Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to Repeated Eccentric Exercise in Males and Females

Unaccustomed eccentric exercise results in damage to skeletal muscle ultrastructure. One bout of eccentric exercise can induce adaptations in skeletal muscle, such that if the bout is repeated indices of muscle damage are attenuated. However, little is known about the pathways mediating these "protective" adaptations. The purpose of this thesis was to further characterize adaptations to repeated eccentric exercise and to investigate the hypothesis that increased stress protein content is associated with attenuated indices of muscle damage following the second exercise bout. Untrained male (N = 8) and untrained female (N = 8) subjects performed two bouts of unilateral, eccentric leg press and unilateral, eccentric knee extension exercises separated by 5.5 wk. Biopsies were taken from the vastus latera/is ofthe exercised and control (rest) leg. Blood samples and strength data were also collected. Following the second exercise bout the rise in serum CK activity, the post exercise force deficit and the extent of ultrastructural disruption as characterized by Z-disk streaming were attenuated, however ubiquitin conjugated protein content was elevated. Serum CK activity was lower in females as compared to males and ubiquitin conjugated protein content was greater in males as compared females. No gender difference was detected in the extent of Z-disk streaming or the relative magnitude of post exercise force deficit. Muscle macrophage counts were elevated over resting values 24 h post exercise bout 1 and 2 in both males and females. Whereas, neutrophils counts were only elevated over resting values following the second exercise in females. HSP72 protein content did not change in response to eccentric exercise, but it tended to be greater in males as compared to females (p=0.053). HSP27 protein content
Helicobacter pylori Eradication Lowers Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels

Introduction. Microbial pathogens, one of them is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), have frequently been implicated in the atherogenesis. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular tone. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is the most potent endogenous NOS inhibitor. Elevated levels of ADMA have been reported in many circumstances associated with a high cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the eradication of H. pylori infection affects serum ADMA levels. Materials and Methods. Forty-two H. pylori-positive patients were enrolled in the study. Triple therapy for 14 days were given to all patients. Serum ADMA levels were measured at baseline and 2 months after therapy. Results. Eradication was achieved in 34 (81%) patients. The mean serum ADMA levels before and after therapy were 1, 77 ± 0, 30 and 1, 67 ± 0, 29 ng/mL in the group with H. pylori eradicated and 1, 63 ± 0, 28 and 1, 56 ± 0, 32 ng/mL in the noneradicated, respectively. We detected statistically significant decreased serum ADMA levels after therapy in H. pylori eradicated group. Conclusion. These findings have indicated that eradication of H. pylori infection may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
Segregated and overlapping neural circuits exist for the production of static and dynamic precision grip force

A central topic in sensorimotor neuroscience is the static‐dynamic dichotomy that exists throughout the nervous system. Previous work examining motor unit synchronization reports that the activation strategy and timing of motor units differ for static and dynamic tasks. However, it remains unclear whether segregated or overlapping blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) activity exists in the brain for static and dynamic motor control. This study compared the neural circuits associated with the production of static force to those associated with the production of dynamic force pulses. To that end, healthy young adults (n = 17) completed static and dynamic precision grip force tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Both tasks activated core regions within the visuomotor network, including primary and sensory motor cortices, premotor cortices, multiple visual areas, putamen, and cerebellum. Static force was associated with unique activity in a right‐lateralized cortical network including inferior parietal lobe, ventral premotor cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In contrast, dynamic force was associated with unique activity in left‐lateralized and midline cortical regions, including supplementary motor area, superior parietal lobe, fusiform gyrus, and visual area V3. These findings provide the first neuroimaging evidence supporting a lateralized pattern of brain activity for the production of static and dynamic precision grip force. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gender nonconformity, same-sex attraction, and mental health

Research among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth indicate that gender nonconformity is associated with lower mental health, in part because of greater exposure to peer victimization. There is some evidence suggesting that gender nonconformity also affects heterosexual adolescents’ peer relations and mental health. Prior studies that assessed sex differences in the relations of gender nonconformity with victimization/rejection and mental health are inconsistent. To fill these gaps, this dissertation adressed: (1) differences between sexual minority and heterosexual youth in how gender nonconformity is related to experiences of peer victimization, and subsequent mental health outcomes; (2) sex differences in how gender nonconformity affects mental health through internalized homophobia and experiences of (homophobic) victimization; and (3) the positive influence of parental acceptance for the mental health of gender-nonconforming and sexual minority youth. The findings show that gender nonconformity was associated with lower wellbeing, in part because of greater experience with victimization. For young adolescents only, these associations were stronger for same-sex attracted youth and also stronger boys. For gay and bisexual adult men only, gender nonconformity was associated with lower mental health, because of greater exposure to homophobic stigmatization. For LGB adult men and women, gender nonconformity was associated with lower mental health problems, via reduced levels of internalized homophobia. Among boys high levels of paternal acceptance buffered negative mental health outcomes associated with gender nonconformity. For girls high levels of maternal acceptance buffered against negative mental health outcomes associated with same-sex attraction.
A systematic review of the comparative safety of colloids.

