Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of educational attainment with chronic disease and mortality: the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP).

BACKGROUND Recent reports have suggested a close relationship between education and health, including mortality, in the United States. STUDY DESIGN Observational cohort. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS We studied 61,457 participants enrolled in a national health screening initiative, the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP). PREDICTOR Self-reported educational attainment. OUTCOMES Chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, reduced kidney function, and albuminuria) and mortality. MEASUREMENTS We evaluated cross-sectional associations between self-reported educational attainment with the chronic diseases listed using logistic regression models adjusted for demographics, access to care, behaviors, and comorbid conditions. The association of educational attainment with survival was determined using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS Higher educational attainment was associated with a lower prevalence of each of the chronic conditions listed. In multivariable models, compared with persons not completing high school, college graduates had a lower risk of each chronic condition, ranging from 11% lower odds of decreased kidney function to 37% lower odds of cardiovascular disease. During a mean follow-up of 3.9 (median, 3.7) years, 2,384 (4%) deaths occurred. In the fully adjusted Cox model, those who had completed college had 24% lower mortality compared with participants who had completed at least some high school. LIMITATIONS Lack of income data does not allow us to disentangle the independent effects of education from income. CONCLUSIONS In this diverse contemporary cohort, higher educational attainment was associated independently with a lower prevalence of chronic diseases and short-term mortality in all age and race/ethnicity groups.
The linear effects of α‐thalassaemia, the UGT1A1 and HMOX1 polymorphisms on cholelithiasis in sickle cell disease

Serum bilirubin levels and predisposition to gallstones in sickle cell disease (SCD) are influenced by genetic variation in the hepatic uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) gene, but the association is not consistent. This study investigated whether variation in the gene encoding haem oxygenase (HMOX1), a rate‐limiting enzyme upstream of UGT1A in the haem catabolic pathway, and α‐thalassaemia could explain some of the inconsistent effects. The UGT1A1 [TA]n and HMOX1 [GT]n promoter polymorphisms and α globin genotypes were determined in 263 SCD patients (199 HbSS, 5 HbS/β0, 59 HbSC). Detection of gallstones was based on ultrasound of the liver/biliary tree. Regression analysis showed that serum bilirubin levels and the incidence of gallstones were strongly associated with the number of UGT1A1 [TA] repeats in all subjects (P < 0·0001 and P < 0·01, respectively). While HMOX1 genotype had no effect, co‐inheritance of α‐thalassaemia reduced serum bilirubin levels in all SCD patients independently of the number of UGT1A1 [TA] repeats. Each additional [TA] repeat is associated with an increase in mean serum bilirubin levels of 21% and cholelithiasis risk of 87% in SCD.
Discretionary measures and tax revenues in the run-up to the financial crisis

Summary for non-specialistsThis paper examines the influence of governments' discretionary measures on tax revenues and tax elasticity in the European Union during the run-up to the 2008/2009 global financial crisis which was characterised by large swings in tax revenues.Using data collected in the context of the Output Gap Working Group of the Economic Policy Committee we show that while discretionary measures have had a limited impact on tax yields, they have in some cases significantly affected tax elasticities and thereby altered the relationship between tax revenues and the business cycle which plays a key role in the EU fiscal surveillance framework. Furthermore we provide evidence on the pro-cyclical nature of discretionary measures affecting tax revenues whereby governments tend to implement tax cuts during expansionary phases while resorting to tax increases during slowdowns. More generally our results suggest that the availability of detailed projections on the impact of discretionary measures by broad tax category would be instrumental to a better monitoring of tax revenues developments in the EU in order to better identify the role played by non-policy factors (such as asset prices) in driving tax revenues. Given that the time span covered by this database is in most cases still relatively short (covering on average 7 to 8 years) future updates of the data would allow to further dig into the issue of the influence of discretionary measures on tax elasticities as well as to provide elements for a backward assessment of fiscal plans vs. outcome.
A general framework for the calculation of the average outage duration of diversity systems over generalized fading channels

