Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Sprint Training on Anaerobic Performance Characteristics Determined by the MART

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sprint training on the anaerobic performance characteristics in well-trained sprint runners employing the maximal anaerobic running test (MART). Another purpose was to study the applicability of MART in the prescription of sprint training. Nine male sprint runners performed the MART before and after a 10-week intensive training period. The MART consisted of n.20-s runs on a treadmill with a 100-s recovery between the runs. Initial power, expressed as O2 demand (74 ml.kg-1.min-1), was increased by 6 ml.kg-1.min-1 for each consecutive run until exhaustion. Blood lactate concentration was measured at rest and after each run. Maximal power (Pmax), power at 10 mM (P10mM) and 3 mM (P3mM) blood lactate levels, and peak blood lactate concentration (peak BLa) were determined from the blood lactate vs O2 demand curve. The Pmax increased from 118.6 +/- 6.0 to 122.6 +/- 4.9 ml kg-1.min-1 (P = 0.009) during the training period and the changes of Pmax correlated positively with the volume of bounding exercises (r = 0.64; p = 0.032). The volume of extensive interval training correlated positively with the changes of P3mM (r = 0.62; p = 0.040) and negatively with the changes of P[10mM-3mM] (r = -0.68; p = 0.016) and peak BLa (r = -0.69; p = 0.019) during the particular training period. A positive correlation was also found between the changes of CMJrest and the volume of bounding and strength training (r = 0.60; p = 0.044). The present results suggested that sprint training induces an adaptive increase in the maximal anaerobic running power in well-trained male sprint runners. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that individual changes in P3mM, peak BLa, Pmax and CMJrest were related to the volume of specific training methods. Therefore we could conclude that the results of the MART could provide guidance in prescribing training for sprint running.
Placental dysfunction is associated with altered microRNA expression in pregnant women with low folate status

Scope Low maternal folate status during pregnancy increases the risk of delivering small for gestational age (SGA) infants, but the mechanistic link between maternal folate status, SGA, and placental dysfunction is unknown. microRNAs (miRNAs) are altered in pregnancy pathologies and by folate in other systems. We hypothesized that low maternal folate status causes placental dysfunction, mediated by altered miRNA expression. Methods and results A prospective observational study recruited pregnant adolescents and assessed third trimester folate status and placental function. miRNA array, QPCR, and bioinformatics identified placental miRNAs and target genes. Low maternal folate status is associated with higher incidence of SGA infants (28% versus 13%, p < 0.05) and placental dysfunction, including elevated trophoblast proliferation and apoptosis (p < 0.001), reduced amino acid transport (p < 0.01), and altered placental hormones (pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A, progesterone, and human placental lactogen). miR‐222‐3p, miR‐141‐3p, and miR‐34b‐5p were upregulated by low folate status (p < 0.05). Bioinformatics predicted a gene network regulating cell turnover. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that key genes in this network (zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 2, v‐myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian), and cyclin‐dependent kinase 6) were reduced (p < 0.05) in placentas with low maternal folate status. Conclusion This study supports that placental dysfunction contributes to impaired fetal growth in women with low folate status and suggests altered placental expression of folate‐sensitive miRNAs and target genes as a mechanistic link.
Comparison of different diagnostic assays for the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi-specific antibodies in dogs.

BACKGROUND Antibody tests are frequently used in the diagnosis of canine Lyme borreliosis, including immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) antibodies, kinetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (KELA), and Western blotting (WB). Recently, the SNAP4Dx, an in-house test using C6 technology has become available. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare IFA, KELA, and SNAP4Dx assay results, and to determine their sensitivity and specificity when compared with the WB, used as gold standard in this study. METHODS Two hundred canine sera were tested for the presence of specific antibodies against Borrelia spp. using the above-mentioned tests. RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of IFA-IgG was 76.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 46.87-86.72) and 87.1% (95% CI 80.06-91.90), and 26.3% (95% CI 11.81-48.79) and 81.0% (95% CI 73.64-86.71) for IFA-IgM, respectively. KELA was 100% (95% CI 83.18-100) sensitive and 75.4% (95% CI 67.02-82.09) specific, and the SNAP4Dx was 84.2% (95% CI 62.43-94.48) sensitive and 98.5% (95% CI 94.83-99.60) specific. CONCLUSIONS Both IFAs had very low sensitivity and specificity and cannot be recommended for screening purposes. In contrast, KELA showed excellent sensitivity, but positive results always need to be confirmed by WB to differentiate the source of antibody formation. The SNAP4Dx had a high sensitivity and specificity, and thus can potentially replace the more labor-intensive WB, at least in untreated dogs.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging for discrimination of absence and complex partial seizures

