Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intervertebral disc a source of pain? Low back pain: problems and future directions--case reports.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is to provide evidence supporting the idea that intervertebral disc is a source of low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Diagnostic tests currently available for diagnosis of a painful disc are inadequate. Treatment protocols for low back pain generally ignore the presence of a painful disc. Pathological processes that may be responsible for discogenic pain are incompletely understood. Without diagnosis and treatment, disc disruption evolves to advanced stages of spinal dysfunction. New treatment modalities are becoming available which if applied early may stop disc disruption. CASE REPORTS We describe here two case reports where discogenic nature of patients' symptoms was suspected based on patients' history, MRI findings and discography. We highlight the inadequacies of spinal imaging and discography in detecting at painful disc. A treatment (Intradiscal electrothermal therapy) was then directed exclusively to the intervertebral discs. We provide arguments that link discal therapy to resolution of patients' symptoms. Resolution of patients' symptoms after the discal treatment raised our suspicion that pain emanated from the intervertebral discs. CONCLUSIONS Intervertebral disc is a source of low back pain that is often ignored. No diagnostic test currently exists that can reliably confirm presence of a painful disc. Early diagnosis and treatment of a painful disc may reduce enormous pain and suffering from low back pain.
Association of hemolysin production, hemagglutination of human erythrocytes, and virulence for chicken embryos of extraintestinal Escherichia coli isolates

One hundred forty-two strains of Escherichia coli isolated from extraintestinal infections were examined for colicin V (ColV) and hemolysin (Hly) production. For comparison, 20 strains isolated from the feces of normal individuals and 12 enteropathogenic strains of E. coli were tested for these properties. Thirty-five to 59% of extraintestinal isolates were Hly+, but only one fecal strain was Hly+. Colicin V biosynthesis was found for 12% of blood culture isolates, 7% of urine culture isolates and 16% of the strains from other extraintestinal infections. None of the fecal isolates was ColV+. Selected strains were tested for virulence in 13-day-old chicken embryos; these same strains were tested for their ability to hemagglutinate chicken or human erythrocytes. Of 22 extraintestinal isolates, 13 (59%) killed greater than or equal to 60% of the embryos within 72 h. Only one of eight normal fecal isolates and two of three enteropathogenic strains tested were virulent. About 80% of the virulent strains were Hly+. The most striking finding, however, was the hemagglutination of human erythrocytes by virulent extraintestinal isolates. It seems possible that the hemagglutination property reflects a specific common adherence factor.
Effects of levorphanol and several kappa-selective opioids on respiration and behavior in rhesus monkeys.

The effects of the mu-selective opioid, levorphanol (0.03-1.0 mg/kg), and the kappa-selective opioids, U-50,488 (0.03-1.0 mg/kg), tifluadom (0.01-0.3 mg/kg), bremazocine (0.0003-0.01 mg/kg) and MR 2034 (0.001-0.03 mg/kg), on ventilation and on schedule-controlled behavior were studied in rhesus monkeys. In seated, unanesthetized monkeys prepared with a head plethysmograph, ventilation during exposure to 5% CO2 mixed in air was measured after cumulative doses of each drug. In other monkeys, effects on behavior were studied by administering cumulative doses preceding sequential periods of fixed-ratio responding. Levorphanol, tifluadom, bremazocine and MR 2034 produced dose-related decreases in minute volume, tidal volume and respiratory frequency. In contrast, U-50,488 had only minimal effects on ventilation over the range of doses studied. All drugs decreased fixed-ratio rates in a dose-related manner. Comparisons between their effects in behavioral and respiratory experiments differentiated levorphanol and MR 2034 from U-50,488, bremazocine and tifluadom. Doses of levorphanol or MR 2034 that decreased minute volume markedly had little effect on behavior. In contrast, bremazocine, tifluadom and U-50,488 had less pronounced effects on minute volume at doses that suppressed behavior markedly. Naltrexone (0.03-1.0 mg/kg) antagonized decreases in minute volume produced by levorphanol, MR 2034, bremazocine and tifluadom, and apparent pA2 values were similar for each naltrexone-agonist pair. When the effects of levorphanol (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) were determined in the presence of U-50,488 (0.3 mg/kg), tifluadom (0.1 mg/kg) or bremazocine (0.003 mg/kg), the levorphanol dose-effect curve was shifted approximately 3-fold to the left, suggesting that the effects of the drugs were additive. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Role of Innovation Projects in Institutionalization: The Case of Resource Planning Systems

