Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wireless Wearable T-Shirt for Posture Monitoring During Rehabilitation Exercises

The monitoring of any human physiological parameters during rehabilitation exercises requires noninvasive sensors for the patient. This paper describes a wireless wearable T-shirt for posture monitoring during rehabilitation or reinforcement exercises. The subject posture is measured through a sensorized T-shirt using an inductive sensor sewn directly on the fabric. The wireless wearable T-shirt design specifications are the following: independence from the remote unit, easy to use, lightweight and comfort of wearing. This paper reports the conceptual framework, the fabricated device description, and the adopted experimental setup. The instrumented T-shirt's output data are compared with the data obtained via an optical system, as a gold standard, that measures the marker positions over the patient's back and chest. The trials performed on four subjects obtained on different days demonstrate that the wireless wearable sensor described in this paper is capable of producing reliable data compared with the data obtained with the optical system. The constitutive sensor simplicity that includes only a copper wire and a separable circuit board allows achieving the objectives of simplicity, ease of use, and noninvasiveness. The sensorized T-shirt, integrated with designed conditioning and transmission electronics for remote communication, could be used as a support tool for postural monitoring during rehabilitation exercises.
Insulin Controls Subcellular Localization and Multisite Phosphorylation of the Phosphatidic Acid Phosphatase, Lipin 1*

Brain, liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle from fatty liver dystrophy (fld/fld) mice, which do not express lipin 1 (lipin), contained much less Mg2+-dependent phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) activity than tissues from wild type mice. Lipin harboring the fld2j (Gly84 → Arg) mutation exhibited relatively little PAP activity. These results indicate that lipin is a major PAP in vivo and that the loss of PAP activity contributes to the fld phenotype. PAP activity was readily detected in immune complexes of lipin from 3T3-L1 adipocytes, where the protein was found both as a microsomal form and a soluble, more highly phosphorylated, form. Fifteen phosphorylation sites were identified by mass spectrometric analyses. Insulin increased the phosphorylation of multiple sites and promoted a gel shift that was due in part to phosphorylation of Ser106. In contrast, epinephrine and oleic acid promoted dephosphorylation of lipin. The PAP-specific activity of lipin was not affected by the hormones or by dephosphorylation of lipin with protein phosphatase 1. However, the ratio of soluble to microsomal lipin was markedly increased in response to insulin and decreased in response to epinephrine and oleic acid. The results suggest that insulin and epinephrine control lipin primarily by changing localization rather than intrinsic PAP activity.
Dynamical localization in the microwave interaction of Rydberg atoms: The influence of noise.

We present experimental and theoretical results on highly excited Rydberg atoms passing through a waveguide. The waveguide is excited in a coherent mode with a superimposed component of technically generated noise. In the theoretical part of the paper we derive and solve a master equation for a Rydberg atom driven by a monochromatic coherent microwave field in the presence of noise. We show that a Rydberg atom subjected to a mixture of coherent modes and noise fields exhibits four dynamical regimes: (i) diffusive broadening, (ii) localization, (iii) destruction of coherence and localization, and (iv) relaxation to equilibrium. The four regimes are passed one after the other as a function of irradiation time. They occur on different time scales and are thus temporally well separated from each other. The theory is checked by an experiment on the time dependence of the population distribution of highly excited rubidium Rydberg atoms initially prepared in a unique and well-defined Rydberg state and irradiated by a strong microwave field. The localization regime, characterized by a ``freezing'' of the width of the wave packet with respect to the Rydberg levels, has been observed. The addition of a small noise component was shown to lead to delocalization after times inversely proportional to the noise power, as predicted by our theory.
Shock wave therapy for lateral elbow pain.

