Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observer-Based Human Knee Stiffness Estimation

Objective: We consider the problem of stiffness estimation for the human knee joint during motion in the sagittal plane. Methods: The new stiffness estimator uses a nonlinear reduced-order biomechanical model and a body sensor network (BSN). The developed model is based on a two-dimensional knee kinematics approach to calculate the angle-dependent lever arms and the torques of the muscle-tendon-complex. To minimize errors in the knee stiffness estimation procedure that result from model uncertainties, a nonlinear observer is developed. The observer uses the electromyogram (EMG) of involved muscles as input signals and the segmental orientation as the output signal to correct the observer-internal states. Because of dominating model nonlinearities and nonsmoothness of the corresponding nonlinear functions, an unscented Kalman filter is designed to compute and update the observer feedback (Kalman) gain matrix. Results: The observer-based stiffness estimation algorithm is subsequently evaluated in simulations and in a test bench, specifically designed to provide robotic movement support for the human knee joint. Conclusion: In silico and experimental validation underline the good performance of the knee stiffness estimation even in the cases of a knee stiffening due to antagonistic coactivation. Significance: We have shown the principle function of an observer-based approach to knee stiffness estimation that employs EMG signals and segmental orientation provided by our own IPANEMA BSN. The presented approach makes realtime, model-based estimation of knee stiffness with minimal instrumentation possible.
Hypoxia induces caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 activation without neuronal death in gerbil brains

To investigate the in vivo apoptotic machinery in oxygen deprived brain, we examined the expression of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 in the hippocampus of Mongolian gerbils subjected to either transient hypoxia (4% O2 for 6 min) or forebrain ischemia (10 min bilateral carotid artery occlusion) followed by 8 h to 7 days of reoxygenation or blood recirculation. Apoptotic death was characterized by isolating hippocampal genomic DNA and analysing DNA fragmentation as well as histological studies including TUNEL assay and toluidine blue staining of brain sections. The results showed that both hypoxic and ischemic gerbil brains exhibited an increase in caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 gene expression. However, no cell damage was detectable following hypoxia, while marked DNA fragmentation and extensive cell death was observed following ischemia. Moreover, although hypoxia did not lead to cell death, both hypoxia and ischemia were associated with cleavage of procaspase‐9 and procaspase‐3 and increases in their activities as well as cleavage of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1), a major caspase‐3 substrate. These results indicate that, in vivo, even late apoptotic events such as caspase activation and PARP‐1 cleavage in hypoxic brains do not necessarily induce an irreversible commitment to apoptotic neuronal death.
Diversity and North American Planning Curricula: The Need for Reform

Résumé Depuis quelques années, le domaine daménagement Nord-américain (professionnel et académique) a reconnu le besoin dincorporer et dintégrer les questions de diversité multiculturelle au sein des programmes et curriculum daménagement. Lune des tâches les plus importantes que confrontent les enseignants Nord-américain, est de développer un environnement détudes qui rencontre les défis dune société multiculturelle. Bien quune réforme complète de lenseignement de laménagement urbain exige le recrutement actif et la préservation dun corps enseignant et étudiant multiculturel, cela exige également la réforme de programmes détudes. À plus forte raison quil ny a aucune garantie quun corps enseignant et étudiant multiculturel promouvra la diversité culturelle au sein de lenseignement de laménagement urbain. Ainsi, il importe danalyser les différentes approches visant à incorporer la diversité multiculturelle dans la planification de programmes détudes. Cet article est une enquête de recherches exploratoire basée sur lanalyse de la littérature actuelle sur la diversité multiculturelle au sein de lenseignement de laménagement urbain. Lanalyse présente plusieurs catégories dapproches et thèmes qui incorporent la diversité multiculturelle aux États-Unis. Larticle se termine avec quelques réflexions sur lintégration de la diversité multiculturelle.
Higher-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Meningiomas to Determine Intratumoral Consistency.

BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) analyzes shear wave movement through tissue to determine stiffness. In a prior study, measurements with first-generation brain MRE techniques correlated with intraoperative observations of overall meningioma stiffness. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a higher-resolution MRE technique to preoperatively detect intratumoral variations compared with surgeon assessment. METHODS Fifteen meningiomas in 14 patients underwent MRE. Tumors with regions of distinctly different stiffness were considered heterogeneous. Intratumoral portions were considered hard if there was a significant area ≥6 kPa. A 5-point scale graded intraoperative consistency. A durometer semiquantitatively measured surgical specimen hardness. Statistics included χ, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predicative values, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS For MRE and surgery, 9 (60%) and 7 (47%) tumors were homogeneous, 6 (40%) and 8 (53%) tumors were heterogeneous, 6 (40%) and 10 (67%) tumors had hard portions, and 14 (93%) and 12 (80%) tumors had soft portions, respectively. MRE sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were as follows: for heterogeneity, 75%, 100%, 100%, and 87%; for hardness, 60%, 100%, 100%, and 56%; and for softness, 100%, 33%, 86%, and 100%. Overall, 10 tumors (67%) matched well with MRE and intraoperative consistency and correlated between intraoperative observations (P = .02) and durometer readings (P = .03). Tumor size ≤3.5 cm or vascular tumors were more likely to be inconsistent (P < .05). CONCLUSION MRE was excellent at ruling in heterogeneity with hard portions but less effective in ruling out heterogeneity and hard portions, particularly in tumors more vascular or <3.5 cm. MRE is the first technology capable of prospectively evaluating intratumoral stiffness and, with further refinement, will likely prove useful in preoperative planning.
Schizophrenia Psychopathology in a Kuwaiti Arab Sample

Background: The heterogeneity of schizophrenia psychopathology has led to a search for symptom clusters that could be related to broad features of the disease. The objectives of the study were to: (1) highlight the pattern of symptoms among Kuwaiti subjects with schizophrenia, using the ICD-10 symptom checklist; (2) assess the factor structure of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale 18 (BPRS-18) and BPRS-24, and (3) evaluate the relationship of the resulting factors with sociodemographic characteristics, age at onset of illness, family history of mental illness, objective indicators of quality of life, self-esteem, affect balance, family caregiver burden, patient’s perceptions of service satisfaction and needs for care. Method: Consecutive outpatients in stable condition were assessed with the BPRS and ICD-10 symptom checklist, as well as measures of quality of life, needs for care, service satisfaction and family caregiver burden. Results: There were 130 patients (66.1% men, mean age = 36.8 years, age at onset of illness = 24.2 years, duration of illness = 12.9 years). Of the ICD-10 symptoms, the commonest positive symptoms were hallucinations (58.5%) and delusions (72%). Catatonic symptoms were rare (2.9%). About a quarter of the subjects experienced 4 of the negative symptoms. In exploratory factor analysis, we broadly replicated the known syndromes for BPRS-24 (disorganization, positive, activation, manic, negative and depression) and BPRS-18 (negative, positive, activation and affect). In regression analyses, the variables independently associated with psychopathology were family income, negative affect, self-esteem, duration of illness, age, lack of money for enjoyment, met needs for care and caregiver tension. The negative syndrome had more significant associations with the variables investigated than the positive syndrome. Psychopathological scores were separable from indices of psychological well-being. Conclusion: In this first study of schizophrenia psychopathology from the Arab world, the clinical manifestations were similar to the data from the developed countries. The persistence of psychotic symptoms despite freely available antipsychotic treatment and the impact on caregiver burden call for attention to the perennial issue of treatment resistance and underscore the need for continued interaction with family members after the acute inpatient phase of treatment, in order to address the impact of symptoms.
Interference detection using wireless LAN based MIMO transmission

