Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Low-Dose Caffeine on Perceived Pain During a Grip to Exhaustion Task

Bellar, D, Kamimori, GH, and Glickman, EL. The effects of low-dose caffeine on perceived pain during a grip to exhaustion task. J Strength Cond Res 25(5): 1225-1228, 2011-This double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject experiment examined the effects of low-dose caffeine on pain reported during an exhaustive grip task. The grip task consisted of holding a metal block attached to standard Olympic weight plates with the arm at the side until the participants could no longer maintain their grip. Apparently healthy recreationally trained college-aged adults (men, n = 5; women, n = 5) were given either a piece of Stay Alert™ gum that delivered 85% of the effective dose of 100 mg of caffeine in 5 minutes or an identical placebo gum that contained no caffeine. Subsequently, pain perception and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded during an exhaustive grip task every 15 seconds and the overall time to exhaustion. No significant difference was found in time to exhaustion between treatments. A significant main effect of treatment for reported pain (p < 0.001, Φ = 0.377) was observed. Thus, in a population of recreationally trained college-aged adults, low-dose caffeine may attenuate the individual's perception of pain during a grip to exhaustion task.
Exploring Student and Advisor Experiences in a College-University Pathway Program: A Study of the Bachelor of Commerce Pathway.

Abstract Currently, there is great interest across Ontario in the expansion of pathway programs between colleges and universities. Through strategic partnerships, two Ontario-based postsecondary institutions (a college and a university) have developed innovative and effective pathway programs that facilitate the transition of students between institutions for the completion of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. These programs support the training of highly qualified, market-ready graduates. This paper reports on a mixed-methods study of the successes and challenges of a particular Ontario college and university pathway program, with a focus on the Bachelor of Commerce Pathway program. Preliminary results indicate that pathway students were more academically successful than their traditional university student counterparts but did experience a number of challenges in transitioning from college into university. Principal challenges included inefficient communication between program administrators, academic advisors, and students; lack of orientation activities for pathway students; lack of college student preparedness in communication and critical thinking skills; and difficulties experienced by college students integrating into the social–cultural life of the university. Resume Il existe presentement un grand interet partout en Ontario pour l’expansion de programmes de transfert entre colleges et universites. Grâce a des partenariats strategiques, deux etablissements postsecondaires localises en Ontario (un college et une universite) ont cree des programmes de transferts innovateurs et efficaces qui facilitent la transition des eleves entre les etablissements pour l’obtention de diplomes et de certificats. Ces programmes soutiennent la formation de diplomes hautement qualifies, prets pour le marche du travail. Le present article presente une etude de methodes mixtes portant sur les succes et les defis d’un programme de transfert particulier entre une universite et un college de l’Ontario, en misant particulierement sur le programme de transfert du baccalaureat en commerce. Les resultats preliminaires indiquent que les etudiants du programme de transfert obtenaient de meilleurs resultats scolaires que leurs homologues aux etudes universitaires traditionnelles, mais qu’ils ont du surmonter quelques defis pendant la transition du college a l’universite. Parmi les principaux defis, on trouve une communication inefficace entre les administrateurs de programmes, les conseillers pedagogiques et les etudiants; un manque d’activites d’orientation pour les etudiants des programmes de transfert; un manque de preparation en matiere de communication et de pensee critique chez les collegiens; et des difficultes pour les collegiens a integrer la vie sociale et culturelle de l’universite.
Isoforms of Na,K-ATPase α and β Subunits in the Rat Cerebellum and in Granule Cell Cultures

There are multiple isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase in the nervous system, three isoforms of the α subunit, and at least two of the β subunit. The α subunit is the catalytic subunit. The β subunit has several roles. It is required for enzyme assembly, it has been implicated in neuron-glia adhesion, and the experimental exchange of β subunit isoforms modifies enzyme kinetics, implying that it affects functional properties. Here we describe the specificities of antibodies against the Na,K-ATPase β subunit isoforms β1 and β2. These antibodies, along with antibodies against the α subunit isoforms, were used to stain sections of the rat cerebellum and cultures of cerebellar granule cells to ascertain expression and subcellular distribution in identifiable cells. Comparison of α and β isoform distribution with double-label staining demonstrated that there was no preferential association of particular α subunits with particular β subunits, nor was there an association with excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmission modes. Isoform composition differences were seen when Purkinje, basket, and granule cells were compared. Whether β1 and β2 are specific for neurons and glia, respectively, has been controversial, but expression of both β subunit types was seen here in granule cells. In rat cerebellar astrocytes, in sections and in culture, α2 expression was prominent, yet the expression of either β subunit was low in comparison. The complexity of Na,K-ATPase isoform distribution underscores the subtlety of its regulation and physiological role in excitable cells.
In vivo Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide (131I) Therapy of Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells Transfected with a Lentivirus Expressing Sodium Iodide Symporter

