Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Osteoporotic Men: Prevalence and Assessment of the Relation with Presence of Vertebral Fracture

Objective. The relationship between osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) remains controversial. An inverse relationship between spine OA and the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures has been shown in osteoporotic women. Our objective was to assess this relationship in osteoporotic men. Methods. All the patients had OP based on densitometric data and were aged ≥ 65 years. Spine radiographs were performed according to a standardized procedure. Vertebral fractures were assessed from T4 to L4 by a semiquantitative method. Disc degenerative changes were assessed by the presence and severity of osteophytes and disc narrowing at levels T12–L1 to L5–S1. Logistic regression was used to study the relationship between the presence of vertebral fracture and lumbar disc degeneration. Results. The study included 261 osteoporotic men. The prevalence of vertebral fractures was 26.4% (69/261). At least 1 osteophyte was found in 91.6% (239/261) of patients, and at least 1 disc space narrowing in 63.5% (165/260). The prevalence of at least 1 osteophyte and/or at least 1 disc space narrowing was similar in patients with and those without vertebral fracture. No relationship was found between the presence and/or the severity of osteophytes and disc narrowings and the presence of prevalent vertebral radiographic fractures. Conclusion. In osteoporotic men, the prevalence of lumbar spine degeneration is high. There is no relationship between lumbar disc degeneration and the presence of vertebral fracture in osteoporotic men.
Real-Time Simulation of a Wind Energy System Based on the Doubly-Fed Induction Generator

This paper presents the real-time digital simulation of a grid-connected wind turbine generator system (WTGS) based on a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG). A 1.5-MW WTGS is the basis for model development. First a detailed electromagnetic transient model for the WTGS is developed in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. This model includes the complete aerodynamic, mechanical and electrical components of the wind turbine, the back-to-back voltage source converter (VSC)-based power electronic interface, as well as the mechanical and electrical controllers of the WTGS. The overall grid-connected WTGS model was then order-reduced and implemented on a PC-cluster-based real-time digital simulator. The maximum execution time of the DFIG model and control was 5.53 mus, while that of the grid-connected WTGS was 15.375 mus. Real-time oscilloscope results are presented to illustrate the WTGS controller performance, the variable wind speed dynamics, and interaction of the WTGS with grid faults. The real-time WTGS model can be readily used for hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Human Resource Management: Rhetorics and Realities

What is Personnel Management? - Styles of Managing the Employment Relationship - What is Human Resource Management? - HRM and 'Strategic' Integration with Business Policy? - HRM: Towards the Flexible Firm? - HRM: From Compliance to Commitment? - HRM and Quality: Customer Sovereignty in the Enterprise Culture? - HRM and 'New Realism' in Industrial Relations? - HRM: Modernist Project or Postmodern Discourse? - Epilogue: the Future of HRM? - Bibliography
Men's sexual health matters: promoting reproductive health in an international context

Summary Recent concern regarding the control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has resulted in an increased interest in the sexual health of men. This interest has primarily focused on strategies to ‘encourage and enable men to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive behaviour and their social and family roles’ ( United Nations 1994 ). Whilst men are deemed to have ‘responsibilities’, women are said to have ‘rights’ with regard to making choices about reproductive health and accessing appropriate and effective services. Here it is argued that, whilst provision of services and interventions against STIs in men should never be at the expense of those for women, it is often clinically easier and more effective to diagnose and treat men with STIs compared to women in resource‐poor settings. Indeed, this may prove to be an effective strategy in controlling the spread of STIs, and hence reducing the disproportionate burden of their complications suffered by women. The paper reviews key issues in relation to improved service delivery for sexual and reproductive health in men, notably: the heterogeneity of male populations; current knowledge regarding men's sexual behaviour; the role of sexuality; methods of studying sexual behaviour in resource poor countries; men's own concerns in relation to sexual and reproductive health; and where and how they access treatment. It is argued that the time has now come to determine and address men's sexual health needs if we are to expect them to participate fully as responsible partners in improving and protecting their own and others' sexual and reproductive health.
Efficiency maximisation in structural design optimisation of permanent magnet synchronous motor

