Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Ocular Dominance on Anisometropic Myopia

During Binocular viewing, the preferential use of dominant eye because of its increased static ciliary muscle tone, might allow the dominant eye more myopic then non dominant eye in anisometropic myopia. However certain studies found that, there was no apparent association between ocular dominance and refraction. The present study was therefore conducted to analyze, the effect of ocular dominance on anisometropic myopia. This study was done at Physiology research laboratory, Thanjavur medical college, Thanjavur. 49 Medical students with anisometropic myopia were recruited. Refractive error was measured by autorefractometry. Ocular dominance was first tested by miles test and then VEPs (Visual Evoked Potentials) were performed by checker board pattern reversal stimuli system. Out of 49 Anisometropia, the dominant eye was more myopic in 27 (55.1%) subjects and the spherical equivalent refraction was not significant with non dominant eyes (p=0.6037). There were no significant differences in mean spherical equivalent refraction between dominant and non dominant eyes of < 0.5D (p= 0.9266) and in anisometropia of ≥0.5D (p= 0.9281). Among 35 non cross dominance anisometropia (Right handed right ocular dominance), the dominant eye was more myopic in 18(51.4%) subjects and it was not significant with non dominant eyes (p=0 .6622). Out of 14 cross dominance anisometropia (Right handed left ocular dominance) the dominant eye was more myopic in 9 (64.28%) subjects and it was not significant with non dominant eyes. (p= 0.4896). There was no significant effect of ocular dominance on anisometropic myopia. Further research is needed to evaluate the influence of ocular dominance on high anisometric myopia of ≥ 1.75D and also to determine the influence of cross and non cross ocular dominance on myopia to resolve the disparity existing in present studies.
Ku-Band Linearly Polarized Omnidirectional Planar Filtenna

A linearly polarized omnidirectional planar filtenna at Ku-band is presented in this letter. It is a seamless and incorporate design of an inductive window bandpass filter and a planar coaxial collinear (COCO) radiation element. The radiation element has a linearly polarized omnidirectional radiation characteristic. The substrate integrated waveguide filter is used for RF channel selection as well as a balun. The proposed filtenna has merits of light weight, compact size, low cost, and easy integration with other planar circuits. Simulation and measurement results show that the radiation characteristics of the filtenna keep nearly no change within the working band, while unwanted signals at out-band can be effectively filtered.
A Theoretical Approach to Resolving the Psychometric Problems Associated With the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory: Results From the USA, Australia, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom

The Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI; Zimbardo & Boyd, 1999) assesses five time-related constructs – Past Negative (PN), Past Positive (PP), Present Fatalistic (PF), Present Hedonistic (PF), and Future (F) – and is one of the most frequently used time measures in the extant literature. Versions of the ZTPI have been translated into a variety of languages, but the psychometric support for ZTPI scores remains contested. We examined the internal consistency, structural validity, and convergent validity of scores on a version of the ZTPI that consisted only of items that specifically referenced time constructs, the ZTPI-TP. Participants consisted of five samples of adolescents and adults from four countries: Australia (653 adults), Slovenia (425 adolescents and adults), the United Kingdom (913 adolescents; 455 adults), and the United States (815 adolescents). Structural validity analyses provided stronger support for ZTPI-TP scores than for ZTPI scores, and convergent validity evidence also provided support for ZTPI-TP scores. However, analyses revealed that the PF and PH factors were still problematic, especially with regard to factor coefficients and internal consistency estimates. We concluded that the ZTPI-TP can form the basis for a more robust version of the ZTPI.
Moving to Sustainability by Learning from Successful Fisheries

Abstract There are two diverging views of the status and future of the world's fisheries. One group represented largely by academic marine ecologists sees almost universal failure of fisheries management and calls for the use of marine-protected areas as the central tool of a new approach to rebuilding the marine ecosystems of the world. The scientists working in fisheries agencies and many academic scientists see a more complex picture, with many failed fisheries but also numerous successes. This group argues that we need to apply the lessons from the successful fisheries to stop the decline and rebuild those fisheries threatened by excess fishing. These lessons are stopping the competitive race to fish by appropriate incentives for fishing fleets and good governance. The major tool of resetting incentives is granting various forms of dedicated access, including community-based fishing rights, allocation to cooperatives, and individual fishing quotas. Many of the failed fisheries of the world occur in jurisdictions where central governments are not functional, and local control of fisheries is an essential part of the solution.
Effet de la fonte et de la pollution sur la tension de tenue maximale des isolateurs recouverts de glace

