Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical methods for the meta-analysis of cluster randomization trials

Cluster randomization trials have become a very attractive research strategy, particularly for the evaluation of health service interventions. The need to conduct meta-analyses of such trials is also becoming more common. However, as with cluster randomization trials in general, such analyses raise special methodologic challenges. In this paper, we discuss and illustrate several statistical approaches that might be applied to a meta-analysis of cluster randomization trials, each of which has a binary endpoint. Statistical methods for constructing inferences for a summary intervention odds ratio include those based on Mantel-Haenszel procedures, the ratio estimator approach, Woolf procedures and generalized estimating equations using robust variance estimation. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed in the context of an example.
Marital status and ischaemic heart disease incidenc e and mortality in women : a prospective study

Background Being married has been associated with a lower risk of mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in men, but there is less evidence of an association for women, and it is unclear whether the associations with marriage are similar for incident and for fatal IHD. Our aim was to examine the relation between being married and IHD incidence and mortality in a large cohort of UK women. Methods A total of 734,626 women (mean age 59.7 (SD 5) years at baseline) without previous heart disease, stroke, or cancer, were followed prospectively for cause-specific hospital admissions and deaths. We used Cox regression models to calculate relative risks (RRs) for IHD in married (including cohabiting) versus unmarried (including divorced, widowed, or never married) women, and to investigate the role of 14 socio-economic, lifestyle and other potential confounding factors. Results Overall 81% of women reported being married. Compared to those who were not married, married women were less likely to live in deprived areas, to smoke, or to be physically inactive, but had a higher alcohol intake; there was no difference in body mass index. During 8.8 years of follow-up, 30,747 women had a first IHD event (hospital admission or death) and 2,148 died from IHD. Married women had a similar risk of a first IHD event (hospital admission or death) to unmarried women (adjusted RR=0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.02), but a significantly lower risk of IHD mortality (adjusted RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.66-0.80, p<0.0001). The reduced risk of IHD death for married women was evident both in women with and without a prior IHD hospital admission (respectively: adjusted RR=0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.85, p<0.0001, n=683; and 0.70, 95% CI 0.62-0.78, p<0.0001, n=1,465). The findings were similar in women of different socio-economic groups and with different lifestyle and other factors. Conclusions After adjustment for socioeconomic, lifestyle and other factors, being married was not associated with women’s risk of developing IHD in this cohort, but married women had a substantially lower IHD mortality than unmarried women.
Incidental vertebral fractures discovered with chest radiography in the emergency department: prevalence, recognition, and osteoporosis management in a cohort of elderly patients.

BACKGROUND Vertebral fractures are common and usually an indication for osteoporosis treatment. However, screening is not recommended, and many fractures go undetected. Our objectives were to determine the utility of chest radiographs for detecting previously unrecognized vertebral fractures; document rates of recognition; and evaluate osteoporosis treatments. METHODS In 2001, we conducted a cohort study in a random sample of 500 patients older than 60 years who presented to our emergency department and underwent chest radiography for any indication. The primary outcome was prevalence of moderate-to-severe vertebral fractures determined by independent radiograph review using validated semiquantitative techniques. Secondary outcomes were rates of fracture recognition according to official radiologists' reports and rates of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment. We conducted multivariable regression analyses to determine correlates of study-defined and officially reported fractures. RESULTS We excluded 36 patients with inadequate radiographs and 5 for other reasons. Mean age was 75.2 years; 47% were women; and 80% were white. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe vertebral fractures according to independent review was 72 (16%) of 459; 29 (40%) of these fractures were not recorded in the official radiologists' report (kappa = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.75). A history of osteoporosis was the only independent correlate of having a vertebral fracture identified by independent review (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.18; 95% CI, 1.14-4.17) or by official report (adjusted OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 0.95-25.86). Of the 72 patients with fractures, only 18 (25%) had histories of osteoporosis or received osteoporosis medications. CONCLUSIONS One in 6 elderly patients who underwent chest radiography in our emergency department had clinically important vertebral fractures. Nevertheless, only 43 (60%) of these fractures were reported, and only 25% of patients with fractures received a diagnosis of or treatment for osteoporosis.
Mitigating Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Cardiac Catheterization

