Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of force profile during a maximum voluntary isometric contraction task

This study analyses maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and its measurement by recording the force profile during maximal‐effort, 7‐s hand‐grip contractions. Six healthy subjects each performed three trials repeated at short intervals to study variation from fatigue. These three trials were performed during three separate sessions at daily intervals to look at random variation. A pattern of force development during a trial was identified. An initiation phase, with or without an initiation peak, was followed by a maintenance phase, sometimes with secondary pulses and an underlying decline in force. Of these three MVIC parameters, maximum force during the maintenance phase showed less random variability compared to intertrial fatigue variability than did maximum force during the initiation phase or absolute maximum force. Analysis of MVIC as a task, rather than a single, maximal value reveals deeper levels of motor control in its generation. Thus, force parameters other than the absolute maximum force may be better suited to quantification of muscle performance in health and disease. Muscle Nerve 29: 401–408, 2004
The impacts of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on fetal hearts.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the fetal cardiac function in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pregnancies under different maternal glycemic controls. METHODS Forty four GDM mothers received 78 fetal echocardiographic evaluations at three gestational periods (<28, 28-34 and >34 weeks) and were divided into poorly-(DM1) and well-(DM2) controlled groups according to their glycemic control at examination. Seventy uncomplicated mothers were selected as controls. Parameters of fetal cardiac anatomy and function were measured and analyzed. RESULTS GDM fetuses' cardiac ventricular walls were thicker than controls', and the differences between DM1 and DM2 were not significant except for end-diastolic left ventricular walls. In both GDM groups, the aortic flow velocities increased earlier than pulmonary artery and DM1 fetuses changed earlier than DM2 ones. GDM fetuses' left atrial shortening fraction was smaller than the controls' in the period of ⩾34 weeks and negatively correlated with thicknesses of left ventricular walls and interventricular septum in DM1 fetuses (r=-0.438 and -0.506). The right ventricular diastolic function in DM1 and DM2 fetuses decreased after the period of 28-34 weeks and in the period of >34 weeks respectively. Tei index of both left and right ventricles increased in DM1 group after the period of <28 weeks and in DM2 group only in the period of ⩾34 weeks, with no significant differences between DM1 and DM2 groups in this period. CONCLUSION Fetuses of GDM mothers showed cardiac function impairments. Good maternal glycemic control may delay the impairments, but cannot reduce the degree. Some cardiac changes in GDM fetuses were similar to those in pregestational diabetic pregnancies except for several parameters and their changing time.
Structure and dynamics of polymer rings by neutron scattering: breakdown of the Rouse model

We present a static and quasi-elastic neutron scattering study on both the structure and dynamics of a ring polymer in a ring and linear polymer melt, respectively. In the first case, the ring structure proved to be significantly more compact compared to the linear chain with the same molecular weight. In the mixture, the ring molecules swell as was confirmed by small angle neutron scattering (SANS) in accordance with both theory and simulation work. The dynamical behavior of both systems, which for the first time has been explored by neutron spin echo spectroscopy (NSE), shows a surprisingly fast center of mass diffusion as compared to the linear polymer. These results agree qualitatively with the presented atomistic MD simulations. The fast diffusion turned out to be an explicit violation of the Rouse model.
A Comparison of Methods of Benchmark‐Dose Estimation for Continuous Response Data

Methods of quantitative risk assessment for toxic responses that are measured on a continuous scale are not well established. Although risk‐assessment procedures that attempt to utilize the quantitative information in such data have been proposed, there is no general agreement that these procedures are appreciably more efficient than common quantal dose‐response procedures that operate on dichotomized continuous data. This paper points out an equivalence between the dose‐response models of the nonquantal approach of Kodell and West(1)) and a quantal probit procedure, and provides results from a Monte Carlo simulation study to compare coverage probabilities of statistical lower confidence limits on dose corresponding to specified additional risk based on applying the two procedures to continuous data from a dose‐response experiment. The nonquantal approach is shown to be superior, in terms of both statistical validity and statistical efficiency.
Measuring Data Quality Through a Source Data Verification Audit in a Clinical Research Setting.

