Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indoor Radon and Lung Cancer in France

Background: Several case-control studies have indicated an increased risk of lung cancer linked to indoor radon exposure; others have not supported this hypothesis, partly because of a lack of statistical power. As part of a large European project, a hospital-based case-control study was carried out in 4 areas in France with relatively high radon levels. Methods: Radon concentrations were measured in dwellings that had been occupied by the study subjects during the 5- to 30-year period before the interview. Measurements of radon concentrations were performed during a 6-month period using 2 Kodalpha LR 115 detectors (Dosirad, France), 1 in the living room and 1 in the bedroom. We examined lung cancer risk in relation to indoor radon exposure after adjustment for age, sex, region, cigarette smoking, and occupational exposure. Results: We included in the analysis 486 cases and 984 controls with radon measures in at least 1 dwelling. When lung cancer risk was examined in relation to the time-weighted average radon concentration during the 5- to 30-year period, the estimated relative risks (with 95% confidence intervals) were: 0.85 (0.59–1.22), 1.19 (0.81–1.77), 1.04 (0.64–1.67), and 1.11 (0.59–2.09) for categories 50–100, 100–200, 200–400, and 400+ becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3), respectively (reference <50 Bq/m3). The estimated relative risk per 100 Bq/m3 was 1.04 (0.99–1.11) for all subjects and 1.07 (1.00–1.14) for subjects with complete measurements. Conclusions: Our results support the presence of a small excess lung cancer risk associated with indoor radon exposure after precise adjustment on smoking. They are in agreement with results from some other indoor radon case-control studies and with extrapolations from studies of underground miners.
Thrombolysis Followed by Early Revascularization: An Effective Reperfusion Strategy in Real World Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Several trials suggested superiority of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) angioplasty over thrombolysis in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but many trials were characterized by low rates of early revascularization in patients treated with initial thrombolysis. We tested the hypothesis that in patients with hemodynamically stable STEMI, initial thrombolysis followed by an active early rescue/definitive revascularization strategy could achieve salutary short- and long-term outcomes. Methods: A prospective registry documented all 212 STEMI patients who received initial thrombolytic therapy over a 2-year period in a single medical center. Median patient age was 58 (range: 29–92) years, 47 (22%) patients were aged >70 years and 18 (8%) >80 years. Fifty-two (25%) patients underwent rescue angioplasty <6 h after thrombolysis for inadequate clinical reperfusion. In 194/212 (92%) patients, coronary angiography was performed during initial hospitalization, PCI in 168 (79%), and coronary bypass surgery in 18 (8%). Results: Thirty-day mortality was 4.7% and 1-year mortality 6.7%. Mortality was not related to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, anterior infarction location, fibrin-specific thrombolytic drug or rescue PCI. By multivariate analysis, in-hospital definitive angiography/revascularization (p < 0.0001) and TIMI risk score >3 on admission (p < 0.01) were significant independent predictors of both 30 day and 12 month outcome. Conclusions: Initial thrombolysis was useful and effective in real-world STEMI patients when coupled with an aggressive policy of rescue angioplasty and early in-hospital revascularization. Outcomes compared favorably with those reported for PPCI trials. The adverse prognosis in older patients with higher TIMI risk score suggests that in those patients alternative initial treatment strategies such as PPCI should be considered.
Headache as a symptom of visual disability.

SUMMARY In a series of 434 patients from clinical practice, 37.5 per cent. with nonpathologic visual disabilities suffered from headaches. These patients were grouped according to whether headache was localised anteriorly or posteriorly. There was suggestive correlation with certain diagnoses. The reason why all patients do not develop headaches was discussed. The explanation suggested was that there is a variable response of the emotional pattern to a painful stimulus.
Transparency- and performance-oriented control of haptic teleoperation systems

This dissertation presents advanced transparency- and performance-oriented control concepts for haptic teleoperation systems. Model-mediated teleoperation is investigated as transparency-oriented control concept. Stability is analyzed and the applicability is extended considerably. The fidelity improvement is shown theoretically and experimentally compared to a classical controller. Haptic assistances that share the authority over the teleoperation system with the human operator are investigated as performance-oriented control concept. A systematic design tool for the authority sharing is introduced and different authority behaviors are compared with each other and analyzed in a user study. Finally, a multi-criteria control concept for combining the advantages of transparency- and performance-oriented controllers is presented.
The spatial diffusion of norovirus epidemics over three seasons in Tokyo

