Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Utility of Optical Coherence Tomography in Glaucoma

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has established itself as the dominant imaging modality in the management of glaucoma and retinal diseases, providing high-resolution visualization of ocular microstructures and objective quantification of tissue thickness and change. This article reviews the history of OCT imaging with a specific focus on glaucoma. We examine the clinical utility of OCT with respect to diagnosis and progression monitoring, with additional emphasis on advances in OCT technology that continue to facilitate glaucoma research and inform clinical management strategies.
Effects of a constricted nozzle on the arc phenomena in the TIG welding process*

Abstract Effects of a constricted nozzle on the arc phenomena in the tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process are investigated by numerical simulation. the obtained results show that the temperature and velocity of the arc plasma are increased by attaching an additional gas nozzle, which is called the "constricted nozzle". As a result, the iron vapour does not diffuse upward but is transported outward. In addition, the heat transfer to the base metal surface is enhanced.
Evolutionary switches between two serine codon sets are driven by selection

Significance When a rare evolutionary event is observed, such as substitution of two adjacent nucleotides, the question emerges whether such rare changes are caused by mutational bias or by selection. Here we address this question through genome-wide analysis of double substitutions that lead to switch of the codon sets for the amino acid serine, the only one that is encoded by two disjoint sets of codons. We show that selection is the primary factor behind these changes. These findings suggest that short-term evolution of proteins is subject to stronger purifying selection than previously thought and has significant implications for methods of phylogenetic analysis. Serine is the only amino acid that is encoded by two disjoint codon sets so that a tandem substitution of two nucleotides is required to switch between the two sets. Previously published evidence suggests that, for the most evolutionarily conserved serines, the codon set switch occurs by simultaneous substitution of two nucleotides. Here we report a genome-wide reconstruction of the evolution of serine codons in triplets of closely related species from diverse prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The results indicate that the great majority of codon set switches proceed by two consecutive nucleotide substitutions, via a threonine or cysteine intermediate, and are driven by selection. These findings imply a strong pressure of purifying selection in protein evolution, which in the case of serine codon set switches occurs via an initial deleterious substitution quickly followed by a second, compensatory substitution. The result is frequent reversal of amino acid replacements and, at short evolutionary distances, pervasive homoplasy.
Nutrient Intake, Diet Quality, and Weight Measures in Breakfast Patterns Consumed by Children Compared with Breakfast Skippers: NHANES 2001–2008

Most studies showing that children consuming breakfast have better nutrient intakes, diet quality, and lower weight than breakfast skippers have the incorrect premise that breakfast meals are homogeneous. The purpose of this study was to classify breakfast meals into patterns and determine the association of the breakfast patterns with daily and breakfast nutrient intakes, diet quality, and weight. Data from children (2–18 years of age; N = 14,200) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2008 were used. Intake was determined from one day 24-hour dietary recalls. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005). Body mass index (BMI) z-scores were determined. Twelve patterns (including No Breakfast [∼19% of population]), explaining 63% of the variance in energy from breakfast, were examined. Covariate adjusted general linear models were used to compare outcome variables of consumers of different patterns with breakfast skippers. The p value was Bonferroni corrected (< 0.05/12 = < 0.0042). Consumers of the Eggs/Grain/Meat, Poultry, Fish (MPF)/ Fruit Juice (FJ) and MPF/ Grain/FJ patterns showed higher daily intakes of saturated fats, solid fats, and sodium and lower daily intakes of added sugars than breakfast skippers. Consumers of most breakfast patterns showed higher daily intakes of some nutrients of public health concern (dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium); however, those consuming the Grain or MPF/Grain/FJ pattern did not. Consumers of the Grain/Lower Fat Milk (LFM)/Sweets/FJ, Presweetened (PS) Ready-to-eat Cereal (RTEC)/ LFM, RTEC/LFM, Cooked Cereal/Milk/FJ, and Whole Fruit patterns had higher total HEI-2005 scores than breakfast skippers; those consuming the MPF/ Grain/FJ pattern had lower diet quality than breakfast skippers. Consumption of the Grain/ LFM/Sweets/FJ, PSRTEC/whole milk, Soft Drinks/ FJ/Grain/Potatoes, RTEC/whole milk, and Cooked Cereal/ Milk/ FJ patterns was associated with lower BMI z-scores than seen in breakfast skippers. There are dietary and weight advantages of consuming breakfast, especially breakfasts that include grains, cereals, LFM, and fruit/ FJ, in contrast to the potential adverse effects of skipping breakfast.
The Differential Effect of NAT2 Variant Alleles Permits Refinement in Phenotype Inference and Identifies a Very Slow Acetylation Genotype

Indirect evidences suggest that acetylation phenotype categories are heterogeneous and that subcategories, related to specific NAT2 variant alleles might exist. We analyzed the in vivo acetylation phenotype and genotype in 504 north-American subjects of Caucasian origin. The analyses of the SNPs rs1801280 and rs1799930 allowed the discrimination of five categories with different acetylation status within the study population. These categories are related to the distinct effect of NAT2 alleles on the acetylation status in vivo and to the occurrence of a gene-dose effect. These five phenotype categories, from higher to lower acetylation capacity, correspond to the genotypes NAT2*4/*4, NAT2*4/*5 or *4/*6, NAT2*5/*5, NAT2*5/*6 and NAT2*6/*6 (p≤0.001 for all comparisons). The NAT2*6/*6 genotype correspond to a phenotype category of very-slow acetylators. The refinement in phenotype prediction may help to identify risks associated to phenotype subcategories, and warrants the re-analysis of previous studies that may have overlooked phenotype subcategory-specific risks.
Theoretical Antecedents of Standing at Work: An Experience Sampling Approach Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

Time spent sitting has been associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cancer, obesity, and mental health impairments. However, 75% of Americans spend most of their days sitting, with work-sitting accounting for 63% of total daily sitting time. Little research examining theory-based antecedents of standing or sitting has been conducted. This lack of solid groundwork makes it difficult to design effective intervention strategies to decrease sitting behaviors. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as our theoretical lens to better understand factors related with beneficial standing behaviors already being practiced, we examined relationships between TPB constructs and time spent standing at work among “positive deviants” (those successful in behavior change). Experience sampling methodology (ESM), 4 times a day (midmorning, before lunch, afternoon, and before leaving work) for 5 consecutive workdays (Monday to Friday), was used to assess employees' standing time. TPB scales assessing attitude (α = 0.81–0.84), norms (α = 0.83), perceived behavioral control (α = 0.77), and intention (α = 0.78) were developed using recommended methods and collected once on the Friday before the ESM surveys started. ESM data are hierarchically nested, therefore we tested our hypotheses using multilevel structural equation modeling with Mplus. Hourly full-time university employees (n = 50; 70.6% female, 84.3% white, mean age = 44 (SD = 11), 88.2% in full-time staff positions) with sedentary occupation types (time at desk while working ≥6 hours/day) participated. A total of 871 daily surveys were completed. Only perceived behavioral control (β = 0.45, p < 0.05) was related with work-standing at the event-level (model fit: just fit); mediation through intention was not supported. This is the first study to examine theoretical antecedents of real-time work-standing in a naturalistic field setting among positive deviants. These relationships should be further examined, and behavioral intervention strategies should be guided by information obtained through this positive deviance approach to enhance perceived behavioral control, in addition to implementing environmental changes like installing standing desks.
Relating Introspective Accuracy to Individual Differences in Brain Structure

Naval Gazing Simple perceptual tasks, such as detecting the contrast between light and dark bars in a grating, have been a mainstay of psychophysical research for decades. This kind of task makes it possible to obtain both an objective measure of how accurate subjects are and a subjective measure of how confident they are in their judgments. Fleming et al. (p. 1541; see the Perspective by Lau and Maniscalco) have taken this approach one step further by constructing a measure of how accurate subjects are in their confidence judgments. This capacity for introspection, which can be regarded as one facet of metacognition (thinking about thinking), is shown to vary across individuals and to correlate positively with the gray matter volume of the frontopolar cortex (the frontmost region of the brain) and also with white matter in the tracts of the corpus callosum that connect these regions in the left and right hemispheres. Individual differences in the capacity for introspection are reflected in structural variation in the frontal lobe. The ability to introspect about self-performance is key to human subjective experience, but the neuroanatomical basis of this ability is unknown. Such accurate introspection requires discriminating correct decisions from incorrect ones, a capacity that varies substantially across individuals. We dissociated variation in introspective ability from objective performance in a simple perceptual-decision task, allowing us to determine whether this interindividual variability was associated with a distinct neural basis. We show that introspective ability is correlated with gray matter volume in the anterior prefrontal cortex, a region that shows marked evolutionary development in humans. Moreover, interindividual variation in introspective ability is also correlated with white-matter microstructure connected with this area of the prefrontal cortex. Our findings point to a focal neuroanatomical substrate for introspective ability, a substrate distinct from that supporting primary perception.
Non-random mating and information theory

In this work, mate choice is modeled by means of the abstract concept of mutual mating propensity. This only assumes that different type of couples can have different mating success. The model is adequate for any population where mating occurs among distinct types. There is no extra assumption about particular mating scheme or preference model. The concept of mutual mating propensity permits to express the observed change in the mating phenotypes as the gain in information with respect to random mating. The obtained expression is a form of the Price equation in which the mapping between ancestral and descendant population is substituted by a mapping between random mating and non random mating population. At the same time, this framework provides the connection between mate choice and the exact mathematical partition of the choice effects, namely sexual isolation, sexual selection and a mixed effect. The sexual selection component is the sum of the intra- sexual male and female selection. The proposed framework helps to unveil previously hidden invariants. For example, if the mutual preference between partner types is multiplicative there is no sexual isolation (inter-sexual selection) effect on the frequencies, i.e. the only possible effect of mate choice is intra-sexual selection. On the contrary, whatever the contribution of each partner to the mutual preference, if it comes as a non-multiplicative factor, there is at least an inter-sexual selection detectable effect. This new view over the mate choice problem, permits to develop general mating propensity models and to make predictions of the mate choice effects that may emerge from such models. This possibility opens up the way for setting a general theory of model fitting and multimodel inference for mate choice. Thus, it is suggested that the proposed framework, by describing mate choice as the flow of information due to non-random mating, provides a new important setting for exploring different mating models and their consequences.
Assessment of Image Quality Parameters for Computed Tomography in the City of Yaoundé

Performance evaluation of computed tomography is not significant in the Republic of Cameroon in general and more particularly in the city of Yaounde. Therefore, this work aimed to analyze image performances of 05 CT scanners in 05 medical facilities in the city of Yaounde, by using the Catphan 700 phantom and test procedures of the Atomic Energy Agency. Five quality control tests were performed on each CT-Scanner. All the CT scanners evaluated showed good results and were not disapproved in three of the five tests performed. The difference between the measured spatial resolution for each of the five CT scanners and the spatial resolution specified by the manufacturer was very high. The low contrast resolution of four of the five CT scanners was found low when compared to the low contrast resolution specified by the manufacturers.
Moringa oleifera Gold Nanoparticles Modulate Oncogenes, Tumor Suppressor Genes, and Caspase‐9 Splice Variants in A549 Cells

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP's) facilitate cancer cell recognition and can be manufactured by green synthesis using nutrient rich medicinal plants such as Moringa oleifera (MO). Targeting dysregulated oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes is crucial for cancer therapeutics. We investigated the antiproliferative effects of AuNP synthesized from MO aqueous leaf extracts (MLAuNP) in A549 lung and SNO oesophageal cancer cells. A one‐pot green synthesis technique was used to synthesise MLAuNP. A549, SNO cancer cells and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were exposed to MLAuNP and CAuNP to evaluate cytotoxicity (MTT assay); apoptosis was measured by phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, mitochondrial depolarization (ΔΨm) (flow cytometry), caspase‐3/7, −9 activity, and ATP levels (luminometry). The mRNA expression of c‐myc, p53, Skp2, Fbw7α, and caspase‐9 splice variants was determined using qPCR, while relative protein expression of c‐myc, p53, SRp30a, Bax, Bcl‐2, Smac/DIABLO, Hsp70, and PARP‐1 were determined by Western blotting. MLAuNP and CAuNP were not cytotoxic to PBMCs, whilst its pro‐apoptotic properties were confirmed in A549 and SNO cells. MLAuNP significantly increased caspase activity in SNO cells while MLAuNP significantly increased PS externalization, ΔΨm, caspase‐9, caspase‐3/7 activities, and decreased ATP levels in A549 cells. Also, p53 mRNA and protein levels, SRp30a (P = 0.428), Bax, Smac/DIABLO and PARP‐1 24 kDa fragment levels were significantly increased. Conversely, MLAuNP significantly decreased Bcl‐2, Hsp70, Skp2, Fbw7α, c‐myc mRNA, and protein levels and activated alternate splicing with caspase‐9a splice variant being significantly increased. MLAuNP possesses antiproliferative properties and induced apoptosis in A549 cells by activating alternate splicing of caspase‐9. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2302–2314, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Four‐week cold acclimation in adult humans shifts uncoupling thermogenesis from skeletal muscles to brown adipose tissue

Muscle‐derived thermogenesis during acute cold exposure in humans consists of a combination of cold‐induced increases in skeletal muscle proton leak and shivering. Daily cold exposure results in an increase in brown adipose tissue oxidative capacity coupled with a decrease in the cold‐induced skeletal muscle proton leak and shivering intensity. Improved coupling between electromyography‐determined muscle activity and whole‐body heat production following cold acclimation suggests a maintenance of ATPase‐dependent thermogenesis and decrease in skeletal muscle ATPase independent thermogenesis. Although daily cold exposure did not change the fibre composition of the vastus lateralis, the fibre composition was a strong predictor of the shivering pattern evoked during acute cold exposure.
Effects of hydrogen sulfide on the surface whitening and physiological responses of fresh-cut carrots.

BACKGROUND The effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) on the inhibition of the surface whitening of fresh-cut carrots was investigated. Whitening index; H2 O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents; activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD); and antioxidant capacities were evaluated. RESULTS H2 S treatment significantly inhibited the surface whitening of fresh-cut carrots (P < 0.05), reduced the accumulation of H2 O2 and MDA, and enhanced antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX and GR) activities and antioxidant capacities (P < 0.05). The PAL, PPO and POD activities of fresh-cut carrots were inhibited by treatment with H2 S (P < 0.05). Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that whitening index was significantly positively correlated with H2 O2 content, lipid peroxidation, PPO and POD activities. CONCLUSION H2 S inhibited the surface whitening of fresh-cut carrots by reducing H2 O2 accumulation and lipid peroxidation, and also inhibited PPO and POD activities. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
Wealth Status, Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) and Antenatal Care (ANC) Are Determinants for Low Birth Weight in Kersa, Ethiopia

Background Low Birth Weight (LBW) is one of the major risk factor for death in early life. However, little is known about predictors of LBW in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the incidence and determinants of LBW in a rural population of Ethiopia. Methods An observational cohort study on pregnant women was conducted from December 2009 to November 2010. During the study period 1295 live birth were registered and the weights of 956 children were measured within 24 hours after birth. Socio-demographic, economic, maternal and organizational factors were considered as a predicators of LBW, defined as birth weight below 2500g. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data, odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Result The incidence of LBW was 28.3%. It is significantly associated with poverty [OR 2.1; 95% CI: 1.42, 3.05], maternal Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) less than 23 cm [OR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.19, 2.19], not attending ANC [OR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.28], mother’s experience of physical violence during pregnancy [OR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.48], and longer time to walk to health facility [OR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.11, 2.40]. Conclusion and Recommendation The incidence of LBW was high in Kersa. Babies born to women who were poor, undernourished, experienced physical violence during pregnancy and who had poor access to health services were more likely to be LBW in this part of the country. In this largely poor community where ANC coverage is low, to reduce the incidence of LBW, it is essential to improve access for maternal health care. The involvement of husbands and the community at large to seek collective action on LBW is essential.
Impact of ASPECTS on computed tomography angiography source images on outcome after thrombolysis or endovascular therapy in large vessel occlusions

Endovascular therapy (ET) is superior to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in selected patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. However, it is unclear if this positive effect also applies to patients with extensive early ischaemic changes. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) on the CT angiography source images (SI) on outcome after ET or IVT.
Ecotourism Demand And Differential Pricing Of National Park Entrance Fees In Costa Rica

Ecotourism presents developing countries with growing opportunities for attracting foreign exchange and enhancing economic growth, but also raises some pressing management challenges for national parks and other protected areas. This paper presents a framework for analyzing the impacts of increasing user fees on visitation at national parks in Costa Rica. Data are collected at three national parks using a contingent behavior methodology designed to elicit information on foreign tourists' park visitation behavior at alternative entrance fee levels. This methodology employs surveys of subjects responding to hypothetical scenarios involving various pricing and visitation options. Park visitation demand functions and own-price, cross-price, and income elasticities are estimated. Based on these estimates, revenue-maximizing fee levels are calculated and the implications of applying differential pricing principles to park management are discussed. The results suggest important conclusions for national park user fee policies, particularly in developing countries.
A prescribing cascade involving cholinesterase inhibitors and anticholinergic drugs.

BACKGROUND The prescribing cascade model involves the misinterpretation of an adverse reaction to 1 drug and the subsequent, potentially inappropriate prescription of a second drug. We present a new example of the prescribing cascade involving cholinesterase inhibitors and anticholinergic drugs used to manage urinary incontinence. METHODS A population-based retrospective cohort study was carried out in Ontario, Canada. Participants included 44,884 older adults with dementia (20,491 were dispensed a cholinesterase inhibitor and 24,393 were not), enrolled between June 1, 1999, and March 31, 2002. Subjects were observed until they received an anticholinergic drug, stopped the cholinesterase inhibitor treatment, died, or the study period ended (March 31, 2003). The main outcome measure was receipt of an anticholinergic drug to manage urinary incontinence. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounding factors, we observed that older adults with dementia who were dispensed cholinesterase inhibitors had an increased risk of subsequently receiving an anticholinergic drug (4.5% vs 3.1%; P<.001; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-1.72), relative to those not receiving cholinesterase inhibitors. This finding was consistent in a series of subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS Use of cholinesterase inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of receiving an anticholinergic drug to manage urinary incontinence. The use of an anticholinergic drug in this setting may represent a clinically important prescribing cascade. Clinicians should consider the possible contributing role of cholinesterase inhibitors in new-onset or worsening urinary incontinence and the potential risk of coprescribing cholinesterase inhibitors and anticholinergic drugs to patients with dementia.