Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
21 Chapter 2 Explicit rules and direction of attention in learning and performing the table tennis forehand

(2007). Explicit rules and direction of attention in learning and performing the table tennis forehand. Abstract An experiment was conducted to examine the respective roles of explicit rules about movement execution and direction of attention in learning and performing a novel perceptual-motor task. To this end, four groups of learners (34 participants in total) acquired the table tennis forehand (450 repetitions) under different instructions (explicit, analogy, movement focus, and environment focus learning) and were subsequently tested under increased performance pressure and secondary task loading. In the absence of any differences in acquisition between the groups, the results revealed that the accumulation of a large number of explicit rules about task execution (i.e., explicit learning) was detrimental to performance under pressure and secondary task loading. It was therefore concluded that the number of explicit rules accumulated, rather than direction of attention during learning, determines the robustness of the acquired skill to performance pressure. Introduction At first blush, explicit rules about how to execute a movement, for example, as provided verbally by a coach, appear to play a crucial role in perceptual-motor learning. However, it has been demonstrated that explicit rules about movement execution are not essential, and that later performance is even more robust to increased performance pressure when a skill is learned implicitly, that is, without receiving or developing explicit rules about movement execution (Masters, 1992). Explicit skill learning would require involvement of working memory by testing movement-related hypotheses and integrating explicit rules into movement control (MacMahon & Masters, 2002; Masters & Maxwell, 2004). Once a skill is learned, explicit rules accumulated during acquisition may again be processed (reinvested) in working memory to interfere with proceduralized movement execution under demanding circumstances (e.g., under increased performance pressure). This line of reasoning is called the 'reinvestment' or 'conscious processing' hypothesis (Hardy, Over the last decade empirical support for the conscious processing hypothesis of choking in the perceptual-motor domain has gradually accumulated (see Beilock & although some deviant findings have been reported as well (e.g., Mullen et al., 2005). Explicit learning is contrasted with implicit learning, which relies more on automatic and lower-level neural processes (Wulf & Prinz, 2001) with less involvement of working memory (Masters & Maxwell, 2004). Since little explicit knowledge is accumulated during implicit learning, this knowledge cannot be reinvested into movement control under pressure leaving automatic movement execution unaffected. As a result, implicitly learned skills are allegedly more robust …
Attitude towards compulsory rural health services among interns of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru

Background: In India, majority of Doctors are working in urban than rural areas. Health situation report suggests that medical students should be provided with a rural clinical placement to make them familiar with the rural workplace. Hence the present study was conducted with the aim of assessing the attitude of the interns of RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital (RRMCH), Bengaluru, towards compulsory Rural Health Services.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at RRMCH, Bengaluru for a period of two months. All the interns willing to participate and present on the day of study were included. Consent was taken and the information was collected by using a self administered semi-structured questionnaire. The participants were asked to respond on a five point Likert scales, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and Pearson’s chi-square test was applied.Results: Out of 100 interns, majority (56%) was females, 85% were Hindu by religion and 68% were from urban locality. Out of 100 interns, only 14% showed positive attitude towards compulsory rural health services. The reasons for positive attitude were that it provides a good exposure of general practice and an opportunity for independent working.Conclusions: In the present study, only 14% interns showed positive attitude towards rural health services. Perceived factors such as Isolation from family and Inadequate Hospital infrastructure emerged as barrier for the interns to opt for rural services.
Subspace Alignment and Separation for Multiple Frequency Estimation

In this letter, a new subspace based estimator that can effectively provide the order and frequencies of multiple sinusoids in noise is proposed. The estimator, referred to as SAS-Est (Subspace Aligning and Separating Estimator), simultaneously seeks to separate the steering vectors from the noise subspace and align them to the signal subspace. The angles between subspaces and the generalized Kullback-Leibler divergence are used in characterizing the alignment and separation. Minimizing the divergence leads to maximal subspace separation and best alignment, thus allowing improved performance. Simulations in additive white Gaussian noise show that the new estimator offers an improvement for both model order and frequency estimation. When compared with other methods, the improvement is more pronounced for high model orders and low signal-to-noise ratio values.
Technical appendix to

