Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two models of early cardiac rehabilitation in male patients after myocardial infarction with preserved left ventricular function: comparison of standard out-patient versus hybrid training programmes.

BACKGROUND The key to increase the percentage of cardiac patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation is to follow a well designed exercise programme at home. To maximise the benefits while minimising the risks of aggravating health status, home-based exercise should be tele-monitored. AIM To compare the effects on physical capacity and sympatho-vagal balance of two types of early cardiac rehabilitation in post-myocardial infarction (MI) male patients: the hybrid model, partly out-patient and partly home-based and tele-monitored vs standard rehabilitation performed only in the out-patient setting. METHODS Sixty two male patients aged 54.7 ± 6.9 years, mean 27.3 ± 13.5 days after MI with preserved left ventricular systolic function (EF > 50%) underwent an eight-week training programme consisting of 24 training sessions. After performing the first ten interval trainings on a cycloergometer, 30 patients (the hybrid group) exercised at home while being monitored via TeleECG, while 32 patients (the out-patient group) continued their rehabilitation in the out-patient clinic. At entry and after completion of the rehabilitation programme, all patients underwent a symptom-limited treadmill stress test. The following parameters were analysed: maximal workload (METs), exercise duration (ED, min), heart rate (HR, bpm), blood pressure (BP, mm Hg), double product i.e. product of HR and systolic BP at rest and at peak exercise (DP, mm Hg/min, HR × systolic BP), and HR recovery (HRR) in the first and second minute of the recovery period. RESULTS Maximal workload (out-patient: 7.3 ± 1.4 vs 7.8 ± 1.2, p < 0.05; hybrid: 8.5 ± 1.8 vs 9.9 ± 2.2, p < 0.01) and ED (out-patient: 10.1 ± 2.0 vs 13.5 ± 1.4, p < 0.001; hybrid: 10.9 ± 3.6 vs 12.5 ± 4.1, p < 0.05) increased significantly in both study groups. The remaining parameters did not change significantly, except for HRR1 (22.1 ± 8.7 vs 29.5 ± 10.7, p < 0.01) and HRR2 (37.9 ± 9.5 vs 43.8 ± 10.7, p < 0.01), which improved in the hybrid group only. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the study groups when comparing the training-induced percentage changes in the analysed parameters. CONCLUSIONS 1. Hybrid rehabilitation improved physical capacity and positively influenced the sympatho-vagal balance in post-MI male patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function. 2. The hybrid model was effective and comparable with standard out-patient-based programme.
Peptide amphiphile nanofiber delivery of sonic hedgehog protein to reduce smooth muscle apoptosis in the penis after cavernous nerve resection.

INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a serious medical condition that affects 16-82% of prostate cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy and current treatments are ineffective in 50-60% of prostatectomy patients. The reduced efficacy of treatments makes novel therapeutic approaches to treat ED essential. The secreted protein Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a critical regulator of penile smooth muscle and apoptosis that is decreased in cavernous nerve (CN) injury and diabetic ED models. Past studies using Affi-Gel beads have shown SHH protein to be effective in suppressing apoptosis caused by CN injury. AIM We hypothesize that SHH protein delivered via novel peptide amphiphile (PA) nanofibers will be effective in suppressing CN injury-induced apoptosis. METHODS Adult Sprague Dawley rats (n=50) were used to optimize PA injection in vivo. PA with SHH protein (n=16) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) (control, n=14) was injected into adult rats that underwent bilateral CN cut. Rats were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 7 days. Alexa Fluor-labeled SHH protein was used to determine the target of SHH signaling (n=3). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis for SHH protein and cluster differentiation protein three (CD3) were performed. RESULTS SHH-PA caused a 25% and 16% reduction in apoptosis at 4 and 7 days after CN injury and a 9.3% and 19% increase in SHH protein at 4 and 7 days after CN injury. CD3 protein was not observed in SHH-PA-treated penis. In vitro, 73% of SHH protein diffused from PA within 6 days. Labeled SHH was observed in smooth muscle. CONCLUSIONS PA technology is effective in delivering SHH protein to the penis and SHH is effective in suppressing CN injury-induced apoptosis. These results suggest substantial translational potential of this methodology and show that only a short duration of SHH treatment is required to impact the apoptotic index.
Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Studies of Erlotinib Administered Concurrently with Radiotherapy for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with High-Grade Glioma

