Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body mass index and mortality from lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers: A nationally representative prospective study of 220,000 men in China

Low body mass index (BMI) has been associated with increased risk of lung cancer. However, the nature of the association, especially in populations with relatively low BMI, is less well characterized, as is the relevance to it of smoking. A nationally representative prospective cohort study included 217,180 Chinese men aged 40–79 years in 1990–91 who had no prior history of cancer and were followed up for 15 years. Standardized hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for lung cancer mortality by baseline BMI. The mean baseline BMI was 21.7 kg/m2, and 2,145 lung cancer deaths were recorded during 15 years of follow‐up. The prevalence of smoking was strongly inversely associated with BMI, but no apparent relationship was seen between amount smoked (or other measures of smoking intensity) and BMI among smokers. Overall there was a strong inverse association between BMI and lung cancer mortality (p < 0.0001 for trend) after excluding the first 3 years of follow‐up. This association appeared to be confined mainly to current smokers, with no apparent relationship in nonsmokers (p < 0.001 for difference between slopes). Among current smokers, the inverse association appeared to be log‐linear, with each 5 kg/m2 lower BMI associated with a 35% (95% confidence interval: 24–46%; p < 0.0001) higher lung cancer mortality, and it persisted after excluding those who had reported poor health status or history of any disease or respiratory symptoms at baseline. In this relatively lean Chinese male population, low BMI was strongly associated with increased risk of lung cancer only among current smokers. © 2009 UICC
Multi-view Based AdaBoost Classifier Ensemble for Class Prediction from Gene Expression Profiles

Multi-view learning, one of the important sub-fields in the area of machine learning, has gained more and more attention in class prediction of gene expression datasets. In this paper, we propose a new classifier ensemble framework, named as multi-view based Ad-a boost classifier ensemble framework (MV-ACE), which not only utilizes a random view generation technique to regulate different views and applies adaboost to adjust the training set, but also designs an adaptive process which explores the feasible combination of multiple views through an optimization process. Traditional multi-view learning focuses on exploring diverse views and the best integration of multiple views in a straight-forward manner, such as the linear combination of different views. Our proposed model, however, additionally applies a progressive training approach to improve the accuracies of the base classifiers. Moreover, we investigate the assembly of views at the model level, and employ an adaptive process to optimize the multi-view learning model to improve its performance. Our experiments on 12 cancer gene data sets for the classification task show that(i) MV-ACE works well on a diverse class of cancer gene expression profiles. (ii) It outperforms most of the state-of-the-art classifier ensemble approaches on these datasets.
Analysing the favourable effects of physical exercise: relationships between physical fitness, fatigue and functioning in Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the effects of physical exercise in severely fatigued patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and to clarify the mutual relationships between 5 domains studied in these patients: physical fitness, fatigue, objectively measured actual mobility, perceived physical functioning, and perceived mental functioning. DESIGN Case series. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS Twenty patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. METHODS The patients undertook a 12-week physical exercise program. Relationships between domains were studied in the change scores, and additionally in the baseline data of patients. The percentage of significant relationships between each pair of domains was determined. RESULTS In the change scores, a small percentage of significant relationships was found between the physical fitness domain and the other 4 domains (2/30, 7%). A higher percentage of significant relationships was found between the domains perceived mental functioning and actual mobility (44%), perceived mental functioning and perceived physical functioning (44%), and between fatigue and perceived physical functioning (33%). Generally, similar patterns were found in the baseline data. CONCLUSION Changes in fatigue, actual mobility and perceived functioning seem not to be influenced by changes in physical fitness. This study stresses the presence and importance of additional effects of a physical training program, not directly related to increasing fitness.
Effect of Prenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplements on Maternal Weight and Skinfold Changes: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial in Mexico

Background Recent trials of prenatal multivitamin-mineral supplements have yielded mixed findings for outcomes such as birth size, but the benefits of prenatal multivitamin-mineral supplements for maternal outcomes are unknown. Objective The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MM) compared to iron only (FE) supplements on changes in maternal weight and body composition during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Methods A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted in semi-rural Mexico. Women received either MM or FE supplements, 6 days per week from early pregnancy to delivery. Anthropometric measurements were obtained at recruitment, 26 and 37 weeks pregnancy, and 1 month postpartum. Women in both groups were similar at recruitment except that body-mass index (BMI) was greater in the FE group. Results Mean weight gain during pregnancy was significantly greater (∼0.6 kg) in the MM group (n = 283) compared to the FE group (n = 287), but not after adjusting for maternal BMI at recruitment. Overweight women in the MM group gained 0.53 kg between recruitment and 1 month postpartum, whereas those in the FE group lost 0.63 kg; there were no differences between experimental groups among non-overweight women (p = .06 for interaction). Conclusions Compare. /d to iron supplements, MM supplements did not increase weight gain during pregnancy after adjusting for baseline differences in BMI but may lead to greater postpartum weight retention among overweight women.
Disaggregated South African household net wealth: A mixed methods approach