Health data has long been scrutinised in relation to data quality and integrity problems. Currently, no internationally accepted or "gold standard" method exists measuring data quality and error rates within datasets. We conducted a source data verification (SDV) audit on a prospective clinical trial dataset. An audit plan was applied to conduct 100% manual verification checks on a 10% random sample of participant files. A quality assurance rule was developed, whereby if >5% of data variables were incorrect a second 10% random sample would be extracted from the trial data set. Error was coded: correct, incorrect (valid or invalid), not recorded or not entered. Audit-1 had a total error of 33% and audit-2 36%. The physiological section was the only audit section to have <5% error. Data not recorded to case report forms had the greatest impact on error calculations. A significant association (p=0.00) was found between audit-1 and audit-2 and whether or not data was deemed correct or incorrect. Our study developed a straightforward method to perform a SDV audit. An audit rule was identified and error coding was implemented. Findings demonstrate that monitoring data quality by a SDV audit can identify data quality and integrity issues within clinical research settings allowing quality improvement to be made. The authors suggest this approach be implemented for future research.
Pharmacoeconomics of drug therapy for atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is an increasingly prevalent common childhood disease. While the majority of patients have mild disease, atopic dermatitis can cause considerable distress to patients and their caregivers, with significant social and financial cost to families. With a prevalence of 15 - 20% in Western countries, atopic dermatitis also has a considerable health and societal cost to the community. Many new treatments have been shown to be therapeutically effective, particularly in severe disease, including cyclosporin A (Neoral®, Novartis AG), interferon, tacrolimus (Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.) and iv. immunoglobulin. These are expensive when compared to standard treatments like emollients and topical corticosteroids and have significant adverse effects that limit their use. Additional costs related to monitoring are incurred and the long-term safety of these treatments is yet to be determined. However, an advantage over more traditional therapies is their ability to produce benefits even after treatment ceases. Treatments that produce long-term remissions have a greater likelihood of being cost-effective. With monetary constraints on healthcare and the importance governments place on reducing drug costs, economic evaluations are becoming an increasingly important factor for drug acceptance. Those evaluating cost-effectiveness should pay particular attention to the potential reduction in indirect and intangible costs. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of cost-effectiveness studies in atopic eczema and this needs to be addressed with some urgency.
Catecholamines and the relationship between cerebral blood flow and glucose use.

The effects of hypertension induced by norepinephrine and dopamine infusion on the relationship between local cerebral blood flow (CBF) and local glucose use (GU) were examined in rats with the use of quantitative autoradiographic techniques. After rats recovered from anesthesia, dopamine or norepinephrine was infused at a rate that ensured moderate hypertension [mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) approximately 150 mmHg]. During dopamine infusion (approximately 200 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1), overall CBF-to-GU ratio throughout the brain was elevated (P less than 0.0001) when compared with saline controls. In contrast, during norepinephrine infusion (approximately 10 micrograms X kg-1 X min-1), the overall CBF-to-GU relationship was not altered significantly. The differential effect of the catecholamines was a consequence of the marked increases in local CBF and moderate decreases in GU observed during dopamine infusion, whereas during norepinephrine administration CBF and GU were not significantly altered in most brain regions. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was increased during moderate hypertension induced by dopamine and not when induced by norepinephrine. During extreme hypertension (MABP greater than 165 mmHg), heterogeneous increases in CBF and BBB permeability occurred (e.g., in the cerebellum and thalamus). Thus the cerebrovascular response to catecholamine infusion was critically dependent on the agent administered, the level of hypertension achieved, and the brain region examined.
A phase I study of a novel potential intravaginal microbicide, PRO 2000, in healthy sexually inactive women.

