Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of femoral component designs on the contact and tracking characteristics of the unresurfaced patella in total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of 5 different femoral components used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on the contact area and tracking characteristics of the nonresurfaced patella and to identify any design features that might adversely affect these characteristics. DESIGN An in-vitro study. SETTING The biomechanics laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal. SPECIMENS Six fresh-frozen cadaveric knee-joint specimens. INTERVENTIONS An unconstrained quadriceps simulator was used to apply the conditions of static lifting to the specimens first in their normal state and then sequentially implanted with femoral and tibial components of various designs (Miller/Galante II, Anatomic Modular Knee [AMK] System, Whiteside Ortholoc Modular, press-fit condylar and Insall-Burstein II). OUTCOME MEASURES Patellar 3-dimensional tracking characteristics, determined by using a 6 degrees-of-freedom electromechanical goniometer attached directly to the patella, and patellar contact pressure measurements, obtained using low-range Fuji Prescale film. RESULTS Articulation of the normal patella on a prosthetic femoral component resulted in alterations in the normal patellofemoral contact and tracking characteristics. The exact departure depended on the design of the prosthetic trochlea. Although all of the selected prostheses demonstrated satisfactory contact characteristics near extension, marked alterations occurred at higher flexion angles. With 90 degrees or more of flexion, there was incompatibility between the geometries of the prosthetic notch of 2 femoral designs (AMK and PFC) and the normal knee. CONCLUSION The design of the prosthetic femoral component must be taken into account when determining whether or not to resurface the patella at the time of TKA.
The dialectics between boundaryless career and competence development findings among Finnish ICT and paper managers

The aim of this study is to examine how boundaryless career relates to competence development of managers in Finnish information and communication business sector (ICT) and paper business sector. The research was qualitative by nature and the used research method was a focused interview. The research group included 15 managers from three ICT companies in the field of software and 15 managers from three paper companies specialising in pulp, paper and paperboard manufacture. Managers were themselves responsible for updating their competence; continuous development of skills and knowledge enabled managers to make their own career decisions and manage their career. Career decisions directed the managers' further training needs. High competence level created shelter and self-confidence to managers. Managers were more committed to their competence related to the business sector than any particular organisation, and they wanted to combine work, family and hobbies in their lives as well. Only two Finnish business sectors were included in this study and the target was in the middle management level in organisations. Therefore, the study is not comprehensive. However, the results of the study give information concerning the relation between boundaryless career research and competence research in changing work environments.
The Cost of Downsizing in an Enterprise with Job Security

This paper comprises a theoretical study of factors influencing the utility of organisational downsizing. Companies downsize in order to adapt to lower demand or as a means to improving efficiency, i e to improve their performance/cost ratio. With perfect information and no legal or ethical restrictions, management would remove employees with the lowest utility. This information is normally lacking and downsizing is instead based on a headcount or on total salary cost reduction. The efficiency of such measures will then be a function of the correlation between salary and utility. Different downsizing outcomes are calculated on the basis of different assumptions; some of these outcomes increase efficiency while others would probably lead to continued decline. Many companies are subject to legal restrictions such as Last In First Out tenure requirements. This leads on to an analysis of relationships among utility, salary and period of employment. Break‐even analyses are computed showing on what terms it would be worthwhilefor management to offer longterm employees early retirement.
A critical assessment of groundwater governance in Tunisia

More than 40% of irrigation water currently used in Tunisia is provided by groundwater aquifers, most of which are in a critical state of depletion due to its overexploitation during the last three decades. This paper provides a critical assessment of groundwater management in Tunisia based on interviews with key officials from central and regional administrations, in addition to farmers' questionnaires regarding attitudes and perceptions about different groundwater management instruments. Even though there is a consistent official groundwater management strategy in Tunisia, its enforcement is still problematic. Many regulatory and incentive instruments were adopted to manage groundwater but their effect was limited, partly due to the weak implementation capacities of the regional and local water administrations. Moreover, most farmers are not aware about the critical situation of this common pool resource and self-regulation initiatives are almost absent. From this assessment, we mainly conclude that the remaining activities for enhancing groundwater governance in Tunisia needs to rely on two main axes. The first is related to the improvement of administrative performances, particularly those for horizontal coordination of groundwater. The second is about investing in enhancing social capital supporting institutional changes; which is particularly necessary for the promotion of self-regulation initiatives.
The e-guide: effective, efficient evaluation in education

Opportunities often arise for School of Education academics to develop research links with local schools, usually through requests for help with program evaluations (eg: 'we need to find out whether program X works so we can seek more funding'). It is likely these requests will increase over coming years, as at least 85 schools in the SCU footprint will receive 4-years substantial additional funding through COAG’s National Partnership on Low Socioeconomic Status School Communities, which will be rolled out over the next three years.
Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury and Infarct Size in Vivo

