Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of levodopa and subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease

Cardinal symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) respond well to treatment with levodopa and deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, it has remained unclear whether levodopa and STN‐DBS have differential effects on bradykinesia. We investigated 8 PD‐patients with STN‐electrodes in four conditions: STN‐DBS and levodopa (ONMED/ONSTIM), STN‐DBS only (OFFMED/ONSTIM), levodopa only (ONMED/OFFSTIM), without STN‐DBS/levodopa (OFFMED/OFFSTIM). Fourteen volunteers served as controls. Subjects performed fastest possible (1) pronation/supination of the forearm (diadochokinesia) and (2) flexion and extension of the index finger (finger movements). Movements were recorded using a 3D‐ultrasound‐system. Maximum frequency, amplitude, and smoothness of movements were determined. During OFFMED/OFFSTIM, all parameters were worser than in all other conditions. In proximal diadochokinesia, OFFMED/ONSTIM significantly improved the amplitude and frequency, whereas ONMED/OFFSTIM had no significant effect. In contrast, we found a stronger effect of levodopa (ONMED/OFFSTIM) on amplitudes of distal finger movement than on amplitudes of diadochokinesia. Combination of treatments during ONMED/ONSTIM further improved both movements. However, maximum frequency remained lower in PD‐patients during ONMED/ONSTIM compared with controls. This study demonstrates a better effect of levodopa on distal finger movements and STN‐DBS on proximal diadochokinesia. Furthermore, a complementary effect of both therapies on brain areas involved in bradykinesia can be assumed. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Antidepressant-induced Tardive Syndrome: a Retrospective Epidemiological Study

Abstract Introduction: The impact of using antidepressant on the occurrence of tardive syndrome is rarely studied. Here we aimed to investigate the prevalence of various types of antidepressant-induced tardive syndrome. Methods: This study was conducted by means of a retrospective survey. Subjects receiving antidepressant(s) for over 6 months, but no other agents that may cause involuntary movements, were consecutively recruited. Tardive syndrome was evaluated in every included subject. Possible confounding medical conditions were carefully ruled out. Results: Of the 158 included subjects, 22 (14.0%) were found to have at least one tardive syndrome. The prevalence of subtypes of tardive syndromes was: tardive dystonia: 10.8%, tardive dykinesia: 3.2%, tardive tremor: 1.3%, tardive parkinsonism: 1.3%, tardive tics: 1.3%, tardive sensory syndrome: 1.3%, and tardive myoclonus: 0.6%. Using serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and previous marital status significantly increase the risk of tardive syndrome. Discussion: This study showed that antidepressants may induce various types of tardive syndrome, of which tardive dystonia is the predominant form. Clinicians should be cautious of this infrequent but distressing adverse effect when using antidepressants.
Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain After Thoracotomy with Epidural Analgesia: The Influence of Phrenic Nerve Infiltration with Lidocaine

Patients receiving effective thoracic epidural analgesia for postthoracotomy pain may still complain of severe ipsilateral shoulder pain. The etiology of this pain is unclear. In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the effect of phrenic nerve infiltration with lidocaine or saline on postoperative shoulder pain in 48 patients. After completion of a lung resection, patients received either 10 mL of 1% lidocaine or 10 mL of 0.9% saline infiltrated into the periphrenic fat pad at the level of the diaphragm. Shoulder pain was experienced by 33% of patients receiving lidocaine, compared with 85% of patients receiving saline (P < 0.008). Overall pain scores were lower with lidocaine (P < 0.05). Paco2 values were not significantly higher with lidocaine in the first 2 h. We conclude that pain transmitted via the phrenic nerve and referred to the shoulder is the most likely explanation for the ipsilateral shoulder pain experienced by patients receiving epidural analgesia for postthoracotomy pain.
Association between body mass index and mental health among Scottish adult population: a cross-sectional study of 37272 participants

Background The evidence is conflicting as to whether body mass index (BMI) is associated with mental health and, if so, to what extent it varies by sex and age. We studied mental health across the full spectrum of BMI among the general population, and conducted subgroup analyses by sex and age. Method We undertook a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the Scottish adult population. The Scottish Health Survey provided data on mental health, measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ), BMI, demographic and life-style information. Good mental health was defined as a GHQ score <4, and poor mental health as a GHQ score ⩾4. Logistic regression models were applied. Results Of the 37 272 participants, 5739 (15.4%) had poor mental health. Overall, overweight participants had better mental health than the normal-weight group [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–0.99, p = 0.049], and individuals who were underweight, class II or class III obese had poorer mental health (class III obese group: adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05–1.51, p = 0.013). There were significant interactions of BMI with sex (p = 0.013) and with age (p < 0.001). Being overweight was associated with significantly better mental health in middle-aged men only. In contrast, being underweight at all ages or obese at a young age was associated with significantly poorer mental health in women only. Conclusions The adverse associations between adiposity and mental health are specific to women. Underweight women and young women who are obese have poorer mental health. In contrast, middle-aged overweight men have better mental health.
A Corner Finding Algorithm for Image Analysis and Registration

