Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis of Wavefront-Guided vs. Wavefront-Optimized LASIK for Myopia

Purpose. To detect possible differences in clinical outcomes between wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and wavefront-optimized LASIK for the treatment of myopia. Methods. A comprehensive literature search of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to identify relevant trials comparing LASIK with wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized. A meta-analysis was performed on the results of the reports. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results. Seven articles describing a total of 930 eyes were identified. There were no statistically significant differences in the final proportion of eyes achieving uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better [odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.66 to 1.65; p = 0.86], manifest refractive spherical equivalent within ± 0.50 D of the target (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.53 to 1.75; p = 0.90). No patient lost ≥2 lines of distance-corrected visual acuity at posttreatment. The changes in higher order aberrations were not statistically significant different between the two groups with preoperative root-mean-square (RMS) higher order aberrations <0.3 &mgr;m (weighted mean difference, 0.01; 95% CI, −0.02 to 0.04; p = 0.57). However, wavefront-guided had a significant better postoperative aberration profile than wavefront-optimized with preoperative RMS higher order aberrations >0.3 &mgr;m (weighted mean difference, −0.10; 95% CI, −0.15 to −0.06; p < 0.00001). Conclusions. Both wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized LASIK have shown excellent efficacy, safety, and predictability. The wavefront-guided technology may be a more appropriate choice for patients who have preoperative RMS higher order aberrations >0.3 &mgr;m.
Analytical conditions for the design of variable stiffness mechanisms

This paper introduces an analytical approach for the design of variable stiffness mechanisms. The basis of this approach is a general model — representing the potential energy function and the physical constraints — covering the design space of variable stiffness mechanisms. Using this model, we present a systematic procedure to analytically define classes of variable stiffness mechanisms from first principles. Consequently, we identify mechanisms capable of infinite range stiffness modulation using bounded motor forces, and define the simplest mathematical model representing mechanisms in this class. A prototype mechanism consistent with this canonical model is designed, fabricated and experimentally tested. The experimental data are consistent with our theoretical predictions showing constant motor force independent of the output deflection and output stiffness when the mechanism is subject to external load.
The Impact of Voter Identification Laws on Voter Participation Honors Thesis

Since the controversial vote certification of the 2000 election, policymakers have moved to adopt new voting regulations to ensure the integrity of the election system. Among these regulations are the controversial voter identification laws that had dominated public debate leading up to and throughout the 2012 presidential election. The debate has been highly political and clearly unfolding along partisan lines. This paper first investigates the state-level political and economic determinants correlated with adoption of a voter ID law. I find that Democratic-leaning states are much less likely to adopt voter ID laws, and that the country overall is treating strict photo ID laws with caution. My findings allow me to estimate that a liberal state is 22% less likely to adopt a voter ID law than a conservative state. In addition, I find that governors are wielding a considerable amount of influence in their ability to enact or veto legislation. Second, this paper investigates the impact of voter ID laws on voter turnout and voter registration. I find evidence suggesting that Hispanics, particularly new eligible voters, are disproportionately burdened as a result of these laws. ∗I would like to thank my advisor Professor Brian Knight for his guidance, words of encouragement, and patience throughout my research. His advice has been invaluable during the process. I would also like to thank Professors Anna Aizer and Ken Chay, as well as my classmates and peers, who have offered me constructive criticisms and suggestions in the past two years. Lastly, I’d like to thank my friends and family for their continued support.
Alendronate and Risk of Esophageal Cancer: A Nationwide Population‐Based Study in Taiwan

