Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ideal cardiovascular health and mortality: pooled results of three prospective cohorts in Chinese adults

Abstract Background: Evidence on the relations of the American Heart Association's ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) with mortality in Asians is sparse, and the interaction between behavioral and medical metrics remained unclear. We aimed to fill the gaps. Methods: A total of 198,164 participants without cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were included from the China Kadoorie Biobank study (2004–2018), Dongfeng-Tongji cohort (2008–2018), and Kailuan study (2006–2019). Four behaviors (i.e., smoking, physical activity, diet, body mass index) and three medical factors (i.e., blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid) were classified into poor, intermediate, and ideal levels (0, 1, and 2 points), which constituted 8-point behavioral, 6-point medical, and 14-point ICH scores. Results of Cox regression from three cohorts were pooled using random-effects models of meta-analysis. Results: During about 2 million person-years, 20,176 deaths were recorded. After controlling for demographic characteristics and alcohol drinking, hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) comparing ICH scores of 10–14 vs. 0–6 were 0.52 (0.41–0.67), 0.44 (0.37–0.53), 0.54 (0.45–0.66), and 0.86 (0.64–1.14) for all-cause, CVD, respiratory, and cancer mortality. A higher behavioral or medical score was independently associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality among the total population and populations with different levels of behavioral or medical health equally, and no interaction was observed. Conclusions: ICH was associated with lower all-cause, CVD, and respiratory mortality among Chinese adults. Both behavioral and medical health should be improved to prevent premature deaths.
Organic Kainate Single Crystals for Second-Harmonic and Broadband THz Generation

Organic crystals with unique nonlinear optical properties have been attracting attention owing to their capability to outperform their conventional nonorganic counterparts. Since nonlinear material responses are linked to a crystal’s internal microscopic structure, molecular engineering of maximally unharmonic quantum potentials can boost macromolecular susceptibilities. Here, large-scale kainic acid (kainate) single crystals were synthesized, and their linear and nonlinear optical properties were studied in a broad spectral range, spanning the visible to THz spectral regions. The non-centrosymmetric zwitterionic crystallization, molecular structure, and intermolecular arrangement were found to act as additive donor–acceptor domains, enhancing the efficiency of the intrinsic second-order optical nonlinearity of this pure enantiomeric crystal. Molecular simulations and experimental analysis were performed to retrieve the crystals’ properties. The crystals were predicted and found to have good transparency in a broad spectral range from the UV to the infrared (0.2–20 μm). Second-harmonic generation was measured for ultrashort pumping wavelengths between 800 and 2400 nm, showing an enhanced response around 600 nm. Broadband THz generation was demonstrated with a detection limited bandwidth of >8 THz along with emission efficiencies comparable to and prevailing those of commercial ZnTe crystals. The broadband nonlinear response and high transparency make kainate crystals extremely attractive for realizing a range of nonlinear optical devices.
Radio Sources and Star Formation in the Local Universe

Galaxies from the entire Uppsala Galaxy Catalog (UGC) have been identified with 4583 radio sources stronger than 2.5 mJy at 1.4 GHz from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS). The complete sample of 3398 galaxies brighter than mp = 14.5 in the area defined by δ > -2°30′ and |b| > 20° yielded the UGC/NVSS sample of 1966 radio sources. Their dominant energy sources were classified as stars (85%) or active galactic nuclei (15%). The luminosity function of star-forming galaxies agrees well with the far-infrared (FIR) luminosity function converted to 1.4 GHz by the FIR/radio correlation. The spectral power density of star-forming galaxies is USF = (1.53 ± 0.07) × 1019 W Hz-1 Mpc-3 (statistical errors only) if H0 = 70 km s-1 Mpc-1. We used a model consistent with the observed FIR/radio correlation to estimate the corresponding star formation rate density within the past τ ∼ 3 × 108 yr; it is ρSF(M > 0.1 M⊙) ≈ 0.018 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3. The radio sources in star-forming galaxies may be evolving even at moderately low redshifts (z ∼ 0.1).
Association of Perceived Health Competence With Cardiac Rehabilitation Initiation

