Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motor-Enriched Learning Activities Can Improve Mathematical Performance in Preadolescent Children

Objective: An emerging field of research indicates that physical activity can benefit cognitive functions and academic achievements in children. However, less is known about how academic achievements can benefit from specific types of motor activities (e.g., fine and gross) integrated into learning activities. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether fine or gross motor activity integrated into math lessons (i.e., motor-enrichment) could improve children's mathematical performance. Methods: A 6-week within school cluster-randomized intervention study investigated the effects of motor-enriched mathematical teaching in Danish preadolescent children (n = 165, age = 7.5 ± 0.02 years). Three groups were included: a control group (CON), which received non-motor enriched conventional mathematical teaching, a fine motor math group (FMM) and a gross motor math group (GMM), which received mathematical teaching enriched with fine and gross motor activity, respectively. The children were tested before (T0), immediately after (T1) and 8 weeks after the intervention (T2). A standardized mathematical test (50 tasks) was used to evaluate mathematical performance. Furthermore, it was investigated whether motor-enriched math was accompanied by different effects in low and normal math performers. Additionally, the study investigated the potential contribution of cognitive functions and motor skills on mathematical performance. Results: All groups improved their mathematical performance from T0 to T1. However, from T0 to T1, the improvement was significantly greater in GMM compared to FMM (1.87 ± 0.71 correct answers) (p = 0.02). At T2 no significant differences in mathematical performance were observed. A subgroup analysis revealed that normal math-performers benefitted from GMM compared to both CON 1.78 ± 0.73 correct answers (p = 0.04) and FMM 2.14 ± 0.72 correct answers (p = 0.008). These effects were not observed in low math-performers. The effects were partly accounted for by visuo-spatial short-term memory and gross motor skills. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that motor enriched learning activities can improve mathematical performance. In normal math performers GMM led to larger improvements than FMM and CON. This was not the case for the low math performers. Future studies should further elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the observed behavioral effects.
Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Circulation Research is available at http://circres.ahajournals. org DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115. 306249 Abstract: Scientific interest in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins has fluctuated over the past many years, ranging from beliefs that these lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) to being innocent bystanders. Correspondingly, clinical recommendations have fluctuated from a need to reduce levels to no advice on treatment. New insight in epidemiology now suggests that these lipoproteins, marked by high triglycerides, are strong and independent predictors of ASCVD and all-cause mortality, and that their cholesterol content or remnant cholesterol likewise are strong predictors of ASCVD. Of all adults, 27% have triglycerides >2 mmol/L (176 mg/dL), and 21% have remnant cholesterol >1 mmol/L (39 mg/dL). For individuals in the general population with nonfasting triglycerides of 6.6 mmol/L (580 mg/dL) compared with individuals with levels of 0.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL), the risks were 5.1-fold for myocardial infarction, 3.2-fold for ischemic heart disease, 3.2-fold for ischemic stroke, and 2.2-fold for all-cause mortality. Also, genetic studies using the Mendelian randomization design, an approach that minimizes problems with confounding and reverse causation, now demonstrate that triglyceriderich lipoproteins are causally associated with ASCVD and all-cause mortality. Finally, genetic evidence also demonstrates that high concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are causally associated with low-grade inflammation. This suggests that an important part of inflammation in atherosclerosis and ASCVD is because of Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease New Insights From Epidemiology, Genetics, and Biology
Perturbation of Partitioned Hermitian Definite Generalized Eigenvalue Problems

This paper is concerned with the Hermitian definite generalized eigenvalue problem A− λB for block diagonal matrices A 1⁄4 diagðA11; A22Þ and B 1⁄4 diagðB11; B22Þ. Both A and B are Hermitian, and B is positive definite. Bounds on how its eigenvalues vary when A and B are perturbed by Hermitian matrices are established. These bounds are generally of linear order with respect to the perturbations in the diagonal blocks and of quadratic order with respect to the perturbations in the off-diagonal blocks. The results for the case of no perturbations in the diagonal blocks can be used to bound the changes of eigenvalues of a Hermitian definite generalized eigenvalue problem after its off-diagonal blocks are dropped, a situation that occurs frequently in eigenvalue computations. The presented results extend those of Li and Li [Linear Algebra Appl. , 395 (2005), pp. 183–190]. It was noted by Stewart and Sun [Matrix Perturbation Theory, Academic Press, Boston, 1990] that different copies of a multiple eigenvalue may exhibit quite different sensitivities towards perturbations. We establish bounds to reflect that feature, too. We also derive quadratic eigenvalue bounds for diagonalizable non-Hermitian pencils subject to off-diagonal perturbations.
The RNA-binding protein TbDRBD3 regulates the stability of a specific subset of mRNAs in trypanosomes

