Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome measures for assessing the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on equinus foot deformity in post-stroke patients with triceps surae spasticity: A scoping review

Objective Equinus foot deformity (EFD) is the most common deviation after stroke. Several physiotherapy interventions have been suggested to treat it. However, studies evaluating the efficacy of these treatments vary widely in terms of assessment modalities, type of data analysis, and nomenclature. This scoping review aimed to map current available evidence on outcome measures and the modalities employed to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy programs for the reduction of triceps surae (TS) spasticity and EFD in patients with stroke. Methods Scoping review methodological frameworks have been used. Three databases were investigated. Primary literature addressing TS spasticity in adult patients with stroke using physiotherapy interventions was included. Findings were systematically summarized in tables according to the intervention used, intervention dosage, control group, clinical, and instrumental outcome measures. Results Of the 642 retrieved studies, 53 papers were included. TS spasticity was assessed by manual maneuvers performed by clinicians (mainly using the Ashworth Scale), functional tests, mechanical evaluation through robotic devices, or instrumental analysis and imaging (such as the torque-angle ratio, the H-reflex, and ultrasound images). A thorough critical appraisal of the construct validity of the scales and of the statistics employed was provided, particularly focusing on the choice of parametric and non-parametric approaches when using ordinal scales. Finally, the complexity surrounding the concept of “spasticity” and the possibility of assessing the several underlying active and passive causes of EFD, with a consequent bespoke treatment for each of them, was discussed. Conclusion This scoping review provides a comprehensive description of all outcome measures and assessment modalities used in literature to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatments, when used for the reduction of TS spasticity and EFD in patients with stroke. Clinicians and researchers can find an easy-to-consult summary that can support both their clinical and research activities.
Transporting Atlanta : the mode of mobility under construction

The transportation crisis in Atlanta has attained epic proportions. Inconveniences and hardships created by too many automobiles and not enough alternatives for movement, have reached untenable levels. Getting at what lies beneath the asphalt, interrogating what drives the paving of America, along with the seemingly unstoppable space, energy, and money consumption that the current mode of mobility entails will perhaps allow for future decisionmaking that includes a more nuanced reading of the landscape. In an effort to understand these forces, I interrogate the creation, trajectories, and current positioning of three major Atlanta transportation projects: the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), the bus and rail system that has been the backbone of metropolitan Atlantas public transportation system for the past 30 years; the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), which is the super-agency created in 1999 in an effort to address the air quality issues in the region; and the Beltline, an enormously popular current proposal to build a 22mile loop of greenspace, transit, and other amenities around an inner loop of the city built on existing rail beds. This investigation engages a wide literature on race, space, and place; attendance at various meetings and relevant symposia; archival data; and in-depth interviews with 20 area transportation experts and interested parties. As race and regionalism are so central to understanding power and procedure in metro Atlanta, particular attention is given to racial and spatial practices. This research reveals the contest over issue framing between carcentered growth promoters, environmental (or green) actors, and social justice, or equity proponents and how the outcomes of this triumvirates competition results in regional transportation policies and procedures. The examination of the three instances; MARTA, GRTA, and the Beltline, give us an excellent window into the making of mobility in the region. INDEX WORDS: Transportation, Atlanta, Race and Regionalism, Mobility, GRTA, Beltline, MARTA. TRANSPORTING ATLANTA: THE MODE OF MOBILITY UNDER
Developing adapted wheat lines with broad-spectrum resistance to stem rust: Introgression of Sr59 through backcrossing and selections based on genotyping-by-sequencing data

