Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alterations in Knee Kinematics After Partial Medial Meniscectomy Are Activity Dependent

Background: Alterations in knee kinematics after partial meniscectomy have been linked to the increased risk of osteoarthritis in this population. Understanding differences in kinematics during static versus dynamic activities of increased demand can provide important information regarding the possible underlying mechanisms of these alterations. Hypothesis: Differences in the following 2 kinematics measures will increase with activity demand: (1) the offset toward external tibial rotation for the meniscectomized limb compared with the contralateral limb during stance and (2) the difference in knee flexion angle at initial foot contact between the meniscectomized and contralateral limbs. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: This study compared side-to-side differences in knee flexion and rotation angles during static and dynamic activities. Thirteen patients (2 female) were tested in a motion capture laboratory at 6 ± 2 months after unilateral, arthroscopic, partial medial meniscectomy during a static reference pose and during 3 dynamic activities: walking, stair ascent, and stair descent. Results: The meniscectomized limb demonstrated more external tibial rotation compared with the contralateral limb during dynamic activities, and there was a trend that this offset increased with activity demand (repeated-measures analysis of variance [ANOVA] for activity, P = .07; mean limb difference: static pose, –0.1° ± 3.3°, P = .5; walking, 1.2° ± 3.8°, P = .1; stair ascent, 2.0° ± 3.2°, P = .02; stair descent, 3.0° ± 3.5°, P = .005). Similarly, the meniscectomized knee was more flexed at initial contact than the contralateral limb during dynamic activities (repeated-measures ANOVA for activity P = .006; mean limb difference: reference pose, 1.0° ± 2.5°, P = .09; walking, 2.0° ± 3.9°, P = .05; stair ascent, 5.9° ± 5.3°, P = .009; stair descent, 3.5° ± 4.0°, P = .004). Conclusion: These results suggest both a structural element and a potential muscular element for the differences in kinematics after partial medial meniscectomy and highlight the importance of challenging the knee with activities of increased demands to detect differences in kinematics from the contralateral limb. Clinical Relevance: With further investigation, these findings could help guide clinical rehabilitation of patients with torn meniscus tissue, especially in the context of the patients’ increased risk of joint degeneration.
Company information privacy orientation: a conceptual framework

Contemporary organisations struggle to develop effective responses to the complex challenge of deploying sophisticated information technology systems in an era characterised increasingly by customer demands for privacy. In this paper, we develop a conceptual framework of Company Information Privacy Orientation that attempts to reconcile the differences between the organisation's information management objectives and its ethical and legal obligations to address customers' privacy. Control theory and justice theory are utilised to build an organisation‐level framework that is composed of a firm's ethical obligation to its customers, its customer information management strategy and its assessment of the risks to its business created by legal demands to provide customer information privacy. The four different types of company privacy orientation profiles that emerge from this conceptual framework are then discussed, along with implications for future research.
The impact of effective risk management on project success.

Project success is the satisfaction of stakeholder needs and is measured by the so-called success criteria as identified at the start of the project. The conventional view of project success based on cost, time and quality is no longer sufficient. The main objective of the research work that underpins this paper was to investigate the impact of effective risk management processes on project success. In this paper, two case studies of already executed projects have been considered to analyse the impact of their risk management processes on the project outcome. Project ˜A had no visible risk management process implemented therefore all the risks identified at the definition stage occurred during the project execution. Project ˜B on the other hand, had some risk management process implemented but the project still overran schedule due to lack of continuity in the risk management. Both projects incurred huge amounts of lost earnings for the organisations due to their schedule overrun. It has been concluded that the cause of the projects failure can be directly related to the extent of risk management undertaken. Besides, the level of risk management process undertaken during a project impacts directly on the success or otherwise of the project. Furthermore, effective risk management should be continuously undertaken throughout the project lifecycle to enhance project success.
Temporal variations in plasma vitamin K and lipid concentrations and clotting factor activity in humans

