Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the posterolateral radiohumeral plica in asymptomatic subjects and in patients with osteoarthritis.

AIMS The aim of this study was to describe the morphological features of posterolateral radiohumeral (RH) plica in asymptomatic subjects and in patients with elbow osteoarthritis using ultrasonography (US). MATERIAL AND METHODS The control group included a total of 100 healthy elbows (51 subjects) and the study group consisted of 22 elbows (22 patients) with osteoarthritis confirmed clinically and by imaging methods. The presence, length, height, thickness, cross sectional area, shape, and echogenicity of the posterolateral RH plica were evaluated in both groups. In addition, humeral and radial cartilage thicknesses were also measured. The clinical characteristics and radiographic findings of the study group were evaluated. RESULTS The posterolateral RH plica was present in all elbows of the control group (100%) and in 15 (68%) of elbows in the study group (p<0.05). All sizes and cross sectional areas of the plica were statistically significantly lower in the elbows of the study group compared to the elbows of the control group (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). The detected posterolateral RH plicae were triangularly shaped in both groups. The plica was hyperechoic in 95 elbows (95%) in the control group and 7 osteoarthritis elbows (46.7%) (p<0.001). The thicknesses of radial and humeral cartilage were also significantly higher in the control group (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant relationships between the radiographic scoring of the elbow osteoarthritis and US findings of the RH plica (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The posterolateral RH plica can be successfully evaluated using US. Based on these findings, it appears that osteoarthritis can result in a reduction of the RH plica and affect its morphological appearance.
Análisis psicométrico confirmatorio de una medida multidimensional del autoconcepto en español

This paper presents a psychometric confirmatory study of a Spanish self-concept questionnaire (AF5). After highlighting the importance of self-concept in the psychological literature, other questionnaires developed to measure self-concept and self-esteem are reviewed. The sample used in the study is composed of around 6000 people from Valencia (a region in Spain), and it is used to assess the psychometric quality of the questionnaire in terms of construct validity and reliability. Several competing models for the structure of the scale have been tested using confirmatory factor analysis. These models gave support to the multidimensional model proposed and defended by the authors. In order to overcome some methodological problems present in other studies on self-concept and selfesteem, the most recommended statistical solutions have been implemented. All these results are finally related to the ones offered in the literature on self-concept and its general problems, giving support to the utility of this questionnaire to measure the five proposed dimensions of self-concept in Spanish-hispanic populations.
Algorithms for Hybrid MILP/CP Models for a Class of Optimization Problems

The goal of this paper is to develop models and methods that use complementary strengths of Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and Constraint Programming (CP) techniques to solve problems that are otherwise intractable if solved using either of the two methods. The class of problems considered in this paper have the characteristic that only a subset of the binary variables have non-zero objective function coefficients if modeled as an MILP. This class of problems is formulated as a hybrid MILP/CP model that involves some of the MILP constraints, a reduced set of the CP constraints, and equivalence relations between the MILP and the CP variables. An MILP/CP based decomposition method and an LP/CP-based branch-and-bound algorithm are proposed to solve these hybrid models. Both these algorithms rely on the same relaxed MILP and feasibility CP problems. An application example is considered in which the least-cost schedule has to be derived for processing a set of orders with release and due dates using a set of dissimilar parallel machines. It is shown that this problem can be modeled as an MILP, a CP, a combined MILP-CP OPL model (Van Hentenryck 1999), and a hybrid MILP/CP model. The computational performance of these models for several sets shows that the hybrid MILP/CP model can achieve two to three orders of magnitude reduction in CPU time.
The Washback Effect Of The Iranian Universities Entrance Exam: Teachers’ Insights

The Entrance Exam of the Universities (EEU) in Iran is a multiple-choice high-stakes test which clearly affects its stakeholders. This effect, generally known as washback, can be considered negative or positive depending on the test and its intended use. The EEU is designed to screen the high school graduates for admission into higher education. This study aimed to investigate the washback effect of this high-stakes test on the Iranian high school English teachers. To achieve the aim of the study, a validated survey questionnaire was administered to stratified random sample of 132 high school English teachers who were teaching in the five main educational districts in the city of Isfahan, Iran. The data analysis revealed that the EEU negatively and implicitly influences English teachers to teach to the content and format of the test. Additionally, little attention was given to three language skills of speaking, writing, and listening in the classroom as these skills are not tested in the EEU.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection Volume Associated with Wound-healing Complications

