Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ocular injuries associated with Airsoft guns: a case series.

BACKGROUND As Airsoft guns have gained popularity in Canada, there have been an increasing number of associated ocular injuries. This study reviews and evaluates the ocular injuries and effects associated with trauma secondary to Airsoft guns. METHODS The clinical records of 1232 patients seen by an on-call ophthalmology resident at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Eye Clinic were reviewed. Of these, 8 patients had ocular injuries involving an Airsoft gun. RESULTS All 8 cases were monocular injuries in male patients with a mean age of 18 years. Documented injuries included hyphema, corneal contusion, subconjunctival hemorrhage, lid contusion, corneal abrasion, traumatic iritis, commotio retinae, and traumatic mydriasis. Presenting visual acuities ranged from 20/15 to light perception. INTERPRETATION Injuries were confined mostly to the anterior segment and were not as serious as injuries reported from paintball and traditional BB gun injuries. However, hyphema was a commonly observed finding. Eye care professionals should be aware of the potential harm associated with injuries related to Airsoft guns.
The Consequences of Direct versus Indirect Species Interactions to Selection on Traits: Pollination and Nectar Robbing in Ipomopsis aggregata

Organisms experience a complex suite of species interactions. Although the ecological consequences of direct versus indirect species interactions have received attention, their evolutionary implications are not well understood. I examined selection on floral traits through direct versus indirect pathways of species interactions using the plant Ipomopsis aggregata and its pollinators and nectar robber. Using path analysis and structural equation modeling, I tested competing hypotheses comparing the relative importance of direct (pollinator‐mediated) versus indirect (robber‐mediated) interactions to trait selection through female plant function in 2 years. The hypothesis that provided the best fit to the observed data included robbing and pollination, suggesting that both interactors are important in driving selection on some traits; however, the direction and intensity of selection through robbing versus pollination varied between years. I then increased my scope of inference by assessing traits and species interactions across more years. I found that the potential for temporal variation in the direction and intensity of selection was pronounced. Taken together, results suggest that assessing the broader context in which organisms evolve, including both direct and indirect interactions and across multiple years, can provide increased mechanistic understanding of the diversity of ways that animals shape floral and plant evolution.
How Does Health-Related Advertising with a Regulatory Focus and Goal Framing Affect Attitudes toward Ads and Healthy Behavior Intentions?

The health costs of colorectal cancer have increased over the years in Taiwan. The National Health Insurance Administration (NHI) and the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taiwan advocate that people have to change their unhealthy behaviors; however, the number of patients of colorectal cancer is increasing annually. This research discussed the effects of healthy diet advocacy advertisements (ads) on healthy diet behavior intentions as influenced by the interactions between regulatory focus theory (RFT) and message framing effects. Both regulatory focus theory and message framing effect were discussed for the relationship between advertisement and behavior change in many fields, such as health-related behavior, pro-environmental behavior, consumer choice, etc. We executed an experiment with four different types of public health advocacy ads. A 2 (regulatory focus: promotion vs. prevention) × 2 (message framing: gain framing vs. loss framing) two-factor experiment was adopted, and 201 valid participants responded to the questionnaire. Results indicated that if the ad’s regulatory focus is promotion focus, viewers’ attitudes toward the ad and their behavior intentions are more positive when the slogan of the ad is gain framing rather than loss framing via the multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and vice versa. Respondents found the communication easier to comprehend when the ads evoked the respondents’ regulatory focus and applied the appropriate message framing, thus improving the efficacy of health-related advertising. We offer suggestions regarding the future use of health-related advertising for the MOHW.
111In-benzyl-DTPA-ZHER2:342, an affibody-based conjugate for in vivo imaging of HER2 expression in malignant tumors.

UNLABELLED Data on expression of the HER2 (erbB-2) receptor in breast carcinoma make it possible to select the most efficient treatment. There are strong indications that HER2 expression possesses prognostic and predictive values in ovarian, prostate, and lung carcinomas as well. Visualization of HER2 expression using radionuclide targeting can provide important diagnostic information. The Affibody Z(HER2:342) is a short (approximately 7 kDa) phage-display-selected protein that binds HER2 with an affinity of 22 pmol/L. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether (111)In-labeled HER2:342 can be used for imaging of HER2 overexpression in vivo. METHODS Z(HER2:342) was labeled with (111)In via isothiocyanate-benzyl-DTPA (DTPA is diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and the conjugate was characterized in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS (111)In-Benzyl-DTPA-Z(HER2:342) preserved the capacity to bind living HER2-expressing cells specifically. The affinity of In-benzyl-DTPA-Z(HER2:342) to HER2 was 21 pmol/L according to surface plasmon resonance measurements. In nude mice bearing HER2-expressing SKOV-3 xenografts, a tumor uptake of 12% +/- 3% injected activity per gram and a tumor-to-blood ratio of about 100 were obtained 4 h after injection. Tumor uptake in vivo was receptor specific, as it could be blocked with an excess of nonlabeled Z(HER2:342). HER2-expressing xenografts were clearly imaged 4 h after injection using a gamma-camera. CONCLUSION (111)In-Benzyl-DTPA-Z(HER2:342) is a promising candidate for visualization of HER2 expression in carcinomas, using the single-photon detection technique.
Crystallization of silver through reduction process using Elaeis guineensis biosolid extract