Perceived health competence is a psychological construct defined as belief in one's ability to achieve health-related goals. We found that perceived health competence was associated with participation in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs among 1809 patients in the Vanderbilt Inpatient Cohort Study. Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR), a program of supervised exercise and cardiovascular risk management, is widely underutilized. Psychological factors such as perceived health competence, or belief in one's ability to achieve health-related goals, may play a role in CR initiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of perceived health competence with CR initiation among patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after adjusting for demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics. Methods: The Vanderbilt Inpatient Cohort Study (VICS) characterized the effect of psychosocial characteristics on post-discharge outcomes in ACS inpatients hospitalized from 2011 to 2015. The primary outcome for this analysis was participation in an outpatient CR program. The primary predictor was the two-item Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS-2), which yields a score from 2 to 10 (higher scores indicate greater perceived health competence). Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the PHCS-2 and CR initiation. Results: A total of 1809 VICS participants (median age: 61 yr, 39% female) with ACS were studied, of whom 294 (16%) initiated CR. The PHCS-2 was associated with a higher odds of CR initiation (OR = 1.15/point increase: 95% CI, 1.06-1.26, P = .001) after adjusting for covariates. Participants with comorbid heart failure had a lower odds of CR initiation (OR = 0.31: 95% CI, 0.16-0.60, P < .001) as did current smokers (OR = 0.64: 95% CI, 0.43-0.96, P = .030). Conclusion: Perceived health competence is associated with outpatient CR initiation in patients hospitalized with ACS. Interventions designed to support perceived health competence may be useful for improving CR participation.
Bed nuclei of the stria terminalis: A key hub in the modulation of anxiety

The bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) is recognised as a pivotal integrative centre for monitoring emotional valence. It is implicated in the regulation of diverse affective states and motivated behaviours, and decades of research have firmly established its critical role in anxiety‐related behavioural processes. Researchers have recently intricately dissected the BST's dynamic activities, its connection patterns and its functions with respect to specific cell types using multiple techniques such as optogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging and transgenic tools to unmask the complex circuitry mechanisms that underlie anxiety. In this review, we principally focus on studies of anxiety‐involved neuromodulators within the BST and provide a comprehensive architecture of the anxiety network—highlighting the BST as a key hub in orchestrating anxiety‐like behaviour. We posit that these promising efforts will contribute to the identification of an accurate roadmap for future treatment of anxiety disorders.
Nanodiamonds in dusty low-pressure plasmas

Dusty plasmas composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen have been evidenced by optical emission spectroscopy and microwave interferometry, due to the increase in electron energy and the decrease in electron density. These plasmas allow homogeneous synthesis of nanodiamond grains composed of either pure diamond nanocrystals only (2–10 nm in size) or of diamond nanocrystals and some sp2-hybridized carbon entities. The control of their size and their microstructure could open ways for a wide range of fields. Their formation from a plasma-activated gaseous phase is also attractive because the formation of nanodiamonds in the universe is still a matter of controversy.
LINCs Are Vulnerable to Epileptic Insult and Fail to Provide Seizure Control via On-Demand Activation

Visual Abstract Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is notoriously pharmacoresistant, and identifying novel therapeutic targets for controlling seizures is crucial. Long-range inhibitory neuronal nitric oxide synthase-expressing cells (LINCs), a population of hippocampal neurons, were recently identified as a unique source of widespread inhibition in CA1, able to elicit both GABAA-mediated and GABAB-mediated postsynaptic inhibition. We therefore hypothesized that LINCs could be an effective target for seizure control. LINCs were optogenetically activated for on-demand seizure intervention in the intrahippocampal kainate (KA) mouse model of chronic TLE. Unexpectedly, LINC activation at 1 month post-KA did not substantially reduce seizure duration in either male or female mice. We tested two different sets of stimulation parameters, both previously found to be effective with on-demand optogenetic approaches, but neither was successful. Quantification of LINCs following intervention revealed a substantial reduction of LINC numbers compared with saline-injected controls. We also observed a decreased number of LINCs when the site of initial insult (i.e., KA injection) was moved to the amygdala [basolateral amygdala (BLA)-KA], and correspondingly, no effect of light delivery on BLA-KA seizures. This indicates that LINCs may be a vulnerable population in TLE, regardless of the site of initial insult. To determine whether long-term circuitry changes could influence outcomes, we continued testing once a month for up to 6 months post-KA. However, at no time point did LINC activation provide meaningful seizure suppression. Altogether, our results suggest that LINCs are not a promising target for seizure inhibition in TLE.
Inferior altitudinal visual loss and mask-wearing practices: A case series

Face mask-wearing practices and their impact on the visual field bear particular importance in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era. This case series examines 10 participants with no history of ocular impairment or visual field defects who underwent age-corrected visual field testing in both eyes with different types of face masks. Wearing duckbill N95 masks was consistently associated with increased accuracy errors in the inferior altitudinal visual field when compared to wearing surgical masks or no masks. These findings support public health guidance that has previously attributed the risks of falls and accidents to face mask wearing.
OB HUB

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this project was to implement a remote fetal surveillance unit with increased vigilance and timelier responses to electronic fetal monitor tracings to improve neonatal outcomes and increase safety. Methods: A pilot project, OB HUB, facilitated implementation of a centralized remote fetal surveillance unit including artificial intelligence software and nurse experts dedicated to fetal monitoring interpretation. A telemetry room was established. Notification parameters were created to promote consistent communication between OB HUB nurses and bedside nurses. Outcomes for term neonates included body cooling, arterial cord pH less than 7.0, Apgar scores less than 7 at 5 minutes, emergency cesarean births, and cesarean births. Surveys were used to evaluate team perceptions of fetal safety. Results: There were 2,407 births 6 months pre OB HUB implementation and 2,582 births during the 6-month trial, for a total sample of 4,989 births included in the analysis. Six births (0.25%) resulted in cooling prior to implementation and 2 (0.08%) cooling events occurred during the trial; these differences were not significant (p = .10). There were no significant differences between groups for neonatal outcomes. Average level of safety perceived by nurses and providers remained relatively unchanged when comparing pre- and postimplementation survey results; however, of those responding, 78.8% of nurses indicated the OB HUB improved safety. Clinical Implications: There were few adverse events in either group, thus it was a challenge to demonstrate statistically significant improvement in neonatal outcomes even with a sample of nearly 5,000 births. A larger sample is needed to support clinical utility. The OB HUB was perceived favorably by most of the L&D nurses. Perinatal leaders in two maternity services describe their experiences with implementing a remote electronic fetal monitoring system including artificial intelligence software and nurse experts dedicated to fetal monitoring data interpretation. Experienced labor and birth nurses continuously observed electronic fetal monitoring tracings and followed an established protocol on when to notify bedside labor nurses of potentially concerning fetal heart rate tracings. The goal was to improve perinatal outcomes. When comparing 6 months pre- and 6 months post-implementation data including 4,989 births, there were no significant differences in neonatal outcomes. A larger sample may be needed to evaluate potential benefits of remote electronic fetal monitoring surveillance systems.
Evaluation of an Academic Detailing Program to Improve Blood Pressure Measurement and Hypertension Treatment in Urban Community Health Centers

