Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of vision and cognitive load on static postural control in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the effects of vision and cognitive load on static postural control in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: Twenty-eight PFPS patients and 28 controls participated in the study. Postural control was assessed in isolation as well as with visual manipulation and cognitive loading on symptomatic limb. The outcome measures of postural control were quantified in terms of area, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML), and mean velocity (MV) of the displacements of center of pressure (COP). In addition, cognitive performance (auditory Stroop task) was measured in the forms of average reaction time and error ratio in baseline (sitting) and different postural conditions. Results: PFPS subjects showed greater increases in area (p = 0.01), AP (p = 0.01), and ML (p = 0.05) displacements of COP in the blindfolded tasks as compared to control group. However, cognitive load did not differently affect postural control in the two groups. Although PFPS and control group had similar reaction times in the sitting position (p = 0.29), PFPS subjects had longer reaction times than healthy subjects in dual task conditions (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Visual inputs seem to be essential for discriminating postural control between PFPS and healthy individuals. PFPS patients biased toward decreasing cognitive performance more than healthy subjects when they perform the single leg stance and cognitive task concurrently.
The practice manager.

nuclear war, and the energy and membership of IPPNW will surely dissipate with what is little more than a restatement of its original mission. The next proposal was to extend the mission to cover conventional war. The horrors of this were brought back to everybody by the Gulf war, and the world has never had fewer than a dozen wars running concurrently since the second world war. Unfortunately, these wars do not galvanise doctors from Wichita, Rheims, or Doncaster in the way that the threat of nuclear war does. Furthermore, conventional war-unlike nuclear war-has winners and losers, and doctors may find themselves on different sides. An extension of the IPPNW mission to dealing with conventional war may thus not be enough to keep the organisation vibrant. An extension to chemical and biological weapons suffers from similar problems. The other major proposal is to encompass the whole of "global security. " Andy Haines, professor of primary care in London, argues the case for this move in the impressive new journal PSR [Physicians for Social Responsibility] Quarterly. ' The proposal is based on global security being seriously threatened not only by nuclear war but also by climatic change, the widening division between rich and poor, and profligate energy consumption by the richer countries. These threats are linked in myriad ways. For example, diversion of resources to military arsenals perpetuates underdevelopment; a nuclear or chemical war may arise now not between east and west but between rich and poor; and military machines are prominent in energy consumption, which in its turn drives climatic change. If IPPNW was to extend its mission from nuclear war to global security it would be tackling an issue that threatens everybody everywhere. It is also a mission to which doctors can legitimately contribute with their ancient duty to argue for the health of all people and their ability to cross national, racial, and religious boundaries. But can the mission be sufficiently focused and can divisions be avoided? Debates on overpopulation, for instance, may be seen as the rich trying to stop the poor breeding, and religious beliefs may make it difficult for all doctors to work together on such an issue. The mission should be extended to global security, but it may prove impossibly difficult to define and focus the mission in a way that will inspire doctors everywhere. A mission that cannot be instantly grasped is useless. But IPPNW …
Mycophenolate mofetil or intravenous cyclophosphamide in lupus nephritis.

To the Editor: There are several reasons to be circumspect with regard to applying more widely the findings of the report by Ginzler et al. that compared cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of lupus nephritis (Nov. 25 issue). 1 First, about 20 percent of the subjects had membranous nephropathy, a form of lupus nephritis for which the optimal treatment remains uncertain and for which treatment with cyclophosphamide has not been rigorously studied. Second, the rather narrow group of patients with adequately preserved renal function poses an obstacle to generalizing the study results to patients with lupus who have higher burdens of renal injury and are at increased risk for renal failure2 and may be more likely to benefit from intravenous cyclophosphamide. Third, activity and chronicity indexes are not provided for use in assessing patients’ baseline risk of an unfavorable renal outcome.2 Fourth, the rate of either complete or partial remission of nephritis in the cyclophosphamide group was lower than would normally be expected.3,4 Finally, since renal response to intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide appears to be delayed,5 this effect may well have been missed because of the truncated follow-up and early-crossover design of the study. Fotini B. Karassa, M.D.
Attachment level changes in destructive periodontal diseases.

