Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between integrity of foveal photoreceptor layer and visual acuity in branch retinal vein occlusion

Aim: To study the correlation between integrity of the photoreceptor layer after resolution of macular oedema (MO) associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and final visual acuity (VA), and to determine prognostic factors for visual outcome. Methods: We retrospectively studied 46 eyes from 46 patients with resolved MO secondary to BRVO, the foveal thickness of which was less than 250 µm at final observation. We assessed the status of the third high reflectance band (HRB) in the fovea using optical coherence tomography (OCT) at final observation, and studied OCT images taken at the initial visit in the hope of identifying a factor that would be prognostic of visual outcome. Results: No differences were found in initial VA or in foveal thickness between eyes with or without complete third HRB at final observation. However, final VA in eyes without a complete HRB was significantly poorer (p<0.002). Additionally, initial status of the third HRB in the parafoveal area of unaffected retina was associated with final VA; lack of visualisation of the third HRB at 500 µm (p = 0.0104) or 1000 µm (p = 0.0167) from the fovea on initial OCT images was associated with poor visual recovery after resolution of the MO. Conclusion: Integrity of the photoreceptor layer in the fovea is associated with VA in resolved MO, and status of the third HRB before treatment might be predictive of visual outcome.
Understanding farmers' pesticide use in Jharkhand India

The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) identified that indiscriminate pesticide use was common amongst vegetable farmers in Jharkhand State, India. Subsequently, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) research and development project was initiated to promote safe vegetable production. This study employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to gauge farmers' attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control towards pesticides in combination with Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools to adapt an extension program promoting IPM in Jharkhand. Farmers had a strong behavioural intention and favourable attitudes, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control to apply pesticide in the coming season. The extension program is likely to be more successful if it dispels myths of pesticide function and includes women and marginal farmers in activities. The key learnings from the study are that farmers have a favourable intention towards pesticide use; attitude was the most important factor influencing behavioural intention; and the applicability of the TPB to a development extension context.
Personal and Social Comparison Information about Health Risk

This study extended previous research on the impact of personal and social comparison information about health risk by asking respondents what other information they require. A total of 197 students responded to 1 of 12 vignettes describing hypothetical risks of developing pancreatic disease. These vignettes varied in terms of personal risk, comparison group risk and disease severity. Higher threat manipulations elicited higher ratings of negative affect, although perceived ambiguity moderated this effect. When information was more threatening, respondents requested more information, especially about controlling the disease threat. These results indicate the importance of providing unambiguous information, information about how to control a threat and information people want.
A trial of dextromethorphan in parkinsonian patients with motor response complications

The effects of the NMDA antagonist dextromethorphan (DM) on levodopa‐associated dyskinesias and motor fluctuations were studied in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. During initial open‐label dose escalation, 6 of 18 patients reported a beneficial effect at their individually determined optimal DM dose (range, 60–120 mg/day). The 12 remaining patients either experinced reversible side effects, particularly mild drowsiness, or decreased levodopa efficacy, and were therefore excluded from the study. The six responders entered the double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study with two 2‐week arms separted by 1 week wash‐out. On the last day of each arm, motor ratings were performed every 20 minutes for 8 consecutive hours. In addition, motor complications and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and patient diaries. With DM, dyskinesias improved by 25% according to physician's ratings and by 40% accfording to UPDRS interviews, without compromising the anti‐Parkinson effect of levodopa. Motor fluctuations and ADL scores also improved significantly. Although the narrow therapeutic index of DM limits its clinical usefulness, these findings support the view that drugs acting to inhibit glutamatergic transmission at the NMDA receptor can ameliorate levodopa‐associated motor complications.
The effectiveness of staff training focused on increasing emotional intelligence and improving interaction between support staff and clients.

BACKGROUND Recent research addressed the relationship between staff behaviour and challenging behaviour of individuals with an intellectual disability (ID). Consequently, research on interventions aimed at staff is warranted. The present study focused on the effectiveness of a staff training aimed at emotional intelligence and interactions between staff and clients. The effects of the training on emotional intelligence, coping style and emotions of support staff were investigated. METHOD Participants were 214 support staff working within residential settings for individuals with ID and challenging behaviour. The experimental group consisted of 76 staff members, 138 staff members participated in two different control groups. A pre-test, post-test, follow-up control group design was used. Effectiveness was assessed using questionnaires addressing emotional intelligence, coping and emotions. RESULTS Emotional intelligence of the experimental group changed significantly more than that of the two control groups. The experimental group showed an increase in task-oriented coping, whereas one control group did not. The results with regard to emotions were mixed. Follow-up data revealed that effects within the experimental group were still present four months after the training ended. CONCLUSIONS A staff training aimed at emotional intelligence and staff-client interactions is effective in improving emotional intelligence and coping styles of support staff. However, the need for more research aiming at the relationship between staff characteristics, organisational factors and their mediating role in the effectiveness of staff training is emphasised.
Evaluation of serum ascorbic acid levels in acute falciparum malaria