Abstract Aims The c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase (JNK) pathway of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade regulates cell function and survival after stress stimulation. Equally robust studies reported dichotomous results suggesting both protective and detrimental effects of JNK during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). The lack of a highly specific JNK inhibitor contributed to this controversy. We recently developed a cell-penetrating, protease-resistant peptide inhibitor of JNK, D-JNKI-1. Here we report on the effects of D-JNKI-1 in myocardial I/R. Methods and results D-JNKI-1 was tested in isolated-perfused adult rat hearts. Increased activation of JNK, p38-MAPK, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), as assessed by kinase assays and Western, occurred during I/R. D-JNKI-1 delivered before onset of ischemia prevented this increase in JNK activity, while not affecting ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK activation. JNK inhibition reduced ischemic injury, as manifested by increased time to contracture (
Optimization and kinetic characterization of recombinant 1,3‐β‐glucanase production in Escherichia coli K‐12 strain BL21/pETSD10 – a bioreactor scale study

The Escherichia coli K‐12 strain BL21/pETSD10 was used to produce recombinant endocellular 1,3‐β‐glucanase. This enzyme is responsible for the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond in specific polysaccharides with tracts of unsubstituted β‐1,3‐linked glucosyl residues. Conditions for the overproduction were experimentally examined, and the optimal values of the process on a bioreactor scale were found by interpolation of the experimental data. Cell induction was preferred during log‐phase with relatively high cell density at OD600 near 1·1 with 0·074 g l−1 of Isopropyl β‐D‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The higher concentration of IPTG favors high enzyme production but with an excess of ballast protein. 1,3‐β‐glucanase production was favoured with moderate culture aeration (0·7–0·9 vvm) and moderate stirring (125–150 rev min−1). The highest specific glucanase activity (252 U g−1) was found during validated experiments carried out at aeration at 135 rev min−1 and stirring at 0·8 vvm. Due to high‐tonnage industrial applications (i.e. to hemicellulose hydrolysis), the enzymatic preparation did not need to be highly purified. After pretreatment (precipitation with ammonium sulphate and dialysis) of the crude preparation, the enzymatic protein was one of the three main proteins in the preparation. The reaction rate with respect to the substrate (CM‐curdlan) was described by the first order reaction equation (k = 1·95 l h−1 g−1). Products formed in the reaction are composed of nine glucose units on average. In the reaction conditions, the preparation showed very good stability (t1/2 = 202 h).
Universal Credit: a preliminary analysis of its impact on incomes and work incentives

Alongside a series of cuts that will reduce welfare spending by £18 billion per year by 2014–15, the UK government announced in November 2010 plans to integrate and simplify means-tested welfare benefits and in-work tax credits for working-age adults into a single programme, to be known as Universal Credit and to be phased in from October 2013. The aims were to make it easier for claimants to claim benefits, to make the gains to work more transparent and to reduce the amount spent on administration and lost in fraud and error. More households will see entitlements rise from the move to Universal Credit considered in isolation than will see entitlements fall; in aggregate, entitlements will rise by nearly £1.1 billion a year. Low-income families will see their entitlements rise by more than high-income families, on average, and couples will gain more from the reform, on average, than single-adult families, especially if there are also children in the family. In general, those facing the weakest incentive to work at all, or the weakest incentive to increase earnings, see their incentives strengthened, including those with very low earnings and hours worked per week and those who at present experience simultaneous withdrawal of multiple means-tested benefits and tax credits. But a Council Tax Benefit that operates separately from Universal Credit, and that has rules that vary across English local authorities, could easily undermine many of the supposed advantages of Universal Credit.
Cytotoxic Hydroazulene Diterpenes from the Brown Alga Cystoseira myrica

Cytotoxicity-guided fractionation of the alcohol extract of the brown alga, Cystoseira myrica, afforded four new cytotoxic hydroazulene diterpenes, dictyone acetate (2), dictyol F monoacetate (4), isodictytriol monoacetate (6), and cystoseirol monoacetate (8), together with two known cytotoxic hydroazulene diterpenes, pachydictyol A (1) and dictyone (3). The constitution of each isolated compound has been determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence
Obfuscation of Bloom Filter Queries from Ring-LWE