Sample attrition due to plant retirements and ownership transfers that eliminated data reporting creates a concern about selection bias. Plant sales are particularly an issue in retail access states, as exempt wholesale generators (EWGs) purchased plants that incumbents were required to divest during restructuring. Since EWGs are not regulated by FERC in the traditional sense, these companies are not required to report operating data on their plants, and hence drop out of the database. If the plants dropping out of the sample were systematically higher or lower in efficiency relative to their plant-epoch effect and to surviving plants, selection bias could contaminate the restructuring estimates. One could construct plausible stories that plants selected for purchase were very efficient and thus good acquisition targets, or that inefficient plants left the database due to retirements or sales that offered the new owners the opportunity for substantial gain if efficiency could be improved. Plant exits. We have performed several analyses regarding the plants that exit our sample. Figure T1 graphs the number of plants that exit the sample in each year by restructuring status and divestiture status. While restructuring states have greater numbers of plant exits in the latter part of the sample than do nonrestructuring states, most of this difference is accounted for by the divestiture of plants in restructuring states. If one excludes plants that were divested, there appears to be no consistent pattern of plant exits based on restructuring status. That is, we are not systematically missing data observations for more plants in either restructuring or nonrestructuring states.
Alterations in Postural Control during the World's Most Challenging Mountain Ultra-Marathon

We investigated postural control (PC) effects of a mountain ultra-marathon (MUM): a 330-km trail run with 24000 m of positive and negative change in elevation. PC was assessed prior to (PRE), during (MID) and after (POST) the MUM in experienced ultra-marathon runners (n = 18; finish time = 126±16 h) and in a control group (n = 8) with a similar level of sleep deprivation. Subjects were instructed to stand upright on a posturographic platform over a period of 51.2 seconds using a double-leg stance under two test conditions: eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Traditional measures of postural stability (center of pressure trajectory analysis) and stabilogram-diffusion analysis (SDA) parameters were analysed. For the SDA, a significantly greater short-term effective diffusion was found at POST compared with PRE in the medio-lateral (ML; Dxs) and antero-posterior (AP) directions (Dys) in runners (p<0.05) The critical time interval (Ctx) in the ML direction was significantly higher at MID (p<0.001) and POST (p<0.05) than at PRE in runners. At MID (p<0.001) and POST (p<0.05), there was a significant difference between the two groups. The critical displacement (Cdx) in the ML was significantly higher at MID and at POST (p<0.001) compared with PRE for runners. A significant difference in Cdx was observed between groups in EO at MID (p<0.05) and POST (p<0.005) in the ML direction and in EC at POST in the ML and AP directions (p<0.05). Our findings revealed significant effects of fatigue on PC in runners, including, a significant increase in Ctx (critical time in ML plan) in EO and EC conditions. Thus, runners take longer to stabilise their body at POST than at MID. It is likely that the mountainous characteristics of MUM (unstable ground, primarily uphill/downhill running, and altitude) increase this fatigue, leading to difficulty in maintaining balance.
Fast sorting on flash memory sensor nodes

Sensor nodes are being used in numerous domains for data collection and analysis. The ability to perform on device data processing increases the functionality and lifetime of a network as it avoids network transmission. Previous work has developed algorithms for sorting on sensor nodes with flash memory. These algorithms favour reads over writes due to the asymmetric costs. However, previous algorithms have not exploited the ability to perform random reads at the same cost as sequential reads. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm called Flash MinSort that uses random reads to rapidly sort in flash memory using a small amount of memory. The algorithm works especially well for sensor data which is often temporally clustered. Experimental results on random and real sensor data show that Flash MinSort is two to ten times faster than previous approaches for small memory sizes where external merge sort is not executable.
Serum S100B Protein as an Outcome Prediction Tool in Emergency Department Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

SUMMARY Objectives Traumatic brain injury is a common cause of death and disability worldwide. Early recognition of patients with brain cellular damage allows for early rehabilitation and patient outcome improvement. Methods In this prospective study, the clinical conditions of patients with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) were assessed, and patient serum S100B levels were measured. Patients were followed up one month later and evaluated for level of consciousness, presence or absence of post-traumatic headache, and daily activity performance (using the Barthel scale). Student's t-test and the chi-square test were used for data analysis, which was performed using SPSS software. Results The mean serum S100B value was significantly lower for patients with minor TBI than for patients with moderate TBI (23.1±14.2 ng/dl and 134.0±245.0 ng/dl, respectively). Patients with normal CT scans also had statistically significantly lower serum S100B levels than patients with abnormal CT findings. The mean S100B value was statistically significantly higher for patients with suspected diffused axonal injury (632.18±516.1 ng/dl) than for patients with other abnormal CT findings (p=0.000): 24.97±22.9 ng/dl in patients with normal CT results; 41.56±25.7 ng/dl in patients with skull bone fracture; 57.38 ±28.9 ng/dl in patients with intracranial hemorrhage; and 76.23±38.3 ng/dl in patients with fracture plus intracranial hemorrhage). Conclusions Serum S100B levels increase in patients with minor to moderate TBIs, especially in those with diffused axonal injury. However, serum S100B values cannot accurately predict one-month neuropsychological outcomes and performance.
Protein Expression Profiling and Molecular Classification of Gastric Cancer by the Tissue Array Method

