Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Hypoadiponectinemia With Impaired Vasoreactivity

Abstract—Endothelial dysfunction is a crucial feature in the evolution of atherosclerosis. Adiponectin is an adipocyte-specific plasma protein with antiatherogenic and antidiabetic properties. In the present study, we investigated the relation between adiponectin and endothelium-dependent vasodilation. We analyzed endothelial function in 202 hypertensive patients, including those who were not taking any medication. Forearm blood flow was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. Plasma adiponectin level was highly correlated with the vasodilator response to reactive hyperemia in the total (r =0.257, P <0.001) and no-medication (r =0.296, P =0.026) groups but not with nitroglycerin-induced hyperemia, indicating that adiponectin affected endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Multiple regression analysis of data from all hypertensive patients revealed that plasma adiponectin level was independently correlated with the vasodilator response to reactive hyperemia. Vascular reactivity was also analyzed in aortic rings from adiponectin-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Adiponectin-KO mice showed obesity, hyperglycemia, and hypertension compared with WT mice after 4 weeks on an atherogenic diet. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation in response to acetylcholine was significantly reduced in adiponectin-KO mice compared with WT mice, although no significant difference was observed in endothelium-independent vasodilation in response to sodium nitroprusside. Our observations suggest that hypoadiponectinemia is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and that the measurement of plasma adiponectin level might be helpful as a marker of endothelial dysfunction.
Yabancı Dilde Kelime Öğrenme Stratejileri Ölçeğinin Geliştirilmesi

The aim of this study is to develop a vocabulary learning strategy scale in a foreign language. The Scale development process consisted of three stages: a) writing the items related to vocabulary learning strategies based on Oxford's (1990) sub-dimensions of "Language Learning Strategies Scale" b) editing the items in accordance with expert opinions and implementing the pilot study, c) implementing the scale to the students (N = 923), and establishing the validity and reliability studies. Firstly, exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the data collected. According to the results of the analysis, a total of 32 items were determined in six dimensions: memory, cognitive, compensation, meta-cognitive, affective and social strategies. Total variance explained was found to be 41.02% and the confirmatory factor analysis was carried out on the data within the scope of validity of the scale. Fit indices (χ2/df = 2.36, RMSEA = .052, CFI = .96, SRMR = .054) revealed that the model fits the data. Within the framework of reliability studies, Cronbach's alpha reliability of the scale was . 89 and for the subscales: memory =. 74, cognitive = . 67, compensation = . 71, meta-cognitive= . 72, affective = . 64, social = . 62. These results prove that the vocabulary learning strategies scale is valid and reliable. With the help of this scale, teachers will be able to determine the strategies their students should use and design their teaching-learning activities accordingly. In addition, this scale is accurate enough for teachers of foreign languages to use in teaching strategies as a guide.
Boundary following and globally convergent path planning using instant goals

In this paper, an instant goal approach is proposed for collision-free boundary following of obstacles of arbitrary shape and globally convergent path planning in unknown environments. Firstly, for effective knowledge representation and manipulation, a vector representation is presented, which not only saves much space but also conforms to the physical properties of range sensors. Secondly, the concept of instant goals is introduced enabling the robot to perform boundary following in a "natural" human-like manner, with additional measures taken to ensure that the robot is moving "forward" along the boundary, even if the obstacle is of arbitrary shape and disturbing obstacles are present. Collision checking is performed simultaneously and, when needed, collision avoidance is efficiently incorporated in. Based on the approach of boundary following, a realistic sensor-based path planner with global convergence property is designed for the robot capable of acquiring discrete and noisy range data. Realistic simulation experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Relation between duration and intensity of first exercise and “warm up” in ischaemic heart disease

