Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationships between volatile compounds and sensory characteristics in virgin olive oil by analytical and chemometric approaches.

BACKGROUND The volatile fraction of virgin olive oil is characterised by low molecular weight compounds that vaporise at room temperature. In order to obtain an aroma profile similar to natural olfactory perception, the composition of the volatile compounds was determined by applying dynamic headspace gas chromatography, performed at room temperature, with a cryogenic trap directly connected to a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer system. Samples were also evaluated according to European Union and International Olive Council official methods for sensory evaluation. In this paper, the composition of the volatile fraction of 25 extra virgin olive oils from different regions of Italy was analysed and some preliminary considerations on relationships between chemical composition of volatile fraction and sensory characteristics are reported. RESULTS Forty-two compounds were identified by means of the particular analytical technique used. All the analysed samples, classified as extra virgin by the panel test, never present peaks whose magnitude is important enough in defected oils. The study was focused on the evaluation of volatile compounds responsible for the positive impact on olive odour properties ('green-fruity' and 'sweet') and olfactory perception. CONCLUSION Chemometric evaluation of data, obtained through headspace analysis and the panel test evaluation, showed a correlation between chemical compounds and sensory properties. On the basis of the results, the positive attributes of virgin olive oil are divided into two separated groups: sweet types or green types. Sixteen volatile compounds with known positive impact on odour properties were extracted and identified. In particular, eight compounds seem correlated with sweet properties whereas the green sensation appears to be correlated with eight other different substances. The content of the compounds at six carbon atoms proves to be very important in defining positive attributes of extra virgin olive oils and sensory evaluation.
Dementia in Movement Disorders

Abstract: Of all the movement disorders, Huntington's disease has been most consistently associated with dementia, while it is only over the last decade that intellectual and cognitive decline have been recognized as common features of Parkinson's disease. It is now known that the pathology in these two conditions reflects differential involvement of the striatum. The Huntington lesion is primarily in the caudate, while the Parkinson lesion preferentially affects the putamen. Both conditions have more diffuse pathology, and dementia may also occur in a wide range of other extrapyramidal diseases, such as progressive supranuclear palsy, the parkinsonism-dementia complex of Guam, and certain spinocerebellar degenerations. Clinicopathological correlations will be reviewed in these disorders of primarily subcortical pathology, and comparisons will be made with Alzheimer's disease, a disorder of predominantly cortical pathology.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and toll‐like receptor signaling in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

The pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is multifactorial. There is sparse literature on the role of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and toll‐like receptor (TLR) signaling in NAFLD. The present study evaluated the relationship of SIBO with expression of TLR signaling genes in patients with NAFLD.
Is it Population or Personnel? The Effects of Diversity on Immigration Policy Implementation by Sheriff Offices

Abstract The federal-local cooperative immigration removal program Secure Communities (S-Comm) has resulted in wide variation into how aggressively national interior immigration policy has been implemented locally. Some communities have removed thousands, but others have removed few if any. Community composition explains much of the variation, but representative bureaucracy tells us agency diversity also influences implementation. Focusing on county sheriff offices, a vital local partner in S-Comm, this study finds that agency personnel diversity (specifically, offices with larger percentages of Hispanics and African Americans) produce fewer removals and submissions to ICE for immigration background checks. Other agency-specific factors are also important. Both the agency’s total budget and whether it has a 287(g) agreement with federal immigration authorities increase removals. Despite recent efforts to blur the distinction between immigration and criminal justice policy, this study finds no relationship between local removals and local crime.
Learning Action Recognition Model from Depth and Skeleton Videos

