Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Biomechanics of Lower Extremity Action in Distance Running

The role of quantitative biomechanical measurements in the evaluation of the running patient is discussed. Many techniques are now available to provide insight into the external mechanics of lower extremity action during running, and results from such measurements are presented for symptom-free subjects at distance running speeds. Details of stride length, stride time, and foot placement are first presented followed by a discussion of kinematic data, including stick figures, angle-time graphs, and angle-angle diagrams for the sagittal plane motion of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The measurement of rearfoot motion, as an approximation of coronal plane subtalar joint movements, is also discussed. Results from acceleration, force, and pressure measurements are considered, and the assertion is made that bilateral asymmetry in many of these measures is a fairly common finding. There are, at present, few reports in the literature of the application of biomechanical techniques to the evaluation of patients with running injuries. It is anticipated that there will be rapid developments in this area in the future and that this will provide considerable insight into the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of running injuries.
Steady-State VEP-Based Brain-Computer Interface Control in an Immersive 3D Gaming Environment

This paper presents the application of an effective EEG-based brain-computer interface design for binary control in a visually elaborate immersive 3D game. The BCI uses the steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) generated in response to phase-reversing checkerboard patterns. Two power-spectrum estimation methods were employed for feature extraction in a series of offline classification tests. Both methods were also implemented during real-time game play. The performance of the BCI was found to be robust to distracting visual stimulation in the game and relatively consistent across six subjects, with 41 of 48 games successfully completed. For the best performing feature extraction method, the average real-time control accuracy across subjects was 89%. The feasibility of obtaining reliable control in such a visually rich environment using SSVEPs is thus demonstrated and the impact of this result is discussed.
A Review of Mobile Terminal-Based Applications for Self-Management of Patients with Diabetes

Peer-reviewed studies of mobile terminal-based applications for self-management of patients with diabetes were reviewed. Databases of medical and engineering studies were searched for relevant publications, and 39 publications describing 28 studies were identified as examining feasibility, acceptability or effectiveness using empirical methods, preferably involving prospective users. Research methods, application design, and findings were summarized. The current status is that the key features of successful applications for diabetes management have not yet been clarified because of the difficulties in statistical comparison between studies and the limitations of each study. The importance of clarifying the key feature for enhancing motivation in long-term self-management of diabetes taking human-factor-engineering methods into account is discussed.
Metabolic Algorithm with Time-Varying eaction Maps

A symbolic-based approach to modeling biochemical processes and cellular dynamics is likely to turn useful in computational biology, where attempts to represent the cell as a huge, complex dynamic system must trade with the linguistic nature of the DNA and the individual behavior of the organelles living within. The early version of the metabolic algorithm gave a first answer to the problem of representing oscillatory biological phenomena, so far being treated with traditional (differential) mathematical tools, in terms of rewriting systems. We are now working on a further version of this algorithm, in which the rule application is tuned by reaction maps depending on the specific phenomenon under consideration. Successful simulations of the Brusselator, the Lotka-Volterra population dynamics and the PKC activation foster potential applications of the algorithm in systems biology.
Winter/summer seasonal changes in malondialdehyde formation as a source of variance in oxidative stress schizophrenia research

Background. Malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress biological marker, is one of the most frequently used markers of lipid peroxidation in schizophrenia research. Data regarding MDA levels in schizophrenia are controversial. Our aim is to study the existence of winter/summer seasonal changes in serum MDA levels in schizophrenic patients. Methods. Twenty-three clinically stable treated chronic paranoid schizophrenic outpatients were studied in summer and winter. Blood was sampled between 08:30 and 09:00 h. Serum MDA was determined by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances technique. The clinical state was assessed by means of the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale. Results. Mean serum MDA levels were significantly higher in summer than winter (2.49±0.25 vs. 1.86±0.11 nmol/ml, P<0.03). Summer MDA was increased by a 33.9% compared to winter MDA. Age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, psychopharmacological treatment, illness duration, age of illness onset and CGI did not affect significantly MDA levels. Conclusion. Our results show that serum MDA presents a winter/summer rhythm of formation, with higher levels in summer than winter. It is strongly advisable to take into account the summer/winter variation in MDA levels when researching into this field.
Formulation and evaluation of delayed-onset extended-release tablets of metoprolol tartrate using hydrophilic-swellable polymers