Purpose: To estimate the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of erlotinib administered during and after radiotherapy, and to describe the pharmacokinetics of erlotinib and its metabolite OSI-420 in patients between 3 and 25 years with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma who did not require enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants. Experimental Design: Five dosage levels (70, 90, 120, 160, and 200 mg/m2 per day) were planned in this phase I study. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were evaluated during first 8 weeks of therapy. Local radiotherapy (dose between 54 and 59.4 Gy) and erlotinib started preferentially on the same day. Erlotinib was administered once daily for a maximum of 3 years. Pharmacokinetic studies were obtained after first dose and on day 8 of therapy. Mutational analysis of EGFR kinase domain, PIK3CA, and PTEN was done in tumor tissue. Results: Median age at diagnosis of 23 patients was 10.7 years (range, 3.7-22.5 years). MTD of erlotinib was 120 mg/m2 per day. Skin rash and diarrhea were generally well controlled with supportive care. Dose-limiting toxicities were diarrhea (n = 1), increase in serum lipase (n = 1), and rash with pruritus (n = 1). The pharmacokinetic variables of erlotinib and OSI-420 in children were similar to those described in adults. However, there was no relationship between erlotinib dosage and drug exposure. No EGFR kinase domain mutations were observed. Two patients with glioblastoma harbored mutations in PIK3CA (n = 1) or PTEN (n = 1). Conclusions: Although the MTD of erlotinib in children with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma was 120 mg/m2 per day, pharmacokinetic studies showed wide interpatient variability in drug exposure.
Time optimal MPC for mechatronic applications

Model predictive control (MPC) is an on-line control technique originally developed for slow processes which makes an assessment between input effort and output error while respecting constraints on inputs and outputs. Due to improved computing power and algorithms, MPC is nowadays also applied to mechatronic systems. For these systems, achieving minimal settling time is the main concern, while the input cost is usually of less importance. Hence, this paper presents a new type of MPC; time optimal MPC (TOMPC) which minimizes the settling time of the system. Theoretical considerations show that TOMPC is stabilizing. Simulations show the merits of this technique and indicate that it is applicable in real-time.
General practitioners' management of acute back pain: a survey of reported practice compared with clinical guidelines

Abstract Objective: To compare general practitioners' reported management of acute back pain with “evidence based” guidelines for its management. Design: Confidential postal questionnaire. Setting: One health district in the South and West region. Subjects: 236 general practitioners; 166 (70%) responded. Outcome measures: Examination routinely performed, “danger” symptoms and signs warranting urgent referral, advice given, and satisfaction with management. Results: A minority of general practitioners do not examine reflexes routinely (27%, 95% confidence interval 20% to 34%), and a majority do not examine routinely for muscle weakness or sensation. Although most would refer patients with danger signs, some would not seek urgent advice for saddle anaesthesia (6%, 3% to 11%), extensor plantar response (45%, 37% to 53%), or neurological signs at multiple levels (15%, 10% to 21%). A minority do not give advice about back exercises (42%, 34% to 49%), fitness (34%, 26% to 41%), or everyday activities. A minority performed manipulation (20%) or acupuncture (6%). One third rated their satisfaction with management of back pain as 4 out of 10 or less. Conclusions: The management of back pain by general practitioners does not match the guidelines, but there is little evidence from general practice for many of the recommendations, including routine examination, activity modification, educational advice, and back exercises. General practitioners need to be more aware of danger symptoms and of the benefits of early mobilisation and possibly of manipulation for persisting symptoms. Guidelines should reference each recommendation and discuss study methodology and the setting of evidence. Key messages Key messages It is unclear, however, to what extent these guidelines are followed in general practice, where most episodes are managed, and where most cases settle within a few weeks The study shows that management of back pain by general practitioners does not match the guidelines, in that most do not routinely perform some recommended examinations and several do not give advice about exercise or everyday activities. In particular some neglect danger signs Many of the guidelines' recommendations, however, are not based on evidence from general practice. More research based in general practice is needed, and guidelines should clearly reference the evidence for each recommendation
Problems and Indigenization Reflections on the Study of Multiple Intelligences Theory——From the Perspective of Comparative Education Analysis