We performed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of the temporal lobes between, during, and soon after nonconvulsive seizures in 20 patients with documented temporal lobe epilepsy, 5 patients with primary generalized epilepsy, and 2 patients with secondary generalized epilepsy. Our objective was to determine whether there were metabolic changes observable by magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging during seizures and whether these changes were specific for focal or generalized nonconvulsive seizures. We found a significant increase in lactate to creatine plus phosphocreatine (lactate/creatine) values, reflecting an imbalance in energy supply and demand or an adaptation in response to ictal neuronal discharges, during and soon after complex partial seizures, but not during or soon after absence seizures associated with generalized epilepsy. In patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, the N‐acetylaspartate resonance relative to creatine plus phosphocreatine was low in one or both temporal lobes, indicating neuronal loss or damage. This was not observed in patients with primary generalized epilepsy. The regions with abnormal lactate/creatine and N‐acetylaspartate/creatine values corresponded to the epileptogenic focus as defined by clinical‐electroencephalographic investigation. There was no change in the N‐acetylaspartate/creatine values in the temporal lobes between the interictal, ictal, or postictal states. We conclude that (1) partial seizures are associated with abnormally high lactate levels, but absence seizures are not, and (2) no short‐term changes of N‐acetylaspartate occur during or soon after complex partial seizures or absence seizures. These findings may be related to the lack of postictal confusion in patients with absence seizures, as well as with the more benign course of primary generalized epilepsy with nonconvulsive attacks.
Industrial Approaches to Micronutrient Fortification of Traditional Nixtamal Tortillas

Nixtamalization is the process of steeping dried corn in hot water with calcium hydroxide (lime). The resulting product, called nixtamal, is further processed into tortillas, a staple in the Mexican diet. Corn tortillas are prepared directly from nixtamal, from nixtamalized corn flour, or from a mixture of the two. A technology for adding micronutrients to fresh nixtamal tortillas is discussed. Liquid and dry micronutrient premixes containing iron, zinc, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin were evaluated. Low-cost dosing equipment was adapted for use in small nixtamal mills and enrichment trials were conducted in commercial mills in México. The cost of liquid premix was prohibitive and ferrous lactate in the premix imparted an off-color to the tortillas. In addition, dosing separate vitamin and mineral premixes with the liquid pump proved difficult. The dry enrichment premix utilized electrolytic iron and gave sensory properties similar to unfortified samples. The dry dosification system is readily adaptable in most conventional mills, yields consistent fortification levels Industrial Approaches to Micronutrient Fortification of Traditional Nixtamal Tortillas
Firm orientation and strategy under regional market integration: A study of Canadian firms

Firms behave differently in free trade zones than in confined, domestic markets. To investigate this phenomenon, a taxonomy is developed of small- and medium-sized companies, which operate in the developing North American free trade area. The study describes each firm grouping and its associated performance attributes, and offers theoretical and normative implications. Among other findings, it appears that smaller companies which emphasize entrepreneurial orientation, product differentiation, and focus on specific market segments tend, under free trade, to enjoy superior performance.
Forms of capital, mixed embeddedness and Somali enterprise

What form is small business activity taking among new migrants in the UK? This question is addressed by examining the case of Somalis in the English city of Leicester.We apply a novel synthesis of the Nee and Sanders' (2001) `forms of capital' model with the `mixed embeddedness' approach (Rath, 2000) to enterprises established by newly arrived immigrant communities, combining agency and structure perspectives. Data are drawn from business-owners (and workers) themselves, rather than community representatives. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were held with 25 business owners and 25 employees/`helpers', supplemented by 3 focus group encounters with different segments of the Somali business population.The findings indicate that a reliance solely on social capital explanations is not sufficient. An adequate understanding of business dynamics requires an appreciation of how Somalis mobilize different forms of capital within a given political, social and economic context.
Inter-Relationship Between Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and QT Prolongation as Predictors of Increased Risk of Mortality in the General Population

Background—Prolonged-QT commonly coexists in the ECG with left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH). However, it is unclear whether to what extent QT prolongation coexisting with ECG-LVH can explain the prognostic significance of ECG-LVH, and whether prolonged-QT coexisting with ECG-LVH should be considered as an innocent consequence of ECG-LVH. Methods and Results—The study population consisted of 7506 participants (mean age, 59.4±13.3 years; 49% whites; and 47% men) from the US Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ECG-LVH was defined by Cornell voltage criteria. Prolonged heart-rate–adjusted QT (prolonged-QTa) was defined as QTa≥460 ms in women or 450 ms in men. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for the risk of all-cause mortality for various combinations of ECG-LVH and prolonged-QTa. ECG-LVH was present in 4.2% (N=312) of the participants, of whom 16.4% had prolonged-QTa. In a multivariable-adjusted model and compared with the group without ECG-LVH or prolonged-QTa, mortality risk was highest in the group with concomitant ECG-LVH and prolonged-QTa (hazard ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.36), followed by isolated ECG-LVH (1.48; 1.24–1.77), and then isolated prolonged-QTa (1.27; 1.12–1.46). In models with similar adjustment where ECG-LVH and prolonged-QTa were entered as 2 separate variables and subsequently additionally adjusted for each other, the mortality risk was essentially unchanged for both variables. Conclusions—Although prolonged-QT commonly coexists with LVH, both are independent markers of poor prognosis. Concomitant presence of prolonged-QT and ECG-LVH carries a higher risk than either predictor alone.
MBD4-Mediated Glycosylase Activity on a Chromatin Template Is Enhanced by Acetylation

ABSTRACT The ability of the MBD4 glycosylase to excise a mismatched base from DNA has been assessed in vitro using DNA substrates with different extents of cytosine methylation, in the presence or absence of reconstituted nucleosomes. Despite the enhanced ability of MBD4 to bind to methylated cytosines, the efficiency of its glycosylase activity on T/G mismatches was slightly dependent on the extent of methylation of the DNA substrate. The reduction in activity caused by competitor DNA was likewise unaffected by the methylation status of the substrate or the competitor. Our results also show that MBD4 efficiently processed T/G mismatches within the nucleosome. Furthermore, the glycolytic activity of the enzyme was not affected by the positioning of the mismatch within the nucleosome. However, histone hyperacetylation facilitated the efficiency with which the bases were excised from the nucleosome templates, irrespective of the position of the mismatch relative to the pseudodyad axis of symmetry of the nucleosome.
The Enterprise System Lifecycle: Through a Knowledge Management Lens

This paper argues the importance of a lifecycle-wide knowledge sourcing strategy in support of the Enterprise System (ES) investment. It emphasizes the need for research into more effective and cooperative ES knowledge management across the three key players — the ES vendor, the ES implementation partner or consultant, and the ES-using client organization. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seigniorage‐Maximizing Inflation under Sticky Prices

What is the seigniorage-maximizing level of inflation? Three models' formulae for the seigniorage-maximizing inflation rate (SMIR) are compared. A sticky-price model prescribes a somewhat lower SMIR to Cagan's formula and a variant of a flex-price model due to Kimbrough (2006). The models differ markedly in how inflation distorts the labor market: The sticky-price (Calvo) model implies that inflation and output are negatively related and that output is falling in price stickiness. Interestingly, if our version of the Calvo model is to be believed, the level of inflation experienced recently in advanced economies such as the United States and the United Kingdom may be quite close to the SMIR. Copyright (c) 2010 The Ohio State University.
National Outcomes for Open Ventral Hernia Repair Techniques in Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

