Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Elmslie-Trillat procedure: Evaluation in patellar dislocation and subluxation

The Elmslie-Trillat procedure for correction of patello femoral malalignment was evaluated in 27 knees in 22 patients with an average followup of 42 months (mini mum of 24 months). Preoperative and postoperative pain and activity levels were recorded for all knees. The quadriceps angle was recorded in 22 knees preopera tively and in 19 knees postoperatively. Good or excel lent results were obtained in 81% overall and in 91 % of those knees with patella alta. The postoperative quadriceps angle (Q-angle) correlated with the result. Correction of 10° or less was always associated with a good or excellent result. In contrast, all patients with a fair or poor result had Q-angles of 15° or greater. The preoperative Q-angle did not correlate with the eventual result. We concluded that inadequate medial displacement of the anterior tibial tuberosity may lead to unsatisfac tory results and that this may be avoided by intraoper ative measurement of the Q-angle; that significant distal advancement of the tibial tuberosity is not required in patella alta; and that correction of the Q-angle to 10° or less correlates with a good or excellent result from the Elmslie-Trillat procedure for treatment of patella subluxation and dislocation.
Nonlinear Adaptive Volterra Filter for Control of Distribution Static Compensator

This paper presents nonlinear adaptive Volterra filter for control of three-phase four wires Distribution Static Compensator under mixed type linear and nonlinear load. The proposed adaptive filter identifies and measures active and reactive weights of the fundamental components of load currents. These weights are used to generate the reference signals such that the currents drawn from a supply are close to balanced and sinusoidal. The performance of the proposed control algorithm is observed under nonlinear load in the laboratory environment. The test results are found satisfactory as total harmonic distortion in supply currents are within the 5% levels specified by the IEEE Standard 519-1992.
Twenty-year trends of workplace lunches in Finland

The aim of this study was to examine the trend of workplace cafeteria use among Finnish adults between 1979 and 2001. Data from annually collected cross-sectional surveys on health behaviour, conducted since 1978, were used. Subjects were 24 292 employed men and 24 746 women aged 25–64. Frequency of workplace cafeteria use has been stable in Finland over the two decades under study. Women used the cafeterias more often than men. Differences by years of education and place of residence have remained relatively stable. People living in the capital area and having more years of education used the cafeterias more often. The Finnish habit of having a mid-day lunch at the cafeteria of one's respective workplace has resisted major changes in working and living conditions and social structures during the past two decades.
Obesity and comorbidity are independently associated with a failure to achieve remission in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis

We read with interest the recent paper by Sandberg et al 1 highlighting the negative impact of obesity on disease remission in a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We have investigated the impact of both obesity and comorbidity on disease remission in an established RA cohort. Data were collected prospectively between 2003 and 2011 from the Haywood Hospital, North Staffordshire, UK. Patients fulfilled the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA,2 had been followed up for 3 years and were taking conventional (non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)) at baseline. Participants underwent an annual standardised research assessment, separate to their routine clinical care, including demographics, body mass index (BMI) and disease …
Moisture‐induced aggregation of lyophilized proteins in the solid state

A critical problem in the storage and delivery of pharmaceutical proteins is their aggregation induced by moisture. A model system has been elaborated and investigated to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon. When 10 mg of bovine serum albumin lyophilized from an aqueous solution of pH 7.3 are wetted with just 3 μL of a buffered physiological saline solution and incubated in the solid state at 37°C, the protein progressively loses its solubility in water; e.g., after a 24 h incubation 97% of the protein becomes insoluble. This moisture‐induced aggregation of albumin has been discovered to be due to an intermolecular S—S bond formation via the thiol‐disulfide interchange reaction. The dependence of the extent of the solid‐state aggregation on the amount and mode of addition of moisture and the atmosphere, additives, temperature, and history of the protein powder have been investigated. The moisture‐induced solid‐state aggregation has also been established and studied for three other lyophilized proteins: ovalbumin, glucose oxidase, and β‐lactoglobulin. In all cases, the loss of solubility is caused by thiol‐disulfide interchange either alone or in combination with a conformational (noncovalent) process. The aggregation can be minimized by lyophilizing the proteins from acidic aqueous solutions, by adding inorganic salts, by co‐lyophilizing the proteins with water‐soluble polymers, or by controlling the moisture content at optimal levels.
The effectiveness of substance abuse treatment: development of a brief questionnaire

