Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement properties of the Brazilian version of the Motor Assessment Scale, based on Rasch analysis

Abstract Purpose: To cross-culturally adapt and verify the measurement properties of the Brazilian version of the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS). Methods: The process of cross-cultural adaptation followed standardized procedures. Construct validity of the MAS was investigated using Rasch analysis (n = 100), whereas inter-rater and test–retest reliabilities were evaluated using Kappa coefficients and Bland and Altman plots (n = 52). Results: The MAS demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties. The Kappa coefficients for the inter-rater and test–retest reliabilities were 0.73 (ranging from 0.79 to 1.00) and 0.82 (ranging from 0.86 to 1.00), respectively. The Bland and Altman plots showed adequate inter-rater and test–retest agreements. No ceiling or floor effects were observed and only one item exhibited misfit to the Rasch model expectations. Item 4 “sitting to standing” exhibited marginal misfit (infit MnSq = 1.44; Zstd = 2.6), but it did not affect the unidimensionality of the scale. Conclusions: The MAS demonstrated good indicators of validity and reliability to be used for the assessment of motor function of individuals with stroke within clinical and research contexts. Implications for rehabilitation The Motor Assessment Scale is a performance-based scale for the assessment of motor function of individuals with stroke, based on a task-oriented approach. The Motor Assessment Scale has shown good clinical utility indicators dues to its quick administration, objectivity, and clinical relevance as a functional predictor. The Motor Assessment Scale showed good indicators of validity and reliability to be used within clinical and research contexts for the evaluation of motor function of individuals after stroke.
Mammalian actin‐binding protein 1/HIP‐55 is essential for the scission of clathrin‐coated pits by regulating dynamin‐actin interaction

Actin and dynamin work cooperatively to drive the invagination and scission of clathrin‐coated pits (CCPs). However, little is known about the mechanism that orchestrates the spatiotemporal recruitment of dynamin and actin. Here, we have identified the mammalian actin‐binding protein 1 (mAbp1; also called HIP‐55 or SH3P7), which could bind to clathrin, actin, as well as dynamin, as an adaptor that links the dynamic recruitment of dynamin and actin for the scission of CCPs. Live‐cell imaging reveals that mAbp1 is specifically recruited at a late stage of the long‐lived CCPs. mAbp1 knockdown impaired CCP scission by reducing dynamin recruitment at the plasma membrane. However, actin disruption remarkably eliminates mAbp1 recruitment and thus dynamin recruitment. These data suggest that by binding to both clathrin and F‐actin, mAbp1 is specifically recruited at a late stage of CCP formation, which subsequently recruits dynamin to CCPs. He, K. , Xing, R. , Yan, X. , Tian, A. , Zhang, M. , Yuan, J., Lv, Z. , Fang, X. , Li, Z. , and Zhang, Y. —Mammalian actin‐binding protein 1/HIP‐55 is essential for the scission of clathrin‐coated pits by regulating dynamin‐actin interaction. FASEB J. 29, 2495‐2503 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Design and robustness analysis of a state feedback controller applied to a bidirectional boost converter

This paper investigates the application of a state feedback control technique to a bidirectional boost converter. The proposed control system is mathematically formulated such that the state feedback control gains become the gains of a proportional-integral controller for the voltage loop and a proportional gain for the current loop. The control design does not rely on manual tuning procedures neither use complex adaptive techniques. On the contrary, the control gains are rapidly and automatically calculated off-line, ensuring good transient and good steady state responses. A robust analysis evaluated a posteriori demonstrate that the closed-loop system has good robustness against uncertainty on the DC input voltage and on the load parameter.
Pearls in Patient Selection for Deep Brain Stimulation

