Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colon capsule endoscopy: detection of colonic polyps compared with conventional colonoscopy and visualization of extracolonic pathologies.

BACKGROUND Conventional colonoscopy (CC) is the gold standard for diagnostic examination of the colon. However, the overall acceptance of this procedure is low due to patient fears of complications or embarrassment. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) represents a minimally invasive, patient-friendly procedure that offers complete visualization of the entire intestine. OBJECTIVE To assess the PillCam Colon 2 (Given Imaging Ltd, Israel) capsule with regard to feasibility, sensitivity and specificity for the detection of colonic pathologies and additional recorded extracolonic findings. METHODS CCE was performed before CC in patients indicated for CC for known or suspected colonic disease. The results of both techniques were compared with regard to polyp detection. Additionally, bowel preparation and extracolonic pathologies were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-four patients (mean age 51.1 years) were included in the analysis. Visualization of the colon was complete in 23 CCs and 17 CCEs. No adverse events or major technical failures occurred. CC detected 47 polyps and CCE detected 43 polyps of any size (per-finding sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 67.6%). The accuracy of CCE in detecting polyp carriers was 81.5% (per-patient analysis). On average, the colon was adequately cleansed in 90.1% of patients. CCE identified esophageal, gastric and small bowel pathologies in seven (24%), nine (38%) and 14 (58%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CCE proved to be technically feasible and safe. Acceptable sensitivity and moderate specificity levels in polyp detection were recorded. Bowel preparation was adequate in most patients. Because extracolonic pathologies were effectively visualized, new indications for the PillCam Colon 2 may be defined.
Test–Retest Reliability of Barbell Velocity During the Free-Weight Bench-Press Exercise

Stock, MS, Beck, TW, DeFreitas, JM, and Dillon, MA. Test-retest reliability of barbell velocity during the free-weight bench-press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 25(1): 171-177, 2011-The purpose of this study was to calculate test-retest reliability statistics for peak barbell velocity during the free-weight bench-press exercise for loads corresponding to 10-90% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM). Twenty-one healthy, resistance-trained men (mean ± SD age = 23.5 ± 2.7 years; body mass = 90.5 ± 14.6 kg; 1RM bench press = 125.4 ± 18.4 kg) volunteered for this study. A minimum of 48 hours after a maximal strength testing and familiarization session, the subjects performed single repetitions of the free-weight bench-press exercise at each tenth percentile (10-90%) of the 1RM on 2 separate occasions. For each repetition, the subjects were instructed to press the barbell as rapidly as possible, and peak barbell velocity was measured with a Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients (model 2,1) and corresponding standard errors of measurement (expressed as percentages of the mean barbell velocity values) were 0.717 (4.2%), 0.572 (5.0%), 0.805 (3.1%), 0.669 (4.7%), 0.790 (4.6%), 0.785 (4.8%), 0.811 (5.8%), 0.714 (10.3%), and 0.594 (12.6%) for the weights corresponding to 10-90% 1RM. There were no mean differences between the barbell velocity values from trials 1 and 2. These results indicated moderate to high test-retest reliability for barbell velocity from 10 to 70% 1RM but decreased consistency at 80 and 90% 1RM. When examining barbell velocity during the free-weight bench-press exercise, greater measurement error must be overcome at 80 and 90% 1RM to be confident that an observed change is meaningful.
The plasma membrane as a control center for autophagy

Autophagosomes may derive membrane from diverse sources, including the plasma membrane, Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The plasma membrane contributes membrane to ATG12–ATG5-ATG16L1-positive phagophore precursor vesicles (LC3-negative) by both clathrin-dependent and -independent routes. We recently observed that ARF6 regulates autophagy and that this could be explained, at least in part, by its role in the generation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2], which influences endocytic uptake of plasma membrane into autophagosome precursors. The subsequent maturation of these small phagophore precursors into phagophores (ATG12–ATG5-ATG16L1-positive and LC3-positive), is assisted by SNARE-mediated homotypic fusion that increase their size and enhance their ability to acquire LC3-II. It appears that a plasma membrane-derived pool of VAMP7 is a key mediator of these fusion events. Thus, events at the plasma membrane may regulate distinct steps in the biogenesis of phagophores.
Implications of marital/partner relationship quality and perceived stress for blood pressure among older adults.

