Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical activity, diet, and risk of Alzheimer disease.

CONTEXT Both higher adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and more physical activity have been independently associated with lower Alzheimer disease (AD) risk but their combined association has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE To investigate the combined association of diet and physical activity with AD risk. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Prospective cohort study of 2 cohorts comprising 1880 community-dwelling elders without dementia living in New York, New York, with both diet and physical activity information available. Standardized neurological and neuropsychological measures were administered approximately every 1.5 years from 1992 through 2006. Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet (scale of 0-9; trichotomized into low, middle, or high; and dichotomized into low or high) and physical activity (sum of weekly participation in various physical activities, weighted by the type of physical activity [light, moderate, vigorous]; trichotomized into no physical activity, some, or much; and dichotomized into low or high), separately and combined, were the main predictors in Cox models. Models were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, ethnicity, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, caloric intake, body mass index, smoking status, depression, leisure activities, a comorbidity index, and baseline Clinical Dementia Rating score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Time to incident AD. RESULTS A total of 282 incident AD cases occurred during a mean (SD) of 5.4 (3.3) years of follow-up. When considered simultaneously, both Mediterranean-type diet adherence (compared with low diet score, hazard ratio [HR] for middle diet score was 0.98 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.72-1.33]; the HR for high diet score was 0.60 [95% CI, 0.42-0.87]; P = .008 for trend) and physical activity (compared with no physical activity, the HR for some physical activity was 0.75 [95% CI, 0.54-1.04]; the HR for much physical activity was 0.67 [95% CI, 0.47-0.95]; P = .03 for trend) were associated with lower AD risk. Compared with individuals neither adhering to the diet nor participating in physical activity (low diet score and no physical activity; absolute AD risk of 19%), those both adhering to the diet and participating in physical activity (high diet score and high physical activity) had a lower risk of AD (absolute risk, 12%; HR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.44-0.96]; P = .03 for trend). CONCLUSION In this study, both higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence and higher physical activity were independently associated with reduced risk for AD.
INVENTARIO DE AUTOEFICACIA PARA EL ESTUDIO: DESARROLLO Y VALIDACION INICIAL

espanolAqui describimos el desarrollo y validacion inicial de un Inventario de autoeficacia para el estudio (IDAPE), basado en la teoria social-cognitiva de la autoeficacia para el aprendizaje. Existen varias escalas de este tipo, con buenas propiedades psicometricas y ampliamente reconocidas, tales como LASSI, MSQL y SELF. Sin embargo, el trabajo de construccion y/ o adaptacion de estas medidas es muy limitado en Argentina. En esta investigacion, redactamos 30 items relacionados con estrategias autorregulatorias de aprendizaje, los cuales fueron evaluados por un experto a nivel mundial de la Teoria Social Cognitiva. Este conjunto preliminar de items fue examinado utilizando analisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio. Estos metodos nos permitieron seleccionar ocho items que evidencian una consistencia interna adecuada. El inventario requiere estudios psicometricos adicionales, pero podria utilizarse en investigaciones que permitan esclarecer la contribucion de la autoeficacia para el aprendizaje para explicar el rendimiento academico en estudiantes secundarios de la region. EnglishHere we describe the development and initial validation of a Self-Efficacy for Study Inventory (SESI), based on the self-efficacy for learning social cognitive theory. There are several and well known scales with good psychometrical properties, such as LASSI, MSQL and SELF. However, the work of construction and/or adaptation of this kind of measures is very limited in Argentina. In this research, we design 30 items related to self-regulatory strategies which were judged by a recognized expert in social-cognitive theory. This preeliminary set of items was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. These methods allow us to retain eight items which show a adequate internal consistency. The inventory requires additional psychometrical studies, but it could be used in researches that highlight the explanatory contribution of the self-regulatory strategies for academic performance in middle school students of the country.
Delayed treatment with an adenosine kinase inhibitor, GP683, attenuates infarct size in rats with temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain ischemia is associated with a marked increase in extracellular adenosine levels. This results in activation of cell surface adenosine receptors and some degree of neuroprotection. Adenosine kinase is a key enzyme controlling adenosine metabolism. Inhibition of this enzyme enhances the levels of endogenous brain adenosine already elevated as a result of the ischemic episode. We studied a novel adenosine kinase inhibitor (AKI), GP683, in a rat focal ischemia model. METHODS Four groups of 10 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 90 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Animals were injected intraperitoneally with vehicle, 0.5 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, or 2.0 mg/kg of GP683 30, 150, and 270 minutes after the induction of ischemia by a researcher blinded to treatment group. The animals were euthanatized 24 hours after MCA occlusion, and brains were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. We measured brain temperatures in a separate group of 6 rats before and after administration of 1.0 mg/kg GP683. RESULTS All treated groups showed a reduction in infarct volumes, but a significant effect was observed only in the 1.0 mg/kg-dose group (44% reduction, P=0.0077). Body weight, physiological parameters, neurological scores, and mortality did not differ among the 4 groups. No apparent behavioral side effects were observed. Brain temperatures did not change after drug injection. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the use of AKIs offers therapeutic potential and may represent a novel approach to the treatment of acute brain ischemia. The therapeutic effect observed was not caused by a decrease in brain temperature.
Human-Robot Collaboration: a Survey