Background:Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as an important treatment for medication refractory movement and neuropsychiatric disorders. General neurologists and even general practitioners may be called upon to screen potential candidates for DBS. The patient selection process plays an important role in this procedure. Review Summary:In this article, we discuss “pearls” for the clinician who may be called upon to identify appropriate candidates for DBS. Additionally, we will discuss the important points that should be considered when referring patients for surgical intervention. Conclusion:Diagnosis, response to levodopa, cognitive status, psychiatric status, access to care, and patient expectations are all essential elements of the patient selection process for DBS. These areas must be adequately addressed prior to any surgical procedure.
A fuzzy path finding algorithm based on artificial potential fields

This paper will present a path finding algorithm based on a fuzzy system for a time dependent problem. The fuzzy system uses singleton fuzzifier, product inference engine and center average defuzzifier. The algorithm considers a static environment (the obstacles are not moving). The inputs are the space map, which is split in squares (considered as the basic motion elements), the initial position of the wanderer and the positions of the obstacles and the target. The algorithm computes, if possible, a path from the position of the wanderer to the target, and uses the artificial potential field approach to compute weights for each of the possible future positions of the wanderer. It is implemented in Microsoft Visual C++ and uses DirectX 9.0 libraries.
THE ENIGMA OF THE OPEN CLUSTER M29 (NGC 6913) SOLVED

Determining the distance to the open cluster M29 (NGC 6913) has proven difficult, with distances determined by various authors differing by a factor of two or more. To solve this problem, we have initiated a new photometric investigation of the cluster in the Vilnius seven-color photometric system, supplementing it with available data in the BV and JHKs photometric systems and spectra of the nine brightest stars of spectral classes O and B. Photometric spectral classes and luminosities of 260 stars in a 15′ × 15′ area down to V = 19 mag are used to investigate the interstellar extinction run with distance and to estimate the distance of the Great Cygnus Rift, ∼ 800 pc. The interstellar reddening law in the optical and near-infrared regions is found to be close to normal, with the ratio of extinction to color excess RBV = 2.87. The extinction AV of cluster members is between 2.5 and 3.8 mag, with a mean value of 2.97 mag, or EB − V = 1.03. The average distance of eight stars of spectral types O9–B2 is 1.54 ± 0.15 kpc. Two stars from the seven brightest stars are field stars: HDE 229238 is a background B0.5 supergiant and HD 194378 is a foreground F star. In the intrinsic color–magnitude diagram, seven fainter stars of spectral classes B3–B8 are identified as possible members of the cluster. The 15 selected members of the cluster of spectral classes O9–B8 plotted on the log L/L☉ versus log Teff diagram, together with the isochrones from the Padova database, give the age of the cluster as 5 ± 1 Myr.
Residue arithmetic techniques for hardware reduction in pseudo-random sequence correlators

The use of correlators to detect pseudo random number sequences is widespread, and forms the basis of pervasive technologies such as GPS. The correlation function is subject to a trade-off between hardware cost and speed. In this paper we present a residue arithmetic based technique that can create a pseudo random number sequence correlator that has both low hardware cost and high speed.
Repeated cocaine exposure decreases dopamine D2‐like receptor modulation of Ca2+ homeostasis in rat nucleus accumbens neurons

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a limbic structure in the forebrain that plays a critical role in cognitive function and addiction. Dopamine modulates activity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the NAc. Both dopamine D1‐like and D2‐like receptors (including D1R or D1,5R and D2R or D2,3,4R, respectively) are thought to play critical roles in cocaine addiction. Our previous studies demonstrated that repeated cocaine exposure (which alters dopamine transmission) decreases excitability of NAc MSNs in cocaine‐sensitized, withdrawn rats. This decrease is characterized by a reduction in voltage‐sensitive Na+ currents and high voltage‐activated Ca2+ currents, along with increased voltage‐gated K+ currents. These changes are associated with enhanced activity in the D1R/cAMP/PKA/protein phosphatase 1 pathway and diminished calcineurin function. Although D1R‐mediated signaling is enhanced by repeated cocaine exposure, little is known whether and how the D2R is implicated in the cocaine‐induced NAc dysfunction. Here, we performed a combined electrophysiological, biochemical, and neuroimaging study that reveals the cocaine‐induced dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis with involvement of D2R. Our novel findings reveal that D2R stimulation reduced Ca2+ influx preferentially via the L‐type Ca2+ channels and evoked intracellular Ca2+ release, likely via inhibiting the cAMP/PKA cascade, in the NAc MSNs of drug‐free rats. However, repeated cocaine exposure abolished the D2R effects on modulating Ca2+ homeostasis with enhanced PKA activity and led to a decrease in whole‐cell Ca2+ influx. These adaptations, which persisted for 21 days during cocaine abstinence, may contribute to the mechanism of cocaine withdrawal. Synapse, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Link and Doppler Analysis for Space-Based AIS Reception

