Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebral hemodynamics and resistance exercise.

PURPOSE Repetitive resistance exercise with large muscle mass causes rapid fluctuations in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). We sought to determine the effect of these fluctuations on the cerebrovasculature response determined by mean flow velocity (Vmean) of the middle cerebral artery. METHODS Nine subjects performed 10-repetition maximum leg press exercise. MAP was estimated by finger photoplethysmography, Vmean by Doppler ultrasound, and end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) by mass spectrometry. RESULTS Vmean fluctuated with MAP with each repetition however averaged over the 10 repetitions, Vmean was unchanged from resting baseline values (66.9 +/- 10.8 vs 67.7 +/- 12.3 cm.s-1, baseline vs exercise, P > 0.05) despite an increased MAP (89.5 +/- 8.4 vs 105.0 +/- 4.9 Torr, P < 0.05). PETCO2 also remained unchanged from rest to exercise (37.7 +/- 2.8 vs 36.6 +/- 2.7 Torr, P > 0.05). Vmean decreased below resting levels for the first 5 s of recovery (59.8 +/- 9.1 cm.s-1, P < 0.05) as MAP returned rapidly to slightly below baseline (83.3 +/- 6.1, P > 0.05). MAP/Vmean, an index of cerebrovascular resistance, was elevated during exercise and returned to baseline after exercise. An increase in Vmean at 30 s post exercise (78.4 +/- 10.6 cm.s-1, P < 0.05) corresponded with elevated PETCO2 (43.0 +/- 4.8 Torr, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The results suggest that fluctuations in MAP with individual muscle contractions during resistance exercise appear to be too rapid to be countered by cerebrovascular autoregulation. However, the progressive increase in MAP over a number of contractions was effectively countered to maintain Vmean near baseline values before a decrease in Vmean immediately after exercise.
The Sequential Analysis of Group Interaction and Critical Thinking in Online

The purpose of this study was to examine group interaction and critical thinking in online threaded discussions. The Discussion Analysis Tool (DAT) was used to identify patterns in interactions and determine which interactions promoted critical thinking. With DAT, discussion transcripts were coded across twelve critical thinking events, and transitional probabilities between events were computed using the method of sequential analysis (Bakeman and Quera 1995). By computing the transitional probabilities, DAT generated useful quantitative descriptions of interaction patterns and critical thinking events that followed. The findings show that interactions involving conflicting viewpoints promoted more discussion and critical thinking, and that evaluation of arguments was more likely to occur as conclusions were being drawn-not as arguments were being presented. Tools such as DAT will be useful for empirically testing interactions and structures that enhance online discussions, providing the basis for more systematic testing of instructional interventions and computer-conferencing technologies.
Identification of factors that contribute to engineering design skill

A survey/test was developed to determine the capabilities, education, and noneducational experiences that contribute to the success of an engineering design student. The survey/test provided measurements of variables that were used to develop regression equations to predict student performance. To predict performance in a design contest, academic class, previous grade point average, family financial status, and perceived competence level were most important. To predict course grade, only previous grade point average was important. <<ETX>>
Extremely-thin-body InGaAs-on-insulator MOSFETs on Si fabricated by direct wafer bonding

We have demonstrated extremely-thin-body (ETB) (3.5 and 9 nm) InGaAs-on-insulator (InGaAs-OI) MOSFETs on Si substrates with Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf> ultrathin buried oxide (UTBOX) layers fabricated by direct wafer bonding (DWB). We have found that the ETB highly-doped InGaAs-OI n-channel MOSFETs without p-n junction can perform a normal MOSFET operation under front- and back-gate configuration and the double-gate operation can provide excellent on-current/off-current (I<inf>on</inf>/I<inf>off</inf>) properties of ∼10<sup>7</sup> and the improved S factor even for InGaAs-OI MOSFETs with ND of 1×10<sup>19</sup> cm<sup>−3</sup>.
Induction of IgE and allergic‐type responses in fur mite‐infested mice