This paper addresses the contradiction between the world-wide spread of projects implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems innovation [1] and extensive evidence of implementation failure by applying the lens of institutional theory to the long-run development of this innovation. The paper analyses the contribution of these projects to the institutionalization of RP systems by highlighting three key mechanisms which they advanced: role specialization, the production of discourse and boundary-spanning activities. The paper argues that, in the case of innovation projects, these mechanisms of institutionalization mediate the interplay between project-level implementation and the wider spread of RP systems innovation by shifting the 'knowledge barriers' which arise between the designers and users of an innovation over time [2].
Prevalence of obesity among the medical students: a crosssectional study in a south Indian medical college

Introduction: In recent years obesity has become very common heal th concern worldwide. Much debate has been generated regarding the increasing incidence of obesity among children and adolescents with respect to their long term health benefits. Obesity has always been associated with what we eat and how we eat. Thus, the objective of our present study was to determine the relationship between eating speed and obesity among medical students of Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal, India. We also aimed at finding out the factors that affect the eating speed of a person. Methods : A survey was conducted for the first year medical students of MMMC, Manipal campus. The participants consisted of 506 students aged 18-24 years. The sur vey included a self-administered questionnaire. The qu estionnaire included a diet history items that requ ired recall of dietary habits over 2 months. Weight and height of the participants were taken in order to calculat e Body mass index (BMI), which was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. Comparison between the speed of eating and the BMI values were obtained for analysis. Results: Our results showed that the majority of the obese subjects are linked to very fast eating rate which is less than 15 minutes. It is made up of 65% of the total number of subject s in obese category. Conclusion: Our study, found a positive correlation between the eating rates and BMI in stu dents between the age group 18-24. This shows that the rate of eating can be a causative factor for obesity
Distribution of coronary artery disease and relation to mortality in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Long-term dialysis patients have a high incidence of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death, but the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic patients, distribution of coronary obstruction, and relationship between lesion location and mortality are unknown. METHODS We studied 67 asymptomatic hemodialysis patients who volunteered for coronary angiography. Coronary stenoses of 50% or greater were documented, and the location of each within the proximal, midportion, or distal segment of the coronary vessel was recorded. Patients were followed up until death or renal transplantation. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to analyze the relationship of lesion location with mortality. RESULTS Obstructive CAD was common. Twenty-eight subjects (41.7%) had 50% or greater stenosis in at least 1 epicardial vessel, and 19 subjects (28.5%) had evidence of CAD within the proximal third of an epicardial vessel. After a median follow-up of 2.7 years, the presence of proximal CAD was associated with a marked increase in risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 7.33; P = 0.008) and was associated more strongly with mortality than multivessel disease or left anterior descending disease. CONCLUSION CAD is common in asymptomatic dialysis patients, and stenoses frequently are located within the proximal coronary arteries, where they are associated with markedly increased risks of death. Additional studies are needed to determine whether proximal disease is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients.
CASIROZ: Root parameters and types of ectomycorrhiza of young beech plants exposed to different ozone and light regimes.

Tropospheric ozone (O(3)) triggers physiological changes in leaves that affect carbon source strength leading to decreased carbon allocation below-ground, thus affecting roots and root symbionts. The effects of O(3) depend on the maturity-related physiological state of the plant, therefore adult and young forest trees might react differently. To test the applicability of young beech plants for studying the effects of O(3) on forest trees and forest stands, beech seedlings were planted in containers and exposed for two years in the Kranzberg forest FACOS experiment (Free-Air Canopy O(3) Exposure System, http://www.casiroz. de ) to enhanced ozone concentration regime (ambient [control] and double ambient concentration, not exceeding 150 ppb) under different light conditions (sun and shade). After two growing seasons the biomass of the above- and below-ground parts, beech roots (using WinRhizo programme), anatomical and molecular (ITS-RFLP and sequencing) identification of ectomycorrhizal types and nutrient concentrations were assessed. The mycorrhization of beech seedlings was very low ( CA. 5 % in shade, 10 % in sun-grown plants), no trends were observed in mycorrhization (%) due to ozone treatment. The number of Cenococcum geophilum type of ectomycorrhiza, as an indicator of stress in the forest stands, was not significantly different under different ozone treatments. It was predominantly occurring in sun-exposed plants, while its majority share was replaced by Genea hispidula in shade-grown plants. Different light regimes significantly influenced all parameters except shoot/root ratio and number of ectomycorrhizal types. In the ozone fumigated plants the number of types, number of root tips per length of 1 to 2 mm root diameter, root length density per volume of soil and concentration of Mg were significantly lower than in control plants. Trends to a decrease were found in root, shoot, leaf, and total dry weights, total number of root tips, number of vital mycorrhizal root tips, fine root (mass) density, root tip density per surface, root area index, concentration of Zn, and Ca/Al ratio. Due to the general reduction in root growth indices and nutrient cycling in ozone-fumigated plants, alterations in soil carbon pools could be predicted.
Analysis and state feedback control for PWA systems with additive noise

