Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practice Parameter update: The care of the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Drug, nutritional, and respiratory therapies (an evidence-based review)

Objective: To systematically review evidence bearing on the management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: The authors analyzed studies from 1998 to 2007 to update the 1999 practice parameter. Topics covered in this section include slowing disease progression, nutrition, and respiratory management for patients with ALS. Results: The authors identified 8 Class I studies, 5 Class II studies, and 43 Class III studies in ALS. Important treatments are available for patients with ALS that are underutilized. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV), percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), and riluzole are particularly important and have the best evidence. More studies are needed to examine the best tests of respiratory function in ALS, as well as the optimal time for starting PEG, the impact of PEG on quality of life and survival, and the effect of vitamins and supplements on ALS. Recommendations: Riluzole should be offered to slow disease progression (Level A). PEG should be considered to stabilize weight and to prolong survival in patients with ALS (Level B). NIV should be considered to treat respiratory insufficiency in order to lengthen survival (Level B), and may be considered to slow the decline of forced vital capacity (Level C) and improve quality of life (Level C). Early initiation of NIV may increase compliance (Level C), and insufflation/exsufflation may be considered to help clear secretions (Level C).
Chasing-and Catching-the Wild Goose: Hypothesis-Free Post-Hoc Stratification Studies as a New Paradigm for Drug Development.

In this issue, Tardif et al1 report on the results of a retrospective analysis of 2 phase III trials of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor, dalcetrabip, dal-OUTCOMES, and dal-PLAQUE-2. Using a hypothesis-free whole genome screening process that could be likened to a wild-goose-chase, they identified genetically distinct subpopulations among the probands, which demonstrated markedly different clinical outcomes when treated with dalcetrabip as a secondary prevention strategy. If substantiated prospectively, the effect of this finding will be paradigm changing. Article see p 372 The pivotal clinical trial, the dal-OUTCOMES study, randomized 15 871 subjects and found no reduction in cardiovascular events with an average of 31 months of follow-up on dalcetrabip compared with placebo.2 The second trial, dal-PLAQUE-2, examining the effects of dalcetrabip on intima-media thickness,3 was prematurely terminated because of these negative results. Changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels did not correlate with clinical outcomes. That might have been the end of the story, but instead a new question was posed: are there any subgroups that might have actually accrued benefit from the new medicine, despite the failure to find statistical significance in the large group? Tardif et al1 conducted a genome-wide association study on a representative subset of the dal-OUTCOMES cohort for which the requisite blood samples and informed consent were available. This revealed a striking dichotomy in clinical outcomes according to genetic variants of the ADCY9 gene: individuals receiving dalcetrabip who were homozygous for the minor allele (the less common variant) of several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with this gene experienced ≈40% reduction in cardiovascular end points compared with placebo-treated controls. This fraction represented ≈20% of the cohort. In contrast, the subset of patients receiving dalcetrabip who were homozygous for the major allele (ie, the alternate form of the SNPs) was found to …
Local field potential recordings in a non-human primate model of Parkinsons disease using the Activa PC + S neurostimulator

Objective. Using the Medtronic Activa® PC + S system, this study investigated how passive joint manipulation, reaching behavior, and deep brain stimulation (DBS) modulate local field potential (LFP) activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus (GP). Approach. Five non-human primates were implanted unilaterally with one or more DBS leads. LFPs were collected in montage recordings during resting state conditions and during motor tasks that facilitate the expression of parkinsonian motor signs. These recordings were made in the naïve state in one subject, in the parkinsonian state in two subjects, and in both naïve and parkinsonian states in two subjects. Main results. LFPs measured at rest were consistent over time for a given recording location and parkinsonian state in a given subject; however, LFPs were highly variable between subjects, between and within recording locations, and across parkinsonian states. LFPs in both naïve and parkinsonian states across all recorded nuclei contained a spectral peak in the beta band (10–30 Hz). Moreover, the spectral content of recorded LFPs was modulated by passive and active movement of the subjects’ limbs. LFPs recorded during a cued-reaching task displayed task-related beta desynchronization in STN and GP. The bidirectional capabilities of the Activa® PC + S also allowed for recording LFPs while delivering DBS. The therapeutic effect of STN DBS on parkinsonian rigidity outlasted stimulation for 30–60 s, but there was no correlation with beta band power. Significance. This study emphasizes (1) the variability in spontaneous LFPs amongst subjects and (2) the value of using the Activa® PC + S system to record neural data in the context of behavioral tasks that allow one to evaluate a subject’s symptomatology.
An investigation of fatigue crack growth acceleration

