Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery

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EFFECTS OF A BAND LOOP ON LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND KINEMATICS DURING THE BARBELL SQUAT.

BACKGROUND Medial knee collapse can signal an underlying movement issue that, if uncorrected, can lead to a variety of knee injuries. Placing a band around the distal thigh may act as a proprioceptive aid to minimize medial collapse of the knee during squats; however, little is known about EMG and biomechanics in trained and untrained individuals during the squat with an elastic band added. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE To investigate the effects of the TheraBand® Band Loop on kinematics and muscle activity of the lower extremity during a standard barbell back squat at different intensities in both trained and untrained individuals. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional, repeated measures. METHODS Sixteen healthy, male, university aged-participants were split into two groups of eight, consisting of a trained and untrained group. Participants performed both a 3-repetition maximum (3-RM) and a bodyweight load squat for repetitions to failure. Lower extremity kinematics and surface electromyography of four muscles were measured bilaterally over two sessions, an unaided squat and a band session (band loop placed around distal thighs). Medial knee collapse, measured as a knee width index, and maximum muscle activity were calculated. RESULTS During the 3-RM, squat weight was unaffected by band loop intervention (p = 0.486) and the trained group lifted more weight than the untrained group (p<0.007). The trained group had a greater squat depth for both squat conditions, regardless of the band (p = 0.0043). Knee width index was not affected by the band during the eccentric phase of bodyweight squats in the trained (band: 0.76 ± 0.08, no band: 0.73 ± 0.08) or untrained group (band: 0.77 ± 0.70, no band: 0.75 ± 0.13) (p = 0.670). During the concentric phase, knee width index was significantly lower for 3-RM squats, regardless of group. CONCLUSION Despite minimal changes in kinematics for the untrained group, increased muscle activity with the band loop may suggest that a training aid may, over time, lead to an increase in barbell squat strength by increasing activation of agonist muscles more than traditional, un-banded squats. Greater maximal muscle activity in most muscles during band loop sessions may provide enhanced knee stability via increased activation of stabilizing muscles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Forest structure and species composition along a successional gradient of Lowland Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil

The Lowland Forest is one of the most disturbed and fragile ecosystems in the Atlantic Forest biome, yet little is known regarding its successional trajectory and resilience. We evaluated changes in species assemblages and forest structure of the canopy and understory along a successional gradient (young 21-yrs old forest, immature 34-yrs old forest and late successional 59-yrs old forest) aiming to assess changes in species composition and successional trajectory of different strata of secondary forests. A 0.1 ha plot (ten 10x10 m sub-plots) from each forest stand was surveyed for trees and shrubs with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 4.8 cm (canopy) and for individuals with heights ≥ 1 m and DBH < 4.8 cm (understory). A total of 3,619 individuals from 82 plant species were sampled. The successional gradient was marked by a unidirectional increase in species richness and a bidirectional pattern of density changes (increasing from young to immature forest and decreasing from immature to late successional forest). Community assemblages were distinct in the three forests and two strata; indicator species were only weakly shared among stands. Thus, each successional forest and stratum was observed to be a unique plant community. Our results suggest slight predictability of community assemblages in secondary forests, but a relatively fast recovery of forest structure.
Spectral Analysis of Input Spike Trains by Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) has been observed in many brain areas such as sensory cortices, where it is hypothesized to structure synaptic connections between neurons. Previous studies have demonstrated how STDP can capture spiking information at short timescales using specific input configurations, such as coincident spiking, spike patterns and oscillatory spike trains. However, the corresponding computation in the case of arbitrary input signals is still unclear. This paper provides an overarching picture of the algorithm inherent to STDP, tying together many previous results for commonly used models of pairwise STDP. For a single neuron with plastic excitatory synapses, we show how STDP performs a spectral analysis on the temporal cross-correlograms between its afferent spike trains. The postsynaptic responses and STDP learning window determine kernel functions that specify how the neuron “sees” the input correlations. We thus denote this unsupervised learning scheme as ‘kernel spectral component analysis’ (kSCA). In particular, the whole input correlation structure must be considered since all plastic synapses compete with each other. We find that kSCA is enhanced when weight-dependent STDP induces gradual synaptic competition. For a spiking neuron with a “linear” response and pairwise STDP alone, we find that kSCA resembles principal component analysis (PCA). However, plain STDP does not isolate correlation sources in general, e.g., when they are mixed among the input spike trains. In other words, it does not perform independent component analysis (ICA). Tuning the neuron to a single correlation source can be achieved when STDP is paired with a homeostatic mechanism that reinforces the competition between synaptic inputs. Our results suggest that neuronal networks equipped with STDP can process signals encoded in the transient spiking activity at the timescales of tens of milliseconds for usual STDP.
The movement proteins of cowpea mosaic virus and cauliflower mosaic virus induce tubular structures in plant and insect cells.

