Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in the United States: The Need for a National Registry A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association

The recent 2012 update of the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics from the American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes the continuing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the United States, with a prevalence of CVD nearing 40% in those approaching 60 years of age and exceeding 70% in older ages.1 Direct and indirect costs of CVD in the United States exceeded $300 billion in 2008, and the projected total costs of CVD in 2015 and 2030 are more than $500 billion and nearly $1200 billion, respectively.2 Recently, the AHA developed year 2020 impact goals to achieve ideal cardiovascular health, which is influenced greatly by key health behaviors of being physically active, maintaining appropriate dietary habits, and not smoking.3 The obesity epidemic in the United States has been a substantial contributor to the CVD burden, with current estimates of obesity prevalence being ≈20% in US children and adolescents and >33% in adults 20 to 74 years of age. It is well accepted that for most people, obesity is a direct outcome of an energy-rich diet, lack of sufficient physical activity (PA), or both. Another consequence of both obesity and insufficient PA is a reduction in cardiorespiratory (or aerobic) fitness (CRF) levels. Collectively, this evidence emphasizes that an individual’s health behaviors have a major role in the prevention of CVD, which is of critical importance in the United States and worldwide from a medical and economic perspective. Increasing attention is being given to the importance of PA and physical fitness (PF), both muscular fitness and especially CRF, for decreasing chronic diseases, promoting overall cardiovascular and general health, improving quality of life, and delaying CVD and mortality in the US population.4,5 Clearly, PF and CRF in particular are an underpinning for academic achievement, job productivity, and overall maintenance …
Consensus With Dual Failure Modes

The problem of achieving consensus in a distributed system is discussed. Systems are treated in which either or both of two types of faults may occur: dormant (essentially omission and timing faults) and arbitrary (exhibiting arbitrary behavior, commonly referred to as Byzantine). Previous results showed that are number of dormant faults may be tolerated when there are no arbitrary faults and that, at most, (n-1/3) arbitrary faults may be tolerated when there are no dormant faults (n is the number of processors). A continuum is established between the previous results: an algorithm exists iff n>f/sub max/+2m/sub max/ and c>f/sub max/+m/sub max/ (where c is the system connectivity), when faults are constrained so that there are at most f/sub max/ and at most m/sub max/ of these that are arbitrary. An algorithm is given and compared to known algorithms. A method is given to establish virtual links so that the communications graph appears completely connected. >
Public Goods in Federal Systems

We study a political-economic model of federations with both federal and supplemental regional provision of a local (impure) public good with spillover effects. Regional differences in average income levels and externalities of provision induce differences in preferences over federal and regional levels of provision. Although the voters' preferences are not single-peaked, we provide sufficient conditions for the existence of voting equilibria and characterize their properties under alternative federal institutional arrangements. We show that, under different conditions on parameters, the voting equilibria display markedly different patterns of federal vs. local provision, relying on different political coalitions for their support. We show that the inter-regional redistributive tensions present in federations lead to differences in regional support for different degrees of fiscal (de-)centralization: federation, confederation, and complete centralization.
Modeling oxygen requirements in ischemic cardiomyocytes

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally. Although reperfusion following myocardial ischemia can prevent death by restoring nutrient flow, ischemia/reperfusion injury can cause significant heart damage. The mechanisms that drive ischemia/reperfusion injury are not well understood; currently, few methods can predict the state of the cardiac muscle cell and its metabolic conditions during ischemia. Here, we explored the energetic sustainability of cardiomyocytes, using a model for cellular metabolism to predict the levels of ATP following hypoxia. We modeled glycolytic metabolism with a system of coupled ordinary differential equations describing the individual metabolic reactions within the cardiomyocyte over time. Reduced oxygen levels and ATP consumption rates were simulated to characterize metabolite responses to ischemia. By tracking biochemical species within the cell, our model enables prediction of the cell's condition up to the moment of reperfusion. The simulations revealed a distinct transition between energetically sustainable and unsustainable ATP concentrations for various energetic demands. Our model illustrates how even low oxygen concentrations allow the cell to perform essential functions. We found that the oxygen level required for a sustainable level of ATP increases roughly linearly with the ATP consumption rate. An extracellular O2 concentration of ∼0.007 mm could supply basic energy needs in non-beating cardiomyocytes, suggesting that increased collateral circulation may provide an important source of oxygen to sustain the cardiomyocyte during extended ischemia. Our model provides a time-dependent framework for studying various intervention strategies to change the outcome of reperfusion.
Dissection of Host Cell Signal Transduction during Acinetobacter baumannii – Triggered Inflammatory Response

