Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Electromyographic (SEMG) Biofeedback for Chronic Low Back Pain

Biofeedback is a process in which biological information is measured and fed back to a patient and clinician for the purpose of gaining increased awareness and control over physiological domains. Surface electromyography (SEMG), a measure of muscle activity, allows both a patient and clinician to have direct and immediate access to muscle functioning that is not possible with manual palpation or visual observation. SEMG biofeedback can be used to help “down-train” elevated muscle activity or to “up-train” weak, inhibited, or paretic muscles. This article presents a historical and clinical overview of SEMG and its use in chronic low back pain assessment and biofeedback training.
Image Denoising Based on Improved Sparse Gradient Constraint

Sparse representation model adopts an image patch as a linear combination of a few atoms chosen out from an overcomplete dictionary, and they have shown promising results in various image restoration applications. Gradient feature is important structure information in image processing. Their combination is not sensitive to noise, which can improve and enhance the accuracy of similarity measure, especially in strong power noise. Non-local means (NLM) algorithm can obtain very good denoising results by making full use of the self-similarity and redundancy information. However, the weight function of NLM algorithm cannot accurately measure the similarity between image patches in the case of strong noise. Therefore, sparse gradient is introduced into NLM algorithm so as to obtain better performance in both objective evaluation and visual effect. Firstly, differing from the traditional local gradient algorithm, a global sparse gradient model is introduced to propose an adaptive sparse gradient algorithm. Thus, it can be solved by forward-backward divided algorithm. In addition, the weight function of NLM algorithm can be improved by adopting sparse gradient mode. Experimental results showed that, compared with some algorithms based on gradient information, our proposed algorithm not only enhances the objective evaluation, but also improves the visual effect.
The Ambivalence of Social Change In Post-Communist Societies

The article presents a synthetic theoretical account of post-communist transformations in Poland. The author introduces and applies his own original theory of cultural trauma for the explanation of multidimensional and fundamental changes that have occurred during the last nineteen years. In spite of the unquestionable success of transformation, some unpredicted, ad­ verse side-effects have emerged. The balance of positive and negative changes is grasped by the concept of ambivalence.
Comparing three online testing modalities: Using static, active, and interactive online testing modalities to assess middle school students' understanding of fundamental ideas and use of inquiry skills related to ecosystems

Online testing holds much promise for assessing students' complex science knowledge and inquiry skills. In the current study, we examined the comparative effectiveness of assessment tasks and test items presented in online modules that used either a static, active, or interactive modality. A total of 1,836 students from the classrooms of 22 middle school science teachers in 12 states participated in the study as part of normal classroom activities. Students took assessments in the three different modalities on three consecutive days. The assessments tested key concepts about ecosystems and students' ability to use inquiry skills in an ecosystems context. Our in-depth analyses focused on how the different modalities elicited specific content knowledge of ecosystems (e.g., producers, consumers, predator–prey relationships) and specific inquiry skills (e.g., designing and interpreting experiments). We also investigated student use of technology supports, such as replaying animations or inspecting graphs. The results showed that the interactive modality enabled the testing of more complex reasoning and that additional experience working in the online environment improved student performance for all the modalities, especially for the interactive modality. Each of the three modalities provided useful information about students' understanding of ecosystems and related inquiry skills as well as their misconceptions. The study begins to build a knowledge base of what types of science knowledge and skills may be effectively measured in three different modalities of online assessment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 523–554, 2014
Dynamic triggering of shallow earthquakes near Beijing, China

SUMMARY We perform a comprehensive analysis of dynamic triggering around the Babaoshan and Huangzhuang-Gaoliying faults near Beijing, China. The triggered earthquakes are identified as impulsive seismic arrivals with clear P and S waves in 5 Hz high-pass-filtered three-component velocity seismograms during the passage of large amplitude body and surface waves of large teleseismic earthquakes. We find that this region was repeatedly triggered by four earthquakes in East Asia, including the 2001 Mw 7.8 Kunlun, 2003 Mw 8.3 Tokachi-oki, 2004 Mw 9.2 Sumatra and 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquakes. In most instances, the microearthquakes coincide with the first few cycles of the Love waves, and more are triggered during the large-amplitude Rayleigh waves. Such an instantaneous triggering by both the Love and Rayleigh waves is similar to recent observations of remotely triggered ‘non-volcanic’ tremor along major plate-boundary faults, and can be explained by a simple Coulomb failure criterion. We are able to locate five of the earthquakes triggered by the Kunlun and Tokachi-oki earthquakes. These events occurred at shallow depth (<5 km) above the background seismicity near the boundary between NW-striking Babaoshan and Huangzhuang-Gaoliying faults and the Fangshan Pluton. We suggest that these triggered earthquakes occur near the transition between the velocity strengthening and weakening zones in the top few kilometres of the crust, and are likely driven by relatively large dynamic stresses on the order of few tens of KPa.
Overexpression of Rcan1-1L Inhibits Hypoxia-Induced Cell Apoptosis through Induction of Mitophagy

