Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An electromyographic investigation of asymmetric lifting and moving of a load: II. Effects of load lift from knuckle to target shelves

The range of normalized electromyography (EMG) values when lifting and moving a 5.84 kg box was between 0.12 and 0.77. The right iliocostalis and the right and the left external obliques showed significant increases in muscle activity at 90° of asymmetry. The average percentage increase for the stated muscles was 62.3% when compared to muscle activity at 0°. The left external oblique also responded significantly at 60° of asymmetry when compared to 0°. The knuckle, sternum, and reach heights significantly affected the left iliocostalis and the left and right erector spinae muscles. The average percentage increases in the stated muscles were 74.4% at knuckle height, 126.1% at sternum height, and 143.3% at reach height, when compared to floor level. Significant increases in muscle activity for the right iliocostalis and the right external oblique were registered only at the sternum and at the reach heights. For manual materials handling (MMH), an endeavor should be made to avoid asymmetric lifting and moving at 90° and from the floor level and to the reach height. To minimize the risk of back injury, the MMH task should be performed preferably within an asymmetry of 30° but not exceeding 60° asymmetry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Common Intervention Strategies for Largescale Change

Reports results from an extensive survey of major American change programmes which revealed a set of clusters of interventions. Most typically, the change programmes involved combinations of intervention techniques. Team‐building, strategic planning, skill building and restructuring were the most common interventions. Success, however, appeared to depend on complex interactions amongst individual, organizational and change process variables.
Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum taken in combination reduce the apoptosis propensity in the limbic system after myocardial infarction in a rat model

Myocardial infarction (MI) stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory substances that induce apoptosis in the limbic system. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are considered as the root cause of apoptosis, although the mechanism is not fully explained and/or understood at this time. In addition, depression may induce gastrointestinal perturbations that maintain the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It has been shown that some specific probiotic formulations may reduce gastrointestinal problems induced by stress and the pro/anti-inflammatory cytokine ratio. Therefore, we hypothesised that probiotics, when given prophylactically, may diminish the apoptosis propensity in the limbic system following a MI. Male adult Sprague–Dawley rats were given probiotics (Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum in combination) or placebo in their drinking-water for four consecutive weeks. A MI was then induced in the rats by occluding the left anterior coronary artery for 40 min. Rats were killed following a 72 h reperfusion period. Infarct size was not different in the two groups. Bax/Bcl-2 (pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic) ratio and caspase-3 (pro-apoptotic) activity were reduced in the amygdala (lateral and medial), as well as in the dentate gyrus in the probiotics group when compared with the placebo. Akt activity (anti-apoptotic) was increased in these same three regions. No significant difference was observed in Ca1 and Ca3 for the different markers measured. In conclusion, the probiotics L. helveticus and B. longum, given in combination as preventive therapy, reduced the predisposition of apoptosis found in different cerebral regions following a MI.
What Makes a State Stable and Peaceful? Good Governance, Legitimacy and Legal-Rationality Matter Even More for Low-Income Countries

This study explores state stability using various governance and development indicators. We find stability is associated with state capacity and public goods, the legal–rational state, legitimacy, good governance and corruption, income/capita and democracy and human rights. In particular, we show the importance of democracy, legitimacy, rule of law and secularity. Environmental degradation and debt dependency undermine stability. Revenue collection, corruption, rule of law, independent judiciary and exports can be important to stability even in the face of incomplete democracy and lower GDP per capita. These factors are relatively more important in low-income states.
Utility and validity of the self-administered SF-36: findings from an older population.

