Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelin-1 and Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients with Glaucoma

Aims: To investigate the levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in the aqueous humor and plasma of human eyes with different types of glaucoma: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and chronic closed-angle glaucoma (CCAG). Methods: Patients were classified into 3 groups: group I comprised 35 patients with POAG, group II comprised 25 patients with CCAG, and 30 patients with senile cataract (group III) were used as a control group. Aqueous humor and corresponding plasma were analyzed for ET-1 and NO concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was performed. Results: There was no significant difference in plasma levels of either ET-1 or NO metabolites between the groups studied. ET-1 and NO were significantly elevated in the aqueous humor of patients with CCAG and POAG compared to the corresponding value in patients with cataract (p < 0.001). ET-1 and NO concentrations in the aqueous humor were more marked in CCAG than in POAG. NO levels were correlated with ET-1 in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased concentrations of ET-1 and NO in aqueous humor may be useful with POAG and CCAG. In addition, ET-1 and NO may have useful metabolite levels in the aqueous humor of POAG and CCAG patients as a result of glaucoma damage and may not be a cause of it.
Pharmaceutical Development of a Parenteral Formulation of Conivaptan Hydrochloride

Conivaptan hydrochloride injection (Vaprisol®) was developed for the treatment of hyponatremia. Because the drug is very slightly soluble in water, pH control and cosolvency techniques were used to achieve the optimum concentration required for clinical trial material. Stability studies on retained samples of the clinical trial material for early-phase trials showed white visible particulates mainly in the headspace of the glass ampoule long after completion of the trials. The mechanism for generation of the particulate matter was formation of freebase of conivaptan hydrochloride because of increase in pH. The pH of the formulation for late-phase clinical trials, primary stability studies, and commercial production was fine-tuned to prevent particulate formation. The formulation contains propylene glycol and ethanol. Considering the nature of the cosolvent used in the formulation, the amount of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) delivered from an infusion system was evaluated, and we confirmed that the level of DEHP was lesser than that mentioned in the guideline. In the course of the scale-up studies for commercialization, the formulation failed the filter integrity test after the compounding solution was filtered. The dimethylsiloxane extracted from the silicon tubing used for solvent transfer coated the filter surface, which resulted in suppression of the bubble point value. The formulation and manufacturing process enabled conivaptan hydrochloride to be approved and launched in the market as a parenteral formulation. LAY ABSTRACT: Formulation scientists have recognized a trend that promising new chemical entities in the drug discovery phase often do not have ideal physicochemical properties for formulation. In particular, poor solubility is one of the challenges for development of a parenteral dosage form. Here, we describe the case of such a new chemical entity, a very slightly soluble hydrochloric salt, which was handed over from a drug discovery research laboratory to a pharmaceutical laboratory. pH control and cosolvency techniques were used to achieve the optimum concentration required for the product. However, a couple of issues emerged; we performed confirmatory studies in the course of development, and the results of these studies were used to design the formulation and manufacturing process. Most prominent issues were particulate matter formation on the inner surface the headspace of the ampoule and failure of the filter integrity test. In addition, we discuss the root causes and the mechanisms of the above issues and the measures taken to prevent them. A part of them are crucial, and information obtained from this study is important for development of new chemical entities as injectables in the future.
Social media and building a connected college

Abstract Social media and the access of social networking platforms through a variety of media are integral parts of almost every community today. To address the debate of drawbacks and benefits of social media best practices in higher education and beyond, this article presents research examining motivation and media usage patterns in a major business school. An online survey of the college’s stakeholders discovered behaviors associated with media usage, including how and why respondents use social platforms. Usage varied across education, entertainment, and human connection. Over a five five-year period, interactions within these channels focused on by the college increased dramatically.
The cisterna chyli: a potential mimic of retrocrural lymphadenopathy on CT scans.

