Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerobic training and cardiovascular responses at rest and during exercise in older men and women.

PURPOSE The effects of an intense 8-wk aerobic training program on cardiovascular responses at rest and during exercise, including heart rate variability (HRV) as an expression of autonomic modulation, were evaluated in subjects over 70 yr (mean: 73.9 +/- 3.5 yr). METHODS Before and after training in 7 men and 8 women: a) heart rate (HR), blood pressures (BPs), pulse pressure (PP), and oxygen uptake were measured at rest, during, and after exhausting incremental exercise; b) HRV power spectra were calculated at rest in supine and sitting, and during and after two submaximal constant loads (5 min). Power in low-frequency (LF, 0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF, >0.15 Hz) bands were expressed as a percent of total power minus power < 0.04 Hz. RESULTS After training: a) at rest HR and HRV parameters (in both body positions) were unchanged, whereas BPs decreased; b) peak cycle resistance and oxygen consumption increased by 25% and 18%, respectively, but no change in maximal HR and BPs were found; c) during submaximal loads HR was unchanged at the same metabolic demand, whereas SBP and DBP were lower than before at low loads whereas PP was unchanged. LF power decreased and HF increased at oxygen uptakes above about 0.7 L.min-1 similarly before and after training; and d) recovery of all parameters was similar to pretraining and complete after 10 min CONCLUSIONS The increase in exercise capacity without changes in cardiovascular parameters suggests that 8 wk of aerobic training augmented peripheral gas exchange but not delivery to muscle. The lack of effect on HRV indicates that the improvements in aerobic power and cardiac autonomic modulation, at least in subjects over 70 yr, are dissociated. Moreover, the metabolic demand seems to be the main factor for the changes in HRV power spectra that occur during exercise.
Fundamental characteristics of connectivity in vehicular ad hoc networks

We study the connectivity in vehicular ad-hoc networks, where the motion of vehicles is constrained on a lattice-shaped road network. First, we theoretically investigate the connectivity under the Poisson-positioning assumption, where vehicles are positioned according to a Poisson process on each road at any arbitrary instants. We find that the Poisson-positioning assumption allows the existence of the finite critical-vehicle density; that is, if (and only if) the density of vehicles is greater than the finite critical density, then there exists a large (theoretically infinite) cluster of vehicles and an arbitrary pair of vehicles in the set is connected in single or multiple hops. We obtain an analytical expression for the critical density as a function of the transmission range of each vehicle and the distance between intersections. Next, we consider the connectivity under more realistic movement patterns of vehicles where the Poisson-positioning assumption does not hold. We numerically find that, even in non-Poisson-positioning cases, there exists the critical vehicle density. The critical density in non-Poisson-positioning cases is, however, larger than the one under the Poisson-positioning assumption. We also gain some insight on the efficiency of roadside-relay-station deployment to provide better connectivity between vehicles.
A new dynamic water quality model for stormwater basins as a tool for urban runoff management: Concept and validation

In the context of real-time control of a stormwater basin's outlet gate to improve the river's water quality, while guaranteeing population safety, it is necessary to define and test scenarios over various environmental conditions and perform long term simulations. This paper presents a new dynamic model for stormwater basins, which can reproduce the evolution of the water quality in the basin. The developed model describes the behaviour of pollution associated with particles, accounting for the distribution of particle settling velocities. After detailing the model, simulation results of an experiment representing settling under quiescent hydraulic conditions, are presented to validate the developed model's concepts. The dynamic behaviour of a pollution associated with three particle settling velocity classes is presented before concluding on the perspectives that can be offered by such a model.
Measurements of preferred walking speed in subjects with central and peripheral vision loss

Background: Previous mobility studies have used Preferred Walking Speed (PWS) in order to determine the walking efficiency in terms of the Percent Preferred Walking Speed (PPWS) of visually impaired adults. PWS has been measured in previous studies using the sighted guide (SG) and non‐sighted guide (NSG) techniques. This study compared the NSG, SG and string (ST) (subjects walked by holding on lightly to a cardboard tube attached to a piece of string) techniques of measuring PWS in visually impaired subjects.
Normative Data for the Symbol Cancellation Test in Young Healthy Adults

