Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overweight: advancing our understanding of its impact on the knee and the hip

Why the effect of excess body weight is greater at the knee In their study, Reijman et al 1 (see page 158) report findings that show an association between an increased body mass index (BMI) and greater risk of both incident knee osteoarthritis and knee osteoarthritis progression, but no association between an increased BMI and risk of either incident or progressive hip osteoarthritis. These results confirm what previous studies—that is, studies that were not specifically designed to look at the effect of BMI on the knee and the hip—had hinted at, that BMI has no effect or a smaller effect at the hip than at the knee. As the first study in which BMI effects on the knee and hip were examined in the same population, the study by Reijman et al is a landmark study. In the literature, summarised by Reijman et al 1 in this issue of the journal, the evidence supporting a BMI effect on risk of incident knee osteoarthritis is strong, particularly in women. For example, in a longitudinal study of the Chingford population (women, mean age 54 years), belonging to the top BMI tertile was associated with an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis (odds ratio (OR) 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29 to 4.39) in adjusted analyses.2 In Framingham participants, higher BMI increased the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OR 1.6/5 unit increase, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2), as did increase in weight (OR 1.4/10 lb increase in weight). 3 Findings were confirmed in women but not men perhaps because of the smaller number of incident cases in men. By contrast, several studies, as noted by Reijman et al ,1 have not detected any influence or only a modest effect of BMI on knee osteoarthritis progression, whereas they did disclose other risk factors for …
Action naming in Spanish and English by sequential bilingual children and adolescents.

PURPOSE Verb processing in early sequential Spanish-English bilinguals was investigated. Primary study goals were to identify potential patterns of development in relative levels of verb processing efficiency in a 1st (L1) and 2nd (L2) language and to investigate factors influencing cognitive control of the dual-language system in developing bilinguals. METHOD Four age groups of early sequential Spanish-English bilinguals (5-7 years, 8-10 years, 11-13 years, and 14-16 years of age) named action pictures in single-language (Spanish or English) and mixed-language (alternating Spanish and English) conditions. Dependent variables were accuracy and response time (RT). RESULTS Action-naming proficiency improved in both L1 and L2 with age, with a shift from L1 to L2 dominance in accuracy. In comparison with the single-language condition, the mixed-language condition engendered slower RT for all age groups and lower accuracy for the 3 younger age groups. The oldest age group did not show accuracy difference between the conditions. CONCLUSIONS These general patterns of verb processing across age, language, and processing conditions replicated and enriched previous findings of noun processing in similar populations (K. J. Kohnert, E. Bates, & A. E. Hernandez, 1999). However, verb processing was considerably slower and less accurate than noun processing. Theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed.
Stable and dynamic cortical electrophysiology of induction and emergence with propofol anesthesia

The mechanism(s) by which anesthetics reversibly suppress consciousness are incompletely understood. Previous functional imaging studies demonstrated dynamic changes in thalamic and cortical metabolic activity, as well as the maintained presence of metabolically defined functional networks despite the loss of consciousness. However, the invasive electrophysiology associated with these observations has yet to be studied. By recording electrical activity directly from the cortical surface, electrocorticography (ECoG) provides a powerful method to integrate spatial, temporal, and spectral features of cortical electrophysiology not possible with noninvasive approaches. In this study, we report a unique comprehensive recording of invasive human cortical physiology during both induction and emergence from propofol anesthesia. Propofol-induced transitions in and out of consciousness (defined here as responsiveness) were characterized by maintained large-scale functional networks defined by correlated fluctuations of the slow cortical potential (<0.5 Hz) over the somatomotor cortex, present even in the deeply anesthetized state of burst suppression. Similarly, phase-power coupling between θ- and γ-range frequencies persisted throughout the induction and emergence from anesthesia. Superimposed on this preserved functional architecture were alterations in frequency band power, variance, covariance, and phase–power interactions that were distinct to different frequency ranges and occurred in separable phases. These data support that dynamic alterations in cortical and thalamocortical circuit activity occur in the context of a larger stable architecture that is maintained despite anesthetic-induced alterations in consciousness.
Efficacy of Posaconazole in a Murine Model of Central Nervous System Aspergillosis

Human central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis has >90% mortality. We compared posaconazole with other antifungals for efﬁcacy against murine CNS aspergillosis. All tested regimens of posaconazole were equivalent to those of amphotericin B and superior in prolonging survival and reducing CFU to those of itraconazole and caspofungin and to vehicle controls. No antifungal regimen effected cure. No toxicity was noted. Overall, posaconazole shows potential for treating CNS aspergillosis. Aspergillus fumigatus causes increasingly frequent opportunistic fungal diseases immunocompromised central (CNS) highly
The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on HPA-Axis in Pre-Competition Stress in Sports Performance of Elite Shooters

