Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indications for penetrating keratoplasty in Canada, 1986-1995.

PURPOSE To examine the leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS We retrospectively performed a chart review of 904 cases of penetrating keratoplasty over a 10-year period (1986-1995). Where possible, the clinical indication was corroborated by the pathological report. RESULTS Leading indications included pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK; 28.5%), regraft (22.4%), keratoconus (10.0%), Fuchs' dystrophy (7.6%), aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK; 6.1%), herpetic keratopathy (4.2%), bacterial infection (4.2%), physical trauma (4%), interstitial keratitis (3.7%), and corneal scarring (2.8%). The most common type of intraocular lens found in patients with PBK was the anterior-chamber lens [AC IOL, 71.6%; posterior-chamber lens (PC IOL), 16%; iris-plane IOL (IP IOL; 12.5%]. In our series, we noted decreasing trends in the incidences of ABK (p < 0.001) and PBK (p < 0.04) and an increasing trend in the incidence of regraft (p < 0.0083). Our data do not show statistically significant changes in the incidences of Fuchs' dystrophy and keratoconus. Gender differences were present for Fuchs' dystrophy with female exceeding male patients by a 3:1 ratio (p < 0.001). Male exceeded female patients by 2:1 for keratoconus (p < 0.001). Male exceeded female patients by 3:1 for trauma (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In this series, the leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty were found to be generally in agreement with the data reported in recent literature. Variations may reflect the wide variations in practice and referral patterns.
Impact of oxygen deficiency on the disease status of common dab Limanda limanda

- An epidemiological survey of the fish diseases lymphocystis, epidermal papilloma and skin ulcers in common dab Limanda limanda L. was conducted in the southern Kattegat each year in May from 1984 to 1993. During the period of investigation, severe oxygen depletion occurred in late summer 1986 and 1988. After the oxygen deficiency in 1986. the occurrence of lymphocystis and epidermal papilloma increased and peaked in 1989 with prevalences of 14 7 and 3.3%, respectively. The prevalence of skin ulcers never exceeded 0.6 %. The relative nsk of contracting lymphocystis increased significantly from 1987 to 1991 compared with 1984 to 1986, the per~od prior to the severe oxygen depletion. A significant increase in the relative risk of contracting epidermal papilloma was observed from 1987 to 1990. Females were 3 times more likely to contract this disease than males. The relative risk of skin ulcers did not change significantly during the investigation period. The prevalence of lymphocystis and epidermal papilloma was negatively correlated with the minimum oxygen levels mea- sured in August and September the previous year; this negative correlation was significant (p c 0.05) for lymphocystis in September, while not for epidermal papilloma (p < 0.1). The prevalence of lym- phocystis and epidermal papilloma was significantly correlated (p < 0.01). No significant correlation was observed between stock density (expressed as catch per unit effort) and the diseases in question. It is probably the stress caused by the oxygen deficiency -especially the sublethal levels - that the outbreak of the viral lymphocystis
BOILERS , BOILER FUEL AND BOILER EFFICIENCY

This paper describes the modern boilers in the South African sugar industry. A new equation for the calculation of the net calorific value (NCV) of bagasse is suggested and a distinction is made between boiler design efficiency and boiler operation efficiency. Methods to calculate fuel calorific values and boiler efficiencies from first principles are presented.
Computed tomography findings of aspiration pneumonia in 53 patients

Aim: No large case series has so far shown the chest computed tomography (CT) features in patients with aspiration pneumonia, despite the fact that aspiration pneumonia is the most common pulmonary disease in the elderly and is regarded as gravity‐dependent pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the CT features based on the patients' status in patients with dysphagia‐associated aspiration pneumonia.
Personality Matters: Incorporating Detailed User Attributes and Preferences into the Matchmaking Process

Finding ways of reducing undesired behavior in online interactions is at the forefront of the social computing research agenda. One promising way to reduce perceived "bad behavior" is by matching members of online social environments with corresponding behavioral preferences. We present an empirical study (N=267) of an experimental system for matching users. As a test bed we chose the online game MechAssault, which largely supports one-off encounters within a socially homogenous population. Even within this population we found great variability in the way users selected their gaming partners. One type of player chose partners mainly on their skill, another mainly on a friendly gaming personality, and a third preferred aggressive players. Detailed analyses revealed the underlying attributes of user profiles that generated these user types. The findings suggest that a matchmaking system can better promote desired online interactions than the enforcement of uniform behavioral standards
The secretion of calcium and phosphorus into milk.

