Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical Comparison of the Latarjet Procedure with and without Capsular Repair

Background The purpose of this study was to determine if capsular repair used in conjunction with the Latarjet procedure results in significant alterations in glenohumeral rotational range of motion and translation. Methods Glenohumeral rotational range of motion and translation were measured in eight cadaveric shoulders in 90° of abduction in both the scapular and coronal planes under the following four conditions: intact glenoid, 20% bony Bankart lesion, modified Latarjet without capsular repair, and modified Latarjet with capsular repair. Results Creation of a 20% bony Bankart lesion led to significant increases in anterior and inferior glenohumeral translation and rotational range of motion (p < 0.005). The Latarjet procedure restored anterior and inferior stability compared to the bony Bankart condition. It also led to significant increases in glenohumeral internal and external rotational range of motion relative to both the intact and bony Bankart conditions (p < 0.05). The capsular repair from the coracoacromial ligament stump to the native capsule did not significantly affect translations relative to the Latarjet condition; however it did cause a significant decrease in external rotation in both the scapular and coronal planes (p < 0.005). Conclusions The Latarjet procedure is effective in restoring anteroinferior glenohumeral stability. The addition of a capsular repair does not result in significant added stability; however, it does appear to have the effect of restricting glenohumeral external rotational range of motion relative to the Latarjet procedure performed without capsular repair.
CKY Parsing with Independence Constraints

The CKY algorithm is an important component in many natural language parsers. We propose a novel type of constraint for context-free parsing called independence constraints. Based on the concept of independence between words, we show how these constraints can be used to reduce the work done in the CKY algorithm. We demonstrate a classifier which can be used to identify boundaries between independent words in a sentence using only surface features, and show that it can be used to speed up a CKY parser. We investigate the trade-off between speed and accuracy, and indicate directions for improvement.
Predicting First Graders’ Social Competence from Their Preschool Classroom Interpersonal Context

ABSTRACT Research Findings: This study investigates contributions of the preschool classroom interpersonal environment to students’ social competence in 1st grade. Participants were 862 ethnically/racially diverse children who attended public preschool classrooms serving low-income families. Systematic observations of 60 classrooms occurred across the preschool year and quantified teacher and student behaviors. Preschool and 1st-grade teachers provided reports of children’s social behavior. First-grade teachers also assessed children’s problem behaviors. Multilevel analyses indicated that at the end of 1st grade, students who experienced preschool settings with teachers who displayed more approving behavior, less disapproving behavior, and more positive emotional tone showed significant gains in positive social behavior and lower rates of problem behavior, even after students’ social skills at preschool entry were controlled. Greater gains in positive social behavior and fewer problem behaviors in 1st grade were also predicted by immersion in preschool classrooms that had more positive and cooperative interactions among peers. Practice or Policy: Universal preschool is a policy under consideration nationally and locally, with social competence often listed as an important goal. This study indicates that even in the absence of a particular social-emotional curriculum, preschool teachers’ behaviors and interactions among their students may have lasting implications for children’s social development.
Unconditionally secure signature schemes revisited

Abstract Unconditionally secure signature (USS) schemes provide the ability to electronically sign documents without the reliance on computational assumptions needed in traditional digital signatures. Unlike digital signatures, USS schemes require that verification algorithms are not public – for any possible signer, a given user must have a different secret verification algorithm corresponding to that signer. Thus, any viable security definition for a USS scheme must carefully treat the subject of what constitutes a valid signature. That is, it is important to distinguish between signatures that are created using a user's signing algorithm and signatures that may satisfy one or more user verification algorithms. Moreover, given that each verifier has his own distinct verification algorithm, a USS scheme must necessarily handle the event of a disagreement. In this paper, we present a new security model for USS schemes that incorporates these notions, as well as give a formal treatment of dispute resolution and the trust assumptions required. We provide formal definitions of non-repudiation and transferability in the context of dispute resolution, and give sufficient conditions for a USS scheme to satisfy these properties. We then extend our basic framework to the setting of strong key-insulated signatures, which increase robustness against key exposure. Finally, we give security analyses for two constructions: Hanaoka et al.'s construction, which we show is secure in our basic USS model, and a key-insulated extension of this construction, which is secure in our strong key-insulated model. This is an extended version of the conference paper [Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci. 6673, Springer, Berlin (2011), 100–116], which appeared in ICITS 2011.
Memory, perception, and the ventral visual‐perirhinal‐hippocampal stream: Thinking outside of the boxes

