Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular health profile of elite female football players compared to untrained controls before and after short-term football training

Abstract This study examined the intermittent exercise performance and cardiovascular health profile in elite female football players in comparison to untrained young women, as well as a subgroup subjected to football training 2x1 h · week−1 for 16 weeks. Twenty-seven Danish national team players (elite trained, ET) and 28 untrained women (UT) underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scanning (DXA), comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, treadmill and Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance level 2 (IE2) testing. Eight women in UT were also tested after the football training period. Maximal oxygen uptake rate (VO2max), peak ventilation and peak lactate were 40, 18 and 51% higher (P< 0.01) in ET than UT, respectively. Cardiac dimensions and function were greater in ET than UT, with left ventricular diastolic diameter, right ventricular diastolic diameter, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and peak transmitral flow in early diastole divided by peak transmitral flow velocity in late diastole during atrial contraction (E/A-ratio) being 13, 19, 27 and 41%, respectively, greater in ET than UT (P< 0.001 to< 0.05). Yo-Yo IE2 performance was 7-fold higher in ET than UT (1772 ± 508 vs. 234 ± 66 m, P< 0.001), fat mass was 51% lower (P< 0.001) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were 20% higher (P< 0.01). Sixteen weeks of football elevated VO2max and Yo-Yo IE2 performance by 16 and 40%, respectively, and lowered fat mass by 6%. Cardiac function was markedly improved by 16 weeks of football training with 26 and 46% increases in TAPSE and E/A ratio, respectively, reaching levels comparable to ET. In summary, elite female football players have a superior cardiovascular health profile and intermittent exercise performance compared to untrained controls, but short-term football training can markedly improve the cardiovascular health status.
The political economy of 'linked' progressive taxation in Africa and Latin America

One key element in the reduction of poverty and (in Latin America) inequality has been the achievement of greater fiscal equity; we analyse one key part of this process, which is the earmarking of portions of tax revenue to be spent on progressive public expenditures such as social protection, health, and education. Such 'linkage' yields a political dividend, and may also help to strengthen the tax base, but at the same time constrains the flexibility with which public revenue can be switched between sectors. We examine, principally by regression methods, the impact of 'linked taxation' in five countries—Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Zambia, and Ghana—and find that it significantly reduces political instability and raises tax revenue in all those countries. 'Linked progressive taxation' has evolved over recent years to become more flexible, in particular through reforms in the sources and types of taxation which are used to finance priority expenditures, and we argue that these adaptations have helped to reduce the inefficiencies associated with linked taxation.
Investigating cardiovascular risk reduction – the Rosuvastatin GALAXY Programme™

The GALAXY Programme™ is a comprehensive global research initiative that will address several important unanswered questions in statin research and investigate the impact of rosuvastatin on cardiovascular risk reduction and patient outcomes. Studies already completed demonstrate that rosuvastatin provides greater reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) than other statins, enabling more patients to achieve LDL-C treatment goals. Additionally, rosuvastatin provides beneficial effects on other components of the atherogenic lipid profile. Ongoing studies will evaluate whether these effects translate into beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and significant reductions in cardiovascular events. Important information will also be provided on the role of statins in less well studied groups, including patients with heart failure, end stage renal disease, and individuals without elevated LDL-C but at heightened vascular risk as a result of increased systemic inflammation. Ultimately, the GALAXY Programme will provide clinical data that will enable physicians to make more effective statin treatment decisions, which will lead to improved patient care and cardiovascular outcomes.
Department of Transportation vs Self-reported Data on Motor Vehicle Collisions and Driving Convictions for Stroke Survivors: Do They Agree?

