Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of potential- and activation-based formulations for the inverse problem of electrocardiology

Two predominant source formulations for the inverse problem of electrocardiology currently exist. They involve the reconstruction of epicardial potentials or myocardial activation times from noninvasively recorded torso surface potentials. Each of these formulations have their advantages, however, they have not been systematically compared against each other. We present results from a simulation study which compared a number of epicardial potential formulations (Tikhonov, truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD), Greensite-Tikhonov and Greensite-TSVD), and a myocardial activation time formulation for the inverse problem of electrocardiology. A number of different methods were also used to determine the appropriate level of regularization (optimal, L-curve, zero-crossing, and composite residual and smoothing operator) to apply to each formulation. The simulation study was conducted using an anatomically based boundary element porcine model with a variety of cardiac sources. Varying levels of geometric error were introduced to the system and solutions were computed using each of the inverse algorithms. Results show that under pure Gaussian noise potential-based methods performed best at low noise levels while the activation-based method was less effected by higher noise levels. In the presence of correlated geometric error, the activation-based method out performed the potential methods, with the Greensite-Tikhonov method being the most favored potential-based method when using the L-curve or zero-crossing method to determine the regularization parameter.
A Prospective Longitudinal Study Testing Relationships between Meaningful Activities, Basic Psychological Needs Fulfillment, and Meaning in Life

The current study used a prospective longitudinal design to determine whether change in meaningful activity over an 11-month period could help explain change in meaning in life in a sample of 174 undergraduate and graduate students. The Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey, Basic Psychological Needs Scales (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire were used as indicators of the constructs of meaningful activity, basic psychological needs fulfillment, and meaning and purpose in life. The findings were in support of the study hypotheses and indicated that change in meaningful activity explained both change in basic psychological needs fulfillment (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness) and change in meaning in life. Further, this study reports findings consistent with results from cross-sectional studies in support of the hypothesis that change in meaningful activity may influence change in meaning in life through two pathways: a direct path of influence from meaningful activity to meaning in life and an indirect path through change in basic psychological needs fulfillment. The current study contributes to a growing literature implicating subjective evaluations of day-to-day action (or meaningful activity) as a fruitful means for exploring relationships between occupation and well-being.
An Exploration of the 'Gendered' Dimensions of Women's Success in Ghana's Media/ Communication Industry

Ghana’s return to democracy and a liberalised business environment in 1992 ushered the country into a period characterised by an ever-growing media/communication industry. From journalism, through public relations to advertising, there has been an upsurge in activity and, consequently, in competition. In the midst of this competitive environment, some women have made visible gains, having attained different levels of success evidenced by various awards they and the organisations they lead have won. This is in spite of the numerous challenges that women have been known to face in media-related industries (see for instance Okpara 2006; Steiner 2002). This paper reports findings from interviews with three such women that delved into their career journeys to explore whether there are gender implications for their success.
Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of acute bipolar II depression: current evidence.

OBJECTIVE Bipolar II disorder is a common, recurrent, and disabling psychiatric illness, and yet little is known about how best to treat it. The pressing clinical need for evidence-based approaches to the treatment of bipolar II disorder, coupled with recent publication of pertinent studies, calls for an updated review of this literature. This review focuses on a critical examination of the evidence supporting the efficacy of treatments for acute depressive episodes in bipolar II disorder. DATA SOURCES A MEDLINE (via Ovid) search of journals, covering the period from January 1950 to January 2009, was performed to identify relevant studies. Keywords used were bipolar II disorder, bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, and pharmacotherapy. Studies were further limited to those that were in adult samples, published in peer-reviewed journals, and written in English. STUDY SELECTION We examined all randomized trials evaluating the use of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of acute bipolar II depression. Studies with mixed samples of bipolar I and II or bipolar II and unipolar depression were examined as well. Twenty-one randomized trials were identified and reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION Therapeutic agents were rated according to the quality of evidence supporting their efficacy as treatments for bipolar II depression. DATA SYNTHESIS Ninety percent of relevant trials were published after 2005. Quetiapine was judged as having compelling evidence supporting its efficacy. Lithium, antidepressants, and pramipexole were judged as having preliminary support for efficacy. Lamotrigine was considered to have mixed support. CONCLUSIONS Although progress has been made, further research on bipolar II depression is warranted.
Tumour necrosis factor blockade increases lymphangiogenesis in murine and human arthritic joints

