Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The PhysioCam: A Novel Non-Contact Sensor to Measure Heart Rate Variability in Clinical and Field Applications

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable indicator of health status and a sensitive index of autonomic stress reactivity. Stress negatively affects physical and psychological wellness by decreasing cardiovascular health and reducing quality of life. Wearable sensors have made it possible to track HRV during daily activity, and recent advances in mobile technology have reduced the cost and difficulty of applying this powerful technique. Although advances have made sensors smaller and lighter, some burden on the subject remains. Chest-worn electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors provide the optimal source signal for HRV analysis, but they require obtrusive electrode or conductive material adherence. A less invasive surrogate of HRV can be derived from the arterial pulse obtained using the photoplethysmogram (PPG), but sensor placement requirements limit the application of PPG in field research. Factors including gender, age, height, and weight also affect PPG-HRV level, but PPG-HRV is sufficient to track individual HRV reactions to physical and mental challenges. To overcome the limitations of contact sensors, we developed the PhysioCam (PhyC), a non-contact system capable of measuring arterial pulse with sufficient precision to derive HRV during different challenges. This passive sensor uses an off the shelf digital color video camera to extract arterial pulse from the light reflected from an individual’s face. In this article, we validate this novel non-contact measure against criterion signals (ECG and PPG) in a controlled laboratory setting. Data from 12 subjects are presented under the following physiological conditions: rest, single deep breath and hold, and rapid breathing. The following HRV parameters were validated: interbeat interval (IBI), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and low frequency HRV (LF). When testing the PhyC against ECG or PPG: the Bland–Altman plots for the IBIs show no systematic bias; correlation coefficients (all p values < 0.05) comparing ECG to PhyC for IBI and LF approach 1, while RSA correlations average 0.82 across conditions. We discuss future refinements of the HRV metrics derived from the PhyC that will enable this technology to unobtrusively track indicators of health and wellness.
Healthy diet and lifestyle clustering and glucose intolerance

Glucose intolerance represents a spectrum of abnormalities, including impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. It is a major public health challenge worldwide, with rapidly increasing prevalence rates in both developed and developing countries. This global epidemic of diabetes is largely driven by the globalisation of Western culture and lifestyles. Specifically, there is now evidence from large-scale observational studies, and from intervention studies, of powerful synergistic interactions between diet, obesity, exercise, smoking and alcohol in the development of glucose intolerance. It is estimated that > 90 % of cases of type 2 diabetes in the population could be prevented with the adoption of a prudent diet (high in cereal fibre and polyunsaturated fatty acids and low in trans-fatty acids and glycaemic load), avoidance of overweight and obesity (BMI < 25 kg/m2), engagement in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 05 h/d, non-smoking and moderate alcohol consumption. These findings are biologically plausible and have major public health implications. They form the basis for a clear, simple and coherent message for health promotion and public policy. However, to make progress on these issues health will need to be placed at the centre of public policy and relevant vested interests tackled, notably in the food, entertainment, tobacco and automobile industries.
Tourism Forecasting Performance Considering the Instability of Demand Elasticities

This study highlights that accounting for the fact that tourism elasticities do not remain stable is crucial for forecasting situations. We demonstrate that approaches with constant elasticity assumptions might lead to substantial forecasting failures, especially in periods characterized by major economic fluctuations and changes in the macroeconomic environment. Therefore, in the course of distinct business cycles, we have to take into account that different price and income effects are to be expected. The main reasons why income elasticity may vary across the business cycle include loss aversion, liquidity constraints, and precautionary savings. By analyzing smooth transition autoregressive models and time-varying parameter approaches, we demonstrate that elasticities may vary as a result of structural changes in consumer behavior and/or policy regime shifts. Income elasticities may also change in the medium term in line with the worsening of the macroeconomic environment and indicate that tourism is no longer a luxury good.
Middle Level Schools in an Era of Standards and Accountability: Adaptations of the Features of the Middle School Concept