Background Practitioners need brief instruments to monitor outcomes in both treatment of drugs and alcohol addiction because they are useful to guide decision making in a short time.Objectives This study aims to develop a brief questionnaire, based on Client Evaluation of Self and Treatment, to evaluate the treatment effectiveness in drug and alcohol addiction treatment settings.Methods A cross-sectional study using a convenience sample (N = 608) recruited from Division for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (DICAD – ARS North). Results The results show a new four-factor solution that accounted for 54.4% of the total variance and that provides the best fit to the data (c2/df = 1.72, CFI = .94, GFI = .91, RMSEA = .048 [.040-.057]; prmsea = .623). It also revealed a high internal consistency (a = .82). It was found a significant negative correlation (r = - .52, p < .01) between the final version of the instrument and a self report measure of psychopathology symptoms.Discussion This brief questionnaire, with good psychometric properties, can be useful to provide a viable and rapid feedback of treatment outcomes. Further studies should be performed to continue the evaluation of the reliability of this measure.
Scan and wait combining (SWC): a switch and examine strategy with a performance-delay tradeoff

This paper proposes and analyzes an alternative form of switch and examine combining, namely one that waits for a channel coherence time if all the available diversity paths fail to meet a predetermined minimum quality requirement. This scanning through the available diversity paths followed by waiting is repeated indefinitely until a path with an acceptable quality is found. The performance of the resulting "scan and wait" combining (SWC) scheme is studied in terms of its average probability of error and ergodic capacity. The paper looks also into (i) the delay associated with SWC by deriving the statistics of the waiting time needed before satisfactory transmission occurs and (ii) the underlying complexity by studying the statistics of the number of diversity paths estimated per channel access. Selected numerical examples show that, for a fixed average number of channel estimates per channel access, SWC outperforms traditional diversity combining schemes at the expense of a negligible time delay.
Food interaction and steady-state pharmacokinetics of itraconazole capsules in healthy male volunteers

The influence of food on itraconazole pharmacokinetics was evaluated for 27 healthy male volunteers in a single-dose (200 mg) crossover study with capsules containing itraconazole-coated sugar spheres. This study was followed by a study of the steady-state pharmacokinetics for the same subjects with 15 days of administration of itraconazole at 200 mg every 12 h. Concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole, the active main metabolite, were measured in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results of the food interaction segment showed that a meal significantly enhances the amount of itraconazole absorbed. The mean maximum concentration in plasma of unmetabolized itraconazole after fasting (140 ng/ml) was about 59% that after the standard meal (239 ng/ml). The rate of elimination was not affected (terminal half-life, approximately 21 h). The mean maximum concentration in plasma of hydroxyitraconazole after fasting was about 72% the postmeal concentration (287 and 397 ng/ml, respectively). The terminal half-life of hydroxyitraconazole was approximately 12 h. Steady-state concentrations of itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole were reached after 14 or 15 days of daily dosing. The average steady-state concentrations were approximately 1,900 ng/ml for itraconazole and 3,200 ng/ml for hydroxyitraconazole. The shape of the elimination curve for itraconazole after the last dose was indicative of saturable elimination. This conclusion was confirmed by the sevenfold increase in the area under the curve from 0 to 12 h at steady state compared with the area under the curve from 0 h to infinity after a single dose. It was furthermore confirmed by the larger-than-expected number of half-lives required to achieve steady-state plasma drug levels.
Cross‐cultural Colour Comparisons: Global Marketers Beware!

The Luscher colour test is used to compare colour associations in China, South Korea, Japan and the United States. Respondents were asked which colour they associate with words such as expensive, happy, love and dependable. They were also asked to relate the colours to countries, such as Italy and France; institutions, such as restaurants and theatres; and product packages, such as a soft drink label and a box of headache remedy. The findings show that, while some colours seem to show cross‐cultural consistency, other colours, such as purple and grey, hold opposite meanings in different cultures.
Spatial Multiplexing and Scheduling in Cellular Networks with Relay Stations

Relay stations (RSs) are usually used to enhance the signal strength of the mobile stations (MSs) close to the cell boundary. However, the introduction of RSs to the cellular networks increases the interference to the MS served by the base station (BS) under spatial multiplexing mode. In this paper, we propose a method which can cancel the interference through a novel use of dirty paper coding (DPC). Then, under a practical spatial multiplexing frame structure, we evaluate the cellular- relay system performance under three scheduling algorithms, Round Robin (RR) algorithm, Maximum Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (MaxSINR) algorithm and Proportional Fair (PF) algorithm. Simulation and analytical results show that the spectral efficiency (SE) of cellular-relay system can be dramatically increased by 30% by the proposed interference cancellation method, and RR algorithm achieves the highest gain, while the gain of MaxSINR algorithm is limited gain in our scheme. Index Terms— Relay, spatial multiplexing, dirty paper coding (DPC), scheduling relaying gain, has come to engineers' mind as a result. To create a fair comparison with the traditional cellular systems, we consider a spatial multiplexing mode that all links use the same spectrum and no more spectrum is added. However, in this mode, the introduction of RSs to the cellular networks increases the interference to the MS served by the BS. To deal with this problem, in this paper we propose an interference cancellation method for the downlink transmission in the cellular-relay system. The proposed method exploits the dirty paper coding (DPC) technique at the BS to pre-subtract any foreseeable interference to the MS from the RS in the same
Complexity Theory, CSR, and Corporate Governance - The Need for Alternative Governance Models

