Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Improvement in Women's Physical Activity

ABSTRACT This study identified factors that predicted improved levels of physical activity in working women. Data were from a prospective, controlled trial. Sedentary women (N = 287) were recruited during an employer-sponsored health screening. The experimental group received a brief, tailored physical activity intervention as well as a booster phone call 2 weeks later. Participants were evaluated by comparing pre-test/post-test measures at 6-week follow-up. It was hypothesized that variables in the Transtheoretical Model (baseline stage of change, perceived pros, cons, and self-efficacy), as well as demographic variables and physical characteristics would predict improved physical activity. In addition, the study tested whether increased physical activity changed the variables of the Transtheoretical Model. Factors that correlated to improved physical activity were entered into regression models to determine predictors of improved physical activity. Being assigned to the intervention group was a significant predictor in all of the regression models. Women who increased their stage of change of physical activity had greater improvement in self-efficacy (p = .013). Minority women showed greater improvement in stage of change of physical activity (p = .001) as well as week-end physical activity (p = .042). Women with less education were more likely to increase total minutes walked per week (p = .038). The research suggests that these cognitive and demographic variables are important for improving levels of physical activity. The Trans-theoretical Model was partially supported by the analyses.
Trends and predictors of opioid use after total knee and total hip arthroplasty

Abstract Few studies have assessed postoperative trends in opioid cessation and predictors of persistent opioid use after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Preoperatively, 574 TKA and THA patients completed validated, self-report measures of pain, functioning, and mood and were longitudinally assessed for 6 months after surgery. Among patients who were opioid naive the day of surgery, 8.2% of TKA and 4.3% of THA patients were using opioids at 6 months. In comparison, 53.3% of TKA and 34.7% of THA patients who reported opioid use the day of surgery continued to use opioids at 6 months. Patients taking >60 mg oral morphine equivalents preoperatively had an 80% likelihood of persistent use postoperatively. Day of surgery predictors for 6-month opioid use by opioid-naive patients included greater overall body pain (P = 0.002), greater affected joint pain (knee/hip) (P = 0.034), and greater catastrophizing (P = 0.010). For both opioid-naive and opioid users on the day of surgery, decreases in overall body pain from baseline to 6 months were associated with decreased odds of being on opioids at 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.72, P = 0.050; aOR = 0.62, P = 0.001); however, change in affected joint pain (knee/hip) was not predictive of opioid use (aOR = 0.99, P = 0.939; aOR = 1.00, P = 0.963). In conclusion, many patients taking opioids before surgery continue to use opioids after arthroplasty and some opioid-naive patients remained on opioids; however, persistent opioid use was not associated with change in joint pain. Given the growing concerns about chronic opioid use, the reasons for persistent opioid use and perioperative prescribing of opioids deserve further study.
The effect of different chemical treatments on the structure and stability of aqueous dispersion of iron- and iron oxide-filled multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The effect of five different chemical treatments (HNO3, H2SO4, H2O2, HNO3 + H2SO4 and HNO3 + HCl) on the homogeneity, surface chemistry, structure and dispersibility in water of iron- and iron oxide-filled multi-walled carbon nanotube samples was evaluated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Raman, UV-Visible and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the chemical treatments are generally effective in removing non-nanotube carbonaceous species present in the sample. With the exception of the H2O2 treatment, the chemical treatments also offer good removal of free iron-species. Besides the increase in the sample homogeneity, the chemical treatments promoted an increase in the carboxyl and hydroxyl groups at the carbon nanotube surface, what directly affects the dispersibility of these carbon nanotubes in water. Dispersions of 2.24 × 10-1 g L-1 were obtained for the treated samples with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acid.
In Silico Identification of New Putative Pathogenic Variants in the Neu1 Sialidase Gene Affecting Enzyme Function and Subcellular Localization

The NEU1 gene is the first identified member of the human sialidases, glycohydrolitic enzymes that remove the terminal sialic acid from oligosaccharide chains. Mutations in NEU1 gene are causative of sialidosis (MIM 256550), a severe lysosomal storage disorder showing autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Sialidosis has been classified into two subtypes: sialidosis type I, a normomorphic, late-onset form, and sialidosis type II, a more severe neonatal or early-onset form. A total of 50 causative mutations are reported in HGMD database, most of which are missense variants. To further characterize the NEU1 gene and identify new functionally relevant protein isoforms, we decided to study its genetic variability in the human population using the data generated by two large sequencing projects: the 1000 Genomes Project (1000G) and the NHLBI GO Exome Sequencing Project (ESP). Together these two datasets comprise a cohort of 7595 sequenced individuals, making it possible to identify rare variants and dissect population specific ones. By integrating this approach with biochemical and cellular studies, we were able to identify new rare missense and frameshift alleles in NEU1 gene. Among the 9 candidate variants tested, only two resulted in significantly lower levels of sialidase activity (p<0.05), namely c.650T>C and c.700G>A. These two mutations give rise to the amino acid substitutions p.V217A and p.D234N, respectively. NEU1 variants including either of these two amino acid changes have 44% and 25% residual sialidase activity when compared to the wild-type enzyme, reduced protein levels and altered subcellular localization. Thus they may represent new, putative pathological mutations resulting in sialidosis type I. The in silico approach used in this study has enabled the identification of previously unknown NEU1 functional alleles that are widespread in the population and could be tested in future functional studies.
CNS Modulation of Pain in Humans

