Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contributions of Body-Composition Characteristics to Critical Power and Anaerobic Work Capacity.

Critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (AWC) from the CP test represent distinct parameters related to metabolic characteristics of the whole body and active muscle tissue, respectively. PURPOSE To examine the contribution of whole-body composition characteristics and local lean mass to further elucidate the differences in metabolic characteristics between CP and AWC as they relate to whole body and local factors. METHODS Fifteen anaerobically trained men were assessed for whole-body (% body fat and mineral-free lean mass [LBM]) and local mineral-free thigh lean mass (TLM) composition characteristics. CP and AWC were determined from the 3-min all-out CP test. Statistical analyses included Pearson product-moment correlations and stepwise multiple-regression analyses (P ≤ .05). RESULTS Only LBM contributed significantly to the prediction of CP (CP = 2.3 [LBM] + 56.7 [r2 = .346, standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 31.4 W, P = . 021]), and only TLM to AWC (AWC = 0.8 [TLM] + 3.7 [r2 = .479, SEE = 2.2 kJ, P = .004]). CONCLUSIONS The aerobic component (CP) of the CP test was most closely related to LBM, and the anaerobic component (AWC) was more closely related to the TLM. These findings support the theory that CP and AWC are separate measures of whole-body metabolic capabilities and the energy stores in the activated local muscle groups, respectively. Thus, training programs to improve CP and AWC should be designed to include resistance-training exercises to increase whole-body LBM and local TLM.
Time on Your Hands: Perceived Duration of Sensory Events Is Biased Toward Concurrent Actions

Perceptual systems must rapidly generate accurate representations of the world from sensory inputs that are corrupted by internal and external noise. We can typically obtain more veridical representations by integrating information from multiple channels, but this integration can lead to biases when inputs are, in fact, not from the same source. Although a considerable amount is known about how different sources of information are combined to influence what we perceive, it is not known whether temporal features are combined. It is vital to address this question given the divergent predictions made by different models of cue combination and time perception concerning the plausibility of cross-modal temporal integration, and the implications that such integration would have for research programs in action control and social cognition. Here we present four experiments investigating the influence of movement duration on the perceived duration of an auditory tone. Participants either explicitly (Experiments 1–2) or implicitly (Experiments 3–4) produced hand movements of shorter or longer durations, while judging the duration of a concurrently presented tone (500–950 ms in duration). Across all experiments, judgments of tone duration were attracted toward the duration of executed movements (i.e., tones were perceived to be longer when executing a movement of longer duration). Our results demonstrate that temporal information associated with movement biases perceived auditory duration, placing important constraints on theories modeling cue integration for state estimation, as well as models of time perception, action control and social cognition.
2 Methods 2 . 1 Baseline Method : Non-Partitioned Reed Solomon Coded Modulation

In this paper, construction of partitioned Reed Solomon coded modulation (RSCM), which is robust for the additive white Gaussian noise channel and a Rayleigh fading channel, is investigated. By matching configuration of component codes with the channel characteristics, it is shown that this system is robust for the Gaussian and a Rayleigh fading channel. This approach is compared with non-partitioned RSCM, a Reed Solomon code combined with an MPSK signal set using Gray mapping; and block coded MPSK modulation using binary codes, Reed Muller codes. All codes use hard decision decoding algorithm. Simulation results for these schemes show that RSCM based on set partitioning performs better than those that are not based on set partitioning and Reed Muller Coded Modulation across a wide range of conditions. The novel idea here is that in the receiver, we use a rotated 1 2 PSK detector if the transmitter uses a 2 -PSK modulator.
A Loop-Shaped Flexible Mechanism for Robotic Needle Steering

The ability to steer a needle around delicate or bony structures during needle insertion for targeting tumors is promising from the viewpoint of improving the effectiveness of needle insertion. In this letter, a novel flexible mechanism called “Active Sheath” is proposed for realizing shape-controllable cannulas by using only two flexible elements. Then, a steerable needle with an outer diameter of 1.3 mm and a conical tip is presented based on the proposed mechanism. In addition, a robotic manipulator is presented to control the proposed needle precisely to the right and left by using only one translational joint. Based on numerical simulations of Active Sheath using the finite-element method, a dual parallel curve model with constant curvature is developed to describe the Active Sheath system. In the experiments, the curving response of the needle to the various inputs is assessed and the results are compared with those obtained using the kinematic model. Moreover, the shapes of the controlled needles inserted into an agar phantom are investigated and compared with those of a stainless steel bevel-tip needle and a beta-titanium flexible bevel-tip needle. The prototype steerable needle with a conical tip can bend a lateral distance of approximately 91% of that of the beta-titanium flexible bevel-tip needle in 100-mm insertion trials. The proposed flexible mechanism and the steerable needle prototype have the potential to create curved paths through shape-control commands during needle insertion.
A Suppressor Mutation That Creates a Faster and More Robust σE Envelope Stress Response

