Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peak fat oxidation rate during walking in sedentary overweight men and women.

The aim of this study was to determine the relative exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation during walking in inactive and overweight men and women and evaluate any possible sex differences. Forty six healthy, sedentary, overweight men (age: 36.3 ± 1.3 years, body fat: 28.8 ± 0.8%, n = 28, mean ± SE) and women (age: 36.6 ± 1.8 years, body fat: 37.1 ± 0.8%, n = 18) participated in the study. Fat oxidation was calculated from expired air analysis using indirect calorimetry during an incremental treadmill walking test. Peak fat oxidation rate (PFO) was higher in men compared to women (0.31 ± 0.02 vs. 0.20 ± 0.02 g.min(-1); p < 0.001), but this difference disappeared when PFO was scaled per kg fat-free mass (4. 36 ± 0.23 vs. 3.99 ± 0.37 mg.kg fat free mass(-1). min(-1)). Also, the relative exercise intensity at which PFO occurred was similar for men and women and corresponded to 40.1 ± 1.8 and 39. 5 ± 2.3% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and 60.0 ± 1.4 and 57.8 ± 1.4% of maximal heart rate, respectively. The walking speed corresponding to PFO was 5.5 ± 0.2 and 5.0 ± 0.1 km·h(-1) for men and women, respectively. Regression analysis showed that sex, FFM and VO2max were significant predictors of PFO expressed in g.min(-1) (adjusted R(2) = 0.48, p = 0.01). However when PFO was scaled per kg FFM, only a small part of the variance was explained by VO2max (adjusted R(2) = 0.12, p < 0.05). In conclusion, peak fat oxidation rate and the corresponding relative exercise intensity were similar in male and female overweight and sedentary individuals, but lower compared to those reported for leaner and/or physically active persons. Walking at a moderate speed (5.0-5.5 km·h(-1)) may be used as a convenient way to exercise at an intensity eliciting peak fat oxidation in overweight individuals. Key pointsPeak fat oxidation rate scaled per kg fat-free mass and the corresponding relative exercise intensity are similar in male and female overweight and sedentary individuals, but lower compared to those reported for leaner and/or physically active persons.Walking at a moderate speed (5.0-5.5 km.h(-1)) may be used as a convenient way to exercise at an intensity eliciting peak fat oxidation in overweight individuals.The relationship between %HRmax and %VO2max in overweight individuals is different from that reported for normal-weight adults and should be taken into account to optimize exercise intensity using heart rate in obese individuals.Due to the low intensity corresponding to peak fat oxidation in overweight and sedentary persons and the inter-individual differences, exercise intensity for health benefits should be prescribed following individual testing.
Ongoing Movement of the Hermit Warbler X Townsend's Warbler Hybrid Zone

Background Movements of hybrid zones – areas of overlap and interbreeding between species – are difficult to document empirically. This is true because moving hybrid zones are expected to be rare, and because movement may proceed too slowly to be measured directly. Townsend's warblers (Dendroica townsendi) hybridize with hermit warblers (D. occidentalis) where their ranges overlap in Washington and Oregon. Previous morphological, behavioral, and genetic studies of this hybrid zone suggest that it has been steadily moving into the geographical range of hermit warblers, with the more aggressive Townsend's warblers replacing hermit warblers along ∼2000 km of the Pacific coast of Canada and Alaska. Ongoing movement of the zone, however, has yet to be empirically demonstrated. Methodology/Principal Findings We compared recently sampled hybrid zone specimens to those collected 10–20 years earlier, to test directly the long-standing hypothesis of hybrid zone movement between these species. Newly sampled specimens were more Townsend's-like than historical specimens, consistent with ongoing movement of the zone into the geographical range of hermit warblers. Conclusions/Significance While movement of a hybrid zone may be explained by several possible mechanisms, in this case a wealth of existing evidence suggests that movement is being driven by the competitive displacement of hermit warblers by Townsend's warblers. That no ecological differences have been found between these species, and that replacement of hermit warblers by Townsend's warblers is proceeding downward in latitude and elevation – opposite the directions of range shifts predicted by recent climate change – further support that this movement is not being driven by alternative environmental factors. If the mechanism of competitive displacement is correct, whether this process will ultimately lead to the extinction of hermit warblers will depend on the continued maintenance of the dramatic competitive asymmetry observed between the species.
Work–Family Conflict in Sri Lanka: Negotiations of Exchange Relationships in Family and at Work

