Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and control of prosthetic hand using myoelectric signal

The surface electromyogram (sEMG) signal is widely used to control externally powered prosthesis, robot, and human-computer interfaces (HCI) as it contains important neuro muscular information. A prosthetic device is a biomimetic device that replaces a missing body part of an amputee which may be lost due to trauma, disease or congenital conditions. A myoelectric prosthesis is controlled by sEMG signals. The sEMG signals are electrical manifestation of neuro muscular activities which is recorded non-invasively using bio-potential electrodes. In this work, three surface electrodes are placed on the forearm over the relevant muscles. The acquired sEMG signals are filtered, amplified and converted into the digital signal when the forearm muscles get contracted and relaxed. The output of the processed is further transmitted to the controller to which the five DC motor of the prosthetic hand are connected. These DC motors are intended to control each of the finger of the prosthetic hand. Depending upon the controller output, appropriate DC motor is actuated to perform the hand movement.
Dynamic Resource Allocation Framework for MooD (MBMS Operation On-Demand)

The demand for mobile video is increasing every year. To address the strain on long term evolution (LTE) networks 3GPP introduced multimedia broadcast multicast operation (MBMS). As of LTE release 12, support for MBMS operation on-demand (MooD) was also added (MooD enables dynamic resource configuration of multicast flows). While multicast algorithms assuage the demands on the network, quality-of-service performance metrics no longer are considered an accurate measure of a user's satisfaction with the network; recent multimedia studies show that quality-of-experience (QoE) is more accurate. In order to maximize the QoE of all users in a LTE MooD system, we propose two resource allocation algorithms, both of which efficiently allocate resource blocks (RBs) based on both the demand for each live video stream and the channel conditions of the users within each group. We also compare our resource allocation algorithms against four other commonly used resource allocation algorithms. Both of our algorithms achieve a higher QoE and video quality, when compared to other commonly used resource allocation algorithms. Furthermore, our algorithms demonstrate efficient resource allocation regardless of whether or not the RBs are sufficient.
Organization and Management Research in Transition Economies

Abstract This article ascertains some problematic issues that may arise when conducting organization and management research in the former socialist countries. It reflects on methodological difficulties the two authors have encountered themselves in doing empirical research in a number of East European transition economies (the Baltic States, Bulgaria, and the CIS-especially in Belarus, Russia, and the Ukraine) since the beginning of the transformation in the late 1980s. By providing examples from their own experience, the authors suggest some solutions for solving methodological problems, which other researchers might face while accomplishing empirical studies in a peculiar but also a very attractive research context.
Pathophysiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a common, dose-dependent adverse effect of several antineoplastics. It can lead to detrimental dose reductions and discontinuation of treatment, and severely affects the quality of life of cancer survivors. Clinically, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy presents as deficits in sensory, motor, and autonomic function which develop in a glove and stocking distribution due to preferential effects on longer axons. The pathophysiological processes are multi-factorial and involve oxidative stress, apoptotic mechanisms, altered calcium homeostasis, axon degeneration and membrane remodeling as well as immune processes and neuroinflammation. This review focusses on the commonly used antineoplastic substances oxaliplatin, cisplatin, vincristine, docetaxel, and paclitaxel which interfere with the cancer cell cycle—leading to cell death and tumor degradation—and cause severe acute and chronic peripheral neuropathies. We discuss drug mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic disposition relevant to the development of peripheral neuropathy, the epidemiology and clinical presentation of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, emerging insight into genetic susceptibilities as well as current understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment approaches.
Protrusion of the posterior longitudinal ligament simulating herniated lumbar intervertebral disc.

The most common cause of lumbar or sacral nerve-root compression probably is herniation of the nucleus pulposus. There are some patients with typical clinical-and even radiological-evidence of ne'rVe root compression, however, in whom no herniation is found at operation; instead the nerve root is compressed by a fold in the posterior longitudinal ligament, and, when this is excised, there is
Household inflation expectations and inflation dynamics

Although in modern monetary economics it is usually assumed that inflation expectations play a prominent role when economic agents set prices and wages, the empirical evidence for this link is scarce. This paper aims to identify the effect of changes in inflation expectations on prices and wages in an SVAR framework for three inflation targeting countries (Czech Republic, Hungary and United Kingdom). The results show that in all countries the effect is significant. In comparison with the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic, inflation expectations in Hungary are more volatile and less anchored, which can be an important source of the high volatility of the inflation rate.
Sink fast and swim harder! Round-trip cost-of-transport for buoyant divers

