Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post exercise changes in compartmental body temperature accompanying intermittent cold water cooling in the hyperthermic horse.

Whereas the efficacy of cold water cooling of horses has been demonstrated by several studies, the dynamics of temperature changes within and between compartments (primarily muscle, blood [core], skin and deep core [rectal]) have not been investigated. Changes in body temperature associated with cold water cooling were investigated in the hyperthermic horse. Muscle (TMU), pulmonary artery (TPA), rectal (TREC), tail-skin (TTSK) and coat surface (TCOAT) temperatures, were monitored continuously in 5 Thoroughbred horses during and after exercise in hot humid (30 degrees C and 80% RH) conditions on a treadmill. Horses were cooled in the hot humid environment with cold water (approximately 6 degrees C) for 6 30 s periods. Between each 30 s cooling period the horses stood for 30 s. A total of 180 l of cold water was applied. Horses were monitored for a further 4 min following the final cooling period. From the end of exercise to the end of the final cooling (6.5 min), mean (+/- s.e.) rates of decrease for TTSK and TPA were similar (0.8 +/- 0.1 and 0.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C/min, respectively). The effects on TMU and TREC were less marked, with average rates of 0.2 +/- 0.1 and 0.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C/min, respectively. During the first 4 min of cooling, TPA fell during the 30 s period of water application and rose during each 30 s period of standing. When TPA fell below approximately 36.5 degrees C, these variations were suppressed and TPA rose steadily, despite continued applications; TREC and TMU continued to fall, although less rapidly than before. These observations are consistent with the onset of skin vasoconstriction at low TPA. The mechanism is mediated through a cooling of circulating blood volume providing a greater capacity for heat transfer between muscle and circulation. Intermittent application of cold water (approximately 6 degrees C) improves heat removal without apparent deleterious effects and is well tolerated. Even when hypothermia develops (based on TPA), muscle and rectal temperatures continue to fall.
Vaccination of BALB/c Mice with Escherichia coli-Expressed Vaccinia Virus Proteins A27L, B5R, and D8L Protects Mice from Lethal Vaccinia Virus Challenge

ABSTRACT The potential threat of smallpox use in a bioterrorist attack has heightened the need to develop an effective smallpox vaccine for immunization of the general public. Vaccination with the current smallpox vaccine, Dryvax, produces protective immunity but may result in adverse reactions for some vaccinees. A subunit vaccine composed of protective vaccinia virus proteins should avoid the complications arising from live-virus vaccination and thus provide a safer alternative smallpox vaccine. In this study, we assessed the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of a multisubunit vaccine composed of the A27L and D8L proteins from the intracellular mature virus (IMV) form and the B5R protein from the extracellular enveloped virus (EEV) form of vaccinia virus. BALB/c mice were immunized with Escherichia coli-produced A27L, D8L, and B5R proteins in an adjuvant consisting of monophosphoryl lipid A and trehalose dicorynomycolate or in TiterMax Gold adjuvant. Following immunization, mice were either sacrificed for analysis of immune responses or lethally challenged by intranasal inoculation with vaccinia virus strain Western Reserve. We observed that three immunizations either with A27L, D8L, and B5R or with the A27L and B5R proteins alone induced potent neutralizing antibody responses and provided complete protection against lethal vaccinia virus challenge. Several linear B-cell epitopes within the three proteins were recognized by sera from the immunized mice. In addition, protein-specific cellular responses were detected in spleens of immunized mice by a gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay using peptides derived from each protein. Our data suggest that a subunit vaccine incorporating bacterially expressed IMV- and EEV-specific proteins can be effective in stimulating anti-vaccinia virus immune responses and providing protection against lethal virus challenge.
Demo abstract: A cryptographic scheme for real-world wireless sensor networks applications

This demo deals with the cryptographic aspect of security applied to the WSN domain. In particular, it shows in action a novel cryptographic scheme compliant to security requirements of real-world WSN applications (i.e. with very limited system resources). The proposed scheme exploits benefits from both symmetric and asymmetric ones where the keys, for each communicating node pairs, can be generated only if such nodes have been authenticated with respect to the network topology.
Prospects for Technology and Commerce in the Mediation of Vocational Development for Vocational Maturity.

