Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meal patterns associated with the age-related decline in food intake in the Fischer 344 rat.

We previously reported that aging Fischer 344 (F344) rats display a spontaneous, rapid loss in body weight associated with decreased food intake near the end of life. Here, we describe the specific changes in feeding patterns underlying this reduced intake. Nine male F344 rats, aged 25 mo, were monitored continuously until 7 days after the onset of spontaneous rapid weight loss (i.e., senescence). Regardless of age at death (25.5-32.5 mo), all senescent rats demonstrated a similar pattern of decreased food intake. They ate significantly smaller meals (g/meal) of shorter duration during spontaneous rapid weight loss compared with their period of weight stability (presenescence). However, no differences occurred in the number of meals eaten per day. Rapid weight loss had no effect on the rats' selection of preferred diets. Serum levels of the hormone leptin were not higher in the senescent vs. age-matched presenescent rats, nor was the incidence of common disease different in senescent animals. Moreover, the area of the pituitary-hypothalamus interface, measured to identify possible hypothalamic compression, was similar in the senescent rats and an age-matched, presenescent control group despite significantly greater pituitary size in the former. Our data show that simultaneous with rapid spontaneous weight loss, aging rats demonstrate significant changes in feeding patterns suggestive of earlier satiation. These feeding alterations do not result from loss of ability to select for palatable food, elevated serum leptin levels, specific pathology, or hypothalamic compression.
Longitudinal examination of 24-h urinary iodine excretion in schoolchildren as a sensitive, hydration status-independent research tool for studying iodine status.

BACKGROUND Because worldwide iodine status (IS) depends on continuous fortification, the adequacy of IS needs to be regularly monitored. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to evaluate IS in a longitudinal sample of healthy schoolchildren who regularly used table salt iodized with 20 microg I/g. DESIGN Urine osmolality (Uosm) and 24-h urinary excretion rates of iodine (24-h UI), sodium, creatinine, and total urine volume (24-h Uvol) were measured in 1046 specimens that were collected at repeated intervals from 1996 to 2003 in a sample of 358 German children aged 6-12 y. Energy intake and food consumption were calculated from 3-d weighed dietary records that were collected in parallel to the urine samples. RESULTS During the 4-y period from 1996 to 1999, the median 24-h UI increased from 87 to 93 microg I/d (P = 0.017), whereas urinary iodine concentration (UIC), Uosm, and 24-h Uvol did not change significantly. Thereafter (from 2000 to 2003), UIC stagnated and Uosm decreased (P = 0.004), whereas 24-h Uvol (P = 0.008) and 24-h UI (P = 0.002) increased. The final median 24-h UI reached 120 microg I/d. Milk, fish, egg, and meat intakes and 24-h sodium excretion were all significant predictors of IS, with an almost doubled contribution from milk intake during the second 4-y period. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows a continuous improvement of IS in a longitudinal sample of German schoolchildren. This improvement was masked when UIC was used as an IS index, especially from 2000 to 2003 because of changes in hydration status. Thus, in research-oriented studies that focus on UIC measurements, hydration status can be a relevant confounder. Longitudinal analyses of 24-h UI in cohort studies may represent an alternative hydration status-independent tool to examine trends in IS and the contribution of relevant foods to IS.
Diet and basal cell carcinoma of the skin in a prospective cohort of men.

BACKGROUND Low intake of fat and high intake of specific vitamins have been hypothesized to reduce risk of basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC). OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine intakes of fat, antioxidant nutrients, retinol, folate, and vitamin D in relation to risk of BCC. DESIGN In 1986, diet was assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire in 43217 male participants of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who were 40-75 y of age and free of cancer. During 8 y of follow-up, we ascertained 3190 newly diagnosed cases of BCC. RESULTS Total fat consumption was associated with a lower risk of BCC [relative risk (RR): 0.81; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.90 for the highest compared with the lowest quintile of intake; P for trend < 0.001). Simultaneous modeling of specific fatty acids suggested that this inverse association was limited to monounsaturated fat (RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96; P for trend = 0. 02); saturated and polyunsaturated fat were not associated with BCC risk. Folate intake was associated with a slightly higher risk of BCC (RR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.40; P for trend = 0.11), whereas alpha-carotene was associated with a slightly lower risk (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79, 0.99; P for trend = 0.01). Intakes of long-chain n-3 fatty acids, retinol, vitamin C, vitamin D, or vitamin E were not materially related to BCC risk. CONCLUSIONS These findings do not support the hypothesis that diets low in fat or high in specific vitamins lower risk of BCC.
Iron supplementation and physical growth of rural Indonesian children.

