Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness associated with uveitis activity in patients with Behçet's disease

Aims To evaluate the efficacy of measuring subfoveal choroidal thickness in monitoring uveitis activity before and after treatment with infliximab in patients with Behçet's disease (BD)-associated uveitis. Methods Thirteen patients with BD (23 eyes) were selected for this retrospective observational case study. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured during active and remission phases of uveitis by enhanced depth imaging–spectral domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). In five patients (10 eyes), choroidal thickness was assessed at weeks 0, 2, 6 and 14 after the initiation of infliximab treatment. Results Accompanied by excessive dye leakage from choroidal vessels on indocyanine green angiography, dilation of choroidal vessels was observed in the active phase of uveitis by EDI-OCT and the choroidal thickness was significantly greater than that in the remission phase. Treatment with infliximab significantly reduced the choroidal thickness from week 2 after the first infusion, and the reduced choroidal thickness was maintained thereafter. No correlation was found between choroidal thickness and best corrected visual acuity converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, but choroidal thickness correlated significantly with anterior and posterior ocular inflammation scores. Conclusions This study indicates that measurement of subfoveal choroidal thickness by EDI-OCT is useful for evaluating the activity of uveitis and the therapeutic efficacy in patients with BD.
Histopathological changes in the liver following a paracetamol overdose: Correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters

The histological appearances of the liver damage occurring after a paracetamol overdose are described in liver biopsies from 104 patients, of whom 38 developed fulminant hepatic failure. Confluent centrilobular necrosis of varying extent was followed by rapid disappearance of necrotic cells, leaving areas of reticulin collapse and a usually mild inflammatory reaction. The histological recovery in even the most severe cases was remarkable, and only one of the 17 survivors whose initial biopsy showed the pattern of interlobular bridging necrosis had appreciable residual fibrosis in a follow-up biopsy taken after 1 yr. A quantitative estimate was made of the amount of surviving liver parenchyma using a morphometric technique and the hepatocyte volume fraction (HVF) in biopsies performed within 10 days of the overdose correlated well with the clinical course and both the maximal prolongation of the prothrombin time and the peak plasma bilirubin concentration in the first 10 days. An HVF value (normal 85 +/- 5 per cent.) of less than 40 per cent. in a biopsy taken within 10 days of the overdose was found only in patients who died. However, HVF measurements on biopsies from three survivors taken later than 10 days after the overdose shows that survival is possible below this critical level.
Focus group findings about the influence of culture on communication preferences in end-of-life care

AbstractBACKGROUND: Little guidance is available for health care providers who try to communicate with patients and their families in a culturally sensitive way about end-of-life care. OBJECTIVE: To explore the content and structure of end-of-life discussions that would optimize decision making by conducting focus groups with two diverse groups of patients that vary in ethnicity and socioeconomic status. DESIGN: Six focus groups were conducted; 3 included non-Hispanic white patients recruited from a University hospital (non-Hispanic white groups) and 3 included African-American patients recruited from a municipal hospital (African-American groups). A hypothetical scenario of a dying relative was used to explore preferences for the content and structure of communication. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six non-Hispanic white participants and 34 African-American participants. APPROACH: Content analysis of focus group transcripts. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic white participants were more exclusive when recommending family participants in end-of-life discussions while African-American participants preferred to include more family, friends and spiritual leaders. Requested content varied as non-Hispanic white participants desired more information about medical options and cost implications while African-American participants requested spiritually focused information. Underlying values also differed as non-Hispanic white participants expressed more concern with quality of life while African-American participants tended to value the protection of life at all costs. CONCLUSIONS: The groups differed broadly in their preferences for both the content and structure of end-of-life discussions and on the values that influence those preferences. Further research is necessary to help practitioners engage in culturally sensitive end-of-life discussions with patients and their families by considering varying preferences for the goals of end-of-life care communication.
Apheis: public health impact of PM10 in 19 European cities