Depth sensors open up possibilities of dealing with the human action recognition problem by providing 3D human skeleton data and depth images of the scene. Analysis of human actions based on 3D skeleton data has become popular recently, due to its robustness and view-invariant representation. However, the skeleton alone is insufficient to distinguish actions which involve human-object interactions. In this paper, we propose a deep model which efficiently models human-object interactions and intra-class variations under viewpoint changes. First, a human body-part model is introduced to transfer the depth appearances of body-parts to a shared view-invariant space. Second, an end-to-end learning framework is proposed which is able to effectively combine the view-invariant body-part representation from skeletal and depth images, and learn the relations between the human body-parts and the environmental objects, the interactions between different human body-parts, and the temporal structure of human actions. We have evaluated the performance of our proposed model against 15 existing techniques on two large benchmark human action recognition datasets including NTU RGB+D and UWA3DII. The Experimental results show that our technique provides a significant improvement over state-of-the-art methods.
Microsatellite instability in Japanese vs European American patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND The stage-stratified survival following gastrectomy for gastric cancer is far better in Japan than in the United States. The process of carcinogenesis may differ in gastric cancers from Japan and the United States, accounting for prognostic differences, as patients of Asian descent treated in United States also exhibit superior survival in comparison with non-Asian patients. HYPOTHESIS The phenotype of gastric cancer differs between Japanese and American patients. DESIGN Retrospective case-case (blinded) study. SETTING University hospitals in Japan and the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS We compared the frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) at 7 loci from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastrectomy specimens, between cases of gastric cancer at Hitachi General Hospital (N = 18) and in US patients of European descent treated in Orange County, Calif (N = 20). Microsatellite instability, Lauren classification, and T stage were determined without knowledge of the country of origin of the specimens. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The frequency of MSI in Japanese vs European American gastric cancer specimens. RESULTS The frequency of MSI in Japanese gastric carcinoma specimens was higher than in specimens from American patients of European descent (39% vs 20%, respectively). In contrast, a high frequency of MSI was demonstrated in only 3 European American specimens (15% of all specimens in this group). Tumors from Japanese and American men were more likely to demonstrate MSI than those from women (50% vs 5.6%, respectively; P =.004). Among advanced-stage tumors, Japanese specimens were significantly more likely to demonstrate MSI (55%) than European American specimens (7.1%; P =.02). Specimens from Japan and America demonstrating MSI were equally likely to be from men, involve the gastroesophageal junction, and demonstrate intestinal histologic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Advanced gastric cancers from Japan are more likely to demonstrate MSI. These data warrant a study of larger numbers of patients to assess whether differences in MSI expression correlates with prognostic differences between gastric carcinoma in patients in Japan vs the United States.
The nexus between exchange rate fluctuations and macroeconomic variables in Nigeria

TThis study examined the nexus between exchange rate fluctuations and macroeconomic variables in Nigeria using annual time series data spanning from 1986 to 2017. The study employed ECMARDL and granger causality to ascertain both dynamics and directional relationship among the variables under consideration. The results showed that FDI and RGDP had positive significant effect on exchange rate fluctuations, while TOT has a positive insignificant impact on exchange rate fluctuations. Furthermore, CPI, GSPGDP, TFRESV and WCOP had negative significant impact on exchange rate fluctuations. The error correction model coefficient which is -0.704469 means that nearly 70.45 percent of any disequilibrium in exchange rate fluctuation is corrected by the selected variable within one period (one year). The findings further revealed that there is causal relationship between exchange rate and the TOT, FDI, CPI and WCOP. The implication of this is that there are directional and equilibrium relationship between exchange rate fluctuations and macroeconomic variables in Nigeria. The study therefore recommend that Government and policy makers should intensify domestic policies that accommodate or tolerate some level of (mild) inflation in order to encourage producers to expand production of goods and services, also the government should diversify the economy so that whenever there is a shock in the oil price, the shock will be less felt by the economy, and Government consumption expenditure should be carried out in a manner that it will encourage and promote investment, and increase domestic demand.
The in vivo and in vitro effects of caffeine on rat immune cells activities: B, T and NK cells.

The effect of caffeine (naturally occurring plant methylxanthine) on immunological cell activities in Sprague-Dawley rat both in vivo and in vitro was studied. A cytotoxic assay was done to study natural killer (NK) cells and a proliferation assay was performed for T and B cell activities. Three different doses of caffeine i.e., 2, 6 and 18 mg/kg/day were administered chronically to Sprague-Dawley rats to assess the effects in vivo. Both NK cell cytotoxicity and B cell proliferative response to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) showed significant decreases (P less than 0.05) in rats treated with 6 mg/kg/day, whereas the T cell proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) was significantly increased (P less than 0.05) in the rats treated with 18 mg/kg/day. In vitro, caffeine significantly decreases (P less than 0.05) B and T cell proliferative responses to PWM and PHA-P at added caffeine concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 micrograms/ml. However, no effect was observed on NK cells activity. Furthermore, in vitro, a broader dose range of caffeine (1, 10, 100 and 1,000 micrograms/ml) exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of both B and T cell proliferative responses.
Understanding the Meaning of Lactate Threshold in Resistance Exercises

Abstract This study compares acute cardiorespiratory, metabolic, mechanical and rating of perceived effort (RPE) responses to 2 different prolonged constant-load exercises, half-squat (HS) and cycle ergometry, performed at a workload corresponding to the lactate threshold (LT). A total of 18 healthy subjects completed 5 exercise tests separated by 48 h rest periods: an incremental cycle ergometer test, a constant-load cycle ergometer test at LT intensity, a one-repetition maximum (1RM) HS test, an incremental HS test and a constant-load HS test at LT intensity. In both constant-load tests, cardiorespiratory, metabolic and RPE data were recorded. Mechanical responses before and after each test were assessed in terms of jump height and mean power measured in a counter movement jump (CMJ) test. In both exercises, cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses stabilized, though cardiorespiratory responses were significantly greater for cycle ergometry (P<0.001), with the exception of respiratory exchange ratio (RER), which was higher for HS (P=0.028). Mechanical fatigue was observed in only HS (P<0.001). In conclusion, different exercise modalities induced different yet stable acute cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses. Although such responses were significantly reduced in HS, greater mechanical fatigue was produced, most likely because of the particular muscle actions involved in this form of exercise.
Molecular prognostic markers in ovarian cancer: toward patient‐tailored therapy

