Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of ankle joint movement on knee joint kinesthesia at various movement velocities

The purpose of this study was to determine if gastrocnemius elongation or shortening and direction and velocity of knee movement influenced knee kinesthesia. Healthy volunteers sat with their knee flexed (20°) and was then passively rotated (flexion or extension) at three velocities (0.5, 2, or 10°/s) while the ankle was either fixed or rotated (dorsiflexed or plantar flexed at 0.17, 0.65, or 3.3°/s) creating gastrocnemius elongation or shortening. Subjects activated a thumb switch, stopping motion once they detected onset and direction of the motion. Detection of passive movement sense (DPMS) was the angular movement before activation of a thumb‐switch. Significant differences (P=0.003) in the rate of change in DPMS across a variety of movement velocities was observed but shortening or elongation of the gastrocnemius did not affect DPMS. Gastrocnemius elongation/shortening did not affect knee DPMS, simple reaction time plays an important role in testing kinesthesia especially at faster movements. While feedback from the gastrocnemius muscle plays a limited role in healthy subjects, differences in testing velocities may incorporate higher levels of central nervous system processing. Clinical measures of kinesthesia can be affected by both movement direction and movement velocity that are speed dependent.
Modeling and simulation of continuous powder blending applied to a continuous direct compression process

Abstract Continuous manufacturing techniques are increasingly being adopted in the pharmaceutical industry and powder blending is a key operation for solid-dosage tablets. A modeling methodology involving axial and radial tanks-in-series flowsheet models is developed to describe the residence time distribution (RTD) and blend uniformity of a commercial powder blending system. Process data for a six-component formulation processed in a continuous direct compression line (GEA Pharma Systems) is used to test the methodology. Impulse tests were used to generate experimental RTDs which are used along with parameter estimation to determine the number of axial tanks in the flowsheet. The weighted residual from the parameter estimation was less than the χ2 value at a 95% confidence indicating a good fit between the model and measured data. In-silico impulse tests showed the tanks-in-series modeling methodology could successfully describe the RTD behavior of the blenders along with blend uniformity through the use of radial tanks. The simulation output for both impulse weight percentage and blend uniformity were within the experimentally observed variance.
Bupropion is effective in depression in narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a rare disorder characterised by sleep disturbances, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic, hypnopompic hallucinations. Although several treatment modalities, such as tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, have been used to treat different symptoms, there is no definite treatment for narcolepsy. Modafinil or amphetamine-like stimulants, such as dexamphetamine or methylphenidate, are used to treat sleepiness. Our case was a 58-year-old woman who was diagnosed as narcolepsy cataplexy syndrome. Her Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was 14 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score was 29 in the first evaluation. Imipramine and modafinil were begun for the treatment, but there was no improvement in her symptoms. Subsequently, bupropion was started at 150 mg/day and then dosage was increased to 300 mg/day. She was asymptomatic at the end of 3 months. To our knowledge, this is the second depressive narcoleptic patient who has responded to 300 mg/day of bupropion.
Robust observers design for a class of nonlinear discrete-time systems

This paper deals with the problem of stability analysis of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) when used as an observer for the class of non linear discrete-time systems with linear output map. The proposed technique uses the Lyapnnov approach and evaluates the propagation errors due to the first order linearisation. Sufficient conditions to ensure robust stability of the modified gain EKF are established. One of the main features in this paper is how to design an instrumental matrix, namely Rk in the paper. in order to enlarge domain of attraction and to improve the convergence significantly. To show performances and accuracy of the proposed algorithm, it will be applied to a physical process largely used in the literature.
An Empirical Analysis of the Taylor Rule and its Application to Monetary Policy: A Case for the United Kingdom and Euro Area