Contrast-induced nephropathy, also referred to as contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI), is among the most common causes of AKI, especially in patients with underlying chronic kidney disease. In addition to the increased cost engendered by the development of CIAKI, several studies have suggested the occurrence of AKI after cardiac procedures is associated with an increase in both morbidity and mortality. This increase in morbidity and mortality occurs after both intravenous and intra-arterial studies. This review focuses on relevant proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, risk factors, and current prophylactic strategies, which may reduce the incidence of CIAKI during cardiac angiographic imaging studies.
HELMINTHS OF MURRES (ALCIDAE: URIA SPP.): MARKERS OF ECOLOGICAL CHANGE IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Seabirds are prominent components of the North Atlantic marine environment, and their parasites offer an insight into seabird ecologic interactions. Parasites also provide vital information on historic biogeography of host associations and thus may reveal broad changes in the marine ecosystem. Helminths of Common Murres (Uria aalge) and Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia) in the northwest Atlantic marine environment were assessed to determine parasite community composition and changes in their parasite fauna since the 1960s. In total, 623 helminths, representing Digenea, Eucestoda, Nematoda, and Acanthocephala, were recorded from 100 Common and Thick-billed Murres collected from breeding colonies along the coasts of Labrador, Newfoundland, and Greenland. Parasite communities differed from those reported from the 1960s, and over 85% of the specimens were tapeworms (mostly in the genus Alcataenia). The high prevalence (26%) and mean intensity (14.6) of A. longicervica, a Pacific species recorded recently from Newfoundland, indicates that this tapeworm was established in the Atlantic by 2006. Significantly higher A. longicervica prevalence (>53%) and mean intensity (27.3) in the murres from Greenland and in wintering murres compared to murres from breeding colonies in Labrador and Newfoundland suggest a mechanism for the introduction of this species to the Atlantic. Periodic mixing of populations of Thysanoessa species, the euphausiid intermediate host of Alcataenia, occurs along the seas adjacent to the North Pacific and those along the Siberian Arctic. The mixing of infected Thysanoessa likely exposed North Atlantic and Arctic murres, which are geographically isolated from Pacific murres, to this tapeworm. The greater prevalence of A. longicervica in Thick-billed Murres was consistent with diet analyses, which revealed a greater proportion of euphausiids.
Risk factors for recurrent otitis media

Risk factors for recurrent otitis media were studied in 115 otitis-prone children. A group of 323 children was used as controls. The care of children in day care centers, parental smoking and a low socioeconomic status of the family were associated with recurrent otitis media. The duration of breast feeding, the child's age at introduction of cow's milk-based feeding and allergy were not associated with recurrent otitis media.
Ciudadanía juvenil y nuevas formas de participación a través de la conectividad

El presente texto es un acercamiento a los procesos de participacion ciudadana de los jovenes que utilizan las nuevas tecnologias de informacion y comunicacion, asi como una bateria de conocimientos, habilidades y competencias que permiten la construccion de redes que potencializan su papel como agente en el campo social. Un punto de interes es la relacion entre los individuos y el Estado-nacion, de la que se explora el papel que juega el proyecto nacional en la identidad de los habitantes de un territorio y si realmente el Estado-nacion sigue siendo referente en la construccion de una identidad ciudadana. Este tema es pertinente toda vez que la globalizacion parece mostrar la incapacidad del Estado para darle forma a las aspiraciones de los individuos y las posibilidades de conectividad y de construccion de redes entre organismos e individuos parecieran permitir una participacion mas activa de los mismos.
Numerical simulation of bone remodelling using two-scale FEM

