Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of leg stiffness and surfaces stiffness during human hopping.

When mammals run, the overall musculoskeletal system behaves as a single linear "leg spring". We used force platform and kinematic measurements to determine whether leg spring stiffness (k(leg)) is adjusted to accommodate changes in surface stiffness (ksurf) when humans hoop in place, a good experimental model for examining adjustments to k(leg) in bouncing gaits. We found that k(leg) was greatly increased to accommodate surfaces of lower stiffnesses. The series combination of k(leg) and ksurf [total stiffness (ktot)] was independent of ksurf at a given hopping frequency. For example, when humans hopped at a frequency of 2 Hz, they tripled their k(leg) on the least stiff surface (ksurf = 26.1 kN/m; k(leg) = 53.3 kN/m) compared with the most stiff surface (ksurf = 35,000 kN/m; k(leg) = 17.8 kN/m). Values for ktot were not significantly different on the least stiff surface (16.7 kN/m) and the most stiff surface (17.8 kN/m). Because of the k(leg) adjustment, many aspects of the hopping mechanics (e.g., ground-contact time and center of mass vertical displacement) remained remarkably similar despite a > 1,000-fold change in ksurf. This study provides insight into how k(leg) adjustments can allow similar locomotion mechanics on the variety of terrains encountered by runners in the natural world.
HIGH STRAIN AND BIOCOMPATIBLE SCREEN PRINTED NANOCOMPOSITE BASED CONDUCTIVE PDMS STRAIN SENSORS

Strain sensors capable of operating in high strain conditions remain a technical challenge. In particular, biocompatible strain sensor technology is needed that satisfies the following requirements: (1) construction from low modulus materials that approach values of soft biological tissues and (2) high strain operation (≥ 20%). We present a screen printed, nanocomposite-based conductive polydimethylsiloxane (CPDMS) strain sensor capable of 40% strain operation with a gauge factor (GF) >100. Strain sensing using CPDMS sensors containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT), graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), or a mixture of both nanocarbon filler materials was demonstrated. The combination of high strain operation, high GF, and biocompatible construction pave the way for minimally invasive in vivo strain measurements. Strain sensors were characterized according to their conductivity, zero current resistance (ZCR), thermal coefficients of resistance (TCR), and gauge factor.
Excess Mortality, Causes of Death and Life Expectancy in 270,770 Patients with Recent Onset of Mental Disorders in Denmark, Finland and Sweden

Background Excess mortality among patients with severe mental disorders has not previously been investigated in detail in large complete national populations. Objective To investigate the excess mortality in different diagnostic categories due to suicide and other external causes of death, and due to specific causes in connection with diseases and medical conditions. Methods In longitudinal national psychiatric case registers from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, a cohort of 270,770 recent-onset patients, who at least once during the period 2000 to 2006 were admitted due to a psychiatric disorder, were followed until death or the end of 2006. They were followed for 912,279 person years, and 28,088 deaths were analyzed. Life expectancy and standardized cause-specific mortality rates were estimated in each diagnostic group in all three countries. Results The life expectancy was generally approximately 15 years shorter for women and 20 years shorter for men, compared to the general population. Mortality due to diseases and medical conditions was increased two- to three-fold, while excess mortality from external causes ranged from three- to 77-fold. Mortality due to diseases and medical conditions was generally lowest in patients with affective disorders and highest in patients with substance abuse and personality disorders, while mortality due to suicide was highest in patients with affective disorders and personality disorders, and mortality due to other external causes was highest in patients with substance abuse. Conclusions These alarming figures call for action in order to prevent the high mortality.
Complementary Roles of Intracellular and Pericellular Collagen Degradation Pathways In Vivo

ABSTRACT Collagen degradation is essential for cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Two key turnover pathways have been described for collagen: intracellular cathepsin-mediated degradation and pericellular collagenase-mediated degradation. However, the functional relationship between these two pathways is unclear and even controversial. Here we show that intracellular and pericellular collagen turnover pathways have complementary roles in vivo. Individual deficits in intracellular collagen degradation (urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein/Endo180 ablation) or pericellular collagen degradation (membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase ablation) were compatible with development and survival. Their combined deficits, however, synergized to cause postnatal death by severely impairing bone formation. Interestingly, this was mechanistically linked to the proliferative failure and poor survival of cartilage- and bone-forming cells within their collagen-rich microenvironment. These findings have important implications for the use of pharmacological inhibitors of collagenase activity to prevent connective tissue destruction in a variety of diseases.
Awareness and attitude of youth toward HIV/ AIDS in rural Southern India

