Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Neuromuscular Training Based on the Neuromuscular Risk Profile

Background: The effects of targeted neuromuscular training (TNMT) on movement biomechanics associated with the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are currently unknown. Purpose/Hypotheses: To determine the effectiveness of TNMT specifically designed to increase trunk control and hip strength. The hypotheses were that (1) TNMT would decrease biomechanical and neuromuscular factors related to an increased ACL injury risk and (2) TNMT would decrease these biomechanical and neuromuscular factors to a greater extent in athletes identified as being at a high risk for future ACL injuries. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Female athletes who participated in jumping, cutting, and pivoting sports underwent 3-dimensional biomechanical testing before the season and after completing TNMT. During testing, athletes performed 3 different types of tasks: (1) drop vertical jump, (2) single-leg drop, and (3) single-leg cross drop. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the treatment effects of TNMT designed to enhance core and hip strength on biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics. Differences were also evaluated by risk profile. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < . 05. Results: TNMT significantly increased hip external rotation moments and moment impulses, increased peak trunk flexion, and decreased peak trunk extension. Athletes with a high risk before the intervention (risk profile III) had a more significant treatment effect of TNMT than low-risk groups (risk profiles I and II). Conclusion: TNMT significantly improved proximal biomechanics, including increased hip external rotation moments and moment impulses, increased peak trunk flexion, and decreased peak trunk extension. TNMT that focuses exclusively on proximal leg and trunk risk factors is not, however, adequate to induce significant changes in frontal-plane knee loading. Biomechanical changes varied across the risk profile groups, with higher risk groups exhibiting greater improvements in their biomechanics.
The physical and dynamical structure of Serpens Two very different sub-(proto)clusters ,

Context. The Serpens North cluster is a nearby low mass star forming region which is part of the Gould belt. It contains a range of young stars thought to correspond to two different bursts of star formation and provides the opportunity to study different stages of cluster formation. Aims. This work aims to study the molecular gas in the Serpens North cluster to probe the origin of the most recent burst of star formation in Serpens. Methods. Transitions of the C17O and C18O observed with the IRAM 30 m telescope and JCMT are used to study the mass and velocity structure of the region while the physical properties of the gas are derived using LTE and non-LTE analyses of the three lowest transitions of C18O. Results. The molecular emission traces the two centres of star formation which are seen in submillimetre dust continuum emission. In the ~40 NW sub-cluster the gas and dust emission trace the same structures although there is evidence of some depletion of the gas phase C18O. The gas has a very uniform temperature (~10 K) and velocity (~8.5 km s-1) throughout the region. This is in marked contrast to the SE sub-cluster. In this region the dust and the gas trace different features, with the temperature peaking between the submillimetre continuum sources, reaching up to ~14 K. The gas in this region has double peaked line profiles which reveal the presence of a second cloud in the line of sight. The submillimetre dust continuum sources predominantly appear located in the interface region between the two clouds. Conclusions. Even though they are at a similar stage of evolution, the two Serpens sub-clusters have very different characteristics. We propose that these differences are linked to the initial trigger of the collapse in the regions and suggest that a cloud-cloud collision could explain the observed properties.
Host Ranges of Six Solitary Filth Fly Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae, Chalcididae) from Florida, Eurasia, Morocco, and Brazil

Abstract Attack rates, progeny production, sex ratios, and host use efficiency of Muscidufurax raptor Girualt and Sanders, Spalangia cameroni Perkins, S. endius (Walker), S. nigroaenea Curtis, S. gemina Boucek (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), and Dirhinus himalayanus (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) were evaluated in laboratory bioassays with five dipteran hosts: house fly (Musca domestica L.), stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans L.), horn fly (Hematobia irritans L.), black dump fly [Hydrotaea aenescens (Weidemann)] (Diptera: Muscidae), and a flesh fly (Sarcophaga bullata Parker) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). M. raptor, S.cameroni, and S. endius readily attacked and produced progeny on all five host species, with substantially lower production from S. bullata than from the muscid hosts. Rates of host attacks by S. nigroaenea and S. gemina were similar on house fly, stable fly, and black dump fly hosts, with lower rates on horn fly; almost no progeny were produced by S. nigroaenea on S. bullata hosts. D. himalayanus, a large-bodied chalcidid parasitoid, had highest rates of host attacks and progeny production on S. bullata and H. aenescens, followed by stable fly and house fly hosts; very few progeny were produced by this species on horn fly hosts. Overall differences among different geographic strains of parasitoids (from Russia, Kazkhstan, and Florida) were generally small, although the Florida strain of M. raptor was superior to the two Eurasian strains.
Which of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol estimates can be used in children with type 1 diabetes?

