LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Trigger point acupuncture treatment of chronic low back pain in elderly patients--a blinded RCT.

OBJECTIVE
There is some evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture in chronic low back pain, but it remains unclear which acupuncture modes are most effective. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of two different modes of trigger point acupuncture on pain and quality of life in chronic low back pain patients compared to standard acupuncture treatment.


METHODS
Thirty five consecutive out-patients (25 women, 10 men; age range: 65-81 years) from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Meiji University of Oriental Medicine, with non-radiating low back pain for at least six months and normal neurological examination, were randomised to one of three groups over 12 weeks. Each group received two phases of acupuncture treatment with an interval between them. Nine patients dropped out during the course of the study. The standard acupuncture group (n=9) received treatment at traditional acupuncture points for low back pain, while the other acupuncture groups received superficial (n=9) or deep (n=9) treatments on trigger points. Outcome measures were VAS pain intensity and Roland Morris Questionnaire.


RESULTS
After treatment, the group that received deep needling to trigger points reported less pain intensity and improved quality of life compared to the standard acupuncture group or the group that received superficial needling to trigger points, but the differences were not statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in pain intensity between the treatment and interval in the group that received deep needling to trigger points (P<0.01), but not in the standard acupuncture group or the group that received superficial needling to trigger points.


CONCLUSION
These results suggest that deep needling to trigger points may be more effective in the treatment of low back pain in elderly patients than either standard acupuncture therapy, or superficial needling to trigger points.
Support for employment equity policies : A self-enhancement approach

The effectiveness of employment equity (EE) policies has been hindered by negative reactions to these policies. We draw on the self-enhancement literature to expand self-interest accounts of reactions to EE policies to explain inconsistent findings showing that both nonbeneficiaries and beneficiaries react negatively to EE policies. Across four studies, we found that self-image threat influences reactions to gender-based EE policies. Studies 1 and 2 established that EE policies threaten the self-images of both men (nonbeneficiaries) and women (beneficiaries). Study 3 found that those least likely to experience selfimage threat when faced with a gender-based EE policy are the most likely to show positive reactions to EE policies, while Study 4 showed that both men and women react more favorably to EE policies when self-images threats are mitigated through a self-affirmation task. Implications for our understanding of reactions to EE policies are discussed. 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Room temperature operation of Si single-electron memory with self-aligned floating dot gate

Reports on a new Si single-electron memory device comprised of a narrow channel field effect transistor (FET) having an ultra-small selfaligned floating dot gate and its ability to exhibit clear, single-electron memory effects at room temperature.
Failure analysis of cable accessories using Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) software

Cable accessories such as joints and termination are a crucial part in cable installation. High percentage of MV breakdown is due to cable accessories failure. Improper installation of cable accessories and design are among the main cause of failures. Finite element software's, such as Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) can be used to analyses failures of cable accessories. This article will present the use of FEMM software to simulate electromagnetic stress and other electrical characteristic of the cable accessories. Factors influencing FEMM analysis such as design of cable accessories and electrical characterization of material are discussed. The results of FEMM analysis is then utilized as a reference in the root cause analysis process.
Who Decides in Giving to Education? A Study of Charitable Giving by Married Couples.

www.palgrave-journals.com/ijea Abstract Using data from the Center on Philanthropy Panel Study and the Panel Study on Income Dynamics, we analyzed whether husbands or wives were more likely to determine whether and how much money to donate to educational institutions. Among donor households, we are able to examine what socio-economic-demographic factors explain differences in whether men or women are more likely to decide to give to educational institutions. We also compare the Who Decides in Giving to Education? A Study of Charitable Giving by Married Couples
The Planck Oscillator Model

We consider a model for an underpinning of the universe: there are oscillators at the Planck scale in the background dark energy. Starting from a coherent array of such oscillators it is possible to get a description from elementary particles to Black Holes including the usual Hawking-Beckenstein theory. There is also a description of Gravitation in the above model which points to a unified description with electromagnetism.
A review of dissolved gas analysis measurement and interpretation techniques

Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) is used to assess the condition of power transformers. It uses the concentrations of various gases dissolved in the transformer oil due to decomposition of the oil and paper insulation. DGA has gained worldwide acceptance as a method for the detection of incipient faults in transformers.
Increased epicardial fat tissue is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND
Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a potential indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is proposed as a new cardiometabolic risk factor.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between EFT and CIMT in patients with psoriasis.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional and observational study; 65 patients with psoriasis and 50 age- and sex- matched control subjects were included. Data about echocardiographic EFT, CIMT, anthropometric measurements and metabolic profile were obtained.


