Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The psychometric properties of Chinese version of SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale in patients with stroke

Objective To test the Chinese version of the SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (C-ESES) in stroke patients and evaluate its validity and reliability. Background Physical inactivity is a well established and changeable risk factor for stroke, and regular exercise of 3–7 days per week is essential for stroke survivors and the general population. Though regular exercise is beneficial, it has been proved that duration, frequency, and intensity of exercise are generally low in stroke survivors. Methods The performance of the instrument was assessed in 350 Chinese stroke survivors and repeated in 50 patients to examine test–retest reliability. Questionnaires included a form on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, C-ESES, and the Chinese version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The AMOS 20.0 and SPSS 17.0 were chosen to evaluate their validity and reliability. Results Even though 350 participants answered the questionnaires in the present study, useful data were obtained from 321 participants (response rate: 91.71%). Correlation between item and the total scale score (Item–Total Correlation) ranged from 0.551 to 0.718, indicating that no item needed to be omitted; two factors, with factor loading 0.620 and 0.806, were obtained from an exploratory principal components analysis, assuming 59.745% of the total variance. The two factors were named internal motivation and external motivation. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the results with a suitable model (χ5=291.157; df=185; P<0.001; root mean square error of approximation =0.044; goodness-of-fit index =0.938; adjusted goodness-of-fit index =0.914; comparative fit index =0.858). The C-ESES correlated well with the validated General Self-Efficacy Scale (r=0.827, P<0.01). Good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.757 to 0.879) and test–retest reliability (r=0.750, P<0.01) were obtained. Conclusion The C-ESES is a short, easy to understand, and psychometrically sound measurement to evaluate exercise self-efficacy in Chinese-speaking stroke survivors.
Efficiency of neuromuscular electrical stimulation: A comparison of elicited force and subject tolerance using three electrical waveforms

ABSTRACT Objective: Efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is limited by the discomfort of electrically elicited contractions. Most studies of tolerance to NMES have examined stimulation to maximal tolerance. NMES efficiency is the amount of elicited force at a specific level of tolerance. This study is the first to describe and examine such. Design: A repeated measures design was used. Electrically elicited force (EEF) was measured using three waveforms: burst-modulated alternating current (BMAC), pulsed current (PC), and burst-modulated pulsed current (BMPC). EEF at a tolerance rating of 5/10 on a visual analog scale (VAS) was recorded. The dependent variables were EEF up to 5/10 VAS, current amplitude at 5/10, and percent maximal isometric force at 5/10. Results: EEF and percent maximal voluntary isometric force were significantly greater with BMPC versus BMAC (p = 0.001 and 0.004). No differences were noted between PC and BMAC or BMPC and PC. Amplitude was significantly greater with BMAC compared to BMPC and PC (p = 0.003 and 0.015). No difference in amplitude was noted between PC and BMPC. Conclusion: For the same level of discomfort, BMPC yielded one-third greater muscle force than BMAC and at a lesser current amplitude. These data evidence a greater efficiency for BMPC than BMAC.
A non-linear model of a complex system using variable parameters

The presented article is aimed at the analysis of precision of a non-linear mathematical model of a small turbojet engine iSTC-21v. This precision is dependent on accuracy of the model's gain approximation methods (polynomial, interpolation, Fourier, etc.), which are investigated in the article. The hypothesis of the paper is if it feasible to achieve very high level of accuracy in this approximation and if the resulting non-linear dynamic model will be more useful in control. This is important to research in order to comply with demands on control systems in aviation like safety, reliability, while maintaining simplicity. Verification of the models has been done using the measured data from a small turbojet engine in laboratory conditions.
Carcass EPDs for Yearling Angus Bulls Using Real-time Ultrasound Measures

Real-time ultrasound (RTU) images from yearling Angus bulls were analyzed to determine adjustment factors and genetic parameter estimates. The traits analyzed included ribeye area, 12-13 rib fat thickness, rump fat thickness, and % intramuscular fat. The heritability estimates are higher than those calculated from the American Angus Association’s carcass database. Expected progeny differences (EPD) for these traits were computed for the sires that produced the yearling bulls. The rank correlations for sires with both carcass EPD and RTU EPD from this study were developed. As accuracy for RTU EPD increases, the rank correlation with carcass EPD increases positively.
Efficient Global Indoor Localization for Micro Aerial Vehicles

