Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategies to Decrease Blood Loss in Patients Who Undergo Total Knee Replacement: A Prospective Study of One Hundred and Fifty Cases

We calculated the total blood loss in a non-randomized study of 150 total knee replacements which were performed under regional anaesthesia by a mini-subvastus surgical approach without the use of a tourniquet. In all knees, tranexamic acid was used perioperatively. The skin, subcutaneous tissue and joint capsule were infiltrated with saline adrenaline prior to making surgical incision. After cementing the prostheses, the surgical wound was packed alternately with hydrogen peroxide and Feracrylum-soaked packs for 3 minutes. Tourniquet and postoperative drain were not used in any of the knees. In our series, the mean perioperative blood loss was 433 mL (SD 74), the mean RBC volume loss was 234 mL (SD 40.4), and the mean reduction in hemoglobin level was 1.6 gm/dL. The mean preoperative hemoglobin was 12.01gm/dL (SD 1.4) and the mean postoperative hemoglobin was 10.4 gm/dL (SD 1.4). The mean preoperative hematocrit was 37.04 (SD 2.8) and the mean postoperative hematocrit was 31.29 (SD 2.7). One of our patients developed cerebral thromboembolism three days after the surgery. Postoperative hemoglobin of less then 8 g/dL was considered an indication for blood transfusion; however, none of our patients required blood transfusion in the present series. Study Design: Therapeutic case series; Level of Evidence, IV. Keywords: Tranexamic acid; Antifibrinolytic agent; Decreased blood loss; Total knee arthroplasty
Stuttering: a review of research findings and theories circa 1982.

The research literature on stuttering is extensive, spanning etiology, natural history, phenomenology, and treatment. In this review, existing empirical knowledge is distilled by attending only to replicated findings. These are designated as "facts. " Facts concerning the natural history of idiopathic stuttering highlight early childhood onset, probability of recovery, and importance of a positive family history of stuttering. Corroborated evidence on stutterer-nonstutterer differences concerns intelligence distribution, speech development, central auditory function, and sensory-motor response. Predictable changes in stuttering frequency, and even total elimination of stuttering, occur under a remarkable variety of conditions. Review of therapies revealed two that satisfied the most stringent criteria for good treatment. Various theoretical positions are examined for their fit with the established facts. A model of stuttering as a genetically determined reduction in central capacity for efficient sensory-motor integration is preferred, provided acquisition of secondary symptoms is attributed to instrumental learning.
Information System Flexibility and the Cost Efficiency of Business Processes

In order to be effective, an information system ( IS ) needs to be flexible, that is, it must be able to accommodate a certain amount of variation regarding the requirements of the supported business process. Despite many previous studies on the flexibility of organizations, processes, and various organizational technologies, the economics of flexibility are not yet well understood. The current paper contributes to IS theory building with a focus on the impact of IS flexibility on the cost efficiency of a given business process . We present a theoretical model that details the economics of two generic strategies of IS flexibility ( i.e., flexibility-to-use regarding the IS features that are provided at the time of implementation, and flexibility-to-change regarding the IS features that constitute an option for later system upgrade ) , and that also includes the possibility of process performance outside of the IS ( manual operations ) . Based on an analysis of the model, we conclude that IS flexibility-to-change is cost efficiently deployed to support a business process characterized by a high level of structural and environmental uncertainty, whereas a low level of process uncertainty corresponds efficiently with IS flexibility-to-use. The model also indicates that high process variability can improve the importance of IS flexibility management in general, as it tends to limit the value of an IS over manual operations, whereas a high level of time-criticality of process requirements tends to increase the value of an IS over manual operations.
Temporal Preparation in Athletes: A Comparison of Tennis Players and Swimmers With Sedentary Controls

ABSTRACT The authors aimed to investigate the effects of different sporting experience on nonspecific temporal preparation. They evaluated temporal preparation in tennis players (an open-skill sport) and their athletic (swimmers, a closed skill-sport) and nonathletic (sedentary students) controls using a go/no-go variable foreperiod paradigm in which one simple condition and two go/no-go conditions (central-go and mixed-go) were included, which can be used to study the temporal aspects of nonspecific preparation with decision making in inhibition with different levels of cognitive load. Tennis players responded faster than nonathletic controls while there was no significant difference relative to the athletic controls. Additionally, the main finding of the present study is that the difference in reaction time between tennis players and nonathletic controls was found selectively for short foreperiods in which temporal uncertainty is higher and less temporal preparation can occur. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that superior temporal preparation was positively associated with enhanced go/no-go decision making in the higher difficulty condition. Our findings are consistent with tennis players showing superior temporal processing. The absence of a significant effect in athletic controls suggests that there is a specific benefit from tennis training and indicates that temporal preparation may be susceptible to modulation by fitness and appropriate training.
Device therapy for cardiac arrhythmias.

SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE implantable pacemaker in 1958 and the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in 1980, implantable devices for rhythm control are now commonly used for treating bradycardia and certain types of ventricular arrhythmias. The first pacemakers and ICDs were large devices (40-200 cm) that required a prolonged hospitalization for implantation and postoperative recovery, and had few programmable features. In contrast, the current devices are significantly smaller (9-45 cm), can be implanted on an outpatient basis, and provide a myriad of programming options to optimize therapy. During the last several years, the actual and potential indications for pacemaker and ICD implantation have expanded significantly as results from several large clinical trials have become available. These advances have led to increased patient and physician acceptance and a steady increase in implantation rates. In 1997, 153000 new pacemakers and 29000 ICDs were implanted in the United States. We summarize the function of and current indications for pacemakers and ICDs. More comprehensive discussions can be found elsewhere.
An Extended Dose–Response Model for Microbial Responses to Ionizing Radiation

An understanding of the environmental toxicology of ionising radiation (IR) is needed because nuclear power production is expanding and there is increasing pressure to build nuclear waste repositories. The effects of IR in the environment have long been investigated but there have been fewer studies involving environmental microbiology than its importance to key ecosystems services demands. Here we highlight some unique aspects of the relationship between microbes and IR and use them to suggest an extended dose-response model. At high doses, IR causes DNA damage and oxidative stress but some microbes have a remarkable capacity for DNA repair and are tolerant of oxidative stress. Not only is significant radioresistance increasingly being reported for microbes, but some microbes are even radiotrophic. The stressful radiative environment of the early Earth might help explain the existence of these traits, which challenge the assumptions of current dose response models for IR. We suggest that a perspective that takes into account these traits plus both dose and dose rate can be used to model an ‘effects landscape’ that might provide insights for the environmental toxicology of IR to microbes. This might help to predict the effects of IR on key ecosystem processes and also be useful in understanding the environmental toxicology of IR in general.
Designing fault-secure parallel encoders for systematic linear error correcting codes

We consider the open problem of designing fault-secure parallel encoders for various systematic linear ECC. The main idea relies on generating not only the check bits for error correction but also, separately and in parallel, the check bits for error detection. Then, the latter are compared against error detecting check bits which are regenerated from the error correcting check bits. The detailed design is presented for encoders for CRC codes. The complexity evaluation of FPGA implementations of encoders with various degrees of parallelism shows that their fault-secure versions compare favorably against their unprotected counterparts both with respect to complexity and the maximal frequency of operation. Future research will include the design of FS decoders for CRC codes as well as the generalization of the presented ideas to design of FS encoders and decoders for other systematic linear ECC like nonbinary BCH codes and Reed-Solomon codes.
Dependence of radiation pattern on dogbonepair arrangement installed on surface wave antenna

This paper deals with discussions on a comparison between the radiation patterns for 2-by-2 and for 2-by-6 Dog-bone-pair structure (DPS) array on the surface wave antennas. As a result, a low-profile and vertical polarized planar antenna with a bi-directional radiation pattern for radiating parallel to the ground plane is achieved.
T‐cell factors: turn‐ons and turn‐offs

The family of T‐cell factor (Tcf) and lymphoid enhancer factor (Lef) proteins, which in mammals comprises Tcf1, Lef1, Tcf3 and Tcf4, form a subgroup of the high mobility group (HMG) box‐containing superfamily of transcription factors. Alternative splicing and promoter usage give rise to multiple Tcf isoforms, possessing diverse functional domains (Figure 1) (van de Wetering et al ., 1996; Korinek et al ., 1998; Duval et al ., 2000; Hovanes et al ., 2000, 2001). Tcfs bind DNA as monomers. The 80 amino acid HMG box mediates sequence‐specific binding to a core consensus sequence AGATCAAAGGG through contacts made predominantly within the minor groove of the DNA helix (Giese et al ., 1991; van de Wetering et al ., 1991; van Beest et al ., 2000). Tcfs, like other HMG box‐containing transcription factors, have been described as architectural proteins due to their ability to induce substantial bends in DNA, potentially facilitating the formation of large nucleoprotein complexes and thereby promoting transcription (Giese et al ., 1992). However, Tcf molecules by themselves are incapable of modulating transcription. Instead they bind a number of auxilliary proteins, thereby recruiting essential functional domains to the regulatory regions of target genes. This review will focus mainly on the identity of these Tcf co‐factors. Figure 1. Schematic representation of Tcf splice variants and their most conserved domains. Short forms of Tcf1 and Lef1 lack the N‐terminal domain, which interacts with β‐catenin. The CAD domain in Lef1 is required for context‐dependent activation of the TCRα enhancer. The HMG box mediates sequence‐specific DNA binding. The most divergent region of the Tcf family members is the C‐terminus, which in certain longer isoforms contains a conserved motif, CRARF, whose function is presently unknown, and two CtBP binding sites. Tcfs are highly conserved through evolution (Figure 2). Experiments …
Iterative solution of unstable variational inequalities on approximately given sets

