Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods for estimating the number of motor units in human muscles

The number of motor units in the thenar muscle group was calculated by dividing the surface electromyogram and twitch force, in maximal stimulation of the median nerve, by estimates of the average electromyogram and twitch force from single units. The following three techniques were used to estimate the average electromyogram from single units: spike‐triggered averaging from units recorded with a needle electrode, intramuscular microstimulation of motor nerve branches, and graded whole nerve stimulation at the wrist. The first two techniques also provided independent estimates of motor unit numbers based on the average force generated by single units. The five estimates (three based on the electromyogram and two on force) ranged from 116 to 170 motor units in the thenar group. Correcting for cancellation when unit responses sum to form the compound action potential or twitch increased the estimated number of units, which ranged from 130 to 179. The estimates were not statistically different from one another but were substantially lower than some previous electrophysiological estimates based on graded whole nerve stimulation. The recruitment pattern of single units during whole nerve stimulation was recorded and simulated mathematically. The most likely reason for the higher estimates in previous studies using graded whole nerve stimulation is shown to be alternation of motor units. Potential errors in all the techniques are discussed and compared.
Phytochemical Characterization of Chinese Bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) of 17 Cultivars and Their Antioxidant Properties

In order to fully understand the variations of fruit quality-related phytochemical composition in Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.), mature fruit of 17 cultivars from Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces was used for the investigation of fruit quality attributes, including fruit color, soluble sugars, organic acids, total phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, etc. Sucrose was the main soluble sugar, while citric acid was the main organic acid in bayberry fruit. The content of total phenolics and total flavonoids were positively correlated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) antioxidant activity and 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Five anthocyanidins, i.e., delphinidin–hexoside (Dp–Hex), cyanidin-3–O-galactoside (C-3–Gal), cyanidin-3–O-glucoside (C-3–Glu), pelargonidin-3–O-glucoside (Pg-3–Glu) and peonidin-3-O-glucoside (Pn-3–Glu), and seven flavonols compounds, i.e., myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside (M-3–Rha), myricetin deoxyhexoside–gallate (M-DH–G), quercetin-3-O-galactoside (Q-3–Gal), quercetin-3–O-glucoside (Q-3–Glu), quercetin-3–O-rhamnoside (Q-3–Rha), kaempferol-3–O-galactoside (K-3–Gal) and kaempferol-3–O-glucoside (K-3–Glu), were identified and characterized among the cultivars. The significant differences in phytochemical compositions among cultivars reflect the diversity in bayberry germplasm, and cultivars of good flavor and/or rich in various health-promoting phytochemicals are good candidates for future genetic breeding of bayberry fruit of high quality. In conclusion, our results may provide important information for further breeding or industrial utilization of different bayberry resources.
Mediating Effects of Sense of Coherence on Family Caregivers’ Depressive Distress While Caring for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients

Background: The stress and coping theory suggests that the impact of caregiving on caregivers’ life depends more on personal psychological resources (ie, sense of coherence [SOC]) than on objective caregiving demands or social resources. However, SOC’s mediation roles in helping caregivers cope with the challenges of end-of-life care have never been explored. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the mediation effects of SOC on caregivers’ depressive distress while providing end-of-life care. Methods: The Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale scores from a convenience sample of 621 family caregivers were analyzed using structural equation modeling. We used the Sobel test to verify the significance of SOC’s mediation effects on the relationships between identified stressors (objective caregiving demands, patient symptom distress), appraisals (confidence in caregiving, subjective caregiving burden), and caregivers’ depressive distress. Results: Sense of coherence mediated effects on relationships between Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale scores and subjective caregiving burden (P = .000), confidence in caregiving (P = .014), and objective caregiving demands (P = .000). Although the strength of SOC did not attenuate the impact of caregivers’ perceived patient symptom distress on caregiver depressive distress, SOC mediated this effect secondarily through appraisals of subjective caregiving burden and confidence in caregiving. Conclusion: Personal psychological resources, as indicated by the strength of personal SOC, significantly mediated the effects of caregiving stressors, appraisals of caregiving confidence, and subjective caregiving burden on depressive distress of family caregivers while providing end-of-life care. Implications for Practice: Nursing interventions to enhance caregivers’ SOC may decrease their depressive distress through increasing their confidence in providing end-of-life care and lightening their perceived caregiving burden.
Impedance-Based Temperature Sensing With Piezoceramic Devices

This paper deals with the temperature dependence of the electrical impedance of piezoceramic transducers. The behavior under thermal loads is investigated for bulk ceramics and composite structures where the piezoceramics are integrated into passive materials. According to these identified dependencies, temperature sensing through the piezoceramics impedance is realized using a polynomial fitting method. A creep operator and a lead filter are introduced to consider the time-dependent behavior of the electrical impedance. The presented approach is applied to a commercially available air ultrasound transducer. The accuracy of the measurement method is investigated for an arbitrary temperature profile yielding ${\pm}{\rm 4.5}^{\circ}{\rm C}$. The presented method can be utilized for additionally sensing temperature in devices with integrated piezoceramic transducers, especially ultrasound transducers or in structural health-monitoring applications.
Identification of the uncultured bacillus of Whipple's disease.