Manuscript Type: Conceptual Research Question/Issue: How can increased environmental complexity be managed better through more effective integration of corporate governance and CSR? What are the deficiencies of the predominant corporate governance architecture with regard to CSR support and how can the corporate governance architecture improve to support higher levels of managerial responsibility? Research insights/findings: Based on insights from complexity theory, we find that the prevailing complexity reduction approaches lead to suboptimal corporate governance and CSR with regard to establishing managerial responsibility. We suggest that the lens of complexity absorption provides ways to redesign the approach to both corporate governance and CSR. Integrating governance and CSR by establishing decentralized governance structures that divide labor and power among all strategic stakeholders ensure higher levels of managerial responsibility. Theoretical/Academic Implications: We outline the conceptual connection between corporate governance and CSR and advance thinking about integration that improve both. We outline why traditional, centralized governance architecture (e.g. unitary board structures) fail to support monitoring and strategic advice functions concerning CSR of the board adequately. We use complexity theory and argue that complexity reduction approaches to both governance and CSR are failing in complex environments. We also suggest that complexity absorption approaches can help address such failures. Finally, we suggest how governance and CSR can be integrated to absorb complexity and increase managerial responsibility. We thus contribute theoretically by advancing the conceptualization of corporate governance and CSR as well as by providing alternative thinking on governance structures. Practitioner/Policy Implications: We suggest that practitioners and policy makers consider complexity absorption as an alternative to integrate Corporate Governance and CSR which will lead to higher levels of managerial responsibility. We provide evidence that decentralized governance structures that actively divide labor and power among stakeholders can lead to better outcomes in a complex environment.
Alterations in the Course of Acid-Induced Lung Injury in Rats After General Anesthesia: Volatile Anesthetics Versus Ketamine

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric acid is a complication that occurs during anesthesia.The effects of the often used anesthetics on the inflammatory response after aspiration of acid are not known. We examined the effects of three different inhaled anesthetics-halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane-as well as parenteral ketamine, on the associated immediate mortality, alveolar protein leakage, and morphometric changes after intrapulmonary instillation of acidic solution in rats. Animals in a deep state of anesthesia had a higher mortality after the instillation of acidic solutions than those in lighter stages (82.5% vs 31.6%). Protein leakage over 5 h was greater in the animals receiving volatile anesthetics (range 0.9-1.2) compared with those receiving ketamine (0.6 +/- 0.05). Desferoxamine did not decrease protein leakage in acid-injured animals (1.1 +/- 0.06 vs 1.02 +/- 0.08). Furthermore, volatile anesthetics resulted in an increase in the acute inflammatory response and leukocytic infiltration compared with ketamine in acid-injured lungs. We conclude that the administration of inhaled anesthetics was associated with exacerbation of an acute inflammatory response after aspiration of acidic solution. Lung injury was not increased with ketamine anesthesia. This difference was the result of the hypotensive effects of inhaled anesthetics. Implications: This study reveals that the use of inhaled anesthetics aggravates inflammation secondary to gastric aspiration and should be avoided on diagnosis of the situation.
How Did the Great Financial Crisis Affect Portfolio Allocations and Attitudes towards Risk? Evidence from the 'Survey of Consumer Finances'

The Great Financial Crisis that began in 2008 took a heavy toll on household financial positions. Such episodes in the past have had long-lasting impacts on investor attitudes towards financial risks, and on portfolio allocations. After a period in which many investors chose to take large amounts of financial risk, this suggests the possibility that the pendulum might swing too far the other way, towards overly conservative portfolio decisions. Given the well-established tendency of certain risky assets, especially corporate equities, to outperform over longer holding periods, such a development could hinder the ability of investors to invest appropriately for retirement. We analyze portfolio decisions of younger (under 35) and older (over 55) investors using data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). These investors suffered large losses during the recession. The portfolio allocations of younger investors to risky assets declined in 2010 to the lowest in the history of the SCF. This contrasts with their stated willingness to take on greater financial risks in hopes of a higher return. This “retirement paradox” could be a result of low levels of financial literacy that might inhibit investors from choosing portfolio allocations that are more consistent with their apparent risk preferences. We discuss how Target Date Funds may be an appropriate investment vehicle for such investors.
Measuring reservation prices for bundles of fixed telecommunications services