Objective: Research on stroke survivors’ driving safety has typically used either self-reports or government records, but the extent to which the 2 may differ is not known. We compared government records and self-reports of motor vehicle collisions and driving convictions in a sample of stroke survivors. Methods: The 56 participants were originally recruited for a prospective study on driving and community re-integration post-stroke; the study population consisted of moderately impaired stroke survivors without severe communication disorders who had been referred for a driving assessment. The driving records of the 56 participants for the 5 years before study entry and the 1-year study period were acquired with written consent from the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), Canada. Self-reports of collisions and convictions were acquired via a semistructured interview and then compared with the MTO records. Results: Forty-three participants completed the study. For 7 (13.5%) the MTO records did not match the self-reports regarding collision involvement, and for 9 (17.3%) the MTO records did not match self-reports regarding driving convictions. The kappa coefficient for the correlation between MTO records and self-reports was 0.52 for collisions and 0.47 for convictions (both in the moderate range of agreement). When both sources of data were consulted, up to 56 percent more accidents and up to 46 percent more convictions were identified in the study population in the 5 years before study entry compared to when either source was used alone. Conclusion: In our population of stroke survivors, self-reports of motor vehicle collisions and driving convictions differed from government records. In future studies, the use of both government and self-reported data would ensure a more accurate picture of driving safety post-stroke.
Chronic physical activity mitigates cerebral hypoperfusion during central hypovolemia in elderly humans.

This study sought to test the hypothesis that orthostasis-induced cerebral hypoperfusion would be less severe in physically active elderly humans (ACT group) than in sedentary elderly humans (SED group). The peak O(2) uptake of 10 SED (67.1 +/- 1.4 yr) and 9 ACT (68.0 +/- 1.1 yr) volunteers was determined by a graded cycling exercise test (22.1 +/- 1.2 vs 35.8 +/- 1.3 ml.min(-1). kg(-1), P < 0.01). Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP; tonometry) and middle cerebral arterial blood flow velocity (V(MCA); transcranial Doppler) were similar between the groups (SED vs. ACT group: 91 +/- 3 vs. 87 +/- 3 mmHg and 54.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 57.8 +/- 3.2 cm/s, respectively), whereas heart rate was higher and stroke volume (bioimpedance) was smaller in the SED group than in the ACT group. Central hypovolemia during graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was larger (P < 0.01) in the ACT group than in the SED group. However, the slope of V(MCA)/LBNP was smaller (P < 0.05) in the ACT group (0.159 +/- 0.016 cm/s/Torr) than in the SED group (0.211 +/- 0.008 cm/s/Torr). During LBNP, the SED group had a greater augmentation of cerebral vasomotor tone (P < 0.05) and hypocapnia (P < 0.001) compared with the ACT group. Baseline MAP variability and V(MCA) variability were significantly smaller in the SED group than in the ACT group, i.e., 0.49 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.04 +/- 0.16 (mmHg)(2) and 1.06 +/- 0.19 vs. 4.24 +/- 1.59 (cm/s)(2), respectively. However, transfer function gain, coherence, and phase between MAP and V(MCA) signals (Welch spectral estimator) from 0.08-0.18 Hz were not different between SED (1.41 +/- 0.18 cm.s(-1). mmHg(-1), 0.63 +/- 0.06 units, and 38.03 +/- 6.57 degrees ) and ACT (1.65 +/- 0.44 cm.s(-1). mmHg(-1), 0.56 +/- 0.05 units, and 48.55 +/- 11.84 degrees ) groups. We conclude that a physically active lifestyle improves the intrinsic mechanism of cerebral autoregulation and helps mitigate cerebral hypoperfusion during central hypovolemia in healthy elderly adults.
Expression of glycine receptor alpha subunits and gephyrin in cultured spinal neurons.