The movement proteins (MP) of cowpea mosaic virus and cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) are associated with tubular structures in vivo which participate in the transmission of virus particles from cell to cell. Both proteins have been expressed in plant protoplasts and insect cells. In all cases, immunofluorescent histochemistry showed that the MPs accumulate intracellularly as tubular extensions projecting from the cell surface. Additionally, electron microscopy revealed intracellular MP aggregates in CaMV MP-expressing cells. The data presented establish common features for the tubule-forming MPs: no other virus gene products are required for tubule formation and unique plant components (e.g. plasmodesmata) are not essential for tubule synthesis.
A QUANTITATIVE MAPPING OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN THE BRAIN OF THE RHESUS MONKEY *

ALKALINE phosphatase shows greater species variability than all other enzymes that have been studied histochemically in the brain. The pioneering studies by SHLMIZU (1950) demonstrated that activity of this enzyme in many species is concentrated mainly in the blood vessels, whereas in some species (e.g. in the rabbit and in several avian species) little or no activity occurs in the blood vessels, but marked activity is seen in the neuropil. In addition, exceptionally high degress of activity may occur in certain nuclei of a given species, such as the extremely high activity that is found in the habenular nucleus, the retroflex tract, and the interpedunclar nucleus in guinea pigs, SHIMIZU'S data agree with those from several other less detailed investigations (LANWW, KABAT and NEWMAN, 1942; WISLOCKI and DEMPSEY, 1948; and others). The present study reports a systematic, quantitative mapping of alkaline phosphatase activity in the brain of the rhesus monkey, paralleling a previous mapping of acid phosphatase in the same species (FRIEDE and KNOLLER, 1965b). The data obtained are of interest for two reasons: first, the use of a quantitative, histochemical method affords detailed data on ratios of relative enzyme activities in various regions of the brain ; secondly, not only the regional distribution of enzyme activity but also the cytological distribution in any given region varied greatly in this species.
Identification and characterization of simple sequence repeat markers from a glandular Origanum vulgare expressed sequence tag

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and marjoram (Origanum majorana) are two sensorial distinct spices within the genus Origanum (Lamiaceae). Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed from expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of essential oil glands of O. vulgare. Thirteen EST‐SSR loci were evaluated using 20 individual plants of O. vulgare and 19 plants of Origanum majorana. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to four. All loci developed from O. vulgare successfully cross‐amplified in O. majorana.
Inverse Jacobian based hybrid impedance control of redundant manipulators

This paper presents an efficient control scheme for compliant motion control of kinematically redundant manipulators and its evaluation using an experimental 7 degrees-of-freedom manipulator, REDIESTRO (a redundant dexterous isotropically enhanced, seven turning-pair robot). An inverse Jacobian based hybrid impedance control (IJ-HIC) scheme is proposed that provides a unified approach for combining compliant motion control, redundancy resolution, and user defined secondary tasks in a single methodology. The IJ-HIC uses the inverse of the manipulator Jacobian together with PD control and feed-forward computed torque to track desired force and position trajectories. The scheme is capable of controlling force and position of redundant manipulators and utilizes the manipulator redundancy by achieving user-defined additional tasks. The IJ-HIC is implemented for real-time control of REDIESTRO. Simulation and experimental results validate the IJ-HIC scheme, and demonstrate its capabilities for performing various tasks.
Lysosome‐Related Effector Vesicles in T Lymphocytes and NK Cells

Lysosome‐related secretory organelles combine metabolic functions of conventional lysosomes with an inducible secretory potential. Specialized variants of such bi‐functional organelles are present in several haematopoietic cell types that store, mobilize and/or secrete effector proteins, for example in mast cells, macrophages or cytotoxic effector cells. In the case of T lymphocytes and NK cells, it was believed that secretory lysosomes serve as a common storage and transport compartment for the most relevant cytotoxic effector proteins including FasL, perforin, granzymes and granulysin. However, recent observations suggest that cytotoxic effector cells might be able to mobilize two distinct lysosomal entities in order to react to differential stimulation with either FasL surface appearance or degranulation‐associated release of perforin and granzymes. This assumption is supported by the proteomic characterization of enriched organelles from T and NK cells. FasL‐associated light lysosomes biochemically segregate from morphologically distinct heavy lysosomes that preferentially contain granzymes, perforin and mature granulysin. Here, we briefly summarize the current knowledge about cargo proteins that are stored and transported in secretory vesicles and how these vesicles might be generated and mobilized. In addition, we describe common features and major differences of the two distinct effector organelles and discuss how these observations might expand existing models of cytotoxic effector function.
Modeling and control of torque and impact rate during screwing process