Introduction Despite recent improvements in the survival rates for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), novel treatment strategies are required to improve distant metastasis-free survival. The sodium iodine symporter (NIS) gene has been applied for in vivo imaging and cancer therapy. In this study, we examined the potential of NIS gene therapy as a therapeutic approach in NPC by performing non-invasive imaging using 125I and 131I therapy in vivo. Methods We constructed a lentiviral vector expressing NIS and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the human elongation factor-1α (EF1α) promoter, and stably transfected the vector into CNE-2Z NPC cells to create CNE-2Z-NIS cells. CNE-2Z and CNE-2Z-NIS tumor xenografts were established in nude mice; 125I uptake, accumulation and efflux were measured using micro-SPECT/CT imaging; the therapeutic effects of treatment with 131I were assessed over 25 days by measuring tumor volume and immunohistochemical staining of the excised tumors. Results qPCR, immunofluorescence and Western blotting confirmed that CNE-2Z-NIS cells expressed high levels of NIS mRNA and protein. CNE-2Z-NIS cells and xenografts took up and accumulated significantly more 125I than CNE-2Z cells and xenografts. In vitro, 131I significantly reduced the clonogenic survival of CNE-2Z-NIS cells. In vivo, 131I effectively inhibited the growth of CNE-2Z-NIS xenografts. At the end of 131I therapy, CNE-2Z-NIS xenograft tumor cells expressed higher levels of NIS and caspase-3 and lower levels of Ki-67. Conclusion Lentiviruses effectively delivered and mediated long-lasting expression of NIS in CNE-2Z cells which enabled uptake and accumulation of radioisotopes and provided a significant therapeutic effect in an in vivo model of NPC. NIS-mediated radioiodine treatment merits further investigation as a potentially effective, low toxicity therapeutic strategy for NPC.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes in elderly hypertensive patients treated with either ARB or ACEI

Background Although angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are equally important in the treatment of hypertension, there is less evidence whether they have equal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective effects, especially in elder hypertensive patients. This study aims to clarify this unresolved issue. Methods This cross-sectional study included clinical data on 933 aged male patients with hypertension who received either an ARB or ACEI for more than two months between January 2007 and May 2011. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. The secondary endpoints were unstable angina, new atrial fibrillation, and transient ischemic attack. Results The median follow-up time was 24 months. Age, drug types, cerebral infarction history, renal dysfunction history were the independent predictors of the primary endpoint. The risk of an occurrence of a primary endpoint event was higher in the ARB group than the ACEI group [P = 0.037, hazard ratios (HR): 2.124, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.048–4.306]. The Kaplan-Meier method also suggests that the rate of primary endpoint occurrence was higher in the ARB group than the ACEI group (P = 0.04). In regard to the secondary endpoints, there were no significant differences between the two treatment arms (P = 0.137, HR: 1.454, 95% CI: 0.888–2.380). Patient age and coronary heart disease history were independent predictors of the secondary endpoint. Conclusion ACEI were more effective than ARB in reducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality in aged patients with hypertension.
Technological process and resonator design optimization of Ir/LGS high temperature SAW devices

Photolithography together with ion beam etching was used for fabrication of high temperature SAW devices. Ir thin film of 0.3 μm thick was deposited by magnetron sputtering without additional adhesion layers and than Ir film was annealed after electrode patterning in different conditions. The resistivity of magnetron sputtered thick Ir films drops noticeably after annealing. However, this process requires special care in order to avoid delaminating of the film due to developing high stress during such procedures. We have annealed the substrates with Ir films in different regimes and in different gas/vacuum conditions. The results of these studies have shown that annealing in air up to about 500 °C decreases the Ir film resistivity 1.5-2 times. Vacuum annealing did not show much improvement in comparison to open air annealing. Magnetron sputtered thin Ir films have somewhat porous structure allowing oxygen to diffuse from the substrate surface through Ir films. Resonator structures with thick Ir electrodes were prepared and tested. Examples of the resonator structures show very promising properties, such as high conductance and high Q-factor.
Deletion of Interleukin-6 Signal Transducer gp130 in Small Sensory Neurons Attenuates Mechanonociception and Down-Regulates TRPA1 Expression

