Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new trunk sway assessment protocol using biofeedback inertial-based sensing modality for stroke patients

The ability to control postural steadiness is an important determinant of overcoming the internal and external environmental stimulus across the falls for stoke patients. Traditionally, assessments of postural steadiness are based on patient's ability to control the angular deviation of the center of mass (COM) within the base of support. In this study, a wireless inertial-based sensing modality with augmented biofeedback training protocol was developed and used for clinical evaluation. Eighteen cerebral vascular accident patients were recruited for the assessment. The experimental results revealed that biofeedback strategy together with motor skill learning protocol appears to be an important variable for improving postural steadiness during tandem stance.
ack of good correlation of serum CC-chemokine evels with human immunodeficiency virus-1 disease tage and response to treatment

Three CC-chemokines—MIP-1 (CCL3), MIP-1 (CCL4), and RANTES (CCL5)—are natural ligands for the human immunodeficiency virus–1 (HIV-1) coreceptor CCR5. To determine correlations between CC-chemokines and HIV-1 disease stage or response to treatment, we examined serum levels of MIP-1 , MIP-1 , and RANTES in 60 infected patients during 18 months while they were taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Our results demonstrate that serum levels of MIP-1 and RANTES were increased in HIV-1-infected individuals compared with those in healthy controls. We found no significant differences among 4 clinical stages of HIV-1 infection in the serum levels of three CC-chemokines. Longitudinal HAART analyses revealed a pronounced decline in serum MIP-1 levels over time. We found no difference in this decline between HAART responders and nonresponders. These findings indicate that production of MIP-1 and RANTES changes during HIV-1 infection and treatment; however, our results suggest that serum levels of CCchemokines should not be used as biomarkers for HIV-1 disease stage or response to treatment. (J Lab Clin Med 2004;143:310-9)
MIXED LATERAL PREFERENCE AND PARENTAL LEFT-HANDEDNESS: POSSIBLE MARKERS OF RISK FOR PTSD

Degree of lateral preference (mixed versus consistent), family history of parental left-handedness, and presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were measured in 118 right-handed male U.S. combat veterans. Right-handed participants with mixed lateral preference were more likely to have PTSD than were right-handers with consistent lateral preference. Respondents reporting a left-handed parent were also more likely to have PTSD. Finally, there was a significant difference in the proportion of participants with PTSD for three groups: participants with parental left-handedness and mixed lateral preference (100% PTSD), participants with parental left-handedness or mixed lateral preference (70% PTSD), and participants with neither parental left-handedness nor mixed lateral preference (44% PTSD). These findings suggest the possible usefulness of further examining the relationship between mixed lateral preference, parental left-handedness, and other possible indicators of risk for PTSD.
Stochastic fundamentals and multiple regimes in an experimental double auction asset market

Die Fundamentalwerte gehandelter Wertpapiere entwickelten sich in der Geschichte von Marktexperimenten hin zu naturlicheren Verlaufen -von gleichmasig fallend uber konstant bleibend bis hin zu schwankend. Die vorliegende Arbeit ist der nachste Schritt in dieser Richtung. Der Verlauf der Fundamentalwerte ist stochastisch. Um Bullen- und Barenmarkte zu simulieren, werden zusatzlich verschiedene Grundzustande eingefuhrt. Stochastische Fundamentalwerte bieten die einzigartige Gelegenheit, die gamber´s fallacy und die hot-hand fallacy sowie die Verbindung dieser Tauschungen im Rahmen eines Marktexperiments zu untersuchen. Auserdem wird mit dem Experiment die Robustheit der Resultate fruherer Studium uberpruft. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein intuitives Design nicht ausreicht, um eine effiziente Preisfindung sicherzustellen. Verglichen mit Experimenten, in denen der Fundamentalwert gleichmasig fallt, sind die Preise zwar naher am Fundamentalwert. Die groste Ubereinstimmung von Preisen und Fundamentalwerten wird jedoch bei gleich bleibenden Fundamentalwerten erreicht. Obwohl nicht alle Ergebnisse statistisch signifikant sind, werden grundsatzlich die Resultate vieler Feldstudien bestatigt. Demnach ist es moglich, den Markt zu schlagen, wenn Aktien nach positiven Nachrichten gekauft und nach negativen verkauft werden. Nur nach sehr langen Phasen positiver bzw. negativer Nachrichten beginnen die Marktteilnehmer entsprechend der hot-hand fallacy zu agieren.
EFFECTS OF TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS ON SURVIVAL, TOTAL MASS, AND ORGAN MASS OF OLDFIELD MICE (PEROMYSCUS POLIONOTUS)