This paper proposes an interference detection method in MIMO transmission, which utilizes periodical preamble signals in a frequency domain. The signals are mapped in only several subcarriers in short preamble signals of IEEE802.11 based OFDM signals and the signal in a frequency domain is transformed by IFFT at the transmitter. We assume the collision due to multiple short preamble signals. In the propose method, second antenna receives the preamble signals while first antenna transmits the preamble signals. The interference can be detected by subtracting the short preamble signal which is multiplied by the estimated channel response from the received signal after the FFT processing. Moreover, we utilize the dual polarization to reduce the mutual coupling between the transmitter and receiver. By a computer simulation, it is shown that proposed method can successfully detect interference in OFDM signal when the interfering power is greater than the noise power.
New Thermophilic and Thermostable Esterase with Sequence Similarity to the Hormone-Sensitive Lipase Family, Cloned from a Metagenomic Library

ABSTRACT A gene coding for a thermostable esterase was isolated by functional screening of Escherichia coli cells that had been transformed with fosmid environmental DNA libraries constructed with metagenomes from thermal environmental samples. The gene conferring esterase activity on E. coli grown on tributyrin agar was composed of 936 bp, corresponding to 311 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 34 kDa. The enzyme showed significant amino acid similarity (64%) to the enzyme from a hyperthermophilic archaeon, Pyrobaculum calidifontis. An amino acid sequence comparison with other esterases and lipases revealed that the enzyme should be classified as a new member of the hormone-sensitive lipase family. The recombinant esterase that was overexpressed and purified from E. coli was active above 30°C up to 95°C and had a high thermal stability. It displayed a high degree of activity in a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, with an optimal pH of approximately 6.0. The best substrate for the enzyme among the p-nitrophenyl esters (C4 to C16) examined was p-nitrophenyl caproate (C6), and no lipolytic activity was observed with esters containing an acyl chain length of longer than 10 carbon atoms, indicating that the enzyme is an esterase and not a lipase.
Nanofabrication Techniques Applied to the Development of Novel Optical Fiber Sensors Based on Nanostructured Coatings

Nanostructured coatings and nanostructured patterns present unique properties that can lead the advances in the development of novel devices. Sensing devices and in particular optical fiber sensors can take advantage of these unique properties in the design of new and improved sensors due to intimate interactions of these coatings and patterns with the selected target at a molecular scale. These nanostructured coatings and nanostructured patterns can be bundled together with an optical fiber, in such a manner that they can induce changes in the properties of the light traveling through the optical fiber. However, the fabrication of these coatings and patterns is sometimes challenging and requires a deep interdisciplinary knowledge in order to obtain the desired results. Some of the most well-known nanofabrication techniques have been reviewed in this paper, showing their main issues, key parameters, as well as the most recent applications in the optical fiber sensing field.
Analyses of Ca2+ dynamics using a ubiquitin-10 promoter-driven Yellow Cameleon 3.6 indicator reveal reliable transgene expression and differences in cytoplasmic Ca2+ responses in Arabidopsis and rice (Oryza sativa) roots.

Ca(2+) signatures are central to developmental processes and adaptive responses in plants. However, high-resolution studies of Ca(2+) dynamics using genetically encoded Ca(2+) indicators (GECIs) such as Yellow Cameleon (YC) proteins have so far not been conducted in important model crops such as rice (Oryza sativa). We conducted a comparative study of 35S and ubiquitin-10 (UBQ10) promoter functionality in Arabidopsis thaliana and O. sativa plants expressing the Ca(2+) indicator Yellow Cameleon 3.6 (YC3.6) under control of the UBQ10 or 35S promoter. Ca(2+) signatures in roots of both species were analyzed during exposure to hyperpolarization/depolarization cycles or in response to application of the amino acid glutamate. We found a superior performance of the UBQ10 promoter with regard to expression pattern, levels and expression stabilities in both species. We observed remarkable differences between the two species in the spatiotemporal parameters of the observed Ca(2+) signatures. Rice appeared in general to respond with a lower maximal signal amplitude but greatly increased signal duration when compared with Arabidopsis. Our results identify important advantages to using the UBQ10 promoter in Arabidopsis and rice and in T-DNA mutant backgrounds. Moreover, the observed differences in Ca(2+) signaling in the two species underscore the need for comparative studies to achieve a comprehensive understanding of Ca(2+) signaling in plants.
A comment on a Nonideal Centrifugal vibrator Machine Behavior with Soft and Hard Springs

