Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Level of Response to SI Joint Block Predict Response to SI Joint Fusion?

Background The degree of pain relief required to diagnose sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction following a diagnostic SIJ block (SIJB) is not known. No gold standard exists. Response to definitive (i.e., accepted as effective) treatment might be a reference standard. Methods Subgroup analysis of 320 subjects enrolled in two prospective multicenter trials evaluating SIJ fusion (SIJF) in patients with SIJ dysfunction diagnosed by history, physical exam and standardized diagnostic SIJB. A 50% reduction in pain at 30 or 60 minutes following SIJB was considered confirmatory. The absolute and percentage improvements in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) SIJ pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores at 6 and 12 months after SIJF were correlated with the average acute improvement in SIJ pain with SIJB. Results The average pain reduction during the first hour after SIJB was 79.3%. Six months after SIJF, the overall mean VAS SIJ pain reduction was 50.9 points (0-100 scale) and the mean ODI reduction was 24.6 points. Reductions at 12 months after SIJF were similar. Examined in multiple ways, improvements in SIJ pain and ODI at 6 and 12 months did not correlate with SIJB findings. Conclusions The degree of pain improvement during SIJB did not predict improvements in pain or ODI scores after SIJF. A 50% SIJB threshold resulted in excellent post-SIJF responses. Using overly stringent selection criteria (i.e. 75%) to qualify patients for SIJF has no basis in evidence and would withhold a beneficial procedure from a substantial number of patients with SIJ dysfunction. Level of Evidence Level 1. Clinical Relevance The degree of pain improvement during an SIJ block does not predict the degree of pain improvement after SIJ fusion.
Fearful expectations and avoidant actions as coeffects of perceived self-inefficacy.

are caused by signs of progress early in a course of therapy. In the history of psychotherapy research , the expectancy construct emerged prematurely and without the empirical support necessary to establish its validity (Wilkins, 1973). In the absence of validating empirical evidence, subjective ex-pectancies remain interesting epiphe-nomena, rather than valid, causal mechanisms of placebo responses and fear reduction. (1975). The facilitative effect of muscle tension-release in the relaxation treatment of sleep disturbance.parison of heart rate biofeedback and systematic desensitization in reducing speech anxiety: Short-and long-term effectiveness, (1977). Comparative effectiveness of voluntary heart rate control and muscular relaxation as active coping skills for reducing speech anxiety. Cognition and desen-sitization in the group treatment of test anxiety. A comparison of EMG biofeedback and a credible pseudotherapy in treating tension headache.sign and assessment of nonspecific control groups in behavior modification research. Therapy outcome questions requiring control of credibility and treatment-generated expectancies. (1981). Comparison of cue-controlled desen-sitization, rational restructuring, and a credible placebo in the treatment of speech anxiety. Expectancy, false galvanic skin response feedback, and systematic desensi-tization in the modification of phobic behavior. Development and evaluation of a placebo for studies of op-erant behavioral intervention. Experimental desen-sitization following three types of instructions. (1973). The role of attention placebo influences in the efficacy of sys-tcmatic desensitization. A comparison of three fear reduction procedures. (1982). Cue-controlled relaxation and systematic desensiti-zation versus nonspecific factors in treating test anxiety. (1979). Differential outcome from automated assertion training as a function of locus of control. (1978). Influence of contextual cues on the efficacy of desen-sitization and a credible placebo in alleviating public speaking anxiety. (1973). Placebo versus social earning effects in parent training procedures designed to alter the behavior of aggressive boys. Effects of false feedback on avoidance behavior: "Cognitive" desen-sitization revisited. The belief that fear controls avoidance behavior dies hard, despite growing evidence to the contrary. In a recent article, Kirsch (November, 1985) argued in favor of this view in his comments regarding the role of perceived self-efficacy in phobic dys-functions. According to Kitsch, people take avoidant action because of expected fear. A large body of evidence disputes the notion that anticipatory fear regulates Such behavior is often performed without anticipatory fear arousal, and avoidance can persist long after fear of threats has been eliminated (Black, 1965; Reseorla & Solomon, 1967). No consistent relations have been found between changes in fear arousal and phobic behavior during the …
Kinematic control of dual-tripod walking robot with a steering-wheel

This paper describes a new developed dual-tripod walking robot with a steering-wheel, this robot has a feature of independent straight going control and omnidirectional steering control; The robot walking velocity control is only dependant on its gait period and stride length, while its motion direction control is only dependant on its steering wheel, and the final motion will be the motion synthesis of straight going and steering. The gaits of straight going and omnidirectional steering are planned. The simulation and walking experiments are performed, and the results confirm that this robot has high performances in direction accuracy and stability
Taxonomy of the Family Enterobacteriaceae

