Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fitness testing as a discriminative tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of fibromyalgia

We aimed to determine the ability of a set of physical fitness tests to discriminate between presence/absence of fibromyalgia (FM) and moderate/severe FM. The sample comprised 94 female FM patients (52 ± 8 years) and 66 healthy women (54 ± 6 years). We assessed physical fitness by means of the 30‐s chair stand, handgrip strength, chair sit and reach, back scratch, blind flamingo, 8‐feet up and go, and 6‐min walking tests. Patients were classified as having moderate FM if the score in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was <70 and as having severe FM if the FIQ was ≥70. FM patients and patients with severe FM performed worse in most of the fitness tests studied (P < 0.001). Except the back scratch test, all the tests were able to discriminate between presence and absence of FM [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.66 to 0.92; P ≤ 0.001], and four tests also discriminated FM severity (AUC = 0.62 to 0.66; P ≤ 0.05). The 30‐s chair stand test showed the highest ability to discriminate FM presence and severity (AUC = 0.92, P < 0.001; and AUC = 0.66, P = 0.008, respectively), being the corresponding discriminating cutoffs 9 and 6 repetitions, respectively. Physical fitness in general, and particularly the 30‐s chair stand test, is able to discriminate between women with FM from those without FM, as well as between those with moderate FM from their peers with severe FM.
Making Sense of Their World: Aspects of Spirituality and Subjective Well-Being of Practicing Social Workers

Social science scholarship identifies factors that predict overall subjective well-being (SWB) or happiness. Although religion and religiosity positively affect overall SWB, less attention has been given to spirituality, and no research, to date, has examined the spiritual dimensions of SWB amongst practicing social workers. Research is based on in-depth interviews with 13 social workers possessing the highest SWB, measured by a 2006 survey of 700 randomly selected social workers practicing in Alberta, Canada. Participants identified five different spiritually based aspects of their SWB: familial and childhood background; major life experiences; personal beliefs about existence and life; experiences with work and personal life balance; and professional identity and practice background. The discussion and concluding sections consider how to incorporate the findings into social work practice, theory building, and education.
Models of Antisocial Behavior: A Comparative Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors Among African American and European American Adolescents

Crime and substance use among adolescents have become major issues for society and the social work profession. The increases in the levels of delinquent behavior, substance use, and juvenile justice system involvement among African and European American adolescents continue to challenge social work researchers to develop a better understanding of these social problems. Delinquency and substance use among adolescents have a compounding effect on academic achievement, employment opportunities, life expectancy, family, and community relationships. This research investigated the similarities and differences between African American and European American adolescents in the risk and protective factors associated with substance use and delinquent behavior.
Implications of treadmilling for the stability and polarity of actin and tubulin polymers in vivo

In this report, we examine how the cell can selectively stabilize anchored filaments and suppress spontaneous filament assembly. Because microtubules and actin filaments have an organized distribution in cells, the cell must have a mechanism for suppressing spontaneous and random polymerization. Though the mechanism for suppressing spontaneous polymerization is unknown, an unusual property of these filaments has been demonstrated recently, i.e., under steady-stae conditions, in vitro actin filaments and microtubules can exhibit a flux of subunits through the polymers called "treadmilling. " In vivo, however, most, if not all, of these polymers are attached at one end to specific structures and treadmilling should not occur. The function of treadmilling in vivo is, therefore, unclear at present. However, as shown here, the same physicochemical property of coupling assembly to ATP or GTP hydrolysis that leads to treadmilling in vitro can act to selectively stabilize anchored polymers in vivo. I show here that the theory of treadmilling implies that the concentration of subunits necessary for assembly of the nonanchored polymer will in general be higher than the concentration necessary for the assembly of polymers anchored with a specific polarity. This disparity in the monomer concentrations required for assembly can lead to a selective stabilization of anchored polymers and complete suppression of spontaneous polymerization at apparent equilibrium in vivo. It is possible, therefore, that the phenomenon of treadmilling is an in vitro manifestation of a mechanism designed to use ATP or GTP hydrolysis to control the spatial organization of filaments in the cell.
High-dimensional probability density estimation with randomized ensembles of tree structured bayesian networks

In this work we explore the Perturb and Combine idea, celebrated in supervised learning, in the context of probability density estimation in high-dimensional spaces with graphical probabilistic models. We propose a new family of unsupervised learning methods of mixtures of large ensembles of randomly generated tree or poly-tree structures. The specific feature of these methods is their scalability to very large numbers of variables and training instances. We explore various simple variants of these methods empirically on a set of discrete test problems of growing complexity.
Pitch detection using EMD-based AMDF