Mitophagy, a cellular process that selectively targets dysfunctional mitochondria for degradation, is currently a hot topic in research into the pathogenesis and treatment of many human diseases. Considering that hypoxia causes mitochondrial dysfunction, which results in cell death, we speculated that selective activation of mitophagy might promote cell survival under hypoxic conditions. In the present study, we introduced the Regulator of calcineurin 1-1L (Rcan1-1L) to initiate the mitophagy pathway and aimed to evaluate the effect of Rcan1-1L-induced mitophagy on cell survival under hypoxic conditions. Recombinant adenovirus vectors carrying Rcan1-1L were transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human adult cardiac myocytes. Using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide MTT assay and Trypan blue exclusion assay, Rcan1-1L overexpression was found to markedly reverse cell growth inhibition induced by hypoxia. Additionally, Rcan1-1L overexpression inhibited cell apoptosis under hypoxic conditions, as detected by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis assay. Meanwhile, the mitochondria-mediated cell apoptotic pathway was inhibited by Rcan1-1L. In contrast, knockdown of Rcan1-1L accelerated hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, Rcan1-1L overexpression significantly reduced mitochondrial mass, decreased depolarized mitochondria, and downregulated ATP and reactive oxygen species production. We further delineated that the loss of mitochondrial mass was due to the activation of mitophagy induced by Rcan1-1L. Rcan1-1L overexpression activated autophagy flux and promoted translocation of the specific mitophagy receptor Parkin into mitochondria from the cytosol, whereas inhibition of autophagy flux resulted in the accumulation of Parkin-loaded mitochondria. Finally, we demonstrated that mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening was significantly increased by Rcan1-1L overexpression, which suggested that Rcan1-1L might evoke mitophagy through regulating mitochondrial permeability transition pores. Taken together, we provide evidence that Rcan1-1L overexpression induces mitophagy, which in turn contributes to cell survival under hypoxic conditions, revealing for the first time that Rcan1-1L-induced mitophagy may be used for cardioprotection.
Expression profiling of ascorbic acid-related genes during tomato fruit development and ripening and in response to stress conditions

L-Ascorbate (the reduced form of vitamin C) participates in diverse biological processes including pathogen defence mechanisms, and the modulation of plant growth and morphology, and also acts as an enzyme cofactor and redox status indicator. One of its chief biological functions is as an antioxidant. L-Ascorbate intake has been implicated in the prevention/alleviation of varied human ailments and diseases including cancer. To study the regulation of accumulation of this important nutraceutical in fruit, the expression of 24 tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) genes involved in the biosynthesis, oxidation, and recycling of L-ascorbate during the development and ripening of fruit have been characterized. Taken together with L-ascorbate abundance data, the results show distinct changes in the expression profiles for these genes, implicating them in nodal regulatory roles during the process of L-ascorbate accumulation in tomato fruit. The expression of these genes was further studied in the context of abiotic and post-harvest stress, including the effects of heat, cold, wounding, oxygen supply, and ethylene. Important aspects of the hypoxic and post-anoxic response in tomato fruit are discussed. The data suggest that L-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase could play an important role in regulating ascorbic acid accumulation during tomato fruit development and ripening.
Interpolation for extensions of S 5-squared Thijs Benjamins July 8 , 2016

Since its introduction the Craig interpolation property has become a standard point of investigation for any logic. In this thesis we examine the related turnstile interpolation property for certain extensions of the modal logic S5 . In particular, we use the equivalent semantic criterion of amalgamation in modal algebras to provide a full classification of those extensions of S5 generated by height two frames, that have the turnstile interpolation property. Title: Interpolation for extensions of S5-squared Author: Thijs Benjamins, thijs.benjamins@student.uva.nl, 10617183 Supervisors: dr. Nick Bezhanishvili and Frederik Möllerström Lauridsen MSc. Second grader: Prof. dr. Yde Venema July 8, 2016: July 8, 2016 Korteweg-de Vries Instituut voor Wiskunde Universiteit van Amsterdam Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam http://www.science. uva.nl/math
Molecular Genetics and Economics.