OBJECTIVES Although higher quality marriages are associated with better health outcomes, less is known about the mechanisms accounting for this association. This study examines links among marital/partner quality, stress, and blood pressure and considers both main and moderating effects. METHOD Participants from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 1,854; aged 57-85 years) completed in-person interviews regarding their marital/romantic partner relationships and perceived stress. Interviews included blood pressure assessments. RESULTS Linear regression models revealed no main effects of spousal/partner quality or stress on blood pressure. However, spousal/partner quality moderated the link between stress and blood pressure. Specifically, there were negative associations between stress and blood pressure among people reporting more confiding, less reliance, and greater demands from spouses/partners. DISCUSSION Findings highlight the complexity of relationship quality. Individuals appeared to benefit from aspects of both high- and low-quality spouse/partner relations but only under high levels of stress. Findings are inconsistent with traditional moderation hypotheses, which suggest that better quality ties buffer the stress-health link and lower quality ties exacerbate the stress-health link. Results offer preliminary evidence concerning how spousal ties "get under the skin" to influence physical health.
Calorie restriction extends the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae independently of the Sirtuins

Calorie restriction (CR) extends the mean and maximum lifespan of a wide variety of organisms ranging from yeast to mammals, although the molecular mechanisms of action remain unclear. For the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae reducing glucose in the growth medium extends both the replicative and chronological lifespans (CLS). The conserved NAD+‐dependent histone deacetylase, Sir2p, promotes replicative longevity in S. cerevisiae by suppressing recombination within the ribosomal DNA locus and has been proposed to mediate the effects of CR on aging. In this study, we investigated the functional relationships of the yeast Sirtuins (Sir2p, Hst1p, Hst2p, Hst3p and Hst4p) with CLS and CR. SIR2, HST2, and HST4 were not major regulators of CLS and were not required for the lifespan extension caused by shifting the glucose concentration from 2 to 0.5% (CR). Deleting HST1 or HST3 moderately shortened CLS, but did not prevent CR from extending lifespan. CR therefore works through a Sirtuin‐independent mechanism in the chronological aging system. We also show that low temperature or high osmolarity additively extends CLS when combined with CR, suggesting that these stresses and CR act through separate pathways. The CR effect on CLS was not specific to glucose. Restricting other simple sugars such as galactose or fructose also extended lifespan. Importantly, growth on nonfermentable carbon sources that force yeast to exclusively utilize respiration extended lifespan at nonrestricted concentrations and provided no additional benefit when restricted, suggesting that elevated respiration capacity is an important determinant of chronological longevity.
Potential Involvement of Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase 1 and 2 in Encystation of a Primitive Eukaryote, Giardia lamblia

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are major signaling systems by which eukaryotic cells convert environmental cues to intracellular events such as proliferation and differentiation. We have identified Giardia lambliahomologues of two members of the MAPK family ERK1 and ERK2. Functional characterization of giardial ERK1 and ERK2 revealed that both kinases were expressed in trophozoites and encysting cells as 44- and 41-kDa polypeptides, respectively, and were catalytically active. Analysis of the kinetic parameters of the recombinant proteins showed that ERK2 is ∼5 times more efficient than ERK1 in phosphorylating myelin basic protein as a substrate, although the phosphorylating efficiency of the native ERK1 and ERK2 appeared to be the same. Immunofluorescence analysis of the subcellular localization of ERK1 and ERK2 in trophozoites showed ERK1 staining mostly in the median body and in the outer edges of the adhesive disc and ERK2 staining in the nuclei and in the caudal flagella. Our study also showed a noticeable change in the subcellular distribution of ERK2 during encystation, which became more punctate and mostly cytoplasmic, but no significant change in the ERK1 localization at any time during encystation. Interestingly, both ERK1 and ERK2 enzymes exhibited a significantly reduced kinase activity during encystation reaching a minimum at 24 h, except for an initial ∼2.5-fold increase in the ERK1 activity at 2 h, which resumed back to the normal levels at 48 h despite no apparent change in the expression level of either one of these kinases in encysting cells. A reduced concentration of the phosphorylated ERK1 and ERK2 was also evident in these cells at 24 h. Our study suggests a functional distinction between ERK1 and ERK2 and that these kinases may play a critical role in trophozoite differentiation into cysts.
NKG2D Is Critical for NK Cell Activation in Host Defense against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Respiratory Infection1

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomial respiratory infections. The eradication of P. aeruginosa from the lung involves the orchestrated actions of the pulmonary epithelium and both resident and recruited immune cells. The NKG2D receptor is constitutively expressed on the surface of circulating and tissue-resident NK cells (and other cytotoxic lymphocytes), and is capable of controlling NK cell activation and production of cytokines, such as IFN-γ via interactions with ligands expressed on the surface of stressed cells. Previously, we demonstrated that NKG2D mediates pulmonary clearance of P. aeruginosa. In the present study, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanisms of NKG2D-mediated clearance of P. aeruginosa using a novel transgenic mouse model of doxycycline-inducible conditional expression of NKG2D ligands (retinoic acid early transcript 1, α) in pulmonary epithelial cells. NKG2D ligand expression in this model increased pulmonary clearance, cellular phagocytosis, and survival following P. aeruginosa respiratory infection. Additionally, NK cell sensitivity to ex vivo LPS stimulation was greater in lung cells isolated from naive transgenic mice administered doxycycline. We also showed that NK cells are the primary source of lymphocyte-derived IFN-γ in response to P. aeruginosa respiratory infection. Significantly, we demonstrated that NKG2D is critical to the nonredundant IFN-γ production by pulmonary NK cells following acute P. aeruginosa infection. These results represent the principal report of NKG2D-mediated activation of lung NK cells following respiratory infection with an opportunistic pathogen and further establish the importance of NKG2D in the host response against P. aeruginosa respiratory infection.
The monocyte transcriptome during pregnancy in multiple sclerosis: prominent expression of the Fc-receptor CD64