1. The time course of appearance of radioactivity in milk was studied following close‐arterial infusion of labelled phosphate, Ca or leucine into the mammary artery of lactating goats. Maximum activities were reached at 1.5 hr in all milk fractions including inorganic soluble phosphate, inorganic colloidal phosphate, casein P, soluble Ca, protein‐associated Ca and casein. 2. At 0.5 hr, labelling of the soluble and colloidal phosphate fractions was significantly higher than that of the casein P. 3. Recovery of 32P or 47Ca 3 or more hours after infusion into the cistern of the mammary glands was 98% or greater, indicating that the mammary epithelium is virtually impermeable to [32P]phosphate and 47Ca in the milk to blood direction. 4. Ca and P failed to enter milk in excess of the normal secretion rate when the milk was diluted with isosmotic sucrose given by intraductal injection. 5. These data suggest that milk Ca and phosphate in their various forms are secreted, like protein and lactose, by exocytosis of Golgi vesicles. Unless a paracellular pathway is present, as in oxytocin‐treated animals, the milk concentrations are maintained by virtue of the impermeability of the mammary epithelium to these substances.
Early Processing of Gendered Facial Cues Predicts the Electoral Success of Female Politicians

This research examined how the typicality of gender cues in politicians’ faces related to their electoral success. Previous research has shown that faces with subtle gender-atypical cues elicit cognitive competition between male and female categories, which perceivers resolve during face perception. To assess whether this competition adversely impacted politicians’ electoral success, participants categorized the gender of politicians’ faces in a hand-tracking paradigm. Gender-category competition was indexed by the hand’s attraction to the incorrect gender response. Greater gender-category competition predicted a decreased likelihood of votes, but only for female politicians. Time-course analyses revealed that this outcome was evident as early as 380 ms following face presentation (Study 1). Results were replicated with a national sample, and effects became more pronounced as the conservatism of the constituency increased (Study 2). Thus, gender categorization dynamics during the initial milliseconds after viewing a female politician’s face are predictive of her electoral success, especially in more conservative areas.
A logic method for efficient reduction of the space complexity of the attribute reduction problem

The goal of attribute reduction is to find a minimal subset (MS) R of the condition attribute set C of a dataset such that R has the same classification power as C. It was proved that the number of MSs for a dataset with n attributes may be as large as (n/2n) and the generation of all of them is an NP-hard problem. The main reason for this is the intractable space complexity of the conversion of the discernibility function (DF) of a dataset to the disjunctive normal form (DNF). Our analysis of many DF-to-DNF conversion processes showed that approximately (1-2/(n/2n) \times 100)% of the implicants generated in the DF-to-DNF process are redundant ones. We prevented their generation based on the Boolean inverse distribution law. Due to this property, the proposed method generates 0.5 \times (n/2n) times fewer implicants than other Boolean logic-based attribute reduction methods. Hence, it can process most of the datasets that cannot be processed by other attribute reduction methods.
ARISTOTLE ON MATERIAL DISPOSITIONS IN METEOROLOGY IV