In trypanosomes, the apparent lack of regulation of RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription initiation poses a challenge to understand how these eukaryotes adjust gene expression to adapt to the contrasting environments they find during their life cycles. Evidence so far indicates that mRNA turnover and translation are the major control points in which regulation is exerted in trypanosomes. However, very little is known about which proteins are involved, and how do they regulate the abundance and translation of different mRNAs in different life stages. In this work, an RNA-binding protein, TbDRBD3, has been identified by affinity chromatography, and its function addressed using RNA interference, microarray analysis and immunoprecipitation of mRNA–protein complexes. The results obtained indicate that TbDRBD3 binds to a subset of developmentally regulated mRNAs encoding membrane proteins, and that this association promotes the stabilization of the target transcripts. These observations raise the possibility that TbDRBD3-mRNA complexes act as a post-transcriptional operon, and provide a framework to interpret how trypanosomes regulate gene expression in the absence of transcriptional control.
Early cytokine responses during intestinal parasitic infections

Infections with gastro‐intestinal nematodes elicit immune and inflammatory responses mediated by cytokines released from T‐helper type‐2 (Th2) cells. In vitro assays of cells from the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of experimentally infected rodents confirm that, after about 1 week, the dominant cytokine responses to mitogens and antigens are those associated with this Th‐cell subset. Polarization of the Th response in this way implies an initial local cytokine enviroment that favours Th2 development. However, experimental infections with Trichinella spiralis and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis show that, within 2 days of worms reaching the intestine, MLN cells (MLNC) respond with a Th1 rather than a Th2 response [i.e. there is an increase in mRNA for the type 1 cytokine interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), and mitogen‐stimulated MLNC release IFN‐γ rather than interleukin‐5 (IL‐5)]. Antigen stimulation at this time does not elicit IFN‐γ release and the MLNC cannot adoptively transfer immunity. Within a few days the MLNC phenotype changes. There is a Th2 response (IL‐5 release) to both mitogen and antigen stimulation and MLNC can adoptively transfer immunity. Early release of IFN‐γ is T‐cell dependent, with CD4+ T cells playing the major role. The data are discussed in relation to factors regulating the mucosal response to invasion by parasites.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Dutch home-based pre-reading intervention with children at familial risk of dyslexia

Children (5 and 6 years old, n=30) at familial risk of dyslexia received a homebased intervention that focused on phoneme awareness and letter knowledge in the year prior to formal reading instruction. The children were compared to a no-training at-risk control group (n=27), which was selected a year earlier. After training, we found a small effect on a composite score of phoneme awareness (d=0.29) and a large effect on receptive letter knowledge (d=0.88). In first grade, however, this did not result in beneficial effects for the experimental group in word reading and spelling. Results are compared to three former intervention studies in The Netherlands and comparable studies from Denmark and Australia.
Conservation Strategy for Brown Bear and Its Habitat in Nepal

The Himalaya region of Nepal encompasses significant habitats for several endangered species, among them the brown bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus). However, owing to the remoteness of the region and a dearth of research, knowledge on the conservation status, habitat and population size of this species is lacking. Our aim in this paper is to report a habitat survey designed to assess the distribution and habitat characteristics of the brown bear in the Nepalese Himalaya, and to summarize a conservation action plan for the species devised at a pair of recent workshops held in Nepal. Results of our survey showed that brown bear were potentially distributed between 3800 m and 5500 m in the high mountainous region of Nepal, across an area of 4037 km2 between the eastern border of Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) and the Manasalu Conservation Area (MCA). Of that area, 2066 km2 lie inside the protected area (350 km2 in the MCA; 1716 km2 in the Annapurna Conservation Area) and 48% (1917 km2) lies outside the protected area in the Dolpa district. Furthermore, 37% of brown bear habitat also forms a potential habitat for blue sheep (or bharal, Pseudois nayaur), and 17% of these habitats is used by livestock, suggesting a significant potential for resource competition. Several plant species continue to be uprooted by local people for fuel wood. Based on the results of our field survey combined with consultations with local communities and scientists, we propose that government and non-government organizations should implement a three-stage program of conservation activities for the brown bear. This program should: (a) Detail research activities in and outside the protected area of Nepal; (b) support livelihood and conservation awareness at local and national levels; and (c) strengthen local capacity and reduce human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Robustness of chlorzoxazone as an in vivo measure of cytochrome P450 2E1 activity.

