Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological Adaptations to High-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Blood Flow Restriction in Masters Road Cyclists

ABSTRACT Purpose High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and blood flow restriction (BFR) training have been used to enhance athletic performance and cardiovascular health. Combining these training modalities might be an effective training modality for masters athletes who seek to enhance athletic performance and to reduce cardiovascular risks. Methods Fifty masters road cyclists age 35–49 yr were randomly assigned to the continuous exercise training (n = 16), continuous plus HIIT (n = 17), and continuous plus BFR training combined with HIIT (BFRIT; n = 17) for 12 wk. Both HIIT and BFRIT were performed on a cycle ergometer twice a week. Results Maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max) increased in the HIIT and BFRIT groups (P < 0.05). This was accompanied by significant improvements in maximal cardiac output and stroke volume (P < 0.05). Forty-kilometer time trial performance improved in all three groups (P < 0.05). Peak power output increased in both HIIT and BFRIT groups (P < 0.05). Flow-mediated dilation in both brachial and popliteal arteries increased in all three groups (all P < 0.05). There were no significant changes in carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness in any of the groups. Total lean mass, muscle cross-sectional area and thickness in rectus femoris and vastus lateralis, and peak torque of isokinetic knee extension increased only in the BFRIT group (all P < 0.05). Tissue saturation index decreased only in the BFRIT group (P < 0.05). Changes in 40-km time trial performance were associated with corresponding changes in V̇O2max (r = −0.312, P = 0.029) and peak isokinetic extensor torque (r = −0.432, P = 0.002). Conclusions Including HIIT particularly with BFR in the routine continuous training may be more effective in enhancing performance and physiological functions in masters road cyclists.
Synergistic Effects of Taurine and Temozolomide Via Cell Proliferation Inhibition and Apoptotic Induction on U-251 MG Human Glioblastoma Cells

Objective: The combination treatment is a way to improve the therapeutic strategy of temozolomide (TMZ) -resistant glioblastoma (GBM). Taurine (TAU) has the potential to inhibit growth in various cancer cells. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effects of TMZ and TAU on cultured human GBM, U-251 MG cells. Methods: The cells were incubated with TMZ, TAU, and the combination of both in various ratios. MTT assay was performed to measure the cell viability of the treatments and then the synergistic interactions were evaluated by the Chou-Talalay method. The cell cycle and apoptotic properties of the combined treatment on U-251 MG cells were examined by flow cytometry. The Hoechst 33342 stainings were applied to visualize the morphologic change in the apoptotic process. Results: The combined treatment with a dose reduction of each expressed synergistic effect on the decrease of cell viability. The study on the cell cycle resulted in G2/M phase arrest with increasing apoptotic cells in the SubG1 phase. Moreover, the apoptotic effects of the combinations on U-251 MG cells were explained by the increase of apoptotic cells in both early and late stages and illustrated by some characteristics of the apoptotic process including condensed chromatin and fragmented nuclei. Conclusion: The study showed that the combination between TMZ and TAU has a potential in anticancer properties against U-251 MG manifested by the induction of G2/M arrest and apoptosis. These results suggest that this combination may be useful to enhance the efficacy and reduce some adverse events of GBM treatment in the future.
High-pressure polycrystalline diamond as a cost effective heat spreader

Diamond is an ideal material for heat spreading applications; CVD PCD is many times more expensive than high pressure PCD because it grows much slower and the material cost is higher. High-pressure PCD can be produced in large quantities and molded into shapes at a reasonable price. Novatek's patented high pressure synthesis process produces PCD with a conductivity of 700 W/m/spl deg/K, almost twice that of copper. Diamond heat spreaders are most effective in applications producing high heat flux densities. Diamond becomes far more conductive than metals at cryogenic temperatures. The thermal junction between the IC and the heat sink is a predominant thermal resistance. High pressure diamond has favorable thermal expansion and stiffness coefficients and is easily pre-metalized insitu, making it a good material for direct bonding to the IC.
A solidarity paradox – welfare state data in global health data economy

Nordic welfare states have well institutionalised practises of gathering health and social wellbeing data from their citizens. The establishment of population registers coincided with the building of welfare state institutions and a social contract relying on solidarity. During the last decade, the significance of Nordic registers and health data has increased and they have become sources of economic value. Recent policies expect registers, health data and biobanks to attract international investments, making Nordic countries world-leaders in the global health data economy. In this article we question the conditions and boundaries of solidarity in the emerging data-driven health economy. We argue that the logics of welfare state and data-driven health economy create a paradox – the data economy is not possible without the welfare state data regime, but the logic of data-driven health economy contradicts the value bases of the welfare state data regime and therefore the justifications for data gathering and use become questionable. We develop the concept of solidarization to describe the process by which individuals are expected to behave in a solidaristic way to support data gathering and related policy processes. We demonstrate the solidarity paradox through a recent legislative and data infrastructure reform in Finland and discuss it in relation to academic literature on solidarity.
Dietary abundance distributions: Dominance and diversity in vertebrate diets.

