Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Mechanical Energy-Generation Basis and Evident Neural Restriction of Muscles’ Core Power-Rates and Ensuing Force Levels

Perrine JJ. The Mechanical Energy-Generation Basis and Evident Neural Restriction of Muscles’ Core Power-Rates and Ensuing Force Levels. JEPonline 2015;18(5):23-36. The biochemical parts of the complex process that enables skeletal muscles to develop useful force levels have been well studied and described. Numerous experiments have also been done on biophysical properties of muscles. Yet, still to be answered is how the miniscule forces developed by the muscles’ tiny sarcomeres enable the substantial force levels that whole muscles develop under some types of loading. An axiom in physics is that forces develop only when mechanical energy is generated, and builds up at a rate that is higher than any rate the energy is transferred to a movable load. Clearly, then, muscles cannot develop forces or do dynamic work against loads unless enabling mechanical energy is first generated at adequate rates. In physics, the term “power” can denote either the rate work is done or the rate that mechanical energy is generated and/or transferred. Past experiments on the physical properties of muscles provided some useful data, but did not elucidate how mechanical energy is generated or how the rates it is generated determine muscles’ dynamic force capabilities and force-velocity relationships under various loading conditions, or whether restrictions on those rates are imposed at times by neuromuscular systems. Consequently, modern texts on the structure, function, and mechanics of muscles provide little information on these basic mechanisms. This review offers a new, physics-based perspective on the actual function of the sarcomeres. It is not to generate any useful forces directly but rather to generate a rapid series of tiny impulses of mechanical energy that quickly accumulate under some but not all loading conditions, and thereby enable the buildup of useful force levels. Secondly, this review re-examines and compares data from past Journal of Exercise Physiologyonline October 2015 Volume 18 Number 5
Information Theory in Density Destructors

Density destructors are differentiable and invertible transforms that map multivariate PDFs of arbitrary structure (low entropy) into non-structured PDFs (maximum entropy). Multivariate Gaussianization and multivariate equalization are specific examples of this family, which break down the complexity of the original PDF through a set of elementary transforms that progressively remove the structure of the data. We demonstrate how this property of density destructive flows is connected to classical information theory, and how density destructors can be used to get more accurate estimates of information theoretic quantities. Experiments with total correlation and mutual information inmultivariate sets illustrate the ability of density destructors compared to competing methods. These results suggest that information theoretic measures may be an alternative optimization criteria when learning density destructive flows.
Simulation of Matrix Product States For Dissipation and Thermalization Dynamics of Open Quantum Systems

We transform the system/reservoir coupling model into a one-dimensional semi-infinite discrete chain through unitary transformation to simulate the open quantum system numerically with the help of time evolving block decimation (TEBD) algorithm. We apply the method to study the dynamics of dissipative systems. We also generate the thermal state of a multimode bath using minimally entangled typical thermal state (METTS) algorithm, and investigate the impact of the thermal bath on an empty system. For both cases, we give an extensive analysis of the impact of the modeling and simulation parameters, and compare the numerics with the analytics.
Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) in Thrombocytopenia

Background: Platelet volume parameters are significant especially in diagnosis of causes of thrombocytopenia. The platelet parameters are widely available as part of full blood count with no extra cost. Thrombocytopenia is of varying etiology based on which it is broadly divided into three major categories (1) as increased destruction, (2) decreased production and (3) splenic sequestration/abnormal pooling. The present study was undertaken to understand relation between cause of thrombocytopenia and Platelet Distribution Width as well as other platelet parameters. Materials and Methods: 500 cases of Thrombocytopenia (TCP) and 300 control cases having normal platelet count were selected. TCP was defined as platelet count <1.5lakh/ìl. Analysis was done by Sysmex KX 21 cell counter and every case was reassessed by Peripheral Smear (P.S.) examination and if necessary also by manual method. Only those cases that had sufficient clinico-hematological work -up and the causes of low platelet count had been reliably established were included in the study. Results: The study was conducted on 500 cases they were broadly categorized into three groups Group A with accelerated platelet Destruction Group B with Impaired production and Group C with abnormal pooling. Out of 500 cases 272 (54%) were male and 228(46%) were female. A slight male preponderance was seen in overall picture as well as in almost all age groups. The overall male to female ratio being 1.19 : 1. Mean platelet volume [MPV] was statistically significant with ‘p’ values in all three groups when compared with controls were < 0.05. Where as the PDW was significant in Group A and Group C and was not significant in Group B. Conclusions: Platelet distribution width is an important index in platelet parameters. It along with other platelet indices can give valuable information regarding the mechanism of platelet destruction. Increased variation in Platelet Distribution Width indicated increased platelet heterogenicity along with destruction and splenic pooling PDW varies inversely with platelet destruction.
Impact of smoking and nicotine addiction on HbA1c levels and diabetic microvascular complications

