Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Correlation of a New MR Imaging Method for Assessing Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

Two different systems for grading foraminal stenosis, the Wildermuth (degree of fat obliteration) and the Lee system (type of stenosis, degree of fat obliteration, and nerve root compression) were assessed and correlated with clinical findings. Interobserver agreement was greater with the Lee system. Both systems had good correlation with clinical symptoms, especially for older patients, but the Lee system was better for younger subjects. Although both systems performed well, the Lee system was slightly better. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently, Lee et al reported a new grading system for the lumbar spinal foraminal stenosis. They considered the type of stenosis, the amount of fat obliteration, and the presence of nerve root compression. Our aim was to evaluate whether a new MR imaging grading system correlated with symptoms and neurologic signs and could replace the previous grading system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 91 patients (M/F = 49:42; mean age, 50 years) who visited our institution and underwent MR imaging of the L-spine and were evaluated by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. The presence and grade of lumbar foraminal stenosis at the maximal narrowing point was assessed according to the new grading system suggested by Lee et al (Lee system) and the Wildermuth grading system (Wildermuth system). Results were correlated with clinical manifestations and neurologic physical examination. Statistical analysis was performed by using κ statistics, categoric regression analysis, and nonparametric correlation analysis (Spearman correlation). RESULTS: Interobserver agreement in the grading of foraminal stenosis between the 2 readers was substantially correlated (κ of Lee system = 0.767, κ of Wildermuth system = 0.734). The Rs for reader 1 and reader 2 between the Lee system and the Wildermuth system were 0.880 and 0.885, between Lee system and PNM were 0.715 and 0.604, and between the Wildermuth system and PNM were 0.800 and 0.680. For patients younger than 50 years of age, the R between the Lee and Wildermuth systems was higher than that for patients 50 years or older, but the Rs between the grading system and PNM were lower in the younger group than in the older group. The Rs of the Wildermuth system with PNM were higher in the older group than in the younger group; the differences between the Rs of the Lee system with PNM and the Wildermuth system with PNM were higher in the older group (0.016 [young] versus 0.130 [old] and 0.008 versus 0.107). CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement of the Lee system was slightly higher than the Wildermuth system and substantially correlated. Both systems are good for evaluation of lumbar spinal foraminal stenosis, but the Lee system showed slightly better interobserver agreement and good clinical correlation in the younger group of patients.
Cadherin expression in glandular tumors of the cervix

The cadherins are homotypic adhesion proteins that are important in cell sorting during organogenesis. Classic cadherins include several different types that show tissue specific expression. Specific tissue expression of cadherins often is preserved in neoplastic transformation, and cadherin phenotype can be used to differentiate morphologically similar but histogenetically distinct tumors.
ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SALMONELLA SEROVARS FROM DIARRHOEIC STOOL SAMPLES OF HUMAN

The present study aimed at isolation and identification of Salmonella serovars from human stool and characterization of the isolated serovars using biochemical, serological, molecular and antimicrobial sensitivity techniques. A total of 25 samples were collected of which 16% were positive to Salmonella serovars. All the culturally positive isolates fermented dextrose, maltose and mannitol with the peoduction of acid and gas but not fermented sucrose and lactose. The same isolates showed Indole and V-P tests negative but M-R test positive. All the culturally and biochemically positive Salmonella serovars showed agglutination with poly ‘O’ and poly ‘H’ antisera. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that the isolated Salmonella serovars were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and moderately sensitive to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, cotrimoxazol and nalidixic acid. However, the positive isolates were resistant to erythromycin. The present study indicates that ciprofloxacin can be used as a first line therapy for the treatment of Salmonella gastroenteritis. DOI = http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjvm.v9i1. 11218 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2011). 9(1): 85-93
Alveolar ridge augmentation using implants coated with recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5: histologic observations.

