Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Country of origin, age at migration and risk of cutaneous melanoma: A migrant cohort study of 1,100,000 Israeli men

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a common cancer with increasing incidence in many parts of the world where light‐skinned populations live. We conducted a large‐scale nationally representative migrant cohort study to assess country of origin and age at migration as predictors of CM, controlling for possible confounders. Data on 1,086,569 Israeli Jewish males, who underwent a general health examination before compulsory military service at ages 16–19 between the years 1967–2005, were linked to Israel National Cancer Registry to obtain incident CM up to 2006. Cox proportional hazards was used to model time to event. Overall, 1562 incident cases were detected during 19.3 million person‐years of follow‐up. Origin was a strong independent predictor of CM. Incidence was higher for European (hazard ratio [HR] = 4.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.55–4.67) and Israeli origin (HR = 2.92, 95% CI: 2.25–3.79) compared to N. African/Asian origin, adjusted for year of birth, years of education, residential socio‐economic position, rural residence and body surface area (or height). Among those of European origin, the adjusted risk was significantly lower for those who immigrated after the age of 10 years (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.45–0.73) but not for younger ages (HR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.84–1.23) compared to Israeli born. The high rates of CM among men of European origin and the almost twofold lower risk among those immigrating after age 10 provide solid support for the deleterious role of childhood sun exposure as a risk factor for melanoma. These findings will serve in directing public health and research efforts.
Global Kinetoplastea phylogeny inferred from a large-scale multigene alignment including parasitic species for better understanding transitions from a free-living to a parasitic lifestyle.

All members of the order Trypanosomatida known to date are parasites that are most likely descendants of a free-living ancestor. Trypanosomatids are an excellent model to assess the transition from a free-living to a parasitic lifestyle, because a large amount of experimental data has been accumulated for well-studied members that are harmful to humans and livestock (Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp.). However, recent advances in our understanding of the diversity of trypanosomatids and their close relatives (i.e., members of the class Kinetoplastea) have suggested that the change in lifestyle took place multiple times independently from that which gave rise to the extant trypanosomatid parasites. In the current study, transcriptomic data of two parasitic kinetoplastids belonging to orders other than Trypanosomatida, namely Azumiobodo hoyamushi (Neobodonida) and Trypanoplasma borreli (Parabodonida), were generated. We re-examined the transition from a free-living to a parasitic lifestyle in the evolution of kinetoplastids by combining (i) the relationship among the five orders in Kinetoplastea and (ii) that among free-living and parasitic species within the individual orders. The former relationship was inferred from a large-scale multigene alignment including the newly generated data from Azumiobodo and Trypanoplasma, as well as the data from another parasitic kinetoplastid, Perkinsela sp. , deposited in GenBank; and the latter was inferred from a taxon-rich small subunit ribosomal DNA alignment. Finally, we discuss the potential value of parasitic kinetoplastids identified in Parabodonida and Neobodonida for studying the evolutionary process that turned a free-living species into a parasite.
Performance evaluation of subcarrier hopping multiple access in wireless LAN scenarios

We consider a new orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)-based uplink multiple access system called subcarrier hopping multiple access (SHMA) targeting real-time wireless communications such as motion controls of vehicles and machines. By applying the super-orthogonal convolutional codes (SOCC) as a channel code with subcarrier hopping, it can achieve reliable communications due to the frequency diversity and coding gain without increasing decoding latency. In this work, we attempt to evaluate its system level performance according to the specifications and channel models of the IEEE 802.11n standard, aiming at its use for WiFi compatible environment. In particular, the frame error rate (FER) performance comparison reveals that the proposed SHMA can achieve higher reliability than the IEEE 802.11n standard at the cost of reduced data rate, which is still suitable for the purpose of motion control applications. The proposed SHMA system exploits Golay sequences as the outputs of SOCC in order to suppress the peak power of OFDM signals. We also evaluate the gain provided by this low peak power property taking into account the power amplifier (PA) efficiency. Finally, we address how these gains contribute to the enhancement of the transmission range over the conventional WiFi standard for a given amount of average power at the transmitter.
Abdominal venous thrombosis in neonates and infants: role of prothrombotic risk factors – a multicentre case–control study

