Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Test-retest reliability of isokinetic strength and endurance tests in patients with intermittent claudication

The objective was to determine the reliability of isokinetic strength and endurance testing in the ankle joints of patients with intermittent claudication. Twenty-three patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and symptoms of intermittent claudication participated in the study. Isokinetic strength and endurance testing of the ankle joint were performed in symptomatic and asymptomatic legs on 3 separate days. Intraclass coefficient correlation of peak torque (PT) and total work (TW) ranged from 0.77 to 0.92 and 0.89 to 0.96, respectively. PT and TW increased significantly and similarly in both legs from day 1 to day 2 (PT: +42 ± 84% in the symptomatic leg and +33 ± 51% in the asymptomatic leg, p < 0.05;TW: +38 ± 26% in the symptomatic leg and +26 ± 50% in the asymptomatic leg, p < 0.05). In conclusion, isokinetic strength and endurance testing in the ankle joints of patients with PAD presents reliability coefficients ranging from 0.77 to 0.96. However, strength and endurance increased between the first and the other test sessions performed on separate days, suggesting that two test sessions are necessary for the accurate evaluation of strength and endurance in patients with PAD.
Intracerebral infusion of TNF‐α and IL‐6 failed to activate latent SIV infection in the brains of macaques inoculated with macrophage‐tropic neuroadapted SIVmac

Lymphocyte‐tropic (L‐tropic) SIVmac predictably causes immunosuppression and AIDS in rhesus macaques. SIV encephalitis, on the other hand, is caused mainly by macrophage‐tropic (M‐tropic) SIVmac. We have previously described the derivation of M‐tropic, neuroadapted SIVmac from molecularly cloned, L‐tropic SIVmac239. In this report we show that inoculation of four macaques with neuroadapted virus resulted in L‐tropic SIVmac–related diseases in all four but neurological disease in only two of the four animals. Because cocultivation of infected macrophages with CD4+ lymphocytes results in production of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin‐6, we asked whether infiltration of supernatant fluids containing these cytokines into the brains of macaques infected with neuroadapted virus would enhance the development of neurological disease. These procedures failed to promote productive virus replication in the brain. Thus, although different degrees of immunosuppression and AIDS could be induced predictably with L‐tropic virus, induction of neurological disease was not predictable even when animals were inoculated with neuroadapted M‐tropic virus and inflammatory cytokines were infiltrated into the brains of these animals. J. Leukoc. Biol. 56: 353–357; 1994.
GDVII and DA isolates of Theiler's virus: proteins attached to the 5' end of the RNA are bound covalently to the same nucleotides

GDVII and DA picornaviruses, which represent two biologically distinct subgroups of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis viruses, were analyzed to detect the presence of a RNA-linked protein, VPg. It was found that the single-stranded RNA genomes isolated from the virions of both viruses contain a protein of approximately 7,000 daltons, which is covalently linked to the 5' end of the RNA. Like in other picornaviruses (e.g., poliovirus and encephalomyocarditis virus), the terminal nucleotide adjacent to the protein was found to be pUp. The possibility that differently charged VPg species exist is also mentioned.
Source coding with side information at several decoders

A source coding problem is considered which generalizes source coding with side information [1], [2]. Three correlated information sources X,Y and Z , are block-encoded: Y is to be reconstructed by two different decoders, one having access to the encoded version of X and the other having access to the encoded version of Z . The region of achievable rates is determined, assuming that thc sources are discrete, memoryless, and stationary. The resuit is generalized to an arbitrary finite number of decoders.
A Longitudinal Study of Growth, Sex Steroids, and IGF-1 in Boys With Physiological Gynecomastia.