RESULTS
The EFT and CIMT were significantly increased (7.3 ± 0.5 vs. 6.5 ± 0.5 mm, P < 0.01; 0.74 ± 0.11 vs. 0.60 ± 0.07 mm, P < 0.01, respectively) in patients with psoriasis compared with the controls. EFT was significantly correlated with CIMT (r = 0.69, P < 0.01). In a multiple linear regression model in which EFT was independently associated with psoriasis (β = 0.45, P < 0.01), age (β = 0.33, P = 0.01), CIMT (β = 0.50, P < 0.01), body mass index (β = 0.25, P = 0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (β = 0.32, P < 0.01) and duration of disease (β = 0.34, P = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that EFT and CIMT are increased in patients with psoriasis, and that echocardiographic EFT is closely correlated with CIMT in patients with psoriasis. The echocardiographic assessment of EFT may have the potential to be a simple marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriasis.
Transplantation et isospectralité. I.

© Séminaire de Théorie spectrale et géométrie (Chambéry-Grenoble), 1990-1991, tous droits réservés. L’accès aux archives de la revue « Séminaire de Théorie spectrale et géométrie » implique l’accord avec les conditions générales d’utilisation (http://www.numdam.org/legal.php). Toute utilisation commerciale ou impression systématique est constitutive d’une infraction pénale. Toute copie ou impression de ce fichier doit contenir la présente mention de copyright.
Combined vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy for preeclampsia prevention: a systematic review.

UNLABELLED
The effect of combined vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy on the prevention of preeclampsia and major adverse infant outcomes has been reviewed. We searched MEDLINE and the Central Library of Controlled Trials of the Cochrane Library through August 2006 for relevant clinical trials. Interstudy heterogeneity was evaluated using the chi(2) statistic (Q statistic) test. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a fixed or random-effects model as appropriate. Four trials that collectively randomized 4680 pregnant women to either the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E or placebo were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences between the vitamin and placebo groups in the risk of preeclampsia, 11% versus 11.4%, RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.82-1.13), fetal or neonatal loss, 2.6% versus 2.3%, RR 1.10 (95% CI 0.78-1.57), or small for gestational age (SGA) infant, 20.6% versus 20%, RR 0.94 (95% CI 0.74-1.19). Although there was a higher risk for preterm birth in the vitamin group, 19.5% versus 18%, RR 1.07 (95% CI 0.96-1.20), this finding was not significant. Combined vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy does not reduce the risk of preeclampsia, fetal or neonatal loss, small for gestational age infant, or preterm birth. Such supplementation should be discouraged unless solid supporting data from randomized trials become available.


TARGET AUDIENCE
Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians


LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that many methods have been used to prevent preeclampsia, state that increased oxidative stress has been postulated and many trials have used antioxidants to prevent the disease, and explain that MEDLINE analysis of the literature questions the use of vitamin C and E supplements.
Patient-ventilator asynchrony in a traumatically injured population.

BACKGROUND
Prolonged mechanical ventilation, longer hospital stay, and a lower rate of home discharge have been reported with patient-ventilator asynchrony in medical patients. Though commonly encountered, asynchrony is poorly defined within the traumatically injured population.


METHODS
Mechanically ventilated trauma patients at an urban, level-1 center were enrolled. Breath waveforms were recorded over 30 min within the first 48 hours following intubation. Asynchronous breaths were defined as ineffective patient triggering, double-triggering, short-cycle breaths, and long-cycle breaths. Asynchronous subjects were defined as having asynchrony in ≥ 10% of total breaths. Demographic, injury, sedation/delirium scores, and clinical and discharge outcomes were prospectively collected.


RESULTS
We enrolled 35 subjects: median age 47 y, 77.1% male, 28.6% with penetrating injuries, 16% with a history of COPD, median (IQR) Injury Severity Score 22 (17-27), and median (IQR) chest Abbreviated Injury Scale score 2 (0-6). We analyzed 15,445 breaths. Asynchrony was present in 25.7% of the subjects. No statistical differences between the asynchronous and non-asynchronous subjects were found for age, sex, injury mechanism, COPD history, delirium/sedation scores, PaO2/FIO2, PEEP, blood gas values, or sedative, narcotic, or haloperidol use. Asynchronous subjects more commonly used synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) (100% vs. 38.5%, P = .002) and took fewer median spontaneous breaths/min: 4 breaths/min (IQR 3-8 breaths/min) vs. 12 breaths/min (IQR 9-14 breaths/min) (P = .007). SIMV with set breathing frequencies of ≥ 10 breaths/min was associated with increased asynchrony rates (85.7% vs. 14.3%, P = .02). We found no difference in ventilator days, ICU or hospital stay, percent discharged home, or mortality between the asynchronous and non-asynchronous subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Ventilator asynchrony is common in trauma patients. It may be associated with SIMV with a set breathing frequency of ≥ 10 breaths/min, though not with longer mechanical ventilation, longer stay, or discharge disposition. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01049958).
Differentiated thyroid cancer: a new perspective with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues for imaging and treatment of patients.