In our algorithm the gradient of θ (the gradient direction) in a grey level image is employed for detecting candidates for corner points. Two theorems show that this quantity attains a local maximum at a corner point. Two approaches, median filtering and Hough transform are used effectively to distinguish corner points from noise points. The corner points formed by our algorithm are used in interframe matching.
Composition Context Matching for Web Service Recommendation

In a service oriented B2B context, companies are aiming to cooperate and interact with others to dynamically create added value services by composing them. The tremendous growth in the amount of available web services impulses many researches on proposing discovery mechanisms to help designers compose services. However, most of the proposed solutions ignore in their discovery queries the upcoming services' interactions within the being designed compositions. In this paper, we present an original recommendation approach to discover a requested service to be incorporated into a specific composition. We propose to take into account the composition context specified through the process fragment surrounding the requested service, and benefit from the modeling and usage of previous service compositions to build our recommendations. Provided experimental evaluations in this paper show that our approach is efficient in realistic situations.
Identification of groups who report similar patterns of diet among a representative national sample of British adults aged 65 years of age or more

Abstract Objectives: Using a national representative sample to identify groups within the UK male and female population over 65 years who report similar patterns of diet. Design: National representative dietary survey, using 4-day weighed dietary records of men and women aged over 65 years old and living in private households in Great Britain in 1994–1995. Cluster analysis was used to aggregate individuals into diet groups. Setting: United Kingdom. Subjects: 558 women and 539 men. Main outcome measures: Consumption of predefined food groups, nutrient intakes, socio-economic, demographic and behavioural characteristics. Results: Three large clusters comprising 86% of the male population and three large clusters comprising 83% of the female population were identified. Among men, the most prevalent cluster was a ‘mixed diet’ with elements from a traditional diet and some elements from a healthy diet (48% of the male population); the second was a ‘healthy diet’ (21% of the male population); and the third was a ‘traditional diet high in alcohol’ (17% of the male population). Among women, the most prevalent diet was a ‘sweet traditional diet’ (33% of the female population); the second was a ‘healthy diet’ (32% of the female population); and the last was a ‘mixed diet’ with elements of the traditional diet and the healthy diet (18% of the female population). There were important differences in average nutrient intakes, socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics across these diet clusters. Conclusions: Cluster analysis identified three diet groups among men and three among women. These differed not only in terms of reported dietary intake, but also with respect to their nutrient content, social and behavioural profile. The groups identified could provide a useful basis for health promotion based upon the diet clusters.
The influence of image quality on scene consistency effects: Evidence from the eye tracking

People are accustomed to seeing certain objects in specific and recurring contexts in daily life. Many research results have indicated that consistent scene could result in better object recognition. Research has also shown that contextual regularities and image quality can help us to form rapid judgments of particular objects and summon our attention when the objects appear to be incongruent with our expectations. Based on attention restoration theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of contexts on object recognition by adopting eye tracking techniques. 4 groups of college students (N=20) were asked to view 52 full-color scene photographs with 4 levels of image quality repeatedly and recognize the shown objects at the same time, during which their eye movements were recorded. Results indicated that (1) compared with consistent object, participants recognized inconsistent objects more slowly (F(1,28) = 27.1, p <;0.001), less accurately (F(1,28) = 19.6, p <;0.001), fixating longer (F(1,28) = 23.6, p <;0.001), fixating more frequently (F(1,28) = 42.3, p <;0.001) and more fixations prior (F(1,28) = 16.9, p <;0.001). (2) compared with the objects with original image quality, the objects with degradation qualities were harder to be recognized, presented less accurately (F(1,28)=8.13, p<;0.01), longer reaction time (F(1,28)=6.40, p<;0.05), longer fixation time (F(1,28)=9.68, p<;0.01) and more frequent fixation (F(1,28)=10.1, p<;0.01). (3) the more the image quality was degraded, the less contextual clues were obtained, which may reduce the effect of semantic consistency.
Physical Cues Controlling Seasonal Immune Allocation in a Natural Piscine Model

