Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Lower Limb Torsion on Ankle Kinematic Data During Gait Analysis

VICON Clinical Manager software is widely used for gait analysis and has four methods for computing ankle plantarflexion–dorsiflexion motion and transverse plane ankle rotation profiles. The authors evaluated 14 subjects with a diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy and tibial torsion ranging from 39° internal torsion to 90° external torsion, using the four different processing methods. It was found that clinically measured tibial torsion >20° external or >15° internal led to significant differences in the calculated ankle plantarflexion–dorsiflexion and transverse plane ankle rotation measurements between the four methods. Pearson correlations indicated that these differences increased with increasing external or internal tibial torsion. The variability was enough to affect conclusions of published articles and clinical decision making.
Experience of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Singapore: Importation of Cases, and Defense Strategies at the Airport

Abstract Background The importation of SARS was responsible for the outbreaks in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Canada at a time when this new disease had not been identified. We report the incidence and impact of cases of SARS imported to Singapore between 25 February and 31 May 2003, and describe national measures to prevent further importation. Methods Information on imported cases of SARS and measures taken at entry points to Singapore was retrieved from the Ministry of Health and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Results Of the 6 imported cases, which all occurred before screening measures were implemented at the airport, only the first resulted in extensive secondary transmission. Of 442,973 air passengers screened after measures were implemented, 136 were sent to a designated hospital for further SARS screening; none was diagnosed as having SARS. Conclusions The SARS outbreak in Singapore can be traced to the first imported case. The absence of transmission from the other imported cases was probably a result of relatively prompt identification and isolation of cases, together with a low potential for transmission. New imported SARS cases therefore need not lead to major outbreaks if systems are in place to identify and isolate them early. Screening at entry points is costly, has a low yield and is not sufficient in itself, but may be justified in light of the major economic, social and international impact which even a single imported SARS case may have.
Analysis of the People’s Willingness to Pay for Environmental Services Compensation and Its Influence Factors in the Jinhua River Basin

Natural environment provides a wide variety of goods and services to humankind. It is noted that many of these goods and services are provided indirectly;there is no direct link between the service providers and the users of the services. This is usually due to the spatial separation between the environmental service providers and the users of the services. As a result, ecosystem managers show little economic incentive to improve environmental management, thereby resulting in a degrading environment over many places and inadequate environmental services for users. As such, establishing a mechnism regarding ecological compensation plays a prominent role in improving environmental services and reducing poverty as well. Survey of the Willingness To Pay (WTP) and analysis of its influencing factors are of great help to the establishement of ecological compensation mechnism. In the present work, the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was adopted to evaluate the WTP of residents along the Jinhua River basin for environmental services and the Ordered Probit Model Binary Probit Model was used to analyze the influencing factors of the maximum WTP and the payment mode. Household interviews were conducted over the lower streams to obtain public recognition, WTP and payment modes for watershed services. The payment cards were utilized for the CVM survey. Design of the questionnaires basically accounted for the following five aspects: 1) understanding and recognition on the issues of watershed protection and payment; 2) the relative importance of environment and economy; 3) public support to watershed protection and WTP for watershed services; 4) public participation in watershed protection, and 5) personal and household socio-economic information. Results indicated that among those residents, 78.4% showed the WTP, with an average maximum WTP of RMB 24.87 per household/month and RMB 298.46 per household/year. It was found that the maximum WTP has a positive correlation with education levels and incomes. Relevance of environment to economy did not show significant effects on the maximum WTP, which could correspond to variations in cognition and activities as well as "pick-up" psychology. It was also found that the age and maximum WTP follow a quadratic functional relation. The greater the importance of education levels and environment to economy, the larger probability to pay ecological compensation taxes would be shown. People with difference genders and ages irrespective of whether they ever experienced pollution disasters and the maximum WTP have no obvious effects on residents’ choices of WTP compensation methods. For the sake of the implementation of ecological compensation, it is essential to make individual, enterprises and local government jointly involve in watershed management and decision-making to realize environmental co-construction and benefits share as well as to establish the ecological compensation system.
Kalman-filtering-based localization of a mobile robot with a LRF in a simulated 2D environment

This article deals with the modelling, simulation and localization of a mobile robot using a laser range finder (LRF) in a 2D environment. The presented simulator is applied for a localization algorithm based on the extended Kalman filter (EKF) design. The prediction of the robotpsilas pose is performed by simulating the kinematic model of the robot. The input-noise covariance matrix is derived from the noise variances of the angular velocity measurements of both robot wheels. Correction of the robot pose is performed by matching the line parameters of the local environment map to the line parameters of a global map transformed to the robotpsilas coordinates.
Latent topic multi-instance learning approach for automated ECG classification

This paper presents a new latent topic multiple instance learning (LTMIL) for automated ECG classification. Due to the characteristics of multiple beats constituting an ECG and the high cost of having all the beats manually labeled, supervised machine learning techniques have achieved limited success in ECG classification. In this paper, we first discuss the rational for applying multiple instance learning (MIL) to automated ECG classification and propose a new MIL strategy called LTMIL for it which integrates the intra and inter ECG difference. It is a three hierarchical model. Firstly, we cluster all unlabeled beats into k topics using variable weighting, by which beats are reshaped to be dense and separable. An ECG and its beats are then represented as mixtures over topics. Consequently, the intra and inter ECG difference can be fully embodied in the difference between mixtures over topics. Finally, any supervised learning techniques can be applied to classification of transformed ECGs. Our experimental results on real ECG datasets from the PTB diagnostic database demonstrate that compared with existing multiple instance learning and supervised machine learning algorithms, the proposed algorithm is able to automatically classify ECG without labeling beats and improves the classification quality in terms of sensitivity and specificity.
Optimal Dynamic Sensor Subset Selection for Tracking a Time-Varying Stochastic Process

Motivated by the Internet-of-things and sensor networks for cyberphysical systems, the problem of dynamic sensor activation for the tracking of a time-varying process is examined. The tradeoff is between energy efficiency, which decreases with the number of active sensors, and fidelity, which increases with the number of active sensors. The problem of minimizing the time-averaged mean-squared error over infinite horizon is examined under the constraint of the mean number of active sensors. The proposed methods artfully combine three key ingredients: Gibbs sampling, stochastic approximation for learning, and modifications to consensus algorithms to create a high performance, energy efficient tracking mechanisms with active sensor selection. The following progression of scenarios are considered: centralized tracking of an i.i. d. process; distributed tracking of an i.i. d. process and finally distributed tracking of a Markov chain. The challenge of the i.i. d. case is that the process has a distribution parameterized by a known or unknown parameter which must be learned. The key theoretical results prove that the proposed algorithms converge to local optima for the two i.i. d process cases; numerical results suggest that global optimality is in fact achieved. The proposed distributed tracking algorithm for a Markov chain, based on Kalman-consensus filtering and stochastic approximation, is seen to offer an error performance comparable to that of a competetive centralized Kalman filter.
Torque Analysis With Saturation Effects for Non-Salient Single-Phase Permanent-Magnet Machines

The effects of saturation on torque production for non-salient, single-phase, permanent-magnet machines are studied in this paper. An analytical torque equation is proposed to predict the instantaneous torque with saturation effects. Compared to the existing methods, it is computationally faster and easier to calculate the torque using the analytical equation proposed. It can also handle arbitrary armature current waveforms and arbitrary flux linkage waveforms produced by the rotor permanent magnets. The results obtained by using the proposed torque equation are validated using finite-element results, and experimental results obtained on a prototype single-phase permanent-magnet machine.
Molecular mechanisms of COUP-TF-mediated transcriptional repression: evidence for transrepression and active repression

COUP-TF, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, has been proposed to play a key role in regulating organogenesis, neurogenesis, and cellular differentiation during embryonic development. Since heterodimierization is a common theme within the nuclear receptor superfamily and has been demonstrated to modulate transcriptional properties of heterodimeric partners via allosteric interactions, we have devised a strategy to examine the silencing function of COUP-TF in a heterodimeric context. We find that the intrinsic active repression function of COUP-TF is not affected by heterodimerization. Moreover, COUP-TF can transrepress the ligand-dependent activation of its heterodimeric partners without its own DNA binding site. Using receptor deletion mutants in transfection assays, we show that the region necessary for COUP-TF silencing function is not sufficient for its transrepression activity. Furthermore, our studies indicate that in addition to its active repression function, COUP-TF can repress several different types of activator-dependent transactivation. However, this active repression function of COUP-TF may be differentially regulated by some other activator(s). These studies provide new insights into the molecular mechanism(s) of COUP-TF-mediated repression.
Magnetic Resonance Colonography for the Evaluation of Colonic Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Correlation With Conventional Colonoscopy