Study objective: Apheis is a public health surveillance system that aims to provide European, national, regional, and local decision makers, environmental health professionals, and the general public with up to date and easy to use information on air pollution and public health. This study presents the health impact assessment done in 19 cities of Western and Eastern European countries. Design: Apheis developed guidelines for gathering and analysing data on air pollution and the impact on public health. Apheis has analysed the acute and chronic effects of fine particles on premature mortality using the estimates developed by Aphea2 study and two American cohort studies. This health impact assessment was performed for different scenarios on the health benefits of reducing levels of particles less than 10 μm in size (PM10). Main results: PM10 concentrations were measured in 19 cities (range: 14–73 μg/m3). The population covered in this health impact assessment includes nearly 32 million inhabitants. The age standardised mortality rates (per 100 000 people) range from 456 in Toulouse to 1127 in Bucharest. Reducing long term exposure to PM10 concentrations by 5 μg/m3 would have “prevented” between 3300 and 7700 early deaths annually, 500 to 1000 of which are associated with short term exposure. Conclusions: Apheis shows that current levels of air pollution in urban Europe have a non-negligible impact on public health, and that preventive measures could reduce this impact, even in cities with low levels of air pollution.
Exploring the many-body localization transition in two dimensions

Bosons refusing to thermalize in 2D Messy, interacting quantum-mechanical systems are difficult to analyze theoretically. In a single spatial dimension, the calculations are still tractable, and experiments have recently confirmed the prediction that sufficiently strong disorder can disrupt the transport of interacting particles. In two dimensions, however, the theoretical blueprint is missing. Choi et al. used single-site imaging of cold 87Rb atoms in an optical lattice to show that similar localization occurs in two-dimensional (2D) systems. The study highlights the power of quantum simulation to solve problems that are currently inaccessible to classical computing techniques. Science, this issue p. 1547 Single-site imaging in a two-dimensional optical lattice filled with interacting rubidium atoms shows that disorder can prevent thermalization. A fundamental assumption in statistical physics is that generic closed quantum many-body systems thermalize under their own dynamics. Recently, the emergence of many-body localized systems has questioned this concept and challenged our understanding of the connection between statistical physics and quantum mechanics. Here we report on the observation of a many-body localization transition between thermal and localized phases for bosons in a two-dimensional disordered optical lattice. With our single-site–resolved measurements, we track the relaxation dynamics of an initially prepared out-of-equilibrium density pattern and find strong evidence for a diverging length scale when approaching the localization transition. Our experiments represent a demonstration and in-depth characterization of many-body localization in a regime not accessible with state-of-the-art simulations on classical computers.
S5: Inflammation and sensory mechanisms S5.1 Somatostatin modulates mast cell-induced responses in murine spinal neurons and satellite cells

The course of intestinal inflammatory responses is tightly coordinated by the extensive communication between the immune system and the enteric nervous system, among which the bidirectional mast cell-neuron interaction within the intestinal wall plays a prominent role. Recent research suggests that somatostatin (SOM) is able to inhibit this self-reinforcing network by simultaneously suppressing the inflammatory activities of both neurons and mast cells. Therefore, we assessed the modulatory effects of SOM on both the short-term and long-term effects induced by the main mast cell mediators histamine (HIS) and 5-HT on spinal sensory neurons. Short-term incubation of dorsal root ganglion cultures with HIS and 5-HT induced neuronal CGRP-release and calcium-mediated activation of both neurons and nonneuronal cells, both of which effects were significantly reduced by SOM. In addition, SOM was also able to suppress the increased neuronal expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory peptides induced by long-term exposure to HIS and 5-HT. Immunocytochemical and molecular-biological experiments revealed the possible involvement of somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) and SSTR2A in these profound SOM-dependent effects. These data, combined with the increased expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory peptides and several SSTRs in murine dorsal root ganglia following intestinal inflammation, reveal that intestinal inflammation not only induces the onset of proinflammatory cascades but simultaneously triggers endogenous systems destined to prevent excessive tissue damage. Moreover, these data provide for the first time functional evidence that SOM is able to directly modulate intestinal inflammatory responses by interference with the coordinating mast cell-neuron communication.
Women and Hoax News Processing on WhatsApp

The word hoax became popular with the development of technology that has potentially increased the circulation of hoax news. One of the ways hoax news circulates is through mobile instant messaging applications like WhatsApp, where users can interact directly, or between individuals who are members of a group. In Indonesia, by 2017, WhatsApp was the most used and the longestused mobile instant messaging application, having 35.87 million users. This study focuses on women using WhatsApp, as previous studies have shown that women dominate social media use in Indonesia. Using the elaboration likelihood model, this study aimed to investigate how women process hoax messages about child abduction on WhatsApp. The results of research through interviews and surveys indicate that women tend to process hoax messages about the abduction of children through peripheral lines. The lack of media literacy and the tendency to prioritize the emotional aspects of a story make some women vulnerable to spreading hoaxes through WhatsApp. In this study, the researchers recommend a digital empowerment movement to improve women’s media literacy through an online lecture model on WhatsApp. This program should be professionally managed by experts or academics from relevant fields of study.
Mitigating Risk of Failure by Expanding Family Entrepreneurship and Learning from International Franchising Experiences of Johnny Rockets: A Case Study in Pakistan

