Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expert practice in physical therapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the dimensions of clinical expertise in physical therapy practice across 4 clinical specialty areas: geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. SUBJECTS Subjects were 12 peer-designated expert physical therapists nominated by the leaders of the American Physical Therapy Association sections for geriatrics, neurology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. METHODS Guided by a grounded theory approach, a multiple case study research design was used with each of the 4 investigators studying 3 therapists working in one clinical area. Data were obtained through nonparticipant observation, interviews, review of documents, and analysis of structured tasks. Videotapes made during selected therapist-patient treatment sessions were used as a stimulus for the expert therapist interviews. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed through the development of 12 case reports and 4 composite case studies, one for each specialty area. RESULTS A theoretical model of expert practice in physical therapy was developed that included 4 dimensions: (1) a dynamic, multidimensional knowledge base that is patient-centered and evolves through therapist reflection, (2) a clinical reasoning process that is embedded in a collaborative, problem-solving venture with the patient, (3) a central focus on movement assessment linked to patient function, and (4) consistent virtues seen in caring and commitment to patients. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION These findings build on previous research in physical therapy on expertise. The dimensions of expert practice in physical therapy have implications for physical therapy practice, education, and continued research.
Information and Investment Under Uncertainty

In a model of mutual fund investor learning about managerial ability, we investigate how investment decisions depend on both past returns and non-return information. We show that non-return information affects investors’ reliance on past returns as well as their decision to participate. Our results have important consequences for the relationship between flows of money and past fund performance.
Function of the c-Myc antagonist Mad1 during a molecular switch from proliferation to differentiation

Mad-Max heterodimers have been shown to antagonize Myc transforming activity by a mechanism requiring multiple protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. However, the mechanism by which Mad functions in differentiation is unknown. Here, we present evidence that Mad functions by an active repression mechanism to antagonize the growth-promoting function(s) of Myc and bring about a transition from cellular proliferation to differentiation. We demonstrate that exogenously expressed c-Myc blocks inducer-mediated differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells without disrupting the induction of endogenous Mad; rather, high levels of c-Myc prevent a heterocomplex switch from growth-promoting Myc-Max to growth-inhibitory Mad-Max. Cotransfection of a constitutive c-myc with a zinc-inducible mad1 results in clones expressing both genes, whereby a switch from proliferation to differentiation can be modulated. Whereas cells grown in N'N'-hexamethylene bisacetamide in the absence of zinc fail to differentiate, addition of zinc up-regulates Mad expression by severalfold and differentiation proceeds normally. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis reveals that Mad-Max complexes are in excess of Myc-Max in these cotransfectants. Moreover, we show that the Sin-binding, basic region, and leucine zipper motifs are required for Mad to function during a molecular switch from proliferation to differentiation.
Improvement of endothelium‐dependent vasodilations by SKA‐31 and SKA‐20, activators of small‐ and intermediate‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+‐channels

Aim: Endothelial membrane hyperpolarization mediated by KCa3.1 and KCa2.3 channels has been demonstrated to initiate endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)‐type vasodilations. Moreover, pharmacological potentiation of KCa3.1/KCa2.3 channels has been suggested to improve EDHF‐type vasodilations. Herein, we determined whether the KCa3.1/KCa2.3 activator SKA‐31 and its derivative SKA‐20 improve endothelial dysfunction in KCa3.1−/− and NOS3−/− mice.
Defect of the First-Phase Insulin Secretion to Glucose Stimulation in the Perfused Pancreas of the Nonobese Diabetic (NOD) Mouse

To investigate the development of impaired insulin secretion in type I diabetes mellitus, the pancreata of ICR and NOD mice (10–50 wk of age) were perfused. According to insulin responses to 30 mM glucose and to 19 mM arginine, we classified the NOD mice into four groups: those having normal insulin secretion to glucose and to arginine similar to that of control ICR mice (group 1); those with a defect in the first-phase insulin secretion to glucose stimulation but with almost normal insulin secretion to arginine, total insulin release to glucose being significantly smaller than that of group 1 (group 2); those having only a small insulin response to either stimulus, but a fasting plasma glucose level still within the normal range (group 3); and those being overtly diabetic, showing no insulin response to either stimulus (group 4). The severity of insulitis and insulin concentration of the pancreas in each group of NOD mice was well correlated with the insulin release from the perfused pancreas. These results indicate that the initial sign of B-cell damage in NOD mice is a defect of the first phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion, which is followed by a total loss of ability to respond to glucose or arginine stimulation.
Exercise training improves vascular function in adolescents with type 2 diabetes