Community-based cross sectional study done to assess the awareness and attitude of rural young men and women toward HIV/AIDS.The study population included 850 young men and women in the age group of 18-30 years, belonging to Kuppam Mandal,Andhra Pradesh, using a two stage sampling design. Data collection was done using a semi structured pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted a total of 60 questions, 40 regarding awareness about the cause and modes of transmission of HIV / AIDS, & 20 to assess the attitude toward people living with HIV / AIDS (PLHA). Statistical package SPSS version 11.5 was used, chi-square test was conducted & P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. In all, 18% of the women and 7% of men had not heard of AIDS at all. The findings showed that the rural women’s knowledge was poor when compared to men (P<0.05). Level of literacy of men & women was significantly associated with their knowledge of HIV/AIDS (P<0.05), showing that literates had better knowledge than illiterates. There were several misconceptions and false beliefs about cause & spread of the infection which were found to be more prevalent among illiterates. Only about 12% of the respondents were willing to undergo the HIV test. The respondents with less than secondary school education had a discriminatory attitude toward HIV positive people, which was found statistically significant. Only 46% of the youth responded that it could be prevented and 20% knew that HIV could be present in apparently healthy looking persons. This study suggests a need for innovative, comprehensive scientific information particularly targeting the rural youth in order to impart better knowledge and understanding on HIV/AIDS.
Coupled-Worlds Privacy: Exploiting Adversarial Uncertainty in Statistical Data Privacy

We propose a new framework for defining privacy in statistical databases that enables reasoning about and exploiting adversarial uncertainty about the data. Roughly, our framework requires indistinguishability of the real world in which a mechanism is computed over the real dataset, and an ideal world in which a simulator outputs some function of a "scrubbed" version of the dataset (e.g., one in which an individual user's data is removed). In each world, the underlying dataset is drawn from the same distribution in some class (specified as part of the definition), which models the adversary's uncertainty about the dataset. We argue that our framework provides meaningful guarantees in a broader range of settings as compared to previous efforts to model privacy in the presence of adversarial uncertainty. We also show that several natural, "noiseless" mechanisms satisfy our definitional framework under realistic assumptions on the distribution of the underlying data.
Integrating individual psychology and social networks

Using a wide range of methodological and theoretical frameworks this thesis aims to integrate the social network approach with psychological research. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the network perspective and the wide range of theories, concepts and applications. Further, a novel structural framework is offered, integrating the most important measures of network-positioning. Chapter 2 contains four studies examining how an individual’s personality and motivation relates to their perception of, and actual social network positioning. Study 1 shows that personality influences how people perceive themselves in social networks and that this perception moderates the well-researched relationship between personality and subjective wellbeing. The second study demonstrates that (similarity on) the Big Five personality factors affect the likelihood of selecting and attracting social network ties. Yet, effects are small and somewhat inconsistent with previous literature. Results of Study 3 did not support our hypothesis that differences in motivation are associated with the occupation of different social network positions, in an organizational setting. Lastly, study 4 shows how an individual’s political skill relates to his/her preferred and perceived personal networks, and their joint effect on job attitudes. Chapter 3 links SNA with Social Cognition research. Study 1 demonstrates that high self-monitors are perceived as more similar to the self, and that this (partly) accounts for the well-known effect of self-monitoring on popularity in friendship networks. Study 2 examines if, and concludes that perceptions of high popularity negatively affects the quality of a friendship relations. Lastly, Study 3 demonstrates that an individual’s sense of power negatively impacts perceptual accuracy of dyadic relations in a friendship network. Chapter 4 emphasizes qualitative aspects of social network relations. Study 1 suggests that average frequency of tie “activation” as well as advice ties that co-occur with more personal ties, lead to increased levels of employee engagement. Study 2 demonstrates that costs of giving and benefits of receiving advice are more pronounced in informal, compared to formal work networks. Overall, it is concluded that the social network approach provides a powerful research tool for psychologists, yet being fraught with both methodological as well as theoretical challenges.
Adult psychiatric outcomes of bullying and being bullied by peers in childhood and adolescence.

