Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Rehabilitation Exercises Lessen Motor Deficits and Volume of Brain Injury After Striatal Hemorrhagic Stroke in Rats

Background and Purpose— Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) promotes motor recovery after occlusive stroke in humans, but its efficacy after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has not been investigated clinically or in the laboratory. In this study we tested whether CIMT and a rehabilitation exercise program would lessen motor deficits after ICH in rats. Methods— Rats were subjected to striatal ICH (via infusion of collagenase) or sham stroke. Seven days later, treatment began with CIMT (8 h/d of ipsilateral forelimb restraint), rehabilitation exercises (eg, reaching, walking; 1 h/d), or both for 7 days. Some rats were not treated. Motor deficits were assessed up to the 60-day survival time, after which the volume of tissue lost was determined. Results— Untreated ICH rats made more limb slips traversing a horizontal ladder and showed an asymmetry toward less use of the contralateral paw in the cylinder test of limb use asymmetry (day 28). These rats were also significantly less successful in the Montoya staircase test (days 55 to 59) of skilled reaching. Neither therapy alone provided much benefit. However, the combination of daily exercises and CIMT substantially and persistently improved recovery. Unexpectedly, this group had a statistically smaller volume of tissue lost than untreated ICH rats. Conclusions— The combination of focused rehabilitation exercises and CIMT effectively promotes functional recovery after ICH, while either therapy alone is less effective. This therapy may work in part by reducing the volume of tissue lost, likely through reducing atrophy while promoting remodeling.
Gaming motivations, avatar-self identification and symptoms of online game addiction

This study conducted a survey of 217 adult game players in Hong Kong to explore the effects of gaming motivations and avatar-self identification on symptoms of online game addiction. Results show that avatar-self identification is positively associated with the problems and salience dimension as well as the uncontrollable game-play dimension of game addiction. The motivation to relax is positively related to perceived avatar-self identification and uncontrollable play; the motivation to socialize in online games is positively linked with the avatar-self identification and both symptoms of online game addiction. The motivation to escape is positively related to the symptom of problems and salience. The drive to achieve virtual accomplishment in online games is negatively associated with the problem caused by gameplay and the salience of online games.
CXCR3 chemokine receptor immunoreactivity in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma: correlation with clinicopathological prognostic factors

Background: A role for CXCR3, the receptor for chemokines Mig, IP-10 and interferon-inducible T cell α-chemoattractant, in tumour cell migration during melanoma progression has been proposed. Aims: To analyse CXCR3 expression in primary cutaneous malignant melanomas and its comparison with clinicopathological and prognostic factors. Methods: A retrospective immunohistochemical study was carried out on formalin-fixed paraffin-wax-embedded sections from 82 patients with primary invasive cutaneous melanomas, with a monoclonal antibody to CXCR3 (clone 49801.111; R&D Systems). Immunoreactivity was semiquantitatively evaluated: labelling intensity (0, absent; 1, weak; 2, moderate; 3, strong) multiplied by the percentage of cells in each of the four intensity categories. A positive staining was considered when the score was >100. Melanomas were categorised by age, sex, primary site, tumour thickness, growth phase, ulceration, lymphocytic infiltration, recurrence, lymph node and distant metastasis, and survival. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. Results: Of the 82 patients, a positive CXCR3 staining was found in 26 (31.7%) patients, whereas 56 (68.3%) were negative. In univariate analysis, a significant association of CXCR3-positive tumour cell immunostaining with tumour thickness >1 mm (p = 0.003), absence of lymphocytic infiltration (p = 0.04) and the presence of distant metastasis (p = 0.048) was found. Multivariate analysis found tumour thickness as the only independent factor with considerable association with distant metastases. Conclusions: Our findings of a positive correlation of CXCR3 tumour cell immunoreactivity in human primary cutaneous melanoma with tumour thickness >1 mm and absence of intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration support the biological implication of CXCR3 in the tumour progression of cutaneous malignant melanoma.
The mediamill search engine video

In this video demonstration, we advertise the MediaMill video search engine, a system that facilitates semantic access to video based on a large lexicon of visual concept detectors and interactive video browsers. With an ultimate aim to disseminate video retrieval research to a non-technical audience, we explain the need for a visual video retrieval solution, summarize the MediaMill technology, and hint at future perspectives.
Parental support of numeracy during a cooking activity with four-year-olds

