Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Second ventilatory threshold from heart-rate variability: valid when the upper body is involved?

To determine the most accurate method based on spectral analysis of heart-rate variability (SA-HRV) during an incremental and continuous maximal test involving the upper body, the authors tested 4 different methods to obtain the heart rate (HR) at the second ventilatory threshold (VT(2)). Sixteen ski mountaineers (mean ± SD; age 25 ± 3 y, height 177 ± 8 cm, mass 69 ± 10 kg) performed a roller-ski test on a treadmill. Respiratory variables and HR were continuously recorded, and the 4 SA-HRV methods were compared with the gas-exchange method through Bland and Altman analyses. The best method was the one based on a time-varying spectral analysis with high frequency ranging from 0.15 Hz to a cutoff point relative to the individual's respiratory sinus arrhythmia. The HR values were significantly correlated (r(2) = . 903), with a mean HR difference with the respiratory method of 0.1 ± 3.0 beats/min and low limits of agreements (around -6 /+6 beats/min). The 3 other methods led to larger errors and lower agreements (up to 5 beats/min and around -23/+20 beats/min). It is possible to accurately determine VT(2) with an HR monitor during an incremental test involving the upper body if the appropriate HRV method is used.
Factors predicting quality of life in older people with diabetes in Thailand

The study aimed to investigate factors affecting the quality of life of older persons with diabetes. Data were collected on 345 persons from 5 regional hospitals in Thailand. The instruments measured characteristic, quality of life, resilience and selfcare behavior. Participants exhibited low-level physical and mental health quality of life ( x =45.78, 47.60; SD=8.963, 8.93). Resilience and self-care behavior showed a moderate level ( x=121.89, 38.2; SD=21.084, 7.363). Stepwise regression indicated that resilience, self-care behavior, age, education and gender were predictive of physical health quality of life. Mental health quality of life was found to be predicted by resilience, self-care behavior and marital status. We determined that resilience, personal characteristics, self-care behavior and demographic factors were predictive of quality of life among older diabetics. Health care professionals need to be aware of individual differences among older diabetics towards promoting better quality of life.
A novel, individually tailored, letter-based intervention for the prevention of overweight among children.

Letters to the Editor are welcomed. They may report new clinical or laboratory observations and new developments in medical care or may contain comments on recent contents of the Journal. They will be published, if found suitable, as space permits. Like other material submitted for publication, letters must be typewritten, double-spaced, and must not exceed two typewritten pages in length. No more than five references and one figure or table may be used. See “Information for Authors” for format of references, tables, and figures. Editing, possible abridgment, and acceptance remain the prerogative of the Editors.
PROPERTIES OF NEW CLASSES OF MULTIVALENT ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS

By means of the subordination, we introduce and investigate classes of multiva- lent functions with varying argument of coeﬃcients and two ﬁxed points. The results obtained here for each of these classes include coeﬃcients estimates, growth and distortion theorems, radii of starlikeness and convexity, subordination theorems and integral means inequalities. Some con-sequences of the results for well-known classes of functions are also pointed out.
Antimicrobial effects of garlic, clove and red hot chilli on Listeria monocytogenes in broth model systems and soft cheese

Antimicrobial activity of 1% (w/v) fresh garlic, ground clove and red dried chilli on Listeria monocytogenes was tested in broth systems at 37°C and at 4°C for 7 h. The initial cell concentration in the broth systems was between 2×10<formula>6</formula> and 4×10<formula>6</formula> CFU/ml. At 37°C, growth to viable numbers of 3×10<formula>8</formula> CFU/ml in 7 h was measured. Clove had bacteriocidal activity and reduced the count to 1 CFU/ml. Garlic displayed bacteriostatic properties, and a count of 4×10<formula>6</formula> CFU/ml was maintained. Red chilli displayed an inhibitory effect and resulted in 50% lower counts than the control. L. monocytogenes had a slow growth rate at 4°C and increased from an initial value of 3×10<formula>6</formula> to 5×10<formula>6</formula> CFU/ml during 7 h. The addition of garlic resulted in 3×10<formula>6</formula> CFU/ml, and clove reduced the viable cell concentration to 1×10<formula>3</formula> CFU/ml after 7 h. Two batches of soft cheese were produced in the laboratory using milk that was supplemented with L. monocytogenes. The final cheese containing L. monocytogenes with about 1×10<formula>5</formula> CFU/g. Half of each cheese batch was supplemented with either 1% garlic or 1% clove, whereby the other half served as a control. After 7 or 11 days incubation at 4°C, the cheese was incubated at abuse temperature of 25°C for 7 or 3 days, respectively. No antimicrobial effects of 1% (w/w) fresh garlic or clove powder on L. monocytogenes were observed in cheese after 1 or 2 weeks at the lower or higher temperature.
Suicide prevention and developing countries.

