Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of hydroxyurea on mortality and morbidity in adult sickle cell anemia: risks and benefits up to 9 years of treatment.

CONTEXT Hydroxyurea increases levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and decreases morbidity from vaso-occlusive complications in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). High HbF levels reduce morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE To determine whether hydroxyurea attenuates mortality in patients with SCA. DESIGN Long-term observational follow-up study of mortality in patients with SCA who originally participated in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Multicenter Study of Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Anemia (MSH), conducted in 1992-1995, to determine if hydroxyurea reduces vaso-occlusive events. In the MSH Patients' Follow-up, conducted in 1996-2001, patients could continue, stop, or start hydroxyurea. Data were collected during the trial and in the follow-up period. SETTING Inpatients and outpatients in 21 sickle cell referral centers in the United States and Canada. PATIENTS Two-hundred ninety-nine adult patients with frequent painful episodes enrolled in the follow-up. Follow-up data through May 2001 were complete for 233 patients. INTERVENTION In the MSH, patients were randomly assigned to receive hydroxyurea (n = 152) or placebo (n = 147). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Mortality, HbF levels, painful episodes, acute chest syndrome, and blood cell counts. The randomized trial was not designed to detect specified differences in mortality. RESULTS Seventy-five of the original 299 patients died, 28% from pulmonary disease. Patients with reticulocyte counts less than 250 000/mm3 and hemoglobin levels lower than 9 g/dL had increased mortality (P =.002). Cumulative mortality at 9 years was 28% when HbF levels were lower than 0.5 g/dL after the trial was completed compared with 15% when HbF levels were 0.5 g/dL or higher (P =.03 ). Individuals who had acute chest syndrome during the trial had 32% mortality compared with 18% of individuals without acute chest syndrome (P =.02). Patients with 3 or more painful episodes per year during the trial had 27% mortality compared with 17% of patients with less frequent episodes (P =.06). Taking hydroxyurea was associated with a 40% reduction in mortality (P =.04) in this observational follow-up with self-selected treatment. There were 3 cases of cancer, 1 fatal. CONCLUSIONS Adult patients taking hydroxyurea for frequent painful sickle cell episodes appear to have reduced mortality after 9 of years follow-up. Survival was related to HbF levels and frequency of vaso-occlusive events. Whether indications for hydroxyurea treatment should be expanded is unknown.
Antigen Receptor Editing in Anti-DNA Transitional B Cells Deficient for Surface IgM1

In response to encounter with self-Ag, autoreactive B cells may undergo secondary L chain gene rearrangement (receptor editing) and change the specificity of their Ag receptor. Knowing at what differentiative stage(s) developing B cells undergo receptor editing is important for understanding how self-reactive B cells are regulated. In this study, in mice with Ig transgenes coding for anti-self (DNA) Ab, we report dsDNA breaks indicative of ongoing secondary L chain rearrangement not only in bone marrow cells with a pre-B/B cell phenotype but also in immature/transitional splenic B cells with little or no surface IgM (sIgM−/low). L chain-edited transgenic B cells were detectable in spleen but not bone marrow and were still found to produce Ab specific for DNA (and apoptotic cells), albeit with lower affinity for DNA than the unedited transgenic Ab. We conclude that L chain editing in anti-DNA-transgenic B cells is not only ongoing in bone marrow but also in spleen. Indeed, transfer of sIgM−/low anti-DNA splenic B cells into SCID mice resulted in the appearance of a L chain editor (Vλx) in the serum of engrafted recipients. Finally, we also report evidence for ongoing L chain editing in sIgMlow transitional splenic B cells of wild-type mice.
The social capital of European welfare states: the crowding out hypothesis revisited

A recurrent critique on the welfare state is that it crowds out social capital (networks, trust and norms). However, the empirical evidence on the crowding out hypothesis is still scarce, findings are sometimes contradictory, and there is variation in the measurement of social capital. In this article we explore the crowding out hypothesis on the basis of data from the European Values Survey wave 1999/2000 for 23 European countries. Compared to (the few) other comparative studies on the hypothesis, our study contains more recent data and for a larger number of countries. Instead of focusing on a single dimension of social capital, we use an eight-scale measurement model of social capital; we explore the relationship between welfare (regime type, social spending) and social capital at both country and individual level, and we control for confounding factors. At the aggregate country level we found no evidence at all in favour of the hypothesis. At the individual level we found that it does matter for people’s social capital in which type and size of welfare state they live. However, there is only evidence for a crowding out effect in case of people’s trustworthiness. With regard to other forms of social capital, there is at best mixed evidence, but mostly our findings contradict the crowding out hypothesis altogether.
Molecular mechanisms of HIV integration and therapeutic intervention

Retroviruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), are plus-sense RNA viruses that require reverse transcription and then DNA integration to establish a chromosomal provirus as an obligate replication intermediate. The viral enzyme reverse transcriptase synthesises linear double-stranded cDNA, which is the template for the viral enzyme integrase. Integrase catalyses two separate chemical reactions: an initial 3′ processing of the nascent cDNA ends, which is followed in the cell nucleus by their covalent attachment to the 5′ phosphates of a double-stranded staggered cut in chromosomal DNA. As integrase activity is essential for productive retroviral infection, there is intense interest in developing small-molecule inhibitors of the HIV-1 enzyme to increase the breadth of the antiviral arsenal used to fight HIV/AIDS. Purified integrase protein displays the 3′ processing and DNA-strand-transfer activities essential for cDNA integration in integration assays in vitro, but numerous studies indicate that cellular proteins play important roles during integration in infected cells. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms behind HIV-1 integration, focusing on recent insights into functions of human cellular cofactors. The progress towards developing integrase inhibitors for their use in the clinic is also reviewed.
Linkages between direct and indirect property performance in Hong Kong

Assesses the relationship between Hong Kong property company and commercial property market performance over 1984‐94. Finds that property companies provide a useful source of transaction‐based information about changing property market fundamentals. The unique property market characteristics in Hong Kong mean that information is impounded into direct property series quickly, within one quarter of being impounded into indirect property company stock prices. Finds a common “pure” property element that influences both property company and property market returns. This results in investors capturing some portion of Hong Kong property market returns by investing in property companies, as well as achieving liquidity and portfolio diversification.
An active RFID indoor positioning system using analog phased array antennas

A complete active RFID indoor positioning system based on analog phased array antenna is presented. By steering the main beam of each reader's phased array of 8 monopole elements, the angle of arrival of an active RFID tag can be obtained, from which an accurate position will be calculated by simple triangulation. To deal with multiple tag applications, CSMA-CD access mechanism is adopted to avoid collision between tags. Multipath effect has been accommodated using effective data filtering techniques. The position accuracy has been demonstrated as high as +/−1m in an indoor environment even when incoming signal is blocked by nearby obstacles.
The spectrum of neurologic disorder from vitamin E deficiency

We describe nine patients with fat malabsorption in whom a spectrum of vitamin E deficiency was present. Early deficiency was generally asymptomatic, and intermediate deficiency produced some impairment. Ataxia, weakness, reflex changes, impaired vision, and pigment retinopathy were associated with chronic, advanced deficiency. In the last group, delayed central somatosensory conduction and amplitude reduction of the electroretinogram were present. In adults, a severe vitamin E deficiency state existed for more than 5 years before producing measurable neurologic damage. The clinical picture is less homogeneous than previously suggested, and electrophysiologic abnormalities need not predate clinical dysfunction.
The influence of innovation orientation on the internationalisation of SMEs in the service sector

This article examines the internationalisation of small- and medium-sized service firms from an international entrepreneurship perspective. The results of the empirical research developed in Spain have shown that innovation orientation accelerates the time these companies take to internationalise and allows them to implement more activities and opt for high-control entry modes in foreign markets. The results suggest that two different models of internationalisation can be found within the services sector: firms either adopt a gradual process or attempt to benefit from a rapid transition period of internationalisation.
ExciTube - Video Player for Sharing Viewer's Excitement

We can share non-verbal emotional experiences, such as excitement and pleasure, by watching movies and sports events with others, like our friends and family. These shared experiences are thought to enhance excitement and pleasure compared to when watching videos alone. Our research provides this shared experience on the internet by sharing the viewer's excitement with others while watching videos that are on the web. We studied the relationship between users’ excitement while watching videos on the web and their impressions of those videos. Here, we introduce a video player called ExciTube that allows users to share their excitement and view other users’ excitement as visual information alongside the video they are watching. The user’s excitement is expressed and shared by using avatars. We carried out user-involved demonstrations of ExciTube at our laboratory and at a Japanese domestic Computer Entertainment Developers Conference, and confirmed that people did enjoy using the system and felt other people’s sense
The evaluation of Russian cancer research

This article asks two questions: first, is there enough cancer research in Russia and does it reflect the health needs of the country? and second, how does its quality or impact compare with world standards? Cancer is a serious and growing problem in Russia, but the amount of cancer research, based on papers in journals covered by the Web of Science from 1997 to the present, appears to be inadequate, nor is it well distributed by disease site. However it is quite clinical in character and appears to be well regarded on a number of indicators, although insufficiently publicised. A study of the funding acknowledgements on 2009 papers revealed that cancer research in Russia is almost totally dependent on the state, although there is now foreign support through international co-authorship, including some from private-non-profit and commercial sources. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
How Well Can We Measure Graduate Over- Education and Its Effects?