BACKGROUND Whipple's disease is a systemic disorder known for 85 years to be associated with an uncultured, and therefore unidentified, bacillus. METHODS We used a molecular genetic approach to identify this organism. The bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence was amplified directly from tissues of five unrelated patients with Whipple's disease by means of the polymerase chain reaction, first with broad-range primers and then with specific primers. We determined and analyzed the nucleotide sequence of the amplification products. RESULTS A unique 1321-base bacterial 16S rRNA sequence was amplified from duodenal tissue of one patient. This sequence indicated the presence of a previously uncharacterized organism. We then detected this sequence in tissues from all 5 patients with Whipple's disease, but in none of those from 10 patients without the disorder. According to phylogenetic analysis, this bacterium is a gram-positive actinomycete that is not closely related to any known genus. CONCLUSIONS We have identified the uncultured bacillus associated with Whipple's disease. The phylogenetic relations of this bacterium, its distinct morphologic characteristics, and the unusual features of the disease are sufficient grounds for naming this bacillus Tropheryma whippelii gen. nov. sp. nov. Our findings also provide a basis for a specific diagnostic test for this organism.
The challenge of preconception counseling: Using reproductive life planning in primary care

Purpose: A case study is used to explore barriers and challenges in the delivery of preconception care, and to highlight the future role of reproductive life planning in primary practice settings. Data sources: Peer‐reviewed journal articles and clinical practice guidelines pertaining to preconception care. Conclusions: Because of the high rate of unintended pregnancy, preconception care should be incorporated into routine primary care for women of reproductive age. Reproductive life plans are tools that help formalize contraceptive and preconception care for women across the life span. They may prove particularly useful for women with chronic diseases and for young, low‐income, and minority women. Implications for practice: With their emphasis on holistic care and patient education, nurse practitioners are well suited to incorporate elements of preconception care into the routine care they provide patients. Clinicians can modify reproductive life plans to fit the unique needs of an individual, patient population, or clinical practice.
Right Ventricular versus Biventricular Antitachycardia Pacing in the Termination of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The ADVANCE CRT‐D Trial

Background: The purpose of this investigation is to compare the efficacy of antitachycardia pacing (ATP) delivered via the right ventricular (RV) lead versus ATP delivered simultaneously via the right and left ventricular leads (biventricular [BiV]) in the termination of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with ICD capabilities.
Restricted‐feeding‐induced anticipatory activity rhythm is associated with a phase‐shift of the expression of mPer1 and mPer2 mRNA in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus but not in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of mice

Daily restricted feeding (RF) can produce food‐entrainable oscillations in both intact and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)‐lesioned animals. Thus, there are two circadian rhythms, one of which is SCN‐dependent and the other SCN‐independent. Recently, it has been established that several mouse clock genes, such as mPer1, mPer2 and mPer3 are expressed in the SCN and other brain tissues. Although the role of mPer genes expressed in the SCN has recently been evaluated in the SCN‐dependent rhythm, their function in the SCN‐independent rhythm is still poorly understood. In order to understand the role of these genes in SCN‐independent rhythm, we examined the expression pattern of mPer1 and mPer2 mRNA in each brain area of mice under RF. Mice were allowed access to food for 4 h during either the daytime under a light‐dark cycle or the subjective daytime under constant dark. After 6 days of scheduled RF, the night‐time or subjective night‐time peak of mPer mRNA changed to a daytime peak in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, with moderate expression in the striatum, pyriform cortex and paraventricular nucleus, and no expression in the SCN. The daytime peak in the cerebral cortex returned to a night‐time peak after the release of RF to a free‐feeding schedule. Although the basal rhythm of mPer expression disappeared in SCN‐lesioned mice, RF produced mPer mRNA rhythm in the cerebral cortex of these mice. The present results provide evidence of an association between food‐entrainable oscillations and the expression of mPer1 and mPer2 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.
The catalytic activity of the CD45 membrane‐proximal phosphatase domain is required for TCR signaling and regulation.

