Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIIT enhances endurance performance and aerobic characteristics more than high-volume training in trained rowers

ABSTRACT This study compared the effects of long slow distance training (LSD) with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in rowers. Nineteen well-trained rowers performed three tests before and after an 8-week training intervention: (1) 2000 m time trial; (2) seven-stage incremental step test to determine maximum oxygen uptake (O2max), power output at O2max (WO2max), peak power output (PPO), rowing economy and blood lactate indices and (3) seven-stroke power-output test to determine maximal power output (Wmax) and force (Fmax). After baseline testing, participants were randomly assigned either to a HIIT or LSD group. The LSD comprised 10 weekly aerobic sessions. The HIIT also comprised 10 weekly sessions: 8 aerobic and 2 HIIT. The HIIT sessions comprised 6–8 × 2.5 min intervals at 100% PPO with recovery time based on heart rate (HR) returning to 70% HRmax. Results demonstrated that the HIIT produced greater improvement in 2000 m time trial performance than the LSD (effect size (ES) = 0.25). Moreover, the HIIT produced greater improvements in O2max (ES = 0.95, P = 0.035) and power output at lactate threshold (WLT) (ES = 1.15, P = 0.008). Eight weeks of HIIT performed at 100% PPO is more effective than LSD in improving performance and aerobic characteristics in well-trained rowers.
Social Interaction under Uncertainty in Multi Agent Systems

Multi-agent systems deal with environments comprising several agents that interact with each other. The development of distributed, interconnected computer systems has invoked the rapid growth of this research area. Such settings, where one software agent interacts with another, require studying interactions such as coordination, cooperation and negotiation. In fact, many types of social interactions among humans relate to computerized agents as well. In my work I investigate computational aspects of two common social interactions, namely voting and collaborative search. I also propose to solve my suggested problems without many relaxing assumptions in order to come as close as possible to real-world settings. Hence, I concentrate on settings of imperfect information which I model using probabilities.
TLR 9 regulates Th 1 responses and cooperates with TLR 2 in mediating optimal resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis

To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor (TLR)9 in the immune response to mycobacteria as well as its cooperation with TLR2, a receptor known to be triggered by several major mycobacterial ligands, we analyzed the resistance of TLR9 / as well as TLR2/9 double knockout mice to aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Infected TLR9 / but not TLR2 / mice displayed defective mycobacteria-induced interleukin (IL)-12p40 and interferon (IFN)responses in vivo, but in common with TLR2 / animals, the TLR9 / mice exhibited only minor reductions in acute resistance to low dose pathogen challenge. When compared with either of the single TLR-deficient animals, TLR2/9 / mice displayed markedly enhanced susceptibility to infection in association with combined defects in proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro, IFNrecall responses ex vivo, and altered pulmonary pathology. Cooperation between TLR9 and TLR2 was also evident at the level of the in vitro response to live M. tuberculosis , where dendritic cells and macrophages from TLR2/9 / mice exhibited a greater defect in IL-12 response than the equivalent cell populations from single TLR9-deficient animals. These findings reveal a previously unappreciated role for TLR9 in the host response to M. tuberculosis and illustrate TLR collaboration in host resistance to a major human pathogen.
The Burden of Research on Trauma for Respondents: A Prospective and Comparative Study on Respondents Evaluations and Predictors

