Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radial bone size and strength indices in male road cyclists, mountain bikers and controls

Abstract Mountain biking (MB), unlike road cycling (RC) involves exposure to ground impact bone strain and requires upper-body muscle forces to maintain stability over uneven terrain and therefore may have differential effects on radial bone structure and strength. This study aimed to compare serum bone turnover marker concentration, 1-repetition maximum muscle strength and the radial proximal (diaphysis) and distal (metaphysis) bone structure [bone mineral content, total and cortical area (CoA), density and thickness, diameter and circumference], strength strain indices and muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) between 30 male cyclists (18–34 years) MB (n = 10), RC (n = 10) and non-athletes controls (CON, n = 10). Differences were assessed by ANOVA and an ANCOVA (adjusting for body mass and height) where appropriate. MB radii were characterised by significantly stronger (14–16%), denser (9–27%) and larger (10%) metaphyses and stronger (22–23%) and larger (11–13%) diaphyses compared to RC and CON. RC had significantly 7% higher strength indices and 4% greater CoA and thickness than CON at the diaphysis, with no differences for other bone measurements. Serum C-terminal telopeptides of type-1 collagen concentration (bone resorption marker) was higher in RC than MB (p < 0.05) and above the age-reference range. MCSA and strength were greater in MB than RC (p < 0.05). Muscle forces generated during RC appear to produce an osteogenic stimulus to increase radial bone strength indices with minimal improvement in bone structure. However greater resorptive activity in RC suggests inadequate loading to support bone maintenance. In conclusion, bone loading, muscle size and strength of MB are superior to RC.
An evaluation of novel vital dyes for intraocular surgery.

PURPOSE To evaluate systematically the staining characteristics and safety of potential new dyes for intraocular surgery. METHODS Six dyes were included in the investigation: light green SF (LGSF) yellowish, E68, bromophenol blue (BPB), Chicago blue (CB), rhodamine 6G, rhodulinblau-basic 3 (RDB-B3). All dyes were dissolved and diluted in a balanced saline saline solution. The light-absorbing properties of each dye were measured at a concentration of 0.05% between 200 and 1000 nm. Staining characteristics were examined by staining lens capsule tissue and epiretinal membranes (ERMs), removed intraoperatively, with dye concentrations of 1.0%, 0.5%, 0.2%, and 0.05%. Enucleated porcine eyes (postmortem time, 9 hours) were also stained. Dye-related toxicity was evaluated by a colorimetric test (MTT) measuring the inhibition of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell proliferation (ARPE-19 and primary human RPE cells, passages 3-6). Cell viability was also quantified based on a two-color fluorescence cell-viability assay. Dyes were investigated in concentrations of 0.2% and 0.02%. RESULTS All dyes investigated in this study stained human lens capsules, removed intraoperatively; ERMs, peeled during macular pucker surgery; and enucleated porcine eyes, depending on the concentration applied. The long-wavelength absorption maximum of the dyes was within the range of 527 to 655 nm at concentrations of 0.05%. Rhodamine G6 and RDB-B3 showed adverse effects on ARPE-19 cell proliferation at a concentration of 0.2% and were excluded from further investigation in primary RPE cells. The remaining four dyes showed no toxic effect on ARPE-19 and primary RPE cell proliferation at concentrations of 0.2% and 0.02%. Cell viability was affected by LGSF yellowish (0.2%) and CB (0.2% and 0.02%). Two dyes (E68 and BPB) showed no relevant toxicity in vitro. CONCLUSIONS The systematic evaluation of dyes for intraocular use seems mandatory. In this study four dyes were identified with effective staining characteristics, with two of these dyes having no detectable toxic effect on RPE cells in vitro.
Simple Algorithms for Least Square Support Vector Machines