Methods: 96 male elite Shooters, with mean age of 29.5±4.3years were examined as in experimental and control (48 in each). Total duration of the study was five weeks, four weeks of experimental and one week study to determine the follow-up effect. Pre, post and follow-up data of quantitative phenotypic markers of HPA-Axis activity by analysis of SC and PS were analyzed. Results: Compare to control, experimental group has shown significant result, post-intervention (p<0.001) and in follow-up (p<0.001) in SC and in PS. Resulted in reduction of PCS level and increase in PS, whereas the control group has been shown non-significant result (p<0.05). Conclusions: Results indicated that relaxation therapies such as MMT may decrease PCS and will enhance PS. It is concluded that in four weeks of MMT has an effect on HPA-Axis by decreasing the level of SC as a reliable physiological marker of PCS. [ John S NJIRM 2011; 2(3) : 15-21]
Aging and Self-Discrepancy: Evidence for Adaptive Change Across the Life Span

Background/Study Context: Higgins’ self-discrepancy theory (SDT; Higgins, 1987, Psychological Review, 94, 319–340) postulates that individuals are motivated to decrease the discrepancy between their current and future selves. The objective of the current research was to investigate adult age differences in quantitative and qualitative aspects of self-discrepancy. Methods: Higgins’ self-guide strength measure (Higgins et al., 1997, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72, 515–525) was utilized to compare self-discrepancy in older (aged 65–84) and younger (aged 17–30) healthy, community-dwelling adults. Additionally, the possible selves generated in the task were analyzed thematically. Results: Age was associated with lowered expectations concerning both current and future selves, but the magnitude of self-discrepancy remained constant across the life span. Thematically, interpersonal-related possible selves were important for both age groups, whereas significant age differences emerged in several other thematic domains: younger adults generated significantly more related to achievement, whereas older adults were significantly more concerned with duties, obligations, and health. Discussion: These findings reflect adaptive age-related changes in expectations and motivational priorities in line with life span theories of development.
Robotic Misdirection, For Good Causes

Deception is a core component of human interaction and reasoning, and despite its negative connotation, it can be used in positive ways. We present our formalization behind strategic deception, one such potentially positive form of deception. We use the Cognitive Event Calculus (CEC) to model strategic deception, building on prior formalizations. First, we provide a brief overview of deception’s definitions within existing literature. Following this discussion, CEC is described and we present CEC-style inference rules for strategic deception. These rules and a positive motivating deception example are used to show how we can solve the problem of strategic deception. This proof is demonstrated both through application of our rules and by adapting our rules for MATR (Machina Arachne Tree-based Reasoner) to show how proving can be performed by automatic reasoners. Finally, we discuss what future steps can be taken with strategic deception.
Relationship between high serum ferritin level and glaucoma in a South Korean population: the Kangbuk Samsung health study

Background/aims To investigate the association between serum ferritin levels and glaucoma in a South Korean population. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 164 029 subjects who underwent screening at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Health Screening Center between August 2012 and July 2013. All subjects underwent a physical examination, answered sociodemographic and behavioural questions, and provided samples for laboratory analyses. A digital fundus photograph of both eyes was taken, and all photographs were reviewed by ophthalmologists. The ophthalmologists determined if an eye had glaucoma based on criteria set forth by the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology and the appearance of the retinal nerve fibre layer and optic disc. Results The mean serum ferritin level was 56.98 ng/mL in women and 223.82 ng/mL in men. After adjusting for age, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, white blood cell (WBC) count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP) and total vitamin D level, males in the highest quartile for serum ferritin level had a higher OR for glaucoma than males in the lowest quartile (OR=1.176, 95% CI 1.030 to 1.342, p=0.016); we did not observe this relationship among women. Other markers of iron metabolism, such as iron level, transferrin saturation and TIBC, and inflammation measures, including WBC, HsCRP and total vitamin D, were not associated with glaucoma. Conclusions High serum ferritin level was associated with a high risk of glaucoma in men, but not in women. Because serum ferritin is related to oxidative stress and inflammation, it might play a role in glaucoma development.
Robust switching output feedback control of discrete-time linear polytopic uncertain systems

This paper presents a new switching control approach for robust output feedback control of a class of discrete-time linear systems subject to polytopic time-varying uncertainties. The proposed robust switching controller, which stabilizes the closed-loop system with a pre-specified H∞ performance level, consists of a family of dynamic output feedback controllers (of an arbitrary state order) and a switching law (the relaxed min-switching strategy). Both stability analysis and control synthesis conditions are derived using a piecewise quadratic Lyapunov function. The switching law combined with the controller gain matrices are jointly synthesized by solving a convex linear matrix inequality (LMI) based optimization problem. An academic example has been used to demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the proposed approach.
Next-Generation Sequencing and De Novo Assembly, Genome Organization, and Comparative Genomic Analyses of the Genomes of Two Helicobacter pylori Isolates from Duodenal Ulcer Patients in India

ABSTRACT The prevalence of different H. pylori genotypes in various geographical regions indicates region-specific adaptations during the course of evolution. Complete genomes of H. pylori from countries with high infection burdens, such as India, have not yet been described. Herein we present genome sequences of two H. pylori strains, NAB47 and NAD1, from India. In this report, we briefly mention the sequencing and finishing approaches, genome assembly with downstream statistics, and important features of the two draft genomes, including their phylogenetic status. We believe that these genome sequences and the comparative genomics emanating thereupon will help us to clearly understand the ancestry and biology of the Indian H. pylori genotypes, and this will be helpful in solving the so-called Indian enigma, by which high infection rates do not corroborate the minuscule number of serious outcomes observed, including gastric cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the thalamus in first-episode psychosis.

OBJECTIVE There is some evidence of thalamic abnormalities in schizophrenia. This study investigated thalamic volumes in patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis and nonpsychotic comparison subjects. METHOD Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained for 38 patients and 29 comparison subjects. Patients' symptoms were rated by research psychiatrists using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. RESULTS Thalamic volumes were smaller in patients than in comparison subjects. There were no significant correlations between thalamic volumes and symptom scores. CONCLUSIONS Thalamic abnormalities are present close to the onset of psychosis.
Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies Virus Isolates in Ethiopia

Rabies is a subject of public health concern in Ethiopia. The current rabies profile in Ethiopia shows 12 exposure cases/ 100,000 population and 1.6 rabies deaths /100,000 populations primarily because of canine rabies virus transmission exacerbated by uncontrolled stray dog population.The objective of this piece of work was to study the molecular epidemiology of rabies virus based on nucleotide sequence analysis of rabies virus (RABV) isolates originating from three selected Regional States of Ethiopia. Active surveillance of rabies suspected domestic animals that have demonstrated signs of encephalitis and abnormal behavioral change were subjected for Lyssavirus antigen detection using direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT) positive and negative results. Ten DFAT positive brain samples comprising of three different animal species (Canine, Feline and Bovine) were sampled during 2013-2014 and subjected to reverse transcriptase PCR analysis. Ten brain tissue samples were collected from a Northern Regional State and Central and Western Regions of Ethiopia. The nucleotide sequences of these samples were studied to obtain an understanding of the epidemiological relationships of the RABV isolates in the various Ethiopian geographical locations. All samples submitted were positive by RT-PCR and no samples were negative. Ten amplified cDNA samples were sequenced and the sequence data was phylogenetically analyzed as indicated in the phylogenetic tree with RABV isolates from other countries (Fig.1). These results also indicate the postal transportation of FTA card is workable for the quality preservation of RNA samples under the specific period in time.
Trampling Experiments in the Search for the Earliest Americans

Experiments were undertaken to evaluate a natural versus cultural origin for a set of modified pebbles and cobbles found in pre-Clovis-age contexts at the Big Eddy site (23CE426) in southwest Missouri, U.S.A. Two experiments involving Asian elephants and American bison provided evidence that pre-Clovis-age modified cobbles, pebbles, and flakes probably were produced by the trampling of large mammals traversing alluvial gravel bars in search of food and water in a riparian environment. The production of “zoofacts” and behavioral aspects of elephants are described with respect to research on the earliest Americans.
A simple method for detecting genetically modified maize in common food products

A commercially available leaf DNA extraction and amplification kit has been adapted for the detection of genetically modified material in common food products containing maize. Amplification using published primer pairs specific for the Bacillus thuringiensis delta‐endotoxin and maize invertase genes results in a 226‐bp invertase PCR product in all samples (an internal positive control) plus a 184‐bp product in samples that are genetically modified with the endotoxin gene. The ease and rapidity of DNA extraction and PCR make this exercise especially suitable for advanced‐placement high school or lower division college biology students.
[Primula dermatitis].

Ten patients with primula dermatitis observed in Hokkaido were reported. All patients presented positive patch test reactions to a part of an extract of primula obconica. Postlesional pigmentation is prominent in patients with recurrent dermatitis. Histologic features were liquefaction degeneration of a basal layer of the epidermis and incontinentia pigmenti histological, i.e., lichenoid tissue reaction.
Evaluation of Threshold-based Fall Detection on Android Smartphones

This paper evaluates threshold-based fall detection algorithms which use data from acceleration sensors that are part of the current smartphone technology. Different detection algorithms are published in the literature with different threshold values. This paper presents the evaluation of 5 different algorithms which are suited for Android smartphones. In contradiction to prior work, our experiments indicate that the Free Fall detection Phase is necessary for a low False Positive Rate. Further, we present an empirical evaluation of currently available fall detection apps in the Google Play store.
TUNGSTEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS IN STARDUST SiC GRAINS FROM THE MURCHISON METEORITE: CONSTRAINTS ON THE s-PROCESS IN THE Hf–Ta–W–Re–Os REGION

