Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of clinical efficacy and tolerance in seasonal allergic conjunctivitis management with 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride versus 0.05% ketotifen fumarate.

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical efficacy and tolerance of 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride (OHC) versus 0.05% ketotifen fumarate (KF) in the management of allergic conjunctivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty adult patients with a history of allergy (allergic conjunctivitis, hay fever, asthmatic bronchitis and dermatitis) that were showing allergic conjunctivitis signs and symptoms (itching, hyperemia, mucous discharge and tearing) at the time of inclusion in this study were evaluated. Patients were divided in two groups, A and B. Group A patients were treated with OHC and group B patients were treated with KF. Both groups received one drop in the affected eye every 12 hrs. The start time of this study was the first patient visit, in which the medication was instilled for the first time. Both groups of patients were evaluated 30 min, 48 hr. , 7 days and 14 days later. Local tolerance of each medication was evaluated. RESULTS Clinical improvement of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis occurred in 42.5% to 62.5% of the patients in Group A when assessed 30 min following the first topical ocular dose of olopatadine. However, mucous discharge was not affected. Forty-eight (48) hrs. after the first instillation, improvements in 57.5% to 75% of the patients were shown in every evaluated parameter. After 7 days of treatment, positive clinical results were observed in 80% to 87.5% of the treated patients. Except for the patients that were dismissed from the study before the seventh day of treatment due to the absence of therapeutic response (4/40), all patients satisfactorily completed the therapeutic plan by the seventh day. No intolerance reactions were observed in patients of this group. In Group B patients (KF), clinical improvement of the signs and symptoms measured in the study was shown in 20.0% to 47.5% 30 min after instillation. As observed with olopatadine, no improvement in the number of patients showing mucous discharge was noted at the 30-min time point. At 48 hr. after the first instillation, 27.5% to 48% of patients showed improvement in every evaluated parameter. After 7 days of treatment, improvement was observed in 60% to 75% of patients. On Day 14, positive responses were observed in 67.5% to 75% of patients. Seventeen and one-half percent of the patients were dismissed from the study before the seventh day of treatment due to the absence of a therapeutic response. Approximately 23% of the patients had mild reactions of intolerance (stinging) which was not a cause to discontinue the treatment. CONCLUSION Olopatadine hydrochloride controlled allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and signs more rapidly and to a greater extent than ketotifen fumarate. Fewer cases of treatment failure were noted with OHC, and no local intolerance reactions were observed, while KF triggered mild reactions (stinging) in 23% of patients.
Prevalence, genetic profile of virulence determinants and multidrug resistance of Escherichia coli isolates from foods of animal origin.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the hygienic quality of foods of animal origin. Thus samples from foods of animal origin, viz. mutton, chicken meat, milk and milk products were processed. Materials and Methods: Two hundred samples from foods of animal origin viz., mutton, chicken meat, milk and milk products were processed for isolation of Escherichia coli. The isolates were got serotyped and also subjected to detection of virulence genes viz., stx1, stx2, eaeA and hlyA by PCR.The isolates were also tested against commonly used antibiotics. Results: The prevalence of E. coli was 30% in mutton, 40% in chicken meat, 33.96% in milk and14.89% in milk products samples. All the 60 isolates of E. coli were grouped into 24 serogroups with O60 and O123dominant strains (8.33%) followed by O22 (6.66%). The PCR detected 21(10.5%) of samples possessing stx1, 14(7%) stx2, 3(1.5%) both stx1 and stx2, 16(8%), eaeA and 4(2%) EHEC-hlyA gene. However, the prevalence of Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) was 20% in mutton, 30% in chicken meat, 16.98% in milk and 8.51% in milk products. Whereas the prevalence of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) was 2%, in mutton, 4% in chicken meat, 7.54% in milk and 2.12% in milk products samples. The 4 isolates O60, O101, O131 and one untypeable strain possessed the EHEC-hlyA gene. 22 of 50 (44%) of isolates from meat, milk and milk products showed multidrug resistance to four or more antimicrobial comprising ten of 25 (40%) isolates from chicken meat samples and 12 of 25(48%) from milk and milk products were multidrug resistance to four or more antimicrobial. Conclusions: It is concluded that partial cooked or raw milk, meat and their products prepared under unhygienic conditions may not be directly consumed as they may be carrying the pathogenic microbes.
Injuries among World-Class Professional Beach Volleyball Players