Seasonal patterns in immunity are frequently observed in vertebrates but are poorly understood. Here, we focused on a natural piscine model, the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and asked how seasonal immune allocation is driven by physical variables (time, light, and heat). Using functionally-relevant gene expression metrics as a reporter of seasonal immune allocation, we synchronously sampled fish monthly from the wild (two habitats), and from semi-natural outdoors mesocosms (stocked from one of the wild habitats). This was repeated across two annual cycles, with continuous within-habitat monitoring of environmental temperature and implementing a manipulation of temperature in the mesocosms. We also conducted a long-term laboratory experiment, subjecting acclimated wild fish to natural and accelerated (×2) photoperiodic change at 7 and 15°C. The laboratory experiment demonstrated that immune allocation was independent of photoperiod and only a very modest effect, at most, was controlled by a tentative endogenous circannual rhythm. On the other hand, experimentally-determined thermal effects were able to quantitatively predict much of the summer–winter fluctuation observed in the field and mesocosms. Importantly, however, temperature was insufficient to fully predict, and occasionally was a poor predictor of, natural patterns. Thermal effects can thus be overridden by other (unidentified) natural environmental variation and do not take the form of an unavoidable constraint due to cold-blooded physiology. This is consistent with a context-dependent strategic control of immunity in response to temperature variation, and points to the existence of temperature-sensitive regulatory circuits that might be conserved in other vertebrates.
Evaluating Jordan's e-government website: a case study

This study had two objectives: first, to propose an instrument to identify the major dimensions used in evaluating e-government websites. A model is proposed for the evaluation of e-government websites from users' perspective. The second objective was to measure the influence of these dimensions on the intention to use Jordan's e-government website. A sample of 300 Jordanian students conducted an experiential test, where they performed specific tasks and answered questions related to these tasks. Usability, accessibility and privacy/security were significant factors in predicting the adoption of e-government website. Conclusions, contributions, and future work are reported at the end.
Nonlinear Bayesian estimation with compactly supported wavelets

Bayesian estimation for nonlinear systems is still a challenging problem, as in general the type of the true probability density changes and the complexity increases over time. Hence, approximations of the occurring equations and/or of the underlying probability density functions are inevitable. In this paper, we propose an approximation of the conditional densities by wavelet expansions. This kind of representation allows a sparse set of characterizing coefficients, especially for smooth or piecewise smooth density functions. Besides its good approximation properties, fast algorithms operating on sparse vectors are applicable and thus, a good trade-off between approximation quality and run-time can be achieved. Moreover, due to its highly generic nature, it can be applied to a large class of nonlinear systems with a high modeling accuracy. In particular, the noise acting upon the system can be modeled by an arbitrary probability distribution and can influence the system in any way.
Oxidative stress contributes to the impaired sonic hedgehog pathway in type 1 diabetic mice with myocardial infarction

Our previous study demonstrated that an impaired sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway contributed to cardiac dysfunction in type 1 diabetic mice with myocardial infarction (MI). The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that oxidative stress may contribute to the impaired Shh pathway and cardiac dysfunction in type 1 diabetic mice with MI. Streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice (C57/Bl6, male) and rat neonatal cardiomyocytes were used in the present study. Mice were randomly assigned to undergo ligation of the coronary artery or pseudosurgery. A potent antioxidant Tempol was administered in vivo and in vitro. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, capillary density by immunohistochemisty, percentage of myocardial infarct using Massons trichrome staining, reactive oxygen species detection using dihydroethidium dye or 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate probe and protein expression levels of the Shh pathway by western blot analysis. The antioxidant Tempol was shown to significantly increase myocardial protein expression levels of Shh and patched-1 (Ptc1) at 7–18 weeks and improved cardiac function at 18 weeks in type 1 diabetic mice, as compared with mice receiving no drug treatment. Furthermore, myocardial protein expression levels of Shh and Ptc1 were significantly upregulated on day 7 after MI, and capillary density was enhanced. In addition, the percentage area of myocardial infarct was reduced, and the cardiac dysfunction and survival rate were improved on day 21 in diabetic mice treated with Tempol. In vitro, treatment of rat neonatal cardiomyocytes with a mixture of xanthine oxidase and xanthine decreased protein expression levels of Shh and Ptc1 in a concentration-dependent manner, and Tempol attenuated this effect. These results indicate that oxidative stress may contribute to an impaired Shh pathway in type 1 diabetic mice, leading to diminished myocardial healing and cardiac dysfunction. Antioxidative strategies aimed at restoring the endogenous Shh pathway may offer a useful means for improving diabetic cardiac function.
Modal Characterization on Recyclable FoamSandwich Panels

The reduction of the mass of a structure is an important issue in the engineering field since it leads to reduced emissions and operating costs. On the other hand, weight saving often leads to an increase of vibration/noise transmission. For this reason, in the last years the dynamic design of lightweight structures has received more emphasis, particularly in engineering transport applications, where dynamic loads can produce high amplitudes of vibration. At the same time, the research has been also focussed on the use of “green materials” with the intention to satisfy both weight and sound insulation/vibration suppression requirements using environmentally friendly materials. This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign performed on sandwich panels manufactured by using recyclable foam core and face sheets made from natural and plastic fibres combined with recyclable resin. In order to evaluate the vibrational characteristics, the mode shapes, natural frequencies and damping ratio of the sandwich panels were identified experimentally. The tests were performed by adopting the so-called roving hammer technique. Experimental results were compared with numerical ones, obtained by means of a finite element model. The structural loss factor of these panels was measured using the reverberation time method.
E-Payment: Prospects and Challenges in Nigerian Public Sector

