Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global estimates of visual impairment: 2010

Aim From the most recent data the magnitude of visual impairment and its causes in 2010 have been estimated, globally and by WHO region. The definitions of visual impairment are the current definitions of presenting vision in the International Classification of Diseases version 10. Methods A systematic review was conducted of published and unpublished surveys from 2000 to the present. For countries without data on visual impairment, estimates were based on newly developed imputation methods that took into account country economic status as proxy. Results Surveys from 39 countries satisfied the inclusion criteria for this study. Globally, the number of people of all ages visually impaired is estimated to be 285 million, of whom 39 million are blind, with uncertainties of 10–20%. People 50 years and older represent 65% and 82% of visually impaired and blind, respectively. The major causes of visual impairment are uncorrected refractive errors (43%) followed by cataract (33%); the first cause of blindness is cataract (51%). Conclusion This study indicates that visual impairment in 2010 is a major health issue that is unequally distributed among the WHO regions; the preventable causes are as high as 80% of the total global burden.
Surgical outcome and risk stratification for primary retinal detachment repair: results from the Scottish Retinal Detachment study

Objectives To report the early surgical outcome, risk of failure and predictive value of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) classification based on all participants in the Scottish Retinal Detachment study. Methods Over 2 years, all incident cases of RRD in Scotland were approached for recruitment. Early postoperative success was defined as an attached retina following one procedure with a minimum follow-up of 6–8 weeks. Using a regression model, the influence of clinical factors on the failure risk was estimated and the sensitivity and specificity of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) grading for RRD and the vitrectomy in retinal detachment stratification risk formula (VR-SRF) in predicting operative failure were assessed. Results Primary outcome data were available for 86.2% (975/1130) of patients. The overall primary success rate was 80.8% (95% CI 78.1 to 83.3%). The presence of preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy of any degree and each additional clock hour of detachment increased the risk of failure by an OR of 2.4 and 1.13 respectively (p<0.05). A specificity of >95% in predicting early surgical failure was noted for highly complex RRDs according to the VR-SRF formula and the RCOphth classification. Conclusions Consistent with previous series, the overall early success rate of RRD repair was 80% after one operation. The type of surgical repair did not influence overall success rates. Significant predictors of failure are the presence of preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy of any grade and the extent of detachment. The analytical value of current classification systems in predicting failure is most useful in complex RRDs.
Tracking using Converted Measurement Kalman filter through improved algorithm in the missed detections scenario

Estimating the position of a moving target in the polar frame of reference has been a major problem in the conventional tracking systems. The commonly used sensor equipment provides the position of target in polar coordinates i.e. in range and azimuth (or bearing) angle with respect to the sensor location. The use of simple Kalman filter increases the error in this case. For more accurate tracking, the Converted Measurement Kalman filter (CMKF) is used which can account for the inaccuracies in tracking using polar coordinates. Simulations were performed tracking the target with CMKF. It does not proffer well in missed detection and false alarm scenarios. So the tracking was improved by associating Global nearest Neighbour algorithm (GNN) algorithm with the CMKF. Later the simulations depict the inconsistency of GNN based CMKF in a dense missed detection and false alarm scenarios. So an improved algorithm in track estimation is used to solve the dense missed detections or continuous false alarm problem. Thus, through simulation, it was realized that GNN based improved CMKF is able to give a better tracking. Finally Wiener filtering is used to smoothen the tracking.
Broadband access to the internet via mobile interfaces

This paper addresses the regulatory framework and technical aspects of broadband access to the Internet via mobile interfaces in Europe. It begins with a concise presentation of the most important conditions of the European Commission's regulatory framework. Following that, there is a discussion of the main network parameters involved in the evaluation of quality of network access via mobile interfaces according to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Next, the open source tools for measurement of QoS values via mobile interfaces and the those used in this paper in the IP environment are described briefly. Then the measurements of broadband access conducted with these tools are presented graphically, and interpreted. The paper concludes with a summary and outlook on further work.
Adaptive multichannel sequential lattice prediction filtering method for cognitive radio spectrum sensing in subbands

A multichannel characterization for autoregressive moving average(ARMA) spectrum estimation in subbands with applications to cognitive radio spectrum sensing is considered in this presentation. The fullband ARMA spectrum estimation can be realized in two-channels as a special form of this characterization. A complete orthogonalization of input multichannel data is accomplished using a modified form of sequential processing multichannel lattice stages. Matrix operations are avoided, only scalar operations are used, and a multichannel ARMA prediction filter with a highly modular and suitable structure for VLSI implementations is achieved. The filter is therefore considered as a good candidate for FPGA and DSP chip based spectrum sensing functions in software defined radio implementations. Lattice reflection coefficients for autoregressive and moving average parts are simultaneously computed. These coefficients are then converted to process parameters using a newly developed Levinson-Durbin type multichannel conversion algorithm, so that they can be utilized in the classification of the spectrum. Coarse and fine spectrum sensing can be accomplished using different prediction filter configurations. The computational complexity is given in terms of model order parameters. The performance of the proposed method is compared visually and statistically to that of the multitaper method.
Health-related beliefs and dietary practices among vegetarians and vegans: a qualitative study

