Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early morphological changes and functional abnormalities in group 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and microperimetry

Aims: To report early morphological changes and functional abnormalities in group 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis (IJRT) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and microperimetry. Methods: Six eyes (three patients; average age, 64 years) with group 2A IJRT were examined using SD-OCT and microperimetry. Results: On SD-OCT, breaks in the highly reflective line, considered the boundary between the photoreceptor inner and outer segments, at the temporal to the fovea and corresponding to the telangiectasis lesions were observed in all eyes. Highly reflective tissue was observed in the outer retinal layer in five eyes. In three eyes with a right-angle venule, the outer retinal layer was replaced by the highly reflective tissue and was contiguous to the inner retinal layer. Microperimetry showed the reduction in the retinal sensitivity thresholds at the temporal to the fovea in five eyes. Conclusions: Early morphological alterations in group 2A IJRT in SD-OCT were observed. These finding might be visualisation of Müller cell abnormality on SD-OCT. At the same time, the disorder of photoreceptors occurs at the telangiectasis lesions from MP-1. Detailed observation of these abnormalities provides an understanding of the morphological and functional features of group 2A IJRT.
The Continuum of Humanitarian Crises Management: Multiple Approaches and the Challenge of Convergence

The notion that “relief alone is not enough” is common to all actors involved in the management of humanitarian crises. This notion was officially framed at the United Nations (UN) in 1991 as a “continuum from relief to rehabilitation and development,” and today remains a challenging task in the agenda of international assistance organizations. Despite periodic efforts to understand the problem and to put forward solutions, reviews report a lack of conceptual clarity and little progress. We suggest that one of the reasons for this is the paucity of efforts to clarify the meaning of the continuum in a way that leads to an understanding of both humanitarian crises in general and crisis-specific settings. Thus, the present paper aims to contribute to advancing this conceptual front by comparing general approaches to the continuum of humanitarian crisis management, with those that can be found through the work on two emblematic types of crises: disaster risk reduction and peacebuilding. We show that parallel understandings of the continuum as a matter of actors and as a matter of phases coexist, and need disambiguation; besides there is difficulty internalizing the non-linearity of the process and a lack of clarity on the position of prevention within humanitarian crisis management. We put forward a multi-layered activities model as the most basic understanding of the continuum to which all actors can converge, and describe its strengths and weaknesses. Local ownership is the most important limiting factor, and pursuing approaches internal to or among foreign actors as an alternative to realizing the continuum is not a substitute.
The economics of the Swedish online gambling market

ABSTRACT In this article, we study how the Swedish online gambling market has developed and how the availability of foreign-based online gambling has affected the domestic state-owned gambling monopoly, AB Svenska Spel. We find that online gambling and the traditional state-managed gambling are relatively weak substitutes. Thus, concerns about the availability of online gambling being able to undercut domestic gambling policies may be overstated.
The choice of surgical procedure for peritonitis due to colonic perforation.

OBJECTIVE Because the choice of surgical procedure for colonic perforation is still matter of debate, we retrospectively studied peritonitis caused by spontaneous colonic perforation to assess predictors of mortality and the safety of primary resection and anastomosis. DESIGN Case series. PATIENTS We investigated one hundred thirty-six consecutive patients with peritonitis due to colonic perforation who were surgically treated in an emergency surgery department. Eighty-one patients underwent primary resection and anastomosis, thirty-three underwent the Hartmann procedure, and twenty-two had simple colostomy. The seriousness of peritonitis was assessed in terms of Hinchey stage, the Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI), and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score. RESULTS The overall mortality rate was 20%. The APACHE II scores and MPIs were lower for survivors than for nonsurvivors. The mortality rate was 6% for primary resection and anastomosis, 30% for the Hartmann procedure, and 59% for simple colostomy, but the severity scores were significantly lower in patients who underwent primary resection than those of patients who had the Hartmann procedure and colostomy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Since primary resection and anastomosis has been shown to be safe, we suggest that is is proper, even in the presence of peritonitis. In spite of this, we conclude that the surgical procedure does not influence outcome but that the mortality rate is related to the severity of peritonitis, accurately measured by APACHE II score and MPI.
Blinding International Justice