Glycoprotein 130 (gp130) is the signal transducing receptor subunit for cytokines of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family, and it is expressed in a multitude of cell types of the immune and nervous system. IL-6-like cytokines are not only key regulators of innate immunity and inflammation but are also essential factors for the differentiation and development of the somatosensory system. Mice with a null mutation of gp130 in primary nociceptive afferents (SNS-gp130−/−) are largely protected from hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli in mouse models of pathological pain. Therefore, we set out to investigate how neuronal gp130 regulates mechanonociception. SNS-gp130−/− mice revealed reduced mechanosensitivity to high mechanical forces in the von Frey assay in vivo, and this was associated with a reduced sensitivity of nociceptive primary afferents in vitro. Together with these findings, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) mRNA expression was significantly reduced in DRG from SNS-gp130−/− mice. This was also reflected by a reduced number of neurons responding with calcium transients to TRPA1 agonists in primary DRG cultures. Downregulation of Trpa1 expression was predominantly discovered in nonpeptidergic neurons, with the deficit becoming evident during stages of early postnatal development. Regulation of Trpa1 mRNA expression levels downstream of gp130 involved the classical Janus kinase family-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway. Our results closely link proinflammatory cytokines to the expression of TRPA1, both of which have been shown to contribute to hypersensitive pain states. We suggest that gp130 has an essential role in mechanonociception and in the regulation of TRPA1 expression.
A passivity-based approach to wide area stabilization of magnetic suspension systems

This paper deals with a passivity-based approach to wide area stabilization of magnetic suspension systems. It is well known that the magnetic suspension systems have strong nonlinearity. In order to realize wide area stabilization of magnetic suspension systems, we design the passivity-based feedback controller considering a nonlinear dynamics of the magnetic suspension systems and a leakage inductance of the electromagnet especially. The systems can be decomposed two subsystems; an electrical subsystem and a mechanical subsystem. We design nonlinear passivity-based controllers for both two subsystems. Steady-state and transient time responses results for some operating points show the effectiveness of the proposed controller experimentally
Personalized genetic testing and norovirus susceptibility

BACKGROUND: The availability of direct-to-consumer personalized genetic testing has enabled the public to access and interpret their own genetic information. Various genetic traits can be determined including resistance to norovirus through a nonsense mutation (G428A) in the FUT2 gene. Although this trait is believed to confer resistance to the most dominant norovirus genotype (GII.4), the spectrum of resistance to other norovirus strains is unknown. The present report describes a cluster of symptomatic norovirus GI.6 infection in a family identified to have norovirus resistance through personalized genetic testing. CASE PRESENTATION: In January 2013, four members of a family determined by a direct-to-consumer genetic test to be homozygous for the norovirus resistance trait (A/A genotype for single nucleotide polymorphism rs601338) developed symptoms consistent with acute viral gastroenteritis. Stool and vomitus samples were submitted for enteric viral pathogen testing. Samples were positive for norovirus GI.6 in three of the four cases. CONCLUSIONS: The present report is the first to describe norovirus GI.6 infection in patients with the G428A nonsense mutation in FUT2; this cluster of cases suggests that the G428A mutation in FUT2 may not confer resistance to norovirus GI.6. Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is empowering members of the public to identify novel associations with their genetic traits. Expert consultation is important for the interpretation of personalized genetic test results, and follow-up laboratory testing can confirm any potentially novel associations.
Fast Rollup on Recursive Hierarchy in OLAP

Rollup, a key operation in OLAP queries, is to aggregate multidimensional data on dimensional hierarchies. While the operation can be efficiently implemented on regular hierarchies in data warehouse, its application to recursive hierarchies proved to be problematic. Due to the stratification restriction, aggregate is not permitted to be wrapped within SQL recursion. Representing rollup operations on recursive hierarchies as SQL recursive queries will cause considerable overhead and is thus inefficient. This paper proposes an iteration-based evaluation strategy that aims to solve this inefficiency problem in OLAP queries. In our solution, aggregation on recursive hierarchies is modeled as a binary operator tree that is stored in its postfix notation and executed by a push down stack. We also demonstrate how to seamlessly embed this novel strategy into data warehouse that is based on ORDBMS. Experiment results show that our proposed solution is quite efficient compared with the SQL recursive evaluation strategy
An Empirical Characterization of Instantaneous Throughput in 802.11b WLANs

We present an empirical, i.e, measurementbased, characterization of the instantaneous throughput of a station in an 802.11b WLAN as a function of the number of competing stations sharing the access point. Our methodology is applicable to practically any wireless MAC protocol. Our findings show that as the number of stations increases, the overall throughput decreases and its variance increases. Furthermore, the per-station performance depends significantly on the wireless card implementation and does not depend as much on the station’s processing capacity.
Influences of foreign accent on preschoolers’ word recognition and story comprehension