Using data from two cohorts of graduates, this article examines three aspects of over-education. First, using three new measures, we present an estimate of graduate over-education in the UK. We find that the scale of over-education varies with measurement techniques, with weak correlations between the three measures. Second, across the three measures we estimate the effects of over-education on earnings and job satisfaction. The effects of over-education on earnings and job satisfaction are similar, not withstanding the measures identifying different individuals as being over-educated. One finding is that the effects of being over-educated are more significant for female graduates than male, although it is ambiguous which gender is more prone to over-education. Third, we examine another source of ambiguity regarding over-education, namely that firms upgrade the tasks they allocate to their employees who appear to be over-educated. We find that, for graduates, job quality for the over-educated is not converging to that of the appropriately educated.
The impact of environmental policy on international competitiveness in manufacturing

The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that environmental stringency adversely affects the international competitiveness (net exports) in manufacturing sectors. The model follows the standard factor endowment approach to explain the effects of environmental regulatory policy on net exports in different product-based industries. An econometric model is constructed, which includes factor endowments and environmental regulations to examine how strict environmental policies impact export competitiveness. A panel dataset of 10 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, over 17 years, 1987–2003, was constructed for the modelling effort. The study finds that environmental regulations can be a way to combat the flight of manufacturing out of developed countries if the output from these industries can be identified as environmentally friendly. A positive relationship between net exports and environmental regulations was found for paper products, wood products and textile products. However, most manufacturing industries are harmed by increased environmental regulations.
Social Investment and Poverty Reduction: A Comparative Analysis across Fifteen European Countries

Abstract Despite the fact that employment rates have increased in many European countries since the beginning of the 2000s, poverty rates have stagnated and in some countries even increased. In the welfare state literature, it has been argued that these disappointing poverty trends may be partly attributable to the reforming of traditional welfare state programmes into social investment policies, because the latter are less redistributive. To date, there are only a few systematic comparative empirical analyses which focus on the outcomes of social investment policies. This paper contributes to the social investment literature by empirically analysing the distributional effects of shifts from traditional welfare state arrangements to social investment policies in fifteen European countries for the period 1997–2007. Our results suggest that the detrimental effect of social investment policies, described in some specific cases in the literature, cannot be generalised across a larger group of European countries. However, for European countries other than the Nordic countries, the results provide some evidence for a linkage between stagnating or increasing poverty trends and shifts in expenditures to new welfare state programmes.
A qualitative study investigating patients' beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation

Background: The opportunity to attend a cardiac rehabilitation course is usually offered to patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. However, despite referral, many patients fail to attend. Objective: To elicit patients' beliefs about the role of the cardiac rehabilitation course following myocardial infarction. Design: Qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Setting: London Teaching Hospital. Subjects: Thirteen patients were interviewed after discharge from hospital following myocardial infarction, but prior to attendance at cardiac rehabilitation. Main outcome measures: Patients' beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation that may act as barriers to attendance. Results: Themes identified included: the content of cardiac rehabilitation, perceptions of exercise, benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, explicit barriers to attendance and cardiac knowledge. Whilst some patients viewed cardiac rehabilitation as an important and necessary part of recovery others expressed doubt that it was appropriate for them. Some patients were uncertain of the course content and misunderstood the role of exercise and its perceived effects. Misconceptions with regard to cardiac knowledge were also apparent. The combination of erroneous beliefs about cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac misconceptions seemed to result in doubts regarding attendance. Conclusions: Prior to course attendance some patients hold erroneous beliefs about the course content, especially the exercise component. Co-existent cardiac misconceptions are also apparent. Further research is needed to clarify the extent to which these beliefs may contribute to the decision not to attend cardiac rehabilitation.
The management of the open abdomen in trauma and emergency general surgery: part 1-damage control.