criterion of the McGeer, Loeb, or revised Loeb consensusbased criteria for surveillance of UTI of any resident without an indwelling catheter. EIs of the genitourinary tract are generally life-threatening conditions requiring aggressive medical and surgical management and are mostly diabetes mellitus-related. EIs involving the renal parenchyma and perirenal space present as emphysematous pyelonephritis, emphysematous pyelitis, and gas-forming perirenal abscess. Gas in the urinary bladder may be due to emphysematous cystitis, vesicoenteric fistula, or iatrogenic introduction. Uterine gas indicates underlying infection or neoplasm. The presence of scrotal gas may be due to infection or inguinal hernia of the bowel. Other diabetes mellitus-associated genital infections include Fournier’s gangrene and postmenopausal tubo-ovarian abscess, probably gas forming. Accurate radiological examination and interpretation are mandatory for early diagnosis and proper management of EIs because their initial manifestations may be insidious and progress rapidly to sepsis. Emphysematous prostate abscess is an uncommon clinical condition since the advent of effective antibiotic therapy. Before the advent of modern antibiotic therapy, prostate abscess was mainly secondary to lower UTI with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus spp. and led to 6% to 30% mortality. After the development of effective antibiotic therapy, gram-negative bacterial lower UTIs became the main cause of emphysematous prostatic abscess, but the reported pathogens included K. pneumoniae, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacteroides fragilis, and C. albicans. Clinicians must be alert to prostatic abscess that mainly occurs in older adult with underlying lower UTI and predisposing factors, such as diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, infravesical obstruction, and urinary bladder catheterization. MDCT plays an important role in diagnosis of EI of the prostate. Clinical diagnosis of EI of the prostate is difficult because of its nonspecific clinical manifestations, including dysuria, frequency, urgency, acute urinary retention, and perineal pain. Digital rectal examination may reveal prostatic enlargement, tenderness, or indurations. Rectal gas may obscure the prostatic gas on plain radiograph. Transrectal sonography and magnetic resonance imaging are also helpful, but MDCT provides quick and accurate diagnosis. Scrotal abscess is usually managed using surgery of I & D. Surgical drainage of an emphysematous prostate abscess can be undertaken using a transurethral, transrectal, or transperineal approach.
The Influence of Phonotactic Probability and Neighborhood Density on Children’s Production of Newly Learned Words

ABSTRACT A word learning paradigm was used to teach children novel words that varied in phonotactic probability and neighborhood density. The effects of frequency and density on speech production were examined when phonetic forms were nonreferential (i.e., when no referent was attached) and when phonetic forms were referential (i.e., when a referent was attached through fast mapping). Two methods of analysis were included: kinematic variability of speech movement patterning and measures of segmental accuracy. Results showed that phonotactic frequency influenced the stability of movement patterning whereas neighborhood density influenced phoneme accuracy. Motor learning was observed in both nonreferential and referential novel words. Forms with low phonotactic probability and low neighborhood density showed a word learning effect when a referent was assigned during fast mapping. These results elaborate on and specify the nature of interactivity observed across lexical, phonological, and articulatory domains.
PSYCHIATRIC AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

We assessed the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and level of social adjustment in 32 of 34 adults who received liver transplants between 1 August 1987 and 31 July 1988 and who survived more than 6 months postoperatively. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was comparable with that found in the general population. Subjective complaints of cognitive impairment were common (40.6%). Liver transplant recipients were not significantly more handicapped in overall social functioning, but did show significant impairment in several role areas when compared with a community sample. Psychiatric morbidity was associated with greater social impairment, whereas liver function and other medical problems were not. We suggest that identification and treatment of psychiatric illness following transplantation needs to be better established as part of the treatment program.
Life style of patient before and after diagnosis of hypertension in Kathmandu

Hypertension is an important public health-challenge in the developing and the developed world alike. However, hospital-based studies on cardiovascular diseases including hypertension in a developing country like Nepal have been limited. Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine the life style of patients before and after diagnosis of hypertension. Methods: A total of 100 adult hypertensive patients over 30 years of age who were attending in medical out patients department within 6 month to 2 years after first diagnosis of hypertension in Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, in Kathmandu, Nepal, in April 2009, using a descriptive research design. The data was collected by interview using a questionnaire consisting of a combination of structured and semistructured questions. The data was analyzed by using SPSS 11.5 version. Results: This study found the respondents’ knowledge regarding hypertension was poor. Regarding life style of hypertensive patients, majorities (90%) of them were non-vegetarian before diagnosis but after diagnosis of hypertension the percentage of non-vegetarian was reduced by 10%. Similarly, the reduction in consumption of meat, eggs, ghee and oil (mustard, sunflower) by hypertensive patients was statistically significant difference (p = 0.000) after the diagnosis of hypertension. Regarding soyabean oil consumption, additional salty food and amount of salt intake there was no statistical significant difference before and after the diagnosis of hypertension. Likewise, physical exercise and stress reduction activities performed by hypertensive patients and change in drinking alcohol and smoking was found to be statistically significant difference (p = 0.000) after the diagnosis of hypertension. Conclusion: The adverse consequences of hypertension can be reduced by modifying the life style. Therefore more focus should be given in increasing the awareness about hypertension by developing information, education and communication materials on hypertension and setting up hypertensive counseling clinic in each hospitals.
Co-relationships between glandular salivary flow rates and dental caries.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to evaluate the relationship of age, gender, ethnicity and salivary flow rates on dental caries in an adult population using data collected from the Oral Health San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging (OH: SALSA). BACKGROUND Saliva is essential to maintain a healthy oral environment and diminished output can result in dental caries. Although gender and age play a role in the quantity of saliva, little is known about the interaction of age, gender and ethnicity on dental caries and salivary flow rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from the 1147 participants in the OH: SALSA were analysed. The dependent variables were the number of teeth with untreated coronal caries, number of teeth with root caries and the number of coronal and root surfaces with untreated caries. The independent variables were stimulated and unstimulated glandular salivary flow rates along with the age, sex and ethnicity (e.g. European or Mexican ancestry) of the participants. RESULTS Coronal caries experience was greater in younger participants while root surface caries experience was greater in the older participants. Coronal caries was lower in the older age groups while the root caries experience increased. Men had a statistically significant (p < 0.02) higher experience of root caries than women. Values for unstimulated and stimulated parotid salivary flow rates showed no age difference and remained constant with age, whereas the age differences in the unstimulated and stimulated submandibular/sublingual salivary flow rates were significant. The mean number of teeth with coronal and root caries was higher in Mexican-Americans than in European-Americans. CONCLUSIONS Over one-fourth of the adults between the ages of 60 and 79 have untreated root caries over one-third having untreated coronal caries. Lower salivary flow rates play a significant role in both the number of teeth and the number of surfaces developing caries in these adults. Women and individuals of European-American ancestry experience less caries.
Congenital rubella encephalitis. Effects on growth and early development.