In this paper a topology optimal design of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) based on efficiency maximisation is performed. In the design procedure performed on the PM synchronous motor, genetic algorithm, as an optimisation tool is used. The optimal design of the PMSM is based on previously performed 2D FEM magnetic field calculation and analysis of the motor. Comparative values of the efficiency improved motor parameters in relation to the basic model, as well as the results of the 2D FEM magnetic field calculation for both models are presented.
Connectivity Perception of Partly Occluded Gratings in 4-Month-Old Infants

Four groups of eight 4-month-old infants were each habituated to one of four displays consisting of a grating of either low (0.4 cycle deg−1) or high (1.2 cycles deg−1) spatial frequency, whose central portion was covered up with a horizontal occluder which was either narrow (1.33 deg) or broad (4.17 deg). Posthabituation displays consisted of a complete grating of the same frequency as the habituated grating, along with a separate grating whose central portion was replaced with a black gap of the same height as the occluder in the habituation displays. All the infants, except those who were habituated to the high frequency with the broad occluder, looked longer at the separate grating than the complete grating display during posthabituation trials. Previously, we found that infants under 1 month of age perceive the grating continuation only when the occluder height is less than about 0.5 cycle of the grating; our present results show that this figure increases to about 1.6 cycles of the grating frequency in the case of 4-month-old infants. These findings indicate that those developmental changes depend on both the sufficiency of visual information available and the efficiency of the perceptual ability of infants for grasping spatial relationships.
Hidden Health Benefits of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

The adoption of readily available measures to lower GHG emissions in Santiago, Mexico City, SA£o Paulo, and New York over the next two decades would also provide major public health benefits from associated reductions in particulate matter and ozone ambient concentrations. Improved technologies to reduce fossil-fuel combustion could reduce these copollutants by about 10%, and thereby avoid some 64,000 premature deaths (including infant deaths), 65,000 chronic bronchitis cases, and 37 million person-days of restricted activity or work loss in these four cities alone through 2020. If the substantial public health benefits we have charted here become more widely recognized, and their full economic and social impact are integrated into discussions of climate policy, this could prompt a major rethinking of the climate debate and help break through the present impasse.
Dosimetry of Beta Rays and Low-Energy Photons for Brachytherapy with Sealed Sources

13 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 15
Is Hsp90 a regulator of evolvability?

In a recent paper, Rutherford and Lindquist (1998. Nature 396:336-342) identified mutations in the Hsp90 protein that act to unmask hidden genetic variation with a variety of phenotypic effects. The Hsp90 protein has a number of properties that suggest a role in regulating the expression of genetic variation and therefore in adjusting the evolvability of the organism. In this paper we reflect upon the evolutionary feasibility of such mechanisms and suggest some possible ways of testing the adaptation-for-evolvability hypothesis in more detail. We conclude that Hsp90 holds promise as a molecular model system for the evolution of evolvability. J. Exp. Zool. ( Mol. Dev. Evol. ) 285:116-118, 1999.
Measuring functional status of chronic coronary patients. Reliability, validity and responsiveness to clinical change of the reduced version of the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI).

AIMS Health-related quality of life assessment may be useful for understanding the variability in functioning of patients with a similar level of clinical impairment. We assessed the reliability, validity and responsiveness to clinical change of a reduced version of the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) in chronic coronary patients. METHODS AND RESULTS The reduced version of the DASI, a measure of self-reported functional capacity, was administered twice to two groups of patients: 46 stable coronary heart disease outpatients were tested and re-tested 2 weeks after their initial visit; and 44 patients undergoing elective angioplasty for angina pectoris were evaluated the day before and one month after the procedure. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) functional grade was assessed in all patients, and a treadmill exercise test was performed sequentially (before and after the procedure) in angioplasty patients. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for reduced DASI scores were high (between 0.81 and 0.89). Correlations of the reduced DASI scores with CCS grade and exercise test duration were moderately high (r = -0.51 and r = 0.45, respectively). Improvement after angioplasty as assessed by the reduced DASI scores was important (effect size = 0.75, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The reduced DASI is reliable, valid and responsive to clinical changes. Health-related quality of life measures may be useful in monitoring coronary patients.
Using RNA interference to identify genes required for RNA interference

RNA interference (RNAi) is a phenomenon in which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) silences endogenous gene expression. By injecting pools of dsRNAs into Caenorhabditis elegans, we identified a dsRNA that acts as a potent suppressor of the RNAi mechanism. We have used coinjection of dsRNAs to identify four additional candidates for genes involved in the RNAi mechanism in C. elegans. Three of the genes are C. elegans mes genes, some of which encode homologs of the Drosophila chromatin-binding Polycomb-group proteins. We have used loss-of-function mutants to confirm a role for mes-3, -4, and -6 in RNAi. Interestingly, introducing very low levels of dsRNA can bypass a requirement for these genes in RNAi. The finding that genes predicted to encode proteins that associate with chromatin are involved in RNAi in C. elegans raises the possibility that chromatin may play a role in RNAi in animals, as it does in plants.
A Typology of Freemium Business Models for Mobile Applications

Freemium represents an essential business model in the accelerating mobile applications industry. While Freemium models contribute more than 90% of the revenue generated in Google Play and Apple’s app store, extant research lacks to date a systematic typology. Therefore, this paper aims at developing a classification scheme for Freemium business models. Using theoretical sampling, we identified 40 apps from which we derived an empirically grounded typology comprising nine distinct Freemium types. We differentiated each type by two key themes, which are its premium revenue stream and the relationship between the free and premium offering. The developed typology contributes to a better understanding of the differentiating criteria of Freemium business models and enables risk-return considerations in the decision-making of app publishers. In addition, the typology provides a generalizable framework for different kinds of Freemium offerings. Finally, we developed three testable propositions from the typology which relate to the monetary advantage of certain Freemium types. These propositions give strategic advice on how to position existing Freemium offerings in quasi-monopolistic markets.
Nonlinear observers for a class of continuous-time uncertain state delayed systems

This paper is concerned with the problem of observer design for a class of time-delay nonlinear systems with parameter uncertainties. The purpose of this problem is to design the gain-scheduled state observers such that, for the addressed nonlinearities as well as all admissible parameter uncertainties in state and output equations, the observation process remains globally exponentially stable, independently of the time delay. The nonlinearities are assumed to satisfy the global L ipschitz conditions, and the parameter uncertainties are allowed to be time varying, unstructured and norm bounded. An effective matrix inequality methodology is developed to solve the proposed problem. W e derive the conditions for the existence of the desired robust nonlinear observers, and then characterize the analytical expression of these observers. Two numerical examples demonstrate the validity and applicability of the present approach.
Ethical issues of information and business: a critical perspective.

Businesses and the economic system they work in have an important influence on ethical issues arising from information and information and communication technology. This chapter aims at establishing a link between several sets of ethical discourses that concern similar topics. It offers an introduction to some of the current debates in business ethics and considers how information and technology influence the current topics and debates in the area. Drawing on some of the debates in computer and information ethics, the paper points out areas where these two sets of discourses overlap and where they have the potential to inform each other. The chapter will do so by looking at some prominent examples of issues that arise in business and computer ethics, including privacy and employee surveillance and intellectual property, as well as some macrolevel issues including globalization and digital divides.
[The effect of muscovite on the quality of gastric ulcer healing].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of muscovite on the quality of gastric ulcer healing. METHOD Gastric ulcers were produced in male rats by serosal application of acetic acid. Rats were gavaged for 14 days with saline, omeprazole and muscovite starting 3 days after ulcer induction. Then the tissue and blood samples were obtained and measured. RESULT In the muscovite group, restored mucosa thickness increased, cystically dilated glands decreased, microvessels in connective tissue increased, the secretion of mucus, hexosamine, PGE2, EGF, bFGF were enhanced, and the express of EGFR was stronger. CONCLUSION Muscovite can promote the gastric ulcer healing and improve the quality of gastric ulcer healing.
Ten years later: A single hospital experience with malignancy in HIV/AIDS

