Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review of the Recent Literature

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) remains a puzzling and disabling condition present in 3.8% of the general population. CTS is the most well-known and frequent form of median nerve entrapment, and accounts for 90% of all entrapment neuropathies. This review aims to provide an overview of this common condition, with an emphasis on the pathophysiology involved in CTS. The clinical presentation and risk factors associated with CTS are discussed in this paper. Also, the various methods of diagnosis are explored; including nerve conduction studies, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Fuzzy systems with defuzzification are universal approximators

In this paper, we consider a fundamental theoretical question: Is it always possible to design a fuzzy system capable of approximating any real continuous function on a compact set with arbitrary accuracy? Moreover, we research whether the answer to the above question is positive when we restrict to a fixed (but arbitrary) type of fuzzy reasoning and to a subclass of fuzzy relations. This result can be viewed as an existence theorem of an optimal fuzzy system for a wide variety of problems.
Probable Vancomycin‐Associated Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

A 52‐year‐old man with no previous drug allergies or skin disorders developed a widespread papulovesicular rash while receiving an antimicrobial regimen of piperacillin‐tazobactam, tobramycin, and vancomycin. Skin biopsy suggested leukocytoclastic vasculitis, which responded well to antibiotic discontinuation and steroid therapy. Fifteen days later, during steroid tapering, an additional course of vancomycin was begun for suspected line infection. The subsequent maculopapular rash that developed was diagnosed as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) based on a second skin biopsy and clinical presentation. This case is consistent with previous reports of vancomycin‐associated TEN. Any patient who develops TEN while receiving vancomycin therapy should be evaluated for possible vancomycin‐induced TEN.
A Prevention-Based Paradigm for Violence Risk Assessment

The rationale for this article was to outline and describe an emerging model of prevention-based violence risk assessment and management and to discuss attendant clinical and research implications. This model draws on structured professional judgment rather than on actuarial prediction or unstructured clinical prediction. Its purpose is to prevent violence through the assessment of relevant violence risk factors and the application of risk management and intervention strategies that flow directly from these factors. The authors discuss the nature of the clinical tasks that stem from the model as well as a four-step validation procedure required to evaluate it.
Multilingual Communication and Language Acquisition: New Research Directions.

In this article, we outline the differences between a monolingual and multilingual orientation to language and language acquisition. The increasing contact between languages in the context of globalization motivates such a shift of paradigms. Multilingual communicative practices have remained vibrant in non-western communities for a long time. We draw from theorizations of such communication in these communities and connect them to ongoing empirical studies on negotiation strategies in lingua franca English interactions to develop the multilingual paradigm. We conclude by outlining the questions and issues that need further research in order to develop the multilingual orientation to language acquisition.
Racial Respect and Racial Socialization as Protective Factors for African American Male Youth

African American adolescents must negotiate the transition to adulthood in a society that makes the achievement of positive cultural identity and self-respect difficult. Frequently, young men turn to violence in an attempt to achieve respect in their communities. This article explores factors that predict the use of violence among African American male youth. Adolescents from 14 through 18 years of age who completed a written survey in group settings in Oregon included 100 youth who were detained in the juvenile justice system and 100 who were members of a community youth development program. A history of witnessing violence strongly predicted the intensity of violent behavior of study youth; however, endorsing positive attitudes toward racial respect significantly moderated the effects of chronic exposure to violence. Additionally, racial socialization was negatively correlated to violence intensity and was marginally significant in moderating the effects of witnessing violence. Implications for practice with male African American youth are highlighted.
Congressional Dynamics: Structure, Coordination, and Choice in the First American Congress, 1774-1789.

In 1774 delegates from twelve English colonies in North America assembled in congress. This assemblage laid the foundation for the first national political body in the United States. The basic institutional identity of the Continental Congress never changed over its fifteen-year history. Nonetheless, perceived deficiencies in its structure and performance helped forge the Federal system founded in 1789. This book focuses on the origins, evolution, and demise of the Continental Congress, reinterpreting its successes and failures from the perspective of the 'new institutionalism'. The authors analyse the behavioural record of the delegates - their votes, voting coalitions, work load, committee assignments - and conclude that norms, rules, and structures were as much to blame for the Congress's failure as the twelve represented states' reluctance to support and finance it.
Intravitreal Bevacizumab versus Combined Bevacizumab-Triamcinolone versus Macular Laser Photocoagulation in Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose To evaluate the additive effect of triamcinolone to bevacizumab in comparison to standard macular laser photocoagulation versus bevacizumab in the management of diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 130 eyes of 110 patients with type 2 diabetes with DME were included. Eligible eyes were randomly assigned to 1.25 mg intravitreal bevacizumab (42 eyes) (IVB group) or combination of 1.25 mg bevacizumab and 2 mg triamcinolone acetonide (41 eyes) (IVB+IVT group) or macular laser photocoagulation (47 eyes) (MPC). Central macular thickness (CMT) and visual acuity changes at week 6 and 16 were assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 57 ±7 years. Patients were followed 16 weeks. At week 6, all the three groups showed significant reduction in CMT but the reductions for IVB and IVB+IVT were significantly more than MPC (p<0.001). At week 16, the response was not stable for IVB (p<0.001), but IVB+IVT maintained its superior status to MPC (p<0.001). At week 16, visual acuities were essentially unchanged for the two groups of MPC and IVB and improvement for IVB+IVT was marginal and at most was 0.1 log MAR. No patient developed uveitis, endophthalmitis, or thromboembolic event. Conclusions Single intravitreal bevacizumab or triamcinolone plus bevacizumab injection brought about significantly greater macular thickness reduction in diabetic patients in comparison to standard laser treatment. However, the response for bevacizumab alone was short-lived. Reduction in macular thickness was only marginally associated with visual acuity improvement in the triamcinolone plus bevacizumab injection group.
Proteasomes Control Caspase-1 Activation in Anthrax Lethal Toxin-mediated Cell Killing*