SUMMARY We studied the spatial trend of norovirus (NoV) epidemics using sentinel gastroenteritis surveillance data for patients aged <15 years (n = 140) in the Tokyo area for the 2006–2007 to 2008–2009 seasons utilizing the kriging method of geographical information system (GIS). This is the first study of the spreading pattern of NoV epidemics using sentinel surveillance data. Correlations of sentinel cases between the seasons and with demographic data were examined to identify the trend and related factors. A similar pattern of diffusion was observed over the seasons, and its mean correlation between seasons was significantly high. A higher number of cases were found in the peripheral area, which surrounds the most populated central area, and showed a correlation with the ratio of the children population (r = 0·321, P < 0·01) and the ratio of residents in larger families (r = 0·263, P < 0·01). While NoV susceptibility remained, the results suggest a transmission route in the local community as a possible epidemic factor. Prevention with focus on the peripheral area is desirable.
Body size and climate as predictors of plumage colouration and sexual dichromatism in parrots

Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets) comprise one of the most colourful clades of birds. Their unique pigments and cavity nesting habits are two potential explanations for their colourful character. However, plumage colour varies substantially between parrot species and sometimes also between males and females of the same species. Here, we use comparative analyses to evaluate what factors correlate with colour elaboration, colour diversity and sexual dichromatism. Specifically, we test the association between different aspects of parrot colouration and (1) the intensity of sexual selection and social interactions, (2) variation along the slow-fast life-history continuum and (3) climatic variation. We show that larger species and species that live in warm environments display more elaborated colours, yet smaller species have higher levels of sexual dichromatism. Larger parrots tend to have darker and more blue and red colours. Parrots that live in humid environments are darker and redder, whilst species inhabiting warm regions have more blue plumage colours. In general, the variables we considered explain small to moderate amounts of variation in parrot colouration (up to 20%). Our data suggest that sexual selection may be acting more strongly on males in small, short-lived parrots leading to sexual dichromatism. More elaborate colouration in both males and females of the larger, long-lived species with slow tropical life-histories suggests that mutual mate choice and reduced selection for crypsis may be important in these species, as has been shown for passerines.
Plasma Homocysteine and Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Polymorphism in Human Health and Disease: An Update

Abstract The strongly rising prevalence of chronic diseases in most of the developing & developed countries causes major problems in the health systems. High blood cholesterol caused by high fat consumption, hypertension, low physical activity and smoking are the most discussed factors responsible for the high rate of myocardial infraction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease in these countries. This review is to evaluate epidemic relationship between plasma homocysteine and MTHFR gene polymorphism in cardiovascular disease and is based on published data from different parts of world and from Indian sub-continent. Circulating total homocysteine is independent risk factor for various cardiovascular conditions irrespective of ethnicity. Many studies well documented by large scale case-controls. The difference between cases and controls is about 2-5 μmol/L and to quantify small differences, HPLC with fluorescence detection is the best method to assess small differences between cases and controls. MTHFR 677 CT mutation is not associated with CAD, CVD, CHD and MI patients except in few studies reported from Japanese and Netherlander populations. The data from Indian sub-continent is inadequate to assess these associations.
Nonlinear Compensation Assessment in Few-Mode Fibers via Phase-Conjugated Twin Waves

In this paper, we further explore the concept of phase-conjugated twin waves (PCTW) for nonlinear cancellation in space-division multiplexed (SDM) systems. Previously, we demonstrated that the PCTW technique can successfully provide nonlinear cancellation in SDM systems. In this paper, we investigate the cases where two and four spatial modes are copropagating in a multimode fiber, considering three link lengths (1000, 3200, and 8000 km). Weak- and strong-coupling regimes are also evaluated. Our numerical simulation results show an average performance improvement <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$>$</tex-math></inline-formula>10 dB after a 1000 km transmission link.
High electromechanical coupling MEMS resonators at 530 MHz using ion sliced X-cut LiNbO3 thin film

This paper reports on a new type of micro-resonators enabled by micromachining of ion sliced X-cut LiNbO3 thin films. In operation, the device is excited into lateral vibrations, thus allowing the center frequency to be determined by the lithographically defined dimensions of the excitation electrodes. This configuration enables highly integrated single-chip multi-frequency solutions for future wireless communications. The demonstrated devices have shown a high electromechanical coupling (k2t) of 8.23% the highest attained for laterally vibrating MEMS resonators. Device orientation was also varied to investigate its impact on k2t and experimental data have shown good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Clinical and Haematological Pattern of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in Sudanese Patients