INTRODUCTION The objectives of this study were to assess the utility and validity of the self-administered SF-36 and the effect of visual or cognitive impairment on these measures in an older population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Attempt rates, completion rates and internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) were compared within the second cross-sectional, population-based Blue Mountains Eye Study (n = 3509, mean age 66.7 years, 57% women). RESULTS The SF-36 was attempted by 3162 (90.1%) participants, of which 2470 (78.1%) completed all items and 2873 (90.9%) completed sufficient items for calculation of all dimensions. In a multivariate model adjusting for age, sex, and presenting visual and cognitive impairments, women (P = 0.011) and participants with visual or cognitive impairments (P < 0.0001) were less likely to attempt the questionnaire. Completion rates were significantly lower with increasing age (P < 0.0001), in men (P < or = 0.0005) and in those with cognitive impairment (P < 0.0001). A high level of internal consistency (Cronbach alpha > 0.85 for all dimensions) and construct validity was demonstrated, the latter distinguishing between those with and without medical conditions, disabilities or recent hospital admissions (P < 0.01). As the prevalence of visual or cognitive impairment was relatively low in this population, we found no apparent effect of these impairments on the validity of SF-36. CONCLUSIONS Attempt and completion rates, but not internal consistency and construct validity, of the SF-36 were influenced by age, gender, and presenting visual and cognitive impairments. The overall high attempt and completion rates, internal consistency and construct validity suggest that the self-administered SF-36 is a suitable healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) measure in similar older community-living populations.
Identification of a core set of exercise tests for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a Delphi survey of researchers and clinicians

Aim Evidence‐based recommendations regarding which exercise tests to use in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) are lacking. This makes it very difficult for therapists and researchers to choose the appropriate exercise‐related outcome measures for this group. This study aimed to identify a core set of exercise tests for children and adolescents with CP.
Joint message-passing decoding of LDPC Codes and partial-response channels

Ideas of message passing are applied to the problem of removing the effects of intersymbol interference (ISI) from partial-response channels. Both bit-based and state-based parallel message-passing algorithms are proposed. For a fixed number of iterations less than the block length, the bit-error rate of the state-based algorithm approaches a nonzero constant as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approaches infinity. This limitation can be removed by using a precoder. It is well known that low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes can be decoded using a message-passing algorithm. Here, a single message-passing detector/decoder matched to the combination of a partial-response channel and an LDPC code is investigated.
The transtheoretical model in the context of physical activity in a school-based sample of German adolescents

Abstract Physical activity in adolescents is an important public health issue. Regular participation in physical activity is associated with various health benefits. However, problems with motivational adherence to physical activity have been documented. The transtheoretical model is a model of behaviour change. This model, which consists of stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, and processes of change, has not been extensively investigated in youth. In addition, the health-enhancing physical activity concept has rarely been applied in this context. A cross-sectional design was used. A random sample of seven junior high schools from Bremen (Germany) resulted in a sample of 588 adolescents (50.5% males, mean age=15.0 years, s=0.67). Respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, and processes of change. Univariate analyses of variance were used to identify which constructs differed significantly across the stages of change. Discriminant analysis was used to determine which variables best discriminate the stages. Distribution of the sample across the stages was: precontemplation, n=175 (29.8%); contemplation, n=135 (22.0%); preparation, n=63 (10.7%); action, n=20 (3.4%); and maintenance, n=195 (33.2%). Significant effects of stages of change were found for self-efficacy, pros, and seven of the ten processes of change. In general, scores of these constructs increased across the stages. Cons did not differ significantly across the stages. The results provide support for some of the assumptions of the transtheoretical model in a German sample of adolescents. Some of our findings raise questions about the usefulness of five discrete stages. From a public health viewpoint, tailored interventions based on motivational readiness to change would be fruitful, but further research is warranted.
Perceptions of the obstacles to work reintegration for persons with aphasia

The Handicap Creation Process Model (HCPM) suggests that persons with disabilities may experience difficulties at work because of environmental barriers. The present study reports on the perceptions of persons with aphasia, of speech-language pathologists and of employers regarding the potential barriers to job (re)integration. Statements were gathered using a focus group and a nominal group technique, and analysed according to whether the barriers were perceived as residing with the individual, with the organization or with society. Qualitative differences were noted among the perceptions of the three groups. Speech-language pathologists focused on the personal and societal barriers where employers focused on the organizational barriers. Persons with aphasia perceived barriers at all levels. Suggestions for strategies for eliminating these barriers for persons with communication disorders were also collected.
Performance Analysis of Anti-collision Algorithm for Tag Identification Time Improvement

Recently, the use of RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) for object identification is used more often, but the tag collision problem by the use of a radio frequency still exists. Therefore, in this paper, we analyzed tag identification time to minimize tag collisions and improve tag identification time by applying various tag anti-collision algorithms in the suggested method. As a result, we drew a conclusion about the number of optimum readers used in the RFID system environment. Significantly, we expect that the suggested method will be used more efficiently in the simultaneous multi-tags identification RFID system environment.
Religious coping and psychological functioning in a correctional population