This study's aim is to understand how individuals who are part of dual-earner couples experience and deal with work–family conflict in Sri Lanka. Twenty-five interviews were conducted to identify if and how couples negotiated within their marital relationships, and between themselves and their supervisors, to reduce or cope with work–family conflict. The interviews indicated that negotiations at home and at work concerned contributions to the exchange relationship and were unlikely to adversely affect the (home or work) exchange relationships. Negotiations at home were more likely to be initiated by women than men. Further, the interviews revealed an influence of spouse's gender role ideology on the success of the negotiation at home. Negotiations at work were more likely to be initiated by the interviewees than by their supervisors. The results suggest that individuals in cultures with high power distance should still initiate negotiations when they feel it is possible to obtain favorable outcomes.
CdS/CdTe solar cells containing directly-deposited CdSxTe1−x alloy layers

A CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> layer forms by interdiffusion of CdS and CdTe during the fabrication of thin-film CdTe photovoltaic (PV) devices. The CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> layer is thought to be important because it relieves strain at the CdS/CdTe interface that would otherwise exist due to the 10% lattice mismatch between these two materials. Our previous work [1] has indicated that the electrical junction is located in this interdiffused CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> region. Further understanding, however, is essential to predict the role of this CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> layer in the operation of CdS/CdTe devices. In this study, CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> alloy films were deposited by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and co-evaporation from CdTe and CdS sources. Both RF-magnetron-sputtered and co-evaporated CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> films of lower S content (x<0.3) have a cubic zincblende (ZB) structure akin to CdTe, whereas those of higher S content have a hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) structure like that of CdS. Films become less preferentially oriented as a result of a CdCl<inf>2</inf> heat treatment (HT) at ∼400°C for 5 min. Films sputtered in a 1% O<inf>2</inf>/Ar ambient are amorphous as deposited, but show CdTe ZB, CdS WZ, and CdTe oxide phases after a CdCl<inf>2</inf> HT. Films sputtered in O<inf>2</inf> partial pressure have a much wider bandgap than expected. This may be explained by nanocrystalline size effects seen previously [2] for sputtered oxygenated CdS (CdS:O) films. Initial PV device results show that the introduction of a directly-deposited CdS<inf>x</inf>Te<inf>1−x</inf> alloy layer into the device structure produces devices of comparable performance to those without the alloy layer when a CdCl<inf>2</inf> HT is performed. Further investigation is required to determine whether the CdCl<inf>2</inf> heat treatment step can be altered or eliminated through direct deposition of the alloy layer.
Gender gaps in life expectancy: generalized trends and negative associations with development indices in OECD countries.

BACKGROUND Life expectancy (LE) is a major marker of individual survival. It also serves as a guide to highlight both the progress and the gaps in total social and societal health. Comparative LE in concert with measures of gender-specific experience, indices of empowerment and societal happiness and development offer a comparative tool to examine trends and similarities of societal progress as seen through the lens of cross-national experience. METHODS To determine the gender gaps in LE (GGLE) trends, we performed a longitudinal analysis, covering a period of 49 years (1960-2008). To examine the association of GGLE with development indices, we used the 2007 GGLE data, the newest happiness data mostly drawn from 2006; the 2006 Human Development Index (HDI) data and the 2006 Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) data. RESULTS It revealed that most of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries had a GGLE trend that occurred in an inverted U-curve fashion. We divided them into three subgroups based on the peak years of respective GGLE. The earlier the peak year, the happier the countries, the higher the HDI and the smaller the current GGLE are. Association analysis indicates that Happiness, HDI and GEM are all negatively associated with GGLE. CONCLUSION This pattern suggests that GGLE undergoes three phases of growth, peak and stability and decline. Japan will soon be seeing its GGLE gradually shrinking in the foreseeable future. The continuing increases in Happiness, HDI and GEM are associated with a decrease in GGLE, which should be carefully taken into consideration.
Cleavage of SNAP-25 and VAMP-2 impairs store-operated Ca2+ entry in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

