LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Validation of bimanual-coordinated training supported by a new upper-limb rehabilitation robot: a near-infrared spectroscopy study.

PURPOSE
Our previous work proposed a rehabilitation robot to support bimanual-coordinated training not only in active-assisted and passive-driven modes but also in active-resisted mode. However, assessment of training effect was only focused on the improvements of subjects' motion-tracking precisions. This paper presents an evaluation strategy based on variations in both cerebral activation level (CAL) and motion-tracking precision.


METHOD
Fourteen healthy subjects participated in motion-tracking training in bimanual active-assisted and active-resisted modes, and in single right-limb and left-limb modes, with haemoglobin concentration and motion-tracking errors being measured simultaneously. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) of the CAL and motion-tracking errors were performed to investigate bimanual training effect and the difference between bimanual and single-limb trainings in activating the brain.


RESULTS
In the bimanual modes, both the CAL and motion-tracking precision significantly increased after training. And the CAL induced in the bimanual trainings were significantly greater than in the single-limb trainings.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant enhancement of the CAL and motion-tracking precision confirmed a positive training effect on enhancing the bimanual-coordination capability of healthy subjects. Compared to the single-limb modes, the higher CAL in the bimanual modes demonstrated the potential of the proposed bimanual training for improving the functional integrity of the two hemispheres.
Practical electrical parameter aware methodology for analog designers with emphasis on LDE aware for devices

The device layout structure has proven to have profound effects to its electrical characteristics for advanced technology nodes, which, if not taken into account during the design cycle, will have devastating impact to the circuit functionality. A new design methodology is presented in this paper, which can help circuit designers identify early in the design stage the performance implication due to shift of critical device instance parameters from its layout.
Neonatal Facial Pain Detection Using NNSOA and LSVM

We report classification experiments using the pilot Infant COPE database of neonatal facial expressions. Two sets of DCT coeffiecents were used to train a neural network simultaneous algorithm (NNSOA) and a linear support vector machine (LSVM) to classify neonatal expressions into the two categories of pain and nonpain. In the first set (VAR) only 80 of the coefficients with the highest variance were included. In the second set (SFFS), 15 DCT coefficients were selected by applying Sequential Forward Floating Selection (SFFS) [1]. We found that NNSOA+VAR produced the best classification score of 95.38% accuracy, but with no statistical difference compared with the DCT sets. However, NNSOA using the DCT coefficients outperformed with statistical significance previous experiments reported in [2] that used PCA components. It is surmised that NNSOA, an algorithm that eliminates unnecessary weights, is more stable than LSVM and may be better than SFFS at identifying relevant features.
Hooking up: gender differences, evolution, and pluralistic ignorance.

"Hooking-up"--engaging in no-strings-attached sexual behaviors with uncommitted partners--has become a norm on college campuses, and raises the potential for disease, unintended pregnancy, and physical and psychological trauma. The primacy of sex in the evolutionary process suggests that predictions derived from evolutionary theory may be a useful first step toward understanding these contemporary behaviors. This study assessed the hook-up behaviors and attitudes of 507 college students. As predicted by behavioral-evolutionary theory: men were more comfortable than women with all types of sexual behaviors; women correctly attributed higher comfort levels to men, but overestimated men's actual comfort levels; and men correctly attributed lower comfort levels to women, but still overestimated women's actual comfort levels. Both genders attributed higher comfort levels to same-gendered others, reinforcing a pluralistic ignorance effect that might contribute to the high frequency of hook-up behaviors in spite of the low comfort levels reported and suggesting that hooking up may be a modern form of intrasexual competition between females for potential mates.
Evaluation of receptor expression on immune system cells in the peripheral blood of asthmatic children undergoing food challenges.

BACKGROUND
The role of food allergens in the induction of allergic reactions in the airways is not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate fluorocytometric assays of the peripheral blood during food challenge tests in children with asthma and food allergy.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
22 children with asthma and concomitant food allergy and 18 children with asthma without food allergy participated in the study. Oral challenge tests were performed using double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. Blood samples were collected before and 4 and 24 h after the challenge. CD25 and CD23 antigen expression was determined with monoclonal antibodies using a FACSCalibur flow.


