Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motor imagery for gait rehabilitation in post-stroke hemiparesis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Reports have described the contribution of motor imagery (MI) practice for improving upper-extremity functions in patients with hemiparesis following stroke. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of MI practice to attempt to improve walking in an individual with hemiparesis. CASE DESCRIPTION A 69-year-old man with left hemiparesis received MI gait practice for 6 weeks. Intervention focused on task-oriented gait and on impairments of the affected lower limb. Preintervention, midterm, postintervention, and follow-up measurements of temporal-distance stride parameters and sagittal kinematics of the knee joint were taken. MAIN OUTCOMES At 6 weeks postintervention, the patient had a 23% increase in gait speed and a 13% reduction in double-support time. An increase in range of motion of the knees also was observed. No changes in gait symmetry were noted. DISCUSSION The outcomes suggest that MI may be useful for the enhancement of walking ability in patients following stroke. Because improvement was mainly in temporal-distance gait variables and knee movement, imagery practice probably should focus on its specific impairments during gait in order to affect the performance of the paretic lower extremity.
Analysis of a training mesocycle and positional quantification in elite European soccer players

Ensuring adequate levels of training and recovery at the elite level of professional soccer to maximise player performance has continued to drive the necessity to monitor the training load and physical training output of soccer players. The aim of this investigation was to analyse a training mesocycle whilst quantifying positional demands imposed on elite European soccer players. Sixteen players were assessed using global positioning systems and ratings of perceived exertion over a competitive training six-week mesocycle period. The positional demands and training loads were analysed in addition to match conditions (match location, match score) and player’s age. Results from the investigation revealed that typical daily training loads (i.e. total distance, high-intensity distance, sprint distance, average speed, ratings of perceived exertion) did not differ throughout each week of the mesocycle in-season period. Further analysis revealed training loads were significantly lower on match day-1 when compared to training loads on match day-2, match day-3 and match day-4 preceding a match (p < 0.05). Significant differences in physical outputs were also found between match day-2, match day-3 and match day-4 highlighting a structured periodised tapered approach (p < 0.05). Lower average speeds were reported in training post-successful matches compared to defeats (p < 0.05), and more specifically when a match was played away compared to home fixtures (p < 0.05). To conclude, practitioners can maintain a uniformed and structured training load mesocycle whilst inducing variation of the physical outputs during the microcycle phase. Additionally, the investigation also provides a tapering approach that may induce significant variation of the positional demands.
Project Work: The Legacy of Bureaucratic Control in the Post-Bureaucratic Organization

Much of the interest in ‘post-bureaucracy’ in both managerialist and critical circles resides in its perceived potential to break with the traditions of bureaucratic, hierarchical control in work organizations. In response to the challenges of the post-bureaucratic form, project management has been put forward by many as a ‘tried-and-tested’ package of techniques able to cope with discontinuous work, expert labour and continuous and unpredictable change while delivering the levels of reliability and control of the traditional bureaucracy. In this article I explore some of the contradictions and tensions within a department where such a ‘hybrid’ mode of control is implemented, embodying both bureaucratic and post-bureaucratic logics. In particular, I focus upon the discursive tactics employed to sell ‘rebureaucratization’ as ‘debureaucratization’, and the complex employee responses to this initiative. I argue that the tensions evident here cast significant doubt on the feasibility of a seamless integration of bureaucracy and the postbureaucratic.
Statistical Challenges in Functional Genomics

On February 12, 2001 the Human Genome Project announced that it had assembled a draft physical map of the human genome the genetic blueprint for a human being. Now the challenge is to annotate this map, by understanding the functions of genes and their interplay with proteins and the environment to create complex, dynamic living systems. This is the goal of functional genomics. Recent technological advances enable biomedical investigators to observe the genome of entire organisms in action by simultaneously measuring the level of activation of thousands of genes under the same experimental conditions. This technology, known as microarrays, provides today unparalleled discovery opportunities and it is reshaping biomedical sciences. One of the main aspects of this revolution is the introduction of heavily quantitative data-analytical methods in biomedical research. This paper reviews the foundations of this technology and describes the statistical challenges posed by the analysis of microarray data.
Measuring Semantic Similarity between Words Using Wikipedia

