Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of botulinum toxin-A for musculoskeletal pain in patients with whiplash associated disorders [ ISRCTN 68653575 ]

Background: Whiplash associated disorder is commonly linked to motor vehicle accidents and sports injuries. Cervical injury is attributed to rapid extension followed by neck flexion. The exact pathophysiology of whiplash is uncertain but probably involves some degree of aberrant muscle spasms and may produce a wide range of symptoms. The most commonly prescribed pharmacological agents for initial treatment of whiplash-associated pain are oral muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, potential systemic adverse effects limit these agents. Physical interventions such as mobilization, manipulation, and exercises have proved beneficial for pain and dysfunction but only on a time-limited basis. Little evidence suggests that physical therapy specifically aimed at the musculature (e.g., transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasonography, heat, ice, and acupuncture) improves prognosis in acute whiplash associated disorder. A new approach to treatment is the use of botulinum toxin, which acts to reduce muscle spasms. Methods/design: This is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial and botulinum toxinA (Botox®) injections will be compared with placebo injections. The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of Botox® in the management of musculoskeletal pain in whiplash associated disorders. Discussion: Botulinum toxin type-A toxin has been studied in small trials on whiplash associated disorder patients and has generally been found to relieve pain and improve range of motion. Specifically, we seek to assess the efficacy of Botox® in reducing pain and to improve the cervical spine range of movement, during the 6-month trial period. Background The term "whiplash" has been used to describe a mechanism of injury, and the various clinical manifestations as a consequence of the injury. Moreover, signs and symptoms have been designated the 'whiplash syndrome'. In 1995, the Quebec Task Force (QTF) on Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) adopted the following definition of whiplash: "whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck. It may result from rear-end or side-impact motor vehicle collisions, but can also occur during diving or other mishaps. The impact may result in bony or soft-tissue injuries (whiplashinjury), which in turn may lead to a variety of clinical manifestations called Whiplash Associated Disorders"[1]. Whiplash patients can be classified according to severity of signs and symptoms. The QTF-WAD classification sysPublished: 13 February 2004 BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2004, 5:5 Received: 06 September 2003 Accepted: 13 February 2004 This article is available from: http://www.biomedcentral. com/1471-2474/5/5 © 2004 Juan; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL.
Expression and regulation of Na-dependent P(i) transport in matrix vesicles produced by osteoblast-like cells.

Extracellular matrix vesicles (MV) are the loci of initial mineralization in several calcifying tissues. We recently reported that MV isolated from chicken epiphyseal cartilage are equipped with a Na-dependent P(i) transport (NaPiT) system. The activity of the NaPiT system appeared to be crucial for the development of MV-mediated calcification. In the present study we investigated the expression of NaPiT activity in MV produced by the osteoblast-like cells MC3T3-E1. The relationship between changes in NaPiT activity in the intact cells and in the released MV was also examined. NaPiT activity in MV harvested from cultured MC3T3-E1 cells was transiently expressed. It was markedly increased between Days 8 and 10 (5- to 6-fold), and then gradually decreased. NaPiT activity was enriched in MV as compared with the parent osteoblast-like cells, while the Na-dependent transport system for alanine (NaAlaT) was not. When NaPiT activity was enhanced in osteoblast-like cells by fetal calf serum (FCS) or P(i) depletion, P(i) transport stimulation was observed in the derived MV as well. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) was differentially expressed and regulated in MV from MC3T3-E1 cell cultures, as compared with NaPiT. In contrast to the transient expression of NaPiT, AP activity in MV increased continuously with time in culture. It was stimulated by FCS treatment of the parent cells, but decreased in MV obtained from P(i)-depleted cultures. These results suggest that the presence in osteogenic cells of selective regulatory mechanisms for the insertion and enrichment of P(i) transport activity in released MV. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Exploring High‐Dimensional Structure via Axis‐Aligned Decomposition of Linear Projections

