Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robotic movement training as an optimization problem: designing a controller that assists only as needed

One of the prevailing paradigms of physical rehabilitation following neurologic injury is to "assist-as-needed"; that is, the rehabilitation therapist manually assists patients in performing movements, providing only as much assistance as needed to complete the movement. Several research groups are attempting to automate this principle with robotic movement training devices. This paper derives an "assist as needed" robotic training algorithm by framing the problem as an optimization problem. We assume that motor recovery can be modeled as a process of learning a novel sensory motor transformation. The optimized robotic movement trainer is then an error-based controller with a forgetting factor. It bounds kinematic errors while systematically reducing its assistance. The same controller also works well if the dominant dynamics of recovery are akin to a strengthening process. We experimentally validate the controller with an unimpaired subject by demonstrating how the controller can help the subject to learn a novel sensory motor transformation (i.e. an internal model) with smaller kinematic errors than typical. The task studied here is walking on a treadmill in the presence of a novel dynamic environment. The assist-as-needed controller proposed here may be useful for limiting error during the learning of tasks in which large errors are dangerous or discouraging.
Agonist‐occupied A3 adenosine receptors exist within heterogeneous complexes in membrane microdomains of individual living cells

G protein‐coupled receptors are known to be organized within different membrane compartments or microdomains of individual cells. Here, we have used a fluorescent A3 adenosine receptor (A3‐AR) agonist, ABEA‐X‐BY630, and the technique of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to investigate the diffusional characteristics of functional agonist‐occupied A3‐AR complexes in single living cells. In Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human A3‐AR, the fluorescent A3‐AR agonist was able to inhibit forskolin‐stimulated [3H]cAMP production (pEC50=8.57), and this was antagonized by the A3‐selective antagonist MRS1220 (pKB=9.32). The fluorescent ligand also stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis (pEC50 = 7.34). Ligand binding to the A3‐AR on the membranes of single cells and subsequent increases in single cell [Ca2+]i were monitored simultaneously in real time using confocal microscopy. FCS measurements in small‐membrane microdomains (~0.2 μm2) revealed two agonist‐occupied A3‐AR components with differing diffusion characteristics (diffusion coefficients=2.65×10−8 and 1.19×10−9 cm2/s, respectively). The binding of ligand to these two components was reduced from 5.1 and 14.9 to 2.6 and 3.3 receptors/μm2, respectively, by MRS1220 (100 nM). These data provide direct evidence for at least two populations of agonist‐occupied A3‐receptor complexes, showing different motilities within the membrane of single living cells. —Cordeaux, Y. , Briddon, S. J., Alexander, S. P. H. , Kellam, B. , Hill, S. J. Agonist‐occupied A3 adenosine receptors exist within heterogeneous complexes in membrane microdomains of individual living cells. FASEB J. 22, 850–860 (2008)
Misconstruing agency: issues related to free will and determinism

Agency (related to intentionality and the importance of choices) and free will (could have done otherwise) have been confounded in previous psychological research, with assessments and manipulations of free will often including items related to agency. Therefore, correlates previously associated with free will may, to some extent, be based on agentic assumptions. In this study 152 college students from a central Texas university, participating in on-line research using Qualtrics, read one of four essays that separately manipulated agency and free will in a 2×2 design. After reading the essays, participants completed assessments of blame, agency and free will. As hypothesized, the free will measure, but not the agency measure, significantly predicted blame, F (1,128) = 4.09, p Language: en
A Multilevel Semantic Document Classifier Based On SVM Integrated With Domain Ontologies

A multilevel semantic document classification system based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) in association with domain ontologies has been developed. The documents related to the scientific domains such as computer science and chemistry are treated as the test source. The classification results are more precise and fine grained when compared to the conventional methodologies. The sharpness of the classification has been found to be enhanced when the domain knowledge in terms of ontologies is integrated with SVM procedures. So the developed system provides the advantages of high generalization performance, prevention of over fitting, less computational complexity, high accuracy, and robustness. The use of automated identification of the semantic components derived from the domain ontologies enables the system to provide semantically rich classification results.
ETV1 positively regulates transcription of tumor suppressor ARF

ETV1 (ETS variant 1) is a transcription factor from the ETS family and an oncogene in several types of human malignancies. Paradoxically, a predicted inactivating mutation in ETV1 was previously found in a clone of HT1080 cells with reduced activity of p53. We report that elevated expression of ETV1 makes p53-null tumor cells hypersensitive to restoration of said tumor suppressor. Furthermore, elevated levels of either wild-type ETV1 or its truncated derivative, dETV1, which mimics the product of an oncogenic rearrangement in certain tumors, results in increased expression of mRNA for p14ARF, a known activator of p53. Accordingly, expression of a luciferase reporter, which is driven by a putative ARF promoter, was elevated by concomitant expression of either ETV1 or dETV1. Our observations point to yet another example of a tumor suppressor gene being activated by a potentially oncogenic signal. A better understanding of the mechanisms that allow a cell to bypass such safeguards is needed in order to predict and prevent the development of an oncogene-tolerant state during cancer evolution.
Gate Bias Stresses of Gate-All-Around Poly-Si TFTs With Multiple Nanowire Channels

