Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerobic Exercise Reduces Blood Pressure in Resistant Hypertension

Regular physical exercise is broadly recommended by current European and American hypertension guidelines. It remains elusive, however, whether exercise leads to a reduction of blood pressure in resistant hypertension as well. The present randomized controlled trial examines the cardiovascular effects of aerobic exercise on resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension was defined as a blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg in spite of 3 antihypertensive agents or a blood pressure controlled by ≥4 antihypertensive agents. Fifty subjects with resistant hypertension were randomly assigned to participate or not to participate in an 8- to 12-week treadmill exercise program (target lactate, 2.0±0.5 mmol/L). Blood pressure was assessed by 24-hour monitoring. Arterial compliance and cardiac index were measured by pulse wave analysis. The training program was well tolerated by all of the patients. Exercise significantly decreased systolic and diastolic daytime ambulatory blood pressure by 6±12 and 3±7 mm Hg, respectively (P=0.03 each). Regular exercise reduced blood pressure on exertion and increased physical performance as assessed by maximal oxygen uptake and lactate curves. Arterial compliance and cardiac index remained unchanged. Physical exercise is able to decrease blood pressure even in subjects with low responsiveness to medical treatment. It should be included in the therapeutic approach to resistant hypertension.
Factors affecting the tensile properties of concrete

Abstract: This chapter reviews various influences that affect the tensile strength of concrete. These influences include composition (e.g. type of aggregate and water cement ratio), age and curing, as well as environmental effects such as sustained loading. The chapter also looks at what testing shows about such properties as stress-deformation behavior.
Methadone Pharmacogenetics: CYP2B6 Polymorphisms Determine Plasma Concentrations, Clearance, and Metabolism

Background: Interindividual variability in methadone disposition remains unexplained, and methadone accidental overdose in pain therapy is a significant public health problem. Cytochrome P4502B6 (CYP2B6) is the principle determinant of clinical methadone elimination. The CYP2B6 gene is highly polymorphic, with several variant alleles. CYP2B6.6, the protein encoded by the CYP2B6*6 polymorphism, deficiently catalyzes methadone metabolism in vitro. This investigation determined the influence of CYP2B6*6, and other allelic variants encountered, on methadone concentrations, clearance, and metabolism. Methods: Healthy volunteers in genotype cohorts CYP2B6*1/*1 (n = 21), CYP2B6*1/*6 (n = 20), and CYP2B6*6/*6 (n = 17), and also CYP2B6*1/*4 (n = 1), CYP2B6*4/*6 (n = 3), and CYP2B6*5/*5 (n = 2) subjects, received single doses of IV and oral methadone. Plasma and urine methadone and metabolite concentrations were determined by tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Average S-methadone apparent oral clearance was 35 and 45% lower in CYP2B6*1/*6 and CYP2B6*6/*6 genotypes, respectively, compared with CYP2B6*1/*1. R-methadone apparent oral clearance was 25 and 35% lower in CYP2B6*1/*6 and CYP2B6*6/*6 genotypes, respectively, compared with CYP2B6*1/*1. R- and S-methadone apparent oral clearance was threefold and fourfold greater in CYP2B6*4 carriers. IV and oral R- and S-methadone metabolism was significantly lower in CYP2B6*6 carriers compared with that of CYP2B6*1 homozygotes and greater in CYP2B6*4 carriers. Methadone metabolism and clearance were lower in African Americans in part because of the CYP2B6*6 genetic polymorphism. Conclusions: CYP2B6 polymorphisms influence methadone plasma concentrations, because of altered methadone metabolism and thus clearance. Genetic influence is greater for oral than IV methadone and S- than R-methadone. CYP2B6 pharmacogenetics explains, in part, interindividual variability in methadone elimination. CYP2B6 genetic effects on methadone metabolism and clearance may identify subjects at risk for methadone toxicity and drug interactions.
Associations between sport participation, demographic and socio-cultural factors in Portuguese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND The number of studies that focus on factors influencing the sport participation (SP) of children and adolescents is limited. The present study examines the associations between demographic [age, gender and socio-economic status (SES)] and socio-cultural factors (SP of family, and peers and physical educator influences) and the SP of children and adolescents. METHODS A random sample of 3352 Portuguese children/adolescents, 10-18 years, their parents and siblings was surveyed. The assessment of SP was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used in data analysis. RESULTS (i) age was not related to children/adolescent's SP; (ii) children/adolescents with high SES (OR:1.7, 95%CI:1.4-2.2) and medium SES (OR:1.4, 95%CI:1.1-1.7) were more involved in sports; (iii) children/adolescents were more likely to participate in sports when their family also participate; (iv) boys were more likely to participate in sports than girls (adjusted OR:3.3, 95%CI:2.8-3.9 from a main effects model), but mother's SP influenced their daughters and sons differently. Daughters showed a greater propensity for practising sports when their mothers did (OR:2.5; 95%CI:1.7-3.6). For sons, sports involvement was similar whether or not their mothers participated (OR:1.1; 95%CI:0.7-1.7); (v) peers had a positive influence on the participants' SP (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.9-2.7); (vi) after adjusting for other factors, the influence of a physical education teacher was not found to affect the SP of the children/adolescents. CONCLUSION There are important demographic and socio-cultural influences on the SP of children/adolescents-in particular, gender, SES, family members' SP and peer influence.
Misoprostol for cervical ripening in non-pregnant women: a randomized double-blind controlled trial of oral versus vaginal regimens.