Globally, approximately one million people kill themselves every year.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared suicide a major global public health problem and called on member states to devise and implement national suicide prevention strategies. While suicide prevention is receiving increased attention in many developed countries, it remains largely ignored in developing countries, where a number of factors impede the implementation of successful preventive programmes.
A Chalcogenide Multimode Interferometric Temperature Sensor Operating at a Wavelength of $2~\mu\text{m}$

This paper investigated the fabrication of a singlemode-multimode-singlemode fiber structure based on a chalcogenide (As<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> and As<sub>x</sub>S<sub>1-x</sub>) multimode fiber sandwiched between two standard silica singlemode fibers using a commercial fiber fusion splicer. The temperature dependence of this hybrid fiber structure was investigated and a first proof of concept showed that the hybrid SMS fiber structure has an average experimental temperature sensitivity of circa 84.38 pm/°C over a temperature range of 20 °C~100°C at the wavelength range around <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The measured results show a general agreement with numerical simulations based on a guided-mode propagation analysis method. Our result provides a potential platform for the development of compact, high-optical-quality, and robust sensing devices operating at the midinfrared wavelength range.
Small nucleolar RNA interference induced by antisense or double-stranded RNA in trypanosomatids

In trypanosomes the C/D- and H/ACA-like small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are clustered and repeated in the genome. The snoRNAs studied to date are transcribed as polycistronic transcripts by RNA polymerase II and then processed, resulting in mature snoRNAs. In this study we demonstrated that snoRNA genes can be silenced in three trypanosomatid species: Leptomonas collosoma, Leishmania major, and Trypanosoma brucei. Silencing was achieved in L. collosoma and L. major by the expressing of an antisense transcript complementary to the snoRNA gene and was accompanied by the accumulation of small interfering RNA. Silencing eliminated the mature snoRNA but not its precursor and abolished the specific 2′-O-methylation guided by the snoRNA. In T. brucei, silencing was achieved by using the inducible synthesis of double-stranded RNA from T7 opposing promoters. Silencing varied between the different snoRNA genes, which may reflect the accessibility of small interfering RNA to the target RNAs. This study suggests that RNA interference can degrade snoRNAs. This study has further implications in elucidating the function of nucleolar RNAs and specific modifications guided by these RNAs in trypanosomatids and perhaps in other eukaryotes as well.
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)--induced apoptosis in rat retina.