The effect of oral iron supplementation on blood Fe levels and physical growth in 119 rural Indonesian school children was assessed in this double-blind study. The children were classified into anemic and normal groups according to their initial hemoglobin and transferrin saturation levels and were randomly assigned to either Fe or placebo treatment for 12 wk. Hematological, anthropometric, and morbidity data were collected before and after the treatment period. Before treatment, anemic subjects were smaller and had higher morbidity than normal subjects. Treatment with 10 mg ferrous sulfate.kg-1.d-1 for 12 wk resulted in a significant improvement in anemic subjects' hematological status, growth velocity, and level or morbidity.
Robotic gaming prototype for upper limb exercise: Effects of age and embodiment on user preferences and movement

Background: Effective human-robot interactions in rehabilitation necessitates an understanding of how these should be tailored to the needs of the human. We report on a robotic system developed as a partner on a 3-D everyday task, using a gamified approach. Objectives: To: (1) design and test a prototype system, to be ultimately used for upper-limb rehabilitation; (2) evaluate how age affects the response to such a robotic system; and (3) identify whether the robot’s physical embodiment is an important aspect in motivating users to complete a set of repetitive tasks. Methods: 62 healthy participants, young (<30 yo) and old (>60 yo), played a 3D tic-tac-toe game against an embodied (a robotic arm) and a non-embodied (a computer-controlled lighting system) partner. To win, participants had to place three cups in sequence on a physical 3D grid. Cup picking-and-placing was chosen as a functional task that is often practiced in post-stroke rehabilitation. Movement of the participants was recorded using a Kinect camera. Results: The timing of the participants’ movement was primed by the response time of the system: participants moved slower when playing with the slower embodied system (p = 0.006). The majority of participants preferred the robot over the computer-controlled system. Slower response time of the robot compared to the computer-controlled one only affected the young group’s motivation to continue playing. Conclusion: We demonstrated the feasibility of the system to encourage the performance of repetitive 3D functional movements, and track these movements. Young and old participants preferred to interact with the robot, compared with the non-embodied system. We contribute to the growing knowledge concerning personalized human-robot interactions by (1) demonstrating the priming of the human movement by the robotic movement – an important design feature, and (2) identifying response-speed as a design variable, the importance of which depends on the age of the user.
Long-term survival after complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer in patients with interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES Patients with lung cancer and interstitial lung disease (ILD), usual interstitial pneumonia in particular, are known to have a poor outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of ILD in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. METHODS A total of 2054 consecutive patients underwent complete resection of Stage IA-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer in our institution between January 2002 and March 2013. The presence of ILD was diagnosed and categorized based on high-resolution computed tomography images. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the prognostic factors. RESULTS There were 106 (5%) patients with ILD. There were significantly more patients who developed severe complications (P < 0.01) in the ILD group, with 4 (4%) patients developing acute exacerbation. Although the difference in postoperative mortality rate was marginal between the groups (P = 0.07), the 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival rates of the ILD patients were significantly worse than those of the non-ILD group (overall survival: 40.4% vs 72.0%, P < 0.01; cancer-specific survival 55.4% vs 78.6%, P < 0.01). The results of multivariate analysis showed that coexistence of ILD (hazard ratio 1.45; P = 0.01) was an independent, unfavourable prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS The presence of ILD led to a much poorer survival after complete resection of non-small-cell lung cancer.
An evaluation of portion size estimation aids: precision, ease of use and likelihood of future use

