LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Change of strength and rate of rise of tension relate to functional arm recovery after stroke.

OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between individual strength parameters and functional motor ability over time during rehabilitation in stroke patients.


DESIGN
A multiple-baseline experiment with assessment at inclusion and after 3 and 6 weeks.


SETTING
Secondary-care rehabilitation center.


PARTICIPANTS
A convenience sample of 16 subacute stroke patients.


INTERVENTIONS
Not applicable.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Maximal voluntary force and rate of rise of tension of hand grip, wrist extension, and elbow flexion and extension were recorded at all 3 times. At the same time, functional motor assessments were evaluated by the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Box and Block test, and Rivermead Test.


RESULTS
We found no correlation between maximal voluntary force increases of various muscle contractions measurements. Neither the increase of grip strength nor that of wrist extension force correlated with improvement in ARAT score. Yet the improvement in the rate of rise of tension of hand grip (Spearman rho=.91) and of wrist extension (Spearman rho=.73) correlated with the improvement of the ARAT score and explained 77% of the variance of the ARAT.


CONCLUSIONS
The change in the rate of rise of tension of the hand grip has a better predictive value for the functional recovery compared to the change in maximal voluntary force in patients with moderate arm and hand weakness after stroke. The rate of rise of tension of hand grip seems an adequate quantifiable parameter to detect small improvements during functional recovery.
What do childhood anxiety disorders predict?

BACKGROUND
Few longitudinal studies of child and adolescent psychopathology have examined the links between specific childhood anxiety disorders and adolescent psychiatric disorder. In this paper we test the predictive specificity of separation anxiety disorder (SAD), overanxious disorder (OAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social phobia.


METHODS
Data come from the Great Smoky Mountains Study (GSMS). A representative population sample of children--ages 9, 11, and 13 years at intake--was followed to age 19. Diagnoses of both childhood (before age 13 years) and adolescent psychiatric disorders (age 13 to 19 years) were available from 906 participants.


RESULTS
Childhood SAD predicted adolescent SAD, whereas OAD was associated with later OAD, panic attacks, depression and conduct disorder (CD). GAD was related only to CD. Social phobia in childhood was associated with adolescent OAD, social phobia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


CONCLUSIONS
Anxiety disorders in childhood are predictors of a range of psychiatric disorders in adolescence. It appears that children meriting a well-defined diagnosis are missed by the current rules for the diagnosis of GAD. Future studies should examine whether OAD deserves reconsideration as a nosological entity.
Prevalence and Maintenance of Automated Functional Tests for Web Applications

Functional testing requires executing particular sequences of user actions. Test automation tools enable scripting user actions such that they can be repeated more easily. SELENIUM, for instance, enables testing Web applications through scripts that interact with a Web browser and assert properties about its observable state. However, little is known about how common such tests are in practice. We therefore present a cross-sectional quantitative study of the prevalence of SELENIUM-based tests among open-source Web applications, and of the extent to which such tests are used within individual applications. Automating functional tests also brings about the problem of maintaining test scripts. As the system under test evolves, its test scripts are bound to break. Even less is known about the way test scripts change over time. We therefore also present a longitudinal quantitative study of whether and for how long test scripts are maintained, as well as a longitudinal qualitative study of the kind of changes they undergo. To the former's end, we propose two new metrics based on whether a commit to the application's version repository touches a test file. To the latter's end, we propose to categorize the changes within each commit based on the elements of the test upon which they operate. As such, we are able to identify the elements of a test that are most prone to change.
Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Tracking Control of Near-Space Vehicle Using Takagi–Sugeno Fuzzy Models

Based on the adaptive-control technique, this paper deals with the problem of fault-tolerant tracking control for near-space-vehicle (NSV) attitude dynamics. First, Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models are used to describe the NSV attitude dynamics; then, an actuator-fault model is developed. Next, an adaptive fault-tolerant tracking-control scheme is proposed based on the online estimation of actuator faults, in which a compensation control term is introduced in order to reduce the effect of actuator faults. Compared with some existing results of fault-tolerant control (FTC) in nonlinear systems, the technique presented in this paper is not dependent on fault detection and isolation (FDI) mechanism and is easy to implement in aerospace-engineering applications. Finally, simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness and potential of the proposed FTC scheme.
Quality tools and techniques: Are they necessary for quality management?

