Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Nepal Longitudinal Study: Predicting Myopia from the Rate of Increase in Vitreous Chamber Depth

Biometric data on 897 Tibetan children living in Kathmandu, Nepal were collected over the period 1992 to 2000 with regular visits every 2 years. Measurements included cycloplegic autorefraction, A-scan ultrasonography, and video phakometry. Children who had not been studied at least once at age 12 years or older were not included in these analyses. The other subjects were divided into two groups; myopic if the refractive error was ever <−0.50 D, and emmetropic/hyperopic if the refractive error was never <−0.50 D, the nonmyopic group. Using all children who had been examined with four or five observations over time, the change of vitreous chamber depth with age by group was determined using a mixed-model regression method. The increase in vitreous length was 0.070 mm/year for the emmetropic group and 0.165 mm/year for the myopic group, with the differences apparent before the onset of myopia. An independent group of 59 children in whom there were two vitreous chamber depth measures before the age of 12 years and one measure taken after 12 years of age were used to assess the rate of increase in vitreous chamber depth as a predictor of myopia. Two other methods were examined using the independent group; the ratio of axial length to corneal radius of curvature and refractive error at age 10 years. Predictors based on rate of increase in vitreous chamber depth and axial length/corneal radius of curvature had sensitivities of 75% and 45%, respectively, and refractive error at age 10 years as a predictor for those who will not become myopic had a sensitivity of 88%.
Usefulness of 99mTc-ciprofloxacin (infecton) scan in diagnosis of chronic orthopedic infections: comparative study with 99mTc-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy.

UNLABELLED 99mTc-labeled ciprofloxacin (infecton) has been developed for detecting infectious foci, which localize in high concentrations in living bacteria. Other studies performed with various infections in animals and humans have found that infecton is a promising agent with better specificity for bacterial infections than white blood cell (WBC) scans. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of infecton scintigraphy for detecting chronic bone and joint infections. METHODS Fifty-six sites with suspected bone or joint infection were examined with 99mTc-WBC and infecton scans in 51 patients. Of these patients, 21 had prosthetic implant materials. Biochemical, radiologic, and microbiologic data and clinical outcomes also contributed, along with the results from scintigraphic techniques, in determining the presence or absence of infection. Scintigraphic images were produced at 1 and 4 h after injection of 370-400 MBq infecton or 185-200 MBq 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO)-WBCs. For each patient, there were at least 2 d and at most 7 d between scintigraphic studies. RESULTS There were 30 true-positive, 4 false-positive, 20 true-negative, and 2 false-negative results with infecton. With 99mTc-HMPAO-WBCs, the results were 20, 1, 23, and 12, respectively. Values for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 94%, 83%, and 89%, respectively, with the infecton scan and 63%, 96%, and 77%, respectively, with WBC scanning. Differences between the two agents were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Infecton and WBC scan results were in general concordance for 43 of 56 sites (77%). Infecton results for vertebral infections were the most notable findings in this study, despite the limited number of patients with this condition. Infecton scans were positive for hot spots in five of six patients with vertebral osteomyelitis. WBC scans showed photon-deficient areas in four of these same patients and normal distribution in the remaining two patients. CONCLUSION Infecton is a useful agent for detecting infectious foci in bones and joints. Moreover, the infecton scan seems to be a more powerful tool in diagnosing vertebral infections than WBC scintigraphy.
Microstructural design in ultrafine interconnects under current stressing

Electromigration has a potential to be used as a process for microstructural design in ultrafine interconnects such as TSVs and microbumps. This study investigates the relationship between the electromigration and the microstructural evolution in a Cu/Sn-microbump/Cu structures through a modeling and simulation approach. The electromigration-induced polarity effect on the interfacial Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> and Cu<sub>3</sub>Sn compounds as well as the acceleration of the Cu pad consumption are found, as previously reported in experimental studies. In addition, the simulation results predict that the Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> grains at the anode become finer when an current is applied. The polarity effect is weaker when the pad size increases from 10 μm to 20 μm. In the larger microbump, the growth of the interfacial Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> is slower, while the growth of the interfacial Cu<sub>3</sub>Sn and the consumption of the Cu pad is faster. The growth of the interfacial IMCs and the consumption of the Cu pad at both electrodes are faster in the hourglass-shaped microbump. The interfacial Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> layer at the anode in the barrel-shaped microbumps appears to be convex, while concave in the hourglass-shaped microbump. The polarity effect becomes more pronounced when bulk Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> grains in the Sn microbump are dissolved and redeposited onto the interfacial Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> at the anode. The bulk Cu<sub>6</sub>Sn<sub>5</sub> grains are predicted to migrate towards the anode driven by the electric current.
Vitamin D and atopy and asthma phenotypes in children

Purpose of reviewTo give an overview of the recent research into whether a lack of vitamin D contributes to the development of atopy and asthma in childhood. Recent findingsI describe here the recent epidemiological studies relating vitamin D status to atopy and asthma in children, focusing on determinants of major asthma phenotypes in childhood. Recent findings include the observations that vitamin D levels are inversely associated with degree of corticosteroid use, worsening airflow limitation and increased exacerbations among asthmatics. Low vitamin D has been associated with atopy and asthma in children and adolescents in a community cohort, predominantly in boys, with vitamin D at age 6 predicting these outcomes at 14. I also detail the mechanistic studies examining relevant vitamin D-regulated processes; recent findings include the demonstration that offspring of mice with vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy show reduced lung volume and function. SummaryThe current literature suggests that intervention to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during both pregnancy and childhood may reduce the development of atopy and asthma in children. However, important questions need to be answered regarding the levels of vitamin D required, which may vary between the sexes and between individuals, and the optimal timing and duration of such intervention.
Reassessing the Effects of Early Adolescent Alcohol Use on Later Antisocial Behavior

The effect of early adolescent alcohol use on antisocial behavior was examined at 1- and 2-year follow-up in Washington State, United States, and Victoria, Australia. Each state used the same methods to survey statewide representative samples of students (N = 1,858, 52% female) in 2002 (Grade 7 [G7]), 2003 (Grade 8 [G8]), and 2004 (Grade 9 [G9]). Rates of lifetime, current, frequent, and heavy episodic alcohol use were higher in Victoria than Washington State, whereas rates of five antisocial behaviors were generally comparable across states. After controlling for established risk factors, few associations between alcohol use and antisocial behavior remained, except that G7 current use predicted G8 police arrests and stealing and G9 carrying a weapon and stealing; G7 heavy episodic use predicted G8 and G9 police arrests; and G7 lifetime use predicted G9 carrying a weapon. Hence, risk factors other than alcohol were stronger predictors of antisocial behaviors.
Male sex, hiatus hernia, and Helicobacter pylori infection associated with asymptomatic erosive esophagitis

Background and Aims: Asymptomatic erosive esophagitis (AEE) is an easily forgotten subgroup of gastroesophageal reflux disease due to its lack of warning symptoms, despite having the risk of developing complications, such as bleeding, stricture, or even esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Effective Technology Transfer in Alcoholism Treatment

Alcoholism treatment services in the United States continue to be characterized by a lack of evidence-based care. Problems establishing effective research-practice knowledge transfer stem, in part, from the strong allegiance of scientists and practitioners to contrasting treatment models. Four underlying assumptions of the Minnesota model that continue to guide the delivery of alcohol services in the United States are identified and related research is reviewed. Findings indicate little support for these assumptions. However, support for superiority of alternative science-based treatments to replace current practices varies. To facilitate effective technology transfer, research-practitioner collaboration must be promoted. Research paradigms are needed that possess high salience to practitioners while preserving scientific rigor. Two examples of studies involving research-practitioner collaboration are described.
Conversion efficiency of α-linolenic acid to omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in aerial insectivore chicks

ABSTRACT Food availability and quality are both critical for growing young animals. In nature, swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and other aerial insectivores feed on both aquatic insects, which are rich in omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), and terrestrial insects, which contain considerably lower amounts of omega-3 HUFAs. Carnivorous mammals and fishes must obtain omega-3 HUFAs from their diet, as they have lost the capacity to convert the precursor omega-3 α-linolenic acid (ALA) into omega-3 HUFAs. Thus, the relative value of aquatic versus terrestrial insects depends not only on the fatty acid composition of the prey but also on the capacity of consumers to convert ALA into omega-3 HUFAs. We used a combination of stable-isotope-labeled fatty acid tracers to ask whether, and how efficiently, tree swallows can deposit newly synthesized omega-3 HUFAs into tissue. Our data show for the first time that tree swallows can convert ALA into omega-3 HUFAs deposited in liver and skeletal muscle. However, high tree swallow demand for omega-3 HUFAs combined with low ALA availability in natural terrestrial foods may strain their modest conversion ability. This suggests that while tree swallows can synthesize omega-3 HUFAs de novo, omega-3 HUFAs are ecologically essential nutrients in natural systems. Our findings thus provide mechanistic support for our previous findings and the importance of omega-3 HUFA-rich aquatic insects for tree swallows and most likely other aerial insectivores with similar niches. Highlighted Article: A stable-isotope-labeled tracer reveals the mechanism for omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) limitation in a wild avian insectivore, showing that HUFAs are an ecologically essential nutrient.
Ownership Structure of Iranian Evidence and Payout Ratio

The aim of this paper is to identify and analyses the influence of shareholder ownership identity on payout ratio for a panel of Iran firms from 2002 and 2008. We find that there is a significant positive correlation between institutional ownership and payout ratio. The relation between payout ratio and individual ownership is negative. The most finding of the study indicates that Iranian companies with highly concentrated ownership distribute more dividends. We show that there is a significantly positive correlation between the institutional ownership and the payout ratio. The relation between payout ratio and individual ownership is negative and the ownership concentration measured by the five largest shareholders affects positively on payout ratio.
c‐Met expression of thyroid tissue with special reference to papillary carcinoma

It has become clear that papillary carclnomas of the thyroid often express the receptor for c‐Met/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, but little Is known about the role of the HGF and c‐Met system In the pathogenesis of thyroid carcinoma. In this study, the expression of c‐MeUHGF receptor was evaluated in thyroid tlssue by western blot and immunohistochemistry, and compared with the concentration of HGF. Clinicopathologlcal characteristics were also compared. Fmeen of 20 papillary Carcinomas (75%) showed eMet bands of 145 kDa. No or only a low frequency of c‐Met expression was detected in healthy thyroid tissue (0/5), thyroiditis or Basedow's disease (0/2), adenomatous goiters (0/8), follicular adenomas (119, 11%) and undifferentiated carcinomas (0/2). These results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry, but a relatively higher frequency of c‐Met expression was detected in adenomatous goiters (25%), follicular adenoma (44%) ancl papillary Carcinoma (100%) using formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded materials. A strong immunoreaction for c‐Met was observed In the tumor cytoplasm of paplllary carcinomas among the fibrous tissues situated at the perlphery of the tumor. The densito‐metrically measured expression of c‐Met had no relation to tumor stage in papillary carcinoma, but did correlate to the concentration of HGF in papillary carcinomas. In conclusion, in thyroid lesions, c‐Met was highly expressed specifically in the cytoplasm of papillary carcinomas. c‐Met expression was not related to the aggressiveness of the tumor but was related to the concentration of HGF, which was probably derived from the stroma. Also, the c‐Met system might play a role in the pathogenesis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
Analysis of users and reasons for use of a physician-on-call service in an Italian local health unit.

BACKGROUND In recent years, several countries have proposed changes to primary care organisation. OBJECTIVE Our study investigated the characteristics of 'physician-on-call' usage in a local health unit of Lombardy (ASL MI1). METHODS We analysed the incoming calls to the Operative Medical Central Station and collected the user characteristics, the call reasons and the outcomes from 1 October to 31 December 2012. Then, we randomly extracted 10% of the call sample from this period. We focused on two outputs: telephone advice (TA) and emergency department referral. We fit a logistic regression model to identify potential predictors of these outputs. RESULTS In total, we evaluated 2146 calls. Women made most of the calls. Older age was associated with the referral to emergency care [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.1], while paediatric calls were associated with TA (aOR 1.9). Information requests were related to TA (aOR 2.3), while cardiovascular symptoms (aOR 3.5), pain (aOR 2.6) and traumas (aOR 4.7) were linked to emergency care. CONCLUSIONS Our study outlined the increasing use of TA, particularly for calls regarding paediatric patients. In contrast, calls for elderly patients were more frequently referred to emergency care. These findings led to the implementation of an age-targeted educational programme. Overall, our observations highlighted that women used the physician-on-call service more frequently than men. Furthermore, some reasons for calling were significantly associated with emergency care.
Information modeling for single sourcing

Writers often have to create documents for different audiences, for different media (e.g. Web, help, training), for different products, and for different platforms. Single sourcing information can help writers to accommodate all possible uses and audiences. Single sourcing involves identifying all information requirements up front, then developing them from a single source. All information products required by a particular project (e.g., brochures, user guides, training materials, online help, external Web site) are created from the single file, hence the name, single sourcing. In single sourcing, writers break information down to the element level (e.g., section, paragraph, sentence, even phrases and words), then write and compile all elements into a single source file. The power of single sourcing lies in effectively reusing information elements, whether they are paragraphs, procedures, or sentences, over and over again. Information models identify to writers all the required elements, how to structure them, and how to reuse them. This paper describes the process of information modeling, including: analyzing audiences and their needs; analyzing information to determine the structure and content; building the model both at the product and the element level; and structuring and tagging writing to accommodate the model.
Enhancement of Carcinogenesis and Fatty Infiltration in the Pancreas in N-Nitrosobis(2-Oxopropyl)Amine-Treated Hamsters by High-Fat Diet

Objectives: Obesity is associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk, although the mechanisms have yet to be detailed. This study aimed to elucidate promotion of pancreatic cancer by obesity and hyperlipidemia. Methods: Six-week-old female Syrian golden hamsters were treated with N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP) and after 1 week were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or standard diet (STD) for 6 or 17 weeks. Results: Body weight and serum levels of lipids and leptin were significantly higher in the HFD than the STD group at 14 weeks of age. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas developed only in the BOP + HFD group, with an incidence of 67% (P < 0.01) at 14 weeks of age. In addition, the multiplicity was 2-fold greater in the BOP + HFD group than in the BOP + STD group (P < 0.05) at 25 weeks of age. Pancreatic fatty infiltration was increased by BOP treatment and further enhanced by the HFD, correlating with progression of BOP-induced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and up-regulated expression of adipocytokines and cell proliferation-related genes in the pancreas. Conclusions: High-fat diet is shown to increase serum lipid levels and enhance fatty infiltration in the pancreas with abnormal adipocytokine production, which may accelerate and enhance pancreatic cancer.
Sex roles and career goals of university women

Difficulties in predicting female occupational choices according to the theories developed for men have stimulated research into components of a model effective for women. The objective of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of self concept measures in determining the masculinity or femininity of occupations chosen by female undergraduates at a Canadian university. The ninety subjects who participated in the study were chosen for their enrollment in one of three fields defined by previous research as traditionally feminine or in one of three fields defined as traditionally masculine. The two aspects of self concept considered relevant to the sex stereotype of vocational field were sex role stereotyping and self-esteem. The Bern Sex Role Inventory used to assess the former variable, allowed subjects to endorse both masculine and feminine traits, thus providing an index of psychological androgyny as well as an index of stereotypic masculinity or femininity. Self-esteem was also considered from more than one perspective; that of personal and interpersonal functioning and of academic functioning. The results of the study revealed that the subjects' sex role orientation did not correspond to the sex stereotype associated with their fields of specialization. Similarly, statistically significant differences in self-esteem in either the personal or achievement areas emerged from the comparison among career groups. There was, however, a nonsignificant tendency for women in Science to have higher self-esteem in the achievement area than women in the remaining five groups. When self-esteem relationship in the achievement area between sex typing and self-esteem were examined, however, it was apparent that absolute levels of masculinity were significantly related
Results of an international phosphorus digestibility ring test with broiler chickens

&NA; The objective of this ring test was to investigate the prececal phosphorus (P) digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) in broiler chickens using the trial protocol proposed by the World's Poultry Science Association. It was hypothesized that prececal P digestibility of SBM determined in the collaborating stations is similar. Three diets with different inclusion levels of SBM were mixed in a feed mill specialized in experimental diets and transported to 17 collaborating stations. Broiler chicks were raised on commercial starter diets according to station‐specific management routine. Then they were fed the experimental diets for a minimum of 5 d before content of the posterior half of the ileum was collected. A minimum of 6 experimental replicates per diet was used in each station. All diets and digesta samples were analyzed in the same laboratory. Diet, station, and their interaction significantly affected (P < 0.05) the prececal digestibility values of P and calcium of the diets. The prececal P digestibility of SBM was determined by linear regression and varied among stations from 19 to 51%, with significant differences among stations. In a subset of 4 stations, the prececal disappearance of myo‐inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexakis (dihydrogen phosphate)‐P; InsP6‐P) also was studied. The prececal InsP6‐P disappearance correlated well with the prececal P digestibility. We hypothesized that factors influencing InsP6 hydrolysis were main contributors to the variation in prececal P digestibility among stations. These factors were probably related to the feeding and housing conditions (floor pens or cages) of the birds in the pre‐experimental phase. Therefore, we suggest that the World's Poultry Science Association protocol for the determination of digestible P be should extended to the standardization of the pre‐experimental period. We also suggest that comparisons of P digestibility measurements among studies are made only with great caution until the protocol is more refined.
Phosphorylation of p40‐phox during activation of neutrophil NADPH oxidase

NADPH oxidase, a superoxide‐producing enzyme in phagocytic cells, consists of membrane‐associated cytochrome b558 and cytosolic components (p47‐phox, p67‐phox, p40‐phox, rac 1/2). Activation of NADPH oxidase is accompanied by the phosphorylation of cytosolic components (p47‐phox and p67‐phox). In this study, we have examined whether p40‐phox, a newly identified cytosolic component, is phosphorylated during neutrophil activation, and the relationship between p40‐phox phosphorylation and NADPH oxidase activation. When 32P‐labeled guinea pig neutrophils were stimulated by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate, p40‐phox was phosphorylated as p47‐phox. It is interesting that phosphorylation of p40‐phox was markedly inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitor, H‐7, but not by casein kinase II inhibitor, A‐3, and H‐7 inhibited translocation of p40‐phox and activation of NADPH oxidase. Furthermore, purified protein kinase C but not casein kinase II directly phosphorylated p40‐phox of p40‐phox/p47‐phox/p67‐phox complex. Together these observations suggest that p40‐phox is phosphorylated by protein kinase C during neutrophil activation, and phosphorylation of p40‐phox may be important for the activation of NADPH oxidase. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 851–857; 1999.
Immigration, Social Cohesion and Social Capital: What are the Links?

This study explores the interaction between migrants’ social relationships in their community (their social capital), and the development of a stable and integrated society (social cohesion) at the local level. The concept of social capital – the processes by which individuals and groups invest in social relationships and share resources between themselves – resonates with current concerns about the ways in which different communities, notably minority ethnic groups, relate to their wider social world.