Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What a difference a day makes: change in memory for newly learned word forms over 24 hours.

PURPOSE This study explored the role of time and retrieval experience in the consolidation of word forms. METHOD Participants were 106 adults trained on 16 novel word-referent pairs, then tested immediately and 24 hr later for recognition and recall of word forms. In the interim, tests were repeated 2 hr or 12 hr after training, or not at all, thus varying the amount and timing of retrieval experience. RESULTS Recognition accuracy was stable and speed improved over the 24-hr period. But these manifestations of consolidation did not depend on interim retrieval experience; in fact, the 2-hr interim test interfered with improvements in speed. In contrast, the number of word forms recalled increased only with interim retrieval experiences, and the 12-hr interim test was more advantageous to recall than the 2-hr test. CONCLUSIONS After a word form is encoded, it can become stronger with time. Retrieval experience can also strengthen the trace, but, if retrieval occurs when the memory is still labile, it can be disruptive. This complex interplay between retrieval experience and time holds implications for measuring learning outcomes and for scheduling practice in classrooms and clinics.
Myofibre typing and its relationships to growth performance and meat quality

increase of growth performance has been achieved through selection for muscle accretion and improvement of nutrition and breeding conditions in meat animals. However, evidence suggests that this may have resulted in altered meat quality. Skeletal muscle is a highly heterogeneous tissue containing myofibres, connective tissue, adipocytes, vascular and neural tissues. Muscle fibres can be characterized by their total number, size and contractile and metabolic properties, and are thought to influence meat quality, even though such a direct effect has not been clearly demonstrated. After a presentation of recent knowledge underlying conventional myofibre typing, the review will focus on relationships between fibre type composition and intramuscular fat content, heritability of myofibre traits, and implications of myofibre traits for growth performance and meat quality. Thus, the presence of four adult myosin heavy chain genes (I, IIa, IIx and IIb) shows that conventional myofibre classifications in three types should be revised, at least in species where IIx and IIb isoforms are expressed, such as pigs. Beyond the difference in the amount and distribution of mitochondria between fibre types, recent studies show that mitochondria are also intrinsically different between fibre types. Interestingly, no relationship seems to exist between fibre type composition and total intramuscular fat content, suggesting that both traits can be manipulated independently. On the opposite, the content and nature of phospholipids located in membranes is closely related to fibre type composition. The high heritability and genetic variability of myofibre traits show that selection can be used to influence muscle biological properties. Data on relationships between myofibre traits and growth performance or meat quality show that identifying the best fibre type to improve meat production and meat quality traits remains a difficult task. It is suggested that selection experiments directly based on myofibre traits and the study of the correlated responses of growth and meat quality may provide better tools to study these relationships. Finally, possible reasons which could explain the difficulty of establishing the specific influence of myofiber traits on meat production and quality traits are discussed.
Analysis of photosensitivity in Japanese cancer‐bearing patients receiving photodynamic therapy with porfimer sodium (PhotofrinTM)

A major disadvantage of a new cancer treatment, porfimer sodium (PhotofrinTM)‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PF‐PDT), is photosensitivity for several weeks after cessation of the treatment. To characterize persistent sensitivity to visible light following PF‐PDT, phototestings were performed in 59 Japanese cancer‐bearing patients with a slide projector lamp 3 weeks or more after the treatment. The duration of photosensitivity was analyzed in relation to the patients’ sex, skin phototype (SPT), site of tumor and liver function. There was no correlation of the photosensitivity persistency with the site of cancers and the function of liver. However, female subjects needed significantly longer recovery periods than male subjects from potential photosensitivity after PF‐PDT. Patients with SPT2 were significantly more sensitive than patients with SPT3 and 4. These results suggest that the prolonged photosensitivity occurs after PF‐PDT especially in female patients and in cases with a lighter SPT. Such patients should be carefully followed up for post‐PDT photosensitivity.
Maintenance of EMG Activity and Loss of Force Output With Instability

&NA; Anderson, K.G. , and D.G. Behm. Maintenance of EMG activity and loss of force output with instability. J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(3):637–640. 2004. —Swiss Balls used as a platform for training provide an unstable environment for force production. The objective of this study was to measure differences in force output and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, triceps, latissimus dorsi, and rectus abdominus for isometric and dynamic contractions under stable and unstable conditions. Ten healthy male subjects performed a chest press while supported on a bench or a ball. Unstable isometric maximum force output was 59.6% less than under stable conditions. However, there were no significant differences in overall EMG activity between the stable and unstable protocols. Greater EMG activity was detected with concentric vs. eccentric or isometric contractions. The decreased balance associated with resistance training on an unstable surface may force limb musculature to play a greater role in joint stability. The diminished force output suggests that the overload stresses required for strength training necessitate the inclusion of resistance training on stable surfaces.
Auto-labeling as a Minimization Problem with Virtual Occlusions