BACKGROUND
The expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) in thyroid cells may offer the possibility to identify metastatic lesions and to select patients for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). We investigated (68)Ga-DOTATOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to select patients with progressive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) for PRRT as well as treatment response and toxicity in treated patients.


METHODS
We enrolled 41 patients with progressive radioiodine-negative DTC (24 women and 17 men; mean age=54.3 years, median=59 years, range=19-78 years). In all patients, [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT was performed to determine recurrent disease with enhanced glucose metabolism, and (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT was used to identify SSTR expression. Dosimetric evaluation was performed with (111)In-DOTATOC scintigraphy. Eleven patients were treated with PRRT receiving a fractionated injection of 1.5-3.7 GBq (90)Y-DOTATOC/administration. Serial (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scans were performed in all treated patients to evaluate treatment response. Parameters provided by (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT were analyzed as potential therapeutic predictors to differentiate responding from nonresponding. In all treated patients, adverse events and toxicity were recorded.


RESULTS
(68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT were positive in 24/41 of radioiodine-negative DTC patients. Based on the high expression of SSTR detected by (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT, 13 patients were suitable for PRRT. Two out of 13 patients were not treated due to the lack of fulfillment of other study inclusion criteria. PRRT induced disease control in 7/11 patients (two partial response and five stabilization) with a duration of response of 3.5-11.5 months. Objective response was associated with symptoms relief. Functional volume (FV) over time obtained by PET/CT was the only parameter demonstrating a significant difference between lesions responding and nonresponding to PRRT (p=0.001). Main PRRT adverse events were nausea, asthenia, and transient hematologic toxicity. One patient experienced permanent renal toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
In our series, SSTR imaging provided positive results in more than half of the cases with radioiodine-negative DTC, and about one third of patients were eligible for PRRT. (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT seems a reliable tool both for patient selection and evaluation of treatment response. In our experience, FV determination over time seems to represent a reliable parameter to determine tumor response to PRRT, although further investigations are needed to better define its role.
Cooperation between public and private sectors in providing workforces and development of labor efficiency in the motorcycle industry

Abstract The main goals of this research were to analyze the situation and problems of public-private cooperation in providing workforces and the development of labor efficiency in the Thai motorcycle manufacturing industry and to provide suggestions for a new model of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in line with workforce demand and national development. Primary and secondary data were collected from in-depth interviews with 26 key informants, and three focus group discussions with 24 selected experts from concerned public and private sector stakeholders. The questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from 400 human resources officers and the management level of production and quality of eight motorcycle manufacturers in Thailand. The results revealed that developments in providing workforce and labor efficiency development were linked to the National Development Plan and operated under the National Education Plan. The private sector has provided education for the workforce since the launching of education reform in 1999. Currently, diverse types of cooperation operate under several committees. Operational problems and continuity reflect the low level of labor efficiency. Quantitative analysis found that job performances of people with vocational education were at the least and moderate levels while those with Bachelor degrees were also at the low and moderate levels. A future, appropriate model regarding cooperation between public and private policy and management as a PPP should be utilized to set up a new model of the agency or institute aimed at creating a roadmap and national plans for developing workforces in the motorcycle manufacturing industry.
Theranostic Gd(III)-lipid microbubbles for MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery.

We have synthesized a biomaterial consisting of Gd(III) ions chelated to lipid-coated, size-selected microbubbles for utility in both magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging. The macrocyclic ligand DOTA-NHS was bound to PE headgroups on the lipid shell of pre-synthesized microbubbles. Gd(III) was then chelated to DOTA on the microbubble shell. The reaction temperature was optimized to increase the rate of Gd(III) chelation while maintaining microbubble stability. ICP-OES analysis of the microbubbles determined a surface density of 7.5 × 10(5) ± 3.0 × 10(5) Gd(III)/μm(2) after chelation at 50 °C. The Gd(III)-bound microbubbles were found to be echogenic in vivo during high-frequency ultrasound imaging of the mouse kidney. The Gd(III)-bound microbubbles also were characterized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 9.4 T by a spin-echo technique and, surprisingly, both the longitudinal and transverse proton relaxation rates were found to be roughly equal to that of no-Gd(III) control microbubbles and saline. However, the relaxation rates increased significantly, and in a dose-dependent manner, after sonication was used to fragment the Gd(III)-bound microbubbles into non-gas-containing lipid bilayer remnants. The longitudinal (r(1)) and transverse (r(2)) molar relaxivities were 4.0 ± 0.4 and 120 ± 18 mM(-1)s(-1), respectively, based on Gd(III) content. The Gd(III)-bound microbubbles may find application in the measurement of cavitation events during MRI-guided focused ultrasound therapy and to track the biodistribution of shell remnants.
Hepatic Blood Flow Changes in Chronic Hepatitis C Measured by Duplex Doppler Color Sonography: Relationship to Histological Features

