Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Evaluation on clinical therapeutic effect of needle-knife therapy on cervical spondylosis].

OBJECTIVE To compare therapeutic effects of needle-knife therapy and acupuncture on cervical spondylosis. METHODS Multi-central clinical randomized controlled trial was adopted. The patients were divided into a needle-knife treatment group treated with needle-knife therapy at the upper and lower interspinal ligaments of the affected vertebral body and bilateral posterior joint capsules; and the acupuncture control group were treated with acupuncture at Laozhen, Ashi points and cervical Jiaji points, etc. The short-term and the long-term therapeutic effects were observed at the end of the therapeutic course and 6 months after the end of the therapeutic course. RESULTS The short-term therapeutic effect and the long-term therapeutic effect were 91.3% and 94.7% in the needle-knife treatment group and 59.4% and 56.6% in the acupuncture control group, respectively, with a very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The needle-knife treatment in the therapeutic effect on cervical spondylosis is superior to acupuncture treatment.
Unlocking Data Collection: Practical Tips for School Nurses

School nurses contend with a variety of challenges related to collecting and using their own data. Seemingly small steps can be taken to overcome these challenges, which will result in significant improvements in data collection and use. Improving the quality of data collection assists school nurses to identify and define practice issues and guide implementation of evidence-based practice within their schools and districts. This article provides school nurses with practical steps to collect and use school or district specific health data.
Influence of prepartum nutrition on the reproductive performance of beef females and the performance of their progeny.

Two experiments were designed to assess the importance of maternal nutrition in the later stages of gestation on reproductive performance of beef females and on the growth and survival of their calves. In experiment 1, 59 Hereford first-calf heifers were assigned to one of two levels of dietary energy (high [HI which was 100% of the recommended level of prepartum energy or low [L] which was 65% of the N.R.C. [1970] recommended level) 100 days prior to predicted calving. After calving both groups were fed N.R. C. (1970) recommended levels of energy and protein. Heifers fed the H ration gained 36.1 kg during the 100-day prepartum period while the heifers on the L ration lost 5.8 kilograms. The heifers restricted in energy prepartum had lighter calves at birth but the calves were born with the same degree of calving difficulty as calves of adequately fed dams. More calves from nutritionally deprived heifers died at or near birth and the surviving calves were lighter at weaning. There was a tendency for a higher percentage of adequately-fed heifers to show estrus by 40 days postpartum. In experiment 2, 43 second-calf cows were allotted, 100 days prepartum, to a restricted intake ration of approximately 50% of the N.R. C. (1970) recommended level of energy for cows during gestation. Thirty days prior to predicted calving, one group of cows (H) was
Evaluating architecture stability of software projects

Reuse of software components depends from different aspects of high level software artifacts. In particular, software architecture and its stability should be taken into account before selecting software components for reuse. In this direction, this paper presents an empirical study aimed at assessing software architecture stability and its evolution along the software project history. The study entails the gathering and analysis of relevant information from several open source projects. The analysis of the software architectures stability of the core components of the analyzed projects and related trends are presented as results.
A Phase II Study of Irinotecan With Biweekly, Low Dose Leucovorin and Bolus and Continuous Infusion 5-Fluorouracil (Modified FOLFIRI) as First Line Therapy For Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Gastric Cancer

Background:To determine the activity and toxicities of a low-dose leucovorin plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) regimen, combined with irinotecan and administered every 2 weeks (modified FOLFIRI), as a first-line therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Method:Patients were treated with cycles of 150 mg/m2 irinotecan on day 1 plus 50 mg of LV, followed by a 400 mg/m2 5-FU bolus and a 22-hour continuous infusion of 600 mg/m2 5-FU on days 1 and 2. Results:The median patient age was 55 years (range, 29–75 years), and 77% (34/44) of the patients had a performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) of 0 or 1. Of the 44 patients evaluated for their tumor response, 3 patients (6.8%) and 14 patients (31.8%) achieved a complete and partial response, respectively, with an overall response rate of 38.6% (95% confidence interval, 23.7%–53.6%). 13 patients (29.6%) evidenced a stable disease, and 14 patients (31.8%) progressed during the course of the treatment. The median time to progression and overall survival time were 4.9 months (range, 0.9–22.8 months) and 10.3 months (range, 1.2–29.0 months) from the start of the chemotherapy, respectively. A total of 293 cycles were assessed for toxicity. The major hematologic toxicities included grade 1 to 2 anemia (27.6%), neutropenia (48.8%), and grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (12.6%). There were 7 cycles of neutropenic fever. Nonhematological toxicities were observed grade 3 vomiting (6.8%), grade 3 diarrhea (4.5%), and grade 3 mucositis (2.3%). We noted no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions:The modified FOLFIRI regimen—lowering of irinotecan and LV doses—is a safe and feasible regimen as a first-line therapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer.
Near‐pure vapor condensation in the Martian atmosphere: CO2 ice crystal growth

