Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of rater training on reliability of Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function scores

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of rater training on interrater reliability, internal consistency, standard error of measurement, and rater familiarity for the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function. Twenty‐four participants (raters) were randomly assigned to either‘trained’(n=12) or‘untrained’(n=12) interventions; they then scored the same nine video recordings of children completing the instrument. The age range of the children was 5 years 5 months to 12 years; there were six males, three females, all with spastic cerebral palsy (five with quadriparesis and four with hemiparesis); Gross Motor Function Classification System levels were I (n=3), II (n=3), III (n=1), and IV (n=2). All participants were novice occupational therapists and had no previous experience of using the instrument. A significant difference in perceived test familiarity was found after scoring but not before: trained raters scored higher. A significant difference in total scores for all cases was found and in eight of 16 individual item total raw scores. Again, trained raters scored higher. Interrater reliability was high in both groups, except item 6 (untrained). Internal consistency was high in both groups, except items 6 and 9 (untrained). We conclude that training for novice users increases familiarity and results in raters’perceiving higher levels of performance in some items. The Melbourne Assessment has high reliability even for novice users.
Further insights into the role of T222P variant of RXFP2 in non-syndromic cryptorchidism in two Mediterranean populations.

The aetiopathogenesis of isolated cryptorchidism remains largely unknown. Mutation screenings in the most relevant candidate genes for testicular maldescent lead to controversial data in the literature. In particular, the role of the T222P genetic variant of the RXFP2 gene is still debated. Given the controversies, the aim of this study was to provide further data on this genetic variant in two Mediterranean populations. A total of 577 subjects from Spain and 550 from Italy (with and without a history of cryptorchidism) were analysed. The T222P substitution was found in both unilateral and bilateral cases and in a total of 12 controls. These data exclude a clear-cut cause-effect relationship between T222P variant and testicular maldescent. The T222P variant was found at a similar frequency in both cases and controls in the Spanish population, whereas in Italy, the frequency of T222P resulted significantly higher in the cryptorchid group (p = 0.031). The observed difference between the two countries and the highly variable phenotypic expression of the T222P variant may depend on the genetic background or on environmental conditions. The haplotype analysis of the RXFP2 gene in T222P carriers and their parents showed that this variant is linked to the previously inferred C-C-G-A-13 haplotype and consequently provides further support to the 'founder effect' hypothesis. In conclusion, our data indicate that T222P is a frequent variant in the Spanish population with no pathogenic effect. Although in Italy it seems to confer a mild risk (odds ratio = 3.17, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-9.34) to cryptorchidism, the screening for this variant for diagnostic purposes is not advised because of the relatively high frequency of control carriers (1.4% of Italian men without a history of cryptorchidism).
Late diagnosis of retinoblastoma in a developing country

OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic process of retinoblastoma in a developing country. STUDY DESIGN Prospective survey of 95 consecutive parents of patients with retinoblastoma. RESULTS Fifty six parents consulted initially with a paediatrician. Their children tended to be younger, with a significantly higher frequency of advanced disease. Only half of the patients who consulted with a paediatrician were appropriately referred to an ophthalmologist; the paediatrician underestimated the complaints in the remainder. Children taken to an ophthalmologist were older and had less advanced disease. In about three quarters of these children, a diagnosis of retinoblastoma was suspected by the ophthalmologist on the first visit. Parents of patients with more advanced disease consulted significantly later. Poor parental education correlated significantly with late consultation. Lack of health insurance and living outside Buenos Aires City correlated significantly with an increased risk of extraocular disease. CONCLUSIONS Paediatricians are the first health professional seen by most children with retinoblastoma. However, the diagnosis is not readily established. There is also a delay in consultation by parents, which is significantly longer in cases with advanced extraocular disease. Socioeconomic factors and access to health care might play a role in delayed diagnosis.
Differential Regulation of the p80 Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor in Human Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Previous studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production from adipose tissue is elevated in rodent and human obesity and plays an important role in insulin resistance in experimental animal models. In this study, we examined the adipose expression of both TNF receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) in human obesity and demonstrated that obese female subjects express approximately twofold more TNFR2 mRNA in fat tissue and approximately sixfold more soluble TNFR2 in circulation relative to lean control subjects. In contrast, TNFR1 expression and protein levels were similar in these subjects. TNFR2 expression levels in adipose tissue were strongly correlated with BMI (r = 0.65, P < 0.001) and level of hyperinsulinemia (P < 0.001), an indirect measure of insulin resistance, as well as level of TNF-α mRNA expression in fat tissue (r = 0.56, P < 0.001). These results suggest that TNFR2 might play a role in human obesity by modulating the actions of TNF-α.
Epoetin alfa increases frataxin production in Friedreich's ataxia without affecting hematocrit