The literature related to the development of education in the middle grades and to the features associated with the implementation of the middle school concept provides a theoretical grounding for the development and testing of an Innovation Configuration map for the middle school concept. The description provided of the historical development of middle-grades education presents the context for recent research studies and ongoing policy debate. In addition, features of the middle school concept as described within the literature are identified and an overview of salient research findings related to these features is given. A synthesis and critical review of previous research methodologies and findings reveal the need for further research. The purpose of the instrument development and testing process was to identify critical features of the middle school concept implemented in the context of standards and accountability. The instrument development and testing process investigated the nature of the implementation of middle school concept features, recognizing that actual practices in schools may vary somewhat without the schools losing their identity as middle level schools. The principle product of the process was the development of a diagnostic tool that may be used in future research to identify acceptable forms of implementation of the middle level philosophy of education. The instrument development and testing process employed research methodology based on the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) of Hall and Hord (2006). Specifically, an Innovation Configuration map was developed identifying components of the middle level philosophy of education and describing variations in implementation of the components.
Discharges of Purkinje cells in the paravermal part of the cerebellar anterior lobe during locomotion in the cat.

Extracellular recordings were made from 124 Purkinje cells in the paravermal part of lobule V of the cerebellum in cats walking steadily at a speed of 0.5 m/s on a moving belt. All cells tested had a tactile receptive field from which simple spikes could be evoked and 96% of these were on the ipsilateral forelimb. Seventy‐six of the cells were also studied whilst the animals sat or lay quietly without movement. Complex spikes were discharged at 1‐2/s and these were accompanied by simple spikes in fifty‐nine cells (78%); in the remaining cells there were no or few simple spikes. The over‐all mean discharge rate (including both types of spike) was 37.8 +/‐ 27 impulses/s (+/‐ S.D.). During locomotion all cells discharged both types of spike and the over‐all mean rate was 57.6 +/‐ 29 impulses/s (+/‐ S.D.). In all cells but one, the frequency of the simple spikes was modulated rhythmically in time with the stepping movements but the phasing relative to the step cycle varied widely between cells. Peak rates also varied widely, the average being 91.5 +/‐ 44 impulses/s (+/‐ S.D.). Most cells (63%) generated one period of accelerated discharge per step but others generated two (35%) or three (2%) such periods. Despite the individual variations in discharge timing the population as a whole was considerably more active during the swing than the stance phase of the step cycle in the ipsilateral forelimb (68 impulses/s as compared with 49 impulses/s on average). Thirty‐four cells were electrophysiologically identified as lying in the c1 zone of the cortex and twenty‐five as being in the c2 zone (nomenclature of Oscarsson, 1980). During locomotion, the population activity in the two zones differed slightly: activity in the c1 population was phase advanced by approximately one‐tenth of the step cycle. The results are discussed, with particular emphasis on the finding that population activity in the Purkinje cells of the c1 zone fluctuated during the step cycle in parallel with that in the part of nucleus interpositus to which they project.
GWAS-Identified Common Variants for Obesity Are Not Associated with the Risk of Developing Colorectal Cancer

Background: Observational studies have consistently associated obesity with colorectal cancer risk. Because both traits are genetically determined and share some metabolic biomarkers, we hypothesized that obesity-related polymorphisms could also influence the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive population-based case–control study in 1,792 German colorectal cancer cases and 1,805 controls to explore associations between 28 obesogenic variants identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and colorectal cancer risk. We also evaluated interactions between polymorphisms and body mass index (BMI), type II diabetes (T2D), and gender. Results: No evidence of association between obesogenic variants and colorectal cancer risk was observed after correction for multiple testing. There was only a remarkable interaction between the LTArs1041981 polymorphism and gender, which modified the risk of colorectal cancer [Pinteraction = 0.002; males: odds ratio (OR), 1.14; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.00–1.30 vs. females: OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71–0.97]. Conclusions: Our findings showed that obesogenic variants are not a major pathogenetic risk factor for colorectal cancer. Impact: This comprehensive population-based case–control study does not provide evidence of a shared genetic component between obesity and colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(6); 1125–8. ©2014 AACR.
Reevaluation of P-Selectin and α4 Integrin as Targets for the Treatment of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis1

