Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant for prostaglandin-induced refractory pseudophakic cystoid macular edema: case report and review of the literature

Background Macular edema is a known complication even after uneventful cataract surgery. The chronic use of prostaglandin analogs is a risk factor for the development of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered first-line therapy but refractory postsurgical CME represents a therapeutic challenge, as there is not an evidence-based treatment. Objective To report the use of a single implant of intravitreal dexamethasone for tafluprost-associated pseudophakic CME refractory to NSAIDs and to sub-Tenon’s corticosteroid injections. Case report A 64-year-old female with ocular hypertension treated with tafluprost experienced decreased vision (visual acuity 20/60) and metamorphopsia 2 months after uneventful cataract extraction. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) revealed CME. After 1 month of topical and oral NSAIDs, CME was still evident on SD-OCT (visual acuity 20/50). Two sub-Tenon’s betamethasone injections were performed at a 2-week interval. As CME was still present, 2 months after the diagnosis of CME (visual acuity 20/40), the patient underwent a single dexamethasone intravitreal implant. One month later, macular appearance was normal, and visual acuity increased to 20/30. This result was maintained throughout the 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion In this report, a single implant of intravitreal dexamethasone successfully treated pseudophakic CME associated with the use of prostaglandin analogs unresponsive to NSAIDs and sub-Tenon’s betamethasone. The results of this report need to be corroborated by powered, prospective, randomized trials. The need for repeated treatments as well as the retreatment interval in patients requiring more than a single injection are issues still needing further investigations.
Deciding Where and How to Be Tested for HIV: What Matters Most?

Summary: This study examined preferences for specific types of HIV tests as well as for test attributes such as cost, counseling, and privacy. A survey was administered to 354 clients of public testing services. Nonparametric tests and logistic regression were used to compare test preferences and attribute ratings, and to assess differences by demographic and risk groups. Nearly two thirds of respondents chose a public clinic test as their first choice, whereas 24% chose a home self‐test, 12% chose a test at a doctor's office, and 1% chose a home specimen‐collection test. Three attributes (accuracy/timeliness, privacy of test disclosure, and linking of test results) were rated equally—and most—important. In‐person counseling was endorsed as the fourth most important attribute. Availability of in‐person counseling was the strongest predictor of “loyalty” to public clinic tests—a consistent preference for that type of test even when the other tests were offered as additional no‐cost options. There was also substantial interest in home self‐tests. The results suggest specific attributes of testing that may be particularly important to individuals from diverse demographic and risk backgrounds.
An informal Facebook group for English language interaction : a study of Malaysian university students' perceptions, experiences and behaviours

This study looks at a group of Malaysian university students’ perceptions, experiences and behaviours when presented with an informal, participatory Facebook interaction group for English language practice. Three methods of data collection, namely questionnaire, LMT100 Facebook interaction group, and semi-structured interview were employed in stages. The findings show a discrepancy between the participants’ perceptions of using Facebook for English language learning (ELL), and their experiences and behaviours when presented with the interaction group. Only a quarter of the participants used the group actively by initiating interaction threads, and communicating with each other. A huge majority acted passively by making their participation visible just once or repeatedly through the means of likes and short comments. The rest of the members were silent readers who never made their involvement visible over the period of six weeks. The students showed higher participation rate when presented with three topics; entertainment-based, grammar quizzes, and university-related inquiries. This was discussed as students’ selective interests and preferences in learning. The types of online content suitable for English language learning was also addressed. More passive interviewees reported small improvements in their communicative competence from the interaction activity. The active interviewees however only felt a boost in their confidence to use English publicly rather than experience enhanced English language ability. The discrepancy between the students’ perceptions and behaviours are discussed from three levels of sociocultural influences which are personal, institutional, and societal. The students’ prior English language learning experience within an education system that privileges examinations may have influenced their (non)participation in the LMT100 group. The interviewees also indicated the existence of sentiments in racial, political, and religious issues, which may have influenced their learning experience at the university. The findings indicate that the informal, unstructured English language interaction platform on Facebook as having great potentials, although not tremendously successful in this study. Several implications are presented as strategies that may assist the integration of Facebook for English language learning in the future.
VISIBLE: Video-Assisted Keystroke Inference from Tablet Backside Motion