SUMMARY Efficient locomotion between prey resources at depth and oxygen at the surface is crucial for breath-hold divers to maximize time spent in the foraging layer, and thereby net energy intake rates. The body density of divers, which changes with body condition, determines the apparent weight (buoyancy) of divers, which may affect round-trip cost-of-transport (COT) between the surface and depth. We evaluated alternative predictions from external-work and actuator-disc theory of how non-neutral buoyancy affects round-trip COT to depth, and the minimum COT speed for steady-state vertical transit. Not surprisingly, the models predict that one-way COT decreases (increases) when buoyancy aids (hinders) one-way transit. At extreme deviations from neutral buoyancy, gliding at terminal velocity is the minimum COT strategy in the direction aided by buoyancy. In the transit direction hindered by buoyancy, the external-work model predicted that minimum COT speeds would not change at greater deviations from neutral buoyancy, but minimum COT speeds were predicted to increase under the actuator disc model. As previously documented for grey seals, we found that vertical transit rates of 36 elephant seals increased in both directions as body density deviated from neutral buoyancy, indicating that actuator disc theory may more closely predict the power requirements of divers affected by gravity than an external work model. For both models, minor deviations from neutral buoyancy did not affect minimum COT speed or round-trip COT itself. However, at body-density extremes, both models predict that savings in the aided direction do not fully offset the increased COT imposed by the greater thrusting required in the hindered direction.
Fusarium graminearum and Its Interactions with Cereal Heads: Studies in the Proteomics Era

The ascomycete fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum (teleomorph stage: Gibberella zeae) is the causal agent of Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley. This disease leads to significant losses of crop yield, and especially quality through the contamination by diverse fungal mycotoxins, which constitute a significant threat to the health of humans and animals. In recent years, high-throughput proteomics, aiming at identifying a broad spectrum of proteins with a potential role in the pathogenicity and host resistance, has become a very useful tool in plant-fungus interaction research. In this review, we describe the progress in proteomics applications toward a better understanding of F. graminearum pathogenesis, virulence, and host defense mechanisms. The contribution of proteomics to the development of crop protection strategies against this pathogen is also discussed briefly.
Left Unsupervised: A Look at the Most Vulnerable Children. Child Trends Research Brief.

Overview The popular movie Home Alone and its sequels put a comic spin on the situation of children fending for themselves without adult supervision. In real life, however, children who lack adult supervision – either at home or in other settings – are a serious societal concern, and with good reason. Research finds that when children under 13 are regularly left to spend time alone or to be cared for by young siblings, they may be at risk for injuries and developmental problems. More specifically, these children in “self care” – as some researchers describe it – may be at increased risk for accidents and injuries,1 for social and behavior problems,2 and for academic achievement and school adjustment problems.3
Automated screening versus manual screening: A comparison of the ThinPrep® imaging system and manual screening in a time study

The ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS) is an automated system that assists cytotechnologists in the primary screening of ThinPrep liquid based cervical samples. Between June 1, 2004, and April 1, 2005, four experienced cytotechnologists participated in the study in which the duration of the screening procedure was timed for each of the 11,354 slides included. In every slide 22 fields of view were reviewed, and the samples that contained potentially abnormal cells were fully screened. The screening time was reduced by 42% (mean) (p < 0.001). By manual rescreening of the negative TIS samples, abnormal cells were found in 10 samples (false negative rate 0.14%). In every case the abnormal cells had been identified by the scanner, but misinterpreted by the cytotechnologist. These findings stressed the importance of carefulness in the interpretation of the marked fields and beyond that helped the cytotechnologists and pathologists to have more confidence in the automated system. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:348–352. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hard-tissue debris accumulation created by conventional rotary versus self-adjusting file instrumentation in mesial root canal systems of mandibular molars.

AIM To evaluate the accumulation of hard-tissue debris when using the Self-adjusting File (SAF) system in mesial roots of mandibular molars with isthmuses and to compare it with that occurring when the ProTaper file system was used. METHODOLOGY Forty extracted human mandibular molars with joining mesial root canals and an isthmus between the two canals were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and scanned using micro-computed tomography. Root canals in the control group (N = 20) were instrumented using the ProTaper rotary system until F3. Irrigation with 1 mL of 3% NaOCl solution was applied after each instrument. Root canals in the experimental group (N = 20) were prepared using the SAF for 4 min, with continuous irrigation (3% NaOCl, 4 mL min(-1)). After rescanning, canals in both groups were further irrigated with 5 mL of 17% EDTA for 2 min. After final scanning, the per cent value of total canal system volume filled with hard-tissue debris was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test; the alpha-type error was set at 1%. RESULTS Instrumentation of the root canals with ProTaper left 10.1% (IQR 5.2) of the total canal system volume filled with hard-tissue debris while preparation with the SAF left 1.7% (IQR 1.6). This difference was highly significant (P < 0.0001). After subsequent EDTA irrigation, these values were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) to 7.9% (IQR 4.1) and 1.3% (IQR 0.8) in the ProTaper and SAF groups, respectively. CONCLUSION Preparation with the SAF system resulted in less hard-tissue debris accumulation in isthmus-containing root canal systems compared with instrumentation with ProTaper rotary files.
Implementing new financial regulation: actuaries and UK with-profits funds