La performance electrique des isolateurs de lignes de transport d'energie electrique est degradee par la presence de glace a leur surface. Cet affaiblissement de la tenue electrique des isolateurs peut etre tel que des arcs electriques peuvent prendre naissance et se developper jusqu'a provoquer un contournement total des isolateurs. Le contournement electrique des isolateurs qui est ainsi produit peut alors engendre une interruption de courant. Il apparait donc essentiel de connaitre le plus adequatement possible la performance electrique (sous glace) des isolateurs, lorsque ceux-ci sont situes dans un lieu propice a l'accumulation de glace a leur surface. Cependant, il n'existe presentement aucune norme standard pour tester des isolateurs sous des conditions de glace. Partant de la, une etude systematique, dont le but est de proposer une methode standard d'essais sous glace et d'etudier l'influence de differents parametres sur la tenue electrique d'isolateurs recouverts de glace, fut entreprise par le Groupe de Recherche en Ingenierie de l'Environnement Atmospherique de l'Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi. C'est dans ce projet de recherche que la presente etude s'inscrit. Le but de cette derniere est donc d'etudier l'influence de deux facteurs sur la tension de tenue maximale d'isolateurs recouverts de glace. Ces deux facteurs sont les suivants: la fonte de la glace (engendree par l'augmentation de la temperature ambiante jusqu'au point de fonte de la glace) et le niveau de contamination a la surface des isolateurs. A l'issue des experimentations realisees au cours de la presente recherche, il apparait que la fonte de la glace cause une diminution de l'ordre de 10% de la tension de tenue maximale, en comparaison aux essais realises sans periode de fonte de la glace. Egalement, la presence de contamination a la surface des isolateurs cause une diminution de leur tenue electrique. C'est ainsi que la tension de tenue maximale des isolateurs contamines legerement (0,05 mg/cm2) etait d'environ 5% plus faible que lors d'essais realises sans contamination. De plus, cette diminution de la tenue electrique des isolateurs devenait tres critique lorsque le niveau de contamination etait moyen (0,1 mg/cm2). Effectivement, des isolateurs composites ayant une densite du depot de sel a leur surface de 0,1 mg/cm2, furent contournes par un arc electrique au cours de la periode de fonte de la glace, alors qu'ils etaient sous tension de service. Dans le present memoire, quelques notions de bases sont relatees dans le but de donner une meilleure comprehension de l'objet d'etude. Egalement, une revue des principales recherches realisees dans ce domaine est presentee. Enfin, les resultats de ce travail de recherche, de meme que leur analyse, sont presentes en detail.
Laser-induced fluorescence detection of malignant gliomas using fluorescein-labeled serum albumin: Experimental and preliminary clinical results

Abstract To delineate the tumor margins of malignant gliomas laser-induced fluorescence detection technique was applied using 5-aminofluoresceln-albumin as the fluorescent dye. The 5-aminofluorescein was linked to serum albumin (= AFlc-SA) as a cumulative protein label using residualizing markers. In a C6-glioma model the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of the injected dye were investigated by labeling the protein conjugate with 111 In-DTPA. Twenty-four hours after Intravenous Injection of the dye, fluorescence was activated by an argon laser and inspected in the C6-gliomas. Histological examinations were performed to compare the microscopic margins of the fluorescence-stained tumors with hematoxylin/eosin. The tumor uptake 24 h after dye injection was 23-fold higher than in the surrounding brain. Fluorescence inspection under laser activation demonstrated clearly stained and sharply demarcated tumors. The microscopic borders of the tumors corresponded exactly with the fluorescence, also demonstrating intracellular tumor uptake of the dye. In a preliminary study, three patients with malignant gliomas were operated using laser-induced fluorescence detection technique after injection of AFlc-SA. In all patients, the borders of the malignant gliomas were clearly stained by AFlc-SA during surgery. Laser-induced fluorescence imaging using the albumin conjugate AFlc-SA may be a promising method for delineating tumor margins which are hard to detect under the operating microscope alone. [Neurol Res 2000; 22: 481-489]
Urine metabolic changes in rats after tripterygium wilfordii poisoning

