Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced core decompression, a new treatment option of avascular necrosis of the femoral head – a first follow‐up

Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) leads to destruction of the affected hip joint, predominantly in younger patients. Advanced core decompression (ACD) is a new technique that may allow better removal of the necrotic tissue by using a new percutaneous expandable reamer. A further modification is the refilling of the drill hole and the defect with an injectable, hard‐setting, composite calcium sulphate (CaSO4)–calcium phosphate (CaPO4) bone graft substitute. Compression tests were performed on seven pairs of femoral cadaver bones. One femur of each pair was treated with ACD, while the opposite side remained untreated. Clinically, the postoperative outcome of 27 hips in 23 patients was performed by physical examination 6 weeks after ACD and at average follow‐up of 9.69 months, and compared with the preoperative results. MRI was used to assess the removal of the necrotic tissue, any possible progression of AVN and evaluation of collapse. In the biomechanical analysis, the applied maximum compression force that caused the fracture did not significantly differ from the untreated opposite side. The overall results of postoperative physical examinations were significantly better than preoperatively. Five hips (18.5%) were converted to a total hip replacement. The follow‐up MRIs of the other patients showed no progression of the necrotic area. The first follow‐up results of ACD have been encouraging for the early stages of aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. In our opinion, an assured advantage is the high stability of the femoral neck after ACD, which allows quick rehabilitation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors Influencing Decision-making and Outcome in the Surgical Management of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract Objectives The aim was to optimize the algorithm of operative intervention for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Design A multivariate analysis was undertaken to determine factors that had influenced both the initial choice of surgical intervention and the subsequent outcomes. Setting The study was undertaken with patients who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) or percutaneous glycerol injection (PGI) for TN between 2007 and 2009. Participants Seventy-one consecutive patients (43 female) were selected. Main Outcome Measures Data were prospectively recorded and included demographics, etiology, and presentation of TN, duration of symptoms, neurovascular contact, and the outcomes of surgery. Results The response rates for MVD and PGI were 96.2% and 87.5%, respectively. The recurrence rates were 9.8% following MVD and 33.3% following PGI. Multivariate analyses confirmed multiple sclerosis and the identification of neurovascular contact as the only factors predictive of the choice of surgical intervention and the risk of recurrence following MVD. Conclusions Our approach to choosing an operative intervention has been validated. The presence of neurovascular contact and the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis influenced the choice of surgery and were predictive of subsequent outcome. Both MVD and PGI offer effective treatment options for TN. Surgery should be offered early when medical management fails.
Structural and Behavioural Characteristics of Informal Service Employment: Evidence from a Survey in New Delhi

This article argues that at least two distinct categories within the informal sector - informal services and informal manufacturing - exhibit different structural and behavioural characteristics. While some segments of informal manufacturing may indeed be 'dynamic' as noted by some recent studies, the hypothesis is tested for the informal service employment on the basis of a survey by the author in New Delhi, India. It examines investment, earnings, returns to human capital, socio economic characteristics and scope for upward mobility of informal service employment. It finds formal education does not explain differences in earnings in the sample but background characteristics do; earnings in the informal service sector are neither the lowest in the economy nor are they comparable to wages in the urban formal unskilled sector, when differences between migrants and non-migrants are taken into account. On the basis of these results, the paper reflects on the nature of growth and structural change in the Indian economy and draws some analytical and policy implications.
The Hausman-MaCurdy Controversy - Why do results differ between studies?

The two perhaps most influential empirical labor supply studies carried out in the U.S. in recent years, Hausman (1981) and MaCurdy, Green & Paarsch (1990), report sharply contradicting labor supply estimates. In this paper we seek to uncover the driving forces behind the seemingly irreconcilable results. Our findings suggest that differences with respect to the estimated income and wage effects can be attributed to the use of differing nonlabor income and wage measures, respectively, in the two studies. Monte Carlo experiments suggest that the wage measure adopted by MaCurdy et al might cause a severely downward biased wage effect such that data falsely refute the basic notion of utility maximization.
Benzene Inhalation by Parts Washers: New Estimates Based on Measures of Occupational Exposure to Solvent Coaromatics