The past twenty years have seen a tremendous rise in international dispute settlement mechanisms. As international adjudication has become more prominent and pervasive some of its most fundamental tenants have also come under deep scrutiny. Recently, a new debate has emerged regarding party-appointments — a widespread feature in international arbitration. While international arbitrators, like national judges, are supposed to be neutral and impartial and to exercise independent judgment, practitioners and scholars concur that arbitrators often lean in favor of the nominating party. As a result of concerns over lack of impartiality, “blind appointments” — wherein nominees do not know which party appointed them — have been suggested as a corrective intervention in the arbitration field.This Article explores the causes, implementation challenges, and possible limitations of blind appointments in arbitration. It makes three contributions: First, it proposes a theoretical framework to understand the different biases introduced with the nomination of judges in international adjudication: compensation, affiliation, selection and epistemic effects. Second, considering new data from investment arbitration proceedings and experimental surveys on arbitrators, it shows that blinding is a promising intervention to target affiliation effects while maintaining potential benefits resulting from party participation in the tribunal’s formation. Third, it explains how blind appointments may have important limits as to their corrective properties and explores the conditions that are more favorable for the success of this proposal in other fields of international adjudication.
Frequency of Job - Related Burn-Out in Family Physicians Working in General - Family Practice in the Middle East

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout, and of associated factors, amongst family doctors (FDs) in the Middle East. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of FDs was conducted using a custom-designed and validated questionnaire which incorporated the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBIHSS) as well as questions about demographic factors, working experience, health, lifestyle and job satisfaction. MBI-HSS scores were analysed in the three dimensions of emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA). Results: Seven hundred questionnaires were distributed in 5 Midlde Eastern countries, and 500 were returned to give a response rate of 71%. As far as burnout, 44% of respondents scored high for EE burnout, 30% for DP and 28% for PA, with 15% scoring high burnout in each of the three measurements. A little more than 33% of doctors did not score high for burnout in any dimesnion. High burnout was observed to be emphatically connected with a few of the variables under concentrate, particularly those relative to respondents’ nation of home, occupation fulfillment, expectation to change work, sick leave usage, the misuse of liquor, tobacco and psychotropic medication, more youthful age and male sex. Conclusions: Burnout is by all accounts a typical issue in FDs over the Midlde East and is connected with individual and workload pointers, and particularly work fulfillment, aim to change work and the abuse of liquor, tobacco and medicine. The study survey has all the earmarks of being a substantial instrument to quantify burnout in FDs. Proposals for changes of employment conditions and future research are needed for further exploring the issue.
The Effect of Extrinsic Factors on Simulated 20-km Time Trial Performance

Peveler, WW and Green, M. The effect of ecterinsic factors on simulated 20-km time trial performance. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3265-3269, 2010-During time trials cyclists start individually with a uniform time gap between riders. With the exception of the first and last cyclists all riders will chase riders ahead and be chased from behind. The purpose of this study was to determine if cycling in a lead or chase position would influence 20-km time trial performance. Eight male cyclists performed four 20-km indoor time trials. During trial 1 (T1) individuals cycled as fast as possible. Prior to the start of trial 2 (T2) subjects were shown times and rank order from T1 and attempted to improve rank among opponents. After T2 subjects were ranked again and paired with the closest competitor. Subjects were alternately positioned to lead (TL) and chase (TC) in trials 3 and 4. TL and TC were counterbalanced. Means for time, mean power (MP), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and heart rate (HR) were recorded and pacing evenness was compared between trials using deviation scores (power variation at designated distances from overall mean). Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (alpha = 0.05) indicated no significant differences for HR or RPE. For time, T2 (33.84 ± 1.38 minutes) was significantly faster than T1 (34.80 ± 2.25 minutes) and MP was significantly greater (T1 = 229 ± 36 W, T2 = 243 ± 24 W). Time for TC (33.52 ± 1.33 minutes) was significantly faster than T1 (34.80 ± 2.25 minutes). Pacing during TC (9 ± 3 W) was significantly more even in comparison to TL (12 ± 1 W). No significant difference in performance was detected between TC and TL. In conclusion, extrinsic factors (chase vs. lead position) did not affect overall performance, even when pacing altered between trials; however, differences in performance times may represent meaningful differences in competitive settings.
Predictors of organ donation registration among Dutch adolescents.