The problem of fatigue crack growth acceleration was investigated in crack propagation studies and endurance testing. The study was driven by the needs of designers and researchers alike, to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with accelerated growth, and recommendations on the use of Miner's rule to calculate fatigue life under variable amplitude loading. The study was conducted on S355 structural steel and 6082 T6 aluminium alloy using centre-crack tension (CCT) specimens, with and without additional welding, and longitudinal fillet welded specimens. Crack growth rates under simple sequence loading and more complex variable amplitude (VA) loading, all cycling down from fixed tensile stress levels, were determined using optical or direct current potential' drop methods and scanning electron microscope examination of fracture surface striations. Under simple loading sequences, comprising two magnitudes of stress range, the presence of tensile underloads resulted in accelerated growth rates compared with those based on constant amplitude (CA) loading. Various possible mechanisms to explain crack growth acceleration and factors that might influence it, notably crack closure and welding residual stress, were evaluated. The most promising outcome came from finite element analysis (FEA) of the crack tip stress and strain. This showed that whereas under CA loading the material near the crack tip cycled about zero mean stress, the mean stress was tensile after the application of a tensile underload, thus resulting in a higher crack growth rate. Fatigue endurance testing of welded joints performed under the same types of loading confirmed that Miner's rule overestimated the actual lives, consistent with the occurrence of acceleration. Thus, it was concluded that modification of the principle and application of Miner's rule is required to allow for stress interactions that cause crack growth acceleration. Preliminary design recommendations were made.
Shape-from-image via cross-sections

Using structural geometry, Whiteley (1991) showed that a line drawing is a correct projection of a spherical polyhedron if and only if it has a cross-section compatible with it. We extend the class of drawings to which this test applies, including those of polyhedral disks. Our proof is constructive, showing how to derive all spatial interpretations; it relies on elementary synthetic geometric arguments, and, as a by-product, it yields a simpler and shorter proof of Whiteley's result. Moreover, important properties of line drawings are visually derived as corollaries: realizability is independent of the adopted projection, it is an invariant projective property, and for trihedral drawings it can be checked with a pencil and an unmarked ruler alone.
Amplification Characteristics of Fresnel Zone Plate Acoustic Lens

This paper aims to determine the effects of a Fresnel Zone Plate on the intensity of sound waves upon their interaction. To observe these effects, a prototype Even Fresnel Zone Plate, composed of four concentric rings, was made from an acrylic sheet with the dimensions 60.0cm x n60.0cm x 3.13mm. The exact dimensions of the prototype were calculated using the selected focal length and working frequency in order to optimize for the constructive interference of sound waves. After a sound wave at the selected frequency is produced, a small region of highly amplified sound is formed and studied. It was discovered that the amplification of sound waves is highly dependent on the frequency of sound, as well as the location at which the sound intensity level is measured.
Pozzolanic reactivity of nanoscale pyrogene oxides and their strength contribution in cement-based systems

This paper deals with the pozzolanic reactivity of pyrogene oxides (represented by Aerosil) that belong to the colloidal silicas. Pyrogene oxides are highly reactive pozzolanic nanoscale additives. They react much faster pozzolanically than other commonly used pozzolans and in this way they consume the available calcium hydroxide in a much shorter time. It is shown by using in situ X-ray transmission microscopy, pH-change measurements and the strength property results that Aerosil begins to react as early as the first hour of contact with both the added calcium hydroxide in solution and with the products of the tricalcium silicate (C3S) hydration reaction. In comparison with the other commonly used pozzolans, that is, silica fume, pyrogene oxides contribute by developing a better early and final strength. The concrete specimens that were cast by combining silica fume with small quantities of Aerosil were considered to belong to the ultra high performance class and were additionally characterised by finer .
Employment pathways in a large cohort of adult cancer survivors

Employment and work‐related disability were investigated in a cohort of adult cancer survivors who were working when they were diagnosed from 1997 to 1999 with a variety of cancers. Employment from the time of diagnosis through the early years of survivorship was studied, self‐reported effects of cancer survival on disability and employment were quantified, and risk factors associated with cancer‐related disability and withdrawal from employment were identified.
Process tracing of extensive and intensive processes

