Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability in spatiotemporal gait characteristics over the course of the L-dopa cycle in people with advanced Parkinson disease .

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Understanding the nature and extent of fluctuations in spatial and temporal variables of gait (eg, speed, stride length [SL], stride time [ST]) over the course of the levodopa (L-dopa) cycle of individuals with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) is important in order to assess patients and examine the effectiveness of interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gait variables are sufficiently stable to be used as outcome measures in a clinical trial involving patients with advanced PD. SUBJECTS Five volunteers (3 male, 2 female; mean age=67.8 years; Hoehn and Yahr stages 3-4) with idiopathic PD of a mean duration of 15.0 years participated. METHODS Gait speed, SL, and ST were measured as the subjects walked 7.2 m at self-selected speeds. To evaluate the full "on-off" sequence of the L-dopa response, this analysis was repeated 11 times, at intervals of 10% of the L-dopa cycle. Each subject was analyzed on 3 separate days, with approximately 1 month between tests. Two-way repeated-measures analyses of covariance, with 2 within-subject factors (percentage of L-dopa cycle and day) and 1 covariate (height), were applied, and coefficients of variation were calculated to determine the extent of change in speed, SL, and ST over the L-dopa cycle and over the 3 days. RESULTS The subjects' overall mean gait speed was 70.39 cm/s, representing 55.4% of the age-related normative values. There were no effects of percentage of the L-dopa cycle or day or of the interaction of percentage of the L-dopa cycle and day on speed, SL, and ST. The coefficients of variation for speed and SL were consistently higher than the normative values, ranging from 13.5% to 23.8% and from 13.9% to 23.3% at 20% of the L-dopa cycle, respectively. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION When interpreting spatiotemporal measurements of gait of patients with advanced PD, fluctuations can be extensive and may not follow a predictable pattern.
Understanding the Gamma Adjustment of Images

Gamma adjustment is one of the simplest global tone reproduction operators. If an image is too bright or too dark the image can be made pleasing by applying a gamma greater than one (leading to a darker image) or less than one (leading to a brighter image) respectively. In recent theoretical work, the ’optimal’ gamma in an information theoretic sense has been derived. The starting point of this paper is to ask the question: in adjusting gamma in images do observers make a similar choice to the information theoretic optimum? Experimentally, we investigate the user’s choice of gamma parameter by conducting double staircase psychophysical experiment on a wide range of monochrome images. Two staircases beginning with bright and dark images with respect to which gamma adjustments are made. The user progressively darkens and lightens the respective images until the staircases converge (we have the same image). The pilot experiment indicates that there is a linear relationship between the maximum entropy of image and the chosen gamma from the experiment: our experiment provides prima facie evidence that image that observers adjust images to bring out information. Moreover, the combination of entropy calculation together with our regression line we effectively provide an automatic algorithm for gamma adjustment. Finally, we also discuss the relationship between our assumption to the chosen gamma, a modified non-linear masking operator and two versions of CIECAM, and found that all of the operators give the similar trends, but slightly poorer fits, for predicting the gamma parameter. Put another way our work indicates that existing formulae for gamma adjustment can also be related to the concept of entropy maximization. Introduction Gamma adjustment in the context of tone reproduction operator provides contrast adjustment. The simplest form of the operator is defined by the following power-law expression:
Reconstitution of Sociotechnical Arrangements: Agency and the Design of Artifacts

ABSTRACT This article regards artifacts as sociotechnical arrangements. Likewise, it views the concept of agency—traditionally defined as a human capacity for having needs and preferences and for seeing possible actions—as not independent of sociotechnical arrangements, but rather emerging from and potentially transforming those arrangements. In other words, the design of an artifact is actually the design of a sociotechnical arrangement, from which emerges new agency. We support this view with our fieldwork in the areas of open data, integrated learning, and local currency.
Chapter 10. Sensitivity of maternal gesture to interlocutor and context

Child-directed communication may be systematically modified either because (1) it scaffolds language learning (the ‘Facilitative Strategy Hypothesis’) or (2) as a consequence of the semantic simplicity of interactions with children (the ‘Interactional Artefact Hypothesis’). To compare these hypotheses, we compared maternal gestural production in dialogue with adults and children. We also examined the sensitivity of gestural production to children’s concurrent linguistic level. Twenty-nine mothers and their 16–24-month-olds were video-recorded during a free play session, and during picture and word description tasks. In interaction with children, maternal gestural repertoires were limited, typically comprising concrete deictic and representational gestures; abstract emphatic gestures were rare. Maternal gesture and children’s current vocabulary were positively correlated. Thus, maternal gestural modification appears to scaffold word learning, supporting the Facilitative Strategy Hypothesis.
Neutralization of the Principal Toxins from the Venoms of Thai Naja kaouthia and Malaysian Hydrophis schistosus: Insights into Toxin-Specific Neutralization by Two Different Antivenoms