Tiedeman, David V. ; Dudley, Gordon A. Prospects for Technology and Commerce in the Mediation of Vocational Development for Vocational Maturity. Harvard Univ., Cambridge, Mass. Graduate School of Education. Office of Education (DHEW), Washington, D.C. Proj-R-9 BR-6-1819 May 67 OEG-1-6-061819-2240 57p. ; Speech given at the National Conference on Occupational Information in Vocational Guidance sponsored by the U.S. Office of Education, Chicago, Illinois, May 17, 1967
Developing medical educators – a mixed method evaluation of a teaching education program

Background It is well accepted that medical faculty teaching staff require an understanding of educational theory and pedagogical methods for effective medical teaching. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 5-day teaching education program. Methods An open prospective interventional study using quantitative and qualitative instruments was performed, covering all four levels of the Kirkpatrick model: Evaluation of 1) ‘Reaction’ on a professional and emotional level using standardized questionnaires; 2) ‘Learning’ applying a multiple choice test; 3) ‘Behavior’ by self-, peer-, and expert assessment of teaching sessions with semistructured interviews; and 4) ‘Results’ from student evaluations. Results Our data indicate the success of the educational intervention at all observed levels. 1) Reaction: The participants showed a high acceptance of the instructional content. 2) Learning: There was a significant increase in knowledge (P<0.001) as deduced from a pre-post multiple-choice questionnaire, which was retained at 6 months (P<0.001). 3) Behavior: Peer-, self-, and expert-assessment indicated a transfer of learning into teaching performance. Semistructured interviews reflected a higher level of professionalism in medical teaching by the participants. 4) Results: Teaching performance ratings improved in students’ evaluations. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the success of a 5-day education program in embedding knowledge and skills to improve performance of medical educators. This multimethodological approach, using both qualitative and quantitative measures, may serve as a model to evaluate effectiveness of comparable interventions in other settings.
Enhancing System Thinking in Education Using System Dynamics

System thinking skills are a prerequisite for acting successfully and responsibly in a complex world. However, traditional education largely fails to enhance system thinking skills whereas learnercentered educational methods seem more promising. Several such educational methods are compared with respect to their suitability for improving system thinking. It is proposed that integrated learning environments consisting of system dynamics models and additional didactical material have positive learning effects.This is exemplified by the illustration and validation of two learning sequences.
Bis(Cyclic Alkyl Amino Carbene) Ruthenium Complexes: A Versatile, Highly Efficient Tool for Olefin Metathesis

Abstract The state‐of‐the‐art in olefin metathesis is application of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐containing ruthenium alkylidenes for the formation of internal C=C bonds and of cyclic alkyl amino carbene (CAAC)‐containing ruthenium benzylidenes in the production of terminal olefins. A straightforward synthesis of bis(CAAC)Ru indenylidene complexes, which are highly effective in the formation of both terminal and internal C=C bonds at loadings as low as 1 ppm, is now reported.
An Adaptive Binning Color Model for Mean Shift Tracking

The mean shift (MS) algorithm for object tracking using color has recently received a significant amount of attention thanks to its effectiveness and efficiency. Most current work, unfortunately, failing to notice that object color is usually very compactly distributed, partitions uniformly the whole color space and thus leads to a large number of void bins and limited capability of representing object color distribution. Also, there lacks a systematic way to determine automatically the number of bins. Aiming to address these problems, this paper presents an adaptive binning color model for MS tracking. First, the object color is analyzed based on a clustering algorithm and, according to the clustering result, the color space of the object is partitioned into subspaces by orthonormal transformation. Then, a color model is defined by considering the weighted number of pixels as well as intra-cluster distribution based on independent component analysis (ICA), and a similarity measure is introduced to evaluate likeness between the reference and the candidate models. Finally, the MS algorithm is developed based on the proposed color model and its computational complexity is analyzed. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm has better tracking performance than the conventional MS algorithm at the cost of moderately increasing computational load.
Distortion Exponents for Multi-Relay Cooperative Networks with Limited Feedback

In this paper, we study the transmission of a Gaussian signal in a multi-relay cooperative system, where each relay is half-duplex and employs the amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying protocol. We focus on the analysis of the distortion exponent that characterizes the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) behavior of the end-to-end distortion of the received signal. Specifically, we investigate the feedback scheme where the limited channel state feedback is combined with separate source and channel coding to help the transmission. The feedback scheme is followed by three AF-based multi-relay cooperation protocols, respectively, namely the orthogonal AF protocol, the nonorthogonal AF protocol, and the slotted AF protocol. We derive the optimal distortion exponents of all three cases, and illustrate the effect of the feedback resolution, bandwidth ratio, and number of relays on the optimal distortion exponent. It is shown that the feedback scheme outperforms the best known non-feedback strategies for multi-relay cooperative systems with only a few bits of feedback information.
Altered antibody pattern to Epstein-Barr virus but not to other herpesviruses in multiple sclerosis: a population based case-control study from western Norway

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of anti-EBV antibodies was studied in a group of 144 patients with multiple sclerosis and 170 age, sex, and area matched controls from the county of Hordaland, western Norway. The prevalence of three other herpesviruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV), were also included. METHODS Antibodies to various virus antigens were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunfluorescence (IIF) in serum samples from 144 patients with multiple sclerosis and 170 controls. RESULTS All of the 144 patients with multiple sclerosis had IgG antibodies to EBV compared with 162 of 170 controls (p=0.008). The frequency of IgG antibodies to EBV capsid antigen (VCA), nuclear antigen (EBNA), and early antigen (EA) was significantly higher in patients with multiple sclerosis compared with the controls (p<0.000001, p=0.01, and p<0.0001 respectively). The presence of antibodies was independent of the initial course of the disease and the disease activity at the time of blood sampling. The prevalence of IgG antibodies to HSV, CMV, and VZV did not differ between cases and controls. CONCLUSION The results suggest a role for EBV in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis.
Surface electromyographic signals using a dry electrode

A new flexible, dry electrode is examined for recording surface electromyographic signals and compared to a conventional Ag/AgCl electrode. A suitable dry electrode would enable practical implementation of wearable mobility monitoring systems. Results from a preliminary experiment are presented in this paper. Measurements were performed on the right tibialis anterior during a series of small and large contractions. The effects of skin preparation, which included shaving and cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, are also examined. Results show that the dry electrode is sensitive enough to detect the small, unloaded muscle contractions. The dry electrode signal strength was similar to the Ag/AgCl electrode; however, the noise level was higher by approximately 13.5±1.3 %. Skin preparation reduced the noise level by approximately 7.9% for the dry electrodes and 8.1% for the Ag/AgCl electrodes.
Transition to Work: Effects of Preparedness and Goal Construction on Employment and Depressive Symptoms

This study examines the mediating role of employment preparedness in improving employment, mental health, and construction of work-life goals among young vocational school graduates who participated in the School-to-Work effectiveness trial. The trial included a 1-week intervention program that focused on enhancing employment preparedness. In this trial, 416 graduates of secondary vocational institutes were randomized into a control and experimental group. All the study participants were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 10 months later. The results showed that the School-to-Work intervention increased employment preparedness, which in turn increased employment at the 10-month follow-up. Furthermore, employment predicted work-life-related personal goals and lower financial strain, which in turn was associated with lower depressive symptoms. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Formal Probabilistic Analysis of Lifetime for a WSN-based Monitoring Application

Scheduling sensor nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) for lifetime management purposes is a simple and intuitive approach. However, it is also crucial to not compromise on the main performance requirements of the considered application. For mission-critical WSN applications, different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements on network performance have to be satisfied. Nevertheless, traditional techniques usually focus on the average performance values without considering the targeted QoS requirements. In this paper, we provide rigorous formalizations in higher-order logic of the network lifetime maximization problem, under QoS constraints, for randomly-scheduled wireless sensor networks. We also use natural deduction based reasoning to verify the desired properties using theorem proving. In particular, we build upon our earlier developments on coverage and detection analysis to formally analyze the lifetime maximization problem for a border monitoring application.
Queen Control of Sex Ratio in Fire Ants

The haplodiploid sex-determination system of ants gives rise to conflict between queens and workers over colony sex ratios, and the female-biased allocation ratios seen in many species suggest that workers often prevail in this conflict. We exchanged queens between male- and female-specialist colonies of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta. These exchanges quickly reversed the sex-ratio biases of adopting colonies. The sex ratio of queen-laid eggs differed strongly between male- and female-specialist colonies. These findings suggest that queens can force workers to raise male sexuals by limiting the number of female brood and help to explain why sex investment ratios lie between the queen and worker equilibria in this and many other ant species.
Molecular, cellular, and pharmacological therapies for Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophies

Although the molecular defect causing Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) was identified nearly 20 years ago, the development of effective therapeutic strategies has nonetheless remained a daunting challenge. Over the years, a variety of different approaches have been explored in an effort to compensate for the lack of the DMD gene product called dystrophin. This review not only presents some of the most promising molecular, cellular, and pharmacological strategies but also highlights some issues that need to be addressed before considering their implementation. Specifically, we describe current strategies being developed to exogenously deliver healthy copies of the dystrophin gene to dystrophic muscles. We present the findings of several studies that have focused on repairing the mutant dystrophin gene using various approaches. We include a discussion of cell‐based therapies that capitalize on the use of myoblast or stem cell transfer. Finally, we summarize the results of several studies that may eventually lead to the development of appropriate drug‐based therapies. In this context, we review our current knowledge of the mechanisms regulating expression of utrophin, the autosomal homologue of dystrophin. Given the complexity associated with the dystrophic phenotype, it appears likely that a combinatorial approach involving different therapeutic strategies will be necessary for the appropriate management and eventual treatment of this devastating neuromuscular disease. Chakkalakal J. V. , Thompson J., Parks R. J., Jasmin B. J. Molecular, cellular, and pharmacological therapies for Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophies. FASEB J. 19, 880–891 (2005)
Ethanol Promotes Arteriogenesis and Restores Perfusion to Chronically Ischemic Myocardium

Background— Moderate alcohol consumption is known to be cardioprotective compared with either heavy drinking or complete abstinence. We assessed the hypothesis that ethanol supplementation would improve myocardial function in the setting of chronic ischemia. Methods and Results— Sixteen male Yorkshire swine underwent placement of an ameroid constrictor into the left circumflex artery to induce chronic myocardial ischemia. Postoperatively, animals were supplemented with either 90 mL of ethanol (EtOH) daily (50%/V, EtOH) or 80 g of sucrose of equal caloric value (SUC), serving as controls. Seven weeks after ameroid placement, arteriolar density (1.74±0.210% versus 3.11±0.368% area of arterioles per low-powered field in sucrose (SUC) versus EtOH; P=0.004), myocardial perfusion (ratio of blood flow to the at-risk myocardium compared with the normal ventricle during demand pacing was 0.585±0.107 versus 1.08±0.138 for SUC versus EtOH; P=0.014), and microvascular reactivity were significantly increased in ethanol-treated animals compared with controls in the at-risk myocardium. Analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor and NOTCH pathway signaling suggested proneovascular and proliferative activity in the ischemic area. The average peak blood alcohol level in the treatment group was 40±4 mg/dL, consistent with levels of moderate drinking in humans. Conclusions— Ethanol supplementation increased arteriolar density and significantly improved myocardial perfusion and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in chronically ischemic myocardium. These findings suggest that, at moderate doses, ethanol directly promotes vasculogenesis and improves microvascular function, resulting in significant improvements in myocardial perfusion in the setting of chronic ischemia.
Cytotechnologist Performance for Screening Microfollicular Atypia in Indeterminate Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspirates

Introduction: We previously identified a high level of accuracy among our cytotechnologists (CTs) for identifying nuclear atypia in thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Herewith, we present our CT performance at screening for microfollicular atypia. Methods: 8,814 thyroid FNA specimens were identified in our archives, all screened by 1 of 11 CTs and signed out by a cytopathologist. A subsample of cases was categorized either as atypia of uncertain significance (AUS) with microfollicular proliferation (AUS-F) or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN). Results: The agreement rate was low between CTs and cytopathologists for SFN and AUS-F. Only 55.8% of SFN screening diagnoses were upheld; 27.9% were downgraded to AUS, 10.4% were downgraded to benign, and 5% were upgraded. Of AUS-F screening diagnoses, 35.5% were upheld, 33.7% were downgraded to benign, and 20.2% were upgraded to SFN. Among all cases, two-step discrepancies were uncommon. Conclusion: Most disagreements were one-category discrepancies between AUS-F and SFN. The evaluation of microfollicular atypia is challenging given that certain follicular lesions cannot be definitively diagnosed on cytology, a high level of subjectivity is involved in the interpretation of such lesions, and the presence of nuclear or Hurthle cell atypia may complicate the diagnosis.
Gall‐bladder wall thickening in patients with liver cirrhosis

Gall‐bladder wall thickening is commonly seen in patients with cirrhosis, but its exact causes have not been well established. We evaluated clinical, biochemical and haemodynamic data of patients with cirrhosis with respect to the presence of thickening of the gall‐bladder wall. After excluding patients who presented with gallstones, acute or chronic cholecystitis, heart failure, a serum creatinine level greater than 2 mg/dL and/or a serum alanine aminotransferase level greater than 400 U/L, 77 patients with cirrhosis (75 male, two female; mean age 58±8 years) were enrolled in the study. Clinical, biochemical, ultrasound and haemodynamic data were obtained in every patient. Fortyone (53%) of 77 patients with cirrhosis had gall‐bladder wall thickening (>4mm). Compared with patients with a normal gall‐bladder wall, patients with gall‐bladder wall thickening had significantly lower serum albumin levels (3.6±0.6 vs 2.9±0.7 gm/dL, respectively; P< 0.05), a longer prothrombin time (13±6 vs 16±6s, respectively; P<0.05), more patients with Child‐Pugh class C (6 vs 37%, respectively; P<0.05) and more patients with ascites (8 vs 50%, respectively; P<0.05). In addition, compared with patients with a normal gall‐bladder wall, those patients with gall‐bladder wall thickening had a higher hepatic venous pressure gradient (13.9±4.5 vs 17.1±4.1 mmHg, respectively; P<0.01) and a lower systemic vascular resistance (SVR; 1144±332 vs 1010±318 dyn.s/cm5, respectively; P< 0.05). Using a multivariate analysis, the presence of ascites and SVR lower than 900 dyn.s/cm5, were independently correlated with the presence of gall‐bladder wall thickening, while a hepatic vein pressure gradient greater than 10 mmHg had only a marginally significant association. The presence of ascites, decreased SVR and portal hypertension are related to the occurrence of gall‐bladder wall thickening in patients with cirrhosis, indicating that the development of gall‐bladder wall thickening may be multifactorial.