Diet composition is among the most important yet least understood dimensions of animal ecology. Inspired by the study of species abundance distributions (SADs), we tested for generalities in the structure of vertebrate diets by characterising them as dietary abundance distributions (DADs). We compiled data on 1167 population-level diets, representing >500 species from six vertebrate classes, spanning all continents and oceans. DADs near-universally (92.5%) followed a hollow-curve shape, with scant support for other plausible rank-abundance-distribution shapes. This strong generality is inherently related to, yet incompletely explained by, the SADs of available food taxa. By quantifying dietary generalisation as the half-saturation point of the cumulative distribution of dietary abundance (sp50, minimum number of foods required to account for 50% of diet), we found that vertebrate populations are surprisingly specialised: in most populations, fewer than three foods accounted for at least half the diet. Variation in sp50 was strongly associated with consumer type, with carnivores being more specialised than herbivores or omnivores. Other methodological (sampling method and effort, taxonomic resolution), biological (body mass, frugivory) and biogeographic (latitude) factors influenced sp50 to varying degrees. Future challenges include identifying the mechanisms underpinning the hollow-curve DAD, its generality beyond vertebrates, and the biological determinants of dietary generalisation.
Impact of seed‐applied fungicide and insecticide on Azospirillum brasilense survival and wheat growth‐promoting ability

The use of Azospirillum brasilense as a crop inoculant has increased in recent years. Thus, the compatibility of the inoculation technology with seed treatments using pesticides needs to be evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the effect of an insecticide and fungicide formulation on A. brasilense strain FP2 population by culturing and culture‐independent approaches. In addition, we evaluated the impact of these pesticides on the ability of A. brasilense to promote plant growth by monitoring biometric traits (root and shoot dry mass and length) of wheat grown in Greenhouse conditions. Seed pesticide dressings, mainly fungicide, led to a significant mortality of A. brasilense over time. The ability of A. brasilense to promote wheat growth also decreased due to pesticide treatments combined with sowing delay. Considering that pesticides confer fitness advantages to the wheat in field condition, our results suggest that sowing within the first 4 h after inoculation maintain the beneficial effects of A. brasilense on wheat growth promotion. Furthermore, we conclude that inoculation and treatment of seeds with pesticides may be compatible techniques when carried out immediately before sowing.
Parent-Child Relationships and the Health of Incarcerated Mothers: Exploring the Mediating Role of Loneliness

ABSTRACT The current study utilizes Hawkley, Cacioppo, and colleagues’ model of loneliness and health to examine the influence of parent-child relationships on the health of incarcerated women. Participants were 121 incarcerated female adults who have at least one child, and who completed a questionnaire with measures of parental involvement, parent-child closeness, loneliness, overall health, physical functioning, depression, and anxiety. Results reveal that among incarcerated women, perceptions of close and involved relationships with their children were associated with less loneliness, and less loneliness was associated with better overall health and physical functioning, as well as lower depression and anxiety. Findings highlight the importance of including loneliness in studies that examine the impact of parent-child relationships on health, especially for this vulnerable population, and suggest that it is worthwhile to engage in efforts to help incarcerated women maintain close and involved relationships with their children through high-quality communication.
Visual Attention and Cognitive Archaeology: An Eye-Tracking Study of Palaeolithic Stone Tools

The study of lithic technology can provide information on human cultural evolution. This article aims to analyse visual behaviour associated with the exploration of ancient stone artefacts and how this relates to perceptual mechanisms in humans. In Experiment 1, we used eye tracking to record patterns of eye fixations while participants viewed images of stone tools, including examples of worked pebbles and handaxes. The results showed that the focus of gaze was directed more towards the upper regions of worked pebbles and on the basal areas for handaxes. Knapped surfaces also attracted more fixation than natural cortex for both tool types. Fixation distribution was different to that predicted by models that calculate visual salience. Experiment 2 was an online study using a mouse-click attention tracking technique and included images of unworked pebbles and ‘mixed’ images combining the handaxe's outline with the pebble's unworked texture. The pattern of clicks corresponded to that revealed using eye tracking and there were differences between tools and other images. Overall, the findings suggest that visual exploration is directed towards functional aspects of tools. Studies of visual attention and exploration can supply useful information to inform understanding of human cognitive evolution and tool use.
Effects of Overexpression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 15/19 on Hepatic Drug Metabolizing Enzymes