PURPOSE The involvement of apoptosis in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitotoxicity in adult rat retinas was examined. METHODS Excitotoxic loss of inner retinal elements was induced by intravitreal injections of various concentrations of neutralized NMDA in adult albino Lewis rats. Tissue responses were quantified by measuring the inner retinal thickness (IRT) in plastic sections of the retinas and cell counts in the retinal ganglion cell layer in flatmount preparations of the whole retinas. Internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, was assayed with agarose DNA gel electrophoresis. The in situ TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to locate nicked DNA in paraffin sections of the retinas. Ultrastructural changes of the degenerating cells were examined by electron microscopy. The efficacy of Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-CMK (YVAD-CMK), a peptidyl caspase inhibitor, and 3-aminobenzamide (ABA), an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), in ameliorating the loss of inner retinal elements was evaluated using morphometry to examine the apoptotic pathways. RESULTS Intravitreal injection of NMDA induced a dose-dependent loss of inner retinal elements as evidenced by the measurements of IRT and RGCCs. There were time- and dose-related appearances of internucleosomal fragmentation of retinal DNA and a time-related appearance of TUNEL-positive nuclei in the inner retinas after intravitreal NMDA injection. Ultrastructural features consistent with classic apoptotic changes were noted in degenerating cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. Control retinas given vehicle, N-methyl-L-aspartate (the L-isomer of NMDA), or NMDA plus MK-801, a specific antagonist, did not show these changes. Simultaneous administration of NMDA and YVAD-CMK or ABA abolished or attenuated the loss of RGCCs in the posterior retinas. CONCLUSIONS NMDA-induced excitotoxicity involved apoptosis and caspases and PARP may play important roles in the pathways.
Some physical, metabolic, and sensory components in the appetite for glucose.

Glucose appetite in satiated, hungry, or thirsty rats was measured by ingestion of glucose and of saccharin solutions in free-choice tests. Type, concentration, and number of choices were determined with and without intragastric or intraperitoneal loads of metabolizable and nonmetabolizable sugars, urea, or NaCL. Taste and calories were evaluated as rate modulators in ad libitum feeding. Gastric distention, sweetness, and the chemical and osmotic properties of ingested glucose were evaluated as sources of satiety signals. The results indicate that: a ) Taste is not a factor in ad libitum glucose intake; the caloric density of the solution is implicated. b ) The satiety effect of intragastric glucose loads in independent of gastric distention or its potential osmotic effects. However, glucose intake may be related to the general state of hydration. c ) The response to glucose and sucrose loads suggests the operation of a preabsorptive chemoreceptor system. The use of glucose appetite as a tool in the concomitant investigation of hunger and thirst is discussed.
Formation and rearrangement of disulfide bonds during maturation of the Sindbis virus E1 glycoprotein

The rigidly ordered icosahedral lattice of the Sindbis virus envelope is composed of a host-derived membrane bilayer in which the viral glycoproteins E1 and E2 reside. E1-E1 interactions stabilized by intramolecular disulfide bridges play a significant role in maintaining the envelope's structural integrity (R. P. Anthony and D. T. Brown, J. Virol. 65:1187-1194, 1991; R. P. Anthony, A. M. Paredes, and D. T. Brown, Virology 190:330-336, 1992). We have examined the acquisition of disulfide bridges within E1 during its maturation. Prior to exit from the endoplasmic reticulum, E1 folds via at least three intermediates, differing in the number and/or arrangement of their disulfides, into a single, compact form. This E1 species remains stable with respect to its disulfides until late in the secretory pathway, when E1 attains a metastable conformation. At this point, when appropriately triggered, intramolecular thiol-disulfide exchange reactions within E1 can occur, resulting in the generation of alternative E1 species. This metastable nature of mature E1 may have important implications for the mechanism of virus disassembly during the initial stages of the infection process (B. Abell and D. T. Brown, J. Virol. 67:5496-5501, 1993).
Performance analysis of hybrid AF and DF protocol for relay networks

Relay communication network is a technique to obtain spatial diversity by using one or more relay terminals in order to improve the transmission performance. Amplifty-and-forward (AF) and decode-and-forward (DF) are two kinds of fixed relaying protocols and widely researched now. In this paper the performance of AF and DF in terms of the outage probability and the symbol error rate (SER) is analysed. We also introduce and analyse a protocol of hybrid AF and DF (HADF) which is a new relaying protocol based on AF and DF. HADF protocol can choose the right protocol (AF or DF) that should be used in the relay transmission. In this paper, we compare HADF with AF and DF respectively, and the simulation results show that the performance of HADF protocol has been greatly improved with respect to outage probability and SER.
Pore-filling events in single junction micro-models with corresponding lattice Boltzmann simulations