It is generally believed worldwide and backed by research too that startups face a high risk of failure and eight to nine out of ten ideas may not work (Hisrich, Peters, & Shepherd, 2009). However, many experts claim that the situation can turn vice versa for family entrepreneurship (or creative family businesses) and franchise ventures (Francorp, 2016). This exploratory probe aims to discover these two phenomena for Johnny Rockets (JR) Pakistan, which is an international franchise of fast food chain of restaurants, and simultaneously it is a family business extension. Literature is reviewed from four perspectives: family entrepreneurship and business, franchise business, internationalization of companies, and fast food restaurant industry in Pakistan. Primary data is garnered from three sources: in-depth interviews from middle to top management of Johnny Rockets, owners of the franchises, and from its consumers in accordance with phenomenology method and purposive sampling to analyze their lived experiences with JR and its direct rivals. The data analytic techniques comprise thematic analysis and constant comparison. The findings unveil that in the wake of tolerating several difficulties, now Johnny Rockets seems to be on the right path of sustainable growth. The study underpins the notions that family entrepreneurship and franchise ventures enjoy a high probability of success, but it requires an organizational culture of the congenial work environment, and propensity to create a customer-centric modern learning organization, ready to accept trials and errors and continuously innovating its processes and systems.
The Modelling Effects Of Independence Auditors on Financial Reporting Quality Of The Listed (DMBS) In Nigeria

The study examines the modeling effect of the independence auditors on financial reporting quality of the listed deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. The data were collected from the Annual Reports of the sampled size. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression technique. At the end of the study, the study revealed that there is a positive and significant effect with the audit fees and financial reporting quality at 5% levels of significance. This means that N 0.43 increase in the audit fees shall bring about corresponding increase in the financial reporting quality of the while audit firm rotation and audit tenure showed negative relationship with financial reporting of the listed DMBs in Nigeria. The study recommended that management of DMBs should follows the law that was put in place in regard to specified audit fee in Nigeria and the length of audit tenure should be between one and three years so that the auditor can combat and prevent fraud and improved the financial reporting quality. Finally, audit rotation should be at the range stipulated by the regulatory bodies.
Susceptibilities of Helicoverpa zea and Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Populations to Cry1Ac Insecticidal Protein

Abstract Susceptibilities of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) to Cry1Ac were measured via a diet-incorporated assay with MPV II at the University of Arkansas during 2002–2004. Lethal concentration–mortality (LC50) estimates of five laboratory, seven laboratory-cross, and 10 field populations of H. virescens varied 12-fold. Pooled susceptibilities of H. virescens across all laboratory and field populations varied five-fold. The LC50 estimates for H. virescens were higher than those reported by previous research before the introduction of transgenic crops. However, the ratio of susceptibility of laboratory and field populations was similar, suggesting no change in overall species susceptibility. Individual LC50 estimates of five laboratory, nine laboratory-cross, and 57 field populations of H. zea varied over 130-fold. Pooled susceptibilities across laboratory and field populations varied widely. Among the field populations, colonies from non-Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops were generally more susceptible than those from Bt crops. Across the Bt crops expressing Cry protein, colonies from Bollgard (Monsanto Company) cotton had lower susceptibility to Cry1Ac than those from Bt corn and those from non-Bt crops.
Survey Data Harmonization and the Quality of Data Documentation in Cross-national Surveys

Many social phenomena bare the imprint of regional and global social, economic, and political processes, and therefore should be studied in a comparative framework. However, inequalities in survey coverage across various regions and the lack of uniform data collection and documentation standards in cross-national survey projects pose a serious limitation to comparative research. While previous efforts to advance cross-national research usually produce a new dataset, we argue that the answer to these problems is actually better integration of existing data. This paper focuses on the assessment of the quality of data documentation, an important, although often neglected, element of any data analysis that is especially crucial for data harmonization projects. We assessed the quality of surveys based on information provided in survey documentation: questionnaire pre-testing, translation method, sampling, presence of fieldwork control, as well as unit and item non-response. Finally, we discuss incorporating documentation measures into substantive analyses, as well as the potential for standardization of survey documentation and the survey process itself.
Open innovation in (young) SMEs