Abstract Background: One of the strongest risk factors of cardiovascular disease is a high concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); thus, the accurate measurement of LDL-C concentration in children is important. The aim of this study was to compare the concentration of LDL-C measured by direct method and the LDL-C concentration estimated by different formulas with the modified β-quantification method in children with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Thirty-one serum samples received from diabetic children (15/18; M/F) and 26 serum samples taken from nondiabetic children (18/14; M/F) were used in the study. LDL-C concentrations were determined by direct enzymatic method (LDL-CD) and the modified β-quantification method (LDL-CmBQ). The concentration of LDL-C was also calculated by different formulas. Results: The results of LDL-CmBQ and LDL-CD correlated. However, the correlation coefficient obtain in the nondiabetic samples was much higher (r=0.927; p<0.001) than the correlation coefficient for LDL-CmBQ and LDL-CD concentration obtained in the diabetic samples (r=0.691; p<0.001). Additionally, the coefficients of correlation between the LDL-CmBQ concentration and the LDL-C concentrations calculated by different formulas were lower in diabetic (range: 0.514–0.693) than in nondiabetic samples (range: 0.834–0.937). Bland-Altman plots showed much higher confidence intervals for 95% limits of agreement for the differences between LDL-CmBQ and LDL-CD as well as for the differences between LDL-CmBQ and LDL-C estimated by different formulas for samples from the diabetic samples compared with nondiabetic samples. Conclusions: The limitations of methods measurement and of each of the formulas should be taken into account when a medical decision to lower LDL-C is made in the treatment of diabetic children.
Walking difficulty, walking speed, and age as predictors of self-rated health: the women's health and aging study.

BACKGROUND Older persons reporting disability are more likely to report poor self-rated health, but little work has been done to assess the independent relationships of reported walking difficulty and measured walking performance with self-rated health. This study examines the associations of walking difficulty, walking speed, and age with self-rated health in older women. METHODS The data are from the baseline of the Women's Health and Aging Study. Difficulty walking one quarter mile was used as a measure of mobility in the representative population aged 65 and older screened for the study (n = 3841) and in the one third most disabled study group (n = 1002). Maximal walking speed was measured in the study sample. RESULTS Increasing severity of walking difficulty (in the screened population and in the disabled study group), slower walking speed (in the study group), and younger age were all associated with fair or poor self-rated health, after simultaneous adjustment for these and other objective measures of physical performance and health. The associations of both measures of walking with self-rated health weakened with age. CONCLUSIONS Both walking difficulty and walking speed are independent determinants of self-rated health. Adjusted for health and functioning, self-rated health tends to improve with age.
Biochemical Effects of Oral Administration of Aqueous Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa on Wistar Albino Rats