High serum IgE levels are characteristic of allergic diseases and immune responses to nematode parasites. A murine allergy model based on infestation with the fur mites Myocoptes musculinus and Myobia musculi was investigated. Analysis of mite infestation in various knockout mice revealed that IgE production in response to these ectoparasites was dependent on T cells, IL‐4, and CD40L. Secretion of IL‐4 by CD4+ T cells obtained from peripheral LN draining mite‐infested skin sites was increased with progressing mite infestation and correlated with the serum IgE induction. A time course analysis of the mRNA expression of switched IgE, activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID), and ϵ germ‐line transcripts (ϵGLT) suggested that switching to IgE in response to fur mites occurred initially in skin‐draining LN. In addition, mite infestation induced mast cell degranulation in the skin as well as mast cell infiltration into skin‐draining LN. Analysis of the immune response generated in mite‐infested mice is a valuable model for the investigation of allergic disorders and provides information for better understanding of mechanisms involved in IgE induction and regulation in a physiological way of allergen‐exposure resembling atopic sensitization in humans.
A quantitative analysis of optic nerve axons in elderly control subjects and patients with Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE To study the density and cross-sectional area of axons in the optic nerve in elderly control subjects and in cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using an image analysis system. METHODS Sections of optic nerves from control and AD patients were stained with toluidine blue to reveal axon profiles. RESULTS The density of axons was reduced in both the center and peripheral portions of the optic nerve in AD compared with control patients. Analysis of axons with different cross-sectional areas suggested a specific loss of the smaller sized axons in AD, i.e., those with areas less that 1.99 microm2. An analysis of axons >11 microm2 in cross-sectional area suggested no specific loss of the larger axons in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that image analysis provides an accurate and reproducible method of quantifying axons in the optic nerve. In addition, the data suggest that axons are lost throughout the optic nerve with a specific loss of the smaller-sized axons. Loss of the smaller axons may explain the deficits in color vision observed in a significant proportion of patients with AD.
Altered Balance of Glutamatergic/GABAergic Synaptic Input and Associated Changes in Dendrite Morphology after BDNF Expression in BDNF-Deficient Hippocampal Neurons

Cultured neurons from bdnf−/− mice display reduced densities of synaptic terminals, although in vivo these deficits are small or absent. Here we aimed at clarifying the local responses to postsynaptic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). To this end, solitary enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled hippocampal neurons from bdnf−/− mice were compared with bdnf−/− neurons after transfection with BDNF, bdnf−/− neurons after transient exposure to exogenous BDNF, and bdnf+/+ neurons in wild-type cultures. Synapse development was evaluated on the basis of presynaptic immunofluorescence and whole-cell patch-clamp recording of miniature postsynaptic currents. It was found that neurons expressing BDNF::EGFP for at least 16 h attracted a larger number of synaptic terminals than BDNF-deficient control neurons. Transfected BDNF formed clusters in the vicinity of glutamatergic terminals and produced a stronger upregulation of synaptic terminal numbers than high levels of ambient BDNF. Glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses reacted differently to postsynaptic BDNF: glutamatergic input increased, whereas GABAergic input decreased. BDNF::EGFP-expressing neurons also differed from BDNF-deficient neurons in their dendrite morphology: they exhibited weaker dendrite elongation and stronger dendrite initiation. The upregulation of glutamatergic synaptic input and the BDNF-induced downregulation of GABAergic synaptic terminal numbers by postsynaptic BDNF depended on tyrosine receptor kinase B activity, as deduced from the blocking effects of K252a. The suppression of dendrite elongation was also prevented by block of tyrosine receptor kinase B but required, in addition, glutamate receptor activity. Dendritic length decreased with the number of glutamatergic contacts. These results illuminate the role of BDNF as a retrograde synaptic regulator of synapse development and the dependence of dendrite elongation on glutamatergic input.
A Controlled Study of the Effects of Mental Relaxation on Autonomic Excitatory Responses in Healthy Subjects

Objective Circumstantial evidence indicates that, in the presence of a suitable substratum, sudden, behaviorally induced increases in sympathetic drive to the cardiovascular system might play an important physiopathological role in various conditions, ranging from arterial hypertension to sudden coronary death. Accordingly, it might be useful to study the effects of behavioral interventions, such as mental relaxation, that might be capable of blunting excitatory autonomic responses. It would also be preferable to study healthy subjects in whom autonomic control is not modified by the presence of disease, and to use noninvasive approaches to minimize the possible emotional impact produced by invasive recordings. Methods We examined healthy subjects who were either subjected to relaxation training (N = 13) or sham relaxation (N = 12). An additional group, treated with beta-adrenergic blockade (N = 12), was also examined. Spectral and cross-spectral analysis of RR interval and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variabilities provided quantitative markers of sympathovagal balance modulating the sinoatrial (SA) node, of sympathetic vasomotor modulation, and of the gain of the arterial pressure/heart period baroreflex (index alpha). Subjects were studied at rest, during standing, and during mental arithmetic. Results Data indicate that both beta-adrenergic blockade and relaxation training significantly blunted the excitatory autonomic responses to standing and to mental arithmetic. Indices of sympathetic modulation also seemed reduced by beta blockade at rest. No changes were observed with sham training. Conclusions Frequency domain analysis of cardiovascular variabilities, using a totally noninvasive approach, indicates that relaxation training significantly blunts the excitatory autonomic changes produced by standardized behavioral laboratory stimuli.
Bioactive Carbohydrates and Peptides in Foods: An Overview of Sources, Downstream Processing Steps and Associated Bioactivities