Control of stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici, a highly destructive fungal disease of wheat, faces continuous challenges from emergence of new virulent races across wheat-growing continents. Using combinations of broad-spectrum resistance genes could impart durable stem rust resistance. This study attempted transfer of Sr59 resistance gene from line TA5094 (developed through CSph1bM-induced T2DS·2RL Robertsonian translocation conferring broad-spectrum resistance). Poor agronomic performance of line TA5094 necessitates Sr59 transfer to adapted genetic backgrounds and utility evaluations for wheat improvement. Based on combined stem rust seedling and molecular analyses, 2070 BC1F1 and 1230 BC2F1 plants were derived from backcrossing BAJ#1, KACHU#1, and REEDLING#1 with TA5094. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) results revealed the physical positions of 15,116 SNPs on chromosome 2R. The adapted genotypes used for backcrossing were found not to possess broad-spectrum resistance to selected stem rust races, whereas Sr59-containing line TA5094 showed resistance to all races tested. Stem rust seedling assays combined with kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) marker analysis successfully selected and generated the BC2F2 population, which contained the Sr59 gene, as confirmed by GBS. Early-generation data from backcrossing suggested deviations from the 3:1 segregation, suggesting that multiple genes may contribute to Sr59 resistance reactions. Using GBS marker data (40,584 SNPs in wheat chromosomes) to transfer the recurrent parent background to later-generation populations resulted in average genome recovery of 71.2% in BAJ#1*2/TA5094, 69.8% in KACHU#1*2/TA5094, and 70.5% in REEDLING#1*2/TA5094 populations. GBS data verified stable Sr59 introgression in BC2F2 populations, as evidenced by presence of the Ph1 locus and absence of the 50,936,209 bp deletion in CSph1bM. Combining phenotypic selections, stem rust seedling assays, KASP markers, and GBS data substantially accelerated transfer of broad-spectrum resistance into adapted genotypes. Thus, this study demonstrated that the Sr59 resistance gene can be introduced into elite genetic backgrounds to mitigate stem rust-related yield losses.
3D Seismic Traveltime Tomography of the 
Central South Island, New Zealand

The three-dimensional (3D) evolution of the Australian-Pacifi c late boundary in the central South Island of New Zealand is investigated by analysing seismic data from the South Island GeopHysical Transect (SIGHT) project and by using a novel 3D tomography inversion method, FMTOMO. A 380 km-long, 350 km-wide and 56 km-deep 3D tomography image of the P-wave velocity structure and interface geometry of the crust and upper-mantle is constructed by inverting for 164,048 traveltime picks. The picks are both coincident (in-line) and oblique (cross-line) to the survey geometry. The traveltime picks and station elevations were static corrected and reduced to basement level, respectively, to eliminate the highly variable sedimentary component of the inversion process. Synthetic testing of the model space was carried out to help the interpretation of the solution model features. Some model features are consistent with previous results. Usual crustal velocities (5.5 km/s close to the surface and 6.3 km/s at the bottom of the crust) are found at distal ends of the collision zone. Lower velocities (5.7 km/s) intrude the mid-crust of the Australian plate to depths of about 20 km, which is consistent with the downward flexure of the Australian plate. A low velocity zone (5.9 - 6.1 km/s) is situated to the southeast of the Alpine fault, which is consistent with the Alpine fault low velocity zone. Furthermore, a high-velocity body (6.3 km/s) is observed in the top 10 km of the upper-crust immediately above the thickened crust between the west coast of the South Island and the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. This body is interpreted as a drier, more rigid body of schist. A zone of low velocity (5.8 km/s reaching 8 km depth) is observed immediately to the southeast of the aforementioned high velocity body. The feature is interpreted as a back-shearing faulting structure through which fluid escape towards the surface. A flexural analysis of an apparent flexure profile of the Australian Plate along SIGHT line 01 yielded a flexural parameter, a, of 89 km, an elastic thickness, Te, of 14 km and a flexural rigidity, D, of 1.5 : 10^(23) N.m. These results are consistent with results of a flexural analysis of SIGHT line 02W [Harrison 1999]. The following features are derived from the solution model. An apparent gradient in uppermantle anisotropy is observed with seismic velocities increasing towards the south of the model. Also, the geometry of the Mohorovicic discontinuity is apparently smooth between the two main SIGHT transects. The tomography method used in this project proves to be complementary to other coarser-scale and finer-scale seismic studies of the region in that it brings out features that were not seen by them. Notwithstanding that the interface inversion process remains to be perfected in the software, the velocity inversion produced a satisfactory solution model.
Observation and theory of whistler wave generation by high‐power HF waves

