Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current assessment of pulse wave velocity: comprehensive review of validation studies.

OBJECTIVE Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) is considered the gold standard for arterial stiffness assessment in clinical practice. A large number of devices to measure PWV have been developed and validated. We reviewed different validation studies of PWV estimation techniques and assessed their conformity to the Artery Society Guidelines and the American Heart Association recommendations. METHODS Pubmed and Medline (1995-2017) were searched to identify PWV validation studies. Of the 96 article retrieved, 26 met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS Several devices had been developed and validated to noninvasively measure arterial stiffness, using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor, PulsePen), piezoelectric mechanotransducers (Complior), cuff-based oscillometry (Arteriograph, Vicorder and Mobil-O-Graph), photodiode sensors (pOpmètre) and devices assessing brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and cardiac-ankle PWV. Ultrasound technique and MRI remain confined to clinical research. Good agreement was found with the Artery Society Guidelines. Two studies (Complior, SphygmoCor Xcel) showed best adherence with the guidelines. In Arteriograph, MRI, ultrasound and SphygmoCor Xcel validation studies sample size was smaller than the minimum suggested by the guidelines. High discrepancies between devices were shown in distance estimation: in two studies (Arteriograph, Complior) path length was estimated in conformity to the guidelines. Transit time was calculated using the intersecting tangent method, but in two studies (Vicorder, pOpmètre) best agreement was found using the maximum of the second derivative. Six studies reached the accuracy level 'excellent' defined in the Artery guidelines. CONCLUSION Method to assess transit time and path length need validation in larger populations. Further studies are required in different risk population to implement clinical applicability of every device.
Classification of emotions induced by horror and relaxing movies using single-channel EEG recordings

It has been observed from recent studies that corticolimbic Theta rhythm from EEG recordings perceived as fear or threatening scene during neural processing of visual stimuli. In additions, neural oscillations' patterns in Theta, Alpha and Beta sub-bands also play important role in brain's emotional processing. Inspired from these findings, in this paper we attempt to classify two different emotional states by analyzing single-channel EEG recordings. A video clip that can evoke 3 different emotional states: neutral, relaxation and scary is shown to 19 college-aged subjects and they were asked to score their emotional outcome by giving a number between 0 to 10 (where 0 means not scary at all and 10 means the most scary). First, recorded EEG data were preprocessed by stationary wavelet transform (SWT) based artifact removal algorithm. Then power distribution in simultaneous time-frequency domain was analyzed using short-time Fourier transform (STFT) followed by calculating the average power during each 0.2s time-segment for each brain sub-band. Finally, 46 features, as the mean power of frequency bands between 4 and 50 Hz during each time-segment, containing 689 instances\textemdash for each subject \textemdash were collected for classification. We found that relaxation and fear emotions evoked during watching scary and relaxing movies can be classified with average classification rate of 94.208\% using K-NN by applying methods and materials proposed in this paper. We also classified the dataset using SVM and we found out that K-NN classifier (when \begin{math} k=1 \end{math}) outperforms SVM in classifying EEG dynamics induced by horror and relaxing movies, however, for \begin{math} K >1 \end{math} in K-NN, SVM has better average classification rate.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography using 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-18-fluoro-D-glucose peri-tumoral halo uptake layer method outperforms magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound methods in tumor size measurement of breast cancer

