Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term changes of retinal pigment epithelium in the eyes with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease observed by adaptive optics imaging

Purpose: To observe long-term changes of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the eyes of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease using an adaptive optics (AO) fundus camera, and their correlation with the findings of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fundus autofluorescence (AF) imaging. Patients and methods: Three eyes of two patients with new-onset acute VKH disease were retrospectively studied. After the serous retinal detachment was resolved by high-dose corticosteroid treatment, the patients were examined with SD-OCT, blue-wavelength AF, near-infrared (NIR) AF, and an AO fundus camera. AO images of the macula were obtained using the rtx1TM AO fundus camera. The area around the foveal center of the hyper-reflective lesion in AO imaging was measured manually. The time at which the serous retinal detachment resolved was set as the baseline, and AO and other images were obtained every 3 to 6 months from the baseline. Results: In all three eyes, lesions with elevation or thickening of the RPE layer were observed with OCT imaging in the macula after the serous retinal detachment resolved. These lesions showed hyper-autofluorescence in NIR-AF image and hyper-reflective lesions with clear boundaries in AO image. The area of the hyper-reflective lesions of AO images in each eye showed an approximately 40% decrease at 6 months from baseline. However, the hyper-reflective lesion remained to some extent after 18 months in case 1 and 36 months in case 2. Conclusions: By using OCT, fundus autofluorescence and AO images, it was possible to observe temporal changes of RPE layer in VKH eyes noninvasively. High-resolution AO images also allow us to observe for improvements in the elevation or thickening of the RPE layer quantitatively.
PARTICIPATING PAYOUT LIFE ANNUITIES: LESSONS FROM GERMANY

Abstract This paper analyzes the framework of German participating payout life annuities (PLAs), which offer guaranteed minimum benefits as well as participation in insurers' surpluses. We show that the process of sharing surpluses between shareholders and policyholders follows transparent and consistent rules. Subsequently, we develop an asset-liability model for a stylized German life insurer that offers PLAs to evaluate benefit variability and insurer stability given stochastic mortality and capital market developments. Our results suggest that guaranteed benefits can be provided with high credibility via PLAs, while, at the same time, annuitants receive attractive money's worth ratios. Moreover, we show that it might be difficult to offer a fixed benefit annuity providing the same lifetime utility as a PLA for the same premium and a comparably low insolvency risk. Overall, PLA schemes may be an efficient way to deal with risk factors that are highly unpredictable and difficult to hedge over the long run, such as systematic longevity and investment risks.
Potential forage species for deer in the southern mixed prairie.

Improving wildlife habitat through the introduction of nutritious forage species is a management tool that may be used to increase target populations such as deer. By increasing deer numbers the potential of leasing hunting rights on private land is improved. Our objectives were to evaluate and compare establishment and production of 2 browse species and to determine the production and nutritional quality among 6 forb species in range-land conditions. Browse species were littleleaf lead-tree (Leucaena retusa Gray) and four-wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. ). Forb species were 'Cody' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 'Renumex' sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), 'Howard' subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), 'Nungarin' subterranean (T. subterraneum L.), 'Eldorado' Englemann daisy (Engelmannia pinnatifida Nutt.), 'Sabine' Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacM. ), and 'Plateau' awnless bush sunflower (Simsia calva (Engelm. & Gray) Gray). Establishment for littleleaf lead-tree was 21%. Successful four-wing saltbush plants produced a greater volume (m3) of plant material than littleleaf lead-tree. Littleleaf lead-tree leaf material contained crude protein (CP) values from 11.6 to 16.9%. Of the cool-season forbs, alfalfa, and sainfoin produced the most above-ground phytomass at 23.6 and 22.6 g/m of planted row, respectively. The subclovers produced intermediate amounts of phytomass while Engelmann daisy produced negligible amounts at phytomass of 4.2 g/m of planted row. Warm-season forages, awnless bush sunflower, and Illinois bundleflower produced an average of 115.1 and 120.2 g/m of planted row, respectively. Seasonal CP means were greatest for alfalfa (16.5%) and awnless bush sunflower (16.1%). Our results suggest that littleleaf lead-tree, awnless bush sunflower, and Illinois bundleflower would supply adequate supplemental forage from summer to fall; subterranean clovers, alfalfa, and sainfoin would provide forage from winter through spring. Four-wing saltbush could provide forage year-round.
Comparison of rectangular and dual-planar positron emission mammography scanners

