Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Task-related Trunk Training with Sensory Electrical Stimulation on Sitting Balance in Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of sensory electrical stimulation (SES) and task-related trunk training (TRTT) interventions on sitting postural control in stroke survivors. Methods: Acute to subacute stroke survivors were screened and recruited for this study. Patients were randomly assigned to the SES group, receiving TRTT combined with simultaneous SES of the neck and lumbar muscles, or to the sham group, receiving TRTT combined with sham stimulation. The primary outcome of the sitting task assessment was the joint angles of the neck and trunk. The outcome was measured at three time points (baseline; online effect: 10 min after the intervention started while the intervention continued; and after-effect: immediately after the intervention). Results: In total, 26 patients were divided into the SES (n=13) and sham (n=13) groups. The SES group showed a significant increase in the trunk joint angle for the online effect (P=0.03) and the after-effect (P=0.01) when compared with those measured at baseline. Conclusions: TRTT combined with simultaneous SES of the neck and lumbar muscles can immediately change the trunk angle during a sitting balancing task.
Effect of Active Breaks on reading comprehension in a foreign language

The aim of the present study was to find out whether Active-Breaks (AB) improve the three levels of reading comprehension in a foreign language which could be a determining variable in the academic success of the implementation of CLIL programmes. This study involved a total of 50 healthy students [n=25: Control Condition (CC), and n= 25: Active-Break Condition (ABC)] from one secondary school in the Region of Andalucía (Spain). To investigate the acute effects of an AB on reading comprehension in a foreign language, those in the CC were asked to maintain their ordinary routines, while those in the ABC modified their class by introducing ten minutes of exercise. After that both groups complete a reading comprehension test. Significant different were found in both question of literal comprehension, p=0.03, d=0.38, p=0.001, d=0.11, and in both question of inferential comprehension, p=. 003, d=0.35, p=0.03, d=0.47. Crucially, in both question of evaluation, p=0.26, d=0.20, p=0.41, d=0.40, no significant difference was appreciated. The present study demonstrated that overall student’s reading comprehension in a foreign language improves after of AB of 10 min (compared with CC) and concretely, improve the efficiency in question of literal comprehension and inferential comprehension.
Sampled-Data Observer for Supercapacitor Parameters Estimation with NEDC cycles

In this paper, a parameters estimation method of a supercapacitor is proposed through NEDC cycles. The goal is to provide a fast and good online estimation of key parameters (resistance and capacitance) as they are useful for estimating of its State Of Charge (SOF) and State Of Health (SOH). A new continuous-discrete nonlinear observer is designed to estimate, both states and parameters using sampled measurements. This observer is proved to be globally exponentially convergent by a sufficient condition about the sampling time. Experimental results highlight good performances of the observer in online parameters estimation.
Pesticide residues in food - 2002 - Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues

En esta publicación se presenta un informe sobre las primeras seis conferencias mediante correo electrónico organizadas por el Foro electrónico de la FAO sobre la biotecnología en la alimentación y la agricultura, celebradas entre marzo de 2000 y mayo de 2001. Todas las conferencias contaron con un moderador, duraron aproximadamente dos meses y se centraron en la biotecnología agrícola en los países en desarrollo. Las cuatro primeras conferencias trataron de la idoneidad para los países en desarrollo de las biotecnologías actualmente disponibles en los sectores agrícola, pesquero, forestal y ganadero. Las otras dos conferencias trataron de las repercusiones de la biotecnología agrícola sobre el hambre y la seguridad alimentaria en los países en desarrollo y las consecuencias de los derechos de propiedad intelectual en la alimentación y la agricultura en esos países. 8 ISSN 1020-055X
Basin mass dynamic changes in China from GRACE based on a multibasin inversion method