Cell surface expression of CD45, a receptor‐like protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase), is required for T cell antigen receptor (TCR)‐mediated signal transduction. Like the majority of transmembrane PTPases, CD45 contains two cytoplasmic phosphatase domains, whose relative in vivo function is not known. Site‐directed mutagenesis of the individual catalytic residues of the two CD45 phosphatase domains indicates that the catalytic activity of the membrane‐proximal domain is both necessary and sufficient for restoration of TCR signal transduction in a CD45‐deficient cell. The putative catalytic activity of the distal phosphatase domain is not required for proximal TCR‐mediated signaling events. Moreover, in the context of a chimeric PTPase receptor, the putative catalytic activity of the distal phosphatase domain is not required for ligand‐induced negative regulation of PTPase function. We also demonstrate that the phosphorylation of the C‐terminal tyrosine of Lck, a site of negative regulation, is reduced only when CD45 mutants with demonstrable in vitro phosphatase activity are introduced into the CD45‐deficient cells. These results demonstrate that the phosphatase activity of CD45 is critical for TCR signaling, and for regulating the levels of C‐terminal phosphorylated Lck molecules.
Prevalence of Qnr determinants among bloodstream isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Taiwanese hospital, 1999-2005.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and characteristics of bloodstream isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae with qnr genes in a Taiwanese hospital. METHODS A total of 2035 E. coli and 1147 K. pneumoniae isolates collected between 1999 and 2005 were screened for qnrA, qnrB and qnrS by PCR and colony hybridization. Beta-lactamase genes, genetic relatedness and transferability were examined by PCR, PFGE and conjugation, respectively. RESULTS The prevalence of qnr genes was 7.8% and 0.6% for K. pneumoniae and E. coli, respectively. The prevalence rates of qnrB2, qnrB4 and qnrS1 genes for K. pneumoniae were 2.3%, 3.6% and 2.8%, respectively, and for E. coli were 0.2%, 0% and 0.4%, respectively. The prevalence of qnrB4 in K. pneumoniae increased remarkably from 0% to 7.6% over the 7 study years. qnrA was not detected. Overall, the SHV-5-related, CTX-M-14, CTX-M-3, CMY-2, DHA-1 and IMP-8 beta-lactamases were detected alone or in combination in 82.0% of qnr-positive K. pneumoniae isolates and 41.7% of qnr-positive E. coli isolates. Notably, all qnrB4-positive isolates possessed the DHA-1 enzyme, and the majority of the qnrB2-positive isolates (E. coli, 100%; K. pneumoniae, 80.8%) produced SHV-5-related beta-lactamases. Genetic diversity was demonstrated by PFGE. Conjugation experiments revealed co-transfer of bla(SHV-12), bla(DHA-1) and bla(SHV-5) with qnrB2, qnrB4 and qnrS1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS qnr genes remained rare in E. coli but appeared to be increasing in K. pneumoniae in our hospital. Horizontal transfer may play a major role in the intra-hospital spread of qnr.
A Reliable Testing Battery for Assessing Physical Qualities of Elite Academy Rugby League Players

Abstract Dobbin, N, Hunwicks, R, Highton, J, and Twist, C. A reliable testing battery for assessing physical qualities of elite academy rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 32(11): 3232–3238, 2018—This study assessed the interday reliability of a testing battery for the assessment of physical qualities of rugby league players. Fifty players (age 17.1 ± 1.1 years; stature 181.3 ± 6.3 cm; and body mass 89.0 ± 11.6 kg) from 3 Super League academies participated in this study. Tests of countermovement jump performance, 10- and 20-m sprint performance, change of direction, medicine ball throw, and a modified Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (prone Yo-Yo IR1) were completed on 3 separate occasions. Between-day intraclass correlation coefficient, typical error (TE), coefficient of variation, and the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were calculated to determine the reliability and sensitivity of each measure. Individual tests (except medicine ball throw) were not systematically different between trials (p > 0.05), with an interday variability that was <10%. In all instances, the TE was larger than the calculated SWC change, although variability was less than that typically observed after a training intervention or specific training period (i.e. preseason). Using a magnitude-based inference approach, we present the required change for all performance tests to be 75% confident and the change is beneficial. This simple and time efficient testing battery is sufficiently reliable to detect previously observed changes in a range of physical qualities of rugby league players.
An Education System’s Perspective on Turning Around South Africa’s Dysfunctional Schools

The South African education system is grappling with vast numbers of dysfunctional schools. Schools on their own cannot be blamed for all educational ills of a country. Dysfunctional schools are the symptoms of the impaired functioning of the entire education system in which a great variety of societal structures are involved. Thus, this article aimed at developing an education system’s perspective on turning around dysfunctional schools. In addition to an extensive review of related literature, a qualitative approach was adopted in which a broad sample of practitioners and experts were targeted. Typical of a qualitative approach, a variety of data sources were explored, including interviews, a qualitative survey and school visits. Based on the literature review and the responses of the experts it was found that the South African education system fails to build and sustain the conditions for school and teacher effectiveness. It was concluded that the education system, consisting of the managerial and administrative structures, the educational institutions, support services and the parties with an interest in education should unite in making schools effective. All hands in the community are needed in order to transform dysfunctional schools into places of dedicated teaching and learning. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n15p348
Heterogeneity by cluster analysis techniques of Graves' patients typed for HLA DR and IgG heavy chain markers.