The bone tissue is a material that changes in time and which is strongly heterogeneous [2]. These properties are reflected significantly in macroscopic behaviour of bones e.g maxilla and mandible ones. On the other hand, the macroscopic behaviour of bone determines the internal strain state as a result of external loading which can be caused by ligaments, muscles and implants as well. The effective approach of numerical simulation of bone remodelling is crucial in meaning of biomechanical problems e.g. implants. Real application, e.g. simulation of bone remodelling around an implant, needs huge FE models. The presented two-scale modelling approach enables us to couple bone microstructure remodelling and macroscopic bone behaviour phenomena in order to simulate the evolution of material microstructure in an efficient way. This paper is focused on the FE modelling of bone microstructure remodelling phenomenon.
Artificial magnetic conductor for low-profile and human-friendly IoT antenna

This paper presents artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) structure employed for low-profile antenna operates in Wi-Fi 5 GHz band for wearable internet of things (IoT) devices. A proposed AMC structure comprises of a combination of ring slots. This structure can improve the impedance bandwidth of a planar dipole antenna when the size of AMC surface is approximately half wavelength. The simulation results demonstrate that a dipole antenna on the proposed AMC surface is low profile and has less effect when operating on human body.
Survival strategies for microorganisms in hypersaline environments and their relevance to life on early Mars

Abstract— There are two groups of microorganisms that live and grow in hypersaline (>10–15% NaCl) environments: the halophilic Archaea and the halotolerant Bacteria and algae. In order to grow and reproduce in such high‐salt, low‐water activity environments, these organisms have made basic biochemical adaptations in their proteins, osmoregulation mechanisms, nucleic acids, and lipids. The environment of the halophiles and especially how the halophilic Archaea have adapted to that environment are reviewed in this paper. Along with this review is a brief description of how these adaptations could be important in the detection of life on early Mars assuming similar types of salts and a carbon‐based life.
Higher dimensional Enriques varieties with even index

Let Y be an Enriques variety of complex dimension 2n - 2 with n >= 2. Assume that n = 2m for odd prime m. In this paper we show that Y is the quotient of a product of a Calabi-Yau manifold of dimension 2m and an irreducible holomorphic symplectic manifold of dimension 2m - 2 by an automorphism of order n acting freely. We also show that both Y and its universal cover are always projective.
Background and recent research on particulate matter in the Paso del Norte border region

La region Paso del Norte esta ubicada medio camino a lo largo de la frontera Mexico-E.U. donde el Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corta a traves de las Montanas Franklin hacia el norte y las Montanas de Sierra de Juarez hacia el sur. La region abarca a las comunidades del condado de Dona Ana, Nuevo Mexico; El Paso, Texas; y Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, las cuales se encuentran separadas por el rio en el punto en donde Ciudad Juarez, El Paso, y Sunland Park, Nuevo Mexico, convergen. El Paso del Norte, como la mayoria de las comunidades fronterizas de Mexico-E.U, esta experimentando un crecimiento urbano rapido en un clima semiarido, donde la topografia, meteorologia, y las presiones economicas, y demograficas se combinan para influenciar la calidad de aire de la region. Varias areas en Paso del Norte actualmente no cumplen las normas de calidad de aire para contaminantes de su pais, incluyendo materia particulada (PM). Concentraciones elevadas de PM han sido asociadas con aumento en tasas de mortalidad y otros efectos adversos para la salud (Pope, et al. 1991; Dockery, et al. 1993; Maynard y Maynard 2002; Peters, et al. 2001). En Ciudad Juarez, Romieu, et al. (2003) encontraron asociaciones entre concentraciones PM10 (materia con un diametro aerodinamico inferior a 10 micras [µm]) y la mortalidad para ninos en la clase socioeconomica mas baja. Debido a que los recursos atmosfericos de la region son compartidos a traves de varias fronteras politicas, entender y administrar las emisiones PM es un reto.
Agreement between student-reported and proxy-reported physical activity questionnaires.

