Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term persistency and costs associated with the use of iron chelation therapies in the treatment of Sickle cell disease within Medicaid programs

Abstract Objective: This retrospective study evaluated iron chelating therapy (ICT) discontinuation and costs in Sickle cell disease (SCD) Medicaid recipients using healthcare claims from 2006–2010. Methods: Patients with ≥1 SCD diagnosis claim, ≥2 claims for deferoxamine (DFO) or deferosirox (DFX), and continuous enrollment ≥6 months prior to and 18 months following ICT initiation were included. Outcomes included treatment discontinuation, persistence (i.e., refill gaps ≥6 weeks), and total healthcare costs. Results: The average age among 404 SCD patients meeting study inclusion criteria was 18.7 (±11.0) years, with 45.8% being males and 66.7% being Blacks. Switches or combinations from DFO at index occurred in 124 (74.7%) patients compared to 10 (4.2%) with DFX at index. The Cox regression model that assessed long-term medication persistence indicated a 1.30-times higher likelihood of treatment discontinuation with DFO compared to DFX (95% CI: 1.06–1.61). Some 19.7% of patient remained on DFX relative to 4.8% on DFO. Both inpatient and total costs were similar in DFX and DFO treatment groups. Following 1 year of treatment, 37.4% remained on DFX compared to 15.7% on DFO. Meaningful differences in treatment discontinuation between the two treatment groups did not occur until 220+ days during the study period. At 18-months, treatment discontinuation rates were high in both groups; 95% for DFO and 80% for DFX. Conclusion: This study of SCD Medicaid patients found more therapeutic switches from DFO to DFX and a higher medication persistency rate with DFX than DFO. The conclusions are limited by the study’s retrospective nature, which depends on multivariate statistics to account for patient heterogeneity and risk factors.
Sliding-Block Line Codes to Increase Dispersion-Limited Distance of Optical Fiber Channels

We investigate the use of a run-length-limited (RLL) sliding-block line code to reduce the effects of intersymbol interference in high-speed (multi-Gb/s) data transmission over the direct-detection single-mode optical fiber channel. In addition to their well-known use for synchronization purposes, line codes can be designed to eliminate certain worst-case patterns that would otherwise preclude reliable data transmission at high rates and very long fiber lengths. The code considered here prohibits isolated "one's" (the 010 pattern) from appearing in the transmitted sequence. Simulation results indicate that this code, coupled with a simple compensation scheme at the receiver, can significantly increase dispersion-limited data rates and/or fiber lengths for both externally modulated and directly modulated systems. While our emphasis is on one particular line code, we discuss sliding block coding for the optical fiber channel in a general context. >
Long-term air pollution exposure and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among the elderly in Taiwan

Objectives To investigate changes in blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar and haematological markers of inflammation associated with changes in long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants. Methods We conducted secondary analyses of data on blood pressure and blood biochemistry markers from the Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study in Taiwan and air pollution data from the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration in 2000. Associations of 1-year averaged criteria air pollutants (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters <10 μm (PM10) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide) with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and neutrophils were explored by applying generalised additive models. Results After controlling for potential confounders, we observed that increased 1-year averaged particulate air pollutants (PM10 and PM2.5) and NO2 were associated with elevated blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, HbA1c, IL-6 and neutrophils. Associations of increased 1-year averaged O3 with elevated blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, HbA1c and neutrophils were also observed. In particular, our two-pollutant models showed that PM2.5 was more significantly associated with end-point variables than two gaseous pollutants, O3 and NO2. Conclusions Changes in blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar and haematological markers of inflammation are associated with long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants. This might provide a link between air pollution and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.
Using Altmetrics for Contextualised Mapping of Societal Impact: From Hits to Networks

In this article, we develop a method that uses altmetric data to analyse researchers’ interactions, as a way of mapping the contexts of potential societal impact. In the face of an increasing policy demand for quantitative methodologies to assess societal impact, social media data (altmetrics) has been presented as a potential method to capture broader forms of impact. However, current altmetric indicators were extrapolated from traditional citation approaches and are seen as problematic for assessing societal impact. In contrast, established qualitative methodologies for societal impact assessment are based on interaction approaches. These argue that assessment should focus on mapping the contexts in which engagement among researchers and stakeholders takes place, as a means to understand the pathways to societal impact. Following these interaction approaches, we propose to shift the use of altmetric data towards network analysis of researchers and stakeholders. We carry out two case studies, analysing researchers’ networks with Twitter data. The comparison illustrates the potential of Twitter networks to capture disparate degrees of policy engagement. We propose that this mapping method can be used as an input within broader methodologies in case studies of societal impact assessment.
Correlation between objective and subjective methods used for video quality evaluation

