Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Provocation tests in doppler ultrasonography for carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction: Doppler ultrasonography (DU) has recently been shown to be useful in imaging carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In this study, we aim to characterize the changes seen after exercise and electrical stimulation. Methods: Five patients with CTS were recruited with 5 age‐matched subjects. DU was used to visualize the median nerve, flexor tendon, and bone at base line and after 1 minute of: (a) median nerve motor stimulation, (b) median nerve sensory stimulation, (c) abductor pollicis brevis contraction, and (d) adductor digiti minimi contraction. Results: Blood flow in the median nerve was greater after APB exercise. Furthermore, blood flow in the median nerve was greater in cases than controls after APB exercise. At baseline, blood flow in the flexor tendon was greater in cases than controls. Conclusions: While limited by sample size, this study demonstrates that exercise of median innervated muscles may be useful in enhancing diagnostic utility of DU for CTS. Muscle Nerve, 2013
A rapid face recognition BCI system using single-trial ERP

Face recognition has attracted great interest especially in computer vision, but poses and illumination of the face lay great difficulty in recognition accuracy. Studies on human face in the field of cognitive neuroscience found some face-specific event-related potential (ERP) components, such as N170, VPP. And some researchers used these face-specific ERP components to achieve face detection based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system. In this paper, we introduce a BCI system using a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm to evaluate the effectiveness of face recognition with ERP components. We analyze the ERP components (N170, VPP, N2, P3) elicited by face recognition and evaluate their contributions to the rapid face recognition using single-trial ERP. We find that amplitudes of N170 and VPP show no significant difference between the target face and non-target face. The amplitude of N2 and P3 show significant difference. The averaged areas under ROC curve (AUC) of single-trial ERP classification reach 0.851 on rapid face recognition task for 8 subjects, and the best two reach 0.889 and 0.921. Our results show that the averaged AUC using N170 and VPP is 0.548, which indicates N170 and VPP are involved in the face recognition process. However, N2 and P3 contribute much more to the accuracy of the face recognition by single-trial ERP comparing to the trivial contributions of N170 and VPP.
Performance evaluation of port logistics: The case of the Sousse port

In this paper, I would like to have a glimpse on the several approaches to clarify a better method for the purpose of evaluating the performance of port chain logistics. This latter represents several dimensions. The logistical aspects incite to underline the relative importance of the commercial and the operational dimensions. The application on the port of Sousse, following a survey of some indicators evolution during the period 2000–2010, permitting to clarify several findings that touch its level of working and its capacity to satisfy the expectations of its users and customers.
A novel serine protease inhibition motif involving a multi-centered short hydrogen bonding network at the active site.

We describe a new serine protease inhibition motif in which binding is mediated by a cluster of very short hydrogen bonds (<2.3 A) at the active site. This protease-inhibitor binding paradigm is observed at high resolution in a large set of crystal structures of trypsin, thrombin, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) bound with a series of small molecule inhibitors (2-(2-phenol)indoles and 2-(2-phenol)benzimidazoles). In each complex there are eight enzyme-inhibitor or enzyme-water-inhibitor hydrogen bonds at the active site, three of which are very short. These short hydrogen bonds connect a triangle of oxygen atoms comprising O(gamma)(Ser195), a water molecule co-bound in the oxyanion hole (H(2)O(oxy)), and the phenolate oxygen atom of the inhibitor (O6'). Two of the other hydrogen bonds between the inhibitor and active site of the trypsin and uPA complexes become short in the thrombin counterparts, extending the three-centered short hydrogen-bonding array into a tetrahedral array of atoms (three oxygen and one nitrogen) involved in short hydrogen bonds. In the uPA complexes, the extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions at the active site prevent the inhibitor S1 amidine from forming direct hydrogen bonds with Asp189 because the S1 site is deeper in uPA than in trypsin or thrombin. Ionization equilibria at the active site associated with inhibitor binding are probed through determination and comparison of structures over a wide range of pH (3.5 to 11.4) of thrombin complexes and of trypsin complexes in three different crystal forms. The high-pH trypsin-inhibitor structures suggest that His57 is protonated at pH values as high as 9.5. The pH-dependent inhibition of trypsin, thrombin, uPA and factor Xa by 2-(2-phenol)benzimidazole analogs in which the pK(a) of the phenol group is modulated is shown to be consistent with a binding process involving ionization of both the inhibitor and the enzyme. These data further suggest that the pK(a) of His57 of each protease in the unbound state in solution is about the same, approximately 6.8. By comparing inhibition constants (K(i) values), inhibitor solubilities, inhibitor conformational energies and corresponding structures of short and normal hydrogen bond-mediated complexes, we have estimated the contribution of the short hydrogen bond networks to inhibitor affinity ( approximately 1.7 kcal/mol). The structures and K(i) values associated with the short hydrogen-bonding motif are compared with those corresponding to an alternate, Zn(2+)-mediated inhibition motif at the active site. Structural differences among apo-enzymes, enzyme-inhibitor and enzyme-inhibitor-Zn(2+) complexes are discussed in the context of affinity determinants, selectivity development, and structure-based inhibitor design.
A study of synchronization of quantal transmitter release from mammalian motor endings by the use of botulinal toxins type A and D.