A new approach is presented to model the condensational growth of carbon dioxide (CO2) ice crystals on Mars. These condensates form in very particular conditions. First, ∼95% of the atmosphere is composed of CO2 so that near‐pure vapor condensation takes place. Second, the atmosphere is rarefied, having dramatic consequences on the crystal growth. Indeed, the subsequently reduced efficiency of heat transport helps maintain a high temperature difference between the crystal surface and the environment, inhibiting the growth. Besides, the Stefan flow which would have been expected to increase the growth rate of the crystal, because of the near‐pure vapor condensation, is negligible. We show that the heritage of the convenient and explicit linearized crystal growth rate formula used for Earth clouds, initially derived for a trace gas, has to be reconsidered in the case of near‐pure vapor condensation for high saturation ratios that appear to be common in the Martian mesosphere. Nevertheless, by comparing our approach with a more complex condensation model, valid for all atmospheric conditions and all vapor abundances, we show that a very simple set of equations can still be used to efficiently reproduce the CO2 ice crystal growth rate. Our model, referred to as the CLASSIC model here, provides similar crystal growth rates than the traditionally used linearized growth rate models at low supersaturations but predicts lower crystal growth rates at high supersaturations. It can thus be used to model the condensational growth of CO2 ice crystals in the mesosphere where high supersaturations are observed.
Sensorimotor integration of vision and proprioception for obstacle crossing in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury.

Skilled walking, such as obstacle crossing, is an essential component of functional mobility. Sensorimotor integration of visual and proprioceptive inputs is important for successful obstacle crossing. The objective of this study was to understand how proprioceptive deficits affect obstacle-crossing strategies when controlling for variations in motor deficits in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Fifteen ambulatory individuals with SCI and 15 able-bodied controls were asked to step over an obstacle scaled to their motor abilities under full and obstructed vision conditions. An eye tracker was used to determine gaze behaviour and motion capture analysis was used to determine toe kinematics relative to the obstacle. Combined, bilateral hip and knee proprioceptive sense (joint position sense and movement detection sense) was assessed using the Lokomat and customized software controls. Combined, bilateral hip and knee proprioceptive sense in subjects with SCI varied and was significantly different from able-bodied subjects. Subjects with greater proprioceptive deficits stepped higher over the obstacle with their lead and trail limbs in the obstructed vision condition compared with full vision. Subjects with SCI also glanced at the obstacle more frequently and with longer fixation times compared with controls, but this was not related to proprioceptive sense. This study indicates that ambulatory individuals with SCI rely more heavily on vision to cross obstacles and show impairments in key gait parameters required for successful obstacle crossing. Our data suggest that proprioceptive deficits need to be considered in rehabilitation programs aimed at improving functional mobility in ambulatory individuals with SCI. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This work is unique since it examines the contribution of combined, bilateral hip and knee proprioceptive sense on the recovery of skilled walking function, in addition to characterizing gaze behavior during a skilled walking task in people with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury.
ycobacterium bovis in California dairies : A case series of 002 – 2013 outbreaks

From 2002 to 2013, bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) has been detected on numerous dairies in California. In total, twelve herds had bTB detected and are included in the case series which describes these recent outbreaks and discusses potential pathways of introduction. Epidemiological investigations to determine the initial source of bTB in each herd included obtaining data on likely pathways of pathogen introduction. Pathways included purchasing cattle, use of heifer-raising operations, commingling of cattle at greater risk of exposure to infected cattle with cattle destined for California dairies, contact with infected wildlife, exposure to humans with bTB infections, community and neighboring herds and others. Epidemiologic and molecular typing data confirmed the source of infection in 3 herds and probable sources of infection in 2 herds. In the 7 remaining herds described in this case series an epidemiologic link to a source could not be determined and molecular typing results did not associate M. bovis isolates acquired from these herds with another specific U.S. herd or U.S.-born animal. Preventing new introductions of M. bovis onto California dairies will require rigorous epidemiologic investigation of all the potential pathways of introduction discussed here. The root cause(s) of bTB on California dairies is certainly multifactorial with complex interactions of herd management practices, importation of cattle at greater risk of exposure to infected cattle, and the potential of human M. bovis exposure. The extensive use of molecular typing has improved epidemiologists’ ability to narrow the scope of potential sources. Published by Elsevier B.V. ∗ Corresponding author. Tel. : +1 970 494 7184; fax: +1 970 472 1987. E-mail address: brian.j.mccluskey@aphis.usda. gov (B. McCluskey). http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.prevetmed. 2014.04. 010 167-5877/Published by Elsevier B.V.
SP 800-57. Recommendation for Key Management, Part 1: General (revised)

