Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological differences and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in professional, amateur and young cyclists.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to measure and compare the physiological characteristics and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in 72 high level road cyclists of 3 different categories. METHODS These cyclists were divided in 3 groups according to their age (24 professionals, mean age 26 years, 22 amateurs, 22 years and 26 juniors, 18 years). MEASURES they carried out a progressive test to exhaustion in a specific cycloergometer, starting with a power output of 100 watts and increasing 50 watts each 4 min. VO2 was measured continuously. At the end of each one of the 4 min steps the subject was asked about his RPE using the 6-20 Borg's scale. RESULTS Professional cyclists showed a VO2max, VO2 x kg(-1) and a maximum power output significant higher than other groups, while there were no significant differences between amateurs and juniors. VO2 and RPE were significantly different, in all the categories, during high work loads. No significant differences were found between RPE and %VO2max. RPE and heart rate (HR) were significantly different between professionals and juniors. RPE and %HR max were significantly different with low loads, but no with high loads. In the same way, RPE/w and RPE/(w x kg(-1) were significantly different in all categories. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that professional road cyclists reached a VO2max, VO2max x kg(-1) and a maximum power higher than the other categories; so, therefore, these parameters are good as performance indicators, and RPE is of practical value to prescribe exercise training intensities in each category.
Estimating the manufacturing yield of compiler-based embedded SRAMs

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the yield of embedded static random access memories (eSRAM) generated using a compiler. Defect and fault analysis inclusive of industrial data are presented for these chips by taking into account the design and the physical properties of the layout. A new tool called compiler-based Array Yield Analysis (CAYA) is introduced. CAYA allows for a characterization of the design process which accounts for fault types and the relation between functional and structural faults; moreover, it also relies on a novel empirical model which facilitates yield calculation. Industrial data is provided for the analysis of various configurations with different structures and redundancy. Architectural considerations, such as array size and line (word and bit) organization are analyzed. Compiler-based features of different kernels (such as required for decoding) are also treated in detail. An extensive evaluation of the provided redundancy (row, column, and combined) is pursued to characterize its impact on the memory yield. Industrial data is used in the evaluation and an industrial ASIC chip (made of multiple eSRAMs) is also considered as design case.
NUP50 is necessary for the survival of primordial germ cells in mouse embryos.

Nucleoporin 50 kDa (NUP50), a component of the nuclear pore complex, is highly expressed in male germ cells, but its role in germ cells is largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of NUP50 during the embryonic development of germ cells using NUP50-deficient mice. NUP50 was expressed in germ cells of both sexes at embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5), E13.5, and E12.5. In addition, NUP50 expression was also detected in primordial germ cells (PGCs) migrating into the genital ridges at E9.5. The gonads of Nup50-/- embryos of both sexes contained few PGCs at both E11.5 and E12.5 and no developing germ cells at E15.5. The migratory PGCs in Nup50-/- embryos at E9.5 showed increased apoptosis but a normal rate of proliferation, resulting in the progressive loss of germ cells at later stages. Taken together, these results suggest that NUP50 plays an essential role in the survival of PGCs during embryonic development.
Effect of 7‐day exposure to midazolam on electroencephalogram pharmacodynamics in rats: a model to study multiple pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic relationships in individual animals

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration‐electroencephalogram (EEG) relationships for midazolam, a full‐agonist benzodiazepine ligand, on multiple occasions in individual rats, and to examine the effect of chronic midazolam exposure on that relationship. Rats were chronically instrumented with venous and arterial cannulas, and cortical EEG electrodes. The rats received either: 7 days of midazolam 10 mg kg−1 intravenously once a day (midazolam group); or midazolam on days 1 and 7 and vehicle on days 2–6 (vehicle group). Concentration‐effect relationships were determined on days 1, 4 and 7 from multiple blood and EEG samples before and after the administration of the midazolam dose. The concentration‐EEG effect relationships were consistent with a sigmoidal Emax (maximal effect) model. No differences in pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic parameters were found between day 1 and day 7 in either group. However, in the midazolam group, both the fraction unbound of midazolam in serum and the EC50 (concentration at half‐maximal effect) for free midazolam increased from days 1–7 by 35 ± 3% and 54 ± 25%, respectively (means ± s.d., P < 0.05). This may be related to decreased serum albumin levels in the midazolam group (–19 ± 5%, P < 0.05) which, in turn, could be explained by the sedation associated with daily midazolam treatment. We concluded that concentration‐EEG effect relationships can be studied on multiple occasions in individual animals, reducing animal use and variability. A modest degree of tolerance to midazolam was found with this paradigm, the effect only being evident after correction for the fraction unbound of midazolam.
Cognitive Master Teacher

