Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Muscle activation characteristics of tumbling take-offs

In the floor exercise, a gymnast may receive a general composition score deduction associated with a lack of diverse tumbling sequences. Diversity in tumbling is defined as the ability to tumble both forward and backward, as well as twist and flip. A coach's ability to direct technical and physical training for these skill varieties is enhanced when thorough descriptions of the skills are available. The aim of this study was to describe and compare muscle activation of the lower extremity in various tumbling sequences characterized by differing body orientations. The stretch–shortening cycle actions during the take-off portion of four different tumbling sequences were analysed and the results compared across muscles and type of take-off (forward vs. backward, twisting vs. non-twisting). Thirteen female gymnasts performed three trials each of round-off flic-flac to backward layout and to backward layout with longitudinal axis twist, and front flic-flac to forward layout and to forward layout with longitudinal axis twist. Activation onset was assessed as an increase of the EMG of 200% above noise before initial floor contact. The EMG was normalized to peak values for each muscle bilaterally during each take-off. Results showed that muscle activation characteristics in the pre-activation and impact phase (contact to maximal floor depression) differed between tumbling series. Backward take-offs were characterized by longer contact times, greater relative activity of the gastrocnemius compared with the vastus lateralis during pre-activation, and greater biceps femoris activation during impact compared with forward take-offs. Twisting backward was associated with reduced muscle activity of the twisting limb, while twisting forward was associated with increased muscle activation on the twisting limb. These differential effects related to the specific nature of the take-off indicate that training to enhance the stretch–shortening cycle action in gymnasts must be specific to the orientation requirements of each specific skill.
Hemiplegia after thyrotropin alfa in a hypothyroid patient with thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the brain.

E radioiodine treatment of thyroid cancer is dependent on an increase in serum TSH concentration in response to LT4 withdrawal. The major disadvantage to thyroid hormone withdrawal is the development of symptomatic hypothyroidism. More concerning, although not common, is the potential for accelerated tumor growth mediated by TSH (1–8). The use of recombinant human TSH (TSH alfa) without LT4 withdrawal prevents the development of hypothyroidism and has been approved in diagnostic radioiodine scanning (9, 10). It is unknown whether short-term administration of TSH results in growth of thyroid cancer in patients. We report a patient with follicular thyroid cancer metastatic to the skeleton, brain, and clivus. Hypopituitarism resulted from a metastatic clival lesion that involved the pituitary gland. TSH alfa, in a compassionate use protocol, was administered before radioiodine treatment. Forty-eight h after TSH alfa administration, the patient developed hemiplegia.
Discovering Relations by Entity Search in Lightweight Semantic Text Graphs

Entity search is becoming a popular alternative for full text search. Recently Google released its entity search based on confirmed, human-generated data such as Wikipedia. In spite of these developments, the task of entity discovery, search, or relation search in unstructured text remains a major challenge in the fields of information retrieval and information extraction. This paper tries to address that challenge, focusing specifically on entity relation discovery. This is achieved by processing unstructured text using simple information extraction methods, building lightweight semantic graphs and reusing them for entity relation discovery by applying algorithms from graph theory. An important part is also user interaction with semantic graphs, which can significantly improve information extraction results and entity relation search. Entity relations can be discovered by various text mining methods, but the advantage of the presented method lies in the similarity between the lightweight semantics extracted from a text and the information networks available as structured data. Both graph structures have similar properties and similar relation discovery algorithms can be applied. In addition, we can benefit from the integration of such graph data. We provide both a relevance and performance evaluations of the approach and showcase it in several use case applications.
Enhancement of polymerase chain reaction using graphene nano-flakes

