Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity of a new designed constant workload cycle ergometer for assessing cardiopulmonary function

In this study, a new constant workload cycle ergometer (CWCE) for assessing cardiopulmonary function was designed, giving accurate workload measurement and maintaining the constant workload independent of pedaling rate during exercise test. The validity of the CWCE was also examined compared with the standard Monark cycle ergometer (Monark CE) for performing cardiopulmonary test in healthy male adults. Thirty healthy males (30 males; age range: 18–35 years; height: 173.5 ± 4.3 cm; weight: 65.5 ± 7.6 kg) completed two maximum graded exercise tests separately on CWCE and Monark CE. The maximal heartrate (HR<inf>max</inf>), peak oxygen uptake (VO<inf>2 peak</inf>), and the heartrate and oxygen uptake of each stage (HR<inf>stage</inf>, VO<inf>2stage</inf>) were measured and compared between two tests. High correlations were observed between the CWCE HR<inf>max</inf> and Monark CE HR<inf>max</inf> (r=0.853), CWCE VO<inf>2peak</inf> and Monark CE VO<inf>2peak</inf> (r=0.932), respectively. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in HR<inf>max</inf>, VO<inf>2peak</inf>, and HR<inf>stage</inf> and VO<inf>2stage</inf> of stage 1 to stage 6. The Bland-Altman plot indicated a strong agreement between the two cycle ergometers for HR<inf>max</inf> and VO<inf>2peak</inf>. The data suggest that the CWCE is valid for use in cardiopulmonary maximal exercise tests for assessing cardiopulmonary function level of individuals. The findings would provide an accurate and low-cost exercising device for assessing cardiopulmonary function and promote personalized health interventions in clinical settings and health care institutions.
The RAP system: automatic feedback of oral presentation skills using multimodal analysis and low-cost sensors

Developing communication skills in higher education students could be a challenge to professors due to the time needed to provide formative feedback. This work presents RAP, a scalable system to provide automatic feedback to entry-level students to develop basic oral presentation skills. The system improves the state-of-the-art by analyzing posture, gaze, volume, filled pauses and the slides of the presenters through data captured by very low-cost sensors. The system also provides an off-line feedback report with multimodal recordings of their performance. An initial evaluation of the system indicates that the system's feedback highly agrees with human feedback and that students considered that feedback useful to develop their oral presentation skills.
Rapid race perception despite individuation and accuracy goals

ABSTRACT Perceivers rapidly process social category information and form stereotypic impressions of unfamiliar others. However, a goal to individuate a target or to accurately predict their behavior can result in individuated impressions. It is unknown how the combination of both accuracy and individuation goals affects perceptual category processing. To explore this, participants were given both the goal to individuate targets and accurately predict behavior. We then recorded event-related brain potentials while participants viewed photos of black and white males along with four pieces of individuating information in the form of descriptions of past behavior. Even with explicit individuation and accuracy task goals, participants rapidly differentiated targets by race within 200 ms. Importantly, this rapid categorical processing did not influence behavioral outcomes as participants made individuated predictions. These findings indicate that individuals engage in category processing even when provided with individuation and accuracy goals, but that this processing does not necessarily result in category-based judgments.
Marketing mix, customer value, and customer loyalty in social commerce: A stimulus-organism-response perspective

Purpose Based on stimulus-organism-response model, the purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model to explore the effects of six marketing-mix components (stimuli) on consumer loyalty (response) through consumer value (organism) in social commerce (SC). Design/methodology/approach In order to target online social buyers, a web-based survey was employed. Structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS) is used to analyze valid data from 599 consumers who have repurchase experience via Facebook. Findings The results from PLS analysis show that all components of SC marketing mix (SCMM) have significant effects on SC consumer value. Moreover, SC customer value positively influences SC customer loyalty (CL). Research limitations/implications The data for this study are collected from Facebook only and the sample size is limited; thus, replication studies are needed to improve generalizability and data representativeness of the study. Moreover, longitudinal studies are needed to verify the causality among the constructs in the proposed research model. Practical implications SC sellers should implement more effective SCMM strategies to foster SC CL through better SCMM decisions. Social implications The SCMM components represent the collective benefits of social interaction, exemplifying the importance of effective communication and interaction among SC customers. Originality/value This study develops a parsimonious model to explain the over-arching effects of SCMM components on CL in SC mediated by customer value. It confirms that utilitarian, hedonic, and social values can be applied to online SC and that SCMM can be leveraged to achieve these values.
Radial glia inhibit peripheral glial infiltration into the spinal cord at motor exit point transition zones