As robots are gradually leaving highly structured factory environments and moving into human populated environments, they need to possess more complex cognitive abilities. They do not only have to operate efficiently and safely in natural, populated environments, but also be able to achieve higher levels of cooperation and communication with humans. Human–robot collaboration (HRC) is a research field with a wide range of applications, future scenarios, and potentially a high economic impact. HRC is an interdisciplinary research area comprising classical robotics, cognitive sciences, and psychology. This paper gives a survey of the state of the art of HRC. Established methods for intention estimation, action planning, joint action, and machine learning are presented together with existing guidelines to hardware design. This paper is meant to provide the reader with a good overview of technologies and methods for HRC.
Modeling and simulation of physical performance of a External Unilateral Mechatronic Orthopaedic Fixator - Bone system

Restricted element study of the fracture healing by external fixation device was investigated. The analyses were performed under an axial and variable loaded boundary conditions. The effect of different fracture size and different distance between bone and the external fixator device on the stress distribution was investigated. The results show that stresses in the external fixator device are highest at the beginning of the fracture healing process, and are gradually decreasing with the time of the treatment. The analyses were carried out using the commercial package CATIA P3 V5R11. This allowed to build a three-dimensional model more similar to the geometrical architecture of the long bone as well as of the external fixator. Three-dimensional restricted element model also allowed a collection of more realistic results. However, the accuracy of the results depends not only on the quality of the model geometry but also on the material properties assigned to the model components. It also depends on the accuracy in the simulation of the finite element model and the optimized mesh generation
Inferring Speech Activity from Encrypted Skype Traffic

Normally, voice activity detection (VAD) refers to speech processing algorithms for detecting the presence or absence of human speech in segments of audio signals. In this paper, however, we focus on speech detection algorithms that take VoIP traffic instead of audio signals as input. We call this category of algorithms network-level VAD. Traditional VAD usually plays a fundamental role in speech processing systems because of its ability to delimit speech segments. Network-level VAD, on the other hand, can be quite helpful in network management, which is the motivation for our study. We propose the first real-time network-level VAD algorithm that can extract voice activity from encrypted and non-silence-suppressed Skype traffic. We evaluate the speech detection accuracy of the proposed algorithm with extensive real-life traces. The results show that our scheme achieve reasonably good performance even high degree of randomness has been injected into the network traffic.
Postponable Acceptance and Assignment: A Stochastic Dynamic Programming Approach

