Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Rough-Terrain Problem: Accurate Foot Targeting as a Function of Visual Information Regarding Target Location

ABSTRACT The authors examined step-cycle regulation to accurately land on a single target. They also examined the effect of decreasing and increasing visual information regarding target location. Visual information was decreased with goggles that obstructed the lower visual field, removing information of the target and foot relative to target in the two steps before the target. Visual information was increased by adding 4 vertical poles (2.1 m tall) around the target location. A total of 14 participants landed with 1 foot on a flat target placed halfway down a walkway and continued walking. During target approach, step length variability increased and foot placement variability decreased. The final stride onto the target was longer and smoother than the penultimate stride, which may reflect that modifications were made earlier to reduce modifications needed in the final stride. Foot-target accuracy was reduced by lower visual-field obstruction. In the steps preceding the target, the presence of poles describing target location modified foot-placement variability, stride length, swing-trajectory smoothness, and head angle. However, foot-target accuracy was not modified by increased visual information regarding target location. That is, the presence of poles modified how the task was performed but did not alter the outcome. Therefore, view of the foot relative to the target is more important than view of target location in the control of a foot-targeting task.
Pegylated IFN-α2b plus ribavirin as therapy for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients

Background: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become a major challenge in HIV-infected individuals. No data exist on the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated IFN (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin in HIV-co-infected patients. Methods: Subcutaneous peg-IFN (150 μg weekly during the first 12 weeks and 100 μg weekly thereafter) plus ribavirin (400 mg twice a day) was given to 68 HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C, having CD4 cell counts greater than 300 cells/μl, plasma HIV-RNA less than 5000 copies/ml, and elevated aminotransferase levels. All were naive for IFN, and 73% were receiving antiretroviral drugs. Results: Plasma HCV-RNA levels greater than 800 000 IU/ml were seen in 50%, and 35% carried HCV genotype 3. Adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 10 patients (15%). One patient taking didanosine developed pancreatitis. Severe weight loss occurred in 70% of patients. Clearance of HCV-RNA at the end of therapy (6 months for HCV-3 and 12 months for HCV-1/4) occurred in 50% of patients (81% with HCV-3 versus 30% with HCV-1/4). As 30% relapsed, the overall sustained response rate was 35% (28% in the intent-to-treat analysis). The main predictors of response were infection with HCV-3 and low HCV load. Conclusion: Treatment with peg-IFN and ribavirin is relatively well-tolerated in HIV/HCV-co-infected patients, although new side-effects, including pancreatitis and severe weight loss, may result from the interaction of ribavirin with antiretroviral drugs. Overall, therapy provides cure to one third of patients, a rate significantly lower than that seen in HCV-monoinfected individuals. Given that relapses are common, extended periods of therapy should be investigated.
Revascularization of the gastroepiploic artery in pancreas transplant *

Thrombosis accounted for 52.0% of all transplant failures in one recent large series and is felt to result from devascularization of the pancreas during organ procurement. A technique to revascularize the pancreas is described. The operative notes and angiograms of 110 consecutive pancreas transplants were reviewed. Eight pancreata were found deprived of blood supply to the head and the neck of the pancreas on indigocarmine‐renograffin table angiograms. During back table reconstruction a distal branch of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was dissected and anastomosed end to end to the gastroepiploic artery using 8–0 monofilament suture. Repeated table angiogram showed excellent blood supply to the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and the body and tail of the pancreas. The pancreas transplantation proceeded with iliac artery graft inflow, portal venous outflow and enteric drainage. Simultaneous quadruple therapy with thymoglobulin, CNI, MMF and a 4‐day course of steroids was used. All patients became insulin independent and euglycemic. No duodenal leak was observed in the entire series. In summary, 1‐ligation of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) is not a safe procedure, especially when arterial blood supply from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery is poor or inexistent, 2‐table angiogram helps delineate the high risk hypo‐perfused pancreas, 3‐preservation of the right gastroepiploic artery and the branches of the SMA allows an easy revascularization of the pancreatic graft.
Selective increase of angiotensin(1–7) and its receptor in hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats subjected to physical training

In the present study we investigated the effects of physical training on plasma and cardiac angiotensin(1–7) [Ang(1–7)] levels. In addition, possible changes in expression of the Ang(1–7) Mas receptor in the heart were also evaluated. Normotensive Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were subjected to an 8 week period of 5% overload swimming training. Blood pressure was determined by a tail‐cuff system. Heart and left ventricle weights and cardiomyocyte diameter were analysed to evaluate cardiac hypertrophy. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure angiotensin levels. Expression of Mas was determined by semi‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Physical training induced cardiac hypertrophy in Wistar rats and SHR. A significant decrease of plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) levels in both strains was also observed. Strikingly, trained SHR, but not trained Wistar rats, showed a twofold increase in left ventricular Ang(1–7) levels. No significant changes were observed in plasma Ang(1–7) and left ventricular Ang II concentrations in either strain. Furthermore, Mas mRNA and protein expression in left ventricle were substantially increased in trained SHR. The physical training protocol used did not change blood pressure in either strain. These results suggest that the beneficial effects induced by swimming training in hypertensive rats might include an augmentation of Ang(1–7) and its receptor in the heart.
The connection between the research of a university and counts of links to its web pages: An investigation based upon a classification of the relationships of pages to the research of the host university

Results from recent advances in link metrics have demonstrated that the hyperlink structure of national university systems can be strongly related to the research productivity of the individual institutions. This paper uses a page categorization to show that restricting the metrics to subsets more closely related to the research of the host university can produce even stronger associations. A partial overlap was also found between the effects of applying advanced document models and separating page types, but the best results were achieved through a combination of the two.
Implementing a Resident Research Program to Overcome Barriers to Resident Research

Internal medicine residents are required to participate in scholarly activity, but conducting original research during residency is challenging. Following a poor Match at Baystate Medical Center, the authors implemented a resident research program to overcome known barriers to resident research. The multifaceted program addressed the following barriers: lack of interest, lack of time, insufficient technical support, and paucity of mentors. The program consisted of evidence-based medicine training to stimulate residents’ interest in research and structural changes to support their conduct of research, including protected time for research during ambulatory blocks, a research assistant to help with tasks such as institutional review board applications and data entry, a research nurse to help with data collection, easily accessible biostatistical support, and a resident research director to provide mentorship. Following implementation in the fall of 2005, there was a steady rise in the number of resident presentations at national meetings, then in the number of resident publications. From 2001 to 2006, the department saw 3 resident publications. From 2006 to 2012, that number increased to 39 (P< .001). The department also saw more original research (29 publications) and resident first authors (12 publications) after program implementation. The percentage of residents accepted into fellowships rose from 33% before program implementation to 49% after (P = .04). This comprehensive resident research program, which focused on evidence-based medicine and was tailored to overcome specific barriers, led to a significant increase in the number of resident Medline publications and improved the reputation of the residency program.
Liver transplantations with donors aged 60 years and above: the low liver damage strategy

According to transplant registries, grafts from elderly donors have lower survival rates. During 1999–2005, we evaluated the outcomes of 89 patients who received a liver from a donor aged ≥ 60 years and managed with the low liver‐damage strategy (LLDS), based on the preoperative donor liver biopsy and the shortest possible ischemia time (group D ≥ 60‐LLDS). Group D ≥ 60‐LLDS was compared with 198 matched recipients, whose grafts were not managed with this strategy (89 donors < 60 years, group D < 60‐no‐LLDS and 89 donors aged ≥60 years, group D ≥ 60‐no‐LLDS). In the donors proposed from the age group of ≥60 years, the number of donors rejected decreased during the study period and the LLDS was found to be responsible for this in a significant manner (47% vs. 60%, respectively P < 0.01). Among the recipients transplanted, the clinical features (age, gender, viral infection, child and model for end‐stage liver disease score) were comparable among groups, but group D ≥ 60‐LLDS had a lower mean ischemia time: 415 ± 106 min vs. 465 ± 111 (D < 60‐no‐LLDS), P < 0.05 and vs. 476 ± 94 (D ≥ 60‐no‐LLDS), P < 0.05. After a median follow‐up of 3 years, the 1‐ and 3‐year graft survival rates of group D ≥ 60‐LLDS (84% and 76%) were comparable with group D < 60‐no‐LLDS (89% and 76%) and were significantly higher than group D ≥ 60‐no‐LLDS (71% and 54%), P < 0.005. In conclusion, the LLDS optimized the use of livers from elderly donors.
Successful hepatitis B vaccination in liver transplant recipients with donor‐specific hyporesponsiveness

Currently, patients are prescribed lifelong treatment with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related diseases in order to prevent reinfection with HBV. Active immunization with an HBV vaccine would be a preferable alternative; however, the immunosuppressive environment in LT recipients is believed to elicit a poor response to vaccination. Minimizing the exposure of the HBV‐infected LT recipients to immunosuppressants would be beneficial in inducing adaptive immunity against HBV by vaccination. In this study, in addition to efforts to minimize immunosuppression, prophylaxis with HBV vaccination combined with continuous HBIg administration was performed in 17 LT recipients who had undergone transplantation attributable to HBV‐related diseases. During the observation period, the overall response rate to HBV vaccination was 64.7%. The immune status of the recipients was evaluated by a mixed lymphocyte reaction assay in response to allostimulation. Patients showing a donor‐specific hyporesponse with a well‐maintained response to the third‐party stimulus always achieved a sustained immune response to the vaccine, whereas patients showing a hyporesponse to both the donor and the third‐party stimulus were unable to do so. Thus, inducing an anti‐donor‐specific immunosuppressive status by minimizing immunosuppression should enable post‐transplant HBV vaccination to be a promising prophylactic strategy.
Alcohol and Homicide: A Deadly Combination of Two American Traditions

