Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging of patellofemoral kinematics with weight-bearing.

BACKGROUND Previous studies of the patellofemoral joint have been limited by the use of invasive techniques, measurements under non-weight-bearing conditions, cadaveric specimens, or computerized models. It has been shown that soft tissue and bone can be accurately quantified with magnetic resonance imaging. The present study was designed to define the relationship between the patellofemoral contact area and patellofemoral kinematics in vivo. METHODS Ten subjects with clinically normal knee joints were scanned with high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging while they pushed a constant weight (133 N) on the foot-plate of a custom-designed load-bearing apparatus. Images were obtained at five positions of flexion between -10 degrees and 60 degrees. Three-dimensional reconstructions were used to measure the patellofemoral cartilage contact area, patellar centroid, patellar medial and inferior translation, patellar medial and inferior tilt, and patellar varus-valgus rotation. All translation and area measurements were normalized on the basis of the interepicondylar distance. Random-effects models of quadratic regressions were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS The mean contact area ranged from 126 mm(2) in extension to 560 mm(2) at 60 degrees of flexion. The patella translated inferiorly to a maximum distance of 34 mm at 60 degrees of flexion and translated medially to a maximum distance of 3.2 mm at 30 degrees of flexion before returning to nearly 0 mm at 60 degrees of flexion. The patella tilted inferiorly to a mean of nearly 35 degrees at 60 degrees of flexion and medially to a maximum of 4.2 degrees at 30 degrees of flexion. By 60 degrees of flexion, the centroid of the contact area had shifted to an inferior and posterior maximum of 20 and 10 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We found that lateral patellar subluxation and tilt occurred in these normal knees at full extension and the patella was reduced into the trochlear groove at 30 degrees of flexion. Therefore, we believe that lateral patellar tilt and subluxation observed during arthroscopy of the extended knee may not represent a pathological condition.
Prefeeding Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) on Cattle with Prior Tick Exposure May Inhibit Detection of Tick Paralysis by Using Hamster Bioassay

Abstract The effect of prefeeding Dermacentor andersoni Stiles on naïve and previously challenged cattle before conducting virulence assays by using hamsters was examined. In an initial observational trial, ticks prefed on a previously challenged heifer did not cause paralysis after transfer to hamsters, whereas ticks from the same lot that were prefed on a naïve heifer did cause paralysis. Subsequent paired trails were conducted to simultaneously compare paralysis after feeding on naïve and previously challenged heifers. In the first trial, prefeeding ticks on a previously challenged heifer did not result in loss of virulence. In a second trial, ticks fed on a previously challenged heifer had greatly diminished virulence after transfer to hamsters. This also occurred in a third trial after the previously challenged animal had two prior exposures to virulent D. andersoni. Weight gains of ticks that did not cause paralysis after transfer to hamsters were higher after feeding on previously challenged cattle, indicating that loss of virulence was not due to failure of ticks to reattach and feed. Ticks gained little weight on paralyzed hamsters due to the reduced time spent feeding on hamsters when paralysis occurred. Results indicate that assaying ticks for virulence requires prefeeding on naïve hosts. If these are not available, rabbits, a resistant host, can be used for prefeeding ticks.
The Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS): Scale Development and Associations With Intentions to Vaccinate

Background: No standardized instruments, to our knowledge, exist to assess attitudes and beliefs about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Methods: We developed the Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS), using data collected on 783 parents who had not yet vaccinated their daughters against HPV. We conducted a principal components analysis of 16 HPV vaccine attitude and belief items, assessed the scale's psychometric properties, and used linear regression to examine the relationship of CHIAS factors and parents' vaccination intentions. Results: Analyses identified 4 CHIAS factors, all of which had acceptable scale alphas and 1-year test-retest reliability. In multivariate models, higher vaccination intentions were associated with: believing HPV vaccine is effective (&bgr; = 0.06) or has less harmful effects (&bgr; = −0.47), perceiving more barriers to access (&bgr; = 0.18), and having less uncertainty about the vaccine (&bgr; = −0.23) (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Findings suggest that parent attitudes about HPV vaccine are important to their intentions to vaccinate their adolescent daughters against HPV. The CHIAS offers researchers a compact, standardized measure of important HPV vaccine attitudes and beliefs.
The Inventory Benefit of Shipment Coordination and Stock Rebalancing in a Supply Chain

