Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous measurements of cardiac noradrenaline spillover and sympathetic outflow to skeletal muscle in humans.

1. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSA) was recorded in the peroneal nerve at the knee by microneurography in ten healthy subjects and determinations were made simultaneously of intra‐arterial blood pressure, and whole‐body and cardiac noradrenaline spillover to plasma. Measurements were made at rest, during isometric handgrip at 30% of maximum power and during stress induced by forced mental arithmetic. 2. At rest there were significant positive correlations between spontaneous MSA (expressed as number of sympathetic bursts min‐1) and both spillover of noradrenaline from the heart and concentration of noradrenaline in coronary sinus venous plasma. 3. Both isometric handgrip and mental arithmetic led to sustained increases of blood pressure, heart rate and MSA. Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and spillover of noradrenaline (total body and cardiac) increased. In general the effects were more pronounced during handgrip than during stress. 4. When comparing effects during handgrip and stress the ratio between the fractional increases of MSA and cardiac noradrenaline spillover were significantly greater during handgrip. 5. The data suggest (a) that there are proportional interindividual differences in the strength of resting sympathetic activity to heart and skeletal muscle which are determined by a common mechanism and (b) that handgrip and mental stress are associated with differences in balance between sympathetic outflows to heart and skeletal muscle.
Association Between Accelerometer-Assessed Physical Activity and Objectively Measured Hearing Sensitivity Among U.S. Adults With Diabetes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured physical activity and hearing sensitivity among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults with diabetes. Method: Data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. One hundred eighty-four U.S. adults with diabetes wore an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer and had their hearing function objectively assessed. A negative binomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and hearing sensitivity. Results were adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, body mass index, comorbidity index, marital status, cotinine, homocysteine, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycohemoglobin (HbA1c), C-reactive protein, microalbuminuria, noise exposure, and vision impairment. Results: Compared to those with hearing within normal limits, results showed that participants with mild hearing loss and moderate or greater hearing loss, respectively, engaged in 93% fewer minutes of MVPA (incident rate ratio = 0.07; 95% CI [0.01, 0.60]) and 94% fewer minutes of MVPA (incident rate ratio = 0.06; 95% CI [0.01, 0.54]). Conclusion: Adults with diabetes who have greater hearing impairment are less physically active. Future research is needed to determine the direction of causality.
Different treatment thresholds in non-Western children with behavioral problems.

OBJECTIVE First, to investigate whether non-Western children in the Netherlands are less likely to be treated for behavioral problems than Western children; second, to examine whether discrepancies in treatment status are related to differences in level of problem behavior and impairment. METHOD The study included 2,185 children of the four largest ethnic groups in the Netherlands, namely, 684 Dutch, 702 Moroccan, 434 Turkish, and 365 Surinamese children from grades three to five of elementary school. Teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and five DSM-IV items on externalizing problems. In addition, they provided information on the treatment status of the child. RESULTS Moroccan boys displayed more problem behavior, Turkish boys less problem behavior, and Surinamese boys similar rates of problem behavior compared with Dutch boys. No difference in problem behavior was found between Western and non-Western girls. Adjusted for age, level of problem behavior, and impairment, Moroccan and Turkish children and Surinamese girls were less likely to receive treatment for problem behavior. CONCLUSIONS The higher treatment thresholds of non-Western children compared with Western children in the Netherlands could not be explained by differences in level of problem behavior or impairment. Detection of behavioral problems in non-Western children should receive more attention.
Atmospheric Oxygen: Isotopic Composition and Solubility Fractionation

Atmospheric oxygen has been found to be enriched in oxygen-18 by 23.5 � 0.3 per mil relative to average ocean water (SMOW). Oxygen dissolved in seawater is further enriched in oxygen-18 by 0.85 per mil at 0�C. The temperature dependence of the solubility enrichment is given by ε (per mil) = 0.85— 0.010 t (�C). This result is in good agreement with earlier measurements of the solubility effect in distilled water.
Optimization of MP3 decoder from FFmpeg multimedia framework for MIPS32R2 architectures