Mesulam's (1985) symbol cancellation test (SCT) provides a measure of neglect, organizational process, and attention. Although the SCT lends itself to qualitative interpretation, normative data would be helpful for interpreting errors and time to complete this test. SCT normative data are provided for healthy young adults and the contribution of age, education, ethnicity, and gender to SCT performance is examined. Results were as follows: Age was significant (p < .05) and education approached significance (p = .06) as predictors of SCT performance, but percentile ranks revealed an unstable performance pattern across age and education. Thus, normative data for the SCT are provided for the entire sample (n = 136). Conclusions are as follows: Healthy young adults make few errors and complete the SCT in under 2 min, consistent with general findings (Mesulam, 1985). In addition, a relation likely exists between SCT performance and age and education, but a larger sample seems warranted to reliably model the pattern.
A novel igm‐indirect hemagglutination test for the serodiagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis

A new indirect hemagglutination (M‐Toxo‐IHA) test was standardized for the serodiagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis. The reagent for this test consisted of stabilized human red cells coated with a Toxoplasma gondii heatstable alkaline‐solubilized extract which reacted predominantly with IgM antibodies found in serum samples from patients with a recent infection. Almost no reactivity was verified with serum samples from chronic or ancient toxoplasmosis. The reagent preparation was simple and obviated prior fractionation of parasite components reactive with IgM antibodies. Rheumatoid factor or high levels of IgG antibodies did not interfere in the M‐Toxo‐IHA test. A total of 358 serum samples was assessed for the evaluation of this test, comprising sera from patients with recent and ancient toxoplasmosis, from nonrelated diseases, as well as from clinically healthy individuals with no previous T. gondii infections. Serodiagnostic performance of the M‐Toxo‐IHA test in terms of sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, and positive and negative predictive values was verified, and the values obtained were 1.000, 0.985, 0.989, 0.952, and 1.000, respectively, in relation to IgM‐immunofluorescence or IgM‐capture ELISA. Six different batches of reagent, successively produced for the current study, provided reproducible results and were stable for at least 22 months at 4°C.
Sleep apnea‐related cognitive deficits and intelligence: an implication of cognitive reserve theory

Cognitive deficits in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are well demonstrated, but the pathophysiology of these deficits is still controversial, as the relationship between OSA severity and cognitive deficits is usually weak. Our study considers the possible relationship between OSA‐related cognitive deficits and the overall intellectual function of OSA patients. Forty‐seven OSA patients and 36 normal individuals underwent a neuropsychological battery test assessing attention and alertness. According to the resulting IQ score, patients and controls were divided into a high‐intelligence group (IQ ≥ 90th percentile) and a normal‐intelligence group (50 ≤ IQ < 90%ile). Between the two patient groups there were no significant differences noticed, regarding OSA severity or sleepiness. High‐intelligence patients showed the same attention/alertness performance compared with the high‐intelligence controls. On the contrary, patients with normal‐intelligence showed attention/alertness decline compared with the normal‐intelligence control group. The two patient groups were re‐examined with the same battery test after at least 1 year of CPAP treatment. At re‐examination neither patient group showed any differences regarding attention and alertness compared with the control groups. We assume that high‐intelligence may have a protective effect against OSA‐related cognitive decline, perhaps due to increased cognitive reserve.
Effects of melagatran, the active form of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran, and dalteparin on the endogenous thrombin potential in venous blood from healthy male subjects

