Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized-control study of active and passive treatments for chronic low back pain following L5 laminectomy.

The professional literature contains relatively few randomized-control studies that have assessed the efficacy of physical therapy approaches to the management of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The purposes of this study were: 1) to investigate the effects of physical agents, joint manipulation, low-tech exercise, and high-tech exercise on objective measures of CLBP; 2) to track the length of CLBP relief; and 3) to determine treatment cost-effectiveness. Two-hundred-fifty subjects (68 females, 182 males; ages 34-51 years) with CLBP following an L5 laminectomy were randomly assigned into five separate groups for a treatment period of 8 weeks. Chronic low back pain status was measured by modified-modified Schober, Cybex Liftask, and Oswestry procedures. Results revealed that: 1) only low-tech and high-tech exercise produced significant improvements (p < .05) in CLBP, 2) the mean period of CLBP relief ranged from 1.6 weeks (control) to 91.4 weeks (low-tech exercise), and 3) low-tech exercise was most cost-effective. It was concluded that: 1) low-tech and high-tech exercise were the only effective treatments for CLBP, 2) low-tech exercise produced the longest period of CLBP relief, and 3) low-tech exercise was the most cost-effective form of treatment. Clinically, low-tech exercise may be the treatment method of choice for the effective management of chronic low back pain.
PID 7035 Identificación de personas mediante Sistemas Biométricos. Estudio de factibilidad y su implementación en organismos estatales

En la actualidad, la biometria se encuentra presente en aplicaciones tales como acceso seguro a computadoras, redes, bases de datos, control horario y acceso fisico a salas de acceso restringido, entre otros. Los organismos estatales disponen de informacion de diverso tipo, en volumenes importantes y con distintos niveles de privacidad. El control de acceso a esta informacion, generalmente, se efectua a traves de mecanismos tradicionales como lo son las claves y tarjetas magneticas. Se propone estudiar el funcionamiento de los sistemas biometricos y efectuar un estudio comparativo de los diversos sistemas. Ademas se preve, un estudio de campo sobre un organismo estatal en areas de la administracion que requieren o deberian requerir procesos de identificacion seguros. Se diagnosticaran las dificultades actuales en los procedimientos de dichas areas para establecer sus necesidades. Se propondran soluciones basados en sistemas biometricos, para los procedimientos que requieren de autentificacion. Se desarrollaran e implementaran estos sistemas (software) en dispositivos genericos (hardware). El desarrollo e implementacion de estos controles en areas criticas de organismos gubernamentales permitira una mayor seguridad y control en el acceso a las mismas. Ademas, un desarrollo personalizado y ajustado a los estandares internacionales permitira adecuar los controles a los requerimientos especificos de cada area.
Social Desirability and Alexithymia

We examined the influence of alexithymia on social desirability among 215 Japanese college students. Alexithymic-scoring students who showed a lack of communicating their feelings to other people were likely to indicate higher scores on hostility and lower scores on social desirability. The scores on hostility were negatively correlated with those on social desirability. Recent studies have shown that alexithymia is positively correlated not only with neurotic and psychotic conditions but also with neuroticism. Unfavorable expression of hostile feelings by alexithymic-scoring students may be related to their lower scores on social desirability.
Music Structural Analysis via Novelty Shape Detection

This paper describes a methodology that infers structural segmentation boundaries in a musical recording by assessing the degree of novelty and redundancy in the signal. The method is an enhancement of the self- similarity approach (Foote, 1997) by adding a method that provides more musically meaningful information than before. The approach was tested both with artificially generated signals and real music examples. The method showed that specific generalized shapes of overall novelty scores (Foote 1999) can be associated with structural musical devices.
The cofactor ATP in DNA‐RecA complexes is not intercalated between DNA bases