Objective of the study was to test the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two single doses of Epoetin alfa in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Ten patients were treated subcutaneously with 600 IU/kg for the first dose, and 3 months later with 1200 IU/kg. Epoetin alfa had no acute effect on frataxin, whereas a delayed and sustained increase in frataxin was evident at 3 months after the first dose (+35%; P < 0.05), and up to 6 months after the second dose (+54%; P < 0.001). The treatment was well tolerated and did not affect hematocrit, cardiac function, and neurological scale. Single high dose of Epoetin alfa can produce a considerably larger and sustained effect when compared with low doses and repeated administration schemes previously adopted. In addition, no hemoglobin increase was observed, and none of our patients required phlebotomy, indicating lack of erythropoietic effect of single high dose of erythropoietin. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Can a MM-wave ultra-wideband ANN-based radar data processing approach be used for breast cancer detection?

The paper compares the waveform of a millimeter (MM)-wave differentiated Gaussian pulse (DGP) centered at 30 GHz with others DGPs centered at different microwave frequencies. The performance are assessed using an artificial neural network (ANN)-based radar data processing technique for breast cancer detection. The radar signals are measured using a set of realistic two-dimensional (2D) breast geometries derived from the realistic three-dimensional (3D) breast phantoms provided by the numerical breast phantom repository of the University of Wisconsin cross-disciplinary electromagnetic laboratory (UWCEM). The results show that, using the DGP of central frequency 30 GHz, tumors are detected with sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 90%, and an overall accuracy of 89%.
Using digital storytelling and weblogs instruction to enhance EFL narrative writing and critical thinking skills among EFL majors at faculty of education

The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of using digital storytelling and Weblogs instruction in enhancing EFL narrative writing and critical thinking skills among EFL majors at Faculty of Education. The design of the research is one group pre-posttest. The sample of the research consisted of forty third-year EFL majors, at Faculty of Education, Benha University, Egypt. The research sample was engaged in certain activities such as storytelling, journal writing, personal diaries and reflection Weblogs. The instruments of the research included an EFL narrative writing questionnaire; an EFL narrative writing test; an EFL critical thinking questionnaire; an EFL critical thinking scale and interview prepared by the researcher. The instruments were applied to the sample of the research before and after implementing the program. Results of the research revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the study sample in the pre and post assessment of EFL narrative writing and critical thinking skills in favor of the post assessment. Therefore, the EFL narrative writing and critical thinking skills of the sample were developed as a result of teaching through integrating digital storytelling instruction and Weblogs. This confirmed that using digital storytelling and Weblogs instruction is effective in enhancing the EFL narrative writing and critical thinking skills among EFL majors at Faculty of Education
Molecular characterization and comparison of the components and multiprotein complexes in the postsynaptic proteome

Characterization of the composition of the postsynaptic proteome (PSP) provides a framework for understanding the overall organization and function of the synapse in normal and pathological conditions. We have identified 698 proteins from the postsynaptic terminal of mouse CNS synapses using a series of purification strategies and analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and large‐scale immunoblotting. Some 620 proteins were found in purified postsynaptic densities (PSDs), nine in AMPA‐receptor immuno‐purifications, 100 in isolates using an antibody against the NMDA receptor subunit NR1, and 170 by peptide‐affinity purification of complexes with the C‐terminus of NR2B. Together, the NR1 and NR2B complexes contain 186 proteins, collectively referred to as membrane‐associated guanylate kinase‐associated signalling complexes. We extracted data from six other synapse proteome experiments and combined these with our data to provide a consensus on the composition of the PSP. In total, 1124 proteins are present in the PSP, of which 466 were validated by their detection in two or more studies, forming what we have designated the Consensus PSD. These synapse proteome data sets offer a basis for future research in synaptic biology and will provide useful information in brain disease and mental disorder studies.
Prophylactic use of droperidol for control of nausea and vomiting during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section.

Une rachianesthesie est administree a 50 malades. Les nausees sont moins frequentes apres traitement par droperidol qu'apres solution saline. Il n'y a pas de correlation entre l'incidence de nausees et de vomissements et l'anesthesique local utilise
The Parker Flex‐Tip™ tracheal tube makes endotracheal intubation with the Bullard laryngoscope easier and faster