ABSTRACT This essay briefly analyzes the introduction of process tracing to the political science and political economy methodological toolkit. It then proposes a theory-guided variant of process tracing and distinguishes between its application in extensive and intensive type of processes. It argues that the comparative advantage of process tracing vis-à-vis other social sciences research methods lies in its potential to uncover the causal mechanisms that link the constitutive events of intensive type of processes. It shows that theory-guided process tracing of intensive processes can be successfully applied to illustrate, test and produce theory.
The requirement for adherent cells in the Fc fragment-induced proliferative response of murine spleen cells

The proliferative response of mouse B lymphocytes induced by Fc fragments was found to be dependent upon an adherent cell population. The adherent cell is esterase positive, irradiation resistant, and not susceptible to lysis by anti-thymus serum and complement. The mechanism(s) by which Fc fragments induce B-cell proliferation could be the result of the interaction of Fc with both B cells and adherent cells or with adherent cells which then release factors that trigger the B cells to proliferate. Spleen cells from the C3H/HeJ mouse were shown to be unable to respond to Fc fragments. The addition of adherent cells from either C3H/St or C3H/HeN mice to adherent cell depleted C3H/HeJ cells enabled them to respond to Fc, indicating the defect was in the adherent cell population.
Cerebral Ischemia and Post-Ischemic Treatment with Hypothermia

With its strict dependence on a continuous supply of oxygen and glucose to meet its energy needs and its high metabolic rate, the brain is particularly sensitive to any compromise of blood supply. Brain ischemia, as occurs in a number of disease states but most importantly in ischemic stroke and during cardiac arrest, rapidly results in exhaustion of ATP, triggering an energy crisis. Within minutes, the failure of ion pumps sees the depolarisation of neuronal cell membranes and the consequent release of stored presynaptic glutamate, leading, by way of overstimulation of glutamate receptors (=excitotoxicity), to many-fold increases in intracellular calcium and zinc concentrations. Severely affected cells die within only a few minutes. In those cells that are less severely injured, ongoing cellular and tissue damage occurs due to activation of proteolytic enzymes, oxidative and nitrosative stress (Forder & Tymianski, 2009), altered calcium homeostasis, initiation of active cell death pathways (apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy and necroptosis), inflammation (microglia and astrocyte activation, neutrophil infiltration within 4 6 hours), cortical spreading depressions, disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB; starting at 2 hours, followed by a second phase from 24 72 hours; Brouns & De Deyn, 2009), microvascular injury (which promotes BBB disruption, inflammation and impairs vascular control of blood flow), hemostatic activation (platelet activation and the intrinsic pathway) and edema. Additionally, though reperfusion is the cornerstone of treatment, when/if it is established, many of these damaging events can be exacerbated.
Birth Order and Sibling Gender Ratio of a Clinical Sample Validation and Psychometric Properties of Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale (mppus) in University Students of Tehran

Objective: Despite the fact that the mobile phone has become a pervasive technology of our time, little research has been done on mobile dependency. Therefore, a valid and reliable instrument, conforming to Iranian culture seems essential. The aim of our study was to validate the Iranian version of MPPUS (Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale). Methods: This was a cross-sectional research, in which data were collected from 600 students studying at Tehran universities. Stratified sampling method was used to collect data. All participants completed Demographic Questionnaire, Cellular Phone Dependency Questionnaire (CPDQ) anonymously. Finally, a clinical interview (based on DSM-IV-TR) was conducted with 100 participants. Data were analyzed using concurrent validity, factor analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's'α), split half, test-retest and ROC Curve by SPSS18 Software. Results: As a result of reliability analysis and factor analysis by principal component and Varimax rotation, we extracted three factors including preoccupation, withdrawal symptoms and overuse of mobile phones in both males and females. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the MPPUS was . 91; Cronbach's alpha of the factors was . 87, . 70, . 82 respectively. The test-retest correlation of the MPPUS was . 56. The best cut off point for this questionnaire (MPPUS) was 160. Conclusion: The MPPUS proved to be a reliable questionnaire with adequate factor models to assess the extent of problems caused by the " misuse " of mobile phones in the Iranian society; however, further studies are needed on this topic. At the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21th century, the rapid pace of change in life can be seen all around us. Some experts believe that we now live in what is called the communication era (1). People are very much attracted to mobile phones, therefore, this device may affect different groups in different ages and cultures specially adolescents (3). According to the International Telecommunication Union, approximately 86% of people have access to cell phones (4) worldwide, and it has been reported that the number of mobile phone users in Iran has reached to 15 million (5). Though mobile phones can be considered as one of the socio-personal utilities with different performances (uncontrolled, excessive functions), its overuse may entail negative consequences affecting parents' relationships with their children. Based on evidences including cost and frequency of calls and messages, we expected that the excessive use of cell phones has some effects on the users' health (1). M. Griffts has defined behavioral …
The Influence of Depression, Social Activity, and Family Stress on Functional Outcome After Stroke