Hibiscus sabdariffa had been reported to have a broad range of therapeutic effects. The effects of oral administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract on some biochemical parameters were studied in wistar albino rats. A total of twenty five (25) male albino rats were grouped randomly into groups. Group A (control), Group B (0.6g/100ml of water of HS extract) Group C (1.2g/100ml HS extract), Group D (1.8g/100ml HS extract) and Group E (1.8g/100ml + vitamin C) and treatment period was 28 days. The results indicate an increase activity of liver function enzymes; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST). This increase was statistically significant (p<0.05) when compared with Group A (control) in a dose dependent manner.No significant difference was observed in total and direct bilirubin in all the groups. Similarly for renal indices, bicarbonate (Hco3), urea and creatinine in all the groups, but a significant increase (p<0.05) in sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) and chloride were noted in comparison to the control.It is of note that there was no significant difference between results of Group E and the control (Group A). However, this study suggests that long term administration of the extract may indeed be toxic to liver and kidney especially at high doses.
Comparison of Two Routes of Administration of Dexamethasone to Reduce the Postoperative Sequelae After Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the clinical efficacy of two routes of dexamethasone administration in reducing the postoperative sequelae after third molar extraction. Electronic databases (PUBMED, SCOPUS and EBSCO library) were screened in order to find both randomized and non-randomized clinical trials that directly compare the submucosal intraoral or the intramuscular extraoral administration of dexamethasone. No restriction about year of publication was imposed. About 340 titles and abstracts were screened independently by two authors. Of these [340 titles], only 4 randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. No statistical differences in postoperative pain, swelling and trismus were recorded comparing the intraoral submucosal and the extraoral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone in an extra-oral site.
Origin of Rebound Plasma HIV Includes Cells with Identical Proviruses That Are Transcriptionally Active before Stopping of Antiretroviral Therapy

ABSTRACT Understanding the origin of HIV variants during viral rebound may provide insight into the composition of the HIV reservoir and has implications for the design of curative interventions. HIV single-genome sequences were obtained from 10 AIDS Clinical Trials Group participants who underwent analytic antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption (ATI). Rebounding variants were compared with those in pre-ART plasma in all 10 participants and with on-ART peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-associated DNA and RNA (CA-RNA) in 7/10 participants. The highest viral diversities were found in the DNA and CA-RNA populations. In 3 of 7 participants, we detected multiple, identical DNA and CA-RNA sequences during suppression on ART that exactly matched plasma HIV sequences. Hypermutated DNA and CA-RNA were detected in four participants, contributing to diversities in these compartments that were higher than in the pre-ART and post-ATI plasma. Shifts in the viral rebound populations could be detected in some participants over the 2- to 3-month observation period. These findings suggest that a source of initial rebound viremia could be populations of infected cells that clonally expanded prior to and/or during ART, some of which were already expressing HIV RNA before treatment was interrupted. These clonally expanding populations of HIV-infected cells may represent an important target for strategies aimed at achieving reservoir reduction and sustained virologic remission. IMPORTANCE Antiretroviral therapy alone cannot eradicate the HIV reservoir, and viral rebound is generally rapid after treatment interruption. It has been suggested that clonal expansion of HIV-infected cells is an important mechanism of HIV reservoir persistence, but the contribution of these clonally proliferating cells to the rebounding virus is unknown. We report a study of AIDS Clinical Trials Group participants who underwent treatment interruption and compared rebounding plasma virus with that found within cells prior to treatment interruption. We found several incidences in which plasma HIV variants exactly matched that of multiple proviral DNA copies from infected blood cells sampled before treatment interruption. In addition, we found that these cells were not dormant but were generating unspliced RNA transcripts before treatment was interrupted. Identification of the HIV reservoir and determining its mechanisms for persistence may aid in the development of strategies toward a cure for HIV. (This study was presented in part at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Seattle, WA, February 23 to 26 2015.)
Influence of harvest year in the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oils from Tunisia

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of five years on physico-chemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of flaxseed hull oils. Oil and protein on flaxseed hull varied between 20.15 and 22.56 and 17.45 and 19.14, respectively. The albumin fraction dominated the seed hull protein composition (44 - 47%). Flaxseed hull oils showed significantly high unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios (6.61 - 8.36) and calculated oxidizability (Cox) values (10.88 - 12.30). The physiochemical parameters determined included saponification value (SV) (174 -182 mg KOH/g), unsaponifiable matter (UM) (1.32 - 1.64%), peroxide value (PV) (1.70 - 2.20 mequiv/kg), Oxidation value (OV) (4.40 - 5.90) and oil stability (1.10 - 1.42 h). The highest content of total phenolic acids and total tocopherols were recorded on hull sample collected in 2008. Flavanoid content ranged from 11 to 19 mg/100 g oil. Antioxidant activity differed significantly; the greatest inhibition (61.38%) was for the hull sample collected in 2008.
The Common Intermediates of Oxygen Evolution and Dissolution Reactions during Water Electrolysis on Iridium