In ovarian cancer the ceiling seems to be reached with chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore a paradigm shift is needed. Instead of treating all patients according to standard guidelines, individualized molecular targeted treatment should be aimed for. This means that molecular profiles of the distinct ovarian cancer subtypes should be established. Until recently, most studies trying to identify molecular targets were single-marker studies. The prognostic role of key components of apoptotic and prosurvival pathways such as p53, EGFR, and HER2 has been extensively studied because resistance to chemotherapy is often caused by failure of tumor cells to go into apoptosis. However, it is more than likely that different ovarian cancer subtypes with extensive molecular heterogeneity exist. Therefore, exploration of the potential of specific tumor-targeted therapy, based on expression of a prognostic tumor profile, may be of interest. Recently, new profiling techniques, such as DNA and protein microarrays, have enabled high-throughput screening of tumors. In this review an overview of the current status of prognostic marker and molecular targeting research in ovarian cancer, including microarray studies, is presented.
Functional subdomains of STAT2 required for preassociation with the alpha interferon receptor and for signaling

Two members of the STAT signal transducer and activator of transcription family, STAT1 and STAT2, are rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to alpha interferon (IFN-alpha). Previous work showed that in the mutant human cell line U6A, which lacks STAT2 and is completely defective in IFN-alpha signaling, the phosphorylation of STAT1 is very weak, revealing that activation of STAT1 depends on STAT2. We now find that STAT2 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of the IFNAR2c (also known as IFNAR2-2) subunit of the IFN-alpha receptor in extracts of untreated cells. STAT1 also binds but only when STAT2 is present. The activities of chimeric STAT2-STAT1 proteins were assayed in U6A cells to define regions required for IFN-alpha signaling. Previous work showed that a point mutation in the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain prevents STAT2 from binding to phosphotyrosine 466 of the IFNAR1 subunit of the activated receptor. However, we now find that the entire SH2 domain of STAT2 can be replaced by that of STAT1 without loss of function, revealing that other regions of STAT2 are required for its specific interaction with the receptor. A chimeric protein, in which the N-terminal third of STAT2 has replaced the corresponding region of STAT1, did preassociate with the IFNAR2c subunit of the receptor, became phosphorylated when IFN-alpha was added, and supported the phosphorylation of endogenous STAT1. These results are consistent with a model in which STAT2 and STAT1 are prebound to the IFNAR2c subunit of the resting receptor. Upon activation, the IFNAR1 subunit is phosphorylated on Tyr-466, allowing the SH2 domain of STAT2 to bind to it; this is followed by the sequential phosphorylation of STAT2 and STAT1.
Brachial plexus surgery: Our concept of the last twelve years

In patients with brachial plexus injuries restoration of complete function is seldom seen. The diagnosis is a clinical one; investigations such as MRI or myelography are not sufficiently reliable to base surgical indications on them. Surgery has to be performed within the first six months after the trauma. The surgical procedure firstly includes an exact intraoperative definition of the extent of the lesion. Depending on the type of the lesion, microsurgical neurolysis, nerve grafting, or reneurotization is performed. When regeneration is complete, secondary operations may follow if necessary as part of our integrated concept. The spectrum of secondary operations in our patients includes arthrodesis, tenodesis, tendon transfers, muscle transfers, and free neurovascular tissue transfer. In selected cases with extensive lesions a bifunctional latissimus dorsi transfer allows restoration of minimal grip with simultaneous elbow flexion. Our concept includes a series of hierarchical steps: 1 Diagnosis and indication 2 Nerve repair 3 Intensive physiotherapy, control in intervals 4 Secondary operations—if necessary 5 Intensive physiotherapy 6 Ergotherapy, orthosis In the last 12 years 362 patients with brachial plexus lesions have been operated on in our clinic. In these patients we performed 104 neurolyses, 126 nerve grafting procedures, 87 reneurotizations, and 191 secondary operations in 96 patients. Only the combination of nerve repair with both conventional and newer methods of tendon and muscle transfers can restore the maximum function for the individual situation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On Using Lossy Compression for Repeatable Experiments during Silicon Debug

The amount of data that is observed during at-speed silicon debug is limited by the capacity of the on-chip trace buffers. To increase the debug observation window, we propose a low-cost debug architecture for at-speed silicon debug based on lossy compression. The proposed architecture enables a new debug methodology that accelerates the identification of the erroneous samples that occur intermittently over a long observation window by avoiding debug experiments that capture only error-free data. The proposed solution is applicable to both automatic test equipment-based debug and in-field debug on application boards, as long as the debug experiments are repeatable and the reference data at the probe signals are deterministically computed using a fast behavioral model of the circuit under debug.
Spinal posture during stooped walking under vertical space constraints.

