Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of a subject‐specific amount of lateral wedge on knee mechanics in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis

We examined if a subject‐specific amount of lateral wedge added to a foot orthosis could alter knee mechanics to potentially reduce the progression of knee osteoarthritis in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis. Twenty individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis (≥2 Kellgren Lawrence grade) were prescribed a custom laterally wedged foot orthotic device. The prescribed wedge amount was the minimal wedge amount that provided the maximum amount of pain reduction during a lateral step‐down test. Following an accommodation period, all subjects returned to the laboratory for a gait analysis. Knee mechanics were collected as the subjects walked at an intentional walking speed. Walking in the laterally wedged orthotic device significantly reduced the peak adduction moment during early stance (p < 0.01) compared to the nonwedged device. Similarly, the wedged orthotic device significantly reduced the knee adduction excursion from heel strike to peak adduction (p < 0.01) compared to the nonwedged device. No differences in the peak adduction moment during propulsion or peak adduction during stance were observed between the orthotic conditions. A subject‐specific laterally wedged orthotic device was able to reduce the peak knee adduction moment during early stance, which is thought to be associated with the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Previous studies on this device have reported issues associated with foot discomfort when using wedge amounts >7 degrees; however, no such issues were reported in this study. Therefore, providing a custom laterally wedged orthotic device may potentially increase compliance while still potentially reducing disease progression. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1121–1127, 2007
Evaluation of a fast‐track programme for patients undergoing liver resection

Recent developments in perioperative pathophysiology and care have documented evidence‐based, multimodal rehabilitation (fast‐track) to hasten recovery and to decrease morbidity and hospital stay for several major surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of introducing fast‐track principles for perioperative care in unselected patients undergoing open or laparoscopic liver resection.
Schema Theory: Critical Review and Implications for the Role of Cognition in a New Theory of Motor Learning

Abstract This paper is based on a symposium celebrating the 26th anniversary of the publication of“A Schema Theory of Discrete Motor Skill Learning” (Schmidt, 1975) held at the annual conference of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity in June 2001. We provide a brief historical context for schema theory and a review of the development of the mechanistic approach to motor learning in general. We explore recent findings in mental practice, observational learning, augmented feedback presentation, and the variability of practice that are inconsistent with schema theory and provide a rationale for the importance of cognitive activity in motor learning.
Rugose corals from the Upper Ordovician Sholeshook Limestone of southwest Wales with an assessment of the coral affinities and biofacies

Limestone horizons of Upper Ordovician (Katian) age in southwest Wales contain diverse fossil faunas including rugose corals. The existence of Ordovician Rugosa in Wales was first reported by Murchison in the 1830s, but since then hardly any specimens have been documented systematically until this present study. Newly collected material from the area around Llanddowror (Carmarthenshire) has now confirmed the diversity of rugose corals in the Sholeshook Limestone (Katian age), an arenaceous limestone originating from the shelf edge of the palaeocontinent Avalonia. The majority of the specimens are preserved as moulds. This means that in many instances preservation of the fossils was insufficient for specific identification; nevertheless, it was possible to document a diverse rugose coral fauna, including Helicelasma, probable Grewingkia and Kenophyllum, and a potential early mucophyllid. While associated with considerable difficulties, as some diagnostic features of Rugosa are not visible in moulds, it is demonstrated here that the work with such specimens can result in faunal information which would otherwise be unobtainable. An assemblage of rugose and tabulate corals in the Sholeshook Limestone can be differentiated from a similar assemblage in the neighbouring Robeston Wathen Limestone which has a slightly different lithology. The fauna has strong similarities with other Avalonian (Irish, English, Belgian) as well as Baltic (Estonian and Norwegian) rugose coral faunas. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrated geophysical and hydrothermal models of flank degassing and fluid flow at Masaya volcano, Nicaragua

We investigate geologic controls on circulation in the shallow hydrothermal system of Masaya volcano, Nicaragua, and their relationship to surface diffuse degassing. On a local scale (∼250 m), relatively impermeable normal faults dipping at ∼60° control the flowpath of water vapor and other gases in the vadose zone. These shallow normal faults are identified by modeling of a NE‐SW trending magnetic anomaly of up to 2300 nT that corresponds to a topographic offset. Elevated SP and CO2 to the NW of the faults and an absence of CO2 to the SE suggest that these faults are barriers to flow. TOUGH2 numerical models of fluid circulation show enhanced flow through the footwalls of the faults, and corresponding increased mass flow and temperature at the surface (diffuse degassing zones). On a larger scale, TOUGH2 modeling suggests that groundwater convection may be occurring in a 3–4 km radial fracture zone transecting the entire flank of the volcano. Hot water rising uniformly into the base of the model at 1 × 10−5 kg/m2s results in convection that focuses heat and fluid and can explain the three distinct diffuse degassing zones distributed along the fracture. Our data and models suggest that the unusually active surface degassing zones at Masaya volcano can result purely from uniform heat and fluid flux at depth that is complicated by groundwater convection and permeability variations in the upper few km. Therefore isolating the effects of subsurface geology is vital when trying to interpret diffuse degassing in light of volcanic activity.
Diffusion in Colocation Contact Networks: The Impact of Nodal Spatiotemporal Dynamics

