Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulsed radiofrequency in chronic pain

Purpose of review The increasing number of publications on pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of chronic pain reflects the interest for this technique. We summarize the literature for PRF in five indications: radicular pain, trigeminal neuralgia (TN), occipital neuralgia, shoulder and knee pain. Recent findings The efficacy and safety of PRF adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion was documented on cervical and on lumbar level. PRF has been used for the treatment of TN. The observed duration of effect is shorter than that of conventional radiofrequency, but no neurological complications are reported with PRF. PRF of the nervi occipitales is superior to steroid injections in occipital neuralgia. Several studies showed that PRF of the nervus suprascapularis may relief shoulder pain and can improve mobility of the shoulder joint. For the treatment of knee pain, different nerves have been targeted for PRF treatment. Summary PRF treatment has progressively gained a place in the management of chronic pain syndromes. The concept is appealing because long-lasting effects are reported without complications. Future research is needed with high quality randomized controlled trials and identification of the optimal parameters of PRF in clinical practice.
Effect of Xyloglucan Oligosaccharides on Growth, Viscoelastic Properties, and Long-Term Extension of Pea Shoots

The growth-promoting effect of xyloglucan-derived oligosaccharides was investigated using a bioassay with entire pea (Pisum sativum L., var Alaska) shoots. After a 24-h incubation period at 25[deg]C, xyloglucan oligosaccharide (XGO) solutions with concentrations of 10–6 M notably increased the growth rate of pea shoots, whereas the same oligosaccharides at 10–7 M were less effective. To investigate the possible correlation between growth rate changes in the XGO-treated shoots and changes in the wall mechanical properties of their growing regions (third internodes), we used a short-term creep assay. The promotion of elongation by XGOs was reflected in an enhancement of the viscoelasticity of the growing regions of the shoots. To show whether this effect on wall viscoelastic properties was the cause or a consequence of their growth promotion, we tested the effect of XGOs on the long-term extension of isolated cell walls. We characterized an acid-induced extension in isolated cell walls from pea shoots that was not inhibited by preincubation in neutral buffers. Exogenously added XGOs did not alter the pattern of pea segment extension at any pH tested, indicating that XGOs have no direct effect on cell wall viscoelasticity. Finally, preincubation of pea segments in neutral buffers with XGOs enhanced their capacity to extend under acidic conditions. This finding suggests that XGOs at a neutral pH can act via transglycosylation, weakening the wall matrix and making the wall more responsive to other mechanisms of acid-induced extension as an expansin-mediated extension.
An investigation into the effectiveness of the Higher Colleges of Technology Quality Programme in the United Arab Emirates

This study focused on quality management at the HCT. The HCT implements a quality programme, the Program Quality Assurance (PQA). Based on the Baldrige’s Education Criteria for Performance Excellence, which comprises seven Criteria, the study added an eighth Criterion, that is, Organisational Culture, to investigate whether or not the added Criterion has any impact on the implementation of the quality programmes. Both quantitative (using questionnaires) and qualitative (using interviews and content analysis of the PQA) approaches were used to identify the influence of Organisational Culture on the seven Baldrige Criteria and on the implementation of the quality programmes by the HCT. A questionnaire based on the SERVQUAL methodology was also employed to identify the extent of satisfaction of the HCT students with the quality of services and programmes offered to them by the HCT. Quantitative Research findings indicated that Strategic Planning is related to Leadership and MAKM, Staff Focus is related to Leadership and MAKM, Process Management is related to Strategic Planning, Staff Focus and MAKM, Process Management and Leadership are indirectly related through Strategic Planning and Staff Focus, Staff Focus is related to Strategic Planning, Student Focus and MAKM, Student Focus and Leadership are indirectly related through Strategic Planning and Staff Focus, Results is related to Process Management and Student Focus, Results and Leadership are indirectly related through Strategic Planning, Process Management, Staff Focus and Student Focus, and There is a relationship between Organisational Culture and the MBNQA seven Criteria. In terms of student satisfaction with the services provided by the HCT, the majority of respondent students agreed with all items of the SERVQUAL questionnaire. The Tangible dimensions were the utmost concern by HCT students, followed by the Assurance dimensions. The HCT’s organisational culture was also found to have substantial influence of the outcomes of the other seven categories of the MBNQA. CERTIFICATE OF RESEARCH This is to certify that, except where particular reference is made, the work included in this thesis is the result of the candidate. Neither this thesis, nor any part of it, has been presented, or is at present submitted, in candidature for any degree at any other University. Signed: Candidate Signed: Director of Study Date:
Risk of second primary cancer among patients with early operable breast cancer registered or randomised in Danish Breast Cancer cooperative Group (DBCG) protocols of the 77, 82 and 89 programmes during 1977–2001