In this paper we propose a fast algorithm for the automatic labeling of a set of predefined markers in an optical motion capture system. This algorithm is facing the problem as a minimization problem, using a virtual representation of the real model to predict possible occlusions that happen in the captured images. Moreover, we take advantage of the knowledge of the cameras parameters to solve potential labeling conflicts between markers. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3. 7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism - animation.
Circulating nucleosomes and severity of illness in children suffering from meningococcal sepsis treated with protein C

Objective:Cell death leading to circulating nucleosomes and histones is a critical step in the pathogenesis of sepsis and contributes to lethality. Activated protein C was demonstrated to attenuate the harmful effects of histones. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether nucleosomes correlate with the severity of the inflammatory response and mortality in children suffering from severe meningococcal sepsis. Furthermore, we wanted to study the effects of infusion of protein C on nucleosome levels in children with septic purpura. Design:Retrospective analysis of nucleosome levels in children suffering from meningococcal sepsis treated with either placebo or protein C. Setting:Pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care university center. Patients:In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, either protein C or placebo was administered to 38 children suffering from meningococcal sepsis. Nucleosome levels have been measured retrospectively in these 38 children suffering from meningococcal sepsis. Measurements and Main Results:Twenty-eight children were treated with protein C and 10 received placebo. Nucleosome levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors (n = 9) at any time point measured as compared to survivors (n = 29). Nucleosome levels significantly correlated with organ dysfunction scores, cytokines, and parameters for coagulation. Patients treated with protein C had significantly higher activated protein C levels than children receiving placebo. We could not find a clear effect of activated protein C on nucleosome levels in these patients. Conclusion:Circulating nucleosomes correlated with the severity of the inflammatory response and were associated with mortality in children suffering from meningococcal sepsis. We show that protein C administration does not decrease nucleosome levels in these patients.
Ionic remodeling underlying action potential changes in a canine model of atrial fibrillation.

Rapid electrical activation, as occurs during atrial fibrillation (AF), is known to cause reductions in atrial refractoriness and in adaptation to heart rate of the atrial refractory period, which promote the maintenance of AF, but the underlying ionic mechanisms are unknown. In order to determine the cellular and ionic changes caused by chronic atrial tachycardia, we studied right atrial myocytes from dogs subjected to 1, 7, or 42 days of atrial pacing at 400/min and compared them with myocytes from sham-operated dogs (pacemaker inserted but not activated). Rapid pacing led to progressive increases in the duration of AF induced by bursts of 10-Hz stimuli (from 3 +/- 2 seconds in sham-operated dogs to 3060 +/- 707 seconds in dogs after 42 days of pacing, P < .001) and reduced atrial refractoriness and adaptation to rate of the atrial refractory period. Voltage-clamp studies showed that chronic rapid pacing did not alter inward rectifier K+ current, rapid or slow components of the delayed rectifier current, the ultrarapid delayed rectifier current, T-type Ca2+ current, or Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- current. In contrast, the densities of transient outward current (Ito) and L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) were progressively reduced as the duration of rapid pacing increased, without concomitant changes in kinetics or voltage dependence. In keeping with in vivo changes in refractoriness, action potential duration (APD) and APD adaptation to rate were decreased by rapid pacing. The response of the action potential and ionic currents flowing during the action potential (as exposed by action-potential voltage clamp) to nifedipine in normal canine cells and in cells from rapidly paced dogs suggested that the APD changes in paced dogs were largely due to reductions in ICa. We conclude that sustained atrial tachycardia reduces Ito and ICa, that the reduced ICa decreases APD and APD adaptation to rate, and that these cellular changes likely account for the alterations in atrial refractoriness associated with enhanced ability to maintain AF in the model.
Design of printed strip monopole antenna for UWB applications

Design and performance measures of a printed multi strip monopole antenna for ultra-wideband application are presented. The proposed antenna consist of six quarter wavelength strips of different resonating frequency combined in a manner to provide wideband width. It operates in the frequency range 2.51~10.61GHz with impedance bandwidth of 8.1 GHz. The radiation pattern is nearly Omni directional in the Azimuthal plane and bidirectional in the elevation plane and the consistency of the radiation pattern exist for almost for all frequency in the operating band.
Effective Mobility in Nano-Scaled n-MOSFETs

In this work, we present a methodology for calculating mobility of nano-scaled MOSFET's from the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). Approximate solution of the BTE for electrons in nano-scaled MOSFET's is given, and the improved distribution function of the carriers is used to model the mobility of carriers. A new model is presented for two-dimensional characteristic field-dependent mobility. Comparing the theoretical curves with an extensive set of simulation ones has validated this model
7 DOF arm type haptic interface for teleoperation and virtual reality systems