This Recommendation provides cryptographic key management guidance. It consists of three parts. Part 1 provides general guidance and best practices for the management of cryptographic keying material. Part 2 provides guidance on policy and security planning requirements for U.S. government agencies. Finally, Part 3 provides guidance when using the cryptographic features of current systems.
Capacitive ECG recording and beat-to-beat interval estimation after major cardiac event

Today, heart diseases are the most common cause of death in the U.S. Due to improved healthcare, more and more patients survive a major cardiac event, e.g. a heart attack. However, participation in everyday activity (e.g. driving a car) can be impaired afterwards. Patients might benefit from heart activity monitoring while driving using a capacitive ECG (cECG). However, it is unknown whether cECG is an appropriate monitoring tool for such patients. In this work, first results from a study including 10 patients having survived at least one major cardiac event are presented. It is shown that cECG can be used to diagnose heart rhythm deviations and estimate beat-to-beat intervals similar to conventional ECG.
Do luxury brands successfully entice consumers? The role of bandwagon effect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the underlying motivations for bandwagon luxury brand consumption among consumers of an emergent market by empirically investigating the effects of consumers’ interdependent and independent orientations on their personality traits, such as conformity, need for uniqueness and status consumption, which in turn affect their bandwagon luxury brand consumption. Design/methodology/approach A paper-based survey method is used to collect data from more than 400 Pakistani consumers indulging in bandwagon luxury brand consumption. The model is estimated through structural equation modeling. Findings The results show that individuals’ personality traits significantly affect their bandwagon luxury brand consumption. Further, the results suggest that the relationship between individuals’ interdependent/independent orientation and bandwagon luxury brand consumption is partially/fully mediated by their personality traits. Research limitations/implications These findings offer insights into consumers’ perceptions about bandwagon luxury brand consumption and provide useful managerial implications for the managers/marketers to build reputable luxury brands. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature by investigating the mediating role of consumers’ personality traits in the relationship between their interdependent/independent orientation and bandwagon luxury brand consumption behavior. There is scant literature on bandwagon luxury brand consumption, especially in the context of collectivistic society where the proposed framework has been empirically tested.
Correlates of self-rated business competencies.

Two studies that focussed on sex differences in self-rated management competencies are reported. In the first study 197 working adults (125 female, 72 male) rated themselves on the nine competencies listed by Boyaztis (1982). There were overall few significant sex differences. The ratings of the nine competencies factored in two coherent factors. There were various individual difference predictors of the total competency rating and the two factor scores. Older participants with higher Openness-to-Experience trait gave higher overall self-estimates. In the second study 173 adults (108 female, 65 male) rated themselves on the 12 independent “super-competencies” specified by Dulewicz (1999). Again there were few significant sex differences. Factor analysis revealed two recognisable factors. Extraverts tended to give higher self-estimates than introverts. The results are discussed in terms of the literature on self-assessed abilities and business competencies.
Automatic and Selective Single Cell Manipulation in a Pressure-Driven Microfluidic Lab-On-Chip Device

A microfluidic lab-on-chip device was developed to automatically and selectively manipulate target cells at the single cell level. The device is composed of a microfluidic chip, mini solenoid valves with negative-pressurized soft tubes, and a LabView®-based data acquisition device. Once a target cell passes the resistive pulse sensing gate of the microfluidic chip, the solenoid valves are automatically actuated and open the negative-pressurized tubes placed at the ends of the collecting channels. As a result, the cell is transported to that collecting well. Numerical simulation shows that a 0.14 mm3 volume change of the soft tube can result in a 1.58 mm/s moving velocity of the sample solution. Experiments with single polystyrene particles and cancer cells samples were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. Selectively manipulating a certain size of particles from a mixture solution was also achieved. Due to the very high pressure-driven flow switching, as many as 300 target cells per minute can be isolated from the sample solution and thus is particularly suitable for manipulating very rare target cells. The device is simple, automatic, and label-free and particularly suitable for isolating single cells off the chip one by one for downstream analysis.
The effects of forest age and management on bee communities of production forests in the southern United States

iv Introduction . 1 Materials and Methods . 8 Study Sites . 8 Sampling Protocol . 9 Data and Statistical Analysis . 10 Results . 13 Ordination . 13 Community Composition . 14 Discussion . 26 Conclusions . 35 References . 39 Appendices . 46 Appendix A . 46 Appendix B . 47 Appendix C . 48 Appendix D . 49 Appendix E . 50 Appendix F . 51 Appendix G . 52 Appendix H . 53 Appendix I . 54 Appendix J . 55 Appendix K . 56 Appendix L . 57 Appendix M . 58 Vita . 59
A multi-object decision-making method for location model of manufacturing industry under uncertain environment

