Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Objective line spread function measurements, Snellen acuity, and LOCS II classification in patients with cataract.

We tested an instrument to measure the line spread function (LSF) of the eye in order to assess objectively retinal image degradation due to cataract. Optical aberrations from 62 eyes with early to moderate cataract were assessed by measuring the extent of blurring of a best-focused fine line image (LSF) projected onto a subject's retina. The instrument consisted of a slitlamp equipped with a Hruby lens to project the line and a computer-coupled CCD camera to record and measure the blurred image. We hypothesized that the width of the blurred line image (called WSCAT) due to light scattering in the cataractous lens would be affected most by nuclear and subcapsular cataracts. The WSCAT results were compared to the data from two other tests: (1) Snellen acuity and (2) LOCS II cataract classification. Grouping eyes by Snellen acuity we found that WSCAT from the group with 6/4.5 (20/15) or 6/6 (20/20) acuity was distinguishable from the group with 6/9 (20/30) or worse acuity (95% confidence interval). Data also were analyzed using a regression model which corrects for the intraclass correlation between the two eyes of an individual. Results show a significant association between WSCAT and minimum angular resolution (MAR) derived from Snellen visual acuity (regression coefficient of 5.45, p = 0.008). WSCAT also is correlated with both LOCS II nuclear opalescence (NO) and posterior subcapsular (P) categories with regression coefficients of 3.03 (p = 0.004) and 2.07 (p = 0.054), respectively. Results from measurement of LSF indicate the potential for this instrument to assess retinal image degradation associated with nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract objectively.
Methods to Estimate V˙O2max upon Acute Hypoxia Exposure.

INTRODUCTION Altitude and an individual's V˙O2max contribute to a decrease in V˙O2max under hypoxic conditions. The purpose of this study was to update previous reviews with recent research in order to quantitatively determine the individual and interacting effects of altitude and baseline V˙O2max on V˙O2max upon acute exposure to hypoxia while developing a statistical model to predict an individual's V˙O2max under hypoxic conditions. METHODS Meta-regression was conducted on 105 independent groups of participants (n = 958 subjects from 80 different studies). A series of regression models was tested. The final model included altitude, baseline V˙O2max, Alt2, baseline V˙O2max2, and the interaction of altitude with baseline V˙O2max. RESULTS A curvilinear model provided the best fit for metadata, explaining almost 80% of the variance in the null model. Nonlinear effects of Alt2 (β = -0.078; 95% confidence interval, -0.15 to -0.002) and baseline V˙O2max2 (β = -0.003; 95% confidence interval, -0.004 to -0.001) showed that V˙O2max decreases as altitude increases and that the decrease is greater in individuals with higher aerobic capacities. The interaction of these effects (β = -0.028; 95% confidence interval, -0.042 to -0.015) also showed that the effects of altitude were augmented with higher baseline aerobic capacities. Furthermore, the predictions of the model were fairly accurate in predicting individual decreases in V˙O2max (root-mean-squared error, 3.9 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)). CONCLUSIONS These data provide a robust quantitative framework for the curvilinear and interacting effects of altitude and baseline V˙O2max in determining an individual's effective V˙O2max at altitude. This predictive model is useful for a priori power calculations, design of future experimental studies, and prediction of aerobic capacity declines in applied settings.
PIK3CA Mutations and BRCA1 Expression in Breast Cancer: Potential Biomarkers for Chemoresistance

Mutations in PIK3CA and alterations of BRCA1 expression are common in breast cancer and have been correlated with altered sensitivity to taxanes in human cancer cell lines and with outcome of patients. We assessed mutations in the three hotspots of PIK3CA (E542K, E545K and H1047R) and intratumoral BRCA1 mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR in 61 breast cancer patients. Mutations of PIK3CA were found in 17 (27.9%) and did not correlate with BRCA1 transcript levels. Correlation with clinical and pathological features identified a significant association of mutations with older patients (P = 0.03). Higher BRCA1 mRNA expression was significantly correlated with advanced disease (P = 0.01) and ERBB2 overexpression (P = 0.02). These findings may help to identify a subgroup of patients who will likely benefit from chemotherapy regimens containing microtubule-disrupting agents.
Binding of the Global Response Regulator Protein CovR to the sag Promoter of Streptococcus pyogenes Reveals a New Mode of CovR-DNA Interaction*

