Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the strength of elbow flexors in patients with neuromuscular diseases

In planning the optimum treatment for patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), it is essential to know as much as possible about their functional state. Assessment of the strength of certain muscles is the most direct measure of motor deficiency. In the development of normative data needed for patients with NMD, the use of torque measurements is required. Forty-nine patients (31 men and 18 women), from 18 to 54 years (mean age 33 - 8.9 years), were included in the study. Five groups of patients, each having one of five different NMDs, were formed. We tested unilaterally the biceps brachii muscle that normally generates the highest torque. For this purpose an electronic brace enabling isometric measurements of torque during elbow flexion was designed. The patients produced three maximum voluntary elbow flexions that lasted about 3 s and separated by a pause of about 3 s. Force development was rapid with continuous build-up and isometric. About 15 s later the patients produced the last maximum voluntary elbow flexion, keeping it as stable as possible for a period of 30 s. Patients with mitochondrial myopathy (MM), having the shortest mean halffatigue time (4.3 s), elicited the highest mean torque in both short maximum voluntary elbow flexions (1.34 Nm) as well as in the 30 s-long maximum voluntary elbow flexions. In contrast, patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (MD-FSH), having the longest mean half-fatigue time (15.4 s), elicited the lowest mean torque in both the short maximum voluntary (0.29 Nm) as well as in 30 s-long maximum voluntary elbow flexions. Patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (MD-B), having a mean half-fatigue time (11.1 s) slightly shorter than the patients with MD-FSH, elicited a higher mean torque in both the short (0.82 Nm) and the 30 s-long elbow flexions. Finally, patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (MD-RM) and spinal muscular atrophy type 3 (SMA3), having a similar mean half-fatigue time (6.9 s for patients with MD-RM and 7.4 s for patients with SMA3), also elicited similar torque in both short (0.45 Nm for patients with MD-RM and 0.65 Nm for patients with SMA3) and 30 s-long elbow flexions. The results of the study show that the methodology developed to quantitatively measure the torque of elbow flexions in patients with NMD enables the characteristics and natural course of NMD to be more objectively documented. Accordingly, the optimum treatment for patients with NMD could be restored.
Variabilidade genética em tambaquis (Teleostei: Characidae) de diferentes regiões do Brasil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of four broodstocks of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) from different regions of Brazil using RAPD markers. Ten primers were used to analyze 116 individuals, collected from fish cultures of three municipalities in Brazil: Urupa, RO; Teixeiropolis, RO; Neopolis, SE; and Sorriso, MT. Differences in the frequencies of 67 fragments were found, with a unique fragment in Sorriso and two in Neopolis. High values of polymorphism (72.92 to 83.33%), Nei's genetic diversity (from 0.27 to 0.30) and Shannon index (from 0.39 to 0.45) were observed. Analysis of molecular variance showed that most of the variation is within each broodstock and not among them. The identity and genetic distance among the groups ranged from 0.93 to 0.98 and from 0.02 to 0.07, respectively, with less distance between clusters Urupa x Sorriso and Teixeropolis x Neopolis. Genetic differentiation ranged from low to moderate (Fst = 0.03 to 0.15) and the number of migrants per generation was high (Nm = 5.96 to 24.3) among the groups. Stocks have high variability and low genetic differentiation and distance among them.
Classificação de genótipos de amendoim baseada nos descritores agromorfológicos e isoenzimáticos

The agromorphological and isoenzimatic descriptors were used to classify peanut infraespecific genotypes by principal components analysis. Twenty three descriptors were utilized, among them, eleven were morphologic, nine agronomic and three molecular ones. Based on the results of principal components analysis, it was verified that the main morphological descriptors were botany type, pigmentation of main stem, inflorescence pattern, pod maturation, leaflets colour, growth habit, seed colour and hairiness; the main agronomic descriptors were blomming, 100 seeds weigh, number of pods/plant, pops and seeds yield. As to combined morphological and agronomic descriptors it was verified that pops, number of seeds/pod, number of pods/plant, seeds yield, pod size and botany type gave greatest contribution. In relation to molecular analysis, no relation was verified between band patterns and botany types of the genotypes, however, it was reported that the similarity based on the agromorphological descriptors of the Valencia genotypes should correspond to that one found on pattern of the molecular systems.
Conformational analysis of trehalose disaccharides and analogues using MM3

