Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study (FIDELITY): a protocol for a randomised, placebo surgery controlled trial on the efficacy of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for patients with degenerative meniscus injury with a novel ‘RCT within-a-cohort’ study design

Introduction Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) to treat degenerative meniscus injury is the most common orthopaedic procedure. However, valid evidence of the efficacy of APM is lacking. Controlling for the placebo effect of any medical intervention is important, but seems particularly pertinent for the assessment of APM, as the symptoms commonly attributed to a degenerative meniscal injury (medial joint line symptoms and perceived disability) are subjective and display considerable fluctuation, and accordingly difficult to gauge objectively. Methods and analysis A multicentre, parallel randomised, placebo surgery controlled trial is being carried out to assess the efficacy of APM for patients from 35 to 65 years of age with a degenerative meniscus injury. Patients with degenerative medial meniscus tear and medial joint line symptoms, without clinical or radiographic osteoarthritis of the index knee, were enrolled and then randomly assigned (1 : 1) to either APM or diagnostic arthroscopy (placebo surgery). Patients are followed up for 12 months. According to the prior power calculation, 140 patients were randomised. The two randomised patient groups will be compared at 12 months with intention-to-treat analysis. To safeguard against bias, patients, healthcare providers, data collectors, data analysts, outcome adjudicators and the researchers interpreting the findings will be blind to the patients’ interventions (APM/placebo). Primary outcomes are Lysholm knee score (a generic knee instrument), knee pain (using a numerical rating scale), and WOMET score (a disease-specific, health-related quality of life index). The secondary outcome is 15D (a generic quality of life instrument). Further, in one of the five centres recruiting patients for the randomised controlled trial (RCT), all patients scheduled for knee arthroscopy due to a degenerative meniscus injury are prospectively followed up using the same protocol as in the RCT to provide an external validation cohort. In this article, we present and discuss our study design, focusing particularly on the internal and external validity of our trial and the ethics of carrying out a placebo surgery controlled trial. Ethics and dissemination The protocol has been approved by the institutional review board of the Pirkanmaa Hospital District and the trial has been duly registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The findings of this study will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00549172.
Role of Diffusion Tensor Imaging as an Independent Predictor of Cognitive and Language Development in Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion tensor imaging at term can predict later development of cerebral palsy. Less is known about its ability to independently predict cognitive and language development in extremely preterm infants. The goals of the study were to investigate the following: 1) whether regional DTI measures at term-equivalent age in extremely low-birth-weight infants (birth weight, ≤1000 g) are predictive of Bayley III developmental scores at 18- to 22-months' corrected age, and 2) to compare white matter microstructural development at term and neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely low-birth-weight infants with healthy term controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity in 7 vulnerable cerebral regions were measured in 42 extremely low-birth-weight and 16 term infants with high-quality DTI scans. The Bayley mental scale score (average of cognitive and language scale scores) was the primary outcome of interest with individual scores serving as secondary outcomes. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to identify the incremental ability of DTI measures to predict Bayley scores over known predictors. RESULTS: Compared with healthy term infants, extremely low-birth-weight infants exhibited significantly higher mean diffusivity and lower fractional anisotropy in 6 of 7 regions. At 18- to 22-months' corrected age, 39 extremely low-birth-weight infants (93%) and 14 term infants (88%) had undergone neurodevelopmental assessments. Although not statistically significant, extremely low-birth-weight infants averaged 7–9 points lower on Bayley subtests than term controls. In multivariable analyses, centrum semiovale mean diffusivity was a significant predictor of mental and language scale scores, and subventricular zone fractional anisotropy was a significant predictor of cognitive scale scores. A 10% increase in centrum semiovale mean diffusivity was associated with a 4.6 (95% CI, 1.6–7.6) point lower mental scale score (adjusted R2 = 0.341, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In our extremely low-birth-weight cohort, DTI was an independent predictor of later cognitive and language development.
Inside Thai Society: Interpretations Of Everyday Life

Thailand is often called the "Land of Smiles," a nickname which sounds at once pleasant and mysterious. It is said that the Thais have a smile for every emotion, and with so many nuances of smiling, the smile often hides more than it reveals. Inside Thai Society looks behind smiles and appearances in order to discover those regularities and expectations that pervade everyday life. It identifies the basic ideas that give meaning and order to existence and that make life in Thai society eminently reasonable.
Mindfulness Training as an Intervention for Fibromyalgia: Evidence of Postintervention and 3-Year Follow-Up Benefits in Well-Being