HYPOTHESIS Safety differences exist among colloids widely used for fluid management in acutely ill patients, as judged according to the comparative incidence of adverse events. DATA SOURCES Colloid safety data for human subjects were sought, without language or time period restrictions, by means of computer searches of bibliographic and clinical trial databases, hand searches of medical journals and Index Medicus, inquiries with investigators and colloid suppliers, and examination of reference lists. Search terms included "colloids", "morbidity", and "mortality". STUDY SELECTION Controlled trials, cohort studies, pharmacovigilance studies, and prior meta-analyses were independently selected by 2 unblinded investigators. Of 189 candidate studies, 113 were included, with safety data encompassing 1.54 x 10(6) patients and 1.09 x 10(8) colloid infusions. DATA EXTRACTION Two unblinded investigators independently extracted data. Study limitations and confounding factors were tabulated. DATA SYNTHESIS With albumin as the reference colloid, the incidence rate ratio for anaphylactoid reactions was 4.51 (95% confidence interval, 2.06-9.89) after hydroxyethyl starch administration, 2.32 (95% confidence interval, 1.21-4.45) after dextran, and 12.4 (95% confidence interval, 6.40-24.0) after gelatin. Pruritus occurrence was significantly increased by hydroxyethyl starch exposure (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.58). Artificial colloid administration was consistently associated with coagulopathy and clinical bleeding, most frequently in cardiac surgery patients receiving hydroxyethyl starch. On the basis of large-scale pharmacovigilance study results, albumin infusion resulted in a low rate of both total adverse events (3.1 to 8.6 per 10(5) infusions) and serious adverse events (1.29 per 10(6) infusions). CONCLUSIONS Significant safety differences exist among colloids. Therefore, conclusions regarding the clinical usefulness of colloids as a fluid class should be formed with caution.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Differential var gene transcription in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from patients with cerebral malaria compared to hyperparasitaemia

The Plasmodium falciparum variant erythrocyte surface antigens known as PfEMP1, encoded by the var gene family, are thought to play a crucial role in malaria pathogenesis because they mediate adhesion to host cells and immuno-modulation. Var genes have been divided into three major groups (A, B and C) and two intermediate groups (B/A and B/C) on the basis of their genomic location and upstream sequence. We analysed expressed sequence tags of the var gene DBL (cid:2) domain to investigate var gene transcription in relation to disease severity in Malian children. We found that P. falciparum isolates from children with cerebral malaria (unrousable coma) predominantly transcribe var genes with DBL (cid:2) 1-like domains that are characteristic of Group A or B/A var genes. In contrast, isolates from children with equally high parasite burdens but no symptoms or signs of severe malaria (hyperparasitaemia patients) predominantly transcribe var genes with DBL (cid:2) 0-like domains that are characteristic of the B and C-related var gene groups. These results suggest that var genes with DBL (cid:2) 1-like domains (Group A or B/A) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, while var genes with DBL (cid:2) 0-like domains promote less virulent malaria infections.
Interference-aware graph based resource sharing for device-to-device communications underlaying cellular networks

Device-to-device (D2D) communications underlaying cellular networks have recently been considered as a promising means to improve the resource utilization of the cellular network and the user throughput between devices in proximity to each other. In this paper, we investigate the resource sharing problem to optimize the system performance in such a scenario. Specifically, we formulate the interference relationships among different D2D communication links and cellular communication links as a novel interference-aware graph, and propose an interference-aware graph based resource sharing algorithm that can effectively obtain the near optimal resource assignment solutions at the base station (BS) but with low computational complexity. Simulation results confirm that, with markedly reduced complexity, our proposed scheme achieves a network sum rate that approaches the one corresponding to the optimal resource sharing scheme obtained via exhaustive search.
A HIERARCHICAL ANALYSIS OF POPULATION CHANGE WITH APPLICATION TO CERULEAN WARBLERS