BACKGROUND The open abdomen technique, after both military and civilian trauma, emergency general or vascular surgery, has been used in some form for the past 30 years. There have been several hundred citations on the indications and the management of the open abdomen. Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management committee convened a study group to organize the world's literature for the management of the open abdomen. This effort was divided into two parts: damage control and the management of the open abdomen. Only damage control is presented in this study. Part 1 is divided into indications for the open abdomen, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal repair, and nutrition support of the open abdomen. METHODS A literature review was performed for more than 30 years. Prospective and retrospective studies were included. The reviews and case reports were excluded. Of 1,200 articles, 95 were selected. Seventeen surgeons reviewed the articles with four defined criteria. The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma primer was used to grade the evidence. RESULTS There was only one level I recommendation. A patient with documented abdominal compartment syndrome should undergo decompressive laparotomy. CONCLUSION The open abdomen technique remains a heroic maneuver in the care of the critically ill trauma or surgical patient. For the best outcomes, a protocol for the indications, temporary abdominal closure, staged abdominal reconstruction, and nutrition support should be in place.
From speckle tracking echocardiography to torsion: research tool today, clinical practice tomorrow

Purpose of reviewSpeckle tracking is the latest available technology in echocardiography. However, the technology is still mainly used as a research tool. The potential applications of speckle tracking are many, including cardiac synchronization, regional wall motion analysis, and in the areas of cardiac mechanic studies. This review presents the background theory of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and how this technology can be extended to velocity vector analysis, strain, and torsion measurements. The interpretations of these measurements are covered. We also present some potential applications in the critical care setting. Recent findingsSpeckle tracking is almost always available in high-end ultrasound machines. The technology has been applied to velocity vector analysis, strain and strain rate measurements, and twist and torsion analysis. Torsion analysis and velocity vector analyses are impossible without using speckle tracking. Speckle tracking-derived strain is superior to tissue Doppler strain because it is angle-independent. A number of studies demonstrated that STE is useful in left and right heart assessments and can be used in assessing preload and afterload. SummarySpeckle tracking can be used to measure instantaneous myocardial contractility, strain, and left ventricular torsion. It is still a research tool at present, but shows the promise of being a clinical tool in the future.
Robust and Proper Learning for Mixtures of Gaussians via Systems of Polynomial Inequalities

Learning a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is a fundamental statistical problem. One common notion of learning a GMM is proper learning: here, the goal is to find a mixture of k GaussiansM that is close to the unknown density f from which we draw samples. The distance betweenM and f is often measured in the total variation / L1-distance. Our main result is an algorithm for learning a mixture of k univariate Gaussians that is nearlyoptimal for any fixed k. It is well known that the sample complexity of properly learning a univariate k-GMM is O(k/ ). However, the best prior running time for this problem is Õ(1/ 3k−1); in particular, the dependence between 1/ and k is exponential. In this paper, we significantly improve this dependence by replacing the 1/ term with log 1/ , while only increasing the exponent moderately. Specifically, the running time of our algorithm is (k · log 1/ )O(k4) +Õ(k/ ). For any fixed k, the Õ(k/ ) term dominates our running time, and thus our algorithm runs in time which is nearly-linear in the number of samples drawn. Achieving a running time of poly(k, 1/ ) for proper learning of k-GMMs has recently been stated as an open problem by multiple researchers, and we make progress on this question. Our main algorithmic ingredient is a new connection between proper learning of parametric distributions and systems of polynomial inequalities. We leverage results for piecewise polynomial approximation of GMMs and reduce the learning problem to a much smaller sub-problem. While tihs sub-problem is still non-convex, its size depends only logarithmically on the final accuracy . Hence we can invoke computationally expensive methods for solving the sub-problem. We show that our connection is also useful in the multivariate setting, where we get new results for learning a mixture of two spherical Gaussians. A variant of our approach is also within reach of modern computer algebra systems. Experiments for learning a 2-GMM show promising results: our algorithm improves over the popular Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm in the noisy setting.
Multivariate Image Analysis

only multiple-comparisons method shown. The issue of the experimentwise error rate (as opposed to the individual one) is mentioned in half a sentence, and no reference is given to further study the topic. The author suggests that the F test protects against the occurrence of false positive differences in means. That is correct under the null hypothesis of equality of all means but not for equality of means within subgroups of treatments. My concern is that this book may potentially promote use of advanced statistical techniques without understanding of their pitfalls. On the other hand, that may be unavoidable if so wide a range of topics is covered in one book. I recommend this book as reference material for a critical reader who is willing to supplement it with other books more thoroughly discussing a specific topic of interest.