Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemispatial neglect

Objective: To assess the relative frequency of occurrence of motor, perceptual, peripersonal, and personal neglect subtypes, the association of neglect and other related deficits (e.g., deficient nonlateralized attention, anosognosia), and the neuroanatomic substrates of neglect in patients with right hemisphere stroke in rehabilitation settings. Methods: The authors assessed 166 rehabilitation inpatients and outpatients with right hemisphere stroke with measures of neglect and neglect subtypes, attention, motor and sensory function, functional disability, and family burden. Detailed lesion analyses were also performed. Results: Neglect was present in 48% of right hemisphere stroke patients. Patients with neglect had more motor impairment, sensory dysfunction, visual extinction, basic (nonlateralized) attention deficit, and anosognosia than did patients without neglect. Personal neglect occurred in 1% and peripersonal neglect in 27%, motor neglect in 17%, and perceptual neglect in 21%. Neglect severity predicted scores on the Functional Independence Measure and Family Burden Questionnaire more accurately than did number of lesioned regions. Conclusions: The neglect syndrome per se, rather than overall stroke severity, predicts poor outcome in right hemisphere stroke. Dissociations between tasks assessing neglect subtypes support the existence of these subtypes. Finally, neglect results from lesions at various loci within a distributed system mediating several aspects of attention and spatiomotor performance.
Adaptive control for robot manipulators under ellipsoidal task space constraints

Motivated by applications in robot-assisted physical rehabilitation, this paper presents an adaptive control design for robot manipulators operating in an ellipsoidal constrained region. The ellipsoidal constraint problem is more challenging than the box constraint problem tackled in previous works, since the nonlinear constraint boundary cannot be handled in a decoupled manner along the dimensions of the task space. We introduce a novel Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) which contains a quotient of the squared norm of the tracking error over the ellipsoidal task space constraint. This function allows the task space constraint to be handled directly without requiring an intermediate mapping to the error space. We show that, under the proposed BLF-based adaptive control, the end-effector always remains in the constrained region despite the perturbing effects of online parameter adaptation and also the presence of bounded external disturbances. A simulation example illustrates the performance of the proposed control.
‘Unstable boundaries?’ Evaluating the ‘new regulation’ within employment relations

The ‘emergence’ of the ‘market’ as the basis of economic and political decision-making has become a main focus of debate within the social sciences since the late 1970s. Even while those opposing the growing centrality of neo-classical economics and market-oriented political discourses remain a significant academic constituency, within their ranks there has been a growing realization that regulatory mechanisms, and in particular the role of the state, have nevertheless been the subject of extensive changes. Alternative schools of thought have argued in terms of the way in which such mechanisms have been refashioned. Regulation has become, in the words of Regini and Majone, ‘transferred’ and the ‘boundaries’ between regulator and regulated ‘changed’: the regulatory process has been seen to shift at the macro/national level and at the micro/enterprise level. While supporting the general argument that it is the boundaries of regulation which are to be discussed, not its presence, we shall nevertheless argue that these changes are, if anything, more contentious and that a set of ironies emerges which politicize regulation even further.
Forespore-Specific Expression of Bacillus subtilis yqfS, Which Encodes Type IV Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease, a Component of the Base Excision Repair Pathway

ABSTRACT The temporal and spatial expression of the yqfS gene of Bacillus subtilis, which encodes a type IV apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease, was studied. A reporter gene fusion to the yqfS opening reading frame revealed that this gene is not transcribed during vegetative growth but is transcribed during the last steps of the sporulation process and is localized to the developing forespore compartment. In agreement with these results, yqfS mRNAs were mainly detected by both Northern blotting and reverse transcription-PCR, during the last steps of sporulation. The expression pattern of the yqfS-lacZ fusion suggested that yqfS may be an additional member of the EσG regulon. A primer extension product mapped the transcriptional start site of yqfS, 54 to 55 bp upstream of translation start codon of yqfS. Such an extension product was obtained from RNA samples of sporulating cells but not from those of vegetatively growing cells. Inspection of the nucleotide sequence lying upstream of the in vivo-mapped transcriptional yqfS start site revealed the presence of a sequence with good homology to promoters preceding genes of the σG regulon. Although yqfS expression was temporally regulated, neither oxidative damage (after either treatment with paraquat or hydrogen peroxide) nor mitomycin C treatment induced the transcription of this gene.
The Training Value of a Low-Fidelity Cervical Biopsy Workshop