The effect of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran and its active form, melagatran, on thrombin generation was investigated in vitro and ex vivo using a thrombin generation assay. In-vitro thrombin generation was triggered in human platelet-poor plasma by the addition of tissue factor, and the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) was measured. The ETP IC50 values for melagatran and the low-molecular-weight heparin dalteparin were 0.44 μmol/l and 0.06 IU/ml, respectively. In contrast to dalteparin, melagatran increased the time-to-thrombin peak in a concentration-dependent manner. ETP was also studied ex vivo in platelet-poor plasma collected from healthy male subjects (n = 54) at pre-dose and 2 h post-dose, with ximelagatran (60 mg) orally, dalteparin (120 IU/kg) subcutaneously, or control (water) orally. After ximelagatran or dalteparin administration, the time-to-thrombin peak was prolonged by 41 and 95%, and the ETP was decreased by 61 and 77%, respectively. Thus, melagatran, the active form of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran, efficiently delays and inhibits the generation of thrombin in plasma both in vitro and ex vivo.
Microregional Expression of Glucose Transporter-1 and Oxygenation Status: Lack of Correlation in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancers

Purpose: Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), a target gene of hypoxia-inducible factor-1, has been considered a candidate endogenous marker of tumor hypoxia. Expression of GLUT-1 may also serve as an indicator for the induction of the transcriptional response to hypoxia, which has been linked to enhanced proliferation, resistance to therapy, and metastatic propagation of cancer cells. Overexpression of GLUT-1 has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis in several tumor entities, among them cancers of the uterine cervix. The validity of these hypotheses is investigated. Experimental Design: The expression of GLUT-1 was assessed in 80 biopsies of Eppendorf oxygenation measurement tracks from locally advanced cervical cancers in 47 patients using immunohistochemistry. Results: No correlation was found between the expression of GLUT-1 and oxygenation variables (median pO2, HF 2.5 and HF 5). Expression of GLUT-1 was found greater in larger tumors (P = 0.0001) and to exhibit a linear increase with Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d' Obstétrique stage (P = 0.002). Overall survival (P = 0.004) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.007) were significantly shorter for patients with expression of GLUT-1. In the subgroup of patients treated with surgery, this effect on prognosis was not independent when pT stage or pN stage were included in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Conclusions: The suitability of GLUT-1 as an endogenous marker of tumor hypoxia seems questionable. The association with prognosis may partially depend on confounding factors.
The Social Protection Floor and the ‘New’ social investment policies in Japan and South Korea

Japan and South Korea have always taken what may be called a social investment approach to their social and economic development policies. They were able to achieve a high level of economic growth, in part, because of their targeted social spending that supported and protected the productive sectors of the society. Since the 1990s, however, there has been a marked shift in the targets of social investment, from predominantly skilled, male, industrial core workers to more peripheral, marginalized, and vulnerable population groups, such as women, children, and the elderly. Moreover, this new policy focus is now increasingly put forward from the perspective of inclusive welfare and the discourse of social inclusion, thus breaking from the earlier productivist thinking. Indeed, recent social investment policy debates in the two countries are often framed in terms of intergenerational equity, social and economic sustainability, and economic democracy. What are these ‘new social investments’, and why the shifts? This article looks at the new social investment policies in Japan and South Korea to understand factors behind the changes, and assess how ‘new’ are these new social investments.
Challenges and opportunities in the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by an onset after 48 hours of the application of mechanical ventilation (MV). Protocols exist to aid in the prevention of VAP, but this infection carries a devastating impact on patient morbidity and potentially mortality. Areas covered: In this review we present key concepts from existing guidelines to aid clinicians. Challenges remain in defining this disease and, most importantly appropriate empiric antimicrobial treatment is the main determinant of outcome. We highlight that the selection of initial antibiotics is critical, as VAP can by caused by a broad array of drug resistant organisms (DROs), the appropriate duration of treatment for VAP is an evolving concept, but may, in part, be guided by biomarkers, and provide focus on diagnostic challenges, initial therapies and treatment strategies for VAP. Both traditional and novel antimicrobials are presented, including developments in the modes of delivery. Expert commentary: The clinical approach to VAP continues to evolve. Recent evidence regarding the changes in microbiology, diagnostics approaches, and treatment strategies for VAP are important for clinicians to remain informed of to provide optimal patient care.
Amplification and purification of plasmid-encoded thioredoxin from Escherichia coli K12.

