Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Results of Low Contact Stress Mobile-Bearing Total Knee Replacements

Five hundred ninety-eight consecutive primary low contact stress total knee replacements were done in 502 patients between 1985 and 1990. Clinical review was available for 495 knees (406 patients), 228 knees with meniscal-bearing prostheses and 267 knees with rotating-platform prostheses. The average followup was 12 years (range, 10–15 years). The average postoperative knee and functional scores were 87 points and 75 points, respectively. The average postoperative range of motion was 110°. Fifty-six knees (11%) required revision for excessive wear of the tibial insert (41), dislocation (10), patellar polyethylene breakage (one), component loosening (one patellar, one tibial), and infection (two). During revision, osteolysis (20 knees), patellar polyethylene failure (33), and femoral component fracture (one) were seen. The overall survivorship was 88.1% at 15 years using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The survival rate was 83% for the meniscal-bearing prostheses and 92.1% for the rotating-platform prostheses. The Low Contact Stress mobile-bearing knee prosthesis has no superiority over that of fixed-bearing knees, especially for the meniscal-bearing design in prevention of polyethylene failure or revision. Based on the results of this study, the use of the LCS meniscal-bearing prosthesis does not appear to be justified.
Regional differences in birth size: a comparison between the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study and contemporaneous births on the Åland Islands

The Åland Islands were recently ranked as Finland’s healthiest region with lower prevalence of several non-communicable diseases compared with the national mean. We have compared birth characteristics of 1697 individuals born on the Åland Islands between 1937 and 1944 with contemporaneous data from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (HBCS; n=11,808). This is a first step towards a potential future analysis of Ålandic health from a life-course perspective. Mean birth weight and length were calculated for both cohorts. Birth weight was entered into a multiple linear regression model with sex, maternal age, marital status and birth year as predictors. Mean birth weight in the Åland cohort was 3499 g, 87 g (95% CI 62; 111) higher compared with the HBCS. Sex and maternal marital status were the strongest predictors of birth weight. More detailed studies are needed to explore the potential effects of this difference in average birth weight between cohorts.
Effects of estrogen deficiency and low bone mineral density on healthy knee cartilage in rabbits

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of estrogen deficiency and bone mass loss on normal knee cartilage in mature rabbits. Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in 13 rabbits, 6 of which also received systemic glucocorticoid for 4 weeks. Seven additional healthy rabbits were used as controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry in lumbar spine, knee, and subchondral bone of the knee at baseline and 22 weeks after OVX. After sacrifice, the knees were dissected, macroscopy was assessed, and histological cartilage abnormalities were evaluated according to the Mankin score. Correlations of Mankin with BMD at different regions were also performed. When compared to baseline, differences in BMD were only found in spine and knee of the animals receiving glucocorticoids. All the animals subjected to OVX had a significantly higher Mankin score than controls. Mankin was upper in OVX animals receiving glucocorticoids, but differences were not significant. The Mankin score was inversely related with BMD in lumbar spine (r = −0.67; p < 0.01). Although low bone mineral density contributes to the minor osteoarthritic alterations observed in our model, estrogen deficiency itself seems to act directly to induce the main pathogenic effects in healthy cartilage of the rabbit. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:812–818, 2010
Understanding Code Mobility

The technologies, architectures, and methodologies traditionally used to develop distributed applications exhibit a variety of limitations and drawbacks when applied to large scale distributed settings (e.g., the Internet). In particular, they fail in providing the desired degree of configurability, scalability, and customizability. To address these issues, researchers are investigating a variety of innovative approaches. The most promising and intriguing ones are those based on the ability of moving code across the nodes of a network, exploiting the notion of mobile code. As an emerging research field, code mobility is generating a growing body of scientific literature and industrial developments. Nevertheless, the field is still characterized by the lack of a sound and comprehensive body of concepts and terms. As a consequence, it is rather difficult to understand, assess, and compare the existing approaches. In turn, this limits our ability to fully exploit them in practice, and to further promote the research work on mobile code. Indeed, a significant symptom of this situation is the lack of a commonly accepted and sound definition of the term mobile code itself. This paper presents a conceptual framework for understanding code mobility. The framework is centered around a classification that introduces three dimensions: technologies, design paradigms, and applications. The contribution of the paper is two-fold. First, it provides a set of terms and concepts to understand and compare the approaches based on the notion of mobile code. Second, it introduces criteria and guidelines that support the developer in the identification of the classes of applications that can leverage off of mobile code, in the design of these applications, and, finally, in the selection of the most appropriate implementation technologies. The presentation of the classification is intertwined with a review of state-of-the-art in the field. Finally, the use of the classification is exemplified in a case study.
Induction of macrophage migration inhibitory factor messenger ribonucleic acid in rat forebrain by reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine that has the potential to immobilize and activate monocytes/macrophages. To examine whether MIF may potentially be involved in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury of the brain, we investigated the expression of MIF in a rat model of reperfusion. METHODS A four-vessel occlusion procedure was performed for 30 minutes using male Wistar rats to obtain a moderate reperfusion in the forebrains. Semiquantitatively calibrated reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was conducted to examine temporal profiles of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for MIF and macrophage chemoattractant protein 1. MIF protein assays expression was assessed with specific Western blot analysis. For anatomic mapping of MIF, an immunohistochemical study was performed. RESULTS Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that the mRNA level of MIF increased depending on the duration of reperfusion (< or = 24 h) subsequent to global ischemia. The macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 mRNA was also observed to increase after reperfusional stress, but its maximum expression was reached earlier (1 h after the stress) than was MIF mRNA. Increase of MIF protein was also shown by Western blot. MIF-positive staining was observed in the neuronal processes (neuropil) in the cortex and basal growth ganglia of a rat forebrain. CONCLUSION This protein is up-regulated and may modulate immunological reaction in secondary brain damage after ischemia and reperfusion stress.
How Cooperation May Lead to Consensus Assessing the Realities and Perceptions of Precision Farming in Your State