Two‐dimensional embeddings remain the dominant approach to visualize high dimensional data. The choice of embeddings ranges from highly non‐linear ones, which can capture complex relationships but are difficult to interpret quantitatively, to axis‐aligned projections, which are easy to interpret but are limited to bivariate relationships. Linear project can be considered as a compromise between complexity and interpretability, as they allow explicit axes labels, yet provide significantly more degrees of freedom compared to axis‐aligned projections. Nevertheless, interpreting the axes directions, which are often linear combinations of many non‐trivial components, remains difficult. To address this problem we introduce a structure aware decomposition of (multiple) linear projections into sparse sets of axis‐aligned projections, which jointly capture all information of the original linear ones. In particular, we use tools from Dempster‐Shafer theory to formally define how relevant a given axis‐aligned project is to explain the neighborhood relations displayed in some linear projection. Furthermore, we introduce a new approach to discover a diverse set of high quality linear projections and show that in practice the information of k linear projections is often jointly encoded in ∼ k axis‐aligned plots. We have integrated these ideas into an interactive visualization system that allows users to jointly browse both linear projections and their axis‐aligned representatives. Using a number of case studies we show how the resulting plots lead to more intuitive visualizations and new insights.
In vitro effect of metronidazole and vancomycin in combination on Clostridium difficile.

1. Arroyo L, Mateos I, González V et al. In vitro activities of tigecycline, minocycline and colistin–tigecycline combination against multiand pandrug-resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii group. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009; 53: 1295–6. 2. Bean D, Wareham D. Paradoxical effect of 1-(1-naphthylmethyl)piperazine on resistance to tetracyclines in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. J Antimicrob Chemother 2009; 63: 349–52. 3. King A, Brown D. Quality assurance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion. J Antimicrob Chemother 2001; 48 Suppl 1: 71–6. 4. Fernández-Mazarrasa C, Mazarrasa O, Calvo J et al. High concentrations of manganese in Mueller–Hinton agar increase MICs of tigecycline determined by Etest. J Clin Microbiol 2009; doi:10.1128/JCM.02464-08.
When a graph is poorer than 100 words: A comparison of computerised natural language generation, human generated descriptions and graphical displays in neonatal intensive care

Volunteer staff from a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were presented with sets of anonymised physiological data recorded over approximately 45 minute periods from former patients. Staff were asked to select medical/nursing actions appropriate for each of the patients whose data were displayed. Data were shown in one of three conditions (a) as multiple line graphs similar to those commonly shown on the ward, or as textual descriptions generated by (b) expert medical/nursing staff or (c) computerised natural language generation (NLG). An overall advantage was found for the human generated text, but NLG resulted in decisions that were at least as good as those for the graphical displays with which staff were familiar. It is suggested that NLG might offer a viable automated approach to removing noise and artefacts in real, complex and dynamic data sets, thereby reducing visual complexity and mental workload, and enhancing decision-making particularly for inexperienced staff. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonrigid free-form registration using landmark-based statistical deformation models

In this paper, we propose an image registration algorithm named statistically-based FFD registration (SFFD). This registration method is a modification of a well-known free-form deformations (FFD) approach. Our framework dramatically reduces the number of parameters to optimise and only needs to perform a single-resolution optimisation to account for coarse and fine local displacements, in contrast to the multi-resolution strategy employed by the FFD-based registration. The proposed registration uses statistical deformation models (SDMs) as a priori knowledge to guide the alignment of a new subject to a common reference template. These SDMs account for the anatomical mean and variability across a population of subjects. We also propose that available anatomical landmark information can be encoded within the proposed SDM framework to enforce the alignment of certain anatomical structures. We present results in terms of fiducial localisation error, which illustrate the ability of the SDMs to encode landmark position information. We also show that our statistical registration algorithm can provide registration results comparable to the standard FFD-based approach at a much lower computational cost.
Ontology matching using comprehensive ontology as background knowledge

We investigate the use of background knowledge ontology in ontology matching. We conducted experiments on matching two medical ontologies using third extensive one as background knowledge, and compare it to the direct match. Our results indicate that using background knowledge, in particular exploitation of its structure, has enormous benefit in the matching. The semantics of knowledge within the background ontology need closer examination and combination in order to gain maximal benefit.
Designing of Goal Seeking and Obstacle Avoidance Behaviors for a Mobile Robot Using Fuzzy Techniques

This paper describes fuzzy logic approach to mobile robot behavior design. An autonomous mobile robot must be able to move safely in a crowded unknown environment for reaching a desired goal. A successful way of structuring the navigation task in order to deal with the problem is within behavior based navigation approaches. In this paper, individual behavior design will be addressed using fuzzy logic technique. The obtained results show that the navigator is able to perform successful navigation task in various unknown environment.
Survival, growth, aboveground biomass, and carbon sequestration of mono and mixed native tree species plantations on the Coromandel Coast of India

ABSTRACT In India, reforestation programs with native indigenous tree species are a recent activity. Information on experiences comparing mono- and mixed-species plantations is limited. This study aims to estimate growth, aboveground biomass, and carbon sequestration between the mixed-species plantation and mono-species plantation. The growth, survival, height, aboveground biomass, and carbon sequestration of 82 native mixed species plantations were compared with Casuarina equisetifolia an exotic species planted in this region after over a decade (2006–2016). In the mixed species plantation, 7 species showed 100% survival rate and 19 species were not survived after over a decade intervals. While in the mono plantation, C. equisetifolia showed 92% of the survival rate. The growth rate of mixed species when compared to mono plantation, it showed highly significant differences (P < 0:05) values. Simple linear regression between annual girth increment and height produced very strong positive relations (R2 0.759). The aboveground biomass estimated for the mixed native plantation was 8.007 tonnes and the mono plantation Casuarina had 5.585 tonnes. The total carbon stock estimated for the tree plantation in the two plots (both mixed native and mono) was 7.492 tonnes. A positive correlation was observed between the carbon stock and density of the top 10 species which contributed predominantly to the total carbon stock (rs = 0.773, p < 0.05). Plantation of C. equisetifolia seems to be well adapted and had more carbon stocking potential. On the other hand, mixed plantation with indigenous species would contribute more to sustainable management and they provide great shelters for many faunal communities and provide a greater range of ecological goods and ecosystem services than the mono plantations.
Systematic Review of TST Responses in People Living with HIV in Under-Resourced Settings: Implications for Isoniazid Preventive Therapy

Background People living with HIV (PLWH) who have positive tuberculin skin tests (TST) benefit from isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) whereas those testing TST-negative do not. Revised World Health Organization guidelines explicitly state that assessment of TST is not a requirement for initiation of IPT. However, it is not known what proportions of patients will benefit from IPT if implemented without targeting according to TST status. We therefore determined the proportions of PLWH who test TST-positive. Methodology/Principal Findings We systematically reviewed the literature published between January 1990 and February 2012 to determine the proportions of patients without active tuberculosis attending HIV care services in low and middle-income countries who tested TST-positive (≥5 mm induration). Proportions were also determined for different CD4 count strata. Data from 19 studies with 9,478 PLWH from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Central and South America were summarized. The vast majority were not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). A sub-analysis was conducted of 5 studies (5,567 subjects) from high TB prevalence countries of PLWH with negative TB screens attending HIV care and treatment settings for whom CD4 stratified data were available. The median proportion of PLWH testing TST-positive overall was 22.8% (range, 19.5–32.6%). The median (range) proportions with CD4 cell counts of <200, 200–499 or ≥500 cells/µL who tested positive were 12.4% (8.2–15.3%), 28.4% (20.1–36.9%) and 37.4% (31.3–56.3%), respectively. Heterogeneity in the data precluded calculation of pooled summary estimates. Conclusions/Significance In most settings, if IPT is administered to PLWH pre-ART without assessment of TST status, only a minority of those treated are likely to benefit, especially among those with the lowest CD4 cell counts. This may be inefficient use of resources and cost-effectiveness analyses should take this into account. Local knowledge of TST response rates may help inform policies. New simple means of identifying those who will benefit from IPT are needed to permit appropriate targeting of this intervention.
A virtual service placement approach based on improved quantum genetic algorithm

Despite the critical role that middleboxes play in introducing new network functionality, management and innovation of them are still severe challenges for network operators, since traditional middleboxes based on hardware lack service flexibility and scalability. Recently, though new networking technologies, such as network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN), are considered as very promising drivers to design cost-efficient middlebox service architectures, how to guarantee transmission efficiency has drawn little attention under the condition of adding virtual service process for traffic. Therefore, we focus on the service deployment problem to reduce the transport delay in the network with a combination of NFV and SDN. First, a framework is designed for service placement decision, and an integer linear programming model is proposed to resolve the service placement and minimize the network transport delay. Then a heuristic solution is designed based on the improved quantum genetic algorithm. Experimental results show that our proposed method can calculate automatically the optimal placement schemes. Our scheme can achieve lower overall transport delay for a network compared with other schemes and reduce 30% of the average traffic transport delay compared with the random placement scheme.
Keeping Secrets within a Family: Rediscovering Parnas