Trichinella spiralis is a parasitic nematode that infects many mammals, including humans. Hosts may experience significant physiological changes or may die because of acute inflammatory immune responses toward the parasite. In this study, oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus) were used as a new experimental host for T. spiralis. Males of P. polionotus were infected with increasing doses of T. spiralis to determine the effect infection had on survival, mass change, total mass, and relative organ masses. Total juvenile worm burden increased in an asymptotic fashion with infective dose. Large doses (≥600 juveniles) significantly reduced survival. There were significant negative correlations between infection intensity (log10[juveniles]/g) and both mass gain and final total mass. Infection had no effect on liver or spleen size. But there were significant negative correlations between T. spiralis intensity and both testis and seminal vesicle masses. These effects on male size and reproductive organs may help explain behavioral changes, such as the elimination of male dominance, seen in previous studies on mice infected with T. spiralis.
Time-optimal cornering trajectory planning for differential-driven wheeled mobile robots with motor current and voltage constraints

We derive time-optimal cornering trajectory planning algorithm for differential-driven wheeled mobile robots(DWMRs) satisfying both battery voltage and armature current constraints. We use mobile robot's dynamics, which includes motor dynamics. We divide our collision-free cornering trajectory planning algorithm into three sections, in each of which two subsections are contained. We obtain a time-optimal trajectory by applying bangbang principles in all subsections which have not ahieved in previous works. Either current bounded or voltage bounded control input is utilized in each subsection to produce time-optimal trajectory with continuous velocity. Simulation results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and compared with extreme control algorithm(ECA) in [4].
Motorsport and Autonomous Vehicles:Examining the EU's regulatory framework for energy-efficient innovation (EEI) in the automotive industry

This thesis examines the regulation of innovation and sociotechnical transitions within the European automotive sector, as they relate to energy-efficient innovations (EEI) in the aftermath of the 2008 global economic crisis. Energy-efficient innovation is a technological solution, which offers a way to decouple mobility from harmful greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and has become a key problem-solving framework. These innovations also require stringent regulations and market-based incentives to influence automakers and other production firms to develop cleaner vehicles and technologies. This thesis format is one that incorporates publishable papers, and as such, covers the following four subject areas within the automotive industry: • The challenges of regulating EU automotive emissions. • The link between motorsport and ‘low-carbon’ innovations in passenger cars. • A theoretical argument for established automakers as ‘radical’ innovators. • The early disruptive effects of connected and autonomous vehicles (AVs). This research seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of sustainable sociotechnical transitions, through the examination of government interventions via policy instruments, meant to incentivize R&D within private firms, and result society’s adoption of new technologies. This thesis also seeks to better explain the dynamics of disruptive innovation, and its impact on society and the economy. Understanding the processes of sociotechnical change at the sectoral level not only enables better policy design and policy outcomes, but also facilitates more accurate assessments when evaluating the implications of future sociotechnical transitions. The findings in this thesis are also timely, as they provide future researchers with additional resources to consider, as the global automotive industry prepares once more to undergo several significant transformations.
ANALISIS PENGARUH INVESTASI TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN EKONOMI (Studi Pada 33 Provinsi di Indonesia)

Ketimpangan pendapatan identik menjadi masalah yang sering di hadapi oleh negara berkembang. Ketimpangan pendapatan yang cenderung tinggi dan ekstrim jika tidak segera diatasi akan menimbulkan terjadinya gejolak sosial di masyarakat seperti tingkat kriminalitas yang semakin tinggi, kesenjangan yang semakin parah antara golongan kaya dan miskin, dan penanganan maupun perbaikan yang semakin sulit dengan ketimpangan yang cenderung ekstrim. Sehingga untuk meminimalisir dampak dari ketimpangan pendapatan harus mengetahui faktor apa saja mempengaruhi ketimpangan pendapatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh investasi baik PMA dan PMDN, tenaga kerja, ekspor neto dan belanja pemerintah terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi di Indonesia periode penelitian tahun 2012 hingga tahun 2016. Metode yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi data panel. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa variabel PMA, tenaga kerja, dan belanja pemerintah berpengaruh signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Sedangkan variable PMDN dan ekspor neto tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Keyword : Pertumbuhan Ekonomi, Investasi Asing, PMA, PMDN, Ekspor, Impor, Belanja Pemerintah, Tenaga Kerja
Supply Chain Analysis of Rice Sub-Sector in Dang District, Nepal

