Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of 8-Week Plyometric Training on Physical Performance in Young Tennis Players.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an 8-week (conducted biweekly for a total of 16 sessions) plyometric training program (PT) (e.g., upper- and lower-body exercises) combined with regular tennis training on physical qualities in young tennis players. DESIGN Sixty tennis players between the ages of 12 and 13 years (age 12.5 ± 0.3 years, weight 44.2 ± 7.0 kg, height 156.6 ± 7.1 cm) were allocated to either the control group (standard in-season regimen) (CG; n = 30) or the experimental group, which received an additional PT (TG; n = 30) for 30-60 min as a substitute for some tennis training within the usual 90-min practice. METHODS Pre- and posttests included: anthropometric measures; vertical countermovement jump (CMJ); standing long jump (SLJ); 20 m sprint time (with 5 and 10 m splits); a modified 505 agility test; overhead medicine ball throw; and serve velocity test. RESULTS After the training intervention, the TG showed significant (p < .01) improvements in all the parameters analyzed, with percentages of change and effect sizes ranging from 3.1% to 10.1% and 0.4 (small) to 1.3 (moderate), respectively. No significant changes were observed in the CG after the training intervention. CONCLUSIONS PT was shown as an important stimulus for enhancing explosive actions in young tennis players.
The Fermi blazars' divide

Flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and BL Lac objects detected in the first three months of the Fermi survey neatly separate in the γ-ray spectral index versus γ-ray luminosity plane. BL Lac objects are less luminous and have harder spectra than broad-line blazars. We suggest that this division has its origin in the different accretion regimes of the two classes of objects. Using the γ-ray luminosity as a proxy for the observed bolometric one, we show that the boundary between the two subclasses of blazars can be associated with the threshold between the regimes of optically thick accretion discs and of radiatively inefficient accretion flows, which lies at an accretion rate of the order of 10−2 the Eddington rate. The spectral separation in hard (BL Lacs) and soft (FSRQs) objects can then result from the different radiative cooling suffered by the relativistic electrons in jets propagating in different ambients. We argue that the bulk of the most luminous blazars already detected by Fermi should be characterized by large black hole masses, around 109 solar masses, and predict that lowering the γ-ray flux threshold the region of the αγ–Lγ plane corresponding to steep spectral indices and lower luminosities will be progressively populated by FSRQs with lower mass black holes, while the region of hard spectra and large luminosities will remain forbidden.
Global Well-Posedness and Scattering for the Energy-Critical, Defocusing Hartree Equation in ℝ1+n

Using the same induction on energy argument in both the frequency space and the spatial space simultaneously as in [6, 33, 38], we obtain the global well-posedness and scattering of energy solutions of the defocusing energy-critical nonlinear Hartree equation in ℝ × ℝ n (n ≥ 5), which removes the radial assumption on the data in [25]. The new ingredients are that we use a modified long time perturbation theory to obtain the frequency localization (Proposition 3.1 and Corollary 3.1) of the minimal energy blow up solutions, which cannot be obtained from the classical long time perturbation and bilinear estimate and that we obtain the spatial concentration of minimal energy blow up solution after proving that -norm of minimal energy blow up solutions is bounded from below, the -norm is stronger than the potential energy.
A crawling robot driven by multi-stable origami

Using origami folding to construct and actuate mechanisms and machines offers attractive opportunities from small, scalable, and cheap robots to deployable adaptive structures. This paper presents the design of a bio-inspired origami crawling robot constructed by folding sheets of paper. The origami building block structure is based on the Kresling crease pattern (CP), a chiral tower with a polygonal base, which expands and contracts through coupled longitudinal and rotational motion similar to a screw. We design the origami to have multi-stable structural equilibria which can be tuned by changing the folding CP. Kinematic analysis of these structures based on rigid-plates and hinges at fold lines precludes the shape transformation associated with the bistability of the physical models. To capture the kinematics of the bi-stable origami, the panels’ deformation behavior is modeled utilizing principles of virtual folds. Virtual folds approximate material bending by hinged, rigid panels, which facilitates the development of a kinematic solution via rigid-plate rotation analysis. As such, the kinetics and stability of folded structures are investigated by assigning suitable torsional spring constants to the fold lines. The results presented demonstrate the effect of fold-pattern geometries on the snapping behavior of the bi-stable origami structure based on the Kresling pattern. The crawling robot is presented as a case study for the use of this origami structure to mimic crawling locomotion. The robot is comprised of two origami towers nested inside a paper bellow, and connected by 3D printed end plates. DC motors are used to actuate the expansion and contraction of the internal origami structures to achieve forward locomotion and steering. Beyond locomotion, this simple design can find applications in manipulators, booms, and active structures.
Low intravascular pressure activates endothelial cell TRPV4 channels, local Ca2+ events, and IKCa channels, reducing arteriolar tone

