Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and predictors of “subjective cognitive complaints” in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study.

OBJECTIVES To document the prevalence of self- and informant report of cognitive problems, usually referred to as "subjective cognitive complaints" (SCCs), in a community-dwelling sample of older adults and to examine the relationship between SCCs and objective impairment, mood, and personality measures. PARTICIPANTS Eight hundred twenty-seven nondemented community-dwelling adults aged 70-90 years. MEASUREMENTS Participants were asked 24 SCC questions, including the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q), and completed neuropsychological testing in the domains of memory, language, executive function, visuospatial skills, and psychomotor speed. The Geriatric Depression Scale, Goldberg Anxiety Scale, and Neuroticism, Openness, and Conscientiousness from the NEO-Five Factor Inventory were used as measures of participants' psychological status. Informants completed 19 SCC questions, including a modified short Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). RESULTS Overall, 95.5% of participants or their informants endorsed at least one SCC. Although participants were more likely to endorse a memory complaint, informants seemed more accurate in endorsing a complaint when cognitive impairment was objectively present. SCC correlated with participants' scores on measures of depression, anxiety, neuroticism, and inversely with measures of openness and conscientiousness. Age, education, and sex had little impact on these effects. Regression analysis showed that psychological factors explained the number of complaints more than cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS The usefulness of SCCs as a criterion for mild cognitive impairment is questioned because of their high prevalence and their relationship to psychological factors. This may be helpful for clinicians to bear in mind when presented with patients with cognitive complaints.
A Survey of Injuries to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee in Female Basketball Players

This study surveyed 76 female basketball-related injuries that occurred during a 30-month period at the B.C. Sports Medicine Clinic. The knee was the most common site of injury (72%), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture accounted for 25% of all basketball injuries seen. A total of 19 ACL ruptures in females were seen as compared to only 4 ACL ruptures in male basketball players during the same time period. During this time period a total of 151 males and 76 female basketball players were seen. Each patient was assessed as to age, height, weight, and alignment and questioned as to mechanism of injury, playing position, experience, and training plus previous injuries. Possible etiological factors postulated included player position, joint laxity, weak quadriceps mechanism, and a possible hormonal basis.
High Performance Education Fails in Sustainability? —A Reflection on Finnish Primary Teacher Education

Sustainability is internationally often emphasized as an essential aim of higher education, but more as a principle than on the practical level. This is also obvious in the academic education of primary teachers in Finland. Therefore, it is a great challenge for Finnish teachers to include sustainability in their teaching and everyday life in schools. The aim of this article is to critically analyze why the implementation of sustainability in teacher education is so intricate and to discuss possible solutions with Finland—a country highly valued for its education—as an example. The article reports outcomes from educational policy documents and research on educational, philosophical, scientific and social aspects of sustainability, including evaluation of how sustainability has been implemented in schools and at universities, especially among teacher educators. In addition, the article builds on analyses of comprehensive university strategies and primary school teacher education programs. We found these reasons for the ignoring of sustainability in the Finnish teacher education: sustainability is in conflict with overall trends in society and politics, teacher education takes place at universities and is based on separate academic disciplines. Sustainability is also intricate because it is strongly connected to ecological literacy and it is value dependent. Universities need to overcome these obstacles and become forerunners in the sustainability process.
Maximum likelihood : an introduction

L'auteur a oui dire que la methode du maximum de vraisemblance est la meilleure methode d'estimation. C'est bien vrai, et pourtant la methode se casse le nez sur des exemples bien simples qui n'avaient pas ete inventes pour le plaisir de montrer que la methode peut etre tres desagreable. On en donne quelques-uns, plus un autre, imite de Bahadur et fabrique expres pour ennuyer les admirateurs du maximum de vraisemblance. Ce fait, on donne une savante liste de principes de construction de bons estimateurs, le principe principal etant qu'il ne faut pas croire aux principes
Angiotensin II does not inhibit vagally‐induced bradycardia or gastric contractions in the anaesthetized ferret

1 The effects of angiotensin II (AII) and the analogue Sar1‐Leu8‐angiotensin II on the changes in heart rate and gastric pressure induced by vagal stimulation were investigated in the urethane‐anaesthetized ferret. 2 AII at high doses (500 ng kg−1 i.v.) increased blood pressure and decreased gastric pressure whereas Sar1‐Leu8‐AII at the same dose had a much smaller effect on blood pressure and no effect on gastric pressure. 3 Intravenous injections or infusions of AII or its analogue did not alter the effect of vagal stimulation on heart rate or gastric motility. Our results do not provide support for the proposal that AII modulates parasympathetic activity at peripheral sites (Potter, 1982a, b).
Complete Genome Sequence of an Enterovirus 80 Strain Isolated in China

