Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fundamental movement skills proficiency in children with developmental coordination disorder: does physical self-concept matter?

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) examine differences in fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency, physical self-concept, and physical activity in children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and (2) determine the association of FMS proficiency with physical self-concept while considering key confounding factors. Method: Participants included 43 children with DCD and 87 age-matched typically developing (TD) children. FMS proficiency was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development – second edition. Physical self-concept and physical activity were assessed using self-report questionnaires. A two-way (group by gender) ANCOVA was used to determine whether between-group differences existed in FMS proficiency, physical self-concept, and physical activity after controlling for age and BMI. Partial correlations and hierarchical multiple regression models were used to examine the relationship between FMS proficiency and physical self-concept. Results: Compared with their TD peers, children with DCD displayed less proficiency in various components of FMS and viewed themselves as being less competent in physical coordination, sporting ability, and physical health. Physical coordination was a significant predictor of ability in object control skills. DCD status and gender were significant predictors of FMS proficiency. Conclusions: Future FMS interventions should target children with DCD and girls, and should emphasize improving object control skills proficiency and physical coordination. Implications for Rehabilitation Children with DCD tend to have not only lower FMS proficiency than age-matched typically developing children but also lower physical self-concept. Self-perceptions of physical coordination by children with DCD are likely to be valuable contributors to development of object control skills. This may then help to develop their confidence in performing motor skills. Children with DCD need supportive programs that facilitate the development of object control skills. Efficacy of training programs may be improved if children experience a greater sense of control and success when performing object control skills.
Selection for Duration of Fertility and Mule Duck White Plumage Colour in a Synthetic Strain of Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

A synthetic strain of ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was developed by introducing genes for long duration of fertility to be used as mother of mule ducklings and a seven-generation selection experiment was conducted to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. Reciprocal crossbreeding between Brown Tsaiya LRI-2 (with long duration of fertility) and Pekin L-201 (with white plumage mule ducklings) ducks produced the G0. Then G1 were intercrossed to produce G2 and so on for the following generations. Each female duck was inseminated 3 times, at 26, 29, and 32 weeks of age. The eggs were collected for 14 days from day 2 after AI. Individual data regarding the number of incubated eggs (Ie), the number of fertile eggs at candling at day 7 of incubation (F), the total number of dead embryos (M), the maximum duration of fertility (Dm) and the number of hatched mule ducklings (H) with plumage colour were recorded. The selection criterion was the breeding values of the best linear unbiased prediction animal model for F. The results show high percentage of exhibited heterosis in G2 for traits to improve (19.1% for F and 12.9% for H); F with a value of 5.92 (vs 3.74 in the Pekin L-201) was improved in the G2. Heritabilities were found to be low for Ie (h2 = 0.07±0.03) and M (h2 = 0.07±0.01), moderately low for Dm (h2 = 0.13±0.02), of medium values for H (h2 = 0.20±0.03) and F (h2 = 0.23±0.03). High and favourable genetic correlations existed between F and Dm (rg = 0.93), between F and H (rg = 0.97) and between Dm and H (rg = 0.90). The selection experiment showed a positive trend for phenotypic values of F (6.38 fertile eggs in G10 of synthetic strain vs 5.59 eggs in G4, and 3.74 eggs in Pekin L-201), with correlated response for increasing H (5.73 ducklings in G10 vs 4.86 in G4, and 3.09 ducklings in Pekin L-201) and maximum duration of the fertile period without increasing the embryo mortality rate. The average predicted genetic response for F was 40% of genetic standard deviation per generation of selection. The mule ducklings’ feather colour also was improved. It was concluded that this study provided results for a better understanding of the genetics of the duration of fertility traits in the common female duck bred for mule and that the selection of a synthetic strain was effective method of improvement.
Fiscal Policy, Congestion, and the Dual Nature of Public Goods