Total quality management (TQM) has been developed around a number of critical factors. However, TQM is much more than a number of critical factors; it also includes other components, such as tools and techniques for quality improvement. In this paper, we carry out an empirical study in order to verify the importance of these tools and techniques for TQM improvement and their effect upon TQM results. For this purpose, we use the answers provided by the person in charge of quality in 106 ISO-certified firms in Spain. r 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Switching noise and shoot-through current reduction techniques for switched-capacitor voltage doubler

Switching noise and shoot-through current reduction techniques for switched-capacitor voltage doublers based on cross-coupled structure are presented. The intuitive analysis of the shoot-through current and switching noise generation processes in the doubler is first reported. Break-before-make mechanism is adopted to minimize the shoot-through current, thereby greatly reducing the no-load supply current dissipation and improving the light-load power efficiency of the voltage doubler. In addition, by employing gate-slope reduction technique at the serial power transistor during turn-on, the switching noise of the voltage doubler is significantly lowered. Two voltage doublers with and without the proposed circuit techniques have been fabricated in a 0.6-/spl mu/m CMOS process. Experimental results verify that the total supply current at no-load condition of the proposed voltage doubler is reduced by two fold and its switching noise is decreased by 2.5 times.
Dynamic cell clustering design for realistic coordinated multipoint downlink transmission

Coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission is capable of significantly improving both the cell average and cell-edge performance in terms of spectral efficiency (SE). It is therefore regarded as a key enabling technique in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced. Early research mainly concentrates on coordinated transmissions from several eNBs. Recently, coordination schemes of a large number of eNBs have been proposed within the 3GPP frame for the sake of reaping enhanced performance gain. In this paper, we investigate the performance of CoMP downlink system upon considering appropriate channel state information (CSI) error models in order to simulate system in the realistic setting. Specifically, dynamic cell clustering schemes are proposed in order to improve the system performance, while limiting the system computational complexity. Both theoretical analysis and system level simulation (SLS) results are provided to show that the performance of the conventional fixed cluster pattern may encounter significant degradation in the presence of imperfect CSI. By contrast, our proposed dynamic cell clustering scheme is capable of outperforming the conventional fixed clustering counterpart, due to its capability of adapting user distribution for sum capacity enhancement.
On a Possibility of Membrane Cosmology

Tensionless null p-branes in arbitrary cosmological backgrounds are considered and their motion equations are solved. It is shown that an ideal fluid of null p-branes may be considered as a source of gravity for D-dimensional Friedmann- Robertson-Walker universes.
Effect of platelet inhibition with cangrelor during PCI on ischemic events.

BACKGROUND
The intensity of antiplatelet therapy during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an important determinant of PCI-related ischemic complications. Cangrelor is a potent intravenous adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-receptor antagonist that acts rapidly and has quickly reversible effects.


METHODS
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 11,145 patients who were undergoing either urgent or elective PCI and were receiving guideline-recommended therapy to receive a bolus and infusion of cangrelor or to receive a loading dose of 600 mg or 300 mg of clopidogrel. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, or stent thrombosis at 48 hours after randomization; the key secondary end point was stent thrombosis at 48 hours. The primary safety end point was severe bleeding at 48 hours.


RESULTS
The rate of the primary efficacy end point was 4.7% in the cangrelor group and 5.9% in the clopidogrel group (adjusted odds ratio with cangrelor, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.93; P=0.005). The rate of the primary safety end point was 0.16% in the cangrelor group and 0.11% in the clopidogrel group (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.53 to 4.22; P=0.44). Stent thrombosis developed in 0.8% of the patients in the cangrelor group and in 1.4% in the clopidogrel group (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.90; P=0.01). The rates of adverse events related to the study treatment were low in both groups, though transient dyspnea occurred significantly more frequently with cangrelor than with clopidogrel (1.2% vs. 0.3%). The benefit from cangrelor with respect to the primary end point was consistent across multiple prespecified subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Cangrelor significantly reduced the rate of ischemic events, including stent thrombosis, during PCI, with no significant increase in severe bleeding. (Funded by the Medicines Company; CHAMPION PHOENIX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01156571.).
The systemic inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score as a powerful prognostic factor in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma

Introduction and Objective
The combination of C-reactive protein and albumin, the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), had independent prognostic value in patients with varying cancers, except for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between GPS and survival in patients with UTUC after adjustment for other prognostic factors.


Materials and Methods
We queried 2 UTUC databases. Retrospective clinical series on patients with localized UTUC managed by nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff, for whom data from the Yamaguchi Uro-Oncology Group and Osaka Medical College registry, including age, presence of bladder cancer, pT stage, lymphovascular invasion, C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin, were analyzed. The GPS was constructed by combining CRP and albumin. Cancer specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) and relative excess risk of death were estimated by GPS categories after adjusting for gender, age, ECOG performance status (PS), grade, and lymphovascular invasion (LVI).