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is a water soluble vitamin which is an antioxidant and has a wide variety of biological functions for growth and development of the human body. It is very es-sential for immune enhancement in human beings. Vitamin C-deficiency and falciparum malaria are two major public health problems in developing countries. Falciparum malaria is associated with significant destruction of erythrocytes and leading to severe anaemia. The present study was delineated to estimate the serum ascorbic acid concentration in 150 acute falciparum-malaria patients (aged two to ten years). Serum ascorbate level concentrations of 20 healthy volunteers (aged two to ten years) were included as controls. The mean serum ascorbic acid concentration of healthy controls was 1.163 ± 0.059 mg/dL and that of diseased cohort was 0.685±0.0145 mg/dL. The mean parasitemia was 1239.2±33.609 per μL. The dis-eased cohort demonstrated significant reduction in concentrations of ascorbic acid in com-parison to healthy controls (p<0.001) and there was inverse relationship (coefficient of cor-relation r = -0.98) between parasitemia and serum ascorbic acid concentration.
A cross-sectional assessment of stress, coping, and burnout in the final-year medical undergraduate students

Background: Medical students undergo significant stress during training which may lead to own suffering or problem in patient care. High level of burnouts and depression is also not uncommon. The transition from preclinical to clinical training has been regarded as crucial to student in relation to the stress. Methodology: An assessment of perceived stress and its relation to general psychopathology, the pattern of coping, and burnout in the final-year medical student was done to bring out clear nature, pattern, and extent of the problem. Results: Perceived stress had statistically significant association with general psychopathology and depressive-anxiety component of burnout. Acceptance, positive reframing, humor, planning, and active coping correlated with lower score on perceived stress. Conclusion: Higher score on perceived stress was associated with higher scores on general psychopathology and burnout. Age of joining MBBS course and doctor in the family did not affect the stress significantly. People who displayed positive coping strategies had lesser stress and general psychopathology.
Effects of parent personality, upbringing, and marijuana use on the parent-child attachment relationship.

OBJECTIVE To examine the predictors of the quality of the parent-child attachment relationship among a sample of 248 young adults with children. METHOD In this longitudinal study, data were collected during early adulthood in 1992 and in 1996/1997 via a structured questionnaire. Using logistic regression and multiple regression analyses, the authors assessed the extent to which participants' personality attributes, substance use, and relationships with their mothers predicted the quality of the parent-child bond. RESULTS Logistic regression models showed that participants with certain personality attributes (e.g., high sensitivity), less frequent marijuana use, or a close relationship with their mothers had a greater likelihood of having a close parent-child attachment relationship with their own children at a later time. Regression analysis also showed that the risk of earlier substance use on the parent-child relationship was offset by protective factors in the parents' personality domain. In addition, protective factors in the various parental domains synergistically interacted with a low frequency of marijuana use, relating to a closer parent-child attachment relationship. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that certain parenting styles are transmitted across generations and interventions in the personality and drug use domains can help increase the likelihood that parents will form close attachment relationships with their own children.
A New Hybrid Method for the Analysis of Surrounded Antennas Mounted on Large Platforms

An efficient technique to provide fast and accurate analysis of wideband surrounded antennas mounted on electrically large platforms is presented and validated in this paper. The hybrid method combines dual-grid finite-difference time domain (DG-FDTD) with iterative physical optics (IPO) to analyze on-platform antenna radiation. In Section IV of this paper, DG-FDTD/IPO is applied to the analysis of a wideband antenna mounted on a vehicle. The ability to address the problem of antenna placement is also demonstrated.
Mevinolin: a highly potent competitive inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and a cholesterol-lowering agent.

Mevinolin, a fungal metabolite, was isolated from cultures of Aspergillus terreus. The structure and absolute configuration of mevinolini and its open acid form, mevinolinic acid, were determined by a combination of physical techniques. Mevinolin was shown to be 1,2,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-beta, delta-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2-methyl-1-oxobutoxy)-1-naphthalene-hepatanoic acid delta-lactone. Mevinolin in the hydroxy-acid form, mevinolinic acid, is a potent competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase [mevalonate: NADP+ oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1. 1.34]; its Ki of 0.6 nM can be compared to 1.4 nM for the hydroxy acid form of the previously described related inhibitor, ML-236B (compactin, 6-demethylmevinolin). In the rat, orally administered sodium mevinolinate was an active inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis in an acute assay (50% inhibitory dose = 46 microgram/kg). Furthermore, it was shown that mevinolin was an orally active cholesterol-lowering agent in the dog. Treatment of dogs for 3 weeks with mevinolin at 8 mg/kg per day resulted in a 29.3 +/- 2.5% lowering of plasma cholesterol.
Ease of Use: A System Design Challenge