Limb-salvage surgery has become the standard of care for most soft tissue sarcomas. While primary closure is often possible, it is frequently complicated by wound-healing complications in the setting of previously irradiated tissue and surgical wounds closed under tension. We sought to identify a relationship between the volume of resected soft tissue and the rate of wound-healing complications. We retrospectively reviewed 108 patients who were treated over a 17-month period for soft-tissue sarcomas using limb-salvage methods. Of these, 87 patients were treated with primary wound closure and 21 patients underwent primary muscle flap closure at the time of wide surgical excision. Of the 87 patients treated with primary wound closure, the mean volume of resected tissue in the group with wound-healing complications was greater than that the group that healed without complications. The mean volume of resected tissue in the group with wound-healing complications was 919 cm3 ± 1173 cm3 and the mean volume of resected tissue in the group without wound-healing complications was 456 cm3 ± 704 cm3. Mean volume of resected tissue in the group of patients treated with primary flap coverage was 1908 cm3, over twice as large as the mean volume of resected tissue in the group of patients treated with primary closure.Level of Evidence: Level IV, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Penerapan metode team quiz sebagai upaya meningkatkan hasil belajar kimia pada materi pokok reaksi reduksi oksidasi: studi kasus peserta didik kelas XPi 4 MA Salafiyah Simbangkulon Pekalongan tahun ajaran 2010/2011

Latar belakang yang mendasari judul ini diantaranyan adalah belum adanya variasi guru dalam menerapkan metode pembelajaran yang dapat mengaktifkan peserta didik di sekolah, guru lebih sering menggunakan metode ceramah sehingga peserta didik cenderung kurang aktif di kelas ketika pembelajaran. Hasil belajar peserta didik juga masih rendah dimana nilai rata-ratanya belum memenuhi KKM yang ditetapkan oleh ssekolah. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui 1) penerapan metode team quiz pada materi pokok reaksi reduksi oksidasi. 2) melalui penerapan metode pembelajaran team quiz dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar peserta didik pada mata pelajaran kimia materi pokok reaksi reduksi oksidasi. Subyek penelitian adalah peserta didik kelas XPi 4 MA Salafiyah Simbangkulon Pekalongan tahun ajaran 2010/2011. Dari hasil wawancara peneliti kepada guru mata pelajaran kimia, keaktifan peserta didik dalam materi reaksi reduksi oksidasi masih kurang aktif. Peserta didik hanya menunggu sajian dari guru sehingga mereka kurang aktif dalam menemukan konsep sendiri. Dalam mempelajari materi reaksi redoks peserta didik cenderung menghafalkan contoh, sehingga konsep yang mereka terima akan sulit dipahami. Untuk itu diperlukan pembelajaran yang dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar dan keaktifan peserta didik. Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan metode team quiz. Obyek penelitian ini adalah peserta didik kelas XPi 4 MA Salafiyah Simbangkulon Pekalongan tahun pelajaran 2010/ 2011 dengan jumlah 45 orang. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian tindakan kelas yang terdiri dari perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi dan refleksi. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus. Hasil belajar peserta didik diperoleh dari nilai Lembar Kerja Diskusi Kelompok yang dikerjakan oleh peserta didik dengan menggunakan metode team quiz dan nilai tes evaluasi di tiap akhir siklus. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan dalam tiga tahap yaitu tahap prasiklus, siklus I dan siklus II. Pada tahap prasiklus, rata-rata hasil belajar 56,97 dengan ketuntasan belajar 50%. Setelah dilaksanakan tindakan pada siklus I, dengan metode team quiz, peserta didik menjadi aktif dan pemahaman konsep peserta didik menjadi meningkat. Rata-rata hasil belajar sebesar 67,96 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 71,11%. Sedangkan pada siklus II setelah diadakan refleksi pelaksanaan tindakan pada siklus I, rata-rata hasil belajar peserta didik mengalami peningkatan yaitu sebesar 70 dan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 86,67%. Dari penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa dan hasil belajar peserta didik pada materi pokok reaksi reduksi oksidasi dengan metode team quiz meningkat.
Effect of a mandatory iodization program on thyroid gland volume based on individuals' age, gender, and preceding severity of dietary iodine deficiency: a prospective, population-based study.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate prospectively the effect of 4 yr of mandatory iodization of salt (13 ppm iodine) on thyroid volume in two regional areas with respectively mild and moderate iodine deficiency. METHODS Two separate cross-sectional studies were performed before (n=4649) and after (n=3570) the iodization in year 2000 in two areas with mild and moderate iodine deficiency. Women aged 18-22, 25-30, 40-45, and 60-65 yr and men aged 60-65 yr were examined. Thyroid ultrasonography was performed. RESULTS A lower median thyroid volume was seen in all age groups after iodization. The largest relative decline was found among the younger females from the area with previous, moderate iodine deficiency. Only a minor decrease was seen among the youngest participants in the area with previous, mild iodine deficiency. After iodization, there were no regional differences in median thyroid volume in the age groups younger than 45 yr. When adjusted for confounders, a lower mean volume was seen among those with multiple nodules in both areas and in the group with diffuse structure in the area with moderate iodine deficiency. Before the iodization, 17.6% of the total cross-section had thyroid enlargement; after the iodization, 10.9% of the cross-section had thyroid enlargement. CONCLUSION In this prospective study, we demonstrated a lower thyroid volume in all age groups after iodization of salt. The decline was largest in the area with former, moderate iodine deficiency. The equal volumes in the regions among the younger age groups indicate approximation to an optimal iodine intake.
Frequency warped ARMA analysis of the closed and the open phase of voiced speech