This study presents a special, economically valuable, unprecedented eco‐friendly green process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles were obtained from a waste material with oil palm biosolid extract as the reducing agent. The use of the oil palm biosolid extract for the nanoparticle synthesis offers the benefit of amenability for large‐scale production. An aqueous solution of silver (Ag+) ions was treated with the oil palm biosolid extract for the formation of Ag nanoparticles. The nanometallic dispersion was characterized by surface plasmon absorbance measuring 428 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of silver nanoparticles in the range of 5–50 nm. Scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and X‐ray diffraction analysis of the freeze‐dried powder confirmed the formation of metallic silver nanoparticles. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provided evidence of phenolics or proteins as the biomolecules that were likely responsible for the reduction and capping agent, which helps to increase the stability of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. In addition, we have optimized the production with various parameters. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2011
Spectrum of fast electrons in a subnanosecond breakdown of air-filled diodes at atmospheric pressure

In this work, the spectra of electron beams produced in air-filled diodes at atmospheric pressure were studied for different cathode designs. The feasibility of correct reconstruction of the electron beam spectrum from an experimental dependence of its attenuation factor in foils of different thicknesses was demonstrated. The electron energy distributions were calculated on minimum a priori assumptions by regularization of an ill-posed problem—a Fredholm integral equation. The spectra of a subnanosecond electron beam generated in the gas gap during the voltage pulse rise time were reconstructed and analysed. A time-of-flight spectrometer study and reconstruction of the spectrum from the data on e-beam attenuation confirmed the fact that groups of electrons with two-three characteristic energies can be generated in gas-filled diodes. In experiments, electrons of energy greater than that corresponding to the nominal voltage amplitude across the gap were detected.
Lysophosphatidic acid in malignant ascites stimulates migration of human mesenchymal stem cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is elevated in ascites of ovarian cancer patients and is involved in growth and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Accumulating evidence suggests a pivotal role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or stromal cells in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that ascites from ovarian cancer patients and LPA increased migration of human MSCs. The migration of MSCs induced by LPA and malignant ascites was completely abrogated by pretreatment with Ki16425, an antagonist of LPA receptors, and by silencing of endogenous LPA1, but not LPA2, with small interference RNA, suggesting a key role of LPA played in the malignant ascites‐induced migration. LPA induced activation of ERK through pertussis toxin‐sensitive manner, and pretreatment of MSCs with U0126, a MEK inhibitor, or pertussis toxin attenuated the LPA‐induced migration. Moreover, LPA induced activation of RhoA in MSCs, and pretreatment of the cells with Y27632, a Rho kinase inhibitor, markedly inhibited the LPA‐induced migration. In addition, LPA and malignant ascites increased intracellular concentration of calcium in MSCs, and Ki16425 completely inhibited the elevation of intracellular calcium. These results suggest that LPA is a crucial component of the malignant ascites which induce the migration of MSCs and elevation of intracellular calcium. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 499–510, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Research Tournament and Competition Effect.

This paper investigates the effect of competition on innovative activity. In the research contest, the foremost reason for limiting entry into tournaments is to raise the level of contestant’s effort and to make the firms compete so that high value of innovation will be procured. Thus, a sponsor (or government) needs to take account into effort-inducing effect as well as effort-reducing effect from competition when she restricts entry. In this paper, this competition effect will be analyzed for the model of procurement for innovation, and it is shown that the individual effort level is not monotonic to the number of contestants.
Screening of FGF target genes in Xenopus by microarray: temporal dissection of the signalling pathway using a chemical inhibitor

