Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the utility of hospital databases to provide data in assessing the quality of strabismus surgery

Aims and background Rates of re-operation, which may be related to an unsatisfactory surgical outcome, can provide a long-term index of the quality of strabismus surgery. This study aims to evaluate the utility of the Scottish Morbidity Records (SMR1) in determining nature and rates of re-operation for strabismus at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC), Glasgow. Methods SMR1 data on strabismus surgery performed on children aged between 0 and 17 years at the RHSC, Glasgow, between January 2000 and March 2009 were analysed. Results In total, 1376 strabismus procedures were carried out on 1274 individuals. The median time between first and subsequent procedures was 19 months; the commonest reasons being under-correction or recurrence. The Kaplan–Meier rate of undergoing re-operation was 7.4% after 9 years with a 95% confidence interval of 5.4–9.9%. Conclusions The SMR1 is a useful source of hospital-based and population data. With supplementation from parallel databases, routine administrative databases like the SMR1 can provide better quality data to inform practice.
Quality of Care of Epilepsy in Italy: A Multi‐hospital Survey of Diagnosis and Treatment of 1104 Epileptic Patients

Summary: We surveyed the treatment of 1 04 patients admitted to 27 out of the 46 departments of neurology (64.5%), neurosurgery (23.0%), and child neurology (12.5%) of Lombardy, the largest Italian Region (population, 9,000,000). Our main aim was to assess the penetration of correct diagnostic and clinicopharmacological information into routine practice. A detailed analysis and discussion are given of data concerning reasons for hospital admission (therapeutic adjustment accounting for 27.3%; diagnostic ascertainment, 53.8%); characteristics of the disease, in terms of duration, clinical manifestations, and pattern of seizures; associated disorders; prevalence and criteria for the use of instrumental diagnostic procedures (EEG, brain scan, computed tomography, etc.); pattern of prescriptions of anticonvulsant drugs at admission and at discharge, with particular emphasis on specific drug choices by specialty; prevalence of single‐drug therapy (41% at admission and 47.0% at discharge) versus polytherapy; degree of correspondence between recommended and observed dosage regimens (undertreatment being a more common problem than excessive dosing); and reporting of side effects. Although some of the findings of some recent studies are confirmed, this report documents the feasibility of a regular audit program of the performance of an entire health care system in the treatment of epilepsy.
Author ' s personal copy Helpful self-control : Autonomy support , vitality , and depletion q

Why someone exerts self-control may influence how depleting a task is. Feeling compelled to exert self-control require more self-control strength than exerting self-control for more autonomous reasons. Across three experiments, individuals whose autonomy was supported while exerting self-control performed better on a subsequent test of self-control as compared to individuals who had more pressure placed upon them while exerting self-control. The differences in self-control performance were not due to anxiety, stress, unpleasantness, or reduced motivation among the controlled participants. Additional analyses suggested that the decline in self-control performance was mediated by subjective vitality. Feelings of autonomy support lead to enhanced feelings of subjective vitality. This increased vitality may help replenish lost ego-strength, which lead to better self-control performance subsequently. 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments on the “Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Risk As- sessment of Dioxins and Dioxin-like PCBs in Food. Update based on new scientific information available since the adoption of the SCF Opinion of 22 November 2000”

The Scientific Committee on Food decided to review its recommendation on the acceptable daily intake of dioxins (and dioxin-like PCB), only half a year after the original recommendation was made in November 2000. In the paper of May 2001 the SCF mentioned: “The Committee is asked to consider whether there is a need to update its opinion on the risk assessment of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food on the basis of new scientific information available since the release of the SCF opinion of 22 November 2000. ” And: ”In addition, the SCF took cognisance of comments received from the Swedish National Food Administration (2001), the Norwegian Food Control Authority (2001) and from some members of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) of the European Commission. ” The fact that the SCF made transparent neither by whom it was asked to review its first paper nor that it had published the comments made by member states and CSTEE members (SCF, 2001) makes it more difficult to comment on this paper.
Evaluation of unmeshed and 1:1 meshed AlloDerm bolsters for stapled rectal anastomoses in a porcine model.