sidered to be a hard-wired system in which noxious input was passively transmitted along sensory channels to the brain (FIGURE 1, LEFT). However, today it is generally accepted that this is far from the truth and that the experience of pain is not at all simply driven by noxious stimulus characteristics. Analogous to well known visual perceptions, such as ambiguous figures, the resultant pain experienced to the same sensory input can vary considerably. Along these lines, clinical and everyday life teaches us how cognitive and emotional variables such as attention, expectation, prior experiences, and mood shape our perception of pain (FIGURE 1, RIGHT). Until recently, research on pain mechanisms concentrated on the assessment of changes that occur at the peripheral nociceptor and those within the spinal cord. The mechanisms of central nociceptive processing and its modulation were largely unknown, although it was clear that the brain is the structure where the subjective perception of pain emerges and is critically linked with other cognitive processes. The advent of modern, noninvasive neuroimaging techniques in combination with elegant paradigms has greatly expanded our knowledge concerning the CNS processes underlying pain perception and its modulation in humans. More recently, the contribution of these processes to the development of chronic pain and even drug action in the context of pain control is being further understood. Here, we review the current state of neuroimaging research in this field. These include studies on functional connectivity of pain processing regions, functional imaging of the brain stem and spinal cord, pharmacological imaging (phMRI), and structural measures. With respect to the authors’ expertise and word count limitations, this review will focus on studies using fMRI and PET. This is not supposed to undermine the extensive contribution of electrophysiological measures to this research field.
Satisfaction of Patients and Primary Care Physicians With Shared Decision Making

Satisfaction with treatment is regarded as an important outcome measure, but its suitability has not been thoroughly investigated in the context of shared decision making (SDM). The authors evaluated whether both patients’ and physicians’ satisfaction ratings differ between an intervention group and a control group within a structured tool for cardiovascular prevention (ARRIBA-Herz). In a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, controlled trial, 44 family physicians in the intervention group consecutively recruited 550 patients whereas 47 physicians in the control group included 582 patients. Main findings were high satisfaction ratings independent of group allocation in patients and physicians. Significant differences had only negligible effect sizes. Compared to global satisfaction ratings, the effects of the shared decision-making process are better measured by a more concrete approach representing different steps of this process. Further research should refine behaviorally oriented questionnaires that measure SDM and a version for physicians should also be created.
Computerized assessment of arithmetic computation skills with MicroCog

In recent years, efforts have been made to computerize standard neuropsychological (NP) tests (Kane & Kay, 1992). This effort is in the service of increased productivity, lower costs, and an increase in the consistency of test administration. However, care must be taken to make sure the limitations of the computer interface do not compromise test validity.
Information-sharing in academia and the industry : A comparative study

This paper investigates how scientists decide whether to share information with their colleagues or not. Detailed data on the decisions of 1,694 bio-scientists allow to detect similarities and differences between academia-based and industry-based scientists. Arguments from social capital theory are applied to explain why individuals share information even at (temporary) personal cost. In both realms, the results suggest that the likelihood of sharing decreases with the competitive value of the requested information. Factors related to social capital, i.e., expected reciprocity and the extent to which a scientist’s community conforms to the norm of open science, either directly affect information-sharing or moderate competitive interest considerations on information-sharing. The effect depends on the system to which a scientist belongs.
Time domain measures of heart rate variability during acute mental stress in Type 2 diabetics- A case control study -

