Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraints on muscular performance: trade–offs between power output and fatigue resistance

An important functional and evolutionary constraint on the physical performance of vertebrates is believed to be the trade–off between speed and endurance capacity. However, despite the pervasiveness of physiological arguments, most studies have found no evidence of the trade–off when tested at the whole–animal level. We investigated the existence of this trade–off at the whole–muscle level, the presumed site of this physiological conflict, by examining inter–individual variation in both maximum power output and fatigue resistance for mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle using the work–loop technique. We found negative correlations between several measures of in vitro maximum power output and force production with fatigue resistance for individual mouse EDL muscles, indicating functional trade–offs between these performance parameters. We suggest that this trade–off detected at the whole–muscle level has imposed an important constraint on the evolution of vertebrate physical performance.
Innovation Strategies, Performance Diversity and Development: An Empirical Analysis in Iran Construction and Housing Industry

Innovation strategy is the basis of success in innovation and performance improvement. This paper represents a model related to the most important innovation strategies which have a significant impact on performance of industries. Then, it examines the relationships between innovation strategies and diversity and development of the performance. So, the empirical research was carried out in Iranian construction industry and practical data were gathered out of7main industry institutions and 93 construction SMEs by questionnaires to examine paper objectives. The findings show that innovation strategies such as proactive, analyzer, futuristic and aggressive strategies influence on the performance development of the industry. Also, strategies such as proactive, risk taking and futuristic ones are the most effective innovation strategies in the performance diversity. Results of this study suggest that to achieve performance diversity and development, construction industry's policy makers and top managers should implement and promote pro active and futurity strategies, simultaneously, across the industry.
Olive Phenolics as c-Met Inhibitors: (-)-Oleocanthal Attenuates Cell Proliferation, Invasiveness, and Tumor Growth in Breast Cancer Models

Dysregulation of the Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling axis upregulates diverse tumor cell functions, including cell proliferation, survival, scattering and motility, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. (-)-Oleocanthal is a naturally occurring secoiridoid from extra-virgin olive oil, which showed antiproliferative and antimigratory activity against different cancer cell lines. The aim of this study was to characterize the intracellular mechanisms involved in mediating the anticancer effects of (-)-oleocanthal treatment and the potential involvement of c-Met receptor signaling components in breast cancer. Results showed that (-)-oleocanthal inhibits the growth of human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and BT-474 while similar treatment doses were found to have no effect on normal human MCF10A cell growth. In addition, (-)-oleocanthal treatment caused a dose-dependent inhibition of HGF-induced cell migration, invasion and G1/S cell cycle progression in breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, (-)-oleocanthal treatment effects were found to be mediated via inhibition of HGF-induced c-Met activation and its downstream mitogenic signaling pathways. This growth inhibitory effect is associated with blockade of EMT and reduction in cellular motility. Further results from in vivo studies showed that (-)-oleocanthal treatment suppressed tumor cell growth in an orthotopic model of breast cancer in athymic nude mice. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that (-)-oleocanthal is a promising dietary supplement lead with potential for therapeutic use to control malignancies with aberrant c-Met activity.
Simultaneous Measurement of Cardiac Troponin I, B-type Natriuretic Peptide, and C-reactive Protein for the Prediction of Long-term Cardiac Outcome after Cardiac Surgery