BACKGROUND This review is one in a series of reviews of interventions for lateral elbow pain. Lateral elbow pain, or tennis elbow, is a common condition causing pain in the elbow and forearm and lack of strength and function of the elbow and wrist. Shock wave therapy (ESWT) involves the application of single pulsed acoustic wave. Since the 1990's reports of benefit of ESWT in the treatment of tendon disorders have been appearing in the literature. A systematic review published in the German language appeared in 2000 (Boddeker 2000) OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness and safety of ESWT in the treatment of adults with lateral elbow pain. SEARCH STRATEGY Comprehensive electronic searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and SCISEARCH were combined with searches of the Cochrane Clinical Trails Registrar and the Musculoskeletal Review Group's specialist trial database. Identified keywords and authors were searched again in an effort to identify as many trials as possible. SELECTION CRITERIA Two independent reviewers assessed all identified trials against pre-determined inclusion criteria. Randomised and pseudo randomised trials in all languages were evaluated for inclusion in the review provided they described individuals with lateral elbow pain and were comparing the use of ESWT as a treatment strategy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS For continuous variables means and standard deviations were extracted or imputed to allow the analysis of weighted mean difference. Weighted mean difference using a random effects model was selected when outcomes were measured on standard scales. A fixed effects model was used to interpret results and assess heterogeneity. For binary data numbers of events and total population were analysed and interpreted as relative risk. MAIN RESULTS Two trials of ESWT versus placebo are included in this review (~~Rompe 1996~~, ~~Haake 2001~~). Both trials included similar study populations consisting of participants with chronic symptoms who had failed other conservative treatment. The frequency of ESWT application and the doses and techniques used were similar in both trials. The first trial demonstrated highly significant differences in favour of ESWT whereas the second trial found no benefits of ESWT over placebo. When the data from the two trials were pooled, the benefits observed in the first trial were no longer statistically significant. The relative risk for treatment failure (defined as Roles-Maudsley score of 4) of ESWT over placebo was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.08 to 1.91) at six weeks and 0.44 (95% CI, 0.09 to 2.17) at one year. After 6 weeks, there was no statistically significant improvement in pain at rest [WMD pain out of 100 = - 11.40 (95% CI, -26.10 to 3.30)], pain with resisted wrist extension [WMD pain out of 100 = -16.20 (95% CI, -47.75 to 15.36)] or pain with resisted middle finger extension [WMD pain out of 100 = -20.51(95% CI, -56.57 to 15.56)]. Results after 12 or 24 weeks were similar. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS The two trials included in this review yielded conflicting results. Further trials are needed to clarify the value of ESWT for lateral elbow pain.
Impact of Nationality Information in Feedback on Trust in a Foreign Online Store

An experimental study was conducted among Japanese consumers in order to investigate the effects of nationality information in feedback on trust towards a foreign online store. Three experimental conditions were created: (1) feedback from Japanese users, (2) feedback from Thai users and (3) a control condition of no feedback. We hypothesized that showing feedback from Japanese users would result in the highest level of trust, and that an increase in trust would then result in lower perceived risk, and higher perceived usefulness and intention of use of the website. A survey was conducted in Japan, obtaining a total of 915 participants who were randomly assigned into three groups corresponding to the experimental conditions. Structural equation modeling was used in order to analyze the proposed hypotheses within a model of consumer behavior. The results indicate that showing feedback from Japanese users resulted in higher trust than showing feedback from Thai users or showing no feedback. However, feedback from Thai users did not result in an improvement of trust when compared with no feedback shown.
Impact of Capital Structure on Profitability of Selected Trading Companies of India

Financing decisions are considered to be one of the most crucial areas for finance managers while measuring their impact on capital structure and financial performance of the companies. It always was an area of interest and attracted worldwide researchers to understand the relationship between capital structure and financial performance of the company. Thus, it will be quite correct to say that capital structure is the most significant discipline of company’s operations. It acts as a financial tool which helps to determine ‘how do firms choose their capital structure? ’ The capital structure of a firm is the composition or structure of its liabilities and therefore it influences the behavior of the company as well as its performance results and also affects its value. The present study is an explanatory and non experimental in nature and intended to examine the nature of capital structure and firm’s performance. The time period of the study comprises of ten years i.e. 2006-07 to 2014-15 and the data of eight trading companies listed in Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have been analyzed. The collected data was entered into the Eviews and multiple regression analysis method was used for analyzing and testing of hypotheses. Results of the study reveal that capital structure influences financial performance of firm. The findings show that equity and long term debt have a positive and significant effect, whereas short term debt has a negative impact on financial performance. Thus, from the findings and results it can be concluded that equity and long term debt financing enhances financial performance.
Enhancing organizational commitment and employee performance through employee engagement: An empirical check

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between perceived organizational support, employee engagement, employee performance and affective commitment in the context of Indian higher education. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 410 employees from various higher educational institutes of India using a self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings The results revealed a positive influence of perceived organizational support on employee performance and affective commitment. Moreover, these relationships have also been found to be mediated by employee engagement. Practical implications The study serves as guide for the development of influential strategies to develop and retain a well engaged, competent and committed workforce at higher educational institutes in India. Originality/value The study enriches the organizational behavior literature by identifying and empirically validating some antecedents and consequences of employee engagement in the context of Indian higher education where such studies are scant.
The Effect of Foreign Exchange Risk Management on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya: A Case of Stanbic Bank

vi LIST OF TABLES . x ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS . xi CHAPTER ONE . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION. 1 1.1 Background of the Problem . 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem . 4 1.3 Purpose of the study . 5 1.4 Research Questions . 5 1.5 Significance of the Study . 6 1.6 Scope of the Study . 6 1.7 Definition of Terms. 7 1.8 Chapter Summary . 7 CHAPTER TWO . 8 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 8 2.
Investigating the Impact of Time-varying Volatility of Macroeconomic Indices on the Predictability of Optimal Stock Portfolio Return in Tehran Stock Exchange

