Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effets du phénotype d'obésité et de la perte de poids sur le profil cardiométabolique et la composition corporelle de femmes ménopausées

The aging process is associated with several body composition changes; which can lead to metabolic deteriorations, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is therefore critical to establish effective weight lost strategies in older adults. However, obesity is a heterogeneous condition; not all individual will present metabolic disturbances associated with obesity and will respond similarly to a weight loss intervention. In order to find more efficient obesity treatments, we have compared the effects of weight loss interventions on body composition and the metabolic profile in sedentary and menopausal women exhibiting different obesity phenotypes. We first analysed the effects of weight loss from caloric restriction on women displaying a “mesomorphicobese” phenotype. Results show the importance of considering baseline body composition in order to define which individual may better respond to a caloric restriction induced weight loss intervention. In the second study, we were able to demonstrate that dynapenic-obese women responded similarly to non-dynapenic-obese women following a weight loss intervention combining caloric restriction and resistance training. Results from our first two studies are interesting considering that several scientific publications propose to adapt weight loss intervention according to obesity phenotypes. The third article’s objective was to investigate the relationship between glucose tolerance status and changes in body composition following a caloric restriction induced weight loss intervention. Our data show that the relationship between body composition variables and glucose disposal depends on baseline glucose tolerance in obese menopausal women. Our results also suggest a positive association between changes in measures of fat mass variables and measures of glucose disposal in glucose tolerant women following weight loss.
An Example of the Use of Systematic Reviews to Answer an Effectiveness Question

Systematic reviews assist nurses, other health care providers, decision makers, and consumers in managing the explosion of health care information by synthesizing valid data and reporting the effects of interventions. Nurses are increasingly using systematic reviews to guide their practice and develop policy. The purpose of the article is to outline the steps involved in conducting a systematic review with examples taken from a systematic review titled “Strategies to Manage the Behavioral Symptoms Associated With Alzheimer’s Disease. ” The steps of a systematic review include: (a) formulating a well-defined question, (b) developing relevance and validity tools, (c) conducting a comprehensive search to retrieve published and unpublished reports, (d) assessing the reports using relevance and validity tools, (e) data extraction, (f) synthesis of the findings, and (g) report writing. Understanding the steps involved in a systematic review will assist nurses in critically appraising reviews and in conducting their own reviews.
Controlled trial of oronasal versus nasal mask ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure

ObjectiveNoninvasive positive pressure techniques such as continuous and bilevel positive airway pressure avoid intubation and its attendant complications in selected patients with acute respiratory failure. However, mask intolerance remains a common cause for failure of noninvasive ventilatory techniques. The aim of our study was to assess patient tolerance of oronasal vs. nasal mask ventilation in acute respiratory failure. DesignRandomized, controlled trial. SettingEmergency department or intensive care units at a university hospital. PatientsSeventy patients with acute respiratory failure as evidenced by clinical or blood gas criteria. InterventionsPatients randomly received either a disposable nasal or an oronasal mask (Respironics, Pittsburgh, PA) when they met study criteria. Measurements and Main ResultsThirty-five patients were randomized into each arm of the study; most of the patients had acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (48.6% of the nasal mask group and 42.8% of the facial mask group) or chronic obstructive airway disease (34.3% of the nasal mask group and 31.4% of the facial mask group). Baseline clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were similar. Heart and respiratory rates and blood gases improved similarly for patients in both mask groups. Rates of intubation were also similar (eight in each group). However, mask intolerance was significantly higher in the nasal than the oronasal mask group (12 vs. 4, respectively, p = .023). Four patients in the nasal (11.4%) and two in the oronasal mask group (5.7%) died later during the hospitalization. The overall success rate tended to be greater in the oronasal (65.7%) than the nasal group (48.6%), but the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionAlthough both masks performed similarly with regard to improving vital signs and gas exchange and avoiding intubation, the nasal mask was less well tolerated than the oronasal mask in patients with acute respiratory failure.
[Warming-promotion acupuncture for post-earthquake depression: a randomized controlled study].