This paper presents a new type of human interface with force feedback attached to an arm, which we named Sensor Arm. The Sensor Arm can be utilized as an interface for interactive communication with the virtual environment and as a master manipulator of a tele-operation system. The number of degrees-of-freedom (DOF) of the Sensor Arm is seven, which is the same DOF of a human arm. Angle and torque of each joint can be measured. Moreover, in this system, force feedback can be realized at each joint of the human arm. To measure human force a new type of force sensor system is proposed in the Sensor Arm system. The structure of the Sensor Arm system and the experimental results are shown.
Use of acute-stage-specific antigens of Toxoplasma gondii for serodiagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis

Antisera to acetone-fixed tachyzoites were prepared by immunizing rabbits intravenously with the fixed organisms. Immunoblots in which purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) of the antisera was used recognized four antigens of a supernatant (after centrifugation at 10,000 x g for 30 min) fraction of sonicated tachyzoites. A purified toxoplasma antigen fraction, referred to as acute-stage-specific (AC) antigen, that contained mainly three antigens was obtained by affinity chromatography by using the purified IgG. One antigen had a molecular weight of approximately 52,000, and two antigens had molecular weights of approximately 6,000. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AC-ELISA) in which this purified antigen fraction, obtained by affinity chromatography, was used for detection of IgG antibody detected early acute infection in sera of patients with toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy. Ninety-two percent of sera obtained within 2 months after onset of lymphadenopathy were positive in the AC-ELISA, whereas only 9% of sera obtained later than 5 months after onset of the clinical illness were positive. The AC-ELISA appears highly sensitive and specific for diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis.
MPC-based reference management for automated irrigation channels

The paper develops a method for improving the transient performance of feedback-controlled irrigation channels by varying the water-level references across time. To this end, a reference manager based on a model predictive control scheme is used to set the references at regular update times. The approach ensures satisfaction of actuator and water-level constraints for a season given full knowledge of the load schedule. A method for constructing and using a reduced-order process model is also considered. A simulation study based on a 96-km long irrigation channel in Victoria, Australia, illustrates improved transient performance with the reference manager compared to the use of fixed water-level references.
Familial colon cancer in the Tel‐Aviv area and the influence of ethnic origin

The family history of colon cancer was investigated in 38,823 individuals (2,129 families) who comprised a control and an oncology patient series from Tel‐Aviv and nearby areas. A significant increased risk for colon cancer was observed among first‐degree relatives of colon cancer patients when compared to controls. When the patient sample was divided into two groups based on country and continent of birth—European (Ashkenazim) and other (non Ashkenazim)—the relatives of the nonAshkenazi subjects showed a greater relative risk for colon cancer (P < 0.05). Colon cancer was found to be less frequent in nonAshkenazim than in Ashkenazim controls. These findings suggest that although the colon cancer frequency in the nonAshkenazi group is lower, the genetic component may be more important than for the Ashkenazi sample. The nonAshkenazi Jews may represent distinct subgroups that differ with respect to either primary genetic susceptibility to colorectal cancer and/or they may have been subjected to peculiar, environmental carcinogenic exposures when compared to their Ash‐kenazim brethren.
Characterization of mSelB, a novel mammalian elongation factor for selenoprotein translation

Decoding of UGA selenocysteine codons in eubacteria is mediated by the specialized elongation factor SelB, which conveys the charged tRNASec to the A site of the ribosome, through binding to the SECIS mRNA hairpin. In an attempt to isolate the eukaryotic homolog of SelB, a database search in this work identified a mouse expressed sequence tag containing the complete cDNA encoding a novel protein of 583 amino acids, which we called mSelB. Several lines of evidence enabled us to establish that mSelB is the bona fide mammalian elongation factor for selenoprotein translation: it binds GTP, recognizes the Sec‐tRNASec in vitro and in vivo, and is required for efficient selenoprotein translation in vivo. In contrast to the eubacterial SelB, the recombinant mSelB alone is unable to bind specifically the eukaryotic SECIS RNA hairpin. However, complementation with HeLa cell extracts led to the formation of a SECIS‐dependent complex containing mSelB and at least another factor. Therefore, the role carried out by a single elongation factor in eubacterial selenoprotein translation is devoted to two or more specialized proteins in eukaryotes.
E-learning is a well-accepted tool in supplementary training among medical doctors: an experience of obligatory radiation protection training in healthcare