Introduction. In this study we aimed to determine whether a difference in complications between smok­ers and non-smokers exists in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to evaluate if there is a correlation between microvascular complications and Fagerstrom test score. Material and methods. Patients with T2DM who at­tended the family medicine outpatient clinics were enrolled in the study. Smokers and non-smokers were compared according to their metabolic outcomes and presence of microvasculer complications. The level of smoking addiction was determined by Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. Results. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), low-density lipoprotein, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found to be higher in smokers. The presence of neuropathy was significantly higher in smokers. The presence of retinopathy rate increased with increasing level of smoking addiction. The nicotine dependence test score were found to be positively correlated with HbA1c and FBG levels whereas, negatively correlated with body mass index among smokers. Conclusions. Assessing the cigarette smoking status of diabetic patients at the initial clinic visit and indicating the importance of smoking cessation should be the essential part of diabetes follow up program.
IMPAC TS OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC POLIC Y UNCERTAINT Y ON EMERGING STOCK MARKE TS: E VIDENCE FROM LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR MODELS

Global economic policy uncertainty (GEPU) is one of important phenomena in the global economy; it can impact on the overall economic performance and stock market performance, regardless of the status of the world economy. Thus, this paper empirically investigates the impact of global economic policy uncertainty on the Malaysian stock market over the period from 10:2003 to 2017:03. Using the GARCH model, the study demonstrates that global policy uncertainty affects the Malaysian stock market negatively. Similarly, the SVAR model also shows results consistent with the GARCH estimation. Nevertheless, the Markov switching estimation uncovers that global policy uncertainty has negative impacts on stock market performance in both low and high volatile market states. The impact is, however, greater during the high volatile state. Hence, the relationship between global economic policy uncertainty and stock market returns tends to be asymmetric. The overall empirical results infer that global economic policy uncertainty has some implications for asset pricing.
Cultural Considerations in the Delivery of Homecare Services: "Beyond 2 kitchens and a disability/ più di due cucine e disabilità "

This study explored the experiences, interpretations and cultural beliefs of older Italian immigrants who were receiving culturally specific formal homecare services through an assisted living facility in Ontario, to examine how their identity and life history influenced their experiences of receiving care. The current study builds on the existing body of knowledge about Canada's older Italian immigrants, in particular their caregiving traditions and current need for formal care. This research study employed phenomenology to explore the subjective experiences of Canadian Italian older immigrants who were receiving formal homecare services to capture the personal meanings and interpretations of their immigration experiences, as they related to their need for formal homecare services. Interviews were conducted with 25 older Italian immigrants over the age of 75 that were receiving culturally specific homecare services. The participants shared their immigration stories, fears, work history, healthcare challenges and descriptions of arrival, family, losses, and life in Canada. The Life Course Framework was selected to guide this research study, to represent the process of aging and human development that
The Relationship Between Self-Presentation Concerns and Pre-Game Affect among Adolescent Football Players

Background: The influence of self-presentation concerns on the adolescent sport experience has received scant empirical attention. The purpose of this investigation was to prospectively examine the relationship among self-presentational concerns and pre-game affective states among middle and high school aged football players. Methods: American football players (n 1⁄4 112; mean age 1⁄4 15.57 years) completed a measure of self-presentational concerns (SPSQ, McGowan, et al., 2008) a week prior to the measurement of selected pre-game affective states (i.e., attentiveness, self-assurance, serenity, and fear). Results: Regression analyses revealed that concerns about appearing athletically untalented negatively contributed to the significant prediction ( p < 0.001) of pre-game attentiveness, b 1⁄4 0.43, Radj 1⁄4 19.5% ( p < 0.001), and self-assurance, b 1⁄4 0.38, Radj 1⁄4 11.9% ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of reducing self-presentational concerns in promoting positive pre-game mental states that likely impact the quality of athletes’ competitive play and experience. Copyright 2012, Shanghai University of Sport. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.
Evaluation of the implementation of integrative thematic learning: A qualitative research approach phenomenology