Infected airway epithelial cells up-regulate the expression of chemokines, chiefly IL-8, and antimicrobial molecules including β-defensins (BD). Acinetobacter baumannii is a cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia. We examined whether A. baumannii induced the expressions of IL-8 and BD2 by airway epithelial cells and the receptors implicated in bacterial detection. A549 and human primary airway cells released IL-8 upon infection. A. baumannii-infected cells also increased the expression of BD2 which killed A. baummannii strains. IL-8 induction was via NF-κB and mitogen-activated kinases p38 and p44/42-dependent pathways. A. baumannii engaged Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 pathways and A549 cells could use soluble CD14 as TLRs co-receptor. A. baumannii lipopolysaccharide stimulated IL-8 release by A549 cells and sCD14 facilitated the recognition of the lipopolysaccharide. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that A. baumannii lipid A structure matches those with endotoxic potential. These results demonstrate that airway epithelial cells produce mediators important for A. baumannii clearance.
Effect of tarsal tunnel decompression in the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat

The streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat has changes in the hind‐foot walking track pattern that are progressive over time. The present study investigated the effect of microsurgical neurolysis of the posterior tibial nerve and its branches in the tarsal tunnel on this pattern. The tarsal tunnel decompression was done at the time of onset of diabetes. The results of the study confirmed the progressive pattern of track abnormalities in this rat model, P < . 05. The results demonstrated that rats in which the tarsal tunnel had been decompressed at the onset of their diabetes did not develop the characteristically abnormal diabetic walking track pattern. Rather, the track patterns of the decompressed tarsal tunnel diabetic rats were not significally different fron a nondiabetic control population. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion tensor imaging and cognitive function in older adults with no dementia

Objective: To determine the patterns of diffusivity associated with cognitive domain functions in older adults without dementia. Methods: We studied older adults without dementia (n = 220) who underwent neuropsychometric testing and a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) examination at 3 T in a cross-sectional study. Memory, language, attention/executive function, and visual-spatial processing domains were assessed within 4 months of the MRI examination. A fluid-attenuated inversion recovery–based DTI sequence that enabled uncontaminated cortical diffusion measurements was performed. Associations between cortical mean diffusivity (MD) and cognitive function were tested using voxel-based regression analysis. Association between tract diffusivity and cognitive function was tested with regions of interest drawn on color-coded fractional anisotropy (FA) maps. Results: Memory function was associated with the medial temporal lobe cortical MD on voxel-based analysis (p < 0.001, corrected for multiple comparisons), and inferior longitudinal fasciculus and posterior and anterior cingulum FA on tract-based analysis (p < 0.001). Language function was associated with the left temporal lobe cortical MD (p < 0.001, corrected for multiple comparisons), inferior longitudinal fasciculus, fornix, and posterior cingulum FA (p < 0.05). Attention and executive function was associated with the posterior and anterior cingulum FA, and visual-spatial function was associated with posterior cingulum FA (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Specific cognitive domain functions are associated with distinct patterns of cortical and white matter diffusivity in elderly with no dementia. Posterior cingulum tract FA was associated with all 4 cognitive domain functions, in agreement with the hypothesis that the posterior cingulate cortex is the main connectivity hub for cognitive brain networks. Microstructural changes identified on DTI may be associated with neurodegenerative pathologies underlying cognitive changes in older adults without dementia.
Parental Smoking Cessation to Protect Young Children:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Young children can be protected from much of the harm from tobacco smoke exposure if their parents quit smoking. Some researchers encourage parents to quit for their children's benefit, but the evidence for effectiveness of such approaches is mixed. OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the effects of interventions that encourage parental cessation. METHODS: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Controlled trials published before April 2011 that targeted smoking parents of infants or young children, encouraged parents to quit smoking for their children's benefit, and measured parental quit rates were included. Study quality was assessed. Relative risks and risk differences were calculated by using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model. RESULTS: Eighteen trials were included. Interventions took place in hospitals, pediatric clinical settings, well-baby clinics, and family homes. Quit rates averaged 23.1% in the intervention group and 18.4% in the control group. The interventions successfully increased the parental quit rate. Subgroups with significant intervention benefits were children aged 4 to 17 years, interventions whose primary goal was cessation, interventions that offered medications, and interventions with high follow-up rates (>80%). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to achieve cessation among parents, for the sake of the children, provide a worthwhile addition to the arsenal of cessation approaches, and can help protect vulnerable children from harm due to tobacco smoke exposure. However, most parents do not quit, and additional strategies to protect children are needed.
PENGARUH PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBANGKIT ARGUMEN DENGAN METODE INVESTIGASI SAINS TERHADAP PENINGKATAN KEMAMPUAN ARGUMENTASI SISWA PADA MATERI FLUIDA STATIS