Parents and 531 students (46% males, 78% white) completed equivalent questionnaires. Agreement between student and parent responses to questions about hypothesized physical activity (PA) correlates was assessed. Relationships between hypothesized correlates and an objective measure of student's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a subset of 177 students were also investigated. Agreement between student and parent ranged from r = . 34 to . 64 for PA correlates. Spearman correlations between MVPA and PA correlates ranged from--. 04 to . 21 for student report and--. 14 to . 32 for parent report, and there were no statistical differences for 8 out of 9 correlations between parent and student. Parents can provide useful data on PA correlates for students in Grades 7-12.
Ökonomische Integrationsrisiken des politischen Integrationsprozesses in Europa

1. Einfuhrung Gottfried Haberlers Bemerkung, das wir im "Zeitalter der Integration" leben, ist zuzustimmen. Ich denke dabei unmittelbar an die gestiegene Internationalisierung der Kapitalmarkte sowie in Europa an Entwicklungen wie die EG oder n~tional an Transformationsprozesse beispielsweise in Ungarn und der CSFR oder auch in Frankreich. In diesen Bereich gehoren auch weltweite Integrationsformen wie beispielsweise die kanadisch-US-amerikanisch-mexikanische Freihandelszone oder die Asean-Staaten. Aber wir erleben auch De-Integrationen. Man denke u. a. an arabische Lander oder an das GATT oder an moderne Formen der strategischen Handelspolitik. Zunachst erfolgt quasi als Gegenuberstellung die Darstellung der okonomischen Integration anhand primar der Freihandelskonzeption und dann der polit-okonomische Erklarungsversuch, die europaische Integration als einen primar politischen, aufgrund von politischen Asymmetrien getragenen Prozes zu verstehen. Nach Fragen zu den Grenzen und Risiken aus den okonomisch-politischen Wechselbeziehungen geht Kapitel4 auf verschiedene Aspekte von Maastricht ein.
3D analysis of mitosis distribution highlights the longitudinal zonation and diarch symmetry in proliferation activity of the Arabidopsis thaliana root meristem

To date CYCB1;1 marker and cortex cell lengths have been conventionally used to determine the proliferation activity of the Arabidopsis root meristem. By creating a 3D map of mitosis distribution we showed that these markers overlooked that stele and endodermis save their potency to divide longer than the cortex and epidermis. Cessation of cell divisions is not a random process, so that mitotic activity within the endodermis and stele shows a diarch pattern. Mitotic activity of all root tissues peaked at the same distance from the quiescent center (QC); however, different tissues stopped dividing at different distances, with cells of the protophloem exiting the cell cycle first and the procambial cells being the last. The robust profile of mitotic activity in the root tip defines the longitudinal zonation in the meristem with the proliferation domain, where all cells are able to divide; and the transition domain, where the cell files cease to divide. 3D analysis of cytokinin deficient and cytokinin signaling mutants showed that their proliferation domain is similar to that of the wild type, but the transition domain is much longer. Our data suggest a strong inhibitory effect of cytokinin on anticlinal cell divisions in the stele.
Gene therapy in flap survival

Growth factors are members of a large functional group of polypeptide regulatory molecules that exert a powerful influence on all phases of wound healing and repair through interactions with specific cell surface receptors. The use of growth factors to improve wound healing and the viability of ischemic skin flaps has been well‐documented throughout the last decade. In this article, we review the literature concerning the use gene therapy in flap survival, including the various methods employed to transplant plasmids or viruses capable of coding and producing growth factors in ischemic tissue © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeted disruption of the blood–brain barrier with focused ultrasound: association with cavitation activity

