Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive impairment and the brain dopaminergic system in Parkinson disease: [18F]fluorodopa positron emission tomographic study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of the brain dopaminergic system in cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN We studied 28 patients with PD and 16 age-matched healthy control subjects using [18F] fluorodopa (fluorodopa F 18) positron emission tomography. Patients with PD showed a variable degree of cognitive impairment, which was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and detailed neuropsychologic assessment, including tests sensitive for frontal lobe function. RESULTS [18F] Fluorodopa uptake was reduced in the putamen (to 36% of the control mean; P<.001), the caudate nucleus (to 61% of the control mean; P<.001), and the frontal cortex (to 45% of the control mean; P<.001) in patients with PD compared with controls. There was no significant association between the degree of overall cognitive impairment of patients and [18F] fluorodopa uptake values. The influx constant (Ki(occ)) in the caudate nucleus had a negative association with performance in the attention-demanding Stroop interference task, especially with the interference time. The Ki(occ) in the frontal cortex had a positive correlation with performance in the digit span (backwards), verbal fluency, and verbal immediate recall tests. Thus, the better the patient performed in tasks demanding immediate and working memory and executive strategies, the better the [18F] fluorodopa uptake in the frontal cortex. In the putamen, no significant correlation was seen between the Ki(occ) value and any of the cognitive tests. The severity of the motor symptoms of PD and [18F]fluorodopa uptake showed a negative correlation in the putamen (r = -0.38; P = .04), and in the caudate nucleus a similar trend was seen (r = -0.36; P = .06). CONCLUSIONS Reduced [18F]fluorodopa uptake in PD in the caudate nucleus (and frontal cortex) is related to impairment in neuropsychologic tests measuring verbal fluency, working memory, and attentional functioning reflecting frontal lobe function. This indicates that dysfunction of the dopamine system has an impact on the cognitive impairment of patients with PD. However, our results do not exclude the possibility of more generalized cognitive impairment in PD, the pathophysiology of which is probably different and more generalized.
Dominant Codewords Selection with Topic Model for Action Recognition

In this paper, we propose a framework for recognizing human activities that uses only in-topic dominant codewords and a mixture of intertopic vectors. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) is used to develop approximations of human motion primitives, these are mid-level representations, and they adaptively integrate dominant vectors when classifying human activities. In LDA topic modeling, action videos (documents) are represented by a bag-of-words (input from a dictionary), and these are based on improved dense trajectories ([18]). The output topics correspond to human motion primitives, such as finger moving or subtle leg motion. We eliminate the impurities, such as missed tracking or changing light conditions, in each motion primitive. The assembled vector of motion primitives is an improved representation of the action. We demonstrate our method on four different datasets.
Opportunistic Cooperative Communication in the Presence of Co-Channel Interferences and Outdated Channel Information

This paper investigates the impacts of co-channel interference and outdated channel state information (CSI), two main issues in practical operating environment, on the performance of opportunistic decode-and-forward cooperative networks. First, the distribution function of the effective signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio at the end receiver is derived. Then, exact closed-form expressions for the error and outage probabilities are obtained. Furthermore, simple asymptotic expressions for the error probability, which explicitly show the coding and the diversity gains, are derived and discussed. In particular, it is demonstrated that the diversity order of the system is reduced to unity when CSI is outdated, and to zero when the ratio of the interference energy to the signal energy is constant.
Trends in Media Reports, Oral Bisphosphonate Prescriptions, and Hip Fractures 1996–2012: An Ecological Analysis

Bisphosphonates are effective for the treatment of osteoporosis despite recent reports of safety concerns such as atypical femur fracture. We conducted an ecological analysis of relevant media reports, oral bisphosphonate use, and fracture outcomes in the United States. Trends in media reports and public interest of bisphosphonates were quantified using data from Google Trends. Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) were used to estimate the trends in oral bisphosphonate use among patients aged 55 years and older and hospitalizations for intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures, respectively. These trends in the prevalence of oral bisphosphonate use and the age‐adjusted incidence rate of intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures were examined from 1996 to 2012. A series of spikes in Internet search activity for alendronate (Fosamax) occurred between 2006 and 2010 immediately following media reports of safety concerns. Oral bisphosphonate use declined by greater than 50% between 2008 and 2012 (p < 0.001) after increasing use for more than a decade. The decline was more common in patients with lower education levels. Intertrochanteric hip fractures declined from 1996 through 2006 (p < 0.001) and continued to decline from 2008 to 2012 (p < 0.05). Subtrochanteric and diaphyseal fractures showed a steady and significant increase from 2002 to 2011 (p < 0.05). However, the incidence decreased from a peak of 30.5 per 100,000 in 2011 to 26.7 per 100,000 in 2012. The plateauing and subsequent decline in oral bisphosphonate use since 2006 coincided with reports of safety concerns of bisphosphonates, despite the fact that U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) reports did not recommend any safety restrictions on their use. This decline in oral bisphosphonate use was followed by the decline in the incidence of subtrochanteric and diaphyseal fractures. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Vector-Aided In-Field Calibration Method for Low-End MEMS Gyros in Attitude and Heading Reference Systems