This research aims at evaluating the implementation of integrative thematic learning. This research is an evaluation of the CIPP model with a qualitative approach phenomenology. Data were collected through observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The informants in the study were principals, teachers, and students. Data were analyzed using a qualitative method that is descriptive and critical. The results show that the implementation of integrative thematic learning in Muhammadiyah Suronatan Elementary School Yogyakarta has been carried out quite well, both in planning, implementation, and assessment of processes and learning outcomes. The implementation is success because it has been supported by excellent teachers' competence and adequate facilities and infrastructure supporting the learning process. Besides, teachers also have the motivation and spirit of learning. The implementation of integrative thematic learning of curriculum 2013 has a positive impact on student learning outcomes from both aspects of knowledge, attitude, and skills. From the knowledge aspect, the integrative thematic learning of the curriculum 2013 can deliver the best value to the national exam in the top 10 of Yogyakarta. The attitude aspect of the student spirit in learning shows an increase in students' confidence. As for the skill aspect, students become creative and innovative in both thinking and working. However, constraints are still found: handbooks for students have not been distributed equally by the government, and the lack of teachers' understanding of the way of the subject complaint that corresponds to the sub-theme.
diukur oleh jumlah teman Facebook yang dimiliki oleh seorang pengusaha, mempengaruhi keberhasilan crowdfunding. Dimensi kognitif, yang diukur dengan jumlah kata yang ditulis oleh wirausaha di platform tersebut, juga mempengaruhi peluang crowdfunding untuk kesuksesan. Dengan menggunakan teknik regres

This study aims to analyze the effects of social capital—namely structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions—on crowdfunding performance using Kitabisa.com as a case study for 2013-2015. Using robust ordinary least squares methods, we find two important results. Structural dimension, which is measured by Facebook friends owned by an entrepreneur, affects crowdfunding success. The cognitive dimension, which is measured by the number of words that are written by entrepreneurs in the platform, also affects crowdfunding opportunities in order to wage a successful campaign. Using logistic regression technique, this study finds the same result, namely that the structural dimension and cognitive dimension have a positive relationship to the performance of crowdfunding. From a logistic regression, we can conclude that the number of Facebook friends and the amount of words to describe the project significantly positively influence the chances of success of the project; the more the number of friends and the number of words on a project, the greater chance of a project to achieve success. This study concludes Facebook friends owned by entrepreneur and number of words affect positively crowdfunding opportunities toward a successful campaign.
Facilitating diary keeping and participation in valued activities with individuals who have had a stroke : a randomised controlled trial

The literature review evaluates the evidence for approaches designed to facilitate patient involvement in goal setting within stroke and brain injury rehabilitation. Patient involvement in healthcare decision making follows guidance for patient-centred practice and is believed to promote adherence to interventions and improved outcomes. The review identifies a range of approaches designed to improve patient involvement in goal setting for neurological rehabilitation and evaluates the evidence provided for them. Qualitative studies of participant perspectives are examined to identify barriers and facilitators for involving patients with acquired brain injury in rehabilitation goal setting. Research Report: The study aimed to investigate the use of implementation intentions to facilitate diary-keeping and participation in valued activities after discharge from community stroke rehabilitation. Using a randomised procedure, participants (N=29) were allocated to either a Diary Plan intervention group or a No Diary Plan control group. Whilst all participants were required to complete a diary which incorporated implementation intentions for valued activities, only the Diary Plan participants formed an implementation intention for completing the diary. Between-group analyses showed no effects for the implementation intention on diary completion. Single-group analyses found that formation of implementation intentions for valued activities was associated with higher post-intervention activity levels. Due to the small sample size, cautious interpretation of these results is advocated. Methodological limitations and suggestions for future research in the development of self management interventions in stroke rehabilitation are discussed.
First records of 31 species of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) in Cameroon, with remarks on their elevational ranges

Abstract Background The biodiversity of West and Central Africa is understudied, including butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera). Cameroon, through its position in between few biogeographic regions and diversity of habitats, is an important hotspot of lepidopteran diversity. However, the country also ranks low when it comes to local biodiversity knowledge. During our long-term ecological projects in the Cameroonian part of the Gulf of Guinea Highlands, we collected rich material of butterflies and moths, including a number of interesting faunistic records. New information In this study, we report 31 species of butterflies and moths which have not yet been recorded in Cameroon. These species comprised eight new genera records for the country. In many cases, our records represented an important extension of the species’ known distribution, including ten species whose distribution ranges extended into the Guinean biogeographic region. We also comment on the species’ elevational distribution ranges on Mount Cameroon where most of our records originated. Additionally, we confirm the presence of a butterfly Telchinia encedena, after more than a century since its first and so far its only record in Cameroon.
Inflammatory extracellular vesicles prompt heart dysfunction via TRL4-dependent NF-κB activation

