Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lower extremity joints and their contributions to whole limb extension

ABSTRACT Lower extremity multi-joint strength curves tend not to evaluate individual joint contributions to endpoint force in maximum effort isometric whole limb extension. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the contribution of the hip, knee, and ankle to vertical ground reaction force in maximum effort isometric whole limb extension at various postures. An effect of posture on the contributions of the hip, knee, and ankle to vertical ground reaction force was found (F(3,96) = 85.31, p < 0.0001; F(3,96) = 21.32, p < 0.0001; F(3,96) = 130.61, p < 0.0001 for the hip, knee, and ankle, respectively). The hip and knee contributed most to vertical endpoint force when the lower limb was in a flexed posture, and their contributions decreased when posture was extended. Conversely, the ankle contributed least when the limb was flexed, but its contribution increased as posture was changed from flexed to more extended. In comparison to recent research involving induced acceleration analysis, it appears that the hip, knee, and ankle utilize the same force allocation strategy in multi-joint maximum effort isometric leg extensions and activities of daily living.
New Perspectives on Great Questions: What can MOOCs Tell Us?

The aim of this paper is to consider the role of massive open online courses (MOOCs) as a source of rich natural language data to be mined and analysed, thereby providing new perspectives and insights to questions, theories or experiences in relation to health and healthcare. It will consider the concept of “great questions” and why these are challenging to understand but suggests that MOOCs may enable us to discover some answers. It considers existing practice, emerging concepts and recommends future directions in this field.
Real Estate Recommendation Using Historical Data and Surrounding Environments

— Recommending appropriate things to the user by analyzing available data is becoming popular day by day. There are no sufficient researches on Real-estate recommendation with historical data and surrounding environments. We have collected real-estate, historical and point of interest (POI) data from the various sources. In this research, a hybrid filtering technique is used for recommending real-estate consisting of collaborative and content-based filtering. Generally, in every website user ratings are collected for the recommendation. But we have considered historical data and surrounding environments of a real-estate location for recommendation by which it will be easy for a user to decide that which place would be better for him/her. If any user request for any specific location then the system will find the POI data using google map API. Then the system will consider historical data of that area, got from the trusted sources. So considering the minimum price and optimal facilities, our system will recommend top-k real-estate. After extensive experiments on real and synthetic data, we have proved the efficiency of our proposed recommender system.
Relationship between circulating levels of cortisol at slaughter and changes of some parameters of the camel meat during ageing

Relationship between serum levels of cortisol at slaughter and changes of some parameters of meat was investigated in 50 male camels, during ageing for 10 days at 4±1°C. Blood was sampled at slaughter to determine serum levels of cortisol and oblique abdominal external muscle was collected after slaughter to analyze pH, electrical conductivity (EC), drip loss (DL), cooked loss (CL), moisture, solids, ashes, protein total, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (Pi), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), catalase activiry (CATa), malondialdehyde (MDA), shrinkage, R-value and total haem pigment (THP) at days 0 (four hours postmortem), 5 and 10 of refrigerated storage. The camels were divided into 3 groups (Gr) with different serum levels of cortisol at slaughter (low, high and very high levels): Gr1 (13.07-67.9 ng/mL, n= 24), Gr2 (80.29-107.21 ng/mL, n= 7) and Gr3 (133.7-198.04 ng/mL, n= 19). Compared to Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 had a significant (P<0.05) increase of pH, EC, DL, CL, THP, dimensional shrinkage and MDA, and a significant (P<0.05) decrease of CATa at the 5th and 10th postmortem days. However, the bleeding efficiency, moisture, ashes, R-value and levels of Ca, Pi, Na, K and total protein showed no significant differences between twoo cortisol groups. The antemortem circulating levels of cortisol were positively correlated with postmortem pH, EC, DL, CL, THP, dimensional shrinkage and MDA, and negatively correlated with CATa. The analysis of circulating cortisol at slaughtering may predict the quality and oxidant stress status of camel meat during postmortem cold storage.
Neurocognitive mechanisms of social inferences in typical and autistic adolescents