As a non-invasive method, positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) using 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-18-fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) is applied as a useful modality in the diagnosis of breast cancer. By evaluating glucose metabolism, this method can also be used in staging, restaging and post-therapeutic response evaluation. To evaluate the reliability of the 18F-FDG PET/CT-based peri-tumoral halo uptake layer (PHL) method for assessing tumor size, a total of 79 female patients with breast cancer who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT, breast ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations were included in the present study. Upon examination by two independent nuclear medicine radiologists, tumor sizes were estimated by 18F-FDG PET/CT using margins defined as the inner line of the PHL. Pathological tumor sizes were evaluated on the direction of largest diameter indicated by previous imaging examination, which were also utilized as final standards. Statistical analysis of the results suggested that 18F-FDG PET/CT had a more linear correlation with pathology compared with breast ultrasound (r2=0.89 vs. 0.73) and MRI (r2=0.89 vs. 0.69) in terms of tumor size estimation, including a significantly lower bias in size difference relative to pathology. 18F-FDG PET/CT also exhibited improved performance compared with breast ultrasound and MRI in T stage assessment. These results indicated that the 18F-FDG PET/CT-based PHL method was superior to breast ultrasound and MRI, and that it provides sufficient reliability and high accuracy for measuring tumor size in patients with breast cancer.
A New Mathematical Approach to Explore the Post-exercise Recovery Process and Its Applicability in a Cold Water Immersion Protocol

Abstract Micheletti, JK, Vanderlei, FM, Machado, AF, de Almeida, AC, Nakamura, FY, Netto Junior, J, and Pastre, CM. A new mathematical approach to explore the post-exercise recovery process and its applicability in a cold water immersion protocol. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1266–1275, 2019—The objective of this study was to propose a mathematical model to analyze the post-training recovery of perceptive, functional, metabolic, and autonomic parameters from the use of cold water immersion (CWI) through isolated and combined analysis. Following simulated training, 64 male soccer players were randomized into an experimental group (EG: CWI, 13 ± 1° C; 15 minutes) and a control group (CG: passive recovery; 15 minutes). Perceptive (soreness and perception of recovery), autonomic (heart rate variability [HRV]), metabolic (lactate concentration), and functional parameters (squat jump, T agility test, sprint test, 40-second test, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction) were analyzed before and at specific moments after training (without exceeding 2 hours after training). The variables were analyzed using the raw data, dichotomization of each variable (isolated analysis), and through a mathematical model using the combination of all parameters analyzed (combined analysis). The combined analysis did not demonstrate better efficacy of the EG compared with the CG (69.17 and 63.4%, p = 0.09). In the isolated analysis, a chance of the technique being better was observed in the metabolic parameter at 1 and 2 hours after training (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval = 3.75 [1.01–13.88] and 11.11 [1.25–98.49]), respectively, and in the autonomic parameter at 40–45 minutes after training (4.4 [1.09–17.67]). For the raw data, all parameters analyzed presented recovery by 2 hours after training for both groups. Based on the proposed mathematical model, it is concluded that CWI is not better than the control condition. However, considering the analysis of variables in isolation, the technique presents a better chance of recovery for blood lactate concentration and HRV.
Total Assets Turn Over, Debt to Assets Ratio, dan Debt to Equity Ratio terhadap Return on Assets pada Perusahaan Sub Sektor Asuransi

The expansion of insurance sub-sector companies in Indonesia is quite advanced, but on the other hand the profits of insurance sub-sector companies show instability during the observation period. This reseacrh aims to analyze the effect of Total Assets Turn Over, Debt to Assets Ratio and Debt to Equity Ratio on Return on Assets on Insurance sub sector companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (Bursa Efek Indonesia) Period 2014-2018. The research population was 16 companies, of which with the purposive sampling technique obtained 12 companies that met the criteria as a sample. Data analysis techniques used multiple linear regression analysis with the classical assumption test. The results Total Assets Turnover had a significant positive effect on Return on Assets, Debt to Assets Ratio had a significant negative effect on Return on Assets, and Debt to Equity Ratio did not significantly influence Return on Assets. Asset management is needed to properly regulate the level of loans on assets and capital of the company in order to reduce expenses and maximize the acquisition of Return on Assets. Keywords: Total Assets Turn Over, Debt to Assets Ratio, Debt to Equity Ratio, Return on Assets Perkembangan perusahaan sub sektor asuransi di Indonesia cukup maju, namun disisi lain laba perusahaan sub sektor asuransi menunjukkan instabilitas selama periode pengamatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis pengaruh Total Assets Turn Over, Debt to Assets Ratio dan Debt to Equity Ratio terhadap Return on Assets pada perusahaan sub sektor Asuransi yang terdaftar di BEI Periode 2014-2018. Populasi penelitian sebanyak 16 perusahaan, dari jumlah tersebut dengan teknik purposive sampling diperoleh 12 perusahaan yang memenuhi kriteria sebagai sampel. Teknik analisis data menggunakan Analisis regresi linier berganda dengan uji asumsi klasik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Total Assets Turnover berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap Return on Assets, Debt to Assets Ratio berpengaruh negatif signifikan terhadap Return on Assets dan Debt to Equity Ratio tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap Return on Assets . Diperlukan pengelolaan aset dengan baik untuk mengatur tingkat pinjaman atas aset maupun modal perusahaan agar dapat mengurangi pengeluaran dan memaksimalkan perolehan Return on Assets . Kata Kunci: Total Assets Turn Over, Debt to Assets Ratio, Debt to Equity Ratio , Return on Assets
The Domestic Cat : The Biology of Its Behaviour

