Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wavelength-dependent change of retinal nerve fiber layer reflectance in glaucomatous retinas.

PURPOSE Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) reflectance is often used in optical methods for RNFL assessment in clinical diagnosis of glaucoma, yet little is known about the reflectance property of the RNFL under the development of glaucoma. This study measured the changes in RNFL reflectance spectra that occurred in retinal nerve fiber bundles with different degrees of glaucomatous damage. METHODS A rat model of glaucoma with laser photocoagulation of trabecular meshwork was used. Reflectance of the RNFL in an isolated retina was measured at wavelengths of 400-830 nm. Cytostructural distribution of the bundles measured optically was evaluated by confocal imaging of immunohistochemistry staining of cytoskeletal components, F-actin, microtubules, and neurofilaments. RNFL reflectance spectra were studied in bundles with normal-looking appearance, early F-actin distortion, and apparent damage of all cytoskeletal components. Changes of RNFL reflectance spectra were studied at different radii (0.22, 0.33, and 0.44 mm) from the optic nerve head (ONH). RESULTS Bundles in 30 control retinas and 41 glaucomatous retinas were examined. In normal retinas, reflectance spectra were similar along the same bundles. In glaucomatous retinas, reflectance spectra changed along bundles with the spectra becoming flatter as bundle areas approached the ONH. CONCLUSIONS Elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) causes nonuniform changes in RNFL reflectance across wavelengths. Changes of reflectance spectra occur early in bundles near the ONH and prior to apparent cytoskeletal distortion. Using the ratio of RNFL reflectance measured at different wavelengths can provide early and sensitive detection of glaucomatous damage.
Treatment Adherence and Its Impact on Disease-Free Survival in the Breast International Group 1-98 Trial of Tamoxifen and Letrozole, Alone and in Sequence.

PURPOSE To investigate adherence to endocrine treatment and its relationship with disease-free survival (DFS) in the Breast International Group (BIG) 1-98 clinical trial. METHODS The BIG 1-98 trial is a double-blind trial that randomly assigned 6,193 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer in the four-arm option to 5 years of tamoxifen (Tam), letrozole (Let), or the agents in sequence (Let-Tam, Tam-Let). This analysis included 6,144 women who received at least one dose of study treatment. Conditional landmark analyses and marginal structural Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relationship between DFS and treatment adherence (persistence [duration] and compliance with dosage). Competing risks regression was used to assess demographic, disease, and treatment characteristics of the women who stopped treatment early because of adverse events. RESULTS Both aspects of low adherence (early cessation of letrozole and a compliance score of < 90%) were associated with reduced DFS (multivariable model hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.93; P = .01; and multivariable model hazard ratio, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.38; P = .02, respectively). Sequential treatments were associated with higher rates of nonpersistence (Tam-Let, 20.8%; Let-Tam, 20.3%; Tam 16.9%; Let 17.6%). Adverse events were the reason for most trial treatment early discontinuations (82.7%). Apart from sequential treatment assignment, reduced adherence was associated with older age, smoking, node negativity, or prior thromboembolic event. CONCLUSION Both persistence and compliance are associated with DFS. Toxicity management and, for sequential treatments, patient and physician awareness, may improve adherence.
Transport out of the Antarctic polar vortex from a three-dimensional transport model

[1] A three-dimensional chemical transport model is utilized to study the transport out of the Antarctic polar vortex during the southern hemisphere spring. On average, over five consecutive years between 1993 and 1997, horizontal transport out of the vortex into the midlatitude stratosphere is smaller than vertical transport into the troposphere. However, there is significant interannual variability in the magnitude of mass exchange, which is related to year-to-year fluctuations in planetary wave activity. In 1994 the net loss of the vortex tracer mass in September is similar to that in October. However, the relative mass flux entering the midlatitude stratosphere and the troposphere differ between the two months. The ratio of horizontal transport out of the vortex to vertical transport into the troposphere is about 3:7 in September and 5:5 in October, indicating the higher permeability of the vortex in October compared to September. The September mass flux into the troposphere is larger than in October, consistent with the fact that stronger diabatic cooling occurs in September than October over Antarctica. The estimated ozone change at southern midlatitudes due to the intrusion of ozone-depleted air from high latitudes during September–October 1994 is about −0.44% per decade, which could contribute up to 10% of observed ozone decline at southern midlatitudes in spring. This amount is an underestimate of the dilution effect from high latitudes during the spring season, as it does not include the vortex breakup in late spring.
Young‐onset Parkinson's disease revisited—clinical features, natural history, and mortality

