Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of Outcomes After Single or Multilevel Dynamic Stabilization: Effects on Adjacent Segment

Study Design A retrospective study. Objectives To compare the clinical/radiologic outcomes and effects on adjacent segments by Dynesys stabilization. Summary of Background Data Dynamic stabilization is known to preserve some range of motion (ROM) and to lessen the load on adjacent levels compared with rigid fixation. However, there is concern about the stiffness of Dynesys. In a long-term follow-up study (>4 y), motion of Dynesys was preserved in only 8% of patients and adjacent segment degeneration occurred up to 47% of patients. Little information is available about the risk factor regarding adjacent segment motion. Methods Twenty-one patients underwent lumbar spine stabilization with Dynesys owing to degenerative spinal disease (single, 7; multiple-level, 14). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using K-ODI, VAS, and MacNab criteria. Radiologic evaluations included whole spine AP/lateral, lumbar neutral, flexion, and extension x-ray. Follow-up period was 31±14 months. Single (group A) and multiple-level stabilization (group B, average 2.3 levels) were compared. Results Clinical improvement was not different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Sagittal balance, lumbar lordosis, ROM of the lumbar spine, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope were not changed postoperatively (P>0.05) in either group. Postoperatively, ROM of stabilized segments were significantly decreased from 12.8±4.8 degrees to 3.9±5 degrees, while ROM of segments above was increased in both groups (P<0.01). Disc height was not decreased in either group (P>0.05). However, retrolisthesis was observed on adjacent segments above in 6 patients only in group B, which may suggests adjacent segment problem. Conclusions Clinically, dynamic stabilization is a good alternative treatment option for degenerative spinal disease. However, dynamic stabilization preserves only limited motion and may cause stress on the adjacent level above. Adjacent segment disease may be closely monitored, especially in cases of multiple-levels dynamic stabilization.
New platform, old habits? Candidates’ use of Twitter during the 2010 British and Dutch general election campaigns

Twitter has become one of the most important online spaces for political communication practice and research. Through a hand-coded content analysis, this study compares how British and Dutch Parliamentary candidates used Twitter during the 2010 general elections. We found that Dutch politicians were more likely to use Twitter than UK candidates and on average tweeted over twice as much as their British counterparts. Dutch candidates were also more likely to embrace the interactive potential of Twitter, and it appeared that the public responded to this by engaging in further dialogue. We attribute the more conservative approach of British candidates compared to the Netherlands to historic differences in the appropriation of social media by national elites, and differing levels of discipline imposed from the central party machines.
Cyclic compressive loading facilitates recovery after eccentric exercise.

PURPOSE To assess the biologic basis of massage therapies, we developed an experimental approach to mimic Swedish massage and evaluate this approach on recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage using a well-controlled animal model. METHODS Tibialis anterior muscles of six New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to one bout of damaging, eccentric contractions. One muscle was immediately subjected to cyclic compressive loads, and the contralateral served as the exercised control. RESULTS We found that commencing 30 min of cyclic compressive loading to the muscle, immediately after a bout of eccentric exercise, facilitated recovery of function and attenuated leukocyte infiltration. In addition, fiber necrosis and wet weight of the tissue were also reduced by compressive loading. CONCLUSION We conclude that subjecting muscle to compressive loads immediately after exercise leads to an enhanced recovery of muscle function and attenuation of the damaging effects of inflammation in the rabbit model. Although these observations suggest that skeletal muscle responds to cyclic compressive forces similar to those generated by clinical approaches, such as therapeutic massage, further research is needed to assess the translational efficacy of these findings.
Protein complex within Escherichia coli inner membrane. TolA N-terminal domain interacts with TolQ and TolR proteins

The TolA, TolB, TolQ, and TolR proteins are involved in maintaining the integrity of the Escherichia coli outer membrane and in the import of group A colicins and filamentous phage DNA. TolA, TolQ, and TolR are localized in the inner membrane while TolB is periplasmic, although a small amount of membrane-associated TolB is always found. In vivo cross- linking experiments with formaldehyde were performed in order to determine the proteins interacting with TolA. In wild-type strains, two specific complexes of 65 and 71 kDa, comprising TolA, were identified. These complexes were absent in a tolQ strain, while only the 65-kDa complex was absent in a tolR strain. When the tol strains were transformed with plasmids encoding TolR or TolQ, the specific complexes were restored. Moreover, immunoprecipitation experiments with the antiserum directed against TolA indicated that TolQ and TolR were co- immunoprecipitated with TolA after cross-linking. These data demonstrate that TolA interacts directly with TolR and TolQ. Two truncated TolA proteins devoid of either the C-terminal or the central domains of the protein were subjected to in vivo cross-linking. Since these two TolA derivatives still formed specific complexes with TolR derivatives still formed specific complexes with TolR and TolQ, we concluded that the TolA N-terminal domain interacted with these proteins.
The value of the corporate governance canon on Chinese companies