The convergence and the stability of the iterative regularization method for solving variational inequalities with bounded nonsmooth properly monotone (i.e., degenerate) operators in Banach spaces are studied. All the items of the inequality (i.e., the operator A, the “right hand side” f and the set of constraints Ω) are to be perturbed. The connection between the parameters of regularization and perturbations which guarantee strong convergence of approximate solutions is established. In contrast to previous publications by Bruck, Reich and the first author, we do not suppose here that the approximating sequence is a priori bounded. Therefore the present results are new even for operator equations in Hilbert and Banach spaces. Apparently, the iterative processes for problems with perturbed sets of constraints are being considered for the first time.
Genetic Structure of the Purebred Domestic Dog

We used molecular markers to study genetic relationships in a diverse collection of 85 domestic dog breeds. Differences among breeds accounted for ∼30% of genetic variation. Microsatellite genotypes were used to correctly assign 99% of individual dogs to breeds. Phylogenetic analysis separated several breeds with ancient origins from the remaining breeds with modern European origins. We identified four genetic clusters, which predominantly contained breeds with similar geographic origin, morphology, or role in human activities. These results provide a genetic classification of dog breeds and will aid studies of the genetics of phenotypic breed differences.
Why are mobile phones annoying?

Sixty four members of the public were exposed to the same staged conversation either while waiting in a bus station or travelling on a train. Half of the conversations were by mobile phone, so that only one end of the conversation was heard, and half were co present face-to-face conversations. The volume of the conversations was controlled at one of two levels: the actors' usual speech level and exaggeratedly loud. Following exposure to the conversation participants were approached and asked to give verbal ratings on six scales. Analysis of variance showed that mobile phone conversations were significantly more noticeable and annoying than face-to-face conversations at the same volume when the content of the conversation is controlled. Indeed this effect of medium was as large as the effect of loudness. Various explanations of this effect are explored, with their practical implications.
Expression of the UV‐induced molecule, Gadd45, in atypical fibroxanthoma

Sir: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) is typically a nodular ulcerative lesion arising from the sun-exposed skin of the head and neck in the elderly (Figure 1a). In its less common forms, the tumour occurs on the limbs and the trunk. Histologically, AFX has features indistinguishable from those of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) (Figure 1b) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) in its less pleomorphic form. Thus, AFX is thought to be a superficial variant of MFH. However, there is possibly a different developmental mechanism between AFX and MFH, which contributes towards the favourable prognosis of AFX. For example, an absence of ras-oncogene mutations is seen in AFX, whereas MFH has both Hand K-ras gene mutations. AFX is characterized by its association with ultraviolet rays (UV), not only clinically but also in its molecular aspects, based upon the fact that there is a p53 gene mutation at pyrimidine sites and immunoexpression of pyrimidine dimers. DNA damage caused by UV is primarily repaired by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, in which p53 plays a direct role. An association between decreased DNA repair ability and AFX has been suggested by a report in which patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) related to DNA repair defects also had AFX. Gadd45 is rapidly induced by agents that cause DNA damage, including UV radiation. Gadd45 is a multifunctional protein involved in NER and cell-cycle checkpoint control. The role of Gadd45 in tumour development seems to vary depending upon the type of tumour. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as well as Gadd45 may also play an important role in NER. DNA repair upon UV irradiation coincides with nuclear PCNA accumulation. A relationship has been reported between reduced PCNA protein and reduced repair capacity in UV-irradiated aged skin fibroblasts. We analysed the immunoexpression of Gadd45a (H165-X; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA), p53 (PAb1801; Oncogene Research Products, San Diego, CA, USA) and PCNA (PC10; Dakopatts, Glostrup, Denmark) as well as a specific proliferation marker, Ki67 (MIB-1; Immunotech, Marseilles, France), in 10 AFXs, five superficial MFHs (S-MFHs), nine S-LMSs and eight benign fibrous histiocytomas (BFHs). The term ‘superficial’ means that the tumour was confined to the cutis or subcutis. Recurrence was recognized in S-MFH (3 ⁄ 5) and in S-LMS cases (5 ⁄ 9), but not in AFX (0 ⁄ 10) or BFH (0 ⁄ 8) cases. CD10 is expressed by lymphoid precursor cells and has been reported to be a useful marker for AFX. In an effort to provide a supportive diagnosis, the expression of CD10 (56C6; NovoCastra Laboratories, Newcastle, UK) was a
Effect of Input Production against Quality of Cocoa Beans