There has been a great deal of interest in adhesion molecules as targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases. In this study, we systematically evaluate α4 integrin and P-selectin as targets for therapy in murine models of multiple sclerosis–for the first time directly measuring the ability of their blockade to inhibit recruitment and relate this to clinical efficacy. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced in C57BL/6 or SJL/J mice and intravital microscopy was used to quantify leukocyte interactions within the CNS microvasculature. In both strains, pretreatment with blocking Abs to either α4 integrin or P-selectin reduced firm adhesion to a similar extent, but did not block it completely. The combination of the Abs was more effective than either Ab alone, although the degree of improvement was more evident in SJL/J mice. Similarly, dual blockade was much more effective at preventing the subsequent accumulation of fluorescently labeled leukocytes in the tissue in both strains. Despite evidence of blockade of leukocyte recruitment mechanisms, no clinical benefit was observed with anti-adhesion molecule treatments or genetic deletion of P-selectin in the C57BL/6 model, or in a pertussis toxin-modified model in SJL/J mice. In contrast, Abs to α4 integrin resulted in a significant delay in the onset of clinical signs of disease in the standard SJL/J model. Despite evidence of a similar ability to block firm adhesion, Abs to P-selectin had no effect. Importantly, combined blockade of both adhesion molecules resulted in significantly better clinical outcome than anti-α4 integrin alone.
Food processing, transformation, and job creation: The case of Ethiopia’s enjera markets

Given the importance of agriculture in developing economies, food processing industries often dominate the industrial sector when considering employment and value addition in these settings. For example, it is estimated that the food processing industry in Ethiopia employs 1 million people, around 2 percent of the economically active population. However, the way this food processing industry is changing and how it functions is little understood. Based on a unique survey, we study the case of markets in urban Ethiopia for commercial ready-to-eat enjera, the traditional staple pancake of the country. We find that commercial enjera markets are quickly growing, employing more than 100,000 people in urban Ethiopia. Moreover, enjera is now being prepared by mixing flour from locally produced teff with that of imported rice, thus absorbing an important part of the rapidly growing rice imports (almost 200 million USD in 2015) in the country, and leading to higher profits for those enterprises engaged in this type of mixing. Increasing numbers of enjera-making enterprises (EMEs) – which mostly employ women – are emerging. Further, we note upscaling by those enjera-making enterprises that supply the growing urban food service sector. Larger enjera-making companies have better quality, different procurement mechanisms and technologies, and higher value-added. These findings are important for the policy debates in Ethiopia on food systems transformation, employment and job creation, and international trade.
Visualization of flow patterns from stents and stent-grafts in an in vitro flow-model.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The authors determine flow characteristics and pressure gradients of different stents and stent grafts in an in vitro flow-model. METHODS Five vascular stents (Memotherm, Cragg, two Palmaz P308, Strecker, and Wall) and one stent graft (Cragg EndoPro System 1), equal in length (60 mm) and diameter (10 mm), were deployed in a closed flow-model. The inner diameter of the tube measured 9 mm. Flow at 1.5 L/min, 6 L/min, and 10 L/min was simulated. Flow patterns were visualized by anionic particles illuminated with two Helium-Neon lasers. Laminary flow characteristics and pre-/poststent pressure gradients were determined in either expanded stent, 25% stenosis, or 50% stenosis. RESULTS Stent implantation induced a decrease of laminary flow compared with an unstented tube with and without concentric 25% stenosis (P < 0.01) at all flow rates and an increase of pressure gradients compared with an unstented tube for flow rates greater than 1.5 L/min (P < 0.01) (except for Cragg EndoPro System 1 stent, which revealed an increase of the pressure gradient at a flow rate of 1.5 L/min [P < 0.01]). Memotherm stent permitted maximum of laminary flow at all flow rates and stenoses (expanded: 79.50% at 1.5 L/min to 69.90% at 10 L/min; P < 0.01). Memotherm and Palmaz permitted lowest pressure gradients (P < 0.01). All of the endoprostheses demonstrated laminary flow at 50% stenosis. CONCLUSIONS The investigated stents and stent grafts showed different severity of flow disturbances and pressure gradients at different graded stenoses. Inadequate stent depolyment bears the risk of creating less laminary flow and pathologic pressure gradients. Because flow disturbances and pressure gradients may influence neointimal hyperplasia, stent design and completeness of stent unfolding are important regarding the appearance of postinterventional restenoses.
The Cyclooxygenase‐2 Selective Inhibitor Celecoxib Suppresses Proliferation and Invasiveness in the Human Oral Squamous Carcinoma

Abstract: Cyclooxygenease‐2 (COX‐2) expression is a critical factor in inflammation, and plays an important role in defense against exogenous stimuli, while overexpression of COX‐2 causes cells to exhibit changes in tumor phenotype. This article attempted to determine the mechanisms underlying the chemopreventive effects of celecoxib on cellular level events, in order to characterize the effects of celecoxib with regard to human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell growth and invasion/migration. In order to determine COX‐2 expression levels, we used an OSCC cell line established from surgically resected specimens of an untreated primary OSCC of the tongue, and used reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blot analyses with anti‐COX‐2 monoclonal antibodies. The YD‐10B cells represented a highly invasive OSCC cell line, which was found to express the COX‐2 protein. Celecoxib inhibited the growth of this OSCC cell line, in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This reduction in cell proliferation was associated with the upregulation of the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, p27. In addition, 10 uM celecoxib inhibited cell invasion/migration through the type I collagen matrix by ∼40% within 24 h. The results of zymography reveal that, in the presence of 10 μL celecoxib, both MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 enzyme activity decreased by ∼30–40%. The current in vitro study indicated that the inhibition of proliferation and invasion/migration in OSCC cell line by the COX‐2‐specific inhibitor, celecoxib, results in anticancerous effects via a variety of cellular and molecular mechanisms. This article also supports the notion that the COX‐2 inhibitor may be useful in the inhibition and/or prevention of metastasis.
Higher mortality of smaller sika deer fawns

Bodyweight, breast girth and hind-foot length were compared in sika deer fawns (Cervus nippon Temminck) that were shot or had died naturally. The study site was Mount Goyo, in northern Japan. Samples were collected in January and February every year from 1982 to 1991 for the dead fawns and from 1990 to 1992 for the living fawns. The average bodyweight and the variation in bodyweight was significantly smaller in the dead fawns than in the living ones, suggesting a higher mortality rate in smaller fawns. The mean breast girth and hind-foot length were also significantly smaller in the dead fawns. Two possibilities are suggested: (i) the smaller fawns were born later than the larger fawns and grew at normal rates; or (ii) the smaller and larger fawns were born in a similar period but grew at different rates thereafter.
Modulation of the control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity during severe orthostatic stress

We tested the hypothesis that arterial baroreflex (ABR)‐mediated beat‐to‐beat control over muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is progressively modulated as orthostatic stress increases in humans, but that this control becomes impaired just before the onset of orthostatic syncope. In 17 healthy subjects, the ABR control over MSNA (burst incidence, burst strength and total MSNA) was evaluated by analysing the relationship between beat‐to‐beat spontaneous variations in diastolic blood pressure (DAP) and MSNA during supine rest (control) and during progressive, stepwise increases in lower body negative pressure (LBNP) that were incremented by −10 mmHg every 5 min until presyncope (nine subjects) or −60 mmHg was reached. (1) The linear relationships between DAP and burst strength and between DAP and total MSNA were shifted progressively upward as LBNP increased until the level at which syncope occurred. The relationship between DAP and burst incidence, however, gradually shifted upward from control only to LBNP =−30 mmHg; there was no further upward shift at higher LBNPs. (2) Although the slope of the relationship between DAP and burst strength and between DAP and total MSNA remained constant at all LBNPs tested, except at the level where syncope occurred, the slope of the relationship between DAP and burst incidence was reduced at LBNPs of −40 mmHg and higher (versus control). (3) In syncopal subjects, the slopes of the relationships between DAP and burst incidence, burst strength, and total MSNA were all substantially reduced during the 1–2 min period prior to the onset of syncope. Taken together, these results suggest baroreflex control over MSNA is progressively modulated as orthostatic stress increases, so that its sensitivity is substantially reduced during the period immediately preceding the severe hypotension associated with orthostatic syncope.
ISSP position stand: Transnationalism, mobility, and acculturation in and through sport

The historically unprecedented pace of internationalising sport industry and transnational movement of athletic talent in the last 20 years has heightened the need for developing new competencies in research and daily practice of sport psychology professionals. While academic literature in cultural sport psychology and praxis has been increasing, sport professionals and local organisations seem to give scant time and resources to stay abreast of complex social changes in transnational industry and to the development of cultural competencies. Stemming from the continuing need for qualified athletic personnel to support transitioning athletes and to achieve intercultural effectiveness in daily practices, our objectives in this position statement are to critically review and analyse the growing scholarship pertinent to various forms of transnational mobility and acculturation of athletic migrants, and subsequently provide recommendations for further use in research and applied contexts.
Restrictive Chest Wall Disorders

Hypoventilation can be caused by diseases of the chest wall. Any anatomical or functional abnormality of the bony thorax increases dead space ventilation and the work of breathing, whether congenital or acquired, acute or chronic, and whether its cause is infectious, traumatic, environmental, iatrogenic, or unknown. In this article, we discuss these heterogeneous disorders from the viewpoint of the practicing nonpediatric pulmonary physician, only briefly touching on surgical, pediatric, rheumatologic, and other nonpulmonary ramifications. Emphasis is on the most common and the best researched forms of chest wall restriction, including kyphoscoliosis, fibrothorax, thoracoplasty, flail chest, and ankylosing spondylitis. Other diseases such as osteoporosis with its less well known pulmonary effects, and some rarely seen entities, are briefly discussed.
Otolith and canal reflexes in human standing

We used galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) to identify human balance reflexes of the semicircular canals and otolith organs. The experiment used a model of vestibular signals arising from GVS modulation of the net signal from vestibular afferents. With the head upright, the model predicts that the GVS‐evoked canal signal indicates lateral head rotation while the otolith signal indicates lateral tilt or acceleration. Both signify body sway transverse to the head. With the head bent forward, the model predicts that the canal signal indicates body spin about a vertical axis but the otolith signal still signifies lateral body motion. Thus, we compared electromyograms (EMG) in the leg muscles and body sway evoked by GVS when subjects stood with the head upright or bent forward. With the head upright, GVS evoked a large sway in the direction of the anodal electrode. This response was abolished with the head bent forward leaving only small, oppositely directed, transient responses at the start and end of the stimulus. With the head upright, GVS evoked short‐latency (60–70 ms), followed by medium‐latency (120 ms) EMG responses, of opposite polarity. Bending the head forward abolished the medium‐latency but preserved the short‐latency response. This is compatible with GVS evoking separate otolithic and canal reflexes, indicating that balance is controlled by independent canal and otolith reflexes, probably through different pathways. We propose that the short‐latency reflex and small transient sway are driven by the otolith organs and the medium‐latency response and the large sway are driven by the semicircular canals.