Acoustic emission was monitored during focused ultrasound exposures in conjunction with an ultrasound contrast agent (Optison®) in order to determine if cavitation activity is associated with the induction of blood–brain barrier disruption (BBBD). Thirty-four locations were sonicated (frequency: 260 kHz) at targets 10 mm deep in rabbit brain (N = 9). The sonications were applied at peak pressure amplitudes ranging from 0.11 to 0.57 MPa (burst length: 10 ms; repetition frequency of 1 Hz; duration: 20 s). Acoustic emission was recorded with a focused passive cavitation detector. This emission was recorded at each location during sonications with and without Optison®. Detectable wideband acoustic emission was observed only at 0.40 and 0.57 MPa. BBBD was observed in contrast MRI after sonication at 0.29–0.57 MPa. The appearance of small regions of extravasated erythrocytes appeared to be associated with this wideband emission signal. The results thus suggest that BBBD resulting from focused ultrasound pulses in the presence of Optison® can occur without indicators for inertial cavitation in vivo, wideband emission and extravasation. If inertial cavitation is not responsible for the BBBD, other ultrasound/microbubble interactions are likely the source. A significant increase in the emission signal due to Optison® at the second and third harmonics of the ultrasound driving frequency was found to correlate with BBBD and might be useful as an online method to indicate when the disruption occurs.
Time-Lapse Photomicrography of Cell Growth and Division in Escherichia coli

Hoffman, Heiner (New York University, New York, N.Y.), and Michael E. Frank. Time-lapse photomicrography of cell growth and division in Escherichia coli. J. Bacteriol. 89:212–216. 1965. —Photomicrographs at 15-sec intervals of cells growing at 37 C disclosed that in a cell with a generation time of 21.0 min the processes of furrowing, cross-wall formation, and cell separation are completed within 2.5 min after the division furrow first becomes clearly visible. Among a large number of cultivations examined, only a few cells late in one microculture at 43.5 C failed to separate once the cross wall was completed. Measurements of cell lengths during a 5-min period, extending from just before to just after division, showed that elongation of the cell is a discontinuous process, although the growth rate over the 5-min period is exponential. At the time of cell division, it appears that the synthesis of cell-wall material is diverted entirely into formation of the cross wall.
Towards Improving Comprehension of Touch ID Authentication with Smartphone Applications

Apple recently opened Touch ID to third-party applications, giving third-party developers the ability to utilize Touch ID fingerprint sensor for user sign-in and authorization of sensitive tasks such as money transfer and purchase completion. This has introduced several misconceptions about how Touch ID use with applications. A recent study showed that users are unaware of how a fingerprint is being used during Touch ID-based sign-in to the application, have incorrect perceptions regarding the access of their registered fingerprint by an application, and are unaware of who can potentially access their account inside the Touch ID-enabled application.We propose a solution to increase user comprehension and risk perception of Touch ID use with sensitive task-based applications. Our solution focuses on improving the design of Touch ID terms and conditions dialog presented during the Touch ID setup phase of an application. We propose four dialog designs that simplify this information text and present it in bulleted format. We add visual examples and icons as cues to aid in the attention and comprehension of the presented information.
Ultraviolet Radiation Attenuates Thrombospondin 1 Expression via PI3K-Akt Activation in Human Keratinocytes

Abstract Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) is an extracellular glycoprotein and a recognized inhibitor of angiogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that UV radiation induces an angiogenic switch, by which it alters the balance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors in the skin. Here we describe the effects of acute UV exposure on TSP1 expression in human skin epidermis, primary keratinocytes and the epidermal cell line HaCaT. We found that protein and mRNA expressions of TSP1 are significantly reduced in human skin in vivo and in keratinocytes in vitro by a single UV exposure. In human skin and keratinocytes, UV exposure induced the phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream target of the PI3K pathways. Specific inhibitors of PI3K, wortmannin and LY294002, completely blocked Akt activation and UV-induced TSP1 downregulation in keratinocytes. We showed that a specific Akt phosphorylation inhibitor and small interfering RNA–mediated Akt depletion were also blocked by UV-induced TSP1 downregulation in keratinocytes. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that acute UV exposure downregulates TSP1 expression via PI3K-Akt activation in human keratinocytes. These novel findings may help us understand the regulatory mechanisms of UV-induced skin angiogenesis.