Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An in vivo study of hindfoot 3D kinetics in stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) flatfoot based on weight-bearing CT scan

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the rotation and translation of each joint in the hindfoot and compare the load response in healthy feet with that in stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) flatfoot by analysing the reconstructive three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) image data during simulated weight-bearing. Methods CT scans of 15 healthy feet and 15 feet with stage II PTTD flatfoot were taken first in a non-weight-bearing condition, followed by a simulated full-body weight-bearing condition. The images of the hindfoot bones were reconstructed into 3D models. The ‘twice registration’ method in three planes was used to calculate the position of the talus relative to the calcaneus in the talocalcaneal joint, the navicular relative to the talus in talonavicular joint, and the cuboid relative to the calcaneus in the calcaneocuboid joint. Results From non- to full-body-weight-bearing condition, the difference in the talus position relative to the calcaneus in the talocalcaneal joint was 0.6° more dorsiflexed (p = 0.032), 1.4° more everted (p = 0.026), 0.9 mm more anterior (p = 0.031) and 1.0 mm more proximal (p = 0.004) in stage II PTTD flatfoot compared with that in a healthy foot. The navicular position difference relative to the talus in the talonavicular joint was 3° more everted (p = 0.012), 1.3 mm more lateral (p = 0.024), 0.8 mm more anterior (p = 0.037) and 2.1 mm more proximal (p = 0.017). The cuboid position difference relative to the calcaneus in the calcaneocuboid joint did not change significantly in rotation and translation (all p ≥ 0.08). Conclusion Referring to a previous study regarding both the cadaveric foot and the live foot, joint instability occurred in the hindfoot in simulated weight-bearing condition in patients with stage II PTTD flatfoot. The method used in this study might be applied to clinical analysis of the aetiology and evolution of PTTD flatfoot, and may inform biomechanical analyses of the effects of foot surgery in the future. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:255–63.
A Study of the Time Variability of the PSF in F 606 W Images taken with WFC 3 / UVIS

This document is the first in a series designed to study how the F606W WFC3/UVIS Point-Spread Function (PSF) changes with focus. We have extracted star images from a large number of WFC3/UVIS exposures and use these images to explore the variation of the WFC3/UVIS PSF over time — both the long-term changes due to focus drifts and resets and the short-term changes related to breathing. We find that the PSF tends to vary in regular ways such that we are able to develop an empirical model to describe this variation. Future documents will aim to construct tools that can be used to provide accurate PSFs for individual exposures.
A vector quantization based k-NN approach for large-scale image classification

The k-nearest-neighbour classifiers (k-NN) have been one of the simplest yet most effective approaches to instance based learning problem for image classification. However, with the growth of the size of image datasets and the number of dimensions of image descriptors, popularity of k-NNs has decreased due to their significant storage requirements and computational costs. In this paper we propose a vector quantization (VQ) based k-NN classifier, which has improved efficiency for both storage requirements and computational costs. We test the proposed method on publicly available large scale image datasets and show that the proposed method performs comparable to traditional k-NN with significantly better complexity and storage requirements.
Rett Syndrome Astrocytes Are Abnormal and Spread MeCP2 Deficiency through Gap Junctions

MECP2, an X-linked gene encoding the epigenetic factor methyl-CpG-binding protein-2, is mutated in Rett syndrome (RTT) and aberrantly expressed in autism. Most children affected by RTT are heterozygous Mecp2 −/+ females whose brain function is impaired postnatally due to MeCP2 deficiency. While prior functional investigations of MeCP2 have focused exclusively on neurons and have concluded the absence of MeCP2 in astrocytes, here we report that astrocytes express MeCP2, and MeCP2 deficiency in astrocytes causes significant abnormalities in BDNF regulation, cytokine production, and neuronal dendritic induction, effects that may contribute to abnormal neurodevelopment. In addition, we show that the MeCP2 deficiency state can progressively spread at least in part via gap junction communications between mosaic Mecp2 −/+ astrocytes in a novel non-cell-autonomous mechanism. This mechanism may lead to the pronounced loss of MeCP2 observed selectively in astrocytes in mouse Mecp2 −/+ brain, which is coincident with phenotypic regression characteristic of RTT. Our results suggest that astrocytes are viable therapeutic targets for RTT and perhaps regressive forms of autism.
A dynamic spectrum management framework for efficient TVWS exploitation

