Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field Test for Mechanical Efficiency Evaluation in Matching Volleyball Players

Field tests were performed in 10 volleyball (VB) players (4 females and 6 males) in order to obtain an index of mechanical work efficiency (mu' = Wmec/Woxy) while athletes played a game. Wmec was the mechanical work output, obtained by means of home made video image analysis software, by summing potential, kinetic translational and kinetic rotational energies of running and jumping athletes. Woxy was the oxidative energy consumption obtained from O2 consumption (VO2) by a telemetry device (Cosmed K2) that also gave values of pulmonary ventilation (VE) and heart rate (HR). VB were studied at rest before a game (R), during attacking phases (A) and during defensive phases (D). At R were found: VE = 11 +/- 1 l x min(-1), HR = 78 +/- 7b x min(-1), VO2 = 3.71 +/- 1.1 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1), Woxy = 75.1 +/- 22.3 J x kg(-1) x min(-1). During A all variables increased: VE = 49 +/- 6l x min(-1), HR = 149 +/- 15 b x min(-1), VO2 = 23.1 +/- 3.3ml x kg(-1) x min(-1), Woxy = 482.8 +/- 69.0 J x kg(-1) x min(-1), and Wmec 275.5 +/- 57.0 J x kg(-1) x min(-1) with mu'=0.57 +/- 0.09. In D HR (-9%), VE, VO2 and Woxy (-18%) were reduced when compared to A, decreasing mu' to 0.21 +/- 0.05. On the other hand mu' was found higher than 0.25 during A indicating an anaerobic contribution to energy expenditure; in D the mu' lower than 0.25 indicated a restoration of anaerobic energy sources. It might be proposed that a greater difference in mu' values between A and D also means a higher anaerobic energy contribution to the volleyball game.
Modelling of radiation patterns using scalar spherical harmonics with vector coefficients

Antenna radiation patterns can be compactly represented using an expansion in spherical harmonic functions. In contrast to widely used expansions in vector spherical wave functions, we use an expansion in scalar spherical harmonics with vector coefficients to represent the vector-valued transverse electric far field (including arbitrary polarization state). The vector coefficients can be obtained using numerical integration or by a least-squares solution, the latter being also applicable to measurement data with incomplete angular coverage. Using the spherical harmonic representation, the rotation and interpolation of radiation patterns becomes very straightforward. The representation can also be used in signal processing algorithms.
Altered prostate epithelial development and IGF‐1 signal in mice lacking the androgen receptor in stromal smooth muscle cells

Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) play critical roles in the prostate development via mesenchymal–epithelial interactions. Smooth muscle cells (SMC), differentiated from mesenchyme, are one of the basic components of the prostate stroma. However, the roles of smooth muscle AR in prostate development are still obscure.
Optimal design of a Hybrid Excited Doubly Salient Permanent Magnet generator for wind turbine application

In this paper, a Hybrid Excited Doubly Salient Permanent Magnet (HEDSPM) generator is investigated and optimized. Generator structure is similar to Doubly Salient Permanent Magnet (DSPM) machine which Permanent Magnets (PMs) are located in stator as main excitation. According to requirement of generator for operating at low speeds, its performance should be suitable for direct coupling to the planned turbine. Due to nature of PM excitation, there is no possibility of controlling the air gap flux density which is a major disadvantage of this type of generators. Accordingly, direct current excitation winding is added to stator assembly. In this paper initially, generator performance and process of voltage inducing along with magnetic field control are discussed. Then, the most appropriate operating point of designing is found by genetic algorithm technique and optimal specification of generator is obtained. The optimized generator is simulated using 2-Dimensional Finite Element Method (2D-FEM) and lastly, results are given to verify the validity of proposed analysis.
Electrical and Reliability Characteristics of HfLaTiO-Gated Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Capacitors With Various Ti Concentrations

