Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of secondary commercial data sources for physical activity facilities in urban and nonurban settings.

BACKGROUND Secondary data are often necessary to assess the availability of commercial physical activity (PA) facilities and examine its association with individual behaviors and outcomes, yet the validity of such sources has been explored only in a limited number of studies. METHODS Field data were collected on the presence and attributes of commercial PA facilities in a random sample of 30 urban, 15 suburban, and 15 rural Census tracts in the Chicago metropolitan statistical area and surrounding area. RESULTS Approximately 40% of PA establishments in the field data were listed for both urban and nonurban tracts in both lists except for nonurban tracts in D&B (35%), which was significantly improved in the combined list of D&B and InfoUSA. Approximately one-quarter of the PA facilities listed in D&B were found on the ground, whereas 40% to 50% of PA facilities listed in InfoUSA were found on the ground. PA establishments that offered instruction programs or lessons or that had a court or pool were less likely to be listed, particularly in the nonurban tracts. CONCLUSIONS Secondary commercial business lists on PA facilities should be used with caution in assessing the built environment.
A Simple Parallelizing Scheme of Genetic Algorithm on Distributed-Memory Multiprocessors

This paper proposes a simple and efficient parallelizing scheme of the genetic algorithm on distributed-memory multiprocessor that maintains the execution behaviours of sequential genetic algorithm. In this parallelizing scheme, the global population is evenly partitioned into several subpopulations, each of which is assigned to the processor to be evolved in parallel. An interprocessor communication pattern, called AAB (All-To-All Broadcasting), is used at each generation in order to exchange the informations on all individuals evolved in all other processors. It allows the processor to reproduce the individuals in a global sense, in other words, the sequential execution behaviours can be maintained in the parallelized genetic algorithm. This paper shows that the genetic algorithms employing widely used selection schemes such as proportionate selection, ranking selection and tournament selection can be efficiently parallelized on distributed-memory multiprocessor using the proposed parallelizing scheme. Some experimental speedups on AP1000 are also presented to show the usefulness of the proposed parallelizing scheme.
Disentangling working memory processes during spatial span assessment: A modeling analysis of preferred eye movement strategies

The neurocognitive processes involved during classic spatial working memory (SWM) assessment were investigated by examining naturally preferred eye movement strategies. Cognitively healthy adult volunteers were tested in a computerized version of the Corsi Block-Tapping Task—a spatial span task requiring the short term maintenance of a series of locations presented in a specific order—coupled with eye tracking. Modeling analysis was developed to characterize eye-tracking patterns across all task phases, including encoding, retention, and recall. Results revealed a natural preference for local gaze maintenance during both encoding and retention, with fewer than 40% fixated targets. These findings contrasted with the stimulus retracing pattern expected during recall as a result of task demands, with 80% fixated targets. Along with participants’ self-reported strategies of mentally “making shapes,” these results suggest the involvement of covert attention shifts and higher order cognitive Gestalt processes during spatial span tasks, challenging instrument validity as a single measure of SWM storage capacity.
Phase I/II study of gemcitabine plus vinorelbine as first-line chemotherapy of non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE To determine the maximum-tolerated dose of gemcitabine when combined with a fixed dose of vinorelbine in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate in a phase II trial the activity of this combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-eight patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were treated with vinorelbine at fixed dose of 30 mg/m(2) intravenously and gemcitabine at increasing dose levels from 800 to 1,500 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. RESULTS In phase I, dose-limiting toxicity occurred at the dosage of 1,500 mg/m(2) gemcitabine, with three of five patients developing grade 4 thrombocytopenia. In phase II, with gemcitabine at 1,200 mg/m(2), 19 (36%) of 52 assessable patients responded. Objective response was observed in 11 (39%) of 28 patients with stage IIIB disease and in eight (33%) of 24 patients with stage IV. The median time to progression was 29 weeks (range, 2 to 41 weeks; 35 weeks and 16 weeks for stages IIIB and IV, respectively), and median survival was 54 weeks (range, 2 to 84+ weeks; 63 weeks and 42 weeks for stages IIIB and IV, respectively). One-year survival was 64% for patients with stage IIIB disease and 29% for those with stage IV. Clinical benefit response was observed in 29 (59%) of 49 assessable patients. Grade 4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were uncommon (6% and 8% of cases, respectively); however, grade 3/4 leukothrombocytopenia occurred more frequently in patients aged more than 70 years (52% and 24%, respectively). CONCLUSION The combination of vinorelbine and gemcitabine is effective and tolerable in the treatment of NSCLC, thus deserving randomized trials with cisplatin combination regimens.
Persistence of translocations after accidental exposure to ionizing radiation.

