Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of high-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis: randomized participant blind controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for plantar fasciitis. Design: A participant blind randomized controlled trial with parallel group design and an active comparator with follow-up at four weeks. Settings: Outpatient, University hospital. Subjects: Unilateral plantar fasciitis participants (n = 102) were randomly assigned into two groups. Recruitment period was from January 2017 to April 2019. Interventions: Interventions included eight sessions of laser therapy over three weeks and single session of patient education. The HILT group (n = 51) received HILT and the LLLT group (n = 51) received LLLT. Main measures: Primary outcomes: visual analogue scale; secondary outcomes: pressure algometry, sonography of plantar fascia thickness (time frame: baseline to three-week and four-week follow-up) and numeric rating scale (0%–100%) for opinion of participants on effect of treatment (time frame: three weeks). Data presented: mean (SD) or n (%). Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups according to visual analogue scale (pain in general reduction in three weeks: 2.57(3.45) vs. 2.88(3.28) cm), pressure algometry (pain threshold difference between healthy and affected heel reduction in three weeks: 1.80(6.39) vs. 1.77(2.85) kg) and sonography measurements (plantar fascia thickness difference between healthy and affected heel reduction in three weeks: 0.19(0.56) vs. 0.30(0.57) mm). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in participants’ opinion in favor to HILT group (efficacy of treatment better than 50%: 26(51%) vs. 37(73%)). Conclusion: No statistically significant difference between groups was observed.
Measurement of the mean aspect ratio and two characteristic dimensions of polydisperse arbitrary shaped nanoparticles, using translational-rotational ultrafast image-based dynamic light scattering

In this paper, we propose a method to determine the mean value of two characteristic dimensions and the mean aspect ratio of a sample of polydisperse arbitrary shaped nanoparticles named translational-rotational ultrafast image-based dynamic light scattering (TR-UIDLS), which is extended from the ultrafast image-based dynamic light scattering. In TR-UIDLS, rigid arbitrary shaped nanoparticles characterized by two characteristic dimensions, are in Brownian motion in a solvent. They are illuminated by a vertically polarized focused Gaussian beam. A camera records the light scattered by the particles, in vertical-vertical polarization geometry and then in vertical-horizontal polarization geometry. By studying the light fluctuation recorded by the camera in both polarization geometries we can determine the mean values of the translational and rotational diffusion coefficients of the particles in the sample, using a model based on a rod-like/disk-like particle that is equivalent to the particles in the measurement volume during the time between when two consecutive pictures are taken. We have measured a sample of rod-like particles using scanning electron microscopy and compared the dimensions and aspect ratio with those measured using TR-UIDLS. The potential of TR-UIDLS to measure the distributions of translational and rotational diffusion coefficients, aspect ratio, length/thickness, and diameter of a polydisperse sample of nanoparticles is also discussed.
Qualitative and quantitative approach to assess the potential for automating administrative tasks in general practice

Objective To identify the extent to which administrative tasks carried out by primary care staff in general practice could be automated. Design A mixed-method design including ethnographic case studies, focus groups, interviews and an online survey of automation experts. Setting Three urban and three rural general practice health centres in England selected for differences in list size and organisational characteristics. Participants Observation and interviews with 65 primary care staff in the following job roles: administrator, manager, general practitioner, healthcare assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, practice nurse, pharmacist, prescription clerk, receptionist, scanning clerk, secretary and medical summariser; together with a survey of 156 experts in automation technologies. Methods 330 hours of ethnographic observation and documentation of administrative tasks carried out by staff in each of the above job roles, followed by coding and classification; semistructured interviews with 10 general practitioners and 6 staff focus groups. The online survey of machine learning, artificial intelligence and robotics experts was analysed using an ordinal Gaussian process prediction model to estimate the automatability of the observed tasks. Results The model predicted that roughly 44% of administrative tasks carried out by staff in general practice are ‘mostly’ or ‘completely’ automatable using currently available technology. Discussions with practice staff underlined the need for a cautious approach to implementation. Conclusions There is considerable potential to extend the use of automation in primary care, but this will require careful implementation and ongoing evaluation.
The effect of diaphragm fatigue on the multidimensional components of dyspnoea and diaphragm electromyography during exercise in healthy males