In the mature vertebrate nervous system, central and peripheral nervous system (CNS and PNS, respectively) GLIA myelinate distinct motor axon domains at the motor exit point transition zone (MEP TZ). How these cells preferentially associate with and myelinate discrete, non‐overlapping CNS versus PNS axonal segments, is unknown. Using in vivo imaging and genetic cell ablation in zebrafish, we demonstrate that radial glia restrict migration of PNS glia into the spinal cord during development. Prior to development of radial glial endfeet, peripheral cells freely migrate back and forth across the MEP TZ. However, upon maturation, peripherally located cells never enter the CNS. When we ablate radial glia, peripheral glia ectopically migrate into the spinal cord during developmental stages when they would normally be restricted. These findings demonstrate that radial glia contribute to both CNS and PNS development and control the unidirectional movement of glial cell types across the MEP TZ early in development. GLIA 2016. GLIA 2016;64:1138–1153
Breaking Narrative Ground: Innovative Methods for Rigorously Eliciting and Assessing Patient Narratives.

OBJECTIVE To design a methodology for rigorously eliciting narratives about patients' experiences with clinical care that is potentially useful for public reporting and quality improvement. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Two rounds of experimental data (N = 48 each) collected in 2013-2014, using a nationally representative Internet panel. STUDY DESIGN Our study (1) articulates and operationalizes criteria for assessing narrative elicitation protocols; (2) establishes a "gold standard" for assessment of such protocols; and (3) creates and tests a protocol for narratives about outpatient treatment experiences. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We randomized participants between telephone and web-based modalities and between protocols placed before and after a closed-ended survey. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Elicited narratives can be assessed relative to a gold standard using four criteria: (1) meaningfulness, (2) completeness, (3) whether the narrative accurately reflects the balance of positive and negative events, and (4) representativeness, which reflects the protocol's performance across respondent subgroups. We demonstrate that a five-question protocol that has been tested and refined yields three- to sixfold increases in completeness and four- to tenfold increases in meaningfulness, compared to a single open-ended question. It performs equally well for healthy and sick patients. CONCLUSIONS Narrative elicitation protocols suitable for inclusion in extant patient experience surveys can be designed and tested against objective performance criteria, thus advancing the science of public reporting.
Anterior or posterior walkers for children with cerebral palsy? A systematic review

Abstract Objective: To review the literature comparing use of anterior and posterior walkers (PW’s) by children with cerebral palsy (CP) to determine which walker type is preferable. Methods: Electronic databases were searched using pre-defined terms by two independent reviewers. Reference lists of included studies were hand searched. Studies published between 1985 and 2016 comparing use of anterior and PW’s by children with CP were included. All study designs and outcomes were accepted. Risk of bias was assessed using the “Quality assessment standard for a cross-over study”. Quality of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Results: Six studies were analysed. All studies had small sample sizes. A total of 4/6 studies were randomized. A total of 4/6 had high risk of bias. Outcomes included velocity, pelvic tilt, hip flexion, knee flexion, step length, stride length, cadence, double stance time, oxygen cost and participant/parental preference. Velocity, trunk flexion/pelvic tilt, and stability may be improved by using a PW, however, GRADE quality was very low for all outcomes and there was heterogeneity between studies. The majority of participants and parents preferred the PW. Conclusions: Heterogeneity and low quality of existing evidence prevented recommendation of one walker type. Well-designed studies with adequate power are needed to inform clinical recommendations. Implications for rehabilitation Clinical recommendations cannot be made for whether anterior or posterior walkers are preferable for children with cerebral palsy based on the existing evidence. Velocity, trunk flexion/pelvic tilt, and stability may be improved by using a posterior walker. The majority of walking aid users and their parents preferred posterior walkers. Adequately powered studies designed to minimize bias are needed.
Treatment with pCramoll Alone and in Combination with Fluconazole Provides Therapeutic Benefits in C. gattii Infected Mice