Since FFmpeg multimedial framework is finding more and more use even in most diverse handheld devices, there is a constant need for improving libraries that are part of it. In this work technics that are used for optimization of one of the most widespread audio format for transfer and storage of digital sound - MP3 decoder for 74K MIPS32R2 architecture are described. This is RISC architecture and these technics can be more or less used for optimization of other audio and video codecs on different RISC architectures. In this work use of instructions from DSP extensions for optimization is not described although these extensions are supported by 74K MIPS32R2 architecture.
Miniature Temperature Compensated Fabry–Perot Pressure Sensors Created With Self-Aligned Polymer Photolithography Process

We present a cross-axial and a co-axial miniature Fabry-Perot pressure sensor fabricated at the tip of an optical fiber with a prewritten Bragg grating by using maskless photolithography process and UV curing polymer process. The optical fiber serves as an intrinsic mask for sensor fabrication as well as a waveguide for sensor interrogation. A polymer-metal composite thin diaphragm is employed as the pressure transducer. The overall sensor size is almost the same as that of a standard single mode optical fiber. Experimental study shows that the sensors exhibit good linearity over a pressure range of 1.9- 9.4 psi , with sensitivities of and psi for the cross-axial and co-axial sensors, respectively. The fiber Bragg grating is exploited for simultaneous temperature measurements or to compensate for temperature effects in pressure readings. The dynamic response of the sensors is also evaluated and discussed. These sensors are expected to impact many fronts that require miniature and inexpensive sensors for reliable static and transient pressure measurements of fluids.
Understanding quantum confinement in nanowires: basics, applications and possible laws

A comprehensive investigation of quantum confinement in nanowires has been carried out. Though applied to silicon nanowires (SiNWs), it is general and applicable to all nanowires. Fundamentals and applications of quantum confinement in nanowires and possible laws obeyed by these nanowires, have been investigated. These laws may serve as backbones of nanowire science and technology. The relationship between energy band gap and nanowire diameter has been studied. This relationship appears to be universal. A thorough review indicates that the first principles results for quantum confinement vary widely. The possible cause of this variation has been examined. Surface passivation and surface reconstruction of nanowires have been elucidated. It has been found that quantum confinement owes its origin to surface strain resulting from surface passivation and surface reconstruction and hence thin nanowires may actually be crystalline-core/amorphous-shell (c-Si/a-Si) nanowires. Experimental data available in the literature corroborate with the suggestion. The study also reveals an intrinsic relationship between quantum confinement and the surface amorphicity of nanowires. It demonstrates that surface amorphicity may be an important tool to investigate the electronic, optoelectronic and sensorial properties of quantum-confined nanowires.
Molecular Mechanisms of Promoter Regulation of the gp34 Gene That Is Trans-activated by an Oncoprotein Tax of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type I*

We investigated the molecular mechanism of transcriptional activation of the gp34 gene by the Tax oncoprotein of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I). gp34 is a type II transmembrane molecule belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family and is constitutively expressed on HTLV-I-producing cells but not normal resting T cells. The transcriptional regulatory region of the gp34 gene was activated by HTLV-I Tax in the human T cell line Jurkat, in which endogenous gp34 is induced by Tax. Sequence analysis demonstrated that two NF-κB-like elements (1 and 2) were present in the regulatory region. Both NF-κB-like elements were able to bind to NF-κB or its related factor(s) in a Tax-dependent manner. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays indicated that NF-κB-like element 1 was Tax-responsive, although the activity was lower than that the native promoter. NF-κB-like element 2 elevated promoter activity when combined with NF-κB-like element 1, indicating cooperative function of the elements for maximum promoter function. Unlike typical NF-κB elements, the NF-κB-like elements in gp34 were not activated by treatment of Jurkat cells with phorbol ester despite induction of the NF-κB-like binding activity. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter assays using the region upstream of the NF-κB-like elements identified an upstream region that reduced transcription from cognate and noncognate core promoters in a Tax-independent manner. Our results imply complex regulation of expression of the gp34 gene and suggest implication of gp34 in proliferation of HTLV-I infected T cells.
Risk factors for diabetes mellitus type 2 and metabolic syndrome are comparable for previously growth hormone-treated young adults born small for gestational age (sga) and untreated short SGA controls.