The purpose of this article is to identify the role start-ups play in the open innovation (OI) context by reviewing the existing body of research. Since the OI literature on young ventures is nascent, a stepwise review approach is applied, using the already more evolved findings of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to derive similarities or differences. The findings indicate that if empirical studies with a similar research focus are conducted, similar results are likely to be obtained in both SMEs and young ventures. Generally, young ventures have a higher application of OI activities compared to large firms as it boosts their innovation performance enabling them to overcome the liability of smallness and newness. Because of this importance, combined with the limited number of quantitative studies available, ongoing research is required to further understand young ventures role in the OI context.
The ultrastructure of Candida albicans after in vitro treatment with miconazole.

Electron microscopic examination on Candida albicans yeast cells after exposure in vitro to different doses of miconazole revealed that it exerts its effect primarily on the plasmalemma and the cell wall. After exposing cultures to drug concentrations of 10-6M and 10-5M progressive degradation of plasmalemma and cytoplasmic organelles were seen. Injured parts of cellular material were sequestered from the rest of the cytoplasm and extruded into the central vacuole. A similar degradation occurred at the cell periphery. Cell death, characterized by the loss of normal shape, dissolution of the plasmalemma and by severe alterations of all cytoplasmic organelles, was evident at the 5 × 10-6M and 10-5M dose levels. From the morphologic point of view a clear dose relationship could be established.
Emotional and behavioural symptoms, risk behaviours and academic success in Chilean Mapuche and non-Mapuche adolescents

ABSTRACT Introduction: There is controversy over the real existence of differences in mental health and academic performance between the Mapuche ethnic minority male adolescents and the male adolescents not belonging to this ethnicity in Chile. Objective: In consequence, the aim of this study was to investigate the differences in emotional and behavioural symptoms, risky behaviours and academic success on the Chilean Mapuche and non-Mapuche adolescents. Design: The sample consisted of 233 adolescents of which 119 were Mapuche adolescents and 114 were non-Mapuche adolescents. Results: The results showed that the Mapuche adolescents do not have more anxiety problems and depression than the non-Mapuche adolescents. Furthermore, the Mapuche adolescents present less drug consumption and behavioural problems. Moreover, there were no differences in academic performance. Conclusions: This study provides social interest data of the adolescents' mental health, which can be useful for the country's socio-sanitary and political decisions. Future studies should investigate these and other variables related to the mental health of minorities in greater depth.
Researchers' green open access practice: a cross-disciplinary analysis

Purpose – This paper aims to report on the findings of the second phase of the Behavioural strand of the EC‐funded PEER project (http://www.peerproject.eu/). The paper seeks to explore authors' and readers' behaviours in relation to authors' peer‐reviewed accepted manuscripts in open access repositories.Design/methodology/approach – The research was undertaken using a mixed‐method approach, involving the distribution of a survey by the 12 participating publishers to their authors in selected journal titles and a participatory workshop with European researchers from selected disciplinary areas.Findings – Researchers' attitudes towards versions of published journal articles made open access via open access repositories may vary depending on whether researchers report behaviours from the perspective of an author or a reader. The research found that disciplinary cultures, norms and traditions shape authors' self‐archiving behaviour and readers' use of those versions of journal articles held in repositories.Re.
Essential Role of the Apolipoprotein E Receptor-2 in Sperm Development*

The apolipoprotein (apo) E receptor-2 (apoER2) is a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene family and an important regulator of neuronal migration. It acts as a receptor for the signaling factor Reelin and provides positional cues to neurons that migrate to their proper position in the developing brain. Besides brain formation defects, apoER2-deficient mice also exhibit male infertility. The role of the receptor in male reproduction, however, remained unclear. Here we demonstrate that apoER2 is highly expressed in the initial segment of the epididymis, where it affects the functional expression of clusterin and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), two proteins required for sperm maturation. Reduced PHGPx expression in apoER2 knockout mice results in the inability of the sperm to regulate the cell volume and in abnormal sperm morphology and immotility. Because insufficient expression of PHGPx is a major cause of infertility in men, these findings not only highlight an important new function for apoER2 that is unrelated to neuronal migration, but they also suggest a possible role for apoER2 in human infertility.