Objective: To identify and evaluate quantitative parameters of colonic inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared with conventional colonoscopy (CC). Methods: Retrospectively, 37 consecutive patients who underwent MR colonography (MRC) from March 03- April 06 were included in this study. Patients with suspected and known IBD (n = 22) constituted the study group (SG) and those evaluated for colonic polyps (n = 15) constituted the control group. All patients in the SG underwent CC. Magnetic resonance colonography was performed using a gadolinium-enhanced coronal 3-dimensional gradient-echo sequence. The colon was divided into segments, and each segment was evaluated in consensus by 2 abdominal radiologists blinded to the CC findings. Readers assessed the bowel wall thickness index, the signal intensity index of colonic wall, and the caliber of vasa recta in all segments. Indices calculated from colonoscopically diseased and nondiseased segments were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to determine the use of these indices in predicting the presence of colonic inflammation. Results: There were 60 colonoscopically diseased and 33 nondiseased segments in the SG. For all 3 MR indices, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in these indices between diseased and nondiseased segments. Bowel wall thickness index, signal intensity index, and vasa recta values of 0.074, 118% and 0.25 mm, respectively, had 63% sensitivity and 80% specificity for predicting colonic inflammation. Conclusions: Inflammatory changes in the colon can be demonstrated on MRC in patients with IBD with moderate sensitivity and high specificity using quantitative parameters.
Repeatability of Respiratory Exchange Ratio Time Series Analysis

Abstract Nelson, MT, Biltz, GR, and Dengel, DR. Repeatability of respiratory exchange ratio time series analysis. J Strength Cond Res 29(9): 2550–2558, 2015—Currently, there are few studies on the repeatability of a time series analysis of respiratory exchange ratio (RER) under the same conditions. This repeated-measures study compared 2 trials completed under the same conditions. After an 8-hour fast, subjects (7 male and 5 female) (mean ± SD) of age 27.3 ± 3.7 years, body weight of 71.8 ± 8.4 kg, percent body fat of 16.4 ± 8.1%, and peak oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) of 46.0 ± 5.3 ml·kg−1·min−1 completed a V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak test followed 7 days later by a cycle ergometer test at 30% of ventilatory threshold (VT) and 60% of VT for 15 minutes each. These tests were repeated again 7 days later. Paired t-tests revealed no significant differences between the tests for mean RER or sample entropy (SampEn) score at both intensities. The coefficients of variance were generally similar for the mean and SampEn of the RER. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for the mean RER at 30% of VT were 1.00 and at 60% of VT were 0.92. The ICC values for the SampEn RER at 30% of VT were 0.81 and at 60% of VT were the lowest at 0.25. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated a measure of agreement between both methods. We demonstrated that RER measurements at 30 and 60% of VT are repeatable during steady-state cycle ergometery. Future research should determine if this finding is consistent with a larger sample size and different exercise intensities.
A 6b 10MS/s current-steering DAC manufactured with amorphous Gallium-Indium-Zinc-Oxide TFTs achieving SFDR > 30dB up to 300kHz

Amorphous Gallium-lndium-Zinc-Oxide (GIZO or IGZO) has been recently pro- posed [1] as an interesting semiconductor for manufacturing TFTs because of its mobility (μ~20cm7Vs), superior to other common materials for large-area elec- tronics like organic semiconductors and a-Si (μ~1cm7Vs). The amorphous nature of GIZO grants also a good uniformity, contrary to Low Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon (LTPS), which still offers the best mobility among large- area TFT technologies (μ~100cm2Λ/s). The optical transparency and the relative- ly low fabrication temperature (<;150°C) make this technology especially suitable for display backplanes and relative driving electronics [2], as well as for any kind of large-area applications on plastic foils, e.g. biomedical sensors, non-volatile memories [3], RFIDs [4], etc.
A Comparison of Heritability Estimates by Classical Twin Modeling and Based on Genome-Wide Genetic Relatedness for Cardiac Conduction Traits

Twin studies have found that ~50% of variance in electrocardiogram (ECG) traits can be explained by genetic factors. However, genetic variants identified through genome-wide association studies explain less than 10% of the total trait variability. Some have argued that the equal environment assumption for the classical twin model might be invalid, resulting in inflated narrow-sense heritability (h 2) estimates, thus explaining part of the ‘missing h 2’. Genomic relatedness restricted maximum likelihood (GREML) estimation overcomes this issue. This method uses both family data and genome-wide coverage of common SNPs to determine the degree of relatedness between individuals to estimate both h 2 explained by common SNPs and total h 2. The aim of the current study is to characterize more reliably than previously possible ECG trait h 2 using GREML estimation, and to compare these outcomes to those of the classical twin model. We analyzed ECG traits (heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, RV5+SV1, QTc interval, Sokolow-Lyon product, and Cornell product) in up to 3,133 twins from the TwinsUK cohort and derived h 2 estimates by both methods. GREML yielded h 2 estimates between 47% and 68%. Classical twin modeling provided similar h 2 estimates, except for the Cornell product, for which the best fit included no genetic factors. We found no evidence that the classical twin model leads to inflated h 2 estimates. Therefore, our study confirms the validity of the equal environment assumption for monozygotic and dizygotic twins and supports the robust basis for future studies exploring genetic variants responsible for the variance of ECG traits.
Effects of synaptic blocking agents on the depolarizing responses of turtle cones evoked by surround illumination