One feature of the UK Financial Services Authority's (FSA) approach to regulation is the involvement of private actors in the regulatory process. This paper explores the introduction of ‘Principles and Practices of Financial Management’ (PPFM) for the management of with-profits funds of UK life insurers, and reports the experience of actuaries as private actors having a key role in implementing the FSA's PPFM framework. Actuaries reported experiencing considerable challenges in implementing the PPFM framework and, while accountability had increased, actuaries expressed scepticism about the ability of consumers and policyholders to make use of the increased amount of publicly available information.
Exchange Rate Uncertainty and Export Performance: Supply and Demand Effects

Unpredictable fluctuations in the exchange rate can increase the uncertainty that suppliers face in overseas markets if contracts are written in foreign currency. There is an extensive literature on how the volatility of exchange rates can affect trade patterns. In this paper, the author does two things. First he examines how exchange rate uncertainty can affect both the supply of and demand for exports. He then uses a generalized ARCH process to represent the volatility of the exchange rate. Our results suggest that exchange rate volatility does have a role to play in explaining the supply of exports but does not have a significant effect on the demand for exports. However, the effect, though significant statistically, is small. Copyright 1995 by Scottish Economic Society.
Compulsory Voting, Invalid Ballots, and Abstention in Brazil

This paper explores the determinants of invalid ballots and abstention in the world's largest electorate subject to compulsory voting. Previous analysts have seen blank and spoiled ballots either as an expression of po litical protest or as a product of the social structure. To these interpreta tions we add the hypothesis that invalid voting can be caused by institutional factors. In studying twelve legislative elections in Brazil be tween 1945 and 1990, we find that for each of three dependent variables considered (invalid votes for both houses of Congress, and noncompliant abstention), a model incorporating political, socioeconomic, and institu tional factors is more powerful than a model relying on any one of these alone. We also provide evidence that Brazil's unusual system of open-list proportional representation generates institutional features which serve as barriers impeding the effective incorporation of newly enfranchised voters. The extraordinarily high rates of invalid balloting in recent Brazilian elec tions point to the necessity of institutional reform in order to achieve democratic consolidation, with important implications for other new democracies.
Unique system of photoreceptors in sea urchin tube feet

Different sea urchin species show a vast variety of responses to variations in light intensity; however, despite this behavioral evidence for photosensitivity, light sensing in these animals has remained an enigma. Genome information of the recently sequenced purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) allowed us to address this question from a previously unexplored molecular perspective by localizing expression of the rhabdomeric opsin Sp-opsin4 and Sp-pax6, two genes essential for photoreceptor function and development, respectively. Using a specifically designed antibody against Sp-Opsin4 and in situ hybridization for both genes, we detected expression in two distinct groups of photoreceptor cells (PRCs) located in the animal's numerous tube feet. Specific reactivity of the Sp-Opsin4 antibody with sea star optic cushions, which regulate phototaxis, suggests a similar visual function in sea urchins. Ultrastructural characterization of the sea urchin PRCs revealed them to be of a microvillar receptor type. Our data suggest that echinoderms, in contrast to chordates, deploy a microvillar, r-opsin–expressing PRC type for vision, a feature that has been so far documented only in protostome animals. Surprisingly, sea urchin PRCs lack any associated screening pigment. Indeed, one of the tube foot PRC clusters may account for directional vision by being shaded through the opaque calcite skeleton. The PRC axons connect to the animal internal nervous system, suggesting an integrative function beyond local short circuits. Because juveniles display no phototaxis until skeleton completion, we suggest a model in which the entire sea urchin, deploying its skeleton as PRC screening device, functions as a huge compound eye.
A novel member of the STOMATIN/EPB72/mec-2 family, stomatin-like 2 (STOML2), is ubiquitously expressed and localizes to HSA chromosome 9p13.1

A cDNA encoding a novel second member of the Band7/stomatin-like/SPFH domain family in humans designated stomatin-like 2 (STOML2) has been isolated using the technique of cDNA Representational Difference Analysis. The STOML2 cDNA encoded a 356 amino acid residue polypeptide with a predicted molecular weight of 38.5 kDa. The predicted polypeptide sequence of STOML2 could be delineated into three major domains: an N-terminal α-helical region; a domain with significant similarity to a 172 amino acid region of the HSA stomatin polypeptide, composed of an alternating α-helical and β-sheet structure and a C-terminal domain that was mostly α-helical. The stomatin-like domain was observed in 51 other proteins with potentially diverse functions. Based on its homology to stomatin, STOML2 was predicted to be cytoplasmically located. However, unlike most of the other proteins containing stomatin-like domains, the predicted STOML2 polypeptide does not contain a transmembrane region although the presence of N-myristoylation sites suggest that it has the potential to be membrane-associated. Northern blot analysis of a panel of poly(A)+ mRNA from normal human adult tissues showed that a single 1.3-kb mRNA transcript encoding STOML2 was ubiquitously expressed, with relatively higher levels in skeletal muscle and heart compared to other tissues. Comparison of the STOML2 cDNA sequence with human genomic DNA indicated that the gene encoding STOML2 was 3,250 bp long and consisted of ten exons interrupted by nine introns. We have mapped STOML2 to HSA chromosome 9p13.1, a region that is rearranged in some cancers and thought to contain the gene responsible for acromesomelic dysplasia.
Can People Value the Aesthetic and Use Services of Urban Sites? Evidence from a Survey of Belfast Residents

This study explores the potential of conjoint choice experiments for planning decisions on urban sites. We elicit people's preferences for regeneration projects that change the aesthetic and use character of specified urban sites. We use a split-sample design with two sets of regeneration projects. The first entails hypothetical transformations of an actual square with an important cultural and historical dimension. The other consists of hypothetical transformations of an abstract square which we try to make as close as possible to the former in all respects, except for its cultural and historical dimension. Each regeneration project is defined by aesthetic and use attributes. Our results suggest that individual choices are explained by the attributes, andthat the marginal utilities are significantly different across projects forthe actual and the abstract square.
DC/DC boost converter design and development based on asynchronously paralleled switches

DC/DC voltage converters whose wide applications have been reported recently are of the simplest converters which have very good performance. Keeping in mind that of different measures related to these converters, one is to increase their switching power, switch element of limited power and lack of input inductor of enough size have bounded their wide applications. In order to increase the power of these converters so that fit the demanded power, use can be made of several methods such as directly paralleled switches, paralleled switches along with switch's parameters unification using extra-impedance in circuit, using special snubbers, paralleled converters, etc. Even though these methods increase the power, but converters still experience limitations like low efficiency. Author has proposed a novel method called asynchronously paralleled switches, as can be seen from simulation results, which are to much extent able to overcome the current obstacles. For the purpose of more justification, in this paper, besides computer simulation using PSPICE, a prototype based on the proposed method has been developed. Both simulation and experimental results acknowledge the pros of the proposed method over the conventional ones.
Performance analysis of concatenated LDPC codes for video broadcast satellite system

For the emerging digital video broadcast applications of satellite communication system, there is a demand to achieve the low bit error rate, reduced receiver end processing delay with high data rate transmission. Advance forward error correction techniques such as LDPC codes, Turbo codes and BCH codes can be employed to achieve this. LDPC code provides the high throughput, high data rate, improved coding gain and low complexity. It provides a coding gain of 5.12 dB at 3.1×10−3 bit error rate in comparison with convolution code over fading environment however LDPC codes give flat error performance beyond a certain value of SNR, known as error floor region. To improve this, LDPC codes along with BCH code are used for emerging application of satellite communication e. g. digital video broadcast satellite/terrestrial (DVB-S2/T2). Present paper analyzes the performance of forward error correction subsystem (BCH code along with LDPC code) in video broadcast satellite system.
Climbing Career Steps: Becoming a Full Professor of Economics

Event history analysis is used to examine the process of becoming a full professor of economics in Sweden. The data encompass 256 Swedish doctors' dissertations in economics between 1951 and 1989. A piecewise constant exponential model is specified for the transition risk of becoming a full professor. The risk decreases with age at the defense of a doctoral thesis and increases with the current popularity of the chosen topic and with the number of times appointed faculty opponent. There is no indication of individual-specific unobserved heterogeneity in the preferred model. Copyright 1997 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.
Preclinical Evidence of Neuroprotection by Cholinesterase Inhibitors

The protection of neurons from damage and death in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer disease (AD), is a major challenge for neuroscientists in the 21st century. The amyloid β-protein plays an important role in the degenerative process of the disease and increases the vulnerability of cultured cortical neurons to glutamate neurotoxicity. Glutamate may, therefore, play an important role in amyloid β-protein-induced cytotoxicity in the cerebral cortex. Results show that cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil protect cortical neurons against glutamate neurotoxicity via α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at least partly by inhibiting the process of apoptosis. Donepezil also protects against ischemic insults such as those seen in vascular dementia; however, this does not seem to be mediated by nicotinic receptors. This review summarizes data that suggest donepezil possesses neuroprotective actions in addition to amelioration of cognitive deficits by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase.