Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Interventions to Improve Respiratory Function After Stroke

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to systematically review all current interventions that have been utilized to improve respiratory function and activity after stroke. METHODS: Specific searches were conducted. The experimental intervention had to be planned, structured, repetitive, purposive, and delivered with the aim of improving respiratory function. Outcomes included respiratory strength (maximum inspiratory pressure [PImax], maximum expiratory pressure [PEmax]) and endurance, lung function (FVC, FEV1, and peak expiratory flow [PEF]), dyspnea, and activity. The quality of the randomized trials was assessed by the PEDro scale using scores from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (www.pedro.org.au), and risk of bias was assessed in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: The 17 included trials had a mean PEDro score of 5.7 (range 4–8) and involved 616 participants. Meta-analyses showed that respiratory muscle training significantly improved all outcomes of interest: PImax (weighted mean difference 11 cm H2O, 95% CI 7–15, I2 = 0%), PEmax (8 cm H2O, 95% CI 2–15, I2 = 65%), FVC (0.25 L, 95% CI 0.12–0.37, I2 = 29%), FEV1 (0.24 L, 95% CI 0.17–0.30, I2 = 0%), PEF (0.51 L/s, 95% CI 0.10–0.92, I2 = 0%), dyspnea (standardized mean difference −1.6 points, 95% CI −2.2 to −0.9; I2 = 0%), and activity (standardized mean difference 0.78, 95% CI 0.22–1.35, I2 = 0%). Meta-analyses found no significant results for the effects of breathing exercises on lung function. For the remaining interventions (ie, aerobic and postural exercises) and the addition of electrical stimulation, meta-analyses could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review reports 5 possible interventions used to improve respiratory function after stroke. Respiratory muscle training proved to be effective for improving inspiratory and expiratory strength, lung function, and dyspnea, and benefits were carried over to activity. However, there is still no evidence to accept or refute the efficacy of aerobic, breathing, and postural exercises, or the addition of electrical stimulation in respiratory function.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: state of the art review

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Open Access Surgery 2014:7 59–69 Open Access Surgery Dovepress
Improving bounds on packing densities of 4-point permutations

We consolidate what is currently known about packing densities of 4-point permutations and in the process improve the lower bounds for the packing densities of 1324 and 1342. We also provide rigorous upper bounds for the packing densities of 1324, 1342, and 2413. All our bounds are within $10^{-4}$ of the true packing densities. Together with the known bounds, this gives us a fairly complete picture of all 4-point packing densities. We also provide new upper bounds for several small permutations of length at least five. Our main tool for the upper bounds is the framework of flag algebras introduced by Razborov in 2007.
YEARS OF GEOGRAPHIA POLONICA IN THE LIGHT OF CITATIONS Przemys

This paper presents an analysis of citations to Geographia Polonica, a leading English-language geographical journal edited by Polish geographers, boasting its 50-year-long history. The examination was based on Google Scholar and its Publish or Perish application, that is the most comprehensive search engine of citations which returns the most representative results for Polish sources, particularly in social sciences. Due to the nature of Google Scholar – it only explores existing materials shared in the Internet – the study shows a series of regularities in contemporary citations.
Viability, Enzymatic and Protein Profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm and Planktonic Cells after Monomeric/Gemini Surfactant Treatment

This study set out to investigate the biological activity of monomeric surfactants dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) and the next generation gemini surfactant hexamethylene-1,6-bis-(N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecylammonium bromide) (C6) against the environmental strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PB_1. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using the dilution method. The viability of the planktonic cells and biofilm was assessed using the plate count method. Enzymatic profile was determined using the API-ZYM system. Proteins were extracted from the biofilm and planktonic cells and analysed using SDS-PAGE. The MIC of the gemini surfactants was 70 times lower than that of its monomeric analogue. After 4 h of treatment at MIC (0.0145 mM for C6 and 1.013 mM for DTAB), the number of viable planktonic cells was reduce by less than 3 logarithm units. At the concentration ≥MIC, a reduction in the number of viable cells was observed in mature biofilms (p < 0.05). Treatment for 4 h with gemini surfactant at 20 MIC caused complete biofilm eradication. At sub-MIC, the concentration of some enzymes reduced and their protein profiles changed. The results of this study show that due to its superior antibacterial activity, gemini compound C6 can be applied as an effective microbiocide against P. aeruginosa in both planktonic and biofilm forms.
Género e saúde mental: Uma abordagem epidemiológica

