Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Synergy Extrapolation for Predicting Unmeasured Muscle Excitations from Measured Muscle Synergies

Electromyography (EMG)-driven musculoskeletal modeling relies on high-quality measurements of muscle electrical activity to estimate muscle forces. However, a critical challenge for practical deployment of this approach is missing EMG data from muscles that contribute substantially to joint moments. This situation may arise due to either the inability to measure deep muscles with surface electrodes or the lack of a sufficient number of EMG electrodes. Muscle synergy analysis is a dimensionality-reduction approach to decompose a large number of muscle excitations into a small number of time-varying synergy excitations along with time-invariant synergy weights that define the contribution of each corresponding synergy excitation to a specific muscle excitation. This study evaluates how accurately missing muscle excitations can be predicted using synergy excitations extracted from muscles with available EMGs (henceforth called “synergy extrapolation”). The results were reported on a gait dataset collected from a stroke survivor walking on an instrumented treadmill at self-selected and fastest-comfortable speeds. The evaluation process started with full calibration of a lower-body EMG-driven model using 16-channel EMGs (including surface and indwelling) in each leg. One indwelling EMG (either iliopsoas or adductor longus) was then treated as unmeasured at a time. The synergy weights associated with the unmeasured muscle were predicted through solving a nonlinear optimization problem where the errors between inverse dynamics and EMG-driven joint moments were minimized. We also quantitatively evaluated how synergy analysis algorithms (principal component analysis (PCA) and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF)), EMG normalization methods, and number of synergies affect the accuracy of the predicted unmeasured muscle excitation. Synergy extrapolation performance was most influenced by the choice of synergy analysis algorithm and number of synergies. PCA with 5 or 6 synergies consistently predicted unmeasured muscle excitations most accurately and with greatest robustness to choice of EMG normalization method. Furthermore, the associated joint moment matching accuracy was comparable to that produced by the full EMG-driven calibration. The synergy extrapolation method described in this study may facilitate the assessment of human neuromuscular control and biomechanics in response to surgical or rehabilitation treatment when important EMG signals are missing.
Diagnostic value of cardiac 64-slice computed tomography: Importance of coronary calcium

Objectives. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) has proven clinically useful for non-invasive assessment of coronary pathology. However, coronary calcium can reduce its diagnostic value. The objective of this study was to define a calcium score above which CTA appears less reliable. Design. We prospectively investigated 109 patients referred for elective coronary angiography (CA). With a 64-slice CT-scanner, coronary calcium was determined and expressed in Agatston unit (AU). A significant coronary stenosis was defined as ≥50% luminal diameter reduction. Following blinded interpretation, diagnostic values of CTA at different levels of AU were calculated using quantitative CA as reference. Results. A strong association with stent and the severity of coronary calcium was observed. In patients without stents (n = 91) sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value for presence of significant stenosis were: 100%, 91%, 74%, and 100% in patients with a calcium score ≤400 AU versus 100%, 17%, 75%, and 100% in patients with a score >400 AU. Conclusions. The diagnostic accuracy of CTA in patients with no or little coronary calcium is excellent. However, in patients with an Agatston score >400 specificity declines and therefore, these patients should not go on to CTA, but be referred to CA instead.
CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM OF THE MAGELLANIC PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS MAGELLANICUS) BY SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Abstract The corneal endothelium is essential for the maintenance of the corneal transparency. The aim of this study was to examine the morphology of the endothelial surface and perform morphometric analysis of the normal corneal endothelial cells of the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) using scanning electron microscopy. The present work demonstrates that the corneal endothelium of the Magellanic penguin is similar to those described in other vertebrates.
The Penn State Heart Assistant: A pilot study of a web-based intervention to improve self-care of heart failure patients

The Penn State Heart Assistant, a web-based, tablet computer-accessed, secure application was developed to conduct a proof of concept test, targeting patient self-care activities of heart failure patients including daily medication adherence, weight monitoring, and aerobic activity. Patients (n = 12) used the tablet computer-accessed program for 30 days—recording their information and viewing a short educational video. Linear random coefficient models assessed the relationship between weight and time and exercise and time. Good medication adherence (66% reporting taking 75% of prescribed medications) was reported. Group compliance over 30 days for weight and exercise was 84 percent. No persistent weight gain over 30 days, and some indication of weight loss (slope of weight vs time was negative (−0.17; p value = 0.002)), as well as increased exercise (slope of exercise vs time was positive (0.08; p value = 0.04)) was observed. This study suggests that mobile technology is feasible, acceptable, and has potential for cost-effective opportunities to manage heart failure patients safely at home.
C‐reactive protein in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis

Summary. The role of C‐reactive protein (CRP) in the diagnosis of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and a possible advantage of its additional evaluation with D‐dimer has not been clearly evaluated. We therefore studied plasma CRP and D‐dimer levels in 233 consecutive patients with suspected DVT; the final diagnosis was based on the results of colour duplex ultrasound or venography. DVT was diagnosed in 31·3%. CRP and D‐dimer correlated significantly (r = 0·64, P < 0·01); both were increased significantly in patients suffering from DVT (P < 0·001). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant influence of the presence of DVT (P < 0·001), the presence of malignancy (P < 0·001) and the presence of inflammatory diseases (P = 0·009) on plasma CRP, while there was no significant influence of the duration of symptoms (P = 0·30). The sensitivity (75%vs 93%) to specificity (69%vs 55%) relationship showed inferior results for CRP compared with D‐dimer; its additional evaluation did not improve the diagnostic value of D‐dimer. We conclude that CRP can provide additional information neither for the diagnostic process in patients with suspected DVT nor for the differential diagnosis of DVT and inflammatory diseases.
Not all ultrasounds are created equal: general sonography versus musculoskeletal sonography in the detection of rotator cuff tears

Background This cross-sectional analytic diagnostic accuracy study was designed to compare the accuracy of ultrasound performed by general sonographers in local radiology practices with ultrasound performed by an experienced musculoskeletal sonographer for the detection of rotator cuff tears. Methods In total, 238 patients undergoing arthroscopy who had previously had an ultrasound performed by both a general sonographer and a specialist musculoskeletal sonographer made up the study cohort. Accuracy of diagnosis was compared with the findings at arthroscopy. Results When analyzed as all tears versus no tears, musculoskeletal sonography had an accuracy of 97%, a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 95%, whereas general sonography had an accuracy of 91%, a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 86%. When the partial tears were split with those ≥ 50% thickness in the tear group and those < 50% thickness in the no-tear group, musculoskeletal sonography had an accuracy of 97%, a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100% and general sonography had an accuracy of 85%, a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 87%. Conclusions Ultrasound in the hands of an experienced musculoskeletal sonographer is highly accurate for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. General sonography has improved subsequent to earlier studies but remains inferior to an ultrasound performed by a musculoskeletal sonographer.
Establishing New Criteria in Selecting Children for a Cochlear Implant: Performance of “Platinum” Hearing Aid Users

The Figure, B, shows a similar depiction of speech perception and intelligibility scores for the children using simultaneous communication. Note the greater variation in performance of the group: some children have high speech intelligibility and speech perception scores, while other children have limited intelligibility and speech perception abilities. Also note that at least 1 child has very good speech perception scores with only limited speech intelligibility.
The Enigma of “Hidden” Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To examine individuals with “hidden” traumatic brain injury (TBQ, defined in this study as those who sustained a blow to the head, with altered mental status, and experienced a substantial number of the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional sequelae typically associated with brain injury but did not make the causal connection between the injury and its consequences. Design:Comparison of four groups of individuals matched for age, gender, years of education, and duration of loss of consciousness. Setting:This study of hidden TBI followed the identification of 143 individuals who, within a larger study of people with TBI who live in the community, identified themselves as “nondisabled” (they were to be part of the comparison sample) but who had experienced a blow to the head that left them at minimum dazed and confused. Participants:21 of these 143 individuals also reported large numbers of symptoms (eg, headaches, memory problems) associated with TBI. This group (Hidden TBI-Hlgh Symptoms group) was compared to three other matched samples:one with known TBI (Known Mild TBI group) and one with no disability (No Disability group) (both of which were drawn from the larger study), and one group of individuals who identified themselves as having no disability but who had experienced a blow to the head that resulted in a few symptoms (Head Trauma-Low Symptoms group). Main Outcome Measures:All study participants were administered an interview that incorporated several existing instruments documenting levels of reported symptoms, emotional well-being/distress, and vocational/social handicaps. Results:The Hidden TBI-High Symptoms group was found to be similar to the Known Mild TBI group in terms of the number and types of symptoms experienced, whereas the Head Trauma-Low Symptoms group was similar in this respect to the No Disability group. The two former groups also evidenced high levels of emotional distress, whereas the two latter groups did not. However, on measures of handicap, the Hidden TBI-High Symptoms and Head Trauma-Low Symptoms groups were similar to the No Disability group and dissimilar from the Known Mild TBI group in that the last group experienced vocational handicap, in particular, whereas the other groups did not. Conclusions: We conclude that hidden TBI occurs at a nontrivial level (7% of our nondisabled sample). Also, individuals with hidden TBI (with persistent symptoms), unlike those with known mild TBI, are likely to experience emotional distress but not vocational handicap following injury.
Inferring false beliefs from actions and reactions.