PURPOSE To assess the validity of translocations for retrospective biodosimetry using FISH chromosome painting of peripheral lymphocytes in repeated samples of people accidentally exposed to radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood samples from five people exposed to mainly whole-body irradiation of gamma-rays from a radiation accident in Estonia in 1994 were taken at 2-4 month intervals. A total of eight samplings were carried out, including one directly after the accident. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes for chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 was performed on metaphase preparations from 48 h whole blood cultures; 1500 cells were scored from each individual per time point. RESULTS Translocations remained relatively stable during 2 years after exposure in all subjects. A noticeable decrease in complete translocation yields and a significant decrease in incomplete translocations were observed in one person. In addition to whole-body exposure, he had also been exposed to partial-body irradiation. Due to the overall persistence of translocations, dose estimates were very similar throughout the 2 year period. A rapid decline in dicentric frequencies was noted during the first year after exposure. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that during 2 years the yield of translocations in peripheral lymphocytes remained at a constant level after whole-body exposure. This finding supports the use of translocations for retrospective dosimetry, at least within this relatively short period of follow-up. In the case of partial-body irradiation, however, the elimination of co-existing unstable aberrations reduced the translocation yield over time. Follow-up will be continued in order to determine the stability of translocations over longer times.
Aversive conditioning following repeated withdrawal from ethanol and epileptic kindling

Repeated withdrawal from ethanol, a procedure which resembles amygdala kindling in increasing seizure sensitivity, impairs the acquisition of fear conditioning (Stephens et al., 2001, Eur. J. Neurosci.,14, 2023–31). In contrast, rats previously kindled by repeated electrical stimulation of basolateral amygdala, or repeated administration of pentylenetetrazol, showed increased suppression of operant responding during the presentation of a stimulus conditioned to footshock when conditioning took place several weeks following the kindling experience. Neither form of kindling nor repeated ethanol withdrawal altered taste aversion conditioning, though rats treated chronically with ethanol and given a single withdrawal experience showed enhanced taste aversion conditioning. These results suggest that, despite evidence suggesting a common neuronal mechanism underlying seizure sensitivity following these types of kindling, they differ in their effects on fear conditioning.
Prevalence and characteristics of narghile smoking among university students in Syria.

SETTING Narghile (waterpipe) smoking is increasing in all Arab societies, but little is known about its pattern of use. METHODS In 2003, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among students at Aleppo University using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A representative sample of 587 students participated (278 males, 309 females; mean age 21.8 +/- 2.1 years; response rate 98.8%). RESULTS Ever narghile smoking was seen among 62.6% of men and 29.8% of women, while current smoking was seen among 25.5% of men and 4.9% of women. Only 7.0% of the men used narghile daily. Age of initiation was 19.2 +/- 2.2 and 21.7 +/- 3.2 years for men and women, respectively (P < 0.001). The salient feature of narghile smoking was its social pattern, where most users initiated and currently smoked narghile with friends. Narghile and cigarette smoking were related among students, with narghile smoking most prevalent among daily cigarette smokers. Multivariate correlates of narghile smoking were being older, male, originating from the city, smoking cigarettes, having friends who smoke narghile, and coming from a household where a greater number of narghiles were smoked daily. CONCLUSIONS Narghile smoking is prevalent among university students in Syria, where it is mainly practiced by men, intermittently, and in the context of social activities with friends.
Clinical and Pathological Perspectives of Jembrana Disease Virus Infection: A Review

