Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic position and survival after lung cancer: Influence of stage, treatment and comorbidity among Danish patients with lung cancer diagnosed in 2004–2010

Abstract Background. To address social inequality in survival after lung cancer, it is important to consider how socioeconomic position (SEP) influences prognosis. We investigated whether SEP influenced receipt of first-line treatment and whether socioeconomic differences in survival could be explained by differences in stage, treatment and comorbidity. Material and methods. In the Danish Lung Cancer Register, we identified 13 045 patients with lung cancer diagnosed in 2004–2010, with information on stage, histology, performance status and first-line treatment. We obtained age, gender, vital status, comorbid conditions and socioeconomic information (education, income and cohabitation status) from nationwide population-based registers. Associations between SEP and receipt of first-line treatment were analysed in multivariate logistic regression models and those with overall mortality in Cox regression models with stepwise inclusion of possible mediators. Results. For both low- and high-stage lung cancer, adjusted ORs for first-line treatment were reduced in patients with short education and low income, although the OR for education did not reach statistical significance in men with high-stage disease. Patients with high-stage disease who lived alone were less likely to receive first-line treatment. The socioeconomic difference in overall survival was partly explained by differences in stage, treatment and comorbidity, although some differences remained after adjustment. Among patients with high-stage disease, the hazard ratio (HR) for death of those with low income was 1.12 (95% CI 1.05–1.19) in comparison with those with high income. Among patients with low-stage disease, those who lived alone had a 14% higher risk for dying (95% CI 1.05–1.25) than those who lived with a partner. The differences in risk for death by SEP were greatest in the first six months after diagnosis. Conclusion. Socioeconomic differences in survival after lung cancer are partly explained by social inequality in stage, first-line treatment and comorbidity. Efforts should be made to improve early diagnosis and adherence to first-line treatment recommendations among disadvantaged lung cancer patients.
The acquisition of personal pronouns in French-speaking and English-speaking children

This paper presents a longitudinal study on the acquisition of first, second, and third person pronouns in twelve French-speaking and twelve English-speaking children. Comprehension and production data were collected every two months, beginning when the subjects were aged 1;6 and ending once pronouns were fully acquired. Three hypotheses concerning the rules children develop in learning pronouns were tested: (1) the person-role hypothesis (Charney, 1980), (2) the speech-role hypothesis (Clark, 1978), and (3) the name hypothesis (Clark, 1978). An analysis of children's pronominal confusion when they were addressed listeners as well as when they were non-addressed listeners was performed. The results indicated that the mastery of pronouns did not follow the developmental sequence predicted by the speech-role hypothesis; they provided evidence for the person-role hypothesis only when children were speakers, and partially supported the name hypothesis. The data also suggested that pronominal confusion is not a rare phenomenon among children tested in a non-addressee context. Finally, effects of child gender and native language were observed. Possible interpretations of the data are discussed.
Economics of Transboundary Aquifer Management

This paper presents a general model of optimal water management for a transboundary aquifer under three different management approaches: cooperative, noncooperative, and myopic. Comparing the results from the approaches, we find the cooperative solution, where a single management plan is executed for all parts of the aquifer, results in the highest level of net social welfare, followed by the noncooperative and then the myopic. The trade‐offs we find for the higher levels of welfare are lower use levels in the earlier periods. We present a short discussion of factors that can increase the inefficiencies of the models and suggest directions for future research.
Diabetic foot syndrome: evaluating the prevalence and incidence of foot pathology in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites from a diabetes disease management cohort.

OBJECTIVE To report the incidence of diabetes-related lower-extremity complications in a cohort of patients enrolled in a diabetes disease management program. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We evaluated screening results and clinical outcomes for the first 1,666 patients enrolled in a disease management program for a period of 24 months (50.3% men, aged 69.1 +/- 11.1 years). RESULTS The incidence of ulceration, infection, amputation, and lower-extremity bypass was 68.4, 36.5, 5.9, and 7.7 per 1,000 persons with diabetes per year. Amputation incidence was higher in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic whites (7.4/1,000 vs. 4.1/1,000; P = 0.003, odds ratio [OR] 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7). The amputation-to-ulcer ratio was 8.7%. The incidence of Charcot arthropathy was 8.5/1,000 per year. Charcot was more common in non-Hispanic whites than in Mexican Americans (11.7/1,000 vs. 6.4/1,000; P = 0.0001, 1.8, 1.3-2.5). The prevalence of peripheral vascular disease was 13.5%, with no significant difference based on ethnicity (P = 0.3). There was not a significant difference in incidence of foot infection (P = 0.9), lower-extremity bypass (P = 0.3), or ulceration (P = 0.1) based on ethnicity. However, there were more failed bypasses in Mexican Americans (33%) than in non-Hispanic whites (7.1%). Mexican Americans were 3.8 times more likely to have a failed bypass (leading to an amputation) or be diagnosed as "nonbypassable" than non-Hispanic whites (75.0 vs. 44.0%; P = 0.01, 3.8, 1.2-11.8). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of amputation is higher in Mexican Americans, despite rates of ulceration, infection, vascular disease, and lower-extremity bypass similar to those of non-Hispanic whites. There may be factors associated with failed or failure to bypass that mandate further investigation.
16.1 A 13b 4GS/s digitally assisted dynamic 3-stage asynchronous pipelined-SAR ADC

