Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new evaluation method for upper extremity dexterity of patients with hemiparesis after stroke: the 10-second tests

We developed a new, sensitive evaluation method for upper extremity dexterity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke. This evaluation method consists of three types of test: the Finger Individual Movement Test, Hand Pronation and Supination Test, and Finger Tapping Test. In each test, the number of movements that can be performed during a 10-s period is measured. Data obtained by these 10-s tests were compared with those obtained by the Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and the usefulness of this new method was evaluated. In patients with hemiparesis after stroke, three types of 10-s test and NHPT were performed for the upper extremities on both the affected and unaffected sides. Simple correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis of data obtained by the three types of test and NHPT were performed using the affected/unaffected ratios. Twenty patients participated (54–85 years; 0.23–43.83 months after stroke) with mild upper extremity hemiparesis. Significant correlations exist between Finger Individual Movement Test and NHPT data (r=−0.584, P=0.0068) and between Hand Pronation and Supination Test and NHPT data (r=−0.707, P=0.0005). The multiple regression analysis model using the three types of 10-s test as explanatory variables was significant (P=0.0025) and explained 52.4% of the NHPT results. A significant association was observed between NHPT and the 10-s tests. The 10-s tests require no special examination instruments and can be readily performed in a short period. This evaluation method consisting of the 10-s tests can be a new clinical parameter of dexterity in patients with hemiparesis after stroke.
Bend-a-rule: a fabrication-based workflow for 3D planar contour acquisition

Bend-a-rule is a physical tool and workflow that enables the robust acquisition of planar contours of 3D shape. Our work exemplifies the design of physical artifacts that subsequently aid in digital design and fabrication. Bend-a-rule is a ruler, fabricated by laser-cutting a periodic pattern on a rigid board. The ruler has unidirectional flexibility, and readily bends to conform to the shape of curved planar contours on physical 3D objects. We present a novel workflow, by which this curved planar contour can be digitally acquired from a single image of the physical ruler. The acquired contour is then used to design laser-cut accessory shapes that attach to physcial 3D objects along the digitally acquired contour. We describe the construction of Bend-a-rule, propose an automatic algorithm for the extraction of a to-scale, planar 3D curve from a Bend-a-rule image, evaluate the resulting curves in comparison to ground truth data, and show example physical 3D objects augmented using Bend-a-rule.
Suture anchor versus screw fixation for greater tuberosity fractures of the humerus—a biomechanical study

Suture anchors and screws are commonly used for fixation of humeral greater tuberosity (GT) fractures in either arthroscopic or open surgeries, but no biomechanical studies have been performed to compare the strength of fixation constructs using these two implants. This cadaveric study aimed to compare the biomechanical strength of three different fixation constructs in the management of GT fractures: Double‐Row Suture Anchor Fixation (DR); Suture‐Bridge Technique using suture anchors and knotless suture anchors (SB); and Two‐Screw Fixation (TS). The experimental procedure was designed to assess fracture displacement after cyclic loading, failure load, and failure mode of the fixation construct. Significant differences were found among the SB (321 N), DR (263 N), and TS (187 N) groups (SB > DR > TS, p < 0.05) in the mean force of cyclic loading to create 3 mm displacement. Regarding the mean force of cyclic loading to create 5 mm displacement and ultimate failure load, no significant difference was found between the DR (370 N, 480 N) and SB (399 N, 493 N) groups, but both groups achieved superior results compared with the TS group (249 N, 340 N) (p < 0.05). The results suggested that the suture anchor constructs would be stronger than the fixation construct using screws for the humeral GT fracture. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:423–428, 2012
Microbial floral dynamics of Chinese traditional soybean paste (doujiang) and commercial soybean paste.

Traditional soybean paste from Shandong Liangshan and Tianyuan Jiangyuan commercial soybean paste were chosen for analysis and comparison of their bacterial and fungal dynamics using denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis and 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. The bacterial diversity results showed that more than 20 types of bacteria were present in traditional Shandong soybean paste during its fermentation process, whereas only six types of bacteria were present in the commercial soybean paste. The predominant bacteria in the Shandong soybean paste were most closely related to Leuconostoc spp. , an uncultured bacterium, Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus spp. , and Citrobacter freundii. The predominant bacteria in the Tianyuan Jiangyuan soybean paste were most closely related to an uncultured bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis, and an uncultured Leuconostoc spp. The fungal diversity results showed that 10 types of fungi were present in the Shandong soybean paste during the fermentation process, with the predominant fungi being most closely related to Geotrichum spp. , an uncultured fungal clone, Aspergillus oryzae, and yeast species. The predominant fungus in the commercial soybean paste was Aspergillus oryzae.
DC power flow feasibility: Positive vs. negative loads