Purpose: Gastric cancer is heterogeneous clinically and histologically, and prognosis prediction by tumor grade or type is difficult. Although previous studies have suggested that frozen tissue–based molecular classifications effectively predict prognosis, prognostic classification on formalin-fixed tissue is needed, especially in early gastric cancer. Experimental Design: We immunostained 659 consecutive gastric cancers using 56 tumor-associated antibodies and the tissue array method. Hierarchical cluster analyses were done before and after feature selection. To optimize classifier number and prediction accuracy for prognosis, a supervised analysis using a support vector machine algorithm was used. Results: Of 56 gene products, 27 survival-associated proteins were selected (feature selection), and hierarchical clustering identified two clusters: cluster 1 and cluster 2. Cluster 1 cancers were more likely to have intestinal type, earlier stage, and better prognosis than cluster 2 (P < 0.05). In 187 early gastric cancers (pT1), cluster 2 was associated with the presence of metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.026). Kaplan-Meier survival curves stratified by pathologic tumor-lymph node metastasis revealed that cluster 2 was associated with poor prognosis in stage I or II cancer (P < 0.05). Support vector machines and genetic algorithms selected nine classifiers from the whole data set, another nine classifiers for stage I and II, and eight classifiers for stage III and IV. The prediction accuracies for patient outcome were 73.1%, 88.1%, and 76%, respectively. Conclusions: Protein expression profiling using the tissue array method provided a useful means for the molecular classification of gastric cancer into survival-predictive subgroups. The molecular classification predicted lymph node metastasis and prognosis in early stage gastric cancer.
The cult of the equity for pension funds: should it get the boot?

Over the last half century UK defined benefit pension schemes have followed the cult of the equity by investing a large proportion of their assets in equities. However, since the turn of the millennium this cult has faced two serious challenges – the halving of equity prices, and the complete rejection of equity investment by the Boots pension scheme in 2001. This paper summarises the history of the cult in the UK and the arguments advanced at the time to support its adoption. It then presents the case for the cult (excluding taxation, risk sharing and default insurance). This is followed by a detailed consideration of the validity of this case, including an examination of the relevant empirical evidence. It is concluded that, in the absence of taxation, risk sharing and default insurance, the asset allocation is indeterminate; and depends on the risk-return preferences adopted by the trustees.
Spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability in primary Sjögren's syndrome

Background: Autonomic dysfunction has been described in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Objective: To investigate the circulatory autonomic regulation in patients with primary SS by power spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure variability. Methods: Forty three (42 female) patients with primary SS, mean age 52 years (range 23–80), with a mean disease duration of eight years (range 1–30) and 30 (15 female) healthy controls, mean age 43 years (range 21–68) were studied. In each patient blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration were measured continuously during supine rest and orthostatic challenge (60° head-up tilt). Power spectral analysis was performed to determine possible differences in short term sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic regulation between patients and controls. Furthermore, spectral parameters were studied in relation to illness severity and disease duration of the patients with primary SS. Results: After controlling for differences in age, heart rate variability of the mid-frequency band and the variation coefficient of systolic blood pressure were significantly lower in patients with primary SS than in controls during supine rest. During 60° tilt patients with primary SS showed a significantly higher mean heart rate, mean systolic blood pressure, and variation coefficient of diastolic blood pressure, and a significantly lower baroreflex index than controls. After controlling for age, no differences were found either in heart rate variability, blood pressure results, and baroreflex sensitivity during supine rest and tilt between the subgroups divided according to disease duration, Schirmer test results, or between the subgroups with different fatigue scores. No differences were found in spectral data between the groups with and without positive antinuclear antibody serology. Conclusion: For the group no differences in sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiac control were seen between patients with primary SS and controls, as assessed by spectral techniques, although some cardiovascular differences were found, particularly during orthostatic challenge.
Neurological Examination of the Upper Limb: A Study of Construct Validity