ABSTRACT Enterovirus 80 (EV80) is a newly identified serotype of the species Human enterovirus B. An EV80 strain designated HZ01/SD/CHN/2004 was isolated from an acute flaccid paralysis case in Shandong, China, in 2004. Complete genome comparison revealed 79.5% similarity with the prototype strain and an insertion of 36 nucleotides in the 3′ end of the VP1 coding region. Intertypic recombination with other serotypes was observed. This is the first report of the complete genome of EV80 in China.
Research on a Low Power Consumption Six-Pole Heteropolar Hybrid Magnetic Bearing

This paper reports the work on a six-pole heteropolar radial hybrid magnetic bearing (HMB). Its configuration and working principle are introduced. The mathematical model is built based on equivalent magnetic circuit and coordinate transformation method. The model shows that the coupling in x and y directions is very low and can be ignored when the rotor is around the central position. A decoupling controller for this six-pole HMB is obtained. A design principle for bias flux density is presented based on maximization of load capacity in different directions, through which a prototype six-pole HMB for a five-degrees-of-freedom magnetic bearing system is designed and assembled. Both the simulation and experimental results show that the rotor can be suspended steadily and the whole control system has good dynamic and static performance. Finally, tests were done to determine power losses. As a result, the total power consumption of this six-pole HMB is just 12.77 W for a 2.2 kg rotor, which is only 13.35% of a traditional eight-pole active magnetic bearing with the same load capacity.
Sub-wavelength imaging and resolution by two linear chains of plasmonic particles

The idea of constructing a super-lens in optical region with two linear arrays of metal nano-spheres is introduced and simulated. Using linear arrays of resonating particles the distance between the source plane and the image plane can be increased compared to the structures using metal slab in the optical region. The frequency is close to the resonance of the metal nano-spheres, here, silver spheres are studied which resonate in the visible region. The sub-wavelength resolution lambda/6 with 0.384lambda separation between the source and image planes is obtained in numerical simulation for the optimized structure. The distance between the source and image, 0.384lambda, is rather good result and is large enough for practical applications. In many applications, like photolitography or near-field optical microscopy, it is necessary that this distance is as large as possible. However, the distance can not be too large because the image is formed by near fields. Effects due to the stochastic deviation in the radius and the period are also considered. It is found that for large enough number of spheres the moderate deviations do not destroy the sub-wavelength resolution, on the contrary, the effect is improved.
The role of wildlife in transboundary animal diseases

Abstract This paper identifies some of the more important diseases at the wildlife–livestock interface and the role wildlife plays in disease transmission. Domestic livestock, wildlife and humans share many similar pathogens. Pathogens of wild or domestic animal origin that can cause infections in humans are known as zoonotic organisms and the converse are termed as anthroponotic organisms. Seventy-seven percent of livestock pathogens and 91% of domestic carnivore pathogens are known to infect multiple hosts, including wildlife. Understanding this group of pathogens is critical to public health safety, because they infect a wide range of hosts and are most likely to emerge as novel causes of infection in humans and domestic animals. Diseases at the wildlife–livestock interface, particularly those that are zoonotic, must be an area of focus for public health programs and surveillance for emerging infectious diseases. Additionally, understanding wildlife and their role is a vital part of understanding the epidemiology and ecology of diseases. To do this, a multi-faceted approach combining capacity building and training, wildlife disease surveillance, wildlife–livestock interface and disease ecology studies, data and information sharing and outbreak investigation are needed.
Improvement in the clinical practicability of roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA): Free from the use of the dual X-ray equipment

After total knee replacement, the monitoring of the prosthetic performance is often done by roentgenographic examination. However, the two-dimensional (2D) roentgen images only provide information about the projection onto the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) planes. Historically, the model-based roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) technique has been developed to predict the spatial relationship between prostheses by iteratively comparing the projective data for the prosthetic models and the roentgen images. During examination, the prosthetic poses should be stationary. This should be ensured, either by the use of dual synchronized X-ray equipment or by the use of a specific posture. In practice, these methods are uncommon or technically inconvenient during follow-up examination. This study aims to develop a rotation platform to improve the clinical applicability of the model-based RSA technique. The rotation platform allows the patient to assume a weight-bearing posture, while being steadily rotated so that both AP and ML knee images can be obtained. This study uses X-ray equipment with a single source and flat panel detectors (FPDs). Four tests are conducted to evaluate the quality of the FPD images, steadiness of the rotation platform, and accuracy of the RSA results. The results show that the distortion-induced error of the FPD image is quite minor, and the prosthetic size can be cautiously calibrated by means of the scale ball(s). The rotation platform should be placed closer to the FPD and orthogonal to the projection axis of the X-ray source. Image overlap of the prostheses can be avoided by adjusting both X-ray source and knee posture. The device-induced problems associated with the rotation platform include the steadiness of the platform operation and the balance of the rotated subject. Sawbone tests demonstrate that the outline error, due to the platform, is of the order of the image resolution (= 0.145 mm). In conclusion, the rotation platform with steady rotation, a knee support, and a handle can serve as an alternative method to take prosthetic images, without the loss in accuracy associated with the RSA method.
‘Collective Stapedectomy’ (An approach to the numbers problem)

