Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Spinal Mechanism Related to Left–Right Symmetry Reduces Cutaneous Reflex Modulation Independently of Speed During Split-Belt Locomotion

Task- and phase-dependent reflex modulation during locomotion is well established, but we do not know the signals driving this modulation. To determine whether signals related to left–right symmetry of the locomotor pattern modulate cutaneous reflexes, we stimulated the superficial peroneal nerve in five intact female cats and in four spinal-transected cats (spinal cats, two males and two females) during split-belt locomotion at different left–right speeds. We compared cutaneous reflexes evoked in three ipsilateral and two contralateral hindlimb muscles during split-belt locomotion with those evoked during tied-belt (equal left–right speeds) locomotion at matched speeds of the slow and fast limbs. Our results showed similar phase-dependent modulation of cutaneous reflexes during tied-belt and split-belt locomotion in intact and spinal cats. During tied-belt locomotion in intact cats, an increase in speed significantly increased reflex modulation from minimum to maximum values, whereas in spinal cats, we observed a significant decrease. However, in all muscles of intact and spinal cats, split-belt locomotion significantly reduced reflex modulation compared with tied-belt locomotion independently of which limb was stepping on the slow or fast belt. Additionally, reflex modulation correlated more with spatial left–right symmetry, as opposed to a temporal one, in intact and spinal cats. Our results indicate that signals related to left–right symmetry reduce cutaneous reflex modulation independently of speed via a spinal mechanism. We propose that asymmetric sensory feedback from the left and right legs alters the state of the spinal network, thereby reducing cutaneous reflexes to prevent inputs from destabilizing a potentially unstable pattern. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT When we contact an obstacle during walking, receptors in the skin send signals to the CNS to alter the trajectory of the leg to maintain balance. This response, or reflex, is different when the leg is in the air and when it is contacting the ground. The reflex also differs when we walk at different speeds. Here, we investigated this reflex when the left and right legs were walking at different speeds on a split-belt treadmill in cats. We show that the reflex is smaller during split-belt locomotion compared with when both legs are walking at equal speeds. We propose that the spinal locomotor network controlling walking reduces the reflex response to optimize balance when gait is unstable.
Conceptual review of measuring functional impairment: findings from the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale

Objective This is a narrative review of validation and outcome studies using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS). The objective of the review is to establish a framework for understanding functional impairment and create a definition for functional response and remission. Methods We conducted a literature search via MEDLINE, EBSCO and Google Scholar with no date restrictions and reviewed bibliographies of selected publications. Publications found in languages other than English were translated and clarification obtained from the author(s) if needed. Inclusion criteria were any manuscript that was either a WFIRS psychometric validation study or a clinical trial using the WFIRS as an outcome. There were no exclusion criteria. Results The WFIRS has been validated in multiple cultures, and in clinical, research and control populations. The WFIRS has robust psychometric properties across ages, psychiatric status and informants. Outcome studies show variable improvement, with different response patterns between domains and among different interventions. Conclusion Symptom improvement and remission needs to be complemented with evaluation of functional improvement and remission to obtain a full picture of clinical status over the course of treatment.
TNM clinical staging of prostate cancer: issues and solutions

The TNM staging system is the international gold standard for staging cancers and is revised regularly in the light of current evidence. There are two versions of this system published in parallel by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The 8th edition (TNM8), the latest revision of both classifications published in 2016 includes major changes to the clinical staging of prostate cancer. Clinical staging is particularly important in assessing the spread of prostate cancer as a final pathological stage would be available only in those patients who undergo radical prostatectomy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Wavelet transform-based methods for removal of ground clutter and denoising the radar wind profiler data

Various non-atmospheric signals contaminate radar wind profiler (RWP) data, which produce bias in estimation of moments and wind velocity. Especially, in ultra high frequency (UHF) RWPs, ground clutter severely degrades wind velocity estimation. Furthermore, at higher altitudes, noise dominates the clear air signal. Thus, the important tasks of signal processing in a RWP are (i) to eliminate the clutter signal, (ii) to detect the weak atmospheric signals buried inside the noise and (iii) to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Wavelet analysis is a powerful tool to differentiate the characteristics of the ground clutter and noise from the atmospheric turbulence echo at the time series level. The authors have implemented the signal processing for lower atmospheric wind profiler radar at National Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Gadanki, India, using wavelet transforms. In this study, they present the implementation approach and results. The wavelet-based algorithms use different threshold levels to identify and remove ground clutter and to denoise the data. The obtained results using this method are validated with collocated global positioning system radiosonde data.
Assessing the relationship between non-invasive tear break-up time and maximum blink interval values among young adults at Mzuzu University

