Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum androgen profile and physical performance in women Olympic athletes

Background The role of endogenous androgens for body composition and physical performance in women athletes is still not elucidated. Aim To examine the serum androgen profile in relation to body composition and physical performance in women Olympic athletes and to compare endocrine variables and body composition to controls. Study design Cross-sectional study, conducted between 2011 and 2015 at the Women’s Health Research Unit, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm. Methods Swedish women Olympic athletes (n=106) and age-matched and body mass index-matched sedentary controls (n=117) were included in the study. Blood sampling was performed in a rested, fasting state for the measurement of serum androgens and their metabolites by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (controls n=100, athletes n=65). The athletes performed standardised performance tests (n=59) (squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ). Results The athletes demonstrated significantly higher levels of the precursor androgens dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 5-androstene-3β, 17β-diol (5-DIOL) and the metabolite etiocholanolone glucuronide (Etio-G), significantly lower levels of estrone (p<0.05, respectively), higher bone mineral density (p<0.001) and more lean mass (p<0.001) compared with controls. Serum levels of DHEA, 5-DIOL and Etio-G correlated positively to lean mass variables and physical performance in the athletes. DHEA and lean mass legs explained 66% of the variance in SJ, whereas lean mass explained 52% of the variance in CMJ. Conclusions The present data suggest that endogenous androgens are associated with a more anabolic body composition and enhanced performance in women athletes. These results are of importance for the current discussion regarding hyperandrogenism in women athletes.
Rho and basic fibroblast growth factor involvement in centrosome redistribution and actin microfilament remodeling during early endothelial wound repair.

OBJECTIVE We have shown that centrosome redistribution to the front of the cell and actin microfilament remodeling occurs during the initiation of early porcine aortic endothelial wound repair even before cell migration. Because Ras homologous protein (Rho) induces actin microfilament polymerization, interacts with microtubules, and is believed to be activated by growth factors, we set forth to study the regulatory roles of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and Rho signaling on centrosome redistribution and actin microfilament remodeling in endothelial cells at an in vitro wound edge. STUDY DESIGN With double immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, we studied the distribution of various cytoskeletal proteins in wounded porcine aortic endothelial cells in response to bFGF and exoenzyme C3 treatments. RESULTS We showed that the addition of 10 ng/mL bFGF for 3 hours after wounding resulted in a significant increase (P <.05) in cells at the wound edge with central microfilaments oriented perpendicular to the wound. Rho inhibition with 2 microg/mL C3 resulted in the reduction of phosphotyrosine, paxillin, and central microfilament staining. Centrosome redistribution and endothelial cell elongation also were significantly inhibited (P <.05) with C3, resulting in decreased wound closure. However, inhibition was reduced with coincubation of bFGF with C3, which also returned the rate of endothelial wound closure toward control values. This Rho-independent bFGF-induced centrosome redistribution was associated with the cells showing a significant increase (P <.05) in acetylated microtubules that extended from the centrosome to the posterior cell border. CONCLUSION We conclude that Rho regulates centrosome redistribution and central microfilament remodeling during early endothelial wound repair, and bFGF promotes actin remodeling through a downstream Rho-dependent pathway and promotes centrosome redistribution, at least in part, with a Rho-independent pathway.
Density Distributions During the Neutron-Producing Phase of the Plasma Focus POSEIDON

Interferometric density measurements revealed the existence of various phases in the neutron emission of the POSEIDON plasma focus, i.e., a compression to a minimum diameter of about 15 mm, followed by a slightly expanded quiescent phase (25 mm in diameter), an instability phase, and finally, a decay of the dense plasma structures. Maximum densities are in the range of 1019 cm-3. The double structure of the neutron pulses coincides with the following: 1) the compression to a minimum diameter; and 2) the later occurring instabilities. The estimated fraction of thermonuclear neutron production-in contrast to a rather complicated beam-target mechanism-amounts in both neutron pulses to less than 5%. This could be concluded using results of temperature measurements performed by laser scattering.
True and apparent inhibition of amyloid fibril formation

A possible therapeutic strategy for amyloid diseases involves the use of small molecule compounds to inhibit protein assembly into insoluble aggregates. According to the recently proposed Crystallization-Like Model, the kinetics of amyloid fibrillization can be retarded by decreasing the frequency of new fibril formation or by decreasing the elongation rate of existing fibrils. To the compounds that affect the nucleation and/or the growth steps we call true inhibitors. An apparent inhibition mechanism may however result from the alteration of thermodynamic properties such as the solubility of the amyloidogenic protein. Apparent inhibitors markedly influence protein aggregation kinetics measured in vitro, yet they are likely to lead to disappointing results when tested in vivo. This is because cells and tissues media are in general much more buffered against small variations in composition than the solutions prepared in lab. Here we show how to discriminate between true and apparent inhibition mechanisms from experimental data on protein aggregation kinetics. The goal is to be able to identify false positives much earlier during the drug development process.
Proportional Fairness in Multi-Channel Multi-Rate Wireless Networks - Part II: The Case of Time-Varying Channels with Application to OFDM Systems