Currently,study of multiple intelligences theory in our country is approaching the theory itself but far from grasping its real meaning,which causes inclinations of superficiality in conception and application.Thus,reflection of multiple intelligence theory based on Chinese traditional culture becomes an urgent issue,which could promote indigenization of the theory more maturely.
Mammographic Density and Breast Cancer Risk: Evaluation of a Novel Method of Measuring Breast Tissue Volumes

Background: Mammographic density has been found to be strongly associated with risk of breast cancer. We have assessed a novel method of assessing breast tissue that is fully automated, does not require an observer, and measures the volume, rather than the projected area, of the relevant tissues in digitized screen-film mammogram. Methods: Sixteen mammography machines in seven locations in Toronto were calibrated to allow the estimation of the proportion of radiologically dense (stromal and epithelial tissue) and nondense (fatty) tissue represented in each pixel of the mammographic image. This information was combined with a measurement of breast thickness to calculate the volumes of these tissues. Women with newly diagnosed breast cancer (cases) identified on these mammography machines during the years 2000 to 2003 were compared with other women of the same age who did not have breast cancer (controls). Results: Three hundred sixty-four cases and 656 controls were recruited, epidemiologic data were collected, screen-film mammograms were digitized and measured using both a computer-assisted thresholding method, and the new measure of the volume of density. After adjustment for other risk factors, the odds ratio for those in the 5th quintile compared with the 1st quintile was 1.98 (95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.1) for the volume measure and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.1-3.0) for the area measurement. After inclusion of the volume and area measures in a predictive model, the volume measure lost significance, whereas the area measure remained significant. Conclusions: Contrary to our expectations, measurement of the volume of breast tissue did not improve prediction of breast cancer risk. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(6):1754–62)
On-Line Placement of Real-Time Tasks on 2D Partially Run-Time Reconfigurable FPGAs

Partially Runtime-Reconfigurable (PRTR) FPGAs allow hardware tasks to be placed and removed dynamically at runtime in multi-tasking systems. Such systems need to not only support sharing of the resources in space, but also guarantee timely execution of the tasks. We present a novel online task placement algorithm under real-time constraints. The proposed algorithm uses a new metric to allocate tasks that makes tasks be placed densely, thereby, larger continuous free area remains. Simulation experiments indicate that our approach gives better results and sometimes has lower algorithm complexity than existingtechniques.
Activity-dependent dendritic spine neck changes are correlated with synaptic strength