In this study, 3 models of Time-Varying Parameters (TVP), Dynamic Model Selection (DMS) and Dynamic Model Averaging (DMA) and a comparison with the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method in MATLAB in the time period 2003-2013 (with data on a monthly basis) are discussed. In the present study, the variables of unofficial exchange rate changes, interest rate changes and inflation in oil price forecast returns for stocks in Tehran Stock Exchange are used. The study concludes that dynamic models with time-varying parameters are more accurate in predicting returns in the Stock Exchange, in a way that the MAFE and MSFE models, DMA, DMS which have complete dynamics are more efficient than other models. As a consequence, it can be said that the variability of the coefficients of the variables in the TVP model cannot lead to higher accuracy in predicting returns in the Stock Exchange, and it is required that the dynamics of time-varying variables of the model used to predict stock returns be taken into consideration
Asymmetry of Information, Wealth Appropriation, Bank Loan Covenants and the Signaling Role of Accounting Conservatism

This study analyzes both analytically and empirically the private debt contracting relationship between covenants and conservative accounting under asymmetric information. Instead of moral hazard, asymmetric information is characterized in this study by borrowers’ willingness to appropriate wealth from lenders to themselves. We find that conservatism and covenants act as complements to signal borrowers’ commitment not to appropriate wealth from lenders in the high information asymmetry regime. No such a relation obtains in the low information asymmetry regime. We further show that in the high information asymmetry regime, borrowers with high levels of conservatism and tight covenants generally enjoy lower interest rates by comparison to borrowers with low levels of conservatism and loose covenants. Consistent with our signaling theory, we document that borrowers with a high level of conservatism and tight covenants in the high information asymmetry regime are less likely to make future wealth transfers from creditors to equity holders. Our empirical results are robust to alternative measures of conservatism and covenant restrictiveness.
Captive and free-living red knots Calidris canutus exhibit differences in non-induced immunity that suggest different immune strategies in different environments

Experiments on captive animals, in which conditions can be controlled, are useful for examining complex biological phenomena such as immune function. Such experiments have increased our understanding of immune responses in the context of trade-offs and pathogen pressure. However, few studies have examined how captivity itself affects immune function. We used microbial killing, leukocyte concentrations and complement-natural antibody assays to examine non-induced (constitutive) immunity in captive and free-living red knots Calidris canutus. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that captive and free-living birds differed in their immune strategies. Captive birds showed reduced S. aureus killing, C. albicans killing, heterophils, and eosinophils. In a principal component analysis, the affected variables fell onto a single axis, that reflected phagocytosis and inflammation based immunity. We discuss possible reasons for this result in an immune cost and protective benefit framework.
Examining Shanghai Consumer Preferences for Electric Vehicles and Their Attributes

In this study, we conducted a stated choice survey in Shanghai to examine the attitudes of Shanghai residents towards electric vehicles and their attributes. Multinomial Logit and Random Parameter Logit models were used to analyze the response data for three samples—the full sample, a subsample of potential electric vehicle purchasers, and a subsample of unlikely electric vehicle purchasers. We found that the respondents in each of the three groups preferred electric vehicles with a longer driving range, a shorter charging time, a faster maximum speed, lower pollution emissions, lower fuel cost, and a lower price. However, a comparison of the two subsamples showed that potential electric vehicle purchasers were willing to pay more than their counterparts for enhancing vehicle attributes. We also investigated the determinants of likely electric vehicle purchase and found a number of demographic characteristics that were statistically significant.
Retina Relationship Between Retinal Blood Flow and Serum Adiponectin Concentrations in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Citation: Omae T, Nagaoka T, Yoshida A. Relationship between retinal blood flow and serum adiponectin concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015;56:4143–4149. DOI:10.1167/iovs.15-16447 PURPOSE. To study the relationship between retinal microcirculation and serum adiponectin, an important adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes, concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Sociocultural characteristics, obesity and inflammatory biomarkers in Puerto Rican toddlers born in New York City

In the USA, Puerto Rican children have a higher prevalence of asthma than other Latino ethnicities, and acculturation is one of hypothesized reasons for this difference. We examined associations between sociocultural characteristics and serum leptin, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), and body mass index (BMI), and further, among hsCRP, leptin levels, BMI percentiles, and allergic sensitization in 2‐year‐old children.
Total hip arthroplasty for complications of proximal femoral fractures.

