Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiotherapy Treatment in Patients with Hemophilia and Chronic Ankle Arthropathy: A Systematic Review

Haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle causes pain and deterioration in gait, causing disability. Although some physiotherapy modalities are effective in the management of acute bleeding, the results are unknown in chronic arthropathy. Our objective was to determine the most effective physiotherapy procedures for treating the haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle and to assess the methodological quality of the studies. A systematic review was carried out in the Cochrane Database, PubMed, MEDLINE, ISI Web of Knowledge, PEDro, TESEO, and specialized journals (Haemophilia and Haematologica). It included articles with at least one group undergoing any kind of physiotherapy treatment and with pretest and posttest evaluation, published before April 2013. An analysis of variables was performed and assessed the methodological quality of studies. Five studies met the criteria for inclusion. Hydrotherapy treatments, strength training and balance strength, balance training, and sports therapy, have improved range of movement, pain, balance, and subjective physical performance. The proposed methodological analysis was not possible due to the low quality of the studies. Although the results are positive, they lack rigorous evidence on the effects of treatments. Studies are needed to establish the efficacy of the various forms of physiotherapy in the haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle.
Probing Attacks on Integrated Circuits: Challenges and Research Opportunities

<italic>Editor’s note:</italic> As a type of invasive physical attacks, probing attacks are able to access and directly monitor security critical nets of an IC and extract sensitive information. In this paper, the authors summarize the state-of-the-art probing and anti-probing technologies and their challenges, and discuss the opportunities in the relevant research. <italic>—Yiran Chen, Duke University</italic>
Individual differences in cognitive control advantages of elderly late Dutch-English bilinguals

This study addresses a gap in the literature on executive function advantages among bilingual speakers by investigating a group of elderly, long-term, immersed bilinguals. Our participants are native Dutch speakers who emigrated to Australia as adults and have spent many years in that country. They are compared on a range of cognitive and linguistic measures to native Dutch and native English control groups. We argue that, due to the massive differences in the bilingual experience, group analyses may fall short of capturing the full picture. We argue instead for a more qualitative approach, which takes into account as detailed a picture of bilingual development, daily language habits and, in particular, code-switching habits as possible.
Dendritic Slow Dynamics Enables Localized Cortical Activity to Switch between Mobile and Immobile Modes with Noisy Background Input

Mounting lines of evidence suggest the significant computational ability of a single neuron empowered by active dendritic dynamics. This motivates us to study what functionality can be acquired by a network of such neurons. The present paper studies how such rich single-neuron dendritic dynamics affects the network dynamics, a question which has scarcely been specifically studied to date. We simulate neurons with active dendrites networked locally like cortical pyramidal neurons, and find that naturally arising localized activity – called a bump – can be in two distinct modes, mobile or immobile. The mode can be switched back and forth by transient input to the cortical network. Interestingly, this functionality arises only if each neuron is equipped with the observed slow dendritic dynamics and with in vivo-like noisy background input. If the bump activity is considered to indicate a point of attention in the sensory areas or to indicate a representation of memory in the storage areas of the cortex, this would imply that the flexible mode switching would be of great potential use for the brain as an information processing device. We derive these conclusions using a natural extension of the conventional field model, which is defined by combining two distinct fields, one representing the somatic population and the other representing the dendritic population. With this tool, we analyze the spatial distribution of the degree of after-spike adaptation and explain how we can understand the presence of the two distinct modes and switching between the modes. We also discuss the possible functional impact of this mode-switching ability.
Amygdala–prefrontal dissociation of subliminal and supraliminal fear

Facial expressions of fear are universally recognized signals of potential threat. Humans may have evolved specialized neural systems for responding to fear in the absence of conscious stimulus detection. We used functional neuroimaging to establish whether the amygdala and the medial prefrontal regions to which it projects are engaged by subliminal fearful faces and whether responses to subliminal fear are distinguished from those to supraliminal fear. We also examined the time course of amygdala‐medial prefrontal responses to supraliminal and subliminal fear. Stimuli were fearful and neutral baseline faces, presented under subliminal (16.7 ms and masked) or supraliminal (500 ms) conditions. Skin conductance responses (SCRs) were recorded simultaneously as an objective index of fear perception. SPM2 was used to undertake search region‐of‐interest (ROI) analyses for the amygdala and medial prefrontal (including anterior cingulate) cortex, and complementary whole‐brain analyses. Time series data were extracted from ROIs to examine activity across early versus late phases of the experiment. SCRs and amygdala activity were enhanced in response to both subliminal and supraliminal fear perception. Time series analysis showed a trend toward greater right amygdala responses to subliminal fear, but left‐sided responses to supraliminal fear. Cortically, subliminal fear was distinguished by right ventral anterior cingulate activity and supraliminal fear by dorsal anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal activity. Although subcortical amygdala activity was relatively persistent for subliminal fear, supraliminal fear showed more sustained cortical activity. The findings suggest that preverbal processing of fear may occur via a direct rostral–ventral amygdala pathway without the need for conscious surveillance, whereas elaboration of consciously attended signals of fear may rely on higher‐order processing within a dorsal cortico–amygdala pathway. Hum Brain Mapp, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elemental diets in treatment of acute Crohn's disease.