Frequency-warped analysis techniques are attractive in many speech applications since they have a clear connection to human hearing. In this paper we propose a warped version of a pole-zero analysis obtained from several periods of voiced speech. We approach the estimation of the coefficients associated to the poles and zeros by minimizing a cost function, which is based on the ‘warped’ reconstruction error. The results reinforce our previous work letting us an extension of the initial equations by introducing the concept of auditory perception in the formulation. This facilitates an improvement in the analysis of the phases associated to consecutive periods. With the experiments we address several objectives. First, to evaluate the importance of the time extension due to warping. Second, to obtain an optimum warping factor from a reconstruction error point of view. Third, to study the behaviour of our analysis with the period length. And fourth, to study the distribution of the error in frequency. Our results indicate that the use of warped techniques is beneficial in speech analysis.
Darbepoetin alfa for anemia in patients with low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes and positive predictive factors of response

Abstract Background: Current guidelines support the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for the treatment of anemia associated with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Design and methods: Single-arm, open-label, multi-center, phase 2 trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa (DA) in patients with low or intermediate-risk MDS, hemoglobin <100 g/L, erythropoietin (EPO) levels <500 IU/L and transfusion requirements <2 units/month over the preceding 2 months. Erythroid response (major [MaR] or minor [MiR]) and fatigue (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue [FACT-F]) were evaluated at 8, 16 and 24 weeks. DA was initiated at 300 μg weekly. For patients who did not achieve MaR by 8 weeks, filgrastim 300 μg weekly was added. Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01039350. Results: Forty-four patients (72.7% transfusion independent) were included. Median age was 76.0 years (range 41.3–92.4), 54.5% were male, and 90.9% presented ECOG Status (0–1). Eighteen patients received filgrastim. An erythroid response was achieved by 31 of 44 patients (70.5%) at week 8 (47.7% MaR, 22.7% MiR), 31 of 44 patients (70.5%) at week 16 (61.4% MaR, 9.1% MiR), and 32 of 44 patients (72.7%) at week 24 (61.3% MaR, 11.4% MiR). Mean (95% CI) change in FACT-F at week 24 was 3.61 (0.72 to 6.51). Baseline EPO levels <100 IU/L were a predictive factor of response. DA was well tolerated. Four mild (two iron deficiencies, flu syndrome and headache) and one fatal (thromboembolic event) adverse events were considered related to darbepoetin alfa. Conclusions: A fixed dose of 300 μg of darbepoetin alfa weekly (with or without filgrastim) seems to be an effective and safe treatment for anemic patients with low or intermediate-risk MDS, low transfusion burden and EPO levels <500 IU/L. Results may not be extrapolable to unselected MDS patients.
Including Diffuse Multipath Parameters in MIMO Channel Models

