Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asterixis as a Presentation of Cerebellar Ischemic Stroke

Asterixis is not yet considered a common neurological sign of cerebellum infarction, and the pathogenic mechanism for asterixis remains elusive. We report a 58-year-old male with moderate hypertension who presented to our emergency department for acute headache in both cervical and occipital regions of the left side. About 2 hours later the patient developed ipsilateral asterixis in the upper left limb; 3 days later the asterixis disappeared. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain disclosed cerebellar infarctions at the left superior cerebellar artery. In conclusion, we observed that a transitory asterixis associated with ipsilateral headache can be an initial clinical manifestation of ipsilateral cerebellar infarctions in the superior cerebellar artery area.
Fault tolerance of the distributed structure of object controllers for automation of transport

The design of fault-tolerant structure of object controllers for electric centralization in rail transport is discussed in the paper. It is proposed to implement the principle of hierarchical ensure a secure environment. Network connection of object controllers is implemented based on highly reliable industrial network CAN. Signature analysis is used for testing components of object controllers. The statistical model confirms the length of the test. A genetic programming algorithm is used for the synthesis of the test. The project was tested in an experimental system of centralization of power in the North-Caucasian railway stations.
Differences in population structure of the anther smut fungus Microbotryum violaceum on two closely related host species, Silene latifolia and S. dioica

We investigated the genetic population structure of the sexually transmitted plant pathogen, the fungus Microbotryum violaceum, on the two closely related host species Silene latifolia and S. dioica using microsatellite markers. We found strong deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations, with significant heterozygote deficiency in almost all populations. Fungal strains from the two host species were differentiated, and these host races differed in amount of variation within populations and differentiation among populations. Anther smut from S. latifolia harboured significantly less microsatellite diversity and were more genetically differentiated from each other than those from S. dioica. Small effective population sizes, rapid population turnover, and less gene flow among populations could lead to this higher population differentiation and lower within population genetic diversity for anther smut populations on S. latifolia than on S. dioica. These results are in concordance with host ecology because S. latifolia grows in more disturbed habitats than S. dioica and may provide a shorter‐lived host environment.
Deep Brain Stimulation Reduces Tic-Related Neural Activity via Temporal Locking with Stimulus Pulses

A neurosurgical intervention that has shown potential for treating basal ganglia (BG) mediated motor tics involves high-frequency deep brain stimulation (HF-DBS) targeted to the output nucleus of the BG: the globus pallidus internus (GPi). This study used a nonhuman primate (Macaca fuscata) model of BG-meditated motor tics, and investigated the short-term neuronal mechanism that might underlie the beneficial effects of GPi-HF-DBS. In parallel with behavioral tic expressions, phasic alterations of neuronal activity emerged in the pallidum following focal disinhibition of the striatum with bicuculline. We delivered HF-DBS in the GPi in such a way that on-stimulation and off-stimulation conditions alternated every 30 s. Analysis of electromyographic (EMG) records showed that during on-stimulation, there were significant reductions in tic-related EMG amplitude. Analysis of pallidal activity showed that GPi-HF-DBS induced both sustained and transient patterns of excitation and inhibition in both segments of the GP. Population-scale firing rates were initially raised relative to baseline, but were not significantly different by the time stimulation ceased. Modulation of behavior and neuronal firing rates were associated with the reduction of tic-related phasic activity in pallidal cells. Examination of short-latency responses showed that firing rate changes were strongly associated with locking of the cells' activity with the HF-DBS pulse. This temporal locking often induced multiphasic changes of firing rates in individual cells, which dynamically changed across the stimulation period. These results support clinical studies that reported success in treating motor tics with GPi-HF-DBS, and demonstrate that the underlying local mechanism within the GP is suppression of tic-related activity through temporal locking with the stimulation pulse.
Radiation pattern correlation for mobile robot localization in low power wireless networks

We present a new method for localization using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) in ordinary wireless communication networks such as specified by IEEE 802.15. 4. The method exploits the anisotropy of the antenna gain to determine the bearing of the robot relative to reference radio nodes. This method is not only more precise than the mapping of the RSSI to distance only, it also allows to estimate the orientation of the robot and to monitor the integrity of the measurement. The integrity measure is also incorporated into the RSSI to distance mapping and a thorough error analysis is presented. The paper describes the localization concept and presents experimental results for mobile robot localization in an outdoor environment. The achieved accuracy is significantly increased compared to previously developed RSSI based localization methods.
Singularity Surfaces and Maximal Singularity-Free Boxes in the Joint Space of Planar 3-RPR Parallel Manipulators