Tripterygium wilfordii (Hook. f.) is a woody vine of the Celastraceae family, and native to China (south of the Yangtze River), Korea, and Japan, is used in the clinic for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, we developed a urine metabolomic method by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) to evaluate the effect of Tripterygium wilfordii poisoning on rats. The Tripterygium wilfordii group rats were given 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg (Low, High) of Tripterygium wilfordii by continous intragastric administration each day for 7 days. Partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) revealed that Tripterygium wilfordii induced metabolic perturbations. Compared to the control group, increased L-glutamine, arabinitol, L-ornithine, arabinofuranose, xylonic acid, benzoic acid, pentitol, cinnamic acid, galactonic acid of Low group; while increased D-gluconic acid, arabinofuranose, glucaric acid, benzoic acid, galactonic acid of High group. The results indicate that metabolomic method by GC-MS may be useful to elucidate Tripterygium wilfordii poisoning.
Plasma concentration of Gc-globulin is associated with organ dysfunction and sepsis after injury

ObjectiveClinical and experimental studies suggest that the proteins of the extracellular actin scavenger system have a role in the pathophysiological processes taking place in critically ill and injured patients. Circulating levels of Gc-globulin and gelsolin are reduced shortly after severe trauma, and admission levels of Gc-globulin are associated with survival. Herein, we sought to measure the association between admission levels of Gc-globulin and postinjury organ dysfunction and infection. We also wanted to describe the serial changes in Gc-globulin in these severely injured patients. DesignProspective cohort. SettingIntensive care unit at a county hospital that serves as a level one trauma center. PatientsNinety-eight consecutive trauma victims admitted to the intensive care unit for >24 hrs during a 4-month period. Measurements and Main ResultsCirculating levels of Gc-globulin were measured by using immunonephelometry. All patients were evaluated daily to obtain the necessary data for assessment of organ dysfunction and sepsis. The median Gc-globulin concentration at admission was 127 mg/L in patients who developed severe multiple organ dysfunction compared with 184 mg/L in patients who did not (p = .001). The admission level of Gc-globulin was comparable to known risk factors such as age and injury severity score, regarding development of organ dysfunction. Plasma concentrations of Gc-globulin remained significantly lower in patients who developed respiratory failure and sepsis, compared with patients who did not develop these complications (p = .02 and p = .015, respectively). ConclusionsAdmission plasma concentration of Gc-globulin is lower in patients who develop organ dysfunction and sepsis after traumatic injury. These data, combined with the work of others, support the hypothesis that actin release and depletion of the extracellular actin scavenger system proteins are associated with, and may contribute in part to, the complications of sepsis and organ dysfunction, particularly respiratory failure and thrombocytopenia.
Validity of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. (CSA) activity monitor.

The validity of the Computer Science and Applications, Inc. (CSA) accelerometer in assessing physical activity was assessed during treadmill walking and running at three different grades. Energy expenditure (EE) served as the criterion measure. CSA data were compared to data collected with the Caltrac accelerometer. Both accelerometers were sensitive to changes in treadmill speed, but neither discriminated changes in treadmill grade. Caltrac and CSA activity counts were significantly and similarly correlated with EE (r = 0.66-0.82), relative VO2 (r = 0.77-0.89), heart rate (r = 0.66-0.80), treadmill speed (r = 0.82-0.92), and with each other (r = 0.77-0.82). CSA data were used to develop models to predict EE (kcal.min-1). Cross-validation resulted in a mean difference between actual and predicted EE of 0.02 kcal.min-1 (SEE = 0.85 kcal.min-1). The range of individual differences in the validation group was large for both the CSA model (-2.86 to +3.86 kcal.min-1) and Caltrac (-4.17 to +2.04 kcal.min-1). It is concluded that the CSA and Caltrac accelerometers have similar validity and that either instrument can be used to estimate EE of groups.
Medical Journals

