Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Our midterm restenosis results using patch angioplasty closure versus primary closure in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: A comparative study

Objectives: This study aims to compare midterm results of patch angioplasty with primary closure techniques in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in terms of restenosis. Patients and methods: This prospective, single-center, randomized study included a total of 137 patients (42 females, 95 males; mean age 64.4±8.8 years; range 36 to 86 years) who underwent CEA between January 2010 and October 2015. The patients were divided into two groups: the patch angioplasty group (n=70) and the primary closure group (n=67). The mean follow-up was 2-7 years. Carotid computed tomography angiography was performed to evaluate restenosis. Restenosis was defined as a lesion of >70% in diameter. Results: During midterm follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference in the restenosis rate between the two surgical closure techniques (p=0.729). Conclusion: Our study results show that the restenosis rate is similar using both closure techniques in patients undergoing CEA.
Stocks and management units of Micropogonias furnieri ( Desmarest , 1823 ) in southwestern Atlantic

The whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri is a demersal coastal and estuarine sciaenid fish intensely exploited by small and large scale fisheries in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina between 22° and 40°S. To study the stocks structure of the whitemouth croaker along southeastern (SEB) and southern Brazil (SB) between 22°28’ and 33°53’S, morphometric, meristic and growth data were collected during a bottom trawl survey. Consistent differences between different latitudes were not observed neither for the univariate comparisons of the number of gill rakers and dorsal and pectoral fin rays nor for five morphometric measurements. A principal component analysis of the five morphometric measures did not show a geographical grouping pattern. However, the age structure and growth differed significantly between south and north of Cape Santa Marta Grande (29◦S). Former references and this study support the existence of two independent stocks of whitemouth croaker in southeastern and southern Brazil and diverse published studies indicate some degree of mixture between fishes spawning along southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. In terms of access of the fleets there are three jurisdictions: along SB and SEB, where only Brazilian boats fish, in the common fishery zone of Uruguay and Argentina where both countries fish and south of 39oS, where only Argentinian boats can fish but where the whitemouth croaker is not an important target. Efficient management requires the identification of management units based in stocks structure, life history, distribution of the fisheries and jurisdictions. When all these factors are taken into account, excluding local coastal small scale fisheries management, three geographical management units were identified in the shared waters of Argentinian and Uruguayan waters, southern Brazil and southeastern Brazil.
Mathematical Beliefs in an "Early Teaching Experience".

The research in this paper explores the possibilities of challenging preservice teachers' mathematical beliefs through a specifically designed early field experience intended to encourage both reflective analysis and.instructional skill acquisition. The subjects in this one-semester study were 25 preservice elementary teachers at a small, private, liberal arts college in north-central Indiana. The study involved collecting data by administering three mathematical beliefs inventories, observing classroom teaching episodes, analyzing students' written lesson plans and reflective evaluation reports, and conducting int'erviews with selected preservice teachers and their respective supervising.classroom teachers. The theoretical framework of this research was based on the premise that beliefs and practices are not linear-causal but are more interactive in nature. Results indicated that key beliefs do influence choices of content and methods in instructional settings and that particular aspects of a first teaching experience have differential effects on beliefs related to personal teaching efficacy, curriculum content, roles of teacher and student, and appropriate learning tasks. Contains 24 references. (MKR) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************************************** MATHEMATICAL BELIEFS IN AN "EARLY TEACHING EXPERIENCE" Ronald M. Benbow Department of Mathematics Taylor University Upland, IN 46989 rnbenbow@tayloru.edu "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS M TE IAL H BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (EMI.U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office ol Educationei Research &no improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
Comparative Evaluation of Blood Glucose Level in Gingival Crevicular Blood and Serum in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Periodontitis : A Clinicobiochemical Study

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most incessant metabolic afflictions with a high prevalence rate in Indians. Diagnosis of diabetics in the initial stage helps to prevent its longterm complications that are responsible for high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to assess whether glucometric analysis using gingival crevicular blood (GCB) can be used for screening of diabetic patients in dental chair. Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients were selected and samples of GCB and intravenous blood (IVB) were collected. Prior to collection of the samples, the probing pocket depth was measured. From each patient, blood sample from the two sites, i.e., GCB and IVB, was analyzed for blood glucose values. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48.4 ± 12.16 years. The intravenous value (mg/dL) in diabetics was 246.8 ± 97.8 and the GCB value (mg/dL) was 195.3 ± 64.3. There was an extremely significant difference in intravenous values (mg/dL) and GCB value (mg/dL ) in diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis (p = 0.0009). Conclusion: The results of this study concluded that glucometer (ACCU-CHEK) is not an authentic chair-side method of assessment of diabetic patients using GCB.
Spontaneous long‐term compensatory dopaminergic sprouting in MPTP‐treated mice

