Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rating of Perceived Exertion for Quantification of Training and Combat Loads During Combat Sport-Specific Activities: A Short Review

Abstract Slimani, M, Davis, P, Franchini, E, and Moalla, W. Rating of perceived exertion for quantification of training and combat loads during combat sport-specific activities: a short review. J Strength Cond Res 31(10): 2889–2902, 2017—The aim of this short review was to summarize data pertaining to the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) methods (RPE value and session-RPE) during combat sport-specific activities (i.e., competition and training) based on many factors, including contest type (i.e., official vs. simulated vs. training), combat rounds, age of participants and muscle groups, and their correlation with physiological variables (i.e., blood lactate concentration [La] and heart rate [HR]). The current review shows higher RPE in a match of mixed martial arts (MMAs) than Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing matches and during the competitive period compared with the precompetitive period. This could be explained by the longer duration of bouts, the higher percentage contribution of aerobic metabolism in MMA than other combat sports and contest type differences (simulated vs. official matches). Thus, this review found significant correlations between RPE or session-RPE, [La] and HR. Particularly, there was a stronger correlation between RPE and [La] during official striking (r = 0.81) than grappling combat sports matches (r = 0.53). In addition, a variation of correlation (moderate to large) between session-RPE and HR-based methods has been reported (i.e., Edwards' training load [r ranged between 0.58 and 0.95] and Banister training impulse [r ranged between 0.52 and 0.86]). Specifically, stronger correlation was apparent in combat sport competition that required a much higher percentage contribution of aerobic metabolism (e.g., karate) and in adult athletes than anaerobic-based combat sports (e.g., taekwondo) and young athletes, respectively. Indeed, the current review highlights that the correlations between session-RPE and HR-based methods were higher during official competition than training sessions. Session-RPE was affected by participants' competitive level, the intensity of session (high vs. low), the training modalities (tactical-technical vs. technical-development vs. simulated competition), and the training volume in combat sports athletes. Rating of perceived exertion is a valid tool for quantifying internal training and combat loads during short- and long-term training and simulated and official competitions in novice and elite combat sport athletes. Furthermore, both RPE methods may be a more reliable measure of intensity or effort when both anaerobic and aerobic systems are appreciably activated. Coaches, sports scientists, and athletes can use session-RPE method to quantify short-term training and combat loads in adult athletes during precompetitive period much more than long-term training and in young athletes during the competitive period. They can also use RPE to monitor combat and short- and long-term training loads to better plan and assist training programs and competitions.
The effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking on health outcomes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background and aims A systematic review conducted in 2008 found significant associations between waterpipe tobacco smoking and lung cancer, respiratory disease, periodontal disease and low birthweight. Since then, a number of relevant studies have been published. The objective of this study was to update the systematic review on the effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking on health outcomes. Methods In May 2015 we electronically searched the following databases with no date restrictions: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the ISI Web of Science using a detailed search strategy with no language restrictions. We also screened the references' lists of the included studies. We included cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies, and excluded case reports, conference abstracts, editorials and reviews. We excluded studies not conducted in humans, assessing physiological outcomes, not distinguishing waterpipe tobacco smoking from other forms of smoking or not reporting association measures. We assessed risk of bias for each included study and conducted meta-analyses for each of the outcomes of interest. Results We identified 50 eligible studies. We found that waterpipe tobacco smoking was significantly associated with: respiratory diseases [COPD; odds ratio (OR) = 3.18, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.25, 8.08; bronchitis OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.49, 3.77; passive waterpipe smoking and wheeze OR) = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.28, 3.04]; oral cancer OR = 4.17, 95% CI = 2.53, 6.89; lung cancer OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.32, 3.42; low birthweight (OR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.32, 4.32); metabolic syndrome (OR 1.63-1.95, 95% CI = 1.25, 2.45); cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.25, 2.24); and mental health (OR 1.30-2.4, 95% CI = 1.20, 2.80). Waterpipe tobacco smoking was not significantly associated with: oesophageal cancer (OR = 4.14, 95% CI = 0.93, 18.46); worse quality of life scores [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.16, 95% CI = -0.66, 0.34]; gastric carcinoma (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 0.72, 6.47); bladder cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.99, 1.57); prostate cancer (OR = 7.00, 95% CI = 0.90, 56.90); hepatitis C infection (OR = 0.98, 95%0.80, 1.21); periodontal disease (OR = 3.00, 5.00); gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.56); nasopharyngeal carcinoma (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.20, 1.23); bladder cancer (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.99, 1.57); infertility (OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.00, 6.30); and mortality (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.93, 1.43). Conclusions There is accumulating evidence about the association of waterpipe tobacco smoking with a growing number of health outcomes.
Investigation of Bond between Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites Rebar and Aramid Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