Temporal contact networks are studied to understand dynamic spreading phenomena such as communicable diseases or information dissemination. To establish how spatiotemporal dynamics of nodes impact spreading potential in colocation contact networks, we propose “inducement-shuffling” null models which break one or more correlations between times, locations and nodes. By reconfiguring the time and/or location of each node’s presence in the network, these models induce alternative sets of colocation events giving rise to contact networks with varying spreading potential. This enables second-order causal reasoning about how correlations in nodes’ spatiotemporal preferences not only lead to a given contact network but ultimately influence the network’s spreading potential. We find the correlation between nodes and times to be the greatest impediment to spreading, while the correlation between times and locations slightly catalyzes spreading. Under each of the presented null models we measure both the number of contacts and infection prevalence as a function of time, with the surprising finding that the two have no direct causality.
the absolute and relative de rham–witt complexes

we compare the absolute and relative de rham–witt complexes considered by hesselholt and madsen (ann. sci. école norm. sup. 37 (2004), 1–43; ann. of math. (2) 158 (2003), 1–113) and by langer and zink (j. inst. math. jussieu 3 (2004), 231–314), which both generalize the classical de rham–witt complex of bloch, deligne, and illusie (ann. sci. école norm. sup. (4) 12 (1979), 501–661) from $\mathbb{f}_p$-schemes to $\mathbb{z}_{(p)}$-schemes. from this comparison, we derive a gauss–manin connection on the crystalline cohomology of x/wn(s) for a smooth family x/s.
Biomass Burning Airborne and Spaceborne Experiment in the Amazonas (BASE-A)

In the Biomass Burning Airborne and Spaceborne Experiment in the Amazonas (BASE-A), conducted in September 1989, trace gas and particulate matter emissions were measured from biomass burning due to deforestation and grassland fires in South America. This information is required for a better understanding of the environmental impacts of biomass burning in the tropics and to improve algorithms for remote sensing of biomass burning from satellite platforms. The field experiment utilized the twin-engine Embraer Bandeirante EMB-1Ol instrumented aircraft of the Brazilian Institute for Space Research (INPE). Concentrations of ozone, CO2, CO, CH4, and particulate matter were measured from the aircraft. Fires were observed from satellite imagery, and the smoke optical thickness, particle size, and profiles of the extinction coefficient were measured using sunphotometers in the aircraft and from the ground. Four smoke plumes were sampled, three vertical profiles were measured, and extensive ground measurements were conducted of smoke optical characteristics for different smoke types. The collected data were analyzed for determining the emission ratios and combustion efficiency (the efficiency of a fire to convert the total burned carbon to carbon dioxide) and were compared with the results from fires in North America. Combustion efficiency was found to be higher in the tropics (97% for the cerrado and 90% for the deforestation fires) with emission factors similar to those of North American fires, for a given combustion efficiency. A strong relation was found between the spatial distribution of fires (up to 9000 per day in one state) and ozone concentration (up to 80 ppbv) and between biomass burning and concentrations of trace gases, particulate matter, and ozone. These relations strongly suggest a correlation between biomass burning in the tropics and ozone formation. An optical model of the smoke aerosol was derived and applied to radiance measurements. The smoke single scattering albedo was computed from the graphitic carbon concentration (assuming external mode mixture) as 0.90 ± 0.01. The particles effective radii were 0.1 to 0.2 μm, except for 1-day aged smoke with values up to 0.4 μm. Radiance measurements indicate that the width of the particle size distribution may be smaller in the tropics than for North American fires. The measured optical properties of smoke and the high correlation between emitted trace gases and particles form a basis for remote sensing of radiatively important trace gases and particulate matter from biomass burning using AVHRR imagery.
A 10-year review of the occurrence and treatment of central giant cell granulomas, in a District General Hospital.