OBJECTIVE To determine the importance of the duration and intensity of “warm up” exercise for reducing ischaemia during second exercise in patients with exertional angina. DESIGN Randomised crossover comparison of three warm up exercise protocols. PATIENTS 18 subjects with stable ischaemic heart disease and > 0.1 mV ST segment depression on treadmill exercise testing. INTERVENTIONS The warm up protocols were 20 minutes of slow exercise at 2.7 km/h, symptom limited graded exercise for a mean of 7.4 (range 5.0 to 10.5) minutes, and three minutes of symptom limited fast exercise of similar maximum intensity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ST segment depression during graded treadmill exercise undertaken 10 minutes after each warm up protocol or no warm up exercise. RESULTS Compared with exercise with no warm up, the duration of graded exercise after earlier slow warm up increased by 4.9% (95% confidence interval (CI), −3.3% to 13.7%), after graded warm up by 10.3% (95% CI, 5.6% to 15.2%), and after fast warm up by 16% (95% CI, 6.2% to 26.7%). ST segment depression at equivalent submaximal exercise decreased after slow warm up by 27% (95% CI, 5% to 44%), after graded warm up by 31% (95% CI, 17% to 44%), and after fast warm up by 47% (95% CI, 27% to 61%). Compared with slow warm up exercise, the more intense graded and fast warm up protocols significantly increased the duration of second exercise (p = 0.0072) and reduced both peak ST depression (p = 0.0026) and the rate of increase of ST depression (p = 0.0069). CONCLUSIONS In patients with exertional angina the size of the warm up response is related to the maximum intensity rather than the duration of first exercise.
Semantic Memory for Music in Dementia

there is currently limited information about the effects of dementia diseases on semantic memory for music: memory for musical objects and concepts. Here we review available evidence and emerging research directions in semantic memory for music in the degenerative dementias. Neurodegenerative pathologies affect distributed brain networks and can therefore provide a perspective on musical semantic memory that complements the traditional neuropsychological paradigm of the focal brain lesion. Recent work suggests that semantic memory for music may be fractionated and may share certain cognitive organizational principles with semantic memory for other kinds of material. Profiles of impairment on different dimensions of musical semantic memory may show some specificity for particular dementia diseases (for example, semantic dementia versus Alzheimer9s disease).
Contribution à la Conduite du Changement pour l'Evolution du Système Entreprise

Dans un environnement tres versatile, les entreprises manufacturieres doivent maitriser de mieux en mieux leurs systemes de production. Si beaucoup de travaux se sont interesses au pilotage de l'entreprise, peu d'entre eux proposent une aide au choix du projet de changement a conduire. En effet, Qu'est ce qui motive le changement ? A quel niveau doit-t-il avoir lieu ? Comment changer ? Sur quoi agir pour changer ? Que faire pour changer ? Pour repondre a ces questions, nous proposons une demarche de construction de trajectoires d'evolution qui integre respectivement la modelisation de l'entreprise, la construction d'un systeme d'indicateurs de performance, l'analyse des methodes de changement, la construction et l'evaluation des trajectoires d'evolution. La coherence de ces differentes etapes repose sur une analyse approfondie de l'entreprise via une modelisation systemique adaptee a la conduite du changement. L'evaluation de l'etat initial et la projection de l'etat cible de l'entreprise est realisee au travers d'un systeme multi axes et multi criteres d'indicateurs de performance. A la difference des propositions anterieures qui ne justifient pas les choix des projets de changement a conduire, nous tentons d'argumenter le choix des actions a mettre en oeuvre pour changer. Pour cela, nous conceptualisons les methodes de changement afin de determiner leurs conditions d'eligibilite, d'analyser leur cycle de vie, leurs phases de mise en oeuvre et d'evaluer leurs impacts sur les processus de l'entreprise. Les trajectoires d'evolution sont construites en enchainant ces methodes, par sequentialite et par parallelisme, pour amener l'entreprise de son etat courant juge inadapte vers l'etat cible du changement. L'evaluation argumentee de ces trajectoires donnera aux utilisateurs des criteres pour choisir le projet de changement a mettre en oeuvre. Les idees avancees dans ce travail de recherche ont ete implementees dans un outil logiciel de Generation des Trajectoires d'Evolution. Enfin, la demarche a ete mise en oeuvre sur un exemple didactique d'entreprise manufacturiere.
Gene Regulation Networks in Early Phase of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The aim of this study was to analyze previously published gene expression data of skeletal muscle biopsies of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients and controls (gene expression omnibus database, accession #GSE6011) using systems biology approaches. We applied an unsupervised method to discriminate patient and control populations, based on principal component analysis, using the gene expressions as units and patients as variables. The genes having the highest absolute scores in the discrimination between the groups, were then analyzed in terms of gene expression networks, on the basis of their mutual correlation in the two groups. The correlation network structures suggest two different modes of gene regulation in the two groups, reminiscent of important aspects of DMD pathogenesis.
Combinatorial Group Theory