Objective: We have previously demonstrated that neurological individual findings and patterns can be reliably assessed in the examination of the upper limb and also that they are related to pain, weakness, and/or numbness/tingling. This study aimed to study further aspects of the construct validity of the neurological examination. Methods: Blinded to patient-characteristics, two examiners assessed the function of 16 muscles, the sensibility in 7 territories, and the nerve-mechanosensitivity at 20 locations in 82 upper limbs. Based on anatomical patterns and pre-designed algorithms, one or both examiners rated neuropathy as “possible” or “definite” in 40 limbs and also determined the location( s). We developed and tested hypotheses on anatomically and regionally related locations of nerve afflictions (a selective vulnerability of neurons, double and multiple crush, and a tendency to regional spread) and examined the stability of the internal structure of the constructs in different situations. The interrelations of findings were analyzed by hypothesis testing and factor analyses, and the homogeneity of location profiles was analyzed by a conditional likelihood test. Results: Out of 30 limbs with related locations of neuropathy, the findings of each examiner correlated positively (gamma > 0.35) in 22/25, respectively. The patterns of the interrelations identified by the two examiners were similar, with no evidence of any heterogeneity of location profiles for either examiner. Conclusions: This study supports the validity of the physical examination. However, feasibility of its application requires the demonstration of further aspects of construct validity and a favorable influence on patient-management and/or prevention.
RF propagation measurements in forest & plantation environments for Wireless Sensor Networks

This work reports Received Signal Strength (RSS) at 868/915/2400 MHz utilizing RF equipment and Matlab simulations in Forest and Plantation (Mango & Guava) Environments. Path loss, Vegetation water content and corresponding Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) values were deduced from the measured RSS from various positions in foliage environments using unit gain omnidirectional antennas at 1m height from the ground. Empirical foliage loss prediction models such as Cost 235, ITU-R and Weissberger models were compared with the experimental results. The research work presented in this paper is predominately targets characterizing short-range near ground radio link for Wireless Sensor Communications/Networks in vegetation environments.
Performance assessment and the factors inhibiting the performance of Buddhist education teachers in the teaching duties

This research aims to examine the components and inhibiting factors of the teacher’s work performance in the teaching assignments of Buddhist education teachers. The authors believe that the theoretical as well as the practical problems of Buddhist education teachers can be solved by examining its components and the inhibiting factors. This research was developmental research that begins by compiling the component of performance instrument and the inhibiting factors instrument through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The data were then analyzed through regression analysis. The subjects of research were Buddhist education teachers in Central Java, Indonesia. The results of the research show the values of Anti-image > 0.5 for 7 indicators. Meanwhile, the loading factor was bigger than 0.5 for each component. The model had RMSEA ≤ 0.05, Chi-Square (X²) > 0.05, P = 0.55, the GFI was 0.97, which means the model was fit. The teaching performance components of Buddhist education teacher include planning the learning program, implementing the learning program, and evaluating the learning program. The inhibiting factors of the teacher’s performance are the additional tasks, the classroom atmosphere, conflict, and work pressure. This research has proved that the inhibiting factors have a negative impact on the teaching performance of Buddhist education teachers.
Diastolic function is associated with quality of life and exercise capacity in stable heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction

Exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) are important outcome predictors in patients with systolic heart failure (HF), independent of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF). LV diastolic function has been shown to be a better predictor of aerobic exercise capacity in patients with systolic dysfunction and a New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification ≥II. We hypothesized that the currently used index of diastolic function E/e' is associated with exercise capacity and QOL, even in optimally treated HF patients with reduced LVEF. This prospective study included 44 consecutive patients aged 55±11 years (27 men and 17 women), with LVEF<0.50 and NYHA functional class I-III, receiving optimal pharmacological treatment and in a stable clinical condition, as shown by the absence of dyspnea exacerbation for at least 3 months. All patients had conventional transthoracic echocardiography and answered the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire, followed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). In a multivariable model with 6MWT as the dependent variable, age and E/e' explained 27% of the walked distance in 6MWT (P=0.002; multivariate regression analysis). No association was found between walk distance and LVEF or mitral annulus systolic velocity. Only normalized left atrium volume, a sensitive index of diastolic function, was associated with decreased QOL. Despite the small number of patients included, this study offers evidence that diastolic function is associated with physical capacity and QOL and should be considered along with ejection fraction in patients with compensated systolic HF.