Modern adjuncts to complex, open ventral hernia repair often include component separation (CS) and/or panniculectomy (PAN). This study examines nationwide data to determine how these techniques impact postoperative complications. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried from 2005 to 2013 for inpatient, elective open ventral hernia repairs (OVHR). Cases were grouped by the need for and type of concomitant advancement flaps: OVHR alone (OVHRA), OVHR with CS, OVHR with panniculectomy (PAN), or both CS and PAN (BOTH). Multivariate regression to control for confounding factors was conducted. There were 58,845 OVHR: 51,494 OVHRA, 5,357 CS, 1,617 PAN, and 377 BOTH. Wound complications (OVHRA 8.2%, CS 12.8%, PAN 14.4%, BOTH 17.5%), general complications (15.2%, 24.9%, 25.2%, 31.6%), and major complications (6.9%, 11.4%, 7.2%, 13.5%) were different between groups (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in mortality. Multivariate regression showed CS had higher odds of wound [odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–2.0], general (OR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3–1.8), and major complications (OR 2.1, 95%, CI: 1.8–2.4), and longer length of stay by 2.3 days. PAN had higher odds of wound (OR 1.5, 95%, CI: 1.3–1.8) and general complications (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 1.5–2.0). Both CS and PAN had higher odds of wound (OR 2.2,95%, CI: 1.5–3.2), general (OR 2.5, 95%, CI: 1.8–3.4), and major complications (OR 2.2, 95%CI: 1.4–3.4), and two days longer length of stay. In conclusion, patients undergoing OVHR that require CS or PAN have a higher independent risk of complications, which increases when the procedures are combined.
Phase-sensitive measurements of nonlinearity in high-temperature superconductor thin films

We present new frequency-dependent measurements of both the magnitude and phase of the nonlinear response in superconducting thin films at microwave frequencies obtained using a large-signal network analyzer. Our measurements show that the nonlinear inductance dominates the nonlinear response in thin YBCO films at 76 K, and our analysis yields two current-density scales corresponding to the real and imaginary components of the nonlinear response. The current-density scale associated with the dominant inductive response likely results from intrinsic pair-breaking, while the current-density scale associated with the nonlinear resistive term is smaller than the expected value due to pair-breaking, and could originate from vortex motion or other extrinsic effects.
A regional survey to determine factors influencing patient choices in selecting a particular emergency department for care.

OBJECTIVES Increases in regional emergency department (ED) efficiencies might be obtained by shifting patients to less crowded EDs. The authors sought to determine factors associated with a patient's decision to choose a specific regional ED. Based on prior focus group discussions with volunteers, the hypothesis was that distance to a specific ED and perceived ED wait times would be important. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was developed using qualitative focus group methodology. The resulting survey was composed of 17 questions relating to patient decisions in choosing a specific ED and was administered in each of six EDs in a single urban Canadian health region at all hours of the day. Ambulatory patients with a Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) level 3 to 5 and aged ≥19 years were surveyed. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients whose main motivation for attending a specific ED was either distance traveled to reach the ED or perceived ED waiting time. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess factors influencing both of these reasons. RESULTS A total of 757 patients were approached and 634 surveys (83.8%) were completed. Distance from the ED (named by 44.0% of respondents as their primary reason) and perceived ED wait times (9.3%) were the main motivations for patients to attend a specific ED. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with choosing distance revealed that ED distance < 10 km (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45 to 3.33; p = 0.001) and age ≥ 60 years (adjusted OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.26; p = 0.04) were significant in choosing a particular ED. Multivariable analysis of factors influencing wait times demonstrated that having a painful complaint (adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.98; p = 0.047) and age < 60 years (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.02 to 2.14; p = 0.049) were significant in choosing a particular ED. CONCLUSIONS In a multicenter survey of patients from an urban health region, distance to a specific ED and perceived ED wait times were the most important reasons for choosing that ED. Younger patients and those with painful conditions appear to place greater priority on wait times.
Treatment of Knee Osteochondritis Dissecans With a Cell-Free Biomimetic Osteochondral Scaffold: Clinical and Imaging Findings at Midterm Follow-up