Antivenom neutralization against cobra venoms is generally low in potency, presumably due to poor toxin-specific immunoreactivity. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of two elapid antivenoms to neutralize the principal toxins purified from the venoms of the Thai monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia, Nk-T) and the Malaysian beaked sea snake (Hydrophis schistosus, Hs-M). In mice, N. kaouthia Monovalent Antivenom (NKMAV) neutralization against Nk-T long neurotoxin (LNTX) and cytotoxin was moderate (potency of 2.89–6.44 mg toxin/g antivenom protein) but poor against the short neurotoxin (SNTX) (1.33 mg/g). Its cross-neutralization against Hs-M LNTX of Hs-M is compatible (0.18 mg/g) but much weaker against Hs-M SNTX (0.22 mg/g). Using CSL (Seqirus Limited) Sea Snake Antivenom (SSAV), we observed consistently weak neutralization of antivenom against SNTX of both species, suggesting that this is the limiting factor on the potency of antivenom neutralization against venoms containing SNTX. Nevertheless, SSAV outperformed NKMAV in neutralizing SNTXs of both species (0.61–2.49 mg/g). The superior efficacy of SSAV against SNTX is probably partly attributable to the high abundance of SNTX in sea snake venom used as immunogen in SSAV production. The findings indicate that improving the potency of cobra antivenom may be possible with a proper immunogen formulation that seeks to overcome the limitation on SNTX immunoreactivity.
Penetrating the Knowledge Filter in the Rust Belt

A new model of economic growth introduces the knowledge filter between new knowledge and economically useful knowledge. It identifies both new ventures and incumbent firms as the mechanisms that penetrate the knowledge filter. Recent empirical work has shown that new firms are more proficient at penetrating the knowledge filter than are incumbent firms; however, the analysis has only examined expanding economies and has relied on purely cross-sectional regression methodologies. This study explores the role of new and incumbent firms in penetrating the knowledge filter utilizing recent developments in spatial panel estimation techniques to provide a more robust set of findings. The results suggest those new firms are more proficient at penetrating the knowledge filter in declining and growing regions alike.
Mobile Agent Routing Algorithm Based on Improved Ant Colony Algorithm

At the present stage wireless sensor network exists some deficiencies such as finite energy, limited communication capability, multi-hop routing and dynamic topology. In addition too many nodes which are distributed intensively influence also performance of wireless sensor network. Besides distributed optimization problem always impact to efficiency of the network. For data processing and routing selection of wireless sensor network, a new routing algorithm based on mobile agent and ant colony optimization is proposed in the paper. The ant colony algorithm is improved and optimized in the paper. The algorithm can balance between routing efficiency and node loading . So on the one part the computing capability of sensor node and efficiency of data processing are improved. On the other part redundant data and communication consumption are reduced so that life expectancy of sensor is extended. Simulation experiments show that the new routing algorithm could solve the problems of wireless sensor network, and it has good practice application effect. Copyright © 2013 IFSA.
Effect of galantamine on verbal repetition in AD: a secondary analysis of the VISTA trial.

OBJECTIVES To understand how commonly diminution of verbal repetition was a goal of treatment in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), how commonly that goal was achieved, whether goal attainment might be attributable to galantamine treatment, and whether change in verbal repetition is a marker of the overall treatment response. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of the Video-Imaging Synthesis of Treating Alzheimer's Disease study, a 4-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of galantamine in 130 community-dwelling patients with mild to moderate AD. The primary outcome was Goal Attainment Scaling, in which individualized problems identified by patients/caregivers and treating physicians were assessed bimonthly. RESULTS Reduction of verbal repetition was set as a treatment goal in 44% (n = 57) of randomized patients. More patients/caregivers (32%) set repetition goals than did physicians (18%). After 4 months, more galantamine-treated patients showed diminution of verbal repetition (58%) than did placebo-treated patients (24%; p < 0.01). Reduction of verbal repetition correlated with improvement in clinical measures, but not in standardized ones. CONCLUSIONS Reduction of verbal repetition is a common goal of Alzheimer disease treatment. After 4 months, patients treated with galantamine were more likely to experience a reduction of verbal repetition than those treated with placebo. Diminution of verbal repetition was associated with other improvements, suggesting it might be a clinical marker of a positive treatment response.
Closed manifolds coming from Artinian complete intersections

We reformulate the integrality property of the Poincare inner product in the middle dimension, for an arbitrary Poincare Q-algebra, in classical terms (discriminant and local invariants). When the algebra is 1-connected, we show that this property is the only obstruction to realizing it by a smooth closed manifold, in dimension 8. We analyse the homogeneous artinian complete intersections over Q realized by smooth closed manifolds of dimension 8, and their signatures.
Secrecy rate region of independent parallel multiple-carrier two-way secure communications with secure feedback