ARISTOTLE ON MATERIAL DISPOSITIONS IN METEOROLOGY IVTiberiu M. Popa, PhDUniversity of Pittsburgh, 2005 The purpose of this dissertation is twofold: to elucidate crucial aspects of an important but somewhat understudied Aristotelian text, the fourth book of his Meteorology, and, implicitly, to contribute to a deeper understanding of Aristotle's treatment of dispositions. Meteorology IV is concerned to a great extent with the properties of organic and inorganic homogeneous materials. The first chapter of my dissertation is meant to clarify the structure of this text, to demonstrate - by appealing to a few new arguments - that Meteorology IV is to be attributed to Aristotle and to point out that, contrary to most scholarship on this topic, not all homogeneous materials (homoiomerc) are mixtures. I subsequently build on these preliminaries and address three major questions in the next chapters: What are material dispositions, according to Meteorology IV? How does Aristotle account for the emergence of dispositional properties in uniform materials? What role do dispositions play in the context of Aristotle's scientific method? I answer the first question chiefly by distinguishing in the Aristotelian text between what one might call today dispositional differentiae (e.g. solubility) and categorical properties corresponding to them (a particular composition or microstructure) and conclude that dispositions are not reducible to categorical features in Aristotle's 'chemistry', but are properties, perceived as being part of a homogeneous material's nature (in a non-teleological context). The emergence of dispositions in the homoiomerc receives a more articulate treatment in Meteorology IV than in any other Aristotelian work, but its limitations point to Aristotle's preference not to engage in pure speculation, when he cannot rely on an acceptable degree of probability or plausibility; his treatment of the emergence of dispositions points (in virtue of an understood conditional necessity) to the link between his 'chemistry' and his biological corpus. Finally, I give prominence to the central role of dispositions in Aristotle's method of division and in his effort to gain insight into the composition and microstructure of homogeneous bodies. These aspects of the scientific method deployed in Meteorology IV also emphasize the dominant functions of this treatise and its place within the Aristotelian oeuvre.
Biomechanical Analysis of Lumbosacral Fixation

Study Design. The authors sought to measure the stiffness at the lumbosacral junction when it has been immobilized by means of two different posterior fixation systems in conjunction with three different anterior interbody fixation techniques. The information obtained provides a foundation for determining how methods of lumbosacral spinal fixation can maximize rigidity and improve fusion rates at this clinically important anatomic site. Objectives. To determine which spinal instrumentation systems, alone or in combination, provide the most stability at the lumbosacral junction. Summary of Background Data. In the clinical setting, several different posterior instrumentation systems are currently used, but the stability of these systems, when used in conjunction with anterior interbody fixation, has not been adequately tested. The authors hypothesized that rigidity of fixation at the lumbosacral junction may be enhanced by use of appropriate anterior interbody fixation techniques. Methods. Two posterior and three anterior fusion constructs were tested in eight fresh‐frozen human cadaveric specimens in axial compression and torsion, flexion, extension, and lateral bending. Results. The isolated posterior instrumentation constructs produced greater intervertebral stiffness than the isolated anterior constructs tested. The Jackson instrumentation was stiffer than the Galveston in axial torsion and flexion. Anteriorly, the femoral ring was stiffer than either the threaded interbody fusion device in flexion or the corticocancellous bone graft in flexion and compression. The threaded interbody fusion device was the stiffest anterior construct in axial torsion. Conclusions. The authors' data demonstrate that the threaded interbody fusion device may be an effective system for immobilization of the L5‐S1 disc space. Rigidity of fixation at the lumbosacral junction may be enhanced by use of appropriate anterior interbody fusion techniques.
Neuronal glutamate transporter EAAT4 is expressed in astrocytes

High‐affinity excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are essential to terminate glutamatergic neurotransmission and to prevent excitotoxicity. To date, five distinct EAATs have been cloned from animal and human tissues: GLAST (EAAT1), GLT‐1 (EAAT2), EAAC1 (EAAT3), EAAT4, and EAAT5. EAAT1 and EAAT2 are commonly known as glial glutamate transporters, whereas EAAT3, EAAT4, and EAAT5 are neuronal. EAAT4 is largely expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells. In this study, using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, we found that EAAT4‐like immunoreactivity (ir) is enriched in the spinal cord and forebrain. Double‐labeled fluorescent immunostaining and confocal image analysis indicated that EAAT4‐like ir colocalizes with an astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The astrocytic localization of EAAT4 was further confirmed in astrocyte cultures by double‐labeled fluorescent immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated mRNA expression of EAAT4 in astrocyte cultures. Sequencing confirmed the specificity of the amplified fragment. These results demonstrate that EAAT4 is expressed in astrocytes. This astrocytic localization of neuronal EAAT4 may reveal a new function of EAAT4 in the central nervous system. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in renal function and occurrence of contrast-induced nephropathy after percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants or warfarin