CovR (CsrR) is a response regulator of gene expression in Streptococcus pyogenes. It regulates ∼15% of the genome, including the genes encoding several streptococcal virulence factors, and acts primarily as a repressor rather than an activator of transcription. We showed that in vitro, CovR is sufficient to repress transcription from the sag promoter, which directs the expression of streptolysin S, a hemolysin that can damage the membranes of eukaryotic cells and subcellular organelles. Repression was stimulated 10-fold by phosphorylation of CovR with acetyl phosphate. In contrast to binding at the has and cov promoters, which direct the expression of genes involved in capsule biosynthesis and of CovR itself, binding of CovR to Psag was highly cooperative. CovR bound to two extended regions of Psag, an upstream region overlapping the -35 and -10 promoter elements and a downstream region overlapping the translation initiation signals of the sagA gene. Each of these regions contains only a single consensus CovR binding sequence, ATTARA, which at the has promoter defines individual sites to which CovR binds non-cooperatively. At Phas and Pcov the T residues in the sequence ATTARA are important for CovR binding. However, using uracil interference experiments we find that although the ATTARA sequence in the Psag upstream region contains thymine residues important for CovR binding, important thymine residues in the Psag downstream region are located outside this sequence. Furthermore, again in contrast to its behavior at the has and cov promoters where phosphorylation of CovR leads to a 2–3-fold increase in DNA binding affinity, binding of CovR to the sag promoter was stimulated 8–32-fold by phosphorylation. We suggest that these differences in CovR binding mean that individual promoters will be repressed at different intracellular levels of phosphorylated CovR, permitting differences in the response of members of the CovR regulon to environmental and internal metabolic signals.
Multimedia image coding using adaptive integer-to-integer wavelet transforms

Integer-to-integer wavelet transforms for lossless image coding is useful in many multimedia applications. However, the use of a fixed integer-transform in such lossless coders prohibits them from delivering the best coding performance for different types of images. We have shown that for improved performance, the most "appropriate" integer transform should be chosen adaptively to match the image being coded. In this paper we present an analysis-based approach to accomplish this in the context of lossless multimedia image compression, thereby further improving the performance of such a coder.
Nutrition labelling is a trade policy issue: lessons from an analysis of specific trade concerns at the World Trade Organization

Interpretive nutrition labels provide simplified nutrient-specific text and/or symbols on the front of pre-packaged foods, to encourage and enable consumers to make healthier choices. This type of labelling has been proposed as part of a comprehensive policy response to the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases. However, regulation of nutrition labelling falls under the remit of not just the health sector but also trade. Specific Trade Concerns have been raised at the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade Committee regarding interpretive nutrition labelling initiatives in Thailand, Chile, Indonesia, Peru and Ecuador. This paper presents an analysis of the discussions of these concerns. Although nutrition labelling was identified as a legitimate policy objective, queries were raised regarding the justification of the specific labelling measures proposed, and the scientific evidence for effectiveness of such measures. Concerns were also raised regarding the consistency of the measures with international standards. Drawing on policy learning theory, we identified four lessons for public health policy makers, including: strategic framing of nutrition labelling policy objectives; pro-active policy engagement between trade and health to identify potential trade issues; identifying ways to minimize potential 'practical' trade concerns; and engagement with the Codex Alimentarius Commission to develop international guidance on interpretative labelling. This analysis indicates that while there is potential for trade sector concerns to stifle innovation in nutrition labelling policy, care in how interpretive nutrition labelling measures are crafted in light of trade commitments can minimize such a risk and help ensure that trade policy is coherent with nutrition action.
Relations of Alexithymic Characteristics with Eating Attitudes and Hostility in Female College Students

We examined the correlations of alexithymic characteristics with the expression of unfavorable feelings such as anger and hostility and abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors in a sample of 278 Japanese female college students. Mean scores on the Eating Attitude Inventory, MMPI Hostility, and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory were significantly higher for female college students with alexithymic characteristics than for those with nonalexithymic characteristics. Multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that the significant relationships between alexithymic characteristics and oral control of the eating attitudes were controlled by scores on anger-in and anger control, suggesting that anger-in and anger control may mediate the relationship between alexithymic characteristics and abnormal eating attitudes.
Smoking and mental illness: A population-based prevalence study.

CONTEXT Studies of selected groups of persons with mental illness, such as those who are institutionalized or seen in mental health clinics, have reported rates of smoking to be higher than in persons without mental illness. However, recent population-based, nationally representative data are lacking. OBJECTIVE To assess rates of smoking and tobacco cessation in adults, with and without mental illness. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Analysis of data on 4411 respondents aged 15 to 54 years from the National Comorbidity Survey, a nationally representative multistage probability survey conducted from 1991 to 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rates of smoking and tobacco cessation according to the number and type of psychiatric diagnoses, assessed by a modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS Current smoking rates for respondents with no mental illness, lifetime mental illness, and past-month mental illness were 22.5%, 34.8%, and 41.0%, respectively. Lifetime smoking rates were 39.1%, 55.3%, and 59.0%, respectively (P<.001 for all comparisons). Smokers with any history of mental illness had a self-reported quit rate of 37.1% (P =.04), and smokers with past-month mental illness had a self-reported quit rate of 30. 5% (P<.001) compared with smokers without mental illness (42.5%). Odds ratios for current and lifetime smoking in respondents with mental illness in the past month vs respondents without mental illness, adjusted for age, sex, and region of the country, were 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-3.1) and 2.7 (95% CI, 2.4-3.2), respectively. Persons with a mental disorder in the past month consumed approximately 44.3% of cigarettes smoked by this nationally representative sample. CONCLUSIONS Persons with mental illness are about twice as likely to smoke as other persons but have substantial quit rates. JAMA. 2000;284:2606-2610.
Robust Control of Four-Rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle With Disturbance Uncertainty

