Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison Between Two Volume-Matched Squat Exercises With and Without Momentary Failure for Changes in Hormones, Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction Strength, and Perceived Muscle Soreness

Abstract Shibata, K, Takizawa, K, Tomabechi, N, Nosaka, K, and Mizuno, M. Comparison between two volume-matched squat exercises with and without momentary failure for changes in hormones, maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength and perceived muscle soreness. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3063–3068, 2021—The present study compared 2 squat exercises with and without momentary failure (MF) for changes in blood hormones, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) strength, and perceived muscle soreness (SOR). Ten physically active male students performed squat exercises at 75% of their 1 repetition maximum in 2 conditions. First, they performed each set to MF for 3 sets, and 2 weeks later, performed the same number of repetitions in 6 sets without MF (NMF). The rate of perceived exertion was assessed at 30 minutes after exercise. Blood lactate, serum concentrations of growth hormone (GH), testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and cortisol, MVC strength, and SOR were measured before and after each exercise. Rate of perceived exertion was higher (p < 0.01) in MF (8.3 ± 1.2) than in NMF (4.1 ± 1.4). Blood lactate was greater (p < 0.01) at 5 minutes after MF (7.2 ± 0.7 mM·L−1) than NMF (3.6 ± 0.7 mM·L−1). At 30 minutes after exercise, GH (MF: 12.3 ± 8.3 ng·ml−1, NMF: 4.4 ± 5.2 ng·ml−1) and cortisol (MF: 19.0 ± 4.3 μg·dl−1, NMF: 14.2 ± 4.6 μg·dl−1) were greater (p < 0.01) for MF than NMF, but no significant differences were observed between conditions for testosterone and IGF-1. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction strength decrease (6.1 ± 8.8%) at 24 hours after exercise was evident only for MF, but SOR at 24 hours after exercise was similar between MF (4.8 ± 3.3 cm) and NMF (2.5 ± 2.4 cm) conditions. These results suggest that mechanical and metabolic stimulus to the muscles were greater for MF than NMF condition.
Leveraging Nonhuman Primate Multisensory Neurons and Circuits in Assessing Consciousness Theory

Both the global neuronal workspace (GNW) and integrated information theory (IIT) posit that highly complex and interconnected networks engender perceptual awareness. GNW specifies that activity recruiting frontoparietal networks will elicit a subjective experience, whereas IIT is more concerned with the functional architecture of networks than with activity within it. Here, we argue that according to IIT mathematics, circuits converging on integrative versus convergent yet non-integrative neurons should support a greater degree of consciousness. We test this hypothesis by analyzing a dataset of neuronal responses collected simultaneously from primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and ventral premotor cortex (vPM) in nonhuman primates presented with auditory, tactile, and audio-tactile stimuli as they are progressively anesthetized with propofol. We first describe the multisensory (audio-tactile) characteristics of S1 and vPM neurons (mean and dispersion tendencies, as well as noise-correlations), and functionally label these neurons as convergent or integrative according to their spiking responses. Then, we characterize how these different pools of neurons behave as a function of consciousness. At odds with the IIT mathematics, results suggest that convergent neurons more readily exhibit properties of consciousness (neural complexity and noise correlation) and are more impacted during the loss of consciousness than integrative neurons. Last, we provide support for the GNW by showing that neural ignition (i.e., same trial coactivation of S1 and vPM) was more frequent in conscious than unconscious states. Overall, we contrast GNW and IIT within the same single-unit activity dataset, and support the GNW. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT A number of prominent theories of consciousness exist, and a number of these share strong commonalities, such as the central role they ascribe to integration. Despite the important and far reaching consequences developing a better understanding of consciousness promises to bring, for instance in diagnosing disorders of consciousness (e.g., coma, vegetative-state, locked-in syndrome), these theories are seldom tested via invasive techniques (with high signal-to-noise ratios), and never directly confronted within a single dataset. Here, we first derive concrete and testable predictions from the global neuronal workspace and integrated information theory of consciousness. Then, we put these to the test by functionally labeling specific neurons as either convergent or integrative nodes, and examining the response of these neurons during anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness.
Ethnic networks can foster the economic integration of refugees