In this paper, we examine two information-based supply-chain efforts that are often linked to Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) programs. Specifically, we consider a supplier serving multiple retailers located in a close proximity. The first effort uses information on the retailers' inventory positions to coordinate shipments from the supplier to enjoy economies of scale in shipments, such as full truckloads.The second effort uses the same information for eventual unloading of the shipments to the retailers to rebalance their stocking positions. How much benefit do we gain from such initiatives? What are the relative benefits of the two initiatives? What are the drivers of such benefits? This paper seeks answers to these questions.
Engineering of triply entangled states in a single-neutron system

Entanglement between degrees of freedom, namely between the spin, path, and (total) energy degrees of freedom, in a single-neutron system is exploited. We implemented a triply entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ)-like state and coherently manipulated relative phases of two-level quantum subsystems. An equality derived by Mermin was applied to analyze the generated GHZ-like state: We determined the four expectation values and finally obtained M=2.558{+-}0.004{<=}e2. This demonstrates a violation of Mermin-like inequality for triply entangled GHZ-like state in a single-particle system, which, in turn, clearly contradicts the noncontextual assumption and confirms quantum contextuality.
The Relation of Menarcheal Age to Anthropometric Profiles in Korean Girls

The aim of this study was to represent the trend of early menarche and to assess the association of age at menarche with anthropometric profiles of Korean children and adolescents. A cross sectional survey was conducted with 13,371 girls aged 10 to 18 yr, recruited nationwide from April, 2005 to March, 2006. Height, weight and waist circumference of the subjects were measured; and the subjects self-reported their ages at menarche. We found that the menarcheal girls were taller (P<0.05 for the girls between 10 and 14 yr) and heavier (P<0.05 for the girls between 10 and 18 yr) than non-menarcheal ones. Menarcheal girls also showed higher body mass index (BMI), and greater waist circumference than non-menarcheal ones. Significant differences were represented according to the age at menarche in terms of BMI, waist circumference, % body fat mass, waist hip ratio and neck circumference as well as height and weight (P<0.05). In conclusion, girls who matured early were taller and heavier in early adolescence than those who matured later.
Brain responses to success and failure: Direct recordings from human cerebral cortex

Evaluating the outcome of our own actions is a fundamental process by which we adapt our behavior in our interaction with the external world. fMRI and electrophysiological studies in monkeys have found feedback‐specific responses in several brain regions, unveiling facets of a large‐scale network predominantly distributed in the frontal lobes. However, a consensus has yet to be reached regarding the exact contribution of each region. The present study benefited from intracerebral EEG recordings in epileptic patients to record directly the neural activity in each of those frontal structures in response to positive and negative feedback. Both types of feedback induced a sequence of high‐frequency responses (>40 Hz) in a widespread network involving medial frontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and insular cortex. The pre‐supplementary motor area (pre‐SMA), DLPFC, and lateral OFC showed higher activation in response to negative feedback, while medial OFC and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) were more responsive to positive feedback. Responses in the medial prefrontal cortex (pre‐SMA and dACC) were sustained (lasting more than 1,000 ms), while responses in the DLPFC, insula, and the OFC were short lasting (less than 800 ms). Taken together, our findings show that evaluating the outcome of our actions triggers γ‐range activity modulations in several frontal and insular regions. Moreover, we found that the timing and amplitude of those γ‐band responses reveal fine‐scale dissociations between the neural dynamics of positive versus negative feedback processing. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Public health implication of Listeria species and other bacteria isolates of abattoir effluent in Lagos, Nigeria