This paper presents two approaches for the calculation of the average outage duration (AOD) of diversity systems over generalized fading channels. First, a "classical" probability density function (pdf)-based approach is used to obtain exact closed-form expressions for the AOD of maximal-ratio combiner (MRC) over independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) Rayleigh and Rice fading channels. On the other hand, relying upon a numerical technique for inverting Laplace transforms of cumulative distribution functions, and in conjunction with the calculation of the joint characteristic function (CF) of the combined output signal-to-noise ratio process and its time derivative, a CF-based approach is adopted to compute the AOD of MRC over non-i.i. d. Rayleigh and Rician diversity paths. The mathematical expressions are illustrated by presenting and interpreting numerical results/plots, showing the impact of the power delay profile, the angles of arrival, and the angle spreads on the AOD of diversity systems operating over typical fading channels of practical interest.
Comparison of oral mucosal pH values in bulimia nervosa, GERD, BMS patients and healthy population.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the oral mucosal pH in healthy individuals to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bulimia nervosa (BN) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Using a flat pH meter sensor, pH levels were established in eight mucosal sites in 26 healthy individuals, 26 GERD patients, 22 BN patients and 29 BMS patients. RESULTS A significantly lower pH was found in the BN and GERD groups (6.38 ± 00.45, 6.51 ± 0.32 respectively, P < 0.05) and a higher, but non-significant, pH level in the BMS group (7.01 ± 0.34, P > 0.05) compared with the control (C) group (6.82 ± 0.33). CONCLUSIONS BMS patients showed no pH differences from C group. The mucosa of BN and GERD patients was significantly acidic relative with controls; thus this simple technique may serve as a diagnostic tool for identifying gastro-esophageal conditions.
The experience of initiating injection drug use and its social context: a qualitative systematic review and thematic synthesis

BACKGROUND AND AIM Understanding the experience of initiating injection drug use and its social contexts is crucial to inform efforts to prevent transitions into this mode of drug consumption and support harm reduction. We reviewed and synthesized existing qualitative scientific literature systematically to identify the socio-structural contexts for, and experiences of, the initiation of injection drug use. METHODS We searched six databases (Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, IBSS and SSCI) systematically, along with a manual search, including key journals and subject experts. Peer-reviewed studies were included if they qualitatively explored experiences of or socio-structural contexts for injection drug use initiation. A thematic synthesis approach was used to identify descriptive and analytical themes throughout studies. RESULTS From 1731 initial results, 41 studies reporting data from 1996 participants were included. We developed eight descriptive themes and two analytical (higher-order) themes. The first analytical theme focused on injecting initiation resulting from a social process enabled and constrained by socio-structural factors: social networks and individual interactions, socialization into drug-using identities and choices enabled and constrained by social context all combine to produce processes of injection initiation. The second analytical theme addressed pathways that explore varying meanings attached to injection initiation and how they link to social context: seeking pleasure, responses to increasing tolerance to drugs, securing belonging and identity and coping with pain and trauma. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative research shows that injection drug use initiation has varying and distinct meanings for individuals involved and is a dynamic process shaped by social and structural factors. Interventions should therefore respond to the socio-structural influences on injecting drug use initiation by seeking to modify the contexts for initiation, rather than solely prioritizing the reduction of individual harms through behavior change.
Ocean Acidification Alters the Photosynthetic Responses of a Coccolithophorid to Fluctuating Ultraviolet and Visible Radiation1[OPEN]