Come with us to read a new book that is coming recently. Yeah, this is a new coming book that many people really want to read will you be one of them? Of course, you should be. It will not make you feel so hard to enjoy your life. Even some people think that reading is a hard to do, you must be sure that you can do it. Hard will be felt when you have no ideas about what kind of book to read. Or sometimes, your reading material is not interesting enough.
Using Clinically Relevant Outcome Measures to Assess the Ambulatory Efficiency, Balance Confidence, and Overall Function Associated With “Stubby” Prostheses and C-Leg Prostheses for a Patient With Bilateral Transfemoral Prostheses

Several factors influence which prosthetic solutions are most appropriate for patients with multiple limb loss. We present a case subject with left transhumeral and bilateral transfemoral amputations who possessed the ability to ambulate effectively with both stubby and C-leg prostheses and could interchange the two prosthetic systems according to her needs and preferences. The Physiologic Cost Index, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure were used to quantify the gait efficiency, balance confidence, and general functional abilities experienced in the two prosthetic systems. The stubbies were consistently associated with better outcomes across all three indices. These findings help explain the subject's general preference for the stubby prostheses over the C-legs for most activities.
Evaluation Scale Development, Reliability for Sitting and Standing From the Chair for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

ABSTRACT The authors aimed to (a) develop a scale to evaluate non–wheelchair-dependent children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) while sitting and standing from the chair, (b) test its reliability, and (c) correlate the scores of this scale with the time, the age and the Vignos. Thirty DMD boys performed sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit from the chair 4 times. Scale development was based on a previous movement characterization in healthy children and in DMD children and on suggestions by physical therapists with expertise in DMD. The final version of the scale was submitted to the analysis of reliability. The sitting evaluation consists of phases: flexion, contact of the hip with the chair, extension. The standing evaluation comprehends the phases: flexion; transference; extension. Sitting and standing phases presented an excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.91) and a good reproducibility (ICC ≥ 0.89). The scores generated by sitting on the chair correlated to the time taken to perform the tasks (r = .69) and to the age of the patient (r = .44) and the score of standing from the chair also correlated to the time of performance (r = .66). The sit-to-stand functional evaluation scale DMD is a reliable assessment tool that allows the description and quantification of the functional performance of DMD children.
Task Difficulty and the Time Scales of Warm-Up and Motor Learning

ABSTRACT The authors investigated the influence of task difficulty on warm-up decrement and learning across practice sessions. Three groups of participants practiced a star-tracing task over 3 consecutive days with different levels (e.g., easy, medium, hard) of task difficulty. The performance data were modeled with a 2 time scale function that represented the transient, fast time scale process of warm-up decrement superimposed with the persistent, slow time scale process of learning. Movement time decreased as a function of practice with the most difficult condition exhibiting the greatest reduction though still the longest movement time. The 2 time scale model provided a better fit to the data than an exponential or power law function and showed that the 3 difficulty conditions exhibited similar rates of change for the respective slow (i.e., learning) and fast (i.e., warm-up decrement) time scale processes that varied by an order of magnitude. Task difficulty was inversely related to the initial level of warm-up decrement but not the rate of performance recovery early in a practice session. The findings support the postulation that there is a persistent learned component to the initial conditions in subsequent practice sessions but that there is a common time scale of accommodating the transient process of warm-up decrement.
Lack of awareness of impairment in institutionalized, severely and chronically disabled survivors of traumatic brain injury: A preliminary investigation

A questionnaire assessing orientation; awareness of brain injury; and physical, communication, functional and sensory/cognitive impairment was administered to nine institutionalized survivors of brain injury, who were at least 4 years postinjury. All survivors were totally dependent in basic activities of daily living. Six were found to produce reliable test-retest estimates of their self-awareness of impairment, and their responses were compared with staff ratings. Two patterns of self-awareness of impairment were found. Three survivors were more disoriented and showed little awareness of the presence of brain injury or of striking organic symptoms (such as the inability to talk). The other three survivors showed greater awareness of overt physical and functional impairment while still underestimating their level of impairment compared to staff estimations.
Effect of interleukin‐2 receptor antibody therapy on acute rejection risk and severity, long‐term renal function, infection and malignancy‐related mortality in renal transplant recipients