Endothelial cell (EC) Ca2+-activated K channels (SKCa and IKCa channels) generate hyperpolarization that passes to the adjacent smooth muscle cells causing vasodilation. IKCa channels focused within EC projections toward the smooth muscle cells are activated by spontaneous Ca2+ events (Ca2+ puffs/pulsars). We now show that transient receptor potential, vanilloid 4 channels (TRPV4 channels) also cluster within this microdomain and are selectively activated at low intravascular pressure. In arterioles pressurized to 80 mmHg, ECs generated low-frequency (∼2 min−1) inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-based Ca2+ events. Decreasing intraluminal pressure below 50 mmHg increased the frequency of EC Ca2+ events twofold to threefold, an effect blocked with the TRPV4 antagonist RN1734. These discrete events represent both TRPV4-sparklet- and nonsparklet-evoked Ca2+ increases, which on occasion led to intracellular Ca2+ waves. The concurrent vasodilation associated with increases in Ca2+ event frequency was inhibited, and basal myogenic tone was increased, by either RN1734 or TRAM-34 (IKCa channel blocker), but not by apamin (SKCa channel blocker). These data show that intraluminal pressure influences an endothelial microdomain inversely to alter Ca2+ event frequency; at low pressures the consequence is activation of EC IKCa channels and vasodilation, reducing the myogenic tone that underpins tissue blood-flow autoregulation.
Historical stocking data and 19th century DNA reveal human‐induced changes to native diversity and distribution of cutthroat trout

Many species are threatened with extinction and efforts are underway worldwide to restore imperilled species to their native ranges. Restoration requires knowledge of species' historical diversity and distribution. For some species, many populations were extirpated or individuals moved beyond their native range before native diversity and distribution were documented, resulting in a lack of accurate information for establishing restoration goals. Moreover, traditional taxonomic assessments often failed to accurately capture phylogenetic diversity. We illustrate a general approach for estimating regional native diversity and distribution for cutthroat trout in the Southern Rocky Mountains. We assembled a large archive of historical records documenting human‐mediated change in the distribution of cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and combined these data with phylogenetic analysis of 19th century samples from museums collected prior to trout stocking activities and contemporary DNA samples. Our study of the trout in the Southern Rocky Mountains uncovered six divergent lineages, two of which went extinct, probably in the early 20th century. A third lineage, previously declared extinct, was discovered surviving in a single stream outside of its native range. Comparison of the historical and modern distributions with stocking records revealed that the current distribution of trout largely reflects intensive stocking early in the late 19th and early 20th century from two phylogenetically and geographically distinct sources. Our documentation of recent extinctions, undescribed lineages, errors in taxonomy and dramatic range changes induced by human movement of fish underscores the importance of the historical record when developing and implementing conservation plans for threatened and endangered species.
Anthelmintic efficacy of the aqueous crude extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn in Nigerian dogs