Questions persist regarding assessment of workers’ exposures to products containing low levels of benzene, such as mineral spirit solvent (MSS). This study summarizes previously unpublished data for parts‐washing activities, and evaluates potential daily and lifetime cumulative benzene exposures incurred by workers who used historical and current formulations of a recycled mineral spirits solvent in manual parts washers. Measured benzene concentrations in historical samples from parts‐washing operations were frequently below analytical detection limits. To better assess benzene exposure among these workers, air‐to‐solvent concentration ratios measured for toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (TEX) were used to predict those for benzene based on a statistical model, conditional on physical‐chemical theory supported by new thermodynamic calculations of TEX and benzene activity coefficients in a modeled MSS‐type solvent. Using probabilistic methods, the distributions of benzene concentrations were then combined with distributions of other exposure parameters to estimate eight‐hour time‐weighted average (TWA) exposure concentration distributions and corresponding daily respiratory dose distributions for workers using these solvents in parts washers. The estimated 50th (95th) percentile of the daily respiratory dose and corresponding eight‐hour TWA air concentration for workers performing parts washing are 0.079 (0.77) mg and 0.0030 (0.028) parts per million by volume (ppm) for historical solvent, and 0.020 (0.20) mg and 0.00078 (0.0075) ppm for current solvent, respectively. Both 95th percentile eight‐hour TWA respiratory exposure estimates for solvent formulations are less than 10% of the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit of 1.0 ppm for benzene.
Opposing effects of ERK and p38‐JNK MAP kinase pathways on formation of prions in GT1‐1 cells

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, which activates the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, increases formation of prions in scrapie‐infected gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GT1–1) cells. This indicates that conversion of the cellular prion protein PrP to its pathogenic isoform, PrPSc, can be regulated by physiological stimuli acting on specific signal transduction pathways. In the present study, we examined the involvement of different mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades and the cAMP‐PKA pathway in formation of proteinase K‐resistant PrPSc (rPrPSc). Long‐term depolarization of GT1‐1 cells infected with the Rocky Mountain Laboratory strain of scrapie increased the formation of rPrPSc. This effect was associated to ERK activation and was blocked by the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126. Treatment with forskolin caused a similar increase in rPrPSc formation that was prevented by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89. Both depolarization and forskolin treatment were accompanied by increased phosphorylation of the S6 ribosomal protein, while phosphorylation of histone H3 occurred only after forskolin treatment. Inhibitors of p38‐ and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK) promoted the formation of rPrPSc, in contrast to the clearance of rPrPSc produced by inhibitors of the ERK pathway. Thus, the ERK and the p38‐JNK MAP kinase pathways appear to exert opposing effects on rPrPSc formation, suggesting that balances between these intracellular signaling cascades may regulate replication of prions. — Nordström, E. , Fisone, G. , Kristensson, K. Opposing effects of ERK and p38‐JNK MAP kinase pathways on formation of prions in GT1‐1 cells. FASEB J. 23, 613–622 (2009)
Physical activity and risk of endometrial adenocarcinoma in the Nurses' Health Study

Studies suggest that greater physical activity may reduce endometrial cancer risk. However, the role of the timing, duration and intensity of activity is unclear. We therefore examined recent and past recreational activities in relation to incident endometrial adenocarcinoma, and compared the importance of total and moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity activities as well as walking. We analyzed data from 71,570 women in the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective cohort that assessed activity in 1986, with updates every 2–4 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During follow‐up from 1986 to 2008 (1.2 million person‐years), 777 invasive endometrial adenocarcinoma cases were documented. In multivariable models, compared with <3 MET‐hr/week (<1 hr/week walking), women engaged in moderate (9 to <18 MET‐hr/week: RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.78) or high (≥27 MET‐hr/week: RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.92) amounts of recent total recreational activity were at reduced risk (p‐trend = 0.001). Past total activity was not associated with risk. Greater recent moderate‐ or vigorous‐intensity activity was associated with reduced risk (≥4 vs. 0 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47–0.88, p‐trend = 0.002). Among women who did not perform any vigorous activity, recent walking was associated with reduced risk (≥3 vs. <0.5 hr/week: RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45–0.93, p‐trend = 0.01), and faster walking pace was independently associated with risk reduction. After additional adjustment for body mass index, all associations were statistically non‐significant. Greater recent physical activity, including activity of moderate duration and intensity such as walking, may reduce endometrial adenocarcinoma risk. This relation is largely mediated or confounded by body mass index.
Role of Etching Mode on Bonding Longevity of a Universal Adhesive to Eroded Dentin.

PURPOSE To assess the immediate and six-month microshear bond strength (µSBS) of a universal adhesive applied using different etching strategies on sound and eroded dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty bovine incisors were polished to obtain flat buccal dentin. Forty teeth were submitted to a pH-cycling model to simulate artificial erosion (3x/day cola drink for 7 days). Teeth from both dentin conditions (sound and eroded) were randomly assigned to four groups according to the adhesive and etching approach: a universal adhesive in self-etch and etch-and-rinse modes (Scotchbond Universal Adhesive), and as controls a two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive (Adper Single Bond Plus), and a two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond). Four composite restorations (Z250) were built up on each dentin surface, using the area delimitation technique. Half of the specimens were evaluated in the µSBS test after 24 h of water storage, and the other half were evaluated six months later. Data (MPa) were analyzed with three-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS The µSBS values of all adhesives significantly decreased after six months of aging (p = 0.01). Lower µSBS values were obtained in eroded dentin (p = 0.04). The universal adhesive showed similar µSBS to the self-etch adhesive used as control, irrespective of the etching strategy. However, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive applied in self-etch mode performed better than the control etch-and-rinse adhesive (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION The universal adhesive does not provide the same bonding efficacy on eroded dentin as on sound dentin, and its performance does not depend on the etching mode.
Measurement of the conductance of the sodium channel from current fluctuations at the node of Ranvier.