The factor V (FV) G1691A mutation, the prothrombin (PT) G20210A variant, the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) T677T genotype, together with fasting homocysteine (HCY) concentration, lipoprotein (Lp)(a), anti‐thrombin (AT), protein C (PC), protein S (PS) and anti‐cardiolipin antibodies were investigated in 65 consecutively recruited infants (neonate to < 12 months) with renal venous thrombosis (RVT; n = 31), portal vein thrombosis (PVT; n = 24) or hepatic vein thrombosis (HVT n = 10), and 100 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. FV G1691A was found in 14 babies (heterozygous: RVT n = 9, PVT n = 4; homozygous HVT n = 1) and five controls, the MTHFR TT677 genotype together with increased HCY in four infants with thrombosis (RVT n = 2; PVT n = 1; HVT n = 1) compared with one control, and the PT G20210A variant was present in one control only. PC type I deficiency was diagnosed in three patients (RVT n = 2; PVT n = 1) and AT deficiency in two patients (RVT n = 1; PVT n = 1). Three neonates with spontaneous thrombosis showed FV G1691A combined with Lp(a) and the FV G1691A was combined with the PT G20210A genotype in two infants. Additional triggering factors were reported in 27 patients (41·5%). The overall odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with respect to the different thrombosis locations were: RVT (OR/CI: 10·9/3·85–31·1; P < 0·0001), PVT (5·47/1·7–17·6; P < 0·0007) and HVT (3·3/0·58–18·7; P = 0·18). The data presented here suggest that genetic prothrombotic risk factors also play an important role in abdominal venous thrombosis during infancy.
Renal function in type 2 diabetes with rosiglitazone, metformin, and glyburide monotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In ADOPT (A Diabetes Outcomes Prevention Trial), initial monotherapy with rosiglitazone provided more durable glycemic control than metformin or glyburide in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Herein, we examine differences in albumin excretion, renal function (estimated GFR), and BP over 5 years between treatment groups. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A total of 4351 recently diagnosed, drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes were treated and followed for up to 5 years with rosiglitazone, metformin, or glyburide and were examined with periodic assessments of albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD)-estimated GFR, and BP. RESULTS The ACR rose slowly with metformin. It fell with rosiglitazone and less so with glyburide over the first 2 years, and then rose slowly over time. Estimated GFR (eGFR) with all therapies rose into the high normal range over the first 3 to 4 years, more so with rosiglitazone, and then declined, more so with glyburide. Systolic BP was stable over time, values with rosiglitazone being lower, and diastolic BP declined over time, more so with rosiglitazone than with metformin or glyburide. There was no difference among groups in the incidence of emergent albuminuria (ACR ≥30 mg/g), hypertension, or impaired eGFR (<60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)). CONCLUSIONS Over a 5-year period, initial monotherapy with rosiglitazone retards the rise of ACR compared with metformin, preserves eGFR compared with glyburide, and lowers BP relative to both comparators.
Evaluation of Primary Brain Tumors With FLT-PET: Usefulness and Limitations