Significance Dendritic spines are the main recipients of excitatory information in the brain, and though it is accepted that they must serve an essential function in neural circuits, their precise role remains ill-defined. Here, using minimal synaptic stimulation, we show that spine neck length correlates inversely with synaptic efficacy. In addition, we discovered a previously unidentified form of spine plasticity following a spike timing-dependent plasticity protocol, characterized by rapid shortening of spine neck length and concomitant increases in synaptic strength. These results provide new insights for our understanding of synaptic plasticity, and could provide an explanation for the presence of thousands of long-necked spines in the dendrites of pyramidal neurons, whose somatic synaptic contribution would otherwise be small or negligible. Most excitatory inputs in the mammalian brain are made on dendritic spines, rather than on dendritic shafts. Spines compartmentalize calcium, and this biochemical isolation can underlie input-specific synaptic plasticity, providing a raison d’etre for spines. However, recent results indicate that the spine can experience a membrane potential different from that in the parent dendrite, as though the spine neck electrically isolated the spine. Here we use two-photon calcium imaging of mouse neocortical pyramidal neurons to analyze the correlation between the morphologies of spines activated under minimal synaptic stimulation and the excitatory postsynaptic potentials they generate. We find that excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitudes are inversely correlated with spine neck lengths. Furthermore, a spike timing-dependent plasticity protocol, in which two-photon glutamate uncaging over a spine is paired with postsynaptic spikes, produces rapid shrinkage of the spine neck and concomitant increases in the amplitude of the evoked spine potentials. Using numerical simulations, we explore the parameter regimes for the spine neck resistance and synaptic conductance changes necessary to explain our observations. Our data, directly correlating synaptic and morphological plasticity, imply that long-necked spines have small or negligible somatic voltage contributions, but that, upon synaptic stimulation paired with postsynaptic activity, they can shorten their necks and increase synaptic efficacy, thus changing the input/output gain of pyramidal neurons.
orporate competition : A self-organized network

A substantial number of studies have extended the work on universal properties in physical systems to complex networks in social, biological, and technological systems. In this paper, we present a complex networks perspective on interfirm organizational networks by mapping, analyzing and modeling the spatial structure of a large interfirm competition network across a variety of sectors and industries within the United States. We propose two micro-dynamic models that are able to reproduce empirically observed characteristics of competition networks as a natural outcome of a minimal set of general mechanisms governing the formation of competition networks. Both models, which utilize different approaches yet apply common principles to network formation give comparable results. There is an asymmetry between companies that are considered competitors, and companies that consider others as their competitors. All companies only consider a small number of other companies as competitors; however, there are a few companies that are considered as competitors by many others. Geographically, the density of corporate headquarters strongly correlates with local population density, and the probability two firms are competitors declines with geographic distance. We construct these properties by growing a corporate network with competitive links using random incorporations modulated by population density and geographic distance. Our new analysis, methodology and empirical results are relevant to various phenomena of social and market behavior, and have implications to research fields such as economic iolog geography, economic soc
Elastic-Vessel Arteritis in Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist–Deficient Mice Involves Effector Th1 Cells and Requires Interleukin-1 Receptor

Background—In mice that lack interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), transmural inflammation of the elastic arteries develops at sites of turbulent flow. We described late histopathology previously. Here, we investigate the cellular events in nonlethal arteritis at the aortic root and compare them with Takayasu’s arteritis and giant cell arteritis. Methods and Results—IL-1ra–deficient mice were inbred from the original stocks and from BALB/c backcrosses. Disease was ascertained histologically and immunohistologically postmortem at the aortic root. Onset appeared to be stochastic and was not detectably age dependent; in our local Sf3 strain, the half-time of onset was ≈52 days. Loss of the type I IL-1 receptor suppressed the arteritis. Microvascular activation, as determined by absence of strong E-selectin expression, was absent from preaffected vessels. In mildly affected cases, infiltration was adventitial. In severely affected animals, infiltrates appeared to be active in destroying elastin, but resynthesis of disorganized elastin occurred at closely adjacent sites. Infiltrates consisted predominantly of macrophages but were rich in CD4+–interferon-&ggr;+ cells, which are likely to represent Th1 cells. Dendritic cells accumulated in lesional areas. Conclusions—The arteritic phenotype of IL-1ra deficiency is mediated by the interleukin-1 receptor and involves effector Th1 cells. The destructive pattern and many of the cellular features of arteritis in IL-1ra–deficient mice resemble the human elastic-vessel arteritides, for which these mice may be a useful animal model.
DC tree and grounded DC tree in XLPE