The excellent heat transfer properties of nanoparticles have potential applications in various fields including biology during the last two decades. Recently, the use of various nanoparticles in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) resulted in significant enhancement of its efficiency and specificity. In this research we have demonstrated the effects of a novel material, graphene nano-flakes on PCR. The rationale behind the use of graphene flakes is its unique physical and heat transfer properties. A number of experimental results including the effect of graphene flakes on denaturation of DNA and annealing step will also be discussed. The preliminary results clearly show that enhanced heat transfer effect of nano-flakes augment PCR yield and ultimately overall enhancement in reaction efficiency.
Shear response of a frictional interface to a normal load modulation

We study the shear response of a sliding multicontact interface submitted to a harmonically modulated normal load, without loss of contact. We measure, at low velocities (V<100 &mgr;m s(-1)), the average value &Fmacr; of the friction force and the amplitude of its first and second harmonic components. The excitation frequency (f=120 Hz) is chosen much larger than the natural one, associated with the dynamical aging of the interface. We show the following: (i) In agreement with the engineering thumb rule, even a modest modulation induces a substantial decrease of &Fmacr;. (ii) The Rice-Ruina state and rate model, though appropriate to describe the slow frictional dynamics, must be extended when dealing with our "high" frequency regime. That is, the rheology which controls the shear strength must explicitly account not only for the plastic response of the adhesive junctions between load-bearing asperities, but also for the elastic contribution of the asperities bodies. This "elastoplastic" friction model leads to predictions in excellent quantitative agreement with all our experimental data.
Factors associated with self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a Tanzanian setting

Abstract This study aimed to determine the level of antiretroviral adherence and factors associated with adherence among patients receiving free antiretroviral therapy (ART) at one clinic in Tanzania. Adult patients were recruited into the cross-sectional study and completed a survey that included self-reported adherence over four days and over one month. Less than 95% adherence on either measure was considered “poor. ” Factors associated with adherence in unadjusted analyses (α = 0.10) were included in a logistic regression model. A total of 340 patients participated in the study, and 5.9% (20/340) reported poor adherence. The final model found poor adherence associated with: being young (odds ratio (OR) = 4.03) or old (OR = 6.68); having lower perceived quality of patient–provider interaction (OR = 2.75); and ever missing a clinic appointment (OR = 3.13). Results highlight good adherence, but suggest the importance of addressing: (1) age-specific challenges of adherence through counseling and support; (2) client-focused care and quality of patient–provider interaction; and (3) clinic appointment reminder systems.
Pathways of nutrient loading and impacts on plant diversity in a New York peatland

Nutrient loading is a subtle, yet serious threat to the preservation of high diversity wetlands such as peatlands. Pathways of nutrient loading and impacts on plant diversity in a small peatland in New York State, USA were determined by collecting and analyzing a suite of hydrogeological, hydro-chemical, soil, and vegetation data. Piezometer clusters within an intensive network constituted hydro-chemical sampling points and focal points for randomly selected vegetation quadrats and soil-coring locations. Hydrogeological data and nutrient analyses showed that P and K loading occurred chiefly by means of overland flow from an adjacent farm field, whereas N loading occurred predominantly through ground-water flow from the farm field. Redundancy analysis and polynomial regression showed that nutrients, particularly total P in peat, total K in peat, extractable NH4-N, and NO3-N flux in ground water, were strongly negatively correlated with plant diversity measures at the site. No other environmental variables except vegetation measures associated with eutrophication demonstrated such a strong relationship with plant diversity. Nitrate loading over 4 mg m−2 day−1 was associated with low plant diversity, and Ca fluxes between 80 and 130 mg m−2 day−1 were associated with high plant diversity. Areas in the site with particularly low vascular plant and bryophyte species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity (H′) occurred adjacent to the farm field and near a hillside spring. High H′ and species richness of vascular plants and bryophytes occurred in areas that were further removed from agriculture, contained no highly dominant vegetation, and were situated directly along the ground-water flow paths of springs. These areas were characterized by relatively constant water levels and consistent, yet moderate fluxes of base cations and nutrients. Overall, this study demonstrates that knowledge of site hydrogeology is crucial for determining potential pathways of nutrient loading and for developing relationships between nutrient inflows and wetland plant diversity.
Serum neurofilament light chain protein is a measure of disease intensity in frontotemporal dementia