This paper analyses the Taylor rule and its application to monetary policy in the United Kingdom and Euro area. The analysis uses a linear regression on quarterly economic data from 1993Q1 to 2017Q4 for the United Kingdom and 2000Q1 to 2016Q4 for the Euro area. The results show that the Taylor rule does not fully describe the monetary policy actions made by the Bank of England and European Central Bank over the period analysed; and, that both central banks engage in a significant level of interest rate smoothing. The results also suggest that the Taylor rule does not provide the rationale for quantitative easing within the two regions and that interest rates should be higher than they currently are.
Anterolateral Transtibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Combined With Anatomical Reconstruction of Posterolateral Corner Insufficiency

Background: There is a paucity of clinical studies comparing single- and double-bundle posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction combined with a posterolateral corner reconstruction. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of single- and double-bundle transtibial PCL reconstruction combined with reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendon for posterolateral corner insufficiency. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence 3. Methods: The study population consisted of 42 patients for whom a minimum of 2 years of follow-up data were available. The authors compared the clinical outcomes of 2 surgical techniques: a single-bundle technique (23 patients) and a double-bundle technique (19 patients), each combined with reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament and popliteus tendon for posterolateral corner insufficiency. Results: There was no significant difference between the single- and double-bundle groups in mean side-to-side difference of posterior translation as measured with Telos stress radiography (4.2 ± 1.7 vs 3.9 ± 1.6 mm; P = .628). Rates of residual increased laxity greater than 5 mm were 22% in the single-bundle group and 21% in the double-bundle group. Regarding posterolateral rotatory instability, there were no differences between the 2 groups in mean side-to-side difference in the dial test (5.3° ± 2.7° vs 5.1° ± 2.4° at 30° of flexion [P = .800]; 6.7° ± 2.7° vs 6.7° ± 2.4° at 90° of flexion [P = .917]) or in varus stress radiography (1.2 ± 1.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.4 mm; P = .722). The Lysholm knee scores were 85.7 ± 7.6 in the single-bundle group and 87.7 ± 7.3 in the double-bundle group, and there was no significant difference between them (P = .392). There was also no difference between the groups in International Knee Documentation Committee knee score (P = .969); from this, the rates of abnormal and severely abnormal were 30% in the single-bundle group and 26% in the double-bundle group. Conclusion: In this series, double-bundle PCL reconstruction combined with posterolateral corner reconstruction did not appear to have advantages over single-bundle PCL reconstruction combined with posterolateral corner reconstruction with respect to the clinical outcomes or posterior knee stability.
IMap and IMap2 Produce Erroneous Statistical Maps of Eye-Movement Differences

The programs iMAP and iMAP2, developed by Caldara and Miellet (2011 Behavior Research Methods 43 846–878), have attempted to implement a general approach to the analysis of eye-movement data, providing not only ‘heat maps’ of areas of greater and lesser activity but also, and potentially of great practical importance, significance tests which take into account spatial autocorrelation in fixation locations. The tests in particular allow different groups to be compared, as in one of Caldara and Miellet's example datasets where fixation patterns of Western Caucasian and East Asian participants are said to be significantly different. The present paper argues that the significance tests, as implemented, used an inappropriate algorithm and therefore gave erroneous results. In particular, if participants are randomly allocated to two groups, which is a conventional randomization test, then in every case the program claimed to find ‘significant differences‘, which cannot be correct. A simple, modified statistical technique, based around a simple two-group t-test, with error functions and spatial autocorrelation taken into account, finds no differences between the example groups of participants. That conclusion is reinforced by analyzing simulated data with or without true differences, when iMAP/iMAP2 always finds significant differences, irrespective of sample size, whereas the modified method finds significant differences for only the largest sample sizes. Previous research using iMAP/iMAP2 may have come to erroneous conclusions about differences in fixation patterns between groups.
Cocaine Use in Pregnant Women in a Large Public Hospital

