LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome.

PURPOSE
Overtraining is primarily related to sustained high load training, often coupled with other stressors. Studies in animal models have suggested that unremittingly heavy training (monotonous training) may increase the likelihood of developing overtraining syndrome. The purpose of this study was to extend our preliminary observations by relating the incidence of illnesses and minor injuries to various indices of training.


METHODS
We report observations of the relationship of banal illnesses (a frequently cited marker of overtraining syndrome) to training load and training monotony in experienced athletes (N = 25). Athletes recorded their training using a method that integrates the exercise session RPE and the duration of the training session. Illnesses were noted and correlated with indices of training load (rolling 6 wk average), monotony (daily mean/standard deviation), and strain (load x monotony).


RESULTS
It was observed that a high percentage of illnesses could be accounted for when individual athletes exceeded individually identifiable training thresholds, mostly related to the strain of training.


CONCLUSIONS
These suggest that simple methods of monitoring the characteristics of training may allow the athlete to achieve the goals of training while minimizing undesired training outcomes.
Two randomized trials of linaclotide for chronic constipation.

BACKGROUND
Linaclotide is a minimally absorbed peptide agonist of the guanylate cyclase C receptor. In two trials, we aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of linaclotide in patients with chronic constipation.


METHODS
We conducted two randomized, 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, dual-dose trials (Trials 303 and 01) involving 1276 patients with chronic constipation. Patients received either placebo or linaclotide, 145 μg or 290 μg, once daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was three or more complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week and an increase of one or more CSBMs from baseline during at least 9 of the 12 weeks. Adverse events were also monitored.


RESULTS
For Trials 303 and 01, respectively, the primary end point was reached by 21.2% and 16.0% of the patients who received 145 μg of linaclotide and by 19.4% and 21.3% of the patients who received 290 μg of linaclotide, as compared with 3.3% and 6.0% of those who received placebo (P<0.01 for all comparisons of linaclotide with placebo). Improvements in all secondary end points were significantly greater in both linaclotide groups than in the placebo groups. The incidence of adverse events was similar among all study groups, with the exception of diarrhea, which led to discontinuation of treatment in 4.2% of patients in both linaclotide groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In these two 12-week trials, linaclotide significantly reduced bowel and abdominal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the potential long-term risks and benefits of linaclotide in chronic constipation. (Funded by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Forest Research Institute; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00765882 and NCT00730015.).
Classical deterministic complexity of Edmonds' Problem and quantum entanglement

Generalizing a decision problem for bipartite perfect matching, J. Edmonds introduced in [14] the problem (now known as the Edmonds Problem) of deciding if a given linear subspace of M(N) contains a nonsingular matrix, where M(N) stands for the linear space of complex NxN matrices. This problem led to many fundamental developments in matroid theory etc.Classical matching theory can be defined in terms of matrices with nonnegative entries. The notion of Positive operator, central in Quantum Theory, is a natural generalization of matrices with nonnegative entries. (Here operator refers to maps from matrices to matrices.) First, we reformulate the Edmonds Problem in terms of of completely positive operators, or equivalently, in terms of bipartite density matrices. It turns out that one of the most important cases when Edmonds' problem can be solved in polynomial deterministic time, i.e. an intersection of two geometric matroids, corresponds to unentangled (aka separable) bipartite density matrices. We introduce a very general class (or promise) of linear subspaces of M(N) on which there exists a polynomial deterministic time algorithm to solve Edmonds' problem. The algorithm is a thoroughgoing generalization of algorithms in [23], [26], and its analysis benefits from an operator analog of permanents, so called Quantum Permanents. Finally, we prove that the weak membership problem for the convex set of separable normalized bipartite density matrices is NP-HARD.
Infiltration-processed, functionally graded materials for microceramic componenets

A three-dimensional micro ceramic functionally graded material (FGM) has been fabricated by an infiltration process. The proposed technique offers an effective way to tailor the composition and microstructure of ceramic micro components. The process involves soft lithography, colloidal powder processing and the infiltration of yttria stabilized zirconia with a pre-ceramic polymer solution. Analyses by SEM, BSE and EDS have revealed the existence of concentration gradients, the Si and C content decreasing with increasing of the sample depth. The resultant micro part has a homogeneous core encased with a graded and layer of YSZ / SiC.
[Skin pigmentation induced by meropenem and levofloxacin].