Voltage instability limits the transmission capacity of a power network. Hence, finding parametric conditions for the feasibility of the power flow equations is of theoretical as well as practical interest. Here, we take over from a recent result tailored for the case of decoupled reactive load flow. We reformulate the theory for the case of Direct Current (DC) resistive power networks and we consider the particular scenario where two different types of loads are present: classical passive loads, modeled as negative quantities, and active loads due to possible distributed generation, modeled as positive quantities. The analysis of their interaction leads us to a less conservative estimate of the injection region in parameter space with respect to a recently proposed conditioned for the solvability of the reactive power flow equations. As a byproduct of the mathematical analysis, we leverage our result into a simple yet numerical exponentially fast algorithm to compute the high-voltage load flow solution. Finally, we extensively verify our findings on standard IEEE test-beds.
Efficient Load-Balancing through Distributed Token Dropping

We introduce a new graph problem, the token dropping game, and we show how to solve it efficiently in a distributed setting. We use the token dropping game as a tool to design an efficient distributed algorithm for stable orientations and more generally for locally optimal semi-matchings. The prior work by Czygrinow et al. (DISC 2012) finds a stable orientation in O(Δ^5) rounds in graphs of maximum degree Δ, while we improve it to O(Δ^4) and also prove a lower bound of Ω(Δ). For the more general problem of locally optimal semi-matchings, the prior upper bound is O(S^5) and our new algorithm runs in O(C · S^4) rounds, which is an improvement for C = o(S); here C and S are the maximum degrees of customers and servers, respectively.
Modelling the role of highly unsaturated fatty acids in planktonic food web processes: a mechanistic approach

Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) are a subgroup of fatty acids characterized by chains of 20 or more carbon atoms with multiple double bonds, which potentially limit the growth of zooplankton. Zooplankton require high HUFA concentrations during periods of rapid growth, but co-limitation with nutrients is also likely to occur. Recent modelling results suggest food webs with high quality (nutritional and biochemical) primary producers can attain inverted biomass distributions with efficient energy transfer between trophic levels. In this study, our objective is to highlight the recent advances in studying the role of HUFAs in aquatic food webs. We take a first-principles approach to investigate the chemical nature of HUFAs, and the role they play in zooplankton ecology. To this end, we introduce a novel zooplankton growth sub model that tracks the interplay between nitrogen, phosphorus, and HUFAs in plankton population models. Our aim is to produce a sub model that incorporates the knowledge gained fr.
Mice Expressing Low Levels of CalDAG-GEFI Exhibit Markedly Impaired Platelet Activation With Minor Impact on Hemostasis

Objective—The tight regulation of platelet adhesiveness, mediated by the &agr;IIb&bgr;3 integrin, is critical for hemostasis and prevention of thrombosis. We recently demonstrated that integrin affinity in platelets is controlled by the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, CalDAG-GEFI (CD-GEFI), and its target, RAP1. In this study, we investigated whether low-level expression of CD-GEFI leads to protection from thrombosis without pathological bleeding in mice. Approach and Results—Cdg1low mice were generated by knockin of human CD-GEFI cDNA into the mouse Cdg1 locus. CD-GEFI expression in platelets from Cdg1low mice was reduced by ≈90% when compared with controls. Activation of RAP1 and &agr;IIb&bgr;3 was abolished at low agonist concentrations and partially inhibited at high agonist concentrations in Cdg1low platelets. Consistently, the aggregation response of Cdg1low platelets was weaker than that of wild-type platelets, but more efficient than that observed in Cdg1−/− platelets. Importantly, Cdg1low mice were strongly protected from arterial and immune complex–mediated thrombosis, with only minimal impact on primary hemostasis. Conclusions—Together, our studies suggest the partial inhibition of CD-GEFI function as a powerful new approach to safely prevent thrombotic complications.
Slow Versus Fast Robot-Assisted Locomotor Training After Severe Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose Robot-assisted locomotor training on a bodyweight-supported treadmill is a rehabilitation intervention that compels repetitive practice of gait movements. Standard treadmill speed may elicit rhythmic movements generated primarily by spinal circuits. Slower-than-standard treadmill speed may elicit discrete movements, which are more complex than rhythmic movements and involve cortical areas. Objective Compare effects of fast (i.e., rhythmic) versus slow (i.e., discrete) robot-assisted locomotor training on a bodyweight-supported treadmill in subjects with chronic, severe gait deficit after stroke. Methods Subjects (N = 18) were randomized to receive 30 sessions (5 d/wk) of either fast or slow robot-assisted locomotor training on a bodyweight-supported treadmill in an inpatient setting. Functional ambulation category, time up and go, 6-min walk test, 10-m walk test, Berg Balance Scale, and Fugl-Meyer Assessment were administered at baseline and postintervention. Results The slow group had statistically significant improvement on functional ambulation category (first quartile–third quartile, P = 0.004), 6-min walk test (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8 to 49.0, P = 0.040), Berg Balance Scale (95% CI = 7.4 to 14.8, P < 0.0001), time up and go (95% CI = −79.1 to 5.0, P < 0.0030), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (95% CI = 24.1 to 45.1, P < 0.0001). The fast group had statistically significant improvement on Berg Balance Scale (95% CI = 1.5 to 10.5, P = 0.02). Conclusions In initial stages of robot-assisted locomotor training on a bodyweight-supported treadmill after severe stroke, slow training targeting discrete movement may yield greater benefit than fast training.
Novel metrics of functional network structure and their application to the detection and characterisation of Alzheimer’s disease