This paper presents a new modified average magnitude difference function (AMDF) based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) for pitch detection. We call it EMD-based AMDF (EMDAMDF). EMDAMDF inherits lots of advantages successfully from the conventional AMDF and eliminates the falling trend of the AMDF adaptively by means of EMD. Based on EMDAMDF, an effective pitch detection algorithm is proposed. The simulated results on Keele pitch reference database shows that the performance of the proposed EMDAMDF based pitch detection algorithm is obviously better than the original AMDF and its improvements (such as CAMDF and EAMDF) based algorithms.
Resiliency in Native American and immigrant families

PART ONE: OVERVIEW AND THEORY Resiliency in Ethnic Families - Hamilton I McCubbin et al A Conceptual Model for Predicting Family Adjustment and Adaptation Race, Ethnicity, Families and Education - Gary D Sandefur Factors Promoting Marital Resilience among Interracial Couples - Anna Y Chan and Elaine Wethington PART TWO: NATIVE AMERICANS Part Two A Native Hawaiians Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli) Culture, Mind and Well-Being - Anthony J Marsella et al Vulnerability and Resiliency in Native Hawaiian Families under Stress - Elizabeth A Thompson et al Native Sovereignty - Haunani-Kay Trask A Strategy for Hawaiian Family Survival Part Two B Native American Indians Understanding Family Resiliency from a Relational World View - Terry L Cross Walk in Beauty - Jeanne L Connors and Anne M Donnellan Western Perspectives on Disability and Navajo Family/Cultural Resilience Social Networks and Systems of Support among American Indian Navajo Adolescent Mothers - Rochelle L Dalla and Wendy C Gamble Enculturation Hypothesis - Marc A Zimmerman et al Exploring Direct and Protective Effects among Native American Youth PART THREE: IMMIGRANT AMERICANS Part Three A Asian Americans Family and Work Roles of Korean Immigrants in the United States - Kwang Chung Kim and Shin Kim Grandparents as a Family Resource in Chinese-American Families - Vicky Chiu-wan Tam and Daniel F Detzner Perceptions of the Middle Generation Cross-Cultural and Cross-Generational Differences in Asian Americans' Cultural and Familial Systems and Their Impact on Academic Striving - Paul Y L Ngo and Tari A Malz Part Three B Latino/Hispanic Americans The Family and Work Experiences of Puerto Rican Women Migrants in Chicago - Maura I Toro-Morn Exploring Adolescents' Vulnerability to Life Stress and Parental Alcoholism - Manuel Barrera Jr, Susan A Li and Laurie Chassin The Role of Ethnicity and Family Conflict Parental Support for Mexican-American Children's School Achievement - Lynn Okagaki and Peter A Frensch Parenting and Child Adjustment in Single- and Two-Parent, Euro- and Mexican-American Families - Wendy C Gamble and Rochelle L Dalla Coping with Racism and Discrimination - Katherine Fennelly, Patricia Mulkeen and Carina Giusti The Experience of Young Latino Adolescents The Relationship of Sources of Support and Service Needs - Stephanie K San Miguel, Gale M Morrison and Teresa Weissglass Resilience Patterns in Low-Income Latino/Hispanic Families Continuity of Caregiving in Mexican-American and African-American Homeless Families - Julia C Torquati and Wendy C Gamble Ethnicity, Culture and Resiliency in Caregivers of a Seriously Mentally Ill Family Member - Pilar A Parra and Peter Guarnaccia
Dynamic Plantar Pressure Measurement for the Normal Subject: Free-mapping Model for the Analysis of Pediatric Foot Deformities

In measuring plantar pressures during gait, prior methods have divided the foot into five regions and neglected forefoot alignment as it is involved in intoeing and outtoeing. The authors' proposed free-mapping method divides the foot into nine regions and incorporates a pedobarograph foot progression angle. The purpose of the study was to provide normal pressure parameter data during stance phase using a free-mapping model. Sixty-six normal children, ages 6 to 16 years, were recruited and walked along the 5-m walkway at self-selected speeds. The mean and standard deviation for the plantar contact area, contact time, peak pressure, maximal mean pressure, pressure-time integral, force-time integral, instant of peak pressure, and instant of maximum force in nine foot regions are reported. These normative data will provide a basis with which assessment of foot deformities involved in clubfoot, pes planus, and cavus foot will be more accurately defined.
SPC12-4: Throughput Optimization for Continuous Flat Fading MIMO Channels with Estimation Error

In this paper, we consider single user throughput optimization problem for continuous flat fading channels of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. It is known that channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter enables significantly higher data rate for MIMO system compared to single-input single-output (SISO) system case. One of the widely used methods to obtain CSI is training based scheme. Putting more resource on training will give more accurate CSI, thus enabling higher data rate, but might decrease throughput because less resource is left for data transmission. The proposed mathematical framework enables us to find the optimal resource allocation between training period and data transmission period to achieve the highest throughput possible as a function of the number of antennas, Doppler spread, signal-to-noise ratio and computational complexity.
Human resource development and innovation in China: State HRD policies, organizational practices, and research opportunities