Breast cancer survivors have increased risks of developing second primary cancers due to shared etiology, life style factors but also to primary breast cancer treatment. Among 53 418 patients registered by the population based Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) during 1977–2001, 31 818 patients were treated and followed according to guidelines of DBCG. In addition to surgery 23% received tamoxifen, 23% chemotherapy and 35% radiotherapy as treatment for primary breast cancer. Second primary cancers were identified by linkage to the population based Danish Cancer Register. Cancer incidence rates of the Danish population were used for calculation of standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). Time at risk was from diagnosis of breast cancer+1 year until death or through 2002. Risk for all second primary cancers combined was increased, SIR=1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.99–1.08). Sites with significantly elevated risks included corpus uteri (SIR=1.23), ovary (1.39), soft tissues (2.24), acute leukaemia (2.02), and sites potentially inducible by breast cancer radiotherapy combined (1.11). For irradiated patients compared to non-irradiated the risk was increased for all sited combined, radiotherapy-related sites, colon and soft tissues. Tamoxifen treated had, compared to non-treated, elevated risk for cancer of corpus uteri (SIR=1.83 vs 1.04). Patients given adjuvant chemotherapy had, compared to those not, elevated risks for all sites combined (SIR=1.24 vs 1.01) and for ovary (2.16 vs 1.24). Risk for cancer of the lung, uterus and ovary was analysed using multivariate Poisson regression. For lung cancer the risk was related to radiotherapy and time since diagnosis, the relative risk for lung cancer being 1.33 (95% CI 1.00–1.77) (irradiated vs non-irradiated). Ovary cancer risk was inversely related to age at diagnosis but not to treatment and corpus uteri cancer risk related to tamoxifen treatment, relative risk 1.57. The findings are in accordance to other population based studies.
Radiation performance evaluation and improvement of a pair of dipoles over a ground plane

The performance and radiation mechanism of a two element elliptical dipole array feed is investigated in detail. The performance metric considers both the maximum cross-polarization level, which is a function of the axial symmetry and cross-polarization of the feed, and the efficiency performance when evaluated on a general reflector system. It is shown that for a two element dipole array to achieve optimum performance the dipoles need to be perfectly circular and the dipole lengths need to be longer than a half wavelength to allow for a second order current mode to coexist with the fundamental mode.
Efficient estimation of conditional covariance matrices for dimension reduction

ABSTRACT Let and . In this paper, we propose an estimator of the conditional covariance matrix, , in an inverse regression setting. Based on the estimation of a quadratic functional, this methodology provides an efficient estimator from a semi parametric point of view. We consider a functional Taylor expansion of under some mild conditions and the effect of using an estimate of the unknown joint distribution. The asymptotic properties of this estimator are also provided.
A linear optimal tracker designed for omnidirectional vehicle dynamics linearized based on kinematic equations

SUMMARY It is difficult to design controllers for the complicated dynamics of omnidirectional vehicles steered by multiple wheels with distributed traction force. In this paper, the dynamic model of a three-wheel omnidirectional vehicle, which is linearized to simplify controller design, is developed. The conditions of making its dynamics linear are derived first. Then, a strategy of planning wheel velocities to satisfy these conditions is proposed. Consequently, three-wheel omnidirectional vehicle can be easily treated by classical linear control theories. Finally, a linear optimal tracker is designed to control the omnidirectional vehicle for desired movement trajectories. In particular, the dynamic model includes the motors installed in the three-wheel omnidirectional vehicle, making it a practical model. Three kinds of vehicle trajectories illustrate the planning of wheel trajectories for linearizing the vehicle dynamics, and simulations demonstrate the performance of the linear optimal tracker. In addition, experimental results of a practical three-wheel omnidirectional vehicle are also included.
Radial Stiffness of a Ferrofluid Seal