Fibroblast growth factors 15 (FGF15) and 19 (FGF19) are endocrine growth factors that play an important role in maintaining bile acid homeostasis. FGF15/19-based therapies are currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cholestatic liver diseases. To determine the physiologic impact of long-term elevations of FGF15/19, a transgenic mouse model with overexpression of Fgf15 (Fgf15 Tg) was used in the current study. The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed elevations of the expression of several genes encoding phase I drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs), including Cyp2b10 and Cyp3a11, in Fgf15 Tg mice. We found that the induction of several Cyp2b isoforms resulted in increased function of CYP2B in microsomal metabolism and pharmacokinetics studies. Because the CYP2B family is known to be induced by constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), to determine the role of CAR in the observed inductions, we crossed Fgf15 Tg mice with CAR knockout mice and found that CAR played a minor role in the observed alterations in DME expression. Interestingly, we found that the overexpression of Fgf15 in male mice resulted in a phenotypical switch from the male hepatic expression pattern of DMEs to that of female mice. Differences in secretion of growth hormone (GH) between male and female mice are known to drive sexually dimorphic, STAT5b-dependent expression patterns of hepatic genes. We found that male Fgf15 Tg mice presented with many features similar to GH deficiency, including lowered body length and weight, Igf-1 and Igfals expression, and STAT5 signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The overexpression of Fgf15 in mice causes an alteration in DMEs at the mRNA, protein, and functional levels, which is not entirely due to CAR activation but associated with lower GH signaling.
Optimal design for fractional-order active isolation system

The optimal control of fractional-order active isolation system is researched based on the optimal control theory, and the effect of fractional-order derivative on passive isolation system is also analyzed. The mechanical model is established where viscoelastic features of isolation materials are described by fractional-order derivative. The viscoelastic property of the fractional-order derivative in dynamical system is studied and the fractional-order derivative could be divided into linear stiffness and linear damping. It is found that both the fractional coefficient and the fractional order could affect not only the resonance amplitude through the equivalent linear damping coefficient but also the resonance frequency by the equivalent linear stiffness. Based on optimal control theory, the feedback gain of fractional-order active isolation system under harmonic excitation is obtained, which is changed with the excitation frequency. The statistical responses of the displacement and velocity for passive and active vibration isolation systems subjected to random excitation are also presented, which further verifies the excellent performance of fractional-order derivative in vibration control engineering.
The Development of Dental Informatics of Oral Cancer Screening for Prevention in Community Level: A Prototype Study in Thailand

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify general dentists’ information needs for oral cancer screening in community and the information sources they use to meet those needs in clinical settings so as to inform the design of dental information systems. Methods: A semi-structured interview was conducted with a convenience sample of 8 general dentists and 5 dental assistant in the Public Health Region 9 area during clinical hours. One hundred and five patient cases were reported by these dentists. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using thematic analysis with a constant comparative method to identify categories and themes regarding information needs and information source use patterns. Results: Two top-level categories of information needs were identified: foreground and background information needs. To meet these needs, dentists used four types of information sources: clinical information/tasks, risk factor of oral cancer in general people, surveillance in community and referral to oral cancer treatment. Major themes of dentists’ unmet information needs include: (1) timely access to information on various subjects; (2) better visual representations of dental problems; (3) access to patient-specific evidence-based information; and (4) accurate, complete and consistent documentation of patient records. Resource use patterns include: (1) dentists information needs matched information source use; (2) little use of electronic sources took place during treatment; (3) source use depended on the nature and complexity of the dental problems; and (4) dentists and dental nurse routinely practiced cross-referencing to verify patient information. Conclusions: Dentists have various information needs of oral cancer at the point of care. For future development of dental information or clinical decision support systems, developers should consider integrating high-quality, up-to-date clinical evidence into comprehensive and easily accessible EDRs as well as supporting dentists’ resource use patterns as identified in the study.
Centering the family in their system: a framework to promote family-centered AAC services