Introduction: Hypertension is estimated at a prevalence of 30 to 50% in the United States. Only 54% of patients with hypertension have their condition adequately controlled. This study aimed to use academic detailing (AD) to improve practice team knowledge and confidence in blood pressure (BP) management, specifically in low-income, underresourced patient populations. Methods: AD was developed for five practices that care for high percentages of Medicaid-eligible patients. A needs assessment was administered to each site's practice champion to determine high-yield AD sessions for their team. Presession and postsession evaluations were completed by practice team members. Results: Fifty providers and eight staff member participants completed evaluations over nine sessions for two AD topics at four practice sites. Statistical significance was found for several items within sessions including accurately choosing cuff sizes and identifying barriers to home BP monitoring. Discussion: AD is a potentially financially efficient model to improve knowledge and confidence in hypertension care at the practice level. Tailoring session content to specific needs of a practice site, along with an identified practice champion, facilitated implementation of the program. This replicable model is one way to deliver evidence-based information to those who serve Medicaid-eligible patients.
“Ten dollars today or 50 dollars after one month?” Temporal discounting in Korsakoff syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective Little research has investigated decision making in patients with Korsakoff syndrome (KS). Specifically, to our knowledge, there is a lack of research investigating whether patients with KS may tend to prefer immediate over future rewards (i.e., temporal discounting). Further, we investigated the relationship between temporal discounting and inhibition. Methods We, for the first time, invited patients with KS and control participants to perform a temporal discounting task, in which they answered questions probing preferences between an immediate, but smaller amount of money, and a delayed, but larger amount of money (e.g., “would you prefer 10 dollars today or 50 dollars after one month? ”). Furthermore, inhibition was measured using the Stroop Colour Word Test. Results Analysis demonstrated higher temporal discounting in patients with KS than in control participants. Temporal discounting in both populations was significantly correlated with inhibition. Conclusions Patients with KS may have difficulties to suppress the temptation of smaller, but immediate, rewards.
Folate receptor-mediated targeted therapy for rheumatoid arthritis by methotrexate-phospholipid complex nano-emulsions

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Activated macrophages in arthritic joints play a prominent role in the initiation and persistence of RA. Despite great progress in the clinical treatment of RA, poor response and high discontinuation due to systemic toxicity remain unsolved issues, especially the well-known methotrexate (MTX). Therefore, active targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs to pathogenic cells in arthritic joints is essential to increase in situ activity and decrease systemic toxicity. Here, we developed an MTX-loaded macrophage-targeted nano-emulsion (NE) based on the overexpression of folate receptor (FR) on activated macrophages, the inherent high affinity of FR for folate (FA), as well as the property of MTX and phospholipids to form complexes (MTX@PC). Intravenous injection of DID-labelled MTX@PC-FA NEs into adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) mice, in vivo images and flow cytometry results revealed that the NEs were highly targeted to inflamed joints and macrophages, respectively. Therapeutic studies suggested that this strategy was conducive to achieve high efficacy and low toxicity of MTX in the treatment of RA. Our research highlights MTX@PC-FA NEs as a potential treatment option for RA targeting the FR-expressed activated macrophages.
AN IMPROVED CONE-BEAM RECONSTRUCTION ALGORITHM FOR THE CIRCULAR ORBIT

By reformulating Grangeat's algorithm for the circular orbit, it is discovered that an arbitrary function to be reconstructed, f(), can be expressed as the sum of three terms:f()=fMO()+fMI()+f N() wherefMO() corresponds to the Feldkamp reconstruction,fMI() represents the information derivable from the circular scan but not utilized in Feldkamp's algorithm, andfN() represents the information which cannot be derived from the circular scanning geometry. Thus, a new cone-beam reconstruction algorithm for the circular orbit is proposed as follows: (1) compute fMO() using Feldkamp's algorithm, (2) compute fMI() using the formula developed in this paper, and (3) estimatefN() using a priori knowledge such as that suggested in Grangeat's algorithm. This study shows that by including the fMI() term, the new algorithm provides more accurate reconstructions than those of Feldkamp even without thefN() estimation.
Concurrent Validity and Reliability of Different Technologies for Sprint-Derived Horizontal Force-Velocity-Power Profiling