The objective of this study was to examine main and interactive relationships between religious upbringing and coping (spirituality, participation, pleading, and discontentment), and mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, somatization, and hostility) among 305 incarcerated adults. Using hierarchical linear regression controlling for demographic variables and stressful life events, several significant relationships emerged. First, being raised with a formal religion was significantly predictive of both decreased depressive symptoms and reduced hostility. Second, there were significant interactions between religious discontentment and gender for all four outcomes, indicating that relationships between religious discontentment and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, somatization and hostility were larger for females compared to males. Third, relationships between pleading and both depression symptoms and hostility were significantly moderated by stressful life events. And finally, there was a marginally significant relationship between religious pleading and increased somatization. These results are further described, and study limitations and implications are discussed.
Determination of water depth with high‐resolution satellite imagery over variable bottom types

A standard algorithm for determining depth in clear water from passive sensors exists; but it requires tuning of five parameters and does not retrieve depths where the bottom has an extremely low albedo. To address these issues, we developed an empirical solution using a ratio of reflectances that has only two tunable parameters and can be applied to low‐albedo features. The two algorithms—the standard linear transform and the new ratio transform— were compared through analysis of IKONOS satellite imagery against lidar bathymetry. The coefficients for the ratio algorithm were tuned manually to a few depths from a nautical chart, yet performed as well as the linear algorithm tuned using multiple linear regression against the lidar. Both algorithms compensate for variable bottom type and albedo (sand, pavement, algae, coral) and retrieve bathymetry in water depths of less than 10–15 m. However, the linear transform does not distinguish depths . 15 m and is more subject to variability across the studied atolls. The ratio transform can, in clear water, retrieve depths in >25 m of water and shows greater stability between different areas. It also performs slightly better in scattering turbidity than the linear transform. The ratio algorithm is somewhat noisier and cannot always adequately resolve fine morphology (structures smaller than 4–5 pixels) in water depths >15–20 m. In general, the ratio transform is more robust than the linear transform.
Leiomyosarcoma of the auricle: case report and literature review

Abstract Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant tumour of smooth muscle origin. These tumours are rarely encountered in the head and neck region. A case of leiomyosarcoma of the auricle is presented. There are two cases of external auditory canal leiomyosarcoma in the literature. To our knowledge the present case is the first example of leiomyosarcoma of the auricle.
Meloxicam effect on leukocyte migration under shear stress: a new perfused triple chamber (Hofbauer chamber) assay simulating an in vitro vascular wall.

BACKGROUND Leukocyte migration plays a tremendous role during inflammation. Different drugs are able to influence migration of leukocytes. Several authors have attempted to establish methods for investigation of leukocyte migration. Migration of leukocytes under conditions simulating natural blood flow and shear stress is poorly understood. Moreover, leukocyte migration in the simultaneous presence of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC) has not yet been examined thoroughly. The aim of the current study was to create a new three-dimensional assay investigating migration during simulated perfusion. The assay was used for investigating the effect of meloxicam on leukocyte migration under shear stress. METHODS Different concentrations of meloxicam (0.09, 0.9, and 9.0 ng/mL) were used in a newly developed triple migration chamber system for investigation of leukocyte migration (n = 7). This new system allows inclusion of SMC-layers. Assay precision tests were done using intra-assay (within-day variability) and interassay (day-to-day variability) controls. RESULTS Intra-assay and interassay controls showed reliable results (coefficient of variation: intra-assay 8.53%; interassay 11.39%). Meloxicam in a clinically relevant concentration of 0.9 ng/mL was able to reduce the migration of leukocytes under shear stress (71 +/- 14% SD; P < 0.05), whereas higher and lower concentrations showed a dose dependent effect. CONCLUSION This new perfusion system allows investigation of drugs, such as meloxicam, on leukocyte migration under shear stress. Moreover, this assay may be used for studies on other cell-cell interactions, as well as on drug influences.
Intergenerational Class Mobility in Three Western European Societies: England, France and Sweden