Purpose of the Report: The purpose of this report was to investigate the potential of positron emission tomography using F-18 fluorodeoxythymidine (FLT-PET) in evaluating primary brain tumors. Materials and Methods: FLT-PET was performed in 25 patients with primary brain tumors. FLT uptake in the lesion was semiquantitatively evaluated by measuring the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and the tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (TNR). SUVmax and TNR were compared with the histologic grade and the expression of the proliferation marker (Ki-67). Results: FLT uptake in normal brain parenchyma was very low, resulting in the visualization of brain tumors with high contrast. Both SUVmax and TNR significantly correlated with the malignant grade of brain gliomas, in which high SUVmax/TNR was obtained for high-grade gliomas. Patients with primary lymphoma also showed SUVmax/TNR equivalent to glioblastoma. There was a positive correlation between SUVmax/TNR and the Ki-67 index. In contrast, spuriously high SUVmax and TNR were obtained in 3 of 6 patients with suspected recurrent tumors (2 patients with recurrent grade 2 glioma and one patient with postoperative granuloma), all of which showed lesion enhancement on MRI after Gd administration. Conclusions: FLT-PET can be used to evaluate the malignant grade and proliferation activity of primary brain tumors, especially malignant brain tumors. However, the presence of benign lesions showing blood–brain barrier disruption cannot be distinguished from malignant tumors and needs to be carefully evaluated.
Visuomotor Control in Continuous Response Time Tasks across Different Age Groups

The goal was to examine whether visuomotor control and choice response time shared age-related developmental trajectories, and if prior computer experience played an important role in control processes. Children (6–7, 8–9, 10–11 yr.), younger adults (24 yr.) and older adults (76 yr.) performed the cursor pointing and choice response time (CRT) tasks with a computer mouse. Participants moved the mouse cursor back and forth to click two targets on the screen as fast and accurately as possible. In the CRT, based on visual stimuli, participants moved and clicked one of the three targets on the screen as fast and accurately as possible; the time between stimulus onset and clicking the correct target was recorded as the choice response time. Visuomotor performance increased with age to younger adulthood but was worse in the older adult group. CRT performance was also positively related to age among the groups of children, with scores leveling off in the young adult group. Computer experience was statistically significantly related only to visuomotor control, but not to CRT. Optimal CRT performance required only sub-optimal visuomotor control. Cognitive and sensory age declines may be related to the poorer CRT performance in the oldest age group.
Zero sequence circuit of three-legged core type transformers

For three-legged Y-YG core type transformers, due to the high reluctance of zero-sequence magnetic return path, the zero-sequence magnetizing impedance is low. The low zero-sequence magnetizing impedance will allow fault current to flow for a line-ground fault in the YG side of a three-legged core type transformer. When calculating line-ground fault current of a three-legged core type transformer, the zero sequence equivalent circuit needs to include the zero-sequence magnetizing impedance. The zero-sequence equivalent circuit from most classic reference books does not take magnetizing impedance into account and needs to be modified. This paper gives the modified zero-sequence equivalent circuit for a three-legged core-type transformer. Theoretical calculation, computer simulation, and actual staged tests verify that fault current based on the modified zero sequence circuit matches the result from the simulation and actual test.
Binocular co‐ordination of human horizontal saccadic eye movements.

1. The binocular co‐ordination of human horizontal saccades was analysed for the first time systematically over the full oculomotor range with a precise and accurate scleral sensor coil technique. Effects of amplitude (1.25‐80 deg), direction (adduction vs. abduction and centrifugal vs. centripetal) and eccentricity (symmetrical about primary or between primary and secondary positions) were systematically investigated in three subjects). 2. To minimize extraneous effects of stimulus presentation on the programming of saccades, subjects were instructed to voluntarily change their gaze between two continuously visible targets. These were positioned on an iso‐vergence locus, and thus contained no stimulus for disjunctive eye movements. 3. Under these conditions the amplitudes of the primary saccades of the two eyes were remarkably accurate; undershooting of the target by about 0.5 deg (independent of amplitude in the range 10‐70 deg) was typical. This finding contrasts with the undershooting by about 10% described in the literature as characteristic for other stimulus conditions. 4. Saccadic peak velocities saturated at a mean asymptotic level of 502 +/‐ 32 (S.D.) deg/s for saccades of 40 deg and larger. The duration was linearly related to amplitude for saccades up to 50 deg; for saccades of larger sizes the duration increased progressively more steeply. Skewness values (acceleration time as a fraction of total saccadic duration) decreased from about 0.45 for saccades up to 10 deg to about 0.20 for saccades of 50 deg and larger. 5. Binocular saccades showed an abduction‐adduction asymmetry and were not well yoked dynamically. The saccades of the abducting eye consistently had a larger size, a higher peak velocity, a shorter duration and were more skewed than the concomitant adducting saccades of the fellow eye. As a result, the eyes diverged transiently by as much as 3 deg during horizontal saccades. 6. Saccades also showed a marked centrifugal‐centripetal asymmetry. Peak velocities of saccades towards the primary position were about 10% higher than peak velocities of corresponding centrifugal saccades. 7. These directional asymmetries were the main source of variability in the pool of saccades. In comparison, intra‐ and intersubject variability was minor in our sample. 8. Post‐saccadic drift consisted of a vergence and a version component. The vergence component of this drift was a continuation of the vergence movement occurring during saccades. The version component, generally smaller than the vergence component, was directed towards the target position. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effect of substrate load and nutrients concentration on the polyhydroxyalkanoates ( PHA ) production using mixed consortia through wastewater treatment