RESULTS
The evaluation of the CD25+ T subpopulation and CD19+CD23+ B lymphocytes revealed statistically significant differences between the study group and the control group. In children with asthma and food allergy, the cell pool consisted (on average) of 9 +/- 2.8% of CD3+CD25+ cells before the challenge and of 10.3 +/- 3.8% (mean delta: 1.623; p = 0.01) after the provocation. However, placebo challenge did not significantly change the number of this T-lymphocyte subpopulation (mean delta: -0.121; p > 0.05). The highest increase in the CD25+ T-subpopulation expression was found in patients with respiratory reactions during the positive food challenge (mean delta: 4.065; p < 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in CD25+ T-lymphocyte and CD23 B-lymphocyte populations after food allergen challenge may indicate their significant role in the pathogenesis of the active phase of the immunoinflammatory process in children with asthma and concomitant food allergy.
Epidemiological evidence of altered cardiac autonomic function in overweight but not underweight subjects

Background:Little is known about the altered cardiac autonomic function (CAF) across different levels of body mass index (BMI), including underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity. This study provides a thorough analysis to clarify the CAF change in subjects with underweight, overweight and obesity.Methods:According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific BMI cutoffs, a total of 1437 participants were classified as underweight (n=74), normal weight (n=588), overweight (n=313), obesity I (n=390) and obesity II (n=72). CAF was determined by standard deviation of normal-to-normal (SDNN) intervals or RR intervals, power spectrum in low (LF) and high frequency (HF) (LF, 0.04–0.15 Hz; HF, 0.15–0.40 Hz), and LF/HF ratio at supine for 5 min, the ratio between the 30th and the 15th RR interval after standing from the supine position (30/15 ratio) and the average heart-rate change while taking six deep breaths in 1 min (HRDB).Results:There were significant differences in age, gender, socioeconomic status, blood pressure, HOMA insulin resistance index, fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C, and the prevalence of hypertension, ischemic/left bundle branch block (LBBB) electrocardiography (EKG) pattern, current smoking and alcohol use among subjects with underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity I and II. Univariate analysis showed that SDNN, HRDB, HF power and the square root of the LF/HF ratio differed among these five groups. Multivariate analysis showed that obesity I and II were inverse correlates of HRDB and HF power. Overweight, obesity I and II were positively associated with the square root of the LF/HF ratio. No BMI status was related to SDNN, 30/15 ratio or LF power. Underweight was not the independent correlate of any CAF indices.Conclusions:The risk for altered CAF is significant in overweight and obese subjects, independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Underweight is not apparently associated with CAF change.
Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing capsule and double-balloon enteroscopy for identification and treatment of small-bowel vascular lesions: a prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS
Few data are available concerning the long-term outcome of patients treated endoscopically for bleeding small-bowel vascular lesions (SBVL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for SBVLs detected by video capsule enteroscopy (VCE). The secondary aim was to assess risk factors for rebleeding.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A prospective, multicenter study (15 centers) was conducted, involving patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and SBVL on VCE who were treated during double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). The likelihood of bleeding was defined according to VCE findings, as high or low.


RESULTS
A total of 183 patients underwent endotherapy during DBE, and 64 (35 %) had rebleeding during the 1 year follow-up period. Multivariate analysis indicated that cardiac disease (hazard ratio [HR] 2.04, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.20 - 3.48; P < 0.01) and the presence of overt bleeding (HR 1.78, 95 %CI 1.07 - 2.97; P = 0.03) at presentation were associated with the risk of rebleeding. The association between chronic renal failure and the risk of rebleeding was close to statistical significance (HR 1.77, 95 %CI 0.94 - 3.33; P = 0.08). Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that patients treated during DBE for a lesion with low likelihood of bleeding on VCE had higher rebleeding rates than those with a high likelihood of bleeding (HR 1.87, 95 %CI 0.94 - 3.37; P = 0.07).


CONCLUSION
Despite long-term remission in most patients, about one-third had rebleeding at 1 year. Independent risk factors for rebleeding were cardiac disease and overt bleeding at original presentation. The lesion characteristics on VCE may be useful to evaluate the bleeding potential of the lesion and may be used for better selection of patients for DBE.
Feasibility and pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal suramin in advanced malignancy