This paper presents a novel calibration method for the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyros. Comparing with the traditional gyro calibration method that requires high precision equipment, the calibration scheme presented in this paper is based on the principle that the time derivative of a reference vector can be expressed as the cross product of the angular velocity and the reference vector itself. The proposed method can use vector observations instead of precise external references, and it is well suited for the in-field calibration of attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS). Moreover, the proposed method computes all the parameters in the sensor error model through linear optimization. Numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and experiment on a custom-built AHRS shows that the proposed calibration method has the same accuracy as the traditional method, which uses a rate table for a low-end MEMS gyro.
A distal effect of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein deficiency on the lysosomal recycling of CD1d

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–resident lipid transfer protein involved in the biosynthesis and lipid loading of apolipoprotein B. MTP was recently suggested to directly regulate the biosynthesis of the MHC I–like, lipid antigen presenting molecule CD1d, based on coprecipitation experiments and lipid loading assays. However, we found that the major impact of MTP deficiency occurred distal to the ER and Golgi compartments. Thus, although the rates of CD1d biosynthesis, glycosylation maturation, and internalization from the cell surface were preserved, the late but essential stage of recycling from lysosome to plasma membrane was profoundly impaired. Likewise, functional experiments indicated defects of CD1d-mediated lipid presentation in the lysosome but not in the secretory pathway. These intriguing findings suggest a novel, unexpected role of MTP at a late stage of CD1d trafficking in the lysosomal compartment.
π Model AC–AC Converter With Controllable Phase and Amplitude

Based on cascaded ac–ac converter with controllable phase and amplitude (ACCPA), a novel <italic>π</italic> model ACCPA was proposed for power flow control, whose output voltage phase and amplitude can be regulated, respectively, and simultaneously with respect to the input voltage. Single-phase <italic>π</italic> model ACCPA comprises a buck-type ac unit, a third harmonic trap and a boost-type ac converter. Compared with single-phase cascaded ACCPA, it has a more simplified structure by dispensing with the <italic>LC</italic> output filter of the buck-type ac converter, and can adopt the same two-stage duty-cycle modulation. The buck-type ac unit regulates the phase of output voltage and the boost-type ac converter does the amplitude. By utilizing impedance compensation with capacitance in single-phase <italic>π</italic> model ACCPA, it is effective to counteract or reduce the lag effect which is put on fundamental voltage by line impedance of third harmonic trap and inductance. Three-phase <italic>π </italic> model ACCPA comprises three buck-type ac units and a three-phase boost-type ac converter, it not only dispenses with three <italic>LC</italic> output filters, but also does three third harmonic traps, so it has simple structure. Experimental results verified the feasibility of <italic>π</italic> model ACCPA and the correctness of its theory.
Measurement of base and collector transit times in thin-base InGaAs/InP HBT

The influence of base thickness reduction on performances of heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) is examined. HBT structures are grown, with a base thickness in the range 25-65 nm and doping concentration from 3/spl times/10/sup 19/ to 6/spl times/10/sup 19/ at/cm/sup 3/. Base transit time is accurately extracted from total base-collector transit time, and described using a simple drift-diffusion approach. This model, however basic, shows very good agreement with measurements when usual parameter values are used. A 0.13-ps transit time reduction is measured when thinning the base from 65 to 25 nm. The thinnest base structure presents a 0.08 ps transit time, allowing a 250 GHz f/sub t/ operation at 270 kA/cm/sup 2/ emitter current density.
Breaking Boundaries| When Parody and Reality Collide: Examining the Effects of Colbert’s Super PAC Satire on Issue Knowledge and Policy Engagement across Media Formats