1Departement of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Jalan sekip unit II, Yogyakarta, 55281 Indonesia. 2Centre of Biotechnology Study, Gadjah Mada University, Jalan teknika utara, Yogyakarta, 55281 Indonesia. 3Faculty of Medicine, Sebelas Maret University, Jalan Ir. Sutami 36 A, Surakarta, 57126 Indonesia. 4Departement of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Jalan sekip unit II, Yogyakarta, 55281 Indonesia. 5Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Jalan sekip unit II, Yogyakarta, 55281 Indonesia.
Altered vitamin D metabolism and receptor interaction with the target genes in renal failure: calcitriol receptor interaction with its target gene in renal failure

The genomic action of calcitriol is mediated through the interaction of the calcitriol receptor (VDR) with the vitamin D response elements of the target genes. Although decreased VDR concentration in renal failure could diminish the biological action of calcitriol, recent study indicates that uremic toxins could modify the VDR DNA-binding domain and inhibit the binding of the VDR to the vitamin D response elements. The latter reaction could also account for end-organ resistance in renal failure. The inhibitory action of uremic toxins has been tested in vivo by a method using gene transcription. It was demonstrated that uremic ultrafiltrate blocks calcitriol-induced chloramphenical acetyltransferase reporter constructs containing a synthetic vitamin D response element in JEG-3 cells. Taken together, the findings indicate that uremia could underlie the calcitriol resistance in renal failure. The modification of the VDR may involve Schiff base formation between lysine residues of the VDR DNA-binding domain and reactive aldehydes accumulated in uremia. This suggestion is on the basis of the finding that the VDR and other steroid receptors form Schiff bases with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and weaken the binding of these receptors to the DNA cellulose.
Pharmacological characterization of the selective nonpeptide neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist BIBP 3226.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of the novel, nonpeptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1-selective antagonist, BIBP 3226 [(R)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-D-arginine-am ide], and a recently described peptidic structure [Ile-Glu-Pro-Orn-Tyr-Arg-Leu-Arg-Tyr-NH2, cyclic (2,4'), (2',4)-diamide]. BIBP 3226 antagonized the NPY Y1 receptor-mediated decrease in the twitch response in the rabbit vas deferens preparation with a pKb value of 6.98 +/- 0.06 (n = 16). It showed no affinity (EC50 > 1 microM) for NPY Y2 receptors in the rat vas deferens. NPY-induced increases in perfusion pressure in the isolated perfused rat kidney and rabbit ear preparations were antagonized with IC50 values of 26.8 +/- 4.5 (n = 4) and 214 +/- 30 nM (n = 4), respectively. The NPY-mediated potentiation of the noradrenaline elicited increase in perfusion pressure in the rat mesenteric bed was antagonized with an IC50 value of 976 (542-1760) nM. The NPY-induced increase in blood pressure in the pithed rat was inhibited by BIBP 3226 dose-dependently (ED50 = 0.11 +/- 0.03 mg/kg i.v.), whereas no effect of BIBP 3226 (1 mg/kg i.v.) was observed for the noradrenaline-, angiotensin-, endothelin- or vasopressin-induced pressor response. The data presented demonstrate that BIBP 3226 is a competitive and NPY Y1-selective antagonist. The peptidic compound proved to possess high potency for NPY Y1 receptors, but showed both agonistic as well as antagonistic properties. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Treatment of acute pancreatitis with albumin and whole blood.

Experience with acute pancreatitis over a 10-year period has been analyzed to evaluate the results of current therapy, and particularly the addition of concentrated albumin to customary treatment. During the same period blood volume determinations have shown marked deficits, in patients with pancreatitis, resulting in earlier and more liberal administration of whole blood. The results indicate that albumin together with whole blood has become the only important addition to the treatment of acute pancreatitis in this hospital during the past 10 years. The administration of concentrated albumin to patients with pancreatitis followed the success reported from this treatment by Kenwell and Wels in February, 1953. 1 They gave 300 to 500 cc. per day, for three to five days, to 11 patients operated on for severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis without a fatality. They attributed the benefit from albumin therapy to the inhibition of trypsin by concentration of the normal plasma trypsin
Hindlimb unloading decreases thioredoxin-related antioxidant proteins and increases thioredoxin-binding protein-2 in rat skeletal muscle