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy differences among warming-promotion acupuncture, regular acupuncture and psychological care for post-earthquake depression. METHODS Ninety cases of post-earthquake depression in Gansu province were randomly divided into a warming-promotion acupuncture group, a regular acupuncture group and a care group, 30 cases in each one. The psychological treatment was applied in the care group; the regular acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1)), Fengchi (GB 20), Shenmen (HT 7), Yang-lingquan (GB 34), Taichong (LR 3) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) was used in the regular acupuncture group; based on the treatment of regular acupuncture group, the warming-promotion acupuncture was applied in the warming-promotion acupuncture group, once a day. Ten days were taken as one course with an interval of two days between two courses. Totally 3 treatment courses were completed. The Hamilton depression (HAMD) scale before and after treatment in each group was observed while the efficacy was analyzed. RESULTS All three treatments were effective for depression. The total cured rate was 86.67% (26/30) in the warming-promotion acupuncture group, which was obviously superior to 50.00% (15/30) in the regular acupuncture group (P < 0.01) and 33.33% (10/30) in the care group (P < 0.001). After the treatment, the score of HAMD was all reduced in three groups, in which the effect in warming-promotion acupuncture group was superior to that in the regular acupuncture group and care group (9.02 +/- 2.37 vs 10.73 +/- 2.28 and 11.05 +/- 2.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The warming-promotion acupuncture has positive effect on post-earthquake depression, which has special effect and is worthy of clinical generalization and application.
The CCR 4-NOT complex physically and functionally interacts with TRAMP and the nuclear exosome AZZOUZ , Nowel

BACKGROUND: Ccr4-Not is a highly conserved multi-protein complex consisting in yeast of 9 subunits, including Not5 and the major yeast deadenylase Ccr4. It has been connected functionally in the nucleus to transcription by RNA polymerase II and in the cytoplasm to mRNA degradation. However, there has been no evidence so far that this complex is important for RNA degradation in the nucleus. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this work we point to a new role for the Ccr4-Not complex in nuclear RNA metabolism. We determine the importance of the Ccr4-Not complex for the levels of non-coding nuclear RNAs, such as mis-processed and polyadenylated snoRNAs, whose turnover depends upon the nuclear exosome and TRAMP. Consistently, mutation of both the Ccr4-Not complex and the nuclear exosome results in synthetic slow growth phenotypes. We demonstrate physical interactions between the Ccr4-Not complex and the exosome. First, Not5 co-purifies with the exosome. Second, several exosome subunits co-purify with the Ccr4-Not complex. Third, the Ccr4-Not complex is important for the integrity of large exosome-containing complexes.
Using Student Volunteers to Crowdsource Land Cover Information

Accurate geospatial cropland information is one of several critical input parameters needed for the assessment of food security and for achieving sustainable development. However, current land cover products are either not accurate enough or lacking in many food insecure countries. Here we demonstrate how we can use the Geo-Wiki crowdsourcing tool and student volunteers to generate a cropland map of Myanmar, and validate a global hybrid cropland map. The preliminary results clearly indicate that the method could be applied in a similar manner to other countries.
Optimal Distribution Network Automation Considering Earth Fault Events

In the past decade, distribution network operators have been broadly engrossed toward automated distribution networks. The operators acknowledge network automation as an efficient investment toward a better service reliability. This paper aims to provide a new long-term cost/benefit analysis for an optimal level of distribution network automation. In the analysis, reduction in customer outage cost is considered as the benefit of implementing automation systems with capital investment, and annual operation and maintenance costs. In the Finnish regulation model, there is a special incentive based on customer outage cost reduction. As the main contribution of this paper, the impact of earth fault events and their required time-consuming fault management process is taken into account within the calculation of the benefit of automation systems. The solution of the analysis consists of the optimal number and location of remote-controlled sectionalizing switches, which are building blocks of automation systems. The problem is formulated in a mixed-integer linear programming format that can be effectively solved by commercially available solvers. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by applying it to the Helsinki distribution network. The results show that neglecting the impact of earth fault events can lead to suboptimal solutions.
Isolation and characterization of the secE homologue gene of Bacillus subtilis

A 4.0 kb EcoRI fragment of Bacillus subtilis conferring thiostrepton resistance was cloned and characterized. By nucleotide sequencing of the relevant region, six open reading frames were established, which corresponded to a part of spoOH, a ribosomal protein gene (rpmG), an unidentified open reading frame (orfE), a transcription antiterminator gene nusG, and ribosomal protein genes rplK and rplA. The orfE‐encoded 59‐amino‐acid polypeptide had a low, but significant, sequence similarity with the car‐boxy‐terminal region of the Escherichia coli SecE protein. A cold‐sensitive secE mutation of E. coli was complemented by the plasmid‐borne orfE sequence. Furthermore, the normal processing of a proOmpA protein was observed when the secE cold‐sensitive strain carried an orfE plasmid, indicating that orfE is the secE homologue of B. subtilis. The B. subtilis secE has only one transmembrane sequence compared to the three in E. coli.
Postural performance and strategy in the unipedal stance of soccer players at different levels of competition.

