Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Fatigue of the Plantar Flexors on Peak Torque and Voluntary Activation in Untrained and Resistance-Trained Men

Hartman, MJ, Ryan, ED, Cramer, JT, and Bemben, MG. The effects of fatigue of the plantar flexors on peak torque and voluntary activation in untrained and resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 25(2): 527-532, 2011-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of fatigue of the plantar flexors on peak torque and voluntary activation in untrained (UT) and resistance-trained (RT) men. Six men with no previous resistance training experience and 8 men with similar histories of chronic resistance training (9.8 ± 5.9 years, 3.8 ± 0.7 days/week) volunteered for this study. Subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) before and immediately after unilateral dynamic isotonic contractions performed at 40% of MVC until volitional exhaustion. Voluntary activation of the plantar flexors was assessed using the interpolated twitch method (ITT) and central activation ratio (CAR). Surface electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of the soleus and medial gastrocnemius (MG) was measured during the MVC. There were significant reductions in MVC torque in both UT and RT groups after the fatiguing exercise (−10.7 ± 6.8%, p < 0.02; −9.1 ± 8.7%, p < 0.02, respectively), with no difference in the number of repetitions performed between groups. The UT and RT men experienced a significant decrease in ITT after the fatiguing exercise bout (−14.2 ± 11.8%, p = 0.03; −7.8 ± 9.3%, p = 0.045, respectively). The UT group experienced a significant decrease in CAR (99.5 ± 0.8% to 91.4 ± 6.4%, p = 0.025) with no change (p > 0.05) in the RT group. There was also a fatigue-induced decrease in normalized EMG amplitude for the soleus and MG muscles in both groups (p < 0.05). However, no differences were determined between groups for ITT, CAR, or EMG. Despite similar reductions in MVC torque postexercise, the UT men had a significant decrease in CAR and experienced nearly twice the decline in ITT than the RT men. These results indicate that the neural adaptations associated with chronic resistance training may lead to less susceptibility to central fatigue as measured by ITT and CAR.
Sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of isolated sphenoid sinus diseases

The sphenoid sinus is uncommonly affected by inflammatory or neoplastic lesions. Initial onset of isolated sphenoid sinus diseases (ISSD) is generally asymptomatic. The objectives of this study were to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing ISSD and establish guidelines to declare hidden ISSD through correlation of radiological diagnosis to final pathological diagnosis.
Influence of dietary beta-glucan on growth performance, nonspecific immunity, and resistance to Streptococcus suis infection in weanling pigs.

Three experiments, using 344 pigs, were conducted to evaluate the influence of beta-glucan on growth performance, neutrophil and macrophage function, haptoglobin production, and resistance to Streptococcus suis challenge in weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 144 pigs were used to evaluate the influence of . 1% dietary beta-glucan in a soybean meal- or milk protein-based diet on growth performance and neutrophil function. Pigs fed beta-glucan from d 7 to 14 after weaning had lower ADFI (P < .01) and, although not significant, ADG was lower for pigs fed beta-glucan than for pigs fed control diets. However, no differences were observed in growth performance or neutrophil function for pigs fed control or diets containing beta-glucan from d 7 to 35 after weaning. Experiment 2 was a 28-d growth assay in which pigs were fed a diet with or without . 1% beta-glucan, containing 7.5% spray-dried plasma protein and 25% dried whey from d 0 to 14 after weaning. Pigs then were fed corn-soybean mealbased diets containing 2.5% spray-dried blood meal and 10% dried whey. No differences in growth performance were observed. Experiment 3 was a 35-d assay to evaluate growth performance, neutrophil and macrophage function, and plasma haptoglobin concentration. Pigs were challenged on d 28 postweaning with intravenous S. suis. In Exp. 3, pigs were fed diets without or with . 025 or . 05% beta-glucan. Dietary beta-glucan did not influence neutrophil or macrophage function. However, pigs fed diets containing . 025% beta-glucan had increased (P < .05) ADG and ADFI and were heavier (P < .05) on d 28 after weaning than pigs fed the control diet. No differences in feed efficiency (G/F) were detected between treatments. Pigs fed beta-glucan had decreased (P < .10) plasma haptoglobin on d 14, 21, and 28 after weaning. However, Fisher's Exact test revealed that more (P < .04) pigs fed a diet containing . 025% beta-glucan died by d 12 after challenge with S. suis. In conclusion, these data suggest the existence of a complex interaction involving growth performance and resistance to S. suis in pigs fed . 025% beta-glucan.
A financial early warning algorithm based on ensemble learning

