Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of retinal nerve fiber layer measurements using Stratus OCT fast and regular scan protocols in eyes with band atrophy of the optic nerve and normal controls.

PURPOSE To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements made with two different protocols of optical coherence tomography in eyes with band atrophy (BA) of the optic nerve and controls. METHODS Twenty-nine eyes with BA from chiasmal compression and 30 normal eyes underwent RNFL scans using both the fast (256 A-scans) and the regular (512 A-scans) protocols. The two sets of measurements were compared. RESULTS In eyes with BA, fast RNFL measurements were significantly greater compared with regular RNFL measurements in the superior and inferior quadrants and significantly smaller at the 30-degree segments located at the 3 and 6 o'clock meridians. In normal eyes, fast RNFL measurements of the total average, superior and inferior quadrants and the segments corresponding to the 1, 3, 4 and 12 o'clock meridians were significantly greater than regular protocol measurements. Measurements with both protocols were significantly different in eyes with BA compared to normal eyes. CONCLUSIONS Although both fast and regular RNFL measurements were equally efficient at differentiating eyes with BA from controls the fast protocol yielded greater values in areas with thick RNFL and smaller values in areas with thin RNFL when compared with the regular scanning protocol. One should be aware of such differences when comparing measurements with both scanning protocols.
Toothbrushing as Part of the Adolescent Lifestyle Predicts Education Level

Socio-economic differences in health and health behavior are well-known. Our hypothesis was that toothbrushing frequency in adolescents predicts their education level in adulthood. The aim was also to study the role of toothbrushing in adolescents’ health-related lifestyle. Data from nationally representative samples of 12- to 16-year-olds (N = 11,149) were linked with register data on the highest level of education attained at age 27–33 years. Adolescents with a low toothbrushing frequency reached only the lowest education levels. School achievement or sociodemographic background only partly accounted for the association. Exploratory factor analysis found four dimensions of health behaviors. At age 12, a low toothbrushing frequency was loaded highly with “street-oriented” behaviors, concentrated around smoking and alcohol use. At ages 14 and 16, it was associated with a “traditional” lifestyle of the less-well-educated. Altogether, a low toothbrushing frequency indicated selection into the less-well-educated stratum of society. This is likely to be reflected in socio-economic health differences in adulthood.
Interleukin-1 Mediates Induction of Tolerance to Global Ischemia in Gerbil Hippocampal CA1 Neurons

A series of experiments was performed to determine the role of interleukin (IL)-1 in the induction of tolerance to global ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. In Group I, a 2-min “preconditioning” ischemia protected CA1 hippocampal neurons in gerbils subjected to 3.5 min ischemia 3 days later. CA1 neuronal density was: sham, 171 ± 3/mm; 3.5 min ischemia, 30 ± 30/mm; 2 and 3.5 min ischemia 162 ± 6/mm. Experiments in Group II addressed the role of IL-1 in the induction of tolerance by sublethal ischemia. Arterial IL-1α and IL-Iβ became elevated between 1 and 3 days after a 2-min ischemic exposure. IL-1α was: sham, 6.4 ± 0.6 ng/ml; and 2-day, 10.2 ± 1.2 ng/ml. IL-1β was: sham, 6.4 ± 0.5 ng/ml; and 2-day, 17.3 ± 2 ng/ml. Recombinant human IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) i.p. blocked ischemic tolerance induction by 2-min preconditioning ischemia: 2-min ischemia + vehicle, 162 ± 6/mm; and 2-min ischemia + IL-1ra, 67 ± 17/mm. Experiments in Group III assessed the capacity of IL-1 to induce tolerance to brain ischemia. IL-1α i.p. (0, 10, 20 μg/kg) for 3 days prior to 3.5-min forebrain ischemia provided significant CA1 neuroprotection in a dose-dependent manner: 2 ± 2, 68 ± 83, and 129 ± 42/mm, respectively. IL-1β (15 μg/kg) in combination with either IL-1ra (100 mg/kg) or IL-1ra vehicle i.p. on the same schedule demonstrated a significant CA1 neuroprotection that could be nullified by IL-1ra: IL-1β + IL-1ra vehicle, 153 ± 16/mm; and IL-1β + IL-1ra, 67 ± 36/mm. Recognition that tolerance arises from stimulation of a known receptor (IL-1RI) permits molecular analysis of the intracellular signaling that is critical for production of that state.
Physical layer security in simultaneous wireless information and power transfer networks