Background: Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a developmental condition of subchondral bone that may result in secondary separation and instability of the overlying articular cartilage, which in turn may lead to degeneration of the overall joint and early osteoarthritis. Biphasic scaffolds have been developed to address defects of the entire osteochondral unit by reproducing the different biological and functional requirements and guiding the growth of both bone and cartilage. Purpose: To evaluate midterm clinical and imaging results after cell-free osteochondral scaffold implantation for the treatment of knee OCD. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Twenty-seven patients (8 women, 19 men; mean age, 25.5 ± 7.7 years) were treated for knee OCD, with International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 3 to 4 lesions with a mean size of 3.4 ± 2.2 cm2 (range, 1.5-12 cm2), and prospectively evaluated for up to 5 years using the ICRS classification system and the Tegner score. Eighteen patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 24 and 60 months of follow-up, and the graft was evaluated using the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score for the cartilage layer, while a specific score was used for subchondral bone. Results: All patients significantly improved their clinical scores at each follow-up until their final evaluation. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score improved from 48.4 ± 17.8 to 82.2 ± 12.2 at 2 years (P < .0005), and it then remained stable for up to 5 years postoperatively (90.1 ± 12.0). The mean Tegner score increased from 2.4 ± 1.7 preoperatively to 4.4 ± 1.6 at 2 years (P = .001), with a further increase up to 5.0 ± 1.7 at 5 years of follow-up (P < .0005 vs preoperatively), reaching almost the preinjury level (5.7 ± 2.2). The MOCART score showed stable results between 24 and 60 months, whereas the subchondral bone status significantly improved over time. No correlation was found between MRI findings and clinical outcomes. Conclusion: This 1-step cell-free scaffold implantation procedure showed good and stable results for up to 60 months of follow-up for the treatment of knee OCD. MRI showed abnormalities, in particular at the subchondral bone level, but there was an overall improvement of features over time. No correlation was found between imaging and clinical findings.
Harmonisation or differentiation in intellectual property protection? The lessons of history

Developing countries find themselves pressured to harmonise their intellectual property (IP) standards so that they match those of the United States, Europe and Japan. This article provides historical evidence to support the authors’ claim that when developed countries demand that the rest of the world adopt their current IP regulations, developed countries are preventing other countries from adopting appropriate patent and copyright standards for their levels of development. Developed countries thereby deny a freedom to others that they themselves enjoyed when they were developing.
Evaluation of pre-emptive intramuscular phenylephrine and ephedrine for reduction of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension during Caesarean section.

Pre-emptive intramuscular (i.m.) vasopressors were evaluated in 108 patients undergoing elective Caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, assigned to four groups in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Group 1 received pre-emptive phenylephrine 4 mg i.m. , group 2 received phenylephrine 2 mg i.m. , group 3 received ephedrine 45 mg i.m. , while controls received an i.m. injection of saline, all given immediately after induction of spinal anaesthesia. Hypotension was defined as a 25% decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Rescue intravenous (i.v.) boluses of ephedrine were given if the patient was hypotensive or reported nausea, vomiting or dizziness. The incidence of hypotension was 33% in the phenylephrine 4 mg group compared with 70% in the control and phenylephrine 2 mg groups (P=0.03), and 48% in the ephedrine 45 mg group. The phenylephrine 4 mg and ephedrine 45 mg groups had a significantly lower percentage reduction in MAP (-21 (SD 14)% and -22 (14)%) compared with controls (-32 (18)%, P=0.04). They also had a lower total dose of rescue i.v. ephedrine (15.7 (15.7) mg and 15.8 (15.6) mg) compared with controls (28.8 (20.6) mg, P=0.02). We conclude that pre-emptive i.m. phenylephrine 4 mg and ephedrine 45 mg reduce the severity of hypotension and the total dose of rescue i.v. ephedrine during spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section.