Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microelectrode Implants for Spinal Cord Stimulation in Rats

Paralysis is a debilitating condition afflicting millions of people across the globe, and is particularly deleterious to quality of life when motor function of the legs is severely impaired or completely absent. Fortunately, spinal cord stimulation has shown great potential for improving motor function after spinal cord injury and other pathological conditions. Many animal studies have shown stimulation of the neural networks in the spinal cord can improve motor ability so dramatically that the animals can even stand and step after a complete spinal cord transaction. This thesis presents work to successfully provide a chronically implantable device for rats that greatly enhances the ability to control the site of spinal cord stimulation. This is achieved through the use of a parylene-C based microelectrode array, which enables a density of stimulation sites unattainable with conventional wire electrodes. While many microelectrode devices have been proposed in the past, the spinal cord is a particularly challenging environment due to the bending and movement it undergoes in a live animal. The developed microelectrode array is the first to have been implanted in vivo while retaining functionality for over a month. In doing so, different neural pathways can be selectively activated to facilitate standing and stepping in spinalized rats using various electrode combinations, and important differences in responses are observed. An engineering challenge for the usability of any high density electrode array is connecting the numerous electrodes to a stimulation source. This thesis develops several technologies to address this challenge, beginning with a fully passive implant that uses one wire per electrode to connect to an external stimulation source. The number of wires passing through the body and the skin proved to be a hazard for the health of the animal, so a multiplexed implant was devised in which active electronics reduce the number of wires. Finally, a fully wireless implant was developed. As these implants are tested in vivo, encapsulation is of critical importance to retain functionality in a chronic experiment, especially for the active implants, and it was achieved without the use of costly ceramic or metallic hermetic packaging. Active implants were built that retained functionality 8 weeks after implantation, and achieved stepping in spinalized rats after just 8-10 days, which is far sooner than wire-based electrical stimulation has achieved in prior work.
Online automatic grading of salted eggs based on machine vision

The quality of salted eggs differs in curing process. They need to be tested and graded before factory packaging. The dynamic images of salted eggs were acquired on conveyor. Firstly, preprocessing of color images must be done: the target area of the binary image was determined by mathematical morphology and removal of the object of a small area. According to the binary image is a convex or concave figure, the target region light leaked or not was determined. The effects of leaked region were eliminated by searching for mutation points, fitting salted egg boundary by the Least Square algorithm, labeling the binary image and extracting single target area. Then, six characteristic parameters were extracted in color space, and quality testing model was established by minimum error probability. The experimental results indicated that the detection accuracy reached above 93% and classification efficiency was 5400/h. It proved the model is feasible for salted egg grading. DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe. 20150801.005 Citation: Xu K R, Lu X, Wang Q H, Ma M H. Online automatic grading of salted eggs based on machine vision. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2015; 8(1): 35－41.
Cochlear Implantation in Older Adults: Effectiveness and Expanded Indications

Older adults who qualify for cochlear implantation demonstrate significant improvements in speech recognition and quality of life with cochlear implant use. Cochlear implantation is a safe and effective procedure for patients with hearing loss, with some additional medical considerations specific to older adult patients. The indications for cochlear implantation have expanded from cases of bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss to cases of normal-to-moderate low-frequency hearing sensitivity and severe-to-profound high-frequency hearing loss. The expansion of indications for cochlear implantation was prompted by evidence of low-frequency hearing preservation due to modified electrode array designs and surgical techniques, and significantly improved performance when listening with the combination of acoustic and electric stimulation (EAS) in the same ear. Older adults who underwent cochlear implantation as part of clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of EAS have been shown to experience significantly improved speech recognition and quality of life as compared to preoperative performance with conventional hearing aids. REviEw ARTiClE
Accuracy and Performance of Improved Speed-Flow Curves

Skabardonis and Dowling recommended updated Bureau of Public Road speed-flow curves for freeways and signalized arterials to improve the accuracy of speed estimates used in transportation demand models. These updated curves generally involved the use of higher power functions that show relatively little sensitivity to volume changes until demand exceeds capacity, when the predicted speed drops abruptly to a very low value. Skabardonis and Dowling demonstrated that the curves provide improved estimates of vehicle speeds under both uncongested and queueing conditions; however, they did not investigate the impact of these curves on the performance of travel demand models. Practitioners have been concerned about the impacts of such abrupt speed-flow curves on the performance of their travel demand models. Spiess has stated that higher power functions are more difficult computationally for computers to evaluate and that more abrupt speed-flow curves adversely affect the rate of convergence to equilibrium solutions in the traffic assignment process. In this paper the impact of the Skabardonis and Dowling updated speed-flow curves on the performance of selected travel demand models is investigated. The updated speed-flow curves were found to significantly increase travel demand model run times. However, it is demonstrated that an alternative speed-flow equation developed by Akçelik has similar or better accuracy and provides much superior convergence properties during the traffic assignment process. The Akçelik curve significantly reduced travel demand model run times.
( DEFUSE 2 ) Investigators for Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging Evaluation for Understanding Stroke Evolution 2

for Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging Evaluation for Understanding Stroke Evolution 2 Gregory W. Albers Stephanie Kemp, Ryan McTaggart, Manabu Inoue, Greg Zaharchuk, Roland Bammer and Michael P. Marks, Maarten G. Lansberg, Michael Mlynash, Jean-Marc Olivot, Matus Straka, Ischemic Stroke Effect of Collateral Blood Flow on Patients Undergoing Endovascular Therapy for Acute Print ISSN: 0039-2499. Online ISSN: 1524-4628 Copyright © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc. All rights reserved. is published by the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231 Stroke doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.113. 004085 2014;45:1035-1039; originally published online February 25, 2014; Stroke. http://stroke.ahajournals. org/content/45/4/1035 World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the
Analyzing Friction in the Design of Rubber Products and Their Paired Surfaces

This book integrates the engineering and scientific evidence demonstrating that the laws of metallic friction do not apply to rubber. A newly developed, scientifically based unified theory of rubber friction is presented that incorporates a fourth basic rubber friction force: surface deformation hysteresis. With applications that phenomenologically treat both static and dynamic rubber friction, the book offers practical guidance for implementing the unified theory in the analysis and design processes. The use of this theory enables comprehensive calculations of rubber friction, offering opportunities to enhance public safety. Specific topics considered include: analyzing friction in the design of rubber tyres and their contacted pavements; the geometric design of roadways; motor vehicle accident reconstruction; and analyzing slip resistance in the design of footwear and their contacted walking surfaces.
Unusual microwave effective properties of two-component metaferrites

The paper discusses microwave properties of the effective refractive index of two-component metamaterials with ferromagnetic metal inclusions. Here we study metamaterial media, which are presented as an infinite host dielectric material with periodically embedded ferrite-like metal cylindrical and spherical inclusions saturated with an external biasing magnetic dc field. The case when electromagnetic wave propagates transversely or parallel to the direction of biasing magnetic dc field is studied. Frequency ranges where the real parts of effective refractive index of the metamaterials achieve unusual values (very small, much greater than unity etc.) were found.
HOW CAN WE TEACH STUDENT TO ESTIMATE VERTICAL JUMP HEIGHTS USING GROUND REACTION FORCE DATA

The purpose of this study was to estimate vertical jump heights using ground reaction force (GRF) data and to suggest one practical example of biomechanical theory application to a real human motion. Vertical jump heights of impulse and flight time method were statistically smaller than three-dimensional video method. The causes of height differences seemed mainly from the fact that impulse was used to move jumper into the horizontal direction as well as into the vertical direction. Other important factors for accurate height calculation are jumper's mass and threshold value of GRF data collection. Vertical jump height calculation with GRF data showed an example of practical application of biomechanical theory to human motion and demonstrated a way of GRF equipment use for effective biomechanical theory education.
Common Mode Voltage Mitigation Strategies Using PWM in Neutral-Point-Clamped Multilevel Inverters

COMMON MODE VOLTAGE MITIGATION STRATEGIES USING PWM IN NEUTRAL-POINT-CLAMPED MULTILEVEL INVERTERS Chad Alexander Somogyi, B.S. Marquette University, 2015 Over the last several decades, there has been consistent growth in the research and development of multilevel voltage-source inverter-based adjustable speed motor drives (ASDs) as a result of low cost, high reliability power semiconductors. The three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) ASD is a popular multilevel inverter used in low and medium voltage applications because of its ability to produce lower levels of total harmonic distortion (THD) and withstand higher voltages while preserving the rated output power compared to two-level ASDs. As with other voltage-source inverters, three-level NPC ASDs produce common-mode voltage (CMV) that can cause motor shaft voltages, bearing currents, and excess voltage stresses on motor windings, resulting in the deterioration of motor bearings and insulation. Furthermore, the CMV and resultant currents can generate electromagnetic interference that can hinder the operation of sensitive control electronics. In this thesis, three carrier-based, threelevel pulse-width-modulation (PWM) strategies were investigated to examine the levels of CMV, common-mode current, and dv/dt produced by the three-level NPC ASD. Additionally, the effects that each PWM strategy has on the THD in the output waveforms, as well as the total switching and conduction losses were analyzed through software simulation programs using a resistive-inductive load over a range of modulation indices. The first of the three methods, in-phase disposition sub-harmonic PWM (PD-SPWM), was verified experimentally using a laboratory-scale, 7.5 kVA three-level NPC ASD prototype. It was determined that PD-SPWM produced the highest CMV amplitude of one-third the dc bus voltage, but the lowest values of differential-mode dv/dt, THD, and drive losses. The second strategy, phase-opposition (PO)-SPWM, reduced the CMV amplitude to one-sixth the dc bus voltage, at the cost of higher THD and drive losses and a doubling of the differential-mode dv/dt. The final strategy, zero common-mode (ZCM)-SPWM, was modified (MZCM-SPWM) to accommodate IGBT dead-time by delaying the output voltage transitions based on the polarity of the output currents and the direction of the commanded voltage transitions. The MZCM-SPWM method nearly eliminated all CMV pulses while maintaining comparable levels of THD, but produced twice the switching losses compared to PDand POSPWM, and twice the differential-mode dv/dt compared to PD-SPWM.
Experimental study of dynamic responses of casing deflection profile for blade rubbing classification

