Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using a site-specific technical error to establish training responsiveness: a preliminary explorative study

Background Even though cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) training elicits numerous health benefits, not all individuals have positive training responses following a structured CRF intervention. It has been suggested that the technical error (TE), a combination of biological variability and measurement error, should be used to establish specific training responsiveness criteria to gain further insight on the effectiveness of the training program. To date, most training interventions use an absolute change or a TE from previous findings, which do not take into consideration the training site and equipment used to establish training outcomes or the specific cohort being evaluated. The purpose of this investigation was to retrospectively analyze training responsiveness of two CRF training interventions using two common criteria and a site-specific TE. Methods Sixteen men and women completed two maximal graded exercise tests and verification bouts to identify maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and establish a site-specific TE. The TE was then used to retrospectively analyze training responsiveness in comparison to commonly used criteria: percent change of >0% and >+5.6% in VO2max. Results The TE was found to be 7.7% for relative VO2 max. χ2 testing showed significant differences in all training criteria for each intervention and pooled data from both interventions, except between %Δ >0 and %Δ >+7.7% in one of the investigations. Training nonresponsiveness ranged from 11.5% to 34.6%. Conclusion Findings from the present study support the utility of site-specific TE criterion to quantify training responsiveness. A similar methodology of establishing a site-specific and even cohort specific TE should be considered to establish when true cardiorespiratory training adaptations occur.
CEST imaging of fast exchanging amine pools with corrections for competing effects at 9.4 T

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging of fast exchanging amine protons at 3 ppm offset from the water resonant frequency is of practical interest, but quantification of fast exchanging pools by CEST is challenging. To effectively saturate fast exchanging protons, high irradiation powers need to be applied, but these may cause significant direct water saturation as well as non‐specific semi‐solid magnetization transfer (MT) effects, and thus decrease the specificity of the measured signal. In addition, the CEST signal may depend on the water longitudinal relaxation time (T1w), which likely varies between tissues and with pathology, further reducing specificity. Previously, an analysis of the asymmetry of saturation effects (MTRasym) has been commonly used to quantify fast exchanging amine CEST signals. However, our results show that MTRasym is greatly affected by the above factors, as well as asymmetric MT and nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) effects. Here, we instead applied a relatively more specific inverse analysis method, named AREX (apparent exchange‐dependent relaxation), that has previously been applied only to slow and intermediate exchanging solutes. Numerical simulations and controlled phantom experiments show that, although MTRasym depends on T1w and semi‐solid content, AREX acquired in steady state does not, which suggests that AREX is more specific than MTRasym. By combining with a fitting approach instead of using the asymmetric analysis to obtain reference signals, AREX can also avoid contaminations from asymmetric MT and NOE effects. Animal experiments show that these two quantification methods produce differing contrasts between tumors and contralateral normal tissues in rat brain tumor models, suggesting that conventional MTRasym applied in vivo may be influenced by variations in T1w, semi‐solid content, or NOE effect. Thus, the use of MTRasym may lead to misinterpretation, while AREX with corrections for competing effects likely enhances the specificity and accuracy of quantification to fast exchanging pools.
Constant-Work-Space Algorithms for Geometric Problems

Constant-work-space algorithms may use only constantly many cells of storage in addition to their input, which is provided as a read-only array. We show how to construct several geometric structures eciently in the constant-work-space model. Traditional algo- rithms process the input into a suitable data structure (like a doubly-connected edge list) that allows ecient traversal of the structure at hand. In the constant-work-space setting, however, we cannot aord to do this. Instead, we provide operations that compute the desired features on the y by accessing the input with no extra space. The whole geomet- ric structure can be obtained by using these operations to enumerate all the features. Of course, we must pay for the space savings by slower running times. While the standard data structure allows us to implement traversal operations in constant time, our schemes typically take linear time to read the input data in each step. We begin with two simple problems: triangulating a planar point set and nding the trapezoidal decomposition of a simple polygon. In both cases adjacent features can be enumerated in linear time per step, resulting in total quadratic running time to output the whole structure. Actually, we show that the former result carries over to the Delaunay triangulation, and hence the Voronoi diagram. This also means that we can compute the largest empty circle of a planar point set in quadratic time and constant work-space. As another application, we demonstrate how to enumerate the features of an Euclidean minimum spanning tree (EMST) in quadratic time per step, so that the whole EMST can be found in cubic time using constant work-space.
The experiences of pediatric social workers providing end-of-life care