Background: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) proposes a systematic program for reduction of suffering associated with a wide range of medical conditions. Studies suggest improvements in general aspects of well-being, including quality of life (QoL), coping and positive affect, as well as decreased anxiety and depression. Methods: A quasi-experimental study examined effects of an 8-week MBSR intervention among 58 female patients with fibromyalgia (mean, 52 ± 8 years) who underwent MBSR or an active social support procedure. Participants were assigned to groups by date of entry, and 6 subjects dropped out during the study. Self-report measures were validated German inventories and included the following scales: visual analog pain, pain perception, coping with pain, a symptom checklist and QoL. Pre- and postintervention measurements were made. Additionally, a 3-year follow-up was carried out on a subgroup of 26 participants. Results: Pre- to postintervention analyses indicated MBSR to provide significantly greater benefits than the control intervention on most dimensions, including visual analog pain, QoL subscales, coping with pain, anxiety, depression and somatic complaints (Cohen d effect size, 0.40–1.10). Three-year follow-up analyses of MBSR participants indicated sustained benefits for these same measures (effect size, 0.50–0.65). Conclusions: Based upon a quasi-randomized trial and long-term observational follow-up, results indicate mindfulness intervention to be of potential long-term benefit for female fibromyalgia patients.
The Strength of small instanton amplitudes in gauge theories with compact extra dimensions

We study instanton effects in theories with compact extra dimensions. We perform an instanton calculation in a 5d theory on a circle of radius R, with gauge, scalar, and fermion fields in the bulk of the extra dimension. We show that, depending on the matter content, instantons of size ρ << R can dominate the amplitude. Using deconstruction as an ultraviolet definition of the theory allows us to show, in a controlled approximation, that for a small number of bulk fermions, the amplitude for small size instantons exponentially grows as eScript O(1)R/ρ.
NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF DISCING EFFECTS ON WATERFOWL FOOD PRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

The foregoing investigations were intended to provide empirical data necessary to conduct a nutritional analysis of moist-soil impoundment management practices. Such an exercise would ideally address all potential waterbird foods during time periods when their availability was of highest biological significance, and would be applicable to several avian foraging guilds. Given the difficulties encountered in obtaining reliable estimates of true metabolizable energy for invertebrate foods (Chapter 1), the diversity of invertebrate taxa encountered during field sampling (Chapters 2 and 4), and the lack of available invertebrate TME data from the literature, such an analysis for invertebrate data was impracticable. However, estimates of seed production in disced and control areas at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Chapter 3) combined with TME data for many of these species (Chapter 1) should provide the basis for assessing the influence of habitat management practices in a nutritional context. The objective of this exercise was to integrate field measures of resource production with laboratory measures of nutritional value, thereby providing an analysis that accounts for both quantity and quality of foods. METHODS
Overview of Single Frequency Multipoint Transmission Concepts for HSDPA and Performance Evaluation of Intra-Site Multiflow Aggregation Scheme

WCDMA based third generation networks are widely deployed and 3GPP is constantly seeking to evolve their performance. It is a well-known problem that reception quality degrades at cell edges. Multipoint transmission from two separate cells can be used to overcome this problem in single frequency deployments. In this paper we make an overview of several techniques for single frequency multipoint transmission, which are under consideration in 3GPP. This study presents the simulation results of Intra-site Multiflow Aggregation scheme where UEs can receive two independent transmissions from separate sectors. The performance of Type 3 and Type 3i receivers is also benchmarked in such scenario. Considerable improvement of radio network performance is demonstrated for users with Type 3i receivers on the borders of the cells without any sensible negative effect for all other users.
HetR-Dependent and -Independent Expression of Heterocyst-Related Genes in an Anabaena Strain Overproducing the NtcA Transcription Factor

ABSTRACT Heterocyst development in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 depends on both the global nitrogen control transcription factor NtcA and the cell differentiation regulatory protein HetR, with expression of ntcA and hetR being dependent on each other. In this study we constructed strains that constitutively express the ntcA gene leading to high levels of NtcA protein irrespective of the nitrogen source, and we analyzed the effects of such NtcA levels on heterocyst differentiation. In the NtcA-overproducing strain, heterocyst differentiation, induction of NtcA-dependent heterocyst development genes or operons such as devBCA or the cox2 operon, and NtcA-dependent excision of the 11-kb nifD-intervening element only took place under nitrogen deficiency. Although functional heterocysts were produced in response to nitrogen step-down, the NtcA overproducing strain could not grow diazotrophically. Overexpression of ntcA in a hetR background promoted expression of devBCA in response to ammonium withdrawal and excision of the 11-kb element even in the presence of combined nitrogen. Our results show that some NtcA-dependent heterocyst-related genes can be expressed independently of HetR.
A case study of eating disorder: Bulimia Nervosa and its Islamic perspective

Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is primarily a psychiatric disorder characterized by severe disturbances of eating behavior. Bulimia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorder and is characterized by compulsive eating extremely followed by compensatory efforts to purge calories and avoid weight gain. In fact, eating disorder has become a gowning issues in adolescence. Hey are very concerned about their physical appearance but are unable to control their over eating habits. From the Islamic perspective, health is viewed as one of the greatest blessings that Allah has bestowed on mankind. Various Qur’anic verses and texts within Islam promote the healthy eating habits ie. Balanced diet and eating in moderation. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has strictly forbidden overeating in the following hadith: “overeating is the source of all diseases,” (narrated by Al-Sayuthy cited in Abdillah, 1996). This study identifies factors which lead to eating disorder and results in obesity. Hence, obesity has been identified as a risk factor for the development of bulimia nervosa among those who try to lose weight.
Cell ageing: a flourishing field for neurodegenerative diseases

Cellular senescence is viewed as an irreversible cell-cycle arrest mechanism involving a complexity of biological progressive processes and the acquisition of diverse cellular phenotypes. Several cell-intrinsic and extrinsic causes (stresses) may lead to diverse cellular signaling cascades that include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, excessive accumulation of misfolded proteins, impaired microRNA processing and inflammation. Here we review recent advances in the causes and consequences of brain cell ageing, including the senescence of endothelial cells at the central nervous system barriers, as well as of neurons and glial cells. We address what makes ageing an important risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cerebrovascular disease. In particular, we highlight the importance of defects in mitochondrial dynamics, in the cathepsin activity imbalance, in cell-cell communication, in the accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins and in the microRNA profiling as having potential impact on cellular ageing processes. Another important aspect is that the absence of specific senescence biomarkers has hampered the characterization of senescent cells in ageing and age-associated diseases. In accordance, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) or secretome was shown to vary in distinct cell types and upon different stressors, and SASP heterogeneity is believed to create subsets of senenescent cells. In addition to secreted proteins, we then place extracellular vesicles (exosomes and ectosomes) as important mediators of intercellular communication with pathophysiological roles in disease spreading, and as emerging targets for therapeutic intervention. We also discuss the application of engineered extracellular vesicles as vehicles for drug delivery. Finally, we summarize current knowledge on methods to rejuvenate senescent cells and we review cell replacement therapeutic strategies. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the senescence of cells may open novel therapeutic approaches for age-related pathologies and for extending healthy human life span.
An empirical test of evolutionary theories for reproductive senescence and reproductive effort in the garter snake Thamnophis elegans

Evolutionary theory predicts that differential reproductive effort and rate of reproductive senescence will evolve under different rates of external mortality. We examine the evolutionary divergence of age-specific reproduction in two life-history ecotypes of the western terrestrial garter snake, Thamnophis elegans. We test for the signature of reproductive senescence (decreasing fecundity with age) and increasing reproductive effort with age (increasing reproductive productivity per gram female) in replicate populations of two life-history ecotypes: snakes that grow fast, mature young and have shorter lifespans, and snakes that grow slow, mature late and have long lives. The difference between life-history ecotypes is due to genetic divergence in growth rate. We find (i) reproductive success (live litter mass) increases with age in both ecotypes, but does so more rapidly in the fast-growth ecotype, (ii) reproductive failure increases with age in both ecotypes, but the proportion of reproductive failure to total reproductive output remains invariant, and (iii) reproductive effort remains constant in fast-growth individuals with age, but declines in slow-growth individuals. This illustration of increasing fecundity with age, even at the latest ages, deviates from standard expectations for reproductive senescence, as does the lack of increases in reproductive effort. We discuss our findings in light of recent theories regarding the phenomenon of increased reproduction throughout life in organisms with indeterminate growth and its potential to offset theoretical expectations for the ubiquity of senescence.
American Thoracic Society Documents An Official ATS Clinical Policy Statement : Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome Genetic Basis , Diagnosis , and Management

