Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise repetition rate measured with simple sensors at home can be used to estimate Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer score after stroke

Introduction It would be valuable if home-based rehabilitation training technologies could automatically assess arm impairment after stroke. Here, we tested whether a simple measure—the repetition rate (or “rep rate”) when performing specific exercises as measured with simple sensors—can be used to estimate Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer (UEFM) score. Methods 41 individuals with arm impairment after stroke performed 12 sensor-guided exercises under therapist supervision using a commercial sensor system comprised of two pucks that use force and motion sensing to measure the start and end of each exercise repetition. 14 of these participants then used the system at home for three weeks. Results Using linear regression, UEFM score was well estimated using the rep rate of one forward-reaching exercise from the set of 12 exercises (r2 = 0.75); this exercise required participants to alternately tap pucks spaced about 20 cm apart (one proximal, one distal) on a table in front of them. UEFM score was even better predicted using an exponential model and forward-reaching rep rate (Leave One Out Cross Validation (LOOCV) r2 = 0.83). We also tested the ability of a nonlinear, multivariate model (a regression tree) to predict UEFM, but such a model did not improve prediction (LOOCV r2 = 0.72). However, the optimal decision tree also used the forward-reaching task along with a pinch grip task to subdivide more and less impaired patients in a way consistent with clinical intuition. At home, rep rate for the forward-reaching exercise well predicted UEFM score using an exponential model (LOOCV r2 = 0.69), but only after we re-estimated coefficients using the home data. Discussion These results show how a simple measure—exercise rep rate measured with simple sensors—can be used to infer an arm impairment score and suggest that prediction models should be tuned separately for the clinic and home environments.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 supplementation supports motor coordination and affects myelination in preterm pigs

Introduction Preterm infants have increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment to which reduced systemic levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the weeks after birth may play a role. Hence, we hypothesized that postnatal IGF-1 supplementation would improve brain development in preterm pigs, used as a model for preterm infants. Methods Preterm pigs delivered by cesarean section received recombinant human IGF-1/IGF binding protein-3 complex (rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3, 2.25 mg/kg/day) or vehicle from birth to postnatal day 19. Motor function and cognition were assessed by monitoring of in-cage and open field activities, balance beam test, gait parameters, novel object recognition and operant conditioning tests. Collected brains were subject to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunohistochemistry, gene expression analyses and protein synthesis measurements. Results The IGF-1 treatment increased cerebellar protein synthesis rates (both in vivo and ex vivo). Performance in the balance beam test was improved by IGF-1 but not in other neurofunctional tests. The treatment decreased total and relative caudate nucleus weights, without any effects to total brain weight or grey/white matter volumes. Supplementation with IGF-1 reduced myelination in caudate nucleus, cerebellum, and white matter regions and decreased hilar synapse formation, without effects to oligodendrocyte maturation or neuron differentiation. Gene expression analyses indicated enhanced maturation of the GABAergic system in the caudate nucleus (decreased NKCC1:KCC2 ratio) with limited effects in cerebellum or hippocampus. Conclusion Supplemental IGF-1 during the first three weeks after preterm birth may support motor function by enhancing GABAergic maturation in the caudate nucleus, despite reduced myelination. Supplemental IGF-1 may support postnatal brain development in preterm infants, but more studies are required to identify optimal treatment regimens for subgroups of very or extremely preterm infants.
Facial morphometric differences across face databases: influence of ethnicities and sex

The scientific need for standardized, high-quality facial stimuli has driven the creation of several face image databases in recent years. These stimuli are particularly important in facial asymmetry research. However, previous studies have reported facial anthropometric differences across a variety of ethnicities. This highlights the need to investigate whether these differences can also impact the use of face image databases, particularly in facial asymmetry research. In this study, we investigated facial asymmetry-based morphometric differences between the multi-ethnic Chicago Face Database (CFD) and the LACOP Face Database, which is composed of Brazilian subjects. We found reliable differences in facial asymmetry between the two databases, which were related to ethnic groups. Specifically, differences in eye and mouth asymmetry seem to drive these differences. The asymmetry-based morphometric differences among databases and ethnicities found in this study reinforce the necessity of creating multi-ethnic face databases.
Sex-specific responses in glucose-insulin homeostasis and lipoprotein-lipid components after high-dose supplementation with marine n-3 PUFAs in abdominal obesity: a randomized double-blind crossover study