Background:Simultaneous assessment of cardiac troponin I, B-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein has been found to provide unique prognostic information in acute coronary syndromes. The current study addressed the prognostic implication of a multiple-marker approach in cardiac surgery. Methods:Two hundred twenty-four patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included and followed up within 12 months after surgery. Serial blood samples were drawn in all patients the day before surgery, at the end of surgery, and 6, 24, and 120 h after surgery. Major adverse cardiac events within 12 months after surgery were chosen as study endpoints and were defined as malignant ventricular arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, the need for myocardial revascularization, and/or death from cardiac cause. Predictive ability of each cardiac biomarker was assessed using logistic regression. Results:Accuracies of C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin I, and B-type natriuretic peptide, considered as continuous variables, to predict the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events were limited (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.54 [0.47–0.60], P = 0.42; 0.62 [0.55–0.68], P = 0.01; and 0.68 [0.61–0.74], P < 0.001, respectively). When biomarkers were considered as 75% specificity dichotomized variables, elevated C-reactive protein (> 180 mg/l), cardiac troponin I (> 3.5 ng/ml), and B-type natriuretic peptide (> 880 pg/ml) were independent predictors of major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio: 2.14 [1.03-4.49], P = 0.043; 2.37 [1.25–5.64], P = 0.011; and 2.65 [1.16–4.85], P = 0.018, respectively) in a multivariate model including the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score. Conclusions:Simultaneous measurement of cardiac troponin I, B-type natriuretic peptide, and C-reactive protein improves the risk assessment of long-term adverse cardiac outcome after cardiac surgery.
Contrast Enema for Hirschsprung Disease Investigation: Diagnostic Accuracy and Validity for Subsequent Diagnostic and Surgical Planning

Abstract Introduction A targeted Hirschsprung disease (HD) diagnostic is necessary, as it determines a specific approach primarily based on surgical resection of the affected aganglionic colonic segment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a contrast enema (CE) for HD diagnosis and to determine whether it should be performed before or after rectal biopsies (RBs). Methods A retrospective observational study of children undergoing RB for HD investigation was performed. In the performed CE, the occurrence and the level of a colonic caliber change (CCC) were recorded and its concordance with the histologically assessed level of aganglionosis by RB and the odds ratio were calculated. Results A total of 107 cases were included. Sensitivity and specificity for a CCC in CE were 74.1% and 94.6%. A CCC present in CE was associated with a 50-fold increased probability for a histologically proven HD. The overall concordance between a CCC and the histologically assessed level of aganglionosis was high (kappa 0.642, p = 0.003), being correct in 94.4% of cases when the CCC was located in the rectosigmoid, but only in 50% of cases when it was located in more proximal segments. By performing a CE only after HD diagnosis confirmation by RB would avoid 67.5% of CE with no loss of diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion We confirm that CE is a valuable tool for HD diagnosis; however, it should only be performed for subsequent diagnostic and surgical planning following histological confirmation of HD by RB. On the basis of this, an algorithm for an optimized investigation and management of HD is presented.
Scaffolding Children's Learning: Vygotsky and Early Childhood Education. NAEYC Research into Practice Series. Volume 7.

Why is this resource considered indispensable by teacher educators across the United States? It does a masterful job of introducing key Vygotskian concepts clearly and concisely and guiding teachers in applying these powerful ideas in the classroom. Includes discussion of key concepts such as play, language, assessment, development, special needs, and more.
Adverse life events and cognitive-personality characteristics in the prediction of major depression and antidepressant response.

OBJECTIVE Stressful life events are known to precipitate major depression. However, it remains unclear why some individuals who experience adverse events develop depression whereas others do not, and how the occurrence of life events affects treatment outcome. Emerging models posit that the effect of adverse life events varies by cognitive-personality style. This study examines the direct and interactive effects of stressful life events and cognitive-personality style in predicting 1) episode onset in patients with DSM-IV unipolar depression versus community comparison subjects and 2) depressive symptom severity at the completion of a 6-week standard antidepressant regimen. METHOD Multivariate models were used to test the effects of adverse life events, cognitive-personality style, and the congruence of event type (interpersonal versus achievement) with cognitive-personality style on depressive onset and treatment outcome in 43 patients with major depression and 43 healthy comparison subjects. Cognitive-personality characteristics were assessed by using Beck's measures of sociotropy (interpersonal dependency) and autonomy (need for independence and control). RESULTS Adverse life events, sociotropy, and an autonomy factor need for control were each significantly related to depressive onset and predicted group status for 88% of the subjects. Event types affected outcome differently, and specific life event types interacted with cognitive-personality styles in predicting response to treatment. A multivariate model accounted for 65% of the variance in predicting outcome. CONCLUSIONS Adverse life events are a potent factor in predicting depression. However, cognitive-personality characteristics also confer susceptibility to depression. Better outcome is associated with occurrence of adverse interpersonal events (e.g., death of a loved one) rather than adverse achievement events (e.g., loss of job) and occurs when the event type is congruent with cognitive-personality style.
Cheating the Locals: Invasive Mussels Steal and Benefit from the Cooling Effect of Indigenous Mussels