This paper reports on a study of the bond between Aramid fibre-reinforced concrete (AF) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars. Three types of GFRP rebars were used, namely, ribbed, helically deformed, and sand-coated bars. Traditional concrete was used as the reference cementitious material. Comparative analysis showed that the compressive strength of the Aramid fibre concrete was lower than that of the traditional concrete and this was attributed to the flocculation of the fibres in the concrete. Conversely, the impact strength of the AF was superior to that of reference concrete. A comparison of the bond strength in the GFRP-reinforced control and the GFRP-reinforced AF concrete samples showed that the introduction of the GFRP rebars in the latter produced mixed results. That is, the bond strength between the concrete and the ribbed bars was increased when Aramid fibres were used. However, the addition of Aramid fibres to the concrete did not increase the bond strength at the inteface of the helical rebar and, in the case of sand-coated GFRP rebar, the use of the Aramid fibres resulted in the reduction of bond between the concrete and this type of rebar.
PDCD1 (PD-1) promoter methylation predicts outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

Background Biomarkers that facilitate the prediction of disease recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) may enable physicians to personalize treatment. In the current study, DNA promoter methylation of programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1, PD-1) was evaluated as a prognostic biomarker in HNSCC patients. Results High PDCD1 methylation (mPDCD1) was associated with a significantly shorter overall survival after surgical resection in both the discovery (HR = 2.24 [95%CI: 1.08–4.64], p = 0.029) and the validation cohort (HR = 1.54 [95%CI: 1.08–2.21], p = 0.017). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, PDCD1 methylation remained a significant prognostic factor for HNSCC (HR = 2.14 [95%CI: 1.19–3.84], p = 0.011). Further, mPDCD1 was strongly associated with the human papilloma virus (HPV) status. Materials and Methods mPDCD1 was assessed retrospectively in a discovery cohort of 120 HNSCC patients treated at the University Hospital of Bonn and a validation cohort of 527 HNSCC cases analyzed by The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network. Conclusions PDCD1 methylation might aid the identification of HNSCC patients potentially benefitting from a radical or alternative treatment, particularly in the context of immunotherapies targeting PD-1/PD-L1.
Plasma ceramides predict cardiovascular death in patients with stable coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes beyond LDL-cholesterol

Abstract Aims The aim was to study the prognostic value of plasma ceramides (Cer) as cardiovascular death (CV death) markers in three independent coronary artery disease (CAD) cohorts. Methods and results Corogene study is a prospective Finnish cohort including stable CAD patients (n = 160). Multiple lipid biomarkers and C-reactive protein were measured in addition to plasma Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0), Cer(d18:1/24:0), and Cer(d18:1/24:1). Subsequently, the association between high-risk ceramides and CV mortality was investigated in the prospective Special Program University Medicine—Inflammation in Acute Coronary Syndromes (SPUM-ACS) cohort (n = 1637), conducted in four Swiss university hospitals. Finally, the results were validated in Bergen Coronary Angiography Cohort (BECAC), a prospective Norwegian cohort study of stable CAD patients. Ceramides, especially when used in ratios, were significantly associated with CV death in all studies, independent of other lipid markers and C-reactive protein. Adjusted odds ratios per standard deviation for the Cer(d18:1/16:0)/Cer(d18:1/24:0) ratio were 4.49 (95% CI, 2.24–8.98), 1.64 (1.29–2.08), and 1.77 (1.41–2.23) in the Corogene, SPUM-ACS, and BECAC studies, respectively. The Cer(d18:1/16:0)/Cer(d18:1/24:0) ratio improved the predictive value of the GRACE score (net reclassification improvement, NRI = 0.17 and ΔAUC = 0.09) in ACS and the predictive value of the Marschner score in stable CAD (NRI = 0.15 and ΔAUC = 0.02). Conclusions Distinct plasma ceramide ratios are significant predictors of CV death both in patients with stable CAD and ACS, over and above currently used lipid markers. This may improve the identification of high-risk patients in need of more aggressive therapeutic interventions.
Deposition of Na2WO4 films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis: effect of thickness on the crystallographic and sensing properties

Abstract Na2WO4 films have been grown on Si (1 0 0) and glass substrate using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. The films are prepared from aqueous solution containing Na2WO4·2H2O at 475 °C temperature and characterized by XRD and SEM techniques and the chemical composition of the films have been verified by EDX and PIXE and its formula Na2WO4 is confirmed by XRD. The evolution of the crystallinity was studied as a function of film thickness ranging from 2500 to 4200 nm, which corresponds to a deposition time from 10 to 30 min, respectively. The crystalline quality was found to improve, where the grain size values increased with increasing thickness. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphology evolution with the deposition time, where porous films were found due to the synthesis parameters, and a better sensing response to gases was developed with increasing thickness. Thus, this study demonstrates the possibility of utilizing Na2WO4 thick films as a sensor element for the detection of ethanol vapor at room temperature, where thicker films exhibit excellent ethanol vapor sensing properties with a maximum sensitivity at 25 °C in air atmosphere with fast response time.
Soft Liner/Clip Attachment for Bar-Retained Implant Overdentures: A Technical Note.

