Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical pole and leg characteristics during uphill diagonal roller skiing

Diagonal skiing as a major classical technique has hardly been investigated over the last two decades, although technique and racing velocities have developed substantially. The aims of the present study were to 1) analyse pole and leg kinetics and kinematics during submaximal uphill diagonal roller skiing and 2) identify biomechanical factors related to performance. Twelve elite skiers performed a time to exhaustion (performance) test on a treadmill. Joint kinematics and pole/plantar forces were recorded separately during diagonal roller skiing (9°; 11 km/h). Performance was correlated to cycle length (r = 0.77; P < 0.05), relative leg swing (r = 0.71), and gliding time (r = 0.74), hip flexion range of motion (ROM) during swing (r = 0.73) and knee extension ROM during gliding (r = 0.71). Push-off demonstrated performance correlations for impulse of leg force (r = 0.84), relative duration (r = − 0.76) and knee flexion (r = 0.73) and extension ROM (r = 0.74). Relative time to peak pole force was associated with performance (r = 0.73). In summary, diagonal roller skiing performance was linked to 1) longer cycle length, 2) greater impulse of force during a shorter push-off with larger flexion/extension ROMs in leg joints, 3) longer leg swing, and 4) later peak pole force, demonstrating the major key characteristics to be emphasised in training.
Analysing Ewald ’ s Method for the Evaluation of Green ’ s Functions for Periodic Media

Expressions for periodic Green’s functions for the Helmhol tz equation in two and three dimensions are derived via Ewald’s method. The decay rate of the series occu rring in these expressions is analysed and rigorous estimates for the remainder are derived when th e series are truncated and replaced by finite sums. The effect of choosing a control parameter occurring i n Ewald’s expressions is discussed and some recommendations for its choice are given based on the aforem entioned estimates. We present various numerical examples for the resulting method for evaluating he Green’s functions. The results can also be carried over to evaluating the partial derivatives.
Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers Step by Step

Diabetic foot is a leading cause of admission, amputation, and mortality in diabetic patients. A multidisciplinary team approach is highly recommended for the management of patients with foot problems. To heal diabetic foot ulcers, all methods have to be conducted step by step under an efficient program, and all specialists should be well organized also, which was confirmed by the 2 cases described in this article.
UWB Receiver Design and Two-Way-Ranging Simulation using VHDL-AMS

Ultra-wide band (UWB) impulse radio systems are appealing in location aware applications because of the high resolution of the measurement of pulses time-of-flight (TOF). This paper describes a complete UWB receiver for indoor localization based on the non-coherent energy detection approach, and the simulation of a two-way-ranging (TWR) time-of-arrival (TOA) scheme between two transceivers. This is done with the aid of the design flow provided by the ADVanceMS simulator and the VHDL-AMS modeling language. The tool is suitable for every application aimed at the integration of mixed-signal systems on chips (SoC) allowing successive refinement steps starting from the VHDL-AMS models of the analog front-end and going down to their equivalent Spice/Spice-RF models. The complete VHDL/VHDL-AMS receiver model is described and, in order to validate the simulation tool, preliminary results obtained with the Alt. PHY UWB 802.15. 3 indoor channel model are presented
Molecular epidemiology of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in premature infants.

BACKGROUND Outbreaks of nosocomial staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) in infants have been well-described associated with the well baby nursery or delivery room. We describe two cases of SSSS in very low birth weight infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the success of infection control strategies used to prevent an outbreak. METHODS Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome was diagnosed in two infants in the NICU: Case I (a 47-day-old, formerly 530-g female); and Case II diagnosed 48 h later (a 41-day old, formerly 706-g female). Multiple infection control measures were implemented: (1) isolation and intravenous antibiotic treatment of cases; (2) placement of exposed infants into a cohort; (3) prophylactic mupirocin treatment of the anterior nares of all infants in the NICU and staff colonized with Staphylococcus aureus; and (4) personnel hand washing with hexachlorophene. Detection of exfoliative toxin A and studies to determine the genetic relatedness of S. aureus strains isolated from patients and staff were performed. RESULTS In addition to the two SSSS cases, S. aureus was isolated from 2 of 12 (17%) exposed asymptomatic infants, 2 of 20 (10%) ancillary staff, 8 of 30 (27%) nurses and 6 of 24 (25%) physicians. Exfoliative toxin A-producing strains were isolated from both cases and one asymptomatic infant. No toxin was expressed by strains isolated from staff. Pulse field gel electrophoresis demonstrated genetically identical strains of S. aureus from the two SSSS cases and the asymptomatic infant, whereas three staff members harbored strains genetically related to the case strain. Unexpectedly two additional unique clusters of genetically related S. aureus strains were identified from the surveillance cultures. CONCLUSIONS This report documents the rare occurrence of nosocomial SSSS attributed to transmission in the NICU among extremely low birth weight infants. Multiple infection control strategies were effective in limiting the outbreak. Molecular epidemiology investigation supported a unique S. aureus strain responsible for this event and the presence of bidirectional spread between staff and patients of non-toxin-producing strains.
Single or multiple daily doses of aminoglycosides: a meta- analysis