Abstract Families are the most significant communication partners for an individual with complex communication needs. Even though family-centered approaches are recommended to support augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services for an individual, it is difficult to establish a successful plan that fits each individual’s family. A framework for practitioners is proposed to effectively obtain and understand information about a family’s unique dynamics as part of service delivery to positively impact AAC device uptake and long-term use. The goal of using this model is to minimize the disruption to the family while maximizing the integration of the AAC system. This paper proposes and illustrates a framework to enrich AAC services through the integration of several theoretical models of family systems theory, family paradigms, and a procedure called the self-created genogram. This paper begins by reviewing ecological family systems theory and family systems to guide and provide a framework to support effective AAC implementation. The process of self-creating genograms is then introduced as a means to obtain a rich perspective on family characteristics and dynamics that is informed by the individual who uses AAC. All of this information allows professionals to provide relevant information and tailor options for the family. As a result, the family is able to make informed decisions about AAC intervention in a manner most consistent with how they typically operate. Finally, we apply this framework to a hypothetical case of a child with autism and complex communication needs across three timepoints (preschool, late elementary/early middle school, and high school/post-secondary transition) to demonstrate how this framework can be used in clinical practice.
The Tin-Man and the TAM - A Journey Into M-Learning in the Land of Aus

Within the past few years the virtues and pitfalls of Podcasting specifically within the higher education environment have been extolled. However, there is little, if any, discussion of how academic staff have undergone this period of transformation in an era of technological adoption and sweeping pedagogic change. Using the Technology Adoption Model (Davis 1989) as a theoretical platform and the characters from the classic film the Wizard of Oz as signposts, this paper explores and describes a staff development journey that introduced M-Learning pedagogies. More specifically the way in which Podcast technology was introduced in an undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing program conducted in a regional University in Victoria, Australia. The journey’s resultant destination reveals that courage; passion and an openness to try something new are essential for the successful introduction of new electronic pedagogies by academics.
Extraction liquide-liquide dans des microgouttes

The goal of this work is to build a new tool dedica ted to the comprehension of mass transfers at microscopic scale. The tool relies on “digital micr o fluidics” - a technology where everything is done in droplets that swiftly circulate in Microchips. At t his scale, transfers phenomena are different from a drop at macroscopic scale because of the presence of flo ws with low Reynolds number. Liquid-liquid extraction systems were qualitatively and quantitat ively studied : aqueous droplets were generated in rectangular micro channels with geometry flow-focus ing (200µm wide and 30 to 90 µm high) in a flow of octan-1-ol. Two cases were studied: the dispersed p hase or the continuous phase played alternatively t he
Signal processing techniques for extracting signals with periodic structure : applications to biomedical signals

In this dissertation some advanced methods for extracting sources from single and multichannel data are developed and utilized in biomedical applications. It is assumed that the sources of interest have periodic structure and therefore, the periodicity is exploited in various forms. The proposed methods can even be used for the cases where the signals have hidden periodicities, i.e., the periodic behaviour is not detectable from their time representation or even Fourier transform of the signal. For the case of single channel recordings a method based on singular spectrum anal ysis (SSA) of the signal is proposed. The proposed method is utilized in localizing heart sounds in respiratory signals, which is an essential pre-processing step in most of the heart sound cancellation methods. Artificially mixed and real respiratory signals are used for evaluating the method. It is shown that the performance of the proposed method is superior to those of the other methods in terms of false detection. More over, the execution time is significantly lower than that of the method ranked second in performance. For multichannel data, the problem is tackled using two approaches. First, it is assumed that the sources are periodic and the statistical characteristics of periodic sources are exploited in developing a method to effectively choose the appropriate delays in which the diagonalization takes place. In the second approach it is assumed that the sources of interest are cyclostationary. Necessary and sufficient conditions for extractability of the sources are mathematically proved and the extraction algorithms are proposed. Ballistocardiogram (BCG) artifact is considered as the sum of a number of independent cyclostationary components having the same cycle frequency. The proposed method, called cyclostationary source extraction (CSE), is able to extract these components without much destructive effect on the background electroencephalogram (EEG)
Optimization of Rotor Critical Speeds by Change of Features of Machine’s Bearings

The subject of this article is an analysis of the influence of changes of certain construction and operation parameters of slide bearings on the critical speeds and corresponding forms of vibrations of rotors supported in such bearings. An exemplary analysis has been made for a typical, average sized turbo-compressor train consisting of three rotors. It has been found that critical speeds of a rotor are most sensitive to the bearings clearance; less sensitive to the bearings length, and least sensitive to the oil mean temperature. Found relations permit to avoid an accidental search for a way to change the rotor critical speeds if there is such a necessity and when it is impossible to change the geometry of the rotor itself. The results of the analysis allow optimization of the process of detuning the machine from resonance.Copyright © 2004 by ASME