The anthelmintic efficacy of the aqueous crude extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn was studied in 20 Nigerian dogs that were naturally infected with nematodes. They were randomly divided into 4 groups, A, B, C and D. Groups A and B each comprised 4 dogs while groups C and D comprised 6 dogs each. Group A animals were untreated, while those in group B were treated with proprietary anthelmintic (Mebendazole). Groups C and D animals were treated with aqueous crude extracts of E. hirta using intramuscular and oral routes, respectively. Two weeks after treatment, blood and faecal samples were collected to evaluate haematological values and faecal egg counts, respectively. The procedure was repeated two weeks later. Results of this study show that the aqueous crude extracts of E. hirta after its administration into local dogs produced a significant increase (P< 0.05) in PCV, RBC, Hb conc. , TWBC and lymphocyte counts. The faecal egg counts also showed a remarkable and significant reduction in the levels of the identified helminths. The reduction in faecal egg counts was more pronounced with the extract administered through the oral route when compared with the intramuscular route. The effects of the plant extracts were broad spectrum in action. The phenol compound present in the plant extract could have caused reduction in worm load through this same mechanism that culminates in exhaustion and death of worms. Since the aqueous crude extract of E. hirta significantly reduced the faecal egg count of the helminths, it could serve as an anthelmintic agent.
Neural respiratory drive, pulmonary mechanics and breathlessness in patients with cystic fibrosis

Background Neural respiratory drive (NRD) measured from the diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdi) reflects the load/capacity balance of the respiratory muscle pump and is a marker of lung disease severity. EMGdi measurement is invasive, but recording the EMG from the parasternal intercostal muscles using surface electrodes (sEMGpara) could provide a non-invasive method of assessing NRD and disease severity. Objectives To test the hypothesis that NRD measured by sEMGpara correlates with EMGdi, to provide an index of disease severity in cystic fibrosis (CF) and to relate to exercise-induced breathlessness. Methods 15 patients with CF (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 53.5% predicted) and 15 age-matched healthy controls were studied. sEMGpara and EMGdi were recorded at rest and during exercise. sEMGpara was recorded using surface electrodes and EMGdi using a multipair oesophageal electrode catheter. Signals were normalised using the peak EMG recorded during maximum respiratory manoeuvres and expressed as EMG%max. The respiratory pattern, metabolic data, oesophageal and gastric pressures and Borg scores were also recorded. Results Mean (SD) resting sEMGpara%max and EMGdi%max were higher in patients with CF than in controls (13.1 (7)% and 18.5 (7.5)% vs 5.8 (3)% and 7.5 (2)%, respectively, p<0.001). In the patients with CF, resting sEMGpara%max and EMGdi%max were related to the degree of airways obstruction (FEV1) (r=−0.91 and r=−0.82, both p<0.001), hyperinflation (r=0.63 and r=0.56, both p<0.001) and dynamic lung compliance (r=−0.53 and r=−0.59, both p<0.001). During exercise, sEMGpara%max and EMGdi%max were strongly correlated with breathlessness in the patients with CF before (r=0.906, p<0.001) and after (r=0.975, p<0.001) the onset of neuromechanical dissociation. Conclusion sEMGpara%max provides a non-invasive marker of neural drive, which reflects disease severity and exercise-induced breathlessness in CF.
Evaluation Corpora for Sense Disambiguation in the Medical Domain

An important aspect of word sense disambiguation is the evaluation of different methods and parameters. Unfortunately, there is a lack of test sets for evaluation, specifically for languages other than English and even more so for specific domains like medicine. Given that our work focuses on English as well as German text in the medical domain, we had to develop our own evaluation corpora in order to test our disambiguation methods. In this paper we describe the work on developing these corpora, using GermaNet and UMLS as (lexical) semantic resources, next to a description of the annotation tool KiC that we developed for support of the annotation task.
Evaluation of a rapid Cryptosporidium/Giardia immunochromatographic test for diagnosis of giardiasis in dogs.

Le but de cette etude etait d'evaluer l'interet du test RIDA® Cryptosporidium/Giardia-Combi test (R-Biopharm AG) comme methode rapide de diagnostic de giardiose chez le chien. Compare au test ELISA de detection des antigenes fecaux (Prospect® Giardia, Micro plate Assay), le test immunochromatographique a eu une sensibilite de 83 %, une specificite de 79 %, une valeur predictive positive de 33 %, et une valeur predictive negative de 97 %. La valeur du k etait 0,5. Bien que la technique immunochromatographique soit plus simple a realiser, elle ne peut pas remplacer la methode ELISA de detection des antigenes fecaux dans le diagnostic rapide de la giardiose chez le chien, en raison de sa sensibilite et de sa specificite inferieures. Aucune infection par Cryptosporidium n'a ete detectee.
Striatal Dopamine Influences the Default Mode Network to Affect Shifting between Object Features

