Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Quantitative Bone Scanning in the Assessment of Bone Turnover in Patients With Charcot Foot

OBJECTIVE To assess the new quantitative bone scan parameters as markers of Charcot neuroosteoarthropathy (CNO) activity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Forty-two patients with acute (n = 21) and nonacute (n = 21) CNO underwent quantitative bone scanning. Patients with acute CNO were followed for 3–12 months and bone scans were repeated after treatment. New quantitative parameters were assessed and compared with markers of bone turnover and with skin temperature difference (STD). RESULTS Significant correlations between quantitative bone scan parameters and bone turnover markers were observed (all P < 0.05). These parameters decreased after treatment of CNO, and its reduction to the baseline value correlated with differences of bone turnover markers and STD (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that bone scanning can be used not only for diagnosis of CNO but also for monitoring disease activity by quantitative bone scan parameters.
Acitretin, a systemic retinoid for the treatment of psoriasis - current state of knowledge

Acitretin, a synthetic retinoid, is a pharmacologically active metabolite of etretinate. It replaced etretinate for the treatment of severe psoriasis (e.g. psoriatic erythrodermia and pustular psoriasis) because of its more favourable pharmacokinetic profile. Acitretin is 50 times less lipophilic than etretinate and has a shorter elimination half-life. However, there is evidence that small amounts of acitretin (especially in the presence of alcohol) are converted to etretinate. In psoriasis acitretin normalizes epidermal cell proliferation, differentiation and cornification. Acitretin appears to be as effective as etretinate (the effective dose of acitretin varies between 25 mg/day and 50 mg/day) and can be used in the same combination regimens. Teratogenicity is the most important safety issue (acitretin is FDA pregnancy category X). Other adverse effects are strongly related to the dose. It is unique compared to other systemic therapies for psoriasis (such as methotrexate and cyclosporine) in that acitretine is not an immunosuppressive agent.
CD4+ Th2 T Cells Elicited by Immunization Confer Protective Immunity to Experimental Borrelia burgdorferi Infection a

The nature of the immune response to immunization with inactivated Borreliu burgdorferi was investigated. A CD4' population of anti-spirochete T cells was elicited in mice injected with B. burgdorferi extracts (B-31) and was established as a cell line, termed RBN2.1. RBN2.1 was able to transfer resistance to infection (by N-40) to naive recipients. ' Assay of antigen-specific cytokine production demonstrates that the RBN2.1 line was of the Th2 subclass. These data suggest that T-cell-mediated protective immunity to infection by B. burgdoqeri can be elicited by active immunization. Active immunization or transfer of anti-spirochete RBN2.1 T cells into uninfected mice fails to induce symptoms of Lyme arthritis or carditis, implying that the presence of spirochete is required for development of the pathophysiologic consequences of Lyme disease. ' Although several possible mechanisms can be hypothesized, the basis for the anti-spirochete phenotype of RBN2-1 T cells in vivo is currently unknown. Preliminary data suggest that mice receiving RBN2.1 cells that are challenged with infectious spirochete produce anti-spirochete Ig with increased kinetics compared with control mice (T. D. Rao, unpublished data). The humoral anti-spirochete immune response may in turn impact upon resistance to infection. It may be seen that anti-B. burgdorferi T cells that are elicited in immune mice recognize an antigenic epitope(s) different from the epitope(s) that elicits T cells in infection. * Comparison of B. burgdorferi antigens that elicit T-cell reactivity in infected mice with those that are reactive with T-cell line RBN2-1 will resolve this point. Why the pattern of T-cell reactivity is different in immune versus infected mice is not known, but it may be related to differences in antigen processing of live spirochete and soluble spirochetal proteins. In this regard we note that purified peritoneal macrophages produce Transforming Growth Factor p-' in response to
Causes of Inflation in the Iranian Economy