Objective: To investigate the presence and regulation of lymphatic vessels in inflamed joints of mice with experimental arthritis as well as patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: Lymphatic vessels and blood vessels were assessed in synovial tissue of human tumour necrosis factor transgenic (TNFtg) mice and synovial biopsies from patients with RA and SpA by immunohistochemistry for podoplanin and CD31, respectively. Assessments were performed before and after TNF blockade in all biopsies. Results: Lymphatic vessels were abundantly present in the synovial tissue of hTNFtg mice as well as patients with RA and SpA. The number of lymphatic vessels was positively related to the severity of synovial inflammation. Treatment with infliximab led to an increase in the formation of lymphatic vessels in murine and human inflammatory tissue. Conclusions: This study shows that TNF blockade promotes the proliferation of lymphatic vessels in the inflamed synovium of RA and SpA. This finding leads to the assumption that promotion of lymphangiogenesis may play an important part in efflux of cells and fluid out of the inflamed tissue.
Is Food-Directed Behavior an Appropriate Measure of Circadian Entrainment to Restricted Daytime Feeding?

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS, Vol. 22 No. 6, December 2007 479-483 DOI: 10.1177/0748730407307810 © 2007 Sage Publications Circadian rhythms of behavior, physiology, and gene expression can be entrained by daily cycles of restricted daytime feeding. Food entrainment is characterized by an anticipatory increase in wakefulness, locomotor activity, body temperature, and corticosteroid secretion prior to scheduled mealtime. In mammals, the light-entrainable circadian clock in the SCN is not required for food entrainment, suggesting the presence of a food-entrainable oscillator (FEO) located elsewhere in the organism. However, the site of the putative FEO is not known. Recently, we showed that restricted feeding synchronizes the daily rhythm of neuronal activity in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) but not in the SCN. Furthermore, cell-specific lesions in the DMH block food entrainment of wakefulness, locomotor activity, and core body temperature (Gooley et al., 2006). The degree of food entrainment also correlates strongly with the number of remaining DMH neurons but not with cell loss in adjacent hypothalamic nuclei. These studies suggest that neurons in the DMH play an important role in regulating food entrainment and that scheduled daytime feeding resets the phase of rhythmic activity in the DMH, thereby shifting behavioral and physiologic rhythms. In the current issue, Landry et al. (2007) report that large nonspecific lesions that include the DMH have no effect on the expression of food-anticipatory activity (FAA). Although a different cage configuration was used in the current study, the authors essentially replicate their previous findings in which enhanced FAA was observed in DMH-lesioned rats (Landry et al., 2006). These findings contrast sharply with our observations that DMH-lesioned rats fail to show food entrainment of sleep-wake, locomotor activity, and body temperature rhythms. The discrepant findings likely reflect differences in the way that circadian behavioral activity was assessed. Specifically, Landry et al. measured food-directed activity using an overhead infrared motion sensor placed near the food hopper, whereas we measured general cage activity using a telemetry transmitter implanted intraperitoneally. As discussed below, we believe that the use of food-directed behavior as a measure of FAA is confounded by masking effects and that behavioral and physiologic measures of food entrainment should be chosen that are not directly related to food acquisition. A key precept in designing any scientific experiment is to use a measurement of the outcome that is not affected directly by the perturbation (i.e., the Heisenberg uncertainty principle). Hence, if the experimental manipulation is to limit food availability, measuring food-directed behavior (foraging) as an assay for circadian entrainment is inherently confounded by the effects of the scheduled daytime meal on daily foraging activity. In rats, food-directed behavior likely reflects a complex interaction of COMMENT
A Serosurvey of Viral Infections in Lions (Panthera leo), from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Serum samples from 14 lions (Panthera leo) from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, were collected during 1998 and 1999 to determine infectious disease exposure in this threatened population. Sera were analyzed for antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus 1 (feline rhinotracheitis: FHV1), feline/canine parvovirus (FPV/CPV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (feline coronavirus: FIPV), and canine distemper virus (CDV) or for the presence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigens. Ten lions (71%) had antibodies against FIV, 11 (79%) had antibodies against CDV, 11 (79%) had antibodies against FCV, nine (64%) had antibodies against FHV1, and five (36%) had antibodies against FPV. Two of the 11 CDV-seropositive lions were subadults, indicating recent exposure of this population to CDV or a CDV-like virus. No lions had evidence of exposure to FeLV or FIPV. These results indicate that this endangered population has extensive exposure to common feline and canine viruses.
Childbearing characteristics of U.S.- and foreign-born Hispanic mothers.