This paper concerns a type of rotating machine (centrifugal vibrator), which is supported on a nonlinear spring. This is a nonideal kind of mechanical system. The goal of the present work is to show the striking differences between the cases where we take into account soft and hard spring types. For soft spring, we prove the existence of homoclinic chaos. By using the Melnikov's Method, we show the existence of an interval with the following property: if a certain parameter belongs to this interval, then we have chaotic behavior; otherwise, this does not happen. Furthermore, if we use an appropriate damping coefficient, the chaotic behavior can be avoided. For hard spring, we prove the existence of Hopf's Bifurcation, by using reduction to Center Manifolds and the Bezout Theorem (a classical result about algebraic plane curves).
Type III adenylyl cyclase localizes to primary cilia throughout the adult mouse brain

Solitary primary cilia project from nearly every cell type in the human body. These organelles are considered to have important sensory and signaling functions. Although primary cilia have been detected throughout the mammalian brain, their functions are unknown. The study of primary cilia in the brain is constrained by the scarcity of specific markers for these organelles. We previously demonstrated that type III adenylyl cyclase (ACIII) is a marker for primary cilia on neonatal hippocampal neurons in vivo and in vitro. We further showed that ACIII localizes to cilia on cultured glial cells. Here, we report that ACIII is a marker for primary cilia throughout many regions of the adult mouse brain. Furthermore, we report that ACIII localizes to primary cilia on choroid plexus cells and some astrocytes in the brain, which to our knowledge is the first report of a marker for visualizing cilia on glia in vivo. Overall, our data indicate that ACIII is a prominent marker of primary cilia in the brain and will provide an important tool to facilitate further investigations into the functions of these organelles. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:562–571, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stochastic multistage bidding optimisation for a Nordic hydro power producer in the post-spot markets

As a result of an increased focus on climate policy and renewable energy sources, the share of intermittent power in the Nordic power system is growing. With a less predictable production, the interest for trading on the post-spot markets evolves. Producers desire to trade closer to the hour of operation in order to minimise uncertainty of production and demand. This thesis investigates how a Norwegian hydro power producer can maximise daily profit by trading on the post-spot markets. Bidding on the intraday market, Elbas, and the balancing market is modelled as a multistage stochastic mixed integer problem (SMIP) with continuous and binary variables. A comprehensive modelling framework is developed in order to model the market uncertainties. The framework creates realistic demand scenarios for the two markets and implements the model with an internal rolling horizon approach to describe how the bidding problem develops with a decreasing time horizon. The modelling framework is applied to a case study with realistic input data. A thorough market analysis of Elbas based on exclusive order depth data show that the Norwegian intraday market has very low liquidity. The results show that Elbas premiums normally are higher than the corresponding balancing market premiums, but the probability of a bid being accepted on Elbas is low. As a result of this, considering Elbas bidding does not impact the profit of the hydro power producer significantly. The test cases with higher available production capacity do however benefit more from Elbas trading. With the current market liquidity, Elbas bidding should be considered if it can be done efficiently. The profitability is however considered to increase with more market participants.
A single session of treadmill running has no effect on plasma total ghrelin concentrations