seven kidneys (5 %), however, showed severe arterial beading of the type previously reported in rejectionl 2; and in another nine kidneys (7 %) there were irregularities in the small renal arteries ranging from minor variations in vessel calibre and course to obvious segments of constriction or dilatation with abrupt terminations to the vessels. All the transplanted kidneys demonstrating these vascular abnormalities were undergoing rejection. One of the patients in whom aneurysms were demonstrated had arteriography of the transplanted kidney performed on two occasions; the first arteriogram showed normal intrarenal vessels, the second study one year later showed multiple small aneurysms which had developed during the course of rejection of the kidney. There was considerable overlap between the different types of arteriographic abnormality seen in rejecting transplant kidneys; the 20 kidneys comprising the three groups described above demonstrated a spectrum of vascular changes ranging from mild variations in vessel calibre at one extreme to multiple aneurysms at the other. In summary, multiple intrarenal aneurysms or severe preaneurysmal beading were demonstrated in 8 % of 136 arteriograms performed on malfunctioning transplanted kidneys. In a total series of 918 renal arteriograms rejection of a transplant was second only to polyarteritis nodosa as a cause of this type of aneurysm. Many causes of renal aneurysm are known,3 but the aneurysms seen in transplant rejection are most similar in their arteriographic appearance to those occurring in polyarteritis nodosa3 or drug abuse.4
Frontline gefitinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Meta-analysis of published randomized trials

OBJECTIVE: Gefitinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, showed a substantial effect as a salvage treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had failed prior chemotherapy. Subsequent phase III trials in previously untreated patients have failed to demonstrate such benefit. It was later reported that gefitinib had a positive outcome when used in selected population. RATIONAL: The inconsistent results and the lack published meta-analysis that systematically examined the overall efficacy of gefitinib in the frontline setting in such patients, have prompted the current meta-analysis. METHODS: We selected for analysis only those randomized, peer-reviewed clinical studies where the efficacy of gefitinib-based therapy (GBT) was investigated in chemotherapy naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. We also included studies where patients were randomized between gefitinib vs. placebo or none after initial chemoradiation or chemotherapy induction offered to all included patients. RESULTS: We identified seven eligible studies involving 2,646 and 1,939 patients randomized to GBT and to control arms, respectively. In mostly unselected population, GBT was not associated with higher objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.78–1.20, P = 0.78), or overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.95–1.13, P = 0.45) as compared with control interventions. In a fraction of patients with known EGFR mutation status, GBT showed significantly higher ORR among patients with mutant EGFR (odds ratio [OR] = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.71–4.62, P < 0.0001); however, EGFR mutation was not associated with better PFS or OS with GBT. Nevertheless, patients receiving GBT experienced significant improvement in quality of life as compared with those in the control arms. CONCLUSION: We conclude that GBT cannot be recommended for frontline management of patients with advanced NSCLC in unselected patient population.
Fairness in Wireless Networks:Issues, Measures and Challenges

The pervasiveness of wireless technology has indeed created massive opportunity to integrate almost everything into the Internet fabric. This can be seen with the advent of Internet of Things and Cyber Physical Systems, which involves cooperation of massive number of intelligent devices to provide intelligent services. Fairness amongst these devices is an important issue that can be analysed from several dimensions, e.g., energy usage, achieving required quality of services, spectrum sharing, and so on. This article focusses on these viewpoints while looking at fairness research. To generalize, mainly wireless networks are considered. First, we present a general view of fairness studies, and pose three core questions that help us delineate the nuances in defining fairness. Then, the existing fairness models are summarized and compared. We also look into the major fairness research domains in wireless networks such as fair energy consumption control, power control, topology control, link and flow scheduling, channel assignment, rate allocation, congestion control and routing protocols. We make a distinction amongst fairness, utility and resource allocation to begin with. Later, we present their inter-relation. At the end of this article, we list the common properties of fairness and give an example of fairness management. Several open research challenges that point to further work on fairness in wireless networks are also discussed. Indeed, the research on fairness is entangled with many other aspects such as performance, utility, optimization and throughput at the network and node levels. While consolidating the contributions in the literature, this article tries to explain the niceties of all these aspects in the domain of wireless networking.
Molecular characterization of Fusarium subglutinans associated with mango malformation.