The article deals with the correlation between the objective and the subjective methods. In the first part the short characteristic of the MPEG compression standards is written. The second part focuses on the objective metrics and the third part on the subjective methods, which were used for testing. In the fourth part the measurements and the experimental results using the objective metrics and in the fifth part the measurements and the experimental results using the subjective methods are described. The last part deals with the correlation between the objective and the subjective methods.
Elastic Wave Scattering by Periodic Structures of Spherical Objects: Theory and Experiment

We extend the multiple-scattering theory for elastic waves by taking into account the full vector character. The formalism for both the band structure calculation and the reflection and transmission calculations for finite slabs is presented. The latter is based on a double-layer scheme which obtains the reflection and transmission matrix elements for the multilayer slab from those of a single layer. As a demonstration of applications of the formalism, we calculate the band structures of elastic waves propagating in a three-dimensional periodic arrangement of spherical particles and voids, as well as the transmission coefficients through finite slabs. In contrast with the plane-wave method, the multiple-scattering approach exhibits advantages in handling specialized geometries ~spherical geometry in the present case ! We also present a comparison between theory and ultrasound experiment for a hexagonal-close-packed array of steel balls immersed in water. Excellent agreement is obtained.
Control of widely tunable SSG-DBR lasers for dense wavelength division multiplexing

This paper presents a general discussion on the control of widely tunable super structure grating distributed Bragg reflector (SSG-DBR) lasers. A feedback control scheme is presented that ensures frequency stability and accuracy (better than /spl plusmn/0.5 GHz), as well as high side mode suppression ratio (>35 dB). The active section voltage is monitored to maintain mode stability and a highly stable Fabry-Perot etalon is used as a reference to lock the laser frequency to a specific ITU channel. It is shown that stability can even be maintained when directly modulating the laser at 1.244 Gb/s. Furthermore, a characterization scheme is demonstrated that uses the voltage monitoring to generate a look-up table of operation points very efficiently and accurately. For all operation points, the frequency accuracy is better than /spl plusmn/0.5 GHz and the side mode suppression ratio is above 35 dB.
Decadal‐scale rates of reef erosion following El Niño‐related mass coral mortality

As the frequency and intensity of coral mortality events increase under climate change, understanding how declines in coral cover may affect the bioerosion of reef frameworks is of increasing importance. Here, we explore decadal‐scale rates of bioerosion of the framework building coral Orbicella annularis by grazing parrotfish following the 1997/1998 El Niño‐related mass mortality event at Long Cay, Belize. Using high‐precision U‐Th dating and CT scan analysis, we quantified in situ rates of external bioerosion over a 13‐year period (1998–2011). Based upon the error‐weighted average U‐Th age of dead O. annularis skeletons, we estimate the average external bioerosion between 1998 and 2011 as 0.92 ± 0.55 cm depth. Empirical observations of herbivore foraging, and a nonlinear numerical response of parrotfish to an increase in food availability, were used to create a model of external bioerosion at Long Cay. Model estimates of external bioerosion were in close agreement with U‐Th estimates (0.85 ± 0.09 cm). The model was then used to quantify how rates of external bioerosion changed across a gradient of coral mortality (i.e., from few corals experiencing mortality following coral bleaching to complete mortality). Our results indicate that external bioerosion is remarkably robust to declines in coral cover, with no significant relationship predicted between the rate of external bioerosion and the proportion of O. annularis that died in the 1998 bleaching event. The outcome was robust because the reduction in grazing intensity that follows coral mortality was compensated for by a positive numerical response of parrotfish to an increase in food availability. Our model estimates further indicate that for an O. annularis‐dominated reef to maintain a positive state of reef accretion, a necessity for sustained ecosystem function, live cover of O. annularis must not drop below a ~5–10% threshold of cover.
The Individual in Relation to the Sangha in American Buddhism: An Examination of ''Privatized Religion''

In his celebrated book Bowling Alone (2000), Robert Putnam noted the increased level in the phenomenon of ‘‘privatized religion’’ within the previous thirty-five years. Many of the Baby Boomer generation left churches in the late 1960s and the 1970s. Some sought out new religious movements and religious therapies, but most simply ‘‘dropped out’’ of organized religion altogether. He cites Wade Clark Roof and William McKinney, specialists in American religion, who describe the outcome of this trend in American religious behavior: ‘‘[The consequence was a] tendency toward highly individualized religious psychology without the benefits of strong supportive attachments to believing communities. A major impetus in this direction in the post-1960s was the thrust toward greater personal fulfillment and quest for the ideal self. In this climate of expressive individualism, religion tends to become ‘‘privatized,’’ or anchored in the personal realms. ’’1 Putnam observes that although privatized religion may be ‘‘morally compelling and psychologically fulfilling,’’ it involves less social capital than environments in which individuals are connected to other individuals in shared faith commitment. Interestingly, American Buddhism may be one of the beneficiaries of this trend, for the recent growth of Buddhism in the United States is partly attributable to the climate of ‘‘privatized’’ religion. Nowhere is this symbolized more than by the so-called Nightstand Buddhists. 2 The Nightstand Buddhists derive their name from their practice of placing a Buddhist meditation book on the nightstand after reading it before they go to sleep. They get up the next morning and practice to the best of their ability the meditation they had read about the night before. Further, they may frequently attend lectures at the local university and visit a Buddhist center’s webpage or participate in an online Buddhist discussion group. And if we were to visit them, we might find their homes decorated with Buddhist artifacts. But these Nightstand Buddhists do not show up in any statistics on the
Chromosome conformation and gene expression patterns differ profoundly in human fibroblasts grown in spheroids versus monolayers