BACKGROUND There is considerable variation in the clinical presentation, behaviour and radiological appearance of central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs), for which multiple treatment modalities have been suggested. METHOD A 10-year retrospective review of the clinical presentation, radiological features and treatment received was undertaken. RESULTS The cohort of patients included six males and three females, with an age range of 7-61 years. Six lesions were in the mandible and three in the maxilla. Eight lesions presented with swelling, three in relation to teeth. One case was an incidental finding. Six cases were confined within the cortical plates, one involved soft tissue. Radiological presentation was diverse, but within the existing confines of CGCGs. With one exception, primary treatment was surgical resection with excisional curettage of the remaining bone; to date, none have recurred. CONCLUSION Diagnosis relies on correct interpretation of clinical, radiographical and histopathological data. Alternative treatments are worthy of consideration, although surgical excision remains the treatment of choice.
Transdisciplinary design of virtual learning environments: The case of a xMOOC on the study of electrical energy

The man objective of transdisciplinarity is the quest for the unity of knowledge through the elimination of disciplinary boundaries. Implementing transdisciplinarity implies the creation of a common conceptual, theoretical and empirical structure among disciplines, therefore, its execution processes often offer interesting opportunities in educational research. This case study seeks to investigate the experience of a group of professionals from different disciplines who participated in the design of a xMOOC entitled "Electrical Energy: Concepts and Basic Principles", which is part of the Bi-National Laboratory on Smart Sustainable Energy Management and Technology Training, project financed by CONACYT-SENER's energy sustainability fund. This paper explores the challenges faced by team members to achieve the objectives of course design, investigating personal characteristics that determine the tendency of solutions or problems in the development of the course, and exploring the implications of their participation in further teaching and research practices. Using a variety of methods, including semi-structured interviews, recorded conversations (dialogue in interaction), field journals-Participant Observation and the analysis of official documents, it was found that the consequence of the joint work of multiple disciplines in a related project causes the absence of individualism, generating opportunities for revision, reflection and intellectual discussions that enrich both the contents and the learning environment. In this type of projects, sharing information was not the essence of collaboration, but the common understanding that evolves through dialogue, discussion, tolerance and consensus building. Although working in a transdisciplinary manner involved hard work when there was no clarity or hierarchy in the roles, when there were differences in terminology and domain models, or communication flaws, this type of projects produced synergistic effects which steered more efficient educational processes and products, fostering mutual support and leading to the transformation and improvement of teaching and research practices.
Behavioral / Systems / Cognitive Differential Effects of GABAB Receptor Subtypes ,-Hydroxybutyric Acid , and Baclofen on EEG Activity and Sleep Regulation

The role of GABAB receptors in sleep is still poorly understood. GHB ( -hydroxybutyric acid) targets these receptors and is the only drug approved to treat the sleep disorder narcolepsy. GABAB receptors are obligate dimers comprised of the GABAB2 subunit and either one of the two GABAB1 subunit isoforms, GABAB1a and GABAB1b. To better understand the role of GABAB receptors in sleep regulation, we performed electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings in mice devoid of functional GABAB receptors (1 / and 2 / ) or lacking one of the subunit 1 isoforms (1a / and 1b / ). The distribution of sleep over the day was profoundly altered in 1 / and 2 / mice, suggesting a role for GABAB receptors in the circadian organization of sleep. Several other sleep and EEG phenotypes pointed to a more prominent role for GABAB1a compared with the GABAB1b isoform. Moreover, we found that GABAB1a protects against the spontaneous seizure activity observed in 1 / and 2 / mice. We also evaluated the effects of the GHB-prodrug GBL ( -butyrolactone) and of baclofen (BAC), a high-affinity GABAB receptor agonist. Both drugs induced a state distinct from physiological sleep that was not observed in 1 / and 2 / mice. Subsequent sleep was not affected by GBL whereas BAC was followed by a delayed hypersomnia even in 1 / and 2 / mice. The differential effects of GBL and BAC might be attributed to differences in GABAB-receptor affinity. These results also indicate that all GBL effects are mediated through GABAB receptors, although these receptors do not seem to be involved in mediating the BAC-induced hypersomnia.
Anomalous phase changes of transequatorial VLF radio waves during geomagnetic storms

Eight months of data for the relative phase of VLF signals from North West Cape, Australia (22.3 kHz), observed at Uji, Japan, are analyzed in order to detect geomagnetic storm effects on the low-latitude lower ionosphere. Anomalous phase decreases are found in the nighttime in association with the main phase of two large geomagnetic storm groups. The corresponding changes in the ionosphere are discussed on the assumption that the first and second modes exist in the nighttime earth-ionosphere wave guide. The situation is very complicated because the propagation parameters vary along transequatorial paths, but it is likely that the observed phase changes correspond to an increase in the ionospheric reflection height.
How helpful is NHS Direct? Postal survey of callers

NHS Direct, the new 24 hour telephone advice line staffed by nurses, was established to “provide easier and faster information for people about health, illness and the NHS so that they are better able to care for themselves and their families. ”1 In March 1998, three first wave sites started in Lancashire, Milton Keynes, and Northumbria. As part of an extensive evaluation of this new service, 2 we surveyed callers to determine how helpful they found the advice offered. With approval of local ethics committees, we sampled 350 consecutive callers at each site during one week in September 1998, giving a total of 1050 callers. The sampled period covered Saturday to Wednesday. A questionnaire about callers' experiences and views of NHS Direct was posted within one week of the call, with up to two reminders. A total of 719 questionnaires were completed by callers and 32 were not received by callers, …
Environmental heterogeneity, genotype-by-environment interactions and the reliability of sexual traits as indicators of mate quality

