Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infected Vertebroplasty: Case Report and Review of Literature

Study Design. Case report. Objectives. To describe a case of infected vertebroplasty and to demonstrate the importance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of such infections. Summary of Background Data. Infection of the vertebroplasty site is an uncommon complication of vertebroplasty. Only 4 cases have been reported in the literature so far, and an organism could be identified in only 2 of those cases. To our knowledge, the use of PCR to diagnose infection in these cases has not been reported before. Methods. Vertebroplasty, laminectomy, radiology, fluid aspiration, microbial culture, and 16S RNA PCR. Results. A 73-year-old diabetic woman underwent vertebroplasty for L2 and L3 vertebral compression fractures followed by L4–L5 laminectomy for spinal stenosis. Three months later, she had an L1 fracture that was augmented with vertebroplasty. Six months later, she presented with incapacitating low back pain. There was a fluid-filled cavity surrounding the polymethylmethacrylate in the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies. The fluid had 95,000 white blood cells with 96% neutrophils, grew nothing on culture, but had 100% homology with Streptococcus agalactiae on 16S ribosomal nucleic acid analysis. Conclusions. We report a case of infected vertebroplasty with atypical radiologic findings of vertebral infection. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case where an organism could be isolated for these infections and the first time PCR has been used to diagnose such an infection.
Thames Valley Police: using metrics to assess the effectiveness of strategic change

Purpose – This case study aims to examine the transformation of Thames Valley Police's HR Service.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the journey taken by the Force and transformation of its use of performance measurement to manage continuous improvement in service delivery.Findings – The study highlights the results of transformation and effective use of Orion Partners' “How Factor” assessment framework to identify further transformation opportunities.Originality/value – The study is based on original information gained through fieldwork.
Short‐term plasticity of Bergmann glial cell extrasynaptic currents during parallel fiber stimulation in rat cerebellum

Bergmann glial cells (BGC) enclose the synapses of Purkinje neurons (PN) and interneurons in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. During synaptic transmission, glutamate evokes inward currents in the glia by activation of Ca2+‐permeable aminohydroxymethylisoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPAR) and electrogenic transporters. We describe the plasticity of BGC currents during paired‐pulse and repetitive stimulation of parallel fibers in cerebellar slices. Paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF) of BGC AMPAR currents was 4‐fold, twice that of PN PPF. Experiments with a low‐affinity AMPAR antagonist showed an increase in extrasynaptic glutamate concentration during the second pulse of the pair. PPF of glial transporter currents was 1.8‐fold, similar to synaptic PPF. Tetanic stimulation revealed that facilitation of BGC AMPAR currents is not sustained during high‐frequency stimulation, and substantial depression is observed after a few pulses. Consequently, Ca2+ influx through glial AMPARs would initially be facilitated but subsequently depressed, generating a transient Ca2+ influx in response to a sustained tetanus. This pattern of plasticity may be important in enabling Bergmann glial cell processes to detect and support synapses with high‐frequency input. Finally, a new current was observed in BGC during repetitive stimulation. It was blocked by NBQX and intracellular GDP‐β‐S, increased by glutamate uptake inhibition, had PPF similar to synaptic PPF, and was unaffected by an inhibitor of fast glial AMPAR currents. The evidence suggests that activation of neuronal AMPARs causes the release of a paracrine messenger to activate a G‐protein coupled receptor in the BGC. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
KCa3.1 as a novel therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus, is a worldwide health, societal and economic problem. Tubulointersitial fibrosis has been shown to be the final common pathological consequence of almost all forms of chronic progressive renal disease, including diabetic nephropathy [1]. Numerous pathways have been identified in the pathogenesis of this disease, but clinical strategies based on these pathways for the management of diabetic nephropathy remain unsatisfactory, as the number of diabetic patients with nephropathy continues to increase [2-4]. New treatment modalities or strategies are needed to prevent or slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Performance Characteristics of a Transverse Flux Generator

The analysis and performance characteristics for a low speed permanent magnet (PM) brushless transverse flux generator (TFG) have been discussed. This type of generator is a novel machine that can be manufactured in more cost effective way than standard PM brushless generators. The following issues have been emphasized: construction of a TFG, magnetic flux and stator winding EMF, resistance and synchronous reactance in the d and q-axis, prototype, laboratory tests, and performance characteristics
A MODIFIED PROCEDURE OF XENODIAGNOSIS FOR CHAGAS DISEASE.

Summary A modified procedure for the examination of reduviid bugs used in the xenodiagnosis of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is described. It consists in the homogenization of a group of test insects in saline solution and the subsequent filtration, centrifugation and phase-contrast examination of the sediment for trypanosomes. The advantages of this modified procedure are its greater rapidity, simplicity and sensitivity compared with the older method. This xenodiagnostic procedure is recommended especially for epidemio-parasitological surveys and for routine parasitological examinations in individuals with latent or chronic infection with T. cruzi.
An animal model for sinus floor elevation with great elevation heights. Macroscopic, microscopic, radiological and micro-CT analysis: ex vivo.