The indigenous South African mussel Perna perna gapes during periods of aerial exposure to maintain aerobic respiration. This behaviour has no effect on the body temperatures of isolated individuals, but when surrounded by conspecifics, beneficial cooling effects of gaping emerge. It is uncertain, however, whether the presence of the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis limits the ability of P. perna for collective thermoregulation. We investigated whether varying densities of P. perna and M. galloprovincialis influences the thermal properties of both natural and artificial mussel beds during periods of emersion. Using infrared thermography, body temperatures of P. perna within mixed artificial beds were shown to increase faster and reach higher temperatures than individuals in conspecific beds, indicating that the presence of M. galloprovincialis limits the group cooling effects of gaping. In contrast, body temperatures of M. galloprovincialis within mixed artificial mussel beds increased slower and exhibited lower temperatures than for individuals in beds comprised entirely of M. galloprovincialis. Interestingly, differences in bed temperatures and heating rates were largely dependent on the size of mussels, with beds comprised of larger individuals experiencing less thermal stress irrespective of species composition. The small-scale patterns of thermal stress detected within manipulated beds were not observed within naturally occurring mixed mussel beds. We propose that small-scale differences in topography, size-structure, mussel bed size and the presence of organisms encrusting the mussel shells mask the effects of gaping behaviour within natural mussel beds. Nevertheless, the results from our manipulative experiment indicate that the invasive species M. galloprovincialis steals thermal properties as well as resources from the indigenous mussel P. perna. This may have significant implications for predicting how the co-existence of these two species may change as global temperatures continue to rise.
Interplay between Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) and p62/SQSTM-1 in Selective Autophagy

The deposit of polyubiquitinated aggregates has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and growing evidence indicates that selective autophagy plays a critical role in the clearance of ubiquitin-positive protein aggregates by autophagosomes. The selective autophagic receptor p62/SQSTM-1, which associates directly with both ubiquitin and LC3, transports ubiquitin conjugates to autophagosomes for degradation. Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a PD-associated protein kinase, is tightly controlled by autophagy-lysosome degradation as well as by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. However, little is known about the degradation of ubiquitinated LRRK2 via selective autophagy. In the present study, we found that p62/SQSTM-1 physically interacts with LRRK2 as a selective autophagic receptor. The overexpression of p62 leads to the robust degradation of LRRK2 through the autophagy-lysosome pathway. In addition, LRRK2 indirectly regulates Ser351 and Ser403 phosphorylation of p62. Of particular interest, the interaction between phosphorylated p62 and Keap1 is reduced by LRRK2 overexpression. Therefore, we propose that the interplay between LRRK2 and p62 may contribute to the pathophysiological function and homeostasis of LRRK2 protein.
(1 + eps)-Approximate Sparse Recovery