The present study sought to determine whether severe 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intoxication elicits spontaneous long‐term compensatory sprouting in mice. Animals, once treated, were kept without further treatment for 0.5, 1, 5, or 7 months. The stability of the nigral degeneration was checked by evaluation of the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH‐IR) neurons, whereas sprouting was assessed using both [3H]‐dopamine (DA) uptake by striatal synaptosomes and optical density of TH‐immunolabeled fibers in the striatum as markers. At 0.5 month after MPTP intoxication (80 mg/kg, i.p.), we observed comparable decreases of 83% in DA uptake, 83.3% in TH fiber density, and 74% in the number of TH‐IR neurons compared to age‐matched saline‐treated animals. From 5 months onwards, both DA uptake and striatal TH fiber density increased significantly (50% and 34.9% at 5 months, 65% and 67.4% at 7 months, respectively) in comparison with age‐matched saline‐treated animals, although the number of TH‐IR neurons remained stable (73% of degeneration at 7 months). These results indicate clearly that spontaneous long‐term compensatory dopaminergic sprouting is a phenomenon that is not restricted to situations of partial nigral degeneration but can, on the contrary, constitute a response even to severe stable MPTP‐induced nigral degeneration. Synapse 38:363–368, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Impact of Remittances on Poverty Alleviation in Selected Emerging Markets

Abstract The study explored the impact of remittances on poverty in selected emerging markets. On the theoretical front, the optimistic view argued that remittances inflow into the labour exporting country reduces poverty whereas the pessimistic view proponents said that remittances dependence syndrome retards both economic growth and income per capita. Separately, using two measures of poverty [the poverty headcount ratio at US $1.90 and US $3.10 a day (% of population)] as dependent variables, the fixed effects approach produced results which supported the remittances led poverty reduction (optimistic) hypothesis whereas the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) framework found that remittances inflow into the selected emerging markets led to an increase in poverty levels. The implication of the findings is that emerging markets should put in place policies that attract migrant remittances in order to reduce poverty levels. They should avoid over-reliance on remittances as that might retard economic growth and income per capita.
[Prevalence of risk factors associated with hepatitis C in blood donors in the municipality of Durango, Mexico].

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of anti-viral hepatitis C antibodies (HCV-Ab+) in voluntary blood donors and to identify the main risk factors associated with it. MATERIAL AND METHODS A case-control study was conducted over a 20-month period beginning in June 1993. A clinical history was obtained from all blood donors seen at the Centro Estatal de la Transfusión Sanguínea (State Blood Transfusion Center) and the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Durango, Mexico. HCV-Ab+ was determined in 5 915 serum assays using the second generation enzymatic immunoassay (UBI HCV EIA). RESULTS The prevalence of HCV-Ab+ was 1.47 per 100 donors. The HCV-Ab+ prevalence was similar for urban and rural donors (1.54% and 1.34%) with no history of work migration. The main risk factors associated with HCV were a history of transfusions, (odds ratio -OR- 14.80, 95% confidence interval -CI-4.97-47.17) and sexual promiscuity or intercourse with prostitutes, (OR 6.53, 95% CI 2.61-16.54). CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of HCV-Ab+ may be explained by the lack of epidemiological surveillance of the population at risk. These data underscore the need for routine screening of HCV-Ab among voluntary blood donors and male or female prostitutes.
Thermal Inactivation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Lyophilised Blood Products Evaluated by ID50 Titrations

Abstract. Inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in lyophilised small pool cryoprecipitate, factor VIII concentrate, prothrombin complex and C1 ‐esterase inhibitor concentrate by prolonged heat treatment (72 h, 60° C) was studied. Plasma products, inoculated prior to lyophilisation, had infectious titres ranging from 107 to 1010.5. Residual infectivity (TCID50) was assessed by multiple titrations on H9 cells in a macro system and subsequent detection of virus replication by determining reverse transcriptase activity. Kinetics of inactivation showed a biphasic pattern: during the first 8 h a variable TCID50 reduction up to 104.3 was observed, followed by an additional loss of 101–102.7 during the next 64 h. Heat treatment for 72 h resulted in a mean TCID50 reduction of 105. It is concluded that prolonged heat treatment may lead to the adequate prevention of HIV transmission by lyophilised plasma products.
Fluency and Feeling of Rightness