There is no information available on temporal variability in plasma vitamin K concentrations and its relationship to coagulation processes. We investigated the possible existence of temporal changes in plasma vitamin K and lipid concentrations and activity of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X and relationships between these variables. Plasma vitamin K and lipid concentrations and clotting factor activity were measured at four‐hour intervals for 28 hours in a group of healthy volunteers. Temporal variations existed in plasma vitamin K concentrations, with a mean maximum at 22:00 hr and a mean minimum (32% of the maximum) at 10:00 hr. Plasma triglycerol concentrations mirrored the changes in vitamin K concentrations. Mean factor VII activity was positively correlated with mean total plasma cholesterol concentrations (r = 0.714; P < 0.0001) and with mean plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations (r = 0.461; P < 0.0001). No distinct correlations were found between plasma vitamin K concentrations and either high density lipoprotein (HDL) or LDL cholesterol concentrations, or between triglycerol, HDL, or LDL cholesterol concentrations and functional activity of factors II, IX, and X. Plasma vitamin K concentrations did not correlate with the functional activity of any of the clotting factors. The presence of a correlation between plasma cholesterol concentrations and factor VII activity for blood samples collected at four‐hour intervals suggests that plasma cholesterol concentrations may have a more acute effect on factor VII activity. Temporal variations in plasma vitamin K concentrations indicate that a single time point measurement may be an inappropriate method of establishing vitamin K status in an individual. Am. J. Hematol. 68:159–163, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fear of Intimacy and Attachment among Rape Survivors

The purpose of the present study was to investigate attachment and fear of intimacy among rape survivors. As previous research has documented that several domains of functioning are affected by the experience of rape, it was hypothesized that the survivors may have difficulties with attachment and intimacy. Subjects were selected from an undergraduate general psychology class on the basis of responses to a questionnaire on sexual experiences. All of the subjects were female and included 44 rape survivors and 57 controls. As predicted, rape survivors reported greater fear surrounding intimacy. Survivors also differed from the conitrols on all of the attachment dimensions. They reported less confidence in others' dependability, less comfort with closeness, and more fear of abandonment. Trait anxiety was also controlled in the analyses, arid except for fear of abandonment, it attenuated the differences between the groups such that they were no longer significantly different.
[Selective ventral derotation spondylodesis in idiopathic thoracic scoliosis: a prospective study].

AIM Radiometric curve analysis of instrumented primary and spontaneous secondary curve correction after anterior correction and fusion of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis. METHOD Sixty-four patients with idiopathic thoracic scoliosis were prospectively evaluated. All patients were operated either with the Zielke-VDS or with a primary stable double rod instrumentation with selective fusion of the thoracic curve from end-to end-vertebra. Follow-up averaged 29 months (24 - 52 months). RESULTS The Cobb angle of the primary curve averaged 63.2 degrees preoperatively and was corrected to 21.4 degrees postoperatively with an average loss of correction of 5.3 degrees (58 % final curve correction). Apical thoracic vertebral rotation was corrected by 48 %. The secondary lumbar curve measured 38.2 degrees preoperatively (72 % correction on the bending films) and was spontaneously corrected by 57 % to 16.4 degrees without significant loss of correction in the final follow-up. Apical vertebral rotation averaged 11.3 degrees in the lumbar curve and was corrected spontaneously by 24 % to 8.6 degrees without significant loss of correction. Lumbar apex vertebra deviation showed no significant reduction. There was no case of lumbar curve decompensation in either frontal or sagittal plane. Implant related complications were observed in 7 patients (rod breakage), but no pseudarthrosis occurred. There were no neurological complications noted. CONCLUSION Selective anterior correction and fusion in idiopathic thoracic scoliosis enables a satisfactory correction of both primary and lumbar secondary curves. The advantage of selective anterior correction and fusion of thoracic scoliosis is the short fusion length, better derotation and satisfactory correction of the secondary lumbar curve. The disadvantages of single threaded rod techniques in terms of lack of primary stability and a kyphogenic effect have been eliminated by the development of a primary stable, small size double rod instrumentation.
Characterizing Idiomatic Organization in Music: A Theory and Case Study of Musical Affordances