We devise a virtual black-box (VBB) obfuscator for querying whether set elements are stored within Bloom filters, with security based on the Ring Learning With Errors (RLWE) problem and strongly universal hash functions. Our construction uses an abstracted encoding scheme that we instantiate using the Gentry, Gorbunov and Halevi (GGH15) multilinear map, with an explicit security reduction to RLWE. This represents an improvement on the functionality and security guarantees compared with the conjunction obfuscator introduced by Brakerski et al. (ITCS 2016), where security follows from a non-standard RLWE variant. Immediate applications of our work arise from any common usage of Bloom filters, such as efficient set intersection testing. Our obfuscated program allows this functionality to be executed in a non-interactive manner, whilst preventing the natural leakage that occurs when providing offline access to a Bloom filter. Compared to more general obfuscators for evasive functions, we demonstrate a significant asymptotic reduction in size and required computation for obfuscating set intersection queries. The obfuscator of Wichs and Zirdelis (EPRINT 2017) requires O(4 ) encodings for obfuscating circuits computing the intersection of sets of size n, requiring the usage of additional primitives such as FHE to allow sets of polynomial size. Our construction requires only O(kn) total encodings and operations for evaluation, where k << n. Moreover, the size of our obfuscator is independent of the size of the elements that are contained in the set. Our results, alongside recent and concurrent work, can be seen as another step forward in obfuscating wider classes of evasive functions using standard assumptions and models.
Investigation into the artificial ageing effects on the microstructure of an industrial solid waste treated with cement

Metal hydroxide sludges are classified as hazardous wastes in the European Hazardous Waste Catalogue (EHWC) because of their high heavy metal contents (Zn, Cr, Fe, Cu, etc.) and the release of these pollutants to the environment. Thereby, the disposal of this waste without any treatment is a substantial environmental problem. Stabilization/solidification technologies are widely used for the treatment of wastes and residues in order to obtain inert materials. This work aims to assess the effectiveness of the chemical fixation and solidification of a metal hydroxide sludge generated by the electrotyping surface treatment industry, using Portland Artificial Cement. In order to predict the medium‐ and long‐term behaviour of the solidified waste, an artificial ageing by means of thermal shocks and humidity variation cycles was applied. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray Diffraction studies revealed a considerable increase in calcite within the solid matrix after the artificial ageing, which can be attributed to the phenomenon of carbonation. It was also found that the mechanical properties of the solidified material, after ageing, were improved by up to 30%.
An evaluation of current shigellosis treatment

Shigellosis or bacillary dysentery, characterised by the passage of frequent loose stools mixed with blood and mucous, is caused by Shigella spp. which can be subdivided into four serotypes, namely, S. sonnei, S. boydii, S. flexneri and S. dysenteriae. S. dysenteriae type 1 produces severe dysentery and may be associated with many complications like leukaemoid reaction and haemolytic-ureamic syndrome. It is known to produce protracted epidemics and pandemics and is usually multi-drug resistant. Antibiotics are the mainstay of therapy of all cases of shigellosis. Antibiotics such as tetracycline, ampicillin and co-trimoxazole, were previously highly effective. Newer fluoroquinolones such as norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, azithromycin and ceftriaxone are effective. Although single dose of norfloxacin 800 mg and ciprofloxacin 1 g have been shown to be effective, they are currently less effective against S. dysenteriae type 1 infection. Oral rehydration salt should be given concurrently to prevent or correct dehydration. Antimotility agents are contraindicated. Feeding during and after shigellosis is emphasised. Hand-washing practices with plenty of water and soap help to prevent the transmission of infection from person to person. A search is on for an effective vaccine against shigella.
AKL 1 , a botanical mixture for the treatment of asthma : a randomised , double-blind , placebo-controlled , cross-over study

Background: Despite effective treatments, asthma outcomes remain suboptimal. Interest exists in complementary therapies, particularly in herbal remedies for asthma treatment, currently with inconclusive evidence of efficacy. The encapsulated botanical mixture AKL1 has anecdotal evidence of effectiveness in asthma. Methods: We performed a randomised controlled cross over study comparing the effectiveness of AKL1 with indistinguishable placebo as add-on therapy in patients uncontrolled on standard asthma treatment. Thirty two adult asthmatics completed a 36 week trial consisting of a 4 week single blind run in period, during which placebo was added to usual treatment, a 12 week double blind active phase in which subjects received AKL1 or placebo, a single blind 8 week washout period receiving placebo and a final 12 week double blind cross-over active treatment phase. Daily diaries were kept of peak expiratory flow and symptoms, and spirometry, validated symptom and health status questionnaire scores and adverse events were monitored at study visits. Paired T tests were used to compare the effects of placebo and AKL1 on outcomes. Changes in outcome measures over treatment phases are presented as means and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of means. Results: No significant differences in lung function (active-placebo) were found (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second: mean difference [95% CI] = 0.01 [-0.12 to 0.14] L, p = 0.9. Peak Expiratory Flow: 4.08 [-35.03 to 26.89]. L/min, p = 0.8). Trends to clinical improvements favouring active treatment were however consistently seen in the patientcentered outcomes: Asthma Control Questionnaire mean difference (active – placebo) [95% CI] = -0.35 [-0.78 to 0.07], p = 0.10, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire mean difference 0.42 [-0.08 to 0.93], p = 0.09, Leicester Cough Questionnaire mean difference 0.49, [-0.18 to 1.16], p = 0.15. Nine exacerbations occurred during placebo treatment and five whilst on AKL1. No significant adverse events were noted. Conclusion: AKL1 treatment was well tolerated. No significant improvements in lung function, symptoms, or quality of life were seen, although consistent trends were seen to improvements in patientcentered outcomes. Further studies are needed. Published: 20 March 2007 BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2007, 7:4 doi:10.1186/1471-2466-7-4 Received: 27 November 2006 Accepted: 20 March 2007 This article is available from: http://www.biomedcentral. com/1471-2466/7/4 © 2007 Thomas et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Factors in the growth of micro‐enterprises (Part 1): developing a framework