In this paper, we investigate physical-layer security (PLS) design in simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) system, where the energy receivers (ERs) may eavesdrop the confidential information send to the desired receivers (DRs). Specifically, we proposed a joint design of the AN-aided transmission and the power allocation to maximize the secrecy rate at the destination, under the harvested energy constraint at the ERs. To solve the formulated nonconvex problem, we decouple the original problem to the dual problem and proposed an alternating optimization algorithm. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed designs is demonstrated through simulations.
Combinatorial Ribavirin and Interferon Alfacon-1 Therapy of Acute Arenaviral Disease in Hamsters

Several arenaviruses endemic to South America (Junin, Machupo, and Guanarito) and Africa (Lassa) are known to cause frequently fatal haemorrhagic fever. With the exception of ribavirin, which has demonstrated efficacy in cases of Lassa fever, there is no other effective therapeutic for the treatment of arenaviral haemorrhagic fever. We have recently reported that consensus interferon-α (IFN alfacon-1) can protect hamsters from lethal Pichinde virus (PCV) infection, which serves as a model for acute arenaviral disease in humans. Here we demonstrate highly effective therapy through the combined use of ribavirin with IFN alfacon-1 for the treatment of PCV infection in hamsters. Ribavirin was given orally, twice per day for 7 days, and IFN alfacon-1 was administered intraperitoneally once per day for 10 days. Treatments were initiated 1–5 days post-virus challenge using various dose combinations, many of which were less than optimal when the drugs were given independently. Combining suboptimal doses of ribavirin (5–10mg/kg/day) with IFN alfacon-1 (5–10 µg/kg/day), we were able to demonstrate increased protection from mortality, reduced viral burden and liver disease, and greatly extended survival times as compared to treatments where drugs were administered alone. Our data indicate that combination therapy results in synergistic activity that may slow down the progression of the disease and decrease fatality rates associated with severe arenaviral infections in humans. Further, combination therapy reduces the effective dosage of ribavirin, which would serve to limit its toxicity.
Muramic Acid, Endotoxin, 3-Hydroxy Fatty Acids, and Ergosterol Content Explain Monocyte and Epithelial Cell Inflammatory Responses to Agricultural Dusts

In agricultural and other environments, inhalation of airborne microorganisms is linked to respiratory disease development. Bacterial endotoxins, peptidoglycans, and fungi are potential causative agents, but relative microbial characterization and inflammatory comparisons amongst agricultural dusts are not well described. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of microbial endotoxin, 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHFA), muramic acid, and ergosterol and evaluate inflammatory responses in human monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells with various dust samples. Settled surface dust was obtained from five environments: swine facility, dairy barn, grain elevator, domestic home (no pets), and domestic home with dog. Endotoxin concentration was determined by recombinant factor C (rFC). 3-OHFA, muramic acid, and ergosterol were measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Dust-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion in human monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells was evaluated. Endotoxin-independent dust-induced inflammatory responses were evaluated. Endotoxin and 3-OHFA levels were highest in agricultural dusts. Muramic acid, endotoxin, 3-OHFA, and ergosterol were detected in dusts samples. Muramic acid was highest in animal farming dusts. Ergosterol was most significant in grain elevator dust. Agricultural dusts induced monocyte tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and epithelial cell IL-6 and IL-8 secretion. Monocyte and epithelial IL-6 and IL-8 secretion was not dependent on endotoxin. House dust(s) induced monocyte TNFα, IL-6, and IL-8 secretion. Swine facility dust generally produced elevated responses compared to other dusts. Agricultural dusts are complex with significant microbial component contribution. Large animal farming dust(s)-induced inflammation is not entirely dependent on endotoxin. Addition of muramic acid to endotoxin in large animal farming environment monitoring is warranted.
Sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP): evidence of acute neuronal injury using HSP‐70 and c‐Jun immunohistochemistry