A SNOWBALL sampling technique was used to con tact 76 self-defined vegetarians between October 1987 and February 1989. Respondents were ques tioned in the course of loosely-structured interviews on such topics as the type of vegetarianism they practised, the process of conversion, and nutritional attitudes. The interviews were taped and fully tran scribed, the transcripts being subjected to detailed qualitative analysis. The present paper sets out those findings which relate specifically to health concerns and motives. The findings suggest that while health motives are not necessarily the dom inant ones for the majority of this group of respondents, for many of those interviewed the per ceived health advantages represent significant ad ditional benefits of vegetarianism, benefits which complement and confirm their ethical stance.
Simulation of nonlinear models of QPSK costas loop in MatLab Simulink

Nowadays simplified mathematical models and numerical simulation are widely used for the analysis of QPSK Costas loop. In the work it is shown that the use of simplified mathematical models and the application of non-rigorous methods of analysis may lead to wrong conclusions concerning the operability of real model of QPSK Costas loop.
High Precision Cell Surgery with Nanoparticles

Summary Irradiation of nanoabsorbers with pico- and nanosecond laser pulses could result in thermal effects with a spatial confinement of less than 50 nm. Therefore absorbing nanoparticles may be used for creating controlled intracellular effects. Conjugates of colloidal gold and alkaline phosphatase (aP) are presented as a model system for investigating protein inactivation in the vicinity of strongly absorbing nanoparticles. aP was coupled either directly or via antibodies to 15 nm gold particles. These conjugates were irradiated with picosecond pulses emitted by a frequency doubled Nd:YLF laser. Denaturation was detected as a loss of protein function with the help of a fluorescence assay. Irradiation with 10 4 pulses resulted in the inactivation of aP at an irradiance of 50 mJ/cm 2 per pulse when the protein was coupled directly to the particles. With similar irradiation parameters a significant inactivation of aP which was coupled not directly but via two antibodies to the gold, was not observed. This shows that inactivating proteins with nanoabsorbers under irradiation with picosecond laser pulses is possible with a high spatial confinement. However, from these experiments it is difficult to determine whether the aP was destroyed thermally or whether it was inactivated by a photochemical reaction. Therefore, further experiments are needed to elucidate the damage mechanisms.
Adalimumab therapy for refractory uveitis: results of a multicentre, open-label, prospective trial

Objective Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of systemic and ocular inflammatory diseases. We conducted a prospective, multicentre, open-label Phase II clinical trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab, a fully human anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, in treating refractory uveitis. Methods Subjects with non-infectious uveitis refractory to corticosteroids and at least one other immunosuppressive medication were enrolled. Treatment outcome was ascertained by a composite endpoint comprised of visual acuity, intraocular inflammation, ability to taper immunosuppressives, and posterior segment imaging. Clinical response was defined by improvement in at least one parameter, worsening in none, and well controlled intraocular inflammation. Week 10 responders were permitted to continue receiving adalimumab for the study duration of 50 weeks. Results Twenty-one of 31 patients (68%) were characterised as clinical responders at 10 weeks, of whom 12 patients (39%) exhibited durable response after 50 weeks. The most common reason for study termination was primary or secondary inefficacy. No patients experienced treatment-limiting toxicity clearly related to study therapy. Conclusions Adalimumab was safe and effective in 68% of refractory uveitis patients 10 weeks after study enrolment, and maintained in 39% after 1 year. Ongoing study is required to determine the place of adalimumab and other TNF blockers in the treatment of uveitis.
How nice is NICE?

The overarching aim of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is to provide the National Health Service (NHS) and partner organisations with independent, authoritative and evidence-based guidance on the most effective ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease and ill health, reducing inequalities and variation, while ensuring value for money.1 To this end, NICE has produced guidance for the NHS for over a decade, with Clinical Guidelines, Technology Appraisals (drugs) and Interventional Procedures Guidance each having directly influenced medical and surgical practice in ophthalmology. The extent to which NICE guidance applies varies between UK Nations with the above three forms applying specifically to the NHS in England and Wales, and elsewhere by implication and local agreement. In recent years the NICE portfolio has been expanded to include NHS Evidence, Pathways, Quality Standards and Commissioning Outcomes Framework Indicators.1 For clinicians working in the field of glaucoma and related conditions, NICE guidance has been particularly evident, with a Clinical Guideline published in 2009, Quality Standards in 2011, updated Commissioning Guidance for people at risk of Glaucoma in 2012 and a variety of Interventional Procedure Guidance statements over several years.2 The Glaucoma Clinical Guideline, CG85, was scoped around diagnosis and management of chronic open angle glaucoma (COAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). 3 As with NICE clinical guidelines generally, a 3–5-year phased implementation was advised. Immediately following publication of the guideline, however, an unintended consequence arose in the form of a dramatic change in case-finding behaviours and patterns of referrals from community optometrists. Criteria for diagnosis had been selectively extracted from diagnosis and management and transplanted across into primary care case-finding settings by …
Computational Complexity of Test-Point Insertions and Decompositions

