Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RADIATION ABSORPTION AND CHEMICAL REACTION EFFECTS ON MHD FLOW OF HEAT GENERATING CASSON FLUID PAST OSCILLATING VERTICAL POROUS PLATE

This manuscript presents a detailed numerical study on the influence of radiation absorption and chemical reaction on unsteady magneto hydrodynamic free convective heat and mass transfer flow. A heat generating Casson fluid past an oscillating vertical plate embedded in a porous medium in the presence of constant wall temperature and concentration is considered. The non-dimensional governing equations along with the corresponding boundary conditions are solved using Finite difference method numerically. Effects of various emerging flow parameters on concentration, temperature and velocity distributions are presented graphically and analyzed. Expressions for skin-friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number are also obtained. Effects of radiation absorption and homogeneous chemical reaction are considered here. It is interesting to note that, the presence of the chemical reaction reduces the velocity of the Casson fluid whereas it has different impact in the presence of radiation absorption. Also increasing values of chemical reaction parameter leads to decrease the concentration of the Casson fluid.
Survival patterns for malignant mesothelioma: The seer experience

Statistical analyses of 1,475 histologically confirmed cases of malignant mesothelioma ascertained through the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute for the years 1973‐1984 showed age at diagnosis, sex, stage of disease, type of treatment, and geographic area of residence to be important predictors of patient survival, although type of treatment may be confounded with prognostic factors (patients selected for surgical treatment tended to have better performance status than other patients). Women below the age of 50 had an unusually long survival, even after adjustment for the effects of other variables in the model. A relatively large proportion of female cases had site of disease designated as peritoneum, but site was not a significant prognostic factor. These results suggest that age, gender and stage of disease should be carefully considered in designing and analyzing clinical trials for persons with mesothelioma. Survival was shorter in the 4 SEER registries which had shipbuilding as a major industry than in the others with less potential asbestos exposure, offering weak support for the hypothesis that asbestos‐exposed cases of mesothelioma have worse survival experience than other cases.
Sex ratios among Canadian liveborn infants of mothers from different countries

Background: There has been much discussion about whether female feticide occurs in certain immigrant groups in Canada. We examined data on live births in Ontario and compared sex ratios in different groups according to the mother’s country or region of birth and parity. Methods: We completed a population-based study of 766 688 singleton live births between 2002 and 2007. We used birth records provided by Ontario Vital Statistics for live births in the province between 23 and 41 weeks’ gestation. We categorized each newborn according to the mother’s country or region of birth, namely Canada (n = 486 599), Europe (n = 58 505), South Korea (n = 3663), China (n = 23 818), Philippines (n = 15 367), rest of East Asia (n = 18 971), Pakistan (n = 18 018), India (n = 31 978), rest of South Asia (n = 20 695) and other countries (n = 89 074). We calculated male:female ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all live births by these regions and stratified them by maternal parity at the time of delivery (0, 1, 2 or ≥ 3). Results: Among infants of nulliparous women, the male:female ratio was about 1.05 overall. As parity increased, the ratio remained unchanged among infants of Canadian-born women. In contrast, the male:female ratio was significantly higher among infants of primiparous women born in South Korea (1.20, 95% CI 1.09–1.34) and India (1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.15) than among infants of Canadian-born primiparous women. Among multiparous women, those born in India were significantly more likely than Canadian-born women to have a male infant (parity 2, ratio 1.36, 95% CI 1.27–1.46; parity ≥ 3, ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.09–1.43). Interpretation: Our study of male:female ratios in Ontario showed that multiparous women born in India were significantly more likely than multiparous women born in Canada to have a male infant.
Lymphedema and quality of life in survivors of early-stage breast cancer.