AIMS Chlorzoxazone is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) to a single oxidized metabolite, 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone. The aim of the study was to test the robustness of chlorzoxazone as an in vivo probe of CYP2E1 activity in humans, with emphasis on investigating short-term and long-term intra-individual variabilities and effects of different doses of the drug. In addition, the influences of body build, drug metabolizing enzyme genotype, blood sampling time, and moderate recent ethanol intake were investigated. METHODS The 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone:chlorzoxazone (metabolic) ratio in plasma was measured at 2 h in 28 male and nine female volunteers following a single oral dose of 500 mg chlorzoxazone. Similarly, the metabolic ratios at 4 h and 6 h were measured in 20 of the males. The metabolic ratio at 2 h was also determined 1.5 and 2.5 years later in 13 and seven males, respectively, and weekly for 3 weeks in seven males, after a dose of 500 mg, once at higher (750 mg) and lower (250 mg) doses, and once (500 mg) following moderate ethanol intake (0.5 g kg(-1) body weight) the preceding evening. Genotypes were determined for CYP2E1 as well as for N-acetyltransferase 2 and glutathione transferase M1. RESULTS Excluding an outlier (ratio = 1.6) the metabolic ratio at 2 h ranged from 0.12 to 0.61 (n = 36). A positive correlation with body weight (r = 0.61, P < 0.001) suggested dose-dependent metabolism of chlorzoxazone. The metabolic ratio decreased with increasing chlorzoxazone dose (P = 0.01), again suggesting dose-dependent metabolism. Long-term (yearly intervals) and short-term (weekly intervals) intra- and interindividual variabilities in metabolic ratio were similar (30% and 63%vs 28% and 54%, respectively). Both inter- and intra-individual variabilities tended to decrease with increasing dose of chlorzoxazone. There was no significant influence of moderate ethanol intake the preceding evening, or of CYP2E1 genotype on the metabolic ratio. CONCLUSIONS The relatively low intra-individual variability in the metabolism of chlorzoxazone suggests that a single-sample procedure may suffice to assess CYP2E1 activity in vivo. However, chlorzoxazone metabolism is dose-dependent at commonly used doses and it is therefore advisable to adjust the dose for body weight. Moderate intake of ethanol the preceding evening did not significantly affect the chlorzoxazone metabolic ratio.
On the Application of a Modified Self-Organizing Neural Network to Estimate Stereo Disparity

We propose a modified self-organizing neural network to estimate the disparity map from a stereo pair of images. Novelty consists of the network architecture and of dispensing with the standard assumption of epipolar geometry. Quite distinct from the existing algorithms which, typically, involve area- and/or feature-matching, the network is first initialized to the right image, and then deformed until it is transformed into the left image, or vice versa, this deformation itself being the measure of disparity. Illustrative examples include two classes of stereo pairs: synthetic and natural (including random-dot stereograms and wire frames) and distorted. The latter has one of the following special characteristics: one image is blurred, one image is of a different size, there are salient features like discontinuous depth values at boundaries and surface wrinkles, and there exist occluded and half-occluded regions. While these examples serve, in general, to demonstrate that the technique performs better than many existing algorithms, the above-mentioned stereo pairs (in particular, the last two) bring out some of its limitations, thereby serving as possible motivation for further work.
Efficacy of Paraffin Wax Bath with and without Joint Mobilization Techniques in Rehabilitation of post-Traumatic stiff hand

Objective: Post-traumatic stiff hand is common a condition which causes pain and disability, the paraffin wax bath and joint mobilizations have the key role in its rehabilitation. We conducted the present study to determine the efficacy of paraffin wax bath with mobilization techniques compared with joint mobilization alone. Methodology: This single blind randomized control trial was conducted on 71 patients in department of physical therapy and rehabilitation, Riphah International University Islamabad, and patients with post-traumatic stiff hand after distal upper extremity fractures, were included. The patients were randomized into two groups: the joint mobilization techniques with paraffin wax bath were included in group A, and joint mobilization techniques without paraffin wax bath in group B. The study variables were pain score on visual analogue scale (VAS) 0/10, thumb function score (TFS) and passive range of motion (PROM) of wrist flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation, and were compared at baseline and at completion on plan-of-care after six weeks. Results: Seventy one patients with post-traumatic stiff hand were enrolled and placed randomly into two groups. The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Six week after intervention, patients in group A had more improvement in pain score (p=0.001), TFS (p=0.003), and PROM of wrist flexion (p=0.002), extension (p=0.003), radial deviation (p=0.013), and ulnar deviation (p=.004), as compared to group B. However, in group B the improvement was less in pain score (p=0.104), TFS (p=0.520), and PROM of wrist flexion (p=0.193), extension (p=0.1081), radial deviation (p=0.051), and ulnar deviation (p=.168), as compared to group A. Conclusion: Paraffin wax bath with joint mobilization techniques are more effective than mobilization techniques without paraffin wax bath in the rehabilitation of post traumatic stiff hand.
Evidence for a 95 kDa Short Form of the a 1 A Subunit Associated with the v-Conotoxin MVIIC Receptor of the P / Q-type Ca 2 1 Channels