1. The effects of botulinum toxin (BoTx) types A and D on spontaneous and evoked phasic transmitter release were studied in the isolated extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat or the levator auris longus muscle of mice. 2. The toxins were injected subcutaneously into the hindleg of adult rats or the dorsal aspect of the neck of mice. At various times after the injection the muscles were removed from the anaesthetized animal and neuromuscular transmission examined in vitro by conventional intracellular techniques. 3. Both toxins reduced spontaneous transmitter release recorded as the frequency of miniature end‐plate potentials but BoTx type D was less effective in that respect than the type A toxin. 4. With both toxins the block of evoked phasic transmitter release, recorded as end‐plate potentials, was almost complete. As previously reviewed by Simpson (1986) the block produced by BoTx type A was partially reversed by procedures which elevate the intraterminal level of calcium ions. However, in BoTx type D‐paralysed muscles such procedures failed to restore phasic transmitter release but caused a period of high‐frequency asynchronous transmitter release following each nerve impulse. 5. To investigate if the lack of synchronization of evoked transmitter release observed in BoTx type D‐paralysed muscles was due to alterations in presynaptic currents we examined, by perineural recordings, the Na+, fast K+, slow K+, K+‐Ca2+‐dependent and the Ca2+ currents in BoTx type D‐paralysed muscles. These presynaptic currents were not altered as compared to unpoisoned controls. 6. We suggest that there exists a presynaptic process, which in addition to Ca2+ influx participates in transmitter synchronization and which is a main target for BoTx type D action.
An Efficient Two-Stage Sampling Method in Particle Filter

We present a modified bootstrap filter (MBF) to draw particles in the particle filter (PF). The proposal distribution for each particle involves sampling from the state-space model a number of times, and then selecting the sample with the highest measurement likelihood. Numerical examples show that this filter outperforms the bootstrap filter (BF) with the same computational complexity when the state noise has a large variance.
Power analysis attacks - revealing the secrets of smart cards

Power analysis attacks allow the extraction of secret information from smart cards. Smart cards are used in many applications including banking, mobile communications, pay TV, and electronic signatures. In all these applications, the security of the smart cards is of crucial importance. Power Analysis Attacks: Revealing the Secrets of Smart Cards is the first comprehensive treatment of power analysis attacks and countermeasures. Based on the principle that the only way to defend against power analysis attacks is to understand them, this book explains how power analysis attacks work. Using many examples, it discusses simple and differential power analysis as well as advanced techniques like template attacks. Furthermore, the authors provide an extensive discussion of countermeasures like shuffling, masking, and DPA-resistant logic styles. By analyzing the pros and cons of the different countermeasures, this volume allows practitioners to decide how to protect smart cards.
Development of a Cognitive Radio Model Using Wavelet Packet Transform - Based Energy Detection Technique

The term Cognitive Radio (CR) is an intelligent technique for opportunistic access of idle radio resources. In Cognitive Radio, spectrum sensing is one of its important attributes which is used to sense the unused spectrum in an opportunistic fashion. Energy detection constitutes a preferred approach for spectrum sensing due to its simplicity and ease of applicability. The conventional energy detection technique, which is based on fixed threshold is susceptible to noise uncertainty, which in practical sense, is actually unavoidable ? this noise uncertainty makes the fixed threshold energy sub-optimal in its performance. In this paper, wavelet packet transform is proposed as a preferred energy detection technique for optimal CR performance. Simulation results show that the proposed Wavelet Packet Transform Energy Detection technique (WPT-ED) gave higher probability of detection Pd than the conventional type, which implies that the WPT-ED would give a more accurate detection of the primary user? s presence in the channel compared to the conventional technique.
Force-dependent contact area excitation of FSR force sensor utilizing dome-shaped rubber element

This paper further investigates the novel way of exciting FSR sensors. The method introduces a force-dependent contact area excitation in which the engaged sensor area depends on the applied force. The deformation of the dome-shaped rubber element is used to introduce force-dependent contact area excitation. The assumption that the pressure distribution underneath the pressed dome-shaped rubber element is uniform is verified by the experiments.
Mixed Convection and Heat Transfer Studies in Non-Uniformly Heated Buoyancy Driven Cavity Flow