Summer midnight and afternoon VLF wave generation comparison experiments were conducted on 25 July and 27 July 2011, respectively, using two CW HF X‐mode waves with 11 VLF frequency differences from 2 to 21.5 kHz. The background magnetic variations were at comparable levels. During the afternoon experiment, the D region absorption was significant and increasing. The number of the ionogram echoes decreased during the afternoon experiment. VLF signals were detected from 2 to 7.6 kHz in both experiments, showing an inverse frequency dependence of intensity, although signal intensity (except at 5.5 kHz) detected during the midnight experiment was stronger than the corresponding afternoon intensity before observing a decrease of the number of ionogram echoes. However, VLF signals from 11.5 to 21.5 (except at 19.6 kHz) were also generated in the afternoon experiment concurrent with a decrease of the O‐mode ionosonde echoes from 2 to 4 MHz. The concurrence of a decrease of the afternoon ionogram echoes, the unexpected generation of VLF waves at higher frequencies, and the increasing D region absorption throughout the experiment may be explained by the generation of large‐scale density irregularities, which scatter the ionosonde signals as well as couple with the modulated electrojet to generate whistler waves. A theoretical formulation of the coupling mechanism for the whistler wave generation is presented.
In situ measurements of the NO x distribution and variability over the eastern North Atlantic

Between 1994 and 1996 the research aircraft Falcon of the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt was used to probe the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere over the eastern North Atlantic. In situ measurements of NO, NO2, and O3 were performed during 32 flights. The measurements were carried out during five aircraft campaigns in summer and late autumn, respectively, based from Shannon, Ireland, and Prestwick, Scotland. Most of the flights were conducted in the region of the North Atlantic flight corridor. Main objectives of these measurements included the study of the large-scale distribution of NO and NOx and the development of reliable monthly mean values for different seasons in a region of the atmosphere that is strongly affected by aircraft emissions. Substantial variability of NO and NOx volume mixing ratios was observed in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere. In spite of this variability a significant seasonal dependence was found. NO mean values (averages over all measurements made during one campaign) at altitudes between 10,500 and 11,500 m, where most of the data have been obtained, ranged between about 0.1 and 0.14 ppbv in summer and 0.03 and 0.10 ppbv in late autumn. NO and NOx did not show a significant gradient across the tropopause. The correlation between NOx and O3 in the upper troposphere and lowermost stratosphere was only very weak. The present measurements represent a suitable data set for comparison with predictions of the NOx distribution in the upper troposphere over the eastern North Atlantic by three-dimensional models. A comparison with the NOx fields simulated with the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Hamburg Version 3 (ECHAM 3) climate model extended by a simplified NOx chemistry reveals good agreement for summer and autumn conditions.
Regional Source Scaling of the 9 October 2006 Underground Nuclear Explosion in North Korea

Abstract The 9 October 2006 underground nuclear explosion (UNE) test in North Korea was well monitored by dense regional seismic stations in South Korea, Japan, and China. This observation allows extensive investigation of the regional source properties of the UNE. The moment for isotropically radiated energy from the UNE is estimated to be 2.92×10 14 N m. Source spectra of major regional phases from the UNE are studied by inverting for apparent moments, corner frequencies, overshoot parameters, attenuation factors, and frequency power-dependence parameters. The overshoot parameters of P phases from the UNE are estimated to be high, while those of S phases are estimated to be significantly low. The inverted source spectra agree well with conventional models. The low overshoot parameters of S phases suggest that their excitation sources may be different from those for Pn and Pg . It is shown that Pn / Lg and Pg / Lg amplitude ratios are useful for discriminating between UNEs and natural earthquakes in the frequencies of 1–8 Hz.
Research on the model of land resource optimal allocation based on land use niche

Niche is proposed as the quantitative indicator of land resource optimal allocation, and the land use niches are designed including natural niche, social niche, economic niche and synthesis niche, meanwhile the methods of quantitative survey are worked out. The model of land resource optimal allocation model is constructed based on the land use niches. Then a case study is implemented by taken Huangpi district Wuhan city as the test region, where the procedure of land resource optimal allocation is discussed, which results demonstrate the validity of the model.
Development of a dual-flow tissue perfusion device for modeling the gastrointestinal tract–brain axis