In this paper, we propose five simple algorithms for solving the least square support vector machine (LS-SVM) learning problems. For linear regression, we first present a Widrow-Hoff-like algorithm for the primal optimization problem. The dual form of this algorithm is then provided. For kernel-based nonlinear LS-SVM, we first present a Widrow-Hoff-like algorithm. The elegant and powerful two-parameter sequential minimization optimization (2P-SMO) algorithm is then provided. Finally, we give a detailed derivation of the three-parameter sequential minimization optimization (3P-SMO) algorithm. A numerical example is provided.
Analysis of the rearrangements associated with carcinogen-induced activation of the hamster thymidine kinase gene

We have previously shown that chemical carcinogen treatment of RJK92 hamster cells activates the quiescent thymidine kinase (TK) gene and that 20% of the TK+ variants have a rearrangement in the region 5' to the TK gene (Barr et al. (1986) Mol. Cell. Biol. 6, 3023-3033). After cloning the wild type 5' region to obtain detailed mapping data and hybridization probes, we localized the rearrangement breakpoints by Southern blot analysis to a 1.5 kb region 6 kb 5' to the origin of transcription. This analysis also demonstrated that the rearrangements consist at least partly of a deletion of wild type sequences 5' to this breakpoint region. The region near the transcription origin in the rearranged TK genes has a DNase I-sensitive chromatin conformation and a DNase I hypersensitive site as well as the previously described domain of demethylation (Ibid.). Though this domain of demethylation extends into the breakpoint region, the rearranged region is not associated with DNase I sensitivity nor hypersensitive sites. The rearrangement also does not detectably alter the growth-related regulation of TK activity in these cells.
Key-frame extraction and key-frame rate determination using human attention modeling

This paper presents a novel key-frame detection method that combines the visual saliency-based attention features with the contextual game status information for sports videos. First, it describes the approach of extracting the object-oriented visual attention map and illustrates the algorithm for determining the contextual excitement curve. Semantic contextual inference is used to simulate how the video content attracts the subscribers. Second, it presents the fusion methodology of visual and contextual attention analysis based on the characteristics of human excitement. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate the efficiency and the robustness of our system by means of some baseball game videos.
EPAT: Euclidean Perturbation Analysis and Transform - An Agnostic Data Adaptation Framework for Improving Facial Landmark Detectors

We propose EPAT, (Euclidean Perturbation Analysis and Transform) a novel unsupervised adaptation approach for improving the accuracy of any facial landmark detector by characterizing the stability of landmark prediction on test images. In EPAT, a test image is transformed several times using a set of Euclidean transforms, producing several perturbed images. The black box landmark detector is used to find facial landmarks on each perturbed version of the test image. Subsequently, inverse transforms are applied to the corresponding landmarks in order to map them back to the original image. Mean and variance are calculated for all inversely transformed detection. Mean and variance represent the new ensemble prediction and the sensitivity of the underlying landmark detector, respectively. We also introduce affine variance (AV) of facial landmarks. AV is used as a measure of the stability of the predicted landmarks and a criterion for selecting a good data adaptation model which effectively addresses potential mismatches between test and training data of the underlying landmark detector. EPAT is evaluated using four state-of-theart landmark detectors on the standard 300W dataset and also incorporated into a face recognition pipeline to show improved recognition accuracy on the challenging IJB-A dataset.
Cultural adaptation of physical activity self-report instruments.

CONTEXT The validity of physical activity (PA) self-report measures can be a problem when using these measures with target populations that differ from the population for which the measures were originally developed. OBJECTIVES Describe an approach to further tailor PA self-report measures to a target community, and report on focus group and cognitive interview findings. PROCESS Topics relevant to culturally tailoring measures are discussed, including translation, focus groups, and cognitive interviews. We describe examples from our own work, including focus groups and cognitive interviews conducted to assess Latinos' interpretations of PA questions derived from various epidemiological surveys that were developed in White communities. FINDINGS Findings from focus groups and cognitive interviews provide valuable information about the comprehension, interpretation, and cultural relevance of the PA questions to Latino communities. CONCLUSIONS It is recommended that investigators collect formative data to better assess the equivalence of items being applied to a different cultural group. Guidelines for cultural attunement of self-report instruments are described to promote more uniform and rigorous processes of adaptation and facilitate cross-cultural investigations.
A New Species of Gymnophallid (Digenea) and an Amended Diagnosis of the Genus Gymnophalloides Fujita, 1925