OBJECTIVES In vitro and in vivo preclinical studies suggest that growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) may induce local bone formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of recombinant human GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) coated onto an oral implant with a purpose-designed titanium porous oxide surface to stimulate local bone formation including osseointegration and vertical augmentation of the alveolar ridge. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilateral, critical-size, 5 mm, supraalveolar peri-implant defects were created in 12 young adult Hound Labrador mongrel dogs. Six animals received implants coated with 30 or 60 microg rhGDF-5, and six animals received implants coated with 120 microg rhGDF-5 or left uncoated (control). Treatments were alternated between jaw quadrants. The mucoperiosteal flaps were advanced, adapted, and sutured to submerge the implants for primary intention healing. The animals received fluorescent bone markers at weeks 3, 4, 7, and 8 post-surgery when they were euthanized for histologic evaluation. RESULTS The clinical examination showed no noteworthy differences between implants coated with rhGDF-5. The cover screw and implant body were visible/palpable through the alveolar mucosa for both rhGDF-5-coated and control implants. There was a small increase in induced bone height for implants coated with rhGDF-5 compared with the control, induced bone height averaging (+/-SD) 1.6+/-0.6 mm for implants coated with 120 microg rhGDF-5 versus 1.2+/-0.5, 1.2+/-0.6, and 0.6+/-0.2 mm for implants coated with 60 microg rhGDF-5, 30 microg rhGDF-5, or left uncoated, respectively (p<0.05). Bone formation was predominant at the lingual aspect of the implants. Narrow yellow and orange fluorescent markers throughout the newly formed bone indicate relatively slow new bone formation within 3-4 weeks. Implants coated with rhGDF-5 displayed limited peri-implant bone remodelling in the resident bone; the 120 microg dose exhibiting more advanced remodelling than the 60 and 30 microg doses. All treatment groups exhibited clinically relevant osseointegration. CONCLUSIONS rhGDF-5-coated oral implants display a dose-dependent osteoinductive and/or osteoconductive effect, bone formation apparently benefiting from local factors. Application of rhGDF-5 appears to be safe as it is associated with limited, if any, adverse effects.
High IL‐6 levels in ascitic fluid correlate with reactive thrombocytosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

Summary. Non‐haematopoietic malignancies are commonly associated with thrombocytosis. The aetiology of tumour‐associated thrombocytosis is still unclear but may be related to tumour‐derived thrombopoietin‐like factors. Epithelial ovarian tumour cells have been shown to release IL‐6 in vitro and high IL‐6 levels have been identified in ascites of patients with ovarian cancer. Since IL‐6 is a potent stimulator of megakaryocytopoiesis we examined IL‐6 production at the tumour site and its relationship to serum IL‐6 levels and circulating platelet counts in patients with ovarian cancer. Forty patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy for epithelial ovarian cancer [stage I + II: 6 (15%); stage III: 25 (62.5%); stage IV: 9 (22.5%)] and 24 women with benign ovarian conditions were evaluated. Sera were available from 39 cases with ovarian cancer and from 19 cases with benign ovarian tumours. Ascites was obtained from 35 patients with ovarian cancer. IL‐6 activity in serum and ascitic fluid was determined by the standard B9 proliferation assay (detection level: 1 pg/ml). IL‐6 bioactivity was detectable in 22 (56%) sera from patients with ovarian cancer, but in only five (26%) of the serum samples obtained from benign cases (P < 0.001). Serum IL‐6 levels in patients with ovarian cancer were significantly higher (median 3 pg/ml; range < 1 to 1221 pg/ml) than in patients with benign ovarian conditions (median 0 pg/ml; range < 1 to 4 pg/ml) (P < 0.001). However, much higher concentrations of IL‐6 were measured in malignant ascites specimens (median 22 100 pg/ml; range < 1 to 182 600 pg/ml). IL‐6 bioactivity in serum and ascites samples was completely inhibited by a neutralizing goat antihuman IL‐6 antiserum. Thrombocytosis (platelet counts > 400 × 109/l) occurred in 25 (62.5%) of the 40 patients with ovarian cancer, but in only two (8%) of the 24 cases with benign ovarian tumours. In eight (20%) cases with malignant disease platelet counts ranged between 600 × 109/l and 1060 × 109/l. IL‐6 bioactivity in ascitic fluid correlated significantly with circulating platelet counts (r = 0.5916; P < 0.001). Maximum IL‐6 bioactivity in ascites and highest platelet counts occurred in patients with undifferentiated ovarian adenocarcinoma or advanced disease. In conclusion, these observations strongly suggest a role for IL‐6 in the development of tumour‐associated thrombocytosis.
The Shape and Presentation of the Catarrhine Talus: A Geometric Morphometric Analysis