Background Very little is known about the injury characteristics of beach volleyball. Purpose To describe the incidence and pattern of injuries among professional male and female beach volleyball players. Study Design Cohort study–retrospective injury recall and prospective registration. Methods Injuries occurring over a 7.5-week interval of the summer season were retrospectively registered by interviewing 178 of the 188 participating players (95%) in the 2001 Beach Volleyball World Championships. Injuries were also cataloged prospectively during five of the tournaments held during this interval. Results Fifty-four acute injuries was recorded, of which 23 (43%) resulted in 1 or more days of missed practice or competition. The incidence of acute time-loss injuries was estimated to be 3.1 per 1000 competition hours and 0.8 per 1000 training hours. Knee (30%), ankle (17%), and finger injuries (17%) accounted for more than half of all acute time-loss injuries. In addition, 67 players reported 79 overuse injuries for which they received medical attention during the study period. The three most common overuse conditions were low back pain (19%), knee pain (12%), and shoulder problems (10%). Similar results were observed in the prospective portion of the study. Conclusions The rate of acute time-loss injuries in beach volleyball is considerably lower than that in most other team sports, but overuse injuries affecting the low back, knees, and shoulder represent a significant source of disability and impaired performance for professional beach volleyball players.
Effects of speaker age on speech understanding and listening effort in older adults.

8 Introduction . 10 Prevalence of Age-Related Hearing Loss . 10 Age-related Changes to the Pure-tone Audiogram . 11 Speech Understanding and Aging . 14 Peripheral Auditory Hypothesis . 15 Central Auditory Hypothesis . 17 Cognitive Aging Hypothesis . 20 Background Noise and Speaker Aging . 23 Background Noise . 23 Speaker Aging . 25 Listening Effort . 27 Objective Measures of Listener Effort . 28 Statement of the Problem. 33 Hypotheses. 36 Methodology . 37 Participants . 37 Listeners . 37 Speakers: Experimental Speech Stimulus . 39 Speakers: Composition of Six-talker Babble Stimulus . 40
Generation of a FasL-based Proapoptotic Fusion Protein Devoid of Systemic Toxicity due to Cell-surface Antigen-restricted Activation*

We describe the construction of a FasL fusion protein devoid of systemic toxicity, inducing apoptosis only on cell-surface antigen-positive cells. The fusion protein consists carboxyl-terminally of the extracellular domain of FasL and amino-terminally of a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-specific single chain antibody fragment (sc40-FasL). The latter allows immobilization-dependent conversion of the inactive soluble FasL fusion protein into an entity with membrane FasL-like activity. Thus, sc40-FasL efficiently induced apoptosis only in FAP-expressing cells. In accordance with a strict target-selective activity of sc40-FasL, the intravenous application of this reagent in mice revealed no signs of systemic toxicity and prevented growth of xenotransplanted FAP-positive (but not FAP-negative) tumor cells. The principle described here for the first time, in which cell-surface antigen-mediated activation of Fas permits local activation of Fas in vivo, opens novel avenues for the use of Fas signaling in cancer therapy.
Entrepreneurial decision making in high tech business development : a quasi-experiment

Research has shown that differences in decision making processes may explain differences in entrepreneurial effectiveness. Particularly rational planning based processes have been set off against other processes such as effectuation, abduction, and bricolage. However, there is still little empirical evidence on entrepreneurial decision making in the earliest phases of enterprise development. In a “living lab”, this study attempts to fill this void, by real-time tracing of entrepreneurs who start in the opportunity recognition phase. This paper shows the first results.
Design and Implementation of Broadband MEMS RHCP/LHCP Reconfigurable Arrays Using Rotated E-Shaped Patch Elements