Cocaine has been reported to be associated with several pregnancy complications such as abruptio placentae, an increase in the incidence of low birthweight infants, and congenital malformations in the newborn. With the increasing frequency of cocaine abuse of women of childbearing age in the United States, clinicians can reasonably be expected to encounter increasing numbers of pregnant women who use cocaine. The exact prevalence of cocaine use during pregnancy is not known. In the present series of 102 pregnant women, the prevalence of cocaine use was 9.8%, with a 95% confidence interval of 3.9 to 15.7%. There was one mother who had an abruptio placentae and there was one infant who had a congenital malformation among the ten women with a history of cocaine use during pregnancy. The mean birthweight was 3180 +/- 380 gm for infants born to mothers who used cocaine compared with 3250 +/- 422 gm (p = NS) for the infants born to mothers who did not use cocaine. A significant number of pregnant women in our population use cocaine during pregnancy.
Body mass index and response to infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES Excess adipose tissue in obese individuals may have immunomodulating properties and pharmacokinetics consequences. Previous studies have suggested that obesity could negatively affect the response to anti-TNF-α agents, notably infliximab (IFX). We aimed to determine whether body mass index (BMI) is involved in the response to IFX in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS We retrospectively examined data for 76 RA patients receiving IFX. BMI was calculated before treatment, and change from baseline in DAS28, pain on a visual analog scale, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, tender and swollen joint count was analysed at 6 months after treatment. The primary outcome was decrease in DAS28 ≥1.2. Secondary outcomes were good response and remission according to EULAR. RESULTS At baseline, the median [interquartile range] BMI was 26.6 [22.6-30.6] kg/m2. The number of patients with normal weight, overweight and obesity was 25, 29 and 22. In multivariable analyses, IFX treated patients with lower BMI showed a more frequent DAS28 decrease ≥1.2 (25.5 [22.3-28.3] vs. 28.0 [23.2-32.5], p=0.02, odds ratio [OR] 0.88 [95% confidence interval 0.79-0.98]), EULAR good response (25.3 [21.9-27.5] vs. 27.5 [24.3-31.2], p=0.03, OR 0.87 [0.76-0.99]) and EULAR remission, although not significant (25.3 [21.9-26.4] vs. 27.5 [23.2-30.9], p=0.14, OR 0.88 [0.75-1.04]). CONCLUSIONS Obesity may negatively influence the response to IFX in RA. These data could help physicians to choose biologic agents for obese RA patients.
Prognostics factors for mortality and renal recovery in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury and renal replacement therapy

Objective Identify prognostic factors related to mortality and non-recovery of renal function. Methods A prospective single-center study was conducted at the intensive care medicine department of a university hospital between 2012 and 2015. Patients with acute kidney injury receiving continuous renal replacement therapy were included in the study. Clinical and analytical parameters were collected, and the reasons for initiation and discontinuation of renal replacement therapy were examined. Results A total of 41 patients were included in the study, of whom 43.9% had sepsis. The median Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPSII) was 56 and the mortality was 53.7%, with a predicted mortality of 59.8%. The etiology of acute kidney injury was often multifactorial (56.1%). Survivors had lower cumulative fluid balance (median = 3,600mL, interquartile range [IQR] = 1,175 - 8,025) than non-survivors (median = 12,000mL, IQR = 6,625 - 17,875; p = 0.004). Patients who recovered renal function (median = 51.0, IQR = 45.8 - 56.2) had lower SAPS II than those who do not recover renal function (median = 73, IQR = 54 - 85; p = 0.005) as well as lower fluid balance (median = 3,850, IQR = 1,425 - 8,025 versus median = 11,500, IQR = 6,625 - 16,275; p = 0.004). Conclusions SAPS II at admission and cumulative fluid balance during renal support therapy were risk factors for mortality and non-recovery of renal function among critically ill patients with acute kidney injury needing renal replacement therapy.
A novel measurement based method enabling rapid extraction of a RF Waveform Look-Up table based behavioral model