Feeling of Rightness (FOR) is a metacognitive experience accompanying people's intuitive answers that predicts the probability of subsequently changing answers (Thompson, Prowse Turner, & Pennycook, 2011). Previous research suggested FOR judgments are influenced by cues such as fluency, i.e., the ease with which an answer comes to mind. In the current paper, we examine the relationship between FOR, fluency, and answer changes; in particular, we were interested in whether answer fluency drives the effect of FOR on subsequent behaviours pertaining to answer changes. Reasoners (N = 64) in each of four experiments were asked to determine the validity of 32 syllogisms that consisted of single-model and multiple-model problems. In addition, each problem was randomly paired with a question containing either a high anchor value (80% or 90%) or a low anchor value (10% or 20%). In the first two experiments, reasoners then provided a FOR rating on a scale from 0 to 100 and indicated whether they would like to attempt to re-answer the question. The last two experiments served as the control experiments in which the FOR judgements were removed. The anchoring manipulation affected FOR judgments but not re-answer choices; it also did not affect answer fluency. Thus influencing FOR without affecting answer fluency had no effect on people's subsequent re-answer choices. In contrast, fluency was a reliable predictor of both FOR and re-answer choices. That is, when answers came to mind slowly, FORs were lower and people were more likely to choose to re-answer the problems. Thus, fluency appears to mediate the relationship between FOR and re-answer choices.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Statins in Experimental Stroke

Background and purpose Statins are postulated as candidate drugs for the treatment of acute stroke. The aim of this study was to critically appraise the evidence for the efficacy of statins administered after the onset of experimental focal cerebral ischemia. Methods We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies reporting the efficacy of any statin administered following middle cerebral artery occlusion. The primary outcome measure was infarct volume. Assessment of study quality and range of evidence were undertaken, and prespecified sub-group analyses were performed. Results Eighteen published studies describing outcome in 472 animals were identified. Statins reduced infarct volume by 11·2% (95% confidence interval 8·1% to 14·3%, P < 0·001) and improved the neurological severity score by 0·7 points (95% confidence interval 0·4 to 1·1, P < 0·0001). Efficacy was evident up to three-hours post-middle cerebral artery occlusion. Median study quality score was 7 of 13 (interquartile range, 4 to 11). No studies tested efficacy in aged, female, or hypertensive animals; or in species other than rodents. Conclusions These findings suggest that statins administered after middle cerebral artery occlusion have modest efficacy. Effects of potential sources of bias are considered likely to reduce the estimated effect from this review.
Health literacy among Iranian adults: findings from a nationwide population-based survey in 2015.

Background Health literacy is one of the most important determinants of noncommunicable diseases prevention. Health literacy is associated with elevated risks for poorer access to care, adverse health outcomes, and increased hospitalization and health costs. Aims This study aimed to determine the level of health literacy among the general adult population in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods Using a cross-sectional study during 2014-2015 with a multistage cluster sampling approach, we administered a pilot-tested standardized questionnaire to assess different domains of health literacy (i.e., reading, comprehension, communication/decision-making and Interpretation/judgment skills, individual and social empowerment, health information access and health information use) among 8439 (3935 males) individuals aged 18-60 years. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression method using SPSS (20) were applied to identify the factors associated with health literacy among Iranian adults. Results The mean health literacy level was 10.2±3.8 (out of 20). Only 18% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.15-18.78) of the participants had adequate health literacy, while 45.7% (95% CI: 44.64-46.78) had inadequate, and the 36.3% (95% CI: 35.21-37.33) had moderate health literacy. In the adjusted linear regression model, education level (the smallest β = 4.35, P < 0.001), age (β = 0.01, P = 0.002), female sex (β = 0.45, P < 0.001), residency in rural areas (β = 0.26, P < 0.001) and having permanent job (β = 1.03, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with more health literacy. Conclusion Our findings highlighted that the Iranian adult population has an insufficient level of health literacy, which calls for comprehensive education planning to improve the levels, with special attention to certain subpopulations (e.g. illiterate populations) and domains (e.g. individual empowerment).
Using Stocks or Portfolios in Tests of Factor Models

We examine the efficiency of using individual stocks or portfolios as base assets to test asset pricing models using cross-sectional data. The literature has argued that creating portfolios reduces idiosyncratic volatility and allows more precise estimates of factor loadings, and consequently risk premia. We show analytically and empirically that smaller standard errors of portfolio beta estimates do not lead to smaller standard errors of cross-sectional coefficient estimates. Factor risk premia standard errors are determined by the cross-sectional distributions of factor loadings and residual risk. Portfolios destroy information by shrinking the dispersion of betas, leading to larger standard errors.
Update on the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of cobalt compounds