A two-phased survey was undertaken to assess realities and perceptions of precision agriculture across farmers, extension and industry in Arkansas. Results show these groups have generally reached similar conclusions. We hypothesize that collaborative research and education efforts among these groups led to a consensus of opinion. This survey technique may be valuable to educators in other states wishing to assess precision agriculture or other innovated practices and gauge the impacts of their research and education efforts in these areas.
Reproducibility of hippocampal single-Voxel proton MR spectroscopy and chemical shift imaging.

OBJECTIVE We investigated between- and within-acquisition reproducibility of hippocampal metabolite ratios obtained using automated proton MR spectroscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We examined 30 healthy adults with a 1.5-T scanner four times on 3 days using single-voxel spectroscopy over the left hippocampus, chemical shift imaging over the left hippocampus, and chemical shift imaging over the bilateral hippocampi. Metabolite ratios were derived from the integral values of three major peaks: N:-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr). The random-effects model of one-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the reproducibility in terms of coefficient of variation; the mixed-effects model was used to compare the results of different hippocampal regions and spectroscopic techniques. RESULTS Most coefficients of variation for the NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio were less than 20%. All the coefficients of variation for the posterior hippocampus (15-25%) were less than those for the anterior hippocampus (20-44%). The posterior hippocampal NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio of unilateral chemical shift imaging had the lowest coefficient of variation (<16%). Single-voxel spectroscopy and unilateral chemical shift imaging had similar coefficients of variation for the anterior hippocampal NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratios (17-20%). There was a significant difference in metabolite ratios measured in different hippocampal regions (p<0.01) and in those acquired with different spectroscopic techniques (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio is the most reproducible parameter for hippocampal MR spectroscopy on a 1.5-T scanner. Regional variation and technical differences in metabolite ratios must be considered when interpreting proton spectra of the hippocampus.
The value relevance of “too-big-to-fail” guarantees: Evidence from the 2008-2009 banking crisis

Purpose - – This paper aims to analyze the impact of conjectural “too-big-to-fail” (TBTF) guarantees on big and small US financial institutions’ stock prices during the 2008-2009 banking crisis. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper analyzes shocks to stock market investors’ expectations of government aid to banks in distress and respective spillover effects using an event study approach. We focus on three major events in late 2008, namely, the Lehman bankruptcy, the Citigroup bailout and the first announcement of the Capital Purchase Program (CPP) by the US Government. Findings - – The authors found significant differences in market reactions to the respective events between small and large banks. For both the Lehman and the CPP event, abnormal returns on big banks’ stocks are negative, while small banks’ stocks tend to generate positive abnormal returns. In contrast, large banks strongly outperform small banks in the case of the Citigroup bailout. Results for a control group of non-financial firms indicate that this behavior may be specific to the banking industry. The authors observed significant spillover effects to both competitors and non-competitors of Lehman and Citigroup, and concluded that while the Lehman event shook the widely held belief in an implicit TBTF subsidy to large banks, the TBTF doctrine was reinstated shortly thereafter. Originality/value - – This paper shows that conjectural TBTF guarantees are priced in by equity investors. While government aid to large banks in distress may prevent negative effects on the stability of the financial system, it may also create negative externalities by putting small banks at a competitive disadvantage. The findings suggest that US and European regulators’ recent policy measures directed at establishing reliable bank resolution schemes should be a step in the right direction to level the playing field for small and large financial institutions.
Human resources as facilitators of the adoption of information and communication technologies

