Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progressive resistance exercise for people with multiple sclerosis

Purpose. This study aimed to determine if participation in a progressive resistance exercise (PRE) programme can: (1) increase the ability to generate maximal muscle force, (2) increase muscle endurance, (3) increase functional activity, and (4) improve overall psychological function of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods. A pre-post single group research design with a 4-week baseline familiarisation phase was used. Nine people (mean age 45.6 years, SD 10.7) with MS attended a gymnasium three times over 4 weeks for familiarization. Participants then completed a twice-weekly 10-week PRE programme, with two sets of 10 – 12 repetitions of each exercise. Outcome measures of muscle strength (1RM for arms and legs), muscle endurance (repetitions at half 1RM), walking speed, the 2-min walk test (2MWT), a timed stairs test, and the impact of MS on physical and psychological function were taken at weeks 2, 4, and 14. Results. Participants attended 94.3% (SD 8.2%) of the training sessions, with no adverse events. After accounting for baseline stability, significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found in arm strength (14.4%), leg endurance (170.9%), fast walking speed (6.1%), and there was a trend for increased distance in the 2MWT (P = 0.06). The perceived impact of MS on physical function was reduced (P = 0.02). Conclusions. Adults with MS benefited from a PRE programme by improving muscle performance and physical activities, without adverse events. These findings suggest that PRE may be a feasible and useful fitness alternative for people with mild to moderate disability due to MS.
Effects of the β-Amyloid and Carboxyl-terminal Fragment of Alzheimer's Amyloid Precursor Protein on the Production of the Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 by Human Monocytic THP-1*

To explore the direct role of β-amyloid (Aβ) and carboxyl-terminal fragments of amyloid precursor protein in the inflammatory processes possibly linked to neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease, the effects of the 105-amino acid carboxyl-terminal fragment (CT105) of amyloid precursor protein on the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were examined in a human monocytic THP-1 cell line and compared with that of Aβ. CT105 elicited a marked increase in TNF-α and MMP-9 production in the presence of interferon-γ in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Similar patterns were obtained with Aβ despite its low magnitude of induction. Autocrine TNF-α is likely to be a main mediator of the induction of MMP-9 because the neutralizing antibody to TNF-α inhibits MMP-9 production. Genistein, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, dramatically diminished both TNF-α secretion and subsequent MMP-9 release in response to CT105 or Aβ. Furthermore, PD98059 and SB202190, specific inhibitors of ERK or p38 MAPK respectively, efficiently suppressed CT105-induced effects whereas only PD98059 was effective at reducing Aβ-induced effects. Our results suggest that CT105 in combination with interferon-γ might serve as a more potent activator than Aβ in triggering inflammatory processes and that both tyrosine kinase and MAPK signaling pathways may represent potential therapeutic targets for the control of Alzheimer's disease progression.
Mice expressing the α1B‐adrenergic receptor induces a synucleinopathy with excessive tyrosine nitration but decreased phosphorylation

We had previously reported that systemic overexpression of the α1B‐adrenergic receptor (AR) in a transgenic mouse induced a neurodegenerative disease that resembled the parkinsonian‐like syndrome called multiple system atrophy (MSA). We now report that our mouse model has cytoplasmic inclusion bodies that colocalize with oligodendrocytes and neurons, are positive for α‐synuclein and ubiquitin, and therefore may be classified as a synucleinopathy. α‐Synuclein monomers as well as multimers were present in brain extracts from both normal and transgenic mice. However, similar to human MSA and other synucleinopathies, transgenic mice showed an increase in abnormal aggregated forms of α‐synuclein, which also increased its nitrated content with age. However, the same extracts displayed decreased phosphorylation of α‐synuclein. Other traits particular to MSA such as Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum and degeneration of the intermediolateral cell columns of the spinal cord also exist in our mouse model but differences still exist between them. Interestingly, long‐term therapy with the α1‐AR antagonist, terazosin, resulted in protection against the symptomatic as well as the neurodegeneration and α‐synuclein inclusion body formation, suggesting that signaling of the α1B‐AR is the cause of the pathology. We conclude that overexpression of the α1B‐AR can cause a synucleinopathy similar to other parkinsonian syndromes.
Ion-Activated In Situ Gelling Systems for Sustained Ophthalmic Delivery of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride

The poor bioavailability and therapeutic response exhibited by the conventional ophthalmic solutions due to precorneal elimination of the drug may be overcome by the use of in situ gel forming systems that are instilled as drops into the eye and undergo a sol-gel transition in the cul-de-sac. Our present work describes the formulation and evaluation of an ophthalmic delivery system of an antibacterial agent, CPH, based on the concept of ion-activated in situ gelation. Gelrite gellan gum, a novel ophthalmic vehicle that gels in the presence of mono or divalent cations, present in the lacrimal fluid was used alone and in combinations with sodium alginate as the gelling agent. The developed formulations were therapeutically efficacious and provided sustained release of the drug over an 8-hr period in vitro.
The Political Economy of Policy Coordination: International Adjustment since 1945 Michael C. Webb Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1995, pp. xvi, 269

Lieven de Wienter, en revanche, 6tudie avec perspicacite une modalite centrale de l'echange politique, le service des elus aux electeurs et les benefices, en particulier electoraux, que les elus recoivent en retour, de la part des electeurs. II s'agit en fait de clientelisme politique. L'auteur en traite de facon generate, avec des exemples pris le plus souvent en Belgique. Le chapitre suivant, ecrit par Donatella della Porta, est lui aussi de tres bonne qualite. II porte sur l'echange corrompu entre sphere publique et sphere privee, ou plus precisement sur l'echange d'argent ou d'autres biens materiels pour obtenir, de la part d'acteurs gouvernementaux, un traitement privilegie. Le corpus 6tudie consiste en scandales politiques qui ont eclate dans trois villes italiennes, au cours d'une periode de 10 ans. Le chapitre ecrit par Jeanne Becquart-Leclercq est proche du precedent. II porte sur les gagnants et les victimes de l'echange corrompu, vus dans des reseaux de corruption collective ou des circuits secrets sont connectes a des circuits officiels. Le chapitre contient beaucoup d'observations interessantes, mais il manque d'organisation, contrairement aux deux precedents. Les deux responsables de l'ouvrage, Frognier et Claeys, tirent, du mieux qu'ils peuvent, quelques conclusions. Elles sont a l'image de l'ouvrage, c'est-a-dire diverses et peu articulees entre elles. Les deux auteurs proposent a la fin une typologie sommaire et strictement formelle des formes de l'echange, qui montre bien que l'ouvrage n'a pas permis de faire beaucoup de progres sur cette voie. Ceux qui ont fait plusieurs experiences de la preparation d'ouvrages collectifs de ce genre, centres sur un theme supposement unificateur, ont appris qu'il vaut mieux imposer une definition minimale du theme et un plan general de presentation plutot que de laisser la voie entierement libre aux collaborateurs. On evite ainsi de se retrouver avec des contributions, trap frequentes dans cet ouvrage collectif, ou un auteur prend pretexte d'un theme et d'un plan qui n'ont pas ete suffisamment definis pour traiter de ses preoccupations actuelles de recherche. II demeure que quatre ou cinq chapitres de l'ouvrage (sur 12) permettent de faire avancer les connaissances sur l'e'change politique, ou tout au moins sur ce qui peut etre considere comme echange dans les systemes politiques.
Flexible top-view human pose estimation for detection system via CNN

We propose the DeepPose-based pose estimation system that is flexible with the change of bounding-box range for top-view images. Our purpose is to link person detection system and pose estimation system. We introduce Bounding-box Curriculum Learning (BCL) and Recurrent Pose Estimation (RPE). BCL is a learning technique of CNN inspired from Curriculum Learning. RPE is a recurrent process of pose estimation that fixes the bounding-box range in response to the estimated results. We show the effect of proposed methods compared to normal learned CNN-based pose estimator on our original top-view dataset.
Hypnosis and rational-emotive therapy--a de-stressing combination: a brief communication.

