Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An improvement index to quantify the evolution of performance in running

Abstract Improvements in track and field sports have been attributed to factors such as population increase, drugs and new technologies, but previous research has found it difficult to distinguish the contributions from specific influences. Here it is shown how this is possible by means of a performance improvement index based on useful work done combined with modelling of the annual top 25 performances. The index was set to 100 in 1948 and showed that, by 2012, it had increased in running events to between 110.5 and 146.7 (men’s 100 m and marathon). Underlying global effects accounted for the majority of all improvements (16.2 to 46.7) with smaller influences attributable to an influx of African runners (3.6 to 9.3), and a 4 -year oscillation that arose from staging of the Olympic Games (±0.2 to ±0.6). Performance decreased with the introduction of compulsory random drug testing (−0.9 to −3.9) the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA; −0.5 to −2.5) and fully automated timing (−0.6 to −2.5). Changes in elite sporting performance since the 1890s are attributable to societal changes caused by the industrial revolution and globalisation superimposed on millennia of human evolution.
Measuring and modeling transient insulator response to charging: the contribution of surface potential studies

What has been the contribution of surface potential studies during the last four decades to our understanding of insulation physics? Which are the promising techniques emerging in this field? The present review covers the industrial context accounting for the development of surface potential measurements on insulating materials, the way they have been implemented, as well as the great variety of models produced to explain the charging and potential decay mechanisms. Several polarization or transport processes can be responsible for the decay of the potential. Though most of the models initially stemmed from electrostatics and semiconductor physics, around the notion of mobility, experiments on polymers required "thermodynamic" models, describing progressive charge detrapping. We also underline here that the three main different physical processes likely to be involved in the potential decay (dipolar relaxation, dispersive transport, slow detrapping) can lead in disordered materials to the same time response, the challenge being here is to design inventive new procedures to distinguish them. This comment also applies to most of electrical measurements on disordered materials. Kelvin probe microscopy, return voltage and thermostimulated potential measurements also illustrate the multiform development of surface potential measurement techniques, as their future prospects.
Transplanted cultured type‐1 astrocytes can be used to reconstitute the glia limitans of the CNS: the structure which prevents Schwann cells from myelinating CNS axons

Transplantation of different glial cells into areas of demyelination made in the adult rat spinal cord allows insights into the cell‐cell interaction necessary to reconstruct a glial environment around demyelinated axons. Such studies have shown that type‐1 astrocytes are central to the exclusion of Schwann cells from areas of glia‐free demyelination. However, for these cells to be established in a manner which prevents Schwann cell remyelination of CNS axons, cells of the 0–2A lineage are also required. If cultures of isogeneic rat type‐1 astrocytes and mouse O‐2A cells are transplanted into lesions made in non‐immunosuppressed animals, Schwann cell remyelination is limited and extensive oligodendrocyte remyelination is achieved. This paradigm creates a model of immune mediated demyelination in which the immune response is not primarily directed at oligodendrocyte specific epitopes.
Studies on enhancing wireless signal for indoor propagation

This paper reports some of the findings in a project at Loughborough University in the UK. An objective of the work has been to create a band pass square-loop Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) in walls to increase the coverage of certain communication systems. With the increasing use of mobile computing devices such as PDAs, laptops, and the expansion of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), there is growing interest in increasing productivity and efficiency through enhancing received signal power. The FSS is simulated by Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio (MWS). Remcom ‘Wireless InSite’ is used to simulate indoor propagation and to predict the performance. The concept has been tested inside half-wave chamber. Significant improvements are shown using an FSS based surface.
Altered cell growth and morphology in a BHK-21 cell mutant that lacks a receptor for Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus.

The receptor for Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) remains unknown. In vitro, BHK-21 cells are permissive to infection by TMEV. Selecting mutants of BHK-21 cells produced a cell line (BHKR-) resistant to infection by TMEV. Viral persistence was ruled out by immunofluorescent staining for viral antigens. BHKR- cells were nonpermissive to infection even at high multiplicities of infection. In contrast, cells were able to support one round of virus replication when transfected with infectious TMEV RNA. Binding studies indicated that TMEV was unable to attach to these cells. These data are consistent with the BHKR- cells lacking a receptor for TMEV. Interestingly, BHKR- cells were larger in size and had a significant lag in growth after subculture versus BHK-21 cells. This suggests that the TMEV receptor on BHK-21 cells could play an important role in cell growth and morphology under physiologic conditions. BHKR- cells should facilitate the search for TMEV receptors.
Evidence of Prenatal Infection in the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncates) with the Lungworm Halocercus lagenorhynchi (Nematoda: Pseudaliidae)