Abstract Objective: To assess relative efficacy and toxicity of aminoglycosides given by single daily dose compared with multiple daily doses. Design: Meta-analysis of 21 randomised trials identified through MEDLARS (1966 to January 1995). Data were overviewed with fixed effects and random effects models and with meta-regression analysis. Subjects: Total of 3091 patients with bacterial infection, most without pre-existing renal disease. Interventions: Patients were randomised to receive aminoglycosides once daily or multiple times daily with similar total daily dose. Main outcome measures: Clinical failure of treatment, nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and mortality. Results: Single daily dose regimen produced a non-significant decrease in risk of antibiotic failures (random effects risk ratio 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.57 to 1.21)). Benefit of once daily dosing was greater when the percentage of pseudomonas isolates in a trial was larger. Once daily administration reduced risk of nephrotoxicity (fixed effects risk ratio 0.74 (0.54 to 1.00)). Similar trends were noted for patients with febrile neutropenia and for children. There was no significant difference in ototoxicity between the two dosing regimens, but the power of the pooled trials to detect a meaningful difference was low. There was no significant difference in mortality. Conclusions: Once daily administration of aminoglycosides in patients without pre-existing renal impairment is as effective as multiple daily dosing, has a lower risk of nephrotoxicity, and no greater risk of ototoxicity. Given the additional convenience and reduced cost, once daily dosing should be the preferred mode of administration. Key messages Key messages This meta-analysis shows that single daily doses of aminoglycosides were about 25% less nephrotoxic than and at least as effective clinically as multiple daily doses The dosing schedule did not significantly affect the incidence of ototoxicity, but the power to detect a difference was small Once daily dosing was non-significantly more effective in patients with febrile neutropenia and in children, and the apparent benefit of once daily dosing increased with increasing proportion of pseudomonas isolates in a trial Besides the convenience of once daily dosing, reduced costs of drug administration and omission of measurements of peak antibiotic concentrations should result in substantial cost savings
Virtual versus Physical Government Decentralization: Effects on Corruption and the Shadow Economy

This paper examines the relative effectiveness of cross‐national virtual decentralization and physical decentralization of government functions on corruption and the shadow economy. Results show that while virtual decentralization reduces both corruption and the shadow economy, physical decentralization reduces only the shadow economy. The e‐government results are robust to alternate measures and specifications, while those of government tiers are not.
Defining epileptogenic networks: Contribution of SEEG and signal analysis

Epileptogenic networks are defined by the brain regions involved in the production and propagation of epileptic activities. In this review we describe the historical, methodologic, and conceptual bases of this model in the analysis of electrophysiologic intracerebral recordings. In the context of epilepsy surgery, the determination of cerebral regions producing seizures (i.e., the “epileptogenic zone”) is a crucial objective. In contrast with a traditional focal vision of focal drug‐resistant epilepsies, the concept of epileptogenic networks has been progressively introduced as a model better able to describe the complexity of seizure dynamics and realistically describe the distribution of epileptogenic anomalies in the brain. The concept of epileptogenic networks is historically linked to the development of the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) method and subsequent introduction of means of quantifying the recorded signals. Seizures, and preictal and interictal discharges produce clear patterns on SEEG. These patterns can be analyzed utilizing signal analysis methods that quantify high‐frequency oscillations or changes in functional connectivity. Dramatic changes in SEEG brain connectivity can be described during seizure genesis and propagation within cortical and subcortical regions, associated with the production of different patterns of seizure semiology. The interictal state is characterized by networks generating abnormal activities (interictal spikes) and also by modified functional properties. The introduction of novel approaches to large‐scale modeling of these networks offers new methods in the goal of better predicting the effects of epilepsy surgery. The epileptogenic network concept is a key factor in identifying the anatomic distribution of the epileptogenic process, which is particularly important in the context of epilepsy surgery.
Broadband Circularly Polarized Microstrip Antenna Array Using Sequentially Rotated Technique

In this letter, a broadband circularly polarized microstrip antenna array with a separate feed network layer is presented. A Wilkinson power divider that provides high isolation between elements and subarrays is employed in constructing the non coplanar corporate feed network of the array. The corporate-fed 4×4 antenna array composed of sequentially rotated 2×2 subar rays is designed and fabricated. The measurement results indicate that the proposed array exhibits a 1-dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth of 47.8% in which the return loss is below -10 dB.
IL-27 Limits IL-2 Production during Th1 Differentiation1