The inhibitory glycine receptor is a pentameric membrane protein composed of alpha and beta subunits. In the postsynaptic membrane, the glycine receptor and the copurifying peripheral membrane protein gephyrin are clustered underneath glycine-releasing nerve terminals. Here, we describe the expression of gephyrin and the neonatal and adult glycine receptor alpha subunit isoforms alpha1 and alpha2 during in vitro differentiation of rat spinal neurons. Analysis by immunoassays and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that gephyrin and alpha subunit mRNA and protein levels exhibited a marked increase from 1 to 5 days in vitro, i.e. prior to the formation of functional synaptic contacts. Using confocal and standard immunofluorescence, we determined the number of immunoreactive cells and the cellular localization of the alpha subunits and gephyrin. At 3 days in vitro, glycine receptor immunoreactivity revealed by the monoclonal antibody mAb4a was found in < 10% of cells and was mainly localized intracellularly; in contrast, gephyrin was detected in in vitro, gephyrin was essentially localized at the neuronal surface. At this stage, the number of glycine receptor-positive cells approached that of gephyrin-containing neurons (50%), and glycine receptor antigen was found both intracellularly and at the periphery of the cells. The antibody mAb2b, which binds exclusively to the alpha1 subunit, revealed aggregates at the surface of a few neurons. At 10 days in vitro, glycine receptor and gephyrin staining was localized in clusters at the periphery of the soma and the neurites. This quantitative analysis corroborates temporal differences in the cellular distribution of gephyrin and glycine receptor alpha subunits, the former being accumulated first at the neuronal surface.
Design of a custom standard-cell library for mixed-signal applications in 28 nm CMOS

In highly-scaled CMOS technologies, analog and digital functionality are often combined into more powerful systems. Implementation of any complex digital circuit requires digital synthesis and therefore a digital standard cell library. Absence of the digital libraries in core design kits provided by the foundries is a significant hurdle for academic institutions to design complex electronic systems. Therefore, design of a custom digital library becomes a necessary step for a successful mixed-signal design. In this paper, the design of such a custom digital library is presented. The library was designed in 28nm CMOS technology and tailored for usage in mixed-signal applications. The composition of available cells and its effect on the performance and area of the synthesized block are discussed. Moreover, different approaches to the transistor dimensioning are compared regarding design effort and performance. To verify the library and the design flow, a serial-to-parallel interface (SPI) demonstrator chip was designed, fabricated and tested. The measurement results correspond to the simulation results and were used to further improve the library and the design process. Finally, the performance of the library is compared to two other digital libraries, one of which is a state-of-the-art commercial library based on high performance 45nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS technology. The designed library offers low leakage power and low area consumption while allowing moderate speed which is well suited for the usage in digital control blocks within the mixed-signal systems.
Gender Differences in Smoking Behavior and Dependence Motives Among Daily and Nondaily Smokers.

INTRODUCTION While the overall prevalence of smoking has declined, nondaily smoking is on the rise. Among daily smokers (DS) men tend to smoke more cigarettes per day and have higher dependence. Unfortunately little is known about gender differences in nondaily smokers (NDS). METHODS This secondary-data analysis utilized data from a cross-sectional online survey. Participants reported on smoking behavior (eg, cigarettes per day, history of quit attempts) and nicotine dependence motives as assessed by the Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Dependence Motives via the primary and secondary subscales (ie, core features of tobacco dependence such as craving and accessory motives such as weight control, respectively). RESULTS Participants were 1175 DS (60% women) and 1201 NDS (56% women). Two interactions between group and gender were noted suggesting that the NDS had greater gender differences in past quit attempts (P < .01) and reported change in smoking behavior over the past year (P < .01). Further, among the NDS group, men scored significantly higher than women on both the primary and secondary dependence motives subscales (3.6±0.1 vs. 2.9±0.1, P < .0001; 3.8±0.1 vs. 3.3±0.1, P < .0001; respectively). There were no significant differences in dependence motives in the DS group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Gender differences in smoking behavior and dependence motives varied between NDS and DS. Specifically, gender differences in smoking behavior and smoking dependence motives may be larger among NDS compared to DS. Additional research is needed to explore how these relationships may relate to smoking cessation in NDS.
revie A topological view of the replicon