STUDY DESIGN Simultaneous spine kinematic variables in sewage workers were quantified using a two-dimensional video-based gait analysis system. OBJECTIVES To identify patterns of spinal posture in a population of sewage workers pushing waste matter through tunnels while walking stooped under various height constraints. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Working with stooped postures is one of several occupational risk factors that have been associated with spinal disorders. However, the specific changes in spinal posture during stooped walking under various height constraints have not been documented. METHODS A video-based gait analysis system was used to measure spinal posture in 22 sewage workers. Angles of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine in the sagittal plane were assessed during walking with five levels of height constraint, from upright walking to stooped walking under a headroom restriction of 105 cm. Correlations among gait parameters, demographic data, and clinical results were determined. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine which variables have the largest impact on the posture resulting from a given vertical height constraint when age and body height are held constant. RESULTS Mean angular values changed significantly with increasing headroom restrictions, with increases in cervical and thoracic extension as well as lumbar flexion. The cervical and thoracic angles were best correlated with height constraint, followed by lumbar angle and stride length. The inverse relation between cervical and thoracic angle during upright walking increased with increasing vertical space constraints, whereas the relation between the thoracic and lumbar angles decreased. Subjects with decreased abdominal muscle strength adopted a significantly more kyphotic thoracic posture when walking under headroom constraints than subjects with normal abdominal muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS Combined walking and pushing under vertical space constraints was associated not only with the expected increased flexion of the lumbar spine, but also with greater extension (i.e., reduced kyphosis) of the thoracic spine.
The potential of class 3 semaphorins as both targets and therapeutics in cancer

Introduction: Semaphorins have been originally identified as a family of evolutionary conserved soluble or membrane-associated proteins involved in diverse developmental phenomena. This family of proteins profoundly influences numerous pathophysiological processes, including organogenesis, cardiovascular development and immune response. Apart from steering the neural networking process, these are implicated in a broad range of biological operations including regulation of tumor progression and angiogenesis. Areas covered: Members of class 3 semaphorin family are known to modulate various cellular processes involved in malignant transformation. Some of the family members trigger diverse signaling processes involved in tumor progression and angiogenesis by binding with plexin and neuropilin. A better understanding of the various signaling mechanisms by which semaphorins modulate tumor progression and angiogenesis may serve as crucial tool in crafting new semaphorin-based anticancer therapy. These include treatment with recombinant tumor suppressive semaphorins or inhibition of tumor-promoting semaphorins by their specific siRNAs, small-molecule inhibitors or specific receptors using neutralizing antibodies or blocking peptides that might serve as novel strategies for effective management of cancers. Expert opinion: This review focuses on all the possible avenues to explore various members of class 3 semaphorin family to serve as therapeutics for combating cancer.
Proton pump inhibitors and risk for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection.

BACKGROUND Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used gastric acid suppressants, but they are often prescribed without clear indications and may increase risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). We sought to determine the association between PPI use and the risk of recurrent CDI. METHODS Retrospective, cohort study using administrative databases of the New England Veterans Healthcare System from October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2008. We identified 1166 inpatients and outpatients with metronidazole- or vancomycin hydrochloride-treated incident CDI, of whom 527 (45.2%) received oral PPIs within 14 days of diagnosis and 639 (54.8%) did not. We determined the hazard ratio (HR) for recurrent CDI, defined by a positive toxin finding in the 15 to 90 days after incident CDI. RESULTS Recurrent CDI was more common in those exposed to PPIs than in those not exposed (25.2% vs 18.5%). Using Cox proportional survival methods, we determined that the adjusted HR of recurrent CDI was greater in those exposed to PPIs during treatment (1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.82). Risks among exposed patients were highest among those older than 80 years (HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.15-3.01) and those receiving antibiotics not targeted to C difficile during follow-up (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.11-2.64). [corrected] CONCLUSIONS Proton pump inhibitor use during incident CDI treatment was associated with a 42% increased risk of recurrence. Our findings warrant further studies to examine this association and careful consideration of the indications for prescribing PPIs during treatment of CDI.