Formulation and evaluation of delayed-onset extended-release tablets of metoprolol tartrate using hydrophilic-swellable polymers In view of the circadian rhythm of cardiovascular diseases, a delayed-onset extended-release (DOER) formulation of metoprolol tartrate (MT) was prepared. This was achieved through dissolution-guided optimization of the proportion of Methocel K4M and Methocel K15M. Core erosion ratio was greater than 50 %, thereby showing steady release of the drug after the lag time until complete dissolution. Optimized formulation produced a lag phase of 6 h followed by complete release of 98.7 ± 2.1 % in 24 h. Water uptake study revealed that Methocel K15M has lower water uptake (30 ± 1 %) than Methocel K4M (40 ± 2 %) after 24 h. Axial swelling of polymers was higher than swelling in the radial direction. Drug-polymer interaction study precludes any interaction between drug and polymer. Such a drug delivery system may provide a viable alternative for effective management of hypertension and other related disorders. This work also proposes an approach to attain DOER for a hydrophilic drug by using a hydrophilic swellable polymer in press coat. Priprava i vrednovanje tableta metoprolol tartarata s odgođenim i produljenim oslobađanjem koristeći hidrofilne polimere koji bubre Vodeći računa o cirkadijanom ritmu kardiovaskularnih bolesti, pripravljene su formulacije metoprolol tartarata (MT) s odgođenim i produljenim oslobađanjem (DOER). Optimizacija je provedena praćenjem oslobađanja pri čemu je mijenjan omjer hidroksipropilmetil celuloza Methocela K4M i Methocela K15M. Erozija obložnog sloja bila je veća od 50 %, što pokazuje ujednačeno oslobađanje ljekovite tvari nakon početne odgođene faze do potpunog oslobađanja. U optimiziranoj formulaciji oslobađanje je započelo nakon 6 h, nakon čega slijedi potpuno oslobađanje (98.7 ± 2.1 %) tijekom 24 h. Nakon 24 h ulazak vode u Methocel K15M bio je manji (30 ± 1 %) nego u Methocel K4M (40 ± 2 %). Aksijalno bubrenje polimera bilo je značajnije nego radijalno bubrenje. Nije zapažena interakcija lijeka i polimera. Opisani sustav za isporuku lijekova može biti korisna alternativa za učinkovitu terapiju hipertenzije i srodnih poremećaja. DOER s ovojnicom od hidrofilnih polimera koji bubre upotrebljiv je i za druge hidrofilne lijekove.
Time-bounded localization algorithm based on distributed Multidimensional Scaling for Wireless Sensor Networks

Many applications of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) require to achieve the positions of the sensor nodes within a given time bound. In this paper we study the relative and physical localizability of WSN in a given time bound. We propose a new distributed and time bounded localization algorithm based on Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) method in WSN called D-MDS localization time algorithm. We compare the proposed algorithm to the existing algorithm based on the well-known Trilateration method. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing approach based on Trilateration method in terms of the number of localized nodes in the network and the number of anchors required to physically localize the sensors. The D-MDS localization time algorithm localizes a large number of nodes for a low node degree in a time bound. Moreover it is able to physically localize the network with a low number of anchors compared with the algorithm based on Trilateration method.
Effect of duration of teat cup liner closure per pulsation cycle on bovine mastitis.

Measurements of teat end expansion and contraction times from step changes in pressure suggest that teat ends require a minimal duration of liner closure for response. Effect of duration of liner closure per pulsation cycle on susceptibility of the udder to infection was tested. Four durations of liner closure (liner more than half closed) were applied: zero, . 17, . 34, and . 51 s per pulsation cycle. For the latter three treatments, duration of the liner more than half open was . 66 s per pulsation cycle, resulting in pulsation rates of 72.3, 60.0, and 51.3 pulsations per min. Four groups, each of 10 British Friesian cows, were in a 4-wk experiment. High bacterial exposure of all teats was ensured by dipping them before and after each milking in a suspension of Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae. Numbers of quarters becoming infected per treatment group were 20, 11, 4, and 5. This result represents both a significant inverse linear and quadratic relationship between proportion of quarters becoming infected and duration of liner closure. We conclude that a sufficient duration of liner closure, i.e., one-third of a second or more, per pulsation cycle contributes to reducing risk of new mammary gland infections.
Mitochondrial Abnormalities in HIV-Infected Lipoatrophic Patients Treated With Antiretroviral Agents