ABSTRACT Pediatric social workers working in acute care hospital settings may care for children and their families in end-of-life circumstances. This qualitative study is part of a larger study focusing on the experiences of health care providers working with dying children. This study consisted of 9 semi-structured interviews of acute care pediatric social workers who work with dying children and their families. Themes included the role of social work with dying children, the impact of their work and coping strategies. Authors suggest a hospital-worker partnership in supporting staff and promotion of supportive resources.
Rhythmic constant pitch time stretching for digital audio

Constant pitch time stretching is not uncommon in audio editing software, however several issues arise when it is used on musical recordings, most notably the doubling and skipping of rhythmic transients. This paper examines three signal processing algorithms which are commonly used to provide constant pitch time stretching: these are SOLA (Synchronous Overlap and Add), TD-PSOLA (Time Domain Pitch Synchronous Overlap and Add), and Phase Vocoder. Enhancements to the SOLA and TD-PSOLA algorithms are provided which may make them more suited to rhythmic music. It is found that each of these three algorithms introduce audible artifacts in the time stretched waveform, the severity of these side effects and what causes them is also discussed.
Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Modulates the Amplitude of EEG Synchrony Patterns

Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation has been associated with numerous cognitive and behavioural effects, such as enhancement of visual memory in healthy individuals, improvement of visual deficits in stroke patients, as well as possibly improvement of motor function in Parkinson’s disease; yet, the mechanism of action is unclear. Since Parkinson’s and other neuropsychiatric diseases are characterized by maladaptive dynamics of brain rhythms, we investigated whether noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation was associated with measurable changes in EEG oscillatory rhythms within theta (4–7.5 Hz), low alpha (8–10 Hz), high alpha (10.5–12 Hz), beta (13–30 Hz) and gamma (31–50 Hz) bands. We recorded the EEG while simultaneously delivering noisy bilateral, bipolar stimulation at varying intensities of imperceptible currents – at 10, 26, 42, 58, 74 and 90% of sensory threshold – to ten neurologically healthy subjects. Using standard spectral analysis, we investigated the transient aftereffects of noisy stimulation on rhythms. Subsequently, using robust artifact rejection techniques and the Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator regression and cross-validation, we assessed the combinations of channels and power spectral features within each EEG frequency band that were linearly related with stimulus intensity. We show that noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation predominantly leads to a mild suppression of gamma power in lateral regions immediately after stimulation, followed by delayed increase in beta and gamma power in frontal regions approximately 20–25 s after stimulation ceased. Ongoing changes in the power of each oscillatory band throughout frontal, central/parietal, occipital and bilateral electrodes predicted the intensity of galvanic vestibular stimulation in a stimulus-dependent manner, demonstrating linear effects of stimulation on brain rhythms. We propose that modulation of neural oscillations is a potential mechanism for the previously-described cognitive and motor effects of vestibular stimulation, and noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation may provide an additional non-invasive means for neuromodulation of functional brain networks.
Prevalence and factors associated with PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms in Haitian migrants in southern Brazil

Background: Prevalence rates of mental health disorders in migrants are controversial. The socio-historical and economic background of the host country may play an important role in the mental health status of migrants. As studies are mostly conducted in developed countries, researching migration in developing countries may add important information to scientific literature. Aims: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression symptoms in Haitian migrants in southern Brazil. Methods: The sample comprises 66 participants selected from four different sites in three cities of a Brazilian southern state. Participants fulfilled a sociodemographic questionnaire, as well as instruments investigate traumatic events; post-migration difficulties and symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression. Linear regression models were utilized to investigate factors associated with PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms. Results: PTSD prevalence in the sample was 9.1%. Depression and anxiety symptoms were in the clinical range of 10.6%–13.6% of participants, respectively. A number of traumatic events, acculturation difficulties, discrimination and low social support were associated with the investigated mental health disorders. Conclusion: The results point to the importance of public policies in promoting better social and mental health support for migrants. Providing information to the Brazilian population about migration may improve receptiveness in the host society.
Older women who died by suicide: suicide means, sociodemographic and psychiatric risk factors, and other precipitating circumstances