Ocean acidification and fast mixing or fluctuation of solar radiation could act synergistically to lower carbon fixation by G. oceanica, though ocean acidification may decrease UVB-related photochemical inhibition. Mixing of seawater subjects phytoplankton to fluctuations in photosynthetically active radiation (400–700 nm) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR; 280–400 nm). These irradiance fluctuations are now superimposed upon ocean acidification and thinning of the upper mixing layer through stratification, which alters mixing regimes. Therefore, we examined the photosynthetic carbon fixation and photochemical performance of a coccolithophore, Gephyrocapsa oceanica, grown under high, future (1,000 μatm) and low, current (390 μatm) CO2 levels, under regimes of fluctuating irradiances with or without UVR. Under both CO2 levels, fluctuating irradiances, as compared with constant irradiance, led to lower nonphotochemical quenching and less UVR-induced inhibition of carbon fixation and photosystem II electron transport. The cells grown under high CO2 showed a lower photosynthetic carbon fixation rate but lower nonphotochemical quenching and less ultraviolet B (280–315 nm)-induced inhibition. Ultraviolet A (315–400 nm) led to less enhancement of the photosynthetic carbon fixation in the high-CO2-grown cells under fluctuating irradiance. Our data suggest that ocean acidification and fast mixing or fluctuation of solar radiation will act synergistically to lower carbon fixation by G. oceanica, although ocean acidification may decrease ultraviolet B-related photochemical inhibition.
Effects of Land Misallocation on Capital Allocations in India

Growing research and policy interest focuses on the misallocation of output and factors of production in developing economies. This paper considers the possible misallocation of financial loans. Using plant-level data on the organized and unorganized sectors, the paper describes the temporal, geographic, and industry distributions of financial loans. The focus of the analysis is the hypothesis that land misallocation might be an important determinant of financial misallocation (for example, because of the role of land as collateral against loans). Using district-industry variations, the analysis finds evidence to support this hypothesis, although it does not find a total reduction in the intensity of financial loans or those being given to new entrants. The analysis also considers differences by gender of business owners and workers in firms. Although potential early gaps for businesses with substantial female employment have disappeared in the organized sector, a sizeable and persistent gap remains in the unorganized sector.
Pesticide use, immunologic conditions, and risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in Canadian men in six provinces

Pesticide exposures and immune suppression have been independently associated with the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but their joint effect has not been well explored. Data from a case–control study of men from six Canadian provinces were used to evaluate the potential effect modification of asthma, allergies, or asthma and allergies and hay fever combined on NHL risk from use of: (i) any pesticide; (ii) any organochlorine insecticide; (iii) any organophosphate insecticide; (iv) any phenoxy herbicide; (v) selected individual pesticides [1,1′‐(2,2,2‐trichloroethylidene)bis[4‐chlorobenzene]; 1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT), malathion, (4‐chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA), mecoprop, and (2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid (2,4‐D); and (vi) from the number of potentially carcinogenic pesticides. Incident NHL cases (n = 513) diagnosed between 1991 and 1994 were recruited from provincial cancer registries and hospitalization records and compared to 1,506 controls. A stratified analysis was conducted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for age, province, proxy respondent, and diesel oil exposure. Subjects with asthma, allergies, or hay fever had non‐significantly elevated risks of NHL associated with use of MCPA (OR = 2.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90–7.93) compared to subjects without any of these conditions (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.39–1.70). Conversely, those with asthma, allergies, or hay fever who reported use of malathion had lower risks of NHL (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.69–2.26) versus subjects with none of these conditions (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.65–3.61). Similar effects were observed for asthma and allergies evaluated individually. Although there were some leads regarding effect modification by these immunologic conditions on the association between pesticide use and NHL, small numbers, measurement error and possible recall bias limit interpretation of these results.
Cytostatic and Antiviral Activity Evaluations of Hydroxamic Derivatives of Some Non‐steroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) pharmacophores are interesting in designing potential anticancer drugs. Indeed, numerous experimental, epidemiologic and clinical studies suggest that NSAIDs are promising anticancer drugs. Herein, NSAID hydroxamic acids 3a‐i were prepared by a new synthetic procedure and evaluated for their antiviral and cytostatic activity against malignant tumor cell lines and normal human fibroblasts (WI38). Antiviral activity evaluation results indicated that 3f had only a minor activity against the influenza virus A/H1N1 subtype with a selectivity index of 7–10. On the other hand, the results of the in vitro cytostatic activity evaluations revealed that the majority of NSAID hydroxamic acid derivatives 3a–i exhibited a strong non‐specific antiproliferative effect at the highest concentration (100 μm) on the tested cell line panel. Only compounds 3b, 3e and 3i exerted a differential dose‐dependent inhibitory activity against the growth of HeLa cells (p < 0.05) at concentration 10 μm. Among those three compounds, only compound 3b showed a selective cytostatic effect on HeLa in comparison with normal fibroblasts.
Soil fungi: Potential mycoremediators of lignocellulosic waste