Abstract: Morphological and molecular evidence suggest that specimens formerly described as Lacunovermis sp. from Nacella (Patinigera) spp. (Patellogastropoda: Patellidae) belong to a new species of Gymnophalloides Fujita, 1925. Based on the new information, they are identified as Gymnophalloides nacellae n. sp. The new species differs from Gymnophalloides tokiensis, Gymnophalloides seoi, and Gymnophalloides heardi mainly through the presence of a group of papillae located on the ventral surface between oral and ventral suckers. A detailed morphological study revealed the lack of pars prostatica, a character previously reported in G. seoi, which is why it was formerly placed in the Gymnophallinae. Molecular information proved that G. nacellae is close to G. seoi, being nestled together with Parvatrema representatives. This molecular information, along with the absence of pars prostatica, allows these 2 genera to be placed in Parvatrematinae. An amended diagnosis of Gymnophalloides is provided. Histological sections of mantle epithelium of the limpet show metacercariae attached by their oral and ventral suckers in a similar manner to G. seoi in its host, the oyster Crassostrea gigas. Tissue reaction includes cells of outer mantle epithelium being stretched by sucker attachment, hemocyte infiltration of connective tissue between mantle epitheliums, and abnormal calcareous deposition on the inner surface of the shell.
A critical role for the sphingosine analog AAL-R in dampening the cytokine response during influenza virus infection

Pulmonary tissue damage resulting from influenza virus infection is caused by both the cytolytic activity of the virus and the host immune response. Immune-mediated injury results from T cell-mediated destruction of virus-infected cells and by release of cytokines and chemokines that attract polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PML) and macrophages to the infected site. The cytokines/chemokines potentiate dendritic cell (DC) activation and T cell expansion, which further enhances local damage. Here we report that immune modulation by local administration to the respiratory tract of sphingosine analog AAL-R significantly dampens the release of cytokines and chemokines while maintaining protective neutralizing antibody and cytotoxic T cell responses. As a result there was a marked reduction of infiltrating PML and macrophages into the lung and resultant pulmonary tissue injury. DC maturation was suppressed, which limited proliferation of specific antiviral T cells in the lung and draining lymph nodes. Further, AAL-R was effective in controlling CD8+ T cell accumulation in the lungs even when given 4 days after initiation of influenza virus infection. These data indicate that sphingosine analogs display useful potential for controlling the immunopathology caused by influenza virus.
Biochemical characterization of human myeloperoxidase using three specific monoclonal antibodies

We have developed three monoclonal antibodies (moAbs), MA1, MA3 and MB1, which react with different antigenic determinants of human myeloperoxidase (MPO). In MPO‐positive culture cell lines, HL‐60 and NKM1, analysis of MPO by pulse‐chase experiments followed by immunoprecipitation with these moAbs revealed that MPO was composed of subunits of 59K, 18K and 14.8K dalton polypeptides which are plausibly derived from the 89 K precursor. MA1 and MB1 react with both the precursor and the mature forms of MPO. MA3 reacts with only the mature forms of MPO. Blocking experiments on MPO‐related functions revealed that the three moAbs could be divided into two groups. MA1 and MA3 inhibit MPO activities such as tetraguaiacol formation, iodide oxidation and luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence, while MB1 shows no such inhibition.
Clinical, instrumental, serological and histological findings suggest that hemophilia B may be less severe than hemophilia A

