Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geographic variations of multiple sclerosis prevalence in France: The latitude gradient is not uniform depending on the socioeconomic status of the studied population

Background In France, two studies analysed multiple sclerosis prevalence nationwide: one was carried out in farmers, and the other one in employees. A south-north gradient of prevalence was found solely in farmers. Objective In order to better describe the latitude gradient in France, which is not uniform depending on the studied population, we assessed whether a gradient exists in another population than farmers and employees: independent workers. The same methods of case ascertainment have been used. Methods Altogether 4,165,903 persons insured by the French health insurance scheme for independent workers were included. We searched the database for (a) long term disease status ‘multiple sclerosis’, (b) domicile, (c) gender and (d) age. Results A total of 4182 cases of multiple sclerosis were registered giving a prevalence of 100.39/100,000. Adjustment by age and sex and spatial smoothing with a Bayesian analysis showed a gradual increase of prevalence from the southwest to the northeast of France. Standardised morbidity ratio was correlated with latitude and longitude (p<0.0001; p = 0.0031; adjusted R2 = 0.3038). Conclusion A discrepancy of geographic distribution between farmers and independent workers on the one hand and employees on the other cannot be attributable to environment. Assuming that socioeconomic status by itself is not associated with multiple sclerosis risk, employees’ geographic mobility at adulthood for professional reasons could have interfered with the gradient effect.
Meeting review: American Genetics Association Symposium on the genetics of speciation

Yeast can be engineered to carry human chromosomes; highly diverged ducks can produce viable, fertile offspring; and mitochondrial genes can move between widely divergent groups of plants. Some sunflower or oak species have porous genomes; mice, crickets, birds, and butterflies form hybrid zones; and bacterial lineages have been exchanging genes for several billion years. Even so, nature is discrete and full of species. Here, we discuss some of the ingredients that make nature discrete and can lead to clustering even in the presence of gene flow. Many of these results have been recently published, in this issue and elsewhere, and were discussed at the Genetics of Speciation Symposium held at the annual meeting of the American Genetics Association, Vancouver, Canada, in 2006.
Medicaid Disproportionate Share and Other Special Financing Programs

Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) and related programs, such as provider-specific taxes or intergovernmental transfers (IGTs), help support uncompensated care and effectively reduce State Medicaid expenditures by increasing Federal matching funds. We analyze the uses of these funds, based on a survey completed by 39 States and case studies of 6 States. We find that only a small share of these funds were available to cover the costs of uncompensated care. One method to ensure that funds are used for health care would be to reprogram funds into health insurance subsidies. An alternative to improve equity of funding across the Nation would be to create a substitute Federal grant program to directly support uncompensated care.
Power Transfer System Combining Wireless Resonators and Wired Three-Coil Repeater

Near-field wireless power transfer (WPT) via magnetic resonant coupling (MRC) has become significant as a means of supplying power to devices using electricity. Because the transfer distance is short, however, wireless MRC-WPT systems require bringing a receiver near the transmitter, such as one connected from a power outlet. We thus propose a novel power transfer system with a wired three-coil repeater combining wireless and wired coils coupled by magnetic resonance. The system consists of a transmitter, one or two receivers, and a repeater connected with three coils. The wired three-coil repeater enables use of the system over a wide area or long distance. We also present an equivalent circuit model for the system and derive equations for calculating the transfer efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system can achieve efficiency of more than 60% for both straight and triangular repeater structures with up to a 10-m distance between the transmitter and receiver.
Transient carrier dynamics and photon-assisted transport in multiple-quantum-well lasers

Time-domain solutions to a detailed carrier injection model for multiple-quantum-well lasers under large signal current step injection is presented. The calculations yield a description of electron and hole carrier density distribution in space, time, and energy and also lead to the identification of a photon-assisted transport mechanism which may have a major impact on the dynamics of lasers with a large number of wells. <<ETX>>
Fractionated Proton Radiation Treatment for Pediatric Craniopharyngioma: Preliminary Report

This retrospective preliminary review evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of fractionated proton radiotherapy in the management of pediatric craniopharyngioma. METHODSSixteen patients, aged 7–34 years, were treated with proton-beam radiation. All had undergone at least one tumor resection. Seven patients underwent repeat resection for recurrence; one had previous x-ray radiotherapy. A daily dose of 1.8 cobalt gray equivalent was used to give a total dose in the range of 50.4–59.4 cobalt gray equivalent. RESULTSLocal control was achieved in 14 of 15 patients. Twelve of 15 patients survived. There were few acute side effects. Long-term complications included newly diagnosed panhypopituitarism, a cerebrovascular accident from which the patient fully recovered, and an out-of-proton-field meningioma in the single patient who received previous radiotherapy. DISCUSSIONFractionated proton radiotherapy is an effective treatment for children with craniopharyngioma. Longer follow-up is needed to evaluate late complications.
In Vivo Visualization of Endolymphatic Hydrops in Guinea Pigs: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation at 4.7 Tesla