ABSTRACT The σE envelope stress response is an essential signal transduction pathway which detects and removes mistargeted outer membrane (OM) β-barrel proteins (OMPs) in the periplasm of Escherichia coli. It relies on σE, an alternative sigma factor encoded by the rpoE gene. Here we report a novel mutation, a nucleotide change of C to A in the third base of the second codon, which increases levels of σE (rpoE_S2R). The rpoE_S2R mutation does not lead to the induction of the stress response during normal growth but instead changes the dynamics of induction upon periplasmic stress, resulting in a faster and more robust response. This allows cells to adapt faster to the periplasmic stress, avoiding lethal accumulation of unfolded OMPs in the periplasm caused by severe defects in the OMP assembly pathway. IMPORTANCE Survival of bacteria under conditions of external or internal stresses depends on timely induction of stress response signaling pathways to regulate expression of appropriate genes that function to maintain cellular homeostasis. Previous studies have shown that strong preinduction of envelope stress responses can allow bacteria to survive a number of lethal genetic perturbations. In our paper, we describe a unique mutation that enhances kinetics of the σE envelope stress response pathway rather than preinducing the response. This allows bacteria to quickly adapt to sudden and severe periplasmic stress.
Establishment of a murine model for radiation-induced bone loss using micro-computed tomography in adult C3H/HeN mice

Bone changes are common sequela of radiation therapy for cancer. The purpose of this study was to establish an experimental model of radiation-induced bone loss in adult mice using micro-computed tomography (µCT). The extent of changes following 2 Gy gamma irradiation (2 Gy/min) was studied at 4, 8, 12 or 16 weeks after exposure. Adult mice that received 1, 2, 4 or 6 Gy of gamma-rays were examined 12 weeks after irradiation. Tibiae were analyzed using µCT. Serum markers and biomechanical properties were measured and the osteoclast surface was examined. A significant loss of trabecular bone in tibiae was evident 12 weeks after exposure. Measurements performed after irradiation showed a dose-related decrease in trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone mineral density (BMD), respectively. The best-fitting dose-response curves were linear-quadratic. Taking the controls into accounts, the lines of best fit were as follows: BV/TV (%)= -0.071D2-1.799D+18.835 (r2=0.968, D=dose in Gy) and BMD (mg/cm3) = -3.547D2-14.8D+359.07 (r2=0.986, D=dose in Gy). Grip strength and body weight did not differ among the groups. No dose-dependent differences were apparent among the groups with regard to mechanical and anatomical properties of tibia, serum biochemical markers and osteoclast activity. The findings provide the basis required for better understanding of the results that will be obtained in any further studies of radiation-induced bone responses.
Bottom-up and top-down computations in word- and face-selective cortex

The ability to read a page of text or recognize a person's face depends on category-selective visual regions in ventral temporal cortex (VTC). To understand how these regions mediate word and face recognition, it is necessary to characterize how stimuli are represented and how this representation is used in the execution of a cognitive task. Here, we show that the response of a category-selective region in VTC can be computed as the degree to which the low-level properties of the stimulus match a category template. Moreover, we show that during execution of a task, the bottom-up representation is scaled by the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), and that the level of IPS engagement reflects the cognitive demands of the task. These results provide an account of neural processing in VTC in the form of a model that addresses both bottom-up and top-down effects and quantitatively predicts VTC responses. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.22341. 001
Hyperspectral image classification with small training set by deep network and relative distance prior

This paper presents a hyperspectral image classification method based on deep network, which has shown great potential in various machine learning tasks. Since the quantity of training samples is the primary restriction of the performance of classification methods, we impose a new prior on the deep network to deal with the instability of parameter estimation under this circumstances. On the one hand, the proposed method adjusts parameters of the whole network to minimize the classification error as all supervised deep learning algorithm, on the other hand, unlike others, it also minimize the discrepancy within each class and maximize the difference between different classes. The experimental results showed that the proposed method is able to achieve great performance under small training set.
A Value Driven Agent: Instantiation of a Case-Supported Principle-Based Behavior Paradigm

We have implemented a simulation of a robot functioning in the domain of eldercare whose behavior is completely determined by an ethical principle. Using a subset of the perceptions and duties that will be required of such a robot, this simulation demonstrates selection of ethically preferable actions in real time using a case-supported principle-based paradigm. We believe that this work could serve as the basis for ensuring that the behavior of all eldercare robots that are created in the future will be ethically justifiable. Further, we believe that the methods used in this project can be employed in other domains as well, to ensure that the robots that humans interact with in these domains will behave ethically.
Regular Exercise Reverses Sensory Hypersensitivity in a Rat Neuropathic Pain Model: Role of Endogenous Opioids