Blade rubbing is one of the most destructive mechanical faults that frequently manifest in rotating machinery. Its occurrence is mainly caused by two distinctively different mechanisms and root causes, namely creep (elongated blades) and rotor eccentricity (diminished blade tip clearance). A successful classification of the types of blade rubbing is important as it could lead to identification of the root cause of the problem. This study explores a vibration method to classify blade rubbing based on the analysis of casing deflection profile. Different types of blade rubbing were simulated in an experimental rotor rig and vibration responses of the rotor casing under the influence of blade rubbing were measured and studied. Experimental results indicate that vibration characteristics of rotor casing change in accordance to different mechanisms of blade rubbing, resulting in fairly distinctive casing deflection profile. A quantitative method to classify blade rubbing was formulated based on the analysis of obtained results. A comparison made against the vibration spectrum analysis suggests that the analysis of casing deflection profile provides a more effective means to classify blade rubbing and therefore could be applied for detailed blade rubbing diagnosis in rotating machinery.
On Long-Range Dependence in NSFNET Traffic

Several recent studies indicate that (i) dependent packet arrivals can have a signi cant impact on bu er-over ow probabilities and delay characteristics at a network multiplexor, with long-range dependence showing a larger impact than short-range dependence, and (ii) that tra c in several di erent campus-level network environments appears to be long-range dependent. These two related issues are beginning to make a signi cant impact on tra c theory and network resource management. The objective of this paper is to show that long-range dependence extends to wide-area networks as well, and to identify the factors contributing to it. In particular, we nd the presence of long-range dependence in packet level tra c over the NSFNET wide-area network. The analysis is based on raw tra c data collected from multiple NSFNET core switches distributed across the US. Investigation of the underlying processes for a subset of tra c created by TCP indicates that the (heavy-tailed) joint distribution of TCP conversation sizes and conversation transmission rates are the key factors contributing to long-range dependence. Since these distributions are primarily application-level characteristics and to a certain extent network independent, long-range dependence will be present in highly-multiplexed data networks that are running current TCP applications. The work of Steven M. Klivansky and Amarnath Mukherjee was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under grant NCR-9396299. 1
Specific Deletion of the FHA Domain Containing SLMAP3 Isoform in Postnatal Myocardium Has No Impact on Structure or Function

Sarcolemmal membrane-associated proteins (SLMAPs) belong to the superfamily of tail-anchored membrane proteins known to regulate diverse biological processes, including protein trafficking and signal transduction. Mutations in SLMAP have been linked to Brugada and defective sodium channel Nav1.5 shuttling. The SLMAP gene is alternatively spliced to generate numerous isoforms, broadly defined as SLMAP1 (~35 kDa), SLMAP2 (~45 kDa) and SLMAP3 (~80–95 kDa), which are highly expressed in the myocardium. The SLMAP3 isoform exhibits ubiquitous expression carrying an FHA domain and is believed to negatively regulate Hippo signaling to dictate cell growth/death and differentiation. Using the αMHC-MerCreMer-flox system to target the SLMAP gene, we specifically deleted the SLMAP3 isoform in postnatal mouse hearts without any changes in the expression of SLMAP1/SLMAP2 isoforms. The in vivo analysis of mice with SLMAP3 cardiac deficiency revealed no significant changes to heart structure or function in young or aged mice without or with isoproterenol-induced stress. SLMAP3-deficient hearts revealed no obvious differences in cardiac size, function or hypertrophic response. Further, the molecular analysis indicated that SLMAP3 loss had a minor impact on sodium channel (Nav1.5) expression without affecting cardiac electrophysiology in postnatal myocardium. Surprisingly, the loss of SLMAP3 did not impact Hippo signaling in postnatal myocardium. We conclude that the FHA domain-containing SLMAP3 isoform has no impact on Hippo signaling or sodium channels in postnatal myocardium, which is able to function and respond normally to stress in its absence. Whether SLMAP1/SMAP2 isoforms can compensate for the loss of SLMAP3 in the affairs of the postnatal heart remains to be determined.
Using the 5 E's Instructional Model to Enhance English Grammar Learning of Secondary Stage Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of using the 5 E's instructional model on secondary stage students' grammar learning. The model was applied by ten prospective teachers in five secondary stage classes to teach English grammar. A qualitative assessment questionnaire designed by the researcher was used for investigating improvement in students' learning of grammar and for evaluating the application of the model in English teaching. Results showed significant improvement in students' learning of grammar which proves that the5 E's instructional model can be used to enhance English learning in TEFL classes.
Improving effectiveness of mitigation measures in EIA follow-up