Abstract Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates hunger. Intense exercise has been shown to temporarily suppress hunger after exercise. In the present study, we investigated whether post-exercise hunger suppression is mediated by reduced plasma total ghrelin concentrations. Nine men and nine women participated in the study. Their mean physical characteristics were as follows: age 24.8 (s x = 0.9) years, body mass index 22.9 (s x = 0.6) kg · m−2, maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max) 57.7 (s x = 2.2) ml · kg−1 · min−1. The participants completed two 3-h trials (exercise and control) on separate days in a randomized balanced design after overnight fasts. The exercise trial involved a 1-h treadmill run at 73.5% of [Vdot]O2max followed by 2 h of rest. The control trial consisted of 3 h of rest. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 h. Total ghrelin concentrations were determined from plasma. Hunger was assessed following blood sampling using a 15-point scale. The data were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Hunger scores were lower in the exercise trial than in the control trial (trial, P = 0.009; time, P < 0.001; trial × time, P < 0.001). Plasma total ghrelin concentrations did not differ between trials. These findings indicate that treadmill running suppresses hunger but this effect is not mediated by changes in plasma total ghrelin concentration.
Impairments of Interpersonal Functioning: Empathy and Intimacy in Borderline Personality Disorder

Impairments of interpersonal functioning are central to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Patients with BPD suffer from severe psychosocial dysfunction in general and - among others - disturbed romantic relationships. Compounding the problem, the diagnosis of BPD interferes with therapeutic relationships and results in pejorative and discriminatory clinical practices. Previously, interpersonal dysfunction has been related to emotional dysregulation, behavioral dyscontrol, and impaired social cognition. However, these features may be intertwined yet separate. In this review, we will focus on disturbed empathy and intimacy as they are referred to as two discrete impairments of interpersonal functioning in the new DSM-5 Section III. The aim of this review is to contribute to a comprehensive, integral understanding of interpersonal dysfunction in BPD based on the behavioral and neurobiological studies available up to now. Despite some inconsistencies, behavioral studies in BPD patients indicate impaired cognitive and affective empathy particularly in complex and ecologically valid measurements. These findings are reflected even more consistently in functional magnet resonance imaging studies. Low quality of intimate relationships in BPD may at least partially result from lower mentalizing abilities and cognitive empathy, higher personal distress and affective empathy in the social context. Finally, the evaluation of the severity and quality of impairment of interpersonal functioning may enable clinicians and researchers to describe and to understand the mechanisms of interpersonal dysfunction better, and to improve the effectiveness of the treatment of patients with BPD.
Diverse fission yeast genes required for responding to oxidative and metal stress: Comparative analysis of glutathione‐related and other defense gene deletions

Living organisms have evolved multiple sophisticated mechanisms to deal with reactive oxygen species. We constructed a collection of twelve single‐gene deletion strains of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe designed for the study of oxidative and heavy metal stress responses. This collection contains deletions of biosynthetic enzymes of glutathione (Δgcs1 and Δgsa1), phytochelatin (Δpcs2), ubiquinone (Δabc1) and ergothioneine (Δegt1), as well as catalase (Δctt1), thioredoxins (Δtrx1 and Δtrx2), Cu/Zn‐ and Mn‐ superoxide dismutases (SODs; Δsod1 and Δsod2), sulfiredoxin (Δsrx1) and sulfide‐quinone oxidoreductase (Δhmt2). First, we employed metabolomic analysis to examine the mutants of the glutathione biosynthetic pathway. We found that ophthalmic acid was produced by the same enzymes as glutathione in S. pombe. The identical genetic background of the strains allowed us to assess the severity of the individual gene knockouts by treating the deletion strains with oxidative agents. Among other results, we found that glutathione deletion strains were not particularly sensitive to peroxide or superoxide, but highly sensitive to cadmium stress. Our results show the astonishing diversity in cellular adaptation mechanisms to various types of oxidative and metal stress and provide a useful tool for further research into stress responses.
An ultra-compact electro-optic plasmonic switch

We propose an ultra-compact electro-optic plasmonic switch and numerically investigate it by using the finite-difference time-domain method. Structure is composed of teeth filled with organic EO material. The switching operation can be gained by applying an external voltage of 3.35 Volt. With this switching voltage lightwave output power switches from output one port to the other one at the wavelength of λ= 790nm. We have shown that by variation of the switch parameters, the central switching wavelength can be changed.