In order to find out whether it is possible to visualize experimental endolymphatic hydrops in the cochlea with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 4.7 T, we used 11 guinea pigs. Five normal guinea pigs were used as controls. Early manifestation of endolymphatic hydrops was evaluated in endolymphatic sac (ES)–intact animals (n = 6), and advanced manifestation in ES-damaged animals (n = 5) by means of MRI with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate-bismethylamide (Gd-DTPA-BMA) contrast agent. Hearing was tested with electrocochleography. The surface area of 3 partitions of the cochlea was used to quantify endolymphatic hydrops. The fine structure of the 3 partitions of the cochlea was visualized with MRI in all animals, as Gd-DTPA-BMA appeared mainly in the scala tympani and scala vestibuli. As early as 5 days after endolymphatic sac surgery, endolymphatic hydrops started to appear as visualized by MRI and also verified with histology. Severe damage to the inner ear barrier with Gd-DTPA-BMA leakage into the scala media was detected with MRI in 1 ES-damaged animal that had a 60-dB hearing loss. To conclude, endolymphatic hydrops can be visualized with high-resolution MRI by means of Gd-DTPA-BMA, and it is possible to quantify the extent of endolymphatic hydrops. Damage to the inner ear barrier or possible rupture of membranes can be shown with the assistance of Gd-DTPA-BMA.
Communication failures in surgery in the Asia Pacific region: a systematic review

Introduction Communication failure among healthcare professionals causes preventable surgical morbidity and mortality. Asia- Pacific region has its own cultural norms and customs sometimes causing perplexities and acting as a barrier in communication in a surgical setup. This systematic review summarizes the communication failures in surgery in countries belonging to the Asia-Pacific Region. Methods Data were obtained by a stepwise process using electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar. MeSH subheading 'Surgery' and MeSH terms such as anaesthesia, operating rooms and communication were used. Results The literature search yielded 447 articles. Additional five articles were selected from the references. Twelve eligible articles were selected for the final analysis. The causes of communication failure were identified in four domains. Those were failures in communication in teamwork, individual factors, work environment related factors and technical factors. Conclusions Professional power, hierarchical approach, gender-based discriminations and not being open for constructive criticism leading to communication failures were seen in Asia-Pacific region. Debriefing on areas in communication errors and implementations such as creating awareness through nontechnical skills education, protocols, checklists, and introducing other methods to minimize the failure rates perhaps need to be done in this region.
Dissection after stent dilatation for coartation of aorta

I read with interest the report of fatal aortic dissection after stent implantation in a 65-year-old woman by Varma et al. [1]. This report from a highly experienced team has done well to remind others not to take the aortic stenting for granted. Two issues, however, are worth commenting. One, while degenerative changes in the aorta in such an elderly woman were only expected, the choice of balloon size can be argued, with a hindsight. Simultaneous inflation of 15 and 20 mm balloons (even within the stent) is possibly not safe in an aorta with 21 mm isthmus. Two, although the covered stents may be safer, as suggested by the accompanying editorial comment [2], such stents are very costly, and even these may not prevent aortic rupture resulting from oversizing.
A Regression Model of the Interactions Between Higher Education and High-tech Industries in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

A REGRESSION MODEL OF THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION AND HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES IN EAST TENNESSEE AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA by William Hugh Blanton This study examined the interactions-(l) research grants and contracts, (2) faculty consultation, (3) employee training, (4) student internships and co-ops, (5) universities sharing firm facilities, and (6) firms sharing university facilities-between higher education and hightech industries in E ast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia using multiple regression modeling. The purpose of the study was the development of a vision of what the future could be and the strategies to successfully overcome the threats and enrich the opportunities that exist between higher education and high-tech industries. Data were collected from the engineering and engineering technology faculty a t Tennessee Technological University, East Tennessee State University, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University, the University of Tennessee a t Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and selected high-tech firms in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The analytical process included four phases: (1) data collection and preparation, (2) reduction of independent variables, (3) model refinement, and (4) model validation. The analysis suggested that large universities with well-defined organizational channels seemed to have an advantage in obtaining research grants and contracts from large firms tha t were strongly involved in research and development. Likewise, faculty members seemed to use the facilities of large high-tech firms that were near to the university. More importantly, the study emphasized the mutual benefits that universities and industries could share through university-industry interactions if each could overcome formidable barriers that have been established through tradition, culture, and bureaucratic processes.
Hens, cocks and avian sex determination