OBJECTIVES Different animal models are used for research and training concerning sinus floor elevation. However, there is little information regarding an animal model for elevation heights of approximately 10 mm. The aim of this study was to explore the anatomical aspects of the maxillary sinus of adult pigs and to investigate the suitability of this animal as a model for sinus floor elevation training and research with great elevation heights. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-four bisected heads of adult domestic pigs were examined 6 h postmortem. Direct sinus floor elevation was performed with an elevation height of 10 mm. Localization, diameters, volume and septa of the maxillary sinus were recorded on lateral X-rays and macroscopically. The thickness and structure of the maxillary sinus were investigated microscopically. The osseous microstructure of the lateral sinus wall was assessed microscopically and via micro-CT. RESULTS The maxillary sinus of the adult pig exhibits an average length of 51±6.2 mm, a height of 31±4.1 mm, a width of 19±1.6 mm and a volume of 31±7.6 cm(3) . At least one septum could be observed on the floor of each sinus. The mucosal thickness amounted to a mean of 1692±138 μm, and the lateral bony wall of the sinus to a mean of 3±0.3 mm. A laceration of the Schneiderian membrane occurred in 25% during the elevation process. CONCLUSION The maxillary sinus of adult domestic pigs is a suitable model for sinus floor elevation training and research with greater elevation heights of up to 10 mm.
Iterative nonlinear detection for SFBC SC–FDMA uplink MIMO transmission systems

Single‐carrier frequency division multiple access (SC‐FDMA) systems with space frequency block coding (SFBC) transmissions achieve both spatial and frequency diversity gains in wireless communications. However, SFBC SC‐FDMA schemes using linear detectors suffer from severe performance deterioration because of noise enhancement propagation and additive noise presence in the detected output. Both issues are similar to inter‐symbol‐interference (ISI). Traditionally, SC‐FDMA system decision feedback equalizer (DFE) is often used to eliminate ISI caused by multipath propagation. This article proposes frequency domain turbo equalization based on nonlinear multiuser detection for uplink SFBC SC‐FDMA transmission systems. The presented iterative receiver performs equalization with soft decisions feedback for ISI mitigation. Its coefficients are derived using minimum mean squared error criteria. The receiver configuration study is Alamouti's SFBC with two transmit and two receive antennas. New receiver approach is compared with the recently proposed suboptimal linear detector for SFBC SC‐FDMA systems. Simulation results confirm that the performance of the proposed iterative detection outperforms conventional detection techniques. After a few iterations, bit‐error‐rate performance of the proposed receiver design is closely to the matched filter bound. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Natural IgM Is Required for Suppression of Inflammatory Arthritis by Apoptotic Cells

The clearance of dying cells is vital for re-establishing tolerance during inflammation and has potent immunoregulatory consequences. Because natural IgM plays a key role in the removal of apoptotic cells, we investigated whether the immune modulatory properties of apoptotic cells depended on its presence. Using an Ab-independent, Ag-induced model of inflammatory arthritis, we tested whether natural IgM is essential for the arthritis-suppressing properties of apoptotic cells. Whereas administration of apoptotic cells reduced joint inflammation and damage in normal mice accompanied by suppression of the Th17 response, no protection was afforded in secreted IgM-deficient (Sμ–) mice. The enhanced production of IL-10 by T cells from draining lymph nodes and splenic marginal zone B cells, driven by the infusion of apoptotic cells, was abrogated in the absence of natural IgM. Apoptotic cells were present shortly after administration in the splenic marginal zone, but their removal was substantially delayed in the absence of natural IgM. Incubation of apoptotic cells with natural IgM in vitro restored their arthritis-suppressing properties in Sμ– mice. Moreover, these IgM-coated apoptotic cells were cleared rapidly after injection from the spleens of Sμ– mice. Our results demonstrate that natural IgM is a critical factor in a chain of events triggered by the administration of apoptotic cells that promote IL-10–secreting B and T cells and restrain the development of inflammation.
Markers of endothelial function in migraine patients: Results from a bi-center prospective study

