Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Transcorneal and Pars Plana Routes in Pediatric Cataract Surgery in Infants Using a 25-Gauge Vitrectomy System.

PURPOSE To demonstrate and compare the performance of the 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system via anterior (transcorneal) and posterior (pars plana) routes in congenital cataracts in infants. METHODS In this prospective interventional study, 12 pediatric patients younger than 1 year with bilateral congenital cataract were included to undergo cataract surgery with posterior vitreorhexis and limited anterior vitrectomy using a 25-gauge vitrectomy system. One eye of each patient was operated on by the anterior (transcorneal) route and the other by the posterior (pars plana) route. All eyes were left aphakic. Intraoperative and postoperative (12 months after surgery) results were compared between the two routes, including visual axis opacification and astigmatism. All eyes were rehabilitated with contact lenses or spectacles. RESULTS The 25-gauge vitrectomy system allowed excellent intraoperative control in both groups. Postoperatively, there was minimal conjunctival congestion, corneal edema, and inflammatory reaction. No intra-operative or postoperative complications were noted in any eye. All eyes had a clear visual axis 12 months after surgery. Mean spherical equivalent was 15.50 ± 2.28 diopters (D) and mean astigmatism was 0.25 ± 0.45 D in the transcorneal group, whereas in the pars plana group it was 15.46 ± 2.45 D and 0.16 ± 0.39 D, respectively, at 12 months, the difference being statistically insignificant (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The 25-gauge vitrectomy system allows sutureless surgery with excellent intraoperative control and minimal postoperative inflammation and astigmatism with clear visual axis by both the transcorneal and pars plana routes.
Finitistic dimension and a homological generalization of semi-primary rings

Introduction. If P is a ring and M a left P-module, then homological algebra attaches three dimensions to M, projective, weak, and injective(1)By taking the supremum of one of these dimensions as M ranges over all left P-modules, one obtains one of the left "global" dimensions of R. Auslander and Buchsbaum [3] and, subsequently, Serre [14], found it relevant and fruitful, in the study of commutative Noetherian rings, to introduce a "finitistic global" dimension defined by restricting the supremum of projective dimensions to finitely generated modules of finite projective dimension. The impressive theory developed by these authors prompted Kaplansky to consider, for general commutative rings, a similar finitistic dimension (waiving the restriction, in the above, to finitely generated modules), and, in a seminar at the University of Chicago (1958), he proved the theorem below, characterizing commutative rings R for which this dimension vanishes. This result is the origin of the present paper. Definition. If N is an ideal in a ring P, we say that N is left T-nilpotent i"T" ior transfinite) if, given any sequence {at} of elements in N, there exists an re such that ai • • • an = 0. iRight T-nilpotence requires instead that a„ • • • oi = 0. )
Do research papers provide enough information on design and material used in ankle foot orthoses for children with cerebral palsy? A systematic review

Objectives The purpose of this article is to determine how many of the current peer-reviewed studies of ankle foot or-thoses (AFOs) on children with cerebral palsy (CP) have included adequate details of the design and material of the AFO, to enable the study to be reproduced and outcomes clearly understood. Methods A thorough search of studies published in English was conducted in March 2015, with no restriction on dates, within all major databases using relevant phrases. These searches were then supplemented by tracking all key references from the appropriate articles identified. Study selection The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) population - children with CP; (2) intervention - AFOs; and (3) outcome measure. One reviewer extracted data regarding the characteristics of the included studies, with the extracted data checked for accuracy and completeness by a second reviewer. None of the studies reviewed gave adequate details of the AFOs. Only 3.6% (n = 2) of papers tested the stiffness. Many studies (54.5%) did not describe the material used nor the material thickness (72.7 %). None of them gave any clinical justification for the chosen design of AFO. Conclusions There is a clear paucity of detail regarding the design and material used in AFOs on studies involving children with CP. Such a lack of detail has the potential to affect the validity of the reported outcomes, the ability to reproduce the studies and may misinform clinical practice.
Capacity scaling in large wireless networks

We consider networks consisting of nodes with radios, and without any wired infrastructure, thus necessitating all communication to take place only over shared wireless medium. We focus mainly on the flat fading channel model. We study capacity scaling laws in such systems when the number of nodes gets large. We show that in extended networks (network with constant density of users) capacity scales sub-linearly in number of nodes. Thus, when number of nodes gets large, performance of such system inevitably goes to zero. We show also that in the case of condensed networks (all the nodes are situated in some bounded area) capacity can scale super-linearly in the number of nodes. Finally, we present and analyze particular architecture which achieves capacity bound in the case of condensed network.
TLR2-dependent Modulation of Osteoclastogenesis by Porphyromonas gingivalis through Differential Induction of NFATc1 and NF-κB*