We examine the impact of …scal policy on macroeconomic performance when public goods play a dual role by simultaneously providing both productive and utility services to the private sector. When these services are subject to congestion, a consumption tax is distortionary, generating a dynamic adjustment that contrasts an income tax. The design of optimal …scal policy demonstrates the possibilities for using both income- and consumption-based …scal instruments as opposed to relying on the income tax alone. In correcting for congestion, an income tax-consumption subsidy combination is the preferred policy when factor-substitutability in production is limited. On the other hand, an increase in the elasticity of substitution in production raises the e¢ cacy of a consumption tax as an alternative to the income tax. If the dual bene…ts of public goods are not internalized, it might lead to signi…cant errors in evaluating the impact of public policies on welfare.
The in vivo dynamics of antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosomes reveal tricky tricks in vivo The sleeping sickness parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, is covered with variant surface glyco proteins (VSGs) recognized by the host's immune system. The parasite uses a repertoire of 2000 VSG genes to switch between different surface variants, continually evading the host's defensive responses. Classic experiments showed that one variant succeeded another, causing waves of infection; however, infection in animals shows different behavior. Mugnier et al. discovered that several VSGs are expressed simultaneously and that the repertoire for variation is amplified even more by recombination between the genes to make mosaic VSGs. Science, this issue p. 1470 Unexpected dynamics of antigenic variation occur during sleeping sickness in mice. Trypanosoma brucei, a causative agent of African Sleeping Sickness, constantly changes its dense variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat to avoid elimination by the immune system of its mammalian host, using an extensive repertoire of dedicated genes. However, the dynamics of VSG expression in T. brucei during an infection are poorly understood. We have developed a method, based on de novo assembly of VSGs, for quantitatively examining the diversity of expressed VSGs in any population of trypanosomes and monitored VSG population dynamics in vivo. Our experiments revealed unexpected diversity within parasite populations and a mechanism for diversifying the genome-encoded VSG repertoire. The interaction between T. brucei and its host is substantially more dynamic and nuanced than previously expected.
Influence of Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Renal Hemodynamics and Glomerular Dynamics in Sodiumhyphenrestricted Dogs

Clearance and micropunctnre experiments were performed to eraluate the influence of converting enzyme inhibition (CEI) (SQ 14,225) on renal hemodynamics, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), segmental vascular resistances, and superficial nephron function in anesthetized sodium restricted dogs. In one series (n = 8), renal blood flow (RBF) and GFR exhibited a high degree of autoregulatory efficiency when renal arterial pressure (RAP) was reduced from 126 ± 5 to 86 ± 1 mm Hg. With RAP maintained at the reduced level, CEI elicited increases in RBF (3.9 ± 0.3 to 5.8 ± 0.5 ml/min per g kw) and GFR (0.81 ± 0.03 to 0.94 ± 0.04 ml/min per g kw). With return of RAP to spontaneous levels during continued CEI, RBF and GFR autoregulatory efficiency was maintained, and was similar to that observed in control dogs subjected to the same procedures (n = 5). In the micropuncture experiments (n = 12), RAP was maintained at the reduced level (87.5 ± 87.9 mm Hg), and measurements were made before and during CEI. Proximal tubule pressure, peritubular capillary pressure, stop flow pressure, and single nephron GFR (SNGFR) increased significantly. Regression analysis suggested that the increases in SNGFR were associated with small increases in the filtration coefficient. CEI reduced preglomerular resistance by 29% to 35% and efferent arteriolar resistance by 24% to 32%. These results Indicate that the increased activity of the renin-angiotensin system that occurs during salt restriction exerts approximately equivalent vasoconstrictor influences on both preglomerular and postglomerular vascular resistance elements. (Hypertension 4: 58–68, 1982)
Development of a Wireless Displacement Measurement System Using Acceleration Responses

Displacement measurements are useful information for various engineering applications such as structural health monitoring (SHM), earthquake engineering and system identification. Most existing displacement measurement methods are costly, labor-intensive, and have difficulties particularly when applying to full-scale civil structures because the methods require stationary reference points. Indirect estimation methods converting acceleration to displacement can be a good alternative as acceleration transducers are generally cost-effective, easy to install, and have low noise. However, the application of acceleration-based methods to full-scale civil structures such as long span bridges is challenging due to the need to install cables to connect the sensors to a base station. This article proposes a low-cost wireless displacement measurement system using acceleration. Developed with smart sensors that are low-cost, wireless, and capable of on-board computation, the wireless displacement measurement system has significant potential to impact many applications that need displacement information at multiple locations of a structure. The system implements an FIR-filter type displacement estimation algorithm that can remove low frequency drifts typically caused by numerical integration of discrete acceleration signals. To verify the accuracy and feasibility of the proposed system, laboratory tests are carried out using a shaking table and on a three storey shear building model, experimentally confirming the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Mechanism for Aldosterone Potentiation of Angiotensin II–Stimulated Rat Arterial Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