The aim of this work is to better understand fluid displacement mechanisms at the pore scale in relation to capillary-filling rules. Using specifically designed micro-models we investigate the role of pore body shape on fluid displacement during drainage and imbibition via quasi-static and spontaneous experiments at ambient conditions. The experimental results are directly compared to lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulations. The critical pore-filling pressures for the quasi-static experiments agree well with those predicted by the Young–Laplace equation and follow the expected filling events. However, the spontaneous imbibition experimental results differ from those predicted by the Young–Laplace equation; instead of entering the narrowest available downstream throat the wetting phase enters an adjacent throat first. Thus, pore geometry plays a vital role as it becomes the main deciding factor in the displacement pathways. Current pore network models used to predict displacement at the field scale may need to be revised as they currently use the filling rules proposed by Lenormand et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 135, 1983, pp. 337–353). Energy balance arguments are particularly insightful in understanding the aspects affecting capillary-filling rules. Moreover, simulation results on spontaneous imbibition, in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, reveal that the capillary number itself is not sufficient to characterise the two phase flow. The Ohnesorge number, which gives the relative importance of viscous forces over inertial and capillary forces, is required to fully describe the fluid flow, along with the viscosity ratio.
Impact of Information Technology on Accounting Systems

The emergence of information technology in accounting is an innovative system. Nowadays, most business entities, from large corporations down to micro enterprises, are aided by their Accounting Information Systems in managing their operations. This paper provides a review on the impact of information technology on accounting systems. This paper also discusses things about the accounting processes and its types. Accounting is a critical factor for the business, having the touch of IT can enhance speed and accurateness of computations as well as to enhance its flexibility to change and safety storage of information.
New Galactic supernova remnants discovered with IPHAS

As part of a systematic search programme of a 10-degree wide strip of the Northern Galactic plane we present preliminary evidence for the discovery of four (and possibly five) new supernova remnants (SNRs). The pilot search area covered the 19-20 hour right ascension zone sampling from +20 to +55 degrees in declination using binned mosaic images from the INT Photometric H-alpha Survey (IPHAS). The optical identification of the candidate SNRs was based mainly on their filamentary and arc-like emission morphologies, their apparently coherent, even if fractured structure and clear disconnection from any diffuse neighbouring HII region type nebulosity. Follow-up optical spectroscopy was undertaken, sampling carefully across prominent features of these faint sources. The resulting spectra revealed typical emission line ratios for shock excited nebulae which are characteristic of SNRs, which, along with the latest diagnostic diagrams, strongly support the likely SNR nature of these sources: G038.7-1.3 (IPHASX J190640.5+042819); G067.6+0.9 (IPHASX J195744.9+305306); G066.0-0.0 (IPHASX J195749.2+290259) and G065.8-0.5 (IPHASX J195920.4+283740). A fifth possible younger, higher density nebula SNR candidate, G067.8+0.5 (IPHASX J200002.4+305035) was discovered about 5 arcmins to the west of IPHASX J195744.9+305306, and warrants further study. A multi-wavelength cross-check from available archived data in the regions of these candidates was also performed with a focus on possible radio counterparts.
Satellite remote sensing of the liquid water sensitivity in water clouds

In estimation of the aerosol indirect effect, cloud liquid water path is considered either constant (Twomey effect) or increasing with enhanced droplet number concentrations (drizzle-suppression effect, or Albrecht effect) if cloud microphysics is the prevailing mechanism during the aerosol-cloud interactions. On the other hand, if cloud thermodynamics and dynamics are considered, the cloud liquid water path may be decreased with increasing droplet number concentration, which is predicted by model calculations and observed in ship-track and urban influence studies. This study is to examine the different responses of cloud liquid water path to changes of cloud droplet number concentration. Satellite data (January, April, July and October 1987) are used to retrieve the cloud liquid water sensitivity, defined as the changes of liquid water path versus changes of column droplet number concentrations. The results of a global survey reveal that (1) at least one third of the cases the cloud liquid water sensitivity is negative, the regional and seasonal variations of the negative liquid water sensitivity are consistent with other observations; (2) cloud droplet sizes are always inversely proportional to column droplet number concentrations.
Amino Acid Turnover by Bovine Oocytes Provides an Index of Oocyte Developmental Competence In Vitro1