In an attempt to understand the role of ATP as a cofactor at the interaction of the RecA protein with DNA, we have studied the orientation geometries of the cofactor analogs adenosine 5′‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (ATPγS) and guanosine 5′‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) in RecA‐DNA complexes using flow linear dichroism spectroscopy. Both cofactors promote the formation of RecA‐DNA complexes of similar structure as judged from similar orientations of DNA bases. The DNA orientation was probed through the dichroism of the long‐wavelength absorption of a DNA analog, poly(dεA). In this way differences between the dichroic spectra of the ATPγS–RecA–DNA and GTPγS‐RecA‐DNA complexes, observed in the shorter‐wavelength region, are related to orientation at variations of the cofactor chromophores. The results show that the guanine plane of GTPγS is oriented parallel with the principal axis of the complex in contrast to the more perpendicular orientation of the DNA bases. This observation directly excludes the possibility that the cofactor could be intercalated between the DNA bases. This observation directly excludes the possibility that the cofactor could be intercalated between the DNA bases. The orientation of the adenine base of ATPγS, which may be similar to that of guanine of GTPγS albeit not exactly the same, is also inconsistent with intercalation. The possibility that the cofactor bound to the protein could be intercalated in DNA had been speculated from the observation that some DNA intercalators can induce RecA binding to DNA in the absence of cofator. There are probably no direct interactions between the cofator and the DNA bases and the role of the cofactor is probably related to interaction with RecA and a modification of protein conformation.
A new nonlinear gain structure for PD-type controllers in robotic applications

This article introduces a generic enhancement to certain proportional plus differential Ž . PD -type, joint-space controllers for robotic manipulators that can be utilized to reduce peak levels of servo output without increasing the duration of the transient response. This enhancement takes the form of nonlinear, partially hyperbolic multipliers that are applied to re-scale the error signal gains. The rationale prompting the design of the aforementioned gain structure is discussed at length, and a mathematical formulation of the modified control law is presented for application to both position and full trajectory control. The stability of the suggested control strategy is Ž . addressed, and numerical simulations involving a three degree of freedom 3-DOF robot model are presented to demonstrate quantitatively the potential benefits of implementing such. Q 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A capacitive loaded quasi-elliptic function microstrip filter on GSM-R band

A capacitive loaded quasi-elliptic function microstrip filter on GSM-R with the bandwidth of 4MHz, the fractional bandwidth ≪0.5%, are designed. Tto demonstrate the proposed design, a four-order capacitive loaded quasi-elliptic function bandpass filter was designed and fabricated.
Early manifestations of manganese neurotoxicity in humans: an update.

It is possible to detect early signs of neurotoxic dysfunction associated with occupational and environmental exposure to manganese; neurophysiologic and neurobehavioral tests can be used in the absence of clinical manifestations. Although outcomes from individual studies vary, they collectively show a pattern of slowing motor functions, increased tremor, reduced response speed, enhanced olfactory sense, possible memory and intellectual deficits, and mood changes. This overall portrait is consistent with the action of manganese on the central nervous system. In reports to date, there is little consistency in dose-effect relationships between internal parameters of manganese exposure (blood manganese, urinary manganese, hair manganese) and external measures and neurologic outcomes. Several studies suggest the existence of dose-effect relationships, but additional clarification is needed.
Systematic design of grid-current-based active damping for grid-connected LCL filters

This work investigates the using of high-pass filter (HPF) of the grid current to actively damp the resonance in grid-connected LCL filters. A new form for such HPF is deduced. Using this form, a systematic co-design procedures for the HPF along with the fundamental current regulator are presented to achieve pre-specified behavior. This behavior includes avoiding the non-minimum phase behavior along with achieving pre-specified requirements of fundamental loop gain and crossover frequency. Numerical example along with the experimental work are introduced at different resonant frequencies.
Behavioral Problems and Social Competence in Children with Epilepsy