Purpose: Bioactive lipids have been causally linked to intraabdominal malignancies such as ovarian cancer. In advanced tumors confined to the peritoneal cavity, inhibition of lipid growth factors present in ascites might induce tumor remissions. The systemic toxicity of the growth factor inhibitor suramin has so far hampered its use in standard oncologic practice, but this could be alleviated by intraperitoneal administration. In this study the feasibility, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal suramin administration are described. Methods: Patients with histologically verified cancer confined to the abdominal cavity, for which no effective therapy was available, were treated with intraperitoneal suramin through a Tenckhoff catheter. Patients with ascites were treated with low-volume continuous i.p. infusions of 500 mg/24 h, and patients without ascites were treated with intermittent large-volume i.p. infusions of 1000 mg three times a week. Regular pharmacokinetic sampling of plasma and ascites fluid was carried out. Patients were treated for 6 weeks or until development of progressive disease or until plasma suramin levels exceeded 250 mg/l. Results: Nine patients were treated in ten periods, three with intermittent i.p. suramin, and seven with continuous i.p. suramin, for a median of 28.5 days (16–42 days), with a median suramin dose of 12 g (range 9–21 g ). Treatment was discontinued because of high systemic suramin levels in three patients (all in the intermittent schedule), progressive disease (five patients) or completion of planned treatment (one patient). Toxicity was mild, without any of the systemic side effects commonly associated with suramin. Intraperitoneal suramin levels were consistently higher than plasma levels in all patients, but this effect was most marked in the continuous infusion schedule. Conclusions: Intraperitoneal suramin infusion in patients with advanced peritoneal cancers is feasible and well-tolerated. Continuous low volume i.p. infusion in patients with ascites confers the largest pharmacokinetic advantage.
Applying reinforcement learning to Tetris

This paper investigates the possible application of reinforcement learning to Tetris. The author investigates the background of Tetris, and qualifies it in a mathematical context. The author discusses reinforcement learning, and considers historically successful applications of it. Finally the author discusses considerations surrounding implementation.
Results from ODP North Atlantic Drift Site 984

High precision uranium isotope measurements of marine clastic sediments are used to measure the transport and storage time of sediment from source to site of deposition. The approach is demonstrated on fine-grained, late Pleistocene deep-sea sediments from Ocean Drilling Program Site 984A on the Bjorn Drift in the North Atlantic. The sediments are siliciclastic with up to 30 percent carbonate, and dated by δO of benthic foraminifera. Nd and Sr isotopes indicate that provenance has oscillated between a proximal source during the last three interglacial periods – volcanic rocks from Iceland – and a distal continental source during glacial periods. An unexpected finding is that the U/U ratios of the silicate portion of the sediment, isolated by leaching with hydrochloric acid, are significantly less than the secular equilibrium value and show large and systematic variations that are correlated with glacial cycles and sediment provenance. The U depletions are inferred to be due to α-recoil loss of Th, and are used to calculate “comminution ages” of the sediment the time elapsed between the generation of the small (≤ 50 μm) sediment grains in the source areas by comminution of bedrock, and the time of deposition on the seafloor. Transport times, the difference between comminution ages and depositional ages, vary from less than 10 ky to about 300 to 400 ky for the Site 984A sediments. Long transport times may reflect prior storage in soils, on continental shelves, or elsewhere on the seafloor. Transport time may also be a measure of bottom current strength. During the most recent interglacial periods the detritus from distal continental sources is diluted with sediment from Iceland that is rapidly transported to the site of deposition. The comminution age approach could be used to date Quaternary non-marine sediments, soils, and atmospheric dust, and may be enhanced by concomitant measurement of Ra/Th, Th/U, and cosmogenic nuclides.
Effects of delayed psychosocial interventions versus early psychosocial interventions for women with early stage breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE
The importance of psychosocial counselling after a diagnosis of cancer has been acknowledged and many intervention studies have been carried out, with the aim to find out which types of intervention are most effective in enhancing quality of life in cancer patients. A factor which could be part of effective counselling could be the time of offering psychosocial counselling. The aim of this study was to research the effect of time of enrolment in a psychosocial group intervention on psychosocial adjustment.


METHODS
In the present study, 67 women with early stage breast cancer were randomised in a psychosocial group intervention program starting within 4 months after surgery or in the same intervention program starting at least 3 months later.


RESULTS
The main conclusion of this study is that women who started with their intervention early were less distressed at 6 months follow-up than women who were in the delayed condition. Medical and demographic variables were predictive for some psychosocial adjustment indicators, but were not associated with time of enrolment. Regardless of time of enrolment, women improved in distress, body image and recreational activities, but showed a decrease in social interaction.


CONCLUSION
Though results are limited, based on these results we suggest that psychosocial counselling should be offered as soon after diagnosis or surgery for breast cancer.


PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Women diagnosed with primary breast cancer should be able to start with psychological counselling soon after being diagnosed, to prevent them from becoming distressed at long term.
Digital reference: Reference librarians' experiences and attitudes

This article reports the results of a survey of reference librarians in public and academic libraries of various sizes in the United States, asking them about their experiences with and attitudes towards the use of digital and networked technologies and resources in reference work. A total of 648 responded. In general, respondents were positive and optimistic in their outlook, but not unreservedly so. Among the strongest findings was a correlation between recent experience at doing digital reference and positive attitudes towards it, a clear set of opinions about what such services would be best and worst at, and differing perspectives and patterns of responses between academic and public librarians. In addition, questions asking about characteristics of librarians, their current and planned reference services, and some of their professional choices in doing reference work are reported.
Image fusion by a ration of low-pass pyramid

This paper introduces a hierarchical image merging scheme based on a multiresolution contrast decomposition (the ratio of low-pass pyramid). The composite images produced by this scheme preserve those details from the input images that are most relevant to visual perception. Some applications of the method are indicated.
Embedded System for Biometric Online Signature Verification

In Biometric authentication system Signature is an important characteristics to verify the identity of person. Signature is the type of behavioral biometrics. In Signature Verification system, signature is split into two types: Online(dynamic) and Offline(static). In Offline (static) signature verification image is taken as an input of a signature and which is useful in signature verification. Where as in Online (dynamic) signature verification uses signatures which are captured by touch screen, pressure-sensitive tablets that gives the dynamic properties of a signature. The aim of this work is to design an authentication based system on handwritten signatures. Signature verification is an important research topic in the area of biometric authentication. This article presents the review of research achieved in the past in online signature verification and also gives the proposed method for the Embedded system for Biometric Online Signature Verification. KeywordsBiometrics; Touch screen; authentication; databases; verification; MATLAB __________________________________________________*****_________________________________________________
Mobile Mixed Reality System for Architectural and Construction Site Visualization

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector is widely recognized as one of the most promising application fields for Augmented Reality (AR). Building Information Models (BIM) and in particular the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data format are another main technology driver increasingly used for data sharing and communication purposes in the AEC sector (Koo & Fischer 2000). For example, the Finnish state owned facility management company Senate Properties demands use of IFC compatible software and BIM in all their projects (Senate 2007).
Teaching and learning agile collaboration

Agile methods are widely adopted in software development. They are based on agile principles that sharply contrast to traditional command-and-control management methods. Such methods emphasize the importance of highly interactive self-organizing teams and close collaboration of all stakeholders, as well as values like courage, openness and respect. However, recent studies show that graduates and undergraduates of computer science often lack the collaborative and communicative skills necessary for agile methods and, thus, are not yet well enough educated for agile development approaches. Therefore, new approaches or more adequate educational methods for teaching the necessary communication and collaboration skills need to be developed. In a recent interview study, the authors elicited specific collaboration and communication skills needed in agile teams. In this paper, we present results from this study and discuss teaching concepts for collaboration skills from both engineering and psychological points of view. We suggest an approach on how to integrate these concepts into university courses, that focuses on active learning of agile collaboration. We have started implementing the proposed concept in a software engineering course and report on the experiences we have made and on the challenges that we have encountered.
Developing Portable Software

Software portability is often cited as desirable, but rarely receives systematic attention in the software development process. With the growing diversity of computing platforms, it is increasingly likely that software of all types may need to migrate to a variety of environments and platforms over its lifetime. This tutorial is intended to show the reader how to design portability into software projects, and how to port software when required.
Open Education Resources and Mobile Technology to Narrow the Learning Divide.

As the world becomes more digitized, there will be an increasing need to make available learning resources in electronic format for access by information and communication technologies. The question education will face is whether these learning resources will be available for learners to access at no cost or affordable cost so that there will be equity in access by anyone regardless of location, status, or background. With initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals and Education For All by the United Nations (United Nations, 2011) learning materials must be available as open education resources to achieve the goals. Currently, most learning materials are available at a cost for people to purchase to learn, or they have to travel to a specific location (school or library) to access learning materials. In some parts of the world, especially in developing countries, these costs are prohibitive, preventing learners from achieving a basic level of education so that they can be productive in society and improve their quality of life (Bhavnani et al., 2008). Some would say that people in remote locations and developing countries do not have computers to access learning materials. It is true that many do not have desktop or laptop computers to access learning materials, but they have mobile devices and are now obtaining tablets with wireless capability to allow them to access learning materials from anywhere and at any time. These countries are bypassing the wired desktop stage and moving directly to wireless mobile technology (Bhavnani et al., 2008). Storing open education resources (OER) in electronic repositories will allow learners to access the resources using mobile technology. With mobile technologies, learners can complete coursework and assessments from anywhere and send their work to their tutors electronically and receive feedback (GSMA, 2011). 1 This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant # 4 125 5 – 016 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Open Education Resources and Mobile Technology to Narrow the Learning Divide Ally and Samaka Vol 14 | No 2 June/13 15
Human Evolution : Peer to peer as the premise of a new mode of civilization

The essay is an emanation of the Foundation for P2P Alternative, Draft 1.1, March 1, 2005; it was written after several months of collaboration with Remi Sussan.