In this paper, the secrecy rate region of independent parallel multiple-carrier two-way secure communications with secure feedback is investigated. The legitimate user securely feeds back the secret key to the other legitimate user via secure feedback link in the presence of a passive eavesdropper, and the latter legitimate user encrypts confidential message with the received secret key. It is first proved that the scheme of joint subcarrier has larger secrecy rate region than the one of subcarrier-by-subcarrier in the multiple-carrier system. With the scheme of joint subcarrier, the secrecy rate region is obtained, and the optimal power allocation is proved to be water-filling. Numerical results further show that the optimal power allocation outperforms uniform power allocation.
Reinforcement learning mechanisms in the human brain: Insights from model-based fMRI

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press, or as expressly permitted by law, or under terms agreed with the appropriate reprographics rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the scope of the above should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above You must not circulate this book in any other binding or cover and you must impose the same condition on any acquirer A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library Data available Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Data available
A Failed Revolt? Assessing the Viability of the North Caucasus Insurgency

ABSTRACT This is the first article to systematically examine the factors that have led to the considerable weakening of the North Caucasus insurgency since 2013: the selective targeting of the insurgents’ support base, the deployment of elite counter-insurgent force and army in special operations, the infiltration of insurgent groups and their decapitation, and the departure of the North Caucasians to the Syrian Civil War. Scrutinizing how these factors have reduced the regional insurgency, the article also points to their shortcomings that have, as the article shows, since 2014 contributed to an increase in insurgency-related violence in the region. First, the risk of severe penalization notwithstanding, many locals, driven by the locally embedded codes of retaliation and hospitality, as well as by the sympathies toward the insurgents, have continued to provide support to the insurgents and to put up resistance to the incumbent forces. Second, with elite counter-insurgent force limited in numbers and increasingly deployed outside of Russia, a considerable part of counter-insurgency operations has again been conducted by local police, infamous for incompetence and corruption. Third, while decapitation has failed to put an end to insurgent groups, these groups’ infiltration has become harder than previously due to the insurgent groups’ increasingly selective recruitment policies. Fourth, the falling numbers of North Caucasian volunteers to the Syrian Civil War has provided more recruits to the jihadist groups operating in their home region. The article concludes that the North Caucasus insurgency is likely to survive in the years to come.
Korean language generation in an interlingua-based speech translation system

Abstract : The Speech Systems Technology Group at Lincoln Laboratory has been developing an automatic speech-to-speech translation system for English to Korean translation. For the machine translation module, an interlingua system has been adopted. This system analyzes the source language text and represents the results of the analysis in a semantic frame, which is a representation of the meaning of the input text from which the text in the target language is generated. GENESIS, a language generation system developed at the Spoken Language Systems Group at the Laboratory for Computer Science at MIT, has been utilized for the language generation component. GENESIS had previously been used in limited domains for European languages and for Japanese. The work reported here shows that GENESIS is capable of generating a wide range of Korean sentences. It explores the degree to which GENESIS can handle Korean as a target language in a machine translation system and describes extensions to GENESIS that are needed to produce Korean output.
Improved NEFCLASS Pruning Techniques Applied to a Real World Domain

The NEFCLASS system makes it possible to learn fuzzy classi ers from data. Unfortunately, in some cases the derived rule bases are hard to interpret. We present modi ed learning and pruning strategies to derive simpli ed fuzzy classi cation rules from data. The usability of this approach is empirically shown on some real world data.
Responses of bacterioplankton and phytoplankton to organic carbon and inorganic nutrient additions in contrasting oceanic ecosystems

Experiments were carried out on Georges Bank, a productive coastal region in the northwestern sector of the North Atlantic Ocean, and in the oligotrophic western Sargasso Sea to examine the effects of nutrient (inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) and organic carbon (glucose) additions on bacterial and phytoplankton growth. Four experiments were conducted in each environment. Phytoplankton growth was monitored over a 36 h period by following changes in the concentration of chlorophyll in unfiltered seawater and in seawater prefiltered through 5 μm screening to reduce grazing pressure. Bacterial production was estimated initially and after 24 h using the 3H-thymidine (TdR) method in unfiltered seawater and in 1 μm filtrate. Phytoplankton biomass increased significantly in response to nutrient additions in all but 1 experiment, whereas chlorophyll concentrations remained unchanged or decreased in all of the unamended (control) treatments or treatments supplemented with glucose. Responses of the phytoplankton community were similar for the <5 μm and unfiltered treatments. Bacterial production increased after 24 h in all of the treatments on Georges Bank, and there was little effect of nutrient or glucose addition in unfiltered seawater relative to unamended controls. However, glucose addition to the <1 μm filtrate caused substantial increases in bacterial production relative to controls and N/P-amended treatments in 2 of the experiments from this environment. Glucose had no stimulatory effect (relative to unamended treatments) in 3 of the 4 Sargasso Sea experiments, and only a marginal effect in the fourth. However, the addition of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the latter ecosystem resulted in higher bacterial production (relative to unamended treatments or glucose addition) in 2 of the experiments with unfiltered seawater, and very large increases in 3 of the experiments with 1 μm filtrate. The magnitude of the changes in bacterial production differed greatly between unfiltered and filtered seawater in both ecosystems, indicating an important role for bacterial grazers in controlling bacterial population growth. The results of this study indicate different nutritional restraints on bacterial production in these contrasting environments.
Alterations in enzymatic functions in hepatocytes and hepatocellular carcinomas from Ras‐transduced livers resemble the effects of insulin