Background:Exercise is often prescribed as a therapy for chronic pain. Short-term exercise briefly increases the production of endogenous analgesics, leading to transient antinociception. In limited studies, exercise produced sustained increases in endogenous opioids, sustained analgesia, or diminished measures of chronic pain. This study tests the hypothesis that regular aerobic exercise leads to sustained reversal of neuropathic pain by activating endogenous opioid-mediated pain modulatory systems. Methods:After baseline measurements, the L5 and L6 spinal nerves of male Sprague–Dawley rats were tightly ligated. Animals were randomized to sedentary or 5-week treadmill exercise–trained groups. Thermal and tactile sensitivities were assessed 23 h after exercise, using paw withdrawal thresholds to von Frey filaments and withdrawal latencies to noxious heat. Opioid receptor antagonists were administered by subcutaneous, intrathecal, or intracerebroventricular injection. Opioid peptides were quantified using immunohistochemistry with densitometry. Results:Exercise training ameliorated thermal and tactile hypersensitivity in spinal nerve–ligated animals within 3 weeks. Sensory hypersensitivity returned 5 days after discontinuation of exercise training. The effects of exercise were reversed by using systemically or intracerebroventricularly administered opioid receptor antagonists and prevented by continuous infusion of naltrexone. Exercise increased &bgr;-endorphin and met-enkephalin content in the rostral ventromedial medulla and the mid-brain periaqueductal gray area. Conclusions:Regular moderate aerobic exercise reversed signs of neuropathic pain and increased endogenous opioid content in brainstem regions important in pain modulation. Exercise effects were reversed by opioid receptor antagonists. These results suggest that exercise-induced reversal of neuropathic pain results from an up-regulation of endogenous opioids.
Evaluation of Radio Resource Management Impact on RoF Signal Transmission for Downlink LTE

Analog radio-over-fiber (RoF) is a suitable technology for efficiently developing the cloud-RAN concept in fifth generation deployments based on long-term evolution advanced (LTE-A). Distortion and radiofrequency (RF) power amplifier gain should be taken into account in order to achieve the desired transmission power at the base station. Both mainly depend on several parameters that characterize the optical link, such as the RF input power and bias current. This paper analyzes the link performance due to variations on the traffic load as expected under real operation. In this paper, we show that it is possible in this scenario to adaptively choose the optimum RF input power to minimize the measured error vector magnitude and reduce the RF subsystem gain. Results show that this adaptation allows to relax the RF amplifier gain requirements up to 3-4 dB for medium load conditions.
Impact of pregnancy on back pain and body posture in women

[Purpose] The purpose of this single-center investigation was to study the impact of pregnancy on back pain and body posture. [Subjects] The subjects were 26 pregnant females. [Methods] Data were generated with a spine scanner (Diers® formetric 4D), trunk strength measurement (Diers® myoline), a numeric pain scale (0 to 10), and a biomechanical model. Parameters were compared during each trimester. [Results] The alteration in pain level at rest and lumbar lordosis angle in the females revealed a statistical trend during pregnancy. Spearman’s test showed positive correlations between body weight and trunk inclination during the second trimester, and between body weight and the kyphosis angle in the third trimester. The trunk inclination and the kyphosis angle revealed a negative correlation in the third trimester. Based on our analysis, the highest moments and muscle strength must be expended in the third trimester. The actual muscle strength is greatest in the second trimester. [Conclusion] Pain at rest must be given greater attention in pregnant females, and their increasing lumbar kyphosis must be counteracted. Exercising the deep segmental muscles may serve as a preventive measure.
Robust principal component analysis via feature self-representation

There exists lots of redundant features in high-dimensional data. Generally, PCA devotes to using all the original features for reconstruction, where the redundant features may have significant adverse effect on learning performance. In this paper, we integrate feature selection into PCA framework through using the selected key features for reconstruction. Unlike the traditional PCA-like methods, we first learn the ℓ2,1-norm sparse projection matrix to span a feature subspace and then use an orthogonal projection matrix to reconstruct the original data from the spanned feature subspace. In this way, the original data, especially its key components (e.g., the eyes, nose, mouth and contours), can be well represented by using the key features characterized by the learned ℓ2,1-norm sparse projection matrix. Furthermore, when data suffers from the outliers, the outliers would be selected inevitably where the outliers contain the variations appeared in the original images such as pose and illumination, and the added random noise onto the original images. To this end, we exploit the ℓ2,1-norm on the error term to fit the corruptions, which further provides a robust PCA version. A simple yet effective optimization algorithm with the application of Augmented Lagrange Multiplier is given to solve the resulting optimization problem. Experiments on the dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Thread Lift in Breast Ptosis