A solution allowing for the rapid, cost effective and accurate extraction of nonlinear Direct Waveform Look-Up table (DWLU) based behavioral models is presented in this paper. The behavioral model extracted is a reformulation of the PHD model, now defined about a non 50-Ohm reference impedance, enabling it to accurately predict load-pull contours. The technique exploits a simple active and passive load-pull architecture enabling a numerical integration solution for model coefficient extraction that necessitates only varying the phase of the input stimulus during measurement. This solution dramatically speeds up the behavioral model coefficient extraction process, enabling ‘real time’ access to critical device behavior. It ensures that only a minimum, optimized set of load-pull measurements are performed. The technique is demonstrated on a Mimix Broadband Gas 8×2×30um 0.5W HBT.
Ambiguity in defaultable term structure models

We introduce the concept of no-arbitrage in a credit risk market under ambiguity considering an intensity-based framework. We assume the default intensity is not exactly known but lies between an upper and lower bound. By means of the Girsanov theorem, we start from the reference measure where the intensity is equal to $1$ and construct the set of equivalent martingale measures. From this viewpoint, the credit risky case turns out to be similar to the case of drift uncertainty in the $G$-expectation framework. Finally, we derive the interval of no-arbitrage prices for general bond prices in a Markovian setting.
Caregiving, single parents and cumulative stresses when caring for a child with cancer.

BACKGROUND Single parents whose children have cancer are a marginalized group who report less family centred care, and therefore, less quality cancer care for their children. As such, the aims of this study were to explore how single parents of children with cancer describe their caregiving experiences and to understand their contextual life stressors. METHODS A constructivist grounded theory method was used. Qualitative interviews with 29 single parents of children with cancer who were at least 6 months post-diagnosis were recruited between November 2009 and April 2011 from four hospitals across Canada. Line-by-line coding was used to establish codes and themes and constant comparison was used to establish relationships among emerging codes and conceptual themes. RESULTS The first set of findings report on caregiving duties including: emotional tasks, informational tasks and physical tasks. The second set of findings report on the contextual picture of parent's lives including their living conditions, their physical and mental health and their family histories of disruption, trauma and disease. CONCLUSIONS Single parents caring for children with cancer were found to experience several cumulative stressors in addition to the current strain of caring for a child with cancer. The synergy of these cumulative stresses with the added strain of caregiving for a child with cancer may have long-term health and financial implications for parents. Broad-based policy interventions should focus on relieving the chronic strains associated with being a single parent of a child with cancer.
8-[(3-Phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)methoxy]quinoline monohydrate

In the title compound, C18H13N3O2·H2O, the oxadiazole ring forms dihedral angles 7.21 (10) and 21.25 (11)° with the quinoline and benzene rings, respectively. The crystal structure features O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and is further consolidated by C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the water molecule of hydration.
Muscle fibre type adaptation in the elderly human muscle

This short review discusses changes in the fibre type distribution, myosin heavy chain isoform composition and histological appearance of the very elderly human skeletal muscle. Point of origin of the discussion comes from data that we have obtained from muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle of a group of frail very elderly subjects (age: 88 ± 3 years, range 85–97). Myosin heavy chain composition of muscle homogenates and single fibres, fibre type distribution, fibre size and capillary density were examined and compared with muscle biopsies from the young vastus lateralis muscle. Histological preparations of the muscle biopsies from our elderly subjects showed extended “grouping” (Nygaard & Sanchez, Anat Rec 1992: 202: 451–459) of the fibre types as well as significant changes in the appearance and size of the individual muscle fibres. On average, the fibre type composition of our very elderly subjects do not seem to be different to what is observed in a corresponding young group when examined with ATPase histochemistry. Likewise, the MHC composition of the muscle homogenates is comparable to what is observed in young subjects. Nevertheless, a detailed examination of the MHC composition of single fibres from the old subjects revealed that the most prominent phenotype was fibres co‐expressing MHC I and MHC IIA. This is very different from what is observed in the young muscle. Detailed investigation of longitudinally cut fibres indicated that some fibres in the very old muscle, in contrast to the young muscle, switch fibre type along the length of the fibre or contain areas or nuclear domains in which the MHC expression is different from the remaining part of the fibre.
Connections between the lacrimal gland and sensory trigeminal neurons: a WGA/HRP study in the cynomolgous monkey