This work presents new analysis and state feedback synthesis methods for piecewise-affine (PWA) systems with additive noise. The analysis problem can be cast as an optimization program subject to linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and can be solved very efficiently using currently available software packages. The synthesis problem can also be cast as am optimization program subject to a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) analytically parameterized by a vector. Analysis and controller design are performed by using a stochastic globally quadratic Lyapunov function. A numerical example is included to illustrate the procedure
Early predictors of severe course of uveitis in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables at onset of arthritis can predict the development and the severity of anterior uveitis (AU) in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS In a retrospective study, a cohort of 366 patients with oligoarticular onset JIA from 3 pediatric rheumatology centers were evaluated. Patients were classified in 3 groups: severe uveitis (SU) with a mean >/= 2 uveitis relapses/year with complications or need for immunosuppressive therapy; mild uveitis (MU) with a mean </= 1 uveitis relapse/year with no complications; and no uveitis. Variables that were significant with univariate tests or were clinically relevant for each outcome underwent multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS There were 316 patients available for analyses: 66 in the SU group, 64 in the MU group, and 186 in the no uveitis group. Multivariate analysis showed the following factors to be significant as predictors of AU onset: low age at onset (OR 0.96), a2-globulin plasma concentration (OR 1.34), and HLA-A19 (OR 2.87), B22 (OR 4.51) and DR9 (OR 2.33), while HLA-DR1 conferred protection (OR 0.13). This model was not good in predicting which patient would develop uveitis (sensitivity 55%, specificity 26%). Time interval between onset of arthritis and the first AU and elevated a2-globulin level in the serum were the best predictors of AU severity (OR 1.62 and 0.85, respectively). When applied prospectively, the model revealed good sensitivity (89.2%), specificity (76.1%), and efficiency (86.3%). CONCLUSION Clinical and laboratory variables measurable at onset of arthritis can be used to predict severity of the course of AU in oligoarticular JIA, but not its onset. More accurate prediction can shorten or lengthen the intervals between ophthalmologic evaluations and can change the therapeutic approach undertaken on the basis of expected disease severity.
The influence of family stability on self-control and adjustment.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to replicate previous evidence for a model in which self-control mediates the relationship between family stability and internalizing symptoms, and to evaluate a similar model with regard to externalizing problems. METHOD Participants were 155 female and 134 male undergraduates--mean age of 19.03 years. Participants completed measures of stability in the family of origin (Stability of Activities in the Family Environment), self-control (Self-Control scale), current externalizing (Adult Self-Report), and internalizing problems (Beck Depression Inventory II and Beck Anxiety Inventory). RESULTS Multiple regression analyses largely support the proposed model for both the externalizing and internalizing domains. CONCLUSIONS Family stability may foster the development of self-control and, in turn, lead to positive adjustment.
On the Theory of Coupled Modes in Optical Cavity-Waveguide Structures

Light propagation in systems of optical cavities coupled to waveguides can be conveniently described by a general rate equation model known as (temporal) coupled mode theory (CMT). We present an alternative derivation of the CMT for optical cavity-waveguide structures, which explicitly relies on the treatment of the cavity modes as quasi-normal modes with properties that are distinctly different from those of the modes in the waveguides. The two families of modes are coupled via the field equivalence principle to provide a physically appealing yet surprisingly accurate description of light propagation in the coupled systems. Practical application of the theory is illustrated using example calculations in one and two dimensions.
Effect of Amiodarone Dose on the Risk of Permanent Pacemaker Insertion

Bradyarrhythmia requiring permanent pacemaker insertion has been associated with amiodarone use but the effect of amiodarone dose has not been investigated. In order to determine the effect of amiodarone dose on the risk of requiring permanent pacemaker insertion, a cohort of 15,824 subjects with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior myocardial infarction was established. This study included 1,340 subjects who received a first prescription of amiodarone at > 65 years of age. Cox regression with daily dose and cumulative dose (weighted for recency of exposure) represented by time dependent covariates was performed, adjusting for baseline risk factors and time dependent exposure to other cardiac medications. The incidence of pacemaker insertion was 2.2% per person‐year during a mean of 1.8 ± 1.5 years of follow‐up, and 5.2% per person‐year during the first 90 days of amiodarone exposure. Amiodarone daily doses > 200 mg were associated with an increased risk during the entire follow‐up HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.0 to 4.1) as well as during the first 90 days (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 9.0). Cumulative doses greater than the equivalent of continuous therapy with 200 mg per day were also associated with an increased risk (HR 2.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 5.5). Baseline conduction disorder or sinus node dysfunction was the only other significant predictor of pacemaker insertion. This study suggests that there is a dose dependent increased risk of permanent pacemaker insertion associated with amiodarone use that appears to be greatest during the initial months of treatment.
A highly efficient blind carrier frequency estimator for wireless OFDM systems