Following the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court landmark decision on campaign finance (i.e., Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission), political comedian Stephen Colbert took to the airways with a new kind of entertainment-based political commentary; satirical political activism. Colbert’s creation of a super PAC garnered the attention of national media, providing him the opportunity to move his satire beyond the confines of his late-night comedy show (The Colbert Report). Transcending traditional boundaries of late-night political comedy, Colbert appeared in character on a variety of political talk shows. Meta-coverage of this collision between parody and reality begs the question: Do audiences who consume Colbert’s super PAC parody in different media contexts demonstrate significantly different effects? Using data from a Web-based experiment (N = 112), effects of consuming Colbert’s super PAC satire in different media contexts (political comedy show, political talk show) were compared. Results indicate that consuming Colbert’s super PAC parody in the context of his comedy show resulted in significantly higher levels of issue knowledge and support for campaign finance reform when compared with those who consumed Colbert’s super PAC parody in the context of a political talk show (Morning Joe). The present study addresses the theoretical and practical implications for political and policy communication.
Effectiveness of socially assistive robotics during cognitive stimulation interventions: Impact on caregivers

Execution of cognitive stimulation interventions for cognitive training of individuals in need represents significant burden on caregivers in time and labor costs. Recent advancements in Socially Assistive Robotics (SAR) research can be exploited to reduce caregivers burden by work sharing with robots and supplementing/complementing human resources in execution of interventions. Current research evaluates the effectiveness of the SAR empowered cognitive training activity of Bingo Musical among thirty individuals with ID in multi-center trials. A multidimensional evaluation of caregivers workload was conducted; including subjective workload, time spent on users personalized interventions, and qualitative interviews with caregivers. The results of the research confirm a significant reduction in caregivers burden and raise a concern about the need of a specific training of the caregivers to take maximum advantage of SAR in health care.
Visual Biofeedback Balance Training Using Wii Fit after Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of balance training with visual biofeedback on balance, body symmetry, and function among individuals with hemiplegia following a stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The present study was performed using a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded evaluator. The subjects were twenty adults with hemiplegia following a stroke. The experimental group performed balance training with visual biofeedback using Wii Fit® together with conventional physical therapy. The control group underwent conventional physical therapy alone. The intervention lasted five weeks, with two sessions per week. Body symmetry (baropodometry), static balance (stabilometry), functional balance (Berg Balance Scale), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go test), and independence in activities of daily living (Functional Independence Measure) were assessed before and after the intervention. [Results] No statistically significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups. In the intragroup analysis, both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in all variables studied. [Conclusion] The physical therapy program combined with balance training involving visual biofeedback (Wii Fit®) led to an improvement in body symmetry, balance, and function among stroke victims. However, the improvement was similar to that achieved with conventional physical therapy alone.
Monitoring of Posture Allocations and Activities by a Shoe-Based Wearable Sensor

Monitoring of posture allocations and activities enables accurate estimation of energy expenditure and may aid in obesity prevention and treatment. At present, accurate devices rely on multiple sensors distributed on the body and thus may be too obtrusive for everyday use. This paper presents a novel wearable sensor, which is capable of very accurate recognition of common postures and activities. The patterns of heel acceleration and plantar pressure uniquely characterize postures and typical activities while requiring minimal preprocessing and no feature extraction. The shoe sensor was tested in nine adults performing sitting and standing postures and while walking, running, stair ascent/descent and cycling. Support vector machines (SVMs) were used for classification. A fourfold validation of a six-class subject-independent group model showed 95.2% average accuracy of posture/activity classification on full sensor set and over 98% on optimized sensor set. Using a combination of acceleration/pressure also enabled a pronounced reduction of the sampling frequency (25 to 1 Hz) with out significant loss of accuracy (98% versus 93%). Subjects had shoe sizes (US) M9.5-11 and W7-9 and body mass index from 18.1 to 39.4 kg/m2 and thus suggesting that the device can be used by individuals with varying anthropometric characteristics.
On the performance limit of single-hop TOA localization