CONTEXT Sport training enhances the ability to use somatosensory and otolithic information, which improves postural capabilities. Postural changes are different according to the sport practiced, but few authors have analyzed subjects' postural performances to discriminate the expertise level among highly skilled athletes within a specific discipline. OBJECTIVE To compare the postural performance and the postural strategy between soccer players at different levels of competition (national and regional). DESIGN Repeated measures with 1 between-groups factor (level of competition: national or regional) and 1 within-groups factor (vision: eyes open or eyes closed). Dependent variables were center-of-pressure surface area and velocity; total spectral energy; and percentage of low-, medium-, and high-frequency band. SETTING Sports performance laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Fifteen national male soccer players (age = 24 +/- 3 years, height = 179 +/- 5 cm, mass = 72 +/- 3 kg) and 15 regional male soccer players (age = 23 +/- 3 years, height = 174 +/- 4 cm, mass = 68 +/- 5 kg) participated in the study. INTERVENTION(S) The subjects performed posturographic tests with eyes open and closed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) While subjects performed static and dynamic posturographic tests, we measured the center of foot pressure on a force platform. Spatiotemporal center-of-pressure measurements were used to evaluate the postural performance, and a frequency analysis of the center-of-pressure excursions (fast Fourier transform) was conducted to estimate the postural strategy. RESULTS Within a laboratory task, national soccer players produced better postural performances than regional players and had a different postural strategy. The national players were more stable than the regional players and used proprioception and vision information differently. CONCLUSIONS In the test conditions specific to playing soccer, level of playing experience influenced postural control performance measures and strategies.
Cell cycle of globose basal cells in rat olfactory epithelium

The olfactory epithelium of adult mammals has the unique property of generating olfactory sensory neurons throughout life. Cells of the basal compartment, which include horizontal and globose basal cells, are responsible for the ongoing process of neurogenesis in this system. We report here that the globose basal cells in olfactory epithelium of rats, as in mice, are the predominant type of proliferating cell, and account for 97.6% of the actively dividing cells in the basal compartment of the normal epithelium. Globose basal cells have not been fully characterized in terms of their proliferative properties, and the dynamic aspects of neurogenesis are not well understood. As a consequence, it is uncertain whether cell kinetic properties are under any regulation that could affect the rate of neurogenesis. To address this gap in our knowledge, we have determined the duration of both the synthesis phase (S‐phase) and the full cell cycle of globose basal cells in adult rats. The duration of the S‐phase was found to be 9 hr in experiments utilizing sequential injections of either IdU followed by BrdU or 3H‐thy followed by BrdU. The duration of the cell cycle was determined by varying the time interval between the injections of 3H‐thy and BrdU and tracking the set of cells that exit S shortly after the first injection. With this paradigm, the interval required for these cells to traverse G2, M, G1, and a second S‐phase, is equivalent to the duration of one mitotic cycle and equals 17 hr. These observations serve as the foundation to assess whether the cell cycle duration is subject to regulation in response to experimental injury, and whether such regulation is partly responsible for changes in the rate of neurogenesis in such settings. ©1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of Internal and External Validity of a Virtual Environment for Learning a Long Procedure

ABSTRACT Virtual reality is a frequently used tool in vocational training. Nevertheless, its efficiency has not been systematically tested. The main goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a virtual environment (VE) for learning a complex procedure in the biomedical domain. Two experiments were performed. The first one assessed internal validity of the VE, which is the effectiveness of using a VE in the process of learning a new procedure. The second one tested external validity of the VE, which is the participants’ ability to reproduce the acquired skills in a real context. We find that internal and external validity must be evaluated before using a virtual environment in long-term procedure learning. The results of such evaluations are a basis for future experiments aiming to optimize learning conditions in a VE and transferring the acquired skills in a real context.
Mixed-effects varying-coefficient model with skewed distribution coupled with cause-specific varying-coefficient hazard model with random-effects for longitudinal-competing risks data analysis