Significance The integration of refugees into the host economy has become a major policy challenge for refugee-receiving countries in recent years. One prominent concern among policymakers is that refugee settlement in locations with high concentrations of coethnics reduces integration. However, evidence on the causal effects of such ethnic clusters is scant. We leverage a centralized placement policy in Switzerland where refugees were exogenously assigned to live in specific locations. We find that refugees assigned to locations with many coethnics find work at higher rates compared with similar refugees assigned to locations with few coethnics. This suggests that spatially concentrated ethnic networks can catalyze the economic integration of refugees by facilitating the sharing of information about employment opportunities. There is widespread concern in Europe and other refugee-receiving continents that living in an enclave of coethnics hinders refugees’ economic and social integration. Several European governments have adopted policies to geographically disperse refugees. While many theoretical arguments and descriptive studies analyze the impact of spatially concentrated ethnic networks on immigrant integration, there is limited causal evidence that sheds light on the efficacy of these policies. We provide evidence by studying the economic integration of refugees in Switzerland, where some refugees are assigned to live in a specific location upon arrival and, by law, are not permitted to relocate during the first 5 y. Leveraging this exogenous placement mechanism, we find that refugees assigned to locations with many conationals are more likely to enter the labor market. This benefit is most pronounced about 3 y after arrival and weakens somewhat with longer residency. In addition, we find that, among refugees employed by the same company, a high proportion share nationality, ethnicity, or language, which suggests that ethnic residential networks transmit information about employment opportunities. Together, these findings contribute to our understanding of the importance of ethnic networks for facilitating refugee integration, and they have implications for the design of refugee allocation policies.
Photoacoustic imaging in percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: device guidance and ablation visualization

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is gaining importance as a locoregional treatment for tumors in several organs including the liver, lung, kidney and bone. In RFA, the tumor is eradicated with the direct application of heat using alternating current through a needle electrode positioned under imaging guidance. Various imaging methods are used in the RFA ablation procedure but these have drawbacks. In this work, we introduce photoacoustic (PA) imaging as a new method with potential to visualize the targeting of RFA needle into a region of interest and to report on the extent of ablation achieved. We demonstrate the proof-of-concept in using PA imaging together with ultrasound imaging on ex vivo biological samples in the laboratory simulating relevant clinical scenarios in RFA. These include guidance of the RFA needle to target tissue, mapping of simulated blood vessels during needle insertion and differentiation between ablated and surrounding tissue. The results of this first investigation into the use of PA imaging to assist RFA procedures are encouraging. We discuss the challenges encountered, the scope for future work and envisaged clinical application.
Methionine in proteins: The Cinderella of the proteinogenic amino acids

Methionine in proteins, apart from its role in the initiation of translation, is assumed to play a simple structural role in the hydrophobic core, in a similar way to other hydrophobic amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine. However, research from a number of laboratories supports the concept that methionine serves as an important cellular antioxidant, stabilizes the structure of proteins, participates in the sequence‐independent recognition of protein surfaces, and can act as a regulatory switch through reversible oxidation and reduction. Despite all these evidences, the role of methionine in protein structure and function is largely overlooked by most biochemists. Thus, the main aim of the current article is not so much to carry out an exhaustive review of the many and diverse processes in which methionine residues are involved, but to review some illustrative examples that may help the nonspecialized reader to form a richer and more precise insight regarding the role‐played by methionine residues in such processes.
Asymmetric Impact of IS Quality on User Satisfaction: Development of Resource Allocation Strategy of e-Government in Agriculture

Information System (IS) Success Model proposed by DeLone and McLean is applied as a successful operation tool of information system, with its basic assumption of symmetric relationship between independent variables and dependent variables of the structural equation modeling. However, because previous studies have proved asymmetry of quality factors' influence structure on dependent variable by applying three-factor analysis, this study examined asymmetry of impact structure of quality factors introduced in IS Success Model on user satisfaction. Also the study applies structure equation modeling (SEM), threefactor analysis and importance and performance analysis (IPA) to develop resource allocation strategy for IS success. The study is able to provide IS practitioners with strategic implications for allocating and managing limited resources more effectively.
A Systematic Scoping Review of Surgically Manipulated Adipose Tissue and the Regulation of Energetics and Body Fat in Animals