The replication of circular DNA faces topological obstacles that need to be overcome to allow the complete duplication and separation of newly replicated molecules. Small bacterial plasmids provide a perfect model system to study the interplay between DNA helicases, polymerases, topoisomerases and the overall architecture of partially replicated molecules. Recent studies have shown that partially replicated circular molecules have an amazing ability to form various types of structures (supercoils, precatenanes, knots and catenanes) that help to accommodate the dynamic interplay between duplex unwinding at the replication fork and DNA unlinking by topoisomerases.
Network architecture of the long-distance pathways in the macaque brain

Understanding the network structure of white matter communication pathways is essential for unraveling the mysteries of the brain's function, organization, and evolution. To this end, we derive a unique network incorporating 410 anatomical tracing studies of the macaque brain from the Collation of Connectivity data on the Macaque brain (CoCoMac) neuroinformatic database. Our network consists of 383 hierarchically organized regions spanning cortex, thalamus, and basal ganglia; models the presence of 6,602 directed long-distance connections; is three times larger than any previously derived brain network; and contains subnetworks corresponding to classic corticocortical, corticosubcortical, and subcortico-subcortical fiber systems. We found that the empirical degree distribution of the network is consistent with the hypothesis of the maximum entropy exponential distribution and discovered two remarkable bridges between the brain's structure and function via network-theoretical analysis. First, prefrontal cortex contains a disproportionate share of topologically central regions. Second, there exists a tightly integrated core circuit, spanning parts of premotor cortex, prefrontal cortex, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, thalamus, basal ganglia, cingulate cortex, insula, and visual cortex, that includes much of the task-positive and task-negative networks and might play a special role in higher cognition and consciousness.
Estrogen Receptor-α Detected on the Plasma Membrane of Aldehyde-Fixed GH3/B6/F10 Rat Pituitary Tumor Cells by Enzyme-Linked Immunocytochemistry.

A population of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) proteins, located at the plasma membrane, is postulated to mediate the rapid, nongenomic responses of GH3/B6/F10 pituitary cells to estrogen. To demonstrate the presence of ERα at the plasma membrane and to distinguish this receptor population from that in the nucleus, GH3/B6/F10 cells were first prepared in 2% paraformaldehyde/0.1% glutaraldehyde in PBS (P/G) without detergent, then exposed to one of several antibodies (Abs) raised against nuclear ERα. Ab binding was visualized as a fluorescent/chromagenic reaction product catalyzed by avidin-biotin-complexed alkaline phosphatase. With P/G fixation, Abs could only access antigens at the cell surface, as evidenced by the inability of 70K mol wt dextrans to permeate cells and the absence of intracellular staining by Abs to cytoplasmic or nuclear antigens. ERα Abs generated membrane, but not nuclear, staining in P/G-fixed cells; nuclear receptor labeling could only be detected in detergent-treated cells. Specificity.
The Relation of Earnings Quality to Accounting Conservatism

The aim of this article is to examine the relationship between accounting conservatism andearnings quality. Data were collected from 50 industrial corporations listed in AmmanStock Exchange (ASE) between 2004-2009. Hypotheses were tested using Ordinary LeastSquares (OLS) and Binary Logistic under Pooled Regression. The findings revealed that thelevel of conservatism was low in such companies, but earnings quality was reasonable. Thestudy found that there was no variance between levels of earnings quality of the Jordanianindustrial corporations, due to the disparity of the level of conservatism in their financialreports.
UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 Genetic Polymorphisms Are Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Japanese Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Purpose: Genetic polymorphisms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 (UGT1A7), which detoxifies endogenous and environmental carcinogens, have been reported to be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in German populations. On the other hand, we reported that interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene polymorphisms were associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. In this study, we evaluated the association of both genes with the risk of HCC in Japanese HCV-infected patients. Experimental Design: Genetic polymorphisms of UGT1A7 and IL-1β were investigated in 280 Japanese patients (122 with HCC and 158 without HCC) with chronic HCV infections, by use of standard PCR-based genotyping techniques. Results: We designated the UGT1A7*1 allele (a haplotype conferring higher activity) as H and the *2, *3, and *4 alleles (haplotypes conferring lower activity) as L. The proportions of UGT1A7 L/L and H/L alleles (genotypes) in patients with HCC (25% and 45%, respectively) were higher than those in patients without HCC (15% and 39%, respectively) with odds ratios of 2.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.40–5.35) and 1.80 (95% confidence interval, 1.05–3.09), respectively, compared with the UGT1A7 H/H alleles. Multivariate analyses revealed that UGT1A7 L/L and IL-1β/−31T/T−511C/C genotypes, the presence of cirrhosis, age >60 years, male sex, and α-fetoprotein >20 μg/ml were associated with the presence of HCC (odds ratios, 2.33, 2.67, 4.20, 3.12, 3.09, and 2.90, respectively). Conclusion: The UGT1A7 polymorphisms together with IL-1β were associated with the presence of HCC in Japanese HCV-infected patients.
The Kinesin-5 Chemomechanical Cycle Is Dominated by a Two-heads-bound State*♦

Single-molecule microscopy and stopped-flow kinetics assays were carried out to understand the microtubule polymerase activity of kinesin-5 (Eg5). Four lines of evidence argue that the motor primarily resides in a two-heads-bound (2HB) state. First, upon microtubule binding, dimeric Eg5 releases both bound ADPs. Second, microtubule dissociation in saturating ADP is 20-fold slower for the dimer than for the monomer. Third, ATP-triggered mant-ADP release is 5-fold faster than the stepping rate. Fourth, ATP binding is relatively fast when the motor is locked in a 2HB state. Shortening the neck-linker does not facilitate rear-head detachment, suggesting a minimal role for rear-head-gating. This 2HB state may enable Eg5 to stabilize incoming tubulin at the growing microtubule plus-end. The finding that slowly hydrolyzable ATP analogs trigger slower nucleotide release than ATP suggests that ATP hydrolysis in the bound head precedes stepping by the tethered head, leading to a mechanochemical cycle in which processivity is determined by the race between unbinding of the bound head and attachment of the tethered head.
Effect of Self-Hypnosis on Hay Fever Symptoms – A Randomised Controlled Intervention Study

Background: Many people suffer from hay fever symptoms. Hypnosis has proved to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of conditions where allergic phenomena have an important role. Methods: Randomised parallel group study over an observation period of two consecutive pollen seasons. Outcome data include nasal flow under hypnosis, pollinosis symptoms from diaries and retrospective assessments, restrictions in well-being and use of anti-allergic medication. We investigated 79 patients with a mean age of 34 years (range 19–54 years; 41 males), with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis to grass or birch pollen of at least 2 years duration and mild allergic asthma. The intervention consisted of teaching self-hypnosis during a mean of 2.4 sessions (SD 1.7; range 2–5 sessions) and continuation of standard anti-allergic pharmacological treatment. Results: Of 79 randomised patients, 66 completed one, and 52 completed two seasons. Retrospective VAS scores yielded significant improvements in year 1 in patients who had learned self-hypnosis: pollinosis symptoms –29.2 (VAS score, range 0–100; SD 25.4; p < 0.001), restriction of well-being –26.2 (VAS score, range 0–100; SD 28.7; p < 0.001. In year 2, the control group improved significantly having learned self-hypnosis as well: pollinosis symptoms –24.8 (SD 29.1; p < 0.001), restriction of well-being –23.7 (SD 30.0; p < 0.001). Daily self-reports of subjects who learnt self-hypnosis do not show a significant improvement. The hazard ratio of reaching a critical flow of 70% in nasal provocation tests was 0.333 (95% CI 0.157–0.741) after having learnt and applied self-hypnosis.
Circulating SFRP5 levels are elevated in drug‐naïve recently diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients as compared with prediabetic subjects and controls

Secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (SFRP5) has been linked to obesity. Results are conflicting regarding its association with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in humans. We aimed to investigate circulating SFRP5 in prediabetes and T2D and its potential association with parameters of insulin resistance and beta‐cell function.