Objective: To investigate serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and to see whether they are associated with the severity of disease. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 74 participants (34 with behavioral variant FTD [bvFTD], 3 with FTD and motor neuron disease and 37 with primary progressive aphasia [PPA]) and 28 healthy controls. Twenty-four of the FTD participants carried a pathogenic mutation in C9orf72 (9), microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT; 11), or progranulin (GRN; 4). Serum NfL concentrations were determined with the NF-Light kit transferred onto the single-molecule array platform and compared between FTD and healthy controls and between the FTD clinical and genetic subtypes. We also assessed the relationship between NfL concentrations and measures of cognition and brain volume. Results: Serum NfL concentrations were higher in patients with FTD overall (mean 77.9 pg/mL [SD 51.3 pg/mL]) than controls (19.6 pg/mL [SD 8.2 pg/mL]; p < 0.001). Concentrations were also significantly higher in bvFTD (57.8 pg/mL [SD 33.1 pg/mL]) and both the semantic and nonfluent variants of PPA (95.9 and 82.5 pg/mL [SD 33.0 and 33.8 pg/mL], respectively) compared with controls and in semantic variant PPA compared with logopenic variant PPA. Concentrations were significantly higher than controls in both the C9orf72 and MAPT subgroups (79.2 and 40.5 pg/mL [SD 48.2 and 20.9 pg/mL], respectively) with a trend to a higher level in the GRN subgroup (138.5 pg/mL [SD 103.3 pg/mL). However, there was variability within all groups. Serum concentrations correlated particularly with frontal lobe atrophy rate (r = 0.53, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Increased serum NfL concentrations are seen in FTD but show wide variability within each clinical and genetic group. Higher concentrations may reflect the intensity of the disease in FTD and are associated with more rapid atrophy of the frontal lobes.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MORTALITY FOLLOWING BURN INJURY

Clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated higher mortality following nonthermal trauma among males compared with females. To date, few clinical retrospective studies have focused on gender differences in outcome following burn injury with respect to age. All patients admitted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Burn Center between January 1994 and December 2000 were selected for inclusion in the study. Gender differences in demographic, clinical, and outcome characteristics were compared. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the association between mortality and gender, both overall and stratified by age. Over the 7-year study period, 1229 males and 382 females were admitted to the UAB Burn Center, and mortality rates were 7.2% and 13.4%, respectively (P = 0.0002). Female patients were more likely to be older, of the black race, and in poorer health. In addition, females were more likely to suffer flame and scald burns. The association between mortality and gender was modified by age. Up to age 60, mortality rates among females were over twice that of males (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4–3.8); however, no difference was noted among those 60 and older (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5–1.6). These associations persisted following adjustment for potentially confounding variables. Causes and timing of death were similar for males and females. Women less than 60 years of age who sustain burn injuries have an increased risk of death compared with males. Differences in the natural history of nonthermal trauma and burn injury may provide insight regarding these divergent findings.
The influence of a chronic subclinical infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis on gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow in sheep