Introduction Cervical biopsy increases diagnostic yield compared with cytology and reduces time between presentation with and diagnosis of cervical cancer. Procedural training however needs to evolve in line with legislated working time restrictions and patient safety concerns. This makes gynecologic procedures ideal for simulation training. To date, no studies have looked at the use of low-fidelity simulation models to teach cervical punch biopsy. Methods A cervical punch biopsy model was created using home and departmental waste products. The simulation model was tested by expert colposcopists and used during a gynecology trainee cervical study day. Twenty-one trainees attended a lecture that showed photographs of normal and abnormal cervices and a workshop where colposcopists demonstrated the technique before direct hands-on training with the simulator. Participants were asked to complete a survey, using a 5-point Likert scale, outlining the educational value of the workshop. Results Five low-fidelity cervical biopsy simulation models were created, these cost nothing, took an hour to make, and were easily transported. Of the different “cervix” materials tested, sponge provided the most realistic traction and the least fragmented biopsies (3–5 mm). Eighteen trainees completed the survey of whom all strongly agreed that learning was enhanced compared with didactics alone. The mean score for the value of the simulation in preparing trainees to perform future cervical biopsies was 4.7 (SD = 0.42) (95% confidence interval, 4.49–4.90). Conclusions Our low-fidelity cervical biopsy models are easy to make, portable, and low cost. Trainees have reported the significant educational value of this simulation model in teaching an outpatient gynecologic/colposcopy procedure in a nonclinical environment.
Rainfall variability and groundwater availability for irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from the Niayes region of Senegal

Recent research on climate change, within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, has shown the vulnerability of groundwater resources to climate change and variability. In Senegal, agriculture is among the most important users of groundwater resources, especially in the northern coastal area called ‘Niayes’ where farmers practice irrigated agriculture and use almost exclusively the quarternary sand aquifer for their irrigation needs during the dry season – which is the main growing period. However, in Senegal, irrigated agriculture, particularly that of horticultural crops, mostly grown in the Niayes, has attracted less research attention in terms of studies focused on climate change or variability, compared to staple-growing rainfed regions. In the Niayes region, farmers grow most of Senegal’s horticultural production. Combined with human use of water resources, climate variability may threaten future irrigation water availability in the area. This paper uses an integrated hydroeconomic model and a rainfall generator to evaluate the impact of rainfall variability on irrigation water availability and simulate its implications on producers’ responses and groundwater management policy measures. Results show that groundwater availability is diminishing over time, resulting in higher water table depth and smaller water withdrawals by farmers who will tend to decrease the area allocated to crops and favor the higher-valued crops. These trends are accelerated under a drier climate regime. A taxation policy to stabilize the aquifer would induce a reduction of the area under cultivation and have negative implications on revenues. Supply-side measures to enhance recharge may not be technically or financially feasible. This suggests that Senegal needs to develop groundwater management options that favor sustainable use of agricultural water resources without hindering national horticultural production.
Robot localization in urban environments using omnidirectional vision sensors and partial heterogeneous apriori knowledge

This paper addresses the problem of long term mobile robot localization in large urban environments using a partial apriori knowledge made by different kind of images. Typically, GPS is the preferred sensor for outdoor operation. However, using GPS-only localization methods leads to significant performance degradation in urban areas where tall nearby structures obstruct the view of the satellites. In our work, we use omnidirectional vision-based sensors to complement GPS and odometry and provide accurate localization.We also present some novel Monte Carlo Localization optimizations and we introduce the concept of online knowledge acquisition and integration presenting a framework able to perform long term robot localization in real environments. The vision system identifies prominent features in the scene and matches them with a database of geo-referenced features already known (with a partial coverage of the environment and using both directional and omnidirectional images and with different resolutions) or learned and integrated during the localization process (omnidirectional images only). Results of successful robot localization in the old town of Fermo are presented. The whole architecture behaves well also in long term experiments, showing a suitable and good system for real life robot applications with a particular focus on the integration of different knowledge sources.
Measuring family satisfaction with care in the intensive care unit: the development of a questionnaire and preliminary results.

PURPOSE To develop and test the feasibility of administering a questionnaire to measure family members' level of satisfaction with care provided to them and their critically ill relative. MATERIALS AND METHODS To develop the questionnaire, existing conceptual frameworks of patient satisfaction, decision making, and quality of end-of-life care were used to identify important domains and items. We pretested the questionnaire for readability, clarity, and sensibility in 21 family members and 16 professionals. To assess validity, we measured the correlation between satisfaction with overall care and satisfaction with decision making. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, we administered the questionnaire to next of kin of surviving patients on discharge and 7 to 10 days later. RESULTS Questionnaires were mailed out to 33 family members of nonsurvivors; 24 were returned completed but only 22 (66%) were usable.Twenty-five family members of eligible surviving critically ill patients participated in the test-retest part of this study. Of the 47 respondents, 84% were very satisfied with overall care and 77% were very satisfied with their role in the decision making. There was good correlation between satisfaction with overall care and satisfaction with decision making (correlation coefficient =.64). The assessment of overall satisfaction with care was shown to be reliable (correlation coefficient =.85). CONCLUSIONS This questionnaire has some measure of reliability and validity and is feasible to administer to next of kin of critically ill patients.
Interrelation between H-bond and Pi-electron delocalization.