OBJECTIVE To integrate recent understandings of the mechanisms of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of the different cobalt compounds. METHOD A narrative review of the studies published since the last IARC assessment in 1991 (genotoxicity, experimental carcinogenesis, and epidemiology). RESULTS Two different mechanisms of genotoxicity, DNA breakage induced by cobalt metal and especially hard metal particles, and inhibition of DNA repair by cobalt (II) ions contribute to the carcinogenic potential of cobalt compounds. There is evidence that soluble cobalt (II) cations exert a genotoxic and carcinogenic activity in vitro and in vivo in experimental systems but evidence in humans is lacking. Experimental data indicate some evidence of a genotoxic potential for cobalt metal in vitro in human lymphocytes but there is no evidence available of a carcinogenic potential. There is evidence that hard metal particles exert a genotoxic and carcinogenic activity in vitro and in human studies, respectively. There is insufficient information for cobalt oxides and other compounds. CONCLUSION Although many areas of uncertainty remain, an assessment of the carcinogenicity of cobalt and its compounds requires a clear distinction between the different compounds of the element and needs to take into account the different mechanisms involved.
A Note on the Predictive Power of Survey Data in Nowcasting Euro Area GDP

This paper investigates the trade-off between timeliness and quality in nowcasting practices. This trade-off arises when the frequency of the variable to be nowcast, such as GDP, is quarterly, while that of the underlying panel data is monthly; and the latter contains both survey and macroeconomic data. These two categories of data have different properties regarding timeliness and quality: the survey data are timely available (but might possess less predictive power), while the macroeconomic data possess more predictive power (but are not timely available because of their publication lags). In our empirical analysis, we use a modified dynamic factor model which takes three refinements for the standard dynamic factor model of Stock and Watson (2002) into account, namely mixed frequency, pre-selections and co-integration among the economic variables. Our main finding from a historical nowcasting simulation based on euro area GDP is that the predictive power of the survey data depends on the economic circumstances, namely, that survey data are more useful in tranquil times, and less so in times of turmoil.
Lens Connexin 46 fs 380 Causes Progressive Cataracts

Citation: Berthoud VM, Minogue PJ, Yu H, Snabb JI, Beyer EC. Connexin46fs380 causes progressive cataracts. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014;55:6639–6648. DOI:10.1167/ iovs.14-15012 PURPOSE. Although many connexin46 (Cx46) mutants have been linked to inherited human cataracts, there are no adequate animal models for their study. The current experiments were designed to characterize the consequences of expression of one such mutant, Cx46fs380, in the mouse lens.
Effects of gender and genotype on the response of growing pigs to exogenous administration of porcine growth hormone.

Sixty crossbred pigs (Large White x Landrace) were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment to investigate the effects of gender (intact males vs females) and strain (A vs B) on the response to exogenous porcine growth hormone (pGH) administration (0 [excipient-treated] vs .1 mg pGH.kg live weight-1.d-1). All pigs had ad libitum access to their diet; pGH was administered daily from 60 to 90 kg live weight. All aspects of growth performance and body composition were affected to different degrees by gender and pGH. Strain A pigs had a higher capacity for protein accretion, superior growth performance and contained less fat in the eviscerated carcass and empty body compared with Strain B pigs. Within each strain, intact males ate more feed, had a higher rate of protein deposition and exhibited faster and leaner growth than females. Exogenous pGH administration increased average protein deposition and growth rate by 84 and 34%, respectively, and reduced average feed intake, fat deposition rate, feed:gain and carcass fat content by 14, 59, 37 and 33%, respectively. The magnitude of the changes in growth performance, tissue accretion rates and body composition elicited by pGH were independent of strain. However, within each strain the improvement in feed:gain and reduction in carcass fat measurements elicited by pGH were proportionately larger for females than for intact males.
LEARNED BASIS FUNCTIONS

The recent rise in popularity of few-shot learning algorithms has enabled models to quickly adapt to new tasks based on only a few training samples. Previous few-shot learning works have mainly focused on classification and reinforcement learning. In this paper, we propose a few-shot meta learning system that focuses exclusively on regression tasks. Our model is based on the idea that the degree of freedom of the unknown function can be significantly reduced if it is represented as a linear combination of a set of appropriate basis functions. This enables a few labelled samples to approximate the function. We design a Feature Extractor network to encode basis functions for a task distribution, and a Weights Generator to generate the weight vector for a novel task. We show that our model outperforms the current state of the art meta-learning methods in various regression tasks.