CONTEXT Physiological gynecomastia is common and affects a large proportion of otherwise healthy adolescent boys. It is thought to be caused by an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, although this is rarely evident in analyses of serum. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the frequency of physiological gynecomastia and to determine possible etiological factors (eg, auxology and serum hormone levels) in a longitudinal setup. DESIGN, SETTINGS, AND PARTICIPANTS A prospective cohort study of 106 healthy Danish boys (5.8-16.4 years) participated in the longitudinal part of the COPENHAGEN Puberty Study. The boys were examined every 6 months during an 8-year follow-up. Median number of examinations was 10 (2-15). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Blood samples were analyzed for FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, inhibin B, anti-Müllerian hormone, IGF-1, and IGF binding protein-3 by immunoassays. Auxological parameters, pubertal development, and the presence of gynecomastia were evaluated at each visit. RESULTS Fifty-two of 106 boys (49%) developed gynecomastia, of which 10 (19%) presented with intermittent gynecomastia. Boys with physiological gynecomastia reached peak height velocity at a significantly younger age than boys who did not develop gynecomastia (13.5 versus 13.9 years, P = .027), and they had significantly higher serum levels of IGF-1 (P = .000), estradiol (P = .013), free testosterone (P < .001), and FSH (P = .030) during pubertal transition. However, no differences in serum LH or in the estradiol to testosterone ratio were found. CONCLUSIONS Gynecomastia is frequent in pubertal boys. Increased IGF-1 levels and pubertal growth appear to be associated, whereas changes in estrogen to testosterone ratio seem negligible.
Generalized coherent states as preferred states of open quantum systems

We investigate the connection between quasi-classical (pointer) states and generalized coherent states (GCSs) within an algebraic approach to Markovian quantum systems (including bosons, spins, and fermions). We establish conditions for the GCS set to become most robust by relating the rate of purity loss to an invariant measure of uncertainty derived from quantum Fisher information. We find that, for damped bosonic modes, the stability of canonical coherent states is confirmed in a variety of scenarios, while for systems described by (compact) Lie algebras, stringent symmetry constraints must be obeyed for the GCS set to be preferred. The relationship between GCSs, minimum-uncertainty states, and decoherence-free subspaces is also elucidated.
Differential Performance of Chinese Volleyball Athletes and Nonathletes on a Multiple-Object Tracking Task

The difference between athletes and nonathletes on the performance of a multiple-object tracking (MOT) task was examined. Participants were 17 national professional volleyball athletes and 20 age-matched nonathletes who were university students and attended basic volleyball training classes. Across trials, the number of distractors and the color and form of the targets were manipulated. A negative correlation was observed between the number of distractors and participants' reaction time. Further, all participants responded faster when the target color changed during a trial than when it remained consistent. Athletes had faster reaction time than nonathletes independent of the number of distractors or target manipulation. Male athletes also had faster overall reaction time than female athletes. The implications of these findings for athletic training are discussed.
Head injury monitoring using cerebral microdialysis and Paratrend multiparameter sensors.

INTRODUCTION Following head injury complex pathophysiological changes occur in brain metabolism. The objective of the study was to monitor brain metabolism using the Paratrend multiparameter sensor and microdialysis catheters. PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS Following approval by the Local Ethics Committee and consent from the relatives, patients with severe head injury were studied using a triple bolt inserted into the frontal region, transmitting an intracranial pressure monitor, microdialysis (10 mm or 30 mm membrane; glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glutamate) catheter and Paratrend multiparameter (oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH and temperature) sensor. A Paratrend sensor was also inserted into the femoral artery for continuous blood gas analysis. RESULTS 21 patients were studied with cerebral microdialysis for a total of 91 monitoring days (range 19 hours to 12 days). Of these, 14 patients were also studied with cerebral and arterial Paratrend sensors. The mean (+/- 95% confidence intervals) arterial and cerebral oxygen levels were 123 +/- 10.9 mmHg and 27.9 +/- 5.71 mmHg respectively. The arterial and cerebral carbon dioxide levels were 34.3 +/- 2.35 mmHg and 45.3 +/- 3.07 mmHg respectively. Episodes of systemic hypoxia and hypotension resulting in falls in cerebral oxygen and rises in cerebral carbon dioxide were rapidly detected by the arterial and cerebral Paratrend sensors. Systemic pyrexia was reflected in the brain with the cerebral Paratrend sensor reading 0.17 degree C (mean) higher than the arterial sensor. Elevations of cerebral glucose were detected, but the overall cerebral glucose was low (mean 1.57 +/- 0.53 mM 10 mm membrane; mean 1.95 +/- 0.68 mM 30 mm membrane) with periods of undetectable glucose in 6 patients. Lactate concentrations (mean 5.08 +/- 0.73 mM 10 mm membrane; mean 8.27 +/- 1.31 mM 30 mm membrane) were higher than glucose concentrations in all patients. The lactate/pyruvate ratio was 32.1 +/- 5.16 for the 10 mm membrane and 30.6 +/- 2.17 for the 30 mm membrane. Glutamate concentrations varied between patients (mean 15.0 +/- 10.5 microM 10 mm membrane; mean 28.8 +/- 17.8 microM 30 mm membrane). CONCLUSION The combination of microdialysis catheters and Paratrend sensors enabling the monitoring of substrate delivery and brain metabolism, and the detection of secondary metabolic insults has the potential to assist in the management of head-injured patients.
The Application of a MIP Model to Select the Optimum Auxiliary Fan and Operational Settings for Multiple Period Duties