CONTEXT Low birth weight might increase risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 and metabolic syndrome (MS). GH has insulin-antagonistic properties. Therefore, long-term follow-up of GH-treated children born small for gestational age (SGA) is important. OBJECTIVE AND PATIENTS The objective of the study was to evaluate insulin sensitivity (Si) and disposition index (DI), all components of the MS and IGF-I and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 levels in 37 previously GH-treated young SGA adults in comparison with 25 untreated short SGA controls. RESULTS GH-treated subjects were 22.3 (1.7) yr old. Mean duration of GH treatment had been 7.3 (1.3) yr. Mean period after discontinuation was 6.5 (1.4) yr. Si and DI were comparable for GH-treated and untreated SGA subjects. Fasting glucose and insulin levels increased during GH treatment but recovered after discontinuation. Body mass index, waist circumference, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and triglycerides were equivalent. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol were significantly lower in GH-treated subjects. Thirty-two percent of untreated controls vs. none of the GH-treated subjects had an increased blood pressure. GH-induced rises in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels had completely recovered after GH stop. CONCLUSION At 6.5 yr after discontinuation of long-term GH treatment, Si, DI, fasting levels of glucose and insulin, body mass index, waist circumference, and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were equivalent for GH-treated and untreated young SGA adults. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and serum cholesterol were even lower in GH-treated subjects. These data are reassuring because they suggest that long-term GH treatment does not increase the risk for diabetes mellitus type 2 and MS in young adults.
Optimal External Wrench Distribution During a Multi-Contact Sit-to-Stand Task

This paper aims at developing and evaluating a new practical method for the real-time estimate of joint torques and external wrenches during multi-contact sit-to-stand (STS) task using kinematics data only. The proposed method allows also identifying subject specific body inertial segment parameters that are required to perform inverse dynamics. The identification phase is performed using simple and repeatable motions. Thanks to an accurately identified model the estimate of the total external wrench can be used as an input to solve an under-determined multi-contact problem. It is solved using a constrained quadratic optimization process minimizing a hybrid human-like energetic criterion. The weights of this hybrid cost function are adjusted and a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to reproduce robustly human external wrench distribution. The results showed that the proposed method could successfully estimate the external wrenches under buttocks, feet, and hands during STS tasks (RMS error lower than 20 N and 6 N.m). The simplicity and generalization abilities of the proposed method allow paving the way of future diagnosis solutions and rehabilitation applications, including in-home use.
Rethinking the “Investigation Course” in Primary School

The Investigation Course functions as a framework for the introduction and exploitation of digital media in the didactic-learning process, focusing on alternative forms of experimentation, exploration, knowledge structuring, expression, collaboration and communication for students and teachers. In this study we present “The Peace Symbol” cross-thematic educational scenario and activities as a pedagogic intervention by using the multimedia programming Logo-like environment MicroWorlds Pro with students of Primary School. We attempt to gain more insight into and contribute to the discussion on some critical elements of planning, developing and implementing an effective constructionist approach.
Title Impact of Directional Antenna of Primary System Receiver inSpectrum Sensing : A Case Study

In cognitive radios, a directional antenna can be used at the primary system receiver in order to improve reception performance. The problem is that the cognitive radio sensors may not detect weak signals from the primary system transmitter far away, whereas these signals can be received by a highsensitivity primary system receiver. The present paper describes the experimental results obtained in field trials performed in order to demonstrate the impact of various parameters (e.g., directional gain, reflections, and diffractions) in spectrum sensing.
Hemodynamic changes during acute elevation of intra‐abdominal pressure in rabbits