Surgical manipulations of adipose tissue by removal, or partial lipectomy, have demonstrated body fat compensation and recovered body weight, suggesting that the body is able to resist changes to body composition. However, the mechanisms underlying these observations are not well understood. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide an update on what is currently known about the regulation of energetics and body fat after surgical manipulations of adipose tissue in small mammals.
Readability of Patient Education Materials in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R): A Comparative Cross‐Sectional Study

Patients are increasingly using the Internet to access health information. Patient awareness and education are crucial to advancing the field of PM&R, but many U.S. adults have insufficient health literacy skills to read and understand patient education materials (PEM), frequently written at the 10th‐15th‐grade level. Reading ability is key for health literacy, but no previous research has assessed the readability of PEM provided by professional PM&R societies.
Primary Stability Optimization by Using Fixtures with Different Thread Depth According To Bone Density: A Clinical Prospective Study on Early Loaded Implants

Background: Macro- and micro-geometry are among the factors influencing implant stability and potentially determining loading protocol. The purpose of this study was to test a protocol for early loading by controlling implant stability with the selection of fixtures with different thread depth according to the bone density of the implant site. Materials and Methods: Patients needing implant therapy for fixed prosthetic rehabilitation were treated by inserting fixtures with four different thread diameters, selected based on clinical assessment of bone quality at placement (D1, D2, D3, and D4, according to Misch classification). Final insertion torque (IT) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were recorded at baseline and ISQ measurements repeated after one, two, three, and four weeks. At the three-week measurement (four weeks after implant replacement), implants with ISQ > 70 Ncm were functionally loaded with provisional restorations. Marginal bone level was radiographically measured 12 months after implant insertion. Results: Fourteen patients were treated with the insertion of forty implants: Among them, 39 implants showing ISQ > 70 after 3 weeks of healing were loaded with provisional restoration. Mean IT value was 82.3 ± 33.2 Ncm and varied between the four different types of bone (107.2 ± 35.6 Ncm, 74.7 ± 14.0 Ncm, 76.5 ± 31.1 Ncm, and 55.2 ± 22.6 Ncm in D1, D2, D3, and D4 bone, respectively). Results showed significant differences except between D2 and D3 bone types. Mean ISQ at baseline was 79.3 ± 4.3 and values in D1, D2, D3, and D4 bone were 81.9 ± 2.0, 81.1 ± 1.0, 78.3 ± 3.7, and 73.2 ± 4.9, respectively. Results showed significant differences except between D1 and D2 bone types. IT and ISQ showed a significant positive correlation when analyzing the entire sample (p = 0.0002) and D4 bone type (p = 0.0008). The correlation between IT and ISQ was not significant when considering D1, D2, and D3 types (p = 0.28; p = 0.31; p = 0.16, respectively). ISQ values showed a slight drop at three weeks for D1, D2, and D3 bone while remaining almost unchanged in D4 bone. At 12-month follow-up, all implants (39 early loading, 1 conventional loading) had satisfactory function, showing an average marginal bone loss of 0.12 ± 0.12 mm, when compared to baseline levels. Conclusion: Matching implant macro-geometry to bone density can lead to adequate implant stability both in hard and soft bone. High primary stability and limited implant stability loss during the first month of healing could allow the application of early loading protocols with predictable clinical outcomes.
Comparison of Platelet Rich Plasma and Prolotherapy in the Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Osteochondral lesions of talus (OLT) are among the most common ankle problems. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy (PrT) are 2 successful injection-based techniques for treatment of chronic musculoskeletal problems. The aim of the present study was to compare PRP and PrT injections for the management of OLT. Material/Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 49 patients with OLT symptoms of more than 6 months who had been refractory to 3 months of treatment using conservative methods. The patients were divided into 2 groups: PrT injections (PrT group, n=27) or PRP injections (PRP group, n=22). The patients were given 3 injections of 4 mL solution into periarticular and intra-articular ankle joint spaces. After treatment, patients were evaluated via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS), and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) at baseline and 21-, 90-, 180-, and 360-day follow-up periods. Results Both PRP and PrT treatments resulted in greater improvement in pain and ankle functions at follow-up periods extending to 1 year (P<0.001) and there was no difference between the groups for the outcomes at follow-up periods (P>0.05). Excellent or good outcomes were reported by 88.8% of the patients in PrT group and 90.9% of the patients in PRP group. Conclusions Both PRP and PrT are efficient and safe methods in treatment of OLT. PrT offers advantages of less cost and minimal invasiveness.
Phytoremediation potential of Cd and Pb-contaminated soils by Paspalum fasciculatum Willd. ex Flüggé