In recent years, the need for high performance RF sampling ADCs has driven impressive developments of pipelined-SAR and pipelined ADCs, all supported by time-interleaving [1–4]. All these designs use a closed loop MDAC amplifier in the first stage and digital calibration/equalization to alleviate finite gain, settling and memory effects, but the closed-loop amplifier remains a scaling bottleneck. In this work, a three-stage asynchronous pipelined-SAR with open-loop integrator-based amplifiers is used to maximize the sampling frequency, resolution and linearity. The solution is mostly supported by dynamic circuits and multiple calibration loops to reduce cost, power and noise, maximize process portability and support production testability.
Integrating the DNA Integrity Number ( DIN ) to Assess Genomic DNA ( gDNA ) Quality Control Using the Agilent 2200 TapeStation System

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) requires the input of high molecular weight genomic DNA (gDNA) to construct quality libraries for large scale sequencing projects, such as the 100K Pathogen Genome Project. The assessment of DNA integrity is a critical first step in obtaining meaningful data, and intact DNA is a key element for successful library construction. The Agilent 2200 TapeStation System plays an important role in the determination of the DNA quality using the DNA genomic assay. Profiles generated on the 2200 TapeStation System yield information on concentration, allow a visual inspection of the DNA quality, and generate a DNA Integrity Number (DIN), which is a value automatically assigned by the software that provides an indication of integrity (that is, lack of degradation). This application note describes a new software algorithm that has been developed to extract information about DNA sample integrity from the 2200 TapeStation System electrophoretic trace. The Agilent 2200 TapeStation System
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus gasseri Strain 2016

ABSTRACT Different common factors contribute to the antagonistic properties of Lactobacillus gasseri toward various pathogens. However, there is strain-to-strain variation in the probiotic properties of this bacterium. The draft genome sequence of L. gasseri strain 2016 determined in this study will assist in understanding the genetic basis for such variation.
EC-CPW fed elevated patch antenna

This paper presents a novel G-band (140GHz - 220GHz) integrated antenna. The antenna incorporates a newly proposed elevated center coplanar waveguide (EC-CPW) fed elevated patch antenna on a high dielectric substrate (GaAs). The proposed antenna consists of an (EC-CPW) feed line, λ/4 transformer used for matching, supporting posts, and a 5. 5μm height elevated radiating patch. The antenna topology effectively creates a low-substrate dielectric constant and hence eliminates undesired substrate effects, since the antenna substrate is essentially air, the lowest possible dielectric constant. This increases the radiation efficiency, gain, and the radiation bandwidth. Close agreement between simulated and measured data have shown a good match of -20dB at 172GHz and bandwidth of 7.9GHz from 169.2GHz to 177.1GHz (return loss<;10 dB). Furthermore, the presented antenna exhibits an excellent constant broadside radiation pattern which makes it ideal for array antennas applications where directionality is an important factor avoiding pixels interferences. In addition the proposed antenna fabrication process is compatible with III-V MMICs process technology. This makes it ideal for fully integrated millimeter wave focal plane arrays applications.
Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the Beef Marketed in Malaysia

ABSTRACT Twelve strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 were isolated from 9 of 25 beef samples purchased from retail stores in Malaysia. These strains produced Shiga toxin 2 with or without Shiga toxin 1 and had the eae gene and a 60-MDa plasmid. The antibiograms and the profiles of the arbitrarily primed PCR of the strains were diverse, suggesting that the strains may have originated from diverse sources.
GSM downlink spectrum occupancy modeling

In this article the spectrum occupancy of a GSM900 and a DCS1800 band as an analog power or binary quantized power is modeled. In the case of analog power it is presented histograms of the power distribution during one working day. In the case of quantized power it presents the two time statistics, the time period of opportunities distribution and the time between opportunities distribution. The measurement setup is standing in line of sight with the base station. Also, the measurement setup in terms of maximum sensitivity is described and analyzed. Spectrum non occupancy, for a working day, in terms of total time for the GSM900 band and for the DCS1800 band is given.
7 Pelagic Oxygen Minimum Zone Microbial Communities