Gate-all-around (GAA) poly-Si thin-film transistors (TFTs) with multiple nanowire channels has better performance compared with planar TFT, such as lower threshold voltage VTH, smaller subthreshold swing (SS), lower minimum current I OFF, higher maximum on/off current ratio ION/IOFF, and higher mobility. However, each nanowire has three sharp corners to obtain high local electric fields under gate bias stresses, such that GAA TFT inherently suffers from an inevitable reliability problem. The local electric fields accelerate the degradation of VTH and SS. The VTH degradation under negative gate bias stress is related to the released electron trapping in stressed gate oxide during diffusion-controlled electrochemical reaction. For GAA TFT, minimum IOFF and ION/IOFF ratio still maintain better characteristics due to smaller channel body. Moreover, the obvious retardation in mobility degradation was obtained for GAA TFT because the hydrogen atoms can effectively rearrange the tail states located near the band edge in the channel during gate bias stresses.
Pursuing and Securing Collaboration to Improve Results

Collaboration is a unique strategy with enormous potential for schools, community agencies, and school-agency relationships. Unfortunately, collaboration’s full potential remains untapped because its unique features, requirements, benefits, and contingencies have not been described precisely and coherently. This chapter addresses this need and provides a conceptual framework for collaboration. The framework is pragmatic; its aim is to improve practice, policy, and research. For example, readers can use this framework to develop planning inventories and evaluation checklists. Although collaboration yields important benefits, it is not a panacea for schools and community agencies. Collaboration is difficult to secure and maintain, and exacts what economists call “transaction costs. ” For example, collaboration takes a long time to develop, and it consumes precious resources. Because it involves many people, professions, and organizations, collaboration is not always the most efficient way for professionals to work and interact. Furthermore, when key people leave a school or an agency, the collaboration may stall or even unravel, and then relationships need to be rebuilt. In other words, collaboration is not a once and for all achievement. It must be stewarded, supported, and rewarded, which involves additional transaction costs. So, why pursue collaboration? This chapter’s title provides the simple answer, and the ensuing analysis offers some details. When the conditions and problems for which collaboration is tailor-made are evident, it is a practical necessity. More specifically, in some school communities, collaboration is an example of competent practice. Basic competence related to collaboration entails doing the correct things, at the proper times, in the appropriate places, and for justifiable reasons, and achieving the desired results.
A Crocean critique of Gramsci on historicism, hegemony and intellectuals

Although Gramsci's debt to Croce is well known, most commentators simply accept his criticisms of Croce and his claim to have overcome certain lacunae in the Neapolitan's thought. This article argues that many of these criticisms misfire, and mounts a Crocean critique of Gramsci. Through a comparison of their respective views of historicism, hegemony and intellectuals, it is argued that the radical democratic and libertarian theory many post-Marxists claim to find in the Sardinian is more appropriately associated with Croce. Sebbene il debito di Gramsci verso Croce sia risaputo, molti commentatori tendono semplicemente ad accettare le critiche di Gramsci verso Croce, in particolare il primato da parte di Gramsci stesso nell'aver colmato certe lacune nel pensiero del filosofo napoletano. Questo articolo pone in rilievo che molti di queste critiche risultano essere prive di significato, ed inoltre, tende a far emergere una critica crociana di Gramsci. Dal tentativo di porre in relazione le idee di entrambi su concetti quali lo storicismo, l'egemonia, ed infine l'identitÀ degli intellettuali, si evince che la teoria libertaria e democratico-radicale che molti post-marxisti tendono ad attribuire all'intellettuale sardo, tende ad essere in buona parte il prodotto del pensiero di Croce.
Androgens and osteoporosis

Purpose of reviewThe review is timely given recent advances regarding mechanisms of androgen action on bone cells and in humans. Osteoporosis in men is an important public health problem. An improved understanding of the role of androgens in the pathophysiology of bone loss will lead to new treatments. Recent findingsAndrogen receptors are present in most bone cells. Testosterone acts on bone both directly via the androgen receptor and indirectly, following aromatization, via the oestrogen receptor. During skeletal modelling, ERα is critical for longitudinal bone growth. For periosteal growth and bone expansion, androgen receptor activation has a positive effect, whereas ERα activation is inhibitory. During skeletal remodelling, both receptor pathways generate similar and additive effects on bone.Androgen deficiency is a common secondary cause of osteoporosis in men and should be treated with testosterone, particularly in symptomatic men. However, lack of efficacy data for testosterone in osteoporosis means it is less useful as a first-line treatment in men with age-related declines in testosterone and osteoporosis, when other agents such as bisphosphonates and parathyroid hormone are effective. SummaryRandomized, placebo-controlled trials of testosterone therapy in men with age-related declines in testosterone and osteoporosis are needed, and should carefully evaluate potential risks, as well as its efficacy in reducing fractures and other health benefits.
Expression of activin subunits, activin receptors and follistatin in postimplantation mouse embryos suggests specific developmental functions for different activins.