In this paper, a method to compute joint space singularity surfaces of 3-RPR planar parallel manipulators is first presented. Then, a procedure to determine maximal joint space singularity-free boxes is introduced. Numerical examples are given in order to illustrate graphically the results. This study is of high interest for planning trajectories in the joint space of 3-RPR parallel manipulators and for manipulators design as it may constitute a tool for choosing appropriate joint limits and thus for sizing the link lengths of the manipulator.
Innovative interventions to promote behavioral change in overweight or obese individuals: A review of the literature

Abstract The overweight and obesity trends have risen over the past few decades, placing significant burdens on health care in terms of increased morbidity and cost. Behavioral change therapy is an effective treatment strategy and includes goal setting, self-monitoring, problem solving, and reinforcement tactics. Traditionally, behavior change therapy has been delivered using face-to-face counseling along with paper and pen recording of dietary intake and physical activity. The current advances in technology provide opportunities to deliver interventions using cellphones, internet, and active video games. These new methods to deliver behavior change for the management and prevention of obesity are being developed in order to increase access, improve convenience, decrease cost, and increase participant engagement. In this review, we present new approaches to promote behavior changes in the management of obesity. Currently available data show promising results. However, future research is needed to address study limitations and implementation challenges of these innovative interventions.
Neoconstructivism: A Unifying Constraint for the Cognitive Sciences

Behavioral scientists studied behavior; cognitive scientists study what generates behavior. Cognitive science is hence theoretical behaviorism (or behaviorism is experimental cognitivism). Behavior is data for a cognitive theorist. What counts as a theory of behavior? In this paper, a methodological constraint on theory construction -- "neoconstructivism" -- will be proposed (by analogy with constructivism in mathematics): Cognitive theory must be computable; given an encoding of the input to a behaving system, a theory must be able to compute (an encoding of) its outputs. It is a mistake to conclude, however, that this constraint requires cognitive theory to be computational, or that it follows from this that cognition is computation.
Developing Literacy in Second-Language Learners: Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth

of processability theory is noteworthy as many introductory textbooks provide only a cursory overview of Pienemann’s theory, and the primary sources are often beyond the level of the novice reader. Additional theories introduced in this volume include a functional approach to SLA and sociocultural theory, which are often overlooked in introductory textbooks. Kathleen Bardovi-Harlig introduces the concept-oriented functional approach in Chapter 4. As she acknowledges, functional approaches to second language acquisition are not widely known in North America, and her chapter presents a succinct overview for the novice reader. Finally, James Lantolf and Steven Thorne familiarise readers with the principles and constructs of sociocultural theory in Chapter 11, which situates the development of cognitive abilities in social contexts. Finally, in the concluding chapter, Lourdes Ortega synthesises the information presented in the previous chapters by comparing how the various SLA theories account for the 10 observations that the editors introduced in Chapter 1, which she consolidates into five central topics: the nature of second language knowledge, the nature of interlanguage development, the contributions of the first language, the linguistic environment and instruction. She concludes with some future challenges for SLA theories. In short, Theories in Second Language Acquisition: An Introduction provides an excellent overview of a wide variety of SLA theories, including many theories that are not covered in other introductory volumes. The consistent presentation of information across chapters helps novice readers compare the basic tenets of various SLA theories, and the questions for discussion provide them with additional opportunities for synthesis and evaluation.
A DOE-ILP assisted conjugate-gradient based power and stability optimization in High-K Nano-CMOS SRAM

In this paper, a novel design flow is presented for power minimization of nano-CMOS SRAM (static random access memory) circuits, while maintaining their performance. A 32nm high-K/metalgate SRAM is used as an example circuit. The baseline SRAM circuit is subjected to power minimization using a dual-VTh assignment based on a novel Design of Experiments-Integer Linear Programming (DOE-ILP) approach. However, this leads to a 15% reduction in the Static Noise Margin (SNM) of the SRAM, which is an indicator of the stability degradation of the SRAM. This reduction in the SNM is then overcome using a conjugate gradient optimization, while maintaining the minimum power consumption. The final SRAM design shows 86% reduction in power (including leakage) consumption and 8% increase in the SNM compared to the baseline design. The variability analysis of the optimized cell is carried out considering the variability effect in 12 parameters to study the robustness of the optimal SRAM circuit. An 8 x 8 array is constructed to show the feasibility of the proposed SRAM.
The repetition of spontaneous preterm labour

Summary. The likelihood of repetition of preterm birth after spontaneous onset of labour has been studied in 6572 reproductive careers after excluding stillbirths. multiple births. all careers in which any labour had been induced, and all careers in which the gestation length in any pregnancy was not certain. The analysis was controlled not only for pregnancy number, but for the nature of the reproductive outcomes. In most reproductive xqucnces thcrc was a weak correlation bctween the gestation in one pregnancy and subsequent ones. The risk of preterm birth was tripled after one previous preterm birth with or without a preceding abortion, and increased six‐fold after two previous preterin births. However, the attributable risk was low, and most multiparae with preterm births did not have a previous history.
Loss of Population Levels of Immunity to Malaria as a Result of Exposure-Reducing Interventions: Consequences for Interpretation of Disease Trends

Background The persistence of malaria as an endemic infection and one of the major causes of childhood death in most parts of Africa has lead to a radical new call for a global effort towards eradication. With the deployment of a highly effective vaccine still some years away, there has been an increased focus on interventions which reduce exposure to infection in the individual and –by reducing onward transmission-at the population level. The development of appropriate monitoring of these interventions requires an understanding of the timescales of their effect. Methods & Findings Using a mathematical model for malaria transmission which incorporates the acquisition and loss of both clinical and parasite immunity, we explore the impact of the trade-off between reduction in exposure and decreased development of immunity on the dynamics of disease following a transmission-reducing intervention such as insecticide-treated nets. Our model predicts that initially rapid reductions in clinical disease incidence will be observed as transmission is reduced in a highly immune population. However, these benefits in the first 5–10 years after the intervention may be offset by a greater burden of disease decades later as immunity at the population level is gradually lost. The negative impact of having fewer immune individuals in the population can be counterbalanced either by the implementation of highly-effective transmission-reducing interventions (such as the combined use of insecticide-treated nets and insecticide residual sprays) for an indefinite period or the concurrent use of a pre-erythrocytic stage vaccine or prophylactic therapy in children to protect those at risk from disease as immunity is lost in the population. Conclusions Effective interventions will result in rapid decreases in clinical disease across all transmission settings while population-level immunity is maintained but may subsequently result in increases in clinical disease many years later as population-level immunity is lost. A dynamic, evolving intervention programme will therefore be necessary to secure substantial, stable reductions in malaria transmission.
First Report of bla NDM and bla OXA-58 Coexistence in Acinetobacter junii

Acinetobacter species are a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially in intensive care units (ICUs) ([1][1]). This, in part, is due to the bacteria's ability to survive long-term on hospital environment surfaces and their ability to acquire antibiotic resistance genes ([2][2]). One of
Performance evaluation of a wireless sensor network based tracking system

In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of the performance of a wireless sensor network based target tracking system using the particle filter. In particular, we evaluate the effect of various network design parameters such as the number of nodes, number of generated particles, and sampling interval on the tracking accuracy and computation time of the tracking system. Based on our analysis, we also present recommendations on suitable values for the relevant network design parameters, which provide a reasonable tradeoff between accuracy and computational expense for this problem. In addition, we also analyse the theoretical Cramer-Rao bound as the benchmark for the best possible tracking performance. We demonstrate that the results from our simulations closely match the theoretical bounds. We also present initial results from experiments comprising of a 25 node wireless sensor network. Initial experimental results are promising and show that the PF based estimation is suitable for detection and tracking using inexpensive wireless sensor network devices.
Motion Generation in the MRROC++ Robot Programming Framework

In this paper we present a formal approach to robot motion specification. This motion specification takes into account three elementary behaviors that suffice to define any robot interaction with the environment, i.e. free motion, exerting generalized forces and the transition between both of these behaviors. These behaviors provide a foundation for general motion generation taking into account any sensors, any effectors and the capability to exchange information between embodied agents. This specification can be used both for the definition of robot tasks and implementation of robot control software, hence both of those aspects are presented in this paper. This formal approach was used for the implementation of the MRROC++ robot programming framework. Two-handed manipulation of a Rubik’s cube is used as an exemplary task. Extensive experimentation both with the presented formalism and the MRROC++ framework showed that the imposed formal rigor eliminates many errors at the software specification phase, produces well-structured control software and significantly speeds up and simplifies its implementation. These advantages are mainly due to the fact that the proposed formal specification tool is derived from operational semantics used in computer science for the definition of programming languages, thus a close relationship between abstract definition and the implementation of the control system resulted.
La gouvernance territoriale et l'apport des organisations mandatées et financées par l'État: le cas d'un organisme de bassin versant