Bioactive peptides and carbohydrates are sourced from a myriad of plant, animal and insects and have huge potential for use as food ingredients and pharmaceuticals. However, downstream processing bottlenecks hinder the potential use of these natural bioactive compounds and add cost to production processes. This review discusses the health benefits and bioactivities associated with peptides and carbohydrates of natural origin and downstream processing methodologies and novel processes which may be used to overcome these.
Influence of Torsional Strength on Different Types of Dental Implant Platforms

Aim:The study assessed deformation of implant components submitted to torsion tests of 80 and 120 N·cm using an optical stereomicroscope. Material and Methods:The following 3 types of Titaniumfix conical implant connections (n = 5) measuring Ø 4.0 × 11.5 mm were used: external, internal hexagon and Morse taper connections. The diagonal and lateral measurements of the hexagon implant platform were measured before and after the torsion test. Results:The torsion test using torque of 80 and 120 N·cm altered the implant dental platforms. All groups presented deformation of implant component after torque of 80 N·cm with no statistical difference among them. During torque of 120 N·cm, a difference in the Morse taper connection in relation to the internal and external hexagon connection was observed. The Morse taper connection implant, followed by the internal hex implant, underwent less deformation. Greater deformation occurred in the external hex implants. Conclusion:For all the implants, high insertion torques deformed the implant platform preventing long-term maintenance and stability of implants.
How Good Are Query Optimizers, Really?

Finding a good join order is crucial for query performance. In this paper, we introduce the Join Order Benchmark (JOB) and experimentally revisit the main components in the classic query optimizer architecture using a complex, real-world data set and realistic multi-join queries. We investigate the quality of industrial-strength cardinality estimators and find that all estimators routinely produce large errors. We further show that while estimates are essential for finding a good join order, query performance is unsatisfactory if the query engine relies too heavily on these estimates. Using another set of experiments that measure the impact of the cost model, we find that it has much less influence on query performance than the cardinality estimates. Finally, we investigate plan enumeration techniques comparing exhaustive dynamic programming with heuristic algorithms and find that exhaustive enumeration improves performance despite the sub-optimal cardinality estimates.
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry imaging of metals in experimental and clinical Wilson's disease

Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder in which the liver does not properly release copper into bile, resulting in prominent copper accumulation in various tissues. Affected patients suffer from hepatic disorders and severe neurological defects. Experimental studies in mutant mice in which the copper‐transporting ATPase gene (Atp7b) is disrupted revealed a drastic, time‐dependent accumulation of hepatic copper that is accompanied by formation of regenerative nodes resembling cirrhosis. Therefore, these mice represent an excellent exploratory model for Wilson's disease. However, the precise time course in hepatic copper accumulation and its impact on other trace metals within the liver is yet poorly understood. We have recently established novel laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry protocols allowing quantitative metal imaging in human and murine liver tissue with high sensitivity, spatial resolution, specificity and quantification ability. By use of these techniques, we here aimed to comparatively analyse hepatic metal content in wild‐type and Atp7b deficient mice during ageing. We demonstrate that the age‐dependent accumulation of hepatic copper is strictly associated with a simultaneous increase in iron and zinc, while the intrahepatic concentration and distribution of other metals or metalloids is not affected. The same findings were obtained in well‐defined human liver samples that were obtained from patients suffering from Wilson's disease. We conclude that in Wilson's disease the imbalances of hepatic copper during ageing are closely correlated with alterations in intrahepatic iron and zinc content.
Hsp90 Inhibitors Promote p53-Dependent Apoptosis through PUMA and Bax

Hsp90 is widely overexpressed in cancer cells and believed to be essential for the maintenance of malignant phenotypes. Targeting Hsp90 by small molecules has shown promise in solid and hematologic malignancies, which likely involves degradation of client oncoproteins in a cell-type–specific manner. In this study, we found that structurally unrelated Hsp90 inhibitors induce DNA damage and apoptosis via p53-dependent induction of PUMA, which indirectly triggers Bax activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in colon cancer cells. Deficiency in PUMA, BAX, or p53, at lesser extent, abrogated 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG)-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, and enhanced clonogenic cell survival. Furthermore, suppression of p53-dependent p21 induction or enhanced p53 activation synergized with 17-AAG to induce PUMA-dependent apoptosis. Finally, PUMA was found to mediate apoptotic and therapeutic responses to the 17-AAG analog 17-DMAG in xenografts. These results show an important role of the p53/PUMA/Bax axis in Hsp90 inhibitor–induced killing of p53 wild-type cells, and have important implications for their clinical applications. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(11); 2559–68. ©2013 AACR.
Design of an exoskeleton ankle robot for robot-assisted gait training of stroke patients