Energy surfaces for the relative orientations of the pyranosyl rings of α,α‐, α,β‐, and β,β‐trehalose and analogues were generated with MM3. Sixteen starting conformations of the rotatable side groups of α,β‐trehalose were considered, while only 10 conformations were needed for α,α‐ and β,β‐trehalose because of molecular symmetry. Energies were calculated at 20° increments of the two torsional angles of the glycosidic linkage, but otherwise the molecules were fully relaxed. The structure at the overall minimum for α,α‐trehalose agrees well with that found in crystal structures, and also agrees with interpretations of NMR and optical rotation data. The energy surfaces for the three trehaloses differ greatly from each other, but are each similar to those for the corresponding three 2‐(6‐methyltetrahydropyran‐2‐yloxy)6‐methyltetrahydropyrans. This suggests that linkage type (axial or equatorial) is more important than exocyclic substituents in determining trehalose conformations. A comparison with surfaces from the corresponding 5a‐carba trehalose analogues illustrates that the exo‐anomeric effect is important in determining disaccharide conformation.
Hypobaric bacteriology: growth, cytoplasmic membrane polarization and total cellular fatty acids in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

Escherichia coli JM109 (Gram-negative) and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive) were grown under hypobaric conditions for 19 days at 25 °C to study the effects of 33 and 67 kPa low pressures on selected physiological responses; growth, cytoplasmic membrane polarization (measure of cytoplasmic membrane fluidity) and total cellular fatty acids. In the first experiment, cytoplasmic membrane polarization in B. subtilis increased under both hypobaric conditions, indicating the membrane became more rigid or less fluid. This experiment was repeated and the effect of the hypobaric conditions was not evident as in the first experiment with B. subtilis. In addition, total cellular fatty acids analysis for B. subtilis showed that hypobaric conditions did not alter the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids. The cytoplasmic membrane remained in the same fluid state in hypobaric grown E. coli cell cultures as in the 101 kPa ambient control cells in both experiments. However, the saturated to unsaturated ratios were altered in E. coli under hypobaric conditions. It is important to note the ratios for E. coli were less than 1, while the ratios for Bacillus were in the 28–50 range. Growth of both species was also measured by colony forming units at the termination of the 19 day experiment. Both bacterial species were capable of growth under hypobaric conditions and no distinct trend emerged as to the effect of hypobaric pressure on bacterial growth and cytoplasmic membrane fluidity.
Climacteric Commentaries

It is essential for the practicing physician to keep up-to-date with knowledge and reading medical journals is an important component in achieving this. Menopause Live, an e-service for IMS members prepared by IMS members, is issued weekly, bringing a short abstract of a recently published study or review followed by a brief personal commentary. The opinions expressed in these commentaries are those of the commentary authors and are not necessarily supported by the IMS. The articles chosen for Menopause Live are selected by a search of the world literature on issues related to menopause medicine. In order to allow all readers of Climacteric to experience this service, some issues of Menopause Live will be included in the Journal in this new section. Amos Pines, Section Editor
Comparative morphology and systematics of Chondrymenia lobata from the Mediterranean Sea and a phylogeny of the Chondrymeniaceae fam. nov. (Rhodophyta) based on rbcL sequence analyses