The thioredoxin gene (trxA) from Escherichia coli K12 has been cloned on a 3-kilobase pair PvuII fragment in a derivative of pBR325 (pBHK8). Thioredoxin protein production was amplified 150-200-fold in a strain containing pBHK8 (SK3981), with the greatest increase/cell observed after cultures reached stationary phase. A simple purification procedure, involving DEAE and AcA-54 column chromatography, yielded homogeneous protein with approximately 70% yield. The high amplification of thioredoxin in these cells (i.e. 10(6) copies/cell representing 40% of total cell protein) approaches the maximum yields seen in genetically constructed cloning vehicles (Bernard, H.U., and Helinski, D.R. (1980) in Genetic Engineering (Setlow, J. K., and Hollaender, A., eds) Vol. 2, pp. 133-167, Plenum Press, New York). This tremendous overproduction of thioredoxin protein is attributed to the high plasmid copy number observed in SK3981 (1700/cell). These results suggest a role for thioredoxin in plasmid DNA replication.
A Comparison of the Forces Applied to a Manikin during Laryngoscopy with the Glidescope® and Macintosh Laryngoscopes

The force applied during laryngoscopy can cause local tissue trauma and can induce cardiovascular responses and cervical spine movement in susceptible patients. Previous studies have identified numerous operator and patient factors that influence the amount of force applied during intubation. There are few studies evaluating the effect of different laryngoscope blades and no study involving video laryngoscopes. In this study we measured the forces using two laryngoscopic techniques. Three FlexiForce Sensors® (A201-25, Tekscan, Boston, MA, USA) were attached to the concave blade surface of a Macintosh and a GlideScope® laryngoscope. Experienced anaesthetists performed Macintosh and GlideScope intubations on the Laerdal® Airway Management Trainer manikin. Compared to Macintosh intubations, the GlideScope intubations had equal or superior views of the glottis with 55%, 58% and 66% lower median peak, average and impulse forces applied to the tongue base. The distal sensor registered the most force in both devices and the force distribution pattern was similar between the devices. The findings suggest that the GlideScope requires less force for similar or better laryngoscopic views, at least in a manikin model.
[Knowledge of the "Gräfenberg zone" and female ejaculation in ancient Indian sexual science. A medical history contribution].

Ancient Indian texts in sexology (kamaśastra) from the 11th century onwards prove that their authors knew about the area later termed the "Gräfenberg zone" in Europe, as well as about the female ejaculation connected with the stimulation of this area. The Gräfenberg zone is a sexually arousable zone in the front part of the vagina, stimulation of which can lead to the discharge of liquid from the urethra, a phenomenon which is described as female ejaculation. The german gynaecologist Ernst Gräfenberg, who worked in America, described this zone, situated beneath the clitoris, for the first time (at least in this century) in Western medicine in an article published in 1950. (There are, however, evidences, that the 17th-century anatomist Regnier de Graaf had knowledge about the mentioned erogenous zone as well as female ejaculation.) Since the 1980s the so-called Gräfenberg zone, popularly termed "G-spot", and female ejaculation have been controversially discussed medically as well as in popular science, first in the United States, then in Europe; both phenomena have meanwhile been accepted as facts in medical manuals and reference books (e.g. the "Pschyrembel"). Whereas the oldest and most well-known sexological-erotological work of Ancient India, the Kamasutra, dating probably from the third century A.D., apparently did not know the Gräfenberg zone and female ejaculation, texts such as the Pañcasayaka (11th century), Jayamangala (Yaśodhara's commentary on the Kamasutra from the 13th century), the Ratirahasya (13th century), as well as the late kamaśastra-works Smaradipika and Anangaranga (16th century? ) demonstrably describe both, the Gräfenberg zone and female ejaculation, in great detail. The female ejaculation is described already in the 7th century in a non-kamaśastra-text, in a work of the poet Amaru called the Amaruśataka.
THE EFFECTS OF LISTENING TO QUR’AN RECITATION ON THE PACE OF RELAXATION BASED ON THE MEASUREMENT OF HEART RATE RECOVERY FOLLOWING A HARVARD STEP TEST