The continual expansion of urbanization and industrial activity has led to the accumulation of a large quantity of lignocellulosic residues throughout the world. In particular, large quantities of paper and bagasse are largely produced in Visakhapatnam. In this work we present the study of the degradability of these substrates with fungi. Three cultures of soil fungi were screened for their ability to degrade cellulose. Aspergillus flavus degraded the most, as shown by the highest CO2 release. Further, Aspergillus flavus was tested with the standard fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium for cellulose degradation, which showed nearly equivalent potential.
Variable selection and regression analysis for the prediction of mortality rates associated with foodborne diseases

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to apply a novel statistical method for variable selection and a model-based approach for filling data gaps in mortality rates associated with foodborne diseases using the WHO Vital Registration mortality dataset. Correlation analysis and elastic net regularization methods were applied to drop redundant variables and to select the most meaningful subset of predictors. Whenever predictor data were missing, multiple imputation was used to fill in plausible values. Cluster analysis was applied to identify similar groups of countries based on the values of the predictors. Finally, a Bayesian hierarchical regression model was fit to the final dataset for predicting mortality rates. From 113 potential predictors, 32 were retained after correlation analysis. Out of these 32 predictors, eight with non-zero coefficients were selected using the elastic net regularization method. Based on the values of these variables, four clusters of countries were identified. The uncertainty of predictions was large for countries within clusters lacking mortality rates, and it was low for a cluster that had mortality rate information. Our results demonstrated that, using Bayesian hierarchical regression models, a data-driven clustering of countries and a meaningful subset of predictors can be used to fill data gaps in foodborne disease mortality.
Internet financial reporting in Saudi Arabia: users' perceptions and disclosures

This thesis investigates corporate financial disclosure practices on Web sites and their impact. This is done, first by examining the views of various Saudi user groups (institutional investors, financial analysts and private investors) on disclosure of financial reporting on the Internet and assessing differences, if any, in perceptions of the groups. Over 303 individuals from three groups responded to a questionnaire. Views were elicited regarding: users attitude to the Internet infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, users information sources about companies in Saudi Arabia, respondents perception about the advantages and disadvantages in Internet financial reporting (IFR), respondents attitude to the quality of IFR provided by Saudi public companies and the impact of IFR on users information needs. Overall, it was found professional groups (Institutional investors, financial analysts) hold similar views in relation to many issues, while the opinions of private investors differ considerably. Second, the thesis examines the use of the Internet for the disclosure of financial and investor-related information by Saudi public companies (113 companies) and look to identify reasons for the differences in the online disclosure practices of companies by testing the association between eight firm-specific factors and the level of online disclosure. The financial disclosure index (167 items) is used to measure public company disclosure in Saudi Arabia. The descriptive part of the study reveals that 95 (84%) of the Saudi public companies in the sample had a website and 51 (45%) had a financial information section of some description. Furthermore, none of the sample companies provided 100% of the 167 index items applicable to the company. Results of multivariate analysis show that firm size and stock market listing are significant explanatory variables for the amount of information disclosed on corporate Web sites. The thesis finds a significant and negative relationship between the proportion of institutional ownership of a companys shares and the level of IFR.
The evolution of the red sequence slope in massive galaxy clusters