We recently reported that store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) in nonexcitable cells is likely to be mediated by a reversible interaction between Ca(2+) channels in the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum, a mechanism known as "secretion-like coupling. " As for secretion, in this model the actin cytoskeleton plays a key regulatory role. In the present study we have explored the involvement of the secretory proteins synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25) and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) in SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells. Cleavage of SNAP-25 and VAMPs by treatment with botulinum toxin A (BoNT A) and tetanus toxin (TeTx), respectively, effectively inhibited amylase secretion stimulated by the physiological agonist CCK-8. BoNT A significantly reduced Ca(2+) entry induced by store depletion using thapsigargin or CCK-8. In addition, treatment with BoNT A once SOCE had been activated reduced Ca(2+) influx, indicating that SNAP-25 is needed for both the activation and maintenance of SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells. VAMP-2 and VAMP-3 are expressed in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Both proteins associate with the cytoskeleton upon Ca(2+) store depletion, although only VAMP-2 seems to be sensitive to TeTx. Treatment of pancreatic acinar cells with TeTx reduced the activation of SOCE without affecting its maintenance. These findings support a role for SNAP-25 and VAMP-2 in the activation of SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells and show parallels between this process and secretion in a specialized secretory cell type.
Deep CNN Framework for Audio Event Recognition using Weakly Labeled Web Data

The development of audio event recognition models requires labeled training data, which are generally hard to obtain. One promising source of recordings of audio events is the large amount of multimedia data on the web. In particular, if the audio content analysis must itself be performed on web audio, it is important to train the recognizers themselves from such data. Training from these web data, however, poses several challenges, the most important being the availability of labels : labels, if any, that may be obtained for the data are generally {\em weak}, and not of the kind conventionally required for training detectors or classifiers. We propose that learning algorithms that can exploit weak labels offer an effective method to learn from web data. We then propose a robust and efficient deep convolutional neural network (CNN) based framework to learn audio event recognizers from weakly labeled data. The proposed method can train from and analyze recordings of variable length in an efficient manner and outperforms a network trained with {\em strongly labeled} web data by a considerable margin.
Failure-to-Rescue: Comparing Definitions to Measure Quality of Care

Objectives: Use of failure-to-rescue (FTR) as an indicator of hospital quality has increased over the past decade, but recent authors have used different sets of complications and deaths to define this measure. This study examines the reliability and validity of different FTR measures currently in use. Research Design: We studied 3 definitions: (1) “original” FTR (using all deaths); (2) FTR-N, a “nursing sensitive” definition that uses only specific complications and deaths; and (3) FTR-A [another restricted definition of FTR used by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for analyzing Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data]. Each FTR measure was applied to 403,679 general surgical patients across 1567 hospitals reported in 1999–2000 Medicare MEDPAR data. Results: Although FTR used all deaths, FTR-N and FTR-A definitions omitted 49% and 42% of deaths, respectively. Reliability was better for FTR than FTR-A or FTR-N (ρ = 0.32 vs. 0.18 vs. 0.18, respectively). Validity: Hospitals ranked by adjusted mortality were highly correlated with FTR (Kendall’s τ = 0.83) and less correlated with FTR-A (τ = 0.43) and FTR-N (τ = 0.41). Adjusting for patient characteristics, all FTR measures showed strong associations with bed-to-nurse ratio, nursing mix, teaching status, and hospital size; however, hospital “high technology” was not as well associated with FTR-N. Conclusions: For general surgery, more limited definitions used by FTR-N and FTR-A omit over 40% of deaths, display less reliability, and may have more questionable validity than the original FTR measure. We encourage analysts to use the original FTR definition that uses all deaths when analyzing hospital quality of care.
Identification of Shigella flexneri IcsA Residues Affecting Interaction with N-WASP, and Evidence for IcsA-IcsA Co-Operative Interaction