We report the first tungsten isotopic measurements in stardust silicon carbide (SiC) grains recovered from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite. The isotopes 182,183,184,186W and 179,180Hf were measured on both an aggregate (KJB fraction) and single stardust SiC grains (LS+LU fraction) believed to have condensed in the outflows of low-mass carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with close-to-solar metallicity. The SiC aggregate shows small deviations from terrestrial (= solar) composition in the 182W/184W and 183W/184W ratios, with deficits in 182W and 183W with respect to 184W. The 186W/184W ratio, however, shows no apparent deviation from the solar value. Tungsten isotopic measurements in single mainstream stardust SiC grains revealed lower than solar 182W/184W, 183W/184W, and 186W/184W ratios. We have compared the SiC data with theoretical predictions of the evolution of W isotopic ratios in the envelopes of AGB stars. These ratios are affected by the slow neutron-capture process and match the SiC data regarding their 182W/184W, 183W/184W, and 179Hf/180Hf isotopic compositions, although a small adjustment in the s-process production of 183W is needed in order to have a better agreement between the SiC data and model predictions. The models cannot explain the 186W/184W ratios observed in the SiC grains, even when the current 185W neutron-capture cross section is increased by a factor of two. Further study is required to better assess how model uncertainties (e.g., the formation of the 13C neutron source, the mass-loss law, the modeling of the third dredge-up, and the efficiency of the 22Ne neutron source) may affect current s-process predictions.
Norse settlement of Iceland — close to ad 700?

Radiocarbon age determination in the 1970s of some 40 archaeological samples strongly indicates a Norse settlement (landnam) in both Reykjavik and the Westman Islands, Iceland, at about AD 700. This early date has generally been rejected by Icelandic scientists because it contradicts the firmly established dating of the settlement (landnam) at about AD 870. In the present article a critical search for an error in the radiocarbon dating work resulted in no weakness being found in the dating material. The history of the landnam of Iceland is thus caught in a dilemma, one which also affects the history of neighbouring countries. A necessary programme for extensive and more precise radiocarbon dating and a critical re‐evaluation of arguments for the conventional date of settlement are outlined.
The Effects of Oestrone on the Prostate and Uterus Musculinus of Various Species of Primate.

IT is known that rudimentary structures in the male monkey, generally believed to be derived from the Mullerian ducts, respond to oestrogenic substances in a manner characteristic of functional organs of the female with a similar embryological origin (see Parkes and Zuckerman, 1935, for references). One such rudiment is the uterus masculinus. In the usual laboratory Primate, the rhesus macaque, this structure is clearly vaginal in histological character; it responds to oestrone by epithelial growth and cornification in the same way as does the vagina of the female. Comparative study has shown that in certain other Primate types the uterus masculinus is "uterine" in histological form, and by analogy with the functional uterus of the female, a "uterine" uterus masculinus might be expected to respond to prolonged oestrin treatment by glandular hyperplasia (see Zuckerman and Parkes, 1935). The possibility of glandular hyperplasia of the uterus masculinus being concerned in the aetiology of glandular enlargement of the prostate in Man has been considered in our previous studies, and the general thesis that Mullerian tissues are concerned in this condition receives some support, from a different angle, in the observations of Burrows (1935). Our present paper is mainly devoted to oestrone-induced changes in the uterus masculinus of various species of Primate; other similarly induced changes in the prostate have also been investigated, in view of the possibility that they too may throw light on the clinical condition of prostatic enlargement.
CD36 Is Palmitoylated on Both N- and C-terminal Cytoplasmic Tails*

The membrane protein CD36 has been reported to carry out a wide range of potential functions, including serving as a receptor for thrombospondin, collagen, oxidized low density lipoprotein, fatty acids, anionic phospholipids, and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasitized erythrocytes. This implicates CD36 in cellular adhesion, human atherosclerotic lesion formation, lipid metabolism, and malaria. A presumed rat homolog of CD36 was previously reported to be palmitoylated. We confirmed that human CD36 is palmitoylated and identified cysteines 3, 7, 464, and 466 as the palmitoylation sites using a mutagenesis approach. This result suggests that both the N- and C-terminal tails of CD36 are cytoplasmic. Published models for the topology of CD36 have the C terminus located in the cytoplasm but differ as to whether the N terminus is cytoplasmic or extracellular. To address this question, a C-terminal truncation mutant of CD36 was made by introducing a stop codon just upstream of the C-terminal transmembrane domain. This mutant was found membrane-bound when expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, indicating that the N-terminal hydrophobic domain serves as a transmembrane anchor, and thus supporting a CD36 topology with two transmembrane domains.