Abstract The phytoremediation capacity of Paspalum fasciculatum Willd. ex Flüggé, was evaluated in soils from a gold mine contaminated with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), using three concentration levels of each metal (15, 30, and 50 mg kg−1). Their ability to assimilate Cd and Pb in its different tissues was evaluated during 90 days of exposure. Plant growth behavior, accumulation of Cd and Pb, and translocation (TF) and bioaccumulation (BAF) factors were also determined. During the first 60 days of exposure, Cd had an inductive effect on the growth of P. fasciculatum; however, after 90 days, this metal had begun to show toxic effects. Plants showed a similar pattern of accumulating Cd and Pb in their tissues with concentrations decreasing in the order roots > leaves > stem. However, the accumulated concentrations of Cd were generally higher than those of Pb with the highest metal uptakes being observed during the first 30 days of exposure. P. fasciculatum was shown to have a phytostabilization effect with regard to Cd, high concentrations of metals in tissues and little translocation, whereas it showed phytoextraction capacity for Pb. In addition, it can increase pH and organic matter in the soil rhizosphere.
Personality Traits and Obesity

Objective: Previous studies investigating the association between body weight and personality traits have found mixed results. This paper uses a large data set and two different study designs (cross-sectional and longitudinal) to provide more consistent estimates of the effect of personality traits on obesity. Methods: The present study is based on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) from the waves 2005 to 2013; GSOEP is a longitudinal survey of private households in Germany that has been carried out since 1984. Responses provided data about personality, measured using the BFI-S Questionnaire, data for self-rated body mass index BMI (to determine the obesity level), as well as information for potential confounders. Cross-sectional and longitudinal logistic regression models were used. Results: The cross-sectional study yielded statistically significant results for the association between the outcome variable and four personality factors neuroticism, extraversion, openness and agreeableness. After controlling for several potential confounders, the association between obesity and extraversion, openness as well as agreeableness remained; additionally, the personality factor consciousness reached statistical significance. In the longitudinal study, a statistically significant association was found only for two personality factors, namely extraversion and agreeableness. After adding the control variables, the FE-regression yielded an association only for agreeableness (negative). Gender differences were not significant. Discussion: The findings show that results of a cross-sectional study design differ from the outcome of the longitudinal study design. The latter stresses the association between excess weight and the personality factor agreeableness, contrasting with most outcomes of previous research.
Effect of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on the efficacy and safety of ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency ablation for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) is an autoimmune disease commonly associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma characterized by a smaller primary tumor size at presentation. The efficacy and safety of ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) coexisting with CLT is still unknown.
Power quality and modern energy for all

Significance This research provides a detailed mapping of voltage quality in a sub-Saharan African (SSA) community and connects power systems data to household surveys and interviews for a comprehensive understanding of life under an unreliable grid. Reliability within the context of “modern energy for all” in SSA has traditionally focused on power outages rather than voltage quality and on businesses rather than households. Our research expands on energy access scholarship and reliability concerns in SSA by offering an illustrative case study of access in Unguja, Tanzania. As electricity access expands in financially constrained communities, creating capacity-constrained connections, our Unguja study offers a crucial look at what that access means for SSA communities. “Modern energy for all,” an internationally supported initiative to connect populations to electricity services, is expected to help reduce poverty-induced vulnerabilities. It has become a primary strategy for meeting sustainable development goals, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, when electricity is supplied by a capacity-constrained grid to a resource-constrained population, the service quality can vary both spatially and temporally. This research explores the quality of electricity services based on a case study of Unguja, Tanzania. Using 1) open-ended interviews, 2) detailed electricity-systems monitoring, and 3) household surveys, we show how voltage quality varies significantly, even within highly localized settings. Fluctuations result in dim lights at best and power outages and broken appliances at worst, denying many Unguja residents the expected benefits of access to modern energy. By combining an extensive understanding of the physical system together with interviews and surveys, this work presents a unique mapping of voltage quality in a system that is financially and physically constrained and highlights the consequences of poor-quality service for poor users.