BACKGROUND The objective was to compare the efficacy of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening in non-pregnant women. METHODS Sixty non-pregnant women scheduled for diagnostic hysteroscopy were randomized by computerized randomization schedule to 400 microg of misoprostol orally (n = 30) or 200 microg vaginally (n = 30) administered 12 h prior to surgery. The diameter of the cervical canal measured with a Hegar dilator, adverse events and any complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS The mean pre- and post-medication cervical canal diameter and cervical diameter difference were 2.00 +/- 1.93 versus 2.37 +/- 1.83 mm (P = 0.453), 5.10 +/- 1.75 versus 5.60 +/- 1.69 mm (P = 0.265) and 3.10 +/- 1.79 versus 3.23 +/- 1.74 mm (P = 0.771) in the oral and vaginal group, respectively. Seven patients in the oral group and one patient in the vaginal group experienced diarrhoea within 24 h of administration of the misoprostol. CONCLUSION Oral misoprostol 400 microg had similar efficacy in cervical ripening to 200 microg of vaginal misoprostol.
Visual Short-term Memory Capacity for Simple and Complex Objects

Does the capacity of visual short-term memory (VSTM) depend on the complexity of the objects represented in memory? Although some previous findings indicated lower capacity for more complex stimuli, other results suggest that complexity effects arise during retrieval (due to errors in the comparison process with what is in memory) that is not related to storage limitations of VSTM, per se. We used ERPs to track neuronal activity specifically related to retention in VSTM by measuring the sustained posterior contralateral negativity during a change detection task (which required detecting if an item was changed between a memory and a test array). The sustained posterior contralateral negativity, during the retention interval, was larger for complex objects than for simple objects, suggesting that neurons mediating VSTM needed to work harder to maintain more complex objects. This, in turn, is consistent with the view that VSTM capacity depends on complexity.
Mechanical weathering and rock erosion by climate‐dependent subcritical cracking

This work constructs a fracture mechanics framework for conceptualizing mechanical rock breakdown and consequent regolith production and erosion on the surface of Earth and other terrestrial bodies. Here our analysis of fracture mechanics literature explicitly establishes for the first time that all mechanical weathering in most rock types likely progresses by climate‐dependent subcritical cracking under virtually all Earth surface and near‐surface environmental conditions. We substantiate and quantify this finding through development of physically based subcritical cracking and rock erosion models founded in well‐vetted fracture mechanics and mechanical weathering, theory, and observation. The models show that subcritical cracking can culminate in significant rock fracture and erosion under commonly experienced environmental stress magnitudes that are significantly lower than rock critical strength. Our calculations also indicate that climate strongly influences subcritical cracking—and thus rock weathering rates—irrespective of the source of the stress (e.g., freezing, thermal cycling, and unloading). The climate dependence of subcritical cracking rates is due to the chemophysical processes acting to break bonds at crack tips experiencing these low stresses. We find that for any stress or combination of stresses lower than a rock's critical strength, linear increases in humidity lead to exponential acceleration of subcritical cracking and associated rock erosion. Our modeling also shows that these rates are sensitive to numerous other environment, rock, and mineral properties that are currently not well characterized. We propose that confining pressure from overlying soil or rock may serve to suppress subcritical cracking in near‐surface environments. These results are applicable to all weathering processes.
Candida Biofilms and the Host: Models and New Concepts for Eradication

Biofilms define mono- or multispecies communities embedded in a self-produced protective matrix, which is strongly attached to surfaces. They often are considered a general threat not only in industry but also in medicine. They constitute a permanent source of contamination, and they can disturb the proper usage of the material onto which they develop. This paper relates to some of the most recent approaches that have been elaborated to eradicate Candida biofilms, based on the vast effort put in ever-improving models of biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo, including novel flow systems, high-throughput techniques and mucosal models. Mixed biofilms, sustaining antagonist or beneficial cooperation between species, and their interplay with the host immune system are also prevalent topics. Alternative strategies against biofilms include the lock therapy and immunotherapy approaches, and material coating and improvements. The host-biofilm interactions are also discussed, together with their potential applications in Candida biofilm elimination.
Neural Network and "Ganglion" Formations In Vitro: A Video Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study on Adult Cultured Spiral Ganglion Cells