Background: During the third trimester of pregnancy multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity is reduced. It is not fully understood which factors mediate this disease amelioration. Objective: To study alterations of the monocyte transcriptome during pregnancy in MS patients, using a genomewide approach to identify differentially regulated genes. Methods: Women with MS and healthy controls were longitudinally studied, including a visit before pregnancy. Results: RNA-microarray analysis was performed in six patients. We found a significant increase of CD64 (Fc gamma receptor 1a, FcgR1a) during the third trimester compared with baseline, confirmed by RT-PCR in a group of ten patients. Analysis with Ingenuity software was performed using all genes expression of which was altered at least 1.5-fold in at least five out of six patients. Major networks that were altered during MS pregnancy were: cell-to-cell signalling and interaction, immune response, and cell signalling. From the genes selected for Ingenuity analysis, seven additional candidate genes, selected for their biological interest, were tested using RT-PCR in ten patients with MS and nine controls. We found an increased expression of JAK2 and STAT1 directly postpartum in patients with MS and in controls. Conclusion: The increased CD64 expression during pregnancy is indicative of enhanced innate immune functions.
Governance of the territorial entrepreneurial discovery process: looking under the bonnet of RIS3

ABSTRACT The notion of a territorial entrepreneurial discovery process has gained much traction through its appearance at the core of smart specialization strategies. This paper uses evidence from eight European regions to explore what in practice is conditioning the emergence of new forms of quadruple-helix governance that underpin this concept. The paper develops a framework that highlights the key factors that have conditioned the governance of RIS3 design and are likely to continue to shape emergent regional entrepreneurial discovery processes.
Physical activity, health, body mass index, sleeping habits and body complaints in Australian senior high school students

UNLABELLED Adolescents in the industrial world are becoming less physically active and are increasingly adopting a sedentary life-style in front of computers and television screens. OBJECTIVE to determine self-related health, physical activity, sleeping habits, prevalence of overweight, and body complaints in Australian senior high school students. METHODS Participants were 466 high school students aged 15-17 years enrolled in academic and vocational programs. A questionnaire was completed at two senior high schools with questions about weight and height, health, physical activity, type of physical activity/sport, intensity, sleeping habits, and possible injuries or complaints during the last three months. RESULTS Seventy seven percent of the high school students participated in sports on a regular basis. Compared with vocational programs, more males and females in academic programs participated in sports (71% and 80% respectively) (p = .036). Males reported significantly better health than females (p < .0001). 65% of the study group reported body complaints during the last 3 months. A higher number of females than males reported complaints about the back (p = .007) and the hip (p = .05). Good sleep was reported in 82.1% of males and in 76.6% of females. In males, 44.3% were often sleepy in the daytime (females 56.6%, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Underweight, physical activity and good sleep are factors with significant positive effect on good health, whereas overweight is a negative factor. Proper sleep habits and higher physical activity levels should be promoted among high school students, and TV viewing time and video game use restricted. Additionally, schools should provide opportunities for young people to participate in a wider range of physical activities that address their individual needs while promoting the health benefits of engaging in regular exercise.
Coupling surface cameras with on-board fluoroscopy: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility of using three-dimensional surface imaging cameras as an external surrogate of tumor motion through a temporal synchronization with kV imaging. METHODS To obtain an "x-ray on" signal from the on-board kV fluoroscopy system (XVI, Elekta), a hardware controller (Gate Controller) was interfaced between the kV fluoroscopy and Gate CT (VisionRT Ltd., London) computers. First, phantom experiments were performed using a programmable respiratory motion platform (sinusoidal motion, period = 3-5 s). The platform included a chest-wall component (A-P amplitude = 1 cm) tracked with the surface camera, while tumorlike objects translated in the superior-inferior direction were tracked using kV fluoroscopy (300 frames, frequency 5.5 fps). Accuracy of tracking the chest-wall platform was assessed, and the latency of the system was characterized by performing linear regression between the peak times obtained from Gate CT and fluoroscopy. Increasing the complexity of experiments, tumor displacement curves from three patients were simulated using synchronous tumor-abdomen data (RTRT). Our approach was further validated by imaging four free-breathing lung cancer patients with simultaneous Gate CT and kV fluoroscopy for approximately 55 s. Consideration was also given to varied sizes and locations of the tracked region of interest on the patient surface. RESULTS For simple sinusoidal curves, measured amplitude (peak-to-peak) was 1.005 +/- 0.003 cm, 1.013 +/- 0.003 cm, and 1.003 +/- 0.005 cm for periods of 5, 4, and 3.3 s, respectively, demonstrating an excellent agreement with the actual chest platform amplitude of 1.0 cm. Period measurements were within 0.2% of actual using the surface cameras and within 0.9% of actual value using fluoroscopy. For the sinusoidal motion, the system latency was 0.64 +/- 0.02 s. This was further validated for the simulated tumor motion from three patients (latency = 0.65 +/- 0.03 s). Five of the nine patient fractions studied showed the associations between the abdomen and tumor were equivalent or better (Pearson r = 0.93-0.98) than those observed between the diaphragm and tumor (Pearson r = 0.89-0.95). A repeat analysis of five different tracked surfaces on the same patient further demonstrated strong agreement with the diaphragm and tumor, although no improvement in association strength was observed with increased size of region of interest. CONCLUSIONS The feasibility of using surface imaging cameras to track the patient's abdomen as an external surrogate, while using kV imaging to track internal anatomy in synchrony, has been demonstrated. With further validation through additional patient studies to confirm these findings, gated radiation therapy treatments using surface imaging cameras as the external surrogate can be facilitated.
Visual terrain perception modeling of space planetary robotic systems based on soft computing classifiers