In this paper, we analyze the performance limit of sensor localization from a novel perspective. We consider distance-based single-hop sensor localization with noisy distance measurements by time of arrival (TOA). Differently from the existing studies, the anchors are assumed to be randomly deployed, with the result that the trace of the associated Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) matrix becomes a random variable. We adopt this random variable as a scalar metric for the performance limit and then focus on its statistical attributes. By the Central Limit Theorems for U-statistics, we show that as the number of anchors goes to infinity, this scalar metric converges to a random variable which is an affine transformation of a chi-square random variable of degree 2. In addition, we provide the quantitative relationship among the mean, the standard deviation, the number of anchors, parameters of communication channels and the distribution of the anchors. Extensive simulations are carried out to confirm the theoretical results. On the one hand, our study reveals some fundamental features of sensor localization; on the other hand, the conclusions we draw can in turn guide us in the design of wireless sensor networks.
Reduction and Results of Athletic Performance Tests Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Training in Female Athletes : A Systematic Review of Injury

http://sph.sagepub. com/content/early/2011/11/28/1941738111430203 The online version of this article can be found at: DOI: 10.1177/1941738111430203 published online 13 December 2011 Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach Frank R. Noyes and Sue D. Barber Westin Reduction and Results of Athletic Performance Tests Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Training in Female Athletes: A Systematic Review of Injury
Deep-STEP: A Deep Learning Approach for Spatiotemporal Prediction of Remote Sensing Data

With the advent of advanced remote sensing technologies in past few decades, acquiring higher resolution satellite images has become easier and cheaper in recent days. However, on the other hand, it has offered a big challenge to the remote sensing community in smart image interpretation from such huge volume of data. Deep learning, which offers efficient algorithms for extracting multiple levels of feature abstractions, may be suitable to serve the purpose. This letter presents a deep learning approach (Deep-STEP) for spatiotemporal prediction of satellite remote sensing data. The proposed learning architecture is derived from a deep stacking network, consisting of a stack of multilayer perceptron, each of which models the spatial feature of the associated region at a particular time instant. The proposed method has been demonstrated on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data sets, derived from satellite remote sensing imagery, containing several thousands to millions of pixels/records. The experimental results (related to NDVI prediction) reveal that the proposed architecture exhibits fairly satisfactory performance with promising learning capabilities.
Visualization of Three-Dimensional Form : Alternative Representations of Multiple 2-D Projections

WIEBE, ERIC N. Visualization of Three-Dimensional Form: Alternative Representations of Multiple 2-D Projections. (Under the direction of Sharolyn A. Converse.) The increased use of rendering and animation tools in conjunction with 3D modeling software has heightened the need for careful evaluation of how 3D models are represented on the computer display. The experiment's hypothesis is that both rate in which projections of a rotating 3D object are presented and whether the object is rendered as a line drawing or shaded will effect the mental representation of the object. The experiment factorially crossed three levels of projection presentation rate with two levels of rendering (line drawing vs. shaded). All levels of both independent variables were between subjects. The subjects' score on a mental rotations test score was used as a covariant. The subjects each viewed 40 displays representing different rotating objects and identified the objects through a forced choice pair selection. RT and error rate were measured for each selection trial. Data on a total of 72 subjects were analyzed using the ANOVA procedure. The results of the analysis revealed a significant main effect of the rate of presentation variable on RT with the fastest rate showing significantly better performance. The results also showed a significantly lower error rate for line drawing versus shaded. No interaction was found between the two independent variables. The results indicate varying presentation rate can be an effective tool in allowing quicker interpretations of an object. It is also recommended that the display technique be carefully matched to the complexity of the object being displayed and the capabilities of the computer being used to display it. VISUALIZATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORM: ALTERNATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MULTIPLE 2-D PROJECTIONS
MHC class I–deficient natural killer cells acquire a licensed phenotype after transfer into an MHC class I–sufficient environment

In MHC class I–deficient hosts, natural killer (NK) cells are hyporesponsive to cross-linking of activation receptors. Functional competence requires engagement of a self–major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I–specific inhibitory receptor, a process referred to as “licensing. ” We previously suggested that licensing is developmentally determined in the bone marrow. In this study, we find that unlicensed mature MHC class I–deficient splenic NK cells show gain-of-function and acquire a licensed phenotype after adoptive transfer into wild-type (WT) hosts. Transferred NK cells produce WT levels of interferon-γ after engagement of multiple activation receptors, and degranulate at levels equivalent to WT NK cells upon coincubation with target cells. Only NK cells expressing an inhibitory Ly49 receptor specific for a cognate host MHC class I molecule show this gain-of-function. Therefore, these findings, which may be relevant to clinical bone marrow transplantation, suggest that neither exposure to MHC class I ligands during NK development in the BM nor endogenous MHC class I expression by NK cells themselves is absolutely required for licensing.