Bundling becomes a dominant sales strategy in telecommunications. Dual and triple-play packages are increasingly popular among subscribers. From operators’ perspective, a core issue in bundling design is the knowledge about how consumers value packages. In this paper we focus on elicitation of subscribers willingness to pay for bundles of fixed telecommunication services composed of telephony, Internet and paid TV. We conduct a stated preference discrete choice experiment on a sample of subscribers in Poland, to model subscription choices over packages of fixed services. We obtain estimates of mean willingness to pay as well as entire distributions of reservation prices for single services and possible combinations of bundles. We find that mean WTP for fixed telephony as a stand-alone service or an add-on to bundle is zero. This result suggest that fixed telephony has already become an obsolete service. Out of the three fixed services, Internet generates the biggest value for customers, driving up valuations of bundles. WTP for Internet is much higher than actually paid prices, leaving space for increase of profits. In contrast fixed telephony and pay TV seem to be overpaid which may create a pressure on operators’ revenue.
Further studies on the detection of mutagenic and genotoxic activity in human faeces: aerobic and anaerobic fluctuation tests with S. typhimurium and E. coli, and the SOS Chromotest.

The product of six complete bowel movements were collected from one man (consuming a normal western diet) over a period of 5 months. Aqueous faecal extracts were prepared (0.75 g wet wt./ml water) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Graded doses were assayed aerobically and anaerobically for mutagenicity in replicate microtitre fluctuation tests employing histidine reversion in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and tryptophan reversion in Escherichia coli WP2uvrA(pKM101), and in aerobic SOS Chromotests, using E. coli PQ37. The histidine and tryptophan content of each extract was determined by (i) pre-column derivatisation with o-phthaldialdehyde followed by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. and (ii) by aerobic and anaerobic bioassays employing appropriate auxotrophic strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli. All six faecal samples contained enough histidine and tryptophan or their precursors to compromise the interpretation of fluctuation tests. The h.p.l.c. technique, though quantitatively detecting free tryptophan added to faecal extracts, did not account for growth-enhancing effects of faecal extracts detected by bioassay using bacteria with a requirement for tryptophan. However, h.p.l.c. detected histidine more efficiently than bioassays. A combination of reconstruction experiments and bioassays enabled construction of 'growth windows' within which, in fluctuation tests, dose-related increases in numbers of positive wells could be ascribed to mutation rather than to feeding of auxotrophic bacteria. Under aerobic conditions of extraction and assay, five out of six samples were mutagenic to S. typhimurium TA100, and all six were mutagenic to E. coli WP2uvrA(pKM101). None of the samples extracted and assayed anaerobically was mutagenic to S. typhimurium, but all six were positive in E. coli WP2uvrA(pKM101). There was an increase both in faecal histidine and tryptophan and in mutagenicity during the period of collection, the association between faecal tryptophan and faecal mutagenicity being statistically significant. All the samples were negative in the SOS Chromotests. We conclude that this donor regularly excretes faeces which contain at least two classes of water-soluble directly-acting mutagens which are not detected in SOS Chromotest at doses five times those giving positive effects in fluctuation tests.
Aspects of Tank Irrigated Agrarian Economy in Tamil Nadu, India : A Study of Three Villages

Agriculture which plays a crucial role in providing employment opportunities for rural poor in Tamil Nadu is drastically declining as profitability and dependability of doing agriculture is getting reduced due to various risk associated with it. The prime most risk is availability of water and inputs. Because of irrigation water shortage average yield was about 30 – 35 percent lower in rainfed farming than irrigated farming. Considering the frequent aberration of rainfall, the state provided with numerous numbers (40,319) of irrigation tanks constructed in ancient times to conserve and store the rainfall and later it is used for irrigation and other domestic uses. Deterioration of these irrigation tanks due to various socio-economic, political and institutional factors adversely affect the livelihood opportunities of the rural people in Tamil Nadu. This paper primarily aims to understand first, the social class structure of farming community, the constraints imposed by it on paddy production and its effects on indebtedness of farmers in Tamil Nadu. Secondly, it attempts to identify the role of tank irrigation system on the agricultural production and the livelihood opportunities of the villages in Tamil Nadu. It provides empirical information about socio-economic and institutional factors responsible for deterioration of tank system and livelihood strategies employed by the local people as a result of deterioration of irrigation water resources. This is based on our field survey on 195 farm households in 3 villages in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. It concludes households in the rural Tamil Nadu have differing in asset endowment and livelihood strategies. Opportunities for off farm work tend to be limited in these areas and household strategies that combine on farm with off farm work earn higher income. Abandon of traditional way of management of tanks and structural changes happened within and between social classes at the village level is the possible reason for deterioration of irrigation tanks. * JSPS Post Doctoral Fellow, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. E-mail: smjegadeesh@gmail.com and jega@cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp ** Professor, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. E-mail: kfujita@cseas.kyotou.ac.jp