This paper elaborates on a prototype spectrum management framework, for dynamic exploitation of underused radio spectrum, such as TV White Spaces (TVWS), QoS provisioning and policy management, under the real time secondary spectrum market policy. The proposed framework is applied in a centralised Cognitive Radio (CR) network architecture, where the exploitation of the available TVWS, as well as the administration of the economic transactions is orchestrated via a Spectrum Broker. Towards efficiently exploiting TVWS, a fixed-price algorithm is proposed that coordinates the available resources among Secondary Systems, in terms of maximum possible TVWS utilisation and minimum frequency fragmentation. Furthermore, an auction-based algorithm is proposed that considers both frequency and time domain during TVWS allocation process, where maximum payoff of Spectrum Broker is the optimization target. Experimental tests that were carried-out under controlled conditions environment, verified the validity of the proposed framework, besides identifying fields for further research.
Reference Code : 2195

Number of Words: 3993 (suggested length: 4000 words). Level: 2 (For Advanced undergraduates/Graduate students) Article Definition (up to 2 sentences): The cerebral cortex, or outer cell layer of the brain, is divided into a mosaic of discrete areas with different functions: specific regions control vision, sensory and motor function, hearing, and language. We review how the cortex is organized, and describe the major cortical diseases that impact brain function and behavior.
The Impact of Harvesting, Storage and Processing Factors on Health-Promoting Phytochemicals in Berries and Fruits

Increasing epidemiological and experimental data now emphasize that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits confers many health benefits. Functional products containing elevated levels of bioactive compounds are attracting considerable attention due to their potential to lower the risk of chronic diseases and their associated huge healthcare costs. On a global scale, there is an increasing demand for berries and fruits, since they are natural polyphenol-rich raw material to be incorporated into functional foods, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. This is a major challenge for both industry and horticultural experts, because the content of health-promoting compounds in plants varies widely not only in different plant species, but also between cultivars. The content is also significantly affected by harvesting, storage and processing factors. This review summarizes the recent data and clarifies the main contributors of harvesting time, various storage conditions and post-harvest procedures, such as temperature management, controlled atmosphere, 1-MCP, calcium and plant activators, as ways to influence health-promoting compounds in fruits. Furthermore, the ways processing factors, e.g., enzymatic treatment, pressing, clarification, temperature, pressure and fermentation, can influence the levels of polyphenols and vitamins in berries and soft fruits will be discussed. Finally, strategies for preventing the decline of health-promoting compounds in fruits during long-term storage will be assessed in light of recent scientific progress and modern methods, which preserve the levels of polyphenols, will be highlighted.
An investigation of self-organization in wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is an emerging special type of ad-hoc wireless networks technology. It is usually designed for special purpose applications. WSN has its own special characteristics that differentiate it from other types of wireless networks. These differences raise new challenges to be overcome; one of them is self-organization. As in any rising domain, it is essential to specifically define the meaning of new terminologies. The terms self-organizing and self-configuring are an example of such terms that may have overlapping meaning. In this investigation, we tried to make a definition for both terms to specifically determine their role in the WSN domain, and stress on the differences between them. Consequently, we tried to show the importance of self- organization in enhancing sensor network's performance, and efficient usage of its resources. Thus, we tried to highlight the role of different networking layers in affecting self-organization to be a guideline during WSN design phase. Finally, we highlighted some of the future needs in the WSN domain, and their need for research attention.
Physical Elements : Using chains and cell complexesto solve multiple domain PDE problemsRichard

A physical element is an object-oriented deenition of a physical phenomenon, which is parameterized by a cell { a simple region of space. Physical elements may be systematically applied to a region of space that has been decomposed by a cell complex to create an executable chain model of the behavior in the region. A physical element represents behavior in terms of algebraic-topological constraints on the quantities of the the problem. This enables physical systems to be expressed in algebraic expressions written in a well established and understood mathematical language, which, as it turns out, has remarkable computational applications and properties as well. When a phenomenon is represented in terms of constraints on standard quantities of physics, such as mass, momentum, energy, charge, and so forth, interactions between diierent phenomena are easily expressed, facilitating the construction of coupled-problem simulators. This article describes how these tools have been used to create compatible models of linear elasticity and inviscid, compressible uid ow, and how these were combined to create a simulator for a coupled elasticity//uid problem.
Correlation between Bispectral Index, Observational Sedation Scale, and Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure in volunteers using dexmedetomidine or propofol