Results
Seven hundred and twenty four UTUC patients were identified. Our final cohort included 574 patients; of these, 29.2% died during a maximum follow up of 16.7 years. The estimated mean 10-year CSS of patients with GPS of scre-0, -1, and -2 was 99.5, 95.1, and 75.9 months, respectively. Patients with GPS of score-2 had poorest 10-year estimated mean OS of 67.6 months (57.2-77.9). Raised GPS also had a significant association with excess risk of cancer death at 10 years (GPS 2: Relative Excess Risk = 1.74, 95% CI 1.20-2.54) after adjusting for gender, patients' age, ECOG PS, and tumor focality. C-index of GPS both for CSS and OS were superior to patients' age and tumor focality, and comparable to grade.


Conclusions
The GPS is an independent prognostic factor for CSS and OS after surgery with curative intent for localized UTUC. It significantly increases the accuracy of established prognostic factors. The GPS may provide a meaningful adjunct for patient counseling and clinical trial design.
Initial Development of a Novel Amphibious Robot with Transformable Fin-Leg Composite Propulsion Mechanisms

Amphibious robots are very attractive for their broad applications in resource exploration, disaster rescue, and reconnaissance. However, it is very challenging to develop the robots for their complex, amphibious working environments. In the complex amphibious environment, amphibious robots should possess multi-capabilities to walk on rough ground, maneuver underwater, and pass through transitional zones such as sandy and muddy terrain. These capabilities require a high-performance propulsion mechanism for the robots. To tackle a complex task, a novel amphibious robot (AmphiHex-I) with,transformable fin-leg composite propulsion mechanisms is developed. With the fin-leg composite propulsions, AmphiHex-I can walk on rough and soft substrates and swim in water with many maneuvers. This paper presents the structural design of the transformable fin-leg propulsion mechanism and its driving module. A hybrid model is used to explore the dynamics between the transformable legs and transitional environment such as granular medium. The locomotion performances of legs with various elliptical shapes are analyzed, which is verified by the coincidence between the model predictions and the simulation results. Further, an orthogonal experiment is conducted to study the locomotion performance of a two-legged platform walking with an asynchronous gait in the sandy and muddy terrain. Finally, initial experiments of AmphiHex-I walking on various lands and swimming in water are implemented. These results verify that the transformable fin-leg mechanisms enable the amphibious robot to pass through a complex, amphibious working environment.
Neuromodulation of emotion using functional electrical stimulation applied to facial muscles.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common condition for which available pharmaceutical treatments are not always effective and can have side-effects. Therefore, alternative and/or complementary MDD treatments are needed. Research on facial expressions has shown that facial movements can induce the corresponding emotions, particularly when specific attention is paid to voluntarily activating muscles that are typically only activated involuntarily while expressing emotions. We hypothesized that functional electrical stimulation (FES) applied to facial muscles may enhance this effect due to its ability to modulate central nervous system plasticity. Thus, applying FES to the facial muscles associated with smiling (including the "Duchenne marker") may increase the activity of subcortical nuclei related to positive emotions and counteract symptoms of depression.


METHODS
Twelve able-bodied subjects received FES and were compared with a group of 12 control subjects. Both groups underwent the same experimental procedures involving a cognitive task, and a deception was used such that subjects were unaware that the objective was to modulate mood. Assessments with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Expanded Form (PANAS-X) were administered before and after the experiment.


RESULTS
No significant between-group differences were found in the change scores for our primary outcomes, the PANAS-X item "happy," and aggregate scores "Joviality" and "Positive Affect." Significant differences were, however, detected for secondary outcomes "determined," "daring," "scared," and "concentrating."


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that modulating emotion using FES may be possible, but is difficult to target accurately. Further work is warranted to explore FES applications to MDD.
Adiponectin stimulates autophagy and reduces oxidative stress to enhance insulin sensitivity during high-fat diet feeding in mice.

Numerous studies have characterized the antidiabetic effects of adiponectin, yet the precise cellular mechanisms in skeletal muscle, in particular, changes in autophagy, require further clarification. In the current study, we used a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and insulin resistance in wild-type (WT) or adiponectin knockout (Ad-KO) mice with and without adiponectin replenishment. Temporal analysis of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and muscle insulin receptor substrate and Akt phosphorylation demonstrated exaggerated and more rapid HFD-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of Ad-KO mice. Superoxide dismutase activity, the reduced glutathione-to-glutathione disulfide ratio, and lipid peroxidation indicated that HFD-induced oxidative stress was corrected by adiponectin. Gene array analysis implicated several antioxidant enzymes, including Gpxs, Prdx, Sod, and Nox4, in mediating this effect. Adiponectin also attenuated palmitate-induced reactive oxygen species production in cultured myotubes and improved insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in primary muscle cells. Increased LC3-II and decreased p62 expression suggested that HFD induced autophagy in muscle of WT mice; however, these changes were not observed in Ad-KO mice. Replenishing adiponectin in Ad-KO mice increased LC3-II and Beclin1 and decreased p62 protein levels, induced fibroblast growth factor-21 expression, and corrected HFD-induced decreases in LC3, Beclin1, and ULK1 gene expression. In vitro studies examining changes in phospho-ULK1 (Ser555), LC3-II, and lysosomal enzyme activity confirmed that adiponectin directly induced autophagic flux in cultured muscle cells in an AMPK-dependent manner. We overexpressed an inactive mutant of Atg5 to create an autophagy-deficient cell model, and together with pharmacological inhibition of autophagy, demonstrated reduced insulin sensitivity under these conditions. In summary, adiponectin stimulated skeletal muscle autophagy and antioxidant potential to reduce insulin resistance caused by HFD.
Semantic Parsing with Semi-Supervised Sequential Autoencoders

We present a novel semi-supervised approach for sequence transduction and apply it to semantic parsing. The unsupervised component is based on a generative model in which latent sentences generate the unpaired logical forms. We apply this method to a number of semantic parsing tasks focusing on domains with limited access to labelled training data and extend those datasets with synthetically generated logical forms.
Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Therapy for Severe Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial.

UNLABELLED
: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most widespread musculoskeletal disorder in adults. It leads to cartilage damage associated with subchondral bone changes and synovial inflammation, causing pain and disability. The present study aimed at evaluating the safety of a dose-escalation protocol of intra-articular injected adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) in patients with knee OA, as well as clinical efficacy as secondary endpoint. A bicentric, uncontrolled, open phase I clinical trial was conducted in France and Germany with regulatory agency approval for ASC expansion procedure in both countries. From April 2012 to December 2013, 18 consecutive patients with symptomatic and severe knee OA were treated with a single intra-articular injection of autologous ASCs. The study design consisted of three consecutive cohorts (six patients each) with dose escalation: low dose (2 × 10(6) cells), medium dose (10 × 10(6)), and high dose (50 × 10(6)). The primary outcome parameter was safety evaluated by recording adverse events throughout the trial, and secondary parameters were pain and function subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. After 6 months of follow-up, the procedure was found to be safe, and no serious adverse events were reported. Four patients experienced transient knee joint pain and swelling after local injection. Interestingly, patients treated with low-dose ASCs experienced significant improvements in pain levels and function compared with baseline. Our data suggest that the intra-articular injection of ASCs is a safe therapeutic alternative to treat severe knee OA patients. A placebo-controlled double-blind phase IIb study is being initiated to assess clinical and structural efficacy.


SIGNIFICANCE
Although this phase I study included a limited number of patients without a placebo arm, it showed that local injection of autologous adipose-derived stem cells was safe and well tolerated in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This study also provides encouraging preliminary evidence of efficacy. Larger and controlled long-term studies are now mandatory to confirm whether this new strategy of cell therapy can improve pain and induce structural benefit in osteoarthritis.
An Artificial Neural Network for Detection of Simulated Dental Caries

Objects A neural network was developed to diagnose artificial dental caries using images from a charged-coupled device (CCD)camera and intra-oral digital radiography. The diagnostic performance of this neural network was evaluated against a gold standard. Materials and methods The neural network design was the Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) used to classify a tooth surface as sound or as having dental caries. The depth of the dental caries was indicated on a graphic user interface (GUI) screen developed by Matlab programming. Forty-nine images of both sound and simulated dental caries, derived from a CCD camera and by digital radiography, were used to ‘train’ an artificial neural network. After the ’training’ process, a separate test-set comprising 322 unseen images was evaluated. Tooth sections and microscopic examinations were used to confirm the actual dental caries status.The performance of neural network was evaluated using diagnostic test. Results The sensitivity (95%CI)/specificity (95%CI) of dental caries detection by the CCD camera and digital radiography were 0.77(0.68-0.85)/0.85(0.75-0.92) and 0.81(0.72-0.88)/0.93(0.84-0.97), respectively. The accuracy of caries depth-detection by the CCD camera and digital radiography was 58 and 40%, respectively. Conclusions The model neural network used in this study could be a prototype for caries detection but should be improved for classifying caries depth. Our study suggests an artificial neural network can be trained to make the correct interpretations of dental caries.