It has been suggested that teacher stress might be reduced through cognitive restructuring which is aimed at improving the rationality of their thinking. To test this hypothesis, 40 high school teachers were paired on their level of reasonable thinking, operationalized in terms of scores on the Teacher Idea Inventory (Bernard, Joyce, & Rosewarne, 1983), and allocated at random to one of 2 groups. They also completed the Face Valid Stress Test. The experimental group participated in 4 weekly treatment sessions involving a hypnotic induction and suggestions derived from key elements of Rational-Emotive Therapy. These focused on the reduction of what Ellis (Ellis & Grieger, 1977), the originator of this treatment, calls "irrational thinking. " The control group spent the same amount of time discussing stress reduction methods. Both the Face Valid Stress Test and the Teacher Idea Inventory were re-administered at the end of this period and again 12 months after conclusion of the experiment. Results indicated that both the experimental and control groups significantly reduced their levels of irrational thinking and stress, although the former's improvement was more marked, particularly at the 12-month follow-up.
Gamified mobile micro-learning framework: A case study of civil service management learning

Many studies have concluded that online learning can increase employee knowledge in the workplace. However, to choose the method of learning for employees who are busy with the rapid changes of knowledge is still a separate problem, as well as the Indonesian National Civil Service Agency (NCSA). This paper presents a gamification framework for guiding the design of micro-learning systems in order to enhance civil servant's knowledge and user engagement. The proposed framework is based on instructional design framework (ADDIE) by combining gamification framework for software engineering (GOAL) and micro-learning design principles. In the framework implementation section also developed a platform called GiMiCS as a solution to existing problems.
Demand for, and impediments to, the disclosure of information about climate change-related corporate governance practices

Based on a survey of climate change experts in different stakeholder groups and interviews with corporate climate change managers, this study provides insights into the gap between what information stakeholders expect, and what Australian corporations disclose. This paper focuses on annual reports and sustainability reports with specific reference to the disclosure of climate change-related corporate governance practices. The findings culminate in the refinement of a best practice index for the disclosure of climate change-related corporate governance practises. Interview results indicate that the low levels of disclosures made by Australian companies may be due to a number of factors. A lack of proactive stakeholder engagement and an apparent preoccupation with financial performance and advancing shareholders interest, coupled with a failure by managers to accept accountability, seems to go a long way to explaining low levels of disclosure.
Simple hierarchical models of the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

This paper proposes simple models of high computational efficiency for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Since the magnetic field is produced by currents of low frequency, the physical model is based on a unidirectional coupling between a Magneto-“Steady-state” (MG) formulation and an Electric Conduction (EC) formulation. The coupling is ensured by the Faraday's law of induction and it is unidirectional because the magnetic effect of the resultant eddy currents is neglected. The models we propose consider simplified geometries. However, the source coil in which an imposed current flows is described by a parametric curve, which can be of any shape. The human head is modeled by a conductive homogeneous sphere. The paper describes all the modeling steps: geometrical, physical, mathematical, analytical, numerical and computational models. Numerical results are compared with analytical ones and, aiming to quantify the uncertainties (UQ), the expression of the modeling error was determined. The result is a hierarchical series of approximate surrogate models, which have different levels of accuracy and complexity. The performed UQ may be used to control the modeling error, keeping the complexity at a minimal level. Three test cases are studied, for different shapes of the source coil: 1-circular, 2-circular planar 8-shaped, 3-circular arranged in the 3D space.
The Measurement of Team Process