Female breast ptosis is a consequence of aging. An ideal esthetic nipple lies between 5 and 7 cm above the inferior mammary crease in a non-augmented breast. Progressive resting of the gland against the rib cage reflects ptosis. History of significant (50 lbs.) weight loss, higher body mass index (BMI), larger bra cup size, number of pregnancies, and smoking have been described as the significant risk factors for breast ptosis. [1] It is also one of the most common conditions treated by reconstructive surgeons. [2] However, surgical breast reconstructions have their attended surgical risks and associated morbidity, which may be avoidable in lean, younger females, and those with lesser degree of ptosis or mild breast asymmetry. Polydioxanone thread lift (PDOT) offers an alternative to those not desirous of surgery and can also be used as an add-on treatment after surgery for finer correction. It is well established in face-lift procedures; however, literature on breast ptosis use is lacking. [3]
A Systematic Review of Heparin to Treat Burn Injury

This systematic review was conducted to assess the evidence for using heparin to treat burn injury. The following databases were searched for relevant studies: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Central Database of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and BIOSIS. Additional searches involved the reference lists of included studies, the “grey ” literature (eg, government reports), and consultations with experts to obtain unpublished manuscripts. Included studies were summarized descriptively and in tabular form, and assessed for methodological quality. A metaanalysis was conducted to obtain a summary estimate for the association between heparin use and postburn mortality. Nine studies were abstracted and included in the review. Five studies contained adult and pediatric patients, one contained adults only, and three contained pediatric patients only. Burn etiologies included flame, scald, thermal, or smoke inhalation. Heparin administration was done topically, subcutaneously, intravenously, or via aerosol. Heparin was reported to have a beneficial impact on mortality, graft and wound healing, and pain control. For mortality, the overall estimate (relative risk) of heparin's effect was 0.32 (95% confidence interval = 0.18–0.57). Heparin's reported benefits may be severely biased because the abstracted studies were beset by poor methodological quality (eg, inadequate definitions of treatment and outcome, no control of confounding). Given poor study quality, there is no strong evidence to indicate that heparin can improve clinical outcomes in the treatment of burn injury. Further research is needed to assess the clinical utility of using heparin in the treatment of burn injury.
Associated Risk Factors and Complications in Vascular Surgery Patients Requiring Unplanned Postoperative Reintubation.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of reintubation within 30 days in vascular surgery patients and the associated risk factors and complications. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study with univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors and outcomes from data collected by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. SETTING All institutions participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. PARTICIPANTS All patients older than 18 undergoing vascular surgery. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A reintubation rate of 2.2% among vascular surgery patients within the first 30 days was demonstrated. Reintubation was associated positively with increased age, low body mass index, poor functional status, smoking status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, and increased anesthesia and surgical times. In addition, specific procedures were found to have significantly increased rates of reintubation, including bypass surgery, thrombectomy, and open thoracic and abdominal aorta surgery. Reintubation was associated positively with all measured complications, including a quadrupled length of average hospital stay (19.8 v 5.5 days), a 10-fold risk of mortality (33.9% v 2.6%), and a 40-fold risk of cardiac arrest (22.4% v 0.5%). CONCLUSIONS Patients undergoing major vascular surgery represent a high-risk population for unplanned postoperative reintubation. Preoperative evaluation should include the consideration of the positively associated risk factors found in this study. Due to the significant morbidity associated with unplanned reintubation, additional work is needed to identify risk factors amenable to optimization in the preoperative period.
Variation of cone photoreceptor packing density with retinal eccentricity and age.

PURPOSE To study the variation of cone photoreceptor packing density across the retina in healthy subjects of different ages. METHODS High-resolution adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) systems were used to systematically image the retinas of two groups of subjects of different ages. Ten younger subjects (age range, 22-35 years) and 10 older subjects (age range, 50-65 years) were tested. Strips of cone photoreceptors, approximately 12° × 1.8° long were imaged for each of the four primary retinal meridians: superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal. Cone photoreceptors within the strips were counted, and cone photoreceptor packing density was calculated. Statistical analysis (three-way ANOVA) was used to calculate the interaction for cone photoreceptor packing density between age, meridian, and eccentricity. RESULTS As expected, cone photoreceptor packing density was higher close to the fovea and decreased with increasing retinal eccentricity from 0.18 to 3.5 mm (∼0.6-12°). Older subjects had approximately 75% of the cone density at 0.18 mm (∼0.6°), and this difference decreased rapidly with eccentricity, with the two groups having similar cone photoreceptor packing densities beyond 0.5 mm retinal eccentricity on average. CONCLUSIONS Cone packing density in the living human retina decreases as a function of age within the foveal center with the largest difference being found at our most central measurement site. At all ages, the retina showed meridional difference in cone densities, with cone photoreceptor packing density decreasing faster with increasing eccentricity in the vertical dimensions than in the horizontal dimensions.