BACKGROUND Although the male condom provides a reliable means of preventing HIV transmission, a broader choice of methods is required particularly in circumstances where the negotiation of condom use is difficult. Development of new products that may be effective as topical vaginal microbicides is the focus of a great deal of research activity currently. The novel agent PRO 2000, a naphthalene sulphonate derivative with in vitro activity against HIV and other sexually transmissible pathogens, is one such compound. We have studied the local and systemic safety and tolerance of a vaginal gel formulation of this agent at two concentrations (0.5% and 4%) over a 2 week period of daily exposure in two cohorts of healthy sexually abstinent women (one in London, UK, and the other in Antwerp, Belgium). METHODS This was a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, three arm clinical trial conducted on two sites. Macroscopic evidence of genital epithelial changes was sought using colposcopy and evidence of microscopic inflammation was acquired using high vaginal biopsy from predetermined sites (UK cohort only). Blood levels of PRO 2000 were measured and laboratory safety tests, including coagulation screens, were performed. The impact on vaginal ecology was also assessed. RESULTS 73 women were enrolled across both sites (36 UK, 37 Belgium); 24, 24, 25 in the 4%, 0.5%, and placebo groups respectively. Of these, 70 completed 2 weeks' exposure to the study gel. Three (all in the 4% group) withdrew owing to adverse events which were possibly or probably gel related. Cervicovaginal abrasion was seen colposcopically in three subjects after 14 days of gel use (two in the 4% group and one in the placebo group). Genital ulceration was not seen during gel use in any of the subjects who completed the study. Histological evaluation of vaginal biopsy samples (36 women only) showed evidence of increased inflammatory signs in one participant of the 4.0% group. One volunteer in the placebo group had moderate inflammation at screening and at follow up. Severe inflammation was not seen among any of the subjects tested. Plasma levels of PRO 2000 and laboratory safety tests showed no evidence of systemic absorption. No impact was seen on normal vaginal ecology in the UK cohort where samples were taken 12 hours after the last gel application. CONCLUSION In this phase I study PRO 2000 gel was found to be generally well tolerated with promising local and systemic safety profiles. The 0.5% gel was better tolerated than the 4% gel as fewer genital epithelial adverse events were seen in the former. Phase II studies are about to begin in sexually active women.
Poor survival after liver retransplantation: Is hepatitis C to blame?

Data from 1990 to 1996 suggest that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in repeated orthotopic liver transplantation (re‐OLT) is increasing, and patient survival may be worse. Aims of the study are to: (1) assess the prevalence of HCV in re‐OLT, (2) compare survival between primary OLT and re‐OLT for HCV versus non‐HCV diseases, and (3) evaluate Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores in re‐OLT. The United Network for Organ Sharing database for adult patients undergoing primary OLT or re‐OLT from January 1996 to June 2002 was analyzed. Patients with malignancy or those who underwent re‐OLT within 30 days of primary OLT were excluded. A total of 22,120 primary OLTs and 2,129 re‐OLTs were performed. HCV was noted in 9,564 primary OLTs (43.2%) and 899 re‐OLTs (42.2%). Overall 1, 3, and 5‐year patient survival rates were 86%, 79%, and 73% for primary OLT, but 67%, 56%, and 52% for re‐OLT (P < .001). Survival rates of patients with HCV at 1, 3, and 5 years were 86%, 76%, and 68% for primary OLT and 61%, 50%, and 45% for re‐OLT (P < .001). Survival was less for patients with HCV compared with those with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and hepatitis B for re‐OLT (P < .01). However, survival after re‐OLT was no different for those with HCV than for those with all other causes. MELD scores between 11 and 20 were the most common for re‐OLT. A marked decreased in survival was noted in all patients who underwent re‐OLT with MELD scores greater than 25. HCV prevalence in OLT has reached a plateau in recent years. Survival after re‐OLT is inferior to that for primary OLT, but re‐OLT survival appears to have improved. Survival after re‐OLT is lower in patients with HCV compared with those with AIH and hepatitis B, but no different than for those with most other liver diseases. Survival appeared worse in patients who underwent re‐OLT with a MELD score greater than 25.
Aspects of the syntax of the dialect of Abha (south west Saudi Arabia)