BACKGROUND In 1998, a new organ donor registration scheme was implemented in the Netherlands in order to increase the number of potential donors and to facilitate decisions and procedures concerning organ donation. However, registration rate and registration choices failed to meet the expectations. METHODS A cross-sectional survey among a random sample of 1,731 Dutch adolescents of 18 and 19 years was conducted to study potential determinants of organ donor registration choices. RESULTS Almost one fifth of the adolescents indicated that they did not return their organ donation registration form. Among subjects who registered, 57% were willing to donate their organs or tissues posthumously. More positive social influences, fewer negative outcome beliefs, and a low level of organ donation anxiety were significant predictors of returning a completed registration form and registration as an organ donor. In addition, religion was a significant predictor of returning a completed registration form, and positive outcome beliefs contributed to the prediction of registration as an organ donor. CONCLUSIONS The results give clear suggestions for tailoring organ donation registration interventions to specific characteristics, beliefs, and misconceptions of adolescents. The results also suggest that it is important to encourage adolescents to discuss issues related to organ donation with their parents and friends in order to increase donor registration.
Sexual mixing patterns in the spread of gonococcal and chlamydial infections.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to define, among sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attendees, (1) patterns of sex partner selection, (2) relative risks for gonococcal or chlamydial infection associated with each mixing pattern, and (3) selected links and potential and actual bridge populations. METHODS Mixing matrices were computed based on characteristics of the study participants and their partners. Risk of infection was determined in study participants with various types of partners, and odds ratios were used to estimate relative risk of infection for discordant vs concordant partnerships. RESULTS Partnerships discordant in terms of race/ethnicity, age, education, and number of partners were associated with significant risk for gonorrhea and chlamydial infection. In low-prevalence subpopulations, within-subpopulation mixing was associated with chlamydial infection, and direct links with high-prevalence subpopulations were associated with gonorrhea. CONCLUSIONS Mixing patterns influence the risk of specific infections, and they should be included in risk assessments for individuals and in the design of screening, health education, and partner notification strategies for populations.
Role of mTOR inhibition in the treatment of patients with renal angiomyolipomas

Purpose: To describe the role of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition in the treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients with renal angiomyolipoma in relation to available clinical data and clinical practice guidance for the nurse practitioner (NP). Data sources: A review of the scientific literature, key clinical congresses, and key clinical trials. Conclusions: TSC‐associated renal angiomyolipomas have a propensity to grow over time and predispose patients to serious and life‐threatening consequences. Surgery or invasive interventional therapies may not be the most optimal treatments because of the multiple, bilateral growth pattern of TSC‐associated renal angiomyolipomas. Targeted therapies, such as mTOR inhibitors, which have demonstrated efficacy in maintaining and reducing renal angiomyolipoma size, are of great benefit to patients. Implications for practice: Treatment with everolimus, an oral mTOR inhibitor, offers patients a noninvasive pharmacotherapeutic treatment option. The NP, as a key member of the healthcare team overseeing TSC patients, must be knowledgeable about the safety and efficacy of mTOR inhibitors as their use in the patient population increases.
Neopterin is associated with plaque inflammation and destabilisation in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions

Background: Previous studies have shown that recent activation of the inflammatory response in coronary atherosclerotic lesions contributes to rapid progressive plaque destabilisation. Neopterin, a by-product of the guanosine triphosphate pathway, is produced by activated macrophages and serves as an activation marker for monocytes/macrophages. Objective: To elucidate the role of neopterin in coronary plaque destabilisation by immunohistochemical study of the presence of neopterin in coronary atherectomy specimens obtained from patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Patients and methods: All patients underwent atherectomy of the primary atherosclerotic lesions responsible for SAP (n = 25) and UAP (n = 25). Frozen samples were studied with antibodies against smooth muscle cells, macrophages, T cells, neutrophils and neopterin. Results: In 22/25 patients with UAP, abundant neopterin-positive macrophages were found at the sites of coronary culprit lesions. However, in 25 lesions from patients with SAP, only 11 lesions showed neopterin positivity. Quantitatively, the neopterin-positive macrophage score was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with UAP than in patients with SAP. Moreover, the neopterin-positive macrophage score showed a significant positive correlation with the number of neutrophils or T cells, respectively (neutrophils, r = 0.55, p<0.001; T cells, r = 0.70, p<0.001). Conclusions: Neopterin can be considered as one of the significant factors in the process of plaque inflammation and destabilisation in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Its exact role in the process needs to be investigated further.
“Never Give up:” The Strengths and Strategies Used Among Undocumented College Students From Central America to Access and Persist in U.S. Higher Education