This paper presents an analytical model for calculating the shape and the radial stiffness of ferrofluid seals used as radial bearings and this theoretical value of the radial stiffness is compared to measured values. This approach is interesting for the design of loudspeakers. Moreover, the concept of magnetic pressure is used to determine the seal shape as well as its energy. This paper corresponds to the case in which the ferrofluid seal is submitted to a high magnetic field. Furthermore, the calculation of the seal shape when the moving part is decentred is discussed. Indeed, the variation of the seal energy is evaluated with a three-dimensional analytical approach and both the restoring force exerted by the seal and the radial stiffness are calculated. The results obtained with an experimental setting confirm the validity of the model.
Increase by oestrogen of calcium entry and calcium channel density in uterine smooth muscle

1 The effect of in vivo oestrogen treatment on both 45Ca influx in myometrial strips and the kinetics of [3H)‐nitrendipine binding in the isolated plasma membrane (PM) was studied. 2 After four days of continuous oestrogen treatment of ovariectomized rats, 45Ca influx in both resting (unstimulated) and K‐stimulated myometrium was substantially increased. 3 Oestrogen treatment significantly increased the density in PM of nitrendipine binding sites and also caused a slight and insignificant increase in the affinity for nitrendipine. 4 The data suggest that the increase in Ca entry following oestrogen treatment prol ably results from an increase in calcium channel density.
Robust student’s t based nonlinear filter and smoother

Novel Student’s t based approaches for formulating a filter and smoother, which utilize heavy tailed process and measurement noise models, are found through approximations of the associated posterior probability density functions. Simulation results for manoeuvring target tracking illustrate that the proposed methods substantially outperform existing methods in terms of the root mean square error.
Performance Evaluation of Timed Petri Nets in Dioid Algebra

The theory of Discrete Event Dynamic Systems focuses on the analysis and conduct systems. This class essentially contains man-made systems that consist of a finite number of resources (processors or memories, communication channels, machines) shared by several users (jobs, packets, manufactured objects) which all contribute to the achievement of some common goal (a parallel computation, the end-to-end transmission of a set of packets, the assembly of a product in an automated manufacturing line).
Design of a compact branch-line coupler with high performance

In this paper, a branch-line coupler based on the planar simplified dual composite right/left-handed (SD-CRLH) transmission line (TL) structure is presented. Based on the parametric analysis of the planar SD-CRLH TL structure, a branch-line coupler operating at 1 GHz is investigated and fabricated. In the frequency range of 0.92-1.08 GHz, the return loss and isolation are better than 15 dB, the insertion loss S<sub>21</sub> and S<sub>31</sub> are around -3.5 dB, and the phase difference between S<sub>21</sub> and S<sub>31</sub> is 90°±2°. At 2 GHz, S<sub>21</sub> and S<sub>31</sub> are lower than -20 dB. The proposed coupler can reduce the area to 44% of the conventional one, and it has high second harmonic suppression performance.
Empowering Women Through Microfinance

The thickness of a first sheet fed from each tray of the multi-tray sheet feeder is detected by a first sensor and a thickness value is placed in memory for that tray. Each sheet subsequently fed from the same tray is detected by the same sensor and the thickness value sensed is placed in memory and compared with the thickness value in memory for that tray. When a tray is reloaded, the thickness value in memory for the sheets previously loaded in the tray is erased and the first sheet fed from the reloaded tray is sensed and a thickness value for that sheet is placed in memory for the reloaded tray. After the thickness value of a sheet is sensed by the first sensor, the sheets enter into the intermediate tray. The thickness value of a sheet is detected by an outlet sensor as it leaves the intermediate sheet tray and that value is compared to the thickness value in memory which was detected for the same sheet by the first sensor. During the comparison steps, if the values match, then only one sheet has passed through a sensor. If the thickness value sensed is more that the thickness value in memory, then that indicates that more than one sheet has passed through the sensor and the system is shut down to enable an operator to correct the situation or the offending sheets can be sent to a purge tray at the printer without shutting down the system.
Kinetics of phase separation in two-dimensional systems with competing interactions.