Among many various kinds of molecular interactions, the H-bond has a special position. The term is ubiquitous in the world that surrounds us, but also it is often applied in different ways. The H-bond is of great importance in natural sciences. This relates particularly to biological aspects, such as molecular recognition that could be a basis for the creation of life,1-4 formation of higher order structures of peptides and nucleic acids,5 and biochemical processes, particularly the enzymes catalyzed.6,7 One can say that the H-bond plays a double role in biological systems: on one hand, as a relatively strong directional interaction, it leads to relatively stable supramolecular structures, and on the other hand, because of dynamic features of the proton, it is an active site for initiation of chemical reactions. H-bonds are the source of specific properties of associated liquids, with water being the most popular among them.8 Water as a medium in which life was most probably created is saturated by H-bonds with highly mobile protons in between, even in the solid state.9 In many crystal lattices of organic compounds, the H-bonds are a decisive factor governing packing.10 In designing new interesting crystal structures, which is the subject of fast developing crystal engineer* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: slagra@ uni.lodz. pl or slagra@ccmsi.us. Fax: +48-42-6790447. 3513 Chem. Rev. 2005, 105, 3513−3560
Unusually intense continuing current in lightning produces delayed mesospheric breakdown

Ultra low frequency magnetic field measurements made 500–2000 km from positive lightning discharges show a signature that is consistent with unusually high amplitude cloud‐to‐ground continuing lightning current. The magnitude of this nearly constant current moment is as large as 60 kA km and can last at half this amplitude for longer than 150 ms, thereby moving 640 C or more (assuming a 7 km vertical channel length) to the ground after the return stroke. This total charge transfer is more than an order of magnitude greater than most previously reported continuing currents in positive discharges. Three cases analyzed show this strong continuing current flows before, during, and after sprites that initiate more than 40 ms after the return stroke. Accounting for this continuing current, quantitative analysis shows that the total vertical lightning charge moment changes are large enough to produce mesospheric electrical breakdown and long‐delayed sprites.
Laser Nanopatterning of Colored Ink Thin Films for Photonic Devices

Nanofabrication through conventional methods such as electron beam writing and photolithography is time-consuming, high cost, complex, and limited in terms of the materials which can be processed. Here, we present the development of a nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, 220 mJ) in holographic Denisyuk reflection mode method for creating ablative nanopatterns from thin films of four ink colors (black, red, blue, and brown). We establish the use of ink as a recording medium in different colors and absorption ranges to rapidly produce optical nanostructures in 1D geometries. The gratings produced with four different types of ink had the same periodicity (840 nm); however, they produce distant wavelength dependent diffraction responses to monochromatic and broadband light. The nanostructures of gratings consisting of blue and red inks displayed high diffraction efficiency of certain wavelengths while the black and brown ink based gratings diffracted broadband light. These gratings have high potential to be used as low-cost photonic structures in wavelength-dependent optical filters. We anticipate that the rapid production of gratings based on different ink formulations can enable optics applications such as holographic displays in data storage, light trapping, security systems, and sensors.
Markov properties for graphical time series models

This paper deals with the Markov properties of a new class of graphical time series models which focus on the dynamic interrelationships between the components of multivariate time series. The modelling approach is based on the concept of strong Granger-causality and thus can also be applied to nonlinear models. The constraints defining the models are encoded by mixed graphs in which each component series is represented by one vertex and directed edges indicates possible Granger-causal relationships between the variables while undirected edges are used to map the contemporaneous dependence structure of the time series. We discuss various Markov properties for time series models and how these are related to each other. In particular we introduce the notion of causal Markov property. We show that global Markov properties can be formulated in terms of a moralization criterion based on separation in undirected graphs or alternatively using a pathwise separation criterion called p-separation. As an example of graphical time series models we consider multivariate ARCH models which satisfy the causal Markov property with respect to a given graph.
Adult attachment, emotional control, and marital satisfaction

This study extends previous research into the relations among attachment style, emotional experience, and emotional control. Questionnaire measures of these variables were completed by a broad sample of 238 married couples. Continuous measures of attachment showed that insecure attachment (low Comfort with closeness; high Anxiety over relationships) was related to greater control of emotion, regardless of whether the emotion was partner-related or not. Insecure attachment was also associated with less frequent and intense positive emotion and with more frequent and intense negative emotion, although these links depended on context (partner-related or not), attachment dimension, and gender. Emotional control added to the prediction of marital satisfaction, after controlling for attachment dimensions; the most robust links with satisfaction were inverse relations with own control of positive emotion and with partner's control of negative emotion. The results are discussed in terms of attachment theory, affect regulation, and communication in marriage. Copyright
Utility of fat-suppressed sequences in differentiation of aggressive vs typical asymptomatic haemangioma of the spine.