Breast imaging using dedicated positron emission tomography (PEM) has gained much interest in the medical imaging field. In this paper, we compare the performance between rectangular PEM and parallel dual-planar PEM. Both designs are studied with DOI detectors (detectors capable of measuring the depth of interaction) and non-DOI detectors. We compare the Fisher information matrix, lesion detectability using a prewhitening observer, and quantitation of the four systems. Results show that the rectangular system with DOI has the highest signal-to-noise ratio for lesion detection and the lowest bias for quantitation for any given noise level. It also shows that for small lesions the parallel dual-planar system with DOI detectors outperforms the rectangular system with non-DOI detectors, while the rectangular system with non-DOI detectors can outperform parallel dual-planar system with DOI detectors for large lesions. This indicates that a high detector resolution is essential for small lesions, while complete sampling may be more important for large lesions.
Presumptive Adaptation and the Effectiveness of Knowledge Transfer

Adaptation almost invariably accompanies the cross-border transfer of firm-specific practices. The existing literature contains two conflicting approaches to adaptation. The first, more traditional approach, following institutional, motivational, and pragmatic efficiency considerations, presumes that a modified practice can be fine tuned, stabilized, and institutionalized without consulting a working example and that practices should thus be adapted as quickly as possible to create fit with the local environment. The second approach argues, instead, for the need to maintain the diagnostic value of the original practice by adapting cautiously and gradually. In this paper, we report an in-depth field investigation of the relationship between presumptive adaptation, adaptation that removes the diagnostic value of the original practice, and transfer effectiveness. The setting is the transfer of franchising knowledge across borders. We investigate how adherence to recommended practices affects the rate of network growth in the host country. We find that presumptive adaptation stalls network growth while a conservative approach to adaptation, which basically entails close adherence to the original practice, results in remarkably rapid network growth. We conclude that presumptive adaptation of knowledge assets could be detrimental to performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Study of Non-Associative Ordered Semigroups in Terms of Semilattices via Smallest (Double-Framed Soft) Ideals

Soft set theory, introduced by Molodtsov has been considered as a successful mathematical tool for modeling uncertainties. A double-framed soft set is a generalization of a soft set, consisting of union soft sets and intersectional soft sets. An ordered AG-groupoid can be referred to as a non-associative ordered semigroup, as the main difference between an ordered semigroup and an ordered AG-groupoid is the switching of an associative law. In this paper, we define the smallest left (right) ideals in an ordered AG-groupoid and use them to characterize a strongly regular class of a unitary ordered AG-groupoid along with its semilattices and double-framed soft (briefly DFS) l-ideals (r-ideals). We also give the concept of an ordered A* G**-groupoid and investigate its structural properties by using the generated ideals and DFS l-ideals (r-ideals). These concepts will verify the existing characterizations and will help in achieving more generalized results in future works.
Physiochemical and microbiological assessment of Lagos lagoon water, Lagos, Nigeria

An investigation was carried out here on physiochemical and microbiological assessment of lagoon water collected from different sampling stations where waste disposal is at large scale. A total of seven water samples were collected from three sample stations, Victoria Island, Okobaba saw mill and Makoko for analysis purpose. The pH, salinity (mg/L), dissolved oxygen (mg/L), temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (mg/L), acidity (mg/LCaCO3) and alkalinity (mg/LCaCO3) of the collected water samples were in the range of 7.21- 7.72, 8.18-189.2, 2.20-5.12, 26.8-27.5, 0.89-3.12, 28-100 and 152-328 respectively. The Total bacterial count of water samples were in the range of 1.7x10 3 -1.9x10 7 in nutrient agar whereas the TBC values were the range of 8.7x10 2 - 1.8x10 5 . The Total coliform count for samples from Victoria Island, Makoko and Okobaba saw mill sampling stations were in the range of 50- > 1800 (MPN/100ml). The bacteria isolated from samples include Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp. , Aeromonas sp. , Pseudomonas sp. , Lactobacillus sp. , Listeria sp. Klebsiella sp, Cornybacterium sp and Serratia sp. Aspergillus sp. , Penicillium sp. , Fusarium sp. , Rhizopus sp. and Paecilomyces sp. were also isolated from the water samples. Susceptibility test of some of the isolates (E.coli, species of Staphylococcus, Klebsiella and Pesudomonas) revealed that most of the isolates are resistant to almost all the antibiotics tested. However, the isolates were sensitive to gentamycin and ofloxacin (92.3%).
Sedimentological interpretation and stratigraphical position of glacigenic deposits in the Napęków area (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland)