Title of Dissertation: “NEVER GIVE UP:” THE STRENGTHS AND STRATEGIES USED AMONG UNDOCUMENTED COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA TO ACCESS AND PERSIST IN U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION. Pamela Hernandez, Doctor of Philosophy, 2016 Directed By: Assistant Professor, Dr. Michelle M. Espino, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education The purpose of this study was to identify the strengths and strategies that undocumented college students from Central America used to access and persist in United States higher education. A multiple-case study design was used to conduct indepth, semi-structured interviews and document collection from ten persons residing in Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Texas, and Washington. Yosso’s (2005, 2006) community cultural wealth conceptual framework, an analytical and methodological tool, was used to uncover assets used to navigate the higher education system. The findings revealed that participants activated all forms of capital, with cultural capital being the least activated yet necessary, to access and persist in college. Participants also activated most forms of capital together or consecutively in order to attain financial resources, information and social networks that facilitated college access. Participants successfully persisted because they continued to activate forms of capital, displayed a high sense of agency, and managed to sustain college educational goals despite challenges and other external factors. The relationships among forms of capital and federal, state, and institutional policy contexts, which positively influenced both college access and persistence were not illustrated in Yosso’s (2005, 2006) community cultural wealth framework. Therefore, this study presents a modified community cultural wealth framework, which includes these intersections and contexts. In the spirit of Latina/o critical race theory (LatCrit) and critical race theory (CRT), the participants share with other undocumented students suggestions on how to succeed in college. This study can contribute to the growing research of undocumented college students, and develop higher education policy and practice that intentionally consider undocumented college students’ strengths to successfully navigate the institution. “NEVER GIVE UP:” THE STRENGTHS AND STRATEGIES USED AMONG UNDOCUMENTED COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA TO ACCESS AND PERSIST IN U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION.
Empowerment in supported employment research and practice: Is it relevant?

Background: This cross-sectional study is aimed at describing and investigating empowerment and its relationships with level of engagement in daily activities and community life, experienced stigma, psychopathology, and quality of life among people with mental illness entering supported employment. Method: The following scales were administered to 120 persons: Empowerment Scale, Profiles of Occupational Engagement Scale, Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life Scale, Rejection Experience Scale and Brief Psychiatric and Rating Scale. Results: Higher scores of empowerment were associated with fewer symptoms and experienced stigma, a higher level of engagement in daily activities and community life, better quality of life and having work rehabilitation. Self-efficacy and self-esteem were in particular significantly correlated to depressive symptoms. Descriptive statistics enveloped the group of participants that said ‘Yes I want to work’ with a somewhat high mean score for empowerment, level of engagement and quality of life, but a low mean score with regard to both symptoms and experienced stigma. Conclusions: This study advocates the importance of evaluating empowerment in supported employment research and practice. The findings suggest the importance of taking into account not only monetary aspects of having a job but also social and psychological aspects such as empowerment, reduction in experienced stigma and community integration.
Relaxant Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside and NONOates in Rabbit Basilar Artery

NONOates are a new class of NO donors that have proven useful for studying the effects of spontaneous and chemically predictable NO release in biologic systems. In order to assess their potential as vasodilatatory drugs in the cerebrovascular bed we have compared the relaxant effects of the classical nitrovasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and three NONOates, diethylamine/NO complex (DEA/NO), spermine/NO complex (SPER/NO), and diethylenetriamine/NO complex (DETA/NO) in isolated rabbit basilar arteries precontracted with UTP. The 4 NO donors induced full relaxation of the UTP-induced tone, with the following order of potency: SNP > DEA/NO > SPER/NO > DETA/NO. Relaxations induced by SNP and DETA/NO were not modified in rubbed (endothelium denuded) arteries in which acetylcholine-relaxations were almost abolished. On the other hand, relaxations to SNP and SPER/NO were more potent and effective in histamine-precontracted arteries than in KCl-precontracted arteries. Methylene blue significantly inhibited SPER/NO-induced relaxations in both KCl- and histamine-precontracted arteries while SNP-induced relaxations were only slightly inhibited by methylene blue in KCl-precontracted arteries. This study shows that the NO donors SNP, DEA/NO, SPER/NO and DETA/NO have quantitatively different relaxant effects in rabbit basilar arteries according to their rate of NO release. Relaxations are not mediated by endothelial factors, and are inhibited by arterial depolarization. Finally, cGMP formation is involved in relaxation induced by NONOates and much less in SNP-induced relaxation.
Proteolytic degradation of hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex by lysosomal enzymes from rat liver.

The catabolic degradation of hemoglobin and of its complex with haptoglobin by lysosomal enzymes from rat liver was studied with special emphasis on the action of cathepsins D and E. The digestion of free hemoglobin can be mainly attributed to the action of cathepsin D [EC 3.4. 23.5], while the digestion of the complex in the pH rand 2-3 is due more to the action of cathepsin E than that of cathepsin D. The enzymic activities of both cathepsins were strongly inhibited by pepstatin, and 4M urea inactivated cathepsin E. Measurements of the peroxidase activity and optical rotatory dispersion of the hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex showed that the complex suffered rapid denaturation below pH 2.9.