Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvements in Clinical and Functional Vision and Quality of Life after Second Eye Cataract Surgery

Purpose To determine whether there is a need for second eye cataract surgery or whether cataract surgery in one eye provides sufficiently adequate vision. Methods The vision of 43 patients was assessed using a battery of clinical vision tests, performance-based functional vision tests, and quality of life questionnaires, both before and a few months after cataract surgery. Twenty-five patients underwent second eye surgery and 18 patients underwent first-eye surgery. To determine whether cataract surgery returned vision to normal levels, a control group of 25 subjects of a similar age with normal, healthy eyes was also assessed. Results Overall, greater improvements occurred in most aspects of vision after first eye surgery than after second eye surgery. However, second eye surgery provided similar improvements in mobility orientation and self-reported night driving to those after first eye surgery, and substantially greater improvements in stereoacuity and reductions in anisometropia. Conclusions The study provides additional evidence to support the need for second eye cataract surgery. Second eye surgery may be particularly important to improve mobility orientation and the avoidance of falls.
Evaluating CPB's published GDP growth forecasts; a comparison with individual and pooled VAR based forecasts

We compare the accuracy of our published GDP growth forecasts from our large macro model, SAFFIER, to those produced by VAR based models using both classical and Bayesian estimation techniques. We employ a data driven methodology for selecting variables to include in our VAR models and we find that a randomly selected classical VAR model performs worse in most cases than the Bayesian equivalent, which performs worse than our published forecasts in most cases. However, when we pool forecasts across many VARs we can produce more accurate forecasts than we published. A review of the literature suggests that forecast accuracy is likely irrelevant for the non-forecasting activities the model is used for at CPB because they are fundamentally different activities.
Regulatory T cells that recognize a ubiquitous stress-inducible self-antigen are long-lived suppressors of autoimmune arthritis

Reestablishing self-tolerance in autoimmunity is thought to depend on self-reactive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Exploiting these antigen-specific regulators is hampered by the obscure nature of disease-relevant autoantigens. We have uncovered potent disease-suppressive Tregs recognizing Heat Shock Protein (Hsp) 70 self-antigens, enabling selective activity in inflamed tissues. Hsp70 is a major contributor to the MHC class II ligandome. Here we show that a conserved Hsp70 epitope (B29) is present in murine MHC class II and that upon transfer, B29-induced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells suppress established proteoglycan-induced arthritis in mice. These self-antigen–specific Tregs were activated in vivo, and when using Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 as a selection marker, as few as 4,000 cells sufficed. Furthermore, depletion of transferred Tregs abrogated disease suppression. Transferred cells exhibited a stable phenotype and were found in joints and draining lymph nodes up to 2 mo after transfer. Given that (i) B29 administration by itself suppressed disease, (ii) our findings were made with wild-type (T-cell receptor nontransgenic) Tregs, and (iii) the B29 human homolog is presented by HLA class II, we are nearing translation of antigen-specific Treg activation as a promising intervention for chronic inflammatory diseases.
Does VIX or volume improve GARCH volatility forecasts?

ABSTRACT This article considers whether the inclusion of two additional variables can improve volatility forecasts over a standard GARCH-based model. We consider three alternative ways of incorporating the volatility index (VIX) and trading volume as exogenous variables within a selection of GARCH models. We are particularly interested in whether these variables have additional incremental forecast power over and above the baseline GARCH specification. Our results suggest that both the VIX and volume do provide some additional forecast power, and this is generally improved when considering both of these series jointly in the model. However, while the results may be statistically significant the gain is marginal and the coefficient values small. Moreover, in a horse race exercise VIX does not outperform the GARCH approach. In answering the question of whether VIX produces better forecasts than the GARCH model, then the answer is no, but the informational content of VIX cannot be ignored and should be incorporated into forecast regressions.
InfectionMultiple Immune Responses Control a HIV The Rate of Immune Escape Vanishes When

During the ﬁrst months of HIV infection, the virus typically evolves several immune escape mutations. These mutations are found in epitopes in viral proteins and reduce the impact of the CD8 + T cells speciﬁc for these epitopes. Recent data show that only a subset of the epitopes escapes, that most of these escapes evolve early, and that the rate of immune escape slows down considerably. To investigate why the evolution of immune escape slows down over the time of infection, we have extended a consensus mathematical model to allow several immune responses to control the virus together. In the extended model, most escapes also occur early, and the immune escape rate becomes small later, and typically only a minority of the epitopes escape. We show that escaping one of the many immune responses provides little advantage after viral setpoint has been approached because the total killing rate hardly depends on the breadth of the immune response. If the breadth of the immune response slowly wanes during disease progression, the model predicts an increase in the rate of immune escape at late stages of infection. Overall, the most striking prediction of the model is that HIV evolves a small number of immune escapes, in both relative and absolute terms, when the CTL immune response is broad. The Journal of Immunology , 2013, 191: 000–000.
Waveforms-Only Based Nonlinear De-Embedding in Active Devices

