Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of myofascial release techniques on pain, physical function, and postural stability in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To determine the effect of myofascial release techniques on pain symptoms, postural stability and physical function in fibromyalgia syndrome. Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken. Subjects: Eighty-six patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a placebo group. Interventions: Patients received treatments for 20 weeks. The experimental group underwent 10 myofascial release modalities and the placebo group received sham short-wave and ultrasound electrotherapy. Main measures: Outcome variables were number of tender points, pain, postural stability, physical function, clinical severity and global clinical assessment of improvement. Outcome measures were assessed before and immediately after, at six months and one year after the last session of the corresponding intervention. Results: After 20 weeks of myofascial therapy, the experimental group showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in painful tender points, McGill Pain Score (20.6 ± 6.3, P < 0.032), physical function (56.10 ± 17.3, P < 0.029), and clinical severity (5.08 ± 1.03, P < 0.039). At six months post intervention, the experimental group had a significantly lower mean number of painful points, pain score (8.25 ± 1.13, P < 0.048), physical function (58.60 ± 16.30, P < 0.049) and clinical severity (5.28 ± 0.97, P < 0.043). At one year post intervention, the only significant improvements were in painful points at second left rib and left gluteal muscle, affective dimension, number of days feeling good and clinical severity. Conclusion: The results suggest that myofascial release techniques can be a complementary therapy for pain symptoms, physical function and clinical severity but do not improve postural stability in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.
STEREOLOGY OF NEURONAL CONNECTIONS (MYELINATED FIBERS OF WHITE MATTER AND SYNAPSES OF NEOCORTEX) IN HUMAN BRAIN

Unbiased stereological sampling and counting techniques for estimating the total length, total volume and diameter distribution of myelinated nerve fibers in white matter and the total number of synapses in neocortex of human autopsy brains were described. Uniform random sampling of tissues from entire hemisphere was performed. The total volume and total length of myelinated fibers in white matter were estimated from the product of the volume of white matter obtained with the Cavalieri principle and the volume density and length density of myelinated fibers in white matter, respectively. The volume density of myelinated nerve fibers in white a matter was estimated with a point counting method. The length density of myelinated fibers in white matter was estimated from the isotropic, uniform random sections that were ensured by the sector. The diameter of myelinated fibers was derived by measuring the profile diameter perpendicular to its longest axis. The ethanolic phosphotungstic acid staining technique was modified for staining synapses in human autopsy brains. The total number of synapses in each neocortical region was estimated as the product of the volume of each neocortical region and the numerical density of synapses in each region. The numerical density of synapses in each neocortical region was obtained with the disector at the electron microscopical level. The presented methods will be useful for quantitative studies of the changes of myelinated nerve fibers and synapses in various distinct regions of the central nervous system due to development, aging and diseases.
Increasing Doses of Simvastatin Versus Combined Ezetimibe/Simvastatin

Background: Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) should be treated with statins to attain very low cholesterol levels, in order to reduce cardiovascular adverse events. More than 70% of these patients do not reach the appropriate cholesterol goal despite moderate statin doses. However, it is not known whether therapeutic uptitration with different lipid-lowering strategies has a similar “pleiotropic” effect on atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction evaluated by measurement of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Objective: We sought to compare, in patients with stable CAD and with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >70 mg/dL on treatment with simvastatin 20 mg, the effects on EPCs by increasing simvastatin to 80 mg versus adding ezetimibe 10 mg. Methods: Patients (n = 68, 63 ± 9 years, 39% men) were randomly allocated to receive ezetimibe 10/simvastatin 20 mg or simvastatin 80 mg for 6 weeks. Circulating EPCs were measured by flow cytometry before and after the treatment. Results: Both strategies presented similar effects on metabolic parameters. The LDLs were equally reduced by ezetimibe 10/simvastatin 20 mg and simvastatin 80 mg (28.9% ± 13% vs 21.1% ± 33%; P = .46, respectively). The levels of EPCs were unaffected by ezetimibe 10/simvastatin 20 mg (median [25th, 75th]: pre- vs posttreatment, 7.0 [2.3; 13.3] vs 3.1 [0.1; 13.2] EPCs/104 mononuclear cells; P = .43) or simvastatin 80 mg (pre- vs posttreatment, 6.1 [2.9; 15.2] vs 4.0 [1.4; 10.7] EPCs/104 mononuclear cells; P = .5) ,and there were no differences between the groups on treatment effects (P = .9). Conclusions: Among stable patients with CAD and with an LDL-C >70 mg/dL on simvastatin 20 mg, increasing simvastatin dose to 80 mg or adding ezetimibe 10 mg promoted similar further cholesterol reduction but did not have incremental effects on circulating EPCs. These data suggest that the effects of simvastatin moderate doses on EPCs are not increased by intensive lipid-lowering strategies (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00474123).
Concentration, Distribution and Comparison of Total and Bioavailable Heavy Metals in Top Soils of Bonab District in Zanjan Province