The sex of an individual is generally determined genetically by genes on one of the two sex chromosomes. In mammals, for instance, the presence of the male‐specific Y chromosome confers maleness, whereas in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans it is the number of X chromosomes that matters. For birds (males ZZ, females ZW), however, the situation remains unclear. The recent discovery that the Z‐linked DMRT1 gene, which is conserved across phyla as a gene involved in sexual differentiation, is expressed early in male development suggests that it might be the number of Z chromosomes that regulate sex in birds. On the other hand, the recent identification of the first protein unique to female birds, encoded by the W‐linked PKCIW gene, and the observation that it is expressed early in female gonads, suggests that the W chromosome plays a role in avian sexual differentiation. Clearly defining the roles of the DMRT1 and PKC1W genes in gonadal development, and ultimately determining whether avian sex is dependent on Z or W, will require transgenic experiments.
The good, the bad and the ugly: The socio-economic impact of drug cartels and their violence in Mexico

This paper assesses the impact that drug cartels and their associated violence have had on development in Mexico. For this purpose, we monitor official and media reports to identify where cartels have operated with and without drug related homicides. Using the difference-in-difference kernel matching method, we find that on the one hand, inequality declined to a large extent in areas where cartels were active without incidents of drug related homicides. On the other, poverty increased in areas that had both the lowest and the highest rates of drug related homicides. Two reasons could explain this increase in poverty. In the most violent areas the number of employers and remunerations declined in key industries, such as manufacturing. In the least violent areas poverty increased possibly due to people migrating from the more violent places.
Prediction of Spatial Channel Impulse Responses for Time Variant Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks Using a 3D Ray Tracing Model with Radar Cross Sections

With the growing demand for wireless communication systems, wireless concepts for the data exchange in time variant ad-hoc networks become more and more interesting. In order to describe and thus assess the mobile radio channels in such networks, simulations are required. The main aspect is the time-variance of the channel impulse response and the detailed modeling of large scenarios. This paper discusses the demands for a model to describe the radio channel in time variant environments and presents an appropriate Ray Tracing approach. A new concept is introduced to substitute complex polygonal objects by several radar cross sections (RCS). The performance of the Ray Tracing algorithm is confirmed by a comparison from predicted to measured channel characteristics.
Decitabine and its role in the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies

DNA methylation is responsible for abnormal silencing of many genes, including tumor suppressor genes, in cancer. Decitabine, an S-phase specific inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, has been shown to decrease levels of abnormal methylation in neoplasia. Though initially investigated at high doses as a cytotoxic agent, recent studies show that when administered at low doses, the hypomethylating activity of decitabine is increased with a demonstrated increase in activity in hematopoietic malignancies. Multiple clinical trials, both in the United States and in Europe, have demonstrated the efficacy of decitabine in acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of (MDS), decitabine represents an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option in this disease, for which treatment options were previously scarce. While the activity in MDS is promising, primary and secondary resistance remain a problem. Investigations of combinations of decitabine with other agents, including histone deacetylase inhibitors, are currently ongoing in the hope of substantially prolonging survival in patients with hematologic malignancies.
Infection among adult small bowel and multivisceral transplant recipients in the 30‐day postoperative period

Intestinal transplantation is a potential option for patients with short gut syndrome (SGS), and infection is common in the postoperative period. The aim of our study was to identify the incidence and characteristics of bacterial and fungal infections of adult small bowel or multivisceral (SB/MV) transplantation recipients in the 30‐day postoperative period.
Deep convolutional neural networks for SAR patch categorization

The categorization of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) patches consists of feature extraction and classification. Recently, very good results were obtained using a convolutional neural networks for categorization of image patches. This paper presents deep convolutional networks for Synthetic Aperture Radar patch categorization. Several structures of deep convolutional networks are introduced. We have tested convolutional networks with 10 and 20 layers and analyzed recognition rate by changing SAR patch size. We have designed a custom database of SAR patches, which were cut from several spotlight TerraSAR-X products. Database consisted of 6 categories with approximately 1000 samples per each category. Experimental results showed that the Convolutional neural networks can achieve 84 % accuracy using patches with a size of 200 × 200 pixels and it performs slightly better than algorithm for categorization, which use dual tree oriented wavelet transformation, spectral features and Support vector machine, which achieved accuracy of 80 % using the same training and testing sets.
Why are Irish house prices still falling

In this note, the continued fall in Irish house prices is examined. The increased rate of decline in 2011 resulted in Irish prices being almost 50 per cent down from peak levels of mid 2007. Accordingly, in over forty years of house price data, the fall is now one of the most significant across the OECD. We outline the current state of activity in the housing market and, using a suite of models, assess whether the fall in house prices is in line with that suggested by current fundamental factors within the Irish economy. Given that the analysis suggests prices may have overcorrected since 2010 we discuss possible reasons for this continued decline.
Bilateral prefrontal rTMS and theta burst TMS as an add-on treatment for depression: A randomized placebo controlled trial