ABSTRACT Amino acid profiling has been used to distinguish between human embryos of differing developmental competence. We sought to determine whether amino acid profiling could be used to distinguish between metaphase II (MII) bovine oocytes with different developmental capabilities in vitro. Amino acid turnover was assayed during the final 6 h of in vitro maturation prior to oocytes undergoing individual fertilization in vitro. Following insemination, zygotes were immobilized in groups of 16 on the base of a Petri dish using Cell-Tak tissue adhesive to enable the developmental progress of each to be tracked to the blastocyst stage. Spent droplets of in vitro maturation medium were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, which revealed glutamine, arginine, and asparagine were depleted in the greatest quantities. Incompetent MII oocytes that failed to cleave by 72 h postfertilization depleted significantly more glutamine from (P = 0.0006) and released more alanine (P = 0.0001) into the medium than oocytes that cleaved. When cutoff values were selected for the turnover of alanine, arginine, glutamine, leucine, and tryptophan and modeled to predict fertilization and cleavage potential, oocytes that did not exceed the cutoff values for ≥2 of these key amino acids were more likely to cleave. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive value of this model were 60.5%, 76.8%, 63.5%, and 92.0%, respectively. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.015) in the consumption/production of alanine and glutamine were also observed when comparing uncleaved oocytes with those that produced blastocysts. The data show that noninvasive amino acid profiling can be used to measure oocyte developmental competence.
Predictors of long-term shunt-dependent hydrocephalus in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage requiring emergency cerebrospinal fluid diversion.

OBJECT Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is frequently complicated by acute hydrocephalus, necessitating emergency CSF diversion with a subset of patients, ultimately requiring long-term treatment via placement of permanent ventricular shunts. It is unclear what factors may predict the need for ventricular shunt placement in this patient population. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective analysis of a prospective database (ICH Outcomes Project) containing patients with nontraumatic ICH admitted to the neurological ICU at Columbia University Medical Center between January 2009 and September 2011. A multiple logistic regression model was developed to identify independent predictors of shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after ICH. The following variables were included: patient age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, temporal horn diameter on admission CT imaging, bicaudate index, admission ICH volume and location, intraventricular hemorrhage volume, Graeb score, LeRoux score, third or fourth ventricle hemorrhage, and intracranial pressure (ICP) and ventriculitis during hospital stay. RESULTS Of 210 patients prospectively enrolled in the ICH Outcomes Project, 64 required emergency CSF diversion via placement of an external ventricular drain and were included in the final cohort. Thirteen of these patients underwent permanent ventricular CSF shunting prior to discharge. In univariate analysis, only thalamic hemorrhage and elevated ICP were significantly associated with the requirement for permanent CSF diversion, with p values of 0.008 and 0.033, respectively. Each remained significant in a multiple logistic regression model in which both variables were present. CONCLUSIONS Of patients with ICH requiring emergency CSF diversion, those with persistently elevated ICP and thalamic location of their hemorrhage are at increased odds of developing persistent hydrocephalus, necessitating permanent ventricular shunt placement. These factors may assist in predicting which patients will require permanent CSF diversion and could ultimately lead to improvements in the management of this disorder and the outcome in patients with ICH.
The Identification of the Potential of Game-based Learning in Vocational Education within the Context of the Project "Play the Learning Game"

Game based-learning exploits the potential of ICT and games engage learners. The objectives of the European project â? Play the Learning Gameâ?  are to spread and update the results of the â? Learning Game Portal â?  to vocational education teachers and trainers. The 10 transnational partners develop and execute trainings, intend to disseminate the project contents as broadly as possible and promote a transnational discussion among teachers and trainers focusing on the exploitation of the educational potential of multimedia and videogames. Blended learning workshops addressed to Austrian vocational education teachers and trainers are organised to make use of the Learning Game Portal and simultaneously test and describe the usefulness of the contents for their own teaching or training.