Osteolytic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, and periodontitis, are usually associated with bacterial infections. However, the precise mechanisms by which bacteria induce bone loss still remain unclear. Evidence exists that Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling regulates both inflammation and bone metabolism and that the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and its receptor RANK are the key regulators for bone remodeling and for the activation of osteoclasts. Here, we investigate the direct effects of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis on osteoclast differentiation and show that P. gingivalis differentially modulates RANKL-induced osteoclast formation contingent on the state of differentiation of osteoclast precursors. In addition, although an optimal induction of cytokines by P. gingivalis is dependent on TLR2 and TLR4, as well as myeloid differentiation factor 88 and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β, P. gingivalis utilizes TLR2/ myeloid differentiation factor 88 in modulating osteoclast differentiation. P. gingivalis modulates RANKL-induced osteoclast formation by differential induction of NFATc1 and c-Fos. More importantly, RANKL-mediated lineage commitment also has an impact on P. gingivalis-induced cytokine production. RANKL inhibits P. gingivalis-induced cytokine production by down-regulation of TLR/NF-κB and up-regulation of NFATc1. Our findings reveal novel aspects of the interactions between TLR and RANK signaling and provide a new model for understanding the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of bacteria-mediated bone loss.
Role of stream ice on fall and winter movements and habitat use by bull trout and cutthroat trout in Montana headwater streams

Abstract We used radiotelemetry and underwater observation to assess fall and winter movements and habitat use by bull trout Salvelinus confluentus and westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi in two headwater streams in the Bitterroot River drainage, Montana, that varied markedly in habitat availability and stream ice conditions. Bull trout and cutthroat trout made extensive (>1 km) downstream overwintering movements with declining temperature in the fall. Most fish remained stationary for the remainder of the study (until late February), but some fish made additional downstream movements (1.1–1.7 km) in winter during a low-temperature (⩽1°C) period marked by anchor ice formation. Winter movement was more extensive in the mid-elevation stream where frequent freezing and thawing led to variable surface ice cover and frequent supercooling (<0°C). Habitat use of both species varied with availability; beaver ponds and pools with large woody debris were preferred in one stream, and pools with boul.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) is highly expressed in liposarcoma and promotes migration and proliferation

Aberrations of specialized metabolic pathways might be implicated in the development of neoplasias. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand‐activated transcription factors with important functions in metabolism. PPARβ/δ and PPARγ act in the proliferation and differentiation of adipose tissue progenitor cells. Thus, a potential use of PPARγ agonists for the treatment of liposarcoma had been suggested, but clinical trials failed to detect beneficial effects. We show here that PPARδ is highly expressed in liposarcoma compared to lipoma and correlates with proliferation. Stimulation of liposarcoma cell lines with a specific PPARδ agonist increases proliferation, which is abolished by a PPARδ–siRNA or a specific PPARδ antagonist. Expression of the adipose tissue secretory factor leptin is lower in liposarcoma compared to lipoma and leptin reduces proliferation of liposarcoma cell lines. PPARδ activation stimulates cell migration whereas leptin diminishes it. We demonstrate that PPARδ directly represses leptin as: (a) leptin becomes down‐regulated upon PPARδ activation; (b) PPARδ represses leptin promoter activity in different sarcoma cell lines; (c) deletion of a PPAR/RxR binding element in the leptin promoter abolishes repression by PPARδ; and (d) in chromatin immunoprecipitation we confirm in vivo binding of PPARδ to the leptin promoter. Our data suggest inhibition of PPARδ as a potential novel strategy to reduce liposarcoma cell proliferation. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal relationships between subjective fatigue, cognitive function, and everyday functioning in old age

ABSTRACT Background: The present study examined the prospective relationships between subjective fatigue, cognitive function, and everyday functioning. Methods: A cohort study with secondary data analysis was conducted using data from 2,781 community-dwelling older adults without dementia who were enrolled to participate in the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) randomized intervention trial. Measures included demographic and health information at baseline, and annual assessments of subjective fatigue, cognitive function (i.e. speed of processing, memory, and reasoning), and everyday functioning (i.e. everyday speed and everyday problem-solving) over five years. Results: Four distinct classes of subjective fatigue were identified using growth mixture modeling: one group complaining fatigue “some of the time” at baseline but “most of the time” at five-year follow-up (increased fatigue), one complaining fatigue “a good bit of the time” constantly over time (persistent fatigue), one complaining fatigue “most of the time” at baseline but “some of the time” at five-year follow-up (decreased fatigue), and the fourth complaining fatigue “some of the time” constantly over time (persistent energy). All domains of cognitive function and everyday functioning declined significantly over five years; and the decline rates, but not the baseline levels, differed by the latent class of subjective fatigue. Except for the decreased fatigue class, there were different degrees of significant associations between the decline rates of subjective fatigue and all domains of cognitive function and everyday functioning in other classes of subjective fatigue. Conclusion: Future interventions should address subjective fatigue when managing cognitive and functional abilities in community-dwelling older adults.
Effects of ovariohysterectomy on intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal perfusion pressure in cats

Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and abdominal perfusion pressure (APP) have shown clinical relevance in monitoring critically ill human beings submitted to abdominal surgery. Only a few studies have been performed in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess how pregnancy and abdominal surgery may affect IAP and APP in healthy cats. For this purpose, pregnant (n=10) and non-pregnant (n=11) queens undergoing elective spaying, and tomcats (n=20, used as controls) presented for neutering by scrotal orchidectomy were included in the study. IAP, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), APP, heart rate and rectal temperature (RT) were determined before, immediately after, and four hours after surgery. IAP increased significantly immediately after abdominal surgery in both female groups when compared with baseline (P<0.05) and male (P<0.05) values, and returned to initial perioperative readings four hours after surgery. Tomcats and pregnant females (P<0.05) showed an increase in MAP and APP immediately after surgery decreasing back to initial perioperative values four hours later. A significant decrease in RT was appreciated immediately after laparotomy in both pregnant and non-pregnant queens. IAP was affected by abdominal surgery in this study, due likely to factors, such as postoperative pain and hypothermia. Pregnancy did not seem to affect IAP in this population of cats, possibly due to subjects being in early stages of pregnancy.
Child-care subsidies and child-care choices over time.

The evidence to date on the federal child-care subsidy program's effect on preschool child-care quality is mixed. However, an as-yet untested outcome of subsidy receipt is subsequent child-care choice. Specifically, it is possible that subsidy receipt in toddlerhood increases the likelihood of attending other publicly funded preschool programs-Head Start and public pre-k-that provide the highest quality care available to low-income families. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (n ≈ 2,100; approximately 2 years old), this study finds that subsidy receipt during toddlerhood predicts greater use of the other forms of publicly funded care in the preschool year, although only if the earlier subsidy is used in a center. These results highlight a previously unconsidered potential benefit of the subsidy program.
[AIDS. Less risk for the circumcised].

The author comments on a New England Journal of Medicine report on HIV infection among men with sexually transmitted diseases. Of 340 men who visited a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases in Nairobi Kenya 11.2% were HIV-positive. The infection was nearly exclusively traceable to heterosexual contact with prostitutes who are about 85% HIV infected in Kenya. One aspect of the study worthy of comment however is that the HIV seropositive finding was negatively correlated with being circumcised. The author suggests that circumcision made the discovery and treatment of primary effects such as syphilis or chancre more easily discovered and treated and thus the circumcised men were less susceptible to HIV infection. This leads to the conclusion that avoidance and treatment of other sexually transmitted diseases can be of great importance in limiting the spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
No evidence of attentional deficits in stabilized bipolar youth relative to unipolar and control comparators.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the presence or absence of attentional problems and prior diagnosis of ADHD in a cohort of stabilized bipolar I relative to unipolar and normal control. METHOD Indices of attention were obtained from bipolar (n = 44), unipolar (n = 30), and normal controls (n = 45). Measures included: Freedom from Distractibility (FD) Composite Index of the WISC III, Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), and a checklist measure of subjective cognitive/attentional problems (SIP-AV). RESULTS Bipolar (6.8%), unipolar (10%), and no control youth report a prior diagnosis of ADHD. No significant group or sex differences were observed on FD Composite Index, various CPT indices, or the WCST. Despite normative attentional function by objective testing, subjectively experienced cognitive problems in the clinical probands were reported. CONCLUSIONS This cohort of well-functioning bipolar youth diagnosed on average 3-4 years prior to assessment do not possess attentional deficits based on a variety of objective tests compared to unipolar or control youth, but self report subjective difficulties in attentional/problem solving ability. In contrast to other authors, we do not find that bipolar youth have high rates of comorbid ADHD.
Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes in a 0.16 μm BCD Technology With Sharp Timing Response and Red-Enhanced Sensitivity

CMOS single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have recently become an emerging imaging technology for applications requiring high sensitivity and high frame-rate in the visible and near-infrared range. However, a higher photon detection efficiency (PDE), particularly in the 700–950 nm range, is highly desirable for many growing markets, such as eye-safe three-dimensional imaging (LIDAR). In this paper, we report the design and characterization of SPADs fabricated in a 0.16 μm BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) technology. The overall detection performance is among the best reported in the literature: 1) PDE of 60% at 500 nm wavelength and still 12% at 800 nm; 2) very low dark count rate of < 0.2 cps/μm2 (in counts per second per unit area); 3) < 1% afterpulsing probability with 50 ns dead-time; and 4) temporal response with 30 ps full width at half-maximum and less than 50 ps diffusion tail time constant.
Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Degenerative Spine Changes in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Case Control Study