Aims: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most frequent adult leukemia in Western countries accounting for 25 to 30% of all leukemic patients. The clinical and haematological features vary from patient to patient. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical presentation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, to evaluate haematological patterns of the disease in the peripheral blood and bone marrow and to correlate them with the clinical stage of the disease. Study Design: This is a retrospective descriptive study. Place and Duration: Radio Isotope Centre Khartoum (RICK), haematology laboratory during the period of January 2010 to December 2011. Methodology: The data were collected at the haematology laboratory from patients’ records as well as from a special questionnaire designed for this study. Clinical data, complete blood count, bone marrow examination and immunophenotyping results were used. Results: Out of 98 cases studied 69 (70.4%) were males and 29 (29.6%) were females. Sixteen patients (16.3%) were less than 50 years old (young patients) and 82 (83.7%) were more than 50 Original Research Article Ahmed and Osman; IBRR, 7(1): 1-10, 2017; Article no.IBRR. 31359 2 years of age (elderly patients). 49.1% of the patients were from western Sudan. Eight patients (8.2%) were asymptomatic. Absolute lymphocyte count above 5× 10 9 /L had significant association with diffuse pattern of infiltration (P value=0.035) and was not significantly associated with advanced Rai stage (stage III 32.6%, Rai stage IV 22.8%) (P value=0.710). Conclusion: Clinical and haematological pattern of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Sudanese patients has comparable results with previous studies in other parts of the world. Most of the patients were elderly male, from western Sudan presented with nonspecific symptoms, generalized lymphadenopathy and leukocytosis. The majority of patients presented in advanced stage at the diagnosis.
Concurrent Validity of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI)

Concurrent validation procedures were employed, using a sample of African American precollege students, to determine the extent to which scale scores obtained from the first edition of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) were appropriate for diagnostic purposes. Data analysis revealed that 2 of the 10 LASSI scales (i.e., Anxiety and Test Strategies) significantly correlated with a measure of academic ability. These results suggested that scores obtained from these LASSI scales may provide valid assessments of African American precollege students’ academic aptitude. Implications for teachers, school counselors, and developmental studies professionals were discussed.
Mechanical Property Characterization of a Polymeric Nanocomposite Reinforced by Graphitic Nanofibers with Reactive Linkers

Mechanical property characterization including bending, tensile, and fracture properties for a new functionalized nanofiber/epoxy composite were conducted. Results show that there was only very little increase in mechanical properties of nanocomposites although we used GCNF-ODA reactive linkers to improve the interface. The interfacial stress level of nanocomposites should be much higher than that of traditional composites because of high property mismatch between the nanoscale reinforcement and the matrix. In order to design strong and stiff nanocomposite materials, one should use aligned nanofibers with a relatively large volume or weight fraction. Also, the length of the nanofiber should be long enough and its diameter not very small in order to facilitate the interfacial load transfer mechanism.
Dose-response relationship between weekly resistance training volume and increases in muscle mass: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the current literature and elucidate the effects of total weekly resistance training (RT) volume on changes in measures of muscle mass via meta-regression. The final analysis comprised 34 treatment groups from 15 studies. Outcomes for weekly sets as a continuous variable showed a significant effect of volume on changes in muscle size (P = 0.002). Each additional set was associated with an increase in effect size (ES) of 0.023 corresponding to an increase in the percentage gain by 0.37%. Outcomes for weekly sets categorised as lower or higher within each study showed a significant effect of volume on changes in muscle size (P = 0.03); the ES difference between higher and lower volumes was 0.241, which equated to a percentage gain difference of 3.9%. Outcomes for weekly sets as a three-level categorical variable (<5, 5–9 and 10+ per muscle) showed a trend for an effect of weekly sets (P = 0.074). The findings indicate a graded dose-response relationship whereby increases in RT volume produce greater gains in muscle hypertrophy.
Cell and molecular mechanisms involved in the migration of cortical interneurons

Since the discovery that the vast majority of the GABA‐containing interneurons of the cerebral cortex arise in the subpallium, considerable effort has been put into the description of the precise origin of these neurons in subdivisions of the ganglionic eminence and in the migratory routes they follow on their way to the developing cortex. More recently, studies have focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that guide their migration. Investigations of the molecular mechanisms involved have demonstrated important roles for numerous transcription factors, motogenic factors and guidance molecules. Here, we review results of very recent analyses of the underlying cellular mechanisms and specifically of the movement of the nucleus, cytoplasmic components and neuritic processes during interneuron migration.
Does a Grande Latte Really Stir Up Gridlock?: Stops in Commute Journeys and Incremental Travel