Abstract While research demonstrates the importance of numeracy-related activities performed at home for young children's mathematics achievement, few studies involve observational studies of the processes which support children's mathematical learning at home. On this premise, this study reports evidence from numeracy-related interactions between parents and their four-year-old child during cookery sessions at home. Numeracy group parents who received instructions to incorporate additional mathematics into the activity provided significantly more numeracy guidance and also created more opportunities for their children to practice advanced mathematics. Comparison group parents provided enough numeracy guidance to complete the recipe but rarely provided extensive or advanced numeracy guidance. Children in the numeracy group generated significantly more correct math responses during the activity than comparison group children, though there were no significant differences on the post-test. The findings suggest the need to raise parental awareness of opportunities to support and encourage mathematics in activities at home.
TanDEM-X global forest/non-forest map generation

The interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mission TanDEM-X has opened a new era in spaceborne radar remote sensing. Since the end of 2010, the two SAR satellites TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X have been flying in a controlled close orbit formation, acting as a large single-pass SAR interferometer. The acquired high-quality interferometric SAR data is not only the primary source to generate a global Earth's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with unprecedented accuracy, but also represents a starting point for scientific applications. At a global scale, by means of the interferometric coherence and the derived volume correlation factor, it is possible to identify forested areas or regions characterized by the presence of snow and ice. In this paper, the approach followed to generate a first global TanDEM-X forest/non-forest map is presented and discussed.
Software Process Improvement: A Comparative Analysis of SPI models

This paper presents the "Comparative Analysis of Software Process Improvement models". Software process improvement is recognized as an important part of the software development life cycle. Several contemporary models have been developed to assist organizations evaluate and improve their software development processes and capabilities. There is substantial evidence that a successful software process improvement (SPI) program will result in improvements in productivity, quality, schedule, and business value. There is also evidence that most SPI programs fail. This study provide simulation of the existing models ( Capability Maturity Model, ISO, SPIQ, Bootstrap ), analyze each models along with their importance and drawbacks
The Uniting of Europe by Transclusion: Understanding the Contextual Conditions of Integration Through Law

ABSTRACT Political science has discovered the European Court of Justice,’ as Armstrong notes in an article published 15 years ago, ‘[b]ut has it discovered law? ’ Today, the answer to this question is an ambivalent one. Although political science has developed a certain sense of the structural necessities arising from the rules of law and the complexity of the judicial process in a multilevel governance system, it still lacks an approach that conceptualizes it as a self-contained framework of integration. Here, it will be argued that a contextualist approach could fill this gap in current research. From this perspective, the law itself — not, first and foremost, its most prominent actors — propels integration through a phenomenon that could be best described as a three-dimensional transclusion of the European legal order.
Investigation of model-based tuning of PI regulator for electrohydraulic steering system

The paper presents tuning of several digital PI regulators for electrohydraulic system designed for steering of low speed heavy duty vehicles. Regulator parameters are calculated by numerical optimization procedure based on different simulation models of the same system. These models are inferred from experimental measurements on the system test bench. PI regulators are programmed into a microcontroller for mobile applications and their performances are compared experimentally.
Low Complexity Noncoherent Iterative Detector for Continuous Phase Modulation Systems

This paper focuses on the noncoherent iterative detection of continuous phase modulation. A class of simplified receivers based on Principal-Component-Analysis (PCA) and Exponential-Window (EW) is developed. The proposed receiver is evaluated in terms of minimum achievable Euclidean distance, simulated bit error rate and achievable capacity. The performance of the proposed receiver is discussed in the context of mismatched receiver and the equivalent Euclidean distance is derived. Analysis and numerical results reveal that the proposed algorithm can approach the coherent performance and outperforms existing algorithm in terms of complexity and performance. It is shown that the proposed receiver can significantly reduce the detection complexity while the performance is comparable with existing algorithms.
CaV3.2 T-Type Calcium Channels in Peripheral Sensory Neurons Are Important for Mibefradil-Induced Reversal of Hyperalgesia and Allodynia in Rats with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy

We recently showed that streptozotocin (STZ) injections in rats lead to the development of painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) accompanied by enhancement of CaV3.2 T-type calcium currents (T-currents) and hyperexcitability in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Here we used the classical peripherally acting T-channel blocker mibefradil to examine the role of CaV3.2 T-channels as pharmacological targets for treatment of painful PDN. When administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), at clinically relevant doses, mibefradil effectively alleviated heat, cold and mechanical hypersensitivities in STZ-treated diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner. We also found that CaV3.2 antisense (AS)-treated diabetic rats exhibit a significant decrease in painful PDN compared with mismatch antisense (MIS)-treated diabetic rats. Co-treatment with mibefradil (9 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in reversal of heat, cold and mechanical hypersensitivity in MIS-treated but not in AS-treated diabetic rats, suggesting that mibefradil and CaV3.2 AS share the same cellular target. Using patch-clamp recordings from acutely dissociated DRG neurons, we demonstrated that mibefradil similarly blocked T-currents in diabetic and healthy rats in a voltage-dependent manner by stabilizing inactive states of T-channels. We conclude that antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of mibefradil in PDN are at least partly mediated by inhibition of CaV3.2 channels in peripheral nociceptors. Hence, peripherally acting voltage-dependent T-channel blockers could be very useful in the treatment of painful symptoms of PDN.
Cylindrical rotor design for acoustic noise and windage loss reduction in switched reluctance motor for HEV applications

A Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) is one of the candidates of rare-earth-free-motors for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). An SRM has been developed with exact IPMSM dimensions with competitive maximum torque, operating area, and maximum efficiency. However, considered windage loss of around 1.3 kW is resulted by the salient poles of the SRM at the maximum rotational speed. In addition, considerable acoustic noise is caused by the salient poles. In this paper, a simple design of a cylindrical outer shape rotor is proposed and a comparison to the conventional rotor is carried out. It is found that the efficiency is improved thanks to the windage loss reduction. It is also found that the acoustic noise is significantly reduced.
Defining the Zone of Proximal Development in US Foreign Language Education

The focus of this article is the interpretation of Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) for foreign language teaching in the USA. This problem is taken to exemplify the effect of long-standing tensions between progressive and conservative stakeholders in educational processes. As the construct gains in prominence, it is claimed by the progressives and conservatives alike, who shape the contours of its meaning according to their particular educational vision. A brief summary of the construct's origins in the writings of Vygotsky is followed by an outline of its reception among Western psychologists and educators, reviewing a variety of proposals for interpreting the ZPD in teaching and in research. In the subsequent sections, the essay comments on progressive and conservative trends in the US foreign language profession, and on the reception of the construct, focusing on three cases in which the ZPD has been invoked in recent publications on research and classroom teaching.
A frequency reconfigurable microwave reaction cavity based on a quarter-wave coaxial cavity resonator

To investigate the best frequency for a microwave reaction application, a frequency reconfigurable microwave reaction cavity based on the concept of quarter-wave coaxial cavity resonator is proposed and designed. It is able to resonate at different frequency within the bandwidth of 500~1000 MHz by only adjusting the length of the inner conductor and the depth of the feeding structure. This implies a 67% tuneable bandwidth. Within the spherical region with a radius of 50 mm surrounding the inner conductor, the effective value of electric field is greater than 2.6×105 V/m for an input excitation of 500 W. As such, a frequency reconfigurable microwave reaction system can be constructed to implement a small scale experiment.
Problems With the Identification of Enterprise Competencies and the Implications for Assessment and Development

HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK IN ORGANISATIONS PETR USKA CLARKSON and PATRICIA SHAW Metanoia This article discusses an organisation as a collection of people who generate between them and around them a network of relationships. We distinguish five different strands of relationship at work and consider both their contribution to productive and satisfying organisational life and their potential for creating problems. We also look at the range of counselling and consulting skills and services which can support the healthy functioning of this network of relationships.
chool-Based Management: A Critical Perspective

results. The debate about school restructuring has centred on three themes: empowerment, accountability and academic learning (also sometimes referred to as autonomy, accountability and efficiency) (Elmore, 1990). The term empowerment is often connected with teachers (Maeroff, 1988), but also refers to students and parents. Underlying the rhetoric of empowerment is the notion that the growth of school bureaucracy has undermined the authority of teachers, ’blurred the responsibility of schools toward students and parents, and deflected attention from the central task
Mediterranean diet in pregnancy is protective for wheeze and atopy in childhood

Introduction: Dietary intake of specific nutrients or food groups during pregnancy could play a role in the risk of asthma and atopy in offspring, but specific dietary patterns have not been implicated. The authors evaluated the impact of maternal (during pregnancy) and child adherence to a Mediterranean diet on asthma and atopy in childhood. Methods: Women presenting for antenatal care at all general practices in Menorca, a Mediterranean island in Spain, over a 12 month period starting in mid-1997 were recruited. 460 children were included in the analysis after 6.5 years of follow-up. Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy and children’s dietary intake at age 6.5 years were assessed by food frequency questionnaires, and adherence to a Mediterranean diet was evaluated by a priori defined scores. During follow-up, parents completed questionnaires on the child’s respiratory and allergic symptoms. Children underwent skin prick tests with six common aeroallergens. Results: The prevalence rates of persistent wheeze, atopic wheeze and atopy at age 6.5 years were 13.2%, 5.8% and 17.0%, respectively. One-third (36.1%) of mothers had a low quality Mediterranean diet during pregnancy according to the Mediterranean Diet Score, while the rest had a high score. A high Mediterranean Diet Score during pregnancy (at two levels, using “low” score as the reference) was found to be protective for persistent wheeze (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.58), atopic wheeze (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.90) and atopy (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.97) at age 6.5 years after adjusting for potential confounders. Childhood adherence to a Mediterranean diet was negatively associated with persistent wheeze and atopy although the associations did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: These results support a protective effect of a high level of adherence to a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy against asthma-like symptoms and atopy in childhood.
Novel intravaginal nanomedicine for the targeted delivery of saquinavir to CD4+ immune cells

