Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary Phakic Deep Sclerectomy Augmented With Mitomycin C: Long-term Outcomes

AimTo report the long-term outcomes of deep sclerectomy (DS) with intraoperative mitomycin C in eyes with no previous ocular surgery. MethodsOne hundred ninety-four eyes of 160 consecutive patients who had primary phakic DS between August 2001 and April 2005 were included from a database on all glaucoma surgery in our department. The mean follow-up was 48±15 months (median, 49 mo). ResultsThe probability of a final intraocular pressure (IOP) of less than 19, 16, and 13 mm Hg without medications or needle revisions at 1 year was 85% (80% to 90%, 95% confidence intervals), 83% (78% to 88%), and 68% (62% to 75%). At 3 years was 78% (73% to 85%), 76% (60% to 82%), and 60% (53% to 67%), respectively. The probability of performing Nd:YAG laser goniopuncture (LGP) was 66% (59% to 74%) 3 years after DS. Further glaucoma surgery was undertaken in 16 eyes (8.2%). Intraoperative perforations occurred in 28 eyes (14.4%). Iris synechiae or incarceration in the goniopuncture were observed in 54 (27.8%) during follow-up and were associated with an acute symptomatic rise in IOP in 6 eyes (3.1%). Hypotony with maculopathy was seen after LGP and needling in 3 eyes (1.5%). Blebitis developed in 2 eyes (1%) after LGP and endophthalmitis in 1 eye (0.5%), which had an intraoperative perforation. ConclusionsMitomycin C-enhanced primary DS effectively reduces IOP in primary phakic open-angle glaucoma. Most eyes required LGP to maintain IOP control. However, complications associated with partial-thickness procedures, like bleb-related infections and hypotonic maculopathy were observed.
Biochemical and physical properties of remnant-HDL2 and of pre beta 1-HDL produced by hepatic lipase.

The hepatic lipase acting on triglyceride-rich high-density lipoprotein2 (HDL2) induces the formation of pre beta 1-HDL, leaving a residual alpha-migrating HDL particle that was named "remnant-HDL2" (Barrans, A., Collet, X., Barbaras, R., Jaspard, B., Manent, J., Vieu, C., Chap, H., and Perret, B. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 11572-11577. ]. In this study, these two product particles generated by hepatic lipase were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation. Particles were first characterized in terms of chemical composition, density, and mass. The pre beta 1-HDL obtained in vitro contain one to two molecules of apoA-I, associated with phospholipids, and free and esterified cholesterol. When compared to triglyceride-rich HDL2, remnant-HDL2 have lost on average one molecule of apoA-I, 60% of triacylglycerols, and 15% of phospholipids. The estimated composition is concordant with the hypothesis of the splitting of a substrate particle into one pre beta 1-HDL and one remnant-HDL2. Spectroscopic studies were carried out to monitor changes in lipid fluidity upon lipolysis. The fluorescence anisotropy was measured using (1,6)-diphenyl-hexa-(1,3, 5)-triene as a probe, and the degree of order was calculated from electron spin resonance spectra using the 5-nitroxy-derivative of stearic acid. Both approaches showed a decreased lipid fluidity in remnant-HDL2, as compared to triglyceride-rich HDL2. The immunoreactivity of apoA-I toward several monoclonal antibodies was assayed as a reflection of changes of apoA-I conformation. In remnant-HDL2, as compared to triglyceride-rich HDL2, a lower reactivity was noted with the 2G11 antibody, which interacts in the NH2 terminal part of apoA-I. Finally, remnant-HDL2 was clearly different from HDL3 with respect to all of the parameters studied, demonstrating that hepatic lipase does not promote the direct conversion of HDL2 to HDL3. Thus, hepatic lipase produces remnant-HDL2 particles, which display modifications of apoA-I conformation and of fluidity of the lipid environment. This newly described HDL2 subfraction may play a major role in the reverse cholesterol transport.
Activation of the JNK/p38 Pathway Occurs in Diseases Characterized by Tau Protein Pathology and Is Related to Tau Phosphorylation But Not to Apoptosis

JNK and p38, two members of the MAP kinase family, are strongly induced by various stresses including oxidative stress and have been involved in regulation of apoptosis. As both kinases phosphorylate tau protein in vitro, we have investigated their immunohistochemical localization in a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by intracellular deposits of hyperphosphorylated tau. Cases included Alzheimer disease, Pick disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease-Indiana kindred, and frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. In all tissue samples, strong immunoreactivity for both MAP kinases was found in the same neuronal or glial cells that contained tau-positive deposits. By double immunohistochemistry, JNK and p38 colocalized with tau in the inclusions. Analysis of apoptosis-related changes (DNA fragmentation, activated caspase-3) showed that the expression of JNK and p38 was unrelated to activation of an apoptotic cascade. Our data indicate that phospho-JNK and phospho-p38 are associated with hyperphosphorylated tau in a variety of abnormal tau inclusions, suggesting that these kinases may play a role in the development of degenerative diseases with tau pathology.
The Last Gene of the fla/che Operon in Bacillus subtilis, ylxL, Is Required for Maximal σD Function