Background: Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is characterized by alveolar hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation. Purpose: (1) To demonstrate the importance of PHOX2B testing in diagnosing and treating patients with CCHS, (2) to summarize recent advances in understanding how mutations in the PHOX2B gene lead to the CCHS phenotype, and (3) to provide an update on recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of patients with CCHS. Methods: Committee members were invited on the basis of their expertise in CCHSandaskedto reviewthecurrent stateof thescience by independently completing literature searches. Consensus on recommendations was reached by agreement among members of the Committee. Results: A review of pertinent literature allowed for the development of a document that summarizes recent advances in understanding CCHS and expert interpretation of the evidence for management of affected patients. Conclusions: A PHOX2B mutation is required to confirm the diagnosis of CCHS. Knowledge of the specific PHOX2B mutation aids in anticipating the CCHS phenotype severity. Parents of patients with CCHS should be tested for PHOX2B mutations. Maintaining a high index of suspicion in cases of unexplained alveolar hypoventilation will likely identify a higher incidence of milder cases of CCHS. Recommended management options aimed toward maximizing safety and optimizing neurocognitive outcome include: (1) biannual then annual inhospital comprehensive evaluation with (i) physiologic studies during awake and asleep states to assess ventilatory needs during varying levels of activity and concentration, in all stages of sleep, with spontaneous breathing, and with artificial ventilation, and to assess ventilatory responsiveness to physiologic challenges while awake and asleep, (ii) 72-hour Holter monitoring, (iii) echocardiogram, (iv) evaluation of ANS dysregulation across all organ systems affected by the ANS, and (v) formal neurocognitive assessment; (2) barium enema or manometry and/or full thickness rectal biopsy for patients with a history of constipation; and (3) imaging for neural crest tumors in individuals at greatest risk based on PHOX2B mutation.
Do Firm-Determined Factors Influence Learning and Leakage in Alliances ? The Benefits and Tradeoffs of Using Alliances as Knowledge Acquisition Mechanisms Short title : Learning and Leakage in Alliances

This paper explores conditions under which firms can use alliances to acquire external knowledge while simultaneously protecting their own valuable resources, irrespective of alliance design and governance decisions made jointly with the partner or made by the partner alone. We argue that firms can one-sidedly develop both the intent to acquire knowledge from their partners and the intent to protect knowledge from undesired loss in alliances, and that these two intents will have both direct effects and cross-effects on learning and leakage. We test our predictions on a sample of 107 e-commerce alliances. Our findings suggest that firms can use alliances as a reliable source of external knowledge, but that they do so at some risk of also losing valuable knowledge.
Signal processing strategies with the TDEMI measurement system

A low-cost electromagnetic compatibility precompliance test-set is essential to reduce the development costs of any electrical device. In this paper we discuss the advantages of broadband time-domain preliminary compliance measurement techniques applied to all types of electromagnetic interferences. The digital signal processing of electromagnetic interference measurements allows emulating in real-time the various modes of conventional analogous equipment, e.g., peak, average, root mean square, and quasi-peak detector mode. Since time-domain techniques allow processing the whole amplitude spectrum in parallel, the measurement time may be reduced by at least one order of magnitude. Compliance measurement results for conducted and radiated emissions obtained with the time-domain electromagnetic interference (TDEMI) system are shown. The TDEMI system has a real-time bandwidth of 1.5 GHz. Measurement techniques for nonstationary signals and single events are discussed.
Stochastic Inverse optimal control of unknown linear networked control system in the presence of random delays and packet losses

In this paper, the inverse optimal control approach is applied to stabilization in probability of unknown linear networked control system (NCS) in presence of random delays and packet losses. The proposed control scheme is based on Kalman filter parameter estimation to solve the infinite horizon regulator problem for NCS with stochastic system matrices, and avoids to solve the associated stochastic Riccati equation (SRE); additionally a cost functional is minimized. The stabilizing optimal controller is based on a discrete-time stochastic control Lyapunov function.
Sjögren syndrome: what and where are we looking for?

Purpose of review Sjögren's syndrome affects exocrine glands leading to a dry mouth and dry eyes. Dry eye manifestations can precede the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome by many years. Innumerous spontaneous and inducible Sjögren's syndrome models have been used to study the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome. This review focuses on recent human data, ocular and extraglandular manifestations of animal models, what is known, what is still unknown and how we need to look, and their correlation correspondence to human disease. Recent findings Hallmarks of dry eye in Sjögren's syndrome include increased corneal staining, goblet cell loss and low tear volume. Confocal microscopy and impression cytology are able to clarify new markers of the ocular disease. Extraglandular manifestations should be an alert more severe complications in the eye. Some models have strong sex and exocrine gland predilection, whereas aging generally worsens the disease phenotype. Although most models do not display a significant increase in corneal staining or tear secretion impairment, conjunctival infiltration and decrease in goblet cells are frequently seen. Summary We have seen great advances in the role of inflammation in ocular, oral and extra-glandular manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome. Several mechanisms and mediators of Sjögren's syndrome have been elucidated in animal model studies.
Variable Regularization Parameter Normalized Least Mean Square Adaptive Filter

We present a normalized LMS (NLMS) algorithm with robust regularization. Unlike conventional NLMS with the fixed regularization parameter, the proposed approach dynamically updates the regularization parameter. By exploiting a gradient descent direction, we derive a computationally efficient and robust update scheme for the regularization parameter. In simulation, we demonstrate the proposed algorithm outperforms conventional NLMS algorithms in terms of convergence rate and misadjustment error. Keywords—Regularization, normalized LMS, system identification, robustness.