Abstract Mango malformation is a serious disease of Mangifera indica in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This disease is caused by Fusarium subglutinans, which is also associated with diseases on many other hosts, such as pineapple, pine, maize and sugarcane. The F. subglutinans strains associated with different hosts are virtually indistinguishable using morphological characters, but can be easily differentiated using histone and beta-tubulin gene sequencing, and some have subsequently been assigned to distinct species. The aim of this study was to characterize F. subglutinans isolates associated with mango malformation using histone H3 gene sequencing and to compare them with other isolates in the Gibberella fujikuroi complex. Analysis of histone sequence data revealed the presence of two phylogenetically distinct groups of F. subglutinans isolates associated with mango malformation. We also considered the identity of the two groups of isolates associated with mango malformation and determined their relatedness to other Fusarium spp. For this purpose, portions of the beta-tubulin gene were sequenced and compared with the beta-tubulin sequences deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nucleotide database. This comparison to the NCBI database indicated that one group of F. subglutinans strains isolated from mango constitutes a unique lineage in the G. fujikuroi complex. Based on beta-tubulin and histone H3 sequencing, the second group of isolates is conspecific with the F. subglutinans strains previously reported to be the causal agent of mango malformation.
Effects of Environmental Methylmercury on the Health of Wild Birds, Mammals, and Fish

Abstract Wild piscivorous fish, mammals, and birds may be at risk for elevated dietary methylmercury intake and toxicity. In controlled feeding studies, the consumption of diets that contained Hg (as methylmercury) at environmentally realistic concentrations resulted in a range of toxic effects in fish, birds, and mammals, including behavioral, neurochemical, hormonal, and reproductive changes. Limited field-based studies, especially with certain wild piscivorous bird species, e.g., the common loon, corroborated laboratory-based results, demonstrating significant relations between methylmercury exposure and various indicators of methylmercury toxicity, including reproductive impairment. Potential population effects in fish and wildlife resulting from dietary methylmercury exposure are expected to vary as a function of species life history, as well as regional differences in fish-Hg concentrations, which, in turn, are influenced by differences in Hg deposition and environmental methylation rates. However, population modeling suggests that reductions in Hg emissions could have substantial benefits for some common loon populations that are currently experiencing elevated methylmercury exposure. Predicted benefits would be mediated primarily through improved hatching success and development of hatchlings to maturity as Hg concentrations in prey fish decline. Other piscivorous species may also benefit from decreased Hg exposure but have not been as extensively studied as the common loon.
Prevalence and clinical observations of Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases in Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil City

Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases (GTDs) are uncommon chorionic tumor of the placenta. It includes a spectrum of diseases from the usually benign hydatidiform mole to the highly malignant choriocarcinoma. A descriptive observational study carried out on 40 cases with GTDs to determine the rate, epidemiological correlates, clinical behavior, and common complications of the disease. The study done on pregnant women admitted to Maternity teaching hospital, Erbil city, North of Iraq, Kurdistan region during the period from 1 st October 2008 to the 1 st of April 2009. Demographic data were collected from each patient, history of prior molar pregnancy, socioeconomic state, presenting signs and symptoms, complete examination and investigation done for all of them, elevated level of Human chorionic gonadotrophin hormone was used to diagnose the condition also ultrasonography with a special findings to GTDs done for every patient. The incidence of GTD was 1 in every 318 pregnant women. The highest incidence was in 40 years old women and more. The mean age of the study sample was 27.97±8.66 years, sixty two percent of cases were in the age group of 20-39 years, the mean gestational age was 11± 3.7 weeks, 65% of cases were presented in the first trimester, while 35% of cases were in second trimester. 82.5% of cases were complete mole, 10% were partial mole, and 7.5% were gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. Majority of cases (87.5%) presented with vaginal bleeding, pregnancy induced hypertension and preeclampsia was the presentation in 15%of cases, 67.5% had abdominal cramps, 50% presented with signs od dehydration due to hyperemesis gravidarum, 25% had hyperthyroidism, there was a statistically significant association between hyperemesis gravidarum and hyperthyroidism. Theca lutein cysts presented in 25% of the cases. The uterine fundal level was larger than the gestational age in 45% of the cases. There was a statistically significant association between the Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia and the presence of theca lutein cysts and history of molar pregnancy in the antecedent pregnancy but there was no significant association between the gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and the age groups. Ultrasound was diagnostic in 38 cases (95%), while histopathological examination was diagnostic in 100% of the cases. Complications of the GTD; such as infections, trophoblasic embolism, and uterine perforation were not found in the current study. The incidence of GTDs in Maternity teaching hospital (1 in 318) is comparable to the incidence in some Middle East and Far Eastern countries. Key-words: Gestational trophoblastic diseases, Hydatidiform mole, Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, Invasive mole, Choriocarcinoma. WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on BIOLOGY and BIOMEDICINE Shahla Karim Al Alaf, Deman Ibrahim Omer ISSN: 1109-9518 190 Issue 3, Volume 7, July 2010
Using Dynamic Models for the Evaluation of Integration and System Testing