To investigate role(s) of thioredoxin-related antioxidant proteins in disuse muscle atrophy, we examined the levels of thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), peroxiredoxin-3/SP-22 (Prx-3) and thioredoxin-binding protein-2 (TBP-2) in rat soleus muscle subjected to hindlimb unloading (HU) for 2, 4, 7 or 14 days. The muscle weight loss was initially observed on day 4. The increases in aclorein- and malondialdehyde-modified proteins, and the decreases in the levels of Trx-1, Prx-3 and Mn-SOD were observed in the late phase of muscle atrophy, whereas, the increase in mRNA expression of TBP-2, a negative regulator of thioredoxin, preceded muscle atrophy. These findings suggest that the decrease of those antioxidant proteins, particularly a marked decrease of Trx-1, may be responsible for the enhanced oxidative damage during the late phase of disuse muscle atrophy. Furthermore, the increase in TBP-2 preceding the muscle atrophy may suppress the thioredoxin-mediated redox signaling, which can be an initial trigger leading to disuse muscle atrophy.
30,000 Years of Cosmic Dust in Antarctic Ice

Polar ice provides an archive for the influx of cosmic dust. Here, we present a high-resolution, glacial-to-interglacial record of cosmic dust using helium isotope analysis of the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) ice core drilled in Dronning Maud Land. We obtained a relatively constant 3He flux over the past 30,000 years. This finding excludes 3He as a pacemaker of late Pleistocene glacial cycles. Rather, it supports 3He as a constant flux parameter in paleoclimatic studies. A last glacial-to-Holocene shift of the 4He/non‐sea salt Ca2+ ratio appears to indicate a glacial-to-interglacial change in the terrestrial dust source.
B-MOBILE - A Smartphone-Based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Time in Overweight/Obese Individuals: A Within-Subjects Experimental Trial

Purpose Excessive sedentary time (SED) has been linked to obesity and other adverse health outcomes. However, few sedentary-reducing interventions exist and none have utilized smartphones to automate behavioral strategies to decrease SED. We tested a smartphone-based intervention to monitor and decrease SED in overweight/obese individuals, and compared 3 approaches to prompting physical activity (PA) breaks and delivering feedback on SED. Design and Methods Participants [N = 30; Age = 47.5(13.5) years; 83% female; Body Mass Index (BMI) = 36.2(7.5) kg/m2] wore the SenseWear Mini Armband (SWA) to objectively measure SED for 7 days at baseline. Participants were then presented with 3 smartphone-based PA break conditions in counterbalanced order: (1) 3-min break after 30 SED min; (2) 6-min break after 60 SED min; and (3) 12-min break after 120 SED min. Participants followed each condition for 7 days and wore the SWA throughout. Results All PA break conditions yielded significant decreases in SED and increases in light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (p<0.005). Average % SED at baseline (72.2%) decreased by 5.9%, 5.6%, and 3.3% [i.e. by mean (95% CI) −47.2(−66.3, −28.2), −44.5(−65.2, −23.8), and −26.2(−40.7, −11.6) min/d] in the 3-, 6-, and 12-min conditions, respectively. Conversely, % LPA increased from 22.8% to 26.7%, 26.7%, and 24.7% [i.e. by 31.0(15.8, 46.2), 31.0(13.6, 48.4), and 15.3(3.9, 26.8) min/d], and % MVPA increased from 5.0% to 7.0%, 6.7%, and 6.3% (i.e. by 16.2(8.5, 24.0), 13.5(6.3, 20.6), and 10.8(4.2, 17.5) min/d] in the 3-, 6-, and 12-min conditions, respectively. Planned pairwise comparisons revealed the 3-min condition was superior to the 12-min condition in decreasing SED and increasing LPA (p<0.05). Conclusion The smartphone-based intervention significantly reduced SED. Prompting frequent short activity breaks may be the most effective way to decrease SED and increase PA in overweight/obese individuals. Future investigations should determine whether these SED reductions can be maintained long-term. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01688804
The nostalgia of virtual community: A study of computer-mediated communications use in Colombian non-governmental organizations