A ccording to the McGill Consensus Statement, mandibular 2-implant–retained overdentures should become the standard of care for the edentulous patient. Compared with conventional dentures, such overdentures provide increased retention and stability, improved patient satisfaction, better masticatory function, and lower rates of residual ridge resorption. The implant-retained overdentures can be connected to various attachments including bars and clips, ball anchors, magnets and telescopic crowns. The advantages of bar attachments compared with solitary anchors are splinting, better stress distribution between the implants, better retention, and less clinical complications. However, bar attachments have several drawbacks. Free spaces around the bar attachments should be made in the fitting surface of bar-retained overdentures in order to enhance free rotation of the prosthesis during function. These unobturated spaces around the bars and abutments enhance soft tissue proliferation, plaque accumulation, and microbial colonization that may induce peri-implant tissue inflammation and bone loss. Moreover, oral hygiene procedures are complicated especially around abutments and underneath the bar. The use of soft liners as permanent attachments over the bars of implant-retained overdentures have been reported previously. These liners have several merits including minimal wear, space obturation around the bar, patient comfort, absorption of masticatory loads, and distribution of these loads to the implants and the residual ridge. When used as an attachment for bar-retained implant overdentures, the soft liners are associated with improved periimplant tissue health, equal patient satisfaction, lower prosthodontic complications, reduced costs, minimal soft tissue complications, reduced maxillary bone resorption, decreased incidence of maxillary flabby ridges, and fewer relining times of maxillary enture compared with plastic clips. However, plastic clips provide more denture stability, ease of prosthesis handling, ease of biting/chewing food, and less relining incidence compared with soft liners. This article describes a new method for fabrication of a soft liner-clip attachment for bar-retained implant overdentures. This technique combines the advantages of plastic clips and soft liners when used as a female housing for the bar joint of 2implant–retained overdentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS
High-Content Screening as a Universal Tool for Fingerprinting of Cytotoxicity of

Recent advances and progress in nanobiotechnology have demonstrated many nanoparticles (NPs) as potential and novel drug delivery vehicles, therapeutic agents, and contrast agents and luminescent biological labels for bioimaging. The emergence of new biomedical applications based on NPs signifies the need to understand, compare, and manage their cytotoxicity. In this study, we demonstrated the use of high-content screening assay (HCA) as a universal tool to probe the cytotoxicity of NPs and specifically cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) and gold NPs (Au NPs) in NG108-15 murine neuroblastoma cells and HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Neural cells represent special interest for NP-induced cytotoxicity because the optical and electrical functionalities of materials necessary for neural imaging and interfacing are matched well with the properties of many NPs. In addition, the cellular morphology of neurons is particularly suitable for automated high content screening. HepG2 cells represent a good model for high content screening studies since theyarecommonlyusedasasurrogateforhumanhepatocytesinpharmaceuticalstudies.WefoundtheCdTeQDs to induce primarily apoptotic response in a time- and dosage-dependent manner and produce different toxicological profiles and responses in undifferentiated and differentiated neural cells. Au NPs were found to inhibit the proliferation and intracellular calcium release of HepG2 cells.
Evaluating Metrical Phonology - a Computational- Empirical Approach

This study aims at providing an empirical basis for the evaluation of predictions made by metrical phonology. The predictions are compared to perceptual syllable prominence annotated in a database of German read speech. An evaluation baseline was defined on the correlation between prominence ratings for different speakers. Then, different sets of rules for prominence prediction were tested and evaluated. The results indicated that a correct prediction of word accent is most crucial for good results. Another outcome was, that a prediction based on lexical class is more successful than a purely syntactic approach. Some issues concerning the status of euphony rules in German are discussed.
P2X receptors

Extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) activates cell surface P2X and P2Y receptors. P2X receptors are membrane ion channels preferably permeable to sodium, potassium and calcium that open within milliseconds of the binding of ATP. In molecular architecture, they form a unique structural family. The receptor is a trimer, the binding of ATP between subunits causes them to flex together within the ectodomain and separate in the membrane-spanning region so as to open a central channel. P2X receptors have a widespread tissue distribution. On some smooth muscle cells, P2X receptors mediate the fast excitatory junction potential that leads to depolarization and contraction. In the central nervous system, activation of P2X receptors allows calcium to enter neurons and this can evoke slower neuromodulatory responses such as the trafficking of receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate. In primary afferent nerves, P2X receptors are critical for the initiation of action potentials when they respond to ATP released from sensory cells such as taste buds, chemoreceptors or urothelium. In immune cells, activation of P2X receptors triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1β. The development of selective blockers of different P2X receptors has led to clinical trials of their effectiveness in the management of cough, pain, inflammation and certain neurodegenerative diseases. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Evolution brings Ca2+ and ATP together to control life and death’.
Optical diagnostics of atmospheric pressure air plasmas