Avaliou-se sob o ponto de vista epidemiologico diferencas entre homens e mulheres que procuraram os servicos das consultas externas da especialidade de Psicologia do Departamento de Psiquiatria e Saude Mental do Hospital Distrital Amato Lusitano de Castelo Branco , relativamente a psicopatologia apresentada, tipo de intervencao solicitada, psicofarmacos prescritos, funcionalidade familiar, familiares com doenca mental, tentativas de suicidio. Relacionaram-se outras variaveis demograficas com a psicopatologia apresentada, numa amostra representativa da populacao resultante em 483 utentes selecionados aleatoriamente dum total de 2447 que usufruiram destes servicos entre Maio de 1984 e Maio de 2005. Foram encontradas diferencas de genero para todas as categorias diagnosticadas, a excepcao da esquizofrenia. Os resultados obtidos revelaram vulnerabilidade marcante a sintomas ansiosos e depressivos para a mulher, ja que se obtiveram taxas de prevalencia mais elevadas para o genero feminino em perturbacoes como o Humor (20,5%): mulheres (M) 72%, homens (H) 38%; Ansiedade (11,2%): M – 64%, H – 36%; Adaptacao a situacoes de vida stressantes (22,8%): M – 77,3%, H – 22,7%; Somatoformes (0,4%): M – 89%, H – 11%. Enquanto os homens apresentaram taxas de prevalencia mais elevados em transtornos como os associados ao uso de substâncias psicoactivas, alcool (9,3%): (H – 86,7%, M – 13,3%); drogas ilegais (2,5%): H – 55%, M – 45%; comportamentos anti-sociais (1,9%): (H – 67%, M – 33%). Os resultados encontrados levam a concluir nao haver diferencas significativas de genero nas perturbacoes psiquiatricas nas populacoes investigadas, mas sim diferencas nas taxas de “perturbacoes especificas”, resultados que vao ao encontro dos de outros estudos clinicos.
A new tiny dromaeosaurid dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group of western Liaoning and niche differentiation among the Jehol dromaeosaurids

The Early Cretaceous Jehol dromaeosaurids are taxonomically and morphologically diverse, and one of them, Microraptor zhaoianus , has been suggested to be among the smallest known non-avialan theropods. However, this idea is based on specimens of relatively early ontogenetic stages, and the lower limit of the mature body mass of Jehol dromaeosaurids thus remains unknown. Here we describe a new dromaeosaurid, Zhongjianosaurus
Effects of Spatial Location and Household Wealth on the Utilisation of Skilled Birth Attendants at Delivery Among Women in Rural Ghana

Skilled attendance during delivery has been identified as a panacea to the amelioration of maternal and new-born mortality, but utilisation is lower in rural areas than in urban areas of Ghana. The study examined the role of spatial location and household wealth in the use of skilled birth attendants at delivery among rural women in Ghana. The paper made use of data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Women from rural areas who had given birth within five years prior to the survey were included in the analysis. Frequency, percentage, Chi-square tests as well as binary and multivariate logistic regression estimation techniques were used to analyse the data. The probability of utilising skilled birth attendants at delivery increased by household wealth. Rural women in coastal Ghana also had the least probability of utilising skilled assistance at delivery. There are spatial differences in the use of skilled birth attendants at delivery among women in rural Ghana with those in the coastal areas having the highest probability of non-utilisation. A perpetuation of the current spatial and wealth variations in the utilisation of skilled birth attendants at delivery among women in the rural parts of the country implies that Ghana may not be able to meet her Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by the year 2030. The study, therefore, underscores the need for geographical and income vulnerability considerations in identifying rural populations for special skilled delivery care interventions in improving maternal health outcomes.
Time- and Cost- Efficient Task Scheduling across Geo-Distributed Data Centers

Typically called big data processing, analyzing large volumes of data from geographically distributed regions with machine learning algorithms has emerged as an important analytical tool for governments and multinational corporations. The traditional wisdom calls for the collection of all the data across the world to a central data center location, to be processed using data-parallel applications. This is neither efficient nor practical as the volume of data grows exponentially. Rather than transferring data, we believe that computation tasks should be scheduled near the data, while data should be processed with a minimum amount of transfers across data centers. In this paper, we design and implement Flutter, a new task scheduling algorithm that reduces both the completion times and the network costs of big data processing jobs across geographically distributed data centers. To cater to the specific characteristics of data-parallel applications, in the case of optimizing the job completion times only, we first formulate our problem as a lexicographical min-max integer linear programming (ILP) problem, and then transform the ILP problem into a nonlinear program problem with a separable convex objective function and a totally unimodular constraint matrix, which can be further solved using a standard linear programming solver efficiently in an online fashion. In the case of improving both time- and cost- efficiency, we formulate the general problem as an ILP problem and we find out that solving an LP problem can achieve the same goal in the real practice. Our implementation of Flutter is based on Apache Spark, a modern framework popular for big data processing. Our experimental results have shown convincing evidence that Flutter can shorten both job completion times and network costs by a substantial margin.
Exploitation of Rhizobacteria for Functional Traits in Mungbean