We consider two basic computational problems that arise in the areas of pseudo-exhaustive testing, design, of polynomial-time testable classes, test-point inuertion, and Crosscheck, in the context of test generation and design for testability of combinational circuits. The first problem is to decom.pose a circuit info subcircuits such that the number of inputs to each subcircuit is bounded by I<; we show that this problem is NP-complete. This result establishes that the detection (minimization) problems associated with three polynomial-time testable classes and the method of pseudo-exhaustive testing are all NP-complete (hard). We then present simple approximation algorith.ms for solving these problems. The second problem deals with placing k test points on a circuit so as to facilitate the observability and/or controllability; this problem is also shown to be NP-hard. This problem arises in, the methods of Crosscheck and segment-cell placem.ent. 1 Tnt roduct ion There are several methods in the area of test generation and design for testability, and in these methods some basic computational problems appear in disguises in seemingly different contexts. We consider two such problems: circuit decompositions with bounded number of inputs for each subcircuit, and computing a subset of nets which can be used to inject and/or inspect signals. The first problem arises in the design of polynomial-time testable classes of combinational circuits [2,3,13], and in the method of pseudo-exhaustive testing [6,9,113. The second problem occurs in the method of segment cell placement [15] and in some parts of the method of CrossCIieck [16]. Despite the differences in the origins of their
Effect of ageing on the retinal vascular responsiveness to flicker light in glaucoma patients and in ocular hypertension

Aim To evaluate the effect of ageing on the retinal vascular responsiveness to flicker light in glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods Retinal vascular response to flicker was measured with the retinal vessel analyser in 56 healthy subjects (59±9 years), 50 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) (60±10 years) and 46 OHT patients (62±9 years). In the glaucoma group, the less damaged eye; in the OHT group, the eye with the higher intraocular pressure; and in healthy controls, one randomly selected eye was considered. Parametric and non-parametric linear regression analysis, as well as a model of covariance analysis (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the effect of age on the vascular response. Results In all three groups (N=152) absolute (Pearson R: −0.19, p<0.019; Spearman R: −0.22, p<0.006) and relative change (Pearson R: −0.18, p<0.027; Spearman R: −0.21, p<0.010) were statistically associated with age. The ANCOVA showed no difference between the three groups in this regard (absolute change: p=0.43; relative change: p=0.51). Conclusions Vascular responsiveness to flicker light decreases with age in healthy individuals, in glaucoma patients and in OHT patients. This effect seems to be comparable between the tested groups, and age-related change in vascular responsiveness to flicker light seems an unlikely risk factor for glaucoma.
Genotype–phenotype analysis of SNPs associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (rs1015213, rs3753841 and rs11024102) and ocular biometry in the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study

Aims To investigate if the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs3753841, rs1015213 and rs11024102, recently implicated in the development of acute primary angle closure or primary angle closure glaucoma, are associated with ocular biometric characteristics of British adults in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk eye study. Methods Genotyping data on rs1015213 (between PCMTD1 and ST18), rs11024102 (at PLEKHA7) and rs3753841 (at COL11A1) were available on 3268 participants. Direct genotypic data was available for rs1015213 and rs3753841. Data was imputed for rs11024102. Ocular biometric data was available on 1137 participants who attended the third European Prospective Investigation of Cancer health examination and 988 (87%) of these participants had no previous cataract surgery either eye. Axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD) and corneal keratometry were measured by using the Zeiss IOLMaster. Results Presence of at least one A allele (AG or AA genotype) for rs1015213 was associated with a shallower ACD (−0.07 mm, 95% CI −0.01 to −0.14 mm, p=0.028) after adjusting for age and sex (both p≤0.001). There was no association with AL or corneal keratometry for rs1015213 genotypes. AL, ACD and keratometry were not associated with rs3753841 or rs11024102 genotypes including after adjusting for age and sex. Conclusions This study suggests that primary angle closure glaucoma susceptibility at the PCMTD1-ST18 locus may be partly explained by an association between rs1015213 and ACD in European populations. This effect is equivalent to almost 20% of the SD of the mean ACD of phakic individuals in this cohort. We were not able to identify any association between rs3753841 or rs11024102 and ocular biometry.
Seven-year median time to progression with thalidomide for smoldering myeloma: partial response identifies subset requiring earlier salvage therapy for symptomatic disease.