Semantic similarity measures play an important role in the extraction of semantic relations. Semantic similarity measures are widely used in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and information Retrieval (IR). This paper presents a new Web-based method for measuring the semantic similarity between words. Different from other methods which are based on taxonomy or Search engine in Internet, our method uses snippets from Wikipedia1 to calculate the semantic similarity between words by using cosine similarity and TF-IDF. Also, the stemmer algorithm and stop words are used in preprocessing the snippets from Wikipedia. We set different threshold to evaluate our results in order to decrease the interference from noise and redundancy. Our method was empirically evaluated using Rubenstein-Good enough benchmark dataset. It gives higher correlation value (with 0.615) than some existing methods. Evaluation results show that our method improves ac-curacy and more robust for measuring semantic similarity between words.
Introducing knowledge in the process of supervised classification of activities of Daily Living in Health Smart Homes

Telemedicine and Telemonitoring of elderly people is an actual challenge that is explored to prevent some problems linked to the constant growing of the mean age of the population. It requires to recognize the behavior and the actions of a person inside his own home with non-intrusive sensors and to process data to check the evolution of the person. Activities of Daily Living can be learned and automatically recognized using supervised classification on sensor data. This paper presents the results of the study of prior introduction, in Support Vector Machine, to improve this automatic recognition of Activities of Daily Living. We started from a set of data acquired in daily life during an experimentation in the Health Smart Home of the TIMC-IMAG Lab. From this restricted set of data, we obtained models for seven activities of Daily Living and test, with leave-one-out method, the performance of this classification. This first step gave baseline results that this paper tends to improve using consistent priors to compute more specific and accurate models of the different activities that are learned and obtain better results on the leave-one-out method on the sensors data.
Decision 2010 / 18 Long-term strategy for the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and Action Plan for Its Implementation

1. The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution has delivered demonstrable improvements in reducing acidification of the environment, in reducing the highest peak levels of ozone and photochemical smog, and has begun to make improvements in atmospheric levels and deposition of nitrogen — one of the most important global environmental problems in addition to climate change. The Convention has also shown itself to be flexible and dynamic in responding to new challenges and problems in the area of transboundary air pollution. The Convention has given a prominent role to science not just in providing underpinning information, but also in sustaining the policy process itself.
Comparison of environmental supports to a healthy lifestyle on the UNH campus with student behaviors

Background: Environmental factors play a large role in shaping diet and lifestyle behaviors. Creating a college campus environment conducive to healthy dietary choices and physical activity may promote student health. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore and describe the availability of environmental supports for a healthy lifestyle on the UNH campus and student behaviors. Design: The Healthy Campus Environmental Audit (HCEA), a comprehensive tool developed by a USDA multi-state research team led by Syracuse University, was implemented to measure the availability of healthy options in dining establishments (n=12) and the adequacy of recreation facilities (n=3) and walking/biking paths (n=28) on the UNH campus. Results from the HCEA were compared to student behaviors, as reported by the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey (CHANAS), an ongoing cross-sectional project at UNH. The main outcomes of the HCEA included the availability of fruit and vegetable options in dining establishments and adequacy of recreation facilities and walking and biking paths. The main outcomes of CHANAS included students’ reported fruit and vegetable intake and amount of fruit and vegetable intake per week. Results: Fruit and vegetable options were more frequently available in UNH-affiliated venues than nonUNH-affiliated venues (≥2 fruit and ≥ 3 vegetable options in 50% of UNH-affiliated venues and ≥ 1 fruit and ≥ 1 vegetable option in 10% non-UNH-affiliated venues). One-third and one-half of students reported consuming ≥ 2 cups of fruit and ≥ 2 1⁄2 cups vegetables, respectively, per day. UNH students reported a mean of 5.0 hours of vigorous activity, 4.3 hours of moderate activity, and 10.6 hours of walking per week. Conclusion: Walking/biking paths and recreation facilities are adequate to support recommended physical activity levels. However, fruit and vegetable options in dining establishments on the UNH campus may not be adequate to help students meet MyPlate recommendations.
Exploiting Channel Periodicity in Body Sensor Networks

This paper models the periodic characteristics of body sensor network (BSN) wireless channels measured using custom hardware in the 900-MHz and 2.4-GHz bands. The hardware logs received signal strength indication (RSSI) values of both bands simultaneously at a sample rate of 1.3 kS/s. Results from a measurement campaign of BSNs are shown and distilled to reveal characteristics of BSN channels that can be exploited for reducing the power of wireless communication. A new channel model is introduced to add periodicity to existing 802.15. 6 WBAN path loss equations. New parameters, activity factor and location factor, are introduced to estimate the model parameters. Finally, a strategy for exploiting the periodic characteristics of the BSN channel is presented as an example, along with the power savings from using this strategy.
Multiple pattern classification by sparse subspace decomposition