ABSTRACT To better understand how talker-specific information influences spoken language processing in different experimental listening tasks, we examined the effect of a foreign accent on preschoolers’ word recognition and story comprehension. In Experiment 1, preschoolers listening to words presented by a native-accented talker recognized significantly more words than did preschoolers listening to words presented by a foreign-accented talker. In Experiment 2, preschoolers listening to a story narrated by a native-accented talker demonstrated significantly lower comprehension accuracy compared to preschoolers listening to a foreign-accented narrator. These findings underscore the importance of the experimental task when examining and making claims about the influence of accent information on young children's spoken language processing.
In Vivo Voltage-Sensitive Dye Imaging in Adult Mice Reveals That Somatosensory Maps Lost to Stroke Are Replaced over Weeks by New Structural and Functional Circuits with Prolonged Modes of Activation within Both the Peri-Infarct Zone and Distant Sites

After brain damage such as stroke, topographically organized sensory and motor cortical representations remap onto adjacent surviving tissues. It is conceivable that cortical remapping is accomplished by changes in the temporal precision of sensory processing and regional connectivity in the cortex. To understand how the adult cortex remaps and processes sensory signals during stroke recovery, we performed in vivo imaging of sensory-evoked changes in membrane potential, as well as multiphoton imaging of dendrite structure and tract tracing. In control mice, forelimb stimulation evoked a brief depolarization in forelimb cortex that quickly propagated to, and dissipated within, adjacent motor/hindlimb areas (<100 ms). One week after forelimb cortex stroke, the cortex was virtually unresponsive to tactile forelimb stimulation. After 8 weeks recovery, forelimb-evoked depolarizations reemerged with a characteristic pattern in which responses began within surviving portions of forelimb cortex (<20 ms after stimulation) and then spread horizontally into neighboring peri-infarct motor/hindlimb areas in which depolarization persisted 300–400% longer than controls. These uncharacteristically prolonged responses were not limited to the remapped peri-infarct zone and included distant posteromedial retrosplenial cortex, millimeters from the stroke. Structurally, the remapped peri-infarct area selectively exhibited high levels of dendritic spine turnover, shared more connections with retrosplenial cortex and striatum, and lost inputs from lateral somatosensory cortical regions. Our findings demonstrate that sensory remapping during stroke recovery is accompanied by the development of prolonged sensory responses and new structural circuits in both the peri-infarct zone as well as more distant sites.
Engagement in Play Activities as a Means for Youth in Detention to Acquire Life Skills.

This study describes how occupational therapists in a community-based programme, Occupational Therapy Training Program (OTTP), use play activities to facilitate the acquisition of life skills by youth in detention. This pilot study explored the extent of engagement of male and female inmates aged 14 to 18 years old in structured play activities on topics such as interpersonal relationships, self-awareness, cultural celebrations and the transition to community. Retrospective analysis of data collected from surveys using the Engagement in OTTP Activities Questionnaire (EOAQ), completed by youth participants at the end of each group session, was used to measure the extent of occupational engagement. Worksheets and artworks produced by OTTP participants during those group sessions were also analysed. The participants reported very high engagement in OTTP. Engagement scores for male participants were higher than those for female participants, and male and female participants had higher engagement scores for different activities. Over 90% of the worksheets and artworks were found to be complete and relevant to the topic of the session. Play activities could be an appropriate way for occupational therapists to encourage youth in detention to acquire life skills. Demographic information and the actual number of participants are unknown because of how the existing data were collected. Future studies examining the potential gender-related preferences for specific topics deserve further investigation as well as research comparing the youth's engagement in OTTP interventions using play activities to other group interventions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Currency Union in East Asia

This paper investigates prospects of a currency union in East Asia, focusing on trade and financial integration occurring in the region. We find, based on a dynamic factor model, regional common shocks have been quantitatively important for output variations in the Asian economies. We expect that continuing trade integration in the region will lead to further synchronization of business cycles, thereby encouraging East Asian countries to create a currency union in the region. In contrast to trade, however, financial liberalization in East Asia tends to lead to more global integration, rather than regional integration, of the financial systems, and thereby is not likely to develop favorable conditions for forming a regional currency union among East Asian countries.
Antidepressant Medication May Moderate the Effect of Depression Duration on Hippocampus Volume

Abstract. Hippocampus volume has been frequently, but not universally reported to be reduced in people with major depression relative to age-matched healthy controls. Among the potential reasons for this discrepancy in finding across studies is the effect of antidepressant medication. Hippocampus volume was determined by MRI (1.5 Tesla) for 10 people diagnosed with major depression for who detailed history of depression and antidepressant treatment history were known, and 10 age-matched healthy controls with no history of depression. Left, but not right, hippocampus volumes were significantly smaller in the patient group compared to the controls. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation such that left hippocampus volume was smaller with increasing lifetime duration of depression. However, this relationship was moderated by a significant correlation such that greater lifetime duration of antidepressant medication was associated with larger left hippocampus volume. The findings support the contentio.