The problem central to sparse recovery and compressive sensing is that of \emph{stable sparse recovery}: we want a distribution $\math cal{A}$ of matrices $A \in \R^{m \times n}$ such that, for any $x \in \R^n$ and with probability $1 - \delta >, 2/3$ over $A \in \math cal{A}$, there is an algorithm to recover $\hat{x}$ from $Ax$ with\begin{align} \norm{p}{\hat{x} - x} \leq C \min_{k\text{-sparse } x'} \norm{p}{x - x'}\end{align}for some constant $C >, 1$ and norm $p$. The measurement complexity of this problem is well understood for constant $C >, 1$. However, in a variety of applications it is important to obtain $C = 1+\eps$ for a small $\eps >, 0$, and this complexity is not well understood. We resolve the dependence on $\eps$ in the number of measurements required of a $k$-sparse recovery algorithm, up to polylogarithmic factors for the central cases of $p=1$ and $p=2$. Namely, we give new algorithms and lower bounds that show the number of measurements required is $k/\eps^{p/2} \textrm{polylog}(n)$. For $p=2$, our bound of $\frac{1}{\eps}k\log (n/k)$ is tight up to \emph{constant} factors. We also give matching bounds when the output is required to be $k$-sparse, in which case we achieve $k/\eps^p \textrm{polylog}(n)$. This shows the distinction between the complexity of sparse and non-sparse outputs is fundamental.
An Evaluation of Diabetes-Related Measures of Control After 6 Months of Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Intervention

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacist management regarding the percentages of patients meeting American Diabetes Association (ADA) treatment goals for diabetes and specific Veterans Health Administration (VA) performance measures individually and in combination after 6 months of intervention. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the electronic medical record of all new patients seen between October 1, 2007 and March 31, 2009, with an A1c >7%. Primary objectives included the percentages of patients meeting ADA treatment goals individually and in combination after 6 months in addition to the percentage meeting the 3 VA performance goals individually and in combination. Results: One-hundred and ninety-seven patients met inclusion criteria. There were 6% of patients who met all ADA goals and 79% who met all VA performance measure goals at study end. Individual goal analyses revealed 43% of patients at a goal A1c of <7%, 55% of patients were at low-density lipoprotein (LDL) goal, 45% of patients at systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal, and 51% of patients at diastolic blood pressure (DBP) goal. Evaluation for VA performance measures showed that 91% patients at goal for A1c, 55% at LDL goal, 70% at systolic BP goal, and 87% met diastolic BP goal. Conclusions: Six months of pharmacist intervention resulted in improvement in patients achieving ADA and VA performance measure goals individually and in combination.
Framework for Multi-task Multiple Kernel Learning and Applications in Genome Analysis

We present a general regularization-based framework for Multi-task learning (MTL), in which the similarity between tasks can be learned or rened using ‘p-norm Multiple Kernel learning (MKL). Based on this very general formulation (including a general loss function), we derive the corresponding dual formulation using Fenchel duality applied to Hermitian matrices. We show that numerous established MTL methods can be derived as special cases from both, the primal and dual of our formulation. Furthermore,
An Approach for Pre-Silicon Power Modeling

Accurate estimation of power in pre-silicon is very important and finally to validate this against post-silicon measurement is essential throughout product lifecycle. Thermal design power (TDP) estimates are used to design package thermal solutions. In this paper a modeling approach for dynamic power estimation under TDP conditions is proposed. In this approach, separate models are built for each partition in the design. The model uses only bandwidth and the effective toggle rate of the input data for estimating the total switched capacitance and dynamic power. The model takes into account the effect of cross-coupling capacitance on dynamic power. The results obtained from the model are within 7% of the measured data
A Conformation-specific Interhelical Salt Bridge in the K+ Binding Site of Gastric H,K-ATPase*