Post‐mortem and neuropathological examination in sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) shows no specific lesions and the exact cause and mechanism of death in these cases remains undetermined. There is clinical evidence to support the fact that SUDEP is a seizure‐mediated event, and patients with poorly controlled seizures are at higher risk. We aimed to identify any evidence of acute neuronal injury in SUDEP cases at post‐mortem to support that a recent seizure had occurred. We analysed the distribution and frequency of heat shock protein (HSP)‐70 and c‐Jun immunopositive neurones in the hippocampus in 18 SUDEP cases and 22 control cases, both markers being nonspecific but early and reliable indicators of acute neuronal injury. Post‐mortem control groups included patients with epilepsy with cause of death other than SUDEP (including status epilepticus and accidental death), and patients with sudden cardiac death without an epilepsy history. An additional surgical control group included patients with refractory epilepsy and hippocampal sclerosis who had undergone temporal lobectomy. Semiquantitative analysis of the distribution of HSP‐70 staining showed significantly more SUDEP cases with positively labelled neurones in hippocampal subfields compared to epilepsy and cardiac post‐mortem controls (P < 0.001) but not compared to the epilepsy surgical controls (P = 0.4). No significant difference in immunostaining patterns between groups was seen in the parahippocampal gyrus with HSP‐70 or with c‐Jun in either the hippocampus or parahippocampal gyrus regions. The detection of HSP‐70 positive neurones in the hippocampus in SUDEP is supportive of ante‐mortem neuronal injury including a recent seizure prior to death.
Pimecrolimus does not affect Langerhans cells in murine epidermis

Background Langerhans cells (LCs) function as specialized antigen‐presenting cells in the epidermis, and therefore play a critical role in cutaneous immunological reactions. Topical treatment with corticosteroids is associated with a decrease in epidermal LC number and antigen‐presenting capacity in laboratory animals and humans.
Antiplatelet Drugs: Mechanisms and Risks of Bleeding Following Cardiac Operations

Preoperative antiplatelet drug use is common in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The impact of these drugs on bleeding and blood transfusion varies. We hypothesize that review of available evidence regarding drug-related bleeding risk, underlying mechanisms of platelet dysfunction, and variations in patient response to antiplatelet drugs will aid surgeons as they assess preoperative risk and attempt to limit perioperative bleeding. The purpose of this review is to (1) examine the role that antiplatelet drugs play in excessive postoperative blood transfusion, (2) identify possible mechanisms to explain patient response to antiplatelet drugs, and (3) formulate a strategy to limit excessive blood product usage in these patients. We reviewed available published evidence regarding bleeding risk in patients taking preoperative antiplatelet drugs. In addition, we summarized our previous research into mechanisms of antiplatelet drug-related platelet dysfunction. Aspirin users have a slight but significant increase in blood product usage after CABG (0.5 U of nonautologous blood per treated patient). Platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor inhibitors are more potent antiplatelet drugs than aspirin but have a half-life similar to aspirin, around 5 to 10 days. The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons guidelines recommend discontinuation, if possible, of ADP inhibitors 5 to 7 days before operation because of excessive bleeding risk, whereas aspirin should be continued during the entire perioperative period in most patients. Individual variability in response to aspirin and other antiplatelet drugs is common with both hyper- and hyporesponsiveness seen in 5 to 25% of patients. Use of preoperative antiplatelet drugs is a risk factor for increased perioperative bleeding and blood transfusion. Point-of-care tests can identify patients at high risk for perioperative bleeding and blood transfusion, although these tests have limitations. Available evidence suggests that multiple blood conservation techniques benefit high-risk patients taking antiplatelet drugs before operation. Guidelines for patients who take aspirin and/or thienopyridines before cardiac procedures include some or all of the following: (1) preoperative identification of high-risk patients using point-of-care testing; (2) withdrawal of aspirin or other antiplatelet drugs for a few days and delay of operation in patients at high risk for bleeding if clinical circumstances permit; (3) selective perioperative use of evidence-based blood conservation interventions (e.g., short-course erythropoietin, off-pump procedures, and use of intraoperative blood conservation techniques), especially in high-risk patients; and (4) platelet transfusions if clinical bleeding occurs.
The Violence Trap: A Political-Economic Approach to the Problems of Development