The “Cognitive Master Teacher” is a result of discussions with teachers, members of educational institutions, government bodies and other thought leaders in the United States who have helped us shape its the requirements. It is conceived as a cloud-based and mobile-accessible personal agent that is readily available for teachers to use at anytime and assist them with various issues related to day-to-day teaching activities as well as professional development.
Balanced Incomplete Factorization

In this paper we present a new incomplete factorization of a square matrix into triangular factors in which we get standard LU or LDL T factors (direct factors) and their inverses (inverse factors) at the same time. Algorithmically, we derive this method from the approach based on the Sherman-Morrison formula [18]. In contrast to the RIF algorithm [11], the direct and inverse factors here directly influence each other throughout the computation. Consequently, the algorithm to compute the approximate factors may mutually balance dropping in the factors and control their conditioning in this way. For the symmetric positive definite case, we derive the theory and present an algorithm for computing the incomplete LDL T factorization, and discuss experimental results. We call this new approximate LDL T factorization the Balanced Incomplete Factorization (BIF). Our experimental results confirm that this factorization is very robust and may be useful in solving difficult ill-conditioned problems by preconditioned iterative methods. Moreover, the internal coupling of computation of direct and inverse factors results in much shorter setup times (times to compute approximate decomposition) than RIF, a method of a similar and very high level of robustness. We also derive and present the theory for the general nonsymmetric case, but do not discuss its implementation.
Detection, localization, and quantitation of degree of common bile duct obstruction by scintigraphy.

The detection, localization, and quantitation of the degree of obstruction was successfully accomplished by [99mTc]IDA scintigraphy in 13 of 14 patients with cholangiographically documented common bile duct (CBD) obstruction. Ductal dilatation was present on ultrasound examination in only seven patients. The accuracy of biliary scintigraphy was enhanced by several innovations including: (a) selection of a radiopharmaceutical with rapid hepatic uptake and excretion; (b) shorter imaging interval over longer period of time; (c) substitution of image parameter for appearance time; and (d) quantitative measurement of bile emptying parameters following cholecystokinin infusion. Scintigraphically, the partial obstruction was characterized by CBD segmental narrowing or intraluminal filling defects and bile stasis within the area and segmental ducts. The gallbladder mean (+/- s.d.) ejection fraction of 20.0 +/- 17.5%, ejection period of 6.8 +/- 1.6 min, and ejection rate of 3.1 +/- 2.6% per min following 3-min infusion of 10 ng/kg of cholecystokinin octapeptide were reduced significantly when compared to control subjects. The level of CBD obstruction correlated well with the results of cholangiography. It is concluded that quantitative biliary dynamic scintigraphy employing modern techniques can accurately detect and localize CBD obstruction.
Immunological Detection of Conformational Neoepitopes Associated with the Serpin Activity of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type-2*

The physiological roles of plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) are not yet well understood. Kinetic studies suggest a role in the regulation of plasminogen activator-driven proteolysis in many cell types. This study describes a monoclonal antibody (2H5), which uniquely recognizes neoepitope determinants on PAI-2 appearing after thermodynamic relaxation of the molecule. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting confirmed the specificity of 2H5 for urokinase type plasminogen activator·PAI-2 complexes. Examination of the affinity of 2H5 for complexes formed between PAI-2 and a synthetic 14-mer reactive site loop peptide, PAI-2 treated with tissue plasminogen activator, or thrombin suggests that the 2H5 epitope is determined exclusively by sequences found only on PAI-2 following proteolytic cleavage of the Arg380–Thr381 bond and insertion of the reactive site loop into β-sheet A. Peptides lacking both the P13 (Glu368) and P14 (Thr367) residues did not induce a conformational change or affect the inhibitory activity of PAI-2, indicating that one or both of these residues are critical for PAI-2 function. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a monoclonal antibody that can distinguish conformational changes in PAI-2 related specifically to its potential biological function(s).
Predicting human gaze using quaternion DCT image signature saliency and face detection

We combine and extend the previous work on DCT-based image signatures and face detection to determine the visual saliency. To this end, we transfer the scalar definition of image signatures to quaternion images and thus introduce a novel saliency method using quaternion type-II DCT image signatures. Furthermore, we use MCT-based face detection to model the important influence of faces on the visual saliency using rotated elliptical Gaussian weight functions and evaluate several integration schemes. In order to demonstrate the performance of the proposed methods, we evaluate our approach on the Bruce-Tsotsos (Toronto) [2] and Cerf (FIFA) [3] benchmark eye-tracking data sets. Additionally, we present evaluation results on the Bruce-Tsotsos data set of the most important spectral saliency approaches. We achieve state-of-the-art results in terms of the well-established area under curve (AUC) measure on the Bruce-Tsotsos data set and come close to the ideal AUC on the Cerf data set - with less than one millisecond to calculate the bottom-up QDCT saliency map.
MultiDsk: A Ubiquitin-Specific Affinity Resin