Purpose To assess the relationship between non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) and maximum blink interval (MBI) values among young adults. Method The study was conducted at Mzuzu University and involved 98 subjects (55 females and 43 males) aged between 18 and 40 years. All subjects were screened under the slit lamp, and were also asked questions to determine their eligibility to participate in the study. NITBUT measurements were taken by checking the discontinuity of the mires on the keratometer. MBI measurements were taken by observing the time period the subject could keep their eyes open without blinking. Results There was a positive correlation (r=0.64, r2=0.418, P<0.001) between NITBUT and MBI values. The relationship between NITBUT and MBI values was similar in both males and females. Furthermore, the study showed that age, as well as gender, is not correlated to NITBUT and MBI values. Conclusion There is a positive significant correlation (r=0.64, r2=0.418, P<0.001) between NITBUT and MBI values. There was no significant difference between the NITBUT and MBI values between males and females. The study has also discovered that there is no correlation between NITBUT and MBI with age and gender.
Individualized Web-Based Exercise for the Treatment of Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Due to the high prevalence of depressive disorders, it is mandatory to develop therapeutic strategies that provide universal access and require limited financial and human resources. Web-based therapeutic approaches fulfill these conditions. Objective The objective of our study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a supervised, individualized 8-week Web-based exercise intervention conducted for patients with moderate to severe depression. Methods We recruited 20 patients with unipolar depression and randomly assigned them into 2 groups (intervention, exercise program group, n=14, and control, treatment-as-usual group, n=6). At baseline, depressive symptoms were rated via the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) by patients themselves (QIDS–self-report, QIDS-SR) and by a blinded psychiatrist (QIDS–clinician rating, QIDS-C). In addition, performance diagnostics (lactate analysis, spiroergometry during a treadmill walking test) were conducted. Quality of life was assessed via the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and self-efficacy via the General Self-Efficacy scale (GSE). In addition, habitual physical activity (HPA) was determined via the Baecke questionnaire. Participants of the intervention group received exercise schedules once weekly with endurance and strength training instructions. Rating of depressive symptoms was repeated after 6-12 days and 8 weeks; performance diagnostics and the completion of all the questionnaires were repeated after 8 weeks only. Results The severity of depression subsided significantly in the intervention group after 8 weeks (median change in QIDS-SR: −5; interquartile range, IQR: −2 to −10), although it was already evident within the first 6-12 days (median change in QIDS-SR: −6; IQR: −2 to −8). During the intervention, participants undertook a median of 75 (IQR: 63 to 98) minutes of endurance training per week or 84% (16 [IQR: 9 to 19] of 19 [IQR: 15 to 21]) recommended endurance units in total. In addition, 9 (IQR: 4 to 12) of 10 (IQR: 8 to 13) recommended strength training exercise units were conducted during the 8 weeks. Performance diagnostics revealed a substantial increase in the maximum output in Watt for the intervention group after 8 weeks. Moreover, the intervention showed a favorable effect on SF-36 items “emotional well-being” and “social functioning” as well as on GSE and HPA scores. Conclusions Our individualized Web-based exercise intervention for moderate to severe depression was highly accepted by the patients and led to a significant and clinically relevant improvement of depressive symptoms. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02874833; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02874833 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/72ZUUR4tE)
Test cases generation for multiple paths based on PSO algorithm with metamorphic relations

The generation of multiple-path test cases can greatly enhance the efficiency of path-wise testing. Various methods adopting meta-heuristic algorithm to generate multiple-path test cases have been proposed, but existing methods focus on improving the meta-heuristic algorithm to get better test case generation efficiency, and test cases covering each path needs to be generated by meta-heuristic algorithm searching. To improve efficiency, a test case generation method for multiple-path coverage is proposed in this study, which combines a particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm with metamorphic relations (MRs). The method first generates a test case using the PSO algorithm, and then generates new test cases by repeatedly using MRs between test cases. This method reduces evolving numbers of PSO algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly enhance the efficiency in terms of fitness evaluations and time consumption.
Hidden Markov model-based speech enhancement using multivariate Laplace and Gaussian distributions