It is clear that in the nearly last four decades inflation is one of the important problems of Iranian economy. In this study, we determine and analyze the effective factors on inflation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. After briefly reviewing the theoretical background, we use econometric method, such as the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), to study causes of inflation Iran. Our analysis is based on time series annual data from 1961 to 2005 and our results show that import price index, as well as liquidity, do have positively a significant impact on inflation rates in Iran. Additionally, results show that actual GDP has a negative impact on inflation in Iran.
Role of laminin‐111 in neurotrophin‐3 production of canine adipose‐derived stem cells: Involvement of Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K

Extracellular matrix (ECM) components play an important role in the regulation and maintenance of neural stem cells (NSCs). Laminin, an ECM component, is a key factor in promoting axonal regeneration and differentiation of NSCs. Since NSCs cannot be easily harvested with low morbidity, adipose‐derived stem cells have been suggested for therapeutic applications of neural tissue damage. Therefore, the potential of laminin‐111 to enhance the production of neurotrophin‐3 (NT3) and its related signal pathways from canine adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (cADSCs) was investigated. Laminin‐111 enhanced NT3 production in neural induction medium (NIM). Treatment of NIM or laminin‐111 on cADSCs distinctively changed integrin β1 mRNA and protein expression levels. In addition, laminin‐111‐induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by integrin β1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and PI3K inhibitors (LY294002 and wortmannin). Furthermore, increased phosphorylations of mTOR and p70S6K by laminin‐111 were blocked by inhibitors or specific siRNA, respectively. Moreover, laminin‐111‐induced NT3 production was blocked by these inhibitors. In experiments to induce the differentiation of cADSCs, laminin‐111 increased the expression of neuronal markers β 3 tubulin, MAP2, and NeuN, and decreased the expression of the NSC markers nestin and vimentin. In conclusion, laminin‐111 increases NT3 production through Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K pathways via integrin β1 in cADSCs cultured in NIM. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 3251–3260, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Port-based Simulation of Flexible Multi-body Systems

Abstract This paper is devoted to simulation aspects of complex multi-body systems resulting from the interconnection of rigid and flexible links. This work is the natural complement of Macchelli et al. [2006, 2007a], in which only the mathematical modeling aspects of such kind of devices have been discussed. This paper tries to show how the port Hamiltonian framework can be instrumental also for the easy implementation of efficient simulations if proper packages able to deal with the a-causality of port-based modeling techniques are used. In fact, once the main components (i.e. rigid and flexible links and kinematic pairs) have been created, the complete model just follows by port interconnection in a plug-and-play fashion. Then, it is the simulation engine that solves the causality of the overall scheme and generate the simulation code. The main steps are illustrated in detail with an example.
Fetal, infant, adolescent and adult phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome in prenatally androgenized female rhesus monkeys

Old World monkeys provide naturally occurring and experimentally induced phenotypes closely resembling the highly prevalent polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. In particular, experimentally induced fetal androgen excess in female rhesus monkeys produces a comprehensive adult PCOS‐like phenotype that includes both reproductive and metabolic dysfunction found in PCOS women. Such a reliable experimental approach enables the use of the prenatally androgenized (PA) female rhesus monkey model to (1) examine fetal, infant and adolescent antecedents of adult pathophysiology, gaining valuable insight into early phenotypic expression of PCOS, and (2) to understand adult pathophysiology from a mechanistic perspective. Elevated circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are the earliest indication of reproductive dysfunction in late gestation nonhuman primate fetuses and infants exposed to androgen excess during early (late first to second trimester) gestation. Such early gestation‐exposed PA infants also are hyperandrogenic, with both LH hypersecretion and hyperandrogenism persisting in early gestation‐exposed PA adults. Similarly, subtle metabolic abnormalities appearing in young nonhuman primate infants and adolescents precede the abdominal adiposity, hyperliplidemia and increased incidence of type 2 diabetes that characterize early gestation‐exposed PA adults. These new insights into the developmental origins of PCOS, and progression of the pathophysiology from infancy to adulthood, provide opportunities for clinical intervention to ameliorate the PCOS phenotype thus providing a preventive health‐care approach to PCOS‐related abnormalities. For example, PCOS‐like traits in PA monkeys, as in PCOS women, can improve with better insulin–glucose homeostasis, suggesting that lifestyle interventions preventing increased adiposity in adolescent daughters of PCOS mothers also may reduce their risk of acquiring many PCOS‐related metabolic abnormalities in adulthood. Am. J. Primatol. 71:776–784, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation Measures: Do They Measure the Special Education Administratorâ s Roles and Responsibilities by Which They Are Held Accountable under NCLB and IDEA 2004