Diaphragm fatigue may increase the intensity (sensory dimension) and unpleasantness (affective dimension) of dyspnoea, which may partially explain why diaphragm fatigue negatively affects exercise performance. We hypothesized that diaphragm fatigue would negatively affect exercise performance via increases in both the intensity and unpleasantness of dyspnoea, and that the increase in dyspnoea would be mechanistically linked to an increase in diaphragmatic EMG (EMGdi), a surrogate measure of neural respiratory drive. Fatiguing the diaphragm prior to exercise reduced cycling performance and increased both the intensity and unpleasantness of dyspnoea. The change in submaximal dyspnoea unpleasantness was significantly correlated with the change in cycling performance. Pre‐fatigue of the diaphragm did not increase EMGdi during exercise and is therefore unrelated to the increase in either the sensory or affective dimension of exertional dyspnoea.
Prevalence, Disability and Associated Factors of Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Pain among Musicians: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Background: Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent complaints among instrumental musicians. The aims of this study were: to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain; to evaluate neck, shoulder, and lower back disability; and to determine the associated factors with the presence of musculoskeletal pain among musicians. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. We selected Spaniard musicians over 16 years old who played a musical instrument for at least five hours per week. They answered the Spanish versions of the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index. Results: We found 94.8% of musicians presented at least one symptomatic region in the last 12 months, and 72.3% in the last seven days. Female musicians (OR 4.38, CI 2.11−9.12), musicians with overweight or obesity (OR 5.32, CI 2.18−12.97), and musicians who play more than 14 h per week (OR 3.86, CI 1.80−8.29)were shown to be a higher risk of suffering musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders symptoms are highly prevalent in musicians. The main risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders symptoms were gender (being female), overweight, obesity, and spending playing more than 14 h a week practicing. This study highlights the need to provide strategies to prevent occupational disabilities among musicians. Further studies are needed to analyse the prevalence of pain in the musician using other sampling methods.
Antidepressant effects of 3‐(3,4‐methylenedioxy‐5‐trifluoromethyl phenyl)‐2E‐propenoic acid isobutyl amide involve TSPO‐mediated mitophagy signalling pathway

Piper laetispicum C. DC is one of the Chinese herbal medicines used for alleviating depressive disorders. G11‐5 [3‐(3, 4‐methylenedioxy‐5‐trifluoromethyl phenyl)‐2E‐propenoic acid isobutyl amide] is synthesized based on the chemical structure of an active integrant of Piper laetispicum C. DC. The present study assessed the antidepressant effect of G11‐5 and investigated the underlying mechanism with learned helplessness (LH) and social defeat stress (SDS) mice model of depression. In the LH model, mice were exposed to 60 inescapable electric shocks once a day for three consecutive days followed by 2‐week drug administration and helpless behaviour assessment. In the SDS model, mice were subjected to repeated social defeat by an aggressive CD‐1 mouse once a day for consecutive 10 days. Following oral administration for 2 weeks, the mice were subjected to a series of behavioural tests including social interaction test. G11‐5 significantly decreased the number of escape failures induced by LH paradigm, meanwhile increased the social interaction ratio and shortened the immobility time in forced swimming test for the SDS‐exposed mice, suggesting remarkable antidepressant effect. Moreover, G11‐5 ameliorated the changes in mitophagy‐related proteins induced by two stress exposures and restored retrograde axonal transport and neurotransmitter release. Our findings suggested that G11‐5 exhibited an obvious antidepressant through TSPO‐mediated mitophagy pathway.
Hepatocyte-specific TAK1 deficiency drives RIPK1 kinase-dependent inflammation to promote liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Significance TAK1 deficiency has been shown to promote liver cancers; however, the mechanism is unclear. Here we show that TAK1 deficiency promotes RIPK1-mediated inflammation to promote cancer development. Our study highlights the role of RIPK1 as an important driver of inflammatory cytokine production in livers, which includes CCL2 and CCR2+ macrophage infiltration that are prominent in human pathology from liver pathology, and implications for additional human diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Transforming growth factor β-activated kinase1 (TAK1) encoded by the gene MAP3K7 regulates multiple important downstream effectors involved in immune response, cell death, and carcinogenesis. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of TAK1 in Tak1ΔHEP mice promotes liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) formation. Here, we report that genetic inactivation of RIPK1 kinase using a kinase dead knockin D138N mutation in Tak1ΔHEP mice inhibits the expression of liver tumor biomarkers, liver fibrosis, and HCC formation. Inhibition of RIPK1, however, has no or minimum effect on hepatocyte loss and compensatory proliferation, which are the recognized factors important for liver fibrosis and HCC development. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we discovered that inhibition of RIPK1 strongly suppresses inflammation induced by hepatocyte-specific loss of TAK1. Activation of RIPK1 promotes the transcription of key proinflammatory cytokines, such as CCL2, and CCR2+ macrophage infiltration. Our study demonstrates the role and mechanism of RIPK1 kinase in promoting inflammation, both cell-autonomously and cell-nonautonomously, in the development of liver fibrosis and HCC, independent of cell death, and compensatory proliferation. We suggest the possibility of inhibiting RIPK1 kinase as a therapeutic strategy for reducing liver fibrosis and HCC development by inhibiting inflammation.
Effects of agricultural development on processing of tussock leaf litter in high country New Zealand streams