Adult lung nematodes identified as Halocercus lagenorhynchi were collected from the lungs of four Tursiops truncatus calves. The calves ranged in age from newborn to 3-wk-old and were found on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida (USA). This finding suggests the possibility of a more cosmopolitan distribution of prenatal infection with lung nematodes in cetaceans than previously suspected.
Locus coeruleus activation modulates firing rate and temporal organization of odour‐induced single‐cell responses in rat piriform cortex

Piriform cortex (PCx) is the primary cortical projection region for olfactory information and has bidirectional monosynaptic connections with olfactory bulb and association cortices. PCx neurons display a complex receptive field, responding to odours rather than their molecular components, suggesting that these neurons are involved in higher order olfactory processing. Neuromodulators, especially noradrenaline (NA), have important influences on sensory processing in other cortical regions and might be responsible for the plasticity observed in PCx during learning. The present study is the first attempt to examine in vivo the actions of NA on sensory responses in the PCx. Stimulation of the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) was used to induce release of NA in the forebrain in urethane‐anaesthetized rats. Extracellular recording of single units was made simultaneously in anterior and posterior PCx. The responses to an odour stimulus were measured over 25 trials. Twenty‐five subsequent odour presentations were preceded by stimulation of the ipsilateral LC through a bipolar electrode, previously placed in the LC under electrophysiological control. This priming stimulation modified the activity of 77 of the 135 recorded neurons. For most cells, LC stimulation enhanced cortical responses to odour in terms of both spike count and temporal organization, with some differential effects in anterior and posterior regions. These results are the first to show enhancement of sensory responses in the olfactory cortex by LC activation. Spontaneous activation of LC neurons such as occurs during learning could serve to enhance olfactory perception and promote learning.
Reducing AIDS risk among port workers in Santos, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the impact of worksite-based AIDS prevention program among port workers in Santos, Brazil, on sexual risk behavior for HIV infection. METHODS Male port workers (n = 226) were followed in a 3-wave prospective cohort study. A multifaceted intervention costing US $90,000 for 20,000 workers was conducted between waves 2 and 3. RESULTS Heterosexual risk behavior showed no decline between waves 1 and 2 (before the intervention) but decreased substantially between waves 2 and 3 (after the intervention). This decrease resulted from both a decrease in nonprimary partners and an increase in condom use. CONCLUSIONS This worksite-based AIDS program produced marked behavior change at modest cost.
Activin A Augments GnRH-Mediated Transcriptional Activation of the Mouse GnRH Receptor Gene.

The response of pituitary gonadotropes to GnRH correlates directly with the concentration of GnRH receptors (GnRHRs) on the cell surface, which is mediated in part at the level of GnRHR gene expression. We have previously localized GnRH responsiveness in the mouse GnRHR (mGnRHR) gene promoter to two elements: activating protein-1 and sequence underlying responsiveness to GnRH-1. This study was designed to investigate potential synergy between GnRH and activin A in transcriptional activation of the mGnRHR gene. In functional transfection studies using αT3-1 cells, GnRH agonist stimulation of the mGnRHR gene promoter (−765/+62) resulted in a 10.9-fold increase in activity, which was further increased 2-fold (to 21.3-fold) following activin pretreatment. Activin pretreatment alone had no effect. Deletion of region −387/−308 or mutation of a putative SMAD-binding element at −331/−324 (5′-GTCTAG[T]C-3′) abrogated the augmented response to GnRH in the presence of activin but not the response to GnRH alone. Over.
Did recent world record marathon runners employ optimal pacing strategies?

Abstract We apply statistical analysis of high frequency (1 km) split data for the most recent two world-record marathon runs: Run 1 (2:03:59, 28 September 2008) and Run 2 (2:03:38, 25 September 2011). Based on studies in the endurance cycling literature, we develop two principles to approximate ‘optimal’ pacing in the field marathon. By utilising GPS and weather data, we test, and then de-trend, for each athlete’s field response to gradient and headwind on course, recovering standardised proxies for power-based pacing traces. The resultant traces were analysed to ascertain if either runner followed optimal pacing principles; and characterise any deviations from optimality. Whereas gradient was insignificant, headwind was a significant factor in running speed variability for both runners, with Runner 2 targeting the (optimal) parallel variation principle, whilst Runner 1 did not. After adjusting for these responses, neither runner followed the (optimal) ‘even’ power pacing principle, with Runner 2’s macro-pacing strategy fitting a sinusoidal oscillator with exponentially expanding envelope whilst Runner 1 followed a U-shaped, quadratic form. The study suggests that: (a) better pacing strategy could provide elite marathon runners with an economical pathway to significant performance improvements at world-record level; and (b) the data and analysis herein is consistent with a complex-adaptive model of power regulation.
The impact on blood donor screening for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus using plasma from frozen‐thawed plasma preparation tubes

Blood services are required to maintain repositories of frozen samples for confirmation of results and/or retrospective testing. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service archives donor samples in plasma preparation tubes (PPTs). This study aims to evaluate the effect of freeze‐thawing and extended frozen storage on the ability to detect human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) using blood donation screening assays in samples stored in PPTs.
Validation of an Instrument to Measure Quality of Life in British Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: To validate IMPACT-III (UK), a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument, in British children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients and Methods: One hundred six children and parents were invited to participate. IMPACT-III (UK) was validated by inspection by health professionals and children to assess face and content validity, factor analysis to determine optimum domain structure, use of Cronbach alpha coefficients to test internal reliability, ANOVA to assess discriminant validity, correlation with the Child Health Questionnaire to assess concurrent validity, and use of intraclass correlation coefficients to assess test-retest reliability. The independent samples t test was used to measure differences between sexes and age groups, and between paper and computerised versions of IMPACT-III (UK). Results: IMPACT-III (UK) had good face and content validity. The most robust factor solution was a 5-domain structure: body image, embarrassment, energy, IBD symptoms, and worries/concerns about IBD, all of which demonstrated good internal reliability (&agr; = 0.74–0.88). Discriminant validity was demonstrated by significant (*P < 0.05, **P < 0.01) differences in HRQoL scores between the severe, moderate, and inactive/mild symptom severity groups for the embarrassment scale (63.7* vs 81.0 vs 81.2), IBD symptom scale (45.0** vs 64.2* vs 80.6), and the energy scale (46.4* vs 62.1* vs 77.7). Concurrent validity of IMPACT-III (UK) with comparable domains of the Child Health Questionnaire was confirmed. Test-retest reliability was confirmed with good intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.66 to 0.84. Paper and computer versions of IMPACT-III (UK) collected comparable scores, and there were no differences between the sexes and age groups. Conclusions: IMPACT-III (UK) appears to be a useful tool to measure HRQoL in British children with IBD.
Major secondary surgery in blunt trauma patients and perioperative cytokine liberation: determination of the clinical relevance of biochemical markers.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to assess the associations between the timing of secondary definitive fracture surgery on inflammatory changes and outcome in the patient with multiple injuries. The study population consists of a series of patients with multiple injuries who were managed using a strategy of primary temporary skeletal stabilization followed by delayed definitive fracture fixation. METHODS In a prospective cohort study performed at a Level I trauma center, the patients' injuries and operative details as well as immune markers and clinical outcomes were studied. The patients were split into an early secondary surgery group (group ESS, surgery at days 2-4) and a late secondary surgery group (group LSS, surgery at days 5-8). During the posttraumatic course, inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were determined on a daily basis. Perioperatively, these markers were additionally evaluated at 30 minutes, 7 hours, and 24 hours after initiation of surgery. RESULTS Secondary surgery on days 2 to 4 was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative organ dysfunction (n = 33 [46.5%]) than secondary surgery on days 5 to 8 (n = 9 [15.7%], p = 0.01). A significant association between the combination of initial IL-6 values > 500 pg/dL plus surgery on days 2 to 4 and the development of multiple organ failure (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) occurred. A correlation between the initial IL-6 values > 500 pg/dL and surgery on days 5 to 8 (r = 0.57, p < 0.07) could not be found. IL-6 also demonstrated a predictive value for the development of multiple organ failure: IL-6 > 500 pg/dL in group ESS, r = 0.96, p < 0.001; IL-6 > 500 pg/dL in group LSS, r = 0.57, p < 0.07. CONCLUSION According to our data, no distinct clinical advantage in carrying out secondary definitive fracture fixation early could be determined. In contrast, in patients who demonstrated initial IL-6 values above 500 pg/dL, it may be advantageous to delay the interval between primary temporary fracture stabilization and secondary definitive fracture fixation for more than 4 days. In patients with blunt multiple injuries undergoing primary temporary fixation of major fractures, the timing of secondary definitive surgery should be carefully selected, because it may act as a second hit phenomenon and cause a deterioration of the clinical status.
Changes in horizontal oculomotor behaviour coincide with a shift in visual motion perception

During full-field rotation of the visual field, subjects commonly experience an initial perception of object-motion which ‘switches’ to a perception of self-motion. We studied the characteristics of the horizontal optokinetic nystagmus responses evoked by a moving visual stimulus in these two perceptual states over a range of stimulus velocities. During self-motion perception mean eye position was found to shift more in the direction of the newly appearing stimulus elements with a slight reduction in slow phase gain in comparison to the nystagmus evoked during object-motion perception. The results may reflect a modified strategy of spatial attention with increased emphasis on anticipatory eye movements during visually induced self-motion perception.
Analytical Modeling of the Open-Circuit Magnetic Field in Axial Flux Permanent-Magnet Machines With Semi-Closed Slots