i DEDICATION iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v TABLE OF CONTENTS vi LIST OF TABLES x LIST OF FIGURES xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCATION TO THE STUDY 1 Statement of the Problem 1 Theoretical Base/Relationship to Prior Knowledge 2 Purpose of the Study 3 Research Questions 3 Significance of the Study 3 Overview of the Research 5 CHAPTER TWO: PREVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 7 Scholars in the Field 7 Definition of Terms 8 Overview of the History of Special Education 10 Overview of No Child Left Behind 16 Research Studies Included for Review 16
Rituximab combined with a small dose of melphalan for a refractory follicular lymphoma patient

A 48-year-old male patient with follicular lymphoma, grade II, stage IV, was treated with CHOP, ESHAP and MACOP-B, resulting in partial remission. After 9 months, the disease progressed and several chemotherapy agents, including three courses of rituximab combined with etoposide, sobuzoxane or methotrexate, only resulted in a stable disease response. However, the fourth course of rituximab combined with a small dose of melphalan produced excellent results and the complete response continued for more than 15 months. It is possible that these two drugs may act synergistically.
Real-Time Optimization of the Mid-Columbia Hydropower System

This paper presents a coordinated model predictive control scheme for the Mid-Columbia hydropower system. The Mid-Columbia system consists of seven hydropower plants on the Columbia River in the United States. The state-space model used in the control scheme accounts for system hydraulics, modeling time-delayed hydraulic coupling and dynamic tailrace elevations. We approximate the power generation from a hydropower plant using a piecewise planar function of turbine discharge and hydraulic head, and we demonstrate how this approximation can be written as a set of linear constraints and integrated into a quadratic program. We introduce a flow minimizing objective function that maximizes system hydraulic potential by efficiently allocating water. Compared to historical operations, the proposed control scheme reduces ramping, increases total system hydraulic head, increases system energy content, and operates the system within all elevation and flow constraints.
The credit impact on the economic growth

In the current economic context, ensuring a sustainable and consistent economic growth is required for the reduction of development gaps by comparison the European average. To this end, an important part is played by resuming the economy financing and supporting the investment processes that generate income and jobs. This article aims to test the credit impact on the economic activity, if it is relevant in generating economic growth, as it represents a key factor in supporting the activity, or, on the contrary, if it affects the activity, diminishing its growth rhythm. The literature does not provide a clear answer to these aspects, as the periods taken into account for the analysis are short ones, are not homogenous, the economic conditions under which the crediting processes developed are different and the economy is disturbed by the external shocks and factors, which are difficult to intercept in the model. This article starts from the components within the GDP breakdown, identifies the relationship which is established between these and the credits granted to individuals and legal persons, assesses the credit impact on the economic activity and estimates a possible influence on the GDP.
Establishment of the Thai version of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and a validation study.

