Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OPERATIVE TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR THORACIC SPINAL CORD HERNIATION: THREE NEW CASES AND AN INDIVIDUAL PATIENT DATA META‐ANALYSIS OF 126 CASE REPORTS

OBJECTIVE Anterior thoracic spinal cord herniation is a rare cause of progressive myelopathy. Much has been speculated about the best operative treatment. However, no evidence in favor of any of the promoted techniques is available to date. Therefore, we decided to analyze treatment procedures and treatment outcomes of anterior thoracic spinal cord herniation to identify those factors that determine postoperative outcome. METHODS An individual patient data meta-analysis was conducted, focusing on age, gender, vertebral segment of herniation, preoperative neurological status, operative interval, operative findings, operative techniques, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, postoperative imaging, neurological outcome and follow-up. Three cases from our own institution were added to the material collected. Bivariate analysis tests and multivariate logistic regression tests were used so as to define which variables were associated with outcome after surgical treatment of anterior thoracic spinal cord herniation. RESULTS Brown-Séquard syndrome and release of the herniated spinal cord appeared to be strong independent factors, associated with favorable postoperative outcome. Widening of the dura defect is associated with the highest prevalence of postoperative motor function improvement when compared with the application of an anterior dura patch (P < 0.036). CONCLUSION Most patients with anterior thoracic spinal cord herniation require operative treatment because of progressive myelopathy. Patients with Brown-Séquard syndrome have a better prognosis with respect to postoperative motor function improvement. In this review, spinal cord release and subsequent widening of the dura defect were associated with the highest prevalence of motor function improvement. D-wave recording can be a very useful tool for the surgeon during operative treatment of this disorder.
Simulation of FIRE II Reentry Flow Using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Method

assumption is used to enforce charge neutrality in the flow. The sensitivity of the results for the noncontinuum flow condition are examined with respect to the molecular interaction model for all colliding pairs, and the vibrational relaxation model for collisions of electrons and nitrogen molecules. The results indicate that the degree of ionization of the flow field and the surface heat flux are insensitive to variations in both models. Experimentally and computationally determined total collision cross section data for the interaction of electrons and neutral particles are incorporated into the molecular interaction model. This modification again results in little change to the results for the noncontinuum flow condition. When possible, the simulation results are compared to previous results and to experimental data. The heat flux to the vehicle surface computed using the eleven species chemistry model agrees reasonably well with the data obtained during the FIRE II reentry at the noncontinuum flow condition. In the near continuum regime, the predicted heat flux shows reasonable agreement with the measured data provided the radiative component is included.
A virtual training system for aging employees in machine operation

This paper presents a virtual training system for machine operation that is addressing the aging workforce. Targeting the needs and capabilities of aging employees is inevitable to address the ongoing demographic change and remain competitive. The proposed system is composed of a virtual representation of a machine and a control panel on a separate tablet computer. The paper describes the didactic approach, the interaction modalities, and how the system can be adapted to the capabilities of its users. A sample scenario describes the application of the concept in a prototype.
Listeria monocytogenes Associated with New Zealand Seafood Production and Clinical Cases: Unique Sequence Types, Truncated InlA, and Attenuated Invasiveness

ABSTRACT Listeriosis is caused by the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, which can be found in seafood and processing plants. To evaluate the risk to human health associated with seafood production in New Zealand, multi-virulence-locus sequence typing (MVLST) was used to define the sequence types (STs) of 31 L. monocytogenes isolates collected from seafood-processing plants, 15 from processed foods, and 6 from human listeriosis cases. The STs of these isolates were then compared with those from a collection of seafood isolates and epidemic strains from overseas. A total of 17 STs from New Zealand clustered into two lineages: seafood-related isolates in lineages I and II and all human isolates in lineage II. None of the New Zealand STs matched previously described STs from other countries. Isolates (belonging to ST01-N and ST03-N) from mussels and their processing environments, however, were identical to those of sporadic listeriosis cases in New Zealand. ST03-N isolates (16 from mussel-processing environments, 2 from humans, and 1 from a mussel) contained an inlA premature stop codon (PMSC) mutation. Therefore, the levels of invasiveness of 22 isolates from ST03-N and the three other common STs were compared using human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell lines. STs carrying inlA PMSCs, including ST03-N isolates associated with clinical cases, had a low invasion phenotype. The close relatedness of some clinical and environmental strains, as revealed by identical MVLST profiles, suggests that local and persistent environmental strains in seafood-processing environments pose a potential health risk. Furthermore, a PMSC in inlA does not appear to give L. monocytogenes a noninvasive profile.
The DCIEM map task corpus: spontaneous dialogue under sleep deprivation and drug treatment