Does a stop that a commuter makes on the way to or from work adversely affect peak period traffic? This question is addressed by examining the effects of stops made as part of commute journeys on daily, as well as peak period, travel time and distance, in a 6-week travel diary data set from Germany. Increments in travel time and distance due to stops made in commute journeys are evaluated, and a panel regression analysis is performed to determine contributions of stops of different types to travel time and distance. It was found that the travel time and distance of a commute journey increase with the number of stops and that incorporating stops as part of commute journeys tends to make daily travel more efficient, with more distances traversed in relatively less time than when the same number of stops are all made outside the commute journey. Nonetheless, stops in commute journeys do add to peak period travel time and distance. Stops made before work do not produce much incremental travel in the morning peak period. Stops made after work, however, substantially add to peak period travel time and distance as well as daily travel time and distance. In particular, a home-based journey made after returning home contributes to afternoon peak traffic more than does a stop in a work-to-home commute journey.
Clinical study on postoperative recurrence in patients with pN1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The 7th edition Union for International Cancer Control esophageal cancer staging system has changed the pathological N stage from N0, N1 (the existence state of regional lymph node metastasis) to N0, N1, N2, and N3 (number of regional lymph node metastasis). This study was designed to analyze the influencing factors of early recurrence in patients with pathological N1 stage (pN1 stage) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after radical esophagectomy.
"Examples Are Best Precepts": Readers and Meanings in Seventeenth-Century Poetry

John Denham's only play, The Sophy, published in August 1642, is a tale about the perils ofjealousy. The good prince Mirza, after a miraculous victory over the Turks, returns in glory to his father's court, but leaves it shortly thereafter. In his absence, Haly, the evil courtier, follows a friend's advice to "work on [the king's] fears, till fear hath made him cruel"' and poisons the king's mind with jealousy against his son. Mirza returns only to be brutally blinded and killed, and the emperor soon dies stricken with remorse. Now it happens that Parliament justified all its actions in the months preceding the civil war on the grounds of the "fears and jealousies" that the king had inspired. Charles was incensed by the slogan and claimed angrily that he, if anyone, had the most cause for fears and jealousies.2
Genetic diversity of the nucleocapsid gene of Iris yellow spot virus

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the nucleocapsid genes of two Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) isolates from south-west Australia were determined and compared with those of three isolates from south-east Australia and 11 from elsewhere. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three distinct clades. The first contained a single isolate from Slovenia. The second and largest contained 11 isolates, five from Australia, four from Japan and one each from Israel and the Netherlands. The third included three isolates from Japan and one from Brazil. Genetic diversity did not correlate with original host species or geographical location from which an isolate came. Based on the sequence data presented, the five Australian isolates and four from Japan share a recent common ancestor. Lack of diversity among the local isolates, despite their origins in geographically distant locations, suggests that IYSV did not originate within Australia.
Transcriptional Induction of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase 1 by Retinoids

All-trans-retinoic acid (t-RA) inhibits hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathway. In this report, we examined the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) in suppression of JNK and the antiapoptotic effect of t-RA and the roles of nuclear receptors in the regulation of MKP-1 by t-RA. We found that not only t-RA, but also a selective agonist of retinoic acid receptor (RAR), a selective agonist of retinoid X receptor (RXR), and a pan-agonist of RAR and RXR all induced MKP-1 at the transcriptional level. Activation of RAR was required for all of these triggering effects, but activation of RXR was required only for the RXR agonist-induced MKP-1 expression. Among the three RAR subtypes, RARα and RARγ, but not RARβ, mediated the t-RA-induced MKP-1 expression. The antiapoptotic effect of t-RA on H2O2-induced apoptosis in several cell types was correlated with the inducibility of MKP-1 by t-RA. Inhibition of MKP-1 by vanadate enhanced JNK phosphorylation and attenuated the antiapoptotic effect of t-RA. Furthermore, overexpression of MKP-1 inhibited H2O2-induced JNK phosphorylation and apoptosis. To our knowledge, this is the first to demonstrate that 1) MKP-1 is inducible by retinoids at the transcriptional level, 2) RXR and individual RAR subtypes have different roles in this process, and 3) the induced MKP-1 plays a significant role in mediating both JNK inhibition and the antiapoptotic effect of t-RA in oxidative stress.
A phylogeny of the high‐elevation Tibetan megophryid frogs and evidence for the multiple origins of reversed sexual size dimorphism

A molecular phylogeny of the high-elevation Tibetan megophryid frogs was reconstructed using mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. Both parsimony and Bayesian analysis produced similar tree topologies, which identified the genus Leptobrachium as a sister group to Vibrissaphora, and the genera Oreolalax and Scutiger as monophyletic groups. Within the latter two genera, several species groups were also clearly recognized. At least 13 megophryids display reversed sexual size dimorphism (RSSD), where males are equal to or larger than females. According to our phylogenetic hypothesis, RSSD may have independently evolved at least five times or as many as seven times in this group. The multiple origins of RSSD within this group provide an excellent opportunity for studying the relationship between body size sexual dimorphism and other life-history traits and for determining the costs and benefits of RSSD.