Although the ability of IL-27 to promote T cell responses is well documented, the anti-inflammatory properties of this cytokine remain poorly understood. The current work demonstrates that during infection with Toxoplasma gondii, IL-27R-deficient mice generate aberrant IL-2 responses that are associated with the development of a lethal inflammatory disease. Because in vivo depletion of IL-2 prolongs the survival of infected IL-27R−/− mice, these data suggest that IL-27 curbs the development of immunopathology by limiting parasite-induced IL-2 production. Consistent with this hypothesis, IL-27R−/− CD4+ T cells produce more IL-2 than wild-type counterparts during in vitro differentiation, and when rIL-27 is introduced, it can suppress the expression of IL-2 mRNA and protein by the latter group. Additionally, these studies reveal that, like IL-27, IL-12 can inhibit IL-2 production, and although each employs distinct mechanisms, they can synergize to enhance the effect. In contrast, this property is not shared by closely related cytokines IL-6 and IL-23. Thus, while traditionally viewed as proinflammatory agents, the present findings establish that IL-27 and IL-12 cooperate to limit the availability of IL-2, a potent T cell growth and survival factor. Moreover, because the current studies demonstrate that both can induce expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, a protein that tempers cytokine receptor signaling, they also suggest that IL-27 and IL-12 share additionally inhibitory properties.
Evidence for a nuclear factor(s), IRF‐1, mediating induction and silencing properties to human IFN‐beta gene regulatory elements.

Transcription of the human interferon‐beta (IFN‐beta) gene is induced by a variety of agents such as viruses, dsRNA and some cytokines. In this study, we describe a nuclear factor, termed interferon regulatory factor‐1 (IRF‐1), that is involved in the transcription of IFN‐beta and possibly other genes. We demonstrate that IRF‐1 functions in virus‐induced transcription by interacting with previously identified, IFN‐beta regulatory DNA elements. Our data suggest that IRF‐1 participates in the transient formation of an induction‐specific complex(es) with the regulatory elements. IRF‐1 may also be involved in silencing the function of the SV40 enhancer juxtaposed to the regulatory elements in uninduced cells.
Route-related variation in immunogenicity of mycobacteria.

The route of immunization was observed to play a significant role in deciding the T-cell response to immunization with killed mycobacterial vaccines. Slow-growing mycobacteria were found to be immunogenic by both the intraperitoneal (i.p.) and intradermal (i.d.) routes; rapid-growing mycobacteria were immunogenic by the i.d. route only. The nonresponder state following i.p. immunization with Mycobacterium vaccae could be corrected by treatment of the mice with poly I:poly C or indomethacin prior to immunization. Both poly I:poly C, an interferon inducer, and indomethacin, a prostaglandin inhibitor, are known to enhance the expression of major histocompatibility complex glycoproteins. Since they are so important in antigen preparation, it was concluded that the inability of mice to respond to M. vaccae by the i.p. route is likely due to defective presentation of the bacterial antigens by the antigen-presenting cells at the site, namely, the peritoneal macrophages. These findings are significant because M. leprae has been reported to be antigenically similar to M. vaccae, and the response of mice to i.p. immunization with both of these mycobacteria is very similar.
Deterministic equivalent for max-min SINR over random user locations