Recent evidence suggests that patients with severe hemophilia B may have a less severe disease compared to severe hemophilia A. To investigate clinical, radiological, laboratory and histological differences in the arthropathy of severe hemophilia A and hemophilia B, 70 patients with hemophilia A and 35 with hemophilia B with at least one joint bleeding were consecutively enrolled. Joint bleedings (<10, 10–50, >50), regimen of treatment (prophylaxis/on demand), World Federation of Hemophilia, Pettersson and ultrasound scores, serum soluble RANK ligand and osteoprotegerin were assessed in all patients. RANK, RANK ligand and osteoprotegerin expression was evaluated in synovial tissue from 18 hemophilia A and 4 hemophilia B patients. The percentage of patients with either 10–50 or more than 50 hemarthrosis was greater in hemophilia A than in hemophilia B (P<0.001 and P=0.03, respectively), while that with less than 10 hemarthrosis was higher in hemophilia B (P<0.0001). World Federation of Hemophilia (36.6 vs. 20.2; P<0.0001) and ultrasound (10.9 vs. 4.3; P<0.0001) score mean values were significantly higher in hemophilia A patients. Serum osteoprotegerin and soluble RANK ligand were decreased in hemophilia A versus hemophilia B (P<0.0001 and P=0.006, respectively). Osteoprotegerin expression was markedly reduced in synovial tissue from hemophilia A patients. In conclusion, the reduced number of hemarthrosis, the lower World Federation of Hemophilia and ultrasound scores, and higher osteoprotegerin expression in serum and synovial tissue in hemophilia B suggest that hemophilia B is a less severe disease than hemophilia A. Osteoprotegerin reduction seems to play a pivotal role in the progression of arthropathy in hemophilia A.
The performance analyses of an induction motor due to specified fault conditions

The induction motors are being widely used in the industry. With the developments on the computational electromagnetic methods and with the aid of powerful computers, the software tools provided great support to the motor design engineers. At this paper, the design steps of a squirrel cage motor are explained and the performance degradation of the motor due to static eccentricity and broken rotor bars faults is analyzed. ANSYS® Maxwell-2D® and RMxprt® software tools are used for analyses.
Diversity Shrinkage: Cross-Validating Pareto-Optimal Weights to Enhance Diversity via Hiring Practices

To reduce adverse impact potential and improve diversity outcomes from personnel selection, one promising technique is De Corte, Lievens, and Sackett’s (2007) Pareto-optimal weighting strategy. De Corte et al.’s strategy has been demonstrated on (a) a composite of cognitive and noncognitive (e.g., personality) tests (De Corte, Lievens, & Sackett, 2008) and (b) a composite of specific cognitive ability subtests (Wee, Newman, & Joseph, 2014). Both studies illustrated how Pareto-weighting (in contrast to unit weighting) could lead to substantial improvement in diversity outcomes (i.e., diversity improvement), sometimes more than doubling the number of job offers for minority applicants. The current work addresses a key limitation of the technique—the possibility of shrinkage, especially diversity shrinkage, in the Pareto-optimal solutions. Using Monte Carlo simulations, sample size and predictor combinations were varied and cross-validated Pareto-optimal solutions were obtained. Although diversity shrinkage was sizable for a composite of cognitive and noncognitive predictors when sample size was at or below 500, diversity shrinkage was typically negligible for a composite of specific cognitive subtest predictors when sample size was at least 100. Diversity shrinkage was larger when the Pareto-optimal solution suggested substantial diversity improvement. When sample size was at least 100, cross-validated Pareto-optimal weights typically outperformed unit weights—suggesting that diversity improvement is often possible, despite diversity shrinkage. Implications for Pareto-optimal weighting, adverse impact, sample size of validation studies, and optimizing the diversity-job performance tradeoff are discussed.
Population differentiation or species formation across the Indian and the Pacific Oceans? An example from the brooding marine hydrozoan Macrorhynchia phoenicea