Despite the large number of microfluidic devices that have been described over the past decade for the study of tissues and organs, few have become widely adopted. There are many reasons for this lack of adoption, primarily that devices are constructed for a single purpose or because they are highly complex and require relatively expensive investment in facilities and training. Here, we describe a microphysiological system (MPS) that is simple to use and provides fluid channels above and below cells, or tissue biopsies, maintained on a disposable, poly(methyl methacrylate), carrier held between polycarbonate outer plates. All other fittings are standard Luer sizes for ease of adoption. The carrier can be coated with cells on both sides to generate membrane barriers, and the devices can be established in series to allow medium to flow from one cell layer to another. Furthermore, the carrier containing cells can be easily removed after treatment on the device and the cells can be visualized or recovered for additional off-chip analysis. A 0.4 μm membrane with cell monolayers proved most effective in maintaining separate fluid flows, allowing apical and basal surfaces to be perfused independently. A panel of different cell lines (Caco-2, HT29-MTX-E12, SH-SY5Y, and HUVEC) were successfully maintained in the MPS for up to 7 days, either alone or on devices connected in series. The presence of tight junctions and mucin was expressed as expected by Caco-2 and HT-29-MTX-E12, with Concanavalin A showing uniform staining. Addition of Annexin V and PI showed viability of these cells to be >80% at 7 days. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) produced by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and labeled with 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbo-cyanine perchlorate (DiD) were used as a model component of the human colonic microbiota and were visualized translocating from an apical surface containing Caco-2 cells to differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells cultured on the basal surface of connected devices. The newly described MPS can be easily adapted, by changing the carrier to maintain spheroids, pieces, or slices of biopsy tissue and joined in series to study a variety of cell and tissue processes. The cell layers can be made more complex through the addition of multiple cell types and/or different patterning of extracellular matrix and the ability to culture cells adjacent to one another to allow study of cell:cell transfer, e.g., passive or active drug transfer, virus or bacterial entry or BEV uptake and transfer.
Daily turnover of active giant virus infection during algal blooms revealed by single-cell transcriptomics

Giant viruses infect many unicellular eukaryotes, including algae that form massive oceanic blooms. Despite the major impact of viruses on the marine ecosystem, the ability to quantify and assess active viral infection in nature remains a major challenge. We applied single-cell RNA sequencing, to profile virus and host transcriptomes of 12,000 single algal cells from a coccolithophore bloom. Viral infection was detected already at early exponential bloom phase, negatively correlating with the bloom intensity. A consistent percent of infected coccolithophores displayed the early phase of viral replication for several consecutive days, indicating a daily turnover and continuous virocell-associated metabolite production, potentially affecting the surrounding microbiome. Linking single-cell infection state to host physiology revealed that infected cells remained calcified even in the late infection stage. These findings stress the importance of studying host-virus dynamics in natural populations, at single-cell resolution, to better understand virus life cycle and its impact on microbial food webs.
Earth radiation budget variability and the relationship to changes in the general circulation

The geographical variability of the radiation balance forces the different atmospheric circulations. To fully comprehend the variability in these atmospheric flow patterns we must address the fundamental problems of how changes in the earth radiation budget (ERB) affects these circulations, and also the role of clouds in modification of the ERE. The Nimbus-7 satellite ERB climatology from 1978-1987 is presented as well as the interannual variability. The areas with highest variations are reported for each of the ERB parameters and show the pronounced effect of the 1982-1983 El Nino. Concurrent with the ERB observations is a independent five year cloud climatology allowing for comparisons of ERB with estimates of total and multi-level cloud amounts. The area of greatest variability in the net balance occurs off the west African coast where there are primarily middle and low level clouds, not in the Pacific where the changes are mainly in convective cloudiness. Convective clouds have less net balance variation due to the reciprocity in their shortwave and longwave fluxes. The circulation data includes eight years of ECMWF global winds and temperatures from which the eddy and zonal components of the available potential and kinetic energies are computed. The circulation differences between the continental Northern Hemisphere and oceanic Southern Hemisphere are interpreted in terms of the magnitudes of these energetic terms. For the direct study of ERB and energetic comparisons, a simultaneous time series of mid-latitude ERB gradients and hemispheric averaged energetics are examined. By doing a time correlation study we found the annual cycles of the radiation gradients to lead the energetics by 2-3 weeks. The spatial relationship of the variability in the ERB related to tropical circulations is investigated through spatial correlations. Reference areas are defined from the areas of highest variability and correlated with all other global areas. Tropical ERB anomalies are also correlated with mid-latitude 500 mb geopotential anomalies derived from the ECMWF global weather data. While correlations are smaller than the ERB-ERB comparisons, the mid-latitude geopotential heights in the Gulf of Alaska are shown to have a strong connection with equatorial OLR anomalies.