This paper presents a highly efficient blind estimator for carrier frequency offsets that are much larger than the subcarrier spacing in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The proposed scheme is shown to have a high accuracy and an acquisition range that spans the entire OFDM spectrum. The system performance is assessed over frequency-selective fading channels.
Effects of delay profile of fading channels on the performance of WCDMA

This paper analyzes the effect of an indoor frequency selective fading channel, characterized by its power delay profile, on the performance of an asynchronous DS-CDMA system with high transmission rate (50 Mb/s or more). The bit error rate (BER) is determined by the characteristic function method and by Monte-Carlo simulations. The results show that when the rms delay spread is close to the transmitted symbol duration, the system performance degrades considerably and that the performance degradation strongly depends on the maximum delay spread.
Smart Spectrum for Future Wireless World

As the role of wireless communication is becoming more important for realizing a future connected society for not only humans but also things, spectrum scarcity is becoming severe, because of the huge numbers of mobile terminals and many types of applications in use. In order to realize sustainable wireless connection under limited spectrum resources in a future wireless world, a new dynamic spectrum management scheme should be developed that considers the surrounding radio environment and user preferences. In this paper, we discuss a new spectrum utilization framework for a future wireless world called the “smart spectrum. ” There are four main issues related to realizing the smart spectrum. First, in order to recognize the spectrum environment accurately, spectrum measurement is an important technology. Second, spectrum modeling for estimating the spectrum usage and the spectrum environment by using measurement results is required for designing wireless parameters for dynamic spectrum use in a shared spectrum environment. Third, in order to effectively gather the measurement results and provide the spectrum information to users, a measurement-based spectrum database can be used. Finally, smart spectrum management that operates in combination with a spectrum database is required for realizing efficient and organized dynamic spectrum utilization. In this paper, we discuss the concept of the smart spectrum, fundamental research studies of the smart spectrum, and the direction of development of the smart spectrum for targeting the future wireless world. key words: smart spectrum, spectrum measurement, spectrum usage modeling, spectrum database, spectrum management
Generalized contact distributions of inhomogeneous Boolean models

The main purpose of this work is to study and apply generalized contact distributions of (inhomogeneous) Boolean models Z with values in the extended convex ring. Given a convex body L ⊂ ℝ d and a gauge body B ⊂ ℝ d , such a generalized contact distribution is the conditional distribution of the random vector (d B (L,Z),u B (L,Z),p B (L,Z),l B (L,Z)) given that Z∩L = ∅, where Z is a Boolean model, d B (L,Z) is the distance of L from Z with respect to B, p B (L,Z) is the boundary point in L realizing this distance (if it exists uniquely), u B (L,Z) is the corresponding boundary point of B (if it exists uniquely) and l B (L,·) may be taken from a large class of locally defined functionals. In particular, we pursue the question of the extent to which the spatial density and the grain distribution underlying an inhomogeneous Boolean model Z are determined by the generalized contact distributions of Z.
Quantitative domains via fuzzy sets: Locally order preserving functors

Based on a frame L, fuzzy posets make a good framework of quantitative domain theory. In this paper, we propose the definition of locally order preserving functors between the categories of fuzzy directed-complete posets and show that these functors can preserve adjointness, surjectivity and injectivity of maps having an adjoint.
Angiography of the Aorta and Peripheral Arteries

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that afflicts millions of patients annually in the United States. Historically, most of the clinical focus has been on its coronary artery manifestations, given their frequency and the potentially grave consequences. While vascular medicine and vascular surgical specialists, however, have long recognized that peripheral (extracardiac) arterial occlusive disease may contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, it is only recently that invasive and interventional cardiologists have become involved in its diagnosis and management. To support that involvement, the scope of this chapter has been extended beyond the usual aortic diseases (such as dissection) to include information on atherosclerosis as it affects other major arterial territories. It reviews the natural history, clinical presentation, noninvasive diagnostic modalities, and angiographic techniques that are of value in patients with peripheral vascular disease, including aneurysmal disease of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, and atherosclerotic disease of the extracranial carotid arteries, renal arteries, and lower-extremity arteries. Additional information regarding interventional techniques is reviewed in Chapter 27, and representative case profiles are reviewed in Chapter 35.
NKRL, a knowledge representation tool for encoding the ‘meaning’ of complex narrative texts

In this paper, we describe NKRL (Narrative Knowledge Representation Language), a language designed for representing, in a standardized way, the semantic content (the ‘meaning’) of complex narrative texts. After having introduced informally the four ‘components’ (specialized sub-languages) of NKRL, we will describe (some of) the data structures proper to each of them, trying to show that the NKRL coding retains the main informational elements of the original narrative expressions. We will then focus on an important subset of NKRL, the so-called AECS sub-language, showing in particular that the operators of this sub-language can be used to represent some sorts of ‘plural’ expressions.