Production of biodegradable plastics in the form of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) especially from renewable substrates is gaining interest. The present work mainly aims to investigate the influence of substrate load and nutrient concentration (nitrogen and phosphorous) on PHA production using wastewater as substrate and mixed culture as biocatalyst. PHA accumulation was high at higher substrate load [OLR3, 40.3% of dry cell weight (DCW)], low nitrogen (N1, 45.1% DCW) and low phosphorous (P1, 54.2% DCW) conditions. With optimized nutrient conditions production efficiency increased by 14%. Fractional composition of PHA showed co-polymer [poly(b-OH) butyrate-co-poly(b-OH) valerate, P3(HB-co-HV)] contains PHB (88%) in more concentration compared to PHV (8%). Dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzymatic activities were monitored during process operation. Good substrate degradation (as COD) of 75% was registered during PHA production. The phylogenetic profile of 16S rRNA sequencing showed the dominance of Firmicutes (71.4%) and Proteobacteria (28.6%), which are known to involve in PHA accumulation and waste treatment. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Further Studies on Control Synthesis of Discrete-Time T-S Fuzzy Systems via Augmented Multi-Indexed Matrix Approach

This paper is concerned with further studies on control synthesis of discrete-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems. To do this, a novel slack variable technique, which is homogenous polynomially parameter-dependent on both the current-time normalized fuzzy weighting functions and the past-time normalized fuzzy weighting functions with arbitrary degrees, is presented by developing an efficient augmented multi-indexed matrix approach. Under the framework of homogenous matrix polynomials, the algebraic properties of both the current-time normalized fuzzy weighting functions and the past-time normalized fuzzy weighting functions are collected into sets of augmented multi-indexed matrices. Thus, more information about the underlying normalized fuzzy weighting functions is involved into control synthesis. Consequently, the relaxation quality of control synthesis of discrete-time T-S fuzzy systems is improved significantly. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Heat stress during in vitro fertilization decreases fertilization success by disrupting anti‐polyspermy systems of the oocytes

Low pregnancy rates during the summer are due, in part, to reduced fertilization. Given that elevated temperature is associated with this season, we investigated the effect of heat stress during fertilization using an in vitro model. Three experiments were performed to determine the mechanism by which exposure to elevated temperature disrupts fertilization. Oocytes were fertilized for 6 hr at 38.5°C or 41.0°C or 40.0°C with non‐pre‐incubated sperm, or for 6 hr at 38.5°C with sperm that had been pre‐incubated at 38.5°C or 41.0°C for 4 hr. In each experiment, zygotes were cultured at 38.5°C in 5% CO2 and 5% O2. Rates of cleavage and blasocyst formation were reduced when fertilization occurs at elevated temperatures. The percent of sperm classified as alive, using fluorescein diacetate labeling, was decreased by pre‐incubation and fertilization at 40.0°C. Although no difference was observed in sperm penetration rate, polyspermy tended to be increased by heat stress during fertilization. The zona pellucidae of zygotes formed following fertilization at 40.0°C for 6 hr were more sensitive to digestion with pronase. Furthermore, these zygotes exhibited higher hydrogen peroxide levels, measured by 2,7‐dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate staining, and showed increased transcript abundance for HSPA1A, a gene involved in the heat‐shock response, but decreased transcript abundance for UCHL1, a gene involved in preventing polyspermy. Results indicate that heat stress during fertilization is lethal to sperm, and causes oxidative stress, altered transcript abundance, and a defective block to polyspermy in the zygote. Thus, an increase in polyspermy is likely one cause of the reduced competency of zygotes fertilized under elevated temperatures to develop to the blastocyst stage. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 36–47, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Primary plasma cell leukemia: Report of 17 new cases treated with autologous or allogeneic stem‐cell transplantation and review of the literature