In renal transplantation, the use of interleukin‐2 receptor antibody (IL‐2Ra) has been associated with reduced rejection rates, but the effect of this agent on rejection severity and type, long‐term graft function and risk of infection and malignancy‐related mortality remains unclear. Using Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, all live‐ and deceased‐donor renal transplant recipients in Australia between 2000 and 2006 were included. Of the 3344 renal transplant recipients, 1874 (56.0%) received no induction and 1470 (44.0%) had received IL‐2Ra. Compared with no induction, IL‐2Ra was associated with reduced rejection risk (relative risk 0.70, 95% CI 0.60, 0.81) and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate at 5 years (difference in means 3.51, 95% CI 0.83, 6.19). Severity and type of rejection were similar in both the groups. The adjusted rate of death attributed to malignancy for no induction and IL‐2Ra per 1000 patient‐years was 1.48 and 1.63, respectively, whereas death attributed to infection was 2.42 and 2.16 respectively. This registry analysis demonstrates that IL‐2Ra induction in kidney transplantation is associated with substantial clinical benefits of reduced risk of acute rejection and improved long‐term graft function without an increase in adverse events.
Microbial Cell Walls

This book contains 3 lectures that were given in 1960 at the Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. The first deals with "Isolation and General Properties of Microbial Cell Walls," the second with "Chemistry of Cell Walls," and the third with "Enzymic Degradation and Biosynthesis of Microbial Walls. " Little detailed knowledge of microbial structures could be obtained until the introduction of electron microscopy. The development of electron microscopy, according to Salton, and the recently acquired wealth of biochemistry, made possible the study of the major structural components of microbial cells. His lectures illustrate the successful application of the techniques of biophysics, chemistry, and biochemistry to one aspect of microbial anatomy. Cell walls can be differentiated from other microbial structures such as flagella, fimbriae, ribosomes, and intracellular particles with the aid of electron microscopy. Isolation of cell walls can be accomplished by mechanical disintegration, by osmotic lysis, or by
Effect of Wii-Based Balance Training on Corticomotor Excitability Post Stroke

ABSTRACT The objective was to examine the effectiveness of a 3-week balance training program using the Nintendo Wii Fit gaming system (Nintendo Wii Sports, Nintendo, Redmond, WA) on lower limb corticomotor excitability and other clinical measures in chronic stroke survivors. Ten individuals diagnosed with ischemic stroke with residual hemiparesis received balance training using the Wii Fit for 60 min/day, three times/week, for three weeks. At the end of training, an increase in interhemispheric symmetry of corticomotor excitability of the tibialis anterior muscle representations was noted (n = 9). Participants also showed improvements in reaction time, time to perform the Dual Timed-Up-and-Go test, and balance confidence. The training-induced balance in corticomotor excitability suggests that this Wii-based balance training paradigm has the potential to influence neural plasticity and thereby functional recovery.
Sitting on a Fastball

ABSTRACT This is the first study to show that when baseball batters fail to hit change-ups it is because they sit on a fastball. Sitting on a fastball refers to a strategy of baseball batters to always expect a fastball (a fast type of pitch), because expecting slower balls would result in too late movement initiation for unexpected fastballs. Here the authors analyzed movement patterns of highly talented baseball batters facing randomly presented fastballs and change-ups (a slower type of pitch). Results revealed that when batters failed to a hit change-up, this was due to too fast movement initiation patterns that were highly similar to those typically associated with fastballs. More specifically, the movement initiation pattern was not adjusted to the slower speeds of change-ups, resulting in a miss. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first behavioral experiment showing that the strategy of sitting on a fastball exists, and how it affects batting performance on change-ups.
Community Engagement Studios: A Structured Approach to Obtaining Meaningful Input From Stakeholders to Inform Research

Problem Engaging communities in research increases its relevance and may speed the translation of discoveries into improved health outcomes. Many researchers lack training to effectively engage stakeholders, whereas academic institutions lack infrastructure to support community engagement. Approach In 2009, the Meharry-Vanderbilt Community-Engaged Research Core began testing new approaches for community engagement, which led to the development of the Community Engagement Studio (CE Studio). This structured program facilitates project-specific input from community and patient stakeholders to enhance research design, implementation, and dissemination. Developers used a team approach to recruit and train stakeholders, prepare researchers to engage with stakeholders, and facilitate an in-person meeting with both. Outcomes The research core has implemented 28 CE Studios that engaged 152 community stakeholders. Participating researchers, representing a broad range of faculty ranks and disciplines, reported that input from stakeholders was valuable and that the CE Studio helped determine project feasibility and enhanced research design and implementation. Stakeholders found the CE Studio to be an acceptable method of engagement and reported a better understanding of research in general. A tool kit was developed to replicate this model and to disseminate this approach. Next Steps The research core will collect data to better understand the impact of CE Studios on research proposal submissions, funding, research outcomes, patient and stakeholder engagement in projects, and dissemination of results. They will also collect data to determine whether CE Studios increase patient-centered approaches in research and whether stakeholders who participate have more trust and willingness to participate in research.