Complex landforms, miscellaneous climates, and enormous populations have influenced various geophysical phenomena in China, which range from water depletion in the underground to retreating glaciers on high mountains and have attracted abundant scientific interest. This paper, which utilizes gravity observations during 2003–2014 from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), intends to comprehensively estimate the mass status in 16 drainage basins in the region. We propose a multibasin inversion method that features resistance to stripe noise and an ability to alleviate signal attenuation from the truncation and smoothing of GRACE data. The results show both positive and negative trends. Tremendous mass accumulation has occurred from the Tibetan Plateau (12.1 ± 0.6 Gt/yr) to the Yangtze River (7.7 ± 1.3 Gt/yr) and southeastern coastal areas, which is suggested to involve an increase in the groundwater storage, lake and reservoir water volume, and the flow of materials from tectonic processes. Additionally, mass loss has occurred in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai‐Liao River Basin (−10.2 ± 0.9 Gt/yr), the Brahmaputra‐Nujiang‐Lancang River Basin (−15.0 ± 1.1 Gt/yr), and Tienshan Mountain (−4.1 ± 0.3 Gt/yr), a result of groundwater pumping and glacier melting. Areas with groundwater depletion are consistent with the distribution of cities with land subsidence in North China. We find that intensified precipitation can alter the local water supply and that GRACE can adequately capture these dynamics, which could be instructive for China's South‐to‐North Water Diversion hydrologic project.
A Modified NAR Scoring Model Incorporating Immune Infiltration Characteristics to Better Predict Long-Term Survival Following Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy in Rectal Cancer

(1) Background: The neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score has been developed as a prognostic tool for survival in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, the NAR score only incorporates weighted cT, ypT, and ypN categories. This long-term follow-up study aims to modify a novel prognostic scoring model and identify a short-term endpoint for survival. (2) Methods: The prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were explored through univariate and multivariate analyses. Based on Cox regression modeling, nomogram plots were constructed. Area under the curve (AUC) and concordance indices were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to compare the efficiency of the nomogram with other prognostic factors. (3) Results: After a long-term follow-up, the 5-year OS was 67.1%. The mean NAR score was 20.4 ± 16.3. Multivariate analysis indicated that CD8+ T-cell, lymphovascular invasion, and the NAR score were independent predictors of OS. The modified NAR scoring model, incorporating immune infiltration characteristics, exhibited a high C-index of 0.739 for 5-year OS, significantly outperforming any individual factor. Moreover, the predictive value of the nomogram was superior to the AJCC stage and pathological complete regression at 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year time points, respectively. Over time, the model’s predictions of long-term survival remained consistent and improved in accuracy. (4) Conclusions: The modified NAR scoring model, incorporating immune infiltration characteristics, demonstrates high accuracy and consistency in predicting OS.
Self-Perceived Clinical Competence of Nurses in Different Working Experiences: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Competence is an essential concept for measuring nurses’ performance in terms of effectiveness and quality. To this end, our analysis highlighted the process of acquiring competencies, their self-evaluation into clinical practice, and how their proficiency levels change throughout the nursing career. In detail, this research explored nurses’ perceived level of competence and the factors that influence it in different contexts. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire to assess the nursing participants’ perception of their competencies in different clinical settings was accomplished. Results: A descriptive and bivariate analysis was performed on 431 nurses. Most respondents assessed their level of competence to be higher than their roles required. The Kruskal–Wallis test confirmed that nursing experience was a relevant factor influencing nursing competencies. Conclusions: We suggest improving the competence of practicing nurses, using experience as a measurable effect of their development.
Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) as a technique to predict nutrient availability to plants