The present communication attempts to summarize some of the features of attachment loss which are of interest to the clinician and the statistician analyzing data from clinical trials. These include the measurements employed to detect changes in attachment level, the nature of the destructive disease process and the effects of therapy on the attachment level measurements. Although there are several difficulties associated with the attachment level measurement, at the present time it appears to be the best estimator of periodontal attachment available. The overall standard deviation of this measurement in greater than 46,000 replicate measurements at periodontal sites in 58 subjects was 0.78 mm (range 0.4 to 1.2 mm). In the periodontally healthy subject, the length of the attachment measured around 28 teeth is approximately 700 mm. Therefore, there are approximately 1400 adjacent points along the periodontal attachment where a measurement could be made using a periodontal probe with a 0.5 mm diameter tip. If 6 measurements were recorded per tooth, then approximately 12% of the possible probable points would be evaluated. Recent data indicate that destructive periodontal diseases progress with acute bursts of activity rather than as slowly progressive, continual processes. Such findings suggest new models of attachment loss progression. In one likely model, destructive periodontal diseases would progress by asynchronous bursts of activity at individual sites which occur with greater frequency during a finite period of time in an individual's life. 3 major patterns of attachment loss could be distinguished when frequency distributions of attachment level measurements were constructed for 61 destructive periodontal disease subjects. Pattern I (30 subjects) exhibited a bimodal distribution with localized destruction occurring at less than 34% of sites. Pattern II (14 subjects) exhibited more widespread disease (greater than 33% of sites affected) with a trimodal frequency distribution. Pattern III (17 subjects) exhibited a unimodal distribution in which virtually all sites were affected. The proportions of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus intermedius and Eikenella corrodens in subgingival plaque samples were significantly elevated in sites of subjects with patterns II and III (the widespread disease groups). Bacteroides intermedius, Streptococcus uberis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were elevated in sampled sites of localized disease subjects (pattern I). The effects of therapy by Widman flap surgery and systemic tetracycline were examined by several statistical analyses. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Body composition and size in sprint athletes.

BACKGROUND The aims of the present study were to assess competitive sprinters' body size and composition and to determine their impact on performance. METHODS Ninety-eight competitive male sprinters (100 m) participated in this cross-sectional study. A series of measurements was directly taken and data on muscular strength and power tests were self-reported. Body composition was assessed by skinfold method and somatotype was calculated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric method. Sprinters were classified into three groups depending on their personal best time and comparisons were performed between the athletes in the top and in the bottom tertiles. Relationships between anthropometric traits and performance were assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS Top sprinters had significantly greater body mass index, relaxed and contracted upper arm girths, thigh and calf girths, fat free mass and fat free mass index, and lower ectomorphy than the lowest tertile. Strength and power were significantly higher. Personal best time was significantly correlated with several anthropometric traits and indices of lean body mass. CONCLUSIONS Body size, composition and somatotype differ between performance levels in speed running. Being less ectomorphic, with a greater fat free mass and strength, can explain significant differences in sprinting performances. The results presented in this study provide a point of reference about sprinter characteristics, which can help coaches and sport scientists to improve sprinter performance.
EARLY EVIDENCE ON US STOCK MARKET EFFICIENCY: "Market vs. State" Debate and Deregulation Implications

Evidence shows that the economic assumption of efficient “free markets”—which underpins the “market versus state” debate—is questionable. Market efficiency is a significant foundation theory for neoliberal economists. Prove it wrong, and the neoliberals’ philosophy of market based theories and globalization become doubtful. For the first time, late 19 th century to early 20 th century US stock market data are examined—prior to the US federal government instituting securities regulations. The relative maxima and minima stock trading rule methodology—used on S&P 500 Index portfolio B—makes +177% more money than buy-and-hold S&P 500 Index portfolio A—and is only 60% as risky. This calls into question the weakform of the efficient market theory. The deregulated US stock market is inefficient during this early period. Therefore, government deregulation may hinder rather than help solve the ongoing worldwide 2008 credit crisis.
Histone Decacetylase Inhibitors Prevent Mitochondrial Fragmentation and Elicit Early Neuroprotection against MPP+

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra. Recent investigations have shown that mitochondrial fragmentation, an early event during apoptosis, is implicated in the degeneration of DA neurons in PD, and more importantly, preventing mitochondrial fragmentation could rescue cell death in several PD models. Therefore, mitochondrial dynamics may be a therapeutic target for early intervention in PD. However, much remains unknown about the mechanism underlying mitochondrial fragmentation in PD.
AGRICULTURAL POLICIES IN INDONESIA: PRODUCER SUPPORT ESTIMATES 1985-2003

MTID Discussion Papers contain preliminary material and research results, and are circulated prior to a full peer review in order to stimulate discussion and critical comment. It is expected that most Discussion Papers will eventually be published in some other form, and that their content may also be revised. MTID Discussion Papers contain preliminary material and research results, and are circulated prior to a full peer review in order to stimulate discussion and critical comment. It is expected that most Discussion Papers will eventually be published in some other form, and that their content may also be revised. Nathan Associates, and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments and suggestions. Our special thanks to Reno Dewina (MTI) for obtaining BPS statistics and Claudia Ringler and Charles Rodgers (EPT) for sharing with us data collected for the ADB Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy Study (2004). We also have benefited from discussion at a presentation of an early draft of this paper at IFPRI, February 2, 2004, and from participants in an informal working group on assessing agricultural policies during the past year. Funding and collaboration from ERS/USDA, the Center for Development Research (ZEF), and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is gratefully acknowledged. ii ABSTRACT As in many other developing countries, the concerns about food security in Indonesia during the 1980s and early 1990s resulted in policies aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in food crops. The Government of Indonesia (GOI) combined price interventions and economic incentives to encourage agricultural production, especially of the staple crops. From 1985 to 1998, Indonesia started a series of domestic and trade reforms emanating from a combination of unilateral undertakings, the country's commitments to the WTO, and the government's agreement with the IMF following the 1997/98 financial crisis. This study computes nominal protection rates and producer support estimates (NPR and PSE) for Indonesia for the period 1985-2003 for six agricultural commodities, rice, maize, sugar, soybeans, crude palm oil, and natural rubber (representing more than two-thirds of Indonesian agricultural output) in an attempt to quantify the net effects of these policies. The NPRs and PSEs computed for Indonesia show that in spite of the reforms, the GOI has protected its agriculture over the past twenty years, although not uniformly across commodities. Although the reforms went a long way in reducing trade and domestic regulations on agricultural products, the study results demonstrate a return to protection for some …
Quantification of airway deposition of intact and fragmented pollens

Although pollen is one of the most widespread agents that can cause allergy, its airway transport and deposition is far from being fully explored. The objective of this study was to characterize the airway deposition of pollens and to contribute to the debate related to the increasing number of asthma attacks registered after thunderstorms. For the quantification of the deposition of inhaled pollens in the airways computer simulations were performed. Our results demonstrated that smaller and fragmented pollens may penetrate into the thoracic airways and deposit there, supporting the theory that fragmented pollen particles are responsible for the increasing incidence of asthma attacks following thunderstorms. Pollen deposition results also suggest that children are the most exposed to the allergic effects of pollens. Finally, pollens between 0.5 and 20 μm deposit more efficiently in the lung of asthmatics than in the healthy lung, especially in the bronchial region.
Indigenous tourism stages and their implications for sustainability

This paper assesses the evolution of the relationship between tourism and indigenous peoples. Based on published work on indigenous tourism in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, a six-stage model of evolution has been proposed. The model begins with (1) pre-European in situ control, characterised by high local control and indigenous theme; (2) in situ exposure occurs in the early stages of colonialism and is followed by (3) ex situ exhibitionism and exploitation as native artefacts are displayed in museums and exhibitions. The opening of remnant indigenous space to tourist visits marks (4) in situ exhibitionism and exploitation, which represents the nadir of indigenous control but fosters strategies of resistance. Reassertions of indigenous control give rise to (5) in situ quasi-empowerment, while the extension of this control to previously occupied territory characterises (6) ex situ quasi-empowerment and the presence of “shadow indigenous tourism”. The empowerment and sustainability implications of the model have also been discussed.
Antisense inhibition of engrailed genes in mouse embryos reveals roles for these genes in craniofacial and neural tube development.

The roles of engrailed-1 (En-1) and engrailed-2 (En-2) have been investigated during gastrulation and neurulation in mouse embryos. Using antisense oligonucleotides and murine whole embryo culture, early somite embryos were injected with antisense phosphorothioated oligonucleotides directed against En-1 or En-2 transcripts and then grown in vitro for 48 hr. Inhibition of En-1 by antisense targeting during this period resulted in embryos with craniofacial abnormalities, specifically loss of mid- and hindbrain tissue and hypoplasia in associated neural crest derived areas such as the face and first and second pharyngeal arches. In addition, En-1 appeared to be essential in early patterning of the neural tube. Embryos removed from culture as early as 8 hr following injection exhibited undulations in the presumptive spinal cord. Histological analysis of the affected neural tubes at 48 hr showed disrupted cytoarchitecture and in some cases, apparent dorsal-ventral duplication of the neural tube and underlying notochord. Using S100 beta as a notochord marker, embryos removed from culture at 8 or 12 hr following injection exhibited loss of S100 beta expression in the notochord region subjacent to affected neural tube segments, suggesting that S100 beta, or other notochordal genes, may be downstream components of the En-1 regulatory cascade. Furthermore, antisense inhibition of En-1 induced caudal dysgenesis, suggesting disruption in primitive streak function. Antisense targeting of En-2 expression of early somite stages produced few alterations in development, although approximately one third of the embryos exhibited a series of lateral folds in the spinal cord at the level of the forelimb-bud. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Reappraisal of Sentence and Token Splitting for Life Sciences Documents