The prevailing paradigm in cognitive neuroscience assumes that the brain can be best understood as consisting of modules specialised for different psychological functions. Within the field of memory, we assume modules for different kinds of memory. The most influential version of this view posits a module called the “medial temporal lobe memory system” which operates in the service of “declarative memory. ” This system can be contrasted with a separate “perceptual representation system” in the ventral visual stream, which is critical for perceptual learning and memory, an example of nondeclarative function. Here we question this modular memory systems view and suggest that a better way to understand the ventral visual‐perirhinal‐hippocampal stream is as a hierarchically organised representational continuum. We suggest that in general, rather than trying to map psychological functions onto brain modules, we could benefit by instead attempting to understand the functions of brain regions in terms of the representations they contain, and the computations they perform. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A randomized controlled trial of supervised versus unsupervised exercise programs for ambulatory stroke survivors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Little is known about the relative efficacy of supervised versus unsupervised community exercise programs for stroke survivors. This study compared the effectiveness of a 10-week supervised strengthening and conditioning program (supervised) with a 1-week supervised instruction program followed by a 9-week unsupervised home program (unsupervised) and evaluated retention of changes at 6 months and 1 year after program completion. METHODS Seventy-two subjects retained at baseline (27 women, 45 men; mean+/-SD age, 64.6+/-11.8 years) were randomly allocated to receive the supervised or unsupervised program. The primary outcome was walking speed over 6 minutes, and secondary outcome measures were Human Activity Profile, Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form survey (SF-36), Physiological Cost Index, and lower extremity muscle strength. RESULTS The 6-minute walking speed increased significantly in both groups and remained significantly improved by 1 year. The Human Activity Profile demonstrated an increasing trend only in the supervised group that was significant by 1 year. The SF-36 Physical Component summary score increased significantly in the supervised group and remained improved by 1 year; the unsupervised group showed significant improvement at 1 year. Women made greater gains in supervised programs, but men made greater gains in unsupervised programs. CONCLUSIONS Supervised exercise programs and unsupervised programs after initial supervised instruction were both associated with physical benefits that were retained for 1 year, although supervised programs showed trends to greater improvements in self-reported gains. Gender differences require further research.
Bee reverse-learning behavior and intra-colony differences : simulations reveal benefits of diversity

Foraging bees use color cues to help identify rewarding from unrewarding flowers. As environmental conditions change, bees may require behavioral flexibility to reverse their learnt preferences. Learning to discriminate perceptually similar colors takes bees a long time, and thus potentially poses a difficult task to reverse-learn. We trained free-flying honeybees to learn a fine color discrimination task that could only be resolved (with about 70% accuracy) following extended differential conditioning. The bees were then tested for their ability to reverse-learn this visual problem. Subsequent analyses potentially identified individual behavioral differences that could be broadly classified as: ‘Deliberative-decisive’ bees that could, after several flower visits, decisively make a large change to learnt preferences; ‘Ficklecircumspect’ bees that changed their preferences by a small amount every time they received a reward, or failed to receive one, on a particular color; and ‘Stay’ bees that did not change from their initially learnt preference. To understand the ecological implications of the observed behavioral diversity, agent-based computer simulations were conducted by systematically varying parameters describing flower reward switch oscillation frequency, flower handling time, and fraction of defective ‘target’ stimuli that contained no reward. These simulations revealed that when the frequency of reward reversals is high, Fickle-circumspect bees are more efficient at nectar collection, but as reward reversal frequency decreases, the performance of Deliberative-decisive bees becomes most efficient. As the reversal frequency continues to fall, Fickle-circumspect and Deliberative-decisive strategies approach one another in efficiency. In no tested condition did Stay bees outperform the other groups. These findings indicate there is a fitness benefit for honeybee colonies containing individuals exhibiting different strategies for managing changing resource conditions.
Network tomography via network coding

In this work we show how existing network coding algorithms can be used to perform network tomography, i.e., estimate network topology. We first examine a simple variant of the popular distributed random network codes proposed by (Ho et al.) and show how it can enable each network node to passively estimate the network topology upstream of it at no cost to throughput. The delays introduced by each upstream node and link can also be similarly estimated. We then consider the scenario wherein an adversary hidden in the network wishes to disrupt the estimation of network topology. We show how network error-correcting codes can be used to reliably perform network tomography if the network has sufficient connectivity, and demonstrate that network tomography is impossible otherwise.
The Clostridium difficile Cell Wall Protein CwpV is Antigenically Variable between Strains, but Exhibits Conserved Aggregation-Promoting Function