: This study presents E-payment system as means of fast tracking the implementation of government policies through the elimination of delays in government payment system and minimizing interactions between government officials and contractors to eliminate opportunity for corruptive tendencies. This is with the view of achieving economic and efficient transactions in government finances and improve quality of reporting system in the Nigerian public sector. Though the e-payment system is faced with challenges, like public acceptability, lack of uniform platform being operated by the banks, lack of adequate infrastructure and issues of security, with the proper use of the E-payment system, corruption which is a cancer in the public sector will be adequately addressed .
Predictors of Cardiac Rehabilitation Utilization in England: Results From the National Audit

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is grossly underused, with major inequities in access. However, use of CR and predictors of initiation in England where CR contracting is available is unknown. The aims were (1) to investigate CR utilization rates in England, and (2) to determine sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with CR initiation including social deprivation. Methods and Results Data from the National Audit of CR, between January 2012 and November 2015, were used. Utilization rates overall and by deprivation quintile were derived. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of initiation among enrollees, using the Huber–White–sandwich estimator robust standard errors method to account for the nested nature of the data. Of the 234 736 (81.5%) patients referred to CR, 141 648 enrolled, 97 406 initiated CR, and of those initiating, 37.2% completed a program of ≥8 weeks duration. The significant characteristics associated with CR initiation were younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.98–0.99), having a partner (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.17–1.48), not being employed (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.96), not having diabetes mellitus (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.77–0.92), greater anxiety (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.003–1.04), not being a medically managed myocardial infarction patient (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42–0.76), and having had coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.09–2.47). Conclusions CR enrollment does not meet English National Health Service targets; however it compares with that in other countries. Evidence‐based approaches increasing CR enrollment and initiation should be applied, focusing on the identified characteristics associated with CR initiation, specifically older, single, employed individuals with diabetes mellitus and those not revascularized.
Total aerosol effect: radiative forcing or radiative flux perturbation?

Abstract. Uncertainties in aerosol radiative forcings, especially those associated with clouds, contribute to a large extent to uncertainties in the total anthropogenic forcing. The interaction of aerosols with clouds and radiation introduces feedbacks which can affect the rate of precipitation formation. In former assessments of aerosol radiative forcings, these effects have not been quantified. Also, with global aerosol-climate models simulating interactively aerosols and cloud microphysical properties, a quantification of the aerosol forcings in the traditional way is difficult to define properly. Here we argue that fast feedbacks should be included because they act quickly compared with the time scale of global warming. We show that for different forcing agents (aerosols and greenhouse gases) the radiative forcings as traditionally defined agree rather well with estimates from a method, here referred to as radiative flux perturbations (RFP), that takes these fast feedbacks and interactions into account. Based on our results, we recommend RFP as a valid option to compare different forcing agents, and to compare the effects of particular forcing agents in different models.
Oncogenic Ras-Induced Proliferation Requires Autocrine Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Signaling in Skeletal Muscle Cells

Constitutively activated Ras proteins are associated with a large number of human cancers, including those originating from skeletal muscle tissue. In this study, we show that ectopic expression of oncogenic Ras stimulates proliferation of the MM14 skeletal muscle satellite cell line in the absence of exogenously added fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). MM14 cells express FGF-1, -2, -6, and -7 and produce FGF protein, yet they are dependent on exogenously supplied FGFs to both maintain proliferation and repress terminal differentiation. Thus, the FGFs produced by these cells are either inaccessible or inactive, since the endogenous FGFs elicit no detectable biological response. Oncogenic Ras-induced proliferation is abolished by addition of an anti–FGF-2 blocking antibody, suramin, or treatment with either sodium chlorate or heparitinase, demonstrating an autocrine requirement for FGF-2. Oncogenic Ras does not appear to alter cellular export rates of FGF-2, which does not possess an NH2-terminal or internal signal peptide. However, oncogenic Ras does appear to be involved in releasing or activating inactive, extracellularly sequestered FGF-2. Surprisingly, inhibiting the autocrine FGF-2 required for proliferation has no effect on oncogenic Ras-mediated repression of muscle-specific gene expression. We conclude that oncogenic Ras-induced proliferation of skeletal muscle cells is mediated via a unique and novel mechanism that is distinct from Ras-induced repression of terminal differentiation and involves activation of extracellularly localized, inactive FGF-2.