A novel nonlinear de-embedding procedure based on only the use of low- and high-frequency vector large-signal measurements is proposed. The nonlinear Q-V characteristics, along with the parasitic network, are here determined by combining vector measurements with numerical optimization. Consequently, the knowledge of their contributions allows one to retrieve the actual waveform at the current generator plane starting from any high-frequency load line.
Percutaneous drainage and continuous irrigation in patients with severe pyogenic spondylitis, abscess formation, and marked bone destruction.

OBJECT The use of percutaneous suction aspiration has recently become viewed as an effective management strategy for pyogenic spondylitis unresponsive to conservative treatment. What remains unclear is whether it can be effective for severe pyogenic spondylitis in which abscess formation or marked bone destruction is present. The authors undertook a study to clarify answers to this question. METHODS The authors evaluated clinical and radiographic/neuroimaging data obtained in five patients with severe pyogenic spondylitis, extensive abscesses, and marked bone destruction. These patients had undergone percutaneous drainage and continuous irrigation because open surgery was considered contraindicated in light of their poor general health. The mean period during which continuous irrigation was applied was 9 days (range 7-11 days), and the mean period during which the drainage tube was in place was 19 days (range 13-38 days). All patients suffered from back pain, which was relieved by the percutaneous technique in four patients after a mean of 8 days. The abscesses and inflammation resolved in all patients. Progressive osseous destruction was not observed, and open surgery was performed in only one patient in whom back pain persisted as a result of spinal instability. CONCLUSIONS After an unsuccessful course of conservative treatment, severe pyogenic spondylitis with abscess formation or marked bone destruction was successfully treated using percutaneous drainage and continuous irrigation. Based on their results, the authors believe that this procedure can be used in patients with severe pyogenic spondylitis that was unresponsive to conservative treatment, particularly in those whose general health is poor.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infectivity of growth hormone derived from human pituitary glands.

To the Editor: As part of a comprehensive evaluation of the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in recipients of native human growth hormone (GH), we inoculated nonhuman primates with samples of all 76 lots of GH retained on file at the National Hormone and Pituitary Program distribution center in September 19851. A total of 1 ml from each lot was inoculated by intracerebral, intravenous, and intramuscular routes into three squirrel monkeys, and 25 of the same lots were pooled in different combinations and inoculated into chimpanzees. The protocol called for these animals to be observed for a minimum of five .
Towards Good Practices for Deep 3D Hand Pose Estimation

3D hand pose estimation from single depth image is an important and challenging problem for human-computer interaction. Recently deep convolutional networks (ConvNet) with sophisticated design have been employed to address it, but the improvement over traditional random forest based methods is not so apparent. To exploit the good practice and promote the performance for hand pose estimation, we propose a tree-structured Region Ensemble Network (REN) for directly 3D coordinate regression. It first partitions the last convolution outputs of ConvNet into several grid regions. The results from separate fully-connected (FC) regressors on each regions are then integrated by another FC layer to perform the estimation. By exploitation of several training strategies including data augmentation and smooth $L_1$ loss, proposed REN can significantly improve the performance of ConvNet to localize hand joints. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves the best performance among state-of-the-art algorithms on three public hand pose datasets. We also experiment our methods on fingertip detection and human pose datasets and obtain state-of-the-art accuracy.
The Epidemiology of Knee Injuries in English Professional Rugby Union

Background Detailed injury epidemiology is an invaluable tool for reducing risks associated with sporting injuries. Very little accurate injury surveillance data exist regarding knee injuries in professional rugby. Hypotheses (1) Knee injuries have a greater impact on the game than injuries to other body locations. (2) Anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament injuries cause the greatest days absent from training and match play. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods Medical personnel prospectively reported time-loss injuries sustained by 546 professional rugby union players from 12 clubs in England over 2 seasons, and the knee injuries were evaluated. Results Injuries to the knee accounted for the highest number of days absent due to injury (7776 days, 21%) and were characteristically severe, with a disproportionately high number of days missed per injury (37 days). Anterior cruciate ligament injuries accounted for the greatest proportion of days missed of all knee injuries (29%), followed by medial collateral ligament injuries (25%). Most severe injuries occurred during contact, mostly during a tackle, and most commonly in the final 20 minutes of a match. Injuries tended to be more common in backs. Injuries sustained during training accounted for 16% of all knee injuries. Each club studied had a mean of 10 knee injuries per season resulting in a total of 353 days absent. Conclusions The incidence of knee injuries sustained during matches was higher than that reported in all other football codes, surpassed only by rugby union at the international level. Knee injuries accounted for the highest player absence due to injury; 5% of an average playing squad were absent at any one time due to knee injuries.
Does Performance Pay Increase Job Satisfaction?