Introduction Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have a slower decline in renal function than those taking warfarin. Moreover, a warfarin-related nephropathy has been described. Aim We assessed variation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and occurrence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with AF taking warfarin compared with NOAC. Material and methods We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients taking oral anticoagulation for AF undergoing PCI. The primary endpoint was variation in eGFR and serum creatinine levels within 48–72 h after PCI. The secondary endpoint was occurrence of CIN, defined as a ≥ 25% relative increase, or a ≥ 0.5 mg/dl absolute increase, in serum creatinine levels within 48–72 h. Results We enrolled 420 patients (mean age: 75.0 ±5.5 years, 272 (64.7%) male), 124 (29.5%) treated with NOAC and 296 (70.5%) with warfarin. NOAC patients showed a reduced decline in renal function (eGFR change: –2.8 ±7.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 vs. –4.5 ±6.5 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively, p = 0.02) and a smaller increase in serum creatinine levels (0.026 ±0.112 vs. 0.055 ±0.132, p = 0.032) after PCI compared with warfarin. In the multivariate linear regression model independent predictors of eGFR changes were diabetes, baseline eGFR ≤ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and warfarin use. Occurrence of CIN did not differ between NOAC and warfarin patients (13 (10.5%) vs. 46 (15.5%), p = 0.22). Conclusions Patients with AF taking NOAC have a reduced decline in renal function after PCI compared with warfarin. The NOAC may be a reasonable option for patients with a high risk of developing CIN.
Cholinergic Mechanisms in the Cerebral Circulation of the Newborn Piglet: Effect of Inhibitors of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism

The cerebrovascular response to cholinergic stimulation and the effect of inhibition of the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways on the response to acetylcholine (ACh) was investigated in newborn piglets. Responsiveness of pial arterioles to ACh, methacholine, and nicotine was studied using a closed cranial window. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured using intravital microscopy. Pial arteriolar responses to ACh, 10-8-10-4 M, applied to the cortical surface, were variable and dose-dependent. At low concentration, 10-7 M, 45percent; of the arterioles increased diameter by 9±1percent;, 19percent; responded by decreasing diameter by 9±1percent;, and 35percent; did not respond. The response to high concentration, 10-4 M, was a profound decrease in diameter, 28±3percent;, in 78percent; of the arterioles studied. These effects were abolished by atropine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.). Muscarinic agonist, methacholine, 10-5-10-3 M, also resulted in a decrease in cerebral vascular diameter, while nicotine, 10-6-10-4 M, had no effect. In six animals, administration of cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.), blocked the response to 10 " M ACh but did not affect the response to 10-7 M ACh. In five animals, administration of lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (2 mg/kg i.v.) augmented the vasoconstrictor response at both ACh concentrations. The data suggest that, in the newborn piglet, vasoactive prostanoids released following cholinergic activation of a muscarinic-type receptor mediate vasoconstriction in cerebral arterioles.
Seroprevalence of Anti-Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies Among Pregnant Woman in South Khuzestan, Iran