We analyse the mixed convection flow in a cavity flow which is driven by buoyancy generated due to a non-uniformly heated top wall which is moving uniformly. A fourth order accurate finite difference scheme is used in this study and our code is first validated against available data in the literature. The results are obtained for different sets of Reynolds number Re, Prandtl number Pr and Grashof number Gr which are in the ranges 100 - 3000, 0.0152 - 10 and 102 - 106 respectively. Here Gr is related to the Richardson number according to Ri=Gr/Re2. While increasing the Richardson number, the growth of upstream secondary eddy (USE) is observed together with a degradation of downstream secondary eddy (DSE). When mixed convection is dominant, the upstream secondary eddy and the downstream secondary eddy merge to form a large recirculation region. When the effect of Pr is studied in the forced convection regime, Ri<<1, the temperature in the central region of the cavity remains nearly a constant. However, in the mixed convection regime, the temperature in cavity undergoes non-monotonic changes. Finally, using the method of divided differences, it is shown that numerical accuracy of the derived numerical scheme used in this work is four.
Consistency analysis of torque measurements performed on a PMSM using dynamic testing

Various applications need an electric machine that can provide a wide range of torque over a broad range of rotation speed and temperature. Dynamic testing, where the machine acceleration is compared to the deceleration slope, allows to scan through a wide scope of operation points with insignificant temperature rise. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to analyse the consistency of the rapid experimental evaluation method when comparing the torque derived from the electric input to the one derived from the mechanic output. The paper shows that the electromagnetic torque is estimated within 0.5% expected difference between the two ways of calculating the torque, depending on the selected operation points.
Internalized stigma and quality of life domains among people with mental illness: the mediating role of self-esteem

Abstract Background: People with mental illness who internalize stigma often experience reduced self-esteem and impaired quality of life (QOL). Aims: To propose a theoretical model in which self-esteem mediates the effects of internalized stigma on the multidimensional domains comprising QOL. Method: In 403 inpatients and outpatients (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association, 1994), from hospital-based and community mental health facilities, self-report measures of internalized stigma (ISMI), self-esteem (RSES) and QOL (WHOQOL-Bref) were administrated. Results: Structural equation modeling results supported the proposed model. Self-esteem fully mediated the relation between internalized stigma and the physical and the social relationships domains, and partially mediated the relationship between internalized stigma and psychological, environment and level of independence QOL domains. Such results provided empirical support and shed light upon previous research. Specifically the results emphasize the mediating role that self-esteem plays in the degree to which internalized stigma exerts a negative effect on specific QOL domains. Conclusions: Self-esteem appears to be a core element in reducing the negative effects of internalized stigma on aspects of QOL among people with mental illness. These findings suggest there is a crucial impact regarding clinical mental health interventions along with important theoretical implications.
Predictors of healthy brain aging.

To determine if superior health at old age protects against cognitive impairment (CI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), we prospectively studied 100 optimally healthy oldest-old (> or =85 years) individuals. Initially, subjects represented the top 3% of the oldest old for health. During 5.6 +/- 0.3 years of follow-up, 34 subjects developed CI, and 23 progressed to AD. By age 100, probability of CI and AD were.65 +/-. 09 and.49 +/-. 10. Median onset age was 97 years for CI and 100 for AD. Clearly, superior health at old age does not guarantee protection against cognitive decline. Lifetime risks were similar to the general population but onset ages were later, suggesting factors that delay onset are key to improving cognitive health in the elderly. In this population, absence of apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 and male gender were associated with delayed onset, whereas estrogen use and education had no detectable effect on cognitive outcome.
Expansion of Single-word Weak Queries Using Wikipedia as External Data Resource

Query expansion is an effective technique to improve the performance of weak web search queries. The external data sources like Wikipedia data dump can be taken into confidence to provide reliable related terms for expanding queries. In this work we propose a query expansion approach based on Wikipedia as external knowledge repository and WordNet to detect linguistically important terms. Pseudo Relevance Feedback is used to retrieve top documents from Wikipedia with respect to a query. These top documents serve as a pool of potential expansion terms. Moreover, we focus on travel and lifestyle domain. Hence, intuitively the words absent in WordNet are broadly categorized as Named Entities and certain boosting were given to those terms. We also incorporated some linguistic information extracted from Wikipedia articles within the scoring of the terms. By defining proper term weighting strategies, the query expansion performs effectively. Consequently, we observed that the expansion leads to an overall improvement in the result.
An Advanced Authoring Tool for Augmented Reality Applications in Industry