Abstract The rapid development of information technology has promoted the division of labor in the globalization of manufacturing enterprises. Under this background, the location problem of manufacturing enterprises is very important. Through the literature analysis of the location problem, we summarize some important influence factors of the location decision of manufacturing enterprises. And we quantify these factors into corresponding indicators and normalize the indicators in order to make them comparable, and then combine the TOPSIS method and entropy weight method to establish the model. Finally, we give an example and solve it according to the method proposed above to prove the feasibility of this method.
Open Source Platforms Beyond Software: From ICT to Biotechnology

Abstract Theories of platform strategy and adoption have been largely derived from studies of their application in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. These platforms vary in openness, with the model of open source software providing the best-known exemplar for open platforms. This exploratory field study examines the degree to which nine attributes of ICT platforms are applicable to open platforms in biotechnology. Using a combination of interview and secondary data, it identifies three patterns of such biotechnology platforms – IP commons, hackerspaces, and crowdsourced patient registries – and the degree to which these nine attributes apply. It shows the impact of ICT platforms and open source software on open source approaches to biotechnology, and how the latter are affected by the technical, legal, and institutional differences between information technology and biotechnology. Instead of open source software platforms organized around modular interfaces, complements, ecosystems, and two-sided markets, this study instead suggests a model of open source knowledge platforms which benefits from economies of scale but not indirect network effects. From this, it discusses the generalizability of the ICT-derived models of open source platforms and offers suggestions for future research.
Concentrations of lignocaine in the blood after intravenous, intramuscular epidural and endotracheal administration

Lignocaine has been widely used for conduction and topical analgesia since 1948 and more recently for general analgesia1 2. Although arbitrary limits have been set to safe clinical dosage, these have been determined mainly by animal experimentation. Little information is available about absolute toxic thresholds in man, or about rates of absorption from any of the common sites of administration. Moreover, the successful use of lignocaine as a systemic analgesic has led to the suspicion that some of its apparent effectiveness in conduction analgesia may be explained by a general analgesic action after absorption into the blood stream. Theacute toxicity of lignocaine has been studied in man by Steinhaus and Howland3, and Kimmey and Steinhaus4, using the drug intravenously as an adjuvant to thiopentone and nitrous oxide anzsthesia. However, blood concentrations of lignocaine were not estimated in these patients and so these series provided no information regarding thresholds of toxicity. Foldes and his colleagues examined the acute toxicity of lignocaine in conscious human volunteers and measured the concentration of lignocaine in the blood when objective signs of overdosage occurred5. These workers used intravenous infusion rates of O.Smg/kg bodyweight per minute and they found that subjective signs of toxicity occurred after 1.5mg/kg body weight had been given. Objective signs
Broad-host-range plasmid pRK340 delivers Tn5 into the Legionella pneumophila chromosome

Transposon Tn5 was introduced into Legionella pneumophila on plasmid pRK340, which is temperature sensitive for plasmid maintenance. The presence of plasmid DNA was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis and by conjugal transfer of the plasmid to Escherichia coli. Tn5 insertions were obtained by culturing L. pneumophila at the nonpermissive temperature (43 degrees C) on buffered charcoal-yeast extract agar containing kanamycin. Of the 260 kanamycin-resistant colonies picked, 220 failed to conjugate pRK340 to E. coli. Plasmid DNA was not visualized from eight randomly picked Tn5-containing strains, and Southern hybridizations indicated that Tn5, but not pRK340, inserted into multiple sites in the Legionella chromosome. In addition, the streptomycin resistance determinant on Tn5 was expressed in L. pneumophila.
Blender: a framework for cross-media cultural heritage applications

Cultural Heritage cross-media applications can greatly benefit by the use of the Blender open framework in terms of flexibility, content reuse capacity, character design up to on-line 3D model browsing and social virtual sharing of cultural virtual worlds. Through different case-study projects, carried on at Cineca VisitLab, several Blender key features will be outlined in the present paper.