Neuronal voltage-dependent Ca channels have been isolated previously and shown to contain a primary a1 poreforming subunit as well as auxiliary a2d and b subunits, in addition to an uncharacterized 95 kDa protein. In the present study, using multiple approaches, we have extensively characterized the molecular structure of the 95 kDa protein. Separation of the P/Qand N-type neuronal Ca channels showed that the 95 kDa protein is associated exclusively with the v-Conotoxin MVIIC receptor of the P/Q-type channels. Analysis of purified synaptic plasma membranes and the isolated P/Qtype channels, using a1A-specific antibodies, suggested a structural relationship between the a1A subunit and the 95 kDa protein. This finding was supported by protein–protein interaction data, which revealed that the b subunit can associate with the 95 kDa protein in addition to the a1A subunit. Changes in electrophoretic mobility after enzymatic treatment with Endo F indicated that the 95 kDa protein is glycosylated. Furthermore, microsequencing of the 95 kDa protein yielded 13 peptide sequences, all of which are present in the first half of the a1A subunit up to amino acid 829 of the cytoplasmic linker between repeats II and III. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the 95 kDa glycoprotein associated with the P/Q-type Ca channels is a short form of the a1A subunit.
Calibration of a nutrient flow model of energy utilization by growing pigs

A computational framework to represent energy utilization for body protein and lipid accretion by growing pigs is presented. Nutrient and metabolite flows, and the biochemical and biological processes which transform these, are explicitly represented in this nutritional process model. A calibration procedure to adjust the marginal input–output response is described, and applied, using reported experimental results, to determine a complete set of parameters for representing energy utilization by growing pigs. A reasonable value for minimum basal energy requirements is also determined. Although model inputs and outputs need not at any time be converted to equivalent energy flows, to facilitate comparison of model response with that of conventional energy-based models, a simple means to estimate energy flows from model-predicted nutrient flows is described. The well-known hierarchy of marginal (biological) energetic efficiencies with which pigs use different classes of nutrients is predicted by the model, based only on simple biological and biochemical principles. The significance of independent diet and metabolic effects on both energetic efficiency and maintenance requirements is examined using model predictions from simulated experiments.
MicroPET-CT evaluation of interstitial brachytherapy in pancreatic carcinoma xenografts

Background Interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) has been introduced as treatment for unresectable pancreatic cancers to maximize local dose and minimize irradiation of surrounding normal tissue. MicroPET-CT systems provide excellent anatomic and molecular information. Purpose To use 18F-FDG micro-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the therapeutic effect of 125I interstitial brachytherapy on transplantation tumor of human pancreatic carcinoma in Balb/c-nu mice. Material and Methods Xenograft models were created by subcutaneous injection of Swl990 human pancreatic cancer cell suspensions into the immunodeficient Balb/c-nu mice. The study was randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 6), empty seed implant group (n = 6), and 125I seed implant group (n = 6), respectively. Before and 1 week after treatment, 18F-FDG microPET-CT scan was performed. In-vivo cell proliferation and apoptosis were monitored by thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) immunostaining and Dutp-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results Our results showed that before treatment the SUVmax and SUVmean values among three groups had no significant statistical difference. One week after treatment the SUVmax and SUVmean in 125I seed implant group were significantly lower than before, while for the empty seed group and control group there were no significant difference compared with before treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue revealed significantly less TK1 positive cells in 125I seed implant group than in empty seed group and control group. The index of apoptosis was slightly higher in 125I seed implant group than in empty seed group and control group as evaluated by TUNEL assay. Conclusion These results suggest that 18F-FDG microPET-CT may be useful as a non-invasive imaging modality to assess early response to 125I seed brachytherapy in a pancreatic carcinoma Xenograft.
Logical Time and Temporal Logics: Comparing UML MARTE/CCSL and PSL

The UML Profile for Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded systems (MARTE) has been recently adopted. The Clock Constraint Specification Language (CCSL) allows the specification of causal, chronological and timed properties of MARTE models. Due to its purposely broad scope of use, CCSL has an expressiveness that can prevent formal verification. However, when addressing hardware electronic systems, formal verification is an important step of the development. The IEEE Property Specification Language (PSL) provides a formal notation for expressing temporal logic properties that can be automatically verified on electronic system models. In this paper, we determine the part of MARTE/CCSL amenable to support the classical analysis methods from the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) community by comparing \ccsl and PSL expressiveness. We show that neither of these languages is subsumed by the other one. We identify and restrict the CCSL constructs that cannot be expressed in temporal logics so that \ccsl become tractable in temporal logics. Conversely, we also identify the class of PSL formulas that can be encoded in CCSL. We define translations between these fragments of CCSL and PSL using automata as an intermediate representation.