While it is becoming increasingly obvious that the fundamental architecture of a system has a profound Influence on the quality of its human factors, the vast majority of human factors studies concern the surface of hardware (keyboards, screens) or the very surface of the software (command names, menu formats). In this paper, we discuss human factors and system architecture. We offer best-guess guidelines for what a system should be like and how it should be developed. In addition, we suggest ways in which advances in research and education could result in systems with better human factors. This paper is based on an address by L. M. Branscomb and a publication by the authors in the Proceedings of the IFIP 9th World Computer Congress, Paris, France, September 19-23, 1983.
Diurnal change in rutin content in Capparis spinosa growing wild in Tafresh/Iran

Capparis spinosa has received considerable scientific interest in recent years, as it is as a source of a variety of biologically active compounds including flavonoids in special rutin. The present study was conducted to determine diurnal change in rutin content in different parts of C.spinosa at fresh fruiting stage. The plants were collected from Tafresh/Iran in August, after dissected into root, stem, leaf, floral bud, flower and fresh fruit they were dried at room temperature and subsequently assayed for rutin content by HPLC. Among different plant parts, floral buds and leaves were found to be the principle organ for rutin. Diurnal changes of rutin were also observed and slightly higher concentration of rutin in whole plant was observed in the morning.
Meaning Moderates the Persuasive Effect of Physical Actions: Buying, Selling, Touching, Carrying, and Cleaning Thoughts as If They Were Commercial Products

We review research showing that the meaning of physical actions matters, that meaning can vary, and that the key element of meaning to affect judgments is the perceived validity of the thoughts. This article first describes studies on embodied persuasion for which changing the meaning of a behavior also changes the effect of that behavior on attitudes. Second, this article focuses on the impact of objects that people wear on their judgments. The last section covers a paradigm in which thoughts are treated as if they were consumer products (e.g., buying vs. selling thoughts). Across these three sections, we argue that judgmental effects having to do with the physical actions and physical objects associated with concepts such as intelligence, power, and happiness, all can work by the same mechanism. That is, the important factor concerns the impact each of these has on the perceived validity of one’s thoughts.
One Hundred Years of Employee Turnover Theory and Research

We review seminal publications on employee turnover during the 100-year existence of the Journal of Applied Psychology. Along with classic articles from this journal, we expand our review to include other publications that yielded key theoretical and methodological contributions to the turnover literature. We first describe how the earliest papers examined practical methods for turnover reduction or control and then explain how theory development and testing began in the mid-20th century and dominated the academic literature until the turn of the century. We then track 21st century interest in the psychology of staying (rather than leaving) and attitudinal trajectories in predicting turnover. Finally, we discuss the rising scholarship on collective turnover given the centrality of human capital flight to practitioners and to the field of human resource management strategy.
Efficacy and Safety of Adalimumab in Ulcerative Colitis Refractory to Conventional Therapy in Routine Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Adalimumab [ADA] was approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis [UC] refractory to conventional therapy in 2012 in Europe. Due to the observed discrepancies between clinical trials and practice, data on the outcome of ADA therapy are really needed from the real life. The aim of this study was to estimate the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of ADA in UC patients from each Hungarian biological centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective study consisted of UC patients treated with ADA in 10 Hungarian inflammatory bowel disease centres. The primary endpoints of the study were rates of continuous clinical response, remission, non-response and loss of response at Weeks 12, 30, and 52.The secondary endpoints included mucosal healing at Week 52 and the comparison of the efficacy of ADA between biological naive and infliximab [IFX]-treated groups. Colonoscopy was performed before starting the therapy and at Week 52. RESULTS In all, 73 active UC patients were enrolled in the study: 67.1% of the patients received previous IFX therapy; 75.3% of the patients showed short-term clinical response at Week 12. The probability of maintaining ADA was 48.6% at Week 52 with a continuous clinical response in 92% of these remaining patients. Mucosal healing was achieved in 48.1% of the patients at Week 52. Escalation of ADA was performed in 17.6%, and minor side effects developed in 4% of the patients; 5.4% of the patients underwent colectomy during the 1-year treatment period. CONCLUSION UC is a progressive disease that may need early aggressive therapy to prevent structural and functional complications. The results of our study demonstrated the favourable efficacy of short- and long-term ADA treatment for patients with UC.
Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of osteoporosis