Background:Lipodystrophy is now widely described in HIV infected patients under antiretroviral regimen with important psychological impact. But physiopathology of loss of fat mass is still debated and the role of mitochondrial impairment is not clearly defined. Objective:To correlate clinical lipoatrophy (LA) in HIV patients with long-term treatment by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and muscular impairment related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods:Ten consecutive patients with clinical LA and 10 nonlipodystrophic (NLD) individuals on antiretroviral therapy were included. Patients underwent the following investigations: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning and lactate kinetics during standardized exercise. The mitochondrial respiratory complex activity (III and IV) and histoenzymatic abnormalities (classified as none, mild, or severe) were evaluated on muscle tissue obtained by biopsy in deltoid muscle. Results:Mean NRTI exposure was longer in the LA group than in the NLD group (81 ± 30 months vs. 59 ± 15 months), but mean protease inhibitor exposure was identical in both groups. Mean fat mass distribution for leg in the LA and NLD groups was 860 ± 381 g versus 1895 ± 999 g, respectively. The lactic acidosis threshold during exercise was reached in the LA group at lower workloads (mean: 45 ± 17 W in the LA group vs. 68 ± 11 W in the NLD group), and maximum power output exercise was restricted in LA patients (mean: 115 ± 30 W vs. 153 ± 28 W). Total complex activities in muscular tissue were lower in LA patients: the median (range) for complex III was 67 (1-128) versus 112 (28-143), and the median (range) for complex IV was 28 (1-70) versus 42 (1-75). Six patients had severe histoenzymatic abnormalities in the LA group versus none in the NLD group. Conclusion:Clinical LA, confirmed by DEXA, in long-term NRTI-treated patients was associated with muscular mitochondrial dysfunction as shown by rapid lactic acidemia increase, impairment of respiratory chain activity for complexes III and IV, and mitochondrial histoenzymatic abnormalities.
Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is associated with induced gene expression in Drosophila euchromatin

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is a conserved nonhistone chromosomal protein, which is involved in heterochromatin formation and gene silencing in many organisms. In addition, it has been shown that HP1 is also involved in telomere capping in Drosophila. Here, we show a novel striking feature of this protein demonstrating its involvement in the activation of several euchromatic genes in Drosophila. By immunostaining experiments using an HP1 antibody, we found that HP1 is associated with developmental and heat shock–induced puffs on polytene chromosomes. Because the puffs are the cytological phenotype of intense gene activity, we did a detailed analysis of the heat shock–induced expression of the HSP70 encoding gene in larvae with different doses of HP1 and found that HP1 is positively involved in Hsp70 gene activity. These data significantly broaden the current views of the roles of HP1 in vivo by demonstrating that this protein has multifunctional roles.
Thrombocytopenia and Platelet Abnormalities in High-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Deficient Mice

Objective—High-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor, scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI), mediated cellular uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol controls HDL structure and plasma HDL and biliary cholesterol levels. In SR-BI knockout (KO) mice, an unusually high plasma unesterified-to-total cholesterol ratio (UC:TC) and abnormally large HDL particles apparently contribute to pathology, including female infertility, susceptibility to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, and anemia. Here we examined the influence of SR-BI deficiency on platelets. Methods and Results—The high plasma UC:TC ratio in SR-BI KO mice was correlated with platelet abnormalities, including high cholesterol content, abnormal morphologies, high clearance rates, and thrombocytopenia. One day after platelets from wild-type mice were infused into SR-BI KO mice, they exhibited abnormally high cholesterol content and clearance rates similar to those of endogenous platelets. Platelets from SR-BI KO mice exhibited in vitro a blunted aggregation response to the agonist ADP but a normal response to PAR4. Conclusions—In SR-BI KO mice abnormal circulating lipoproteins, particularly their high UC:TC ratio—rather than the absence of SR-BI in platelets themselves—induce defects in platelet structure and clearance, together with a mild defect in function.
Accuracy of the Velotron Ergometer and SRM Power Meter

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Velotron cycle ergometer and the SRM power meter using a dynamic calibration rig over a range of exercise protocols commonly applied in laboratory settings. These trials included two sustained constant power trials (250 W and 414 W), two incremental power trials and three high-intensity interval power trials. To further compare the two systems, 15 subjects performed three dynamic 30 km performance time trials. The Velotron and SRM displayed accurate measurements of power during both constant power trials (<1% error). However, during high-intensity interval trials the Velotron and SRM were found to be less accurate (3.0%, CI=1.6-4.5% and -2.6%, CI=-3.2--2.0% error, respectively). During the dynamic 30 km time trials, power measured by the Velotron was 3.7+/-1.9% (CI=2.9-4.8%) greater than that measured by the SRM. In conclusion, the accuracy of the Velotron cycle ergometer and the SRM power meter appears to be dependent on the type of test being performed. Furthermore, as each power monitoring system measures power at various positions (i.e. bottom bracket vs. rear wheel), caution should be taken when comparing power across the two systems, particularly when power is variable.
A new method to optimize the satellite broadcasting schedules using the mean field annealing of a Hopfield neural network

Reports a new method for optimizing satellite broadcasting schedules based on the Hopfield neural model in combination with the mean field annealing theory. A clamping technique is used with an associative matrix, thus reducing the dimensions of the solution space. A formula for estimating the critical temperature for the mean field annealing procedure is derived, hence enabling the updating of the mean field theory equations to be more economical. Several factors on the numerical implementation of the mean field equations using a straightforward iteration method that may cause divergence are discussed; methods to avoid this kind of divergence are also proposed. Excellent results are consistently found for problems of various sizes.
Program slicing for ATPG-based property checking

This paper presents a novel technique for abstracting designs in order to increase the efficiency of formal property checking. Bounded Model Checking (BMC), using Satisfiability (SAT) techniques, are beginning to be widely used for checking properties of designs. Recent approaches using sequential ATPG techniques, which harness the structural information of the design, have been shown to perform better than SAT-based BMC. However, these techniques require an effective methodology to deal with the size of commercial designs. A program slicing methodology that has been shown to accelerate sequential ATPG is adapted and integrated into an ATPG-based BMC framework. Furthermore, a generalization of the ATPG-based approach, which checks for unbounded liveness, is also presented.
Do Differences Matter?