Abstract Understanding the pathways of catalyst degradation during the oxygen evolution reaction is a cornerstone in the development of efficient and stable electrolyzers, since even for the most promising Ir based anodes the harsh reaction conditions are detrimental. The dissolution mechanism is complex and the correlation to the oxygen evolution reaction itself is still poorly understood. Here, by coupling a scanning flow cell with inductively coupled plasma and online electrochemical mass spectrometers, we monitor the oxygen evolution and degradation products of Ir and Ir oxides in situ. It is shown that at high anodic potentials several dissolution routes become possible, including formation of gaseous IrO3. On the basis of experimental data, possible pathways are proposed for the oxygen‐evolution‐triggered dissolution of Ir and the role of common intermediates for these reactions is discussed.
INFLUENCE OF SINTERING TEMPERATURE ON NiO-SDCC ANODE FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS (LT-SOFCs)

The effects of sintering temperature on the microstructural and physical properties of NiO-SDCC anode pellets are evaluated in this study. Composite powders of NiO-SDCC (nickel oxide, samarium-doped ceria, Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9) mixed with binary carbonates (67 mol. % Li2CO3 and 33 mol. % Na2CO3) was prepared, ball-milled, and oven-dried. Carbon black and polyethylene glycol were added to the NiO-SDCC powders as pore former and binder, respectively, to fabricate NiO-SDCC pellets. This mixture was then pressed onto a cylindrical mold under a pressure of 32 MPa. The pellets were subsequently sintered at 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000°C for 2 h. Phase transformation, particle size, morphology, and specific surface area (SBET) of the NiO-SDCC composite powder were investigated. Porosity and microstructure of the NiO-SDCC anode pellets were then evaluated after sintering. Results showed that the porosities of the NiO-SDCC pellets decreased as the sintering temperature increased. The increments of sintering temperature reduced the porosity of the pellets, but NiO-SDCC pellets sintered at 800°C exhibited an acceptable porosity of 32.60 %. Furthermore, surface images showed that the microstructures of sintered pellets at 800°C were well-bonded and kept a uniform particle size distribution.
Oral Norovirus Infection Is Blocked in Mice Lacking Peyer's Patches and Mature M Cells

ABSTRACT A critical early step in murine norovirus (MNV) pathogenesis is crossing the intestinal epithelial barrier to reach the target cells for replication, i.e., macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells. Our previous work showed that MNV replication decreases in the intestines of mice conditionally depleted of microfold (M) cells. To define the importance of Peyer's patch (PP) M cells during MNV pathogenesis, we used a model of BALB/c mice deficient in recombination-activating gene 2 (Rag2) and the common gamma chain (γc) (Rag-γc−/−), which lack gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), such as Peyer's patches, and mature GP2+ M cells. Rag-γc−/− mice were infected intraperitoneally or perorally with MNV-1 or CR3 for 24 or 72 h. Although the intestinal laminae propriae of Rag-γc−/− mice have a higher frequency of certain MNV target cells (dendritic cells and macrophages) than those of wild-type mice and lack others (B cells), Rag-γc−/− and wild-type BALB/c mice showed relatively similar viral loads in the intestine following infection by the intraperitoneal route, which provides direct access to target cells. However, Rag-γc−/− mice were not productively infected with MNV by the oral route, in which virions must cross the intestinal epithelial barrier. These data are consistent with a model whereby PP M cells are the primary route by which MNV crosses the intestinal epithelia of BALB/c mice. IMPORTANCE Noroviruses (NoVs) are prevalent pathogens that infect their hosts via the intestine. Identifying key factors during the initial stages of virus infection in the host may provide novel points of intervention. Microfold (M) cells, antigen-sampling cells in the intestine, were previously shown to provide a gateway for murine NoV (MNV) into the host, but the relative importance of this uptake pathway remained unknown. Here we show that the absence of gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), such as Peyer's patches, which contain high numbers of mature M cells, renders BALB/c mice refractory to oral infection with MNV. These findings are consistent with the model that M cells represent the primary route by which MNV crosses the intestinal epithelial barrier and infects underlying immune cells during a productive infection.
The geometry of Sloppiness