This article addresses the paucity of disaggregated household net wealth data in South Africa. A mixed methods approach was followed to develop and conduct a country-specific household net wealth measurement survey. A disaggregated household typology of assets and liabilities, based on international net wealth surveys, was developed. Focus group research was employed in the qualitative strand to finalise the survey. In the quantitative strand, disaggregated micro-level data estimates from 2 606 households were collected and the article presents the cursory findings. A comparison is drawn between the survey’s main asset and liability estimates with data estimates presented in the South African Reserve Bank’s household balance sheet. These estimates were constructed from macro-level data estimates and lack information on the disaggregated composition of household net wealth. Furthermore, the conceptual linkages and differences between the micro and macro data estimates are described. The manner in which differences in the concepts, construction methods and potential survey errors contributed to differences between the two sets of data estimates is also indicated. The aim of the research was to contribute to the field of household finances from the perspective of a developing country. Therefore, the process followed to construct and validate the survey instrument and data estimates could assist other developing countries to develop their own surveys. Disaggregated net wealth data estimates could assist policy-makers with the overview and management of a country’s household net wealth.
Topology and dynamics in complex networks: The role of edge reciprocity

A key issue in complex systems regards the relationship between topology and dynamics. In this work, we use a recently introduced network property known as steering coefficient as a means to approach this issue with respect to different directed complex network systems under varying preferential dynamics. Theoretical and real-world networks are considered, and the influences of reciprocity and average degree on the steering coefficient are quantified. A number of interesting results are reported that can assist the design of complex systems exhibiting different levels of relationship between topology and dynamics.
Comparison of the structures of three carboxypeptidase A-phosphonate complexes determined by X-ray crystallography.

The structures of the complexes of carboxypeptidase A (CPA) with two tight-binding phosphonate inhibitors have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The inhibitors, Cbz-Phe-ValP-(O)-Phe[ZFVP(O)F] and Cbz-Ala-GlyP-(O)-Phe[ZAGP(O)F], bind noncovalently to CPA with dissociation constants (Ki's) of 11 fM and 710 pM, respectively. The CPA-ZFVP(O)F complex crystallizes in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell parameters a = 65.3 A, b = 63.4 A, and c = 76.0 A, and the CPA-ZAGP(O)F complex crystallizes in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell parameters a = 63.4 A, b = 65.9 A, and c = 74.4 A. Both structures were determined by molecular replacement to a resolution of 2.0 A. The final crystallographic residuals are 0.189 for the CPA-ZFVP(O)F complex and 0.191 for the CPA-ZAGP(O)F complex. The CPA-ZFVP(O)F complex exhibits the lowest Ki yet determined for an enzyme-inhibitor interaction. Comparison of the CPA-ZFVP(O)F structure with that of the CPA-ZAAP(O)F complex [Kim, H. , & Lipscomb, W.N. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 5546-5555] indicates the likely important contributions of hydrophobic and weakly polar enzyme-inhibitor interactions to the exceptional stability of the CPA-ZFVP(O)F complex. Among these interactions is a network of four aromatic rings of CPA and ZFVP(O)F in a configuration that allows stabilizing aromatic-aromatic edge-to-face interactions from one ring to the next. A comparison of the structures of the CPA-ZFVP(O)F, CPA-ZAAP(O)F and CPA-ZAGP(O)F complexes shows that all three phosphonates assume a similar binding mode in the active-site binding groove of CPA. For ZAGP(O)F, the glycyl P1 residue does not lead to an anomalous or a partially disordered binding mode as seen in some previous complexes of CPA involving dipeptide analogue inhibitors with glycyl P1 residues. The additional enzyme-inhibitor interactions for these tripeptide phosphonates secure a binding mode in which a Pi portion of the inhibitor is clearly bound by the corresponding Si binding subsite. These three phosphonates have been implicated as transition-state analogues of the CPA-catalyzed reaction. The phosphinyl groups of these phosphonates coordinate to the active-site zinc in a manner that has been proposed as a characteristic feature of the general-base (Zn-hydroxyl or Zn-water) mechanism for the CPA-catalyzed reaction. Further mechanistic proposals are made for Arg-127, whose probable role in binding substrates is apparent in these CPA-phosphonate complexes.
Analogues of tamoxifen: the role of the basic side-chain. Applications of a whole-cell oestrogen-receptor binding assay to N-oxides and quaternary salts.