A theory of idiomaticism is developed and illustrated using music for B- flat valve trumpet. Physical measures were collected from two trumpet performers and used to construct a computer model of the instrument/performer. Using this model, several works composed by both trumpet virtuosi and non-trumpet players were analyzed. A conceptual distinction is made between measures of performance difficulty (how hard it is to play a particular passage) and measures of performance idiomaticism (how well suited a passage is to a specific instrument). Methods for characterizing both difficulty and idiomaticism are described. In general, the results suggest that detailed modeling of the mechanics of performance can help to pinpoint aspects of musical organization that arise from performance idioms or affordances. Repercussions for ethnomusicology, historical musicology and music analysis are discussed. Submitted 2009 June 8; accepted 2009 July 15.
Approximate Message Passing Algorithms for Generalized Bilinear Inference

Recent developments in compressive sensing (CS) combined with increasing demands for effective high-dimensional inference techniques across a variety of disciplines have motivated extensive research into algorithms exploiting various notions of parsimony, including sparsity and low-rank constraints. In this dissertation, we extend the generalized approximate message passing (GAMP) approach, originally proposed for high-dimensional generalized-linear regression in the context of CS, to handle several classes of bilinear inference problems. First, we consider a general form of noisy CS where there is uncertainty in the measurement matrix as well as in the measurements. Matrix uncertainty is motivated by practical cases in which there are imperfections or unknown calibration parameters in the signal acquisition hardware. While previous work has focused on analyzing and extending classical CS algorithms like the LASSO and Dantzig selector for this problem setting, we propose a new algorithm called Matrix Uncertain GAMP (MU-GAMP) whose goal is minimization of mean-squared error of the signal estimates in the presence of these uncertainties, without attempting to estimate the uncertain measurement matrix itself. Next, we extend GAMP to the generalized-bilinear case, in which the measurement matrix is estimated jointly with the signals of interest, enabling its application to matrix completion, robust PCA, dictionary learning, and related matrix-factorization problems. We derive this Bilinear GAMP (BiG-AMP) algorithm as an approximation of the sum-product ii belief propagation algorithm in the high-dimensional limit, where central limit theorem arguments and Taylor-series approximations apply, and under the assumption of statistically independent matrix entries with known priors. In addition, we propose an adaptive damping mechanism that aids convergence under finite problem sizes, an expectation-maximization (EM)-based method to automatically tune the parameters of the assumed priors, and two rank-selection strategies. We then discuss the specializations of EM-BiG-AMP to the problems of matrix completion, robust PCA, and dictionary learning, and present the results of an extensive empirical study comparing EM-BiG-AMP to state-of-the-art algorithms on each problem. Our numerical results, using both synthetic and real-world datasets, demonstrate that EM-BiG-AMP yields excellent reconstruction accuracy (often best in class) while maintaining competitive runtimes and avoiding the need to tune algorithmic parameters. Finally, we propose a parametric extension known as P-BiG-AMP, which recovers BiG-AMP as a special case, that relaxes the assumption of statistically independent matrix entries by introducing parametric models for the two matrix factors. The resulting algorithm is rigorously justified for random affine parameterizations and constructed to allow its use with an even wider class of non-linear parameterizations, enabling numerous potential applications.
Resolution of ruptures in therapeutic alliance: Its role on change processes according to a relational approach (*)