Summary: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate relationships between seizure type in general, degree of interictal limbic system dysfunction in particular, and social competence and behavioral pathology in children with temporal lobe (n= 21), primary generalized (n= 21), and focal nontemporal epilepsies (n= 14). The three groups were closely matched on several variables and compared on the mean Aggression, Total Social Competence, and Total Behavior Problems scale scores derived from a standardized behavioral rating instrument (The Child Behavior Profile). On the Aggression scale, the focal nontemporal group scored significantly lower than the temporal lobe group but did not differ significantly from patients with primary generalized epilepsy. On the Total Behavior Problems and Total Social Competence scales, the three seizure groups did not differ significantly from one another. The results are discussed in terms of the psychologic risk for specific behavioral problems associated with epilepsies varying in their probability of interictal disruption of limbic system functioning.
Towards workload-aware dbmss: identifying workload type and predicting its change

The type of the workload on a database management system (DBMS) is a key consideration in tuning its performance. Allocations for resources such as main memory can be very different depending on whether the workload type is Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) or Decision Support System (DSS). A DBMS also typically experiences changes in the type of workload it handles during its normal processing cycle. Database administrators must, therefore, recognize the significant shifts of workload type that demand reconfiguring the system in order to maintain acceptable levels of performance. We envision autonomous, self-tuning DBMSs that have the capability to manage their own performance by automatically recognizing the workload type and predicting its change over time. In this thesis, we make two main contributions to the development of autonomic DBMSs. The first contribution is a methodology for automatically identifying a DBMS workload as either OLTP or DSS by building various classification models. We demonstrate the methodology with both industry standard workloads and with real workloads of global financial firms. The second contribution is a prediction architecture to forecast when the type of a workload may change. The DBMS can therefore proactively adjust its parameters, without incurring the overhead associated with the constant monitoring. We present experiments to show that the performance of the DBMS using our prediction mode outperforms other possible operation modes. They also show that the prediction architecture can adapt to changes in the workload pattern. The architecture does not demand human intervention and is potentially a generic solution for other similar prediction problems.
Structural characterization and biological functions of fibroblast growth factor.

I. Introduction BASIC AND acidic fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are closely related molecules that show a similar range of biological activities. They differ, however, in some of their physical and chemical properties and in their tissue distribution (1). Basic FGF [bFGF isoelectric point (pi) 9.6] was first identified by its ability to cause the proliferation and phenotypic transformation of BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts (2, 3). Acidic FGF (aFGF, pi 5.6) was first identified by its ability to cause proliferation and delayed differentiation of myoblasts (4); it was later rediscovered on the basis of its ability to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation (5, 6). As expected from their structural relationship, both FGF and aFGF interact with the same receptor (7), thereby having similar, if not identical, properties. In contrast to aFGF, which has a cellular distribution more restricted than bFGF, many different cells synthesize bFGF, and essentially all have a specific high affinity receptor for this peptide.
'Dysphagia Severity Score' system: clinical outcomes in paediatric dysphagia.

Clinical evaluation and analysis of therapeutic intervention, by means of a user-friendly outcome measure system, is essential in the management of a paediatric dysphagia caseload. The objective of this study was to design a Dysphagia Severity Score (DSS) system and to evaluate its usefulness in profiling dysphagia outcomes. Clinical outcome data, based on ten clinical parameters describing dysphagic status pre- and post-intervention, were collated for 23 concurrent cases and recorded on a data base. Results indicate that all subjects scored an improvement in DSS percentage post-intervention, with an average improvement of 21%. Dysphagia Severity Score profiles are presented for two patients and the limitations and applications are discussed.
Linking a genome‐wide association study signal to a LRRK2 coding variant in Parkinson's disease

Genome‐wide association studies have identified several loci associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Whole‐exome sequencing detects rare coding variants, but their links with PD genome‐wide association study loci are unknown. Our objective was to investigate whether nonsynonymous variants in LRRK2 can explain associations at the PD‐associated locus tagged by rs1994090.
Murine Flt3 Ligand Expands Distinct Dendritic Cells with Both Tolerogenic and Immunogenic Properties 1