The possible burden of participating in trauma research is an important topic for Ethical Committees (EC's), Review Boards (RB's) and researchers. However, to what extent research on trauma is more burdensome than non-trauma research is unknown. Little is known about which factors explain respondents evaluations on the burden: to what extent are they trauma-related or dependent on other factors such as personality and how respondents evaluate research in general? Data of a large probability based multi-wave internet panel, with surveys on politics and values, personality and health in 2009 and 2011, and a survey on trauma in 2012 provided the unique opportunity to address these questions. Results among respondents confronted with these events in the past 2 years (N = 950) showed that questions on trauma were significantly and systematically evaluated as less pleasant (enjoyed less), more difficult, but also stimulated respondents to think about things more than almost all previous non-trauma surveys. Yet, the computed effect sizes indicated that the differences were (very) small and often meaningless. No differences were found between users and non-users of mental services, in contrast to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Evaluations of the burden of previous surveys in 2011 on politics and values, personality and health most strongly, systematically and independently predicted the burden of questions on trauma, and not posttraumatic stress symptoms, event-related coping self-efficacy and personality factors. For instance, multiple linear regression analyses showed that 30% of the variance of how (un)pleasant questions on trauma and life-events were evaluated, was explained by how (un)pleasant the 3 surveys in 2011 were evaluated, in contrast to posttraumatic stress symptoms (not significant) and coping self-efficacy (5%). Findings question why EC's, RB's and researchers should be more critical of the possible burden of trauma research than of the possible burden of other non-trauma research.
Preoperative predictors of malignant gastric submucosal tumor

Purpose The preoperative prediction of malignant potential in patients with gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) plays an important role in decisions regarding their surgical management. Methods We evaluated the predictors of malignant gastric SMTs in 314 patients with gastric SMTs who underwent surgery in Chonnam National University Hospital. Results The malignant SMTs were significantly associated with age (odds ratio [OR], 1.067; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.042 to 1.091; P < 0.0001), presence of central ulceration (OR, 2.690; 95% CI, 1.224 to 5.909; P = 0.014), and tumor size (OR, 1.791; 95% CI, 1.483 to 2.164; P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that tumor size was a good predictor of malignant potential. The most relevant predictor of malignant gastric SMT was tumor size with cut-offs of 4.05 and 6.40 cm. Conclusion Our findings indicated that age, central ulceration, and tumor size were significant preoperative predictors of malignant SMTs. We suggest that 4 cm be selected as a threshold value for malignant gastric SMTs. In patients with a gastric SMT larger than 4 cm with ulceration, wide resection of the full thickness of the gastric wall or gastrectomy with adequate margins should be performed because of its malignant potential.
Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase activity is not essential for CD28 costimulatory activity in Jurkat T cells: studies with a selective inhibitor, wortmannin

The interaction of CD28 with its counter‐receptor, B7‐1 (CD 80), on antigenpresenting cells induces a co‐signal in T cells required to promote antigendependent interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) production and to prevent clonal anergy. CD28 stimulation causes both protein‐tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol3‐kinase (PI3‐K) activation, suggesting a possible role for these enzyme activities in CD28 co‐signal transduction. Here, we investigate the effect of wortmannin, a selective and irreversible PI3‐K inhibitor on CD28 co‐signaling events in the Jurkat T cell line. Wortmannin added to cell cultures partially inhibits CD28‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the putative p110 catalytic subunit of PI3‐K, but does not block CD28‐induced association of the p85 PI3‐K regulatory subunit with the CD28 receptor. Wortmannin inhibits in a dose‐dependent manner both total cellular PI3‐K activity and CD28‐induced receptor‐associated PI3‐K activity. Wortmannin (1 μM) inhibits cellular PI3‐K activity by 90% with complete inhibition achieved at 10 μM. The inhibitory effect of wortmannin on cellular PI3‐K activity is prolonged (> 18 h), suggesting that the drug is not readily metabolized by Jurkat T cells. Wortmannin, at concentrations that blocked PI3‐K activity, fails to inhibit the synergistic effect of CD28 on IL‐2 secretion in the presence of phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate and ionomycin. These data demonstrate that CD28‐induced signaling events other than the activation of PI3‐K catalytic activity contribute to the control of IL‐2 secretion.
Estimation of causal effects of binary treatments in unconfounded studies

Estimation of causal effects in non‐randomized studies comprises two distinct phases: design, without outcome data, and analysis of the outcome data according to a specified protocol. Recently, Gutman and Rubin (2013) proposed a new analysis‐phase method for estimating treatment effects when the outcome is binary and there is only one covariate, which viewed causal effect estimation explicitly as a missing data problem. Here, we extend this method to situations with continuous outcomes and multiple covariates and compare it with other commonly used methods (such as matching, subclassification, weighting, and covariance adjustment). We show, using an extensive simulation, that of all methods considered, and in many of the experimental conditions examined, our new ‘multiple‐imputation using two subclassification splines’ method appears to be the most efficient and has coverage levels that are closest to nominal. In addition, it can estimate finite population average causal effects as well as non‐linear causal estimands. This type of analysis also allows the identification of subgroups of units for which the effect appears to be especially beneficial or harmful. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multimethod research investigation of consumer involvement in Australian health service accreditation programmes: the ACCREDIT-SCI study protocol