SUMMARY 1. We compare the rates and mechanisms of processing of tussock (Chionochloa spp.) leaf litter in six New Zealand streams draining grassland catchments that contrast in the extent to which they have been developed for pasture. 2. Rates of processing, measured as rate of weight loss of leaf packs and rate of leaf softening, were at the slow end of the spectrum for vascular plant processing. Processing was faster at developed sites, mediated mainly through the influence of oxidized nitrogen concentration on microbial activity. 3. Few invertebrate shredders colonized leaf packs and it is unlikely that invertebrates had an appreciable effect on leaf processing in our study streams, which do not effectively retain leaf litter. Very small headwater tributaries appear to retain leaf litter and possess a more abundant shredder community. 4. Measures of leaf processing in our six streams were significantly correlated with Petersen's (1992) RCE score of stream condition. We discuss the potential for using rate of leaf litter processing as a method of bioassessment. 5. Even the most degraded stream in our study is classed as ‘good’ using the RCE inventory system. Human impact in the Taieri River is relatively small compared with the degradation observed in some parts of the world.
The Media Welfare State: Why such a concept, what is it used for, does it have a future?

Abstract In 2014, Syvertsen, Enli, Mjøs, and Moe authored The Media Welfare State: Nordic Media in a Digital Era to explore the specificities of Nordic media and the analogy between welfare state and media structures. In this short article, we point to how selected works challenge or extend the notions of a media welfare state beyond the original analysis. We begin by placing the work in a tradition of comparative and typology-generating scholarship and point to parallel works emerging at the same time. We then highlight others’ contributions in order to identify tendencies in Nordic media and research. In conclusion, we use examples from current research to argue that changes in the media system may be studied from both the angle of changing media policies and that of changing welfare states.
Preservation of Genetic Variation in a Breeding Population for Long-Term Genetic Gain

Genomic selection has been successfully implemented in plant and animal breeding. The transition of parental selection based on phenotypic characteristics to genomic selection (GS) has reduced breeding time and cost while accelerating the rate of genetic progression. Although breeding methods have been adapted to include genomic selection, parental selection often involves truncation selection, selecting the individuals with the highest genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) in the hope that favorable properties will be passed to their offspring. This ensures genetic progression and delivers offspring with high genetic values. However, several favorable quantitative trait loci (QTL) alleles risk being eliminated from the breeding population during breeding. We show that this could reduce the mean genetic value that the breeding population could reach in the long term with up to 40%. In this paper, by means of a simulation study, we propose a new method for parental mating that is able to preserve the genetic variation in the breeding population, preventing premature convergence of the genetic values to a local optimum, thus maximizing the genetic values in the long term. We do not only prevent the fixation of several unfavorable QTL alleles, but also demonstrate that the genetic values can be increased by up to 15 percentage points compared with truncation selection.
miR-30a-3p participates in the development of asthma by targeting CCR3

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the role and relevant mechanism of miR-30a-3p action in asthma. The results of this study revealed that the expression levels of miR-30a-3p were significantly decreased in the peripheral blood of asthmatic patients. In addition, we found that the CC chemokine receptor (CCR3) was a target of miR-30a-3p. Subsequently, an asthma mouse model was established using ovalbumin (OVA). The results showed that the expression of miR-30a-3p and CCR3 was downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in the peripheral blood of asthmatic mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in asthmatic mouse serum demonstrated that miR-30a-3p mimic treatment significantly decreased the secretion of OVA-specific IgE, eotaxin-1, interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-4. These results suggested that miR-30a-3p inhibited CCR3 signaling pathway and relieved the inflammatory response against asthma in vivo. Eosinophils have also been implicated in the asthmatic inflammatory response. Therefore, the in vitro effects of miR-30a-3p on eosinophil activity were determined. Findings suggested that miR-30a-3p mimic significantly reduced eosinophil viability and migration and induced apoptosis. In addition, CCR3 and eotaxin-1 downregulation were observed. The aforementioned results were significantly reversed following CCR3 overexpression. This study suggested that miR-30a-3p was involved in asthma by regulating eosinophil activity and targeting CCR3.
Systematic Anatomy of Cyclanthaceae (Monocotyledoneae)-An Overview