These notes were prepared for use by the participants in the Workshop on Algebra, Geometry and Topology held at the Australian National University, 22 January to 9 February, 1996. They have subsequently been updated for use by students in the subject 620-421 Combinatorial Group Theory at the University of Melbourne. Copyright 1996-2002 by C. F. Miller.
Experimental infection of adults with recombinant wild-type human metapneumovirus.

BACKGROUND Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) causes lower respiratory tract infections in young children. rHMPV-SHs is a recombinant HMPV (rHMPV) based on a biologically derived wild-type HMPV strain. We characterized its infectivity and immunogenicity in healthy adults to determine whether it would be suitable for use as the parent virus for the development of live attenuated rHMPV vaccines. METHODS Twenty-one healthy adults were inoculated intranasally with 10(6) plaque-forming units of rHMPV-SHs. Respiratory symptoms and shedding of challenge virus were assessed. Neutralizing antibody responses, serum immunoglobulin G and A, and nasal wash specimen immunoglobulin A antibody responses to the HMPV F protein were also measured. Induction of nasal cytokines was assessed with electrochemiluminescence assays. RESULTS Nine subjects (43%) were infected with challenge virus as determined by virus detection and/or ≥4-fold rise in serum antibody titers. Peak viral shedding occurred on days 7-9 after infection. Four weeks after inoculation, 35% of subjects had any antibody response. Six of 9 infected subjects had respiratory symptoms, and 3 had headache after inoculation. Cytokine patterns differed considerably between subjects with similar illness severity and viral shedding. CONCLUSIONS The rHMPV-SHs virus is infectious and is a suitable parent virus for development of live-attenuated HMPV vaccine candidates. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01109329.
Species Diversity of Puerto Rican Heterotermes (Dictyoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Revealed by Phylogenetic Analyses of Two Mitochondrial Genes

The goal of this study was to infer Heterotermes (Froggatt) (Dictyoptera: Rhinotermitidae) species diversity on the island of Puerto Rico from phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase II (COII). This termite genus is a structural pest known to be well adapted to arid environments in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide including Puerto Rico and many other Caribbean islands. Extensive sampling was accomplished across Puerto Rico, and phylogenetic analyses of individual gene sequences from these samples indicated robust datasets of congruent gene tree topologies showing three monophyletic groups: H. cardini (Snyder), H. convexinotatus (Snyder), and H. tenuis (Hagen). We found that H. cardini and H. convexinotatus were widespread in the arid coastal regions of Puerto Rico, whereas H. tenuis was uncommon and may represent a relatively new introduction. We found only H. convexinotatus on Culebra Island. We provide strong evidence that Puerto Rico may be linked to the Heterotermes in southern Florida, USA, since its GenBank 16S sequence was identical to that of seven Puerto Rican H. cardini sequences. Our study represents the first records of H. cardini from Puerto Rico and Grand Bahama.
Dads or Cads? Women's Strategic Decisions in the Mating Game