This paper presents a multi-slice analytical model for prediction of the open-circuit magnetic field in slotted semi-closed permanent-magnet axial flux synchronous machines. The technique is based on 2-D exact solution of the Maxwell's equations using the separation of variables method. The magnetic field expressions are developed in slots regions, slot opening regions, magnetic air gap regions, and permanent magnet regions leading to an exact calculation of the slot effects on the air gap magnetic field. The model is established considering that ferromagnetic parts are infinitely permeable, and end effects at inner and outer radii are neglected. The open circuit machine's global quantities (electromotive force and cogging torque) are then deduced from the local magnetic field expressions. Finally, the accuracy of the presented analytical model is validated by comparing its results to corresponding finite-element analyses for two different axial flux machines.
Expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR7 and disease progression in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/ small lymphocytic lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical relevance of chemokine receptor expression on the progression of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). PATIENTS AND METHODS Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 45 patients with B-CLL were purified and compared with lymph node samples collected from 17 of these patients. Also compared were B cells obtained from peripheral blood samples from 5 healthy controls and B cells from reactive lymph nodes from 3 otherwise healthy persons. The patients were treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 15,1991, and February 7, 2003. Mononuclear cells were stained by a 2-color (fluorescein isothiocyanate/phycoerythrin) flow cytometric assay using antibodies to the chemokine receptors (CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CCR2, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, and CCR7) and also to CD19. RESULTS Of the 45 patients in this study, 20 had Rai stage 0 disease, 12 had stage I disease, 3 had stage II disease, 2 had stage III disease, and 8 had stage IV disease. The mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of the chemokine receptor expression on B-CLL cells was compared with normal controls and was not significantly different, except for an increase in the median expression of CXCR3 (P = .003) and CCR7 (P = .001) on B-CLL cells. We also found a significant increase in the expression of CXCR4 and CCR7 in B-CLL cells from patients with stage IV compared with stage 0 disease (P = .001 and P = .02, respectively). Furthermore, circulating B-CLL cells showed significantly higher expression of CXCR4 and CCR7 when compared with B lymphocytes in lymph nodes (P = .003 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION The expression of CXCR4 and CCR7 on B-CLL cells correlates with Rai stage. Also, these chemokine receptors may be down-regulated once malignant B cells enter the lymph nodes. To our knowledge, this is the first published report that shows the strong association of Rai stage with CXCR4 and CCR7 expression levels in B-CLL cells.
Low molecular weight proteins: A challenge for post‐genomic research

The EcoGene project involves the examination of Escherichia coli K‐12 DNA sequences and accompanying annotation in the public databases in order to refine the representation and prediction of the entire set of E. coli K‐12 chromosomally encoded protein sequences. The results of this ongoing effort have been deposited in the SWISSPROT protein sequence database as sequencing of the E. coli genome has progressed to completion in recent years. Through this continuing research, we have discovered that the prediction of low molecular weight (small) proteins, arbitrarily defined as protein sequences ≤ 150 amino acids (aa) in length, is problematic and requires special attention. We describe the small protein subset of EcoGene and the approach used to derive this subset from the complete E. coli genome sequence and database annotations. These E. coli proteins have helped to identify new small genes in other organisms and to identify conserved residues (motifs) using database searches and multiple alignments. Two thirds of the E. coli small proteins have not been characterized experimentally. The careful application of computer and laboratory methods to the analysis of small proteins is needed for accurate prediction, verification and characterization. The problem of accurate protein sequence identification is not limited to small proteins or to E. coli; these problems are encountered to varying degrees throughout all sequence databases.
T Cell–Mediated Humoral Immune Responses to Type 3 Capsular Polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Most pathogenic bacteria express surface carbohydrates called capsular polysaccharides (CPSs). CPSs are important vaccine targets because they are easily accessible and recognizable by the immune system. However, CPS-specific adaptive humoral immune responses can only be achieved by the covalent conjugation of CPSs with carrier proteins to produce glycoconjugate vaccines. We previously described a mechanism by which a model glycoconjugate vaccine can activate the adaptive immune system and demonstrated that the mammalian CD4+ T cell repertoire contains a population of carbohydrate-specific T cells. In this study, we use glycoconjugates of type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae CPS (Pn3P) to assess whether the carbohydrate-specific adaptive immune response exemplified in our previous study can be applied to the conjugates of this lethal pathogen. In this article, we provide evidence for the functional roles of Pn3P-specific CD4+ T cells utilizing mouse immunization schemes that induce Pn3P-specific IgG responses in a carbohydrate-specific T cell–dependent manner.