Background: The Bullard laryngoscope can be useful in management of difficult airway. When the endotracheal tube is advanced over the original Bullard laryngoscope stylet, the endotracheal tube sometimes makes contact with structures around the vocal cords, especially the right arytenoids. A similar problem also occurs with flexible fibreoptic intubation and it has been shown that use of the Parker Flex‐Tip™ tube usually resolves the problem. In this study we tested our hypothesis that use of the Parker Flex‐Tip™ tube might improve endotracheal tube passage with the Bullard laryngoscope. Methods: Forty patients scheduled for elective anaesthesia were randomly assigned into group ST (standard tube) or Group PT (Parker Flex‐Tip™ tube). The time taken to achieve successful endotracheal tube placement after obtaining the best laryngeal view, the number of attempts at intubation and the incidences of successful intubation at first attempt and of re‐direction of the Bullard laryngoscope during intubation were recorded. Unpaired t‐test and &khgr;2‐test were employed and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Use of the Parker Flex‐Tip™ tube reduced the time required for successful endotracheal tube placement after the best laryngeal view was obtained from 14 ± 6 to 6 ± 2 s (P < 0.01). It also reduced the incidence of requirement for re‐direction of the Bullard laryngoscope during intubation from 10/19 to 1/19 (P < 0.01). The incidence of successful intubation at the first attempt (18/19 vs. 15/19) was higher in the PT group but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: During intubation with the Bullard laryngoscope, use of the Parker Flex‐Tip™ tube is associated with more rapid success and a lower incidence of re‐direction of the Bullard laryngoscope during endotracheal intubation when compared to a standard endotracheal tube.
Implementing requirements traceability: a case study

Many standards that mandate requirements traceability as well as current literature do not provide a comprehensive model of what information should be captured and used as a part of a traceability scheme. Therefore, the practices and usefulness of traceability vary considerably across systems development efforts, ranging from very simplistic practices just aimed at satisfying the mandates to very comprehensive traceability schemes used as an important tool for managing the systems development process. We present a case study of a systems development organization, employing a comprehensive view of traceability. A model describing the traceability practice in the organization, perceived benefits of such a scheme and lessons learnt from implementing it are presented.
Changes in North American Atmospheric Circulation and Extreme Weather: Influence of Arctic Amplification and Northern Hemisphere Snow Cover

AbstractThis study tests the hypothesis that Arctic amplification (AA) of global warming remotely affects midlatitudes by promoting a weaker, wavier atmospheric circulation conducive to extreme weather. The investigation is based on the late twenty-first century over greater North America (20°–90°N, 50°–160°W) using 40 simulations from the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble, spanning 1920–2100. AA is found to promote regionally varying ridging aloft (500 hPa) with strong seasonal differences reflecting the location of the strongest surface thermal forcing. During winter, maximum increases in future geopotential heights are centered over the Arctic Ocean, in conjunction with sea ice loss, but minimum height increases (troughing) occur to the south, over the continental United States. During summer the location of maximum height inflation shifts equatorward, forming an annular band across mid-to-high latitudes of the entire Northern Hemisphere. This band spans the continents, whose enhanced surface.
Strong field behavior of the NMR signal from magnetically heterogeneous tissues

A theory for the behavior of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal obtained from magnetically heterogeneous tissues is developed for the limit of a strong external magnetic field. If B0 is the magnitude of the external magnetic field, it is found that a free‐induction signal decays in a time scaling as 1/B0, a single‐spin echo signal decays in a time scaling as 1/B 02/3 , and a multiple‐spin echo signal decays in a time scaling as 1/B 02 . Moreover, it is shown that the form of the signal decay for a multiple‐spin echo sequence may deviate significantly from an exponential. Numerical results for a model consisting of randomly distributed magnetic spheres are used to confirm the theory. In addition, good agreement is demonstrated between the theory and experimental measurements obtained with particle suspensions. The validity and application of the theory to biological tissues are discussed. Magn Reson Med 43:226–236, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clotting factor gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk.

PURPOSE Increased coagulation has been associated with cancer onset and progression. Mainly small studies have addressed the association between clotting factor gene polymorphisms and the onset of colorectal cancer. We examined the association between six well-known clotting factor gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer risk in a large case-control study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Factor V Leiden (rs6025), prothrombin G20210A (rs1799963), PAI-1 4G/5G (rs1799889), MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133), fibrinogen gamma 10034C>T (rs2066865), and factor XIII Val34Leu (rs5985) were genotyped in 1,801 patients with colorectal cancer and 1,853 healthy controls from a large German population-based study. The risk of colorectal cancer associated with gene variants was determined by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs using logistic regression. RESULTS Homozygous carriers of the prothrombotic factor V Leiden polymorphism showed a 5.8-fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.69 to 19.72) for colorectal cancer compared with noncarriers. A 30% reduced risk was found for heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden (OR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.90) and prothrombin G20210A (OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.96), implying an advantage for slightly increased thrombin generation. Carriers of the antithrombotic factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism showed a 15% reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer (OR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.97) compared with noncarriers. Our results did not support an effect of PAI-1 4G/5G, MTHFR 677C>T, and fibrinogen gamma 10034C>T on colorectal cancer risk. CONCLUSION Our results support a role of clotting factor polymorphisms and thereby the coagulation system in the risk of colorectal cancer.
Speed control system for a jet-engine with fluid injection into its compressor

This paper deals with a jet-engine speed control system (SCS), which operates during the aircraft take-off, when the cooling fluid injection system (CFIS) is also active. In order to evaluate the SCS, from its stability and quality point of view, one has established its new mathematical model and transfer function and one has also performed some computer simulations, using experimental data for an existing jet engine, VK-1A. The studies were performed for two different situations, concerning the cooling fluid injection pump: independent (electrically driven pump), or driven by the engine's shaft. Simulations results (system step response) were presented for both situations. Further studies should be extended for multi-spool engines.
Improved In Situ Hybridization Efficiency with Locked-Nucleic-Acid-Incorporated DNA Probes

ABSTRACT Low signal intensity due to poor probe hybridization efficiency is one of the major drawbacks of rRNA-targeted in situ hybridization. There are two major factors affecting the hybridization efficiency: probe accessibility and affinity to the targeted rRNA molecules. In this study, we demonstrate remarkable improvement in in situ hybridization efficiency by applying locked-nucleic-acid (LNA)-incorporated oligodeoxynucleotide probes (LNA/DNA probes) without compromising specificity. Fluorescently labeled LNA/DNA probes with two to four LNA substitutions exhibited strong fluorescence intensities equal to or greater than that of probe Eub338, although these probes did not show bright signals when they were synthesized as DNA probes; for example, the fluorescence intensity of probe Eco468 increased by 22-fold after three LNA bases were substituted for DNA bases. Dissociation profiles of the probes revealed that the dissociation temperature was directly related to the number of LNA substitutions and the fluorescence intensity. These results suggest that the introduction of LNA residues in DNA probes will be a useful approach for effectively enhancing probe hybridization efficiency.
Influence of lower limbs strength on trunk flexion and extension in chronic low back pain patients

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is characterised by an imbalance in trunk flexor and extensor muscles inducing a significant functional impairment. This can lead to a complex rehabilitation support and long and costly work stoppages for society (Dagenais et al. 2008). Many studies have focused on quantifying trunk muscle quality in CLBP (Mayer et al. 1994). Thus, the force–velocity and power– velocity relationships give us an interesting overview about each individual muscle properties (Ripamonti et al. 2011), in particular for trunk and lower limbs. If the trunk reinforcement is essential for CLBP, the lower limbs rehabilitation seems to have its own importance. The impact of lower limbs on pelvis movement and links with CLBP have been previously demonstrated (Scholtes et al. 2009), suggesting that the rehabilitation of the lower limbs must be considered in the management of CLBP. Indeed, a deficiency or an imbalance at this level may have a negative impact on their backs. The imbalance between the lower limbs may probably affect the upper joints, inducing impacts and compensatory attitudes that should be responsible for pain. Nevertheless, only few studies focused on relationships between lower limbs and trunk (Bernard et al. 2008), and to our knowledge, no study is interested in measuring the maximal force on lower limbs in CLBP and establishing the possible imbalance between the two lower limbs. The aim of this study was to determine whether (i) there is an actual lower limbs imbalance in patients with low back pain and (ii) to relate it, if it is possible, to the trunk muscle imbalance.
Nde1 and Ndel1: Outstanding Mysteries in Dynein-Mediated Transport

Cytoplasmic dynein-1 (dynein) is the primary microtubule minus-end directed molecular motor in most eukaryotes. As such, dynein has a broad array of functions that range from driving retrograde-directed cargo trafficking to forming and focusing the mitotic spindle. Dynein does not function in isolation. Instead, a network of regulatory proteins mediate dynein’s interaction with cargo and modulate dynein’s ability to engage with and move on the microtubule track. A flurry of research over the past decade has revealed the function and mechanism of many of dynein’s regulators, including Lis1, dynactin, and a family of proteins called activating adaptors. However, the mechanistic details of two of dynein’s important binding partners, the paralogs Nde1 and Ndel1, have remained elusive. While genetic studies have firmly established Nde1/Ndel1 as players in the dynein transport pathway, the nature of how they regulate dynein activity is unknown. In this review, we will compare Ndel1 and Nde1 with a focus on discerning if the proteins are functionally redundant, outline the data that places Nde1/Ndel1 in the dynein transport pathway, and explore the literature supporting and opposing the predominant hypothesis about Nde1/Ndel1’s molecular effect on dynein activity.