We study a new dynamic order acceptance and assignment problem of a make-to-order manufacturing or service system that produces heterogeneous products or services using heterogeneous servers. Unlike traditional dynamic order acceptance and assignment problems, in our settings the system can strategically postpone acceptance and assignment decisions for orders in hand. The system does this while waiting for more profitable orders to come and/or more productive servers to become available, with the risk of losing orders in hand, low server utilization, and high waiting penalties. We formulate this problem as a stochastic dynamic program, characterize the structure of the optimal policy, and discuss managerial insights gained from the optimal policy. The paper also provides a methodological contribution by finding general structural properties and their preservation conditions, which can be reused in related future operations management studies.
Virtual Detection Zone in smart phone, with CCTV, and Twitter as part of an Integrated ITS

Abstract In this proposed integrated Intelligent Transport System, GPS enabled smart phones, and video cameras are used as traffic sensors, while Twitter is used as verifier. They are attractive because they are non intrusive, and consequently more practical and cheaper to implement. Our novel Virtual Detection Zone (VDZ) method has been able to map match by using pre-determined check points. VDZ speed accuracy ranges from 93.4 to 99.9% in higher speeds and it only needs one longitude and latitude coordinate, to form a detection aware zone. Also by using ANFIS we show that a more accurate traffic condition can be obtained using our three sources of data.
Work Volume and Strength Training Responses to Resistive Exercise Improve with Periodic Heat Extraction from the Palm

Abstract Grahn, DA, Cao, VH, Nguyen, CM, Liu, MT, and Heller, HC. Work volume and strength training responses to resistive exercise improve with periodic heat extraction from the palm. J Strength Cond Res 26(9): 2558–2569, 2012—Body core cooling via the palm of a hand increases work volume during resistive exercise. We asked: (a) “Is there a correlation between elevated core temperatures and fatigue onset during resistive exercise? ” and (b) “Does palm cooling between sets of resistive exercise affect strength and work volume training responses? ” Core temperature was manipulated by 30–45 minutes of fixed load and duration treadmill exercise in the heat with or without palm cooling. Work volume was then assessed by 4 sets of fixed load bench press exercises. Core temperatures were reduced and work volumes increased after palm cooling (Control: Tes = 39.0 ± 0.1° C, 36 ± 7 reps vs. Cooling: Tes = 38.4 ± 0.2° C, 42 ± 7 reps, mean ± SD, n = 8, p < 0.001). In separate experiments, the impact of palm cooling on work volume and strength training responses were assessed. The participants completed biweekly bench press or pull-up exercises for multiple successive weeks. Palm cooling was applied for 3 minutes between sets of exercise. Over 3 weeks of bench press training, palm cooling increased work volume by 40% (vs. 13% with no treatment; n = 8, p < 0.05). Over 6 weeks of pull-up training, palm cooling increased work volume by 144% in pull-up experienced subjects (vs. 5% over 2 weeks with no treatment; n = 7, p < 0.001) and by 80% in pull-up naïve subjects (vs. 20% with no treatment; n = 11, p < 0.01). Strength (1 repetition maximum) increased 22% over 10 weeks of pyramid bench press training (4 weeks with no treatment followed by 6 weeks with palm cooling; n = 10, p < 0.001). These results verify previous observations about the effects of palm cooling on work volume, demonstrate a link between core temperature and fatigue onset during resistive exercise, and suggest a novel means for improving strength and work volume training responses.
Odontogenic tumours manifesting in the first two decades of life in a rural African population sample: a 26 year retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequencies and clinico-pathological features of odontogenic tumours affecting the jaw bones of patients in the first two decades of life and of rural and periurban African extract. METHODS Files of patients younger than 20 years of age diagnosed over a period of 26 years with odontogenic tumours were retrieved and analysed for gender, site, tumour size and radiographic appearance. RESULTS 33% of odontogenic tumours diagnosed in the population sample presented during the first 2 decades of life. Ameloblastoma was the most frequent benign tumour (43%) followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumour (19%) and adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (10%). Four patients (1.6%) presented with ameloblastic carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Owing to the unique population demographics of South Africa, odontogenic tumours in the first two decades of life comprise a larger percentage of the total number of cases than in other communities. The frequency of the different odontogenic tumour types generally follows the pattern of those reported in Africa, China and parts of South America. Radiographic examination is indispensable in establishing an accurate diagnosis.
IMP-type metallo-β-lactamases in Gram-negative bacilli: distribution, phylogeny, and association with integrons