Ubiquitylation is a highly diverse and complex post-translational modification for the regulation of protein function and stability. Studies of ubiquitylation have, however, been hampered by its rapid reversal in cell extracts, for example through the action of de-ubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs). Here we describe a novel ubiquitin-binding protein reagent, MultiDsk, composed of an array of five UBA domains from the yeast ubiquitin-binding protein Dsk2, fused to GST. MultiDsk binds ubiquitylated substrates with unprecedented avidity, and can be used as both an affinity resin to study protein ubiquitylation, and to effectively protect ubiquitylated proteins from the action of DUBs and the proteasome in crude cell extracts. We use the resin to show that the Def1 protein becomes ubiquitylated in response to DNA damage, and to isolate ubiquitylated forms of RNA polymerase II.
Poly I:C‐Induced Anti‐Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Activity in Inflammatory Macrophages Is Mediated by Induction of Interferon‐β

We examined the mechanism by which Polyriboinosinic:Polyribocytidylic acid (Poly l:C) augments resistance of thioglycolate‐elicited inflammatory macrophages to infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1). We show that Poly l:C‐induced antiviral activity is completely abrogated by antibodies to interferon‐β (IFN‐β) whereas antibodies to other interferons or to other cytokines have no effect. Furthermore, treatment of inflammatory macrophages with exogenous IFN renders them resistant to HSV‐1, whereas treatment with other cytokines does not. In addition, we demonstrate that supernatants from macrophages treated with Poly l:C contain IFN‐β but not IFN‐α. Taken together these data indicate that the antiviral effects of Poly l:C in inflammatory macrophages are mediated solely by IFN‐β, which acts in an autocrine manner to induce resistance to HSV‐1.
Isomorphism of the groups of Vassiliev Invariants of Legendrian and of Pseudo Legendrian Knots in Contact 3-manifolds

The study of the Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian knots was started by D. Fuchs and S. Tabachnikov who showed that the groups of complex-valued Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian and of framed knots in the standard contact $R^3$ are canonically isomorphic. Recently we constructed the first examples where Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian and of framed knots are different, and Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian knots distinguish Legendrian knots that are isotopic as framed knots and homotopic as Legendrian immersions. This raised the question what information about Legendrian knots can be captured using Vassiliev invariants. Here we answer this question by showing that for any contact 3-manifold with a cooriented contact structure the groups of Vassiliev invariants of Legendrian knots and of knots that are nowhere tangent to a vector field that coorients the contact structure are canonically isomorphic.
The impact of identification and commitment on job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between employees’ perceptions of organizational identification, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The study also investigates the influence of organizational commitment and organizational identification on job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical framework of the positive relationships between job satisfaction and identification, commitment and job satisfaction, and commitment and identification was explored. A total of 578 bank employees engaged in this study. This research used a survey design and was conducted in Ankara in Turkey. Participants completed organizational identification, job satisfaction and commitment scales. Step wise regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the research hypotheses.Findings – All of the measurement instruments had acceptable reliabilities. The correlations observed were generally consistent with the expectations of the researcher. The results of the study.
Emerging Roles and Landscape of Translating mRNAs in Plants

Plants use a wide range of mechanisms to adapt to different environmental stresses. One of the earliest responses displayed under stress is rapid alterations in stress responsive gene expression that has been extensively analyzed through expression profiling such as microarrays and RNA-sequencing. Recently, expression profiling has been complemented with proteome analyses to establish a link between transcriptional and the corresponding translational changes. However, proteome profiling approaches have their own technical limitations. More recently, ribosome-associated mRNA profiling has emerged as an alternative and a robust way of identifying translating mRNAs, which are a set of mRNAs associated with ribosomes and more likely to contribute to proteome abundance. In this article, we briefly review recent studies that examined the processes affecting the abundance of translating mRNAs, their regulation during plant development and tolerance to stress conditions and plant factors affecting the selection of translating mRNA pools. This review also highlights recent findings revealing differential roles of alternatively spliced mRNAs and their translational control during stress adaptation. Overall, better understanding of processes involved in the regulation of translating mRNAs has obvious implications for improvement of stress tolerance in plants.
Bioceramic Resonance Effect on Meridian Channels: A Pilot Study