ABSTRACT Background: US suicide rates among older women have substantially increased over the past decade. We examined potential differences in sociodemographic and risk/precipitating factors among older female suicide decedents who died by drug overdose versus firearms, hanging/suffocation, and other means, and postmortem toxicology results by suicide means. Methods: Data are from the 2005 to 2015 US National Violent Death Reporting System (N = 12,401 female decedents aged 50 years and over). We used three logistic regression models, with overdose versus firearms, overdose versus hanging/suffocation, and overdose versus “other” means as the dependent variables, to examine associations between suicide means and sociodemographic and risk/precipitating factors. χ2 tests were used to examine positive toxicology of prescription and illicit drugs by suicide means. Results: Compared to firearm users, overdose users were younger and had higher odds of having had previous suicide attempts/intent disclosures, mental disorders (e.g. depression/dysthymia: AOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.05–1.34), and substance abuse other than alcohol, but lower odds of having had relationship problems and any crisis. Compared to hanging/suffocation, overdose declined (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93–0.97) during the study period and was less prevalent among Hispanic and Asian women and those with job/finance/housing problems. Toxicology reports showed that 47%, 43%, and 45% of overdose users were antidepressant, opiate, and benzodiazepine positive, respectively. Firearm users had the lowest rates of positive toxicology results for these drugs. Conclusions: Suicide prevention should include limiting access to large quantities of prescription medications and firearms for those at risk of suicide. More effective mental health/substance abuse treatment and chronic illness management support are also needed.
Trajectories of Long‐Term Normal Fasting Plasma Glucose and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels can vary over time and its longitudinal changing patterns may predict cardiometabolic risk. We aim to identify different trajectories of FPG in those who remained normoglycemic and investigate the association between trajectory groups and coronary heart disease risk in a large prospective cohort study. Methods and Results A total of 20 514 subjects between ages 20 and 80 years were included at baseline. All participants had maintained normal FPG throughout an average follow‐up period of 5.8 years. We identified 3 distinct trajectories using a group‐based trajectory model, labeled by initial value and changing pattern: low‐increasing (n=12 694), high‐increasing‐decreasing (n=5330), and high‐decreasing‐increasing (n=2490). The coronary heart disease incidence density among these 3 groups (3.00, 4.05, and 3.26 per 1000 person‐years, respectively) was significantly different (P=0.038). The high‐increasing‐decreasing group was characterized by a starting FPG of 4.80 mmol/L, and increased up to 5.42 mmol/L at age 55, then decreased thereafter. Treating the low‐increasing group as the reference, the age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio was 1.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.23–2.02) for the high‐increasing‐decreasing group by Cox proportional hazard regression. After adjustment for other potential confounding factors, the hazard ratio is 1.40 (95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.81). The association persisted after adjustment for baseline FPG, mean, or SD of FPG. Conclusions Distinct trajectories of long‐term normal FPG are associated with the development of coronary heart disease, which is independent of other metabolic factors including FPG levels. These findings have implications for intervention and prevention of coronary heart disease among individuals who are normoglycemic.
Physicochemical Properties of the Mammalian Molecular Chaperone HSP60

The E. coli GroEL/GroES chaperonin complex acts as a folding cage by producing a bullet-like asymmetric complex, and GroEL exists as double rings regardless of the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Its mammalian chaperonin homolog, heat shock protein, HSP60, and co-chaperonin, HSP10, play an essential role in protein folding by capturing unfolded proteins in the HSP60/HSP10 complex. However, the structural transition in ATPase-dependent reaction cycle has remained unclear. We found nucleotide-dependent association and dissociation of the HSP60/HSP10 complex using various analytical techniques under near physiological conditions. Our results showed that HSP60 exist as a significant number of double-ring complexes (football- and bullet-type complexes) and a small number of single-ring complexes in the presence of ATP and HSP10. HSP10 binds to HSP60 in the presence of ATP, which increased the HSP60 double-ring formation. After ATP is hydrolyzed to Adenosine diphosphate (ADP), HSP60 released the HSP10 and the dissociation of the double-ring to single-rings occurred. These results indicated that HSP60/HSP10 undergoes an ATP-dependent transition between the single- and double-rings in their system that is highly distinctive from the GroEL/GroES system particularly in the manner of complex formation and the roles of ATP binding and hydrolysis in the reaction cycle.
Kernel-based multimodal biometric verification using quality signals

A novel kernel-based fusion strategy is presented. It is based on SVM classifiers, trade-off coefficients introduced in the standard SVM training and testing procedures, and quality measures of the input biometric signals. Experimental results on a prototype application based on voice and fingerprint traits are reported. The benefits of using the two modalities as compared to only using one of them are revealed. This is achieved by using a novel experimental procedure in which multi-modal verification performance tests are compared with multi-probe tests of the individual subsystems. Appropriate selection of the parameters of the proposed quality-based scheme leads to a quality-based fusion scheme outperforming the raw fusion strategy without considering quality signals. In particular, a relative improvement of 18% is obtained for small SVM training set size by using only fingerprint quality labels.
ar X iv : 1 21 0 . 21 79 v 1 [ cs . L G ] 8 O ct 2 01 2 1 Online Belief Propagation for Topic Modeling