Recent findings suggest to split the impulse response of the radio channel into discrete paths and the "diffuse multipath" (DMP). This diffuse part can be described by an exponentially decaying power delay profile. This paper shows how to improve current radio channel models using the DMP concept. From MIMO channel measurements, we find that the DMP parameters are strongly correlated with the parameters of the discrete paths. This holds for various (indoor) environments. We provide a simple way to model the statistics of the DMP parameters. Finally, we include the DMP concept in a novel MIMO model, the Random-Cluster model. We find that including DMP significantly improves the model fit in terms of mutual information and channel diversity.
Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation Is Acutely Impaired during Maximal Apnoea in Trained Divers

Aims To examine whether dynamic cerebral autoregulation is acutely impaired during maximal voluntary apnoea in trained divers. Methods Mean arterial pressure (MAP), cerebral blood flow-velocity (CBFV) and end-tidal partial pressures of O2 and CO2 (PETO2 and PETCO2) were measured in eleven trained, male apnoea divers (28±2 yr; 182±2 cm, 76±7 kg) during maximal “dry” breath holding. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was assessed by determining the strength of phase synchronisation between MAP and CBFV during maximal apnoea. Results The strength of phase synchronisation between MAP and CBFV increased from rest until the end of maximal voluntary apnoea (P<0.05), suggesting that dynamic cerebral autoregulation had weakened by the apnoea breakpoint. The magnitude of impairment in dynamic cerebral autoregulation was strongly, and positively related to the rise in PETCO2 observed during maximal breath holding (R 2 = 0.67, P<0.05). Interestingly, the impairment in dynamic cerebral autoregulation was not related to the fall in PETO2 induced by apnoea (R 2 = 0.01, P = 0.75). Conclusions This study is the first to report that dynamic cerebral autoregulation is acutely impaired in trained divers performing maximal voluntary apnoea. Furthermore, our data suggest that the impaired autoregulatory response is related to the change in PETCO2, but not PETO2, during maximal apnoea in trained divers.
SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE TO BE WIFE OF CONVICTED TERRORISM

This study aimed to describe the essence of subjective experience to be wife of convicted terrorism. Subjective experience to be wife of convicted terrorism is generally defined as a process how the wife of convicted terrorism life after her husband convicted as terrorist, what is experienced and felt and how her attitude for dealing various problems and social pressures. The study was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological approach . Subject of three people chosen by purposive sampling, Criteria of subject are subject is jihadists outside the conflict area’s wife and the husband has obtained court verdict for his involvement in the case of terrorism in Indonesia and his wife live in the same area as before the media revealed husband's case. The primary method of data collection was interview, audio material with supporting data and field notes . Data analysis refers to the model of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ( IPA ) . The results showed that wife deal with stressful situations caused by either psychological pressure from family and society and the problems that arise related to the wife's new role as a single mother. Subject reactions to stressful situations include cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. In terms of cognitive, three subjects experienced disorientation or confusion on toward the goal to decide something. While the emotional reaction to the subject in the early periods of stress showed a negative reaction as feeling hopeless, sad, and insecure. While the behavior, subjects tend to avoid things that make the subject uncomfortable and add to stressful situations. However, with positive reinterpretation, belief of God's help and social support are help the subject to deal with the stressor coping strategies were more dominant in problem focused coping . Reduced stress is also followed by a stronger belief in way of life chosen and the desire to keep and maintain a household with a husband who is still in jail.
Pedal Edema as an Indicator of Early Heart Failure in the Community: Prevalence and Associations With Cardiac Structure/Function and Natriuretic Peptides (MESA [Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis])