Lower Limb Exoskeleton robot that can facilitate stair walking is a big challenge, most systems could only provide level ground walking. In this study, a lightweight (0.5kg at ankle, 0.5kg at waist for control box) and autonomous exoskeleton Ankle Robot was proposed to provide power assistance for gait training of chronic stroke patients and it can facilitate three walking conditions in real-time: (1) level walking, (2) stair ascending, and (3) stair descending. Chronic stroke patients (n=3) with drop foot gait deficit and moderate motor impairment were recruited to evaluate the system under different walking conditions (Functional Ambulatory Category: FAC=4.7±0.5 and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for lower-extremity: FMA-LE=13.7±2.9). The system consisted of a specially designed carbon fiber AFO, servomotor, gear transmission system, IMU and force sensors, and control box. The IMU sensors embedded in the shank measured acceleration and angular velocity to identify distinct features in leg tilting angle and leg angular velocity between the three walking conditions. The results showed the powered ankle dorsiflexion assistance could reduce dropped foot of the stroke patients in swing phase and provide better gait pattern. A demo of the ankle robot will be conducted in the conference.
Object segmentation in video: A hierarchical variational approach for turning point trajectories into dense regions

Point trajectories have emerged as a powerful means to obtain high quality and fully unsupervised segmentation of objects in video shots. They can exploit the long term motion difference between objects, but they tend to be sparse due to computational reasons and the difficulty in estimating motion in homogeneous areas. In this paper we introduce a variational method to obtain dense segmentations from such sparse trajectory clusters. Information is propagated with a hierarchical, nonlinear diffusion process that runs in the continuous domain but takes superpixels into account. We show that this process raises the density from 3% to 100% and even increases the average precision of labels.
Intention to Vote, Reported Vote, and Validated Vote

Pre-election “intention to vote” has come to substitute for “reported vote” or “validated vote” in many studies of turnout. The differences among them have been little studied. In this report, we examine all three jointly in a single U.S. dataset for what we believe is the first time. We find that the same variables tend to be influential for all three measures, but not to the same degree. In particular, intentions are not always translated into actual behavior, so that explanatory coefficients tend to be smaller for validated turnout studies than for vote intention. Reported vote coefficients generally fall between the other two, because some citizens report their actual behavior while others report their noble intentions.
Predicting Postraumatic Stress Disorder in Single-Incident Trauma Survivors with an Acute Injury

The objective of this study was to create a brief and easily administered screen that can be used by hospital staff to identify those at risk for the later development of PTSD. Utilizing previous research examining pretrauma, peritrauma, and posttrauma risk factors for the development of PTSD among single-incident trauma survivors with an acute injury, an item pool was created and reviewed by experts in the field. This item pool along with a previously created screen were given to patients admitted to two level 1 trauma centers in the U.S. A follow-up was conducted at one month in which participants were administered two psychometrically valid PTSD diagnostic tools. A stepwise bivariate logistic regression was used to determine the items from the item pool that were most strongly associated with PTSD diagnosis at approximately one month post injury. The logistic regression yielded a five item model which outperformed a previously created screen. ROC curve analysis was used to determine sensitivity (100%), specificity (81.33%), negative predictive value (100%), positive predictive value (66.7%), and to yield an optimal cutoff score (≥1). The clinical implications of this tool along with a rationale for item retention is provided.
Rearing Adolescents in Contemporary Society: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Responsibilities and Needs of Parents.

This article examines the parental responsibilities of rearing adolescent children as well as the factors that can support or undermine a parent's ability to perform them. Current research and theory on child rearing, adolescent and adult development, and parentadolescent relations are integrated to present a conceptual framework for parenting adolescents. Implications for developing programs for families with adolescents are discussed.
Using Beta Distributions for Modeling Distances in Random Finite Networks

Distance distributions in random networks affect various performance metrics and operating protocols. For scenarios with the uniform node distribution, the statistical models of distances have been derived for common shapes of operating areas such as disks, rectangles, and regular polygons. Fewer results have been reported for scenarios where node distributions are nonuniform. Often, the closed-form statistical models are described by complicated expressions making their further usage challenging. In this work, we study the application of beta distributions as substitutes to statistical models of distances. We show that this approximation results in accurate and analytically tractable estimates for different operating scenarios. The proposed approach provides uniform solutions to design and analysis tasks for different node distributions and shapes of operating areas.