An understanding of how oncogenes affect differentiated liver functions might lead to improved treatments for liver cancer or other disorders where liver‐specific functions are compromised. A retroviral vector that coexpressed β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) and activated Ras genes (Ras‐gal) was transduced into a small fraction of adult rat hepatocytes in vivo. Hepatocytes from Ras‐gal‐transduced diethylnitrosamine‐ untreated livers and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) from Ras‐gal‐ transduced diethylnitrosamine‐treated rats were analyzed for liver functions by performing histochemical assays on liver sections. Ras‐gal‐ transduced hepatocytes failed to express gluconeogenic, ketogenic, and urea pathway enzymes. In contrast, several enzymes involved in fat synthesis were strongly activated, and microvesicular fat accumulated. These metabolic changes are induced in normal livers by insulin, a hormone that activates p21‐ras. The deregulation of p21‐ras may inhibit these liver‐specific functions and may induce fat synthesis in both malignant and nonmalignant liver diseases. Furthermore, treatment with drugs that inhibit the attachment of p21‐ras to the plasma membrane might reverse these changes. The alterations in enzymatic functions in the HCCs were similar to those observed in the hepatocytes, although each of the two cancers had a region that abruptly lost its expression of liver‐specific enzymes and acquired the expression of genes that are more characteristic of oval or bile ductule cells. This suggests that a single genetic event in a malignant cell may dramatically alter its apparent phenotype. The identification of this putative gene might lead to insights into the regulation of the phenotype of normal cells in the liver.
An expected least-squares beamforming approach to signal estimation with steering vector uncertainties

We treat the problem of beamforming for signal estimation in the presence of steering vector uncertainties, where the goal is to estimate a signal amplitude from a set of array observations. Conventional beamforming methods typically aim at maximizing the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). Recently, a maximum likelihood (ML) approach was introduced that leads to an iterative beamformer. Here we suggest an expected least-squares (LS) strategy that results in a simple linear beamformer. We then demonstrate through simulations that the LS beamformer often performs similarly to the ML method in terms of mean-squared error and outperforms conventional SINR-based approaches.
Building Predictable Services Using Af

The ietf is considering a more evolutionary approach for providing service diierentiation in the Internet based on using the type-of-service (ToS) bits in the ip header. Through the Diierentiated Services (DiffServ) working group, a small set of building blocks are being deened which give the network the ability to provide predictable services to applications. One of the mechanisms being considered for deployment is the Assured Forwarding (AF) Per-Hop Behavior (PHB). AF speciies a low-loss forwarding behavior for packets which are marked with it. This article surveys some of the problems in implementing AF correctly in the network and in building predictable services on top of AF. This article also surveys a number of simple mechanisms which have been proposed to address these problems.
A selection of nonequilibrium issues

We give a pedagogical introduction to a selection of recently discussed topics in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, concentrating mostly on formal structures and on general principles. Part I contains an overview of the formalism of lattice gases that we use to explain various symmetries and inequalities generally valid for nonequilibrium systems, including the fluctuation symmetry, Jarzynski equality, and the direction of currents. That mostly concerns the time-antisymmetric part of dynamical fluctuation theory. We also briefly comment on recent attempts to combine that with the time-symmetric sector in a Langrangian or extended Onsager-Machlup approach. In Part II we concentrate on the macroscopic state and how entropy provides a bridge between microscopic dynamics and macroscopic irreversibility; included is a construction of quantum macroscopic states and a result on the equivalence of ensembles.
Caching for IPTV distribution with time-shift

Today video and TV distribution dominate Internet traffic and the increasing demand for high-bandwidth multimedia services puts pressure on Internet service providers. In this paper we simulate TV distribution with time-shift and investigate the effect of introducing a local cache close to the viewers. We study what impact TV program popularity, program set size, cache replacement policy and other factors have on the caching efficiency. The simulation results show that introducing a local cache close to the viewers significantly reduces the network load from TV-on-Demand services. By caching 4% of the program volume we can decrease the peak load during prime time by almost 50%. We also show that the TV program type and how program popularity changes over time can have a big influence on cache hit ratios and the resulting link loads.