Abstract Assessing population connectivity is necessary to construct effective marine protected areas. This connectivity depends, among other parameters, inherently on species dispersal capacities. Isolation by distance (IBD) is one of the main modes of differentiation in marine species, above all in species presenting low dispersal abilities. This study reports the genetic structuring in the tropical hydrozoan Macrorhynchia phoenicea α (sensu Postaire et al., 2016a), a brooding species, from 30 sampling sites in the Western Indian Ocean and the Tropical Southwestern Pacific, using 15 microsatellite loci. At the local scale, genet dispersal relied on asexual propagation at short distance, which was not found at larger scales. Considering one representative per clone, significant positive FIS values (from −0.327*** to 0.411***) were found within almost all sites. Gene flow was extremely low at all spatial scales, among sites within islands (<10 km distance) and among islands (100 to >11,000 km distance), with significant pairwise FST values (from 0.035*** to 0.645***). A general pattern of IBD was found at the Indo‐Pacific scale, but also within ecoregions in the Western Indian Ocean province. Clustering and network analyses identified each island as a potential independent population, while analysis of molecular variance indicated that population genetic differentiation was significant at small (within island) and intermediate (among islands within province) spatial scales. As shown by this species, a brooding life cycle might be corollary of the high population differentiation found in some coastal marine species, thwarting regular dispersal at distances more than a few kilometers and probably leading to high cryptic diversity, each island housing independent evolutionary lineages.
Acute stroke in patients on new direct oral anticoagulants: how to manage, how to treat?

Introduction: For a long time, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were the only available oral anticoagulants for clinical use. It is conceivable that the number of patients treated with novel direct oral anticoagulants (NOAC) will increase, due to the easy handling and the favorable risk–benefit profile compared with VKA. It is, therefore, expected that clinicians will be increasingly confronted with the question on how to treat acute ischemic stroke (AIS) if there is an indication for thrombolysis or how to manage intracranial bleedings. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss controversies on thrombolysis in patients anticoagulated with NOAC, the dilemma of when to restart anticoagulation after AIS, and whether (and when) to re-institute oral anticoagulation after a brain hemorrhage. We provide suggestions for the management of these situations. Expert opinion: Thrombolysis for patients with ischemic stroke who were given warfarin at subtherapeutic International normalized ratio values (≤ 1.7) may be considered according to guideline. Thrombolysis is contraindicated if intake of NOAC is reported in a patient, but no other information is available on-time of last intake of NOAC. Prothrombin complex concentrate have been proposed as a plausible, but unproven therapy to reverse the anticoagulant effects of NOACs.
Profits, risk, and exchange markets* uncertainty in foreign

This paper examines the properties of nominal profits from speculation in dollar-dominated forward contracts using a representative agent cash-in-advance model, modified to allow for heteroscedasticity in the exogenous processes. The model is simulated by estimating exogenous processes from the data and the remaining free parameters with a simulated method-of-moments technique. Simulated expected profits are variable, heteroskedastic, and serially correlated, but the magnitude of these second moments fall short of those of the predictable component of observed profits on the U.S. dollar. As in the actual data simulated forward rates display biasedness in predicting simulated future spot rates.
Hybrid non-isolated and non inverting Nx interleaved DC-DC multilevel boost converter for renewable energy applications

In this paper hybrid non isolated/ non inverting Nx interleaved DC-DC multilevel Boost Converter for renewable energy applications is presented. The presented hybrid topology is derived from the conventional interleaved converter and the Nx Multilevel boost converter. In renewable energy applications, generated energy cannot be directly used at application end. In most of the cases it needs to be stepped up with DC-DC converter at operating voltage levels as per the requirement of the application. Though conventional boost converter can theoretically be used for this purpose, but obtaining such high gain implies that boost converter should operate at it its maximum duty cycle, which is not feasible due to the great variations in the output voltage caused by small variations in the duty cycle, leading the boost converter to instability and also increases the voltage stress across switches. The advantages of presenting topology of DC-DC converter are high voltage conversion, reduce ripple, low voltage stress, non inverting without utilizing the high duty and transformer. The main advantage of presented topology is more number of levels can be increased by adding capacitor and diode circuitry to increase the voltage gain without disturbing the main circuit. Moreover, the presented topology is compared with several recent high gain converters. The proposed topology is simulated in MATLAB/SIMULATION and results will verify the validity of the design and operation of the converter.
Future accelerator magnet needs

Superconducting magnet technology is continually evolving in order to meet the demanding needs of new accelerators and to provide necessary upgrades for existing machines. A variety of designs are now under development, including high fields and gradients, rapid cycling and novel coil configurations. This paper presents a summary of R&D programs in the EU, Japan and the USA. A performance comparison between NbTi and Nb/sub 3/Sn along with fabrication and cost issues are also discussed.