The impact of exercise training on vascular health in adolescents with type 2 diabetes has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that exercise training would improve micro‐ and macrovascular health in adolescents with type 2 diabetes. Thirteen adolescents (13–21 years, 10F) with type 2 diabetes were recruited from Princess Margaret Hospital. Participants were randomized to receive either an exercise program along with standard clinical care (n = 8) or standard care alone (n = 5). Those in the intervention group received 12 weeks of gym‐based, personalized, and supervised exercise training. Those in the control group were instructed to maintain usual activity levels. Assessments were conducted at baseline and following week 12. The exercise group was also studied 12 weeks following the conclusion of their program. Assessments consisted of conduit artery endothelial function (flow‐mediated dilation, FMD) and microvascular function (cutaneous laser Doppler). Secondary outcomes included body composition (dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, DXA), glycemic control (whole body insulin sensitivity, M) assessed using the euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp protocol, cardiorespiratory fitness ( V˙O2peak ), and muscular strength (1RM). Exercise training increased FMD (P < 0.05), microvascular function (P < 0.05), total lean mass (P < 0.05), and muscle strength (P < 0.001). There were no changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, body weight, BMI, or M. In the control group, body weight (P < 0.01), BMI (P < 0.01), and total fat mass (P < 0.05) increased. At week 24, improvements in vascular function were reversed. This study indicates that exercise training can improve both conduit and microvascular endothelial function and health, independent of changes in insulin sensitivity in adolescents with type 2 diabetes.
Dermoscopic findings of haemosiderotic and aneurysmal dermatofibroma: report of six patients

Background The clinical diagnosis of dermatofibroma is commonly easy. However, the differentiation of dermatofibroma from other cutaneous tumours is difficult in some instances, primarily in atypical cases and rare variants. Haemosiderotic dermatofibroma is a variant composed of numerous small vessels, extravasated erythrocytes and intra‐ and extracellular haemosiderin deposits. Aneurysmal dermatofibroma is a variant composed of large, blood‐filled spaces without endothelial lining. Some authors consider that haemosiderotic dermatofibroma is an early stage in the development of aneurysmal dermatofibroma. The clinical differential diagnosis of haemosiderotic or aneurysmal dermatofibroma must include melanoma and other melanocytic tumours, vascular neoplasms, adnexal tumours and nonspecific cysts. Dermoscopy improves the diagnostic accuracy in pigmented and nonpigmented skin lesions.
Response to levodopa treatment in dopa-responsive dystonia.

BACKGROUND Dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) is similar to Parkinson disease in that both disorders have impaired dopamine synthesis and respond to levodopa treatment. Dopa-responsive dystonia differs in that dopamine storage is intact in contrast to Parkinson disease in which it is markedly reduced. OBJECTIVE To examine the short- and long-duration responses to levodopa dosing in subjects with DRD. METHODS The response to brief infusions of levodopa was examined in 4 subjects with DRD and the effects of withdrawal of levodopa for 3 to 7 days studied in the 3 subjects receiving long-term levodopa therapy. Motor function was measured with tapping speed, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score, and global dystonia score. RESULTS The short-duration response to levodopa dosing seems to develop more slowly and persists longer in subjects with DRD than in subjects with Parkinson disease. Withdrawal of levodopa leads to a gradual decline in tapping speed and reemergence of dystonia over several days, similar to the rate of decay of motor function in Parkinson disease. The short- and long-duration responses were not clearly differentiated in DRD. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study suggests that retained dopamine storage in DRD may prolong the short-duration response and blur the distinction of the short- and long-duration responses. The decline in motor function in DRD on withdrawal of long-term levodopa therapy resembles that in Parkinson disease, suggesting that a long-duration response, if it exists in DRD, is unrelated to dopamine storage.
Different Cross-Resistance Patterns in the Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) Resistant to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin Cry1C

Abstract Two strains of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), were selected using Cry1C protoxin and transgenic broccoli plants expressing a Cry1C toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Both strains were resistant to Cry1C but had different cross-resistance patterns. We used 12 Bt protoxins for cross-resistance tests, including Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Bb, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1E, Cry1F, Cry1J, Cry2Ab, Cry9Aa, and Cry9C. Compared with the unselected sister strain (BCS), the resistance ratio (RR) of one strain (BCS-Cry1C-1) to the Cry1C protoxin was 1,090-fold with high level of cross-resistance to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, and Cry1J (RR > 390-fold). The cross-resistance to Cry1A, Cry1F, and Cry1J in this strain was probably related to the Cry1A resistance gene(s) that came from the initial field population and was caused by intensive sprayings of Bt products containing Cry1A protoxins. The neonates of this strain can survive on transgenic broccoli plants expressing either Cry1Ac or Cry1C toxins. The other strain (BCS-Cry1C-2) was highly resistant to Cry1C but not cross-resistant to other Bt protoxins. The neonates of this strain can survive on transgenic broccoli expressing Cry1C toxin but not Cry1Ac toxin. The gene(s) conferring resistance to Cry1C segregates independently from Cry1Ac resistance in these strains. The toxicity of Cry1E and Cry2Ab protoxins was low to all of the three strains. The overall progress of all work has resulted in a unique model system to test the stacked genes strategy for resistance management of Bt transgenic crops.
The European Council and the legitimacy paradox of new intergovernmentalism: constitutional agency meets politicisation