Estimation of population change from count surveys is complicated by variation in quality of information among sample units, by the need for covariates to accommodate factors that influence detectability of animals, and by multiple geographic scales of interest. We present a hierarchical model for estimation of population change from the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Hierarchical models, in which population parameters at different geographic scales are viewed as random variables, provide a convenient framework for summary of population change among regions, accommodating regional variation in survey quality and a variety of distributional assumptions about observer effects and other nuisance parameters. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods provide a convenient means for fitting these models and also allow for construction of estimates of derived variables such as weighted regional trends and composite yearly population indices. We construct an overdispersed Poisson regression model for estimation of tr.
State and Labour under AKP Rule in Turkey: An Appraisal

ABSTRACT The political Islamist AKP (Justice and Development Party) has been in power in Turkey since the November 2002 elections. This era brought about significant changes and transformations in many aspects of state‒society and state‒economy relations. However, as far as the state’s management of labour power is considered, the era represented a direct continuity with the post-1980 authoritarian neoliberal restructuring. The party’s policies aimed to make the labour market more competitive, flexible, low-waged, precarious and de-unionized. Economic policies in this term also increased the indebtedness of labourers as a result of the detrimental developments in the labour markets for workers. The AKP also did not hesitate to use state power whenever possible in order to suppress workers’ discontent and strikes. However, the party also enjoyed a considerable amount of working class support as a result of the ‘neoliberal social policy regime’ which attempted to alleviate the detrimental effects in the labour market. Against this background, this article attempts to develop a critical appraisal of state‒labour relations and general trends thereof, and make sense of developments in the labour market during the AKP era.
Linguistic landscaping in Singapore: multilingualism or the dominance of English and its dual identity in the local linguistic ecology?

ABSTRACT Although Singapore, a linguistically and ethnically diverse city–state, uses four official languages, namely Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English, which are supposed to enjoy equal status, there appears to be a pecking order to these languages. English seems to be the dominant language when taking into consideration the bilingual education policy, numerous campaigns promoting its use in terms of spoken language, and language use by the media. Another mechanism that also contributes to the predominance of English over the other three official languages is linguistic landscape, i.e. language use in public space. Adopting the ecology of language as its conceptual framework and linguistic landscape as its methodological tool, this article, by analyzing public signs in and around 30 MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) stations of the Circle Line (CCL), discloses not only English imperialism but also the complexity of this language in Singapore with its dual identity as a global language as well as a local one. Consequentially, it is postulated that Singapore is monolingual- rather than bilingual- or multilingual-oriented.
Involving lay and professional stakeholders in the development of a research intervention for the DEPICTED Study

Aim This paper focuses on stakeholders’ active involvement at key stages of the research as members of a Stakeholder Action Group (SAG), particularly in the context of lay stakeholder involvement. Some challenges that can arise and wider issues (e.g. empowerment, the impact of user involvement) are identified and explored within the literature on service user involvement in health care research, reflecting on the implications for researchers.
The Revival of Galactic Cosmic-Ray Nucleosynthesis?

Because of the roughly linear correlation between Be/H and Fe/H in low-metallicity halo stars, it has been argued that a "primary" component in the nucleosynthesis of Be must be present in addition to the "secondary" component from standard Galactic cosmic-ray nucleosynthesis. In this paper we critically reevaluate the evidence for the primary versus secondary character of Li, Be, and B (LiBeB) evolution, analyzing both the observations and Galactic chemical evolution models. Although it appears that [Be/H] versus [Fe/H] has a logarithmic slope near 1, it is rather the Be-O trend that directly arises from the physics of spallation production. Using new abundances for oxygen in halo stars based on UV OH lines, we find that in Population II stars for which O has been measured, the Be-O slope has a large uncertainty due to systematic effects. Namely, the Be-O logarithmic slope lies in the range 1.3-1.8, rendering it difficult to distinguish from the data between the secondary slope of 2 and the primary slope of 1. The possible difference between the Be-Fe and Be-O slopes is a consequence of the variation in O/Fe versus Fe: recent data suggest that the best-fit O/Fe-Fe slope for Population II is in the range -0.5 to -0.2, rather than zero (i.e., Fe∝O) as is often assumed. In addition to this phenomenological analysis of Be and B evolution, we have also examined the predicted LiBeB, O, and Fe trends in Galactic chemical evolution models that include outflow. Based on our results, it is possible that a good fit to the LiBeB evolution requires only the traditional Galactic cosmic-ray spallation and the (primary) neutrino-process contribution to 11B. We thus suggest that these two processes might be sufficient to explain 6Li, Be, and B evolution in the Galaxy, without the need for an additional primary source of Be and B. However, the uncertainties in the data at this time prevent one from reaching a definitive conclusion. Fortunately, several observational tests of this "neoclassical" scenario are available; we note in particular the importance of further observations to secure the O/Fe Population II trend, as well as accurate measurements of B/Be, 6Li/Be, and 11B/10B in halo stars.
Ten-year stability and predictive validity of five bulimia-related indicators.

