Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modulation of plasticity of the soleus area of the motor cortex using paired associative stimulation

Kumpulainen, Susanne Modulation of plasticity of the soleus area of the motor cortex using paired associative stimulation Jyvaskyla: University of Jyvaskyla, 2015, 80 p. (Studies in Sport, Physical Education and Health ISSN 0356-1070; 229) ISBN 978-951-39-6405-4 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-6406-1 (PDF) Paired associative stimulation (PAS) repeatedly combines single somatosensory nerve stimuli with single transcranial magnetic stimuli to induce bidirectional changes in the excitability of the cortical projections to the target muscle. PAS and motor training have been shown to share common neural mechanisms, suggesting that PAS tests functionally relevant neuronal circuits. While PAS has been used extensively to target the hand area of the motor cortex, few studies have targeted the leg area of the motor cortex. The optimal interstimulus interval (ISI) to induce plasticity in the cortical projections to lower limbs is still not well established. Thus, the first purpose of this thesis was to define an optimal ISI to induce long-term potentiation-like plasticity in the cortical projections to the soleus muscle. Next, this PAS protocol was used as a tool to study the effect of training background on motor cortex plasticity. The functionality of the effects following PAS was evaluated in the third experiment, by quantifying fatigue resistance during a 15 s sustained maximal isometric contraction prior to and after the PAS intervention. The fourth purpose of the thesis was to place the principle of PAS in a more natural context by replacing electrical stimulation with a natural stretch reflex volley (PASreflex). The optimal ISI for the PAS intervention when targeting soleus muscle was the latency of somatosensory evoked potential plus 18 ms (P32 plus 18 ms), which resulted in an 88 ± 105% increase in amplitude of the soleus motor-evoked potential. With the optimal PAS protocol, skill trained athletes exhibited significantly greater motor cortex plasticity compared to endurance trained athletes. The reason for differential motor cortex plasticity is likely related to the different training-induced adaptations. On average, fatigue resistance did not change following PAS and consequently, the functionality of PAS was not evident. However, PAS-induced excitability changes correlated significantly with changes in fatigue resistance. The effect of PASreflex was different immediately after and 30 min following the cessation of the intervention, and thus there were most likely several different phenomena taking place in the motor cortex due to the nature of the stretch reflex. In conclusion, the findings of this thesis will help to understand the behavioral and neural signals that drive function and learning in the motor cortex.
Rectal cancer staging: focus on the prognostic significance of the findings described by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract High-resolution (HR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an indispensable tool for multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) addressing rectal cancer. It provides anatomic information for surgical planning and allows patients to be stratified into different groups according to the risk of local and distant recurrence. One of the objectives of the MDT is the preoperative identification of high-risk patients who will benefit from neoadjuvant treatment. For this reason, the correct evaluation of the circumferential resection margin (CRM), the depth of tumor spread beyond the muscularis propria, extramural vascular invasion and nodal status is of the utmost importance. Low rectal tumors represent a special challenge for the MDT, because decisions seek a balance between oncologic safety, in the pursuit of free resection margins, and the patient’s quality of life, in order to preserve sphincter function. At present, the exchange of information between the different specialties involved in dealing with patients with rectal cancer can rank the contribution of colleagues, auditing their work and incorporating knowledge that will lead to a better understanding of the pathology. Thus, beyond the anatomic description of the images, the radiologist’s role in the MDT makes it necessary to know the prognostic value of the findings that we describe, in terms of recurrence and survival, because these findings affect decision making and, therefore, the patients’ life. In this review, the usefulness of HR MRI in the initial staging of rectal cancer and in the evaluation of neoadjuvant treatment, with a focus on the prognostic value of the findings, is described as well as the contribution of HR MRI in assessing patients with suspected or confirmed recurrence of rectal cancer.
Theorizing Social Reproduction: On the Origins of Decentered Subjectivity

The search for a viable psychology of the subject that is cognizant of but not reductive to material conditions is presently at a dead end. It began with an objection to Marxism's tacit endorsement of common-sense psychology. As Joel Kovel once put it, psychoanalysis is "a demand placed on marxism," a demand for a materialism conversant with the inner life.  Yet for all it offers us an unprecedented insight into the psyche, psychoanalysis does not admit of the complementary counter-demand. Feminism has had particular cause to complain of this refusal to acknowledge psychology's political context and has argued that only by recognizing women's subjectivity can psychoanalysis grasp inner experience in full. Feminist perception of how poorly women come off in psychoanalytic as well as Marxist theory puts a new spin on the debate between them: Feminism challenges both Marxism and psychoanalysis to live up to the universal validity they claim. However, feminist investigations, riding "the postmodern tide of uncertainty, "2 put into question the possibility of any generally valid theory of subjectivity altogether: As women's historical and cultural and semiotic and intrapsychic variability comes to the fore of feminist theory, "Woman" comes to be a multiply interpretable subiect (e.g., women of different colors, classes, sexualities, politics, or "white, black, Third World, Jewish, socialist, Marxist, liberal, cultural, structural, psychoanalytic and so forth" feminists) 3 with multiple and only partly commensurable histories. And, as she goes, so goes "Man. "
Novel distance and similarity measures on hesitant fuzzy sets with applications to clustering analysis

