Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Difference in Motor Fatigue between Patients with Stroke and Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study

Fatigue is often reported in stroke patients. However, it is still unclear if fatigue in stroke patients is more prominent, more frequent or more “typical” than in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and if the pathophysiology differs between these two populations. The purpose of this study was to compare motor fatigue and fatigue-induced changes in kinematic gait parameters between stroke patients, MS patients, and healthy persons. Gait parameters at the beginning and end of a treadmill walking test were assessed in 10 stroke patients, 40 MS patients, and 20 healthy subjects. The recently developed Fatigue index Kliniken Schmieder (FKS) based on change of the movement’s attractor and its variability was used to measure motor fatigue. Six stroke patients had a pathological FKS. The FKS (indicating the level of motor fatigue) in stroke patients was similar compared to MS patients. Stroke patients had smaller step length, step height and greater step width, circumduction with the right and left leg, and greater sway compared to the other groups at the beginning and at the end of test. A severe walking impairment in stroke patients does not necessarily cause a pathological FKS indicating motor fatigue. Moreover, the FKS can be used as a measure of motor fatigue in stroke and MS and may also be applicable to other diseases.
Numerical Simulation of a Centrifugal Process to Fabricate Spherical-Alumina Graded Epoxy Resin

A centrifugal method is used to fabricate large-scale functionally graded materials (FGMs) from solid-particles/viscous-matrix mixtures in the room temperature. New simulation method of the centrifugal process, which is developed by the authors, was applied to the practical centrifugal processes employed for the experimental FGM fabrication from spherical-alumina/epoxy mixtures. It is concluded that the cumulative distribution of the filler diameters have to be approximated by the segmented line approximation method to generate the simulated particles in the simulation. It is demonstrated that the dependency of the graded profile of particle packing fraction on both the centrifugal conditions and the total amount of particles loaded is well estimated by the present simulation procedure
Stream-bed scour, egg burial depths, and the influence of salmonid spawning on bed surface mobility and embryo survival

Bed scour, egg pocket depths, and alteration of stream-bed surfaces by spawning chum salmon (Onchorhynchus keta) were measured in two Pacific Northwest gravel-bedded streams. Close correspondence between egg burial depths and scour depths during the incubation period suggests an adaptation to typical depths of bed scour and indicates that even minor increases in the depth of scour could significantly reduce embryo survival. Where egg burial depths are known, expressing scour depth in terms of bed-load transport rate provides a means for predicting embryo mortality resulting from changes in watershed processes that alter shear stress or sediment supply. Stream-bed alteration caused by mass spawning also may influence embryo survival. Theoretical calculations indicate that spawning-related bed surface coarsening, sorting, and form drag reduce grain mobility and lessen the probability of stream-bed scour and excavation of buried salmon embryos. This potential feedback between salmon spawning and bed mobility implies that it could become increasingly difficult to reverse declines in mass-spawning populations because decreased spawning activity would increase the potential for bed scour, favoring higher embryo mortality. Further analysis of this effect is warranted, however, as the degree to which spawning-related bed loosening counteracts reduced grain mobility caused by surface coarsening, sorting, and redd form drag remains uncertain.
Extracting quorum failure detectors

It is well known that the failure detector Ω is necessary and sufficient to solve consensus in asynchronous message passing systems where a majority of processes is guaranteed to be correct [1,2]. But what if the problem were to be solved in an arbitrary environment where any number of processes may fail and at any times? The answer was provided by Delporte et al who showed that a certain quorum failure detector, which they called Σ, is necessary and, together with Ω, sufficient to solve consensus in any environment [4]. Moving beyond consensus and such specific problems, we pose and answer the following general question: Given an arbitrary decision problem P, is it possible to identify a quorum failure detector that is provably necessary to solve P in any environment? We answer this question in the affirmative: we present a universal quorum failure detector Q that, when instantiated with any decision problem P, yields a quorum failure detector that is necessary to solve P in any environment. We demonstrate the power of this universal detector by showing that several existing quorum failure detectors, known to be necessary and sufficient to solve some well-known problems, are obtained by instantiating Q with those problems. In particular, the quorum failure detector Σ proposed for consensus [4], Σv proposed for nonuniform consensus [8], and the loneliness detector for (n−1)-set agreement [6] are all obtained by instantiating the universal detector Q with the respective problems. Besides yielding existing failure detectors, Q has led to a new and useful detector: while mutual exclusion can be solved using the Trusting failure detector T when a majority of processes is correct [5], it is not known how to solve this problem in an arbitrary environment. We show that the quorum failure detector Σl, obtained by instantiating Q with the mutual exclusion problem, together with T, is sufficient to solve mutual exclusion in any environment. The necessity of Σl to solve mutual exclusion is implied by our general theorem. Our proof of the universality of Q employs a different technique than the common reduction technique introduced by Chandra et al [1], where processes build an infinite DAG of sampled failure detector values and use it for locally simulating runs of the algorithm.
Mathematical analysis of the energy compaction affected by the dimensionality of Karhunen-Lòeve transform