The use of authoring tools has become a valuable trend for the fast development of Augmented Reality (AR) applications in industrial organizations. However, most of current AR authoring tools are actually programming interfaces that are exclusively suitable for programmers, and they do not provide advanced visual effects. In this paper, we propose an easy-to-use AR authoring tool oriented to the development of AR applications for the execution of industrial sequential procedures. Unlike other recent easy-to-use AR authoring tools, this software framework allows non-programming users to develop low-cost AR applications, including occlusion capabilities, by means of the use of a Kinect sensor. The evaluation results show that overlaying 3D instructions on the actual work pieces reduces the error rate for an assembly task by more than a 75%, particularly diminishing cumulative errors common in sequential procedures. Also, the results show that the time required by non-programming users to develop the AR prototypes using our tool was more than 90% lower than the time required for developing the same prototypes with computer graphics programmers. Key words— Augmented Reality, Authoring Tools, Non-immersive Desktop, Kinect, Occlusion
E3: an Elastic Execution Engine for Scalable Data Processing

With the unprecedented growth of data generated by mankind nowadays, it has become critical to develop efficient techniques for processing these massive data sets. To tackle such challenges, analytical data processing systems must be extremely efficient, scalable, and flexible as well as economically effective. Recently, Hadoop, an open-source implementation of MapReduce, has gained interests as a promising big data processing system. Although Hadoop offers the desired flexibility and scalability, its performance has been noted to be suboptimal when it is used to process complex analytical tasks. This paper presents E3, an elastic and efficient execution engine for scalable data processing. E3 adopts a “middle” approach between MapReduce and Dryad in that E3 has a simpler communication model than Dryad yet it can support multi-stages job better than MapReduce. E3 avoids reprocessing intermediate results by adopting a stage-based evaluation strategy and collocating data and user-defined (map or reduce) functions into independent processing units for parallel execution. Furthermore, E3 supports block-level indexes, and built-in functions for specifying and optimizing data processing flows. Benchmarking on an in-house cluster shows that E3 achieves significantly better performance than Hadoop, or put it another way, building an elastically scalable and efficient data processing system is possible.
Propofol injection pain in children: a prospective randomized double-blind trial of a new propofol formulation versus propofol with added lidocaine.

BACKGROUND The incidence of pain on injection of propofol remains unacceptably high in children, despite various strategies to reduce it. A new drug formulation of propofol has, in adult studies, been reported to cause less injection pain compared with other propofol solutions. The aim of the present prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial was to compare the incidence of pain-free injection following the use of this new formulation with that following the use of propofol with added lidocaine in children undergoing day case surgery. METHODS Eighty-three children (age range 2-18 yr) were randomized to receive 3 mg kg(-1) of either Propofol-Lipuro (propofol dissolved in a mixture of medium- and long-chain triglycerides [MCT-LCT]; group pL, n=42) or Diprivan (propofol dissolved in long-chain triglycerides [LCT]) with added lidocaine (0.3 mg kg(-1)) (group pD, n=41). A specially trained nurse anaesthetist assessed the occurrence of injection pain using a four-graded pain scale. RESULTS Significantly fewer patients had an entirely pain-free propofol injection in group pL (33.3%) than in group pD (61.0%) (P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS A new MCT-LCT propofol formulation as a plain solution was associated with a higher incidence of injection pain than LCT propofol with added lidocaine when used for induction of anaesthesia in children.
Overview of the IWSLT 2010 Evaluation Campaign

This paper gives an overview of the evaluation campaign results of the 7th International Workshop on Spoken Language Translation (IWSLT 2010)1. This year, we focused on three spoken language tasks: (1) public speeches on a variety of topics (TALK) from English to French, (2) spoken dialog in travel situations (DIALOG) between Chinese and English, and (3) traveling expressions (BTEC) from Arabic, Turkish, and French to English. In total, 28 teams (including 7 firsttime participants) took part in the shared tasks, submitting 60 primary and 112 contrastive runs. Automatic and subjective evaluations of the primary runs were carried out in order to investigate the impact of different communication modalities, spoken language styles and semantic context on automatic speech recognition (ASR) and machine translation (MT) system performances.
An ultra-low power interface CMOS IC design for biosensor applications

This paper presents a design example of an ultra-low power single-channel analog front-end (AFE) integrated circuits (IC) and system for biomedical sensing applications. The 0.18-μm CMOS AFE IC design includes a low noise instrumentation amplifier (INA), a low-pass filter (LPF), a variable gain amplifier (VGA), and a successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The AFE IC architecture is analyzed on the system level to minimize total power consumption with high integration and optimized for an ECG sensing system. SPICE simulations of the AFE IC channel validate the ultra-low power IC design methodology for heartbeat detection with less than 1 μA/channel.