Electrical and reliability characteristics of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with various-Ti-concentration-doped HfLaTiO/interfacial layer (IL)/P-Si(100) stacked structures are presented. Charge carrier generation/trapping and the related mechanisms of a thin HfLaTiO/IL stack in n-type MOS capacitors have been investigated under constant gate voltage stress. The mechanisms related to larger positive charge generation in the HfLaTiO gate dielectric bulk can be attributed to Ti-doped HfLaTiO dielectric. This is confirmed from the density of stress-induced oxide trapped charges. Moreover, more positive charges are induced in the HfLaTiO dielectric with increasing postdeposition annealing temperature. By developing proper Ti concentration in HfLaTiO dielectrics, the enhanced equivalent oxide thickness (EOT = ~ 0.5 nm) and the interface trap density (Dit) were demonstrated. Furthermore, the Ti-doped HfLaTiO dielectric is helpful for enhanced k-value of the HfLaTiO film (lower EOT), but the optical bandgap properties could be degraded. Energy band diagram of MOS capacitor with an HfLaTiO dielectric was achieved by the measurement of the effective work function of Ta metal gate deposited on HfLaTiO dielectric, the optical bandgaps of HfLaTiO dielectric, and Schottky barrier height (ΦB) at the Ta/HfLaTiO interface.
Opinions from the audience response survey at the first joint meeting of the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society and the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association.

a m t f he First Joint Meeting of the Congenital Heart Surgeons Society (CHSS) and the European Congenital Heart Sureons Association (ECHSA) was held in Montreal, Canada, n October 2–4, 2004. This meeting was organized by hristo I. Tchervenkov during the Centennial celebrations of he Montreal Children’s Hospital and was dedicated to the emory of John W. Kirklin, a remarkable pioneer of cardiac urgery who passed away earlier in 2004. During this 3-day vent, two genuine Canadian pioneers of cardiac surgery ere also honored, namely Anthony R.C. Dobell from Monreal and George A. Trusler from Toronto, both long-time riends of John W. Kirklin. Dr Dobell gave an outstanding resentation entitled “From the Holmes Heart and Maude bbott to The Montreal Children’s Hospital. ” Following his resentation, the audience had the privilege to observe the xceptionally well-preserved Holmes Heart, dating from 823. The Holmes Heart, named after the first Dean of Medcine of McGill University, is a rare type of functionally unientricular heart (Single ventricle, DILV, {SDN}, [Holmes eart])1 and is the oldest preserved heart specimen in North
Reassortment and Insertion-Deletion Are Strategies for the Evolution of Influenza B Viruses in Nature

ABSTRACT The evolution of influenza B viruses is poorly understood. Reassortment of influenza B viruses in nature as a means of genetic variation has not been considered to be a major contributor to their evolution. However, the current practice of assigning evolutionary relationships by antigenic analysis of the hemagglutinin of influenza B viruses would fail to detect reassortants. In this study, influenza B viruses isolated within the past 10 years from sites in the United States and China were studied by nucleotide sequencing of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes and construction of phylogenetic trees to assess evolutionary relationships. A group of viruses represented by B/Houston/1/92 possess a hemagglutinin derived from a B/Yamagata/16/88-like strain and a neuraminidase derived from a B/Victoria/2/87-like strain. A second reassortment event between the hemagglutinin of a B/Yamagata/16/88-like virus closely related to the B/Beijing/184/93 strain and the neuraminidase of a B/Victoria/2/87-like strain is represented by a single virus, B/Memphis/3/93. The neuraminidase of the reassortant viruses is most closely related to that of B/Victoria/2/87-like viruses currently circulating in Nanchang, China. A pattern of insertions and deletions in the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase of different strains of influenza B viruses is observed. Reassortment plays a role in the evolution of influenza B viruses and may necessitate a change in the methods used to assess and identify new influenza viruses.
The adoption and Usage of Digital Library Resources by Academic Staff in Nigerian Universities: A case Study of University of Ilorin

This study intends to identify and analyze factors influencing low adoption and usage of Digital Libraries (DLs) to enable a deeper understanding of reasons for the low adoption and usage of DLs among academics in Nigerian universities. Various theories and models aimed at explaining factors that influence adoption and usage of technologies have failed to provide clear reasons for the low adoption and usage of DL services. In order to fill this identified gap, the present study proposes an interpretive qualitative case study research approach using University of Ilorin as a case study. The study further describes research strategy that will serve as a framework for the research design, research setting, data collection instruments and analysis.
DNA Stimulates Mec1-mediated Phosphorylation of Replication Protein A*