BACKGROUND The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a well validated stroke severity assessment scale. The scale is used to assess neurological deficits, progression and degree of recovery in acute stroke settings. To date, no Thai version exists. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to adapt and validate a Thai version of the NIHSS (NIHSS-T). MATERIAL AND METHOD A cross-cultural adaptation of the NIHSS was developed according to the methods recommended by the International Quality of Life Assessment Project Group. Forward and backward translations were performed. A final version of the NIHSS-T was validated against initial MRI infarction volume and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months in a consecutive series of acute stroke patients. The patients were prospectively evaluated by 3 different types of health care providers: 2 stroke fellows, 2 internists, and 2 stroke nurses. Mean NIHSS-T scores from all raters were used in the analysis. RESULTS The study included 32 acute ischemic stroke patients with a mean age (+/- SD) of 64.53 +/- 14.97 years of age. Men comprised 71.9%. Mean NIHSS-T score (+/- SD) was 7.49 +/- 7.02. Intra-observer reliability demonstrated a high agreement with an intraclass correlation (ICC) of 0.98, 0.98, 0.96, 0.98, 0.90 and 0.98 for 2 stroke fellows, 2 internists and 2 stroke nurses respectively. Inter-observer reliability between 6 raters was excellent, i.e.; ICC, 0.99 (0.98, 0.99). Spearman rank correlation coefficients between the initial NIHSS-T score versus initial MRI lesion volume and mRS at 3 months were 0.53 and 0.69 with a p-value of 0.002 and < 0.001 respectively. CONCLUSION The Thai version of NIHSS is valid for assessing acute stroke severity. The scale is also reliable when administered in a Thai-speaking setting by trained healthcare professionals.
Comparing patency rates between external iliac and common iliac artery stents.

PURPOSE Placement of intraluminal stents in the common iliac artery (CIA) and external iliac artery (EIA) has become an accepted therapy for treating localized arterial stenoses. The purpose of this study was to compare anatomic patency rates of stents placed in the EIA and CIA for occlusive disease. METHODS A radiologic computer database was used to identify 69 consecutive male patients at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center from February 1, 1993, through January 31, 1999, who underwent placement of 98 stents (82 Wallstents and 16 Palmaz stents) for physiologically significant iliac artery occlusive disease and varying degrees of chronic limb ischemia. Patients were followed up with surveillance duplex ultrasound scanning examinations 1 day after procedure, 3 months after procedure, and then at 6-month intervals after stent placement. Follow-up angiograms were performed for patients with duplex ultrasound scans that revealed velocities greater than 300 cm/s. Patient risk factors, iliac artery runoff, concomitant outflow procedures, and anatomic patency rates were compared between patients receiving EIA stents and those receiving CIA stents. RESULTS The mean age for the EIA stent group was 69 +/- 1 years versus 66 +/- 1 years (P =.03) for the CIA stent group. Mean follow-up was 21.4 +/- 2.1 months (+/- SE) for all patients. Patients with EIA stents had more ischemic lower limbs when compared with patients who had CIA stents (P =.05). No differences were found between groups in risk factor analysis (P = not significant). Lesion lengths were similar between groups: EIA, 4.6 +/- 0.6 cm, and CIA, 5. 3 +/- 0.8 cm (P = not significant). The following differences were noted on primary patency rates (EIA group vs CIA group): 1 year (93% vs 88%), 2 years (91% vs 85%), and 3 years (90% vs 78%) (Cox proportional hazards; P =.13). CONCLUSIONS Anatomic patency rates for EIA and CIA stents appear to be similar despite the fact that patients with EIA stents were older and had more ischemic limbs compared with the patients who had CIA stents.
The confusion effect when attacking simulated three-dimensional starling flocks

The confusion effect describes the phenomenon of decreasing predator attack success with increasing prey group size. However, there is a paucity of research into the influence of this effect in coherent groups, such as flocks of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Here, for the first time, we use a computer game style experiment to investigate the confusion effect in three dimensions. To date, computerized studies on the confusion effect have used two-dimensional simulations with simplistic prey movement and dynamics. Our experiment is the first investigation of the effects of flock size and density on the ability of a (human) predator to track and capture a target starling in a realistically simulated three-dimensional flock of starlings. In line with the predictions of the confusion effect, modelled starlings appear to be safer from predation in larger and denser flocks. This finding lends credence to previous suggestions that starling flocks have anti-predator benefits and, more generally, it suggests that active increases in density in animal groups in response to predation may increase the effectiveness of the confusion effect.
Intracellular targeting of telomeric retrotransposon Gag proteins of distantly related Drosophila species