Using in situ hybridization we have studied the localization of the messenger RNAs encoding the inhibin/activin subunits (alpha, beta A, beta B), the activin-binding protein follistatin and activin receptors (IIA, IIB) in mouse embryos during postimplantation development. From 6.5- to 9.5-days post coitum (p.c.) activin beta A and beta B subunit expression was restricted to the decidua, while activin receptor type IIB messages were exclusively detected in the embryo. Expression of activin receptor type IIA was apparent in the embryo as early as 9.5 days p.c. In contrast, follistatin transcripts were present in both the decidua and the embryo at the early postimplantation stages. In particular, the primitive streak region, specific rhombomeres in the developing hindbrain, somites, paraxial mesoderm and parietal endoderm cells attached to the Reichert's membrane showed strong expression of follistatin. In 10.5- and 12.5-day embryos expression of the beta A subunit message was abundant in mesenchymal tissue, in particular in the developing face, the body wall, the heart, precartilage condensations in the limb and in the mesenchyme of structures that show both epithelial and mesenchymal components, including tissues of the embryonic digestive, respiratory and genital tracts. The distribution of beta B transcripts was quite different from that observed for beta A. beta B is strongly expressed in selected regions of the brain, in particular the fore- and hindbrain, and in the spinal cord. Specific hybridization signals were also present in the epithelium of the stomach and oesophagus. Common sites of beta A and beta B expression are blood vessels, intervertebral disc anlagen, mesenchymal condensations in the flank region and the gonad primordium. The latter organ is the only site in the embryo where the alpha subunit is expressed, and thus where inhibit activity may be present. During the period of organogenesis the sites of expression of activin receptors type IIA and IIB messenger RNA (mRNA) generally coincide with or are adjacent to the sites of beta subunit expression. Differences in the expression patterns of the receptor RNAs are the whisker follicles, where type IIA is expressed, and the metanephros and the forebrain where type IIB transcripts are present. Taken together, the present data suggest that follistatin, but not one of the known activin forms (A,B,AB) is involved in early postimplantation development. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effect of ionic strength and pH on the physical and chemical stability of a monoclonal antibody antigen-binding fragment.

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) fragments are emerging as promising alternatives to full-length mAbs as protein therapeutic candidates. Antigen-binding fragments (Fabs) are the most advanced with three Fab-based drug products currently approved. This work presents preformulation characterization data on the effect of pH, NaCl concentration, and various cationic excipients on the physical and chemical stability of a Fab molecule with multiple negatively charged Asp residues in the complementarity-determining region. Conformational stability was evaluated using an empirical phase diagram approach based on circular dichroism, intrinsic Trp and extrinsic 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence, and static light scattering measurements. The effect of NaCl concentration, various cationic excipients and pH on the Fab molecule's conformational stability, aggregation propensity, and chemical stability (Asp isomerization) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry, optical density measurements at 350 nm (OD350 ), and ion-exchange chromatography, respectively. Increasing NaCl concentration increased the overall conformational stability, decreased aggregation rates, and lowered the rates of Asp isomerization. No such trends were noted for pH or cationic excipients. The potential interrelationships between protein conformational and chemical stability are discussed in the context of designing stable protein formulations.
Le trauma massif : l'idéologie politique du droit et de la violence

Resume — Les descendants d’un grand groupe traumatise par des ennemis peuvent se servir de la representation mentale de l’evenement historique traumatisant, appelee « trauma choisi », pour se relier les uns aux autres. Un « trauma choisi » est habituellement associe a une ideologie conferant un droit : celle-ci renvoie a un desir partage non seulement de mettre fin a la honte et a l’impuissance que les ancetres ont connues, mais aussi de retrouver ce qui a ete perdu. Ce type d’ideologies persiste generalement pendant des siecles et joue un role essentiel dans les relations internationales chaque fois que des meneurs politiques et/ou religieux les ravivent.
Early life nutrition and neural plasticity

Abstract The human brain undergoes a remarkable transformation during fetal life and the first postnatal years from a relatively undifferentiated but pluripotent organ to a highly specified and organized one. The outcome of this developmental maturation is highly dependent on a sequence of environmental exposures that can have either positive or negative influences on the ultimate plasticity of the adult brain. Many environmental exposures are beyond the control of the individual, but nutrition is not. An ever-increasing amount of research demonstrates not only that nutrition shapes the brain and affects its function during development but also that several nutrients early in life have profound and long-lasting effects on the brain. Nutrients have been shown to alter opening and closing of critical and sensitive periods of particular brain regions. This paper discusses the roles that various nutrients play in shaping the developing brain, concentrating specifically on recently explicated biological mechanisms by which particularly salient nutrients influence childhood and adult neural plasticity.
Early Discourse Behavior: An Analysis of Children's Responses to Listener Feedback.

WILCOX, M. JEANNE, and WEBSTER, ELIZABETH J. Early Discourse Behavior: An Analysis of Children's Responses to Listener Feedback. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1980, 51, 1120-1125. The purpose of this study was to examine strategies used by young children when listener feedback indicated that their requests were not understood. Subjects were 16 children ranging in age from 17 to 24 months. Two types of feedback were used to create communicative failure. In one condition the investigator indicated that the message was ambiguous by saying "What? " In the other condition the investigator indicated that only the intent of the message was misunderstood by responding to the requests as if they were declarative statements. Results indicated that the patterns of the children's responses demonstrated their awareness and use of socially appropriate speaker options. It was concluded that children in these early stages of language development have acquired at least rudimentary knowledge of appropriate conversational behavior.
Decomposable Dissipativity and Related Stability for Discrete-Time Switched Systems

This note investigates dissipativity and related stability for discrete-time switched systems. The new concept of decomposable dissipativity is proposed for this kind of systems. By decomposing the supply rate into the main supply rate and the subsidiary supply rate, the “energy” changes of subsystems and “energy” dissipation in the whole switched system are explained. The uniform stability conditions are derived for decomposable dissipative discrete-time switched systems. By the decomposition of supply rate, the non-positive condition of the supply rate, which is often required in the literature to derive stability, is relaxed. Finally, one example is given to illustrate the results.
The minimal ice water caloric test

IN AN ATTEMPT to find the ideal caloric test of labyrinthine function, many investigators have altered both the temperature and amount of the irrigating fluid. In 1906, BQrQny, although not the first to discover that irrigating the ears with cold water induced nystagmus, popularized the use of 10 to 20 cc. of ice water which certainly induced strong nystagmus, past-pointing, and drift (walking toward the irrigated side) and also frequently caused intense autonomic symptoms of nausea and v0rniting.l In an attempt to minimize the discomfort and side effects of caloric testing, Kobrak, in 1920, studied the use of smaller volumes of irrigating fluid at temperatures closer to that of the b0dy. ~~3 He used 5 to 10 cc. of water at 27” C. initially, and if no response was found, he lowered the temperature in a stepwise fashion to below 20” C. His method minimized the patient’s discomfort but was time-consuming and required a temperature-controlled water source. In 1942, Fitzgerald and Hallpike described their widely accepted caloric method in which the ears were irrigated for forty seconds with water 7” C. above and below body temperature, these temperatures being the least deviation from body temperature that caused an adequate, reproducible stimulation of the lab~r in th . ~ Their method causes only moderate discomfort, is very sensitive, and evaluates both peripheral and central vestibular system imbalances. It too, however, requires a temperature-controlled water source. In yet another attempt to decrease the complexity and discomfort of caloric testing, Linthicum, in 1964, described a method using initially only 0.2 cc. of ice water. & He progressively doubled the amount of ice water if no response was found with the lowest quantity. Thus, he attempted to identify the “threshold amount of ice water necessary to initiate nystagmus. In the present study, we explored Linthicum’s method further in normal subjects and vertiginous patients by measuring not only the amount of ice water necessary to initiate nystagmus but also the duration and intensity of the response. This was done in an attempt to characterize the overall stimulus strength of such small amounts of ice water and to assess the usefulness of the method as a vestibular screening test available to all physicians.
Eye movements across viewpoint changes in multiple object tracking

Observers can visually track multiple objects that move independently even if the scene containing the moving objects is rotated in a smooth way. Abrupt scene rotations yield tracking more difficult but not impossible. For nonrotated, stable dynamic displays, the strategy of looking at the targets' centroid has been shown to be of importance for visual tracking. But which factors determine successful visual tracking in a nonstable dynamic display? We report two eye tracking experiments that present evidence for centroid looking. Across abrupt viewpoint changes, gaze on the centroid is more stable than gaze on targets indicating a process of realigning targets as a group. Further, we show that the relative importance of centroid looking increases with object speed.