We report the findings of two studies (N = 142; N = 28) investigating women's preference for men in short-and long-term mating scenarios and perceptions of hones ty of dating adverts written by men high or low in Machiavellianism. Overall, men low on Machiavellianism (viz., dads), were preferre d as long-term mates; and men high on Machiavellianism (viz., cads) as short-term mates. Fertile women preferred cads for a short-term relationship and dads as a long-term partner. Higher ratings were given to all adverts when females were fertile, suggesting general ly higher levels of desire for a partner when the possibi lity of conception is highest. In contrast to previous work suggesting traits like Machiavellianism may facilitate a deceptive or exploitative mating strategy in men, the present results suggest (1) women are attuned to differences in men's personality as a function of fertility and (2) affirms that women prefer cads for short-term mating and dads for long-term mating.
A Wide Spectral Range Reflectance and Luminescence Imaging System

In this study, we introduce a wide spectral range (200–2500 nm) imaging system with a 250 μm minimum spatial resolution, which can be freely modified for a wide range of resolutions and measurement geometries. The system has been tested for reflectance and luminescence measurements, but can also be customized for transmittance measurements. This study includes the performance results of the developed system, as well as examples of spectral images. Discussion of the system relates it to existing systems and methods. The wide range spectral imaging system that has been developed is however highly customizable and has great potential in many practical applications.
Renshaw cell activity in man1

The H-reflex elicited in triceps surae by percutaneous stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve was conditioned by stimuli applied through the same electrode. The differential sensitivity of motor and sensory fibres to duration of the stimulus pulse made it possible to condition the H-reflex with either a motor or a sensory stimulus. With both types of conditioning, the H-reflex was inhibited at conditioning-test intervals of 2-3 msec and was then facilitated, the peak of facilitation occurring at 5-8 msec with motor conditioning and 6-10 msec with sensory conditioning. The phase of facilitation was followed by further inhibition. We have concluded (1) that the effects of motor conditioning on the H-reflex result from the discharge of Renshaw cells activated by the antidromic volley in the motor axons, and (2) that the effects of sensory conditioning (at the times used in these experiments) are largely due to the activation of Renshaw cells secondary to the discharge of alpha motoneurones by the conditioning volley.
Ketamine-induced disruption of verbal self-monitoring linked to superior temporal activation.

INTRODUCTION Misattribution of distorted self-generated speech in patients with schizophrenia has been associated with increased lateral temporal activation. As a pharmacological model of schizophrenia, we tested whether ketamine would induce the same effects in healthy individuals. METHODS Participants were 8 healthy male volunteers who were naïve to ketamine (mean age: 28 years). Ketamine (0.23 mg/kg bolus followed by 0.64 mg/kg/h) and placebo infusions were administered in a double-blind, randomised order, during 2 functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions. Each fMRI session consisted of a verbal self-monitoring task in which auditory feedback was experimentally modified. RESULTS Ketamine was associated with psychotic and dissociative symptoms. Participants made more misattributions of distorted self-generated speech (P < 0.02) during the ketamine infusion. Ketamine led to reduced activation in the left superior temporal cortex during self-distorted speech, regardless of whether the speech was identified correctly or not, as compared to the placebo infusion. Misidentification of speech that had been distorted was not associated with any increase in brain activation in during the placebo infusion, however ketamine-induced misattributions were associated with a relative increase in left superior temporal cortex activation. DISCUSSION These data are consistent with the notion that self-monitoring impairments underlie psychotic symptoms and suggest that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor dysfunction may mediate self-monitoring deficits and psychotic phenomena in schizophrenia.
MARKER CONTROLLED WATERSHED SEGMENTATION USING BIT-PLANE SLICING