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pengaruh penerapan model pembangkit argumen dengan metode investigasi sains terhadap peningkatan kemampuan argumentasi siswa. Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh pentingnya kemampuan argumentasi bagi siswa. Salah satu cara membantu siswa mengembangkan kemampuan argumentasinya adalah dengan melibatkan siswa dalam proses pembelajaran untuk mengembangkan kemampuan argumentasi. Model pembangkit argumen dengan metode investigasi sains terdiri dari lima tahap pembelajaran, yaitu tahap: (1) penyajian masalah; (2) menguji penjelasan melalui kegiatan investigasi sains; (3) pembangunan argumen tentatif; (4) sesi argumentasi; dan (5) perumusan argumen hasil pemikiran kelompok. Setiap tahapan pembelajaran tersebut melibatkan langsung aktivitas siswa untuk berlatih mengembangkan kemampuan argumentasi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pre-experiment dengan desain penelitian one group pretest and posttest. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan meliputi tes kemampuan argumentasi, lembar observasi, dan format wawancara. Subyek dalam penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas XI IPA pada salah satu SMA Negeri di Kota Garut sebanyak 31 orang yang ditentukan dengan teknik cluster random sampling. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan perolehan skor rata-rata gain yang dinormalisasi ( ) kemampuan argumentasi sebesar 0,58 dengan kategori sedang. Peningkatan aspek kemampuan argumentasi tertinggi dicapai pada kemampuan menyertakan dan menganalisis data dengan perolehan ( ) sebesar 0,66 kategori sedang, kemampuan membuat klaim dengan perolehan ( ) sebesar 0,62 kategori sedang, kemampuan memberikan dukungan dengan perolehan ( ) sebesar 0,55 kategori sedang. Adapun peningkatan terendah pada kemampuan membuat pembenaran dengan perolehan ( ) sebesar 0,52 kategori sedang. Disimpulkan bahwa penerapan model pembangkit argumen dengan metode investigasi sains berpengaruh terhadap peningkatan kemampuan argumentasi siswa. Kata kunci: Kemampuan argumentasi, model pembangkit argumen dengan metode investigasi sains.
Linking oscillations in cerebellar circuits

In many neuroscience fields, the study of local and global rhythmicity has been receiving increasing attention. These network influences could directly impact on how neuronal groups interact together, organizing for different contexts. The cerebellar cortex harbors a variety of such local circuit rhythms, from the rhythms in the cerebellar cortex per se, or those dictated from important afferents. We present here certain cerebellar oscillatory phenomena that have been recorded in rodents and primates. Those take place in a range of frequencies: from the more known oscillations in the 4–25 Hz band, such as the olivocerebellar oscillatory activity and the granule cell layer oscillations, to the more recently reported slow (<1 Hz oscillations), and the fast (>150 Hz) activity in the Purkinje cell layer. Many of these oscillations appear spontaneously in the circuits, and are modulated by behavioral imperatives. We review here how those oscillations are recorded, some of their modulatory mechanisms, and also identify some of the cerebellar nodes where they could interact. A particular emphasis has been placed on how these oscillations could be modulated by movement and certain neuropathological manifestations. Many of those oscillations could have a definite impact on the way information is processed in the cerebellum and how it interacts with other structures in a variety of contexts.
The Effects of Reward on a Racially-Biased Decision to Shoot

People use shortcuts in cognitive processing by making associations that automatically link constructs together. Associations of a stereotypic nature may become accessible, generating responses which bias the perceiver towards one decision over another. Previous research has shown that people are quicker and more accurate to shoot armed targets that are black than targets that are white (Correll, Park, Judd, & Wittenbrink, 2002). However, previous research has also biased participants toward a more lenient shooting criterion. The current study proposes that when given motivation to not shoot, the stereotypically-dependent bias to shoot will decrease. That is, altering costs and rewards of decisions should influence participants’ responses towards responding quickly and accurately, regardless of target ethnicity. Results showed that the reward manipulation was unsuccessful in decreasing Shooter Bias. The manipulation was able to sway participants towards more conservative non-shooting decisions overall but participants remained more accurate and quicker in responses to shoot armed black targets compared to armed white targets.
Regulated Expression of PTPRJ/CD148 and an Antisense Long Noncoding RNA in Macrophages by Proinflammatory Stimuli

