Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerobic exercise training increases brain volume in aging humans.

BACKGROUND The present study examined whether aerobic fitness training of older humans can increase brain volume in regions associated with age-related decline in both brain structure and cognition. METHODS Fifty-nine healthy but sedentary community-dwelling volunteers, aged 60-79 years, participated in the 6-month randomized clinical trial. Half of the older adults served in the aerobic training group, the other half of the older adults participated in the toning and stretching control group. Twenty young adults served as controls for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and did not participate in the exercise intervention. High spatial resolution estimates of gray and white matter volume, derived from 3D spoiled gradient recalled acquisition MRI images, were collected before and after the 6-month fitness intervention. Estimates of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) were also obtained. RESULTS Significant increases in brain volume, in both gray and white matter regions, were found as a function of fitness training for the older adults who participated in the aerobic fitness training but not for the older adults who participated in the stretching and toning (nonaerobic) control group. As predicted, no significant changes in either gray or white matter volume were detected for our younger participants. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that cardiovascular fitness is associated with the sparing of brain tissue in aging humans. Furthermore, these results suggest a strong biological basis for the role of aerobic fitness in maintaining and enhancing central nervous system health and cognitive functioning in older adults.
A grammar of Lao

Lao is the national language of Laos, and is also spoken widely in Thailand and Cambodia. It is a tone language of the Tai-Kadai family (Southwestern Tai branch). Lao is an extreme example of the isolating, analytic language type. This book is the most comprehensive grammatical description of Lao to date. It describes and analyses the important structures of the language, including classifiers, sentence-final particles, and serial verb constructions. Special attention is paid to grammatical topics from a semantic, pragmatic, and typological perspective.
Chapter 4 Storm Track Dynamics

It has long been appreciated that mobile, O(1000 km) spatial scale high and low pressure systems comprise much of the day-today weather variability in the midlatitudes. Coupled with the central role of these systems in the general circulation via their transports of sensible heat, momentum, and moisture, it is natural that the geographic organization of these transients is an important topic if one is to understand the climate of the Earth's atmosphere. Areas of preferred transient or storm (cyclone) activity are referred to as storm tracks. Historically, there have been two basic approaches to diagnosing storm tracks (see Hoskins and Hodges [2002] for a review). The more traditional approach identifies individual weather systems, tracks their position as a function of time, and produces statistics for their distributions, e.g., track densities, storm life spans, etc. An alternative approach determines statistics at a set of grid points in analyzed atmospheric fields, usually in a frequency band associated with what are considered to be synoptic time scales (e.g., Blackmon 1976; Blackmon et al. 1977). The latter bandpass filtering approach has the advantage that it can be carried out at all levels of the atmosphere, providing a three-dimensional picture of storm tracks. Further, it is more consistent with the view that storm tracks are statistical features of the climate, in the same manner, for example, that the global mean temperature distribution is a statistical feature of the climate. This approach provides a definition of storm tracks as geographically localized maxima in bandpass transient variance. An example of a storm track structure that emerges from such an analysis is shown in Fig. 4.1 (top), where the storm tracks are marked in the bandpass standard deviation of the 250-hPa geopotential height field by enhanced variability off the east coasts of Asia and North America. The structure of the bandpass standard deviation field in Fig. 4.1 (top) suggests the primary question that has arisen time and time again in the study of storm track dynamics, namely what features of the background time-mean flow determine the
Structure of conkunitzin-S1, a neurotoxin and Kunitz-fold disulfide variant from cone snail

Most Kunitz proteins like BPTI and α-dendrotoxin are stabilized by three disulfide bonds. The crystal structure shows how subtle repacking of non-covalent interactions may compensate for disulfide bond loss in a naturally occurring two-disulfide variant, conkunitzin-S1, the first discovered member of a new conotoxin family.
A user browsing model to predict search engine click data from past observations.

Search engine click logs provide an invaluable source of relevance information but this information is biased because we ignore which documents from the result list the users have actually seen before and after they clicked. Otherwise, we could estimate document relevance by simple counting. In this paper, we propose a set of assumptions on user browsing behavior that allows the estimation of the probability that a document is seen, thereby providing an unbiased estimate of document relevance. To train, test and compare our model to the best alternatives described in the Literature, we gather a large set of real data and proceed to an extensive cross-validation experiment. Our solution outperforms very significantly all previous models. As a side effect, we gain insight into the browsing behavior of users and we can compare it to the conclusions of an eye-tracking experiments by Joachims et al. [12]. In particular, our findings confirm that a user almost always see the document directly after a clicked document. They also explain why documents situated just after a very relevant document are clicked more often.
University of Birmingham Disruption of state estimation in the human lateral cerebellum