This study compares maternal and infant health and sociodemographic characteristics of U.S.-born and foreign- or Puerto Rican-born Hispanic mothers and their babies, using data from the national vital statistics system and the 1980 National Natality Survey. While nearly half of all Hispanic mothers and Mexican and Puerto Rican mothers were born in the United States, less than 10 percent of Cuban and other Hispanic mothers were U.S. born. Compared with foreign- or Puerto Rican-born Hispanic mothers, U.S.-born mothers tended to be younger, to have had fewer high-order births, to be less likely to receive delayed or no prenatal care, to have higher educational attainment, and to be more likely to be unmarried. The incidence of low birth weight among infants born to Hispanic mothers, particularly Mexican and Cuban women, was relatively low. When the proportions of low birth weight were examined by nativity status, infants born to foreign- or Puerto Rican-born women were consistently less likely to be of low birth weight. In an effort to account for these findings, the mother's smoking status before and during pregnancy is examined. Compared with non-Hispanic mothers, Hispanic mothers were much less likely to have smoked before or during pregnancy. These data are examined to see if they account for the better outcome as measured by birth weight for Hispanic births, especially those to foreign- or Puerto Rican-born women.
Network Localization and Synchronization Using Full-Duplex Radios

Both localization and synchronization of mobile nodes are important for wireless networks. In this paper, we propose new methods for network localization and synchronization (NLS) using full-duplex radios through only two frames of transmission. Specifically, all nodes simultaneously transmit their signature signals in the first frame, while receiving others’ signals via full-duplex radios. In the second frame, nodes transmit either scrambled versions of their received signals in the first frame or a digital packet of the channel parameter estimates of the received signals. We develop distributed algorithms to estimate the arrival times of different components in the received signals. These arrival times are then used to determine the local network geometry and clock offsets. The Cramér-Rao lower bounds for internode distances and clock offsets are derived, and the former can be translated into error bounds of the node positions. Compared with conventional frequency division duplex or time-division duplex, we demonstrate the high efficiency of NLS using full-duplex radios, revealing its potential beyond data communications in future wireless networks.
Abnormal TDP-43 immunoreactivity in AD modifies clinicopathologic and radiologic phenotype