the Transylvania Medical Journal, formerly edited by Dr. Frasee, is to be continued, Drs. Bullit and Breckenridge, of the Kentucky School of Medicine, having assumed the editorial management. The typographical appearance of the work is improved. It is Jo be issued monthly as heretofore. The Medical Chronicle, or Montreal Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery. Edited by Wil li am Wrig ht , M. D. , and D. C. Mac Cal lu m , M. D. We have inadvertently omitted to notice the appearance of this new Journal, which has reached the fourth monthly issue. It is the successor to the British American Medical Journal formerly edited by Archibald Hall, M. D. The Iowa Medical Journal, is the title of a new periodical which takes the place of the North-Western Medico-Chirurgical Journal. It is issued at Keokuk, Iowa, and is conducted by the Faculty of the Iowa University.
LINE‐1 hypomethylation in spermatozoa is associated with Bisphenol A exposure

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor with potentially harmful effects on humans. However, epigenetic mechanisms that modulate the effects of BPA remain unclear. Methylation of long interspersed nucleotide elements (LINE‐1) is a marker of genome‐wide methylation status. This study aims to examine whether BPA exposure was associated with LINE‐1 methylation changes in men. Male factory workers in Hunan, China (N = 149) were studied, 77 with BPA exposure in workplace (BPA‐exposed group) and 72 without BPA exposure in workplace (control group). Pre‐shift and post‐shift urine samples were collected from the BPA‐exposed group and spot urine samples were collected from the control group. Urine samples were assessed for BPA. In addition, blood and semen samples were collected from both groups for LINE‐1 methylation analysis. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age, education, smoking habits and alcohol consumption, sperm LINE‐1 methylation level was significantly lower in BPA exposed workers (p < 0.001) compared to that in the unexposed workers. Linear regression analysis also showed that log‐transformed urine BPA levels were inversely associated with sperm LINE‐1 methylation (p < 0.0001), but not peripheral blood cell LINE‐1 methylation. Moreover, the association between urine BPA level and semen quality was not attenuated after adjustments for LINE‐1 level. In summary, the observed independent relationship between BPA exposure and LINE‐1 methylation may have public health implications on reproductive health in men because of ubiquitous exposure to BPA.
The Fat Studies Reader

Foreword: Fat Studies: An Invitation to RevolutionMarilyn WannAcknowledgments Introduction Sondra Solovay and Esther RothblumPart I What Is Fat Studies? The Social and Historical Construction of FatnessPart II Fat Studies in Health and MedicinePart III Fatness as Social InequalityPart IV Size-ism in Popular Culture and LiteraturePart V Embodying and Embracing FatnessPart VI Starting the RevolutionAppendix A: Fat Liberation Manifesto, November 1973 Judy Freespirit and AldebaranAppendix B: Legal Briefs About the ContributorsIndex
[G[P] type profiles of group A human rotavirus and their distribution in Nizhni Novgorod and Dzerzhinsk in 1997-2005].

RT-PCR was used to determine G (VP7) and P (VP4) genotypes of group A rotavirus found in 2454 children with diarrhea in 1997-2005. Eight G[P] combinations, including G1-4 serotypes and P[4, 6, 8, 9] genotypes, were identified. The P[8] genotype was presented by the subtypes P[8]-1 and P[8]-2. In 1997-2005, the spectrum and distribution of G[P] types were as follows: G1P[8]-1 (10%), G1P[8]-2 (67%), G1P[6] (3%), G2P[4] (9%), G3P[8]-2 (5%), G3P[6] (1%), G3P[9] (1%), G4P[8]-2 (3%), G9 (0%), G? P[? ] (1%). Five G[P] types of rotavirus were identified in the 2004-2005 season. The G2P[4] type was prevalent (37%), the GI P[8]-2 type was detected in 25% of cases; G3P[8]-2 in 22%; G4P[8]-2 in 12%; G3P in 2%), G[? ]P[? ] in 2%. The P[8]-1 subgemotype was not found. The spectrum of the G1P[8] types of rotavirus and their distribution should be taken into account while developing a vaccine prophylaxis program against rotavirus gastroenteritis in Russia.
Generalised fault-tolerant stored-unibit-transfer residue number system multiplier for moduli set {2n - 1, 2n, 2n + 1}