Abstract Ventilation systems can be the primary consumers of energy in underground mining operations. Systematically reducing ventilation costs without impinging on production will significantly improve the profitability of an operation. This paper presents an application of a mixed integer programming model (MIP) to assist in the selection of the optimum auxiliary fan to supply the required pressure and airflow to an underground mining activity across multiple time periods. The MIP model considers the pressures and airflows required to be delivered by the fan for each time period, along with the associated capital and operational expenditure in selecting the optimum fan, based on cost, across all the operating conditions. In the presented approach, the nonlinear performance characteristic curves of the fans are discretized to permit the implementation of linear techniques in the selection of the fan operational points for every period. A case study is presented to test the proposed MIP model and its applicability, plus show the potential savings that can be generated even over short time periods. The solution obtained is optimal in the discretized solution space, but in the ‘real life’ solution space, the fan selection is feasible and near optimal, outperforming the current practices.
Enhancement of ON-bipolar cell responses of cone electroretinograms in rabbits with the Pro347Leu rhodopsin mutation.

PURPOSE To determine how the different stages of retinal processing change after photoreceptor degeneration in rabbits carrying the Pro347Leu rhodopsin mutation (Tg rabbits). METHODS Cone electroretinograms (ERGs) were elicited by 150-ms duration stimuli from 13 Tg rabbits at 12 and 24 weeks of age. The ERG recordings were made before and after an intravitreal injection of tetrodotoxin citrate (TTX) plus N-methyl-dl-aspartic acid (NMDA), with the addition of 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (APB) and then cis-2,3-piperidine-dicarboxylic acid (PDA) or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Digital subtraction of the ERG after the injection from the ERG before the injection was used to extract the components that were blocked by these drugs. Thirteen age-matched, wild-type (WT) rabbits were studied with the same protocol. RESULTS In Tg rabbits, the cone ERGs elicited by intermediate intensities had a depolarizing pattern. At 12 weeks of age, the photoreceptor and OFF-bipolar/horizontal cell responses reflected in the ERG in the Tg rabbits did not differ significantly from those in the WT rabbits. The ON-bipolar cells and the third-order neuronal responses recorded after pharmacologic blockade were significantly enhanced in the Tg rabbits compared with those recorded in the WT rabbits. At 24 weeks of age, the ERG waveforms representing the photoreceptors and OFF-bipolar/horizontal cell responses were significantly decreased, but those representing the ON-bipolar cell and third-order neuronal responses were still preserved in the Tg rabbits. CONCLUSIONS A depolarizing pattern of the cone ERG responses was seen in Pro347Leu Tg rabbits. The enhancement or preservation of the ON-bipolar cell response in the ERGs contributed to shaping the waveform in the Tg rabbits. In this model, the functional alterations in the ON-pathway took place before the deterioration of cone photoreceptor function.
Analyzing user perspective on the factors affecting use intention of mobile based transfer payment

