Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral electromyographic assessment of back muscles in patients with low back pain undergoing rehabilitation.

STUDY DESIGN A surface electromyographic procedure for evaluating back muscle impairment was studied in patients undergoing rehabilitation for low back pain. OBJECTIVES The results were analyzed to determine whether the electromyographic procedure was able to: 1) distinguish muscle impairment between patients with low back pain and normal subjects, and 2) monitor changes in muscle function after low back pain rehabilitation. METHODS Patients with chronic low back pain (n = 85) were tested to measure the median frequency of the electromyographic signals from six lumbar electrode sites during sustained trunk extensions. A subset (n = 28) of these patients was re-tested after low back pain rehabilitation. A discriminant function for classifying subjects into "low back pain" and "normal" groups was formulated using the electromyographic data from a subset of the patients with low back pain (n = 28) and a normative sample (n = 42). Results for this "learning" sample were compared with results using the same function on the remaining "holdout" sample of patients (n = 57) and an additional normative sample (n = 6). Differences in electromyographic parameters before and after rehabilitation also were analyzed. RESULTS The discriminant function classified subjects into low back pain and normal groups, with 86% and 89% correct classification for the "learning" and "holdout" samples, respectively. These classification results were independent of trunk extensor strength. Changes in median frequency after the rehabilitation program were consistent with improvements in back muscle fatigability. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate how electromyographic spectral measurements may be used to identify and monitor back muscle impairment in patients undergoing rehabilitation for low back pain.
The effect of online consumer reviews on buying behaviour and their management by the tourism industry

This paper presents an exploratory research carried out to further enhance existing findings and theory, on the effect of online consumer reviews (OCRs) on consumer behaviour. It focuses on online booking and the behaviour of Greek tourists. It is an attempt to detect the level of consumers' involvement with OCRs, primarily by measuring the effect of OCRs on their perception and by examining their attitude towards the management of OCRs by the hotel administration. Although findings are drawn from a small sample and cannot be extrapolated to the whole population, the findings combined with the literature review, proffer useful insights and lay foundations for a larger research project. Analysis suggests 'clarity in reviews' as being the most important factor for tourists. They are highly affected by negative reviews, especially when these are related to accommodation cleanliness. Moreover, although hotel management's responses to reviews are considered important, their absence does not affect the tourists' level of involvement.
Pattern Recognition of Vertical Strabismus Using an Artificial Neural Network (StrabNet©)

Background: Our goal is to develop an accessible expert system (StrabNet) that will assist in the clinical diagnosis of vertical strabismus, form the basis of a teaching/learning tool, and contribute to the audit process. Potentially, this model can be extended to other strabismus deviations. Methods: Vertical deviations were separated into eight classifications (diagnoses). An expert system based on architecture of artificial neural networks learned the patterns for each class of deviation based on 10 prism cover-test measurements (9 cardinal positions and near fixation). The expert system was tested with previously unseen and real-patient data. This system was extended to a reduced model requiring only six measurements (primary position, right, left, up, down gaze, and near fixation), and evaluated with real patient data. A freely available Web implementation is available on the Internet at www.StrabNet. com. Results: The expert system was found to be highly accurate at diagnosing vertical strabismus (100% and ≈96% for ten and six measurement models, respectively) from one of the eight classes. Conclusion: StrabNet is of demonstrable value in diagnosing commonly presenting vertical deviations from prism cover test (PCT) measurements. Its potential role in teaching and in audit is identified.
Enhancing customer loyalty in tourism services: the role of customer-company identification and customer participation

ABSTRACT Travel agencies are high-contact service organizations and customer orientation plays a critical role in their success. However, not all the academic research on the effect of customer orientation on service performance has been positive. This research examines the effect of customer orientation on customer loyalty through two mediators: customer satisfaction and customer-company identification. The study also investigates how customer participation moderates the relationships between two mediators and customer loyalty. The findings are as follows: (1) customer orientation has significantly positive impacts on customer satisfaction and customer-company identification as well as on customer loyalty; (2) two mediators have significantly positive impacts on customer loyalty; and (3) customer participation moderates the relationships between the two mediators and customer loyalty. The research results indicate that customer-company identification can be used as an additional way to enhance customer loyalty. Important theoretical and managerial implications for travel agencies are also provided in this research.
Deconstructing gender: evidence on how programmes address gender inequalities to improve health