PURPOSE To determine the normal appearance of the cisterna chyli and how it may mimic an enlarged retrocrural lymph node on computed tomographic (CT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS CT scans were reviewed in 18 patients (17 with cancer, one with benign disease) who had tubular retrocrural structures of attenuation near that of water. The location, diameter, length, CT attenuation, duration of finding, change in size, and the status of intercurrent malignancy were recorded. RESULTS The cisterna chyli was variably located at T12-L1 (n=11), at T11-T12 (n=5), and at T-12 (n=2). The average length was 3 cm. The average CT attenuation was 12.5 HU. On serial scans in 14 patients, the average change in size was 2.2 mm despite progression or regression of malignant disease at other sites in 11 patients. CONCLUSION The cisterna chyli can mimic the appearance of an enlarged retrocrural lymph node. Proper identification depends on its characteristic location, tubular configuration, attenuation closer to that of water than soft tissue, and lack of substantial change in size despite changes in disease at other sites.
The status of early identification and early intervention in autism spectrum disorders in lower- and middle-income countries

Abstract There is limited information on autism spectrum disorders from lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This paper reviews the status of early identification and early intervention for autism spectrum disorders in response to the article by 4. The PubMed database was searched to identify relevant epidemiological studies from LMIC. Seven studies from five countries were identified: Colombia, India, Jamaica, Jordan, and Mexico. The mean age of parental concern, at 21–24 months, and mean age of diagnosis, at 45–57 months, were similar in LMIC, but later than in high-income countries. Both country groups reported language disorder to be the symptom of initial concern. Similarities in biological aspects of the disorders were noted across LMIC and high-income countries. Comparable ages of identification and diagnosis across vastly different LMIC suggest limited resources to be the underlying contributory factor. Recommendations for improving early identification and intervention made by researchers in the LMIC are reported.
Prediction equations for handgrip strength in healthy Indian male and female subjects encompassing a wide age range

Primary objective : Handgrip strength is a simple index of skeletal muscle function and a functional index of nutritional status. A major lacuna in the use of handgrip strength is the limited availability of normative data. The main objective of this paper was to develop prediction equations for handgrip strength in Indians covering a wide age range. Methods : Handgrip strength and basic anthropometric parameters were measured in 1024 healthy Indian subjects of both genders (613 males, 411 females) between the ages of 5 and 67 years. The sample was randomly divided into two sets; one set ( n = 677) was used to develop the prediction equations for handgrip strength and the other ( n = 347) was used to validate the equations. Each data set was further divided into two subsets (adults > 18 years, sub-adults r 18 years), since separate equations were developed for adults and sub-adults. Simple models that included one of the following variables: height, forearm circumference and age as well as a full model that included all three variables were developed. Gender was included in all models. Results : In general, all simple models predicted handgrip strength better in sub-adults ( R 2 = 0.78-0.81) as compared to adults ( R 2 = 0.52-0.57). The best simple model in sub-adults was that which included age and gender ( R 2 = 0.81), while for adults it was that which included forearm circumference and gender ( R 2 = 0.57). The full model explained a further 3.4-6.5% of the variance in handgrip strength in sub-adults and a further 6.3-13.3% in adults. Conclusions : The simple and full model equations for handgrip strength had high predictive power in the sub-adults, while they were less predictive in adults. The equations will be of particular use in physiological studies assessing muscle strength and in clinical investigations of patients with malnutrition and neuromuscular disorders.
Age-Related Changes in Reading Comprehension: An Individual-Differences Perspective

In this study, the authors show that Hannon and Daneman's (2001, Journal of Educational Psychology, 93, 103–128) component processes task can be used to investigate individual differences in older readers' comprehension performance, and to determine which components of comprehension are most susceptible to declines with normal aging. Results revealed that the ability to remember new text information, to make inferences about new text information, to access prior knowledge in long-term memory, and to integrate prior knowledge with new text information all accounted for a substantial proportion of variance in older adults' reading comprehension performance. Although there were age-related declines in all of these component processes, the components associated with new learning were more susceptible to age-related declines than were the components associated with accessing what already is known. The findings suggest that age-related declines in reading comprehension might be a consequence of declines in a number of component processes rather than one specific process.
Elastography in the Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules

Despite the publication of a recent meta-analysis of elastography in thyroid nodules, further work is necessary on this issue in different populations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical value of elastography on nodular goiters in mild iodine-deficient regions without excluding patients according to nodule characteristics. This prospective study was conducted between April 2010 and December 2011 in Yıldırım Beyazıt Dıskapı Research Hospital Endocrinology outpatient clinic. Five hundred twenty-eight nodular goiter patients who underwent thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy were included in our study. Elastography scores and indexes were measured with real-time ultrasound elastography (Hitachi® EUB 7000 HV machine with 13 MHz linear transducer). There were 471 females and 57 males and their ages ranged from 45 years to 78 years. A total of 601 nodules were evaluated in these patients. The area under the curve (AUC) for the elasto score was 0.91 (p < 0.0001) and AUC for the strain index (SI) was 0.96 (p < 0.0001). We suggest that the SI reflects malignancy better than the elasto score. We conclude that elastography scores greater than 3 have 76% sensitivity and 96% specificity for diagnosing malignancy. For SI, we conclude that 3.75 (83% sensitivity and 95% specificity) is the cutoff point. Elasto score and SI measurements of thyroid nodules in our population are efficient and increase the diagnostic performance of the sonography.
Single-Incision Lateral Approach for Triple Arthrodesis