In this paper, statistical speech enhancement using hidden Markov model (HMM) is studied and new techniques for applying non-Gaussian distributions are proposed. The superiority of using non-Gaussian distributions in online adaptive noise suppression algorithms has been proven; however, in this study, this approach is formulated in an HMM-based mean-square error estimator (MMSE) estimator in which a priori models are trained in an off-line manner. In addition, an analytical study of using different distributions other than autoregressive (AR) Gaussian distribution, such as Laplace, is presented in order to construct an accurate HMM as a priori model for discrete Fourier transform and discrete cosine transform feature vectors of speech signal. In the proposed framework, an HMM-based MMSE estimator bassed on Gaussian assumption using diagonal covariance matrix is provided rather than AR hypothesis which is employed in the conventional AR-HMM-based speech enhancement algorithm. Experimental evaluations of the proposed methods are done in the presence of four different noise types at various signal-to-noise ratio levels which demonstrate the superiority of the proposed methods in most conditions in comparison with AR-HMM.
The effectiveness of joint mobilization techniques for range of motion in adult patients with primary adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of joint mobilization techniques in the range of motion in adult patients with primary adhesive shoulder capsulitis. METHODS Systematic review with meta-analysis. The search was performed in the MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, CENTRAL, LILACS, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The eligibility criteria were studies that used an oscillatory and/or maintained joint mobilization technique applied alone or added-on to a treatment program in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis at any stage. Two authors carried out the selection of studies and the extraction of data, independently. Risk of bias was evaluated according to the tool proposed by Cochrane. RESULTS We included 14 studies with variable risk of bias. Posterior mobilization compared to any other technique was not significantly different (0.95 degrees; 95% CI: - 5.93 to 4.02), whereas compared to a control group, the difference is 26.80 degrees (CI 95%: 22.71 to 30.89). When applying a set of joint techniques versus a control group, for abduction the difference is 20.14 degrees (95% CI: 10.22 to 30.05). In both cases, the results are statistically significant, and the effect size is moderate. CONCLUSIONS The evidence is not conclusive about the effectiveness of joint mobilization. When compared with treatments that do not include manual therapy, joint mobilization seems to have a favorable effect on the range of motion and pain reduction in patients with primary adhesive shoulder capsulitis.
Extraction of adaptive wavelet packet filter-bank-based acoustic feature for speech emotion recognition

In this paper, a wavelet packet (WP)-based acoustic feature extraction approach is proposed for automatic speech emotion recognition (SER). First, the issue of optimising the WP filter-bank structure for giving classification task is presented as a tree pruning problem, and different tree-pruning criteria are investigated. On this basis, a novel WP-based feature is introduced for SER, namely discriminative band WP power coefficients. Finally, a SER system is built and extensive experiments are carried out. Experimental results show that the proposed feature considerably improves emotion recognition performance over conventional mel frequency cepstrum coefficient (MFCC) feature. The proposed feature extraction approach is promising since it can be easily extended to two-dimensional (2D) facial expression analysis with 2D WP quadtree structures, and further a high-quality audio-visual bimodal emotion recognition system is desirable.
Stabilizing Dynamic controller of switched linear Systems

Abstract This paper is devoted to the problem of design a dynamic controller of switched linear systems. In the first part of this paper, we give some remarks about the influences of switching signal on the asymptotic stability of switched systems. We give a practical example to generate a large class of switching signals. The second part is devoted to the switched dynamic controller design, based on a common Lyapunov function approach. A sufficient condition are formulated as an LMI problem for the switched controller design under arbitrary switching. A stabilizing switched controller with regional pole placements is also formulated as a convex problem, an LMI approach is used to derive the switched dynamic controller with performance limitations.
Sensor-based measurement of critical care nursing workload: Unobtrusive measures of nursing activity complement traditional task and patient level indicators of workload to predict perceived exertion

Objective To establish the validity of sensor-based measures of work processes for predicting perceived mental and physical exertion of critical care nurses. Materials and methods Repeated measures mixed-methods study in a surgical intensive care unit. Wearable and environmental sensors captured work process data. Nurses rated their mental (ME) and physical exertion (PE) for each four-hour block, and recorded patient and staffing-level workload factors. Shift was the grouping variable in multilevel modeling where sensor-based measures were used to predict nursing perceptions of exertion. Results There were 356 work hours from 89 four-hour shift segments across 35 bedside nursing shifts. In final models, sensor-based data accounted for 73% of between-shift, and 5% of within-shift variance in ME; and 55% of between-shift, and 55% of within-shift variance in PE. Significant predictors of ME were patient room noise (ß = 0.30, p < .01), the interaction between time spent and activity levels outside main work areas (ß = 2.24, p < .01), and the interaction between the number of patients on an insulin drip and the burstiness of speaking (ß = 0.19, p < .05). Significant predictors of PE were environmental service area noise (ß = 0.18, p < .05), and interactions between: entropy and burstiness of physical transitions (ß = 0.22, p < .01), time speaking outside main work areas and time at nursing stations (ß = 0.37, p < .001), service area noise and time walking in patient rooms (ß = -0.19, p < .05), and average patient load and nursing station speaking volume (ß = 0.30, p < .05). Discussion Analysis yielded highly predictive models of critical care nursing workload that generated insights into workflow and work design. Future work should focus on tighter connections to psychometric test development methods and expansion to a broader variety of settings and professional roles. Conclusions Sensor-based measures are predictive of perceived exertion, and are viable complements to traditional task demand measures of workload.
Qualitative case study of needle exchange programs in the Central Appalachian region of the United States