Homology modeling of gastric H,K-ATPase based on the E2 model of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (Toyoshima, C., and Nomura, H. (2002) Nature 392, 835–839) revealed the presence of a single high-affinity binding site for K+ and an E2 form-specific salt bridge between Glu820 (M6) and Lys791 (M5). In the E820Q mutant this salt bridge is no longer possible, and the head group of Lys791, together with a water molecule, fills the position of the K+ ion and apparently mimics the K+-filled cation binding pocket. This gives an explanation for the K+-independent ATPase activity and dephosphorylation step of the E820Q mutant (Swarts, H. G. P., Hermsen, H. P. H., Koenderink, J. B., Schuurmans Stekhoven, F. M. A. H., and De Pont, J. J. H. H. M. (1998) EMBO J. 17, 3029–3035) and, indirectly, for its E1 preference. The model is strongly supported by a series of reported mutagenesis studies on charged and polar amino acid residues in the membrane domain. To further test this model, Lys791 was mutated alone and in combination with other crucial residues. In the K791A mutant, the K+ affinity was markedly reduced without altering the E2 preference of the enzyme. The K791A mutation prevented, in contrast to the K791R mutation, the spontaneous dephosphorylation of the E820Q mutant as well as its conformational equilibrium change toward E1. This indicates that the salt bridge is essential for high-affinity K+ binding and the E2 preference of H,K-ATPase. Moreover, its breakage (E820Q) can generate a K+-insensitive activity and an E1 preference. In addition, the study gives a molecular explanation for the electroneutrality of H,K-ATPases.
The effect of craniectomy size on mortality, outcome, and complications after decompressive craniectomy at a rural trauma center

Introduction: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has increasing support with current studies suggesting an improvement in both survival rates and outcomes with this intervention. However, questions surround this procedure; specifically, no evidence has indicated the optimal craniectomy size. Larger craniectomy is thought to better decrease intracranial pressure, but with a possible increase in complication rates. Our hypothesis is that a larger craniectomy may improve mortality and outcome, but may increase complication rates. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational therapeutic study was undertaken to determine if craniectomy size is related to complication rates, mortality, or outcome. Our institution's Trauma Registry was searched for patients undergoing DC. Craniectomy size was measured by antero-posterior (AP) diameter. Mortality, outcome (through admission and discharge Glasgow Coma Score and Glasgow Outcome Scale), and complications (such as re-bleeding, re-operation, hygroma, hydrocephalus, infection, and syndrome of the trephined) were noted. Complications, mortality, and outcome were then compared to craniectomy size, to determine if any relation existed to support our hypothesis. Results: 20 patients met criteria for inclusion in this study. Craniectomy size as measured by AP diameter was correlated with a statistically significant improvement in mortality within the group. All patients with a craniectomy size less than 10 cm died. However, outcome was not significantly related to craniectomy size in the group. Similarly, complication rates did not differ significantly compared to craniectomy size. Discussion: This study provides Level 3 evidence that craniectomy size may be significantly related to improved mortality within our group, supporting our initial hypothesis; however, no significant improvement in outcome was seen. Similarly, in contrast to our hypothesis, complication rates did not significantly correlate with craniectomy size.
Characterisation of Contact Pressure Distribution in Bolted Joints

Abstract: The quantification of contact area and pressure distribution in a bolted joint is essential information, as it determines the integrity of the coupling. Current bolted joint design standards are based on analytical solutions of the pressure distribution, which, because of the inherent assumptions, frequently do not accurately represent the real conditions in a joint. This study uses a non‐intrusive ultrasonic technique to quantify the contact pressure distribution in a bolted connection. The advantage of this experimental technique is that the effect of actual contact conditions can be determined. An ultrasonic wave is focused onto the clamped interface, and the reflected sound signal recorded. In areas where the contact pressure is high, most of the ultrasound is transmitted, and the reflected sound signal is weak. Whereas, when the contact pressure is low, the vast majority of the ultrasound is reflected back. A parallel experimental calibration is then used to find the relationship between the reflected sound signal and contact pressure. In this way, the pressure distribution in a clamped interface is determined for a series of different bolt torques. Two different interfaces were investigated: the first consisted of two ground surfaces clamped together, and the second a turned profile pressed against a ground surface. The effect of a washer underneath the bolt head was also considered. The turned profile was found to cause the contact to spread; there was also a certain degree of fragmentation leading to higher peak pressures than in the ground interface case. With a washer positioned under the bolt head for the turned case, the clamping performance of the bolt was improved. Good agreement was found when comparing the ultrasonic measurements with previous studies, with respect to the spread of the contact pressure distribution. However, in this study, the peak contact pressure was found to occur away from the edge of the bolt hole, and to be influenced by the edge of the bolt head.