PTPRJ/CD148 is a tyrosine phosphatase that has tumour suppressor-like activity. Quantitative PCR of various cells and tissues revealed that it is preferentially expressed in macrophage-enriched tissues. Within lymphoid tissues immunohistochemistry revealed that PTPRJ/CD148 co-localised with F4/80, indicating that macrophages most strongly express the protein. Macrophages express the highest basal level of ptprj, and this is elevated further by treatment with LPS and other Toll-like receptor ligands. In contrast, CSF-1 treatment reduced basal and stimulated Ptprj expression in human and mouse cells, and interferon also repressed Ptprj expression. We identified a 1006 nucleotide long noncoding RNA species, Ptprj-as1 that is transcribed antisense to Ptprj. Ptprj-as1 was highly expressed in macrophage-enriched tissue and was transiently induced by Toll-like receptor ligands with a similar time course to Ptprj. Finally, putative transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region of Ptprj were identified.
The Impact of Experiential Avoidance on the Relationships Among Military Sexual Trauma, Excessive Behaviors, and Health-Related Outcomes in Female Veterans

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) as defined in United States Public Law, refers to inappropriate sexual conduct, assault, or harassment experienced by a military servicemember during his or her course of active duty or active duty for training (38 U.S.C. § 1720D). MST has emerged as a distinct form of trauma, resulting in different and often more severe sequelae than other forms of civilian sexual assault and/or non-sexual trauma. This study sought to explore the potential moderating and mediating roles of experiential avoidance on the relationship between MST and health outcomes in an attempt to identify a unifying mechanism through which poor outcomes were more likely to emerge or become amplified. Participants included 65 female veterans seeking treatment through the women’s health clinic located within the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS). Eligible participants completed a series of questionnaires assessing for the presence of trauma exposure, including MST, experiential avoidance, and potential outcomes such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, physical health concerns, and engagement in excessive/problem behaviors. Within this sample, 29.2% of respondents endorsed exposure to MST. Subsequent mediation and moderation analyses were computed and it was determined that experiential avoidance partially mediated the relationship between MST exposure and PTSD symptomatology. Furthermore, levels of experiential avoidance, PTSD, anxiety, and physical health concerns varied as a result of trauma exposure type (i.e., MST, civilian sexual assault/childhood sexual abuse, or non-sexual trauma). These findings support the hypothesis that MST exposure is associated with poorer post-trauma functioning across a variety of symptoms measures. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the presence of experiential avoidance may impact post-trauma functionality. Implications for the treatment of MST are discussed. Military Sexual Trauma iv
Un estudio discursivo de la identidad de profesores de matemática en formación de posgrado

In the context of a postgraduate training course, we identify some aspects that could be affecting Mathematics teachers' identity configuration. From the perspective of Sfard & Prusak (2005a, 2005b) we analyzed the blogs of six teachers written along the course, focusing on aspects that could give information about designated and real identity. We noted that changes in the identity are mainly related to the focus of teachers in their classrooms: learning or mathematical objects.
Anatomy of a crisis: The causes and consequences of surging food prices

"Although the potential causes and consequences of recent increases in international food prices have attracted widespread attention, many existing appraisals are superficial and/or piecemeal. This paper attempts to provide a more comprehensive review of these issues based on the best and most recent research, and includes fresh theoretical and empirical analysis. We first analyze the causes of the current crisis by considering how well standard explanations hold up against relevant economic theory and important stylized facts. Some explanations, especially rising oil prices, the depreciation of the US dollar, biofuel demand, and some commodity-specific explanations, hold up much better than some others. We then provide an appraisal of the likely macro- and microeconomic impacts of the crisis in developing countries. We observe a large gap in the effects of macro and micro factors, and note that when these factors are used to identify the most vulnerable countries, the results often point in different directions. We conclude with a brief discussion of what ought to be learned from this crisis. " from authors' abstract
Evolution in coyotes (Canis latrans) in response to the megafaunal extinctions

Living coyotes modify their behavior in the presence of larger carnivores, such as wolves. However, little is known about the effects of competitor presence or absence on morphological change in coyotes or wolves over long periods of time. We examined the evolution of coyotes and wolves through time from the late Pleistocene, during which many large carnivorous species coexisted as predators and competitors, to the Recent; this allowed us to investigate evolutionary changes in these species in response to climate change and megafaunal extinctions at the end of the Pleistocene. We measured postcranial skeletal morphologies of wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (C. latrans) from Pleistocene-aged tar deposits, as well as early, mid, and recent Holocene populations of both. We found few morphological differences between Pleistocene and Holocene wolf populations. Conversely, we found many differences in coyotes: Pleistocene coyotes were larger and more robust than Holocene populations. However, within 1,000 y of the megafaunal extinctions, coyotes are morphologically indistinguishable from modern populations. We cannot attribute these differences directly to climate change because modern coyotes do not follow Bergmann's rule, which states body size increases with decreasing temperature. Instead, we suggest that Pleistocene coyotes may have been larger and more robust in response to larger competitors and a larger-bodied prey base. Although we cannot separate competition from predator-prey interactions, this study indicates that the effects of biotic interactions can be detected in the fossil record.