The cellular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein replication protein A (RPA) becomes phosphorylated periodically during the normal cell cycle and also in response to DNA damage. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, RPA phosphorylation requires the checkpoint protein Mec1, a protein kinase homologous in structure and function to human ATR. We confirm here that immunocomplexes containing a tagged version of Mec1 catalyze phosphorylation of purified RPA, likely reflecting an RPA kinase activity intrinsic to Mec1. A significant stimulation of this activity is observed upon the addition of covalently closed ssDNA derived from the bacteriophage M13. This stimulation is not observed with mutant RPA deficient for DNA binding, indicating that DNA-bound RPA is a preferred substrate. Stimulation is also observed upon the addition of linear ssDNA homopolymers or hydrolyzed M13 ssDNA. In contrast to circular ssDNA, these DNA cofactors stimulate both wild type and mutant RPA phosphorylation. This finding suggests that linear ssDNA can also stimulate Mec1-mediated RPA phosphorylation by activating Mec1 or an associated protein. Although the Mec1-interacting protein Ddc2 is required for RPA phosphorylation in vivo, it is required for neither basal nor ssDNA-stimulated RPA phosphorylation in vitro. Therefore, activation of Mec1-mediated RPA phosphorylation by either circular or linear ssDNA does not operate through Ddc2. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms that function in vivo to specifically induce RPA phosphorylation upon initiation of DNA replication, repair, or recombination.
Pharmacological characterization of STKR, an insect G protein-coupled receptor for tachykinin-like peptides.

STKR is a G protein-coupled receptor that was cloned from the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans. Multiple sequence comparisons show that the amino acid sequence of this insect receptor displays several features that are typical for tachykinin (or neurokinin, NK) receptors. Insect tachykinin-related peptides, also referred to as "insectatachykinins," produce dose-dependent calcium responses in Drosophila melanogaster Schneider 2 cells, which are stably transfected with this receptor (S2-STKR). These responses do not depend on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+)-ions. A rapid agonist-induced increase of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) is observed. This indicates that the agonist-induced cytosolic Ca(2+)-rise is caused by a release of Ca(2+) ions from intracellular calcium stores. The pharmacology of STKR is analyzed by studying the effects of the most important antagonists for mammalian NK-receptors on STKR-expressing insect cells. The results show that spantide II, a potent substance P antagonist, is a real antagonist of insectatachykinins on STKR. We have also tested the activity of a variety of natural insectatachykinin analogs by microscopic image analysis of calcium responses in S2-STKR cells. At a concentration of 1 microM, almost all natural analogs produce a significant calcium rise in stable S2-STKR cells. Interestingly, Stc-TK, an insectatachykinin that was recently discovered in the stable fly (S. calcitrans), also proved to be an STKR-agonist. Stc-TK, a potential physiological ligand for STKR, contains an Ala-residue (or A) instead of a highly conserved Gly-residue (or G). Arch.
Interferometric detection of optical phase shifts at the Heisenberg limit.

We show that the uncertainty in the relative quantum phase of two fields propagating in the arms of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer can be reduced to the Heisenberg limit by driving the interferometer with two Fock states containing equal numbers of photons. This leads to a minimum detectable phase shift far below that of any interferometer driven by a coherent light source
Visualization of stimulus‐specific heterogeneous activation of individual vascular smooth muscle cells in aortic tissues

Intercellular communication among autonomic nerves, endothelial cells (ECs), and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a central role in an uninterrupted regulation of blood flow through vascular contractile machinery. Impairment of this communication is linked to development of vascular diseases such as hypertension, cerebral/coronary vasospasms, aortic aneurism, and erectile dysfunction. Although the basic concept of the communication as a whole has been studied, the spatiotemporal correlation of ECs/VSMCs in tissues at the cellular level is unknown. Here, we show a unique VSMC response to ECs during contraction and relaxation of isolated aorta tissues through visualization of spatiotemporal activation patterns of smooth muscle myosin II. ECs in the intimal layer dictate the stimulus‐specific heterogeneous activation pattern of myosin II in VSMCs within distinct medial layers. Myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation (active form of myosin II) gradually increases towards outer layers (approximately threefold higher MLC phosphorylation at the outermost layer than that of the innermost layer), presumably by release of an intercellular messenger, nitric oxide (NO). Our study also demonstrates that the MLC phosphorylation at the outermost layer in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during NO‐induced relaxation is quite high and approximately 10‐fold higher than that of its counterpart, the Wister–Kyoto rats (WKY), suggesting that the distinct pattern of myosin II activation within tissues is important for vascular protection against elevated blood pressure.
Witnessing a body in decline: Men’s and women’s perceptions of an altered physical appearance