BACKGROUND The standard of care for early-stage breast cancer includes surgical removal of the tumor and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Despite increased use of breast-conserving surgery, lymphedema rates are similar to those with more radical surgery. HYPOTHESIS Women who experience breast cancer-related lymphedema have a measurable reduction in quality of life compared with women without lymphedema. DESIGN In a retrospective cohort study, we explored the association between lymphedema and quality of life, controlling for patient demographics, surgical factors, and treatment types. SETTINGS An urban academic medical center and a community hospital. PARTICIPANTS A total of 151 women surgically treated for early-stage breast cancer (stages 0-II) were assessed at least 1 year after their ALND. The women had been treated with either conservative surgery and radiation or mastectomy without radiation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Arm volume was measured by water displacement. Grip strength and range-of-motion measurements assessed arm function. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) quality-of-life instrument assessed breast, emotional, functional, physical, and social well-being. RESULTS Lymphedema (an arm volume difference > or =200 cm(3)) was measured in 42 women (27.8%). Mastectomy or conservative surgery patients had similar lymphedema rates. Women with lymphedema in both surgical groups scored significantly lower on 4 of the 5 subsections than women without lymphedema, even after adjusting for other factors influencing quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Lymphedema occurs at appreciable rates, and its impact on long-term quality of life in survivors of early-stage breast cancer should not be underestimated.
Effects of active recovery on plasma lactate and anaerobic power following repeated intensive exercise.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of active recovery (AR) on plasma lactate concentration [La] and anaerobic power output as measured during repeated bouts of intense exercise (6 s) against increasing braking forces. Ten male subjects performed two randomly assigned exercise trials: one with a 5-min passive recovery (PR) after each exercise bout and one with a 5-min active recovery (AR) at a workload corresponding to 32% of maximal aerobic power. Blood samples were taken at rest, at the end of each exercise bout (S1) and at the 5th minute between bout-recovery (S2) for plasma lactate assay. During the tests, [La]S1 was not significantly different after AR and PR, but [La]S2 was significantly lower after AR for power outputs obtained at braking forces 6 kg (5.66 +/- 0.38 vs 7.56 +/- 0.51 mmol.l-1) and peak anaerobic power (PAnP) (6.73 +/- 0.61 vs 8.54 +/- 0.89 mmol.l-1). Power outputs obtained at 2 and 4 kg did not differ after AR and PR. However, when compared with PR, AR induced a significant increase in both power outputs at 6 kg (842 +/- 35 vs 798 +/- 33 W) and PAnP (945 +/- 56 vs 883 +/- 58 W). These results showed that AR between bouts of intensive exercise decreased blood lactate concentration at high braking forces. This decrease was accompanied by higher anaerobic power outputs at these forces.
Fine Particle Removal Performance of a Two-Stage Wet Electrostatic Precipitator Using a Nonmetallic Pre-Charger

ABSTRACT A novel two-stage wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) has been developed using a carbon brush pre-charger and collection plates with a thin water film. The electrical and particle collection performance was evaluated for submicrometer particles smaller than 0.01∼0.5 μm in diameter by varying the voltages applied to the pre-charger and collection plates as well as the polarity of the voltage. The collection efficiency was compared with that calculated by the theoretical models. The long-term performances of the ESP with and without water films were also compared in tests using Japanese Industrial Standards dust. The experimental results show that the carbon brush pre-charger of the two-stage wet ESP had approximately 10% particle capture, while producing ozone concentrations of less than 30 ppb. The produced amounts of ozone are significantly lower than the current limits set by international agencies. The ESP also achieved a high collection rate performance, averaging 90% for ultrafine particles, as based on the particle number concentration at an average velocity of 1 m/sec corresponding to a residence time of 0.17 sec. Higher particle collection efficiency for the ESP can be achieved by increasing the voltages applied to the pre-charger and the collection plates. The decreased collection efficiency that occurred during dust loading without water films was completely avoided by forming a thin water film on the collection plates at a water flow rate of 6.5 L/min/m2. IMPLICATIONS Current two-stage electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) have several technical problems such as a drop in collection efficiencies by small-particle re-entrainment during rapping and corrosion of metallic electrodes of the ESPs by corrosive gases. This paper evaluates a novel two-stage ESP that uses a nonmetallic pre-charger and water film collection plates to avoid the above mentioned problems of other ESPs. This ESP can be used not only for industrial applications but also for residential purposes because it has a high removal performance for fine particles with low ozone generation and maintains its efficiency due to the continuous cleaning of the collection plates with water film.
Assessment of adverse reaction rates to a newly approved MRI contrast agent: review of 23,553 administrations of gadobenate dimeglumine.