The distal component of the talo‐crural joint, the talus, was compared, using geometric morphometrics, in 219 specimens from nine extant taxa to identify differences in shape and the factors influencing them. The specimens were laser scanned, digitally reconstructed, and landmarked. The whole talus, proximal and distal articular facet subgroups were analyzed using Generalized Procrustes analysis, linear regression, principal component analysis, analysis of percent variance, dot‐product vector analysis, and pair‐wise permutation tests to evaluate shape, and were visualized by TPS deformation of an exemplar surface. Significant percentages of shape variation among taxa were due to body mass, talar size, superfamily, and substrate preference. Shape and presentational morphology associated with these factors were documented, along with the similarities and differences among individual taxa. Nearly all taxa were significantly different in overall, proximal and distal shapes. The most important factors influencing whole talar shape were log centroid size and substrate preference. Substrate preference was also the most important factor defining proximal articular morphology and unrelated to other factor such as mass, while distal articular morphology was influenced by superfamily (head angle and shape). Results demonstrated that substrate preference and superfamily significantly influenced distal presentation, while substrate preference influenced proximal articular shape. Anat Rec, 296:877–890, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptations on Jump Capacity in Brazilian Volleyball Players Prior to the Under-19 World Championship

The under-19 Brazilian volleyball national team has achieved great performances at international competitions. Because the vertical jump capacity is critical for success in volleyball, the purpose of this study was to identify the training-induced adaptations on jump capacity assessed by general and specific tests during 3 different moments (i.e., T1, T2, and T3) of a macrocycle of preparation for the world championship. The sample was composed of 11 athletes from the Brazilian national team-World Champion (age, 18.0 ± 0.5 years; height: 198.7 ± 5.4 cm; and body mass, 87.3 ± 5.9 kg). They were evaluated for jumping capacity by the following tests: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and jump anaerobic resistance (15 seconds) (JAR) and standing reach, height, and vertical jump tests for attack and block. Descriptive statistics were computed, and a repeated-measures analysis of variance was used. The Tukey-Kramer post hoc test was used when appropriate. Significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that the training-induced adaptations on the SJ (3.9%) and CMJ (2.3%) were not statistically significant. The JAR showed statistical significance between T2 and T3 (9.6%), while the attack height and block height presented significant differences between T1 and T2 (2.5% and 3.3%, respectively) and T1 and T3 (3.0% and 3.5%, respectively). The volume of training was quantified between weeks 1 and 9 (10,750 minutes, 1,194 ± 322 min·wk−1) and between weeks 10 and 18 (8,722 minutes, 969 ± 329 min·wk−1). In conclusion, this study showed that there were progressive and significant training-induced adaptations, mainly on the tests that simulated the specific skills, such as spike and block, with the best results being reached after the first 9 weeks of training. This probably reflected not only the individual's capacity to adapt, but also the characteristics of the training loads prescribed during the entire macrocycle.
Development of Chitosan Acetate Films for Transdermal Delivery of Propranolol Hydrochloride