Background Numerous studies suggest an increased vascular risk in patients with migraine, in particular in those with aura. A possible link between both conditions might be a dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. This observational study analyzed the endothelial markers angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, Tie-2, sFlt-1 and NT-proBNP for the first time in migraineurs, patients with other primary headache disorders and healthy controls. Methods Patients with episodic migraine with and without aura, episodic cluster headache, tension-type headache and healthy controls were included. Blood samples were obtained during migraine attacks and headache-free periods in migraineurs, in and out of bout in cluster headache and during headache-free periods in tension-type headache and healthy individuals to analyze markers of endothelial function. Results No significant difference in endothelial markers between migraine, other headache disorders and healthy controls was detected. There was no significant difference between migraine attacks and headache-free intervals. Additionally, no distinction could be found between migraine with and without aura. Discussion The endothelial markers analyzed do not display a characteristic pattern in different headache disorders especially migraine compared to healthy controls. The novel findings of our study indicate that factors other than endothelial dysfunction seem to be responsible for the at least statistical association of migraine with vascular disease.
Measuring policy learning: regulatory impact assessment in Europe

Do analytic approaches to policy appraisal, specifically regulatory impact assessment (RIA), enable complex organizations to learn? To answer this question, this article distinguishes between types of learning (instrumental, legitimacy-seeking emulation, and political), spells out their micro-foundations, and formulates expectations about evidence drawing on the literature on knowledge utilization. Findings from Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the EU corroborate emulation and to some extent political learning rather than instrumental learning. The conclusions explain why some types of learning prevail over others.
The Mundell-Fleming Model a Quarter Century Later: A Unified Exposition

The Mundell-Fleming model of international macroeconomics originated in the early 1960s and has been extended during the ensuing quarter century. This paper develops an exposition that integrates the various facets of the model and incorporates its extensions into a unified analytical framework. Attention is given to (1) the distinction between short-run and long-run effects of policies, (2) the implications of debt and tax financing of government expenditures, and (3) the role of the exchange rate regime in this regard. By identifying the key mechanisms operating in the model, the exposition clarifies the model's limitations and facilitates comparison with other, more current approaches.
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor improves host defense to resuscitated shock and polymicrobial sepsis without provoking generalized neutrophil-mediated damage.

BACKGROUND Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) increases production and release of neutrophil precursors and activates multiple functions of circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). G-CSF has therapeutic effects in many experimental models of sepsis; its actions with superimposed reperfusion insults are unknown. In traumatic conditions, G-CSF could exacerbate unregulated, PMN-dependent injury to otherwise normal host tissue or, it could partially reverse trauma-induced immune suppression, which may improve long-term outcome. This study tested whether stimulating PMN proliferation and function with G-CSF during recovery from trauma+sepsis potentiated reperfusion injury or whether it improved host defense. METHODS Anesthetized swine were subjected to cecal ligation and incision, 35% hemorrhage, and 1 hr of hypotension. Resuscitation consisted of intravenous G-CSF (5 microg/kg) or placebo followed by shed blood and 40 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution. The control group received laparotomy only. G-CSF or placebo was given daily. Animals were killed at 4 days. Observers, blind to the protocol, graded autopsy samples for localization of infection and quality of abscess wall formation. Data included complete blood count, granulocyte oxidative burst after phorbol myristate acetate stimulation in vitro (GO2B), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell count, BAL noncellular protein, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor production in whole blood in vitro (lipopolysaccharide-tumor necrosis factor), and lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS Neutrophilia and localization of infection, were significantly improved by G-CSF. Variables altered by G-CSF, though not significantly, showed GO2B potential increased by 50%, lipopolysaccharide-tumor necrosis factor decreased by 50%, and improved survival versus placebo (100% vs. 70%). G-CSF did not increase lung MPO, BAL cell count, or BAL protein. Both arterial and venous O2 saturations were unaltered. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that G-CSF initiated at the time of resuscitation reduced the sequelae of posttrauma sepsis by increasing PMN proliferation and function without potentiating PMN-mediated lung reperfusion injury.
Power Supply Noise in Bang-Bang Control Class D Amplifier

In this paper, the effect of power supply noise, qualified by power supply rejection ratio (PSRR), on bang-bang control class D amplifier (BCCD) is investigated. By modeling the BCCD with power supply noise, the mechanisms are modeled. Further, by means of a novel analysis based on a double-Fourier series, the parameters related to power supply noise is derived and thereafter expressions for PSRR are derived. The analyses are verified by means of computer simulations and by measurements on practical circuits. The relationships derived herein provide good insight to the design of BCCDs, including how various parameters may be varied/optimized to meet a given PSRR specification.
Epidemiology and outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Experience from a regional cancer center in Southern India