The construct validity of measures of team process was evaluated using predictive, known groups and multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) validation strategies. Military air crews (N = 51) flew two simulated missions. Independent judges provided evaluations of the same six team process variables in both scenarios. An MTMM analysis of judges' ratings treating judges as a method variable showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Judges' mean ratings of the six process variables were correlated with mission effectiveness. Some process measures discriminated between student and instructor teams, thus showing discrimination between known groups. Conversely, an MTMM analysis of ratings treating scenarios as a method showed poor convergent validity. We concluded that important team process behaviors have been identified and can be rated validly but that multiple observations are necessary to assess characteristics of individual teams with any accuracy. The discussion includes implications for practice and future research.
Inventory management under financial distress: an empirical analysis

This study analyses inventory reductions as a means of short-term financing of firms under financial distress. We use quarterly panel data of U.S. manufacturing firms for the period from 1995 to 2007. We identify a sample of 198 distressed firms for which we analyse changes in relative inventory. Approximately 70% of distressed firms reduce their inventories until the end of their individual distress periods. This decrease corresponds to a mean reduction of 18.7 inventory days or 9.4%. Additional regression analyses show that differences in inventory adjustments depend on pre-distress inventory performance, firm size, and turnaround strategy. We also compile a sample of 142 firms that defaulted to analyse inventory actions of unsuccessful turnarounds. Our findings indicate that defaulting firms also reduce their inventories but that the reductions are lower than those of firms that resolve their financial distress. We conclude that distressed firms use short-term inventory adjustments to free up cash and to achieve long-term efficiency gains from inventory optimisation. Our findings suggest that inventory optimisation is an essential part of a complete and successful turnaround strategy and financially distressed firms should always consider this action as a means to prevent bankruptcy.
microRNAs in High and Low Responders to Resistance Training in Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract Accounting for one in three cancer diagnoses, breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Exercise has a well-accepted role in the multi-disciplinary approach to rehabilitating breast cancer survivors. Despite the many known benefits of resistance training on women recovering from breast cancer, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that have crucial roles in growth and development. Here, we analysed the abundance of 9 miRNAs, with known roles in muscle physiology and some linked to cancer, in serum samples from 24 breast cancer survivors before and after a 16-week resistance training or usual care intervention. The resistance training group completed supervised thrice-weekly training. miRNA abundance was assessed before and after the intervention period using qPCR. There were no statistically significant changes in any of the miRNAs between groups after the intervention period (all p>0.05). After assessing miRNA abundance in context with high and low responders to resistance training, we observed that relative to low responders, high responders exhibited increased miR-133a-3p and a borderline statistically significant increase in miR-370-3p. Findings from our controlled study indicate the diverse interindividual miRNA responses to resistance training and reveal a discordant regulation between high and low responders.
Effect of root canal procedures on endotoxins and endodontic pathogens.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) and cultivable bacteria in human necrotic root canals before (S1) and after chemo-mechanical preparation using chlorhexidine (CHX) gel as auxiliary chemical substance (S2), and after 7 days of intracanal dressing (S3) in order to evaluate the anti-endotoxin and antimicrobial effects of endodontic procedures. METHOD Twenty-four teeth were selected for the present study. Chemo-mechanical preparation was performed using 2% CHX gel and three different intracanal medicaments [CaOH2 paste; 2% CHX gel; and CaOH2 + 2% CHX gel]. A quantitative chromogenic Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay was used to measure the amount of endotoxin. Aerobic and anaerobic techniques were used to isolate and identify bacteria, and to determine the bacterial reduction by counting colony-forming units (CFU). RESULTS Endotoxins and bacteria were present in 100% of the initial samples, with endotoxin concentration ranging from 62.93 to 214.56 UE/ml and CFU ranging from 4 x 10(5) to 2.6 x 10(6). After chemo-mechanical preparation a mean endotoxin reduction of 44.4% was found. Eight (33.3%) root canals were still positive by culture analysis with a mean reduction of bacteria (CFU) of 99.96%. After 7 days of intracanal dressing, endotoxin concentration decreased by only 1.4% compared with S2, and residual bacteria were recovered by culture analysis in 13 cases (54.1%). No significant difference was found among different intracanal medicaments. CONCLUSION Relatively high values of endotoxin were still present in the root canal after chemo-mechanical preparation although the majority of bacteria were eliminated. No improvement was achieved by 7 days of intracanal dressing.
Past, current, and future trends of red spiny lobster based on PCA with MaxEnt model in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Abstract In order to enhance in terms of accuracy and predict the modeling of the potential distribution of species, the integration of using principal components of environmental variables as input of maximum entropy (MaxEnt) has been proposed in this study. Principal components selected previously from the principal component analysis results performed in ArcGIS in the environmental variables was used as an input data of MaxEnt instead of raw data to model the potential distribution of red spiny lobster from the year 1997 to 2015 and for three different future scenarios 2020, 2050, and 2070. One set of six original environmental variables pertaining to the years 1997–2015 and one set of four variables for future scenarios were transformed independently into a single multiband raster in ArcGIS in order to select the variables whose eigenvalues explains more than 5% of the total variance with the purpose to use in the modeling prediction in MaxEnt. The years 1997 and 1998 were chosen to compare the accuracy of the model, showing better results using principal components instead of raw data in terms of area under the curve and partial receiver operating characteristic as well as better predictions of suitable areas. Using principal components as input of MaxEnt enhances the prediction of good habitat suitability for red spiny lobster; however, future scenarios suggest an adequate management by researches to elaborate appropriate guidelines for the conservation of the habitat for this valuable specie with face to the climate change.
Beneficial Effects of Thiazolidinediones on Diabetic Nephropathy in OLETF Rats