Abstract Have women members of Congress made a difference? A handful of studies have answered this “so what” question by looking for differences between male and female legislators. We build on previous research and propose an additional way of answering this question. If women members are making a difference, then they should be changing how men behave in Congress. Specifically, if women members are making a difference, then they should be changing how their male colleagues debate the issues. We content-analyze each House floor debate on the Hyde Amendment to see if women are changing how men debate the abortion issue. We find that men and women frame the abortion debate differently, and we find some evidence that women members of Congress have shifted the debate over time to focus less on the morality of abortion and more on the health of the pregnant women. We hope our research stimulates further work that not only looks for differences between men and women legislators, but also looks to see if the differences cause legislatures to change the way they do business.
The use of spatial constraints in the derivation of mesoscale sea surface current fields from multi-sensor satellite data

Sequential multi-sensor satellite images are used for the computation of mesoscale surface currents in the Northern and Southern Baltic Proper. Different marine surface films and accumulated algae at the water surface are imaged by the sensors working in the optical, infrared, and microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum and can thus be used as tracers for the local motion of the sea surface. Due to the generality of the problem, there are different algorithms available for motion estimation using object tracking in images. To apply these to the field of sea surface current estimation, we need to take the smoothness assumptions into account that the algorithms were built up on. We present the influence of different spatial constraints in the algorithms for the derivation of mesoscale sea surface currents using multi-sensor / multi-channel satellite images by means of a quantitative comparison with model results provided by the German Federal and Maritime Agency (BSH).
Dimensions of Dreams

There are inevitably some omissions, inconsistencies, or points of disagreement in a compilation and summary of papers and workshops. The most prominent omission is a conceptual framework of family functioning as related to the development of children. There is a specification of qualities, behaviors, and circumstances, but little discussion of the processes with which these elements of a family system interact. Also lacking is a theory of psychopathology to explain observations and to serve as the basis for a strategy of intervention. The developmental model which defines all psychiatric disorders as disturbances in the course of the child's development obscures more than it enlightens. Familiar categories such as psychosis, emotional disturbance, behavior disorder, or brain dysfunction could be more dearly linked to therapeutic approach. The section on child abuse fails to mention the role of impulsive parents or of protective services and does not convey the sense of urgency appropriate to this situation. The busy physician will be discouraged from attempting to do a family inventory by the comment that this skill can be acquired only through direct observation and supervision with an experienced practitioner. Furthermore, generalizations about current trends in family life have a tone critical of parents even while emphasizing the absolute necessity of establishing a therapeutic alliance with them. This monograph touches on virtually all issues relevant to the evaluation and treatment of children with psychiatric problems. It will be useful to nonpsychiatric physicians by calling attention to matters they must consider in the management of these problems. It should also be useful as a training aid to the child psychiatrist involved with primary-care physicians.
Little left in the tank: metabolic scaling in marine teleosts and its implications for aerobic scope

Fish larvae are the world's smallest vertebrates, and their high rates of mortality may be partially owing to a very limited aerobic scope. Unfortunately, however, no complete empirical dataset exists on the relationship between minimal and maximal metabolism (and thus aerobic scope) for any fish species throughout ontogeny, and thus such an association is hard to delineate. We measured standard and maximal metabolism in three marine fish species over their entire life history, and show that while aerobic scope depends greatly on body size and developmental trajectory, it is extremely small during the early life stages (factorial aerobic scope≤1.5). Our findings strongly suggest that limited scope for aerobic activity early in life is likely to constrain physiological function and ultimately impact behaviour and possibly survival. Furthermore, our results have important implications for ecological models that incorporate metabolic scaling, and provide additional evidence against the existence of ‘universal’ scaling exponents.
Conventional and TFPM linear generators for direct-drive wave energy conversion

The archimedes wave swing (AWS) is a system that converts ocean wave energy into electric energy. The goal of the research described in this paper is to identify the most suitable generator type for this application. Of the conventional generator types, the three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous generator with iron in both stator and translator is most suitable, because it is cheaper and more efficient than the induction generator, the switched reluctance generator, and the permanent-magnet (PM) generator with an air-gap winding. The paper also proposes a new transverse-flux PM (TFPM) generator topology that could be suitable for this application. This new double-sided moving-iron TFPM generator has flux concentrators, magnets, and conductors on the stator, while the translator only consists of iron.