OBJECTIVE With the introduction of a newly approved MR contrast agent across a health care system encompassing 13 hospitals and associated imaging centers, the opportunity arose to compare the rates of adverse reactions in seven of these facilities with reactions reported in the literature. Data were collected to assess the relative risk of using gadobenate dimeglumine compared with published data for other approved agents and for this agent in preclinical testing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS As part of regular quality assurance procedures, technologists recorded contrast administrations and related adverse reactions, including the type of reaction and treatments rendered, on log sheets. All data were reviewed weekly by the institutional director of MR services and were evaluated globally and by site. RESULTS Over 13 months, 23,553 doses of gadobenate dimeglumine were administered. One hundred seventy-eight reactions were recorded (0.76% of contrast-enhanced examinations), of which 22 required treatment (13% of reactions) and eight (5% of reactions) qualified as serious. CONCLUSION With the introduction of the most recent MR contrast agent approved for use in the United States, our interest in its substantial potential clinical benefits that would result from its increased relaxivity was balanced by concern that the rate of adverse effects may increase. This concern has been ameliorated with the findings of rates of adverse reactions that are comparable to those published for other MR contrast agents.
Blood pressure and its influencing factors in a national representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents: the CASPIAN Study

Background This study was performed to determine the blood pressure (BP) percentile curves by height, as well as to assess the prevalence of high BP and its influencing factors among children in the first national survey in this field in Iran. Design A multicentre national cross-sectional survey. Methods This study was performed in 23 provinces among a representative sample of 21111 students aged 6–18 years. Results Age and sex-specific percentile curves of systolic and diastolic BP were obtained by height. A comparison of the values obtained corresponding to the 90th percentiles with the Second Task Force cut-offs showed that the BP values and trends were relatively similar in both studies. The overall prevalence of systolic, diastolic as well as systolic or diastolic hypertension according to the Second Task Force study 95th percentile cut-off points were 4.2, 5.4 and 7.7%, respectively, without a significant sex difference. A history of low birthweight, overweight, taller height, the consumption of solid hydrogenated fat, as well as the frequency of fast food consumption increased the risk of both systolic and diastolic hypertension. Male sex, large waist, and low education of the mother were the risks for systolic hypertension, whereas the risk of diastolic hypertension rose with living in an urban area, attending public school, low physical activity level, having a housewife mother, and a positive family history of obesity, especially in the parents. Conclusion Considering the effect of modifiable environmental factors on the childrens' BP, encouraging breast feeding and a healthy lifestyle may have an important effect on public health.
Valproic Acid Impairs Carnitine Uptake in Cultured Human Skin Fibroblasts. An In Vitro Model for the Pathogenesis of Valproic Acid–Associated Carnitine Deficiency