Metrics of network structure obtained using graph theory can provide valuable insights into the functioning and overall operation of neuronal networks in the brain. The objectives of this paper are to highlight the shortcomings of commonly used network structure metrics in the study of functional connectivity networks today and to propose a methodology for deriving more sensitive metrics which may be used to detect and characterize dementia and other disconnection syndromes.
Neural Network Control of a Robotic Manipulator With Input Deadzone and Output Constraint

In this paper, we present adaptive neural network tracking control of a robotic manipulator with input deadzone and output constraint. A barrier Lyapunov function is employed to deal with the output constraints. Adaptive neural networks are used to approximate the deadzone function and the unknown model of the robotic manipulator. Both full state feedback control and output feedback control are considered in this paper. For the output feedback control, the high gain observer is used to estimate unmeasurable states. With the proposed control, the output constraints are not violated, and all the signals of the closed loop system are semi-globally uniformly bounded. The performance of the proposed control is illustrated through simulations.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Estimator Using Scaled Conjugate Gradient Backpropagation Based Artificial Neural Network

In this paper, an electromagnetic compatibility estimator is proposed using an artificial neural network with a scaled conjugate gradient algorithm. Neural networks are trained with the help of seven different optimization algorithms in MATLAB. Their performance is evaluated on the basis of number of neurons, desired output, and mean-squared error in offline mode in MATLAB. Among seven algorithms, scaled conjugate gradient algorithm is found to be the best choice. Hence, it is implemented in LabVIEW for online assessment of electromagnetic compatibility issues. Voltage dip, swell, and harmonics are generated with the help of an experimental setup. It consists of 230 V, 50 Hz input voltage supply, microcontroller, variac, and solid-state relays. It is interfaced to the LabVIEW software with the help of an NI USB 6361 data acquisition system. It enabled the continuous online monitoring of various signals. Along with voltage dip and swell, harmonics are also evaluated with the help of spectrum analyzer in LabVIEW. The detailed description of a hardware setup and mathematical modeling of trained network is given in this paper.
Positive-polarity rod-pinch experiments on the RITS-6 accelerator

RITS-6 is an inductive voltage adder (IVA) based accelerator used forradiographic diode research and development1. Experiments have been conducted with various radiographic diodes with diode voltages of 5-11 MV. A recent experiment was conducted to demonstrate that a negative polarity IVA could operate in positive polarity, at reduced voltage, with minimal reconfiguration and maintenance. Circuit simulations, 2-D electrostatic field calculations, and PIC simulations were used to evaluate operation of RITS-6 in positive polarity and design hardware modifications. Changes to the RITS-6 accelerator during the conversion from negative-polarity high voltage (5-11 MV) output to positive-polarity low voltage (2-3 MV) output will be discussed. Results of the first positive-polarity rod-pinch diode2 experiments on RITS-6 will be presented.
The Added Value of Log File Analyses of the Use of a Personal Health Record for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The electronic personal health record (PHR) is a promising technology for improving the quality of chronic disease management. Until now, evaluations of such systems have provided only little insight into why a particular outcome occurred. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the navigation process (what functionalities are used, and in what sequence) of e-Vita, a PHR for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), to increase the efficiency of the system and improve the long-term adherence. Method: Log data of the first visits in the first 6 weeks after the release of a renewed version of e-Vita were analyzed to identify the usage patterns that emerge when users explore a new application. Results: After receiving the invitation, 28% of all registered users visited e-Vita. In total, 70 unique usage patterns could be identified. When users visited the education service first, 93% of all users ended their session. Most users visited either 1 or 5 or more services during their first session, but the distribution of the routes was diffuse. Conclusions: In conclusion, log file analyses can provide valuable prompts for improving the system design of a PHR. In this way, the match between the system and its users and the long-term adherence has the potential to increase.
Clinical aspects and antenatal diagnosis of invasive placenta: a review of ten-years’ experience of a multi-profile hospital in Lithuania