Background: After myocardial infarction, necrotic cardiomyocytes release damage-associated proteins that stimulate innate immune pathways and macrophage tissue infiltration, which drives inflammation and myocardial remodeling. Circulating inflammatory extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in the acute and chronic phases of ischemia, in terms of inflammatory progression. In this study, we hypothesize that the paracrine effect mediated by these vesicles induces direct cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes. Thus, we examined whether reducing the generation of inflammatory vesicles within the first few hours after the ischemic event ameliorates cardiac outcome at short and long time points. Methods: Myocardial infarction was induced in rats that were previously injected intraperitoneally with a chemical inhibitor of extracellular-vesicle biogenesis. Heart global function was assessed by echocardiography performed at 7, 14 and 28 days after MI. Cardiac outcome was also evaluated by hemodynamic analysis at sacrifice. Cytotoxic effects of circulating EV were evaluated ex-vivo in a Langendorff, system by measuring the level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the perfusate. Mechanisms undergoing cytotoxic effects of EV derived from pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) were studied in-vitro in primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Results: Inflammatory response following myocardial infarction dramatically increased the number of circulating extracellular vesicles carrying alarmins such as IL-1α, IL-1β and Rantes. Reducing the boost in inflammatory vesicles during the acute phase of ischemia resulted in preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in vivo. Hemodynamic analysis confirmed functional recovery by displaying higher velocity of left ventricular relaxation and improved contractility. When added to the perfusate of isolated hearts, post-infarction circulating vesicles induced significantly more cell death in adult cardiomyocytes, as assessed by cTnI release, comparing to circulating vesicles isolated from healthy (non-infarcted) rats. In vitro inflammatory extracellular vesicles induce cell death by driving nuclear translocation of NF-κB into nuclei of cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Our data suggest that targeting circulating extracellular vesicles during the acute phase of myocardial infarction may offer an effective therapeutic approach to preserve function of ischemic heart.
A Pseudodynamic Approach of Seismic Active Pressure on Retaining Walls Based on a Curved Rupture Surface

Reasonable determination of the magnitude and distribution of dynamic earth pressure is one of the major challenges in the seismic design of retaining walls. Based on the principles of pseudodynamic method, the present study assumed that the critical rupture surface of backfill soil was a composite curved surface which was in combination with a logarithmic spiral and straight line. The equations for the calculation of seismic total active thrusts on retaining walls were derived using limit equilibrium theory, and earth pressure distribution was obtained by differentiating total active thrusts. The effects of initial phase, amplification factor, and soil friction angle on the distribution of seismic active earth pressure have also been discussed. Compared to pseudostatic and pseudodynamic methods for the determination of planar failure surface forms, the proposed method receives a bit lower value of seismic active earth pressures.
PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PROTOZOA AMONG PATIENTS WITH IN- FLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AND IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME By SAMIRA

Intestinal parasites have a great influence on patients with gastro-intestinal disorders especially those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study detected the difference in prevalence of intestinal protozoa among these two groups of patients and evaluated the injury degrees caused by protozoa in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by measuring the fecal calprotectin (FC) level. This study was done on 219 patients; 101 were IBD patients and 118 were IBS cases attended to the gastroenterology clinics, Zagazig University Hospitals in the period from May 2017 till May 2018 with gastrointestinal symptoms. Stool samples were taken. Microscopic examination for direct wet preparation using 0.9 % of NaCl and 1% of Lugols iodine for each stool specimen was done then confirmed by formol ether sedimentation technique. Fecal smears from sediments of the concentrated samples were stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen and Trichrome stains. Special ELISA kit was used for calprotectin (FC) fecal detection. Blood sample was taken from each case in EDTA tube for detection of total white blood count, neutrophil percentage, and the hemoglobin content. Out of 219 stool samples, 84 were positive for intestinal protozoa (38.4%); 58(57.4%) of them were patients with IBD & 26 (22%) were patients with IBS. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia lamblia, Blastocystis hominis, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis are the protozoa which were found among the positive cases. Prevalence among IBD was 27(27%), 14(14%), 10(10%), 6(6%) and 1(1%) respectively while among IBS were 10 (8%), 6(5%), 7(6%), 2( 2%) and 1(1%) respectively. High rates of E. histolytica/dispar (27%), G. lamblia (14%), and B. hominis (10%) were among IBD patients as compared with IBS patients (8%, 5%, 6%), P<0.05. Mean fecal calprotectin levels ≥50ng / ml was considered positive and detected in 15 cases (40.5 %) for E. histolytica, followed by 4(20 %) for G. lamblia, 3(17.6 %) for B. hominis and 1(14%) for C. parvum; meanwhile FC level was negative for C. cayetanensis. There was significant correlation P<0.05 among FC, protozoan infections, total WBCs count and neutrophil%.