The paper describes a resource for the study of spontaneous speech under stress, a corpus of 216 unscripted task-oriented dialogues conducted by normal Canadian adults in the course of a sleep deprivation experiment under 3 drug conditions. Speakers carried out the route-communication task in alternation with a battery of other tasks over a 6-day study which included a 60-hour sleepless period. Each speaker participated in 12 dialogues. The design permits comparisons within speakers for sleep deprivation (baseline, deprived, post-recovery), and between speakers for drug condition (placebo, d-amphetamine, Modafinil) and number of conversational partners encountered. Preliminary examination of dialogue length, task performance, and aspects of dialogue strategy indicate effects of all these variables. Effects of sleep-deprivation and drug condition are less severe than those found in simpler tasks.
Nile blue histochemical method for phospholipids.

The technic recommended is: Fix 6–12 hr. in 10% formalin containing 1% CaCl2. Cut frozen sections without embedding or after gelatin or carbowax. Stain 90 min. at 60°C. in saturated aqueous Nile blue sulfate, 500 ml. plus 50 ml. of 0.5% H2SO4, boiled 2 hr. before use. Rinse in distilled water, and place in acetone heated to 50°C. Remove the acetone from the source of heat and allow the sections to remain 30 min. Differentiate in 5% acetic acid 30 min., rinse in distilled water, and refine the differentiation in 0.5% HCl for 3 min. Wash in several changes of distilled water and mount in glycerol jelly. Results: phospholipids – blue; everything else – unstained. Counterstaining nuclei with safranin is optional, but if done, it preferably precedes the Nile blue and is then differentiated by the acetic acid. The histochemical principles on which the method is based are as follows: (1) The calcium compounds of phospholipids combine with the oxazine form of Nile blue sulfate and survive subsequent treatment; (2.
Partial attitude and rate gyro bias estimation: observability analysis, filter design, and performance evaluation

This article presents the analysis, design, and performance evaluation of a novel filter for partial attitude and rate gyro bias estimation. In addition to a single body-fixed vector observation of a constant reference vector in inertial coordinates, biased angular velocity measurements are available for filtering purposes, which occurs directly in the space of the vector observations. Appropriate observability conditions are derived and a filter with globally asymptotically stable (GAS) error dynamics is proposed. Simulation and experimental results are detailed, with ground truth data for comparison purposes, that illustrate the achievable performance of the envisioned solutions.
Antifungal activity of extracts from Cynomorium coccineum growing wild in Sardinia island (Italy)

Cynomorium coccineum L. is a non-photosynthetic plant, spread over Mediterranean countries, amply used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the antifungal activity of its extracts. The antifungal activity was evaluated using the macrodilution method against Candida spp. , Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophyte strains. The methanolic extract was very active against C. neoformans, Candida guilliermondii and Candida krusei, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values of 0.025 mg/mL. This extract is more active than fluconazole against C. krusei H9. The influence of methanolic extract on the dimorphic transition in Candida albicans was also studied through the germ tube inhibition assay. More than 60% of filamentation was inhibited at a concentration of 1/4 MIC. These results are preliminary and further studies are needed to an eventual use of C. coccineum methanolic extract in the treatments of candidiasis and cryptococcosis.
Generic vertical handover prediction algorithm for 4G wireless networks

Vertical handover predictions require intelligent algorithm to coordinate heterogeneous access technologies in the 4G-communication system. Although much attention is being given to the handover architecture in most of the literatures, little is mentioned about estimating user movement and prediction for improving the reliability of the access of the underlying system architecture. In an effort to reduce the data loss probability, the Generic Prediction Algorithm (GPA) adopts specimens of received signal strength (RSS) as augment to compute the predictive received signal strength. Received signal strength (RSS), bandwidth (BW), and service cost (SC) are three QoS metrics considered as input parameters for Quantitative Decision Algorithm (QDA) of the divergent networks. The comparison of values of QDA of the networks is made to improve the vertical handover decision. A result of simulation shows that the algorithm proposed produces a better network performance in terms of link reliability.
Studying the Relationship between Talent Management and Workforce Productivity in Governmental Organizations of Bam City

The purpose of present research is to study the relationship between talent management (TM) and workforce productivity (WP) in governmental organizations of Bam City. The research method is descriptive-correlative and the universe includes all 3249 employees working in governmental organizations of Bam City. The sampling was done through Cochran formula and 344 employees were selected randomly as the sample size. The needed data were collected by means of Armstrong’s TM questionnaire (2006) and WP questionnaire of Hersey and Goldsmith (1980). The obtained data were analyzed by LISREL software and the hypotheses were tested by structural equations. The obtained results confirmed the positive and significant relationship between TM (talent acquisition, development and retaining) and WP.
Source attribution of 2010 cholera epidemic in Haiti