—The deep penetration of tablets in daily life has made them attractive targets for keystroke inference attacks that aim to infer a tablet user’s typed inputs. This paper presents VISIBLE, a novel video-assisted keystroke inference framework to infer a tablet user’s typed inputs from surreptitious video recordings of tablet backside motion. VISIBLE is built upon the observation that the keystrokes on different positions of the tablet’s soft keyboard cause its backside to exhibit different motion patterns. VISIBLE uses complex steerable pyramid decomposition to detect and quantify the subtle motion patterns of the tablet backside induced by a user’s keystrokes, differentiates different motion patterns using a multi-class Support Vector Machine, and reﬁnes the inference results using a dictionary and linguistic relationship. Extensive experiments demonstrate the high efﬁcacy of VISIBLE for inferring single keys, words, and sentences. In contrast to previous keystroke inference attacks, VISIBLE does not require the attacker to visually see the tablet user’s input process or install any malware on the tablet.
Concordance Among Indices of Intrinsic Brain Function: Insights from Inter-Individual Variation and Temporal Dynamics

Various resting-state fMRI (R-fMRI) measures have been developed to characterize intrinsic brain activity. While each of these measures has gained a growing presence in the literature, questions remain regarding the common and unique aspects these indices capture. The present work provided a comprehensive examination of inter-individual variation and intra-individual temporal variation for commonly used measures, including fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations, regional homogeneity, voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity, network centrality and global signal correlation. Regardless of whether examining intra-individual or inter-individual variation, we found that these definitionally distinct R-fMRI indices tend to exhibit a relatively high degree of covariation, which doesn’t exist in phase randomized surrogate data. As a measure of intrinsic brain function, concordance for R-fMRI indices was negatively correlated with age across individuals (i.e., concordance among functional indices decreased with age). To understand the functional significance of concordance, we noted that higher concordance was generally associated with higher strengths of R-fMRI indices, regardless of whether looking through the lens of inter-individual (i.e., high vs. low concordance participants) or intra-individual (i.e., high vs. low concordance states identified via temporal dynamic analyses) differences. We also noted a linear increase in functional concordance together with the R-fMRI indices through the scan, which may suggest a decrease in arousal. The current study demonstrated an enriched picture regarding the relationship among the R-fMRI indices, as well as provided new insights in examining dynamic states within and between individuals.
A SEARCH FOR HIDDEN WHITE DWARFS IN THE ROSAT EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET SURVEY

The ROSAT Wide Field Camera survey has provided us with evidence for the existence of a previously unidentified sample of hot white dwarfs (WDs) in non­ interacting binary systems, through the detection of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray emission. These stars are hidden at optical wavelengths because of their close proximity to much more luminous main-sequence (MS) companions (spectral type K or earlier). However, for companions of spectral type '" AS or later, the white dwarfs are easily visible at far-UY wavelengths, and can be identified in spectra taken by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). Eleven WD binary systems have previously been found in this way from ROSAT, Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and IUE observations. In this paper we report the discovery of three more such systems through our programmes in recent episodes of IUE. The new binaries are HD 2133, RE J0357 + 283 (the existence of which was predicted by Jeffries, Burleigh & Robb in 1996), and BD + 27°1888. In addition, we have independently identified a fourth new WD + MS binary, RE 11027 + 322, which has also been reported in the literature by Genova et al., bringing the total number of such systems discovered as a result of the EUY surveys to 15. We also discuss here six stars which were observed as part of the programme, but for which no white dwarf companion was found. Four of these are coronally active. Finally, we present an analysis of the WD + KOIV binary HD 18131, which includes the ROSAT PSPC x: -ray data.
Comment on "New limit on Lorentz-invariance- and CPT-violating neutron spin interactions using a free-spin-precession (3)He-(129)Xe comagnetometer".

In Ref. [1], the authors use a classical result for the magnetic field created by a uniform magnetization to analyze the effects of magnetic interactions between He and Xe nuclear spins. We point out that the classical result is not applicable for interaction between nuclear spins: the actual interaction is much weaker. This calls into question the results of their analysis setting limits on Lorentz invariance. We also point out that the Letter does not contain any discussion of systematic errors in the determination of Lorentz-violation coefficients. In Ref. [1], He and Xe nuclear-polarized gases are contained in a spherical cell. Magnetic fields created by the polarized spins lead to their mutual interactions and modify their precession frequencies. To include these effects in the analysis, the authors assume that the field B inside a spherical cell due to a uniformly polarized gas with a magnetization M is given by
The Effects of Interdependent and Independent Priming on Western Participants’ Ability to Perceive Changes in Visual Scenes