Why do developing countries fail to adopt the institutions and policies that promote development? Our answer is the violence trap. Key political reforms — opening access and reducing rents — are typically feasible only when the domestic economy reaches a given level of complexity (for reasons we specify); yet complex economies typically can emerge only when key political reforms are already in place (for standard reasons). The interdependence of political reform and economic complexity entails violence because, as we show, unreformed polities lack adaptive efficiency. The literature sparked by Lipset’s modernization thesis has operationalized “economic development” as a higher GDP per capita. Building on Steuart, we view development as creating a more complex economy whose workings will be more seriously disrupted by political violence. Empirically, we show that economic complexity (as measured by the Hidalgo-Hausmann index) strongly deters coups, even controlling for GDP per capita and level of democracy.
Effects of diet on hepatic triglyceride synthesis.

The effects of diet on the rate of triglyceride synthesis by rat liver homogenates was measured. Changes in triglyceride synthesis were correlated with the level of activity of L-alpha-glycerophosphate acyltransferase, the enzyme catalyzing the first specific reaction in hepatic glycerolipid synthesis. Fasting for 48-72 hr depressed the synthesis of triglyceride from L-alpha-glycerophosphate. High carbohydrate diets, fed to rats for 6 days, resulted in increased triglyceride synthesis. Diets high in starch were less effective than high glucose, sucrose, or fructose diets in increasing triglyceride synthesis. Diets high in corn oil did not alter triglyceride synthesis. These studies established the importance of dietary factors in the regulation of hepatic triglyceride synthesis.L-alpha-Glycerophosphate acyltransferase activity was measured after the same dietary changes. Both high carbohydrate and high fat diets resulted in increased enzyme specific activity. Fasting for 72 hr did not decrease activity. Thus, the specific activity of this enzyme did not correlate well with the measured rate of triglyceride synthesis indicating that other factors must participate in the regulation of triglyceride biosynthesis.
Skin Tightening with Fractional Lasers, Radiofrequency, Smartlipo

Skin tightening occurs with the use of fractional lasers, radiofrequency, and Smartlipo. The fractional lasers Fraxel (1550 nm; Solta Medical, Inc., Hayward, CA) and Affirm (1440 nm, 1320 nm) (Cynosure, Westford, MA) when used in combination tighten skin and lessen solar keratoses, and improve acne scars. With radiofrequency, further tightening occurs. Smartlipo (Cynosure, Westford, MA) (1064 nm or the newer MPX with combined 1064 nm and 1320 nm) results in skin tightening and has been very helpful in improving skin tightness and smoothness on the neck either singularly or in combination with the above procedures; and with the addition of the Affirm fractional CO2 laser (Cynosure, Westford, MA), further skin improvement and tightening occurs.
Moncrief's technique for peritoneal catheter placement: experience of a CAPD unit.

A decrease in the peritonitis rate and the incidence of catheter exit-site/tunnel (E/T) infection are the most important factors affecting the permanent peritoneal catheter in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Moncrief et al. have introduced a novel methodology (two phases) for peritoneal catheter placement (7.8). The most relevant characteristic is that the external portion remains buried on the subcutaneous tissue (sterile environment) during the healing process. After four to six weeks, the catheter is brought out through a small incision (0.5 cm) distal 2 cm from the subcutaneous cuff, and peritoneal dialysis may be initiated. The data available, presented by Moncrief et al., show a lower incidence of peritonitis rate and E/T infection with this implantation technique, when compared with a classic technique. The aim of this study is to learn if the placement of a peritoneal catheter with Moncrief's methodology decreases the incidence of complications related to peritoneal catheters. We treated 29 patients (group C) with the conventional procedure and 25 patients (group M) with the Moncrief technique. Follow-up was similar for both groups (C = 12.2 +/- 7.9 months vs M = 11.1 +/- 6.1 months, NS). The time buried was 3.23 +/- 0.9 weeks (2-5). Eleven patients completed four weeks with the catheter buried subcutaneously (group M-4). The incidence of E/T infection was similar for groups C and M, and lower in group M-4 (p < 0.05). The number of catheters free of infection was less in group C (31%) than in group M (46%) and M-4 (67%) (p < 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
RISK OF FMF DEVELOPMENT AMONG HETEROZYGOUS PATIENTS IN ARMENIAN POPULATION