Background Clinical studies on effects of marine-derived omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the plant-derived omega-6 (n-6) PUFA linoleic acid (LA) on lipoprotein-lipid components and glucose-insulin homeostasis have shown conflicting results, which may partly be explained by differential responses in females and males. However, we have lacked data on sexual dimorphism in the response of cardiometabolic risk markers following increased consumption of n-3 or n-6 PUFAs. Objective To explore sex-specific responses after n-3 (EPA + DHA) or n-6 (LA) PUFA supplementation on circulating lipoprotein subfractions, standard lipids, apolipoproteins, fatty acids in red blood cell membranes, and markers of glycemic control/insulin sensitivity among people with abdominal obesity. Methods This was a randomized double-blind crossover study with two 7-week intervention periods separated by a 9-week washout phase. Females (n = 16) were supplemented with 3 g/d of EPA + DHA (fish oil) or 15 g/d of LA (safflower oil), while males (n = 23) received a dose of 4 g/d of EPA + DHA or 20 g/d of LA. In fasting blood samples, we measured lipoprotein particle subclasses, standard lipids, apolipoproteins, fatty acid profiles, and markers of glycemic control/insulin sensitivity. Results The between-sex difference in relative change scores was significant after n-3 for total high-density lipoproteins (females/males: −11%*/−3.3%, p = 0.036; *: significant within-sex change), high-density lipoprotein particle size (+2.1%*/−0.1%, p = 0.045), and arachidonic acid (−8.3%*/−12%*, p = 0.012), and after n-6 for total (+37%*/+2.1%, p = 0.041) and small very-low-density lipoproteins (+97%*/+14%, p = 0.021), and lipoprotein (a) (−16%*/+0.1%, p = 0.028). Circulating markers of glucose-insulin homeostasis differed significantly after n-3 for glucose (females/males: −2.1%/+3.9%*, p = 0.029), insulin (−31%*/+16%, p < 0.001), insulin C-peptide (−12%*/+13%*, p = 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index 2 (−12%*/+14%*, p = 0.001) and insulin sensitivity index 2 (+14%*/−12%*, p = 0.001), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+4.9%*/−3.4%*, p < 0.001). Conclusion We found sex-specific responses after high-dose n-3 (but not n-6) supplementation in circulating markers of glycemic control/insulin sensitivity, which improved in females but worsened in males. This may partly be related to the sex differences we observed in several components of the lipoprotein-lipid profile following the n-3 intervention. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier [NCT02647333].
Environmental filtering, spatial processes and biotic interactions jointly shape different traits communities of stream macroinvertebrates

The metacommunity concept has been widely used to explain the biodiversity patterns at various scales. It considers the influences of both local (e.g., environmental filtering and biotic interactions) and regional processes (e.g., dispersal limitation) in shaping community structures. Compared to environmental filtering and spatial processes, the influence of biotic interactions on biodiversity patterns in streams has received limited attention. We investigated the relative importance of three ecological processes, namely environmental filtering (including local environmental and geo-climatic factors), spatial processes and biotic interactions (represented by interactions of macroinvertebrates and diatom), in shaping different traits of macroinvertebrate communities in subtropical streams, Eastern China. We applied variance partitioning to uncover the pure and shared effects of different ecological processes in explaining community variation. The results showed that environmental filtering, spatial processes, and biotic interactions jointly determined taxonomic and trait compositions of stream macroinvertebrates. Spatial processes showed a stronger influence in shaping stream macroinvertebrate communities than environmental filtering. The contribution of biotic interactions to explain variables was, albeit significant, rather small, which was likely a result of insufficient representation (by diatom traits) of trophic interactions associated with macroinvertebrates. Moreover, the impact of three ecological processes on macroinvertebrate communities depends on different traits, especially in terms of environmental filtering and spatial processes. For example, spatial processes and environmental filtering have the strongest effect on strong dispersal ability groups; spatial processes have a greater effect on scrapers than other functional feeding groups. Overall, our results showed that the integration of metacommunity theory and functional traits provides a valuable framework for understanding the drivers of community structuring in streams, which will facilitate the development of effective bioassessment and management strategies.
EEG phase synchronization during absence seizures