The cerebellum has been proposed to be a crucial component in the state estimation process that combines information from motor efferent and sensory afferent signals to produce a representation of the current state of the motor system. Such a state estimate of the moving human arm would be expected to be used when the arm is rapidly and skillfully reaching to a target. We now report the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the ipsilateral cerebellum as healthy humans were made to interrupt a slow voluntary movement to rapidly reach towards a visually defined target. Errors in the initial direction and in the final finger position of this reach-to-target movement were significantly higher for cerebellar stimulation than they were in control conditions. The average directional errors in the cerebellar TMS condition were consistent with the reaching movements being planned and initiated from an estimated hand position that was 138 ms out of date. We suggest that these results demonstrate that the cerebellum is responsible for estimating the hand position over this time interval and that TMS disrupts this state estimate.
Psychophysics: Perceived Exertion

Abstract The perceived exertion model developed by Borg has been examined and applied extensively. Research conducted by Morgan and colleagues have been instrumental in expanding the knowledge base in the area of perceived exertion. Results from research conducted by Morgan, for example, have indicated that ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) are influenced not only by physiological factors but by psychological factors as well. Furthermore, Morgan and colleagues have shown that personality structure, physiological responses, training status, gender, and environmental conditions interact in a complex fashion to influence perceived exertion, and this is especially true for physical activity performed underwater (e.g., scuba diving). The intent of this review paper is to provide an overview of selected studies highlighting the broad impact of Bill Morgan's research with regards to perceived exertion. The three areas highlighted include research examining perceived exertion during physical activity, perceived exertion while wearing SCBA and SCUBA equipment, and perturbations of effort sense. An especially salient finding from the research involving the perturbation of effort sense is that hypnotic manipulation of perceived exertion can significantly alter patterns of brain activation and cardiovascular responses during constant load exercise.
Banting Lecture 1988. Role of insulin resistance in human disease. 1988.

Resistance to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is present in the majority of patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and in -25% of nonobese individuals with normal oral glucose tolerance. In these conditions, deterioration of glucose tolerance can only be prevented if the p-cell is able to increase its insulin secretory response and maintain a state of chronic hyperinsulinemia. When this goal cannot be achieved, gross decompensation of glucose homeostasis occurs. The relationship between insulin resistance, plasma insulin level, and glucose intolerance is mediated to a significant degree by changes in ambient plasma free-fatty acid (FFA) concentration. Patients with NIDDM are also resistant to insulin suppression of plasma FFA concentration, but plasma FFA concentrations can be reduced by relatively small increments in insulin concentration. Consequently, elevations of circulating plasma FFA concentration can be prevented if large amounts of insulin can be secreted. If hyperinsulinemia cannot be maintained, plasma FFA concentration will not be suppressed normally, and the resulting increase in plasma FFA concentration will lead to increased hepatic glucose production. Because these events take place in individuals who are quite resistant to insulinstimulated glucose uptake, it is apparent that even small increases in hepatic glucose production are likely to lead to significant fasting hyperglycemia under these conditions. Although hyperinsulinemia may prevent frank decompensation of glucose homeostasis in insulin-resistant individuals, this compensatory response of the endocrine pancreas is not without its price. Patients with hypertension, treated or untreated, are insulin resistant,
Effects of atorvastatin on fasting and postprandial complement component 3 response in familial combined hyperlipidemia Published, JLR Papers in Press, August 16, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300201-JLR200

VLDL overproduction by enhanced hepatic FFA flux is a major characteristic of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL). The postprandial complement component 3 (C3) response has been associated with impaired postprandial FFA metabolism in FCHL. We investigated the effects of 16 weeks of treatment with atorvastatin on postprandial C3 and lipid changes in 12 FCHL patients. Atorvastatin significantly lowered fasting plasma C3 and triglyceride (TG) in FCHL. Fasting TG and insulin sensitivity were the best predictors of fasting and postprandial C3. Postprandial triglyceridemia and C3 response, estimated as area under the curve (AUC), were significantly lowered by atorvastatin by 19% and 12%, respectively, albeit still elevated, compared with 10 matched controls. Postprandial FFA-AUC and postheparin plasma lipolytic activities remained unchanged after atorvastatin, suggesting no major effect on lipolysis. After atorvastatin, postprandial hydroxybutyric acid-AUC, which was elevated in untreated FCHL patients, was decreased, reaching values similar to those in controls. The present data show reduction of postprandial hepatic FFA flux in FCHL by atorvastatin, providing an additional mechanistic explanation for the reduction of VLDL secretion reported previously for atorvastatin. This was accompanied by a decrease in fasting plasma C3 concentrations and a blunted postprandial C3 response to an acute oral fat load.
Should the pertussis case definition for public health reporting be refined?