The retrotransposons that maintain telomeres in Drosophila melanogaster have unique features that are shared across all Drosophila species but are not found in other retrotransposons. Comparative analysis of these features provides insight into their importance for telomere maintenance in Drosophila. Gag proteins encoded by HeT-Amel and TARTmel are efficiently and cooperatively targeted to telomeres in interphase nuclei, a behavior that may facilitate telomere-specific transposition. Drosophila virilis, separated from D. melanogaster by 60 MY, has telomeres maintained by HeT-Avir and TARTvir. The Gag proteins from HeT-Amel and HeT-Avir have only 16% amino acid identity, yet several of their functional features are conserved. Using transient transfection of cultured cells from both species, we show that the telomere association of HeT-Avir Gag is indistinguishable from that of HeT-Amel Gag. Deletion derivatives show that organization of localization signals within the two proteins is strikingly similar. Gag proteins of TARTmel and TARTvir are only 13% identical. In contrast to HeT-A, surprisingly, TARTvir Gag does not localize to the nucleus, although TARTvir is a major component of D. virilis telomeres, and localization signals in the protein have much the same organization as in TARTmel Gag. Thus, the mechanism of telomere targeting of TARTvir differs, at least in a minor way, from that of TARTmel. Our findings suggest that, despite dramatic rates of protein evolution, protein and cellular determinants that correctly localize these Gag proteins have been conserved throughout the 60 MY separating these species.
Doppler measurement of hepatic arterial flow in dogs: technique and preliminary findings.

The common hepatic artery in 10 healthy adult beagles, 20 healthy pups (13 Deerhounds and seven Irish Wolfhounds), and seven dogs with either a congenital or acquired hepatic disorder was examined by duplex-Doppler ultrasonography. Peak systolic velocity (Vs), resistive index (RI), pulse rate, angle of insonation, and sample volume depth were recorded. Measurements in Beagles were made after a 24 h fast and repeated 2 h after feeding. The mean Vs and RI in fasted Beagles were 1.5 m/s (range 1.1-2.3 m/s) and 0.68 (range 0.62-0.74), respectively. Postprandially, there were no significant differences in any of these variables. Mean Vs and RI were lower in pups: 1.0 m/s (range 0.8-1.3 m/s) and 0.59 (range 0.46-0.65), respectively (P < .001). Two dogs with congenital arterioportal fistula had higher mean Vs (P < .001) and lower mean RI (P < .05) than normal pups. No significant differences were detected between normal Beagles, three dogs with portal vein thrombosis, and two dogs with acquired hepatic insufficiency. Differences in measured hepatic blood flow in dogs of different age or breed will complicate diagnostic use of hepatic arterial Doppler measurements.
Validation of the Intelligibility in Context Scale for school students in Fiji

ABSTRACT Fiji is a multilingual nation with few assessment tools addressing children’s communication. This article describes the validation of the Intelligibility in Context Scale for Fiji English, Standard Fijian, and Fiji Hindi. Informants were caregivers of 65 typically developing multilingual children (aged 5;3–10;5) attending a Fiji primary school. The students spoke an average of 2.9 languages (range = 1–5). Their main language was Standard Fijian (41.5%), Fiji Hindi (23.1%), Fiji English (20.0%), or Fijian dialect (15.4%). An ICS mean score of 4.6 was obtained for main language (ICS-ML) and 4.4 for Fiji English (ICS-FE) indicating that students were usually to always intelligible. There were no significant differences between main language, number of languages spoken, gender, age, or socio-economic status. Both scales had good internal consistency, but were not correlated with speech accuracy measures possibly due to ceiling effects. Further validation with younger children is recommended. The ICS may be a useful tool for Fiji with comparative results to other international studies.
Relative performance of mobile networks in the Ku, commercial Ka and government Ka bands

In the past 10 years mobile satellite networks have gained a strong foothold in the commercial Ku-band and now attention is turning to mobile networks in the commercial and government Ka-bands. Examples of new Ka-band commercial systems abound (Inmarsat-5, ViaSat-1 and Jupiter-1) and WGS is just opening up the government Ka-band in a big way. Land, sea, and aero communications-on-the-move (COTM) applications are being proposed and developed in each of these bands.