This is Part II of a two-part paper series that studies the use of the proportional fairness (PF) utility function as the basis for resource allocation and scheduling in multichannel multi-rate wireless networks. The contributions of Part II are twofold, (i) First, we extend the problem formulation, theoretical results, and algorithms to the case of time-varying channels, where opportunistic resource allocation and scheduling can be exploited to improve system performance. We lay down the theoretical foundation for optimization that "couples" the time-varying characteristic of channels with the requirements of the underlying applications into one consideration. In particular, the extent to which opportunistic optimization is possible is not just a function of how fast the channel characteristics vary, but also a function of the elasticity of the underlying applications for delayed resource allocation, (ii) Second, building upon our theoretical framework and results, we study subcarrier allocation and scheduling in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) cellular wireless networks. We introduce the concept of a W-normalized Doppler frequency to capture the extent to which opportunistic scheduling can be exploited to achieve throughput-fairness performance gain. We show that a "lookback PF" scheduling can strike a good balance between system throughput and fairness while taking the underlying application requirements into account.
Clinical Presentation and Management of Neonatal Malaria: A Review

The burden of neonatal malaria was thought rare in the past because of presence of protective factors such as maternal antimalarial antibodies, lactoferrin, secretary IgA in human milk and HbF. In endemic areas for malaria, this group (neonates) needs to be more focused for such infection, as due to difficulty in diagnosis it may be representing only the tip of iceberg. In addition there is little information on the use of artimisinin-based combination therapy in neonates. This review aims to discuss all these aspects, focusing mainly on diagnosis and management of neonatal malaria. The final objective is to emphasize the need to establish management guideline of malaria in this neglected age group.
Drug eruption due to bosentan in a patient with systemic sclerosis

We present the case of a 60-year-old female patient with systemic sclerosis complicated by pulmonary hypertension. Ten days after the initiation of treatment with bosentan, high fever and skin eruptions were noted. In the previous reports, the frequency of drug-induced skin eruptions has not been well documented. Since the use of bosentan is expected to increase, we should be aware of the previously unknown adverse effects as well as skin eruptions.
Private label entry as a competitive force? : an analysis of price responses in the Norwegian food sector

According to existing theory, the introduction of a private label has an ambiguous effect on the prices of competing national brands. We undertake an empirical analysis of the effects of private label entry on national brand prices in the Norwegian food sector. We first estimate a set of 83 dynamic price regressions. The results suggest that introduction of a private label typically leads to higher prices on national brands. However, we observe a large heterogeneity in price responses. When we apply a dynamic panel data approach, the same picture emerges. We find heterogeneity with both negative and positive significant price responses. However, we also establish that highly distributed and ranked products are typically more influenced by private label entry than less distributed and ranked products (“weaker” national brands). We also find some support in our data that more successful PL entry – as measured by the PL market share – have typically a larger impact on the national brand prices. * The authors are particularly grateful to Turid Marie Espeseth for her research assistance and to ACNielsen, Norway, for providing the dataset. We would also like to thank Øyvind Anti Nilsen and seminar participants at ACNielsen, NHH and the University of Bergen for valuable comments and suggestions. This research is partly financed by the Norwegian Research Council through SNF (The Foundation for Research in Economics and Business Administration).
Hamaker 2: A Toolkit for the Calculation of Particle Interactions and Suspension Stability and its Application to Mullite Synthesis by Colloidal Methods

For modern processing of ceramics at the nanoscale, the influence of interparticle interactions in the suspended state becomes increasingly important. The Hamaker 2 program has been developed for the rapid prediction of these interactions, allowing us to gain important understanding of the often delicate balance of forces in ceramic powder suspensions. This article discusses the theoretical foundation of the implemented models and shows the benefit of this predictive approach applied to mullite production by colloidal methods.
THE APPROXIMATE AND EXACT SOLUTIONS OF THE FRACTIONAL-ORDER DELAY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS USING LEGENDRE SEUDOSPECTRAL METHOD