Abstract This paper examines the actions of the European Council during the Eurozone crisis through the lens of political constitutionalism. This analysis examines the role of political inputs in shaping the EU constitutional developments, whether supranational or intergovernmental, to demonstrate the ‘legitimacy paradox’ of new intergovernmentalism. That is, the European Council claimed the electoral legitimacy to rescue the euro, but in doing so opened up new avenues for contesting EU legitimacy, notably in relation to national budgetary decision-making. For unlike with supranational constitutional agency, the European Council has the means to politicise its actions. However, the strategy taken during the sovereign debt crisis is shown to be one of depoliticisation to prevent the domestic contestation of EMU reform. At the same time, paradoxically, the politics of macroeconomic policy has become Europeanised with the active participation of EU supranational actors. Since EMU reform is dependent on supranational enforcement of EMU rules, the new intergovernmentalism faces political contestation that previous, supranational EU constitutional development did not.
Comparative evaluation of establishing a human gut microbial community within rodent models

The structure of the human gut microbial community is determined by host genetics and environmental factors, where alterations in its structure have been associated with the onset of different diseases. Establishing a defined human gut microbial community within inbred rodent models provides a means to study microbial-related pathologies, however, an in-depth comparison of the established human gut microbiota in the different models is lacking. We compared the efficiency of establishing the bacterial component of a defined human microbial community within germ-free (GF) rats, GF mice and antibiotic-treated specific pathogen-free mice. Remarkable differences were observed between the different rodent models. While the majority of abundant human-donor bacterial phylotypes were established in the GF rats, only a subset was present in the GF mice. Despite the fact that members of the phylum Bacteriodetes were well established in all rodent models, mice enriched for phylotypes related to species of Bacteroides. In contrary to the efficiency of Clostridiales to populate the GF rat in relative proportions to that of the human-donor, members of Clostridia cluster IV only poorly colonize the mouse gut. Thus, the genetic background of the different recipient rodent systems (that is, rats and mice) strongly influences the nature of the populating human gut microbiota, determining each model’s biological suitability.
China as an institution-builder: the case of the AIIB

ABSTRACT As China is entering into the center stage of the world arena, it has become more proactive in regional and global institution-building. Globally, it has been actively involved in the G20 affairs and will be hosting the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou. Regionally, it came up with a major initiative for a new institution, namely, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). This article aims to analyze the new institution's formation, goals and institutional arrangements as well as its implications.
Asthma COPD Overlap Syndrome on CT Densitometry: A Distinct Phenotype from COPD

Abstract Patients with asthma COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) are an important but poorly characterized group. This study sought to explore the distinct characteristics of ACOS on CT densitometry. The study population was randomly selected from communities via questionnaires. All participants underwent low-dose volumetric chest CT both before and after bronchodilator administration. Each CT scan was performed at full-inspiration and full-expiration for CT densitometry. Emphysema index (EI), air trapping (AT), mean lung density (MLD) and total lung volume (TLV) were measured and compared between the ACOS and COPD groups. The distributions of both EI and AT were compared between patients with ACOS and COPD. The variations between the pre- and post-BD measurements observed in patients with ACOS were compared with those in patients with COPD. A total of 71 patients completed the study, including 32 patients with COPD and 39 patients with ACOS. The patients with ACOS exhibited lower EI and more upper-zone-predominant EI distributions, compared with the patients with COPD. No significant differences were exhibited in AT and its distribution. Following bronchodilator administration, the variations in AT and expiratory MLD were greater in patients with ACOS than in patients with COPD. No differences were observed in the variations of EI and inspiratory MLD. Our results indicate that patients with ACOS have lower extent of emphysema and different emphysema distribution, as well as greater post-BD variations in air trapping, compared with patients with COPD. These findings suggest that CT densitometry characterizes ACOS as a distinct phenotype from COPD.
Choice of reference assay for the detection of rotavirus in fecal specimens: electron microscopy versus enzyme immunoassay