BACKGROUND
Various cutaneous side-effects, including, exanthema, pruritus, urticaria and Lyell or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have been reported with meropenem (carbapenem), a rarely-prescribed antibiotic. Levofloxacin (fluoroquinolone), a more frequently prescribed antibiotic, has similar cutaneous side-effects, as well as photosensitivity. We report a case of cutaneous hyperpigmentation induced by meropenem and levofloxacin.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A 67-year-old male was treated with meropenem (1g×4 daily), levofloxacin (500mg twice daily) and amikacin (500mg daily) for 2 weeks, followed by meropenem, levofloxacin and rifampicin (600mg twice daily) for 4 weeks for osteitis of the fifth metatarsal. Three weeks after initiation of antibiotic therapy, dark hyperpigmentation appeared on the lower limbs, predominantly on the anterior aspects of the legs. Histology revealed dark, perivascular and interstitial deposits throughout the dermis, which stained with both Fontana-Masson and Perls stains. Infrared microspectroscopy revealed meropenem in the dermis of involved skin. After withdrawal of the antibiotics, the pigmentation subsided slowly.


DISCUSSION
Similar cases of cutaneous hyperpigmentation have been reported after use of minocycline. In these cases, histological examination also showed iron and/or melanin deposits within the dermis, but the nature of the causative pigment remains unclear. In our case, infrared spectroscopy enabled us to identify meropenem in the dermis. Two cases of cutaneous hyperpigmentation have been reported following use of levofloxacin, and the results of histological examination were similar. This is the first case of cutaneous hyperpigmentation induced by meropenem.
On next-generation telco-managed P2P TV architectures

In recent years, Telcos worldwide have deployed IPTV networks to offer cable TV-like services over the IP backbones. Such walled garden IPTV networks are provisioned to guarantee the quality of service, fast channel switching, and user experience expected by TV viewers. A common key design element of these networks is the use of IP multicast within a single network domain in broadcasting of several hundreds of TV channels to millions of receivers. However, as the amount of content and channels increase and users demand more interactive and asynchronous viewing, current IPTV architectures are showing clear limitations. In this paper, we study next-generation Telco-managed IPTV architectures, where P2P distributed systems are integrated in Telco’s TV set-top boxes or home gateways. We explore how P2P can complement existing Telco-managed IPTV architectures to support advanced rewind functionalities and whether P2P can substitute IP multicast solutions towards supporting a potentially unlimited number of live channels. To this extent, we analyze the TV viewing behavior of a quarter million users using real traces from one of the largest Telco-managed IPTV networks in the world and show the synergistic strengths and the potential for various P2P IPTV combined architectures.
Distinct regulation of autophagic activity by Atg14L and Rubicon associated with Beclin 1–phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase complex

Beclin 1, a mammalian autophagy protein that has been implicated in development, tumour suppression, neurodegeneration and cell death, exists in a complex with Vps34, the class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI(3)K) that mediates multiple vesicle-trafficking processes including endocytosis and autophagy. However, the precise role of the Beclin 1–Vps34 complex in autophagy regulation remains to be elucidated. Combining mouse genetics and biochemistry, we have identified a large in vivo Beclin 1 complex containing the known proteins Vps34, p150/Vps15 and UVRAG, as well as two newly identified proteins, Atg14L (yeast Atg14-like) and Rubicon (RUN domain and cysteine-rich domain containing, Beclin 1-interacting protein). Characterization of the new proteins revealed that Atg14L enhances Vps34 lipid kinase activity and upregulates autophagy, whereas Rubicon reduces Vps34 activity and downregulates autophagy. We show that Beclin 1 and Atg14L synergistically promote the formation of double-membraned organelles that are associated with Atg5 and Atg12, whereas forced expression of Rubicon results in aberrant late endosomal/lysosomal structures and impaired autophagosome maturation. We hypothesize that by forming distinct protein complexes, Beclin 1 and its binding proteins orchestrate the precise function of the class III PI(3)K in regulating autophagy at multiple steps.
Gay characters in conventional spaces: Will and Grace and the situation comedy genre

—This paper explores how Will & Grace, which has been heralded in the popular press for its positive representations of gay men, situates the potentially controversial issue of homosexuality within safe and familiar popular culture conventions, particularly those of the situation comedy genre. This paper draws on feminist and queer theory to examine the liabilities of relying on these familiar situation comedy conventions, demonstrating how the program equates gayness with a lack of masculinity, relies on sexual tension and delayed consummation, infantilizes the program’s most potentially subversive characters, and emphasisizes characters’ interpersonal relationships rather than the characters’ connection to the larger social world. Additionally it argues that by inviting mainstream audiences to read the program within familiar televisual frames, Will & Grace can be read as reinforcing heterosexism and, thus, can be seen as heteronormative.
Methotrexate selectively modulates TH1/TH2 balance in active rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE
The mechanism by which low dose methotrexate (MTX, the gold standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis) exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is still debated. Lately, the MTX immunosuppressive effect has been related to apoptosis, especially in active RA patients, with ROS involvement.


METHODS
In the present research we investigated MTX oxidative effect and its ability to modulate immune balance in active versus non-active RA patients.


RESULTS
Our results show that MTX induces IL-10 secretion (a TH2 cytokine) and significantly reduces TH1 profile in Peripheral Mononuclear Cells (PMNC) derived from active RA patients (n=28). Additionally, we found that MTX modulates the immune status towards TH2 dominance by decreasing the IL-12R and the CXCR3 receptors typical for the TH1 population. Moreover, MTX was found to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) in these patients, a phenomenon that might contribute to MTX action toward cytokine homeostasis. A significant correlation was found between MTX IL-10 induction and NO inhibition in active RA patients.


CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that, in active RA patients, apoptosis induction by MTX may be primarily due to IL-10 production via modulation of oxidative stress, which may restore the critically important immune balance. These findings may contribute to determining which group of RA patients may better respond to MTX therapy.
VLEGO: a simple two-handed modeling environment based on toy blocks

This paper describes a case study of building a prototype of an immersive three dimensional (3-D) modeler which supports simple two-handed operations. Designing 3-D objects in a virtual environment has a number of advantages for 3-D geometry creation over designing with traditional computer aided design (CAD) tools. In order to enhance the human-computer interaction in a virtual workspace, twohanded spatial input has been incorporated into a few 3-D designing applications. However, existing 3-D designing tools do not utilize two handed interaction for enhancing the interface sufficiently. Our prototype immersive modeler, VLEGO, employs some features of toy blocks to give flexible two-handed interaction for 3-D design. Features of VLEGO can be summarized as follows: Firstly, VLEGO supports various two-handed operations and hence it makes design environment intuitive and efficient. Secondly, possible location and orientation of primitives are discretely limited so that the user can arrange objects accurately with ease. Finally, the system automatically avoids collisions among primitives and adjusts their positions. As a result, precise design of 3-D objects can be achieved easily by using a set of two-handed operations in intuitive way. This paper describes the design and implementation of VLEGO as well as an experiment for examining the effectiveness of two-handed interaction.
GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING SEED EXTRACT OF ARGYREIA NERVOSA

A simple method for synthesis of biologically stabilized silver nanoparticles was developed using the seed extract of Argyeria nervosa. The nanoparticles synthesized using A. nervosa were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, X-Ray Diffraction, SEMEDS and FTIR. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. The silver nanoparticles synthesized thus demonstrated potent antagonistic activity against bacteria and fungi which possess potential applications in medicine and pharmaceutical fields.
Fabrication and evaluation of plasma sprayed nanostructured alumina-titania coatings with superior properties

Reconstituted nanostructured powders were plasma sprayed using various processing conditions to produce nanostructured alumina–titania coatings. Properties of the nanostructured coatings were related to processing conditions through a critical plasma spray parameter (CPSP) that in turn, can be related to the amount of unmelted powder incorporated into the final coating. Those coatings that retain a significant amount of unmelted powder show optimum microstructure and properties. Selected physical and mechanical properties were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical and electron microscopy, quantitative image analysis and mechanical testing. Constituent phases and the microstructure of the reconstituted particles and plasma sprayed coatings were examined with the aid of quantitative image analysis as a function of processing conditions. Mechanical properties including hardness, indentation crack growth resistance, adhesion strength, spallation resistance during bendand cup-tests, abrasive wear resistance and sliding wear resistance were also evaluated. These properties were compared with a commercial plasma sprayed alumina–titania coating with similar composition. Superior properties were demonstrated for nanostructured alumina–titania coatings plasma sprayed at optimum processing conditions. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Adipocytokines attenuate the association between visceral adiposity and diabetes in older adults.

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether adiponectin is independently associated with diabetes and whether adiponectin and other adipocytokines account for the relationship between fat and diabetes.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A nested case-control study from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study. We measured four adipocytokines: adiponectin, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). Regional fat area was determined by computed tomography scan. The 519 case subjects had diabetes defined by fasting plasma glucose level > or =126 mg/dl or by use of diabetes medications. The 519 control subjects had normal glucose tolerance and were matched by sex, race, and study site. Sex-specific logistic models were adjusted for age, race, site, total adiposity, smoking, and physical activity.


RESULTS
Higher adiponectin levels were associated with lower risk of diabetes (P < 0.001). Visceral fat was the only adiposity measure associated with diabetes after adjusting for BMI (odds ratio 3.0 [2.1-4.3] in women and 1.3 [1.0-1.6] in men, P < 0.001 between-sex comparison). Adipocytokines attenuated the association between visceral fat and diabetes for both sexes but more strongly in men (women 2.3 [1.5-3.3], men 1.1 [0.9-1.4]). In men, adiponectin, IL-6, and PAI-1 remained independently associated with diabetes after adjusting for fat depots; in women, adiponectin was the only independently associated adipocytokine. Controlling for insulin, HDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure did not change these results.


CONCLUSIONS
Adiponectin is associated with lower odds of diabetes in older men and women. Whereas several adipocytokines explained the relationship between visceral adiposity and diabetes in men, only adiponectin partially mediated this association among women.
EXPLORING INTUITION AND ITS ROLE IN MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING

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Audiovisual integration with Segment Models for tennis video parsing

Automatic video content analysis is an emerging research subject with numerous applications to large video databases and personal video recording systems. The aim of this study is to fuse multimodal information in order to automatically parse the underlying structure of tennis broadcasts. The frame-based observation distributions of Hidden Markov Models are too strict in modeling heterogeneous audiovisual data. We propose instead the use of segmental features, of the framework of Segment Models, to overcome this limitation and extend the synchronization points to the segment boundaries. Considering each segment as a video scene, auditory and visual features collected inside the scene boundaries can thus be sampled and modeled with their native sampling rates and models. Experimental results on a corpus of 15-h tennis video demonstrated a performance superiority of Segment Models with synchronous audiovisual fusion over Hidden Markov Models. Results though with asynchronous fusion are less optimistic. 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
User-Centered Design and Agile Methods: A Systematic Review

This paper presents the results of a systematic review of existing literature on the integration of agile software development with user-centered design approaches. It shows that a common process model underlies such approaches and discusses which artifacts are used to support the collaboration between designers and developers.