Este artigo apresenta as premissas basicas de uma abordagem relacional em psicoterapia, nomeadamente no que diz respeito as origens de natureza interpessoal da psicopatologia e consequentemente ao modo como a experiencia relacional que a psicoterapia oferece, pode servir para alterar os esquemas interpessoais disfuncionais do paciente subjacentes aos sintomas. Na 2a parte do artigo, apresentamos as implicacoes clinicas do conceito do conceito de Rupturas na Alianca Terapeutica, entendidas como um comprometimento ou quebra na relacao colaborativa entre terapeuta e paciente. Seguindo a conceptualizacao de Alianca de Bordin, as rupturas podem consistir num desacordo ao nivel das tarefas ou objectivos do processo ou numa tensao no vinculo. Sao revistos os resultados mais relevantes que tem sido encontrados sobre o modo como estes ciclos interpessoais entre terapeuta e paciente podem conduzir a mudanca quando eficazmente geridos, ou a resultados pobres ou finalizacoes unilaterais quando nao resolvidos. Tendo ja acumulado evidencia para a importância da alianca terapeutica, uma segunda geracao de investigadores na alianca, tem procurado compreender o modo como a alianca e, em si mesma, um mecanismo de mudanca. Os resultados que aqui sao revistos sugerem que o processo de reparacao de aliancas enfraquecidas pode oferecer uma resposta a esta questao.
Development of an androgen reporter gene assay (AR-LUX) utilizing a human cell line with an endogenously regulated androgen receptor.

The aim of the work described in this report is to develop and characterize a cell-based androgen reporter assay. For this purpose, the androgen receptor (AR) expressing human breast cancer cell line T47D was stably transfected with a luciferase gene under transcriptional control of the PB-ARE-2 androgen response element. The application of this cell line in an endogenous Androgen Receptor-mediated LUciferase eXpression assay (AR-LUX) was validated. An EC50 value of 86 pM was determined for the standard androgen R1881 with a detection limit of 46 pM. Other androgens like dihydrotestosterone, 17beta-trenbolone, and bolasterone also induced luciferase expression, while anti-androgens suppressed these responses. As expected, AR-mediated responses were also elicited by high concentrations of the steroids progesterone, 17beta-estradiol, d-aldosterone, and dexamethasone, with observed EC50 values 10 to 350,000 times higher than that for R1881. A unique feature of the AR-LUX assay is that effects on modulation of active endogenous AR-levels are reliably reflected in the luciferase induction response, as exemplified by vitamin D, all-trans-retinoic acid, epigallocatechin gallate, and forskolin. This feature is especially useful when assessing complex mixtures, e.g., environmental samples or natural compound libraries. From these data it is concluded that the AR-LUX assay is a reliable in vitro test system for the detection and quantification of AR-mediated biological effects. The 96-well plate format makes the assay particularly suitable for high-throughput screening.
Aberrant DNA methylation of WNT pathway genes in the development and progression of CIMP-negative colorectal cancer

ABSTRACT The WNT signaling pathway has an essential role in colorectal carcinogenesis and progression, which involves a cascade of genetic and epigenetic changes. We aimed to analyze DNA methylation affecting the WNT pathway genes in colorectal carcinogenesis in promoter and gene body regions using whole methylome analysis in 9 colorectal cancer, 15 adenoma, and 6 normal tumor adjacent tissue (NAT) samples by methyl capture sequencing. Functional methylation was confirmed on 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine-treated colorectal cancer cell line datasets. In parallel with the DNA methylation analysis, mutations of WNT pathway genes (APC, β-catenin/CTNNB1) were analyzed by 454 sequencing on GS Junior platform. Most differentially methylated CpG sites were localized in gene body regions (95% of WNT pathway genes). In the promoter regions, 33 of the 160 analyzed WNT pathway genes were differentially methylated in colorectal cancer vs. normal, including hypermethylated AXIN2, CHP1, PRICKLE1, SFRP1, SFRP2, SOX17, and hypomethylated CACYBP, CTNNB1, MYC; 44 genes in adenoma vs. NAT; and 41 genes in colorectal cancer vs. adenoma comparisons. Hypermethylation of AXIN2, DKK1, VANGL1, and WNT5A gene promoters was higher, while those of SOX17, PRICKLE1, DAAM2, and MYC was lower in colon carcinoma compared to adenoma. Inverse correlation between expression and methylation was confirmed in 23 genes, including APC, CHP1, PRICKLE1, PSEN1, and SFRP1. Differential methylation affected both canonical and noncanonical WNT pathway genes in colorectal normal-adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Aberrant DNA methylation appears already in adenomas as an early event of colorectal carcinogenesis.
Expression of parathyroid hormone‐related protein in cells of osteoblast lineage