Derivatives of tamoxifen (1) and 4-hydroxy-2-methyltamoxifen (2) in which the basic side chain has been modified by N-oxidation or by quaternization have been investigated with respect to the effects on affinity for the oestrogen receptor and on cytostatic activity towards the MCF-7 cell line in vitro. In addition to the conventional cytosol assay for receptor binding affinity (RBA) a recently developed whole-cell assay was employed. N-oxidation (e.g. 2----3) produced no significant alteration in RBA value either in cytosol or in whole cells, nor in activity towards the MCF-7 line. Quaternization with methyl iodide (1----4, 2----6) or ethyl bromide (1----5, 2----7b: the cis isomer 7a also formed) did not alter receptor binding in the cytosol assay but almost abolished binding in the whole cell and cytostatic activity. The whole-cell RBA values for 2 (0.45) and 3 (0.5) were lower than those for 4-hydroxytamoxifen (2.9), suggested to be due to the lower oestrogenicity of the 2-methyl derivatives since activity against MCF-7 cells was unimpaired. The even lower values of whole-cell RBA (0.01-0.02) for the quaternary ethyl bromide derivatives 7a and 7b were ascribed to poor penetration into the cell since these compounds had minimal cytostatic activity.
The Welfare Effect of Sorting in the Labor Market

We construct a labor-barter economy under search friction, introducing quality heterogeneity and information asymmetry into the economy. Under this environment, we examine the welfare effect of a sorting device. The main modifications to the standard sorting model are that i) an agent's type is endogenously determined by his optimal behavior and ii) rejecting trade is an option available for agents, so a ``lemon market'' problem may possibly emerge. Our findings are as follows: First, sorting can prevent the labor market from collapsing even under a serious information asymmetry by providing a more favorable condition for good-type workers. Second, sorting has a positive welfare effect, as opposed to the standard sorting models, by disciplining bad-type workers and encouraging trade. Finally, introducing a sorting device can significantly reduce the equilibrium unemployment rate by alleviating the informational friction and creating a positive externality, which prevents a possible coordination failure caused by that friction.
Terahertz components packaging using integrated waveguide technology

We present an integrated waveguide based packaging solution compatible with different THz component technologies, both for room temperature and cryogenic operations, employing space-qualified wire-bonding for electrical contacts. The proposed waveguide packaging relies on the combination of all-metal micro-machined THz waveguide and active component chip layouts suitable for the realization of systems from 200 up to 5000 GHz. It provides possibility of making 3-dimensional structures via facilitating of multi-level (layered) designs. The surface roughness of the fabricated THz waveguide structure was demonstrated to be 20 nm, while a 2 µm alignment accuracy of the active component chip was verified.
Comitês de ética em pesquisa no Brasil: estudo com coordenadores

This study aimed to characterize the Research Ethics Committees in their profile and operationalization. An electronic questionnaire was sent to the 645 existing committees at the time and answered by 129 coordinators. The answers were categorized by frequency and mean of the answers and passed by a statistical test. The results indicated that most of the coordinators had a degree in Biological and Health Sciences, at Masters and PhD levels. The committees had been operating for more than nine years in higher education institutions, with insufficient institutional support. Members were empowered by readings of the Committee’s regulations and guidelines. The distribution of protocols was done by subject affinity and the group decision was given by consensus or vote. It is concluded that the committees are consolidated, comply with ethical regulations, but they need to dialogue more with researchers and with the National Commission of Ethics in Research.
Clinical efficacy and safety of recruitment maneuver in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome using low tidal volume ventilation: a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND The recruitment maneuver (RM) has been shown to improve oxygenation in some patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. But there is a lack of standardization and lack of clinical studies to prove the improvement on clinical outcome. We conducted this study to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the RM in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) using low tidal volume ventilation. METHODS We randomly assigned 110 patients with ARDS from 14 Chinese intensive care units (ICUs) at the tertiary teaching hospitals. Patients with PaO2 ≤ 200 mmHg at FiO2 1.0 and PEEP ≥ 10 cmH2O were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: control group and RM group. The tidal volume was set to 6 - 8 ml per kilogram of predicted body weight (PBW) in both groups. RM was performed by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 40 cmH2O maintained for 40 seconds. RMs was conducted every eight hours for the first five days, or stopped within five days if the patient reached the weaning standard. RESULTS One hundred and ten patients had completed the requirements for the primary study goals, 55 from the RM group and 55 control patients. Baseline characteristics remained similar in the two groups. In the RM group the PaO2/FiO2 was significantly increased compared to baseline at 120 minutes after RM on day one and day two (P = 0.007 and P = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the RM and control group in hospital mortality (41.8% vs. 56.4%, P = 0.13), 28-day mortality (29.1% vs. 43.6%, P = 0.11) and ventilator-free days at day 28 (10.8 ± 10.1 vs. 7.4 ± 10.0, P = 0.08). ICU mortality (32.7% vs. 52.7%, P = 0.03), the rate of survival with unassisted breathing for at least 48 consecutive hours at day 28 (58.2% vs. 36.2%, P = 0.02), and nonpulmonary organ failure-free days at day 28 (17.4 ± 11.1 vs. 13.0 ± 12.0, P = 0.03) favored the RM group. There was no significant difference in mean blood pressure and heart rate before RM and at 30, 60, 120 minutes after RM. There was no incidence of barotraumas. CONCLUSIONS RM was safe and useful for improving oxygenation in patients with ARDS who were ventilated with a low tidal volume, with a beneficial impact on their clinical outcome.
Percutaneously placed covered retrievable stents for the treatment of biliary anastomotic strictures following living donor liver transplantation