The starting point of almost all recent discussions of comparative (i.e. cross-national) social mobility rates has been the thesis advanced by Lipset and Zetterberg in 1959 that 'the overall pattern of social mobility appears to be much the same in the industrial societies of various Western countries'. ' Although Lipset and Zetterberg recognized that the data on which this thesis rested were often of a doubtful quality, they none the less maintained that 'the reservations and cautions which are in order do not invalidate this finding, which a number of other researchers in this area, such as Pitirim Sorokin, Robert Havighurst, Natalie Rogoff, David Glass, and Colin Clark, also agree is warranted. '2 Subsequent commentators have in fact been a good deal less sanguine about the possibility of deriving reliable comparative conclusions from the results of the national mobility inquiries that were available to Lipset and Zetterberg.3 But of perhaps still greater import are the several criticisms that have been levelled against their thesis on primarily conceptual grounds. Four such criticisms may be noted. (i) Lipset and Zetterberg operate for the most part (out of necessity) with the simple two-class model, based on the distinction between manual and non-manual occupational groupings; but the crossnational similarities that they discern in rates of (intergenerational) mobility between these two groupings may well disappear when a less crude basis for comparison is adopted.4 (ii) On the grounds that they are concerned with mobility within industrial society, Lipset and Zetterberg restrict their attention to mobility occurring within the non-agricultural sectors of the countries they cover; but this limitation is artificial and unduly favourable to their thesis since Western countries differ considerably in the size of their agricultural sectors, and in the rates at which these are contracting. Important cross-national differences may thus be expected in rates of mobility between agricultural and non-agricultural occupations.5 (iii) Lipset and Zetterberg regard their thesis as relating to 'vertical'
Factors Influencing Users' Intentions to Make the Web Accessible to People with Disabilities

The aim of this paper is twofold: to provide a theoretical model to analyze obstacles, challenges, and incentives which lead a nonprofessional user to design websites and produce information that are accessible to people with disabilities, and to develop a reliable and validated instrument designed to measure the construct that are part of this model.
Dissipativity Analysis and Synthesis for a Class of T–S Fuzzy Descriptor Systems

This paper is concerned with the problems of dissipativity analysis and synthesis for a class of Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy descriptor systems with different derivative matrices. First, a new augmented system which is equivalent to the original system is given to deal with these different derivative matrices. By employing a fuzzy Lyapunov function and slack matrices, a set of relaxed sufficient conditions are developed to guarantee that the unforced systems are admissible (regular, impulse free, and stable), which includes the existing related results as special cases. The developed conditions are expressed in terms of strict linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which is convenient for checking the admissibility. Then, a novel method is proposed to design an admissible fuzzy controller. Second, by applying the dissipativity theorem and Lyapunov stability theorem, a set of sufficient conditions are derived to ensure that the resultant closed loop systems are admissible and dissipative, and the fuzzy controllers are designed using LMIs techniques. Finally, some examples are provided to illustrate that the main results in this paper are feasible and less conservative than the earlier related ones.
Use of a microfluidic platform to uncover basic features of energy and environmental stress responses in individual cells of Bacillus subtilis

Bacteria use a variety of stress-sensing systems to sense and respond to diverse stressors and to ensure their survival under adverse conditions. The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis responds to energy stress (ATP depletion) and to environmental stressors using two distinct stress-sensing pathways that converge on the alternative sigma factor σB to provoke a general stress response. Past efforts to study the σB stress response in bulk culture and on agarose pads were unable to visualize the responses of individual cells under tightly controlled conditions for extended periods of time. Here we use a microfluidics-based strategy to discern the basic features of σB activation in single cells in response to energy and environmental stress, both immediately upon stressor exposure and for tens of generations thereafter. Upon energy stress at various levels of stressor, cells exhibited fast, transient, and amplitude-modulated responses but not frequency modulation as previously reported. Upon environmental stress, which is mediated by the stressosome complex, wild-type cells primarily exhibited a transient and amplitude-modulated response. However, mutant cells producing only one of the four paralogous RsbR stressosome proteins showed striking and previously unseen differences. Whereas RsbRA-only cells mimicked the wild type, RsbRC-only cells displayed a slower but sustained overall response composed of repeated activation events in single cells.