In this paper, we have primarily discussed technical challenges and navigational skill requirements of mobile robots for traversability path planning in natural terrain environments similar to Mars surface terrains. We have described different methods for detection of salient terrain features based on imaging texture analysis techniques. We have also presented three competing techniques for terrain traversability assessment of mobile robots navigating in unstructured natural terrain environments. These three techniques include: a rule-based terrain classifier, a neural network-based terrain classifier, and a fuzzy-logic terrain classifier. Each proposed terrain classifier divides a region of natural terrain into finite sub-terrain regions and classifies terrain condition exclusively within each sub-terrain region based on terrain visual clues. The classifiers are applied for aggregative fusion of sub-terrain assessment results. The last two terrain classifiers are shown to have remarkable capability for terrain traversability assessment of natural terrains. We have conducted a comparative performance evaluation of all three terrain classifiers and presented the results in this paper.
THE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT WITH ISLAM EQUITY IN KOREA STOCK MARKET

Bu makalede, AR-DCC-GARCH modelleri kullanilarak Islami borsalar ile Kore borsalari arasindaki oynakliklarin yayilma etkileri arastirilmistir. Ilk olarak, Islami ve Kore finans piyasalari arasinda iki yonlu dalgalanmalar bulundu. Ikincisi, KOSPI-DJIM portfoyunun ve KOSPI-SHX portfoyunun korelasyonunu karsilastirdik. Ilkinin ikincisinden daha guclu bir baglanti oldugunu gosterir. Portfoy perspektifinde S & P 500 Sharia hisse senetleri endeksi (SHX), hisse senedi piyasasi riskine karsi DJIM'den daha iyi bir hedging varliklari olarak hareket etmektedir. Son olarak, iki Islami hisse senedi piyasasi ile Koreli borsa ciftleri arasindaki risk orani genel olarak dusuktur. Bu durum, Koreli hisse senedi piyasalarinin Islami borsalarda kisa bir pozisyon alarak etkin bir sekilde korunabilecegini gostermektedir. Iki ciftle karsilastirildiginda, KOSPI-SHX cifti nispeten KOSP-DJIM ciftininkinden daha ucuz bir hedging maliyeti gosterir. Bu kanit, S & P 500 Sharia endeksinin Koreli borsa riskine karsi daha etkin bir riskten korunma rolune hizmet ettigini gostermektedir.
Sustainability in Supply Chain Through E-Procurement—An Assessment Framework Based on DANP and Liberatore Score

Sustainable procurement aims at integrating specifications and criteria in the purchasing process in favor of environment protection while ensuring resource efficiency, improvement in product or service quality, and cost minimization. Although e-procurement is originally adopted by the companies for cost and cycle time reduction, more recently, it has been also used as a tool to attain sustainable procurement. However, not much effort has been made so far to explicitly identify the factors that portray e-procurement as a tool for sustainable procurement and assess the level of sustainability after adoption of necessary practices. We have identified 26 driving factors based on the review of literature and analyze six major dimensions that help in managing sustainable purchasing programs through the use of information and communication technologies. To handle the interdependence among the criteria, we develop an assessment framework using a hybrid model that combines two multicriteria decision making techniques, namely, Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory based analytic network process and Liberatore score. The effectiveness of the proposed model is demonstrated with a real-life case study.