Two previously demonstrated sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for rotavirus, one using polyclonal and monoclonal antisera (TestPack Rotavirus [TPK]; Abbott Laboratories) and the other using only monoclonal anti-rotavirus antibodies (Rotaclone [RTC]; Cambridge BioScience Corporation), were evaluated as potential reference assays for rotavirus testing in comparison with direct negative-staining electron microscopy (EM), the current laboratory standard. Two hundred and seven stool samples collected consecutively during the winter of 1989 from children with acute diarrhea admitted to a ward for infants from 0 to 2 years of age were tested by the EIAs and by EM. TPK specimens were read visually; RTC results were read spectrophotometrically. Specimens with discordant EIA and EM results were further evaluated by a fluorescent focus assay. Specimens positive by EM and those negative by EM but positive by fluorescent focus assay were considered to be positive for rotavirus. Of the 207 stools tested, 35 (17%) were positive for rotavirus by these criteria. EM had a sensitivity of only 80%. Specificities were 100% for RTC and EM and 89% for TPK. These findings indicate that EM, although very specific, is relatively insensitive compared with a highly sensitive monoclonal antibody-based EIA. An EIA with high sensitivity and specificity, such as RTC, is a more appropriate reference standard for rotavirus testing.
The Impact of Loan-to-Value on the Default Rate of Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities

This paper analyzes the validity of using the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio to explain the behavior of mortgage borrowers at an empirical level. To perform this analysis we use data for mortgage loan portfolios securitized in Spain during the period 2005-8. In the regression models developed, we find that higher initial LTV ratios are associated with greater default risk. The relation between the probability of default and LTV seems to be nonlinear, and a sharp increase is seen for values greater than 80%. Our findings confirm the adequacy of the new Basel III proposal that sets nonlinear capital requirement levels for banks holding residential mortgage loans at different LTV ratios. However, the significance shown in the regression models estimated with the "seasoning" variable could be considered in order to improve the models used to measure capital requirements.
In Vivo Gene‐Silencing in Fibrotic Liver by siRNA‐Loaded Cationic Nanohydrogel Particles

Cationic nanohydrogel particles loaded with anti-Col1α1 siRNA suppress collagen synthesis and deposition in fibrotic mice: Systemically administered 40 nm sized nanogel particles accumulate in collagen-expressing cells in the liver. Their siRNA payload induces a sequence specific in vivo gene knockdown affording an efficient antifibrotic effect in mice with liver fibrosis.
Effect of vardenafil on semen parameters in infertile men: A pilot study evaluating short-term treatment

Background: Severeal in vivo and in vitro studies have been carried out in order to evaluate the efficacy of long-term treatment with phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors (PDE5i) on spermatogenesis, but the results are still controversial. Aim: To evaluate the effects of vardenafil on seminal parameters of infertile men after a short-term treatment. Materials/subjects and methods: A total of 205 male subjects were randomized to receive a single dose of vardenafil 10 mg (73 men, group B), a single dose of vardenafil 10 mg every other day for 15 days (67 men, group C), and no treatment (65 men, group A). Semen parameters were evaluated before and after the end of the treatment in each of group A, B, and C, respectively. Additionally, an IIEF-5 questionnaire was administered to all patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) before and after each treatment period. Results: The semen parameters in groups B and C has shown a significant increase in percentage forward motility after vardenafil administration as compared with baseline (p<0.001). In group C, we observed an increase in the mean semen volume and an improvement in the mean total sperm concentration (p<0.001) as compared with baseline. Conclusions: We showed the efficacy of vardenafil in the treatment of ED and, on a large series of infertile patients, the positive effect on sperm motility after a single-dose administration. It also showed that after 15 days of treatment on alternate days is also achieved an improvement in sperm concentration.
Suicide and Potential Occupational Exposure to Pesticides, Colorado 1990–1999

Abstract A number of occupational studies have reported high rates of suicide among selected occupations, including farmers. Limited work has focused on occupational exposures that may increase the risk of suicide. The purpose of this study is to describe suicide among individuals potentially exposed to pesticides through their occupation. Data from Colorado death certificate files for the period 1990–1999 were obtained. Eligible records were those individuals who were Colorado residents at the time of death who had an occupation listed on their death certificates. Cases had suicide listed as the primary cause of death on the death certificates. The comparison group included Colorado residents who died from any cause during the same period other than cancer, mental disorders and injuries. A total of 4,991 suicide deaths were included and a total of 107,692 other deaths served as the comparison group. Occupations considered pesticide exposed included: veterinarians; pest control occupations; farmers and farm workers; farm managers and supervisors; marine life cultivators; nursery workers; groundskeepers and gardeners; animal caretakers; graders, sorters and inspectors of agricultural products; and forestry workers, supervisors and loggers. All other occupational categories were coded as unexposed. Logistic regression was used to compare the groups, separately for males and females. After controlling for age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, years of education, and marital status, males who were in pesticide exposed occupations had higher odds of suicide (odds ratio 1.14; 95% confidence interval 0.97, 1.34) and females in pesticide exposed occupations also had higher odds of suicide (odds ratio 1.98; 95% confidence interval 1.01, 3.88).