect of IL-17, which may result in an aberrant SC barrier.
Adhesion dynamics at a glance

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells establish complex adhesion-based relationships with their microenvironment. Single-cell bacteria (myxobacter) and amoeba, for example, display social behaviors that include adhesion to substrata and each other ([Hodgkin and Kaiser, 1979][1]; [Swaney et al., 2010
The Effect of Commitment to the Organization on Physicians' Familiarity With Guidelines for Diabetes in Managed Care Organizations

Despite continuous efforts, healthcare organizations still find it difficult to influence physicians to follow clinical guidelines. Previous studies have not taken into account the organizational context of the physicians' practice. We conducted a survey of a representative sample of 743 primary care physicians employed in Israel's 2 largest managed care health plans. The findings indicated that “commitment to the health plan” and “perceived monitoring by the health plan” had an independent positive effect on familiarity with guidelines for treating diabetes. We propose that managers of healthcare organizations consider enhancing physicians' commitment to the organization as a means for increasing their adherence with clinical guidelines, thereby improving the quality of care provided to diabetic patients.
The NH 2 Terminus of Galectin-3 Governs Cellular Compartmentalization and Functions in Cancer Cells 1

Galectin-3 is a member of theb-galactoside-binding protein family shown to be involved in tumor progression and metastasis. It has a unique primary structure consisting of three domains: a 12-amino acid leader sequence containing a casein kinase I serine phosphorylation site, which is preceded by a collagenase-sensitive Pro-Gly-rich motif, and a COOHterminal half encompassing the carbohydrate-binding site. To study the functional role of the unusual leader sequence of galectin-3, a mutant cDNA that causes an 11-amino acid deletion in the NH 2-terminal region was generated and expressed in galectin-3-null BT-549 human breast carcinoma cells. Deletion of the NH2 terminus resulted in abolition of the secretion of truncated galectin-3, loss of nuclear localization, and reduced carbohydrate-mediated functions compared with the wild-type protein. When green fluorescent protein was fused to the galectin-3 leader sequence and transiently transfected into BT-549 cells, the uniform cellular distribution of native green fluorescent protein was changed mainly to a nuclear pattern. To further investigate whether the functional changes observed in a galectin-3 with the 11 NH2-terminal amino acids deleted were due to loss of phosphorylation at Ser , two point mutations were created at this serine: Ser 3Ala and Ser3Glu. No obvious difference was observed in cellular localization between wild-type and Ser -mutated transfectants. These results suggest a structural role for the NH 2 terminus leader motif of galectin-3 in determining its cellular targeting and biological functions independent of phosphorylation.
Optical Properties of the South Pole Ice at Depths Between 0.8 and 1 Kilometer

The optical properties of the ice at the geographical South Pole have been investigated at depths between 0.8 and 1 kilometer. The absorption and scattering lengths of visible light (∼515 nanometers) have been measured in situ with the use of the laser calibration setup of the Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array (AMANDA) neutrino detector. The ice is intrinsically extremely transparent. The measured absorption length is 59 � 3 meters, comparable with the quality of the ultrapure water used in the Irvine-Michigan-Brookhaven and Kamiokande proton-decay and neutrino experiments and more than twice as long as the best value reported for laboratory ice. Because of a residual density of air bubbles at these depths, the trajectories of photons in the medium are randomized. If the bubbles are assumed to be smooth and spherical, the average distance between collisions at a depth of 1 kilometer is about 25 centimeters. The measured inverse scattering length on bubbles decreases linearly with increasing depth in the volume of ice investigated.
Impact of preanalytical variables on the analysis of biological fluids in proteomic studies

Although proteomic technologies have been enthusiastically embraced in the field of biomarker discovery and particularly with biological fluids, it is increasingly being recognized that pre‐analytical effects, i.e. those occurring prior to the point of actual sample analysis and including factors such as sample processing and storage, can exert marked influences on the results obtained. Such effects have been recognized already for specific analytes in clinical chemistry, but with the increasing sensitivity and resolution of the newer technologies, such effects are potentially even more marked. The challenge of translating initial findings into clinical application requires such issues to be addressed at a very early stage in study design and this paper reviews the current knowledge of the potential impact of pre‐analytical factors on proteomic studies of biological fluids.
Respiratory pressure sensation. Relationship to changes in breathing pattern and PCO2 during acute increase in airway resistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The intensity of sensations experienced during breathing by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) might influence their ventilatory response to altered lung mechanics. In 8 patients with COPD (mean FEV1, 1.6 +/- 0.6 L SD) the acuity with which changes in intrathoracic pressure were perceived was studied by a standard psychophysical technique, magnitude production of inspiratory pressure. Subjects voluntarily produced mouth pressures proportional to numbers randomly presented, and the sensory acuity to changes in pressure was assessed from the slope of log-log plots of numbers versus pressures. These slopes were then related to the ventilatory responses of the patients to external resistive loads of 10 cm H2O/L/s, applied during both inspiration and expiration, and methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, which doubled baseline specific airway resistance. Both modes of increase in airway resistance caused an increase in end-tidal PCO2 in all patients (range, 0.5 to 11 mmHg). The magnitude of CO2 retention correlated significantly with the change in tidal volume during both external loading and bronchoconstriction (r = -0.77, p less than 0.01); decreases in tidal volume were associated with increases in PCO2. The slope for magnitude production of pressure was inversely related to changes in tidal volume during both modes of increases in airway resistance (r = 0.61, p less than 0.01 for both bronchoconstriction and external resistive loads). Patients with the highest exponents for pressure changes (highest slopes) demonstrated the greatest decreases in tidal volume. Consequently, a direct relationship was found between the magnitude of the exponent and the magnitude of CO2 retention during loaded breathing and bronchoconstriction (r = 0.81, p less than 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Data-driven evaluation of functional connectivity metrics