Natural language processing of real-world documents requires several low-level tasks such as splitting a piece of text into its constituent sentences, and splitting each sentence into its constituent tokens to be performed by some preprocessor (prior to linguistic analysis). While this task is often considered as unsophisticated clerical work, in the life sciences domain it poses enormous problems due to complex naming conventions. In this paper, we first introduce an annotation framework for sentence and token splitting underlying a newly constructed sentence- and token-tagged biomedical text corpus. This corpus serves as a training environment and test bed for machine-learning based sentence and token splitters using Conditional Random Fields (CRFs). Our evaluation experiments reveal that CRFs with a rich feature set substantially increase sentence and token detection performance.
Bride price in China: the obstacle to ‘Bare Branches’ seeking marriage

Throughout Chinese history, the country's patrilineal family system has lead to the practice of paying for brides, a social phenomenon closely related to the issue of surplus males in China. This article attempts to analyze the fluctuations in bride prices over the last 50 years, and at the same time investigate the two vicious cycles involving ‘bare branches’ and the ways in which they find money to pay a bride price. The following points are concluded: 1. The prevalence of paying a bride price is closely related to China's shortage of females. Due to the difficulty involved in finding a wife, bride prices have consistently risen since the 1980s. 2. Males in poor rural areas are afflicted by two vicious cycles. The first is the ‘poor—bare branch—poorer’ cycle. Specifically, poverty prevents them from finding a spouse; this effectively turns them into bare branches, after which they become even poorer. The second is the ‘inability to pay the bride price—bare branch—need to pay a higher bride price’ cycle. Unable to pay a bride price because they are poor, they are forced to postpone getting married to save enough money. After they become bare branches, they find themselves in a more disadvantaged position, and as a result must pay a higher bride price when seeking a wife. 3. In order to pay a bride price, many families are forced to scrimp and save for decades, to borrow money or to take out other types of loans. In extreme circumstances, they will even resort to obtaining money illegally in order to pay a bride price.
PAICA: A Method for Characterizing Platelet-Associated Antibodies - Its Application to the Study of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and to the Detection of Platelet-bound c7E3

Summary In idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), autoantibodies reacting with antigens on the platelet membrane bring about accelerated platelet destruction. We now report PAICA (“Platelet-Associated IgG Characterization Assay”), a method for detecting autoantibodies bound to specific membrane glycoproteins in total platelet lysates. This monoclonal antibody (MAb) capture assay takes into account the fact that antibodies on circulating platelets may be translocated to internal pools as well as being on the surface. A total of twenty ITP patients were examined by PAICA, and the results compared with those obtained by measuring (i) serum antibodies bound to paraformaldehyde-fixed control platelets by ELISA, (ii) IgG bound to the surface of the patient’s own platelets by flow cytometry (PSIgG), (iii) total platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) by ELISA and (iv) serum antibodies reacting with control platelets by MAIPA (“Monoclonal Antibody-specific Immobilization of Platelet Antigens”). Of twelve patients with elevated PAIgG, nine had increased PSIgG yet eleven reacted positively in PAICA. Of these, eight possessed antibodies directed against GP Ilb-IIIa, two against GP Ib-IX and one patient possessed antibodies directed against GP Ilb-IIIa and GP Ia-IIa respectively. Only seven of the patients possessed serum antibodies detectable by MAIPA. PAICA was also able to detect platelet-associated c7E3 (the chimeric form of Fab fragments of the MAb 7E3) following its infusion during antithrombotic therapy, when it proved more sensitive over a seven-day period than a MAIPA assay adapted for assessing surface-bound antibody. We propose that PAICA provides added sensitivity to the detection of platelet-associated antibodies in immune thrombocytopenias or following therapy with humanized MAbs.
Implied integrated variance and hedging

If the volatility is stochastic, stock price returns and European option prices depend on the time average of the variance, i.e. the integrated variance, not on the path of the volatility. Applying a Bayesian statistical approach, we compute a forward-looking estimate of this variance, an option-implied integrated variance. Simultaneously, we obtain estimates of the correlation coefficient between stock price and volatility shocks, and of the parameters of the volatility process. Due to the convexity of the Black–Scholes formula with respect to the volatility, pricing and hedging with Black–Scholes-type formulas and the implied volatility often lead to inaccuracies if the volatility is stochastic. Theoretically, this problem can be avoided by using Hull–White-type option pricing and hedging formulas and the integrated variance. We use the implied integrated variance and Hull–White-type formulas to hedge European options and certain volatility derivatives.