ABSTRACT It is well known that there is strong relationship between HIV viral load and CD4 cell counts in AIDS studies. However, the relationship between them changes during the course of treatment and may vary among individuals. During treatments, some individuals may experience terminal events such as death. Because the terminal event may be related to the individual’s viral load measurements, the terminal mechanism is non-ignorable. Furthermore, there exists competing risks from multiple types of events, such as AIDS-related death and other death. Most joint models for the analysis of longitudinal-survival data developed in literatures have focused on constant coefficients and assume symmetric distribution for the endpoints, which does not meet the needs for investigating the nature of varying relationship between HIV viral load and CD4 cell counts in practice. We develop a mixed-effects varying-coefficient model with skewed distribution coupled with cause-specific varying-coefficient hazard model with random-effects to deal with varying relationship between the two endpoints for longitudinal-competing risks survival data. A fully Bayesian inference procedure is established to estimate parameters in the joint model. The proposed method is applied to a multicenter AIDS cohort study. Various scenarios-based potential models that account for partial data features are compared. Some interesting findings are presented.
Metabolically healthy obesity and its associates in Mongolian Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND Not all obese individuals show cardiometabolic abnormalities. We examined metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and its associates in 2530 Mongolian Chinese adults. METHODS MHO was defined by waist circumference, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and glucose. RESULTS Only 3.0% of the participants had MHO, with 0.8% of men and 4.5% of women having this condition (P < 0.001 for sex difference). Despite striking differences in obesity measures, MHO individuals had a comparable cardiometabolic profile to that for metabolically healthy, nonobese individuals (MHNO) and an improved cardiometabolic profile, i.e., lower levels of blood pressure, glucose, insulin, LDL-C, TGs, and higher levels of HDL-C compared to metabolically abnormal individuals (all P < 0.01, except for insulin). MHO individuals had lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, compared to metabolically abnormal individuals, and had comparable levels of these markers to those in MHNO individuals. Furthermore, only 5.3% of MHO individuals had a family history of hypertension, comparable to 5.0% in MHNO individuals, and much lower than 15.9% in metabolically abnormal, nonobese individuals and 12.8% in metabolically abnormal, obese individuals (overall P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that MHO is associated with a low inflammation state, and family history of hypertension may play a role in the MHO phenotype.
Inheritable genetic algorithm for biobjective 0/1 combinatorial optimization problems and its applications

In this paper, we formulate a special type of multiobjective optimization problems, named biobjective 0/1 combinatorial optimization problem BOCOP, and propose an inheritable genetic algorithm IGA with orthogonal array crossover (OAX) to efficiently find a complete set of nondominated solutions to BOCOP. BOCOP with n binary variables has two incommensurable and often competing objectives: minimizing the sum r of values of all binary variables and optimizing the system performance. BOCOP is NP-hard having a finite number C(n, r) of feasible solutions for a limited number r. The merits of IGA are threefold as follows: 1) OAX with the systematic reasoning ability based on orthogonal experimental design can efficiently explore the search space of C(n, r); 2) IGA can efficiently search the space of C(n, r+/-1) by inheriting a good solution in the space of C(n, r); and 3) The single-objective IGA can economically obtain a complete set of high-quality nondominated solutions in a single run. Two applications of BOCOP are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm: polygonal approximation problem (PAP) and the problem of editing a minimum reference set for nearest neighbor classification (MRSP). It is shown empirically that IGA is efficient in finding complete sets of nondominated solutions to PAP and MRSP, compared with some existing methods.
Utilization of Multi Attribute Decision Making Techniques to Integrate Automatic and Manual Ranking of Options

An information fusion system with local sensors sometimes requires the capability to represent the temporal changes of uncertain sensory information in dynamic and uncertain situation to access to a hypothesis node which cannot be observed directly. One of the central issue and challenging problem is the decision of what combination and order of sensors allocation should be selected between sensors, in order to maximize the global gain in the flow of information, when the data association is limited. In this area, Bayesian Networks (BNs) can constitute a coherent fusion structure and introduce different options (the combination of sensors allocation) for achieving to the hypothesis node through a number of intermediate nodes that are interrelated by cause and effect. BNs can rank the options in terms of their probabilities from Bayes' theorem calculation. But, decision making based on probabilities and numerical representations might not be appropriate. Thus, re-ranking the set of options based on multiple criteria such as those of multi-criteria decision aid (MCDA) should be ideally considered. Re-ranking and selecting the appropriate options are considered as a multi-attribute decision making (MADM) problem by user interaction as semi-automatically decision support. In this paper, Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) techniques as TOPSIS, SAW, and Mixed (Rank Average) for decision-making as well as AHP and Entropy for obtaining the weights of attributes have been used. Since MADM techniques give most probably different results according to different approaches and assumptions in the same problem, statistical analysis done on them. According to the results, the correlation between compared techniques for re-ranking BN options is strong and positive because of the close proximity of weights suggested by AHP and Entropy. Mixed method as compared to TOPSIS and SAW is the preferred technique when there is no historical (real) decision- making case; moreover, AHP is more acceptable than Entropy for weighting.
A Review Paper on Frequency Compensation of Transconductance Operational Amplifier (OTA)

In this brief, types of frequency compensation for operation transconductance amplifier are explained in detail. Compensation which is used to enhance frequency stability of the OTA, and to make gain and phase linear for required frequency range. As we know capacitor inside the OTA causes output to lag behind by 90° with each pole they create, If the addition of these phase lags add-up to 360°, the output signal will be in phase with the input signal. Feeding output signal back in proportion to input when the gain of the amplifier is sufficient will cause the amplifier to oscillate. To avoid such undesirable condition frequency compensation is required in OTA, the frequency compensation is used to make a particular pole dominant on other poles to make the transfer function 2nd order.