One essential problem in functional brain network study is measuring the functional connectivity among brain regions of interest (ROIs). Several widely-used functional connectivity metrics have been proposed so far in the field. However, their advantages and potential pitfalls have not been adequately examined. In this paper, we address this problem via a data-driven strategy. We perform classification experiments based on the large-scale functional connectivity patterns derived from resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data and natural stimulus fMRI data (NfMRI) of video watching, respectively. Functional connectivities were measured via commonly used metrics including the Pearson correlation (PeCo), partial correlation (PaCo), mutual information (MI), and wavelet transform coherence (WTC). The accuracies in classification tasks are then used as the criteria to evaluate the aforementioned four metrics. Our experimental results show that WTC can achieve the best classification performance in both patient-control and video classification tasks, suggesting that WTC is a preferable functional connectivity metric for functional brain network study, in at least classification applications.
Tautomerism and conformation of the promutagenic analogue N6-methoxy-2',3',5'-tri-O-methyladenosine.

N6-Methoxy-2',3',5'-tri-O-methyladenosine crystallizes in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with cell dimensions a = 4.693, b = 11.412, c = 31.741 A. Least-squares refinement of diffractometer data converged at R = 0.038. The location of a hydrogen atom at N1 and the observed bond lengths and bond angles indicate unequivocally the imino tautomer of the adenine moiety. The N6-methoxy group is oriented syn to N1 and the glycosidic torsion angle XCN is -3.6 degrees, i.e. in the anti range. The furanose ring has a C2'-exo/C3'- endo pucker (P = 0.9 degrees) and is unusually flattened (tau m = 30.0 degrees). The conformations of the O-methyl groups of the ribose ring are compared with those of monomethylated nucleosides, including the biologically important 2'-O-methyl nucleosides. Evidence is presented for the existence of C-H . N intermolecular hydrogen bonds between adenine moieties. Bearing in mind that N6-methoxyadenosine is a promutagenic analogue, the results are compared with those for the corresponding promutagenic N4-methoxycytidine. They are also discussed in relation to the tautomerism, the conformation of the N6-methoxy group, and the associated base-pairing abilities in the absence and presence of polymerases.
Heterogeneity in infarct patterns and clinical outcomes following internal carotid artery occlusion.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the extent of infarction and clinical outcomes after internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion depends on the additional occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). DESIGN Using statistical parametric mapping, we compared infarct patterns in stroke patients. SETTING A tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Patients with coexistent ICA and MCA occlusion (n = 25), isolated ICA occlusion (n = 20), and isolated MCA occlusion (n = 40). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Modified Rankin scale score. The independent effect of infarct type on clinical outcome was estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS The mean age was 62.6 years (standard deviation [SD], 15.5 years) in patients with ICA and MCA occlusion, 64.3 years (SD, 12.9 years) in patients with isolated ICA occlusion, and 67.4 years (SD, 14.2 years) in patients with isolated MCA occlusion. Infarct patterns, volume (P = .13), and the proportion of patients with poor outcomes (P = .5) were similar between those with ICA and MCA occlusions and those with isolated MCA occlusion. Compared with the other 2 groups, those with isolated ICA occlusion were less likely to have infarction of the insula (P < .001) and superior temporal lobe (P < .001) and had smaller infarct volume and lower modified Rankin scale scores (all P < .05). Compared with those with isolated ICA occlusion, the risk of poor clinical outcome was greater in those with coexistent ICA and MCA occlusion (P = .02) and those with isolated MCA occlusion (P = .06) independent of age and sex. COMMENTS Patients with ICA occlusion but without coexistent MCA occlusion have different infarct patterns, less extensive infarcts, and better clinical outcomes than those with coexistent MCA occlusion or MCA occlusion alone. It may not be warranted to exclude such patients from acute stroke trials.