List of contributors Part I. Introduction: 1. Why the cat? Dennis C. Turner and Patrick Bateson Part II. From Kitten to Adulthood: 2. Behavioural development in the cat Patrick Bateson 3. Normal and problematic reproductive behaviour in the domestic cat Benjamin L. Hart and Lynette A. Hart 4. Communication in the domestic cat: within and between species Sarah L. Brown and John W. S. Bradshaw Part III. Social Life and Ecology: 5. Social organization and behavioural ecology of free-ranging domestic cats Dennis C. Turner 6. Social behaviour of domestic cats in the human home Penny L. Bernstein and Erika Friedmann Part IV. Cats and People: 7. Domestication and history of the cat James A. Serpell 8. Cultural differences in human-cat relations Dennis C. Turner, Eva Waiblinger and Barbara Fehlbaum 9. Human and cat personalities: building the bond from both sides Kurt Kotrschal, Jon Day, Sandra McCune and Manuela Wedl Part V. Cat Breeding and Cat Welfare: 10. Feline welfare issues Irene Rochlitz 11. Breed and gender behaviour differences: relation to the ancient history and origin of the domestic cat Benjamin L. Hart, Lynette A. Hart and Leslie A. Lyons 12. Showing cats Anne Gregory, Steve Crow and Hilary Dean 13. Individual and environmental effects on health and welfare J. L. Stella and C. A. T. Buffington 14. Feline behavioural problems and solutions Benjamin L. Hart and Lynette A. Hart Part VI. The Future: 15. Cat population management Elly Hiby, Harry Eckman and Ian MacFarlaine 16. Postscript: questions and some answers Patrick Bateson and Dennis C. Turner References Index.
Gestational diabetes mellitus increases the baseline level of procalcitonin in maternal blood but not in umbilical cord blood in late pregnancy

Abstract To study the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the level of procalcitonin (PCT) in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood in late-pregnant women. We retrospectively analyzed 37 pregnant women in late pregnancy who had GDM and compared with those of 97 age-matched normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) pregnant women. The PCT level was converted to a value with normal distribution (LG-PCT) by taking the logarithm of each value to the base 10 (log10). The body mass index (BMI) before delivery, family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), and postpartum blood loss within 24 hours were markedly higher in GDM group than in NGT group, while the gestational age was smaller in GDM group than in NGT group. The maternal blood LG-PCT was significantly higher in GDM group than in NGT group, while the umbilical cord blood LG-PCT was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis showed that family history of DM, gestational age, and maternal blood LG-PCT were independent risk factors of GDM after adjusting for BMI and postpartum blood loss within 24 hours. GDM increases the baseline level of maternal blood PCT but has little effect on umbilical cord blood PCT.
Review: HIV-1 phylogeny during suppressive antiretroviral therapy