Background: Triple arthrodesis is a powerful hindfoot corrective procedure involving fusion of the talonavicular (TN), calcaneocuboid (CC), and subtalar (ST) joints. A 2-incision approach, a single-incision medial triple arthrodesis, and a single-incision medial double arthrodesis are well described. We present a single-incision lateral approach to triple arthrodesis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 70 patients who underwent triple arthrodesis at our institution from 2007 to 2011. Patients had either double-incision (n = 33) or single-incision lateral (n = 37) triple arthrodesis. A single surgeon performed all procedures. The most common diagnosis was stage III planovalgus deformity. Deformity correction, union rate, time of surgery, complications, wound healing, reoperations, and pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were analyzed for both groups. Results: There were no statistical differences in deformity correction, wound healing, complications, reoperations, or improvement in VAS pain scores. Operation time was significantly shorter in the single-incision lateral group (86 minutes vs 95 minutes, P = .0395). There was no difference in union rates with regard to the TN, ST, or CC joints. Five patients had radiographic nonunions of the CC joint between both groups. Conclusions: This is the first study that presents outcomes of a single lateral approach for triple arthrodesis. The single-incision approach was faster. The low rate of symptomatic nonunions suggests that fusion of the CC joint may not be important in symptomatic relief or deformity correction. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.
A Noncanonical Bromodomain in the AAA ATPase Protein Yta7 Directs Chromosomal Positioning and Barrier Chromatin Activity

ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yta7 is a barrier active protein that modulates transcriptional states at the silent mating locus, HMR. Additionally, Yta7 regulates histone gene transcription and has overlapping functions with known histone chaperones. This study focused on deciphering the functional role of the noncanonical Yta7 bromodomain. By use of genetic and epistasis analyses, the Yta7 bromodomain was shown to be necessary for barrier activity at HMR and to have overlapping functions with histone regulators (Asf1 and Spt16). Canonical bromodomains can bind to acetylated lysines on histones; however, the Yta7 bromodomain showed an association with histones that was independent of posttranslational modification. Further investigation showed that regions of Yta7 other than the bromodomain conferred histone association. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-chip analyses revealed that the Yta7 bromodomain was not solely responsible for histone association but was also necessary for proper chromosomal positioning of Yta7. This work demonstrates that the Yta7 bromodomain engages histones for certain cellular functions like barrier chromatin maintenance and particular Spt16/Asf1 cellular pathways of chromatin regulation.
The digital economy and its implications for labour. 1. The platform economy

The digitalisation of the economy refers to how ICT is transforming what goods and services we produce, how we produce them and where we produce them. This touches upon many aspects of society: how labour is being exchanged on digital platforms, how consumers are becoming producers (so-called prosumers), how mass production is being recalibrated to local micro-production, how underused asset capacity can be shared at close to zero marginal cost, how enterprises are revisiting their decisions on where to produce in view of the use of robots, how new monopolies are emerging and, last, but not least, the implications of Big Data for economic structures. All these issues have major implications for how we organise our societies, how we tax, how we regulate labour markets, how we organise our welfare states and, in particular, how trade union actions can address these new challenges. While the line of research on innovation cycles and transformation of markets is longstanding, social sciences today are trying to understand the wider implications of the digitalisation of the economy. The literature is fast growing, but it is still asking more questions than it is answering with regard to what we are observing. Transfer will in 2017 publish two issues on the theme of ‘The digital economy and its implications for labour’. This first issue will focus on the specific theme of labour platforms, addressing in particular regulatory issues, while the second issue will engage with broader themes such as the Keynesian consumption dilemma and Basic Income.
Acquisition of Operational Environmental Literacy in Social Studies Course.