Purpose: To formulate and evaluate chitosan acetate films designed for transdermal delivery of propranolol hydrochloride. Methods: Chitosan acetate was chemically modified with acetaldehyde and the solution was prepared with 1 % acetic acid, in which was dissolved propranolol hydrochloride, was cast as films in Petri dish and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The films were evaluated for permeability, swelling, and in vitro drug release. Results: Drug content of propranolol hydrochloride in the films ranged from 0.9 to 1.4 mg/cm 2 . Swelling was 570 % for chitosan acetate and 180 % for chitosan while drug release through chitosan acetate higher than through chitosan. Permeability coefficient was 6.12 x 10 -4 and 0.97 x 10 -4 g.cm 2 / day for chitosan acetate and chitosan, respectively. FTIR and DSC results indicated that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymers used. NMR spectra showed the appearance of specific peaks for acetate group. Differences between chitosan acetate and chitosan were significant (p < 0.05) with regard to permeability, swelling and in vitro drug release. Conclusion: The films prepared using the synthesised chitosan acetate exhibited superior physicochemical and drug release characteristics to those of chitosan. The results also indicate chitosan acetate films may be suitable for delivering propranolol hydrochloride via the transdermal route which offers some advantages over other routes.
Effects of a Home-BasedWalking Intervention onMobility and Quality of Life in PeopleWith Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease A randomized , controlled trial

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSdWe conducted a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial within university-affiliated clinics in our local community. We randomized 145 participants (45 women) with diabetes and PAD to our interventionda 6-month behavioral intervention targeting levels of readiness to engage in routine walking for exercisedversus attention control. Our primary outcome was 6-month change in maximal treadmill walking distance. Secondary outcomes included 3-month change in maximal walking distance, lower limb function (i.e., walking impairment scores), quality of life (Medical Outcomes Short Form Survey), exercise behaviors, depressive symptoms, and self-efficacy at 3 and 6 months.
An experimental study of resolved acceleration control in singularities: damped least-squares approach

In this paper the application of the damped least-squares method to the resolved-acceleration control is experimentally examined on a 2-DOF planar manipulator In order to decrease the position error introduced by the damping, only small singular values are damped. The symbolical expressions of the singular value decomposition of the Jacobian matrix were utilized in order to decrease the computational burden. Position error along the work-space boundary was only 15% greater than along the trajectories inside the reachable workspace. <<ETX>>
QPSO based test scheduling for 3D-SIC with multiple towers

3D-SIC with multiple towers, which integrates multiple stacked die-towers on the bottom die, enhances the performance and integration density of semiconductor chips. Test scheduling helps to reduce test time of the complex chips. Towards the whole integration process of 3D-SICs, Quantum-behaved Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) based test scheduling algorithm is proposed. Experimental results show that the algorithm can reduce total test time of 3D-SIC significantly, and the test time is affected by the number of test pins and test Through-Silicon Vias (TSVs). It is found out that the 3D-SIC with the complex dies as the top dies result in shorter test time.
Accidental intramuscular injection of mechlorethamine

A 55‐year‐old man with chronic, active, diffuse psoriasis was accidentally given 30 mg of mechlorethamine deep into the buttock muscles. About 5 hours after the intramuscular (IM) mechlorethamine injection, 1/6 M sodium thiosulfate was infused around the intramuscular site. Although systemic responses to the mechlorethamine developed, the expected muscular and adjacent skin destruction did not occur. Instead, IM mechlorethamine induced only minimal local tenderness.
Practical implementation of an interleaved boost converter using SiC diodes for PV applications

The implementation of an interleaved boost converter using SiC diodes for PV applications is presented in this paper. The converter consists of two switching cells sharing the PV panel output current. Their switching patterns are synchronized with 180 degree phase shift. Each switching cell has a SiC Schottky diode and a CoolMOS switching device. The SiC diodes provide zero reverse recovery current ideally, which reduces the commutation losses of the switches. Such advantage from the SiC diodes can make the converter system achieve higher efficiency and higher power density by reducing the requirement of the cooling system. This paper presents also an optimization study of the size and efficiency of the interleaved boost converter. Based on 1) the steady-state characteristic of the topology, 2) the static and dynamic characteristics of the switching cells, 3) the loss model of the magnetic components and 4) the cooling system design, the paper provides a set of design criteria, procedures and experimental results for a 2.5 kW interleaved boost converter using SiC diodes prototype.
Reactive local search for maximum clique: A new implementation