David Parnas wrote several papers in the 1970’s and 1980’s that are now considered classics. The concepts he advocated such as information hiding and use of abstract interfaces are generally accepted as the appropriate way to design nontrivial software systems. However, not all of what he proposed has been fully appreciated and assimilated into our practices. Many of his simple, elegant ideas have been lost amongst the hype surrounding the technologies and methods that have arisen in the past two decades. This paper examines Parnas’s ideas, especially his emphasis on program families, and proposes that college-level computing science and software engineering curricula should renew their attention to these very important principles and techniques and present them in the context of contemporary software development.
Approximate cross-validation formula for Bayesian linear regression

Cross-validation (CV) is a technique for evaluating the ability of statistical models/learning systems based on a given data set. Despite its wide applicability, the rather heavy computational cost can prevent its use as the system size grows. To resolve this difficulty in the case of Bayesian linear regression, we develop a formula for evaluating the leave-one-out CV error approximately without actually performing CV. The usefulness of the developed formula is tested by statistical mechanical analysis for a synthetic model. This is confirmed by application to a real-world supernova data set as well.
DOP8: merging both data and analysis operators life cycles for technology enhanced learning

This paper presents DOP8: a Data Mining Iterative Cycle that improves the classical data life cycle. While the latter only combines the data production and data analysis phases, DOP8 also integrates the analysis operators life cycle. In this cycle, data life cycle and operators life cycle processing meet in the data analysis step. This paper also presents a reification of DOP8 in a new computing platform: UnderTracks. The latter provides a flexibility on storing and sharing data, operators and analysis processes. Undertracks is compared with three types of platform 'Storage platform', 'Analysis platform' and 'Storage and Analysis platform'. Several real TEL analysis scenarios are present into the platform, (1) to test Undertracks flexibility on storing data and operators and (2) to test Undertracks flexibility on designing analysis processes.
Quality Evaluation of Artifacts in Tailored Software Process Lines

In software engineering, it is necessary to consider variables such as quality, effort, productivity, time and cost of development. Those variables are negatively affected when defective artifacts are produced. In this case, the cost of rework to correct defects increases in relation to the time of their discovery. Therefore, initiatives should be undertaken in order to find these defects and correct them as soon as they are introduced. This work proposes a mechanism to evaluate the quality goals of software artifacts by means of a quality framework. The study has the objective of organizing concepts that involve the definition of quality goals and their respective methods and metrics of evaluation and can be used to facilitate the task of defining quality plans. Besides that, the framework includes a process to evaluate software artifacts generated from a Software Process Line (SPrL). A Web tool that uses SPrL was used to facilitate the adequacy of the process to different contexts of projects.
Nature and demise of the Proto-South China Sea

The term Proto-South China Sea has been used in a number of different ways. It was originally introduced to describe oceanic crust that formerly occupied the region north of Borneo where the modern South China Sea is situated. This oceanic crust was inferred to have been Mesozoic, and to have been eliminated by subduction beneath Borneo. Subduction was interpreted to have begun in Early Cenozoic and terminated in the Miocene. Subsequently the term was also used for inferred oceanic crust, now disappeared, of quite different age, notably that interpreted to have been subducted during the Late Cretaceous below Sarawak. More recently, some authors have considered that southeast-directed subduction continued until much later in the Neogene than originally proposed, based on the supposition that the NW Borneo Trough and Palawan Trough are, or were recently, sites of subduction. Others have challenged the existence of the Proto-South China Sea completely, or suggested it was much smaller than envisaged when the term was introduced. We review the different usage of the term and the evidence for subduction, particularly under Sabah. We suggest that the term Proto-South China Sea should be used only for the slab subducted beneath Sabah and Cagayan between the Eocene and Early Miocene. Oceanic crust subducted during earlier episodes of subduction in other areas should be named differently and we use the term Paleo-Pacific Ocean for lithosphere subducted under Borneo in the Cretaceous. There is good evidence for subduction between the Eocene and Early Miocene below Sabah, and the western limit of Proto-South China Sea subduction was the West Baram Line. The subducted slab can be imaged in the lower mantle using P-wave tomography. There was no subduction beneath Sarawak, SW of the West Baram Line, between the Eocene and Early Miocene where there was terrestrial to marginal marine deposition. The present-day NW Borneo Trough and Palawan Trough are not subduction trenches and these relatively shallow features have different origins. The NW Borneo Trough is largely a flexural response to gravity-driven deformation of the Neogene sediment wedge NW of Sabah whereas the Palawan Trough is the continent-ocean transition at the SE edge of the modern South China Sea.