Activation of caspase-1 through the inflammasome protein Nalp1b controls anthrax lethal toxin (LT)-induced necrosis in murine macrophages. In this study we analyzed physiological changes controlled by caspase-1 in LT-treated murine macrophages. The caspase-1 inhibitor Boc-D-cmk blocked caspase-1 activity and membrane impairment in LT-treated cells. To determine the relationship between caspase-1 activation and membrane integrity, we added Boc-D-cmk to J774A.1 macrophages at different time points following LT exposure. Remarkably, Boc-D-cmk rescued LT-treated macrophages, even when added at the peak of caspase-1 activation. Late addition of the caspase-1 inhibitor reversed the losses of plasma membrane integrity and metabolic activity in these cells. Similar results were obtained with the proteasome inhibitor MG132, one of the most potent inhibitors of LT toxicity. LT-treated macrophages displaying evidence of membrane impairment recovered upon the addition of MG132, mirroring the Boc-D-cmk response. Strikingly, late addition of proteasome inhibitors also abrogated caspase-1 activity in LT-treated macrophages. Proteasomal control of caspase-1 activity and membrane impairment, however, was restricted to LT-induced cytolysis, because proteasome inhibitors did not block caspase-1 activation and cell death triggered by lipopolysaccharide and nigericin. Our findings indicate that proteasome inhibitors do not target caspase-1 directly but instead control an upstream event in LT-treated macrophages leading to caspase-1 activation. Taken together, caspase-1-mediated necrosis appears to be tightly controlled and differentially regulated by proteasomes depending on the source of caspase-1 induction.
Exploring the influence of product conspicuousness and social compliance on purchasing motives of young Chinese consumers for foreign brands

Purchasing motives central to consumption experience are often overlooked in the international brand literature. This paper focuses on three primary purchasing motives – perceived prestige, perceived quality, and perceived value and explores their relative impact on purchase intentions for foreign brands among young Chinese consumers. Drawing on conspicuous consumption and normative influence theories in the consumer behavior, psychology, and sociology literature, several research hypotheses are developed and empirically tested with a number of foreign brands. The results demonstrate substantial variations in the purchasing motives across conspicuous versus inconspicuous products as well as among individuals with different levels of social compliance tendencies. The insights provided in this study can help international brand managers develop benefit-based market segmentation and positioning strategies targeting young consumers in developing countries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transmural Conduction Is the Predominant Mechanism of Breakthrough During Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence From Simultaneous Endo-Epicardial High-Density Activation Mapping

Background—Endo-epicardial dissociation (EED) of electric activations resulting in transmural conduction of fibrillation waves (breakthroughs) has been postulated to contribute to the complexity of the substrate of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to elucidate the correlation between EED and incidence of breakthrough and to test the plausibility of transmural conduction versus ectopic focal discharges as sources of breakthrough. Methods and Results—We analyzed high-resolution simultaneous endo-epicardial in vivo mapping data recorded in left atrial free walls of goats with acute AF, 3 weeks and 6 months of AF (all n=7). Waves were analyzed for number, size, and width and categorized according to their origin outside (peripheral wave) or within the mapping area (breakthrough). Breakthrough incidence was lowest (2.1±1.0%) in acute AF, higher (11.4±6.1%) after 3 weeks (P<0.01 versus acute AF) and highest (14.2±3.8%) after 6 months AF (P<0.001 versus acute AF) and similar in the epicardium and endocardium. Most of the breakthroughs (86%; n=564) could be explained by transmural conduction, whereas only 13% (n=85) could be explained by ectopic focal discharges. Transmural microreentry did not play a role as source of breakthrough. Conclusions—This is the first study to present simultaneous endo-epicardial in vivo mapping data at sites of breakthrough events. Breakthrough incidence and degree of EED increased with increasing AF substrate complexity. In goat left atrial free walls, most of the breakthroughs can be explained by transmural conduction, whereas ectopic focal discharges play a limited role as source of breakthrough.
Contribution of beta-lactamase hydrolysis and outer membrane permeability to ceftriaxone resistance in Enterobacter cloacae