A robust classification method is developed on the basis of sparse subspace decomposition. This method tries to decompose a mixture of subspaces of unlabeled data (queries) into class subspaces as few as possible. Each query is classified into the class whose subspace significantly contributes to the decomposed subspace. Multiple queries from different classes can be simultaneously classified into their respective classes. A practical greedy algorithm of the sparse subspace decomposition is designed for the classification. The present method achieves high recognition rate and robust performance exploiting joint sparsity.
Fast, scalable synchronization with minimal hardware support

This paper concerns synchronization under read/write atomicity in shared memory multiprocessors. We present a new algorithm for N-process mutual exclusion that requires only read and write operations and that has 0(log2 IV) time complexity, where “time” is measured by counting remote memory references. The time complexity of this algorithm is better than that of all prior solutions to the mutual exclusion problem that are based upon atomic read and write instructions; in fact, the time complexity of most prior solutions is unbounded. Performance studies are presented that show that our mutual exclusion algorithm exhibits scalable performance under heavy contention. In the second part of the paper, we discuss two extensions of our mutual exclusion algorithm. In the first extension, we modify the algorithm so that in the absence of contention only 0(1) memory references are required. In the second extension, the technique of software combining is introduced for the purpose of increasing concurrency when using the algorithm to implement combinable read-modifywrite operations.
Un nouveau paradigme pour le démélange non-linéaire des images hyperspectrales

In hyperspectral images, pixels are mixtures of spectral components associated to pure materials, called endmembers. Recently, to overcome the limitations of linear models, nonlinear unimixing techniques have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, nonlinear hyperspectral unmixing problem is studied through kernel-based learning theory. Endmember components at each spectral band are mapped implicitly into a high-dimensional feature space, in order to address nonlinear interactions of photons. Experiment results with both synthetic and real images illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Simple algorithms and guarantees for low rank matrix completion over F2

Let X* be a n1 × n2 matrix with entries in F2 and rank r <; min(n1, n2) (often r ≪ min(n1, n2)). We consider the problem of reconstructing X* given only a subset of its entries. This problem has recently found numerous applications, most notably in network and index coding, where finding optimal linear codes (over some field Fq) can be reduced to finding the minimum rank completion of a matrix with a subset of revealed entries. The problem of matrix completion over reals also has many applications and in recent years several polynomial-time algorithms with provable recovery guarantees have been developed. However, to date, such algorithms do not exist in the finite-field case. We propose a linear algebraic algorithm, based on inferring low-weight relations among the rows and columns of X*, to attempt to complete X* given a random subset of its entries. We establish conditions on the row and column spaces of X* under which the algorithm runs in polynomial time (in the size of X*) and can successfully complete X* with high probability from a vanishing fraction of its entries. We then propose a linear programming-based extension of our basic algorithm, and evaluate it empirically.
Custom architectures for fuzzy and neural networks controllers

Standard hardware, dedicated microcontroller or application specific circuits can implement fuzzy logic or neural network controllers. This paper presents efficient architecture approaches to develop controllers using specific circuits. A generator uses several tools that allow translating the initial problem specification to a specific circuit implementation, by using HDL descriptions. These HDL description files can be synthesized to get the FPGA configuration bit-stream.
Ruck Those Stats ! Machine Learning as the New Coach

In this project we aim to identify which quantifiable aspects of the game of rugby union are most critical to carry a team to victory. To do this, we collect data from thousands of past games and use this to train several learning algorithms. Using a cross-validation algorithm we pick the most relevant features using the best available model. We then run the models again using these reduced features. Finally, we shift from looking directly at the features to analyzing a team’s deviation from their past k performances in order to understand what aspects of the game usually require most focus and improvement.
Reduced Graphene Oxide Thin Films as Ultrabarriers for Organic Electronics

Encapsulation of electronic devices based on organic materials that are prone to degradation even under normal atmospheric conditions with hermetic barriers is crucial for increasing their lifetime. A challenge is to develop ultrabarriers that are impermeable, flexible, and preferably transparent. Another important requirement is that they must be compatible with organic electronics fabrication schemes (i.e., must be solution processable, deposited at room temperature and be chemically inert). Here, a lifetime increase of 1300 h for poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films encapsulated by uniform and continuous thin (≈10 nm) films of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is reported. This level of protection against oxygen/water vapor diffusion is substantially better than conventional polymeric barriers such as Cytop, which degrades after only 350 h despite being 400 nm thick. Analysis using atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy suggest that the superior oxygen gas/moisture barrier property of rGO is due to the close interlayer distance packing and absence of pinholes within the impermeable sheets. These material properties can be correlated to the enhanced lag time of 500 h. The results provide new insight for the design of high‐performance and solution‐processable transparent ultrabarriers for a wide range of encapsulation applications.
Compiling Array References with Affine Functions for Data-Parallel Programs