The authors report on clinical features and mortality rates in a group of 149 patients with apparent idiopathic parkinsonism starting before the age of 40 years. Ten had juvenile parkinsonism (JP; onset before age 21 years) and 139 had young‐onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD; onset at age 21 to 40 years). Included were 60 patients originally reported 10 years ago. Fifty percent of the JP group had a positive family history of parkinsonism in a first‐degree relative, and clinical presentation was heterogeneous. Mortality risk was threefold that of the normal population. In the YOPD group, the mortality risk was double that of the normal population. Poor initial response to L‐dopa was a risk factor for early death. In two previously reported patients, the diagnosis had been changed to multiple system atrophy and Machado‐Joseph disease. After a median disease duration of 18 years, cognitive impairment was found in only 19% of YOPD patients (13% of those younger than 60 years and 43% of those 60 years or older). Age was the most important factor for development of dementia, but female sex and positive family history of parkinsonism also had more modest predictive value. After a disease duration of 10 years or less, only 5% of patients were experiencing falls and 30% freezing, but all patients had developed L‐dopa‐related fluctuations and dyskinesias. The authors conclude that the mortality rate in parkinsonism starting before the age of 40 is increased in comparison to the normal population and is similar to the general Parkinson's disease population. Intellectual function and postural reflexes are usually well preserved for many years despite a long history of parkinsonism and the early and frequent occurrence of treatment complications, provided the patients remain biologically and chronologically young.
Marine dock pilings foster diverse, native cryptobenthic fish assemblages across bioregions

Abstract Anthropogenic habitats are increasingly prevalent in coastal marine environments. Previous research on sessile epifauna suggests that artificial habitats act as a refuge for nonindigenous species, which results in highly homogenous communities across locations. However, vertebrate assemblages that live in association with artificial habitats are poorly understood. Here, we quantify the biodiversity of small, cryptic (henceforth “cryptobenthic”) fishes from marine dock pilings across six locations over 35° of latitude from Maine to Panama. We also compare assemblages from dock pilings to natural habitats in the two southernmost locations (Panama and Belize). Our results suggest that the biodiversity patterns of cryptobenthic fishes from dock pilings follow a Latitudinal Diversity Gradient (LDG), with average local and regional diversity declining sharply with increasing latitude. Furthermore, a strong correlation between community composition and spatial distance suggests distinct regional assemblages of cryptobenthic fishes. Cryptobenthic fish assemblages from dock pilings in Belize and Panama were less diverse and had lower densities than nearby reef habitats. However, dock pilings harbored almost exclusively native species, including two species of conservation concern absent from nearby natural habitats. Our results suggest that, in contrast to sessile epifaunal assemblages on artificial substrates, artificial marine habitats can harbor diverse, regionally characteristic assemblages of vertebrates that follow macroecological patterns that are well documented for natural habitats. We therefore posit that, although dock pilings cannot function as a replacement for natural habitats, dock pilings may provide cost‐effective means to preserve native vertebrate biodiversity, and provide a habitat that can be relatively easily monitored to track the status and trends of fish biodiversity in highly urbanized coastal marine environments.
Social selection in seeking help for psychological problems.

Social selection in seekingcarefor psychological problemsfrom psychiatric services, counselingservices, clergymen, medical services, and otherformal agencies was explored among 1,502 randomly selected university students, and their analysis was partially replicated in a prospective analysis of a subgroup of 274 students who werefollowed up two years later. Special samples were also studied of applicantsJor service from a university psychiatric unit and a counseling center. Sociocultural characteristics, attitudes, knowledge, reference group orientations, and degree of psychological problems all had independent effects on use of helping services. However, some of these variables affected generalized help-seeking behaviors while others had an effect primarily on the specific types of help consulted. While psychological distress plays a major role in seeking help, its influence is largely independent of sociocultural, attitudinal, and reference group factors.
Research on Sustainability Financial Performance of Chinese Listed Companies

Studying the sustainability of the financial performance of Chinese listed companies is an assessment of their future development capability and a comprehensive evaluation of all aspects of the companies over the past period of time. Based on the financial data of manufacturing industry of Chinese listed companies from 2008 to 2015, this paper uses the AHP (Analytic hierarchy process) method to determine the weight of each secondary indictor, calculate the sustainable development capability of financial performance, and analyze and compare the sustainable financial performance of manufacturing sub-industries. The long-term trend and the periodical trend of the sustainable development of the manufacturing industry in Chinese listed companies are analyzed through the HP (High-Pass) filter method. The results show that the long-term sustainable financial performance of the manufacturing industry of Chinese listed companies is basically maintained. Through the comparison of regions and ownership, it has been found that the sustainable financial performance of Chinese listed companies in the eastern and central regions is rising, while that of the western region is declining; the long-term sustainable financial performance of non-state-owned enterprises is rising, while that of state-owned enterprises is declining.
The use of diverting colostomies in paediatric peri-anal burns: experience in 45 patients.