Abstract The identification of depositional conditions and stratigraphical position of glacigenic deposits in the Napęków area is important for the genetic and stratigraphical interpretation of Quaternary deposits in the central part of the Holy Cross Mountains, as well as for a revision of the course and extent of Middle Polish (Saalian) glaciations. These deposits comprise a series of diamictons which occur between sandy-gravelly deposits. Based on results of macro- and microscopic sedimentological investigations, analysis of heavy mineral composition, roundness and frosting of quartz grains, as well as OSL dating, this complex must have formed during the Odranian Glaciation (Drenthe, Saalian, MIS 6). Sandy-gravelly deposits are of fluvioglacial and melt-out origin. Diamictons represent subglacial traction till. Their facies diversity is a result of variations in time and space, complex processes of deposition and deformation, responsible for their formation at the base of the active ice sheet. This glacigenic depositional complex was transformed by erosion-denudation and aeolian processes in a periglacial environment during the Vistulian (Weichselian, MIS 5d-2).
Acknowledging the patient with back pain: A systematic review based on thematic synthesis

Rationale and aims: Research shows that back patients’ illness experiences affect their interaction with the healthcare system. It is important to examine the exact nature of these experiences in order to shed valuable light on how back patients perceive their illness and hospitalisation. The aim of this literature review is to gain a better understanding of back patients’ illness experiences and to identify, systematise and integrate the findings of different qualitative studies that may elucidate barriers and the consequences or focal points in connection with care and treatment. Methods: The methodology for this literature review is based on the thematic synthesis used by James Thomas and Angela Harden. The literature review also draws on the sociological theories and arguments of Ulla Harriet Jensen and Trine Dalsgaard in which health professionals biological perception of the individual dominates the healthcare system and translates into a certain way of perceiving and explaining illnesses and symptoms. Results: The thematic analysis shows that it is through experiences and memories that we create our identity and consciousness. Ignoring the illness experiences can therefore be seen as disregarding, the patient as a human being. With this in mind, it is easier to understand why back patients often feel marginalised and mistrusted in their interactions with the healthcare system. Respectfully including the patients’ experiences is fundamentally about acknowledging the back patient as a human being. Conclusions: A synthesis of the included studies demonstrates the need for healthcare professionals to pay attention to back patients’ narratives in order to acknowledge them as human beings. This acknowledgement involves an ethical dimension and a sense of responsibility, manifested as respectful inclusion of the patient’s experiences. The body can never be understood merely as a biological entity and therefore illness is far more than having symptoms, diagnoses and treatment. The synthesis thus proposes an acknowledgment of this and a more holistic approach.
Investigation of process parameters of electrohydro-dynamic jetting for 3D printed PCL fibrous scaffolds with complex geometries

Tissue engineering is a promising technology in the field of regenerative medicine, with the potential to create tissues de novo . Though there has been a good progress in this field so far, there still exists the challenge of providing a 3D micro-architecture to the artificial tissue construct, to mimic the native cell or tissue environment. 3D bioprinting is looked upon as a solution, with its capability of mimicking the native tissue architecture, layer by layer, with high precision and appreciable resolution. Electrohydrodynamic jetting (E-jetting) is one type of 3D bioprinting, where a high electric voltage is applied between the extruding nozzle and the substrate, to print highly controlled fibres. In this study, an E-jetting system developed in-house is used to 3D print fibrous scaffolds. Effect of various E-jetting parameters, namely the supply voltage, solution concentration, nozzle-to-substrate distance, stage (printing) speed and solution dispensing feed rate on the diameter of printed fibres is studied at the first stage. Optimized parameters are then used to print Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds of highly complex geometries, like semi-lunar and spiral geometries, with the aim of demonstrating the flexibility and capability of our system to fabricate complex geometry scaffolds, to biomimic the complex 3D micro-architecture of native tissue environment. The spiral geometry may help in better cell migration during cell culture and tissue maturation.
Firm Value in Crisis: Effects of Firm-Level Transparency and Country-Level Institutions

Recent empirical research suggests that country-level and firm-level governance institutions are substitutes with respect to their effect on firm value. In this paper we demonstrate that these institutions may become complements once we look at the decline in firm’s value during a crisis. Specifically, we find that the decline in companies’ valuation during the financial crisis of 2007-2009 was more sensitive to firm-level transparency in countries with stronger investor protection. We propose a theoretical model that reconciles our findings with the results in the literature. In our model, during "normal times" strong firm-level governance is crucial to attract outside financing in countries with weak investor protection, but is less important in countries with good investor protection. During the crisis, however, corporate governance becomes important even in regimes with strong investor protection, and, as a result, relative importance of firm-level governance increases in countries with good investor protection.
An epsilon-based measure of efficiency in DEA - An alternative method for the affinity index

Tone & Tsutsui (2010) introduced a hybrid model (epsilon-based measure, EBM), which combines both radial and non-radial measures in a unified framework [Tone, K. , & Tsutsui, M. (2010). An epsilon-based measure of efficiency in DEA - A third pole of technical efficiency. European Journal of Operational Research, 207, 1554-1563. ]. We find that their method to construct the affinity matrix may be questionable. Their method may not reflect the true degree of scattered distribution of inputs or outputs. Based on Tone & Tsutsui’s idea, we introduced an alternative method of constructing the affinity matrix, which overcomes the drawback of their method.
Wave Breaking Dissipation in a Fetch-Limited Sea