We investigate the evolution of the optical and near-infrared colour–magnitude relation in an homogeneous sample of massive clusters from z = 1 to the present epoch. By comparing deep Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys imaging of X-ray selected MAssive Cluster Survey (MACS) clusters at z ∼ 0.5 to the similarly selected Las Campanas/AAT Rich Cluster Survey (LARCS) sample at z ∼ 0.1, we find that the rest-frame δ(U − V)/δV slope of the colour–magnitude relation evolves with redshift which we attribute to the build up of the red sequence over time. This rest-frame slope evolution is not adequately reproduced by that predicted from semi-analytic models based on the Millennium Simulation despite a prescription for the build up of the red sequence by in-falling galaxies, ‘strangulation’. We observe no strong correlation between this slope and the cluster environment at a given redshift demonstrating that the observed evolution is not due to a secondary correlation. Also presented are near-infrared United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) Wide Field CAMera (WFCAM) observations of the LARCS clusters which confirm and improve on the result from Stott et al. (2007) finding that there has been a two-fold increase in faint MV > −20 galaxies on the red sequence since z = 0.5 to a significance of 5σ .
Comparison between unilateral PNIF and rhinomanometry in the evaluation of nasal cycle.

BACKGROUND Human unilateral nasal airflow shows spontaneous changes over a period of hours due to the alternating congestion and decongestion of the venous sinuses within the nasal turbinates and nasal septum. The aim of the present study was to compare PNIF and unilateral PNIF with nasal resistances measured by means of AAR in the evaluation of the nasal cycle. METHODS PNIF, unilateral PNIF and AAR measurements were randomly performed in 20 non-smokers, non-asthmatic volunteers, with a SNOT 22 score lower than 1. Nasal measurements were done four times in a single day at 08.30, 11.00, 13.30 and 16.00. The correlation between PNIF, unilateral PNIF and nasal resistances was studied. The pattern of nasal airflow for each subject was also analyzed. RESULTS A significant negative correlation between PNIF-lPNIF-rPNIF and respectively AAR-lAAR-rAAR was found. Only 1 subject did not show nasal cycle, while all the rest were equally distributed between a reciprocal pattern of the nasal cycle, or an in-phase changes of the nasal cycle, both at PNIF and AAR. CONCLUSIONS Nasal cycle can be easily assessed by means of PNIF. In fact, AAR and PNIF showed a reasonable correlation in the measurement of nasal cycle, although PNIF offered a lower variability. Reciprocal and in-phase patterns of the nasal cycle were equally distributed in our population.
Gene Expression Profiling Reveals Clear Differences Between EBV‐Positive and EBV‐Negative Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Posttransplant patients are at risk of developing a potentially life‐threatening posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), most often of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology and associated with Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) infection. The aim of this study was to characterize the clinicopathological and molecular‐genetic characteristics of posttransplant DLBCL and to elucidate whether EBV(+) and EBV(−) posttransplant DLBCL are biologically different. We performed gene expression profiling studies on 48 DLBCL of which 33 arose posttransplantation (PT‐DLBCL; 72% EBV+) and 15 in immunocompetent hosts (IC‐DLBCL; none EBV+). Unsupervised hierarchical analysis showed clustering of samples related to EBV‐status rather than immune status. Except for decreased T cell signaling these cases were inseparable from EBV(−) IC‐DLBCL. In contrast, a viral response signature clearly segregated EBV(+) PT‐DLBCL from EBV(−) PT‐DLBCL and IC‐DLBCL cases that were intermixed. The broad EBV latency profile (LMP1+/EBNA2+) was expressed in 59% of EBV(+) PT‐DLBCL and associated with a more elaborate inflammatory response compared to intermediate latency (LMP1+/EBNA2−). Inference analysis revealed a role for innate and tolerogenic immune responses (including VSIG4 and IDO1) in EBV(+) PT‐DLBCL. In conclusion we can state that the EBV signature is the most determining factor in the pathogenesis of EBV(+) PT‐DLBCL.