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to evaluate the precision, ease of use and likelihood of future use of portion size estimation aids (PSEA). Design A range of PSEA were used to estimate the serving sizes of a range of commonly eaten foods and rated for ease of use and likelihood of future usage. Setting For each food, participants selected their preferred PSEA from a range of options including: quantities and measures; reference objects; measuring; and indicators on food packets. These PSEA were used to serve out various foods (e.g. liquid, amorphous, and composite dishes). Ease of use and likelihood of future use were noted. The foods were weighed to determine the precision of each PSEA. Subjects Males and females aged 18–64 years (n 120). Results The quantities and measures were the most precise PSEA (lowest range of weights for estimated portion sizes). However, participants preferred household measures (e.g. 200 ml disposable cup) – deemed easy to use (median rating of 5), likely to use again in future (all scored either 4 or 5 on a scale from 1=‘not very likely’ to 5=‘very likely to use again’) and precise (narrow range of weights for estimated portion sizes). The majority indicated they would most likely use the PSEA preparing a meal (94 %), particularly dinner (86 %) in the home (89 %; all P<0·001) for amorphous grain foods. Conclusions Household measures may be precise, easy to use and acceptable aids for estimating the appropriate portion size of amorphous grain foods.
Particleboard Panels Made from Sugarcane Bagasse: Characterization for Use in the Furniture Industry

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of commercial panels produced with sugarcane bagasse to investigate the possibility of us for the production of furniture. We evaluated industrial MDP (Medium density particleboard) panels made of Eucalyptus and Pinus by two Brazilian companies and an industrial MDP panel made from sugarcane bagasse, produced in China. We tested the physical characteristics of water absorption and thickness swelling of the panels after 2 and 24 h of immersion in water. To estimate the moisture content and density, we followed the procedure detailed in NBR 14810-3¹. The mechanical properties were characterized by performing bending (moduli of elasticity and rupture), compression (moduli of elasticity rupture), internal bonding, screw pullout and Janka hardness tests. We found that panels made from sugarcane bagasse showed comparable with or superior physical and mechanical properties to those made from Eucalyptus and Pinus.
Nitric oxide differentially attenuates microvessel response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in injured lungs.

The issue of whether the acinar microvessel response to alveolar hypoxia and hypercapnia is impaired in injured lungs has not been vigorously addressed, despite the importance of knowing whether it is or not when treating patients with serious lung injury in terms of permissive hypercapnia. Applying a real-time laser confocal luminescence microscope, we studied hypoxia- and hypercapnia-induced changes in the diameter of the intra-acinar arterioles, venules, and capillaries of isolated rat lungs harvested from animals exposed for 48 h to 21% O2 ( group N) or 90% O2 ( group H). Measurements were made with and without inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) by N ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester or of cyclooxygenase (COX) by indomethacin at different basal vascular tones evoked by thromboxane A2(TXA2) analog. Hypoxia in the absence of TXA2 contracted arterioles in group N but not in group H. Attenuated hypoxia-induced arteriole constriction was restored almost fully by inhibiting NOS and partially by inhibiting COX. Hypercapnia induced venule dilation in group N, but did not dilate venules in group H, irrespective of TXA2. NOS inhibition in hypercapnia unexpectedly enhanced venule and arteriole dilation in group H. These responses no longer occurred when NOS and COX were inhibited simultaneously. In conclusion, microvessel reactions to hypoxia and hypercapnia are abnormal in hyperoxia-injured acini, in which NO directly attenuates hypoxia-induced arteriole constriction, whereas COX inhibited by excessive NO impedes hypercapnia-induced microvessel dilation.
Combinations of indigestible carbohydrates affect short-chain fatty acid formation in the hindgut of rats.