v Declaration . vii Acknowledgements . viii Abbreviations . x List of Tables.xiii List of Figures . xv Chapter 1 Introduction/ Literature review . 1 1.1 Nutrient deficiency issues in Australian soils.1 1.2 Macro-and micronutrient availability in soils.3 1.2.1 Root interception.3 1.2.2 Mass flow.4 1.2.3 Diffusion . 5 1.3 Factors affecting nutrient availability . 6 1.3. 1 Soil factors . 6 1.3. 1.1 Soil pH . 7 1.3. 1.2 Buffering capacity.7 1.3. 1.3 Chelates.8 1.3. 1.4 Other soil factors.9 1.3. 2 Plant factors . 12 1.3. 2.1 Rhizosphere pH.12 1.3. 2.2 Plant genotype.14 1.3. 2.3 Redox potential and root exudates.14 1.3. 2.4 Rhizosphere microorganisms.15 1.4 Predicting nutrient availability.16 1.4. 1 Extraction of soil solution.18 1.4. 2 Extraction methods . 19 1.4. 3 Free ion activities and analytical speciation techniques . 21 1.4. 4 Soil testing for Phosphorus . 22 1.5 Principles of Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films.25 1.5. 1 The DGT device.25 1.5. 2 Mechanics of DGT.26 1.5. 3 Calculation of CE from DGT measurements.28 1.5. 4 Calculation of Rdiff using DGT Induced Fluxes in Soils (DIFS) . 30 1.5. 5 Theory verification.31 1.6 Predicting trace element bioavailability using DGT.32 1.6. 1 Effective concentration correlation with plant uptake . 35 1.7 Limitations of DGT (Chelex Resin) . 38 1.7. 1 Recovery efficiencies.38 1.7. 2 Effect of temperature, pH, and ionic strength.39 1.7. 3 Capacity of DGT.41 1.7. 4 Competition.42 1.8 Potential of DGT for assessment of nutrient availability.42 1.9 Demands for an improved soil test for soil nutrient availability . 44 1.10 Conclusions and project Aims . 45
Swin Transformer Embedding Dual-Stream for Semantic Segmentation of Remote Sensing Imagery

The acquisition of global context and boundary information is crucial for the semantic segmentation of remote sensing (RS) images. In contrast to convolutional neural networks (CNNs), transformers exhibit superior performance in global modeling and shape feature encoding, which provides a novel avenue for obtaining global context and boundary information. However, current methods fail to effectively leverage these distinctive advantages of transformers. To address this issue, we propose a novel single encoder and dual decoders architecture called STDSNet, which embeds the Swin transformer into the dual-stream network for semantic segmentation of RS imagery. The proposed STDSNet employs the Swin transformer as the network backbone in the encoder to address the limitations of CNNs in global modeling and encoding shape features. The dual decoder comprises two parallel streams, namely the global stream (GS) and the shape stream (SS). The GS utilizes the global context fusion module (GCFM) to address the loss of global context during upsampling. It further integrates GCFMs with skip connections and a multiscale fusion strategy to mitigate large-scale regional object classification errors resulting from similar features or shadow occlusion in RS images. The SS introduces the gate convolution module (GCM) to filter out irrelevant features, allowing it to focus on processing boundary information, which improves the semantic segmentation performance of small targets and their boundaries in RS images. Extensive experiments demonstrate that STDSNet outperforms other state-of-the-art methods on the ISPRS Vaihingen and Potsdam benchmarks.
Evaluation of an Isothermal Amplification HPV Assay on Self-Collected Vaginal Samples as Compared to Clinician-Collected Cervical Samples