Most approaches to the problem of bacterial taxonomy have arisen from either of two viewpoints, one derived from phylogenetic and the other from practical considerations. The former viewpoint too frequently arises from some major premise which has little practical connotation. The latter viewpoint often leads to the submergence of large groups of bacteria, not known to be of economic importance, because of an attitude of impatience toward any system which does not reflect the methods used in the specialized laboratory where steps in the identification of an unknown organism must be measured in terms of utility and speed. Regardless of personal viewpoints, it must be realized that precise delineation of species cannot be the primary aim of bacterial taxonomy at present. It is seldom possible and often it may not even be desirable. We must compromise by recognizing the necessity for the organization within a taxonomic system of a selected body of knowledge of important differential characters which may be applied when practical considerations demand that phylogenetically related organisms be distinguished, one from another. In addition, the taxonomic system should suggest, by implication if not by statement, the fields and directions in which further investigation is necessary or may prove fruitful. This implies that taxonomic systems must undergo periodic revision with the advent of new knowledge. This discussion will be concerned with the taxonomic system followed for the Enterobacteriaceae in the fifth edition of "Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology" (Bergey, Breed, Murray and Hitchens, 1939).
Ultrastructural analysis of adult mouse neocortex comparing aldehyde perfusion with cryo fixation

Analysis of brain ultrastructure using electron microscopy typically relies on chemical fixation. However, this is known to cause significant tissue distortion including a reduction in the extracellular space. Cryo fixation is thought to give a truer representation of biological structures, and here we use rapid, high-pressure freezing on adult mouse neocortex to quantify the extent to which these two fixation methods differ in terms of their preservation of the different cellular compartments, and the arrangement of membranes at the synapse and around blood vessels. As well as preserving a physiological extracellular space, cryo fixation reveals larger numbers of docked synaptic vesicles, a smaller glial volume, and a less intimate glial coverage of synapses and blood vessels compared to chemical fixation. The ultrastructure of mouse neocortex therefore differs significantly comparing cryo and chemical fixation conditions. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.05793. 001
The Flattened Firm: Not as Advertised

For decades, management consultants and the popular business press have urged large firms to flatten their hierarchies. Flattening (or delayering) typically refers to the elimination of layers in a firm's hierarchy and the broadening of managers' spans of control. The alleged benefits flow primarily from pushing decisions downward to enhance market responsiveness and improve accountability and morale. Has flattening delivered on its promise? This article demonstrates that flattening management layers can have the opposite effect from their intention. In fact, flattened firms typically exhibit more control and decision making at the top.
Behaviour of serum uric acid and lipid profile in relation to glycemic status in proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is emerging as one of the important causes of blindness in both devel-oping and developed countries. High hemoglobin A1c level, high 2-hr blood glucose level, low uric acid level and positivity for proteinuria were found to be significantly associated for the development diabetic retinopathy. The study was done on a total of 75 subjects. They were divided into 3 groups as: Group 1 - 25 subjects of Diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, Group 2 - 25 subjects of Diabetes mellitus without retinopathy & Group 3 - 25 Healthy Normal subjects. 7 cases were diagnosed as Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and other 18 cases as Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy based on fundoscopic examination. Results clearly indicate that there exists a poor glucose homeostasis & lipid derangement as a meta-bolic consequence in diabetic retinopathy cases. Uric acid levels were significantly less in cases of diabetes mellitus without complications, as compared to normal controls. Uric acid levels showed an increasing trend in retinopathy group. Conclusion: Serum uric acid level plays an important role in the pathogenesis & progression of long term complications asso-ciated with diabetes mellitus. Uric acid levels have tendency to decrease before retinopathy complication sets in and tends to increase with the onset of retinopathy. Behaviour of uric acid levels may thus indicate along with co-existence of lipid derangements, the ongoing pathophysiology in diabetes in relation to glycemic control, insulin resistance, onset and progression of complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy.
Donor-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppress Alloreactivity of Kidney Transplant Patients

Background. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunosuppressive capacities. Although their efficacy is currently studied in graft-versus-host disease, their effect on alloreactivity in solid organ transplant patients is unknown. In this study, the immunosuppressive effect of MSC on recipient anti-donor reactivity was examined before and after clinical kidney transplantation. Methods. Anti-donor reactivity was established in pretransplant and posttransplant mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) of 14 living-kidney donor-recipient pairs. MSC from donors and third-party controls were added to the MLR in a ratio of 1:5. Results. MSC were isolated from donor perirenal fat and showed multilineage differentiation potential and the capacity to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation. The immunosuppressive effect of MSC was dose dependent and mediated by cell-membrane contact and soluble factors, including interleukin-10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Donor-derived MSC significantly inhibited the recipient anti-donor reactivity before and 1 month after transplantation. This effect was independent of human leukocyte antigen background of MSC. Flow cytometric analysis showed that MSC inhibited the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subsets in pretransplant and posttransplant donor-directed MLR, whereas MSC had no effect on B- or natural killer-cell proliferation. Conclusion. Donor MSC significantly inhibited the proliferation of alloactivated recipient T cells before and after kidney transplantation. We believe these findings should encourage MSC-based intervention in clinical organ transplantation.
Contrast in chloride exclusion between two grapevine genotypes and its variation in their hybrid progeny