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of mitigation measures adopted in a scheme of EIA follow-up by examining their performance in reducing geo-environmental impacts in earthwork activities during the Rodoanel southern section construction in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This environment is fragile in terms of affected watersheds because the highway crosses two important reservoirs that supply most of the metropolitan water demand. Therefore, this research also aims at promoting water quality control. Design/methodology/approach – This study combines complementary sources as evidences in the literature and field checks, tests and monitoring. The methodology was supported by criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures in the case study approach. Findings – The EIA follow-up activities contributed to the maintenance of environmental conditions in the majority of the control points at the end of the construction phase. Water quality parameters were not statistica.
Do prostatectomy suitable for localized prostate cancer patient: evidence from meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the role of prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer patient. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, and Web of Science through March 22, 2019 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines to identify studies reporting on prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer patient. Results: Of a total of 1827 studies, 6 were considered for evidence synthesis. A total of 4476 patients in 4 studies were included for survival analysis, 2,779 patients received prostatectomy and 1,697 patients were received no treatment but regularly followed up. Two other studies were included for adverse effects analysis. Prostatectomy displayed a significantly decreased risk of death of 35% compared with observation (OR=0.65, 95%CI 0.53-0.81, P<0.0001). Pooled data indicated prostatectomy reduced 55% risk of disease progression (OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.34-0.60, P<0.00001). Anxiety, depressed mode, wellbeing, and sense of meaningfulness for patients were no difference between prostatectomy and observation group. However, prostatectomy increased 2.77 folds risk of erection dysfunction (OR=2.77, 95% CI, 1.60–4.81, P=0.0003 Conclusion: Prostatectomy prolonged survival and deferred disease progression compared to observation for localized prostate cancer patients. Symptoms between two groups were not significant difference except for erection function. Patients should decide prostatectomy or not after balancing the survival benefit and erection dysfunction.
FFTF thermal-hydraulic testing results affecting piping and vessel component design in LMFBR's

The Fast Flux Test Facility completed four years of pre-operational testing in April 1982. This paper describes thermal-hydraulic testing results from this period which impact piping and vessel component design in LMFBRs. Data discussed are piping flow oscillations, piping thermal stratification and vessel upper plenum stratification. Results from testing verified that plant design limits were met.
The effect of online multimedia psychoeducational interventions on the perceived stress and resilience of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a quasi-experimental study

Background There are evidence suggesting that quarantine might have undesirable psychological impacts on the patients. Therefore, it is important to seek for ways to alleviate the psychological pressure as well as increase the resilience of the patients who are quarantined due to infection with COVID-19. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of an online multimedia psychoeducational intervention on perceived stress and resilience of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Method: Participants in this fully online trial were 50 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in 2 hospitals in Shiraz, after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Before the start of intervention, four inpatient wards of two hospitals were randomly assigned to either experimental or control condition. All eligible participants in wards allocated to the intervention condition received online multimedia psychoeducational interventions during 2 weeks, whilst patients in wards allocated to the control condition only received face-to-face or telephone based psychological counseling in case of need. Psychoeducational interventions mainly included cognitive–behavioural techniques, mindfulness-based stress reduction and positive psychotherapy. Patients were assessed on perceived stress and resilience at baseline and 2 weeks later. Results Compared with the control group, patients who used online multimedia psychoeducational interventions reported fewer perceived stress and greater resilience after 2 weeks. Discussion The findings of the present study provide a successful first attempt at implementing online multimedia psychoeducational interventions to promote resilience and mitigate stress of patients who are hospitalized due to infection with COVID-19. The present results could help mental health professionals to determine which psychological techniques should be emphasized to promote patients' resilience in the context of COVID-19 disease.