Introduction Health service accreditation programmes are a regulatory mechanism adopted to drive improvements inpatient safety and quality. Research investigating the benefits or limitations, of consumer involvement in accreditation programmes is negligible. To develop our knowledge in this area the ACCREDIT collaboration (Accreditation Collaborative for the Conduct of Research, Evaluation and Designated Investigations through Teamwork) has developed a research plan, known as the ACCREDIT-SCI (Standards of Consumer Involvement) study protocol. Two complementary studies have been designed: one, to examine the effectiveness of a standard for consumer participation and two, to explore how patient experiences vary across a range of settings with differing accreditation results. Methods and design The research setting is the Australian healthcare system, and the two studies focus on three accreditation programmes in the primary, acute and aged care domains. The studies will use multimethods: document analysis; interviews and surveys. Participants will be stakeholders across the three domains including: policy officers; frontline healthcare professionals; accreditation agency personnel, including surveyors and healthcare consumers. Drawing on previous experience, the research team has developed purpose-designed tools. Data will be analysed using thematic, narrative and statistical (descriptive and inferential) procedures. Ethics and dissemination The University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee has approved the two studies (HREC 10274). Findings will be disseminated through seminars, conference presentations, academic publications and research partner websites. The findings will be formulated to facilitate uptake by policy and accreditation agency professionals, researchers and academics, and consumers, nationally and internationally.
On a Conjecture of Cusick Concerning the Sum of Digits of n and n+t

For a nonnegative integer $t$, let $c_t$ be the asymptotic density of natural numbers $n$ for which $s(n + t) \geq s(n)$, where $s(n)$ denotes the sum of digits of $n$ in base $2$. We prove that $c_t > 1/2$ for $t$ in a set of asymptotic density $1$, thus giving a partial solution to a conjecture of T. W. Cusick stating that $c_t > 1/2$ for all t. Interestingly, this problem has several equivalent formulations, for example that the polynomial $X(X + 1)\cdots(X + t - 1)$ has less than $2^t$ zeros modulo $2^{t+1}$. The proof of the main result is based on Chebyshev's inequality and the asymptotic analysis of a trivariate rational function, using methods from analytic combinatorics.
Evolutionary dynamics of rDNA clusters on chromosomes of moths 1 and butterflies ( Lepidoptera ) 2 3

31 We examined chromosomal distribution of major ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs), clustered in the nucleolar 32 organizer regions (NORs), in 18 species of moths and butterflies using fluorescence in situ 33 hybridization (FISH) with a codling moth (Cydia pomonella) 18S rDNA probe. Most species showed 34 one or two rDNA clusters in their haploid karyotype but exceptions with four to eleven clusters also 35 occurred. Our results in a compilation with previous data revealed dynamic evolution of rDNA 36 distribution in Lepidoptera except Noctuoidea, which showed a highly uniform rDNA pattern. In 37 karyotypes with one NOR, interstitial location of rDNA prevailed, whereas two-NOR karyotypes 38 showed mostly terminally located rDNA clusters. A possible origin of the single interstitial NOR by 39 fusion between two NOR-chromosomes with terminal rDNA clusters lacks support in available data. In 40 some species, spreading of rDNA to new, mostly terminal chromosome regions was found. The 41 multiplication of rDNA clusters without alteration of chromosome numbers rules out chromosome 42 fissions as a major mechanism of rDNA expansion. Based on rDNA dynamics in Lepidoptera and 43 considering the role of ordered nuclear architecture in karyotype evolution, we propose ectopic 44 recombination, i.e. homologous recombination between repetitive sequences of non-homologous 45 chromosomes, as a primary motive force in rDNA repatterning. 46
Role of Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate in Late Preconditioning in Conscious Rabbits