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. It is caused by perturbations of bone remodeling, the coupled process whereby bone is continually resorbed and formed in small discrete units. Despite the availability of cost-effective pharmacological agents that reduce fracture risk, many patients who could benefit from treatment are not receiving it. Advances in the understanding of the molecular regulators of bone remodeling have led to the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention. Monoclonal antibodies directed to these targets have recently been developed, providing new ways of modulating bone remodeling that may provide additional benefits beyond previously available therapy. Areas covered: An approved fully human monoclonal antibody to receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, the principal regulator of osteoclastic bone resorption, reduces the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Monoclonal antibodies in development include inhibitors of sclerostin and Dickhopf1, with osteoanabolic activity that may be beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis. Expert opinion: Monoclonal antibodies to molecular regulators of bone remodeling represent a new class of compounds for the management of osteoporosis and other skeletal disorders associated with an imbalance of bone resorption and formation.
Unresolving trismus following third molar surgery: Report of a case of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva with review of literature

Abstract Background: Trismus is a problem commonly encountered by the dental practitioner. It has a number of potential causes, and its treatment will depend on the cause. However, there are very few reports of trismus due to fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) following third molar surgery. Clinical Presentation: FOP is a rare human genetic disorder with characteristic clinical features like progressive formation of extraskeletal bone or heterotopic ossification and congenital malformation of the great toes. Clinical Significance: It is troublesome to the maxillofacial surgeon, that minimal manipulation and minor surgery can induce bone formation in soft tissues of the head and neck region, particularly the masticatory muscles and the temporomandibular joint. This paper presents a case of severe trismus following third molar extraction, intractable by routine treatment methods, which was later diagnosed as FOP.
CEREBRAL METABOLIC AND CIRCULATORY CHANGES INDUCED BY HYPOXIA IN STARVED RATS

In order to study cerebral metabolic and circulatory effects of hypoxia under conditions of restricted glucose supply, the arterial Po2, was reduced to 25–30mm Hg in artificially ventilated and lightly anaesthetized rats that were starved for 24 or 48 h prior to experiments. Arterial glucose concentrations, that were initially around 6μmol g‐1, were significantly reduced after 15min of hypoxia, and decreased to 50o of control after 30min.
Anxiolytic effects of hippocampal neurosteroids in normal and neuropathic rats with spared nerve injury

Neurosteroids are synthesized in the nervous system from cholesterol or steroidal precursors imported from peripheral sources. These compounds are important allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors, which play a vital role in modulating hippocampal functions. Chronic pain is accompanied by increased neurosteroid production in the spinal cord and thalamus. We hypothesize that hippocampal neurosteroids participate in pain or pain‐associated emotions, which we tested with high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacological behavioral tests. We observed increased levels of hippocampal neurosteroids (pregnenolone, progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, and allopregnanolone) in rats with chronic neuropathic pain (28 days after spared nerve injury). Meanwhile, the expression of the translocator protein, the upstream steroidogenesis rate‐limiting enzyme, increased in the ventral but not dorsal hippocampus of neuropathic rats. In both naïve and neuropathic rats, in vivo stereotaxic microinjection of PK 11195, the translocator protein inhibitor, into the ventral hippocampus exacerbated anxiety‐like behaviors. These results indicate anxiolytic effects of hippocampal neurosteroids in both normal and neuropathic rats. Neurosteroids could be considered as agents for treatment of general and pain‐related anxiety disorders.
Alcohol and suicide in postconflict northern Uganda: a qualitative psychological autopsy study.

BACKGROUND Alcohol has been noted to be an important factor in nearly 68% of the suicides in Northern Uganda, yet exactly how alcohol contributes to suicide in this region has not been studied. AIMS To determine how alcohol contributes to suicide in this region. METHODS Qualitative psychological autopsy interviews were conducted with bereaved relatives and friends of 20 suicides mainly from Internally Displaced Peoples' camps in Northern Uganda. Data were analyzed using a modified Interpretative Phenomenological analysis (IPA). RESULTS Alcohol had a direct or an indirect influence on the suicide of 16 out of the 20 decedents. Directly, alcohol facilitated the suicidal process, was a means to suicide, or had an influence on the decedents' lifestyles. Indirectly, alcohol had an influence on the suicidal process of the deceased through the drinking behavior of significant others. CONCLUSIONS This study established that alcohol not only contributes to the suicidal process of the individuals through acute and chronic alcohol consumption, but also through victimization of those lowest in the power hierarchy by alcohol abusers higher up in the power hierarchy. Therefore, future development of suicide prevention programs should address the interrelated public health problem of alcohol abuse.