Transform coding is a essential tool for picture coding applications, and coding schemes that can achieve high energy compaction are essential. In terms of energy compaction, Karhunen-Lòeve transform (KLT) is known to be optimal. The energy compaction provided by KLT depends on the statistical property of the input signal and the dimensionality of KLT. However, the quantitative effect of KLT dimensionality on energy compaction has not been clarified. This paper establishes a mathematical model of the relationship among the dimensionality of KLT and the energy compaction of the transform coefficients, using mathematical tools in quantum information theory.
Effect of Maalox and omeprazole on the bioavailability of trovafloxacin.

To determine the effect of the concurrent administration of Maalox and omeprazole in the bioavailability of trovafloxacin (CP-99,219), an open, placebo-controlled, randomized, four-way crossover study was conducted in 12 healthy male volunteers. Each received treatments of three 100 mg trovafloxacin tablets in the morning 30 min after 30 mL of Maalox (A), 30 min after placebo (B), 2 h before 30 mL of Maalox (C) and 2 h after 40 mg of omeprazole (D). For treatments A and C, Maalox was also given at 22.00 h the night before the study day, 1 and 3 h after meals and at bedtime on the study day. For B and D, placebo and omeprazole, respectively, were also given at 22.00 h the night before the study day. After treatments A and C, mean area under the curve (AUC) was reduced by 66% and 28% (14.2 and 30.2 mg.h/L), respectively, and mean T(1/2) declined by 33% and 31% (8.3 and 8.5 h), respectively, relative to the values after B (42.1 mg.h/L; 12.4 h). The mean Kel-corrected relative bioavailabilities for A and C were 50% and 104%, respectively, suggesting a large reduction in the initial absorption of trovafloxacin with A. Treatment D had no appreciable effect on mean T(1/2) but mean AUC and Cmax were reduced by 18% and 32%, respectively, relative to B. The mean relative bioavailability after D was 82%. We conclude that the concurrent administration of trovafloxacin and aluminium- and magnesium-containing antacids should be avoided but that co-administration with omeprazole is unlikely to have a clinically significant effect on the extent of absorption of the antibiotic.
A new variable structure PID-controller for robot manipulators with parameter perturbations: An augm

Abstract In this paper a new variable structure PID-controller is designed for stabilization of robot manipulator systems with parameter perturbations. The sufficient conditions for the existence of a sliding mode is considered. The techniques of matrix norm inequalities are used to cope with robustness issues. Some effective parameter-independent conditions are developed in a concise manner for the global asymptotic stability of the multivariable system using LMI's techniques and principle of Rayleigh's min/max matrix eigenvalue inequality. The stability conditions are derived by using the Lyapunov full quadratic form for the first time. The parameter perturbations of the robot motion are evaluated by introducing Frobenius norm. Simulation results have shown that the control performance of the robot system is satisfactory.
Polynomial Optimization via Recursions and Parallel Computing

This paper presents a generalized technique for polynomial optimization based on an nD systems approach by Bleylevens, Peeters, and Hanzon. Aspects of the technique are researched by examination of an introductory example and later extended to a continuative example. A distributed computing framework is introduced which allows research of various different aspects of the examples.
Integration of multimedia content and e-learning resources in a digital library

In this paper we describe a proposal for multimedia and e-learning content description based on standards interoperability within a digital library environment integrated in a virtual campus. In any virtual e-learning environment, a complex scenario which usually includes a digital library or, at least, a repository of learning resources, different levels of description are needed for all the elements: learning resources, multimedia content, activities, roles, etc. These elements can be described using library, e-learning and multimedia standards, depending on the specific needs of each particular scenario of use, but this might lead to an undesirable duplication of metadata, and to inefficient content queries and maintenance. Furthermore, there is a lack of semantic descriptions which makes all these contents merely become digital objects in the digital library, without exploiting all the possibilities in a e-learning virtual environment. Due to its flexibility and completeness, we propose to use the MPEG-7 standard for describing all the learning resources in the digital library, combined with the use of an ontology for a formal description of the learning process. The equivalences of Dublin Core, LOM and MPEG-7 standards are outlined, and the requirements of a proposal for a MPEG-7 based representation for all the contents in the digital library and the virtual classroom are described. The intellectual property policies for content sharing both within and among organizations are also addressed. With such proposal, it would be possible to build complex multimedia courses from a repository of learning objects using the digital library as the core repository.
I STITUTO DI A NALISI DEI S ISTEMI ED I NFORMATICA

We describe a branch-and-bound algorithm for computing an orthogonal grid drawing with the minimum number of bends of a biconnected planar graph. Such algorithm is based on an e(cid:14)cient enumeration schema of the embeddings of a planar graph and on several new methods for computing lower bounds of the number of bends. We experiment such algorithm on a large test suite and compare the results with the state-of-the-art. The experiments show the feasibility of the approach and also its limitations. Further, the experiments show how minimizing the number of bends have positive e(cid:11)ects on other quality measures of the e(cid:11)ectiveness of the drawing.
One-Step Prediction of Financial Time Series

This paper examines the one-step prediction of financial time series from a binary decision theory perspective. Under the assumption that the decision statistic of the binary hypothesis testing problem is a Gaussian random variable, bounds for the forecasting efficiency of the hypothesis testing problem are derived. When the criterion for forecasting performance is the total return over the investment period, an optimisation problem is formulated to compute an optimally weighted decision statistic for the binary hypothesis testing problem. Numerical results are illustrated using weekly time series of excess return between two US dollar bond portfolios having six months duration difference. In particular, it is shown that, on average, a 27 basis point excess return per annum is possible against a given benchmark by carrying out active duration management.
Correlation of troponin-I level with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after first attack of non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common category of the heart disease and is found to be the single most important cause that leads to premature death in the developed world. Recognizing a patient with ACS is important because the diagnosis triggers both triage and management. cTnI is 100% tissue-specific for the myocardium and it has shown itself as a very sensitive and specific marker for AMI. Ventricular function is the best predictor of death after an ACS. It serves as a marker of myocardial damage and provides information on systolic function as well as diagnosis and prognosis. The study aimed at investigating the impact of LVEF on elevated troponin-I level in patients with first attack of NSTEMI.Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the department of cardiology in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital from December, 2015 to November, 2016. Total 130 first attack of NSTEMI patients were included considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample population was divided into two groups: Group-I: Patients with first attack of NSTEMI with LVEF: ≥55%. Group-II: Patients with first attack of NSTEMI with LVEF: <55%. Then LVEF and troponin-I levels were correlated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient test.Results: In this study mean troponin-I of group-I and group-II were 5.53±7.43 and 16.46±15.79ng/ml respectively. It was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean LVEF value of groups were 65.31±10.30% and 40.17±4.62% respectively. It was statistically significant (p<0.05). The echocardiography showed that patients with high troponin-I level had low LVEF and patients with low troponin-I level had preserved LVEF. Analysis showed that patients with highest level of troponin-I had severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF <35%) and vice versa-the patients with the lowest levels of troponin-I had preserved systolic function (LVEF ≥55%). In our study, it also showed that the levels of troponin-I had negative correlation with LVEF levels with medium strength of association (r= -0.5394, p=0.001). Our study also discovered that Troponin-I level ≥6.6ng/ml is a very sensitive and specific marker for LV systolic dysfunction.Conclusions: The study has enabled the research team to conclude that the higher is the Troponin-I level the lower is the LVEF level and thus more severe is the LV systolic dysfunction in first attack of NSTEMI patients.
Hybrid Intelligent Systems in Ubiquitous Computing

In this chapter hybrid approach to development of intelligent systems is applied to ubiquitous computing systems, in particular, to smart environment. Different classifications of Hybrid Intelligent Systems (HIS) are looking and two examples of hybrid approach for smart environment are suggested: framework based on expert system and neural network for programming of behavior of smart objects and paradigm of context-based programming-learning of behavior of intelligent agent. Besides this chapter offers an attempt to systematize concepts for development of HIS as any introduction to methodology for development of HIS is suggested. Author hopes that this chapter will be useful for researchers and developers to better understand challenges in development of ambient intelligence and possible ways to overcome them.
Youth employment decline and the structural change of skill

ABSTRACT Labor market prospects for youth have deteriorated significantly in many OECD countries over recent decades. While the extent and consequences of falling youth employment are commonly studied, attempts at understanding its causes have been much more limited. The present paper attempts to fill this explanatory gap. We suggest that the secular decline in youth employment can be accounted for by the structural change of skill. This process of structural change has two interrelated components: (a) one part where skill supply (individual educational attainment) and skill demand (educational requirements of jobs) grow together in what can be called matched upgrading and (b) another part where excess skill supply leads to mismatch and crowding-out. These components of skill growth have commonly been treated separately and incompletely in the literature. We build on both of them in developing our account of why the labor market for youth has weakened. Using data on 10 European countries from the EU Labor Force Surveys over the period 1998 to 2015, we estimate associations between the structural change of skill and youth employment decline. The main conclusion is that both matched skill upgrading and overeducation are strongly and negatively linked to young people’s employment chances.
Criminal Justice Students’ Attitudes Toward LGBTQ Individuals and LGBTQ Police Officers

Despite increasing acceptance of LGBTQ individuals in America, homophobia and homophobic attitudes among police officers are still a concern. Both LGBTQ individuals and LGBTQ officers report harassment and discrimination at the hands of police officers. Empirical evidence suggests that these homophobic attitudes are evident among students preparing for criminal justice careers. A number of studies have found that those who plan on law enforcement careers are significantly more homophobic. The current study sought to explore criminal justice students’ attitudes toward LGBTQ individual and LGBTQ police officers. Pursuant to a survey of criminal justice majors at a large public university, findings suggest that males pursuing a law enforcement track expressed the most homophobia and homophobic attitudes. Further statistical analysis indicated that gender, not the law enforcement track, predicts homophobia and homophobic attitudes.
Language evolution and the spread of ideas on the Web: A procedure for identifying emergent hybrid word family members

Word usage is of interest to linguists for its own sake as well as to social scientists and others who seek to track the spread of ideas, for example, in public debates over political decisions. The historical evolution of language can be analyzed with the tools of corpus linguistics through evolving corpora and the Web. But word usage statistics can only be gathered for known words. In this article, techniques are described and tested for identifying new words from the Web, focusing on the case when the words are related to a topic and have a hybrid form with a common sequence of letters. The results highlight the need to employ a combination of search techniques and show the wide potential of hybrid word family investigations in linguistics and social science.
CTL Escape Mediated by Proteasomal Destruction of an HIV-1 Cryptic Epitope

Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (CTLs) play a critical role in controlling viral infections. HIV-infected individuals develop CTL responses against epitopes derived from viral proteins, but also against cryptic epitopes encoded by viral alternative reading frames (ARF). We studied here the mechanisms of HIV-1 escape from CTLs targeting one such cryptic epitope, Q9VF, encoded by an HIVgag ARF and presented by HLA-B*07. Using PBMCs of HIV-infected patients, we first cloned and sequenced proviral DNA encoding for Q9VF. We identified several polymorphisms with a minority of proviruses encoding at position 5 an aspartic acid (Q9VF/5D) and a majority encoding an asparagine (Q9VF/5N). We compared the prevalence of each variant in PBMCs of HLA-B*07+ and HLA-B*07- patients. Proviruses encoding Q9VF/5D were significantly less represented in HLA-B*07+ than in HLA-B*07- patients, suggesting that Q9FV/5D encoding viruses might be under selective pressure in HLA-B*07+ individuals. We thus analyzed ex vivo CTL responses directed against Q9VF/5D and Q9VF/5N. Around 16% of HLA-B*07+ patients exhibited CTL responses targeting Q9VF epitopes. The frequency and the magnitude of CTL responses induced with Q9VF/5D or Q9VF/5N peptides were almost equal indicating a possible cross-reactivity of the same CTLs on the two peptides. We then dissected the cellular mechanisms involved in the presentation of Q9VF variants. As expected, cells infected with HIV strains encoding for Q9VF/5D were recognized by Q9VF/5D-specific CTLs. In contrast, Q9VF/5N-encoding strains were neither recognized by Q9VF/5N- nor by Q9VF/5D-specific CTLs. Using in vitro proteasomal digestions and MS/MS analysis, we demonstrate that the 5N variation introduces a strong proteasomal cleavage site within the epitope, leading to a dramatic reduction of Q9VF epitope production. Our results strongly suggest that HIV-1 escapes CTL surveillance by introducing mutations leading to HIV ARF-epitope destruction by proteasomes.
Highly ionized Fe Kα emission lines from the LINER galaxy M 81

We present spectral and timing results from a long (130 ks) XMM-Newton EPIC observation of the nucleus of the Seyfert/LINER galaxy M 81. During the observation the X-ray flux varied by 20%, but there was no significant change in spectral shape. The 2−10 keV spectrum is well described by a power law continuum and three narrow Fe Kα emission lines at 6.4, 6.7 and 6.96 keV. The three emission lines have equivalent widths of 39 +13 −12 ,4 7 +13 −13 and 37 +15 −15 eV respectively. The ratios of the three lines are thus more similar to those observed from the Galactic Centre region than to those typically observed from Seyfert galaxies. The high ionization lines most likely originate either from photoionized gas within 0.1 pc of the nucleus of M 81, or from a non-thermal distribution of cosmic-ray electrons interacting with the 0.2−0.6 keV thermal plasma which is found in the bulge of M 81.
About the connection between vacuum birefringence and the light–light scattering amplitude

Birefringence phenomena stemming from vacuum polarization are revisited in the framework of coherent scattering. Based on photon–photon scattering, our analysis brings out the direct connection between this process and vacuum birefringence. We show how this procedure can be extended to the Kerr and the Cotton–Mouton birefringences in vacuum, thus providing a unified treatment of various polarization schemes, including those involving static fields.