Mechanisms of ceftriaxone resistance were examined in Enterobacter cloacae. Clones were selected from four strains: susceptible (S), resistant (R1), selected by plating on ceftriaxone-containing agar, and highly resistant (R2), selected in ceftriaxone-treated mice infected with S clones. According to 14C-labeled beta-lactam binding assays, ceftriaxone resistance was not associated with altered target proteins. R1 and R2 clones stably produced 50 to 1,500 times more beta-lactamase than S clones; this production increased after cefoxitin induction in all S and some R1 clones. Experiments conducted with strain 218 suggested that ceftriaxone resistance involved beta-lactamase hydrolysis. Half-lives for the beta-lactamase-beta-lactam complexes at 37 degrees C were 0.4 and 2.2 min for ceftriaxone and Sch 34343, a drug not affected by the resistance, respectively; in chromatography experiments, 218 intact R1 cells (2 x 10(9) to 3 x 10(9) CFU) suspended in ceftriaxone-containing buffer (2 micrograms/ml) hydrolyzed 80% of the antibiotic in 30 min. Three observations also suggested decreased permeability in some clones, (i) Most of the R1 and R2 clones showed decreased expression of outer membrane proteins of 37,000 to 38,000 molecular weight (37K to 38K proteins) by electrophoresis, often associated with increased amounts of 42K protein. (ii) [14C]Sch 34343 labeling of intact cells proceeded more slowly in 218 R2 (with altered 37K to 38K proteins) than in 218 R1 (without this alteration), a difference persisting after competition with unlabeled cloxacillin. Delays in binding were not caused by different enzymatic activities, since 218 R1 and 218 R2 produce, in similar amounts, beta-lactamases undistinguishable in isoelectric point and Km of cephaloridine. (iii) Intact cells from 218 R2 hydrolyzed ceftriaxone more slowly (20% in 30 min) than did those from 218 R1. In 218 R1, beta-lactamase overproduction was responsible for a 15- to 200-fold increase in the MIC's of ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, carbenicillin, piperacillin, moxalactam, aztreonam, carumonam, and BMY 28142. Imipenem and Sch 34343 were not affected; an additional three- to fivefold increase in the MIC's of these antibiotics (with the exception of piperacillin, imipenem, Sch 34343), seen with 218 R2, was associated with decreased permeability.
Understanding the counsellor's process of working through shadow : a phenomenological-hermeneutical investigation

A phenomenological-hermeneutic method of study was used to understand the counsellor’s process of working through shadow. After analysis, 16 themes were derived, of which 13 themes depicted the counsellor’s process of working through shadow, and three themes depicted the implications of shadow work on the counselling process. The first 13 themes chronologically demonstrate the process of shadow work from the beginning birth of shadow to the eventual incorporation of shadow into a person’s beingness. The last three themes illustrate the implications of shadow work on the counselling process, specifically addressing aspects of client empowerment, therapeutic alliance, and countertransference.
Coffee and coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE We determined if coffee consumption is associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. DATA IDENTIFICATION Articles published between 1966 and August 1991 examining a possible link between coffee and coronary heart disease were identified by a computer-aided literature search (Medline) and by standard bibliographic searches. STUDY SELECTION All prospective cohort studies providing data on daily coffee consumption and coronary events (acute myocardial infarction and/or coronary death) were included. DATA EXTRACTION Data from each published article were extracted. Additional unpublished data augmenting those published for one study were also included. Each cohort was categorized by reported daily coffee consumption. Incidence of coronary events at each level of coffee consumption was the primary outcome. RESULTS Eleven prospective studies were included. The coronary events for subjects consuming little or no coffee (less than or equal to 1 cup per day) were compared with event rates for those consuming greater amounts of coffee. The studies exhibited heterogeneity of results. The typical odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals across studies were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Coffee intake from 1 to 4 cups per day was not associated with any increase in coronary heart disease occurrence compared with 1 cup or less per day (odds ratio, 1.01; confidence interval [0.93, 1.11]). The odds ratios for 4 to 6 and 6 cups or more per day compared with up to 1 cup per day were 1.01 (0.90, 1.12) and 1.09 (0.97, 1.22), respectively. CONCLUSIONS There is no association between coffee consumption and the occurrence of coronary heart disease. This conclusion holds in the absence of adjustment for other coronary risk factors.
The Effect of Tax on Capital Structure under Uncertainty: Model and Empirical Evidence Based on Prospect Theory

Based on Prospect Theory, a model about statutory tax rate and capital structure is developed and proves to be proper by regression analysis with data from 307 Chinese listed companies from 2001 to 2005. The results show that there is a significantly positive relation between tax rate and the amount of debt if the firm is in a certain circumstances in which the cognitive bias on the cost of financial distress(CFD) is not serious so the firm chooses the optimal capital structure determined by tax benefit and CFD ,while the relation between them is not significant if the firm is in rather uncertain circumstances, in which the cognitive bias is very serious and firm becomes a risk taker and perceives that more debt can create more value, so he will use as much debt as possible without considering the tax benefit.
Changes in cognitive strategies and motor skill in tennis.