Untreated abattoir effluent constitutes a reservoir for the spread of intestinal pathogens and Listeria species (though rarely considered), is one of such organisms. This study was therefore conducted to determine the status of these bacteria and others in abattoir effluent, in Lagos, Nigeria. Thirty samples of abattoir effluent were collected over a period of 6 weeks at the government central abattoir in Lagos, Nigeria. Each sample was serially diluted and pour-plated on Nutrient Agar, MacConkey Agar and Listeria Selective Agar. Mesophilic aerobic counts were enumerated. Isolated bacterial colonies were identified by standard methods and antimicrobial susceptibility test conducted using the disk diffusion technique. Heavy loads of Listeria species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, sp. , Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas, aeruginosa, were isolated from all the samples. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of these bacterial organisms revealed marked resistance to most of the antimicrobial agents tested. With the exception of Pseudomonas, there was no statistically significant difference between the antimicrobial resistance rate of Listeria and other bacteria isolates (P >0.05). The public health significance of these findings, particularly the abattoir effluent bacteria potential capability of transferring disease and antibiotic resistance to man, as well as the challenges posed to disease treatment was highlighted.
The inflammatory mediator oncostatin M induces stromal derived factor‐1 in human adult cardiac cells

Stromal derived factor 1 (SDF‐1) is a CXC chemokine important in the homing process of stem cells to injured tissue. It has been implicated in healing and tissue repair. Growing evidence suggests that the glycoprotein‐130 (gp130) ligand family is involved in repair processes in the heart. The aim of our study was to determine whether gp130 ligands could affect SDF‐1 expression in cardiac cells. Human adult cardiac myocytes (HACMs) and fibroblasts (HACFs) were treated with gp130 ligands. Protein and mRNA levels of SDF‐1 were determined using ELISA and RT‐PCR, respectively. mRNA levels of SDF‐1 were determined in human and mouse heart samples by RT‐PCR. HACMs and HACFs constitutively express SDF‐1, which was significantly up‐regulated by the gp130 ligand oncostatin M (OSM). This effect was counteracted by a p38 inhibitor and to a lesser extent by a PI3K inhibitor. mRNA expression of SDF‐1 in hearts of mice injected with OSM increased significantly. Levels of OSM and SDF‐1 mRNA correlated significantly in human failing hearts. Our data, showing that OSM induces SDF‐1 protein secretion in human cardiac cells in vitro and murine hearts in vivo, suggest that OSM via the induction of SDF‐1 might play a key role in repair and tissue regeneration. — Hohensinner, P. J., Kaun, C. , Rychli, K. , Niessner, A. , Pfaffenberger, S. , Rega, G. , Furnkranz, A. , Uhrin, P., Zaujec, J., Afonyushkin, T. , Bochkov, V. N. , Maurer, G. , Huber, K. , Wojta, J. The inflammatory mediator oncostatin M induces stromal derived factor‐1 in human adult cardiac cells. FASEB J. 23, 774–782 (2009)
Pertussis in a rural area of Kenya: epidemiology and a preliminary report on a vaccine trial.

In the course of 2 years of surveillance of whooping cough by fortnightly home visits among a population of 24,000 in a rural area of Kenya, 918 cases were observed with a peak of 218 in December 1974-January 1975. The attack rate was highest (15.8%) during the 1st year of life; for those ages 0-6 it was 12.8%. 90% of the cases occurred in children age 6 or younger. The median age was 3.5 years, the age range 1 month-13 years. Girls were significantly more affected than boys. The overall case fatality rate was 1.3% but among infants, it was 2.5 times higher. In order to contribute to the improvement of immunization coverage in countries where health resources are limited, a schedule of child immunization requiring a minimum number of contacts with the children was introduced into the study area with the aim of evaluating its effectiveness in protecting children from clinical pertussis. In this trial, the effect of 2 and 3 diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine doses was compared. Pertussis agglutinating antibody determinations showed an equally satisfactory response after 2 and 3 DPT vaccine doses. (author's)
Effects of different levels of compost application on amounts and distribution of organic nitrogen forms in soil particle size fractions subjected mainly to double cropping