Background: Cardiovascular Autonomic Diabetic Neuropathy (CADN) is one of the most important diabetes- associated complications. Reduced heart rate variation (HRV) is the earliest indicator of CADN. The prospect of using time domain analysis of HRV using mental arithmetic as a stressor has for early diagnosis of CADN has not been studied so far. Aims & Objective: To compare time domain parameters of HRV at rest and during acute mental stress between Type 2 diabetics and non- diabetics. Materials and Methods: 30 male asymptomatic, Type 2 diabetics with duration of diabetes of 2-8 yrs with RBS ≥ 200 mg/dl or FBS ≥ 126 mg/dl in the age group of 30-65 yrs were chosen as subjects. 30 age and sex matched healthy non-diabetics were chosen as controls. HRV analysis was done using ECG recorded at rest in supine position for 5 min and during 5 min of acute mental stress testing. Results: At rest standard deviation of all R-R intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive RR- interval differences (RMSSD), number of intervals differing by > 50ms from adjacent interval (NN50) and percentage of NN50 (pNN50) were significantly less in diabetics as compared to non- diabetics. Mental stress showed increases in HR, SBP and DBP in non-diabetics as well as diabetics but SDNN was significantly less in diabetics as compared to non- diabetics during stress. Conclusion: Data from the study demonstrated that diabetics with 8-10 yrs history had already developed parasympathetic autonomic neuropathy. Time domain analysis of HRV during mental stress can be used as a valuable tool for early diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy to prevent further complications.
An analysis and design method for uncertain variable structure systems with bounded controllers

We present a method for estimating the asymptotic stability region(ASR) of uncertain variable structure systems with bounded switching feedback controllers. Using linear matrix inequalities(LMIs) we estimate the ASR and we show the exponential stability of the closed-loop control system in the estimated ASR. We also give a simple LMI-based method for designing switching surfaces that will make the estimated ASR big. Finally, we give numerical examples in order to show the effectiveness of our method.
Watershed vs. within-lake drivers of nitrogen: phosphorus dynamics in shallow lakes.

Research on lake eutrophication often identifies variables affecting amounts of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in lakes, but understanding factors influencing N:P ratios is important given its influence on species composition and toxin production by cyanobacteria. We sampled 80 shallow lakes in Minnesota (USA) for three years to assess effects of watershed size, proportion of watershed as both row crop and natural area, fish biomass, and lake alternative state (turbid vs. clear) on total N : total P (TN : TP), ammonium, total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and seston stoichiometry. We also examined N:P stoichiometry in 20 additional lakes that shifted states during the study. Last, we assessed the importance of denitrification by measuring denitrification rates in sediment cores from a subset of 34 lakes, and by measuring seston δ15 N in four additional experimental lakes before and after they were experimentally manipulated from turbid to clear states. Results showed alternative state had the largest influence on overall N:P stoichiometry in these systems, as it had the strongest relationship with TN : TP, seston C:N:P, ammonium, and TDP. Turbid lakes had higher N at given levels of P than clear lakes, with TN and ammonium 2-fold and 1.4-fold higher in turbid lakes, respectively. In lakes that shifted states, TN was 3-fold higher in turbid lakes, while TP was only 2-fold higher, supporting the notion N is more responsive to state shifts than is P. Seston δ15 N increased after lakes shifted to clear states, suggesting higher denitrification rates may be important for reducing N levels in clear states, and potential denitrification rates in sediment cores were among the highest recorded in the literature. Overall, our results indicate lake state was a primary driver of N:P dynamics in shallow lakes, and lakes in clear states had much lower N at a given level of P relative to turbid lakes, likely due to higher denitrification rates. Shallow lakes are often managed for the clear-water state due to increased value as wildlife habitat. However, our results indicate lake state also influences N biogeochemistry, such that managing shallow lakes for the clear-water state may also mitigate excess N levels at a landscape scale.
[Screening and identification of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria].

OBJECTIVE The interaction between plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and plants can be unstable, PGPR with PGP activities may be well adapted to particular soil environment. Based on this, we isolated and identified PGPRs from different rhizosphere soils according to their multiple mechanisms. METHODS Preliminary screening of PGPRs under the premises of PGPR may having the abilities of N2-fixing, phosphate and potassium solubilization, and resistance against six common pathogenic fungi as well as rhizosphere colonization. After that, multiple PGP activities were detected in vitro. Finally, PGPRs were classified and identified by combining physiological and biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. RESULTS Fourteen strains having various mechanisms of PGP activities such as NH3, IAA, HCN, siderophore, antibiotics production, phosphate and potassium solubilization, and N2-fixing were isolated from different rhizosphere soils in Yangzhou and Yancheng, Jiangsu province. These 14 isolates could be identified as Pseudomonas (7 isolates), Paenibacillus (3 isolates), Bacillus (2 isolates), Burkholderia (1 isolate) and Erwinia (1 isolate). CONCLUSION Isolates with multiple PGP activities can also be rhizospheric competent, able to survive and colonize in the rhizosphere, providing promising isolates for PGPRs combination to resolve the challenges in field application of PGPR.
Numerical Simulation Research of NOx Emissions Characteristic of Vehicle Engine Fueled with LPG