Exaggerated sexual displays are often supposed to indicate the indirect benefits females may receive from sexual reproduction with displaying males, but empirical evidence for positive relationships between the genetic quality and sexual trait quality is scant. The explanation for this might lie in the fact that mixing of reproductive individuals whose development has been influenced by genotype-by-environment interactions (GEIs) can blur the relationship between the individual male genetic quality and phenotype as perceived by females. Strong GEIs can generate an ecological crossover, where different genotypes are superior in environments that are separated either in space or time. Here, we use a stochastic simulation model to show that even a weak GEI, which does not generate an obvious ecological crossover, can neutralize or even reverse the relationship between genetic quality and sexual trait size in the presence of environmental heterogeneity during development. Our model highlights the importance of developmental selection in evolution of traits and allows us to predict the situations in which sexual displays might not be reliable indicators of genetic quality.
Morphologic fate of diencephalic prosomeres and their subdivisions revealed by mapping cadherin expression

The expression of four cadherins (cadherin‐6B, cadherin‐7, R‐cadherin, and N‐cadherin) was mapped in the diencephalon of chicken embryos at 11 days and 15 days of incubation and was compared with Nissl stains and radial glial topology. Results showed that each cadherin is expressed in a restricted manner by a different set of embryonic divisions, brain nuclei, and their subregions. An analysis of the segmental organization based on the prosomeric model indicated that, in the mature diencephalon, each prosomere persists and forms a coherent domain of gray matter extending across the entire transverse dimension of the neural tube, from the ventricular surface to the pial surface. Moreover, the results suggest the presence of a novel set of secondary subdivisions for the dorsal thalamus (dorsal, intermediate, and ventral tiers and anteroventral subregion). They also confirm the presence of secondary subdivisions in the pretectum (commissural, juxtacommissural, and precommissural). At most of the borders between the prosomeres and their secondary subdivisions, changes in radial glial fiber density were observed. The diencephalic brain nuclei that derive from each of the subdivisions were determined. In addition, a number of previously less well‐characterized gray matter regions of the diencephalon were defined in more detail based on the mapping of cadherin expression. The results demonstrate in detail how the divisions of the early embryonic diencephalon persist and transform into mature gray matter architecture during brain morphogenesis, and they support the hypothesis that cadherins play a role in this process by providing a framework of potentially adhesive specificities. J. Comp. Neurol. 421:481–514, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validation of two age dependent D-dimer cut-off values for exclusion of deep vein thrombosis in suspected elderly patients in primary care: retrospective, cross sectional, diagnostic analysis

Objective To determine whether the use of age adapted D-dimer cut-off values can be translated to primary care patients who are suspected of deep vein thrombosis. Design Retrospective, cross sectional diagnostic study. Setting 110 primary care doctors affiliated with three hospitals in the Netherlands. Participants 1374 consecutive patients (936 (68.1%) aged >50 years) with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis. Main outcome measures Proportion of patients with D-dimer values below two proposed age adapted cut-off levels (age in years×10 μg/L in patients aged >50 years, or 750 μg/L in patients aged ≥60 years), in whom deep vein thrombosis could be excluded; and the number of false negative results. Results Using the Wells score, 647 patients had an unlikely clinical probability of deep vein thrombosis. In these patients (at all ages), deep vein thrombosis could be excluded in 309 (47.8%) using the age dependent cut-off value compared with 272 (42.0%) using the conventional cut-off value of 500 μg/L (increase 5.7%, 95% confidence interval 4.1% to 7.8%). This exclusion rate resulted in 0.5% and 0.3% false negative cases, respectively (increase 0.2%, 0.004% to 8.6%). The increase in exclusion rate by using the age dependent cut-off value was highest in the oldest patients. In patients older than 80 years, deep vein thrombosis could be safely excluded in 22 (35.5%) patients using the age dependent cut-off value compared with 13 (21.0%) using the conventional cut-off value (increase 14.5%, 6.8% to 25.8%). Compared with the age dependent cut-off value, the cut-off value of 750 μg/L had a similar exclusion rate (307 (47.4%) patients) and false negative rate (0.3%). Conclusions Combined with a low clinical probability of deep vein thrombosis, use of the age dependent D-dimer cut-off value for patients older than 50 years or the cut-off value of 750 μg/L for patients aged 60 years and older resulted in a considerable increase in the proportion of patients in primary care in whom deep vein thrombosis could be safely excluded, compared with the conventional cut-off value of 500 μg/L.