Environmental literacy can be defined as having necessary perceptions and competency of health and environmental systems and as being active in developing necessary acts about them. Individuals are expected to use their knowledge and concepts in daily life. The aim of this study is to determine students’ views about operational environmental literacy activities and the effects of these activities on students responsible environmental behavior. The study was used a mixed method. The participants of the study were 22 fourth grade students. Two scales used to determine the effect of responsible environmental behavior. Also, diaries were kept by the students and by the authors about the process of the research. Finally, a significant difference was stated on the attitudes and responsible behaviors of the students concerning the environment. The participants’ views about the process were stated as fun and interesting. Activities to improve operational environmental literacy may be designed to allow for students to actively take part in these activities. Quantitative data collection tools may be developed to analyze operational environmental literacy. Student teachers may be informed about operational environmental literacy in the teacher training programs and teachers may be informed about it through in-service training activities. In addition, parents, school community and non-governmental organizations may also participate in the activities about operational environmental literacy.
Feasibility of Transferring Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Probes to an 18S rRNA Gene Phylochip and Mapping of Signal Intensities

ABSTRACT DNA microarray technology offers the possibility to analyze microbial communities without cultivation, thus benefiting biodiversity studies. We developed a DNA phylochip to assess phytoplankton diversity and transferred 18S rRNA probes from dot blot or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses to a microarray format. Similar studies with 16S rRNA probes have been done determined that in order to achieve a signal on the microarray, the 16S rRNA molecule had to be fragmented, or PCR amplicons had to be <150 bp in length to minimize the formation of a secondary structure in the molecule so that the probe could bind to the target site. We found different results with the 18S rRNA molecule. Four out of 12 FISH probes exhibited false-negative signals on the microarray; eight exhibited strong but variable signals using full-length 18S RNA molecules. A systematic investigation of the probe's accessibility to the 18S rRNA gene was made using Prymenisum parvum as the target. Fourteen additional probes identical to this target covered the regions not tested with existing FISH probes. Probes with a binding site in the first 900 bp of the gene generated positive signals. Six out of nine probes binding in the last 900 bp of the gene produced no signal. Our results suggest that although secondary structure affected probe binding, the effect is not the same for the 18S rRNA gene and the 16S rRNA gene. For the 16S rRNA gene, the secondary structure is stronger in the first half of the molecule, whereas in the 18S rRNA gene, the last half of the molecule is critical. Probe-binding sites within 18S rRNA gene molecules are important for the probe design for DNA phylochips because signal intensity appears to be correlated with the secondary structure at the binding site in this molecule. If probes are designed from the first half of the 18S rRNA molecule, then full-length 18S rRNA molecules can be used in the hybridization on the chip, avoiding the fragmentation and the necessity for the short PCR amplicons that are associated with using the 16S rRNA molecule. Thus, the 18S rRNA molecule is a more attractive molecule for use in environmental studies where some level of quantification is desired. Target size was a minor problem, whereas for 16S rRNA molecules target size rather than probe site was important.
Myth-Busting? Confronting Six Common Perceptions about Unconditional Cash Transfers as a Poverty Reduction Strategy in Africa

This paper summarizes evidence on six perceptions associated with cash transfer programming, using eight rigorous evaluations conducted on large-scale government unconditional cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa under the Transfer Project. Specifically, it investigates if transfers: 1) induce higher spending on alcohol or tobacco; 2) are fully consumed (rather than invested); 3) create dependency (reduce participation in productive activities); 4) increase fertility; 5) lead to negative community-level economic impacts (including price distortion and inflation); and 6) are fiscally unsustainable. The paper presents evidence refuting each claim, leading to the conclusion that these perceptions—insofar as they are utilized in policy debates—undercut potential improvements in well-being and livelihood strengthening among the poor, which these programs can bring about in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally. It concludes by underscoring outstanding research gaps and policy implications for the continued expansion of unconditional cash transfers in the region and beyond.
Mississippi's teacher observation rubric: Administrator perceptions of appropriateness by grade level

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iii DEDICATION . iv LIST OF TABLES . ix CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION . 1 Overview . 1 Teacher Observation Rubrics . 2 Framework for Teaching. 2 M-STAR . 2 Developmental Differences in Students. 4 Instructional Leadership and M-STAR . 5 Theoretical Framework . 6 Statement of the Problem . 9 Research Questions . 10 Definition of Terms. 10 Delimitations . 11 Assumptions . 12 Justification . 12 CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW . 14 v