Heavy metal contamination of soils is a widespread problem in Zanjan province located in North West Iran due to natural pedo geochemical background and anthropogenic sources. The province is highly polluted by some heavy metals due to the presence of mineral resources notably Lead and Zinc, their improper utilization, and also the development of a number of related industries. Bonab district was selected for detail study and the objectives of the study were set to evaluate the total as well as bioavailable fraction of heavy metals in surficial soils within the studied area. 72 soil samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metal contamination by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The obtained results when compared with WHO and USEPA standards show a very high concentration of some toxic metals. Soils were basically polluted by Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd. Bioavailable fraction of studied metals were also measured with formation of metal complex with Diethylene tri amine penta acetic acid (DTPA) agent. To find the share of the anthropogenic sources in the contamination of soils, the Enrichment factor (EF) and Geological Accumulation Index were measured and the distribution maps were drawn using Arc GIS (9.3). Highest concentrations of some toxic metals were found as isolated patches around the Bonab Industrial Town as well as within and around the most populated areas of the district notably Zanjan city indicating its anthropogenic origin.
Apoyo social y ánimo depresivo en poblaciones de alto riesgo Social support and depression in high risk populations

ResumenEste trabajo analiza la relacion entre el apoyo social y la depresion en personas en alto riesgo psicosocial, teniendo en cuenta la mediacion de determinadas variables psicologicas. Para comprobar estas relaciones, se ha analizado una muestra de 132 sujetos de ambos sexos, de edades comprendidas entre 18 y 80 anos, que representan cuatro areas de riesgo—personas de edad avanzada residentes y no residentes, enfermos cronicos del rinon y alcoholicos—obteniendose una medicion en las siguientes variables: participacion e integracion comunitaria, percepcion de apoyo social en sistemas formales, autoestima social, emocionaly corporal, estres percibido y depresion. Los resultados confirman tanto la hipotesis de los efectos principales como la de amortiguacion segun los planteamientos referidos desde nuestro enfoque teorico (Lin y Ensel. 1989), por cuanto aparecen tanto relaciones directas entre la percepcion de apoyo social y la depresion, como relaciones indirectas entre ambas variables por la mediacion .
Changing notions of citizenship education in contemporary nation-states

Similar ebooks with changing notions of citizenship education in contemporary nation states vol 7 : saigon to san diego memoir of a boy who escaped from communist vietnam fachada the firm snapshot trading selected tactics for short term profits access code card companion website interpretation of dreams in chinese culture five minute sunday school activities for preschoolers jesus shows me ground water contamination transport and remediation britains developing constitution holy bible deconstructing derrida tasks for the new humanities politics in france programmer productivity mymathuniverse answers hazmat employee training workbook answers multiple choice comprehension tests 2 introduction to vascular ultrasonography 1994 seadoo gtx owner manual rhodes insight pocket guide pocket guides marcel proust overlook illustrated lives scott foresman handbook for writers 9th edition the sovereign individual mastering the transition to the information age geld verdienen in emerging markets awakened to a calling reflections on the vocation of ministry probability and statistics apex answers book of pontiffs liber pontificalis the ancient biographies of the first ninety roman bishops to ad 715 the short victorious war the witchs trinity erika mailman little luminous boy intifada the palestinian uprising israels third front information technology solution providers inc principles of day surgery nursing japanese mind the goliath explained fiber optic communication systems 2nd edition professions of dramatist and player in shakespeares time 159
Distributed finite-time consensus tracking for nonlinear multi-agent systems with a time-varying reference state

This paper investigates the consensus tracking problem for nonlinear multi-agent systems with a time-varying reference state. The consensus reference is taken as a virtual leader, whose output is only its position information that is available to only a subset of a group of followers. The dynamics of each follower consists of two terms: nonlinear inherent dynamics and a simple communication protocol relying only on the position of its neighbours. In this paper, the consensus tracking problem is respectively considered under fixed and switching communication topologies. Some corresponding sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the states of followers can converge to the state of the virtual leader in finite time. Rigorous proofs are given by using graph theory, matrix theory, and Lyapunov theory. Simulations are presented to illustrate the theoretical analysis.
Mapping the Lyα Emission around a z ∼ 6.6 QSO with MUSE: Extended Emission and a Companion at a Close Separation