We present our experience in the era of HAART with 5,112 patients having HIV infection or AIDS, treated between 2002 and 2006 in our hospital, 182 of whom had malignancies (3.56%). We compared our findings to those from a similar cohort of patients studied 10 years earlier.
Towards a conceptualisation of service quality at an educational institution.

FET Colleges are facing two main challenges in the new educational landscape in South Africa, namely; responding to the desired level of delivery to cater for all South Africans as a postmerged institution and responding to relevant programme demands in a globally competitive environment. This research explores the relationship between service quality and user satisfaction. A model that demonstrates how satisfaction can be seen as both a micro-level response to individual transactions, and a macro-level of service quality is proposed, namely the SERVQUAL model. Using an evidence-based approach, gaps between user expectations and perceptions are explored as well as the gap between expectations and managers perceptions of these. Based on this evidence some observations are made about ways in which Coastal KZN FET Colleges could make more use of the information derived from their own organisation user survey to improve their services. This generic study could easily be carried out at other FET Colleges in South Africa and internationally.
Cubification of nonlinear stochastic differential equations and approximate moments calculation of the Langevin Equation

For the class of Ito-type nonlinear Stochastic Differential Equations (SDE), where the drift and the diffusion are σπ-functions (σπ-SDE), we prove that the (infinite) set of all moments of the solution satisfies a system of infinite ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which is always linear. The result is proven by showing first that a σπ-SDE can be cubified, i.e. reduced to a system of SDE of larger (but still finite) dimension in general, where drifts and diffusions are at most third-degree polynomial functions. Our motivation for deriving a moment equation in closed form comes from systems biology, where second-order moments are exploited to quantify the stochastic variability around the steady-state average amount of the molecular players involved in a bio-chemical reaction framework. Indeed, the proposed methodology allows to write the moment equations in the presence of non-polynomial nonlinarities, when exploiting the Chemical Langevin Equations (which are SDE) as a model abstraction. An example is given, associated to a protein-gene production model, where non-polynomial nonlinearities are known to occur.
Energy and Power Risk Management

Praise for Energy and Power Risk Management : "Energy and Power Risk Management identifies and addresses the key issues in the development of the turbulent energy industry and the challenges it poses to market players. An insightful and far-reaching book written by two renowned professionals. " –Helyette Geman, Professor of Finance University Paris Dauphine and ESSEC "The most up-to-date and comprehensive book on managing energy price risk in the natural gas and power markets. An absolute imperative for energy traders and energy risk management professionals. " –Vincent Kaminski, Managing Director Citadel Investment Group LLC "Eydeland and Wolyniec’s work does an excellent job of outlining the methods needed to measure and manage risk in the volatile energy market. " –Gerald G. Fleming, Vice President, Head of East Power Trading, TXU Energy Trading "This book combines academic rigor with real-world practicality. It is a must-read for anyone in energy risk management or asset valuation. " –Ron Erd, Senior Vice President American Electric Power
Sorting of lipidated cargo by the Arl2/Arl3 system

ABSTRACT Arl2 and Arl3 are Arf-like small GTP-binding proteins of the Arf subfamily of the Ras superfamily. Despite their structural similarity and sharing of many interacting partners, Arl2 and Arl3 have different biochemical properties and biological functions. Growing evidence suggest that Arl2 and Arl3 play a fundamental role as regulators of trafficking of lipid modified proteins between different compartments. Here we highlight the similarities and differences between these 2 homologous proteins and discuss the sorting mechanism of lipidated cargo into the ciliary compartment through the carriers PDE6δ and Unc119 and the release factors Arl2 and Arl3.
Administration of Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin-4-Sulfate Limits Endogenous Antioxidant Depletion and Reduces Cell Damage in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

Several reports have described a loss of endogenous antioxidants and molecular oxidative damage during acute pancreatitis. Since hyaluronic acid and chondroitin-4-sulfate possess antioxidant properties, the effect of the administration of these glycosaminoglycans in a cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats was investigated. Cerulein administration produced pancreatic edema and a marked increase in serum lipase and amylase activity; induced a severe depletion of reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels; primed lipid peroxidation; and promoted neutrophil intervention. Intraperitoneal pretreatment of rats with hyaluronic acid or chondroitin-4-sulfate or with both compounds ameliorated pancreatic cell conditions; restored the endogenous antioxidants reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase; limited cell membrane peroxidation; and reduced neutrophil activation. Our data confirm the antioxidant activity of these 2 glycosaminoglycans.
Bacterial infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A study of stable and exacerbated outpatients using the protected specimen brush.

The lower airways of asymptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients can be colonized by bacteria, mainly Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. However, the role of lower airway bacteria in stable and exacerbated COPD has not been well defined. To determine the importance of lower airway bacterial infection in COPD we studied 40 outpatients with stable COPD (Group A: age 61.1 +/- 9.9 yr; [mean +/- SD]; FEV1/FVC 51.7 +/- 12.5) and 29 outpatients with exacerbated COPD (Group B: age 63.4, SD 9.0 yr; FEV1/FVC 52.0, SD 9.6), using the protected specimen brush (PSB) for microbiology sampling. Group A consisted of outpatients with stable COPD having normal or near-normal chest X-rays, with clinical indications for performing fiber-bronchoscopy (pulmonary nodule, remote hemoptysis); Group B consisted of patients with exacerbated COPD who voluntarily accepted lower airway microbiology sampling. To avoid contamination by upper airway flora the PSB was used for bacterial sampling in all the cases and concentrations > or = 1,000 colony-forming units/milliliter (CFU/ml) were considered positive. Results were as follows: Group A: Lung function data in outpatients with stable COPD were lower than the reference values for this population (FVC 2.97 +/- 1.02 L, FVC% 71.4 +/- 22.4, FEV1 1.59 +/- 0.79 L, FEV1% 51.2 +/- 23.0). Positive PSB cultures were obtained in 10 of 40 cases (25%), mainly of H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. Two of 40 cases had positive cultures at concentrations > or = 10,000 CFU/ml (5.0%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains

ABSTRACT Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a geographically widespread RNA virus with a high degree of genomic diversity that complicates sequence-based diagnostics. Here, we sequenced eight CCHFV strains for improved assay design and deposition into FDA-ARGOS, the FDA’s pathogen database for development and verification of next generation sequencing assays.
The role of starburst amacrine cells in visual signal processing

Abstract Starburst amacrine cells (SBACs) within the adult mammalian retina provide the critical inhibition that underlies the receptive field properties of direction-selective ganglion cells (DSGCs). The SBACs generate direction-selective output of GABA that differentially inhibits the DSGCs. We review the biophysical mechanisms that produce directional GABA release from SBACs and test a network model that predicts the effects of reciprocal inhibition between adjacent SBACs. The results of the model simulations suggest that reciprocal inhibitory connections between closely spaced SBACs should be spatially selective, while connections between more widely spaced cells could be indiscriminate. SBACs were initially identified as cholinergic neurons and were subsequently shown to contain release both acetylcholine and GABA. While the role of the GABAergic transmission is well established, the role of the cholinergic transmission remains unclear.