The current study examined whether priming interdependent relative to independent self-knowledge would induce different thinking styles among Western participants, and whether this would, in turn, affect the speed of detecting changes in a change-blindness task. Based on predictions from the semantic–procedural interface model, we predicted that participants would attend more to the context following an interdependent self-construal priming manipulation than following an independent self-construal priming manipulation. Sixty individuals were asked to circle the pronouns we/us/our or I/me/my in a paragraph of text. Following this, all participants were shown alternating images in a change-blindness task. Reaction times and accuracy rates at identifying focal and contextual changes were measured. Though our Western participants were faster at identifying changes in focal objects relative to contextual objects, this difference in reaction times was reduced in half for participants who were primed with interdependency (we/us/our pronoun circling) relative to independence (I/me/my pronoun circling). This result is consistent with the claim that interdependent and independent self-construals are stored in a semantic network which is connected to different procedural modes of thinking and that by priming these different views of the self, participants activate a mode of thinking that influences attention.
Production-run software failure diagnosis via hardware performance counters

Sequential and concurrency bugs are widespread in deployed software. They cause severe failures and huge financial loss during production runs. Tools that diagnose production-run failures with low overhead are needed. The state-of-the-art diagnosis techniques use software instrumentation to sample program properties at run time and use off-line statistical analysis to identify properties most correlated with failures. Although promising, these techniques suffer from high run-time overhead, which is sometimes over 100%, for concurrency-bug failure diagnosis and hence are not suitable for production-run usage. We present PBI, a system that uses existing hardware performance counters to diagnose production-run failures caused by sequential and concurrency bugs with low overhead. PBI is designed based on several key observations. First, a few widely supported performance counter events can reflect a wide variety of common software bugs and can be monitored by hardware with almost no overhead. Second, the counter overflow interrupt supported by existing hardware and operating systems provides a natural and effective mechanism to conduct event sampling at user level. Third, the noise and non-determinism in interrupt delivery complements well with statistical processing. We evaluate PBI using 13 real-world concurrency and sequential bugs from representative open-source server, client, and utility programs, and 10 bugs from a widely used software-testing benchmark. Quantitatively, PBI can effectively diagnose failures caused by these bugs with a small overhead that is never higher than 10%. Qualitatively, PBI does not require any change to software and presents a novel use of existing hardware performance counters.
Environmental fate and behaviour of the biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CPA-8 after preharvest application to stone fruit.

BACKGROUND Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain CPA-8 has been described as an effective biocontrol agent to control brown rot in stone fruit for both preharvest and postharvest applications. However, no information about the environmental fate and behaviour of this strain under field conditions is available. RESULTS The dispersion of the CPA-8 application was evaluated using water-sensitive papers, and complete coverage was observed on the leaves of treated trees, while <1% of non-treated tree leaves had CPA-8. CPA-8 persisted on the fruit of treated trees during preharvest and postharvest conditions, while a significant decrease on leaves and weeds was observed 21 days after treatment. On non-treated trees, CPA-8 was detected on leaves until 180 days after treatment, and on weeds, the CPA-8 population was dependent on the distance from the treated trees. A high persistence of CPA-8 was detected on inert materials, such as clothes and gloves worn by handlers and plastic harvesting boxes. More than 99% of the samples with a CPA-8 phenotype were confirmed as CPA-8 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CONCLUSION This work demonstrated a good distribution, persistence and adaptation of the CPA-8 strain to field and postharvest conditions. Monitoring of dispersion and persistence is an excellent tool to determine the time of application and provides valuable information for registering issues. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effects of oral Ginkgo biloba supplementation on radiation-induced oxidative injury in the lens of rat

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant role of Ginkgo biloba (GB) against radiation-induced cataract in the rat lens after total cranial irradiation with a single 5 Gray (Gy) dose of gamma irradiation. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group 1 did not receive GB or irradiation (control group) but received 1-ml saline orally plus sham-irradiation. Group 2 received total cranium 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose (IR group) plus 1-ml saline orally. Group 3 received total cranium irradiation plus 40 mg/kg/day GBE (IR plus GBE group). Biochemical parameters measured in murine lenses were carried out using spectrophotometric techniques. Results: Lens total (enzymatic plus non-enzymatic) superoxide scavenger activity (TSSA), non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activity (NSSA), glutathione reductase (GRD), and glutathione-S- transferase (GST) activities significantly increased in the IR plus GBE groups when compared with the IR group. However, TSSA, GRD and GST activities were significantly lower in the IR group when compared with the control group. Lens xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in the IR group significantly increased compared to that of both the control and IR plus GBE groups. Conclusion: GBE has clear antioxidant properties and is likely to be a valuable drug for protection against gamma-irradiation and/or be used as an antioxidant against oxidative stress.
Alcohol-Related Social Gatherings with Coworkers: Intentions to Behave and Intentions to Not Behave