ABSTRACT There has been a tendency within the literature to ignore how men and women who are very ill and at the end of life perceive and experience their visibly altered bodies. This article aims to provide new insights about this matter. A qualitative research approach was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 hospice patients, 20 family members, and 20 members of hospice staff. Findings reveal that because of masculine and feminine norms, physical appearance is more a matter of concern to women than to men who are close to death. This contradicts theories that suggest that patients experience a disinvestment on their sense of masculinity and femininity alongside the process of bodily deterioration and decay prior impending potential death.
Modulation of AMPA currents by D2 dopamine receptors in striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons: are dendrites necessary?

Glutamatergic afferents from the neocortex constitute the major excitatory input to striatal medium‐sized spiny neurons (MSNs). Glutamate's actions on MSNs are modulated by dopamine (DA) through D1 and D2 receptor families. Although D1 modulation of glutamate responses has been well‐characterized, the contribution of postsynaptic D2 receptors to α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) responses has not been studied extensively. We examined DA modulation of AMPA currents using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings of MSNs acutely dissociated and in slices. In dissociated cells, the D2 agonist quinpirole (10 µm) produced small and inconsistent effects on AMPA currents. The magnitude of the current, as well as its modulation by quinpirole, was related to the dendritic elaboration of the dissociated cell. Thus, quinpirole altered AMPA currents only slightly when few initial dendritic segments were present. The amplitude of the current was greater and quinpirole consistently decreased this current in dissociated cells displaying at least three primary dendrites and several secondary and tertiary dendrites. Cyclothiazide, a compound that prevents AMPA receptor desensitization, greatly increased AMPA currents. In the presence of cyclothiazide, quinpirole also consistently reduced AMPA currents. Finally, in slices, AMPA current amplitude was always reduced after application of quinpirole. Sulpiride, a D2 antagonist, prevented attenuation of AMPA currents in both acutely dissociated neurons and neurons in slices. These results provide evidence that AMPA currents are attenuated by DA via activation of postsynaptic D2 receptors. In addition, they indicate that the dendrites and/or the amplitude of the current are important variables for DA modulation of AMPA currents in MSNs.
Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients Receiving Low-toxicity Immunosuppressive Regimens: A Substudy of the Symphony Study

Objective. To evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with different low-toxicity regimens posttransplantation. Methods. One hundred fifty-six patients were randomized to standard-dose cyclosporine A (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids or daclizumab induction, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids with a low dose of CsA, tacrolimus (Low-Tac), or sirolimus. SF-36 Health survey was completed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results. There were no differences between groups in SF-36 at baseline or at month 12. Low-Tac showed higher scores at month 3 than standard-dose CsA and low dose of CsA. Patients with serum creatinine less than or equal to 1.5 mg/mL had better HRQoL at 6 and 12 months. Proportion of these patients was higher in Low-Tac at 6 months. Physical component summary of Patients increased during follow-up, but mental component summary did not. Patients with acute rejection showed lower mental component summary at 6 months. Conclusions. No HRQoL differences were identified among groups, but the low-dose Tac group showed the fastest improvement.
PspF and IHF bind co‐operatively in the psp promoter‐regulatory region of Escherichia coli