Background: TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is one of the major disease proteins in frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin immunoreactivity. Approximately one-fourth of subjects with pathologically confirmed Alzheimer disease (AD) have abnormal TDP-43 (abTDP-43) immunoreactivity. The aim of this study was to determine whether subjects with pathologically confirmed AD and abTDP-43 immunoreactivity have distinct clinical, neuropsychological, imaging, or pathologic features compared with subjects with AD without abTDP-43 immunoreactivity. Methods: Eighty-four subjects were identified who had a pathologic diagnosis of AD, neuropsychometric testing, and volumetric MRI. Immunohistochemistry for TDP-43 was performed on sections of hippocampus and medial temporal lobe, and positive cases were classified into one of three types. Neuropsychometric data were collated and compared in subjects with and without abTDP-43 immunoreactivity. Voxel-based morphometry was used to assess patterns of gray matter atrophy in subjects with and without abTDP-43 immunoreactivity compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Results: Twenty-nine (34%) of the 84 AD subjects had abTDP-43 immunoreactivity. Those with abTDP-43 immunoreactivity were older at onset and death and performed worse on the Clinical Dementia Rating scale, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Boston Naming Test than subjects without abTDP-43 immunoreactivity. Subjects with and without abTDP-43 immunoreactivity had medial temporal and temporoparietal gray matter loss compared with controls; however, those with abTDP-43 immunoreactivity showed greater hippocampal atrophy. Multivariate logistic regression adjusting for age at death demonstrated that hippocampal sclerosis was the only pathologic predictor of abTDP-43 immunoreactivity. Conclusions: The presence of abnormal TDP-43 immunoreactivity is associated with a modified Alzheimer disease clinicopathologic and radiologic phenotype.
RELIABILITY OF RATE OF VELOCITY DEVELOPMENT AND PHASE MEASURES ON AN ISOKINETIC DEVICE

Isokinetic dynamometers have been measured for torque and force reliability in the past, but little research has been performed on rate of velocity development (RVD) measures. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of RVD measures on an isokinetic device at slow and fast speeds. Twenty volunteers performed 5 repetitions of concentric knee extension at 1.04 and 4.18 rad·s-1 on a Kin-Com isokinetic dynamometer. Each subject was identically posttested 7 days later. Data were separated into 3 velocity range-of-motion (ROM) phases of RVD, load range (LR), and deceleration (DCCROM). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were performed to analyze the mean data between day 1 and day 2, while intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were performed for reliability. Results at 1.04 rad·s-1demonstrated a low but significant (p < 0.05) ICC value (0.58) only for LR, while at 4.18 rad·s-1 RVD (0.87), LR (0.83), and DCC (0.55) all exhibited significant ICC values. Percent error for high-speed testing ranged from 1.4–3.19%. No variable exhibited a significant mean difference between testing days. These results collectively point to moderate to high phase reliability for RVD measures at fast speeds of testing, while the slow speed showed very low reliability. Therefore, care should be exercised at slow speeds when comparing RVD measures from test to test.
Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-&agr; Protects the Heart From Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Background—Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-&agr; (PPAR-&agr;) is expressed in the heart and regulates genes involved in myocardial fatty acid oxidation (FAO). The role of PPAR-&agr; in acute ischemia/reperfusion myocardial injury remains unclear. Methods and Results—The coronary arteries of male mice were ligated for 30 minutes. After reperfusion for 24 hours, ischemic and infarct sizes were determined. A highly selective and potent PPAR-&agr; agonist, GW7647, was administered by mouth for 2 days, and the third dose was given 1 hour before ischemia. GW7647 at 1 and 3 mg · kg−1 · d−1 reduced infarct size by 28% and 35%, respectively (P <0.01), and myocardial contractile dysfunction was also improved. Cardioprotection by GW7647 was completely abolished in PPAR-&agr;–null mice. Ischemia/reperfusion downregulated mRNA expression of cardiac PPAR-&agr; and FAO enzyme genes, decreased myocardial FAO enzyme activity and in vivo cardiac fat oxidation, and increased serum levels of free fatty acids. All of these changes were reversed by GW7647. Moreover, GW7647 attenuated ischemia/reperfusion-induced release of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited neutrophil accumulation and myocardial expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and -2. Furthermore, GW7647 inhibited nuclear factor-&kgr;B activation in the heart, accompanied by enhanced levels of inhibitor-&kgr;B&agr;. Conclusions—Activation of PPAR-&agr; protected the heart from reperfusion injury. This cardioprotection might be mediated through metabolic and antiinflammatory mechanisms. This novel effect of the PPAR-&agr; agonist could provide an added benefit to patients treated with PPAR-&agr; activators for dyslipidemia.
Characterization of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in cerebrospinal fluid of clinically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE To characterize matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in CSF of clinically normal dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION Samples of CSF collected from 23 dogs. PROCEDURE Dogs were anesthetized, CSF samples were collected, and dogs were then euthanatized. Each CSF sample was evaluated immediately for RBC count, WBC count, and protein and glucose concentrations, and cytologic examination also was performed. Samples were considered normal when protein concentration was < 25 mg/dL and CSF contained < 6WBCs/microL and < 25 RBCs/microL. Samples were stored at -70 degrees C. Sections of brain tissue were collected and processed for histologic examination. The MMPs were evaluated by use of gelatin zymography and a polyclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA. RESULTS Mean WBC count for CSF samples was < 1 WBC/microL (range, 0 to 3 WBCs/mL). Mean protein concentration was 12 mg/dL (range, 8 to 17 mg/dL). Mean RBC count was 3.65 RBCs/microL (range, 0 to 21 RBCs/microL). All CSF samples generated a clear band on zymography gels that corresponded to the human commercial standard of proenzyme MMP-2. Other major clear bands were not detected on zymography gels. Bands correlating to MMP-9 were not detected in any samples. The ELISA results revealed a mean +/- SD proenzyme MMP-2 concentration of 5.61 +/- 1.92 ng/mL (range, 3.36 to 10.83 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The proenzyme form of MMP-2 is detectable in CSF of clinically normal dogs, whereas MMP-9 is not detectable. Additional investigation of MMPs in CSF from dogs with various diseases of the nervous system is indicated.
Effect of Polymorphism of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor on Response to Regular Use of Albuterol in Asthma