Twenty-nine IMP-type β-lactamases (IMPs) have been identified in at least 26 species of clinically important Gram-negative bacilli from more than 24 countries/regions. Most of blaIMP genes are harbored by class 1 integrons that are usually embedded in transposons and/or plasmids, footnoting their horizontal transfer and worldwide distribution. blaIMP genes usually co-exist with other resistance genes, such as aacA, catB, and blaOXA, resulting in multi-drug resistance. Compared to other gene cassettes, 76.3% of the blaIMP gene cassettes are located adjacent to Pc promoter of the class 1 integrons, indicating that the blaIMP genes are readily expressed in most of bacterial hosts.
Biologia Plantarum Xx (x): Xxx-xxx, 20xx Foliar-application of Α-tocopherol Enhanced Salt Tolerance of Carex Leucochlora

Several different concentrations of α-tocopherol were applied to Carex leucochlora after plants had been treated with high salinity (0.8 % NaCl) in a greenhouse for one month. The results revealed that 0.8 mM α-tocopherol treatment showed the greatest alleviation of growth inhibition and cell membrane damage induced by salt stress. In comparison with NaCl alone, the 0.8 mM α-tocopherol application significantly decreased the content of hydrogen peroxide and the rate of superoxide radical generation, and increased the content of chlorophyll b, carotenoids, free proline, and soluble protein, but had no effect on the content of chlorophyll a and soluble sugar. These results suggest that α-tocopherol could effectively protect C. leucochlora plants from salt stress damage presumably by quenching the excessive reactive oxygen species to protect the photosynthetic pigments and by enhancing the osmotic adjustment.
Technical note: A procedure to estimate glucose requirements of an activated immune system in steers.

Infection and inflammation impede efficient animal productivity. The activated immune system ostensibly requires large amounts of energy and nutrients otherwise destined for synthesis of agriculturally relevant products. Accurately determining the immune system's in vivo energy needs is difficult, but a better understanding may facilitate developing nutritional strategies to maximize productivity. The study objective was to estimate immune system glucose requirements following an i.v. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Holstein steers (148 ± 9 kg; = 15) were jugular catheterized bilaterally and assigned to 1 of 3 i.v. TREATMENTS control (CON; 3 mL saline; = 5), LPS-administered controls (LPS-C; 055:B5; 1.5 mg/kg BW; = 5), and LPS + euglycemic clamp (LPS-Eu; 1.5 mg/kg BW; 50% dextrose infusion to maintain euglycemia; = 5). In LPS-Eu steers, postbolus blood samples were analyzed for glucose every 10 min. Dextrose infusion rates were adjusted to maintain euglycemia for 720 min. All steers were fasted during the challenge. Samples for later analysis were obtained at 180, 360, 540, and 720 min relative to LPS administration. Rectal temperature was increased ∼0.5°C in both LPS treatments relative to CON steers ( = 0.01). Steers in both LPS treatments were hyperglycemic for ∼3 h postbolus; thereafter, blood glucose was markedly decreased (30%; < 0.01) in LPS-C relative to both CON and LPS-Eu steers. A total of 516 ± 65 g of infused glucose was required to maintain continuous euglycemia in LPS-Eu steers. Circulating insulin increased in LPS-C and LPS-Eu steers relative to CON (∼70% and ∼20 fold, respectively; < 0.01). Circulating NEFA increased similarly with time for both CON and LPS-C compared to LPS-Eu steers (∼43%; < 0.01). Plasma L-lactate and LPS binding protein increased (∼198 and ∼90%, respectively; < 0.01) and ionized calcium decreased (18%; < 0.01) in both LPS treatments relative to CON steers. Circulating white blood cells decreased initially in LPS-Eu and LPS-C relative to controls (180 min; 85%) followed by a progressive increase with time ( = 0.02). Blood neutrophils followed the same pattern; however, at 720 min, neutrophils were decreased in LPS-Eu compared to LPS-C, resulting in a decreased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (54%; = 0.03). The large amount of glucose needed to maintain euglycemia indicates extensive repartitioning of nutrients away from growth and the importance of glucose as a fuel for the immune system.
On Count-to-Infinity Induced Forwarding Loops Ethernet Networks