Background—The prevalence of pedal edema (PE) and its associations with abnormal cardiac structure/function, natriuretic peptides, and incident heart failure (HF) is unknown, especially in community-dwelling adults without a history of cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results—Out of 5004 MESA (Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) participants who had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, 4196 had complete data and were included in this analysis (3501 for the right ventricle analysis). Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to assess the associations among self-reported PE, 2-pillow orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, left and right ventricular structure and function, natriuretic peptide levels, and incident HF. PE was present in 28% of the participants. PE was not associated with overt left or right ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <50%). PE was associated with 2-pillow orthopnea (odds ratio 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–2.12), paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (odds ratio 1.95; 95% CI, 1.55–2.44), and abnormal N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (defined as >400 pg/mL; odds ratio 1.80; 95% CI, 1.21–2.68) in adjusted models. After a mean of 10.2 years of follow-up, 184/4196 (4.4%) participants had an adjudicated incident HF hospitalization. PE was associated with incident HF hospitalization in models adjusted for age, sex, and race (hazard ratio 1.44; 95% CI, 1.05–1.97). This association persisted after adding additional covariates, including comorbidities, baseline left ventricular ejection fraction, and antecedent myocardial infarction (hazard ratio 1.43; 95% CI, 1.02–1.99). The association of PE with incident HF was attenuated by further adjustment for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Conclusions—PE is prevalent in community-dwelling adults without clinically recognized cardiovascular disease and associated with future hospitalized HF.
Reliability prediction based on degradation modeling for systems with multiple degradation measures

This paper describes a general modeling and analysis approach for reliability prediction based on degradation modeling, considering multiple degradation measures. Previous research has been focusing on reliability prediction based on degradation modeling at the component failure mechanism level. In reality, a system may consist of multiple components or a component may have multiple degradation paths, so it is necessary to simultaneously consider multiple degradation measures. Also, many research efforts on degradation analysis were initiated by making assumptions about the degradation mechanism. In reality often there is very limited understanding about the degradation mechanism. When the observed degradation data is collected, it is often not known which degradation model is applicable. In this paper, a general analysis procedure is developed. Simulated data were used to illustrate the applicability of this approach. It was verified that, when the multiple degradation measures in a system are correlated, an incorrect independence assumption might underestimate the system reliability.
16S rRNA Gene-Based Oligonucleotide Microarray for Environmental Monitoring of the Betaproteobacterial Order “Rhodocyclales”

ABSTRACT For simultaneous identification of members of the betaproteobacterial order “Rhodocyclales” in environmental samples, a 16S rRNA gene-targeted oligonucleotide microarray (RHC-PhyloChip) consisting of 79 probes was developed. Probe design was based on phylogenetic analysis of available 16S rRNA sequences from all cultured and as yet uncultured members of the “Rhodocyclales. ” The multiple nested probe set was evaluated for microarray hybridization with 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons from 29 reference organisms. Subsequently, the RHC-PhyloChip was successfully used for cultivation-independent “Rhodocyclales” diversity analysis in activated sludge from an industrial wastewater treatment plant. The implementation of a newly designed “Rhodocyclales”-selective PCR amplification system prior to microarray hybridization greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the RHC-PhyloChip and thus enabled the detection of “Rhodocyclales” populations with relative abundances of less than 1% of all bacteria (as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization) in the activated sludge. The presence of as yet uncultured Zoogloea-, Ferribacterium/Dechloromonas-, and Sterolibacterium-related bacteria in the industrial activated sludge, as indicated by the RHC-PhyloChip analysis, was confirmed by retrieval of their 16S rRNA gene sequences and subsequent phylogenetic analysis, demonstrating the suitability of the RHC-PhyloChip as a novel monitoring tool for environmental microbiology.