Distance and similarity measures are fundamentally important in a variety of scientific fields such as clustering analysis, pattern recognition and decision making, etc. In this paper, by analyzing the existing distance and similarity measures between hesitant fuzzy sets, we show that they are not reasonable in some situations. To this end, we propose a novel concept of hesitancy index of hesitant fuzzy set to measure the hesitancy degree among the possible values in each hesitant fuzzy element of the hesitant fuzzy set. By taking their hesitancy indices into account, new methods for measuring the distances between hesitant fuzzy sets are proposed and their properties are discussed. According to the relationship between the distance measure and the similarity measure, two novel similarity measures for hesitant fuzzy sets are further developed. Afterwards, we propound a novel hesitant fuzzy clustering algorithm on the basis of the novel similarity measures for classifying objects with hesitant fuzzy sets. At length, a real-life example is given to illustrate the detailed implementation process of the proposed clustering approach, and a comparative study on the same example is conducted.
Aggressive strategies and victimization during adolescence: grade and gender differences, and cross-informant agreement

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to analyze the frequency of physical, verbal. and indirect aggression as well as victimization across two genders and grades and (2) to assess the concordance among different informants. According to the answers provided by 257 fifth and seventh graders (mean age 11.4 and 13.5, respectively) in the Peer Estimated Conflict Behavior Questionnaire, four types of ratings were calculated: same- and opposite-gender rating, rating by both genders. and self-report. Additionally, teacher ratings were collected. In contrast to earlier findings, boys were found to he directly, as, well as indirectly, more aggressive than girls, thus challenging the universality of indirect aggression as a strategy more frequently employed by girls. Consistencies among different informants varied, with peers showing the strongest agreement with each other and self-views conforming the least to other ratings.
Algoritmos exatos para problema da clique maxima ponderada. (Exact algorithms for the maximum-weight clique problem / Algorithmes pour le problème de la clique de poids maximum)

Dans ce travail, nous presentons trois nouveaux algorithmes pour le probleme de la clique de poids maximum. Les trois algorithmes dependent d'un ordre initial des sommets. Deux ordres sont consideres, l'un en fonction de la ponderation des sommets et l'autre en fonction de la taille voisinage des sommets. Le premier algorithme, que nous avons appele BITCLIQUE, est une algorithme de separation et evaluation. Il reunit efficacement plusieurs idees deja utilisees avec succes pour resoudre le probleme, comme l'utilisation d'une heuristique de coloration ponderee en nombres entiers pour l'evaluation ; et l'utilisation de vecteurs de bits pour simplifier les operations sur le graphe. L'algorithme propose surpasse les algorithmes par separation et evaluation de l'etat de l'art sur la plupart des instances considerees en terme de nombre de sous-problemes enumeres ainsi que en terme de temps d'execution. La seconde version est un algorithme des poupees russes, BITRDS, qui integre une strategie d'evaluation et de ramification de noeuds basee sur la coloration ponderee. Les simulations montrent que BITRDS reduit a la fois le nombre de sous-problemes traites et le temps d'execution par rapport a l'algorithme de l'etat de l'art basee sur les poupees russes sur les graphes aleatoires avec une densite superieure a 50%. Cette difference augmente a la mesure que la densite du graphe augmente. D'ailleurs, BITRDS est competitif avec BITCLIQUE avec une meilleure performance sur les instances de graphes aleatoires avec une densite comprise entre 50% et 80%. Enfin, nous presentons une cooperation entre la methode poupees russes et la methode de ``Resolution Search''. L'algorithme propose, appele BITBR, utilise au meme temps la coloration ponderee et les limites superieures donnes par les poupees pour trouver un ``nogood''. L'algorithme hybride reduit le nombre d'appels aux heuristiques de coloration ponderee, atteignant jusqu'a 1 ordre de grandeur par rapport a BITRDS. Plusieurs simulations sont realisees avec la algorithmes proposes et les algorithmes de l'etat de l'art. Les resultats des simulations sont rapportes pour chaque algorithme en utilisant les principaux instances disponibles dans la litterature. Enfin, les orientations futures de la recherche sont discutees.
Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging parameter based computer assisted diagnostic tool using three random variable co-occurrence approach