CENTRAL nervous system (CNS) involvement in the congenital rubella syndrome occurs during both prenatal and postnatal life. It may be associated with microcephaly, mental or motor disabilities, neurosensory impairment, and failure of somatic growth in surviving children. The CNS is involved in a variety of ways, ie, persistence of rubella virus in the CNS and neurosensory structures (eye, ear), the effects of virus on the rate of cell growth, leptomeningitis, encephalitis, vascular damage, retardation of myelinization, and the effects of hypoxia, asphyxia, or hypoglycemia present during the acute phases of the generalized disease. Neurologic abnormalities were noted in 81 of 100 patients with congenital rubella followed in a continuing study. These abnormalities included lethargy, full fantanelle, irritability, tone disturbances, and moderate increases in spinal fluid protein and cells. Tone disturbances, irritability, and dysphagia were prominent during the early months. At 18 months, the spectrum of CNS involvement included a wide
Evaluation of patient and doctor perception toward the use of telemedicine in Apollo Tele Health Services, India

Introduction: Telemedicine incorporates electronic information and medical technology. It connects healthcare through vast distances which would benefit both patients and doctors. The aim of this questionnaire study was to evaluate the effects of telemedicine on patients and medical specialists. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 122 participants (71 patients and 51 doctors) on satisfaction in quality of service, cost-effectiveness, and problems encountered in healthcare provided by the telemedicine in Apollo Tele Health Services, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The data for each group were calculated and compared. Results: About 80% patients and all the doctors reported their satisfaction on the quality of treatment given through telemedicine. Approximately, 90% of the participants found telemedicine cost-effective and 61% of the doctors found an increase in patient's inflow apart for their regular practice. Problems encountered in telemedicine were 47% in technical issues and 39% in time scheduling by doctors and 31% of patients were uncomfortable to face the camera, and 24% had technical issues. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that telemedicine in healthcare could prove to be useful to patients in distant regions and to rural doctors in India. In the near future, telemedicine can be considered as an alternate to face to face patient care.
A 3-day short course of palifermin before HDT reduces toxicity and need for supportive care after autologous blood stem-cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND We retrospectively determined whether a 3-day short course of palifermin could reduce the toxicity of high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous blood stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-seven consecutive patients received 60 mug/kg palifermin for 3 days before HDT with melphalan 200 or 140 mg/m(2) for patients with renal failure (group A). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was applied after ASCT. Data on haematopoietic reconstitution and toxicity were compared with two previously published patient groups from our institution who had received pegfilgrastim but not palifermin (group B, n = 21) and patients who had received neither palifermin nor G-CSF (group C, n = 21). RESULTS In group A, patients with renal failure had a significantly higher risk for severe mucositis (64% versus 16%, P < 0.002). Patients with normal renal function who received palifermin experienced significantly less days of hospitalisation (P < 0.05) and less need for narcotic analgesia (P < 0.05), parenteral nutrition (P < 0.05) and erythrocyte transfusions (P < 0.05) in comparison with groups B and C. Time to haematopoietic reconstitution was not compromised by the use of palifermin. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, a short 3-day course of palifermin may be able to reduce the toxicity of HDT and ASCT in patients with MM. Patients with impaired renal function at the time of HDT need additional strategies to further reduce the incidence of severe mucositis.
Forehead EEG in Support of Future Feasible Personal Healthcare Solutions: Sleep Management, Headache Prevention, and Depression Treatment