Single myelinated nerve fibres of Rana esculenta were investigated under voltage clamp conditions at 13 degrees C. Fluctuations of steady‐state membrane current were measured during the last 152 msec of 190‐225 msec pulses depolarizing the membrane by 8‐48 mV. Noise power spectral densities were calculated in the frequency range of 6‐6‐6757 Hz. 2. External application of 150 nM tetrodotoxin (TTX) and/or 10 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) ion reduced the current fluctuations. The difference of current noise spectra measured in the presence and absence of TTX (TEA) was not changed by the presence of TEA (TTX) during both measurements, and was taken as the spectrum of the Na (K) current fluctuations. 3. Residual current noise during application of both TTX and TEA was, except for some excess noise at the low and high frequency ends of the spectrum, similar to the noise measured from a passive nerve model and could be understood in terms of Nyquist noise of the known resistances and the amplifier noise. 4. Na current fluctuation spectra were interpreted as the sum N/f+SNa(f) where SNa(F) represents the spectrum expected for a set of equal, independent Na channels with only two conductance states (open or closed) which follow Hodgkin‐Huxley kinetics. With values of hinfinity, tauh and minfinity measured from macroscopic Na currents, the measured spectra were fitted well by optimizing N, SNa(0) and taum. Values of taum obtained by this method were in fair agreement with values found from macroscopic currents. 5. The 1/f component of Na current noise was roughly proportional to the square of the steady‐state Na current, I2. The mean value of N/I2 was (1‐1 +/‐ 0‐3) X 10(‐4). 6. The current carried by a single Na channel was calculated from fitted spectra and steady‐state Na currents measured simultaneously with the current fluctuations. The single channel conductance gamma normalized to zero absolute membrane potential was calculated. The average gamma from twelve measurements at depolarizations of 8‐40 mV was 7‐9 +/‐ 0‐9 pS (S.E. of mean). The apparent value of gamma was smallest with small depolarizations. Variations of the assumed kinetic properties of the model did not drastically affect the single channel conductance. 7. External application of 0‐1 mM‐Ni ion lengthened taum in the macroscopic currents and in the fluctuation spectra and enhanced both the steady‐state Na current and the current fluctuations. In Ni‐treated nodes gamma was smaller than in normal nodes.
The Limits of Co-ordination: Community Strategies as Multi-purpose Vehicles in Wales

Abstract UK local authorities are subject to a statutory duty to prepare and deliver community strategies in collaboration with a range of public, private, voluntary and community interests. Community strategies are policy instruments intended to enhance local well-being by improving policy and service co-ordination, tackling cross-cutting issues and targeting resources at community priorities. This paper argues that in practice the delivery of community strategies is hampered by the co-existence of multiple purposes. Drawing on early research in Wales, the paper describes and discusses the purposes attached to community strategies by different stakeholders and considers their implications, singly and in combination, for policy and practice. It concludes that there are fundamental tensions between purposes that limit the capacity of community strategies to improve policy co-ordination and service delivery.
Discordant expression of the immediate-early 1 and 2 gene regions of human cytomegalovirus at early times after infection involves posttranscriptional processing events

Expression of the immediate-early 1 and 2 (IE-1 and IE-2) gene region of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was studied during initial phases of the replicative cycle. Accumulation of RNA from IE-1 and -2 was found to be differential. Transcripts from IE-2 reached peak levels very early in infection between 3 and 5 h, whereas IE-1 RNA peak levels were detected later, between 6 and 8 h. A strong decrease in steady-state levels of a 2.2-kb IE-2 RNA was observed at a time when IE-1 transcripts showed a further increase in abundance. Northern (RNA) blot experiments revealed that expression of both the IE-1 RNA and the 2.2-kb IE-2 transcript is controlled by the IE-1 enhancer-promoter. Nuclear run-on experiments demonstrated equal rates of primary transcription for IE-1 and -2 at a time when different steady-state levels of RNA were observed. Concomitant with down-regulation of IE-2 RNAs, a decrease in the size of the IE-1 transcript was detected. At 2 to 5 h after infection the IE-1 transcript migrated at 1.95 kb, whereas later in the replicative cycle the RNA was found at 1.8 kb. RNase H blot analysis revealed that this size discrepancy is due to a shorter poly(A) tail of the IE-1 RNA at early times after infection. These experiments suggest that in addition to transcriptional regulation, specific posttranscriptional mechanisms are involved in controlling expression from the IE-1 and -2 gene region of HCMV.
Ethical conflict in critical care nursing