Background: The intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) may be increased during pneumoperitoneum for minimally invasive surgery, after high tension repairs of congenital abdominal wall defects, major abdominal surgery, liver transplantation, abdominal trauma, peritonitis or ileus. The aim of this study was to investigate hemodynamic changes during elevation of IAP using an experimental setting, which mirrors anatomical and physiological conditions of neonates and small infants as closely as possible.
Pistol Grip Power Tool Handle and Trigger Size Effects on Grip Exertions and Operator Preference

Finger and palmar forces were measured during actual pneumatic nutrunner operation using a strain gauge dynamometer. Eighteen student subjects were assigned to one of three categories based on hand length. Two triggers and four handle spans were presented randomly. Handle span affected maximal and submaximal grip force. Asspan increased from 4 cm to 7 cm, average peak finger force increased 24%, peak palmar force increased 22%, and average finger and palmar tool-holding forces increased 20%. When an extended trigger was used, average peak finger force decreased 9%, peak palmar force decreased 8%, finger tool-holding force decreased 65%, and palmar tool-holding force decreased 48%. Hand size affected grip strength (MVC),grip force, and exertion level (force/MVC). Holding exertion level was maximum for large-handed subjects using a 4-cm handle and for small-handed subjects using a 7-cm handle. Subjective handle span preference increased as hand size increased. A similar experiment was performed using 11 factory workers.
Exposure assessment to ochratoxin A in Catalonia (Spain) based on the consumption of cereals, nuts, coffee, wine, and beer

Ochratoxin A (OTA) was analysed in composite samples of cereal-based baby foods, beer, breakfast cereals (corn- and rice and wheat-based), loaf bread, peanuts and pistachios. Foodstuffs were collected in hypermarkets and supermarkets from 12 cities in the Spanish region of Catalonia, and composite samples were prepared for analysis involving liquid–liquid extraction, followed by immunoaffinity column clean-up and HPLC with fluorescence detection. Consumption data for the selected foodstuffs were collected by means of a food-frequency questionnaire. The studied population was grouped by age in infants, children, adolescents and adults; and exposure to OTA through the specified foodstuffs, and through wine and coffee, was assessed. Exposure assessment was done through deterministic and probabilistic modelling of the contamination and consumption data. OTA occurrence and mean of positive samples (ng g−1 or ng ml−1, for beer) were the following: 8.7% and 0.233 in baby foods; 88.7% and 0.022 in beer; 2.8% and 0.728 in corn-based breakfast cereals; 25% and 0.293 in wheat-based breakfast cereals; 12.9% and 0.283 in loaf bread; 41.7% and 0.241 in peanuts; and 2.9% and 0.228 in pistachios. The median estimated daily intake of OTA through the foodstuffs by each age group were below the latest provisional tolerable daily intakes (PTDIs) of 17 and 14 ng kg−1 bw day−1 recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2006 and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2007, respectively, ranging from 1% and 2% of those values in adolescents and children, to 3% and 11% in adults and infants.
Objective measures of subjective experience: the use of therapist notes in process-outcome research.

Computerized linguistic measures of emotional engagement, and reflective and affective language, previously applied to session transcripts, were applied to notes of 14 treatments by candidates under supervision at the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, covering the five decades from the 1950s to the 1990s. The findings indicate a strong relationship between candidates' subjective experience as represented unintentionally in the linguistic style of their case notes and the effectiveness of their clinical work. The treatments were evaluated for effectiveness by experienced clinicians using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Psychodynamic Functioning Scales of Høglend and colleagues; a Composite Clinical Effectiveness (CCE) measure was constructed based on level and change in these measures. The Mean High Weighted Referential Activity Dictionary (MHW), a computerized measure of emotional engagement developed in the framework of Bucci's theory of multiple coding and the referential process, showed a positive correlation of . 73 with CCE. The Hostility subcategory of the Negative Affect Dictionary (ANH) showed a negative correlation, -. 48, with CCE. In a multiple regression analysis, these two variables accounted for over three-quarters of the variance in the CCE. Implications of the findings for process/outcome research and supervision and evaluation of trainees are discussed.
Contemporary prevalence and incidence of work disability associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the US.