The kinetics of supercrystal formation in quenched systems with a scalar order parameter and competing interactions is studied. Systems with uouconserved order parameter (s uniaxial ferromagnetic film) and with conserved order parameter (a binary mixture of amphiphilic molecules at the water-air interface) are considered. The competition between the long-range repulsive interaction of the dipolar type and the short-range attractive interaction due to surface tension leads to the formation of periodically modulated domains. The phase-separation dynamics is simulated using the appropriate Langevin equation. The initial-stage results related to the phase separation and cluster shape transitions are described.
Barriers to e-commerce in developing countries

Electronic commerce (EC) has the potential to improve efficiency and productivity in many areas and, therefore, has received significant attention in many countries. However, there has been some doubt about the relevance of ecommerce for developing countries. The absence of adequate basic infrastructural, socio-economic and the lack of government national ICT strategies have created a significant barrier in the adoption and growth of e-commerce in developing countries. The study shows that, in order to understand the adoption and diffusion of e-commerce in developing countries, cultural issues need to be considered. In this paper, we present and discuss these issues hindering e-commerce adoption in developing countries.
“Spot 14” Protein Functions at the Pretranslational Level in the Regulation of Hepatic Metabolism by Thyroid Hormone and Glucose*

“Spot 14” protein appears rapidly in nuclei of hepatocytes exposed to glucose and thyroid hormone. Exposure of glucose- and T3-treated hepatocytes to a spot 14 antisense oligonucleotide inhibited induction of mRNAs encoding malic enzyme, ATP citrate-lyase, fatty acid synthase, liver-type pyruvate kinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and type I deiodinase but not hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, cytochrome c, and actin mRNAs. Induction of spot 14, ATP citrate-lyase, and fatty acid synthase polypeptides, but not propionyl-CoA carboxylase and mitochondrial pyruvate carboxylase, was inhibited. Antisense treatment of hepatocytes transfected with a reporter controlled by a glucose- and T3-inducible fragment of the pyruvate kinase gene promoter inhibited reporter activity, as did cotransfection of the reporter and a spot 14 antisense plasmid. Spot 14 protein acts in the induction of mRNAs coding for key lipogenic (malic enzyme, ATP citrate-lyase, fatty acid synthase), glycolytic (pyruvate kinase), and gluconeogenic enzymes (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), as well as the diet-responsive type I deiodinase, but not those involved in mitochondrial respiration (cytochrome c) or cholesterol synthesis (hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase). Transfection experiments indicated that these effects are mediated at the transcriptional level. The protein functions in the activation of genes involved in metabolic switching between the fasted and fed states in liver.
Handbook of Relationship Marketing

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First-order definability in modal logic

In the early days of the development of Kripke-style semantics for modal logic a great deal of effort was devoted to showing that particular axiom systems were characterised by a class of models describable by a first-order condition on a binary relation. For a time the approach seemed all encompassing, but recent work by Thomason [6] and Fine [2] has shown it to be somewhat limited—there are logics not determined by any class of Kripke models at all. In fact it now seems that modal logic is basically second-order in nature, in that any system may be analysed in terms of structures having a nominated class of second-order individuals (subsets) that serve as interpretations of propositional variables (cf. [7]). The question has thus arisen as to how much of modal logic can be handled in a first-order way, and precisely which modal sentences are determined by first-order conditions on their models. In this paper we present a model-theoretic characterisation of this class of sentences, and show that it does not include the much discussed LMp → MLp. Definition 1. A modal frame ℱ = 〈W, R〉 consists of a set W on which a binary relation R is defined. A valuation V on ℱ is a function that associates with each propositional variable p a subset V(p) of W (the set of points at which p is “true”).
CANADIAN AND US HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE AND GOVERNANCE: ELEMENTS OF CONVERGENCE

International comparisons of the organization and performance of health care sectors are increasingly informing policy makers about potential policies relating to the cost of, and access to, health care. Perhaps nowhere have such comparisons featured as prominently as in North America. In debates on health care policy reform politicians, academics and critics in both the United States and Canada have compared the development, funding and delivery systems in the two countries. The inferences drawn from these comparisons are frequently used in recommendations to modify each system.
Investigating the Impact of Supply Noise on the Jitter in Gigabit I/O Interfaces

Minimizing the jitter due to supply noise is the most important design goal for the power delivery system of highspeed interfaces. We present a detailed analysis of supply noise induced jitter in a high-speed interface. We first simulate the supply noise spectrum generated in the interface. We then measure the sensitivity of the interface circuits to noise as a function of noise frequency. Next, we analyze the jitter spectrum by combining these two parameters. Based on this analysis, we observe large jitter contributions at medium frequencies. This is not expected if we consider only the supply noise current spectrum since the medium frequency is way below the data rate or the frequencies of internal clock signals. However, it can be easily explained with the power supply network impedance profile. Finally, we correlate the predicted jitter spectrum with the measured jitter spectrum of a serial link operating at 6.4 Gbps.