In a previous study we were able to separate, using cluster analysis, 196 patients with Graves' disease evaluated for a large number of clinical and laboratory characteristics, including HLA-A and HLA-B typing into one subset with recurring disease and a high prevalence of ophthalmopathy and another subset with mild disease and little ophthalmopathy. Prevalence of HLA-B8 was much higher in the first as compared to the second group. The present study was undertaken in 117 new patients with Graves' disease, typed for HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C and DR antigens and IgG heavy chain markers, to determine whether these characteristics could be used to segregate patients into clinically relevant subsets. There was a greater proportion of Gm fb homozygotes among patients than among controls (chi2 = 4.71, p less than 0.05) as well as individuals with HLA-B8 and DR3, previously documented for this disease. Two patient clusters were identified. In one (C1), there is a high incidence of exophthalmos, recurrence of hyperthyroidism after drug treatment, high titres of anti-thyroglobulin antibody, and an association with other autoimmune (including thyroid) diseases, a tendency for the disease to be familial and the presence of larger goitres. The incidence of HLA-B8 was greater in C1, while HLA-B12 was more frequent in the mild cluster, C2. HLA-DR3 was found to be associated with patients in the severe cluster and HLA-DR2 with patients in the mild cluster. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
SOI FinFET nFET-to-pFET Tracking Variability Compact Modeling and Impact on Latch Timing

In this paper, nFET-to-pFET (n-to-p) tracking characteristics in 14-nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) FinFET technology are studied by technology computer-aided design-based statistical modeling. Compared with planar SOI high-k metal gate CMOS technologies, 14-nm SOI FinFET technology shows better n-to-p tracking mainly due to the strong influence of correlated Fin geometrical variation, as well as reduced uncorrelated variation from an innovative work function process. The impact of the n-to-p tracking characteristics on setup and hold (guard time) of latch circuits is evaluated by corner and Monte Carlo simulation using compact models. It is found that the guard time is significantly modulated by slow/fast and fast/slow corners in certain conditions and, therefore should be considered in guard time design.
No Drama

We qualitatively examined gay men’s reactions to the national “Drama Downunder” HIV/STI social marketing campaign targeting gay men in Australia to identify key campaign elements that underpinned the demonstrated effectiveness of the campaign. We present findings from six qualitative focus groups held with 49 participants as part of the evaluation of the sexual-health-promotion campaign over 2008–2009. Participants identified attention-grabbing images, a humorous approach, positive and simple tailored messaging, and the use of mainstream media as campaign features crucial in normalizing sexual health testing, driving campaign engagement, and ensuring high message exposure. Our results suggest that designers of future campaigns should strive to balance positive and negative campaign images and messages, and find new ways to engage men with sexual health topics, particularly younger gay men. We discuss the implications of our findings about campaign effectiveness for future health-promotion campaigns and message design.
Role of Atypical Protein Kinase C in Estradiol-Triggered G1/S Progression of MCF-7 Cells

ABSTRACT Expression of a dominant negative atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), PKCζ, prevents nuclear translocation of extracellular regulated kinase 2 (ERK-2), p27 nuclear reduction, and DNA synthesis induced by estradiol in human mammary cancer-derived MCF-7 cells. aPKC action upstream of these events has been analyzed. In hormone-stimulated NIH 3T3 and Cos cells ectopically expressing human estrogen receptor alpha (hERα), aPKC is activated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and, in turn, controls the Ras/MEK-1/ERK cascade. In MCF-7 and Cos cells stimulated by hormone, PI 3-kinase activates PKCζ by Thr410 phosphorylation. Serine phosphorylation of PKCζ is simultaneously induced. PKCζ activation leads to recruitment of Ras to a multimolecular complex that also includes hERα, Src, PI 3-kinase, and aPKC. We propose that PKCζ pushes Ras and the signaling complex close together in such a way that it facilitates the Src-dependent Ras activation. This activation is crucial for the interplay between estradiol-triggered signaling and cell cycle machinery.