Purpose of review Studies of HIV-1 genetic diversity can provide clues on the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on viral replication, the mechanisms for viral persistence, and the efficacy of new interventions. This article reviews methods for interrogating intrahost HIV-1 diversity, addresses the ongoing debate regarding HIV-1 compartmentalization and replication during ART, and summarizes recent findings on the effects of curative strategies on HIV-1 populations. Recent findings HIV-1 replication in the blood is virtually halted upon the initiation of ART. However, proliferation of cells infected prior to ART provides a self-renewing reservoir for infection during ART. Current evidence supports that proliferation of infected cells is a mechanism for HIV-1 persistence in both the blood and the tissues. However, more studies are required to determine if tissue sanctuaries exist that may also allow viral replication during ART. Recent studies investigating potential curative interventions show little effect on the genetic landscape of HIV-1 infection and highlight the need to develop strategies targeting the proliferation of infected cells. Summary Using phylogeny to characterize HIV-1 genetic diversity and evolution during ART has demonstrated a lack of viral replication, the proliferation of infected cells, and provides one metric to measure the effect of new interventions aimed at achieving a functional cure for HIV-1.
Lytic Effects of Staphylococcal α-Toxin and δ-Hemolysin

Several preparations of staphylococcal α-toxin and δ-lysin were studied in order to compare hemolytic activity with capacity to lyse bacterial protoplasts. δ-Lysin in relatively low concentration lysed protoplasts of Sarcina lutea, protoplasts of Streptococcus faecalis, and spheroplasts of Escherichia coli. Lysis of bacterial protoplasts by preparations of α-toxin appeared to be due to contamination of the preparations with δ-lysin. Data comparing the protoplast-lysing activity of various lytic agents are presented.
FUS-ALS presenting with myoclonic jerks in a 17-year-old man

Abstract Fused in sarcoma-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FUS-ALS) accounts for 4% of all familial motor neurone disease, but has a much higher incidence in juvenile ALS. We present a case of a 17-year-old British man with rapidly progressive bulbar and respiratory failure. On examination he had weak periocular muscles, neck flexion weakness, and a wasted, fasciculating and weak tongue. There were no sensory, cerebellar, or extrapyramidal features but he had frequent myoclonic jerks of the limbs. Routine bloods were normal and an MRI of the neuroaxis as well as CT chest, abdomen and pelvis were unremarkable. NCS/EMG was consistent with anterior horn cell disorder and EEG showed multiple paroxysmal generalized spike-wave discharges. DNA sequencing demonstrated that he was heterozygous for the c.1483C>T pathogenic nonsense mutation in exon 14 of the FUS gene, consistent with ALS6. This is the first reported case of FUS-ALS presenting with prominent myoclonus.
Economic and Monetary Union at twenty: a stocktaking of a tumultuous second decade: introduction

ABSTRACT This contribution discusses the two main asymmetries of European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) as they developed over the past two decades since the launch of the Single Currency. From the outset, EMU involved asymmetric degrees of integration in the area of ‘economic’ union (less centralised governance) versus ‘monetary’ union (more supranational governance). With the outbreak of the Sovereign Debt Crisis in 2010, the regime-shaping relevance of a second asymmetry emerged: one roughly between the member states of the Euro Area ‘core’ and those in the ‘periphery’. Each of the two asymmetries have created a range of challenges — institutional, policy and political — that undermine the stability and sustainability of the EMU project.
A Comparison of Tenofovir Predose Concentrations in Generic Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Formulations: A Short Communication.