Effects of different levels of compost application on the amounts and percentage distribution of organic N forms in whole soils and particle size fractions were investigated. Soil samples were collected from three plots: (a) F, only chemical fertilizers; (b) F+LC, chemical fertilizers plus low level of compost; (c) F+HC, chemical fertilizers plus high level of compost. Each soil sample was divided into five fractions: coarse sand-sized aggregate (CSA), medium sand-sized aggregate (MSA), fine sand-sized aggregate (FSA), silt-sized aggregate (SIA) and clay-sized aggregate (CLA) fractions. The sand fractions were subdivided into decayed plants (DP) and mineral particles (MP). The amounts of total N and different organic N forms in the whole soils as well as size fractions generally increased with increasing the amount of compost. In the whole soils, percentage distribution of non-hydrolysable-N and amino sugar-N increased by compost application while the distribution values of the hydrolysable ammonium- N and unidentified-N decreased. The application did not affect the distribution degree of amino acid-N. In the size fractions, the distribution values of most organic N forms increased in the CSA-DP, MSA-DP and FSA-DP fractions by compost application. In the CLA fractions, the amounts and percentage distribution of organic N forms were the highest, although the application caused decreases in their distribution values. These findings indicate that the CLA fraction merit close attention as an important reservoir of various organic N.
In Vitro Drug Interactions Study of Lisinopril with Metformin

This study investigates the in vitro interactions of lisinopril with metformin which is important for the possible formulation of polypills comprising both drugs. The study was conducted using the USP apparatus II paddle method. The media used were buffer pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8 to simulate gastrointestinal tract pH. Lisinopril tablets (10 mg) were run in the presence of 500 mg metformin tablets and the degree of interaction was established after analyzing the dissolution samples with validated High Performance Liquid Chromatographic methods. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in the effect of lisinopril on the dissolution profile of metformin at pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8, with a decrease in the percentage of metformin released (p = 0.0052; p = 0.0037; and p = 0.0155, respectively). The effect of metformin on the dissolution profile of lisinopril was only statistically significant at pH 1.2 and 6.8 with an increase in the percentage of lisinopril released (p = 0.0062; p =0.0036, respectively), and no statistically significant difference at pH 4.5 (p = 0.7174).
Optimal Echo Chambers

This paper studies some benefits of ignoring those who disagree with you. We model a decision maker who draws a signal about the (real-valued) state of the world from a collection of unbiased sources of heterogeneous quality. Exclusively sampling signals close to the prior expectation can be beneficial, as they are more likely high quality. Since echo chambers are a rational response to uncertain information quality, eliminating them can backfire. Signals close to the prior expectation can move beliefs further than more contrary views; limiting the ability to ignore opposing views can make beliefs less accurate and reduce the extent to which signals are heeded.
The C-509T Promoter Polymorphism of the Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 Gene Is Associated with Levels of Total and Specific IgE in a Colombian Population

Background: The C-509T polymorphism of the transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1) gene has been associated with asthma and asthma-related phenotypes, but its influence on total and specific IgE levels is controversial. Objective: To investigate the association between C-509T and asthma, as well as total IgE and specific IgE against Blomia tropicalis and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, in a Colombian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 417 asthmatics, 390 controls and 116 nuclear families. The C-509T polymorphism was genotyped using single-base extension minisequencing or Taq Man probes. IgE and TGFβ1 levels were measured by ELISA. Regression analysis and family-based association tests were performed in cases/controls and families. Associations were corrected by population structure using a panel of 52 ancestry informative markers in the case-control dataset. Results: There was no association between C-509T and asthma. In asthmatics, the CC genotype was associated with higher total IgE levels compared with the other genotypes [mean IgE: 2.81 ± 0.42 vs. 2.71 ± 0.45 log IU/ml; p = 0.016, corrected p value (pc) = 0.019]. When only atopic asthmatics were included, the significance remained (p = 0.02, pc = 0.03). In the family-based analyses, the C allele was associated with higher total IgE levels (p = 0.02) and the CC genotype with specific IgE to D. pteronyssinus (p = 0.01). Conclusions: C-509T is associated with total IgE levels and specific IgE to D. pteronyssinus in asthmatic patients. In contrast to other studies, we found the CC genotype to be associated with higher levels of total and specific IgE. Differences in the frequency of this allele among populations could alter its effects as a risk factor for asthma-associated phenotypes.
Let's Talk About Sex: How Comfortable Discussions About Sex Impact Teen Sexual Behavior