Absence seizures—generalized rhythmic spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) are the defining property of childhood (CAE) and juvenile (JAE) absence epilepsies. Such seizures are the most compelling examples of pathological neuronal hypersynchrony. All the absence detection algorithms proposed so far have been derived from the properties of individual SWDs. In this work, we investigate EEG phase synchronization in patients with CAE/JAE and healthy subjects to explore the possibility of using the wavelet phase synchronization index to detect seizures and quantify their disorganization (fragmentation). The overlap of the ictal and interictal probability density functions was high enough to preclude effective seizure detection based solely on changes in EEG synchronization. We used a machine learning classifier with the phase synchronization index (calculated for 1 s data segments with 0.5 s overlap) and the normalized amplitude as features to detect generalized SWDs. Using 19 channels (10-20 setup), we identified 99.2% of absences. However, the overlap of the segments classified as ictal with seizures was only 83%. The analysis showed that seizures were disorganized in approximately half of the 65 subjects. On average, generalized SWDs lasted about 80% of the duration of abnormal EEG activity. The disruption of the ictal rhythm can manifest itself as the disappearance of epileptic spikes (with high-amplitude delta waves persisting), transient cessation of epileptic discharges, or loss of global synchronization. The detector can analyze a real-time data stream. Its performance is good for a six-channel setup (Fp1, Fp2, F7, F8, O1, O2), which can be implemented as an unobtrusive EEG headband. False detections are rare for controls and young adults (0.03% and 0.02%, respectively). In patients, they are more frequent (0.5%), but in approximately 82% cases, classification errors are caused by short epileptiform discharges. Most importantly, the proposed detector can be applied to parts of EEG with abnormal EEG activity to quantitatively determine seizure fragmentation. This property is important because a previous study reported that the probability of disorganized discharges is eight times higher in JAE than in CAE. Future research must establish whether seizure properties (frequency, length, fragmentation, etc.) and clinical characteristics can help distinguish CAE and JAE.
Natural or anthropogenic variability? A long-term pattern of the zooplankton communities in an ever-changing transitional ecosystem

The Venice Lagoon is an important site belonging to the Italian Long-Term Ecological Research Network (LTER). Alongside with the increasing trend of water temperature and the relevant morphological changes, in recent years, the resident zooplankton populations have also continued to cope with the colonization by alien species, particularly the strong competitor Mnemiopsis leidyi. In this work, we compared the dynamics of the lagoon zooplankton over a period of 20 years. The physical and biological signals are analyzed and compared to evaluate the hypothesis that a slow shift in the environmental balance of the site, such as temperature increase, sea level rise (hereafter called “marinization”), and competition between species, is contributing to trigger a drift in the internal equilibrium of the resident core zooplankton. Though the copepod community does not seem to have changed its state, some important modifications of structure and assembly mechanisms have already been observed. The extension of the marine influence within the lagoon has compressed the spatial gradients of the habitat and created a greater segregation of the niches available to some typically estuarine taxa and broadened and strengthened the interactions between marine species.
Newly diagnosed HIV and use of HIV-PrEP among non-western born MSM attending STI clinics in the Netherlands: a large retrospective cohort study

Introduction The World Health Organization recommends HIV-PrEP for all people at risk for HIV infection, which includes men who have sex with men (MSM). Substantial part of new HIV diagnoses in the Netherlands are in non-western born MSM. This study evaluated new HIV diagnoses and reported PrEP use among non-western born MSM and compared it to western-born MSM. To inform public health efforts in the context of equitable PrEP access, we further assessed sociodemographic factors related to higher HIV risk and lower PrEP use among non-western born MSM. Methods Surveillance data of consultations among MSM in all Dutch STI-clinics (2016–2021) were analyzed. STI-clinics provide PrEP via the national pilot-program since August 2019. In non-western born MSM (born in Eastern-Europe/Latin-America/Asia/Africa/Dutch-Antilles/Suriname), sociodemographic factors were evaluated for association with HIV (by multivariable generalized estimating equations) and reported PrEP use in the past 3 months (by multivariable logistic regression; restricted to an at-risk for HIV person-level data-subset from August 2019). Results New HIV infections were diagnosed among 1.1% (493/44,394) of non-western born MSM-consultations (vs. 0.4% among western-born MSM, 742/210,450). Low education (aOR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.7–2.7, vs. high education) and age under 25 years (aOR: 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1–1.8, vs. age above 35 years) were associated with new HIV diagnoses. PrEP use in the past 3 months was 40.7% in non-western born MSM (1,711/4,207; 34.9% among western-born MSM, 6,089/17,458). PrEP use was lower among non-western born MSM aged under 25 years (aOR: 0.3, 95%CI: 0.2–0.4), living in less urban areas (aOR: 0.7, 95%CI: 0.6–0.8), and having low education level (aOR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.5–0.7). Conclusion Our study confirmed that non-western born MSM are an important key population in HIV prevention. Access to HIV prevention, including HIV-PrEP, should be further optimized to all non-western born MSM at risk for HIV, and specifically to those who are younger, live in less urban areas, and have a low education level.
High unhealthy food and beverage consumption is associated with poor diet quality among 12–35-month-olds in Guédiawaye Department, Senegal