The sensory innervation of the lacrimal gland (LG) in the cynomolgous monkey was studied using the retrograde wheat germ agglutinin/horsereadish peroxidase (WGA/HRP) tracer technique. A small solidified piece of WGA/HRP was implanted in the LG. Labelled sensory first‐order neurons were found in the ipsilateral trigeminal ganglion (TG) and in the ipsilateral mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MTN). The distribution of labelled TG neurons was restricted to ophthalmic and maxillary ganglionic parts. Sensory innervation of LG by primary afferents is not only restricted to TG; an MTN involvement has also been found. This may imply that there is a central sensory role in the production and release of tears.
Routing and refueling plans to minimize travel time in alternative-fuel vehicles

ABSTRACT A driver who drives an alternative-fuel vehicle (AFV) from an origin point to a destination point needs to consider how to get there (i.e., the routing problem), when to stop, and how and when to refuel (i.e., the refueling plan). In this study, models and algorithms are proposed that optimize a one-way-trip path such that the total travel time from the origin to the destination is minimized. The travel time consists of the setup time, the refueling time and the driving time. The setup time includes waiting for the AFV to be served at a refueling station and the preparation time of charging the machine. We categorized the problems into two types: (1) the refueling plan problem when the routing decision is given and (2) an integrated problem of routing and refueling. Another axis of categorization is when (1) setup time and refueling times are site-independent and (2) parameters are site-dependent. We propose optimal algorithms for site-independent problems and the integrated problem of routing and refueling planning with site-independent parameters. We also conduct experiments and sensitivity analyses for the site-dependent integrated problems of routing and refueling.
Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type

Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and skin fibroblasts of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) were estimated using enzyme immunoassay. The SOD mRNA level in the skin fibroblasts was also determined by the Northern blot analysis. As compared with the age‐matched control groups of neurological patients without dementia, the AD group consisting of patients with DAT at ages under 65 years of age as well as the SDAT group of patients with DAT at ages over 65 years of age showed no significant changes in serum or CSF SOD levels. However, the skin fibroblast SOD‐ and SOD mRNA levels, which were correlate each other, were significantly higher in the AD group (p<0.05), while lower in the SDAT group (p<0.05). These results suggest that the determination of the SOD level of skin fibroblast may be useful for diagnosis of DAT and that the abnormality of SOD may play an important role in developing DAT.
A new method for describing and analyzing finite determined automata by Walsh functions

Discrete event systems are often modelled by finite determined automata (FDA). A new approach for modelling is proposed, which provides a linear discrete event system: Xk+1 = A · xk- An algorithm is given to calculate the system matrix A without solving any system of linear equations (SLE). In analogy to the meaning of eigenvalues of a discrete time system, a connection between the eigenvalues and the cycles of the FDA exists. It is shown. though, that the cycles of the FDA can found without computing the eigenvalues. The new method can also be used to describe and analyze Petri nets. Deadlocks can be found easily, because they are cycles of length one. The method is also useful for identifying isomorphisms between different Petri nets.
The Impact of the Crisis and Unconventional Monetary Policy on European Inflation Dynamics

Abstract This study investigates the impact of the economic crisis in the late 2000s and early 2010s on European inflation dynamics using a hybrid New-Keynesian Phillips Curve (NKPC) during three distinct periods. The pre-crisis period from 1999 through mid-2007, the crisis period until August 2012, and finally the “Whatever-It-Takes”-period after the remark by ECB president Mario Draghi. The structural hybrid NKPC is estimated for six countries of the Euro area (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and Austria) and for each of the three periods. The crisis and the subsequent reaction of the ECB both seem to have had a profound impact on the dynamics, as estimated parameters differ markedly between the periods. A discussion and interpretation of the results is provided.