Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hand osteoarthritis: current knowledge and new ideas

Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disease that can lead to substantial pain and physical disability. Currently, no disease-modifying drugs exist for the treatment of OA. Most OA research has been conducted on knee OA and we have limited knowledge about disease mechanisms in hand OA. During her research career, Ida K Haugen (IKH) has focused on the epidemiology of hand OA and imaging techniques. She has established a large international network, providing the opportunity to study the epidemiology of hand OA in large international OA cohorts. In the Framingham study, she found that symptomatic hand OA was present in 16% of women and 8% of men aged between 40 and 84 years. In her PhD thesis, IKH studied the reliability and validity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in hand OA. In collaboration with OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology), an MRI scoring system for hand OA was developed. MRI is more sensitive than radiographs for detecting structural abnormalities. Synovitis, as detected by both MRI and ultrasound, is associated with pain and predicts future disease progression. Hence, synovitis may represent a treatment target in hand OA. Her future research plans include the observational Nor-Hand study and a placebo-controlled randomized trial on methotrexate (MTX) in hand OA. The data collection of 300 patients in the Nor-Hand study is ongoing, and focuses on causes of pain and novel imaging techniques to assess inflammation in hand OA. In a future clinical trial, patients with moderate to severe long-lasting pain and inflammation will be treated with MTX and the effect on pain and inflammation will be explored.
A study of the effect of manufacturing proactivity on business performance

Purpose – This research paper analyses the link between manufacturing proactivity, understood as the tendency of a company to implement the most modern and advanced production management practices and business performance.Design/methodology/approach – Over a sample of 186 industrial companies, two dimensions of proactivity were identified; one reflecting a cultural orientation and the other denoting a technical approach to progress.Findings – Both dimensions, especially the cultural one turned out to have a positive effect on financial and operational performance. Among other things, these results point out the potential of the production and operations function as a source of competitive advantage for the company.Originality/value – The aggregated analysis of several advanced production management practices, the proposal of different causal explanation of the relationship between manufacturing proactivity and business performance, and the combination of primary (postal questionnaires) and secondary (fina.
c-erbB-3 proto-oncogene expression in uterine cervical carcinoma

Over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2, in uterine cervical carcinomas, is associated with a worsened prognosis. A third member of this proto-oncogene family, c-erbB-3, has now been identified and its over-expression has been described in a variety of carcinomas. In this immunohistochemical study we have shown that c-erbB-3 is widely expressed in cervical carcinomas, but we have found no association between its over-expression and lymph node status or clinical outcome. In a similar study examining the expression of EGFR and c-erbB-2 it was possible to demonstrate an association between over-expression and a worse prognosis. We conclude, therefore, that it is unlikely that demonstration of c-erbB-3 over-expression will be of any value as a prognostic indicator in carcinoma of the uterine cervix.
Simple Heuristics for Pricing VIX Options

The article presents a simple parameterization of the volatility surface for options on the SP (ii) VIX ATM implied volatility declines exponentially with options' time to expiry; (iii) a SABR-type model can be used to model the smile observed in VIX options. These observations lead to simple heuristics for quoting prices (in terms of implied volatility) of VIX options with almost arbitrary strike and expiry, obtaining values that are reasonably close to market levels.
Architecture of the hind limb muscles of cats: Functional significance

Force, velocity, and displacement properties of a muscle are determined in large part by its architectural design. The relative effect of muscle architecture on these physiological variables was studied by determining muscle weight, fiber length, average sarcomere length, and approximate angle of pinnation for 24 cat hind limb muscles. Muscle lengths ranged from 28.3 to 144 mm, whereas fiber lengths ranged from 8.4 to 105.5 mm. Generally, fiber to muscle length ratios were similar throughout a muscle. Estimated angles of pinnation of muscle fibers varied from 0 to 21° with most having an angle of less than 10°. The cross‐sectional area of the knee extensors was similar to the knee flexors (16.43 vs. 16.83 cm2) whereas the cross‐sectional area of the ankle extensors was more than six times greater than the ankle flexors (18.59 vs. 2.83 cm2). There was a 6.7‐fold difference in the maximal force between muscles, when normalized to a constant weight, that could be attributed to architectural features. Rations of wet weight to predicted maximal tetanic tension for each muscle and group were calculated to compare the relative priority of muscle force versus muscle length‐velocity for a given mass of muscle. These ratios varied from 0.4 to 4.84. The ratios suggest that velocity and/or displacement is a priority for the hamstrings, whereas force is a priority for the quadriceps and lower leg muscles. As much as a 12.6‐fold difference in maximal velocity between muscles can be attributed to differences in fiber lengths. This can be compared to approximately a 2.5‐fold difference in maximal velocity reported to occur as a result of biochemical (intrinsic) differences.
FPGA implementation of digital differentiator using Richardson extrapolation and high sampling rate acting like fractional delay

Differentiator is widely used to calculate derivative of measured signal in many fields. To improve characteristics of frequency responses, a differentiator using Richardson extrapolation and fractional delay has been proposed. However, to implement fractional delay, some sort of high-order interpolator is needed, which causes many problems. In this paper, to resolve the problems caused by the high-order interpolator, a higher sampling rate system is implemented on FPGA, which acts like a system using fractional delay. A way to implement the proposed method on FPGA is described, and its effectiveness is verified by some experiments.
Development and preliminary validation of the Glasgow Content of Thoughts Inventory (GCTI): a new measure for the assessment of pre-sleep cognitive activity.

OBJECTIVE To develop a self-report measure (the Glasgow Content of Thoughts Inventory [GCTI]) for the assessment of pre-sleep cognitive activity in adults with sleep-onset insomnia. DESIGN A psychometric, scale development approach was used. METHOD Over three consecutive nights, 12 people with insomnia provided 'live' audio-recordings of pre-sleep thought content, which were used to generate an item pool. The results were compared to the content and categorical structure of pre-sleep cognitive activity identified by Wicklow and Espie (2000), and commonalities in thought content were used to generate a draft scale. Following further piloting, a 25-item scale was developed and administered to two groups (29 people with insomnia and 29 good sleepers), along with other self-report measures, objective (actigraphic recordings) and subjective (diary) sleep indices, and results analysed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale. RESULTS The GCTI demonstrated evidence of construct validity, successfully discriminated between individuals with insomnia and good sleepers, and was significantly correlated with existing measures of sleep disturbance. A score of 42 yielded a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 83%. The GCTI demonstrated good test- retest reliability (ICC = .88) and internal consistency (alpha = .87). CONCLUSIONS The GCTI appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for use with patients with sleep-onset insomnia.
EFFECT OF FINANCIAL INNOVATIONS ON DEMAND FOR MONEY IN PAKISTAN: AN ARDL APPROACH

An increasing array of development of banking system of Pakistan, through the use of information technology and modernization of products and services has led to financial innovations to be considered as important determinant of demand for money. This paper investigates the relationship of financial innovations and demand for money in Pakistan using Pesaran and Shin (1995) ARDL approach for long run and ECM for short run determination using yearly observations from 1957 to 2008. Using the ARDL coefficient estimation approach financial innovations demonstrates positive relationship, not found to be significant but highly elastic and does not have deterministic trend for long run estimation where as positively significant and deterministic trend for money demand function in short run in case of Pakistan.
In vivo nicotine treatment regulates mesocorticolimbic CREB and ERK signaling in C57Bl/6J mice

The extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was studied to determine its role in neuronal plasticity related to the development of nicotine dependence. Levels and phosphorylation state of ERK, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and proline‐rich/Ca2+‐activated tyrosine kinase (PYK2), and levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), were determined using western blotting. C57Bl/6J mice received acute or chronic nicotine (200 µg/mL) in their drinking water or were withdrawn from nicotine for 24 h following chronic exposure. CREB phosphorylation was reduced in the nucleus accumbens following chronic nicotine, consistent with previous reports that decreased accumbens CREB activity increases drug reinforcement. In contrast, CREB phosphorylation was increased in the prefrontal cortex following chronic nicotine exposure and in the ventral tegmental area during nicotine withdrawal. In addition, total and phosphorylated ERK decreased in the amygdala following chronic nicotine exposure, but ERK phosphorylation increased in the prefrontal cortex. TH levels increased in both the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, supporting the hypothesis that increased catecholaminergic tone contributes to nicotine reinforcement. Overall, these results support a role for ERK and CREB activity in neural plasticity associated with nicotine dependence.
CT criteria for venous invasion in patients with pancreatic head carcinoma.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate CT criteria for venous invasion in patients with potentially resectable carcinoma of the pancreatic head, with surgical and histopathological correlation. In 113 patients evaluated with spiral CT for suspected pancreatic head carcinoma, several CT criteria for venous invasion were scored prospectively for the portal vein (PV) and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV): length of tumour contact with PV/SMV (0 mm, < 5 mm, > 5 mm); circumferential involvement of the vein (0 degree, 0-90 degrees, 90-180 degrees, > 180 degrees); degree of stenosis; irregularity of the vessel margin; and tumour convexity towards vessel. 65 patients underwent surgery. Pancreatic head carcinoma was proven and pathology of the vascular margin was obtained in 50 of these patients. CT findings for single and combined criteria were correlated with pathology in these 50 patients, 30 of whom showed venous ingrowth. Invasion was found in all cases with SMV narrowing (n = 7), PV contour involvement > 90 degrees (n = 6), PV narrowing (n = 5) and PV wall irregularity (n = 3). The vascular ingrowth rate was 88% (15/17) for tumour concavity towards the PV or SMV. Poor predictors of ingrowth were length of tumour contact with PV > 5 mm (78% ingrowth, 14/18) and contour involvement of the SMV > 90 degrees (83% ingrowth, 10/12). Absence of vascular ingrowth could not be predicted in 100%. In conclusion, CT criteria can predict a high risk of invasion in potentially resectable tumours. Narrowing of the SMV and the PV seems the most reliable criterion, as well as circumferential involvement of the PV > 90 degrees. The best combination of criteria was tumour concavity with circumferential involvement > 90 degrees (sensitivity 60% and positive predictive value 90%).
Interlocking Ownership in the Korean Chaebol