Background and Purpose This study was designed to assess the quality of life after an active poststroke period of rehabilitation and to investigate the possibility of a return to a working environment for those still of working age. Methods The study was conducted on 180 consecutive patients affected by stroke who were hospitalized for the first time and discharged at least 1 year before the study. The group consisted of 65% men and 35% women with a mean age of 65.29 years (SD, 11.22). The period between the stroke and the interview ranged from 12 to 196 months, with a mean of 37.5 months. The average Rankin score on discharge from the rehabilitation center was 2.718 (moderate handicap). The interview took place at home after consent obtained by telephone. The questionnaire included general and personal information regarding the individuals, their socioeconomic position, and scales for daily activity, depression, social activity, and stress produced in the family. The control group consisted of 167 age-matched subjects. Results A close correlation was observed in all patients between depression, social activity, and stress caused to relatives. The scores on the individual scales were clearly worse than those for control subjects. The patients received approximately 5 months of rehabilitation after the stroke. Differences emerged between men and women for depression and social activities, with the women scoring worse. In reference to daily life, 70% of prestroke ability was required on average after rehabilitation. The daily activity score at the time of the interview was also strongly influenced by the discharge score. The majority of patients were retired. Of the total, 20.64% returned to work, but not always to the same job and often after readapting to new conditions. Of this population, only 31.5% were women. With regard to the population aged younger than 65 years, 21.42% returned to work. Lesions in the dominant hemisphere do not necessarily seem to rule out return to work, even if associated with aphasia. The main discriminating element was the ability to understand language. The patients were often criticized by their cohabitants; the criticisms most often raised concerned apathy, irritability, and self-centeredness. Sexual activity was depressed in almost all cases. Conclusions Despite the progress made in studying cerebral vasculopathies, patients in the aftermath of a stroke still seem to live unsatisfactorily, as they did many years ago. Useful measures include valid treatment against spasticity, psychological assistance, and greater social support.
Incentives and service quality in the restaurant industry: the tipping–service puzzle

Tipping is a significant economic activity (tips in the US food industry alone amount to about $42 billion annually) that was claimed to improve service quality and increase economic efficiency, because it gives incentives to provide excellent service, and therefore allows to avoid costly monitoring of workers. The article suggests that this common wisdom might be wrong. A simple model shows formally that tips can improve service only if they are sensitive enough to service quality. Empirical evidence suggests that tips are hardly affected by service quality. Nevertheless, rankings of service quality by customers are very high; the co-existence of these two findings is denoted ‘the tipping–service puzzle,’ and several possible explanations for it are offered.
Evaluation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method Using Fecal Specimens for Differential Detection of Taenia Species from Humans

ABSTRACT We compared the performance of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with that of a multiplex PCR method for differential detection of human Taenia parasites in fecal specimens from taeniasis patients. The LAMP method, with no false positives, showed a higher sensitivity (88.4%) than the multiplex PCR (37.2%). Thus, it is expected that the LAMP method has a high value for molecular diagnosis of taeniasis.
Integration of Statistical Models for Dictation of Document Translations in a Machine-Aided Human Translation Task

This paper presents a model for machine-aided human translation (MAHT) that integrates source language text and target language acoustic information to produce the text translation of source language document. It is evaluated on a scenario where a human translator dictates a first draft target language translation of a source language document. Information obtained from the source language document, including translation probabilities derived from statistical machine translation (SMT) and named entity tags derived from named entity recognition (NER), is incorporated with acoustic phonetic information obtained from an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system. One advantage of the system combination used here is that words that are not included in the ASR vocabulary can be correctly decoded by the combined system. The MAHT model and system implementation is presented. It is shown that a relative decrease in word error rate of 29% can be obtained by this combined system relative to the baseline ASR performance on a French to English document translation task in the Hansard domain. In addition, it is shown that transcriptions obtained by using the combined system show a relative increase in NIST score of 34% compared to transcriptions obtained from the baseline ASR system.
Clinical trial of valproic acid and all‐trans retinoic acid in patients with poor‐risk acute myeloid leukemia

Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, induced in vitro differentiation of primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts, an effect enhanced by all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Clinical responses to VPA were recently observed in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Herein, the authors have described results of a clinical trial with VPA plus ATRA in 26 patients with poor‐risk AML.