Coupled remote sensing and in situ measurements of stronglyforced, fetch-limited waves are applied to assess the role of breaking in an evolving wavefield. Wave growth follows accepted fetch-limited relations, and estimated terms in the Radiative Transfer Equation are in quasi-equilibrium. Remote sensing measurements of the Phillips breaking distribution, Λ(c), using stabilized shipboard video recordings are unimodal and qualitatively consistent with several recent studies. In situ measurements of turbulent energy dissipation from wave-following “SWIFT” drifters and a tethered Dopbeam system are consistent with the wave evolution and wind input (as estimated using the Radiative Transfer Equation). The breaking strength parameter, b, is calculated by comparisons of the fifth moment of Λ(c) with the measured dissipation rates and varies over nearly three orders of magnitude. Breaking strength is shown to negatively correlate with average wave saturation and steepness, in contrast to recent laboratory results by Drazen et al. (2008). An explanation for this difference is proposed based on the energy ratio between the peak waves and the equilibrium range. Recently, similar measurements of breaking dissipation were made in unlimited fetch conditions which underscore the importance of equilibrium breaking in the wind-wave energy balance.
1930-1943: Agrarian Transformation and the Famine in Bengal

Since the advent of British rule in 1765, the colony of Bengal, once hailed as the most fertile and prosperous region of India, witnessed numerous incidents of food shortages. Apart from the supply and demand side factors are typically associated with a food shortage at an escalated or disastrous level (famine), the role of persistent and long-term factors is also critical. This paper, both qualitatively and quantitatively, provides a deeper understanding of the process of agrarian transformation in Bengal. It argues that the 1943 Bengal famine could have been less likely had there been a buoyant agricultural credit market and a better patronage system with less exploitative farming practices. Quantitatively, I find that frequency of distress sale of occupancy holdings in the 1930s is positively associated with the famine intensity throughout many districts, and this relationship increases in the presence of sharecroppers' struggles.
School Academic Language Demands for Understanding Functional Relationships: A Design Research Project on the Role of Language in Reading and Learning

Acquiring conceptual understanding of functions is far from being trivial for most students, especially language learners. The article reports on a design research project with students in Grades 8-11 (n = 94) that fostered academic language learners’ development of conceptual understanding in the interplay of different semiotic representations. Theoretical and qualitative analyses of students’ learning pathways and obstacles allowed the specification of school academic language demands based on concept demands for dealing with functional relationships. The strong interplay between concept and language demands can be described by the correspondence of conceptual compaction of conceptual facets and the language-related condensation of their verbalizations.
Nationality, Cultural Values and the Relative Importance of Task Performance and Organizational Citizenship Behaviour in Performance Evaluation Decisions

This study examines managers’ evaluations of overall job performance related to cultural orientations and nationality. Good citizenry enhances the common social welfare of a work unit, whereas task performance emphasizes core activities associated with task completion. Using data collected from both Chinese and Canadian respondents, we found collectivism related positively with good citizenry, which is beneficial to other citizens and organizations. Chinese respondents, as compared with their Canadian counterparts, gave more importance to good citizenship behavior, thinking that it would be beneficial to everyone. The behavioral differences between the nationalities remained strong even after controlling for differences in collectivism and power distance. The implications of this phenomenon into the future research and practices are discussed in this paper.
Evaluation of toxicity and biochemical effects of the Oxadiargyl in Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of sublethal concentrations of oxadiargyl herbicide on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and liver histology of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio , during 30 days exposure period. Carp fingerlings were randomly divided into four duplicate groups. Experimental groups were exposed to the concentration of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 ppm of oxadiargyl, while the control group was kept in toxicant free. During the experiment, none of the control fish died. Weight gain and condition factor decreased, while food conversion ratio increased in fish exposed to 0.5 ppm of oxadiargyl. Exposure to oxadiargyl significantly increased serum ALT, AST and ALP, as well as glucose levels, while cholesterol, total protein and albumin were significantly decreased in the exposed fish groups depend on oxadiargyl concentrations and exposure time. Diffuse and focal necrosis mainly as perivascular necrosis fibrosis, increase in size and number of melanomacrophage centers, bile duct hyperplasia, hyperemia and hemorrhage, fatty changes in the hepatocytes, fibrocyte aggregation and focal inflammatory cells were also the histological le­sions observed in the liver of exposed fish. These results showed that oxadiargyl is highly toxic to common carp and had negative effects on the growth performance, serum biochemical parameters and the liver tissue of common carp.