This study aimed to evaluate the concordance of HPV results between the SentisTM HPV assay (Sentis) (BGI Group, Shenzhen, China), an isothermal amplification-based HPV assay, on self-collected and clinician-collected samples and the agreement of Sentis on self-collected samples with the BD OnclarityTM HPV assay (Onclarity) (Becton, Dickinson, and Company, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA), a PCR-based HPV assay, on clinician-collected samples. This was a prospective study of 104 women attending the colposcopy clinic for abnormal smears. After informed consent, participants self-collected vaginal samples before having clinician-collected cervical samples. Self-collected samples underwent HPV testing with Sentis (Self-Sentis HPV) and clinician-collected samples were tested with Sentis (Clinician-Sentis HPV) and Onclarity (Clinician-Onclarity), which was used as a reference standard. The concordance was assessed using Cohen’s kappa. The prevalence of HPV and the acceptability of self-sampling were also evaluated. The concordance rate between Self-Sentis HPV and Clinician-Sentis HPV was 89.8% with a kappa of 0.769. The concordance rate between Self-Sentis HPV and Clinician-Onclarity was 84.4% with a kappa of 0.643. The prevalence of HPV was 26.0% on Clinician-Onclarity, 29.3% on Clinician-Sentis HPV, and 35.6% on Self-Sentis HPV. Overall, 65% of participants would undergo self-sampling again. This was attributed to mainly not feeling embarrassed (68%) and being convenient (58%). Our study showed a substantial agreement between Self-Sentis HPV with Clinician-Sentis HPV and Clinician-Onclarity. Self-sampling was also shown to be a generally well-accepted method of screening.
Observation and density estimation of a large number of skin capillaries using wide-field portable video capillaroscopy and semantic segmentation

Abstract. Significance Skin capillaries are non-invasively observable; their structure and blood flow can reflect tissue and systemic conditions. Quantitative analysis of video-capillaroscopy images yields novel diagnostic methods. Because the capillary structure is heterogeneous, analyzing more capillaries can increase the evaluation reliability. Aim We developed a system that can observe and quantify numerous capillaries and verified the performance on human skin. Approach We developed a portable video-capillaroscope with a spatial resolution higher than 3.5 μm and a wide field of view (7.4 mm × 5.5 mm) and a method to evaluate capillary numbers and areas using U-Net. The model was trained and tested with 22 and 11 cropped images (2.4 mm × 1.9 mm) obtained from 11 participants, respectively. They were then applied to the 7.2 mm × 5.3 mm images from four participants. Segmentation results were compared to ground-truth at the pixel level and capillary-region level. Results Over 1000 capillaries were simultaneously observed using the proposed system. Although pixel-level segmentation performance was low [intersection over union (IoU) = 24.5%], the number and area could be estimated. These values differed among four participants and seven sites, and they changed after skin barrier destruction. Conclusions The proposed system allows for observing and quantifying numerous skin capillaries simultaneously, suggesting its potential for evaluating tissue and systemic conditions.
Robust Fluid Motion Estimator Based on Attentional Transformer

Estimating complex fluid motions from successive images, i.e., particle image velocimetry (PIV), is of great research significance in physics and engineering applications. Although deep learning-based methods have made great progress for fluid motion estimation, it still remains a challenge in terms of robustness and generalization ability. To address this issue, we present a novel fluid flow estimator called RFMFlowNet in this article, to robustly estimate complex fluid motion using attentional Transformer. Concretely, the feature encoder based on Transformer is customized to enhance features of two frames globally and stably. Here, we also enlarge the receptive field of the encoder according to the characteristics of the flow image to extract more effective information. Then, efficient global matching is performed using 4-D correlation volume. Furthermore, a refined flow field is iteratively predicted using a gated recurrent unit (GRU)-based optimizer. Extensive experiments, including on synthetic and real-world images, are performed to assess the proposed approach. Experimental results demonstrate that the RFMFlowNet achieves new state-of-the-art performance on the public dataset. Meanwhile, our model enjoys great robustness and generalization ability to challenging flow images, reasonably predicting the evolution trend of fluid flows.
Application of Granier's Sap Flow System in Water Use of Acacia mangium Forest

In order to characterize the variance in sap flow within and between trees,and to quantify the water use of whole tree and of forest stand,Granier's thermal dissipation probes were applied to measure sap flux density (Js) in 14 sample trees in an Acacia mangium forest in Heshan Station,Guangdong.It showed that the differences of sap flux density recorded on a sunny day in July of 2004 were significant within tree (of different azimuthal sides) with coefficient of variability ranging from 15.51% to 37.26%,and among trees ranging from 37.46% to 50.73%. These variations were mainly attributed to the texture of sapwood and microclimate surrounding the point on trunk where the measurements were conducted.However,the sap flux density on different azimuthal sides showed significant linear correlation (p0.0001),which provided a feature value for scaling up whole-tree transpiration from sap flux density measured on only one azimuthal side.The responses of tree sap flow to environmental factors were different and depended on the time scales.The daily sap flow was mainly controlled by climatic factors such as radiation and vapor pressure deficit,whereas the soil moisture had more influence of seasonal change on the sap flow.The morphological features of tree significantly affected sap flow.Taller trees with larger sapwood area and canopy size that were load with more radiation demonstrated higher whole-tree transpiration.A proper integration of both azimuthal and radial variations in sap flux density within a tree can be scaled for whole-tree transpiration,which can relatively accurately estimate stand transpiration.The estimation of A.magium forest transpiration from sap flow showed obvious temporal and spatial differentiations of water use within the community.
Comments on “Combination Mode Dynamics of the Anomalous Northwest Pacific Anticyclone”*

AbstractIn a recent paper, Stuecker et al. applied a “combination mode” (C-mode) theory to explain the formation of the anomalous western North Pacific anticyclone (WNPAC) during El Nino events. The C-mode, arising from interaction between the annual cycle and ENSO, is an Indo-Pacific basin mode with two “near annual” time scales (roughly 10 and 15 months, respectively). This comment discusses to what extent the C-mode can explain the WNPAC dynamics. The major findings are the following: 1) spectral analysis of the Indo-Pacific circulation anomaly fields indicates that the 10-month mode is not observed and the 15-month mode is only seen in the western North Pacific (WNP), where its spectral peak is statistically insignificant; 2) the 15-month mode (with a period of 13–19 months) accounts for only a small portion (13%) of the observed sea level pressure anomaly in the WNP; and 3) the C-mode evolution does not capture the observed timing of the WNPAC onset in the northern fall of El Nino developing year. In.
Robustness Analysis for Electric Vehicle Based on Uncertainty from Power Battery Packs

For the electric vehicle design, it is rare to consider the impact of the manufacturing and assembly errors of parts and other uncertain factors on the vehicle dynamic performance. The uncertainty of the power battery packs is studied in robust design of electric vehicles. Firstly, a virtual prototype model of an electric vehicle is built based on a multi-body dynamic modelling software of ADAMS including the parametric power battery packs. Secondly, the impact of the length, width and height size of power battery packs and the installation positioning of the power battery packs, such as the lateral, longitudinal and vertical installation positioning are all analyzed considering the vehicle roll angle. Finally, the robustness of the results from the different design method is compared applying the Monte Carlo method. The results show that the design method used in electric vehicle based on robust theory can effectively resist the interference of uncertain factors from power battery packs and improve the robustness of dynamic performance of electric vehicle.
A Comprehensive Review of Factors That Influence the Accuracy of Intraoral Scanners

Intraoral scanners (IOSs) have become increasingly popular in the field of dentistry for capturing accurate digital impressions of patients’ teeth and oral structures. This study investigates the various factors influencing their accuracy. An extensive search of scholarly literature was carried out via PubMed, utilizing appropriate keywords. Factors evaluated in the included studies were categorized into three primary divisions: those related to the operator, the patient, and the IOS itself. The analysis demonstrated that the accuracy of intraoral scanning is influenced by various factors such as scanner selection, operator skill, calibration, patient’s oral anatomy, ambient conditions, and scanning aids. Maintaining updated software and understanding factors beyond scanner resolution are crucial for optimal accuracy. Conversely, smaller IOS tips, fast scanning speeds, and specific scanning patterns compromise the accuracy and precision. By understanding these factors, dental professionals can make more informed decisions and enhance the accuracy of IOSs, leading to improved final dental restorations.