Background. Invasive placenta is a rare obstetrical pathology that is life-threatening to mother and child. It is important to diagnose this pathology as early as possible and to plan further optimal care of patients in order to minimize life-threatening complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of cases of invasive placenta, the peculiarities of their clinical manifestation in women who gave birth from 2006 to 2015, to evaluate diagnostic and treatment options of this pathology, and to review their changes when the level of services provided by the institution changes. Materials and methods. A retrospective study was performed of the ten-year period of 2006 to 2015. The study consisted of examining the data of medical records of a group of 14 women. Results. The incidence of invasive placenta at the secondary level hospital was 1/2170 births, 1:934 births at the tertiary level. There were only three patients (21.4%) diagnosed with invasive placenta during pregnancy at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre. Before the surgery, pre-occlusive balloons were ushered into the internal iliac artery and inflated to reduce bleeding after the newborn delivery. The amount of blood loss in the whole group ranged from 1000 to 6500 ml (avg. 3130.7 ml). Radical treatment was given to eleven patients. Conclusion. Invasive placenta is a life-threatening condition. Tertiary-level hospitals have a greater capacity for antenatal diagnostics. Timely diagnosis of placental invasion and evaluation of the level of the myometrium damage before delivery is instrumental in planning patient care and preparing for delivery and operation.
Multiobjective Optimization for DG Planning With Load Models

This paper presents a multiobjective performance index-based size and location determination of distributed generation in distribution systems with different load models. Normally, a constant power (real and reactive) load model is assumed in most of the studies made in the literature. It is shown that load models can significantly affect the optimal location and sizing of distributed generation (DG) resources in distribution systems. The simulation technique based on genetic algorithms is studied. The studies have been carried out on 16-bus and 37-bus distribution systems.
Online User Behavioural Modeling with Applications to Price Steering

Price steering is the practice of “changing the order of search results to highlight specific products” and products prices. In this paper, we show an initial investigation to quantify the price steering level in search results shown to different kind of users on Google Shopping. We mimic the category of affluent users. Affluent users visit websites offering expensive services, search for luxury goods and always click on the most costly items results at Google Shopping. The goal is checking if users trained in specific ways get different search results, based on the price of the products in the results. Evaluation is based on well known metrics to measure page results differences and similarities. Experiments are automised, rendering large-scale investigations feasible. Results of our experiments, based on a preliminary experimental setting, show that users trained on some particular topics are not always influenced by previous search and click activities. However, different trained users actually achieve different search results, thus paving the way for further investigation.
Marital Adjustment and Stability Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Qualitative Analysis of Spouse Perspectives

Background:Traumatic brain injury (TBI), causing various impairments and functional changes, may adversely impactmarital relationships. However, dynamics of the interactions that contribute to these marital difficulties are complex and poorlyunderstood. There has been little research on marital quality and stability in families of a person with TBI. Objective:Byidentifying themes of marital adjustment and stability, this qualitative exploratory study examines how a spouse who has experienced TBIaffects the marital relationship. Methods:Two gender-specific focus groups, each with 5 spouses of individuals living withthe effects of TBI, were conducted to collect data on marital interactions that were analyzed for themes related to marital adjustmentand stability. The data were analyzed using grounded theory, and then relational theories were applied as a framework for organizing themetacodes and concepts. Results:This study suggests that, after TBI, changes in family dynamics and the way spousesperceive those dynamics affect movement toward pulling together or pulling apart. Conclusion:Changes in spousalperceptions, interactions, responsibilities, and reactions to brain injury may impact marital stability and satisfaction. Further studyis warranted to better understand and determine whether and how awareness of these changes may be incorporated into treatment.
Survey of Content-based Music Information Retrieval

As the digital music becomes more and more popular and huge, there are a wide range of music services, especially in music information retrieval (MIR). With the rapid progress of the information science and technology, the content-based music analysis and processing become hot area. MIR seeks to utilize the theory of music to better search database of music contents through musical expressed queries, that is to say, searching music by music. This area research has significant commercial and research promise in nowadays. This paper mainly gives a comprehensive review of the latest year’s research on MIR. In addition, some key techniques and approaches to MIR will also be introduced, particularly focusing on content-based MIR. Some main issues of content-based MIR will also be summarized. Moreover, the paper also introduces some basic music terms, concepts and music processing basics. At the same time, some high level abstraction such as semantic description has broadened the future of MIR.
Characterization of noisy EM fields by cross spectral density eigenvalue analysis

In this paper we present a method for analyzing stochastic electromagnetic field distributions on basis of eigenvalue analysis of the cross spectral density (CSD) matrix. The method returns information about the stochastic process, e.g. number and strength of statistically independent sources. These are important details for generating properly correlated noisy fields, so the method is especially useful if CSD measurement results are subject to reproduction in electromagnetic (EM) simulations.