This research aims to: (1) analyze the effect of input production against total beans per 100 g of dry cocoa beans and (2) analyze the correlation of total beans and fat content of cocoa beans. The Cobb-Douglas production function assisted in answering the first goal, while correlation analysis provided a means to answer the second. Results showed that: (1) urea fertilizers, KCl fertilizers, SP-36 fertilizers, pesticides and labour could reduce total beans per 100 g of dry cocoa beans and (2) there was a correlation between total beans per 100 g of dry cocoa beans and total fat content. The more cocoa beans per 100 g, the higher the total fat content. Farmers had to pay attention to the usage of input production such as fertilizers, pesticides and labour because it could increase the quality of cocoa beans.
An analysis of supply chain decisions with asymmetrical retailers : effects of disruptions and static service cost on coordination mechanism

The risk of demand or production cost disruption is one of the challenging problems in the supply chain management. This paper explores a generalized supply chain game model incorporating the possible disruptions. We find that a nonlinear Grove wholesale price scheme can fully coordinate such a supply chain even when both market demand and production cost are disrupted. The nonlinear Grove wholesale price scheme has three sides to coordinate the decision behavior of the players. One is that the mechanism can induce the retail pricing decided by the dominant retailer to be equal with that of the channel; the second is that the mechanism can induce fringe retailers to be not priced out of the market; the third is that the mechanism can ensure that the manufacturer uses minimum incentives to induce the dominant retailer to sell its product as well as providing the demand-stimulating service. Disruptions from both demand side and production cost side may also affect the wholesale price, order quantity as well as retail price, and the share of the dominant retailer and the subsidy rate provided by the manufacturer are unity of opposites. We also find that it is optimal for the manufacturer to keep the original production plan when the joint-disruption amount is sufficiently small.
Strategies and Perceived Barriers to Recruitment of Underrepresented Minority Students in Physician Assistant Programs

Purpose The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to identify the characteristics and effectiveness of recruitment strategies for underrepresented minorities (URM) and barriers to URM applicants to physician assistant programs. Methods A 108-question survey was e-mailed to 168 physician assistant programs; 36 partial and 67 fully completed surveys were returned. The fully completed surveys were used in the data analysis. Participants were asked about the use of 20 recruitment strategies and the importance of 34 perceived barriers to enrollment of URM applicants. Results Of the 20 recruitment strategies, only 4 were used by close to 50% or more of programs: site visits (61.2%), preadmission counseling (58.2%), student loans (57.6%), and presentations targeted to minority students (47.8%). Only 9% of programs used enrichment courses, but this strategy was rated as most effective. Of the 34 barriers, the most frequent was low undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (82.5%). Self-reported success in recruitment was correlated with increased URM matriculation. Higher proportion of African American and Hispanic faculty on admissions committees was correlated with increased rates of URM matriculation. According to a similar survey, compared with medical schools, physician assistant programs use URM recruitment strategies less frequently and perceive financial barriers as a larger problem. Conclusions The academically competitive physician assistant applicant pool decreases the need for recruitment of all students. Use of GPA and standardized test scores as sole criteria for admission and lack of recruitment of URM students lead to a decrease in diversity. If the physician assistant profession desires to improve student diversity in programs, they should consider using a more holistic approach for the admission process, which may allow for a more flexible and individualized review of applicants.
Robust Superpixel Tracking with Weighted Multiple-Instance Learning

SUMMARY This paper proposes a robust superpixel-based tracker via multiple-instance learning, which exploits the importance of instances and mid-level features captured by superpixels for object tracking. We ﬁrst present a superpixels-based appearance model, which is able to compute the conﬁdences of the object and background. Most importantly, we introduce the sample importance into multiple-instance learning (MIL) procedure to improve the performance of tracking. The importance for each instance in the positive bag is deﬁned by accumulating the conﬁdence of all the pixels within the corresponding instance. Furthermore, our tracker can help recover the object from the drifting scene using the appearance model based on superpixels when the drift occurs. We retain the ﬁrst ( k − 1) frames’ information during the updating process to alleviate drift to some extent. To evaluate the e ﬀ ectiveness of the proposed tracker, six video sequences of di ﬀ erent challenging situations are tested. The comparison re-sults demonstrate that the proposed tracker has more robust and accurate performance than six ones representing the state-of-the-art.