A novel broadband RHCP/LHCP reconfigurable patch antenna array using an E-shaped patch antenna element is investigated. By applying particle swarm optimization (PSO), a challenging, combined S11-AR bandwidth of 17% was achieved and verified through measurement for the isolated element using MEMS switches at an overall substrate thickness of 0. 092λ0. The achieved bandwidth is significantly higher than the current state-of-the-art in single-layer, single-feed circularly polarized (CP) patch element designs with similar substrate thickness. A small percentage of the upper frequency band experiences a pronounced beam squint similar to other thick substrate CP patch antennas. To overcome the beam squint, a novel rotated-element configuration is implemented to force pattern symmetry. Derivations of pattern symmetry and network effects are also shown. The final design prototype using rotated elements provides a measured 20% S11-AR bandwidth with good radiation pattern stability.
Asymptotic Study of Subcritical Graph Classes

We present a unified general method for the asymptotic study of graphs from the so-called subcritical graph classes, which include the classes of cacti graphs, outerplanar graphs, and series-parallel graphs. This general method works in both the labelled and unlabelled framework. The main results concern the asymptotic enumeration and the limit laws of properties of random graphs chosen from subcritical classes. We show that the number $g_n/n! $ (resp., $g_n$) of labelled (resp., unlabelled) graphs on $n$ vertices from a subcritical graph class ${\mathcal{G}}=\cup_n {\mathcal{G}_n}$ satisfies asymptotically the universal behavior $g_n = c \! n^{-5/2} \! \gamma^n \! (1+o(1))$ for computable constants $c,\gamma$, e.g., $\gamma\approx 9.38527$ for unlabelled series-parallel graphs, and that the number of vertices of degree $k$ ($k$ fixed) in a graph chosen uniformly at random from $\mathcal{G}_n$ converges (after rescaling) to a normal law as $n\to\infty$.
Theorem for K-Independent Subspace Analysis with Sufficient Conditions

Here, a Separation Theorem about K-Independent Subspace Analysis (K real or complex), a generalization of K-Independent Component Analysis (KICA) is proven. According to the theorem, KISA estimation can be executed in two steps under certain conditions. In the first step, 1-dimensional KICA estimation is executed. In the second step, optimal permutation of the KICA elements is searched for. We present sufficient conditions for the KISA Separation Theorem. Namely, we shall show that (i) spherically symmetric sources (both for real and complex cases), as well as (ii) real 2-dimensional sources invariant to 90 degree rotation, among others, satisfy the conditions of the theorem.
The reliability of diverse systems: a contribution using modelling of the fault creation process

Design diversity is a defence against design faults causing common-mode failure in redundant systems, but we badly lack knowledge about how much reliability it will buy in practice, and thus about its cost-effectiveness, the situations in which it is an appropriate solution and how it should be taken into account by assessors and safety regulators. Both current practice and the scientific debate about design diversity depend largely on intuition. More formal probabilistic reasoning would facilitate critical discussion and empirical validation of any predictions: to this aim, we propose a model of the generation of faults and failures in two separately-developed program versions. We show results on: (i) what degree of reliability improvement an assessor can reliably expect from diversity; and (ii) how this reliability improvement may change with higher-quality development processes. We discuss the practical relevance of these results and the degree to which they can be trusted.
Etoposide Induces Nuclear Re-Localisation of AID