The design of effective financial early warning algorithm is of great significance to the financial management of the company. The weak classification algorithm can be improved to a high classification algorithm with high recognition rate through the ensemble learning. The algorithm can overcome the drawback of low classification accuracy of single classifier. Therefore, this paper combines decision stumps with Adaboost algorithm, and proposes DS_Adaboost algorithm. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional C4.5 algorithm, the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the accuracy of financial earning warning.
Ibuprofen penetration enhance by sucrose ester examined by ATR-FTIR in vivo

The aim of this work was to investigate the skin penetration enhancer effect of a sucrose ester (SE) in an Ibuprofen (IBU) containing hydrogel and to examine its influence on the special lipid bilayer of the stratum corneum (SC). ATR-FTIR spectroscopic measurements were performed combined with tape stripping method on hairless mice in vivo. A SE containing gel was compared to another gel without SE. It was found that the preparations caused only minimal modifications in the lipid and the protein structure, promoting the skin hydration and therefore also the penetration of IBU. Although the degree of moisturization and penetration were more intense in the case of the SE containing gel treatment, it did not cause greater alterations in the SC structure than the gel without SE. It has been proven that SE acts as an effective and non-irritating hydration and penetration enhancer for IBU through skin.
Better patient safety: implementing exploration and exploitation learning in daily medical practice

Background Current medical daily practice relies on guidelines, protocols and procedures (GPPs), which require exploitation. However, diagnosis, treatment, risk management and process improvements require exploration. Physician are often unable to switch between exploitation and exploration. This study tested a new approach to facilitate switching that included (1) a new ‘thinking protocol’ that encouraged leaping from exploitation to exploration and (2) a GPP that encouraged leaping from exploration to exploitation. Method Two hundred students were divided into four groups. The groups received a set of tasks that required switching between exploitation and exploration. Three groups received the thinking protocol, the GPP, or both, and the fourth group served as control. Results With each additional task, all groups increased exploitative tendency(p<0.0001). The two groups with the thinking protocol leaped from exploitation to exploration (p<0.0001); the other two groups remained in exploitation (p=0.1173, p=0.0758). For the groups that employed exploration learning, the group that received the GPP switched back to exploitation (p<0.0001), but the other group remained in exploration (p=0.2363). Conclusion Despite the importance of timely leaping between exploration and exploitation, in some events, medical teams fail to make the appropriate leap. We suggest to use our novel approach and to encourage the leaping between exploration and exploitation in daily medical practice, to enable the prevention of medical errors and to enhance the effectiveness of risk managements and process improvements.
Whole body norepinephrine kinetics in ANG II-salt hypertension in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to investigate total body norepinephrine (NE) kinetics as an index of global sympathetic nervous system (SNS) outflow in a rat model of chronic ANG II-salt hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a 0.4% (normal salt, NS) or 2% (HS) NaCl diet were instrumented with arterial and venous catheters. After 5 days of recovery and a 3-day control period, ANG II (150 ng.kg(-1). min(-1)) was given subcutaneously by minipump for 14 days. Plasma NE levels and total body NE spillover and clearance were determined on control day 3 and ANG II infusion days 7 and 14 using radioisotope dilution principles. To perform this analysis, 3H-NE and NE were measured in arterial plasma after a 90-min infusion of tracer amounts of 3H-NE. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was similar during the control period in NS and HS rats; however, MAP increased to a higher level in HS rats. During the control period, plasma NE tended to be lower in rats on HS, whereas NE clearance tended to be higher in HS rats. As a result NE spillover was similar in NS and HS rats during the control period. In NS rats, plasma NE, NE spillover, and NE clearance were unchanged by ANG II. In contrast, in rats on the HS diet, plasma NE and NE spillover increased during ANG II infusion, whereas NE clearance was unchanged. In conclusion, a HS diet alone or ANG II infusion in animals fed NS do not affect global sympathetic outflow. However, the additional hypertensive response to ANG II in animals fed HS is accompanied by SNS activation.
INNOVATION MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES: FROM FADS TO FUNDAMENTALS