The Chondrymeniaceae Rodríguez-Prieto, G. Sartoni, S. -M. Lin & Hommersand, fam. nov., is proposed for Chondrymenia lobata. Analyses of rbcL sequences place the new family in a large gigartinalean assemblage that comprises the Cystocloniaceae–Solieriaceae complex. Plants are decumbent and growth takes place by division of multiple apical cells at the margin of the blade. Thalli consist of an outer cortex of subspherical to elongate cortical cells arranged in anticlinal rows, a subcortex of cells cross-linked by lateral arms, and a large central medulla composed of primary medullary filaments intermixed with numerous rhizoidal filaments. Male stages are reported in monoecious individuals. Inactive carpogonial branches consist of a two-celled filament that is directed inwards from the supporting cell. Functional carpogonial branches are oriented outwardly, with the carpogonia and trichogynes pointed towards the thallus surface. After presumed fertilization, the carpogonium fuses with the hypogynous cell and transfers the zygote nucleus. The hypogynous cell, in turn, fuses with the supporting cell which contains many haploid nuclei. The resulting fusion cell functions as an auxiliary cell that cuts off a single gonimoblast initial, which produces the gonimoblast filaments. Gametophytic cells close to the auxiliary cell unite with it to form a placental fusion network of variable size and outline, and a placental fusion cell. Proximal gonimoblast cells fuse with the placental fusion cell, while the distal cells differentiate into branched chains of subspherical carposporangia. The superficial similarity of the outwardly developed osteolate cystocarp is responsible for Kylin's (1956) placement of Chondrymenia in his family Sarcodiaceae; however, the manner in which the placenta is formed is more like that seen in the Cystocloniaceae–Solieriaceae complex.
Phytochemical study and antioxidant activity of pulp, seeds and teguments of cultivated and wild Algerian carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.)

The objective of this work is to quantify the secondary metabolites of wild and cultivated Ceratonia siliqua in the pulp, seeds (embryo and endosperm) and seed teguments and to evaluate their antioxidant capacity by the DPPH method. The results obtained show that the pulp and seed teguments of the cultivated Ceratonia siliqua have the highest content of total polyphenols 50.48 ± 2.71 mg GAE /g ES and 70.56 ± 4.88 mg GAE /g ES respectively. For the Flavonoids and Tannins it is also the seed teguments of the two populations, which have the highest contents, the pulp is relatively poor in Flavonoids and tannins. For the antioxidant activity, it is the extract of the teguments of the cultivated population which gave the most active antioxidant activity where the IC 50 or inhibitory concentration of 50% of DPPH = 0.101 ± 0.08 mg /ml, the other extracts have a low antioxidant activity.
Alterations in Biochemical Indices and Antioxidant Status in Rats Following Treatment with Gatifloxacin

Aim: Gatifloxacin (GTX) - an 8 - methoxy fluoroq uinolone antibacterial agent has been considered very effective in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections. This study investigates the toxic potentials of GTX in Wistar rats. Methodology: Twenty male rats (180 - 220 g) were randomised int o four groups: I - Control, II - 4 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) GTX, III - 8 mg/kg b.w GTX, and IV - 16 mg/kg b.w GTX. Results: After seven days of GTX administration, the levels of plasma creatinine, urea and bilirubin were increased significantly ( P< 0.05 ) in GTX - tr eated rats compared to control. ALP, ALT, AST and GGT activities were also elevated significantly in the plasma of the treated animals relative to control. Similarly, hepatic malondialdehyde level increased significantly in the GTX treated groups relative to control. Hepatic levels of ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione as well as activities of hepatic GST, catalase, and SOD were reduced significantly in a dose dependent manner in the GTX - treated animals compared to control. Besides, histopathological studie s revealed very mild, moderate and severe hepatic portal congestion and cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells by the three doses of GTX. Conclusion: Overall, three different doses of Gatifloxacin (half - therapeutic, therapeutic and double - therapeutic) induced renal and hepatic damages, as well as oxidative stress in rats. Original Research Article
Exchange Rate Movement, Import Demand and Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria

Exchange rate movement has been a key issue bedevilling developing economies which in turn have implication for imports to meet the diverse needs of the growing populace. In this regard, the study presents a comparative study on the empirical analysis of the impact of exchange rate movement and import demand on economic growth in Nigeria for the period 2003 to 2017. Applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework, this paper uncovers the existence of both short run and long run relationship between exchange rate movements and import demand for Nigeria. In the short-run imports move towards their equilibrium when there is a disturbance. The results from the ARDL model show a negative ECM value suggesting that there exists long run relationship among the variables. The highly significant error correction terms show that following a shock, about 7% of the adjustment would be corrected back to the long run equilibrium on annual basis implying adjustment is slow in the process. The recommendation from the study is that, policymakers should give due attention to promoting policies that propel international trade. Pragmatic trade policies should be ensured to better regulatory and monitoring systems as it relates to tariffs, waivers, quota etc. that will keep a stable relationship with her trading partners for a sustained period.
PROTOCOL CONFORMANCE USING A PROGRESSIVE TEST APPROACH