The costs of comprehensively genotyping human subjects have fallen to the point where major funding bodies, even in the social sciences, are beginning to incorporate genetic and biological markers into major social surveys. How, if at all, should economists use and combine molecular genetic and economic data from these surveys? What challenges arise when analyzing genetically informative data? To illustrate, we present results from a "genome-wide association study" of educational attainment. We use a sample of 7,500 individuals from the Framingham Heart Study; our dataset contains over 360,000 genetic markers per person. We get some initially promising results linking genetic markers to educational attainment, but these fail to replicate in a second large sample of 9,500 people from the Rotterdam Study. Unfortunately such failure is typical in molecular genetic studies of this type, so the example is also cautionary. We discuss a number of methodological challenges that face researchers who use molecular genetics to reliably identify genetic associates of economic traits. Our overall assessment is cautiously optimistic: this new data source has potential in economics. But researchers and consumers of the genoeconomic literature should be wary of the pitfalls, most notably the difficulty of doing reliable inference when faced with multiple hypothesis problems on a scale never before encountered in social science.
Pine Bark Extracts: Nutraceutical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Evaluation

Proanthocyanidins are among the most abundant constituents in pine bark extracts (PBEs). This review summarizes medical research on PBEs from Pinus pinaster, Pinus radiata, Pinus massoniana, and other less well characterized species. The precise mechanisms of the important physiologic functions of PBE components remain to be elucidated, but there is evidently great potential for the identification and development of novel antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, and anticancer medicines. Although toxicological data for PBEs are limited, no serious adverse effects have been reported. PBEs, therefore, may have potential as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals and should be safe for use as food ingredients.
Make your own cigarettes: characteristics of the product and the consumer.

INTRODUCTION Despite a worldwide increase in the use of Make Your Own (MYO) cigarettes, there is little research characterizing MYO smokers in the United States and the cigarettes they make. METHODS In a single laboratory visit, exclusive MYO smokers brought 5 MYO cigarettes they prepared at home, completed demographic and smoking history questionnaires, and prepared 25 cigarettes using their own tobacco and materials. RESULTS Participants were mostly male (86.7%), average age of 41.3 years, and smoked an average of 19.5 (SD = 7.9) MYO cigarettes per day. They produced two types of cigarettes-by rolling tobacco in a paper leaf (Roll Your Own [RYO, n = 56]) and by injecting tobacco into a tube (Personal Machine Made [PMM, n = 42]). The PMM cigarettes were significantly larger than RYO cigarettes (p < .001). Home- (0.97 g) and laboratory-produced (0.95 g) PMM cigarettes did not differ by weight; however, the RYO cigarettes made at home (0.45 g) were slightly, but significantly, larger than those produced in the laboratory [0.43 g (p < .05)]. There was significant internal consistency in the weight of RYO and PMM cigarettes (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82, 0.84, respectively). Time to produce RYO cigarettes (53 s/cigarette) was significantly longer than that of PMM cigarettes (42 s/cigarette) (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS By using commercially available tobacco, tubes, and paper, experienced MYO smokers can quickly and consistently prepare cigarettes that may be useful in laboratory smoking topography and exposure experiments. Increasing the regulation of Factory Made (FM) cigarettes may lead to increased use of MYO cigarettes with unknown toxicant exposure and health risks to their consumers.
Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies: Atlas of Near-Infrared Images

A sample of 27 ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) systems has been imaged at 1.6 μm using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). These ULIRGs are from a larger sample also imaged with HST in the I band. Images and catalog information for the NICMOS subsample, as well as brief morphological descriptions of each system are presented. Inspection of the infrared images and a comparison with optical images of these systems shows that at least 85% are obviously composed of two or more galaxies involved in a close interaction or merger event, with as many as 93% showing some signs of interaction history. Approximately 37% of the systems show either spectroscopic or morphological characteristics of an active galactic nucleus. The infrared morphologies of these systems are generally less complicated or disturbed than their optical morphologies, indicating that some of the small-scale features seen in optical images are likely due to complicated patterns of dust obscuration, as well as widely distributed star formation activity. In some systems the high-resolution HST infrared images have revealed nuclear remnants that are obscured or unidentified in ground-based imaging, which has led to changes in previously determined interaction stage classifications or system content. In general, however, the NICMOS images support previous conclusions from previous HST optical imaging.
Longitudinal pattern of regional brain volume change differentiates normal aging from MCI

Background: Neuroimaging measures have potential as surrogate markers of disease through identification of consistent features that occur prior to clinical symptoms. Despite numerous investigations, especially in relation to the transition to clinical impairment, the regional pattern of brain changes in clinically normal older adults has not been established. We predict that the regions that show early pathologic changes in association with Alzheimer disease will show accelerated volume loss in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to normal aging. Methods: Through the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, we prospectively evaluated 138 nondemented individuals (age 64–86 years) annually for up to 10 consecutive years. Eighteen participants were diagnosed with MCI over the course of the study. Mixed-effects regression was used to compare regional brain volume trajectories of clinically normal individuals to those with MCI based on a total of 1,017 observations. Results: All investigated volumes declined with normal aging (p < 0.05). Accelerated change with age was observed for ventricular CSF (vCSF), frontal gray matter, superior, middle, and medial frontal, and superior parietal regions (p ≤ 0.04). The MCI group showed accelerated changes compared to normal controls in whole brain volume, vCSF, temporal gray matter, and orbitofrontal and temporal association cortices, including the hippocampus (p ≤ 0.04). Conclusion: Although age-related regional volume loss is apparent and widespread in nondemented individuals, mild cognitive impairment is associated with a unique pattern of structural vulnerability reflected in differential volume loss in specific regions. Early identification of patterns of abnormality is of fundamental importance for detecting disease onset and tracking progression.
Psychotropic drug use in Israel: results from the national health survey.