Innovation management is inherently inter-disciplinary, but it is much more than simply applying business and management disciplines to innovation, and over time the field has developed a distinct body of knowledge. However, in this paper, we argue that the field of innovation management has failed to fully benefit from the proliferation of relevant research because much of this work has not been sufficiently coherent and cumulative. One reason for this, we propose, is the propensity to follow and fit research and publications into contemporary fads rather than to ground work in more fundamental themes and challenges. We present two examples of such fads, open innovation and business model innovation, to illustrate the trend. Finally, we suggest some more fundamental integrating themes and management challenges, drawing upon the latest edition of Managing Innovation (Tidd, J and J Bessant (2018). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Sixth Edition. New York: Wiley). 1
Thrombopoietin Receptor Levels in Tumor Cell Lines and Primary Tumors

Thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonists represent a new approach for the treatment of thrombocytopenia, which may develop as a consequence of immune thrombocytopenia, chemotherapy treatment, chronic hepatitis C infection, or myelodysplastic syndromes. There are concerns that use of certain growth factors can hasten disease progression in some types of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. In this study, expression of MPL (TPO-R) mRNA was examined in tumor cell lines, patient tumor samples (renal cell carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma, soft tissue and bony/cartilage sarcoma, colon cancer, and lymphoma), and normal tissues using microarray analysis and qRT-PCR. MPL mRNA is expressed at very low or undetectable levels compared with erythropoietin receptor (EPOR), human epidermal growth factor (ERBB2; HER2), and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) in these patient samples. These data suggest TPO-R agonists will likely preferentially stimulate proliferation and differentiation of cells of megakaryocytic lineage, potentially demonstrating their utility for correcting thrombocytopenia in clinical settings.
Bacterial adaptation to life in association with plants – A proteomic perspective from culture to in situ conditions

Diverse bacterial taxa that live in association with plants affect plant health and development. This is most evident for those bacteria that undergo a symbiotic association with plants or infect the plants as pathogens. Proteome analyses have contributed significantly toward a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of these associations. They were applied to obtain a general overview of the protein composition of these bacteria, but more so to study effects of plant signaling molecules on the cytosolic proteome composition or metabolic adaptations upon plant colonization. Proteomic analyses are particularly useful for the identification of secreted proteins, which are indispensable to manipulate a host plant. Recent advances in the field of proteome analyses have initiated a new research area, the analysis of more complex microbial communities. Such studies are just at their beginning but hold great potential for the future to elucidate not only the interactions between bacteria and their host plants, but also of bacteria–bacteria interactions between different bacterial taxa when living in association with plants. These include not only the symbiotic and pathogenic bacteria, but also the commensal bacteria that are consistently found in association with plants and whose functions remain currently largely uncovered.
Telomere Shortening Alters the Kinetics of the DNA Damage Response after Ionizing Radiation in Human Cells

