Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practice of orthokeratology by a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong--Part 1. General overview.

PURPOSE To describe orthokeratology (ortho-k) as practised by a number of practitioners in Hong Kong. METHODS Twelve optometrists who had been practising ortho-k for between 2.5 and four years were interviewed in the period 1 March to 30 June 2001. RESULTS The number of ortho-k cases seen by each practitioner ranged from 50 to 800, and the main reason for fitting was myopia control in children. All practitioners were using advanced ortho-k lens designs and most recommended night therapy. In general, patients were accepted if they had less than five dioptres of myopia; one or two lenses were required for a myopia reduction of four dioptres or less, whereas two to four lenses were required to achieve reduction of more than four dioptres. Success, defined as the percentage of the target reduction agreed with patients that was actually achieved, was reported as better than 80 per cent for most practitioners. The time for trial lens wear was from 15 minutes to four hours and was 30 minutes in most cases. Suction holders were generally used for lens removal. Foggy vision was the most frequently reported adverse symptom and mild corneal staining the most frequent sign. CONCLUSIONS It is clear that there is considerable variation in the practice of ortho-k in Hong Kong even among the relatively experienced practitioners interviewed here. The skills of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong vary considerably because of the nature of the registration arrangements. We suggest that a statement of best clinical practice for ortho-k should be developed to assist practitioners to carry out this procedure effectively and safely.
Developmental Trajectories and Correlates of Sensory Processing in Young Boys with Fragile X Syndrome

Background and Purpose: No longitudinal study on sensory processing in children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) exists. This study examined developmental trajectories and correlates of sensory processing from infancy through preschool years in 13 boys with FXS. Method: Participants were assessed using observational and parent-report measures 2–6 times between 9 and 54 months of age. Results: Over time, an increasing proportion of boys displayed sensory processing that differed significantly from test norms. Observational measures were more sensitive than parent-reports early in infancy. Age and developmental quotient significantly predicted levels of hyporesponsiveness; there was a trend for hyperresponsiveness to increase with age. Baseline physiological and biological measures were not predictive. Conclusions: Sensory processing problems are observable early and grow increasingly problematic from infancy through the preschool ages. Early identification and intervention may attenuate long-term difficulties for children with FXS.
Design of Hierarchical Modulation for Wireless Relay Networks

Two designs of un-uniformed constellations for wireless relay networks are considered. The first design is concerned with the unequal error protection issue, in which two data streams to be transmitted from a source to a destination are protected at two different levels. Based on a simple approximation of the average bit-error-rate (BER), a design parameter is obtained in a closed form. The second design focuses on minimizing the average BER of the combined data stream at the destination. Developed are two near optimal designs for 4/16-QAM and 4/64-QAM hierarchical modulation schemes. Simulation results confirm the superiority of the proposed designs as well as the advantages of the relay-assisted transmission with a hierarchical modulation over the conventional point-to-point transmission.
Robust explicit model predictive flight control of unmanned rotorcrafts: Design and experimental evaluation

This paper focuses on the problem of robust control of unmanned rotorcrafts against external disturbances, towards achieving their efficient and safe utilization in real-life challenging applications. Relying on state space representations that incorporate the effects of external disturbances and may be applied in most rotorcraft configurations, the basis for robust control is derived. Employing such models, a receding horizon control strategy that uses the minimum peak performance measure is developed, such that it ensures the minimum possible deviation from the reference for the worst-case disturbance, as well as robust satisfaction of the imposed state and input constraints. Furthermore, proper augmentation of the proposed framework allows the incorporation of obstacle avoidance capabilities. Employing multi-parametric methods the controller is computed explicitly and therefore enables fast real-time execution. The efficiency of the robust predictive control law is evaluated using experimental studies on two different unmanned rotorcraft configurations. The presented experiments include trajectory tracking subject to atmospheric disturbances, slung load operations, collisions handling as well as avoidance of known obstacles.
Examining Periodontal Disease Disparities among U.S. Adults 20 Years of Age and Older: NHANES III (1988–1994) and NHANES 1999–2004

Objective. We examined disparities in periodontal disease in U.S. adults according to age, sex, race/ethnicity, country of birth, education, income, and poverty-income ratio within and between the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988–1994) and NHANES 1999–2004. Methods. We assessed disparities and changes therein using prevalence differences and ratios, as well as the Symmetrized Theil Index (STI). While these measures document disparities between pairs of population subgroups, and changes in relative disparities between surveys, the STI is a summary measure of health disparities that also tracks between-group disparities relative to the total population. Results. Prevalence differences and ratios for the prevalence of periodontitis, the mean pocket depth (PD), and the mean clinical attachment loss (CAL) suggest that periodontal disease significantly decreased between NHANES III and NHANES 1999–2004 (p<0.01). However, the STI for the prevalence of periodontitis suggests that disparities significantly increased within categories of race/ethnicity, country of birth, and education in NHANES 1999–2004 compared with NHANES III. These findings were corroborated for mean PD and mean CAL (p<0.001): the overall STI significantly increased for mean PD from 4.53% in NHANES III to 11.02% in NHANES 1999–2004 and for mean CAL for teeth with CAL >0 from 31.73% in NHANES III to 43.36% in NHANES 1999–2004. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that inequalities in periodontal disease significantly decreased between NHANES III and NHANES 1999–2004 in the total population and across selected characteristics of the population. However, these inequalities increased within groups of the population in NHANES 1999–2004 compared with NHANES III. These findings call attention to the absolute and relative differences not only between population groups across surveys, but also within population groups within and between surveys.
Health Beliefs, Disease Severity, and Patient Adherence: A Meta-Analysis

Background: A large body of empirical data exists on the prediction of patient adherence from subjective and objective assessments of health status and disease severity. This work can be summarized with meta-analysis. Objectives: Retrieval and summary analysis of r effect sizes and moderators of the relationship between patient adherence and patients’: (1) beliefs in disease threat; (2) rated health status (by physician, self, or parent); and (3) objective disease severity. Methods: Comprehensive search of published literature (1948–2005) yielding 116 articles, with 143 separate effect sizes. Calculation of robust, generalizable random effects model statistics, and detailed examination of study diversity with moderator analyses. Results: Adherence is significantly positively correlated with patients’ beliefs in the severity of the disease to be prevented or treated (“disease threat”). Better patient adherence is associated with objectively poorer health only for patients experiencing disease conditions lower in seriousness (according to the Seriousness of Illness Rating Scale). Among conditions higher in seriousness, worse adherence is associated with objectively poorer health. Similar patterns exist when health status is rated by patients themselves, and by parents in pediatric samples. Conclusions: Results suggest that the objective severity of patients’ disease conditions, and their awareness of this severity, can predict their adherence. Patients who are most severely ill with serious diseases may be at greatest risk for nonadherence to treatment. Findings can contribute to greater provider awareness of the potential for patient nonadherence, and to better targeting of health messages and treatment advice by providers.
Alterations in Slow‐Twitch Muscle Phenotype in Transgenic Mice Overexpressing the Ca2+ Buffering Protein Parvalbumin

The purpose of this study was to determine whether induced expression of the Ca2+ buffering protein parvalbumin (PV) in slow‐twitch fibres would lead to alterations in physiological, biochemical and molecular properties reflective of a fast fibre phenotype. Transgenic (TG) mice were generated that overexpressed PV in slow (type I) muscle fibres. In soleus muscle (SOL; 58 % type I fibres) total PV expression was 2‐ to 6‐fold higher in TG compared to wild‐type (WT) mice. Maximum twitch and tetanic tensions were similar in WT and TG but force at subtetanic frequencies (30 and 50 Hz) was reduced in TG SOL. Twitch time‐to‐peak tension and half‐relaxation time were significantly decreased in TG SOL (time‐to‐peak tension: 39.3 ± 2.6 vs. 55.1 ± 4.7 ms; half‐relaxation time: 42.1 ± 3.5 vs. 68.1 ± 9.6 ms, P < 0.05 for TG vs. WT, respectively; n= 8–10). There was a significant increase in expression of type IIa myosin heavy chain (MHC) and ryanodine receptor at the mRNA level in TG SOL but there were no differences in MHC expression at the protein level and thus no difference in fibre type. Whole muscle succinate dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 12 ± 0.4 % in TG SOL and single fibre glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity was decreased in a subset of type IIa fibres. These differences were associated with a 64 % reduction in calcineurin activity in TG SOL. These data show that overexpression of PV, resulting in decreased calcineurin activity, can alter the functional and metabolic profile of muscle and influence the expression of key marker genes in a predominantly slow‐twitch muscle with minimal effects on the expression of muscle contractile proteins.
Traumatic Axonal Injury Results in Biphasic Calpain Activation and Retrograde Transport Impairment in Mice

Traumatic axonal injury (TAI) is one of the most important pathologies associated with closed head injury, and contributes to ensuing morbidity. The authors evaluated the potential role of calpains in TAI using a new model of optic nerve stretch injury in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized, surgically prepared, and subjected to a 2.0-mm optic nerve stretch injury (n = 34) or sham injury (n = 18). At various intervals up to 2 weeks after injury, optic nerves were examined for neurofilament proteins and calpain-mediated spectrin breakdown products using immunohistochemistry. In addition, fluorescent tracer was injected into the superior colliculi of mice 1 day before they were killed, to investigate the integrity of retrograde axonal transport to the retina. Optic nerve stretch injury resulted in persistent disruption of retrograde axonal transport by day 1, progressive accumulation and dephosphorylation of neurofilament protein in swollen and disconnected axons, and subsequent loss of neurofilament protein in degenerating axons at day 14. Calpains were transiently activated in intact axons in the first minutes to hours after stretch injury. A second stage of calpain-mediated proteolysis was observed at 4 days in axonal swellings, bulbs, and fragments. These data suggest that early calpain activation may contribute to progressive intra-axonal structural damage, whereas delayed calpain activation may be associated with axonal degeneration.
Rapid diagnosis of cutaneous herpes simplex infections using specific monoclonal antibodies

One hundred children with suspected herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and 20 controls were studied to compare a rapid immunofluorescence (RIF) test for detection and typing of HSV from smears of lesions with standard viral culture. The RIF test was evaluated for ease of use and speed of diagnosis.
Dpb11 Protein Helps Control Assembly of the Cdc45·Mcm2-7·GINS Replication Fork Helicase*

Background: Dpb11 is required for the initiation of DNA replication. The replication fork helicase is composed of Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and GINS. Results: Dpb11 recruits Cdc45 to Mcm2-7, and Dpb11 blocks GINS interaction with Mcm2-7. Dpb11 also binds to ssDNA, and this interaction releases Dpb11 from Mcm2-7. Conclusion: Dpb11 helps control assembly of the replication fork helicase. Significance: A mechanism for Dpb11 function is described. Dpb11 is required for the initiation of DNA replication in budding yeast. Dpb11 binds to S-phase cyclin-dependent kinase-phosphorylated Sld2 and Sld3 to form a ternary complex during S phase. The replication fork helicase in eukaryotes is composed of Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and GINS. We show here, using purified proteins from budding yeast, that Dpb11 alone binds to Mcm2-7 and that Dpb11 also competes with GINS for binding to Mcm2-7. Furthermore, Dpb11 binds directly to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), and ssDNA inhibits the Dpb11 interaction with Mcm2-7. We also found that Dpb11 can recruit Cdc45 to Mcm2-7. We identified a mutant of the BRCT4 motif of Dpb11 that remains bound to Mcm2-7 in the presence of ssDNA (dpb11-m1,m2,m3,m5), and this mutant exhibits a DNA replication defect when expressed in budding yeast cells. Expression of this mutant results in increased interaction between Dpb11 and Mcm2-7 during S phase, impaired GINS interaction with Mcm2-7 during S phase, and decreased replication protein A (RPA) interaction with origin DNA during S phase. We propose a model in which Dpb11 first recruits Cdc45 to Mcm2-7. Dpb11, although bound to Cdc45·Mcm2-7, can block the interaction between GINS and Mcm2-7. Upon extrusion of ssDNA from the central channel of Mcm2-7, Dpb11 dissociates from Mcm2-7, and Dpb11 binds to ssDNA, thereby allowing GINS to bind to Cdc45·Mcm2-7. Finally, we propose that Dpb11 functions with Sld2 and Sld3 to help control the assembly of the replication fork helicase.
Noninvasive assessment of lung volume: Respiratory inductance plethysmography and electrical impedance tomography

Objective:Respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) and electrical impedance tomography (EIT) are two monitoring techniques that have been used to assess lung volume noninvasively. Methods:RIP uses two elastic bands around the chest and abdomen to assess global changes in lung volume. In animal models, RIP has been shown to detect changes in lung mechanics during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation and has the potential to quantify lung volumes noninvasively. EIT measures regional impedance changes with 16 electrodes around the patient’s chest, each of them injecting and receiving small currents. Impedance changes have been correlated with volume changes in animal models and in humans. In a recent animal model, EIT was shown to be capable of tracking lung volume changes during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. Conclusion:The promise of monitoring techniques such as RIP and EIT is that they will guide lung protective ventilation strategies and allow the clinician to optimize lung recruitment, maintain an open lung, and limit overdistension. EIT is the only bedside method that allows repeated, noninvasive measurements of regional lung volumes. In the future, it will be important to standardize the definitions of alveolar recruitment and ultimately demonstrate the superiority of EIT-guided ventilator management in providing lung protective ventilation.
Compliance with and typical usage of artificial tears in dry eye conditions.

BACKGROUND Although the literature on dry eye is extensive, little has been written about the typical use of tear supplements among the clinical population. METHODS This study consisted of chart reviews and telephone surveys. Self-reported use of tear supplements was evaluated. RESULTS At the time of the survey, 63% of those recommended to use artificial tear solutions (114 of 229) continued to do so. The discontinuation rate was higher for ointments, with 53% (47 of 89) having stopped using a recommended ointment. The majority of those continuing to use drops will use one or two drops per day (30 gtts/30 days, +/- 89). In addition to the extreme amount of variability in the number of artificial tears used by any individual, a great deal of day-to-day variability is seen within any individual. CONCLUSIONS Patients appear to titrate dosage to symptoms on any given day. Given this, there may be little reason to prescribe a specific dosage regimen for the majority of persons using tears. Researchers who are looking at the effectiveness of tear supplements need to take into account the individual variability of use in tear supplements. When prescribing artificial tears, patient education regarding purpose for treatment, specific agent, and dosage used may improve relatively low compliance rates.
An exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors with bone loss.

PURPOSE (a) to determine if 110 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors (BCS) with bone loss who participated in 24 months of strength and weight training (ST) exercises had improved muscle strength and balance and had fewer falls compared to BCS who did not exercise; and (b) to describe type and frequency of ST exercises; adverse effects of exercises; and participants' adherence to exercises at home, at fitness centers, and at 36-month follow up. DESIGN Findings reported are from a federally funded multicomponent intervention study of 223 postmenopausal BCS with either osteopenia or osteoporosis who were randomly assigned to an exercise (n=110) or comparison (n=113) group. METHODS Time points for testing outcomes were baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months into intervention. Muscle strength was tested using Biodex Velocity Spectrum Evaluation, and dynamic balance using Timed Backward Tandem Walk. Adherence to exercises was measured using self-report of number of prescribed sessions attended and participants' reports of falls. FINDINGS Mean adherence over 24 months was 69.4%. Using generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses, compared to participants not exercising, participants who exercised for 24 months had significantly improved hip flexion (p=0.011), hip extension (p=0.0006), knee flexion (p<0.0001, knee extension (p=0.0018), wrist flexion (p=0.031), and balance (p=0.010). Gains in muscle strength were 9.5% and 28.5% for hip flexion and extension, 50.0% and 19.4% for wrist flexion and extension, and 21.1% and 11.6% for knee flexion and extension. Balance improved by 39.4%. Women who exercised had fewer falls, but difference in number of falls between the two groups was not significant. CONCLUSIONS Many postmenopausal BCS with bone loss can adhere to a 24 month ST exercise intervention, and exercises can result in meaningful gains in muscle strength and balance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE More studies are needed for examining relationships between muscle strength and balance in postmenopausal BCS with bone loss and their incidence of falls and fractures.
Characterization of Stg Fimbriae from an Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli O78:K80 Strain and Assessment of Their Contribution to Colonization of the Chicken Respiratory Tract

ABSTRACT In a previous study, ecs-3, a sequence from avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) O78:K80 strain χ7122, was found to be expressed in vivo in infected chicken tissues. The region encompassing ecs-3 carries a fimbrial gene cluster that is a putative ortholog of the stg fimbrial gene cluster of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. This APEC fimbrial gene cluster, which we have termed stg, is a member of a distinct group of related fimbriae that are located in the glmS-pstS intergenic region of certain E. coli and S. enterica strains. Under the control of the pBAD promoter, the production of Stg fimbriae was demonstrated by Western blotting and immunogold electron microscopy with E. coli K-12. Transcriptional fusions suggest that stg expression is influenced by the carbohydrate source and decreased by the addition of iron and that Fur plays a role in the regulation of stg expression. stg sequences were associated with APEC O78 isolates, and stg was phylogenetically distributed among E. coli reference strains and clinical isolates from human urinary tract infections. Stg fimbriae contributed to the adherence of a nonfimbriated E. coli K-12 strain to avian lung sections and human epithelial cells in vitro. Coinfection experiments with APEC strain χ7122 and an isogenic Δstg mutant demonstrated that compared to the wild-type parent, the Δstg mutant was less able to colonize air sacs, equally able to colonize lungs, and able to more effectively colonize tracheas of infected chickens. Stg fimbriae, together with other adhesins, may therefore contribute to the colonization of avian respiratory tissues by certain APEC strains.
2$\times$ 2-Slot Element for 60-GHz Planar Array Antenna Realized on Two Doubled-Sided PCBs Using SIW Cavity and EBG-Type Soft Surface fed by Microstrip-Ridge Gap Waveguide

A wideband 2 ×2-slot element for a 60-GHz antenna array is designed by making use of two double-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs). The upper PCB contains the four radiating cavity-backed slots, where the cavity is formed in substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) using metalized via holes. The SIW cavity is excited by a coupling slot. The excitation slot is fed by a microstrip-ridge gap waveguide formed in the air gap between the upper and lower PCBs. The lower PCB contains the microstrip line, being short-circuited to the ground plane of the lower PCB with via holes, and with additional metalized via holes alongside the microstrip line to form a stopband for parallel-plate modes in the air gap. The designed element can be used in large arrays with distribution networks realized in such microstrip-ridge gap waveguide technology. Therefore, the present paper describes a generic study in an infinite array environment, and performance is measured in terms of the active reflection coefficient S11 and the power lost in grating lobes. The study shows that the radiation characteristics of the array antenna is considerably improved by using a soft surface EBG-type SIW corrugation between each 2 ×2-slot element in E-plane to reduce the mutual coupling. The study is verified by measurements on a 4 ×4 element array surrounded by dummy elements and including a transition to rectangular waveguide WR15.