The enrichment of plant rhizosphere with beneficial bacteria is a strategy that favours the production of more vigorous seedlings, which is essential for the success of legume cultivation. The aim of this study was to select rhizobacteria that are able to act as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). A total of 17 rhizobacteria belonging to genera Bacillus (8), Pseudomonas (5) and Azotobacter (4) from mungbean rhizosphere were selected on the basis of their ability to solubilize phosphate. These selected rhizobacteria were further characterized for Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) traits for quantitative phosphate solubilisation, Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), organic acid production and Intrinsic antibiotic spectra (IAR), control of phytopathogen via siderophore and cellulase production and stress tolerant management by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. Significantly high phosphate was solubilized by strain of Bacillus sp. B2 (9.77 mg ml−100) followed by strain of Pseudomonas sp. P10 (9.14 mg ml−100) and strain of Azotobacter sp. A3 (8.98 mg ml−100). In the presence of L-trptophan P10, A3 and B2 were also able to produce significant high amount of IAA i.e. 55.6 μg ml−1, 52.6 μg ml−1 and 50.3 μg ml−1 respectively and they also produced organic acid, siderophore and cellulase. Of 17 rhizobacterial isolates, 11 were found compatible with Rhizobium sp. vigna (LSMR1) in-vitro. IAR pattern revealed 52.9% of rhizobacteria resistant to ampicillin (10 μg disc−1) and chloramphenicol (25 μg disc−1). ACC deaminase activity was measured by their growth in DF medium supplemented with ACC (OD 600 ranged from 0.117 to 0.432) as nitrogen (N) source. In the present investigation, rhizobacterial isolates viz, B2, P10 and A3 were found most promising for multiple activities (PGP traits, biocontrol and stress tolerant activities) and can be evaluated in-vivo for their possible role in mungbean growth and development.
Virulence Associated Gene 8 of Bordetella pertussis Enhances Contact System Activity by Inhibiting the Regulatory Function of Complement Regulator C1 Inhibitor

Bordetella pertussis is a Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of whooping cough. Whooping cough is currently re-emerging worldwide and, therefore, still poses a continuous global health threat. B. pertussis expresses several virulence factors that play a role in evading the human immune response. One of these virulence factors is virulence associated gene 8 (Vag8). Vag8 is a complement evasion molecule that mediates its effects by binding to the complement regulator C1 inhibitor (C1-INH). This regulatory protein is a fluid phase serine protease that controls proenzyme activation and enzyme activity of not only the complement system but also the contact system. Activation of the contact system results in the generation of bradykinin, a pro-inflammatory peptide. Here, the activation of the contact system by B. pertussis was explored. We demonstrate that recombinant as well as endogenous Vag8 enhanced contact system activity by binding C1-INH and attenuating its inhibitory function. Moreover, we show that B. pertussis itself is able to activate the contact system. This activation was dependent on Vag8 production as a Vag8 knockout B. pertussis strain was unable to activate the contact system. These findings show a previously overlooked interaction between the contact system and the respiratory pathogen B. pertussis. Activation of the contact system by B. pertussis may contribute to its pathogenicity and virulence.
Reverse Cholesterol Transport: Molecular Mechanisms and the Non-medical Approach to Enhance HDL Cholesterol

Dyslipidemia (high concentrations of LDL-c and low concentrations of HDL-c) is a major cause of cardiovascular events, which are the leading cause of death in the world. On the other hand, nutrition and regular exercise can be an interesting strategy to modulate lipid profile, acting as prevention or treatment, inhibiting the risk of diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic characteristics. Additionally, the possibility of controlling different training variables, such as type, intensity and recovery interval, can be used to maximize the benefits of exercise in promoting cardiovascular health. However, the mechanisms by which exercise and nutrients act in the regulation of cholesterol and its fractions, such as reverse cholesterol transport, receptors and transcription factors involved, such as PPARs and their role related to exercise, deserve further discussion. Therefore, the objective of this review is to debate about non-medical approaches to increase HDL-c, such as nutritional and training strategies, and to discuss the central mechanisms involved in the modulation of lipid profile during exercise, as well as that can be controlled by physical trainers or sports specialists in attempt to maximize the benefits promoted by exercise. The search for papers was performed in the databases: Medline (Pubmed), Science Direct, Scopus, Sport Discus, Web of Science, Scielo and Lilacs until February 2016.
SBEED: Convergent Reinforcement Learning with Nonlinear Function Approximation

When function approximation is used, solving the Bellman optimality equation with stability guarantees has remained a major open problem in reinforcement learning for decades. The fundamental difficulty is that the Bellman operator may become an expansion in general, resulting in oscillating and even divergent behavior of popular algorithms like Q-learning. In this paper, we revisit the Bellman equation, and reformulate it into a novel primal-dual optimization problem using Nesterov’s smoothing technique and the Legendre-Fenchel transformation. We then develop a new algorithm, called Smoothed Bellman Error Embedding, to solve this optimization problem where any differentiable function class may be used. We provide what we believe to be the first convergence guarantee for general nonlinear function approximation, and analyze the algorithm’s sample complexity. Empirically, our algorithm compares favorably to state-of-the-art baselines in several benchmark control problems.
A Miniaturized Dual-Band Base Station Array Antenna Using Band Notch Dipole Antenna Elements and AMC Reflectors

A novel miniaturized dual-band dipole array antenna consisting of two parallel $1 \times 4$ subarrays for use in base stations operating in the digital cellular system (DCS) and wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) bands is presented. Size miniaturization is realized by utilizing band notch dipoles (BNDs) as array elements and artificial magnetic conductors as reflectors for reductions in width and profile height of the array antenna, respectively. Using the BNDs of high radiation suppression at desired notch frequencies, the radiation from DCS subarray is suppressed in the WCDMA band and vice versa. High isolation between the subarrays, therefore, is achieved while reducing the subarray separation. In addition, a dual four-way unequal power divider is designed for beam pattern synthesis. The measured results show that realized gains of 12.1–12.6 and 12.4–13.1 dBi, respectively, within the DCS and WCDMA bands, as well as the first null depth and sidelobe level, respectively, of lower than −20 and −16 dB, are achieved simultaneously, indicating that the proposed array antenna is suitable for potential base station applications.
Seasonal Variation in the Quality of Fruits and Diffuse Coevolution Between Plants and Avian Dispersers

The hypothesis is formulated that, among vertebrate-dispersed plants, species ripening fruits at different times of year should differ in the nutritional properties of their fruits in such a way as to match the seasonally changing demands of their major dispersers. This was tested for a sample of 62 species of southern Spanish bird-dispersed plants, and results fully conform to expectations. Species ripening fruits during the dry mediterranean summer, when water demands of dispersers are highest, have the most watery fruits. Species producing fruits in winter, when energy needs of avian frugivores are at a maximum, possess fruits with the highest lipid content. No marked seasonal trend in protein yield of fruits was found, which is consistent with the fact that protein demands of avian dispersers appear to be fairly constant during the summer-through-winter period considered. Coupling between fruit quality and frugivores' needs is shown to be most likely related to coevolution between plants and birds, and not to fortuitous coincidence over time of fruit quality and disperser needs. The significance of highly rewarding winter fruits for the evolution of some physiological and behavioral traits among overwintering dispersers points to the existence of a closely coevolved system involving the latter and the assemblage of winter-ripening mediterranean evergreens. It is concluded that the seasonal gradient in plant-bird coevolutionary adjustment has been concurrently brought about by (1) seasonally changing demands of dispersers, and (2) the differential coevolutionary potentials open to the plant-bird system through changing spatio-temporal asymmetry in relationships between vege- tation and avifauna.
A Contingency Approach on the Impact of Front-End Success on Project Portfolio Success

The pre-project or ideation phase is often disregarded in project portfolio management. Senior managers put more emphasis on later project stages, and researchers predominantly investigate the front end from a single project perspective. This study investigates how and under which circumstances the performance of the front end affects project portfolio success. Using a sample of 175 firms, we confirm a strong positive relationship between front-end success and project portfolio success. Results show that this effect becomes stronger for larger project portfolios, for portfolios with more interdependency between projects and, finally, for firms that have a strategic orientation toward riskiness.
Permanent maxillary central incisor and first molar rotations in the mixed dentition in repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and their relationship with absence of teeth in their vicinity.

OBJECTIVES To describe qualitatively and quantitatively the directions and magnitudes of rotations of permanent maxillary central incisors and first molars in the mixed dentition in repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and study their associations with absence of teeth in their vicinity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dental casts and orthodontic records taken prior to orthodontic preparation for alveolar bone grafting of 74 children with repaired UCLP (53 male, 21 female; aged 8.9 ± 1.0 years) were studied. Directions and magnitudes of permanent maxillary central incisor and first molar rotations were recorded. Tooth absence was confirmed from longitudinal radiographic records. Incisor and molar rotations were analyzed in relation to the absence of teeth in their vicinity. RESULTS Distolabial rotation of the permanent maxillary central incisor was noted in 77.14% on the cleft side, while distopalatal rotation was noted in 82.19% on the noncleft side. Incisor rotation was greater when a permanent tooth was present distal to the cleft side central incisor, in the greater segment. The permanent maxillary first molar showed mesiopalatal rotation, which was greater on the cleft side and when there was absence of one or more teeth in the buccal segment. CONCLUSIONS Presence and absence of teeth were associated with the severity of incisor and molar rotations in UCLP. Crowding of anterior teeth in the greater segment was associated with a greater magnitude of rotation of the cleft side permanent central incisor. Absence of one or more buccal segment teeth was associated with greater magnitude of rotation of the molar.