During B cell activation, the DNA lesions that initiate somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination are introduced by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). AID is a highly mutagenic protein that is maintained in the cytoplasm at steady state, however AID is shuttled across the nuclear membrane and the protein transiently present in the nucleus appears sufficient for targeted alteration of immunoglobulin loci. AID has been implicated in epigenetic reprogramming in primordial germ cells and cell fusions and in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), however AID expression in non-B cells is very low. We hypothesised that epigenetic reprogramming would require a pathway that instigates prolonged nuclear residence of AID. Here we show that AID is completely re-localised to the nucleus during drug withdrawal following etoposide treatment, in the period in which double strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired. Re-localisation occurs 2-6 hours after etoposide treatment, and AID remains in the nucleus for 10 or more hours, during which time cells remain live and motile. Re-localisation is cell-cycle dependent and is only observed in G2. Analysis of DSB dynamics shows that AID is re-localised in response to etoposide treatment, however re-localisation occurs substantially after DSB formation and the levels of re-localisation do not correlate with γH2AX levels. We conclude that DSB formation initiates a slow-acting pathway which allows stable long-term nuclear localisation of AID, and that such a pathway may enable AID-induced DNA demethylation during epigenetic reprogramming.
Enrollment in Distance Education Classes Is Associated with Fewer Enrollment Gaps among Nontraditional Undergraduate Students in the US.

The purpose of this research is to determine whether nontraditional undergraduate students in the US who enroll in distance education classes are less likely to have an enrollment gap (enrollment gap=part year enrollment). Previous research has shown that preference for distance education classes is significantly greater among nontraditional than among traditional undergraduate students; nontraditional students invariably have a greater number of competing demands (work and family) on their time. Since distance education courses provide students with more convenient and flexible class schedules, nontraditional students, who have time or location constraints that prevent them from enrolling in face-to-face classes during a semester or quarter, may be more likely to enroll in distance education classes in order to stay enrolled for the entire academic year. Based upon this rationale, we predicted that enrollment in distance education classes is significantly related to a decreased likelihood of an enrollment gap among nontraditional students. To test this prediction, we used data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey (NPSAS) conducted in 2008. The NPSAS 2008 used a complex survey design to collect data from a nationally representative sample of about 113,500 postsecondary undergraduate students in the US. Results confirm our prediction, and show that enrollment in distance education is significantly related to a decreased likelihood of an enrollment gap among nontraditional students, but not among traditional students. Results also show that five of the seven dropout risk factors (identified by previous research to decrease 6-year graduation rates) are each significantly associated with an increased likelihood of an enrollment gap. These results suggest that the offer of distance education classes could increase degree progress and possibly completion rates for nontraditional undergraduates who are at high risk for dropout.
Investigation of the Rheological Behavior and Properties of Modified Asphalt Binder with Nano Hydrated Lime

The common types of pavement distresses include: fatigue cracking and rutting. Some of the typical causes of pavement deterioration include: traffic loading; environment or climate influences; drainage deficiencies; materials quality problems; construction deficiencies; and external contributors, such as utility cuts. The most common method for decreasing these types of distress in asphalt mixtures is using suitable additives. Nanomaterials, in recent years, have been widely used to improve rheological properties of asphalt binder. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of nano hydrated lime, which is prepared from hydrated lime in a lowcost method using a planetary ball mill, on rheological behavior of asphalt binder. Therefore, in this research, the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test was used to determine the characteristics of control and modified asphalt binder at moderate and high temperatures. The bending beam rheometer (BBR) test was also used to determine their characteristics at low temperatures. The results indicated that the use of nano hydrated lime, especially in the amount of 10% (by weight of asphalt binder), increases the resistance to rutting fatigue cracking. Also, Modified asphalt binder at low temperatures based on the two creep stiffness parameter and m-value has a better performance than control asphalt binder. Review History: Received: 3 October 2018 Revised: 28 October 2018 Accepted: 12 December 2018 Available Online: 12 December 2018
Role of Partial Laryngectomy after Irradiation in the Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer: A View from the United Kingdom

This retrospective study evaluates the use of conservation surgical salvage techniques in cases of early (T1 and T2) laryngeal cancer after full-dose external irradiation. Fifty patients in one London hospital and 68 patients in another were studied for the period 1963 to 1988. Treatment policy directed that the majority of limited glottic and supraglottic tumors should be treated initially by external irradiation. The small number of glottic treatment failures had a good chance of salvage by vertical partial laryngectomy if recurrence or a new primary was detected early. Recurrence of supraglottic cancer was salvaged occasionally by horizontal partial laryngectomy if strict indications were observed. Total laryngectomy remained the final minority salvage option.
Remedial Parathyroid Surgery: Changing Trends in 130 Consecutive Cases