ABSTRACT ylxL was found to be the last gene of the fla/che operon in Bacillus subtilis and is cotranscribed with the gene for the flagellum-specific alternate sigma factor, σD. The ylxL gene was disrupted by insertional mutagenesis, and the resultant mutant strain was found to be compromised for σD-dependent functions.
R&D expenditures by field of science and GDP: Which causes which in Canada?

This paper attempts to reveal the relationship between GDP per capita and R&D expenditure per capita, R&D expenditure per capita on natural sciences and engineering, and R&D expenditure per capita on social sciences and humanities for Canada. Based on data from 1981 to 2014, bootstrap causality test proposed by Hacker and Hatemi-J (2006) show that there is a unidirectional causality from GDP per capita to R&D expenditure per capita, and a unidirectional causality from GDP per capita to R&D expenditure per capita on natural sciences and engineering. However, no causal relationship is observed between R&D expenditure per capita on social sciences and humanities and GDP per capita. These results may point an indirect relationship between the variables or the validity of R&D paradox and the European paradox for Canada.
Binaural forward and backward masking: evidence for sluggishness in binaural detection.

The threshold of a short interaurally phase-inverted probe tone (20 ms, 500 Hz, S pi) was obtained in the presence of a 750-ms noise masker that was switched after 375 ms from interaurally phase-inverted (N pi) to interaurally in-phase (No). As the delay between probe-tone offset and noise phase transition is increased, the threshold decays from the N pi S pi threshold (masking level difference = 0 dB) to the No S pi threshold (masking level difference = 15 dB). The decay in this "binaural" situation is substantially slower than in a comparable "monaural" situation, where the interaural phase of the masker is held constant (N pi), but the level of the masker is reduced by 15 dB. The prolonged decay provides evidence for additional binaural sluggishness associated with "binaural forward masking. " In a second experiment, "binaural backward masking" is studied by time reversing the maskers described above. Again, the situation where the phase is switched from No to N pi exhibits a slower transition than the situation with constant interaural phase (N pi) and a 15-dB increase in the level of the masker. The data for the binaural situations are compatible with the results of a related experiment, previously reported by Grantham and Wightman [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 65, 1509-1517 (1979)] and are well fit by a model that incorporates a double-sided exponential temporal integration window.
A Simple “Streak Length Method” for Quantifying and Characterizing Red Blood Cell Velocity Profiles and Blood Flow in Rat Skeletal Muscle Arterioles

Please cite this paper as: Al‐Khazraji BK, Novielli NM, Goldman D, Medeiros PJ, Jackson DN. A simple “Streak Length Method” for quantifying and characterizing red blood cell velocity profiles and blood flow in rat skeletal muscle arterioles. Microcirculation 19: 327–335, 2012.
Global and Local Contributions to the Optical Specification of Time to Contact: Observer Sensitivity to Composite Tau

First-order time remaining until a moving observer will pass an environmental element is optically specified in two different ways. The specification provided by global tau (based on the pattern of change of angular bearing) requires that the element is stationary and that the direction of motion is accurately detected, whereas the specification provided by composite tau (based on the patterns of change of optical size and optical distance) does not require either of these. We obtained converging evidence for our hypothesis that observers are sensitive to composite tau in four experiments involving relative judgments of time to passage with forced-choice methodology. Discrimination performance was enhanced in the presence of a local expansion component, while being unaffected when the detection of the direction of heading was impaired. Observers relied on the information carried in composite tau rather than on the information carried in its constituent components. Finally, performance was similar under conditions of observer motion and conditions of object motion. Because composite tau specifies first-order time remaining for a large number of situations, the different ways in which it may be detected are discussed.
The Drivers of a Superior’s Trust Formation in his Subordinate: The Manager-Management Accountant Example

Management accountants are described in the literature as “trust access points” for management accounting systems (Busco, Riccaboni, and Scapens 2006). Because of their heavy influence on managers’ decision-making processes, the working relationship between management accountants and managers is unique and must be distinguished from other working relationships. Based on answers from 446 managers, we tested a structural equation model for different trust drivers. We show that management accountants’ perceived abilities are the key trust drivers. In addition, we also show that the influence of trust drivers in the manager - management accountant relationship changes significantly over time. Whereas in the beginning, a manager’s trust disposition and the organizational context are important in building up trust, in long-lasting relationships only the management accountant’s perceived trustworthiness really matters; this trustworthiness is in turn influenced by the role of management accounting (power) in the organization.
Does Debt Explain the Investment Premium?