Human Flt3 ligand can expand dendritic cells (DC) and enhance immunogenicity in mice. However, little is known about the effects of murine Flt3 ligand (mFlt3L) on mouse DC development and function. We constructed a vector to transiently overexpress mFlt3L in mice. After a single treatment, up to 44% of splenocytes became CD11c+ and the total number of DC increased 100-fold. DC expansion effects lasted for >35 days. mFlt3L DC were both phenotypically and functionally distinct. They had increased expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules and expressed elevated levels of B220 and DEC205 but had minimal CD4 staining. mFlt3L DC also had a markedly altered cytokine profile, including lowered secretion of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, but had a slightly increased capacity to stimulate T cells in vitro. However, in a variety of in vivo models, DC expanded by mFlt3L induced tolerogenic effects on T cells. Adoptive transfer of Ag-pulsed mFlt3L splenic DC to naive mice actually caused faster rates of tumor growth and induced minimal CTL compared with control DC. mFlt3L also failed to protect against tumors in which human Flt3 ligand was protective, but depletion of CD4+ T cells restored tumor protection. Our findings 1) demonstrate that mFlt3L has distinct effects on DC development, 2) suggest an important role for mFlt3L in generating DC that have tolerogenic effects on T cells, and 3) may have application in immunotherapy in generating massive numbers of DC for an extended duration.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Papain-Like Protease Ubiquitin-Like Domain and Catalytic Domain Regulate Antagonism of IRF3 and NF-κB Signaling

ABSTRACT The outcome of a viral infection is regulated in part by the complex coordination of viral and host interactions that compete for the control and optimization of virus replication. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) intimately engages and regulates the host innate immune responses during infection. Using a novel interferon (IFN) antagonism screen, we show that the SARS-CoV proteome contains several replicase, structural, and accessory proteins that antagonize the IFN pathway. In this study, we focus on the SARS-CoV papain-like protease (PLP), which engages and antagonizes the IFN induction and NF-κB signaling pathways. PLP blocks these pathways by affecting activation of the important signaling proteins in each pathway, IRF3 and NF-κB. We also show that the ubiquitin-like domain of PLP is necessary for pathway antagonism but not sufficient by itself to block these pathways regardless of the enzymatic activity of the protease. The potential mechanism of PLP antagonism and its role in pathogenesis are discussed.
Wood density and fiber dimensions of "Gmelina arborea" in fast growth trees in Costa Rica: relation to the growth rate

A short rotation system was possible in the Gmelina arborea plantations due to silvicultural techniques that increased their growth rate. The objective of this research was to determine growth rate effects measured in tree diameter on wood density parameters (mean, minimum, maximum and intra-ring variation) and in fiber dimensions (wall thickness, fiber width, lumen diameter and fiber length) of trees from fast growth plantations. Thirty mature trees were sampled from thirty different fast-growth plantations with a wide growth rate in Costa Rica. A disc was cut from each tree at DBH. The wood density parameters and fiber dimensions were determined in each growth ring. Some wood density parameters and fiber dimensions were related with growth rate. The minimum and mean density, cell wall thickness, fiber width and lumen diameter decreased with increase in growth rate. Intra-ring wood density variation increased with growth rate but the weak correlation was established. Maximum wood density was not found correlation with growth rate. A pronounced decrease was presented in minimum and mean density from 0 to 20 mm/year and after to 45 mm/year. A pronounced decrease and increase with increase in growth rate were presented in the fiber length and intra-ring wood density, respectively. Lumen diameter and fiber width presented few variations, until 40 mm/year; however, they showed decrease after this growth rate value.
MK-801 has neuroprotective and antiproliferative effects in retinal laser injury.