Abstract China has yet to import the corporate governance ‘canon’ (generally accepted rules as promoting share-holder value as well as minority shareholder and other stakeholders’ rights) into its Code of Corporate Governance. What effect would Chinese companies’ simply adopting such a canon—as defined by Hong Kong or other foreign corporate governance practices—have on their share prices? We look at Mainland Chinese companies listed in Hong Kong, looking at the way their share prices react to economic fluctuations when they have better or worse corporate governance practices. Using a differences-in-differences methodology, that such share prices could/would increase by around 7%—increasing profits by about $330 billion. Yet, a significant part of the distribution of these companies lose money in the short-run. These results provide yet another confirmation that adopting the corporate governance canon can profit companies’ investors, but not all of them.
An International Analysis of Director Equity Incentives and Earnings Management

Using data from 29 countries, I examine how directors’ equity incentives affect earnings management internationally. I find that firms whose directors awarded higher percentage equity-based compensation are associated with greater use of earnings management. Such positive relation between equity incentives and earnings management persists regardless whether a director serves on the audit committee, or whether a director is classified as an independent or inside director. However, this association is reversed at firms with greater board or audit committee independence. Finally, using a matched sample of American Depository Receipts (ADRs) and non-ADRs, I provide evidence that although ADRs exhibit less earnings management relative to non-ADRs, having an ADR does not deter the attempt of directors with high equity incentives to manipulate earnings.
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN HUMAN SUBJECTS DURING BLACKOUT PRODUCED BY POSITIVE ACCELERATION. NADC-MA-6402.

Abstract : Each of 13 human subjects was subjected alternately to a set of peak accelerations of 6 and 7 G on two separate occasions. Peak G was attained in approximately 30 seconds after the initiation of a symmetrical, sinusoidal acceleration profile. The best index of the level of consciousness appears to be the inverse relationship between the depth of blackout and the amplitude of EEG frequencies in the range of 5 cps. The lower delta frequencies were not used since artifacts due to electrode displacement resulting from head movement were seen most frequently in this range of frequencies. Moreover, the 5 to 7 cps. frequency band is associated with cerebral hypoxia which occurs during positive acceleration. This frequency band was also shown to be related to performance of specific performance tasks. (Author)
Fundamental Analysis, Stock Returns and High B/M Companies

Ιn this paper we initially estimate the financial performance of high BM companies based on the analysis of profitability, liquidity-leverage and operating efficiency ratios.The performance of the specific group as a whole, was found to be quite poor and that is why it is reflected in a high BM ratio score for the companies involved.The research then showed that a portfolio of the best performing high BM companies, chosen through the F-score mechanism, exhibits a statistically significant higher mean of market-adjusted as well as raw returns, compared to any other type of classification of the companies of the category.The research was conducted for the period 2010-2015 and applied to companies listed in the North America Stock Exchange Markets.
Paradigms Transformation in Social Sciences DIVERSIFICATION INDEXES : ARRANGEMENT AND APPLICATION POSSIBILITY FOR COMPANY TOWNS

The recent decade is of high priority for Russian company towns calling for significant modernization of the economy with correspondent investments. The company town economic development is considered mainly through the diversification strategy. The diversification process supposes the change of the company town structure from a single industry to diverse. The article contributes to the concept of company town diversification and the methodology of its evaluation. The authors compare “diversification” concepts at the regional level matching the objects of diversification. The article summarizes and systemizes the indexes of diversification measurement and offers to divide them into two groups – general and specific indexes. The general indexes can be implemented in different economic activities and objects whereas the specific ones focus on the micro or mezzo levels. The system of indexes for the diversification evaluation is complemented by shift-share and regional indexes. The results are figured out in a schematic way classifying the diversification indexes according to the object and the possibility to use the indexes for a company town diversification evaluation. All considered methods are compared by the range of results, possibility to assess the dynamics, and the variety of measured data. The comparative analysis made it possible to define the indexes that can be applicable for company town diversification evaluation and offer the diversification index for company towns that combines the considered measures. © 2018 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.UK
Fiscal Structural Reforms: The Effect of Card Payments on Vat Revenue in the Euro Area