The fermentability and pattern of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) formed in the hindgut of rats given various combinations of dietary fibers (DF) and resistant starch (RS) were investigated. Highly fermentable indigestible carbohydrates, i.e., guar gum (GG), pectin (Pec) and high amylose cornstarch (HAS), and a DF with a relatively high resistance to fermentation, i.e., wheat bran (WB), were included. The substrates were studied individually or as mixtures (GG + Pec, GG + WB and HAS + WB, 1:1, wt/wt indigestible carbohydrate basis) at a total concentration of 100 g indigestible carbohydrates/kg diet and fed to rats for 13 d. Rats fed Pec had a high proportion of acetic acid in the cecum (76 +/- 2% of total SCFA), whereas those fed GG had the highest proportion of propionic acid (31 +/- 4%, P <0.0005). Rats fed GG and Pec had low proportions of butyric acid (6 +/- 1 and 10 +/- 1%, respectively), whereas those fed both had a higher proportion of butyric acid (15 +/- 3%, P < 0.05). Consequently, the cecal butyric acid pool was twice as high in rats fed the GG + Pec mixture (44 +/- 9 micro mol) as in those fed the individual components (19 +/- 2 and 21 +/- 3 micro mol, respectively, P < 0.05). Rats fed HAS with WB had a greater fecal excretion of SCFA (184 +/- 19 micro mol/d) than those fed the individual components (77 +/- 10 and 116 +/- 12 micro mol/d in rats fed HAS and WB, respectively P < 0.05), suggesting that incorporation of WB delayed the site of fermentation of HAS to the distal part of the hindgut. In conclusion, the combination of indigestible carbohydrates may affect both SCFA patterns and the site of SCFA release in the rat hindgut.
Energy expenditure in children predicted from heart rate and activity calibrated against respiration calorimetry.

The purpose of this study was to predict energy expenditure (EE) from heart rate (HR) and activity calibrated against 24-h respiration calorimetry in 20 children. HR, oxygen consumption (V˙o 2), carbon dioxide production (V˙co 2), and EE were measured during rest, sleep, exercise, and over 24 h by room respiration calorimetry on two separate occasions. Activity was monitored by a leg vibration sensor. The calibration day ( day 1) consisted of specified behaviors categorized as inactive (lying, sitting, standing) or active (two bicycle sessions). On the validation day ( day 2), the child selected activities. Separate regression equations forV˙o 2,V˙co 2, and EE for method 1 (combining awake and asleep using HR, HR2, and HR3), method 2 (separating awake and asleep), and method 3 (separating awake into active and inactive, and combining activity and HR) were developed using the calibration data. For day 1, the errors were similar for 24-hV˙o 2,V˙co 2, and EE among methods and also among HR, HR2, and HR3. The methods were validated using measured data from day 2. There were no significant differences in HR,V˙o 2,V˙co 2, respiratory quotient, and EE values during rest, sleep, or over the 24 h between days 1 and 2. Applying the linear HR equations to day 2 data, the errors were the lowest with the combined HR/activity method (-2.6 ± 5.2%, -4.1 ± 5.9%, -2.9 ± 5.1% forV˙o 2,V˙co 2, and EE, respectively). To demonstrate the utility of the HR/activity method, HR and activity were monitored for 24 h at home ( day 3). Free-living EE was predicted as 7,410 ± 1,326 kJ/day. In conclusion, the combination of HR and activity is an acceptable method for determining EE not only for groups of children, but for individuals.
PROPOSED DESIGN METHOD OF THE SHEAR STRENGTH OF REINFORCED CONCRETE FOOTINGS WITH A FEW PILES

最 近, 騒音, 振 動防止 の観 点 よ り, 基礎 ぐい に大 口径 場所打 ちぐいが多 く用い られてい る. この場合, フーチ ングの基礎 ぐい としては少数本 とな る. フーチ ングの部 材厚 は, 斜 引張鉄筋 の計 算 をしない場 合の許容せん断応 力度 で決定 されるのが一般 的であ り, せん断 の設 計法は フーチ ングの設計 に非常 に重要 であ る. この少数本の大 口径 くいを用いたフーチ ングのせん断 に対す る合理的な 設 計法 を見出すため, せ ん断 スパ ン高 さ比, 鉄筋比, 有 効 高 さ, お よびせん断補 強鉄筋 量等 を変化 させた供試体 によ り, 主 として, その抵 抗面積 に着 目し実験的研究 を 行 って きた. 本論 文は, これ らの実験結果 より壁式橋脚 等に多用 さ れてい る少数本 の大 口径 くい を用いた フー・チ ングの, せ ん断 に対 する設計 法を提案 する ものであ る.
An enhanced password authentication scheme for session initiation protocol with perfect forward secrecy