Summary Background Many anesthetics reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and consequently the gastro-esophageal pressure gradient (GEPG); thus they may promote gastro-esophageal reflux and contribute to aspiration pneumonia. Our goals were to evaluate the association between LESP and 2 measures of sedation: bispectral index (BIS) and the responsiveness component of the Observer’s Assessment of Alertness score (OAA/S). Material/Methods Eleven healthy volunteers were each sedated on 2 separate days. Subjects were given sedative infusions of increasing target plasma concentrations of dexmedetomidine or propofol. LESP and GEPG were recorded after starting each infusion phase. Generalized estimating equation modeling was used to assess the relationship between LESP and, respectively, BIS and OAA/S. The existence of a drug-dependent association was evaluated within these models by testing an interaction term. Wald tests were used to evaluate the relationships within the models. Results We found a significant relationship between LESP and BIS (P=0.0043) after adjusting for the main effect of sedative type – a deepening of sedation as measured by a decrease in BIS of 10% was associated with a decrease [Bonferroni-adjusted 95% CI] in LESP of −1.34 [−2.39, −0.29] mmHg. After adjusting for the main effect of sedative drug, LESP significantly declined with declining OAA/S (P=0.001); a unit decrease of OAA/S was associated with a decrease [Bonferroni-adjusted 95% CI] in LESP of −2.01 [−3.20, −0.81] mmHg. Conclusions Deeper sedation, as measured by either BIS or OAA/S, significantly reduces LESP.
A Definitional Question Answering System Based on Phrase Extraction Using Syntactic Patterns

We propose a definitional question answering system that extracts phrases using syntactic patterns which are easily constructed manually and can reduce the coverage problem. Experimental results show that our phrase extraction system outperforms a sentence extraction system, especially for selecting concise answers, in terms of recall and precision, and indicate that the proper text unit of answer candidates and the final answer has a significant effect on the system performance.
Understanding the Formation of PbSe Honeycomb Superstructures by Dynamics Simulations

Using a coarse-grained molecular dynamics model, we simulate the self-assembly of PbSe nanocrystals (NCs) adsorbed at a flat fluid-fluid interface. The model includes all key forces involved: NC-NC short- range facet-specific attractive and repulsive interactions, entropic effects, and forces due to the NC adsorption at fluid-fluid interfaces. Realistic values are used for the input parameters regulating the various forces. The interface-adsorption parameters are estimated using a recently introduced sharp- interface numerical method which includes capillary deformation effects. We find that the final structure in which the NCs self-assemble is drastically affected by the input values of the parameters of our coarse- grained model. In particular, by slightly tuning just a few parameters of the model, we can induce NC self- assembly into either silicene-honeycomb superstructures, where all NCs have a f111g facet parallel to the fluid-fluid interface plane, or square superstructures, where all NCs have a f100g facet parallel to the interface plane. Both of these nanostructures have been observed experimentally. However, it is still not clear their formation mechanism, and, in particular, which are the factors directing the NC self-assembly into one or another structure. In this work, we identify and quantify such factors, showing illustrative assembled-phase diagrams obtained from our simulations. In addition, with our model, we can study the self-assembly dynamics, simulating how the NCs’ structures evolve from few-NCs aggregates to gradually larger domains. For example, we observe linear chains, where all NCs have a f110g facet parallel to the interface plane as typical precursors of the square superstructure, and zigzag aggregates, where all NCs have a f111g facet parallel to the interface plane as typical precursors of the silicene-honeycomb superstructure. Both of these aggregates have also been observed experimentally. Finally, we show indications that our method can be applied to study defects of the obtained superstructures.
The relationship between sensory integration challenges and the dietary intake and nutritional status of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Mumbai, India

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the dietary intake, food refusal, and nutritional status of younger and older children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Mumbai, India, and to understand the relationships between these variables and mealtime behaviors and sensory integration. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study. Convenience and snowball sampling was used. Data were collected from 146 mother–children pairs, where children belonged to two age groups (3–6 years and 7–11 years). Caregivers completed scales on mealtime behaviors, sensory integration, and the dietary intake of their children. Nutritional status of the children was assessed by measuring their height and weight. Based on BMI ‘z’ scores, children were classified as ‘Underweight’, ‘Mild Underweight’, ‘Normal BMI’, ‘Overweight’, or ‘Obese’. Results: There was no significant difference in mealtime behavior and sensory integration scores between the two age groups. There was a significant inverse relationship between the mealtime behavior and sensory integration scores. There was no relationship between these two variables and the dietary intake of children. However, there was a significant relationship between these two variables and the number of food groups refused by children with ASD. Only 39.7% children had a normal BMI. There was a significant positive relationship between dietary intake and nutritional status of children. Conclusion: Difficulties in sensory integration may contribute to mealtime behavioral problems and inadequate dietary intake in these children. At the same time, higher dietary intake (which may be poor in diversity) may be related with a higher likelihood of being overweight.
Control Task Substitution in Semiautomated Driving