Fractional differential equations have recently been applied in var- ious area of engineering, science, finance, applied mathematics, bio-engineering and others. However, many researchers remain unaware of this field. In this paper, an efficient numerical method for solving the fractional delay differen- tial equations (FDDEs) is considered. The fractional derivative is described in the Caputo sense. The method is based upon Legendre approximations. The properties of Legendre polynomials are utilized to reduce FDDEs to linear or nonlinear system of algebraic equations. Numerical simulation with the exact solutions of FDDEs is presented.
AppAware: serendipity in mobile applications

Most mobile operating systems provide users with an application portal where they can search for applications published by third-party developers. However, finding new apps is not an easy task and requires either to know what to look for or to go through an endless list of applications. In this short paper we present work in progress of a platform that allows its users to discover mobile applications in a serendipitous manner. AppAware is a mobile application that captures and shares installations, updates, and removals of Android programs in real time. Accordingly, AppAware allows its users to see what applications are being installed right now or around their position by other people, thus introducing a new way of interaction with application portals and other mobile users.
Compression therapy for treating stage I and II (Widmer) post-thrombotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a long-term complication of deep vein thrombosis characterised by chronic complaints, swelling, and skin changes in the affected limb. One in every three patients with deep vein thrombosis develops post-thrombotic complications within five years. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of compression therapy in patients with stage I and II post-thrombotic syndrome according to the classification of Widmer. Interventions of interest included elastic compression stockings and mechanical devices, compared with no intervention and with each other. SEARCH STRATEGY The reviewers searched the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Specialised Trials Register (last searched April 2003), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (last searched Issue 1, 2003). In addition, journals, conference proceedings and bibliographies were hand searched. Personal contact with other investigators involved in the clinical area was sought to get information about missed or unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Trials that evaluated compression therapy for stage I and II (Widmer) post-thrombotic syndrome. Primary outcomes were leg ulceration, or deterioration of post-thrombotic syndrome. There were no restrictions on date or language. One reviewer (DNK) assessed titles and abstracts for relevance. This was verified independently by a second reviewer (MWCS). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Details of eligible studies were extracted and summarised using data extraction sheets. Data extraction was undertaken by one reviewer (DNK) and verified by a second reviewer (MHP). MAIN RESULTS Only two trials were identified that addressed physical treatment of post-thrombotic syndrome. Both trials were initiated by the same group of investigators. A cross-over study lasting two months compared low and high pressure with intermittent compression units for severe post-thrombotic syndrome. This showed a beneficial effect of higher pressures. The second study, in patients with mild to moderate post-thrombotic symptoms, showed no effect of elastic compression stockings (30-40 mm Hg at the ankle region) when compared to 'placebo' stockings that were one to two sizes too large. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There is some evidence of a beneficial effect of intermittent pneumatic compression units, but the study was too small and of too short a duration to draw strong conclusions. Further research is needed in order to assess whether intermittent pneumatic compression units give long term reduction and relief of the symptoms caused by post-thrombotic syndrome, and prevent deterioration and leg ulceration. The use of elastic compression stockings to treat post-thrombotic syndrome cannot be supported on the basis of the currently available data.
Structures cohérentes et transition vers la turbulence par intermittence spatio-temporelle dans l'écoulement de Couette plan

Cette these concerne l'etude experimentale de la transition vers la turbulence dans le cas de l'ecoulement de Couette plan. Cet ecoulement est lineairement stable pour tout nombre de Reynolds ($R$) et, lorsqu'il est perturbe, une coexistence entre l'etat laminaire et l'etat turbulent peut etre observee. Nous montrons a l'aide d'une perturbation localisee et permanente -un fil perpendiculaire a l'ecoulement- que les structures coherentes de rouleaux longitudinaux contra-rotatifs presentes autour du fil sont identiques a celles observees en bordure de spots, et que ce sont des solutions d'amplitudes finies dans la limite de l'ecoulement de Couette plan non modifie. Un gel spatial de la dynamique de ces rouleaux a ete realise a l'aide d'un petit obstacle -une perle- installe au centre de l'ecoulement. Le comportement intermittent observe est revelateur d'une dynamique sous-jacente de chaos spatio-temporel pour le systeme non perturbe. Pour etudier la transition, nous utilisons des perturbations instantanees d'amplitude variable et des trempes en $R$. Nous observons un regime d'intermittence spatio-temporelle (IST) et caracterisons un nombre de Reynolds critique, $R_{\rm c}$, au dessus duquel l'IST est persistante et la fraction turbulente moyenne bien definie croit avec $R$. Un attracteur turbulent unique coexiste avec l'ecoulement laminaire, et une definition propre d'une courbe d'amplitude critique est donnee. En dessous de $R_{\rm c}$, il existe des transitoires longs qui relaxent vers l'etat laminaire; l'attracteur est transforme en un repulseur chaotique. Cette etude a ete entreprise d'un point de vue statistique et guidee par l'etude parallele d'un modele numerique simple de reseau d'iterations couples pour l'IST. Cette transition vers l'IST est identifiee comme une transition de phase discontinue.
DIY Interface for Enhanced Service Customization of Remote IoT Devices: A CoAP Based Prototype