The present study deals with the syntax of the Arabic dialect of Abha in south-west of Saudi Arabia It is a synchronic study which deals with the everyday usage of the dialect. Diachronic changes are sometimes indicated where relevant. The phonology and morphology of the dialect are discussed in brief where necessary. This dialect has many distinctive features some of which do not occur in other dialects. The dialect is going through remarkable change due to people's tendency to change affected by the spread of education, mass media and communication. Thus the study has been conducted to examine some syntactic features of the dialect and record them before the dialect loses those features, and to make this dialect accessible for further research in sociolinguistic or diachronic studies. This study comes in two parts. The first part deals with the classification of the main parts of speech and their function in context. This part comprises four chapters: the first chapter deals with the noun and its sub-classes; the second chapter deals with the verb and its relation with the pronouns; the third chapter deals with particles and their functions in the sentence; the fourth chapter deals with functionals and their functions in the sentence. The second part examines the relationships between parts of speech. This part also comprises four chapters which deal respectively with: predication, annexation, complementation and attnbution.
Cognitive profile of adolescents with math disabilities: Are the profiles different from those with reading disabilities?

Adolescents (ages 14–17) with math disabilities (MD, n = 12), reading disabilities (RD, n = 19), math + reading disabilities (MD+RD, n = 12), and average achievers (n = 15) were compared on measures of visual-spatial processing, random generation (inhibition), writing speed, short-term memory (STM), and working memory (WM). Adolescents with MD performed significantly lower than adolescents with RD on measures of visual-spatial processing and visual WM. Adolescents with MD outperformed adolescents with RD +MD on measures of random generation and motor speed. Performance of all three low-achieving groups was inferior to average achievers on measures of random generation, motor speed, and verbal WM. The results were interpreted within a multicomponent model that attributed deficits related to MD in adolescents to deficits related the visual-spatial sketchpad of WM.
Rhesus Macaque Inhibitory and Activating KIR3D Interact with Mamu-A–Encoded Ligands

Specific interactions between killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) and MHC class I ligands have not been described in rhesus macaques despite their importance in biomedical research. Using KIR–Fc fusion proteins, we detected specific interactions for three inhibitory KIRs (3DLW03, 3DL05, 3DL11) and one activating KIR (3DS05). As ligands we identified Macaca mulatta MHC (Mamu)-A1– and Mamu-A3–encoded allotypes, among them Mamu-A1*001:01, which is well known for association with slow progression to AIDS in the rhesus macaque experimental SIV infection model. Interactions with Mamu-B or Mamu-I molecules were not found. KIR3DLW03 and KIR3DL05 differ in their binding sites to their shared ligand Mamu-A1*001:01, with 3DLW03 depending on presence of the α1 domain, whereas 3DL05 depends on both the α1 and α2 domains. Fine-mapping studies revealed that binding of KIR3DLW03 is influenced by presence of the complete Bw4 epitope (positions 77, 80–83), whereas that of KIR3DL05 is mainly influenced by amino acid position 77 of Bw4 and positions 80–83 of Bw6. Our findings allowed the successful prediction of a further ligand of KIR3DL05, Mamu-A1*002:01. These functional differences of rhesus macaque KIR3DL molecules are in line with the known genetic diversification of lineage II KIRs in macaques.
Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Dental Caries

1Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, 3Prosthodontics, Krishna Dental College, Mohannagar, Ghaziabad, 2Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Saraswati Dental College & Hospital, Lucknow (UP), 4Department of Dentistry, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Agartala, 5Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Azamagarh Dental College, Azamagarh, India. Address for Correspondence: Dr Pooja Kabra, 254, Mukherjee Nagar, Near Batra Cinema, New Delhi, Contact: +919971212526, E-mail: drpooja22@gmail.com. Date of Submission : 09-11-2011 Reviews Completed : 26-11-2011 Date of Acceptance : 30-12-2011 Dr Pooja Kabra completed her graduation (BDS) from King George Medical College, Lucknow, in year 2000 and postgraduation (MDS) from Sardar Patel Institute of Dental & Medical Sciences, Lucknow (UP), India in year 2007. Currently she is working as Reader in School of Dental Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida (UP), India. Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Dental Caries
Downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) Constellation Rotation