OBJECTIVE The authors examined the temporal stability and predictive utility of bulimic symptoms and related variables over the course of 10 years, from 1982 to 1992. METHOD The subjects were 459 women who were aged 18-22 years in 1982 and were surveyed in both 1982 and 1992. Each respondent completed five subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory (bulimia, drive for thinness, maturity fears, perfectionism, and interpersonal distrust) and answered questions based on the DSM-III criteria for bulimia nervosa. RESULTS The temporal stability of bulimic symptoms and related variables was relatively high. Bulimic status in 1982 conferred an approximately 15-fold increase in risk 10 years later. Drive for thinness and, to lesser degrees, maturity fears and perfectionism received support as long-term predictors of bulimic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Bulimic symptoms display high temporal stability and thus may affect long-term functioning and well-being. Later symptoms are related to scores on specific subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory administered 10 years earlier. Assessment and therapy should be conducted accordingly.
Looking for a needle in a haystack: inference about individual fitness components in a heterogeneous population

Studies of wild vertebrates have provided evidence of substantial differences in lifetime reproduction among individuals and the sequences of life history ‘states’ during life (breeding, nonbreeding, etc.). Such differences may reflect ‘fixed’ differences in fitness components among individuals determined before, or at the onset of reproductive life. Many retrospective life history studies have translated this idea by assuming a ‘latent’ unobserved heterogeneity resulting in a fixed hierarchy among individuals in fitness components. Alternatively, fixed differences among individuals are not necessarily needed to account for observed levels of individual heterogeneity in life histories. Individuals with identical fitness traits may stochastically experience different outcomes for breeding and survival through life that lead to a diversity of ‘state’ sequences with some individuals living longer and being more productive than others, by chance alone. The question is whether individuals differ in their underlying fitness components in ways that cannot be explained by observable ‘states’ such as age, previous breeding success, etc. Here, we compare statistical models that represent these opposing hypotheses, and mixtures of them, using data from kittiwakes. We constructed models that accounted for observed covariates, individual random effects (unobserved heterogeneity), first-order Markovian transitions between observed states, or combinations of these features. We show that individual sequences of states are better accounted for by models incorporating unobserved heterogeneity than by models including first-order Markov processes alone, or a combination of both. If we had not considered individual heterogeneity, models including Markovian transitions would have been the best performing ones. We also show that inference about age-related changes in fitness components is sensitive to incorporation of underlying individual heterogeneity in models. Our approach provides insight into the sources of individual heterogeneity in life histories, and can be applied to other data sets to examine the ubiquity of our results across the tree of life.
Improved Robust Mixed H2/H&#8734;Filtering for Uncertain Continuous-Time Systems

A strategy for robust mixed H2/Hinfin filtering problem, applied to a class of linear continuous-time systems containing linear fractional uncertainties is presented. By introducing some slack variables to the evaluation of robust H2and Hinfin performances, a less-conservative linear matrix inequality (LMI) based sufficient condition is obtained as compared to the existing characterizations. Also, a less-conservative design is achieved when applying the improved matrix inequality conditions to the robust filter design
Bound states and brane annihilation in 11D supergravity

We study scattering of $D0$ branes in eleven dimensional supergravity (SUGRA) using the tree level four point amplitude. The range of validity of SUGRA allows us to make reliable calculations of relativistic brane scattering, inaccessible in string theory because of halo effects. We also compare the rate of annihilation of $D0-\bar{D0}$ branes to the rate of elastic $D0-\bar{D0}$ scattering and find that the former is always smaller than the latter. We also find a pole in $\sigma_{D0-\bar{D0}}$. We exploit the analogy with the positronium to argue that the brane anti-brane pairs form branium atoms in 3 spatial dimensions. We also derive a long range effective potential for interacting branes which explicitly depends on their polarizations. We compare two approaches to large impact parameter brane scattering: in GR, polarizations of the branes are kept constant during the interaction, while in QFT, one sums over all possible polarizations. We show that the GR and QFT approaches give the same answer.