Purpose – The paper aims to examine the relationship between human resource development (HRD) and organizational and national competitiveness and identify research opportunities for Chinese human resource management (HRM) scholars. Design/methodology/approach – Literature and document review. Findings – HRD and innovation is not only critical for economic development, but also for political, technological, socio-cultural and environmental developments. The state and organizations, particularly multinational corporations, play an important role in developing human resources and their capability in innovation. Through a brief review of recent HRD national policies and MNC organizational practices, the paper presents a number of research topical areas, including HRD national system and policy formation and related mechanisms, national and organizational HRD program evaluations, comparative HRD research, and international agencies' involvement in national HRD system in relation to MNCs' efforts in developing .
Diagnostic Ureteroscopy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma is Independently Associated with Intravesical Recurrence after Radical Nephroureterectomy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the effect of diagnostic ureteroscopy on intravesical recurrence in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 664 patients who were treated with RNU for UTUC from June 2000 to December 2011, excluding those who had concomitant/prior bladder tumors. Of the 664 patients, 81 underwent diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS). We analyzed the impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy on intravesical recurrence (IVR) using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors. Results: The median follow-up time was 48 months (interquartile range (IQR): 31-77 months). Patients who underwent ureteroscopy were more likely to have a small (p<0.01), early-staged (p=0.019), multifocality (p=0.035) and ureteral tumor (p<0.001). IVR occurred in 223 patients during follow-up within a median of 17 months (IQR: 7-33). Patients without preoperative ureteroscopy have a statistically significant better 2-year (79.3%±0.02 versus 71.4%±0.02, p<0.001) and 5-year intravesical recurrence-free survival rates (64.9%±0.05 versus 44.3%±0.06, p<0.001) than patients who underwent ureteroscopy. In multivariate analysis, the diagnostic ureteroscopy (p=0.006), multiple tumors (p=0.001), tumor size <3cm (p=0.008), low-grade (p=0.022) and pN0 stage tumor (p=0.045) were independent predictors of IVR. Conclusions: Diagnostic ureteroscopy is independently associated with intravesical recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy.
Material wealth and subjective well-being

This is a Dr. Philos. thesis. The papers number 1-4 of the thesis are not available in Munin due to publishers' restrictions: 1. Diener, E. & Biswas-Diener, R. (2002): 'Will money increase subjective well-being? A literature review and guide to needed research. ' Social Indicators Research, Vol 57, No 2, 119-169 (Springer). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1023/A:1014411319119 2. Biswas-Diener, R. , Vitterso, J., & Diener, E. (2005): 'Most people are pretty happy, but there is a cultural variation: The Inughuit, the Amish, and the Maasai. ' Journal of Happiness Studies, Vol 6, No 3, 205-226 (Springer). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s10902-005-5683-8 3. Biswas-Diener, R. , & Diener, E. (2001): 'Making the best of a bad situation: Satisfaction in the slums of Calcutta. ' Social Indicators Research, Vol 55, No 3, 329-352 (Springer). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1023/A:1010905029386 4. Biswas-Diener, R. , & Diener, E. (2006): 'The subjective well-being of the homeless, and lessons for happiness. ' Social Indicators Research, Vol 76, No 2, 185-205 (Springer). Available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s11205-005-8671-9
Psychiatric Stigma in Treatment-Seeking Adults with Personality Problems: Evidence from a Sample of 214 Patients

Stigmatization is a major burden in adult psychiatric patients with Axis-I diagnoses, as shown consistently in most studies. Significantly fewer studies on the emergence of psychiatric stigma in adult patients with personality disorders (PDs) exist, although the resulting evidence is conclusive. Some authors consider patients with PDs at risk for severe stigmatization because of intense difficulties during interpersonal contact, even in a psychotherapeutic relationship. The aim of this study was primarily the assessment of pre-existing stigma in patients referred for intensive treatment for PDs. The study enrolled 214 patients admitted to the adult department of a highly specialized mental health care institute offering psychotherapy for patients with severe and complex personality pathology. All patients underwent a standard assessment with self-report questionnaires and a semi-structured interview to measure Axis II PDs. The stigma consciousness questionnaire and the perceived devaluation-discrimination questionnaire, both validated instruments, were used to measure perceived and actual experiences of stigma. Independent sample t-tests were used to investigate differences in the mean total stigma scores for patients both with and without a PD. One-way ANOVAs were performed to assess the differences between having a borderline PD, another PD, or no PD diagnosis. Multiple regression main effect analyses were conducted in order to explore the impact of the different PD diagnosis on the level of stigma. The mean scores across all patient groups were consistent with rather low stigma. No differences were found for patients with or without a PD diagnosis. Level of stigma in general was not associated with an accumulating number of PDs. Given the remarkable results, we would strongly recommend further investigations in the field to better understand the phenomenon of stigma in all its aspects.
A Novel Shoulder Exoskeleton Robot Using Parallel Actuation and a Passive Slip Interface