Rotary impact screw driver is a tool that can be used during screw-fastening process. In applications where loads used are small, the high torque from impact driver may lead to overturn or cause the screw bit to be disengaged from the screw point. Manual screwing using switch trigger often is a challenge to the users. In this paper, the aim is to ease the screwing process and reduce the problem as mentioned. The screw driver power tool V-groove rotary-impact will be considered in this study. The physical modeling and simulation will be employed in which the motor and its rotary impact mechanism will be modeled. The speed of the motor will be controlled by the supervisory control system using state flow approach. An electronically torque control clutch is introduced to reduce the high impact torque so that the impact speed and impact rate can be slowed down too. From simulation, the lower impact torque is observed which indicates the avoidance of screw bit disengagement with the screw. As a result, the controllability of screwing process using the rotary impact screw driver can be optimized.
Estrogen replacement therapy and mortality among older women. The study of osteoporotic fractures.

BACKGROUND Most previous studies of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and mortality have focused on younger women. Recently, it has been suggested that the effect of ERT on mortality may represent a "healthy-user" effect, ie, those with healthier lifestyles having a greater likelihood of receiving ERT. METHODS Nine thousand seven hundred four women, 65 years or older, participated; 1258 (14.1%) reported current use of ERT for at least 1 year at entry. During an average follow-up of 6.0 years, 1054 women (11.8%) died. RESULTS After adjusting for multiple variables, mortality rate was lower among current (relative risk [RR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.87) and past users (RR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.95), mainly due to reductions in deaths due to cardiovascular disease. The protective effect of ERT was greatest among women younger than 75 years (RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.40-0.76) compared with women from 75 to 84 years of age (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.62-1.41) and 85 years or older (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.43-4.12). The RR for overall mortality was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.68-1.32) among short-term users (1-9 years) compared with 0.55 (95% CI, 0.40-0.75) among long-term users (> or = 10 years). Deaths considered unrelated to ERT tended also to be reduced in current users younger than 75 years (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.49-1.06) and current long-term users (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.51-1.10). CONCLUSIONS Estrogen replacement therapy is associated with lower overall mortality rates and reduced deaths due to cardiovascular disease. Women using ERT had healthier lifestyles, and the risk for death thought to be unrelated to ERT also tended to be lower in ERT users, suggesting in part a healthy-user effect.
Accumulation of 10 Bin the Central Degenerative Areas of Human Glioma and Colon Carcinoma Spheroids after Sulfhydryl Boron Hydride Administration 1

Sulfhydryl boron hydride (BSH) (IOB enriched) is presently used for boron neutron capture therapy of malignant gliomas. BSH must be close to the target cells to be effective in the inactivation of cell proliferation because of the short range of the reaction products (5-9 |tm). Clinical experience indicates that BSH is taken up in gliomas but it is not known to which structures it binds at the cellular level. In vitro tests on monolayer cultured cells have indicated that BSH does not bind, or only shows very weak binding, to single isolated cells. It is possible that BSH accumulates in tumor regions due to the special conditions in poorly vascularized tumor tissue, such as low p( );. low extracellular pH, meta bolic gradients, and degenerative changes. To test this we incubated three types of multicellular tumor spheroids with BSH for different times and analyzed both penetration and binding. The spatial distribution of '"B in sections of the spheroids was analyzed by neutron capture autoradiography. We found extensive accumulation of "'B in the central regions of both glioma and colon carcinoma spheroids. The accumulation closely followed the pattern of the degenerative changes which were characterized by massive necrosis in the central regions of the colon carcinoma spher oids and by a continuously increasing frequency of pyknotic nuclei as a function of depth in the glioma spheroids. The accumulation of '"B in the prostatic carcinoma spheroids was much lower. The penetration assay, based on freeze-drying and vapor fixation, showed that BSH penetrated easily since "'B equilibrated within 5-15 min in the studied spheroids. Thus, the low accumulation in the prostatic carcinoma spheroids was not due to penetration difficulties. The results of the present study on cellular spheroids and the results from previous studies on transplanted tumors support the observation that BSH penetrates easily into the degenerative tumor areas and that "'B, for some tumor types, might accumulate in these regions as a result of the BSH administration.
Ca2+ phase waves: a basis for cellular pacemaking and long‐range synchronicity in the guinea‐pig gastric pylorus