Hypothesis: To analyze if adult-dissociated spiral ganglion cells may be propagated in vitro for later use in transplantation models to form integrated neural networks. Background: Hearing loss is often associated with primary or secondary spiral ganglion cell degeneration. New strategies for cell repair and tissue engineering warrants further elucidation of the regenerative capacity of the auditory nerve. Methods: We used in vitro/in video microscopy in combination with immunocytochemistry and field emission scanning electron microscopy to analyze neural development and network formation from dissociated adult guinea pig spiral ganglion cells. Cells were cultured in serum-free medium and in the presence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin 3, and glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor for up to 8 weeks. Results: Time-lapse video microscopy and scanning electron microscopy exposed the propagation of auditory neurons and the role of neural growth cones in axon locomotion, fasciculation, and nuclear migration, often ensuing in cell congregation (ganglion-like formations) during network formation. Axons were sometimes ensheathed by adjoining S-100/glia fibrillary acidic protein-expressing cells. A few expanding neurons were nestin positive and sometimes incorporated the markers of proliferating cells Ki67 and 5′-bromo-2-deoxyuridine. Neurons expressed the markers and transcription factors for neural development neurogenin 1, neurogenic differentiation factor 1, Brn3a, and GATA binding protein 3, as well as the neural markers β-III tubulin, NeuN, and neurofilament 160 during this process. Conclusion: This method of culturing and expanding spiral ganglion neurons in vitro may be useful in further studies of cell transplantation models aiming to restore the injured inner ear.
Synoptic Conditions and Moisture Sources for Extreme Snowfall Events Over East China

The favorable circulation pattern and moisture sources for wintertime extreme snowfall events over East China during 1979–2017 are explored. A coupling between a Rossby wave train along the subtropical jet stream (i.e., the circumglobal teleconnection) and central Siberian blocking activities plays a leading role in triggering these events. This coupling leads to the formation of cyclonic anomalies, strong southwesterly winds, large‐scale moisture convergence, and powerful updrafts over East China, all of which prompt the occurrence of precipitation. The central Siberian blocking activities increase the fraction of the precipitation that falls as snowfall through enhancing cold air intrusion into East China. An Eulerian moisture budget analysis reveals that moisture fluxes across the southern and western boundaries of the East China region provide the moisture for the precipitation during the extreme snowfall events, while the increase in the precipitable water helps extend the duration of these events. The geographic distributions of the evaporative moisture sources for both the snowfall and rainfall during these extreme events are estimated using a Lagrangian approach. This analysis reveals that the major moisture sources for snowfall originate from land areas, while those for the rainfall originate from sea areas. In addition, local moisture recycling over East China provides a remarkably higher relative contribution to snowfall than it does to rainfall. The identification of the synoptic conditions and moisture sources not only improves our understanding of the formation of extreme snowfall events over East China but also provides forecast guidance for extreme snow disasters.
Protein kinase C coordinates histone H3 phosphorylation and acetylation

The re-assembly of chromatin following DNA replication is a critical event in the maintenance of genome integrity. Histone H3 acetylation at K56 and phosphorylation at T45 are two important chromatin modifications that accompany chromatin assembly. Here we have identified the protein kinase Pkc1 as a key regulator that coordinates the deposition of these modifications in S. cerevisiae under conditions of replicative stress. Pkc1 phosphorylates the histone acetyl transferase Rtt109 and promotes its ability to acetylate H3K56. Our data also reveal novel cross-talk between two different histone modifications as Pkc1 also enhances H3T45 phosphorylation and this modification is required for H3K56 acetylation. Our data therefore uncover an important role for Pkc1 in coordinating the deposition of two different histone modifications that are important for chromatin assembly. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.09886. 001
Patterns and determinants of adoption of crop production technologies among food crop farmers in Nigeria