Ethernet's high performance, low cost and ubiquity have made it the dominant networking technology for many application domains. Unfortunately, its distributed forwarding topology computation protocol - the Rapid Spanning Tree Proto- col (RSTP) - can suffer from a classic "count-to-infinity" problem that may lead to a forwarding loop under certain network failures. The consequences are serious. During the period of "count-to-infinity", which can last tens of seconds even in a small network, the network can become highly congested by packets that persist in cycles in the network, even packet forwarding can fail as the forwarding tables are polluted. In this paper, we explain the origin of this problem in detail and study its behavior. We find that simply tuning RSTP's parameter settings cannot adequately address the fundamental problem with "count-to- infinity". We propose a simple and effective solution called RSTP with Epochs. This approach uses epochs of sequence numbers in protocol messages to eliminate stale protocol information in the network and allows the forwarding topology to recover in merely one round-trip time across the network.
Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms of Pain and Dry Needling MediatedAnalgesia: A Clinical Resource Guide for Health Care Professionals

There are a number of biochemical, biomechanical, endocrinological and neurovascular mechanisms underpinning the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of dry needling (DN). While myofascial trigger points likely play a role in peripheral pain, a diagnostic tool for localizing them has not been validated, and DN studies that have targeted trigger points to elicit localized twitch responses have reported mixed results. Therefore, the mechanism responsible for DN-mediated analgesia may be more complicated. DN activates opioid-based pain reduction, mediated by endogenous cannabinoids and the sympathetic nervous system, and non- opioid pain relief via serotonin and norepinephrine from the brain stem. DN also triggers the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis centrally and the corticotropin releasing hormone-proopiomelanocortin-corticosteroid axis locally to inhibit cox-2, reducing inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies demonstrate that DN combined with mechanical and/or electric stimulation may reverse PKC-mediated peripheral hyperalgesic priming by normalizing nociceptive channels, to include TRPV, ASIC, TTX and P2X/Y. Electric DN (EDN) stimulates immune cells, fibroblasts and keratinocytes to release CGRP and substance-P, altering the stimulation of TTX receptors to reverse hyperalgesia. It also encourages the supraoptic nucleus to release oxytocin to quiet ASIC receptors peripherally and stimulate opioid interneurons spinally. Moreover, EDN inhibits ERK1/2 kinase pathways of inflammation in the spinal cord and stimulates Aδ fibers and N/OFQ to reverse C-fiber mediated central changes. Mechanotransduction of fibroblasts and peripheral nerves via TRPV1 and P2X/Y-mediated intracellular Ca2+ wave propagation and subsequent activation of the nucleus accumbens inhibits spinal pain transmission via glycinergic and opioidergic interneurons. The increased ATP is metabolized to adenosine, which activates P1 purinergic receptors, events considered key to DN analgesia and rho kinase-based tissue remodeling. Mechanotransduction-mediated release of histamine further explains analgesia secondary to needling points distal to pain. DN-mediated analgesia is dependent on a number of synergistic physiologic events involving biochemical and mechanical processes in neural, connective and muscle tissue.