IMPORTANCE Both bullies and victims of bullying are at risk for psychiatric problems in childhood, but it is unclear if this elevated risk extends into early adulthood. OBJECTIVE To test whether bullying and/or being bullied in childhood predicts psychiatric problems and suicidality in young adulthood after accounting for childhood psychiatric problems and family hardships. DESIGN Prospective, population-based study. SETTING Community sample from 11 counties in Western North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1420 participants who had being bullied and bullying assessed 4 to 6 times between the ages of 9 and 16 years. Participants were categorized as bullies only, victims only, bullies and victims (hereafter referred to as bullies/victims), or neither. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Psychiatric outcomes, which included depression, anxiety, antisocial personality disorder, substance use disorders, and suicidality (including recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt), were assessed in young adulthood (19, 21, and 24-26 years) by use of structured diagnostic interviews. RESULTS Victims and bullies/victims had elevated rates of young adult psychiatric disorders, but also elevated rates of childhood psychiatric disorders and family hardships. After controlling for childhood psychiatric problems or family hardships, we found that victims continued to have a higher prevalence of agoraphobia (odds ratio [OR], 4.6 [95% CI, 1.7-12.5]; P < .01), generalized anxiety (OR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.1-6.3]; P < .001), and panic disorder (OR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.5-6.5]; P < .01) and that bullies/victims were at increased risk of young adult depression (OR, 4.8 [95% CI, 1.2-19.4]; P < .05), panic disorder (OR, 14.5 [95% CI, 5.7-36.6]; P < .001), agoraphobia (females only; OR, 26.7 [95% CI, 4.3-52.5]; P < .001), and suicidality (males only; OR, 18.5 [95% CI, 6.2-55.1]; P < .001). Bullies were at risk for antisocial personality disorder only (OR, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.1-15.8]; P < .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The effects of being bullied are direct, pleiotropic, and long-lasting, with the worst effects for those who are both victims and bullies.
Accounting consistency and earnings quality †

We specify measures of accounting consistency based on the textual similarity of accounting policy footnotes both across time and within industry and we examine how these measures relate to earnings quality. Consistency over time is positively associated with earnings quality, as proxied by earnings persistence, predictability, smoothness, accrual quality, and absolute discretionary accruals. We also find a positive association between accounting consistency within industry and accrual quality and absolute discretionary accruals proxies, but this positive association stems from measurement error in the earnings quality proxies. Our results suggest that accounting consistency is an important factor in the measurement of earnings quality. JEL classification: M41
Teacher confidence to implement the principles, guidelines, and checkpoints of universal design for learning*

ABSTRACT Universal design for learning (UDL) is an inclusive pedagogical framework for breaking down barriers to the learning process for all students. The framework consists of 3 principles, 9 guidelines, and 31 checkpoints. UDL has been named by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) as a recommendation for all classroom teachers in Australia as a means of personalising learning for students with disability and diverse learning needs. To measure the confidence of Australian teachers in implementing this inclusive pedagogical framework, 97 teachers were surveyed. Results demonstrated that primary teachers were generally more confident than secondary teachers at implementing the principles, guidelines, and checkpoints underlying UDL. However, in both groups confidence levels varied in relation to the underlying elements of the inclusive pedagogical framework. Both primary and secondary teachers were more confident at implementing principle one, compared with principles two and three. The implications of this study will be discussed.
Data Transformation and Forecasting in Models with Unit Roots and Cointegration

We perform a series of Monte Carlo experiments in order to evaluate the impact of data transformation on forecasting models, and find that vector error-corrections dominate differenced data vector autoregressions when the correct data transformation is used, but not when data are incorrectly tansformed, even if the true model contains cointegrating restrictions. We argue that one reason for this is the failure of standard unit root and cointegration tests under incorrect data transformation.
Deep Sequencing Reveals Predominant Expression of miR-21 Amongst the Small Non-Coding RNAs in Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The retinal vascular endothelium is essential for angiogenesis and is involved in maintaining barrier selectivity and vascular tone. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify microRNAs and other small regulatory non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which may regulate these crucial functions. Primary bovine retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) provide a well‐characterized in vitro system for studying angiogenesis. RNA extracted from RMECs was used to prepare a small RNA library for deep sequencing (Illumina Genome Analyzer). A total of 6.8 million reads were mapped to 250 known microRNAs in miRBase (release 16). In many cases, the most frequent isomiR differed from the sequence reported in miRBase. In addition, five novel microRNAs, 13 novel bovine orthologs of known human microRNAs and multiple new members of the miR‐2284/2285 family were detected. Several ∼30 nucleotide sno‐miRNAs were identified, with the most highly expressed being derived from snoRNA U78. Highly expressed microRNAs previously associated with endothelial cells included miR‐126 and miR‐378, but the most highly expressed was miR‐21, comprising more than one‐third of all mapped reads. Inhibition of miR‐21 with an LNA inhibitor significantly reduced proliferation, migration, and tube‐forming capacity of RMECs. The independence from prior sequence knowledge provided by deep sequencing facilitates analysis of novel microRNAs and other small RNAs. This approach also enables quantitative evaluation of microRNA expression, which has highlighted the predominance of a small number of microRNAs in RMECs. Knockdown of miR‐21 suggests a role for this microRNA in regulation of angiogenesis in the retinal microvasculature. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2098–2111, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
P-glycoprotein Inhibition for Optimal Drug Delivery