Abstract Context: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare head and neck cancer with significant geographical variation. There are limited data on epidemiology and outcomes of NPC reported from Southern India. Settings and Design: Retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods: We analyzed our hospital data between January 2005 and December 2011 with NPC and analyzed their demographic parameters and outcomes with therapy. Results: A total 143 cases of NPC were identified. Median age at presentation was 35 years with male predominance. Majority (84%) of the cases had the WHO Type 3 histology. Nodal metastasis at presentation was seen in 90% of the cases, majority being bilateral. Distant metastasis was seen in 16% of the cases, most commonly at bone, lung, and liver. Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin was offered to 84.7% of localized disease while 80% of these also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Complete remission and partial remission were achieved in 66.1% and 15.2% of the cases, respectively. Weekly cisplatin was well tolerated with Grade 3–4 toxicity seen in 22% of cases. At a median follow-up of 20 months, 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 67.2% and 79.5%, respectively. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software version 20. Conclusion: NPC is a rare head and neck malignancy in Southern India, presenting with advanced stage and more propensity to distant metastasis. It has good outcomes to concurrent chemoradiation with weekly schedule of cisplatin being well-tolerated regime. Further prospective studies to test this schedule and other novel agents in this potentially curable malignancy are warranted.
New Perspective on FX Markets: Order-Flow Analysis

Though fundamental and technical analysis are still widely used in foreign exchange markets, a new type of analysis has emerged: order-flow analysis. Order-flow analysis uses the flow of buy and sell orders to both explain exchange rates contemporaneously and forecast future movements. This article contrasts order-flow analysis with the traditional approaches and reviews lessons learned. Most important among those lessons is order flow's ability to account for the lion's share of movements in the major floating rates. On the policy front, widespread availability of electronic order-flow data brings many policy questions within reach for the first time. After reviewing these policy questions, the article closes with a discussion of how FX market institutions are evolving and how this evolution will affect application of order-flow analysis in the future. Copyright 2001 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
CRIMINAL DETERRENCE IN THE REDUCED FORM: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON EHRLICH'S SEMINAL STUDY

Ehrlich (1973) is perhaps the best-known and most influential study of criminal deterrence. Isaac Ehrlich's structural estimation of a three-equation simultaneous system found large and significant direct deterrent effects of penalties on crime rates. However, recent theoretical results show that higher penalties may indirectly increase crime rates by reducing the probability of conviction. Hence, a reduced-form model is needed to learn the total effect of penalties on crime rates. Using such a model, the author finds that the marginal deterrent effects reported by Ehrlich vanish. This result generates much different policy implications than those widely adopted following Ehrlich's publication. Copyright 1995 by Oxford University Press.
Changing practice: An evaluation of the impact of a nature of science inquiry-based professional development programme on primary teachers

Abstract This study investigates how a two-year continuing professional development (CPD) programme, with an emphasis on teaching about science through inquiry, impacted the experiences of, approaches to and attitudes towards teaching science of 17 primary teachers in Dublin. Data sources included interview, questionnaire and reflective journal strategies. Data gathering focussed primarily on enabling teachers to reflect on their experiences of teaching about science through inquiry while implementing the Irish primary science curriculum. Teachers were also asked to consider their own changes in teaching science, as change in practice is a key indicator of successful professional intervention. Encouragingly the findings have shown that participation in this CPD programme appears to have been central to empowering these Dublin teachers to break away from rather traditional, didactic, theory-laden views of science teaching and to tackle more child-led, open-ended modes of learning. The data also revealed a number of aspects of the CPD model which the teachers perceived to be beneficial at translating inquiry into their classrooms, in particular: the active, hands-on approaches; the collaboration and the duration of the CPD itself. Based on the findings of this study, implications for professional development are considered.
Body Mass Index and Elbow Range of Motion in a Healthy Pediatric Population: A Possible Mechanism of Overweight in Children

Background: Childhood overweight has become a serious health problem among children and adolescents in the United States. No previous study, to our knowledge, has analyzed the effect of body mass index (BMI) on range of motion and carrying angle of the elbow joint in a healthy pediatric population. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of BMI on orthopedic parameters of the elbow joint, including range of motion, flexion, extension, and carrying angle. Study Participants and Methods: Healthy children age 2 to 18 years (mean 12.0 ± 3.9 years) were recruited at an urban pediatric orthopedic clinic as pediatric orthopedic patients or as the siblings or friends of patients. Measures of range of motion (flexion and extension) and carrying angle of 226 elbows and of BMI from 113 study participants were analyzed. Results: BMI was negatively correlated with right and left elbow range of motion (r = −0.54, P < 0.01; r = −0.43, P < 0.01) and right and left elbow flexion (r = −0.59, P < 0.01; r = −0.50, P < 0.01). BMI had a positive correlation with right elbow extension (r = 0.20, P = 0.04). BMI did not correlate with left elbow extension or right or left carrying angle. After adjustment for age, sex, and ethnic group, BMI was associated with right (P < 0.01) and left (P < 0.01) elbow range of motion. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that increased BMI in children is negatively correlated with range of motion of the elbow joint. Further studies are needed to evaluate the consequences of impaired range of motion associated with overweight on activity levels and energy expenditure in growing children and adolescents.