After earlier studies in which secretion of aldosterone was demonstrated to be important in rat arterial smooth muscle cell (RASMC) proliferation in vitro, the presence of both 11&bgr;-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene transcription were shown in these cells by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In proliferation studies, tritiated thymidine incorporation into RASMC and RASMC cell number were both significantly increased by angiotensin II (Ang II) (10−7 mol/L) compared with controls (P<0.01), but this effect was inhibited by the 3&bgr;-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase inhibitor trilostane (10−6 mol/L and 10−5 mol/L, P<0.05). Aldosterone alone added to RASMC did not significantly change tritiated thymidine incorporation when compared with controls, but the Ang II–induced increase was significantly enhanced by aldosterone at 10−10 mol/L and 10−8 mol/L (P<0.05). Neither corticosterone nor 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone had any such potentiating effect. RT-PCR analysis and real-time quantitative RT-PCR revealed an increase of Ang II type-1 (AT1) receptor mRNA in RASMC treated by aldosterone (10−8 mol/L) compared with untreated controls, and this was correlated with a small but significant increase in AT1 receptor protein (P<0.05), as assessed by immunoblotting analysis. These data confirm that steroid production by RASMC is critical in the response to Ang II, and the data support the view that aldosterone specifically is required for the full proliferative response to Ang II in RASMC. One way it may act is by modulating the expression and functions of the AT1 receptor.
An Epistemic Approach to Coercion-Resistance for Electronic Voting Protocols

Coercion resistance is an important and one of themost intricate security requirements of electronicvoting protocols. Several definitions of coercionresistance have been proposed in the literature,including definitions based on symbolic models.However, existing definitions in such models arerather restricted in their scope and quite complex.In this paper, we therefore propose a new definitionof coercion resistance in a symbolic setting, basedon an epistemic approach. Our definition isrelatively simple and intuitive. It allows for afine-grained formulation of coercion resistance andcan be stated independently of a specific, symbolicprotocol and adversary model. As a proof of concept,we apply our definition to three votingprotocols. In particular, we carry out the firstrigorous analysis of the recently proposed Civitassystem. We precisely identify those conditions underwhich this system guarantees coercion resistance orfails to be coercion resistant. We also analyzeprotocols proposed by Lee et al. and Okamoto.
Magnetic Diffusivity Tensor and Dynamo Effects in Rotating and Shearing Turbulence

The turbulent magnetic diffusivity tensor is determined in the presence of rotation or shear. The question is addressed whether dynamo action from the shear-current effect can explain large-scale magnetic field generation found in simulations with shear. For this purpose a set of evolution equations for the response to imposed test fields is solved with turbulent and mean motions calculated from the momentum and continuity equations. The corresponding results for the electromotive force are used to calculate turbulent transport coefficients. The diagonal components of the turbulent magnetic diffusivity tensor are found to be very close together, but their values increase slightly with increasing shear and decrease with increasing rotation rate. In the presence of shear, the sign of the two off-diagonal components of the turbulent magnetic diffusion tensor is the same and opposite to the sign of the shear. This implies that dynamo action from the shear-current effect is impossible, except perhaps for high magnetic Reynolds numbers. However, even though there is no alpha effect on the average, the components of the α tensor display Gaussian fluctuations around zero. These fluctuations are strong enough to drive an incoherent alpha-shear dynamo. The incoherent shear-current effect, on the other hand, is found to be subdominant.
Massage therapy and exercise therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled pilot study

Objective: The primary aim was to investigate the comparative effects of massage therapy and exercise therapy on patients with multiple sclerosis. The secondary aim was to investigate whether combination of both massage and exercise has an additive effect. Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial with repeated measurements and blinded assessments. Setting: Local Multiple Sclerosis Society. Subjects: A total of 48 patients with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to four equal subgroups labelled as massage therapy, exercise therapy, combined massage–exercise therapy and control group. Interventions: The treatment group received 15 sessions of supervised intervention for five weeks. The massage therapy group received a standard Swedish massage. The exercise therapy group was given a combined set of strength, stretch, endurance and balance exercises. Patients in the massage–exercise therapy received a combined set of massage and exercise treatments. Patients in the control group were asked to continue their standard medical care. Main measures: Pain, fatigue, spasticity, balance, gait and quality of life were assessed before and after intervention. Results: Massage therapy resulted in significantly larger improvement in pain reduction (mean change 2.75 points, P = 0.001), dynamic balance (mean change, 3.69 seconds, P = 0.009) and walking speed (mean change, 7.84 seconds, P = 0.007) than exercise therapy. Patients involved in the combined massage–exercise therapy showed significantly larger improvement in pain reduction than those in the exercise therapy (mean change, 1.67 points, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Massage therapy could be more effective than exercise therapy. Moreover, the combination of massage and exercise therapy may be a little more effective than exercise therapy alone.
Videolaryngoscopy as a new standard of care.