Regarding Haiti’s cholera epidemic, Hasan et al. (1) wrote, “a definitive statement of source attribution [origin cause in mid-October, 2010] cannot yet be made. ” We disagree. Their opinion omitted substantial epidemiological findings obtained early in the epidemic by Haitian investigators and a French epidemiologist (2). In addition, they did not cite a recently published summary of all available evidence on the epidemic origin, including additional epidemiological findings (3). This summary stated that “the onset of cholera in Haiti was not due to climatic factors and was not the direct consequence of the January 2010 earthquake. All of the scientific evidence shows that cholera was brought by a contingent of soldiers [UN peacekeeping troops] travelling from a country [Nepal] experiencing a cholera epidemic (3). ”
Effect of magnesium on calcium and oxalate ion binding.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Magnesium (Mg(2+)) has been shown to be a kidney stone inhibitor; however, the exact mechanism of its effect is unknown. Using theoretical models, the interactions of calcium and oxalate were examined in the presence of Mg(2+). METHODS Molecular dynamics simulations were performed with NAMD and CHARMM27 force field. The interaction between calcium (Ca(2+)) and oxalate (Ox(2-)) ions was examined with and without magnesium. Concentrations of calcium and oxalate were 0.1 M and 0.03 M, respectively, and placed in a cubic box of length ~115 Angstrom. Na(+) and Cl(-) ions were inserted to meet system electroneutrality. Mg(2+) was then placed into the box at physiologic concentrations and the interaction between calcium and oxalate was observed. In addition, the effect of citrate and pH were examined in regard to the effect of Mg(2+) inhibition. Each system was allowed to run until a stable crystalline structure was formed. RESULTS The presence of Mg(2+) reduces the average size of the calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate aggregates. This effect is found to be Mg(2+) concentration-dependent. It is also found that Mg(2+) inhibition is synergistic with citrate and continues to be effective at acidic pH levels. CONCLUSION The presence of magnesium ions tends to destabilize calcium oxalate ion pairs and reduce the size of their aggregates. Mg(2+) inhibitory effect is synergistic with citrate and remains effective in acidic environments. Further studies are needed to see if this can be applied to in vivo models as well as extending this to other stone inhibitors and promoters.
The Impact of CEO Regulatory Focus on the Adoption of Management Control Systems in Early-Stage Firms

Regulatory focus theory suggests that individuals tend to self-regulate through either a promotion focus or a prevention focus. A promotion-focused individual has an eagerness strategy, concerned with advancement and growth. A prevention-focused individual has a vigilance strategy, concerned with security and stability. I examine how the CEO’s regulatory focus impacts the mean adoption time of a formalized management control system (MCS) for early-stage firms. I posit that promotion-focused CEOs adopt MCS faster than prevention-focused CEOs, although the difference in adoption rate will be eliminated by the presence of outsider funding (equity or debt). I test the hypothesis using data from a field survey that resulted in a 2 x 2 between-subjects design. As predicted, there is no difference in the mean adoption time for promotion and prevention-focused CEOs when outsider funding is present, suggesting outsider funding mitigates a prevention-focused CEO’s cautious tendency when allocating resources to implement new control systems.
Rapid Oocyte Growth and Artificial Fertilization of the Larvaceans Oikopleura dioica and Oikopleura longicauda

Abstract We describe here rapid gamete growth and artificial fertilization method of species of the larvaceans (appendicularians), Oikopleura dioica and O. longicauda (Family Oikopleuridae: Class Appendicularia: Subphylum Urochordata). In these species, oocytes grew very rapidly from about 40 μm in diameter to about 75 μm (O. dioica) and 110 μm (O. longicauda), respectively within a few hr. Moreover, cutting off the gonads at the last phase of the growth stage yielded matured gametes. The eggs and sperm obtained by the dissection of gonads could be fertilized when they were mixed together.
Kinematic calibration and geometrical parameter identification for robots

A technique is presented for the calibration of robots based on a maximum-likelihood approach for the identification of geometrical errors. A new experimental setup is presented for measurement of the end-reflector position errors. The errors of position and orientation of the measuring device are included in the algorithm and identified. Tests have been carried out on a robot with six degrees of freedom. Tests show that this technique can reduce the mean error distance by a factor of more than 15. Compensation algorithms are presented, based on the improved knowledge of the geometrical model. >
A sub-0.5-V operating embedded SRAM featuring a multi-bit-error-immune hidden-ECC scheme