ABSTRACT A growing body of evidence demonstrates that incorporating approaches to address gender inequality in programmes can lead to improved health outcomes. This article aims to deconstruct the various dimensions of gender and identify how programmes address these domains to improve health. This study draws on a broader systematic review examining the impact of gender-integrated programmes on health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. We identified 68 programmes meeting our criteria for inclusion. Our analysis found considerable variation in gender domains addressed across programmes, suggesting that more evidence is needed to understand the pathways through which gender-integrated programmes influence health.
Grading the severity of cervical neoplasia based on combined histopathology, cytopathology, and HPV genotype distribution among 1,700 women referred to colposcopy in Oklahoma

Diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer precursors rely on colposcopic biopsy, which is sometimes hampered by incorrect biopsy placement and the unclear prognostic value of poorly reproducible diagnoses such as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Grade 1 and 2. Searching for discrete disease categories that incorporate the value of cytology and that reflect the causal role of particular HPV types, we analyzed histology, cytology and HPV genotype distributions in the Study to Understand Cervical Cancer Endpoints and Early Determinants (SUCCEED). This cross‐sectional study comprises ∼1,700 women referred to colposcopy or treatment for the spectrum of cervical disease, including 439 women with
‘Leptorapide’ – a one-step assay for rapid diagnosis of human leptospirosis

SUMMARY Leptospirosis is a globally important zoonotic infection caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. It is transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals or indirectly via contaminated water. It is mainly a problem of the resource-poor developing countries of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world but outbreaks due to an increase in travel and recreational activities have been reported in developed and more industrialized areas of the world. Current methods of diagnosis are costly, time-consuming and require the use of specialized laboratory equipment and personnel. The purpose of this paper is to report the validation of the ‘Leptorapide®’ test (Linnodee Ltd, Northern Ireland) for the diagnosis of human leptospirosis. It is a simple one-step latex agglutination assay performed using equal volumes of serum sample and antigen-bound latex beads. Evidence of leptospiral antibodies is determined within minutes. Agglutination is scored on a scale of 1–5 and the results interpreted using a score card provided with the kit. Validation has been performed with a large sample size obtained from individuals originating from various parts of the world including Brazil and India. The test has shown sensitivity and specificity values of 97·1% and 94·0%, respectively, relative to the microscopic agglutination test. The results demonstrate that Leptorapide offers a cost-effective and accurate alternative to the more historical methods of antibody detection.
The Debt Maturity Structure of Nigerian Quoted Firms

Perhaps, the most familiar idea underlying debt maturity choice is the maturity-matching hypothesis wherein liabilities’ maturities correlate with assets’ maturities. However, the maturity-matching hypothesis does not provide a comprehensive explanation for many empirical patterns of firm behavior. This study investigates the determinants of debt maturity choice using a panel of 50 Nigerian quoted firms between 1999 and 2014. Using simple correlation analysis and dynamic panel data regression techniques, the study documents the following findings. First, the marginal tax rate exerts positive influence on the use of short-term borrowing perhaps because firms exploit potential tax benefits of borrowing through the short-term channel, consistent with the tax hypothesis. Second, small firms with fewer tangible assets tend to utilize more short-term borrowing. This effect is more pronounced in unique industries and for dividend payers. Third, growth opportunities exert a weak positive influence on the use of short-term borrowing thus implying that short-term debt may play minor role in ameliorating the agency cost of underinvestment. However, firms with more volatile earnings and less liquid assets utilize less short-term borrowing. Finally, macroeconomic variables exert significant influences on the debt maturity choice with monetary policy and government debt wielding positive effects while private credit, term spread and economic growth have inverse effects. The findings generate important implications along four non-mutually exclusive views of debt maturity such as signaling, contracting-costs, tax and liquidity hypotheses. The study recommends corporate debt and macroeconomic policies that promote prudent use of debt maturities.
Detection of Occult Invasion in Melanoma In Situ.