The use of traceable payment methods presents an additional reform option for improving tax compliance. As regards consumption, card payments are the main alternative to cash in the euro area. Although the use of micro-data has provided clear evidence in favour of increasing information trails, time series evidence on the role of card payments in increasing compliance have been scarce and confined to the recent experience of Greece. The effect of card payments on VAT revenue is investigated using quarterly panel data for the 19 euro area economies covering the period 2003q1-2016q4. Time-varying coefficient methods are employed in order to estimate the country-specific contribution of compliance to revenue growth as a function of card payments. In line with the micro-data literature, the analysis indicates that increasing the share of card payments in private consumption expenditure improves VAT tax compliance. The gains are found to increase: (i) the lower the initial level of card use; (ii) the higher the share of self-employment and (iii) the lower the level of revenue efficiency. The highest benefits are estimated for Greece and Italy.
Bone Regeneration at Dental Implant Sites with Suspended Stem Cells

During the maintenance of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), suspended cells are discarded normally. We noted the osteogenic potential of these cells to be like that of anchorage-dependent BMMSCs. Therefore, we characterized suspended BMMSCs from rabbit bone marrow by bioengineering and applied the suspended BMMSCs to double-canaled dental implants inserted into rabbits. After primary isolation of BMMSCs, we collected the suspended cells during primary culture on the third day. The cells were transferred and maintained on an extracellular-matrix-coated culture plate. The cells were characterized and compared with BMMSCs by colony-forming-unit fibroblast (CFU-f) and cell proliferation assay, fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS), in vitro multipotency, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also analyzed the osteogenic potential of cells mixed with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) and transplanted into immunocompromised mice. We compared the viability and proliferation of the suspended BMMSCs and BMMSCs on the titanium implant surface and observed cell morphology. Then, the cells mixed with HA/TCP were applied to the double-canaled implants during installation into rabbit tibia. Four weeks later, we analyzed bone formation inside the canal by histomorphometry. The suspended cells showed higher CFU-f on the extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated culture plate and similar results of proliferation capacity compared with BMMSCs. The cells also showed osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic ability. The suspended cells showed levels of attachment survival and proliferation on the surfaces of titanium implant discs to be higher than or similar to those of BMMSCs. The suspended cells as well as BMMSCs showed stronger bone formation ability in both upper and lower canals of the implants compared with controls on double-canaled implants inserted into rabbit tibia. In this study, we showed that suspended cells after primary BMMSC isolation have bone regeneration capacity like that of BMMSCs, not only in vitro but also in vivo. ECM was valuable for propagation of MSCs for cell-based bone regeneration. Therefore, the suspended cells could also be useful tools for bone regeneration after implant surgery.
Angular distributions of ejected electrons from autoionizing 3pnd states of magnesium.

We have measured the angular distributions of electrons ejected from doubly excited autoionizing Rydberg 3{ital pnd} {ital J}=1 and 3 states of magnesium, where {ital n}=10--18. To excite the aligned 3{ital snd} {sup 1}{ital D}{sub 2} states of Mg, we used two dye lasers crossed with an atomic beam. A third laser, linearly polarized in the same direction as the other two, excited the atoms in the 3{ital snd} states to the 3{ital pnd} states. The angular distributions of ejected electrons are given by {ital d}{sigma}/{ital d}{Omega}={ital tsum}{sub {ital k}a{ital k}P{ital k}}(cos{theta}), where {ital k}=0,2,4,6. We measured the angular distribution parameters {ital a}{sub {ital k}} as a function of the energy of the third laser photon using an electron detector and a Mg{sup +} ion detector. We compare our results with the predictions of an {ital R}-matrix multichannel quantum-defect theory. We find good agreement between experiment and theory.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis: C-Reactive Protein Level Combined With Age Predicts Conversion

Introduction: The aim was to enable prediction of risk for conversion in early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Methods: Multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to define independent predictors for conversion and optimal cutoffs. Using those, a scoring system was created to predict conversion. Results: In 261 patients, conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 62 cases (24%). Multivariate analysis revealed age and C-reactive protein (CRP) level to be independent predictors for conversion (odds ratio 1.02; P=0.02 and odds ratio 1.01; P<0.001). Using cutoffs obtained by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis resulted in an useful scoring system to predict conversion risk (age>65 y=1+CRP value>165 mg/L=1): score 0=12%, 1=29%, 2=67% (P<0.001). Conclusions: Higher age and elevated CRP level are independent predictors for conversion. Surgery for acute cholecystitis in patients with age >65 years and/or CRP level >165 mg/L should be considered as high risk for conversion.
Cognate Effect and Lexical Processing in English-Spanish and Spanish-English Bilinguals