Abstract The results of a first series of fifty stapedectomies, using newly adopted ‘Fisch stapedotomy technique’ are presented and contrasted with ‘world results’ and results of leading otologists. The essential points in the evolution of stapes surgery are outlined. In the light of the small number of deaf otosclerotics the philosophy of who should be performing stapes surgery and who should be trained to perform it, is discussed. The title ‘Collective Stapedectomy’ denotes personal system of collecting patients from the waiting list in batches and operating on each stapedectomy batch in consecutive fashion.
An MKD-SRC Approach for Face Recognition from Partial Image

Face recognition has received a great deal of attention from the scientific and industrial communities over the past several decades owing to its wide range of applications in information security and access control, law enforce, surveillance and more generally image understanding. A general partial face recognition method based on Multi-Key point Descriptors (MKD) that does not require face alignment by eye coordinates or any other fiducial points. The invariant shape adaptation makes image matching more robust to viewpoint changes which are desired in face recognition with pose variations. A Multi-Key point Descriptors (MKD), where the descriptor size of a face is determined by the actual content of the image. The MKD-SRC (Sparse Representation-based Classification) framework that works for both holistic faces and partial faces can be sparsely represented by a large dictionary of gallery descriptors. Multitask sparse representation is learned for an each probe face and the Sparse Representation-based Classification (SRC) approach is applied for face recognition a fast atom filtering strategy for MKD-SRC to address large-scale face recognition (with 10,000 gallery images). A new key point descriptor called Gabor Ternary Pattern (GTP) / Directional Local Extreme Pattern (DLEP) is developed for robust an discriminative face recognition.
Validity of using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills to determine the need for assistance.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the validity of using Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) measures as evidence of the need for assistance in the community. METHOD In a retrospective analysis of existing data (N = 64,466), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and a split-sample method was used to validate the predictions. RESULTS When identifying people who need assistance versus those who do not need assistance in the community, activity of daily living (ADL) motor and ADL process measures have fair and good discriminating value, respectively (areas under the ROC curves were .78 and .84). Evidence supports placing ADL motor and ADL process independence cutoff measures at 1.50 logits (sensitivity = .67, specificity = .72) and 1.00 logit (sensitivity = .81, specificity = .70), respectively. Accuracy was highest when matched motor and process decisions occurred (sensitivity = .85, specificity = .83). CONCLUSION Evidence supports using ADL ability measures from the AMPS to provide evidence of a client's need for assistance in the community.
ERK1/2 Controls Na,K-ATPase Activity and Transepithelial Sodium Transport in the Principal Cell of the Cortical Collecting Duct of the Mouse Kidney*

The collecting duct of normal kidney exhibits significant activity of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway as shown in vivo by immunostaining of phosphorylated active ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). The MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway controls many different ion transports both in proximal and distal nephron, raising the question of whether this pathway is involved in the basal and/or hormone-dependent transepithelial sodium reabsorption in the principal cell of the cortical collecting duct (CCD), a process mediated by the apical epithelial sodium channel and the basolateral sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase). To answer this question we used ex vivo microdissected CCDs from normal mouse kidney or in vitro cultured mpkCCDcl4 principal cells. Significant basal levels of pERK1/2 were observed ex vivo and in vitro. Aldosterone and vasopressin, known to up-regulate sodium reabsorption in CCDs, did not change ERK1/2 activity either ex vivo or in vitro. Basal and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated sodium transport was down-regulated by the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, in parallel with a decrease in pERK1/2 in vitro. The activity of Na,K-ATPase but not that of epithelial sodium channel was inhibited by MEK1/2 inhibitors in both unstimulated and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated CCDs in vitro. Cell surface biotinylation showed that intrinsic activity rather than cell surface expression of Na,K-ATPase was controlled by pERK1/2. PD98059 also significantly inhibited the activity of Na,K-ATPase ex vivo. Our data demonstrate that the ERK1/2 pathway controls Na,K-ATPase activity and transepithelial sodium transport in the principal cell and indicate that basal constitutive activity of the ERK1/2 pathway is a critical component of this control.
Identification of Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors for Human Transketolase by High-Throughput Screening with Fluorescent Intensity (FLINT) Assay