Purpose: To evaluate the possibilities of Internet-based radiation protection training among referring physicians. Material and Methods: 324 referring physicians underwent an Internet-based radiation protection training course (www.prewise.com/radiationsafetytraining). Two hundred ten of them (96 female, 114 male, aged 25–64 years) filled out the questionnaire, which included questions regarding their expectations for the course, its scope and schedule, and the benefit they derived from the course. In addition, we asked whether it was difficult to learn using the Internet, whether e-learning saved time, and whether they learned more or less effectively in comparison to conventional lectures. Results: 75% found e-learning to be an easy way to study. Nineteen percent had previous experience in e-learning. Sixty-one percent found that it saved time, and 57% stated that they learned more effectively using e-learning in comparison to conventional lectures (22% chose “could not say”). Ninety-one percent found that the course fulfilled their expectations, and the scope and schedule were found convenient by 91% and 55% of subjects, respectively. Eighty-four percent stated that they benefited from the course, and 94% were willing to study using the Internet in the future. No sex or age differences were found. Subjects working in the open ward (P = 0.028) and hospital (P = 0.004) found the course to be more timesaving than subjects working elsewhere. Conclusion: Finnish medical doctors are very positive about Internet-based learning. E-learning seems to be a well-accepted and practical learning method in healthcare.
Forward and backward waves in the arterial system.

The total amount of reflection in the arterial system of the dog is evaluated during control, high, and low peripheral resistance, and an occluded descending aorta. Pressure, as measured in the ascending aorta, may be separated into a (composite) wave travelling from the heart towards the periphery, the forward wave, and a (composite) wave that travels in the opposite direction, the backward wave. This is also true for aortic flow. One may distinguish between reflections at bifurcations of the large vessels and reflections at the arteriolar part of the arterial tree. The former contribute a small, rather constant amount to the returning wave, while the latter reflects a strongly variable amount.
Elective selection of proline-requiring mutants

We recently discovered a method whereby proline-requiring (pro) mutants of some strains of Escherichia coli K-12 can be selected at high frequency (Table 1). The method seems to involve the general principle of differential growth rates. Only pro E. coli K-12 mutant strains grew in Penassay Broth (Difco) containing 1 to 3 ,ug/ml of 4-nitropyridine-N-oxide (4NPO), 10 ,ug/ml of 4-nitrosopyridine-N-oxide, or 50 ,ug/ml of 4-hydroxyl-aminopyridine-N-oxide, whereas strains not requiring proline (pro') were inhibited. The method can be illustrated by the results obtained with a pro+ E. coli K-12 strain, W3630. A single colony of this strain was inoculated into 10 ml of Penassay Broth and incubated at 37 C overnight, during which time growth usually reached a level of about 5 x 108 cells per milliliter. The cell suspension was diluted 10-3, and 0.2 ml was added to 100 rml of Penassay Broth along with 0.2 to 0.5 ml of a solution of 1 mg of 4NPO/ml. This mixture was incubated on a reciprocal shaker at 37 C for 20 to 26 hr, and 0.1 ml of the culture was diluted and plated on eosin-methylene blueglucose-agar medium (J. Lederberg, Methods Med. Res. 3:55, 1950). Colonies appearing on this medium then were replica-plated onto Davis's minimal (DM) agar with or without 40 ,ug/ml of L-proline. The percentage of pro mutants present in 4NPO-treated cultures is shown in Table 1. Pretreatment of bacteria with a mutagen, such as ultraviolet light or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, increased the frequency of appearance of pro mutants. A preliminary analysis of the method has been made with the following results: pro mutants are the only ones selected by this method at a detectable frequency; pro mutants of independent origin grow on DM agar containing the metabolic precursors of proline, glutamic-'y-semialdehyde or A1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, but they do not grow on DM agar containing glutamic acid (presumably the mutants have a metabolic block between glutamic acid and glutamic-'y-semialdehyde); the mutants produced are stable; conjugation experiments indicate that the pro marker is located on the chromosome between the arabinose (ara) and lactose (lbc) loci, close to lac. Re-
Perceptual Weight Judgments When Viewing One's Own and others' Movements under Minimalist Conditions of Visual Presentation

Across five experiments, we investigated the parameters involved in the observation and in the execution of the action of lifting an object. The observers were shown minimal information on movements, consisting of either the working-point displacement only (ie two points representing the hand and object) or additional configural information on the kinematics of the trunk, shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand, joined by a stick diagram. Furthermore, displays showed either a participant's own movements or those of another person, when different weights were lifted. The participants' task was to estimate the weight of the lifted objects. The results revealed that, although overall performance was not dependent on the visual conditions (working point versus stick diagram) or ownership conditions (self versus other), the kinematic cues used to perform the task differed as a function of these conditions. In addition, the kinematic parameters relevant for action observation did not match those relevant for action execution. This was confirmed in experiments by using artificially altered movement samples, where the variations in critical kinematic variables were manipulated separately or in combination. We discuss the implications of these results for the roles of motor simulation and visual analysis in action observation.