Studies of telomerase-deficient mice and human cell lines have showed that telomere shortening enhances sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR). The molecular basis for this observation remains unclear. To better understand the connection between telomere shortening and radiation sensitivity, we evaluated components of the DNA damage response pathway in normal human fibroblasts with short and long telomeres. Late-passage cells with short telomeres showed enhanced sensitivity to IR compared with early-passage cells with longer telomeres. Compared with early-passage cells, late-passage cells had a higher baseline level of phosphorylated H2AX protein (γH2AX) before IR but diminished peak levels of H2AX phosphorylation after treatment with IR. Both the appearance and disappearance of γH2AX foci were delayed in late-passage cells, indicative of delayed DNA repair. In contrast to the situation with H2AX, ATM and p53 phosphorylation kinetics were similar in early- and late-passage cells, but phosphorylation of the chromatin-bound ATM targets SMC1 and NBS1 was delayed in late-passage cells. Because impaired phosphorylation associated with short telomeres was restricted to chromatin-bound ATM targets, chromatin structure was assessed. DNA from cells with short telomeres was more resistant to digestion with micrococcal nuclease, indicative of compacted chromatin. Moreover, cells with short telomeres showed histone acetylation and methylation profiles consistent with heterochromatin. Together our data suggest a model in which short telomeres induce chromatin structure changes that limit access of activated ATM to its downstream targets on the chromatin, thereby providing a potential explanation for the increased radiation sensitivity seen with telomere shortening. Cancer Prev Res; 4(12); 1973–81. ©2011 AACR.
Myocardial Depressant Effects of Sevoflurane: Mechanical and Electrophysiologic Actions In Vitro

Background The effects of anesthetic concentrations of sevoflurane were studied in isolated myocardial tissue to delineate the mechanisms by which cardiac function is altered. Methods Isometric force of isolated guinea pig ventricular papillary muscle was studied at 37 degrees C in normal and 26 mM Potassium sup + Tyrode's solution at various stimulation rates. Normal and slow action potentials were evaluated using conventional microelectrodes. Effects of sevoflurane on sarcoplasmic reticulum function in situ were also evaluated by its effect on rapid cooling contractures, which are known to activate Calcium2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and on contractions of rat papillary muscle. Finally, Calcium2+ and Potassium sup + currents of isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes were examined using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Results Sevoflurane equivalent to 1.4% and 2.8% depressed guinea pig myocardial contractions to approximately 85 and approximately 65% of control, respectively, although the maximum rate of force development at 2 or 3 Hz and force in rat myocardium after rest showed less depression. In the partially depolarized, beta-adrenergically stimulated myocardium, sevoflurane selectively depressed late peak force without changing early peak force, whereas it virtually abolished rapid cooling contractures. Sevoflurane did not alter the peak amplitude or maximum depolarization rate of normal and slow action potentials, but action potential duration was significantly prolonged. In isolated guinea pig myocytes at room temperature, 0.7 mM sevoflurane (equivalent to 3.4%) depressed peak Calcium2+ current by approximately 25% and increased the apparent rate of inactivation. The delayed outward Potassium sup + current was markedly depressed, but the inwardly rectifying Potassium sup + current was only slightly affected by 0.35 mM sevoflurane. Conclusions These results suggest that the direct myocardial depressant effects of sevoflurane are similar to those previously described for isoflurane. The rapid initial release of Calcium2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is not markedly decreased, although certain release pathways, specifically those induced by rapid cooling, appear to be depressed. Contractile depression may be partly related to the depression of Calcium2+ influx through the cardiac membrane. The major electrophysiologic effect of sevoflurane seems to be a depression of the delayed outward Potassium sup + current, which appears to underlie the increased action potential duration.
Metabolomic-based identification of clusters that reflect dietary patterns.