This research examines micro‐enterprises pursuing gradual growth. While very little research has been targeted specifically at the growth of micro‐enterprises, there are a host of possible influencing factors suggested by the rather broader small business literature. Less research has attempted to integrate the factors that influence growth of small firms into some form of model. Those models that were found had a number of shortfalls when it came to understanding the development of micro‐enterprises. A framework has been developed through this research that addresses these shortfalls. First, it has targeted specifically gradual growth micro‐enterprises; secondly, it is rigorously under‐pinned through empirical research; thirdly, it attempts to comprehensively cover the range of factors that influence development; fourthly, it focuses on the complex interaction of factors that may influence development. The research findings and implications are presented in two parts. Part 1 develops an empirically verified framework that explains how growth is influenced by a myriad of interacting factors. This leads to a discussion of the policy implications of the framework. Part 2 is presented in the next edition of the Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development (JSBED) and will explore the managerial implications of the framework. This will provide a diagnostic toolkit to help micro‐enterprise owner‐managers and advisers pursue growth. The paper is derived from research conducted initially for the submission of a PhD thesis at the University of Brighton (Perren, 1996).
A Multivariate Linear Regression Test for the Arbitrage Pricing Theory

A test for the arbitrage pricing theory which employs a multivariate linear regression model is developed. Given a sample of return premiums for a set of N assets which includes a subset of k linearly independent portfolios, the k factor APT hypothesis is accepted if the intercept term is zero in the multivariate regression of the (N - k) returns on the k portfolios. The test may be carried out simply, by using univariate multiple regression software. The relation of this test to the concept of performance potential and Sharpe's measure of performance is also discussed. If the performance potential of the k portfolios is not significantly less than the performance potential of the complete set of N assets, then the k factor APT hypothesis is accepted. IN ROLL AND ROSS (RR) [10] an empirical investigation of the Ross [11] arbitrage theory of pricing (APT) was carried out. The central core of the APT as outlined in RR is that the return generating process for a population of N assets is a linear function of only a few, say k (k << N), systematic factors or components and as a consequence many portfolios are close substitutes. The central conclusion of the APT is that the mean premium return vector lies in a k dimensional subspace spanned by the factor loadings. The purpose of the empirical investigation as claimed by RR was to investigate the existence of the factors and their association with the risk premia. As stressed by RR, their methodology does not determine k but is designed to test the hypothesis that there exist several factors whose factor loadings together explain a significant portion of the variation in the mean premium returns. The empirical results in RR, however, indicate the presence of three to four priced factors. The first empirical test outlined by RR involves two steps. Using time series data, the mean return premium vector is estimated and a factor analysis procedure is used to estimate the k factors and their loadings. A complex weighted least squares procedure is then used to estimate the linear model relating the mean return premium vector to the factor loadings. The weighted least squares procedure requires estimation of the matrix of weights and is carried out for t = 1, 2, * * T cross-sections. In this paper, the central conclusion of the APT is shown to be equivalent to a statement about the intercept term in the multivariate regression function of a
Public understanding of the politics of global warming in the news media: the hostile media approach

This study uses the politics of global warming in the US to investigate an affective mechanism of hostile media perception and the democratic consequences of such perception, in an effort to delineate audience and journalistic barriers to stimulating urgent concern about climate change. The study confirms that partisanship played a significant role in perceptual differences with regard to media bias in an important area of science journalism—climate change. News consumers’ anger perception was tested as a mediator in seeking an affective mechanism of hostile media perception. Hostile media perception has important democratic consequences in that it is positively associated with individuals’ trust in news coverage of global warming and with selective media use.