We utilize the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) on the Very Large Telescope to search for extended Lyα emission around the z ∼ 6.6 QSO J0305−3150. After carefully subtracting the point spread function, we reach a nominal 5σ surface-brightness limit of SB5σ = 1.9 × 10−18 erg s−1 cm−2 arcsec−2 over a 1 arcsec2 aperture, collapsing five wavelength slices centered at the expected location of the redshifted Lyα emission (i.e., at 9256 Å). Current data suggest the presence (5σ accounting for systematics) of a Lyα nebula that extends for 9 kpc around the QSO. This emission is displaced and redshifted by 155 km s−1 with respect to the location of the QSO host galaxy traced by the [ ] 158 μm emission line. The total luminosity is = (3.0 ± 0.4) × 1042 erg s−1. Our analysis suggests that this emission is unlikely to rise from optically thick clouds illuminated by the ionizing radiation of the QSO. It is more plausible that the Lyα emission is due to the fluorescence of the highly ionized optically thin gas. This scenario implies a high hydrogen volume density of cm−3. In addition, we detect a Lyα emitter (LAE) in the immediate vicinity of the QSO, i.e., with a projected separation of ∼12.5 kpc and a line-of-sight velocity difference of 560 km s−1. The luminosity of the LAE is = (2.1 ± 0.2) × 1042 erg s−1 and its inferred star-formation rate is SFR ∼ 1.3 M⊙ yr−1. The probability of finding such a close LAE is one order of magnitude above the expectations based on the QSO–galaxy cross-correlation function. This discovery is in agreement with a scenario where dissipative interactions favor the rapid build-up of supermassive black holes at early cosmic times.
INVOLVEMENT OF CONSUMERS IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES BY INAHTA AGENCIES

Objectives: To obtain further information from members of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) on the involvement of consumers in their programs. Methods: A questionnaire for a survey was developed and sent to member agencies in November 2010. Survey responses were compared with those from an earlier survey conducted in 2005. Results: Of the thirty-three agencies that provided responses, 67 percent involve consumers in some aspects of their health technology assessment (HTA) programs, compared with 57 percent in 2005. As in the earlier survey, most agencies reporting involvement have contact with consumer or patient organizations and a large minority also involve individual consumers. Summaries of HTA reports that are intended to be easily understood by consumers are prepared by 84 percent of the agencies, and 42 percent involve consumers in dissemination of HTA material. In both areas, there was some increase from the levels previously reported. Conclusions: The survey results suggest that there is a trend to increased involvement of consumers by the INAHTA agencies in their programs but that the level of involvement remains relatively limited. The manner of consumer participation varies between agencies.
Intergenerational continuity in offending : an approach to the phenomenon in the Maltese Islands

This study explores the concentration of convictions in Maltese families through a study of all inmates interned at the prison setting, Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF), between 1950 and 2010. The main aim of this study is to explore patterns of intergenerational crime for the first time in the Maltese islands, to understand how and why convictions run in Maltese families. In other words, the focus here is on the potential role of the family in crime continuity, the familial relationships between incarcerated inmates and the influence of these relationships on emerging crime trends. Quantitative methods are used to examine intergenerational presence and the evolvement of crime covering at least two to three generations of families. This is achieved through employing a risk factor approach to explore potential “crime promoters” that could act as transmission proxies in crime continuity. One in every three inmates registered at CCF belongs to the intergenerational cohort. Moreover, the findings from this study identify that having a sibling, a parent and/or a spouse convicted of a crime is a risk/mediating factor for crime continuity, and the risk is further augmented by the increased presence of criminal relatives. This is compounded by exposure to crime through co-offending, social networks between related inmates within the walls of CCF and also the time a person spends in their neighbourhood. The intergenerational cohort is more crime prolific as attested by intense conviction patterns and recidivism trends and is also inclined towards committing serious crimes and crimes that require more planning and organisation. The processes required for this may be accommodated by the family providing one with entrusted accomplices. The relatively larger crime families (5-node to 10+ node structures) together represent one quarter of the intergenerational cohort. As crime families increase in size, a blend of restricted and extended relationships features evidently attesting the concentration and continuity of offending. The `orma (a large group of people/children), hosting 54 related inmates symbolises the fusion of five crime families through assortative partnering; representing crime continuity across two to five generations. The occurrence of multiple risk factors for intergenerational offending in Malta that were simultaneously identified in this study include: economic inactivity; residing in neighbourhoods laden with crime families; poverty pockets and offenderresidence hotspots. These combined individual and ecological risk factors help to explain the concentration of convictions in a relatively small number of crime families
Functional roles of C/EBPα and SUMO-modification in lung development

CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) is a transcription factor regulating the core aspects of cell growth and differentiation. The present study investigated the level and functional role of C/EBPα during the development of the rat lung. C/EBPα protein exhibits a dynamic expression pattern. The correlation between the expression of C/EBPα protein and the content of glycogen during lung maturation was analyzed to understand the function of C/EBPα in lung differentiation. The high expression of C/EBPα coincides with the reduction of glycogen in the fetal lung. In addition, the authors identified that changes in the level of C/EBPα are associated with the secretion of pulmonary surfactant. C/EBPα is modified by small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) post-translationally. The results of double immunofluorescence staining and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that SUMO-modified C/EBPα was present in the lung. The sumoylated C/EBPα gradually decreased during lung differentiation and was negatively correlated with pulmonary surfactant secretion, thereby suggesting that the SUMO modification may participate in C/EBPα-mediated lung growth and differentiation. These results indicated that C/EBPα played a role in lung development and provided the insight into the mechanism underlying SUMO-modification.
Analysis of unsteady effects in shock/boundary layer interactions