Classical music has been the primary choice of non-pharmacological relaxation, Qur’an recitation has been also used traditionally. This research aims to compare the effects of Qur’an recitation and classical music on relaxation by evaluation of HRR following a Harvard Step Test (HST). HRR is used to assess cardiovascular fitness, main parameter of relaxation. This experimental cross sectional study uses 56 students with same amount of gender. Interventions were made to listen to the Qur'an recitation or classical music immediately after exercise. HRR were measured before exercise, 30", 1', 1.5', and 2' after exercise. The results showed statistically there is a significant decrease of HRR at 30", 1.5', and 2'. Clinically, male respondents showed a faster HRR decrease than women. The mean HRR of the Qur'an recitation has P value of T-independent test result >0,05. This value indicates that there is no significant difference between the two interventions. Therefore, it has been demonstrated that Qur’an recitation is as effective as classical music for relaxation and can be used interchangeably. It is also important to note that there is a trend of more normal HRR responses to the Qur’an listening group than the classical music group. Keywords: classical music, heart rate recovery, Qur’an. Abstrak Muzik klasik sudah menjadi pilihan utama dalam non-pharmacological relaxation, bacaan Al-Quran pula digunakan dalam perubatan tradisional. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan kesan bacaan Al-Quran dengan muzik klasik terhadap relaxation dengan penilaian HRR mengikut Harvard Step Test (HST). HRR digunakan untuk menguji daya ketahanan kardiovaskular, ukuran utama relaxation. Eksperimen ini menggunakan 56 pelajar, di mana kedua dua jantina mempunyai jumlah yang sama. Intervensi dibuat agar responden mendengar bacaan Al Quran dan muzik kalsik selepas senaman. HRR yang diukur sebelum bersenam adalah 30”, 1’, 1.5’, dan 2’. Selepas bersenam, keputusan yang ditunjukkan secara statistik mempunyai penurunan HRR pada 30”, 1.5’, dan 2’. Secara klinikal, responden lelaki menunjukkan penurunan HRR yang laju berbanding wanita. Keputusan HRR dengan bacaan Al-Quran mempunyai nilai P >0,05 dalam keputusan T-independent test. Nilai ini membuktikan tiada perbezaan yang signifikan di antara dua intervensi tersebut. Oleh itu, kajian ini membuktikan bacaan Al-Quran mempunyai efektif yang sama dengan muzik klasik dalam relaxation dan boleh diganti antara satu sama lain. Hal penting yang perlu diketahui juga berkenaan trend semasa, kebiasaannya HRR lebih memberi respon kepada bacaan Al-Quran berbanding muzik klasik. Katakunci: muzik klasik, pemulihan kadar jantung, al-Quran.
Pseudoloma neurophilia n. g., n. sp., a New Microsporidium from the Central Nervous System of the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract An unusual xenoma-forming microsporidium was discovered in the central nervous system of moribund zebrafish from a laboratory colony in Eugene, Oregon. Infected fish were often emaciated and lethargic, and histological examination commonly revealed severe myelitis and myositis associated with the infection. Based on its structure, development, and small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence it is unique among fish microsporidia. Spores are uninucleate, ovoid to pyriform, with a prominent posterior vacuole. Spores average 5.4 × 2.7 μm with 13–16 coils of the polar filament. The microsporidium produces xenomas within the spinal cord and hindbrain of fish, and xenomas contained sporophorous vesicles with up to 16 spores. Sporoblasts and presporoblast stages (probably sporonts) are found occasionally in small aggregates dispersed randomly throughout xenomas. It clustered in the ”Ichthyosporidium group” along with other fish microsporidian genera based on rDNA sequence analysis. The rDNA sequence of the zebrafish microsporidium was most similar to that of Ichthyosporidium, but showed only 12.1% similarity and therefore this microsporidium can be considered a distinct genus and species, which we have named Pseudoloma neurophilia n. g. , n. sp.