BACKGROUND The surveillance case definition for confirmed pertussis requires that an individual with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result for Bordetella pertussis have 2 weeks or more of cough and at least one of the following: paroxysmal coughing, inspiratory "whoop," or posttussive vomiting. OBJECTIVES Determine (1) proportion of individuals with a positive PCR result who met additional criteria for surveillance confirmed pertussis, (2) whether the likelihood of PCR-positive individuals meeting additional elements of surveillance case definition varied by age or vaccination status, and (3) whether elements of the current case definition influence the likelihood of pertussis confirmation in PCR-positive individuals. METHODS Pertussis PCR results were compared with case investigation data. RESULTS Eighty-eight percent (165/188) of PCR-positive individuals met requirements for confirmed pertussis. Sixty-one percent (14/23) of PCR-positive individuals who had less than 2 weeks but more than 1 week of cough had at least one other reported sign or symptom. Fourteen (100%) reported paroxysmal coughing, 7 (50%) "whoop," and 7 (50%) posttussive vomiting. Infants who met case definition were more likely to have reported apnea than were older individuals (15/17 vs 45/86, OR = 6.8, 95% CI = 1.4-64.2). CONCLUSIONS Decreasing cough duration from 2 weeks or more to more than 1 week would result in 95 percent of those with positive PCR results meeting confirmation criteria for pertussis. Apnea should be considered an additional sign for pertussis confirmation in infants.
Effects of varying levels of physical activity on middle school students' science knowledge retention

EFFECTS OF VARYING LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE RETENTION By Christy L. Provost An action research study examined the effects of varying the level of phys ical activity while learning different muscle names. The study was conducted in a small Catholic school. A control group containing 57 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students studied the muscle names while sitting for all of the three muscles le sons. A test group containing 57 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students learned the muscles while doing stretches, jogging, and sprinting. The control group proceeded to learn and review the names while sitting. Each group was given a short lesson on the muscle names consisting of the teacher speaking the names of the muscles while the students r ead the names of the muscles. A pretest and posttest were given to each group as well a s a quiz after each muscle lesson. The control and test group’s pretests indicate d a general lack of muscle name knowledge. The active test group had higher posttest scores than the control group, even though the control group had a higher pretest average. The repeated measures ANOVA data analysis indicated that learning while exercis ing does not hinder learning but rather helps to facilitate knowledge retention.
Nitric Oxide‐Induced Decrease in Calcium Sensitivity of Resistance Arteries Is Attributable to Activation of the Myosin Light Chain Phosphatase and Antagonized by the RhoA/Rho Kinase Pathway

Background NO‐induced dilations in resistance arteries (RAs) are not associated with decreases in vascular smooth muscle cell Ca2+. We tested whether a cGMP‐dependent activation of the smooth muscle myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) resulting in a Ca2+ desensitization of the contractile apparatus was the underlying mechanism and whether it could be antagonized by the RhoA pathway. Methods and Results The Ca2+ sensitivity of RA was assessed as the relation between changes in diameter and [Ca2+], in depolarized RA (120 mol/L K+) exposed to stepwise increases in Ca2+ex (0 to 3 mmol/L). Effects of 10 μmol/L sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on Ca2+ sensitivity were determined before and after application of the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ (1 μmol/L) and the MLCP inhibitor calyculin A (120 nmol/L) and in presence of the RhoA‐activating phospholipid sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P, 12 nmol/L). SNP‐induced dilations were also studied in controls and in RAs pretreated with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 or transfected with a dominant‐negative RhoA mutant (N19RhoA). Constrictions elicited by increasing Ca2+ex were significantly attenuated by SNP, which, however, left associated increases in [Ca2+ unaffected. This NO‐induced attenuation was blocked by ODQ, calyculin A, and S1P. The S1P‐induced translocation of RhoA indicating activation of the GTPase was not reversed by SNP. Inhibition of RhoA/Rho kinase by N19RhoA or Y27632 significantly augmented SNP‐induced dilations. Conclusions NO dilates RA by activating the MLCP in a cGMP‐dependent manner, thereby reducing the apparent Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. MLCP inactivation via the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway antagonizes this Ca2+‐desensitizing effect that, in turn, can be restored using RhoA/Rho kinase inhibitors. (Circulation. 2003;107:3081‐3087.)
First-year students' impressions of pair programming in CS1