Clostridium difficile is the main cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, leading to significant morbidity and mortality and putting considerable economic pressure on healthcare systems. Current knowledge of the molecular basis of pathogenesis is limited primarily to the activities and regulation of two major toxins. In contrast, little is known of mechanisms used in colonization of the enteric system. C. difficile expresses a proteinaceous array on its cell surface known as the S-layer, consisting primarily of the major S-layer protein SlpA and a family of SlpA homologues, the cell wall protein (CWP) family. CwpV is the largest member of this family and is expressed in a phase variable manner. Here we show CwpV promotes C. difficile aggregation, mediated by the C-terminal repetitive domain. This domain varies markedly between strains; five distinct repeat types were identified and were shown to be antigenically distinct. Other aspects of CwpV are, however, conserved. All CwpV types are expressed in a phase variable manner. Using targeted gene knock-out, we show that a single site-specific recombinase RecV is required for CwpV phase variation. CwpV is post-translationally cleaved at a conserved site leading to formation of a complex of cleavage products. The highly conserved N-terminus anchors the CwpV complex to the cell surface. Therefore CwpV function, regulation and processing are highly conserved across C. difficile strains, whilst the functional domain exists in at least five antigenically distinct forms. This hints at a complex evolutionary history for CwpV.
Ring Substituents on Substituted Benzamide Ligands Indirectly Mediate Interactions with Position 7.39 of Transmembrane Helix 7 of the D4 Dopamine Receptor

In an effort to delineate how specific molecular interactions of dopamine receptor ligand classes vary between D2-like dopamine receptor subtypes, a conserved threonine in transmembrane (TM) helix 7 (Thr7.39), implicated as a key ligand interaction site with biogenic amine G protein-coupled receptors, was substituted with alanine in D2 and D4 receptors. Interrogation of different ligand chemotypes for sensitivity to this substitution revealed enhanced affinity in the D4, but not the D2 receptor, specifically for substituted benzamides (SBAs) having polar 4- (para) and/or 5- (meta) benzamide ring substituents. D4-T7.39A was fully functional, and the mutation did not alter the sodium-mediated positive and negative allostery observed with SBAs and agonists, respectively. With the exception of the non-SBA ligand (+)-butaclamol, which, in contrast to certain SBAs, had decreased affinity for the D4-T7.39A mutant, the interactions of numerous other ligands were unaffected by this mutation. SBAs were docked into D4 models in the same mode as observed for eticlopride in the D3 crystal structure. In this mode, interactions with TM5 and TM6 residues constrain the SBA ring position that produces distal steric crowding between pyrrolidinyl/diethylamine moieties and D4-Thr7.39. Ligand-residue interaction energy profiles suggest this crowding is mitigated by substitution with a smaller alanine. The profiles indicate sites that contribute to the SBA binding interaction and site-specific energy changes imparted by the D4-T7.39A mutation. Substantial interaction energy changes are observed at only a few positions, some of which are not conserved among the dopamine receptor subtypes and thus seem to account for this D4 subtype-specific structure-activity relationship.
On the borderline: Exploring liminal consumption and the negotiation of threshold selves

In this paper we explore the complex mediation of selves and symbolic resources that occurs on the threshold between two sociocultural identities. Using the anthropological theory of liminality as a lens of analysis, in line with the inherent interdisciplinary genesis and practice of interpretive consumer research, a theory of liminal consumption is presented. This theorization of the consumption practices of young adolescents, who belong neither in world of child nor of teen but who are concurrently embedded in both, is characterized by stillness and movement, darkness and light, ambiguity and focus. Thus this shadowed reality, this fruitful darkness belies agentive consumption and active engagement with signifiers of a duality of mediated selves. In thus considering liminal characteristics as congruent with furthering theorization of identity and consumption, we highlight the inherent problematization of an integral aspect of marketing theory and practice, specifically the notion of age alignment and boundary creation at the heart of marketing segmentation strategies, in the process contributing to a debunking of the ‘tween’ myth, as marketing’s final frontier of target segments.
RT-TDDFT study of hole oscillations in B-DNA monomers and dimers

Abstract We employ Real-Time Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory to study hole oscillations within a B-DNA monomer (one base pair) or dimer (two base pairs). Placing the hole initially at any of the bases which make up a base pair, results in THz oscillations, albeit of negligible amplitude. Placing the hole initially at any of the base pairs which make up a dimer is more interesting: For dimers made of identical monomers, we predict oscillations with frequencies in the range 20–40 THz, with a maximum transfer percentage close to 1. For dimers made of different monomers, 80–400 THz, but with very small or small maximum transfer percentage. We compare our results with those obtained recently via our Tight-Binding approaches and find that they are in good agreement.
A phenomenological exploration of middle school principals' perspectives and responses to cyberbullying