This paper addresses the stability and tracking control problem of a quadrotor unmanned flying robot vehicle in the presence of modeling error and disturbance uncertainty. The input algorithms are designed for autonomous flight control with the help of an energy function. Adaptation laws are designed to learn and compensate the modeling error and external disturbance uncertainties. Lyapunov theorem shows that the proposed algorithms can guarantee asymptotic stability and tracking of the linear and angular motion of a quadrotor vehicle. Compared with the existing results, the proposed adaptive algorithm does not require an a priori known bound of the modeling errors and disturbance uncertainty. To illustrate the theoretical argument, experimental results on a commercial quadrotor vehicle are presented.
Hepatocellular carcinoma producing a granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor: report of a resected case with a literature review

A complete resection of a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) producing the granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) was performed and is reported here. The patient had a few general symptoms and complications, such as the paraneoplastic syndrome. He had marked granulocytosis, and his serum levels of G‐CSF and interleukin‐6 were elevated. The pathological findings of the resected specimen revealed poorly differentiated HCC with sarcomatous change and showed, immunohistochemically, staining of G‐CSF. Only a few cases of G‐CSF‐producing HCC have been reported, and they resulted in rapid tumour growth and poor prognosis. The case presented here may be the first complete resection ever performed, but the patient's prognosis was similar to that observed in typical cases.
Expectations about Monetary Policy and the Behaviour of the Central Bank

Using microdata from the IBRE-FGV Consumer Survey we investigate if Brazilian consumers form expectations consistent with the Taylor rule and if the consistency changes according to the monetary policy conducted by the Central Bank of Brazil. We find that the public can properly understand the relationship between interest rates and inflation in the rule framework, but not the relationship between interest rates and unemployment, probably due to the single mandate adopted in Brazil and some features of the data. The partial effects methodology introduced by Carvalho and Nechio (2014) confirm these results. Furthermore, we also find that the consistency of expectations significantly drops during periods that the central bank deviates from the Taylor rule, indicating that a higher tolerance to inflationary shocks can damage the coordination of society’s expectations.
Multi-curve bootstrapping and implied discounting curves in illiquid markets

The credit and liquidity crisis of 2007 has triggered a number of inconsistencies in the interest rate market, questioning some of the standard methods and assumptions used to price and hedge interest rate derivatives. It has been shown that using a single risk-free curve (constructed from market instruments referencing underlying rates of varying tenors) to forecast and discount cash flows is not theoretically correct. Standard market practice has evolved to a multi-curve approach, using different curves to forecast and discount cash flows. The risk-free discount curve is proxied by the Overnight-Indexed Swap (OIS) curve. In South Africa there is no liquid market for OIS. In this dissertation a method is developed to estimate the ZAR OIS curve. A cointegration relationship between the SAFEX Overnight Rate, and the 3-month JIBAR rate is shown to exist. This relationship is used in a dual bootstrap algorithm, to simultaneously estimate the ZAR OIS curve and 3-month JIBAR tenor curve, while maintaining arbitrage relationships. The tractability of this method is shown, by pricing options written on ZAR OIS.
A new measurement model of interferometric radar altimeter for terrain referenced navigation using particle filter

This paper proposes a novel method of grafting one of the measurements of interferometric radar altimeter (IRA) onto particle filter that uses sequential importance resampling (SIR) to enhance the performance of terrain referenced navigation (TRN). IRA which is a terrain sensor that measures slant range, slant angle and look angle to the closest terrain point from the aircraft is introduced. The procedure of numerically replicating the measurements of IRA when the position, velocity, and attitude of aircraft, and the terrain database is given is provided herein this paper. Although the degree of accuracy of IRA measurements is higher than radar altimeter (RA), performance of TRN that utilizes IRA stays in a similar level with RA-aided TRN or becomes even worse because the way of utilizing IRA measurements remains unchanged. Proposed method estimates the slant range from each of the particles to their closest terrain point to update the position of an aircraft. Numerical simulations that use actual terrain database is presented to observe the performance of proposed method in comparison with typical TRN that utilizes RA and another that makes use of IRA measurements in a conventional manner. Performance of TRN with proposed method gets improved in terms of root mean square error of aircraft's 2D position and initial position error correction.
Exploring the Process of Developing a Glocally Focused Art Curriculum for Two Communities