Image segmentation is the basis for computer vision and object recognition. Watershed transform is one of the common methods used for region based segmentation. The previous watershed methods results in over segmentation. In this paper we present a novel method for efficient image segmentation by using bit-plane slicing and marker-controlled watershed. Bit-Plane slicing method produces the sliced image by taking the most significant bit of the image as the input to the bit-plane slicing algorithm. The output of the Bit-Plane slicing algorithm is used to produce the gradient image . The watershed segmentation algorithm is applied to the average of the marker image and the gradient image so as to get efficient segmentation result. Experimental results, shows that the proposed method reduces the memory consumption and computation.
Lexon visualization: visualizing binary fact types in ontology bases

Ontology bases are sets of binary fact types called lexons. This paper discusses LexoVis, a lexon visualization tool that addresses the inherent size and scale of ontology bases. LexoVis facilitates the analysis of lexons by taking a well-ordered approach and provides overview and detail by employing the graphical fisheye view. Furthermore, different ordering and clustering heuristics incorporated in LexoVis offer insights into ontology bases not explicit in text-based representations.
{Le Théâtre de la Cruauté} or When Caring ‘Is’

Abstract In this article we offer an ontological theorization of care. The article interrogates the self-evident quality of everyday meanings for ‘care’ that might be generated from psychological or biological discourses; we aim to question the way that ‘care’ is applied in a technical or an emotional sense within the field of early childhood education. The article works towards offering a new theorization that does not treat the meaning of ‘care’ as self-evident. If ‘care’ is a way of addressing concern for ourselves as human beings, we think that deepening the theoretical parameters of this concept will add to how we understand the complexity of gender and race relations. By articulating Heidegger’s use of ‘care’ and comparing it to Irigaray’s critique of Heidegger’s work on this concept, we hope to enable professionals and families to view conceptions of ‘care’ outside the familiar definitions applied in everyday discourse. The article treats early childhood education professional practice as an instance of how both gender and race delimit the way in which human relationships can be understood.
Use of biochemical markers of bone turnover in the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract Background: We currently have guidelines that allow us to use bone densitometry in the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. The role of biochemical markers of bone turnover (BTMs) is less well defined. Serum and urine BTM patterns in treated and untreated osteoporotic patients have been studied to help us define their role. The aim of this review is to present data which helps elucidate the current role and limitation of BTMs in the management of osteoporosis. Method: A search of the literature on BTMs was performed. References with keywords, such as bone turnover markers, biochemical markers, monitoring therapy and monitoring osteoporosis, were used. Results: Literature describing the nature and limitation of currently available BTMs was reviewed. The clinical use and limitation of BTMs in assessing fracture risk reduction, bone mineral density (BMD) and response to therapy is available, whereas definitive guidelines have not yet been created. Conclusions: BTMs offer a potential non-invasive and reliable way of assessing skeletal activity, studying drug effects and response to therapies, assessing fracture risk and predicting other skeletal parameters, such as bone loss, BMD and bone mass. A 30%–70% reduction in bone resorption markers can be achieved with antiresorptive therapy, and 30%–50% increase in bone formation markers with anabolic therapy. We recommend that clinicians understand and incorporate the measurement of BTMs in the management of osteoporosis. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:1345–57.
Performance analysis and classification of Clone attack detection procedures in mobile wireless sensor networks

Regarding accelerating development of mobile sensor nodes technology, increasing the utilization of them, and also facing with security challenges in these networks; specially clone nodes attack, this paper focuses on exploiting optimum criteria of node clone intrusion detection procedures in mobile wireless sensor networks by using experimental analysis of procedures. Since many of recommended protocols in this area have not been experimentalised, also no comprehensive study has been performed on the possibility and capability of these procedures; in this paper all types of sensor network architecture, with the presence of mobile sensor node, are analyzed. Then according to the type of architecture, the procedures of clone node intrusion detection is classified and meticulously scrutinized. Besides, due to measuring the efficiency, exploiting the optimum parameters and also appraising the expenses of procedures, via using OMNeT++ simulator, these procedures are analyzed by comprehensive simulation. Finally, the conclusion based on theoretical analysis and simulation is presented.