Objective: Recently few studies have described presence of cervical spine anomalies in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) patients. It is also reported that some cases of cervical spine pathologies and osteophytes producing obstructive sleep apnea. We aim to investigate the prevalence of facet joint arthrosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) in cervical spine using computed tomography (CT) in OSAS patients. Materials and Methods: We studied on thirty patients with OSAS who had cervical spine CT. Facet joints were evaluated in four grades and scored in 1-4 points by using multiplanar CT images. Disc levels was evaluated by using two-point subjective scale for loss of height, posterior osteophytes, endplate sclerosis, and spinal canal stenosis to determinate DDD. Degeneration of anterior atlanto-odontoid joint (AAOJ) were classified into four grades. Tomographic findings were compared with those for thirty control subjects. Results: The mean degeneration scores of C2-T1 facet joints and C2-C5, C7-T1 disc spaces were significantly higher in the cases of OSAS group than the cases of the control group. There were no significant differences in the mean degeneration scores for C5-6 and C6-7 cervical intervertebral disc levels between the groups. Degeneration scores of the facet and disc for whole cervical spine in the cases of the OSAS group was significantly higher than in cases of the control group (P<0.001 and P=0.002). AAOJ degeneration degrees showed differences between the groups. Statistically significant correlations were found between the OSAS degrees and the intervertebral disc degeneration (R=0.338, P=0.007) and facet joint degeneration (R=0.543, P=0.000) for all cervical vertebrae. Conclusions: The cervical spine of the OSAS patients has more severe disc degeneration and facet joint and AAOJ arthrosis, compared to subjects without OSAS. This findings may contribute to clinic evaluation of OSAS patients with servical pain and limited movement.
The utility of TAM-Perceptions: Integration of technology perceptions into choice-based conjoint analysis

Recent papers claim the technology acceptance model [TAM] is exhaustively examined by researchers and, thus, additional studies of traditional style may only provide a marginal contribution. Instead of adding new constructs to the TAM to describe its dependent or independent variables better, we develop an approach to combine the well-established constructs of TAM, which measure perceptions of a new technology, and the choice-based conjoint analysis [CBC], which measures the monetary value of product attributes from a marketing perspective. In combining both methods we are able to compare the overall technology perceptions with particular attributes of product realisations with respect to their importance. We measure how TAM constructs influence the baseline utility of a new technology. We empirically apply and discuss our approach and show how the TAM can make a distinctive contribution to Information Systems and Marketing Research.
The Effect of Political Regime on Civil War

Research published in the American Political Science Review shows that anocracies—as defined by the middle of the Polity index of political regime—are more susceptible to civil war than are either pure democracies or pure dictatorships. Yet, certain components of the Polity index include a factional category, where political competition is ``intense, hostile, and frequently violent. Extreme factionalism may be manifested in the establishment of rival governments and in civil war'' (Gurr 1989, 12). Not surprisingly, these components exhibit a strong relationship with civil war. When they are removed from the Polity index, however, the original relationship disappears. I conclude that the original finding is not driven by the relationship between political institutions and civil war but rather by a less provocative relationship between political violence and civil war.
In Vivo Quantitative MR Imaging of Bound and Pore Water in Cortical Bone.

PURPOSE To translate and evaluate an in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocol for quantitative mapping of collagen-bound and pore water concentrations in cortical bone that involves relaxation-selective ultrashort echo time (UTE) methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS All HIPAA-compliant studies were performed with institutional review board approval and written informed consent. UTE imaging sequences were implemented on a clinical 3.0-T MR imaging unit and were used for in vivo imaging of bound and pore water in cortical bone. Images of the lower leg and wrist were acquired in five volunteers each (lower leg: two men and three women aged 24, 24, 49, 30, and 26 years; wrist: two men and three women aged 31, 23, 25, 24, and 26 years) to generate bound and pore water concentration maps of the tibia and radius. Each volunteer was imaged three times, and the standard error of the measurements at the region-of-interest (ROI) level was computed as the standard deviation across studies, pooled across volunteers and ROIs. RESULTS Quantitative bound and pore water maps in the tibia and radius, acquired in 8-14 minutes, had per-voxel signal-to-noise ratios of 18 (bound water) and 14 (pore water) and inter-study standard errors of approximately 2 mol (1)H per liter of bone at the ROI level. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of quantitatively mapping bound and pore water in vivo in human cortical bone with practical human MR imaging constraints.