Importance It is unclear why some patients with in situ melanoma develop metastases. Few reports demonstrate occult invasion with immunohistochemistry staining, which were discordant with reports interpreting such staining as false-positive. Objective To investigate the occurrence of occult invasive disease within in situ melanoma by using methods to circumvent potential limitations in prior study designs. Design, Setting, and Participants Unequivocal in situ melanoma without associated nevi or regression was identified using a consecutive sample of 33 cases plus 1 index case in an academic medical center. After cutting deeper into the most representative tissue block, 3 sequential slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E), melanoma antigen (melan-A), and again with H-E. Melan-A-stained slides showing definitive invasion were double-stained with Sry-related HMg-Box gene 10 (SOX10) to confirm the melanocytic nature of the cells of interest. The study evaluated the possibilities of occult invasion detected by immunohistochemistry, sectioning deeper into the tissue block, or both. Slides were independently scored by 3 dermatopathologists with interrater reliability assessed. The study was conducted from January 1, 2012, to July 31, 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures Assessment of the occurrence of occult invasion, diagnosis of invasion by immunohistochemistry alone vs cutting deeper into the tissue block, and occurrence of false-positive results using immunohistochemistry alone. Results Occult invasive melanoma was detected in 11 of 33 consecutive cases (33%) of previously diagnosed unequivocal in situ melanoma. Six of 11 melanomas (55%) were diagnosable only by immunohistochemistry. The remaining 5 tumors (45%) were diagnosable by both melan-A and H-E staining, likely as a result of simply cutting deeper into the tissue block. Four cases (12%) showed a few melan-A-positive cells in the dermis, which was insufficient for a diagnosis of invasive melanoma and most consistent on a cytomorphologic basis with occult nevi. Conclusions and Relevance Although rare, in situ melanoma may metastasize. Occult microinvasion was demonstrated in up to one-third of the specimens in the present study, which provides a plausible explanation for this adverse event. Thus, history and physical examination including regional lymph nodes, education, and surveillance recommendations should be based on a very low, but not zero, risk of metastasis.
The moderating role of internalized homonegativity on the efficacy of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy: Results from a randomized controlled trial with young adult gay and bisexual men.

OBJECTIVE As empirical evidence for the effectiveness of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy emerges, the question of whether some clients may derive greater benefit than others becomes important. The current study investigated whether internalized homonegativity (IH), both explicit and implicit, moderated the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to improve the mental and sexual health of young gay and bisexual men through facilitating minority stress coping. METHOD At baseline, young gay and bisexual men (n = 54) experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety completed measures of explicit and implicit IH. Participants also completed self-reports of mental health and an interviewer-based assessment of past-90-day risk behavior before and after treatment in a 10-session individual LGB-affirmative intervention. RESULTS Moderation analyses showed that participants higher in implicit IH experienced greater reductions in depression (b = -2.99, p = .031, 95% confidence interval [CI] [-5.69, -0.29]), anxiety (b = -3.56, p = .014, 95% CI [-6.35, -0.76]), and past-90-day condomless anal sex with casual partners (b = -1.29, p = .028, 95% CI [-2.44, -0.14]). Participants higher in explicit IH experienced greater reductions in past-90-day heavy drinking (b = -0.42, p = .003, 95% CI [-0.69, -0.15]). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that greater gains from LGB-affirmative psychotherapy were observed in gay and bisexual men who were higher in IH, particularly when measured implicitly. As the first study that examines factors moderating the efficacy of LGB-affirmative psychotherapy, the present research has important implications for intervention development and highlights the value of incorporating implicit measures into clinical work. (PsycINFO Database Record
Hepatic Resection for Transplantable Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Patients Within Milan and UCSF Criteria

BackgroundLiver transplantation is believed to be the best treatment option for selected patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the shortage of organs and the risk of tumor progression while on the waiting list has hampered this effective treatment modality from being routinely offered. Hence, the second option of hepatic resection must be considered. The aim of this study is to report the results of hepatic resection in transplantable patients. MethodsFrom 1991 to 2009, 97 patients underwent liver resection for HCC. Thirty patients (31%) met transplant criteria [(Milan/University of California San Franciso (UCSF) Liver Transplant Criteria]. Outcomes after hepatic resection were evaluated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival as the endpoints by stratification of transplant eligibility. ResultsThere were 30 patients within the UCSF transplant criteria and 16 patients within the Milan transplant criteria. By using either transplant criteria, patients survived an actuarial median survival of 102 months. Patients selected based on the Milan criteria had a median DFS of 55 months and patients selected based on the UCSF criteria had a median DFS of 42 months. Patients who were Child Pugh B (UCSF criteria P<0.001) and with cirrhosis had a poorer outcome after hepatic resection (UCSF criteria P=0.011, Milan criteria P=0.002). ConclusionsLong-term DFS and overall survival may be achieved through hepatic resection for transplantable HCC. This is an effective option and may be regarded as a first-line treatment option. Patients with Child Pugh B or are cirrhotics may benefit more from a transplantation than a resection.
Traffic analysis in large-scale high-speed integrated networks: validation of nodal decomposition approach