Abstract The effects of synaptic blocking agents on the antagonistic surround of the receptive field of cone photoreceptors were studied intracellular recording in the retina of hte turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans) Illumination of a cone's receptive-field surround typically evoked a hybriid depolarizing response composed of two componests: (1) the graded synaptic feedback depolarization and (2) the prolonged depolarization a distinctive, intrinsic response of the cone. The locus of action of synaptic blocking agents was analyzed by comparing their effects on the light-evoked response of horizontal cells, the hybrid cone depolarization evoked by surround illumination, and the pure prolonged depolarization evoked by intracellular current injection. The excitatory amino-acid antagonists, d-O-phosphoserine (DOS) and kynurenic acid (KynA), suppressed the light responses of horizontal cells and eliminated the surround-evoked, hybrid cone depolarization without affecting the prolonged depolarization evoked by current injection. Cobalt at 5–10 mM suppressed horizontal cell responses and thereby eliminated surround-evoked cone depolarizations. Cobalt (5–10 mM) also blocked the current-evoked prolonged depolarization, suggesting that the intrinsic cone mechanisms responsible for the prolonged depolarization are likely to be calcium-dependent. Various GABA agonists and antagonists were found to have no effect on the surround-evoked depolarizations of cones. In contrast, a very low concentration of cobalt (0.5 mM) selectively suppressed the light-evoked feedback depolarization of cones without affecting horizontal cell responses or the current-evoked prolonged depolarization. Cobalt at 0.5 mM thus blocks the light-evoked action of the cone feedback synapse while sparing feedforward synaptic transmission from cones to horizontal cells. The implications of the present work for the possible neurotransmitters used at these synapses is discussed.
Replay debugging of non‐deterministic executions in the Kernel‐based Virtual Machine

Logging and replay provide numerous benefits for debugging today's increasingly distributed and parallel applications, as well as for debugging within cloud computing environments. Tracking down faults, particularly in applications that involve non‐deterministic executions, becomes much easier if such a technique is used. This article presents a system that leverages the functionality of modern x86 hardware extensions present in Intel and AMD processors to implement logging and replay of the Kernel‐based Virtual Machine (KVM). With our KVM‐based logging and replay system, virtual machines can be logged at will. The system can record the behavior of the operating system, the applications, the network traffic, and the user input. At a later time, and even on another machine, the problematic execution can be replayed and analyzed. The implementation incurs a minimal amount of processing and memory overhead, and thus, its effects are largely imperceptible to users of the system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance conferred by qnrS1 in Salmonella enterica serovar Virchow isolated from Turkish food of avian origin.

OBJECTIVES To study the molecular characteristics of the quinolone and associated ampicillin resistance mechanisms present in Salmonella enterica serovar Virchow isolated from Turkish foods. METHODS Nine epidemiologically unrelated Salmonella Virchow strains isolated from foods (chicken and minced meat) sold in different markets in Ankara were analysed for their susceptibility to 17 antimicrobials. The strains were typed by PFGE and plasmid profiling and investigated by molecular methods (PCR/sequencing) for the presence of several resistance genes, class 1 integrons and mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions. Plasmids conferring quinolone resistance were analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, DNA hybridization, sequencing, replicon-typing PCR and mating experiments. RESULTS All strains showed nalidixic acid resistance (MIC >or= 128 mg/L) together with a decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (three strains with an MIC of 1 mg/L and six with an MIC of 0.25 mg/L), associated with mutations within the gyrA gene (Asp-87 --> Tyr-87). In three strains, qnrS1 genes were detected. Ampicillin resistance encoded by a bla(CTX-M3) gene and/or bla(TEM-1-like) gene was found in four strains. Three of these strains carried an approximately 45 kb conjugative plasmid, designated pRQ2006, harbouring qnrS1 and a Tn3-like transposon. Partial sequencing and RFLP of pRQ2006 indicated its similarity to the qnrS1 plasmid pAH03786 found in a Japanese Shigella flexneri 2b isolate. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study describing the presence of qnrS1 genes in bacterial isolates from Turkey. The pRQ2006 plasmid seems to be more related to the S. flexneri 2b qnrS1 plasmid pAH0376 than to the Salmonella qnrS1-carrying plasmids pINF5 and TPqnrS-2.