Microarray is a powerful tool for analysing gene expression patterns in genome‐wide view and has greatly contributed to our understanding of spatiotemporal embryonic development at the molecular level. Members of FGF (fibroblast growth factor) family play important roles in embryogenesis, e.g. in organogenesis, proliferation, differentiation, cell migration, angiogenesis, and wound healing. To dissect spatiotemporally the versatile roles of FGF during embryogenesis, we profiled gene expression in Xenopus embryo explants treated with SU5402, a chemical inhibitor specific to FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), by microarray. We identified 38 genes that were down‐regulated and 5 that were up‐regulated in response to SU5402 treatment from stage 10.5–11.5 and confirmed their FGF‐dependent transcription with RT‐PCR analysis and whole‐mount in situ hybridization (WISH). Among the 43 genes, we identified 26 as encoding novel proteins and investigated their spatial expression pattern by WISH. Genes whose expression patterns were similar to FGFR1 were further analysed to test whether any of them represented functional FGF target molecules. Here, we report two interesting genes: one is a component of the canonical Ras‐MAPK pathway, similar to mammalian mig6 (mitogen‐inducible gene 6) acting in muscle differentiation; the other, similar to GPCR4 (G‐protein coupled receptor 4), is a promising candidate for a gastrulation movement regulator. These results demonstrate that our approach is a promising strategy for scanning the genes that are essential for the regulation of a diverse array of developmental processes.
Human capital development in the hospitality industry in Nigeria

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify weaknesses in human capital development (HCD) in the hospitality industry in Nigeria and to find implementable solutions. Design/methodology/approach The author draws on the literature on HCD and the hospitality industry, as well as her experience working with practitioners to enlighten the discussion. Findings Deficiencies in HCD in the Nigerian hospitality industry are the result of a lack of sound and forward-thinking educational development, lack of a supportive environment for the meaningful employment of graduates of the educational system and social bias against vocational education, as well as inadequate hospitality skills of employees, insufficient empowerment or support from the government and hospitality industry participants. Practical Implications This paper summarises the key issues in HCD in the hospitality industry in Nigeria and the implementable solutions. The roles of the government, society and the hospitality industry are highlighted to demonstrate that HCD in the industry is a collective responsibility. Originality/value HCD has increasingly been a prominent goal of research policy in Nigeria and elsewhere but has not yet engendered much discussion in the hospitality literature.
Intratissue percutaneous electolysis combined with active physical therapy for the treatment of adductor longus enthesopathy-related groin pain: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Adductor longus enthesopathy-related groin pain (ALErGP) is the most common cause of groin pain in soccer players. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic utility of intratissue percutaneous electrolysis (EPI®) technique in combination with an active physical therapy (APT) program to treat ALErGP. METHODS Twenty-four non-professional male soccer players diagnosed with ALErGP were included in this study and randomly divided into two groups. Group A was treated with EPI® technique in combination with a standardized APT program. Group B only underwent the APT program. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) were used to assess the effectiveness of the two interventions. The follow-up covered a 6-month period. RESULTS Both groups significantly improved pain and functional scores after treatment and maintained this therapeutic result throughout the follow-up. The combined intervention of APT program and EPI® ensured a greater and faster reduction of pain in group A. In addition, functional recovery tended to be greater in group A than B after the treatment and throughout the follow-up by 7.8±3.8% (P=0.093). CONCLUSIONS EPI® treatment in association with APT ensured a greater and more rapid reduction of pain and tended to promote greater functional recovery in soccer players with ALErGP compared to APT only. This positive therapeutic result lasted for at least 6 months after the end of the treatment. These findings support the combined use of EPI® and APT to treat ALErGP.
Comparison of two early loading protocols in full arch reconstructions in the edentulous maxilla using the Cresco prosthetic system: a three-arm parallel group randomized-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES Appraise the feasibility of interchanging conventional components of a fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) with those of Cresco in two different early loading protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS In five centers patients with an edentulous, fully healed maxilla were recruited to partake in a three-arm blinded randomized-controlled trial (RCT). Each patient received 5/6 implants using a single-stage surgery approach to support a 10/12-unit FDP. The implants used were SLA solid screw two-part implants. In test groups 1 and 2 components from Cresco were used and the implants loaded 10 days or 6-8 weeks post-implant placement. Group 3 received their FDP fabricated with conventional components 6-8 weeks post-implant placement. Patients were followed up 3 years. RESULTS Of 36 patients, 30 remained after 3 years. The adjusted means and ranges of changes in crestal bone levels were -0.65, -0.5 and -0.4 mm in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The change from baseline was statistically significant in all treatment groups. Adjusting for the difference in implant depth, there was an expected additional change in bone level of -0.29 mm by each 1 mm the implant was placed deeper. There was no significant difference between the 6-8 weeks post-implant placement loading Cresco group vs. the control group or between the two Cresco groups. CONCLUSIONS The vertical placement has more effect on bone loss than the fabrication technique used for the suprastructure and whether the implants were loaded after 10 days vs. 6-8 weeks.
Compaction versus Extraction Drilling for Fixation of the Hamstring Tendon Graft in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Initial strength of quadrupled hamstring tendon grafts fixed with titanium interference screws was assessed in 30 pairs of porcine tibiae. Bone tunnels were drilled with either compaction drilling (stepped routers) or conventional extraction drilling (cannulated drill bits). Fifteen pairs of specimens were subjected to a single-cycle load-to-failure test, while the rest underwent a cyclic-loading test to further assess the quality of the fixation. No significant difference between the two drilling techniques was found with regard to yield load, displacement at yield load, stiffness, or mode of failure. Porcine trabecular bone mineral density was determined using peripheral quantitative computed tomography and compared with that of young women and men at a site corresponding to that of the tibial bone drill hole of an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. There was a significant difference between the two species (210 ± 45 mg/cm3 in porcine tibial bone versus 129 ± 30 mg/cm3 in women and 134 ± 34 mg/cm3 in men), suggesting that porcine knee specimens may have limitations in studies of graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We found no difference between extraction and compaction drilling in initial fixation strength of a hamstring tendon graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a porcine model.
A longitudinal study on quality of life and depression in ALS patient–caregiver couples