Cognitive flexibility or the ability to change behavior in response to external cues is conceptualized as two processes: one for shifting between perceptual features of objects and another for shifting between the abstract rules governing the selection of these objects. Object and rule shifts are believed to engage distinct anatomical structures and functional processes. Dopamine activity has been associated with cognitive flexibility, but patients with dopaminergic deficits are not impaired on all tasks assessing cognitive flexibility, suggesting that dopamine may have different roles in the shifting of objects and rules. The goals of this study were to identify brain regions supporting object and rule shifts and to examine the role of dopamine in modulating these two forms of cognitive flexibility. Sixteen young, healthy volunteers underwent fMRI while performing a set-shift task designed to differentiate shifting between object features from shifting between abstract task rules. Participants also underwent PET with 6-[18F]-fluoro-l-m-tyrosine (FMT), a radiotracer measuring dopamine synthesis capacity. Shifts of abstract rules were not associated with activation in any brain region, and FMT uptake did not correlate with rule shift performance. Shifting between object features deactivated the medial PFC and the posterior cingulate and activated the lateral PFC, posterior parietal areas, and the striatum. FMT signal in the striatum correlated negatively with object shift performance and deactivation in the medial PFC, a component of the default mode network, suggesting that dopamine influences object shifts via modulation of activity in the default mode network.
Evaluation of percentage and depth of smartpaste bio versus AH plus sealer penetration using three different activation techniques: A confocal laser scanning microscopic study

Aim: The aim of the following study was to evaluate the effects of three root canal sealer activation techniques on percentage and depth of penetration of SmartPaste Bio and AH Plus sealers using the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Materials and Methods: Root canals of sixty teeth prepared till rotary F3 ProTaper size were divided into two equal groups on the basis of type of sealer used: AH Plus (Dentsply–DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany) and SmartPaste Bio sealer (Endotechnologies, LLC, Shrewsbury, MA, USA). Sealers were mixed with Rhodamine B for visibility under CLSM. Each group was further divided into three equal subgroups on the basis of sealer activation technique: (i) Sonic, (ii) ultrasonic, and (iii) manual dynamic. The specimens were obturated with gutta-percha by cold lateral condensation. Horizontal sections at 3 mm from the apex were obtained, and the percentage and depth of penetration of sealers into dentinal tubules were measured using CLSM. Results: Group 1 (ii) showed the highest mean depth of penetration (1260 μm) and maximum mean percentage of sealer penetration (90.004), whereas Group 2 (i) showed minimum mean depth of penetration (492 μm) and minimum mean percentage of sealer penetration (23.7). Statistical significant differences among all the groups were found at the 3 mm level (P < 0.001; analysis of variance - Tukey's tests) for the depth and percentage of sealer penetration. Conclusion: Percentage and depth of sealer penetration are influenced by the type of sealer used and the sealer activation technique. SmartPaste Bio sealer and ultrasonic method of activation gave best results.
Concrete creep strain monitoring and analysis of prestressed hydraulic tunnel

Concrete Creep Strain Monitoring and Analysis of Prestressed Hydraulic Tunnel Rui Jing*, Jingfu Kang School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin University Key Laboratory of Coast Civil Structure Safety (Tianjin University), Tianjin 300072, China Tianjin Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute, No.30 Haitai South Road, Binhai High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Tianjin 300051, China Michael_jing2016@yahoo.com
Gene–environment interaction: maternal smoking and contribution of GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms to infant birth-weight reduction in a Kaunas cohort study

Genetic susceptibility to tobacco smoke might modify the effect of smoking on pregnancy outcomes.1 2 Although separate GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions are well-studied functional variants, the synergistic effects of these two genes on the infant birth weight in smoking women is not known. We examined the association between low-level tobacco smoke exposure (4.8 cigarettes/day) during pregnancy, GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms, and birth weight of the infant among 543 women who delivered singleton live births in a Kaunas cohort, Lithuania.3 The research protocol was approved by …
Yield of diagnostic tests in evaluating syncopal episodes in older patients.

BACKGROUND Syncopal episodes are common among older adults; etiologies range from benign to life threatening. We determined the frequency, yield, and costs of tests obtained to evaluate older persons with syncope. We also calculated the cost per test yield and determined whether the San Francisco syncope rule (SFSR) improved test yield. METHODS Review of 2106 consecutive patients 65 years or older admitted following a syncopal episode. RESULTS Electrocardiograms (in 99% of admissions), telemetry (in 95%), cardiac enzyme tests (in 95%), and head computed tomographic (CT) scans (in 63%) were the most frequently obtained tests. Results from cardiac enzymes tests, CT scans, echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography, and electroencephalography all affected diagnosis or management in less than 5% of cases and helped determine the etiology of syncope less than 2% of the time. Postural blood pressure (BP) recording, performed in only 38% of episodes, had the highest yield with respect to affecting diagnosis (18%-26%) or management (25%-30%) and determining etiology of the syncopal episode (15%-21%). The cost per test affecting diagnosis or management was highest for electroencephalography ($32 973), CT scans ($24 881), and cardiac enzymes test ($22 397) and lowest for postural BP recording ($17-$20). The yields and costs for cardiac tests were better among patients meeting, vs those not meeting, the SFSR. For example, the cost per cardiac enzymes test affecting diagnosis or management was $10 331 in those meeting, vs $111 518 in those not meeting, the SFSR. CONCLUSIONS Many unnecessary tests are obtained to evaluate syncope. Selecting tests based on history and examination and prioritizing less expensive and higher yield tests would ensure a more informed and cost-effective approach to evaluating older patients with syncope.
Life cycles, chaos and zoom lenses: a comparative analysis of some conceptual metaphors in the discourse of entrepreneurship theory

Cet article analyse quelques metaphores conceptuelles dans un corpus de douze articles majeurs dans le domaine de l’entrepreneuriat, publies entre 1986 et 1995. L’auteur presente d’abord le cadre theorique de ce travail, la theorie cognitive de la metaphore elaboree par Lakoff, Johnson et leurs collaborateurs (Lakoff & Johnson 1980, 1999; Johnson 1987, Lakoff & Turner 1989; Sweetser 1990) et souligne ses avantages par rapport a des approches plus traditionnelles. Il traite ensuite des questions methodologiques. La troisieme partie est consacree a l’analyse de trois types de metaphores dans le discours sur l’entrepreneuriat: une metaphore naturelle, qui provient de la biologie (l’entreprise en tant qu’organisme or espece), une serie de metaphores abstraites tirees de la theorie des catastrophes, de la theorie du chaos et de la physique quantique, et enfin une metaphore technologique (l’objectif zoom de l’entrepreneur).
Probability distributions for the refractive index structure parameter and the inner scale of turbulence and their implications for flux averaging

Abstract : Defining the averaging time required for measuring meaningful turbulence statistics is a central problem in boundary-layer meteorology. Path-averaging scintillation instruments are presumed to confer some time-averaging benefits when the objective is to measure surface fluxes, but that hypothesis has not been tested definitively. This study uses scintillometer measurements of the inner scale of turbulence l(sub 0) and the refractive index structure parameter (C(sup, sub n)) collected during SHEBA (the experiment to study the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean) to investigate this question of required averaging time. The first conclusion is that the beta probability distribution is useful for representing; C(sup 2, sub n) and l(sub 0) measurements. Consequently, beta distributions are used to set confidence limits on C(sup 2, sub n) and l(sub 0) values obtained over various averaging periods. When the C(sup 2, sub n) and l(sub 0) time series are stationary, a short-term average of C(sup 2, sub n) or l (sub 0) can be as accurate as a long-term average. But, as with point measurements, when time series of path- averaged C(sup 2, sub n) or l (sub 0) values are nonstationary, turbulent surface fluxes inferred from these C(sup 2, sub n) and l (sub 0) values can be variable and uncertain-problems that path-averaging was presumed to mitigate. Since nonstationarty turns out to be a limiting condition, the last topic is quantifying the nonstationarty with a published nonstationarty ratio and also by simply counting zero-crossings in the time series.