The goal of this study was to develop and characterize an intravaginal nanomedicine for the active targeted delivery of saquinavir (SQV) to CD4+ immune cells as a potential strategy to prevent or reduce HIV infection. The nanomedicine was formulated into a vaginal gel to provide ease in self-administration and to enhance retention within the vaginal tract. SQV-encapsulated nanoparticles (SQV-NPs) were prepared from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and conjugated to antihuman anti-CD4 antibody. Antibody-conjugated SQV-NPs (Ab-SQV-NPs) had an encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of 74.4% + 3.7% and an antibody conjugation efficiency (ACE%) of 80.95% + 1.10%. Over 50% of total loaded SQV was released from NPs over 3 days. NPs were rapidly taken up by Sup-T1 cells, with more than a twofold increase in the intracellular levels of SQV when delivered by Ab-SQV-NPs in comparison to controls 1 hour post-treatment. No cytotoxicity was observed when vaginal epithelial cells were treated for 24 hours with drug-free Ab-NPs (1,000 μg/mL), 1% HEC placebo gel (200 mg/mL), or 1% HEC gel loaded with drug-free Ab-NPs (5 mg NPs/g gel, 200 mg/mL of gel mixture). Overall, we described an intravaginal nanomedicine that is nontoxic and can specifically deliver SQV into CD4+ immune cells. This platform may demonstrate potential utility in its application as postexposure prophylaxis for the treatment or reduction of HIV infection, but further studies are required.
Talent Development: A Guide for Practice and Research Within Sport

The transformation of talented youngsters into senior world-beaters is a topic of interest for practitioners and researchers alike. Unfortunately there is a dearth of research to guide the optimization of this process. Accordingly, this paper offers an overview of key themes apparent in the literature that have relevance to the effective development of talent. The five key generic features that emerge consistently include long-term aims and methods; wide ranging coherent messages and support; emphasis on appropriate development rather than early selection; individualized and ongoing development; and finally, integrated, holistic, and systematic development. In addition to the review, exemplars of current worldwide practice are used to further highlight both the need and direction for further research and more broad education of an effective talent development model.
Task design as an influence on dialogue and learning: primary school group work with object flotation

Previous studies suggest that group work would yield conceptual gains in physics if tasks specifically promoted dialogue about the factors which determine observed outcomes. This might be done by constraining task items to present critical tests of the effects of individual factors; and, additionally, by requiring participants to generate or select explicit rules about those effects. In order to test this hypothesis, groups of primary school children were asked to work on one of four versions of a task concerning object flotation: Random (i.e. a control in which there were no task constraints), Critical Tests, Rule Generation, and Rule Selection. Learning was assessed via change between a pre-test and two post-tests. Although the effect was delayed, children from the Random and Rule Generation conditions showed an increased awareness of relevant factors which was strongly related to prior group activity. This gain was absent in the Critical Tests and Rule Selection conditions. The results indicate that group dialogue can be productively shaped by task design, but also that its effects may take time to appear, and are negated by overmuch external direction of attention.
Myocardial Tissue Characterization With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The availability of an accurate, noninvasive method using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to distinguish microscopic myocardial tissue changes at a macroscopic scale is well established. High-resolution in vivo monitoring of different pathologic tissue changes in the heart is a useful clinical tool for assessing the nature and extent of cardiac pathology. Cardiac MRI utilizes myocardial signal characteristics based on relaxation parameters such as T1, T2, and T2 star values. Identifying changes in relaxation time enables the detection of distinctive myocardial diseases such as cardiomyopathies and ischemic myocardial injury. The presented state-of-the-art review paper serves the purpose of introducing and summarizing MRI capability of tissue characterization in present clinical practice.
Confidence Measures for Evaluating Pronunciation Models

In this paper, we investigate the use of confidence measures for the evaluation of pronunciation models and the employment of these evaluations in an automatic baseform learning process. The confidence measures and pronunciation models are obtained from the ABBOT hybrid Hidden Markov Model/Artificial Neural Network (HMM/ANN) Large Vocabulary Continuous Speech Recognition (LVCSR) system [8]. Experiments were carried out for a number of baseform learning schemes using the ARPA North American Business News (NAB) and the Broadcast News (BN) corpora from which it was found that a confidence measure based scheme provided the largest reduction in Word Error Rate (WER).