This paper studies the importance of human resources, among other factors, as facilitators of the adoption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). We have worked with a sample of 1685 Spanish firms. The results of our analyses (conditioned probit) show that higher employee qualifications, the use of related technologies and greater firm size have a positive impact on both the adoption of ICTs and the volume of investment made.
Hydrodynamic synchronization of colloidal oscillators

Two colloidal spheres are maintained in oscillation by switching the position of an optical trap when a sphere reaches a limit position, leading to oscillations that are bounded in amplitude but free in phase and period. The interaction between the oscillators is only through the hydrodynamic flow induced by their motion. We prove that in the absence of stochastic noise the antiphase dynamical state is stable, and we show how the period depends on coupling strength. Both features are observed experimentally. As the natural frequencies of the oscillators are made progressively different, the coordination is quickly lost. These results help one to understand the origin of hydrodynamic synchronization and how the dynamics can be tuned. Cilia and flagella are biological systems coupled hydrodynamically, exhibiting dramatic collective motions. We propose that weakly correlated phase fluctuations, with one of the oscillators typically precessing the other, are characteristic of hydrodynamically coupled systems in the presence of thermal noise.
Cell differentiation by interaction of two HMG‐box proteins: Mat1‐Mc activates M cell‐specific genes in S.pombe by recruiting the ubiquitous transcription factor Ste11 to weak binding sites

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe mfm1 gene is expressed in an M cell‐specific fashion. This regulation requires two HMG‐box proteins: the ubiquitous Ste11 transcription factor and the M cell‐controlling protein Mat1‐Mc. Here we report that the mfm1 promoter contains a single, weak Ste11‐binding site (a so‐called TR‐box) that can confer M‐specificity on a heterologous promoter when present in eight copies. In vitro, both Mat1‐Mc and Ste11 can bind this box with approximately the same affinity. The Mat1‐Mc protein caused a dramatic increase in the DNA‐binding of Ste11 to this box, under conditions where we could not detect Mat1‐Mc in the resulting protein–DNA complex. When we changed a single base in the mfm1 TR‐box, such that it resembled those boxes found in ubiquitously expressed genes, Ste11 binding was enhanced, and in vivo the mfm1 gene also became expressed in P cells where Mat1‐Mc is absent. These findings suggest that M‐specificity results from Mat1‐Mc‐mediated Ste11 binding to weak TR‐boxes. We have also defined a novel motif (termed M‐box), adjacent to the mfm1 TR‐box, to which Mat1‐Mc binds strongly. A DNA fragment containing both the TR‐ and the M‐box allowed the formation of a complex containing both Ste11 and Mat1‐Mc. A single copy of this fragment was sufficient to activate a heterologous promoter in an M‐specific fashion, suggesting that these two boxes act in a synergistic manner.
Fine root morphological traits determine variation in root respiration of Quercus serrata.

Fine root respiration is a significant component of carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. Although fine roots differ functionally from coarse roots, these root types have been distinguished based on arbitrary diameter cut-offs (e.g., 2 or 5 mm). Fine root morphology is directly related to physiological function, but few attempts have been made to understand the relationships between morphology and respiration of fine roots. To examine relationships between respiration rates and morphological traits of fine roots (0.15-1.4 mm in diameter) of mature Quercus serrata Murr. , we measured respiration of small fine root segments in the field with a portable closed static chamber system. We found a significant power relationship between mean root diameter and respiration rate. Respiration rates of roots<0.4 mm in mean diameter were high and variable, ranging from 3.8 to 11.3 nmol CO2 g(-1) s(-1), compared with those of larger diameter roots (0.4-1.4 mm), which ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 nmol CO2 g(-1) s(-1). Fine root respiration rate was positively correlated with specific root length (SRL) as well as with root nitrogen (N) concentration. For roots<0.4 mm in diameter, SRL had a wider range (11.3-80.4 m g(-1)) and was more strongly correlated with respiration rate than diameter. Our results indicate that a more detailed classification of fine roots<2.0 mm is needed to represent the heterogeneity of root respiration and to evaluate root biomass and root morphological traits.
Grameen Bank: Taking Capitalism to the Poor

Executive Summary In the early 1970s, Professor Muhammad Yunus envisioned a means of alleviating poverty by circumventing the major impediment to lending to the poorest in society—the need for collateral. He tested this instinct in an experiment in 1976, when he lent about $27 to 42 women in an ordinary Bangladeshi village. Just 30 years later, Grameen Bank has more than 3.2 million borrowers (95 percent of whom are women), 1,178 branches, services in 41,000 villages and assets of more than $3 billion. efforts to expand and broaden the microfinance agenda. The authors evaluate Grameen's success in implementing Yunus's vision in the light of various challenges and conclude that the short-run effects of microcredit have been positive and that microfinance will continue to make important contributions to poverty reduction. Admittedly, an assessment of Grameen solely in terms of financial viability—that is, without also taking into account the social benefits in terms of the empowerment of women and its positive impact on human capital—must question whether such an institution will ever generate sufficient returns to profit-driven shareholders to attract the sort of capital required to enable it to reach all segments of the poor. The legacy of Grameen Bank will ultimately be not what it has done for shareholders, but how it has impacted society.
Effect of Multiple‐Dose Diltiazem on the Pharmacokinetics of the Renin Inhibitor ACT‐077825