Primary plasma cell leukemia (PPCL) is a rare hematologic malignancy characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells in blood, bone marrow, and other organs in the absence of established multiple myeloma. PPCL has a poor prognosis when treated with conventional therapy for multiple myeloma. We describe here 17 new cases of PPCL who underwent stem‐cell transplantation (SCT) (2 cases observed by the authors and 15 cases from the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry [IBMTR]). The first case was diagnosed in a 21‐year‐old male who presented with leukocytosis and acute renal failure. He was treated with hyper‐CVAD, entered complete remission, and then proceeded to high‐dose chemotherapy with peripheral stem‐cell support. He is currently in complete remission 23 months after initial diagnosis and 19 months after autologous SCT. The second case was observed in a 31‐year‐old male who presented with leukocytosis and hepatic infiltration with plasma cells. He was treated with VAD chemotherapy and underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from his HLA‐identical sister. He remained in complete remission for 3 years and then developed progressive refractory disease, dying 7 years after the initial diagnosis. In addition to these 2 cases, 15 further unpublished cases of PPCL from the IBMTR are reported here (treated between 1993 and 2001, 6 by autologous and 9 by allogeneic transplantation). Finally, the features of PPCL, the outcome, published data of SCT for PPCL, and indications for treatment are discussed. Am. J. Hematol. 78:288–294, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental change in expression and subcellular localization of two Shaker‐related potassium channel proteins (Kv1.1 and Kv1.2) in the chick tangential vestibular nucleus

The chick tangential nucleus is a major avian vestibular nucleus whose principal cells participate in two vestibular reflexes. Intracellular recordings have shown that the principal cells acquire their mature firing pattern gradually during development. At embryonic day 16 (E16), most principal cells fire a single spike, whereas shortly after hatching (H) the vast majority fire repetitively on depolarization. The transition in firing pattern was likely due in part to a downregulation of a low‐threshold, sustained, dendrotoxin‐sensitive (DTX) potassium current, IDS. Since the DTX‐sensitive potassium channel subunits Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 generate sustained currents, in the present study we applied fluorescence immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy to characterize their developmental expression at E16, H1, and H9. At E16, both Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 staining were confined to the principal cell bodies. Immunolabeling decreased significantly for both proteins at H1, and more so by H9. Double‐labeling with a monoclonal antibody against microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) in hatchlings showed that some Kv1.1 remained as clusters within the cell body, at the base of the dendrites, and in the axon initial segment. In hatchlings, Kv1.2 staining decreased in the cell bodies and simultaneously appeared in the neuropil, colocalized with biocytin‐labeled primary vestibular fibers and vestibular “spoon” terminals. Also, double‐labeling with synaptotagmin showed that Kv1.2 colocalized with many nonvestibular terminals surrounding the principal cell bodies. These results identified developmental decreases in the staining of these two potassium channel protein subunits and changes in their subcellular localization corresponding to the downregulation of IDS defined electrophysiologically around hatching. Accordingly, both of these protein subunits could be involved in regulating excitability of the principal cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 461:466–482, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.