The expression of parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) was studied in a range of cell cultures representative of the osteoblast lineage and in rat calvarial sections. Primary newborn rat calvarial cells, a rat preosteoblastic cell line (UMR 201), a mouse stromal cell line (ST 2), a mouse calvaria‐derived osteoblastic cell line (KS 4), and rat osteosarcoma cell lines (UMR 106‐01 and ‐06), all expressed PTHrP when examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Using a radioimmunoassay we also demonstrated PTHrP in the conditioned medium of the cultured cells, with the exception of UMR 106‐01 and ‐06 cells. Treatment of UMR 201 cells with all‐trans‐retinoic acid which induces them to acquire a more differentiated phenotype, also led to a time‐dependent decrease in PTHrP mRNA levels as determined by RT‐PCR, Northern blot analysis, and in situ hybridization. Decreased PTHrP levels in the conditioned medium of the treated cells was also observed. These results suggested that PTHrP production might be greater in less mature osteoblasts. Examination of the populations obtained from newborn rat calvariae by sequential collagenase digestion revealed that the early digests exhibited low ALP activity, low expression of PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA, and no adenylate cyclase response to PTHrP(1–34). These populations showed the highest level of mRNA and production of PTHrP. Cells from later digests, the “osteoblast‐rich” populations, had reduced PTHrP expression. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in sections of newborn rat calvariae showed PTHrp expression in cuboidal osteoblasts located adjacent to bone and in spindle‐shaped cells in the periosteal region. It is concluded that PTHrP is produced by cells of the osteoblast lineage, supporting the hypothesis that PTHrP may function physiologically as a paracrine factor in bone. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients in Spain

Objective: The cross-sectional study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) Spanish version and its use in measuring quality of life (QOL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Spain. Methods: The FAMS is a factorially derived self-report scale designed to assess six primary aspects of QOL of patients with MS: Mobility, Symptoms, Emotional Well-Being, General Contentment, Thinking and Fatigue, and Family/Social Well-Being. Its Spanish translated version was used to assess QOL of 625 MS patients recruited in an outpatient clinic setting from 58 hospitals in Spain. Internal consistency of the Spanish FAMS was evaluated. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors from demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in predicting FAMS scale scores. Results: Most of the patients are females (66%), and 74% were of the relapsing-remitting (RR) clinical subtype. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were high (range=0.78-0.96), indicating subscale homogeneity comparable to that of the original English version. Linear multivariate regression analyses revealed that the EDSS is a dominant variable in predicting all the FAMS subscales, especially mobility (R2=0.51) and the total scores. Conclusions: The Spanish FAMS is a psychometrically valid instrument that allows clinicians and clinical researchers the ability to measure the QOL concerns of MS patients in Spain.
A guided abstinence experience to illustrate addiction recovery principles.

OBJECTIVES To develop and implement an elective pharmacy course that included a guided abstinence experience to illustrate addiction recovery principles. DESIGN A 1-credit elective course to illustrate addiction recovery principles was developed and implemented. The course required students to give up a habit for 6 weeks that was causing them problems, meet weekly to discuss addiction recovery processes, and relate their experiences in a journal. Course grades were determined by class participation, submitted worksheets, and submission of the journal and a paper concerning their role as a pharmacist in dealing with those with addictions and in recovery. Pre- and posttests consisting of addiction case scenarios were used to assess students' application of course material. ASSESSMENT Graded course elements, pretesting and posttesting, and student course evaluations indicated that course objectives were met. Over the past 15 years, student enrollment has grown from approximately 10% of pharmacy classes to approximately 50% (average 31 students). CONCLUSION A guided abstinence experience was an effective tool for teaching pharmacy students the concepts of addiction and recovery.