In this paper, we present an investigation of space-based automatic identification system (AIS) signal reception by a nano/micro-sized satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO), using existing VHF communication channels. Today's ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship communication is limited by the horizon, and the signal reception is highly dependent on the altitude of the transmitter antenna located onboard the ship. Link performance, Doppler shift due to satellite motion, atmospheric interference, and antenna design is investigated. The results in this paper show that the Doppler effect plays a major role for communication with satellites in LEO, and techniques for improved Doppler compensation is suggested.
Coil Design for High Misalignment Tolerant Inductive Power Transfer System for EV Charging

The inductive power transfer (IPT) system for electric vehicle (EV) charging has acquired more research interest in its different facets. However, the misalignment tolerance between the charging coil (installed in the ground) and pick-up coil (mounted on the car chassis), has been a challenge and fundamental interest in the future market of EVs. This paper proposes a new coil design QDQ (Quad D Quadrature) that maintains the high coupling coefficient and efficient power transfer during reasonable misalignment. The QDQ design makes the use of four adjacent circular coils and one square coil, for both charging and pick-up side, to capture the maximum flux at any position. The coil design has been modeled in JMAG software for calculation of inductive parameters using the finite element method (FEM), and its hardware has been tested experimentally at various misaligned positions. The QDQ coils are shown to be capable of achieving good coupling coefficient and high efficiency of the system until the misalignment displacement reaches 50% of the employed coil size.
A new ruler on the storage market: 3D-NAND flash for high-density memory and its technology evolutions and challenges on the future

Scaling limitations in planar-NAND cell are discussed, including the depletion of floating gate and anomalous programming behavior. It is inevitable to have a paradigm shift to 3D-NAND due to numerous scaling limitations of planar NAND. However, the process complexity also increases in 3D-NAND as the mold height goes up in an exponential trend. Thus, scaling down of mold pitch is required, which degrades the cell characteristics. COP (Cell over Peripheral) 3D-NAND architecture has been developed as an area-scaling technology. CSL (Common-Source Line) junction leakage and p+ junction leakage at peripheral transistors have been improved by increasing the grain size and the thickness of barrier metal, respectively.
Design of an ergonomic three-finger haptic device for advanced robotic hands control

Nowadays, almost all kinesthetic haptic devices commercially available have been conceived and developed for just one interaction point. Many mechanical conflicts arise when trying to put to work together two or more conventional haptic devices. Due to collisions and other incompatibilities the resulting workspace when using these configurations is usually too small, making this a non-viable option.
Clinical Science Human Factors in the Measurement of the Masseteric Silent Period

Human variability in the measurement of the masseteric silent period (SP) was quantified. There were significant differences among (1) observer groups (technicians and dental students), (2) individual observers, (3) repeated measures of the same SP, and (4) trials. No significant observer bias was found. SP's were significantly longer at an inter-incisal distance of 10 mm (48.8 ± 5.4 ms) than at 14 or 19 mm (44. 7 ± 9.8 ms, 44.5 ± 6.5 ms).
Early repeat computed tomographic imaging in transferred trauma and neurosurgical patients: Incidence, indications and impact

Computed tomographic (CT) imaging is widely available in Australian rural and remote hospitals and is often performed prior to patient transfer to definitive tertiary hospital care. We hypothesised that critically ill trauma and neurosurgical patients might have CT scans repeated after interhospital transfer and that the utility of this practice might be low in relation to the additional financial cost and radiation exposure.
A Novel Protease-docking Function of Integrin at Invadopodia*

Invadopodia are membrane extensions of aggressive tumor cells that function in the activation of membrane-bound proteases occurring during tumor cell invasion. We explore a novel and provocative activity of integrins in docking proteases to sites of invasion, termed invadopodia. In the absence of collagen, α3β1 integrin and the gelatinolytic enzyme, seprase, exist as nonassociating membrane proteins. Type I collagen substratum induces the association of α3β1 integrin with seprase as a complex on invadopodia. The results show that α3β1integrin is a docking protein for seprase to form functional invadopodia. In addition, α5β1 integrin may participate in the adhesion process necessary for invadopodial formation. Thus, α3β1 and α5β1 integrins play major organizational roles in the adhesion and formation of invadopodia, promoting invasive cell behavior.
Zinc-induced activation of the human cytomegalovirus major immediate-early promoter is mediated by metallothionein and nuclear factor-kappaB.

We previously reported that major immediate-early promoter (MIEP) activity was regulated by intercellular zinc levels. In this report, we elucidate the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. In luciferase reporter assays, zinc-induced activation of MIEP (-735/+62) was decreased with deletion of the promoter in stages, and MIEP (-117/+62) did not respond to zinc. The time course of the activity of MIEP responding to diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid and zinc was not parallel with metallothionein (MT) promoter, which contains metal responsive elements. SV40 promoter that contains AP-1 binding sites, a candidate for the zinc-responsive motif in the MIEP, was not affected by zinc under our conditions. The activation of MIEP (-735/+62) by zinc was prevented with NF-kappaB decoy. When three kappaB motifs from the enhancer in the MIEP were inserted in the front of the zinc-nonresponsive MIEP (-117/+62), it became responsive to zinc. Moreover, overexpression of MT up-regulates the DNA binding of NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB-induced activation of transcription. These findings strongly suggest that MT and NF-kappaB act as mediator/regulator in zinc-induced activation of MIEP.
Parameter estimation of a tumor growth model using the real-valued genetic algorithm

This paper presents the use of real-valued Genetic Algorithm (GA) to evolve set of unknown parameters and initial conditions for tumor growth model using data extracted from El-Gohary [1]. The main focus of this work is to reach beyond the possibilities of traditional optimization methods in obtaining the far situated global optimum solutions with the help of arithmetic crossover and uniform mutation operators. Experimental results show the effectiveness of our approach by comparing the results obtained against the one mentioned in El-Gohary [1]. Keywords : Real-Valued Genetic Algorithms; Tumor Growth Model; Parameter Estimation.
Regulation of immune-modulatory genes in left superior temporal cortex of schizophrenia patients: a genome-wide microarray study

Abstract Objectives. The role of neuroinflammation in schizophrenia has been an issue for long time. There are reports supporting the hypothesis of ongoing inflammation and others denying it. This may be partly ascribed to the origin of the materials (CSF, blood, brain tissue) or to the genes selected for the respective studies. Moreover, in some locations, inflammatory genes may be up-regulated, others may be down-regulated. Methods. Genome-wide microarrays have been used for expression profiling in post-mortem brains of schizophrenia patients. Array data have been analyzed by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and further confirmed with selected genes by real-time PCR. Results. In Brodman Area 22 of left superior temporal cortex, at least 70 genes (19%) out of 369 down-regulated genes (P < 0.05) belonged to the immune system. 23 from those 70 genes were randomly selected for real-time PCR. Six reached significance level at P < 0.05. Conclusions. The present data support a brain-specific view of the role immune-modulatory genes may play in the left superior temporal cortex in schizophrenia, because immune functions in the patients are not disturbed. In keeping with comparable, previous studies supporting the notion that schizophrenia is a disease of the synapse, we hypothesize that dysregulation of immune-related genes modifies synaptic functions and stability in this region.
Long-Term Trends and Variability of Water Levels and Tides in Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, Argentina

We present an analysis of the long-term trends and variability of extreme water and tidal levels and the main tidal constituents using long-term records from two tide gauges in the wider region of the Rio de la Plata estuary: Buenos Aires (1905–2013) and Mar del Plata (1956–2013). We find significant long-term trends in both tidal levels and the main tidal constituents (M2, S2, K1, O1, and the overtide M4) from a running harmonic analysis in both locations. The tidal range decreased on average 0.63 mm y−1, as a result of an increase of the low water levels and a decrease of the high water levels. We also find a secular decrease in the amplitude of the semi-diurnal constituents and an increase of the diurnal ones, but of different magnitudes at each location, which suggests that different processes are producing these changes. In Buenos Aires, an increase of river discharge into the estuary seems to reduce the tidal range by hampering the propagation of the tidal wave into the estuary, whereas no influence of river discharge on water and tidal levels can be detected in Mar del Plata. We believe that other factors such as thermohaline changes or the rise of mean sea-level may be responsible for the observed tidal range decrease. Despite the tidal long-term trends, we find no significant trends in the meteorological component of the tide-gauge records other than an increase in the mean sea-level. In addition, we explore teleconnections between the variability of the meteorological component of the tide-gauge records and climate drivers.
Time trends of childhood cancer mortality rates: A report from the childhood cancer registry of piedmont, Italy, 1971–1998

Time changes in mortality rates can be used to suggest future trends in the prognosis of childhood cancer. Estimates provided from recent studies led to divergent previsions of future trends. In this study we used data from the population‐based Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont (CCRP) in order to measure the decrease in mortality. The study included 1,060 deaths in the period 1971–1998. Analyses were carried out using Poisson regression models and considered separately the total tumours, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and tumours of the central nervous system (CNS). We observed a progressive decline in the mortality rates: for all tumours the estimated annual percentage change was −3.6% (P < 0.05), for ALL it was −5.2%, (P < 0.05) and for CNS tumours it was −3.8% (P < 0.05). The statistical test for effect modification due to age at death was not significant. For all cancer types, the Poisson model fits the data well, corresponding to an exponential decrease of mortality rates and leading to the conclusion that current therapies, despite their proven effectiveness, are not sufficient to cure all cases of childhood cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;43:788–791. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intracellular Signaling by the Chemokine Receptor US28 during Human Cytomegalovirus Infection

ABSTRACT In patients with impaired cell-mediated immune responses (e.g., lung transplant recipients and AIDS patients), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes severe disease such as pneumonitis. However, although immunocompetency in the host can protect from CMV disease, the virus persists by evading the host immune defenses. A model of CMV infection of the endothelium has been developed in which inflammatory stimuli, such as the CC chemokine RANTES, bind to the endothelial cell surface, stimulating calcium flux during late times of CMV infection. At 96 h postinfection, CMV-infected cells express mRNA of the CMV-encoded CC chemokine receptor US28 but do not express mRNA of other CC chemokine receptors that bind RANTES (CCR1, CCR4, CCR5). Cloning and stable expression of the receptor CMV US28 in human kidney epithelial cells (293 cells) with and without the heterotrimeric G protein α16 indicated that CMV US28 couples to both Gαi and Gα16 proteins to activate calcium flux in response to the chemokines RANTES and MCP-3. Furthermore, cells that coexpress US28 and Gα16 responded to RANTES stimulation with activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, which could be attributed, in part, to specific Gα16 coupling. Thus, through expression of the CC chemokine receptor US28, CMV may utilize resident G proteins of the infected cell to manipulate cellular responses stimulated by chemokines.