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms of valproate-associated car-nitine deficiency are controversial. The urinary excretion of valproylcarnitine is insufficient to account for tissue carnitine depletion. To explore this mechanism, we studied the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on carnitine uptake in cultured human skin fibroblasts by the method of Tein et al. (Pediatr Res 28:247–255, 1990). Fibroblasts were preincubated with varying concentrations (0–2000 μM) of VPA for 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 d and then incubated with fixed carnitine concentrations of 50 μM (normal physiologic concentration), 20 μM (as seen in secondary carnitine deficiency disorders), or 5 μM (as seen in the plasma membrane carnitine transport defect). There was an exponential dose-dependent decrease in carnitine uptake with increasing VPA concentrations, and the relative inhibitory effect was the same for all three carnitine concentrations. The mean percentages ± SD (n - 1) of residual carnitine uptake for all combined preincubation periods (1–28 d) and combined carnitine concentrations (5, 20, and 50 μmol/ L) with increasing concentrations of VPA varied from 83.4 ± 2.6% (10 μM VPA) to 56.7 ± 0.1% (500 μM) to 19.8 ± 1.3% (2000 μM). The degree of inhibition was directly proportional to the time of VPA preincubation and parallel for all three carnitine concentrations; the longer the preincubation period, the lower the toxic dose of VPA (to a minimum of 450 μM), resulting in a 50% suppression of carnitine uptake (TD50). The mean TD50 of the combined carnitine concentrations for increasing preincubation periods of VPA varied from 1898 ± 214 μM (1 d) to 447 ± 9 μM (28 d), tapering toward an asymptote of 450 μM when the preincubation period exceeded 14 d. This in vitro TD50 value may be comparable to the in vivo therapeutic range of serum VPA concentrations (350–700 μmol/L) for anticonvulsant therapy. We conclude that one mechanism by which long-term VPA therapy induces serum and tissue carnitine depletion is through inhibition of plasmalemmal carnitine uptake, including decreased renal reabsorption of free carnitine. This effect is directly proportional to the duration of exposure and concentration of VPA.
Mapping the site on human IgG for binding of the MHC class I‐related receptor, FcRn

The analysis of the pharmacokinetics of wild‐type and mutated Fc fragments derived from human IgG1 indicates that Ile253, His310 and His435 play a central role in regulating serum half‐life in mice. Reduced serum half‐life of the recombinant, mutated fragments correlates with decreased binding to the MHC class I‐related neonatal Fc receptor, FcRn. In addition, the analysis of an Fc fragment in which His435 is mutated to Arg435 demonstrates that the sequence difference at this position between human IgG1 (His435) and IgG3 (Arg435) most likely accounts for the shorter serum half‐life of IgG3 relative to IgG1. In contrast to His310 and His435, the data indicate that His433 does not play a role in regulating the serum half‐life of human IgG1. Thus, the interaction site of mouse FcRn on human and mouse IgG1 involves the same conserved amino acids located at the CH2‐CH3 domain interface of the IgG molecule. The sequence similarities between mouse and human FcRn suggest that these studies have direct relevance to understanding the factors that govern the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic IgG.
Comparison of Distal Chevron Osteotomy With and Without Lateral Soft Tissue Release for the Treatment of Hallux Valgus