ABSTRACT Human cells derived for in vitro cultures are conventionally grown as adherent monolayers (2D) which do not resemble natural 3 dimensional (3D) tissue architecture. We examined genome structure with chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and gene expression with RNA-seq in fibroblasts derived from human foreskin grown in 2D and 3D conditions. Our combined analysis of Hi-C and RNA-seq data shows a large number of differentially expressed genes between 2D and 3D cells, and these changes are localized in genomic regions that displayed structural changes. We also find a trend of expression in a subset of skin-specific genes in fibroblast cells grown in 3D that resembles those in native tissue.
Primary ciliary dyskinesia: Clinical presentation, diagnosis and genetics

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous disorder with an autosomal‐recessive inheritance pattern. Only rarely other modes of inheritance such as X‐linked transmission are observed. The disease phenotype is caused by defects of respiratory cilia, sperm tails and the cilia of the embryonic node. The lack of mucociliary clearance contributes to recurrent respiratory tract infections, that might progress to permanent lung damage (bronchiectasis). The goal of therapy is prevention of bronchiectasis. Male infertility due to sperm tail dysmotility is another frequent finding in PCD. Half of affected individuals have situs inversus (Kartagener's syndrome) due to randomization of left/right body asymmetry. Currently three genes (DNAI1, DNAH5, DNAH11) that encode for dynein proteins have been linked to recessive PCD. Mutations in RPGR located on the X chromosome have been identified in males with retinitis pigmentosa and PCD. As a screening test nasal nitric oxide (NO) measurement is widely used. Establishment of diagnosis currently relies on electron microscopy, direct evaluation of ciliary beat by light microscopy, and/or the novel method of high‐resolution immunofluorecent analysis of respiratory cilia.
ASSOCIATION OF LEVELS OF SERUM SELENIUM WITH ANEMIA IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Background and Objectives: The objective of the study was to find out association of serum selenium levels with anemia in primary school children. Methodology: Primary school children of age 6 to 9 years were included in the study by census method. Hemoglobin levels and red cell indices were performed on Sysmex 1000 i. Serum Iron and Total iron binding capacity (TIBC was performed on semi-automated spectrophotometer (Chem – 7) in patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia. Serum levels of selenium were performed on hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometer (ContrAA 700). Results: Out of 150 children 55 (36.7%) had anemia and remaining 95 (63.3%) children were non-anemic. Out of 150 children 77 (51%) children had normal selenium level and all these 77 children were non anemic. Remaining 73 (48 %) children had selenium levels lower than normal level and thus had selenium deficiency. Among these 73 children 55 (36.7%) were anemic and remaining 18 (12%) children were non-anemic. Serum selenium levels were lower in anemic as compared with non-anemic children. Selenium levels were significantly associated with anemia with a p value of < 0.01.
Genetic evidence for a Janzen–Connell recruitment pattern in reproductive offspring of Pinus halepensis trees

Effective seed dispersal, combining both dispersal and postdispersal (establishment) processes, determines population dynamics and colonization ability in plants. According to the Janzen–Connell (JC) model, high mortality near the mother plant shifts the offspring establishment distribution farther away from the mother plant relative to the seed dispersal distribution. Yet, extending this prediction to the distribution of mature (reproductive) offspring remains a challenge for long‐living plants. To address this challenge, we selected an isolated natural Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) population in Mt. Pithulim (Israel), which expanded from five ancestor trees in the beginning of the 20th century into ∼2000 trees today. Using nine microsatellite markers, we assigned parents to trees established during the early stages of population expansion. To elucidate the effect of the distance from the mother plant on postdispersal survival, we compared the effective seed dispersal kernel, based on the distribution of mother–offspring distances, with the seed dispersal kernel, based on simulations of a mechanistic wind dispersal model. We found that the mode of the effective dispersal kernel is shifted farther away than the mode of the seed dispersal kernel, reflecting increased survival with increasing distance from the mother plant. The parentage analysis demonstrated a highly skewed reproductive success and a strong directionality in effective dispersal corresponding to the wind regime. We thus provide compelling evidence that JC effects act also on offspring that become reproductive and persist as adults for many decades, a key requirement in assessing the role of postdispersal processes in shaping population and community dynamics.
Morphology of the cochlear nucleus of the normal and reeler mutant mouse