Ca2+ imaging and multiple microelectrode recording procedures were used to investigate a slow wave‐like electrical rhythmicity in single bundle strips from the circular muscle layer of the guinea‐pig gastric pylorus. The ‘slow waves’ (SWs) consisted of a pacemaker and regenerative component, with both potentials composed of more elementary events variously termed spontaneous transient depolarizations (STDs) or unitary potentials. STDs and SW pacemaker and regenerative potentials exhibited associated local and distributed Ca2+ transients, respectively. Ca2+ transients were often larger in cellular regions that exhibited higher basal Ca2+ indicator‐associated fluorescence, typical of regions likely to contain intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCIM). The emergence of rhythmicity arose through entrainment of STDs resulting in pacemaker Ca2+ transients and potentials, events that exhibited considerable spatial synchronicity. Application of ACh to strips exhibiting weak rhythmicity caused marked enhancement of SW synchronicity. SWs and underlying Ca2+ increases exhibited very high ‘apparent conduction velocities’ (‘CVs’) orders of magnitude greater than for sequentially conducting Ca2+ waves. Central interruption of either intercellular connectivity or inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)‐mediated store Ca2+ release in strips caused SWs at the two ends to run independently of each other, consistent with a coupled oscillator‐based mechanism. Central inhibition of stores required much wider regions of blockade than inhibition of connectivity indicating that stores were voltage‐coupled. Simulations, made using a conventional store array model but now including depolarization coupled to IP3R‐mediated Ca2+ release, predicted the experimental findings. The linkage between membrane voltage and Ca2+ release provides a means for stores to interact as strongly coupled oscillators, resulting in the emergence of Ca2+ phase waves and associated pacemaker potentials. This distributed pacemaker triggers regenerative Ca2+ release and resultant SWs.
Electromagnetic Time-Reversal Imaging of Pinholes in Pipes

We have designed and implemented a structural health monitoring (SHM) system to detect and localize multidefects in semi-infinite cylindrical metal pipelines simultaneously. The system utilizes electromagnetic decomposition of the time-reversal operator (known under French acronym DORT) signal processing method. The magnificent performance of the DORT detector against signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and its ability to detect and localize multidefects simultaneously, are the main advantages of the DORT time-reversal method. In the DORT time-reversal method, the reversed wave would precisely retrace back the exact intricate received path to converge coherently at the original source location by using the proper Green's function. We have utilized the operating frequencies which are far enough from the (highly dispersive) band near the waveguide TE11 cut-off frequency. The radius of the pipe is assumed to be a = 10 cm. Hence, in order to excite the first two modes, frequency bandwidth is considered to be 300 MHz at the center frequency of 1.15 GHz. This system is tested to localize two rectangular holes of the area (0.13 λ0)2, where λ0 is the free-space wavelength at the central frequency. In addition, required parameters such as the minimum number of antennas for detection, the DORT detector performance analysis, the equivalent reflection coefficients of the holes with different sizes and shapes, and the maximum distance of detection of small holes are calculated.
The natural history of a treated episode of acute otitis media.

The accurate diagnosis of acute otitis media is difficult, especially in its early hours. The vague symptoms and subtle physical signs of early otitis lead the practitioner to make too many diagnoses by default and to issue too much treatment out of caulion. With the growth of resistant organisms limiting the effectiveness of safe, low-cost antibiotics, there is increasing pressure to prescribe antibiotics more sparingly.1-3 Thus, the accurate diagnosis of otitis media is more important than ever. To correctly diagnose acute otitis media the pediatrician must know what it looks like, not only in its early hours, but throughout the course of infection.
PBC: Polygon-Based Classifier for Fine-Grained Categorization

Fine-grained categorization is a challenging task mainly due to two factors: first, objects share similar appearances between different categories; second, objects present significant pose variation within the same category. To address these challenges, we propose a method to automatically detect discriminative and pose-invariant regions, which is referred to as a polygon-based classifier (PBC). In the first stage, we generate a set of polygons that are composed of multiple parts. For each polygon, a classifier is trained based on deep features of a convolutional network. Then, a greedy algorithm is employed to select the discriminative and complementary polygon-based classifiers that deliver highest classification accuracy for fine-grained object categories. In the second stage, the confusing classes of the first stage are selected and employed to train the polygon-based classifiers. Then, a greedy algorithm is employed to select discriminative classifiers. For the test images, we use the classifiers trained in the first stage to obtain a coarse result. Then, the classifiers of the second stage are adopted to distinguish the confusing classes of the coarse result. In our experiments, the proposed approach is evaluated on three well-known fine-grained datasets. The experiments show that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods.