Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of order of exercise on performance during a complex training session in rugby players

Abstract In this study, we examined the acute effects of manipulating exercise order when combining countermovement jumps and loaded parallel squats in a complex training session, and the acute effects of countermovement jumps and loaded parallel squats on sprinting performance. Eight rugby players participated in five trials, including two that involved performing loaded parallel squats followed by countermovement jumps or vice versa in a randomized cross-over design. Peak rate of force development and peak force were measured during countermovement jumps and loaded parallel squats. Peak power, jump height, and duration of amortization phase were also determined during the countermovement jumps. Peak force during squatting was significantly greater in both cross-over treatments (loaded parallel squats–countermovement jumps and countermovement jumps–loaded parallel squats) compared with the control (P ≤ 0.05), although no significant interaction effects were observed. Prior countermovement jumps resulted in slower 5-m split and overall 20-m sprint times compared with the control (countermovement jumps vs. control: 5-m split, 1.23 s, s=0.11 vs. 1.13 s, s=0.11; overall 20-m, 3.29 s, s=0.19 vs. 3.18 s, s=0.18; P < 0.05). It is possible to combine heavy resistance and plyometric exercises without detriment to training performance, but sprint training should be performed independently to minimize any potential interference from prior resistance training.
A mixed methods approach to the assessor's targeting behavior during online peer assessment: effects of anonymity and underlying reasons

This study examined the effects of identity revelation and concealment on the number of times students' work was assessed in an online peer assessment context. It also examined the underlying reasons guiding the assessor's targeting behavior. Two fifth-grade classes participated. The one-group pretest–posttest experimental research design coupled with qualitative research method was adopted. The results from social network analysis (SNA) showed a high redundancy rate for both high- and low-targeted assessees in identity-revealed and identity-concealed conditions for both classes. Moreover, the density metrics indicated that all sociograms were similarly sparse. The Wilcoxon tests further confirmed that there were no significant differences in the assessees' ranking in the two conditions for both classes. Finally, analysis of students' self-reflective data revealed that the features/content of the work to be assessed, rather than who the question-author was, was the determining factor when it came to deciding the target for online peer assessment.
Two-Component Cluster Analysis of a Large Serodiagnostic Database for Specificity of Increases of IgG Antibodies against Pertussis Toxin in Paired Serum Samples and of Absolute Values in Single Serum Samples

ABSTRACT Measuring IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin (IgG-Ptx) with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be used to diagnose pertussis infection; however, the cutoff points are not unanimously defined. To determine the diagnostic specificity of increases of IgG-Ptx in paired sera and of absolute values in single serum samples, we applied a two-component cluster analysis to serum samples of patients suspected for pertussis, whose sera had been submitted to a routine diagnostic laboratory between 2003 and 2009, and had been assayed with an in-house IgG-Ptx ELISA calibrated with the international FDA lot 3 IgG-Ptx reference serum. Children eligible for the acellular pertussis vaccination were excluded to avoid interference from a vaccine-induced IgG-Ptx rise. Binary distribution mixtures were fitted to the data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for absolute values in single samples (n = 14,452) and increases in paired samples (n = 2,455). For both parameters, two subpopulations could be identified: a population with high reactivity (persons with pertussis infection) and a population with low reactivity (persons without pertussis infection). For absolute values in single samples, the area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve was 0.993 and the optimum cutoff (with the highest cumulative value of specificity plus sensitivity) was 67.7 IU/ml (95% confidence interval, 63.9 to 74.1; sensitivity, 96.4%; specificity, 95.7%). A previously determined diagnostic cutoff of 125 IU/ml was associated with a sensitivity of 88.1% and a specificity of 98.8%. For increases in paired sera, the AUC was 0.999 and the optimum cutoff was 3.1-fold (95% CI, 2.8 to 3.4; sensitivity, 99.6%; specificity, 99.2%). Given the methodology of this study, estimates of sensitivity probably are overrated (because pertussis patients without IgG-Ptx response are not detected), but estimates of specificities can be considered very accurate.
"High-dose" radioiodine therapy in advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

UNLABELLED There is yet no consensus concerning the appropriate regimen of the application of [131I]sodium iodine (Nal) activities to patients suffering from advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma. We report on a total of 167 applications of [131I]Nal, including 78 applications of 11.1 GBq. Response to high-activity radioiodine therapy (RIT) is correlated to the course of the disease as well as to the reaction of thyreoglobulin and acute/subacute side effects of radiation. METHODS Following radioablation of thyroid remnants using 1.85 to 3.7 GBq[131I]Nal, 26 patients with advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma (follicular, 11; papillary, 4;mixed-cell thyroid carcinoma, 11) were treated with repeated activities of 11.1 GBq[131I]Nal. Initial tumor staging according to UICC showed T4 in 54%, T3 in 19%, T2 in 19% and was not obtained in 8%. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma was multifocal in 23% of patients. Applied accumulated activities ranged from 14.8 to 99.9 GBq with a mean of 55.5 GBq per patient. RESULTS Mean post-diagnostical follow-up was 73 mo, mean follow-up after diagnosis of metastatic spread was 48 mo. Follicular thyroid carcinoma remained as stable disease in 7 of 11 patients, 6 of whom showed metastatic disease after a mean of 20 mo, and only 1 complete remission was achieved using high-dose therapies, with progressive disease in the remaining patients. Overall, 73% of follicular thyroid carcinoma had progressive disease without major response to high-activity RIT. In contrast, only 20% of papillary thyroid carcinoma/mixed-cell thyroid carcinoma showed progressive disease, and complete remission was achieved in 47% of patients. Pulmonary and lymph node metastases in the majority of patients showed good response to therapy, whereas local recurrences and bone metastases showed minor reactions to RIT. After low-activity therapies 8% of patients showed WHO grade I hematotoxic reactions. After high-activity therapies, 38% of patients had WHO I, 8% WHO II and one patient had WHO III toxicity (4%). CONCLUSION Use repetitive high-activity RIT with a maximum of 44.4 GBq applied during 1 yr and a maximum of 99.9 GBq accumulated activity resulted in a significant increase of hematotoxicity. However, during the follow-up period (mean, 4 yr), no clinical symptoms possibly related to low blood counts were seen in patients with advanced differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Initiation of high-activity RIT in reaction to metastatic tumor outspread to achieve complete remission was found to be useful in treating papillary thyroid carcinoma and mixed-cell thyroid carcinoma, but only in a minority of follicular thyroid carcinoma patients.
Dissociable contributions of thalamic nuclei to recognition memory: novel evidence from a case of medial dorsal thalamic damage

The thalamic nuclei are thought to play a critical role in recognition memory. Specifically, the anterior thalamic nuclei and medial dorsal nuclei may serve as critical output structures in distinct hippocampal and perirhinal cortex systems, respectively. Existing evidence indicates that damage to the anterior thalamic nuclei leads to impairments in hippocampal-dependent tasks. However, evidence for the opposite pattern following medial dorsal nuclei damage has not yet been identified. In the present study, we investigated recognition memory in NC, a patient with relatively selective medial dorsal nuclei damage, using two object recognition tests with similar foils: a yes/no (YN) test that requires the hippocampus, and a forced choice corresponding test (FCC) that is supported by perirhinal cortex. NC performed normally in the YN test, but was impaired in the FCC test. Critically, FCC performance was impaired only when the study-test delay period was filled with interference. We interpret these results in the context of the representational–hierarchical model, which predicts that memory deficits following damage to the perirhinal system arise due to increased vulnerability to interference. These data provide the first evidence for selective deficits in a task that relies on perirhinal output following damage to the medial dorsal nuclei, providing critical evidence for dissociable thalamic contributions to recognition memory.
Fibromyalgia Is Associated With Impaired Balance and Falls

Background/Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine whether fibromyalgia (FM) patients differ from matched healthy controls in clinical tests of balance ability and fall frequency. Methods:Thirty-four FM patients and 32 age-matched controls were administered the Balance Evaluation-Systems Test (BESTest), rated their balance confidence with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, and reported the number of falls in the last 6 months. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to assess FM severity. Results:FM patients had significantly impaired balance in all components of the BESTest compared with controls. They also scored more poorly on balance confidence. Overall FM severity (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) correlated significantly with the BESTest and the ABC scale. The BESTest and ABC correlated significantly with 6 commonly reported FM symptoms (excluding pain). FM patients reported a total of 37 falls over the last 6-months compared with 6 falls in healthy controls. Conclusion:FM is associated with balance problems and increased fall frequency. Patients were aware of their balance problems. These results suggest that FM may affect peripheral and/or central mechanisms of postural control. Further objective study is needed to identify the relative contributions of various neural and musculoskeletal and other impairments to postural stability in FM to provide clinicians with methods to maximize postural stability and help fall prevention.
Hippocampal Sclerosis in Feline Epilepsy

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) refers to loss of hippocampal neurons and astrogliosis. In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), HS is a key factor for pharmacoresistance, even though the mechanisms are not quite understood. While experimental TLE models are available, there is lack of models reflecting the natural HS development. Among domestic animals, cats may present with TLE‐like seizures in natural and experimental settings. With this study on the prevalence, segmental pattern and clinicopathological correlates of feline HS, we evaluated the translational value for human research. Evaluation schemes for human brains were applied to epileptic cats. The loss of neurons was morphometrically assessed and the degree of gliosis was recorded. Hippocampal changes resembling human HS were seen in about one third of epileptic cats. Most of these were associated with infiltrative diseases such as limbic encephalitis. Irrespective of the etiology and semiology of seizures, total hippocampal sclerosis was the most prevalent form seen in epileptic animals. Other HS types also occur at varying frequencies. Segmental differences to human HS can be explained by species‐specific synaptic connectivities and a different spectrum of etiologies. All these variables require consideration when translating results from feline studies regarding seizure‐associated changes of the temporal lobe and especially HS.
Skin Carriage of Acinetobacters in Hong Kong

We studied the carriage of Acinetobacter spp. at five superficial sites in 79 patients from two hospitals, in 133 healthy controls from the community (medical students and new nurses), and in 198 student nurses in different classes. A total of 431 isolates from 364 positive sites of 201 subjects and 124 blood culture isolates (1997 to 1998) were genospeciated by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis. Genospecies 3 was the most common species. The carriage rate of student nurses (42 of 131) was significantly lower than that of new nurses from the community (25 of 38) (chi-square test, P = 0.0004; odds ratio [OR], 4.08; 95% confidence limits, 1.78 to 9.41) but not significantly different (P = 0.1) from that of patients in the same hospital (20 of 42). Genospecies from blood cultures and subjects (acute patients and student nurses) from Prince of Wales Hospital were similar to one another but different from subjects from the community or from another hospital (chi-square test, P < 0.0001). Half of the subjects who were positive at at least two sites had different genospecies. Of the 28 sites examined, 68% showed strain variation among isolates of the same genospecies by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Half of the 106 subjects who had samples taken again within 6 weeks or 6 months later were positive only once. In the 17 subjects who were positive on at least two occasions, each occasion yielded different genospecies in 13 subjects. Our results indicate that skin carriage in the majority of healthy subjects is characterized by low density, variation in genospecies and strains, short-term duration, and the typicality of a given locality.
Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Species in Europe Induce Diverse Immune Responses against C6 Peptides in Infected Mice

ABSTRACT The diversity of Lyme-borreliosis-inducing Borrelia species in Europe set high standards for the use of serodiagnostic test systems in terms of specificity and sensitivity. In the United States, the one-step C6 antibody test system based on the invariable domain IR6 of the VlsE molecule has been established as a successful diagnostic tool for testing canine samples. However, only a limited set of data are available regarding the antigenicity of the C6 peptides in an experimental murine model and sensitivity of the test regarding European Borrelia species. In order to investigate antibody reactions induced by these spirochetes, a total of 142 C3H/HeN mice were inoculated with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto N40, B. garinii PBi, two isolates of B. afzelii, B. spielmanii A14S, B. valaisiana Rio6, B. valaisiana VS116, or B. lusitaniae. Infection of the mice was documented utilizing tissue culture and PCR. The IR6 sequences of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto B31, B. garinii IP90, and two B. afzelii ACAI strains have been used to synthesize and test additional C6 peptides. Compared to the well-established two-tiered test system, the results indicate that single C6 peptides derived from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and B. garinii can be used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based technique to detect murine antibodies induced by either agent. Little is known about the prevalence or pathogenicity of the B. afzelii strains in mammalian hosts, but our experimental data indicate differences in the C6 peptide test sensitivity for the detection of antibodies induced by different strains or isolates of B. afzelii.
Extending Fama–French Factors to Corporate Bond Markets

The explanatory power of size, value, profitability, and investment has been extensively studied for equity markets. Yet, the relevance of these factors in global credit markets is less explored, although equities and bonds should be related according to structural credit risk models. In this article, the authors investigate the impact of the four Fama–French factors in the US and European credit space. Although all factors exhibit economically and statistically significant excess returns in the US high-yield market, the authors find mixed evidence for US and European investment-grade markets. Nevertheless, they show that investable multifactor portfolios outperform the corresponding corporate bond benchmarks on a risk-adjusted basis. Finally, their results highlight the impact of company-level characteristics on the joint return dynamics of equities and corporate bonds.
Role of calcium deficiency in development of nutritional rickets in Indian children: a case control study.

CONTEXT Nutritional rickets is usually attributed to vitamin D deficiency. Studies from some tropical countries have postulated low dietary intake of calcium as the cause of nutritional rickets. Both vitamin D and dietary calcium deficiency are highly prevalent in India. Information on their relative contribution in the development of rickets in Indian children is limited. OBJECTIVE The aim was to study the role of calcium and vitamin D deficiency in causation of nutritional rickets in young Indian children. DESIGN AND METHODS In a case-control study, 67 children with nutritional rickets and 68 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were compared for demographic factors, nutritional status, sun exposure (UV score), dietary calcium and phytate intake (for subjects not breast-fed at presentation), and biochemical parameters [serum calcium, inorganic phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and PTH]. RESULTS Mean intake of calcium (204±129 vs. 453±234 mg/d; P<0.001) and proportion of calcium from dairy sources (41.7 vs. 88.6%; P<0.001) were significantly lower in cases vs. controls. The dietary intake of phytate was also significantly higher in cases (P=0.01). Median serum 25OHD level (interquartile range) in both cases and controls was in the range of deficiency [13.7 (10; 17.9) and 19.4 (12.3; 24.6) ng/ml, respectively]. There was no significant difference in the serum 25OHD level (P=0.08) or sun exposure as measured by UV score (P=0.39) among the cases and controls. In cases with rickets, significant negative correlations were seen between dietary calcium intake and radiological score (r=-0.28; P=0.03) and PTH (r=-0.26; P=0.02). No correlation was found between serum 25OHD level and radiological score or biochemical parameters of rickets. CONCLUSIONS Rickets develops when low dietary calcium intake coexists with a low or borderline vitamin D nutrition status.
Dynamics of foreign exchange implied volatility and implied correlation surfaces

The prices of currency options expressed in terms of their implied volatilities and the implied correlations between foreign exchange rates at a given point in time depend on option delta and time to maturity. Implied volatilities and implied correlations likewise may thus be represented as a surface. It is well known that these surfaces exhibit both skew/smile features and term structure effects and their shapes fluctuate substantially over time. Using implied volatilities on three currency pairs as well as historical implied correlation values between them, we study the nature of these fluctuations by applying a Karhunen-Loève decomposition that is a generalization of a principal component analysis. We demonstrate that the largest share in the dynamics of these surfaces' fluctuations may be explained by exactly the same three factors, providing evidence of strong interdependences between implied correlation and implied volatility of global currency pairs.
Impact of baseline population on credit score’s predictive power

DOI: 10.14254/2071789X.2019/12-1/15 ABSTRACT. Credit scoring involves statistical analysis performed by lenders and financial institutions to access person's creditworthiness. It utilizes statistical techniques along with debtor data such as loan application or credit bureau information to measure debtor’s creditworthiness. When compared with the traditional credit evaluation process, credit scoring has shown less bias, faster speed, and consistent measurement of creditworthiness. For this reason, the National Credit Bureau of Thailand (NCB) has developed the NCB Score, based on credit behavior information collected from its members’ financial institutions, which normally issue a wide variety of credit products. However, problems can arise when this NCB score is applied to a smaller bank that usually offers a few specific types of loans. As a result, the score’s predictive power may deteriorate. In this paper, the impact of baseline population difference on the predictive power of a credit score was studied by separating proprietary data from NCB into two groups. One group represents those who originate personal loans in the seventh month of the study period, and the other group represents those who originate mortgage loans in the seventh month of the study period. The credit score model of each group was developed and their predictive power was compared when used with the same baseline population and a different baseline population to monitor the change in model predictive power
Endogenous Convergence and International Technological Diffusion Channels

Abstract The goal of the paper is to estimate relative importance of channels of technological diffusion between new member states and core EU countries. Based on neoclassical growth theory and extensive literature survey on technological diffusion we explore movements in the relative TFP in EU member states and try to identify relative importance of channels of technological diffusion as suggested by theory: imports, exports, FDI, R&D, human capital and fixed capital formation, etc. In the first step we employ Phillips and Sul (2007) log t test which has power to detect convergence even in the absence of cointegration between time series. In the second part we employ Abrigo and Love (2016) PVAR model in order to detect channels of diffusion of technology. The data is sampled from Eurostat and PWT repository and covers the period from 1995-2016 for panel analysis and 1950-2014 for TFP convergence analysis. Our results indicate that in the overall sample FDI and R&D are major drivers of technological change, while, contrary to conventional wisdom, trade openness and human capital are dominant channels for TFP diffusion in periphery countries. The overall results point that productivity gap reduction is a heterogeneous process, country specific problem, but on average in the periphery it can be supported through various economic policies focused on openness and human capital.
Mandibular bone alterations of ovariectomized rats under vitamin D insufficiency.

UNLABELLED Experimental osteoporosis was studied in mandible bone by means of ovariectomy and vitamin D insufficiency. METHODS 42 female Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) ovariectomized rats maintained in 12h day-night light conditions (ov-l), (2) ovariectomized rats maintained in 24h dark light conditions (ov-ob), (3) sham-operated rats maintained in 12h day-night light conditions (ch-l) and (4) sham-operated rats maintained in 24 h dark conditions (ch-ob). 12 weeks later the animals were sacrificed, the mandibles were excised, cleaned and weighed, the right side of the mandibles were histologically examined and the left side of the mandibles were prepared for mineral phase analysis by X-ray diffraction. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect apoptotic cells by anti-PARP p85 antibody. RESULTS In group 2, the weight of mandibles significantly decreased. Chondroid areas were observed in ovariectomized groups and polarized light observation validated the collagen distribution disturbance in these groups (groups 1 and 2). Apoptotic osteoblasts were localized in groups 1, 2 and 4. They were numerous in group 2. The mineral phase analysis did not find differences between the groups. CONCLUSION This study validates a new model of osteoporotic animal associating estrogens deficiency and vitamin D insufficiency where matrix synthesis and osteoblast biology are altered, but not biomineralization.