Cryptococcus gattii is one of the main causative agents of cryptococcosis in immunocompetent individuals. Treatment of the infection is based on the use of antimycotics, however, the toxicity of these drugs and the increase of drug-resistant strains have driven the search for more effective and less toxic therapies for cryptococcosis. pCramoll are isolectins purified from seeds of Cratylia mollis, a native forage plant from Brazil, which has become a versatile tool for biomedical application. We evaluated the effect of pCramoll alone and in combination with fluconazole for the treatment of mice infected with C. gatti. pCramoll alone or in combination with fluconazole increased the survival, reduced the morbidity and improved mice behavior i.e., neuropsychiatric state, motor behavior, autonomic function, muscle tone and strength and reflex/sensory function. These results were associated with (i) decreased pulmonary and cerebral fungal burden and (ii) increased inflammatory infiltrate and modulatory of IFNγ, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A cytokines in mice treated with pCramoll. Indeed, bone marrow-derived macrophages pulsed with pCramoll had increased ability to engulf C. gattii, with an enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and decrease of intracellular fungal proliferation. These findings point toward the use of pCramoll in combination with fluconazole as a viable, alternative therapy for cryptococcosis management.
Ultrasonography findings of intradermal nodular fasciitis: a rare case report and review of the literature

Intradermal nodular fasciitis (INF) is a rare entity. We report a case of INF and report the findings from high-resolution ultrasonography (US) imaging and histopathology. A 37-year-old man presented in January 2006 with of a nodule on his arm. The nodule was pea-sized, firm and rapidly growing, indicating malignancy in nature. Grey-scale ultrasonography (US) was performed, using a US machine (ProSound SSD-3500; Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) equipped with a 10 MHz linear transducer attached to an echo coupler (MP-2463), with a water bag serving as a fluid offset to diagnose the tumour and to determine its depth and extension before the operation. This procedure using a water bag is comparable to a high-resolution imaging method, and all dermal layers from the superficial to the deeper layers were readily identified, as has been reported previously for evaluating skin invasion of breast cancer. The US revealed a circumscribed dermal nodule, 8.0 9 4.2 mm in size, which was projecting slightly into the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The lesion was relatively well-demarcated with rough edges, in part projecting in a string-like manner. The centre of the nodule showed a heterogeneous pattern of hypoechoic areas juxtaposed with hyperechoic streaks (Fig. 1a). Color Doppler US showed clear blood-flow signals within the nodule (Fig. 1b). Histopathological findings showed infiltration of fibroblast-like spindle cells and inflammatory cells in the mid and lower dermis and into the subcutaneous fatty tissue. The fibroblast-like spindle cells tended to be mitotic, but with no sign of atypical mitoses. The nodule was partly occupied by a dense proliferation of collagen fibres (Fig. 2a). Deposition of mucin in the stroma and dilatation of blood vessels filled with erythrocytes were noted. Higher magnification demonstrated dilatation of blood vessels and hypervascularity (Fig. 2b). Based on these findings, the nodule was diagnosed as intradermal nodular fasciitis, cellular type, with mucinous oedema and proliferation of collagen fibres. The restricted location of dermal fasciitis in the dermal region is extremely rare. The first case of dermal nodular fasciitis was documented in 1990, and only 15 previous cases have been reported in the literature. As our patient’s US results showed malignant properties, we attempted to compare the US findings with the pathological findings in detail. Using grey-scale US, the hyperechoic streaks were found to reflect pronounced collagen (a)
Interaction Between Self-Regulation, Intentions and Implicit Attitudes in the Prediction of Physical Activity Among Persons With Obesity