Potted grapevines of 140 Ruggeri (Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris), a good Cl− excluder, and K 51-40 (Vitis champinii × Vitis riparia ‘Gloire’), a poor Cl− excluder, and of a family obtained by crossing the two genotypes, were used to examine the inheritance of Cl− exclusion. Rooted leaves were then used to further investigate the mechanism for Cl− exclusion in 140 Ruggeri. In both a potting mix trial (plants watered with 50 mM Cl−) and a solution culture trial (plants grown in 25 mM Cl−), the variation in Cl− accumulation was continuous, indicating multiple rather than single gene control for Cl− exclusion between hybrids within the family. Upper limits of 42% and 35% of the phenotypic variation in Cl− concentration could be attributed to heritable sources in the potting mix and solution culture trials, respectively. Chloride transport in roots of rooted leaves of both genotypes appeared to be via the symplastic pathway, since addition of 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulphonic acid (PTS), an apoplastic tracer, revealed no obvious PTS fluorescence in the laminae of either genotype, despite significant accumulation of Cl− in laminae of K 51-40 during the PTS uptake period. There was no significant difference in either unidirectional 36Cl− flux (10 min) or 36Cl− uptake (3 h) into roots of rooted leaves exposed to 5, 10, or 25 mM Cl−. However, the percentage of 36Cl− transported to the lamina (3 h) was significantly lower in 140 Ruggeri than in K 51-40, supporting reduced Cl− loading into xylem and implicating the root stele in the Cl− exclusion mechanism.
Time and Distance Dependence of Protons Energy Loss for Laser (pw-ps) Fusion Driven Ion Acceleration

The anomalous generation of plasma blocks by interaction of petawatt-picosecond laser pulses permits side-on ignition of uncompressed solid fusion fuel following an improved application of the hydrodynamic Chu-model for deuterium-tritium. The new possibility of side-on laser ignition depends on accelerated ions and produced ions beams of high energy particles by the nonlinear ponderomotive force of the laser pulse in the plasma block, a re-evaluation of the early hydrodynamic analysis for ignition of inertial fusion by including inhibition factor, collective effect of stopping power of alpha particles and the energy loss rate reabsorption to plasma by the protons of plasma blocks being reduced by about a factor 40. Keywords—Block ignition, Charged particles, Reabsorption, Skin layer ponderomotive acceleration.
Epidemiologic characteristics of anotia and microtia in California, 1989-1997.

BACKGROUND There is a paucity of epidemiologic information about the external ear malformations anotia and microtia. METHODS Using data from a large population-based registry, we explored prevalences and maternal/infant characteristics associated with anotia and microtia. Data were derived from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, a population-based active surveillance system for collecting information on infants and fetuses with congenital malformations using multiple source ascertainment. Approximately 2.5 million births (live-born and stillborn) occurred during the ascertainment period, 1989-1997. Information on maternal and infant/fetal characteristics was obtained from California birth certificate and fetal death files. RESULTS The prevalence of anotia/microtia was 2.50 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Isolated cases, i.e., those live births and stillbirths with no other accompanying anomaly diagnoses, revealed a prevalence of 0.63 per 10,000, whereas among nonisolated cases, the prevalence was 1.53 per 10,000 live births and stillbirths. Prevalences of isolated anotia/microtia were substantially higher among U.S.-born Hispanics, foreign-born Hispanics, and Asians compared to non-Hispanic whites, with relative risks ranging from three- to seven-fold. Similar prevalences for maternal race/ethnicity (except for Asians) were observed for live births and stillbirths with nonisolated cases of anotia/microtia, but the magnitude of risks were lower than those observed for isolated cases. Prevalence of nonisolated anotia/microtia was substantially lower among women whose education was 12 years or more. CONCLUSIONS These data reveal descriptive epidemiologic features of anotia/microtia most notably substantial risks associated with race/ethnic groups and lower maternal education. Additional study for factors associated with these characteristics could reveal clues for the etiology of these ear anomalies.
2 The radial error induced by the Earth solid and ocean tides

In order to detect the gravitomagnetic clock effect by means of two counter-orbiting satellites placed on identical equatorial and circular orbits around the Earth with radius 7000 km their radial and azimuthal positions must be known with an accuracy of δr = 10−1 mm and δφ = 10−2 mas per revolution. In this work we investigate if the radial and azimuthal perturbations induced by the dynamical and static parts of the Earth’ s gravitational field meet this requirements. While the radial direction is affected only by harmonic perturbations with periods up to some tens of days, the azimuthal location is perturbed by a secular drift and very long period effects. It results that the present level of accuracy in the knowledge both of the Earth solid and ocean tides, and of the static part of the geopotential does not allow an easy detection of the gravitomagnetic clock effect at least by using short arcs only.
A model of angiogenesis in the mouse cornea.