Residue number system (RNS) which utilises redundant encoding for the residues is called redundant residue number system (RRNS). It can accelerate multiplication which is a high-latency operation. Using stored-unibit-transfer (SUT) redundant encoding in RRNS called SUT-RNS has been shown as an efficient number system for arithmetic operation. Radix-2h SUT-RNS multiplication has been proposed in previous studies for modulo 2n−1, but it has not been generalised for each moduli lengths (n) and radix (r=2h). Also, SUT-RNS multiplication for modulo 2n+1 has not been discussed. In this study the authors remove these weaknesses by proposing general radix-2h SUT-RNS multiplication for the moduli set {2n−1, 2n, 2n+1}. Moreover, the authors demonstrate that our approach enables a unified design for the moduli set multipliers, which results in designing fault-tolerant SUT-RNS multipliers with low hardware redundancy. Results indicate that the proposed general SUT-RNS multiplier for the moduli set {2n−1, 2n, 2n+1} is a fast fault-tolerant multiplier which outperforms area, power and energy/operation of existing RRNS multiplier.
Directional Hybrid Precoding in Millimeter-Wave MIMO Systems

The focus of this work is on cost and complexity- induced rank-constrained precoding for millimeter- wave (mmW) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. The higher antenna dimensionality and sparse channel structure of mmW systems motivate directional precoding schemes over more complex and less robust eigen-mode-based precoding schemes. Building on a prior work that illustrated the superiority in design, robustness and performance of a directional rank-1 beamformer, this work considers higher-rank directional precoding structures for mmW systems. It is shown that directional precoders continue to enjoy similar properties in single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) systems. But from a network efficiency consideration, it would be more worthwhile to expend the radio frequency (RF) chain resource on multi-user transmissions. Towards this goal, a directional scheduler and different directional beamforming structures are proposed here. These structures are shown to result in significant performance improvement over higher-rank SU-MIMO schemes.
The relative contribution of antibody production and CD8+ T cell function to immune control of Trypanosoma cruzi

The life cycle of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi in mammalian hosts includes both non‐dividing trypomastigote forms which circulate in the blood and replicating intracellular amastigotes which reside within the cytoplasm of a variety of host cells. In this study we have used mice with induced mutations in genes responsible for either antibody production or cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) function to examine the relative contributions of these effector mechanisms to control of T. cruzi. Mice deficient in the production of antibodies exhibited a delay in the rise in acute phase parasitaemia and an extended time to death relative to mice lacking CD8+ T cells. Nevertheless, B cell deficient mice eventually succumbed to the infection. Prior infection with an avirulent strain of T. cruzi failed to protect either CD8+ T cell‐deficient mice or B cell deficient mice from challenge infection with virulent parasites. In contrast, mice with disruptions in the genes controlling perforin‐ or granzyme B‐mediated cytolytic pathways had parasitaemia and mortality rates similar to wild‐type mice and were protected from secondary infection by prior exposure to avirulent parasites. These results 1) confirm that antibody production, although secondary in importance to cellular responses, is nevertheless absolutely required and 2) perforin‐ or granzyme B‐mediated lytic pathways are not required for control of T. cruzi infection.
A comparison of palliative care outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in long-term care facilities: a systematic review

Provision of palliative care in long-term care (LTC) facilities is important, but limited research has been undertaken to investigate the most appropriate outcome measure for use in this setting. In this systematic review we aimed to measure the psychometric properties (reliability/validity) and feasibility of palliative outcome measures used to assess the quality of palliative care provided in LTC. For identification of outcome measures we undertook systematic searches of electronic databases from 1 January 2000 to 12 September 2008. Included studies were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality prior to inclusion in the review using an appraisal checklist developed for the review to evaluate validity, reliability and feasibility. Ten articles were included in the final review and these provided specific information on the psychometric properties of 10 outcome measures. Four of these measures reported data specifically for residents in LTC facilities, while the remaining six measures reported a sub-set of data for residents in LTC facilities. The Family Perceptions of Care Scale is considered by the authors as the most suitable outcome measure for use in LTC facilities. Of the remaining nine measures, a further two were also considered suitable for measuring the quality of palliative care in residential aged care facilities. These are the Quality of Dying in Long-term Care scale and the Toolkit Interview.