This paper presents a study on the uses of computer‐mediated communication (CMC) among non‐government organizations (NGOs) in Colombia. Using an interpretivist framework, a case study of perceptions of users of CMC in NGOs affiliated with the Association for Progressive Communication service provider in that country was carried out. The results of the study reveal that users have conflicting attitudes toward their service provider, and that contrary to claims in the literature, the constitution of virtual communities through CMC is a complex process that does not necessarily result in strengthening democratization and development.
Expression of CD44, but not CD44v6, predicts relapse in children with B cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia lacking adverse or favorable genetics

Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) the prognosis following relapse is still poor. Additional prognostic indicators are needed to better target treatment and thereby improve the treatment of these patients. We have previously demonstrated an association between poor outcome and CD44v6 expression in a heterogeneous cohort of patients. Others have shown by microarray analysis that CD44 expression in diagnostic samples is linked with relapse risk. In this study, we examined CD44 and CD44v6 protein expression by flow cytometry and CD44v6 mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR in diagnostic samples from 97 pediatric patients with ALL. We found that CD44 protein expression was associated with disease relapse and was independent of age and WCC. In contrast, high CD44v6 expression was not associated with relapse. These findings may assist in the process of refining prognostic groups for children with ALL.
Recovery time, quality of life, and mortality in hemodialysis patients: the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS).

BACKGROUND There is limited information about the clinical and prognostic significance of patient-reported recovery time. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 6,040 patients in the DOPPS (Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study). PREDICTOR Answer to question "How long does it take you to recover from a dialysis session? " categorized as follows: fewer than 2, 2-6, 7-12, or longer than 12 hours. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between recovery time and patient characteristics, hemodialysis treatment variables, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS 32% reported recovery time shorter than 2 hours; 41%, 2-6 hours; 17%, 7-12 hours; and 10%, longer than 12 hours. Using proportional odds (ordinal) logistic regression, shorter recovery time was associated with male sex, full-time employment, and higher serum albumin level. Longer recovery time was associated with older age, dialysis vintage, body mass index, diabetes, and psychiatric disorder. Greater intradialytic weight loss, longer dialysis session length, and lower dialysate sodium concentration were associated with longer recovery time. In facilities that used uniform dialysate sodium concentrations for ≥90% of patients, the adjusted OR of longer recovery time, comparing dialysate sodium concentration<140 vs 140 mEq/L, was 1.72 (95% CI, 1.37-2.16). Recovery time was correlated positively with symptoms of kidney failure and kidney disease burden score and inversely with HRQoL mental and physical component summary scores. Using Cox regression, adjusting for potential confounders not influenced by recovery time, it was associated positively with first hospitalization and mortality (adjusted HRs for recovery time>12 vs 2-6 hours 1.22 [95% CI, 1.09-1.37] and 1.47 [95% CI, 1.19-1.83], respectively). LIMITATIONS Answers are subjective and not supported by physiologic measurements. CONCLUSIONS Recovery time can be used to identify patients with poorer HRQoL and higher risks of hospitalization and mortality. Interventions to reduce recovery time and possibly improve clinical outcomes, such as increasing dialysate sodium concentration, need to be tested in randomized trials.
Toward a Theory of the Effectiveness of Multimedia Systems

This article provides steps toward a theory of the basic effects that multimedia systems have on people. These effects are grouped into knowledge transfer, entertainment, and data processing. Although based on empirical investigations, several components of the theory are controversial and in need of further critical empirical investigation. This article criticizes the optimistic multimedia paradigm, the dominant conviction among multimedia system developers and users that adding multimedia functionality to information systems (always) leads to improved information and knowledge transfer. Adding multimedia functionality is not sufficient for these and other learning effects. The role of independent variables that facilitate multimedia effects is reviewed and a more moderate, realistic multimedia paradigm is proposed.