An important research topic is parallelizing of compilers to generate local memory access sequences and communication sets while compiling a data-parallel language into an SPMD (Single Program Multiple Data) program. In this paper, we present a scheme to efficiently enumerate local memory access sequences and to evaluate communication sets. We use a class table to store information that is extracted from array sections and data distribution patterns. Given array references and data distributions, we can utilize the class table to generate communication sets in closed forms. Furthermore, we derive the algorithms for sending and receiving necessary data between processors. An algorithm for generating the class table is presented, and the time complexity of this algorithm is O(s), where s is the array section stride. The technique of generating communication sets for one index variable has been implemented on a DEC Alpha 3000 workstation. The experimental results confirm the advantage of our scheme, especially when the array section stride is larger than the block size. Finally, we adapt our approach to handle array references with multiple index variables. The time complexity for constructing the whole class table is O(s 2
Introduction of a new metric “Project Health Index” (PHI) to successfully manage IT projects

Purpose Develop a new comprehensive metric to successfully plan and execute IT projects. The development will be based on a study of all the variables that go into making a successful IT project. Design/methodology/approach Design and use a questionnaire , containing qualitative and quantitative response questions , to gather data from practicing project managers in an IT company. Analyse using Cronbach Alpha and use multiple regression to find the equation relating project success to project management. Findings A comprehensive variable called Project Health Index - PHI - has been identified . Using this one can predict whether a project is likely to succeed or not . This comprehensive , composite variable is to be calculated using 17 other project related metrics identified from the responses to the questionnaire. Research limitations/implications The PHI has been calculated for the company studied . However more studies need to be done before we can establish that the PHI can be used in other companies.
Bis ( ethyl ) polyamine Analogues-Acetyltransferase in Human Lung Cancer Cells by the 1 N Differential Induction of Spermidine / Spermine Updated

We have investigated the induction of an important polyamine meta bolic enzyme, spermidine/spermine /V-acetyltransferase, in two human lung cancer cell lines which respond differently to treatment with the bis(ethyl)polyamine analogues. The human small cell lung carcinoma line NCI H82 has previously been shown to be minimally affected by treat ment with these analogues, whereas the large cell undifferentiated lung carcinoma line, NCI H157, responds in a rapid cytotoxic manner (R. A. Casero, Jr., S. J. Ervin, P. Celano, S. B. Baylin, and R. J. Bergeron, Cancer Res., 49:639-643,1989). The mechanisms underlying the differ ential response are unknown. In the responsive NCI H157 cells, the bis(ethyl)polyamines were found to induce spermidine/spermine . Y'-acetyltransferase in a timeand dose-dependent manner to maximum levels >1700-fold over baseline. By contrast, the unresponsive NCI H82 cells exhibit minimal induction of spermidine/spermine /V'-acetyltransferase to <7-fold increase after bis(ethyl)polyamine treatment, regardless of time or concentration examined. The results of the current study suggest that the differential induction of this key enzyme, which is rate limiting in the back conversion pathway of polyamine metabolism, may play a role in determining cell specific sensitivity to the bis(ethyl)polyamine analogues.
Charaterization of H9 subtype influenza viruses from the ducks of southern China: a candidate for the next influenza pandemic in humans?

ABSTRACT A current view of the emergence of pandemic influenza viruses envisages a gene flow from the aquatic avian reservoir to humans via reassortment in pigs, the hypothetical “mixing vessel. ” Understanding arising from recent H5N1 influenza outbreaks in Hong Kong since 1997 and the isolation of avian H9N2 virus from humans raises alternative options for the emergence of a new pandemic virus. Here we report that H9N2 influenza viruses established in terrestrial poultry in southern China are transmitted back to domestic ducks, in which the viruses generate multiple reassortants. These novel H9N2 viruses are double or even triple reassortants that have amino acid signatures in their hemagglutinin, indicating their potential to directly infect humans. Some of them contain gene segments that are closely related to those of A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1/97, H5N1) or A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 (G1-like, H9N2). More importantly, some of their internal genes are closely related to those of novel H5N1 viruses isolated during the outbreak in Hong Kong in 2001. This study reveals a two-way transmission of influenza virus between terrestrial and aquatic birds that facilitates the generation of novel reassortant H9N2 influenza viruses. Such reassortants may directly or indirectly play a role in the emergence of the next pandemic virus.