In this research we describe an implementation of the joint statistical co-occurrence analysis of 3 types of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE-MR) images of breast tissue for detection of tumors. The method was implemented in distributed and parallel environments to decrease the long execution time caused by the huge size of data. This method is the first known implementation of the joint statistical co-occurrence analysis on 3 types of pharmacokinetic data and also the first implementation of multiimage co-occurrence analysis for medical applications.
Development of a Nested PCR for Detection ofCryptococcus neoformans in Cerebrospinal Fluid

ABSTRACT We report the development of a nested-PCR-based assay for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans in cerebrospinal fluid. The specificity and sensitivity of the test were assessed. The technique was then applied to 40 cerebrospinal fluid samples. We obtained positive reactions for all 21 clinical samples from patients who had been previously diagnosed as having cryptococcal meningitis by conventional techniques and negative reactions for all 19 negative controls. Nested PCR is here compared with other diagnostic methods currently used in patients’ follow-up exams during anticryptococcal therapy.
Noise Reduction by Diffusional Dissipation in a Minimal Quorum Sensing Motif

Cellular interactions are subject to random fluctuations (noise) in quantities of interacting molecules. Noise presents a major challenge for the robust function of natural and engineered cellular networks. Past studies have analyzed how noise is regulated at the intracellular level. Cell–cell communication, however, may provide a complementary strategy to achieve robust gene expression by enabling the coupling of a cell with its environment and other cells. To gain insight into this issue, we have examined noise regulation by quorum sensing (QS), a mechanism by which many bacteria communicate through production and sensing of small diffusible signals. Using a stochastic model, we analyze a minimal QS motif in Gram-negative bacteria. Our analysis shows that diffusion of the QS signal, together with fast turnover of its transcriptional regulator, attenuates low-frequency components of extrinsic noise. We term this unique mechanism “diffusional dissipation” to emphasize the importance of fast signal turnover (or dissipation) by diffusion. We further show that this noise attenuation is a property of a more generic regulatory motif, of which QS is an implementation. Our results suggest that, in a QS system, an unstable transcriptional regulator may be favored for regulating expression of costly proteins that generate public goods.
Adaptive second order sliding mode control under parametric uncertainties: application to a robotic system

The sliding mode control concept has been extensively investigated during the last decade, where it has been proved that such a control strategy is not so simple to be efficiently applied in dynamical and mechanical systems, because of the too strong sensitivity of such systems to the chattering phenomenon. In this paper, a reformulated second order sliding mode controller has been implemented into a robotic system for a trajectory tracking task, both in the case of ideal operation as well as for real systems submitted to parameter uncertainties. A comparative study performed through the obtained simulation results has been presented. Then, an adaptive extension of the second order sliding mode control has been treated seeking to resolve the challenging problems of real systems reflected by the presence of physical and environmental disturbances and especially parametric uncertainties. The proposed adaptive second order SMC has the advantage that it allows not only to remedy disturbing phenomena but also to retain all properties and system performances. Simulation results performed on a robotic manipulator system have illustrated improved performances with the proposed adaptive second order sliding mode control design.
Usefulness of head up tilt test in the diagnosis of neurocardiogenic syncope.

which is a retrospective and part prospective study, evaluat-ing the usefulness of head up tilt test in the diagnosis ofneurocardiogenic syncope. The authors have made a good at-tempt to analyze the significance of HUTT in ruling out otherperturbing causes of syncope in children and adolescents suchas seizure disorders and vertigo. But there are many aspectsin this study which are unclear. The study being partly pro-spective, investigators had an opportunity to include a con-trol group. Without an appropriate control group, it is cer-tainly inappropriate to attribute any significance to the posi-tive test obtained in 16 children. It is not clear why the inves-tigators choose to define a positive test as > 30% drop inblood pressure or heart rate and neither is it mentionedwhether they were considering systolic or diastolic blood pres-sure. Moreover, measurement of blood pressure with a stand-ard sphygmomanometer can produce considerable interper-sonal subjective variation in the BP values. As many as 11children showed a positive test on provocation with nitroglyc-erin. I would like to know the dose of the S/L nitroglycerinused and whether it is adjusted according to the body weightin this age group. Higher doses of nitroglycerin cause furthervenous pooling and may decrease arteriolar resistance as well,decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure and cardiacoutput and resulting in pallor, weakness and dizziness.
FIONA: a fault injector for dependability evaluation of Java-based network applications

The use of network applications for high availability systems requires the validation of its fault tolerance mechanisms to avoid unexpected behavior during execution. FIONA is a fault injection tool to experimentally validate these mechanisms of Java distributed applications. The tool uses JVMTI, a new interface for the development of debugging and monitoring tools that enables the instrumentation of Java applications. This approach provides complete transparency between the application under test and the fault injection tool, as well as portability. FIONA injects communication faults, making it possible to conduct the dependability evaluation of UDP based network protocols developed in Java.
Video-Assisted Global Positioning in Terrain Navigation: Hough Transform Solution

We present a rigorous geometric analysis of the computation of the global position of an airborne video camera using aerial images of known landmarks. This has also been known as the perspective-n-point (PnP) problem. Based on the analysis, a robust Hough transform-like method, facilitated by a class of CORDIC-structured computations, to nd the solution for the problem, is shown feasible within the framework of terrain navigation. It empowers aerial surveillance systems to navigate e ectively when the global position and inertial navigation sensors become faulty, inaccurate, or dysfunctional.
Efficient Threshold Signature Scheme

In this paper, we introduce a new threshold signature RSA-typed scheme. The proposed scheme has the characteristics of un-forgeable and robustness in random oracle model. Also, signature generation and verification is entirely non-interactive. In addition, the length of the entity signature participate is restricted by a steady times of the length of the RSA signature modulus. Also, the signing process of the proposed scheme is more efficient in terms of time complexity and interaction.
Hospital Financial Condition and Operational Decisions Related to the Quality of Hospital Care

Financial pressure mounted for hospitals nationwide during the late 1990s. Our study examines how this affected the quality of their operations in terms of organizational infrastructure and processes that support the delivery of care. Our sample consisted of community hospitals operating between 1995 and 2000. Financial pressure was measured based on changes in net patient revenues per adjusted patient day and the ratio of cash flow to total revenues. The authors examined effects on hospital investments in plant and equipment and on hospital standards compliance with selected Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization performance areas. The results suggest that increasing financial pressures did lead to cutbacks in these areas. These findings suggest the importance of looking broadly across hospital operations to identify factors that may contribute to poor patient outcomes. Given the findings of earlier studies, these results suggest that poor outcomes may in part result from deterioration in supporting infrastructure and organizational processes.
Tie2-dependent knockout of α6 integrin subunit in mice reduces post-ischaemic angiogenesis.

AIMS Integrins α6β1 and α6β4 are receptors for laminins, the main components of the basement membrane underlying the endothelial cells. In vitro, α6 integrin subunit (α6) expression at the surface of endothelial cells and their progenitors (EPCs) is up-regulated by pro-angiogenic growth factors and is crucial for adhesion, migration, and pseudotube formation. We investigated the role for α6 in post-ischaemic vascular repair in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS We used the cre-lox system to generate a mouse line with specific α6 gene deletion in Tie2-lineage cells. In a model of hind-limb ischaemia, Tie2-dependent α6 deletion reduced neovessel formation and reperfusion of the ischaemic limb. Concerning the role for α6 in post-ischaemic vasculogenesis, we showed previously that α6 was required for EPC recruitment at the site of ischaemia. Here, we found that α6 deletion also reduced EPC mobilization from the bone marrow after ischaemia. Examination of the ischaemic muscles showed that Tie2-dependent α6 deletion decreased the recruitment of pro-angiogenic Tie2-expressing macrophages. In the Matrigel plug assay, fibroblast growth factor-2-induced vascularization was diminished in mice lacking endothelial α6. To specifically investigate the role for α6 in angiogenesis, aortic rings were embedded in Matrigel or collagen and cultured ex vivo. In Matrigel, neovessel outgrowth from rings lacking α6 was strongly diminished, whereas no genotype-dependent difference occurred for rings in collagen. CONCLUSION α6 plays a major role in both post-ischaemic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
Bilişsel Davranışçı Yaklaşıma Dayalı Grup Rehberliğinin Dil Öğrenimine İlişkin İnançlar Üzerindeki Etkisi

Normal 0 false false false TR JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:TR;} The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of cognitive behavioral approach-based group guidance on undergraduate students' beliefs about language learning. With this aim, 264 undergraduate students from English Preparatory classes completed Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory (Horwitz, 1988; Kunt, 1997). Eighty students observed as possessing negative beliefs about language learning were individually interviewed and experimental and control groups were organized with the volunteer students. The experimental group participated in cognitive behavioral approach-based group guidance program, whereas the control group received no intervention. Results of the research indicated that posttest of experimental group was significantly higher than the control group. That is, the group counseling was effective with this group. This research is thought to be a leading one for future research and applications within language preparatory schools at universities in Turkey in their preparation of the programs which targeted to change the irrational beliefs of undergraduate students about the process of language learning with rational ones that enhance their learning.