The Shigella flexneri IcsA (VirG) protein is a polarly distributed outer membrane protein that is a fundamental virulence factor which interacts with neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP). The activated N-WASP then activates the Arp2/3 complex which initiates de novo actin nucleation and polymerisation to form F-actin comet tails and allows bacterial cell-to-cell spreading. In a previous study, IcsA was found to have three N-WASP interacting regions (IRs): IR I (aa 185–312), IR II (aa 330–382) and IR III (aa 508–730). The aim of this study was to more clearly define N-WASP interacting regions II and III by site-directed mutagenesis of specific amino acids. Mutant IcsA proteins were expressed in both smooth lipopolysaccharide (S-LPS) and rough LPS (R-LPS) S. flexneri strains and characterised for IcsA production level, N-WASP recruitment and F-actin comet tail formation. We have successfully identified new amino acids involved in N-WASP recruitment within different N-WASP interacting regions, and report for the first time using co-expression of mutant IcsA proteins, that N-WASP activation involves interactions with different regions on different IcsA molecules as shown by Arp3 recruitment. In addition, our findings suggest that autochaperone (AC) mutant protein production was not rescued by another AC region provided in trans, differing to that reported for two other autotransporters, PrtS and BrkA autotransporters.
Academic developers and international collaborations: the importance of personal abilities and aptitudes

Academic developers are increasingly involved in international collaborations in learning and teaching. Many factors contribute to successful collaborations; we argue that the personal abilities and aptitudes of academic developers are one key element. Building trust and relationships are central to creating the networks at individual, group, and institutional levels that are essential for effective collaboration. There is limited literature on academic development in international collaborations and on its personal dimensions. We illustrate these ideas using a UK-Pakistan collaboration. Attention to the personal dimension is likely to be a key consideration for other academic developers working in international collaborations.
Giving birth in Volos, Greece: medicalisation, ritual and emerging alternatives

The paper examines the relationship of space with obstetric practices and its role in the medicalisation of childbirth in a case study of the two maternity clinics of a provincial town in Greece. Typical birth care procedures in Volos were observed to act as rituals to define childbirth as a medical crisis and to transmit the message of superiority and necessity of medicine and technology in childbirth. The arrangements and uses of birth spaces made possible the application of the technomedical model with its high rate of obstetric interventions, while they supported and solidified its symbolic meanings. However, in the current economic and social crisis, these established practices are being challenged and alternative paradigms of birth care are being formed. Their interaction with existing spaces in maternity clinics and at home and the changes they required or caused are offering possibilities for new conceptualisations of birth, birth care and women's transition to maternity.
Defining and Understanding Mental Toughness within Soccer

Despite the widespread use of the term “mental toughness” by performers, coaches and sport psychology consultant’s alike, it is only recently that researchers (e.g., Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2002) have attempted to provide some conceptual clarity to reduce the confusion surrounding the understanding and operationalization of the concept. As reported by Jones et al. (2002), mental toughness has been construed to represent a variety of positive responses to situations which have included the ability to persist and refuse to give in (Gould, Hodge, Peterson, & Petlichkoff, 1987), overcome setbacks and poor performances (Goldberg, 1998), cope with excessive pressure (Goldberg, 1998) and to not let adverse situations affect performance (Gould et al., 1987). In reviewing the literature, Jones et al. (2002) suggested mentally tough performers to hold several key attributes, which enable them to experience positive psychological states. Examples of these include commitment and determination (Bull, Albinson, & Shambrook, 1996), motivation and control (Gould et al., 1987), excellent concentration and focusing abilities (Goldberg, 1998) and, confidence and self-belief (Goldberg, 1998).
Pain Relief in labour: A randomized controlled trial comparing pentazocine with Tramadol