OBJECTIVE While haemangiomas are common benign vascular lesions involving the spine, some behave in an aggressive fashion. We investigated the utility of fat-suppressed sequences to differentiate between benign and aggressive vertebral haemangiomas. METHODS Patients with the diagnosis of aggressive vertebral haemangioma and available short tau inversion-recovery or T2 fat saturation sequence were included in the study. 11 patients with typical asymptomatic vertebral body haemangiomas were selected as the control group. Region of interest signal intensity (SI) analysis of the entire haemangioma as well as the portion of each haemangioma with highest signal on fat-saturation sequences was performed and normalized to a reference normal vertebral body. RESULTS A total of 8 patients with aggressive vertebral haemangioma and 11 patients with asymptomatic typical vertebral haemangioma were included. There was a significant difference between total normalized mean SI ratio (3.14 vs 1.48, p = 0.0002), total normalized maximum SI ratio (5.72 vs 2.55, p = 0.0003), brightest normalized mean SI ratio (4.28 vs 1.72, p < 0.0001) and brightest normalized maximum SI ratio (5.25 vs 2.45, p = 0.0003). Multiple measures were able to discriminate between groups with high sensitivity (>88%) and specificity (>82%). CONCLUSION In addition to the conventional imaging features such as vertebral expansion and presence of extravertebral component, quantitative evaluation of fat-suppression sequences is also another imaging feature that can differentiate aggressive haemangioma and typical asymptomatic haemangioma. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE The use of quantitative fat-suppressed MRI in vertebral haemangiomas is demonstrated. Quantitative fat-suppressed MRI can have a role in confirming the diagnosis of aggressive haemangiomas. In addition, this application can be further investigated in future studies to predict aggressiveness of vertebral haemangiomas in early stages.
Volunteer Reputation evaluation for emergency response operations

Natural and man-made disasters are constantly occurring leading to human casualties, infrastructure destruction and financial losses. Volunteers and volunteer organizations play a significant role in each and every phase of disaster management. Therefore, selecting and retaining skilled, motivated and able volunteers becomes important. Existing ICT based solutions focus on resource allocation, team work and other disaster management activities, however none of these systems has addressed the issue of volunteers and their reputation. Reputation of a volunteer based on his personal traits and experience can be used for his selection for an emergency operation. It can also be used as a performance measurement tool during a particular operation. The current work proposes a reputation management system consisting of a Reputation Meta-model and a reputation system architecture for reputation management and measurement.
Neurobiological mechanisms of treatment resistant depression: Functional, structural and molecular imaging studies

This thesis investigated the neurobiological mechanisms of TRD using functional, structural and molecular imaging studies. First the neurobiological mechanisms of MDD were investigated and revealed decreased functional connectivity between the ventral and dorsal network. Thereafter, structural connectivity analyses of the uncinate fasciculus showed decreased integrity of this white matter tract in MDD patients. These structural abnormalities were negatively associated with the functional connectivity between the subgenual ACC and medial temporal lobe in MDD patients which suggests that structural abnormalities may lead to functional abnormalities. Regarding TRD, this thesis showed that TRD patients are characterized by a specific decreased functional connectivity between neurocognitive networks relative to both non-TRD and healthy controls. Furthermore, a preliminary [123I]IBZM SPECT study showed no difference in striatal D2/3R availability between TRD patients and healthy controls which suggests TRD is not characterized by altered dopaminergic transmission. Furthermore, this thesis showed that resting state DMN connectivity is a predictive marker for the clinical response to nucleus accumbens DBS in severe TRD patients. These findings together suggests that MDD is characterized by a pathological interaction between the dorsal and ventral network which corroborates the limbic-cortical dysregulation model. TRD is specifically characterized by abnormal network interaction between two neurocognitive networks; the cognitive control network and default mode network. Future work should perform longitudinal analyses to determine how functional connectivity of neural networks evolves over time, and to develop a general definition of TRD preferably for different stages of the disease.