PURPOSE The study of angiogenesis depends on reliable and reproducible models for the stimulation of a neovascular response. The purpose of this research was to develop such a model of angiogenesis in the mouse cornea. METHODS Uniformly sized Hydron pellets containing either basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and sucralfate were prepared and implanted into the stroma mouse cornea adjacent to the temporal limbus. RESULTS Neovascularization of the corneal stroma began on day 3 and was sustained through day 8. The bFGF-induced neovascularization was consistent and dose dependent in C57B1/6, as well as in severe combined immune deficient, beige natural killer cell-deficient, and nude mouse strains. Biomicroscopic and histologic examination of bFGF- and VEGF-induced angiogenesis was notable for the absence of corneal edema or substantial inflammation. CONCLUSIONS This noninflammatory model of corneal neovascularization is especially advantageous because it is reproducible, economical, and facilitates investigation of angiogenesis in various murine tumor models as well as in genetically defined murine strains.
A Medical Cloud-Based Platform for Respiration Rate Measurement and Hierarchical Classification of Breath Disorders

The measurement of human respiratory signals is crucial in cyberbiological systems. A disordered breathing pattern can be the first symptom of different physiological, mechanical, or psychological dysfunctions. Therefore, a real-time monitoring of the respiration patterns, as well as respiration rate is a critical need in medical applications. There are several methods for respiration rate measurement. However, despite their accuracy, these methods are expensive and could not be integrated in a body sensor network. In this work, we present a real-time cloud-based platform for both monitoring the respiration rate and breath pattern classification, remotely. The proposed system is designed particularly for patients with breathing problems (e.g., respiratory complications after surgery) or sleep disorders. Our system includes calibrated accelerometer sensor, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and cloud-computing model. We also suggest a procedure to improve the accuracy of respiration rate for patients at rest positions. The overall error in the respiration rate calculation is obtained 0.53% considering SPR-BTA spirometer as the reference. Five types of respiration disorders, Bradapnea, Tachypnea, Cheyn-stokes, Kaussmal, and Biot's breathing are classified based on hierarchical Support Vector Machine (SVM) with seven different features. We have evaluated the performance of the proposed classification while it is individualized to every subject (case 1) as well as considering all subjects (case 2). Since the selection of kernel function is a key factor to decide SVM's performance, in this paper three different kernel functions are evaluated. The experiments are conducted with 11 subjects and the average accuracy of 94.52% for case 1 and the accuracy of 81.29% for case 2 are achieved based on Radial Basis Function (RBF). Finally, a performance evaluation has been done for normal and impaired subjects considering sensitivity, specificity and G-mean parameters of different kernel functions.
Contractile and Mechanical Properties of Epithelia with Perturbed Actomyosin Dynamics

Mechanics has an important role during morphogenesis, both in the generation of forces driving cell shape changes and in determining the effective material properties of cells and tissues. Drosophila dorsal closure has emerged as a reference model system for investigating the interplay between tissue mechanics and cellular activity. During dorsal closure, the amnioserosa generates one of the major forces that drive closure through the apical contraction of its constituent cells. We combined quantitation of live data, genetic and mechanical perturbation and cell biology, to investigate how mechanical properties and contraction rate emerge from cytoskeletal activity. We found that a decrease in Myosin phosphorylation induces a fluidization of amnioserosa cells which become more compliant. Conversely, an increase in Myosin phosphorylation and an increase in actin linear polymerization induce a solidification of cells. Contrary to expectation, these two perturbations have an opposite effect on the strain rate of cells during DC. While an increase in actin polymerization increases the contraction rate of amnioserosa cells, an increase in Myosin phosphorylation gives rise to cells that contract very slowly. The quantification of how the perturbation induced by laser ablation decays throughout the tissue revealed that the tissue in these two mutant backgrounds reacts very differently. We suggest that the differences in the strain rate of cells in situations where Myosin activity or actin polymerization is increased arise from changes in how the contractile forces are transmitted and coordinated across the tissue through ECadherin-mediated adhesion. Altogether, our results show that there is an optimal level of Myosin activity to generate efficient contraction and suggest that the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton and the dynamics of adhesion complexes are important parameters for the emergence of coordinated activity throughout the tissue.