Aim: To assess and compare the analgesic efficacy and side effects of Pentazocine and Tramadol. Method: This double blind randomised controlled trial was carried out at the labour ward of Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa Nigeria. One hundred normal pregnant women in active labour at term were randomly assigned to receive either intramuscular Pentazocine 30mg or intramuscular tramadol 100mg, at request for analgesia. Analgesic efficacy was assessed by verbal scales of pain intensity and relief; maternal and neonatal side effects were determined. Results: At 60 minutes after drug administration 47.7% and 30.9% of women, in the pentazocine and tramadol group respectively, experienced moderate to good pain relief. Significantly more women in the pentazocine group (34.1%) than in the tramadol group(14.3%) rated their pain as mild (P < 0.05) sixty minutes after drug administration. Mean time to first subsequent request for analgesia was greater in the pentazocine group (181 minutes vs 113 minutes; P < 0.05). There was no significant differences between the drugs in maternal side effects, labour and neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: Pentazocine provides better pain relief than tramadol in labor. Key words: Labour pain, pentazocine, tramadol
The effect on the flexural strength, flexural modulus and compressive strength of fibre reinforced acrylic with that of plain unfilled acrylic resin - an in vitro study.

AIM The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the flexural strength, the flexural modulus and compressive strength of the acrylic polymer reinforced with glass, carbon, polyethylene and Kevlar fibres with that of plain unfilled resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 50 specimens were prepared and divided into 10 specimens each under 5 groups namely group 1- control group without any fibres, group 2 - carbon fibres, group 3- glass fibres, group 4 - polyethylene, group 5- Kevlar. Universal testing machine (Tinius olsen, USA) was used for the testing of these specimens. Out of each group, 5 specimens were randomly selected and testing was done for flexural strength using a three point deflection test and three point bending test for compressive strength and the modulus was plotted using a graphical method. Statistical analysis was done using statistical software. RESULTS The respective mean values for samples in regard to their flexural strength for PMMA plain, PMMA+ glass fibre, PMMA+ carbon, PMMA+ polyethylene and PMMA+ Kevlar were 90.64, 100.79, 102.58, 94.13 and 96.43 respectively. Scheffes post hoc test clearly indicated that only mean flexural strength values of PMMA + Carbon, has the highest mean value. One-way ANOVA revealed a non-significant difference among the groups in regard to their compressive strength. CONCLUSION The study concludes that carbon fibre reinforced samples has the greatest flexural strength and greatest flexural modulus, however the compressive strength remains unchanged.
Reconstructing historical changes in the force of infection of dengue fever in Singapore: implications for surveillance and control.

OBJECTIVE To reconstruct the historical changes in force of dengue infection in Singapore, and to better understand the relationship between control of Aedes mosquitoes and incidence of classic dengue fever. METHODS Seroprevalence data were abstracted from surveys performed in Singapore from 1982 to 2002. These data were used to develop two mathematical models of age seroprevalence. In the first model, force of infection was allowed to vary independently each year, while in the second it was described by a polynomial function. Model-predicted temporal trends were analysed using linear regression. Time series techniques were employed to investigate periodicity in predicted forces of infection, dengue fever incidence and mosquito breeding. FINDINGS Force of infection estimates showed a significant downward trend from 1966, when vector control was instigated. Force of infection estimates from both models reproduced significant increases in the percentage and average age of the population susceptible to dengue infections. Importantly, the year-on-year model independently predicted a five to six year periodicity that was also displayed by clinical incidence but absent from the Aedes household index. CONCLUSION We propose that the rise in disease incidence was due in part to a vector-control-driven reduction in herd immunity in older age groups that are more susceptible to developing clinical dengue.