Bioceramic is a kind of material which emits nonionizing radiation and luminescence, induced by visible light. Bioceramic also facilitates the breakup of large clusters of water molecules by weakening hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bond weakening, which allows water molecules to act in diverse ways under different conditions, is one of the key mechanisms underlying the effects of Bioceramic on biophysical and physical-chemical processes. Herein, we used sound to amplify the effect of Bioceramic and further developed an experimental device for use in humans. Thirteen patients who suffered from various chronic and acute illnesses that severely affected their sleep patterns and life quality were enrolled in a trial of Bioceramic resonance (i.e., rhythmic 100-dB sound waves with frequency set at 10 Hz) applied to the skin surface of the anterior chest. According to preliminary data, a “Propagated Sensation along Meridians” (PSM) was experienced in all Bioceramic resonance-treated patients but not in any of the nine control patients. The device was believed to enhance microcirculation through a series of biomolecular and physiological processes and to subject the specific meridian channels of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to coherent vibration. This noninvasive technique may offer an alternative to needle acupuncture and other traditional medical practices with clinical benefits.
HST Imaging of the Brightest z ∼ 8–9 Galaxies from UltraVISTA: The Extreme Bright End of the UV Luminosity Function

We report on the discovery of three especially bright candidate galaxies. Five sources were targeted for follow-up with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), selected from a larger sample of 16 bright ( mag) candidate Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) identified over 1.6 degrees2 of the COSMOS/UltraVISTA field. These were selected as Y and J dropouts by leveraging the deep (Y-to- mag, ) NIR data from the UltraVISTA DR3 release, deep ground-based optical imaging from the CFHTLS and Suprime-Cam programs, and Spitzer/IRAC mosaics combining observations from the SMUVS and SPLASH programs. Through the refined spectral energy distributions, which now also include new HyperSuprimeCam g-, r-, i-, z-, and Y-band data, we confirm that 3/5 galaxies have robust , consistent with the initial selection. The remaining 2/5 galaxies have a nominal . However, with HST data alone, these objects have increased probability of being at . We measure mean UV continuum slopes for the three galaxies, marginally bluer than similarly luminous in CANDELS but consistent with previous measurements of similarly luminous galaxies at . The circularized effective radius for our brightest source is 0.9 ± 0.3 kpc, similar to previous measurements for a bright galaxy and bright galaxies. Finally, enlarging our sample to include the six brightest LBGs identified over UltraVISTA (i.e., including three other sources from Labbé et al.) we estimate for the first time the volume density of galaxies at the extreme bright end ( mag) of the UV luminosity function. Despite this exceptional result, the still large statistical uncertainties do not allow us to discriminate between a Schechter and a double-power-law form.
Novel therapeutic option for orbital atypical lymphoid hyperplasia

Ocular lymphoid tumours represent a spectrum of lymphoproliferative disease and can be subdivided into benign or reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, indeterminate or atypical lymphoid proliferations and malignant lymphoma. Treatment options include a wait and watch approach, systemic steroids, local radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy. We describe a case of bilateral atypical lymphoid hyperplasia treated successfully with combination immunotherapy and radiotherapy. A 60‐year‐old lady presented with proptosis and left supra‐orbital mass and was diagnosed to have bilateral atypical lymphoid hyperplasia. She had extensive extraocular facial infiltrates but no other sites of involvement on staging investigations. She was treated with eight doses of rituximab 375 mg/m2 at weekly intervals with a good partial response, followed by consolidative radiotherapy. Rituximab may be an effective treatment adjunct/alternative for patients with atypical lymphoid hyperplasia of the orbit, particularly where widespread lesions preclude the use of initial radiotherapy.
An Exploratory Study of the Travel Motivation of Chinese Female Outbound Tourists

Females have received increasing attention in the travel industry as a unique market segment. Yet there have only been limited empirical inquiries into their travel behaviors, particularly those of Chinese female tourists. This study aims to fill that gap by investigating the travel motivation and behavioral patterns of Chinese female travelers in the context of outbound travel to Hong Kong. Four push and five pull motivational factors are identified. They are knowledge and prestige, enhancement of social relationships, rest and relaxation, adventure and excitement, modern image, natural environment and attractions, safety and cleanliness, ease of tour arrangement, and shopping, respectively. The motivational factors are examined in relation to situational factors, with respondents' marital status found to be the most influential. The findings are examined in the context of Chinese society as well as the rising significance and uniqueness of Chinese tourism; practical and theoretical implications are discussed.