This paper presents a five degrees-of-freedom (DoF) low inertia shoulder exoskeleton. This device is comprised of two novel technologies. The first is 3DoF spherical parallel manipulator (SPM), which was developed using a new method of parallel manipulator design. This method involves mechanically coupling certain DoF of each independently actuated linkage of the parallel manipulator in order to constrain the kinematics of the entire system. The second is a 2DoF passive slip interface used to couple the user upper arm to the SPM. This slip interface increases system mobility and prevents joint misalignment caused by the translational motion of the user’s glenohumeral joint from introducing mechanical interference. An experiment to validate the kinematics of the SPM was performed using motion capture. The results of this experiment validated the SPM’s forward and inverse kinematic solutions through an Euler angle comparison of the actual and command orientations. A computational slip model was created to quantify the passive slip interface response for different conditions of joint misalignment. In addition to offering a low inertia solution for the rehabilitation or augmentation of the human shoulder, this device demonstrates a new method of motion coupling, which can be used to impose kinematic constraints on a wide variety of parallel architectures. Furthermore, the presented device demonstrates a passive slip interface that can be used with either parallel or serial robotic systems. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4035087]
Genetic evidence for sex-specific migratory behaviour in western South Pacific humpback whales

Although predictable in its areas of occurrence, many aspects of humpback whale migration are still poorly understood. Nuclear DNA analysis has revealed a low level of relatedness among whales using the same migratory corridor, and has shown that closely related individuals tend not to travel in spatial association. Yet it still remains uncertain whether whales from different matrilineally discrete feeding stocks travel along the same migratory corridor for later mixing in common breeding waters. The western and central South Pacific Ocean is the only ocean basin where thousands of islands and reefs occur as suitable wintering habitat for humpback whales, so here their migratory behaviour may not be constrained by habitat. We analysed sex-specific and temporal distributions of 42 mitochondrial haplotypes detected in 135 humpback whales sampled off eastern Australia throughout 1 annual migration. A noticeable difference was found in haplotypic composition between northbound males and females, suggesting that the 2 sexes of any single matrilineal stock might select different and only partially overlapping migratory routes. We hypothesise that males most closely related to the N–S migrating females off eastern Australia migrate north elsewhere, perhaps past New Zealand. These findings suggest that longitudinal movements by male humpback whales are probably more extensive than currently thought, and indicate the need for reexamination of genetic data from humpback whales in the South Pacific, disaggregated by gender.
A new histone deacetylase inhibitor improves liverfibrosis in BDL rats through suppression of hepatic stellate cells

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an attractive target in liver fibrosis because it plays a key role in gene expression and cell differentiation. We have developed a HDAC inhibitor, N‐hydroxy‐7‐(2‐naphthylthio)heptanomide (HNHA), and investigated the anti‐fibrotic activity of HNHA in vitro and in vivo.
An empirical study of task support in 3D information visualizations

There is still little knowledge about what factors important for the usability of a 3D user interface. We have performed a comparative study of three 3D information visualizations as a step towards a better understanding of this. The study involved 25 volunteer subjects, performing three different tasks with the Information Landscape, Cam Tree, and Information Cube. The results of the study indicate that the subjects were significantly faster with the Information Landscape when compared with both other visualizations. The Cam Tree was significantly faster than the Information Cube. Our observations during the study indicate that local and global overview are extremely important factors. We also observed that custom navigation is crucial in 3D user interfaces. Finally, the study raises the question: "for what types of tasks is a 3D user interface best suited? ".
Focus group interviews as a way to evaluate and understand game play experiences

This chapter deals with researching people's experiences and understandings of video gaming by the use of focus group interviewing. Focus group interviewing is a method where several participants are prompted to discuss a subject under the guidance of amoderator. There are many cases where players' experiences and their understanding of these are the primary concern. For instance, if the aim is to assess or evaluate a game or a game design feature, one might want to understand how this game or feature is experienced and understood by players in addition to how they use it. Or someone may be interested in how players themselves experience certain types of gameplay in order to understand gaming as an activity; for example, in exploring if and how players' experiences differ when playing face-to-face or online, or perhaps how players experience interaction with non-human NPCs? The range of questions and situations when someone wants to delve into gaming experiences and understanding of these is wide and focus groups interviewing is then a useful tool. This chapter will explore the practicalities as well as the methodological challenges of focus group interviewing, leaving the reader capable of setting up and carrying out their own focus groups. The methods and techniques presented here can of course be used to study anything, not only video games.