The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is an extensive and esteemed communication protocol employed to regulate signaling as well as for controlling multimedia communication sessions. Recently, Kumari et al. proposed an improved smart card based authentication scheme for SIP based on Farash’s scheme. Farash claimed that his protocol is resistant against various known attacks. But, we observe some accountable flaws in Farash’s protocol. We point out that Farash’s protocol is prone to key-compromise impersonation attack and is unable to provide pre-verification in the smart card, efficient password change and perfect forward secrecy. To overcome these limitations, in this paper we present an enhanced authentication mechanism based on Kumari et al.’s scheme. We prove that the proposed protocol not only overcomes the issues in Farash’s scheme, but it can also resist against all known attacks. We also provide the security analysis of the proposed scheme with the help of widespread AVISPA (Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications) software. At last, comparing with the earlier proposals in terms of security and efficiency, we conclude that the proposed protocol is efficient and more secure.
Low dietary potassium intakes and high dietary estimates of net endogenous acid production are associated with low bone mineral density in premenopausal women and increased markers of bone resorption in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND The Western diet may be a risk factor for osteoporosis. Excess acid generated from high protein intakes increases calcium excretion and bone resorption. Fruit and vegetable intake could balance this excess acidity by providing alkaline salts of potassium. Algorithms based on dietary intakes of key nutrients can be used to approximate net endogenous acid production (NEAP) and to explore the association between dietary acidity and bone health. OBJECTIVE We investigated the relation between dietary potassium and protein, NEAP (with an algorithm including the ratio of protein to potassium intake), and potential renal acid load (with an algorithm including dietary protein, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) and markers of bone health. DESIGN Measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) (n = 3226) and urinary bone resorption markers (n = 2929) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were performed in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women aged 54.9 +/- 2.2 y (x +/- SD) in 1997-1999. BMD (g/cm(2)), free pyridinoline (fPYD), and free deoxypyridinoline (fDPD) were expressed relative to creatinine. Dietary intake was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS Comparison of the highest with the lowest quartile of potassium intake or the lowest with the highest NEAP showed a 6-8% increase in fPYD/creatinine and fDPD/creatinine. A difference of 8% in BMD was observed between the highest and lowest quartiles of potassium intake in the premenopausal group (n = 337). CONCLUSIONS Dietary potassium, an indicator of NEAP and fruit and vegetable intake, may exert a modest influence on markers of bone health, which over a lifetime may contribute to a decreased risk of osteoporosis.
Scaling of human body composition to stature: new insights into body mass index.

BACKGROUND Although Quetelet first reported in 1835 that adult weight scales to the square of stature, limited or no information is available on how anatomical body compartments, including adipose tissue (AT), scale to height. OBJECTIVE We examined the critical underlying assumptions of adiposity-body mass index (BMI) relations and extended these analyses to major anatomical compartments: skeletal muscle (SM), bone, residual mass, weight (AT+SM+bone), AT-free mass, and organs (liver, brain). DESIGN This was a cross-sectional analysis of 2 body-composition databases: one including magnetic resonance imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) estimates of evaluated components in adults (total n=411; organs=76) and the other a larger DXA database (n=1346) that included related estimates of fat, fat-free mass, and bone mineral mass. RESULTS Weight, primary lean components (SM, residual mass, AT-free mass, and fat-free mass), and liver scaled to height with powers of approximately 2 (all P<0.001); bone and bone mineral mass scaled to height with powers >2 (2.31-2.48), and the fraction of weight as bone mineral mass was significantly (P<0.001) correlated with height in women. AT scaled weakly to height with powers of approximately 2, and adiposity was independent of height. Brain mass scaled to height with a power of 0.83 (P=0.04) in men and nonsignificantly in women; the fraction of weight as brain was inversely related to height in women (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that short and tall subjects with equivalent BMIs have similar but not identical body composition, provide new insights into earlier BMI-related observations and thus establish a foundation for height-normalized indexes, and create an analytic framework for future studies.