The development of communications systems demands testing. This paper presents a framework for testing on-the-ﬂy, which relies on the deﬁnition of 3 types of tests and on their sequential execution. The ioco conformance relation was considered in order to assign verdicts. A tool prototype is also presented that supports the proposed framework. This tool, named PROFYT, was developed based on the S PIN veriﬁer, and uses communicating FSMs to describe the speciﬁcation. The test of Conference Protocol implementations was carried out on-the-ﬂy with PROFYT and enabled us to conclude about the bene-ﬁts of the test methodology proposed.
The Normative Database for the RTVue Software version 4.0

Glaucoma is a multi-factorial optic neuropathy with characteristic structural changes and subsequent functional impairment. Specifically, this optic neuropathy is marked by a loss of retinal ganglion cells, thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), thinning of the neuro-retinal rim, and enlarged cupping. It is thought these structural changes occur before detectable visual field loss occurs, and detecting early structural damage can allow for earlier treatment which in turn may result in better outcomes. Early detection allows for early treatment which has been shown to slow or delay further damage. The RTVue OCT can be helpful to detect glaucomatous damage by quantifying the RNFL thickness, the layers associated with the ganglion cells (i.e., the ganglion cell complex, see below), and the morphology of the optic disc including the cup and neuro-retinal rim.
De novo designed polypeptide catalysts with adopted folded structures

Designed polypeptide catalysts have been shown to catalyze hydrolysis and transesterification reactions of p-nitrophenyl esters by a mechanism that includes the nucleophilic attack by an unprotonated histidine and general-acid catalysis by a flanking protonated histidine. The catalysis is cooperative and exhibits rate enhancements of three orders of magnitude over that of the 4-methylimidazole catalyzed reaction. Substrate recognition by residues introduced in the adjoining helix was demonstrated for the negatively charged substrate mono-p-nitrophenyl fumarate. The results have been compared to those obtained for other designed polypeptide catalysts with similar efficiency, and it was concluded that the hallmarks of naturally occurring biocatalysts have now been demonstrated in polypeptide catalyzed reactions, although with considerably less efficiency than native enzymes. It was found that so far the most severe limitation of folded polypeptide catalysts is the efficiency obtained in the bond-making and bond-breaking steps, whereas the binding of substrates, even on the surface of helical structures in aqueous solution, is of comparable strength to that which occurs in nature. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 47: 31–40, 1998
Defects Engineering with Multiple Dimensions in Thermoelectric Materials

Going through decades of development, great progress in both theory and experiment has been achieved in thermoelectric materials. With the growing enhancement in thermoelectric performance, it is also companied with the complexation of defects induced in the materials. 0D point defects, 1D linear defects, 2D planar defects, and 3D bulk defects have all been induced in thermoelectric materials for the optimization of thermoelectric performance. Considering the distinct characteristics of each type of defects, in-depth understanding of their roles in the thermoelectric transport process is of vital importance. In this paper, we classify and summarize the defect-related physical effects on both band structure and transport behavior of carriers and phonons when inducing different types of defects. Recent achievements in experimental characterization and theoretical simulation of defects are also summarized for accurately determining the type of defects serving for the design of thermoelectric materials. Finally, based on the current theoretical and experimental achievements, strategies engaged with multiple dimensional defects are reviewed for thermoelectric performance optimization.
Wikigender: A Machine Learning Model to Detect Gender Bias in Wikipedia