Objective:To review the outcomes in 130 consecutive remedial explorations for primary hyperparathyroidism. Summary Background Data:Remedial surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism is challenging and requires meticulous preoperative evaluation and imaging to expedite a focused surgical exploration that has traditionally been performed under general anesthesia. This prospective series of 130 consecutive remedial operations for primary hyperparathyroidism selectively used minimally invasive techniques and tested the hypothesis that these techniques could improve outcomes. Methods:Between 1990 and 2005, 1090 patients were evaluated and explored for primary hyperparathyroidism. Of these, 130 remedial explorations were performed in 128 patients who underwent either conventional exploration under general anesthesia (n = 107) or minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (n = 23) employing cervical block anesthesia, directed exploration, and curative confirmation with the rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay. Results:The sensitivity of preoperative imaging were: Sestamibi (79%), ultrasound (74%), MRI (47%), CT (50%), venous localization (93%), and ultrasound guided parathyroid fine needle aspiration (78%). The cure rate in the conventional remedial group (n = 107) was 94% and was associated with a mean length of stay of 1.6 ± 0.2 days. Remedial exploration employing minimally invasive techniques (n = 23) resulted in a cure rate of 96% and a mean length of stay of 0.4 ± 0.1 days. Complications were rare in both remedial groups. These results were almost identical to those achieved in 960 unexplored patients. Conclusions:Remedial parathyroid surgery can be accomplished with acceptable cure and complication rates. Minimally invasive techniques can achieve outcomes that are similar to those obtained in unexplored patients.
Inverse transport theory of photoacoustics

We consider the reconstruction of optical parameters in a domain of interest from photoacoustic data. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) radiates high-frequency electromagnetic waves into the domain and measures acoustic signals emitted by the resulting thermal expansion. Acoustic signals are then used to construct the deposited thermal energy map. The latter depends on the constitutive optical parameters in a nontrivial manner. In this paper, we develop and use an inverse transport theory with internal measurements to extract information on the optical coefficients from knowledge of the deposited thermal energy map. We consider the multi-measurement setting in which many electromagnetic radiation patterns are used to probe the domain of interest. By developing an expansion of the measurement operator into singular components, we show that the spatial variations of the intrinsic attenuation and the scattering coefficients may be reconstructed. We also reconstruct coefficients describing anisotropic scattering of photons, such as the anisotropy coefficient g(x) in a Henyey–Greenstein phase function model. Finally, we derive stability estimates for the reconstructions.
Real-Time 3-D Tracking of the Human Body

People are the central element in the whole enterprise of multimedia and communications and thus visual interpretation of humans and their movements is an important problem for computers. Here we describe a monocular and a stereo system for recovering 3-D descriptions of humans from images in real time. We discuss the technical details and present several applications using the systems for human interface.
Black holes in loop quantum gravity

This is a review of results on black hole physics in the context of loop quantum gravity. The key feature underlying these results is the discreteness of geometric quantities at the Planck scale predicted by this approach to quantum gravity. Quantum discreteness follows directly from the canonical quantization prescription when applied to the action of general relativity that is suitable for the coupling of gravity with gauge fields, and especially with fermions. Planckian discreteness and causal considerations provide the basic structure for the understanding of the thermal properties of black holes close to equilibrium. Discreteness also provides a fresh new look at more (at the moment) speculative issues, such as those concerning the fate of information in black hole evaporation. The hypothesis of discreteness leads, also, to interesting phenomenology with possible observational consequences. The theory of loop quantum gravity is a developing program; this review reports its achievements and open questions in a pedagogical manner, with an emphasis on quantum aspects of black hole physics.