Abstract Cormier, P, Tsai, M-C, Meylan, C, Agar-Newman, D, Epp-Stobbe, A, Kalthoff, Z, and Klimstra, M. Concurrent validity and reliability of different technologies for sprint-derived horizontal force-velocity-power profiling. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1298–1305, 2023—This study evaluated the validity and reliability of common systems to assess sprint-derived horizontal force-velocity-power (FVPH) profile metrics. Two double constellation athlete monitoring systems (STATSports Apex, Catapult Vector S7) and one timing gate system were compared with a radar gun for the computation of FVPH metrics. Intersystem validity was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Pearson's correlation coefficients (R2), and Bland-Altman plots with absolute and percent agreement. Intrasystem reliability was assessed with agreement bias and ICC. STATSports demonstrated moderate agreement for F0, Pmax, τ, and Drf (8.62, 6.46, -9.81, and 9.96%, respectively) and good agreement for V0 and MSS (−2.18 and −1.62%). Catapult displayed good agreement across all metrics (F0, V0, Pmax, MSS, τ, and Drf: −0.96, −0.89, −1.85, −0.84, 0.38, and −0.27%, respectively). Timing gates demonstrated good agreement with V0 and MSS (−2.62 and −1.71%) and poor agreement with F0, Pmax, τ, and Drf (19.17, 16.64, −20.49, and 20.18%, respectively). Intrasystem reliability demonstrated good agreement (<2% bias) with very large to near-perfect ICC (0.84–0.99) for Catapult and STATSports systems. Overall, GPS/GNSS 10 Hz technology is reliable across devices and can provide moderate-to-good accuracy of FVPH metrics in single maximal effort sprints. However, Catapult provided better agreement for more FVPH metrics than STATSports, which may be related to differences in proprietary algorithms. Also, modeling timing gate data using current FVPH profiling techniques results in poor bias that requires greater investigation. GPS/GNSS data can be used for FVPH profiling, which could inform performance and rehabilitation processes.
Psychometric Properties of the Short Version of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale in Vestibular Patients

Background This study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale Short Version (ABC-6) in vestibular patients. Methods The sample consisted of 87 subjects aged over 18 years with vestibular pathology. Construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and capacity to discriminate between subjects with or without risk of falling as measured with the ABC-16 standard version were analyzed. Results The ABC-6 showed a unifactorial structure. Cronbach's alpha was 0.873. The reliability was moderate for each of the items and substantial for the total score (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.778). The standard error of measurement was 10.24, with a minimum detectable change of 20.07. The ABC-6 version showed a strong correlation with physical and functional measures, moderate correlation with emotional measures, and poor correlation with the Physical Component Summary of SF-12 and retrospective 12-month falls. A cutoff point ≤55 showed a sensitivity = 94.44% and a specificity = 92.75% in differentiating between patients with or without risk of falling measured with the ABC-16 standard version, with an area under the curve = 0.975. Conclusions The ABC-6 showed acceptable psychometric properties for measuring balance confidence and risk of falling in vestibular patients.
Effect of High-Volume Cluster Sets vs. Lower-Volume Traditional Sets on Accuracy of Estimated Repetitions to Failure

Abstract Davies, TB, Li, J, and Hackett, DA. Effect of high-volume cluster sets vs. lower-volume traditional sets on accuracy of estimated repetitions to failure. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1191–1198, 2023—This study investigated the effects of resistance training using cluster (CLUS) vs. traditional (TRAD) set structures on the accuracy of estimated repetitions to failure (ERF). Nineteen healthy male resistance trainers (age 21.0 ± 4.4 years) were randomized into 1 of the 2 bench press training routines performed for 6 weeks. Cluster (n = 10) performed 6 sets of 5 repetitions at 85% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) with 30-second interrepetition rest and 3 minutes of interset rest. Traditional (n = 9) performed 3 sets of 5 repetitions at 85% 1RM with 5 minutes of interset rest. Maximum repetitions at 85% 1RM was performed before and after intervention to assess error in ERF and mean concentric velocity (MCV). The ERF, rating of perceived exertion, and maintenance of MCV were assessed throughout the intervention. Rating of perceived exertion was lower for sets 1–3 in CLUS compared with TRAD from weeks 1 to 4 (effect size [ES] = 0.8–2.4, p ≤ 0.04). The ERF was greater for sets 1–3 in CLUS than in TRAD during all intervention weeks (ES = 1.0–5.1, p ≤ 0.04). Maintenance of MCV was greater in CLUS compared with TRAD for all sets at week 1 (ES = 0.76, p = 0.002) and sets 4–6 at week 6 (ES = 0.77, p = 0.006). After the intervention, error in ERF did not change, and no differences were found between the groups. Findings indicate that accuracy of ERF does not improve after resistance training using set structures that induce different transient fatigue-related effects when using high loads in experienced resistance trainers.