Side effects of one phase of the software development process are known to affect the subsequent phases. In this paper we analyze such side effects with respect to two consecutive phases: integration testing and system testing. The analysis is conducted based on a discrete event simulation model and focus on effort and effectiveness of integration testing and their effect on system testing.
Development of a capture/enrichment sandwich ELISA for the rapid detection of enteropathogenic and enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26 strains

Aims: To improve the sensitivity of a monoclonal antibody (MAb 2F3) based enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC)/enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) serogroup O26‐specific sandwich ELISA (sELISA), using a capture/enrichment format of the assay.
Roles of Peroxinectin in PGE2-Mediated Cellular Immunity in Spodoptera exigua

Background Prostaglandins (PGs) mediate insect immune responses to infections and invasions. Although the presence of PGs has been confirmed in several insect species, their biosynthesis in insects remains a conundrum because orthologs of the mammalian cyclooxygenases (COXs) have not been found in the known insect genomes. PG-mediated immune reactions have been documented in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. The purpose of this research is to identify the source of PGs in S. exigua. Principal Findings Peroxidases (POXs) are a sister group of COX genes. Ten putative POXs (SePOX-A ∼ SePOX-J) were expressed in S. exigua. Expressions of SePOX-F and -H were induced by bacterial challenge and expressed in the hemocytes and the fat body. RNAi of each POX was performed by hemocoelic injection of their specific double-stranded RNAs. dsPOX-F or, separately, dsPOX-H, but not the other eight dsRNA constructs, specifically suppressed hemocyte-spreading behavior and nodule formation; these two reactions were also inhibited by aspirin, a COX inhibitor. PGE2, but not arachidonic acid, treatment rescued the immunosuppression. Sequence analysis indicated that both POX genes were clustered with peroxinectin (Pxt) and their cognate proteins shared some conserved domains corresponding to the Pxt of Drosophila melanogaster. Conclusions SePOX-F and -H are Pxt-like genes associated with PG biosynthesis in S. exigua.
Interdependence of Hemagglutinin Glycosylation and Neuraminidase as Regulators of Influenza Virus Growth: a Study by Reverse Genetics

ABSTRACT The hemagglutinin (HA) of fowl plague virus A/FPV/Rostock/34 (H7N1) carries two N-linked oligosaccharides attached to Asn123 and Asn149 in close vicinity to the receptor-binding pocket. In previous studies in which HA mutants lacking either one (mutants G1 and G2) or both (mutant G1,2) glycosylation sites had been expressed from a simian virus 40 vector, we showed that these glycans regulate receptor binding affinity (M. Ohuchi, R. Ohuchi, A. Feldmann, and H. D. Klenk, J. Virol. 71:8377–8384, 1997). We have now investigated the effect of these mutations on virus growth using recombinant viruses generated by an RNA polymerase I-based reverse genetics system. Two reassortants of influenza virus strain A/WSN/33 were used as helper viruses to obtain two series of HA mutant viruses differing only in the neuraminidase (NA). Studies using N1 NA viruses revealed that loss of the oligosaccharide from Asn149 (mutant G2) or loss of both oligosaccharides (mutant G1,2) has a pronounced effect on virus growth in MDCK cells. Growth of virus lacking both oligosaccharides from infected cells was retarded, and virus yields in the medium were decreased about 20-fold. Likewise, there was a reduction in plaque size that was distinct with G1,2 and less pronounced with G2. These effects could be attributed to a highly impaired release of mutant progeny viruses from host cells. In contrast, with recombinant viruses containing N2 NA, these restrictions were much less apparent. N1 recombinants showed lower neuraminidase activity than N2 recombinants, indicating that N2 NA is able to partly overrule the high-affinity binding of mutant HA to the receptor. These results demonstrate that N-glycans flanking the receptor-binding site of the HA molecule are potent regulators of influenza virus growth, with the glycan at Asn149 being dominant and that at Asn123 being less effective. In addition, we show here that HA and NA activities need to be highly balanced in order to allow productive influenza virus infection.
A class of end-to-end congestion control algorithms for the Internet

We formulate end-to-end congestion control as a global optimization problem. Based on this formulation, a class of minimum cost flow control (MCFC) algorithms for adjusting session rates or window sizes is proposed. Significantly, we show that these algorithms can be implemented at the transport layer of an IP network and can provide certain fairness properties and user priority options without requiring non-FIFO switches. Two algorithm versions are discussed. A coarse version is geared towards implementation in the current Internet, relying on the end-to-end packet loss observations as an indication of congestion. A more complete version anticipates an Internet where sessions can solicit explicit congestion information through a concise probing mechanism. We show that TCP congestion control, after some modification, may be treated as a special case of the MCFC algorithms.