The non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technique or more generally the non-orthogonal principle is a crucial component for the next generation cellular system. For two-user downlink NOMA, the constellations of near and far users are superposed for transmission, and maximum likelihood (ML) or successive interference cancellation (SIC) receiver is used for reception. In this paper, we aim to further enhance the linklevel performance for NOMA with ML receiver. A method of NOMA constellation rotation is proposed where the constellations are respectively rotated before superposition so as to exploit signal space diversity. The symbol error rate (SER) upper bounds for both near and far users are derived and used for rotation angle optimization. Within this framework, we show the best we can do in terms of enhancing the performance for a particular user (either near or far). Simulation results have verified the effectiveness of our proposed method. It can be observed that there is performance gain for one user while almost no negative impact on the other user.
Coverage Gains After the Affordable Care Act Among the Uninsured in Minnesota.

OBJECTIVES We determined whether and how Minnesotans who were uninsured in 2013 gained health insurance coverage in 2014, 1 year after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded Medicaid coverage and enrollment. METHODS Insurance status and enrollment experiences came from the Minnesota Health Insurance Transitions Study (MH-HITS), a follow-up telephone survey of children and adults in Minnesota who had no health insurance in the fall of 2013. RESULTS ACA had a tempered success in Minnesota. Outreach and enrollment efforts were effective; one half of those previously uninsured gained coverage, although many reported difficulty signing up (nearly 62%). Of the previously uninsured who gained coverage, 44% obtained their coverage through MNsure, Minnesota's insurance marketplace. Most of those who remained uninsured heard of MNsure and went to the Web site. Many still struggled with the enrollment process or reported being deterred by the cost of coverage. CONCLUSIONS Targeting outreach, simplifying the enrollment process, focusing on affordability, and continuing funding for in-person assistance will be important in the future.
INCIDENCE OF MYOPIA IN CHINA

It is not necessary to describe the clinical manifestations which characterize each of the conditions of conjunctivitis enumerated above. It is only necessary to say that in the absence of infiltration of the normally clear cornea by a cellular exudate, and of the vasoularization characteristic of trachoma, the condition under consideration may be determined to be non-trachomatous. In conclusion I do not wish to give the impression that I minimize the value of ordinary clinical observation by an experienced trachomatologist in the diagnosis of conjunctival conditions. In many cases of follicular trachoma, stage I, the appearance of the follicles and their position at each extemity of the retrotarsal fold of the upper lid is characteristic. However. no such characteristic appearance obtains in trachoma when there are no obvious follicles, but merely a wide-spread subepithelial infiltration which makes the conjunctiva red and velvety.
Activation of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2-α as a Novel Mechanism Regulating Endothelial Cell Cycle Progression and Angiogenesis*

Release of endothelial cells from contact-inhibition and cell cycle re-entry is required for the induction of new blood vessel formation by angiogenesis. Using a combination of chemical inhibition, loss of function, and gain of function approaches, we demonstrate that endothelial cell cycle re-entry, S phase progression, and subsequent angiogenic tubule formation are dependent upon the activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2-α (cPLA2α). Inhibition of cPLA2α activity and small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of endogenous cPLA2α reduced endothelial cell proliferation. In the absence of cPLA2α activity, endothelial cells exhibited retarded progression from G1 through S phase, displayed reduced cyclin A/cdk2 expression, and generated less arachidonic acid. In quiescent endothelial cells, cPLA2α is inactivated upon its sequestration at the Golgi apparatus. Upon the stimulation of endothelial cell proliferation, activation of cPLA2α by release from the Golgi apparatus was critical to the induction of cyclin A expression and efficient cell cycle progression. Consequently, inhibition of cPLA2α was sufficient to block angiogenic tubule formation in vitro. Furthermore, the siRNA-mediated retardation of endothelial cell cycle re-entry and proliferation was reversed upon overexpression of an siRNA-resistant form of cPLA2α. Thus, activation of cPLA2α acts as a novel mechanism for the regulation of endothelial cell cycle re-entry, cell cycle progression, and angiogenesis.