Background High consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages (UFB) during early childhood is cause for concern, with growing evidence from low- and middle-income countries finding associations with poor diet quality and malnutrition. Research from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, with no studies quantifying the contribution of UFB to total energy intakes among young children or exploring the relationship between such intakes and diet quality or anthropometric outcomes. Objectives Assess UFB consumption patterns and their contribution to total energy intake from non-breastmilk foods/beverages (TEI-NBF), assess the association between high UFB consumption and dietary/nutrition outcomes, and explore drivers of unhealthy food choice among young children in Guédiawaye Department, Senegal. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 724 primary caregivers and their 12–35.9-month-old children. The study included a questionnaire, a quantitative four-pass 24-h dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements. The contribution of UFB to TEI-NBF was calculated and terciles generated. Logistic and linear models were used to compare outcomes of high versus low UFB consumption terciles. Results UFB contributed on average 22.2% of TEI-NBF, averaging 5.9% for the lowest tercile and 39.9% for the highest. Diets of high UFB consumers, as compared to low, were significantly less dense in protein, fiber, and seven of the 11 micronutrients assessed and significantly denser in total fat, saturated fat, and total sugar. No associations were found with anthropometric outcomes. High UFB consumers were older and more likely to be living in food insecurity. The most common drivers of commercial UFB consumption were related to child preference, the use of these products as behavior management tools, treats, or gifts, and the sharing of these products by someone else eating them. Conclusion High UFB consumption is associated with poor diet quality among 12–35-month-olds in Guédiawaye Department, Senegal. Addressing high UFB consumption during this critical developmental period should be prioritized in young child nutrition research, programming, and policy development.
Alleviating Alternative Conceptions and Conceptual Difficulties of Energy in Grade 10 Mechanics Using Contextual-Conceptual-Formal Understanding

يهدف هذا البحث إلى دراسة المفاهيم البديلة للمتعلمين فيما يخص الطاقة وأثر النهج العلمي في التخفيف من صعوبة المفاهيم والتصورات البديلة. وقد اشتملت الدراسة على عينة بحث مكونة من (55) متعلما رسميا في مدارس جنوب إفريقيا الثانوية والموجودة في القرى الريفية في مقاطعة جوتينغ.
Design and control of a bilateral motion-scaling system using magnetic levitation

Microsurgery is an ideal field to utilize the advantages of robotic technology because the tasks involve tool positioning and force sensing capabilities beyond the normal range of human abilities. A robotic manipulator that can reliably extend the surgeon’s manipulation ability by scaling down hand motions and scaling up tool forces would be extremely useful in facilitating microsurgery and alleviating the physical and psychological stress many microsurgeons face in their work. The work described involves the development of a prototype bilateral teleoperation system for experiments in microsurgery. A dual-stage approach is proposed in which two magnetically levitated wrists (a macro-master and a micro-slave) would share a common base positioned at the surgical site by a coarse-motion transport robot. The system hard ware is described in the first part of the thesis including a discussion on the proposed features and the issues in the slave wrist design. In the second part, aspects of coordi nation and control both at the coarse-positioning stage and the fine-motion scaling level are presented. More specifically, an H-based approach to controller design permitting a convenient means to find a compromise between performance and robustness is presented and then experimentally demonstrated.
Maximizing Utility or Avoiding Losses? Uncovering Decision Rule-Heterogeneity in Sociological Research with an Application to Neighbourhood Choice

Empirical studies on individual behaviour often, implicitly or explicitly, assume a single type of decision rule. Other studies do not specify behavioural assumptions at all. We advance sociological research by introducing (random) regret minimization, which is related to loss aversion, into the sociological literature and by testing it against (random) utility maximization, which is the most prominent decision rule in sociological research on individual behaviour. With an application to neighbourhood choice, in a sample of four European cities, we combine stated choice experiment data and discrete choice modelling techniques and find a considerable degree of decision rule-heterogeneity, with a strong prevalence of regret minimization and hence loss aversion. We also provide indicative evidence that decision rules can affect expected neighbourhood demand at the macro level. Our approach allows identifying heterogeneity in decision rules, that is, the degree of regret/loss aversion, at the level of choice attributes such as the share of foreigners when comparing neighbourhoods, and can improve sociological practice related to linking theories and social research on decision-making.
Aptamer-Based Magnetic Nanoprobe for Quantitative Measurement of Chloramphenicol in Milk through Portable Reader

Background: We described here an aptamer-based magnetic nanoprobe for measuring the amount of chloramphenicol (CAP) in milk. Methods: The nanoprobe presented in this method consists of a magnetic nanoparticle conjugated to a specific CAP aptamer. If the target is detected in the sample, the nanoprobe binds to it, and the aptamer forms a G-quadruplex structure. This structure mimics the peroxidase activity in the presence of the hemin cofactor. If tetramethylbenzidine is added to the sample containing the nanoprobe, a blue color light is observed. After adding a stop reagent solution, the color produced is measured by a microplate reader and a portable meter. Results: This study proves a 99% positive linear relationship between the microplate reader's results and the portable meter results. Conclusion: Conjugation of the aptamer to magnetic nanoparticles and applying magnetic separation operations change the nanoprobe performance by 11% for both mentioned devices.