BACKGROUND Despite increasing psychotropic drug prescriptions worldwide, little is known about utilization of these medications in the general population in Israel. We examined psychotropic drug use in the general population of Israel and the patterns of use among individuals with different DSM-IV diagnoses of 12-month mental disorders. METHOD A representative sample was derived from the National Population Register of noninstitutionalized residents aged 21 and older. Face-to-face interviews were conducted from May 2003 to April 2004. Individuals were asked about any psychotropic drug use in the past 12 months. DSM-IV disorders were assessed using a revised version of the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview. RESULTS Psychotropic drug utilization was observed in 6.9% of the general population and in 19.6% of individuals with any 12-month psychiatric disorder. The extent of use varied according to sociodemographic variables and the specific DSM-IV diagnostic categories. Among individuals with a 12-month diagnosis of pure major depression, only 13.6% received any antidepressants within the same period; exclusive use of antidepressants was 5.7%, while 3.3% of the individuals used only anxiolytics. CONCLUSION Similar to findings in other European countries, our findings suggest that the majority of individuals diagnosed with a common mental disorder are not being treated with psychotropic drugs or are being inappropriately treated.
ASCA observations of deep ROSAT fields -- IV. Infrared and hard X-ray observations of an obscured high-redshift QSO

We use UKIRT and ASCA observations to determine the nature of a high-redshift (z=2.35) narrow-line AGN, previously discovered by Almaini et al. The UKIRT observations show a broad Hα line while no Hβ line is detected. This together with the red colour (B-K=5.4) suggests that our object is a moderately obscured QSO (AV >3), at optical wavelengths. The ASCA data suggest a hard spectrum, probably the result of a large obscuring column, with Γ =1.93+0.62-0.46, NH∼ 1023 cm-2. The combined ASCA and ROSAT data again suggest a heavily obscured spectrum (NH∼ 1023 cm-2 or AV∼ 100). In this picture, the ROSAT soft X-ray emission may arise from electron scattering, in a similar fashion to local Seyfert 1.9 galaxies. Then, there is a large discrepancy between the moderate reddening witnessed in the infrared and the large X-ray absorbing column. This could be possibly explained on the basis of, e.g., high gas metallicities, or by assuming that the X-ray absorbing column is inside the dust sublimation radius. An alternative explanation can be obtained when we allow for variability between the ROSAT and ASCA observations. Then the best-fitting spectrum is still flat, Γ =1.35+0.16-0.14, but with low intrinsic absorption in better agreement with the IR data, while the ROSAT normalization is a factor of 2 below the ASCA normalization. This object may be one of the bright examples of a type II QSO population at high redshift, previously undetected in optical surveys. The hard X-ray spectrum of this object suggests that such a population could make a substantial contribution to the X-ray background.
Author's Personal Copy Computers and Mathematics with Applications Ion Transport in Inhomogeneous Media Based on the Bipartition Model for Primary Ions

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t The present paper is focused on the mathematical modeling of the charged particle transport in nonuniform media. We study the energy deposition of high energy protons and electrons in an energy range of ≈50–500 MeV. This work is an extension of the bipartition model; for high energy electrons studied by Luo and Brahme in [Z. Luo, A. Brahme, High energy electron transport, Phys. Rev. B 46 (1992) 739–752] [42]; and for light ions studied by Luo and Wang in [Z. Luo, S. Wang, Bipartition model of ion transport: an outline of new range theory for light ions, Phys. Rev. B 36 (1987) 1885–1893]; to the field of high energy ions in inhomogeneous media with the retained energy-loss straggling term. In the bipartition model, the transport equation is split into a coupled system of convection–diffusion equations controlled by a partition condition. A similar split is obtained in an asymptotic expansion approach applied to the linear transport equation yielding pencil beam and broad beam models, which are again convection–diffusion type equations. We shall focus on the bipartition model applied for solving three types of problems: (i) normally incident ion transport in a slab; (ii) obliquely incident ion transport in a semi-infinite medium; (iii) energy deposition of ions in a multilayer medium. The broad beam model of the proton absorbed dose was illustrated with the results of a modified Monte Carlo code: SHIELD-HIT +.