Abstract Objectives. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the left dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) exerts antidepressant effects. In this randomised controlled clinical trial we aimed to test the safety and therapeutic efficacy of bilateral theta-burst stimulation (TBS) as an add-on therapy to standard treatment of major depression. Methods. Fifty-six patients diagnosed with a moderate to severe depressive episode received 15 daily treatments of either rTMS (110% motor-threshold; rightDLPFC, 1000 stimuli at 1 Hz + leftDLPFC, 1000 stimuli at 10 Hz), theta-burst stimulation (80% motor-threshold; rightDLPFC, continuous TBS, 1200 stimuli + leftDLPFC, intermittent TBS, 1200 stimuli), or sham TMS (N = 17, sham coil with the TBS protocol). Results. There was no significant effect in the primary outcome measures (change of the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression). However, there was a tendency towards an increased responder rate at the end of the follow-up period for both active treatments as compared to sham, and this tendency was most pronounced for the TBS group. Conclusions. This pilot study did not reveal significant advantages of bilateral TBS or rTMS over sham treatment as an add-on treatment for major depression. A tendency towards a superior effect of bilateral TBS at the end of the follow-up period may warrant further studies.
Anterior shoulder laxity is not correlated with medial elbow laxity in high school baseball players.

CONTEXT Uninjured baseball players have been shown to have increased anterior glenohumeral joint laxity, which may result in adaptive changes at the medial elbow. OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between anterior shoulder laxity and medial elbow laxity in both arms of baseball and nonbaseball high school athletes and compare the laxity of dominant and nondominant shoulders and elbows of high school baseball and nonbaseball players. DESIGN Cohort design. SETTING Local high schools. PARTICIPANTS Thirty healthy high school male athletes. OUTCOME MEASURES Anterior shoulder and medial elbow laxity measurements were taken bilaterally with the Ligmaster. RESULTS Dominant and nondominant shoulder laxity was significantly greater in the nonbaseball players than the baseball players. No other significant relationships existed. CONCLUSIONS High school baseball players exhibit less anterior shoulder laxity than do nonbaseball players. No relationship exists between anterior shoulder and medial elbow laxity in high school baseball players.
Selective Head Cooling in Newborn Infants After Perinatal Asphyxia: A Safety Study

Aims. To determine the practicality and safety of head cooling with mild or minimal systemic hypothermia in term neonates with moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Methods. Study group infants ≥37 weeks' gestation, who had an umbilical artery pH ≤7.09 or Apgars ≤6 at 5 minutes, plus evidence of encephalopathy. Infants with major congenital abnormalities were excluded. Trial Design. Infants were randomized to either no cooling (controls; rectal temperature = 37.0 ± 0.2°C,n = 10) or sequentially, either minimal systemic cooling (rectal temperature = 36.3 ± 0.2°C,n = 6) or mild systemic cooling (rectal temperature = 35.7 ± 0.2°C, n = 6). Head cooling was accomplished by circulating water at 10°C through a coil of tubing wrapped around the head for up to 72 hours. All infants were warmed by servo-controlled overhead heaters to maintain the allocated rectal temperature. The rectal, fontanelle, and nasopharyngeal temperatures were continuously monitored. Results. From January 1996 to October 1997, 22 term infants were randomized from 2 to 5 hours after birth. All infants showed a metabolic acidosis at delivery, with similar umbilical artery pH in the control group (mean ± standard deviation, 6.79 ± 0.25), minimal cooling group (6.98 ± 0.21), and mild cooling group (6.93 ± 0.11), and depressed Apgar scores at 5 minutes in the control group (4.5 ± 2), minimal cooling group, (4.7 ± 2) and mild cooling group (6.0 ± 1). In the mild-cooled infants, the nasopharyngeal temperature was 34.5°C during cooling, 1.2°C lower than the rectal temperature. This gradient narrowed to 0.5°C after cooling was stopped. No adverse effects because of cooling were observed. No infants developed cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, or bradycardia during cooling. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 2 out of 10 controls, 2 out of 6 minimal cooling infants, and 1 out of 6 mild cooling infants. Hypoglycemia (glucose <2.6 mM) was seen on at least one occasion in 2 out of 10 controls, 4 out of 6 minimal cooling infants, and 1 out of 6 mild cooling infants. Acute renal failure occurred in all infants. The metabolic acidosis present in all infants at the time of enrollment into the study progressively resolved despite cooling, even in the mild hypothermia group. Conclusions. Mild selective head cooling combined with mild systemic hypothermia in term newborn infants after perinatal asphyxia is a safe and convenient method of quickly reducing cerebral temperature with an increased gradient between the surface of the scalp and core temperature. The safety of mild hypothermia with selective head cooling is in contrast with the historical evidence of adverse effects with greater depths of whole-body hypothermia. This safety study and the strong experimental evidence for improved cerebral outcome justify a multicenter trial of selective head cooling for neonatal encephalopathy in term infants.