Objective: The study was designed to show how driver attention to the road scene and engagement of a choice of secondary tasks are affected by the level of automation provided to assist or take over the basic task of vehicle control. It was also designed to investigate the difference between support in longitudinal control and support in lateral control. Background: There is comparatively little literature on the implications of automation for drivers’ engagement in the driving task and for their willingness to engage in non-driving-related activities. Method: A study was carried out on a high-level driving simulator in which drivers experienced three levels of automation: manual driving, semiautomated driving with either longitudinal or lateral control provided, and highly automated driving with both longitudinal and lateral control provided. Drivers were free to pay attention to the roadway and traffic or to engage in a range of entertainment and grooming tasks. Results: Engagement in the nondriving tasks increased from manual to semiautomated driving and increased further with highly automated driving. There were substantial differences in attention to the road and traffic between the two types of semiautomated driving. Conclusion: The literature on automation and the various task analyses of driving do not currently help to explain the effects that were found. Lateral support and longitudinal support may be the same in terms of levels of automation but appear to be regarded rather differently by drivers.
No-reference image quality assessment based on local region statistics

In this paper, we propose an effective no-reference image quality assessment (IQA) method based on local region statistics (NRLRS). The proposed method is built on the hypothesis that image distortions may alter the local region statistics which can be well characterized by the inter-pixel relationship. Hence, by extracting perceptual features that describe the inter-pixel patterns of a distorted image, we can effectively quantify the impact of image degradation. For this purpose, the perceptual gray-level differences between neighboring pixels are extracted and a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) codebook is constructed as the generative model of extracted features. The Fisher vector representation is then derived to describe image as their derivations from the GMM model. Finally, partial least square regression is used to map the Fisher encodings to quality scores. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves better performance in quality prediction as compared to relevant full-reference and no-reference IQA methods.
Folate, Homocysteine, and Arsenic Metabolism in Arsenic-Exposed Individuals in Bangladesh

Chronic exposure to arsenic is occurring throughout South and East Asia due to groundwater contamination of well water. Variability in susceptibility to arsenic toxicity may be related to nutritional status. Arsenic is methylated to monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) via one-carbon metabolism, a biochemical pathway that is dependent on folate. The majority of one-carbon metabolism methylation reactions are devoted to biosynthesis of creatine, the precursor of creatinine. Our objectives of this cross-sectional study were to characterize the relationships among folate, cobalamin, homocysteine, and arsenic metabolism in Bangladeshi adults. Water arsenic, urinary arsenic, urinary creatinine, plasma folate, cobalamin, and homocysteine were assessed in 1,650 adults; urinary arsenic metabolites were analyzed for a subset of 300 individuals. The percentage of DMA in urine was positively associated with plasma folate (r = 0.14, p = 0.02) and negatively associated with total homocysteine (tHcys; r = −0.14, p = 0.01). Conversely, percent MMA was negatively associated with folate (r = −0.12, p = 0.04) and positively associated with tHcys (r = 0.21, p = 0.0002); percent inorganic arsenic (InAs) was negatively associated with folate (r = −0.12, p = 0.03). Urinary creatinine was positively correlated with percent DMA (r = 0.40 for males, p < 0.0001; 0.25 for females, p = 0.001), and with percent InAs (r = −0.45 for males, p < 0.0001; −0.20 for females, p = 0.01). Collectively, these data suggest that folate, tHcys, and other factors involved in one-carbon metabolism influence arsenic methylation. This may be particularly relevant in Bangladesh, where the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia is extremely high.
NEMA Class I transformers

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has promulgated performance and test requirements for low-voltage designs that can be listed as NEMA Class I, and for such units efficiencies are somewhat higher than those that appear in the literature as standards designs. This article explores the practical economic effects of transformer selection over a range of efficiency levels at and above the NEMA Class I levels. Comparisons of NEMA Class I with standard-efficiency liquid and dry substation transformers and with premium transformers are discussed. Currently there are no specific standards to distinguish premium-efficiency transformers from standard-efficiency transformers. In making the purchasing decision for unit substations, the value of transformer losses is one of the economic factors to be considered.
An action guided constraint satisfaction technique for planning problem

This paper presents an action guided constraint satisfaction technique for planning problem. Different from the standard algorithms which are almost domain independence and cannot reflect the characteristics of the planning progress, we discuss how the action rules in planning act in constraint satisfaction problems. Based on the conclusion, an action directed constraint is proposed to guide the variable selected procedure in constraint satisfaction problems. Through theoretical analysis, this technique is prior an order of magnitude in variable select procedure over the ordinary heuristic technique and can be used in constraint-programmed planning problem generally. With the simulation experiments it shows that the algorithm with action guided constraint can effectively reduce the number of constraint checks during the planning procedure and has a better performance on total running time over the standard version.