Two studies are reported using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to examine Koreans' intentions and self-reported behaviour of joining and not joining alcohol-related social gatherings with work colleagues after work hours. Study 1 showed that group-related attitudes and perceived behavioural control of the TPB components regarding joining were significantly associated with intentions to join. Study 2 examined TPB components regarding not joining and intentions to not join. Study 2 found that although none of the TPB components was directly related to intentions, subjective norms from work colleagues moderated the effect of group-related attitudes on intentions to not join. The TPB components and intentions were not significantly related to self-reported behaviour of joining. The findings indicate that the relationships between the TPB components and intentions can be different for engaging and not engaging in a behaviour.
The Haptoglobin-CD163-Heme Oxygenase-1 Pathway for Hemoglobin Scavenging

The haptoglobin- (Hp-) CD163-heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway is an efficient captor-receptor-enzyme system to circumvent the hemoglobin (Hb)/heme-induced toxicity during physiological and pathological hemolyses. In this pathway, Hb tightly binds to Hp leading to CD163-mediated uptake of the complex in macrophages followed by lysosomal Hp-Hb breakdown and HO-1-catalyzed conversion of heme into the metabolites carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin, and iron. The plasma concentration of Hp is a limiting factor as evident during accelerated hemolysis, where the Hp depletion may cause serious Hb-induced toxicity and put pressure on backup protecting systems such as the hemopexin-CD91-HO pathway. The Hp-CD163-HO-1 pathway proteins are regulated by the acute phase mediator interleukin-6 (IL-6), but other regulatory factors indicate that this upregulation is a counteracting anti-inflammatory response during inflammation. The heme metabolites including bilirubin converted from biliverdin have overall an anti-inflammatory effect and thus reinforce the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the Hp-CD163-HO-1 pathway. Future studies of animal models of inflammation should further define the importance of the pathway in the anti-inflammatory response.
When similars do not attract: Tests of a prediction from the self-expansion model

This study tested the hypothesis from the self-expansion model that the usual effect of greater attraction to a similar (vs. dissimilar) stranger will be reduced or reversed when a person is given information that a relationship would be likely to develop (i.e., that they would be very likely to get along) with the other person. The study employed the ‘‘bogus stranger’’ paradigm and focused on similarity/dissimilarity of interests in the context of attraction to a samegender other. The effect for similarity under conditions in which no information is given about relationship likelihood replicated the usual pattern of greater attraction to similars. However, as predicted, a significant similarity by information interaction demonstrated that this effect was significantly reduced (and slightly reversed) when participants had been given information that the partner will like self. In analyses for each gender separately, both of these effects were significant only for men, suggesting that the focus on interest similarity may have been less relevant for women.
An Asian American community in the Southern United States: An exploration of fear of crime

ABSTRACT This article is a qualitative study exploring fear of crime within an Asian American community in the southern region of the United States. As more and more Asian Americans move to the South, they force preexisting communities to encounter a burst of unfamiliar populations. The new makeup of communities in the South has resulted in fear of crime among the more recent residents. In interviews with leaders of the Asian American community, four major themes of fears were identified: violence against businesses, crime against personal property, invisibility and marginalization, and discrimination of individuals.
Membership Constraints in Formal Concept Analysis

Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) is a prominent field of applied mathematics using object-attribute relationships to define formal concepts - groups of objects with common attributes - which can be ordered into conceptual hierarchies, so-called concept lattices. We consider the problem of satisfiability of membership constraints, i.e., to determine if a formal concept exists whose object and attribute set include certain elements and exclude others. We analyze the computational complexity of this problem in general and for restricted forms of membership constraints. We perform the same analysis for generalizations of FCA to incidence structures of arity three (objects, attributes and conditions) and higher. We present a generic answer set programming (ASP) encoding of the membership constraint satisfaction problem, which allows for deploying available highly optimized ASP tools for its solution. Finally, we discuss the importance of membership constraints in the context of navigational approaches to data analysis.
A Parsimonious Estimating Technique for Interaction and Quadratic Latent Variables

The author proposes an alternative estimation technique for quadratic and interaction latent variables in structural equation models using LISREL, EQS, and CALIS. The technique specifies these variables with single indicants. The loading and error terms for the single indicants can be specified as constants in the structural model. The author's technique is shown to perform adequately using synthetic data sets.