Communities Osvaldo Ulloa . Jody J. Wright . Lucy Belmar . Steven J. Hallam Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada Departamento de Oceanografia and Programa de Postgrados en Oceanografia, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Ruin probabilities in classical risk models with gamma claims

Abstract In this paper, we provide three equivalent expressions for ruin probabilities in a Cramér–Lundberg model with gamma distributed claims. The results are solutions of integro-differential equations, derived by means of (inverse) Laplace transforms. All the three formulas have infinite series forms, two involving Mittag–Leffler functions and the third one involving moments of the claims distribution. This last result applies to any other claim size distributions that exhibits finite moments.
Immune Recognition of Candida albicans β-glucan by Dectin-1

Beta (1,3)-glucans represent 40% of the cell wall of the yeast Candida albicans. The dectin-1 lectin-like receptor has shown to recognize fungal beta (1,3)-glucans and induce innate immune responses. The importance of beta-glucan-dectin-1 pathways for the recognition of C. albicans by human primary blood cells has not been firmly established. In this study we demonstrate that cytokine production by both human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and murine macrophages is dependent on the recognition of beta-glucans by dectin-1. Heat killing of C. albicans resulted in exposure of beta-glucans on the surface of the cell wall and subsequent recognition by dectin-1, whereas live yeasts stimulated monocytes mainly via recognition of cell-surface mannans. Dectin-1 induced cytokine production through the following 2 pathways: Syk-dependent production of the T-helper (Th) 2-type anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 and Toll-like receptor-Myd88-dependent stimulation of monocyte-derived proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha . In contrast, stimulation of Th1-type cytokines, such as interferon-gamma , by C. albicans was independent of the recognition of beta-glucans by dectin-1. In conclusion, C. albicans induces production of monocyte-derived and T cell-derived cytokines through distinct pathways dependent on or independent of dectin-1.
Chemistry of arsenic in groundwater of Ganges-Brahmaputra river basin

The presence of arsenic (As) in water and its effect on human health through both drinking and agricultural practices is of serious concern worldwide. Arsenic rich groundwater mostly occurs in the Bengal Delta Plain, covering the state of West Bengal, the adjoining country of Bangladesh and extending to Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and other Northeastern states of India and the neighbouring country of Nepal. The number of people at risk of arsenic poisoning, through drinking water from sunken wells, may be considerably larger than previously thought of. This article conceptualizes by reviewing the As sources, major occurrences, mechanisms of arsenic mobilization and process of contamination in groundwater of Ganges–Brahmaputra river basin of India through an integrated approach.
Visual Performance Feedback

This study used a multiple baseline with reversal design to assess whether visual performance feedback (VPF) influenced targeted and nontargeted staffs’ use of behavior-specific praise (BSP) in a day-treatment program. This study expands on the typical VPF audience and assesses whether VPF can be effective with noncertified staff in a day-treatment program for young children with behavior disorders, an environment in which it is difficult to maintain high rates of BSP. In previous school-based studies, VPF has been collected by researchers and provided to targeted teaching staff. In the current study, rather than relying on researchers, the authors used staff instructors to collect VPF and assessed how that experience influenced the instructors’ use of BSP. Results suggest that VPF provided, on average, a doubling in rates of BSP use by directly targeted staff and more than a 50% increase in rates of BSP in nontargeted instructors who collected BSP data. Furthermore, three of the four participants had substantially higher praise-to-correction ratios during the VPF intervention when compared with baseline and reversal conditions. Implications for improving treatment fidelity and reducing supervision time are discussed.
Subdiaphragmatic venous hemodynamics in the Fontan circulation.