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is usually followed expectantly without therapy. We conducted a phase 2 trial in 76 eligible patients with SMM, combining thalidomide (THAL, 200 mg/d) with monthly pamidronate. In the first 2 years, THAL dose reduction was required in 86% and drug was discontinued in 50%. Within 4 years, 63% improved, including 25% qualifying for partial response (PR); by then, 34 patients had progressed and 17 required salvage therapy. Unexpectedly, attaining PR status was associated with a shorter time to salvage therapy for disease progression (P < .001), perhaps reflecting greater drug sensitivity of more aggressive disease. Low beta-2-microglobulin levels less than 2 mg/L were independently associated with superior overall and event-free survival. Four-year survival and event-free survival estimates of 91% and 60%, respectively, together with a median postsalvage therapy survival of more than 5 years justify the conduct of a prospective randomized clinical trial to determine the clinical value of preemptive therapy in SMM. Trial registered at http://www.clinicaltrials. gov under identifier NCT00083382.
A C-testable modified Booth's array multiplier

In this paper, a C-testable parallel multiplier based on modified Booth's algorithm is presented. The gate-level design requires only 20 vectors to detect all single stuck-at faults. It does not require any extra logic and has no delay overhead compared with the basic non-C-testable design. Five extra inputs are required for the C-testable multiplier, this number can be reached to four using a small amount of extra logic. The multiplier has a regular structure and therefore suitable for use in a silicon compiler.
Gender Differences in Patients with Intravenous Thrombolytic and Conservative Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the main cause of long term disability in western societies. Methods: In the 5 years 2005 to 2009, 2872 ischemic stroke patients were admitted to our stroke unit and registered in a national database. The data was analyzed retrospectively. Results: 50.8% of the patients were women. The mean age of the patients was 69.5 [18 – 97]. The mean NIHS at admission was 7.2 [0 - 40], at discharge 4.9 [0 - 37]. 22.9 % of all admitted stroke patients were treated with IV thrombolysis. Women treated with thrombolysis were significantly older than men (mean age 73.7, range 28 – 97 vs. 68.2 ranges 18 – 89, p< 0.001). Although a highly significant improvement of NIHS was seen in both genders after thrombolytic treatment, women had trends towards less gain in thrombolysis Conclusions: In a clinic with high turnover rates and a thrombolysis rate of 22.9% we could confirm that patients of both genders benefit from thrombolytic treatment, whereby women did not show such a significant improvement most likely due to older age compared to men.
A Treatise on Medicolegal Ophthalmology.

The aim of this book, as presented in a well defined introduction, is to call attention to the scientific importance of medical jurisprudence, a subject not taught at present in medical schools. It also presents a much needed method by which in most legal cases, according to the author, the amount of loss of vision may be accurately determined on a percentage basis. In the first chapters the author ably discusses the duties and rights of a medical witness and the physician's privileges as to professional secrecy and gives valuable information as to how the physician may avoid suits for malpractice. This is followed by a brief history of the compensation laws in Europe as well as in the United States, with special reference to the state and federal laws relating to injuries of the eye. Various methods for evaluating visual disabilities which have been proposed in Europe and in
Quantitative comparison of macular segmentation performance using identical retinal regions across multiple spectral-domain optical coherence tomography instruments

Purpose Comparison of optical coherence tomography (OCT) segmentation performance regarding technical accuracy and clinical relevance. Methods 29 eyes were imaged prospectively with Spectralis (Sp), Cirrus (Ci), 3D-OCT 2000 (3D) and RS-3000 (RS) OCTs. Raw data were evaluated in validated custom software. A 1 mm diameter subfield, centred on the fovea, was investigated to compare identical regions for each case. Segmentation errors were corrected on each B-scan enclosed in this subfield. Proportions of wrongly segmented A-scans were noted for inner and outer retinal boundaries. Centre point thickness (CPT) and central macular thickness (CMT) were compared before and after correction. Results Segmentation errors occurred in 77% and affected on average 29% of A-scans, resulting in mean differences of 24/13 µm (CPT/CMT). The incidence of segmentation errors was 48% (Sp), 79% (Ci), 86% (3D) and 93% (RS), p<0.001. Mean proportions of A-scans with wrong outer retinal boundary were 30% (Sp), 9% (Ci), 23% (3D) and 10% (RS), p=0.006; proportions for the inner retinal boundary were 11% (Sp), 12% (Ci), 6% (3D) and 21% (RS), p=0.034. Mean deviations in CPT/CMT were 41/28 µm (Sp), 17/11 µm (Ci), 30/13 µm (3D) and 18/8 µm (RS), p=0.409/0.477. Conclusions By comparison of identical regions, substantial differences were detected between the tested OCT devices regarding technical accuracy and clinical impact. Spectralis showed lowest error incidence but highest error impact.