INTRODUCTION The major morbidity of colorectal anastomoses is leaks. The concept of staple-line reinforcement is a growing area of interest. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and effect of utilizing AlloDerm to bolster end-to-end stapled rectal anastomoses in a porcine model. METHODS A total of 30 female 45-kg domestic pigs were studied, and each served as its own control by creating a bolstered and unbolstered anastomosis in each animal. All anastomoses were created with a 29-mm end-to-end stapling device. Bolstered anastomoses were randomized to proximal and distal positions along the rectum, and each rectorectal anastomosis was separated by an average of 10 cm. In 20 pigs, an unmeshed bolster of a 0.5-0.7-mm thickness was used. The remaining 10 pigs had a 1:1 meshed bolster that was 0.34-0.51 mm thick. The animals were survived for 14 days. Barium enemas were then performed and the two anastomotic sites harvested, and each anastomosis underwent burst testing. The internal diameter of each anastomosis was measured and a biochemical analysis was performed for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), elastin and collagen content. RESULTS The unmeshed bolstered anastomoses burst fewer times than the unbolstered anastomoses (P=0.004) and had higher burst pressures (P=0.023), though their anastomotic circumferences were smaller (P=0.007). Meshed bolsters offered no strength advantage to anastomoses and were significantly (P=0.009) smaller than unbolstered anastomoses in the same animal. No difference in elastin, collagen, or MMP content was observed between bolstered and unbolstered groups. No animals had clinical or radiographic leaks. CONCLUSIONS The routine use of unmeshed and 1:1 meshed AlloDerm bolsters is safe and does not appear to inhibit healing in elective colorectal surgery on healthy subjects. AlloDerm may have a role as a tissue bolster in select patients who are more prone to develop anastomotic leaks.
Past and future evolution of Abies alba forests in Europe – comparison of a dynamic vegetation model with palaeo data and observations

Information on how species distributions and ecosystem services are impacted by anthropogenic climate change is important for adaptation planning. Palaeo data suggest that Abies alba formed forests under significantly warmer‐than‐present conditions in Europe and might be a native substitute for widespread drought‐sensitive temperate and boreal tree species such as beech (Fagus sylvatica) and spruce (Picea abies) under future global warming conditions. Here, we combine pollen and macrofossil data, modern observations, and results from transient simulations with the LPX‐Bern dynamic global vegetation model to assess past and future distributions of A. alba in Europe. LPX‐Bern is forced with climate anomalies from a run over the past 21 000 years with the Community Earth System Model, modern climatology, and with 21st‐century multimodel ensemble results for the high‐emission RCP8.5 and the stringent mitigation RCP2.6 pathway. The simulated distribution for present climate encompasses the modern range of A. alba, with the model exceeding the present distribution in north‐western and southern Europe. Mid‐Holocene pollen data and model results agree for southern Europe, suggesting that at present, human impacts suppress the distribution in southern Europe. Pollen and model results both show range expansion starting during the Bølling–Allerød warm period, interrupted by the Younger Dryas cold, and resuming during the Holocene. The distribution of A. alba expands to the north‐east in all future scenarios, whereas the potential (currently unrealized) range would be substantially reduced in southern Europe under RCP8.5. A. alba maintains its current range in central Europe despite competition by other thermophilous tree species. Our combined palaeoecological and model evidence suggest that A. alba may ensure important ecosystem services including stand and slope stability, infrastructure protection, and carbon sequestration under significantly warmer‐than‐present conditions in central Europe.
Liquidity supply and adverse selection in a pure limit order book market

This paper analyzes adverse selection costs and liquidity supply in a pure open limit order book market. We relax assumptions of the Glosten/Såndas modeling framework regarding marginal zero profit order book equilibrium and the parametric market order size distribution. We show that using average zero profit conditions considerably increases the empirical performance while a nonparametric specification for market order size combined with marginal zero profit conditions does not. A cross sectional analysis corroborates the finding that adverse selection costs are more severe for smaller capitalized stocks. We also find additional support for one of the central hypothesis put forth by the theory of limit order book markets, which states that liquidity supply and adverse selection costs are inversely related. Furthermore, adverse selection cost estimates based on our structural model and those obtained using popular model-free methods are strongly correlated. This indicates the robustness of the theory-based approach.
Modulation of whistler mode chorus waves: 2. Role of density variations

[1] Modulation of whistler mode chorus waves, which plays an important role in driving the pulsating aurora and other processes related to energetic electron dynamics, is an interesting but a long-standing unresolved problem. Here we utilize in situ observations from the THEMIS spacecraft to investigate the role of density variations in the modulation of the chorus wave amplitude, which forms a complementary study to the modulation of chorus by compressional Pc4–5 pulsations presented in a companion paper. We show that these density variations are correlated remarkably well with modulated chorus intensity and typically occur on a timescale of a few seconds to tens of seconds. Both density depletions (DD) and density enhancements (DE) are frequently correlated with increases in chorus wave amplitudes. Furthermore, density enhancements cause a lowering of the central frequencies of the generated chorus waves and vice versa. DD events are more likely to be related to quasi-periodic chorus emissions and thus may be related to the generation of the pulsating aurora. A systematic survey of both DD and DE events shows that DD events preferentially occur between premidnight and dawn, whereas DE events dominantly occur from dawn to noon. We also evaluate the growth rates of chorus waves using linear theory for both DD and DE events and show that both density depletions and enhancements can lead to an intensification of chorus wave growth. However, other potential mechanisms for chorus intensification caused by density variations such as wave trapping by density crests and troughs cannot be excluded.
Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Goats in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