BACKGROUND Peri-anal burns are common in children. Continual exposure to enteric organisms may lead to a contaminated burn wound, invasive sepsis, graft loss, scar contracture, anal and urinary malfunction, and delayed discharge from hospital. Use of a temporary diverting colostomy has been advocated to reduce complications. OBJECTIVES To review the incidence, indications, methods, bacteriology, therapeutic effects and outcomes of colostomy for perianal burns. METHODS A prospective study of children with peri-anal burns and stomas over a 17-year period. Prophylactic or therapeutic faecal diversion was achieved by temporary, divided sigmoid end-colostomy with Hartmann's closure of the distal end. RESULTS Between 1995 and 2012, 45 children with peri-anal burns received a colostomy. The mean total body surface area burned was 35% (range 3 - 80%). There were 28 flame burns, 16 fluid burns and 1 contact burn. Prophylactic colostomies were performed in 29 children, on average on day 6 after admission, and therapeutic colostomies to counteract deep wound infection and septicaemia in 16 patients, on average on day 24. In all but 2 cases there was a marked improvement in clinical appearance, graft take and healing. The bacterial profile changed from gut-derived organisms to Pseudomonas aeruginosa or no pathogens. Complications occurred in 5 patients (11.1%). Three stomas required manual reduction. Two children died of established septic shock, compounded by stomal dehiscence in 1 case. Reversal of the colostomy was performed on average at 4 months. CONCLUSION Diverting colostomy has therapeutic advantages in a select group of paediatric burns patients in whom continual faecal soiling poses a threat to both graft and life.
Causal Effects for Time-Varying Treatments and Outcomes 2 Composite Causal Effects for Time-Varying Treatments and Time-Varying Outcomes

We develop an approach to conceptualizing causal effects in longitudinal settings with time-varying treatments and time-varying outcomes. The classic potential outcome approach to causal inference generally involves two time periods: units of analysis are exposed to one of two possible values of the causal variable, treatment or control, at a given point in time, and values for an outcome are assessed some time subsequent to exposure. In this paper, we develop a potential outcome approach for longitudinal situations in which both exposure to treatment and the effects of treatment are time-varying. In this longitudinal setting, the research interest centers on not two potential outcomes, but a matrix of potential outcomes, requiring a complicated conceptualization of many potential counterfactuals. Motivated by several sociological applications, we develop a simplification scheme – a composite causal effect estimand – with a forward looking sequential expectation that allows identification and estimation of effects with a number of possible solutions. Our approach is illustrated via an analysis of the effects of disability on subsequent employment status using panel data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Causal Effects for Time-Varying Treatments and Outcomes 3
The follicular hormonal profile in low-responder patients undergoing unstimulated cycles: Is it hypoandrogenic?

STUDY QUESTION What is the final hormonal milieu of pre-ovulatory follicles of low-responder (LR) patients undergoing unstimulated cycles? SUMMARY ANSWER Neither androgen secretion nor LH was impaired in pre-ovulatory follicles of LR women. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Therapies currently used to improve ovarian response in LR women have an impact on the final hormonal follicular milieu, and these changes are believed to be partially responsible for determining the success rate in these women. Surprisingly, as far as we know, there is no report of the final hormonal profile of LR women undergoing unstimulated cycles or evidence that follicular androgen secretion in LR women is impaired. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION A prospective case-control study including 94 women, 36 normal controls and 58 LR patients (19 Young ≤ 35 years LR and 39 Aged >35 years LR) from 2009 to 2011. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS Fifty-eight LR women were divided into two groups: Young LR (age ≤ 35; n = 19) and Aged LR (ALR; age >35; n = 39). The control group (group C) comprised 36 egg donors undergoing an unstimulated cycle in our IVF unit. Serum and follicular fluid hormonal concentrations for estradiol (E₂), progesterone, testosterone and androstendione were measured. The spindle parameters of metaphase II oocytes generated from these groups were also analysed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Pre-ovulatory follicles from LR patients had similar androgenic and LH concentrations to those observed in the control group. However, higher intrafollicular concentrations of FSH and progesterone were observed in ALR. Moreover, no differences were found for the spindle evaluation of oocytes between groups by the Oosight technology. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The controls were younger and had a lower BMI than the LR women. The sample size available restricted statistical power. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study suggests that the problem with LR women is not the final pre-ovulatory follicular androgen concentration since this is similar to normal responders, but in the ability to respond to controlled ovarian stimulation protocols. Therefore, efforts should be focused on long-interval androgen priming to potentially increase the recruitment of small antral follicles rather than increasing the intraovarian androgen levels within the current cycle. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST The present project has been supported by the R+D programme from the Generalitat Valenciana (Regional Valencian Government) IMPIVA MIDTF/2010/95. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Multi-objective design of highly interpretable fuzzy rule-based classifiers with semantic cointension