Background: A lateral soft tissue release is often performed with distal chevron osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus deformities. However, many complications of lateral soft tissue release have been reported. To define the necessity of lateral soft tissue release, the authors compared the clinical and radiographic results of distal chevron osteotomy with and without it. Materials and Methods: 86 consecutive patients (152 feet) were enrolled in this prospective study. In Group A, 45 patients (74 feet) underwent a chevron osteotomy with lateral soft tissue release. In Group B, 41 patients (78 feet) underwent a chevron osteotomy without it. Mean followup was 1.7 years and 2.1 years, respectively. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and AOFAS score were measured preoperatively, and 1-year followup postoperatively and complications were evaluated. Results: The change in HVA, IMA and AOFAS score were insignificant (p > 0.05) between Group A and Group B, however, the range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was significantly less in Group A (p < 0.05). Complications of digital neuritis and cosmetically dissatisfied scarring of the dorsal web space were seen only in Group A. No cases had avascular necrosis of the metatarsal head, malunion or nonunion. Conclusions: Lateral soft tissue release may not be needed for mild or moderate hallux valgus deformities which may prevent decreased range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, neuritis of dorsal or plantar lateral digital nerve and cosmetic dissatisfaction of a dorsal scar. Level of Evidence: II, Prospective Comparative Study
Factors influencing the outcome of root-resection therapy in molars: a 10-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Root resection is one treatment option for preserving molars with furcation involvement. This study evaluated the prognosis of root-resection therapy retrospectively and examined the factors influencing the survival rate of resected molars. METHODS Root-resection therapy was performed on 691 molars in 579 patients. The associated factors were examined from 342 of 402 molars that had been followed up for >1 year. Survival analysis was used to statistically analyze the factors. RESULTS Over the past 10 years, 102 of 342 cases (29.8%) failed. The factors were classified into four groups and analyzed to determine their influence on the survival rate of the resected molars. Regarding the resection-related factors, the molars resected because of periodontal problems had a higher survival rate than those resected because of non-periodontal problems (tooth fracture, dental caries, and endodontic problems; P = 0.0097). Patient- and tooth-related factors had no effect on the survival rates. Among the site-related factors, only the amount of bone support of the remaining roots at the time of surgery had a significant effect on the survival rate in the group of molars with periodontal problems (P = 0.0269). CONCLUSIONS Root resection to treat periodontal problems had a better prognosis than for non-periodontal problems. To achieve a good result, it was important that the remaining roots had >50% bone support. This guideline may help to improve the predictability of root-resection therapy.
Education to improve quality of life of people with chronic inflammatory skin conditions: a systematic review of the evidence

Patient and carer education has been proposed as a way of improving health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among people with chronic inflammatory skin conditions. This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of education that specifically addresses HRQoL among people with chronic inflammatory skin conditions. We searched 12 literature databases and other sources (up to July 2014). Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the review inclusion criteria. Data from these RCTs were extracted and critically appraised. Two RCTs showed that for psoriasis in adults, group‐based and text message education (as adjuncts to usual care) resulted in better HRQoL and disease severity outcomes than comparators, respectively. One RCT found that group‐based education for children with eczema (atopic dermatitis) and their parents resulted in greater improvements in parents’ HRQoL and in the children's disease severity than no education at 12 months. The remaining RCTs evaluated an educational session for psoriasis, a website for carers of children with eczema, information on skincare and make‐up use given to women with acne, and an itch‐coping programme for a range of conditions, all as adjuncts to usual care. None of these RCTs found statistically significant effects on HRQoL or disease severity compared with usual care. Common features of the effective interventions were long delivery (over 6 weeks to 3 months) and delivery by a multidisciplinary team. Overall, the evidence base is currently limited and generally has an unclear risk of bias. There is a need for more large RCTs evaluating piloted and theory‐based interventions.
Sleep-disordered breathing after stroke: a randomised controlled trial of continuous positive airway pressure

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common after stroke, but it is unclear whether it should be treated. Objective: To conduct a randomised controlled trial of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) after stroke. Methods: Patients with stroke with ⩾30 apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour ((A+H)/h) with predominant obstructive sleep apnoea or hypopnoea were randomised to either CPAP treatment or conservative treatment for 8 weeks. Outcomes were measured blind to treatment allocation at 8 weeks and 6 months after the stroke. The primary outcome was physical function on the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results: Of 658 patients with stroke screened, only 71 (10.7%) were eligible and consented to a sleep study 14–19 days after stroke. 66 patients completed the sleep study (21 women; mean age 72 years), 33 (50%) had ⩾30 (A+H)/h that were predominantly obstructive. 15 were randomised to CPAP treatment and 15 to conventional treatment. Despite intensive efforts, objective use of CPAP was poor, averaging 1.4 h a night. CPAP treatment resulted in no significant improvements (p>0.1) in the primary outcome or in neurological function or sleepiness, and in poorer health status on some measures. Conclusions: This trial showed no benefit from CPAP treatment, the relevance of the observed detrimental effects is questionable. Even in our highly selected patients with stroke, use of CPAP was poor. At present, CPAP treatment should be advocated for patients with stroke only if they have symptoms of SDB.