The world is becoming progressively interconnected through technology, politics, culture, economics, and education. As educators we strive to provide instruction that prepares students to become active members of both their local and global communities. This dissertation presents one possible avenue for engaging students with art and multifaceted ideas about culture, community, and politics as it explores the possibilities for creating a community-based, art education curriculum that seeks a merger of global and local, or "glocal" thinking. Through curriculum action research, I explored the process of writing site-specific curriculum that focuses on publicly available, local works of art and encourages a connection between global experiences and local application. I have completed this research for two communities, one in Ohio and one in Texas, and investigated the similarities and differences that exist in the process and resulting curriculum for each location. Through textual analysis, interviews, curriculum writing, and personal reflections, I identified five essential components of a community-based, glocal art education curriculum: flexibility, authenticity, connectedness, glocal understandings, and publicly available art. Additionally, I developed a template for writing glocally focused, community-based art education curriculum and produced completed curricular units for each of the communities. Finally, I have made suggestions for the future study and development of glocally focused, art education curriculum.
A study of the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide hydrofluoroalkane nasal aerosol in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis from mountain cedar pollen.

A nasal aerosol formulation of ciclesonide with a hydrofluoroalkane propellant (CIC-HFA) is currently in development for treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of once-daily administration of CIC-HFA 74 or 148 micrograms compared with placebo in patients with seasonal AR (SAR) from mountain cedar pollen. Patients ≥12 years of age with a ≥2-year history of SAR from mountain cedar pollen were randomized in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicenter study to CIC-HFA 74 micrograms, CIC-HFA 148 micrograms, or placebo once daily in the morning for 2 weeks. Change from baseline in reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS), instantaneous TNSS (iTNSS), and reflective total ocular symptom score (rTOSS) in patients with baseline rTOSS ≥5.00 were evaluated. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study. A statistically significant improvement in rTNSS (least squares [LS] mean change from baseline 1.04 and 1.02 respectively; p < 0.0001 versus placebo for both) and iTNSS (LS mean change from baseline 0.90 and 0.83 respectively; p < 0.001 vs placebo for both) was observed after treatment with CIC-HFA 74- or 148-microgram doses. Only the CIC-HFA 74-micrograms treatment group showed a statistically significant improvement in rTOSS (LS mean change from baseline 0.52; p = 0.0124) compared with placebo. The overall incidence of AEs was low and comparable between the treatment groups. In this study, statistically significant improvements in nasal symptoms of SAR were observed after treatment with CIC-HFA 74-microgram or CIC-HFA 148-microgram doses. Both active treatments were well tolerated. Clinical trial registry URL and registration number: www.clinicaltrials. gov/ct2/show/NCT01010971.
Empirical Analysis on the Causal Connection between Money Supply and Stock Prices in India

Stock market is a crucial ingredient of the financial system of any economy as it plays a fundamental role in channelizing savings from deficit sector to surplus sector. Money supply, whether it is unanticipated or anticipated by people, is one of the component of monetary policy that reserve bank of India (as central bank) uses, affects the stock market. This study aims to examine the long run and causal dynamic relationships between the money supply and stock prices in India using the time period 1990-91 to 2010-11 for India. The cointegration test confirmed that money supply and stock prices are cointegrated, indicating an existence of long run equilibrium relationship between the two as confirmed by the Johansen cointegration test results. The Granger causality test finally confirmed the presence of bi-directional causality which runs from money supply to stock prices and vice-versa. Regression result suggests that money supply has positive significant effect on stock prices in India. The effect of money supply on stock prices is statistically significant with the appropriate sign. This signifies that increase in money supply leads to increase in liquidity available for buying securities that eventually results in upward movement of nominal equity prices and vice versa. Future studies to be conducted by the prospective researchers in this particular area of financial economics would suppose to include more comprehensive indices to capture the effect on stock prices through change in money supply.
Wrinkles in Electronics

The development of smooth, continuous, micro/nanoscale wrinkles could offer transformative fundamental and technological opportunities in electronics. Wrinkles in electronics can tune or enhance the functionalities or performances of electronic devices, and open up new opportunities for both fundamental studies and practical applications in robotics, sensors, actuators, solar cells, and other consumable devices. Such systems raise a number of interesting fundamental questions: What kinds of materials have been and can be chosen for the construction of wrinkles in electronics? How are the wrinkles formed? What are the wrinkle-based electronic devices and their applications? This review will highlight these early attempts to address these research challenges and explore the generation of wrinkles in electronics and their applications.