This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of covered retrievable stent placement compared with drainage catheter placement for treating biliary anastomotic strictures following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In 39 of 59 patients who underwent LDLT, balloon dilation of strictures and subsequent interposition of 14‐French indwelling catheters were performed (group 1), whereas in 20 patients, 29 covered retrievable stents were percutaneously placed (group 2). The drainage catheters were positioned above the stricture after at least 12 weeks of internal drainage or following stent removal after at least 8 weeks of stent placement. The drainage catheters were removed when the follow‐up cholangiogram revealed free passage of contrast media. In the presence of residual stricture, either of the following was performed: (1) balloon dilation of the stricture and replacement of the indwelling catheter or (2) placement of another covered retrievable stent for at least 12 weeks. Technical success was achieved in all recipients. Clinical success was higher in group 1 (95%) than in group 2 (70%) (P = 0.005), whereas the duration of treatment was significantly shorter in group 2 (197 ± 89 days) than in group 1 (278 ± 115 days) (P = 0.018). All stents were successfully removed at a median of 14 weeks after placement, except for 1 patient in whom early stent removal was inevitable and a second patient in whom the stent migrated completely. Stent migration rate was 24% (7 of 29 stents). In conclusion, treatment of biliary anastomotic strictures following LDLT is feasible using covered retrievable stents and has an acceptable clinical success rate with shorter treatment duration. Liver Transpl 16:1410–1420, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Immunophenotypic features distinguishing familial chronic lymphocytic leukemia from sporadic chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Familial chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has the most frequent familial aggregation among hematological malignancies. Familial CLL families have been studied to identify susceptibility genes and other factors that contribute in the etiology of CLL. To date no study has been conducted to evaluate and compare patterns of cell surface antigen expression in familial CLL and sporadic CLL.
Noninvasive Functional Imaging of Human Brain Using Light

Analysis of photon transit time for low-power light passing into the head, and through both skull and brain, of human subjects allowed for tomographic imaging of cerebral hemoglobin oxygenation based on photon diffusion theory. In healthy adults, imaging of changes in hemoglobin saturation during hand movement revealed focal, contralateral increases in motor cortex oxygenation with spatial agreement to activation maps determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging; in ill neonates, imaging of hemoglobin saturation revealed focal regions of low oxygenation after acute stroke, with spatial overlap to injury location determined by computed tomography scan. Because such slow optical changes occur over seconds and co-localize with magnetic resonance imaging vascular signals whereas fast activation-related optical changes occur over milliseconds and co-localize with EEG electrical signals, optical methods offer a single modality for exploring the spatio-temporal relationship between electrical and vascular responses in the brain in vivo, as well as for mapping cortical activation and oxygenation at the bedside in real-time for clinical monitoring.
Do Highly Unionized Companies Compensate Their CEOs Less in Periods of Financial Distress? Evidence from Canada

In this article, the author studies the strategic interaction between employee stakeholders, in particular labor unions, and top management, and he evaluates the effect of the two parties’ inherent competitive rent-seeking behavior on CEO pay. Using a panel of firms listed on the S&P/TSX Composite Index, the author shows that CEO compensation withstood the financial crisis (2008–2011) despite lower and even negative corporate performance. Further, highly unionized companies were associated with higher CEO pay in terms of non-equity elements such as salary and pension allocations. The presence of unions had no observed effect in reducing bonuses, stock options, and restricted stock units. These findings have implications for the debate on income inequality and the power of unions to bring about change.
Navigation for cochlear implantation

A cochlear implant is an artificial sensory organ for patients with severe to profound hearing loss who have little benefit from hearing aids. The fact that more patients with previous temporal bone surgery or cranial malformations are receiving cochlear implants implies that the number of atypical cochlear implantation will continue to grow. Surgical navigation, or image-guided surgery may be helpful for surgeons who perform atypical surgeries. We report our research on an image-guided system specifically designed for otologic surgery with an improved surgeon-computer interface.