This study explored the perspectives and responses of school principals to cyberbullying incidents occurring at their schools. This was accomplished by qualitative methods of data collection and analysis, namely through in-depth interviews of six school principals working in large school districts in the Denver-metro area. The seven steps of the modified van Kaam method (Moustakas, 1994) were used in this study to help portray the meanings of each participant’s experiences. The data were synthesized and extrapolated into the following five major emergent themes: (a) First, Gather the Facts; (b) Addressing the Incident; (c) Barriers to Preventing Cyberbullying, (d) Developing Partnerships; and (e) Building Safe Schools. Within the First, Gather the Facts theme, the principals stressed the need to collect information from multiple sources and validate the accuracy of that information by determining the nexus to the school and if the incident was truly cyberbullying and not just conflict. In the second emerging theme, Addressing the Incident, the principals expressed that during the investigation they provided support to the victim and sent the main message to their students--the bullying must stop. Within the Barriers to Prevention Cyberbullying theme, principals described the greatest barriers: technology, location, and anonymity. In the fourth emerging theme, Developing Partnerships, principals stressed the importance of working collaboratively with police, parents, and mental health professionals to better prevent and intervene with cyberbullying. Within the final emerging theme, Building Safe Schools, principals discussed how cyberbullying was mostly reported by students, state bullying policy was not a driving force in most of the principals’ actions, and all principals used a variety of 185 programming for both intervention and prevention of cyberbullying. However, data based decisions were not commonly used to direct those efforts and all principals expressed the need to establish and maintain a positive school climate.
Long‐term balanced fertilization increases the soil microbial functional diversity in a phosphorus‐limited paddy soil

The influence of long‐term chemical fertilization on soil microbial communities has been one of the frontier topics of agricultural and environmental sciences and is critical for linking soil microbial flora with soil functions. In this study, 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and a functional gene array, geochip 4.0, were used to investigate the shifts in microbial composition and functional gene structure in paddy soils with different fertilization treatments over a 22‐year period. These included a control without fertilizers; chemical nitrogen fertilizer (N); N and phosphate (NP); N and potassium (NK); and N, P and K (NPK). Based on 16S rRNA gene data, both species evenness and key genera were affected by P fertilization. Functional gene array‐based analysis revealed that long‐term fertilization significantly changed the overall microbial functional structures. Chemical fertilization significantly increased the diversity and abundance of most genes involved in C, N, P and S cycling, especially for the treatments NK and NPK. Significant correlations were found among functional gene structure and abundance, related soil enzymatic activities and rice yield, suggesting that a fertilizer‐induced shift in the microbial community may accelerate the nutrient turnover in soil, which in turn influenced rice growth. The effect of N fertilization on soil microbial functional genes was mitigated by the addition of P fertilizer in this P‐limited paddy soil, suggesting that balanced chemical fertilization is beneficial to the soil microbial community and its functions.
Why do people demand health

This paper proposes several ways to extend the standard model for health and health services. Psychological aspects such as status seeking, identity seeking and health adaptation are modelled within the framework of the Grossman model. While the two first aspects may be important psychological mechanisms, the adaptation process seems to be the most relevant process to model within a theoretical dynamic framework. As far as we know, there are no formal analyses of this process in the economic literature.
Conversion of Human Fibroblasts to Functional Endothelial Cells by Defined Factors

Objective—Transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to endothelial cells (ECs) may provide a novel therapeutic avenue for diseases, including ischemia and fibrosis. Here, we demonstrate that human fibroblasts can be transdifferentiated into functional ECs by using only 2 factors, Oct4 and Klf4, under inductive signaling conditions. Approach and Results—To determine whether human fibroblasts could be converted into ECs by transient expression of pluripotency factors, human neonatal fibroblasts were transduced with lentiviruses encoding Oct4 and Klf4 in the presence of soluble factors that promote the induction of an endothelial program. After 28 days, clusters of induced endothelial (iEnd) cells seemed and were isolated for further propagation and subsequent characterization. The iEnd cells resembled primary human ECs in their transcriptional signature by expressing endothelial phenotypic markers, such as CD31, vascular endothelial-cadherin, and von Willebrand Factor. Furthermore, the iEnd cells could incorporate acetylated low–density lipoprotein and form vascular structures in vitro and in vivo. When injected into the ischemic limb of mice, the iEnd cells engrafted, increased capillary density, and enhanced tissue perfusion. During the transdifferentiation process, the endogenous pluripotency network was not activated, suggesting that this process bypassed a pluripotent intermediate step. Conclusions—Pluripotent factor–induced transdifferentiation can be successfully applied for generating functional autologous ECs for therapeutic applications.