Pair programming, as part of the Agile Development process, has noted benefits in professional software development scenarios. These successes have led to a rise in use of pair programming in educational settings, particularly in Computer Science 1 (CS1). Specifically, McDowell et al. [2006] has shown that students using pair programming in CS1 do better in a CS2 class (with solo programming) than students who don't pair in CS1. This paper seeks to address a similar question, but from a qualitative, student-focused approach. How do students define, experience, and value the pair programming experience? How do they experience and value it compared to solo programming? Does pairing in CS1 impact their confidence in their abilities? We report on semi-structured interviews with 11 subjects from two institutions where pair programming was used in CS1, and solo programming was used in the CS2. Many of the responses met our expectations; students get stuck less and explore more ideas while pairing, and believe that pair programming helped them in CS1. Other responses were more surprising. Students reported that when solo programming they were more confident and understood their programs better. Many students also said that they started work on their assignments earlier when soloing. Students also continue to use other students as resources even when working "solo. "
Potential new role of the GHSR-1a-mediated signaling pathway in cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (Review)

The gastrointestinal hormone ghrelin has important cardiovascular protective effects, however, its specific mechanisms are not yet completely understood. Recent studies have shown that the ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR-1a), regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation-related signaling pathways. In human aortic endothelial cells, ghrelin activates NO production through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt activation, and these effects can be blocked by knockdown of GHSR-1a. Obese mice have been found to exhibit an increased GHSR-1a content and expression in the heart, associated with an increase in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) content and an increase AKT content and phosphorylation. Furthermore, GHSR-1a expression was observed to be increased in heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Given such complexity in GHSR-1a signaling and crosstalk with the AMPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, both of which are well-known factors involved in cardiac remodeling after MI, we speculate that GHSR-1a signaling may play a regulatory role in cardiac protection and hope to identify new drugs targets. However, to date, no direct association between GHSR-1a and cardiac remodeling has been found. Therefore, further studies are required.
Antioxidant Enzyme Expression in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Identification of an Atypical Form of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase

ABSTRACT Expression of superoxide dismutases (FeSOD and MnSOD) and catalases by laboratory strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is modulated by exogenous factors. Whether clinical isolates behave similarly and whether antioxidant enzyme expression influencesP. aeruginosa virulence remain unclear. Fifty-sevenP. aeruginosa blood culture isolates, plus seven pairs of blood and local-site isolates, were examined for FeSOD, MnSOD, and catalase production in vitro. Under iron-replete growth conditions FeSOD and catalase activities were maximized. MnSOD was not detected. FeSOD and catalase activity decreased under iron-limited growth conditions, whereas MnSOD activity appeared. SOD and catalase activity did not change with site of isolation or by patient. MnSOD could not be expressed by one isolate due to a missense mutation insodA that produced a premature stop codon. Eleven percent of the isolates expressed a novel, rapidly migrating MnSOD that was associated with missense mutations in the normal stop codon ofsodA. We conclude that clinical P. aeruginosa isolates vary little in FeSOD and catalase expression. Some strains produce a newly described MnSOD variant, whereas one is deficient in MnSOD production. The absence of MnSOD expression in a P. aeruginosa strain causing invasive human disease indicates that MnSOD is probably not essential forP. aeruginosa virulence.
You Did That on Purpose: Understanding and Changing Children's Aggression

Some children are prone to a particular kind of aggression when they are with their peers. For these children, any harm done to them--even something as inconsequential as a jostle in the lunch line--is perceived as intentional. Their style of social information processing, termed "hostile attributional bias," increases the likelihood of retaliating with excessive and inappropriate physical aggression. In this valuable book, parents and professionals who work with children will learn what can be done to better understand and control children's aggression. Beginning with a reader-friendly review of the literature, Cynthia Hudley underscores the substantial risks of long-term problems for elementary-school-age children who demonstrate aggressive behavior. Then, drawing on her work as founder of a successful school intervention program, the BrainPower Program, Hudley describes methods for reducing children's peer-directed aggression. She concludes with a discussion of the importance of broad social contexts in supporting nonaggressive behavior.
Feminism Seduced: How Global Elites Use Women's Labor and Ideas to Exploit the World

Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction: How I Came to Write This Book Chapter 1 Globalization and Women's Labor Chapter 2 Women, Work, and the Mainstreaming of Feminism Chapter 3 Fault Lines of Race and Class Chapter 4 In the United States: A Political and Economic Sea-Change Chapter 5 In the Global South: "Women" Replace Development Chapter 6 Islamophobia and the Global War on Terror Conclusion References About the Author