Purpose – This study makes an integrated approach in identifying the factors affecting usage intention of mobile-based payment services. Such services are being marketed aggressively by cellular service providers and are different from usual mobile-based banking. The study incorporates prominent factors like the technical characteristics, technology-specific characteristics, user-specific characteristics, and task-specific characteristics and others from published literature. The purpose of this paper is to highlight those factors which have significant impact on the adoption of such service so that the adoption rate can be increased. Design/methodology/approach – A nationwide primary survey was conducted using validated questionnaire requesting response for the factors obtained from published literature. In total, 196 respondents participated in the survey. Totally, 11 hypotheses were formulated and statistically tested for their significance in context to the study. Confirmatory study was on the signifi.
Fine structure of developing hagfish erythrocytes with particular reference to the cytoplasmic organelles

Cytological changes accompanying the maturation of erythrocytes in the “Pacific hagfish” (Eptatretus stoutii) were studied. Great numbers of immature and mitotically dividing red blood cells in the peripheral circulation of the hagfish appear to indicate that extensive differentiation and proliferation occurs in the blood stream of this animal. The immature erythrocytes contained mitochondria, Golgi membranes, centrioles, microtubules and a high density of ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Intermediate stages revealed lysosomes in the cytoplasm. With progressive differentiation the hagfish erythrocytes accumulate hemoglobin and lose most of their cytoplasmic organelles. The various cytoplasmic organelles are apparently lost through a degradation process brought about by lysosomal autolysis. The undigested products of degradation such as mitochondrial and other intercellular membranes are apparently extruded by way of the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane of young as well as mature erythrocytes display evidence of intense pinocytotic activity. The nucleolus undergoes a reduction in size with progressive maturation. The cytoplasm of mature erythrocytes consists predominantly of hemoglobin. An equatorial microtubular marginal band is identifiable in differentiating erythrocytes.
Production of Serine Protease of Aeromonas sobria Is Controlled by the Protein Encoded by the Gene Lying Adjacent to the 3′ End of the Protease Gene

We cloned a protease gene of Aeromonas sobria and determined its nucleotide sequence. The protease is composed of 624 amino acid residues and its calculated molecular weight is 66,737.7. The amino acid sequence showed the characteristic features of a bacterial serine protease. We expressed the protease gene in Vibrio parahaemolyticus from which the synthesized protease is secreted into the culture medium as the mature form, and purified the mature protease by successive column chromatographies. The size of the mature protease is 65,000 daltons and the amino acid sequence analysis revealed that a 24‐amino acid peptide at the amino terminal of the precursor is removed from the mature protease. This peptide might function as a signal peptide in translocation across the inner membrane. Subsequently, we found that the protein, designated ORF2 protein, encoded by the gene lying adjacent to the 3′ end of the protease gene plays an important role in production of the protease. Mutation of the ORF2 gene did not affect transcription of the protease gene, but resulted in degradation of the protease in the cell. This shows that ORF2 protein is required for the successful production of the serine protease by cell.
Socioenvironmental conditions and nutritional status in urban and rural schoolchildren

We analyzed the nutritional status of urban and rural schoolchildren from Mendoza (Argentina), but avoided rural and urban categorization by generating subpopulations as a function of their socioenvironmental characteristics. We transformed weight and height data into z‐scores using the CDC/NCHS growth charts; defined underweight, stunting, and wasting by z‐scores of less than −2 SD; and calculated overweight and obesity, according to the cutoff proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Socioenvironmental characteristics included housing, public services, parental resources, and farming practices; we processed these variables by categorical principal‐component analysis. The two first axes defined four subgroups of schoolchildren: three of these were associated with urban characteristics, while the remaining subgroup was considered rural. Nutritional status differed across groups, whereas overweight was similar among the groups and obesity higher in urban middle‐income children. Urban differences were manifested mainly as underweight, but rural children exhibited the greatest stunting and wasting. Thus, the negative effects of environment on nutritional status in children are not restricted to poor periurban and rural areas, though these are indeed unfavorable environments for growth: some urban families provide children with sufficient quantity and diversity of foods to expose them to obesity. By contrast, the more affluent urban families would appear to have greater possibilities for allowing their children to adopt a healthy life‐style. Although the causes of differences in nutritional status between middle‐ and high‐income urban groups are not clear, these determinants probably involve economic as well as educational influences. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High-performance approaches to the comprehensive computation and evaluation of signatures in bacterial sequence datasets