Objective: Both explicit and implicit motivational processes predict physical activity (PA); however, their respective contributions may depend on interindividual differences. This study examined the moderating role of trait impulsivity and executive functions in the associations between PA intentions, implicit attitudes toward sedentary behavior, and PA measured with accelerometers in persons with obesity. Methods: Participants (N = 76; Mage = 56 years, SD = 11.9; MBody Mass Index = 39.1, SD = 6.5) completed baseline questionnaires measuring their PA intentions and trait impulsivity. They also performed 2 computerized tests measuring implicit attitudes toward sedentary behavior and executive functions. PA was assessed 4 months later with an accelerometer. Results: Implicit attitudes toward sedentary behavior and executive functions interacted to predict PA. Higher implicit attitudes were associated with significantly lower PA in participants with low and moderate executive functions but not high executive functions. Conclusions: These results support the role of implicit processes and cognitive factors in health-related behavior adoption through time. Practically, these variables may be useful to identify individuals at risk of abandoning PA after programs who thus may benefit from complementary interventions (e.g., provide feedback on implicit attitudes and develop self-regulatory skills).
Recurrent perseverations on semantic verbal fluency tasks as an early marker of cognitive impairment

ABSTRACT Introduction: Our objective was to examine the association between perseverations produced on the semantic verbal fluency (SVF) task in asymptomatic individuals and the future diagnosis of cognitive impairment (CI). Method: Participants were individuals participating in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (N = 1269, Mage = 79.3 years, SD = 5.1; 51% men). All were cognitively normal at baseline and were followed in 15-month intervals for up to 6 visits. Each neurocognitive assessment included SVF tasks (“animals,” “fruits,” and “vegetables”). Cox modeling was used to test for associations between perseverations and time to CI diagnosis. Results: Perseverations on the “animals” SVF task were associated with incident CI (hazard ratio = 1.35; 95% confidence interval, CI [1.10, 1.66]). No significant association was found with perseverations on the “fruits” or “vegetables” SVF tasks. Mixed-effects modeling in cognitively normal participants revealed that the number of perseverations at baseline is significantly associated with decline in memory and visuospatial cognitive domains but is not associated with decline in attention. Conclusions: Assessing perseverations together with standard SVF scores on the “animals” SVF task can help in early identification of asymptomatic individuals at an increased risk for CI. Perseverations are not associated with attention, but rather visual and verbal working memory mechanisms. In longitudinal settings aimed at early detection of signs of CI in presymptomatic individuals, SVF testing with scoring that includes counting of perseverations may potentially serve as a practical alternative to the more cumbersome memory tests.
Comprehensive systematic review summary: Treatment of cerebellar motor dysfunction and ataxia