PspF bound to the psp enhancer activates Eσ54 holoenzyme‐dependent transcription of the Escherichia coli phage‐shock protein (psp ) operon and autogenously represses its own σ70‐dependent transcription, thereby keeping its concentration at a low level. It has been demonstrated previously that integration host factor (IHF) bound to a DNA site located between the psp core promoter and the PspF binding sites stimulates psp expression. We show here that wild‐type IHF strongly retards DNA containing the psp promoter region. In vitro, PspF binding to the psp enhancer facilitates IHF binding, while IHF binding to the pspF–pspA‐E promoter‐regulatory region increases the efficacy of PspF binding to the upstream activating sequences (UASs). This is the first demonstration of co‐operative binding of an activator and IHF in a σ54‐dependent system. In the absence of IHF, in vivo autoregulation of pspF transcription is lifted and, consequently, PspF production is increased, indicating that IHF enhances PspF binding to the psp enhancer in vivo.
Epigenomic co-localization and co-evolution reveal a key role for 5hmC as a communication hub in the chromatin network of ESCs

Epigenetic communication through histone and cytosine modifications is essential for gene regulation and cell identity. Here, we propose a framework that is based on a chromatin communication model to get insight on the function of epigenetic modifications in ESCs. The epigenetic communication network was inferred from genome-wide location data plus extensive manual annotation. Notably, we found that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is the most influential hub of this network, connecting DNA demethylation to nucleosome remodeling complexes and to key transcription factors of pluripotency. Moreover, an evolutionary analysis revealed a central role of 5hmC in the co-evolution of chromatin-related proteins. Further analysis of regions where 5hmC colocalizes with specific interactors shows that each interaction points to chromatin remodelling, stemness, differentiation or metabolism. Our results highlight the importance of cytosine modifications in the epigenetic communication of ESCs.
CCG of Japanese Sentence-final Particles

The aim of this paper is to provide formalization of Japanese sentence-final par- ticles in the framework of Combinatory Categorial Grammar (CCG) (Steedman 1996, 2000, Szabolcsi 1987). While certain amount of literature has discussed the descriptive meaning of Japanese sentence-final particles (Takubo and Kinsui 1997, Chino 2001), little formal account has been provided except for McCready (2007)'s analysis from the viewpoint of dynamic se- mantics and relevance theory. I analyze particles such as yo and ne as verum focus operators (H¨ ohle 1992, Romero and Han 2004).
False-positive tuberculin skin tests: what is the absolute effect of BCG and non-tuberculous mycobacteria?

BACKGROUND Despite certain drawbacks, the tuberculin skin test (TST) remains in widespread use. Important advantages of the TST are its low cost, simplicity and interpretation based on extensive published literature. However, TST specificity is reduced by bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination and exposure to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). METHODS To estimate TST specificity, we reviewed the published literature since 1966 regarding the effect of BCG vaccination and NTM infection on TST. Studies selected included healthy subjects with documented BCG vaccination status, including age at vaccination. Studies of NTM effect had used standardised NTM antigens in healthy subjects. RESULTS In 24 studies involving 240,203 subjects BCG-vaccinated as infants, 20,406 (8.5%) had a TST of 10+ mm attributable to BCG, but only 56/5639 (1%) were TST-positive if tested > or =10 years after BCG. In 12 studies of 12,728 subjects vaccinated after their first birthday, 5314 (41.8%) had a false-positive TST of 10+ mm, and 191/898 (21.2%) after 10 years. Type of tuberculin test did not modify these results. In 18 studies involving 1,169,105 subjects, the absolute prevalence of false-positive TST from NTM cross-reactivity ranged from 0.1% to 2.3% in different regions. CONCLUSIONS The effect on TST of BCG received in infancy is minimal, especially > or =10 years after vaccination. BCG received after infancy produces more frequent, more persistent and larger TST reactions. NTM is not a clinically important cause of false-positive TST, except in populations with a high prevalence of NTM sensitisation and a very low prevalence of TB infection.
Accounting Performance of the Leading Companies in the Construction Sector in Brazil during the Period 2009-2012

The construction industry has been demonstrating increased growth and importance in Brazil’s national economic development. This study aims to evaluate the financial performance of the leading companies in the construction sector in Brazil in the period from 2009 to 2012. An analysis is made of the capital structure, liquidity, and profitability of the six largest companies in the construction sector in Brazil: Brookfield, Cyrela, Gafisa, MRV, PDG and Rossi. The results are then compared with standard industry ratios. It was found that among the companies analyzed, MRV and Cyrela showed the best relative performance in the period under consideration. Keywords—Accounting ratios, construction, financial performance.