This study examined changes in cognitive and motor skill aspects of tennis performance in adult novices as the result of two types of instruction. In Experiment 1, subjects received instruction in motor skills and declarative knowledge followed by the introduction and integration of tennis strategies. In Experiment 2, subjects received declarative and strategic knowledge and minimal skill instruction followed by an emphasis on refining knowledge and skill in game situations. A knowledge test, skills tests, and actual game play (control, decision, and execution components of performance) were analyzed at the beginning, middle, and end of the semester. Cognitive components increased concurrently with skill improvement when instruction was skill oriented. However, improvements in motor skill components did not occur in Experiment 2 until integration of skill instruction. These findings suggest that, without direct instruction, changes in cognitive components (accuracy of decisions) are more easily developed .
Case Generation: A Rough-fuzzy Approach

In this article we propose a rough-fuzzy hybridization scheme for case generation. Fuzzy set theory is used for linguistic representation of patterns, thereby producing a granulation of the feature space. Rough set theory is used to obtain dependency rules which model informative regions in the granulated feature space. The fuzzy membership functions corresponding to the informative regions are stored as cases. Case retrieval is made using a fuzzy similarity function. Unlike existing case selection methods, the cases here are cluster granules, and not sample points. Also, the cases involve reduced number of relevant features with variable size. The algorithm is suitable for mining data sets, large both in dimension and size, due to its low time requirement in case generation as well as retrieval. Superiority of the algorithm in terms of classification accuracy, and case generation and retrieval time is demonstrated on some real life datasets.
A Programmable 10b up-to-6MS/s SAR-ADC Featuring Constant-FoM with On-Chip Reference Voltage Buffers

A 10bit SAR-ADC implemented in a 1.2V 0.13mum CMOS with 1VppdiffFS, based on capacitive-charge redistribution can be programmed with Fs up-to-6MS/s, guaranteeing an ENOB>9b with a SFDR>74dB. The static INL and DNL are 0.6LSB and 0.55LSB, respectively. On-chip reference buffer have been added and their power consumption dominates, giving a FoMap1pJ/conv. Sharing these buffers with other blocks in SoC structure, reduces the ADC power consumption to 200muW and the FoMap0.1pJ/conv. This appears an attractive solution for embedded ADC
Finding the ciliary beating pattern with optimal efficiency

We introduce a measure for energetic efficiency of biological cilia acting individually or collectively and numerically determine the optimal beating patterns according to this criterion. Maximizing the efficiency of a single cilium leads to curly, often symmetric, and somewhat counterintuitive patterns. However, when looking at a densely ciliated surface, the optimal patterns become remarkably similar to what is observed in microorganisms like Paramecium. The optimal beating pattern then consists of a fast effective stroke and a slow sweeping recovery stroke. Metachronal coordination is essential for efficient pumping and the highest efficiency is achieved with antiplectic waves. Efficiency also increases with an increasing density of cilia up to the point where crowding becomes a problem. We finally relate the pumping efficiency of cilia to the swimming efficiency of a spherical microorganism and show that the experimentally estimated efficiency of Paramecium is surprisingly close to the theoretically possible optimum.
Die Bildung prädiktiver Inferenzen von Kindern und Erwachsenen bei der kognitiven Verarbeitung audiovisueller und auditiver Texte

Zusammenfassung. In den vorliegenden 2 Experimenten wurde mit insgesamt 192 Probanden im Alter von 6, 8, 10, 13 und 22 Jahren untersucht, ob wahrend der Rezeption von Filmen oder Horspielen pradiktive Inferenzen uber den Fortgang der Handlung gebildet werden. In den Experimenten wurden kurze narrative Texte in audiovisueller oder auditiver Form prasentiert. Die Texte wurden durch ein Standbild eines Objekts unterbrochen, das mit einer pradiktiven Inferenz assoziiert ist oder nicht. Die Probanden erhielten die Aufgabe, das eingeblendete Objekt so schnell wie moglich zu benennen. Erfasst wurden die Benennungslatenzen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass nur die jungsten Probanden bei den audiovisuellen Texten pradiktive Inferenzen generieren.