The need to improve agricultural productivity through technological adoption is undoubtedly critical in the drive for economic growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria. This study therefore examines availability, awareness and adoption rates of crop production technologies among farm household in Nigeria as well as the determinants.The study was based on data collected in a National Agricultural Research System (NARS) survey to determine available technologies, and a nationwide Farm Households Technology Use (FHTU) survey to assess awareness, adoption and impacts of the technologies on farm households. The NARS survey was focused on all public, private and multinational Institutions involved in agricultural research, extension and technology goods production and marketing identified across the six geopolitical divisions of Nigeria. The FHTU survey covered 1,663 randomly selected farm households drawn by multistage random sampling across about 240 farming communities/villages in 80 Agricultural Development Project (ADP) cells spread across all block in six states (Benue, Ebonyi, Cross-river, Ogun, Sokoto and Taraba), which were drawn one state per geopolitical division of Nigeria. The data were analysed using descriptive, budgetary and econometric techniques. The NARS survey revealed that a wide range of improved varieties of cassava (57), maize (54), rice (65) and tomato (11) as well as innovative farming practices, equipment and intermediate materials have been developed and released to farmers across the country. However, while the awareness rates of many of the technologies are quite high (above 70%), the adoption rates, defined by the percentage of potential users that have tried and are willing to continue the use of the technology, are generally low, except for cultivation of improved varieties (above 70%),and use of fertilizer (56%), herbicide (52%) and mechanised tillage (43%). The current (2011/2012) use rates were however much lower than the adoption rates due to non-availability of many of these technologies in the local market, and where available, high cost. There are also significant (p<0.01) variation in adoption rates of the technologies across the states, with likelihood of adoption generally declining significantly with increase in travel cost to nearest agro-service centre (p<0.05) and household size (p<0.05), but rising significantly with increase in farm size (p<0.01), household wealth (p<0.01), and education level of the household head (p<0.05). The likelihoods of adoption were also generally and significantly (p<0.05) lower among female headed households than among male headed households.
Multiradionuclide evidence for an extreme solar proton event around 2610 BP

Recently it has been confirmed that extreme solar proton events (SPE) can lead to significantly increased production of cosmogenic radionuclides (Mekhaldi et al. 2015). The evidence of these events can be recorded in tree rings (14C) and ice cores (10Be, 36Cl). The IntCal13 calibration curve, which is a continuous tree ring record of 14C fluctuations throughout the Holocene, was used to locate two potential spikes in radionuclide production (~7510 and ~2610 BP). The primary aim of this study was to establish whether these potential spikes have counterparts in other radionuclide records. The secondary aim was to determine whether the spikes in radionuclide production could be attributed to extreme solar events, and to define the parameters of these events. The results indicate an increase in 10Be concentration and flux from the NGRIP ice core for the younger period of interest, 2610 BP. Additionally, a peak in concentration and flux has been discovered in existing GRIP 36Cl records for the same period. This synchronous peak in both records is consistent with the increased radionuclide production expected due to an extreme SPE. Calculations based on the production yields of 10Be and 36Cl suggest that the hypothesised SPE around 2610 BP was characterised by a hard spectrum and a exceptionally high fluence. Furthermore, this event was at least an order of magnitude more energetic than the so far assumed strongest hard SPE of February 1956, and similar in magnitude to the remarkably strong hard AD775 paleo-SPE event. (Less)
Perception of low-quality videos analyzed by means of electroencephalography

The subjective evaluation of video quality mostly relies on opinion tests in which test participants judge perceived quality on rating scales. However, these methods provide limited insight how the quality judgments are being formed in the brain. In past studies we showed the general feasibility to complement opinion tests with physiological measures, as the electroencephalography (EEG), for pure video and audio experiments. To establish EEG as a reliable complement measurement method in standard quality rating tests, the next step is to validate the method in the audiovisual domain. For this purpose we conducted an experiment using audiovisual stimuli and degraded these in both modalities. We show that the more degraded a video is the earlier and higher the P300 amplitude is rising. In addition, the peak amplitudes are highly correlated with the audiovisual Mean Opinion Score (MOS).
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients With Therapeutic International Normalized Ratio: Comparison of Strategies of Anticoagulation Management in the Periprocedural Period

Background— The best approach to management of anticoagulation before and after atrial fibrillation ablation is not known. Methods and Results— We compared outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary vein antrum isolation for persistent atrial fibrillation. Early in our practice, warfarin was stopped 3 days before ablation, and a transesophageal echocardiogram was performed to rule out clot. Enoxaparin, initially 1 mg/kg twice daily (group 1) and then 0.5 mg/kg twice daily (group 2), was used to “bridge” patients after ablation. Subsequently, warfarin was continued to maintain the international normalized ratio between 2 and 3.5 (group 3). Minor bleeding was defined as hematoma that did not require intervention. Major bleeding was defined as either cardiac tamponade, hematoma that required intervention, or bleeding that required blood transfusion. Pulmonary vein ablation was performed in 355 patients (group 1=105, group 2=100, and group 3=150). More patients had spontaneous echocardiographic contrast in groups 1 and 2. One patient in group 1 had an ischemic stroke compared with 2 patients in group 2 and no patients in group 3. In group 1, 23 patients had minor bleeding, 9 had major bleeding, and 1 had pericardial effusion but no tamponade. In group 2, 19 patients had minor bleeding, and 2 patients developed symptomatic pericardial effusion with need for pericardiocentesis 1 week after discharge. In group 3, 8 patients developed minor bleeding, and 1 patient developed pericardial effusion with no tamponade. Conclusions— Continuation of warfarin throughout pulmonary vein ablation without administration of enoxaparin is safe and efficacious. This strategy can be an alternative to bridging with enoxaparin or heparin in the periprocedural period.