OBJECTIVE To provide a contemporary estimate of the prevalence and incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) work disability and examine its permanence over time. METHODS Data were collected semiannually from 5,384 subjects with rheumatologist-diagnosed RA. We examined prevalence in subgroups formed by approximately 5-year disease duration intervals using data from subjects age < or =64 years who were employed at disease onset. Annual incidence was examined longitudinally among subjects who supplied data in 2003, 2004, or 2005, were employed at disease onset and in a year's first survey, and were age < or =63 years. For work disability permanence we used longitudinal data from all subjects who became work disabled and observed whether they later returned to work. RESULTS Mean age of subjects was 52 years, 82% were female, 63% had more than a high school education, mean disease duration was 14 years, and mean Health Assessment Questionnaire score was 1.0. The prevalence of any premature work cessation was 23% in subjects with 1-3 years duration, 35% in those with 10 years, and 51% in those with > or =25 years RA duration. Arthritis-attributed work cessation was 14%, 29%, and 42%, respectively. Annual incidence of any premature work cessation was approximately 10% and arthritis-attributed work cessation incidence was approximately 6%. Thirty-nine percent of subjects who stopped working later returned to work. CONCLUSION Work disability prevalence in this sample was high (35% within 10 years disease duration), but may represent a decline from the 50% prevalence reported in 1987. Annual incidence of work disability was higher than prior studies, but the return to work rate was also higher.
A Comparative Study Between Novel and Conventional Four-Resonator Coil Structures in Wireless Power Transfer

Magnetic resonant wireless power transfer is an emerging technology that may create new applications for wireless power charging. However, for general deployment, low efficiency is a main obstructing factor. In this paper, a novel four-resonator coil structure is presented to improve system efficiency. Compared with the conventional four-resonator coil structure, its source and load coils are designed to have high loaded-Q (quality factor) and maximum cross coupling coefficients. Therefore, the source and load coils participate in the coupled-resonance with opposite-side resonators. And additional energy exchange paths are provided. To prevent frequency splitting and to obtain optimum efficiency, a method of coordinating the load resistor and operating frequency is proposed. The theoretical analysis and experimental results demonstrated that the proposed coil structure and method can increase system efficiency effectively.
Fecal Carriage and Shedding Density of CTX-M Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in Cattle, Chickens, and Pigs: Implications for Environmental Contamination and Food Production

ABSTRACT The number and proportion of CTX-M positive Escherichia coli organisms were determined in feces from cattle, chickens, and pigs in the United Kingdom to provide a better understanding of the risk of the dissemination of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) bacteria to humans from food animal sources. Samples of bovine (n = 35) and swine (n = 20) feces were collected from farms, and chicken cecal contents (n = 32) were collected from abattoirs. There was wide variation in the number of CTX-M-positive E. coli organisms detected; the median (range) CFU/g were 100 (100 × 106 to 1 × 106), 5,350 (100 × 106 to 3.1 × 106), and 2,800 (100 × 105 to 4.7 × 105) for cattle, chickens, and pigs, respectively. The percentages of E. coli isolates that were CTX-M positive also varied widely; median (range) values were 0.013% (0.001 to 1%) for cattle, 0.0197% (0.00001 to 28.18%) for chickens, and 0.121% (0.0002 to 5.88%) for pigs. The proportion of animals designated high-density shedders (≥1 × 104 CFU/g) of CTX-M E. coli was 3/35, 15/32, and 8/20 for cattle, chickens, and pigs, respectively. We postulate that high levels of CTX-M E. coli in feces facilitate the dissemination of bla CTX-M genes during the rearing of animals for food, and that the absolute numbers of CTX-M bacteria should be given greater consideration in epidemiological studies when assessing the risks of food-borne transmission.