Background: Ethical conflicts in nursing have generally been studied in terms of temporal frequency and the degree of conflict. This study presents a new perspective for examining ethical conflict in terms of the degree of exposure to conflict and its typology. Objectives: The aim was to examine the level of exposure to ethical conflict for professional nurses in critical care units and to analyze the relation between this level and the types of ethical conflict and moral states. Research design: This was a descriptive correlational study. Central and dispersion, normality tests, and analysis of variance were carried out. Participants and research context: A total of 203 nurses were from two third-level teaching hospitals in Spain. Both centers are part of the University of Barcelona Health Network. Participants filled out the Ethical Conflict in Nursing Questionnaire–Critical Care Version. Ethical considerations: This investigation received the approval of the ethical committees for clinical investigation of the two participating hospitals. Participants were informed of the authorship and aims of the study. Findings: The index of exposure to ethical conflict was x ˉ = 182.35 . The situations involving analgesic treatment and end-of-life care were shown to be frequent sources of conflict. The types of ethical conflict and moral states generally arranged themselves from lesser to greater levels of index of exposure to ethical conflict. Discussion: The moderate level of exposure to ethical conflict was consistent with other international studies. However, the situations related with family are infrequent, and this presents differences with previous research. The results suggest that there is a logical relationship between types of conflict and levels of exposure to ethical conflict. Conclusion: The types of ethical conflict and moral states were related with the levels of exposure to ethical conflict. The new perspective was shown to be useful for analyzing the phenomenon of ethical conflict in the nurse.
CSR and inequality in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)

Purpose – The international awareness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues and the socio‐political context of emerging countries are increasing the pressure on businesses, including multinational corporations, to take another look at their societal role. In a context of state failure (immature institutions), paying taxes can guarantee neither the peaceful management of company operations nor the sustainable development of local communities. Moreover, multinationals have experienced that making resources and opportunities available to local communities is not enough. The Niger Delta in Nigeria is, in this regard, a textbook case that demonstrates the challenge of achieving sustainable development in the context of acute inequalities. This paper seeks to address these issues.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on fieldwork – quantitative and qualitative surveys – carried out in Nigeria for the past seven years, the paper builds on initiatives and approaches undertaken by Total, Agip and NPDC/Sh.
Educational opportunity and the college premium

Since World War II, the United States government has made improved access to higher education a priority. This e¤ort has substantially increased the number of people who complete college. We show that by reducing the effective interest rate on borrowing for education, such policies can actually increase the gap in wages between those with a college education and those without. The mechanism that drives our results is the ‘signaling’ role of education first explored by Spence (1973). We argue that financial constraints on education reduce the value of education as a signal. We solve for the reduced form relationship between the interest rate and the wage premium in the steady state of a dynamic asymmetric information model. In addition, we discuss evidence of decreases in borrowing costs for education financing in the U.S.
Impact of IFRS in New Zealand on Accounts and Earnings Quality

The impact of the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the accounts and the quality of earnings of New Zealand firms is examined. Our analysis of IFRS adjustments for the last period under pre-IFRS NZ Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) reveals that total assets, total liabilities and net profit were significantly higher under IFRS than under pre-IFRS GAAP. Profit and equity under IFRS were increased by adjustments for goodwill and other intangibles and investment property, and decreased by adjustments for employee benefits and share-based payments. Using data for 2002–2009, we find that absolute discretionary accruals were significantly higher under IFRS than under pre-IFRS NZ GAAP, suggesting lower earnings quality under IFRS than under pre-IFRS NZ GAAP. However, we find no significant differences in signed discretionary accruals and the ability of earnings to predict one-year-ahead cash flows between pre-IFRS NZ GAAP and IFRS. These results are consistent across alternative measures of accruals quality, sample selection and whether firms elected to adopt IFRS in 2005 rather than comply with them in 2007.
The Rising Education Levels of Females in Australia

There have been significant increases in female participation in secondary and higher education in Australia over the past 39 years. To account for these changes, models of educational attainment were estimated for all individuals as well as for females from different age groups.The results reveal that family-related characteristics play a major role in the education decision. There is evidence of cohort effects in the process determining female educational attainment. The results suggest that changes in female educational attainment may be linked to the Equal Pay for Equal Work and Equal Pay for Work of EqualValue decisions of 1969 and 1972, respectively.