A secondary analysis of data from 1,039 Latino adolescents who participated in a study of a sex education program was conducted to examine the impact of comfortable communication about sex on intended and actual sexual behavior. Results indicate that Latino adolescents have a broad communicative network, including friends, dating partners, and extended family members, with whom they talk about sex. Regression analyses suggest comfortable sexual communication is predictive of less likelihood of being sexually active, older at first intercourse, and increased intentions to delay intercourse.
Feasibility of simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting

Due to the progressive aging of the population, severe bilateral carotid stenosis has become a more frequent condition. On occasion, simultaneous revascularization may be appropriate. There is increased evidence that for these high‐risk patients, a percutaneous revascularization may be the best approach. However, there are concerns that simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting may be associated with cerebral hyperperfusion, excessive bradycardia, and hypotension. We report a series of 10 consecutive patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting. All of these patients were not deemed to be surgical candidates due to high‐risk comorbidities. All but one of the lesions were successfully stented. There were no procedural deaths, myocardial infarctions, or strokes. Thus, among carefully selected patients, simultaneous bilateral carotid artery stenting is a promising, technically feasible option. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;61:437–442. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estrogen Is Renoprotective via a Nonreceptor-dependent Mechanism after Cardiac Arrest In Vivo

Background:Severe ischemia induces renal injury less frequently in women than men. In this study, cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were used to assess whether estradiol is renoprotective via an estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent mechanism. Materials and Methods:Male and female C57BL/6 and ER gene-deleted mice underwent 10 min of cardiac arrest followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Serum chemistries and renal stereology were measured 24 h after arrest. Results:Estrogen did not affect mean arterial pressure, regional renal cortical blood flow, and arterial blood gases. Hence, female kidneys were protected (mean ± SEM: blood urea nitrogen, 65 ± 21 vs.149 ± 27 mg/dl, P = 0.04; creatinine, 0.14 ± 0.05 vs. 0.73 ± 0.16 mg/dl, P = 0.01; volume of necrotic tubules, 7 ± 1% vs. 10 ± 0%, P = 0.04). Estrogen also reduced renal injury. In intact females (n = 5), ovariectomized/vehicle-treated (n = 8), and ovariectomized/estrogen-treated (n = 8) animals, blood urea nitrogen was 65 ± 21, 166 ± 28, and 50 ± 14 mg/dl (P = 0.002); creatinine was 0.14 ± 0.05, 0.74 ± 0.26, and 0.23 ± 0.27 mg/dl (P = 0.014); necrotic tubules were 2.5 ± 0.25%, 12.0 ± 1.9%, and 5.0 ± 1.6% (P = 0.004), respectively. In ER-α and ER-β gene-deleted mice and controls estradiol-reduced functional injury (blood urea nitrogen: estradiol 117 ± 71, vehicle 167 ± 56, P = 0.007; creatinine: estradiol 0.5 ± 0.5, vehicle 1.0 ± 0.4, P = 0.013), but the effect of estradiol was not different between ER-α or ER-β gene-deleted mice. Adding ICI 182,780 to estradiol did not alter injury. Conclusions:In women, kidneys were protected from cardiac arrest through estrogen. Estradiol-mediated renoprotection was not affected by ER deletion or blockade. Estradiol is renoprotective after cardiac arrest. The results indicate that estradiol renoprotection is ER-α and ER-β independent.
Effects of environmental factors on weed species composition of cereal and stubble fields in western Hungary

Multivariate analysis of data obtained from 184 cereal and stubble fields in low-input agricultural systems located in western Hungary was undertaken in order to asses environmental factors affecting weed species composition. For each variable, the gross and net effect on weed species composition was calculated. All variables considered in this study had a significant effect on weed species composition and explained 26.99% of the total variation. Most variation in species composition was explained by the aspect (cereal vs. stubble), followed by soil pH, mean annual precipitation, soil texture, mean annual temperature, and altitude. Separating the cereals and stubbles soil pH became the most important factor. Our results suggest that during the long vegetation period, cereal weed communities dominated by winter annuals are replaced by stubble-field weed communities dominated by summer annuals. This seasonal change may also have the same important effect on weed species composition as crop types.