A prevalence study on the gastro intestinal parasites of goats was carried out for six months from May to October, 2014 in Ibadan, South Western, Nigeria. Four hundred (400) goats’ faecal samples comprising of 103 West African Dwarf and 297 Red sokoto breeds were collected from goats in households, market places and abattoir. They were examined for intestinal helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using direct microscopic examination and sodium chloride floatation technique. Out of the 400 faecal samples examined, 303(75.75%) were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The Red sokoto breed had a higher prevalence of 217(54.25%) while West African dwarf breed had the lower prevalence of 86(21.5%). Male goat had a prevalence of 163(40.85%) while female had a prevalence of 140(35%). The gastro intestinal parasites observed were Strongyloides papiillosus, Monieza spp, Coccidia spp and Strongyle spp. Strongyle spp had the highest prevalence while Monieza spp had the lowest prevalence. Of the total 217(54.3%) Red sokoto breeds positive for helminths, 120(30%) had mixed parasitic gastro-intestinal infection while 74(18.5%) of the total 86 (21.5%) WAD goats positive for helminth also had mixed infection. We suggest good management practices, prompt diagnosis and treatment with anthelmintic and antiprotozoa drugs and education of animal owners on bio-security as panacea to reduce the risk of infection and increase productivity of the animals.
An Integrative Assessment of the Psychophysiologic Alterations in Young Women With Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder

Objective Alterations in neuroelectrical activities coincide with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study examines the pattern of cerebral activity and cardiac autonomic parameters of euthymic women with recurrent MDD. Methods Resting electroencephalograms and electrocardiograms were recorded from 20 women with MDD receiving escitalopram and 40 matched and healthy women. We computed frontal alpha asymmetry to evaluate the interhemispheric balance. Parameters of heart rate variability were extracted to assess cardiac autonomic control. Sample entropy was used to assess the complexity of neurocardiac dynamics. The relationship between cardiovagal activity and alpha electroencephalogram was examined with a coherence analysis. Results Multivariable analysis of variance revealed a differential pattern of psychophysiologic variables between MDD patients and controls (p = .03). MDD was associated with a tendency toward lower left frontal activity (−0.06 [standard deviation = 0.14] versus 0.04 [0.17] ln&mgr;V2, p = .04). Discriminant analysis demonstrated more right frontal activation, a lower high-frequency heart rate power spectrum, and a higher ratio of the low- to high-frequency heart rate power spectrum in patients with MDD compared with controls. Residual depressive symptoms (r = −0.09 to 0.11, p = .63–.99) and escitalopram dosage (r = −0.09 to 0.28, p = .22–.84) were not correlated with autonomic measures. Coherence between normalized high-frequency component of the heart rate power spectrum and alpha power was not significant (F3, p = .27; F4, p = .16). Conclusions Euthymic women with recurrent MDD have a distinctive psychophysiologic profile. This profile may reflect altered frontal activation and a reduced cardiovagal tone in depression. Abbreviations MDD = major depressive disorder EEG = electroencephalogram HRV = heart rate variability ECG = electrocardiogram HDRS = Hamilton Depression Rating Scale SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor EOG = electrooculogram RR = beat to beat NN = normal to normal LF = low-frequency component of the heart rate power spectrum HF = high-frequency component of the heart rate power spectrum SampEn = sample entropy MANCOVA = multivariate analysis of covariance
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Maximum Power Point Tracking Methods in Photovoltaic Power Systems using Array Performance Models

Maximum Power Point Tracking methods control the operating voltage of photovoltaic arrays in order to maximize their power output. This paper presents a method to evaluate the effectiveness of such methods continuously in operating photovoltaic power systems, and hence, under real-world conditions. When operating, the maximum power cannot be measured, and therefore must be estimated. The proposed method relies on additional PV modules to accurately measure the effective radiation, and back-of-module sensors for temperature measurements. These measurements are inputs to a model that calculates the maximum power point, which is then compared to the actual operating point of the PV array and inverter.
A Cross-sectional Study of Correlation of Body Image Anxiety with Social Phobia and Their Association with Depression in the Adolescents from a Rural Area of Sangli District in India