A recent survey of lamina and stem anatomy of Cyclanthaceae, including information from species that represent ca. 25% of the family, allows a comparison with Pandanaceae and Palmae, which have putative affinities with the Cyclanthaceae. The three families are readily distinguished by a number of discrete morphological and anatomical features. We present synopses and diagnostic keys with special emphasis on lamina anatomy. The subdivision of the Cyclanthaceae proposed by Harling is supported by anatomical evidence, but, because of anatomical similarities, related genera may not always be clearly separated solely by lamina anatomy. The Palmae are especially isolated. Their distinctive features include a closed tubular leaf base, silica bodies in specialized cells (stegmata), exclusively simple stem vascular bundles, and vessels (sometimes with simple perforation plates) in stem, leaf, and root. Pandanaceae are distinguished, among other features, by cubical crystal bodies, an open leaf base, compound stem bundles without basipetal fusion, and possible lack of vessels in stem and leaf. Cyclanthaceae have an open leaf sheath but lack both silica bodies and cubical crystals, and commonly have mucilage cavities and diverse structural features (laticifers, styloids, parenchyma-like dead cells, tannin-like star figures) that, however, are not ubiquitous. In stems, vessels with long scalariform perforation plates occur in Thoracocarpus. Compound stem bundles show basipetal fusion of a distinctive kind. Sympodial branching below a terminal inflorescence occurs in some Cyclanthaceae and especially in the Pandanaceae, but never in the Palmae. In contrast, features by which these three families are traditionally associated seem superficial.
Assessment of the Influence of Dependent Variable Distribution on Selected Goodness of Fit Measures Using the Example of Customer Churn Model

Abstract Classification models enable optimal actions to be taken at every stage of the customer’s lifecycle. A circumstance affecting both the model building process and the assessment of their discriminatory power is the unbalanced distribution of the dichotomous dependent variable. The article focuses on the question of reliable assessment of the goodness of fit. The first part of the article reviews the measures of predictive power and then assesses the impact of the distribution of the dependent variable on the selected measures of goodness of fit. As a result, the high sensitivity of a number of measures such as lift, accuracy (ACC), or F-Score was observed. The sensitivity of MCC and Kappa Cohen’s measurements was also observed. Sensitivity (SENS) and specificity (SPEC), Youden’s index and measures based on ROC curves showed no such sensitivity. The conclusions obtained may allow the avoidance of misjudging the predictive power of models built for both learning and business practice.
Financial leasing in Albania and the impact that internal factors of a SME would have on the probability to be financed by lease

Abstract Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy and their need to be financed remains one of the most discussed topics in the business world (World Bank, 2014; IFC, 2010). Financial leasing is a midterm financial instrument mainly used for the procurement of machinery, equipment, tools and/or property (IFC, 2009). Although the financial leasing in Albania started in 2001, this form of business financing has experienced difficulties in spreading, getting recognised and being used by the public in Europe which is different from other countries. About 19 years after the creation of the first leasing companies, this financing option continues to be used at a low scale by businesses and individuals and it remains segmented into the market despite its large potential and the need for financing similar to SMEs. Why is financial leasing not yet used in Albania and which are some of the factors that would influence its use in the future? The purpose of this article is to identify the reasons of why the financial leasing market in Albania is in stagnation and understand some of the factors that influence the demand from a SME to be financed through lease. To achieve this and understand firms’ behaviour, questionnaire has been distributed to companies that have used lease to finance their asts and those that have never used it before. The model used to analyse the results of the questionnaires is the logistic regression. As we will see through the article, factors in need for financing by SMEs or the knowledge firms have about leasing have a direct impact on the possibility of firms to use lease.
Hybrid model approaches for compensating environmental influences in machine tools using integrated sensors

Abstract Uncontrolled environmental conditions often impact manufacturing processes and lead to product quality fluctuations. For machine tools, thermal influences are a major limitation to the volumetric performance. Climate controls for the shop floor, and machines, or thermally stable structural designs are economically not feasible, promoting control-based compensation as a possible solution. Since the relationship between disturbing quantities and effects are complex and specific to each machine, appropriate modelling is a critical requirement. The authors describe an approach for developing hybrid models, superposing white-box model knowledge, and machine learning. The overall effort can be optimized by combining and balancing different modelling methods, like designing the physical model part and training intelligent algorithms. A general model structure allows a continuous integration of different white-box and black-box model components. The authors integrate self-developed smart sensors into a demonstrator machine tool to test and validate the performance of the approach.