Background Many of our efforts in social interactions are dedicated to learning about others. Adolescents with autism have core deficits in social learning, but a mechanistic understanding of these deficits and how they relate to neural development is lacking. The current study aimed to specify how adolescents with and with autism represent and acquire social knowledge and how these processes are implemented in neural activity. Methods Typically developing (TD) adolescents (N=26) and adolescents with autism (N=20) rated in the MR scanner how much three peers liked a variety of items and received trial-by-trial feedback about the peer’s actual preference ratings. In a separate study, we established the preferences of a new sample of adolescents (N=99), used to examine population preference structures. Using computational models, we tested whether participants in the MR study relied on preference structures during learning and how model predictions were implemented in brain activity. Results TD adolescents relied on average population preferences and prediction error (PE) updating. Importantly, PE updating was scaled by the similarity between items. In contrast, preferences of adolescents with autism were best described by a No-learning model that relied only on participants own preferences for each item. Model predictions were encoded in neural activity. TD adolescents encoded PEs in the putamen and adolescents with autism showed greater encoding of own preferences in the angular gyrus. Conclusions We specified how adolescents represent and update social knowledge during learning. Our findings indicate that adolescents with ASD rely only on their own preferences when making social inferences.
Estimating the effective sample size in association studies of quantitative traits

The effective sample size (ESS) is a quantity estimated in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with related individuals and/or linear mixed models used in analysis. ESS originally measured relative power in family-based GWAS and has recently become important for correcting GWAS summary statistics in post-GWAS analyses. However, existing ESS approaches have been overlooked and based on empirical estimation. This work presents an analytical form of ESS in mixed-model GWAS of quantitative traits, which is derived using the expectation of quadratic form and validated in extensive simulations. We illustrate the performance and relevance of our ESS estimator in common GWAS scenarios and analytically show that (i) family-based studies are consistently underpowered compared to studies of unrelated individuals of the same sample size; (ii) conditioning on polygenic genetic effect by linear mixed models boosts power; and (iii) power of detecting gene-environment interaction can be substantially gained or lost in family-based designs depending on exposure distribution. We further analyze UK Biobank dataset in two samples of 336,347 unrelated and 68,910 related individuals. Analysis in unrelated individuals reveals a high accuracy of our ESS estimator compared to the existing empirical approach; and analysis of related individuals suggests that the loss in effective sample size due to relatedness is at most 0.94x. Overall, we provide an analytical form of ESS for guiding GWAS designs and processing summary statistics in post-GWAS analyses.
Recombinant protein production and purification of SiiD, SiiE and SiiF - components of the SPI4-encoded type I secretion system from Salmonella Typhimurium

In humans, Salmonella enterica infections are responsible for a pleiotropy of medical conditions. These include intestinal inflammation and typhoid fever. The initial contact between Salmonella and polarized epithelial cells is established by the SPI4-encoded type I secretion system (T1SS), which secrets SiiE, a giant non-fimbrial adhesin. We have recombinantly produced various domains of this T1SS from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in Escherichia coli for further experimental characterization. We purified three variants of SiiD, the periplasmic adapter protein spanning the space between the inner and outer membrane, two variants of the SiiE N-terminal region and the N-terminal domain of the SiiF ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. In all three proteins, at least one variant yielded high amounts of pure soluble protein. Proper folding and cooperative unfolding were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Secondary structure content estimations from CD spectra were in good agreement with the values derived from SiiD and SiiF homology models or, in case of the SiiE N-terminal region, a secondary structure prediction. For one SiiD variant, protein crystals could be obtained that diffracted X-rays to approximately 4 Å resolution.
Predicting success in higher education: the value of criterion and norm-referenced assessments

Higher education’s ability to retain students through to graduate appears to be an international challenge. This is also the case in South Africa where only 27% of student complete their studies in minimum time and where 55% will never graduate. These challenges have meant that extended degree programmes, where degrees are formally done over a longer period of time, have become a feature of South African education. One challenge is determining which students will benefit from an extended programme. In South Africa there are two sets of assessments that are pertinent to this debate: the National school leaving examinations (a statutory requirement for entry into higher education) and the National Benchmark Tests. The first set of assessments are norm-referenced and are therefore often difficult to interpret for the purposes of placement. The second, however is criterion-referenced and is therefore better suited for this purpose. This paper describes the two assessments, tracks the academic standing of a cohort of students over six years at one higher education institution. It argues that using the results of the two assessments in complementary ways is the most productive approach for the purpose of placement at this institution and others in South Africa. The implications of looking at these assessments is briefly explored in broader higher education contexts.
Sex and Neuter Status Affect the Clinical Application of N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide as A Survival Biomarker in Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure

Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: August 04, 2018 March 14, 2019 April 26, 2019 May 09, 2019 We aimed to evaluate the utility and sex dependence of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP concentration) as a predictor of survival and treatment response in dogs with heart failure. We hypothesized that the serial trend of NT-proBNP levels would be predictive of outcomes and be independent of sex and neuter status in dogs with congestive heart failure secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease. This prospective study enrolled 18 privately owned dogs with congestive heart failure and no previous diuretic treatment. Serial NT-proBNP measurements were performed at admission (treatment initiation) and during follow-up (on days 7 and 21). The NT-proBNP concentration at admission or at any of the two follow-up examinations did not differ significantly between dogs that survived and those that died of cardiac causes. Intact male dogs with an ascending trend of NT-proBNP levels between admission and the second follow-up died within 200 days, whereas those with a descending trend survived up to 500 days. However, no such relationship was observed for neutered males or spayed females. Our findings suggest that an ascending trend of NT-proBNP levels is indicative of a higher risk of cardiac-related death in intact male dogs with congestive heart failure receiving treatment, warranting careful monitoring. Furthermore, NT-proBNP measurements performed later than two weeks after treatment initiation provide better prognostic capabilities. ©2019 PVJ. All rights reserved
A class of nonparametric mode estimators

Abstract A class of nonparametric mode estimators is proposed. While the widely applied half sample mode estimators use the diameter of a set as the “measure of concentration”, the proposed estimators use for it some types of “variance measures”. In some cases, the new estimators perform better than half sample mode and half range mode estimators. Strong consistency is proved for an estimator from the class.
Validity of mathematical proportions in maxillary anterior teeth among Bangladeshi population

Objective: To investigate the existence and suitability of mathematical proportions between the widths of maxillary anterior teeth in Bangladeshi population having an esthetic smile, with the aid of digital photographs and computer analysis. Place of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics of Dhaka Dental College and Hospital, Dhaka. Period of Study: The study was conducted from April 2016 to September 2016. Sample Selection: The study samples collected from Students of Dhaka Dental College, Mirpur-14, Dhaka, Bangladesh, with age limit 18–35 years. Materials and Methods: Standardized frontal images of 100 dental students of Dhaka Dental College were captured. All the images were downloaded to a personal computer, and width of each tooth was measured by the scale tool of Photoshop CS version 8.0. All the data were analyzed (through standard statistical method) using Statistical Package for Social Science Software version 20 (IBM Corp., USA). Results: The golden proportion existed in 17% of the perceived width ratios of lateral incisor to central incisor and 4% of the width ratios of canine to lateral incisor in natural dentition. Sixty-six percent lateral incisors are following the golden percentage, but only 7% central incisors and 21% canines are following the golden percentage. The recurring esthetic dental (RED) proportion existed in only 4% of participants. Conclusions: The golden proportion, golden percentage, and the RED proportion cannot be used as constant proportions to create a harmonious proportion throughout the width of maxillary anterior teeth. The adjusted golden percentage might serve as a guideline to create harmonious proportions in maxillary anterior teeth for Bangladeshi population.
Land cover mapping based on time‐series MODIS‐NDVI using a dynamic time warping approach: A casestudy of the agricultural pastoral ecotone of northern China

To curb land degradation, a series of ecological restoration projects have been carried out since 1999, leading to dramatic land cover change (LCC) in the agricultural pastoral ecotone of northern China (APENC). To date, there is still lack of timely and accurate land cover (LC) information for management and assessment actions. This paper presents a LC mapping scheme to map annual LC information based on dynamic time warping (DTW) approach and time‐series MODIS‐NDVI product for the APENC. The DTW approach was optimized firstly based on the change of vegetation phenology phase. Next, typical reference time‐series curves set of different LC types were established and pixel‐wise similarity was examined to identify the LC type. Before that, the reconstruction of time‐series MODIS‐NDVI was performed using harmonic analysis of time‐series and reconstruction accuracy was evaluated quantitatively at a regional scale. Results showed that the gap error was relatively large for the high vegetation cover areas while it might be ignored for the moderate and low vegetation cover areas. The overall accuracy of LC mapping in year 2010 (LC‐2010) was 77.89% and kappa coefficient reached 0.71, which suggested that LC mapping scheme could extract LC information with high accuracy. The producer's accuracy ranged between 69.83% (grasslands) and 100% (water body), while the user's accuracy changed from 58% (built‐up) to 86% (forest). The overall spatial agreement between LC‐2010 and GlobaLand30‐2010 was about 64.44%. The total area of forests, croplands, water body and built‐up exhibited an increasing trend while the contrary trend were found for the grasslands and bare land during the 2001–2017. These LC maps are valuable for research the land degradation investigation and monitoring, benefit evaluation of ecological restoration projects and effect of LCC on surface hydrothermal process in APENC.
Narrative medicine practices as a potential therapeutic tool used by expatriate Ebola caregivers