The way Wikipedia’s contributors think can inﬂuence how they describe individuals resulting in a bias based on gender. We use a machine learning model to prove that there is a diﬀerence in how women and men are portrayed on Wikipedia. Additionally, we use the results of the model to obtain which words create bias in the overview of the biographies of the English Wikipedia. Using only adjectives as input to the model, we show that the adjectives used to portray women have a higher subjectivity than the ones used to describe men. Extracting topics from the overview using nouns and adjectives as input to the model, we obtain that women are related to family while men are related to business and sports.
Influence of carbon and nitrogen concentration on itaconic acid production by the smut fungus Ustilago maydis

Itaconic acid is a valuable platform compound for the production of bio‐based polymers, chemicals, and fuels. Ustilago maydis is a promising host for the production of itaconic acid from biomass‐derived substrates due to its unicellular growth pattern and its potential to utilize biomass‐derived sugar monomers and polymers. The potential of U. maydis for industrial itaconate production was assessed in pH‐controlled batch fermentations with varying medium compositions. Using 200 g/L glucose and 75 mM ammonium, 44.5 g/L of itaconate was produced at a maximum rate of 0.74 g L−1 h−1. By decreasing the substrate concentrations to 50 g/L glucose and 30 mM ammonium, a yield of 0.34 g/g (47 mol%) could be achieved. Itaconate production from xylose was also feasible. These results indicate that high itaconic acid titers can be achieved with U. maydis. However, further optimization of the biocatalyst itself through metabolic engineering is still needed in order to achieve an economically feasible process, which can be used to advance the development of a bio‐based economy.
A CEWebS Component for Facilitating Online Cooperative Brainstorming Processes

: Drawing your ideas to a peace of paper is easy, but drawing onto the screen using the mouse appears to be quite complicated. This usually results in some non-formalised, bad-looking scribbling that is hard to extend and which makes it hard to modify or delete fragments. Currently available web-based whiteboard tools support common drawing features. However, in informatics, teams enjoy the advantage of formalised languages (e.g. UML), which whiteboards do not support and, hence, do not make this advantage effective. For supporting brainstorming processes, we developed a simple, extendable chat application that can be embedded into existing learning environments through a Web service framework and focuses on a cooperative modelling approach instead of cooperative drawing.
Silymarin Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rabbits

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a widely used anticancer drug, but at high dose, it can produce undesirable side effects such as hepatotoxicity. In this study, the protective activity of silymarin against hepatic tissue damage induced by repeated administration of cisplatin was analyzed morphologically and biochemically. Male Newzeland rabbits were divided into four groups, 6 rabbits in each. Control group, silymarin group (100 mg /kg b.wt./day), Cisplatin treated group (3.5 mg /kg b. wt./day) and Cisplatin plus silymarin treated group. Results revealed that cisplatin caused histopathological effects on the hepatic tissue. These effects includes vacuolation of cells, lymphocytic infiltration, dilation of blood sinusoids and haemorrhage. Histochemical observations revealed a marked depletion of polysaccharide and proteins in the liver cells of cisplatin treated animals. Cisplatin hepatotoxicity was manifested biochemically by elevation of MDA and decrease in GSH and the activities of SOD in the liver tissues. Results showed that administration of cisplatin increased the immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2 protein. Treatment with silymarin reduced histopathological and biochemical alterations in the liver tissue. These results suggested that silymarin possess protective effects against cisplatin hepatotoxicity in rabbits. [Gamal H. Abdel-Rahman and El-Sayed K. Abdel-Hady. Silymarin Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rabbits. Life Sci J 2013;10(1):3333-3341]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 423
Regulation of β-Catenin Signaling in the Wnt Pathway

Abstract β-Catenin not only regulates cell to cell adhesion as a protein interacting with cadherin, but also functions as a component of the Wnt signaling pathway. The Wnt signaling pathway is conserved in various organisms from worms to mammals, and plays important roles in development, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. Wnt stabilizes cytoplasmic β-catenin and then β-catenin is translocated into the nucleus where it stimulates the expression of genes including c-myc, c-jun, fra-1, and cyclin D1. The amounts and functions of β-catenin are regulated in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Its molecular mechanisms are becoming increasingly well understood.