BACKGROUND There is extensive evidence to show that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based formulations dramatically reduces the risk of HIV acquisition among individuals without HIV infection. Here, the authors aim to compare tenofovir plasma predose concentrations in subjects taking PrEP daily versus on demand and using different TDF-based generic formulations. METHODS Subjects providing informed signed consent for the measurement of tenofovir plasma levels were included in the study. Predose drug concentrations were stratified according to PrEP administration and the type of TDF-based formulation. The control group consisted of patients with HIV infection who were matched for renal function and were administered branded TDF that was not combined with boosted-antiretroviral drugs. RESULTS The study consisted of 100 subjects (mean age, 39 ± 10 years; body weight, 77 ± 11 kg). A wide distribution in tenofovir predose concentrations was observed, with values ranging from 17 to 297 ng/mL (coefficient of variation 77%). No significant differences were noted in tenofovir predose concentrations between subjects who were administered PrEP daily (n = 75) or on demand (n = 25) [94 (35-255) versus 104 (37-287) ng/mL; P = 0.476]. Comparable tenofovir predose concentrations were found between patients with HIV infection (n = 220) who were administered branded TDF and those without HIV infection who were treated with 5 different generic TDF-based formulations with generics-to-branded ratios. These were always within the range of 80%-125% and were used to define bioequivalence. CONCLUSIONS The marketed generic formulations of TDF delivered tenofovir plasma predose concentrations comparable with those delivered by branded formulations.
Agricultural Use of Biosolids Generated in Wastewater Treatment of a Food Industry

Biosolids generated as waste from a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) are a pollution problem by the provision of large volumes in landfills and the waste of their potential as an agricultural input. The research conducted trials to analyze the agricultural use of biosolids in a food company's WTP, their effects on the germination and development of the vegetal plant species Coriandrum sativum were assessed through trials that mixed different amounts of biosolids, land soil and commercial fertilizer, and took into account: planting site characteristics, biosolid and Coriandrum sativum. A random block design was made to compare treatments understudy and resulted in the combination of 50% biosolids with 50% land soil was the best test by germination, height, mass and length of the roots of the plant studied. In the evaluation of results, the behavior of dependent variables was analyzed: germination, height, mass and length with respect to the four test types with their respective repetitions using ANOVA and Fisher's significant minimum difference (LSD) to determine the effect the biosolid had on the plant and to know the optimal dose for its development. The germination rate (GR) was also determined in the trials, and 98.3% was found for the best treatment indicating that the substrate does not contain phytotoxic elements.
Loss to follow-up among patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis at a tertiary hospital in Western Cape Province, South Africa: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND Patients diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis (TB) at a major tertiary hospital in Western Cape Province, South Africa, are required to attend regular follow-up at the hospital's outpatient spine clinic and to remain on TB treatment for at least 9 months. This follow-up and lengthy treatment is intended to allow for specialist monitoring of TB treatment response and early identification of secondary complications, and to reduce the risk of recurrence. However, little is known about adherence to these recommendations. OBJECTIVES The main objectives were to describe (i) loss to spine clinic follow-up (LTFU), and (ii) TB treatment duration among patients diagnosed with spinal TB at the hospital. Secondary objectives were to investigate (i) the association between LTFU and treatment duration, and (ii) factors associated with LTFU. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 173 adults diagnosed with spinal TB between 2012 and 2015 and investigated follow-up within 2 years from diagnosis. Clinical, demographic and appointment data were obtained from hospital records and a dataset provided by the provincial Department of Health. LTFU was presented as frequency (%) and as a survival analysis. TB treatment duration was reported as frequency <9 months or ≥9 months, and the association between LTFU and <9 months of treatment was investigated using relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Univariate associations between explanatory variables and LTFU were investigated using simple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Patients had a median (interquartile range) age of 36 (29 - 48) years and included 98 females (57%) and 151 individuals (87%) residing <50 km from the hospital. Primary outcomes were that 129 patients (75%) were LTFU within 2 years of diagnosis and 45 (30%) completed <9 months of treatment. The RR of <9 months of treatment was 1.62 (95% CI 1.39 - 1.88) among those LTFU compared with those retained in follow-up. LTFU was not associated with any of the clinical or demographic variables investigated. CONCLUSIONS Three-quarters of the patients did not complete follow-up at the tertiary hospital spine clinic, and almost one in three received <9 months of TB treatment. Remaining in spine clinic follow-up was significantly associated with receiving at least the minimum duration of TB treatment. However, LTFU could not be predicted from routine clinical and demographic information and is likely to be related to factors not accounted for in the current analysis.