SCOPE Classification of subjects into dietary patterns generally relies on self-reporting dietary data which are prone to error. The aim of the present study was to develop a model for objective classification of people into dietary patterns based on metabolomic data. METHODS AND RESULTS Dietary and urinary metabolomic data from the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) was used in the analysis (n = 567). Two-step cluster analysis was applied to the urinary data to identify clusters. The subsequent model was used in an independent cohort to classify people into dietary patterns. Two distinct dietary patterns were identified. Cluster 1 was characterized by significantly higher intakes of breakfast cereals, low fat and skimmed milks, potatoes, fruit, fish and fish dishes (p < 0.05) representing a "healthy" cluster. Cluster 2 had significantly higher intakes of chips/processed potatoes, meat products, savory snacks and high-energy beverages (p < 0.05) representing an "unhealthy cluster". Classification was supported by significant differences in nutrient status (p < 0.05). Validation in an independent group revealed that 94% of subjects were correctly classified. CONCLUSION The model developed was capable of classifying individuals into dietary patterns based on metabolomics data. Future applications of this approach could be developed for rapid and objective assignment of subjects into dietary patterns.
Diagnostic disparity of previous and revised American Thoracic Society guidelines for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND A revised guideline for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was formulated by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) in 2011 to improve disease diagnosis and provide a simplified algorithm for clinicians. The impact of these revisions on patient classification, however, remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To examine the concordance between diagnostic guidelines to understand how revisions impact patient classification. METHODS A cohort of 54 patients with either suspected IPF or a working diagnosis of IPF was evaluated in a retrospective chart review, in which patient data were examined according to previous and revised ATS guidelines. Patient characteristics influencing the fulfillment of diagnostic criteria were compared using one-way ANOVA and χ(2) tests. RESULTS Revised and previous guideline criteria for IPF were met in 78% and 83% of patients, respectively. Revised guidelines modified a classification based on previous guidelines in 28% of cases. Fifteen percent of patients meeting previous ATS guidelines failed to meet revised criteria due to a lack of honeycombing on high-resolution computed tomography and the absence of a surgical lung biopsy. Patients failing to meet previous and revised diagnostic criteria for IPF were younger. CONCLUSION The revised guidelines for the diagnosis of IPF classify a substantial proportion of patients differently than the previous guidelines.
Health-related fitness and quality of life following steroid withdrawal in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND Exercise capacity increases significantly soon after transplantation; however, over time it does not further improve and patients remain low compared to normal levels. The limitations to exercise following transplantation have not been identified, but may be related to immunosuppression therapy regimens that include prednisone. METHODS We studied health-related fitness measures (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and body composition) and quality of life in renal transplant recipients randomized into two groups: those using standard maintenance immunosuppression, including prednisone therapy (N = 14); and those undergoing rapid withdrawal of steroids using Simulect[interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor inhibitor] (N = 9). Testing was done at 3 and 12 months following transplant and the 12-month data were compared to 15 normal sedentary controls. RESULTS Compared to those maintained on steroids, the steroid withdrawal group showed greater gains in VO2peak (P = 0.05) and quadriceps peak torque (P = 0.05) and greater gains in the vitality score and the Physical Composite Scale on the SF-36 questionnaire (P < 0.05). At 1 year, all patients had significantly lower exercise capacity compared to the sedentary controls (P = 0.01). No differences were observed in body composition, with both patient groups increasing in body weight (primarily body fat) over time. At 12 months, all patients were not different in body fat percentage compared to the sedentary controls. CONCLUSION We conclude that prednisone is not the cause for increased body fat following transplantation; however, it may contribute to lower spontaneous improvements in exercise capacity possibly by limiting increases in muscle strength. The low exercise capacity in all transplant recipients studied at 1 year suggests a need for exercise training to optimize physical functioning following transplant.
Multiple Model Truncated Particle Filter for maneuvering target tracking

A Multiple Model Truncated Particle Filter (MMTPF) algorithm is proposed for maneuvering target tracking. This algorithm merges the particles predicted by the multiple models into single particle set, calculates and normalizes the particle weights in that set at first. After the high weight particles established by the truncated threshold, this algorithm utilizes the QMC method and uniform kernel to construct the posterior probability density functions. The traditional interacting multiple model particle filter (IMMPF) is the integration of multiple single-model particle filters, while the new proposed algorithm is the particle filter with the fusion of multi-model. Results in maneuvering tracking show that the MMTPF algorithm achieves better estimation quality and computational efficiency than the IMMPF algorithm.