Background: Regular use of inhaled β-adrenergic agonists may have adverse effects in some asthma patients. Polymorphisms of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) can affect its regulation; however, results of smaller studies of the effects of such polymorphisms on response to β-agonist therapy have been inconsistent. Methods: We examined the possible effects of polymorphisms at codons 16 (β2-AR-16) and 27 (β2-AR-27) on response to albuterol by genotyping 190 asthmatics who had participated in a trial of regular versus as-needed albuterol use. Results: During the 16-week treatment period, patients homozygous for arginine (Arg/Arg) at β2-AR-16 who used albuterol regularly had a small decline in morning peak expiratory flow (AM PEF). This effect was magnified during a 4-week run-out period, when all patients returned to as-needed albuterol only. By the end of the study, Arg/Arg subjects who had used albuterol regularly had an AM PEF 30.5 ± 12.1 liters/min lower (p = 0.012) than Arg/Arg patients who had used albuterol as needed only. Subjects homozygous for glycine at β2-AR-16 showed no such decline. Evening PEF also declined in the Arg/Arg regular but not in as-need albuterol users. No significant differences between regular and as-needed treatment were associated with polymorphisms at β2-AR-27. Conclusions: Polymorphisms of the β2-AR may influence airway responses to regular inhaled β-agonist treatment.
Optimization model for materials expedition: an aplication in a retail chain store

In several companies, transportation costs are most part logistics costs. In this context, the appropriate distribution planning figures as a strategic activity in the generation of competitiveness. Previous studies that analyzed the transportation problem do not consider the role of the expedition in their models. This research investigated a transportation problem considering the expedition of goods. A midsize retailer located in the ABC region of Sao Paulo was used to conduct a case study. In addition to documentary data, interviews were conducted with professionals involved in the expedition operation. The results indicated that the company could optimize their expedition by considering the changes proposed in this study. We conclude that the expedition is an important activity in the analysis of a transport model .