The use of mathematical models in the sciences often requires the estimation of unknown parameter values from data. Sloppiness provides information about the uncertainty of this task. In this paper, we develop a precise mathematical foundation for sloppiness and define rigorously its key concepts, such as `model manifold', in relation to concepts of structural identifiability. We redefine sloppiness conceptually as a comparison between the premetric on parameter space induced by measurement noise and a reference metric. This opens up the possibility of alternative quantification of sloppiness, beyond the standard use of the Fisher Information Matrix, which assumes that parameter space is equipped with the usual Euclidean and the measurement error is infinitesimal. Applications include parametric statistical models, explicit time dependent models, and ordinary differential equation models.
The effect of sooty mold on fluorescence and gas exchange properties of olive tree

Sooty mold is a complex of dark-pigmented fungi that covers leaves and branches of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). This coverage can bring several consequences for the plant, such as decrease of the photosynthetic rate. Therefore, this study aims to understand the effect of sooty mold on fluorescence and gas exchange of olive leaves. Olive leaves were field-collected and histological, physiological (water content, fluorescence parameters, and carbon dioxide fluxes), and biochemical (osmolality; chlorophyll a, b, and a/b contents; and lipid peroxidation) analyses were performed in healthy leaves and in leaves covered with sooty mold. Histological analysis revealed a complex fungal hyphae proliferation on both leaf surfaces of covered leaves that predominated on the abaxial surface. Sooty mold-covered leaves showed significantly lower levels of water content and of basal (F0), maximal (Fm), and variable fluorescence (Fv). The proliferation of the sooty mold resulted in a decrease of fluorescence parameters, foliar free gas exchanges, and water content. Based on these results, we can conclude that sooty mold infection could affect light reaching leaves and the normal physiological metabolism of the plant (as photosynthesis) would be affected, with consequences for production.
The association of blood pressure and mortality differs by self-reported walking speed in older Latinos.

BACKGROUND In some older adults, higher blood pressure (BP) is associated with a lower risk of mortality. We hypothesized that higher BP would be associated with greater mortality in high-functioning elders and lower mortality in elders with lower functional status. METHODS Participants were 1,562 Latino adults aged 60-101 years in the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging. Functional status was measured by self-reported walking speed, and BP was measured by automatic sphygmomanometer. Death information was determined from vital statistics records. RESULTS There were 442 deaths from 1998 to 2010; 53% were cardiovascular. Mean BP levels (mmHg) varied across fast, medium, and slow walkers: 136, 139, and 140 mmHg (systolic), p = . 02 and 75, 76, and 77 mmHg (diastolic), p = . 08, respectively. The relationship between systolic BP and mortality varied by self-reported walking speed: The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality in slow walkers was 0.96 per 10 mmHg higher systolic BP (95% confidence interval: 0.89, 1.02) and 1.29 (95% confidence interval: 1.08, 1.55) in fast walkers (p value for interaction <.001). We found a similar pattern for diastolic BP, although the interaction did not reach statistical significance; the adjusted hazard ratio per 10 mmHg higher diastolic BP was 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.78, 1.02) in slow walkers and 1.20 (95% confidence interval: 0.82, 1.76) in fast walkers (p value for interaction = .06). CONCLUSIONS In high-functioning older adults, elevated systolic BP is a risk factor for all-cause mortality. If confirmed in other studies, the assessment of functional status may help to identify persons who are most at-risk for adverse outcomes related to high BP.