Cognates have served as a useful tool for investigating the bilingual lexicon inmany studies, but very little research has been carried out on different types ofcognates, specifically, partial cognates and their role in cross-linguistic effect.The present study examines cognate effect in the speech production and acceptabilityjudgment of two groups of highly proficient, late-onset English-Spanish(n = 12) and Spanish-English (n = 12) bilinguals within a single-language (English)context. The findings of two tasks, a production task, whereby participants wereasked to spontaneously produce synonyms to prompt words, and an acceptabilityjudgment task of a variety of sentences including use of false and partial English-Spanish cognates are reported here, framed within non-selective, integrated modelsof lexical representation. The results suggest a significant cognate effect in both bilingualgroups in both tasks compared to their monolingual counterparts with, surprisingly,greater significance demonstrated from L2 to L1 influence, particularly inproduction. These findings add to the growing support for semantic modulation atthe conceptual level of lexical processing in highly proficient bilinguals. doi:10.5294/laclil.2016. 9.1. 8
An FP-CIT PET Comparison of the Differences in Dopaminergic Neuronal Loss Between Idiopathic Parkinson Disease With Dementia and Without Dementia

Previous studies have demonstrated a decreased density of dopamine transporters (DAT) in basal ganglia in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) using 123I-n-fluoropropyl-2b-carbomethoxy-3b-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (FP-CIT), and the reductions in striatal DAT levels were inversely correlated with the severity of motor dysfunction in IPD. However, there has been no study on the correlation of DAT levels between IPD patients with and without cognitive dysfunction. Thus, we evaluated the differences in regional DAT density in the brain of patients with IPD without dementia and those with dementia using FP-CIT positron emission tomography. We recruited 24 consecutive patients with IPD, including 7 with IPD without dementia and 17 with IPD with dementia, and 18 healthy controls. FP-CIT positron emission tomography scans were acquired 90 and 210 minutes after the FP-CIT injection. The DAT density did not differ in the caudate nucleus or the putamen between patients with IPD without dementia and those with dementia. However, the DAT density between the 2 groups with IPD demonstrated a significantly decreased density compared with that of healthy controls in the putamen. We cautiously suggest that there is no relationship between DAT density and cognitive severity because there were no significant differences in the DAT density between IPD with dementia and those without dementia.
Offshoring and CSR Practices in the Context of Global Production

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which realized offshoring drivers and risk management mediate the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: Data from the GONE project, a cross-sectional survey administered in Denmark and Sweden, are used to test two hypotheses on the mediating role of realized offshoring drivers and risk management in the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance. AMOS version 23 is used to perform the analyses. Findings: The results show that realized offshoring drivers have a positive association with firm performance. Realized offshoring drivers fully mediate the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance. Risk management has a positive effect on firm performance but does not mediate the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance. Originality/Value: This study develops a new theory on, and managerial insight into, the direct effect of realized offshoring drivers and risk management on firm performance and their mediating role in the relationship between offshoring experience and firm performance.
Fluoroscopically guided percutaneous vertebroplasty: Assessment of radiation doses and implementation of procedural routines to reduce operator exposure

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a fluoroscopically guided procedure for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures and metastases. Routine legal personal dosimetry repeatedly showed dosimeter doses exceeding 1 mSv/month for the only radiologist performing PVP at our hospital. Based on the nature of the procedure, this raised concern about potentially high doses to the eyes and fingers. Purpose: To assess radiation doses to the operator, and to evaluate possibilities for dose reduction. Material and Methods: Measurements of scattered radiation in simulated thoracic and lumbar PVP procedures were performed using two anatomical phantoms—thorax and lower trunk—and a radiation survey meter. The standard position of the operator was determined as being 50 cm from the irradiated area of the phantom. The protection ability of lead-free gloves was evaluated during the simulations. Operator doses to fingers and eyes during 10 clinical PVP procedures performed by a single operator were measured, and the annual dose was calculated. Routine personal dosimetry was performed using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badges beneath the lead apron, and doses to fingers and eyes were measured with small TLD tablets. Results: During simulations, the measured operator dose rate arising from lateral fluoroscopy at the thorax and lumbar level was reduced by a factor of 4–5 when the X-ray tube was moved from the operator's side of the patient to the opposite side. Wearing protective gloves reduced radiation dose to the hands by 30–40%. The mean doses arising from the 10 clinical PVP procedures to the right and left hands, using protection gloves, were 2.0 mSv and 4.8 mSv, respectively. The mean dose to the eyes was 0.23 mSv. The mean effective dose to the patients was 12 mSv. Conclusion: Placing the X-ray tube on the side of the patient opposite to the operator and the use of radiation protection gloves significantly reduces radiation exposure to the operator. In phantom simulations, the dose was reduced by a factor of 4–5. Knowledge of fluoroscopy equipment, radiation physics, and protection is essential in order to reduce exposure.