The influence of a chronic subclinicael infection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis, 2500 larvae/day for 12 weeks, on gastrointestinal motility and digesta flow was studied in 12 sheep supplied ad libitum with food and water. Motility was recorded by X-radiography and electromyography from chronically implanted electrodes;abomasal volume and outflow were estimated by dilution of CrEDTA; small intestinal transit time was estimated by passage of Phenol Red. The findings were compared with measurements made prior to infection at restricted food intake and reported separately. The first effects of infection were seen after 3–4 weeks. No animal developed diarrhoea, but food intake was progressively reduced. Small intestinal transit time, abomasal volume and half-time of marker dilution increased while abomasal outflow decreased during infection. These changes occurred both in absolute terms and when compared with values predicted from the observed level of food intake. As the animals became resistant to the parasites abomasal volume and digesta flow returned towards control values (weeks 10–12). The migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) was disrupted in only one sheep, and only transiently. In all sheep the frequency of the MMC was increased during infection and there was a progressive inhibition of abomasal, duodenal and jejunal motility. X-radiography showed there was prolonged pooling of digesta in the proximal small intestine which was cleared only at the phase of regular spiking activity. Two sheep given an anthelmintic drench recovered normal motility and clearance of digesta. It is concluded that subclinical infection of sheep with T. colubriformis alters the normal pattern of gastrointestinal motility in the absence of any diarrhoea, and causes inhibition of abomasal and proximal small intestinal motility and digesta flow. The increased frequency of MMCs helps to maintain digesta flow through the proximal small intestine.
The relationship between Trichuris trichiura transmission intensity and the age-profiles of parasite-specific antibody isotypes in two endemic communities

SUMMARY The present study compares parasite-specific antibody responses in two Caribbean communities with high and low levels of Trichuris trichiura transmission. The age-dependency of antibody levels suggest that IgG1 and IgG2 levels relate to the current intensity of infection (as assessed by density of eggs in stool (e.p.g.) and reflect the age–intensity profile at the population level. IgG4, IgE and IgA levels persist into early adulthood and the subsequent decline is gradual. In the low transmission area, lower infection levels are reflected in lower parasite-specific antibody levels (of all isotypes) in the community as a whole. Despite a significantly greater past experience of infection in the high transmission area, antibody levels are not maintained at significantly higher levels throughout adulthood. The production of IgA appears to require a threshold for triggering, and a vigorous IgA response is maintained into early adulthood only in the high transmission village where peak intensity is greatest and the age-convexity of intensity is most marked. Experimental and theoretical studies focusing on the dynamic nature of host–helminth interactions in hosts exposed to high and low infection levels, and the putative role of acquired immunity, are discussed in relation to the data presented.
Photodynamic Effectiveness and Vasoconstriction in Hairless Mouse Skin after Topical 5‐Aminolevulinic Acid and Single‐ or Two‐fold Illumination

Several options were investigated to increase the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) induced by topically applied 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Hairless mice with normal skin or UVB‐light‐induced skin changes were used as a model. In the first part of the study animals were illuminated immediately (t = 4) or 6 h (t = 10, PpIX fluorescence maximum) after the end of a 4 h ALA application. A total incident light fluence of 100 J/cm2 (514.5 nm) was delivered at a fluence rate of 100 or 50 mW/cm2. The PDT‐induced damage to normal skin was more severe after treatment at t = 10 than at t = 4. Illumination at 50 mW/ cm2 caused significantly more visible damage than the same light fluence given at 100 mW/cm2. For UVB‐illu‐minated skin, different intervals or fluence rates made no significant difference in the severity of damage, although some qualitative differences occurred. In situ fluence rate measurements during PDT indicated vasoconstriction almost immediately after the start of the illumination. A fluorescein exclusion assay after PDT demonstrated vasoconstriction that was more pronounced in UVB‐treated skin than in normal skin. The second part of the study examined the effect of two illuminations. The first illumination bleaches the PpIX fluorescence. At the start of the second illumination, new PpIX had been formed. Light of 514.5 nm was delivered at 100 mW/cm2 to a total incident light fluence of 200 J/cm2 at t = 4 (single illumination) or 100 J/cm2 at t = 4 plus 100 J/cm2 at t = 10. There was no visual difference in skin damage between 100 and 200 J/cm2 single illumination. Two‐fold illumination (100 + 100 J/cm2) caused significantly more skin damage, indicating a potentially successful option for increasing the efficacy of topical ALA‐PDT.
Effect of microdiversity and correlated macrodiversity on outages in a cellular system