Our aim was to determine if portal vein andhepatic artery blood flow indices are a noninvasiveindex of severity of liver disease in chronic hepatitisC. The effect of interferon-α treatment on liver blood flow was also studied. Liver blood flowmeasurements were recorded by duplex Doppler colorsonography in 39 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 50healthy controls, and a single patient withhepatocellular carcinoma. Doppler perfusion index (DPI)(calculated as the ratio of hepatic artery flow to totalhepatic flow) and the congestive index of the portalvein (area/velocity) were calculated. Liver biopsies were scored for hepatic inflammation andfibrosis. Hepatic arterial flow (415.7 ± 329.1ml/min vs 195.1 ± 103.5 ml/min) and DPI (0.27± 0.14 vs. 0.17 ± 0.06) were elevated inchronic hepatitis C patients compared to controls (P = 0.0002 and0.0003, respectively) while portal vein flow and totalhepatic flow were similar. Portal vein congestive indexwas similar in chronic hepatitis C (0.106 ± 0.05) compared to controls (0.125 ±0.08) P 0.52. Hepatic blood flow indices were notrelated to the grade of hepatic inflammation or thestage of hepatic fibrosis. Twelve weeks of treatmentwith interferon-α had no effect on liver blood flow. Inconclusion, patients with chronic hepatitis C haveelevated hepatic artery blood flow. Hepatic blood flowindices have no relationship to the severity ofhistological liver injury in chronic hepatitis C, and theseflow indices are unaffected by a 12-week course ofinterferon-α.
Atmospheric qualities of online retailing A conceptual model and implications

To address the lack of systematic research on the nature and effectiveness of online retailing, a conceptual model is proposed which examines the potential influence of atmospheric qualities of a virtual store. The underlying premise is that, given the demonstrated impact of store environment on shopper behaviors and outcomes in a traditional retailing setting, such atmospheric cues are likely to play a role in the online shopping context. A Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) framework is used as the basis of the model which posits that atmospheric cues of the online store, through the intervening effects of affective and cognitive states, influence the outcomes of online retail shopping in terms of approach/avoidance behaviors. Two individual traits, involvement and atmospheric responsiveness, are hypothesized to moderate the relationship between atmospheric cues and shoppers’ affective and cognitive reactions. Propositions are derived and the research implications of the model are presented. D 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
EFFECT OF EXAMINATION STRESS ON THE PLASMA CORTISOL LEVEL

Background: Medical profession has been always a noble and prestigious path but the endeavour behind it has been truly known by the persons who undergone the training of becoming a doctor. Medical students face many stresses in their academic life. This study is carried out to provide data and re-establish the effect of academic examination stress on the plasma cortisol levels. Methods: A longitudinal follow up study was carried out on the first MBBS medical students who were appearing for their first credit examination by measuring their plasma cortisol levels in pre-examination and post-examination stage in fasting condition. Serum Cortisol was estimated by using Byer’s Advia Centuse advanced Chemiluminescence’s technique with inbuilt calibrators and controls; the results obtained were statistically analysed using paired ‘t’ test. Results: On statistically analysing the results of our study we found that medical students in stage – I had significantly higher values of plasma cortisol than when they were in stage – II. Conclusion: The results cover a significant correlation of examination stress factors to changes in plasma cortisol values. It is important for medical students to use stress reducing measures, or reduce them as much as possible in order to avoid factors that can affect themselves and their patients in stressful way.
Robust design of low EMI susceptibility CMOS OpAmp

This paper addresses a new approach to design a CMOS operational amplifier which provides a good tradeoff between high gain and strong immunity to electromagnetic interferences. The proposed amplifier is based on two main blocks: the first is a fully differential folded cascode with modified input pair and the second is a source cross coupled AB class buffer. Thanks to the folded cascode stage and to the symmetrical output buffer, the amplifier exhibits both intrinsic robustness to interferences and good amplifier performances. The circuit was fabricated in a 0.8-/spl mu/m n-well CMOS technology (AMS CYE process). Experimental results, in terms of electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity, are presented and successfully compared with commercial amplifiers. Measurements carried out on the chip and the amplifier overall performances are provided along with the corresponding simulation results.