This open‐label, randomized study evaluated the effects of steady‐state diltiazem on the pharmacokinetic, safety, and tolerability profile of a single dose of the novel renin inhibitor ACT‐077825. Twelve healthy Caucasian male subjects (20–50 years) received in treatment sequence A, a single dose of 100 mg ACT‐077825 (Days 1 and 17), and oral diltiazem 300 mg once daily (Days 14–26). In treatment sequence B, subjects received a single dose of 100 mg ACT‐077825 (Days 4 and 22) and oral diltiazem 300 mg once daily (Days 1–13). ACT‐077825 alone and combined with diltiazem was generally well tolerated. On average, the systemic exposure to ACT‐077825 was higher in the presence of diltiazem. For AUC0–∞ and t1/2, the upper limit of the 90% confidence interval (CI) of the geometric mean ratios was outside the study‐specific 0.5–2.0 equivalence boundaries, that is, 1.92 (90% CI: 1.30, 2.83) and 1.58 (90% CI: 1.22, 2.04), respectively. In conclusion, diltiazem markedly affected the pharmacokinetics of ACT‐077825, probably via inhibition of CYP3A4 activity, without changing its safety and tolerability profile in healthy male subjects. Whether such an interaction will require for therapeutic dose adjustment of ACT‐077825 co‐administered with diltiazem has to be assessed once the dose‐response relationship of ACT‐077825 in hypertensive patients is determined.
A novel eIF2B‐dependent mechanism of translational control in yeast as a response to fusel alcohols

Fusel alcohols are natural products of amino acid catabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that cause morphological changes similar to those seen during pseudohyphal growth. We have discovered that certain of these alcohols, including butanol and isoamyl alcohol, bring about a rapid inhibition of translation at the initiation step. This inhibition is strain specific and is not explained by previously described translational control pathways. Using genetic mapping, we have identified a proline to serine allelic variation at amino acid 180 of the GCD1 gene product as the genetic locus that allows translational regulation upon butanol addition. Gcd1p forms part of the eIF2B guanine nucleotide complex that is responsible for recycling eIF2‐GDP to eIF2‐GTP. This represents one of the key limiting steps of translation initiation and we provide evidence that fusel alcohols target eIF2B in order to bring about translational regulation.
Water saving and yield enhancing micro-irrigation technologies in India: when and where can they become best bet technologies?

Kumar, M. Dinesh (Ed.). Managing water in the face of growing scarcity, inequity and declining returns: exploring fresh approaches. Proceedings of the 7th Annual Partners Meet, IWMI TATA Water Policy Research Program, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India, 2-4 April 2008. Vol.1. Hyderabad, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Asia Sub Regional Office
Laparoscopic transperitoneal and retroperitoneal simple nephrectomy: The impact of etiological factors of the results of surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE This retrospective study compares the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic simple nephrectomy (LSN) in patients with urinary stone disease (USD) in comparison with LSNs performed for other etiological factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS 115 LSNs were identified from the two teaching hospitals' database. Depending on the etiological factors, patients were stratified in 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 63 (mean age 44.8±1.7 [21-71] years) patients; where the cause of non-functioning kidney was USD. Meanwhile, Group 2 included 52 (mean age was 43.6±2.0 [19-78] years) patients; who underwent LSN because of other benign diseases. In both groups, a standardized transabdominal or retroperitoneal approach was used according to the discretion of the attending surgeon. Two groups were compared statistically in terms of perioperative parameters and standardized surgical complications. RESULTS The use of transperitoneal approach was higher in Group 1 (69.8% vs. 30.2%) compared to Group 2 (51.9% vs. 48.1%). Elective open conversion was needed in 3 and 2 patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The results for mean operative time (108.9±4.0 min vs. 106.7±5.0), estimated blood loss (92.5±8.2 vs. 86.8±10.1 mL) and length of hospital stay (4.1±0.33 vs. 3.85±0.42 days) were similar between the groups. Despite intraoperative complications were similar between the groups, overall post-operative complications were significantly higher (17.5% vs. 3.8%) in Group 1. However, the rate of significant complications (Clavien 3-5) was similar between the groups. CONCLUSION The present study revealed that perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing LSN for USD are similar to those seen in patients undergoing LSN for other etiological factors.