This paper investigates the influence of performance-related pay on several dimensions of job satisfaction. In cross-sectional estimates performance-related pay is associated with increased overall satisfaction, satisfaction with pay, satisfaction with job security and satisfaction with hours. It appears to be negatively associated with satisfaction with the work itself; yet, after accounting for worker fixed effects the positive associations remain and the negative association vanishes. These results appear robust to a variety of alternative specifications and support the notion that performance-related pay allows increased opportunities for worker optimization and does not generally demotivate workers or crowd out intrinsic motivation.
Diminished ECT Response in Catatonia Due to Chronic Neurologic Condition

A series of four clinical cases suggests that catatonic disorder due to a chronic neurologic condition does not respond as reliably to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as functional catatonia does. Cases reported in the medical literature show a similar pattern. Presumably this form of catatonia is intrinsically less responsive to ECT, although the possibility remains that a more intense quality of treatment and prophylaxis is needed. Conversely, catatonia resistant to ECT suggests an underlying medical condition.
The Weekly Pattern in Stock Returns: Cash versus Futures: A Note

This paper presents tests designed to determine whether the weekly pattern in stock returns continues after the introduction of futures trading on stock indexes and whether the pattern carries over to the futures market. Using data for the SP500, I find that the "Monday effect" does persist in the cash market, but there is no evidence of a similar pattern in the futures market. AMONG THE GROWING ARRAY of market anomalies, one of the most widely documented, but least understood, is the day-of-the-week effect. Detailed research by French [2], Gibbons and Hess [3], Lakonishok and Levi [6], and Keim and Stambaugh [5] clearly shows that the mean return on Monday is less than that
Cotransplantation of Marrow Stromal Cells May Prevent Lethal Graft-versus-Host Disease in Major Histocompatibility Complex Mismatched Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Marrow stromal cells (MSC) produce a microenvironment supporting hematopoiesis and may contribute immune tolerance because of low immunogenicity and the suppressive effect of alloreactivity. We investigated whether cotransplantation of MSC could prevent lethal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in major histocompatibility complex mismatched allogeneic murine hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using female BALB/c (H-2d, recipient) and C3H/He (H-2k, donor) mice. MSC were obtained from C3H/He bone marrow cells (BMC). MSC and irradiated BALB/c splenocytes (SP) were cocultured with C3H/He SP or BMC. Nonirradiated MSC did not inhibit the proliferation of alloantigen-stimulated BMC and SP. However, irradiated MSC suppressed the proliferation of alloantigen-stimulated SP at a level comparable with that of immunosuppressive agents, and the suppression by MSC was reversed to a significant degree by interleukin 2. Lethally irradiated BALB/c mice received transplants of donor cells according to the following experimental groups (group A, BMC only; group B, BMC and SP; group C, BMC, SP, and MSC; group D, BMC and MSC). The survival rate in group D was higher than in the other groups (P =.0057), and the clinical GVHD scores and serum levels of interferon-γ were low in group D. Our results suggest that cotransplantation of MSC in HSCT prevents lethal GVHD, possibly by immune modulation.
Characteristic haemodynamic changes of cirrhosis may influence the diagnosis of portopulmonary hypertension

Diagnosis of portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is based on the presence of portal hypertension and the same haemodynamic criteria as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the typical hyperdynamic circulation of cirrhosis may have some impact on the diagnosis of POPH. The aim was to compare the haemodynamic pattern of the pulmonary circulation between cirrhotics and non‐cirrhotics, including patients with PAH.
Nadir testosterone within first year of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) predicts for time to castration-resistant progression: a secondary analysis of the PR-7 trial of intermittent versus continuous ADT.