Le domaine du developpement territorial a mute au cours des quarante dernieres annees pour adopter, au detour des annees 90, une approche dite « bottom-up ». Cette approche, dite aussi endogene, mise sur les forces d'un milieu donne pour generer le developpement. Temoin et acteur de cette mutation, l'Etat y participe par diverses contributions. En ce sens, il arrive que l'Etat mandate et finance des organisations pour agir directement sur le terrain. Ces organisations, a but non lucratif, dont les conseils d'administration sont formes de citoyens du milieu et de representants de l'Etat, mobilisent leurs ressources et leurs energies en vue de generer les impacts voulus sur le developpement du territoire. Notre recherche demontre que ces organisations sont touchees par differentes forces ou contraintes, que nous avons appelees des zones de pression, qui agissent sur le comportement et la performance de l'organisation, differentes, sous certains aspects, de celles qui touchent d'autres types d'organisations. Nous avons repertorie ces zones de pression en nous inspirant de la litterature sur la gouvernance et sur la gestion. Nous demontrons egalement que ces zones de pression influent indirectement sur le developpement territorial lui-meme par l'impact qu'elles ont sur les organisations mandatees et financees par l'Etat. Cette etude est realisee dans le cadre d'une etude de cas. Nous avons choisi un organisme de bassin versant pour la realiser. Finalement, le cas observe permet de conclure, avec certaines precautions, que ces zones de pression ont eu un effet paralysant sur l'organisme en question.
Conducted electrical weapon use by law enforcement: an evaluation of safety and injury.

INTRODUCTION Controversy persists over the safety of conducted electrical weapons (CEWs), which are increasingly used by law enforcement agencies around the world. The purpose of this study was to examine injury patterns and physiologic conditions after CEW use under real life conditions. METHODS A retrospective, cohort design was used, examining all CEW uses by one police department during a 6-year period. Data were collected from use-of-force forms and medical records and included conditions surrounding the use of force, medical histories, and data from emergency department evaluations and hospital admissions. RESULTS Of 1,101 individuals subjected to (Taser M26 and X26) CEW use during the study period, 92.6% were male, the average body mass index was 26.2, and the age range was 9 to 73 years. Of the 886 (80.5%) with medical records, 46.8% had a psychiatric history and 72.9% had a substance abuse history. Emergency department (ED) evaluations occurred for 295 (26.8%) incidents. Of chief complaints, 41.7% were trauma related, 26.8% were for altered mental status, and 21.7% were for psychiatric evaluation. On presentation, 17.6% had a pulse >120, 1.7% were febrile, and 30.9% were altered; 1.4% met criteria associated with "excited delirium. " When laboratory workup occurred, 70.6% had positive urine toxicology and 44.8% had positive alcohol levels. Troponin I was positive for one patient. Other laboratory abnormalities were rare, although extensive evaluations were infrequently done. Admission occurred in 24.4% of ED presentations (6.5% of all subjects); of discharge diagnoses for these patients, 59.7% were psychiatric, 22.2% were for unrelated trauma, 11.1% were for restraint-related trauma, and 6.9% were for unrelated medical diagnoses. No patients died. CONCLUSIONS Significant injuries related to 6 years of law enforcement CEW use in one city were rare. A large percentage of those subjected to CEW use had diagnoses of substance abuse and/or psychiatric conditions. Most admissions after CEW use were unrelated to law enforcement restraint.
Differences between kinematic synergies and muscle synergies during two-digit grasping

The large number of mechanical degrees of freedom of the hand is not fully exploited during actual movements such as grasping. Usually, angular movements in various joints tend to be coupled, and EMG activities in different hand muscles tend to be correlated. The occurrence of covariation in the former was termed kinematic synergies, in the latter muscle synergies. This study addresses two questions: (i) Whether kinematic and muscle synergies can simultaneously accommodate for kinematic and kinetic constraints. (ii) If so, whether there is an interrelation between kinematic and muscle synergies. We used a reach-grasp-and-pull paradigm and recorded the hand kinematics as well as eight surface EMGs. Subjects had to either perform a precision grip or side grip and had to modify their grip force in order to displace an object against a low or high load. The analysis was subdivided into three epochs: reach, grasp-and-pull, and static hold. Principal component analysis (PCA, temporal or static) was performed separately for all three epochs, in the kinematic and in the EMG domain. PCA revealed that (i) Kinematic- and muscle-synergies can simultaneously accommodate kinematic (grip type) and kinetic task constraints (load condition). (ii) Upcoming grip and load conditions of the grasp are represented in kinematic- and muscle-synergies already during reach. Phase plane plots of the principal muscle-synergy against the principal kinematic synergy revealed (iii) that the muscle-synergy is linked (correlated, and in phase advance) to the kinematic synergy during reach and during grasp-and-pull. Furthermore (iv), pair-wise correlations of EMGs during hold suggest that muscle-synergies are (in part) implemented by coactivation of muscles through common input. Together, these results suggest that kinematic synergies have (at least in part) their origin not just in muscular activation, but in synergistic muscle activation. In short: kinematic synergies may result from muscle synergies.