Oligonucleotide primers and probes are key diagnostic agents of today's molecular diagnostic methods. Two new algorithms have been developed which help to improve the search and evaluation step of suitable binding sites of primers and probes on genetic material. They allow the rapid sensitive and specific identification of individual organisms or groups based on large sequence data sets and phylogenetic trees.
Antimicrobial Activity of Phyllanthus Emblica and Allium Sativum: Comparative Analysis of Antimicrobial Action of Crude and Ethanolic Extract of These Natural Plant Products

The antimicrobial effects of extracts of A. sativum and P. emblica, against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp. , Klebsiella sp, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella sp. , Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus were investigated using the agar well and disc diffusion method. Aqueous extracts of A. sativum and P. emblica were more effective than ethanolic extarct producing larger zones of growth inhibition. All of natural products showed the MIC values ranged from 6.25- 25. 0µg/ml while the MBC values ranged from 12.5- 100. 0µg/ml. This study is an indication that the A. sativum and P. emblica has the potentiality to use as a source for new broad spectrum oral antibiotics.
Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodules: factors affecting diagnostic outcomes and confounding variables

Background The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in men and women. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an accepted technique to assess thyroid nodules but is associated with a high rate of non-diagnostic sampling. Purpose To assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasound-guided FNA of thyroid nodules and identify factors associated with non-diagnostic sampling. Material and Methods A retrospective review of thyroid FNAs was performed between 2006 and 2013. Patient demographics, nodule characteristics, procedural technique, cytology, and complications were recorded. Cytology was categorized THY1-5 based on the British Thyroid Association guidelines. Descriptive and multivariable analysis were conducted to identify factors associated with non-diagnostic sampling. Results A total of 724 procedures were identified with 597 (82.5%) in women, and an overall mean age of 40 years (age range, 17–87 years). Factors associated with a non-diagnostic outcome in the multivariable regression analysis included increasing lesion depth (OR, 1.05 per mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.007–1.10), age (OR, 1.012 per year; 95% CI, 1.0–1.025) and number of FNA passes (1 vs. 4+; OR, 6.07; 95% CI, 2.27–16.21). The complication rate was 1.1% related to perilesional hematomas and vaso-vagal episodes. Conclusion Thyroid FNA is a safe and reliable procedure for cytological assessment of thyroid nodules. Deeper nodules and older patients are more likely to have non-diagnostic samples.
Impact of Starting Strategy on Cycling Performance

In order to determine an optimal starting technique, the first four-min of two 20 km time trials (TT) were manipulated. Thirteen competitive, male cyclists (22.7 +/- 0.8 yr, 180.6 +/- 2.2 cm; 77.1 +/- 2.8kg; 8.3+/-0.7% fat; 4.9+/-0.21 x min(-1), 71.7+/-1.4% of VO2max) performed three, 20 km TTs. The pace of the first TT was self-selected (SS). Min 1-4 of the subsequent, randomly assigned TTs were performed 15% below and 15% above the average power output (PO) of min 1-4 of the SS TT, subjects then completed the TT as quickly as possible. As a percent change from the SS TT, the 15% below TT was (p < 0.05) faster than 15% above TT. Lactic acid values at min 4 of the 15% below TT (4.87+/-0.73mM x l(-1)) were lower (p<0.05) than both SS TT (9.78+/-1.05mM x l(-1)) and 15% above TT (11.54+/-1.00mM x l(-1)). Following min 4 to the finish there were no differences in VE, HR, or RPE. However, VO2, VO2 with respect to lactic acid threshold, and PO were all elevated in the 15% below TT as compared to both SS TT and 15% above TT. The initially high LA resulting from the starting strategies of the SS TT and 15% above TT may have reduced the work capacity of active muscle.