Current evidence suggests that young children have little understanding of false belief. Standard false belief tasks, however, may underestimate children's ability for 2 reasons. First, the only cue to belief in these tasks is a protagonist's lack of perceptual access to some critical event, and this may not be a very salient cue for young children. Second, the standard tasks require children to make forward-looking predictions from the causes of a belief (e.g., from what a protagonist has or has not perceived) to either the protagonist's belief or the protagonist's action, and children may not be very skilled at making such predictions. In 2 experiments we investigated whether 3-year-olds would do better on tasks in which the belief cues were stronger, and in which they could reason backward to the belief from its effects (e.g., from a protagonist's actions and reactions). Even on these easy tasks, however, they did not perform well. These findings provide strong support for the view that children of this age do not fully understand the representational nature of belief.
Comparative Effect of Repeated Ingestion of Difructose Anhydride III and Palatinose on the Induction of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Humans

We evaluated the safety and change in fermentability from repeated ingestion of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) in humans. A randomized controlled single-blind crossover study with thirteen subjects was conducted. Each subject ingested 5 g of DFAIII or palatinose daily for 12 days, before and after which the subject was loaded with 10 g of DFAIII and had breath hydrogen measured from 0 to 9 h (DL test) to evaluate the fermentability of DFAIII. The defecation frequency and abdominal symptom score were the same between each ingestion period. Moreover, DFAIII ingestion had no influence on blood test results. Only the breath hydrogen excretion in post-DFAIII ingestion was slightly higher at h 8 than the pre-ingestion. Consequently, repeated ingestion of DFAIII for 12 days was as safe as palatinose ingestion, especially with respect to abdominal symptoms and blood test results, and its high resistance to enterobacterial fermentation in humans was not impaired.
Platelet dopamine receptors and oxidative stress parameters as markers of manganese toxicity

The present study has been undertaken to investigate whether neurotoxic effects of manganese (Mn) are reflected in platelets in rats to monitor the usefulness of platelet as peripheral model. Exposure of rats to Mn (10 or 15 mg/kg bw, i.p.) for 45 days caused a significant increase in membrane fluidity as evidenced by decrease in fluorescence polarisation in platelets (11% and 14%) and striatum (9% and 13%). These rats exhibited a significant increase in superoxide dismutase activity both in platelets (24% and 37%) and striatum (31% and 42%), respectively, in comparison to controls. Exposure of rats to Mn for 45 days (15 mg/kg bw, i.p.) caused a significant decrease in reduced glutathione content (platelets 20%, striatum 24%) and catalase activity (platelets 35%, striatum 44%) compared to control rats. Rats exposed to Mn (10 or 15 mg/ kg bw, i.p.) for 15 days exhibited a significant increase in dopamine receptors both in platelets (55% and 40%) and striatum (38% and 31%). The results suggest that exposure to Mn may alter the membrane functions and impair the anti-oxidant defense mechanism both in platelets and brain. The study also suggests that dopaminergic mechanisms are impaired following Mn exposure and such changes are reflected in platelets. Interestingly, parallel changes both in striatum and platelets, as observed in the present study, strengthen the usefulness of platelets as a peripheral neuronal model.
RORα decreases oxidative stress through the induction of SOD2 and GPx1 expression and thereby protects against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

AIMS Increased hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation is the main cause of exacerbating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) regulates diverse target genes associated with lipid metabolism, and its expression level is low in the liver of patients with NASH. Here, we investigated the role of RORα in regulating hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation. RESULTS First, cholesterol sulfate (CS), an agonist of RORα, lowered oxidative stress that was induced by 1.5 mM oleic acid in the primary cultures of hepatocytes. Second, exogenously introduced RORα or CS treatment induced the mRNA level of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), through the RORα response elements located in the upstream promoters of Sod2 and Gpx1. Third, RORα significantly decreased reactive oxygen species levels and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β that were induced by lipopolysaccharide or TNFα in Kupffer cells. Finally, the administration of JC1-40 decreased the signs of liver injury, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation in the MCD diet-induced NASH mice. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION We showed for the first time that RORα and its ligands protect NASH in mice by reducing hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation. Further, the molecular mechanism of the protective function of RORα against oxidative stress in the liver was revealed. These findings may offer a rationale for developing therapeutic strategies against NASH using RORα ligands.
Nonunion of pathologic fracture after radiation therapy.