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an efflux membrane transporter, is widely distributed throughout the body and is responsible for limiting cellular uptake and the distribution of xenobiotics and toxic substances. Hundreds of structurally diverse therapeutic agents are substrates to it and it impedes the absorption, permeability, and retention of the drugs, extruding them out of the cells. It is overexpressed in cancer cells and accountable for obstructing cell internalization of chemotherapeutic agents and for developing transporter mediated resistance by cancer cells during anti-tumor treatments. As it jeopardizes the success of drug delivery and cancer targeting, strategies are being developed to overcome P-gp mediated drug transport. This concise review represents a brief discussion on P-gp mediated drug transport and how it hinders the success of various therapies. Its main focus is on various strategies used to tackle this curb in the field of drug delivery and targeting.
Finite Computational Structures and Implementations

What is computable with limited resources? How can we verify the correctness of computations? How to measure computational power with precision? Despite the immense scientific and engineering progress in computing, we still have only partial answers to these questions. In order to make these problems more precise, we describe an abstract algebraic definition of classical computation, generalizing traditional models to semigroups. The mathematical abstraction also allows the investigation of different computing paradigms (e.g. cellular automata, reversible computing) in the same framework. Here we summarize the main questions and recent results of the research of finite computation.
Optimal Speed Advice for Cyclists using a Roadside Sign at Signalized Intersections with Uncertainty in Traffic Light Timing

Signalized intersections are one of the most common sources of inconvenience for cyclists. The aim of this paper is to develop an approach that helps cyclists to meet their cycling preferences (regarding, e.g., the energy they use and their preference to avoid unnecessary stopping) while crossing intersections. Uncertainty in traffic light timing is considered explicitly in the approach, which makes it applicable for intersections with traffic-responsive signals. The suggested approach provides cyclists with optimal and personalized speed advice. The advice is communicated to the cyclists through a roadside sign located upstream of the intersection. It is assumed that the roadside sign can measure the speed of the approaching bike and can also communicate with the traffic light to ascertain the traffic light’s state and give advice accordingly. To consider the behavior of cyclists when they disregard the advice as they get close to the intersection, the problem is separated in two parts and formulated as a Markov reward process combined with a Markov decision process and stochastic dynamic programming is used to solve the corresponding optimization problem. The approach is generic in relation to the underlying process model and the objective function. The results of an illustrative case study show how much improvement, in relation to the cyclist’s average number of stops, and average energy consumption, could be achieved by use of the suggested approach in a simulated intersection. We also investigate how the location of the sign may affect the performance of the approach.
A cache coherence approach for large multiprocessor systems

This paper explores the architecture of high-performance large scale multiprocessors using private caches for each processor. The caches reduce the average memory access time, but they also result in the well known cache coherence problem. Multiple copies of each memory location are allowed to exist but they must be kept consistent with each other. In this paper, we present a solution to the cache coherence problem specifically for shared bus multiprocessors that adapts dynamically to the reference pattern. Simulation results are presented that demonstrate the high level of performance relative to other protocols particularly during intervals with high levels of sharing. The paper then presents a coherence solution for large multiprocessor systems organized around a hierarchy of buses. One of the first solutions of this kind, the hierarchical protocol is an extension of the adaptive shared bus approach described in this paper.
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of venlafaxine extended release and a long-term extension study for patients with major depressive disorder in Japan

The aim of this study was to assess antidepressant efficacy and safety of venlafaxine extended release in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We carried out a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized study using fixed (75 mg/day) and flexible (75–225 mg/day, most patients attained to 225 mg/day) doses, followed by the long-term, open-labeled, extension study. Outpatients aged at least 20 years diagnosed with MDD were included. The primary efficacy measure was change from baseline in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17) score at week 8; secondary efficacy measures included the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology self-report version, HAM-D6, and Clinical Global Impression scales in the double-blinded study. Overall, 538 patients were randomized; significant differences were observed in the primary efficacy variable in the fixed-dose group (−10.76; P=0.031), but not in the flexible-dose (−10.37; P=0.106) group compared with placebo (−9.25). However, the flexible-dose group showed significant efficacy in several secondary measures. Treatment-related adverse events in the treatment period were 51.7 and 67.8% in the fixed-dose and flexible-dose groups, respectively, versus 38.8% with placebo. Throughout the study period, no Japanese-specific adverse events were observed. Thus, venlafaxine extended release was efficacious and safe for MDD treatment in Japan.