The morphology of the cochlear nuclei of normal and reeler mutant mice were studied in Nissl‐stained sections. The cochlear nucleus in both mice is divisible into three parts: the anteroventral, posteroventral, and dorsal nuclei. Nine cell types can be recognized in the normal mouse. In the anteroventral nucleus spherical cells occupy the rostral pole. Globular cells are located caudally and extend to the interstitial region of the anteroventral nucleus. In the posteroventral nucleus multipolar cells are located rostrally and dark‐staining cells occupy the caudal pole. Multipolar cells are also present in the anteroventral nucleus and in the deep region and molecular layer of the dorsal cochlear nucleus. The dorsal and lateral aspects of the ventral nuclei are covered by a granule cell layer. The dorsal nucleus consists of superficial molecular and pyramidal layers and a deep region. The deep region contains small and giant cells as well as multipolar cells. The pyramidal layer is made up of pyramidal cells, horizontal cells, and granule cells. Small cells are also present in the molecular layer and throughout the ventral nuclei.
Cloning of a Novel Growth Hormone-Regulated Rat Complementary Deoxyribonucleic Acid with Homology to the Human α1B-Glycoprotein, Characterizing a New Protein Family.

A sex-specific secretion of GH prevails in the rat. This has bearings on the expression of target genes, particularly in the liver. We have used suppressive subtractive hybridization to search for genes expressed in response to the female-characteristic, near-continuous secretion of GH. One sequence was particularly abundant among the obtained clones. After isolation of the corresponding full-length complementary DNA using rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends, it was found to be homologous to the human α1B-glycoprotein. Sequence comparisons suggest that the human α1B-glycoprotein and the rat homolog are members of a new family of proteins, of which at least four additional forms were found in the databases of human and mouse expressed sequence tags. In situ hybridization confirmed the female-specific expression, and by RNase protection analysis a liver-specific expression was indicated. Up-regulation of the messenger RNA by continuous exposure to GH, but not to the male-characteristic intermitten.
Determinacy and Stability under Learning of Rational Expectations Equilibria

This paper studies relationships between the local determinacy of a stationary equilibrium in the perfect foresight dynamics, and its local stability in dynamics arising from econometric learning procedures. Attention is focused on linear scalar economies where agents forecast only one period ahead, and with an arbitrary, but fixed, number of predetermined variables. In such a framework, it is well known that there are no clear links between the determinacy of the stationary state in the perfect foresight dynamics on the levels of the state variable, and its stability under learning. The paper emphasizes, however, that this is not the right perfect foresight dynamics to look at whenever agents try to learn the coefficients of the perfect foresight dynamics restricted to an eigenspace of lower dimension. Indeed the paper introduces a growth rate perfect foresight dynamics on these coefficients and proves equivalence between determinacy in that dynamics and stability under learning provided that a simple sign condition is satisfied.
Keratinocyte-Derived Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Biosynthesis Represents a Pleiotropic Side Effect of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Agonist Troglitazone but Not Rosiglitazone and Involves Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase: Implications for Diabetes-Impaired Ski

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) represent pharmacological target molecules to improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here we assessed a functional connection between pharmacological activation of PPAR and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in keratinocytes and during diabetes-impaired acute skin repair in obese/obese (ob/ob) mice. PPARβ/δ agonist 4-[3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)propoxy]phenoxy]acetic acid (L165,041) and PPARγ agonists ciglitazone and troglitazone, but not rosiglitazone, potently induced VEGF mRNA and protein expression from cultured keratinocytes. Inhibitor studies revealed a strong functional dependence of troglitazone- and L165,041-induced VEGF expression on p38 and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in keratinocytes. Rosiglitazone also induced activation of p38 MAPK but failed to mediate the activation of p42/44 MAPK in the cells. Functional ablation of PPARβ/δ and PPARγ from keratinocytes by small interfering RNA did not abrogate L165,041- and troglitazone-induced VEGF biosynthesis and suggested VEGF induction as a pleiotropic, PPAR-independent effect of both drugs in the cells. In accordance with the in vitro situation, we found activated p38 MAPK in wound keratinocytes from acute wounds of rosiglitazone- and troglitazone-treated diabetic obese/obese mice, whereas keratinocyte-specific VEGF protein signals were only prominent upon troglitazone treatment. In summary, our data from cell culture and wound healing experiments suggested p38 MAPK activation as a side effect of thiazolidinediones; however, only troglitazone, but not rosiglitazone, seemed to translate p38 MAPK activation into a PPARγ-independent induction of VEGF from keratinocytes.