&NA; This study examined how expatriate healthcare providers used narrative methods to process their experiences of working with Ebola patients. Key informant interviews and associated media and blog posts were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Open coding informed the creation of a codebook which, in turn, was the basis for axial coding and thematic development. A team of researchers collaborated in both coding and theme development in order to address potential subjectivity bias. In the results of 6.5 hours of interviews with 20 nurses, physicians and nurse practitioners, four themes surfaced regarding use of narrative methods: memorialising, advocacy, self-reflection, and camaraderie. Providers of narrative methods reported beneficial and therapeutic effects of writing and public speaking, as well as the therapeutic value of sharing narrative practices with other colleagues. Evidence in this context suggests narrative medicine practices may mitigate negative sequelae related to secondary traumatic stress.
Association of Diurnal Rainfall in Northeastern Tibetan Plateau with the Retreat of the South Asian High

The characteristics of intense diurnal precipitation occurring beneath the South Asian High (SAH) are diagnosed in the summer monsoon season from 2010 to 2015 using observational data. The diagnostics indicate that summer nighttime rainfall events in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau can intensify towards the end of the monsoon period. By defining a transition index to identify the transition day during which the episodes of diurnal convection start to decline, daily thermodynamic properties and precipitation from each year were composited before and after the transition date. The analysis reveals that warmer air, increased moisture, and stronger upward velocity are present in the atmosphere before the transition day, potentially elevating nighttime convective precipitation. Enhanced upward velocity that is present through the two months prior to transition date coincides with the timing of the peak SAH, while weakened upward velocity afterwards coincides with its subsequent retreat. The large-scale lift due to terrain-ambient air interaction underneath the SAH and the increased moisture content can enhance the potential for diurnal convection, which lends support to the nighttime peak of rainfall. This feature persists until the transition date, after which the SAH starts to retreat.
An Evaluation of Big Data Analytics Projects and the Project Predictive Analytics Approach

Big Data is the process of managing large volumes of data obtained from several heterogeneous data types e.g. internal, external, structured and unstructured that can be used for collecting and analyzing enterprise data. The purpose of the paper is to conduct an evaluation of Big Data Analytics Projects which discusses why the projects fail and explain why and how the Project Predictive Analytics (PPA) approach may make a difference with respect to the future methods based on data mining, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. A qualitative research methodology was used. The research design was discourse analysis supported by document analysis. Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory was the most thoroughly poststructuralist approach. CONTACT Gabriel Kabanda gabrielkabanda@gmail.com Atlantic International University 900 Fort Street Mall 40 Honolulu,
The evaluation on anti-platelet and antithrombosis activities of Cinnamomum sintoc bark extract

Introduction: One of the factors contributing to cardiovascular diseases is platelet aggregation. Although several antiplatelet agents have been introduced into clinical practices, discovery of antiplatelet agents is still challenging. Plants from the genus of Cinnamomum were previously reported to have antiplatelet activity. This study aimed to determine the activity of Cinnamomum sintoc (CS) bark extract inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Methods: Antiplatelet activity of CS bark methanolic extract (CSME) (5 - 300 µg/mL) was determined by measuring the ability of the extract to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by epinephrine. Meanwhile, the antithrombosis activity was determined by calculating the survival mice and by measuring the thrombus formation in the mice lung capillaries after challenging with thrombus-inducing agent, combination of collagen and epinephrine. Results: The results showed that CSME inhibited platelet aggregation induced by epinephrine with the IC50 of 117.9 ± 8.8 μg/mL. However, CSME at low, medium, and high doses (100, 400, and 600 mg/kg BW, respectively) failed to protect the mice from death and paralysis after thrombotic challenge. Conclusions: CSME demonstrated an in vitro antiplatelet activity, but it failed to protect thrombosis in the thrombotic mice.
Founder takes more: Interspecific competition affects range expansion of North American mammals into deglaciated areas

I assess the impact of interspecific competition on species' post‐glacial range expansions into previously glaciated areas. I hypothesize that expansion of one species (the founder) after the last glacial maximum (LGM) into areas that were glaciated has hindered expansion of its competitor (the latecomer). If true, I predict that range and niche sizes of two congeners are more disproportionate within the previously glaciated areas (i.e. the areas of post‐glacial expansion) than within areas that were not glaciated. I also predict that niche partitioning is reduced within previously glaciated areas. If true, range and climatic niche overlap of two congeners is smaller in the previously glaciated areas than in non‐glaciated areas.
Intra-Articular Anesthetic Injection of the Hip for Confirmation of Symptomatic Tears of the Acetabular Labrum: A Systematic Review

Intra-Articular Anesthetic Injection of the Hip for Confirmation of Symptomatic Tears of the Acetabular Labrum: A Systematic Review THE ORTHOPAEDIC JOURNAL AT HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL 30 Kyle Alpaugh, MD1 Catherine Logan, MD2 Shivam Upadhyaya, MD3 Scott D. Martin, MD4