The conditions under which nodal decomposition can be applied for networkwide, multimedia traffic analysis are determined. Through extensive simulation studies of individual departure source characteristics and intersource cross-correlation at the output side of a network node, the nodal decomposition approach is validated for large-scale high-speed, integrated networks. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous traffic environments in which individual sources are modeled as various two-state/multiple-state Markov-modulated processes are considered. By applying the validated nodal decomposition approach, the problem of analyzing the performance of a multimedia network as a whole becomes tractable. Each ATM node is modeled by a queue with infinite buffers and a deterministic server. <<ETX>>
A Non-Monte-Carlo Methodology for Variability Analysis of Magnetic Tunnel Junction-Based Circuits

This paper presents a non-Monte Carlo (MC) methodology for variability analysis of spin transfer torque magnetic tunnel junction (STT-MTJ)-based circuits. The methodology is implemented by using worst case corner models of STT-MTJ and transistor. The MTJ compact model of worst case corners is proposed for the first time. The design specifications are detailed in non-volatile memory cells and arithmetic unit, e.g., one transistor–one MTJ (1T-1M) memory array, pre-charge sense amplifier (PCSA)-based STT-MRAM and magnetic full-adder circuit. The methodology is implemented by using a 28 nm fully depleted silicon on insulator design kit and this compact model of MTJ. Results show that the proposed methodology is much more efficient than conventional MC method while keeping the same target of performance evaluation. The simulation speed has been improved up to $226\times $ for an effective evaluation of circuit performance (compared with 1000 times MC simulation). MTJ-based circuit designers can assess the impact of process variation on circuit performance without time consuming MC simulations by using this method.
Brassinosteroid-Promoted Growth

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are highly potent growth-promoting sterol derivatives. BR-deficient or BR-insensitive mutants display dwarfism. Whole plants and excised tissues have been used to analyse the mechanisms involved in BR-promoted growth. BR stimulates cell elongation and cell division, and BR has specific effects on differentiation. Underlying physiological pathways include modification of cell wall properties, effects on carbohydrate assimilation and allocation, and control of aquaporin activities. BR apparently coordinates and integrates diverse processes required for growth, partly via interactions with other phytohormones setting the frame for BR responses. Ultimately, BR-promoted growth is mediated through genomic pathways. Positive regulators of the BR response (such as BZR1 and BES1) and putative downstream components (such as EXO) are involved in the regulation of BR-responsive genes and growth promotion. BR-responsive genes have been identified in several plant species. However, causal links between physiological effects and changes of transcript patterns, for the most part, are still unresolved. This review focuses on physiology and molecular mechanisms underlying BR-promoted growth in the different plant organs. Interactions with other phytohormones are discussed.
Fatigue in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: Association With Thyroid Axis Hormones and Cortisol

Objective In people with coronary artery disease, the association between endocrine measures and fatigue is not well understood. We evaluated possible associations of fatigue and exercise capacity with function of adrenal axis and thyroid axis. Methods Sixty-five men and 18 women (mean age 55 years) attending a rehabilitation program were examined using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Dutch Exertion Fatigue Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Exercise capacity was measured using a bicycle ergometer procedure. Serum concentrations of free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), morning cortisol, afternoon cortisol, and change in cortisol concentrations (&Dgr;Cortisol) were measured. Results In univariate regression analysis, lower free T4 concentrations were associated with general and exertion fatigue, lower free T3 concentrations were associated with general and physical fatigue, and lower &Dgr;Cortisol was associated with mental fatigue. After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, heart failure, diabetes, New York Heart Association functional class, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms, lower free T3 concentrations remained associated with physical fatigue (&bgr; = −.224, p = .03); lower free T4 concentrations, with exertion fatigue (&bgr; = −.219, p = .03); and lower morning cortisol and lower &Dgr;Cortisol concentrations, with mental fatigue (&bgr; = −.193 [p = .03] and &bgr; = −.180 [p =.04], respectively). Exercise capacity was not associated with endocrine factors. Conclusions In coronary artery disease patients, increased thyroid hormone concentrations are associated with decreased physical fatigue and decreased exertion fatigue, and increased cortisol concentrations with decreased mental fatigue. Exercise capacity is not associated with endocrine factors. Abbreviations CAD = coronary artery disease T3 = triiodothyronine T4 = thyroxine CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome &Dgr;Cortisol = change in cortisol concentration HPA = hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone NYHA = New York Heart Association MI = myocardial infarction BMI = body mass index HADS = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale MFI-20 = Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory DEFS = Dutch Exertion Fatigue Scale