Background The Central Appalachian region of the United States is in the midst of a hepatitis C virus epidemic driven by injection of opioids, particularly heroin, with contaminated syringes. In response to this epidemic, several needle exchange programs (NEP) have opened to provide clean needles and other supplies and services to people who inject drugs (PWID). However, no studies have investigated the barriers and facilitators to implementing, operating, and expanding NEPs in less populous areas of the United States. Methods This qualitative case study consisted of interviews with program directors, police chiefs, law enforcement members, and PWID affiliated with two NEPs in the rural state of West Virginia. Interview transcripts were coded inductively and analyzed using qualitative data analysis software. Final common themes related to barriers and facilitators of past program openings, current program operations, and future program plans, were derived through a consensus of two data coders. Results Both NEPs struggled to find existing model programs, but benefited from broad community support that facilitated implementation. The largest operational barrier was the legal conundrum created by paraphernalia laws that criminalize syringe possession. However, both PWID and law enforcement appreciated the comprehensive services provided by these programs. Program location and transportation difficulties were additional noted barriers. Future program operations are threatened by funding shortages and bans, but necessitated by unexpected program demand. Conclusion Despite broad community support, program operations are threatened by growing participant volumes, funding shortages, and the federal government’s prohibition on the use of funds to purchase needles. Paraphernalia laws create a legal conundrum in the form of criminal sanctions for the possession of needles, which may inadvertently promote needle sharing and disease transmission. Future studies should examine additional barriers to using clean needles provided by rural NEPs that may blunt the effectiveness of NEPs in preventing disease transmission.
Crystal structure of the major quadruplex formed in the promoter region of the human c-MYC oncogene

The c-MYC oncogene mediates multiple tumor cell survival pathways and is dysregulated or overexpressed in the majority of human cancers. The NHE III1 region of the c-MYC promoter forms a DNA quadruplex. Stabilization of this structure with small molecules has been shown to reduce expression of c-MYC, and targeting the c-MYC quadruplex has become an emerging strategy for development of antitumor compounds. Previous solution NMR studies of the c-MYC quadruplex have assigned the major conformer and topology of this important target, however, regions outside the G-quartet core were not as well-defined. Here, we report a high-resolution crystal structure (2.35 Å) of the major quadruplex formed in the NHE III1 region of the c-MYC promoter. The crystal structure is in general agreement with the solution NMR structure, however, key differences are observed in the position of nucleotides outside the G-quartet core. The crystal structure provides an alternative model that, along with comparisons to other reported quadruplex crystal structures, will be important to the rational design of selective compounds. This work will aid in development of ligands to target the c-MYC promoter quadruplex with the goal of creating novel anticancer therapies.
New Sulfur-Containing Polyarsenicals from the New Caledonian Sponge Echinochalina bargibanti

Arsenicin A (C3H6As4O3) was isolated from the New Caledonian poecilosclerid sponge Echinochalina bargibanti, and described as the first natural organic polyarsenic compound. Further bioguided fractionation of the extracts of this sponge led us to isolate the first sulfur-containing organic polyarsenicals ever found in Nature. These metabolites, called arsenicin B and arsenicin C, are built on a noradamantane-type framework that is characterized by an unusual As–As bonding. Extensive NMR measurements, in combination with mass spectra, enabled the assignment of the structure for arsenicin B (C3H6As4S2) as 2. The scarcity of arsenicin C and its intrinsic chemical instability only allowed the collection of partial spectral data, which prevented the full structural definition. After the extensive computational testing of several putative structures, structure 3 was inferred for arsenicin C (C3H6As4OS) by comparing the experimental and density functional theory (DFT)-calculated 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Finally, the absolute configurations of 2 and 3 were determined with a combined use of experimental and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and observed specific rotations. These findings pose great challenges for the investigation of the biosynthesis of these metabolites and the cycle of arsenic in Nature. Arsenicins B and C showed strong antimicrobial activities, especially against S. aureus, which is comparable to the reference compound gentamycin.