Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtualizing the Assessment: A Novel Pragmatic Paradigm to Evaluate Lower Extremity Joint Perception in Diabetes

Background: Individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of falls and fall-related injuries. People with diabetes often develop peripheral neuropathy (DPN) as well as nerve damage throughout the body. In particular, reduced lower extremity proprioception due to DPN may cause a misjudgment of foot position and thus increase the risk of fall. Objective: An innovative virtual obstacle-crossing paradigm using wearable sensors was developed in an attempt to assess lower extremity position perception damage due to DPN. Methods: 67 participants (age 55.4 ± 8.9, BMI 28.1 ± 5.8) including diabetics with and without DPN as well as aged-matched healthy controls were recruited. Severity of neuropathy was quantified using a vibratory perception threshold (VPT) test. The ability of perception of lower extremity was quantified by measuring obstacle-crossing success rate (OCSR), toe-obstacle clearance (TOC), and reaction time (TR) while crossing a series of virtual obstacles with heights at 10% and 20% of the subject’s leg length. Results: No significant difference was found between groups for age and BMI. The data revealed that DPN subjects had a significantly lower OCSR compared to diabetics with no neuropathy and controls at an obstacle size of 10% of leg length (p < 0.05). DPN subjects also demonstrated longer TR compared to other groups and for both obstacle sizes. In addition, TOC was reduced in neuropathy groups. Interestingly, a significant correlation between TR and VPT (r = 0.5, p < 10–3) was observed indicating a delay in reaction with increasing neuropathy severity. The delay becomes more pronounced by increasing the size of the obstacle. Using a regression model suggests that the change in TR between obstacle sizes of 10% and 20% of leg length is the most sensitive predictor for neuropathy severity with an odds ratio of 2.70 (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate proof of a concept of virtual-reality application as a promising method for objective assessment of neuropathy severity, however a further study is warranted to establish a stronger relationship between the measured parameters and neuropathy.
Synchronization algorithms for shared-memory multiprocessors

A performance evaluation of the Symmetry multiprocessor system revealed that the synchronization mechanism did not perform well for highly contested locks, like those found in certain parallel applications. Several software synchronization mechanisms were developed and evaluated, using a hardware monitor, on the Symmetry multiprocessor system; the mechanisms were to reduce contention for the lock. The mechanisms remain valuable even when changes are made to the hardware synchronization mechanism to improve support for highly contested locks. The Symmetry architecture is described, and a number of lock algorithms and their use of hardware resources are examined. The performance of each lock is observed from the perspective of both the program itself and the total system performance. <<ETX>>
Frova introducer and double‐lumen tubes

References 1. Yanovski B, Gaitini L, Volodarski D, Ben-David B. Catastrophic complication of an interscalene catheter for continuous peripheral nerve block analgesia. Anaesthesia 2012; 67: 1166–9. 2. Fredrickson M, Harrop-Griffiths W. Death by regional block: can the analgesic benefits ever outweigh the risks? Anaesthesia 2012; 67: 1071–5. 3. Ip VH, Tsui BC. Continuous interscalene block: the good, the bad and the refined spread. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 2012; 56: 526–30. 4. Ip V, Bouliane M, Tsui B. Potential contamination of the surgical site caused by leakage from an interscalene catheter with the patient in a seated position: a case report. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 2012; 59: 1125– 9. 5. Tsui BC, Tsui J. Less leakage and dislodgement with a catheter-over-needle versus a catheter-through-needle approach for peripheral nerve block: an ex vivo study. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 2012; 59: 655–61.
On Approximation Algorithms for #P

The theme of this paper is to investigate to what extent approximation, possibly together with randomization, can reduce the complexity of problems in Valiant’s class # P. In general, any function in # P can be approximated to within any constant factor by a function in the class $\Delta _3^p $ of the polynomial-time, hierarchy. Relative to a particular oracle, $\Delta _3^p $ cannot be replaced by $\Delta _2^p $ in this result. Another part of the paper introduces a model of random sampling where the size of a set X is estimated by checking, for various “sample sets” S, whether or not S intersects X For various classes of sample sets, upper and lower bounds on the number of samples required to estimate the size of X are discussed. This type of sampling is motivated by particular problems in # P such as computing the size of a backtrack search tree. In the case of backtrack search trees, a sample amounts to checking whether a certain path exists in the tree. One of the lower bounds suggests that such tests.
Perceptual Classification Images from Vernier Acuity Masked by Noise

Letting external noise rather than internal noise limit discrimination performance allows information to be extracted about the observer's stimulus classification rule. A perceptual classification image is the correlation over trials between the noise amplitude at a spatial location and the observer's responses. If, for example, the observer followed the rule of the ideal observer, the response correlation image would be an estimate of the ideal observer filter, the difference between the two unmasked images being discriminated. Perceptual classification images were estimated for a Vernier discrimination task. The display screen had 48 pixels deg−1 horizontally and vertically. The no-offset image had a dark horizontal line of 4 pixels, a 1 pixel space, and 4 more dark pixels. Classification images were based on 1600 discrimination trials with the line contrast adjusted to keep the error rate near 25%. In the offset image, the second line was one pixel higher. Unlike the ideal observer filter (a horizontal dipole), the observer perceptual classification images are strongly oriented. Fourier transforms of the classification images had a peak amplitude near 1 cycle deg−1 and an orientation near 25 deg. The spatial spread is much more than image blur predicts, and probably indicates the spatial position uncertainty in the task.
Combining Human and Machine Learning for Morphological Analysis of Galaxy Images

The increasing importance of digital sky surveys collecting many millions of galaxy images has reinforced the need for robust methods that can perform morphological analysis of large galaxy image databases. Citizen science initiatives such as Galaxy Zoo showed that large data sets of galaxy images can be analyzed effectively by nonscientist volunteers, but since databases generated by robotic telescopes grow much faster than the processing power of any group of citizen scientists, it is clear that computer analysis is required. Here, we propose to use citizen science data for training machine learning systems, and show experimental results demonstrating that machine learning systems can be trained with citizen science data. Our findings show that the performance of machine learning depends on the quality of the data, which can be improved by using samples that have a high degree of agreement between the citizen scientists. The source code of the method is publicly available.
Application-level scheduling with deadline constraints

Opportunistic scheduling of delay-tolerant traffic has been shown to substantially improve spectrum efficiency. To encourage users to adopt delay-tolerant scheduling for capacity-improvement, it is critical to provide guarantees in terms of completion time. In this paper, we study application-level scheduling with deadline constraints, where the deadline is pre-specified by users/applications and is associated with a deadline violation probability. To address the exponentially-high complexity due to temporally-varying channel conditions and deadline constraints, we develop a novel asymptotic approach that exploits the largeness of the network to our advantage. Specifically, we identify a lower bound on the deadline violation probability, and propose simple policies that achieve the lower bound in the large-system regime. The results in this paper thus provide a rigorous analytical framework to develop and analyze policies for application-level scheduling under very general settings of channel models and deadline requirements. Further, based on the asymptotic approach, we propose the notion of Application-Level Effective Capacity region, i.e., the throughput region that can be supported subject to deadline constraints, which allows us to quantify the potential gain of application-level scheduling.
Small Footprint Multilayered Millimeter-Wave Antennas and Feeding Networks for Multi-Dimensional Scanning and High-Density Integrated Systems

This paper overviews the state-of-the-art of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) techniques in the design and realization of innovative low-cost, low-profile and low-loss (L3) millimeter-wave antenna elements, feeding networks and arrays for various wireless applications. Novel classes of multilayered antenna structures and systems are proposed and studied to exploit the vertical dimension of planar structures to overcome certain limitations in standard two-dimensional (2-D) topologies. The developed structures are based on two techniques, namely multi-layer stacked structures and E-plane corners. Different E-plane structures realized with SIW waveguide are presented, thereby demonstrating the potential of the proposed techniques as in multi-polarization antenna feeding. An array of 128 elements shows low SLL and height gain with just 200 g of the total weight. Two versions of 2-D scanning multi-beam are presented, which effectively combine frequency scanning with beam forming networks. Adding the benefits of wide band performance to the multilayer structure, two bi-layer structures are investigated. Different stacked antennas and arrays are demonstrated to optimize the targeted antenna performances in the smallest footprint possible. These structures meet the requirement for developing inexpensive compact millimeter-wave antennas and antenna systems. Different structures and architectures are theoretically and experimentally studied and discussed for specific spaceand ground-based applications. Practical issues such as high-density integration and high-volume manufacturability are also addressed.
Effects of pimozide on cognition in children with Tourette syndrome: interaction with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Pimozide, a dopamine receptor antagonist, dopamine uptake inhibitor and L‐type calcium channel blocker, is used in children suffering from Tourette syndrome (TS), but its effect on frequently comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is unknown. We have characterized the cognitive effects of pimozide and haloperidol in TS in relation to comorbid ADHD. Sixty‐six consecutive outpatients with TS (DSM‐III‐R), ages 7–16, were randomly assigned to pimozide, haloperidol or medication‐free clinical treatment and evaluated cognitively after 6 weeks. Continuous performance task (CPT) and memory search efficiency were compared across treatments. Treatment, comorbid ADHD and their interaction were significant on the CPT task. Pimozide treatment was superior to haloperidol and improved memory search efficiently over the no‐drug condition.
The Structure of Plant-Animal Mutualistic Networks

Plant-animal mutualistic networks can be described as bipartite graphs depicting the interactions between two distinct sets: plants and animals. These mutualistic networks have been found to be highly structured. Specifically, they show a nested pattern in which specialists interact with proper subsets of the species generalists interact with. This pattern is important for understanding coevolution in species-rich communities which can be reduced neither to pairs of coevolving species nor to diffuse, randomly-interacting assemblages. We discuss the dynamic implications of network structure from the points of view of coevolution, community ecology, and conservation biology.
Evolution handling in PSEEs

The move to more mature software development processes (in the sense of the CMM approach [1]) implies a significant emphasis on process evolution. Currently, Process-centred Software Engineering Environments (PSEEs) are providing means to define and enact process models. However, consistent process and process model evolution still presents considerable difficulties. A major reason is the commonplace deviation between the enactment of a process model and the corresponding activities (process performance) taking place in the real world. In this paper, we analyse the evolution problem and we identify the core requirements for an enhanced PSEE architecture for evolution handling. Then we propose a generic PSEE architecture for consistent process and process model evolution and we describe the experimentation of our theoretical results, done using the Process Weaver system [2].
Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde, Hematotoxicity, and Leukemia-Specific Chromosome Changes in Cultured Myeloid Progenitor Cells

There are concerns about the health effects of formaldehyde exposure, including carcinogenicity, in light of elevated indoor air levels in new homes and occupational exposures experienced by workers in health care, embalming, manufacturing, and other industries. Epidemiologic studies suggest that formaldehyde exposure is associated with an increased risk of leukemia. However, the biological plausibility of these findings has been questioned because limited information is available on the ability of formaldehyde to disrupt hematopoietic function. Our objective was to determine if formaldehyde exposure disrupts hematopoietic function and produces leukemia-related chromosome changes in exposed humans. We examined the ability of formaldehyde to disrupt hematopoiesis in a study of 94 workers in China (43 exposed to formaldehyde and 51 frequency-matched controls) by measuring complete blood counts and peripheral stem/progenitor cell colony formation. Further, myeloid progenitor cells, the target for leukemogenesis, were cultured from the workers to quantify the level of leukemia-specific chromosome changes, including monosomy 7 and trisomy 8, in metaphase spreads of these cells. Among exposed workers, peripheral blood cell counts were significantly lowered in a manner consistent with toxic effects on the bone marrow and leukemia-specific chromosome changes were significantly elevated in myeloid blood progenitor cells. These findings suggest that formaldehyde exposure can have an adverse effect on the hematopoietic system and that leukemia induction by formaldehyde is biologically plausible, which heightens concerns about its leukemogenic potential from occupational and environmental exposures. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(1); 80–8.
High linearity power X-band GaInP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor

We report for the first time two-tone test results measured on a GaInP/GaAs HBT. A 2/spl times/400 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ device delivered more than 1.3 W under one-tone testing at 7.5 GHz and output more than 1 W under two-tone. The corresponding intermodulation product is -14 dBc, and decreases to -21 and -36 dBc, respectively, at 3-dB and 10-dB back-off from the saturated two-tone output. These results demonstrate that GaInP/GaAs HBT's are suitable for microwave transmitter applications. <<ETX>>
Positive Correlations of Oct-4 and Nanog in Oral Cancer Stem-Like Cells and High-Grade Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), like many solid tumors, contains a heterogeneous population of cancer cells. Recent data suggest that a rare subpopulation of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSC), is capable of initiating, maintaining, and expanding the growth of tumor. Identification and characterization of CSC from OSCC facilitates the monitoring, therapy, or prevention of OSCC. Experimental Design: We enriched oral cancer stem-like cells (OC-SLC) through sphere formation by cultivating OSCC cells from established OSCC cell lines or primary cultures of OSCC patients within defined serum-free medium. Differential expression profile of stemness genes between enriched OC-SLC and parental OSCC was elucidated. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of stemness markers on OSCC patient tissues was examined to evaluate the association between stemness genes and prognosis of OSCC. Results: Enriched OC-SLC highly expressed the stem/progenitor cell markers and ABC transporter gene (Oct-4, Nanog, CD117, Nestin, CD133, and ABCG2) and also displayed induced differentiation abilities and enhanced migration/invasion/malignancy capabilities in vitro and in vivo. Elevated expression of CD133 was shown in the enriched OC-SLC from OSCC patients' tumors. Positive correlations of Oct-4, Nanog, or CD133 expression on tumor stage were shown on 52 OSCC patient tissues. Kaplan-Meier analyses exhibited that Nanog/Oct-4/CD133 triple-positive patients predicted the worst survival prognosis of OSCC patients. Conclusion: We enriched a subpopulation of cancer stem-like cell from OSCC by sphere formation. The enriched OC-SLC possesses the characteristics of both stem cells and malignant tumors. Additionally, expression of stemness markers (Nanog/Oct-4/CD133) contradicts the survival prognosis of OSCC patients.
Neural Network Alterations Across Eating Disorders: A Narrative Review of fMRI Studies

Background: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has provided insight on how neural abnormalities are related to the symptomatology of the eating disorders (EDs): anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). More specifically, an increasingly growing number of brain imaging studies has shed light on how func-tionally connected brain networks contribute not only to disturbed eating behavior, but also to transdiagnostic alterations in body/interoceptive perception, reward processing and executive functioning. Methods: This narrative review aims to summarize recent advances in fMRI studies of patients with EDs by highlighting studies investigating network alterations that are shared across EDs. Results and Conclusion: Findings on reward processing in both AN and BN patients point to the presence of altered sensi-tivity to salient food stimuli in striatal regions and to the possibility of hypothalamic inputs being overridden by top-down emotional-cognitive control regions. Additionally, innovative new lines of research suggest that increased activations in fron-to-striatal circuits are strongly associated with the maintenance of restrictive eating habits in AN patients. Although signifi-cantly fewer studies have been carried out in patients with BN and BED, aberrant neural responses to both food cues and an-ticipated food receipt appear to occur in these populations. These altered responses, coupled with diminished recruitment of prefrontal cognitive control circuitry, are believed to contribute to the binge eating of palatable foods. Results from functional network connectivity studies are diverse, but findings tend to converge on indicating disrupted resting-state connectivity in executive networks, the default-mode network and the salience network across EDs.
Endosome-based protein trafficking and Ca2+ homeostasis in the heart

The ability to dynamically regulate, traffic, retain, and recycle proteins within the cell membrane is fundamental to life and central to the normal function of the heart. In the cardiomyocyte, these pathways are essential for the regulation of Ca2+, both at the level of the plasma membrane, but also in local cellular domains. One intracellular pathway often overlooked in relation to cardiovascular Ca2+ regulation and signaling is the endosome-based trafficking pathway. Highlighting its importance, this system and its molecular components are evolutionarily conserved across all metazoans. However, remarkably little is known of how endosome-based protein trafficking and recycling functions within mammalian cells systems, especially in the heart. As the endosomal system acts to regulate the expression and localization of membrane proteins central for cardiac Ca2+ regulation, understanding the in vivo function of this system in the heart is critical. This review will focus on endosome-based protein trafficking in the heart in both health and disease with special emphasis for the role of endocytic regulatory proteins, C-terminal Eps15 homology domain-containing proteins (EHDs).
Isolation of an Adenovirus and an Adeno-Associated Virus from Goat Kids with Enteritis

A dairy goat operation in Minnesota experienced a sudden, markedly increased mortality among its neonatal goats. Approximately 60 of 130 kids (46%) died. The animals had diarrhea and dyspnea of 1–2 days duration before death. Necropsy of 4 goat kids revealed marked, acute, catarrhal enteritis and fibrinous pleuropneumonia. Mannheimia haemolytica was isolated from the lungs. Basophilic inclusion bodies filling the entire nucleus were present in enterocytes of the ileum of 3 goats. Adenoviral particles were detected in the feces by electron microscopy and adenovirus was subsequently isolated from the intestinal content together with a parvo-like virus (dependovirus). Morphology, physicochemical characteristics, and neutralization tests indicated that the adenovirus resembled ovine adenovirus-2 (OAdV-2). However, the PstI restriction endonuclease pattern produced by the goat adenovirus was distinct from that of OAdV-2. This is the first report of enteritis in goats with an adenovirus antigenically related to OAdV-2 and with a parvo-like dependovirus.
Diversification of Floral Homeotic Gene Function

shown to also be required for specifying petal, stamen, and carpel identities, adding another layer of complexity to the ABC model (Pelaz, et al., 2000) (Fig. 1). These MADS-box gene products form ternary and quaternary complexes which could explain, at the molecular level, how these transcription factors coordinate their functions (Honma and Goto, 2001; Pelaz, et al., 2001). The expression patterns of all of these genes, with the exception of AP2 which is expressed ubiquitously throughout the flower, largely corresponds to their domains of action as postulated in the ABC model.
Equivariant vector bundles over classifying spaces for proper actions

Let $G$ be an infinite discrete group and let $\underline{E}G$ be a classifying space for proper actions of $G$. Every $G$-equivariant vector bundle over $\underline{E}G$ gives rise to a compatible collection of representations of the finite subgroups of $G$. We give the first examples of groups $G$ with a cocompact classifying space for proper actions $\underline{E}G$ admitting a compatible collection of representations of the finite subgroups of $G$ that does not come from a $G$-equivariant (virtual) vector bundle over $\underline{E}G$. This implies that the Atiyah-Hirzeburch spectral sequence computing the $G$-equivariant topological $K$-theory of $\underline{E}G$ has non-zero differentials. On the other hand, we show that for right angled Coxeter groups this spectral sequence always collapes at the second page and compute the $K$-theory of the classifying space of a right angled Coxeter group.