Although recently there has been many papers dealing with how to characterize and assess interpretability, there is still a lot of work to be done. Interpretability assessment is usually addressed by evaluating the complexity and/or readability of fuzzy rule-based systems. However, comprehensibility is usually not taken into account because it implies more cognitive aspects which are difficult to formalize and to deal with. In this work we show the importance of considering not only readability but also comprehensibility during the design process of fuzzy systems. We introduce the use of a novel index for evaluating comprehensibility in the context of a three-objective evolutionary framework for designing highly interpretable fuzzy rule-based classifiers. It is named as logical view index (LVI) and it is based on a semantic cointension approach. The proposed evolutionary algorithm consists of embedding the HILK (Highly Interpretable Linguistic Knowledge) fuzzy modeling methodology into the classical NSGA-II with the aim of maximizing accuracy, readability, and comprehensibility of the generated fuzzy rule-based classifiers. Our proposal is tested in the well-known PIMA benchmark problem which corresponds to a medical diagnosis problem where interpretability is a strong requirement.
Prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and association with self-rated health: National Health Survey, 2013.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the profile of 10 chronic noncommunicable diseases investigated in the National Health Survey carried out in Brazil in 2013 and their association with the self-rated health. METHODS A cross-sectional, population-based nationwide study with 60,202 individuals aged 18 years old or more. Sampling process by conglomerate was carried out in three stages of selection: census tract, household, and individual. The prevalence of chronic diseases by age, gender and educational status and the confidence intervals of 95% , the mean age at the first diagnosis and the proportion of limitation of the usual activities were calculated. To test the association with self-rated health, the logistic regression procedure adjusted for gender and age was used. RESULTS The more prevalent diseases were hypertension (21.4%), depression (7.6%), arthritis (6.4%), and diabetes mellitus (6.2%). Individuals diagnosed with stroke reported greater limitations in the daily activities (38.6%). There was a gradient in the prevalence by age and educational level, and all the diseases were more frequent among women. A worse self-rated health was observed among those with a diagnosis of stroke (OR = 3.60; p < 0.001) and those who referred two diseases (OR = 5.53; p < 0.001) or three or more diseases (OR = 10.86; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Because these diseases are associated with modifiable risk factors, the prevention with population focus is the best strategy to reduce the burden of these diseases.
[Stability and preservability of freeze-dried small-pox vaccine with different moisture contents].

For the purpose of long-term preservation of small-pox vaccine, Hornibrook et al. (1951) first published a report on preparation of freeze-dried vaccine, stating that an addition of lactose-salt mixture could protect the dried small-pox vaccine from its deterioration during the storage. Afterwards, Cockburn et al. (1957) studied on the protecting effect of peptone as an adjuvant, and recommended the use of peptone-dried small-pox vaccine in epidemic areas of the tropic. Meanwhile, Yanagisawa et al. (1963) have reported that an addition of sodium glutamate instead of peptone to the vaccine was found to better preserve vaccine potency during storages at 37 C and 45 C. Further study on the utility of sodium glutamate has been conducted by Suzuki et al. (1964). They showed that the dried vaccine could preserve its potency at least for three years and that it was more stable than that of the ordinary glycerinated vaccine lymph. Further studies on the properties of freeze-dried vaccine have been made by the authors to draft the Minimum Requirements of two dried vaccines (1965), using peptone or glutamate as the adjuvant. This paper presents results of comparative studies on heat stability and long-term preservability of both dried vaccines, considering residual moisture content in each ampoule and the reason why the new Minimum Requirements were recently issued. The expiration date of the dried vaccine is three years after approved by the national assay, and the heat stability test is adopted, instead of preservability that needed for 6 months, as a simple and rapid way.
From Wechat to we Fight: Tencent and China Mobile's Dilemma

With the coming of mobile internet era, Giants in the different industry begin to compete face by face. This teaching case presents the event of charging for WeChat in China context to delineate the new challenges that Online Service Provider and Mobile Network Operator will face. The case describes the origin of the event, development of WeChat from inception to today, the impact of WeChat on China Mobile growth, current dilemma and disputes that all stakeholders involved. This case can help students gain more insights on the current debate around Net Neutrality.
Remittances and Democratization

Do remittances stabilize autocracies? Remittances—money sent by foreign workers to individuals in their home country—differ from other sources of external non-tax revenue, such as foreign aid, because they accrue directly to individuals and thus raise the incomes of households. We argue that remittances increase the likelihood of democratic transition by undermining electoral support for autocratic incumbents in party-based regimes. Remittances therefore make voters less dependent on state transfers. As a result, autocracies that rely heavily on the broad-based distribution of spoils for their survival, namely party-based regimes, should prove especially vulnerable to increases in remittances. Evidence consistent with this argument suggests that remittances promote democratization in some dictatorships.