The metabolic enzyme transketolase (TK) plays a crucial role in tumor cell nucleic acid synthesis, using glucose through the elevated nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). Identification of inhibitors specifically targeting TK and preventing the nonoxidative PPP from generating the RNA ribose precursor, ribose-5-phosphate, provides a novel approach for developing effective anticancer therapeutic agents. The full-length human transketolase gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and the recombinant human transketolase protein purified to homogeneity. A fluorescent intensity (FLINT) assay was developed and optimized. Library compounds were screened in a high-throughput screening (HTS) campaign using the FLINT assay. Fifty-four initial hits were identified. Among them, 2 scaffolds with high selectivity, ideal physiochemical properties, and low molecular weight were selected for lead optimization studies. These compounds specifically inhibited in vitro TK enzyme activity and suppressed tumor cell proliferation in at least 3 cancer cell lines: SW620, LS174T, and MIA PaCa-2. Identification of these active scaffolds represents a good starting point for development of drugs specifically targeting TK and the nonoxidative PPP for cancer therapy.
Expression of Scavenger Receptor-A Reduced Atherosclerotic Lesions in Mice Deficient for Total or Macrophage-Specific

The absence of the scavenger receptor A (SR-A)-I/II has produced variable effects on atherosclerosis in different murine models. Therefore, we examined whether SR-AI/II deficiency affected atherogenesis in C57BL/6 mice, an inbred strain known to be susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerotic lesion formation, and whether the deletion of macrophage SR-AI/II expression would modulate lesion growth in C57BL/6 mice and LDL receptor (LDLR) 2/2 mice. SR-AI/II–deficient (SR-AI/II) female and male mice on the C57BL/6 background were challenged with a butterfat diet for 30 weeks. No differences were detected in plasma lipids between SR-AI/II 2/2 and SR-AI/II mice, whereas both female and male SR-AI/II 2/2 mice had a tremendous reduction (81% to 86%) in lesion area of the proximal aorta compared with SR-AI/II 1/1 mice. Next, to analyze the effect of macrophage-specific SR-AI/II deficiency in atherogenesis, female C57BL/6 mice were lethally irradiated, transplanted with SR-AI/II 2/2 or SR-AI/II fetal liver cells, and challenged with the butterfat diet for 16 weeks. In a separate experiment, male LDLR 2/2 mice were reconstituted with SR-AI/II 2/2 or SR-AI/II fetal liver cells and challenged with a Western diet for 10 weeks. No significant differences in plasma lipids and lipoprotein profiles were noted between the control and experimental groups in either experiment. SR-AI/II 3C57BL/6 mice, however, had a 60% reduction in lesion area of the proximal aorta compared with SR-AI/II 3C57BL/6 mice. A similar level of reduction (60%) in lesion area was noted in the proximal aorta and the entire aorta en face of SR-AI/II 3LDLR mice compared with SR-AI/II 3LDLR mice. These results demonstrate in vivo that SR-AI/II expression has no impact on plasma lipid levels and that macrophage SR-AI/II contributes significantly to atherosclerotic lesion formation. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol . 2000;20:2593-2599.)
The Bordetella avium BAV1965-1962 Fimbrial Locus Is Regulated by Temperature and Produces Fimbriae Involved in Adherence to Turkey Tracheal Tissue

ABSTRACT Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica cause respiratory tract disease in mammals, whereas Bordetella avium causes respiratory tract disease in avian hosts. While there are striking similarities between the diseases caused by the mammalian- and avian-adapted bordetellae, differences at the genetic level may account for their different host tropisms. Bacterial pathogens utilize the chaperone-usher pathway to assemble extracellular multisubunit structures (fimbriae) that play a role in virulence. Fimbriae of the mammalian bordetellae mediate attachment to the host respiratory epithelium. They are assembled by a single chaperone/usher system encoded by the fimbrial biogenesis operon fimA-D. B. avium contains a homologous fimbrial operon (BAV1965-1962), and we report here the functionality of this locus. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and quantitative PCR analyses demonstrated that transcription of the locus is regulated by temperature. By immuno-transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BAV1965-containing fimbriae were observed on bacteria grown at 37°C but not those grown at 22°C. A mutant in which BAV1965-1962 was deleted displayed significantly lower levels of adherence to turkey tracheal rings than the wild type. Thus, the BAV1965-1962 fimbrial locus is functional, its expression is regulated in response to temperature, and it produces fimbriae involved in adherence to host respiratory tract tissue.