There are current limitations in the recording technologies for measuring EEG activity in clinical and experimental applications. Acquisition systems involving wet electrodes are time-consuming and uncomfortable for the user. Furthermore, dehydration of the gel affects the quality of the acquired data and reliability of long-term monitoring. As a result, dry electrodes may be used to facilitate the transition from neuroscience research or clinical practice to real-life applications. EEG signals can be easily obtained using dry electrodes on the forehead, which provides extensive information concerning various cognitive dysfunctions and disorders. This paper presents the usefulness of the forehead EEG with advanced sensing technology and signal processing algorithms to support people with healthcare needs, such as monitoring sleep, predicting headaches, and treating depression. The proposed system for evaluating sleep quality is capable of identifying five sleep stages to track nightly sleep patterns. Additionally, people with episodic migraines can be notified of an imminent migraine headache hours in advance through monitoring forehead EEG dynamics. The depression treatment screening system can predict the efficacy of rapid antidepressant agents. It is evident that frontal EEG activity is critically involved in sleep management, headache prevention, and depression treatment. The use of dry electrodes on the forehead allows for easy and rapid monitoring on an everyday basis. The advances in EEG recording and analysis ensure a promising future in support of personal healthcare solutions.
Effect of administration of eCG to postpartum cows on folliculogenesis in the ovary ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn and uterine involution.

This study tested the hypothesis that increased oestradiol secretion by large follicles in the ovary ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn has a local effect to increase the rate of uterine involution. Cows were administered an i.m. water placebo (n = 19), 250 iu equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) (n = 18) or 750 iu eCG (n = 20) 14 days post partum (day 0). Transrectal ultrasonography at the time of treatment and 2, 4 and 6 days later monitored uterine horn diameter and ovarian structures. Blood samples collected contemporaneously were assayed for 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha) and oestradiol concentration. For control cows, accumulated diameter of the largest follicle in the ovary ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn, compared with the contralateral ovary, was smaller on day 0 (P < 0.05) and days 2, 4 and 6 (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the eCG-treated animals. There were 12, 8 and 11 cows with a plasma oestradiol concentration < 1 pg ml(-1) on day 0 in the control, 250 and 750 iu eCG treatment groups, respectively. For control cows, the peripheral oestradiol concentrations were higher on day 6 compared with days 0, 2 and 4 (P < 0.05); for cows treated with 250 iu eCG, concentrations were higher on days 4 and 6 compared with day 0 (P < 0.05); and for cows treated with 750 iu eCG, concentrations were higher on days 2 and 4 compared with day 0 (P < 0.01). Treatment with eCG, or the presence of a follicle > 8 mm in diameter in the ovary ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn, did not affect the rate of uterine involution or plasma 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-prostaglandin F(2alpha) concentration. In conclusion, administration of eCG to increase follicular growth and oestradiol production overcame the inhibition of follicular growth in the ovary ipsilateral to the previously gravid uterine horn, but did not affect uterine involution.
Language development in young twins: biological, genetic and social aspects.

The present study has confirmed previous evidence that young twins show a marked delay in language development. This delay averaged six months at the age of 48 months, compared to a control group of singletons; it was evenly reflected in all nine subtests of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, and was shown equally in MZ and DZ twins. Biological variables such as birth weight, gestational age and reproductive complications were only weakly associated with language scores at four years. The twins were not significantly retarded on non-verbal tests of general intelligence, compared with population norms or with the singleton controls. Environmental factors, particularly social class and family size were strongly correlated with language scores, though the association was stronger in singletons than in twins. Middle class twins were relatively much more retarded in language development compared with middle class singletons than working class twins compared with working class singletons. Comparison of intra-class correlations between 28 MZ and 64 DZ pairs yielded a heritability index of 44% for the test as a whole, with considerable variations in h 2 over the nine subtests. Heritabilities were highest for tests sampling the visual motor channel, and lowest for tests on the auditory-vocal channel. In confirmation of this finding, an examination of the test profiles of the singleton controls suggested that social class differences were most marked on tests of the auditory-vocal channel. It is suggested that the latter are more susceptible to environmental variables.