Pathologic fractures treated solely with irradiation show retardation of the healing process and subsequent permanent nonunion. In contrast, irradiation of bone metastases results in substantial new bone formation. Analysis of this striking clinical disparity is the basis of this study. A review of clinical material from our experience yields results similar to those of other large studies:1. Breast cancer and lymphoma are the most common primary tumors that metastasize to bone.2. The spine and pelvis are most often affected; that is, in about 70 per cent of the cases.3. Metastases to the long bones occur in approximately 10 per cent of the cases. The effects of radiations on bone metastases, pathologic fracture, and the mechanisms of pain relief have been sketchily studied and are little understood. Tumor which is metastatic to bone may result in bone deposition or bone destruction. Clinically, the results of radiation therapy are evaluated with follow-up serial radiographs and by the degree of subjectiv.
Screening for mutations in the peripheral myelin genes PMP22, MPZ and Cx32 (GJB1) in Russian Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth neuropathy patients

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT) and related inherited peripheral neuropathies, including Dejerine‐Sottas syndrome, congenital hypomyelination, and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP), are caused by mutations in three myelin genes: PMP22, MPZ and Cx32 (GJB1). The most common mutations are the 1.5 Mb CMT1A tandem duplication on chromosome 17p11.2‐p12 in CMT1 patients and the reciprocal 1.5 Mb deletion in HNPP patients. We performed a mutation screening in 174 unrelated CMT patients and three HNPP families of Russian origin. The unrelated CMT patients included 108 clinically and electrophysiologically diagnosed CMT1 cases, 32 CMT2 cases, and 34 cases with unspecified CMT. Fifty‐nine CMT1A duplications were found, of which 58 belonged to the CMT1 patient group. We found twelve distinct mutations in Cx32, six mutations in MPZ, and two mutations in PMP22. Of these respectively, eight, five, and two lead to a CMT1 phenotype. Eight mutations (Cx32: Ile20Asn/Gly21Ser, Met34Lys, Leu90Val, and Phe193Leu; MPZ: Asp134Gly, Lys138Asn, and Thr139Asn; PMP22: ValSer25‐26del) were not reported previously. Phenotype–genotype correlations were based on nerve conduction velocity studies and mutation type. Hum Mutat 15:340–347, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Onset of neocortical synaptogenesis in neonatal Monodelphis domestica (South American grey short‐tailed opossum)

The criteria for the definition of synapses have generally been derived from the structure and properties of mature synapses (Vaughn, 1989). This makes it difficult to be clear precisely when synapses are developing in a particular brain region, since not all the defined characteristics of synapses appear simultaneously. This difficulty is compounded, particularly in studies of synaptogenesis of the neocortex because of the inaccessibility of the fetal neocortex for experimental manipulation. Marsupial species are born at an extremely immature stage of development of almost all of their physiological systems including most of the central nervous system (Reynolds et al., 1985; Saunders et al., 1989). They are thus much more accessible to experimental investigation than are the fetuses of eutherians. As part of a general study of neocortical development in the South American opossum (Monodelphis domestica), we have used ultrastructural techniques to determine when the first synapses appear in the immature neocortex. It turns out that this is earlier, in relationship to the appearance of the cortical plate (the forerunner of 5 of the 6 layers of the adult neocortex) than has been previously described in most other species such as rat (e.g., Konig et al., 1975) and monkey (Zecevic et al., 1989). However, it is not clear whether this is because such early synapses have been missed in studies of these more conventional species or whether the opossum (and perhaps other marsupials) have an earlier onset of synaptogenesis in their neocortex. Whatever the explanation, the finding of the onset of neocortical synaptogenesis in the immediate postnatal period in the opossum opens up considerable possibilities for experimental manipulation of this early stage of brain development. It also suggests that in marsupials, at least, the origin of the earliest neocortical synapses and their relation to the immature cortical plate may be quite different from that previously supposed. Monodelphis domestica is a small didelphid marsupial (adult body weight 80-150 g) from South America. It is born after a gestational period of 14 days. The animals used came from the opossum colony estab-
Linking Extroversion and Proactive Personality to Career Success

Although extroversion and proactive personality are related to career success, the mechanisms through which the relationships occur are unclear. Based on the contest- and sponsored-mobility processes, we examine a model linking extroversion and proactive personality to career success through the mediating effects of mentoring received and organizational knowledge. We also theorize that mentoring provides learning opportunities, which result in greater organizational knowledge, that contribute to career success. Results, from a sample of 333 employees with a diverse set of occupations, indicated that the relationships of proactive personality and extroversion with objective and subjective measures of career success were mediated by mentoring received and organizational knowledge. Additionally, mentoring received influenced organizational knowledge, and both were related to objective and subjective measures of career success. Our study provides insight into how personality influences career success and provides support for both contest- and sponsored-mobility models of career success.