The dynamics of interactions between impinging shock waves and turbulent boundary layers in supersonic flow is analyzed by mining a LES database developed for several strengths of the incoming shock. The primary effect of increasing the strength of the interaction is an increase in the size of the interaction zone and the formation of a sizeable recirculation bubble. A side consequence of the topological flow changes is the onset of very-low-frequency motions near the foot of the reflected shock, with characteristic frequencies that may be as small as three orders of magnitude less than those of the incoming boundary layer. The flow dynamics is analyzed by means of standard Fourier analysis, as well as non-standard dynamic mode decomposition. Both approaches highlight the occurrence of two distinct flow modes, the high-frequency one being associated with the turbulence dynamics, and the low-frequency one associated with pulsation of the separation bubble, accompanied by fore-and-aft motion of the reflected shock. Linear global stability analysis performed on the mean flow fields extracted from LES highlights the occurrence of a single, non-oscillatory exponentially growing mode, as well as the presence of slightly damped, low-frequency oscillatory modes, whose stability margin decreases with the strength of the interaction, and which feature a ‘breathing’ motion of the separation bubble.
Information-Theoretically Secure Regenerating Codes for Distributed Storage

Regenerating codes are a class of codes for distributed storage networks that provide reliability and availability of data, and also perform efficient node repair. Another important aspect of a distributed storage network is its security. In this paper, we consider a threat model where an eavesdropper may gain access to the data stored in a subset of the storage nodes, and possibly also, to the data downloaded during repair of some nodes. We provide explicit constructions of regenerating codes that achieve information-theoretic secrecy capacity in this setting.
A seismic geotraverse across the Iberian Variscides: Orogenic shortening, collisional magmatism, and orocline development

A crustal geotraverse through the Iberian Variscides is presented by integrating the available geological and seismic profiling data. Different modes of orogenic shortening are identified, with varying degrees of coupling between upper and lower crust. In northern and southern regions of the geotraverse, a decoupling in the middle crust permits the lower crust to subduct/underthrust, thus compensating for strong upper crustal shortening. This behavior does not result in great crustal thickening, except in sectors of crustal underthrusting. In southern Central Iberia, moderate upper crustal shortening is due to a mechanically strong lower crust impeded to subduct/underthrust. In this region, shortening is partitioned between upper and lower crust, deformation being distributed in the upper crust while localized at major fault zones in the lower crust. Finally, the central region of the geotraverse (northern Central Iberia) shows a coupled crustal deformation, having given way to the largest orogenic thickening in the Iberian Variscides. The thermal maturity of this much thickened crust originated voluminous crustal melting, and concomitant normal‐fault detachments developed, while shortening dominated in other regions. Theoretical models suggest that compressive stresses may prevail in the lower crust beneath the extending upper crust, thus explaining the efficient syncollisional exhumation in this part of the orogen. A particular feature of the Iberian Variscan geotraverse is the great importance of out‐of‐section mass movements, mainly left‐lateral shear zones concentrated in two suture boundaries, which displaced to the NW (present coordinates) central and northern Iberia with respect to southern Iberia.
New Right Publications: A Survey of Public and Academic Libraries in Metropolitan Toronto.

Methodologie et resultat de l'enquete sur la censure pratiquee dans les bibliotheques, realisee aupres de 5 bibliotheques de la region de Toronto a partir d'une liste de controle sur la litterature du «nouveau droit». Basee sur 5 types de titres susceptibles de censure ― questions sociales, anticommunisme, creationisme, antisemitisme, questions politico-economiques ― elle conclue a un respect de la liberte intellectuelle de la part des bibliothecaires contrairement aux idees recues
Preparation of Palladium-Supported Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas and their Use as Catalysts in the Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction

Three periodic mesoporous materials, i.e., two organosilicas with either ethylene or phenylene bridges and one silica, have been used as supports for Pd nanoparticles. All Pd-supported samples (1.0 wt%) were prepared by the incipient wetness method and subsequently reduced in an H2 stream at 200 °C. Both hydrogen chemisorption and temperature programmed reduction experiments revealed significant differences depending on the support. Pd2+ species were more reducible on the mesoporous organosilicas than on their silica counterpart. Also, remarkable differences on the particle morphology were observed by transmission electron microscopy. All Pd-supported samples were active in the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between bromobenzene and phenylboronic acid.