We focus on maximum ratio combining at each base station and switching between base stations (BSs) as a simple macrodiversity technique. We obtain analytical results for pointwise outage probabilities for systems using one or a combination of both techniques to cover a desired area, assuming a certain correlation model for the set of path losses of the links connecting a terminal to the receiving BSs. Pointwise outage probabilities are averaged over the entire region of interest to get an estimate of the outage in the desired region. A comparison of micro- and macrodiversity schemes in terms of the outage gives insights as to the tradeoff between the two forms of diversity in the design of a cellular system.
Flow based environmental monitoring for smart cities

In this work, an IoT based setup, which monitors the surrounding environmental parameters for smart cities, is proposed. The data is sent to a public MQTT broker from where any client, with an appropriate topic, can subscribe for that data. Currently, one of the biggest problems in the world is Air Pollution reaching alarming levels. This work attempts to monitor the air quality of a locale and send this data to people who can use this data to improve the quality of living of citizens, which is one of the primary requirements of a Smart City. This work uses Wio Link board, a ESP8266 based open source Wi-Fi development board and various grove sensors which are connected to the Wio link, viz. temperature and humidity sensor (DHT-11), digital light and air-quality sensors. After this Node-RED comes into play where flows are made to control the publishing of the data over to a MQTT broker. In addition to this, every time data are published an E-mail, an SMS and a Twitter post are generated depicting the values of various sensors.
Tubulin β‐III: a novel immunohistochemical marker for intrahepatic peripheral cholangiocarcinoma

Our recent proteomic study identified tubulin β‐III (TUBB3) as a potential tissue marker for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (CCs). This validation study was conducted to see whether or not TUBB3 can serve as a novel immunohistochemical marker for peripheral CCs, using a large cohort (n = 197) covering various liver tumours and premalignant conditions.
Phenotypic Consequences of Altering the Copy Number of abiA, a Gene Responsible for Aborting Bacteriophage Infections in Lactococcus lactis

The abiA gene (formerly hsp) encodes an abortive phage infection mechanism which inhibits phage DNA replication. To analyze the effects of varying the abiA gene dosage on bacteriophage resistance in Lactococcus lactis, various genetic constructions were made. An IS946-based integration vector, pTRK75, was used to integrate a single copy of abiA into the chromosomes of two lactococcal strains, MG1363 and NCK203. In both strains, a single copy of abiA did not confer any significant phage resistance on the host except for one of the MG1363 integrants, NCK625, which exhibited a slightly higher level of resistance to phages sk1 and p2. Hybridization of the total cellular RNA from NCK625 to an abiA-specific probe indicated that the integration took place downstream of a promoter causing stronger expression of abiA in this integrant. Three abiA-containing plasmids of various copy numbers were introduced into both strains, and the recombinants were evaluated for resistance to phages c2, p2, sk1, and φ31. Plasmid pTRK18 has a copy number of approximately six (cn = 6) and caused a decreased plaque size for all phages evaluated. Integration of pTRK75 into a native plasmid of NCK203 generated pTRK362 (cn = 13), which caused a reduced efficiency of plaquing (EOP = 10-2) and reduced plaque size. A high-copy-number abiA plasmid (pTRK363), based on the pAMβ1 origin of replication, was also constructed (cn = 100). Plasmid pTRK363 caused a significant reduction in EOP (10-4 to 10-8) and plaque size for all phages tested, although in some cases, this plasmid caused the evolution of AbiA-resistant phage derivatives. Altering the gene dosage or expression level of abiA significantly affects the phage resistance levels.
Hereford cattle immunized and protected against Boophilus microplus with soluble and membrane‐associated antigens from the midgut of ticks

Summary Hereford cattle were immunized with membranes and soluble components extracted from the midgut of Boophilus microplus. Membrane vaccines protected cattle (91%) against challenge with 3 × 20 000 larval ticks administered at intervals of 7 days. Vaccines made from soluble antigens did not protect cattle. Antibody levels measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (EL1SA) related to the levels of protection induced by vaccination.