Indoor localization for autonomous micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) requires specific localization techniques, since the Global Positioning System (GPS) is usually not available. We present an efficient onboard computer vision approach that estimates 2D positions of an MAV in real-time. This global localization system does not suffer from error accumulation over time and uses a $k$-Nearest Neighbors ($k$-NN) algorithm to predict positions based on textons---small characteristic image patches that capture the texture of an environment. A particle filter aggregates the estimates and resolves positional ambiguities. To predict the performance of the approach in a given setting, we developed an evaluation technique that compares environments and identifies critical areas within them. We conducted flight tests to demonstrate the applicability of our approach. The algorithm has a localization accuracy of approximately 0.6 m on a 5 m$\times$5 m area at a runtime of 32 ms on board of an MAV. Based on random sampling, its computational effort is scalable to different platforms, trading off speed and accuracy.
PZT thin film deposition techniques, properties and its application in ultrasonic MEMS sensors: a review

This paper describes an overview of the state of art in PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT)ferroelectric thin films and its applications in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). First, the deposition techniques and then the important properties of PZT films such as surface morphology polarization and ferroelectric properties are reviewed. Two major deposition techniques such as sol-gel and Magnetron sputtering are given and compared for the film surface morphology and ferroelectric properties. Finally, the application of PZT thin film in MEMS ultrasonic sensors is discussed.
Nrf2 mitigates LRRK2- and α-synuclein–induced neurodegeneration by modulating proteostasis

Significance The prevailing view of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) function in the central nervous system is that it acts by a cell-nonautonomous mechanism to activate a program of gene expression that mitigates reactive oxygen species and the damage that ensues. Our work significantly expands the biological understanding of Nrf2 by showing that Nrf2 mitigates toxicity induced by α-synuclein and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), by potently promoting neuronal protein homeostasis in a cell-autonomous and time-dependent fashion. Nrf2 accelerates the clearance of α-synuclein, shortening its half-life and leading to lower overall levels of α-synuclein. By contrast, Nrf2 promotes the aggregation of LRRK2 into inclusion bodies, leading to a significant reduction in diffuse mutant LRRK2 levels elsewhere in the neuron. Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and α-synuclein lead to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Disruption of protein homeostasis is an emerging theme in PD pathogenesis, making mechanisms to reduce the accumulation of misfolded proteins an attractive therapeutic strategy. We determined if activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a potential therapeutic target for neurodegeneration, could reduce PD-associated neuron toxicity by modulating the protein homeostasis network. Using a longitudinal imaging platform, we visualized the metabolism and location of mutant LRRK2 and α-synuclein in living neurons at the single-cell level. Nrf2 reduced PD-associated protein toxicity by a cell-autonomous mechanism that was time-dependent. Furthermore, Nrf2 activated distinct mechanisms to handle different misfolded proteins. Nrf2 decreased steady-state levels of α-synuclein in part by increasing α-synuclein degradation. In contrast, Nrf2 sequestered misfolded diffuse LRRK2 into more insoluble and homogeneous inclusion bodies. By identifying the stress response strategies activated by Nrf2, we also highlight endogenous coping responses that might be therapeutically bolstered to treat PD.
Estimating the long-term evolution of river bed levels using hydrometric data

The stage-discharge measurements and rating curves accumulated over decades at hydrometric stations are a valuable source of information on the long-term evolution of river bed levels. However, the methodology to extract meaningful geomorphic information from such hydrometric data is not straightforward. We introduce an original method to estimate the parameters of successive rating curves by Bayesian analysis in sequence. These parameters reflect the physical properties of the channel features that control the stage-discharge relation: low-flow riffles, main channel, floodway (bars), floodplain, etc. The dates of rating changes are assumed to be known in existing hydrometric records. The uncertainty interval of each parameter is estimated, assuming, however, that no rating change has been ignored by the station manager. It is thus possible to clearly distinguish overall trends of the channel bed level from the local evolution of riffles and to evaluate whether the observed temporal changes are significant compared to the estimation uncertainties.
Secure Communication Via an Untrusted Non-Regenerative Relay in Fading Channels

We investigate a relay network where the source can potentially utilize an untrusted non-regenerative relay to augment its direct transmission of a confidential message to the destination. Since the relay is untrusted, it is desirable to protect the confidential data from it while simultaneously making use of it to increase the reliability of the transmission. We first examine the secrecy outage probability (SOP) of the network assuming a single antenna relay, and calculate the exact SOP for three different schemes: direct transmission without using the relay, conventional non-regenerative relaying, and cooperative jamming by the destination. Subsequently, we conduct an asymptotic analysis of the SOPs to determine the optimal policies in different operating regimes. We then generalize to the multi-antenna relay case and investigate the impact of the number of relay antennas on the secrecy performance. Finally, we study a scenario where the relay has only a single RF chain which necessitates an antenna selection scheme, and we show that unlike the case where all antennas are used, under certain conditions the cooperative jamming scheme with antenna selection provides a diversity advantage for the receiver. Numerical results are presented to verify the theoretical predictions of the preferred transmission policies.
Flow From Motion: A Deep Learning Approach