NOx emissions characteristic of vehicle engine fueled with LPG (liquid petrol gas) was studied. A numerical simulation model was established by GT-POWER and was validated by experimental data. Based on the model, the variable parameters study including air-fuel radio, compression radio and ignition advance angle were carried out. The model results showed that the compression radio and the air-fuel radio played an important role during the NOx emissions characteristic. There is a significant improvement of the NOx emissions with the compression ratio increases. The cylinder pressure and temperature increased with the improvement of the compression ratio brought out the NOx emissions rise. With the improvement of the air-fuel ratio, NOx emissions increased first and then decreased. A larger ignition advance angle can decrease the NOx emissions, at the same time the danger of knock corresponding increased. So the ignition advance angle must be appropriate selected.
Persistence of azidothymidine-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA genotypes in posttreatment sera

The rate of reversion from azidothymidine (zidovudine; AZT) resistance was studied by direct sequencing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virion RNA in sera from four patients who discontinued long-term treatment. Before cessation of treatment, all four patients harbored HIV-1 with multiple mutations reported to confer AZT resistance. In three patients, slow reversions of these mutations starting after 9, 9, and 18 months were detected. The slow reversions indicate that AZT-resistant HIV-1 variants are likely to have an unaltered replicative capacity and pathogenic potential. Furthermore, there were discrepancies between the in vivo RNA sequences and the sequences of virus isolates, indicating that the isolation procedure may select for nonrepresentative virus variants.
The impact of frame semantic annotation levels, frame-alignment techniques, and fusion methods on factoid answer processing

The impact of frame semantic enrichment of texts on the task of factoid question answering (QA) is studied in this paper. In particular, we consider different techniques for answer processing with frame semantics: the level of semantic class identiﬁcation and role assignment to texts, and the fusion of frame semantic-based answer-processing approaches with other methods used in the Text REtrieval Conference (TREC). The impact of each of these aspects on the overall performance of a QA sys-tem is analyzed in this paper. The TREC 2004 and TREC 2006 factoid question sets were used for the experiments. These demonstrate that the exploitation of encapsulated frame semantics in FrameNet in a shallow semantic parsing process can enhance answer-processing performance in factoid QA systems. This improvement is dependent on the level of semantic annotation, the frame semantic alignment method, and the method of fusing frame semantic-based answer-processing models with other existing models. A more comprehensively annotated environment with all different part-of-speech target predicates provides a higher chance of correct factoid answer retrieval where semantic alignment is based on both semantic classes and a relaxed set of semantic roles for answer span identiﬁcation. Our experiments on fusion techniques of frame semantic-based and entity-based answer-processing models show that merging answer lists with respect to their scores and redundancy by exploiting a fusion function leads to a more effective overall factoid QA system compared to the use of individual models.
EXPANDING WHITE LIGHT INTERFEROMETER CAPABILITIES TO BE USED AS A μ-CMM

White Light Interferometers (WLI) have been traditionally been used for single field-of-view (FOV) surface measurements with emphasis on Z-axis resolution. Previous generation WLIs could accommodate panel level skew and rotation errors, and correct for those errors to locate individual single FOV measurements. But those systems didn’t allow for component level translation and rotation correction. Further, the panel level corrections were more operator based visual alignments. The new generation machines have the capability of using vision analysis tools to make simple dimensional measurements like diameters and widths. But most of the applications are limited to only single FOV measurements and do not allow two-way communication between 2D and 3D datasets. This paper explains the efforts being conducted at Hutchinson Technology Inc (HTI) to explore the possibility of utilizing WLI as a versatile coordinate measuring machine (CMM) with a 10x10x0.35mm measuring range and at least 100nm resolution in at least one axis, which can handle z-data analysis on specified locations determined by datums that are established using vision processing on image data. BACKGROUND HTI has traditionally relied on WLIs for precise z axis measurements for surface roughness and thick film thickness. The systems in place on our previous generation product line are offline systems. The parts are presented in a panel form and overall panel rotation errors could be calculated and used for positioning the sensor to the selected region of interest in a part, for making single FOV measurements. Even the panel level rotation errors were calculated based on operator manually positioning a fiducial mask on the selected panel level datum features. The next generation of instruments had software upgrade options that could utilize the 3d data of datum features to convert into binary images for image processing, but lacked the flexibility to correct for panel and part level errors. Current generation of systems have tremendous flexibility to be integrated to inline systems with respect to sensor orientation, speed and light requirements. HTI implemented in its new product lines, an inline WLI measurement system that is capable of making vision measurements for panel level alignment and precise positioning on individual part locations. Old measurement process flow is shown in figure 1. The current measurement process flow is shown in figure 2. An offline WLI system has also been established, which does individual part based error compensation enabling precise positioning of masks. Visual alignment WLI measurement Surface analysis FIGURE 1. Old measurement process flow Initial vision analysis of border alignment coupon is used for panel level alignment and then part datum hole is used for part level alignment. A histogram based z-ht data separation and FIGURE 2. Current measurement process flow Panel