Background—Although NO has been shown to serve both as the trigger and the mediator of the late phase of ischemic preconditioning (PC), it is unknown whether NO acts via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). The objective of this study was to investigate the role of sGC in late PC in conscious rabbits using the selective sGC inhibitor 1 H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). Methods and Results—A total of 172 conscious rabbits were used. When nonpreconditioned rabbits were subjected to a sequence of 4-minute coronary occlusion/4-minute reperfusion cycles, myocardial cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels increased significantly at the end of the third and sixth occlusions. In rabbits preconditioned 24 hours earlier (on day 1) with six occlusion/reperfusion cycles, myocardial cGMP levels on day 2 were significantly higher than in nonpreconditioned rabbits even before ischemia but did not increase further during a second sequence of 4-minute occlusion/reperfusion cycles. Administration of ODQ before the six occlusion/reperfusion cycles on day 1 did not prevent the development of late PC against either stunning or infarction on day 2. In contrast, administration of ODQ on day 2 completely ablated the late PC effect against both stunning and infarction. Conclusions—These results indicate that enhanced synthesis of cGMP by sGC is not necessary for ischemia to trigger a late PC effect but is required for the protection to become manifest 24 hours later. This implies that NO participates in late PC via two distinct mechanisms; ie, it triggers late PC on day 1 via a cGMP-independent mechanism and it mediates late PC on day 2 via a cGMP-dependent mechanism.
Coping with emotions during reintegration: An evaluation of service members' psychological health

Marini, Christina M. M.S., Purdue University, May 2014. Coping with Emotions During Reintegration: An Evaluation of Service Members’ Psychological Health. Major Professor: Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth. Upon returning home from deployment, service members are likely coping with strong emotions related to deployment stressors. In addition, service members and their intimate partners may be tasked with emotionally reconnecting with one another after an extended period of separation. Reintegration is therefore a critical, transitory time to evaluate associations between emotional coping strategies utilized by service members and their partners as predictors of service members’ well-being. Previous research has indicated that service members’ expression of emotions is positively related to their well-being post-deployment, whereas their avoidance is negatively related. These relationships were reevaluated in the current study. The current study adds to existing research by further assessing associations between partners’ emotional coping and service members’ wellbeing. A dyadic coping perspective rooted in family systems theory was adopted to guide the current study’s research aims, which were: (1) to evaluate the unique associations between service members’ emotional approach to coping and avoidance with their psychological health; and (2) to assess the impact of partners’ emotion expression on
Electrical Nerve Stimulation or Ultrasound Guidance for Lateral Sagittal Infraclavicular Blocks: A Randomized, Controlled, Observer-Blinded, Comparative Study

BACKGROUND:Ultrasound guidance is frequently used to perform infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. In this study, we compared electrical nerve stimulation and ultrasound guidance for the lateral sagittal infraclavicular block. METHODS:Eighty patients, ASA 1–2, were randomized for either nerve stimulation (group NS) or ultrasound-guided blocks (group US). The brachial plexus was anesthetized with 0.6 mL/kg mepivacaine (15 mg/mL) with epinephrine (2.5 &mgr;g/mL) in both groups. For ultrasound-guided blocks, local anesthetic was injected cranioposterior to the axillary artery. An observer who was blinded for the method assessed the blocks and questioned the patients. Successful block was defined as analgesia or anesthesia of all five nerves distal to the elbow. The main outcome variables were the time until readiness for surgery, quantified discomfort during the block, and pain related to tourniquet ischemia on a numeric rating scale (0–10). RESULTS:Block performance time was 4.3 min (sd 1.3) and 4.1 min (sd 1.3) (P = 0.64) in group NS and group US, respectively. Onset time for sensory block was 13.7 min (sd 6.6) and 13.9 min (sd 5.8), (P = 0.99). The time until readiness for surgery was 18.1 min in both groups (sd 6.6 and 6.0) (P = 0.99). Median discomfort related to the block procedure was 1 in both groups (P = 0.92), and median tourniquet pain was 0.5 in group NS and 1 in group US (P = 32). Differences in success rates, between 85% in group NS and 95% in group US, were not significant (P = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS:We conclude that favorable results can be obtained when either nerve stimulation or ultrasound guidance is used for lateral sagittal infraclavicular block. Using ultrasound, local anesthetic injection cranioposterior to the artery appears feasible.
Reduced Vesicular Storage of Dopamine Causes Progressive Nigrostriatal Neurodegeneration

The vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2; SLC18A2) is responsible for packaging dopamine into vesicles for subsequent release and has been suggested to serve a neuroprotective role in the dopamine system. Here, we show that mice that express ∼5% of normal VMAT2 (VMAT2 LO) display age-associated nigrostriatal dopamine dysfunction that ultimately results in neurodegeneration. Elevated cysteinyl adducts to l-DOPA and DOPAC are seen early and are followed by increased striatal protein carbonyl and 3-nitrotyrosine formation. These changes were associated with decreased striatal dopamine and decreased expression of the dopamine transporter and tyrosine hydroxylase. Furthermore, we observed an increase in α-synuclein immunoreactivity and accumulation and neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta in aged VMAT2 LO mice. Thus, VMAT2 LO animals display nigrostriatal degeneration that begins in the terminal fields and progresses to eventual loss of the cell bodies, α-synuclein accumulation, and an l-DOPA responsive behavioral deficit, replicating many of the key aspects of Parkinson's disease. These data suggest that mishandling of dopamine via reduced VMAT2 expression is, in and of itself, sufficient to cause dopamine-mediated toxicity and neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal dopamine system. In addition, the altered dopamine homeostasis resulting from reduced VMAT2 function may be conducive to pathogenic mechanisms induced by genetic or environmental factors thought to be involved in Parkinson's disease.
Evolution of an antifreeze protein by neofunctionalization under escape from adaptive conflict

The evolutionary model escape from adaptive conflict (EAC) posits that adaptive conflict between the old and an emerging new function within a single gene could drive the fixation of gene duplication, where each duplicate can freely optimize one of the functions. Although EAC has been suggested as a common process in functional evolution, definitive cases of neofunctionalization under EAC are lacking, and the molecular mechanisms leading to functional innovation are not well-understood. We report here clear experimental evidence for EAC-driven evolution of type III antifreeze protein gene from an old sialic acid synthase (SAS) gene in an Antarctic zoarcid fish. We found that an SAS gene, having both sialic acid synthase and rudimentary ice-binding activities, became duplicated. In one duplicate, the N-terminal SAS domain was deleted and replaced with a nascent signal peptide, removing pleiotropic structural conflict between SAS and ice-binding functions and allowing rapid optimization of the C-terminal domain to become a secreted protein capable of noncolligative freezing-point depression. This study reveals how minor functionalities in an old gene can be transformed into a distinct survival protein and provides insights into how gene duplicates facing presumed identical selection and mutation pressures at birth could take divergent evolutionary paths.
Optimization-based vessel segmentation pipeline for robust quantification of capillary networks in skin with optical coherence tomography angiography

Abstract. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) provides in-vivo images of microvascular perfusion in high resolution. For its application to basic and clinical research, an automatic and robust quantification of the capillary architecture is mandatory. Only this makes it possible to reliably analyze large amounts of image data, to establish biomarkers, and to monitor disease developments. However, due to its optical properties, OCTA images of skin often suffer from a poor signal-to-noise ratio and contain imaging artifacts. Previous work on automatic vessel segmentation in OCTA mostly focuses on retinal and cerebral vasculature. Its applicability to skin and, furthermore, its robustness against imaging artifacts had not been systematically evaluated. We propose a segmentation method that improves the quality of vascular quantification in OCTA images even if corrupted by imaging artifacts. Both the combination of image processing methods and the choice of their parameters are systematically optimized to match the manual labeling of an expert for OCTA images of skin. The efficacy of this optimization-based vessel segmentation is further demonstrated on sample images as well as by a reduced error of derived quantitative vascular network characteristics.