C. Zaouter1, J. Calderon1 and T. M. Hemmerling2,3,4* 1 CHU de Bordeaux, Service d’Anesthesie-Reanimation II, F-33000 Bordeaux, France 2 Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, MUHC, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Canada 3 ITAG Laboratory, Canada 4 Arnold and Blema Steinberg Medical Simulation Centre, Montreal General Hospital, Room: C10–153, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Canada H3G 1A4
Antioxidant therapy for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Currently, there is no specific therapy for chronic pancreatitis (CP). The treatment of micronutrient antioxidant therapy for painful CP has been sporadically used for more than 30 years, however, its efficacy are still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the safety and efficacy of antioxidant therapy for pain relief in patients with CP. SETTING University Hospital in China STUDY DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis METHODS Two authors independently reviewed the search results and extracted data and disagreements were resolved by discussion. Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences (SMDs), weighted mean differences, or odds ratio (OR) according to the suitable effect model. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1980 through December 2012. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that studied antioxidant supplementation for pain relief in patients with CP were analyzed. RESULTS Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 390 patients were included. Overall, there was no association of antioxidant therapy with pain reduction in CP patients (SMD, -0.55; 95% CI, -1.22 to 0.12; P = 0.67). However, antioxidant therapy significantly increased blood levels of antioxidants in CP patients versus the placebo group (SMD, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.43; P < 0.00001). Interestingly, combined antioxidant (selenium, β-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, methionine) therapy was found to be associated with pain relief (SMD, -0.93; 95% CI, -1.72 to -0.14; P = 0.02), while the trials in which a single antioxidant was used revealed no significant pain relief (SMD, -0.12; 95% CI, -1.23 to 0.99; P = 0.83) in CP patients. Strong evidence was obtained that the antioxidants increased adverse effects (OR, 6.09; 95% CI, 2.29 to 16.17, P < 0.01); nevertheless, none was serious. LIMITATIONS Because of the small sample, a consolidated conclusion cannot be reached based on current RCTs. Large-sample RCTs are needed to clarify the analgesic effect of antioxidants in CP patients. CONCLUSIONS Combined antioxidant therapy seems to be a safe and effective therapy for pain relief in CP patients. Measures of total antioxidant status may not help to monitor the efficacy of antioxidant therapy for patients with CP.
Case studies on the use of information technology in the Canadian Construction industry

A series of eleven case studies were gathered from across Canada in the summer of 2002. These case studies define an initial compendium of Best Practice in the use of information technology (IT) in Canada. The professionals interviewed included architects, engineers, general contractors, and owners. Many of them are at the cutting edge in their use of IT. The documentation of their pioneering use of IT can demonstrate how useful these technologies can be and what potential pitfalls are of concern. The case studies cover architecture, engineering, construction management, and specialized contractors. The following technologies were demonstrated: 3D CAD; custom Web sites; commercial Web portals; and in-house software development. No case was found that used wireless communication or standardized data formats such as IFCs or CIMSteel. The following issues were identified: the electronic distribution of documents is more efficient and cheaper; the short time-line and the tight budgets make it difficult to introduce new technologies on projects; the industry is locked in one CAD system and it is difficult to introduce new ones; it is costly to maintain trained CAD and IT personnel; and companies that lag behind reduce the potential benefits of IT. Still, the industry could achieve substantial benefits from the adoption of IT if it would be more widespread.
Kv2.1 Potassium Channels Are Retained within Dynamic Cell Surface Microdomains That Are Defined by a Perimeter Fence

Ion channel localization to specific cell surface regions is essential for proper neuronal function. The Kv2.1 K+ channel forms large clusters on the plasma membrane of hippocampal neurons and transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. Using live cell imaging, we address mechanisms underlying this Kv2.1 clustering in both HEK cells and cultured hippocampal neurons. The Kv2.1-containing surface clusters have properties unlike those expected for a scaffolding protein bound channel. After channel is delivered to the plasma membrane via intracellular transport vesicles, it remains localized at the insertion site. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and quantum dot tracking experiments indicate that channel within the surface cluster is mobile (FRAP, τ = 14.1 ± 1.5 and 11.5 ± 6.1 s in HEK cells and neurons, respectively). The cluster perimeter is not static, because after fusion of adjacent clusters, green fluorescent protein (GFP)–Kv2.1 completely exchanged between the two domains within 60 s. Treatment of hippocampal neurons expressing GFP-Kv2.1 with 5 μm latrunculin A resulted in a significant increase in average cluster size from 0.89 ± 0.16 μm2 to 12.15 ± 1.4 μm2 with a concomitant decrease in cluster number. Additionally, Kv2.1 was no longer restricted to the cell body, suggesting a role for cortical actin in both cluster maintenance and localization. Thus, Kv2.1 surface domains likely trap mobile Kv2.1 channels within a well defined, but fluid, perimeter rather than being tightly bound to a scaffolding protein-containing complex. Channel moves directly into these clusters via trafficking vesicles. Such domains allow for efficient trafficking to the cell surface while sequestering channel with signaling proteins.