This paper analyses how a dominant entrepreneur of the Korean chaebol is able to exercise control, despite having a tiny shareholding, through strategic interlocking ownership. The entrepreneur organises his intimate group, consisting of three clusters of in-house shareholders, and they together have controlling interests in only a few subsidiaries, mainly public companies. These central subsidiaries, as quasi-holding companies, control most other member companies. The resultant ownership structure resembles a grid, in which individual subsidiaries’ ownership structures are intermingled.
Comparison of complication rates of Hickman® catheters versus peripherally inserted central catheters in patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing induction chemotherapy

Abstract Central venous access devices (CVADs) are used for intravenous therapy in patients with hematological malignancies. There are limited data comparing catheter outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing induction chemotherapy. A retrospective review comparing the incidence of early and late CVAD-associated complications and their effect on CVAD removal was performed in patients with AML undergoing induction chemotherapy between 2007 and 2011. Overall, 64 Hickman® catheters and 84 peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) were inserted. There was a trend toward increasing use of PICCs. The rate of CVAD occlusion was higher in PICCs compared to Hickman catheters (48.2% vs. 3.2%), for a rate of 20.43 vs. 1.25 per 1000 CVAD-days (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the rates of CVAD-associated thrombosis, premature removal, blood stream infection (BSI) and CVAD-related BSI. Importantly, there was no significant difference in the rate of CVAD removal between Hickman catheters and PICCs for the duration that the CVADs were in place. The choice of type of CVAD inserted into patients with newly diagnosed AML will depend on ease of catheter placement, cost, perception of frequency and severity of complications, and clinician preference.
Clinical Significance of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy in Critically Ill Patients

Background: Early fluid resuscitation is a key aspect in the successful management of critically ill patients, but the optimal goal for volume control after the acute stage of critical illness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of bioimpedance spectrometry for fluid management in critically ill patients. Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients who consented to participate were screened within the first 24 hours of admission to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) from February 4, 2015, to January 31, 2016. Information on demographics, comorbidities, primary reasons for admission, baseline laboratory data, and ventilator or inotropic use were documented. Data of fluid intake, fluid output, and body weight were recorded for the first 3 days of ICU admission. Bioimpedance spectrometry was performed on the first and third days after ICU admission. All participants were followed until death or hospital discharge. Results: Of the 140 enrolled patients (median age: 70 years, interquartile range: 60-77 years), 23 (16.4%) patients died during hospitalization. Independent predictors of hospital mortality were Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (per 1 point increase, odds ratio [OR]: 1.101) and overhydration (OH) volume on the first day (per 1 L increase, OR: 1.216). Compared to normal OH status (OH volume between −1 and 1 L), hyper OH status (OH volume < −1 L) on the third day after ICU admission was an independent predictor of hospital death (OR: 7.609). Normal OH status on the third day was associated with greater numbers of ICU-free and ventilator-free days. Conclusion: Bioimpedance spectrometry can be used to predict outcomes in critically ill patients. Increased OH volume on day 1 and hyper OH volume on day 3 of ICU admission are associated with a greater risk of hospital mortality. Volume status on day 3 is associated with durations of ventilator use and ICU stay.
The Four Benchmarks of Sovereign Wealth Funds

The benchmarks of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) should take into account the economic and political context behind the creation of the SWF and the role the SWF plays as one part of a government’s overall policy. The first benchmark of legitimacy ensures that the capital of the SWF is not immediately spent and instead, is gradually disbursed across the present and future generations. The second integrated policy benchmark recognizes the implicit liabilities of the SWF by taking into account its role in government fiscal and other macro policies. Meeting these two standards should be a prerequisite before setting the performance benchmark, which goes hand in hand with the governance structure of the SWF. Finally, the long-term horizon requires a SWF to consider the long-run equilibrium benchmark of the markets in which the SWF invests and the long-term externalities affecting the SWF.
The Influence of Agriscience and Natural Resources Curriculum on Students' Science Achievement Scores.

Over the past several years, poor science test results have increased the demand for improved science education for American students. New and innovative methods of presenting scientific materials are needed to improve student achievement and enthusiasm for learning science. One solution to this dilemma has been to increase students' interest in science by using agricultural and natural resources concepts to teach science. This teaching method incorporated agricultural concepts of plant science, animal science and natural resources into the curricula to more effectively teach general science concepts and improve students' interest in the subject. This research sought to determine if students who enrolled in agriscience and natural resources comprehend science principles on an equal level as students who did not enroll in agriscience and natural resources. A standardized science test, High School Subject Test-Biology, was used to measure students' science knowledge. The results showed that there was no difference in the science test scores of students who had and had not enrolled in agriscience and natural resources. The variables that explained the most variance in science test scores were the number of science credits completed and the students' overall grade point average.
In Vivo Experimental Detection of Inflammatory Process in Tissues by Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Laser fluorescence spectroscopy (LFS) is widely used in medicine. Today, oncology and oncosurgery are considered as the most promising fields of its application. It is known that cancerous tissues are able to accumulate different porphyrins, both endogenous and exogenous, in enhanced amount due to increased metabolism in cancerous cells. So, LFS can be used in vivo for detection of malignant tumours as well as for real-time intraoperative imaging or diagnostics at a photodynamic therapy. One of the reason of the enhanced accumulation of porphyrins in tissues is a chronic hypoxia. Therefore, it was hypothesized, that LFS could also be used for diagnosis of local inflammation in tissues. Recently, some indirect data confirming the hypothesis was obtained when observed inflammation due to invasion of external substances into tissues. This study proves the hypothesis in a direct experiment with animals and laboratory tests. Enhanced fluorescence intensity of the exogenous photosensitizer was found in inflamed tissues. The direct association between intensity of the fluorescence, histological characteristics and blood test results was shown. It was found that the registered fluorescence signal correlates with neutrophil counts in blood of tested animals. It proves that LFS could be an effective tool for registration of local inflammation.
Inactivation of MXR1 Abolishes Formation of Dimethyl Sulfide from Dimethyl Sulfoxide inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is a sulfur compound of importance for the organoleptic properties of beer, especially some lager beers. Synthesis of DMS during beer production occurs partly during wort production and partly during fermentation. Methionine sulfoxide reductases are the enzymes responsible for reduction of oxidized cellular methionines. These enzymes have been suggested to be able to reduce dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as well, with DMS as the product. A gene for an enzymatic activity leading to methionine sulfoxide reduction inSaccharomyces yeast was recently identified. We confirmed that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae open reading frame YER042w appears to encode a methionine sulfoxide reductase, and propose the name MXR1 for the gene. We found that Mxr1p catalyzes reduction of DMSO to DMS and that an mxr1 disruption mutant cannot reduce DMSO to DMS. Mutant strains appear to have unchanged fitness under several laboratory conditions, and in this paper I hypothesize that disruption of MXR1 in brewing yeasts would neutralize the contribution of the yeast to the DMS content in beer.
The assessment: macroeconomic policy

This paper describes the emerging consensus about the "reaction function" approach to macroeconomic policy. The first section of the paper describes the historical emergence of this consensus, as a synthesis of pre-Keynesian, Keynesian, and monetarist ideas. The theoretical part of the paper presents the basic framework of the approach and explains a number of extensions, including: finding the optimal reaction function, avoiding the problem of inflation bias, the relevance of the Taylor rule, forward-looking expectations, extensions to the open economy, and the interconnections between monetary and fiscal policy. The later parts of the paper contain a detailed discussion of some of the practical and institutional issues involved in the implementation of this new framework. Copyright 2000 by Oxford University Press.
Trends in Book-Tax Income and Balance Sheet Differences

We use Compustat and tax return data to describe trends from 1991-1998 in differences between book and tax measures of income and balance sheet amounts. Our primary findings confirm that book-tax income differences are growing throughout the 1990s. Extending prior work, we partition the sample to describe the differences by industry, global character and profitability. Secondly, we compare Compustat financial statement assets and liabilities to the book balance sheet reported on the tax return and find that the tax return amounts exceed the financial statement amounts in the aggregate. We plan to investigate suggested explanations for this excess, including differences in book versus tax consolidation reporting and off-balance sheet activity.