PURPOSE Three small retrospective studies have suggested that patients undergoing continuous androgen deprivation (CAD) have superior survival and time to progression if lower castrate levels of testosterone (< 0.7 nmol/L) are achieved. Evidence from prospective large studies has been lacking. PATIENTS AND METHODS The PR-7 study randomly assigned patients experiencing biochemical failure after radiation therapy or surgery plus radiation therapy to CAD or intermittent androgen deprivation. The relationship between testosterone levels in the first year and cause-specific survival (CSS) and time to androgen-independent progression in men in the CAD arm was evaluated using Cox regression. RESULTS There was a significant difference in CSS (P = .015) and time to hormone resistance (P = .02) among those who had first-year minimum nadir testosterone ≤ 0.7, > 0.7 to ≤ 1.7, and ≥ 1.7 nmol/L. Patients with first-year nadir testosterone consistently > 0.7 nmol/L had significantly higher risks of dying as a result of disease (0.7 to 1.7 nmol/L: hazard ratio [HR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.28 to 3.38; > 1.7 nmol/L: HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 0.70 to 12.30) and developing hormone resistance (0.7 to 1.7 nmol/L: HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.18; ≥ 1.7 nmol/L: HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 0.77 to 4.70). Maximum testosterone ≥ 1.7 nmol/L predicted for a higher risk of dying as a result of disease (P = .02). CONCLUSION Low nadir serum testosterone (ie, < 0.7 mmol/L) within the first year of androgen-deprivation therapy correlates with improved CSS and duration of response to androgen deprivation in men being treated for biochemical failure undergoing CAD.
The Advertiser is Mentioned Twice. Media Bias in Belgian Newspapers

Do newspapers write more about their advertisers? We try to answer this question on two levels. In our theoretical model, we show that the answer is yes, if readers do not mind bias too much and if bias is relatively effective for advertisers. In an empirical study, we find that advertisers in Belgian Dutch-language newspapers receive a significantly higher coverage.
The chain is never stronger than its weakest link: implementing a model of collaboration among agencies serving vulnerable children and adolescents

This article analyses agency collaboration to help vulnerable children and adolescents with complex social and psychological problems, examining the implementation of a formal collaboration model for these groups. This model, implemented in Västra Götaland, Sweden, involves five municipal agencies and five county council agencies in 49 different municipalities. Data were collected using two questionnaires sent to 355 lower managers and 424 professional representatives in the concerned organizations. The analysis demonstrates that there are differences in implementation results between the agencies, and that the differences are largely explainable by organizational self-interest and top management prioritization of collaboration model implementation. The main barriers to collaboration are factors modifiable by the agencies themselves, and perceived barriers decreased when the policy was working. The study suggests that managers of human service organizations must assume responsibility when implementing collaboratively, and that accountable professional and political leaders must rise above organizational interests to protect vulnerable citizens.
Rare and recurrent chromosomal abnormalities and their clinical relevance in pediatric acute leukemia of south Indian population

Abstract Background and Objectives: This cytogenetic study detects a wide variety of common, rare and novel chromosomal abnormalities in patients with hematological disorders, providing valuable diagnostic and prognostic information. Materials and Methods: We addressed the utility of the cytogenetic technique in 50 patients of pediatric acute leukemia prospectively. Results: Successful cultures were found in 44 patients (88%) and abnormal karyotypes in 22 (44%). The common abnormalities like hyperdiploidy, del(6q), t(1;19)(q23;p13), t(4;11)(q22;q23), t(9;22)(q34;q11), rare t(2;7)(q23;p11) and t(4;12)(q21;p13) and a novel translocation t(7;9)(q22;q21) were observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In acute myeloid leukemia, t(8;21)(q22;q22), del(16)(q22), t(15;17)(q22;q21) and t(9;11)(p22;q23) were commonly seen. Conclusion: Chromosomal abnormalities of this small group of patients are compared with the relevant literature with respect to the incidence rate and prognosis.
When the nature of employment matters in the employment relationship: a cluster analysis of psychological contracts and organizational commitment in the non-profit sector

This paper investigates the relationship between psychological contracts, organizational commitment and employment characteristics among paid employees in a non-profit organization. This is an empirically neglected workforce group. Using fuzzy c-means clustering, our analysis establishes three clusters of employees based on their psychological contract perceptions. Subsequent validation shows that the clusters display different levels of organizational commitment, based on an aggregated commitment measure and three single-item measures pertaining to loyalty, values and effort. In addition, the clusters are differentiated by their demographic profiles, particularly regarding the work role and type of employment contract held. Although prior psychological contract research has considered the impact of employment status (full time, part time and temporary), little attention has been afforded to the nature of the work role undertaken and its implications for the psychological contract. Our exploratory cluster analysis explicates the need for further role-related research in the non-profit sector and beyond. Potential role-related factors underpinning the differential management of employees in the non-profit sector and other work contexts are discussed.
Facts and myths about the financial crisis of 2008

The United States is indisputably undergoing a financial crisis. Here we examine four claims about the way the financial crisis is affecting the economy as a whole and argue that all four claims are myths. Conventional analyses of the financial crisis focus on interest rate spreads. We argue that such analyses may lead to mistaken inferences about the real costs of borrowing and argue that, during financial crises, variations in the levels of nominal interest rates might lead to better inferences about variations in the real costs of borrowing.