The mobile multi-media applications require to lower the operating voltage of embedded SRAMs. The ECC circuit implementation for increasing soft-error and the access timing control that tracks access delay fluctuation in memory core should be considered for the low-voltage operation. A hidden error-check-and-correction (HECC) scheme compensated the access time penalty caused by the ECC logic on the output critical path. And a multi-column ECC word assignment (MCE) increased the multi-bit-error immunity while using only 1-bit-correctable ECC which minimized area penalty. A source-level-adjusted direct sense amplifier (SLAD) and a write-replica circuit with an asymmetrical replica memory cell (WRAM) for the device-fluctuation-tolerant access control were also designed. A 130-nm CMOS 32-Kbit SRAM-macro was fabricated with these circuit techniques, which demonstrated: 1) 0.3-V operation with 6.8 MHz; 2) 30-MHz operation which is feasible for mobile use even at 0.4 V, while keeping 960MHz at 1.5 V; and 3) a reduction by 3.6/spl times/10/sup 5/ in soft-error rate compared with that of conventional ECC.
Menadione-Induced Oxidative Stress Inhibits Cholecystokinin-Stimulated Secretion of Pancreatic Acini by Cell Dehydration

The present study evaluated the effects of free radicals generated by menadione on morphology and function of pancreatic acinar cells focusing on enzyme secretion, stimulus-secretion coupling, and cell hydration. Various experiments evaluated morphology and function of isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells exposed to menadione. Menadione instantaneously generated free radicals (luminol and deoxyribose assays) followed by a time-dependent cell injury (uptake of trypan blue). Early ultrastructural changes included vacuolization and alterations of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleus. Menadione caused a rapid glutathione oxidation followed by a depletion in reduced glutathione. An increase in lipid peroxides and a depletion of adenosine triphosphate were seen only after 30–60 minutes. Menadione markedly inhibited amylase release stimulated by cholecystokinin (CCK) and carbachol and simultaneously caused cell shrinkage after a few minutes. Similar degrees of cell shrinkage induced by hyperosmolar incubation and by menadione inhibited amylase secretion to a similar extent. CCK binding and its effect on calcium and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) were not affected by menadione. Menadione (without CCK) induced an instantaneous increase of intracellular calcium followed by a slow constant increase. In single cells, menadione induced calcium oscillations with a frequency lower than that seen after CCK stimulation. Some morphologic and functional alterations owing to menadione-induced oxidative stress may be caused by adenosine triphosphate and glutathione depletion, lipid peroxidation, and changes in cytosolic calcium. The marked inhibition of secretagogue-stimulated enzyme secretion owing to menadione may be mediated to a large part by cell dehydration, whereas classical steps of stimulus-secretion coupling like receptor binding, calcium release, and IP3 generation remained unchanged.
Vendor Selection Model for a Manufacturing Company: An Analytical Research Approach

The study focuses on the vendor selection process in a manufacturing organization. In present days, manufacturing organizations use their supply chain to complete their production as per schedule and meet the delivery in time. Every manufacturing organization has their own way of selecting their vendors. The researchers have worked in this direction to find out an effective vendor selection process and suggested to consider different factors for selecting a vendor. An attempt has been made in this study to critically analyze the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a developed decision-making tool that can be used to select the most suitable vendor. The AHP has been used while conducting this study to ascertain the weightage of selected decision criteria. A vendor selection model has been developed which can be used in real-life situations to take better decision based on most accepted determinants of vendor selection.
Exploring the Feasibility of a Strategic Alliance Approach to Telecommunications Provision in Rural Municipalities

Rural communities require means for obtaining access to affordable broadband infrastructure and services to meet their economic development, education, and quality of life objectives. Due to the comparatively low potential for return on investment in serving isolated rural communities, the private sector telecommunications providers have proved unwilling or unable to provide beyond the very basic services for rural communities. Private sector providers must maximize their return on investment as it is their responsibility to shareholders. Return on investment is maximized in urban areas as opposed to rural areas because the high capital cost per connection is higher in rural areas; the operating cost per connection is higher; and the revenues per connection tend to be lower. This thesis explores the feasibility of municipal and private sector provider strategic alliances as an approach to provisioning rural areas with improved telecommunications infrastructure and services. As a means of determining whether the possibility exists of a ‘meeting of the minds’ between municipalities and private sector telecommunications providers, a series of interviews was conducted. Common themes from the interviews were analyzed for areas of mutual interest and of polarized perspectives. In pursuing an alliance model, communities may need to consider less than the optimal technological solution in exchange for the opportunity to exemplify the ability to collaborate with a willing private sector partner. The results suggest that, while the prospects for strategic alliances as an emerging business model appear dim, opportunities do exist for rural communities and small private sector companies to find mutual interest on an exceptional basis in developing strategies for access to telecommunications infrastructure and services.