Objectives: To evaluate the modification of quality of life (QoL) and depression in a series of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient–caregiver couples during a period of 9 months and compare them to patients’ ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALS-FRS). Methods: Depression was assessed with Zung Depression Scale (ZDS) and QoL with McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQoL). Caregivers’ burden was assessed with Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), and patients’ feeling to be a burden with the Self-Perceived Burden Scale (SPBS). Results: Thirty-one ALS patient–caregiver couples were interviewed at baseline and after 9 months. The mean ALS-FRS score was 28.7 (SD 7) at baseline and 24.1 (6.9) at the second interview (p = 0.0001). Patients’ mean MQoL score slightly increased from 6.8 (1.6) to 7 (1.1) (p = 0.07); their ZDS score slightly increased (43.2 [8.7] at baseline and 45.7 [9.3] at the second interview) but they remained in the not depressed range. Caregivers’ mean MQoL score slightly decreased, and their mean ZDS increased from 38.9 (8.1) to 42.2 (8.7) (p = 0.02). The mean CBI score increased from 50.3 (17.6) to 55.8 (16.4) (p = 0.03). Conclusions: We found a substantial steadiness of quality of life and depression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis over a 9-month period, vs a significant increase of burden and depression of their caregivers.
A Theory Of Government “Red Tape”

Despite the general recognition of the importance of "red tape" on organizations' behaviors and impacts, theory remains poorly developed. The purpose of this article is to develop a theory of the origins of red tape and then to apply the theory to the question "Why do government organizations have more red tape? " The perspective presented assumes that red tape is best viewed as pathological, whereas that formalization concepts are best viewed as neutral attributes of organizations. The term "rule density" is introduced to describe the extensiveness of rules and regulations as related to total organization resources. The theory makes a distinction between rules that are at their origin dysfunctional (rule-inception red tape) and rules that initially served a useful function but transformed into red tape (rule-evolved red tape). Specific causes of each type red tape are identified. A distinction is made regarding the internal vs. external production and impact of red tape and a typology is developed which is used in hypotheses about red tape. Finally, the question of govern- ment red tape is considered. A model of the relationship between external control and red tape is presented. The model implies that most factors leading to red tape are not an inherent function of government. However, two inherent factors of government are cited, each of which gives rise to red tape.
Neurofeedback training for major depressive disorder: recent developments and future directions

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent, debilitating, and recurrent psychiatric disorder that is associated with enormous personal, societal, and economic costs [1–3]. MDD is characterized by sad mood and/or loss of pleasure (i.e. anhedonia), in addition to other affective, cognitive, and somatic symptoms. Although the underlying pathophysiology of MDD is not yet clear, neuroscientists are making significant progress in advancing our understanding of this disorder [4]. While a range of interventions have been used with MDD, researchers have recently begun to examine the effects of neurofeedback training (NFT) for this disorder. Indeed, findings suggest that NFT can reduce depression-related symptoms in MDD (e.g. [5–7]). NFT involves presenting individuals with feedback about their patterns of neural activation in real time in order for them to learn to control specific brain processes. These patterns are typically informed by previously identified relations between neural processes and depressive symptoms, affect, and/or behavior. The anatomic and functional specificity of NFT may lead to fewer side effects than is the case for pharmacological interventions for depression; NFT is also less invasive than are other brain manipulation procedures such as deep brain stimulation. Consequently, if it proves to be effective, NFT may hold considerable promise as a next-generation neuroscienceinformed treatment for MDD. In this article, we describe several recent developments in the application of NFT to MDD and offer recommendations for future studies using this procedure in the context of depression. Importantly, we do not attempt to provide a comprehensive review of the extant literature of NFT studies of MDD; rather, we focus on several new applications of NFT that we believe are particularly promising for future work in this area. These developments include using NFT to probe neural mechanisms of MDD, NFT, and large-scale neural functional connectivity and the application of NFT using signals derived through machine learning. We hope that these recommendations will generate further interest in the application of NFT to the study and treatment of depression. 2. Using NFT to test neural mechanisms underlying MDD