This paper presents algorithmic and implementation enhancements of Reactive Local Search algorithm for the Maximum Clique problem [3]. In addition, we build an empirical complexity model for the CPU time required for a single iteration, and we show that with a careful implementation of the data structures one can achieve a speedup of at least an order of magnitude difference for large size graphs.
Distributed Systems verification using fault injection approach

Software nowadays becomes more complex and the number of the components that is involved in an application is externally large. If a fault occurs, the fault can easily propagate, become larger and take more time to detect and reproduce. Therefore, having a robust system that is able to perform normally even with the existence of faults is very important, but at the same time is very challenging. Different researches have been involved in handling and improving the robustness by using fault injection techniques presented in [23], [31]. Fault injection is mainly used in order to detect the unexpected faults as well as the dependencies bottleneck. Fault injection approaches work by sending fault messages to the components within a distributed system and observing how the system can handle them. This study presents a fault injection approach for testing the robustness of the embedded distributed system in the RBS (Radio based station) at Ericsson. RBS is a distributed system that consists of components that communicate with each other via messages. One characteristic of the distributed system at Ericsson is the possibility to work and provide services even though some components fail. Since the components are stateful and have complex protocol, verifying that the system is robust is not a trivial task. The new approach is inspired from Netflix’s ChaosMonkey. When Netflix moved their data center to amazon web service, they had the need to use fault injection technique for testing the reliability of the distributed system. After deep analysing of the Performance Management(PM) framework documentations at Ericsson, some potential bottlenecks have been discovered and some strategies on how the faults can be triggered have been implemented. A fault injection tool have been developed in this study for testing the robustness of the distributed system. Moreover, unexpected faults were detected after generating two fault types, which were sending random messages as well as delaying messages. This study illustrates the potential of utilizing fault injection approach that comes as a complementary to traditional software testing. The report is written in English.
Applying Artificial Neural Networks for Face Recognition

This paper introduces some novel models for all steps of a face recognition system. In the step of face detection, we propose a hybrid model combining AdaBoost and Artificial Neural Network (ABANN) to solve the process efficiently. In the next step, labeled faces detected by ABANN will be aligned by Active Shape Model and Multi Layer Perceptron. In this alignment step, we propose a new 2D local texture model based on Multi Layer Perceptron. The classifier of the model significantly improves the accuracy and the robustness of local searching on faces with expression variation and ambiguous contours. In the feature extraction step, we describe a methodology for improving the efficiency by the association of two methods: geometric feature based method and Independent Component Analysis method. In the face matching step, we apply a model combining many Neural Networks for matching geometric features of human face. The model links many Neural Networks together, so we call it Multi Artificial Neural Network. MIT + CMU database is used for evaluating our proposed methods for face detection and alignment. Finally, the experimental results of all steps on CallTech database show the feasibility of our proposed model.
How to fabricate specimens for silicon-to-molding compound interface adhesion measurements

We present a new method to fabricate specimen for interfacial fracture testing. It regards the interface between silicon die and epoxy molding compound (EMC). The crucial element of evaluating interfacial fracture strength is the calculation of critical fracture values. Such values can be obtained analyzing a bimaterial type of sample and by specifically inducing a delamination while monitoring conditions and loads. We use a sandwich type of sample where the epoxy molding compound encloses the silicon die. We give a detailed description of molding specimens using an established transfer molding process that has a sufficiently large cavity available. In order to prevent breakage and related residual stresses we use specific bearings to hold the silicon stripes symmetrically in place. The bearings are made out of cured EMC themselves. The samples did not break and allow for interfacial fracture characterization. For testing the specimens we used the Mixed Mode Chisel (MMC) setup, which is one of the first to at all induce and monitor delamination of the Si-EMC interface.