OBJECTIVE We investigated the subdiaphragmatic venous physiology in patients subjected to the Fontan operation to understand some of the early and late problems of this circulation. METHODS Flows were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography in the subhepatic inferior vena cava, hepatic vein, and portal vein during respiratory monitoring and with a tilt table. Twenty control subjects (group A) and 56 patients who had the Fontan operation, 27 in functional class I (group B) and 29 in class III or IV (group C), were studied. Inspiratory/expiratory flow ratio was calculated to reflect respiratory effects, and upright/supine flow ratio was calculated to assess gravity effects. Inferior vena caval, hepatic venous, and wedged hepatic venous pressures were measured during catheterization in 21 control subjects and 25 Fontan patients. The difference between wedged and hepatic venous pressures represents the transhepatic venous pressure gradient. RESULTS Fontan hepatic venous flow depended more on inspiration than control, but without difference between groups B and C (inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios: 1.7, 2.9, and 2.9, respectively; P <.02). Normal portal venous flow was higher in expiration; this effect was lost in group B and reversed in group C (inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios: 0.8, 1.0, and 1.3; P <.0005). Gravity reduced portal venous flow in groups A and B, but progression to functional class III or IV (group C) exacerbated this effect (upright/supine flow ratios: 0.8, 0.7, and 0.5; P <.01). Inferior vena caval, hepatic venous, and wedged hepatic venous pressures (in millimeters of mercury) in the Fontan groups were all elevated compared with the control group (inferior vena cava, 14.4 +/- 4.4 vs 5.9 +/- 2.3; hepatic vein, 14.7 +/- 4.5 vs 5.9 +/- 1.9; wedged hepatic vein, 14.7 +/- 4.0 vs 8.3 +/- 2.6; P <.0001). However, transhepatic venous pressure gradient in the Fontan group was lower than in the control group (0.5 +/- 0.5 vs 2.4 +/- 2.0; P <.001). Univariate analysis of inferior vena caval pressure and transhepatic venous pressure gradient showed significant inverse correlation (r = 0.6, P <.002). CONCLUSIONS In patients who are in functionally poorer condition after the Fontan operation, portal venous flow loses normal expiratory augmentation and adverse gravity influence is enhanced. These suboptimal flow dynamics, coupled with higher splanchnic venous pressures and lower transhepatic venous pressure gradients, suggest that hepatic sinusoids are congested, acting as "open tubes. " Transhepatic gradient loss is incrementally worse with higher caval pressures. These observations may be responsible for late gastrointestinal problems in patients who have had the Fontan operation.
Metatarsal robusticity in bipedal rats.

All metatarsals have a significantly greater robusticity in the male than in the female rat. The robusticity formula of the rat's foot is 1 > 5 > 2 > 3 > 4. In bipedal rats that formula remains unchanged, but the robusticity of the metatarsals is increased especially in females. The tripod arrangement of the human foot with its particular robustness of the marginal metatarsals 1 and 5 and a strong calcaneum has been related to upright posture. The similar robusticity pattern in the rat's marginal metatarsals 1 and 5 raises the question of whether that part of the formula might not represent a more general plantigrade pattern.
Design and optimization of interior PM machines with distributed and fractional-slot concentrated-windings for hybrid electric vehicles

This paper presents an optimization of an interior permanent magnet (PM) machine with fractional-slot concentrated windings (FSCW) based on a machine with integer-slot distributed windings (ISDW), and a performance comparison between the two machines for use in hybrid electric vehicles. Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to investigate the characteristics of the two machines which have the same dimensions and rated power. The effect of the number of slots on the back-EMF, cogging torque, d- and q-axis inductances and efficiency is analyzed for the two machines. The measured results have good agreement with the finite element analysis results.
Botulinum B Toxin as an Alternative to Botulinum A Toxin: A Histologic Study

Histochemical effects of botulinum B toxin were studied on fibers from longissimus dorsi muscle in Albino rabbits and compared to effects produced by botulinum A toxin. Acetylcholinesterase staining, muscle fiber size analysis, and ATPase staining indicated botulinum B toxin produced a denervation gradient and field similar to that produced by botulinum A toxin. At 5 weeks postinjection with botulinum B toxin, analysis showed muscle fiber size variability, and diffuse acetylcholinesterase fiber staining comparable to botulinum A toxin at the injection site. Muscle sections taken at 4.0 cm for analysis showed statistically significant decreased fiber size variability and contraction of acetylcholinesterase staining pattern for both immuno-types. In addition, the denervation reflected by histochemical staining and fiber size analysis appeared transient and lasted for approximately 3 months for both immunotypes. These findings suggest botulinum B toxin produces pharmacologic effects on innervation of striated muscle similar to botulinum A toxin. Because immunologic tolerance has been demonstrated after therapeutic botulinum A toxin injections, further clinical studies need to be conducted with other immunotypes of toxin with no cross-reactivity to type A.
Success rate of second-trimester termination of pregnancy using misoprostol.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and maternal side effects of misoprostol usage for second trimester termination in Siriraj Hospital. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive cross sectional study. SETTING Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. MATERIAL AND METHOD The medical records of 94 pregnant women, between 14-28 weeks of gestation, who were admitted for medical termination of pregnancy, were reviewed. Each patient received 400 microg of misoprostol vaginally every 12 hours as recommended by RTCOG for termination of pregnancy. Main outcome measures included success rate of abortion within 48 hours, induction to abortion interval and maternal side effects. RESULTS The success rate of abortion within 48 hours was 89.46%. Mean induction to abortion interval was 22.1 hours. The most common maternal side effect was fever (24.5%). The rate of incomplete abortion was 28.6% of successful cases. No factor, including age, parity and viability of fetus affected the success rate significantly. No serious maternal complication was detected. CONCLUSION Misoprostol 400 microg vaginally every 12 hours can be used effectively and safely for second trimester pregnancy termination.