Atmospheric pressure air plasmas are often thought to be in local thermodynamic equilibrium owing to fast interspecies collisional exchange at high pressure. This assumption cannot be relied upon, particularly with respect to optical diagnostics. Velocity gradients in flowing plasmas and/or elevated electron temperatures created by electrical discharges can result in large departures from chemical and thermal equilibrium. This paper reviews diagnostic techniques based on optical emission spectroscopy and cavity ring-down spectroscopy that we have found useful for making temperature and concentration measurements in atmospheric pressure plasmas under conditions ranging from thermal and chemical equilibrium to thermochemical nonequilibrium.
Mixed Dentition Space Analysis in a Sudanese Population

Objective To test the applicability of the Tanaka and Johnston equation for prediction of the mesiodistal width of unerupted permanent teeth in a Sudanese population and to develop a new prediction equation for this specific population if necessary. Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study. Settings: School-based study. Subjects and Methods Two hundred and fifty subjects (118 males and 132 females) age 13 – 19 years were randomly selected from two public secondary high schools in Khartoum State. Mesiodistal widths of the upper and lower permanent canines, first and second premolars (CPM) as well as the mandibular permanent incisors (MPI) were measured manually on the dental casts using a digital caliper. The predicted values of the mesiodistal widths were statistically compared with the respective actual sum of the canine and premolars of the same quadrant. Results Moderate correlation coefficients were found between the sum of the mesiodistal width of the MPI and the sum of the CPM in males (0.618 for mandibular arch and 0.626 for maxillary arch) and females (0.726 for mandibular arch and 0.680 for maxillary arch). A low coefficient of determination was recorded (0.45 and 0.48) in both jaws for combined genders. Conclusions The Tanaka and Johnston equations overestimated the actual mesiodistal width of CPM in both arches for males and females. New prediction equations with more accurate regression parameters were proposed for the Sudanese population.
Lateral and feedforward inhibition suppress asynchronous activity in a large, biophysically-detailed computational model of the striatal network

Striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) receive lateral inhibitory projections from other MSNs and feedforward inhibitory projections from fast-spiking, parvalbumin-containing striatal interneurons (FSIs). The functional roles of these connections are unknown, and difficult to study in an experimental preparation. We therefore investigated the functionality of both lateral (MSN-MSN) and feedforward (FSI-MSN) inhibition using a large-scale computational model of the striatal network. The model consists of 2744 MSNs comprised of 189 compartments each and 121 FSIs comprised of 148 compartments each, with dendrites explicitly represented and almost all known ionic currents included and strictly constrained by biological data as appropriate. Our analysis of the model indicates that both lateral inhibition and feedforward inhibition function at the population level to limit non-ensemble MSN spiking while preserving ensemble MSN spiking. Specifically, lateral inhibition enables large ensembles of MSNs firing synchronously to strongly suppress non-ensemble MSNs over a short time-scale (10–30 ms). Feedforward inhibition enables FSIs to strongly inhibit weakly activated, non-ensemble MSNs while moderately inhibiting activated ensemble MSNs. Importantly, FSIs appear to more effectively inhibit MSNs when FSIs fire asynchronously. Both types of inhibition would increase the signal-to-noise ratio of responding MSN ensembles and contribute to the formation and dissolution of MSN ensembles in the striatal network.
Potential of personal health record portals in the care of individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders: Provider perspectives

Context/Objective: Although personal health record (PHR) portals are designed for patients, healthcare providers are a key influence in how patients use their features and realize benefits from them. A few studies have examined provider attitudes toward PHR portals, but none have focused on those who care for individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D). We characterize SCI/D provider perspectives of PHR portals, including perceived advantages and disadvantages of PHR portal use in SCI/D care. Design: Cross-sectional; semi-structured interviews. Setting: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Centers in the Veterans Health Administration. Participants: Twenty-six SCI/D healthcare providers. Interventions: None. Outcome Measures: Perceived advantages and disadvantages of PHR portals. Results: The complex situations of individuals with SCI/D shaped provider perspectives of PHR portals and their potential role in practice. Perceived advantages of PHR portal use in SCI/D care included the ability to coordinate information and care, monitor and respond to outpatient requests, support patient self-management activities, and provide reliable health information to patients. Perceived disadvantages of PHR portal use in SCI/D care included concerns about the quality of patient-generated health data, other potential liabilities for providers and workload burden, and the ability of individuals with SCI/D to understand clinical information accessed through a portal. Conclusion: Our study highlights advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when promoting engagement of SCI/D healthcare providers in use of PHR portals, and portal features that may have the most utility in SCI/D care.