Background: Acute toxoplasmosis may lead to congenital toxoplasmosis with fetal complications outcome during pregnancy. Anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibody seroprevalence is unclear in pregnant women of south of Khuzestan province, since limited data about T. gondii seroepidemiology has been published in pregnant women of this area (Abadan, Shadegan, Khoramshar). Objectives: The aim of this study was to clarify the status of T. gondii seroprevalence in pregnant women of south of Khuzestan province. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 501 full-term pregnant women were included. This study was carried out in Taleghani teaching hospital for six 6 months from May to October 2011. Informed consents signed by the patients were obtained. Blood IgG and IgM were measured using ELISA technique. The data was analyzed by SPSS 13 (Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was used for comparison. Results: The participants’ age range was 15 to 45 years (average: 27.4 ± 13). Of the 501 pregnant women, 70.65 % (n = 354) were seronegative for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. There were statistical relationships between IgG seroprevalence and age, as well as IgG seroprevalence and cat holding. Conclusions: There was high percentage of seronegative (70.65 %) IgG and IgM antibodies in full-term pregnant women. They were susceptible to acute toxoplasmosis; thus, prenatal screening was recommend in our province after cost-beneficial analyses.
Mapping the CRF–urocortins system in human osteoarthritic and rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts: Effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide

In addition to the brain and pituitary gland, the corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) system is expressed in peripheral tissues. In this study we characterize the expression of CRF, urocortins (UCN1, UCN2, and UCN3), and their receptors (CRFR1 and CRFR2) in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS). Moreover, we analyze the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) effect on the CRF system, as well as its physiological consequences on mediators of inflammatory/destructive processes. CRF and UCNs exhibit differential pattern in OA and RA‐FLS. By real‐time PCR we detected more expression of CRF and UCN1 in RA, and UCN2 and UCN3 in OA, while the CRFR2 expression was similar. In RA‐FLS VIP treatment resulted in a significant decrease of the proinflammatory peptides, CRF and UCN1, and a significant increase of the potential anti‐inflammatory agents, UCN3 and CRFR2. Using Western blot assays, we showed that the ratio between phospho‐CREB (p‐CREB) and c‐AMP response element‐binding (CREB) is higher in OA and significantly lower in RA‐FLS after VIP treatment, with consequences upon cAMP response element in CRF and UCN1 genes. Real‐time PCR and EIA proved that VIP significantly inhibits cycloxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in RA‐FLS. In all cases, we consider significant data when P < 0.05. These data indicate a role of endogenous CRF, UCNs, and CRFR2 in the OA and RA joint microenvironment. We confirm the anti‐inflammatory function of VIP, through the modulation of the expression of CRF system that impacts in a reduction of mediators with inflammatory/destructive functions, supporting its therapeutic potential in rheumatic diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 3261–3269, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NaV1.1 channels are critical for intercellular communication in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and for normal circadian rhythms

NaV1.1 is the primary voltage-gated Na+ channel in several classes of GABAergic interneurons, and its reduced activity leads to reduced excitability and decreased GABAergic tone. Here, we show that NaV1.1 channels are expressed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. Mice carrying a heterozygous loss of function mutation in the Scn1a gene (Scn1a+/−), which encodes the pore-forming α-subunit of the NaV1.1 channel, have longer circadian period than WT mice and lack light-induced phase shifts. In contrast, Scn1a+/− mice have exaggerated light-induced negative-masking behavior and normal electroretinogram, suggesting an intact retina light response. Scn1a+/− mice show normal light induction of c-Fos and mPer1 mRNA in ventral SCN but impaired gene expression responses in dorsal SCN. Electrical stimulation of the optic chiasm elicits reduced calcium transients and impaired ventro-dorsal communication in SCN neurons from Scn1a+/− mice, and this communication is barely detectable in the homozygous gene KO (Scn1a−/−). Enhancement of GABAergic transmission with tiagabine plus clonazepam partially rescues the effects of deletion of NaV1.1 on circadian period and phase shifting. Our report demonstrates that a specific voltage-gated Na+ channel and its associated impairment of SCN interneuronal communication lead to major deficits in the function of the master circadian pacemaker. Heterozygous loss of NaV1.1 channels is the underlying cause for severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy; the circadian deficits that we report may contribute to sleep disorders in severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy patients.