Purpose Diabetic nephropathy is the most serious of complications in diabetes mellitus. Thiazolidinedione (TZD) is thought to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy; however, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) participates in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and that TZD may be beneficial for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy because of the effect it has on VEGF. Materials and Methods 23 Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima-Fatty (OLETF) rats and eight control Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka (LETO) rats were divided into the following four groups: LETO group, control OLETF group, pioglitazone treated group (10 mg/kg/day), and rosiglitazone treated group (3 mg/kg/day). Results A progressive increase in urinary protein excretion was observed in the diabetic rats. Glomerular VEGF expression in the control OLETF rats was significantly higher than in the control LETO rats. However, there was a significant reduction in both the glomerular VEGF expression and the VEGF mRNA levels after treatment with pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. The twenty-four hour urine protein levels were significantly decreased in both groups of the treated OLETF rats. Conclusion These results suggest that TZD may have beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy by reducing the VEGF expression.
Stimulation of Platelet Activation and Aggregation by a Carboxyl-terminal Peptide from Thrombospondin Binding to the Integrin-associated Protein Receptor*

Thrombospondin, a major secretory product of the α-granules of activated platelets, is a large trimeric glycoprotein that plays an important role in platelet aggregation. On resting platelets, thrombospondin binds to a single receptor in a cation-independent manner, but upon platelet activation it binds at least two further, distinct receptors that are both dependent upon divalent cations. Each of these receptors on the platelet surface binds to different regions of the thrombospondin molecule, and such binding may be responsible for the multifunctional role of thrombospondin in aggregation. We show here that a peptide from the carboxyl terminus of thrombospondin, RFYVVMWK, directly and specifically induces the activation and aggregation of washed human platelets from different donors at concentrations of 5-25 μM. At lower concentrations the peptide synergizes with suboptimal concentrations of ADP to induce aggregation. Peptide affinity chromatography and immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody were used to identify the receptor for the carboxyl-terminal peptide as the integrin-associated protein. The integrin-associated protein remained bound to the RFYVVMWK-containing peptide column when washed with a scrambled peptide in the presence of 5 mM EDTA, indicating a divalent cation-independent association. It is suggested that integrin-associated protein is the primary receptor for thrombospondin on the surface of resting platelets and is implicated in potentiating the platelet aggregation response.