Background: Prevailing socio-cultural influences lead females to desire a thin body and males a muscular body, especially in adolescents. This results in body image anxiety which may lead to social phobia. Together they can develop depression. The aim was to study the correlation of body image anxiety with social phobia and their association with depression, among adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in randomly selected colleges from a rural area of Sangli district Maharashtra, India. Stratified random sampling technique used with sample size 805. Pretested self-administered questionnaire used. Percentage, Chi-square test, binary logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence intervals. Results: Of 997 study subjects body image anxiety, social phobia and depression were observed in 232 (23.3%), 193 (19.4%) and 326 (32.7%) participants, respectively. Binary logistic regression showed that body image anxiety (OR = 1.849 [1.22, 2.804]; P = 0.004) and social phobia (OR = 4.575 [2.952-7.09]; P < 0.001) were significant predictors for depression. Conclusions: Body image anxiety and social phobia are linked with the development of depression. This impresses the need for timely counseling and education among adolescents.
Evidence-Based Assessment of Learning Disabilities in Children and Adolescents

The reliability and validity of 4 approaches to the assessment of children and adolescents with learning disabilities (LD) are reviewed, including models based on (a) aptitude-achievement discrepancies, (b) low achievement, (c) intra-individual differences, and (d) response to intervention (RTI). We identify serious psychometric problems that affect the reliability of models based on aptitude-achievement discrepancies and low achievement. There are also significant validity problems for models based on aptitude-achievement discrepancies and intra-individual differences. Models that incorporate RTI have considerable potential for addressing both the reliability and validity issues but cannot represent the sole criterion for LD identification. We suggest that models incorporating both low achievement and RTI concepts have the strongest evidence base and the most direct relation to treatment. The assessment of children for LD must reflect a stronger underlying classification that takes into account relations with other childhood disorders as well as the reliability and validity of the underlying classification and resultant assessment and identification system. The implications of this type of model for clinical assessments of children for whom LD is a concern are discussed.
Emerging Technologies in Screening for Colorectal Cancer: CT Colonography, Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Tests, and Stool Screening Using Molecular Markers

The American Cancer Society's (ACS) Colorectal Cancer Advisory Group held a workshop on new technologies for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps as part of a regular review of ACS guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. The Advisory Group formally reviewed CT colonography, immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), and stool screening using molecular markers, and also addressed other technologies including capsule video endoscopy. With the exception of immunochemical stool testing, the ACS has determined that at this time there is insufficient evidence to recommend these technologies for routine colorectal cancer screening. Based on recommendations of the Advisory Group, only a minor modification has been made to the ACS's Recommendations for Screening and Surveillance of the Early Detection of Adenomatous Polyps and Colorectal Cancer.
Immunological and virological responses in HIV-1-infected adults at early stage of established infection treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the immunological and virological responses to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in blood and lymphoid compartments of HIV-1-infected patients at an early stage of infection. DesignAn open-label, observational, non-randomized, prospective trial of outpatients attending the Centre of Clinical Investigation in Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. SubjectsForty-one antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected adults with 400 CD4 T cells/μl or greater and 5000 plasma HIV-1-RNA copies/ml or greater were enrolled, and 32 finished the study. Forty-nine HIV-negative individuals were included as controls. All subjects gave written informed consent. InterventionsAll patients received abacavir 300 mg by mouth every 12 h and amprenavir 1200 mg by mouth every 12 h for 72 weeks. Mainoutcome measuresThe extent of immune reconstitution in blood and lymph nodes after 72 weeks of HAART was evaluated, and compared with immunological measures of 49 HIV-negative subjects. ResultsVirus replication was effectively suppressed (−3.5 log10 at week 72). Substantial increments of CD4 T cell count in blood and percentage in lymph nodes were observed over time, and these measures were comparable to HIV-negative subjects by week 24 in blood and by week 48 in lymph nodes. The increase was equally distributed between naive and memory CD4 T cells. Recovery of HIV-specific CD4 responses occurred in 40% of patients. ConclusionThe initiation of HAART at an early stage of established HIV infection induces systemic quantitative normalization of CD4 T cells, a partial recovery of HIV-specific CD4 cell responses, and effective and durable suppression of virus replication.
Organ siderosis and hemophagocytosis during acute graft-versus-host disease

Iron overload prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) due to blood transfusions is associated with increased non-relapse mortality (NRM) and with low overall survival.1,2 After allo-HSCT, high iron content in liver biopsies and elevated ferritin concentrations in blood, used as a surrogate parameter for iron overload, are also related to NRM.3–6 The cellular and molecular mechanisms behind this association, however, are yet to be clarified. In particular, available data on the role of ferritin and iron metabolism during the pathophysiology of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a major contributor to NRM, are scarse. To shed light on the connection between GvHD, ferritin levels, and iron metabolism, we decided to analyse the clinical data of patients undergoing allo-HSCT as well as data from preclinical murine GvHD models.
Prediction of the originating site of sinonasal inverted papilloma by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography

Precise localization and excision of the originating site of a sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP) is essential for decreasing tumor recurrence. In this study we evaluated the use of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to pinpoint the attachment/originating sites of SNIPs in 143 patients.