Objective To systematically review evidence regarding ataxia treatment. Methods A comprehensive systematic review was performed according to American Academy of Neurology methodology. Conclusions For patients with episodic ataxia type 2, 4-aminopyridine 15 mg/d probably reduces ataxia attack frequency over 3 months (1 Class I study). For patients with ataxia of mixed etiology, riluzole probably improves ataxia signs at 8 weeks (1 Class I study). For patients with Friedreich ataxia or spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), riluzole probably improves ataxia signs at 12 months (1 Class I study). For patients with SCA type 3, valproic acid 1,200 mg/d possibly improves ataxia at 12 weeks. For patients with spinocerebellar degeneration, thyrotropin-releasing hormone possibly improves some ataxia signs over 10 to 14 days (1 Class II study). For patients with SCA type 3 who are ambulatory, lithium probably does not improve signs of ataxia over 48 weeks (1 Class I study). For patients with Friedreich ataxia, deferiprone possibly worsens ataxia signs over 6 months (1 Class II study). Data are insufficient to support or refute the use of numerous agents. For nonpharmacologic options, in patients with degenerative ataxias, 4-week inpatient rehabilitation probably improves ataxia and function (1 Class I study); transcranial magnetic stimulation possibly improves cerebellar motor signs at 21 days (1 Class II study). For patients with multiple sclerosis–associated ataxia, the addition of pressure splints possibly has no additional benefit compared with neuromuscular rehabilitation alone (1 Class II study). Data are insufficient to support or refute use of stochastic whole-body vibration therapy (1 Class III study).
A new flavone glucoside together with known ellagitannins and flavones with anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activities from the flowers of pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Abstract A new flavone glucoside tricetin 4′-O-β-glucopyranoside (1) and four known ellagitannins and flavones tricetin (2), luteolin (3), ellagic acid (4), and granatin B (5) were isolated from the flowers of Punica granatum L. (Lythraceae). Their structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR as well as mass spectrometry analyses. Among all tested compounds, tricetin (2) exhibited the strongest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity that was comparable to the anti-diabetic drug acarbose. Comparative structure-function analysis of tri-, tetra-, and pentahydroxy flavones [apigenin, luteolin (3), and tricetin (2), respectively] suggested that a greater number of hydroxyl groups on the flavone molecule enhanced its suppression of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase activities.
A Solitary Feature-Based Lung Nodule Detection Approach for Chest X-Ray Radiographs

Lung cancer is one of the most deadly diseases. It has a high death rate and its incidence rate has been increasing all over the world. Lung cancer appears as a solitary nodule in chest x-ray radiograph (CXR). Therefore, lung nodule detection in CXR could have a significant impact on early detection of lung cancer. Radiologists define a lung nodule in CXR as “solitary white nodule-like blob. ” However, the solitary feature has not been employed for lung nodule detection before. In this paper, a solitary feature-based lung nodule detection method was proposed. We employed stationary wavelet transform and convergence index filter to extract the texture features and used AdaBoost to generate white nodule-likeness map. A solitary feature was defined to evaluate the isolation degree of candidates. Both the isolation degree and the white nodule likeness were used as final evaluation of lung nodule candidates. The proposed method shows better performance and robustness than those reported in previous research. More than 80% and 93% of lung nodules in the lung field in the Japanese Society of Radiological Technology (JSRT) database were detected when the false positives per image were two and five, respectively. The proposed approach has the potential of being used in clinical practice.
Beneficial effects of acute trans-resveratrol supplementation in treated hypertensive patients with endothelial dysfunction

ABSTRACT Endothelial dysfunction is a surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk. Resveratrol is known to improve endothelial function in animals, however, clinical trials are limited. We hypothesized that the acute trans-resveratrol supplementation improves endothelial function in treated hypertensive patients with endothelial dysfunction. Twenty-four hypertensive patients between 45 and 65 years-old with baseline endothelial dysfunction were enrolled in a randomized, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Individuals received either a single dose of trans-resveratrol (300 mg) or placebo and were crossed-over after a one-week washout period. Blood pressure (BP) measurements, aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were performed before and 1.5 hours after the intervention. FMD was significantly increased in women (4.2 ± 0.5 vs 7.1 ± 1.3%, p = 0.026) but not in men (4.4 ± 0.9 vs 4.9 ± 0.8%, p = 0.588) in the trans-resveratrol group. There was no statistical difference between baseline and final values of brachial BP and also no changes in aortic SBP. Patients with higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol had better FMD response to trans-resveratrol than patients with lower LDL cholesterol (7.4 ± 1.2 vs 4.3 ± 1.0%, p = 0.004). Our study demonstrated that the acute supplementation of trans-resveratrol promoted an improvement in endothelial function, especially in women and those with higher LDL-cholesterol, despite no changes in BP. List of Abbreviation: Aix: augmentation index; AP: augmentation pressure; BP: blood pressure; BMI: body Mass Index; CVD: cardiovascular disease; FMD: flow-mediated dilation; FRS: Framingham Risk Score; HDL: high-density lipoprotein; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; NO: nitric oxide; SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Sciences; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SBP: systolic blood pressure; TG: triglycerides.