To elucidate the effects of antioxidants on electrical trees generated by DC voltage (DC tree) and trees generated by grounded DC voltage (grounded DC tree), experiments were performed using XLPE samples containing phenolic and sulfur-type antioxidants. Results of the experiments showed that, in all XLPE samples, positive DC trees were generated at lower voltage than the negative DC trees, whereas grounded positive DC trees were generated at higher voltage than the grounded negative DC tree. Experimental results showed also that XLPE samples containing sulfur-type antioxidant exhibit higher DC and grounded DC tree inception voltages. Taking account of the amount of injected charge from electrode tips, the polarity effect of the DC tree and grounded DC tree were examined. Effects of the antioxidant on the DC trees and grounded DC tree were also examined. It was presumed that enhancement of the charge injection by antioxidant from the needle electrode is responsible for DC tree suppression, whereas the charge trapping effect by antioxidants is thought to be the reason for tree suppression of the grounded DC tree.
A molecular clone of simian-human immunodeficiency virus (DeltavpuSHIV(KU-1bMC33)) with a truncated, non-membrane-bound vpu results in rapid CD4(+) T cell loss and neuro-AIDS in pig-tailed macaques.

We report on the role of vpu in the pathogenesis of a molecularly cloned simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV(KU-1bMC33)), in which the tat, rev, vpu, env, and nef genes derived from the uncloned SHIV(KU-1b) virus were inserted into the genetic background of parental nonpathogenic SHIV-4. A mutant was constructed (DeltavpuSHIV(KU-1bMC33)) in which 42 of 82 amino acids of Vpu were deleted. Phase partitioning studies revealed that the truncated Vpu was not an integral membrane protein, and pulse-chase culture studies revealed that cells inoculated with DeltavpuSHIV(KU-1bMC33) released viral p27 into the culture medium with slightly reduced kinetics compared with cultures inoculated with SHIV(KU-1bMC33). Inoculation of DeltavpuSHIV(KU-1bMC33) into two pig-tailed macaques resulted in a severe decline of CD4(+) T cells and neurological disease in one macaque and a more moderate decline of CD4(+) T cells in the other macaque. These results indicate that a membrane-bound Vpu is not required for the CD4(+) T cell loss and neurological disease in SHIV-inoculated pig-tailed macaques. Furthermore, because the amino acid substitutions in the Tat and Rev were identical to those previously reported for the nonpathogenic SHIV(PPc), our results indicate that amino acid substitutions in the Env and/or Nef were responsible for the observed CD4(+) T cell loss and neurological disease after inoculation with this molecular clone.
Insulin signaling promotes germline proliferation in C. elegans

DR1309: daf-16(m26); daf-2(e1370) GC967: daf-16(m26); glp-1(ar202); naEx148 [pGP30(DAF-16::GFP) + sur-5::GFP] GC1109: daf-16(m26); daf-2(e1370); naEx202[pGC461 (Plag-2::daf-16::GFP) + pRF4] GC1112: daf-16(m26); daf-2(e1370); naEx148[pGP30 (daf-16::GFP) + sur-5::GFP] GC1144: daf-16(m26);daf-2(e1370); naIs43[pGC492(Prpl-11.1::daf-16cDNA::GFP::nos2 3’UTR unc-119(+))]. Note that the legend to Table S1 indicates that expression of the daf-16::GFP transgene in GC1144 was silenced subsequent to data collection.
Customized Descriptor for Various Obstacles Detection in Road Scene

Recently, real-time object detection systems have become a major challenge in the smart vehicle. In this work, we aim to increase both pedestrian and driver safety through improving their recognition rate in the vehicle’s embedded vision systems. Based on the Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) descriptor, an optimized object detection system is presented in order to achieve an efficient recognition system for several obstacles. The main idea is to customize the weight of each bin in the HOG-feature vector according to its contribution in the description process of the extracted relevant features. Performance studies using a linear SVM classifier prove the efficiency of our approach. Indeed, based on the INRIA datasets, we have improved the sensitivity rate of the pedestrian detection by 11% and the vehicle detection by 5%.