OBJECTIVES To determine problems associated with and to present the results of secondary total hip replacement for complications of proximal femoral fractures. SETTING An acute care hospital with a prospectively entered database for primary total hip arthroplasty. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS The prospective database was reviewed to extract all patients undergoing primary total hip replacement for complications of treatment of proximal femoral fractures. These fifty-three patients were then compared with fifty-three patients from the same data bank matched for age, sex, weight, prosthesis type, and length of follow-up but who had not sustained a proximal femoral fracture before total hip replacement. INTERVENTION Primary total hip arthroplasty for complications of proximal femoral fractures. After the surgical procedure, patients were seen at follow-up intervals of three months and six months and, thereafter, yearly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Patients were evaluated using the St. Michael's hip rating scale, which is a scale measuring pain, motion, and function specifically designed for evaluation of total hip arthroplasty. Routine radiographs were obtained at each patient visit. RESULTS The complications associated with total hip replacement in patients with previous proximal femoral fracture fixation occurred more frequently than in patients who had not had undergone previous fracture fixation; in addition, intraoperative surgical difficulty was significantly greater in those patients who had undergone previous surgery for hip fracture. However, the final hip score at > or = 2 years after total hip arthroplasty was not statistically different between the two patient groups. CONCLUSION Total hip replacement is a satisfactory salvage procedure for failed fracture treatment despite the increased incidence of operative difficulty and increased incidence of complication.
Bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of high dose amoxicillin/clavulanate in children with acute otitis media

Objectives. To determine the bacteriologic and clinical efficacy of high dose amoxicillin/clavulanate (90/6.4 mg/kg/day) against common bacterial pathogens causing acute otitis media (AOM), including penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). Methods. In this open label multicenter study, 521 infants and children with AOM [mean age, 18.6 months; age <24 months, n = 375 (72%)] were treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate 90/6.4 mg/kg/day in two divided doses for 10 days. Bilateral otitis media, previous episodes of AOM, antibiotic treatment within 3 months and day-care attendance were recorded in 60.1, 35.7, 50.2 and 38.2% of the children, respectively. Tympanocentesis was performed before the first dose and repeated on Days 4 to 6 for all children with S. pneumoniae at 22 centers and for all children with any pathogen at 3 centers. Clinical response was assessed at end of therapy. Results. Pathogens were isolated from 355 (68%) of 521 enrolled children; 180 children underwent repeat tympanocentesis and were bacteriologically evaluable. Baseline pathogens were S. pneumoniae (n = 122 enrolled/93 bacteriologically evaluable), Haemophilus influenzae (n = 160/51), both (n = 37/32) and others (n = 36/4). Pathogens were eradicated from 172 (96%) of 180 bacteriologically evaluable children. Overall 122 (98%) of 125 isolates of S. pneumoniae were eradicated, including 31 (91%) of 34 PRSP isolates (penicillin MICs 2 to 4 &mgr;g/ml). Seventy-eight (94%) of 83 isolates of H. influenzae were eradicated. Symptoms and otoscopic signs of acute inflammation were completely resolved or improved on Days 12 to 15 in 263 (89%) of 295 clinically evaluable children with bacteriologically documented AOM. Conclusions. On the basis of bacteriologic outcome on Days 4 to 6 and clinical outcome on Days 12 to 15, we found that high dose amoxicillin/clavulanate (90/6.4 mg/kg/day) was highly efficacious in children with AOM, including those most likely to fail treatment, namely children <24 months of age and those with infections caused by PRSP.
Development of formulations of biological agents for management of root rot of lettuce and cucumber.

The effect of various carrier formulations of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas putida were tested on germination, growth, and yield of lettuce and cucumber crops in the presence of Pythium aphanidermatum and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cucurbitacearum, respectively. Survival of B. subtilis and P. putida in various carriers under refrigeration (about 0 degree C) and at room temperature (about 22 degrees C) was also studied. In all carrier formulations, B. subtilis strain BACT-0 survived up to 45 days. After 45 days of storage at room temperature (about 22 degrees C), populations B. subtilis strain BACT-0 were significantly higher in vermiculite, kaolin, and bacterial broth carriers compared with other carriers. Populations of P. putida were significantly higher in vermiculite, peat moss, wheat bran, and bacterial broth than in other carriers when stored either under refrigeration (about 0 degree C) or at room temperature (about 22 degrees C) for 15 or 45 days. Germination of lettuce seed was not affected in vermiculite, talc, kaolin, and peat moss carriers, but germination was significantly reduced in alginate and bacterial broth carriers of B. subtilis compared to the non-treated control. Germination of cucumber seed was not affected by any of the carriers. Significantly higher fresh lettuce and root weights were observed in vermiculite and kaolin carriers of B. subtilis compared with P. aphanidermatum-inoculated control plants. Lettuce treated with vermiculite, and kaolin carriers of B. subtilis, or non-inoculated control lettuce plants had significantly lower root rot ratings than talc, peat moss, bacterial broth, and P. aphanidermatum-inoculated control plants. Growth and yield of cucumber plants were significantly higher in vermiculite-based carrier of P. putida than the other carriers and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cucurbitacearum-inoculated plants.