DIY vision for the design of a smart and customizable world in the form of IoT demands the involvement of general public in its development process. General public lacks the technical depths for programming state-of-the-art prototyping and development kits. Latest IoT kits, for example, Intel Edison, are revolutionizing the DIY paradigm for IoT and more than ever a DIY intuitive programming interface is required to enable masses to interact with and customize the behavior of remote IoT devices on the Internet. This paper presents the novel implementation of such a system enabling general public to customize the behavior of remote IoT devices through a visual interface. The interface enables the visualization of the resources exposed by a remote CoAP device in the form of graphical virtual objects. The VOs are used to create service design through simple operations like drag-and-drop and properties settings. The design is maintained as an XML document, thus being easily distributable and recognizable. CoAP proxy acts as an operation client for the remote device and also provides communication link between the designer and the device. The paper presents the architecture, detailed design, and prototype implementation of the system using state-of-the-art technologies.
Approximate value iteration approaches to constrained dynamic portfolio problems

This thesis considers a discrete-time, finite-horizon dynamic portfolio problem where an investor makes sequential investment decisions with the goal of maximizing expected terminal wealth. We allow non-standard utility functions and constraints upon the portfolio selections at each time. These problem formulations may be computationally difficult to address through traditional optimal control techniques due to the high dimensionality of the state space and control space. We consider suboptimal solution methods based on approximate value iteration. The primary innovation is the use of mean-variance portfolio selection methods. We present two case studies that employ these approximate value iteration methods. The first case study explores the effect of an insolvency constraint that prohibits further investing when an investor reaches non-positive wealth. When the investor has an exponential utility function, the insolvency constraint leads to more conservative investment policies when there are many investment periods remaining, except when wealth is very low. The second case study explores the effects of dollar position constraints that represent limited liquidity in certain investment strategies. When the investor has a CRRA utility function, we find that these constraints lead to non-myopic policies that are more conservative than the constrained myopic policy. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
General Theory of Heart‐Vector Projection

A mathematical and physical basis for heart-vector projection concepts is presented and its significance for current practices in frontal-plane and spatial electrocardiography is discussed. Assumptions underlying the theory are stated and utilized to derive a general relationship between the heart dipole and the potentials it produces in the body. Specific equations are given for unipolar and bipolar leads and the Wilson central-terminal voltage. Coefficients determined experimentally for human torso models differ markedly from those that stem from Einthoven's hypothesis. Einthoven's equilateral triangle represents a special case of the general theory. Geometric interpretations are applied to a quantitative frontal-plane example, to the Wilson central-terminal voltage and extended to the concept of an image surface corresponding to the human body surface.
Overt and occult hepatitis B virus infection among treatment‐naïve HIV‐infected patients in Brazil

Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection is common, only few data are available on HBV among HIV patients including occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), regardless of serological markers. This study aims to determine the prevalence of OBI and overall HBV infection, associated factors, HBV genotypes, and surface (S) gene mutations in a population of treatment‐naïve HIV‐infected patients in Brazil. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in treatment‐naïve HIV‐infected patients in Central Brazil. All samples were tested for HBV serological markers and HBV DNA. Sequence analysis of the S gene and overlapping polymerase gene was preformed. Overall, 25.1% (127/505) of the patients had markers of current or previous HBV infection, which was associated with age over 40 years, history of injection drug use, and homosexual sex. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence was 4.9% (25/505). HBV DNA was detected in 39 out of 505 patients: 20 of them were HBsAg‐positive and 19 were HBsAg‐negative, resulting in an OBI prevalence of 3.8%. Patients with OBI had significantly higher HCV seropositivity rate compared to HBsAg‐positive patients. Sequencing of the S gene revealed Y100C, T131N, and D144A mutations. One patient had the M204I and L180M drug‐resistance mutations (polymerase). HBV genotypes A (A1, A2), D (D2, D3), and F (F2) were identified. In conclusion, OBI represented almost half of all HBV infections with detectable HBV DNA, suggesting that hepatitis B diagnosis in HIV patients should include in addition to serological markers the detection of HBV DNA. J. Med. Virol. 88:1222–1229, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.