PURPOSE Treatment of the retina by laser photocoagulation often is complicated by an immediate side effect of visual impairment, caused by unavoidable, laser-induced destruction of healthy tissue adjacent to the lesion. A neuroprotective therapy that salvages this healthy tissue might enhance the benefit obtained from the treatment. This study was proposed to determine whether glutamate-receptor blockers can provide adjuvant neuroprotection during laser photocoagulation. The effect of MK-801, an NMDA-receptor antagonist, on laser-induced retinal injury was examined, in a rat model. METHODS Argon laser lesions were created in the retinas of 36 DA rats, and were followed immediately by intraperitoneal injections of MK-801 (2 mg/kg) or saline. The animals were killed after 3, 20, or 60 days and the retinal lesions were evaluated histologically and morphometrically. RESULTS Photoreceptor-cell loss was significantly less in MK-801-treated rats than in control animals. The proliferative membrane composed of retinal pigment epithelial cells and neovascular blood vessels, which was seen at the base of the lesion in control group retinas, was smaller in the MK-801-treated retinas. In rats treated with a higher dose of MK-801, the lesions showed almost no proliferative reaction. CONCLUSIONS A potent noncompetitive NMDA-receptor blocker, MK-801 exhibits neuroprotective and antiproliferative properties in the retina. Glutamate-receptor blockers should be investigated further as potential adjuvant therapy in retinal photocoagulation treatments.
Adaptation de modèles épidémiologiques pour l'analyse des propagations de défaillances dans une ressource de production

Nous explorons ici l'applicabilite de modeles epidemiologiques pour decrire la propagation de defaillances dans une ressource de production. En effet, la complexite et d'interdependance des systemes fait qu'une perturbation ne degrade pas seulement un element mais peut s'etendre a d'autres elements, entrainant l'arret des systemes. De plus, une ressource degradee risque consommer et de generer des pollutions ou des dechets supplementaires. Notre idee est d'etendre l'application des modeles epidemiologiques aux ressources de production. Dans le secteur de la sante, l'etude de la propagation des pathogenes d'un individu a l'autre a largement contribue au developpement des modeles epidemiologiques. Par exemple, le virus VIH perturbe le fonctionnement normal du corps, passant d'un etat robuste a un etat lethargique. Dans un contexte industriel, la degradation des composants des machines perturbe le processus normal de la production avec des etats transitoires (qualite moindre, surconsommation d'energie.) Cette adaptation d'un modele epidemiologique nous semble prometteuse d'une part pour cibler au mieux la strategie de maintenance a mettre en oeuvre et d'autre part pour evaluer les dynamiques mises en oeuvre et representer au mieux les phenomenes de degradation intermediaires (surconsommation d'energie, degradation du niveau de qualite, emission de polluants, etc.)
UMA ANÁLISE DA TECNOLOGIA DA INFORMAÇÃO SOB A ÓTICA DA SOCIOMATERIALIDADE

A tecnologia tem se tornado um aspecto integrante da maioria das organizacoes. De fato, as tecnologias estao em constante evolucao e transformacao, criando novos comportamentos e trazendo novos fenomenos aos pesquisadores para investigacao no contexto em que se encontram. Especificamente na tecnologia da informacao, observa-se uma mudanca gradativa do campo de pesquisa, partindo de questoes mais tecnicas, ligadas a tecnologia, para uma visao mais voltada a organizacao, com informacoes gerenciais e estrategicas (ORLIKOWSKI e SCOTT, 2008). Esta mudanca traz novos desafios para investigacao na area, com abordagens promissoras, como a sociomaterialidade, que reconsidera o status da tecnologia na pesquisa organizacional. O objetivo deste trabalho e apresentar a sociomaterialidade como uma possivel lente teorica para a conducao de pesquisas sobre as implicacoes da TI nas organizacoes. Com esse objetivo, fundamentar-se-a na nocao de que o aspecto sociomaterial nao diz respeito a tecnologia, mas a pratica, na qual a tecnologia esta incorporada. A argumentacao a ser desenvolvida neste ensaio, basear-se-a, essencialmente em tres pontos: na visao de Orlikowski a respeito da sociomaterialidade; no estabelecimento de que a tecnologia pode ser representada e estudada por seus artefatos (responsaveis pela interacao da tecnologia com os atores sociais); e na assuncao de que as praticas sao passiveis de interpretacao por meio das rotinas organizacionais: criadas e estabelecidas, tambem, a partir da interacao entre tecnologia e os atores sociais.