The aim of this study is the investigation of one mutation carriers of MEFV gene among Armenian population. We designed and established the genetic register for proper collection of patients’ data including their ethnicity, clinical and laboratory data, as well as family cases. According to the results the frequency of FMF inheritance with only one mutation of MEFV gene among Armenian population is about 17.5% and by autosomal-recessive mode (homozygous or compound-heterozygous) is 82.5%.
Factors influencing mental health providers’ intention to use telepsychotherapy in First Nations communities

Telemental health is the use of information and communications technologies and broadband networks to deliver mental health services and support wellness. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the efficiency and utility of telemental health, certain barriers may impede its implementation, including the attitudes of mental health service providers. The current study draws on the technology acceptance model (TAM) to understand the role of mental health service providers’ attitudes and perceptions of telemental health (psychotherapy delivered via videoconferencing) on their intention to use this technology with their patients. A sample of 205 broadly defined mental health service providers working on 32 First Nations reserves in the province of Quebec completed the questionnaire adapted to assess TAM for telepsychotherapy. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling provided evidence for the factor validity and reliability of the TAM in this sample. The key predictor of the intention to use telepsychotherapy was not mental health providers’ attitude toward telepsychotherapy, nor how much they expected this service to be complicated to use, but essentially how useful they expect it to be for their First Nations patients. If telemental health via videoconferencing is to be implemented in First Nations communities, it is essential to thoroughly demonstrate its utility to mental health providers. Perceived usefulness will have a positive impact on attitudes toward this technology, and perceived ease of use will positively influence perceived usefulness. Cultural issues specific to the populations receiving telemental health services may be more efficiently addressed from the angle of perceived usefulness.
Object Detection Meets Knowledge Graphs

Object detection in images is a crucial task in computer vision, with important applications ranging from security surveillance to autonomous vehicles. Existing state-of-the-art algorithms, including deep neural networks, only focus on utilizing features within an image itself, largely neglecting the vast amount of background knowledge about the real world. In this paper, we propose a novel framework of knowledge-aware object detection, which enables the integration of external knowledge such as knowledge graphs into any object detection algorithm. The framework employs the notion of semantic consistency to quantify and generalize knowledge, which improves object detection through a re-optimization process to achieve better consistency with background knowledge. Finally, empirical evaluation on two benchmark datasets show that our approach can significantly increase recall by up to 6.3 points without compromising mean average precision, when compared to the state-of-the-art baseline.
A new magnetic coupler for EVs chargers based on plug-in and IPT technologies

This paper presents a new magnetic coupler design that interconnects the plug-in isolated topologies with the Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) technology for onboard Electric Vehicles (EVs) batteries charging systems. The proposed design acts as an isolation transformer during the charge in plug-in mode, and as a conventional magnetic coupler in IPT charging mode. In this way, the system requires only one receiver controller. A mathematical analysis is carried out for a series-series (SS) and an LCL-series configuration with an intermediate coupler (IC). The SS with an IC offers a higher efficiency during horizontal displacements than the LCL-S with an IC. Also, the voltage ratings of the power supply in a SS with an IC are compatible with domestic applications. The coupler was modeled in a 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) software to evaluate and optimize coupling parameters by adjusting the core and coils dimensions and formats. A 5 kW design is proposed and the electric and magnetic properties are validated through experimental results.