Nepalese economy is dependent on a slow performing agriculture sector with the majority of the population relying on subsistence farming. A study was conducted to access the supply chain, present marketing situation of rice subsector in Dang district during May-September 2017. For this study, rice traders were grouped into 5 categories Producers, seed suppliers, millers & traders, Wholesalers, and retailers. For the study, 105 respondents were selected which includes 75 rice producers, 5 seed suppliers, 5 millers & traders, 5 wholesalers and 15 retailers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel were used for data entry and analysis. The findings of the study revealed that about 94.70% of paddy farmers used improved seeds and only 5.30% farmers used hybrid seeds belongs to grain producers for only home consumption. Cooperatives were the major source of seed supplier for 90.90% of seed producers and 45.45% of marketed surplus grain producers and 57.14% of grain producers for only home consumption retained their own seeds for cultivation. The average benefit-cost (B: C) ratio of the paddy farmers was found to be 1.14:1 in the study area. Majority of the paddy selling farmers 87.88% sold their produce from the house and remaining 12.12% sold in the market. The market margin was higher in seeds supply chain NRs 27 per Kg and least was in grains supply chain NRs 25 per Kg. Similarly, producer share was higher in seeds supply chain (50.90%) and least was in grains supply chain, 44.44 percent. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(4): 319-326
Corporate governance and innovation: a theoretical review

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a review of the literature on two lines of research, corporate governance and innovation, explaining how different internal corporate governance mechanisms may be determinants of business innovation. Design/methodology/approach It explores the theoretical background and the empirical evidence regarding the influence of both ownership structure and the board of directors on company innovation. Then, conclusions are drawn and possible future research lines are presented. Findings No consensus was observed regarding the relation between corporate governance and innovation, with both positive and negative arguments being found, and with empirical evidence not always pointing in the same direction. Thus, new studies trying to clarify this relationship are needed. Originality/value Over recent years, interest has grown in the influence of governance mechanisms on innovation decisions taken by the management. Innovation efforts and results depend on factors that are influenced by corporate governance, such as ownership structure or the functioning of the board of directors. Thus, the paper shows an updated state of the art in this field proposing future lines for empirical research.
Quantitative Easing, Portfolio Rebalancing and Credit Growth: Micro Evidence from Germany

This paper sheds light on the effect of quantitative easing (QE) on bank lending. Using data on German banks for 2014-2016, I show that QE encourages banks to rebalance from securities to loans. For identification, I use bond redemptions as exogenous variation in banks' need to rebalance their portfolio and hence their exposure to QE. I find that more exposed banks increase their loan growth during QE relative to other banks. The growth differential is larger when bond market yields decrease stronger than loan market yields and for banks with equity constraints. These results imply that QE can affect bank lending even if banks do not hold assets purchased under the QE program, by increasing incentives to invest in higher-yield assets.
Expression of a MYCN-interacting isoform of the tumor suppressor BIN1 is reduced in neuroblastomas with unfavorable biological features.

PURPOSE Amplification of the MYCN proto-oncogene is strongly correlated with poor outcome in neuroblastoma (NB), although deregulated MYCN is a potent inducer of apoptosis. BIN1 (2q14) encodes multiple isoforms of a Myc-interacting adaptor protein that has features of a tumor suppressor, including the ability to inhibit Myc-mediated cell transformation and to promote apoptosis. We hypothesized that BIN1 may function as a suppressor gene in NB, because Bin1 is highly expressed in neural tissues and binds the Myc Box motifs that are conserved in MycN. EXPERMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of MYCN, total BIN1, and BIN1 isoforms were determined in 56 primary NBs using the real-time PCR. Expression was correlated with biological and genetic features. To determine the functional significance of BIN1 expression we ectopically expressed BIN1 isoforms in NB cell lines with and without MYCN amplification, and assessed clonogenic growth. RESULTS Four predominant BIN1 isoforms resulting from alternative splicing of exon 12A (a neural tissue-specific exon) and exon 13 (a Myc-binding domain encoding exon) were variably expressed in the 56 primary NBs. Expression of BIN1 was lower in: NBs with MYCN amplification (n = 10) compared with those without, P < 0.03; in International Neuroblastoma Risk Group high-risk NB (n = 19) compared with low- or intermediate-risk NB, P < 0.01; and in metastatic NB (n = 21) compared with localized NB, P < 0.06. BIN1 inactivation by deletion or genomic rearrangement was identified infrequently. Forced expression of BIN1 isoforms containing the Myc-binding domain (with or without exon 12A) inhibited colony formation in NB cell lines with MYCN amplification (P < 0.01) but not in those without. Forced expression of BIN1 isoforms with a MBD deletion did not inhibit colony formation in any cell line assessed. CONCLUSIONS These data support that reduced BIN1 expression contributes to the malignant phenotype of childhood NB. As we reported previously, BIN1 may function to circumvent MycN-mediated apoptosis in NBs with MYCN amplification.
Comparing the effects of first-line antiepileptic drugs on the gait of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy

Idiopathic epilepsy (IE) is a common chronic neurological disease of the dog. Previous studies of anti-epileptic drug (AED) treatment have indicated that acceptable AED adverse effects are as important to owners as reductions in seizure frequency. AEDs in both dogs and human beings are frequently associated with the adverse-effect ataxia. The aim of this study was to compare ataxia levels in dogs with IE treated chronically with phenobarbitone or imepitoin, the two currently available first-line AED treatments. The gait of 6 imepitoin-treated dogs, 8 phenobarbitone-treated dogs and 10 age-matched healthy control dogs were compared. Fifty strides from a walking gait were analysed for each dog, quantifying ataxia via the variability in six established gait parameters. Three variables differed significantly between groups: lateral distance between (i) pelvic paw placements, (ii) thoracic paw placements and (iii) stance time, which were significantly more variable in the phenobarbitone-treated dogs than imepitoin-treated or control dogs. These results indicate that dogs treated with phenobarbitone experience ataxia compared with controls and imepitoin-treated dogs. Conversely, there was no difference between imepitoin-treated dogs and controls. These results along with further research are needed to quantify AEDs adverse effects, to help vets and owners make more informed drug-choices.
Chemical and instrumental characterization of pectin from dried pomace of eleven apple cultivars - doi: 10.4025/actasciagron.v33i3.7125

Pectic substances from eleven samples of dried apple pomace were extracted using an acid procedure (100 mM HNO 3 , 10 min., 80oC), dried, ground and stored in a P 2 O 5 atmosphere. The degree of esterification was determined by the classical titrimetric method and confirmed by the instrumental FTIR method. The samples showed an average DE of 73% and the typical fingerprint in IR spectrogram. The steric exclusion chromatograms obtained with the multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) and refraction index (RI) detectors showed that all samples had a high molar fraction eluted at 36-38 min., another large polysaccharide family had an elution time around 43 min, and some samples showed yet another low molecular oligosaccharide that appeared at 58-60 min. Gas chromatography of alditol acetate allowed estimates of the proportion of the neutral sugar in the samples. The ratio of galacturonic acid and rhamnose may give the average size of the galacturonan fraction. These results showed that yields of pectin extracted by the same acid procedure were slightly different. However, the degree of esterification of pectin was similar, with both factors pointing to the best sources in this group of varieties.
RNA- binding protein Stau2 is important for spindle integrity and meiosis progression in mouse oocytes

ABSTRACT Staufen2 (Stau2) is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein involved in cell fate decision by regulating mRNA transport, mRNA stability, translation, and ribonucleoprotein assembly. Little is known about Stau2 expression and function in mammalian oocytes during meiosis. Herein we report the sub-cellular distribution and function of Stau2 in mouse oocyte meiosis. Western blot analysis revealed high and stable expression of Stau2 in oocytes from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII). Immunofluorescence showed that Stau2 was evenly distributed in oocytes at GV stage, and assembled as filaments after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), particularly, colocalized with spindle at MI and MII. Stau2 was disassembled when microtubules were disrupted with nocodazole, on the other hand, when MTs were stabilized with taxol, Stau2 was not colocalized with the stabilized microtubules, but aggregated around the chromosomes array, indicating Stau2 assembly and colocalization with microtubules require both microtubule integrity and its normal dynamics. During interphase and mitosis of BHK and MEF cells, Stau2 was not distributed on microtubules, but colocalized with cis-Golgi marker GM130, implying its association with Golgi complex but not the spindle in fully differentiated somatic cells. Specific morpholino oligo-mediated Stau2 knockdown disrupted spindle formation, chromosome alignment and microtubule-kinetochore attachment in oocytes. The majority oocytes were arrested at MI stage, with bright MAD1 at kinetochores, indicating activation of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Some oocytes were stranded at telophase I (TI), implying suppressed first polar body extrution. Together these data demonstrate that Stau2 is required for spindle formation and timely meiotic progression in mouse oocytes.
Long-Term Effect of Inhibition of ced 3-Like Caspases on the Survival of Axotomized Retinal Ganglion Cells in Vivo


There is growing evidence that caspase inhibition exerts neuroprotective effects in various models of neuronal injury in vivo. However, whether caspase inhibition provides long-term neuroprotection is not known yet. In the present study, we therefore investigated the effects of prolonged caspase inhibition on the survival of adult rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following optic nerve (ON) transection. Four weeks following ON transection the number of surviving RGCs in untreated animals declined to 11% of controls. Treatment for the initial 2 weeks with z-DEVD-cmk, an irreversible inhibitor of ced 3-like caspases, increased the number of surviving RGCs 4 weeks postlesion to 24%. Z-DEVD-cmk treatment over the entire experimental period of 4 weeks had no additional effect. Thus, we still found a neuroprotective effect of caspase inhibition on axotomized RGCs after extended survival time. However, in comparison to our recent observations 2 weeks after optic nerve transection, in which z-DEVD-cmk rescued 46% of RGCs (P. Kermer, N. Klöcker, M. Labes, and M. Bähr, 1998, J. Neurosci. 18(12), 4656-4662) the positive effect clearly decreased. In conclusion, our results indicate that the therapeutical approach presented here results in a significant delay of secondary death rather than providing a permanent and complete rescue of axotomized RGCs.