Wearable devices have the potential to enhance sports performance, yet they are not fulfilling this promise. Our previous studies with 6 professional tennis coaches and 20 players indicate that this could be due the lack of psychological or mental state feedback, which the coaches claim to provide. Towards this end, we propose to detect the flow state, mental state of optimal performance, using wearables data to be later used in training. We performed a study with a professional tennis coach and two players. The coach provided labels about the players' flow state while each player had a wearable device on their racket holding wrist. We trained multiple models using the wearables data and the coach labels. Our deep neural network models achieved around 98% testing accuracy for a variety of conditions. This suggests that the flow state or what coaches recognize as flow, can be detected using wearables data in tennis which is a novel result. The implication for the HCI community is that having access to such information would allow for design of novel hardware and interaction paradigms that would be helpful in professional athlete training.
How does restricted and repetitive behavior relate to language and cognition in typical development?

Abstract Relations between restricted and repetitive behavior at age 26 months and children's concurrent (N = 203) and later (n = 161) social cognition and language development were investigated. Restricted and repetitive behavior was assessed using two scales: sensory and motor repetitive behaviors and rigidity/routines/restricted interests. Language was assessed at ages 26 and 51 months; social cognition was assessed at ages 26 (symbolic play) and 51 and 61 months (theory of mind). Sensory and motor repetitive behavior was negatively related to children's (a) language performance at 26 and 51 months, (b) instructed symbolic play at 26 months, and (c) theory of mind performance at 51 and 61 months. Path analyses showed that children's sensory and motor repetitive behavior at age 26 months was related to lower receptive verbal ability and theory of mind at 51 months, which led to lower theory of mind at 61 months. Rigidity/routines/restricted interests at 26 months were unrelated to concurrent and later social cognition and language. These results are discussed in terms of the pathways via which sensory and motor repetitive behavior might impact negatively on development.
Not flying blind: a comparative study of photoreceptor function in flying and non-flying cockroaches

ABSTRACT Flying is often associated with superior visual performance, as good vision is crucial for detection and implementation of rapid visually guided aerial movements. To understand the evolution of insect visual systems it is therefore important to compare phylogenetically related species with different investments in flight capability. Here, we describe and compare morphological and electrophysiological properties of photoreceptors from the habitually flying green cockroach Panchlora nivea and the American cockroach Periplaneta americana, which flies only at high ambient temperatures. In contrast to Periplaneta, ommatidia in Panchlora were characterized by two-tiered rhabdom, which might facilitate detection of polarized light while flying in the dark. In patch-clamp experiments, we assessed the absolute sensitivity to light, elementary and macroscopic light-activated current and voltage responses, voltage-activated potassium (Kv) conductances, and information transfer. Both species are nocturnal, and their photoreceptors were similarly sensitive to light. However, a number of important differences were found, including the presence in Panchlora of a prominent transient Kv current and a generally low variability in photoreceptor properties. The maximal information rate in Panchlora was one-third higher than in Periplaneta, owing to a substantially higher gain and membrane corner frequency. The differences in performance could not be completely explained by dissimilarities in the light-activated or Kv conductances; instead, we suggest that the superior performance of Panchlora photoreceptors mainly originates from better synchronization of elementary responses. These findings raise the issue of whether the evolutionary tuning of photoreceptor properties to visual demands proceeded differently in Blattodea than in Diptera. Summary: Comparison of photoreceptors of flying Panchlora and non-flying Periplaneta cockroaches using imaging and electrophysiological methods reveals prominent differences, which are discussed in relation to the visual ecological paradigm developed for Diptera.
Attribute based access control for APIs in spring security