The investment premium -- the finding that firms with low asset growth deliver high average returns -- is an integral part of recent factor models. I document empirically that the investment premium (1) reflects leverage, (2) does not exist among zero-leverage firms, and (3) increases with firms' refinancing intensities. This new evidence challenges prominent explanations of the investment premium including the q-theory of investment and behavioral finance. To explain the evidence, I develop a model in which firms make both optimal investment and financing decisions. The model shows that the investment premium reflects both leverage and refinancing intensities consistent with my empirical findings.
Kinetic Study of Melatonin Release From Rat Pineal Glands Using a Perifusion Technique

In previous studies, noradrenaline was found to elicit a rise of melatonin secretion through activation of typical P‐adrenergic receptors. In the present study, a perifusion system was developed to characterize the kinetics of melatonin release from rat pineal glands. Isolated pineal glands from adult male rats were continuously perifused for 15 h in a Krebs‐Ringer solution, and the concentration of melatonin in the effluent perifusate was monitored using a specific radioimmunoassay. The rate of release of melatonin declined during the first 3–4 h of perifusion and then remained fairly stable for at least 11 h. The spontaneous release of melatonin was around 20 pg per min and per gland. When pineal glands were stimulated with isoproterenol, melatonin release output linearly increased for at least 2 h after the stimulation. The increase in melatonin release depended on the isoproterenol concentration and on the duration of the stimulation. The analysis of the pattern of melatonin secretion by a single rat pineal gland showed that the secretion was irregular but did not present a clear feature of pulsatile or oscillatory release over all h‐long study. The perifusion system was found useful in order to follow the characteristics of melatonin release from pineal glands and should allow investigations of neuronal or hormonal control of pineal gland activities.
Ex vivo gene delivery using an adenovirus vector in treatment for cartilage defects.

OBJECTIVE To realize local selective gene expression in grafted chondrocytes for cartilage defect, we investigated the usefulness of an ex vivo gene delivery method using an adenovirus vector. METHODS Beta-galactosidase gene (LacZ) was transfected using an adenovirus vector to chondrocytes isolated from rat joints. The cells were then embedded into collagen gel, and LacZ expression in the gel was examined using 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal) staining; beta-galactosidase activity was also measured. The collagen gel containing transfected chondrocytes was grafted to the experimental cartilage defects, and the expression of delivered gene was histologically examined after X-gal staining of the tissue containing the grafted area. RESULTS X-gal positive chondrocytes in the gel accounted for 82% at one week and 55% at 8 weeks after gene delivery. Beta-galactosidase activity decreased with time, but its expression was maintained even at 8 weeks after gene delivery. Chondrocytes used in the allograft maintained their morphology, and the expression of delivered gene continued during the 8 week period. CONCLUSION In this ex vivo method, delivered gene can be expressed efficiently for a long time; this method would be useful in allografts for cartilage defects.
Research on microblogging original posts release behavior based on panel data of mobile applications

As a combination of traditional word-of-mouth (WOM) and electronic WOM, microblogging obsesses both the real-timeness of the former and the capability of the latter to reach large audiences. However, the data used in previous studies of MWOM might easily cause biased results due to low microblogging activity level and few original posts in China's microblogging community. In this study, we proposed a few hypotheses on factors that could influence the posting behavior of original microblogs. These hypotheses are checked against the panel data collected from China's mobile applications e-commerce websites and related microblogs on Sina Microblog. Our study shows that both the sales volume of a mobile application and the influence of related existing original microblog posts have positive impacts on the number of original posts. It is also shown that the original microblog posting behavior is an example of the herd instinct.
Cognitive Analytic Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

The evidence base for treatment of bipolar affective disorder (BD) demands the evaluation of new psychotherapies in order to broaden patient choice. This study reports on the feasibility, safety, helpfulness and effectiveness of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). In a pilot randomized controlled trial, BD patients in remission were randomized to either receiving 24 sessions of CAT (n = 9) or treatment as usual (n = 9) and were assessed in terms of symptoms, functioning and service usage over time. In the CAT arm no adverse events occurred, 8/9 completed treatment, 5/8 attended all 24 sessions and 2/8 were categorized as recovered. The most common helpful event during CAT was recognition of patterns in mood variability, with helpfulness themes changing according to phase of therapy. No major differences were found when comparing the arms over time in terms of service usage or psychometric outcomes. The study suggests that conducting further research into the effectiveness of CAT in treating BD is warranted and guidance regarding future trials is provided. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE Treating BD with CAT appears feasible and safe. Retaining fidelity to the reformulation, recognition and revision structure of CAT appears useful. Participants stated that across the phases of CAT, focussing on patterns of mood variability was consistently helpful.
Effects of repetitive handgrip training on endurance, specificity, and cross-education.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Exercise programs are more likely to be successful when they are based on research that predicts the outcomes of such training. This study determined the effect of submaximal rhythmic handgrip training on rhythmic handgrip endurance or work (RHW), isometric handgrip endurance time (IHE), and maximal voluntary isometric contraction for the handgrip force (MVIC) (in newtons). SUBJECTS Twenty-four male subjects (mean age=26.2 years) with right-hand dominance were randomly assigned to a regular training group (n=8), a low-level training group (n=8), or a control group (n=8). METHODS Rhythmic handgrip work, IHE, and MVIC were determined bilaterally before and after 6 weeks of a rhythmic right handgrip training program using 30% of MVIC. The low-level training group performed daily training with a near-zero load (<0.005% of MVIC). RESULTS There was a 1,232% increase in RHW and an 8% decrease in IHE after the training program using 30% of MVIC for the right hand. The left hand showed a 43% increase in RHW after training, whereas the low-level training group showed a 35% increase in RHW. No differences were found between the change in the left-hand RHW of the regular training group and the change in the right-hand RHW of the low-level training group, but both measurements were greater than the change in the control group (6.4%). CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION Submaximal handgrip endurance training at 30% of MVIC had a minimal effect on submaximal IHE and MVIC of the handgrip, but it had a large effect on RHW of the trained extremity. The regular training group and the low-level training group showed similar increases in cross-education, suggesting that cross-education during endurance training is not intensity-dependent.
Relationship Between Brain Glucose Metabolism Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Electroencephalography (EEG) in Children With Continuous Spike-and-Wave Activity During Slow-Wave Sleep

We studied the relationship between brain glucose metabolism patterns and objectively measured interictal epileptiform abnormalities in six children with intractable epilepsy and continuous spike-and-wave activity during slow-wave sleep. Five of the six patients showed lateralized positron emission tomographic (PET) findings, with the hemisphere showing a relative increase in glucose metabolism concordant with the presumed origin of the generalized interictal spike activity delineated by quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis. One of these five patients achieved seizure freedom following cortical resection involving the areas of unilateral multifocal hypermetabolism, and another patient has been approved for cortical resection. The results in the present study add further support to the hypothesis that the general ized spike-waves in most cases of continuous spike-and-wave activity during slow-wave sleep are the result of secondary bilateral synchrony. Resective surgery can be effective in selected patients with uncontrolled seizures associated with continuous spike-and-wave activity during slow-wave sleep provided that there is concordance between focal abnormalities on PET and EEG. (J Child Neurol 2005;20:682—690).
The drivers of economic growth in South Asia: evidence from a dynamic system GMM approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the drivers of economic growth in South Asia region for the period of 1975–2016 using the World Bank data. Design/methodology/approach Panel corrected standard error (static estimation) approach and one-step system generalised method of moments (dynamic estimation) approach are used. Findings Both the static and dynamic estimations indicate that energy use, gross capital formation and remittances are the main drivers of economic growth in South Asian countries. The effects of all these variables are positive and significant. The extent of the effect of energy use is much higher than that of other two variables on the economic growth. A 1 per cent increase in the growth of energy consumption can expedite the gross domestic product growth by approximately 3 per cent in South Asia. However, the key variables, such as trade, government expenditure and foreign direct investment demonstrate no significant effect. Originality/value The current research is original in the sense that it investigated the issue with a new data set using improved econometric techniques. Moreover, in South Asia as a whole, this kind of study is totally absent, particularly with panel data of a large number of years. Furthermore, this study has taken into account the problem of heterogeneity and the biases created by cross-section dependence, which were mostly absent in previous studies. Therefore, the findings of this research are new contributions to the existing literature.
A Simple and Robust Statistical Test for Detecting the Presence of Recombination

Recombination is a powerful evolutionary force that merges historically distinct genotypes. But the extent of recombination within many organisms is unknown, and even determining its presence within a set of homologous sequences is a difficult question. Here we develop a new statistic, Φw, that can be used to test for recombination. We show through simulation that our test can discriminate effectively between the presence and absence of recombination, even in diverse situations such as exponential growth (star-like topologies) and patterns of substitution rate correlation. A number of other tests, Max χ2, NSS, a coalescent-based likelihood permutation test (from LDHat), and correlation of linkage disequilibrium (both r2 and |D′|) with distance, all tend to underestimate the presence of recombination under strong population growth. Moreover, both Max χ2 and NSS falsely infer the presence of recombination under a simple model of mutation rate correlation. Results on empirical data show that our test can be used to detect recombination between closely as well as distantly related samples, regardless of the suspected rate of recombination. The results suggest that Φw is one of the best approaches to distinguish recurrent mutation from recombination in a wide variety of circumstances.