The max-min signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) problem is considered in a coordinated network wherein L base stations (BSs) each equipped with N antennas serve in total K single-antenna users that are uniformly distributed in the network. We conduct the analysis in the asymptotic regime in which N and K grow large to compute a deterministic approximation for the max-min SINR. The results are independent from fast-fading and users' locations and thus allow one to determine the optimal max-min SINR given basic system parameters such as cell radius, K, N and pathloss exponent. The provided framework can be utilized for analyzing the problem without the need to run system level simulations and for finding the optimal N, K, resource allocation and BS placement. Numerical results are used to validate the analytical results in a finite system regime and to evaluate the effects of system parameters on the system performance.
TH1/TH2 cytokines and inflammatory cells in skin biopsy specimens from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria: comparison with the allergen-induced late-phase cutaneous reaction.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells in the skin of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), suggesting a possible T(H)2-type cytokine pathology analogous to the allergen-induced skin late-phase reaction (LPR). OBJECTIVE We sought to compare skin biopsy specimens from patients with CIU and the allergen-induced skin LPR for mRNA(+) cells for IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma and inflammatory cell infiltration. METHODS Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from 13 patients with CIU (6 had positive results for FcepsilonRI autoantibodies), 6 nonatopic control subjects, and 6 atopic subjects (before and after cutaneous allergen challenge). Cryostat sections were processed for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization by using the (35)S-riboprobes. RESULTS There were significant increases in the numbers of intradermal CD3(+) (P =.007), CD4(+) (P =.004), CD8(+) (P =.012), and CD25(+) (P =.018) T cells, as well as eosinophils (P =.02), neutrophils (P =.01), basophils (P =.004), and macro-phages (P =.0014) in patients with CIU compared with numbers in nonatopic control subjects. There were lower numbers of tryptase-positive mast cells (P =.048). In the epidermis of patients with CIU, but not in that of normal subjects or in allergen-challenged biopsy specimens, there were increased numbers of CD3(+) T cells (P =.039). The profile of inflammatory cell infiltration in the allergen-induced skin LPR was similar to that in patients with CIU. In patients with CIU there was a T(H)0 cytokine profile, with significant increases in IL-4 (P =.0029), IL-5 (P =.0025), and IFN-gamma (P =.037) mRNA(+) cells. As expected, in the skin LPR there was an increase in IL-4 (P =.0082) and IL-5 (P =.0051), but not IFN-gamma, mRNA(+) cells. There were no significant differences in either the numbers of inflammatory cells or the cytokine pattern between patients with and without autoantibody. CONCLUSION The molecular immunopathology of CIU is that of an eosinophil and basophil cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction. Thus it is similar to the allergic skin LPR but has a T(H)0 rather than a T(H)2 cytokine profile.
Identification of urotensin II as the endogenous ligand for the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor GPR14.

Urotensin II (UII) is a neuropeptide with potent cardiovascular effects. Its sequence is strongly conserved among different species and has structural similarity to somatostatin. No receptor for UII has been molecularly identified from any species so far. GPR14 was cloned as an orphan G protein-coupled receptor with similarity to members of the somatostatin/opioid receptor family. We have now demonstrated that GPR14 is a high affinity receptor for UII and designate it UII-R1a. HEK293 cells and COS-7 cells transfected with rat GPR14 showed strong, dose-dependent calcium mobilization in response to fish, frog, and human UII. Radioligand binding analysis showed high affinity binding of UII to membrane preparations isolated from HEK293 cells stably expressing rat GPR14. In situ hybridization analysis showed that GPR14 was expressed in motor neurons of the spinal cord, smooth muscle cells of the bladder, and muscle cells of the heart. The identification of the first receptor for UII will allow better understanding of the physiological and pharmacological roles of UII.
Comparing folding codes for proteins and polymers

Proteins fold to unique compact native structures. Perhaps other polymers could be designed to fold in similar ways. The chemical nature of the monomer “alphabet” determines the “energy matrix” of monomer interactions—which defines the folding code, the relationship between sequence and structure. We study two properties of energy matrices using two‐dimensional lattice models: uniqueness, the number of sequences that fold to only one structure, and encodability, the number of folds that are unique lowest‐energy structures of certain monomer sequences. For the simplest model folding code, involving binary sequences of H (hydrophobic) and P (polar) monomers, only a small fraction of sequences fold uniquely, and not all structures can be encoded. Adding strong repulsive interactions results in a folding code with more sequences folding uniquely and more designable folds. Some theories suggest that the quality of a folding code depends only on the number of letters in the monomer alphabet, but we find that the energy matrix itself can be at least as important as the size of the alphabet. Certain multi‐letter codes, including some with 20 letters, may be less physical or protein‐like than codes with smaller numbers of letters because they neglect correlations among inter‐residue interactions, treat only maximally compact conformations, or add arbitrary energies to the energy matrix.
Caulobacter and Asticcacaulis stalk bands as indicators of stalk age

The prosthecae (stalks) of dimorphic caulobacters of the genera Caulobacter and Asticcacaulis are distinguished among such appendages by the presence of disk-like components known as stalk bands. Whether bands are added to a cell's stalk(s) as a regular event coordinated with the cell's reproductive cycle has not been settled by previous studies. Analysis of the frequency of stalks with i, i + 1, i + 2, etc. bands 'among more than 7,000 stalks of Caulobacter crescentus revealed that in finite (batch) cultures (in which all offspring accumulate), the proportion of stalks with i + 1 hands was regularly 50% of the proportion of stalks with i bands. This implied that the number of bands correlated with the number of reproductive cycles completed by a stalked cell. In chemostat-maintained perpetual cultures, the proportion was greater than 50% because stalked cells, with their shorter reproductive cycle times, contributed a larger proportion of offspring to the steady-state population than did their swarmer siblings. In Asticcacaulis biprosthecum cells, which bear twin prosthecae, the twins on a typical cell possessed the same number of bands. For both genera, stalk bands provide a unique morphological feature that could be employed in an assessment of age distribution and reproductive dynamics within natural populations of these caulobacters.