The widespread adoption of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by enterprises is changing the way business is done by permitting the implementation of a multitude of apps, customized to user needs. While supporting a more flexible exploitation of available data, services and applications developed on top of APIs are vulnerable to a variety of attacks, ranging from SQL injection to unauthorized access of sensitive data. Available security solutions must be re-used and/or adapted to work with APIs. In this paper, we focus on the development of a flexible access control mechanism for APIs. This is an important security mechanism to guarantee the enforcement of authorization constraints on resources while invoking their API functions. We have developed an extension of the Spring Security framework, the standard for securing services and apps built in the popular (open source) Spring framework, for the specification and enforcement of Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) policies. We demonstrate our work with scenarios arising in a smart energy eco-system.
D iscovery of V ery-H igh-E nergy (cid:13) -R ays from G alactic C entre R idge

ofG alactic cosm ic rays (w ith energies up to 10 eV ) rem it idely that they originate in the shock w aves of expanding supernova rem nants the best ay to investigate their acceleration and propagation is by observing the (cid:13) -rays produced w hen cosm ic rays interact w ith interstellar gas H ere w e report observations of an extended region of very high energy (V H E , > 100 G eV ) (cid:13) -ray em ission correlated spatially w ith a com plex ofgiant m olecular clouds in the central200 pc ofthe M ilky W ay. T he hardness ofthe (cid:13) -ray spectrum and the conditions in those m olecular clouds indicate that the cosm ic rays giving rise to the (cid:13) -rays are likely to be protons and nuclei rather than electrons. T he energy associated w ith the cosm ic rays could have com e from a single supernova explosion around 10 4 years ago.
Brainstem catecholaminergic neurones and breathing control during postnatal development in male and female rats

The brainstem catecholaminergic (CA) modulation on ventilation changes with development. We determined the role of the brainstem CA system in ventilatory control under normocapnic and hypercapnic conditions during different phases of development [postnatal day (P)7–8, P14–15 and P20–21] in male and female Wistar rats. Brainstem CA neurones produce a tonic inhibitory drive that affects breathing frequency in P7–8 rats and provide an inhibitory drive during hypercapnic conditions in both males and females at P7–8 and P14–15. In pre‐pubertal rats, brainstem CA neurones become excitatory for the CO2 ventilatory response in males but remain inhibitory in females. Diseases such as sudden infant death syndrome, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and Rett syndrome have been associated with abnormalities in the functioning of CA neurones; therefore, the results of the present study contribute to a better understanding of this system.
Neural Control of Startle-Induced Locomotion by the Mushroom Bodies and Associated Neurons in Drosophila

Startle-induced locomotion is commonly used in Drosophila research to monitor locomotor reactivity and its progressive decline with age or under various neuropathological conditions. A widely used paradigm is startle-induced negative geotaxis (SING), in which flies entrapped in a narrow column react to a gentle mechanical shock by climbing rapidly upwards. Here we combined in vivo manipulation of neuronal activity and splitGFP reconstitution across cells to search for brain neurons and putative circuits that regulate this behavior. We show that the activity of specific clusters of dopaminergic neurons (DANs) afferent to the mushroom bodies (MBs) modulates SING, and that DAN-mediated SING regulation requires expression of the DA receptor Dop1R1/Dumb, but not Dop1R2/Damb, in intrinsic MB Kenyon cells (KCs). We confirmed our previous observation that activating the MB α'β', but not αβ, KCs decreased the SING response, and we identified further MB neurons implicated in SING control, including KCs of the γ lobe and two subtypes of MB output neurons (MBONs). We also observed that co-activating the αβ KCs antagonizes α'β' and γ KC-mediated SING modulation, suggesting the existence of subtle regulation mechanisms between the different MB lobes in locomotion control. Overall, this study contributes to an emerging picture of the brain circuits modulating locomotor reactivity in Drosophila that appear both to overlap and differ from those underlying associative learning and memory, sleep/wake state and stress-induced hyperactivity.
To Stay or Go? The Complexities of Providing Healthcare in Insecure Environments.

Wo r l d He a lt H & Po P u l at i o n • Vo l.16 no.4 On June 17, 2014, an aerial attack on a Sudanese village severely damaged a hospital operated by the international medical humanitarian organization Médécins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the war-affected region of South Kordofan (MSF 2014). The bombs injured a staff member and destroyed the emergency room, the pharmacy and the hospital kitchen. Hospitalized patients had to be evacuated (MSF 2014). On January 20, 2015, a cluster of 13 bombs was dropped on the same hospital. Two landed within the hospital compound and injured a staff member and a patient. Others struck just outside the hospital compound (MSF 2015). After the first incident, MSF continued to work in the damaged premises but reported that the bombing had hampered the effectiveness of its work (MSF 2014). After the second bombing, the organization suspended its work. The second incident caused limited physical damage to the hospital, but MSF halted activities to avoid putting staff and patients at risk (MSF 2015). In West Africa, Red Cross and other healthcare providers working to educate and provide care in Ebola-affected communities were attacked and killed, exacerbating the challenges of eradicating the virus that has taken more than 10,000 lives (Izadi 2014). SPECIAL FOCUS: ATTACKS ON HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN WAR ZONES