Not only can online topic modeling algorithms extract topics from big data streams with constant memory requirements, but also can detect topic shifts as the data stream flows. Fast convergence speed is a desired property for batch learning topic models such as latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), which can further facilitate developing fast online topic modeling algorithms for big data streams. In this paper, we present a novel and easy-to-implement fast belief propagation (FBP) algorithm to accelerate the convergence speed for batch learning LDA when the number of topics is large. FBP uses a dynamic scheduling scheme for asynchronous message passing, which passes only the most important subset of topic messages at each iteration for fast speed. From FBP, we derive an online belief propagation (OBP) algorithm that infers the topic distribution from the previously unseen documents incrementally by the online gradient descent. We show that OBP can converge to the local optimum of the LDA objective function within the online stochastic optimization framework. Extensive empirical studies demonstrate that OBP significantly reduces the learning time and achieves a much lower predictive perplexity when compared with that of several state-of-the-art online algorithms for LDA, including online variational Bayes (OVB) and online Gibbs sampling (OGS) algorithms.
End-to-End Video Captioning With Multitask Reinforcement Learning

Although end-to-end (E2E) learning has led to impressive progress on a variety of visual understanding tasks, it is often impeded by hardware constraints (e.g., GPU memory) and is prone to overfitting. When it comes to video captioning, one of the most challenging benchmark tasks in computer vision, those limitations of E2E learning are especially amplified by the fact that both the input videos and output captions are lengthy sequences. Indeed, state-of-the-art methods for video captioning process video frames by convolutional neural networks and generate captions by unrolling recurrent neural networks. If we connect them in an E2E manner, the resulting model is both memory-consuming and data-hungry, making it extremely hard to train. In this paper, we propose a multitask reinforcement learning approach to training an E2E video captioning model. The main idea is to mine and construct as many effective tasks (e.g., attributes, rewards, and the captions) as possible from the human captioned videos such that they can jointly regulate the search space of the E2E neural network, from which an E2E video captioning model can be found and generalized to the testing phase. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first video captioning model that is trained end-to-end from the raw video input to the caption output. Experimental results show that such a model outperforms existing ones to a large margin on two benchmark video captioning datasets.
Stress Analysis inside the Specimen under Mixed-Mode Loading by Hybrid Speckle Photography.

The experiment was conducted on the compact normal and shear (CNS) specimen made of acrylic resin subjected to various kinds of mixed-mode loading. The 2-D hybrid method proposed by Nishioka et al. was employed to evaluate the 2-D stress field from displacement data obtained by the experiment. Moreover, the 3-D hybrid method was applied to evaluate the 3-D stress field from displacement data obtained by the experiment. Also, a 3-D finite element analysis was conducted on the same specimen as the experiment. An embedded speckle photography can estimate stress intensity factors of mixed mode. The 3-D hybrid method can evaluate the stress field inside the specimen from displacement data at the free surface taken in easy measurement by speckle photography.
Visualizing Research Impact through Citation Data

Research impact plays a critical role in evaluating the research quality and influence of a scholar, a journal, or a conference. Many researchers have attempted to quantify research impact by introducing different types of metrics based on citation data, such as h-index, citation count, and impact factor. These metrics are widely used in the academic community. However, quantitative metrics are highly aggregated in most cases and sometimes biased, which probably results in the loss of impact details that are important for comprehensively understanding research impact. For example, which research area does a researcher have great research impact on? How does the research impact change over time? How do the collaborators take effect on the research impact of an individual? Simple quantitative metrics can hardly help answer such kind of questions, since more detailed exploration of the citation data is needed. Previous work on visualizing citation data usually only shows limited aspects of research impact and may suffer from other problems including visual clutter and scalability issues. To fill this gap, we propose an interactive visualization tool, ImpactVis, for better exploration of research impact through citation data. Case studies and in-depth expert interviews are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of ImpactVis.
On the Ascent of Sap

pain in humans, and it has indicated that the sensory aspects of pain have been overemphasized in the past. Our study suggests that SDT is a very useful and versatile tool for the evaluation of analgesic agents. The improved precision in measurement, and the increased information yielded by these methods, will permit investigators to evaluate human pain in the laboratory with more confidence than threshold methodology has warranted. C. RicHARD CHAPMAN TERENCE M. MURPHY STEVEN H. BUTLER Anesthesia Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98195